Beatrix left soon after.

Her talk with Jackson had made her think, and when one typically wants to think, they draw themselves away from the crowd.

She crossed over from Algiers and back into the French Quarter. Aimlessly, she moved down Decatur St., remembering how in the prison world, she and Kai had made this walk many times. Sometimes, they'd race. Other times, they'd sit on the ground, away from each other, and just take in the beauty, hoping it would provide some ease in the distress they were feeling, not having known when they'd ever get out.

The phone flopped between her hands as she toyed with the notion of calling him. He'd almost insinuated that he cared for her. That he was attracted to her. Could sociopaths feel affection? Surely they could, granted all the Mikaelson siblings could probably each be labeled as sociopaths by at least one psychologist or psychiatrist.

It was bizarre for her to think of Kai feeling something for her. But the more she thought into it, it really wasn't so far-fetched.

They'd been stuck without anyone but each other for eighteen years. Though they often snapped at each other and killed each other, especially in the first years, things had calmed down. They had joked several times. Had deep conversations about things that weren't typically brought up in conversation. They were vulnerable in their tales and desires, and Kai had not brought up a wall when he told her about his childhood. He was abrasive, sure, and had a tendency for snarkiness, but at the end of the day he'd always bid her goodnight, and in the morning, he would seek to make conversation.

He wasn't always thankful, but he was honest in his sentiments, and did not fear communicating what was on his mind. She supposed someone who didn't know Kai as deeply as she did would hear his morbid jokes and make assumptions that wouldn't go away. There was no denying he was sadistic, and a murderer, and someone with very blatant disregard for human life.

But then again, so were many vampires, and people loved them. Damon had a girlfriend, and Damon had clearly done terrible things, especially killing a pregnant woman. Beatrix felt a shiver run down her spine when she thought about how Kai would be doing the same, soon.

Kai loved to laugh, and he was energetic. He was a diligent student when she'd taught him magic, and he'd ceased being overly cruel after he realized she wasn't going to treat him like crap. She wondered if maybe, had Kai not been neglected, he might have been a better person, more willing to open up and show his truly fun side. She wished it to be true.

She made the turn onto Ursulines Ave. and glanced back down at her phone. She could call him now, or wait until another day. Chances were, he might not pick up so soon after his confession.

And yet, she dialed his number.

She was greeted with a yawn. "What're you doing up at these late hours?" he inquired.

"Walking outside," she said simply, finding herself smiling when she heard his groggy voice. "It feels so fresh. I'm strolling through where we used to walk."

"What's on your mind?"

He knew her so well. Sure, she had not really hesitated to pour out her entire life story to him over the years. But even so, he had taken the time to get to know her. He understood her emotions better than anyone nowadays. He knew what mannerisms indicated which mood she was in. He could hear the slightest change in her voice that let him know she wasn't feeling good. He always seemed to know when she wasn't doing well, and he always brought it up, as if giving her an in to talk to him about it.

"Hayley and I almost tore each other's faces off, you know."

"I'd have paid to see that kind of fight. No doubt you could beat her. She's a hybrid, sure, but her nature is wolfy. Yours is witchy. Vampire natures aside, you'd tear her apart."

"Well, the fight would have started inside of a building where I couldn't do magic."

"Pssh, you're no weakling. We did a lot of hand-to-hand combat aside from magic. I know that you can kick ass. She wouldn't have stood a chance once you got out of that damn building. Two flicks and you'd have ripped her heart out."

"I would have had to live with the guilt of tearing my niece's mother away from her. So, I guess, it's good I didn't go through with it. I wanted to. She's cool, but not lately. We're both on edge."

"Any other symptoms of an episode? Or have you been doing some breathing exercises or some shit?"

"Just working on calming myself down, really. The feeling has subsided. For now. Have Josette and Alaric set a date for their wedding yet?"

"Nah. Right now, their main concern is the baby. I never understood all the hype about a kid in utero. Technically, it's not even a baby. It's— what do you call it? An embryo, or a fetus, or whatever. It can't even breathe or do anything on its own and yet, they act all excited."

"The one thing I recall from being an OB/Gyn was how often the mothers would tell me that they were so scared that if they celebrated it, they'd lose it. So many of them came to me for procedures to get pregnant because they hadn't been able to do it just in bed. Their partners were always terrified, too. I guess it gives some people a lot to look forward to, by paying attention when it hasn't been born. The happiness helps mask the fear, and in the end, if it survives, that initial fear dissipates, and turns into the longer lasting one that exists through the kid's whole life. Worrying about their school stuff... all that."

"Okay, you didn't need to get all doctor on me. Speaking of that, though, Josette is a doctor. I've been reading up about her... she's like, famous. Invented this thing called a Laughlin clamp. Heard of it?"

"If that invention was recent, definitely not. I haven't been reading up on anything medical lately. If I go back to Medical School sometime soon, maybe I'll learn about it."

"Heh. That's funny to think of— you were a doctor before she was even born. For all we know, you could have been the doctor that delivered us."

"Highly doubt it, I never worked on the West Coast. And I'm not sure I want to think of the fact that I might have helped your mother give birth to you."

"Ah, you don't want to think that you missed your chance to snuff me out. Pity."

Beatrix rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, let's go with that."

"In another world, maybe Elijah would have been a doctor, and he would have delivered you. Out in the sad, lonely bayou."

"That gave me a very weird image in my head."

"How did your mother even manage it by herself? Isn't that dangerous?"

"Instincts, I suppose. But she must have helped women give birth before, when she was still living with her family."

"D'you think I'd make a good doctor?"

"Oh, certainly. If you were to put in the work, I think you could be an excellent surgeon. Your hands are much steadier than mine."

"Do I detect sarcasm or—"

"No. I'm not being sarcastic. I'm serious. You should go to Med School with me."

"Ew, imagine being your classmate? I'd rather die."

She let out a soft laugh, already nearing the Mikaelson compound. "Yeah, now that I think of it, you'd be an insufferable study buddy."

"Good thing I don't like group projects anyway. Listen, I'll call you tomorrow, alright? I just had an idea and I want to do some planning."

"Sure. Goodnight, CobraKai. Thanks for picking up."

"Goodnight, Trixter."

He hung up, and with a smile still on her face, she tucked her phone away and entered the compound, going upstairs to Klaus's room. She found him pouring himself a drink.

"If it isn't the Heretic," said Klaus, already sensing it was her. "Have you come to hound me regarding what's happened? I can only imagine the things you were saying about me to your siphon boyfriend."

"I don't talk about you to Kai, who, like I've said a million times, is not my boyfriend," said Beatrix, leaning into the doorway. "It wasn't even you, was it? You didn't kill Aiden."

"Of course not, Beatrix, but I do not wish to get into an explanation of that," answered the hybrid harshly, turning to face her and looking unamused. "I have already been talking to Camille about it." He took a sip of his drink and brushed past her, heading toward his art room. With a frustrated growl, Beatrix followed.

"Klaus, you don't need to make yourself seem like a dickwad just for shits and giggles! You say you want the werewolf army ready to help you, and now you have them believing you killed one of their own!"

He whirled around just before entering the next room, and pointed his finger in her face. "Don't you dare lecture me right now, witch!" he spat furiously. He turned into the room, and the two found Elijah already there, holding a paintbrush and looking out the window.

"You put them in the paint," said Elijah, turning to Klaus. "Father's ashes, the earth from sacred ground, all hidden in plain sight."

"What are you doing here?" asked Klaus. "You're supposed to be guarding Hayley."

"She's gone," said Elijah. "She and Jackson took Hope, and you will not find them, brother."

"You helped Hayley escape?" Klaus snarled. "With my daughter?" He turned to Beatrix, but Elijah drew his attention back.

"I assure you, Beatrix had nothing to do with it," said the elder Original. "She'd only just left when we formed the plan. Someone had to protect the child."

Klaus immediately launched himself at Elijah, shoving him backward onto the railing. "HOW DARE YOU?!" he bellowed.

"Klaus, stop it!" cried Beatrix, running forward as Elijah shoved Klaus away. "Elijah— please, he didn't kill Aiden!"

Klaus simply held his hand up to prevent her from getting closer. "I'm a hybrid, Elijah," he sneered, "why provoke a fight you cannot win?"

Elijah simply moved forward and extracted a dagger, stabbing it into Klaus's heart. Beatrix leapt back in surprise as Klaus let out a loud yell, staggering against his brother. "For Hope," said Elijah quietly as Klaus began to desiccate. He dropped him to his knees, and Beatrix turned wildly as Rebekah and Freya entered the room.

"He didn't kill Aiden!" cried Beatrix. "Why— why did you do that?!"

"Even if he did not kill him, he would prove a problem now that Hayley seeks to run with Hope," said Elijah calmly as Freya moved to examine Klaus, making sure the dagger was lodged in properly.

"So you're just going to let her run away with only wolves to defend them?" shrieked the Heretic.

"The wolves are more than capable of helping her—"

"No they aren't! Even with such numbers, Dahlia will defeat them easily! You— did— did you even think to cast more protective spells before they left? A series of cloaking spells, to mask their presence and maybe change their appearance? An anti-tracking spell to secure them from locator spells? A concealment spell for backup? An enhancement spell to make sure the wolves have a bit more strength? What about a shield against Dahlia's proxy spell? You— you should have fucking told me!"

Elijah was silent, and Rebekah slowly moved forward to touch her arm. "Beatrix, I know it was sudden, but we—"

They all went silent when the bells of the St. Louis Cathedral began to toll. The open window let the sound flood in— the eerie and familiar tune that Dahlia whistled not long before.

"She bested us with ease— Hope is just in more danger now!" insisted Beatrix when the bells came to a chilling stop. "None of you thought ahead!" She knelt beside Klaus, still contemplating what to do. Her fingers twitched, wondering if perhaps she'd be fast enough to pull the dagger out and run with it...

When she stood and turned around, Rebekah very suddenly slapped some anti-magic manacles on her. "What the fuck is this for?" Beatrix snarled.

"I know you're considering undaggering him," she said quietly. "And we can't have you do that."

"So what, you're going to have me roaming around with my hands tied like a prisoner?"

Freya shook her head. "Not roaming around. You'll be spelled into your room."

Beatrix looked up at Elijah desperately. "Seriously? Seriously! You're letting them do this to me?"

"I do not wish to see you like this, Beatrix," said Elijah gently. "But I can see the look on your face. If you will not put your magic away, then we will simply let you sit with the plan for a bit, until you decide how you would like to help. We're all doing this for Hope, not for each other. I will not let harm come to my niece because you are being rash in your dislike of Hayley."

"No, what you're doing is locking me away so I'm not a problem," she whispered bitterly, beginning to tear up. "You're doing to me just what the Gemini Coven did. Because I'm not acting the way you'd like me to. Because I'm not the person you want me to be. If I'm not subdued, you see me as a threat. Don't pretend you're locking me away for Hope's sake. Because if it was for Hope, you would have told me so I could have done many spells to protect her. You're locking me away because you know I agree with Klaus."

"You are his sireling, and as such, you are more likely to follow him. I can see that, as much as I do not wish to believe it. My brother will do more harm than good for his daughter. I cannot have you aiding him in that. Please, understand what we are trying to do. You love Hope as much as we do."

Beatrix glared at him, tears now steadily rolling down his cheeks. To him, perhaps, this made sense. But she knew he saw her as a threat to Hayley, not to Hope. Elijah didn't understand her pain, her trauma. Hearing the story wasn't enough. She hadn't spoken with him in detail yet, because of everything that was happening. He didn't know how much it hurt her to know that he thought this was best for everyone.

"I've spelled the manacles so that you can't break them," said Freya as she and Rebekah led her to her room. "But, if you tap them against the floor three times, I will be alerted that you wish to speak, and we can come together to chat about how you want to help, if that's the decision you come to."

Beatrix said nothing, and walked into her room, ignoring the two as they chanted a spell to keep her in there. She kept her back to them, not wanting them to see the tears still flooding down her face.

"I'm sorry, Trix," said Rebekah softly. "We don't want you to get hurt because you side with my brother. Klaus brings destruction. I worry you'll get caught in the crossfire."

"Cast a silencing charm," she said blankly, not acknowledging what she said. "I don't want to hear anything that's going on in this bloody house, and I don't want you all hearing me."

Freya and Rebekah shared a look. They conceded, and left right as they performed the charm. When they closed the door, Beatrix let out a loud, angry scream, slamming the manacles onto her own lap, and beginning to sob angrily.

Were they seeing something she was not?

Yes. As Elijah paced his room, he couldn't help but worry. They had not noticed the signs of madness in her before, until it was too late. But now, they could recognize it. The tiniest of ticks under her eye, when she was getting worked up. How her pupils started to dilate faster each time she got aggravated. Beatrix herself had been the one going mad, and had never seen these things in herself. But Elijah had a gut feeling. And the devil be damned if he wasn't going to take the safe route this time. No, he would not force her to shut away her magic. But in his mind, he felt he had to act early to let her sit out a battle that might solidify the fragility that she had not yet tuned into. Though he was aware that his methods were greatly flawed, he did not know what else to do. Letting her be free had yielded poor results in the past, as there was more and more that would anger her with each passing day. Isolation had healed her in the past, letting her get her fury out by herself, in a safe space, so that her mind would be eased in a way that it wouldn't with interaction in the outside world.

Of course, there was no proper method to cure the madness within.

It was what she was born with. A time would come when there would be no stopping her mental destruction. There was no witch in that world who could understand how her brain worked. It wouldn't be until years later that anyone would have even a chance at comprehending the complexity surrounding Beatrix La Salle. Because the problem lay in the fact that no one really knew much about the Mayans. No supernatural being knew about Chamer's magic, or the fine details behind Ixazaluoh's bargain, or the way that a being could be changed after being born with dark magic. Beatrix was meant to have died already, years ago, before her birthright of black magic could start to affect her. But her Heretic nature was keeping her alive, and as time went on, it was damaging her.

But naturally, no one knew the implications.

She had cried and screamed and thrown things around, kicking and thrashing and finally curling up on her bed, whimpering. She didn't know how to cope properly. Usually, a good scream or two would produce a burst of magic that alleviated her. But with the manacles, she was getting no relief.

She hadn't slept consistently through the night. Nightmare after nightmare plagued her mind. The smallest of noises was making her paranoid, frantic, and she twitched and turned and sought a comfortable place, to no avail.

It was early the next day when her door opened, and she saw Elijah. Her face was stained from how much she'd cried, and she looked downright miserable. However, the anger was mostly burned out, and with pained gratefulness, the Original hoped that this was a good sign.

"Itza," he said, stepping past the barrier. She was too weak to get up. "I'm so sorry."

"If you were sorry, you wouldn't have trapped me," she said hoarsely.

He let out a sigh. "I spoke with Camille. She told me about Klaus's admittance to not killing Aiden. At least, I am pleased my brother did not harm that innocent man." He walked over to her dresser, observing the items on it. "Cami is going to help Davina and Rebekah for today, therefore, if you ask Freya to release you, the Claire tomb will have those three ready to welcome you to their project. I do not believe Freya is on board with what they are planning, but you may like it."

"Oh, Freya's not on board?" scoffed Beatrix lightly.

"No. She wishes to have Hope as a decoy to trap Dahlia. The others are finding a way around that, to not endanger her. Rebekah assures me they will figure something out."

"You're trusting Rebekah, who's started practicing magic for the first time in her life only weeks ago?"

"I trust Rebekah with my life," he answered, turning to face her.

She glared up. "Is there ever going to be anything between us again, or should I stop tormenting myself over that?" she grumbled bluntly.

He gave her a saddened look. "I do not know. I wish I did, and I apologize for everything being so complicated. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, and yet, it's all I'm doing."

"You can change that, you know. Hayley is married now. You're still pining after her. It's unfair to Jackson. Maybe you don't care about me anymore, and maybe Hayley will only ever see Jackson as a friend, but he is new to this Mikaelson drama and that sucks, because he's the odd one out. He doesn't deserve this. He's a good man, Elijah. And I don't like having problems with Hayley. I thought we might be friends, but it's clear the both of us don't like the idea of the other as competition. You can choose to act better."

"I am not choosing either of you," he stated. "I will not contribute to growing hatred between you. I have strayed away from Hayley. I believe you and I should remain only friends. We were that, once. Eventually... I would of course like something more to blossom again. But I fear I will only hurt you if I rush into it." He pursed his lips. "Do you not feel it, Itza? That feeling seeks to destroy you again. It's trying to take over you."

"Then let it take over!" she hissed, feeling her eyes watering once more. Everything was too complicated, and she hated it. "It's about time I died anyway."

"You don't mean that, Itza..."

"Don't I? You don't know me as well as you think you do, Elijah."

He reached for her phone, which lay flat on the dresser, and held it up. He seemed to click a few things before raising it to his ear, the dial tone ringing.

"Hey, Trixter," came Kai's voice.

"Malachai Parker, I presume?" said Elijah, the smallest of smirks on his face as Beatrix straightened up and looked at him in surprise.

There was a deadly silent pause. "Let me guess, Elijah Mikaelson."

"Yes. I have here Beatrix, who I think would very much like to speak with you. She believes I do not know her very well, but I believe I am correct in assuming that in her present state, you are the only one who she will not snarl at."

"What the hell did you do to her?" Kai demanded harshly, and Beatrix could picture him sneering. "Make no mistake, Mikaelson, if I find out that you hurt her—"

"I assure you, she is in one piece. Disheveled and clearly in need of outlet, but alive. I would not dare harm her."

"Pass the phone to her now." His tone was commanding, and Elijah raised his eyebrows slightly, looking at Beatrix as if he was amused. He went closer and handed it to her. She took it shakily and held it up to her ear. "Kai?" she said softly.

"What's wrong? What the fuck happened?"

Beatrix looked up at Elijah, who seemed to take the cue to leave the room. When the door shut, she started to cry again. "T-They locked me up," she whimpered lightly. "I..."

Between sobs, she explained what'd happened. Somehow, Kai was able to understand her, and at the end, he let out a quiet sigh. Then, in Spanish, he whispered a few soothing words, from things he'd heard her say in the prison world. Though he hadn't applied himself to learn the language, he'd heard her speak it to herself a few times, along with French, and had picked up a few things that he knew to be statements to calm her down. She sniffled, and he kept repeating the words over and over, gentle lullabies without a tune that he was hoping would calm her down.

"Hey, listen, I got to go," he told her with unnatural softness. "But hang on for me, alright? It's going to be fine."

Sadly, she nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "A-Alright," she whispered. "T-Thank you..."

He had hung up and she had started to cry again, curling up into a little ball and forcing herself to try and sleep again. He had likely run out of nice things to say. That was always how it was when he comforted her— at one point he'd just stop abruptly because he wasn't sure what else to add if she wasn't already calming down. He didn't have the patience to wait by her side for her to cheer up.

It was around lunchtime when she woke up, and found someone had placed some food for her on her dresser while she rested. A meager sandwich— probably brought by one of the wolves who had access to the compound, because otherwise, she was sure the person would have tried to make contact.

She had only eaten half of it, and had flopped back onto her bed boredly, glaring at the manacles. She would have been able to break through them, similarly to how Freya had, but these had been spelled to prevent that, and without siphoning, she could do nothing.

There was a knock on her door. "Go away," she said weakly, even though whoever was outside wouldn't hear her. Another knock, and she growled. "Go away!"

The door opened, and she nearly fainted. Standing in the doorway was none other than Kai Parker, one hand gripping onto the handle.

"Well, it was easy enough to figure out which room was yours," he said casually. "The only one with the door closed. This place is ridiculously empty, I thought there would be more people here?"

She was still staring at him, perplexed. Was she dreaming?

"Oh, come on, does it really come as a shock that I'm here?" he said, pressing his palm onto the wall and beginning to siphon. "While we were on call, I booked a flight. Pretty cheap, especially when you can spell someone into paying for you. Hitched a nice ride, too, first class. Enjoyed a mimosa. Had enough magic in me to do a locator spell when I arrived, and just a teensy bit more to make sure no one was home except you and Klaus. Who, of course, is still daggered. I'm not here to free him, though, just you."

He finished siphoning, and Beatrix felt the air clear, as the silencing and barrier spells came down. Kai moved forward and siphoned the manacles next, inhaling loudly. "Mmm, this is a good amount of magic. I'll be very pleased with this," he said, tearing the manacles off the instant the spell fell. "I have to leave now, though. If that witch put the spell I think she did, she'll be here in no time, and she can't catch either of us here. At least, you're free to—"

He didn't finish. She jumped into his arms and pulled him in for a tight hug, trying not to cry, since they didn't have much time. "You came all the way here for me?" she whispered into his chest.

"Duh. Does it look like I came for the food? Ooh, speaking of food, I'll take that sandwich." While still holding onto her, he reached one hand out to grasp the rest of her food, as if wanting to avoid discussing how affectionate she was being.

She had pulled away, and he'd cast her a smirk. "Feeling better now?"

"Much better," she breathed, looking up at him and bringing a hand to brush away a few messy strands of his hair.

When she leaned in to kiss him, he met her halfway.