Just because she had her powers didn't mean everything was magically alright.

Kol was dead. Klaus had wanted to let her rest, so when Rebekah had come to tell her brothers that Kol wasn't going to survive the curse Finn placed on him, he'd cleverly left Esmeray with Cami and Hope. The two women were left too busy with the little girl to do anything that might have saved him.

Not that they could have. Even with all of Esmeray's power and healing knowledge even Finn didn't have, the curse had progressed too far for her to have saved him. Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah had returned very late in the evening, and had not told Esmeray and Hayley what happened until the next morning.

"Oh my god," the werewitch whispered, looking at Klaus with wide eyes. "I was wondering why you never came back... I'm so sorry."

Since he'd been so blatant about his plan for intimacy after the wedding, she'd stayed up waiting for him, but had fallen asleep before he arrived. While she lay there under the sheets, still in her pajamas, she'd taken the time to speak to her inner wolf.

"Are you there?" Esmeray thought, holding the conversation in her head.

"I'm always here."

"Are you Anya?"

"No, I am you. Do you remember the conversation the two of you had about inner wolves?"

"Yeah, I do. She mentioned three different interpretations. Hers was a spirit guide."

"Yes, that's what I am. But I am also a wiser version of yourself, who is meant to be your counsel and help you make some decisions. And yet, I am also your link to the traditional and primal ways of wolves, who will aid you in giving you the instincts you need when hunting. Not that you need that link, you were there for it all. So you see, the three different interpretations people think of, are really all separate parts of the same thing."

"Why is that?"

"The truth is, us inner wolves may be an extension of the people we inhabit, but we are still essentially our own entity. Some inner wolves are very traditional and won't do much more than teach their people how to be a real wolf. Others will only ever speak up when their person needs a bit of advice. Since you know all three interpretations, I want to help with anything and everything you need, in each of the three categories. I'll always be here."

"That's good to know. Do I just... say 'hello' whenever I need to chat?"

"Yes, you probably should. I'm not the type to talk out of turn, so you'll need to be the one contacting me when you want to talk. You still have to make your own choices, therefore, I will not tell you what to do in a given situation. If you need some advice, however, I am an extra resource."

"Oh, okay. Do I call you Anya?"

"You can, if you'd like."

"Why do you sound like her?"

"Do you recall that Anya told you that her inner wolf sounded like her dead mother? We inner wolves witness our person's entire life. We can see the emotional attachments you create. While Damon and Klaus are the most important people in your life— at least, those who stand out compared to the others you consider as family— your love for them was not necessarily tied to being a wolf.

"Anya, on the other hand, was the one who spoke to you often of modern day werewolves, and made you feel comfortable with how they operate in this time. She was the one who taught you the different ways people perceive their inner wolves. And it's no secret you miss her every single day. While I am you, I embody her, because now that we can speak, you need a comforting voice to turn to when you are struggling. Anya's voice was the best choice to help calm you down when you need it. I will guide you as if I am her. I could switch my voice, eventually, if I think someone else's voice might be more comforting to you."

"Alright. I'll call you Anya for now, if it's okay with you. So... is there anything else I need to know?"

"I am meant to be here for you no matter what. Don't be shy if you have questions about something that others may perceive as strange. I do not necessarily feel anything. I can worry for you, slightly, because if you die, so do I, and I can take on different tones of voice to express what I believe you need to hear. But I have no real emotions of my own, and therefore, am very blunt. I expect you will have a lot of questions about going into heat."

"Oh! Now that you mention it, yeah. How the hell does that work now that I'm a full hybrid?"

"It will be less intense. A bit more irregular, because now that your wolf and witch side are in balance, there's a lot of power inside of you at any one time, and some days, your witch side may overcome the sensation. In the past, this was the one thing your wolf side always dominated on. Your emotions will still stop you from going into heat, in case you were wondering."

"That's... interesting. Um, so, I assume you know about the conversation Klaus and I will be having soon."

"Regarding children? Yes. As your inner wolf, I'm compelled to encourage you to procreate, because more wolves are always a good thing. Hayley is right, Hope does need a sibling."

"Is there any way of making it... not be a tribrid?"

"Not if you're going to do it the traditional way. Science is always a pal in these situations."

"One thing that happens in this world that I know of... is that sometimes, those who really want kids, no matter how hard they try, can't have one. And those who don't want kids, end up getting pregnant easily. I wonder if that might happen to me."

"There is never a guarantee that you will end up with child. Especially not now that your heat and menstruation cycles will be irregular. The fact that they are separate is also contributing to uncertainty. You made a smart choice not sleeping with Klaus right away. The way you were before, you would have been guaranteed a pregnancy. Now, it's more normal, and it might or might not happen."

"Do you think it's a good idea for us to... start trying? Don't consider the fact that you want me to have a kid."

"I think it's a good time. Things will never truly be calm, so there won't be a prime time to start trying. Besides, even if you have... four hypothetical months of peace, you might give birth in a warzone. Your child, like Hope, will still be in danger. Right now, you're both happy, and willing, and you have a great support system for it. And if you do end up pregnant sometime soon, I imagine Klaus will want to have you both leave New Orleans so that you can be safe. A tribrid baby is more resistant to regular damage that might cause a human mother and child to go into distress. But even then, you can still have complications. You are mortal, and the terrible parts of pregnancy can still happen to you. Teeth falling out, turning blue..."

"I could probably do a spell to help with that. With all this new power... jeez, I feel like it might go a bit to waste. I really won't use it unless it's a life or death circumstance or I need to help someone. I'm so used to having limits. Well, I suppose I do still have limits, overusing magic will kill anyone unless they're immortal. And I... am quite mortal." It was at that point in the night that she started to feel exhausted. "I think I need rest. Thank you for this. Goodnight, Anya."

"Goodnight, Esmeray."

Now, she was sitting across from Klaus with a sad look on her face. It was clear he was very hurt that his brother had died a second time. Would he show it? No. The only reason she knew it was bothering him was because she could feel his pain.

"Klaus, I wish I could have done something," she whispered.

"Don't blame yourself, love," he told her quickly. "And do not feel guilt. There was no saving him."

"Poor Davina, I can't imagine how she feels. Another boyfriend of hers, dead."

"Oh, don't remind me..." he rubbed his forehead. "Perhaps Kol might have killed Tim himself if he was in the way of him getting Davina. She wouldn't be mourning so bloody much."

"I should go check on her before I head out to the Bayou today," Esmeray said, finishing up her very simple oatmeal.

He caught her hand once she got up. "I am so sorry," he said, looking down as if ashamed of himself. "I left you waiting last night. It was rude of me."

"I get it, Klaus, don't worry," she told him honestly. She really did understand. His brother had died a second time, she couldn't have expected him to arrive and be willing to follow through with what he'd been saying. "Um..." she bit her lip. "Maybe tonight we can talk? About... what we were going to discuss?"

Klaus was relieved that she wasn't angry. "I look forward to that, love." He then let go of her, but got to his feet. "Perhaps I can come to the Bayou with you. You're going to test your powers out for the first time, and I would like to be there to support you."

Esmeray smiled. "I'd like that. You can give me a ride to Davina's little graveyard clubhouse."

She didn't stay with Davina for long. The girl was really not in the mood for visitors, but she appreciated the food basket that the werewitch brought for her. Esmeray had let her know that she was there for her, and they'd hugged for a short while before the witch asked Esmeray to please be on her way.

They went into the Bayou as afternoon was setting in, and parked near the edge of the woods. They trekked deep into the trees, finding an isolated spot that had a clear path heading toward the lake. Esmeray had brought a bag with a change of clothes, and started to undress after she looked around and checked no one was there. Klaus respectfully turned away— just because he'd seen her naked, didn't mean he had to be staring at her each time she took off her clothes. He held out his hand to hold her clothes as she handed them to him.

"Thanks," she chirped, holding her arms over her body to cover herself. She drew a deep breath. "Maybe should have tried turning before I stripped..."

"Just concentrate on each limb, little by little," he advised as he went to put her clothes in her bag. "Get onto the ground and envision yourself as a wolf, envision each extension of your body changing and morphing into a wolf body. With Hayley's power, the pain will be very minimal, and as long as you focus, it will happen quickly."

Esmeray nodded, drawing a few deep breaths before closing her eyes, getting onto her hands and knees, and concentrating.

It happened faster than she expected. She felt a warmth flooding from her heart and out into the rest of her body, a tingling sensation rising at her finger and toe tips. When she opened her eyes, she was standing a bit taller, because her wolf form was taller on all four paws compared to how she was when kneeling on the ground.

The world looked different. The colors were brighter. Everything was louder. She could feel every individual speck of dirt under her paws, and the wind against her fur felt like a satin cloak was being brushed against her. She seemed to be able to hear the birds ten miles away. She could hear Klaus's heart much louder than she normally did. She walked to where he was, still facing away, and nudged the back of his leg.

Klaus turned to look at her and beamed, crouching down and letting his hand move over her head. "You look majestic, love," he told her. "Even in your wolf form you appear stronger than others." He gestured to the path behind her. "Go on, run. See how fast you can go."

It was like she was flying. She was moving faster than she ever had, zipping between trees and jumping over fallen logs like she was a bird. She came back to Klaus's side within seconds, and somehow, had run through half the Bayou.

"How about a race?" he asked her, peeling off his shirt. This time, she turned away, and just a minute later, his wolf, a ginger-brown just a tad bigger than her, sped off past her. She zoomed behind him, managing to catch up with ease despite his head start.

She was exhausted when they returned to the Compound, but she was smiling like an idiot.

"That was amazing!" she breathed. "And did you see— or smell, I don't know— I cut myself on a branch and three seconds later, I was fine! I'm healing normally now, and I feel so energized even though I'm tired. I bet in like, an hour, I'll be ready to go for a run again!"

"Take a breather, love, you're stronger, but not immune to heart attacks," he teased as he walked with her to her room, sitting on the chair at her desk while she started getting ready for a shower. "It is a nice change, seeing you so happy. I assume Damon is on his way with mimosas?"

"Aw, no, I wish. Caroline's mom just died, and they were all keeping her company, but then she turned her humanity off and Enzo followed suit because they're dating now, and just— complicated. But Stefan and Elena are together again, Bonnie got out of the prison world, and everything seems to be going alright. Damon even says that his mom might be alive, and he and Bonnie are going to check it out soon. He's busy, but he sent me a voice message with a lot of cheering. I think he was drunk as a way of celebrating."

"Those Salvatores," said Klaus, rolling his eyes playfully. "They get drunk more often than my mother inhabits a body that doesn't belong to her, and that's saying something."

Esmeray giggled. "I recall you got drunk, once, and you wanted to paint me, but you were seeing all these versions of me and you said we were being wicked for getting you to sleep so that you wouldn't tear apart your art room."

"How mortifying," he said, covering his face as he remembered. "But thankfully, I will never be as bad of a drunk as Damon Salvatore."

"I'm just grateful you've warmed up to Damon. Since I don't have any biological family left, he's technically going to be our future kid's crazy uncle. By default, all of the pals in Mystic Falls will be 'Mom's side of the family.'"

"Well, this hypothetical child will certainly enjoy your side of the family more. Since you are not all related to one another, you tend to get along better."

She came to sit on the desk, looking at him seriously. "So... you do want a kid."

"Yes. Do you?"

"Yep. My inner wolf— I'm going to call her Anya— thinks it's a good idea. By the way, I don't think I've ever asked. What's your inner wolf like?"

"A dirty little prick. I'm surprised you don't know, considering you have been in my mind."

"Maybe my Mind Spells can't access your inner wolf. It's not necessarily an aspect of your brain, is it? It's more of your soul. And I can't access souls."

"I didn't name him. He hardly speaks to me. I don't wish to rely on speaking with another version of myself. This version of me is bad enough as it is."

"Hey, don't say that. You're considerably better than you were before we met. You're a good man, Klaus. And you always have been."

"Am I... a good enough man that you would wish for me to be the father of your child?"

"Yes. I want to have a kid with you. Not with anyone else. I want to be a mother, and I'm ready to do that. Just a disclaimer— there's no guarantee our attempts will work. According to Anya, my cycles are going to be very irregular."

"Hmm, that explains why you don't smell like you're going into heat anymore. No matter. What is that quote— 'It's better to try and fail than never to try at all?'"

Esmeray smirked and shrugged. "Whenever you're ready."

"I am ready. You may unbind me, if you wish."

She let her hand hover over his chest, concentrating for only a moment before she felt the spell lift. "That was easy," she said happily. "And it was a strong spell, too, if it was keeping an Original hybrid from procreating."

Klaus wiggled his eyebrows. "Just say when, love."

"Maybe after I shower? Unless you want to be with Hope. Then, it can wait until tonight."

"I have a better suggestion," said Klaus, using his vampire speed to stand up and pin her to the desk, a wicked smirk on his face. "Let's multitask in the shower."

She wondered if the new powers included not slipping easily in the shower.

"Your endurance is far better," he told her the next morning, after they'd gone at it again in the night. "And the strength— very obvious improvement."

"Thanks, Coach," she said, already recovered from what was no longer all that strenuous of an activity. Previously, it was a struggle for her to keep up with what she wanted to do to please him.

Klaus pulled her in for yet another kiss. "Round three?" he inquired in a low voice, kissing down her body.

"We can't spend the entire day having sex just because we want to make a baby!"

"Who made that ridiculous rule? There is no concrete law that says we cannot do that. Hayley will be overjoyed watching Hope for another several hours without me nagging about wanting to hold her. Besides, we will still need breaks, and in that time, I can be with her."

"This just sounds so complicated. If a regular person listened to this conversation, they'd be very confused."

"If a regular person was eavesdropping, love, I'd compel them to watch so that they can learn not to be meddling in our private business."

"Jokes on you, what if that person is into voyeurism?"

He growled lowly. "Nevermind. I cannot stand the thought of someone watching and finding pleasure in seeing you like that."

"Ah, I see what you meant by your inner wolf being 'a dirty little prick.' He's the one that triggers your jealousy and your desire. Who does he sound like?"

"Oh, you're going to laugh if I tell you."

She raised a brow and moved to straddle him. "Is it Elijah?"

"Oh, god, no," he laughed, covering his face. "I would not want to hear my brother's voice in my head, telling me to take you to bed every time I see you."

"Who is it, then? If it's not one of your brothers... definitely not anyone else in your family..."

"I hear my own voice."

Esmeray didn't find this funny at all. In fact, this was sad to her. No one really made him feel connected to his wolf side. And yet, she could see that he didn't mind it— he just thought she'd make fun of him for it.

She looked at him with big eyes, moving down to kiss him. "I don't see anything wrong with it. I think it shows that you're confident and reliable and strong. Besides, your voice is really nice."

"Oh, you like it, do you?" he said curiously, leaning in to speak directly in her ear. "Be a good girl and tell me why."

Hayley and Jackson were giving the two of them amused looks for the next few days. It was very obvious what the two were up to, and if Elijah hadn't already left to Algiers to live on his own (for the sake of not intruding when it came to the newlyweds), he definitely would have spent substantial time outside of the house to give Klaus and Esmeray their space.

"Good afternoon, little one," Esmeray said to Hope after she showered on the third day of intimate workouts. She scooped her up, looking over at Klaus, who had come to watch Hope while Hayley and Jackson helped train some of the wolves outside, who were getting used to their new abilities and needed more practice.

The little girl squealed, placing her hands all over Esmeray's face, which was moist from the lotion she'd put on. Hope leaned forward as if she liked the smell. "It's coconut," Esmeray told her, coming to sit beside Klaus, who'd situated himself in one of the two rocking chairs. "How about you tell your dad to start using lotion more often? Being a vampire doesn't mean neglecting skincare."

"I cannot even gain new scars," said Klaus, rolling his eyes as Hope giggled and leaned into Esmeray's chest. "It is too much work to be lathering my face in those substances all the bloody time."

Hope moved her little hands around Esmeray's shoulders, facing Klaus while she let her head rest where she could feel Esmeray's heart beating. What they'd noticed is that Hope tended to do this a lot with Esmeray and Jackson, since she could not feel Klaus, Hayley, or Elijah's heartbeats.

"Are you tired, sweet girl?" whispered Esmeray, rocking her gently as she kissed Hope's forehead. She whined and closed her eyes, kicking her legs a bit and reaching one hand out toward Klaus. He took her hand and smiled, shaking it as if he was greeting her.

"Mmm," Hope gurgled, sitting up a bit. "Mmm."

"Oh my god, I think she's going to say her first word," said Esmeray excitedly, getting up so that she could go and find Hayley.

The hybrid was happy to step away from the training to see her daughter. "Hi, baby girl," she said, taking her from Esmeray. "What's up?"

"I think she was trying to call for you," Esmeray said. "I just thought she was going to say 'mama.'"

Hayley beamed, holding Hope so that she could look at her. Jackson came by, rubbing her back as the little girl squealed, humming again before bursting out a very adorable, "Mama."

The four clapped appreciatively, and Esmeray could see Klaus's eyes shining, a wide smile on his face.

"Am I... a good enough man that you would wish for me to be the father of your child?"

Of course he was.