•|•

Isabel wakes up exhausted from tending to Rose for hours on end. She sat up bringing the blanket with her and she saw that her baby was sleeping peacefully next to her. She looked up at Stefan and Klaus with a tired expression.

"Hey, sleeping beauty," Klaus smirked at the disheveled girl.

Isabel groaned and rubbed her eyes before yawning and sitting up.

Klaus smirked at the two. "Bel, Stefan, welcome to Chicago." He then got out soon followed by Stefan.

Isabel went around the car and woke up Rose so she could feed.

"What are we doing here?" Was all she heard from Stefan before putting her attention on her daughter.

"Chicago was magical." Isabel heard Klaus say as she got up with her baby and moved towards them.

"Yeah, well, I'll take your word for it. As I said, I don't remember most of it." Stefan grumbled moving away from the door he was staring out of.

"Lighten up a little, will ya?" She asked Stefan while pursing her lips. "It's beautiful," she said while staring at the city. She turned so Rose could see as well and smiled down at her baby who giggled when her mom tickled her lightly.

"Rose is already having a little fun." Klaus smiled slightly at the baby.

"Yeah. Now that we're out of that car." She scowled at him before walking away from the door.

Klaus sighed knowing she wasn't too happy with being cooped up in the car. "Going to get down to business, then?" Klaus asked shutting a door to the warehouse.

"Why are we still with you? We had our fun, your hybrids failed. I mean, don't you want to move on?" Stefan asked wanting desperately to get back to Mystic Falls.

"We're going to see my favorite witch. If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it's her." Klaus informed them while getting into the car.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Isabel, Rose, Klaus, and Stefan enter Gloria's bar to see it's empty, dim, and really quiet.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus asked noticing Stefan's face.

"I can't believe this place is still here," Stefan stated as he stared at the run-down bar in shock.

A woman walked out from their right and stares at the new hybrid in shock. "You got to be kidding me."

Klaus smiled at her. "So a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender-"

She placed her hand in the air as a motion to stop talking. "Stop," she said walking over to the supernaturals. "You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny." She then looked at Stefan surprised to see him. "I remember you."

Stefan nodded vaguely remembering the witch. "Yeah. You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be..."

"Old and dead?" Gloria asked with humor in her tone. "Now if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?" Gloria remarked.

Klaus smiled proudly, looking at the two. "Gloria's a very powerful witch."

"I can slow the aging down some. Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day." Gloria explained eyeing Klaus.

"Stefan, why don't you go and fix us up a little something from behind the bar?" Klaus asked as he turned to Stefan.

"Yeah, sure thing," Stefan said as he walked to the bar. From his position, he could hear the conversation clearly.

Gloria turned to the blonde not knowing who she is. "Who are these two dolls, Klaus? And how did they get stuck with you?"

"I'm Isabel-" She starts but gets cut off.

"And that's her daughter Rose. Why they are with me is none of your business." Klaus answered Gloria.

"Where's the bathroom?" The werewolf asked Gloria. "I'd like to change my daughter."

"Go down that corridor. Second door to your left." Isabel smiled in thanks before heading toward the bathroom.

She laid her baby on the baby table and quickly changed her. It was floral pants and headband with a white long sleeve shirt that said, 'New to the Crew' in pink bold letters and white socks.

Izzy smiled at her baby before putting her in her car seat and going to the bathroom herself. Once she was done she walked out and back to Klaus and Stefan.

"-And for me to contact her, I'll need help. Bring me, Rebekah," Gloria said from her seated position across from the hybrid. Isabel pulled a chair next to Klaus and sat with her baby on her knee.

Stefan stopped what he's doing when he notices a photo on the wall and goes to pull it off to take a closer look at it.

"Rebekah." Klaus sighed. "Rebekah is a bit preoccupied."

"She has what I need." Gloria insisted. "Bring her to me."

Stefan looked up from the photo, confusion written across his face. "What is this?"

Klaus smirked while looking at the old photo. "Well, I told you, Stefan." Klaus got up. "Chicago's a magical place."

Stefan looks down at the picture again still confused. "But this is me." He shows them the picture. "With you."

It's a picture of Stefan with his arm around Klaus' shoulders in the 1920s.

"Like you said, Stefan. You don't remember most of it." Isabel told the vampire.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

"This doesn't make any sense. Why don't I remember you?" Stefan asked as he and Isabel follow Klaus into the warehouse.

"You said it yourself: that time had a lot of dark holes."

Stefan shook his head in annoyance with the no answers. "No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?"

Klaus continued to walk towards where the coffin where Rebekah laid not glancing back. "I'm a little busy right now. Memory Lane will have to wait."

The vampire roughly grabbed his arm and spun him around, looking at him with a glare. Isabel stopped next to Stefan, very irritated with both men at this point. But looking at Rose made her happier.

"What the hell is going on? Answer me," Stefan said forcefully.

Klaus easily removed Stefan's hand saying, "let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start. To be honest, I hated you."

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

"Your sister," Stefan mumbled. "So I knew another Original vampire."

"If you can't handle it, then don't ask," Nik said then walked over to a number of coffins which contain Original vampires. Nik opened the one that contains his youngest sibling.

Isabel looked over to see Rebekah lying down dead with a dagger stabbed in her chest. She turned away with a grimace and kept her baby close to her chest.

Klaus smiled at his sister and gently touched her face, stroking her cheek.

"I don't recognize her," Stefan told Klaus not recognizing the blonde one bit.

"Well, don't tell her that. Rebekah's temper is worse than mine." He spoke as he pulled the dagger out of her chest. "Time to wake up, little sister." After a few minutes of her not waking, he says, "any day now, Rebekah." After a few minutes of no movement from the Original girl Klaus sighed. "She's being dramatic," Klaus said looking at his parabatai and his old friend.

"Look, why don't you just tell me what the hell is going on?" Stefan crossed his arms. "I mean, you obviously want me here for a reason, right?" Stefan asked not being able to keep the annoyed tone out of his words.

Klaus raised his eyebrows. "Well, you have many useful talents."

"Do I?" Stefan asked.

"In fact," the Original turned toward them. "I learned some of my favorite tricks from you," Klaus said as he walked towards the exit with Stefan and Isabel following behind.

"I was your number one fan."

"Why should I believe any of this?" Klaus stopped in front of a guardsman and compelled him.

"When she wakes up, tell her to meet us at Gloria's Bar. Then volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die." The guardsmen nodded obediently.

"Where are we going?" Isabel asked following the hybrid, holding Rose close.

"Stefan thinks I'm lying." Klaus then addressed Stefan. "You and I knew each other. You trusted me with one of your secrets and now I'm going to prove it to you."

"How?"

"We're going to your old apartment," Klaus announced while still walking with Isabel but Stefan slowly stopped.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Klaus saw that the lock has been broken and kicked the door in as they enter.

"What a charming little homestead." He paused while turning around to look at Stefan and Isabel. "Do you feel that? Is anybody here?"

"It's been vacant for decades. People must break in all the time." He excused. "Why'd you bring me here?"

"Your friend, Liam Grant, the one who drank his wife's blood...I never could figure out why you wanted his name. And then you told me your little secret," Klaus said while looking around. "It was all part of your special little ritual."

Stefan ran his hand over a few things before he says, "to write it down."

"And relive the kill...over and over again." Isabel moved to sit on the couch and let her baby sleep on her chest while Klaus opened a hidden door. "You believe me now?"

Stefan entered the closet to see the list. He turned his head and surprise crossed his face as soon as he saw Elena. She looked at him, with hope but Stefan stood motionless looking at her.

Klaus walked back to Isabel while still looking around.

"Look what I found," Stefan said loudly. Elena's face morphed into fear but Stefan grabbed a bottle and handed it to Klaus. She slumped back relieved. "1918. Single malt." Stefan stated, standing in the doorway of the secret room.

"My favorite. Let's go and find someone to pair it with."

"I don't wanna get up," Isabel whined. "I just sat down."

"Come on, love." Klaus offered her his hand as Stefan closed the door.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Isabel, Klaus, and Stefan are at the bar where Gloria gives them two beers and tea.

"Where's Rebekah?" She asked expectantly.

"She'll be here. I can't just conjure her on demand." Klaus took a drink and looked at Stefan. "What's with you? I thought Chicago was your playground."

"So this is why you asked me to be your wingman?" The younger vampire asked turning to face the hybrid. "Because you liked the way that I tortured innocent people?"

"Well, that's certainly half of it."

"What's the other half?" Klaus started pouring alcohol into two shot glasses.

"The other half, Stefan, is that you used to want to be my wingman." He slid one of the shot glasses to Stefan along the counter.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Klaus raises his shot of tequila.

"To friendship." Stefan clinks his shot glass.

Bitterly Isabel said, "You are assholes." To which Nik laughed while she pouted. Since she breastfeeds Rose, she can't consume alcohol. Which with these two, you want to drink constantly.

"So I'm confused. If we were such great friends, then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire? Huh?" Stefan asked taking a sip of his drink.

"All good things must come to an end."

"Unfortunately," Isabel added knowing that's just how things are.

"You compelled me to forget?" The green-eyed vampire asked.

Klaus didn't look at him as he remembered what it was like to let Stefan go without any memories. "It was time for Rebekah and I to move on. Better to have a clean slate," Klaus said as he drained the rest of his glass.

"But why? You shouldn't have to cover your tracks" Stefan trails off. "...unless you're running from someone."

"Story time's over." Klaus stopped him not wanting him to get to close to the knowledge of Mikael.

Stefan turned his head and saw Damon, who motioned him to come over to him. Damon then walked behind a wall as Stefan looked back at Klaus before leaving.

"So can you tell me why you compelled his memories away? Unlike some people I can keep secrets." Isabel raises an eyebrow as she took a sip of her tea.

"I don't quite trust you, love."

"Whatever." Isabel huffed before turning her back to him and rocking her babies car seat.

Damon shortly joined Klaus and Isabel at the bar despite what Stefan wanted him to do.

"Last call. Drink 'em up!" Gloria announced.

"I see they've opened the doors to the riff-raff now," Klaus said seeing Damon.

"Oh, honey, I've been called worse," Damon smirks.

"I'm sure you have," Isabel said. "Would you like me to name a few? Because I have quite a bit."

Klaus spun his yellow umbrella while saying, "You don't give up, do you?"

"Give me my brother and mama wolf back... and you'll never have to see me again." Damon bargained.

"Well, I am torn. You see, I promised Stefan I wouldn't let you die, but how many freebies did I really sign up for? And clearly you want to die, otherwise, you wouldn't be here, so..."

"What can I say?" Damon asked with amusement. "I'm a thrill-seeker."

Klaus extended his hand and grabbed Damon by the throat, lifting him off the floor by the throat with one arm.

"Oh, dear, what was that? I'm boozy, so you'll forgive me if I miss your heart the first few tries." Klaus stabbed Damon in the stomach with a toothpick.

As Damon grunted in pain Isabel grimaced and walked to a table so Rose didn't have to hear Damon moan and groan in pain.

Damon looked at Isabel for help but she shrugged. "You deserve it. For past things I couldn't punish you for and because you annoy me." She knew he wouldn't die so she saw no point in helping. Besides, it was entertaining to watch.

"Glad to be of service, love," Klaus said before quickly jabbing Damon again. "No, that's not it. Hmm." He stabbed him again causing Damon to groan louder in pain. "Ohh. Almost." He angles the toothpick upwards towards his heart.

"Could you keep your pained sounds a little lower for me? Thanks." She didn't even look up as she focused on Rose and playing with her tiny feet that she loved to mess with.

"You want a partner in crime? Forget Stefan." The raven-haired vampire grunted. "I'm so much more fun."

Klaus threw him backward causing Damon to crash on top of a table, breaking it before landing on the ground on his back. As Isabel made faces and weird noises at Rose to keep the baby happy, Klaus walked over to the vampire ripping a part of the chair off as a makeshift stake and crouches over Damon.

"You won't be any fun after you're dead." With one hand he held Damon down and with the other, he raised the stake. Just at that moment, Gloria set the stake alight with her powers. Klaus threw it away with a groan. "Really?" Klaus asked annoyed as he looked over at Gloria.

"Not in my bar. You take it outside." Damon tried to sit up but Klaus pushed him back down and looked at him.

"You don't have to negotiate your brother's freedom. When I'm done with him, he won't want to go back. And Bel is not yours to take." Klaus took his hand off Damon as he groaned.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Klaus entered the room in the warehouse full of his family's coffins. he noticed Rebekah's coffin was empty and the guardsman laid dead on the floor nearby.

"Rebekah...It's your big brother." He coaxed. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." She rushed over and stabbed him with the dagger causing him to gasp in pain.

"Go to hell, Nik!"

Klaus took the dagger out of his chest, holds it out beside him, and drops it.

"Don't pout. You knew it wouldn't kill me."

"Yeah, but I was hoping it would hurt more." She sneered.

"I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah...So I'm going to let that go. Just this once. Brought you a little peace offering." He whispered. "You can come in."

Stefan walked in but didn't show any sign of recognition toward the blonde Original.

"Stefan..." She breathed.

Klaus walked closer to the green-eyed vampire and compelled him. "Now you remember." Klaus stepped behind him and watched Rebekah's face.

Stefan blinked as he started to remember everything.

"Rebekah." He walked closer to her.

"Stefan." The hybrid spoke up causing Stefan to stop and look at Klaus.

"I remember you. We were friends."

"We are friends." He looked at Rebekah with a small smile. "There is someone else that I think you'd like to meet. She is very special." He looked away from a confused Rebekah and looks over to where Stefan once was. "Bel. You can come on out."

Isabel timidly walks out and stood by Klaus' side with her child curled up to her. Klaus knew Rebekah wouldn't hurt Isabel if she had Rose with her so he had her pick Rose up for safety.

"Hi. My names Isabel."

"She's the families wolf," Klaus informed Rebekah watching her face morph into understanding.

"What a lovely baby."

"Thank you," Isabel said not knowing what else to say. She didn't like the look in the Originals eyes. It was as if she thought Isabel was a nice meal.

"And now the reason you're here," Klaus spoke up standing in front of Isabel who he could tell was not doing so well in his sister's presence. "Gloria tells me you know how to contact the Original witch."

"The Original witch?"

"What do you have that Gloria needs?" Klaus asked.

Rebekah went to touch her neck but realized her necklace was missing and looked panicked as she said, "Where's my necklace? What did you do with it? I never take it off!" Stefan realized that Elena had the necklace but kept his face impassive.

"I don't know," Klaus stated. "I didn't touch it.

"We need to find it, Nik. Now, I want it back!" Rebekah snapped.

Klaus gritted his teeth and grabbed her by the shoulders as he said, "Tell me that's not what she needs, Rebekah!"

The blonde immediately looks into her coffin hurriedly before angrily tossing the coffin across the room with a yell upon not seeing it anywhere.

"Wonderful," Isabel said sarcastically.