Moon Over Bourbon Street
Part I:

They say the passage of time will heal all wounds, but the greater the loss, the deeper the cut, and the more difficult the process to become whole again. The pain may fade, but scars serve as a reminder of our suffering, and make the bearer all the more resolved never to be wounded again. So, as time moves along, we get lost in distractions. Act out in frustration, react with aggression, give in to anger. And, all the while we plot and plan as we wait to grow stronger, and before we know it, the time passes. We are healed. Ready to begin anew.

Lola's hand glides across the fireplace within Cami's apartment, she wears a somber smile as her eyes catch a decorative horse on top of the fireplace, "My brother, Damon, had a horse just like this one when we were kids."

Cami watches Lola intently from her seat, clutching hold of her notepad, "How are things with your brothers back home?"

"It's good between us all." Lola nods to herself, turning around to face Cami as she looks down at the decorative horse in her hands, "I was meant to go over there but things got even more dramatic than they normally are so they said it's best I stay clear for now."

"So, you're back to living in the compound?"

"Technically, I never stopped." Lola shrugs before placing the horse back onto the fireplace, "I just had a few days staying with Adrianna then went back there."

"You and Klaus," Cami's tone is soft and yet Lola tenses up at the mention of Klaus. Lola conflicted stare meets Cami's warm yet concerned one, "How is everything between you both now?"

"Since the argument? We're fine." Lola brushes the question off as though it had no meaning. She clears her throat, crossing her arms against her chest glancing around the room, "Have you ever thought about hiring a decorator?"

Cami can't help but smile, sitting back in her seat as she sighs, "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?" Lola raises a brow, unfolding her arms and gesturing them around the apartment, "Giving you advice even though this is suppose to be you giving me advice?"

Cami stays silent for a moment, watching the woman before her once again wearing a mask that Cami is all too familiar with. The pair have got close over the last week or so, almost instantly Cami could see something was bothering Lola but it wasn't the obvious. It wasn't that her pregnancy was almost coming to an end, it had nothing to do with Klaus and had absolutely nothing to do with any other current relationships with those she cares about.

Cami can remember Lola from when she first met her and Adrianna over three years ago now, they protected her despite not knowing anything about her. Cami made a promise to herself when Lola came to her in confidence that she was going to help in anyway she could and she was determined to see that promise through.

The blonde sits forward in her seat, narrowing her stare towards Lola, "How many sessions have we had in these past two weeks alone, Lola?" She raises her brows up in a gesture for Lola to answer but Cami only receives a shrug from the witch, "Four. In all four sessions you've been lying to me and holding back on things."

Lola rolls her eyes, she glances away from Cami, shaking her head, "In all four sessions you claim this when it's not true!"

"We've been sitting here for three hours, Lola." Cami scoffs looking down at her blank notepad, "And the only thing you've told me about your past is a wooden horse your brother used to have."

"I don't understand why we need to bring up my past!" Lola brows turn up as she laughs in an exasperated manner, "What's that going to achieve?"

"Maybe it will show us why you're being the way you are right now." Cami shrugs, "Avoiding topics, having this false persona to hide what you're truly feeling."

"Which is what?" Lola's attention goes behind where Cami is sitting as knocks can be heard from the other side of the door.

Cami exhales a frustrated pent up breath before throwing her notepad onto the table beside her, "Well, if you don't want to speak about your past maybe we can speak about another topic." Cami opens the front door to reveal Klaus who's eyes go straight towards Lola, "You got my message, good. Come in."

Lola scoffs, stepping back, "What's he doing here?" She glares at Klaus as he steps further into the apartment, "This is my therapy session, not yours."

Klaus is unable to hide an amused grin, stepping closer to Lola as he shakes his head, "I wouldn't call it a therapy session if you don't speak about anything, love."

Lola's jaw tightens before she flashes an irritated grin towards Cami who remains standing by the now closed door, "Client confidentially is out the window I assume?"

"Sweetheart, we're all just worried about you." Klaus' tone is soothing, the pair both try to ignore the heat forming on each other's skin when Klaus takes hold of Lola's hands. Her annoyed gaze meet his pained one, "I can see in your eyes what you're scared about and I have tried to help you but you're refusing to let me in. Let any of us in."

Lola breaks away from Klaus, her annoyed glare is blinked away along with tears wanting to escape, "Whatever it is you think I'm scared about, you're wrong."

"Maybe you just need someone new to be there for you." Cami smiles sincerely over to Lola, "I want to help you, Lola. But, nothing is going to work out if you hold back on things."

Lola glances between Klaus, who watches Lola intently, there is nothing but concern and love in his eyes, then Cami who slowly sits back on the edge of her seat, her eyes not leaving Lola as she does. Lola bites the inside of her cheek, looking away from the pair before she scoffs, "Okay, you want to hear about my past?" Lola directs her question towards Cami who remains silent, "Fine. Which story do you want to hear?"

Her hands intertwine with each other as Lola moves past Klaus and starts to pace around the room, pursing her lips, "The one where my father would beat me as a child with so much force that I couldn't stand up? Then I could talk about how Damon would carry me back up to my room, staying by my side all night because he was so scared that I wouldn't wake up and that I was going to die." Lola laughs in a mocking way, a frustrated hand runs through her honey coloured hair, "Or maybe the one where my mother treated me like a stranger in our own home when I was only a child right up until the day she died. Or better yet, how about the one where I died but came back to life?" The warmth of her cheeks start to show a hint of blush, she gestures to her bump, "Now I'm carrying a miracle baby and I can barely sleep because I'm up all night terrified about bringing her into this world. Oh and let's not forget about Thomas."

Lola glances over to Klaus who stiffens up instantly at the mere mention of the vampire from her past. Lola laughs spitefully, she closes the gap between herself and Klaus, pointing towards his face before she looks over to Cami, "See that little twitch in Klaus' eye just then? That is why I don't bring anything up!" A shaky pent up breath is released as Lola steps away from Klaus, her eyes turn to sadness, "That is what is bothering me the most, Nik, but you close up the second I bring that man up! How am I supposed to move on from what's happening when you do that?"

Cami's brows knit together, "Who's Thomas?"

Klaus' jaw tightens, snapping a glare towards Cami's direction, "That's not important."

"No!" Lola stern tone makes Klaus step back, slightly in shock at the anger Lola has suddenly gained. He and Cami both look up at the ceiling when the lights start flickering, slowly moving their gaze back to an angry Lola who's hands have moved into tight fists, "You do not get to control when I can and can't speak about that man, Klaus!" Lola exhales a shaky break, her hands relax as she steps away from Klaus, "Everything he did was to me, not you! He killed the only person that was on my side when I was younger." Her brows are furrowed, vision becomes blurry from the stinging sensation of tears threatening to escape, "He took her away from me when I needed her the most. When she needed me." Without even realising, Lola's hand goes to her stomach as she takes a deep breath. Her gaze goes to Cami who looks down at her hand against her stomach before Lola clears her throat and moving her hand away and drawing her attention back to Klaus, "So, you don't have the right to dismiss whenever I speak about him! It was almost 160 years ago and he is still tormenting me."

Klaus' head lowers as he sighs, "Yes, but you have those herbs-"

"Am I supposed to just take them for the rest of my life?" Lola retorts in a harsh tone, "What if Cora wants to speak to me? She can't if I keep taking these stupid herbs! Don't you find it strange that this has only just started to happen again since we came back here? I can't just carry on the way that I am, drinking disgusting herbs forever so he can't get in my head!"

Lola's frustrated posture relaxes, taking a deep breath she turns her attention away from Klaus, "Cami, I don't speak about my childhood when it comes to my parents because I feel nothing about it anymore. I've moved passed those demons in my life and now they're gone and have been for a long time. You've seen first hand how impossible it is to speak about what is bothering me so I don't speak about it to anyone." Lola smiles to herself in an irritated way, "There. You happy now, Nik?" Lola looks over to Klaus standing by her side, his eyes are full of guilt, "It's not me refusing to let you in, it's because you don't even let me try. Every time I try to bring up Thomas you shut me down straight away."

There's a heavy feeling of guilt weighing on Klaus' chest that quickly becomes unbearable. It's then something in his mind flashes before him, when it was not long after they moved back here and the dreams had started to begin with Thomas and Klaus had promised Lola they were going to figure out a way together to get the dreams to stop. Instead he has turned his back on Lola and that promise, leaving her to go through this pain alone. 

A heavy breath escapes Klaus' lips, he holds his hand out towards her as he steps closer, "Lola, I-"

"You didn't know." Lola assumes the ending of Klaus' sentence, she takes one step away from him. Her eyes are dark with hurt, crossing her arms against her chest, "That's what you were gonna say, right? How are you able to know when you refuse to hear my pleas?" The hurt in her eyes turn to anger, "You can create stories that I'm worried about becoming a mother because I had such a shit one but that's not the case at all. I am terrified because what if the reason Thomas is getting into my head is because he's the reason behind these stupid ancestors trying to hurt our baby girl? And reality is that it doesn't matter whether I continue taking these herbs or not because he's still around even when I do. How can we not know for sure that the reason Genevieve is one of these resurrected witches is because she's part of his plot to harm our daughter?"

Cami edges further forward on her seat at the mention of the red headed witch, "What link does she have to this man?"

Lola swallows harshly to coat her dry throat before looking towards Cami, "She's his granddaughter." Lola moves past Klaus towards the sofa opposite Cami before looking over to him with a blank expression, "I'm not staying silent about this any longer. I'm going to break if I keep this in any longer. I didn't even tell Adrianna until I had to because she seen first hand what happens when he gets in my head." She sighs as she takes a seat onto the sofa, "So, you can stay here and be by my side as I rehash all this darkness or you can leave."

Without even needing to think twice, Klaus sits beside Lola immediately taking hold of her hand, "I'm not leaving you."

Giving his hand a slight squeeze of relief and a soft smile, Lola sits forward fully on the sofa, "What do you want to know first?"

Cami mimics the same soft smile, "As long as you're okay to do so, start from the beginning."

Lola and Klaus' hands don't break apart from each other, she looks over to him for some reassurance which he returns with a faint nod. Lola takes a deep breath, "In 1855, my aunt was really sick..."

An hour goes by as Lola begins to explain everything to Cami; from the last day she spent with her aunt, her aunt's funeral and then down to when she met Thomas Wetherby here in New Orleans and everything that came with it. 

"We thought we had burned everything to ash," Lola continues to explain, "Him along with the Whittaker grimoire. But ever since that dream where I was in the charcoaled covered home and everything was exactly how it was apart from his body and the book being missing, I can't get rid of this horrible feeling that maybe he didn't actually die. I mean, could that dream have been a hint for it? Because his body wasn't in the home? The book wasn't and that was sitting on Sophie Devereaux's bookshelf."

"Did Sophie ever explain how she came into possession of the book?" Cami questions.

"No," Lola shakes her head as she sighs, "She said that it had been passed down in her family." Lola frowns to herself, looking down at her and Klaus' intertwined hands in her lap, "You would think that after a hundred and sixty years it gets easier, but it's the exact opposite." 

"Grief doesn't have an expiration date, Lola." Cami's tone is slow and soft, "I think it's heightened since you've became pregnant because there's that inner voice that makes you anxious that what happened between you and your aunt could happen with you and your daughter." Cami watches Lola in awe, she edges further on her seat, "No one should ever have to go through what you had to endure with your aunt because of that man. I may not have the answers as to why he has the power to get into your mind but I want to help you, Lola. In any way that I can."

Lola frowns at Cami's gesture, "Why are you so inclined to help me?"

"Can you remember when we met? Three years ago?" Cami laughs at Lola's expression turning awkward, "Well, after Adrianna's lecture, most of the students went to the bar onsite along with you and Adrianna. So did I and so did David." Cami's attention goes to a puzzled looking Klaus beside Lola, "David used to date my roommate. She tried to break up with him, so he hit her. Broke her nose. I tried to get her to go to the police, the dean, anybody, but she was too scared. I hated that he was just getting away with it, like nothing ever happened." Cami exhales a heavy breath, "That night in the bar I seen him hitting on a freshman and I seen red." She clears her throat, "Long story short, he got pretty beat up and I was arrested until Lola and Adrianna compelled the police officer to let me go and then compelled me to forget about that night."

Lola lets out a stifled laugh, shaking her head, "You're not the first psychology major I've broke out of jail."

Cami wears a gentle smile, "My point is, you never even questioned my motive for what I done. I could have been the crazy one attacking him for no reason and yet you helped me. You didn't even know me or my circumstances but still you helped me out. A stranger. I was angry when I first started to remember everything but that soon vanished. Then it was replaced with gratitude to you and this is my way of repaying that gratitude by helping you."

"I didn't know you back then, yes." Lola admits, "But I could see that you were a good person." Lola's eyes turn glossy as she edges forward on the sofa, smiling sincerely at the fellow blonde, "And I am so thankful that I realised that back then and that we were able to see each other again. Thank you for today but," Lola sighs as she stands up from the sofa and glances between Klaus and Cami, "I think we should get back. But before I forget." Lola reaches into her bag, taking out a small vial of liquid, "The previous one didn't work but I've added in another herb that may help your uncle."

"Thank you," Cami breathes out, she stands up taking hold of the vial but keeps holding Lola's hand, "You have no idea how much this means to me, Lola."

The air between Lola and Klaus quickly grows heavy as the pair walk through the streets back towards the compound, neither of them saying a word since they both left Cami's apartment. 

Klaus watches as Lola looks ahead of them both, her eyes are dull still not feeling a hundred percent after the hospital visit a couple weeks ago. He takes a deep breath as he looks ahead also, "When were you going to tell me about the secret wolf party that led to the fire at the plantation?

Lola shrugs, her stare not moving from in front, "Round about the same time you told me your plan about trying to go after all the witches single-handedly." She can practically feel Klaus' eye roll which makes her sigh as she stops walking, "I'm not starting a fight, I'm not. It's just-" Lola looks over to Klaus with a pained expression as he too stops walking, standing before her, "If you want to know every single scheme I have going on then that's fine, I'll tell you. If you want to know how I'm feeling every single minute of every single day then that's fine, I'll tell you that too. But it can't be a one way street, okay? You gotta work with me, Nik."

Klaus looks down at Lola takes hold of his hand, "But that means you can't throw one of your classic Klaus Mikaelson tantrums if you don't agree with how I'm feeling. I can't go back to me feeling as though I can't speak to you if anything involved Thomas."

"I'm sorry." Klaus hand tightens around Lola's, his eyes turn glossy, "I am so sorry."

"I know you are, it's okay." Lola's hand softly goes against Klaus' cheek as she smiles, "From now on, we don't keep anything from each other." She laughs softly, "I promise that I will tell you whenever I decide to help throw a chaotic wolf party if you tell me when you're going to solo tackle a bunch of witches. No more secrets or keeping things from each other, okay? Promise me."

Klaus smiles lovingly at her, he removes her hand from his cheek before placing both of his against her face, edging closer to her, "I promise, love."

—✤—

A week later:

Spring time in New Orleans was in full bloom, the heat increased day by day, more and more people took to the streets to live their lives to the fullest. Drinks flowed, laughter roared through the streets along with the electrifying jazz from people on various corners of the French Quarter. This is what New Orleans was known for, it's irresistible personality that drew people in from different parts of the world.

A dark haired man walked through the streets, the city itself being completely new to him and yet it brought comfort to him. He browses through the various stalls across Jacksons Square until a conversation sparks his interest as two people walk past him.

Nate walks through Jacksons Square with Lola by his side, he throws his head back as uncontrollable laughter escapes. Nate thrashing his hands through the air, shaking his head as he tries to calm his laughter down, "No, no way."

Lola's mouth is agape, she too is unable to control her laughter, playfully pushing Nate away from herself, "Yes way."

"You're seriously expecting me to believe that out of everyone, you." Nate stops in his step, his hands go on either of Lola's arms to stop her from walking also. His eyes are bright with amusement, "Lola Salvatore. Is the one that teepeed O'Malley's that one Halloween?"

Lola pushes Nate away from her as she laughs, "I'm offended that this shocks you so much."

"I always thought it was Scott," Nate laughs to himself as the pair continue to walk, "Considering when we all went back the next morning he was passed out literally on the bar, covered in toilet paper."

"I may have been a sore loser that night when O'Malley preferred Scott's cocktail to mine," Lola shrugs as she grimaces, "So, I got Scott even more drunk than usual, waited until he did his classic passing out on the bar and set him up for it."

"You do realise that to this day, Scott actually believes that it was himself that did it?"

"Obviously," Lola scoffs in a playful manner, "And we're going to let him keep thinking that."

The dark haired man who has listened to the conversation between the pair, shoves his hands in his pockets as he follows them, "Lola Salvatore."

Lola's laughter soon dies down, stopping in her step and turning round to face the stranger as she frowns, "Do I know you?"

"The tragedy is you don't know me." The thick accent is mixed with boldness and arrogance, his mouth is turned up into a roguish smirk as he looks Lola up and down, "But I know about you. Damon's younger sister, he would always blab on about you." Lola's eyes widen slightly at the mention of her brother, she glances over to Nate who looks just as equally concerned before the stranger gestures towards Lola, "I assume congratulations are in order."

"I'm sorry I have no idea who you are." Lola's face twists with discomfort, she flashes an awkward smile before gripping hold of Nate's arm and tries to walk away, "Excuse me."

"You know," The man drawls out, holding his hand out to stop Lola from moving away, "He once thought we'd make a charming little match you and I." He chuckles to himself as he steps closer to the pair, "I hear you're fond of accents."

Nate's chest is broad, he stands in between the man and Lola as he pushes him away, "Listen man, you better back off."

The man is amused, he begins to laugh as he looks past Nate's shoulder to see a worried Lola behind him, "This isn't the infamous chaotic sister that Damon would boast about." The man steps closer to Nate, his eyes darken and jaw clenched, "Hiding behind pipsqueak vampires."

"Seriously, Enzo!?" A familiar voice seethes. A vision of blonde appears as she pushes Enzo away from the pair, "What the hell are you playing at?"

Lola's eyes are wide, jaw is slacked as she laughs breathlessly towards the blonde figure who has their back to Lola, "You have got to be kidding me."

The blonde turns around to face Lola, wearing a beaming smile as she jumps up and down, "Surprise!" Caroline rushes over to Lola, pulling her in an embrace, "I've missed you so much!" Caroline's sunshine attitude soon wipes away as she pulls away from Lola, glaring towards Enzo, "What did you do?"

Enzo rolls his eyes towards the blonde, "You drag me here after we've been to Atlanta for you to then disappear. Forgive me for soon growing bored of staying put like your own little lap dog." The corner of his mouth twitches up into a smirk looking over to where Lola is standing, "Then I couldn't help myself as I grew increasingly curious about Damon's mystery sister as she happened to walk by."

"Hold on." Lola holds her hand up before narrowing her stare over to him, "Your name is Enzo? The Enzo?"

"No, the other one." Enzo mocks, a low rumbled chuckle escapes as he steps closer towards the Salvatore, "So, you have heard of me."

Lola scoffs, crossing her arms against her chest, "The guy my brother left for dead after you helped him escape Augustine? Yeah, I know all about you." She glances to her side where Nate continues to stand, "Nate, would you tell Ade I'm running late? I'll catch up."

Nate hesitates for a moment before he nods, leaving the trio in the middle of the square. His glare doesn't leave Enzo who wears a smug grin before looking back towards the two blondes, "He seems fun."

"So, Enzo." Lola drawls out, she tilts her head in his direction as she purses her lips, "I know Damon thought you were dead but still, whether you were or not, he left you there. Has my brother apologised about leaving you in Augustine?" She receives silence from Enzo making her roll her eyes, "Damon hasn't changed then."

Enzo flashes a smirk, "I'm sure I could think of a way for you to apologise on his behalf."

"Ew!" Caroline scolds, glaring over to him, "She's engaged you jackass, not to mention pregnant!"

Lola takes hold of Caroline's hand to face her, "What are you doing here, Care?"

"It's sorta a secret little visit." Caroline smiles awkwardly as she shrugs, "I was only a few hours away and I wanted to see you in person."

"Secret?" Lola raises an inquisitive brow, pulling away from Caroline, "So, Damon and Stefan don't know you're here?"

"She's frighteningly clever this one." Enzo remarks as he stands behind Lola making her jump slightly.

"Don't you have literally anywhere else to be other than here?" Caroline bites, "Going to creep on someone else maybe?"

"Well, time is of the essence." Enzo shrugs, rolling his eyes, "For you anyway. I couldn't care less if Sloan keeps having her way with Stefan. As long as I get my deal."

"Caroline." Lola's tone turns stern at the mention of her younger brother which is greeted with a guilty look from Caroline, "What's going on? Is Stefan safe?"

Caroline flashes an irritated glare towards Enzo, "I was hoping that this wouldn't get brought up." Her attention goes back to Lola who continues to wear the same unimpressed stare, Caroline's brows knit together, "You're about to have a baby so you don't need stress which is why we agreed that what happens in Mystic Falls, stays in Mystic Falls. But then I was just so close to here and I couldn't help myself because I miss you and things are turning from bad to badder back home and I just-" Caroline stops herself from her continues babbling, she blushes slightly before she sighs, "I need a drink to explain."

"Well lucky for you we're right around the corner from one." Lola threads her arm through Caroline's and begins to walk in the direction she came from earlier with Nate, "Come on."

"Is the handsome devil allowed to join also?" Enzo retorts as he steps along with the pair.

"Why? Have you seen one?" Lola teases back to him with a raised brow, "Make sure to have him join us if you do."

—✤—

Both Lola and Caroline walk into a busy Rousseau's, Lola gestures towards a table in the corner for Caroline to take a seat before she heads to the bar. Lola's smile brightens when she notices who's on shift this afternoon, "Cami," Lola drawls out gaining Cami's attention who matches the same bright smile, "The best bottle of red you have, please."

Cami's shoulders drop, raising an unamused brow over to Lola which makes her roll her eyes, "Seriously with the look? It's not for me! A very dear friend from back home has came for a flying visit."

Cami looks over Lola's shoulder to her usual table to see a mysterious blonde sitting there. Cami rolls her eyes playfully as she nods, "I'll bring it right over for you."

Lola sits opposite Caroline on the table, leaning her elbow against it wearing a devilish grin, "So, Enzo, huh?"

Caroline frowns towards her, shaking her head, "What do you mean?"

"1998 Malbec with one glass." Cami breaks up their conversation, she places the bottle and glass on the table in front of Caroline before she flashes a mocking grin in Lola's direction, "And a water for you, jazzed up with a little umbrella."

"Thank you." Lola smiles up genuinely at her before back at Caroline, "Cami, this is my friend Caroline. Caroline, this is the amazing Cami."

"You're emphasising on the amazing part." Cami raises a brow at her as she smirks, "You want something."

"Just your opinion. That guy over there," Lola narrows her stare, pointing over to where Enzo sits on the opposite side of the bar, he has his back slightly to them all sipping on a glass of bourbon, "Pretending not to look in this direction but clearly is." They all watch as Enzo breaks away from his drink, he continues to look away from them but they're able to see an amused grin appear on his face, "Then having that shit eating grin on his face because he can hear everything we're saying."

Cami leans on her serving tray against the table, pursing her lips, "Ego is through the roof, attitude is stinking the place out and no doubt can still taste the blood of his latest victim on his tongue. But undeniably hot." She flashes a teasing smile over to Lola, "That cover it?"

Lola takes hold of Cami's hand, wearing an amused grin, "This is why you're my favourite."

Cami squeezes Lola's hand, laughing before pulling away, "Give me a shout if you need anything else." She smiles politely towards Caroline, "It's nice to meet you."

Caroline wears the same polite smile, "You too."

"So, as I was saying." Her hand rests against her cheek as Lola's other hand pours Caroline a glass of red, "The undeniably hot guy aka Enzo..." She smirks, slowly pushing the glass towards Caroline, "Is he..?" Caroline looks totally oblivious making Lola scoff, "I mean have you ever..." She rolls her eyes, slamming the bottle of red onto the table when she receives the same oblivious look, "Caroline Forbes do I literally have to spell everything out for you?"

Caroline continues to wear the same look until it finally clicks. She tightly shut her eyes, shaking her head, "Oh my god, Lola! Seriously!?" She scoffs picking up her glass, "No! Ew. He's a first grade jackass."

Lola purses her lips, brows shooting up as she shrugs looking over to where Enzo sits, "With a nice ass." Caroline moves in her seat slightly to catch Lola's gaze making Lola frown, "What? I'm engaged and pregnant, not blind and dead."

Caroline laughs, reaching her hand out across the table, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Lola smiles towards the vampire, taking hold of her hand, "Now, tell me." She removes her hand out of Caroline's, slightly patting it before taking hold of her drink, "What's going on with Stefan? What about Damon?"

Caroline rolls her eyes, "Damon is too busy in Elena land to be a bother right now." Her lips form a thin line as she starts to cringe, "But, Stefan..."

Lola sits forward in her seat, narrowing her stare over to her, "Caroline, you have to tell me if something is going on with my brother."

Caroline grimaces as she shrugs, "Don't get mad."

It's then Caroline begins to explain what has happened in Mystic Falls, most Lola was already aware of when it came to the travellers. However, the newest thing was that she was set on a course to kill Stefan's doppelgänger so that Stefan and Elena were the last living doppelgängers.

Caroline has finished majority of the wine as she tells Lola. She laughs nervously when Lola is barely showing any emotion from anything that was said, "Okay, I know I said don't get mad. But I didn't mean to just stay there looking unrecognisably calm."

"You're saving my brother, Care." Lola shrugs, smiling towards Caroline, "How can I get mad when you are literally doing everything in your power to protect Stefan?"

"But I didn't, that's the problem!" Caroline scoffs, scolding herself, "The travellers needed Tom to be dead but I just couldn't do it myself." Caroline rolls her eyes, gesturing to where Enzo is sat flirting with someone, "Then jackass over there did it instead."

Lola's head tilts watching Caroline intently, she laughs sitting forward, "Caroline, you're feeling guilty for not killing someone. You do realise that, right?"

"No, I'm feeling guilty because now Stefan still remains some weird prisoner for the even weirder travelling community." Caroline frowns to herself, staring down at her now empty glass, "He's too important to them for them to ever let him go."

"I know that Stefan is way more important to a lot of other people. Me and you for example. And I know it's not just friendship that you have between yourselves." Lola bites her lip to conceal a smile when she receives confusion from Caroline, "Neither of you truly see it just yet, but in time you will."

Caroline laughs, shaking her head, "That's ridiculous, we don't-" She stops herself when Lola raises a brow over to her. Caroline sighs her gaze looking through the busy bar, "He doesn't feel that way about me."

Lola laughs leaning back in her seat, "Come on, I know my brother. I know you too, and I am so grateful that I do. Honestly, knowing that you're by Stefan's side when I can't be brings me more comfort than you will ever know. So, thank you. I think it's time that you go back to being there for each other again." Lola stands up from her seat, moving to the chair closer to Caroline, taking hold of her hands, "Promise me something? Always be there for each other and look after him for me?" Lola's smile is darkened with sadness, blinking away stinging tears, "It's getting harder and harder to be away from them both but if I know I have you there with them then I feel at least some modicum of solace."

The ins of Caroline's brows turn inwards, tightening her hold against Lola's hands, "Of course I will."

"And if Stefan or Damon are ever dicks to you, tell me." Lola leans closer to her, with a hint of tease in her tone, "I'll gladly go back to kick their ass."

"We've been so busy talking about everything but you. How are you doing? You look amazing, pregnancy suits you!" Caroline narrows a playful stare to Lola, "You better be reading those books I sent you."

"And deal with the wrath of you if I don't?" Lola scoffs before she smiles and looks over to where Cami is serving before back to Caroline, "Honestly it's been sorta a blessing to hear anything that's happening outside of this city. But, I'm good. I've got a lot of amazing people around me and I couldn't be any more grateful if I tried. But please make sure this isn't your only visit here."

Enzo stands beside the table, he leans against a vacant seat, smirking over to them both, "I am sure we will both be back before you have chance to miss us." He gives Caroline a knowing stare, "We need to go."

Lola laughs slightly, looking towards the bars entrance to see Elijah stepping inside, "One of my bodyguards is here, shocker."

"Caroline Forbes," Elijah drawls out, smiling over to her, "What an unexpected yet pleasant surprise."

Caroline and Lola both come to a stand at the same time, bringing each other into a warm embrace, "It was so good to see you, Care. We'll talk soon, okay?"

Caroline nods before pulling away from the embrace, "I'll call you with any updates."

Enzo watches as Caroline walks out of the bar before flashing a flirtatious grin towards Lola, "See you around, gorgeous."

Lola's mouth turns up as she frowns watching him follow Caroline out of the bar until Elijah steps in front of her, giving her a raised brow which makes Lola scoff, "Don't even ask. Let's go."

—✤—

eek, i have missed lola and caroline so much omfg

some of you have been wanting someone from mystic falls to come to new orleans (mainly stefan and damon) so hopefully this wasn't a let down. better not be anyway because i literally created an additional chapter for this little appearance lol

we're just one step closer to having a certain salvatore arrive, ahhhh

also i'm sorry but lola and cami are just unreal and they're my new obsession

second part of this chapter will be posted asap!!

hope you've liked this one!!

holly x