Chapter 27

Eyes closed, Marcel was laying on the bunk the prison called a bed. He was waiting for the circle of pointless interrogation, and by that he meant guards beating him up as stress relief, to begin anew today.

Right on time, his cell door opened. He didn't bother to open his eyes.

"Enjoying your stay so far Mr Gerard ?"

Now, that voice didn't grace him everyday. He looked at Inspector Coleman, who was making himself comfortable by sitting on a chair.

"Have you thought about my proposal ?"

"Still haven't given up Inspector ?" He grinned carelessly.

"Although I admire your loyalty, I thought recent events might help change your feelings."

There was something in the tone of Coleman that made Marcel pay attention. Unlike his last few visits, this time he had something over Marcel, something he thought would play in his favor.

"Oh ? And what's that ?" He said with false casualness.

"It seem in an unfortunate turn of events, your aunt, Gloria if I'm not mistaken, was caught up accidentally in a crossfire to arrest the Mikaelsons and died."

A pin falling to the floor could have been heard in the silence of the cell after that declaration.

"What did you just say ?" Marcel glared at the Inspector.

"My condolences." Coleman said with a look of contrition. "It seems the loyalty you put in the Mikaelsons wasn't returned justly, after all Klaus escaped the scene taking his siblings with him, but did not seem to care to give the same treatment to your aunt."

Marcel felt himself grow cold. He knew the Inspector wasn't telling him everything but he still could not suppress his anger at losing one of his last close family member left.

Coleman could evidently see the affect the news had on him as he continued.

"Let me ask you, Mr Gerard, until when will you give everything to the Mikaelsons for nothing in return ? Because I know those types of people, wolves, only loyal to themselves, you'll give and give but they'll never give back. That's just how they are. And no matter how close to them, you'll still always be an outsider."

Marcel couldn't help the ice spreading in his veins. Because hadn't Klaus immediately thrown him out as soon as he heard about him and Rebekah ? He knew Klaus, he didn't trust many, and he certainly kept his cards close to his chest. The whole affair with Lucien hadn't helped, but Marcel had always sided with Klaus, could it be he'd still end up the same as that traitor Lucien anyway ?

"Do think over my offer of partnership, the Mikaelsons, Klaus in particular, are too dangerous to stay, but you're different, we could enter an arrangement that benefited both of us. You could be the king. Of course that would depend on dethroning Klaus."

Marcel was silent for a while. He couldn't say he wasn't tempted.

"What do you want me to do ?"

-O-

The weather was morose that morning, as if the sky agreed that today was a sad day.

Everyone had gathered in the local church for Gloria's funeral. Father O'Connell proceeded with the service while sounds of weeping could be heard throughout the church pews.

The whole Mikaelson family was in attendance, sitting in the first row. Bonnie and her mother Abbie were in the front too, as the closest relatives of the deceased, and Matt of course, that Gloria considered like a son. The most conspicuous absence was Marcel as he was still in lockup, but nobody mentioned it.

"Now I invite everyone to pray for Gloria Bennett's soul while we send her off with a song."

Caroline dressed from head to toe in black went to the side and taking a breath began to sing.

Go in peace, go in kindness

Go in love, go in faith

Leave the day, the day behind us

Day is done, go in grace

Let us go, into the dark

Not afraid, not alone

Let us hope by some good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

The musicians playing for the Mystic had asked her to sing, two were wounded and couldn't play and they thought none of their songs would suit anyway. Bonnie and Matt also told her she should do it. Someone had to sing to send Gloria's off. The bar owner loved singing and music after all. So, even though she hadn't sung that song since her mom's funeral, she did it for Gloria.

As she finished, she went back to sit. Everyone was still praying, but as she sang Klaus eyes had never left her, she felt them on her until she was sitting hidden in the rows of people again.

There should have been a wake at the Mystic with more music and drinks, that's what Gloria would have wanted anyway, but the Mystic was half blackened due to the fire and it would take some time and renovations for it to go back to being fit to welcome people.

So all they could do was gathering before the Mystic to leave flowers before going home.

Caroline herself went to Bonnie with Matt.

Once the three of them were sitting in a heavy atmosphere, after some moment of silence Matt opened his mouth to talk.

"I'm leaving." He announced.

Caroline and Bonnie both startled.

"What ?" The Bennett girl exclaimed.

Matt wasn't looking at either of them, he kept his eyes on the tablecloth.

"Klaus came to see me yesterday. He said the Mystic was mine if I wanted it. I told him to stuff it."

"Why ?" Caroline tilted her head. "I mean, I think Gloria would have been more than okay with you taking over the Mystic."

"She would have." Bonnie quietly agreed. She knew how much she favored Mattie.

"I can't stay. Now that Gloria's gone, because of this damn city and because of the Mikaelsons. I've lost too much here. First dad walked out on his wife and kids, later mom left too. And then Vicky died from the influenza. And now even Gloria's gone. Bonnie you're like a sister to me, but I just need to get out, can you understand ?"

"Yes." Bonnie sighed.

Caroline felt uncomfortable, like maybe she shouldn't be here, she was intruding.

"Where will you go ?" Worried Bonnie.

"Actually, some time ago, Penny's father offered me a job, I'm going to take him up on it."

"Good." Bonnie nodded firmly. She was glad for Matt, if everything went well for him, he'd marry Penny and they would take over after her dad retired. Matt deserved to be happy and have everything he wanted.

There was another moment of silence and after biting her lips in hesitation Caroline finally chose to break it.

"Are you mad at me ?" She looked at Matt. "You know, because me and Klaus..." She shrugged awkwardly not finishing.

"I'm not. I understand how charming a Mikaelson can be, believe me." Matt sighed. "I just worry for you. He's dangerous, please be careful." He said kindly.

Caroline felt a sting in her eyes as she nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll be there to get her out of trouble if she gets in over her head." Bonnie smiled.

"I worry about you too Bon. You always put others first. Take care of yourself too, okay ?" Matt placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll miss you Mattie."

-O-

Caroline and Matt had left a few minutes ago and Bonnie was left sitting alone with her thoughts. Her mom had long gone back to cultivating her flowers and plants.

A tear escaped her eye, then another.

"Bonnie." Came a voice behind her and she flinched, hands coming up to hide the tears.

"What do you want ?" She said harshly. "I'm busy and really not in the mood to deal with you right now Enzo." She kept her back to him even as she stood.

"Bonnie." Was the only thing he said again, but then he closed the distance between them and pulled her against him.

Bonnie tried to struggle.

"I don't need your pity or comfort. You're working for the Mikaelsons. I've had enough of your gang wars were innocents get caught in the crossfire !" She raged against him, pounding on his chest as much as his restricting arms around her allowed.

"I know, love." He said quietly as he leaned his head against the top of hers.

"Then why do you keep coming to me ?! Making me liking you ? Is it fun ?!" She began to cry in earnest, soaking his shirt.

"I'm a selfish man Bonnie. But if you truly wanted me gone, you know, one word and you'll never see me again." He said honestly.

Bonnie kept crying, but didn't say anything as her hands curled into the fabric of his jacket.

"Cry gorgeous. It'll be better after. And even if it isn't I'll be there for you, I promise."

And so Bonnie kept crying all her emotions and frustrations out in Enzo's arms.

-O-

The next morning, Caroline was walking the halls of the Chicago Art Institute.

Klaus had spent the night with her only leaving in the morning to take care of his work. While she didn't have any shift to go to now. She wasn't sure what she was going to do now but she'd think about it after she finished her business here.

Coleman was looking at one of the exhibitions when Caroline walked to stand near him, eyes fixed on the art displayed.

"Report." He began usually.

"I'm resigning." She went straight to the point.

"I see. I will prepare everything necessary for your departure from Chicago in safety."

"I'm not leaving." Caroline tone was determined.

Coleman sighed and glanced to the young woman at his side.

"I was afraid of this. That's why I tried to warn you not to get attached."

"With all due respect, Sir, it's none of your business."

"I was a friend of your father. I know he would have been disappointed with your choice, especially who you choose to consort with." Coleman said in a disapproving patronizing tone.

Caroline felt indignation rise in her even as his words stabbed at her like a knife.

"My parents are dead. And I'll always love them, but I choose to live for myself." She turned on her heels and began walking off.

"I hope you don't regret it later." Coleman's voice rang out behind her.