A/N: I had a few complaints about Elena not taking the escape opportunity she had in the previous chapter. I didn't actually realize that she had an opportunity to escape until i re-read it, so thanks. But be assured i do have a plan in place so i will make my accidental plotholes work.

I do love all my reviews, particularly ones where people come up with all kind of meanings for things that happen in my chapters. You guys make me seem a lot smarter than i am

I stayed in the bathroom that night. Once I'd regained control of my body, I turned off the water and curled up in the bathtub. I hated myself. Why hadn't I grabbed the girls the second it looked like Lucien was gone? I could have got them out and gone to the Mikaelson house before he came to his senses… I was an idiot. I guessed that it was because I'd gotten so used to having no chance of escape or freedom, that when the opportunity had been present I'd failed to reason.

When the sun came up, I put on a light kimono dressing gown that wouldn't aggravate my back and stumbled out into the kitchen. Tristan was sipping coffee at the breakfast bar and he lifted his head when I entered. He took in my stiff posture and his expression immediately became distressed.

"How bad was it?"

"Bad." I saw no reason to lie. "He was drunk. Spouting nonsense." I looked over at him. "You know, I could have left last night. I mean, he was still here but he wouldn't have stopped us. I could have made it out with them."

"Yes you probably could have."

"Did you realise?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

He sighed and put down his coffee, getting to his feet and coming over to me.

"Elena, you trust me don't you?"

"Yes…"

"If I told you to do something, would you accept that I was doing it for your own good without questioning?"

"I… yes." I bit my lip. I wasn't sure why but I felt a strange unyielding loyalty to Tristan that I couldn't begin to question.

"Well then. Believe that I had a good reason for not telling you to leave last night." He touched my cheek. "Please. I would hate to think that I've damaged our friendship because of this."

"No… i…" I hesitated, struggling to speak the words. "Yes. I believe you."

"Thank you." He kissed my forehead lightly.

I heard a door slam and looked up sharply to see Lucien lurking in the doorway. He looked incredibly dishevelled and I wondered how much more he'd drunk after seeing me. He was still wearing the parts of his costume and there was dried blood on his chin.

"Lucien. Good morning," said Tristan, retreating a few steps.

"Tristan. Elena." His words were slurred. I wasn't sure if he was hungover or still drunk. "We need to have a talk."

"Maybe we should wait until you've sobered up," said Tristan. "You tend to act… rashly when you're intoxicated."

"Fuck you Tristan! I say when we talk!" He levelled an accusing finger at Tristan. "You have been messing with my girl! You want her for yourself, I know it!"

"Lucien, my relationship with Elena is strictly based in friendship. I don't know what you believe is going on between us but you're just being paranoid."

"Bite me jackass!"

"Lucien! You're acting like a lunatic!" I told him.

"You shut up! You don't get to speak! You are my wife, my property and you will do what I say!"

"Lucien. You need to step back and reconsider. Elena is right, you are acting like a lunatic. If you continue in this manner, I will be forced to take action to silence you myself."

Lucien snarled and lunged. Tristan grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall.

"Lucien. I advise you to reconsider." Tristan's voice was like ice. He locked eyes with Lucien, holding his gaze for several minutes before releasing him. "Now get out and don't come back until you have cleared your head and sobered up."

Lucien rubbed his throat, looking at us both with angry eyes. He sped off and I heard a door slamming. I wasn't sure if he'd actually left the apartment or if he'd just locked himself in a room to cool off. I reached over and touched Tristan's hand, expressing my gratitude silently. He took my hand in his and squeezed in solidarity.

Lucien kept his head down for the next few days. I spent most of my time with the girls, trying to make sure I didn't run into him and also limiting my encounters with Aurora. She was free to come and go and was seemingly enjoying the city, although she appeared irritated that Klaus refused to see her. I found myself spending long periods of time standing by the window, staring out at the streets below.

Over a week had passed since the party and the sun had just finished setting. I was stood by the window, wondering if Kol had told the others about my presence in town yet. Then again… if he had, they would probably be tearing the city apart to find me.

I felt a small hand tug at the hem of my shirt. I looked down to see Lilah. Her face seemed paler than normal and there was a light sheen of sweat on her skin.

"Are you okay sweetheart?" I asked, picking her up carefully. She shook her head and buried her face in my top. I frowned and carried her into her bedroom, tucking her into her bed. Blair was nearby, playing with a doll and she looked up as we entered.

"Is Lilah okay mama?" she asked.

"I think she's a little poorly darling, but she'll be fine. She just needs to rest."

I perched on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair. She was burning up and I frowned. I knew that being cooped up would have messed up the twins immune system. Had she caught something? Something serious? I chewed my lip, feeling panic begin to set in.

I went to fetch a glass of water. Just sitting there made me feel useless, I needed to be up and doing something.

"Are you okay?" Tristan asked as I passed him.

"Lilah's sick. I don't think it's anything serious but… it's the first time one of them has got ill and it's making me stressed."

He gave me a sympathetic smile. I filled a glass of water and headed back to Lilah's room. As I neared, I heard a twisted strangled noise. The glass fell from my hand and smashed on the floor. I ran over to her bed. She was curled up on her side, retching furiously. My heart skipped a beat. I picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, crouching beside the toilet so that she could vomit into the toilet.

Gradually her retching subsided and she lapsed into silence. She was shivering although she was still burning hot. I held her close and stroked her hair. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and fearful. I murmured soft words of comfort, just as much for my benefit as for hers.

We sat there together, with me rocking her, until I felt sure that the vomiting spell was completely past. She closed her eyes and curled up tighter in my arms, her fingers gently grasping and releasing my shirt. I looked up and saw Blair stood in the doorway, looking pale and stressed. Once again, I wondered just how deep their bond went.

Lilah's body jerked sharply. She let out a screech that was unlike anything I'd ever heard. There was a sickening snap and her arm twisted in an unnatural manner. She squirmed out of my arms, landing on the tiled floor where her body continued to writhe and twist, accompanied by cries and the snapping of bone. She wailed, her eyes flying open. Her irises were a burning gold.

"TRISTAN!" I shouted. He was at my side in an instant.

"What's wrong?"

"Something's wrong with Lilah!"

He stared at the tiny girl on the floor.

"Shit… I think she's shifting."

"But…" I shook my head. Now was not the time for questions. "What do we do?"

"We have to get her out of here. Werewolves and vampires are bad news." He looked around as if he was hoping the bathroom would bring him some answers. "Do you know any werewolves?"

"I do. We better hurry. I know the first shift is the slowest, but I don't know how long we have… Can you drive?"

He nodded. I picked Lilah up, wrapping my arms tightly around her in an effort to hold her still as her body contorted. Tristan placed a hand on my back and escorted me towards the door. Lilah cried in my arms and each wail broke my heart. I wanted desperately to alleviate her pain but I just didn't know how!

Lucien emerged from a room as we neared the front door. He moved to stand between us and the exit.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To the bayou."

"Oh no you're not."

I glared at him. He was not doing this now. My child was in pain and he was trying to stop me from getting to the people who could help her? NO.

"Look Lucien, Lilah is shifting into a werewolf and if you do not get out of my way, I will wait until she turns and let HER EAT YOU. NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY."

He blinked and stepped aside. I hurried out of the door with Tristan and down to the car. I got in the back with Lilah, her head resting in my lap. Tristan got into the driver's seat and we sped off, me feeding him directions as we went. Lilah's cries had subsided into whimpers which were somehow even more heart breaking. She gripped my sleeve, looking up at me.

"I know sweetheart, I know it hurts. Mama is going to get you somewhere safe, find people to help you, I promise." There were tears in my eyes as I watched my child suffer. I wanted to look away but I knew she needed me.

I saw the turning and shouted to Tristan. He skidded off the road and pulled to a stop. He came round and helped me lift Lilah from the car.

"I have to stay here," he said. He didn't seem to like the idea of letting me wander into the swamps by myself and to be honest I wished he could come with me as well but I knew why he had to stay behind.

"Thank you."

I moved as quickly as I could, not quite running due to the child in my arms but as close as I could get. I hurried through the trees. I wasn't sure if I was even going the right way and with each step I felt like the trees were closing in on me, that I was getting more and more lost. I silently prayed that I would find my way to the wolves.

When I finally broke through the trees into the clearing next to their cabin, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

"JACKSON!" I shouted. "OLIVER! ANYONE!"

I knew that they would probably be in their wolf forms by now but I didn't care. Even as animals they would be of more use to Lilah than I was.

The undergrowth parted and a handful of wolves stepped forward. I recognized one as Jackson and I carefully laid Lilah on the ground in front of them, kneeling down.

"Please… she's shifting, I don't know what to do… please help her…"

The Jackson wolf barked and looked at me. I took it as a sign of agreement. The wolves gathered around Lilah's twitching body, blocking her from my view. Jackson looked at me and nodded over to the cabin. I bit my lip and nodded reluctantly, retreating into the cabin. I didn't want to leave her there but I knew there was nothing I could do to help her.

I curled up on the tiny bed in the cabin, wrapping the blankets around myself. I could still hear Lilah's screams. I wasn't sure if they were real or just the echo of her screams from earlier. I covered my ears, digging my nails into the side of my head, whimpering. I hoped Lilah was okay… she had to be okay…