"Hi!" Selina said to Elijah as she and a very bundled up Mackenzie approached him. "Lia was a good choice for Sybil since she takes it slow. Sybil doesn't look like the most experienced rider."

"Hi!" Elijah turned to face his wife and daughter, chuckling at the fact that the only feature that was visible on his little daughter were her lovely blue eyes. "I was hoping you two would come out. Yeah, you never can tell with people and when I told Sybil I'd start her on a slow horse, she didn't object." He gave Selina a kiss and then took Mackenzie from her arms. "Come to Daddy, sweetheart. Your mother bundled you up nice and warm, didn't she?"

"I probably overdid it, but she doesn't seem to be distressed, so..." Selina shrugged.

"You're being a responsible mother," Elijah nodded with approval. "That's a good thing."

Selina smiled. "Thanks. It could be good mothering, or it could be that I was distracted by the fact that your father is here."

"He is?" Elijah's eyes widened. "At the ranch? Right now? Why? He hates the country!"

Selina shrugged. "Could be because of Sybil and her Council classes. You know how hard it is to get a definite answer out of him, especially for me."

Elijah winced. "Why would he come because of Sybil? The man never warms up to anyone! He's practically a hermit in that penthouse of his."

"I know, but he said he needed to talk to Remiel. I think it was Charlotte related, if not Sybil related. One of those two."

"Oh," Elijah nodded, sticking his hands in his pockets.

"Yep," Selina sighed. "I hope their little talk did her some good and she can start finding better ways to cope than just crying in her room."

Elijah nodded. "I hope so too," he said before cuddling Mackenzie. "What do you think, sweetheart? What's Grandpa up to?" He bounced her a little and once her father had unsnapped the part of the hood near her mouth, she grinned.

"So...just how did things go with my father?" Elijah asked, turning his attention back to his wife. "Did you have a civil little talk, as per the rules of your detente, or did he make you mad, and is dead now, parts of him buried all over our basement?"

"Ha ha," Selina rolled her eyes. "He was surprisingly civil, and even if he hadn't been, I don't think that way...anymore." She paused. "And thank you for saying that I would win against your father." She paused. "But actually, he was very charming. It kind of scared me."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "Charming? Are we talking about the same Mikael Mikaelson?"

"Yes!" Selina insisted. "I saw it with my own eyes. He had a friendly conversation with Ricky and complimented Lucas!"

"Wow!" Elijah said. "Not many reasons this could be happening. I wonder what her name is."

Selina shrugged. "I asked and he got offended that I even suggested it."

"That's not surprising," Elijah told her. "Father's never been very open about his personal life."

A crunch of someone stepping on dry leaves made them turn around and they looked on in shock as Mikael, clad in full riding gear, strode purposefully toward them.

"Hello, Father," Elijah said at last when he was close enough that he couldn't be a hallucination.

"Hello, Elijah," Mikael greeted. But his eyes weren't on his son. They were on the blonde who was trying to keep herself sitting straight on her horse.

"It looks like you're dressed to ride," Elijah remarked.

Eyes still on Sybil, Mikael nodded. "Yes, I was hoping I could have use of one of your horses. I've always meant to explore the land you have here."

Selina frowned and tried to think what could possibly be going on in his head. Nothing he was saying made sense!

"Of course," Elijah nodded. "Let me just give Miss Mackenzie back to her mother and then I'll see what I can do about that."

He headed out toward the stables and Selina, noticing her brother in law Klaus' car pulling up the drive and parking, followed him, almost jogging to keep up with his longer strides

"Don't look now," she whispered. "But we've got company. Your brother just showed up. And it's the one that doesn't get along with Mikael very well."

"Damn, Niklaus," Elijah swore under his breath. "Now is not the time to visit." They froze and watched with creeping dread as Klaus left his car and came toward the house.

Mikael surely noticed him, but maybe he didn't, since he still hadn't looked away from Sybil.

"You want me to go warn him?" Selina asked. "Your father, I mean?"

"Yes, please," Elijah nodded. "At least try. I'll be along for backup soon."

Selina nodded and approached her father in law slowly. "Um, Mikael, just a heads up...Klaus is here. Okay?"

"Yes, that's fine," Mikael nodded, blinking at last, then taking a few steps forward and stomping to get the blood flowing again.

"Good," Selina nodded, then muttered to herself, "I hope it will be fine for Klaus, too."

She had to wait a few minutes to find out, because she didn't see him again until he'd become sure they were all outside instead of in the house, his eyes narrowing as he approached her and realized Mikael was nearby.

Selina opened her mouth to try and stall any temper tantrums because she had Mackenzie still and didn't want her daughter to be scared, but she breathed a sigh of relief when Elijah spoke first from behind her, horse reins in hand. Sensing danger, he must have brought the horse back at a trot.

"Niklaus! We weren't expecting you."

"Obviously," Klaus replied, his attention momentarily diverted. "Sorry for just barging in but I wanted to come visit my new niece while I was thinking about it."

"How sweet," Selina said and held the baby out. "Here's Mackenzie."

Klaus took her and gently kissed her head. "Hello, Mackenzie." He hugged her close for a little while but soon his attention was no longer diverted from Mikael. "What are you doing here?" He demanded of him.

"That's nice, Niklaus," Mikael replied.

"What?" Klaus cried as Selina stepped away from him after grabbing Mackenzie from his arms.

Elijah held out the reins to Mikael, hoping to finally reach him. "Father, your horse."

"Yes, yes," Mikael nodded, still not paying any attention at all.

Elijah then looked at Selina and mouthed 'What should I do?' He was met with a shrug and finally decided to see just how well his father was paying attention. "You know, interesting thing happened. Last night, just out of nowhere, I turned into a bat and flew out the window."

"Yes, that's nice," Mikael replied.

Suddenly, Selina was able to put two and two together. Her eyes widened. She grabbed Elijah's arm and began hopping up and down.

"What in the world are you doing?" He questioned. "Are you all right? Is this...do you feel bad about Charlotte too? I know you were close."

Selina sighed. "I just don't know. I can't condone how she treated Remiel, no matter what other feelings were underneath it, but...she's not totally gone. I can still talk to her; I just won't be able to hear back like Lucas does."

"Right," Elijah nodded. "Good that you're at peace. Now, about what you were just doing...?"

"It's Sybil," Selina whispered, hopefully close enough and quiet enough that Klaus wouldn't hear. "Oh, my god! Why didn't I pick up on it? The clumsy speech, the long stares, the lovesick look in his eyes...Mikael is in love with Sybil! And she told me she loves him too! Not that she used his name, but..."

"Are you certain?" Elijah whispered. "Are you certain that it's Sybil?"

"What about Sybil?" Klaus asked. "What are you two whispering about?"

Selina blushed. "Oh, we're not talking about anything. Will you calm down?"

"Give me those," Mikael finally grabbed Sultan's reins from his son, hopped on the horse, and rode off in Sybil's direction.

"Why is he riding toward her?" Klaus demanded. "Why would he possibly need to see her?"

Elijah's eyes widened, as if what Selina had said had finally sunk in. "Sybil...Mikael...oh, shit!"

Klaus turned on his heel and glared at Elijah and Selina. "What's going on with Mikael and Sybil? What are you two not telling me?"

"Oh, it's...it's nothing," Selina coughed and avoided his eyes. "He provided the funding for that Council school program for adult students, and-"

"Don't give me that bullshit," Klaus hissed. "I know you're hiding something. Tell me right now what Mikael wants with Sybil!"

"Well, honestly, we're not sure yet, so there's no need to get worked up," Elijah tried to reassure him. "But Selina thinks, she thinks..." He trailed off, not wanting to say it."

"We think that Mikael and Sybil could be having an affair," Selina blurted out. "Or at least I do; I don't know how firmly your brother believes."

Klaus' jaw dropped. "I have no idea why you'd say something so ridiculous! This must be some sort of prank! I know for a fact that Sybil would never demean herself by going into Mikael's bed."

"Maybe...maybe we should go inside and have a drink," Elijah suggested.

"I don't want a drink!" Klaus snapped. "I just want you to tell me honestly what is going on with Mikael and Sybil."

"But we did!" Selina cried. "She's in love with him!"

Klaus laughed. "No matter how many times you say it, it's impossible! Is this some sort of new game you're playing?"

"No!" Selina shook her head insistently. "She told me she was in love with a powerful, hated man in the supernatural community. It took me some time to put two and two together, but if you could just see how he looks at her..."

Klaus growled. "Well, screw you!" He cried, frowning deeply. "Screw both of you!"

They watched him stride back to his car, slam the door hard, and drive away.

"Well, that went well," Elijah remarked.

"Could have been worse," Selina reminded him.

"I still can't wrap my mind around this," Elijah said as he began to pace. "I'm in shock."

"Tell me about it," Selina agreed and shifted Mackenzie's position on her hip. "So am I!"

Remiel was lying on her and Ricky's bed, sobbing, and hating herself for it. It wasn't that she couldn't get through being sad. It was that she always felt so stupid talking to other people about it, so she never did, and ended up going through stuff like this alone, even when she really wanted the company. If only someone would-"

Just then, there was a knock on the bedroom door. She quickly wiped her eyes, straightened out her shirt, and sat up. "Come in, please!"

Ricky then pushed the door open just a little bit, unable to quite believe what he was hearing. "Did you say we could come in? You've been in here alone for a while and we wanted to make sure you were okay."

"'We'?" Remiel asked.

"Yeah," Ricky grinned and gestured for his son to come stand beside him. "Me and Lucas."

She smiled at the sight of her men so close, lost in it until Lucas cleared his throat.

"Mom?"

"Sure, sure, sorry," Remiel shook her head. "You two just make such a nice picture that I...got lost in it."

Lucas then pulled a small bouquet of flowers that he'd picked outside from behind his back. "These are probably the last ones before the cold really sets in. I thought they were pretty and I...I wanted you to have them."

Remiel smiled, took the flowers, and sniffed them. "No one but your father has ever given me a gift like this. Thank you, they're beautiful!"

"How are you doing?" Ricky asked as he and Lucas took a seat on either side of her and put an arm around her.

"And the truth this time," Lucas added. "You don't have to pretend everything is okay in front of us."

"Not...not perfect, but better," Remiel said. "The...the crying has helped, surprisingly. And Mikael, he told me that before she died, my mother told him she loved me very much and was sorry she couldn't be the mother I deserved."

Lucas rested his head on his mother's shoulder and gave her a smile. "I could have told you that, but if you needed great-great-great grandpa to confirm it..."

Remiel couldn't help but chuckle. "Did you actually call Mikael that to his face?"

"Yep," Ricky chuckled and patted Lucas on the back. "I don't think he was too proud of it."

Remiel smiled. "I bet he wasn't!"

Lucas then smiled. "Mom?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"We're always gonna be here for you," he told her and smiled, his head still on her shoulder.

"Yeah," Ricky nodded and put his head on her other shoulder. "Both your men are here for you."

Remiel felt tears beginning to well up, but she wasn't sad, she was happy. Full of love. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you very much, both of you."

Since there was only one path out from the ranch, Mikael was sure that he could find Sybil easily, but, even though he was very eager to see her again, he kept a slow pace so she wouldn't think he was spying on her.

By the time he reached the small lake a few miles from the main house, she'd already arrived, dismounted, and was sitting on the ground, adjusting her boots as her horse drank. "Fancy meeting you here," he said. "Why are you sitting in the dirt?"

"Because I can't carry a chair and ride a horse at the same time," Sybil replied as she stood up. "What are you doing here? Are you spying on me? Isn't it enough that I let you in on what's going on with my classes?"

"Hello to you too, darling," he said, pulling her to him and gently kissing her forehead, with his other hand cradling the back of it as he held her close. The position made it very easy for her smell the nice new cologne he wore. That was a relief for her. She would hate to tell him that she thought he smelled nice on purpose.

"Now," she told him when she'd had enough. "How do I know you're not spying on me?"

"Can't a man just get a horse and ride it?" Mikael questioned. "It's not my fault that there's only one path from the ranch to this lake."

Sybil sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Mikael told her. "I needed some fresh air and time to gather my thoughts after having to tell Remiel about Charlotte."

"Oh, dear, I heard she died on the news," Sybil nodded, taking his hand massaging the palm with her thumb. "I'm sorry about that too. I know you were close to her."

Mikael shrugged as she took her hand from his and moved it to rub his back. "It's...I knew what I was getting into with her. We both did. We didn't want anything serious...and it's not like she's the first person I've ever lost in my life. It used to happen quite frequently." He paused and sighed, kissing her hair. "But thank you anyway...it's new for me to have someone around who cares."

She looked up from picking fuzz off his jacket, eyes wide. "For what?" She asked. "Why are you thanking me?"

"Cause you care," he repeated. Then he smiled and pushed some flyaway strands of hair away from her face. "Also, for being here and for being you. You're like no one I've ever met before."

Sybil smiled shyly and blushed, but kept her eyes on him. "It's nothing, really. I'm not doing anything a decent person wouldn't have done."

Mikael scoffed. "Well, then obviously, I haven't met very many decent people...or been a decent person."

"Oh, I'm sure you have!" Sybil shook her head. "Don't be silly!" She paused. "Speaking of...how did Remiel react to what you had to tell her?"

"Good, I think," Mikael nodded. "I hope it helped her to know that her mother loved her in her own weird way."

"Not that this is any of my business, but...maybe you should try doing the same with Elijah," Sybil suggested, knowing she was the only one who could mention such a thing and get away with it.

Mikael rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I couldn't do that! Didn't you hear me say I'm an untamed animal? What part of that don't you understand?"

"The parts you don't talk about," Sybil replied. "The sweet, vulnerable, kind parts you only show to me. While it's very touching and romantic and all...I think your son should see them too."

Mikael looked at her in surprise and shook his head before kissing her hand. "Only you could see me like that," he said.

She shrugged and chuckled. "I'm a hopeless romantic, what can I say? And if I don't tell you, who will?"

"I suppose you're right, woman," he said, putting a hand on either side of her face and kissing her softly. Then they gave each other a long look before Mikael noticed she was shivering. "You seem cold...maybe we should walk the horses back." He paused, taking a rein from each horse in his hand. "Ready?" He asked, reaching out for her other hand.

"Really?" Sybil asked in surprise. "You know if we go back together, they're going to see us, right? Is that okay with you? And are you sure you want to take both of the horses? I can take one."

Mikael shrugged. "So what?" He asked before wiggling his fingers at her. "And I can handle both, trust me. Come!"

That made her grin widely and take his hand. "I would love to," she said. Then, they began heading back to the ranch, hand in hand, him easily leading their horses behind them.

As they approached the barn, Sybil gave Mikael a smile. "Thank you for escorting me back. I could have gone by myself if you'd wanted to spend a little more time enjoying the scenery but it's much nicer to have company."

Mikael smiled and kissed her hand. "My pleasure, of course. Is everything going well here? Do you have everything you need to finish your project?"

"I think so," Sybil nodded, blushing slightly. "And having the opportunity to be on a farm around so many animals was just wonderful. I wonder if Selina and Elijah will object to me coming back again?"

"I don't think they will," Mikael said. "They don't have many people to come visit them and Selina loves the company. My son built her a wonderful place and to her, it's a shame not to share it. When she wants to be, she can be a very giving person."

Sybil reached for his hand one more time. "Are you leaving? It was...despite how I acted when I first saw you, it was nice to see you again. And you look very good on a horse. I take it it's not your first time?"

"No, but it's been awhile," he confessed. "It's nice to hear I still cut a dashing figure when astride."

"Oh, you sure were," Sybil nodded, blushing again as they stopped in front of the barn. "But...the best part of it was getting to spend time alone with you. That made me happy."

Mikael gave her a genuine smile. "Likewise, my dear." He put a hand on her cheek and then kissed her so softly. "I...perhaps I should be getting back home. Would you mind...?" He gestured at Sultan and Lia.

"Of course," Sybil nodded. "I'll get them in if you need to rush home."

"And...don't forget to call me about any developments in your classes," Mikael added. He knew she would, but it was an excuse to say a few more words to her.

"Sure...I will."

Mikael nodded and took a deep breath. "Have a good day, and a good evening. Please give my regards to my son and Selina."

"Yeah, I'll do that too. You have a good day and evening yourself."

He gave her one last nod and turned on his heel to walk toward his car and head home.

Sybil was glad that his back was to her as she got the horses settled, because even though she knew he wouldn't have minded one bit, the intensity with which she was staring at his butt while he walked away embarrassed her. When he was completely out of sight, she removed her riding vest, gave Lia a pat, and sniffled, trying to blink tears away that seemed to come out of nowhere. "You're a fool, Sybil," she whispered to herself. Then she began to sob in earnest. "Such a fool."

Just then, the sound of someone opening the stable door made her start. She turned around, ready to hit whoever it was. But when she got a good look at who it was, she was shocked. The source of her sorrow and frustration had returned.

"Mikael, why are you back?" Sybil asked, her voice full of surprise as she wiped her eyes and hoped that he wouldn't notice she'd been crying.

He shook his head, locked the barn door, put a finger over his lips and then quickly removed jacket, sweater, and shirt, standing shirtless in front of her. Surprised, she immediately put her hands over her eyes. "What are you doing?" She cried. "This is insane! We are at your son's farm! Whatever's in your mind, we can't disrespect him like this!" She heard him take a few steps toward her and moved the fingers of one hand so she could see a little bit of him.

"I understand your concerns about my son," he said. "Which is why we're doing this out here in the barn rather than in the house. He'd probably have banished us out here anyway if he knew." Then he pulled her hands down from her eyes, and of course that meant she was staring right at him and trying so hard not to let her eyes stray down to his zipper.

She shut her eyes tight, letting out a soft moan as she gripped one of the barn's wooden supports. She was beginning to feel a heat all over that was making her dizzy.

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms grabbed her and pulled her hard against his body. His rock hard body. As she threw her arms around his neck, she felt his hands slide under her sweater and cup her breasts before he gently nibbled on her earlobe and neck.

She began kissing him furiously and as she felt him slide his fingers under her waist band, she let out another moan and pulled away. "We can't do this," she whispered and then kissed him again, her hands running through his curly hair as he rubbed gently against her. "We can't!"

"We can and we have to," he told her. "My staying away couldn't have helped your little disappearing acts." He paused before kissing her soundly. "Unless, by some miracle, they've stopped?"

"No," Sybil shook her head. "They haven't."

He scoffed. "Of course they haven't. What I wouldn't do to that Azrael..."

"Hey!" Sybil moved his hands and deftly slipped off her sweater, a desperate bid to distract him because this was not the sort of conversation she wanted to be having right now. In fact, she didn't want to any conversation at all. "Are we kissing or what?"

"Yes," he said and then kissed her again before moving his lips to her neck. "But as you can probably tell, I want to do more than kiss and if you're not naked in two seconds, and I'm not buried deep inside you, I will burn this barn down with my bare hands!"

She moaned. "You're nuts, you know that? If it wasn't being near you that made me whole again, I'd probably run from you screaming."

"Naked," he said firmly, his hand on her bottom as he pulled her close again. "Now."

"Or what?" Sybil returned, refusing to have this be a one sided seduction. "You'll spank me?"

"Oh, I have a mind to," he replied, doing just that. Damn, she loved driving him crazy.

She leaned forward to meet his demanding lips, her hand gripping his belt and undoing it, his pants falling to his ankles after she'd unzipped them, and a moan escaping his lips when, to his surprise, he felt her began to touch him so gently.

She found that she couldn't stop kissing him, even as he backed her against the wall as he made the rest of her clothes join her sweater on the barn floor so that they were naked together.

Then, he braced her against the barn wall, cupping her bottom and lifting her up, burying himself deep inside her as her legs wrapped around his waist.

This led her to cry out, but not in ecstasy as he'd expected.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked, the mood temporarily broken by the worry in his voice and his eyes. Hurting her was the last thing he wanted.

"No, but..." she began, thinking thinking of their baby growing inside her. "But could you be..gentler, please? Not really in the mood for rough today."

He chuckled and nodded, giving her the sweetest grin. "My dear, as long as I can be close to you, I'll be anything you want." Stepping away, he lay a plaid blanket on the ground, picked her up, and lay her down on her, slowing kissing her feet, ankles and thighs before parting her legs and tasting her slowly, her hands in hair as she moaned louder with every flick of his tongue or touch of his lips.

At last, her hips bucked and she came hard. Then, after she got her breath, he loomed over her a grin on his lips. "Are you all right?"

"Oh, yes," she gasped. "I certainly am. I want another one."

He grinned wider. "And I want to be inside of you. It's always nice to be on the same page, don't you think?"

"Yes," Sybil nodded as he took her hand and began kissing her fingers. "But remember-"

"Be gentle, I know," he said. "I won't forget, I promise you."

She took his face in her hands and kissed him as he buried himself inside her more gently this time. "Mikael," she murmured. "Oh, yes, oh, yes..."

"You sweet woman," he muttered, his lips against her ear after gently nibbling on her neck. "You understand, you're all mine and I'll never let you go..."

"You better not," she said with a playful wink. "Because I refuse to share you with any other woman."

"Hush," he told her and kissed her again. "I know you're only joking but I swear to you, you never will."

"Avery?" Remiel whispered into her cell phone. It had been ages since Sybil and Mikael had gone into the barn, and no one had seen them since. She thought it was something her sister should know.

"Yes?" Avery answered. "I'm here. What's going on?"

"Well, you told me to keep you updated on Mikael and Sybil: They went riding today and the last anyone saw of either of them was when they got back and Sybil was putting the horses in the barn. Then Mikael went in with her. That was hours ago and no one's heard from from them either!"

"Yes!" Avery cheered so loud Remiel had to take the phone away from her ear. "Yes, yes, yes!"

"Do you think I should do anything to help?" She asked at last. "Since it's such a good cause and all. Or should I just leave them alone?"

"Bring them food," Avery advised. "If they've been in that barn for several hours doing I think we both know what, they're probably hungry and thirsty by now. That would be a big help. If they have food and are keeping each other warm, they can spend the night in there and come out when they're truly ready. It's no fun to have to interrupt that sort of thing."

"Right," Remiel nodded. "I'm on it! This is incredibly exciting!"

"Thanks for your help," Avery said before ending the call. "I owe you one, Remiel!"

After the call was over, Remiel put her phone back on the bedside table and sneaked back down to the kitchen, where Mikael and Sybil were the topic of discussion too.

"Sooo..." Lucas began and let out a breath.

"Something you want to say, Lucas?" Elijah asked.

"Well, I just wondered if anyone besides me has noticed that Great-great-great Mikael and Miss Vane have been in the barn for hours now," Lucas explained. "Do you think they're in trouble or something?"

"Oh, I think if they were in trouble, they would have left the barn a long time ago," Ricky said as Selina snorted and Elijah blushed.

"What do you mean by that?" Lucas asked.

"They're probably having sex in there," Ricky said.

"Oh, you know, now that you mention it, that could be the case. Good thinking, Dad. The barn is warm and cozy. Totally a place a person might have sex." He looked at his grandparents who were eying each other and blushing deeply now because they had conceived Lucas' grandfather in that barn. "Is that what you guys think too?"

"I think," Elijah began.

"Yes?" Lucas followed.

"I think it's none of our business," Elijah finished. "We should leave them alone and thank Steve they didn't do it in a place where we had to hear them." He shuddered.

"Why is this bad? It's the news of the century!" Lucas explained. Then his eyes found his mother, who was loading food in a large towel and then sticking it in a basket. "What are you doing, Mom? Do you have any ideas where Mikael and Sybil might be? You probably heard that we think they're having sex in the barn."

Remiel blushed. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just...I'm getting food to take out to the horses."

Elijah looked over what she had. "Since when do horses eat mashed potatoes?"

"Potatoes are good for horse digestive systems," Remiel quickly improvised, glad that Lucifer wasn't here to rat her out. "It's a very little known fact."

Ricky was beside Elijah trying not to burst into laughter. "You don't say. Later tonight, will you share more little known facts with me? I don't mind a good laugh."

"Honey, it's okay to say you're getting food for Mikael and Sybil," Selina told Remiel gently.

"But believe me, I get how it's hard to say it out loud," Elijah added. "I don't even like to."

"It's so weird!" Selina shook her head. "I can't believe I didn't put two and two together soon enough. That's very unlike me!"

"This isn't a bad thing," Lucas decided. "I think they're cute together and if they make each other happy, why not encourage it?"

"Me too, obviously," Remiel nodded.

"And me three," added Ricky.

"Well, isn't this wonderful?" Elijah cried, throwing his arms in the air in exasperation.

"Oh, there's nothing to worry about," Selina told him and put a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine, sweetie, I promise!"

Remiel giggled, wrote a nice note for Mikael, and stuck all the food in a basket. "Okay, this seems like enough food to get them through the night and the morning. I'm gonna go put it by the barn door."

"Wait just a second," Lucas told her. "It's dark out there; let me come with you. Someone has to hold the lantern."

Sybil let out a contented sigh and pulled the cozy blanket tighter around herself. She was sitting up in the hayloft and admiring the view of the stars from out the side of the barn. Mikael had gone to investigate a knocking at the door that had interrupted them, promising to raise hell with whoever it was.

"I won't let them ruin this," he'd sworn. "Especially if it's my son. I mean, we're behaving very considerately and I refuse to be punished for it!"

But when he returned, he was grinning and had put a picnic basket up ahead of him.

"What's that?" Sybil questioned. "Doesn't sound like you had to rain hell down on anyone."

"No," Mikael grinned. "Someone left us a basket. I believe it's food."

He put it between them and Sybil began taking things out: "Chicken, mashed potatoes, bread, cheese, fruit, apple pie, wine, and hot coffee!" Then, her stomach growled and she immediately began gnawing on a chicken leg without another word.

Now that it was empty, Mikael noticed the note

Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to thank you for the talk. It's really helping. I hope this picnic will be really enjoyable for you and Miss Vane.

Thank you again,

Remiel.

"Well, isn't that nice," Mikael smiled, brushing some hay off his bare chest, since he was clad only in his riding trousers.

"Yeah," Sybil took another bite of chicken. "For sure! It's heaven!"

Mikael chuckled as he watched her eat. "And here I thought I was enough to satisfy your appetite!"

Sybil continued to munch away on the large chicken leg, then finally had to take a break and wipe drool off her chin. "Sorry," she apologized. "I bet that's attractive. But it's all so good." She paused and looked him over. "But don't worry, she said to him. "You're very tasty too." Then she blushed, feeling like an absolute fool.

"I love it when you blush," he said, taking her chin lightly in his hand. "I think it's adorable. As for your appetite for food, no need to be embarrassed. Do you think I've never seen a woman eat before? It's a good thing."

She took another bite, chewed more slowly, and swallowed. "I don't know..."

He looked her over. "It seems like you've put on a bit of weight, my dear," he observed.

"Gee, thanks for noticing!" Sybil scoffed. "How would you know?"

Mikael gave her a look. "Sybil dear, don't think I don't have every inch of your beautiful body memorized by now. Your breasts are certainly bigger than they were before. But don't take it the wrong way. I'm not trying to insult you. It's a compliment!"

Sybil wondered how that could possibly be but since it was just him being him, she let it go as he gently brushed her forehead with a kiss.

"Would you like some wine?" He asked, reaching for the bottle.

As he asked, her hand instinctively went to her stomach as she thought of the baby. Luckily, the gesture was covered by the blanket and he didn't notice. "No, thanks. Not really feeling that right now."

"No?" He asked and raised an eyebrow.

"Because I want to remember this whole night with you," she quickly improvised when she realized that refusing would mean she'd have to tell him why. "Don't want to risk getting fuzzy and forgetting. Let's just eat and rest in each other's arms, shall we?"

Mikael put the wine down and took her in his arms. "Well, I can't say no to such a lovely idea, can I? Are you cold?"

"I'm fine, just being here with you and looking at the stars," she assured him. And she truly was. "But I wonder what they must think of us up at the house."

"Well, we received a picnic basket with enough food to get us through the night and probably most of tomorrow too, so I don't think anyone is against what we're doing," Mikael chuckled.

Sybil smiled. "Right..."

He pulled her closer. "Sybil?"

"Mmm?"

"Would you...would you date me?" He bit his lip nervously as he waited for her response.

"What?" She turned around and gazed into his beautiful blue eyes after taking his chin gently in her hand. "What did you just ask me?"

"I know it seems childish to ask, since we're past our teenage years and all, but...would you date me?" He repeated, hoping with all his might that she'd give him a 'yes' or a 'no' and he wouldn't have to ask again.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes," Mikael nodded. "I thought we could...go to restaurants, see movies..."

"Go to the opera," Sybil continued, a grin on her lips.

Mikael chuckled. "Yes, we could certainly go to the opera. But only if we visit the bathroom at some point."

Sybil burst out laughing. "Yes, Mikael...of course we can date!"

"Good," he nodded, breathing a sigh of relief and pulling her into his arms.

She smiled as she buried her head in his shoulder. This was good. If they dated, then when she told him about the baby, he'd want to be with her because they were actually together, not just out of obligation to a woman he'd gotten in trouble. And that...that was better than anything she could have hoped for.

"What time is it?" Sybil asked the next morning after she'd woken up and stretched out.

"No idea," Mikael replied. "But I wouldn't be surprised if it's at least noon."

"Right," Sybil sat up. She noticed he was already dressed. "Did you bring my clothes up too?"

"Yes," Mikael pointed. "Over there."

She went and got them, then when she was dressed too, he took the basket down the ladder and she followed soon after.

"What a delightful view," he remarked.

"Thanks," Sybil grinned when she joined him down at the bottom. "Ready to face the world?"

"Now I am," he said, taking her hand and giving her a smile. They left the barn hand in hand and quickly ran into Elijah and Selina, who were coming in the direction of the barn.

They stood in awkward silence for what seemed like forever until Selina gave him a nudge. "Say something to your dad," she said through her teeth.

He cleared his throat. "Father...Sybil..."

"Good morning, Elijah," Sybil said, even though she was blushing and her eyes were on her shoes.

"I hope the barn was comfortable for you two," Selina blurted out since she knew someone should.

"Selina, I'm so sorry about what we did!" Sybil apologized. "We were guests at your house and we should have-"

"You don't have to apologize," Selina reassured her. "You both did what you wanted to do and it's none of our business."

"And since my son is very picky about cleanliness, yes, it was very comfortable," Mikael added as Elijah let out a groan.

"I wondered about that," Sybil smiled and kissed Mikael lightly on the cheek before she realized that both Selina and Elijah were looking.

"Since you both seem happy, Selina and I are happy for you," Elijah choked out, after he felt he should say something.

Mikael nodded. "Thank you, Elijah.

"Don't mention it," Elijah returned.

"Thanks again for giving me this chance," Sybil told him.

"It appears you should be thanking my father," he said. "He's done more for you than I have."

Selina raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"I meant the phone call," Elijah hissed. "And you know it, Selina!"

"He seems quite fond of you," Selina winked at Sybil

"Don't add to his ego," Sybil begged. "Please!"

"What ego?" Mikael asked.

They walked away together toward their cars and Elijah pulled Selina into a hug. "Who'd have known she'd change him? If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed it."

"Now about Klaus..." Selina began.

"Don't ruin the moment," Elijah said firmly. "Please."