Hey guys, thanks for your patience between updates. If you're reading my other story you'll know I just got a new job so need to move and life is a little hectic to say the least! I'll update as much as I can though. Thanks again for all of your lovely comments especially zvforever for all of those detailed reviews.

Chapter 8: The Back-Up Plan

New Orleans, Louisiana

"Nadia where are you going?" Katherine mumbled watching her daughter fade away into the distance. She knew she was never going to win mother of the year but she loved her daughter and didn't want to lose her after only just finding her again. "Nadia!"

Elijah stroked her hair softly and looked at Davina helplessly. He didn't know what was happening, she seemed to be delirious and he had no idea who this Nadia was. "Can you help her?" He asked his voice breaking slightly because he was so overcome with emotion.

"Her whole body seems to be aging rapidly, I may be able to reverse or at least halt the process but I need the correct spell." She said looking worriedly at Katherine.

"Nadia?" She cried out again making Elijah jump up urgently. He wasn't going to let anything happen to his Katerina, he had to save her.

"My mother's grimoire might have something." He suggested.

"You're probably right, if we can find the right spell I think we might be able to save her Elijah."

"Okay I think we should all go back to the house." He said bending down to lift her limp body.

"Marcel will know if I'm gone and Katherine is in no position to be moved Elijah. We'll stay in the attic while you collect the book." Elijah looked hesitantly at Katherine who was sprawled out on the floor not wanting to leave her in this state. "I'll look after her Elijah." Davina promised.

She had never seen the Original show so much emotion and realised just how much he loved her. Davina had come to look up to Elijah like a father figure and wanted nothing more than to see him happy which meant saving his beloved's life.

"Okay." Her relented finally tearing his eyes away from Katherine. "I'll be right back." He rushed out the door his emotions all over the place. When did Katerina get sick and why hadn't she told him about it? He knew they weren't on the best of terms but he would have liked to know then he could have helped her somehow.

He thought back to her fits in the attic and wondered who Nadia was. Katerina seemed to have a number of secrets and he assumed this was just another one. Elijah vowed that once Davina had healed her and she was better they were going to have an honest conversation and make thinks right between them once and for all.

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"Why isn't Elijah answering his damn phone?" Klaus shouted pacing up and down the front hall. They had arrived back from the bayou and by this stage he was angry and inconsolable. "If I knew where he was I'd go and drag him back here myself."

Klaus was consumed with rage, how dare Marcel mess with his Caroline? He couldn't believe he was so stupid and didn't realise the repercussions of his foolish actions. He was going to kill Marcel very slowly so that he knew the pain he'd caused him.

"I might know where he is." Rebekah said noticing he wasn't going to calm down anytime soon, he spun around regarding her closely.

"Don't you think that would have been helpful oh about an hour ago sister." He cried throwing his hands up in frustration. "Well don't keep me waiting where is Elijah?"

"I'm here." Elijah answered closing the front door behind him. "Although I have a pressing matter to tend to right now." He said distractedly about to walk up the stairs.

"Oh you have a pressing matter do you?" Klaus scoffed. "I think whatever your little issue is pales in comparison to our current predicament."

"Well I'm sure you and Rebekah can deal with that Niklaus." He shot back stubbornly tired of his brother's attitude. All he wanted to do was save the woman he loved and not deal with another family drama for once in his life.

"They can't Elijah." Stefan said entering the conversation finally. "Marcel has Caroline, Matt and Sophie and unless we do something he's going to kill them."

Elijah looked at Stefan processing what he was saying. How had he missed all of that in the last few hours? He shook his head trying to work out what to do. Family had always been his priority but Katerina had come back and turned his whole world upside down confusing him greatly.

"So I assume given all the urgency you have a plan then brother?" He asked madly trying to work out how to save Katherine and the others at the same time.

"Well if you ask Nik it's pretty much to storm in there and kill everyone in sight." Rebekah drawled knowing how much he hated planning anything.

"By all means if you have a better idea sister let's hear it." He replied tartly.

"Enough with all of the Mikaelson family drama!" Stefan intervened sick of having to hear their petty arguments. "These are our friends and they need us."

"You're right." Rebekah murmured anxious for Matt. He always had to try and play the hero and look where it got him. Rebekah needed to get him back so she could kill him herself for being so stupid.

"Obviously we're outnumbered but the three of us should go in there and distract them while Stefan sneaks in and rescues the others." Rebekah suggested noting her brother's less than impressed expression. "Well sorry that's the best I've got."

"Davina." Elijah murmured knowing the extent of her power and how useful she would be to them.

"The little witch, there's no way she'll go against Marcel." Klaus scoffed.

"I think you'd be surprised. We've built a strong rapport lately, I was just with her and she allowed Sophie to use her powers in the bayou without detection, so I know we can trust her." He said confidently. "I'll go there I just need to find something first." Elijah thought knowing he'd been delayed long enough already.

"Elijah what's wrong?" Rebekah asked knowing he wasn't himself. "Come to mention it where's Katherine?"

"I'm fine Rebekah nothing for you to worry about, Katherine too." He said dismissively thinking it was best not to say anything until he knew exactly what was going on with her condition.

"Speaking of missing people, where exactly is Hayley?" Stefan asked curiously looking around and wondering where the werewolf was. "She was here this morning."

"Oh no don't tell me someone else has a little crush." Klaus moaned wondering what the hell everyone seemed to see in her. Yes he made the terrible mistake of sleeping with her once but he blamed that on temporary insanity.

"That's a good point." Rebekah agreed. "Do you think she ran away because she knows we're onto her and Tyler?"

"Well that would make sense." Stefan said. "It's not like she needs Klaus anymore given it isn't his baby."

"Excuse me?" Elijah cried completely confused and wishing they would stop distracting him from his urgent task.

"You missed a lot big brother, apparently the baby isn't mine. So really it's a happy day all round." Klaus said sarcastically. He was livid Hayley and the witches had been able to deceive him like that and knew he would never allow himself to be that gullible again.

Klaus had been floored by Tyler's confession. He thought he would be relieved and elated by the news but instead he felt empty and hurt. He had started to get excited about the impending arrival and becoming a father, not that he'd admitted that to anyone thankfully.

"So who's the father?"

"That is the million dollar question." Stefan said. "Look as usual we're getting side tracked; maybe if we have Hayley with us we can use her as some kind of leverage with Marcel."

"Why would Marcel care? I mean she's served her purpose." Klaus said dismissively.

"Well it wouldn't hurt to have a back-up plan, although I keep forgetting you're not a fan of those." He rolled his eyes.

"Look just let me get back to Davina and we'll work out what to do from there." Elijah said running up the stairs to get the grimoire as his cell began to ring. He groaned at the interruption and looked at the caller ID noticing it was Hayley. "It's Hayley." They all looked at him curiously.

"Hayley?"

"I'm surprised you answered my call Elijah given how preoccupied you've been with the doppelganger." She spat.

"Where are you?" He asked ignoring her comments deciding it was best not to anger her further.

"A place you know quite well actually." She cooed. "I even have one of your little friends with me."

"Caroline?" He asked making Klaus look up at the mention of her name.

"No but I don't think you need to worry Marcel is doing a good job of keeping her company not to mention your cute little teenage witch." She chuckled.

"Davina." He said the realisation sweeping over him. "I swear if he even lays a hand on her." He growled worried for the girl who'd become like a surrogate daughter to him. If Davina was somewhere with Marcel who knew what had become of Katerina especially given her current state.

"I think she can hold her own you don't need to worry although I can't say the same for your lady love." Elijah winced his worst fears realised. "You see I came to the church to find you and instead I stumbled across Katherine."

"Hayley please leave her alone, she has nothing to do with this." He cried struggling to control his emotions.

"Oh have I hit a nerve?"

"What do you want?" He asked through gritted teeth

"I thought that was obvious." She muttered. "I want you Elijah that's all I've ever wanted." Elijah wracked his brain trying to work out what to say to Hayley that wasn't going to tip her over the edge and endanger Katherine or Davina.

"I don't understand." He replied.

"No men rarely ever do." She cried. "Don't worry I've resigned myself to the fact that for some strange reason you want this pathetic human doppelganger."

"I'm sorry Hayley but I do love her." He blurted out unable to lie to the crazy woman who was holding her hostage.

"Enough already." She shouted through the phone almost deafening him. It really wasn't the best thing to say and was probably only going to provoke her more but he didn't get the reputation as honourable from lying. "If you want Katherine you're going to have to come and get her. Marcel and I will be waiting." She quickly disconnected the call before he had chance to respond. His hands began to shake and he was overwhelmed by something foreign, he was actually scared.

"So?" Rebekah asked impatiently.

"It seems the situation has gotten worse."

"I don't see how it could have gotten any worse given how bad it already was." Stefan said optimistically.

"Well let's see not only is Hayley now holding Katerina hostage Marcel has Davina."

"I knew we couldn't trust the witch." Klaus replied knowingly.

"We can but he's obviously brainwashed her somehow." Elijah said without skipping a beat. He knew what Davina was like and this was completely out of character.

"So let's get this straight Caroline, Matt, Sophie and now Katherine are all being held against their will by Marcel." Rebekah said in disbelief. "And we have no powerful witches or bitchy werewolves for leverage?"

"You really should have been a cheerleader with your knack for lifting spirits little sister." Klaus murmured rolling his eyes. "Suddenly my little idea of killing everyone is sounding very tempting right now isn't it?"

Elijah was beyond mad, he was enraged. Hayley and Marcel had messed with the wrong man and they were going to pay with their lives.

"Niklaus has a point." He said looking at each of them in turn. "Let's slaughter them all."

"That's easy for you to say given you can't die." Stefan mimicked thinking how unfair his predicament was at that moment.

"We'll do all the heavy lifting and distract them you just get in there and try to save everyone." Klaus said. "Now let's go and gatecrash this party."

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"You know I thought you were going to be a lot more fun." Marcel pouted watching Caroline with great interest.

"Well you'll have to excuse me if I'm not in the party mood." She spat "Egotistical jerks aren't really my type."

"Klaus could never refuse a pretty face with a smart mouth." He chuckled. "You know there's still time for you to join the winning team sweetie."

"I'd rather die." She mumbled pulling painfully at the vervain ropes tied around her wrists. Marcel was having a large gathering at his compound something he was calling his victory party. Hundreds of his army stood around laughing and drinking waiting for the fun to begin.

"Well that can be arranged." He growled. "You've been rather quiet over there Sophie." He said looking over at the witch in question.

"I was trying to block out the sound of your voice."

"I thought you told me I had a sexy voice once." He grinned wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "If I recall that wasn't the only thing you said was sexy."

"Can we possibly skip the replay of your weird little tryst." Matt groaned thinking what a bad day he was having without having to hear all the gory details.

"If I were you human I'd shut that big mouth of yours." He threatened producing a knife and plunging it slowly into his skin. He cried out the sharp pain hitting him at once.

"Leave him alone." Caroline cried out not wanting to see her friend hurt.

"Oh what are you going to do little girl?" He teased pulling out the knife and licking the blade clean. "You know if I thought Klaus was actually coming here to rescue you then I might be a little worried given how crazed and protective people in love can get." Caroline's head shot up wondering what he meant by that comment.

"Oh you thought he actually loved you?" He chuckled. "Klaus doesn't love anyone but himself. When he comes tonight it will be for revenge and will have absolutely nothing to do with you."

Caroline tried not to listen to Marcel but a niggling voice at the back of her mind was actually worried he was right. Klaus had all but said he loved her but she wasn't sure if she would be considered a better prize than being the all conquering King of New Orleans. Suddenly she felt like what happened with Tyler was happening all over again. He chose his hatred for Klaus over her and now it looked like Klaus might do the same thing with Marcel. She shook her head trying to remove the thoughts from her head but unfortunately they were well and truly lodged there.

Sophie looked on knowing this was the way Marcel liked to work, he'd start by weakening your mind by planting doubts then eventually move in for the kill. She didn't want that to happen to Caroline.

"Just because you like the sound of your voice doesn't mean anyone else does Marcel." She called out diverting his attention back to her.

"Is this some kind of new way of flirting Sophie?" He smirked. "Let me guess you've seen the error of your ways and want to go for round two."

"Yeah even I know she wouldn't touch your sorry arse." Matt laughed obviously delirious from the wounds inflicted upon him so far.

"Do you have a death wish?" Marcel asked incredulously. "Because I'm more than happy to grant it for you."

"Go ahead." He said making Caroline's eyes fill with fear, there was no way in hell she was losing Matt to this bastard.

"You know I'm having too much fun messing with you Matthew to kill you just yet."

"How kind of you." Caroline cried unable to stop herself.

"Yes I've often been told what a generous nature I have." He smiled. "Actually I think it will be much more fun to torture you in in front of a pretty blonde and slightly annoying Original." Matt's eyes widened at his inference.

"She wouldn't care about me." He said trying to play down their relationship afraid for Rebekah even if she was invincible.

"I'm not that stupid Matt, I know Rebekah better than you think and those eyes she makes at you she used to make at me back in the day."

"I think someone's a little jealous." Sophie teased earning his ire.

"Please." He drawled. "I could have any woman I wanted so why would I bother recycling used goods."

"Watch who you're calling used goods." Matt scowled thinking no one was allowed to speak about Rebekah like that.

"No I think I know who the jealous one is." He laughed puncturing him again with his knife just for fun and listening to him scream in agony.

"There's nothing I hate more than a bully." Caroline looked up to see a very bedraggled Katherine being hauled over towards them.

"I have to say I'm very disappointed considering I'd been told what a beauty Katerina Petrova was." Marcel commented looking her over.

"What can I say it's been a bad few months."

"I suppose becoming a human would do that to you, either that or Hayley had a bit too much fun with you I know she doesn't like you very much." He said shaking his head. "Take a seat we were all just having a lively conversation."

Katherine turned to sit down making eye contact with Sophie and mouthing the word Davina and gesturing towards the top bedroom of the compound. Sophie looked upwards noticing a silhouette illuminated behind the curtains. Given her immense powers Sophie knew she was their only hope at this point in time.

"So what did I miss?" Katherine asked weakly. She had awoken after her collapse faced with a gleeful Hayley and unfortunately it wasn't just a nightmare. She remembered feeling dizzy in the attic but nothing after that. Hayley had practically dragged her by the hair from the church and brought her to Marcel's compound. She was surprised given her state that she had any hair left.

She was immediately worried about Davina who was nowhere to be seen until she spied her being led upstairs as she entered the compound. Elijah had disappeared too but she knew it wasn't by choice and that he could look after himself but she wished he was with her. The one thing Katherine had realised was that she wanted to spend whatever time she had left with him and right now Hayley and Marcel were interfering with her plans.

"Well Matt has it bad for Rebekah, Caroline is in denial about Klaus and Sophie is just generally being a bitch." Marcel said giving her the run down.

"Tell me something I don't know." She agreed rolling her eyes.

"If you're going to keep insulting me the least you can do is let me go to the toilet." Sophie asked.

"Now why would I do that?"

"I don't know maybe so I don't pee in your courtyard." Marcel looked at the angry brunette knowing full well she'd follow through with her threat.

"Diego escort Sophie to the little girl's room." He ordered motioning for his minion to take her away. She briefly looked over at Katherine relaying her intentions to find Davina.

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The Original siblings and Stefan drove towards the compound consumed with thoughts of their friends and loved ones who were holed up there with Marcel. Klaus and Elijah were particularly haunted by thoughts of Caroline and Katherine's capture and just how much they wanted to tear Marcel apart.

"We'll get her back Elijah." Klaus said sincerely reading his brothers' thoughts. He'd never seen him this affected by a woman in their thousand years in existence. Although if Klaus was being truthful he felt exactly the same way when it came to Caroline.

"We'll get them back after I've ripped out that bastard's heart." Elijah growled.

"I couldn't think of a better way for him to leave this earth." Klaus chuckled despite everything that was happening.

"Do you think after this is all over you could teach me that neat trick?" Stefan piped up from the backseat jealous of Elijah's badass move.

"Hey I'll have you know I do a mean neck snap." Rebekah added. "Maybe I could do that a few times before you rip out his heart." She was beyond mad at this stage not to mention completely sick with worry over what he was doing to poor defenseless Matt.

"I'd just settle for a painful death I'm not too fussed about how it happens." Klaus mused. He couldn't believe that after everything he'd done for Marcel he was terrorising them like this. Maybe Klaus had taught his young protégé too well.

This was exactly the way Klaus would have acted out his revenge. He only wished that Marcel had a weakness they could exploit like he'd used Caroline and now Katherine against them. Then an idea came to him, something Klaus hadn't thought about before. Marcel's weakness was his ego and if he could use it correctly he might have just won this war.

"We may be outnumbered but the one thing we can mess with is Marcel's over-inflated ego."

"What exactly are you getting at Klaus?" Stefan asked curiously.

"I mean we flatter him by way of distraction and I think our opening play should definitely involve a past lover who isn't over him." Klaus said looking in the rearview mirror at his sister. "I like to think of it as my back-up plan."

"Oh so I'm allowed to use my sexuality now it suits the situation." She baulked. "Fine, watch and learn boys this is going to be a piece of cake."

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"Are you really going to watch me pee?" Sophie asked Diego who was showing no signs of leaving her alone.

"I don't think Marcel would like me leaving you unsupervised." He deadpanned.

"You know I used to think you were gorgeous before you became Marcel's whipping boy." She said shaking her head.

"I'm no one's whipping boy." He scoffed.

"Well whatever you are I really think we could have been hot together." She cooed placing her hands on his chest and staring into his eyes her lips within inches of his. He seemed to be weighing up his options and Sophie hoped he wasn't thinking with his head.

She knew it was definitely another part of his anatomy when he lowered his head and kissed her attacking her lips with fervour. She responded initially thinking about the things she did to get herself out of trouble. When she knew he was deeply immersed in their kiss she reached her hands up and snapped his neck watching him fall to the ground.

"Thanks Rebekah." She whispered pulling his body into the toilet and shutting the door behind her. Sophie knew she needed to find Davina before Marcel noticed her missing. She found the back staircase and climbed it hoping it led to the bedroom.

Luckily the majority of his minions were downstairs so she crept up the stairs relatively unnoticed ducking and weaving a few times when she saw a few stray figures. She reached the top spying a young guy and what looked like Davina in the top bedroom deep in conversation. She ran over knowing this was her last chance.

"Davina?" She hissed at the girl whose eyes widened upon seeing Sophie, grabbing hold of the guy's arm in shock.

"Stay away from me Sophie, I know you want me dead."

"Shhh Davina you have to listen to me it's not like that." She said trying to reason with her.

"Oh so you don't want me to die so you can bring back Monique?"

"Of course I wanted to bring back Monique but do you blame me?" She implored. "She was my niece and your best friend Davina."

"I know and I never wanted her to die, I never wanted any of that to happen." She cried the tears welling in her eyes.

"You're upsetting her." Josh warned defensive of his friend. "I suggest you leave otherwise I'll alert Marcel."

"Please let me explain." She begged. "Davina I didn't want that to happen either. Remember how I came to the cemetery to try and stop the harvest from happening?" She asked. "I was trying to save you all that night."

"Yes but now you want me dead."

"I don't and even if I did Agnes is dead so it's impossible now anyway."

"Agnes is dead?" Davina asked in disbelief.

"Yes she's dead." She confirmed. "There's nothing to fear anymore the witches can't hurt you Davina, you're free."

"Marcel lied to me." She replied angrily. "He made me come here because he said my life was in danger."

"Well the only ones in danger right now are Caroline, Matt and Katherine." Sophie said pointing downstairs.

"Katerina." She whispered. "I only went with Marcel because he said he'd protect her, I promised Elijah nothing would happen to her."

"Marcel lies about a lot of things Davina he can't be trusted."

"I need to save her, I can't let him get away with this." She said her anger growing with every word.

"Are you sure that's a good idea Davina?" Josh asked his concern obvious.

"I have to put things right Josh. Marcel has controlled me for too long." She said looking at Sophie. "Now what are we waiting for let's liven up this party."

"You've created a monster." Josh said to Sophie shaking his head at the unfolding events.

"No I think that was all Marcel's doing." She smiled thinking that maybe his empire was finally starting to unravel.