While Hayley explained what had happened, Frankie sunk to the ground, sitting on a tree stump with her hands on her throbbing head. Though they were safe, she still couldn't relax, needing to push the bubble of anxiety threatening to return as she worried about how to explain to Elijah why she'd left him all those months ago.

"I should take you home," Elijah said softly, his face furrowed with concern as they flickered between Frankie and Hayley and the ordeal they'd just endured.

"Are you serious?" Hayley spat, "Home to what?"

"Look, regardless of my brothers intentions, mine remain the same. I said that I would protect you, even, if need be, from Klaus himself."

"I can take care of myself," Hayley snapped, "I've done it for a long time."

Hayley stormed off in frustration and Elijah turned to Frankie his brows furrowing, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she sighed, taking his outstretched hand as he pulled her to her feet and they turned to follow Hayley, "I think Tyler hit my head pretty bad when he knocked me out, I keep getting dizzy."

She tried to continue walking after her new friend, concerned by her exploring the woods alone lest Klaus still hadn't killed Tyler but Elijah grabbed her arm gently, pulling her to a stop and turning her towards him. As his fingers reached up to her face, she squeezed her eyes shut, feeling his fingers graze against the cheek Tyler had hit and then slowly moving around to the back of her head. When his hand grazed the wound, she flinched away, jolting her face towards him as she escaped the probing of his hand that even with the gentlest of touch caused a wave of pain to shoot through her.

"Let me heal you," Elijah offered, biting into his wrist and holding it up to her.

Though she didn't want it, she really didn't want the metallic taste invading her mouth nor the feeling of it pulling from his wrist, she did want the relief she knew it would bring and so reluctantly her hands landed on his arm and she pulled it to her mouth.

"Thanks," she said, gratefully taking the handkerchief he tugged out as she pulled away, using it to wipe the blood from her mouth, "Ugh I wish I could heal like you, my head's been hurting since I woke up. Let's catch up to Hayley, I don't want her alone in the woods."

"Are you alright?" he asked again, his arm catching and holding her in place though with none of the pain nor fear coursing through her body that she'd felt when Tyler held her still, "It's been months and when I saw your skateboard laying on the porch, I-."

"I'm okay," she nodded, "Come on, Elijah."

It was clear Elijah didn't believe her, not in the slightest, but with a short nod he took her arm again, quickly speeding them to Hayley who was very nearly at the hut they'd been held at, a victorious Klaus standing with a malicious grin outside.

"There you are," Klaus called, "I see you've found our wandering stray and your lost puppy, what a relief. Perhaps you could shed some light on the situation. This," here he paused to kick Dwayne's corpse over, "appears to be a hybrid."

"His name was Dwayne," Frankie told him, annoyed by the disrespect Klaus showed the corpse despite Dwayne's original intentions.

"Well, whoever it was, I didn't sire him," Klaus looked between the three expectantly, "Any idea how that's possible?"

"As if you didn't know," Hayley yelled, stepping forwards aggressively before Elijah tugged her back behind him, moving to stand in front of both Frankie and Hayley.

"Ahh," Klaus grinned a false smile, "well aren't you two fast friends. How do you feel about this Francesca, not too jealous I hope about Elijah's bond in your absence? So, come on then. What kind of horrible accusation have you conspired to levy against me?"

Though Frankie knew Klaus was acting on rage, taunting her to try and get a rise out of her she was a little surprised at the tingle of jealousy she felt bubble up. It was ridiculous, she was the one who'd broken things between them apart, who had run the moment they started getting closer. She had left the moment she felt herself opening up to him, uncomfortable with how close they'd gotten and how intimately she felt he knew her in such a short time.

She pushed her fears away with a roll of her eyes, not wanting to allow Klaus the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten under her skin. Elijah stepped forwards and Frankie noted that he now stood between her and Klaus directly as though his body could shield her from Klaus' attempts to bury his words deep into her.

"Tyler Lockwood brought Hayley here to test a theory," Elijah explained, his voice curt with frustration, Klaus nodded and Elijah continued, "That the blood of her child could be used to sire hybrids. He claims that you knew that. Furthermore, that you intended to use the knowledge to build an army."

While Frankie had at first thought that Tylers theory was correct, she'd remembered Klaus' passion for hybrids and his unwavering demand for more, at the flicker of pain that entered his face she was sure it was false. The pain didn't stay for long, his features soon hardening into anger, rage encompassing his body at the accusations painted across him.

"And of course, you assume it's true. I mean, why else would I show interest in my own flesh and blood? A heartbroken little crybaby points his finger at me, and my own brother falls in line, eager to believe it! How quickly you believe the worst, especially when it comes from her," as Klaus finished, his hand thrust out accusatorially towards Hayley.

Frankie didn't speak, didn't involve herself but at the hurt that flickered across Hayley's face from Klaus' words she stepped towards her, grasping her hand and squeezing it tightly. Klaus could argue cruelly at the best of times and already it seemed his words were taking hold and hurting Hayley. She knew too that Tylers words rung true in her head and she felt terrible that she was being torn from person to person.

"Oh spare me your indignation," Elijah replied, annoyance crisp in his voice at what he perceived were more lies, "When have you ever demonstrated any kind of concern towards Hayley or her child, beyond your own selfish pursuits? And what was it you once said to me?" here Elijah paused, his voice turning light as he impersonated Klaus, "'Every king needs an heir!'"

"My big brother. So you doubt my intentions? Well, I can't say I'm surprised, standing next to the noble Elijah, how can I be anything but the lesser brother? A liar, a manipulator, a bastard."

As Klaus spoke, he walked towards the trio, the anger was radiating off his body so much so Frankie felt as though she could feel it permeating her skin. Elijah too could feel it, standing steady though she watched as he shifted on his feet, as though deciding whether he needed to prepare to apologise or ready himself for battle.

"That's all I am to you, isn't it?" Klaus continued, "And Rebekah. And judging by the way Hayley hangs on your every word, it's clear she feels the same way. No doubt my child will as well."

"Brother," Elijah said, his voice was kinder now, almost apologetic, "if-"

"You've said all that needs to be said, brother," Klaus cut him off, stepping back and holding his hands out in defeat, "I'll play the role I've been given."

Klaus stepped back, turning away as though he was giving in. Frankie felt Hayley relax beside her and she tightened her grip, knowing that Klaus wouldn't just concede. There was a scream beside her as Klaus spun back around, leaping forward with his fangs out that dug into Elijah's neck in moments. Frankie was stuck, staring in shock and horror as Klaus pulled away, blood dripping from his lips that he wiped away sloppily.

"You enjoy each others company," Klaus spat, "Come, little wolf. They'll have much to bond over, once the hallucinations and dementia set in. Darling Frankie will get to see who Elijah truly is. Consider that bite to be my parting gift to you both."

"Like hell I'm going anywhere with you," Hayley spat.

"I won't ask again," he growled, stepping forwards threateningly, "Now."

"Go," Frankie pushed her gently knowing better than anyone that Klaus wouldn't let her stay when he was so determined to make them all suffer, "go shower, maybe spit in Klaus' face. You know that stubborn little bitch won't let you win an argument."

"I can hear you."

"I'd hope so."

Hayley looked hesitantly between Frankie and Elijah and towards Klaus. She wanted to stay, not just because she didn't want to be near Klaus nor trust him right now, but because she wanted to explore the cabin and the woods where Tyler had told her her pack once lived. There was no chance Klaus was letting her come back here if she left and so she faltered nervously, looking to the cabin with something desperate on her face.

"Little wolf."

"Alright, alright," Hayley snapped, "I heard you the first time, don't be a child."

"Kick him in the shins when you get a chance," Frankie said, tugging Hayley in a hug, "I'll have a look round while we wait and bring back anything interesting. It was nice meeting you by the way, bad time, but uh, nice to get to know you. I love a little life or death on a first hangout, spices up the friendship."

Frankie gave Klaus the middle finger which he caught with a glower just before he grabbed Hayley's arm and sped them both from the campsite, leaving Frankie and Elijah alone.

"Are you okay?" she asked as she turned to Elijah, her hand cautiously rising to tug his collar to the side so she could see the wound Klaus had created, "Should you put some kind of ointment or something on that?"

"The bite won't kill me," he told her, catching her hand as it accidentally grazed the wound, "it's more of a nuisance than anything."

"Right," she nodded, tugging her hand back and turning away from him. His eyes were so focused on her again that she felt herself wanting to collapse under his gaze. She turned and began to walk to the hut instead, "Let's see if there's anything on Hayley's family here."

Before Elijah could reply Frankie had pulled away, entering the hut and approaching the far side to search through a bookshelf for anything interesting. She heard him enter the room and she could feel him as he approached her, not one of the other shelves, but she didn't turn around, pretending not to notice.

"I can take you to the car," Elijah offered, "It's best if I stay away while this passes but you'll be able to drive home and I'll have Rebekah pick me up tomorrow when I've recovered."

"Don't be ridiculous, Elijah," she rolled her eyes, spinning around and noting how close he was stood to her, "I'm not leaving you when you're sick. We can just go home tomorrow. One night in this hut won't kill me."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine," she rolled her eyes and smiled lightly, pushing his chest gently as though she was teasing though really it was so she had more room to breathe, "You healed me, you don't need to keep checking up. Tyler really didn't do much damage."

"That's not what I meant," he told her, his brows furrowed in concern as he noted how her heart that had been beating steadily now sped up, "It's been months."

"Oh."

Frankie could feel her heart begin to race and her nails dig into her skin as she clutched her hands in tight fists. This was the conversation she was frightened of, that she'd been nervous of having ever since she ran that day months ago. She didn't want to talk about how she ran like she was frightened of him nor that she did it even knowing it would hurt him. It wasn't that he did frighten her, not in the slightest, it was the feelings that frightened her and that overwhelmed her.

"Have you been in New Orleans long?"

"Since that day, I just kept catching trains till there was nowhere else to go."

"I apologise for making you feel like you needed to hide-"

"Christ, Elijah," she cut him off with a frown on her face, "You have nothing to apologise for, don't. It's not about you, it was everything, it was all too much. My world was fucking collapsing and I just needed to get out. Fuck, it's a fucking hot box in here, I'm gonna get some air."

Frankie left the hut because that was what she did, the longer she lived in this world the more it seemed clear that when it came to dealing with her emotions, Frankie was very much more motivated by flight than fight.

She nearly tripped as she left, there was a book sitting on the porch that certainly hadn't been there earlier and in her hurry to run from the conversation she'd been in, she only just caught sight of it before it made her fall. Elijah had followed her and by the time she pulled the book up to examine it, he was standing, leaning over her shoulder to look at the object in her hands.

"Someone left this here," she told him, pulling it open and flicking though the pages. She was grateful for the distraction and she was grateful for the ease with which Elijah let the subject change.

"What is it?"

"A bible, it's got some kind of family history going back generations."

"What are these names?" his finger ran down at the page, settling on the final name listed, one born the most recently, "Who is Andrea?"

"I don't know," she replied, equally confused, "Maybe it's one of Hayley's cousins or something? If this is where her family lived, maybe the ones who're still around wanted us to give this to her."

Frankie didn't know where the night went, she remembered reading for a while, she'd flipped though the entirety of the bible and aside from the family tree in the beginning, she hadn't noticed anything unusual. Elijah had searched too but soon he needed to sit as he worked and then he began to lay, taking the bed in the corner where he lay pale and sweaty.

Though Elijah assured her that he would soon recover to full health, Frankie was concerned as she watched him weakening. She'd never seen the full effects of a werewolf bite on a vampire before and it was almost frightening the relative speed with which someone who'd always been in perfect health seemed to decline. Elijah had changed his tune from earlier when he'd suggested she leave, to now practically begging her to leave him alone.

"Please," he begged, she'd just passed him a mug of tea but the fever was so strong that almost as soon as he swallowed, it was coughed back up, "this fever will make me unstable. And once the hallucinations begin, I'll start to see things. You must leave me here."

"I'm not leaving you."

The moment the words passed from her lips a wave of guilt encompassed her body. She wasn't leaving him, not like this and not to lay alone in the woods, but the way she'd said it only reminded her that she had, she'd done exactly this to him before. She'd been the one hurting in that scenario and despite him helping her, the moment she could, she ran.

"I won't forgive myself if I hurt you."

"Elijah," she sighed walking closer. Suddenly he flinched, the entirety of his body convulsing and she rushed over to pull his head onto her lap where it could sit steady, "You're okay, you're okay," she soothed, her hand rising to his head as though to check his temperature, wanting to see if his fever was breaking.

As her hand touched his forehead the world changed around them. She was watching herself, no, not herself, Francesca, the original one, with her porcelain skin and her long dark hair and her blue gown that Klaus had painted. She was in a garden, strolling through and then she turned, a playful grin on her face as a giggle escaped her lips.

She was back, Elijah ceased his writhing in her grip and his hands reached up to grab her arms as though reminding himself that she was there, that she was here with him and real.

"Oh Francesca," he groaned.

Frankie didn't reply, she didn't know if it was best to humour his delusions and ignore the glimpse into his memory that he'd inadvertently allowed or if she should remind him that Francesca was gone. It seemed that the decision was made for her however because as she watched him his face changed from one of longing to one of concern, his brows furrowing and his lip pursing in concern.

"Frankie, I'm so sorry. I thought you were-"

"Francesca," she finished awkwardly as she let out a light chuckle, "Well, good to know dark hair still suits me, haven't had my natural colour since like middle school."

"Did I let you enter my thoughts," he asked, turning to sit up from bed, "I'm not well. I should go. This is-" Elijah cut himself off as a wave of coughs overpowered him.

"This is fine," she said softly, her hands reaching out to gently tug him back to where he'd been laying, "Elijah, you're sick. I'm taking care of you."

"We're being watched," Elijah said suddenly, his face furrowing into a look of concern as his eyes shot to something outside the window.

Frankie stood, she didn't know if whoever Elijah believed was watching was real or if they were a delusion but she rushed to the door anyway, better to know your enemy than to believe you had none.

There was someone there, watching behind the tree line, it was the same woman who they'd seen when Tyler first took them, the one Hayley had implored for help. Almost as soon as she truly laid eyes on her however, the woman was gone, escaping though the trees in moments.

"Whoever she is, she's gone," she told him as she returned to the hut, "I don't think she's against us though."

Elijah was writing in the bed again, though his eyes were open and his face alert, it was as though he didn't hear her words, didn't register what she'd said. It hurt her seeing him like this, seeing him so weak, she wanted to ease his pain, wanted to take it away.

Frankie had spent more time than she'd like to admit predicting the way this reunion would go when Elijah finally found her. She'd spent the time predicting it because she knew it was inevitable. Klaus was determined, she was sure he liked having a method with which to manipulate his brother, and the world wasn't that small when you were a thousand years old and had likely seen everything there was to see.

Regardless, there were many ways she'd predicted their reunion, anger, apologies, hurt, but not this, not Elijah writhing in pain as she watched on helpless to intervene.

His head was in her lap again and her fingers were running through his hair, no longer perfectly styled it now retained the rivets where her fingers brushed through over and over. Her hand passed over his forehead and again she was pulled into another memory of Francesca, though this time rather than her watching on, she was her.

"Ahh," she grinned, twirling around in the pretty blue dress she knew was her favourite, "you mustn't catch me, once you do the game will be over."

"Then you must run faster," Elijah grinned, "Don't you know? I'll never stop chasing you, just as I'll never stop loving you."