"Elijah, what is this?" Claire ask circling around a shirtless Elijah. While she usually enjoys him shirtless this time there's names on his skin.

"I need you to make a list of these names" Elijah tells her. Claire nods finding a notepad and pen. "I believe they represent the names of the women Celeste inhabited for the past two centuries"

"It's called a Devinette" Marcel says walking into the room. Claire spares him a glance. "It's old school. Kind of a riddle. Witches use them to teach their kids. Solve it and it disappears"

"Why? What's the point?" Claire asks wincing slightly as the pain in her chest begins to get worse. Elijah frowns noticing it. His desperation to find Klaus increases.

"Celeste forced me to make a choice between yourself and my siblings, and now she means to mock that choice, taunting me with a childish game. The longer the game, the more they suffer, the more you suffer" He whispers reaching out towards her.

"Don't worry about me, Elijah" Claire says leaning into his touch. "Whatever I'm feeling isn't near the suffering they are" She tells him. He sighs and kisses her forehead.

"To find Niklaus and Rebekah, we need to solve this riddle. The solution lies somewhere in these names" Elijah explains.

"Annie La Fleur" Marcel reads. "She's the witch that was shunned from her coven just over a year ago. Never knew why, but I can find out" Marcel say leaving the room.

"I'm going to go with him, stay here please" Elijah whispers caressing her face.

"Be careful, Elijah" She pleads. "I want to find Klaus just as much as you do but I don't want to lose you in the process"

"You won't, I'm not going anywhere" He promises kissing her forehead before leaving.

"How are you feeling?" Henrik asks coming into the room. She smiles and gravitates towards him. "How's Madelyn?" He asks.

"She didn't get much sleep last night," Claire tells him. "She knows something is wrong and is worried about Klaus. She keeps asking for him since he's the only one of her father's that isn't around right now" 

While Rebekah is missing as well, Madelyn is used to Rebekah being gone while Klaus is always around. It's only natural for her to notice Klaus's absence rather than  Rebekah's.

"She's taking a nap with Caroline right now." Henrik sits on the couch along the wall and pulls her into his lap. She curls into his chest as best as she could with her stomach.

They sit in silence for a few moments before she gasps out painfully. Henrik's grip on her tightens in concern. She whimpers and clings to him tightly. He asks her what's wrong but she can't answer because she's not sure, all she knows is that it has to do with Klaus.

"Try not to focus on the pain" Henrik tells her.

"Easier said than done" Claire mumbles. He smiles and kisses her head.

"Tell me about our wedding" Henrik mutters to her. "I know you and the girls have been planning it" Claire smiles.

"I want it behind the plantation. There's more than enough room there for everyone" Claire says. "During the spring, it'll look beautiful with the trees and the flowers"

"Yeah, it will" Henrik nods in agreement. "Have you looked for a dress?"

"I've found a few that I like but I haven't tried any on yet... I want to wait until she's born" Claire whispers rubbing her stomach as the pain in her chest subsides slightly. "Does it make me a bad person that I want to kill every fucking witch that isn't apart of our family the moment we find Klaus and Rebekah?"

"No, it makes you a Mikaelson" Henrik says resting his head on her head. "I don't know if you've notice, Angel, but our family doesn't exactly let things go" He reminds her. She smiles.

"Elijah?" Claire asks answering the phone.

"How are you?" He asks first.

"I'm managing but if it's like this for me it's going to be 10x worse for Klaus" Claire tells him worriedly.

"We'll find him" Elijah assures her. "Marcel and I found out what happened to Annie La Fluer, she took her own life"

"She killed herself?" Claire asks shocked.

"Yes, drowned herself in the Mississippi, to be precise. Celeste was clearly tired of the body and ready to take Sabine's"

"How do you know that?"

"Because she leaped to her death from the very location Celeste and I had our first kiss"

"Oh, really?" Claire grumbles frustratingly. "Is it possible for any of us to have normal ex's?" She mumbles to herself.

"I doubt you'll have any problem with Henrik in that area" Elijah tells her. Claire smiles slightly and kisses Henrik's cheek. "All these names, these lives, stolen that Celeste might take her revenge. I suppose we have no choice but to see where they take us"

"Why do I feel like Celeste is doing this to rub in my face that she had you first?" Claire grumbles.

"That may be true but you have me for the rest of my immortal life" He reminds her. Claire smiles slightly. "And if it makes you feel any better, I'll end her myself when this is over"

"I might just want that pleasure for myself" Claire mutters.

"Then I'll bring her too you" Elijah says simply. "Just stay safe, this will be over soon"

"I'll be waiting for you" She whispers. "I love you" She tells him.

"I don't think Madelyn is the only one struggling to sleep, why don't you get some rest, Angel?" Henrik suggests. Claire sighs and nods kissing his cheek before going to lay down to sleep.

She sleeps a few hours before startling awake with strong feelings of anger and betrayal. It took her a few moments to realize that these weren't her emotions but Klaus's. She tries to reach out to him but he ignores her and Claire knew something was wrong.

"Elijah?" Claire asks racing down to main floor. Elijah turns to her, holding Klaus up against him. "Klaus" She breathes racing towards him. "What's wrong with him?"

"I'll explain once we get him to bed" Claire nods following him to one of the room. "What's in his chest?" She asks noticing a scar.

"A very powerful blade with very dark magic" Elijah explains. 

"Why is it in his chest? Who stabbed him?" Claire asks looking at him.

"I did" Elijah says. Claire tenses not exactly sure how to react. "And now I intend to remove it"

"Why did you stab him Elijah?" Claire asks slowly. Elijah sighs looking at Klaus.

"Mikael didn't find us in New Orleans on a whim" Elijah says. "Rebekah and Marcel lured him here, Klaus found out. He intends to attack Rebekah but I gave her a head start"

"Get the dagger out of his chest, now" Claire orders. Elijah nods thrusting his hand into Klaus's chest and pulls it from his chest. Klaus groans in agony and Claire winces. 

"Niklaus, it was not my desire to bring you pain, but I will not see you hurt Rebekah" Elijah tells him. He turns to Claire. "Now, I fear Sabine will be making a final move against us. I intend to find her and to end this"

"While I am angry with you for stabbing him with that blade, do not go after her alone. She's bested you once with a kiss, I believe it was" Claire says giving him an annoyed look. Elijah sigh and lowers his head a bit. "You should leave, I'll do my best to convince him not to kill Rebekah or take revenge on you"

"I'll take Kol, I love you" He tells her hating the fact that she's upset with him but understanding the reason behind her anger.

"I love you too, Elijah" She reassures him. "Now go end that fucking bitch" She says returning her attention to Klaus. Elijah nods and leaves silently.

"I'm so sorry this happened, love" Claire whispers rubbing his chest soothingly. He slowly raises a hand and grips her hand on his chest. She lifts his hand and kisses it lightly. "You're safe now"

"Are you hurt?" He whispers weakly. She shakes her head.

"No, I'm alright" She tells him. "Celeste attacked you, Rebekah and I at the same time. Forced Elijah to make a choice. He saved Madelyn, Finn and me from a fire. I don't know how much of the plantation is left"

"I don't care about the plantation" He whispers slowly. He grips her hand tighter. "Madelyn?"

"She's fine... She's been asking for you, shes worried about you" Claire tells him with a soft smile. Klaus's lips twitch upwards fondly. "You have that little girl wrapped around your finger, you all do" Claire tells him. "She absolutely adores you"

"You're wrong" He whispers. Claire frowns her eyebrows. "It's her" He adds. "who has me wrapped around her finger"

"Who knew a little five-year-old would be able to bend the will of the big bad hybrid?" She whispers grinning.

"Just wait until this one is born" Klaus mutters his fingers grazing her stomach. Claire smiles admirably as he continues to graze her stomach.

"Klaus" She whispers regaining his attention. "You have ever right to be upset with Rebekah, I am too." Klaus's gaze hardens into a glare but she knew it wasn't meant for her. "But you can't kill her"

"Don't ask me to do nothing" Klaus pleads.

"If you do anything serious, Asher feels the affects and Asher's my brother" Claire tells him. "I will protect him, Klaus" She promises him.

"I'll do a little light tormenting" Klaus bargains and Claire laughs.

"You don't know how to lightly torment" Claire says grinning.

"I won't touch her, I won't harm her... Claire I don't want her around right now and I'm sorry because it'll force Asher to leave with her" Klaus whispers.

"At least they'll be alive and unharmed" Claire tells them. "I'll give the others a heads up but Klaus, I won't let you run them out of this city forever"

"Just a century or two" Klaus smirks. Claire sighs rolling her eyes.

"Do you Mikaelson's always have to be so dramatic?" Claire asks tilting her head.

"Would you have us any other way?" He asks. Claire smiles slightly and kisses his forehead.

"I love you Klaus but you should learn about forgiveness" Klaus gives her a look.

"You think Rebekah deserves my forgiveness?" Klaus growls.

"And how often have you tormented her throughout your life? How many lovers of hers have you killed? How many times have you daggered her? How many times have you taken her freewill?" Claire tells him. "I know what she did was horrible but since then hasn't she made up for it? She's not the same as she was then, Klaus. Neither are you. You have me, she has Asher, we're a real family now."

"Claire, she has done what no one else has managed to do to me for 1,000 years... Rip my heart out" Klaus whispers. Claire's face softens. "I won't harm her but I don't want her here, please accept that"

"Alright" Claire nods rubbing his chest. "How do you know they're still in New Orleans?" She asks him. "Rebekah knows you're angry, she'll take Asher and run. She won't risk you hurting him" She says before giving him a look that clearly states Asher is off limits.

"Rebekah will need a cloaking spell and a strong one at that" Klaus tells her. "Asher isn't strong enough to do it alone"

"Archie will help," Claire says. "And if Archie does it so will Kaleb, that's more than enough"

"But they have to find them first which means they're still in New Orleans" Klaus says. "I will find them before they escape"

"Can't you just let them run? Isn't that enough?" Claire whispers.

"I don't want to subject you to my anger, sweetheart, someone has to bare the force of it though and I'd rather it be towards the one most deserving" Klaus explains. "And for me to do that I have to be stronger"

"As long as you give me your word you will do no physical harm to them, especially no killing" Claire says. Klaus groans but nods. Claire smiles and climbs on top of him. "I love you" She whispers brushing her lips against his. "I'll never betray you" She promises before kissing him. He kisses her back lightly before rolling her onto her back.

His lips leave hers and attach to her neck. Claire moves her head to the side moaning as his fangs sink into her neck. She grips his sides as his teeth sink deeper into her taking even more blood.

He could feel his thirst quenching and his strength returning to him. He could feel their bond re-solidifying and strengthening as he feeds from her. 

Slowly, he pulls away and licks at the wound. He lifts his head and kisses her lips lightly. She smiles and runs her fingers through his hair.

"You will always be my greatest love" He whispers before disappearing. Claire sighs sinking even deeper into the bed. 

"Well, I do have to say, it has been a while since I've seen Nik that upset" Kol says leaning against the doorway.

"I persuaded him not to kill Rebekah but I couldn't stop him from taking some form of revenge" She tells him.

"Do you blame him?" Kol asks tilting his head. "Would you not do the same?" Claire sighs and doesn't say anything. She looks back up to the ceiling. "If you truly wish, I can go some him. I've picked out the perfect leash and collar for him, I think it'll suit his skin tone." Claire laughs making Kol grin.

"How many witches of the French Quarter are left?" Claire asks.

"Not many," Kol says laying beside her. "Just the easily controlled ones." He says turning his head towards her. "You know, once all of the wrong witches are dead, Davina will be back" Claire smiles at the thought.

"Good" Claire whispers. "She didn't deserve what happened"

"Marcel is hanging around her grave now, it shouldn't be long" Kol explained.

"I have to warn Hanna what's going on. After Klaus is finished tormenting Rebekah she'll leave New Orleans with Asher"

"That'll cause some tension within the family" Kol mutters. Claire sighs and nods in agreement.

"I know. They came to help us with Sophie but now Sophie is gone, Henley is dead, Asher will soon be run out of town, who knows where Penelope and Kai are. I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the coven split"

"I'd give them more credit than that" Kol says grabbing her hand. "You're their leader, they'll stay for you"

"Bonnie and Jamie will because their used to Klaus and his temper but this will be the first time my grandparents see it... At least see it directed towards family." Kol shrugs.

"They're old, don't need em" Claire laughs and shakes her head.

"They're my grandparents, they're family, of course we need them" Claire tells him. "Hanna will stay for Archie and wait for Penny and Asher to return. I don't know about Uncle Jim"

"You think way too much" Kol mutters. "It'll work itself out"

"Women can't shut their minds off like you men can" Claire tells him.

"That sounds utterly exhausting" Kol tells her. She smiles and cuddles into his chest. He grins holding her tightly. 

"Hopefully, everything will start to calm down now and we'll be able to take control more smoothly" Claire whispers. Kol kisses the top of her head and holds her tightly against him.

*More satisfied with this chapter than the last, what'd you think?*