Chapter 4
She could hear the faint sound of something jingling and opened her eyes slowly to see that her bedroom was in chaos. As if a bomb had exploded, she could see and smell fire and smoke, things broken. Something was burning somewhere; the smell was very strong. She lifted her head and became more aware of her surroundings. The once wide windows of her bedroom were blown inward like a wreaking ball had smashed it and left a gaping hole. She herself, was half lying on the plush rug that was at the side of the bed and the hard wood floor. Dust, ash, and debris made the room appear as if it were a scene from a natural disaster movie. Everything was covered in it.
Coughing from the strong smell, she pushed herself up, being mindful of her swollen belly. Had she fallen from the bed? Was the baby hurt? What had happened?
"Niklaus?" She called and started coughing again. That was when she noticed the almost complete silence. "Klaus?" She called louder and used the bed to get to her feet unsteadily. She wobbled a bit and got her balance.
Jane went to her door, almost unsurprised to find it gone. Busted off its hinges. She stepped carefully over the broken wood and headed down the hallway. The entire house seemed deserted and ruined. Broken furniture, busted paintings, burned and singed places here and there.
"Rebekah? Kol?" She called and searched each room, her heart sinking further at the damage to the room and the lack of Mikaelsons. Where were they? "Niklaus?!" Confused and frightened by the quiet, tears appeared in her eyes. She went down the hall and towards the back door, where she froze. The whole back wall had been burst open, appearing again as if a bomb or a wreaking ball had gotten hold of the house.
"Hello?"
Cautiously she peeked out from the ruins of the house, only to gasp in alarm. Dozens of bodies were scattered across the backyard. Jane went down the steps and approached the first body. She didn't recognize him, but she could see that he had died from having his heart ripped out of his chest. Indeed, most of the bodies around her appeared to have suffered the same fate.
"Klaus?!" She called to the air.
"They're gone."
She turned around so fast she felt dizzy. There on the top step stood Marcel Gerard.
He was looking over the field grimly, jaw set firmly.
"I knew he would." He said again and Jane blinked.
"Would what?"
"Leave town. Run off."
Jane frowned. "Klaus?"
"Yes."
"He wouldn't leave... did he do this?"
He snorted. "No, might as well have. He started this entire thing. And for what? He left."
"Stop saying that!" She snapped. "He wouldn't leave me!"
Marcel shook his head. "You still don't get it? After everything? After the..." He looked pointedly at her stomach. Jane looked down as well. To her horror, her pregnant belly was gone. There was no baby.
"No!" She cried and touched her stomach. "Where is she? Where is she?" She panicked. She felt dizzy again.
"Gone." Marcel said simply. "Just like everything else he touched."
"Shut up!" She yelled at him. "Tell me the truth!"
"Look around you." He snapped. "This is the future. This is your future. Babyless, Mikaelsonless, Klausless."
Tears blurred her vision. "No..." She shook her head and then heard the jingling again. Looking up she spotted her windchime she had bought for the baby. It was hanging on the porch siding, like a potted plant would. It chimed ominously though there was no wind to blow it...Then her world faded.
Jane let her fingers trail over the ivory keys, sliding across the surface though she didn't press hard enough for a sound to be made. It was early in the morning, the moon still high over the apple trees in the backyard. She had had trouble sleeping again. Her nightmares were worsening. Slowly, she ran a hand over her baby bump, remembering the feeling her nightmare had left her with.
Tears went down her cheeks and she let them fall, watching as they fell onto the keys.
"Jane?"
She turned to see Klaus standing in the doorframe, his pajama pants slung low around his hips. He looked tired still, but his eyes were focused on her with what looked like relief. He had woken up to find her gone and it had worried him immensely.
He came over and sat next to her, frowning at the trace of tears still on her cheeks. "How long have you been awake? Are you all right?" He asked her gently, stroking her hair back from her face. "What's wrong, my love?"
"I had a nightmare." She admitted thickly, still staring at the keys beneath her fingers. She felt fingers on her chin, and she was facing him once more.
He looked at her in concern. "You should have woken me, love. I was worried when I didn't feel you next to me."
Unbridled tears stung her eyes again and he frowned as she ducked her head. "I'm sorry." She said and tried to wipe at her eyes, attempting to conceal her emotions.
He shook his head in confusion. "Whatever for?"
"Leaving."
He sighed. "Yes, well, I know you try to keep from waking me, my love. And I told you I don't mind it." He caught her hands in his and brought them up to his mouth to kiss at her fingers. "Please tell me what's frightened you down here so late. This isn't the first time you've woken up so early in the last few days."
She shook her head. "No..."
"I want to help you, my love." He cupped her face in his hands. "Tell me. It must be one that's bothered you more than usual."
Hesitantly, she put her hand to his face, allowing him to see it firsthand. When it was over, Klaus was frowning.
"I would never leave you, love." He murmured and kissed her forehead. It was easier to redirect her thoughts to it being just a nightmare. He didn't want to even consider that it might have been a vision. The bodies without hearts however...He couldn't exactly ignore that. "Never."
"What does it mean? Why do I keep seeing it over and over?" She asked him and he drew her against his chest when she sobbed lightly. He shook his head and pressed his lips to her head.
"I don't know, sweetheart. I don't know."
She curled into him, pressing her face to his neck and he held her gently, trying to sooth her sobs.
He hated not knowing what to do or say to comfort her. If it was a warning of some dark future, then he would strive to prevent it at all costs.
"You need more rest." He murmured at last when she had calmed down a bit. "Come back to bed, love." Jane took his hand and let him lead her back up the stairs, but she didn't think she'd be able to fully rest.
"She was gone." She whispered once they had settled back down and he stroked her stomach gently. "That was the different part. This time she was gone..."
He kissed her softly, wiping away the tears that spilled at remembrance of her dream. "That's not going to happen, love. No one is going to take our child." He stroked her cheek. "She's right here. And so am I."
She nodded and he smiled softly when she yawned. Jane laid her head on his chest and he stroked her hair.
"Do you have to go tomorrow? It's been so nice the past two days. Just you and me."
He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. "Yes, my love. I've let Marcel process the loss of his friend long enough. Now it's time to continue my plans." He kissed her again. "I did promise that you and our child will want for naught. That you will have everything I can give you."
"I know." She sighed and snuggled into him. "I love you. And I'm sorry for worrying you."
He pressed his lips to her hair. "And I love you. I just want you to tell me when something is bothering you, love. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you if you asked it."
Jane nodded. "I know...It's just...I keep thinking that it's a vision or a warning about something..."
Klaus tightened his arms around her. "Of what?"
"Death...Something to do with...death and an explosion."
He frowned at the ceiling.
"Maybe I'm wrong."
"I don't doubt what you saw." He said quietly. "I just think the events were wrong, because the very idea of me leaving you is absurd." She smiled against his skin and he smiled back.
"I already have everything anyway." She said softly. "I have you and your siblings, our baby, Rob, Meredith..."
He rolled his eyes. "My siblings." He grumbled and she smacked his chest with a giggle. He smiled at having made her laugh. "They've done nothing but get on my last nerve."
"Only because the three of you bicker like children. Only this morning Kol threatened Rebekah with a dagger because she took the remote."
Klaus snorted.
"I miss Elijah."
He sighed deeply. "I know, love." Klaus stroked her hair. "We'll get him back, sweetheart. One way or another."
Jane tapped her pencil to her lower lip, deeply in thought. She was trying to list a few names for the baby, but she wanted Klaus to like them too. She couldn't ask his opinion, because all he said was, "Whatever you like" which meant no matter what she chose, it would have to be something that he would approve of. She sighed and started doodling on the paper instead.
Rebekah looked up from the computer at her sigh. She smiled softly.
"Having trouble, sweets?"
"Well, it's just that she'll be stuck with her name the rest of her life." The girl told her, fiddling with the pencil. "What if what I pick isn't good?"
"You worry about the smallest things, little love." Kol stated, plopping down on the couch next to her. "And coincidently Kolette is still available."
"I'll keep it in mind." Jane giggled and he smirked.
Rebekah went back to the computer.
"Are you still searching the area for Elijah?" He asked her and she nodded, eyes on the screen.
"I'm going to find that attic."
Jane bit her lip. "Why hasn't Marcel given him back yet?"
Kol snorted. "Buying his time more than likely. We currently outnumber him. Elijah adds more power our way."
Noticing she still looked worried, he patted her hand. "We'll get him back, lovey."
"Yes." Rebekah agreed. "Where's Niklaus this morning?"
"Plotting world domination."
Jane slapped him with a pillow.
"All right, little love! Talking to the beautiful Camille." Kol stated flirtatiously and his sister wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Frowning, Jane sat up. "What? Why?"
He shrugged, looking over at her. "Part of his diabolical scheme I'm sure. Though, I don't know exactly how useful a stenographer is for him plans."
"It's not actually." Klaus said from the doorway. They looked over at him. "Though I do admit, her typewriting skills are quite handy for compiling my memoirs."
Jane frowned. "Why do you still need her? I thought Marcel was trusting you more."
"And he is, my love, but I still need someone making sure that it stays that way. Camille is how I can get the most information."
"Don't be jealous, little love. You're far lovelier than she is." Kol smirked.
Jane lobbed him with a couch pillow again.
"Ow, lovey! It's true!"
"Please, sister, tell me you're not still at it with the internet search. How does one begin anyway, just type in "anonymous attic"?"
"Someone has to find Elijah." Rebekah remarked, choosing not to rise to the bait. They had been bickering ever since Klaus had decided to give Marcel space and stay home to spend time with Jane. It hadn't been so bad at first, but now she tired of him. He was irritating her. "Even if I have to search every bloody attic in New Orleans."
"Like looking for a needle in a rather large pile of needles." Kol scoffed and Klaus nodded in agreement. "Awful boring, Bekah."
Jane turned to the brothers with a frown. "That's not helpful, Kol. Marcel should have already given him back."
"I remember details about the attic Marcel took me too." Rebekah remarked. "There were shutters on the windows behind Elijah's coffin."
"Well, that should narrow it down immensely." Klaus muttered and Kol snorted.
Rebekah looked at them crossly.
Jane scowled. "Niklaus!"
He grumbled under his breath.
"So, what is the hold up. Nik?" Kol asked.
"His delay, I assume, is because of Davina. She must be in the charge of that situation."
Jane sighed. "Ugh, I have to go again."
"The baby is pressing on your bladder, darling." The Mikaelson sister spoke up.
"Well, she doesn't have to press so hard." The girl muttered, making Kol snicker, and went out of the room. "Bad little avocado."
Kol snickered again. "Avocado?"
"It's how big the baby is." Rebekah remarked. "She found an app that helps keep up with the baby's developments." She turned to face Klaus with a frown. "You should have made her see a doctor. Now she'll never go."
"She didn't want too, and I don't see the harm in it." He said coolly. "I don't recall asking your opinion on the matter."
"Well, it seems to me that you'd want to take better care of the baby."
Kol groaned. Another fight was about to break out.
"What are you going to do then, Nik? Rebekah is going to search for shutters. What's your plan?" He intervened quickly.
Klaus stopped giving Rebekah the "I'll dagger you" look and turned to him.
"I like to do things the old-fashioned way. If Davina's loyalty can be swayed away from Marcel. We may have an advantage."
"Once again, you're putting power before family. When are you going to learn?" Their sister snapped.
Klaus only glowered at her.
Jane met him at the door.
"There's a festival." She began and he paused. "And I want to go."
He sighed. "Love-"
"Please? I really want to go."
"Are you sure, love?" He asked slowly, still thinking it through. On one hand, the rock incident had occurred when she had been home alone. And nothing else had happened since then. On the other hand, there were more enemies outside than he was comfortable with, especially when half of them were witches.
She nodded and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Please, Niklaus?" She started fiddling with his necklaces, looking at him pleadingly. "Just for a while? I love music and dancing."
She was making it hard for him to protest. She was looking at him with hope that he'd be okay with her going. But he didn't want her going alone. Rebekah was out of the question. She was already gone in search of shutters. Dorian was out visiting his aunt, a fact that bothered Jane because she had wanted to go too. Then there was of course Kol... There was no chance in hell he was leaving her in his care. The idiot would run off with the first girl that batted her eyes at him and leave her alone. He couldn't be with her of course, he had to setup a way to speak to Davina without Marcel around. So that left Kol as his only option.
He sighed. "All right, my love. You can ask Kol." He said unenthusiastically. "I doubt he'd refuse you."
She smiled brightly and kissed his jaw. "Thank you." She turned her head to call to Kol, but he made her face him.
He cupped her face. "Promise me that you'll be safe. No unnecessary risks."
She nodded at him and then called: "Oh, Kol?"
Klaus shook his head. "Get out of that one, little brother."
Kol followed Jane who was happily walking through the crowded streets. He had agreed to come with her for the sole purpose of irritating Klaus. With Rebekah busy and Dorian off elsewhere, it had just been him. And of course, if he hadn't wanted to irritate his brother, he wouldn't have been able to say no. Her pleading expression alone would have gotten him to do anything she wished.
"Oh, look at the lights!" Jane exclaimed and turned in circle to take it all in. He kept an eye on the people around her, but they too were enjoying the sights and taking their time to walk as well. So, she was in no danger of being elbowed or pushed. She turned to him with an energetic smile and he smiled back.
As they passed a few of the bars, one caught her attention. "Let's go in there!" She pointed at Rousseau's. "Want too?" Kol shrugged.
"Whatever you'd like, little love." She gave him another smile and then took his hand, pulling him toward the crowded building. He let her lead him, shaking his head slightly at her enthusiasm.
They entered the bar and Kol kept close by her, unwillingly to be separated from her for even a split second.
"Cami!" The girl said and waved her hand at the blonde at the bar. Camille waved back.
"Hey, Jane." She greeted when they were close enough for the girl to hear. "And... Kol, right?"
He gave her a dashing smile. "Right, darling."
Cami looked around. "Where's your fiancée?"
Jane shrugged. "He's busy."
Kol snorted and then saw Marcel come in, trailing behind a pretty teenager with dark hair and blue eyes. He gazed her, feeling a strange feeling come over him.
Jane saw Kol's jaw go slack and his eyes glaze over as he looked at the girl. She smiled a bit and then nudged him.
"You're drooling on the table."
He came out of his trace and Jane smiled. Kol only scowled at her.
"Jane." Marcel greeted. "It's nice to see you."
She smiled at him as he sat down at the bar near Cami. Davina sat down too, eyes on the musicians.
Jane noticed a woman with long dark hair looking at her from across the bar. Her blue eyes were focused on her entirely. She took a sip from her drink, eyes never looking away. The woman was slightly ethereal, and she tilted her head at Jane. Then her eyes flashed black for a brief second and she smiled, showing her fangs. Jane felt herself respond and gasped. A crowd of people came into the room and blocked her from view. When they moved, the strange woman was gone.
Jane looked around wildly for the woman but couldn't find her.
"Love?"
She jumped when a hand landed on her arm. She turned to see Kol looking at her in concern.
"Are you all right? Is it the baby?"
"No... I thought I saw..." She trailed off, looking around again.
"Saw what?"
She shook her head. "Never mind. It was nothing." Kol raised an eyebrow at her.
Davina and Cami were talking quietly, Marcel gone.
"Here. Drink some water." Kol slid her glass over to her. "You look ill. Shall we go?"
"No, I-I'm fine."
He looked at her intently for a moment. "I'm going for a bite. Be back little love. Stay here." He said and hurried off into the crowd.
She turned back to the bar and Davina smiled at her.
"Hi. Jane, right?"
"Yeah. So, you're Davina."
She tilted her head. "Do I know you? You seem familiar."
"No, I don't think so."
Jane sighed. "I have to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
"Um...When are you going to give Elijah back?"
Davina blinked at her before frowning. "You know Elijah?"
Jane nodded. "He's my boyfriend's brother."
"Oh...You're dating an Original?" She looked defiant and angry. Jane found herself tensing.
"Yes." She said curtly. "But whatever Klaus has said to you...I just want Elijah back. He's family and I miss him."
"Well, I haven't spoken to him really. I've never actually met him."
"Then why are you keeping Elijah? Marcel promised to send him home." Tears stung her eyes and she huffed in annoyance. Davina's anger faded away instantly and handed Jane a napkin. "Thank you. Ugh. I'm sorry. Hormones. It's not supposed to be so bad, but I guess I'm extra sensitive." She dabbed at her eyes.
"He means a lot."
"Yeah...He's always been kind to me. He's the kindest of the Original family I'm half sorry to say." She said and smiled softly. Davina nodded.
"What about the guy you were with?"
"Oh, that's Kol. He's something else."
Davina giggled and then raised an eyebrow. "Are there any more of them?"
"Just one more. I think he's in Denmark with his wife. At least, I think it was Denmark." Jane sighed. "I can't remember anything."
They talked a while longer, Davina relaxing quite a bit. She liked Jane. The girl spoke her mind but was very kind.
"I was a little afraid of you." Jane admitted and Davina frowned.
"What? Why?"
"Because I don't have good experiences with witches. Especially witches around here."
"Me too. That's why I trust Marcel. He's keeping me safe from them."
"He's a good friend to you, isn't he?"
The witch smiled. "Yeah, he is."
"Do you know if there is a dance studio around here? I know it's a silly question, but I used to love dancing. I had a studio where I used to live."
Davina thought for a moment and then grabbed a pen from the bartender's cup of pens and wrote something down on a napkin. "This is where one used to be. It might not be there anymore, but it was when I was little."
"Thank you, Davina. I just want to see one again." Jane looked down and stroked her stomach. "Guess I'm feeling nostalgic. My mother was a dancer too you see. She taught me and taught others. Any dance you can think of, we tried them all."
"You're welcome, Jane."
Jane smiled before grimacing.
"Ugh, I've got to pee again. It was nice talking to you, Davina. Maybe we can talk again sometime."
"That would be great." The girl nodded and Jane weaved her way to the bathroom.
Cami came up to her and Davina turned.
"So, what's his name?" Cami asked the teenager who had been eyeing the fiddler on stage. "Hot guy with the fiddle?"
"Tim." She said shyly. "I knew he'd be here. He always performs at these kinds of things."
Jane bumped into someone and looked up from the napkin to flush. She had run into a priest of all people.
"Oh, I'm-I'm sorry." She apologized, looking from the person she had run into and then his companion. It was Marcel. "Are you okay?"
"I'm all right." The man smiled at her. "I should be asking you that." He said, noticing she was holding her stomach.
"We're okay." She smiled.
The vampire frowned.
"Are you okay, Jane?"
"Yeah, I-I had to get some air." She told him and looked at the man next to him curiously.
Marcel gestured to the man next to him. "Jane Evans, this is Father Kieran."
He held his hand out to her. "It's nice to meet you. Are you new?"
She nodded. "Just moved here." She told him. "You knew my Uncle Rob."
Kieran's brows rose. "You're Robert's niece?"
Curious at his expression, she nodded.
"How is he?" He asked almost warily.
"He's fine. Recently engaged."
The man relaxed. "Oh, I'm glad to see that his fixed himself." Kieran murmured and she nodded.
"Yes, we all are." Jane turned to Marcel who was eyeing the two of them. "He was a bit of a drunkard back then. Always got into trouble."
Marcel nodded, the curiosity leaving his eyes at this explanation. "Oh, I get it."
Kieran was glad she was keeping it from Marcel. He didn't need to know.
"I tried to get him on the right path. He always seemed to pick the wrong one." The priest added and then smiled warmly at Jane. "It's very nice to meet you, Jane."
"I told her you had a key to Rob's apartment." Marcel moved a bit in between the two of them and Jane narrowed her eyes. He didn't want her speaking to him. Why? "Told her I'd ask you."
Kieran looked at Marcel for a long moment before nodding. "Yes, I do. I'll have to dig for it I'm afraid."
"It's not a rush, I was just curious about it." She said.
"Of course, and I'll let you know when I find it."
Jane nodded. "I should probably head back inside. Kol will be looking for me." She waved at them. "Goodbye."
Kieran watched her go with a small frown.
"She's pregnant. She's not living alone here in the city, is she?" He asked. "I feel I owe it toward Rob to take care of his niece."
Marcel shook his head. "She's with her boyfriend and his family. I'm sure she's well protected." Kieran only grimaced.
Following the directions on the napkin, Jane found the studio. It was being sold and had large for sale signs covering most of the windows, so she couldn't peer inside. Trying her luck, she pulled on the door, only to find it was unlocked and she smiled.
Jane eased the door open all the way and peered inside. Using her phone, she was able to make out the clean wooden floor and white walls.
Smiling, she went in, letting the door shut quietly behind her. She was wary that the building owner might think she was there to steal or just get mad she had broken in, but it was too tempting to see the inside of a dance studio again.
"How is she?"
"She misses you, Elijah. she's been angry with Klaus for weeks because of your absence."
Elijah smiled. "Yes, I'm sure. Please look after her, Rebekah. She's family and it's of the upmost importance that we remind her of that daily. With Niklaus working on his plans, she may feel neglected, but that is far from it." He raised a hand when she tried to speak. "I know Niklaus, he loves Jane more than anything else, though does not often show it outwardly. At least to us. Rebekah, you know that to be true."
"Yes, but he has been neglectful."
"Not purposely. All of this is not only for his gain but for her and the child."
"Our niece." Rebekah said softly with a smile and he returned it.
"Yes, our niece. Which is why our brother needs support in his endeavors. He may not be making it safe for Jane at any rate. So, try to get along with Klaus until I return."
Rebekah sighed. "I'll try, Elijah, but he and Kol have been butting heads as well."
Elijah chuckled. "Kol came here?"
She rolled her eyes. "He claimed he was checking on me became I came to look for you. Personally, I think it was for Jane."
"As do I."
Kol was flirting with a giggling blonde when his phone began buzzing. He scowled. "Not now, Hybrid."
"Is Jane with you? Please tell me she is."
Kol frowned. "Why?" He asked sharply. "She's at the bar."
"Because something is going to happen to her." He paused. "So, she's with you?"
"Yes." He rolled his eyes. "She's perfectly fine."
"Then why is she upset?" Dorian snapped. "I can feel it. And I'm sure Klaus can."
Kol looked towards the bar and froze.
"She's not with you, is she?" The Hybrid scoffed. "You better find her before Klaus finds out."
"Hello, little elemental." Jane turned around and faltered.
"Desmond."
He smiled and stepped closer, blocking her exit. "It's lovely to see you again."
"How did-"
"How did I know you'd come here? It was a lucky guess. Truthfully, I've been keeping tabs on you, dear."
Jane frowned. "What do you want?"
"You're allegiance. Those French Quarter witches think your baby is a bad omen."
"What?" She frowned deeper and shook her head. "No, they-"
He clucked his tongue, interrupting her. "Tell me, does this ring a bell?" He asked and then repeated the words Sabine had spoken. Jane gasped. How had he known? "Do you know what that means, precious?"
Jane shook her head. "Um...no... But Sabine said that it had nothing to do with the baby."
"She lied." He said simply. "Loosely translated it means, "The child is evil, it will destroy us all"." The girl gasped and shook her head. "So, you see? The coven wants your baby dead. And they will try."
"They-they wouldn't. They want to protect us. You're lying."
He walked to the corner and kicked at something. Jane came closer to see that it was a man.
"This," Laurent kicked the body again. "Is one of the witches sent to keep you here, my dear. I've just saved you."
"Is he dead?"
"No, merely unconscious. Though it would probably be for the best that he was dead. He was sent here to trap you. Murder you actually." Jane couldn't stop staring at the witch lying in the floor. Her mind was whirling with all the information.
Desmond sighed. "Poor sweet little elemental."
Jane jumped when his hand slid down her arm and she whirled to face him with a gasp.
"Now you see, don't you? We're not the enemy, my sweet."
He backed her up until she hit one of the mirrors. He stroked her cheek.
"I think it's time I take my leave." The witch said with a smile, that made Jane feel sick. He turned to go but paused. "Oh, and Jane? My coven may have put Rodney into your uncle, but Sophie's coven is the one who caught him first and then her sister cursed him." He left then, letting the door shut quietly.
Jane waited a moment, wiping tears that were spilling down her cheeks.
What if he's right? What if he was telling the truth? They want to hurt my baby.
Jane got her phone out and started to call Kol.
"Will you come get me? I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just want to go please."
"All little love. Tell me where." He could tell she was upset, so he didn't reprimand her.
She told him and then hung up. The witch on the floor moved and she backed away, hurrying for the door.
As she approached the door, it opened, and she screamed.
There was a loud explosion from outside the church and Davina lowered her hands instantly, frowning. Tim was still sitting on the pew counting as Klaus had compelled him too.
"That wasn't me." She said and Klaus frowned too. Still wary of one another, they exited the church to see smoke and fire billowing from down the street. Though where exactly the place was, Klaus couldn't say. He, all at once, became aware that he had no idea where Jane was and tensed.
"Where is it coming from?" The teenage witch asked.
"I'm not sure." He said slowly.
His phone rang and he pressed it to his ear.
"Rebekah."
"Jane is gone."
"What do you mean Jane's gone?" Klaus hissed.
"Kol went to get her when she called him, but when he got there he was ambushed."
"Why wasn't she with him?"
"She went to look at dance studio, Nik. You know how she is. When I got here, I found the front door was smashed in, there's broken mirrors, the backdoor was knocked off, blood and bodies everywhere out back. If she got away, she's out in the bayou. Kol, Dorian, and I are trying to track her now."
"Keep looking. I'm on my way."
Davina looked concerned, "Is Jane okay? I met her tonight. She's really nice."
Klaus shook his head. "I don't know. They can't find her."
"I can help look for her...But I want Tim to go free. You can't hurt him."
He turned to face the witch. "Fair enough. Please tell me that the studio is not what exploded." Klaus growled.
"No. It's near the edge of town." Davina informed him. "In the other direction."
"I like Jane." She added. "She's the nice one."
Klaus' mouth twitched.
"She wants Elijah back and I'll think about your offer. But if you come at me with force, I'll knock you out with my powers." She warned him. "I'm tolerating you because of Jane. And because we have the same enemy in the French Quarter witches."
Klaus hid a smile at her braver and nodded. "You have my word."
Jane smiled.
"There you go." The woman smiled at her and handed the little pictures to her. "You'll need to come back for a checkup every three weeks, okay?" Jane nodded, staring at the little black and white photos. "If my machines were more modern, I could get a better picture."
"Oh, no, these are perfect." The girl said and smiled at the woman. "Thank you so much."
The doctor handed her a bottle of pills. "These are for pain if you need them."
"Thank you."
The door opened and a blonde-haired woman poked her head in the door.
"We're all finished here, Mona." The doctor said to her. "Jane's just fine and so is the baby."
"Oh, good." The woman sighed. "I was so worried about you, dear." The woman came into the room and hugged Jane. "Come. I have some warm soup for you. you must be hungry."
"You didn't have to-"
"Of course, I did." Mona smiled, tucking a quilt around the girl's shoulders. "You're family. And you've been so good to my Dorian." Jane smiled feeling more at ease than she had since arriving in New Orleans.
Dorian turned as Klaus met him in the woods. All around them were dead witches.
"What the bloody hell is going on? Where's Jane?"
"With my aunt." He muttered. "Agnus sent a witch after Jane. She got cornered by Desmond who upset her, and she called Kol, but when he arrived other witches attacked them. She managed to outrun them apparently, and my aunt and I found her. There's a doctor out there we trust that only sees to werewolves. She's checking on Jane right now."
Klaus relaxed and then frowned. "Agnus?" He spat.
"Yes...There's something you should know. When Sabine told Jane the baby's gender...Something odd happened." He told Klaus about the trance-like chanting and then what Jane had told him of Desmond's interpretation of it was before finishing up with what he said about Jane's uncle. Klaus was seething when he was done.
"I'm not sure if he was telling the truth or not, but it upset her either way. So that's when she called Kol."
The Original Hybrid nodded jerkily. "Who did all this? You?"
"Wasn't me. I don't know what's going on. Maybe Jane knows. I found her in the middle of it, exhausted."
"Where is she now?" He asked in a calmer tone.
"This way."
He led him through the trees until they reached a little building. Jane was sitting on the porch finishing up a bowl of soup, a thick hand-made quilt wrapped around her. She had not a scratch on her, but her clothing had holes and rips and spots of dried blood, but no injuries.
He walked swiftly over to them and Jane set her bowl aside, getting up to meet him halfway, the quilt still around her like a cape.
"Klaus." She hugged him and he took her face in his hands.
"Are you all right, my love?"
She nodded, shivering in the night air and he tucked the quilt around her tighter. "Yeah...Are...are they all gone?"
"Yes."
Dorian went up the steps and inside the building. He came back out with two women. One had long dark blonde hair braided down her back. The other was a dark-haired older woman with streaks of near her temple and a doctor's coat.
Mona smiled at Klaus.
"You must be Klaus. I'm so glad to finally meet you." She stated, pulling him and Jane both into a hug. Jane giggled at his expression of bewilderment at being hugged by this woman he didn't know.
"Aunt Mona." Dorian groaned.
"Oh, hush, Dorian. He's Jane's mate that makes him part of the family as well." She said and patted Klaus' cheek. "Don't you worry papa, that precious baby is doing just fine. And so is the mama." Still bewildered by the woman's boldness at approaching an Original, his eyes softened just a fraction as he glanced back down at Jane. She was stifling giggles and he just rolled his eyes at her fondly.
"Thank you, Mona, and you two Dr. Blakey."
The doctor smiled. "Anytime, Jane. You don't want to leave without these." She handed the bottle of pills to Klaus and an envelope to Jane. "Now don't forget to come back in three weeks and let me check on you again."
"I won't." The girl smiled and yawned tiredly, leaning heavily against Klaus. The Hybrid smiled and pressed his lips to her head. Dr. Blakey bid them goodnight and went inside.
A SUV pulled up and out came Kol and Rebekah.
"Oh, Jane, are you all right, sweets!?" The blond demanded, rushing over to pull the girl into a hug.
"I'm fine, Bekah."
"What happened?"
"Angus sent other witches attacked me. They wouldn't tell me why." She murmured and Klaus frowned.
"They were supposed to protect you." He snarled.
"One of them shot me with an arrow."
He stiffened.
"Where, sweetheart? Why didn't you say anything before?"
"It was here." She pointed at her chest where a hole in her shirt was. Sure enough, there was blood on the clothing, but not on her skin.
"It's completely healed." He murmured, stroking the spot gently with his fingers. "How?"
"I-I don't know."
"Jane, do you remember seeing anyone?" Dorian asked.
"Just a wolf. The same one that was near the pool a few nights ago."
At that moment a wolf howled in the distance. Jane turned towards the sound with curiosity.
Klaus exchanged looks with his siblings before looking back at Jane. Dorian was looking out at the woods as well, tilting his head.
Mona smiled. "You have many friends who want to keep you safe, Jane. All of us want that."
Jane smiled back.
"Can we go home? I'm tired." She took a step and almost fell out of exhaustion. "Oops." Klaus scooped her up in his arms.
"I've got you, my love. I've got you."
"Do you want your quilt."
"No, that's for you. It's yours. I'm making one for your baby now, but that one is yours. I made that one when you were born."
"Thank you." Jane said in awe, looking at the patterns.
"I'll take my aunt home and I'll meet you back at the house." Dorian told Klaus and the Original Hybrid nodded.
Jane sighed, burying her face into Klaus' jacket.
Kol stepped forward. "Nik-"
"Let's go home, little brother." Klaus said over him and Rebekah smiled.
Marcel stepped over the ruined bricks, frowning at the destruction. Someone had bombed near the Garden, where he punished anyone who dared to break a rule, not near enough to do a lot of damage but enough.
One of his vampires came running up to him. "Most of them are still down there, but a few got out."
"Who?" He asked, his eyes scanning the bricked-up walls. Then he noticed that one was torn down. "Thierry."
"And a few others."
"No, he wouldn't just leave. He knows that if I catch him...I'll have to kill him."
Diego shook his head. "He wouldn't duck out like that."
"Marcel..."
They looked around and found Thierry sitting against one of the brick walls, badly injured and half desiccated from lack of blood.
"T... I knew you wouldn't take off. Not like this." Marcel knelt in front of him.
Thierry groaned and wiped at the sweat on his face. "He tried to convince me...I didn't want to leave you...I'm still loyal."
"Who did?" He asked and Thierry coughed from the dust and smoke in the air. Diego helped the vampire to his feet.
"One of Desmond's coven." He coughed.
Marcel frowned. "Damn. Guess we know who set off the bomb then. I think it's time we did something about his coven."
Jane handed something to Klaus.
"Here."
He took the paper from her and looked down at it.
"It's our baby. See? She's sucking her thumb."
Klaus ran his thumb over the baby image in awe. Jane sighed.
"What's wrong, love?"
"I don't know what to do, Klaus. I know I shouldn't have left Kol, but I wanted to see it. Why do bad things happen to me? Are they going to happen to our baby too?"
He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. "No, my love. No. It's all right." He sighed.
"Why would they want to hurt her? I'm so scared. I can't protect her from a witch much less a whole coven." She buried her face into Klaus neck with a shuddering sigh and he rubbed her back gently.
"Don't you worry, my love. Nothing is going to happen to our child. Davina has taken a liking to you. I believe that with time she'll come to our side."
"You didn't hurt her, or anything did you?" She glanced up at him.
Klaus pouted. "No. I'll admit the plan was to coerce her, but that failed. I gave her my word."
Jane kissed his cheek. "So, does that mean that we get Elijah back?"
"He told Rebekah that he's going to stay with Davina awhile. I assume to further persuade he to our side."
"He spoke to her?"
"Davina pulled the dagger out, love. While he didn't possess the strength to get up, he did speak to her though a shared memory."
"Oh, but he's okay? She didn't hurt him?"
Klaus shook his head. "No. Elijah's fine. Soon he'll be home."
He glanced down at the picture again. "I'm going to make sure that no harm comes to either of you. The sooner you're unlinked to Sophie Devereaux the better."
"They did it to him. They cursed him and held him down. They let that other coven put Rodney in. That's why he died when I said Jane-Anne's name. she's the one who cursed him."
Klaus cradled her against him. "And they'll pay for it, my love."
"And are you sure that this plan of yours will work? That we will Jane Evans in the end."
Desmond smiled, raising the glass of wine to his lips. "Oh, yes. It's all coming into place. Thanks to my new friend, Mr. Thierry Vanchure. They'll be put in their place. The Originals, Marcel Gerard, the entire French Quarter. Then Jane will be ours."
"And the baby?"
"Is not our concern. I want the girl."
Jane started to frown in her sleep on the verge of having a nightmare, when a soft voice began to sing:
Upon one summer's morning,
I carefully did stray
Down by the Walls of Wapping
Where I met a sailor gay
A shadow went across the sleeping couple. Klaus was about to wake up because of Jane's movements, but the voice started again. A hand rested on his arm.
Conversing with a young lass
Who seemed to be in pain
Saying, William, when you go
I fear you'll ne'er return again
His frown disappeared and his breathing deepened, the voice lulling him back to sleep. Jane stopped wiggling and her frown lessened as well. When Klaus was deeply asleep, a figure climbed close to Jane, looking down at her curiously. It was a woman with long black hair and a secret smile. Stroking the girl's face with the back of her fingers, the woman smiled.
"Hello, little one. How long have you been here?" She asked her and then took her wrist turning it slightly to examine the tattoo there. "You're so young. You couldn't possibly be past your human years." Jane's tattoo matched her own. The woman lowered the girl's arm and then moved up closer to her, gently tugging the nightdress sleeve aside so she could see the tattoo on her back. She saw the Hybrid mark and smiled. "Ah, claimed by the strong one. So, then you must bear his child." Jane stirred at her voice and her touch. "We shall meet again, youngling." Very softly she crooned, putting the girl back to sleep.
My heart's been pierced by Cupid
I distain all glittering gold
There is nothing can console me
But my jolly sailor bold
Once Jane was deeply asleep as well, she got up and walked back towards the door, disappearing into the night.
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