In the past month I've helped Hayley prepare for the Crescent Curse to be broken and spent as much time as I could with Nik before I was forced on my back for god knows how long after the delivery. Last month of pregnancy was the worst. Especially knowing I was bringing this little life into the world with no protection against those who would use her against my family. Of course they've done the same with me, didn't they? I sat in the park looking up at Nik as he painted and wondered, not for the first time, if I was more of a burden to him and Elijah than they let on. We were joined by Genevieve who was trying to get into Nik's pants which I was a permanent cock block for. The night before last Hayley and I finally broke the curse on her family and I was going back there this morning after grabbing a small bite to eat with Nikolas so he could spend time with both halves of his family.

"They say the passage of time will heal all wounds. But, the greater the loss, the deeper the cut, and the more difficult the process to become whole again. The pain may fade, but scars serve as a reminder of our suffering, and make the bearer all the more resolved never to be wounded again. So, as time moves along, we get lost in distractions. Act out in frustration. React with aggression. Give in to anger. And, all the while, we plot and plan as we wait to grow stronger, and before we know it, the time passes. We are healed. Ready to begin anew." Nik told me as he got dressed one morning.

"You talk as though all our demons are behind us." I said.

"Our demons are dead, or chased off." He told me.

"Yes, apart from the one lingering monster with whom is trying to share your bed." Elijah said joining us and making me hold the blankets closer to myself.

"Genevieve won't be a problem." I told him with a small smile.

"You do recall that woman tortured our sister?"

"She also revealed the truth about our sister's treachery." Nik added.

"And as a consequence, Rebekah is gone forever." Elijah reminded him.

"A desire which she apparently harbored for quite some time!" Nik shrugged.

"Niklaus, it has been a month. Now, I feel our sister's loss as deeply as you. But, you must stop distracting yourself with this ridiculous behavior and channel it into some kind of action." Elijah insisted.

"Why must I, exactly?" Nik asked going back to his artwork.

"Because over the course of Marcel's tenure, the city grew accustomed to having a king. You wanted this throne. Now, you must accept the responsibility that accompanies that." Elijah told him.

"Apologies, but I'm rather ensconced in other pursuits." Nik told him and Elijah snatched the paintbrush from him.

"If you can so easily neglect your home, I wonder what will become of your children. Have you forgotten what it was like to live beneath the threat of violence? We must work together, Niklaus. Let's make this city whole again." Elijah almost begged him.

"Perhaps it is too broken to mend." Nik said taking the brush back and returning to his work.

"If you won't do anything, I will." Elijah told him before leaving the room. Nik turned and watched him leave before I got up and put some clothes on.

"I'm headed out to the Bayou with Nikolas." I told Nik smiling. "I'll see you later." We shared a small kiss before I took our son and left to compound.


In the Bayou I walked with Nikolas to where the Crescents were gathered to see Oliver and another wolf sparing and wrestling.

"Shouldn't you be out there playing Fight Club with the rest of the frat boys?" I heard Hayley ask.

"Nah. That's just for pecking order. They already know who's the Alpha." Jackson told her smiling which she returned.

"I don't I have to end up doing that." I said joking with them.

"Hey big guy!" Hayley said with a smile on her face before picking up Nikolas. "What have you been up to?" he just smiled big at her before turning to the fighting watching them with interest.

"You and Hayley are different from the others." Jackson told me. "You're werewolf and vampire royalty." He said as we went inside the house that was close by.

"Ohh! Next up!" one of the wolves called out and the next fight began. We joined the other Crescent wolves setting up the table for dinner.

"You gotta try Tucker's ribs." Jackson told us with a large smile on his face.

"Then, what? Then we're gonna go play horseshoes?" Hayley asked him sarcastically.

"Hey!" Jackson laughed. "Don't mock country living, darlin'."

"Sorry. This is just a lot more family fun than I'm used to." She admitted.

"Well, maybe I can help you get used to it." He told her and I gave her a smile while raising my eyebrows. "Both of you."

"Well as it is I have to half my time between my two families." I told him with a small smile.

"That's the thing, isn't it?" Oliver asked joining us. "All we got to do is just forget that they spent half their lives with humans, and the other half with vampires. One of them even has two half breed children.

"Ollie, back off." Jackson told him in a warning tone.

"It's okay. If the runt of the litter has got something to say, he should say it." Hayley said encouraging Oliver to speak.

"You know, word from the Quarter is your boy Elijah's holding some kind of power summit. Guess who wasn't invited?" Oliver said looking at me and Hayley.

"Where did you hear this?" Hayley asked him angrily.

"It doesn't matter. The point is that we're stuck here living in the swamp, while your vampire boyfriend's deciding who gets what in the city. But, I guess that shows how much respect he's got for the werewolves, huh?" Oliver told us. We shared a look and before storming out of the house.


Once we reached the neutral ground, the church, we walked inside to see the factions arguing.

"This is our city, too! We should be able to go wherever the hell we want!" Diego shouted out.

"We would consider it an act of war!" Genevieve shouted over him.

"We're getting nowhere. You vile creatures cannot agree." Father Kieran called over all of them.

"Father," everyone quieted down. "Calm yourself, please. Thank you. Now returning to the issue of boundaries, you will all heed to the following—"

"Are you serious?" Hayley called out as we stepped forward closer to them. "You're dividing up the city, and the werewolves don't even get a say?"

"What the hell are they doing here?" Diego asked pointing to us.

"This is our city just as much as it is yours, Diego." I reminded him. "Back the hell off!"

"Diego, sit." Elijah ordered. "We are not dividing the city. We're establishing boundaries—"

"No, Elijah!" I ordered. "There is not gonna be a peace if the werewolves are excluded and you know it. They want a seat at the table." This set off both Diego and Genevieve. "And if they don't get one, I can guarantee that you will all regret it. By my hand or another." They all began to argue again and Elijah pulled Hayley and I aside to talk to us privately.

"Do you have any idea what it took just to get those people in one room together?" Elijah asked us.

"No, actually, we don't! Because we didn't even know what you were doing out here until someone else told us." I told him angrily.

"You and my brother have been rather busy." He told me and I glared at him.

"Tell me something, Elijah. Did you leave the werewolves out because of me?" Hayley asked him.

"I excluded them because they no longer reside in the French Quarter. My immediate concern is to end the mounting conflict here. Now, I can assure you once this treaty is solidified, it will expand to include your people." Elijah told us.

"And until then, I should tell them what? Sit? Stay? Roll over?" Hayley asked him.

"Yeah, I'd like to see us try that." I said sarcastically.

"I would prefer that you remove yourself from the process all together!" he told us and we glared at him. "Hayley, are you absolutely certain that you shouldn't return to the compound with Nicole full time?"

"You think that's where they'll be safest?" Hayley asked him sarcastically.

"I'm not in full agreement with Hayley, but we can't abandon our werewolf side just like I can't abandon you and Nik." I told him.

"Is the Bayou any better to keep Nikolas and your daughter safe? A place where anyone can just walk into." Elijah pointed out.

"They're safest with family." I told him. "And just like at the compound, the Bayou is where their family is."

"The wolves deserve a voice. Give them one. You know it's the right thing to do." Hayley told Elijah before she grabbed my hand and we left for the Bayou once more.


That night I was with Nik in our room and as he painted I told him about my day in the Bayou and interrupting Elijah's peace talk.

"Elijah has no right to exclude the wolves like he did. The one who knocked me out for the witches is an ass but the rest are pack." I said messing with unused paint supplies.

"Perhaps Elijah did it for other reasons love." He suggested and I just gave him a look.

"Do you believe his plan will actually work? That we can finally have some peace in this city?" I asked him curiously. Before he could answer we were interrupted by an unannounced presence.

"I saw the light from the courtyard and took a chance that..." Cami paused when she saw me. "You could help me."

"What can we do for you tonight Cami?" I asked her mildly annoyed with her just barging into our bedroom.

"I'm here about my uncle. He's deteriorating. The pills, the meditation, they're not working. His lucidity's shrinking by the day. A witch did this, a witch can undo it." She said implying for us to help her.

"So why don't you ask one?" I asked her.

"I've tried. They won't help me." She told me.

"Even if we got a witch to help it won't do any good. These hexes, they start with magic, but as they take root, they alter the very chemistry of the brain. I'm sorry, Cami. The damage is done." Nik told her.

"I refuse to accept that, and you would, too, if you had any concept of family." She told him before storming from the room. I grew angry with her and followed her out.

"Cami!" I called to her from the balcony as she was making her way down the stairs. "Don't think you understand everything simply because you use vervain and remember everything Nik compelled you to forget when we first arrived." I told her before going back to Nik. When I got back to him I saw him standing on the balcony, looking over the city before coming back inside. I sat on the bed as Elijah joined us in our room this time.

"Not a fan of cerulean blue?" Nik asked him.

"Not a fan of your continued indifference." Elijah told him.

"Well, it's difficult trying to unite a community that has a history of mutual loathing." Nik said pointing out the obvious.

"Spare me the platitudes, Niklaus." Elijah told him.

"A perspective, then? If you want peace, you must begin with the werewolves. A hundred years ago, they had a run at ruling this city. As of late, all they've had is time to watch their enemies tear down that legacy." Nik reminded him.

"All the more reason why their enemies are reluctant to bring them to the table." Elijah said giving me a look.

"Take a page from Bienville, brother." Nik said turning to him and squeezing his shoulder. "If the table's the obstacle, remove it." He put his paint supplies aside and went to our stash of alcohol and poured them both a drink. "Do you recall in 1720, the Governor's desperation to secure our help to build the cities first levees? We sat with him, and refused his offer, and so, he plied us with wine, with corseted women, and with raucous camaraderie until he had his yes."

"Are you suggesting that I throw a party?" Elijah asked him smiling and taking the offered drink.

"That's exactly what he's saying." I said smiling at them both as they toasted each other and drinking.


A few days later Elijah's impromptu party at the compound was in full swing. Each of the factions were represented in some way. Genevieve with the three revived Harvest Girls Davina, Abigail and Monique represented the witches. Diego and a small group represented the vampires. Jackson, Hayley, Oliver and a small group of other Crescents represented the werewolves. It wasn't just the Crescent wolves who attended though. Other pack alphas had put feuds aside for the evening to come together for peace. Nik, Elijah and I shared a view of the party from the balcony. I wore a rich purple spaghetti strap knee length dress with gold heels and my lockets securely around my neck.

"I'm impressed, brother." Elijah said with a small smile on his face.

"Yes." Nik agreed looking our guests over.

"Now if I can just keep them from tearing one another to shreds." Elijah said turning to him and I laughed lightly.

"Well, then for your sake, here's to a spectacularly boring evening." Nik said raising his champagne glass in a toast. They clinked their glasses before we joined the rest of the party. I walked to Hayley and Jackson and hugged them both.

"I'm so glad you guys made it." I said smiling at them.

"A chance to get drunk and dress up for free?" Hayley asked with smile on her face. "Like I'd miss it." She then made her way to get something to drink and I smiled at Jackson.

"You said Klaus wanted to talk about something." He stated and I nodded.

"Just follow me and the three of us can talk peacefully." I said leading up to one of the upstairs studies.

"I'm so glad you accepted my invitation." Nik said coming in behind us.

"So, is this where the great Klaus Mikaelson says something poignant, and snaps my neck?" Jackson asked him.

"Not at all." I answered.

"I'm not here to kill you. I'm here to offer you a gift." Nik told him.

"Out of the kindness of your vampire heart?" Jackson asked.

"Our hearts are more similar than you might realize. You see, long before I evolved, mine beat as a werewolf. I know your power. I know your burden. I'm here to take the latter away." Nik explained.

"You want to make me a hybrid?" Jackson asked looking at both of us. "I put my pack first, and I'm not gonna let anything compromise my family line, especially becoming some bloodthirsty vampire parasite."

"Makes me wonder what you think of Hayley." I said and he threw me a small look.

"That pride, that sense of loyalty? Well, that's exactly why I haven't snapped your neck yet." Nik told him.

"Well, if you're not gonna kill me, then what the hell do you want?" Jackson questioned.

"Only to give you back the city that was taken from you. How is that for poignant?" Nik asked him with a smirk.

"Why would I trust someone who's conspiring behind his own brother's back?" Jackson asked him.

"I'm not trying to undermine Elijah's venture. I'm supporting his vision. Vampires destroy life to survive, witches are only as powerful as their dead, but the werewolves have thrived because their strength comes from family unity. The safety of that unity is what we want for our children. The painful truth is, vampires are the antithesis of unity." Nik explained to him.

"So, what, after a thousand years, you're finally ready to embrace the other half of your family tree? Maybe the other half doesn't want you." Jackson told him.

"Oh, they will once they return to the Quarter." Nik said pushing past Jackson to my side to grab his wooden box and opening it.

"You got a plan to back that up?" Jackson asked him curiously.

"My mother was a very powerful witch. I watched her craft all manner of magical items, but her most prized possession was this ring." Nik told him showing him the ring that had been found during the werewolf raid. "I hadn't seen it for 1,000 years, and then it turned up hanging around the neck of a werewolf- a direct descendant of my biological father. I believe she gave him this ring as a way of freeing him."

"How so?" Jackson asked.

"Daylight rings shield vampires from the sun. So, why not a moonlight ring to protect werewolves from the curse? Think about it! No more breaking bones, no more losing control to the beast within." Nik offered to him.

"What do I have to do?" Jackson asked and Nik and I shared a smirk before explaining what was needed. After our little meeting, we all parted ways we joined the party down below. Nik pulled me into his arms on the dance floor and danced smiling down at me.

"I've failed to tell you that you look ravishing this evening." He told me.

"And you never fail to take my breath away in a suit." I said making him chuckle at my words.

"Maybe I should wear one more often." He suggested and I pretended to think if over.

"If you did that then it would take away all the glory of seeing you in one." I told him before we shared a kiss. Suddenly there was a noise that drew all of our attention to a fight. Diego had thrown Oliver across the courtyard, where he'd fallen onto a table covered in glasses of champagne which had shattered upon impact. Diego used his vamp speed to get to him, but Oliver pinned him against a wall. Suddenly, Elijah appeared and pulled Oliver off of him before pushing the blonde wolf against a table.

"This ends now. I won't ask again." Elijah ordered.

"Oh, we'll end it all right." Jackson said from his spot next to Diego pinning him to the wall with a stake at his heart.

"What's stopping you?" I called from my position next to Nik on the dance floor making everyone move so Elijah, Oliver, Jackson and Diego could see me clearly. "Kill him. Go ahead. Do it. I mean, it's not like they don't deserve to die."

"Shouldn't you intervene or something?" I heard a woman asked Nik next to me.

"Why would I? This party just got interesting." Nik told her.

"It was the wolves who handed me and Rebekah over to the witches so they could torture us. But, then again, wasn't it Diego who led a werewolf massacre last month? And the witches cursed the wolves on vampire orders, while the humans stood back and watched so long as they got their pockets lined. So, when you think about it, everyone here deserves to die." I pointed out.

"Are approaching a point?" Elijah asked me angrily.

"My point, Elijah, is this- if our families can't create some sort of community, then what's the point of all this? Just kill each other and get it all over with." I told him. Elijah stared at me a moment before finally getting off Oliver making Jackson let go of Diego reluctantly. I watched as Hayley joined the two Crescents making sure they were okay before the party got back into full swing.


After the party, Elijah stood downstairs with the people representing each faction while Nik and I were in our room. He'd already gotten out of his suit and I was almost ready for bed as he stared at his painting before picking up his brush and adding something to it.


All change begins with a plan, the success of which depends on several things: depth of commitment, passion for one's cause, willingness to embrace a new path. Determination to overcome any obstacle. And, in some cases, even making unnatural alliances.


Elijah entered our room after I was decent with the signed peace treaty and an inkwell.

"Sign it." Elijah ordered his brother.

"Why? You've already done so on our behalf." Nik pointed out.

"Brother, I am not a fool. It's clear to me you're not as disinterested as you'd like me to believe. Sign, please. If there is no peace between us, then how can you expect others to follow suit?" Elijah asked him.

"Fine, if it will make you happy. But, I assure you, this city's inhabitants will not adhere to this agreement." Nik told him before signing the contract.

"Well, you are welcome to wager against me. You will lose." Elijah warned him.

"We'll see." Nik told him before Elijah left the room. I joined Nik at his side to see his painting. It was the New Orleans skyline. On one side was peaceful and the other looked to be burning and in the sky was a large full moon.