On the outskirts of the French Quarter lay Lafayette Square, a small park. A lone woman sat on a bench, watching as city workers and volunteers cleaned up after the revelry of Mardi Gras. A cool breeze stirred the loose black tendrils of hair framing her face. Soon, a man approached, taking a seat next to her, his watchful eyes scanning the area.

"Giselle," he greeted her.

"Hugo," she replied. "What news?"

Sensing his hesitation, she glanced towards him as he shrugged. She answered her own question. "The Hybrid holds on."

Hugo sighed. "He's strong."

"Our mistress is stronger." Giselle permitted a small smile to grace her lips. "It won't be much longer. Inadu will be free of his body and bind herself to the young woman. And once done, our mistress will be truly immortal."

"The child's family won't -"

"They won't kill her. They won't ever kill her," Giselle said confidently. "They'll have hope -" she smirked slightly at her pun, "that they can save her. They can't. And if they make a nuisance of themselves - our mistress will finish them." Giselle smiled, visions of the glory they would soon have after serving faithfully to the one true witch. Their coven would be unmatched in power; the others would join - or perish.

"There is one thing -" Hugo hesitated. "I received word that the Bennett witch is due to arrive in the city within a few hours. One assumes she's here to help the Mikaelsons.

He covertly watched Giselle from the corner of his eye, noticing her lips purse.

"Against us? We'll crush her," Giselle said, dismissing the Bennett witch.

"Alone, perhaps," Hugo said softly. "But she's joined by two firstborns of the witch Esther's line and a Harvest witch. And Vincent - isn't exactly lacking."

"Well." Giselle rose, gathering her purse and glancing at Hugo. "Perhaps we should help Klaus Mikaelson greet death. Summon the others."

A stillness settled over the compound while the sun slowly rose over the horizon as a new day dawned. Caroline's dramatic entrance last night had given the Mikaelsons hope, despite not knowing what Bonnie's plan was. All they could do now was wait for her arrival.

Downstairs, Elijah sat with Klaus. Despite the pricey suit he wore, he sat down on the floor, legs stretched out in front of him, his back against the wall. Klaus lay on the floor, his arm thrown over his eyes, sleeping fitfully throughout the night, his fever still high.

"You're back, then," Klaus spoke hoarsely.

"Mm -" Elijah acknowledged, unable to keep the anxious worry from his face as he kept watch over his brother.

"Trouble?"

"No more than usual," Elijah said, attempting a half-hearted smile.

Klaus stirred, trying to lean upon his elbows before, giving up and slumping back onto the floor. Exhaustion and fever had drained him. He sighed heavily, hating that he was weakened, that his mind was muddled. "The wolves - you should warn them -" he mumbled.

"Keelin's out there now," Elijah reassured him.

"And that man - Devlin, Decon - Hope will be worried about him -"

"Declan," Elijah said patiently. "And he's upstairs."

Klaus concentrated and heard his daughter's voice mingled with Declan's in the library.

"Wait - you said vampires can't compel other vampires -" Confusion laced Declan's voice.

Hope's voice was like a beacon to Klaus' ears as she patiently explained. "Normal vampires. But since they're Originals -"

"We're a different kind of vampire," Rebekah called out.

"I've got a lot to learn - are you sure there's no one else to take the helm and be the leader of the human faction?" Declan's voice definitely took on a note of fear, Klaus thought mercilessly.

"Nope. Job usually goes to the one lucky enough to stumble across the supernatural in the city and live to tell about it. Congratulations, again," Marcel said cheerfully.

Klaus' trademark smirk appeared briefly before fading once more. His mind struggled to remember and make sense of his current situation. "You said - Bonnie?" He asked cautiously, unsure whether or not his conversation last night with Elijah had been a hallucination.

"Yes. Bonnie Bennet has a plan to help. Caroline says she should be arriving later today."

"Caroline?"

"She's upstairs, working," Elijah said quietly.

Klaus smiled. He was weaker than he had ever been, his mind clouded in confusion from the physical toll caused by the Hollow, mentally exhausted from worry about his daughter and siblings - and yet, the knowledge that Caroline was close lightened his heart. I'm a fool, he thought.

Rebekah's voice carried from the courtyard. "Who the bloody hell are you -" Her sudden scream verberated throughout the compound.

I hope that you & yours are healthy & safe during this worldwide pandemic & continue to stay healthy. I've recently had some free time & was inspired to edit this chapter that had been sitting for months. I do apologize for the delay. I promise I haven't forgotten it. I do have the final chapters drafted but I need to edit them. This next chapter is going to be challenging for me but I will do my best. Please, leave a review or any questions/concerns you may have. Reviews & constructive criticism are always welcome & helpful & keep me motivated.