A.N. Hey all! I hope your having a wonderful 2022! It's been a while, so I am so glad to be back at this story. Thank you to everyone who has shown love for this story and all my other stories. Now onward with this chapter! I hope you like it.

Enjoy

Chapter 20: Piqued Interest

Sunday church had been perfect. Danny had done an amazing job on his solo. He had played an original song on the church organ and although he said it was work in progress because he had no words yet, the song didn't need words, it said everything that needed to be said.

"Wow, Danny did a real good job with his solo." I say to Lucy as we wait for everyone to vacate their seats.

"Yeah, he's been working on that song for so long." Lucy says a small smile on her lips. "He'd never let me hear it, and it drove me crazy." She says looking out to where Danny had been sitting. "And now he got to preform it, in front of everyone. I'm proud of him."

I beam over at her. "Everyone is proud of him!" I say reassuring her. Lucy and Danny were just as close ass Lucy and Vincent so I knew this moment meant a lot to her as well.

Lucy stands suddenly. "You don't mind if I go and talk to him real quick?"

I shake my head. "No, go ahead." Pause. "Klaus and I have plans." I say looking down at my hands suddenly nervous. "He's, having a car pick me up, so you and Danny can bond for as long as you need."

Lucy envelops me in a big hug. "Be safe, and call me later."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Sure." I say pulling away. "Now go and give Danny a hug for me."

Lucy soon disappears in search of Danny, leaving me to sit in the church. I let my eyes drift close as I feel a sudden warmth within me. My fingers clasp the necklace around my neck. I wish grams was here with us right now, she'd love the service, she'd love everything about it. I think if she were here, she'd love everything about NOLA, just like I was beginning to love everything.

I let the warmth of her memory fill me a bit longer, till I felt a hand on my shoulder. Startled I turned round to see Camille sitting in the seat directly behind me.

"I'm sorry to scare you." Cami says looking a bit sheepish. "I just saw you and I thought, as long as you've been here, we really haven't gotten a chance to talk." She says conversationally. "And I thought it was high time we do."

Briefly I studied Cami. I had been here for quite some time and the two of us had hardly shared words. The most we spoke was probably hi and bye. Granted, we ran in different circles or perhaps we ran in the same circle just not when the other was around. I knew that Vincent was cool with Cami, and Lucy knew everyone. Other than Lucy and Damon most of my time had been spent with Klaus.

Still I figured we could talk, and be friendly. I had nothing against Cami, so why not have a little chit chat.

"The service today was really good, Father Kieran did a wonderful job."

Cami nods proud. "Yeah, I'll let him know you were a fan." Pause. "Danny's solo didn't leave a dry eye in the room."

"Tell me about it," I say with a smile. "Lucy was so proud of him, she ditched me. But that's okay, he deserves all the love she'll shower him with."

Cami clears her throat. "I was, um surprised that only you and Lucy showed up."

Soon as her words rang we were drenched in silence. I had wanted to avoid any and everything drama filled but it seemed that- that wouldn't be the case. I knew this conversation was headed this way, it was a pity, but here we were. Klaus was here even when he wasn't here.

"Oh." I say with a curt nod of the head. "Are we really going to do this?"

Cami licks her lips. "I uh, saw you with Klaus."

I let out a chuckle and looked down. It was obvious all this was about Klaus. "So," I say with a tilt of the head. "All of this, you wanting to talk, the reason you came over here, was all about Klaus, am I right?"

Camille has at least the nerve to look embarrassed. "Yeah– this is about Klaus."

KM-KM

Klaus

After dropping Bonnie off he had headed in the direction of home only to pivot his direction and pick up a few of his daughters favorite treats from the bakery. Though his house was staffed with the best chefs money could afford he knew very well that Hope had a soft spot for a certain bakery and he'd do anything to please his little girl.

In line, he rocks back and forth on his feet when he hears his name being called.

"Niklaus Mikaelson, it feels like it's been ages." The very familiar voice says.

Turning round he spots Gloria dressed in a fashionable coat and big sunglasses, her lips are painted a deep red while her black pants and purse tells him his friend had indeed just come back from her own vacation of some sort.

"Gloria, you're looking well." He says whilst kissing her hand.

The witch offers him a knowing smile. "But not as good as you."

He wiggles his eyebrows. "You're buttering me up, which means something happened, will happen or is about to happen."

Gloria tilts her head back. "No not really."

"So you just missed my handsome face." He dimpled.

The witch palms his cheek. "I've always been an Elijah type of gal."

He snorts.

"But it is good to see you, without that cloud hanging over your head."

He nods, shifting from one foot to the other. "What disrupted your vacation?"

"I woke up in the middle of the night, while on vacation and knew I needed to hop on the first flight out." The witch says twisting her ring across her finger."

"Why?"

By the looks of it Gloria had something of high magnitude to say because she soon tilted her head to the side, where they found a corner in the bakery. "A power surge it was so strong, it woke me up in the middle of the night. I had never felt anything like it before. It was a sudden surge of energy almost like the colliding of something."

Taking a moment he examines his long time friend. Gloria never pulls any punches, so whatever she felt, whatever brought her back home, was big. "Did you see anything?" He asks keeping his voice low as the server comes to take orders. He orders some baked goods scones, cinnamon rolls, and croissants while Gloria orders an iced coffee.

"No." she says with a shake of the head. "But what I felt was powerful."

He sits back in his chair. "Do you think it's the invaders, from the meeting?"

Once again, she shakes her head. "No, this was something new, something that is pure."

Leaning forward he speaks. "Go on."

"I think that energy source , is what will defeat our newest enemy." She says picking up her iced coffee. "We just have to find it."

His phone vibrated at the next moment a text from Josh asking what time he was supposed to pick up Bonnie from church.

Gloria quick with the eyes sipped her drink all the while watching him. "So you and Bonnie are still entertaining each other?"

He flicks blue eyes up her way, a glare seconds away. "What can I say, I've always had a thing for witches." He says standing once the server brings his order over. "I trust that you can find this pure power you speak of?"

Gloria too stands. "I'm already on it. Whoever it is, it brought me back here, which means the person, or persons are probably right under our noses."

He offers her a smile. "Right. Will you excuse me, I have a little girl to get home to and Sunday morning tea to attend."

-Elsewhere-Elsewhere-

They say a witch scorned is not one to be messed with, they were all right.

Alone in the bayou she sits and waits for the pain to stop, but heartache the kind she has never really goes away. She felt invisible even though she wasn't. She had brought herself back from a long, long slumber that was brought upon by him and now that she was back, she planned on ruining his life and the life of people who left her behind.

In the last twenty four hours she had seen Elijah. The same Elijah that had once smiled at her with warmth that had filled her with so much happiness. She knew what it felt to be loved by Elijah, she be cherished, or at least she thought she knew. Now though, he was sniffing around Lucy Bennett. He was always looking for a star that was just as bright, if not brighter than his brothers.

Always and forever was something the Mikaelsons had claimed to live by, but it was all a lie. She had once been part of the family, once had been one of them and they had moved on without her. She wonders if they even remember her, or was she just another casualty brought on my the monster himself.

Speaking of monster, she had never seen him happier and that made her want to crush everything he held dear to him in her hands. And when he was begging for mercy, she would laugh in his face and remind him that she was the one to defeat him.

Getting up from the hardwood floors she walks over to a cedar chest. Buried in a box filled with letters written in ornate writing she finds a necklace that was once given to her. If the family thought they would get a happy ending where she had not, they were mistaken. It was time to step out of the shadows and stop playing games. It was time for them to know her, the person he turned her into.

All of her bitterness, her anger and hatred has stemmed from the actions of one man and Niklaus would pay for it, and so would everyone he held dear. She'd tear apart everything he built, every friendship, every foundation and his blossoming love life.

Putting the necklace on she walks over to the vanity showing her real face. Her name was Celeste Du Boise, once upon a time she had been part of the family. Now though, she was a one woman show, a woman who was now ready to show the Mikaelson family what happens when you mess with the wrong one.

RM-EM-KM

Mikaelson Home

Rebekah

Rebekah Mikaelson bounced into the family home as if she was floating on air itself. She and Marcel had done the smart thing and took time out for the two of them. That of course meant going on holiday to many of shared favorite places. They started the holiday in Italy, followed by Milan, and by the end of it all had come back to the states where they spent many of days soaking up the rays of sunshine in sunny California. It was on a boat ride along the coast that Marcel had popped the question and she had of course said yes. Hours later they had charted a plane and were married in Hawaii.

Though the blond would've love to have her brothers at her side, in the end the wedding, her wedding had been perfect because it was just she and Marcel. The day was about the two of them and what they meant to each other, so to say she was pleased with the nuptials was putting it lightly. She had been running after her brothers for over a century and now, she had someone who was her person, just as she was his person. In a world filled with so many people, the only person she had ever really needed had been the one and only Marcel Gerald.

Now though, she had returned home with bags filled of goodies from her adventures, only to find that the house was nearly empty, at least of her siblings. Instead she found Haley sitting on the sofa flipping through a magazine.

"What are you doing here?" She asks putting down some of her bags. "Shouldn't you be spending my brothers money or at least supporting your husband at your own home." She says surveying the remaining bags the butler had brought in.

Haley sits up from her position lying on the couch. "For your information, my daughter is upstairs and where she goes, I go." Haley has eyes narrowed.

Crossing her arms in front of her chest she glares at the wolf girl. "Are your sure about that, because if my memory serves me correctly," She says pausing. "My niece favors being in her fathers home and that usually is without you." She points out dully.

Haley stands now. "What is your problem? You've been missing in action for some time now and you come back a bigger bitch than when you left?"

Rebekah smile now. "It's simple. I don't like you. If it weren't for my beautiful, fantastic angel of a niece, you'd be in shreds."

Shifting from one foot to the other, Haley speaks. "What did I ever do to you?"

Rebekah leans close. "Nothing. But what you were trying to do to my brothers is something I will never forget." When Haley dares to open her mouth, she can only send her a scathing look. "You got pregnant by one brother, one night stand, I get that. But when you tried to cozy up to the other brother and use him for emotional support, well that is where I draw the line."

Haley thins her lips. "Nothing happened with Elijah. I'm with Jack now."

Rebekah tilts her head to the side. "But you wanted something to happen and you would've torn my family apart to get to what you wanted."

Haley has the nerve to at least look ashamed. "That was a long time ago,"

She tilts her head back. "You Haley Marshall are a trader and always will be, you're only loyalty is to yourself..."

"And my family, which includes Hope your niece and my husband." Haley say between clenched teeth.

Having enough she rolls her eyes and examines a shopping bag. "Whatever, where are my brothers?"

Haley plops down on a nearby chair. "Do I look like the keeper of the Mikaelson brothers?"

The silence was so defining as she turned to face the wolf again, that Haley couldn't help but answer. Call her what you want, but don't tick her off and Haley was always dancing on her last good nerve.

"Fine." Haley says throwing her hands up in the air. "Klaus left last night, with flowers in hand and I haven't seen him since." Haley blew out annoyed.

Satisfied, she nods her head. She can't help but stifle the small smile that tries to form on her lips. Klaus with flowers! How romantic. Though she had been given many things in her time, flowers were still her favorite and hearing that Klaus was going the simple route pleased her.

Haley however didn't look as pleased. Though the wolf girl and her brother were a one off, it appeared that Haley was sour over the subject. Blue eyes slant over to the woman before her.

"He's still very much chasing the skirt of Bonnie Bennett." Haley says as bored as possible.

Rebekah only shrugs. "And yet she's still better then all of his other bed-buddies."

Eye roll. "As for Elijah, he too escaped the house but much earlier. I heard he was entertaining the other Bennett witch." Haley finishes.

Rebekah scoffs. "You and I both know, you know her name." She says shaking her head. "Leave it to my brothers to go after women in the same family." She frowns.

Haley rubs her hands together. "Listen, I know you don't like me and I get it, but" Pause. "Maybe you can talk some sense into them."

The bubble of laughter that escaped her mouth was loud and clear. "You think after all these years they are going to listen to me?" She says dismissible. "Please."

Haley stands again. "They adore you, and despite outward appearances they listen to you. If whatever they have going on with the Bennett witches, ends badly how do you think it's going to affect us?"

"It won't affect me at all." is her last words before Elijah comes waltzing in. He's back to his suit which is refreshing. However, he doesn't look as pleased as one would originally think.

"Rebekah, finally your home!" Elijah.

"Elijah." She says her tone softening.

They embrace in a short hug before Elijah turns dark eyes to Haley.

"Haley, leave us, my sister and I have much to discuss.

Outraged Haley walks over to the original whom she had pegged the good one. "Oh so you'd rather I just listen from afar about your problem with the witch that is obsessed with you and Klaus or,"

"Again?" Rebekah asks frowning.

Elijah sends her a squint. "It's not just Niklaus and I this witch is upset with." He says making sure to look at his sister. "They seem awfully upset with the Bennett family too."

Haley glares further. "Whom you and Klaus seem to be getting further entangled with as well."

Rebekah snorts and shakes her head. "She told Elijah a long time ago to set Haley straight, by the look currently on his face, it might just happen right now."

Before dear Elijah has a chance to finally sass Haley and put her firmly in her place, in walks Klaus reeking of sex, Bennett magic, and infatuation.

"Whatever this is, lets make it quick. Bonnie is coming over for tea later and I don't want any of this screwing up anything." Klaus says hotly whilst handing a box of pastries off to the staff. While at the pastry shop he had sent a very detailed oriented text about how he would like the setting for Sunday tea, and if it was messed up by anyone, well then they should expect fireworks.

"I've got two witches to entertain." He says grinning.

Haley gags. "Gag me."

"You'd enjoy it too much." Klaus says not even sparing her a glance.

BB-BB-BB

Bonnie

I gave her a slow hand clap. This was some classic Elena Gilbert bait and switch here. I wasn't a fan of it then and I still wasn't a fan of it now. "Well I guess you get points for trying to engage with me." I say standing. "But this was really never about being kind to me or even wanting to get to know me, this was all about Klaus and whatever your feelings are about him."

Cami looks down. "I know it, sounds bad, it even looks bad. I'm not after Klaus if that's what you think." Cami says standing as well. "And to be honest my uncle is pretty close to the family, well at least Marcel. I just thought it was telling that Mikaelson family has been so quiet."

I put my hair behind my ears. "Listen, if you're looking for information, I don't have any." I say honestly. "If you or Kieran need answers, you might want to go to the source." I say turning on my heel.

"Listen," Camille calls causing me to stop in my tracks. " Normally I wouldn't go this far, but things have been different now." Pause. "Where usually Klaus would be here insisting he was doing everything to keep those he deemed worthy safe, he seems to have his head elsewhere." The blond said.

I can't help but turn all the way around to look at her. "Are you insinuating that I'm the problem here, that I'm a distraction?" I ask my tone even. "Because Klaus makes his own decisions and choices."

Camille shakes and holds up her hands. "No, that's not what I'm trying to say. The Mikaelson family is silent which almost never happens." She rattles on. "I wasn't at that supernatural meeting, but even I know something is going on." She says meeting my eyes. "I just want to be able to give people a heads up if shits about to hit the fan."

I let out a dark chuckle. "Shits always about to hit the fan, you can't escape it."

Cami bites her lip. "I'm scared, and I'm in the dark and I don't like it." Pause. "I just don't like impending doom hanging over our heads."

I regard her with a look, nobody understands doom and gloom more than I do. In fact I had spent most of my life waiting for the other shoe to drop so I get it. "I get what you're saying." I say suddenly. "I spent much of teenaged years waiting for the other shoe to drop or being afraid. Afraid of my magic, the next big bad and Klaus."

Camille looks at me long. "How did you get over it, being scared?"

I turn to face her. Camille and I aren't too much different. We want to protect everyone around us and with that comes taking on things that are bigger than us. "Well, for starters I realized that Klaus could only be defeated by three things and two of those things are extinct...except for me. I had no reason to be afraid of him because if I wanted to he'd be extinct."

Camille chuckles lowly. "You wouldn't know that looking at the two of you."

I snort. "That's because he has a good tongue."

Soon as the words leave my mouth I place my hands over my mouth. Goodness I was suppose to think that not say it. I needed to get it together quick.

Camille turns beet red and I feel my face heat up to. Out of all the words to slip out of my mouth, this was not the time or place to let those words slip out.

"I know that Klaus will do anything to protect this city, he loves it." Camille says changing the topic.

"Then you should trust him." I say thankful for us getting back on track. "Listen, you know Klaus a lot better than I do, you're his therapist." Pause. "Klaus likes to think of this place as his, which means he'll protect what he feels belongs to him."

Camille folds her arms in front of her chest. "You know that extends to you too." she says with great effort. "I've seen the two of you together, everyone has, you and Klaus,"

"Are nobodies business." I say firmly. "Instead of trying to decipher what is going on between the two of us, maybe you should examine your own feelings." I say fire back. "I don't doubt you're scared but this, this whole conversation could be brought on your feelings for him."

Cami has a smirk on her face that has me thinking maybe just maybe this conversation has gone on longer then it should have.

"I know where I stand with Klaus, we're sort of friends and I'm his therapist. And as his therapist, I should probably not speak for him, but as his friend, from what I've seen from the moment you got into town he's mellowed out, he's not picking fights or snapping every five seconds."

Though her words are supposed to be soothe me, it just leave me wondering what this whole conversation was really about. Was she trying to shrink me because I had, had lots of therapy and Damon had the bill to prove it.

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask suddenly. I don't know if she's playing games or if I'm paranoid at this point.

Cami chuckles. "In case everything goes left, you'll have a silver lining."

Cami and I were interrupted by Josh who had come into the church looking sheepish.

"I hate to break this up, really I do, but," Josh says shifting from one foot to the other. "But Klaus has left me a very detailed text, and I really hate to get on his bad side."

"I got your back Josh." I say sending him a wink.

"Thank you, now come on." Josh says linking his arm with mine.

I shake my head. "Fine." I say as Josh steers us toward the exit

"Bonnie," Cami calls causing Josh and I to stop mid stride. Thanks for hearing my perspective."

I turn to look over at Cami briefly. "I'll do what I can, and see what I can find out, but I make no promises I can give you what you're asking for."

Cami nods her head and walks away leaving Josh and I alone.

"Don't tell me what that was about, because if I know, I might crack under any type of pressure." Josh admits while he leads me to the car.

I snort. "Its not a big deal, Cami and I talked, that's it."

"Hmm. If you say so, Klaus will flip if he finds out you two were chatting about him." Josh says opening the car door for me.

Once buckled inside I look over at him. "If you say so."

Minutes pass by while we drive in silence.

"So, you were talking about him right, I mean how could you not! I mean almost girlfriend and new girlfriend swapping words, stories and staking claim on the most notorious vampire to ever live."

I give Josh a long look. "What are you his hype man?"

Josh shrugs, but grins. "He pays me enough for it."