A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

"Hello?"

Lola's eyes shut in almost relief as her father's soothing but worried voice, a small smile curving at her lips."Hello? Lola?"

She felt a pang of guilt at the obvious worry in his voice as he continued to say her name. Granted, it had been less than a day since they last spoke, but the pair spoke twice a day, if not more. The young woman sat up straighter, lingering for a moment to compose herself.

"Honey?"

"Hi, dad."Lola finally spoke, sounding as cheery as she could, a genuine smile appearing on her face."I know you're probably upset-"

"Of course i'm upset."She heard him breathe a sigh of relief before he asked."Are you okay? Do I need to kick some ass?"

Lola smiled, the thought of her father attempting to be intimidating honestly amusing her."Dad, you bruise like a peach."

She heard her father stutter before he finally stated."You've heard of father's lifting cars for their babies."

"That's mothers."

"Don't be sexist."Her father quickly replied, sighing as he continued to worry."Are you okay? I've been calling."

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I'm fine."Lola forced her voice to be determined, knowing her father wasn't completely buying it."Promise."

"Good."Lola could hear the traces of worry in his voice falter as he processed that she was fine."Then where have you been, missy? You know I never do this, but i'm putting my foot down. Way down, it's nailed to the ground now. Where have you been?"

A tired laugh came from Lola, and she wet her dry lips as she came up with something believable.

"I was with Little Hope all day. Uh, her mother, Hayley, came back. It was a big custody thing, none of our business, you gossip."Lola swallowed the lump in her throat as she pondered her words before voicing them to her father."They worked it out, and it means that..."

Lola shut her eyes, letting out a long breath before she finished."It means that I can come home. For good."

"Are you sure? Wouldn't they need a babysitter now and then?"

"What? You don't want me home?"

"Of course I do! I've been without my iPad for days now; I forgot the passcode."Her father firmly said, it clear in his tone how much he missed having her home."I'd love you to come home. A few minute walk isn't much, but I do miss you."

"Then what is it?"

"You love your job. It's not a job. You love the child. You get attached to people easily."His voice softened, knowing full well she'd never deny it, before he light-heartedly said."And i'm sure you've got a crush on the father. Don't deny it; I saw you blush when we all met up."

Lola shut her eyes for a moment at the mention of Klaus, and she shook her head.

"Dad-"

"The answer is no."Her father cut in, amusement gone from his voice as he put his foot down once again."Accent or not, he's far too old for you. He's a nice guy; he was kind when we met before you moved in. He's not a dodgy guy; otherwise, I wouldn't have let you work for him, but not for a boyfriend."

Lola didn't reply, but she did give an almost wry, tight smile at her father's opinion of Klaus.

Kind.

She'd thought the same.

"I'm sure Mr Mikaelson can come up with something. He knows you and Hope are close. He's not a bad guy, right?"

Lola inhaled a sharp breath, and she hung her head, her black hair falling around her.

When his daughter didn't retort, her father's worry returned.

"Lola? What's wrong?"

As if sensing that she wasn't going to deny it, he spoke again."Honey, what is it?"

Lola straightened, brushing back her black hair and bit back the emotion."I just want to come home. I did my job."

She knew that he'd heard the firmness in her voice as he replied."Are you sure?"

Lola nodded numbly as she heard her father moving around."Mmm-hmmm."

"All right, honey. I'm already on my way."

"Yeah?"

"Of course."Her father quickly replied, as if it were obvious, the sound of a door shutting following."You want to come home; you're coming home. Just take what you need. Remember Mr Cuggles, all right?"

Lola nodded, muttering a goodbye before she hung up.

"Any last words, sweetheart?"

"How about you beg for your life?"Klaus suggested, turning Kara's head to the side and giving an exaggerated wince at the claw marks on her cheeks."I might be more merciful if you bow down before me. I might make your death nice and swift, quite the opposite to other people that have crossed me."

Klaus let out a laugh as Kara turned her head, snapping her teeth at him, an intense hatred in her eyes. The Original's eyes darkened, a complacent smile on his face as he looked to the claw slashes he'd given her. She screamed in a shrill manner, not in fear but in pure disgust as Klaus flashed his eyes amber at her, the sound making the Originals eyes roll back in gratification.

The pain he was inflicting did drown out the hurt he felt whenever he thought of the look he'd gotten from Lola. Not to mention the upset Hope was now feeling, he could feel what she was sensing.

"Scream all you want, love, nobody can hear you. See, this used to be Kol's playroom, it was a gift from me on his birthday."Klaus drawled, a dangerous smirk curving at his mouth as he looked around."Oh, if these walls could talk."

"I now have to conduct business in here so my princess can't see what happens when someone speaks out of line."Klaus then gave a fond smile, his tone turning soft as he laughed despite the screams."The things we do for our children, eh?"

Kara's screams died out when she could no longer bear the scratching in her throat.

"So how would you like your child to receive your corpse? In pieces?"

Kara sneered at the Original, spitting out blood as she parted her lips to speak."Go to hell, you piece of sh-"

Kara's eyes suddenly bulged painfully, and her face paled, blood spurting from her mouth as she tried to catch her breath. The witch began to violently convulse, and she inhaled then exhaled sharply when she looked down to see Klaus' hand sticking out of her chest.

The witch, for the first time, no longer seemed stoic. Her bloody bottom lip quivered and her eyes glassed over as she raised her head to meet Klaus' gaze.

The witch blinked several times to force the tears away as she stared at Klaus.

"Tell my son i-"

Once again, the witch didn't get time to finish. Her head snapped back, and she was arched up as Klaus painfully twisted his hand before he yanked her heart from her chest. The Original released an aggrieved growl as he squeezed Kara's heart in his hand before he tossed it aside.

"Do you want us to throw the body away?"

Klaus turned his head, looking at the vampires who served him with a blank look.

"No."

They nodded, waiting for him to carry on.

"Present her in the bayou for the fallen Alpha."Klaus demanded as he turned back to look at Kara's now limp body, her arms still chained above her, making her seem like a puppet on its strings."It'll make him think twice before he strikes at me again while making his followers detest him even more."

His vampires nodded once more, already moving to unchain the body. Klaus took a step back, lingering to take in his work once more before he turned away.

"Make it spectacular!"

The Original rolled back his shoulders as he made his way through one of the first floor's hallways. The hybrid licked the blood from his bottom lip as he walked, the anger he had been feeling earlier slowly beginning to subside. He turned into the compound, almost bumping into Elijah who had obviously been eavesdropping.

"Niklaus, I do hope her punishment was enough to placate you."Elijah said, pulling out his handkerchief with his signature flourish before he handed it to Klaus."While your anger is justified, I will not have your daughter even more upset."

"I can assure you, Elijah, the bloodshed was enough for me to regain somewhat composure I have left."Klaus gave his brother a suspicious look as he wiped the blood from his face and hands."And concerning my child, am I to assume that you give a damn?"

Elijah released a long breath as he sat down across from his brother, hands meeting in front of him. Klaus watched Elijah as he remained in his thoughts for a long moment, it clear that he was torn between his love for his brother and the bitterness he still felt.

"Brother, our little, uh, difference of opinions has been going on for a thousand years."Elijah stated with a small smile, twirling his daylight ring around his finger as he pondered before carrying on."We've had them in the past, and we'll have them in the future. We are far from fixing them, do not assume otherwise but I have noticed the progress you have made with Hayley. I have noticed your attempts at building bridges."

Klaus nodded, relieved at hearing a familiar warmth in Elijah's tone instead of resentment.

"Will our bridges ever rebuild?"

Elijah stared at his younger brother, noticing the traces of hopefulness in his voice and offered him a small smile."Niklaus, we've burned them many times in the centuries we've been family. I think it is safe to say that everything can be reconstructed over time."

Klaus gave his first genuine smile for that day, and Elijah returned it. The elder Original's smile slowly faded, however, when his eyes left his brother.

"Although, I cannot say the same for mortals."

Klaus turned his head, following Elijah's gaze to the staircase, his eyes widening.

The Original rose from his chair, dropping the bloody handkerchief."What the bloody hell?"

"Niklaus, you must refrain from acting like..."Elijah gave an almost out of character shrug, unable to stop himself from adding."well acting like you, to be brazen."

Klaus waved Elijah off, but his brother held tighter onto his arm."Brother, you need to tread lightly."

Klaus turned just in time to meet Lola as she entered the compound, his face falling as he saw anything but happiness on her face as she raised her head. The human attempted to walk around him, but Klaus turned just in time, stopping in front of her.

"What's this?"Klaus demanded, completely ignoring Elijah's suggestion, gesturing to the bags with a wry chuckle."You do realise that we have people for laundry, do you, love?"

"Look, i'm not going to go off on a rant about how it should've been my right to know or have a break down about living with the actual possible monster under my bed."Lola let out a long breath, holding tighter onto her bags."I just want to leave."

The Original completely ignored her statement, focused on getting the bags away from Lola. If he did, it meant that she had no choice but to linger.

"Why don't you let me take care of this for you? We'll go out to fetch a bite to eat and have a chat, how does that sound?"Klaus didn't wait for a response as he reached out for her bags, a lopsided smile on his face."Elijah, take these for us."

Lola sidestepped Klaus before he could take her bags, scowling at him."No!"

Klaus froze as he stared at Lola, completely shocked at her tone.

His eyes widened slightly as she turned from him but still continued to glare at him. She'd never used that tone with him. In all honestly, he hadn't heard her use it with anyone. Lola was a gentle person, a strong woman with a pure heart. She wasn't a pushover, she stood her ground but she preferred it when everything was going right, and everyone was getting along.

She had good intentions and sometimes wondered if Hope didn't pick Lola just for her.

"All right, then."Klaus' jaw tightened, nodding and letting his hand fall back to his side, fingers curling into his fist."But we need to talk."

"I don't think we do."Lola softly said, feeling the need to try to keep Klaus calm despite her feelings."I came here to do a job, I did it, and now i'm going home."

Klaus' eyes darkened, ocean blue gone, and a snarl followed. The Original's fists clenched as his eyes flashed amber, a clear sign that he was anything but pleased. The Original hybrid flashed forward, his eyes turning amber once more as he reached out and cupped her face in his hands. He pulled her close until she had no choice but to arch up against him and he leant down until her eyes met his amber ones.

Tone proprietorial, the hybrid's voice lowered, almost dark."This is your home."

Lola's eyes widened at the flash of amber and the almost animalistic snarl, a startled gasp falling from her lips. The human's lips parted in shock as she took a step back and she shook her head. Elijah took a step forward, hand on his brother's arm and he shook his head.

"Forgive him. My brother tends to get defensive. He won't harm you."Elijah offered Lola a small smile before looking to his brother, lowering his voice."Niklaus..."

Nodding, Klaus breathed out, attempting to calm himself before he spoke.

"Home is where your family is."The hybrid gently said, it clear that he truly believed his words, his tone turning more firm as he continued."Your home is here. With Hope."

"With..."Klaus was almost unable to meet her gaze but he, needing to make his feelings clear."With me."

Lola kept his gaze, vision turning blurry as her eyes filled with tears. She didn't know if they were upset tears or yearning ones. Maybe both. All she knew was that there was a tight knot in her stomach and she needed to leave. She needed to leave, crawl under her sheets and remain there until the knot loosened. She couldn't be there; she couldn't be around Klaus for much longer.

"I need-"

Klaus suddenly moved, taking a large step forward, the move startling her. He had no intention to harm her, that was far from his mind, but he also had no intention of allowing her to leave.

"Klaus."

The Original hybrid raised his head, forcing himself to remain composed as Hope came into view, propped on Hayley's hip. The toddler lit up at the sight of her father standing by Lola, but he could see she sensed the tension. The hybrid forced himself to remain still, to not grab Lola and lock her in a room where she could never leave.

He was tempted to but this wasn't just him, this was about Hope. His child had become the little angel on his shoulder guiding him away from acting impulsive all of the time when it concerned her. Klaus turned just in time to smile down at Hope when Hayley came to a stop beside him.

The mother of his child looked between Lola and Klaus, obviously worried.

"What's going on?"

Klaus didn't look up as he replied, eyes focused on Hope as she took his hand in her own. His daughter's tiny hand clutched his own, bringing it close to her and rubbing her cheek against it.

"I'm sure you already know the answer to that, little wolf."

Hayley looked to Lola, noticing the bags in her hands and shook her head but remained quiet. She sighed, rocking back and forth when Hope began to squirm, yawning.

"I thought you were dealing with this."Klaus stated, staring at his sister, his words angry but his tone startled."You were meant to make her better."

"I made her better but what she was told and showed remains. I wasn't going to infiltrate her mind, brother."Freya told Klaus, offering him a comforting hand on his forearm."If she wishes to leave, then it's her choice."

Hope heard Freya's words and let out an unhappy squeal, reaching forward for the human. Hayley looked to Lola, almost expecting her to flinch from Hope but instead, Lola instantly reached out, dropping her bags for a moment. Hope gave a pleased smile, holding onto Wolfy as Lola took her from her mother. Hayley smiled softly as Hope beamed at her mother before happily clinging to Lola.

"Peter Pan tonight."Hope suddenly demanded as she got comfortable in Lola's arms."I like Tinker Bell."

Lola bit down on her lip as Hope began to talk about a particular pair of pyjamas she wanted to wear that night. The human swayed lightly with the child in her arms, the guilt starting to affect her.

She looked down at Hope, treading lightly."I won't be here tonight."

Hope didn't seem to accept this and narrowed her eyes, somewhat mirroring Klaus."Bedtime is night. When the moon is up and bath time is finished, it's bedtime. Daddy is Peter and Lolly has to be Wendy."

Lola felt everyone's gazes burning into her, and she suddenly felt scrutinised. Guilt soared through her as Hope's loving eyes stared up at her, expecting her to read to her like she did most nights. The human swallowed the lump her throat, turning from the family.

She held Hope closer before she shook her head, softly replying."Lolly's going home tonight and the next night."

Hope's brow furrowed, and she looked around before smiling.

"Home is here. With me, daddy, momma, aunt Freya and uncle 'Lijah."Hope then raised Wolfy, brushing his fur against Lola's cheek."And Wolfy!"

"You and Wolfy will always be part of my home."Lola smiled, patting Wolfy and kissing Hope's cheek before she added."But I have another home. I have my dad who needs me."

Hope's face fell as Lola's eyes glassed over."I need to go away, and I might not be back for a while."

"Don't leave, Lolly."Hope whispered with a shake of her head, clutching Wolfy against her chest, peering up at the older female."Stay."

"I'm not leaving you, little Hope. You'll see Lolly again, just not here, okay?"Lola smiled despite the watery look in her eyes, her voice still bright with Hope."Anytime you want to see Lolly, just ask your momma. Maybe we'll go the swing like last time."

Hope didn't seem pleased as she shook her head, unhappily rubbing her cheek against Wolfy's fur. She tightened her grip on Lola's shirt, free arm wrapping around the older female's neck to keep her close. She looked pleadingly at Klaus over Lola's shoulder.

Her daddy could do anything; her daddy was a king just like in the stories he and her aunt told her before bed.

"Make Lolly stay, daddy!"Hope softly demanded of her father, her eyes flashing amber and, in return, Klaus' did the same."Make her stay home."

The Original hybrid's jaw tightened, a sharp pang in his chest as his daughter pleaded with him. She didn't understand what was going on, but she did know that something wasn't right. It was painful, it truly was. Hope's wolf had picked Lola for a reason; it had picked the mother figure she desired. Hayley was Hope's mother; nothing would change that and Hope adored her. But the wolf had picked, had needed, a mother figure to remain with her.

And now it felt like Lola was leaving, the wolf was dolefully howling out, and Klaus' own was responding, tempted to forced the human to stay.

"Daddy."

"I know, I know."Klaus suddenly appeared by his daughter, startling Lola, and carefully took Hope from the human."It's all right, love, i'm here."

He kissed the top of Hope's head, his own eyes sorrowful as she clung to him. Her fingers curled in the collar of his shirt, and she pressed as close as she could to him. Lola's lower lip quivered as she watched Hope. The child wasn't crying, but it was clear she was upset, and that was enough for Lola's heart to break.

"Are you happy now?"Klaus looked to Lola, eyes empty as he saw the tears in her eyes, darkly stating."You're breaking her heart."

Lola's throat closed up, feeling like someone was strangling her and she felt like she was slowly losing air.

"Klaus!"

Hayley quickly came up to them, glaring at Klaus but also giving him an understanding look.

When Klaus felt like something was out of his control or that he couldn't gain something he'd lost, the only power he had left was to hurt that person. Hayley had been around him long enough to know that, while it deeply cut, he did it out of a place of hurt and love. It was a harsh way to show it, but it was how Klaus was, especially if he felt he was hurt. The more he loved you, the harsher he was if he felt like he was losing you.

"Look, he's a dick, but he didn't mean it. He did a little, but he didn't."Hayley whispered to Lola, all the while asking herself why she was defending Klaus but she carried on."You cry when you're upset, Klaus makes you cry if he's upset."

Lola just stared back at Hayley, memories of Klaus pacing back in forth in front of her, enraged when Elijah had questioned Lola's intentions. Klaus had been completely beside himself when he thought Elijah had challenged his love for Hope. In return, he had distanced himself and Hope from his brother. He punished whenever he felt like he was being treated unfairly.

She knew he didn't mean it, deep down she knew.

Lola looked Hayley's shoulder at Klaus who made no attempt to say Hayley was wrong or if she was right. He just stared back at the human, rocking lightly as Hope slowly began to calm down. Freya stood beside her brother, hand on his shoulder while she murmured comforting words to her niece.

"You really wanna leave? I won't let anyone stop you."Hayley took a step forward, offering Lola a kind smile."But everyone, even I who wanted to kill you when I first heard about you, would really find it boring here without you."

Hayley then gave a light-hearted laugh, gesturing back at Klaus."Besides, nobody else has the patience to deal with him."

"If she is hell bent on leaving, there is no point in attempting to stopping her."Klaus blankly said, blue orbs giving Lola a once over before his gaze settled on her face. His eyes flickered over her features, as if mentally capturing them before he coldly added."Let her leave. See if I care."

Despite knowing that the words were nothing, Lola felt the knot in stomach tighten.

The human just nodded, reaching down and grabbing her bags once more. Hope whined unhappily, reaching out for Lola but Klaus held his daughter closer, kissing her tiny hand before he held it in his own.

"Something wrong?"

Lola's eyes widened as she turned around, gaze landing on her father who stood at the entrance of the compound. He looked around, apparently sensing the tension. He looked even more worried as he saw how pale his daughter's face was and instantly made his way over to her.

He took her bags from her, frowning."What's wrong?"

"We're saying goodbye."Elijah, always polite and dignified, was quick to respond with a small smile."Hope is just saddened with being parted from Lola. She has grown fond of her as i'm sure you can see."

The eldest Original then looked over his family before his gaze settled on Lola."We all have."

Her father looked at her, nodding to the exit then looked to everyone."You ready?"

"Not yet."

Lola turned and slowly began to make her way over to Hope and Klaus. As she neared the child, she half expected Klaus to turn away and refuse her access to Hope. Despite expecting it, she wouldn't leave without at least attempting to say goodbye to the child.

Instead of refusing her access, Klaus remained in his place, eyes still stormy but he didn't say anything. He looked anywhere but the human, fingers drumming against his leg in an almost fidgeting manner.

Hope looked up as she sensed the human, eyes widening and mouth curving up at the sight of her. She looked up at her father, pulling on his collar but he just nodded, acknowledging her existence.

"I'm gonna miss you, munchkin."Lola truthfully said before smiling and reached out, ticking Hope's side, earning herself a giggle."I'll see you soon. It won't be the same, but i'll see you. We'll go to the swings like I said earlier."

"Promise?"Hope whispered, peering up at Lola over Wolfy who she had hugged to her chest and she reached up with her hand, pinky extending."Promise promise?"

Lola gave a vibrant smile and leant down so that she was at eye level with Hope. Her hand took Hope's and Lola pecked the toddler's hand before she extended her own pinky. She interlocked their pinkies to seal her promise, making Hope smile a little.

"I promise promise."

Hope nodded, accepting the promise with a smile. Lola looked relieved at the smile before she reached down and embraced Hope in a hug. The child happily embraced her back, making sure that Wolfy got a hug too. The pair smiled at each other, Lola making sure to also promise to Wolfy too when Hope demanded it.

"You promise promise to daddy?"Hope asked, looking up at Klaus who had been watching them with a blank look."He's sad."

Lola gawked at Hope who just stared at Lola expectantly. The human chewed on her bottom lip as Klaus remained silent, but he did turn to look at her, raising his eyebrows almost as expectant as his daughter. Hope cocked her head as Lola just stared back at Klaus, frozen in her spot.

"Lolly?"

Lola swallowed, looking down at Hope who continued to stare at her."I-"

"Lola?"

The human turned to look at her father, looking relieved at his interruption. He smiled at her, having clearly noticed the tension and remained still but ready to step in just in case. Lola almost laughed at the thought, her father hated confrontation, but he excelled in outwitting someone. The human gave him a small nod, mouthing that she was okay.

She looked back to Hope, smiling brightly at her."Love you, Hope."

"Love you, Lolly."Hope whispered back, face scrunching up cutely when Lola kissed her forehead then her cheek."Soon?"

Lola nodded as she took a step back."Soon."

The human started to back away, daring to look up at Klaus as she did. The hybrid was already looking to meet her gaze, and the Original stared at her.

He shook his head, shifting from foot to foot, agitated with the entire situation. He seemed almost shocked that she had taken it this far, that she was actually leaving him.

The hybrid opened his mouth but snapped it shut, unable to form any words. He silently watched as she quietly said goodbye to his family before meeting her father at the exit. The Original continued to keep an eye on her as Lola walked away, but he turned away as she disappeared, following her father out of the compound.

He suddenly felt as if someone had driven a stake into his heart.

He forgot how to speak, his throat closed up, and he expected the anger to come. But, instead, nothing happened, there was no fuel to the fire.

Hope gave a saddened sigh, nuzzling against her father, tightening her grip on him."Daddy's sad."

Klaus just gave a nod, unable to lie to his daughter and gave a loving smile when Hope embraced him in a hug, head resting on his shoulder. His dejection slowly abated when his daughter pulled back from his shoulder, offered him an affectionate before she tilted up and pressed a comforting kiss to his cheek.

Klaus seemed startled for a moment before his mouth curved up and he beamed at his daughter. Hope's head rested against Klaus' cheek and he looked down, Wolfy tucked under her chin as she still hugged him to her.

Her wolf was as uneasy as his was, it had been almost tranquil up until then.

They'd been grounded.

He then suddenly nodded, as if coming to a decision.

"It's going to be all right, my littlest wolf. It's all going to be all right."

Klaus pressed a reassuring kiss to his daughter's temple, promising."I'll make sure of it."

Thank you for reading!

I was sure about this chapter, and I was a little hesitant in posting it because i'm worried what you might think. Lola doesn't hate Klaus; she's quite taken with him which is why she's upset that he kept what he is from her.

I hope you guys aren't let down with this chapter and somewhat enjoyed it.

If you enjoyed this chapter and want to read more, please leave a review.