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Hope is back, Ken is gone, and new students were rolling in. Amongst the barrage of faces, was Jen hoping to enroll as well. She enjoyed spending time with Lizzie and wanted to get to know her and her friends more.

As Hope was welcoming some of the new students no one knew and giving them a tour, Lizzie was talking with Jen. Jen and her had bonded on their road trip and Jen had hoped they could continue to. Lizzie and MG had just recently kissed but she was curious why seeing Jen and of course being near Hope, made her feel more than MG ever had. She began to think of how many times she had told MG she wasn't interested, and how many times his friends and himself had tried to manipulate her into being with him. Her mind was going a mile a minute as Hope turned the corner, being Caroline had taken over the next part of the tour. Hope's eyes met Lizzie's and she smiled a gentle smile, but she could tell Lizzie was deep in thought so she carried on. Jen placed her hand on Lizzie's arm which caused her to snap out of it. "Everything okay?" Jen asked. Lizzie's eyes met hers as she eyed the God in front of her, her glance landing upon her hand that was on Lizzie's arm. "Uh, yeah. Everything is fine. I think I just need to go find MG." "Is he your boyfriend?" Jen asked curiously, just wanting to know more about Lizzie on a personal level. "Technically no but technically yes. But either way...not for long" replied Lizzie. Jen raised an eyebrow as Lizzie smiled as she said, "Nevermind. It's complicated, but I'm about to uncomplicate it." Lizzie stood up and walked to find MG. 

MG saw Lizzie and smiled his genuinely huge smile he does when she is near, though it began to fade slightly when he saw she wasn't smiling. "Lizzie? What's wrong? Are you okay?" "Yeah, I am fine. But we need to talk" Lizzie said in a tone that didn't make MG very eager to do so. He swallowed nervously as he asked, "What about?" Lizzie folded her arms, "Not here. Let's go to my room to discuss everything." MG's eyes widened a bit, getting a bit excited. He blinks and tries to hide his excitement as he smiled, "Okay. Let's go." Lizzie sensing what he thought was going to happen rolls her eyes. "Not for that MG." His smile faded once again as he follows Lizzie to her room. He didn't like the sound of any of this. His heart was sinking and he was wondering what had changed since their kiss. 

                                   ~In Lizzie's room~

They walked into Lizzie's room and MG was unsure if he should leave the door open or closed. Lizzie answered his unspoken question and closed the door herself, she didn't need an audience when she was about to break his heart. She sighs as she decides to begin, "Look, we have been through a lot. The ups and downs. Me telling you no, you and your friends thinking that means manipulation is key to winning me over. We had a 'will they won't they' thing going on for a while now...but I think we should discuss which answer it is." "Wait... manipulation? I didn't...we didn't.." MG started to stutter realizing she knew about Penelope and Kaleb and how they had tried to help him in the past. Lizzie crosses her arms and pokes out her hip to the side as she looks at him. "I have finally realized why I feel more of a connection with Hope and am...." "With HOPE?" MG began cutting Lizzie off. "Hope KILLED you. You were sired to her. That's not love...that's barely even loyalty." MG finished with a grimace. 

Lizzie scowled, of course he would go straight to the Sire Bond. "Hope and I have been through hell and back. I was willing to die for her...HELL, I was willing to even KILL for her...but it wasn't all because of the Sire Bond. I drank that blood in case it came to that...and knowing she hadn't turned her humanity back on after I announced that I loved her...I knew I had to provoke her. I knew becoming a heretic was a way to up my power level." Lizzie said in a more softer tone as she unfolded her arms. "Look, you're a good guy. You aren't manipulative anymore, and I believe you do truly care about me..." Lizzie paused as MG said in a tone filled with pain, "I do." She smiled as she continued to say, "But, the truth is...you did manipulate in the past. Hope had her humanity off and she did some fucked up things...but yours was always on and you still chose to go along with your friends, behind my back, trying to win me over. I deserve better than that."

"So, you're gonna go after HOPE instead? Lizzie, she doesn't care for you in that way..." MG began to say, still in disbelief this was happening. Lizzie side smiled as she said, "You're right, she doesn't. That's why I'm not ending this to go run off into the sunset with Hope Mikaelson...I'm ending this for me. I'm choosing myself." As Lizzie said that, she felt a weight lift off of her shoulders. She smiled and sighed as she saw the look in MG's eyes full of hurt and regret.

"You'll be okay, MG. I'm just not the one for you. I'm sorry it took me this long to have my realization moment...and I'm sorry I didn't do so before we shared a kiss...and especially before my mom walked in on that kiss. I'm sorry it feels like I'm taking it all back, but I'm just trying to be honest with you and myself. And I hope, in due time, that you'll forgive me." MG wanted to forgive her right away...but this time his heart was in too much pain. His eyes weld up and he couldn't muster up a thing to say, as a lonely tear found its way trickling down his face. 

Lizzie with a more empathetic look in her eyes, places her hand on his shoulder. "I know. I know this is difficult and it pains me to be the one to cause you such heartache....but I couldn't let it carry on for too long. I couldn't let us continue when it's not really what I want. And I know that hurts to hear...and it pains me just as much to say...but one day you'll realize that I am right. One day you'll see...we weren't meant to be... just because you wanted us to be." MG nods and finds the strength to say, "One day...one day I hope you realize you're wrong. That I am the guy for you...but when that day comes, I might not be here for you." 

Lizzie knew he was hurt and she hated it. But, deep down, she felt something strange. When he said "the guy for her" her stomach had twinged. She didn't know if it was because he was the one saying it....or.... maybe, it's about it being a guy at all. Hope....Jen....both girls, and both she felt a connection to, as more than just a 'friends type of connection', too. She wondered if this was more than just her figuring out that she didn't want to be with MG in a romantic way, and more figuring out that she didn't want to be with a GUY in a romantic way. MG decided he would leave her room now, he didn't want to be around her or anyone right now. He needed space...and he couldn't look at Lizzie Saltzman's face anymore right now.

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Lizzie knew what she chose was right and over the next few weeks she decided to focus on getting to know Jen more. She enjoyed spending time with her, that much she knew, but was it as friends or as more. She decided not to dwell too much on that as of right now.

Today; Lizzie was sitting in the study, Charms book in hand, she was so caught up reading that she didn't notice Jen come in. She didn't notice until the God came and sat in the chair beside her. She glanced up from her book, looked into Jen's eyes and smiled. Jen smiles and asks, "Are you excited?" Lizzie totally spacing, raises an eyebrow. "Josie comes back today...." Jen had began to say slowly as Lizzie's eyes widened and she cut her off by saying, "OHHHHHH!! I totally spaced, yeah of course I'm excited! I haven't seen my sister since she left to go help with the spell that brought Hope's humanity back." As she mentioned Hope her smile and gaze changed to a more tender smile, her cheeks almost red, but in the dim light of the study Jen didn't notice. Jen giggled as she said, "Dude. How could you space out that much to almost forget? Well, either way I heard that Josie is almost here." Lizzie closes her Charms book and stands up which causes Jen to stand as well. "Okay, now what dude?" Jen asked in her normal, laid-back way. "Now we go find Hope and the others so we can be the first thing Jo sees." Lizzie exclaimed as she started to walk away from Jen but paused when she noticed Jen hadn't moved at all. "Oh, right. Let's go!" Jen said as she scurried to catch up to Lizzie. 

It doesn't take long for Lizzie to find Hope as she was actually in the first place she decided to look....her room. Lizzie knocks saying, "Hope Andrea Mikaelson...." Hope opens the door with a curious look on her face. She smiles with a sigh and asked, "What's with the full name drop Lizzie?" Lizzie smiles endearingly and says, "Josie will be arriving soon. I wanted to get you and the rest of the squad so we can be the first ones she sees as she walks through the door." "While I appreciate it, I'm already here." a voice said. Hope, Lizzie and Jen turn their attention towards the stairs and see that it's Josie. "I got here faster than I thought" she said placing her hand behind her head with an embarrassed look on her face after hearing what Lizzie had in store. Lizzie walks over to her sister and hugs her as does Hope after Lizzie lets go. "Welcome back Jo!" Hope says with a smile. Josie gazing into Hope's eyes, smiles brightly and says, "Thank you, Hope." She breaks her glance away and looks down slightly before looking at Lizzie. "Yes, welcome back!" Lizzie says with a big smile on her face. "We missed you!" she added in. Josie smiled, eyes filled with tears of glee, "I missed you all too!" Her glance shifts to Jen. "This is Jen, she's a new student, she's a God." Lizzie says as she looks at Jen and smiles. "Hey, dude. Nice to meet you finally." Josie smiled, "It's nice to meet you as well." 

"Let's get you unpacked and settled in." Hope suggests. Josie nods and the girls head to Lizzie and Josie's room. While unpacking Josie shared stories of Belgium. The girls laughed, and laughed and laughed. Finally it was time for bed so Jen and Hope exited the twins room, Jen went to her room and Hope went to her own. 

                                    ~The next day~ 

Lizzie was up early and was hanging out with Jen when Hope rounded the corner. She paused seeing them close, Lizzie flirtingly nudging her as she laughed. Hope didn't understand why it was bothering her so much that Lizzie was hanging out with Jen more and more. Josie walks up and stands beside Hope. She glances at Hope then at Lizzie and Jen. Hope notices and says, "Oh..hey. Good morning Jo." "Hey, good morning to you as well?" Josie said in a quizzical voice. Hope blushing for reasons she didn't understand says, "Oh, I didn't want to interrupt. Do you wanna sit over here with me?" Josie smiled and nodded.

Lizzie glances up as Hope and Josie sit beside each other smiling. She takes a deep breath, as her smile fades into a longing, straight line smile. Jen noticing, glances to see what caused her smile to shift. While she looks at Hope and Josie and then glances back at Lizzie, Lizzie was in thought just gazing at Hope. "Of course, back into old habits" she thought. Her gut ached at the thought of Hope not returning her feelings. She looked down and shifted her gaze back to Jen. "You good dude?" Jen asked. Lizzie smiles slightly and replies, "Yeah, I'm good. Wanna get out of here and take a walk?" Jen nods and they get up and walk away. Hope's eyes followed Lizzie as she walked on by. She turns her attention to Josie as Lizzie steals one last glance at Hope, she sighs and turns the corner with Jen. 

                              ~Later that evening~ 

Hope was in her room lost in thought. She didn't understand all this jealousy building up. Normally she would go to Lizzie but she's beginning to realize she can't, because the jealousy she's feeling is because Lizzie is getting closer with Jen. "Why would that make me jealous?" Hope asked herself. She shook her head as she closed her eyes and went to sleep. Hope begins dreaming of Lizzie's face, her smile and the way her eyes would light up when she's excited about something or to see someone. Hope was smiling as she continued to dream.

                  ~Back in Lizzie and Josie's room~

While Hope was dreaming of her, she laid wide awake. Josie was already asleep so she was left to her thoughts. She knew she still harbored feelings for Hope, and she couldn't help but wish she would return those feelings already....but she knew that would never happen and she just had to accept that and be okay with moving on. Jen...she would continue to focus on Jen. But you can't escape what the heart truly wants and for that led to her dreaming of Hope while Hope was dreaming of her. 

Over the next few days Lizzie tried to avoid Hope and decided to solely focus on Jen. She thought it would be easier if she wasn't distracted by Hope Andrea Mikaelson. As they say, great minds think alike, because Hope was doing the exact same thing, but was focusing on hanging out with Josie more. Both of them, desperately try to fill the void of the absence that the other left within their hearts. 

However, they couldn't avoid each other forever. As the sun began to slowly set, the sun rays envelope the study as Hope walks in to see Jen and Lizzie sitting by each other, legs touching and all. She paused as she gazed at Lizzie, her eyes stung as tears were beginning to form. She wiped them away and glared at Jen, as her jealousy continued to build up. "Maybe I should just go talk to them" she thought to herself, trying to calm this newfound jealousy of hers. "I mean, Lizzie and I are friends..." she scoffed at that word and rolled her eyes. God, why was it feeling like the worst word in the English language now? Why, after everything they've been through, all they've done together, why now was being friends just not enough? She asked herself as she turned to walk away..."I need to go..." she thought. 

She headed up to her room to think. All of these thoughts rush through her mind in the process. Did she LIKE Lizzie Saltzman? Is that what this was? How did she not notice it until now? Maybe she has for a while now, but she just didn't allow herself to see it. Meanwhile Lizzie had noticed Hope as she was walking away. That longing look was back in her eyes as she watched her until she couldn't see her anymore. "I guess we are just growing apart" Lizzie thought as she turned her attention back to Jen.

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                                   ~The next day~

Hope woke up determined that today would be a good day, she wouldn't dwell too much on her feelings she realized she has for Lizzie...nope not today. Today, the sun was out, so she opened her window and a cool breeze of fresh air hit her face as she did so, causing her hair to flow back and to the side. She smiled, took a deep breath and turned around to leave her room. Today will be a good day...she was willing it into the universe.

She continued smiling, nodding at her fellow students who were eyeing her curiously, wondering why she was in such a good mood. She made her way down the stairs, and through the hallway, towards the Great Hall to get some breakfast. But her smile quickly faded and her heart began to sink as she walked past a few tables and paused. 

She paused because she saw Lizzie and Jen. They hadn't noticed her, they were too busy smiling and laughing. Hope didn't know whether to turn around or continue towards the breakfast spread. Lizzie, still not noticing that Hope was standing just a few feet from them, glances at Jen's lips, as Jen raised her eyebrow in response as a sly, flirty grin crept across her face. They both lean in and...KISS? 

Hope's eyes widened, heart aching now... she stumbled backwards as she was trying to back away to leave. She wasn't watching where she was going as she bumped into a table and chair, hands fumbling to straighten out the chair. The ruckus caused Jen and Lizzie to stop kissing and for Lizzie to turn her gaze towards Hope. 

Their eyes meet and Lizzie saw the look of hurt filling up Hope's eyes and she didn't understand why. She knew how much she still loves Hope, but she was trying to move on, because she didn't ever expect that Hope Andrea Mikaelson would like her the way that she did. Hope had broken away from their gaze and was in a rush up the stairs, that she didn't even notice Josie entering. Josie watched Hope leave and her glance shifted and landed upon Lizzie and Jen. Lizzie's smile had faded fast, into a concerned and guilty look as she stood up. Josie puts her hand up which causes Lizzie to pause, as Josie in turn chases after Hope. Lizzie sits back down, her stomach in knots and her heart aching. What does she do now? 

                                  ~In Hope's room~

Josie had chased Hope all the way to her room. She opened up the door slowly and saw the beautiful brunette laying on her bed clutching her pillow. She closed the door and walked to sit down beside her, as Hope wiped her tears and looked into Josie's eyes. Josie places her hand on Hope's back as she looks into her beautiful, tear-stained eyes and her look turns sympathetic. "Hope..." she began to say, voice full of concern. "I'm fine..." Hope began as she cut her off and sat up, causing Josie's hand to slide off of her. "But, you're not. Talk to me...what's wrong?" Josie said as she in turn placed her hand onto Hope's knee. Hope knew Josie just wanted to be there for her, but after everything was it really the best idea to talk to HER about all of this? 

Josie could tell that Hope was upset and she wanted her to feel she could talk to her about ANYTHING even if it was something she didn't quite want to hear. "It's okay, you can tell me." Hope and Josie's eyes now meet each other's gaze. They stayed there for a moment. Josie's mouth opened slightly at the crease as her eyes shifted from Hope's to her lips...she couldn't help it. But before anything could happen, Hope turned her head, eyes slightly rolling and while she didn't mean to be mean, she was hurt and confused and she ended up saying, "Please don't tell me you expected us to kiss there?" 

Josie blinks as Hope looks back and in this moment she now sees the pain enter Josie's eyes. "No, I...uh. I didn't...I wasn't meaning to.." Josie began to stutter before catching Hope's gaze once more. Hope places her hand on Josie's causing her to look down. "It's okay, I wasn't trying to be mean.." Hope says, now feeling guilty. Josie gestures for her to come mere as Hope cuddles closer to Josie. Hope knew this wasn't a good idea, but in the midst of everything, with the void in her heart, of the absence she was feeling from being disconnected to Lizzie...and now seeing Josie in pain from what she had said...she looks up causing Josie to meet her gaze. 

In a moment of weakness they both lean in and kiss. As the kiss barely begins, tears stream down Hope's face as she backs away, her hand pushing Josie's shoulder back, "I can't... I" Hope said eyes clenched closed as she looked down, wishing she never did that. "You like Lizzie." Josie said with a sigh. A stunned Hope opens her eyes to meet Josie's gaze, "Yeah..." Hope began in a choked up voice, eyes filling up with more tears now. Her heart broke more, tears streaming down her face, as she thought back to Lizzie kissing Jen, "I do...I really do" cried Hope as she crashed her head into Josie's arms crying. Josie's eyes filled up with tears of empathy and hurt, as she held Hope close as she cried.

                            ~Back in the Great Hall~

Lizzie was still staring at the stairs where you'd exit the Great Hall, longingly and empathetically. She had immediately regretted the kiss after seeing the look on Hope's face, and then having to watch Josie chase after the girl she loved....it just was hitting her all at once. She looks back at Jen and says, "I am sorry, but I can't". As she gets back up and chases after Josie and Hope. 

Jen watches her leave as she smiles slightly, understanding on a deeper level what their kiss actually met. Watching Lizzie struggle to not look at Hope when she was around them, seeing her chase after her after they had kissed, it all made sense. Jen was merely a stand-in for the absence she was feeling. She thought her and The Tribrid were growing apart but their hearts were not. Absence is said to make the heart grow fonder, but harboring feelings of secret love was not something anyone should have to go through.

                             ~Back at Hope's room~

Lizzie had made her way through the school and up the stairs to Hope's door. A mixture of worry and concerned emotions were swirling around inside of her. *Knock Knock Knock* Knocked Lizzie a bit frantically, her panic coming more to the surface... "God, please don't let me be too late" she thought. Hope and Josie parted ways as they both glanced at the door and at each other. Hope's eyes and cheeks still stained from the tears she had cried. She wipes her eyes as she nods at Josie to get the door. Josie opens it as Lizzie was beginning to knock even louder *Knock KNOCK* Lizzie side smiled, her scared eyes widening as she looks at Josie, and then peers around her to glance at Hope. The sun was shining, glowing, directly on Hope at this moment. A gentle breeze caught her hair and caused a few strands to go in front of her face. As they fell back down, as the breeze calmed now, Lizzie caught a glistening near Hope's eyes. 'She's been CRYING?' Lizzie thought as she gently pushed past Josie causing her to grunt lightly. Lizzie made her way over to Hope and pulled her into an embrace. Hope's eyes wide for a moment, as it happened so fast, but she smiled and hugged Lizzie back tighter. The girls lean back as Josie takes that as her cue to go and she closes the door as she leaves. 

Lizzie, now gazing empathetically into the eyes of Hope Andrea Mikaelson, the girl she loves. As an apologetic smile creeps across her face, she began to say, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry..." Hope cuts her off by saying, "It's okay... really. It's just...I was getting soooo jealous of Jen, and how much time you all were spending...I didn't know why until last night..." "Jealous? You were... jealous?" Lizzie said in a shocked tone. "I mean, well...yeah. I was. I realized it's because I have feelings for you..." Hope began but paused to see Lizzie's reaction to that. Lizzie's eyes grew wider, glistening with a sense of surprise and glee. "You...LIKE me?" Lizzie said as she smiles lovingly at Hope. Hope smiles back, "Yes, I do. I really, really do." Hope said as she blushed. "I have feelings for you as well..." Lizzie began as she looked down a bit shy now, curious if she should admit to the extent. "When I was longing for you...I wrote you something..." Lizzie said shifting now. Hope tilts her head ever so slightly, with a curious but flattered look upon her face. 

Lizzie got up, nervously pacing now. Hope gets up, grabs Lizzie's hand causing her to stop pacing, "What did it say?" Lizzie's eyes met Hope's, as the nervous look on her face started to fade, as Hope was holding her hand and rubbing it with her thumb. She smiled and finally said, "It said....

"We're just wasting time

Wasting lines

On everyone else

When you should be mine"

Hope smiled brightly, gazing lovingly into Lizzie's eyes. The look of acceptance, love and respect filled both of their eyes. The holes in each other's hearts, now stitched back together with love. "I'd love to be yours, Lizzie Saltzman." Hope exclaimed as she let out a laugh and smiled. "As I would love to be yours, Hope Andrea Mikaelson." replied Lizzie as her face lit up with a sense of relief and pure joy. The two of them leaned in, wrapping their arms around one another, as they shared a meaningful first kiss.

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Everything was right in the world; Josie and Hope made amends, with both apologizing for having a weak moment, Jen and Lizzie were good, with Jen being completely understanding...everything was good. And if amends weren't good enough welll...things sure were beginning to get heated between Hope and Lizzie.

                             ~Cut to Hope's bedroom~

The door to Hope's room shoots open, as the girls were walking in while making out. Hope's hand catches the door and closes it, as they make their way to the bed. Lizzie sat down as Hope sat on her lap. Hope leaned back, a devilish look in her eyes. Crossing her arms, as she lifts her shirt over her head. Lizzie mischievously grins, as she takes off hers as well. Once her shirt was off and on the floor, she leaned in, her lips caressing Hope's again. Lizzie parted her lips back from Hope's, as Hope stole one last kiss, before the gorgeous blonde turned her attention to Hope's neck. She grinned as she began kissing her neck, as Hope tilts her head to the side to give her better access. Moaning as Lizzie bites her neck, blood dripping from the marks she left. Hope places her hands on Lizzie as she whirls her around...Hope now sitting and Lizzie on her lap. Lizzie smiles as Hope moves the hair off of Lizzie's neck and begins to kiss, suck and bite hers now.

Hope pauses as her and Lizzie start to unclasp one another's bras. Bra's thrown to the floor, as their breasts are free for the taking, nipples already hardening from the foreplay kissing. Hope grabs Lizzie's left breast as she continues to kiss her neck. Her hand is gripping and moving, as she gropes her, causing Lizzie to moan. Hope moves her fingers to Lizzie's already hard nipples, as she pulls and massages it, causing Lizzie even more insane pleasure.

Lizzie places her hands on Hope's arms, stands up, and at vamp speed SLAMS Hope into the wall. Hope's eyes glow as she lets out a little "a-wooo". Lizzie's hands are now holding Hope's ass in the air, as both of Hope's legs wrapped around her back. She walks her over while making out some more, and tosses her onto the bed. Hope was giving her that 'come and get me' look, as Lizzie began unbuttoning and taking off hers and Hope's pants. Lizzie then slides on top of her, grinding and arousing Hope some more.

Hope's hands clenched the sheets, as Lizzie was sucking on her breasts, and teasing her through her panties with her fingers. Hope's eyes glow once more, as she made it so she was on top of Lizzie now. Getting up, she slowly removes Lizzie's panties, as the heretic was panting, getting more turned on by the second. Hope then crouches down, as she kisses Lizzie's inner thighs, making her way towards her vulva. Lizzie was wet and she could tell, as she placed her tongue within her. Curling and twisting her tongue, as Lizzie was now moaning in ecstasy, her body now squirming, while Hope continued. "Hope.." she moaned, "Yes! GOD, YES!" her cries of pleasure getting louder. Hope leans back, licking her lips, she pulls herself onto Lizzie as she kisses her lips rigorously. Lizzie whirls her around, as she stands up with that 'my turn' look in her eyes, as Hope's eyes were begging her to hurry up.

Lizzie removed Hope's drenched panties, as she smiled at how wet she was, eager to taste her even more now. Crouching down, she allows her eyes to tease Hope. Instead of kissing her thighs, she jumps right in, tongue first, flicking and licking Hope's clitoris. Hope's body is now going crazy, as she moaned, "Yesss baby." Lizzie continues as she slips her tongue out, but replaces it with two of her fingers instead. She pushes in and out in a continuous motion, as Hope's body curves upwards. She lunges the top half of her body forward, as she leans up and passionately kisses Lizzie while Lizzie continues to finger her. Hope's fingers tangle within Lizzie's hair as they continue their passionate kiss. Lizzie takes her fingers out, as she then pulls Hope on top of her while still making out.

Hope slides her two fingers into Lizzie, causing her to moan into her kiss. Breaking their lips away for a moment, as her head leans back, letting out a longer, louder moan now. Hope leans up slightly, breasts now reachable for Lizzie. She takes that as a hint, and places her mouth on Hope's one breast. She then cups the other breast in her hand, to enable double the pleasure for Hope, while she was pleasuring her. Lizzie twirls her tongue around and over Hope's nipple, as she gropes her other one. Hope removes her fingers from Lizzie, as she places her hands on her back. She digs her nails into her as Lizzie begins sucking harder. Lizzie leans back causing Hope to look into her eyes. "I love you, Hope Andrea Mikaelson" she said, in a tone that was laced with love and ecstasy. Hope flashes her that gorgeous smile and replies, "I love you too, Lizzie Saltzman." Hope kisses her more gently this time, a kiss that was ever so sweet, before they lay down cuddling, lovingly gazing at one another.

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                                 ~The next morning~

The sun was shining brightly, the birds were chirping, and the rays had begun to engulf Hope's room through her window. They begin to reach Lizzie's eyes, causing her to squint. She raises her right arm, to shield herself before opening them. Still barely awake, she thought to herself, "Was it all just a dream? Did last night even happen?" As her thought came and left, she began to feel the weight on her left arm. As she slowly turns her head, her gaze lands upon her sun-kissed, sleeping beauty Hope Andrea Mikaelson, sound asleep, naked, in her arms. "It wasn't a dream" Lizzie whispered as she beamed. But that's just it. Hope Mikaelson was a dream. A beautiful, wonderful dream. Her beauty was unmatched by anyone Lizzie's ever seen. As the hushed sound of Lizzie's whisper reached Hope's ear, she smiled at what she said. Lizzie's mouth opened in a light gasp, and she began to become flustered, as she saw Hope smile. "She heard me" Lizzie thought as she blushed even more. Hope opened her eyes, gazed into Lizzie's, and as if hearing her very thoughts, she replied as she continued looking at her blushing girlfriend, "Yes, my dear. I heard you. And no, it wasn't a dream." 

Lizzie smiled as Hope continued, "Last night was..." "Magical!" finished Lizzie as she cut Hope off. Hope smiles and replies, "Well yes, but I was going to say that it was perfect" Lizzie, blushing again says, "Oh. Yes. Perfect. That it most certainly was." Glancing down shyly as she said it. Hope places her hand on Lizzie's cheek causing her eyes to meet her gaze once again. She leans forward as they kiss sweetly. Last night was their first time, not just with each other but with a girl entirely. Every passion-filled touch, every moment they shared together, had all happened so smoothly, so naturally, and more perfectly than either could have even imagined. 

After their kiss, the girls reluctantly get out of bed, knowing they should get ready for the day. Hope grabbed her robe and gave Lizzie her spare, as they both head out of Hope's room to go shower together. 

                        ~🥵 Hizzie Shower Scene 🥵~

One by one, they walked into the bathroom and hung up the robes. Hope opened up the door to the shower and turned on the water, mostly hot with a little cold mixed in. When the temperature was just right, she walked into the shower and Lizzie followed as she closed the door behind her. Hope leans her head back under the water, as she wets her hair, eyes steadily on Lizzie, raising her eyebrows flirtingly. Lizzie watched as droplets of water slowly trickled down Hope's body. After Hope washed her hair, Lizzie and her swapped places so she could do the same. 

Once Lizzie's hair was done, she grabbed Hope's loofah, put some soap on it and said, "Turn around" to Hope. Those two simple words had Hope flustered as she smiled and obliged. Lizzie moved Hope's hair out of the way, placing it over her left shoulder. She gently squeezed the loofah, allowing suds to slowly slide down Hope's back. Placing the loofah now on Hope's shoulder, she glides it, allowing it to caress Hope's skin softly, as she begins washing Hope's shoulders and back. As the water slowly rinses off Hope's neck, Lizzie leans down, trailing kisses down Hope's neck and across her shoulder. 

This causes Hope to turn around before her back is rinsed off, as she places her hands on Lizzie's cheeks, she leans up to kiss her lips softly. After their kiss, Hope leans down while facing Lizzie, as she picks up Lizzie's loofah and slowly stands up straight again. Lizzie smiles as Hope flirts with her eyes while saying, "Your turn." As they were swapping places again, they allowed their hands to touch, and their pointer fingers to flirt, as they slowly twirled them around each others. As the water finishes rinsing off her back, Hope reaches up and begins to wash Lizzie's shoulders with the loofah, making her way down her back as well. Lizzie turns around once Hope is done, as she pulls her close, so that they both are standing directly under the water. Lizzie leans down, as she places her arms around Hope now. They begin to kiss while the water slides down Lizzie's back, washing the suds away. After the kiss they exchanged loofahs, both finishing washing the rest of their bodies and rinsing off. 

Once they were finished, they turned off the water and opened the door. Hope reaches for a towel, passes it to Lizzie, then grabs one for herself. Slowly drying themselves off as their eyes were glued to one another. After they were dried off, Hope places her towel in the hamper while Lizzie was still holding hers. Hope grabs her robe and slowly slides it on. Lizzie stands there with the towel around herself, watching as Hope teasingly takes her sweet time to close her robe. Hope then grabs the robe she lent to Lizzie and looks as though she's about to hand it over to her.

Lizzie goes to reach for it, but Hope grabs her hand instead, pulling her close, and causing Lizzie to drop her towel in the process. Lizzie blushes, as she looks at Hope more vulnerably. Hope smirks, as she looks Lizzie up and down, flirting with her eyes one last time, before handing Lizzie the robe. Lizzie was blushing intensely as she smiled, grabbing the robe. She slides it on, closes it and ties it. Afterwards, she picks up her towel as she glances at Hope causing her to giggle. She puts her towel into the hamper now and walks back over to Hope, who's been watching her the entire time. Lizzie looks deeply into Hope's eyes and smiles. She places her right hand on Hope's cheek, and as Hope leans into her touch, Lizzie lovingly moves her thumb back and forth, grazing Hope's cheek, before she leans in and they kiss once more. Lizzie slides her hand off of Hope's cheek, and grabs her hand to hold instead now, as they lean back from their kiss. 

They walk out of the bathroom, hand in hand, both of them smiling sweetly, uncontrollably. As they continue to walk down the hall swaying their arms, they steal gazes at one other. As their eyes meet, they both blush smiling, letting out a slight giggle as they shy away, eyes widening, as they look down and to the side. They pause in front of Lizzie's room. Lizzie turns her back to her door, so that she's standing in front of Hope while still holding her hand. Hope looks down at their hands connected, as she shyly moves her wrist back and forth, causing their hands to sway slightly. She glances up, her eyes filled with love and admiration, as she blushingly smiles, and then looks back down. Lizzie smiles, and with her left hand, she places it under Hope's chin and gently lifts up to cause Hope to meet her gaze. She lets her arm fall back down, as she leans in and kisses her. She then leans back slightly, after a moment of kissing passes, their faces still close, eyes locked on Hope's as she says, "I'll see you soon, beautiful. I'll give you the robe back later." She winks at Hope after saying so, which makes Hope smile brightly, giggling as she sighs and replies while raising her eyebrows flirtingly, "I'll be waiting." 

Lizzie smiles, blushing as she tilts her head. She nods while looking down and to the side then back up again. She grabs her door knob with her left hand, opening the door as she releases her grip on Hope's hand. Their hands slowly part as Lizzie enters her room. Lizzie closes the door so she can get dressed, as Hope smiles, biting her lip, and looking down before she continues walking back to her room. Hope entered her room and began getting dressed. She kept on smiling to herself and shaking her head. She couldn't believe how in love she was with Lizzie Saltzman. Between last night and this morning, she was on cloud nine. Everything was absolutely perfect. After getting dressed, she brushed and blow dried her hair, then finished getting ready for the day.

                              ~Back in Lizzie's room~

Lizzie was thinking the exact same thing, she couldn't believe the effect Hope Andrea Mikaelson had on her. She knew before they got together how much she loved her, but this was on a whole other level. "That's the difference between fantasy and reality" she thought to herself as she got dressed. She grabbed her brush and blow dryer, so she could also dry and fix up her hair. Same routine just in different rooms. Once she was finished getting ready, Lizzie walked out of her room, and closed her door. She waited there cutely for Hope, who had also finished getting ready and was walking down the hallway towards her girlfriend. 

She smiled as she saw Lizzie waiting for her. She jokingly says, "Well damn, it's been a while. How've YOU been?" she winks after the last part. Lizzie giggles saying, "Shut up" which causes Hope to giggle with her mouth open, as she flirtingly shoves Lizzie's arm gently. Lizzie smiles and replies, "I'm the happiest I've ever been. And it's all thanks to my amazing and beautiful girlfriend. You might know of her, Hope Mikaelson? Yeah, she's the one and only Tribrid, and she's a real badass." Hope laughs as she replies, "Hope Mikaelson you say? Well damn, she's a keeper, but she's got nothing on my incredibly sweet and gorgeous girlfriend, Lizzie Saltzman. She's a heretic and she's also quite the badass herself." "And don't even get me started on how good she is in bed" Hope added in as she winked at Lizzie again. Lizzie shakes her head as she smiles and laughs. "Come on" she says as she rolls her eyes while blushing, grabbing Hope's hand in the process. Hope smiled and walked with Lizzie through the school and towards the Great Hall.

                                  ~In the Great Hall~

Once they reached the Great Hall, the girls saw Josie and Jen, so they decided to go sit by them. "Hey dudes" said Jen. Josie smiled softly as she said "Hey" as well. Hope and Lizzie smiled as they sat down. "Hey" they both said together in unison. "Did y'all have a good night?" Josie asked curiously. A blushing smile crept across both of the girls faces. "Yeah, we did" Hope began as she looked at Lizzie. "It was perfect" Lizzie added as she beamed back at Hope. Jen and Josie glanced at one another, not needing to know anymore details. "I see" replied Josie with a sigh as she shifted, causing the girls to look towards her as their smiles faded. "I'm glad" Josie added after a momentary pause, while smiling at her sister and Hope. Hope smiled back, thankful that things between them were relatively normal still. She didn't know how things would be after they shared that moment of weakness, "fill the void" kiss not long ago.  

                                     ~Later that day~

Josie was called to Caroline's office because she had a visitor. Josie walked into the office with a curious look on her face, but her look quickly changed to shock, as she recognized the back of the girl's head. "Penelope?" she asked in disbelief that she was actually there. The girl turned around, almost as if in slow motion, and smiled at Josie. "Hey, Jojo." Penelope said as she stood up. Josie was frozen, she couldn't believe this. Penelope was back? Was she staying for good? Or was it just a visit. These thoughts swirled around in her head as she just stood there shell-shocked, looking into Penelope's eyes. She hadn't let on to the others, but she had missed her soo much. They had gotten close again when she was in Belgium. 

"Are you just going to stand there? Or are you going to hug me?" asked Penelope teasingly. Josie shook herself out of her trance, smiled, and ran to hug Penelope. As they collided she caused Penelope to back step a little, "Woah, that's more like it" Penelope said with a smile as she hugged Josie back. Caroline watched them both and decided to give them a moment alone, so she walked out of her office and closed the door. 

As their hug ended, Josie looked at her and asked, "Are you here for a visit or for good?" Penelope gazed at Josie as she smiled slightly and replied, "For a visit, but I'm hoping to not leave here by myself." Josie's eyes widened as Penelope finished her sentence. "I want you to come back to Belgium with me, Jojo. I miss you." Penelope added in. "I missed you too!" Josie admitted as she hugged Penelope again. "So, tell me what's new?" Penelope said eager to hear some tea. Josie looked down feeling a bit guilty and shy. Her and Penelope didn't date while she was in Belgium, but she knew the feelings were still very much there. And she LOVED her so much still too. But, how do you tell someone you claim to love, that you shared a kiss with an old flame?

Penelope eyed Josie curiously, unsure if she should be worried or not. "What's wrong? What happened?" Penelope asked finally. "Well, for starters, Hope and Lizzie are dating. They're head over heels for one another....but" Josie began to say before pausing slightly, and followed by Penelope cutting her off by asking, "But...what?" "Before they admitted their feelings for one another, Hope had walked in on Lizzie and Jen kissing. Lizzie didn't think Hope would ever feel that way about her, so she was trying to move on. Well, she left the Great Hall upset and I chased after her." Josie paused again, and Penelope knew she wasn't gonna like where this was heading, but she stayed silent and waited for Josie to continue. "I found her in her room...crying. I was comforting her. Seeing her again had ignited an old flame that had burned out. All of these feelings had rushed back and I hated seeing her upset. In a shared moment of weakness, we ended up kissing. But it was only a "fill the void" kiss, and it barely began when she stopped it and pushed me away slightly saying she couldn't."

Penelope's eyes had begun to tear up, which caused Josie to pause, before she continued on, now in a more frantic, frightened voice, "The flame that had been lit once again....it's nothing compared to how I feel for you. It never erased those feelings. I still LOVE you." Tears now fill up Josie's eyes, as they start to escape Penelope's, and are falling down her face. Penelope wipes her eyes, while it hurts that she shared a kiss with Hope, it was only for a moment...and it's not like they had been dating so it wasn't any of her business. But she was glad that Josie still felt the need to tell her.

She wipes away Josie's tears, then pulls her close and hugs her. "It's okay, Jojo. I am glad you felt you had to tell me, glad that you were honest with me. Oh, and I love you, too!" Josie smiled as she hugged Penelope tighter. "I'll go back with you. I was planning on staying here permanently, but I think I'll be a lot happier back in Belgium with you." Josie exclaimed as she leaned back to look into Penelope's eyes. "Actually..." she began to add but paused for dramatic effect, "I know I will be." she finished which caused Penelope to smile. They share a sweet kiss. "I'll tell everyone later" Josie began to say but quickly added, "I want to spend time with you." "I'd love that!" replied Penelope as she continued gazing into Josie's eyes.

Chapter Text

                                    ~The Next Day~

Josie had gathered everyone of importance to the Great Hall - to tell them she was going back to Belgium with Penelope. While she was talking Hope and Lizzie looked at one another and smiled. They were both thinking the same thing: Goodbye party! So, while Josie was hanging out with Penelope the rest of the day and also packing.... Lizzie and Hope were on a mission to get everything set up for her goodbye party. Kaleb and MG ran into town for supplies while the rest of the school organized the den for the party. 

Hope walked over to Lizzie to see how she was feeling about Josie leaving so soon. Placing her hand on her arm she gently asks, "Hey, how are you holding up?" Lizzie had turned to look at her as soon as her hand touched her arm. She smiled softly, placing her hand on Hope's and replied, "I'm okay. I wish she would stay longer but I'm happy as long as she is happy." Hope nodded in agreement as they held each other's gaze for a moment. 

Their concentration on each other was interrupted by Kaleb and MG arriving with goodies and supplies to set everything up. Allowing her hand to slide out from under Lizzie's and off her arm - Hope walks over to grab a bag from the boys to start unloading. She passed out the table cloth which Lizzie and MG spread out, smiling gently at each other. They've both come to an understanding and are in a better place in their friendship again. He's glad to see that two of his best friends are happy with one another! Hope pulled the banner out of the bag next and handed it to the witches to levitate and hang. Everything was almost in order now for when Josie and Penelope came down. 

                               ~Cut to Josie's room~

"Soooo Jojo. What's on your mind? Are you gonna miss it here?" Penelope asked as she could tell Josie was lost in thought. Josie blinked, "Hmm? Oh, yeah of course. I'll miss Lizzie, mom, my friends..." "Hope" Penelope added in cutting Josie off. "Uh wha-? Well, yeah. Hope's my best friend. So, yeah...I'll miss her" Josie replied still distracted but she paused and smiled at Penelope. "But, I don't mean it that way and I'm happy to be going back to Belgium with you" she added in a soft, serenading tone. Penelope smiled in response as she looked down blushing which caused Josie to giggle cutely. 

"Well, I think that about covers it.." Josie announced as she looked around her room...her gaze landing on a tall thin box. "Don't let me forget that...okay?" she added as she pointed to the box and looked at Penelope. "What is it?" Penelope asked giving her a curious look. "It's.. just don't let me forget it." Josie said unsure of how to go into full detail about the spear. She just knew she promised to guard it so it'll go with her yet again. Penelope's smile faded a bit. She wondered why Josie was being secretive. Josie saw her look as it faded and she sighed, "It's the only weapon that can kill Hope. She entrusted me with it to keep it safe." Penelope's eyes widened, "Ohhh. Oh okay. Don't worry, it'll be safe with us!" Penelope said as she shot her a reassuring smile. 

Josie's face lit up as she walked over to Penelope and they shared a sweet kiss. "Thank you, Pen!" Josie said with tears of gratitude forming in her eyes. She felt so lucky to have her back in her life - she wasn't in this alone anymore. After their kiss Josie grabs Penelope's hand, "Let's head on downstairs to see what everyone is up to. It's been awfully quiet" she said. As they descended down the stairs they would look at each other while smiling brightly, Josie was looking forward to going back with Penelope. While turning the corner to enter the den...Josie looked around and curiously asked, "Where is everyone?" 

Her jaw dropped once she saw that the den was decorated for a goodbye party. Her eyes began to glisten with appreciation and glee as she looked around at her friends and family. The tables had all of her favorite snacks and drinks, there were games set up and a karaoke machine since they knew she loved to sing. Everything they could think of... to make her last moments there special and unforgettable.

As Josie's glance landed upon the banner that was hung above the fireplace, she got all choked up and covered her mouth with her hands as a tear escaped her eyes. The banner read:

                         "Goodbye Josie (FOR NOW)

                                 We Will Miss You!!" 

It was after she read the banner that there was a knock at the door. The little kids all looked at one another as Pedro screamed in excitement and jumped into the air, "PIZZA!!!" Everyone laughed and Caroline announced, "I'll get it" as she walked to the door giggling. After she paid the pizza delivery guy, she walked the stack of pies into the den and placed them down onto an empty spot on the refreshments table. 

One by one the students grabbed a slice (or three) of pizza and poured themselves some soda before finding a place to sit and eat. After everyone finished eating, Lizzie stood up and walked to where all could see her. As everyone turns to look at her, she lifts a cup into the air and says, "I'd like to make a toast...to Josie and Penelope!" She paused as everyone lifted their cups in response, while Josie blushingly smiled as Penelope nudged her causing her to look at her. Lizzie continued on by saying, "Jo.." as she said her name Josie looked back at her sister. "First off I want to begin by saying that I love you, my dear twin. Secondly, while I would have hoped your stay would have been longer and I regret we really didn't get much time together this time... I know it's not forever. I know you'll come back to visit and I look forward to it. I love you and all I ever want for you is happiness! And if Penelope and Belgium will make you happy....well I wish you both the best! To Josie and Penelope!!" finished Lizzie with a smile as everyone chanted "To Josie and Penelope!!" "And with that being said....how about gifting us by singing a karaoke duet, you two?" Lizzie added in with a smile and a wink. 

Josie covered her face blushing even more, as Penelope stood up and grabbed her hand to drag her to the machine. "You can pick the song, Jo" Penelope bribed as they walked. Josie smiled and caved, "Fiiinnee..." Penelope laughed in response as their walk turned to a sprint. Josie shifted through the options and smiled when she came across the song *Love me, Love me not* "This one!" she exclaimed as she pressed on it. Penelope saw the lyrics come onto the screen and she blushed knowingly. 

Josie took the lead as she began to sing: 

"What you don't know

Is that I would do anything for you" 

Penelope serenaded back:

"What you don't know

Is that I would do anything for you" 

*As the karaoke song drowned out the buzz of everyone talking; we begin to see the rest of the festivities play out* 

From scenes of Josie, Penelope, Hope and Lizzie playing billiards with Jed trying to take over and whisper to them which ball to hit, to a video streaming of silly moments projected onto a pulled down screen. Josie would get all flustered and cover her face laughing, while Penelope would stare at her - so blissfully in love, smiling and giggling as well.

*The scene cuts back to the two front and center singing for everyone* 

Josie belts out:

"Love me, love me not

Counting petals on the floor"

Penelope smiles with her hand out as she harmonizes:

"Stop being so afraid

To let our love become more"

As both of them chime together dueting with one another - Josie's hand outstretched now too:

"Take me, take me in

I won't let you down

I'm not running

I'm not leaving

I'm not hiding

Nooo...I'm not lying"

Josie solos now as she grabs Penelope's hand - sweetly singing:

"I'm not wanting anybody else today

But you!" 

Penelope softly sings in response:

"Just you" 

"Just you"

Josie serenades back this time.

Both of their vocals collide as they finish the song - allowing the words to stretch longer:

"Jusstttt youuuu"

After they're done you see that their bodies are inches apart, as Josie leans in and kisses Penelope cutely. Everyone whistles as they clap! Giving them a standing ovation. Josie and Penelope laugh as they take a bow, smiling ear to ear.

After karaoke the party was over pretty fast - or at least that's how it seemed. Everyone began gathering up all of the trash, putting away the extra snacks/pizza and the drinks. Once that was taken care of...they finished cleaning up the decorations and putting everything back to how it was supposed to be. Penelope helped Josie bring her luggage down and the emotional goodbyes continued. Josie was a mess as she cried hugging Hope and cried even more as she hugged Lizzie. Lizzie wiped away her twin's tears even though she, herself was crying as well. Caroline looked at her daughter through tearful, proud eyes. She loved how happy her daughter was but she was going to miss her as well. "You'll do great sweetie! And I just know you'll be happy! Come back soon okay?" cried Caroline as her tears started streaming by the end of her sentence. Josie pouted her lip at her mom and gave her the biggest hug, "I will I promise! I love you, mom!" "Aww Jo!" Caroline said tenderly as she squeezed Josie tighter, "I love you, too!"

After the goodbyes were done... Caroline, Hope and Lizzie helped carry Josie's luggage to the car in-waiting outside. They all hugged one final time before waving goodbye as Josie and Penelope drove off. As they walked back into the school and closed the door - a blinding light filled the den. All of a sudden, out of the blue...appeared Ethan Machado, a student who was supposed to be at peace. A wave of expressions changed to bewilderment, as everyone was stunned to see him there. "E?" staggered MG in a choked up tone. "Heh. Hey, MG. I have some explaining to do... don't I?" enquired Ethan as he rubbed the back of his head.

to be continued...

Chapter Text

               ~Flashback to after Klaus' message to                                                              Hope from Peace~

After the message to Hope ends, Klaus turns to Ethan with immense gratitude in his tear filled eyes and smiles. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity and pleasure, of delivering one final message to my daughter. I can feel in my very soul, that she needed it just as much as I did. I am forever grateful." Klaus said as he held out his hand towards Ethan. Ethan smiled and shook Klaus' hand, he couldn't believe it had worked. "You're welcome, and you must be Hope's mom." Ethan said as a beautiful brunette came into view from behind Klaus. "Yes, I'm Hayley. Thank you...thank you so much for giving them both closure. You have no idea how much that means to me as well!" Hayley said expressing her gratitude as a tear began to fall down her cheek. She smiled and laughed, "Look at me getting all emotional now" Ethan smiled even bigger, for he loved seeing how happy he was able to make Klaus and Hayley. 

"Peace, it's so lovely here. I could definitely get used to this..." He began to think but was interrupted by an angry voice yelling, "LYNN!!!!!" the voice rumbled throughout Valhalla, causing the ground to quake beneath their feet. With a face of pure shock, Lynn turns around to see her brother Ken storming up towards her. Bewildered by his presence, her mouth slightly opened, and a look of confusion overcame her face. But, before she could say anything Ken was yelling again, "LYNN!! SEND ME BACK NOWWWWW!!! I MUST END HER ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!" "End who?" Lynn questioned. "THE TRIBRID!!" Ken roared getting angrier with each passing second. Klaus became enraged, "You mean to end MY DAUGHTER?!" Klaus said, his voice echoing throughout Valhalla now as well. "Klaus Mikaelson...my quarrel isn't with you. That insolent child...I had her where I wanted her. I almost KILLED her if not for...." Ken began but was interrupted by a female saying, "If not for me standing in the way" said Aurora as she also came into view. Her and Klaus exchanged looks, but her gaze didn't linger there long, as her attention shifts back to Ken almost instantly.

Ken scoffs and looks back at Lynn. "Send me back or face my wrath!" Ken threatened. Without blinking Lynn replied, "Your threats mean nothing, for you are dead now. You will not be returning." Ken's rage grew, "ERRRAHHHH!!!" He yelled as he leaned closer to Lynn's face. "You dare to disobey ME?! I said SEND ME BACK!!!" "No" Lynn replied with a glare. She didn't flinch at his bellowing, her tone was firm and her body stood still. She wasn't scared of her brother. Ken breathed heavily through his nose as he lifted his arm and swung, his hand connected with Lynn's cheek causing her to fall over. She held her cheek as she looked up at him. Klaus was all but ready to fight Ken but Lynn put her hand up causing him to stop. "Don't. This isn't your battle currently. This is family matters" Lynn snarled as she got back up to her feet. "If that's the way you wanna do it. Fine. LET'S GO" yelled Lynn as she jumped and punched her brother square in the face. "Is that the best you got?" Ken sneered for he could almost taste victory. Punch after punch the siblings went at it. Each hit was thrown with more force than the last...they both meant business. 

                               ~Meanwhile in Limbo~ 

Tables and chairs in the tavern were shaking and falling over. Landon didn't know what was going on so he headed outside. He was met with a blast of furious winds. "What is going on here?" He thought as he saw a flickering in the distance. He made his way towards the dock and saw Peace/Valhalla's light flickering. He still was numb to feeling anything, but beyond the spectrum of feeling...he could feel it in his core just by observation: Something wasn't right. Something big was going on. But all he could do was watch and see how everything would unfold. 

                             ~Back in Peace/Valhalla~

Lynn was barely hanging on. Ken had her pinned to the ground but she didn't dare have the others interfere. She could sense that Landon was close, and she could tell that Peace/Valhalla was in danger. This fighting...it was disturbing the very harmony that this place was meant to be. Such disdain for it was causing it to unravel...and it was affecting Limbo as well. She glanced at Ethan, Hayley, Klaus and Aurora. "This...err...this place...it won't hold for much longer. His anger and mmm wrath..it's disrupting the balance here...the harmonious balance." Lynn said as she winced. Klaus and Hayley exchanged looks of worry. They were at peace...but if peace was destroyed...where would that leave them? Lynn could feel their worry. "I know...you finally are accepting your peace. You found warmth in your final words...you found solace.." she mustered up the strength to add. Klaus nodded as he grabbed Hayley's hand, "We understand" he said but Lynn shook her head. She closed her eyes, knowing she could do one final good thing, before everything was just...gone.

"Landon.." she whispered but the words echoed in his ears back in Limbo. He listened closely.. intrigued by what she was about to say next. "In our final moments we must make a choice...errr...take them..." she finished as she flicked her wrist. 

                                    ~Back in Limbo~

Klaus, Hayley and Ethan all appeared on the dock beside Landon. With every fiber in his being he knew what he had to do. He could feel an overwhelming power surge through him... enough power to return them back to the real world. "Things won't be the same as when you left Ethan. Time works differently here than in the real world. What seems like mere moments to us - is close to a month there by now. This is farewell for eternity. Valhalla is falling...and I'm afraid that means Limbo will fall shortly afterwards. Lynn used what little fight she had left and brought you to me... somehow leveling me up in the process. I now have enough power to bring you all back." 

Their faces became stricken with an immense understanding and gratitude. They were going back. Hayley looks at Klaus with tears in her eyes, "We're... going home!" She cried as she hugged him. "Yes little wolf, back home to our daughter." Klaus replied with a smile upon his face. "I can't say for sure if you'll both still be hybrids once you return...but are you ready?" Landon asked. All three of them nod as Landon sends them all back to the real world. After the light from returning them vanished, Landon just stood there watching as Valhalla's light went out. "Hope..." Landon thought, as he could feel Limbo following. A sense of absolute in the face of oblivion washed over him. He knew she was going to be okay and while he was numb to feeling anything else...he knew what he had felt for her was real. He held on to the thought of Hope Andrea Mikaelson, as Limbo slowly disappeared, taking him and all of the souls with it.

                       ~Back at the Salvatore School~

The trees were swaying fiercely as an uncontrollably strong wind picked up. Nearby civilians were being blown back. "Where did this storm come from? It appeared with no warning at all?" a lady said. "Ahhh! Look out!!" a guy yelled as he pushed the lady out of the way of a lightning strike! Thunder was roaring...and the clouds were tainted blood red. "What kind of catastrophe is this?" they both asked in bewilderment. A witness who understood on a deeper level mumbled to himself, "Ahh...yes...yes...I understand. The chosen Tribrid is at it again." He wasn't supernatural, he didn't even study it. He just had what we called "The Sight". He. Just. Knew.  

*As we pan inside we see that Hope has fallen to her knees in agony whilst gripping Lizzie's jeans* 

Inside the lights were sparking and a howling gale within had started. Everyone looked at Hope with great sorrow knowing her first love was gone for good. Lizzie became filled with overwhelming concern and empathy, as she knelt down to Hope's side to comfort her. Just like she has time and time again...she places her one hand on Hope's back and the other on her shoulder. It's funny how the comforting touch of a loved one can calm the storm within. Everything inside and out became utterly still, as Hope's hand was clenching onto Lizzie's with her head tilted downwards in defeat. Everything within that moment felt calm... Lizzie however wasn't sure for how long. As if answering her worried thoughts...a blue wave of energy expelled from Hope's body, whooshing through Lizzie and the others like a blustery wind. 

Hope grunted as she was stricken with immense realization. Slowly lifting her head up, she looks at Ethan with her eyes swollen and her cheeks stained from her tears. "Wait...wha-what did you say? M-my father....he-he's alive? M-m-m-m-my mom?" Hope stammered as tears weld up and fell once more. Ethan lightly smiled, he didn't want to be insensitive about Landon but, he was also happy for Hope that she got her parents back. "Yeah Hope...they're alive. I don't know where they would be but they're here." Ethan replied gently. Hope smiled through her tears as she let out a relieved laugh. She turned to Lizzie and then to Caroline. Caroline had a stunned look on her face, for her and Klaus had a complicated past. Even still, she smiled comfortingly at Hope. "That's - that's great! I'm sure we are to expect a visit soon then" Caroline said a bit choked up. "Mhm" she added in as she nodded. Hope looked at Lizzie with wide eyes and an awkward smile, which caused Lizzie to look to the side chuckling. They shifted their hands so Lizzie could help Hope to her feet and afterwards they shared a heartwarming hug.

Afterwards Hope wiped her eyes and cheeks, then turned to Ethan and said, "They're probably in New Orleans." Ethan raised an eyebrow at her. "New Orleans, it's where I'm from. It's where they both...mmm...where they both died. They gave their lives to save me" Hope paused as she choked back tears...this was a happy moment, but reliving the trauma of her past...even if they were back now... didn't take away the feeling of abandonment she had felt and went through.

"Anyway.." Hope started to begin again but Lizzie rested her hand on Hope's shoulder causing her to glance towards her. "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it. We understand. Just know we are here for you. We all love you. And most importantly...they're back now. It doesn't invalidate the pain you went through, definitely not. But you're not alone...not now, not ever" Lizzie assured her. "You're right..." Hope began with a smile "I haven't been alone for a long time. Thank you all for that! I honestly don't know what I'd do without you guys."  

One by one each student's face comes into focus, as we move from left to right seeing them smile. We go from seeing one face at a time to seeing everyone's face at once, as they nod and say in unison, "Always" followed by Lizzie adding in "and forever." She knew Hope and knew in this moment especially - that reciting her family's line to her would be perfect timing. Simultaneously while saying the line, we see her slowly walk in front of their friends, so that she was standing directly in front of Hope. In response Hope smiled ear to ear and her eyes sparkled brightly. She was overwhelmed with love, admiration and joy from hearing Lizzie finish the vow - that she scrunched up her face, let out a cute squeal and hugged Lizzie. 

"Thank you! Thank you for always being here. For not leaving me...and most importantly...for being the one who always stayed! I love you, Lizzie Saltzman! Very much!" Lizzie squeezed Hope tighter, "It's been both an honor and a pleasure! It wasn't always easy let's be honest but it was all worth it in the end. I love you, too, Hope Andrea Mikaelson! With all of my heart!" she replied with a sweet, tender tone. Hope giggled at the full name drop...she loved when Lizzie said her full name - it made her heart smile! As their hug slowly parted they shared a quick, but sweet kiss. Ethan watched them as they kissed, knowing he wanted what they had. In that moment he glanced back towards MG, who shifted his gaze to look at Ethan in response. Their mouths slightly parted as they pine for one another. After everything they've been through...the ups and the downs...it's led them here. Finally understanding on a deeper level, their mouths close and slowly changed to a knowing smile across their faces. Lizzie and Hope lean back after their short kiss, and get caught up in the beauty of one another. They didn't want to look away, they wanted to relish in this moment for a bit longer. Hope had gotten everything she'd ever wanted. Her parents were back, loving friends surrounding her and the love of her life staring back at her. And Lizzie, well...Lizzie got what she always wanted a month ago...Hope Andrea Mikaelson. Her dream girl. 

*The scene slowly pans out as Hope and Lizzie continue to look into each other's eyes lovingly* 

*Glitches back in as you hear a familiar cackle, "HA HA HA HA!!"*

           ~Flashback to within Valhalla before all of it                    and Limbo disappeared from existence~

Valhalla was flickering, the souls were quaking with fear...all hope was lost. No peace? No afterlife? Just vanishing without a trace? How could they not be uneasy about that. 

Ted comes into focus and with that we see how the disruption is affecting him especially. The anger that was coming off of Ken was fueling Ted, like a shockwave of energy...and he loved it. A maniacal smirk crept across his face as his image was teetering between Ted and his twisted alter ego. 

"What's going on?" asked Chad as he made his way over to Ted. His curious expression turned to concern as he saw Ted flashing between both versions of himself. "Are - are you alright?" he asked. "Oh I've never been better" a maniacal voice stated as lightning struck. In-between flashes you could see the glare of an evil stare and a sinister grin. "I'm baaaaaack AH HA HA HA HA!" announced The Necromancer. 

He grabbed Chad's arm as lightning from his hand swirled in a current around them. The two of them vanished moments before Valhalla and Limbo did. All you hear afterwards is maniacal laughter, "AH HA HA HA HA!! AH HA HA HA HA!!"

Chapter Text

As the light disappears; Klaus looks around at the place he once grew to call home. His ears began to echo - filling with sounds that he had nearly forgotten. The smells of familiarity caused memories of his past to begin flooding his mind. Some good, some bad and some downright traumatic. His face began to shift, as his happy memories of Hope became shrouded by the shrill, fleeting thought of a past he shuddered to think of. "We made it - we're back!" squealed Hayley, unintentionally pulling him back from an abyss of darkening thoughts. She turns to him with a smile across her face, "Klaus... we're home!" He looks at her while smiling through the pain, "Ah yes. Home." His tone left a bittersweet reminder of what "home" truly meant....for was it really home without Elijah? He could tell that the reality of it all hadn't quite hit Hayley yet. She was still consumed by the rush of being back...or did she just not want to dwell on him - for it would bring up their last shared memory of Elijah? Either way he chose to be strong for her, though he could feel the dull ache of emptiness growing within himself. His brother was a part of him, a part of his very soul...would he ever truly be whole without his presence? His eyes started to glass over - glistening with tears as his throat became choked up. In an attempt to hide his ever-growing sorrow, he turned his head to begin taking everything in once again. 

New Orleans hadn't changed much after all; Rousseau's was still buzzing, tourists were still coming and his siblings...heh well, his siblings were still thriving. 

Hayley studied Klaus closely while he took everything in. She watched as his breath hitched and it caused her smile to fall into a tiny frown. She noticed his eyes and caught a glimpse of the sadness hidden within. The same sorrow he tried his best to hide from her.

It wasn't until then that her concern began to rise. She knew what could be going on within the labyrinth of his mind. The kind of thoughts that would trap him within and she had to save him from himself - 

"Klaus…" 

She placed her hand onto his shoulder gently, causing him to look towards her now. He noticed the worry lines creasing her forehead. He noticed her frown and the look of concern in her eyes and he sighed. "I'm fine Hayley. Shall we?" He offers her his arm, causing her to glance down. Knowing he was pulled back from the abyss for now - she links her arm with his. They then began their stroll through the quarter. 

They ignored the curious eyes that followed their every step. They ignored the buzz of everyone whispering enveloping their ears. They ignored everything around them as the locals' realization began to surface…

They. Were. Back. 

Word of their return began to spread - trickling through town in front of them. 

"Is that - Klaus and Hayley?"

                                                            "Klaus Mikaelson?!" 

"Yes, and Hayley Marshall!" 

                                                                    "Hayley's back?"

"She's back. Our alpha has returned!" 

                                                                    "He…he's back." 

The fear laced within the one's voice caused a tiny frown to form on Klaus' eyebrows, but it disappeared once Hayley gripped his arm tighter. He looked at her in wonder and she merely smiled. It soothed him - calming the very storm that was beginning to swirl within. He knew not everyone was a fan of his - and for good reason. He had made a great deal of enemies here, far and in between. He used to welcome the fear - relish in it even. It gave him a sense of power. A sense of purpose. But right now -

…right now he just wanted to see his family once again. 

He smiled back with a nod and turned his attention forward once more - continuing their stroll towards the compound. 

The lingering stares and whispers continued but Klaus decided to ignore them - block them out. That is…

Until a familiar voice tickled his ear -

"K-Klaus?" 

He stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes filled with tears. He turned slowly to see a thin blonde standing in front of him - her grocery bag and its contents now sprawled out in front of her on the ground. 

"Freya…" 

She ran to him, wrapping her hands around his waist in a loving embrace. "But…how?" 

"It's quite the story dear sister. One that I'll certainly explain once we're home." He tightened his hold onto her as tear droplets fell from his eyes onto her blouse. Once they parted he wiped his eyes with a sniffle and Freya turned to Hayley.

Both of their faces lit up with joyous smiles, as they let escape squeals and hugged one another.

"Our apologies by the way. Here, allow us to help you!" Hayley insisted while motioning towards the bag of groceries on the ground. Freya began to say " Oh, you don't have to - " but Klaus was already kneeling and picking up what they could salvage. 

What caught his eye however, was a stuffed wolf cub. He held it out in front of him and a huge grin spread across his face. 

"Hope, our littlest wolf" was all that crossed his mind within that moment. He let out a little laugh and stood up. Hayley and Freya exchanged understanding smiles. 

"Here you are, Freya. Unfortunately the eggs couldn't be saved, but haha here." His smile was pure, with the memories of Hope as a little one hidden within. You could see happy tears filling up his eyes, as he clung onto those memories and looked at his beautiful sister. "How old is your littlest wolf?" he asked while handing her the stuffed animal. She accepted the grocery bag and the stuffed animal, which she placed within to keep it safe, "He's two." 

She briefly pauses, glancing down before looking into her brothers eyes and smiling, "His name is Nik, named after -"

Klaus' face fell in shock at the drop of his name. 

"After -

Me." 

His tone held an airy octave at the end, he wasn't expecting that at all. "Freya, I -" 

She held up her free hand to stop him, "You don't have to say anything. Well, actually… his full name is Nikolaus Vincent Malraux-Mikaelson. Nik for short." She bobbed her head while responding, but the smile she flashed him had a hint of teasing laced within and it caused his eyes to sparkle - which was her cue to continue.

"Yes, Niklaus. Yes. He's named after you." 

He smiled but left open a crack, as he softly huffed a breath upwards. He placed his hand gently onto her shoulder, "Thank you, Freya. You don't know what that means to me -" 

"Or maybe you do," he said while patting her shoulder. His voice broke for a pause, as an inner understanding settled between them. He smiled, let out an amused hmm and moved to stand beside Hayley. "Shall we continue towards the compound then?" he asked while gesturing with his hand in front of them. Hayley and Freya nodded, so they continued onwards. 

While walking; Freya couldn't help but wonder to herself about Elijah and his whereabouts. She could tell that Hayley was happy and she didn't want to bring the mood of hers down, nor did she want to hurt Klaus by bringing him up either…but she was curious. 

However, before she could ask, Hayley broke the silence. "How are you and Keelin doing? How's it been raising a child together?" 

Freya glanced at her and smiled, "It's been a dream come true honestly. Kee is amazing with Nik - I mean she's amazing altogether. And Nik, he's great - a handful at times …" 

"Oh, but of course" Klaus interrupted, causing them to giggle. 

"Anyway," Freya breathed, stretching the word in a teasing manner. "Magic, mixed with terrible twos, can prove to be chaotic so to say, but we're managing all the same." 

"Oh, I remember how that was," chimed Hayley. "Especially when Hope would throw her tantrums -" 

Hayley came to a halt, her head now whirling to glance over at Klaus, who was eyeing her peculiarly. After all; during age two was during their 5 year separation, so he wasn't aware of Hope's tantrums. Her face fell, as she began to recall those years on the road - her eyes now holding his gaze with an apologetic stare. "Klaus, I'm sor-" 

But Klaus merely shakes his head, "Don't. It's okay, I remember." 

A slight, side frown began to form upon her lips after she shut her mouth.  She knew it was a sensitive topic and she could tell it affected him, but nonetheless, she knew all too well when it was time to stay quiet and respect his wishes. 

Freya looked between them and sighed lightly - her heart went out to them. It couldn't have been easy to go through such an ordeal. 

Her eyes widened as a heavier memory settled inside of her. She remembered all that Hope went through after losing them both - how distraught she was. She remembered the days she would just cry - all day long while blaming herself. Her heart broke to recall when Hope would be crying and call herself a cosmic mistake - over and over again . But she knew grief affected everyone differently -

Grief …

That word resonated within and lyrics written by Hope began to swirl around her mind: 

"The scars one leaves behind

While their memory lives on.

---

We all heal

At our own pace.

We all grieve

Remembering their face."

Hope had written them as part of a poem during one of her many tear-filled days, but Freya couldn't recall the full thing. But those two parts stood out the most - mainly because she felt them within her soul. 

Whispers of gossip about her father had spread through Hope's world like wildfire and she knew they didn't understand the damage they were causing by the mere mention of him. 

Damage -

Gossip…

That brought forth more lyrics from that same poem to come to Freya's mind: 

"Friendly fire.

Words shooting out

From the guns that are

Our mouths.

---

Never realizing

The damage words can cause."

Poor Hope…

Klaus and Hayley watched as tears were filling Freya's eyes. They share an empathetic look between each other, before glancing back at her. But Freya just shakes her head. 

She forces herself to smile through the pain. "Sorry, memory lane." 

Klaus knows better though and so he decides to pry, "What were you thinking about?" 

He watched as her smile faded to hear his question, but that only stirred his curiosity further. 

"Freya?" 

His tone was higher, but he made sure to not sound too stern with his delivery of her name. 

She remained hesitant because she knew that he felt he had made a heroic sacrifice, but to Hope -

…to Hope it didn't feel that way. For her; it was just another reason to blame and look down upon herself. And Freya didn't know how to tell Klaus that while it was noble, it hadn't been fair to leave her the way that he did. 

"It was -

To do with Hope." 

Hayley noticed the reluctance laced within her words. She could tell that Freya was being cautious. 

Maybe now wasn't the right time to be delving into the past…

Hayley went to take a step further while slowly reaching out for her; but Freya's next words, caused every last muscle of Hayley's to seize up. 

"After she felt abandoned." 

Those words hit them like a sucker punch to the gut! 

Klaus' blood began to boil as fury overcame his face. 

"I didn't -" he bellowed, as his body inched forward. 

"Klaus!" interrupted Hayley through clenched teeth. Her eyes urged him not to make a scene, as she looked around at the bystanders watching them.  

He composed himself the best he could. "I didn't abandon my daughter!" 

His tone was doused with the very ache he felt within his chest. His eyes burned with the sting of tears welling up. 

"Maybe not on purpose but," She breaks off into thought for a moment. She wanted to make sure she worded it carefully, but in a way that he would get where she was coming from. 

She releases a heavy sigh.  

"She had just lost her mother. Time was precious . She didn't need to lose you as well."  

She stood there - studying his expression as it shifted. It changed from a mixture of fury and heartache to a look of understanding. 

"I was just trying to do right by her..." 

A tear trickled down his cheek as the words left his lips, but his tone held more than just an octave of pain to it this time. He didn't mean for Hope to feel abandoned. 

In that moment all he could do was hang his head down in defeat.  

"I know." 

Freya's tone remained gentle and it caused his frown to lift into a tiny smile. And though his head was still hung - it was a start. She knew it had been a sensitive topic, but it had to be said nonetheless. 

She placed her hand on his shoulder, "How about we continue to the compound?" He glanced up at her suggestion - his eyebrows now knitting together in curiosity. " You know …before word of mouth reaches them first." 

A smile blossoms across Klaus' face at the thought of seeing his other siblings again. He nodded and then they continued once more towards their destination. 

It didn't take long to reach the compound; having only been a few feet away, just around the corner from where they were. 

As Hayley looks up at the building, it was her turn to be hit by the ghosts of memories past . 

Jackson: I pledge to honor…and defend…you and yours…above all others. 

                                                Hayley: To share in blessings and burdens. To be your advocate…your champion. 

Jackson: To be your comfort…your sanctuary. And for as long as we both shall live…

                                                             Hayley: To be your family…

Jackson: To be your family. 

                                                    ---

                       Jackson, you may kiss your bride.  

                                                  ~~~

The memory of Jackson weighed heavily on her heart. And while she wanted to find solace within the thought of him being in a better place...

...the truth was he wasn't . Peace was gone and therefore so was Jackson and his kind soul. Her husband .

However, the ache didn't stop there .

She began to think about Hope. 

About Jackson and Hope .

And thus began another trip down memory lane -

A memory that felt more like a whispered dream sealed within her heart. 

A memory of her and Hope.

Hayley: Hope? 

*Hope turns to see Hayley as her mom drops what she was carrying* 

                                                                           Hope: Mom? Mom.

*They run to hug one another - holding on tightly with heavy breathing* 

Hayley: What happened? Why are you here?

                                                   Hope: I was sick. Mom, there's so much that I have to tell you -

Hayley: You shouldn't be here. It's not your time yet.

                                                 Hope: It's okay, I want to be here. I want to be here with you.

Hayley: No! You have to go back. I need you to fight this. Hope! Wake up!

                                                     ---

*We pan back into the real world - watching an unconscious Hope* 

"Get Caroline. Tell her to bring her girls." states Klaus to Elijah. 

"Go!!!" he yells, urging his brother with a look of  fear and desperation upon his face. 

Elijah runs off. 

Klaus begins doing chest compressions on Hope's chest, "Please come back to me" 

"HOPE!!!" he yells - a yell that both Hayley and Hope hear. 

                                                     ---

*Hayley and Hope look around; heavily breathing, as Klaus' voice yelling for Hope beckons all around them* 

Hayley: You - You have to go back to your dad. 

                                                            Hope: Mom…I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry for everything that happened. And I can't forgive myself -

Hayley: Well too bad. Because I forgive you. I forgive you, Hope. And I know that you're scared. And I know that you're sad. And that's okay. What happened this year was about hatred and ugliness that was born long before you, and long before me. I need you to fight this. Hope - Wake. Up. 

                                                     Hope: But I wanna be here, I don't wanna leave you here - alone…

Hayley: I'm not alone. Listen. 

          *You can hear talking and laughing in the distance* 

Hayley: Come with me. 

*Hope follows her mom into the Bayou, towards the hanging lights, and the sounds of people talking* 

Hayley: Look.

*You see others in their pack - generations  of wolves together - all gathered around a fire having conversations. You see Jackson playing on his guitar*  

Hayley: Jackson's here. 

*Jackson notices Hope with Hayley and he stops playing as he stands up* 

Hayley: My parents. Grandma Mary. 

*Hope and Hayley turn to one another while Jackson sits back down* 

Hayley: I'm not dead because of you. I'm at peace because of you. 

                *Hope begins to tear up as she breathes in* 

                                           Hope: If I go back…am I ever going to see you again? 

             *Hayley shakes her head and starts to tear up*

Hayley: Not for a very, very long time. 

        *Hope looks down and back into her mother's eyes* 

Hayley: So you better have good stories, okay? Make art. Use your voice. Have adventures. And have at least one totally epic love. *Hayley laughs*

*And as a tear trickles down Hope's cheek - Hayley continues once more*

Hayley: And be every bit of yourself. Because the very best of me is in you. 

                                                                     Hope: I love you, mom.

Hayley: I love you, too. 

                                *They share a tender hug* 

Hayley: Always and Forever. 

                                                          Hope: I don't want to let go. 

*Hayley buries her head into Hope's neck and gives her one last squeeze before moving away. She takes a deep breath* 

Hayley: I need you to do something for me.

                                                  ~~~

Hayley's hand clenches her stomach as she gasps. Tears escape her eyes as her memory of Hope comes to a close. 

                                                "Hope…"

Hayley's voice left her lips in a whisper, but it echoed within Klaus' ear clear as day. He heard the breathless cry laced within her voice and if by instinct he knew exactly what she had been thinking about. 

Her last memory of Hope . 

He remembered hearing Hope tell Elijah that she saw her that day -

That day…

That dreadfully terrifying day…

*Klaus' eyes glossed over as he stared out into space, recalling the aftermath of when Hope came back to him on that same day*

                                                     ---

Klaus' voice echos: Please, Hope. Please.  

"Hope, come back to me. Hope, please" he begs, as he continues chest compressions. 

         *Hope gasps as she comes back to the living*

Klaus: Hope…

                                                                                    Hope: Dad.

Klaus, shaking, pulls Hope into a frantic hug: "Oh, you're okay. Oh you're okay"

                                              Hope begins to tear up: "Dad. Dad."

      *Tears stream down his cheek as he holds her close* 

                                                   Hope: "Dad, I don't want to die -"

Klaus: "I know" 

                                                            Hope: "I don't want to die."

Klaus backs away and places his hands onto her face: "Oh I know -"

                                                                        Hope: "Don't let me."

Klaus strokes her cheek with his thumb: "You're not gonna die. Sweetheart, you're not gonna die. I found a way to save your life. And everything is gonna be better in the morning. I promise you." 

*He pulls Hope into a reassuring embrace - holding her tightly* 

Klaus: "I promise."

                                                    ~~~

Light begins to flash back within Klaus' eyes - he's come to. 

He blinks, before releasing a low hum of a sigh - his gaze now steadily back on Hayley. 

Hayley didn't notice Klaus or the fact that he endured his own trip down memory lane. She was frozen still - petrified by the ache she felt that day. 

But then…

One line rang within her ears - like a siren going off. 

                     "I need you to do something for me." 

She remembered. 

She remembered what she had asked Hope to do…

What she had asked Hope to say…

And who she asked her to say it to…

Elijah. 

With that another memory began…

A memory filled with desiring undertones of a line she didn't dare cross…

Yet.

Elijah: Would you like some help?

                                      Hayley: You might need to use all your vamp strength *raises eyebrows* 

                             "Elijah smiles and walks over*

Elijah: Allow me. 

                                     Hayley: Thanks. Not too many pregnant casket girls, I guess. 

Elijah: I think you look lovely. Only I would -

                                    Hayley: I know. Keep the freaky, werewolf birthmark covered.

Elijah: Well, I don't suspect any of the riffraff here would dare lay a hand on you. Knowing that you're under the protection of my family. Still, we shouldn't take any chances. 

                                   Hayley: All knocked up and nowhere to go. 

Elijah: You know…if you wanted to attend the festivities tonight, I'd be more than willing to take you. 

                                           Hayley: Mm. 

                           *They share a moments gaze* 

                               Hayley: You and Klaus are barely on speaking terms. Let's not rock the boat, okay? 

Elijah: Of course. 

                                *He starts to walk away* 

                             Hayley: Elijah…do you mind? 

                *He shakes his head and walks back over*

Elijah: Not at all. 

*He helps unzip her dress. Afterwards they share a look in the mirror before he smiles and walks away* 

                                                  ~~~

In that moment a trickle effect occurred. A barrage of memories displaying different moments in time where Elijah had helped and/or saved Hayley. They hit her one at a time - each one more intense than the other. 

Hayley hunches over and stumbles backwards slightly - She was taken back by everything -

No .

Not everything -

She was taken back by the memory of him -

By the sheer realization of the fact that he wasn't there with them.

"Klaus…" Hayley spoke in a quivering tone, but his eyes hadn't wavered - he had been watching her carefully…

Cautiously…

Watching just in case she had needed him. 

Hayley turns to look at Klaus - her eyes glistening now with tears from the aches of their past. He goes to step forward -

"Eli -" 

He stops, a solemn expression now upon his face. 

He cuts her off.  "I know." 

"But why?" 

Klaus could see the confusion upon Hayley's face. The immense worry that was growing within each passing second that he left her waiting. 

"I'm not sure, Little Wolf. I'm not sure." 

Hayley sensed the tone of his voice - the sorrow hidden beneath every word he spoke. She felt the hole in her heart returning, now that she allowed herself to acknowledge his absence. 

But, unfortunately, there was nothing more either of them could say or do…

            *She returns her gaze towards the compound* 

She stood there for a moment, blankly staring at the building…

That was - 

Until Freya broke the silence.

 "Shall we?" she asked, as she extended her free hand to Hayley. 

Hayley smiled while accepting the kind gesture and all three of them walked inside. 

The courtyard in the compound was empty, but murmurs of talking could be heard closeby. Klaus zones into one particularly snarky voice. 

*Klaus and Hayley simultaneously glance towards one another and smile* 

"Rebekah!" Klaus sighed happily. 

"Yes? Wait- that voice...it can't be." 

You can hear the echoing of footsteps as a tall, skinny, blonde-haired woman turns the corner. 

"K-Klaus...?" His name left her lips in a breathless stutter. 

Klaus turns to look and merely smirks. "Yes, my lovely sister. I am back!"  

All Rebekah could do in response was smile huge, before taking off in a sprint towards him - lunging herself into his arms.

Time stands still.

Caught within a moment's pause -

Of a tender, sibling embrace - before reality hits. 

Rebekah opens her eyes - a flash of curiosity entering within them, as her mouth parts open. 

She leans away from Klaus, all the while breaking the silence that formed between them. 

"But how ? How is this possible?" 

Klaus was about to answer her -

Until;

"You just can't keep a big dog down!" 

Klaus' eyes brighten at the sound of the voice. 

Kol.

"You're one to talk -" Klaus shot back, as he turned his attention towards him. "Get over here you little rascal." bantered Klaus with a grin. 

Kol laughed, as he walked up to his brother and hugged him. 

Standing in the background, just a few feet away was Marcel - a reflex of a smile, plastered upon his face. However, his eyes carried a hidden shock to them. He couldn't form words - let alone get them to escape his lips. He was all choked up. 

Marcel Gerard was a young lad when he first met Klaus. He was being whipped nonsensically and yet, he carried the gull to throw an apple at the guy when he turned his back. Klaus admired his strive to fight and therefore saved him. Bestowing upon him the name "Marcellus" which meant "little warrior". 

Klaus had raised him. 

He had turned him into a vampire. 

It was like seeing his best friend and father returning from a leave of absence. 

And he didn't know how to express what he was feeling inside. The stirring of emotions within. The magnitude of them was far greater than he could have even imagined. 

Meanwhile, his eyes spoke what his words could not and in turn began tearing up. 

A stray tear droplet splashed upon the ground - swaying their tender, brotherly reunion as they looked around.  

The moment the eyes of father and son connected, it was like the atmosphere around everyone shifted. They all just stood there, frozen in time, waiting for one of them to move. An eerie, silent quake of the soundwaves in the air - rustled within their ears until…

"Marcellus." 

Klaus could feel a tingling from the way his breath had left his lips. 

He blinked as he inched forward, but as soon as he took a single step - he found himself hugging Marcel, who had rushed towards him. 

Klaus could feel Marcel holding on for dear life and therefore, he tightened his grip as well. As they break apart from one another, Klaus places his hand upon Marcel's shoulder. "I'm back. And I'm not going anywhere, ever again!" 

Marcel smiles through quivering lips. And with the pulse of his eyes as a tear escapes, he breathes one word…

"Good." 

And with that, Klaus pulls him in for another hug before turning to face the others. Heads looking from one to the other, as smiles bloom across their faces. Everything was right, everything was how it was supposed to be. And more importantly…

The broken boy and the shattered sire were back in each other's presence again at last. 

A sentimental silence surrounded them, as they relished in their moment of happiness. It remained unhindered for a few minutes, until clarity resonated within Rebekah. 

"Klaus," she began, an unwavering uncertainty now lacing itself within her tone. 

Klaus merely hummed in response. 

"You never answered me before." 

He casts her a curious raise of his eyebrow - hinting at her to elaborate. 

"How is this possible?" 

Everyone turned to look at Klaus - they all were wondering the same thing as well. 

How was it possible? He died - ashes to ashes , even. How is it possible that he was able to return? 

Klaus cleared his throat and correlated his next words carefully.

"Yes, I can see how this all could be confusing, given the fact that I was dust to the wind and my ashes spread out over a lake near my daughter's school. Well -

Let. Me. Tell. You…"

They all listened intently as he ranted and raved. He told them about how a tyrant entered peace and how his anger began to disrupt its delicate balance. 

They watched as his expression twisted into fury at the mention of how that very same tyrant had the audacity to threaten his daughter. 

He told them about Lynn and how with the last of her strength - she sent himself, Hayley and a young lad named Ethan to Landon, so that he could send them all back. 

Once he was done explaining how he returned, he decided to continue on a different note. 

"Oh, and I should mention something else…

 We. Saw. Everything." 

He watched their eyebrows knit together in curiosity. He smugly smirked, knowing that deep down he had spun a web that they couldn't get out of - and he was about to reveal why. 

"You see…

We were given the choice - the opportunity to see our daughter grow up. 

We know about how you all were rarely around for Hope. Once in a blue-moon, kind of rare." 

He pauses and watches as their expressions fall - filled with utmost regret. 

He continues. 

"We watched time and time again, as our beloved daughter struggled. How she had to endure more than she should have had to. How she SACRIFICED herself knowing everyone would forget her. 

But you see...Malivore doesn't affect peace. Therefore, our memories were still very much intact.

We watched her return - having to face the world alone - well, kinda."

A jealous-laced annoyance crept into his eyes at the thought of Alaric being there for her in his absence. 

His mind drifted off - wandering onto a memory of her and Alaric in his office. 

A memory of a deeper pain that he was to blame for. 

                                                   ---

"My name's not Hope Marshall. It's Hope Mikaelson. I'm Klaus and Hayley's daughter. And I know you don't remember this, but uhm, you're the closest thing I have to a father now. And the entire world has forgotten that I exist, and the boy I love has moved on. So, I have absolutely no idea what to do next..." 

                                                    ---

"That is until...." 

Hayley's voice brought him back to the present. 

He huffed a breath. He could feel the sting of tears forming - caused by the ache that the memory had brought on. 

He cleared his throat - catching onto what Hayley had meant.

"Yes, until that cute little blonde got her memory back of our daughter" He couldn't help but grin. 

Freya and the others exchanged looks while mouthing "cute little blonde?" 

"Lizzie Saltzman -"

"Wait -" Rebekah cut him off with the raise of her hand. 

She leaned forward into her next question with a baffled tone, "Ric and Caroline's daughter?!"

A distinct, prideful gaze entered within his eyes. The thought of his daughter falling in love with Caroline's just had such a poetic ring to it. 

"Yes, Caroline's daughter. Hope and her are in love, though we ought to pretend that we don't know right away. Let her introduce us to her girlfriend, herself." 

They all nodded in agreement - that seemed fair enough. 

"Like father, like daughter." teased Rebekah, as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. 

Klaus snickered before a serious expression washed over his face. A stillness now veiled the area around them - consuming them in silence again.  

He sighed, closing his eyes momentarily.  

"So, with that being said…" he began before opening them - the look in his eyes now striking each one of his siblings, like tiny little daggers. 

*Will one of you please explain to me why you all abandoned my daughter? Your niece. Please…

Enlighten me." 

Chattering echoed the compound as they began trying to explain themselves - practically at once nonetheless. 

"W-well…" stuttered Rebekah, but Marcel spoke up and cut her off.

                                                            "I was running the quarter. Keeping the vamps in check, handling the tourists so they didn't ask questions. As well as keeping the riff raff in check -" 

Hayley's eyes glowed daring him to specify, but while doing so - Kol took point. 

                                                  "I was with Davina helping her -"

"What I meant was…" replied Marcel quickly while looking at Hayley, his hands now up in surrender. 

                                                      "I…well, we -" started Rebekah motioning between herself and Freya. "We were gathering your ashes…" 

With each passing excuse…Klaus could feel himself getting angrier and angrier until he couldn't contain it anymore. 

He erupted. 

"THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE IT!!" Klaus bellowed, causing everyone to shut up instantly. 

"You all should have been there. She needed you and you weren't there. 

SHE NEEDED YOU!!" 

His tone wavered between different octaves as he yelled. 

"She needed you…" This time his voice was softer - airy even. So breathless and heartbreaking. He looked down at the ground as tears began to burn his eyes.  

That's when they noticed that while he was angry at them for not being there for Hope more often…

His words carried a deeper level of pain hidden within. They weren't aimed at them.

He was angry but beating himself up instead. Blaming himself now for the fact that they weren't around. 

He chose to die and did so alongside -

A chill went down Rebekah's spine as reality shattered within her heart once again. 

Her eyes grew wide.

"Elijah…" she whispered

Klaus lifted his head to peer at his sister, tears welling up within their eyes now. 

"Did he come back, too?" Her voice trailed off near the end - breaking into silent waves of disappointment, as Klaus shook his head no in response. 

Klaus' eyes vacantly stared out into space - remembering his last moment with his brother. 

                                                      ---

"I don't want your last memory of me to be my death." said Klaus before sitting down on an all too familiar bench. 

"So please let's not say the sad goodbye." he added. 

                                               "I agree. Let's not." replied Elijah before pulling a stake from under his blazer - then he breaks it in half. 

"I hate to disappoint you brother, but the stake will be just as effective in its shorter form." stated Klaus. 

                                                "I'm aware." Elijah simply replied. 

            "So you plan to hold onto a piece for a souvenir?" 

*Elijah closes his eyes before turning his head and looking out into the distance. He then walks over and sits down next to Klaus. He looks over at him and smiles.* 

                               "I intend to die by your side."

*Klaus is at a loss for words. He looks at his brother with a look of stun and pain. Elijah offers him half of the stake - to which Klaus accepts and Elijah places his hand upon his brother's shoulder, tenderly before adjusting himself. He sat back against the bench with a sigh.* 

"What if there's nothing after this? No peace, just…darkness." asked Klaus, as tears formed at the mere thought of it. 

                                          "We face it together." replied Elijah all choked up, before glancing at Klaus. 

*Klaus met his gaze and they both nodded in unison, before standing up and facing one another. Elijah smiles.* 

                                               "As always." He added graciously. 

"I don't deserve the love you've given me, brother. But I am so grateful."

             *Klaus places his hand onto Elijah's shoulder* 

                                          "It has been a glorious ride, Niklaus. And my greatest honor ." announced Elijah. 

*They align the stakes with each other's hearts. And as the anticipation builds, they glance at each other and nod before pushing them in. Elijah looks down as agony sets in and then back up towards Klaus. Their gaze doesn't falter now- it stays stuck on the other. A shade of gray gradually creeps up their skin. Veins become more distinctly visible on the base of their necks and faces now, before the dust of their slowly dying bodies began to float away with the wind.* 

                                                     ---

Klaus gasps for breath as light flickers back into his eyes. He blinks away the tears. 

"Eli-jah…" His voice was shaky and breaking - he could barely muster the strength to say his name aloud. 

Rebekah, Kol and Marcel all exchange knowing looks. They knew exactly what had just crossed Klaus' mind, because they were thinking about it as well. 

However -

Nothing could prepare them all for what came next…

Tethered to the familia bond of their past. A bond that was both a blessing and a curse, one that they all have tried to run from at one point or another. Those words echoed true within their hearts: Always and Forever. At that moment, it was as if fate itself was bringing two kindred spirits back together. Two brothers who couldn't be separated by life or death. 

Klaus looked at each one of his siblings, as the doors to their compound slowly crept open. They all turn to look in unison, as the light from outside brings into focus a man in an elegant suit. 

"Hello, my dear brothers and sisters. It's been quite a while, has it not?" said Elijah gracefully.