The days that followed the Mystic Falls gang kept to themselves, as much away from the werewolves as possible. Caroline especially, avoided Hayley as much as vampirely possible. Erika was right, she has no right to expect Klaus to lead a celibate life, while she dated a wide range of men, but it does not mean that she accepted the fact that Hayley was pregnant with his child. Now she knew how Klaus must have felt when she was with Tyler.

But the day came to start their mission. That day one of them must make their presence known. So it was decided that the person to make an appearance at the French Quarter would be Stefan, since he was less likely to be attacked by Rebekah.

They gathered at the far end of the camp to formulate the plans. It seemed that like her twin, Erika was cautious when it comes to battle plans, going through backup plans in her mind. Stefan was the most uncomfortable one, since he was to be the sacrificial lamb for now. As usual, Caroline stayed away from Hayley.

Erika sat against a tree, with Jackson and Kol on her either side. Caroline, Bonnie and Katherine on one side, with Damon and Stefan on the other. Hayley was given the only comfortable chair, opposite Erika, with Oliver standing behind her. "So, what do we do?"

"Do you still think it's safe to send Stefan to the Quarter?" Damon asked.

"We all know our little sister has a weakness that is Stefan Salvatore. Of course, it is safe" Kol replied, smirking.

Damon chuckled and turned to his brother, "Don't stand with your mouth open when you see her, Stef. You have a job to do"

Stefan huffed, "Can we just discuss about the plan?"

Erika shook her head amusedly. The younger Salvatore had it bad for her sister. "The plan is simple really. You go to the pub called Rousseau's and pretend to be passing through. Edit your contacts in such a way that you only your immediate freinds' numbers with direct name. The other names must be saved in codes. All your messages must be codes, which could be cracked by at least one of your friends. Don't call under any circumstances. Only texts. And if you are going to call, don't call anyone that you normally wouldn't."

"Why?" Bonnie asked, obviously confused.

Erika chuckled, "I may not have met my sister, but from what I know from Niklaus, that she is very very nosy for her own good. Even Niklaus couldn't handle her. But young Salvatore here, would sometimes be distracted by her as we all know. And if knew the password to his mobile phone, I hate to say this about my sister, but she wouldn't feel an ounce of shame to snoop through it. Precautions are very important in a plan."

Kol chuckled.

Erika glared at her chuckling brother, "And when the time is right, your brother and Katerina will join you"

Stefan nodded and said his sort of goodbye to kiss friends and brother.

Erika stood up to walk with Stefan. Once they were of some distance, she said, "Walk north. Once you reach the edge of the forest, you will find a vampire named Sam, he's our spy. He will leave you some distance from the Quarter. Don't worry he's trustworthy. Always have been" She shook his hand, "Good luck, Salvatore"

Stefan nodded and flashed north.

Erika took Hayley to her tent and asked her to lay down. Erika placed her hands on the pregnant belly of Hayley and closed her eyes. She concentrated intensely and suddenly she could see the foetus. She looked so peaceful, but there was a slight frown present in her angelic face. Erika checked her niece's vitals and was satisfied to find they are functioning well.

She retrieved herself from the spell and opened her eyes to look at Hayley. "She is fine. Her vitals are functioning well. But she is stressed"

Hayley bit her lip and looked down. The frown Erika just witnessed in her niece's face was there now in Hayley's.

Erika shook her head and said, "Hayley, your emotions will affect the child. You must try not to be stressed"

Hayley sighed, "You are right. But how can I do that, Erika? I am so afraid"

Erika tilted her head and asked, "What are you afraid of Hayley?"

"I don't want her to grow up like I did. I want her to know her family. I am afraid that she might lose her father" Hayley said.

Erika put a hand on Hayley's shoulder and squeezed reassuringly, "Don't worry. I will save my brothers. I give you my word"

Hayley nodded and tried to give a tiny smile, "Thanks"

Stefan sat on the stool in the bar of Rousseau's. The blonde bartender just refilled him his whiskey. He was scared out of his mind. Because he knew how dangerous Rebekah can be. And he was not ready to test her patience. Nope, not at all. But what choice did he have? He hated to say it, but the jealousy he felt when Erika told them about Rebekah and that guy Marcel, was such that he wanted to go all ripper over him. But they had to do this thing called planning. He probably would never accept it out loud, but he was scared out of his mind of Erika. She was the female version of Klaus.

The familiar doubts started to resurface as he sat there and sipped his drink.

Was he still in love with Elena? No.

Was Elena worth over losing Damon? No.

Did he think what he has/had with Rebekah is 'Epic' as Caroline would put it? Yes.

Was he jealous of Marcel? Yes.

Was his choice to go to New Orleans with Erika right? Yes.

Can he really betray Rebekah? No.

If given a chance, will he rebuild the friendship he had with Klaus again? Yes.

Did he really think that Rebekah will regret what she did to her brothers one day? Yes.

As his mind was running with these questions, he heard a familiar voice of Rebekah, "Stefan?"

Caroline approached Hayley as she was sitting near a creek. She stood nervously staring at the pregnant woman's back.

Hayley's shoulders tensed, "You can talk to me, Caroline"

"Sorry" Caroline mumbled and stood awkwardly.

"Sit", Hayley said without turning around.

Caroline complied.

"I am not stupid, Caroline. I know you are in love with Klaus. Even when I first came to Mystic Falls. We both didn't plan on sleeping together, but we were hurt and found comfort in each other. However small it was. And now, I am here, in what you think as your rightful place. But I am not where you think I am. He still loves you. And I atlast found my family and the one who would love me unconditionally. If you are willing, Caroline, I want my daughter to grow up having you in her life" Hayley said, without looking at her.

But Caroline was still busy gawking at the werewolf.

"Do you want to, Caroline?" Hayley asked her. Her eyes on Caroline and it was filled with emotions.

Caroline nodded, "I'd love to"

Hayley nodded and went back to staring at the creek. And Caroline joined her silently.

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