Hello, my loves.

Small warning about Klaus talking before thinking a lot in this chapter, and getting into some pretty dark territory. Skip Freya's conversations with Klaus and Elijah if that'll be difficult reading. Take care of yourselves loves.

I own nothing, A/N is at the end of the chapter, now let's get on with it!

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Aria went still. Strangely still.

"Who?" She asked after a brief moment. She wasn't facing Elijah now, but he could guess that was because her face would give her away. His eyebrows creased, and a second later he stood in front of his witch. The witch, he reminded himself. It'd do no good to get attached to her any more than he already was. What he saw was… surprising to say the least. He'd never seen that expression, before. In his thousand years of existence, he had scarcely known anything or anyone to compare it to. She didn't look scared; he'd seen scared when he'd told her of Dahlia – though at the time she had seemed terrified. Apparently, he'd been wrong. This looked like terror, and it was most certainly new. Whatever she was hiding seemed like it could affect more than just herself. Like she had a secret she had to keep safe at all costs-

Marcellus.

"What has your father asked you not to tell, Miss Gerard?"

"Nothing." She scoffed, and for a moment, she did seem serious. It confused him.

"Miss Gerard, please. How do you know Josephine LaRue?"

Aria's mouth went dry and when she tried to talk, it felt like her throat was sandpaper. Damn it, she was supposed to be a better liar than this!

It has to be Elijah, she told herself soothingly, you're not losing your touch. You're doing nothing wrong. Don't worry, it's just the bloody Original that's messing with your head. Oh, for the love of- that's even worse!

She stopped her mental conversation – it wasn't going to lead anywhere helpful – and focused back on Elijah, her eyes widening and – despite not wanting to sound cliché – it felt like her breath caught in her throat.

Did he always have Kol's eyes?

Those eyes creased in concern, and Elijah reached out to steady her when she faltered slightly. He drew her closer to her bed and helped her sit down, keeping a grip on her hand as a thought occurred to him – not for the first time – that she was so, so young. And he was cruel to be doing this to her.

"Are you quite alright?" He whispered gently.

Aria nodded slowly, and a small smile grew on her face, although she was staring straight ahead, not particularly focusing on anything, "You look like him. Anyone ever told you that?"

Elijah's posture seemed to slump, and he smiled himself.

"I don't quite recall."

"He didn't like you." She said randomly, after another second, "Not even a bit. He thought you were way too stuffy. And I agreed with him, mind you."

Elijah barked out a harsh laugh, "Your tact is flawless as ever, Miss Gerard."

"But he did love you." She continued, like he hadn't said anything, "One time he told me about how when you were young, you helped him to execute his first spell. I didn't think you'd been a witch when you were human."

"I wasn't. But Kol had the gift, that was rather obvious from the start. Esther wouldn't let him practise before he was at the very least more than four years old, but he was clever, he picked up knowing what he wanted ever so quickly. And I suppose he remained like that, didn't he?" He took a moment, and let his eyes close – memories far fonder than any in the thousand years since flashing through his mind – and then let them open again. Aria was smiling. And it was nice to see.

"I never did learn how you met."

Aria's eyes opened and she turned to face him, raising a single eyebrow, "How'd you think? He was being a pain in the arse. As per usual. And then… he just wouldn't leave me alone."

"Awfully vague."

"Well I'm sorry Mr I'm a thousand years old, I have few precious memories compared to you, and I'd rather like to keep them for a little while longer." She teased.

"I do wish I'd reconciled with him when he was still here, there are so many things I'd just… so many things I'd say to him. Starting with he's an idiot, of course."

Aria snorted, and she threw her head back. It might've amused her far more than it ought, but she needed the reprieve. The question he'd asked her not too long ago required so much more strength than her mind had possessed in months. And with the whole conversation with Parker in Portland… she'd need a good several months until she'd be able to talk about that again. Maybe even a year or two. The thought hurt her head.

"I realise you have been grieving… and yet your family is exiled and you are in no position to come ask my family to help. I do not care what Niklaus thinks, you are always welcome at the Abattoir, even if it may not seem like you're particularly… wanted there."

"Even after Finn?"

Elijah chuckled, "Especially after Finn. You are clever, Miss Gerard, I do wish to someday know what possessed you to pick Finn of all people to steal away. But because you are clever, and I have had a while to take it in, I do suppose that you must've had your reasons. Besides, Freya has taken care of him for now, I believe, so that's something, I suppose." He hesitated, "I do regret not making things right with Kol. Should I find that Finn's grown to see reason, I may have an apology or two to hand out."

"Elijah-"

"And those apologies begin with you. I would very much like an answer to your relationship with Josephine LaRue, but even when I told you of Dahlia – a woman who I'm sure has done nothing but hurt you – I have never seen you so frightened. I will get an answer, of this I assure you, but I am not Niklaus, I will not stoop to put you through an ordeal that may only reap more problems, not again. There is enough trouble with my aunt at the moment. Perhaps, when I have proven to both you and myself that I am capable of keeping your secrets, you will tell me. After this has all blown over, of course."

Aria stayed quiet.

For a long time.

"Thank you, Elijah."

Elijah nodded, and smiled at her, giving her hand a small squeeze as he stood up. As he was by the door, he paused, his hand hovering just above the doorknob.

"Just one question before I go-" He turned to face her, "Josephine LaRue. Is she an ally or a threat?"

Aria smiled, and it was warm, and wonderful, and full of something akin to admiration, "Josie is complicated, but she is one of the most brilliant people I've ever met. Keep her as an ally, 'Lijah. Please."

"For you, Miss Gerard? It would be my honour."

~*•°•*~

Rebekah felt groggy as she slowly stirred awake. For a brief moment, she wondered where she was, until she recognised the familiar furniture of Marcel's loft. She groaned as she sat up and stretched, feeling wholly unrested, and swore under her breath when she knocked against a frame on a side table. She reached out before it could fall to the floor, missing her vampire speed but pushing the thought away, and set it back on the table. She smiled, as she traced Marcel's face in the picture, and then the face of who she assumed was Aria, only several years younger – ten, by the looks of the birthday hats on their heads.

Rebekah sighed and stood from the sofa as she drifted across to the windows, just now starting to hear angry voices yelling outside the apartment.

"Stay away from the window!" Marcel yelled quickly. Rebekah turned, and stared at him, hovering beside the window.

"What's all that bloody racket?"

"Just stay put! I'll handle it."

"Handle it? Handle what?" She demanded.

Marcel ignored her, and ran outside, stumbling in his tracks at the sight of a far bigger group of witches than he'd seen from the window. There were a few of his guys that were barricading the entrance to the apartment, but that was it. Most of the crowd were witches, and even better, their figurehead was-

"Whatever the problem is, Josephine, if you don't back up, I guarantee you it's gonna get worse."

Josephine LaRue raised her head and eyed the vampire critically, "Marcel Gerard. Do you realise you're harbouring a renegade witch?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Is that a fact?"

Josephine nodded to something behind him – something that made the crowd grow louder – and he turned around after shooting Josephine a glare, to which she returned a cool expression, devoid of emotion bar a single raised eyebrow. A small smile grew on his face. Gods, did Aria take after that witch. The thought of his daughter lifted his mood a little, but it came crashing back down when Rebekah drew closer.

"I thought I told you to stay put." He murmured.

Rebekah rolled her eyes, "Well, I hate being told what to do, so I ignored you." She pushed past him and walked closer to the witches, smiling pleasantly, "Beg pardon, love, but I think this is all a simple misunderstanding."

"No, this is retaliation for the evil you unleashed last night." Rebekah's eyebrows furrowed and she tensed, glancing at Marcel over her shoulder as Josephine continued, "Two of our children attacked unmercifully. One dead, the other missing. All signs lead to you, Eva."

Marcel moved to stand in front of Rebekah, "Whoa, hold on, the witch that you knew as Eva Sinclair is gone. Alright, Josephine? Her body was taken over by Rebekah Mikaelson."

Josephine smiled mockingly, "Is that your version of an alibi, Marcel Gerard?"

"Trust me, I am begging you."

Marcel stared at the witch pleadingly, but she remained irritatingly silent, until she turned her head to the side to address two witches beside her, "Take her."

"That won't be necessary, Ms. LaRue." Marcel's attention quickly turned to Elijah. When had he appeared? See now this – this – was the kind of shit Elijah pulled that put his guys on edge.

"It would be a great shame to soil the goodwill of our recent agreement. Now, I am sorry for your loss, but Marcel is telling the truth – Rebekah now occupies the body of Eva Sinclair, and my sister is innocent of this crime. Now, you have my word, I will find whoever is responsible and make certain that justice is served. But now, I would encourage you all to leave."

Josephine eyed Elijah disapprovingly, "You have until tomorrow. After that, it won't matter what I say. Witches will stop at nothing to protect their children." She turned to face Marcel, "That is an impulse I know you can respect."

Marcel's jaw clenched, and Elijah set his eyes on him as the witches dissipated.

~*•°•*~

Klaus was waiting in a dining room when Elijah finally arrived back at the Compound. The Hybrid looked restless, of all things, and Elijah would admit to being rather worried about what his brother had planned. Niklaus rarely became… antsy, and even when he did, there was typically some sort of scandal involved to do with Mikael. And seeing as they'd been happily rid of him for a while now, he doubted their father would be behind this.

He hoped.

"There you are. Finally."

"I was delayed." Elijah said, in lieu of explaining as he walked to take a seat at the table. He had a strange feeling that telling Niklaus about his little conversation with Aria, wouldn't end well for him. Whether it would earn him a Hybrid bite, or a crafty little spell his witch had been working on, he wasn't quite sure. All he knew was that Niklaus and Aria were never to become friendly with each other. If there was one thing he wished to succeed at in his long existence, this would be it. Niklaus and Aria would simply be too dangerous to be on the same side. Besides, he couldn't imagine how insufferable they would be together. He already contemplated staking himself when they were in the same room together, in no world could he imagine being in the room with them when they didn't want to stake each other. He shivered.

Klaus smiled, "Our guest of honour will be here momentarily."

"Strange, our house is conspicuously absent of our lupine guests. I do hope it wasn't on my account."

Klaus laughed, "I sent Hayley and her poorly groomed husband off to spend the day with their werewolf brethren to test the limits of their new abilities. Leaving me to deal with family business as I see fit."

"Niklaus, Rebekah's situation has taken a turn. We may need Freya's assistance. So, whatever you are planning here? Don't."

"All I'm planning is a simple chat with a long-lost relative. You yourself said to hear her out."

"And you yourself said that would be idiocy."

"Did I?" His eyebrows creased in an effort to try and remember when he had said it, "Well, it does sound like me. Regardless, on the off-chance Freya has some information that could protect my daughter, I'd prefer she share it on my terms." A beat passed, "Ah! I think I hear her now!" He spun to face the door as the witch walked in, smiling nervously, "Sister! Well, come in, come in! Make yourself comfortable."

Freya looked nervous, and tugged self-consciously on her sleeves, but smiled widely.

~*•°•*~

Marcel walked into a small room in Elijah's loft where they'd stashed Finn's old witch body. He'd been awake for probably… twenty minutes, and the vampire guessed that was long enough to start catching on that something was going on. And that he had a nine month gap in his life.

"Morning! How you feeling?"

The witch groaned, "Nauseous. Can't concentrate. Can't really do any magic, but I suppose that was the point-" He picked something off of the plate he'd sat on the nightstand beside him, "Seeing as I can smell the Lobilia flower you've been putting in my food, man." He threw it back down onto the plate.

Marcel smiled tightly, "Can't be too careful with witches, hm?"

Vincent nodded, "Hmm. That something you learned from experience, Marcel Gerard? Back when you controlled the Quarter witches with all your rules, and, uh-" He clicked his tongue and ran his finger over his throat, "-Public executions?"

Marcel laughed, "You know who I am."

"I remember you."

Marcel's smile slipped slightly as he made a humming noise, and pulled up a chair to sit on. He placed an easy smile back on his face, "Well that's good, 'cause I got some questions that need answers, and I'm guessing you remember what happens to people who don't give me what I want."

Vincent smiled, "I remember you looking like a fool; see the problem has always been that you don't really know witches like the breed we dealt with. But back to the point, I know you ain't the king around here no more. And I know you can't keep me here! I'm from the Tremé, Marcel Gerard. Witches from there…" He let out a low whistle, "They're a little bit of a harder breed than the French Quarter Coven. Yeah, they're gonna want me back."

Marcel was nodding along during the conversation, "Actually, they already do what you back, buddy. Yeah, a matter of fact-" He reached behind him to grab a newspaper and tossed it onto the bed beside the witch, "They've wanted you back for nine months."

The witch's eyes grew as wide as saucers and his head whipped around to look at the newspaper placed next to him. He eyed it in disbelief before snatching it up, barely registering the words Marcel was still saying, "Yeah, check the date! You might notice a little time gap."

"Man, what'd you do to me?"

"Oh, me? I can't make nine months vanish. No, your beef is with a guy named Finn. See, he took possession of your body. Got into all kinds of trouble, too. Made some nasty enemies, I might add."

Vincent began murmuring to himself under his breath, eyes darting between the newspaper and back to Marcel anxiously, "Look, I'll tell you all about it, but first, you gotta tell me about a Tremé witch that you might know. Eva Sinclair."

The murmuring stopped, and Vincent turned to look at Marcel incredulously.

"Sore subject?" The vampire asked suspiciously.

The witch smiled patronisingly as he grit his teeth in annoyance, "I'm done talking, Marcel Gerard."

~*•°•*~

Freya's hand drifted over the small witch hoop she was holding, as Klaus watched her, eyes calculating as she began to speak, "This witch-hoop, it's Danish. Is this from when you all lived in Copenhagen in the 1500s?"

"Quite the eye!" He announced.

"Forgive me, are we here to discuss family heirlooms, or do we have more pressing concerns?" Elijah interrupted, lounging back in his chair. His boredom was almost hanging in the air around him, and Klaus sighed,

"Please excuse my brother's lack of decorum. He's been in a foul mood of late. But he is right. I did ask you here in the hopes that you would share some of Dahlia's secrets. So, without further ado, let's get to it!"

Freya and Klaus took their seats at the table, and Elijah drummed his fingers against the wood, eyeing the array of food in front of them critically. He glanced over to Klaus, raising his eyebrow as if asking why they needed so much food. Klaus raised his hands as if saying why not? And Freya watched them both do this, thoroughly amused.

She cleared her throat, "The first thing you should know is that Dahlia is the most powerful witch I've ever seen. She craves more power still. Right now she is like me – limited to one year of life in a century. But she wants to be free of that restriction. To gain true immortality. And that is why she will come here, drawn by your daughter to take the child's power for herself. And she would kill anyone who would defy her."

"And yet seemingly you and Aria would defy her?"

Freya tensed and her eyes narrowed slightly, "We don't have a choice. She will never let us be free, now that she has had a taste of our power combined. Aria Gerard is formidable power, but Dahlia is experienced beyond the limits of mortality. Our one chance is to align with you and kill her."

"And yet she is not here."

"You're not the most accommodating to the girl, Niklaus, you may admit this, it will not be a surprise to any of us." Elijah imputed, steering the conversation away from the witch.

Klaus' jaw clenched, "Well, now that we're all suitably motivated, let's talk specifics!"

Freya took a long breath, "For you to understand, I need to start from the beginning. After taking me from my family, Dahlia used me to forge a new brand of connective magic, one that augmented my power even as it allowed her to draw from me. Once we were bonded, Dahlia became unstoppable. She wasted no time proving her might. The chief of a nearby village threatened to run us off, accusing Dahlia of witchcraft. She decided to make an example out of the entire encampment – men, women, children. She killed them all with a wave of her hand. That was my first inkling of the power Dahlia had. Over the course of a thousand years, she's only grown stronger. And she will bring all her power to bear against you when she comes for your child."

Klaus looked, well, terrified seemed most accurate. And he even jumped lightly when Elijah's phone rang. He glared at his brother, and then turned to hang his head in thought as he played with his hands.

"Excuse me."

Klaus paid Elijah no mind as he stepped out into the hall to answer his phone, "Rebekah, how are you feeling?"

"As if I walked straight into a brick wall. Any luck with Freya?"

"Luck is not the word that I would use." He glanced back into the dining room to look at Freya, "You should be here."

"Fine. I'm on my way now." Elijah re-entered the room, and observed his new sister as she traced her finger over indents in the table and their brother lapsed into silence.

Freya watched the two vampires steadily from the corner of her eye, before rolling her eyes. There was still a large selection of food on the table, but she didn't particularly feel much like eating. She never did have much of an appetite after waking from her sleep.

"Your stories are fascinating, and Dahlia does indeed sound dreadful, but Elijah and I have killed our fair share of evil witches."

"Not like her." Freya assured quietly.

"What are her weaknesses?"

"She's paranoid." Freya explained simply, "Obsessed with power. She hungers constantly for what's been denied her, be it love, or revenge."

"Yes, I believe I'm familiar with the type." Elijah said quietly, glancing over to Klaus. It was plainly obvious to Freya that their younger brother didn't seem to care.

"When I was a child, she would tell me tales of her own youth, being victimised by those stronger than her. Dahlia vowed never to be weak again. She bargained for the firstborn of Esther's bloodline, intending to raise us in her own image, forming a coven of her own from which she could draw endless power. That plan was foiled the day she learned that Esther had ended her bloodline by turning her children into vampires. And so the burden fell to me. Dahlia demanded that I bear the firstborn that would add to her power, but I would not allow a child of mine to live as I did; as a slave. So, I vowed never to love. Never to have a child of my own." At the first sight of tears, Elijah's eyebrows creased in slight concern, "Of course, the more I resisted, the harder Dahlia fought to control me,

"Until the day that she took the last of what little freedom I had left. She revealed to me that she had created this atrocity of a ritual. Offering eternal life, in return for sleeping a century at a time. When we woke, we would possess a power unlike any that had ever been seen, it was what she wanted all along. But it was nothing other than a curse, I knew that this madness would have a horrible price. But she told me that I was ungrateful. That I would thank her, in one century or the next. And so we slept, our magic accruing over time. Until we woke, filled with immense power and allowed to live a single year of life. That has been the existence I've suffered for the last ten centuries."

Klaus began to laugh under his breath, and Freya narrowed her eyes. Maybe she had been… misinformed when she'd told Aria of the similarities that she shared with Niklaus.

"Well, that's quite the ordeal, isn't it? But uh, it does beg the question – why not end it yourself?"

Elijah was plainly horrified at Klaus' lack of tact, but his brother continued talking regardless, "A high enough bridge, a tight enough noose? You must have considered it."

"Long ago, I did consider it. But Dahlia would never give me even that freedom."

The Hybrid actually looked – dare Freya think it – surprised at her answer, and the modest guilt reflecting in his eyes looked all too familiar. He truly did share more similarities with Kol than either would care to admit.

"I would later learn that the spell made me like her. Immortal and impervious to harm. So, you see, I am like you – though I'm quickly learning may not be the best thing. A creature of great power, cursed for all time."

~*•°•*~

Cami downed a glass of bourbon.

"Cami, if you don't want to do this-"

Cami poured herself another glass as she scoffed, "Of course I don't want to do this! The guy practically tried to kill me."

"Well, not this guy. Vincent Griffith is just another victim. Pain in the ass, but still a victim."

Cami eyed Marcel curiously for a moment before she sighed and began pacing, "Yes, but as of yesterday, he was Finn. Finn, who lied to me, who used me, who tried to erase me from my own body. And now, we're just going to hang out. I mean, it's fine, I'll do it. I just... need a drink first." Cami downed most of her second glass relatively quickly and Marcel leant back in his chair as he raised his voice, "Bring him in!"

Two of Marcel's vampire guards brought in Vincent, who jerked out of their grip pretty quickly to glare at Marcel, "What the hell is this? You just dragging me from one dump to another without telling me what's going on, Marcel Gerard?"

Marcel laughed "Do you keep saying my full name just to prove you know it?"

Vincent nodded, and shrugged, "Yes."

"Well, FYI, I thought changing the venue might brighten your mood! You know what, maybe it's me? So, how about I give you a chance to talk to my friend here." He pointed clearly over to Cami, who looked like she'd rather be doing anything other than being there in that moment, "You be nice, alright? Or I won't." He turned to face Cami, and softened, "I'll be right outside."

Marcel left with two of his vampire guards to give them some privacy, and Cami turned to Vincent, only a little lost for where to go next, "Would you like to sit down?" She offered. Vincent looked around the apartment, taking in the surroundings, but didn't say anything, "Okay… uh, I'm Cami."

"Look, whoever you are, you should know this isn't gonna work. I do not break. Not for Marcel Gerard, and not for pretty-faced… whatever you are."

Cami gave a harsh laugh, "Well, that's a relief, because the last time we spoke, I got the feeling you were kind of obsessed with me."

Vincent frowned and his eyes narrowed, "You know the guy who did this to me?"

"I'll tell you about it, if you want."

"And what's in it for you?"

"A little exchange of information never hurt anymore." Cami said lightly. The witch rolled his eyes, "Look, if you want to be the guy in the room who doesn't know where he was last week, that's fine. But, if you wanna know the truth – from someone who had a front row seat – then sit down."

~*•°•*~

Rebekah hadn't felt pain like this in a long time, the vampire-turned-witch realised, as she pulled her phone towards her. It's incessant beeping was filling the alley she was in, and it was splitting her skull in half. A name flashed up on the screen, and she shielded her eyes to try and ignore the light, as she mindlessly tried to answer the call.

"Elijah?" Rebekah asked groggily.

"I expected you hours ago." She couldn't make out if he sounded annoyed or worried.

"Yes, well, I seem to have lost track of time."

"What's wrong?" Now he sounded alarmed. Brilliant work, Bex, "Where are you?"

Rebekah allowed some semblance of the fear she felt seep into her voice, "That's just it. I don't know."

Elijah sounded like he was about to reply, before there was an almost inhuman screech from the other side of the phone, followed by several loud crashed. Elijah sighed, and it occurred to her that that sigh meant Nik had done something. Maybe he'd finally lost his mind? It wouldn't be surprising.

"Rebekah, I-"

"Go help our brother, 'Lijah. And make sure he doesn't do much damage to the Compound. I'll find a way home."

He went quiet for a while, and she could hear the gears in his head turning before he replied, "If you get any further lost, please call back."

"I will, 'Lijah. Don't worry. Now go."

It would take a while, but she'd figure out her way through the city to get back to her brothers. Hopefully.

~*•°•*~

"It was this witch, Eva!" A voice boomed as it entered the room. Klaus startled, and Elijah smothered a laugh. His focus then turned to an angry Rebekah, "The nocturnal cow is inside of me trying to bust her way out!"

Elijah watched Klaus expectantly, "Freya's been waiting upstairs in… what remains of the study for some time now. Perhaps we should-"

Klaus cut him off, "Have you lost your mind? Tell me we're not considering opening our sister's head to someone we barely know!"

"Nik, for God's sake, she is our sister! I've known her since she saved me from the Fauline Cottage."

"An act no doubt meant to secure your trust! Perhaps for this very moment, to strike when we are vulnerable! No, we've no way of knowing that anything she said today is true."

"Niklaus, I understand your concern. Both of us are powerless to help our sister. Now, either we leave Rebekah to suffer, or we place our faith in the hands of someone I believe to be our blood." Klaus looked horrified, "Right now, I'm inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to family."

~*•°•*~

"I woke up last night. I didn't know where I was, or how long I'd been there, let alone that I had lost nine months of my life! Marcel said the guy who possessed me, this Finn, he made a lot of enemies." Vincent looked at Cami pleadingly, and the terror in his eyes was almost unmeasurable, "What did he do?"

"He... terrorised the city. He threatened and manipulated his enemies, tried to steal an innocent child, used countless witches, and probably wanted to do a lot more if someone hadn't intervened and kept him hidden away. Mr. Griffith... Vincent. What you experienced was a violation of a profoundly personal nature. And whatever you are feeling, I am here to listen."

"That's just it, what do I say? Am I just supposed to – what? –feel bad for these people that I hurt? Am I-am I supposed to feel guilty for these..." He jumped to his feet and flipped the chair, "These witches I've used? My people?"

Vincent went silent for a minute and sighed, quickly picking the chair back up as he sat back down, murmuring under his breath anxiously, "I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay! You're gonna be okay."

Vincent paused for another moment, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Did I-" He sighed, "Did he... hurt you?"

Cami hesitated, "Listen to me, you didn't do anything. And whatever else may have happened? The only thing you can do now is move on."

~*•°•*~

Freya's leg was bouncing as she waited in a quiet study for Rebekah. Niklaus was brooding in the back corner of the room, in the dark because he'd found it fit to break all lights in the room during his little tantrum a mere two hours prior. Maybe Aria had some sense to herself after all. Although, Freya maintained that Aria disliked her brother merely because they were all too similar, though, of course, she'd learnt to voice that opinion only when Aria was, well, unconscious. And even then, she had an idea it might wake the teenager, if for nothing other than to prove her wrong.

"Rebekah!"

The name burst out of her when her sister entered, and although the vampire-turned-witch startled slightly, she smiled and crossed over to Freya, pulling her close; a surprise to the witch who would not die, but a pleasant one none the less. Freya embraced her back.

"It's good to see you again."

"And you! Although I'd prefer better circumstances."

The two sat beside each other on a sofa, and Elijah stood about two feet away from them, beside the mantle of the fireplace. Klaus was… still brooding in the corner with a drink, and kept glancing over to them, a shy hair away from pouting after being overruled by Elijah.

"You needn't worry. Elijah explained the problem, and I can help."

"Rather confident, aren't we?"

Freya ignored her brother, although her eyes crinkled slightly as she tried not to smile. Even if she did turn to acknowledge him, he wouldn't show her the equal courtesy, so it was best just not to bother. If he got irritated, that was on him, "The spirit of the host body is powerful, but I can cast a spell." Her hand brushed Rebekah's cheek, "Put you in a deep sleep, and then suppress this other essence, or try to return you to your own body and let this poor soul back out. Either way you'll be just fine."

"Lovely." Rebekah smiled, despite the small wobble of her voice, "When do we start?"

In the corner, there was a groan that attracted the attention of the rest of the room, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. She spouts off some magical diagnosis, and we are all supposed to applaud?"

"Nik, she's trying to help!"

Klaus stood to his feet and walked toward them as he monologued. One question came to Freya's mind, and she wondered just how theatrical her brother was, "Yes, but for the sake of keeping our options open, why not write down your spells and incantations, that way we can have them double-checked by an impartial third party? Say, Aria? Despite her new alliance with you Freya, I assure you that she'd still love to prove me wrong!"

Freya rolled her eyes, "Yes, I know how… personally you take your rivalry with a seventeen-year-old girl, but I'd rather keep Aria away from Dahlia as long as I can. See, I've learned to care for the girl-" Klaus groaned, loudly, "-And, if our beloved aunt traces our magic together with certainty, then our problem might become a tad more severe."

"Oh, so you're my only hope, then? Seems rather convenient, doesn't it?"

Freya was more amused than anything, as Klaus smiled mockingly, "I knew it would be difficult to earn your trust, Niklaus. Your reputation precedes you. But, if we are to face Dahlia together, you will have to trust me. Given the peril that Rebekah now faces, are you truly incapable of giving me even a chance to prove myself?" She turned to face her other siblings, "I know I appear as an outsider, but I have dreamt of you all for a thousand years. Elijah, when you were in Esther's womb, she would ask me to sing to you. I would feel her belly as I did." She laughed, "How you would kick. She would say it was as if Thor himself had raised his hammer-"

"-And summoned thunder and lightning." Elijah finished. Freya found his voice rather soft compared to usual but she paid the thought no mind, "Mother rarely mentioned you, but when she did, she would say how enchanted you were with the prospect of my birth."

"How I wanted more brothers. And a sister." She looked over to Rebekah and smiled, "More than anything. But between Esther and Dahlia, that wish was taken from me. I was ruined by those who raised me. If nothing else, at least we have that in common. There is nothing that can replace what was taken from us, but I do hope we can make something better in its place. All you have to do is trust me."

Klaus looked at her for a long moment, but just as it seemed like he might actually be considering her words, he was across the room and had snapped Freya's neck.

"NIK!" Rebekah shrieked.

Klaus smirked – though he had winced at the volume his sister managed to achieve, "Well, that's enough of that, don't you think?" He dropped the body carelessly to the ground, and clapped his hands together as a smile grew on his face, "Right. Now we can have a proper family meeting."

Rebekah was beside her older sister in almost an instant, "Was that absolutely necessary?"

Even in her new body, she sounded absolutely terrifying.

"Oh, please, she was insufferable."

"That was ridiculous, even for you, Niklaus!"

"You've only just met her! Let's not get sentimental. Besides, if she was telling the truth about being immortal, she'll awaken shortly. If she was lying, well, good riddance; this family wasn't made to be mortal, anyway."

"Yes. When she wakes, she'll be willing to help us with unbridled enthusiasm." Elijah scoffed.

"Oh please, she played you both for fools! Can you not see that? She spins a sad yarn about a small child taken by an evil witch, and you both fall over yourselves to mend what's broken!"

"How can you be so certain?"

"Simple. It's exactly what I would do." His siblings rolled their eyes in unison, "My only question now is what's in it for her?"

"Well, whatever the truth may be, she's in no position to help us now."

"Well, then we should try Marcel. Perhaps he's had luck on his end?" Rebekah spun to face Klaus, murder in her eyes, "Surely he's put in a better effort."

Rebekah stormed out of the room with a flourish, and after the briefest of moments, Elijah followed after her.

"You know I'm right, Elijah!" Elijah faltered in his steps, to at least acknowledge that his brother was speaking, "We can't have an alliance with someone we can't trust."

Elijah remained unamused, "You don't trust her, and that is your choice. I only hope that choice comes from a place of reason... not fear."

~*•°•*~

"Leave it to Marcel to have the best view of the city."

Vincent smiled, "Mhm. Sometimes I forget what a beautiful city it is. Especially with all the ugliness that comes with it."

The fact that he was still holding back stung a little, but Cami persisted, "Have you always lived here?"

"Born and raised in the Tremé. Lived through its ups and downs. Then it came to trouble with the vampires, and sometimes it was even worse. After this one particularly… nasty run-in, I gave up on being a witch. Walked away from my coven. I guess that was why I was easy prey for your friend Finn."

"Yeah, trust me – not my friend."

They chuckled together, and for a long moment, Vincent stared at her, hesitating before deciding to speak again, "You said Finn was hidden away. What'd you mean by that?"

A small smile found its way onto Cami's face, although she looked more exasperated than anything, "I have this friend. Though, friend might be a bit of an umbrella term, I haven't actually hung out with her in a while. You probably don't know her, but she… is kind of in the middle of Mikaelson drama. She intervened but I honestly don't know much about it."

"She a witch?"

Cami smiled again, "You tell me. Aria Gerard."

The slight ease that Vincent felt all but dissipated in seconds, "Aria?"

Cami backtracked quickly, "I know that you don't like Marcel, he can be pretty difficult to get along with when you first meet him, I know. But his daughter really is brilliant."

"No, I know." Vincent took a hard breath and clapped his hands in front of his face like he was about to pray, "You say Aria took this Finn guy and hid him away?" Cami nodded slowly, a small crease forming between her eyebrows, "She did magic… that took down an original? Took down me?" Cami nodded again, "I'll assume she did; why?"

Vincent's eyes closed and his head hung low. He began murmuring something under his breath, but it didn't sound like a spell. Though Cami couldn't quite make it out, it sounded a little like 'Josie won't like this', but if that meant anything, she didn't know. Did she need to start getting in the know of witch business, too?

His knee stopped bouncing, and he took a deep breath before looking up at her, "Marcel was asking about Eva Sinclair. You need to tell him to get back in here. There's something he needs to know."

"Vincent, are you alright?"

"Just please… go get Marcel. Now."

~*•°•*~

Klaus had been waiting in the bell tower for several hours by the time Freya woke. The witch looked confused, and groggy, like she'd just awoken from a long sleep, but as soon as her eyes locked on him, she became decidedly more murderous.

Well.

That hadn't been the plan.

He'd just have to improvise.

"Ah, you're awake. Well, clearly your restorative powers are not renowned for their speed."

"You dare lay your hands on me?"

Klaus shrugged in indifference, "Immortality is a bold play. I had to make sure you're telling the truth."

Freya's face echoed nothing short of being appalled by her brother's behaviour, as she settled her hand beside her and tried to steady her breathing, "Why did you bring me here?" She asked after another moment, when she was sure she at least wouldn't burst into tears. Despite the immortality Dahlia had promised, there was a pain unlike any other she'd known when she awoke from either her sleep, or from death. It was far too daunting, in all honesty.

"I couldn't very well have you stay in my home. That honour is something I reserve for those I consider family."

Freya's voice dropped, "So you refuse me as your sister?"

"Well, you had a lovely audition. It just didn't seem to be the right fit."

"I think Elijah felt otherwise. Rebekah, too."

Petty? Yes. But he'd just snapped her neck. She was allowed some level of leeway.

Klaus rolled his eyes, murmured something akin to 'I see Aria's rubbing off on you' under his breath, and then spoke louder, "Yes, you did a fine job of convincing them with all your melodramatic tales. However, I suspect you were not entirely forthcoming. The truth is, Elijah and Rebekah can be a bit naive when it comes to family relations. Case in point, their unending faith in me! I repay that loyalty by guarding them against treachery they cannot see, and I suspect you are very treacherous indeed. You wish to worm your way into my family; I want to know why. So, sister, I'm going to give you one last chance to tell the full truth. I suggest you don't muck it up."

"You want to know why I hate Dahlia? It goes back to a man. His name was Mathias. We knew each other for one perfect year in the early 1400s. I loved him more than my own life, and Dahlia allowed me to love him."

"Of course. She wanted you to bear her another firstborn."

Klaus' rather flippant behaviour sobered a bit when he saw the tears in Freya's eyes. For the briefest moment, hurt panged in his chest. Sister or not, he was always the one to put tears in other's eyes, to hurt them beyond measure, wasn't he? And if she indeed was his sister… well then, history seemed doomed to repeat itself, he supposed.

"I broke my vow and gave into love, and that led to the darkest moment of my life. The day when I tried to steal from Dahlia that which she wanted most."

"And what was that?" His voice was considerably quieter, a small nagging feeling in his chest telling him that he knew that pain in her eyes. That he'd felt that pain when Hope had been sent away.

"My son,

"Mathias only wanted our son to be born free. For that, Dahlia cursed him to death. I knew that I'd never be free of her, that my child would be born a slave. To spare us both the horrors of the life I'd known, I took a bottle of Dahlia's strongest poison. I wanted to die, for only death could give me the release I longed for. But Dahlia knew that my death was never an option. That was the day that I learned I could never die."

Klaus would sympathise with her – he would – but he refused to entertain such a ridiculous notion. Although, as the minutes ticked by, and her explanations came flooding with them – explanations that put so much into perspective, truly, they did – it became harder and harder for him to see her as the enemy.

"It was Dahlia who made me do what I did. She turned me into a monster and I will destroy her for it. Tell me, brother – is that the truth you wanted to hear?"

"Whether I believe you or not is no matter." Klaus mumbled, maintaining eye contact as best he could.

Well brother, Freya thought, your voice is trembling, I think it's very clear you do believe me.

"You told that tale in order to garner my sympathy-" Freya stared at him blankly, barely refraining from an exhausted sigh. Perhaps she'd underestimated Aria's warning. This paranoia was… well, he clearly needed serious help, "-Thinking the shared plight of a child in danger would bond us. But I will not be manipulated!"

There. That was why she found him and Aria similar. The paranoia, the terror that everyone around them would be conspiring to hurt them. She supposed that Klaus had good reason to have his paranoia, and whilst Aria hadn't told her of a reason that she should have the terror, Freya had picked up on the way that the witch slipped around the Shadow-Quarter in Dahlia's realm with frightening accuracy. It was like she knew every nook, every cranny, every site of power they may harness together to escape, and every back alley in the city. She didn't want to think why.

Freya rolled her eyes and stood to walk over to him, placing a cool and indifferent mask onto her face, "Whatever you choose, one finale truth remains. Dahlia is coming for us. With me, you have a chance to defeat her. Without me, she will take your daughter and make her a slave. She will suffer as I had, never knowing her mother and father because Dahlia will have rendered you into ash."

"Are you quite finished? If there is to be an alliance between us, it will be one of my design. And if you ever try to control me again, sister, you will spend the rest of your immortal life regretting it."

"Then leave. I have already wasted so much of my life hung up on what I may and may not have, this time however I will not trail after those who so clearly do not want me. But I have Elijah and Rebekah, and even Aria, and for that I am not going anywhere. But, I implore you, brother, to rethink your alliances as you go forward."

~*•°•*~

"I filled him in, but he's still a little freaked out about all of this." Marcel explained to Rebekah as they walked up the stairs leading to his loft, Elijah trailing silently behind them.

She smiled thinly, "Good. That makes us a perfect pair."

They walked into the loft and crossed over to Vincent. The witch only had eyes for Marcel, and for a moment, Rebekah worried that Finn – no, Bex, the witch Finn had possessed – might just set the vampire beside her on fire. Never the less, she wasted no time in approaching him and giving him a rather obvious glance over when his attention finally shifted to her. He looked… stunned.

"Right. Well, I can tell by your face that you knew the previous occupant of this body." She smiled, "Rest assured, you're now speaking to Rebekah Mikaelson. So, who are you? I mean, now that you're not my brother Finn?"

"Vincent Griffith. I would say 'at your service', but that implies I had a choice in the matter."

Marcel rolled his eyes as Rebekah looked over to Elijah and grinned widely, "Oh! He's witty. Wonderful. Now, I hear you have some information for me."

"Just... give me a second." Vincent stared at the Original, as he stepped – almost haltingly – towards her. Elijah's interest was piqued as the witch let out a laugh of what sounded like a mixture of wonder and a sob caught in his throat, "When they put Eva in the Fauline Cottage, I never thought I'd see her again."

"Second taken, Vince. Time's up." Marcel snapped.

Elijah frowned, "How exactly is it that you knew Ms. Sinclair?"

"She was my wife."

There was a stunned silence.

A silence that, of course, Rebekah was the first one to break, "Well. That is bloody fantastic, isn't it?"

~*•°•*~

Brooding had taken up quite a fair portion of Klaus' afternoon.

Well, brooding and contemplation.

After his and Freya's little chat, she'd exited rather dramatically, and Klaus had been left alone in the tower. Though, regardless of it being neutral territory for both vampires, wolves and witches, he hadn't quite felt settled staying there. He hadn't been watched, he'd have disposed of that problem easy enough, and it wouldn't make him uneasy in any shape or form, but the place… reeked of Aria's magic. He hadn't realised that magic could have a scent before. Perhaps it was a side affect of his Hybrid status, perhaps it was because he was convinced that she was something else entirely, or perhaps it was just because he was tired, so very tired, and Aria had been occupying too much of his mind recently, what with her stunt with Finn, and Marcellus's constant pleas for Klaus to keep out of her life and just leave her alone.

Or her uncharacteristic silence since Kol passed.

The thought struck him terribly quickly, and he might've fallen if he wasn't sitting.

He missed her.

Thankfully, he heard the door open and Elijah enter before he had too much time to dwell on that truly horrifying realisation.

"So, this is where you live? Well, I will admit, it's nicer on the inside."

Elijah faltered in his steps, briefly closed his eyes, and rolled them before gracing his brother with a response fit to the irritation he was still feeling from the Hybrid's stunt hours before.

"Can I help you, Niklaus? Or, did you cross the river purely to critique my décor?"

"How's Rebekah?"

There was a spark of surprise in Elijah's expression, but it vanished as if it were never there to begin with soon enough, "Well again, thankfully. The spirit inside of her is now repressed, though this will only last for a short time, another witch will need to complete the spell required. One such as, perhaps, Freya? Tell me, what have you done with her?"

"That's why I'm here actually. I thought you might like to know that I was… moved by what you said about my decision not to trust our long-lost sister. So, I waited until she revived, and when she did…" He laughed, "Well, we had quite a chat."

"And yet your position remains unchanged."

Klaus shrugged uncaringly, "I looked into her eyes, and I saw only anger and fear. The will to do whatever it takes to survive, no matter who she hurts. I can use her to my own ends, but I could never allow so damaged a creature to have a say in my plans."

Elijah's response was instantaneous, "You may not trust her, or trust me, brother – we may have had our differences of late – but we shall exercise the same caution we have always demonstrated toward our allies."

Klaus was silent for a moment before rolling his eyes, "Fine. I'll let you pursue it. But, should Freya betray us-"

"If Freya should even attempt to betray us, I shall bury her beneath a thousand wretched torments."

"I don't doubt it." He stood, and slowly approached his older brother, "But, what if you're too late? What if Freya is duplicitous? What if Hope should be harmed through her actions? You will not have to worry if I will never forgive you, because you will never forgive yourself. You will suffer a guilt that will be impossible to endure." He grabbed his brother's arm, pulling him closer as he lowered his voice, "A truly terrible fate for one who cannot die."

"Nothing will happen to that child, Niklaus, but we have to consider every weapon at our disposal. Dahlia is coming; the only question is when."

Klaus was silent for a brief moment, before a smile stretched across his face, "Well, speaking of weapons, I suppose it's a good thing I've acquired a new one rather recently. All credit to you, brother, truly I couldn't have done it without your help."

Elijah searched his brother's face wearily, "What've you done?"

Klaus showed no fear, but there was a slight tensing in his jaw leading to the only plausible solution that he'd-

"Niklaus, what've you done?" Elijah repeated, voice dropping urgently.

"What've I done to whom, brother?"

"The very fact that you've mentioned a 'whom' tells me that you know exactly what I'm talking about. Brother, I will not ask you again."

"Tell me, Elijah, have you ever asked yourself how Aria learnt her magic growing up in a strictly witch-prohibited environment?"

Elijah paused, "Niklaus?"

"Turns out Marcellus is… a better father than I could've imagined." There was a strange note to his voice, a note that seemed to always be there when he talked of Marcellus and Aria, "To put it simply, he has a few contacts within the city – contacts I can only assume taught our witch how to channel her extraordinary power."

"Where is she, Niklaus?"

Klaus smirked, "Oh, she's a little tied up at the moment, I'm afraid." Elijah's jaw actually dropped, "But I'm sure that when she wakes, she'll be… what was it you said earlier? Ah, yes, ready to help us with unbridled enthusiasm, truly."

"Your wit never ceases to amaze me, brother." Elijah said drily, "Or rather stupidity? For of course, because Miss Gerard can certainly be easily manipulated like that, yes?"

"I'll bypass the comment on my intelligence for your sake, but exactly! Now you're getting it."

"Where is she, brother?"

Klaus looked as though he was about to answer, but his ear pricked and his head turned to the side, "Ah! The witchling is awake."

"Witchling?" Elijah questioned sardonically; eyes glued to Klaus as he crossed into another room he'd apparently stashed his twice over adopted granddaughter in.

He felt it as soon as Niklaus opened the door Aria was stashed in, though he couldn't quite see them, he felt the onslaught of power almost immediately. He shivered, then rolled his eyes, thanked fate that no one had been around to see Elijah Mikaelson shiver, and then – much to his own surprise as much as anyone else's – he murmured a phrase he'd never imagine he'd have said again to the Gods he felt had long abandoned him.

"Odin give me strength."

He heard a shriek of fury and then a rather loud bang – the distinctive sound of someone slamming into a door, and then the sound of wood splintering and sighed again.

This would be a long night.

It's great to be back!

So.. I'm pretty ill right now. Migraines and what not. But as it is, I'm on a reduced timetable at school, so basically I'm leaving at lunch and then going home for my afternoon. Anyways, I'm be updating my schedule. I will be updating every couple of weeks, Mondays or Tuesdays probably, just while I get my head back on right.

But enough with that. This chapter is... huh, it's been a little difficult to write. Mostly because it's a bunch of dialogue being dropped. I did rely heavily on the transcript for this episode for this chapter, mostly because Aria features about... once, I think? Maybe twice if you count the end, unless I've miscounted. This chapter was definitely meant to focus a lot more on the Mikaelsons than Aria, although I definitely had a lot of fun writing Klaus' terrifying realisation about missing Miss Gerard, and he's gonna have a lot more thoughts on that in future chapters. Gods, I'm having so much fun with writing what goes on in his head. But anyways, thank you to everyone that's been reading, I'll see you in two weeks!

As Always, SecretMidnightRose