Chapter 33

Previously: Freya said, "I found a way to bring back our father and brother. This sword was the last thing I needed."

Kol's jaw dropped. In a thousand years, he never expected her to say that.

A hundred thoughts went through Kol's head all at once but there was one that screamed the loudest. "You cannot bring those psychopaths back to life," he stated harshly.

"They are our family," Freya defended.

"They are monsters," Kol yelled. "Mikael tormented this family for centuries. Finn tried to kill us more than once. If you bring them back, they will end this family."

Freya stared down at the box containing Mikael's sword. All of her memories of her father were loving and wholesome. She couldn't believe that he had become the monster everyone tried to paint him as.

"They will listen to me," Freya insisted. "They wouldn't do anything to hurt me, that includes hurting my family."

"You don't know them like we do. Mikael has never been a loving father to any of us, not as children, not as vampires. And Finn has spent a thousand years hating us. That's not going to change just because he has his favorite sister back."

"You don't know that. They deserve a second chance. If Marcel could get one after what he did, why can't they?"

"Finn. Killed. Me." Kol yelled, not knowing how to state his reservations any clearer. "He put a curse on me, ME, his little brother and I died, Freya."

"The only difference between Finn's attempt to kill you and Marcel's is that Finn succeeded and not from lack of effort on Marcel's part. Why should he be granted a second chance and not Finn."

"No," Kol barked, going frustrated with arguing over bringing back the man who hunted his family for a millennium and the brother who killed him. "I am putting my foot down. You cannot bring them back to life."

Freya shook her head in disappointment. She knew she shouldn't have told him. Her plan was to just bring Mikael and Finn back to life and keep them hidden away for a while until she could convince her siblings that they weren't so bad. Now that Kol knew, that would add an extra facet to her plan that she wasn't quite ready to deal with.

With a sigh, she said, "I'm sorry, Kol, but there's really nothing you can do to stop me."

"Oh, yeah," Kol sped over to the wooden box and swiped it away from Freya before she could stop him. With a satisfied smirk, he said, "You need this to bring 'em back, right? Well, now it's mine."

Unbothered by her brother's scheme, Freya lifted her hand and flicked her fingers towards her. The box shot out of Kol's unsuspecting grip, back onto the table beside her. When Kol ran to grab it again, she used her magic to throw him backward onto the sofa. Determined, Kol got up and went for the box from the other direction but just as easily as the last time, Freya flicked her wrist and he went flying into the air, landing safely on the sofa.

"Dammit, Freya," he screamed, jumping to his feet. He thought about going for the box again but Freya was quick with her magic, quicker than any witch he'd ever gone against, and he knew he'd just end up sitting back on the sofa. "I've had it. I'm done with these games. If you try to bring them back I...I'm going to...I'll tell Nik and Elijah."

"You promised," Freya bit.

"That was before I knew you'd gone batshit."

Kol waited for Freya to promise that she wasn't going to bring Finn and Mikael back but she never did. Deciding to be true to his word, he started marching to the door, prepared to tell the first brother he saw about their sister's insane plan.

As he reached for the doorknob, Freya blurted out, "What if I said I could bring Davina back too?"

Kol paused. Turning slowly to Freya, he muttered, "What are you talking about?"

"The spell I'm using to bring father and Finn back requires an item of sentimentality of the person and a few drops of their blood. If you could get those things of Davina's too, I could bring her back when I bring them back."

"And where am I supposed to get her blood," he grunted. Then, remembering that Finn and Mikael have been dead just as long as Davina, he asked, "How did you get Mikael and Finn's blood?"

Freya smirked. "I've always had it. The blood of a close relative works just as well. My blood plus father's sword and the locket I trapped Finn's soul in before will work to complete the spell."

"Well, bully for them," Kol mocked. "You're going to use your own blood to bring them back. Too bad for Davina her mother's dead and she didn't have any siblings."

"What about her father?"

Kol thought back to what Davina had told him about her dad. "She never met him. He left before she was born."

"Well, did she have a name or address or something?"

"I-I don't know. We never really talked about him."

Freya took a second to think of how to find Davina's father. "We could use a locator spell but for that we need something he owns which is hard since we don't know anything about him. But...you know who might know something about her dad..."

Kol saw the glint in Freya's eyes and knew exactly who she was talking about. "Marcel," he asked.

"Why not? He is the only father she'd ever had. You don't think she ever mentioned her biological father to him maybe once or twice."

"Maybe but...he would never be okay with this, not if you're bringing Mikael and Finn back too. He'd never betray Klaus like that."

"It's not an act of betrayal," Freya said, cautiously walking over to Kol. She placed her hands softly on the sides of his face, lovingly caressing his cheeks with her thumbs. "I am going to reunite our family. It was Esther who made them evil. Now that she's gone for good, we can all be together as one big happy family. Our father, our brothers, our sister, Marcel, Hayley, Hope, and Davina."

Kol stared down at the floor, still unsure. It wasn't Esther's boot that left its mark on his ribcage so many times as a child. But his love for Davina was overwhelmingly more potent than his hatred for his father.

"I'll talk to him," Kol muttered. "But I make no promises. As much as he loves Davina I'm sure he would rather find another way to bring her back than do something like this behind Klaus's back."

"He would if you don't tell him I plan to bring back our brother and father."

Kol nodded. That was the best way to go. If he told Marcel they found a way to bring Davina back, no strings attached, he would jump at the opportunity. But he knew if Marcel found out Kol used him in a plan that brought Finn and Mikael back, any chance of them ever reconciling would be destroyed forever and he would also lose the fragile thread of trust he had with Klaus. He was conflicted.

-M-

Marcel was still wiping tears away from his emotionally vulnerable moment with his father as he entered his bedroom. When he batted his eyes open to see Rebekah half asleep in his bed, he couldn't help but smile. He had hoped to find her in there.

"You're back," Rebekah said drowsily. "What took so long?"

"I had a little conversation with Klaus after...y'know."

"Oh really? What about?"

As Marcel got undressed, he recounted his conversation with Klaus to Rebekah. He finished just as he came out of his closet from putting his clothes in the hamper.

"I can't believe you told him you told them you wanted to be spanked," Rebekah said staring wide-eyed at him.

"That's not what I said," Marcel chuckled. "I said that when they stopped punishing me, I started feeling less and less like a Mikaelson."

"And feeling like a Mikaelson is your goal?"

"Right."

"Then you were asking to be spanked."

Marcel jumped into bed, straddling Rebekah on all fours, and gave her a deep, hot kiss. Pulling away from her, he said, "Let's agree to disagree."

"That's what the loser says to get out of the argument," she grinned.

"Oh, I'm a loser, huh," he said as he began placing delicate kisses down her collarbone to the thin strap of her nightgown.

"What are you doing," she moaned softly.

Marcel's lips moved down the curve of her breast. "What does it look like I'm doing?"

Rebekah carefully pushed Marcel's boxers down over his bottom, a dull heat still radiating from his cheeks.

A sudden knock on the door paused them both.

"Marcel," Hope called softly through the door as she twisted the doorknob only to find it locked.

Marcel's head fell disappointedly on Rebekah's chest. "I thought she'd be asleep by now."

"Ignore her," said Rebekah. "Maybe she'll go away."

"Marcel," Hope called again. She knew he was inside but she didn't want to call his name too loud and risk waking someone else up. "Marcel, open the door. Please,"

"She's not going away," Marcel said with a resigned sigh. He pulled his boxers up and got out of bed.

"What are you doing," Rebekah whispered harshly, fixing her nightgown and climbing out of bed behind him.

"I'm opening the door."

"She can't see us like this."

"Why not?"

"Because." Rebekah's whispers grew harsher. "I don't want my niece to see me in a compromisable position with her brother, that's why."

"She sees her mother together every day with her Uncle. I think she can handle this."

Before Rebekah could protest anymore, Marcel opened the door to Hope standing in the doorway in a fresh set of pink footy pajamas.

"Aunty Bex," Hope said with a ting of confusion. "What are you doing here?"

Marcel couldn't help but be a bit entertained as Rebekah struggled for an answered. "Um, well...Marcel and I were just...um, well...enough about me. Hope, what are you doing out of bed?"

"I couldn't sleep." Hope walked right into the room without further invitation. She climbed onto Marcel's bed, being careful to not put too much pressure on her still smarting behind.

Seeing the pout on Hope's face along with her drooping eyelids, Marcel knew exactly what she needed. He lifted her from the bed in his arms, her light body falling into his hold almost instantly, and began walking around the room, softly humming to her. In no time at all the girl was asleep.

"Well, who would've guessed that you were the 'teenage girl' whisperer," Rebekah beamed.

"She gets the way after a spanking sometimes," Marcel said. "She still won't go to sleep without being tucked in but if she's too mad at Hayley or Klaus for spanking her she won't let them do it so she ends up coming to me."

Rebekah couldn't help but be mesmerized by Hope's innocence. She had always wished for a child of her own and even though she couldn't have one, Hope had always been good enough. Seeing Marcel so naturally care for Hope, however, made her wish again that she could have children for him to father.

Watching Rebekah lavishing her sleeping niece with attention, Marcel knew the time for their romantic escapades had passed.

"Thanks a lot, Klaus," he murmured indignantly.

"What's that," Rebekah asked, still a bit enchanted by Hope.

"Thanks to Klaus and Hayley being so rough on her, she needed me to go to sleep which is why my night is ending with me holding her instead of you."

"Oh, love," Rebekah smiled, running a finger down his taut jawbone. "You have no one to blame but yourself. If you hadn't decided to go running after the vampires tonight, none of this would've happened."

"Yeah, well, if Klaus had woken up when I tried to wake him he could've gone with me and none of this would've happened." Marcel laid Hope down in his bed as he ranted, "I mean, since when does he have nightmares so bad that he can't be woken up?"

Rebekah looked guiltily away from him. A few months ago she walked in on Klaus and Elijah talking about one of Klaus's nightmares. She badgered them for the truth until finally, they told her but Klaus made her promise not to mention anything to Marcel. He had only just agreed to let Marcel come back home and he told her he was afraid that if Marcel knew when he was most vulnerable, he'd use it to his advantage.

Since Marcel now knew about Klaus's vulnerability, Rebekah thought it was finally time to share with him why Klaus's nightmares were so bad.

"Marcel," she whispered lowly. "There's...something you should know."

The concern in Rebekah's voice worried Marcel but he stayed calm while she spoke.

"Klaus's nightmares are not natural, nor are they from some curse. Klaus...is still feeling the effects of Tunde's blade."

"W-what?" he asked confused. "What do you mean he's still feeling the effects. Tunde's blade has never left after-effects before."

"Tunde's blade has never been left in someone for twelve years straight before."

Those words hit Marcel so hard he had to sit down. Discombobulated by the news, he could barely speak a clear sentence. "H-how long...when did...wh-why didn't he...why didn't anyone...I..."

Rebekah sat down beside him, softly caressing his arm. "He asked me not to tell you but since you already knew about the nightmares, I thought maybe you should know how they started. I'm sorry."

He stood up suddenly. "I need to talk to him."

Rebekah didn't stop him as he hurried out the door. Even if Klaus was mad that she told him, she felt it was time Marcel knew.

Marcel ran to Klaus's room to find it empty. He searched the parlor, Klaus's studio, every room he thought Klaus would be in but again he found no one. As he was hurrying to check the drawing room, he heard talking coming from the kitchen.

He found Klaus sitting on a stool at the kitchen counter with Elijah, both sipping on a cup of coffee.

"Marcel," Klaus said surprised by Marcel's sudden appearance. He was so focused on his conversation with Elijah that he didn't hear Marcel coming. Attempting to push down the emotions reporting his latest dream brought up, Klaus said, "What are you doing?"

"I need to talk to you," Marcel answered. "Alone."

Elijah looked to Klaus for confirmation that he was alright before he stood up. "I'll be in the parlor," he said to Klaus on his way out. "Find me when you're done."

Klaus nodded and waited until his brother was out of the room before saying, "What's wrong, son?"

"Why didn't you tell me about the nightmares?"

Klaus stood up and started walking around, turning his back on Marcel so his face wouldn't give anything away as he lied. "I'm a thousand years old and I still have nightmares, is that so hard to believe," Klaus said trying to sound casual. "You didn't think people just grew out of having nightmares, did you? I can assure you, Marcellus, the older you get, the worse they become."

"You know what I mean," Marcel slammed his hands down on the counter in anger of Klaus patronizing him. "I'm talking about the nightmares that you can't wake up from. The nightmares caused by Tunde's blade. Why didn't you tell me about those nightmares?"

Niklaus paused in his stroll. "Who told you," he mumbled, still refusing to look at Marcel.

Demanding Klaus look him in the eyes as they spoke, Marcel walked around the counter and stood directly in front of him. "Rebekah," he answered. "How long has this gone on?"

"Since the first night I woke," Klaus admitted gravely. "But Freya's been working on a sleeping draught that should help. The first two were unsuccessful but...third time's the charm." Klaus didn't even sound confident in the third draught to himself.

"Freya knows," Marcel bellowed. "Does everyone know but me?"

"I didn't want you to know."

"Why not? Why didn't you tell me? I should've been the first to know!" Marcel's voice cracked suddenly. Ignoring his cracking voice, he said quieter, "I did this to you. I should've been the first to know."

"I was trying to protect you. There is nothing you can do to stop them so you shouldn't have to feel this way for something you can't help. What's done is done."

"I shouldn't have to feel this way? I-I put you through unmentionable torture for 12 years. You, my family, my...my father. I did that. And even now you can't escape it."

Marcel tried to fight back his tears. His heart was breaking but he didn't feel like he deserved to cry, not when Klaus was the one suffering.

Klaus could see the strain to fight the tears on Marcel's face. He pulled him into his arms without a second thought.

"Let' me go," Marcel muttered as he pushed against Klaus's chest but Klaus didn't relent his hold no matter how much Marcel fought. "Stop treating me like a child. I should be...I should be doing something. It's my fault. I need to do something."

"Hush now, Marcellus," Klaus cooed. "There's nothing you can do. It just has to run it's course now. I'm okay."

Marcel passionately shook his head 'no' as he lost the fight to the tears.

Maybe there wasn't a way for him to fix it, but there was a way for him to make things even.

"You have to dagger me," Marcel said softly. Klaus didn't want to believe he heard him correctly until Marcel said, "It's the only way to make things right. You-you have to put Tunde's blade in me for 12 years."

"Don't be stupid," Klaus bit angrily. "I won't even entertain the thought of submitting you to that sort of torture."

Marcel cringed. He'd done something Klaus couldn't even think about doing.

"Fine," Marcel pushed against Klaus once more, this time with more force until Klaus finally let him go. "Then I'll put it in myself."

As Marcel tried to walk away, Klaus wrapped his arm tightly around his upper arm, keeping him in place. "I'll thrash you before I let you anywhere near that dagger."

"It's the only way-"

"To make you suffer the same fate as me? To what end? In the first year, I forgot about everything that made me human; love, joy, hope, everything had left me but an undying thirst for vengeance. That blade made me want to do nothing more than kill every vampire I ever sired, including you, and it was the thought of getting revenge on the ones who put me in there that kept me sane. You don't have the black heart I went in there with so that dagger will tear you apart and leave nothing behind. You wouldn't survive one year, let alone twelve."

Marcel's tears came heavier and this time he didn't fight against it when Klaus hugged him.

"I'm sorry, Klaus," he mumbled. "I'm so sorry,"

"It's alright, Marcellus. I'm okay. Everything's going to be alright."

Marcel didn't believe him. He saw the pain on Klaus's face earlier that night. That nightmare was horrible to watch from the outside, he could only imagine what was happening inside.

Klaus held Marcel until his crying subsided and then he walked with him back upstairs to his room. When he opened the door to Marcel's bedroom, he was surprised to see Rebekah lying in Marcel's bed, her arms wrapped tightly around Hope, both of the fast asleep.

Klaus smiled at the sight. Rebekah still had her baby-soft features from being but a teenager when they were transformed into vampires so the two sleeping girls looked more like sisters than aunt and niece. He almost hated having to pull Hope from her hold and putting an end to the cuddling.

"I'll put her to bed," Klaus said, cradling Hope in his arms. "You try to get some rest."

Marcel nodded but as Klaus left and he crawled into bed staring up at the ceiling, he didn't think he could go to sleep. How could he sleep when he knew Klaus couldn't.

"Marcel," Klaus's sudden voice in his doorway made him jump. He was lost in thought when the man snuck back into the room. "You're supposed to be going to sleep."

Marcel laid back in bed and said, "I'll sleep when you can sleep in peace."

"Marcellus, you have to stop beating yourself up about this. I've already forgiven you."

"But you shouldn't have. Not if you're still suffering."

Klaus sat on the bed beside Marcel and sighed. "This is why I didn't want them telling you. I didn't want you to feel this way."

"They should've told me sooner. You should've told me."

"A loving father would never want to put his child through pain that could be avoided."

"I'm not a child, Klaus."

"I know, I know," Klaus chuckled lightly. "You're two hundred years old, far from a child. But my father was so horrible to me for so long, I promised myself the day I became your poppa that I would protect you from anything for as long as I live. And I mean to keep that promise, Marcel, even if it's against your own stubborness." As Klaus stood and walked to the door, he said, "Go to sleep, my son. Or I shall resort to my sister's magic to help you get there."

Marcel glared angrily at Klaus but Klaus didn't seem to mind it.

"Good night, Marcellus," he said, closing the door behind him.

-M-

The day of Hope's birthday couldn't have made it soon enough. As promised, Elijah rented out the biggest studio in New Orleans and all of Hope's art was proudly displayed for all the public to see. Klaus had a three-tiered strawberry-vanilla cake made special for the occasion. 'Hope Mikaelson' was written in pink frosting on the bottom layer and a tiny, fondant statue of Hope painting the number '14' on an edible canvas and easel was sitting on the top layer. Two pink candles were on the front of the second tier and fourteen sparklers went around the tier waiting to be lit right before it was time for Hope to blow out the candles. The Mikaelsons had even gone as far as to have a giant strawberry sundae made. It sat next to the gift table between the cake and the chocolate fountain.

Hope walked around the studio excitedly showing all of her friends her artwork while her family stood around in strategic places all around the studio supervising the party.

Elijah found Klaus at the punch bowl refilling his cup. When Klaus saw the indignant mug on her brother's face, he had a feeling on what he was upset about.

"Why is the food here," Elijah growled. "I thought we agreed to have the food delivered to the Compound and end the party there. There shouldn't be food here. There is no food allowed in art galleries."

"Calm down, Elijah," Klaus chuckled. "Hope wanted the food here and what the birthday girl wants, the birthday girl gets."

Elijah glared at the line of tables on the far wall covered in a motley of different foods all in accordance with Hope's wish list. "Children," he growled. "They have no class."

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll inculcate your predilection for sophistication in her eventually."

"Not soon enough."

Elijah saw a boy with a handful of potato chips reaching out to touch one of Hope's paintings but just as his grubby little hand was about to make contact, Elijah appeared beside him, grabbing the boy's hand.

"The artwork is priceless," he growled. "Please, do not touch."

"S-sorry, mister," the boy said, slightly frightened by Hope's uncle. Being a part of the witch community of New Orleans, as most of the kids at the party were, the boy knew all about the Mikaelsons and he knew not to get on their bad side.

Just then Hope and Sebastian came to the boy's side. Hope was staring daggers at Elijah and Elijah had to still himself from hurting the boy. He was just a child after all. When Elijah let him go, the terrified teen ran off into the crowd of kids.

"Hope," Elijah leaned down and kissed the girl's forehead. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."

Hope wore a lovely pink maxi dress that cost almost as much as what Elijah spent on renting the studio. The jewelry she wore was just as expensive. Her parents wasted no expense in making sure the first birthday the girl spent with her family was one to be remembered. Sebastian stood beside her with a wide smile in his lush pink tuxedo that matched Hope's dress.

"Thank you, Uncle Elijah. But could you please try not to scare my friends on my birthday."

Elijah smirked. "Sorry, sweetie," he said although he wasn't the least bit sorry. "Are you enjoying the party?"

"I absolutely love it," Hope said giddily throwing her body into Elijah, giving him a warm hug. "Thank you so much."

Placing one hand on her soft hair and one around her shoulders, Elijah hugged Hope back. Although he knew the girl loved him, she didn't always show him as much affection as she showed Klaus so he made sure to soak in the moments she did.

"Elijah," Sebastian started as Hope and Elijah pulled apart. "Love the party, it's totes Bosch, one-hundred, heart emoji, seriously. But uh...no shade, the rotation is so circa 1698s. Gag. Can you get them to play a bop? Maybe Lydenwood or some throwback Carrie?"

Elijah stood silent. He understood less than half of what the boy was trying to say. He wasn't sure if he should be offended but he definitely was.

"He wants to know if you can get them to change the music," Hope clarified, amused by the look of confusion on her uncle's face.

Sebastian smiled innocently. "That's what I said."

Hope smiled at the annoyed look on Elijah's face. "Take it easy on my Uncle, okay. He's been asleep for twelve years. He still needs to catch up on today's slang."

"That was slang?" Elijah questioned. "I'm not even sure you were speaking English. Or any language, really. I'm fluent in several."

"Sorry," Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Could you please get the DJ to play something from this century?"

Elijah was a bit irritated by the boy's attitude but since it was Hope's birthday, and he was her best friend, he let it slide.

As Elijah left to speak with the DJ, Hope smacked Sebastian's arm.

"Oww, what was that for?"

"Lose the attitude. It's my birthday."

"Fine," he groaned. "Guess I'll go back to being myself tomorrow."

Sebastian glanced across the room and his eyes immediately landed on a tomboy in blue jeans and a button-up shirt. She wore red suspenders that matched her red bow tie and had her dark black hair tied back in a ponytail.

"Ommfg," Sebastian exclaimed. "You won't believe who just walked in. Three hints, they're in the ninth grade, a magical prodigy, and probably definitely maybe crushing on you." Before Hope had a chance to answer, he blurted out, "It's Izzy,"

Sebastian saw all of the excitement rise to Hope's face immediately.

"Girl, calm down," he quickly chastised her. "Don't come off as needy. You're the Queen B of this hive. Take three deep breaths." He counted each of her breaths aloud and by the end of the third one, she was calm. "Okay, remember that you are a strong, independent woman and anyone would be lucky to have you. Now go say hi and remember, today is your day. She should be grateful you invited her."

Klaus and Kol watched from across the room as Hope made her way over to the strange new girl.

"Uh-oh," Kol said jokingly as he watched the tension rise in his brother. "Looks like our little Hope is making a move on someone."

Aggravated by Kol teasing, Klaus decided he needed to know more about the kid his daughter was talking to. Making eye contact with Sebastian, he nodded for the boy to come to him.

Sebastian was more afraid of Klaus than he was of any other Mikaelson and he wasn't sure what the Hybrid wanted when he nodded him over but he made sure to get there as quickly as possible.

"Who is Hope talking to?" Klaus couldn't hide the contempt in his voice as he asked.

"Oh, that's Izzy. She just moved back here a few months ago."

"Moved back? Where did she move to?"

"Um," Sebastian knew Klaus wouldn't like to hear the next part but his fear of the man made him say, "She did a stint upstate for, uh...beaming a girl with a Louie during a brawl on the diamond."

Klaus's face went blank at the boy's explanation. Realizing his brother didn't understand the kid's slang, Kol translated, "She did time in juvenile for hitting a girl with a bat during a brawl on the baseball field." Kol was a bit amazed that he could translate that himself. All the time he was spending with Josh was really paying off.

"Yeah," Sebastian nodded. "That's what I said."

Already Klaus didn't like Hope being friends with Izzy but because her family was no better, he felt he didn't have the right to judge.

Noticing the height difference between Hope and Izzy, Klaus asked, "Just how old is she?"

"Uh...I'm not sure. She's in the ninth grade now but I know she was held back at least once. Some kids say three times but I think that's just an urban legend."

Klaus had one more question and the answer to it would decide how he proceeded from there. "Sebastian," Klaus stared into the boy's eyes and began compelling him to make sure he got the truth out of him. "Does Hope like this girl?"

"Yes sir but we don't really know how Izzy feels about her. She kind of hard to read."

"Alright," Klaus pulled away from Sebastian's eyes. "Thanks, Sebastian. You've been very helpful. Run along now."

Sebastian raced out of Klaus's sight as soon as he was given the okay.

"Klaus, calm down," Kol pleaded of his brother. "It's Hope's big day. Don't ruin it for her by...being you."

"I'm calm, Kol," Klaus reassured. "I'm not going to ruin Hope's party. What do I have to be worked up about? They're just having a conversation. Am I supposed to be angry that my daughter is just having a conversation with a violent witch who could be three years older than her? I mean, what would a seventeen-year-old want with my little girl anyway? Hope just turned fourteen today which practically makes her still thirteen and that's only a year away from being twelve which basically makes her a baby and this Izzy girl is, what, seventeen? Supposedly, of course? But that's one year off from eighteen. Maybe sooner, we don't know that girl's birthday. Why would an 18-year-old be talking to my baby? What could they possibly have in common? Hope is just a little girl and that Izzy woman is up to no good. She's probably plotting on how to take my sweet little Hope's innocence as we speak. She's planning to make my daughter fall in love with her just to break her heart. She's going to leave her coked up in the bathroom of some house party wondering why the girl she'd given her everything to is all of a sudden bored with her."

Giggles force their way out of Kol. He couldn't believe how far Klaus had taken things. He knew essentially nothing about Izzy but he had already figured out her entire relationship with Hope.

"Nik, you're being paranoid. They're just talking."

"Yeah," Klaus mumbled. "Of course. You're right."

Kol was shocked that Klaus would admit that he was right but then the distant look in his brother's eyes. He wasn't even listening to Kol anymore. He had focused his hearing on listening to Hope and Izzy's conversation.

Rolling his eyes at Klaus's stubbornness, Kol decided to go find Marcel. He had been trying to ask him about Davina's father all week but it seemed like every time he found some time to speak to him, Klaus was there.

On his search for Marcel at the party, he ran into Freya who seemed uncharacteristically nonchalant by his presence. She had been urging him all week to ask Marcel about Davina's father so she could get on with bringing back Finn and Mikael but now she didn't seem to care at all.

"Sister," Kol greeted. Freya smiled warmly at him. "You're in a chipper mood today. Someone finally take my advice and get find someone to...take the tension off of ya?"

"As if I'd ever tell you," she continued to smile. "I'm just happy. My niece is turning fourteen, what's not to be happy about?"

Kol wanted to believe that was all there was to Freya's happiness but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more.

"On another note," Freya started. "Have you gotten around to talking to Marcel yet?"

"Not yet. I haven't been able to find any time alone with him."

"Hm," Freya took a sip from her punch. "That figures. Y'know, I'm starting to feel like you aren't as invested in bringing Davina back as I am. Why's that? Is it because you know that once you finally do what you have to do to bring her back you'll be signing over your consent to bring Finn and Mikael back as well?"

"Maybe," Kol growled lowly, nervous about Freya speaking so openly about such sensitive matters while their siblings were roaming around. "Can you blame me? You're making me weigh my love for Davina against my hatred of them."

"Then what if I said I'm taking that stipulation off the table? I'll bring Davina back without bringing them back too."

"A-are you serious," he asked in disbelief, his heart fluttering with joy. "Why...why would you do that?"

"Because I love you, little brother," Freya smiled. "I want to see you happy and if bringing Davina back will make you happy then, as your big sister I should do it without holding something over your head."

Kol hugged Freya as tight as he could without breaking her bones.

"Whoa," she laughed. "Don't forget I'm not an immortal vampire."

"Thank you, sister," Kol said as he set her back down on her feet. "You don't' know how much this means to me. You're doing the right thing by leaving those other two dead. They're nothing but trouble."

"Oh, but, I didn't leave them dead," Freya said bluntly. "They've been alive for two days now."

In that instant, Kol hoped that he was dreaming but as the seconds of silence lingered he knew that he was awake.

"Wh-what do you mean...they're alive," he demanded.

"I knew that you were holding back on bringing Davina back because you didn't want me to bring Mikael and Finn back too so I made it easier for you. I brought them back first so now you can bring Davina back guilt free."

"Have you lost your mind," Kol wanted to yell but he didn't want to draw any attention to them. "They will try to kill us all. Where are they now?"

Freya rolled her eyes at her brother's obstinacy. "They're enjoying beignets in a shop in Algiers, where I left them. I told you, you were wrong. They've been alive two days and they haven't made a move against this family yet. They want us to be together as much as I do."

"You are a fool, Freya," Kol bit. "They will end this family and it will be all on your hands." Kol stamp away from his sister. He wasn't sure where he was going but he knew he had to get away from her before he did something he may regret. He spotted Elijah taking a handkerchief to a smudge on the frame of one of Hope's portraits and knew he had to finally do the right thing.