Nothing felt different.

"How can we be sure it worked?" asked Yara, laid beside Hayley, the two feeling the same as before.

"It worked," said Davina, tilting her head as she hovered her hand over Yara's belly. "I can feel it."

"I anticipate a lack of symptoms," said Elijah curiously. "After all, you are still a vampire. You can heal from nearly any injury. You will likely not be plagued by morning sickness or aches in your back and feet."

"I hope not," said Yara nervously. She sat up, finding it just as easy as it'd been since becoming a vampire. "Well, that's that."

Hayley cast her a grateful smile. "Truly... thank you for this. For giving me a choice. I hope, if I stay in this city, that we can be friends."

"I'd like that. I wish you the very best in finding your family. Or something about them, anyway."

Marcel's eyes flickered to a birthmark on Hayley's shoulder, something Yara had also noticed. She hadn't yet had time to inquire what had happened to the Crescent Wolf Pack. She still remembered her old friend, Lana, who'd liked Elijah very much.

How glad she was that Mikael was dead. It still haunted her to remember the way Lana and Marcel had been strung up. So violent. So unexpected.

She almost hated Mikael as much as she hated her own father.

"If you need anything, please be sure to let us know," Elijah offered kindly as Hayley made her way out. "As for the link between you and Sophie Deveraux–"

"It's gone," said Davina, folding up the spell that she'd been given, courtesy of Esther's grimoire. "Went away when the baby was transferred. There's no reason for Hayley to be linked anymore. She'll be safe."

"Then our deal with Sophie Deveraux is off," said Elijah firmly. He waited until Hayley was gone to add, "Now that we know what the witches truly intend, we must find a way to work through it."

Davina looked up at Marcel, who hesitated. "The Harvest can't be completed unless an Elder does it," he said. "There's only one Elder remaining."

"Wonderful," said Klaus. "Then we'll lop her head off."

"Won't Davina lose power, too?" asked Yara, confused.

"I don't care if I do," said Davina meekly, standing close to Marcel, as if nervous to even be in that house. "I just don't want to die. What if I don't come back?"

"Maybe there's another way," said Yara. "Witches can give up their magic, I've seen it. If you put it in an object or in another person, you'd be free of the burden. They can do whatever they want with it. You can live a normal life and they can do with it what they please. Or even just getting rid of it and... I suppose... killing the Elder could, in combination, ensure you're not affected. You can keep the little token and only do magic from it when you wish to."

"That could work," said Marcel. "Hey, it's okay." He hugged Davina. "Let's get you back, okay, you'll be fine. We'll figure something out."

"Thank you for your help," said Yara kindly, noticing the way he held her.

It's just the way I used to hold him.

Davina was more than just a girl he rescued. He thought of her as his adopted daughter.

"Well, I'm off to find that last Elder," said Klaus once Marcel and Davina had left. "I'd prefer the witches had no power here. The less they can do, the less they can meddle with us."

"Not so fast, Niklaus," warned Elijah. "What, pray tell, are you doing?"

"Going to kill an Elder."

He gestured to Yara. "You have just subjected her to surrogacy and you have not once asked her how she is feeling or what you can do to accommodate her."

He opened and closed his mouth several times. "Love, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she said quietly. "Go ahead, I think I'm going to eat a bit more then go to sleep. It's been a long day."

The entire time she laid in bed, she could only stare at the ceiling, wondering if she'd made the right choice. Was Marcel right? Was she being too selfless?

She put her hands on her belly, feeling nothing more than her usual touch. It wasn't any more tender than before.

She wondered what her mother might have said if she were here.

When she was finally able to catch some sleep, she was plagued with dreams that were more like memories. Altered versions of her time with Klaus. All the moments where he'd been sweet, followed by moments where he'd frustrated her and made her question her entire relationship.

It means a great deal to me that he's willing to try and be better for this kid.

But what even was this baby? Why did it exist? Why, of all the times a vampire could procreate, had this happened with Klaus in particular, in Mystic Falls? Did it mean something? Or was it really just an eerie coincidence?

Elijah had been right. She didn't have any morning sickness. As soon as she'd brushed her teeth, she hung up a calendar, counting forward and circling the month of May, placing a small star on the 7th of May, exactly eight months after the day she was writing.

"Good morning," said Rebekah, offering her a plate of french toast. "The boys are out... it appears Nik was unsuccessful in locating that Elder. They're working with Marcel, I expect."

Yara smiled. "Thank you. I hope they do get them, if they're out there somewhere. For Davina's sake."

Rebekah sat across from her, digging into her own plate. "It really is good to see you again, Yara. I admit, it was very surprising to see you yesterday. I needed time to digest it."

"I don't blame you. Will you be staying here?"

"I am not sure yet. Elijah wanted me here to help Hayley. I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself... it is not that I don't want to be here, it's that I know that Nik and I will be butting heads. I prefer my distance now."

"It's good for you, Rebekah. I'm glad you're doing that. I hope this means you and Marcel aren't–?"

She shook her head. "No. We spoke, we came to terms with it. It's over. You can admit it now, Yara, you never liked us together."

"I wanted you both to be happy. That being said, it did make me uncomfortable but I knew that telling you not to would only make you want to do it more. I was hoping you would both come to this conclusion yourselves. And you know how Klaus is." She sighed, reaching for the bottle of champagne Rebekah had out to make herself a mimosa. The Original smacked her hand.

"Not anymore," said Rebekah. "Remember?"

Yara sighed. "Right. Well, I suppose that will give me time to wean myself off the constant drinking." She put her hand on her stomach. "Rebekah, would you be willing to accompany me to the doctor? I know it will be too early to tell the sex but I want to make sure everything is alright."

"I'd love to. You and I can go shopping, too. Nik told me he promised you a new wardrobe. As nice as you look in my clothes, they are my clothes."

She smiled. "I'd expect nothing less."

The obstetrician was very kind (and compellable). She gave Yara a few brochures on pregnancy and performed an ultrasound that let her see for herself that the embryo had actually been implanted. It was completely real. The fifth week had just begun, luckily enough for her, allowing for the two vampires to hear its rapid little heartbeat.

"How darling," whispered Rebekah, staring at the screen, perhaps in a way that could be described as envious. "You really can't tell if it's a boy or a girl yet?"

"Not medically," said the doctor. "We recommend waiting until your week nineteen or twenty ultrasound. Technically, we can find out at week fourteen, but it might not be accurate. Now, a lot of people think they can predict it by belly shape or by those string tricks. I wouldn't advise believing those things. Come back later on... we'll test for it."

"Thank you," said Yara, sliding the sheet off of her legs to get dressed again. One thing she could have done without was the experience of a transvaginal ultrasound, but she supposed she should be marveling at the fact it was even possible, rather than complaining.

"Now, then," said Rebekah. "We ought to get some smoothies before we head to the mall."

Yara had almost forgotten how nice it was to spend time with Rebekah. She was glad that the girl had picked things up right where they left off, not treating Yara any differently than before. Now that she'd accepted the fact she was here for the long run, Rebekah had gone back to their usual friendly momentum. Telling her all about the past hundred years with as much detail as she could, and every now and then remembering to ask Yara about her experience. The younger vampire had a lot less to talk about than Rebekah, despite the fact the blonde had been daggered for almost the entire century.

"Nik was really such an idiot," said Rebekah. "Bringing those things up when you argued."

"I made mistakes there, too, it's not just his fault. I let my anger get the best of me, said things I didn't mean. I was not in a good place after I thought Marcel died. I regret a lot of it."

Rebekah half-smiled. "The important thing is that you're here now, aren't you? And taking on a burden no one should have to bear. Though I suppose it's better you than Hayley. Not because she wasn't sweet, but because she was so young."

"I hope she finds what she's looking for. And that she has a good life after this."

"I'm sure she will. She's free of Nik. What's better than that?" Realizing that didn't sound very pleasant to someone who was now carrying said person's child, she said, "I cannot wait to be an auntie to this little one."

"And I look forward to being its mom," she said quietly. "I'm... curious. I think curiosity is the real reason I got myself into this in the first place. One of the brochures talked about giving it a name. Something so I can talk to it. Another recommended journaling, monitoring the progress I make until it's born. Like a little notebook I can give to them when they're older. What should I–?"

"Well, what would you name it? If you had a choice?"

"I don't know. I realize I don't even have any ideas for either sex."

"Your mother's name was Isadora, wasn't it?"

"Yes, but I don't know if I'd like to call it that if it were a girl. My mother loved the name Annette; she made it my second middle name and called me 'Netty.' But I'm not sure I like that. I don't even know why I'm thinking this, I doubt it will be my choice..."

"Ah," said Rebekah. "You're trying not to get too attached, aren't you?"

She hesitated. "I know I inevitably will but I almost wish I could fight it. Not because I don't want to care about it but if things don't go well friendship-wise with Klaus and I, I should be prepared to step away, shouldn't I?"

"Don't be ridiculous. If that prick does anything to ruin another relationship with you, I'll kill him myself. He should be putting you on a pedestal. It's thanks to you he's keeping this baby." She placed a hand on her arm. "And it is now your baby too, Yara. Embrace it."

Yara wasn't sure why she ended up buying so many new things once they finally reached the mall, considering she wouldn't even fit in them soon enough. Still, she supposed it was good for a little while, and especially after the baby was born.

"Well, now I know why the card declined at Rousseau's," said Klaus when he saw all the bags Rebekah was carrying into Yara's room.

"Oh, shut it," said Rebekah. "I used the credit. Besides, don't you want the mother of your child to be comfortable?"

"I might have done with one less pair of slippers," said Yara quietly.

"Nonsense! If Nik wants you to carry his child, he will pamper you beyond comprehension. And I hope we've learned our lesson about choking pregnant women?"

Klaus stared at his feet. "Indeed we have."

"Good. Help her organize her things, will you, Nik?"

Clever. Almost too clever.

Yara was quiet as she folded her clothes. Klaus didn't do much more than set the bags aside once she'd emptied them. At last, he cleared his throat, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," she replied, knowing he was trying to be civil. "I went to the doctor today. All is well with... it. I don't know what to call it for now but I may say... well... oh, I don't know. Perhaps sticking with 'little one' is enough."

Klaus cleared his throat. "Thank you, Yara. For... for believing that I am capable of this. Of becoming a father again, and in a much different way. For choosing to give me this chance. If it were not for you..."

"Just... prepare, you know. Try and spread kindness. That's what I imagine you want the baby to learn... right?"

"I don't wish for it to be like me."

"There is good in you, Klaus. I know it. I lived in it for a long time. You could be so sweet. I still remember when I mentioned just once in passing that I liked loquats. Every single day that I lived in the Compound after that... there were loquats for me to eat."

He stared bashfully at his feet. "I am not the man you once knew."

"Nor am I the woman you knew. People change. It's okay, sometimes. As long as we don't change for the worst. Or, if we do, we learn from our mistakes. We have all this power. I don't like the idea of vampires imposing their will upon others. It's not what we should teach. If we're going to do this, we need to swear to be good parents."

"We can be," said Klaus, feeling more courageous about saying it because not it sounded like she was doubting her abilities. "Marcel was raised right."

"He was. But we don't want a repeat of that. Not because he turned out bad, but because there were many awful things that happened. Namely..." she hesitated. "Oh, god, Klaus... I never even offered my condolences to any of you after Finn and Kol's passing. I'm sorry."

"You needn't apologize. You never knew Finn and you hated Kol."

"I still should have said something. They were your brothers." She set down the shirt she'd been smoothing out. "If we are to do this right, we cannot let them experience violence. We cannot feed in the same household. Blood bags only. We cannot be talking about killing or having our tempers get the best of us. Even Marcel witnessed many things back then."

"I recall," said Klaus. "You used to tell him to close his eyes and sing. You are the reason he is so protective of children. You did everything to protect his innocence because no one protected ours."

She nodded. "Inevitably, this baby will learn what we are, what we've done. Let us make sure they are ready before we expose them to any of it."

"It sounds as if you are growing more comfortable with the idea of being here long term."

"I suppose so," she murmured. "What of Marcel? How was he today? I take it that you're here because you killed the Elder."

"Yes. It went fine. The witches are displeased to see us working together. It appears Sophie Deveraux was even attacked in retaliation. She is alive, and the witches were... shocked to see that it had no effect. I take it they're looking to find out what's happened with the baby. No matter. Their power will be drained soon enough. Marcel is readying the Compound for us all to move in there. Davina has already moved her things. She is safer now, but Marcel is cautioning her about roaming around the city alone."

"He cares for her. It's sweet."

"I suppose one could say we have a granddaughter."

Yara smiled slightly. "A granddaughter who is older than this child. This family can be quite confusing. I was pleased to hear that Rebekah and Marcel called it quits."

"As was I. Rebekah may not stay much longer. Perhaps long enough to see us be moved into the Compound. After that, she will travel. Return in April, I expect, before the baby is born."

"Good for her. I have a small ask. That you no longer use the daggers. It's another custom that ought to be done away with."

"If it would please you, I'll do it."

"It would please me. But I'd like you to do it because you wish to. Because you value your siblings' free will. Not because I've asked it of you."

Klaus forgot how often she made him question everything he did. Though, he wasn't complaining.

Perhaps this really is the best way to prepare to be a father again.

Yara had had to pack her things almost as soon as she'd organized them. Her old room at the Compound had been fixed up swiftly. She would be the first to move in. Klaus and Marcel had refused to let her carry any of the suitcases, despite the fact she was even stronger than Marcel and not at all different just because she'd been pregnant a few days. As sweet as it was for them to dote on her, she didn't wish to get out of the habit of doing everything for herself.

They didn't let her help move anyone else's things, either. Klaus and Elijah had spent an entire day deciding which furniture they would or won't do away with. Yara had not wished to hear their arguments. She'd plugged up her ears, choosing to take a walk and return once the house was organized.

That had been a mistake.

She sensed someone following her early into her stroll. She'd waited to pass by an alley before speeding away, zig-zagging through back streets until she could double back, now back near the Compound where she started. She began to walk again, yet once more had the sensation she was being watched.

I can't even relax around here.

She started to make her way back to the Abattoir, figuring she'd just try to take a bath and tune out the shouts. She was a block away when the presence grew nearer.

She'd ducked into another alley, but the person followed, just as quick. A hand shot out, and she found herself pinned to a wall behind a laundromat, staring at a dark-haired boy she didn't recognize.

"What the hell?!" she demanded, shoving him off. "Back off before I–" he covered her mouth just as another man leapt up from around the corner, biting into her throat. Her eyes widened, panicked, when she felt the sting and realized what they were.

Werewolves.

"Get her legs, Dwayne," said the first boy, instructing the other man to lift her. "Sleep tight." He snapped her neck.

She awoke, head pulsating, in a cabin out in the Bayou. At least, that's where she assumed she was, if one could judge by the smell of bog.

"You two are going to end up with your heads on spikes," said Yara darkly, struggling to sit up.

"I'd stay there if I were you," warned the first boy. "That bite's only gonna get worse. Now, I want to know why you are the one I sense with a baby in her when, last I heard, a girl I knew named Hayley was the one that got pregnant."

She snorted. "Didn't even do your research properly? You wolves can be as arrogant as us vampires. I've killed my share of pups in the past. I've decimated entire encampments filled with conquerors, the most fearsome warlords you ever met. You two are breakfast for me."

"Not exactly," said the boy. "Young hybrid beats old vampire every time."

She laughed dryly. "That explains why you caught up. But you are bold to make that assumption. Real classy, attacking a pregnant woman."

"Can we get on with this, Tyler?" asked Dwayne.

"Tyler?" asked Yara. "Oh... Tyler Lockwood, aren't you? Klaus's first hybrid."

"So you do know who I am."

"Vaguely. And I know he'll kill you for having done this to me."

"There's nothing else he can do to hurt me. I'm not afraid to die." He held up a large syringe, which immediately made Yara try to crawl away.

"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded.

"Klaus destroyed everything good in my life," he said. "So, I'm gonna take away the thing he wants most!"

She let out a shriek of pain as he jammed the syringe into her stomach. Dwayne held her down as she thrashed, allowing Tyler to measure out some blood. As soon as he pulled it out of her, he jammed it into Dwayne's throat, injecting it. Removing the needle, he let go, reaching out to break the man's neck.

"What the fuck," muttered Yara, brows sweating profusely. "You are... insane."

"Dwayne is a werewolf who died with your blood in his system. The same blood you now share with that hybrid baby."

"Hybrid baby? What the–? Are you trying to turn–? You can't! You need the Petrova doppelgänger."

Tyler shook his head. "I've been running with wolf packs all over the country. One of them was tight with a witch. She had nightmare visions about Hayley's baby and how Klaus could use its blood to make an army of hybrid slaves. The very fact it's inside of you now let's me know that he has bad plans for it."

"That's ridiculous," she muttered. "It won't even work."

"That's where Dwayne comes in. You see, he was happy to be the test case. If you haven't noticed, these people don't have much to live for. They'd all welcome the chance to become the superior species. Trouble is, all hybrids are sired to Klaus. They follow his every move. No way I let that happen."

"Klaus doesn't even know this can happen, you're making ridiculous assumptions."

"What, Klaus Mikaelson, killer of men, women and puppies, all of a sudden wants to be a daddy? Or, he's got an ulterior motive. Hybrids can walk in the sun. Their bite is lethal to vampires. They'll take over New Orleans by the end of the week. And you know what's going to stop Klaus then? Nothing."

"You don't even know who I am! What my history with him is! I've already raised a child with him, I know better than anyone that he wouldn't do such a thing!"

"Whoever you are, you don't know him that well if you think that."

Suddenly, the sweat began to die down. She turned her head to keep him from seeing the wound, and she found it didn't hurt so bad.

Before she could really process what might be happening, Dwayne awoke with a gasp.

Tyler didn't hesitate to reach for a knife in his belt, using it to cut into Yara's neck, opposite to where her bite was. He guided Dwayne toward the wound, causing her to whimper as he started to feed.

"STOP!" she yelled out.

Immediately, he disconnected, only to collapse on the ground, groaning and holding his head.

"Look at me!" yelled Tyler. "Look at me! You're okay!"

Dwayne looked up at him, shakily getting to his feet. "Oh, I'm better than okay." His sclera suddenly turned black, irises glowing a bright gold.

"Good," said Yara, forcing herself up. "Then you'll be in a good mood when I send you both to your graves. If I had to make further assumptions–" she reached for the knife, "about this baby, I'd wager that because it's part wolf... your venom isn't going to work on me for very long."

"You're still weak," said Tyler. "You can't beat us. Dwayne, keep her–"

Yara flung the knife at him, lodging it right into Dwayne's forehead. "Can't I? Watch me."

It became clear very quickly that Dwayne wasn't going to be very useful to Tyler. They'd both lunged at her, but as soon as Yara yelled for them to get off (when they had, in fact, managed to knock her to the ground), Dwayne had stepped away. When it was only Tyler holding her down, Yara swung her legs around, flipping him onto his back and punching him across the face while the other hand ripped into his chest, gripping his heart.

"Those don't look like the eyes of someone who isn't afraid to die," she said darkly, seeing the way his pupils dilated. "Rot in hell, you fucking creep." She ripped out his heart. "Come on, next."

She almost felt bad when she saw how easily Dwayne let her kill him.

"YARA!"

"Here," she said tiredly, feeling her neck and finding that the bite was gone. "Jesus, I hate young vampires sometimes."

Klaus sped in, stunned with the sight of two dead hybrids. "How–?"

"Come on, you really think The Conqueror's Nightmare couldn't beat a hybrid? You are sorely mistaken. Now, less talking and more getting me home because I'm famished."