Gabriel gets off of the phone just as he arrives to Marcels loft. Niklaus had called him to inform him of their mothers latest scheme. Starting with breakfast in the compound this morning to inviting them all to dinner in their own compound. His mother had always been one for the theatrics, he supposes that's where he and his siblings got it from. Yet, he somehow still can't believe the audacity of the old hag.

"I wondered when you'd show up. Your pupil's waiting. it's not like you to shirk your responsibilities." Marcel sends a smirk Gabriels way.

"I'm afraid that's not why I came. I was wondering if you had a cooperative witch on hand?" He glances around the loft in curiosity.

"I don't know where Davina is, and given the fact that she's got your father on a leash, I wouldn't put her in the, uh, "cooperative" category." Marcel snarks, receiving a ver unamused expression from Gabriel.

"Not Davina. Perhaps another witch? On another leash?" He suggests.

"What makes you think I got another witch?" Marcel raises a defensive brow. "And you're a witch... why cant you do whatever it is you need from one?"

Gabriel purses his lips. "That's none of your concern. But Perhaps the daylight ring on your new librarian?" He points at Gia who looks mildly offended.

"Good point! My memory's a little shaky. Lucky for you, though, I know someone who can help! Gia?" He beckons her over and places an arm around her shoulders. "Why don't you take Gabriel to meet our friend Lenore? Mikael's back, witches causing chaos. It just seems like you could use all the friends that you can get."

Gabriel sighs, stuffing his hands in his coat pockets. Gesturing towards the door with his head, Gia reluctantly follows the man out.

—

Gia and Gabriel are on their way to see the witch marcel had pointed them towards. Gia glances around awkwardly. "So, you're not much of a talker, huh? No problem. Last guy I hung out with, he wouldn't shut up, so... guess I'm due for a change." She rambles.

"In all my years of living I've come to learn that silence is a much better companion than any company." He stoically says before walking faster. Gia looks unimpressed and jogs to catch up.

"You wanna walk in silence? Cool. But, you're going the wrong way. " Gabriel stops.

"Marcel believes I can instruct you. First lesson, do your best not to waste my time." He says in annoyance, realizing they've wasted time.

—

When they walk into Lenores store she is at the front check out desk, where she is grinding herbs. "Go away, I'm busy."

Gabriel raises an unimpressed brow. "Yes, blatantly practicing magic, I see."

"Herbal remedies for a neighbor who lost her insurance. But, my guess is an Original ain't here to talk neighborhood gossip." The woman slightly scowls.

"I have a favor to ask you." Gabriel states in a softer tone.

Lenore waves him off. "Quarter's crawling with witches, go ask one of them."

"It's unfortunate, isn't it? Bureacracy has not been kind to your community. Those tax incentives on local businesses have been stalling for months. Of course, a persuasive person could potentially remove any red tape." Gabriel innocently bribes as he looks around the shop.

Lenore looks up, interested. "I'm listening."

Gabriel nods in satisfaction. "A certain someone...let's say a witch, has a troublesome tendency of jumping into other bodies. When she does so again, I would like to know into whom she jumps."

"Soul -branding. It's a sacrificial spell. I'm gonna need an item that's been spelled by the witch in question, and a python." She quickly sums up.

Gabriel smiles. "I shall retrieve the enchanted item. My partner will take care of the python."

They exit the store and Gia looks at him horrified. "Ew, what?"

"Second lesson of the day , acquisition through mind compulsion." He gives her a cheeky smirk and walks off.

"How the hell do I do mind compulsion?" She yells but he's already gone.

—

Gabriel reluctantly heads to the compound when Elijah had texted him saying they have more important information. When he walks in he avoids Hayleys eyes and takes a stand next to his brothers. "Marcel's witch is being held captive in the Quarter." She informs the three, her eyes lingering on Gabriel longer than the others.

"Oh, perfect. Mother's a step ahead, as usual." klaus sarcastically chirps.

"Oliver's with her. I'll go, and I'll get her to do the spell. But, I need the necklace." She looks at each of them intently.

"I don't like this whatsoever" Gabriel starts to sat but Hayley cuts him off. "No. You don't get to ignore me for days and then suddenly act like you're concerned, Gabriel. Just, for once, please, will you trust me that I'll do something and it will get done?"

Gabriel sends her a look of disbelief. "Now, now Hayley don't believe that just because i love you and my brothers are here that I wont set the record straight. Ive told you multiple times that the choice was up to you, that you could choose to be with me and I would fight for you. You didn't choose, and treated me like trash for months while we were grieving. So I chose for you, do not put me at fault for something that was your doing."

The brothers both look around feeling slightly awkward being in the middle of the lovers quarrel. Klaus gives her the necklace and she silently goes to take her leave. "Wait. A disciple of Marcel's was instructed to fetch another ingredient. Ask for Gia."

"Okay." She quietly states and leaves.

"What's going on with you two?" Klaus looks to his brother with wide eyes.

"Shut up." Gabriel deadpans as he too leaves the compound.

—

Gabriel later arrives to the compound wearing a nice suit. Klaus looks annoyed as he fixes his tie. "Are these outfits really necessary?"

"Appearance is a way of showing respect, Niklaus. Mother will be more likely to surrender her true intentions." Elijah calmly explains.

"I for one have no respect for that old hag, hate her actually." Gabriel makes his entrance.

"We need every advantage we can get, Niklaus." Elijah reprimands.

"You always did excel in diplomacy. Just know, if she tries anything, I'll tear her new body to pieces." Klaus warns, Gabriel nodding in agreement.

Suddenly a dark skinned man by the name of Vincent enters the room laughing very loudly. "You two haven't changed a bit!Linens and silk to disguise your pathetic self -loathing. And you, despite the arrogant facade, you're still the same paranoid little boy, full of hate and fear." He then looks to Gabriel. "Dear Gabriel, always caring for his lousy siblings instead of taking care of himself."

Elijah approaches the man. "Forgive me, I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

The man mocks offense. "Oh, you mean you don't recognize me? So much for the unbreakable bonds of family, huh? Always and forever indeed."

Gabriel loudly groans, slumping into a table seat and Klaus scowls. "It's been a long time, Finn."

Said man smirks. "Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's eat!"

—

Elijah pours Finn a glass of wine, raising a brow when Finn smells it. "What an aromatic bordot."

"Well, it was a challenge to find a good pairing. What wine goes well with treachery?" Klaus mock pouts.

"Don't pout, brother. Tonight is meant to be a happy occasion!" Finn smiles whispering something in one of the servers ears.

"What exactly are we celebrating?" Gabriel sighs.

"Why, my return, of course! Remember, I spent nine hundred years lying daggered in a box. I'm rather enjoying this new body. Strolling about your lovely city that, uh, you've made your home. But, do tell me... what'd I miss? Regale me with your contributions to society! Medicine? Philosophy? Art? Or, have you two merely cut a path of destruction across time?" Finn smiles towards Elijah and Klaus.

The only problem he had ever really had with Gabriel was that he protected their other siblings.

"The last time we met, you were helping our mother try to annilate the lot of us! Let's not throw stones in glass houses." Klaus reminds him.

"Are we expecting another guest?" Gabriel questions when the waiter places two extra plates down on the table, though he already knows the answer.

"Mother will sit at the head. And, as for the seat across from me, that's reserved for another of our clan. Care to wager an educated guess? How about a paranoid one?" Finn smiles.

"Well, there's no way Kol would listen to anything other than his ego or Gabriel." Klaus scoffs.

"And yet, our mother has made such a compelling argument that even he, the wildest of us Mikaelsons, has seen the error of his ways and accepted his new form, with vigor! Change, dear brothers, is inevitable." Finn toasts.

"You would dare face us as a mortal? The only thing inevitable is your death." Klaus rages, throwing a knife directly towards him but he deflects it with his magic, and it goes flying into an empty chair.

He grabs the knife out of the chair and holds it out to Gabriel. "I suppose the honor of carving should go to the oldest. We have much to discuss."

—

"I'm rather enjoying my evening." Finn says, breaking the tense silence of the room.

Klaus, whom is getting quite impatient and frustrated says. "Well, I'd rather enjoy you getting to the point."

Finn looks all of them dead in the eye. "I had nine hundred years to learn to be patient. Although, I am curious why you kept me daggered in a box for so long."

"You were daggered from being am ever simpering sycophant. Did Mother bring you back from the dead so you could wash her knickers?" Klaus smirks.

Gabriel sighs as he notices Finn becoming more furious with every word Niklaus speaks. "She raised me because I was treated unfairly! Cheated of all but the smallest portion of my life! Elijah, I can understand such cruelty coming from him, but I always thought of you as being the compassionate one! What did I do to deserve you turning your back on me? Were you afraid of Niklaus? Are you still? Or perhaps jealousy is what kept me locked in a box? Gabriel, You coveted the duties of the eldest brother, in which case you had near on a millenium to fix the problems of this family, and instead, produced nine centuries of failure."

" You might reside somewhat parasitically, I might add in another body, but I assure you, in nine hundred years, your tedious sentiments remain quite the same. You see, Finn, like Father, you've always despised our supernatural existence. Father, of course, slaughtered and consumed his own, whereas you became pretentious and dull. Much like this meal. I will not ask you again, where is Mother?" Elijah questions as Klaus sniggers at his words.

Suddenly Cassie, whom Gabriel assumes is the body his mother took over arrives. She looks towards Elijah. "Oh, my darling son. I've missed you, too."

"Why don't you say what you came here to say, so this wretched night can end?" Klaus complains.

"It pains me that you three look at me with such disdain. I wish you could see that my every action has been to protect you!" She pleads.

"You actually believe that, don't you?" Gabriel tilts his head in mock pity. "I knew you were a liar, but now I see you're utterly delusional."

Esther turns to Klaus. "If you can forget the hatred that you cling to and remember all the times I've mended and healed you.Elijah, do you recall the day Niklaus challenged your father to a duel? Did I leave your brother to die alone? What did I say, when you came to me and asked me to help him?"

Elijah sighs. "That you would rather die than to see any of your children suffer."

They all seem to be remembering something that Gabriel wasn't there for and Klaus suddenly looks horrified. "The necklace. It wasn't spelled to protect me. It made me weak."

"I sought to protect you from yourself! If you had killed your father in that duel, or anyone else in the course of your life, you would have activated your curse!" Esther argues,

Klaus slams his hand angrily against the dining room table. "You ruined me! You left me to suffer at the hands of a father who valued only strength!"

"I kept you from becoming a beast for as long as I possibly could!" She shouts back.

"Oh, you lied to me! To hide your own transgressions because of your own fear! My whole life, I sought the approval I was denied by the man I thought was my father! You turned me into the weakling he hated. Look at me! You rant and you rave about the monster I have become, but you, Mother , you are the author of everything I am." He screams in anger. Gabriel looks deep in thought. Mikael had never treated him differently when they were children, though he is proof that Esther's affair started long before Niklaus.

He only looks up when she begins gasping for breath. Finn only looks slightly alarmed and Elijah catches her limp body. "She's gone." He states.

Elijah goes to attack Finn but he uses his magic to push him into a wall and over a table. Klaus speeds towards him and manages to grab him by his collar. "Where is she?"

Finn blows on his fingers and rubs them together. Klaus falls to the floor in pain and unconscious as Finn looks around frantically. Spotting his older brother still sitting calmly at the tables in thought he narrows his eyes. "What happened to your magic?"

"None of your concern." Gabriel blandly states.

Finn goes to attack but Gabriel raises a warning brow at his brother. The same look he has given all of his siblings multiple times in the millennia of them being together. The warning look before one of them attacks them that he is not in the mood, and they all know from experience that anytime he is like that, they will not win. Finn reluctantly rushes out of the compound as Gabriel looks at his two brothers in annoyance.

—

They all rush out of the house to go rescue Hayley. "Why would she want Hayley?" Elijah questions.

"To kill her, to punish us, to learn the truth about the child, for one of any number of reasons. All of which will be rendered moot when I send her screaming back to hell." Klaus grits his teeth.

Klaus rushes towards Hayley when they first arrive. "I assume you've had the misfortune of speaking to my mother?"

Esther pick up a handful of some powder and throws it towards Klaus creating a barrier.

"You hide behind your spells like a coward!" Klaus shouts.

"I did not come here to wage war!" She yells, doing the same to put Elijah into a barrier spell as well.

"Everything you do is an act of war. If you touch her, so help me-" Gabriel growls, his amber eyes glowing bright. He knew she wouldn't put a barrier spell up for him because he was strong enough to simply walk through it. Or so she thinks.

"Hayley is free to go. I've spoken my piece, she knows why I'm here. I have come to heal our family, Gabriel." Esther calmly interrupts.

"Well, that's a grand sentiment, coming from you." Klaus snorts before turning to Hayley. "Go. Now."

As Hayley turns to leave Esther makes the lightbulb above her shatter. Gabriel rushes towards the woman to shield her from the glass. As Esther speaks again Hayley raises her head from his chest and they make eye contact. "My intent was never to harm! Only to heal, as I have already healed your brothers Finn and Kol. For you, I will undo everything that has been done, thereby giving you a new life! One without the vampire curse I inflicted upon you. Ask Hayley to share with you my loving proposition."

"You're a fool if you think we'll accept anything that you offer!" Klaus shouts, Gabriel pulls Hayley closer into his chest, afraid of what his mother will do to her if he were to let her go.

"Oh, you are wrong, Niklaus!" The earth continues to rubber and she opens her arms wide. "There will come a time, my darlings, that you will beg for it!"

Suddenly the glass windows shatter and the glass flies towards them all along with hundreds of starlings. Gabriel throws himself and Hayley to the ground with his body hovering over hers protectively.

—

The three Mikaelsons and Hayley stand in the court yard discussing everything that had happened today. "Of course she used those damn birds to make her offer!"

"Besides the offer of rebirth, what else did she say?" Elijah curiously looks towards Hayley.

"I don't know, she rambled a lot. She blamed the two of you for what happened to Hope, to me." She says looking towards Klaus and Elijah. Looking towards Gabriel she guiltily states. "She told me you nearly died because of me."

Klaus stops his pacing to stares at her. "Well, I hope you're not thinking of taking her offer?"

Gabriel watches interested when Hayley looks down in shame. "HAYLEY. I'm talking to you!"

Hayley stands. "What do you want me to say, Klaus? I lost my daughter. So, yeah, when your mother offers to wipe the slate clean, excuse me if I'm tempted." She storms off.

—

Gabriel joins Gia at a bar across the river. "Bourbon, neat." he requests when the bartender looks towards him.

Gia lifts her head. "What? You need another python?"

Gabriel smiles. "One can never have too many. Are you playing tonight?"

She shakes her head. "I don't think so. Ever since I turned, I haven't been able to play. I don't know why."

Gabriel suddenly feels the urge to comfort her. "It's different for us. Cadence, rhythm, harmony... our experience of the senses is altered. We move faster, we hear things with a greater acuity. Silences are at once longer and more profound. Sound is simply different to our ears. And then, there is the emotion. For a vampire, it is extremely heightened. Sometimes it's difficult to express."

Gia looks to him in confusion. "Yeah, that's, uh... that's exactly it."

"Your music, the joy you felt when playing... you can learn again. I can help you." he offers,

"Why?" Gia looks towards him suspiciously.

He shrugs. "Because if someone had done the same thing for my siblings, I'm quite certain history would have unfolded differently."

—