Fruit Of The Poisoned Tree

Hayley paces around the kitchen, knowing that once she goes upstairs she will be feeling the wrath of an extra hormonal Lola this morning. Already Lola attempted to throw a shoe at Hayley, missing a mere two inches away from her head, because she opened the drapes earlier than Lola would have liked.

With a deep breath, Hayley vacates the kitchen and heads towards Lola's bedroom. She slowly peers her head round the door to see Lola sitting on her bed, frowning slightly as she is looking at her laptop.

Hayley lightly knocks before walking further into the room, "What you doing?"

Lola clears her throat as she closes the laptop, "Just looking for something. It doesn't matter."

Hayley forces a fake smile as she holds out a glass containing the green smoothie Lola has quickly came to detest, "Here."

Lola lips turn up as her face twists at the drink, "You're kidding, right?"

Hayley holds the drink out further towards Lola as she sits on the edge of the bed, "The only way Ade would agree for me coming back and her staying in New York was if I made sure you were still getting the nutrients you need."

Lola scoffs, she shakes her head as she takes the drink out of Hayley's hand, "I'm not drinking that." Lola stands up from the bed, going into the bathroom and flushing the drink straight down the toilet.

Hayley glares over to her as Lola walks back into the room, "She'll know if you don't."

Lola scoffs, "Adrianna is in New York, how is she gonna-" Her phone ringing on the nightstand stops her from continuing. She glances over to Hayley confused before grabbing her phone. Lola laughs breathlessly, "I swear she's a witch." Lola answers the phone, her tone is high pitched and fake, "Hey, Ade."

"You didn't drink the smoothie, did you?"

Lola begins to laugh with a hint of nervousness, "Why- Why would you say that?"

"Because your voice is at that high pitched tone whenever you're lying and you're stuttering."

"I don't have a high pitched voice." Lola protests, she stops for a moment then realising her voice has in fact increased to a high pitch, she rolls her eyes as she walks out of her bedroom, "Fine, you win."

"If you don't want to have those smoothies then that's fine. I won't force you to have them anymore."

Lola stops half way down the stairs, frowning to herself, "You're doing that thing."

"What thing?"

Lola laughs slightly knowing exactly what Adrianna is playing at, "Now you're doing the other thing." She walks through the living room where Klaus and Elijah are both sitting reading then walks into the kitchen, "You're doing the thing but then covering it up by doing that other thing."

"You're not making any sense."

Lola turns around when she gets to the kitchen, expecting to see Hayley following her in but she isn't there. She shakes her head as she walks towards the fridge, "You're using reverse psychology on me but then you're covering that up by playing dumb."

"Am I?"

Lola scoffs, hearing Adrianna's voice change, "Now you're doing the high pitched voice! I'm gonna kick your ass Adrianna Miller."

She can hear Adrianna laughing down the phone, "That's my cue to hang up. Love you, Lo."

Lola stares down at her phone when Adrianna hangs up, thinking that she is up to something but just can't figure out what. She scoffs as she puts her phone on the counter then opens up the fridge.

Butterflies swarm around inside her when she can feel hands slowly move from her shoulders, down her arms. She can feel Klaus' breath against her neck giving her immediate goosebumps, "You look beautiful this morning, love." Klaus takes hold of Lola's hand, spinning her round to face him fully as he wears a devilish grin. He leans against the counter behind him, pulling Lola closer, "You're glowing in fact."

Lola raises a brow at him, her hands go to his chest and gradually move up to find a place against the back of his neck as she closes the gap between them, "Are you just complimenting me to make me feel better?"

"I am complimenting you because it's the truth." Klaus softly presses his lips against Lola's at an agonisingly slow speed before moving away slightly, his lips brush against hers as he smirks, "You always look beautiful."

Their moment is interrupted when Elijah walks into the kitchen wearing a beaming smile and a slight skip in his step, "Good morning, Charlotte."

Lola frowns as she takes in Elijah's positive attitude, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, it's a greeting." Elijah quips as he opens up the fridge and grabs fresh orange juice, "Used in civilised cultures and to be polite to those around you."

Lola narrows her suspicious stare at him, she steps closer to where he is standing and points towards him, "You're smiling."

Elijah continues to smile over to her, passing her a glass of orange juice, "It's called happiness. I can understand why you didn't recognise it."

"I wouldn't, brother." Klaus steps behind Lola, his hands rest against her shoulders, lowering himself slightly to be at Lola's height, "This one is quite fierce this morning."

Lola nudges Klaus away from her slightly, she glances between the two brothers, "Oh, wait, wait. We're being mature about this? The whole daggering and undaggering situation?"

Elijah nods, forming a tight lipped smile, "Yes, we are going to peacefully coexist in this home from now on."

"Unless of course, you're considering moving out of New Orleans." Klaus retorts, resulting in a stern glare from Elijah. Klaus flashes an irritated smile, "Okay then, we will peacefully coexist."

Lola stares down at the floor, still frowning trying to compute what is happening, "Interesting."

"Precisely. We're adults, we've had many disagreements before and walked away from those disagreements." Elijah's stare softens as he looks over to see Hayley walk into the kitchen, "I think we're capable of many, many things." He walks over to her, his smile turns soft as he hands her a glass of orange juice, "Good morning."

Hayley blushes slightly as she takes the glass from him, "Hey."

The glass in Lola's hand hovers over her lips as she watches Elijah and Hayley, knowing something is going on between the two. Her thoughts get interrupted when Rebekah walks into the kitchen through the double doors leading into the gardens.

Lola clears her throat, "Hayls, listen. I know your kind is used to surviving in the wild but can you at least not put empty milk cartons back in the fridge?"

Hayley picks up a note pad from the side, holding it up slightly before placing it on the counter beside Lola, "Add it to the grocery list."

Rebekah grabs rubber gloves that were hanging off the sink as she walks further into the house, "Speaking of, add bleach."

Elijah watches as his sister walks out of the kitchen then turns his focus back towards Lola, "How are you feeling, Charlotte?"

Lola purses her lips in thought for a moment, "Well, apart from the fact that since we last spoke I was almost attacked by French Quarter vampires and I was nearly murdered by witches who are convinced by baby is Lucifer?" She hums to herself, smiling dryly, "Oh you know, feeling great."

Klaus lowers himself behind Lola, his lips brush against Lola's ear, "I take it that sarcasm is on the agenda for today?"

Lola turns to face Klaus and stares at him with a blank expression, "I despise you."

Elijah smiles faintly, "I'm just happy to see you in one piece." Elijah watches Hayley in the other corner of the kitchen, grabbing cereal from the cupboard, "Allow me."

Lola hits Klaus slightly against his chest for his attention to also go on to Elijah as he continues, "I do hope my siblings were hospitable to you in my absence."

"In your absence, as you like to call it-- which is a way-too-polite way of saying that your brother put a dagger in your heart--" Hayley flashes a glare towards Klaus who responds with a smug grin, "As side from the fact I've been living in a house that has a creepy dungeon full of coffins and having to deal with Lola's mood swings every day, it's been fine."

Both Lola and Klaus, mainly Lola, watch as Elijah hands Hayley the bowl of cereal, as their hands brush against each others there's a hint of blush appearing on both of their faces. Elijah glances over to where Lola is standing making her quickly look away. Her instinct is to quickly grab an apple from the bowl in the middle of the counter and passing it over to Klaus making her get a confused stare from him.

Lola widens her eyes as she pushes it further towards him when Elijah clears his throat, "So, back to the murderous witches. I have some concerns."

"Please tell me I can kill them soon." Lola practically begs, "The top of my list is Sophie Devereaux but I can't exactly kill her right now, can I?"

Klaus smirks placing the apple back into the bowl, "All in good time, love."

Elijah nods slightly, "Yes, I think it's time we took care of that little problem."

"I am all for it." Rebekah walks back into the kitchen, dragging the lifeless body of a girl behind her, "As soon as they're unlinked, we get to leave this crap town. Who do we have to kill?"

"Probably no one." Elijah ponders on what he's said, he looks over to Lola and Klaus both giving him the same look. He sighs slightly, "Alright, potentially everyone."

—✤—

Lola walks into the living room to see Hayley already sitting in there, reading. Lola stands for a moment as she thinks, then taking a random book from the table behind Hayley and walks around her, sitting on the chair opposite her. Hayley lowers the book slightly and watches as Lola does so. Lola flashes a polite smile as she opens the book at a random page and pretends to start reading.

Hayley goes back to reading the page she was on but can feel Lola's stare on her. As Hayley lowers the book once more to look over to Lola who is looking over to her with a suspicious look on her face. Lola clears her throat when she notices Hayley picking up on her stare, she glances back down at the book in her hand and flicks through the pages.

Hayley rolls her eyes and goes back to reading until she feels Lola watching her once more. Hayley scoffs as she continues looking at the book, "Just say what you have to say, Lo."

Lola's mouth gapes open as she thinks on how to word what she wants to say, she slams the book shut as she sits forward in her seat, "Is there something going on between you and Elijah?"

"What? Of course not." Hayley blurts out quickly, she laughs nervously, "Why would you think that? I barely know the guy..."

"This morning the way you two were looking at each other it seemed as though you do know him on some level." Lola gestures towards the book in Hayley's hands, "Plus, you're reading one of his memoirs or whatever he calls them. You don't have to lie about-" Lola winces when she feels something pierce her neck, her hand goes straight to the side of her neck instinctively where the pain occurred.

Hayley frowns, standing up from her seat, "What's wrong?"

Rebekah walks into the room looking unnerved, hearing Lola, "What the hell was that?"

Lola pulls her hand away from her neck, blood on her fingers, "Hell if I know." Rebekah walks over to Lola, pushing Lola's hair to the side slightly to inspect herself. Lola frowns looking up at Rebekah, "It felt like I was being stabbed." Lola glances between Rebekah and Hayley who are both wearing the same worried stare, Lola shakes her head, "It will just be Sophie Devereaux being a pain in the ass. I'll be okay."

—✤—

Later on in the day, Rebekah walks back into the living room carrying a bowl of apples where Lola is still in, "Time for the demon spawn to snack!"

Lola laughs slightly as she rolls her eyes, "I really wish you wouldn't call her that."

"Oh, sorry, have you picked another name yet?" Rebekah teases, she holds out the bowl of apples, "Take one, the plantation's lousy with them."

Hayley walks back into the room, sitting next to Lola on the sofa, "How are you feeling?"

Lola takes an apple from the bowl Rebekah is holding, "I've already told you both, I feel okay. I'm sure it's Sophie-related."

"Then, do me a favour, and don't die on my watch." Rebekah smirks at Lola, "I'll never hear the end of it."

Lola mimics the same smirk over to her, "You're all heart, Bekah."

Hayley turns her attention over to Rebekah, "You know, when I first met you, I thought you were a real bitch."

Rebekah smiles slightly at Hayley, "What changed your mind?"

"Oh, I still think you're a bitch!" Hayley's eyes brighten with a hint of tease, "I've just grown to like that about you."

Lola and Rebekah both chuckle slightly at Hayley's quip, "Aw, well, that's sweet of you to say." Rebekah's smile leaves as her face turns serious, "Remember it when I'm gone."

"Gone?" Lola sits up slightly, her brows knit together, "Where are you going?"

"I only came to town to make sure everything was okay with Elijah. He's fine, and he hasn't punished Klaus for daggering him, so..." Rebekah rolls her eyes slightly, "As usual, they'll be thick as thieves, and I'll be left to clean up the mess. It's time for me to fly the coop."

Lola sits further back in her seat, she slumps down slightly feeling disappointed that Rebekah is leaving. Last time they had a discussion similar to this, it resulted in several months of them arguing and not speaking. She clears her throat, smiling faintly at Rebekah, "Oh..." Lola brings the apple towards her lips but a wave of dizziness takes over. She frowns moving the apple away, placing it on the table beside her.

Rebekah steps closer to Lola as she frowns, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know." Lola practically whispers, she shakes her head softly, "Morning sickness is probably starting again, who knows..."

Rebekah places her hand against Lola's forehead, "Oh, you're burning up, actually."

Lola pushes Rebekah's hand away from her, she smirks at her, "If you think I'm hot you just have to say so, Bex. I think you're hot too."

Rebekah rolls her eyes as she takes hold of Lola's hand, "Come on." Rebekah helps a slightly disoriented Lola up from her seat, guiding her upstairs.

—✤—

Hayley opens every window in Lola's bedroom to allow fresh air to flow through as Rebekah blots a damp cloth against Lola's forehead due to Lola's temperature continuing to rise. Lola shifts around in the bed, unable to get comfortable.

"Stop fussing, will you?" Rebekah lectures as she continues to blot away sweat droplets from Lola's forehead, "Elijah will be here any minute."

Lola groans as she pushes Rebekah's hand away from her, "I feel like I've been microwaved."

"Hey!" Rebekah snaps making Lola stop shuffling around, "Just because you're carrying a baby doesn't mean you get to act like one!" A hint of a smile appears on Rebekah's face as she begins to dab Lola's skin with the cloth, "I'm sure my little niece is healing you up as we speak."

Lola watches as Rebekah does so, a gracious smile hinting at the corner of the mouth. Lola tenses as she looks towards the door to see Elijah rushing into the room with Sophie Devereaux following him.

Rebekah frowns at Lola's sudden change in posture, she turns around and glares towards Sophie, "What the hell is she doing here?"

Sophie sighs as she raises her hands up slightly, "I'm trying to help."

"Help!" Lola echoes in a vicious tone before laughing spitefully, "That's a first. How could you possibly help?"

"You're the reason we're in this bloody mess!" Rebekah seethes at the witch, she looks over to Elijah unimpressed as she gestures over to Sophie, "Why aren't we unlinked with this witch already, Elijah?"

"Rebekah, let her do what she can." Elijah's tone is calm, he stands at the side of Lola's bed beside Rebekah.

Lola scoffs, glaring over to Sophie, "What she can do is get out of my sight."

Elijah steps closer, taking Lola's hand, "Charlotte, you need to calm down."

Sophie steps closer, standing at the foot of the bed, "I may know a way to slow the fever down. But, I'm gonna need some special herbs." She turns and looks at Rebekah, "I'll text you a list."

Rebekah glares at Sophie until she looks over to Elijah who nods at her in encouragement. Rebekah forces a smile, "Fine. Happy to play the fetch girl."

Rebekah steps away to walk out but Lola takes hold of her hand to stop her. Lola's eyes start to become glossy, "No, don't leave me. Bekah, please."

"I'll be as quick as I can." Rebekah gives Lola's hand a squeeze of reassurance, "I promise you." Rebekah pulls away from Lola, she shoves the washcloth into Elijah's chest as she leaves the room.

Hayley steps out of the adjoining bathroom, helping Lola up from the bed, "Come in here. The shower is on the coolest setting. We need to get your temperature down."

Sophie and Elijah both watch as Hayley guides Lola into the bathroom, shutting the door after them. Elijah's phone begins to ring, he doesn't even get chance to speak when he answers it when Klaus immediately begins to speak, "Are you there?"

"Yes, I'm with her now."

"Put her on the phone."

Elijah walks towards the bathroom, knocking softly against the door. Hayley slightly opens the door, they both stare into each other's gaze for a moment until Elijah clears his throat, "He wishes to speak with her."

Hayley nods, she takes the phone from Elijah. Her breath halts at the back of her throat when her fingers brush against Elijah's as she takes the phone. Hayley closes the door behind her and walks over to where Lola is resting against the sink, she holds the phone out to Lola.

Lola quickly takes the phone, "Nik?"

"Talk to me, love." Lola sighs with relief when she hears Klaus' voice, as though that's all she needed to calm herself down. She can practically see him pacing around while he is on the phone, "How do you feel?"

Lola breathing becomes rapid as she tries to calm down, she laughs slightly, "Remember the time in '57 and I forced you to go into the sauna but then we ended up..." Hayley clears her throat before Lola can carry on, Lola looks in the mirror to see an uncomfortable looking Hayley standing behind her, "Well, kinda like that, except worse and just without you here."

"I'm on my way."

"No."

Klaus sighs, "Love..."

"Nik, no." Lola pleads, she takes a deep breath, "I don't need all three originals here with me. You need to fight for us. Do whatever it takes."

"I will end this."

Lola faintly smiles to herself, "I know you will."

Lola hangs up, she tightly closes her eyes as she becomes more uncomfortable, dropping the phone to the floor. She stands up straight but immediately begins to lose her balance slightly, Hayley rushes over to her, wrapping her arm around Lola to steady her.

"I can't be in this house." Lola softly pushes away from Hayley, her hands move along the walls towards the door, "I feel like I'm suffocating. I need air."

Lola opens the door but begins to lose all balance, Elijah rushes over to her, putting his arms around her before she can fall. Elijah picks Lola up, carrying her bridal-style as he begins to walk out of the room, "We need to go outside."

Sophie and Hayley rush ahead of Elijah down the stairs towards the back door of the planation. Elijah looks down at Lola in his hold, he can see how scared she is but would never admit it, "Remember what I told you." Elijah speaks softly, "You're going to survive this like you have survived everything else thrown at you, do you understand me?" Lola looks at him, her smile is weak as she lightly nods.

Elijah lowers Lola down when the reach outside beside the pool. Hayley immediately goes to Lola's side and tries to comfort her, "You're gonna be okay, Lo."

Rebekah instantly appears, clutching hold of the herbs Sophie instructed her to get. She passes them over to Sophie who begins to mix them together. Rebekah anxiously steps towards Elijah, "How is she?"

Elijah removes his jacket, rolling his sleeves up, "She's burning up!" He rushes over to Lola, "We need to do this now."

"Get her in the water!"

Without even thinking twice at Sophie's demand, Elijah jumps into the pool holding his arms out to help Lola in. Rebekah turns to Sophie, "I don't see how a midnight swim is supposed to help."

"Her temperature is sky-high." Sophie continues to mix the herbs together, "The water, with the help of the herbs, should cool us down." Sophie joins Lola and Elijah in the water, she hands Lola the herbal drink, "Drink this!" Lola forces the drink down, her face twists as she tries to keep it down. Sophie looks sternly at Elijah, "You're going to have to get her heart rate down."

"How do you suggest I do that?"

"Hold her. It's a natural human remedy to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure."

Rebekah paces around as she continues to grow more anxious, "This is never gonna work."

Lola's breathing becomes even more rapid than before, "I can't do this."

Elijah picks Lola up once more, she wraps one arm around his neck as the other clutches against his shirt, "Look at me." Lola's scared stare locks with Elijah's calm one, "Yes you can. Davina will break the link, we just need time."

Lola becomes more and more hysterical, not even realising tears begin to fall down her cheeks, "I'm going to lose her, aren't I? I can't lose her, Elijah."

"Charlotte..."

Lola starts to hyperventilate, she brings her knees up towards her stomach slightly as she screams at the pain, "I can't breathe!"

"Okay, long deep breaths." Elijah attempts to calm her but it's not working, "Lola! Look at me." Lola almost freezes in Elijah's hold, looking at him confused, "Long deep breaths, just focus on the sound of my voice." He faintly smiles at her as her breathing begins to match his own, "You'll be okay. You'll be okay."

"You- You called me Lola." Lola laughs breathlessly, she shakes her head, "I don't like it."

Elijah smiles at her, "It distracted you, didn't it?"

Lola begins to laugh again until a sharp pain thrashing through her stomach making her wince in Elijah's hold. He continues to softly grip onto Lola, not letting go from her. Lola's eyes are shut tightly, her hand going straight to her stomach.

Sophie breathes out as she looks up at the night's sky, "I just felt it lift."

Both Rebekah and Hayley sigh with relief at the side of the pool. Lola breathes out heavily as the pain suddenly disappears. She takes deep breaths to make her breathing more calm, Lola slowly stands up on her own in the pool with Elijah's arm still around her back to help her.

Lola still grips onto Elijah's arm slightly, she swallows harshly then sighs, "Is she okay?"

Elijah concentrates for a moment before a heavy breath of relief falls from his lips, "She's okay." He looks over Lola's shoulder to watch as Sophie removes one of her ear rings, poking her palm with it. Elijah takes hold of Lola's hand, they're both relieved when she doesn't have the same injury. Elijah smiles softly at Lola, "You're both okay." He wraps his arm around Lola, guiding her out the pool, "Come on, let's go."

"Elijah..." Sophie moves closer to Elijah as they remain in the pool, "As soon as your brother finds out that the link is broken, he'll kill Agnes. I know you don't owe me anything, but please, don't let him kill her." Elijah doesn't respond, he vamp speeds out of the pool and removes his phone from his jacket, "Elijah!" Sophie pleads, "She's our only access to the power we need to survive. Promise me that you'll stop him!"

Elijah ignores her, instead dealing Klaus' number, "It's me, where are you? No, don't hurt her. I'll be there shortly." He hangs up and looks over to Sophie, "I'll make you one last promise. I won't let my brother kill Agnes."

Sophie nods a him, gratefully. Elijah meets Lola's stare while she still remains in the pool, they both give each other a knowing look knowing exactly what he is planning to do. He picks up his jacket and walks away, Rebekah following.

Lola stands up straight in the pool as Sophie moves by her, Lola tightly takes hold of Sophie's arm before slapping her harshly across the face. Sophie winces at the hit as Lola pulls her back closer to her, "I don't care that this whole plot was to just use me in order to save your people. If you do anything like that again, I'll kill you."

Lola pushes Sophie away from her and climbs out of the pool where Hayley is waiting with a towel, wrapping it around Lola and guiding her back into the house.

By the time Lola walks back into the home, Elijah is already dressed in dry clothes. He walks over to her, "Niklaus and I are going to end this, we'll be back soon." He kisses Lola at the side of her head before vamp speeding out of the house.

Lola steps further into the room to see a teary eyed Rebekah, "Is there no way I can convince you to stay?"

Rebekah smiles slightly as she shakes her head, "You already know the answer to that." She takes hold of Lola's hand, "Make sure you look after yourself and my little niece."

"I love you, Bex." Lola pulls Rebekah in a tight embrace, "Thank you for everything."

"I love you too." Rebekah pulls away from the hug, "I'll keep in touch."

—✤—

Lola walks out of the bathroom feeling as though a weight has been lifted off her shoulders now that the link between her and Sophie has finally been removed. Lola climbs into her bed as Hayley walks in, "How are you feeling?"

"You don't need to keep asking me." Lola smiles at Hayley as she lays down, "I'm okay, I promise."

Mischief flashes in Hayley's eyes as she sits on the edge of the bed, "You know what will make you feel better? Fries."

"Curly?"

Hayley scoffs softly, "Obviously." She stands up from the bed and begins to walk out, "Let's just hope Ade hasn't got her witchy vibes switched on tonight. I won't be long."

Lola smiles to herself as she gets comfortable in the bed. Her attention goes to a candle on the bedside table, she purses her lips slightly, pondering on the thought of whether she has magic in this very moment, "Incendia." Lola's eyes brighten when the candle lights up, she bites the inside of her cheek to stop her broad smile when she lays on her back as she realises there will be a constant siphoning going on while she is pregnant with a hybrid baby. Her hand goes against her stomach, "I guess I have you to thank for that."

She sits up slightly when her phone begins to ring,

"Are you okay, love?"

Lola lays back down fully on the bed, there's something about hearing Klaus' voice that will instantly calm Lola down no matter what, "I think so. Are you coming home soon?"

"I'm on my way. I just had to go to your favourite little cafe first. I'll be home soon, my love. I love you."

"I love you."

Lola is only able to relax for a moment until she hears someone pounding on the door. She rolls her eyes thinking that it's Hayley who has locked herself out, which wouldn't be the first time. Lola laughs slightly as she steps towards the front door, "Are you seriously making me answer the door to you now?" Lola frowns as she opens the door to see Josh standing there and not Hayley as she expected, "Josh? Is everything okay?"

Josh's posture is tense, his eyes showing nothing but panic, "No, it's not. Is Klaus here?"

"No, what's going on?"

"Where is he?" Josh snaps unintentionally, "I've been trying to find him all day. Marcel knows that Klaus lied to him about where he lives."

Lola sighs as she closes her eyes, "Shit." She looks back over to Josh, trying to remain as calm as she can, "He's on his way back now. Just calm down, okay? I'll explain it to him when he gets back."

"Fine! Just..." Josh turns to walk away, he sighs before looking back towards Lola, "Tell him to call me, please."

"Okay."

Lola closes the door and figures now she's out of bed she should get herself a drink. Lola walks into the kitchen and grabs herself a bottle of water. As she is walking back towards the stairs, an array of knocks is at the door once more.

Lola rolls her eyes, slamming the bottle of water onto the table in the foyer, "Josh, I swear if you-"

Lola turns speechless, her eyes widen when she sees Marcel standing in the door way with a wide smile, "I certainly wasn't expecting to see you open the door."

Lola's posture stiffens, closing the door slightly, wrapping her cardigan across herself, "Marcel."

Marcel gestures behind Lola, "Aren't you going to let me in?"

"I don't allow pests in here." She flashes an annoyed grin at him before clearing her throat, "Say whatever you want to say then you can leave."

Marcel laughs slightly as he shakes his head, "This hostile look doesn't look good on you, Lo."

Lola purses her lips as she shrugs, "Hm, that's a shame. I could always say that the whole traitorous pig look doesn't look good on you. What do you want?"

Marcel sighs as he shoves his hands into his pockets, "Why did Klaus lie that you were all staying at the Palace Royal?"

"Maybe because we didn't want unexpected calls like this from you in the middle of the night."

Marcel gestures over to Lola, he wears a teasing grin, "This sorta attitude that you're giving reminds me of that time in 1890 when you refused to speak to me because-"

"Because," Lola bites back, "I had a good reason."

Marcel raises a brow at her as he tries not to laugh, "Beating you at croquet was a good reason?"

"You didn't beat me." She scoffs, "You cheated."

"Still stubborn, huh?" Lola rolls her eyes at Marcel's assumption making him laugh slightly before his tone becomes more serious as he sighs, "Look, Lola, I'm sorry about never reaching out after the fire. But surely you can understand from my point of view how it hurt that none of you turned back to see if I was alive or not. We're all at fault."

"I'll tell Nik you stopped by." Lola bluntly responds, ignoring Marcel's apology. Marcel's shoulders drop slightly as he nods and begins to walk away, "Oh and Marcel." Marcel turns to see Lola still standing by the door, she shifts around slightly before slightly smiling over to him, "I'm glad that you're alive. Truly."

Marcel mimics the same soft smile as Lola before vamp speeding away from the house. Lola sighs as she closes the door, resting her back against it for a moment before walking towards the table and grabbing the bottle of water.

Lola walks up a couple of stairs until she hears a loud crashing coming from the back entrance to the planation, "Hayley?"

No response.

Lola walks back down the few steps, placing the bottle back onto the table. She slowly walks towards the kitchen where the back door is slightly ajar. As she steps closer she sees a brown bag on the floor, fries spilled out on the floor.

She gasps when she sees a hand beside the bag, her heart sinks when she opens the door fully to see Hayley unconscious on the floor, "Shit. Hayley?" Lola crouches down beside Hayley, her hand goes just underneath Hayley's nose, she feels somewhat relieved when she feels Hayley's breathing against her hand, "Hayls, can you hear me? Wake up!" Lola softly places her hand under Hayley's head until she feels something underneath. Lola slowly removes her shaky hand from Hayley's head, her breath halts at the back of her throat when her hand is covered in Hayley's blood, "Oh my god."

Lola quickly stands up, rushing over to the sink to dampen a cloth, proving difficult when her hands begin to shake even more than before. She rushes back over to where Hayley is passed out when she can feel eyes on her. She looks further out into the gardens, her throat becomes instantly dry as she looks at someone she thought she was truly rid of, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Lola steps back slightly about to rush upstairs until the figure appears in front of her making Lola scream out slightly. The figure rushes behind Lola, their arm going round Lola's neck as their free hand presses against Lola's nose and mouth, forcing her to breath in the herbs they are holding. Lola's vision becomes blurred and eventually turns completely dark.

—✤—

A/N: I know people may have wanted it to be Klaus in the pool with Lola instead of Elijah but I've just always pictured this was how it went.

Plus I needed more ✨Lolijah✨ moments because they're one of the best friendships in this book😭

When I tell you the excitement I am feeling for the next chapter is not normal😃😬

Holly x