Splitting Our Odds Into Evens

Hostages & Surprises.

"Nora. What are you doing here?" Bonnie asked.

"Hey, Bonnie. Can we talk?"

***

Nora sat on the leather couch across from Bonnie.

"Congratulations on the offer."

"Thanks," Bonnie said. She folded her hands on her desk. "How did you find me?"

"I went to the compound, and Elijah told me where you were."

Bonnie shook her head. "Of course he did," she said. "Well, you can speak now. I'm listening."

Nora wanted to roll her eyes but held back. If anything, Bonnie owed her an apology, but Nora was turning over a new leaf, which meant she had to be the bigger person.

"I apologize for my outburst last weekend. You were right; I am not entitled to anything, and the quicker I learn, the easier things will be for me," Nora said.

"Okay," Bonnie shrugged.

"Okay?" Nora scoffed. "Seriously, that's all I get? My apology wasn't just something I wrote on paper and recited like a script, okay? It was genuine."

"Well, if you have a problem with how I responded, then you can leave my office," Bonnie hissed. "I don't want you here, anyway. You're like a bad luck magnet; everywhere you go, something bad happens. And the last thing I need, the last thing I want, is for you to screw this whole thing up for me. So, do me a favor, and leave...now."

"Fine," Nora sighed. "If my negativity is that powerful, then I'll go." She stood up from the couch and began walking away.

Bonnie didn't mean to react as she did; she knew she was in the wrong. She wanted to forgive her, but when she thought about everything that Nora and the rest of the heretics had done to her and her friends, forgiveness just seemed impossible. Though, Bonnie forgave her once. Maybe she could find a place in her heart to forgive her again.

"Nora, wait." At the mention of her name, Nora stopped walking and turned around. "I'm sorry."

Nora folded her arms over her chest. "I'm listening," she said.

"The things I said last weekend were unacceptable, and I was a hypocrite. I always say that I'm a believer in forgiveness, and, yet, I turn around and pick and choose who deserves forgiveness when I've done some messed up things too," Bonnie said. "Forget everything I said before. You're an awesome girl, Nora. And if Mary Louise can't see that, then, her loss."

"Wow," Nora said. "I don't think anyone's ever said that to me.

Bonnie smiled. "Well, I'm glad to be the first," she said. "I'll make us some hot cocoa, and we'll sit and talk about whatever we want. We might as well since there is no one here for me to counsel so far."

"It's a plan."

***AT MARCEL'S LOFT...

"Look what the cat dragged in," Marcel smirked upon seeing a distressed Landon being brought into the living room.

"Don't act like you didn't have your pet drag me out of that hellhole," Landon said behind a fake smile.

"Watch how you talk, Landon. That place you're calling a hellhole is the place my ancestors died. Sure, it has some bad history, but it is to be honored," Marcel said.

The good ole' Plantation. The Mikaelson Mansion, also known as the Plantation, was located in New Orleans. In the early 19th century, it was the basement in the home of the governor of New Orleans, with whom the Mikaelsons had an understanding regarding their presence in the city. The governor at the time would harvest slaves and keep them in his basement (the Plantation) against their will. Over time, many died, and the Mikaelsons had no clue until about ten years ago.