"I hope you don't mind my sitting here with you while you talk to your buddies," Lily-Eleanor said to He, taking a drink from his beer glass as he absentmindedly played with her hair. She was on his lap and he was surprised to discover how much he liked it.

"No, of course I don't mind," He told her. Then he kissed her cheek and her eyes widened.

"Well, that was nice," she said, wondering if he'd realized what he'd done.

"What was?"

"Oh, nothing," Lily-Eleanor shook her head, keeping quiet so she wouldn't ruin the moment. This was probably one of the only times it would happen so she had to enjoy it while she could. "You know, my neck is a little sore. Would you mind giving it a bit of a rub?"

"Sure," He told her and proceeded to rub her neck. "Is that better?"

"Yes," Lily-Eleanor nodded, shutting her eyes and grinning. "Yes, it is!"

Then he began to gently run his hands over her bare arms and took her hand in his. She watched this out of the corner of her eye, wondering just what was going on. He'd never touched her or kissed her in public before, especially not with his buddies or anyone else watching. Was this a sign of new things to come? Or just some freak occurrence that would never happen again after it was all over? She scoffed. That's probably what it was. Best stop it now before she got too fond of it and developed expectations that He would never meet.

"Hey!" He cried as she hopped off his lap and gulped down the rest of his beer. "What are you doing? What's the problem?"

"You're the problem!" She snapped, stabbing her pointing finger in his direction and nearly poking him in the eye before walking away. "I never know how to be with you! And it's not like you're any good at explaining!" She then turned on her heel and stalked away with out another word, leaving everyone to wonder just what she was doing. They never knew what was in her head.

"What was that about?" He got out. "I swear I didn't do anything to her! Just like I don't every time she freaks out like this!"

His friends shrugged. "Don't ask me," Tyler told him. "I don't have any idea either. With Isabella, I just learn as I go along. I wonder if other women are so difficult."

That got him a hit on the back of his head. "Quiet! what if she hears you?" whispered one of the others.

He looked intently at the space where Lily-Eleanor had stood before striding off into the crowd, then rose from his seat and decided to go look for her. Their conversation wasn't over yet. It took some time, but he finally found her, leaning against one of the club's walls, away from all the dancing, a glass of chardonnay in one hand, which she promptly gulped down and choked on at the sight of him.

"Just what the hell is wrong with you?" He asked when she'd gotten her breath and could talk again. "What in Steve's sake is going on?"

Lily-Eleanor shook her head, her hair bouncing wildly on her shoulders as she turned to try and avoid looking him in the eye. "It's not of your business. Go away!"

"No, I will not go away!" He insisted. "If I did, you'd probably just yell at me for abandoning your hour of distress or something ridiculous like that, so I'm going to stay here until you tell me what horrible thing it is I've done? What is it? What wrong have I committed against you?"

"You haven't done anything wrong!" Lily-Eleanor shook her head. "You...you finally did something right for once!"

"What?" He put his hands on either side of her head and trapped her against the wall. "I don't understand. Explain to me what in the world you meant by that!"

"Well," Lily Eleanor took a deep breath. "Before now, you never played with my hair, or or caressed my neck, or even admitted you liked me in front of people. And just now, you were being all warm and loving and nice...like the perfect boyfriend! Is that to prove something to your friends? Are you going to go back to treating me like dirt now and acting like you can't commit? Cause I'm not going to put up with that! Not anymore!"

"Wait, what?" He asked, running his fingers through his hair. As usual, she was babbling and not making any sense. "You thought I made that all up? I didn't! And I...I promise I won't go back to how things were. I'll...I'll try to be more demonstrative. Okay?"

"Are you just saying that so I won't be mad at you?" Lily-Eleanor questioned, her eyes narrowed.

"No," He scoffed. "And I can't believe, even after knowing me for so long, that you would think I was capable of being so shallow and mean! You're driving me nuts! Would you just grow up?"

Lily-Eleanor put her hands on her hips as her jaw dropped. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

"You heard me," He repeated, glad his voice didn't wobble. "If you and I are going to do this, you need to grow the fuck up. I'm at least trying, but you're definitely not. I'm new to all this human stuff! I don't know how to do everything right. I'm sorry if what I'm doing makes you unhappy, but it's all I've got for now. I didn't touch you today because I was trying to trick you. I touched you because I liked what we did in the shower, it made me feel good to have my hands on your skin and in your hair, and I wanted to feel those feelings again and be close to you. If being touched by me in public is something you don't like, then fine...just don't nag me to come out with you next time! And even if you do...I won't be available. You got me?" He then stormed away, and since his back was turned, he didn't see the repentant look on Lily-Eleanor's face as she turned the other way to go hide in the bathroom.

When He returned to his chair by Tyler, he was more than pleased to see another glass of something at his place. Without even asking what it was, he took it and downed it in one gulp.

"Wow, slow down there, buddy!" Tyler said. "I ordered you that because I thought you would need it, but it still is a bad idea to drink it that fast."

"Sorry," He apologized and burped. "I just...I feel like garbage! I don't understand a thing about that woman!"

The men lapsed into silence, then looked on in surprise as Lily-Eleanor came back and stood in front of He.

He sighed and shrugged, feeling too worn out to fight her anymore. Whatever happened next, let it. He didn't care. "What do you want?" He asked warily. "Whatever it is, let's just get it over with. Right here, right now."

"You know, that's exactly what I was thinking," Lily-Eleanor agreed. "Good to know we're on the same page!" Then everyone looked on in surprise as she straddled him, grabbed his face in both hands, and gave him a big smile. "You were right before," she admitted, fully aware everyone was watching. "You were right that you have a lot of learning to do about being human and that...even if you don't exactly know how to show it, your love for me is always there. I should have realized that and been more patient and loving in return. I know I suck at it but I'll do better in the future. Will you forgive me?"

He was so surprised that he didn't quite know what to say. Nothing came out of his mouth but weird babbling, so he was more than happy, relieved, even...when she crashed her mouth against his and kissed him soundly as he ran a hand up and down her back.

Neither of them heard the "oohs" and "ahhhs" from his friends, but they were definitely there.

"That went better than I thought it would," Kai said to Tyler. "You think we need to look after him anymore?"

"I don't know," Tyler shook his head. "I don't think so. From the looks of it, He's gonna be just fine."

"So...it's...is it scary, having babies?" Eloise asked Isabella. "I'm...honestly I'm a bit frightened even though my doctor says everything is going well." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "They'll probably have to...cut me open!"

"Really?" Isabella questioned. "I mean, I wish they would have done that with me. When Leila came out of me, it hurt like..." She trailed off as Eloise's eyes widened. "You'll be fine!" She chuckled and tried to be cheerful again. "If I can make it, so can you!" She paused. "So...I bet you'll be glad to have the three babies out of you. That must be miserable!"

"Well, yeah, it's not exactly comfortable, but..." She smiled and put a hand on her belly. "I love my babies and Adrian has been a big help, so it's worth it."

Isabella's face twisted. "Tyler wasn't a big help at all. I had to do everything myself." She sighed. "Guys are always happy to help make a baby but a lot of them really suck at staying afterward."

"Adrian is really looking forward to our babies," Eloise said. "He told me so lots of times." She paused. "So giving birth hurts?"

"For me it did," Isabella nodded. "But I don't know how it is when they operate on you first. For all I know, it might not hurt you at all!"

"Oh, I hope not!" Eloise shuddered and then reached for her Shirley Temple and took a big sip, glad that Adrian and the other boys had gone off to the bar because there was no way she could talk openly about things like this if Adrian was around. The thought of her being cut open freaked him out, so she hadn't said a word about it since the doctor told them it would be the most likely delivery method.

Pleased by how much she seemed to be helping Eloise, Isabella turned to her aunt, who was trying to get into the conversation because she felt she should be, but didn't really know how to begin. "How about you, Aunt Remiel? How can I tap into my great and marvelous store of birth knowledge and help you?"

This made Remiel snort quite loudly. She was now doing her best to be nice to her niece but it was remarks like that, however well meant, that reminded her why having a relationship with this particular niece was a process that was going to take a while: because she was the one that was most like her very trying father.

"Thank you for the offer," she said through gritted teeth. "But I won't be needing help from you. I have someone already who is perfectly capable of answering any questions I might have."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Are you positive? Cause it's really no trouble!"

"No!" Remiel yelled. "Just leave me alone and mind your own business!" Then, as if to add insult to injury, she immediately began talking with and getting advice from Eloise, getting along with her as if she were an old friend.

"Well, fine, geez!" Isabella said. "I was only trying to help. You didn't have to go all hormonal crazy woman on me." She then turned to complain to Tyler about how ungrateful some people were when she looked down and realized he wasn't handcuffed to her anymore. "Hey!" She cried. "Anyone see Tyler? Where did he go?"

"He told you!" Lily-Eleanor reminded her.

"Yeah," Kayla added. "He was standing right next to you when he said he was gonna go get drinks at the bar. How could you have missed that?"

"Well, he shouldn't have been able to do it while he was handcuffed to me!" Isabella complained and stomped her foot. "This is just not fair! I'm going to have a word with him!"

"Oh, shit," Ricky muttered as Isabella approached the bar. "Tyler, nice knowing you, but we'll be going now." The rest of the men nodded in agreement, grabbed their drinks, and ran as Isabella approached, but Tyler stayed where he was, a wide grin on his face.

"Hey, Bella, what's up?" He asked nonchalantly and took a gulp of his drink. "I'm surprised you actually came up here yourself instead of making some poor sucker get your drink for you!"

"Excuse me...'What's up'? You want to know 'what's up'? Well, I would like to know where the hell the handcuffs went!" She demanded, hands on hips with another stomp of her foot that barely made any noise.

Tyler grinned, chuckled, and beeped her nose. "You know, Bella, you are the cutest little thing!"

"Don't you treat me like a toddler and touch my nose like that!" Isabella exclaimed. "Tell me where the damn handcuffs are! I can't believe you got out of them!"

"Well, I can't believe you thought that I, the son of a very powerful witch and an Original vampire, could just be trapped in those things forever," Tyler chuckled. "It's truly laughable! I mean, not that I'm not willing to be in handcuffs ever. If that's what you want, you just have to ask...and you have to be in your underwear."

Isabella growled. "Oh, I hate you!" She cried. "I hate you!" She then turned on her heel and tried to stalk away, the battle won. But he grabbed her and pulled her to him.

"Going somewhere?" Tyler drawled and flashed his teeth.

"What are you doing?" Isabella asked and pummeled his shoulders. "Let go of me!"

"Well, this is a fun development," Tyler continued, enjoying her anger immensely. "The Miss who wanted to be handcuffed to me and show the whole world how solid our relationship was suddenly doesn't want to be anywhere near me."

"I've come to my senses now!" Isabella snapped. "And I won't make that mistake again. But why...if you could get out of the handcuffs, why did you wait so long to do it?"

Tyler pulled her closer (not that there was much distance left between them), nibbled on her earlobe, and whispered in her ear. "I can't believe you have to ask that question. I would have thought it would be obvious by now."

"It is?" Isabella asked, confused. "Well, I don't get it! Pretend I'm stupid!"

Tyler chuckled. "All right, that's easy."

"Hey!" Isabella protested and tried to kick him. "Be nice!"

"Oh, all right, all right, sorry," Tyler apologized, his hands moving down her back and onto her butt. "But I don't understand what's so hard to get. And I already told you, anyway."

"Told me what?" Isabella yelled in frustration.

"That I wanted to be handcuffed to you," he said. "Because you wanted us to be together in front of the whole world." He grinned. "I like that. It's really nice."

Isabella blushed. "Oh. Well, I'm glad you liked it and didn't just think it was a joke or something. Cause I meant it."

"Oh, yes," He grinned, taking her chin in his hand and kissing her. "I like being handcuffed to you."

They began kissing deeply until Noah interrupted them.

"Do you mind?" Isabella hissed. "I don't need the whole 'protective big brother' act, thank you."

"Oh, this isn't about that," Noah said. "I just don't think I want any sexual displays in the public part of my club!"

"What about in the bathroom?" Tyler asked. "Could we do it in there?" He winked at Isabella and continued to kiss her.

"I don't care where you do it!" Noah rolled his eyes. "Just as long as no one can see you!"

After a little bit, Roxie went and urged the DJ to put a slow song on because she felt with the state the guests in the party were in, they could use a little closeness.

Everyone else was still bickering among themselves so Ricky took Remiel's hand and led her away. "I know...this might sound like a stupid question and if you don't want to, it's all right, but...I wouldn't mind dancing now. Cause I'm with someone I care about and this is the sort of music that you dance to with someone you care about. I mean, I'm no Fred Astaire, but I won't crush your toes. Care to join me?"

Remiel chuckled. "You know what? All right. But I can't make the same promise to you."

Ricky shrugged. "I'm wearing my good boots. You step on me and I won't feel a thing."

Remiel grinned. "Well, since you put it that way..." She let Ricky lead her out onto the dance floor where she put her arms around his neck and began to sway to the music. It was harder than she thought to keep her mind off the other couples and their squabbling though.

"I know this will spoil the mood, but...do you think we'll end up like everyone else?" Remiel asked. "Just..fighting all the time?"

"No," Ricky chuckled and held Remiel just a bit tighter. "Do you really think we're like that?"

Remiel shook her head. "I don't think so...I hope not. I mean, we don't fight much, do we? The last time I wanted to punch you in the face or knock you down on the ground was ages ago!"

"You know, I feel the same way!" Ricky agreed. "I suppose that's good!" He shook his head. "No, I don't think we fight like they're fighting. We're just two people who are very clear about what we don't want and what we do and aren't afraid to let it be known. You can be open with me and I can be open with you. We don't feel like we have to hide things because we'll hurt each other's feelings. And that's good."

Remiel sighed, still eyeing the group. "Well, that's good, because a life of constant bickering is the last thing I want for us." She then put a hand on her belly. "Or our baby."

Ricky smiled. "Duly noted, Miss Remiel. But you don't need to worry about all those people. No matter how much all those people are fighting now, they truly care about each other just like we do."

"I hope so," Remiel told him. "I mean, I don't know much about love, since it's a human emotion, but it just doesn't look to me like any of them like each other at all."

Ricky winked and kissed her forehead. "Suddenly, we're not so bad now, are we? Let me explain something to you: there are different kinds of love and passion out there."

Remiel raised her head and stared into his eyes. "There are? You know, your eyes look lovely tonight."

Ricky blushed. "Well, yes there are. Some people have a burning fire at the beginning of their relationship, and then the peace and understanding that comes with getting to know each other will...it won't make the passion go away but it will...slow it down. Will just allow a couple to be calm and enjoy each other. Then there are the ones who start out slow and then. as things go on, the passion happens, like a giant burning fire, and then you get the calm, love, and respect in the pairing." He stopped. "I probably explained that badly," he said and blushed. "But that's how I see it, if it made any sense at all." He shrugged. "But I'm just a guy so what do I know?"

"Which one do you think we are?" Remiel asked.

"Whatever we want to be, sweetie," he said and gently caressed her cheeks before shaking his head. "You're so beautiful tonight, Remiel! That dress is beautiful on you!" He ran his hands down her back and over her bottom.

Remiel gave him a soft, real smile. "I'm never gonna have a wardrobe that's only dresses, but...I agree. I like how I look, and this is very comfortable!"

"Good," Ricky said. "But what do you think about what I'm saying about relationships and everything?"

"Well, I don't know for sure because I'm still learning about feelings and all that, but I can't deny that I feel very good in your arms, from the first time when I was drunk, and now I'm not and here I am. My heart is pounding in my chest, I breath faster in your arms, my palms are sweaty, and I have a weird feeling in my belly. It's nothing bad and there's nothing wrong with the baby. But it just...I feel drunk still, and light and floaty. Like I'm flying, and it's much better than when I actually fly." She blushed. "Please don't laugh at me."

"Oh, Remiel!" Ricky smiled and put a hand on either side of her face. "I couldn't laugh at you! My heart is pounding my chest too, my sweet angel." He lowered his head to gently kiss her lips before mouthing on top of them. "I can't breathe when I'm around you. My palms are sweaty too and I have butterflies in my belly!"

Remiel chuckled. "Well, it's good I'm not the only one!" She then stood on tiptoe to kiss him back.

"You're certainly not," he assured her when it was all over.

Meanwhile, Roxie and Noah were watching them from the bar and grinning. "Look at them," Noah said. "Remember how they used to flirt with each other?"

Roxie looked at him in surprise. "I can't believe you want to talk about this. That's your aunt over there!"

Noah shrugged. "It doesn't bother me."

"Good," Roxie smiled. "Cause...no offense but she was kind of a mess before and I'm...I'm glad she found someone and that Ricky did too."

"But it's not a surprise to us, is it?" Noah wanted to know.

"No, not really," Roxie shook her head. "From the minute they were first together, I knew this was how they would end up."

"Yeah," Noah sighed and grinned. "Me too."

"This calls for wine, don't you think?" Roxie asked and poured them each a glass. "To Ricky and your aunt Remiel?"

"Yeah," Noah nodded and clinked his glass against hers. "To Ricky and Aunt Remiel!"

"Oh, look!" Avery exclaimed. "The slow music is over! That's good because it's really boring if no one will dance with you. The faster music is much easier to dance to by yourself and I'm really good at all!" She hopped off the sofa, planted herself in front of Malachai, and began shaking and shimmying, with the intention of getting him to look at her, of course.

And though he tried very hard, he found himself eying her lowcut neckline and those hips that wouldn't stop moving...

"Would you stop dancing like that?" He snapped at her. "Please?"

"Why?" Avery grinned. "The music is great! I love this song! How can you not be dancing now yourself?" She then grabbed him and dragged him onto the dance floor, her determination just barely overcoming his resistance. Then she put his hands on her hips and continued to move. "There. Isn't that better?"

"No, it's not!" Malachai snapped. "We're here to study the interaction of the species, not take part in a wild and out of control party! Now, can we sit back down before someone sees us?"

"Oh, but I'm studying a species!" Avery protested and took his face in her hands, bringing it very close to hers. "I'm studying it very closely and it seems like the species Warlock is in general tightly wound and in need of a good dance, a big drink, and possibly even a roll in the hay!" She reached forward and played with his hair. "I'm really enjoying myself, actually."

He'd frozen and gone silent, his breathing ragged as he silently prayed to Steve to give him the strength to deal with his very persistant daughter, even though he didn't know how long he could keep control of himself at the rate she was going.

Finally, though, he took a deep breath and grabbed both her wrists, pushing her away to keep her at a distance. "Avery, I know you're having fun and it gives you perverse pleasure to watch me wriggle like a worm on a hook, but I beg of you, truly...if you have any positive feelings for me, please stop!"

"I wish you would wiggle like a worm on a hook!" Avery rolled her eyes. "That might actually be fun to watch! But you're not fun at all, are you?"

"No, I'm not," Malachai snapped. "But I accept that. It doesn't matter." He grabbed her arm. "Let's get away from here and go sit down."

He sat her down on a sofa some distance away from the dance floor and tried to regain his more intellectual demeanor. "So...what have you been noticing about all the species interacting? For example, do werewolves and vampires interact differently than witches and werewolves would?"

But Avery was in no mood to continue her lessons. "Yeah, sure, fine, there's a difference," she sighed. "A big one."

"Now we're getting somewhere," he gave her a look of approval and got to his feet. "Could you please give me a more detailed answer?"

Avery got up too. "No, I can't," she said as she came toward him. "And you're lucky I could even give you that little bit at all. I'm done now. Time for a break." She got on tiptoe and nibbled his earlobe.

"Avery!" Malachai hissed as he took in another breath and started counting to ten to try and calm himself.

"What?" Avery muttered. She was kissing his neck now and starting to deftly undo his shirt buttons.

"We can't do this!" He insisted. "It's wrong!"

"Is it?" Avery asked and kissed him ever so lightly on the lips. "Or is it right?"

For just a second, his control broke and he grabbed her, kissing her back and not even fighting her as she undid his pants buttons.

"I think...I think there are rooms close by where you and I can..." she panted in between kisses.

But then, as quickly as it had begun, it ended. Blushing furiously, Malachai pushed her away and did his pants up before grabbing her wrists and squeezing them hard. "What the hell do you want from me, woman?"

"Ouch!" She cried, wincing. "Stop, you're hurting me! And I don't know why you're asking that question. I thought it would be obvious what I want from you."

"Well, it's not!" Malachai snapped. "Do you want to cause trouble between your parents and me? Do you want me to lose my job?"

"No, of course not!" Avery yelled, pulling away and rubbing her wrists. "Why in the world would you say something ridiculous like that?"

"Then why?" Malachai cried. "Why do you keep doing this to me?"

"Because I want you, damn it!" Avery yelled. "How you don't understand that, I have no idea, you thickheaded man!"

Malachai let himself feel flattered for a second and then tried to control his breathing and his hands again. "Well, as we've previously discussed, you can't have me! It's wrong!"

"And as I've also said, I don't think it feels wrong at all!" Avery countered. "It feels very right to me!"

Malachai scoffed. "You're just a child, Avery! Will you do me a favor and please grow up?!"

"You didn't think I was such a child when we were kissing a few minutes ago!" Avery reminded him. "You even let me undo your pants buttons! You could have stopped me, but you didn't!" Tears were filling her eyes and she was letting them flow unchecked.

Malachai heaved a deep sigh, wiped the tears off her face with the handkerchief he kept in his pocket and put his hands on either side of her waist. "It was a moment of insanity, I guess. I have to be bluntly honest with you: you're not my type of woman, Avery. But you're very attractive and more than happy to show off your assets, so of course I'm gonna react to you. I'm only a man, for crying out loud. But it was purely a physical reaction, that's all. I don't feel anything more for you."

Tears were falling down Avery's cheeks again. "I know you're lying!" She spat. "I know you're lying! You're a hypocrite and a coward! You're just not going after what you want because you don't want your stupid, precious witch council to see you as anything more than a saint!"

"And you're just a whore who takes whatever she wants and orders people around just because she feels she can!" Malachai snapped. "Who doesn't actually care about others enough to respect that 'No' means 'no', even if it means you don't get what you want. No wonder your parents are at their wits' end with you. I am too!"

He turned to walk away and then Avery called out to him again. "Oh, really? If I'm nothing but a whore, then why can't we act like it?" She strode toward him, turned him around, and grabbed him by the crotch. His eyes widened and he hissed and flailed.

"Not so talkative now, are you?" She asked and then crashed her mouth on his.

He responded for a few seconds to give himself some time to find a way out of this and once he'd gotten and idea, he pushed her onto a red velvet sofa and leaned over her, casting a spell to make her sleep. It would be safer and better for his sanity to let this play out in her head...

As she entered the dreamworld, she sat up from the sofa, and saw Malachai looking at her, his nostrils flaring.

"Are you all right?" She asked.

"Oh, I'm sure I will be," he told her. "I'm here to make your dreams come true. To give you what you want so very badly..."

He then began herding her toward the bathroom, hoping that no one else was already thinking of the same thing.

"Wait a minute," Avery protested. "Why are we going this way? Do you really want me to do it with you in a bathroom?"

"It's there or nothing," he said. "How badly do you want it?"

"Well, fine," Avery rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I guess I shouldn't be too picky since I'm getting what I want."

"There you go," Malachai nodded. "First sensible thing you've said in a while."

He pushed her into the bathroom, locked the door, pushed her against the wall, and hissed, "You better be ready for this."

"I don't care as long as I get my money's worth!" She returned, trying not to show that his change in mood was making her a little confused.

Then, without ceremony, he pulled down or off as much clothing as he needed to in order to have access to her skin. Avery was surprised and didn't help him but still was interested to see where it all would go.

He started by kissing her lips once more, then his lips moved down her body as his hands slid down her arms.

Her tongue slid over her lips and she let out a whimper as his hand slid under her skirt and rubbed her hard until she climaxed and bumped her head against the wall.

He didn't ask how she was or anything, but then undid his pants and buried himself inside her over and over as he nibbled on her neck and pulled her hair.

"If you're trying to freak me out, it's not working!" Avery cried. "In fact I like it! Harder! Harder!"

Growling in frustration, he zapped her with a spell to keep her quiet, continuing to have his way with her until she collapsed against him. Only then did he pull out and let her go so she landed on the floor. Then he threw what she wasn't wearing on her. "Get dressed," he snapped and gave her her voice back. "Was that everything you hoped it would be?"

"Well, it's better than nothing!" She snapped before he strode out of the room while she tried to catch her breath and pull herself together...

Avery woke up with a start, pushing her hair back and looking around as she realized that she was on a sofa in the club, still fully dressed, and people were looking at her as they passed by. She blinked several times and took a breath to get her bearings as she realized that Malachai was nowhere in sight. And if she was here on the couch, then she couldn't have been in the bathroom. It was all a lie...all a lie from him!

As she realized this, she rose and strode over to the bar where Roxie and Noah were trying to tell Malachai he was cut off and they weren't gonna serve him another drink. He caught her eye, mumbled incoherently, and tried to stand up.

"Oh, no, no," she pushed him on the ground. "Don't get up on my account." Then tears began to roll down her cheeks, causing her mascara to run too, the third time this evening. She hated that this would be the last impression she'd leave him with but what other choice was there?

"Aunt Avery, are you okay?" Noah asked. "Maybe I should call Grandpa, and..."

"No, no!" Avery shook her head. "I'm fine! I just..." She turned back to Malachai. "I just wanted to say that this is the last time you'll ever have to see me. I'll never bother you again. You've made your point, even though you did it as a coward who couldn't face me and tell me all that in reality, to my face. Or have your way with me while looking me in the eyes. That's what I deserve. And since I'm not going to get it...we're done here." She then turned on her heel and strode out the door.

Roxie and Noah both watched her go and when the bar door had closed, they turned their attention to Malachai, who was still on the floor and struggling to get up.

"Well, it all makes sense now, doesn't it?" Noah asked. "A man who drinks that much because of a woman must have a lot of feelings for her."

Once Avery was outside, away from the crowds, she finally got down on her knees on the pavement and burst into tears, feeling an immense sense of loss and frustration for what could have been if Malachai wasn't such a thickheaded, stupid man. Then, she took a deep breath and waved her hand. Loss was hard for her, but it shouldn't have to be for others. She knew she could bring those who had died back to life. If losses went away for people, then they wouldn't hurt like she did. That was at least one selfless thing she could do through all this hurt.

As she lapsed back into sobbing, she was startled by the sound of a car horn. She looked up and wiped tears from her eyes as a man approached her and leaned down.

"Don't worry, Miss, I won't hurt you; you're not the first one I've picked up after an unfortunate night with some guy at this place. Want me to take you home? No charge."

"Thank you very much," Avery sniffled as he helped her to her feet. "That's very kind of you." She followed him to his cab, let him help her inside, and as they drove away, she took a deep breath and tried not to devote another thought to Malachai, the biggest jerk in the universe!

After a few rounds of dancing, Kai and Kayla decided to take a break. They headed to the bar and he ordered a turkey sub and she, a cosmopolitan. But when they went to sit back down again, they found, for the moment, that there were no open seats nearby so they took their food and drink and went to stand over by a wall until they could get a seat again.

"I know I could have just zapped a seat empty," Kai told her as he stood holding her close with his chin resting between her neck and shoulder. "But I thought you'd see that as unkind."

"And you're right," Kayla nodded and kissed his hair. "I'm happy for Noah that the place is packed tonight." Then she giggled and ran her finers through his hair. "I really don't mind being close like this. I always thought it's kind of a miracle that we can be now."

"Why?" Kai asked. "What do you mean? We spent a lot of time together while we were on the run. And we've had sex..." He didn't know where she was going with this.

"Yes, but were those times because you actually loved me like you do now?" Kayla asked. "Or was I just there?"

"Well, I-" Kai began. "I still don't-"

"For the longest time, I was a kid you never took seriously and a baby before that..."

"You're wrong," Kai assured her. "I took you too seriously. It was scary. Really." He winked and ran his hands down her sides. "Plus, I love your curves, and the way you eat a burger is so hot...not to mention other foods!"

Kayla chuckled, blushing a little. "Oh, stop. I know you're making fun of me, Kai Parker. I know I don't eat like a lady one bit. And I've been told that's not attractive."

"Well, it is to me and who else matters?" Kai questioned. "You gave me my life back, Kayla Mikaelson, and I could not be more grateful to you. I couldn't imagine my life without you."

"You know I've always loved you too," Kayla told him. "From the first time I saw you, even though I wore diapers at the time, had no idea what love was, and the only word I knew was 'cookie'."

Kai blushed and pulled her close, putting his chin on her shoulder. "I love you too, Kayla Mikaelson. So much."

She smiled and kissed him deeply, but the kiss was broken abruptly when, out of the corner of his eye, Kai thought he saw the familiar blonde head of Eloise's mother in the crowd. Then he blinked and saw nothing.

"What's the matter?" Kayla asked. "Kai, are you okay? Maybe you should sit down?"

"It's nothing," Kai told her. "Just my mind playing tricks on me for a second. Maybe I should wait a little while before I have my next drink."

"Or maybe you shouldn't drink anymore at all," Kayla suggested. "Why don't I go get you some juice instead?"

"I'm not drunk," He promised. "I just...I thought I saw someone I knew but apparently it wasn't them. No worries for me, all right? Just relax and have fun. I always find it very sweet when you want to rush to take care of me, though."

"Yeah," Kayla nodded and ruffled his hair. "Well, I know no one else really has for a while." She pause. "Are you sure you don't want some juice? I'm getting some."

"Oh all right," Kai sighed. "Thanks, a glass of orange juice would be great."

"Okay everyone," Noah announced. "Now that everyone has had time to get some food and have a few drinks (cause let's face it, this'll be a lot more fun now that we're all not completely sober,) it's time to start karaoke! There will be a prize at the end for the best song...and it's a good prize!"

"What is it?" Kai yelled.

"I can't tell you," Noah grinned. "It's a surprise prize!"

"And for that, I think Mr. Parker is the first singer," Roxie winked. "You get up here."

"Oh, no, I really...I couldn't..." Kai blushed. "I was hoping for a little more time..."

But Kayla put her hands on his butt and gave him a push. "Do it for me! I think you'll be great!" She whistled. "Go Kai! Go Kai!"

He winked and grabbed an apple he'd gotten off the table, carrying it to the stage and then undoing his shirt as the music started.

"All right everyone," He yelled over Kayla's excited shrieking. "Sexy and I know it...but I'm doing something a little different."

He let the music go on for a little bit and then took a bite out of the apple, juice dribbling down his chin for a little bit before he licked it up with his tongue. "I'm hungry and I know it..." He sang. "I'm hungry and I know it..."

He continued to sing the song, all the while having eyes only for Kayla, who was enjoying herself very much and even threw her panties at him on stage. They hit him right in the face.

"Wow, good aim!" He said, picking them up and winking. Then he exited the stage after he finished and sat down. Kayla got him his next drink, of course, and they waited for another singer.

"This'll be good," he said. "I bet no one will top me, though!"

Meanwhile, Ludovic and Helene had arrived and parked their car in the parking lot. "I still don't know if we should do this," she told him as they got out. "I mean, we're already late! And I still think we're gonna get caught!"

"No, we're not!" Ludovic tried to assure her as they made their way to the club doors. "Will you just trust me? For once in your life, could you relax?"

"Not if I don't even know how we'll get in!" She cried.

As she shielded her eyes so that no one would notice her, Ludovic rolled his and pulled her to the club door, showing two invitations to the bouncer. "Voila," he said. "We've been invited. Sorry we're late."

"Go on through, please," the bouncer told them.

"See, told you we'd be fine!" He told her with a smile.

"What if they recognize me here?" Helene asked. "What's your idea then, smart guy?"

"Easy," Ludovic supplied. "No one will recognize us if we go backstage. Come on!"

He heard her make a squeak of nervousness and pulled her into his arms. "Did I ever tell you how sexy you look in that dress?"

"I..." she blushed. "Thank you."

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah," Helene smiled. "Let's do this."

Ludovic went out first, keeping his eyes down, and feeling very grateful that no one, except for Roxie and Noah, had ever really had the chance to get a good look at him. All they saw, he knew, was a good looking guy in great fitting jeans and a nice leather jacket.

"I think this solves our problem about who the next singer is," Roxie said into the microphone. "What'll you sing?"

He quickly conferred with Helene off stage. "You wouldn't happen to have 'Sucker' by the Jonas Brothers, would you?" He asked. "My wife and I really like that song."

"No problem," Roxie told him. "Knock yourself out."

The music started and the bar erupted in cheers as Ludovic began to sing.

"We go together like birds of a feather, you and me..."

Helene appeared, wearing sunglasses, and was given her own microphone by Roxie. "Yeah, I'm feeling heat in December when you're around me."

Ludovic got close to her. "I've been dancing on top of cars and stumbling out of bars, I follow you through the dark, can't get enough-"

Helene smiled, removing her glasses. "You're the medicine and the pain, the tattoo inside my brain And, baby, you know it's obvious.."

Then they sang together. "I'm a sucker for you

You say the word and I'll go anywhere blindly

I'm a sucker for you, yeah

Any road you take, you know that you'll find me

I'm a sucker for all the subliminal things

No one knows about you (about you) about you (about you)

And you're making the typical me break my typical rules

It's true, I'm a sucker for you, yeah..."

As the song went on, it finally hit Adrian who they were. He'd been trying to place their very familiar faces since the music began.

"Damn it!" He whispered and rose to his feet. His hand was still in Eloise's and he squeezed hers hard and bared his teeth. "I can't believe it!"

"What?" Eloise asked, then winced. "Honey, loosen your grip, you're hurting my hand!"

"Sorry," Adrian apologized and let her hand go. "But don't you see? That's Helene up there! Helene and her kidnapper thug boyfriend!"

"Oh, really?" Eloise frowned. "Surely they wouldn't be stupid enough to come here...would they?"

"Apparently so," Adrian scoffed. "After all the years I spent having to look at her stupid face, I would recognize it anywhere!"

Eloise looked again and realized he was right. "Okay, so it is them. But please don't start trouble. They don't look like they want to hurt anyone at this point. Let's just leave them alone. We don't want to ruin the evening for the whole club...especially when this is the last time we'll be able to go out for a while. I don't want to have to raise three babies by myself because you let your anger get the best of you and got hurt or arrested!"

Adrian sighed and put a hand on either side of her face, kissing her forehead gently. "I know where your head is and I would never let anyting like that happen. But I can't just let them go! They put your life and the girls' lives in jeopardy!"

Eloise took his face in her hands and kissed him soundly. "And I love that you care so much, baby, but...I think the best thing to do now is to leave their fate in the hands of the Council...no matter how much you don't want to hear that."

"I agree with Eloise," Tyler said. "Here they are, and we can't do much now."

"Oh, I disagree," Adrian huffed. "I can walk up to both of them and punch them in their stupid faces! I'll pay for the damage after."

He started to walk toward the stage, but Remiel stopped him. "No, don't! Demons just came in!"

Adrian turned his head, eyes wide. "What?"

"I'm a demon," Eloise said. "Maybe I can stop them!"

"No, they aren't your kind," Remiel shook her head. "They're the ones from Hell. Much harder to deal with if you don't know how."

As the demons began ransacking the club, Helene and Ludovic stopped singing. "Well, this is a stroke of luck," he muttered to Helene. "Let's get out of here!"

While they ran for the door, Remiel changed back into her battle armer and took up her spear to fight the demons.

"That's my woman there!" Ricky shouted to anyone who would listen, his voice full of admiration. Even pregnant, she was still an amazing fighter.

Along with Remiel, everyone was fighting the best they could. Even Tyler, although he was keen on trying another method first.

"Guys, I demand you stop this foolishness right now and go back to Hell like I told you to."

The demons just laughed at him and threw him at the wall like he was nothing.

"Hey now," Isabella cried. "That's enough! Now you're going to pay for hurting my man like that!"

"He's your man?" Remiel asked Isabella. "Since when?"

Isabella shrugged. "Always, sometimes...it just depends on how much he annoys me. But I certainly don't like to see him hurt!"

Despite all the power they had, (and even adding in Helene's magic after she listened to her conscience and came back to help) the demons still had the upper hand until Ludovic got an idea: if they wouldn't listen to the man, maybe they'd listen to the beast. He started to transform himself but then saw Adrian and realized they'd have an even better chance if they both transformed.

"Be a werewolf!" He yelled at him. "Be a werewolf! Like I will be!"

"No, thank you," Adrian shook his head. Eloise had asked him not to do anything that would get him hurt or killed and becoming a werewolf and fighting would definitely do that. "Do it yourself and leave me the fuck alone!"

Ludovic swore under his breath. "I know you're nervous about your daughters but...think about what a good story it will be for them when they hear what a big hero you were!"

"Oh, shit," Adrian whispered. "Why did he have to say that?"

"Go ahead," Eloise told him and shot a fireball toward a demon. "Just be very careful."

"You too," Adrian said. Then grinned as a demon burst into flame and exploded.

"I didn't mean for it to be that strong," Eloise said, wide-eyed. "How did that happen?"

"He got hit with the babies' magic too!" Adrian grinned and patted her belly. "Good girls!" Then he sighed. "If you're okay with me transforming, I'll do it."

"Yes," Eloise nodded. "Please."

So he transformed too and he and Ludovic fought the demons together, eventually sending them packing, and Helene running for the door and out of the club, with Ludovic trotting behind her, still not transformed back to human.

"That was close," Helene sighed, starting the car. She turned and reached out to scratch wolf Ludovic behind the ears as he settled into the backseat. "We made it," she said as they backed out of the club parking lot. "I told you I would. Let's go, big boy...before we're caught for real!"

Meanwhile, back in the club, Roxie was covering her brother in blankets and offering him drinks while Noah looked for something for him to wear.

"That was quite a fight," she remarked. "Good job, you!"

"Yeah, yeah," Adrian waved the compliment aside. "Where did they go?"

"Where did who go?" Roxie asked.

"Yeah, who?" Noah asked as he came back with jeans and t-shirts for Adrian to choose from while they looked for his other clothes.

"Helene and her thug boyfriend!" Adrian yelled. "They sang the sucker song earlier!"

Roxie gasped. "That was Ludovic and Helene? What a fucking liar! He came to the bar before and said he had a totally different name and was on his honeymoon with his wife, paying a visit to the city!" She growled. "We should have made him pay for that drink!" Her hands balled into fists. "If I could just get my hands on him..."

"No use thinking about that now," Noah sighed. "They left, they're gone, and who knows if we'll ever see them again?