Evermore

by PirateWizardThief

Family is power or so they say. But love and family are often seen as weaknesses. Klaus wants to be King of New Orleans. But what will it cost them to get what he wants? What sacrifice? All Jane is hoping for is that her family be united and stand together. Enemies both old and new will test them and the vow that binds them all together, Always and Forever. Sequel to Surrender.

1. Always and Forever

Wow, this chap is super long! But I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Here is the first chap of our favorite couple in New Orleans.

Chapter 1

It was the middle of August and the summer heat was still sweltering, but Jane was enjoying the festive dancing and the music being played in the middle of the street. She was examining a few stands set up while Klaus was off doing something. He had been very vague about his errands and she had grown slightly suspicious of the reason for this abrupt trip to New Orleans. They had been perfectly content in their little cabin in the woods next to Lake Tahoe in Nevada. He could change into his wolf whenever he liked and run around through the woods. Plus, Jane had liked the quiet and the privacy of their own little world. They had parted ways from his siblings after a particularly nasty fight just after Sage and Finn's wedding. She was still slightly angry at him for the way he had treated his siblings, but then again Kol had started it.

But just weeks into their own little private paradise, he had the urge to go to New Orleans. Almost overnight. Leaving Jane to worry there was something else going on.

Jane heard a sound and turned her head, smiling in delight at some of the windchimes that were setup at a stand. They were beautiful and she knew the baby would love one. She went over to the stand curiously.

Klaus made sure he could find her in case something went sour or she needed him for some reason. He hadn't told her why they had come to New Orleans, there was no need to alarm her. Apparently, a witch named Jane-Anne had information for him and he intended to find out just what it was. He was used to threats, but this one seemed more dangerous than most before and could potentially involve his beloved and their baby. A letter from Katerina Petrova had tipped him off to it, another reason not to mention it to Jane.

He glanced over at her again, smiling when he caught sight her hand that rested over the ever-growing baby bump. He was still amazed that she was carrying a baby. His baby. They had missed their appointment to find out the baby's gender. That had been his fault for moving them out of the cabin so quickly and he knew Jane was still disappointed about it. He had uprooted her again, but as guilty as he felt about it, this threat needed to be addressed. After all...She was his fiancée.

He had summoned up the courage to ask her days ago, before the impromptu departure from the cabin. And he still felt warm all over remembering her pure happiness and her answer to him. Soon, she would be Mrs. Jane Mikaelson. Once the threat was gone of course and he had told his siblings. None of them knew about it yet and he could just picture Rebekah's angry expression at finding out over the phone.

He spotted Dorian after a moment, patrolling the other side of the street and their eyes met briefly in acknowledgement. It was still bizarre how quickly the young werewolf had shown interest in being a Hybrid. At first, he had been skeptical, worried that this would cause a rift between him and Jane once again or that something might cause her pain. However, Jane had reluctantly agreed with the young man, saying that this was what he wanted. And since Dorian was already very loyal and very protective of Jane, those traits only intensified.

After a nod from Dorian that all was well, he turned to his task. Walking over to a nearby stand, he smirked.

"Good afternoon. Time for one more?" Klaus asked, settling down in the chair across from the witch. She stopped putting her things away and frowned at him.

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Oh, now, that's not very amiable, is it? You don't even know me."

"I know what you are. Half-vampire, half-beast. You're the Hybrid."

Klaus smirked. "I'm the Original Hybrid, actually." He corrected smugly. "But that's a long story for another time. I'm looking for someone. A witch. Perhaps you might be able to help me find her. Jane-Anne Deveraux." He watched her glance about as if someone was listening in.

"Sorry. I don't know."

He leaned forward menacingly. "Well, now, that's a fib, isn't it?" He took her hand and she swallowed. "Now, you see…I know that you're a true witch amongst this sea of poseurs. So, enough with the fabrications. I've quite a temper." The witch pulled her hand back.

"Witches don't talk outta school in the Quarter." She told him firmly, a slight fear in her eyes and it wasn't because of him. "The vampire won't allow it. Those are the rules. I don't break Marcel's rules."

Klaus arched an eyebrow. "Where do you suppose I might find Marcel?"

---

Jane smiled when Dorian offered her a bottle of water.

"Thank you."

"I thought you'd be thirsty. It's hot out." He said as she sipped the drink.

"Yeah, I was." She agreed and then frowned. "Aren't you thirsty? You could have gotten you one."

He shook his head, raking a hand through his hair.

"Klaus isn't going to care of you get something for yourself. Go ahead." She said in concern. "I won't let him be rude to you." Dorian hesitated and then went back to the stand.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she stepped under an awning to answer it.

"Hello, darling."

"Kol? What's going on?"

"Need there be something wrong for me to call you?"

She rolled her eyes. "No, but you don't usually."

"Where are you? It's noisy."

"New Orleans."

She held the phone away from her ear at his outburst of: "He took you to New Orleans?!"

"Yes..." She said slowly, frowning. "Why is that so horrible?"

"I'm just recalling the fact that your uncle had a vampire killing witch inside him that drove him mad." Kol said in a sickly sweet and cajoling voice. He still sounded angry. "And someone shot your uncle. I don't think your family has a good track record down there." He paused for a moment and then she heard him mutter "Why in the hell would he bring her there?"

"Um, well, for a trip I guess..." She said slowly, anxiety making her, bite her lip. "I mean...I don't know...Rob had someone after him that second time..."

"Is it about the letter Katherine sent him? She was probably lying. She usually does."

"What? What letter from Katherine?" Jane scowled, anxiety forgotten. "I knew it! I knew he was up to something. He didn't tell me anything about that! He just packed us up without a proper explanation."

There was silence for a moment. "I found out from Elijah. He didn't tell you?"

"No and I-"

The phone was taken from her and she turned to face Klaus who looked murderous.

"Kol." He snapped into the receiver. "Mind your damn business." Jane scowled at him and reached for her phone, but he held it out of her reach, and she huffed.

"Gimme!"

He ignored her and spoke lowly into the phone. "I don't give a fuck what you think, Kol. Are you insinuating I can't keep her safe? That I'm that naïve to the problems that have occurred?"

"Why has Katherine been sending you letters, Niklaus!?" She demanded loudly and he glanced at her angry and hurt expression. Though she knew it was irrational she felt hurt that he would keep that from her. Like it was some secret.

"I'll remind you to keep your opinions to yourself." He hung up and turned to Jane, only to see her walking towards Dorian. Sighing irritably, he followed her. "Love-"

She turned and jabbed him in the chest. "You're not here to vacation, are you? I knew it!" She exclaimed. "You're up to something. Out with it."

"It's nothing, my darling." He said, giving her a forced smile. Jane narrowed her eyes.

"You don't call me that unless you did something. Why are we really here? Where did you disappear too earlier? And why is Katherine sending you letters?! And why are they secret? Is there anything else I need to know!?"

Klaus winced at her angry expression. "All right, love. All right." He said and took her elbow gently, guiding her out of the crowded area so they could talk a little more privately. Dorian hung back, frowning at something. Neither noticed when he disappeared back into the crowd.

"What's going on?" She demanded, brushing hair out of her face.

He frowned. "I received a letter from Katerina informing me of a potential threat."

She opened her mouth, but he plowed on.

"I'm sure it's nothing, but if it is something to be concerned about..." He cupped her chin. "I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby. If this person is plotting something I'd like to know and eliminate the threat."

"Is it about the baby?" She asked, her eyes wide with unease. He shook his head.

"I was informed that it was about me." He said simply. "But either way, I don't trust Katerina either, love. That is why I am taking it seriously and will find out exactly what is going on." He stroked her cheek. "It wasn't letters, just the one. Simply stating she was tired of running and offered this piece of information to get her freedom from me. As of now I have no wish to pursue her. I didn't tell you because it's nothing to be worrying yourself over. The baby can tell if you are upset or stressed and I didn't wish to make you so."

Jane sighed. "Okay, but you could have told me anyway."

He nodded. "Yes, I know. I do apologize for keeping it from you. Just this one tiny thing I need to take care of and then I will devote all of my attention to you. I swear it."

"Just one thing?" She repeated, looking at him intently.

"Just one." He nodded. Or as many as it takes to end the threat.

"Katherine's always looking for a chance to do something awful. What if this is a trap?"

He frowned. "That is why it's imperative that I get the correct information."

She sighed. "Fine, but no more hiding things." She wagged her finger at him and he nodded, trying not to grin at her scolding. She saw it though and smacked his arm. "Shut up."

"Did you enjoy browsing, my love?" Klaus asked to change the subject and she nodded.

"Everyone is so friendly. And I love the music." She told him and he smiled at her. "Oh! Ooh, Klaus, look at this! Isn't it beautiful?" She exclaimed excitedly said showed him a windchime made of bamboo. "It's for the baby."

He smiled softly. "Yes, I think he or she will love it."

She lovingly placed it back into its bag and then glanced up at him.

"So now what?"

"Now we have to find an old acquaintance." One he had thought had been long dead.

"Who?"

"Marcel."

"Marcel?" She repeated, coming to a stop again in shock. "But didn't he...die? Because of Mikael?"

"So, I thought." He murmured and then took her hand. "You are more than welcome to wait for me here if you'd like to stay. I'm sure Dorian would be more than happy to escort you to the shops."

She shook her head, an unexplainable uneasy feeling rising inside her. She squeezed his hand. "Take me with you. Please. I'd like to look around some more."

He smiled and extended his arm for her to take. "This way, my love."

Klaus watched her with amusement as she looked around at everything, her head constantly moving, and her eyes lighting up with childlike wonder when she saw something of interest. He kept mental notes of the shops she found interesting, planning on taking her into them at some point on their visit. He stiffened when he felt something was amiss and glanced around, searching for the intruder. His sharp eyes found him, nearby, watching Jane intently.

Dorian slid up behind them. Jane was unaware.

"He's been watching her since we left the street fair." He said lowly and Klaus frowned. Jane walked on without when they had paused, stopping to try one of the samples of a new flavor of ice cream a woman was handing out. "He was following me earlier, I thought I'd lost him."

Klaus moved forward and grasped Jane's arm to pull her away from the ice cream line.

"Come along, Jane." He said, trying and failing not to sound irritated.

"But I wanted ice cream." She protested before seeing the look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Someone is following us." He refrained from saying just her to avoid any protesting she might have.

She held onto Klaus' arm. "Who?"

"I'm not sure."

He steered her into a store and kept an eye on the door as Dorian discreetly disappeared back into the crowd of people nearby, keeping watch. Jane couldn't enjoy browsing because of the fear of being followed by a potential enemy, but she made herself look for Klaus' sake. She knew her fear was affecting him. He was standing stiffly, the urge to both protect her and to confront the stalker made him on edge.

The urge to confront surged stronger. "Stay here, sweetheart. I'll be back." He went outside and she inched towards the door, trying to see him. He came back minutes later, rolling his eyes when he saw how close to the door she was.

"Love, don't stand in the open doorway." He chided and she scowled.

"Well, what if something happened to you? What if you didn't come back?"

He sighed. "You have to be more careful now." He said quietly and stroked her waist. "I have two of you to protect."

"I know." She pecked his nose. "But I worry all the same."

Jane waved at the person who came in the doorway of the shop.

"Hey, Dorian!"

The Hybrid smiled and came over to them. "May I?" He indicated the bags on her arms.

"Oh, you don't have to-" She began, but he was already taking them from her. "Be careful of that one. There's a windchime in it." The Hybrid nodded and then turned to Klaus.

"Shall I take these to the car or back to the room?"

"The car for now."

Jane was looking at the sunglasses when Dorian moved closer.

"He's gone off somewhere. He was alone as far as I could tell."

Klaus nodded. "Keep close, mate. Just in case."

Jane noticed they were still standing there. "Did you see someone following us?"

"Probably nothing." He told her and she frowned. Dorian took Jane's bags out of the shop before she could ask him again.

Deeming it safe enough, Klaus took her hand and they exited the shop, going up and across the street.

"I can handle it." She muttered and he rolled his eyes.

"I know, my love. We're just being cautious."

Singing and music came from the bar nearby and Klaus recognized the voice instantly. He headed to the door, tugging Jane along with him and she was practically bouncing with anticipation to see what was inside the bar.

They stepped inside to see a young man with skin as smooth as chocolate, standing on the stage giving the crowd around him a show with his karaoke skills. Curious, Jane turned to Klaus.

"Is that Marcel?"

"Indeed." He nodded. "My protégé at one time."

"Well, no offense, but he seems a bit…full of himself." She remarked, watching him singing to the crowd.

"So it would appear." Klaus replied, his mouth twitching in amusement.

"But he has a good voice." She turned to Klaus. "Do you remember Kol's karaoke song?"

"I try not to." He said dryly and she giggled.

Jane studied the young man before her and then turned to Klaus again. "He's not one of these old acquaintances that want to kill you, right?" She asked nervously. "You have a lot of those."

Klaus rolled his eyes. "I should think not."

"But that's what you always say." She stated and he sent her an exasperated look that made her giggle again. She put a hand on his arm. "I've got your back."

He turned around all the way, steadying her when she walked into him. "No."

"No what? You expect me to stand here if he attacks you? Look at all the followers he has. Dorian is at the car which is a long way off."

"Love-"

She put her hands on her hips, giving him a glare that was about as frightening as a mouse. "Don't give me any of that, "I'm a Hybrid and nothing hurts me" baloney." She mocked him in her British tone that never failed to make him smile. "It may not kill you, but it still hurts and there way more than you." She glanced at Marcel again. "You know I worry."

Klaus took her chin and pecked her lips quickly. "And I appreciate it, sweetheart, but if worse comes to worse, I want you out that door and calling for Dorian to come get you." She started to protest, and he knew what she was going to say. He took her arm gently. "No. I don't want you or our child in harm's way. If he attacks me then he'll find you. I will not allow you to put our child in danger because of your stubbornness."

"And I don't want our baby's father to go jumping into something he can't get out of or have backup for." She retorted. Klaus' eyes lit up at being called a "father" and Jane smiled a bit, her face softening a tad. "I'll use my darts if I have too, but I am not letting you walk up to him by yourself. I won't allow that." She stated firmly and he rolled his eyes fondly.

"Very well. But you go if it gets too rough."

"I can hurt them like you can."

"I don't want you to strain yourself. And it might not be the best idea to reveal yourself just yet."

"Fine." She said begrudgingly, and he smiled. "I'll just dart them." He scoffed lowly. As ridiculous as it sounded, he wanted to be the only thing she needed or sought for as protection. Though the little things did come in handy and so did her bite. "And then find Dorian."

Marcel ended his song and hopped off stage with a smirk at the crowd. He bumped fists with a guy at the bar and took a swig of his beer. Jane and Klaus remained where they were, but they needn't speak out. He sensed that they were there. The young man stiffened and turned to them slowly.

"Klaus." He said, instantly tensing as did the vampires about him.

"Marcel."

"Must be a hundred years since that nasty business with your papa." He remarked and stepped towards him. Jane swallowed and touched Klaus' back worriedly as the vampires around Marcel twitched in their seats eager to defend him if Klaus should attack.

"Has it been that long?"

"Way I recall it, he ran you out of town." Marcel was coming closer. "Left a trail of dead vampires in his wake."

"And yet how fortunate you managed to survive. My father I'm afraid I recently disintegrated into dust."

Jane hissed quietly as several vampires stood up to protect Marcel. Luckily for her, the small sound gained no attention from anyone, but Klaus. He could feel her uneasiness.

"Well, if I had known you were coming back into town-If I had had a heads up-"

"What, Marcel?" Klaus interrupted and moved closer to the other vampire. Jane chewed her lip. "What would you have done?"

For several tense seconds, no one spoke. "I would have thrown you a damn parade." Marcel said and they both started laughing. Jane sighed with relief watching the two of them embrace like old friends. And she saw the collective relief from the other vampires around them. Apparently, they had been just as tense.

Marcel smiled broadly. "Niklaus Mikaelson. My mentor, my savior, my sire. Let's get you a drink." He said before his eyes landed on Jane.

"Well, well and who is this lovely creature? She with you?" Marcel asked, nodding at the girl that was half-hiding behind the Original.

Klaus smiled and gently coaxed her into view, his arm around her waist and his hand automatically covering her stomach.

"Marcel, this is Jane Evans. Jane, this is Marcel Gerard."

He winked at her. "Enchante." He grinned at Klaus. "She's a beauty."

Jane tucked her hair behind her ear and gave him a smile, cheeks pink from the complement.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you." She said politely and the vampire laughed, taking her hand and bestowing a kiss to the back of it. She reigned in a gasp quickly as soon as he touched her, so that he wouldn't hear her and bit her lip hard. She had felt the tingling sensation of a vampire as per usual, but she also got flashes of screams and cries of pain. She couldn't see who was screaming or why, but she assumed it was because of Marcel.

He released her hand, talking to Klaus, and Jane looked over her shoulder to see Dorian slip into the bar, eyes scanning around until he found them.

"Have you ever been to New Orleans, Jane?" She shook her head, trying to clear it of the fear that rose within her. Marcel hadn't noticed her hesitation for which she was glad, but Klaus did and he felt her fear. Frowning, he looked around the bar and found Dorian. "No? Well, you are just going to love it, darlin'."

"Excuse me." Klaus said to Marcel and stepped away, Jane looked after him anxiously.

Marcel frowned.

"Someone bothering you?"

The girl turned back to him, hesitant to answer. Was he trustworthy? But she needn't have worried about answering, because a man stepped boldly up to them and she took a step back.

"Desmond Laurent." Marcel frowned, recognizing the man. "You know you're not allowed in here."

Desmond was tall and had long blond hair that reminded Jane of Legolas from The Lord of the Rings. Even his face seemed unerringly beautiful, but his eyes...His eyes were terrifying. There was something dark and creepy in his cold grey eyes.

The man smirked. "You may have the French Quarter witches under your thumb, Monsieur Gerard." He said in a sickly pleasant sort of voice. Jane shivered from his tone. She didn't like him one bit. "But not us. We do as we please. Besides, I'm not here to speak to you." His eyes landed on Jane and his smirk widened. "I'm here because of the girl."

"Who are you?" Klaus snapped, appearing at Jane's elbow and taking hold of it to step in front of her. She felt Dorian behind her. "Answer quickly and I may spare your life."

The man laughed aloud as if he found Klaus amusing. "My name is Desmond Laurent, Monsieur Mikaelson."

"He's a witch from a coven outside of New Orleans." Marcel spoke up. "He and his bunch have been causing trouble for a while now." He and his men were tense for a fight. Almost eager in fact. Laurent's eyes flickered from Jane's face to her stomach and the smirk spread.

"Now this is interesting." Jane felt a chill go down her spine and she backed into Dorian, who steadied her. "Very interesting."

Klaus growled menacingly.

"Easy, Mikaelson. I wouldn't dare hurt her. You might however, keep her well away from other coven." His eyes gleamed wickedly as he appraised Jane once more. "She's a special little thing isn't she?"

Curiosity was in Marcel's eyes at the comment and she felt him looking at her but didn't dare look in his direction.

"Go away." Jane snapped boldly and he smirked.

"As you wish, dearie. But I will offer you our services when you have need of us. We can offer so much more than other covens. And you will eventually need us." He laid a card on the table nearby and inclined his head to Jane, eyes flickering to her stomach once more. "I'll be seeing you. Take care, little one." He went on his way, disappearing back out the door.

"Follow him. Make sure he leaves town." Marcel told some of his guys and they nodded, going out the door too.

Jane turned and clung to Klaus who wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against him.

"All right, love?" He whispered in her ear. She wanted to tell him her suspicion of Desmond knowing about the baby, but knew he'd only send her and Dorian away and she wanted to stay.

So, she nodded and he nuzzled behind her ear, comforting her and she felt herself relax. Marcel turned back to them.

"Come on and let me buy drinks for two-err, three of you." He smiled gently and Jane smiled back hesitantly. "Sorry you had to deal with that. He doesn't usually cross over here. We try to make sure of that."

He led them to a secluded room in the back and they sat at a small table near a wide window. Jane was torn between paying attention to them and looking at the photos on the walls. Karaoke singers. The sign in front had read, "no videoing", but they did take pictures of their singers.

"Dorian Walker." The Hybrid introduced himself to Marcel. "I'm a bodyguard of sorts. Klaus and Jane both saved my life. I am forever in their debt." Jane turned around. Klaus must have warned him about introducing himself as a Hybrid. It wouldn't do to bring that much attention to themselves.

"Marcel Gerard." The vampire said back and shook his hand.

"More for Jane's protection than my own." Klaus added and she rolled her eyes. Marcel saw her and smiled.

"It is good to see you." He said to the Original.

"It's good to be home." Klaus smiled. Jane glanced at him. He had seemed more content here in New Orleans. And it really had been his home for several centuries before Mikael. "Although please tell me that the current state of Bourbon Street is not your doing."

The vampire laughed. "Something's gotta drawn in the out-of-towners. Otherwise we'd all go hungry." Jane wrinkled her nose and turned to look out the wall once more.

"I see your friends are daywalkers." Klaus, the ever observant, stated as he turned to face his friend. Marcel nodded.

"Yeah, yeah, I shared the secret of your daylight ring with a few of buddies. Just the inner circle though, the family."

Jane smiled. Marcel really cared about his group of his vampires, she could see that.

"Tell me. How did you find a witch willing to make daylight rings?"

"I got the witches here wrapped around my finger."

Jane frowned, not liking that tone he was using. It made her increasingly wary of him. There was something about him, he seemed friendly, but there was an uneasiness to him. She didn't like the conflicting emotions.

Klaus raised an eyebrow with a small laugh. "Is that so?" Marcel didn't elaborate and he noticed it.

"Here." Thierry said, handing her a glass of water and bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Oh, thank you." She smiled at him gratefully. "How long have you known Marcel?"

"Few years now." He said and leaned against the wall. "He's a good leader."

Jane looked back at the two and Thierry followed her gaze. "How long have you known him?"

"For a year and a half now. Doesn't seem too long, but for me..."

"Seemed like you've known him forever. I get it." He smiled at her and she smiled back.

"Yeah."

"What about him?" He nodded at Dorian who was on the other side of the room, keeping a lookout.

"It's a long story, but basically he helped me and I returned the favor and he's just become our friend." She knew Dorian was listening. "No, more like family actually." She corrected and she saw him blush a bit. Smiling, she sipped her water.

"I'm looking for a witch. By the name of Jane-Anne Deveraux. Has some business with me."

Jane turned back around sharply at Klaus' voice. Jane-Anne…The same witch that had cursed Rodney. She frowned at Klaus and he avoided her gaze.

"Looking for Jane-Anne?" Marcel questioned.

"Do you know her?" Jane asked him aloud, making the two look at her. Marcel gave her a small smile.

"You probably ought to come with me." He said to Klaus who gave him a curious look. He straightened and smirked at his companions. "Showtime!"

Jane followed Klaus out of the back room and she touched his arm. "What's going on?"

"I don't have a clue, my love. Just stay close."

"Not Marcel, I mean, yes him too, but I'm talking about Jane-Anne." She frowned. "When were you going to tell me about her? What do you want to see her for?"

Klaus shook his head. "Now's not the time, sweetheart. I'll explain later." Jane folded her arms across her chest, coming to a halt.

"Niklaus."

He winced. "I swear, love. I'll explain." He said at her expression. She sighed, but linked arms with him.

---

It had grown dark out and Jane noticed that Marcel had at least twenty or thirty followers all of them vampires and all of them acting as cocky and sure as Marcel. Some of them eyed her hungrily and she only scowled at them, trying to keep up with Klaus and Marcel who seemed eager to show off for the Original. Jane was glad that Dorian had given her his jacket, it was colder than she had anticipated it would be. Dorian didn't like so many vampires around and he kept a sharp glare on them, staying near Jane protectively.

"So how's the family?' He asked and Klaus scoffed.

"Those who live hate me more than ever."

"Only because you keep being rude and pretty much run them off at every family function." Jane scolded and Klaus rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.

Marcel laughed. "Little spitfire, isn't she?"

Klaus gave her a smirk. "Indeed." Jane scowled at the both of them.

"Forget them." Marcel said dismissively. "If your blood relations let you down, you make your own, huh? You taught me that."

"Words to live by." Jane replied dryly, planning on lecturing Klaus later. Both vampires sent her a small smirk and she rolled her eyes.

"And what's mine is yours, as always." Marcel continued. "Even my nightwalkers, the riff-raff." He turned to smile at Jane. "And of course, that extends to you as well, Jane."

She smiled tightly in response before really paying attention to the abundance of vampires. "They're hardly subtle." She said and looked at Marcel curiously. "Why?"

"This is the Quarter, darlin'. Ain't no such thing as subtle." He winked at her before facing some of his vampires that were gathered together in the middle of the street. He gave a whistle and a loud cheer came from the crowd of vampires. Jane sought out Klaus nervously, sliding her hand into his and he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb soothingly, wondering if the large crowd had spooked her. It was rather alarming, and he grew envious.

The crowd parted and a few vampires came in, dragging a woman between them, her hands tied in front of her.

Marcel spread his arms wide. "Jane-Anne Deveraux." The crowd cheered. "Give it up for Jane-Anne. Come on." He called and received claps and wolf-whistles. Jane frowned and looked at Klaus for an explanation, but he was frowning at the display before him. "Jane-Anne Deveraux, you have been accused of the practice of witchcraft beyond of the rules set forth and enforced by me." The vampire said cockily. "How do you plead? Oh," He stopped and turned to Klaus. "Was that convincing? I studied law back in the fifties."

Jane frowned at him before catching Jane-Anne was staring at her, slightly in awe, and she frowned nervously. There was something in her gaze that sent alarms off in her head. Why was she staring at her like that?

She suddenly laughed, startling all of them. Some of the rowdier vampires grew quiet as she tossed her head back and laughed harder. Jane moved closer to Klaus and gave him a confused look, but he was staring at the witch with a raised eyebrow. When she looked back at Marcel, Jane-Anne smirked.

"You think you have this whole city under your thumb, don't you? You're mistaken. You've just ended your reign of terror, Marcel Gerard. I don't envy you of what is to come." Jane-Anne locked eyes with her. "Be careful." She mouthed so lowly that only Jane could read her lips despite the vampires around them.

Klaus tugged Jane away from the witch, frowning.

Marcel eyed her a moment, noticing her puzzled expression, before looking at Jane-Anne and brushing the incident aside. "Okay, well, seriously, J, tick tock. You know the drill. How do you plead?"

"I didn't do anything." Jane-Anne told them angrily and received murmurs of disbelief from the vampires around her. Dorian moved closer to Jane.

"Oh, that's a lie. You know it, I know it, and you hate that I know it." Marcel mocked her. "It drives you witches crazy that I'm aware of your every move. That you can't do magic in this town. Without getting caught."

"This is shady." Dorian muttered under his breath, making Jane look at him. "We shouldn't be here." She looked back at Klaus, but he was watching Marcel's performance.

"So, why don't we just cut to the chase, huh?" Marcel began stripping the sapling he had pulled from the tree they had passed earlier. He tossed leaves here and there waiting for the witch to speak. "You tell me what magic your brewing. Tell me. I'll grant you leniency. Hey, I am after all, a merciful man."

Jane-Anne glared at him. "Rot in hell, monster."

"I'll tell you what. I'll give you one more chance." He said turning his back on her, suddenly he whipped around, using the sapling like a whip and it cut across her throat, slicing it open. Jane shrieked and hid her face against Klaus' chest in horror and the Original stroked her hair comfortingly, staring at the dying witch. "Or not." Marcel shrugged as Jane-Anne fell to the ground, dead. He laughed and cheered with the crowd around him.

Jaw clenched in anger, Klaus tore away from Jane stalking towards Marcel. She bit her nails and gave the witch one last sad look before following the angry Original Hybrid. Whatever Jane-Anne had known was still a mystery and her words hung heavy in the air. Now they would never know what she meant.

"What was that?" Klaus hissed, spinning Marcel around.

He held his hands up. "Hey. Here, come walk with me." He said and slipped an arm around Klaus' shoulder, steering him away. Jane followed them, Dorian just behind her, tense and agitated. "Witches aren't allowed to do magic here."

Jane wiped her eyes angrily and scowled at the vampire. "But you're allowed to commit murder? You didn't even give Klaus a chance to speak to her." She snapped. "She was defenseless. Magic or not, her hands were tied."

Marcel nodded. "It seems unfair and maybe to you it was, but they have to learn their place." He said to her. "She broke my rules and she knew the consequences."

"I told you, I wanted to talk to her." Klaus growled.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I got caught up in the show."

"You didn't want us to talk to her." Jane accused and Dorian frowned when Marcel turned to her. "You knew we wanted too. And you didn't react to anything Klaus said to you other than wanting to speak to her."

Marcel continued to eye her calculatingly before shrugging. Dorian growled lowly and she put a hand on his arm. "I'm sorry if it seemed that way. Those witches, they think that they can still have power in this town. I have to show them that they don't. I never waste an opportunity for a show of force. Another lesson that I learned from you." He looked back at Klaus.

Jane frowned. "You seem to be giving out a lot of lessons." Klaus gave her a small apologetic look before facing Marcel once more.

"And besides anything that you could have gotten out of her, I can find out for you, and I will. I promise."

"How?" Jane demanded. "You just showed your force. They wouldn't talk to you now. Besides you killed the one we wanted to talk to!"

"Au contraire mon cheri. They fear me, they will do exactly as I say. I don't need her alive to get information."

Klaus looked unconvinced, but he did nod slightly. Dorian took her elbow and pulled her away from Marcel, sensing she was close to snapping at him.

"Well, whatever it was, it doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

Jane frowned. Surely he wasn't just going to let it go. Jane-Anne must have done something. Otherwise, what magic had she died for?

"Good. Good." Marcel laughed, relaxed at Klaus' reaction. "Then let's go eat, because all that spilled blood makes me hungry." He walked away, patting Klaus on the arm. "Oh, um, sorry you had to see that, Jane." She only glowered at him as he walked away. Klaus spotted one of Marcel's right hand men and stopped him.

"Thierry is it?" He asked and the vamp nodded at him. "Any more Deveraux witches where she came from?"

"Her sister, Sophie, works at Rousseau's."

Klaus nodded once and took Jane's arm. "Tell Marcel we'll be along shortly."

"I'm hungry." She added in case Marcel should ask and Thierry nodded with a smile before turning to leave.

"I don't like him. Marcel, I mean. He's suspicious." Jane muttered when the vampire walked away and Klaus smiled at her.

"He's just overly cocky, my love."

She scowled. "No. It's more than that. You saw what he did and you know perfectly well he did it on purpose."

"I know." He said quietly and shook his head. "I will find answers somehow. Perhaps from this sister of Jane-Anne."

"He needs a good kick in the pants." She frowned and he looked down at her, coming to a stop to look her over.

"Are you all right, love?"

"Yes, but what did she mean, Klaus? Did she mean me?"

"I'm not sure, sweetheart." Jane bit her lip. "What's wrong, love?"

"I think we've stepped into something we shouldn't have." She said quietly. "Witches under Marcel and another coven not under him? Sounds like a war to me. And you heard Jane-Anne…Klaus, if she knows I'm the elemental, and those others do…I think we should leave."

"I want to know what Jane-Anne wanted first, love. Then we'll leave." He frowned. "What did you see when you touched Marcel?"

She shuddered and shook her head. "Nothing good, Klaus. When I touched his hand…I heard screaming. So much pain…Something bad is coming."

His jaw clenched and he stroked her belly possessively.

"No one will lay a finger on you or our child, my love. I promise."

"Wait…Sophie…She was the one who ran into me our first night, remember? She said she worked at Rousseau's."

Jane had been about to fall asleep there on the street. Unfortunately, she was jolted awake by a young woman, a few years older than Jane herself, slamming into her or Klaus' arm rather, as he protected her stomach from the impact.

"Oh, my god. I am so sorry." The brunette cried, bending down to pick up what she had dropped. Jane bent to help her and picked up something sharp.

"Ow." Jane said and instantly Klaus was kneeling beside her, alert to her cry. "I'm fine." She told him, "I just cut my hand." He took her hand when he was sure the brunette was busy and licked the droplets of blood off. Jane flushed pink, eyes dark, and he grinned roguishly, hoping she wasn't too tuckered out now for what he wanted.

"Are you hurt?" The woman asked, looking at Jane, her brown eyes full of worry.

"No, I'm fine, it's just a small cut." Jane told her, though Klaus managed to growl. It was far from fine that anyone should cause her to draw blood, but Jane put a steading hand on him. Klaus put his arms around her, tugging her up along with him and the woman stood as well. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and she wore a faded bandana around her head.

"I work at Rousseau's." She thumbed over her shoulder and up the street. "I'd be happy to give you some free food for your trouble. Just ask for Sophie." She indicated her nametag and Jane smiled.

"Oh, you don't have to-"

"Thank you. we'll take you up on your offer." Klaus told her dismissively over Jane's protest. Sophie's smile never wavered as she took in Klaus. She wasn't intimidated by him that was for sure and he wondered why.

"Of course. Well, see you around. Hope you like New Orleans!" She waved at them and walked off briskly.

"She was nice." Jane mused before elbowing Klaus. "And that was rude of you."

"She made you bleed, my love. Anyone who does that deserves nothing less." He said in her ear.

Klaus scowled and took her hand, examining the dark red line on her palm. "Now I know she and her sister are up to something."

"But I didn't do anything to them. I thought they were friends with Rob."

"I know, love." He frowned. "But I'm going to find out what's going on. I believe that there are ill intensions going around."

Dorian shifted. "I don't like it either. Sophie must be a witch too. Now she's got Jane's blood."

Jane sighed. "Maybe...it's nothing bad?"

Klaus only snorted.

---

"Why don't you have a seat at the bar, sweetheart, and let me talk to the witch." Klaus guided her to the bar and help her unnecessarily onto the stool. He stroked her arms gently. "Are you sure you're all right? You look tired."

Jane nodded at him and he stroked her cheek. "I'm fine."

"I'll be back shortly."

"Why don't you let me talk to her?"

He sighed. "No. We've been over this, my love." He kissed her nose. "Stay here." He walked towards the kitchen and she sighed, turning back around. Dorian was off patrolling or something. Jane wasn't sure, she just knew Klaus had sent him off.

A pretty bartender with blonde hair and blue eyes came over to Jane.

"Hi, can I get you something?" She asked her and Jane nodded, feeling a tad queasy.

"Just some water please."

The bartender smiled. "Sure." She came back with a glass of lemonade instead.

"Trust me, it's good." She said to Jane's puzzled look.

"Oh, well, thank you."

"Are you new here?"

She nodded. "My fiancée and I are here for a visit. He used to live a few years ago."

"Oh, well welcome to New Orleans. How are you liking it so far?"

"I like so far." She said truthfully. At least the city and the music. The people not so much.

"I'm Camille, but you can call me Cami."

Jane smiled. "I'm Jane."

---

Sophie whirled around. "You're Klaus."

"I am. But you already knew that didn't you? And you're Sophie, the clumsy cook."

"Right." She said sheepishly.

"And you're upset. I assume this is because of what I just witnessed with your sister on the corner of Royal and St. Ann."

"Did you enjoy the show?" She asked dryly.

"It was a little melodramatic for my tastes." He stepped closer to her and she scuttled back behind the counter. "What did your sister want with me?" He eyes narrowed. "Or is it Jane, you're after?"

"It's nothing like that."

"I should hope not for your sake."

"We want to protect her." Klaus inclined his head in disbelief. "We know what she is."

"And how could you possibly know about that? Why did Marcel kill your sister?"

"I see you brought friends." She noted suddenly and Klaus turned his head. Two men were settling in at the bar on either side of Jane and he narrowed his eyes.

"They're not with me."

"They're with Marcel. That's all that matters. I know you built this town, but this is his town now. He killed my sister because she broke his rules. So, I talk to you in front of them, I'm next. You might want to get them away from her."

Klaus' jaw tightened and he turned around. They were blocking Jane from leaving and he growled lowly.

---

"Hello, pretty lady." Jane looked up to see a two of Marcel's lackeys on both sides of her. "What's Klaus up to?"

"Don't you have some poor defenseless person to attack?" She retorted and pushed off the stool. One of them snickered before blocking her exit.

"Well, now. There's no need to be rude. Just answer the question. We're supposed to be your guides."

"I think the word you're looking for is spies." She told them and they crowded closer. One of them grabbed her arm.

"Careful. Marcel may like you now, but that won't last." He hissed in her ear. "And I do like pretty girls." She jerked her arm away and suddenly Klaus was there.

"Are you two gentlemen following us?" He asked, gripping both of them tightly on one shoulder and tugging them away from Jane, who look relieved. "Are they bothering you, my love?"

"I'm-I'm okay." She told him and he nodded at her before looking at the vampire's in his grasp.

"Marcel said we're your guides."

"Oh, he did, did he?" One of them nodded. "He did. Well, then, let me exceedingly clear about something. If either of you follow me or my girl again, you'll do so without the benefit of a spine."

"Sorry for the wait."

Jane turned to see Cami smiling at them. "If you're waiting for the gumbo I'm about to break your heart. We just ran out."

Klaus placed some money on the bar top. "Your oldest Scotch for my two friends here." The woman blinked at the money before giving Jane a look that clearly congratulated her on her man and walked away.

Klaus made sure the two vampires were paying attention to him once she was gone. "Marcel, wants to know what I'm up to, he can ask me himself. Neither of you come near her or lay a single finger on her again, understand?" They both nodded and he let them go before taking Jane's arm and pulling her out of the bar.

"I know you wanted to eat something, my love, but I've got to take care of this first. I won't have him getting into my business with the witches." Jane nodded. "I promise, I'll buy you whatever your little heart desires as soon as this is taken care of."

"I'm not really that hungry." She whispered and he frowned in concern, coming to a stop just outside the bar.

He turned to face her fully, checking her over. "Are you sure you are all right, my love?"

"I just feel…tired I guess."

Klaus frowned, but he didn't see any physical signs of illness. Other than she was a bit pale. "Did you ask her what she knew?"

"She said she was protecting you, but I can't get anything else out of her with Marcel's friends following us."

"Protecting me? Does she know about the baby?"

Klaus nodded. "No, but she knows you're an elemental. And that concerns me. Do you want to go back to the hotel? You need to rest."

"I want to stay with you. I don't want to go back just yet."

---

They found a party where Marcel was supposed to be and they walked into the building. Jane flinched against his back. There were vampires feeding from humans as they danced and grinded against one another and she felt a bit ill again. Klaus made sure she was safely nearby and walked into the middle of the dancers, scanning for Marcel. He found one of the daywalkers nearby and went over to him.

"Where's Marcel?"

"Who the hell's asking?" The vampire, Diego, retorted.

"I assume your joking." Klaus said in a dangerous tone, his eyes flashing.

"I only answer to Marcel. Not you or your little bitch."

Jane scowled. "Excuse me?!" She demanded. Klaus launched himself forward. He grabbed the vampire by the throat, his eyes flickering from normal to the golden glow of a werewolf.

"You're aware the bite of a werewolf can kill a vampire?" He asked lowly and full of barely suppressed rage. "Well as you can see I'm half-werewolf, and you just insulted my girl, so I'm going to ask you one more time! Where is Marcel!?"

"H-hey. I'm right here. I'm right here." Marcel showed up, trying to smooth things over. "Easy now. Diego's just looking out for me. Nobody harms my guys. Those are the rules."

"I don't care about your rules, Marcel. Apparently, they include upsetting my mate with vulgar comments." Klaus retorted hotly and Marcel sent Diego a look.

"I apologize, Jane. We don't normally talk like that." He told her and then eyed Klaus.

"And I don't need chaperones. Why are you having us followed?" Marcel looked at the guys behind him and then at Klaus.

"Come here." He moved him back a bit and Jane followed. "Look, I get it, huh? Show of force. You made your point. Let it go friend. For me. No one else is going to insult her, I swear."

"Fine." He said bitingly. "Why don't you show me what you've done with the place. While you explain exactly what you've been up to in my town." Marcel forced a chuckle.

"Follow me." He said and walked away. Jane looked over her shoulder at two right hand vampires. Diego was glaring her, while Thierry was looking at her apologetically.

"Come along, love." Klaus said and Jane hurried after him to take his hand.

---

"It's beautiful." Jane murmured, leaning against the railing. "And they party like that every night?"

"Just about." Marcel chuckled.

She sighed. "The music's so lovely here."

Klaus smiled at her, silently promising to take her dancing in the square soon. Marcel smiled too.

"Look at that skyline, huh? That's progress. More hotels, more tourists, more fresh blood. And the humans? I taught them to look the other way."

"And what of the witches." Klaus inquired. "In my time, they were a force to be reckoned with, and now they live in fear. How do you know when they are using magic?"

"Maybe I got a secret weapon, an ace up my sleeve, something that gives me complete control over all the magic in this town."

"Hmm. Is that a fact?"

"Might be. Or maybe I'm just bluffin'." He bit into something that burned him and Jane turned around.

"You take vervain?" She asked and he nodded.

"Hurts like a bitch, pardon my language." He smiled at her. "Figured I might as well limit the things I'm vulnerable to." He faced Klaus. "Don't be mad about that chaperone thing. I told my guys to look out for you, that's all. It's what we do here, look out for each other. And Jane is included in that of course." He was sincere, that much Jane could tell. Maybe her bad feeling about him wasn't all that correct, but she wouldn't be forgetting the cold murder of Jane-Anne anytime soon.

"Do you have a bathroom?" Jane asked, feeling slightly nauseous. Marcel nodded.

"All the way down the hall and to your right."

"Thank you." She told him and left the balcony after giving Klaus a reassuring smile.

"So, what's with the little spitfire? She something special?"

"Quite." The Original Hybrid stated, a fond smile at his lips. "It took me a while to claim her for my own."

"Oh, stole another man's girl, huh?" Marcel smirked and Klaus smirked back.

"In a manner of speaking. She was unhappy. He loved her, but he cared far too deeply for another girl."

"Oh. So she got her heart broken."

He nodded, gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city he had always adored. "I intend to never let that happen again."

His companion was silent for a moment. "You seem happy with her."

"I am." Klaus nodded. "She was worth the wait."

Marcel patted his arm. "I saw that ring by the way. Congratulations." Klaus smiled.

---

"Evening, Elijah." Klaus remarked without turning around. He had sensed his brother's appearance. Marcel had leapt off the balcony to talk to the pretty bartender.

"Niklaus." His brother greeted.

"What an entirely unwelcome surprise."

Elijah suppressed a scoff. "And what an entirely unsurprising welcome."

"Elijah!" Jane squealed, stepping back out onto the balcony. She ran over to him, hugging him tightly, but still being mindful of the bump between them. "It's so good to see you. I've missed you." Klaus rolled his eyes.

"Jane." He greeted, chuckling a bit and patting her gently. "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"And the baby?"

"Just fine. I hope. We missed our last appointment."

Klaus sighed loudly. "I told you I was sorry, sweetheart."

Jane huffed and turned to Elijah. "What are you doing here?" She asked him.

"Checking on you and my brother."

Jane gave her Hybrid a look. "See? Even when you shut them out they still care." Elijah smirked and Klaus rolled his eyes.

"You should have called."

"Apparently I shouldn't have." Klaus spat at him and Jane scowled.

"Niklaus."

Elijah didn't seem worried by his brother's anger. "Yes, Kol told me he called Jane. So, I came to help."

"What for? I can handle it myself." Klaus snapped. "I have no need of you."

"I know why they wanted you here. Now you need to come with me to talk to them."

Klaus stared at him a moment before sighing. "Fine." He looked at Jane. "Go back to the hotel, love. Call Dorian or get one of Marcel's vampires to take you, all right? They won't harm you."

She frowned. "But I want to-"

"No." He shook his head. "You're carrying my baby, Jane. Under no circumstances are you going to put yourself in jeopardy."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Well, it's my baby too...And I don't know about him yet." He took her chin.

"Then ask Thierry. He seemed fond of you. Marcel won't harm you, love."

"Fine...But don't get into trouble."

He chuckled and pecked her nose.

She fixed Elijah a look too who smiled. "Either of you."

Klaus smirked at his brother and then they were gone.

---

"Sophie Deveraux." Klaus greeted and the witch nodded at him.

"You know you're famous in this town? Witches tell bedtimes stories about the powerful vampire Klaus. We know Marcel was nothing but an orphaned street rat until you made him what he is. And now he's out of control. He does what he wants. He kills who he wants. I'm going to stop him."

"Lovely story, love. But what has it to do with me? Why was your sister threatening me?"

"No one was threatening you." Sophie rolled her eyes. "We just wanted you to help us. To get rid of Marcel. And we were glad of that, but then..."

Klaus narrowed his eyes. "Then what?"

"You brought her." The brothers froze. "The elemental. The one we've been waiting for, for months. Years technically."

"I beg your pardon?" The elder Mikaelson narrowed his eyes. "You didn't express your knowledge of Jane. You said you wanted to speak to Niklaus and I about Marcel."

"Yes...but that was before we knew that she was here with your brother. You don't understand what this means to us." Sophie explained. "She's the elemental, the last one ever. And she's finally here. She's the key to helping us stop Marcel." The witch began to pace. "With Jane's blood-"

"What makes you think that Jane is the elemental?" Elijah questioned. "Or that we would allow you to use her blood for anything?"

Sophie frowned at the last few words. "We can sense it. My sister died confirming what she was. That she was the true elemental. She can help us, and we can offer her protection. Elementals are sacred in this town."

"From whom?" Elijah narrowed his eyes. "Yourselves?"

"The other coven. You think we're the only ones who has sensed her arrival? You met Desmond Laurent, I presume. We knew she was coming, but we had no idea that she was with you."

"What of it?" Klaus snapped.

Elijah frowned. "Explain why you need her. What is she to you?"

"The elemental is a magic enhancer. With her, we can finally take down Marcel and keep him down."

"No." Klaus hissed. "I'm not listening to anything else. Stay away from her."

He started to stalk off.

"We weren't exactly expecting the baby." Sophie said loudly, making him pause in his footsteps. Elijah stiffened. "All we knew was that she existed. The elemental. The baby she carries? Your baby? Is a miracle baby. Though Marcel keeps us from doing magic, we still know when nature has cooked up something new. And I have a special gift for sensing when a girl is pregnant. Even before I used her blood to figure out that it was yours."

"What about my child?" Klaus hissed.

Sophie frowned. "The other coven wants Jane to take us down. We are the rightful witches of this town and with Jane we will hold our place. So, we want her. You want Jane to stay safe and Marcel to stay in the dark about her? Then you agree to help us. If not, the consequences will cost someone their life. Jane will not live long enough to wear her first maternity dress Marcel or Laurent will see to that. He won't tolerate a magic enhancer, especially a pregnant one to roam around his city freely. He'll kill her and the baby if he finds out. He won't care who she is or who she is with. Even you. We can protect her and the baby from Marcel and Laurent."

Klaus snarled. "If you think I would ever let you or one of your kind near her or my child, you're sorely mistaken." His eyes flashed yellow.

"Then you'll end up getting her killed. Because either she joins with us or Laurent's coven."

"What exactly are you implying? That we should hand her to you?" Elijah asked coolly. "Surely, you're not threatening an Original. Unfortunately for you, you are threatening two of us and ultimately our entire family. None of us will let you use her for your own gain."

"We need her." Sophie scowled.

Klaus' eyes flashed yellow. "No. You won't come near her or the baby." He turned away and walked off.

Elijah watched him go and turned to her. She appeared calm and that worried him.

"You don't seem too worried that he refused. He may come back and slaughter all of you, depending on his mood."

"Jane's uncle...once meant something to my sister. So, I have no ill will towards the girl. And I don't want to hurt her, you must understand. But there is a prophecy about her. She's the one who can either help this town or destroy it."

Sophie groaned and shut her eyes for a moment, wincing in pain. Elijah frowned.

"Are you all right?"

"You have about an hour to persuade your brother to help us. Or Jane will die."

Elijah scowled. "What do you mean?" He asked in deadly quiet voice.

"We've already made sure you can't back out of the deal."

"What have you done?"

Sophie unwrapped her hand, showing him a small cut on the palm of her hand. "We are linked. It happened when I bumped into her that night."

"You've done something. What have you done?" He demanded of her again.

"An hour ago I ingested poison. By now she's showing the same signs. I will take the cure and save her, but not if you don't agree to help."

"Why harm her at all? You claim she means much to this coven. Sacred, I believe you used."

"And she does. We don't want to hurt her, Elijah. We're telling the truth about that. An elemental is sacred." Sabine said, stepping down into the tomb with them.

"Then why link her to you? Why harm her?"

"For insurance." Sophie answered. "Before we realized who she was, she was leverage for getting Klaus' help."

"You want him dead, then I'll kill him myself." He said sharply, baring his fangs angrily. "But first, you cure the girl. There was no reason to involve her."

"Not, yet. We have a clear plan to follow and there are rules."

Elijah frowned.

"Get your brother on board. You have until midnight."

---

Marcel found her in the crowd of dancers. "You okay? You got sick earlier."

Dorian came over to them standing nearby protectively. He had been speaking to Elijah, the entire time he had been gone.

"It'll go away." The girl stated.

It clicked in his head.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Seeing she had no choice but to admit it, she nodded. "Yes."

"Oh..." His eyes flickered with emotion before it disappeared.

Jane watched his expression, puzzled at first before understanding the look in his eyes.

"Did you want something?" Dorian questioned, getting different vibes from the vampire.

"Look, Jane...I know what you are."

They both tensed, glancing at each other before facing Marcel again.

She almost hesitated and frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He smiled at her. "Don't you? Little seer."

She almost breathed a sigh of relief. He only knew she was a seer. Dorian didn't untense. He was still ready to defend her if needed.

"How'd you know that?" She asked him.

"I have my ways." He murmured and she frowned.

"Like how you know when the witches do magic?"

He shrugged and then tilted his head. "Now, I know why Desmond was so interested in you. If you can see the future."

"I can only what I'm allowed to see. It's not always the future." She stated. "And it's not always clear."

"A seer is rare. I could use a girl like you."

"Sorry not interested."

"Now I know why Klaus is so protective."

Dorian snarled as Marcel moved closer to her and the vampire's eyes flickered to him briefly.

"Come on. See something for me." He was smiling at her. "Just one thing."

"Back off." Jane hissed defensively, eyes black and fangs extended. The vampires that took notice of her, backed away looking freaked out. Jane still felt insecure about how she looked all elemental features out. Klaus said she was beautiful, but she certainly didn't feel that way. She was a monster. A freak. The vampires were looking at her in horror.

Marcel held his hands up. "Whoa easy." He said, looking at her in mild fascination. "I'm not going to hurt you. I was just curious. What are you?" He tilted his head. "You're still human."

Jane felt a familiar presence and turned her head to see Klaus. She instantly retracked her fangs.

"Hey, man, where'd you run off to?" Marcel asked nonchalantly.

Klaus looked perfectly livid, his entire body tense. Jane chewed her lip. Marcel noticed his expression as well.

"Oh, someone put you in a mood." He murmured. "Just want it clear. I didn't hurt her. We just had a little chat." Klaus arched an eyebrow but was far too angry to ask about it now or ask why anxiety was coming from Jane in waves as she pressed against his back. She felt tired and Dorian noticed her getting paler. It was not just morning sickness.

"You mean your minions aren't still documenting my every move?" Klaus mocked.

Marcel chuckled. "So what can I do to get you out of your mood?"

"What you can do is tell me what this thing is you have over the witches."

Marcel smiled grimly. "We're back to that?"

"Yeah, we're back to that."

Jane prodded him in the back. "I want to go." She whispered, her cheeks were flushed with a swift heat that seemed to come from nowhere. "Please." He either couldn't hear her or was ignoring her, she felt prickles of annoyance.

"You know I owe you everything I got, but I'm afraid I have to draw the line on this one." Marcel insisted. Jane frowned. "This is my business. I control the witches in my town. Let's just leave it at that."

"Your town." Klaus repeated, narrowing his eyes.

"Damn straight."

Jane poked him again. "I'm not feeling well." She insisted. Again, she was ignored. She felt hot all the sudden and nauseous. Maybe it was more than morning sickness... this time she jerked on his sleeve. "Klaus..."

"Ha." The Original gave a humorless laugh, patting Jane's fingers briefly and she scowled. "That's funny because when I left a hundred years ago, you were just a pathetic, little scrapper still trembling from the lashes of the whips of those who would keep you down, and now look at you—Master of your domain." All around them the party stopped and Jane swallowed as all eyes turned to them, silence filling the air where music had once been. "Prince of the City." Klaus felt Jane press her face against his back, very warm. He vaguely recalled she had been trying to get his attention. Perhaps she was tired. "I'd like to know how."

For several tense seconds, Marcel was quiet, contemplating. "Why?" He asked aloud. "Jealous?" Jane's eyes widened and then she frowned at him.

"Hey, man, I get it. Three hundred years ago, you helped build a backwater penal colony into something. You started it, but then you left. Actually, you ran from it." Marcel snapped, an almost haughty, mocking tone to his voice. "I saw it through. Look around. Vampires rule this city now. We don't have to live in the shadows like rats. The locals know their place. They look the other way." Jane scowled at him. "I got rid of the werewolves. I even found a way to shut down the witches. The blood never stops flowing, and the party never ends. You want to pass on through? You want to stay awhile? Great. What's mine is yours," He glanced at Jane as if she were something for Klaus to share and she glared at him. His mouth twitched in amusement before his eyes slid back to the Original. "But it is mine. My home, my family, my rules."

"And if someone breaks those rules?" Klaus asked in deathly quiet tone. Jane sensed something awful about to happen and bit her lip hard.

Marcel answered without hesitation. "They die. Mercy is for the weak, you taught me that, too," Jane didn't have the energy to roll her eyes. "And I'm not the Prince of the Quarter, friend. I'm the king! Show me some respect." He hissed.

Tense silence fell. Klaus looked around him at the surrounding vampires. In blur of motion, he moved and sank his hybrid fangs into Thierry's neck. Jane peered through her fingers, wincing at the intensity. Dorian had her arm and was subtly backing them away. Thierry was holding his neck, sliding down to the floor in pain.

"Your friend will be dead by the weekend." Klaus announced, blood dripping down his chin. "Which means I've broken one of your rules. And yet, I cannot be killed. I am immortal."

"But your girl ain't." Diego scoffed and Jane hissed at him, baring her fangs.

"Try me." She hissed at him.

"Touch her and you'll end up like your friend there." Klaus warned darkly to everyone around them and some of them stepped away from Jane, not wanting to have the Hybrid's wrath upon them or hers. None of them knew what her bite might do to them. Klaus stared Marcel down. "Who has the power now, friend?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strode away from Marcel and his group of vampires, pulling Jane from Dorian's grip.

"Are you insane?" She hissed as they were out of the stuffy room. "What was that about? You came in angry. What happened? Where's Elijah?"

"What were you doing back in there?" He frowned, ignoring her questions. "Has he harmed you?"

"Marcel knows she's a seer. And something else, but he doesn't know what." Dorian informed him. "He didn't harm her."

"And how did he come across such knowledge?"

"Isn't that the million-dollar question." Jane sighed and then she clicked her tongue, wiping at his mouth with the back of her jacket sleeve. "You really need to stop giving out lessons." He rolled his eyes, taking her wrist and pulling her hand away from his chin and to his mouth where he bestowed a kiss to the back of it. "Something had you upset earlier. What's wrong?" She asked him in concern. "Where's Elijah?"

"Nothing that matters." He snapped and she frowned.

"Well, don't take it out on me, jerk. I didn't do anything."

He faltered and his face softened. "My apologies, love."

"She claims it's morning sickness, but her cheeks are flushed and she was getting sick earlier."

"Tattletale." She grumped and Klaus grimaced, recalling her pleas to leave the party.

"I'm sorry, my love. You were trying to tell me." He stroked her cheek, frowning at her warmth. "You should go back to the hotel. It's late and you need rest."

"They won't come looking for you, will they?" Dorian asked.

"Most of the idiotic ones will no doubt." Klaus scoffed. "But you needn't worry about them. They wouldn't dare indulge my wrath once again."

She suddenly gasped in pain and he frowned taking her elbows to keep her from tumbling to the cobblestoned ground. She twisted in his grip.

"Hurts…"

"What's hurting, love? Jane?" Her eyes rolled back in her head and he caught her once more, hauling her up into his arms. She was sweaty and overheated and blood trickled from her nose.

"What's happened!?" Dorian exclaimed, cupping the girl's head. "Why is her nose bleeding?"

Klaus growled. "Witches."

"The one who took her blood?"

"Niklaus, what's happened?" Elijah demanded, appearing before them as they crossed the street.

"She's fainted. She said something felt wrong."

Elijah took her hand and flipped it over to reveal a dark spot on her palm. He hissed and Klaus frowned.

"The poison."

"What poison?" Dorian scowled. "The witches?"

Elijah nodded. "Precisely. Her life is connected to Sophie Deveraux's. She's injected herself with a slow-moving poison which is affecting Jane." Klaus snarled and he stopped him from flying off in a rage. "Do not provoke their ire any longer, brother. If you continue to ignore them, the more they will do to her and the child. Look at her, Niklaus. Listen to your child's heartbeat. Calm yourself. It's not ideal to work with these witches, but we must to keep them safe."

Klaus' jaw clenched, but he nodded stiffly once. He zoomed off with her towards the cemetery, leaving Elijah with Dorian.

"Where is it that you're staying? We'll need to pack up. If we are to live here once more, it won't be in a hotel."

---

"I forgot how much I liked this town." Klaus remarked quietly. He was sitting on a bench outside a little ice cream parlor where Jane was finishing her dessert. Her appetite had come back to her and she and Dorian were inside, enjoying the treats.

"I didn't forget." Elijah said from next to him.

"All the centuries, we've spent together and yet I can count on one hand the number of times that our family has truly been happy. I hated leaving here."

"As did I."

"What's on your mind, brother?"

"For a thousand years, I lived in fear. Anytime I settled anywhere our father would hunt me down and chase me off. He made me feel powerless and I hated it. This town was my home once and, in my absence, Marcel has gotten everything I ever wanted...power, loyalty...Well, except for two things."

Elijah smiled.

"I made him in my image, and he bettered me. I promised Jane that I would give our child everything. That I would give her everything." He locked eyes with his brother. "I want to be King. I have a queen and an heir, but I need a kingdom."

"Then we shall make this town ours once more and make it safe for them." He noticed his brother's suddenly troubled expression.

"You're not abandoning her, Niklaus. You are saving her life and your unborn child's life. We'll bring them back when this business is finished. She'll be just fine."

---

"You want to send me off? Are you serious? You just started something with that cocky vampire and now this stuff with the witches?!" Jane scowled as he packed her things for her. He had made her relax on the bed once they had gotten back and wouldn't let her lift a finger. Stating she need a lot of rest.

"Jane, this is for you and your child's safety." Elijah added. "We once lived here and it is imperative that we stay to fight for it."

"Maybe it used to, but not anymore. Marcel is not going to just let go of his new status. "I'm the king"." She mocked, scowling deeper. "He's got something over the witches, Klaus. Something they're not telling us. Something that could potentially harm all of us. Not just me."

"She's right of course." Elijah murmured.

"That is why you're going back to Mystic Falls until it's safe."

"No, I'm not…You don't want me here?"

He sighed, stroking her cheek. "Of course, I do, love. I do. But I cannot-"

"Play a dangerous game that could end up in a war and watch us at the same time. Got it." Klaus' eyes landed on her stomach when she said "us".

He took her hands. "I want you and the baby safe."

"You're asking me to raise a baby without you. Because you don't know how long it's going to take."

"It won't be that long."

"Can you promise that? He's not going down without a fight and I…I had a feeling when I touched his hand..." She looked at Elijah. "I don't like it and I don't trust him just yet, not after Jane-Anne." She took Klaus' arm. "I'm linked to Sophie. Do you really think she'll let me leave the city?"

Klaus and Elijah exchanged looks. It was something that they hadn't considered.

"You'll be fine, love."

"I hate to leave you and Elijah. I don't like the witches holding this over you."

He kissed her forehead and then her nose. "We'll be all right, love." He felt tears and he pulled back. "Don't cry."

"I'm sorry. I know its selfish, but…I don't want to leave you."

"Oh, my love. I know." He said pressed his forehead to hers.

"Please don't send me away." She whispered.

He shook his head. "It's not forever. Just until this is over." He wiped away her tears. "Then I'll come for you. You can stay with Finn and Sage or Rebekah…wherever she is...Or Kol...but I should hope you don't pick him."

She sniffed. "I don't like this. Please."

He shook his head. "No." He took her hands from his face. "You have to go, love." He didn't want to part from her and his wolf was pacing like a caged animal. But he had to stay strong. This was for her and the baby.

---

Jane gasped sharply as they passed the city limits sign. Dorian turned to her.

"Jane?"

She grabbed at her throat. She couldn't breathe. He stomped on the brake, reaching over to her.

The world was blurring, her throat tight as though someone were squeezing it.

"Breathe, Jane!"

She could feel her throat constricting tighter and she got red in the face.

"Shit." Dorian cursed. He couldn't understand her sudden loss of the ability to breathe. Then, intuition hit him.

Without further ado, he reversed the car and back into the city limits of New Orleans. Once over the border, he stopped the car and sat in shock. Jane was breathing in gulps of air, coughing madly.

"What the hell was that?"

Jane bit her lip, rubbing at her throat. "I can't leave the city." She croaked.

"Shit."

Dorian turned the car and headed back for New Orleans. Jane was silent.

---

Klaus frowned when Dorian came into the parlor. "I thought I told you-"

"She can't leave the city." He informed him. "I had barely driven past the city limits sign and she starts choking. She couldn't breathe."

Elijah sighed. "I expected as much, but I had hoped to be wrong."

"Where is she?" The Original Hybrid asked.

Dorian nodded to the outside. "Sitting on the porch. She's upset. She just talked to her uncle. He was supposed to meet us at the airport when we landed."

He went out to find her.

She was sitting at the edge of the front steps, wiping at her eyes.

He came and sat next to her,

"I wanted to stay...But not this way." She murmured and turned to him. "Now I'm stuck here." She bit her lip. "What's going to happen?"

"I don't know, sweetheart." He cupped her face in hands. "But I promise I will protect you and our child." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his neck. He stroked her back gently with one hand, the other cupping the back of her head. "It's going to be all right, my love."

"I'm scared for our baby." She admitted. "That Desmond guy...He knows I'm pregnant. I could see it in his eyes. I'm scared of him, Klaus."

He tightened his arms around her. "He won't lay a finger on either of you."

Jane chewed her lip.

---

"Where...Where are you going?" Jane asked in a yawn, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

Klaus kissed her temple, tucking the blanket back around her. "Out. I'll be back shortly. Try to sleep, my love."

"What are you going to do?"

He realized she wasn't about to let it go, even as her eyes kept fluttering shut. She was nervous about him leaving.

He sighed, sitting on the edge of cushion. Most of the furniture was covered with sheets and a thick layer of dust. The couch wasn't very comfortable, but as they had just moved in, there was nothing to sleep on but a musty couch.

"Elijah and I have come up with a plan. I'm going to see Marcel and heal his man, Thierry."

"Oh...Should have bitten Diego. He's rude." She said, exhaustion in her voice. He smirked slightly and then stroked her cheek. "Be careful."

"Sleep." He urged and she let her eyes drift closed. "I'll be back soon."

---

Elijah walked out onto the back porch to see Jane standing at the railing, looking out at the backyard. She was smiling softly at the lush apple trees that were scattered around the yard.

He studied her for a moment and then moved closer. She heard him approach and turned her head to smile at him.

"How do you find our home? Is it satisfactory?" He inquired and Jane nodded.

"Yes. It's beautiful here. I love old houses."

"It will serve as a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter."

The girl frowned lightly and turned back to the yard.

"What?"

"A sanctuary." She repeated, her frown deepening. "Are you and Klaus planning on hiding me away here?"

"No, of course not. I only meant that this will be a safe place for us as well. I have no intention to make you feel more trapped than you already do. You should be free to come and go...with someone to accompany you preferably."

She laughed a little at the last bit and nodded. "Yeah, I'm not sure I'd like exploring alone either."

"I do believe they were honest in not wanting to harm you, Jane. The witches will keep their distance, you shouldn't fear them."

"It's not them. well, not only them...It's Marcel."

Elijah frowned. "Has he threatened you?"

"No, he knows I'm a seer. That's all he knows, but how did he know? How does he know when they use magic?"

"That is exactly what we intend to discover." He said and touched her arm. "What else is bothering you about him?"

"I...Had a nightmare a few days ago, before we came here." She turned to face him, hugging herself. "I didn't tell Klaus. So please don't because I don't want to worry him and if you and Klaus are trying to take him down, it may make him more volatile."

Elijah nodded. "You can tell me, Jane."

"There was a church and screams were coming from inside. Blood was trickling like a stream out of the ajar door and down the steps. Inside there was someone screaming and crying. Me." Elijah tensed. "I could hear Klaus but couldn't see him and he was so much pain...Then I was outside. The sky was blue and clear and I felt...calm. a man leaned over me and I felt a stabbing pain before everything went dark."

Jane shook her head to clear it of the lingering feelings and found that Elijah had put his arms around her protectively.

"Marcel was the man." He said simply, his voice calm, but she could feel how tense he was.

"Yes." Jane chewed her lip. "Maybe I should have told you either."

"No." He shook his head. "I'm glad you told me." He tucked a curl behind her ear, smiling softly. "No harm will come to either of you. I promise that."

"Thank you, Elijah." Jane smiled at him.

"And noble Elijah always keeps his promises." They turned to see Klaus. Jane smiled at him and he stroked cheek tenderly when he got nearer.

"Is it done?" He inquired.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood, even when he accepted my heartfelt apologies. His man Thierry yet lives, and I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches."

"I believe them to be honorable. They did undo the poison they infected Jane with, although they haven't been entirely forthcoming." He straightened his tie, gesturing that Jane could keep the handkerchief she tried to hand back to him. Klaus noticed then that she had been crying and sighed internally. He needed to be more attentive to her. "Marcel must have something that they need. They don't want him dead. There must be a reason why."

---

Jane tip-toed to the study where Klaus and Elijah had disappeared into and stood near the door to listen. With Dorian and a few house cleaners roaming around cleaning up the dust and moving furniture, she could stay and hear what they were saying. She hated to spy, but Klaus was acting very oddly.

"In addition to the secret weapon he used to control the witches," Elijah was saying. "marcel had assembled a small army of vampires. Working together, we could destroy them from the inside."

Jane smiled at how Elijah seemed happy to work with his brother. Although what they were doing wasn't exactly how she'd like them to spend time together...It was a start. She just hoped Klaus would allow himself to be happy around his sibling.

"Now," Elijah murmured. "About our siblings-"

"I have no wish to discuss them." Klaus snapped. "They made their decision."

"Because you made it for them." Came the equally sharp reply. "Which is why Kol was upset enough to call me when he found out where you had taken Jane."

"Where I take her is not his concern. He needs to drop this idiocy about needing to return the favor for Jane saving his life."

Elijah scoffed. "Why should he? He's finally found an emotion other than rage to focus on and if Jane brought that to him then we should be grateful."

"Yes, grateful to be constantly reminded that she died keeping his idiotic self from dying." Klaus hissed. "How do you think she feels when he dotes on her with guilt? Oh yes, he feels an emotion. Guilt he didn't die instead of her."

"And that dear brother is where you are wrong. What Jane has brought to Kol to you to our family is love. A reminder that Always and Forever is family, is love. And you know better than anyone that family is power. Jane is the most important person in this family. She is your mate, Niklaus, but she is also family to us. She is a sister to your siblings. Imagine how we'd be today without her kindness and patience. Without her, Kol and Finn would not be wandering the world. They'd be dead. Lost to us as you would be without her love for you."

Jane smiled, feeling tears in her eyes from his words.

Klaus was silent for a moment and Jane peeked around the corner to see him, pouring himself a drink.

"Well, they can stay wandering the countries for all I care. Rebekah too." Klaus began to move slowly around the table towards Elijah who was dusting off a table lamp and setting it upright. Jane felt dread curl in her stomach, and she wanted to warn Elijah. She hoped she was wrong. "Because in my desire to reclaim this town, to steal from Marcel that which he holds most dear, I have realized one massive vulnerability, one weakness that Marcel could exploit."

"And what is that?" Elijah asked, turning to his brother.

"You."

And with that Klaus stabbed his brother in the chest with a dagger that had been hidden in his jacket pocket. Elijah cried out in pain and Jane clasped a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming right along with him. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she watched Klaus dig the dagger further into his chest, desiccation lines moving across Elijah's shocked face.

"Forgive me, my brother. There is no power in love. Mercy makes you weak. Family makes you weak. And if I'm going to win this war, I have to do it alone."

---

Jane sprinted out the back door, brushing past Dorian who was hauling a heavy chest. He could feel her anger and sadness in a tense swirl of emotion.

"Jane?" He called to her, but she ignored him. He let the chest thump to the ground and followed her quickly.

She was emptying her stomach into the bushes near the back of the property and he gathered her hair from her face. She was sobbing and choking, and he patted her back, trying to soothe her.

"What happened?" He asked her gently.

Jane took a deep breath and looked up. Dorian was shocked her to see looking so calm.

"Nothing." She said simply and walked back to the house.

He frowned after her. What just happened?

---

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