Klaus glimpsed himself in the mirror before setting foot in his atelier. Painting always helped to put things in perspective and form strategies. Despite his sire line being shattered, the original hybrid knew he was indestructible. But the same was not applicable for his daughter, who was still a toddler, nor for her mother.
Hayley was a hybrid, and that made her much stronger than a common vampire but not strong enough to be able to survive the attack of his enemies, some of whom were almost the same age as him.
And then there was also Camille. Cortez was able to figure out his attachment to her in a few lines of conversation. Hell, at this point, he wouldn't be surprised if the entire city of New Orleans was aware of his affection for her. The newborn vampire was his most notable vulnerability. He was well aware that his adversaries, upon uncovering his ties with Camille, would exploit her as a pawn against him, thereby jeopardizing her safety yet again.
All that remained was for Klaus to vanish, taking Hayley and Hope with him.
Without any conscious effort, his brush glided across the canvas. Gradually, an emerald sky emerged on the surface, captivating his attention. As he became entranced by the movement of his brush, he realized that it was pointless.
Another Klaus: Three years ago, he wouldn't spare a second thought on that, but he wasn't that person anymore. She changed him! He couldn't leave her behind; he needed her! Amidst the complexities of their current circumstances, she persistently occupies his thoughts. She resides in the depths of his heart and mind. Before her, he was a helpless soul, cowering in the darkness. She became his north star, his compass that navigated him towards the light.
A new plan formed in his head. He was going to ask Camille to join them.
The family was gathered in the second living room, with Freya and Kol watching the map as the drops of blood headed straight for New Orleans, some faster than others... "It never stops. Never." Freya sighs, looking at the map with a sense of dread.
"So this may only be a fraction of our potential enemies," Elijah says.
Klaus stands at the bar on the other side of the room, filling a glass of whiskey.
Kol, trying to lighten the situation, cracks a joke about how their enemies seem to multiply faster than rabbits. But neither of his siblings seems impressed by his glib comments.
Klaus turns to Elijah, with his signature cool and smirky demeanour, he brushes off the looming threat as if it's Elijah's problem alone. "Let's not jump to conclusions about their motives. Who knows? Maybe half of them are just itching to put a bullet in your heart! End the Sire War with the pull of a trigger."
Elijah, wearing a disinterested countenance, reminds Klaus that his safety is ensured by an army of loyal soldiers. "The only people who care to protect you are standing in this very room," he points out, reminding Niklaus that there is an alternative route to guarantee his safety.
The original hybrid is giving a major side-eye to Elijah's hint, "Ah, you've managed to sway me, dear brother," mischievously says, and in more of a statement and less of a question way contiues: "Shall I count on you to relay the message to Hayley, instructing her to gather a few essentials for both herself and our little Hope, and in the meantime? I'll swing by my therapist; she might just fancy joining our little escapade." Klaus chuckles, a cunning twinkle in his eyes, causing Elijah to look at him in total surprise.
Freya is confused for a few seconds before realising what is going on.
"You're going to run? Are you serious?" she protests.
Klaus seems amused by his big sister's comment. "There was a time, sister, when the name Klaus Mikaelson was little more than a rumour. A shadowy figure who cast fear into the very bones of any who heard a whisper of him" says with a cocky smirk, "I don't run; I disappear! And tonight, the three of you are going to make that possible by creating an unbreakable clocking spell."
Freya, arms crossed, doesn't like the plan that's been laid out in front of her. However, seeing Elijah and Niklaus both nod in agreement, she reluctantly accepts that she's got to go along with it.
"Kol and I will ensure your every move remains undetectable," Freya says.
It dawned on Elijah that Klaus had intended to depart with Hayley and Hope from the very beginning, but his self-doubts had hindered him from proposing it. Klaus, as usual, had deceived Elijah into thinking that he required persuasion. As he gazes at his brother, a look of understanding passes between them.
Klaus places a burlap sack on the table, stained with blood. "I have a parting gift for you, dear brother," he says with a devilish grin. "I believe this will assist in resolving the issue that Marcel and the Strix currently face." Klaus continues, "You see, there's been a series of missing vampires, all of whom were involved in Jackson's murder and Hayley's abduction. Strangely enough, their lifeless bodies have been turning up all over the city."
Elijah's face lights up with astonishment. He knows that, when it comes to intricate plans, his brother is a true mastermind who never fails to impress.
Without even opening the bag, Elijah is certain of its contents. Inside lies the head of Gaspar Cortez, providing him with the perfect scapegoat for Hayley's vengeful outburst.
No longer willing to suppress his feelings, Klaus made his way through the French quarter. He was so resolute that Cami fully understood the depth of his affection for her. But a nagging concern lingered in his mind: the possibility of Cami turning down his heartfelt offer.
Their once-strong bond had been strained in recent times, and he couldn't help but worry that she might opt to confront the looming dangers alone. If that were to happen, he would make it clear to Elijah and Freya that they must ensure her safety at all costs.
Cami was again in St. Anne's Church. Dressed in black, she was leaning against the balcony overlooking the nave, lost in her thoughts, when he walked behind to join her. "Is Cortez dead?" she asked without looking at him.
Klaus gave her an affirmative nod of the head. "I know you're not pleased about the innocent lives lost. I'm sorry you had to see that."
Cami paused for a moment, taking Klaus' words in, before responding quietly, "I get it. Three lives were taken to spare thirty." At last, she turned to look at him, her expression inscrutable. "I've seen you kill before, Klaus. Did you expect me to just fall apart? I'm not that girl anymore." Cami continues "This morning, you said that Aurora stole something from me. You were right."
Klaus sighs and gives her a solemn look.
"Aurora turned you because, in her twisted little maze of a mind, she believed my affections for you would grow cold," Klaus says while taking a large step towards her, stopping just inches from her face. He was confident that he detected a yearning gaze in her eyes, as though she craved to kiss him.
"She was wrong," he stated firmly, staring into her eyes.
And then he leaned forward to kiss her, caressing her face with his hand. He could feel her trembling at his touch, but instead of giving herself to him, closing her eyes, and allowing the intimate moment to play on, Cami pulled away.
"Your feelings may not have changed, but mine have," she says in a quiet voice. Klaus gives her a puzzled look, his eyes glistening with tears. And she knows those words she is voicing will hurt him deeply. She averts her gaze momentarily from his and continues, "I've been lying to myself, trying to hold on... But the part of me that loved you, the part of me that hoped for your redemption—that part was human. And it's gone. I'm sorry."
As she gazes upon him, she can see in his eyes a scared child, abandoned and rejected by the one he holds dearest. He doesn't say a word; he just speeds off, leaving them both heartbroken and alone.
Cami leans over and lets herself fall to the ground, tears streaming down her face.
The hybrid keeps pushing through the crowd with a look on his face that terrorizes anyone who has the misfortune of crossing his path. His heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. The woman he loves just dumped him. His blue eyes sparkle with tears; hurt is purring from them. He keeps playing the scene in his head again and again. He looks deep into Camille's eyes, begging her not to say what she is going to say. But she remained unmoved by his eyes pleading. Instead, she spoke the words that shattered his heart.
His worst dread, the fear of abandonment and loneliness, came after him. He refused to blame her for no longer loving him. He was responsible for her death and the loss of her humanity. He pledged to keep her safe and failed miserably.
Back in the compound, Hayley was preparing Hope's suitcase for travel. She packed just a few essentials, casual clothes, and baby supplies. She knew they had to leave quickly and quietly without drawing any attention. She really ought to prioritize the safety of her child above all else.
But her heart was heavy with grief and guilt. She knew deep down that her departure was driven by the all-consuming sorrow she felt for Jackson and the unbearable burden of loving Elijah with every fiber of her being. It was a painful realization, but one she could no longer ignore.
Being under the same roof as Elijah, his mere existence continued to profoundly impact her, and her affection for him remained as intense as before.
Jackson died knowing that she was waiting for her always-and-forever love with Elijah. She failed to honour her husband when he was alive; she would not fail him in death.
Running away from Elijah and those overwhelming feelings seemed like the only option.
Of course, getting away with Klaus was not ideal for her. She and the father of her child didn't always see eye to eye, and dealing with Klaus was never a walk in the park.
So she hoped that there was a slim chance for the psycho to persuade Cami to join them, but realistically, she knew it was unlikely.
As Klaus stepped into the abattoir, a grey cloud seemed to follow him. Without uttering a single word to anyone, he made a beeline for Hope's nursery. His siblings exchanged meaningful glances, sensing that his meeting with Cami hadn't gone well.
Elijah, understanding Klaus better than anyone else, kindly discouraged them from delving deeper. "Allow him to seek comfort in the company of his daughter." He ordered them.