Disclaimer: Don't own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals. I only own the OCs that are in this story.

A/N: I apologize for not updating regularly. So much drama going on in my life at the moment. This is a continuation from the last chapter. I did my best to not have be a filler chapter. I think you guys will find it enjoyable, hopefully. Anyways, thanks for the support. I know I say that for every chapter, but I really do mean it. You guys are awesome.

Kol felt helpless. He didn't know how to comfort Jess during this time. He watched her sitting on the couch, staring at the television. There was no emotion on her face, only a blank expression. She looked almost catatonic.

Kol tried to engage her in conversation, but she wouldn't say much. He'd try to get her to eat. Again, Jess would decline his offer to make her something.

He didn't know what to do, so he let her be. Kol sat down at Jess's desk that was nestled in the corner of the living room. To say it was cluttered would be an understatement. The desk had piles and piles of papers or file folders scattered all over the surface. Out of the corner of his eye, Kol saw a file folder with the name 'Papa Tunde.' The name didn't sound familiar to Kol, but it did peek his interest.

"Jess." Kol spoke to get her attention.

"Yeah?" she replied turning her head towards him.

"Who's Papa Tunde?" He asked and brought the file over to her.

But she waved her hand at him dismissively, "Nobody. Just some warlock that appears to not exist."

"Why were you trying to find him?"

"For you." Jess said simply, "I wanted him to help you with your nightmares. Rumor has it this Tunde knows how to manipulate the mind and cleanse it. I just…wanted to help you. But I can't even do that."

Kol was touched that Jess would go through the trouble to help him with his nightmares. However, that wasn't her problem, it was his. There were nights when he got a decent night's sleep and then there were nights when he didn't. Kol had come to accept that fact that his nightmares would always be a part of him and that they would never go away.

Before Kol could explain that to Jess, she quickly bolted up from the couch, ran over to the door and looked out the peep hole.

"What is it?"

"Shh! It's Ruth. Shit. She's come to get the rent, which I don't have. No thanks to that bitch, Hayley who stole from me. Look, you need to get her to go away." Jess ordered as she pulled Kol up from the couch and pushed him to the front door.

"How do you want me to do that?"

"I don't know. Just…be charming…or something and tell her to leave." She said and ran to her room to hide.

Kol sighed and opened the door when he heard a soft knock on the other end.

"Miss Ruth, how are you? Gorgeous as ever I see." Kol greeted the elderly woman.

"Hello handsome." Ruth replied and grabbed his face to give him a kiss on both cheeks.

Kol did his best not to groan at the display of affection.

"What are you doing here? I haven't seen you around in a while." Said Ruth.

"Oh, I've been busy. My sister came back to town, so I have been spending time with her. You know, getting reacquainted and all." It wasn't an outright lie Kol told himself.

He liked Ruth. She was a sweet woman who was one of the few people to look after Jess. Yes, she could be overbearing at times, but she meant well.

"Well that is wonderful. You must bring her over for Shabbat's dinner sometime."

"Uh…sure...she would love that." Another lie Kol said to himself

"So, Miss Ruth, what can I help you with?" Kol asked.

"I'm looking for Jessica. Is she around?"

"Actually-"Kol began, "Jess hasn't been feeling too well."

"Oh no. Is she inside? Let me take a look at her." Ruth suggested and tried to get pass Kol; however, he blocked her and shut the door behind him.

"No. Trust me, you don't want to go in there. It's bad."

"Well, if she isn't feeling well and it's as bad as you say, then maybe we should take her to the doctors."

"No, no, no. No doctors. I am sure it's some 24 hour bug that has been going around. She'll be fine."

Ruth gave Kol a questioning look as if she was contemplating whether or not he was telling the truth.

"Okay. If she doesn't show signs of improvement you come and get me." Ruth ordered sternly.

"Absolutely." Kol said flashing her a toothy grin.

"Also, could you tell her that this month rent is due. Normally, Jessica is great at getting it in on time. It just isn't like her to not have it turned in at the first of every month."

"Right. I will tell her that you stopped by." Kol said and waved goodbye. He didn't go back inside the apartment until he saw that Ruth was out of sight.

Shutting the front door, Kol marched right into Jess's bedroom. He saw that she was lying on her bed, face down on a pillow.

"Are you broke?" Kol flat out asked as he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame.

Jess picked her head up to answer him, "Yep. I'm poor. I don't know what to do."

"You ask for help, that's what you do." Kol scolded.

He moved from the door to sit on the bed next Jess.

"I hate asking for help. I hate bothering people with my problems."

There was a moment of silence between the two. Kol positioned himself closer to Jess as she nestled her head against his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her and began stroking her hair softly.

"I'm sorry." She said all of a sudden.

"What are you sorry for?" Kol asked confused.

She turned her head to look up at him and say, "For getting you into this mess. I never meant for anyone to get hurt."

Jess could feel the tears starting to form.

"I know you didn't, darling. It was an accident."

"Was it though? What if there was some part of me that truly wanted to kill Camille?"

Kol had no answer to that.

"What did you do with her body?" Jess wanted to know.

"Someplace no one will ever find. It will be a while before anyone really starts to wonder where she went. Sophie and I are taking care of it." informed Kol.

"No, I don't want Sophie involved in this anymore than she already is. I promised her sister that I would keep her safe and this is in no way keeping her safe."

"Sophie will do what I ask. She still needs me to help diminish Marcel's control over the witches."

Jess sat up and rested herself against the headboard. She didn't say anything. Just sat staring straight ahead at nothing.

"We could leave. Get out of New Orleans Start someplace new." Jess proposed.

Kol didn't know if she was serious or not. He never figured Jess would start running again.

It wasn't the question could he go with her, but would he.

Kol was on his way to getting what he wanted: revenge on his family.

Elijah was out of the way. He already had the witch in mind who would help desiccate Klaus, and Rebekah had finally returned to New Orleans. It would only be a matter of time before he could manipulate Klaus into daggering her as well.

Kol's power within French Quarter was growing and he didn't want to give it up.

On the other hand, he truly cared for the girl sitting next to him.

Was she worth more than his selfish desires?

He didn't know the answer to that question.