"I don't get it!" Laura cried as Selina and Elijah sat her down and told her about their plan with Theresa. "You just got back, Daddy! Why are you leaving again? How could you do that to Mom?"

"Don't worry," Selina said. "I know all about it, and it won't be forever. Just until we con your grandfather into giving me my memory back." She looked at Elijah. "You'll be here at night, won't you? Or do you think that will blow our cover?"

"I can be here at night," Elijah assured her. "As long as I leave early in the morning. I won't leave you alone again more than I can help, I promise."

Laura sighed. "And I suppose you want me to explain all of this to the other kids so they don't worry. Is that right?"

"Yes," Selina nodded. "And thank you so much for being patient with us. I know it can't be a picnic for you having to take care of your brothers and sisters as often as we're making you do, but you're doing it well."

"Thanks," Laura said. "And don't worry. I'll make sure that everyone knows this latest thing between the two of you is just an act so no one gets scarred for life."

"It's appreciated," Selina told her. "We owe you and we promise we'll make it up to you later."

"Yes, you do," Laura said. "And just so you know, a car would be the perfect way to pay me back."

"We'll see about that," Elijah told her. "We'll see about that."

"My parents are killing me!" Laura complained to Edward the next day. "I wish I could just come live with you at your apartment."

"What's happened?" Edward asked. "Don't tell me they're splitting up again."

"Not exactly," Laura shook her head. "But to get my grandfather to give back Mom's memories, they're pretending that they've broken up for good and Dad's moving into their friend Theresa's house during the day to make the whole idea seem more believable. It already took so much out of me explaining to Margaret and Annaliese why they weren't together the first time. Now I have to do it again. Thank god Colin and Tristan didn't care as much, otherwise I'd be completely bonkers!"

"Well, look on the bright side," Edward told her. "At least this time, what's going on between your parents is an act and not the real thing!"

"I know," Laura replied. "But I hate being the oldest kid home because I have to explain stuff and reassure everyone when Mom and Dad act crazy and I don't know if I like it."

"Well, in that case," Edward told her, "I will take over the job as responsible one when we have kids, so you don't have to deal with all the extra worry."

"Thank you," Laura told him. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

Edward nodded. "I try," he said. "But I really think you're underestimating yourself. You're a lot like your mother and she's a good parent, in her own way. You don't have to be serious and always instill order to be a good parent. You can be fun too."

"That'll be my job!" Laura said.

"Yes," Edward nodded. "But let's not think too far ahead. "We still have school to get through."

Laura nodded. "I guess."

"When are your parents starting this scheme of theirs?" He asked. "Do you know?"

"No," Laura said. "But it'll probably be soon. A few days at the most and tomorrow at the earliest. And the funny thing is, I think there's a part of Mom that doesn't really want Dad to go."

"Why is that funny?" Edward asked. "She just got him back after he was gone for the longest time, and now he's leaving again. Can you blame her for being nervous?"

"No," I can't," Laura told him. "Cause I'm kind of the same way with you. I saw you every day, and then you had to leave, and then you got to come back cause Dad was gone, and now you probably have to leave again. I just wish I could see you all the time." She sighed.

"Well, there's always school," Edward said, taking her hand and propelling her up the steps. "Let's go."

"Please let this work," Selina said to herself as Elijah left for Theresa's the first time.

"What's the matter?" Elijah asked, pulling her to him. "Please don't tell me you're worried about Theresa and me. You have no reason to be."

"No," Selina shook her head as she held him tight. "It's not that. I'm just worried that the plan might not work. We know it's a long shot even now."

"But we said we were at least gonna try," Elijah reminded her, stroking her hair. "And if Father won't take the bait immediately about giving your memory back after I tell him you and I have split up, when he stops by to gloat, because he will, all you have to do is indicate that getting your memories of us back would make you absolutely miserable. And you know Father would never resist a chance to do that."

"Yeah," Selina nodded. "I know he wouldn't." She paused. "Did you mean it when you told Laura you'd come back at night?"

"Yes," Elijah nodded. "I promise. We've already had so much foolishness keeping us apart, I won't put you through that again."

Selina just decided to nod without mentioning that the foolishness he'd been talking about was actually his fault. "Thank you," she said quietly. "Good luck."

"Thank you," Elijah told her. "It won't be so bad. I promise."

"Goodbye," Selina told him. "I'm gonna be at the bakery if you want to come and visit after lunch."

"All right," Elijah said. "I'll try and pay you a visit." He left and went to find his father.

"What's the matter with you?" Mikael asked when he saw him. "Surely it's not something a little hunting won't fix."

Elijah heaved an exaggerated sigh. "I'm afraid it will take more than that," he said. "You'll be happy to know that Selina and I have ended things permanently."

"Oh, really?" Mikael asked, trying not to grin, but failing. "That's too bad. But really, it's not a bad loss. There's no need to dwell on it. I'm sure Theresa would be willing to start things up with you again."

"As a matter of fact," Elijah told him, "I've already spoken to her, and yes, she said she'd be willing to take me in. I'm going to bring my things to her house after we finish here."

"Well, in that case," Mikael replied, standing up. "Let's get moving! We don't want to be wasting time you could be using to move on with your life with work." He paused. "I know this might be hard for you, but you have to remember that Selina was nothing but a shallow, cheating strumpet. A fertile shallow, cheating strumpet, but a strumpet nonetheless, and I've always thought you could do better. Now you have the chance and it's something you should be happy about and not mope over."

"I have no intention of moping," Elijah said. "I am fully prepared to move on."

"Is she?" Mikael asked. "Or are we going to have problems?"

"No," Elijah shook his head. "She made it clear that she knows where we stand and won't press the issue anymore. You don't have to worry."

"I know you say that," Mikael told him. "But maybe I should stop by and chat with her while you're moving into Theresa's and make sure."

"All right, Father," Elijah said, turning away so Mikael wouldn't see his smirk. "Whatever you feel is necessary to do is all right with me."

"You came!" Selina cried as Elijah went into the bakery. She bounded over the counter and ran to the door, hugging him. "I hoped you were going to."

"Why wouldn't I come?" Elijah asked. "Especially if I said I was going to this morning?"

"I don't know," Selina shrugged. "Stuff happens. Especially where your father is concerned."

"Speaking of him," Elijah said with a grin as he helped Selina into a chair. "He took the bait. Can I have some cookies?"

"He did?" Selina asked in surprise. "You told him we'd broken up and he believed you? And sure!" She went and got a few cookies for him and put them in a bag, handing her cash.

"Yes," Elijah nodded. "And he's going to stop by our house while I'm moving into Theresa's to make sure you're amenable to the move."

"Great!" Selina grinned. "I'll be sure to be there so I can face him and do my part of this whole thing."

"I have no doubt you'll be successful," Elijah told her, holding up . "Good luck."

"Thanks!" Selina called. "I might need it!"

Just after Selina got home and had a little time to compose herself, she heard a knock at the door. Grinning, she got up to answer it, making her expression sadder as she opened the door and saw Mikael standing in front of her. "Hello, sir," she said quietly, giving a little curtsey that she figured wouldn't hurt. "Would you like to come in?"

"Oh, stop trying to kiss up to me," Mikael told her as he stepped through the door. "I already heard the sad truth from Elijah about you not being part of our family anymore."

"Yes," Selina sighed. "That's right. It's all my fault."

"Of course it is," Mikael replied. "I figured as much."

"I know I messed up, and if I told you I'm still gonna miss Elijah always, you probably wouldn't believe me either. He didn't." Selina said. Then did her best to look innocent. "It's a good thing that all of my memories concerning Elijah are gone. Because now that we've separated and are gonna be divorced, having all those memories of the good times would just be the most horrible torture. It would really hurt me." She waited for him to agree to give her memory back but he just stared at her.

"What?" She asked. "Didn't you hear what I said? About how badly having my memories back would hurt me? You like it when I hurt! It's one of your favorite things!"

"While that is very true," Mikael agreed, "You seem very eager to get your supposedly torturous memories back. It seems like if I gave them to you, it would be more a reward than a punishment."

"No, it wouldn't!" Selina replied quickly. "It would most definitely be a punishment!"

"But then why did you ask me to give you them back?" Mikael asked. "This is all a lie, isn't it? You and Elijah aren't broken up at all, and you're just lying to manipulate me into giving you want you want."

Selina gave him a look. "How much would you believe me if I said 'No, we aren't'?"

"I wouldn't believe you one bit," Mikael said. "However, I might be willing to give you back your memory. If you do something for me first."

"What?" Selina asked, picturing him compelling her to do the most awful things. "What do you want me to do?"

He stepped up to her so there was no space between them, and said, without meeting her eyes, "I want you to sleep with Niklaus."

"What?" Selina asked. "No! Why would I do that? I'm with Elijah now! I won't! I refuse!"

"All right," Mikael sighed. "It's a shame you can't do the one simple thing that will get your memory back." He turned and made his way to the door, whistling softly through his teeth. As he put his hand on the doorknob, Selina spoke. "Wait a minute!" She said. "Do you swear you'll give me my memory back if I do it?"

"Yes," Mikael replied. "You have my word I will give you your memory back if you do this. But when it happens, I would like to know so I can see evidence with my own eyes, especially since, after this display, I know you and Elijah aren't especially trustworthy."

"Fine!" Selina said. "Go away now and if you'll stop by Klaus' house tomorrow night, you'll see whatever you want to see."

"I'd better," Mikael told her. "Or you know what will happen."

Selina scowled. "I can guess. Goodbye." She slammed the door and called Elijah at Theresa's.

"Bad news," she said. "Stop unpacking your stuff and just bring it back here. Your father's on to us."

"You mean, he didn't give you your memory back?" Elijah asked.

"Not for free," Selina said. "He told me he would, but he added a condition: he wants me to sleep wit Klaus."

"What?!" Elijah yelled so loud Selina had to take the phone away from her ear. "I hope you told him that you wouldn't."

"I tried," Selina said. "I told him not a chance in hell. Then he said he'd kill me if I didn't. I think he's backed us into a corner. I think I'll have to do it."

Elijah sighed. "All right," he said. "But I'm not happy!"

"Don't yell at me!" Selina cried. "Yell at your father. This was his stupid idea!"

"That you chose to go along with!" Elijah snapped.

"Does the fact that I told him 'No' the first time get me any points?" Selina asked.

Elijah sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry. When did you tell my father you were going to do what he asked?"

"Tomorrow night," Selina said. "We should probably tell Klaus ahead of time, though. You want to come with me tomorrow."

"Yes, I do," Elijah said. "Definitely."

"Hi!" Amy said the next day when she opened the door and saw Selina and Elijah on the other side. "Who are the two of you again? I apologize for not remembering."

"I'm Klaus' ex-wife, Selina, and this is his brother, Elijah," Selina said, confused when Amy's once cheerful gaze temporarily darkened. "What? Did I say something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry."

"Come in," Amy said. She led them to the living room and they sat down, with Amy giving Selina a look. "If you're Klaus' ex-wife, you must be Adrian's mother."

"Yeah," Selina nodded. "I am."

"Well, from all the witches of New Orleans, thank you for giving birth to a monster," Amy spat, her voice full of venom.

"Wait, what?" Selina asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Adrian!" Amy cried. "He's been responsible for countless atrocities against the witches of New Orleans."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Selina said. "I didn't know." She sighed. "They told me when he was born that he was gonna be a problem. Hazel and Enid even put a spell on me to prolong my labor with him in the hopes he wouldn't be born at all. I tried to do my best with him, and I thought I did a pretty good job...but apparently not."

Elijah held her and then frowned at Amy. "Anything Adrian has done lately cannot be blamed on his mother. We're both sorry for everything you've been through, but We haven't talked to Adrian since he went down his dark path. We did everything we could to deter him before then."

"I didn't," Selina said. "I could have, but I didn't. I was too busy being involved in my own screwed up life to know Adrian was even having a problem!"

"I know what she's talking about," Adrian told Selina. "What he's going through is something similar to when you were Lonely Heart. Or one of Niklaus' crazy escapades. He just needs to get it out of his system and before he does, he's really beyond help."

"What about me?" Klaus asked, striding into the room.

"We weren't talking about you," Elijah told him. "We were talking about Adrian and his bad behavior down in New Orleans. When did it get to be as bad as it apparently is?"

Klaus shrugged. "I don't know. Probably as soon as he and Helene moved there. But I assume that's not what you came here to talk about, is it?"

"No," Selina said. "Some time ago, Mikael took away all my memories of life with you and your family, which from the sound of things is a large chunk of my life. He told me that he'd give me my memories back, but only if I slept with you."

"All right," Klaus nodded, taking off his shirt as Elijah rose with a frown on his face. "We'll throw the blankets off the bed and-"

"Actually," Selina said, pushing Elijah back down on the sofa, "I was hoping there was a way we could pretend like we did it without actually doing it. Is that possible?"

Klaus shrugged. "It won't be as much fun, but I suppose we could think of something like that."

"Wait," Amy said, her bad mood seeming to have gone away. "What are we talking about?"

"My father took Selina's memories awhile back and he refuses to give them back to her unless she sleeps with Niklaus," Elijah told Amy. "But I won't allow that."

"So what will she do, then?" Amy asked.

"I'm trying to think!" Selina said. Then, it hit her. "Amy," she said to the redhead. "Mikael doesn't know about you! Maybe if you took my place for the actual sex part of the scheme, I wouldn't have to do it, and no one's relationship would be compromised. Is that all right?"

Amy looked at Klaus reluctantly, their steamy, drunken night in New Orleans still on her mind. "All right," she said. "I suppose it would only be right for me to do this for you, considering how rude I was to you about Adrian. I apologize."

"Thank you," Selina said to her. "Thank you so much!"

That night, the plan was set in motion. Selina was even sure she saw Mikael standing on a street corner nearby as she made her way to Klaus' house. Elijah had gone over a few hours earlier and was waiting for her to do her part and leave with him. She went up to his front door and knocked, then waited. He opened the door a few seconds later and invited her inside. "Mom?" asked Felicity, who was sitting on the sofa with her laptop in her lap. "What are you doing here?"

"Just...I came to do some business with your dad," Selina told her. "I won't be here for very long."

"Oh," Felicity nodded. "Are we still on for going bowling this weekend?"

"Yeah!" Selina nodded. "And Laura says she wants to come too. Do you mind?"

"No," Felicity shook her head. "I don't mind at all. Now you and dad go upstairs and do what you need to do. Don't let me be a distraction."

"All right," Selina nodded and let Klaus usher her to his bedroom, where Klaus looked out the window, and sure enough, there was Mikael. "He's out there," He said. "Let's get this over with." They went and undressed in front of the window so that their shadows were clearly visible to Mikael's sight, and then they even kissed for a brief period before Amy (apologizing profusely for being late), took over and Selina grabbed her clothes, dressed in the living room, and sneaked out the back door.

"I was beginning to worry," Elijah told her.

"Sorry," Selina apologized. "Amy got trapped in the bathroom because the door was stuck. That's why she was a bit late."

"Do you think she and Klaus are playing their roles well enough to make my father believe the charade?" Elijah asked.

"Oh, yes," Selina replied, thinking of the passion the pair had displayed as she'd left. "I think convincing your father is not going to be a problem."

And, luckily for them, it wasn't. Mikael came back the next day, and Selina got her memory back. Then, that night, wearing a short skirt, high heels, a bun in her hair, and one of Elijah's shirts, unbuttoned so that it exposed her black lace bra, Selina and Elijah played their first game of Mr. Richmond and Miss Stensrund in ages.

"Hello, Mother," Gregory said in surprise when he opened the door a few months later and saw Selina. She started as much at the sight of her and Elijah's eldest son holding a baby.

"Are you okay?" Gregory asked her.

"Yes," Selina nodded. "I'm fine. It's just still a bit of a shock to see you with a baby. Can I come in, or are you busy?"

"No, I'm not busy," Gregory shook his head. "Come in! Elizabeth has missed you!" Selina smiled and stroked the little baby's dark hair. "I've missed her too."

Gregory smiled at her as they headed inside

Selina looked him over. "Jeans and a t-shirt," she said with approval. "Good thinking."

"Yes," Gregory nodded. "I thought that might be best. It's been my uniform for the last three months." He yawned and Selina put a hand on his shoulder. "Katherine's not making you care for her alone still, is she?"

"Well, that was my choice," Gregory replied. "I was the one who wanted a child and I told Katherine I would take care of her, so I am. Although Katherine's attached too, even though she won't admit it to me."

"Admit what?" Katherine said.

"That you're just as attached to Elizabeth as I am," Gregory told her. "Admit it. You are."

"I'm used to her by now," Katherine said. She came close to the sofa and Elizabeth's body began flailing as she reached for her.

"Look at that," Gregory said in amazement. "It seems like she wants you. Why don't you take her?"

Katherine sighed and took Elizabeth into the kitchen. She held onto her and scowled. "Remember our deal," she told the baby, who eyed her with what seemed to be fondness. "I come visit you at night, and you don't even give the slightest indication that I do, so your father never finds out. Is that clear? I don't want him to think I've gone soft because of a cuddly thing with big eyes who loves me for no reason." Instead of looking sad, Elizabeth just gave her a big, gummy grin and Katherine, in spite of herself, hugged the little girl.

"Awww!" Gregory said, grinning when he came into the kitchen. "Isn't that nice?"

"Don't make a big deal about it," Katherine told him. "I knew the second you saw, you'd make some big deal about it."

"Why not?" Gregory asked. "I'm happy you and Elizabeth are getting along."

"Well, okay, but that doesn't mean you have to bring it up every five seconds!" Katherine said and handed Elizabeth back to him.

"All right," Gregory smiled. "I promise I won't make a big deal out of it, okay?"

"Good," Katherine said firmly. "Thank you."

Gregory took Elizabeth back to the living room and handed her to Selina, who cuddled her and peered at him. "Have you told your father about her yet?"

"No," Gregory admitted. "I don't know how. He and Katherine were involved once, and I'm afraid if I tell him, he'll just get upset."

"You should tell him," Selina urged. "I'll even be with you when you do it, if that will make things easier for you."

"All right," Gregory nodded. "I'll tell him. I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Now," Elijah said to Selina the next night. "What is it that Gregory has to tell me? It's probably something horrible, like that he's killed a bunch of people. If it was something good, he'd have been able to tell me earlier."

"I promise it's something good," Selina assured him. "But since it has to do with him and Katherine, he wasn't sure how you'd take it, given your previous relationship with her."

"How come you know what the big secret is and I don't?" Elijah said. "Why did he tell you before he told me?"

"It doesn't matter," Selina told him as she parked the car at the restaurant and they both went inside. "It doesn't matter that he told me first. You're finding out tonight, so don't fuss at him. You'll just make things worse."

They got inside and found the table where Gregory was sitting. "Sorry we're late," Selina said as Elijah helped her into her chair. Traffic was murder."

"Want me to order wine?" Elijah asked.

"Sure," Gregory nodded. "Why not?"

They got wine and after they'd each taken a few sips, Gregory told Elijah his news. "Father," he said. "Katherine and I have a baby. Her name is Elizabeth and she's three months old. I'd like it if you came to see her."

"Y-y-y-you and Katerina have a baby?" Elijah sputtered after he spat red wine all over his pristine white shirt front. "How is that even possible? She can't have children!"

"We adopted her," Gregory said, his eyes averted. "She's the baby of one of the girls at my shelter. Are you upset? I thought you might be when you heard, and that's why I didn't tell you."

Elijah sighed. "You know I was never fond of the idea of you and Katerina as a couple," he said. "When it was just the two of you, that was one thing, but what were you thinking, bringing a child into the house?! Katerina doesn't have the ability to commit to a relationship and a child! She's going to abandon you, Gregory. You and Elizabeth both. Just like she abandoned me and every other man who was foolish enough to be lured in by her."

"I think you're wrong," Gregory said firmly. "I think she loves both of us, even though she won't show it. I think she loves us a lot."

"As shining as your endorsement of Katerina's character is," Elijah replied, "I won't believe it until I see it. And don't take this as jealousy on my part. I'm only trying to protect you from the inevitable disappointment that comes with giving your heart to an unreliable woman."

"What if I could prove to you that she loved us?" Gregory asked. "Then would you believe me and come and visit your granddaughter?"

"Yes," Elijah replied. "If Katerina is able to confirm to me that her commitment to you and your child is as strong as your commitment to her, I will accept your relationship and come and visit my grandchild."