A/N: I am officially doing a sequel. I had an idea for one that I really like. If there's anything you'd like to see in it, any requests let me know since I've got to plan it out and am open to suggestions at this stage. Once its planned it gets harder to add bits in that you guys ask for (although I always try)

I was sitting in the courtyard by myself when the gate creaked. I lifted my head to see Jackson. I smiled.

"Hey Jackson. What can we do for you today?"

"Can I sit?" I nodded and budged over to make room. He sat down beside me. "I figured we needed to have a talk about Lilah."

"Yeah, we do." I knew this conversation was coming. "I guess we need to sort out what's going to happen with her."

"Does Klaus know? That she's a wolf?"

"No. I've not had the chance to bring it up." I paused. "I know that he'll want to take care of it himself. He's never been fond of…"

"Of me?" He smiled slightly. "It's okay, you can say it."

"I was going to say of rivals. I mean, you're a wolf like him, but you're an alpha, your pack adores and respects you. That's something he's always wanted. And if he thinks his daughter likes you better…"

"I get it." He paused. "But really it's about Lilah. What do you think is best for her?"

I considered. Klaus adored Lilah so I knew he'd never hurt her, but if they were ever attacked it'd just be him to defend her. With a pack, she'd be safer and it would let her experience a variety of people and personalities. And a lot of them had been wolves for their whole lives, they'd know more than Klaus did.

"I think she'd be better in your pack."

"I agree. So, to avoid another short notice rush, why don't you bring her along the day of the full moon? We'll take care of her, help her shift. If you want, you can stay in the cabin overnight so you're close to her."

"That sounds like a plan," I said with a smile. "I guess I should tell Klaus… I mean Elijah knows so he probably expects this conversation is coming."

"Tell Klaus what?"

My head shot up. Klaus was at the top of the stairs.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," murmured Jackson. I nudged him.

"Klaus could you get Elijah and Lilah please? I need to discuss something with you both."

"You know, if you're planning on running off with the mutt, you might want to tell Kol as well," Klaus said, glaring at Jackson. What? Where did that come from?"

"Klaus, you are insane." Jackson laughed. "And for the record, I'm engaged. Your girl is safe, trust me."

Klaus narrowed his eyes but went to fetch Elijah and Lilah. I raised an eyebrow and made a face.

"Did that really just happen?"

"Yes it did. And it's not the first time."

"You're kidding me."

"No. He's really insecure. I think he's worried he'll lose you again and next time it won't be because you've been abducted."

I bit my lip and looked down. My mind went to the rings in my jewellery box. Soon. I wasn't ready yet. But soon.

Elijah and Klaus appeared at the top of the stairs with Lilah. Jackson and I got up to let them passed and they came down to the courtyard to join us.

"So," said Klaus, taking a seat. "What's the problem?"

"Well… Lilah inherited something of yours Klaus. She is a werewolf and on the last full moon she turned for the first time." Klaus blinked. "Don't ask how, we'll discuss that later."

"You knew about this?" he asked, looking to Elijah.

"I did."

"And I've been talking to Jackson," I said before Klaus could demand further answers. "And I think Lilah should spend the full moons with his pack. I'll take her there, spend the night in the bayou and bring her home in the morning. You're her dads, I need your agreement."

"No," said Klaus immediately. "I'm a wolf, I'll look after her on the full moon."

"With all due respect, you've been a wolf for… what? Six years? And you can shift at will so you've probably fully turned like… four times? I've spent a lot longer shifting. I know more about being a wolf than I do being a human."

"And if we need an expert at drinking from the toilet, we'll be sure to call you," Klaus said snidely.

"Klaus, you're being unreasonable," said Elijah. "You have to agree that Lilah will be safer in a pack than anywhere else?"

"I can protect my own daughter," Klaus growled.

"Look, why don't we just ask Lilah what she wants?" I said. "Cause otherwise we're going to argue till the full moon and this will never get resolved."

"Fine," said Klaus, aggravated.

I turned to my daughter, who'd been watching the exchange with wide eyes. I knelt down in front of her.

"Lilah do you remember last month when you got sick? And you… you turned into a wolf?" She nodded. "Well that's because you're very special. And it's going to happen again, every month. When that happens, do you want to go with your daddy or with Jackson, like last time?"

She looked at Klaus and Jackson, chewing her lip nervously.

"It's okay princess," said Elijah. "Say whatever you want."

She took a moment and pointed at Jackson. Klaus scowled and I heard him growl under his breath. I ignored his anger and gave Lilah a smile.

"Thank you Lilah." I looked at the three men. "It's settled then. No more arguing."

Klaus' scowl grew and he stalked off. Elijah gave Jackson a brief nod, picked up Lilah and headed back upstairs with her.

"Well…" I said, when they were gone. "That could have been worse."

He chuckled softly.

"Yes, it could have. No one died, which I guess is an achievement."

"So I guess, I'll see you at the next full moon?" I mentally ran through the calendar. "December 14th?"

"Yes. I'll see you then. I look forward to it." He kissed my cheek. A growl echoed from upstairs and a chunk of stone flew passed Jackson's head.

"Quit it Klaus!" I yelled. "You should go before his aim gets better."

Jackson nodded and left. I couldn't help but think that it was a good thing I'd never tried to actually date anyone since I became a Mikaelson.

I went upstairs to find Klaus. I needed to clear up some things and try to get rid of the bad energy that seemed to be building.

I found him in his room which, fortunately, he'd cleaned since my last visit. He was painting, aggressive streaks of colour that cut through the white canvas. I watched silently for a moment. One of the girl's pictures was pinned onto the easel and he seemed to be working from it.

"Your daughter thinks a lot of you," he said, nodding at the picture. I came closer and saw it was a drawing of a woman with a sword. The word MOMMY was printed beneath it in large jagged letters. I looked at Klaus' canvas and saw that he was painting a similar image, me wielding a sword with wolves swarming at my feet.

"Is that what you think of me too?"

"Yes. In your own way, you're the strongest of us."

He still hadn't looked at me. He moved to continue painting but I reached out and stilled his hand. He looked at me and I could see the pain in his eyes, a buried darkness seeping through.

"Klaus, you need to stop. I promise you, I'm not going anywhere. Neither are the girls. We're here, we're staying, you don't have to fight off the world." I squeezed his hand. "You have your family. You don't need to be afraid."

Everything had begun to slip back into a familiar routine, and I welcomed it. I would wake early, in whichever room I'd somehow moved to in the night. I'd spend some time relaxing my mind and preparing myself for the day before going downstairs to have breakfast with the others. Elijah was usually there first, reading the paper. We'd eat, then the girls would go off and spend a few hours having lessons, until lunchtime. After lunch varied. Some days we'd go for a walk or do crafts. Some days Cami would come over to talk with them. On Fridays, the sign language teacher would visit. Then in the evening we'd all have dinner together. The girls would be read a story, a job that was highly competed over, before being put to bed. Everyone would drift off to do different things and I'd usually join one of them, depending on how I felt, or I'd go see Cami for my own pseudo therapy session.

I was in the girls' room, painting with them. They loved to paint and Klaus would often come and join us. The boys had gone out on some errand but he'd promised he'd come back and join us when they were done, so I was half listening for him and half focusing on making sure that the girls didn't cover everything in paint. Faint voices floated up to me from the courtyard and I lifted my head, straining my ears to recognize them.

Freya appeared at the doorway, looking distressed.

"Elena, you're needed downstairs."

"Umm… okay…" I got up and headed out onto the balcony with Freya. An unfamiliar man was in the courtyard.

"Hi? Can I help you?" I asked, heading down the stairs.

"Are you Elena Castle?" he asked. I slowed, feeling cool dread settle over me.

"Umm… kind of…" He raised an eyebrow.

"That's a new one. Let me try again, are you or you not the wife of Lucien Castle?"

"Unfortunately, yes I am… why…? What's he done?"

"My name is Detective Will Kinney. I need to come with me."

Oh god. I was going to be sick.

"Mama?" The soft voice seemed impossibly loud and my head shot up in response. The girls were on the balcony, peering through the rails. The detective looked uneasy. I guessed no one wanted to cart a woman away in front of her children.

"Freya, can you take them?" She nodded and hurried up to them, ushering them back to their room.

"Mrs Castle…"

"Please, don't. I'll come with you, just… tell me… am I in trouble?"

"Not yet, no."

He gestured at the door and I reluctantly headed out to his car. He helped me into the back and I closed my eyes. What was going on?

The detective drove me through the streets to the precinct and I felt my heartbeat growing more erratic with every second that passed. What had happened? I knew it was something to do with Lucien, that much was clear, but what? Were my fears being realized?

We pulled up outside the precinct and Detective Kinney came to my door to let me out. My hands were trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm. He paused and gave me a kind smile.

"Relax Mrs Castle. Like I said, you're not in trouble."

"You said not yet," I mumbled.

"Well, do you have something to hide?" My eyes met his, silently panicking. "Relax… I'm joking. I just need to ask you a few questions."

He ushered me into the building, through the desk of police officers to a small room at the back. It held a table and two chairs, a mirror covered one wall. I sat down. He closed the door and turned to me. His face had become serious, all traces of humour stripped away. He came over and sat down opposite me. His eyes seemed to drill into my soul. He was going to see through me and figure out everything I'd tried so hard to bury…

"So. Let's talk."