"Anything you want to talk about?" Antoinette asked Marcel as they sat together on the sofa.

"Since when are you so chatty?" Marcel asked back.

"I'm not being chatty," she said. "I'm concerned about you, you idiot. Now, what exactly is the story with you and Klaus Mikaelson? I know he adopted you when you were a kid, but you've barely said anything else."

"Nettie, you don't need to worry about the Mikaelsons," Marcel replied. "They're not going to cause any problems I can't handle."

"Well, Davina hates them," Antoinette pointed out. "Josh probably does, too, since he tends to side with her on things."

"Nettie, everyone hates the Mikaelsons. They cause problems and make enemies wherever they go. It's just their thing."

"Is Klaus your rival for Cami's affections, then?" she asked.

She could sense him stiffen next to her. "Now, that's just none of your business."

"Well, I am your roommate. If you're going to be bringing girls home, I feel that I should know about it."

~~~~~~

Antoinette dreamed about Janie again that night. It was always a bad dream, though, with the fighting and screaming, and always ending with the crash...

The sky was just beginning to lighten when she awoke. She sat up in bed and put her head in her hands, propping her elbows up against her knees. She didn't have those nightmares as often as she used to, but they could still come around unexpectedly. She sometimes wondered if they would ever leave her alone for good, and was scared of the idea that they might never go away.

Something made her decide to get out of bed and get dressed rather than just mope around. Perhaps, she thought, she would go out for a walk. She doubted many people were out this early, and she could have a little time to herself.

As she went out, the sun was only just beginning to rise, and there were very few people out. That was better for her, she thought, because she could have some solitude.

"Antoinette?"

She turned to see Cami walking towards her.

"Hi, Cami," she said cautiously. "Um, what are you doing up this early?"

"I walk this way early in the mornings sometimes," Cami answered. "It's nice to just walk down the street and breathe in the fresh air. What about you?"

"Um, I'm not usually out this time of the day." I'm not usually out at all. "I woke up early and thought I'd come outside."

"Oh. Well, would you like to walk with me?"

Antoinette nodded with little hesitation, and the women began to walk down the sidewalk together.

"So, do you live with Marcel?" Cami asked.

"Yes. We're roommates."

"Are you a vampire, too?"

Antoinette nodded. "For many years now."

"Do you know the Mikaelsons?"

"Oh, no. They were way before my time. I haven't hung out with them since their recent return, either; I only just met Klaus Mikaelson at the party the other night. It's very clear that he and Marcel have...a difficult relationship. Are you friends with Klaus Mikaelson?"

"I guess you could say so," Cami answered. "He and I have...well, we've gotten close. I like him."

"Oh. So, did you and Marcel really go on a date last week? I don't think he mentioned anything about a date."

"Oh, yeah, we just went out for dinner. Marcel was his usual charming self." She paused, as if she were thinking about something. "I like Marcel. I really do."

Antoinette could sense there was a 'but' in there somewhere, so she waited to see if Cami would say anything else. When she didn't, she said, "I know it probably isn't my place to say anything, but if you're not interested in dating Marcel, you should probably tell him so. He doesn't always know how to take a hint."

Cami sighed. "I know. I'm going to. I like Marcel, and I like being friends with him, but I can't date him. It's just not going to work. Hey, why don't we swing around back to your place? You must want to get home."

Antoinette nodded, and they went back towards her building.

"Hey, come by Rousseau's sometime when I'm on shift," Cami said. "I'll be happy to see you. It was nice talking to you, Antoinette."

"You, too," Antoinette said softly as Cami walked away.