Pictures Of You

Damon and Stefan walk into the Mikaelson mansion with ease making Damon scoff, "I know originals live here but don't you think they'd keep the door locked?"

"What, like we do at the house?" Stefan jests as they hear movement coming from the kitchen and they both walk in that direction.

Damon shrugs, "Fair point, brother." They both walk into the kitchen to see Lola sat attempting to decorate a cake making Damon frown, "Uh, Lo. What are you doing?"

Lola looks up from the cake, gesturing towards it, "What does it look like? I'm baking a cake."

Both brothers watch as their sister continues to decorate a crooked cake covered in pink frosting. Stefan tilts his head slightly as he narrows his eyes at the cake, "You never bake."

Lola shrugs as she starts to top the cake with cherries, "Maybe I've decided to pick up some new skills."

Stefan frowns as he glances down at his watch, "It's 8 in the morning."

"What's your point?" Lola snaps, she sits back in her chair and grabs a spoon full of leftover cake batter, "I woke up wanting cake so I am making a cake."

Damon glances between the cook book and the cake, "Is it suppose to look like that?"

Stefan gestures to the wooden spoon in Lola's hand, "You know, if you keep eating the raw cake batter you'll be sick."

Lola rolls her eyes as she sits forward and flicks one of the cherries on the top of the cake towards both of them. She narrows her eyes at them, "You are so annoying today. Is the soul purpose of your visit just to annoy the life out of me?" She shrugs as she stands up, putting the now empty bowl in the sink, "Besides, the whole raw cake batter is just a myth mothers would tell their children to stop being greedy."

Stefan shrugs as he sits down the same time Lola does, "We haven't seen you for a while, we just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Lola scoffs, "That's what happens when you're on a cat and mouse chase with an emotionless Elena. Still got no humanity, huh?" Her brows shoot up in fake surprise, "Hm, can't believe she's lasted this long without crying."

"Fancy making a break for it and hanging out with your bros?" Damon suggests as he stands behind Lola, placing his hands on either of her shoulders, "Team Salvatore reunite?"

Lola pushes his hands off her, "Gladly, they're all planning on having a family meeting this morning. I do not want to be here for that." She stands up and holds up the cake towards Damon, "Shall I bring the cake?"

Damon glances at Lola then down at the cake. He swipes his finger across the frosting and tastes it, pulling a face of disgust immediately, "You need to put that in the trash."

Lola sends a glare at her brother, "Asshole." She puts the cake back onto the table, "I'm gonna go get changed first."

Lola stands in the adjoining bathroom to her and Klaus' room looking into the mirror as she fixes her hair. She frowns when she gets an odd feeling in her stomach, she can feel the odd feeling travel up her body. She rushes over to the toilet and starts throwing up. She kneels on the floor beside the toilet when there's an array of knocks at the door, instantly recognisable as Klaus,

"What's happened?"

"Go away." Lola breathes out, "I'm all gross."

Ignoring Lola's request, Klaus walks into the bathroom, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I'm fine." Lola assures him as she begins to stand up, Klaus takes her hand helping her stand straight, "Just too much cake batter."

Klaus glances at her confused, still holding onto her hand, "What?"

Lola shakes her head, "Nothing. I'm okay now." Lola takes a deep breath but her face begins to squirm up when the odd feeling begins to build up once more. She pushes Klaus out of the way hunches over the toilet and starts to throw up once more.

She feels comfort when she feels the warmth of Klaus' hand on her back, "You need to get into bed."

Lola scoffs as she moves away from the toilet, sitting down on the floor, "If I had a dollar for every time you've used that line on me. Can you get me a water, please?"

Klaus nods and rushes out of the bathroom. When he opens the door of their bedroom he's greeted with Stefan already standing there with a bottle of water in his hand, Damon soon following up the stairs.

Stefan moves past Klaus and walks into the room, "Is she okay?"

"I'm fine!" Stefan follows the sound of Lola's voice to see her in the bathroom brushing her teeth, she takes the bottle of water from him, "Turns out it wasn't a myth." She drinks some of the water and takes a deep breath before looking over to the three men all wearing the same worried expression, "I feel better already. I'll see you both downstairs."

Lola and Klaus both watch as the Salvatore brothers leave the room, closing the door behind them. Lola starts to walk out of the bathroom but Klaus blocks her way, still wearing his worried expression, "Where are you going?"

"Going to spend some time with my brothers." Lola tries to walk past him but Klaus holds his arm out, raising a brow which makes Lola roll her eyes, "I know what you're going to say, I feel fine. If I feel ill again I'll come home."

"You'll be missing out on a Mikaelson meeting."

"That's exactly why I'm leaving." Lola teases, she kisses him against his cheek as she walks past him, "I'll see you later. I love you."

Klaus vamp speeds in front of Lola, blocking the door to leave the bedroom, wearing a smirk, "I love you."

Lola walks out of the bedroom and down the stairs to see both her brothers waiting at the open front door. They start to walk towards Damon's car until he starts to laugh, "I love you." He mocks, his face full of disgust, "I think I'm going to throw up now."

Lola grabs his hand, "Quod electrica inpulsa."

Damon screams out in pain at the electric shock that runs through his veins, he pulls away from Lola and glares at her, "Ow! What the hell was that?"

Lola purses her lips as she continues walking, "Oops."

"That's the second time you've used your magic on me now." Damon whines as he catches up with Lola, she opens the car door but he shuts it, "Why have you never done your witchy magic on Stefan?"

Lola links her arm through Stefan's, they both match the same smug grin towards Damon, "He doesn't annoy me as much as you do."

------------------------------------------------

"So how long's it been?" Damon questions as he throws a football over to Stefan, "Eight, nine days?"

"Yeah, eight or nine days." Stefan throws the ball back, "I don't know, I lost count."

Damon purses his lips and he nods slightly, he throws the ball, "If we lost count of the consecutive days in which Elena Gilbert has not killed anyone, I'd say that's progress, brother."

"So what are we gonna do, just, ah, throw the football around for another 150 years till Elena gets her humanity back?" Stefan retorts, shrugging his shoulders, "Because I'm cool with that."

Lola groans as she lays on the sofa next to Damon, her arm covers her eyes, "I really hope you don't because you're giving me motion sickness by throwing that god damn ball."

"If you're gonna puke again, can you not do it on the Persian rug?" Lola doesn't even bother to remove her arm away from her eyes, she sticks her middle finger up in Damon's direction with her free hand making him scoff as he throws the ball to Stefan, "She doesn't want the cure. She's gonna start killing people if she knows we're still trying to get it for her."

"All right." Stefan steps back slightly, his arms stretch out before throwing the ball, "We could always, ah, make her want it."

"Yeah, how're you gonna make an emotionless vampire want anything?"

"Get her to flip her humanity switch."

"So what are we gonna do?" Damon frowns, disagreeing with Stefan's plan, "Pull a Lexi and bombard her with emotions till one of them sticks?"

Stefan nods, throwing the ball in Damon's direction again, "Yeah, and if that doesn't work, then we go to Plan "B": lock her up, keep her sidelined until you and I figure out a Plan "C"."

"I've got a Plan "C"." Lola suggests as she sits up straight, "I can always torture her until she turns it back on." She glances between both her brothers who both roll their eyes at her suggestion, "Oh come on, I don't know why but I'm just in a murdery mood lately."

Damon leans closer to Lola, "That's because you are a murderer."

Lola glares up at her brother, "Hello pot, meet kettle."

Damon's attention goes back to Stefan, "Answer me this, what happens when she gets slammed with every emotion she's repressed since Jeremy died?"

"Well, then you, my friend, will be right by her side, ready to help her through it."

"Right." Damon catches the ball Stefan throws again, with more force than any other time. Damon narrows his eyes to his brother as he leans against the sofa Lola still lays on, "'Cause you don't wanna keep reliving history, and when this is all over you're just gonna get out of her life."

Stefan looks down for a moment, then smiles unconvincingly, "Bingo."

"All right. How do you wanna do this?"

Damon steps back about to throw the ball once more until Lola kneels on the sofa, glaring at him, "If you throw that ball one more time I am going to bring up your past trauma by breaking your nose, again."

"At least it will heal instantly, unlike yours." Damon lightly hits the back of Lola's head making her scoff as she leans over the sofa to try and hit Damon back but he moves away.

Stefan rolls his eyes as he walks towards the drinks table and pours himself a bourbon, "And we are back to you both being the children of the family."

Damon slumps down on the sofa beside Lola, playfully pushing her slightly, "Someone is clearly feeling grouchy. What's up with you? Haven't you had your morning coffee?"

Lola frowns to herself trying to remember whether or not she's had any coffee today, "No, I haven't."

"Maybe you should change that before you try to murder me with your mind." Damon taunts, "Pre-coffee Lola is worse than pre-blood Lola."

Lola nudges his shoulder as she stands up from the sofa. She starts to walk away until she runs back to Damon and hits him over the head to then run out of the room.

Lola walks into the kitchen and pours herself her usually coffee. She brings it up to her lips but her face twists with disgust thinking it doesn't smell like it usually does. She shrugs that feeling off but when she takes a sip she finds it hard to swallow the mouthful of coffee, it not tasting the same as it always does. It's more like a cheap tasting coffee with an aftertaste of metal.

She turns around to face the door when she hears Stefan walk in, "Have you changed the coffee?"

Stefan shakes his head as he pours himself one, "No, it's still the same one that you used to always have. Why?"

"Can coffee go off?" Lola glances down at the coffee in her hands as Damon walks into the kitchen, "It tastes like it's gone off."

Damon takes the mug from her hands and tries it himself, "It tastes just like it always does. Maybe your taste has changed now you're human."

----------------------------------------------------

After staying a while longer at the boarding house, Lola arrives back to the Mikaelson home. She walks into the dining room to see Elijah and Rebekah sitting at the table with Klaus hovering over Rebekah.

They all turn they attention to Lola as she scoffs, "I thought I was gone long enough for this to be over?"

Klaus flashes an annoyed smile at her as he begins to walk out the room, "Apparently not."

Lola frowns as she watches him walk out to then turn back to face Elijah and Rebekah, "What's wrong with him?"

Elijah sighs gesturing to the empty seat, "Charlotte, take a seat."

Lola opens her mouth to object but Elijah gives her a stern look making her roll her eyes. She walks over to the table and takes the empty seat between Rebekah and Elijah. This has been the first time in weeks she has been in the same room as Rebekah, the last time they properly spoke was when Rebekah had everyone in the school against their will. Lola has been wanting to clear the air with Rebekah but Rebekah has been too busy chasing around looking for the cure.

Rebekah leans forward in her seat, looking over to Elijah, "Where is the cure?"

"Rebekah, it's no secret that you are impulsive, emotional, and at times morally questionable." Elijah sighs heavily as he sits forward in his seat. Lola glances between the pair, looking more confused than ever before as Elijah continues, "Prove to me this isn't just another one of your whims, that you know precisely what you are giving up here."

"Fine." Rebekah breathes out, "Anything."

Elijah pauses for a moment, a hint of a smirk appearing on his face, "I want you to live a day as a human."

Lola sits back in her seat and bursts out laughing, obnoxiously. Her laughter doesn't die down when she sees Elijah looking over to her unamused, if anything it makes her laugh even harder, "You serious?" Her laughter calms down as she clears her throat, "Oh, you are."

"This day." Elijah continues, "No vampire privileges-- no strength, no compulsion, no nothing. If you succeed, if you still believe this is what you want, the cure is yours."

Rebekah is surprised, but releases the tension in her body with resignation and accepts the challenge. She looks over to Lola, "You can help me, right?"

Lola starts laughing again, "I'm not helping, Bex. I'll happily watch you be human for the day but I'm not helping. You need to do this on your own." Rebekah sighs and stands up from her seat and starts to walk out of the room, "But," Lola drawls out making Rebekah turn to face her, "If I've been able to manage being a human again, I have no doubt that you'll be able to."

Lola smiles genuinely at Rebekah which she returns before leaving the room. Lola watches as she leaves but then turns her attention back to Elijah, she sits back in their chair, crossing her arms.

Elijah sighs, sitting forward, "Do you have something you wish to say, Charlotte? Or perhaps you'll jest about my proposition for Rebekah once more."

Lola purses her lips as she remains silent for a moment longer before also sitting forward, leaning her arms against the table, "How long have you been getting freaky in the sheets with Katherine?"

"Charlotte..."

"I'm not judging!" Lola holds her hands up before shrugging her shoulders, "Okay, I kinda am. Maybe that's why I was sick this morning. The history of you and doppelgängers is a tale as old as time." She laughs to herself as she grabs a grape out of the bowl in the middle of the table, "You are as old as time, so that explains why."

A hint of an amused grin twitches at the corner of Elijah's mouth, "Your whit is as impeccable as always."

Lola grins over to him, "I've missed you too. Please tell me you're staying here now instead of playing house with Katherine."

Elijah clears his throat as he fidgets with the button on his suit jacket, "I will only be staying in this town until Rebekah proves to me her desire for the cure is legitimate. Then I shall leave."

"Oh, come on, Elijah." Lola puts on a fake pet lip as she slouches in her seat, "Stay."

"No, I can't. I'm sorry." They both say in unison, Lola mocking Elijah's accent causing him to send her a raised brow.

Lola shrugs her shoulders, "That isn't the first time you've said that when I've asked you to stay." She raises her voice slightly, "I've missed having another intelligent person within the household."

"I heard that!"

Klaus shouts back to her in another room making Lola shout back, "You were meant to!"

"I wonder, you say another?" Elijah questions as he tilts his head, "Aren't you over counting?"

Lola glares at him, throwing a grape in his direction. He sits up from his chair, buttoning up his suit jacket, "I'm sure you will find ways to entertain yourself. You always do." He walks behind her, kissing her on the top of her head, "Perhaps I'll visit more often."

"You don't mean that!" They both shout in unison as Elijah walks out of the room. Lola glares at him as he does, the same thing she would always say to him when he would say he'd visit more often yet never would.

---------------------------------------------------

It's been a few hours of it just being Lola and Klaus in the home. Klaus has been smothering her all afternoon, making sure she isn't ill again like earlier in the day. Every few hours he makes sure she takes some pills to help her feel better even though she keeps assuring him that whatever it was is out of her system.

They're both in his art room but Lola soon falls asleep on the sofa. Klaus was so engrossed in his painting he didn't notice straight away she fell asleep. Once he does, he sets down his paint brush and places a blanket over Lola and leaves the room.

When he walks back in he sees Lola stirring awake, he sits beside her holding out a mug of coffee, "Here." Lola looks down at the coffee, her brows knit together as though she is about to start crying. Klaus moves the coffee away from her, looking at her confused, "Are you going to cry?"

Lola shakes her head as she clears her throat, "It doesn't taste nice anymore." Her voice is high pitched when she says this as though she is about to start crying which makes Klaus start to laugh as he puts the coffee on the table. Lola glares over to him, "Why are you laughing?"

Klaus shakes his head, covering his mouth up to hide his smile, "I'm not laughing."

Lola nudges him with her foot as he continues to laugh, "It's not funny!"

Klaus clears his throat, his smile not dying down, "No, I know, I know."

"Then stop laughing!"

Klaus looks away as he tries to compose himself over Lola's dramatics before looking over to her with a hint of a smile, "It's not the end of the world if your taste has changed, sweetheart."

Lola scowls at him, "Yes it is because if the human body doesn't get water, it will die."

Klaus' lips form a thin line as he tries to fight back his laughter once more, he points over to the coffee on the table, "I hate to break it to you, but this is not water."

"It's made with water. Ergo, water." Lola deadpans. She scoffs as she rests her arm on the back of the sofa, running her hand through her hair, "Coffee is the new blood for me. I used to need blood to survive and now I need coffee and it doesn't taste nice anymore so I'm kinda freaking out!"

Klaus leans closer to her, moving her hair away from the side of her face, "You must still be feeling under the weather if you are crying over coffee."

"Maybe it's because of those pot brownies I had in New York." Lola saying her thoughts out loud as she shrugs, "That's the only thing I can think that may have changed my taste if that's even possible."

Klaus thought for a moment, trying to think if he heard Lola right. He raises a brow towards her, "Pot brownies?"

Lola bites her lip as she sighs, "Oh, I wasn't meant to tell you that."

"I see that Adrianna has now became a bad influence on you." Klaus mumbles with a smirk, he takes hold of Lola's hand, his thumb grazes over her fingers, "We've never really spoken about your time in New York. Do you feel better after it?"

Lola nods, "I do. Ade helped me through it all, spoke about the dreams, my father. You." Klaus glances up at Lola who has a beaming smile on her face as she shuffles closer to him, "How I always feel more at peace and safe when I'm with you."

Klaus' hand stays intertwined with Lola's as his other hand slowly moves up her leg, "Well, luckily for you, I feel exactly the same way with you."

"Lola!"

Caroline's bellowing voice ruins their moment. Lola cringes to herself, "Shit. I'm not here."

"Lola?"

Lola lies down on the sofa and pulls the blanket over her face. Klaus pulls it straight off her looking down at her confused, "What are you doing?"

Lola slaps his hand away from the blanket, "Hiding."

Klaus pulls the blanket away from her again, he hovers over her with a smug grin, "What happened to your little trick you used on me the other day?"

Caroline walks into the room there they are, "Where's Lola?"

Caroline stands a distance away from the back of the sofa so Lola can't be seen as she continues to lay down. She gives Klaus a look to not say anything but he smirks, "Sorry, love. This one's for you."

Klaus vamp speeds out of the room as Caroline walks around the sofa to see Lola continuing to lay there, "Hello? Did you not hear me?"

Lola rolls her eyes, "Of course I heard you, Caroline. I was hiding under this blanket because I heard you." She grabs the blanket and puts it over herself again, "If you don't mind I'd like to get my to my pity party."

"Well, I'm sorry that you're having personal issues, but I have a real crisis on my hands. Elena stole my prom dress!" Caroline exclaims, Lola peeks her head over the blanket listening intently, "I went to pick it up and the tailor said that somebody else already did. And when I asked who, she said she couldn't remember." Caroline gives Lola a significant look, Lola shoots her a look to continue making Caroline scoff, "Hello? The vervain is out of the town water supply. She was compelled!"

Lola bites her lip to try and stop her laughter but fails to do so making Caroline look at her unamused, "It is not funny."

"No, but it is funny, Care." Lola continues to laugh as she stands up from the sofa, "You're getting worked up over a dress for a high school dance."

"It's not just a dance! It's my Senior prom!" Caroline exclaims, she sighs, "Look, I know that prom isn't important to you, but it's important to me."

Lola shrugs, "Well, like you said the vervain is out of the water. So go and compel yourself an even nicer dress."

Caroline groans in a frustrated manner and turns around, "Oh, but I don't want just another dress." She turns to face Lola again, "I wanna look hot. Like Princess-Grace-of-Monaco-hot. I don't suppose you've got anything that would match that requirement?"

Caroline flashes her puppy dog eyes at Lola, making Lola roll her eyes yet can't fight back a small grin, "Maybe one or two. Come on."

Caroline follows Lola into the room that is full of outfits and dresses that Lola has collected over the years, the same room that Klaus created and shown her at the night of the Mikaelson ball. They go through many dresses of different colours but none really stood out until Lola grabbed an emerald green gown.

Caroline stands behind the dressing screen in the room and puts the dress on. Lola paces around the room waiting for her to finish, "I don't know what the other one was like but I am confident that this one will out-do it."

Caroline walks out from the screen looking perfect in the emerald tulle dress with sparkles on the bodice and thin straps. Lola smiles over to her, "I have really nice taste."

"It's beautiful." Caroline's smile beams as she looks at herself through the mirror, "Thank you, Lola."

Lola stands at the side of the mirror, lips pursed as she tries to think what's needed, "Just missing one thing." Lola opens up a drawer and takes out a diamond necklace, "Perfect." She stands behind Caroline and places the necklace around her, "You never know, maybe this is the key to turning Elena's humanity on." She smiles at Caroline through the mirror, "Because she will see you in this dress and get so angry and jealous that this wasn't the dress she stole from you."

Caroline turns around to face her and Lola lips form a thin line, "Your hair needs to be pinned up with this dress, take a seat." She gestures for Caroline to sit on the vanity which she does, "Okay, I need you to be honest with me when I'm done with this hairstyle." Lola grabs a handful of bobby pins and starts to pin up Caroline's hair, "Because this is what Adrianna wants for her wedding so I need to make sure it's perfect."

Caroline watches Lola pin up her hair through the mirror, "How are you feeling after the other day?"

Lola glances at Caroline through the mirror, taken aback slightly that she asked her if she was okay. Lola removes the bobby pin from her mouth and clears her throat, "I should be the one asking you that. It's not like I got stabbed in the stomach to then be forcibly pushed away with magic. I'm really sorry, Caroline."

"I'm just happy that you're okay."

Knocking at the door stops their conversation, Lola continues to do Caroline's hair, "I'm busy."

Klaus knocks at the door again, "It's 6 o'clock, Lola."

Lola rolls her eyes, "Oh my god." She walks over to the door, opening to show Klaus standing there holding a glass of water and more medicine, "I've told you I'm fine."

Klaus holds the pills out in his hand and the glass of water, "Just take them."

Lola stares at him for a moment before giving in and taking the pills with a sip of water. She hands the glass back to him, "There. You happy?"

Klaus has a smug grin plastered on his face as he takes the glass from her, "Very."

Lola can't help but feel butterflies in her stomach to see the Klaus Mikaelson caring about things such as making sure she takes medicine at the correct times. Blush hints at her cheeks as she gives him a grateful smile before he walks away.

Lola closes the door behind her and walks back over to Caroline who watched through the mirror, "Everything okay?"

Lola clears her throat as she finishes up Caroline's hair, "Yeah, I was feeling a bit under the weather this morning and now I'm being smothered." She stands back slightly as observes the work she's done, feeling proud of herself, "Okay, I think I'm done. What do you think?"

"It's perfect."

-------------------------------------------------

Lola is flicking through one of her grimoires as she lays on her bed when her phone begins to ring with an unsaved number, "Hello?"

"I'm hurt, Lola. You don't even have me saved in your phone?"

Lola laughs slightly, "Ah, hello, Katherine. I was wondering when I would hear from you again."

"How is human life treating you?"

"It could be worse, but could also be better. But I know you haven't called me for small talk about the joys of becoming human again. It's a bit risky calling me when Klaus could have been around to listen in on our call."

"I bet you're wondering why you haven't heard from Hayley for a while. She went back to New Orleans so I've heard."

Lola sits up in her bed, "What are you up to, Katherine?" It was true that she has had no contact from Hayley over the last couple of days. A part of her just wanted to trust that Hayley knew what she was doing.

"I wanted to warn you. The witches in New Orleans are up to something and it involves your dear friend Hayley. She's a distant relative is she not?"

"What could witches want with Hayley?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"Why should I trust a word that comes out of your mouth? I trust you don't need to be reminded about everything you have caused in this town."

"If I didn't, you couldn't have been reunited with Klaus. I believe congratulations are in order, by the way. We were friends once, Lola. Close friends. Take that as a reason to believe what I am telling you about Hayley."

---------------------------------------

Flashback, 1864:

Charlotte sits at her vanity when her maid, Penelope, walks in carrying a box wrapped with a navy ribbon, "Damon has came home from the war, they've extended his leave." Charlotte explains, "I may need extra wine tonight to block out his boring stories about it."

Penelope places the box on the vanity next to Charlotte, "This has just arrived for you."

Charlotte removes the card attached to the box to reveal an offer from Edward Fell for him to be her escort for the Founder's Ball that is being hosted at the Lockwood Estate tonight. Charlotte rolls her eyes, "Edward Fell. I'm not back in town for a day and he is already trying to get into my good books."

Penelope stands behind Charlotte and begins to brush her hair, "Will you accept?"

Charlotte shrugs her shoulders as she opens the box to reveal a bottle of perfume, "Well, my father hates him." She meets Penelope's eyes through the mirror as her eyes light up with mischief, "So I suppose I could accept just on that basis."

Both women start to laugh which dies down immediately when Giuseppe barges into the room without knocking. He glares over to Penelope, "Leave us."

Penelope nods and makes haste leaving the room. Charlotte clears her throat as she looks at her father through the mirror, "Hello, father."

Giuseppe gestures over to the mint green dress hanging upon her wardrobe, "You're getting ready for the ball I assume?"

Charlotte rolls her eyes as she starts to brush her own hair, "Do I even have a choice in the matter?"

Giuseppe slowly steps closer to her, his words full with hatred like always, "I thought we agreed you would leave this disgusting attitude in North Carolina."

Charlotte mentally rolls her eyes at the mention of her worthless trip. Her father didn't like the new friendship she was creating with Miss Katherine Pierce so he demanded that she left Mystic Falls and stay with relatives in a different state,

"No, you agreed that with yourself. You forced me to go to North Carolina to stay with distant family in the hopes I would change but there is nothing to change. Then you demand I come back here for the Founder's Ball a mere one month later."

Giuseppe's breathing becomes harsh as he slams his hand on the vanity next to Charlotte making her flinch. He grabs the new bottle of perfume she has just been given and smashes it against the wall, "Enough with your vulgarity, Charlotte!"

Charlotte looks ahead, her breathing becomes shaky as does her entire posture. She avoids his glare as he leans closer to her, glaring at her through the mirror, "You are a part of this family so it is vital you attend every event that this town throws." He stands up straight, fixing his suit jacket, "George Lockwood will be escorting you to tonight's ball."

Charlotte's eyes widen at her father's demands, "Father, I must object to that. I do not wish to be escorted by him."

Giuseppe laughs bitterly, "I did not wish to have a daughter as vile as you and yet here we are. All your darkness and wickedness has poisoned this household long enough." He turns his back on her and begins to walk to the door, "It was this that brought your mother to her death."

Charlotte stands up from the vanity, stepping closer to her father as her angry begins to grow, "This darkness and wickedness you claim I possess does not cause consumption!"

"Enough!" Giuseppe sneers, "You will be escorted by George Lockwood, he will propose and you will accept!"

Charlotte's eyes widen, choking on the air, "Propose?"

Giuseppe nods as his hand finds the door handle, "It has been promised since you were born. You were born to marry into the Lockwood family. Our families will join as one."

"I refuse." Charlotte deadpans, "I will not marry a man whom I do not love."

"Marriage is not about love, not in our families."

Charlotte glares at her father with gritted teeth, scared to blink, fearing the sting of tears will fall, "You certainly proved that with mother."

Giuseppe's eyes darken with fury as he storms over to Charlotte, slapping her with all his strength across the face. Charlotte's hand immediately covers her cheek but Giuseppe grabs her wrist, tightly squeezing it making her wince in pain.

"You will accept his proposal and you will marry into the Lockwood family." Giuseppe seethes, he pulls Charlotte closer to him who refuses to look at him, "Don't you think I haven't noticed the pair of you over the years? You are a disgusting whore and the sooner you marry him you will be out of this household for good."

Giuseppe lets go of Charlotte, he storms out of the room, slamming the door shut on his way out. The door slams shut so harshly it feels as though the floor shakes. Charlotte's hand finds a place on the wall as she lets out a shaky breath, not daring to breathe while her father was in here.

Penelope rushes back in to see Charlotte shaking, "Miss Charlotte!"

Charlotte looks up at her with wide eyes and tear stained cheeks, she looks over to the broken bottle of perfume, "There's broken glass. I'm so sorry, Penelope. I didn't-"

Charlotte walks over to the broken glass, about to pick it up herself but Penelope holds her hand out to stop her, "It's okay, sit down. I'll clean it up."

She collapses onto the seat next to the vanity, covering her mouth with her hand to conceal her sobs which is when she notices the redness surrounding her wrist already. She sits forward and takes powder from the drawer and begins to rub it onto her wrist to try and conceal the redness already forming.

Penelope looks up from the broken glass to see a shaken up Charlotte attempting this. She sighs softly before standing up straight, "Allow me. The key is to dab it on, not rub." Penelope takes the powder and begins to gently dab it onto Charlotte's wrist, "See?"

"Thank you." Charlotte takes hold of Penelope's hand, "Not just for this, for everything you do for me."

"It's what I'm here for. Will you be okay?"

Charlotte nods slightly, "Yes. I just need a moment." She waits until Penelope leaves the room to look at herself through the mirror. She sees a broken girl sitting before her who feels even more broken within. Wanting to break free from her father's ongoing hatred.

She clears her throat and wipes away the tears streaming down her face. She takes a deep, shaky breath, mentally promising the broken girl before her will not have to subdue to this torture for much longer. She doesn't know how, but Charlotte will make sure she will be free from this soon.

Outside in the Salvatore grounds, Katherine begins to walk away from both of the Salvatore brothers, with a hint of tease in her eyes, "The smart and kind Salvatore brothers both coming to my rescue. How will I ever choose?"

A door opening from the planation catches everyone's attention. Stefan looks over to see Charlotte rushing out of the home, not realising they were all standing there, "Sister!"

Charlotte looks over in shock at her brothers and Katherine before lowering her head and rushing further into the gardens.

Damon sighs as he watches his sister, "I know that look."

"It's happened again, hasn't it?" Stefan questions, deep down knowing the answer. Both brothers glance at each other, with the same helpless look in their eyes knowing that their father has yet again caused their sister upset.

Katherine walks over to the brothers, "Is everything okay?"

Damon shakes his head and begins to walk towards where his sister went, "My sister needs me."

Katherine takes hold of his hand to stop him from walking, "Perhaps I could speak to her."

"I couldn't allow that." Damon protests, "The issues surrounding my sister can be quite complex, it's only myself who can bring her out of it all."

Katherine gently places her hand against Damon's chest, "Please, I insist. I believe your sister may need comfort from someone who may understand from her side of things."

Katherine walks further into the gardens to find Charlotte sitting on a swing, "Are you okay, Lola?"

Charlotte jumps as the new voice, she smiles politely over to her, "Katherine." She quickly wipes away fallen tears, "If my father heard you call me that he would be furious. I'm quite all right, thank you. I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation with my brothers."

"Your brothers are concerned for you." Katherine admits as she sits on the swing beside Charlotte, "But I insisted that I speak with you first. I thought you may have needed another woman to speak with."

Charlotte swallows harshly as she stares out into the gardens, "When I was younger, I believed if your heart was broken you needed to find someone to heal it. But I've realised it's not the case at all, you are the only person who can mend your own heart. Yet here I am allowing my heart to break even more by being in a house where my own father despises me and just wants to marry me off to be rid of me." She scoffs, kicking dried dirt on the ground, "George Lockwood of all people!"

Katherine's breath halts at the back of her throat, eyes widening, "George Lockwood?"

"Has he crossed paths with you during your stay yet?"

"Once or twice."

Charlotte rolls her eyes, "Then you'll know how diabolical he is. I'd be lying if I said there hasn't been something going on between us both over the years but there were no feelings attached to it. Never. Then when he and Damon first came back from the war, something had changed in him. Made him even more repulsive than before."

"Has no other man piqued your interest?"

"Have you seen the men in this town?" Charlotte's face pulls with disgust, "No. They all just want to marry so then the woman can stay at home and birth their children. It's disgusting. But that's what is to be expected of the Salvatore daughter." She smiles over to Katherine, a hint of envy in her words, "You're lucky, Katherine. You're free of all this tradition."

"Free of that maybe." Katherine nods, "But there are other things I'm not so free of."

"Would that be the courtships that my brothers are thrusting upon you?" Charlotte teases, she leans closer to Katherine, "This may sound very un-lady like but there are times I really wish I could kill my brothers. Or even just silence them momentarily." Charlotte laughs at her own remark but then glances over to Katherine who has a strange look in her eye that Charlotte can't put her finger on, "What is it?"

Katherine shakes her head as though she is shaking herself out of a memory, "You just remind me of someone from my past." Katherine stands up from the swing, standing in front of Charlotte, "I'll make sure that the proposal doesn't happen."

"How will you do that?"

"I have my ways." Katherine smirks, she holds her hand out, "Should we continue this while we get ready for the ball?"

Later on that evening, everyone have pretty much left to head to the Lockwood's estate for the Founder's Ball. Stefan and Katherine left not long ago in the carriage while Charlotte seeks refuge back in her usual spot, in the midst of the gardens on the swings. She takes a metal casing that contains cigarettes and matches, something she was given by the family she stayed with. She didn't particularly like smoking but her rebellion side will pretty much do anything to anger her father more. Mainly in the hopes he will send her away for good this time.

"Charlotte Amelia Salvatore!"

Charlotte jumps at the bellowing sound of her older brother's voice. She throws the cigarette onto the floor, pressing her shoe against it to put it out. Charlotte turns to see Damon standing behind her, she smiles awkwardly over to him, "Go ahead, chastise me."

Damon shrugs as he puts one hand into his pocket, stepping closer to her, "Spare one for your older brother?"

Charlotte scoffs slightly as she takes a fresh cigarette out of the casing and passes it over to Damon who sides on the swing next to her, "I really wish you would stop sneaking up on me."

"You would think that the amount of times I have done that, it wouldn't scare you so easily, sister." Damon glances over to his sister who begins to stare out into the gardens with a solum look on her face, "Is everything okay?"

"Suppose I desire something different."

"What do you mean?"

"Just, different." Charlotte sighs heavily, "I see all the other girls in the different families get excited whenever this town hosts an event. They all get excited over the many suitors that come forth and I am exhausted just thinking about it. Suppose I want a different life, Damon." She glances over to her brother, "I honestly believe I am quite capable of something more. Even when I am not allowed to have anything else."

Damon purses his lips slightly as he sways sideways, "Then, I would say...that you're not the only one. Do you ever feel like an imposter within this family?"

"All the time." Charlotte scoffs, "Especially when it comes to nights like this where I have to walk around with a fake smile on my face as though I'm not screaming wanting to escape."

"Would you like a companion for tonight?" Damon suggests as he leans towards his sister, she looks over to him confused, "Because I'm apparently free. Imposter party of two?" Charlotte smiles over to him, pushing him away slightly on the swing. He stands up, and holds his hand out for her, "As your older brother it would be my honour to escort you this evening."

"I already have an escort." Charlotte shamefully admits, "I just wanted to stay out here in the hopes that he eventually leaves."

Damon face twists with revulsion, "Please don't tell me it's George Lockwood."

Charlotte rolls her eyes as she stands up from the swing, "It's not George. Why do you get so annoyed at the mention of him? He's a good friend, is he not?"

"Yes. Which is why I know he is no good for you." He holds his arm out for Charlotte which she links and they both begin to walk back to the house, "So who is the lucky man who will be escorting my beautiful sister?"

"Edward Fell."

"Edward Fell?" Damon echoes as he comes to a halt, "Do you want to make father furious?"

"Yes, that is precisely why I accepted his offer, brother." Charlotte smugly admits, she begins to walk ahead of Damon, "Miss Mystic is coming up, perhaps I'll have him escort me to that also."

--------------------------------------------------

Hayley sits within the bar of Rousseau's when the bartender, Jane-Anne, glances over to her, "Third time in here this week."

Hayley gestures down at the empty bowl in front of her, "I'm obsessed with the gumbo, Jane-Anne."

Jane-Anne pours Hayley another drink as she glances over to her sister, Sophie, who is in the kitchen on the other side of the bar, "You know, ladies in the 9th ward say my sister, Sophie, bleeds a piece of her soul into every dish."

"I asked around the Quarter about my family..." Hayley begins.

"And?"

"Nothing." Hayley admits, feeling defeated, "Zero. I can't find a single person who remembers them."

Jane-Anne leans on the bar towards Hayley, "Because, Hayley, people like you were run out of here years ago."

Hayley sits back slightly, narrowing her eyes at her, "What do you mean, people like me?"

Jane-Anne walks around the bar to the other side to stand beside Hayley. Sophie watches them from afar. Jane-Anne sets a map on the bar, "In the bayou, they call the werewolves "Roux-Ga-Roux"." She circles a point on the map, "You head out there, you'll find what you're looking for." Hayley stands from her stool, taking the map, "Be careful. It's the last place you'd ever want to go."

Jane-Anne watches as Hayley leaves the bar as Sophie quickly walks over to her, worry in her eyes, "This is a bad idea, Jane-Anne."

"It isn't a coincidence." Jane-Anne assures in a hushed tone, "This is the key to our plan."

Sophie glances away not feeling confident about their plan before looking back at her sister, "How are we even going to get her to the city?"

"Hayley's phone was ringing constantly while she was here and has been every time she's been in here." Jane-Anne walks back behind the bar as Sophie sits on the stool Hayley previously sat on. Jane-Anne passes Sophie a drink, "Clearly Lola Salvatore is looking for her and for all we know the last place she knew Hayley was going to be is in New Orleans."

Sophie shakes her head as she looks down at the glass in front of her, "I don't know. I don't know if this will work."

"Think about it, the history of her relationship with the Mikaelson family is famous here. She has links to the Crescent wolves, Hayley is a Crescent wolf."

Sophie hesitates for a moment, deep down she knows the visions she has been having a right but it's the fear of them being caught that makes her hesitant. She sees the desperation in her sister's eyes, making her give in, "What do you need me to do?"

"I've sent Hayley deep into the Bayou, you need to take the rest of the witches and grab her. I'll do the rest from here." Jane-Anne takes Sophie's hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze, "I promise you, Sophie, this is what we need to get them all back to the city."

--------------------------------------------------

A/N: AND THAT IS IT FOR THE FIRST BOOK, AHHHH!!!

I just want to thank you all for taking time to read my story, you have no idea how much it means to me. The smile I get whenever I see a new follower, a new comment or someone voting on a chapter is no joke...
IT LITERALLY BEAMS!!!

I have posted the casting and a playlist against the second book so make sure you check that out ready for the first chapter, eek!!

HEAD OVER TO MY PROFILE TO TAKE A LOOK!!

You have no idea how excited I am to FINALLY get into the originals!!!

PLEASE if anyone has any ideas or ANYTHING you'd like to see in book two I am only a message away!!

Love you all, always and forever.

Holly <3