The Battle of New Orleans

There are losses that rearrange the world. Deaths can change the way you see everything, grief that tears everything down. Pain that transports you to an entirely different universe, even while everyone else thinks nothing has really changed.

The sun is just about to begin rising as Klaus anxiously paces around the courtyard. The grip on his phone is so severe, it's seconds away from the entire thing breaking into two. Until, he hears what he's been listening out for ever since he ended the call earlier that night.

Quickly glancing around upwards in the courtyard, towards the balconies to assure no one is there, Klaus then walks towards the entrance of the compound where he's greeted with Stefan who barely acknowledges the hybrid in front of him as he storms further inside, "Where is she?"

"Stefan, wait." Klaus grabs hold of Stefan's arm, forcing him to stop from stepping further into the courtyard. Stefan inhales a sharp breath before turning back to face Klaus, looking displeased. Klaus glances away before looking back at the youngest Salvatore with guilt filling his eyes, "You can't tell her."

Stefan scoffs pushing Klaus' hand off him before glaring at him, "You're seriously telling me that I can't tell my own sister that our brother is dead?" Stefan is just about to step further into the courtyard but Klaus vamp speeds in front of him, "Get out of my way, Klaus."

Holding his hand out to block Stefan, the hybrid's tone becomes more stern, "The only priority I have right now is making sure that Lola doesn't feel any more stress than she already has. She almost..." He closes his eyes, swallowing harshly, "She almost died yesterday."

The pained expression on Klaus' face was all Stefan needed to know it wasn't just some ploy of the hybrid's. Stefan's shoulders sink feeling like something has just hit him in the chest, "What?"

Klaus jaw tightens as he relives what happened yesterday, still having to fight back the anger and not having anyone to take it out on, "The witches in this city will stop at nothing to put Lola and our child in harm. They hexed her, she was stuck on the other side, Mikael was there and tried to kill her. Thankfully, they weren't alone; your aunt stopped him from hurting Lola. But, we saved her before she was able to say a proper goodbye to Cora and she was hysterical."  

"Charlotte," Elijah's voice from the other side of the courtyard catches both of their attentions. They see Elijah smiling towards Lola who walks out, "How are you feeling?"

Klaus' hand grasps Stefan's shoulder, pushing him out of the light so they aren't seen just yet, "The baby will be born within a few weeks, we need to wait until then to tell Lola." An unsure Stefan looks away from Klaus, conflicted about keeping something like this from his sister but deep down knowing Klaus is right. Klaus catches Stefan's conflicted stare, "Stefan, we have had our fair share of differences but it's safe to say one thing we can agree on is that we both want to protect Lola. I truly am sorry about Damon but please, don't tell her yet."

The younger Salvatore's eyes soften looking over Klaus' shoulder to an oblivious Lola who stands laughing with Elijah, having no idea one of her brothers is standing fifty feet away from her and the other is dead. Seeing how his sister has blossomed being in New Orleans forms a lump in Stefan's throat knowing if he mentions Damon right now, it will all be destroyed. Stefan's hand rubs against his clenched jaw before he nods, "She will know something is up because he isn't here. It's Lola, she's gonna figure it out."

Klaus grips the back of Stefan's neck, giving him a knowing glance, "Then it is our responsibility to make sure she doesn't."

The conversation between Elijah and Lola is brought to a halt when she spots Klaus in the corner of her eye stepping into the courtyard. Her smile is broad, turning her attention towards him, "There you are. We were about to organise a search party. What were you—"

With a small smile, Klaus steps to the side to reveal Stefan which makes anything Lola was going to say, suddenly vanish. A small sharp gasp escapes Lola's parted lips, eyes are wide not exactly believing that her brother stands in front of her right now. 

Stefan wears a warm smile, eyes soon turning glossy as he steps closer towards her, "Hey, Lo."

"Stef." Lola breathes out in a whisper. Her brows are pulled inwards, tears pool in the corner of her eyes. With a wide smile she rushes over to him, pulling Stefan into an embrace, "What are you doing here?"

It's impossible for Stefan to wipe the broad smile off his face, feeling like all the heartache and darkness has been pushed away the second he was with his sister once again. He chuckles softly, lifting Lola up slightly, "I thought I'd start on my uncle duties a few weeks early, plus I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Lola's eyes are tightly shut as she tightens the grip around her younger brother, in this moment not wanting to let go, "I've missed you so much. Should I be expecting Damon to appear somewhere?" Lola pulls away with a teasing grin as she takes hold of a tensed up Stefan's hands, "If he is, tell me where he's hiding because the shock might put me in early labour." 

There was something in Stefan's eyes that made Lola curious, as though he wants to say something but is fighting it. Standing behind Lola, Elijah watches as Klaus shifts ever so slightly in his spot, thinking the exact same thing towards his brother.

Lola gets jumped out of her thoughts when her phone begins to ring, she straightens herself up noticing the ID, "Oh, hold on." She walks away from the three men, heading into a different room as she answers the call, "Scott, how's he doing? Did the surgery go okay?"

They all remain still, watching Lola walking into another room. As soon as the door shuts behind her, it's as though Stefan is able to breathe once again, he exhales a long and heavy breath looking down towards the ground. Elijah frowns, glancing between both Stefan and Klaus, "What is it?"

Elijah's confused stare is met with Stefan's dull one as he sighs, "Damon's dead."

—✤—

As Stefan sits on the edge of the coffee table, with a smile on his face he watches as Lola sits on the sofa opposite opening up his gift. She peels back tissue paper, gasping before looking at Stefan shocked which makes him chuckle, "Can you remember this?"

"I can't believe you still have this." Lola's smile is wide and she lifts out a large ivory blanket from the gift box, "I made this for you when I was, what? Ten?"

"Yep." Stefan nods, standing up from the coffee table, "I was six. I was in bed sick for over a week. Damon would refuse to come into my room, petrified he was going to get sick as well." Stefan sits beside Lola, playfully nudging her with his shoulder, "But not you. You pretty much moved into my room throughout the duration of me being sick. Bringing all your pillows and covers from your own bed, creating a bed in the corner of my room."

"Cora taught me how to crochet and this was the first thing I made." Lola smiles down at the blanket in her hands, remembering the day she made it. She turns one of the corners over to see the initials C and S stitched onto it, for her name and Stefan's, "You were so upset that you were going to be sick over Christmas and you weren't going to be able to play in the snow." Lola chuckles slightly, resting her head against the back of the sofa as she looks at Stefan, "Can you remember when Damon woke you up by throwing a snowball at your window?"

"Then you went outside and shoved his face into a huge pile of snow for making me upset." Stefan places his hand on top of Lola's, a warm smile graces his lips, "You were always so protective over me when we were growing up."

Lola laughs, rolling her eyes, "Well, Damon deserved to have a mouth full of snow. Both of us were always so protective over you." She matches the same warm smile, "We just didn't want what happened to the two of us to happen to you."

"Christmas morning you woke me up before the sun even came up. Forcing me to open your present before anyone else was awake." Stefan gestures down to the blanket against Lola's lap, "Then you wrapped this around me, taking me downstairs. We had to sneak around because the servants were already awake and you didn't want them to spot us because they'd tell father. Once we got outside you said..."

"No one should be stuck inside on Christmas when it's snowing, especially my baby brother." They both look out in front of them, smiling as they think back to more simpler times as children. The start of them calling each other the three musketeers, where all that mattered was making sure each other were happy. Lola starts to laugh thinking back to Christmas day in 1853, "Oh my god, can you remember the sled?"

A vision appears in Stefan's mind of the exact moment Lola is talking about. There wasn't anything better than hearing his sister's laughter when they were younger, some days it seemed like a miracle to even get a smile out of her, "You thought you were strong enough to push me along but ended up slipping over in the snow."

Lola laughs even harder reliving the memory, "At least you didn't go around shouting you killed your sister again."

"Well, isn't this refreshing." With a smile on his face, Elijah walks around the sofa to stand in front of the siblings who's fit of laughter dies down, "It's been a while since I've heard your sister truly laugh like that, Stefan." Elijah steps towards the drinks table in the corner, pouring himself a glass before smiling towards them once again, "I think you being here is the greatest thing to happen in a long time."

Lola purses her lips, she shrugs her shoulders when a sparkle of mischief glimmers in her eyes, "I'm sure I laughed just as much seeing your face when a smoothie accidentally exploded on your suit."

Elijah brings the glass of bourbon up to his lips, it remains there as he wears an amused smirk towards Lola, "I am still very certain it wasn't accidental."

A flustered Hayley rushes into the room, clutching hold of her phone. Lola frowns, sitting up straight on the sofa, "Hayley. What's wrong?"

"It's Jackson." The ins of Hayley's brows pull up with concern, "Him and Oliver should have been back with the stones by now and they're nowhere to be found. They're not answering their phones, no one has seen them since last night."

Elijah stands up straight immediately taking out his phone from his suit, "I'm calling Niklaus."

Stefan sits on the edge of the sofa, he looks to his side where Lola's stare doesn't blink away from Elijah as he begins to pace around dialling Klaus' number, "Stones?"

Lola twisted her head to give Stefan an unamused glance before sinking back into the sofa, "You don't even wanna know."

Elijah presses the phone to go onto speaker when Klaus answers the phone. Elijah paces around the room, Hayley stands in the corner looking anxious watching him when Elijah speaks, "It appears our wolves have gone astray, brother."

"They should have been back hours ago."

Elijah nods softly towards the hybrid, he holds his hand up to stop her, "We need to find them."

"Well, that might be a bit tricky. You see, we've located their car on a back road in the middle of nowhere. I suspect they've been shanghai'd."

Elijah resists the urge of rolling his eyes as his pacing comes to a halt, "And you didn't feel the need to share this information?"

"It was my intention to present you with a problem only after I had found an appropriate solution."

"Do enlighten us."

Elijah's tone is bland and straight forward, more-so at the fact he can practically see the smug grin on his brother's face during this call, "I'm closing in on it as we speak. The only person who would be bold enough to snatch my wolf allies is the one who has the most to lose."

Sighing heavily, Elijah darts his attention towards Lola who still sits on the sofa, "Marcel."

Hayley steps towards Elijah, her voice turns into panic, "No, he'll kill them!"

"Genevieve assures me that Marcel has procured a cloaking spell. The only witch who will aid Marcel is Davina." Lola straightens herself up at the mention of the young witch, Lola's attention is darted direction to the phone in Elijah's hand. Unknown to everyone in the room, Klaus stands on the edge of a building's rooftop, he wears a vindictive smile as he looks down at see Josh putting a duffle bag into his car, "I just need to get one last bit of leverage before I pay her a visit. And there it is."

"Don't you dare do anything to hurt her!" Lola warns shouting down the phone but it's too late, Klaus hangs up. 

Her shoulders slump, releasing an irritated breath until Elijah places his hand against Lola's shoulder, "I'll find him."

—✤—

As Stefan walks into the living room he's greeted with a sad sigh off Lola who is looking into a mirror in the corner, hand against her stomach. Stefan clears his throat to announce his presence as he raises a brow, "What are you doing?"

"I'm gonna miss this." Lola sighs dramatically, turning around to face Stefan with a somber expression, "Being pregnant."

Stefan can't help but chuckle at his sister's sudden mood change, "I've been gone, what? Two minutes? Two minutes ago you were complaining that you couldn't see your shoes and wanted the baby out right this second." 

With pursed lips, Lola shrugs off Stefan's mock, "I've changed my shoes now so I don't feel that way." She holds her leg up slightly, moving her foot in a circular motion, "But they didn't match what I was wearing so I changed that too."

Narrowing his stare towards his sister, Stefan tilts his head; his face showing nothing but confusion, "Have you?"

"Seriously?" Lola's shoulders slump, flashing an unamused glare towards her brother. She looks back in the mirror, looking at the black figure hugging knee length dress and beige chunky knit cardigan, "Why do men never notice the obvious things about a woman?" Lola steps closer to Stefan, who sits on the armrest of the sofa. Lola pushes his shoulder, making him fall fully onto the sofa, "Even though I'm your sister, it would still be nice for you to notice things!"

An infectious laugh escapes Stefan, finding it hard to calm his laughter down at how pressed Lola gets over the littlest things lately. It's always been like this but it's heightened ever since pregnancy hormones have added a mix into her mood swings, "It's because I'm your brother I don't notice these things! You were wearing black earlier!"

Lola's jaw slacks, frowning down at him in offence before grabbing a pillow off the sofa and starts hitting him with it, "It was a jumpsuit earlier, you ass!" Stefan's laughter builds and builds with each pathetic hit from Lola, "That had legs, this doesn't!"

"Alright!" Stefan holds his hands up as he tries to stand from the sofa, but Lola continues with the pillow attack, "Alright! Alright! Time out!" Stefan has a smile on his face, standing on the opposite side of the room to Lola as he takes deep breaths, "You win. I suck."

A satisfied smile graces Lola's lips, with a hint of smugness mixed in as she drops the pillow onto the ground. Unknown to the siblings, Genevieve stands at another entrance to the room, wearing a small smile as she watches them both, a hint of envy builds inside her never knowing what it felt like to have siblings.

Stefan swallows hard as he gains back his breath, "I get that you're freaking out about what's going on with the guys and wherever they may be." Stefan quickly reaches down, taking hold of Lola's so called weapon, holding it behind his back with a smile, "But that doesn't mean you can attack your baby brother because he sucks at fashion." He holds up the pillow up glancing between that and an irritated looking Lola, "You know what? I think I'm gonna hide all the pillows in this place to save myself from another attack." Stefan chuckles when Lola's expression doesn't change, he plants a kiss against the side of Lola's head before his hand goes against her stomach, "I'm praying your mood swings aren't as drastic as your mom's."

Lola's hand goes to the side of her stomach as she feels the baby kick. She tries to stop herself from laughing watching as Stefan walks out of the living room clutching hold of three pillows, "The baby just kicked out you're a dick in morse code!"

"Worrying isn't going to help." Lola spins around in her spot, jumping at the sound of Genevieve's voice coming from behind her. Genevieve smiles, hands behind her back as she steps further into the room, "You should sit down, try to keep calm."

Lola glares towards the red head as she scoffs, "What are you, now, magician slash zen-life-coach? Are you still waiting around for me to thank you for yesterday?"

A placid expression covers Genevieve's face, blinking away Lola's snap, "The treatment of pregnant women has advanced remarkably since I was a nurse, but even I know high blood pressure is bad for you, and your baby. Especially now, since you're so close to term." Genevieve shrugs, holding her arms out as she smiles, "As for a thank you, I'm not expecting one."

"Why are you still here, Genevieve?" Lola crosses her arms against her chest, narrowing a glare towards the witch, "Or better yet, why are you in here trying to talk all nicey nice to me?"

"Look, Lola, I know we will never get along." Genevieve brings her hands together in front of her, wearing a polite smile, "I know you'll never be able to trust me on anything but I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Huh, really?" Lola's brows raise up in fake astonishment, "Is that why you planted some wooden piece of shit in my house so your grandfather could get into my head and force me to see my aunt's dead body?" Genevieve's polite stature vanishes, guilt clouds over her as Lola continues, "You can cut the whole being nice act because it's not going to work on me and it never will. Maybe you could tell me when Thomas is planning on finally showing himself instead of hiding behind his little toys like the coward he is."

"I'll admit, I did let him influence me in that scenario." As Genevieve's eyes turn glossy, Lola thinks whether she is being a poor actress or she just has a spec of dust in her eye. Guilty eyes catch Lola's blank ones, "I so badly wanted a relationship with my grandfather that I stupidly agreed to whatever he said in the hopes that it would bring us closer together."

Lola has to resist the urge of laughing in Genevieve's face, she tries to show remorse yet not even one syllable sounding like an apology comes out of her mouth. Lola's face is cold and calm, not showing any ounce of emotion towards the witch, "I'm sure my baby will grow up feeling like she wished she had a relationship with her great aunt but thanks to Thomas that will never happen."

"Our families have been at war before both of us were even alive." Genevieve sits on the armrest of the sofa, watching as Lola paces around the room, looking in any direction other than the direction of Genevieve, "Maybe it's time we draw a line under all of that and show that we can get along."

Lola scoffs obnoxiously loud, slowly turning herself wearing a hateful glare, "Maybe it's not time for that nor will it ever be time for that."

Genevieve sighs softly, glancing down at the ground realising nothing she will say will ever change Lola's mind, rightfully so. She stands up straight, "As for Thomas, I can assure that his threats are no more. I spoke to his spirit and sternly said I wasn't going to be the pawn in his games against you any longer. It won't happen again."

Lola can't help but laugh in an exasperated manner, she turns her back on Genevieve, looking out at the window, "Well forgive me if I don't believe anything you say or that Thomas isn't actually alive when you and I both know the truth."

Genevieve looks over her shoulder to see Stefan walking back in, he frowns in the witch's direction but remains silent. Genevieve clears her throat before looking back over to Lola, "Is there anything I can get you?"

Lola turns her head slightly, but not enough to look towards Genevieve, "How about some personal space?"

Genevieve flashes a small smile in Stefan's direction but all she receives in return is a harsh glare. He watches as she fully walks out of the room before he looks over to Lola, his brows shooting up in a mocking way, "She seems nice."

Lola rolls her eyes, she takes hold of the mug in Stefan's hand, taking a drink, "Seeing that woman working with the two men I trust more than anything isn't exactly on my bucket list."

Playfully nudging his sister's shoulder, Stefan wears a playful grin, "Should I be taking offence to that? She's the one related to the dick that killed Cora?"

"Bingo. Speaking of Cora..." Lola drawls out as she steps closer to the same door Genevieve walked out of. She glances out, seeing the hallway is empty before closing the door and playing whatever record was already on the player, "When I was on the other side she was there and she mentioned something." Stefan watches as Lola walks to the nearby bookshelf, removing several books to reveal a hidden door within where she takes out an emerald green box, "I asked her if she could tell me whether or not Thomas was alive, but we didn't have enough time for her to answer me. The only thing she said was if I still had Violet's broach."

Stefan's hands rest against the desk where Lola places the box, he watches as she digs through and takes out a small pale blue box, "I know Cora would always wear it and never stopped talking about it but what does that have to do with any of this?"

"I don't know." Lola shrugs, she opens up the small box to reveal the vintage broach, "She said it opens." Lola brings the broach closer to her face, narrowing her stare at it when she sees a small opening, she presses down on it which opens up the front of it, "Oh."

Lola's confused stare moves from the broach to meet Stefan who looks just as confused, looking down at the pile of grey ash within it, "Dust? So, if the guy is actually back from the dead what are we meant to do? Blow this in his face and hope he sneezes to death?"

"How should I know!?" Lola unintentionally snaps, she scoffs closing the broach up and handing it over to Stefan, "You know Cora loved her riddles more than anything."

"Riddles and rum make aunt Cora fun; that's what she'd always say." Stefan smiles thinking of his aunt, Lola avoids his gaze looking away. Stefan sighs, knowing it's painful for Lola whenever their aunt gets brought up. He sits on the edge of the desk, he fidgets with the broach before standing up straight, "Hold on. The back opens as well." Lola turns back to face Stefan, she looks down at the piece of jewellery in his hand, watching when Stefan opens the other side to reveal a small rolled up piece of paper. She takes hold of it, unravelling it as Stefan scoffs, "Huh, maybe we will papercut him to death as well." He watches as Lola's shoulders stiffen, staring down at the paper, "What is it?"

"It's ingredients to a spell," Stefan stands beside Lola looking down at the small piece as Lola finger traces along the writing, "One of those is being the ash of someone they loved most."

"Who could Thomas possibly love more than himself?" Stefan grunts in a sarcastic manner as he leans against the desk once more, "What about the girl who Damon killed?"

Lola shakes her head, gesturing to the broach on the desk, "It couldn't be because how would Cora have put the ash in here when she wasn't alive and Damon was the one who killed her?" She bites her lip to hide a growing smirk, "Couldn't be his mother because I killed her."

Stefan watches as Lola paces in front of him, her stare not leaving the paper, "What about his father?"

"He died after Cora as well." Lola sighs, she comes to a halt frowning down at the writing, "There's something that doesn't make sense about this." She hands the paper to Stefan, "This writing, it's not Cora's." She walks behind him, rummaging through the box and holds out the last letter Cora written to her in front of Stefan, "Look, the handwriting is different." 

Something lingers in the back of Stefan's mind, glancing between the two different types of handwriting, "I recognise the handwriting. I've seen it somewhere but I can't think where."

Both attentions of the Salvatores go to the door being flung open when an alarmed Hayley walks in with wide eyes, clutching hold of her phone, "There's a problem."

—✤—

Lola walks back into the living room as she hangs up her phone. As soon as she walks in, an anxious looking Hayley looks straight towards Lola who smiles faintly, "Elijah called, they're almost back and Jackson is okay."

A heavy breath of relief escapes Hayley's lips as she nods softly, "I doubt they've still got the hundred stones, huh?"

The smile on Lola's face drops, she swallows harshly as though she's swallowing Hayley's words when her shoulders tense, "They're making a hundred rings?"

Hayley frowns, "You didn't know?" A door opening behind Lola catches Hayley's attention, her eyes soften when she sees Elijah walking in, holding Jackson up, "Thank god you're alive!" She pulls Jackson in a hug, looking over his shoulder to Elijah as she mouths, "Thank you." Stefan helps Hayley guide Jackson over to the sofa to tend to his wounds.

As Lola turns to face the door, Klaus walks in. She walks straight towards him, her eyes are dark with fury as she pushes him straight back out of the room into another. Klaus scoffs stepping into a different room, "I'm fine, too, thanks for asking."

"A hundred rings?" Lola slams the door behind her, stepping closer to the hybrid as her anger builds, "You're getting that bitch to make a hundred rings? This wasn't just to make some allegiance with the wolves." She laughs spitefully, shaking her head, "You're so set on having an army backing you! When are you going to get that stupid dream out of your head? First hybrids and now wolves!"

Klaus' throat bobbed with a hard swallow, "What happened to you not standing in the way?"

Lola scoffs as Klaus echoes the words she said to him last night, "I can still have an opinion about it even if you've practically grounded me. Your vision of this werewolf army is causing friction between yourself and Marcel yet again! This was the reason why you kept all of this from me, isn't it?" Tears clogged her throat but she pushed past them, "All this bullshit saying all you care about is making sure me and the baby are okay but it was nothing but lies! All you care about is feeding your thirst for power!"

His nostrils flare, anger setting in as he steps closer to Lola, "I am trying to protect—"

"No, Klaus!" Lola harshly snaps, he steps back slightly stunned at her outburst and hating the lack of her usual nickname, "You can't use that as your reasoning for all the destruction you cause! Can you honestly blame Marcel for reacting the way he has?"

Her words slashed through Klaus' chest deeper than any stake, finding her words cruel. Deep down he knows there is truth in her words but in this moment, they just seem like a betrayal, "You realise do that the bombings at the docks were exactly the same that were used in the bayou. Tell me again why you feel the need to always defend Marcel no matter what he does?"

Acid seeped into Lola's veins, hands forming tight fights, stunned at the thought Klaus would think the man he sees as a son would ever do something as harsh as the bombings in the bayou, "Marcel didn't do the bombings at the bayou. He wouldn't do that. You know he wouldn't do that."

Klaus' lips turn up with distaste as he laughs, but the sound lacked humour, "Just like he wouldn't bomb the docks with wolves trapped inside? Let me get this straight, when you had the idea that you were the one to make these rings you were all for it! But the second someone else is making them you object!"

"This has nothing to do with that!" Lola raises her voice just as loud as Klaus is, "I said to you I didn't have an opinion on the rings because it had nothing to do with me. It's Hayley's pack, it's their decisions. They wanted what was best for themselves which was to not turn every full moon. They didn't sign their lives away so they can be your pack of bitches." 

Lola steps away from Klaus, taking a breath to calm herself down; knowing not to get herself worked up especially right now. A fierce ache gripped at her chest as a shaky breath falls from her lips. She looks back over to Klaus, tears pool in the corner of her eyes, "This is going to end badly, whether it be with the rings, Marcel or any of us for that matter. Can't you see that?" With gritted teeth, Lola closes the gap between then, harshly jabbing Klaus in his chest, "None of this is going to work out in your favour!"

A shudder rippled through Klaus' body, and hurt slashed across his face. It was so raw and visceral it cut right through Lola's soul. They both stand in silence until Klaus slowly begins to step past Lola, "We'll see about that, won't we?"

The tears stung Lola's eyes, staring out in front of her as Klaus walks out of the room in the other direction. Her lips form a thin line to stop them from trembling, covering her mouth with her hand as she does so to mask her turbulent breathing. Her other hand goes against the side of her stomach, feeling her baby seems to be the only thing that brings Lola calmness. The paranoia weighs deep on her chest, fearing that everything that is happening right now is going to lead to more heartbreak than anyone is prepared for.

Lola takes a long deep breath before she walks back into the room opposite where everyone remains. As she does, she catches Klaus' glance before he sharply looks away and pours himself a drink, "Marcel's not a fool. He knows an empowered werewolf army would mean the end of vampires in New Orleans." Stefan stands beside his sister, placing his hand against her back. She flashes him a sweet smile as though she's mentally telling him she's okay as Klaus carries on, "The explosion is his way of saying he means to prevent that. For all the good it'll do him."

Hayley rolls her eyes as she scoffs, sitting beside Jackson, "Well, it did him pretty damn well, didn't it?"

"I don't know the guy but can't exactly blame him." Stefan chimes in, shrugging nonchalant, "You hear about your enemy creating an army you're going to retaliate, right?" He wears a false smile as he sighs, both he and Lola sitting on the sofa opposite at the same time, "Some would call it de-ja vu."

"Oh, good!" Klaus gasps dramatically, rolling his eyes, "Saint Stefan has arrived."

Lola flashes a harsh glare towards the hybrid, "I'd rather spend my time with Saint Stefan than power hungry Klaus."

"This is my fault." Jackson croaks, inhaling sharply as he winces from the pain of his injuries, "I'll find a way to fix it."

"No, Jack, you're hurt." Hayley coos softly, rubbing Jackson's back, "No one's blaming you."

"I'm blaming you." Klaus grunts with no emotion, "Those stones will be hard to replace." Klaus looks over to Elijah who stands beside the sofa where the siblings sit, he smiles in an evil way, "Fortunately, I always have a backup plan."

Taking Lola's hand, Stefan helps her stand from the sofa. All frowning as they watch Klaus walk out of the room, Elijah soon following. Lola gives Hayley a knowing look, pointing towards her and Jackson, "The two of you stay here." Lola and Stefan then follow Klaus and Elijah out of the room. Lola glances down at the courtyard when Francesca walks in with a group of men swiftly following behind that makes her scoff, "You can't seriously mean her! She's a gangster!"

Klaus steps ahead of everyone else, hastily making his way down the staircase, "I see her more as a means of procuring rare items at short notice."

Lola and Stefan both remain on the staircase, leaning against the banister. Stefan looks over to his sister, seeing the hateful stare she is giving the woman, "Friend of yours?"

Lola's jaw slacks, once again taking offence at Stefan's quips, "You think I'd be friends with someone who travels with wannabe boybands and only owns pant suits?"

Stefan shrugs, glancing up at the ceiling as he shoves his hands into his pockets, "You could see if she wants to borrow your clothes that all look the same."

She can't help but smile at her younger brother's teasing nature, she grabs hold of his arm, "You are being such an ass right now!"

Elijah clears his throat, his hand goes between both siblings giving them both a displeased stare, "Might I suggest we bring this bickering to an end, children? Thank you."

Wearing a wide smile, Klaus steps towards Francesca with open arms, "Greetings, Ms Correa! I see you've brought company."

"These are my brothers. I always include them in delicate business matters." She turns her head slightly, gesturing towards the men then back towards Klaus, "Fellas, meet Mr. Mikaelson."

Stefan snorts obnoxiously, leaning against the banister, "Fellas." His whispered mock makes a stifled laughter fall from Lola's lips but that gets a glare back from Klaus.

Turning his attention back to the group, Klaus smiles, "Please, call me Klaus. All my friends do."

"He has friends?" Lola's not so quiet whisper echoes in the courtyard as does Stefan's laughter after it. They both get a warning glare from Elijah making them hide their faces to conceal their laughters from growing any louder.

"I don't know if I'd call us friends." Francesca forces a smile before turning around, taking a small black bag out of a briefcase one of the men carry, "But, if you and Marcel are planning on having a little throw-down, I'd prefer my family to be on the same side as the inevitable victor."

"Then, you have what I asked for?" Klaus' voice deepens with authority. 

"Not enough for an army at such short notice," A harsh tone twinges Francesca's words as she holds the bag out in front of herself, "But it's a start."

"Strange," Elijah hums as he steps down from the stairs, walking closer to the group, "I wasn't aware that she was familiar with our plan."

"My price for doing business is full disclosure." Francesca watches as Klaus takes out one of the stones, he wears a pleased grin holding it out in front of him as she carries on, "Your brother complied."

Elijah raises a brow, not exactly being able to figure out why out of all people, a human would want to join in on this fight, "And what does the human faction stand to benefit from all of this?"

Francesca holds her arms out as she shrugs, "I only want us to solidify our allegiance to the ruling class. It's good for business."

Klaus continues to wear the same pleased grin, dropping the stones back into the small bag, "If only everyone shared your capacity for reason."

"Sadly, they don't." Francesca steps closer to the originals, with a stern expression, "Marcel is being especially vindictive. I'm worried he might come after me, or my family, just for meeting with you. It might be in our best interests if we combine our efforts."

"So be it!" Klaus' brows shoot up as he shrugs, turning his attention to Elijah, "The more bodies we have to defend the compound, the better. Let's get started, shall we?"

—✤—

A pile of black kyanite stones are scattered across the table, salt circles surround them all as Genevieve stands before them with her eyes closed chanting the moonlight spell, "Tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse."

Klaus, Elijah and Stefan all cautiously watch her as she performs the spell but then turn their attentions to the door when Lola walks through, holding her phone up, "Hayley just text." She walks straight past Klaus not acknowledging him and turning her attention to Elijah, "They're back in the bayou, she's laying low while Jackson turns. I said we'll get the rings to them when they're done."

Francesca rushing into the room, nostrils are flared, "My people say Marcel is on the move, and he's bringing friends."

Klaus' posture straightens looking towards his brother, nodding. Elijah nods back, he wraps his arm around Lola's shoulder, pressing a quick kiss against the side of her head before he walks out of the room. Klaus watches as his brother leaves, then turning his attention back towards Stefan and giving him a knowing look.

Stefan nods, mainly to himself as he clears his throat, "We should get out of here, Lo. Come on."

"No." Lola's brows furrow, she gestures towards Genevieve who continues to chant, "Someone needs to watch her." 

Francesca can see the conflict darkening Klaus' eyes, he can hear the crowds beginning to form within the courtyard but it's like his shoes are glued to the floorboards. The human steps closer to him, "Klaus, you need to go with Elijah. My brothers and their security detail won't be much against a vampire army." Francesca glances towards where Lola stands, "I'll stay with Lola."

Lola rolls her eyes, slightly turning her back on the brunette, "Because I am totally thrilled about that." Her stare meets Klaus' conflicted one, she nods in his direction, "Go. Stefan is here with me, I'll be okay." It felt as though Lola was digging her heels right into the floorboards, trying to resist the pull to following Klaus out of this room. She's only able to resist for a small moment, the need to save herself from further heartache, "I'll be back."

With her head down, Lola heads straight towards the door Klaus walked out of, there she sees the back of him, shoulders are ragged with his breathing. His hands are formed in fists so tight she can see his knuckles turning white from where she stands. As though he was also fighting the pull to walking straight back into the room where Lola stood. Feeling Lola's presence behind him, Klaus immediately relaxes his hands, his shoulders no longer move in a ragged rhythm as he turns around to face her.

"Nik." The look in Lola's eyes was something Klaus was all too familiar with, a look he has seen countless times throughout the years. Klaus didn't question the sudden shift in Lola's tone, he never did in this scenario. He curled his hand around the back of Lola's neck and crushed his lips onto Lola's, it was deep, hard and possessive; like nothing had changed between them. All the fighting and hostility that has built between them within the last couple days had completely vanished; all that mattered is the here and now.

Lola's hands grip onto Klaus' jacket, fearing if she lets go her legs will completely break beneath her and she wants to hold onto this moment for as long as she can; deep down fearing this may be their last. They break away completely breathless, eyes remain close as their erratic breathing becomes in sync. Klaus lowers his head to rest his forehead against Lola's just before she cups his cheeks, leaving one last soft kiss against his lips before she rests the side of her face against his, "I love you."

Klaus' eyes remain closed, knowing Lola stands before him wearing glossy eyes. Knowing all it will take is one look for him to stay by her side. He inhales a sharp breath as his jaw tightens before pressing his lips against Lola's forehead, "I love you."

A long, pensive breath escapes Lola's breath as she stumbles forward slightly, opening her eyes to see Klaus gone. Her chest feels tight as though any minute everything she feels will explode straight out of her chest. She remains as still as a statue staring out at the emptiness in front of her until she flinches at the warmth of a single tear falling down her cheek. Clearing her throat, Lola wipes away the tear as she steps back into the room. The stone-like façade masked the deep sorrow she felt within.

It's not long after Lola steps into the room, one of Francesca's bodyguards does, "Ms Correa, we need to go. Your brothers are already headed out the back."

Francesca shakes her head, her stare doesn't leave Genevieve as she holds her hand up, "Not yet."

Lola and Stefan stand on the other side of the table, both watching Genevieve. Lola jumps out of her thoughts when her phone begins to vibrate, she glances down at the ID to see it's Cami. She stares down at the name, wondering if whatever Cami is calling about could be important enough to answer right now. 

Stefan places his hand against Lola's shoulder making her flinch slightly, "You okay?"

"Yeah." Lola flashes a smile towards him, screening Cami's call. Her breath catches in the back of the throat as the fighting in the courtyard becomes louder, "I think you should check what's going on out there."

Stefan's brows pull together, he takes hold of Lola's arm taking her to the side, "And leave you here? You're out of your mind."

"I'll be okay, Stef. I promise." Lola takes hold of her brother's hands, giving them a reassured squeeze, "You'll be in and out and I'll still be here completely fine. Just make sure Elijah is giving them a good ass kicking." Stefan hesitates for a moment, not wanting to leave his sister alone with the two people she's told him she doesn't trust. He knows, however, that no matter what he says, she will never agree. He nods faintly before rushing out of the room towards the courtyard.

Genevieve stops chanting, taking hold of one of the stones looking pleased with herself, "The stones are finished. I've done my part." She looks out in front of her, showing no emotion at all, "Now, it's up to you."

Lola steps towards the table, reaching out for the stones, "I'll get them to the bayou."

"Actually," Francesca steps towards Genevieve, "She was talking to me."

Lola frowns, glancing between the human and the witch, "What the hell is this?"

Genevieve, looking guilty, refuses to meet Lola's glare as she places the stone in Francesca's hand. Francesca wears a vindictive smile holding the stones up, "Call it a side deal. The point is, I'm taking the stones."

"Are you out of your mind?" Lola scoffs, following Francesca, "You're a fool if you think the humans can go up against all of this."

"No, I don't think that. But, then again I'm not human." Francesca pulls out a pocket knife, she opens it up and without hesitation slashes the throat of her bodyguard beside her. Lola gasps, stepping away from her as the man clutches hold of the gash, choking on his own blood before falling dead on the floor. Francesca gasps in pain, she doubles over dropping the knife onto the floor and grasps hold of the table. Lola's eyes are wide as the brunette slowly stands up straight, looking over to Lola as her eyes turn amber, "Your friends aren't the only wolves in this town, Lola. And now, I'm gonna take it all back!"

Lola's eyes darken with fury, holding her hand out as she steps closer to Francesca, "I'd like to see you try."

Just as Lola steps closer, Genevieve holds her hand out towards Lola from behind, casting a spell. Lola freezes in her spot, brows are furrowed as she suddenly becomes lightheaded. Her knees buckle beneath her, eyes roll to the back of her head before collapsing onto the floor.

Francesca can't hold back her smile, looking down at the Salvatore on the floor as she steps closer to a guilt ridden Genevieve, "Don't look so dour, Genevieve." The brunette wears a cruel smile when the red head drops the rest of the stones into her hand, "We both got what we wanted."

It was only a matter of seconds until Stefan walks back into the room but he's greeted with silence. Stepping further in his heart drops when he sees Lola unconscious on the floor, "Oh my god, Lo?" He rushes to her side, kneeling before her and pushes her hair away from her face, "Can you hear me?" His hand gently goes behind Lola's head, lifting her up, "Hey, you're okay." Footsteps entering the room catches Stefan's attention, he looks towards the door to see Genevieve stepping in. Stefan comes to his feet, eyes darken with anger as darkened veins appear under his eyes, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"This." Francesca appears behind Stefan with her amber eyes, she grabs hold of his hair, making his neck more open and sinks her teeth into him. Stefan screams out in pain at the werewolf bite, eyes roll backwards as the venom quickly seeps into his system. Francesca pulls away, pushing a now unconscious Stefan onto the floor, his hand reaching out towards his sister.

—✤—

There's an eerie feeling surrounding the compound, dozens of vampires groan out in pain from the wolf attacks. Cami looks around horrified before Marcel takes hold of her hands, "You gotta get outta here. My guys have been bitten by wolves. They'll get sick, and then blood-crazy."

Cami's eyes widen when she sees the gruesome bite against Marcel's neck, "We need to find Klaus. His blood can heal you. Or Lola! She can siphon the bites."

Marcel shakes her head, pushing himself out of Cami's grasp, "No way, out of the question. I'm not putting Lola in any harm."

"Marcel!" Elijah's booming voice echoes through the compound, in a fit of rage he storms into the courtyard, glaring towards Marcel, "Where is she!?" Elijah throws a chair out of his way, smashing it to pieces, "Where's Charlotte?"

"He doesn't have her!" Cami begins to reason with the original, stepping between him and Marcel. Elijah attempts to step away but Cami blocks him, "Please! I know you don't trust him, but you know I wouldn't lie. He doesn't have her."

Elijah glares over Cami's shoulder towards Marcel, "Someone does." Everyone attention goes behind Elijah as Stefan stumbles into the courtyard, losing his balance and holding himself up by the wall, "Stefan. What happened?"

Stefan's tear stained and grey face meets Elijah, he shakes his head profusely, "She was on the floor. I tried to help her but Francesca bit me. When I woke up she was gone."

Cami narrows her stare towards the Salvatore, stepping closer to him. It was obvious just from the stories Lola has told her who he is, "You're Lola's brother."

Elijah's anger doesn't fade from his face as he steps closer towards Marcel, "Where is my brother?"

"I left him in the street." Marcel shows no remorse for his actions between panted breaths, "He was gonna kill me. And then he got jacked up by some witch's spell." 

Elijah entire body tenses, eyes darken, "Genevieve."

—✤—

The doors to St Anne's get sprung open, two large built men grasp onto both of Lola's arms, dragging her towards the sacristy. Lola has never known fear quite like this, her eyes are wide screaming out as much as she can, unable to fight away from their harsh hold.

Genevieve rushes in behind them, Monique following, "Get her down on the floor!"

For every one step Genevieve takes, it's as though Monique takes two to keep up with the hurried pace, "We should take her to the city of the dead."

"We won't make it," Genevieve watches as the men place Lola at the bottom of the steps, she continues to scream out, "The baby is coming now."

"No!" Lola cries out, holding onto her stomach, "It's too soon!" Her cries and screams intensifies as she feels another contraction. She brings her knees up to her stomach, eyes are tightly shut as the pain becomes unbearable. Two witches kneel beside her, pinning her down onto the floor. 

"Apparently not."

Genevieve goes to step closer but Monique harshly grabs hold of her arm, pulling her away, "The plan was to induce her when the sacrifice was ready!"

The red head harshly pulls her arm away from the young witch, "I had to subdue her, and the trauma caused a placental abruption. So, the baby is coming, and we'll just have to adapt."

Genevieve steps closer to Lola, she kneels before her as Lola continues to scream out as loud as she possibly can attempting to break out of the witches grasp but it's no use, "Let me go!"

"You need to be calm, Lola." 

Genevieve's voice is calm, her hand places against Lola's leg but Lola harshly kicks her leg. She tries to lean towards the witch as her rage seethes through, "You expect me to be calm when you're holding me down like this!?" The anger in Lola's eyes is masked with a terrified look, her brows are pulled inwards looking towards Genevieve, "Why are you doing this?"

The guilt weighs heavy on Genevieve's chest, looking down at the ground. Monique harshly takes hold of Lola's arm, "To be reborn, you must sacrifice."

Lola pulls herself away from Monique as hard as she can, she grabs a fistful of Monique's hair pulling her closer to her; her skin is heated with anger, "What does that mean, you psychotic little bitch!?"

Monique pulls Lola's hand out of her hair, once again harshly grabbing hold of Lola's arm, digging her nails into the skin. Genevieve continues to hold Lola down, "The ancestors demand an offering in exchange for power."

A malicious grin is on the curly haired witches lips, "And your child will be a fine offering."

"No." Lola breathes out, tears stream down her face. Her heart slams a panicked rhythm against her ribcage, "No!" With gritted teeth, Lola sits forward her face full of rage, "You will not take my baby, I will kill all of you!"

"No, you won't!" Monique mocks, "And neither will Klaus, or Elijah! When your baby is born, we will offer it up to those who came before us."

"I'm sorry, Lola," Genevieve's eyes are dull with guilt as she swallows harshly. Lola continues to cry out, trying to break free when her terrified stare meets Genevieve's, "But this is the way it had to be."

"No!" Another sharp pain makes Lola scream out in pain, her strength becomes weaker and weaker as she won't give up fighting out of the restraints. Her screams would send shivers up anyone's spine, they practically rumble the church windows. Her legs thrash around until another witch pins them down. It wasn't just herself she needed to fight for, it hasn't been that way in a long time. They can do whatever they want to Lola but she will be damned if they lay a finger on her daughter and she will do whatever it takes to make sure of that.

Outside, a weak Klaus stumbles into the middle of the street, blood stains his face as his breathing is ragged. His blood runs cold when he can hear Lola's gut wrenching screams, in all the years he has known Lola, never has he heard such horrified screams from her. The rage and fury overcomes Klaus, his ragged breathing intensifies as he screams out. He made a promise right at the very beginning of this journey that he was going to stop at nothing to protect the two people he cares about most in this world. And he's going to do whatever it takes to continue that promise.

—✤—

what better way to kick 2023 off than with some drama, huh

new chapter will be out asap xo

holly x