Bellatrix Mikaelson (Season 3)

Chapter 2

MIKAELSON COMPOUND
[Freya is in one of the upstairs sitting rooms with Hope, and the two are sitting on a spread out blanket on the floor as they play with the various toys that surround them. Elijah is standing nearby in his usual suit as he watches them.]
Freya: [about Hope] She's getting bigger by the second. [Elijah paces back and forth beside where Freya and Hope are playing.]
Elijah: Thank you for all of your care.
Freya: Tomorrow's the full moon. I can help you bring Hope to Hayley, if you'd like.
Elijah: That won't be necessary. You deserve a night off. [Elijah smiles and kneels on the floor to play with Hope just as Klaus walks into the room to join them and jumps into their conversation unbidden. At the sound of his brother's voice, Elijah instantly scowls in anger.]
Klaus: I'd offer to accompany you myself, but I fear my fragile ego could not endure the litany of insults Hayley has no doubt prepared.
"I think your ego is definetly not fragile." Said Hayley.
Elijah: [annoyed] Yes, I doubt that your presence is particularly welcome anywhere.
Klaus: [feigns offense] My own brother, greeting me with such disdain! [He turns to Freya to discuss Elijah as though he isn't even there.]
Klaus: What do you think, Freya? Is he still angry for my part in Hayley's curse? Need I remind him it was my ploy that kept her alive? [Elijah spins on his heel to face Klaus and continues to glare at him, and Freya stands in preparation to mediate if necessary.]
Elijah: [sarcastically] Of course, forgive me. So, you would call this an act of heroism even as you bask in her torment?
"That's bonus." Said Bella. Hayley and Elijah glared at her.
Klaus: [unamused] Or perhaps I'd be more sympathetic if Hayley apologized. After all, it was her that tried to run off with my daughter.
Freya: [frustrated] Oh, if you two must poke at one another, may I suggest doing it elsewhere? [Elijah takes one last look at Hope before he walks out of the room without another word, leaving Klaus and an exasperated Freya behind. Freya goes to follow him out, but stops to make one last statement to her brother before she leaves.]
Freya: Nicely done. At this rate, you'll drive the entire family away.
Bella rolls her eyes.
FLASHBACK-- SOUTHERN FRANCE, 1002 AD
[In flashback, Klaus, who has blood dripping from his mouth, looks down sadly at the man he's just fed on and killed, still gently holding his wrist in his hand. After a moment, Kol comes up behind him and smacks him playfully on the shoulder.]
Kol: [smiles] Who's ready for the next course? [Behind them, Finn looks at them and shakes his head exasperatedly.]
Finn: You are all filthy gluttons!
Kol: And you remain ever the dullard. [The camera pans back, revealing that the Mikaelson siblings have just fed on and killed another five people, though these victims appear to be wealthy and of high status, opposed to the commoners they fed on earlier. Bella is crouched over her victim, a woman wearing a blue velvet dress, which she strokes longingly before speaking.]
Bella: Such pretty clothes. What a shame they'll go to waste. [Elijah rolls his eyes in frustration.]
Elijah: [sighs] Bellatrix, we have discussed this--
Bella: You discussed this! None of us had any say in the matter! This lot were traveling somewhere-- their cart is full of silks and finery. Five of them, five of us. Wherever they were off to, why could we not simply go in their stead?
"She has a point." Said Davina.
Elijah: Masquerade as nobles from a land we do not know and whose customs we cannot begin to understand? Ridiculous!
Bella: [scoffs] You saw the castle down the road! It was practically a gala! If this bunch were headed there-- [She gestures at the bodies strewn across the ground around the five of them.]
Bella: Look at them! They're not any better than we are. We could live as they do! At least for a time. [Elijah rolls his eyes and sighs in exasperation, but Bella is insistent.]
Bella: Think of it! Elijah, we can hide in plain sight. [Suddenly, Elijah senses something and interrupts her.]
Elijah: Silence. [Elijah focuses his hearing and realizes there is someone nearby whose heart is still beating. He gestures toward their victims' cart, and the others follow him as he goes to examine it. He lifts up a blanket and flings it away, revealing a young, dark-haired man (Lucien) who is terrified to see them. He jumps out of the cart and attempts to flee, but Kol and Bella vamp-speed in front of him and block his way.]
Bella: [smiles] Well, aren't you a handsome one?
"No, he isn't!" Said Bella, glaring at her past self. Everyone looked at her confused, except Kol, Elijah and Klaus.
Kol: Looks like dessert to me... [Kol stalks toward the man, who immediately raises his hands in a non-threatening manner and attempts to stop him.]
Lucien: [terrified] Wait, wait, wait! I can help you! [Bella looks at him curiously, and the man nervously continues.]
Lucien: Now, I am- I am the personal servant to the Count de Martel, and the barriers that you just mentioned...? I was sent to escort these guests to his home for a lengthy stay. I know their customs, as well as the Count's habits. If you mean to pose as the family you've slaughtered here, then you'll need my help to carry out your ruse. [Lucien looks at Elijah, whose face is emotionless, but Bella looks hopefully at her older brother.]
Bella: Please, can we keep him?
"You are talking like he is a pet." Said amused Layla.
Elijah: Bellatrix, no! What is our most important rule?
Bella: [rolls her eyes] "Never leave alive anyone--", [The others chime in and join her]
Finn, Elijah, Klaus, & Kol: "--Who has seen what we are."
Elijah: Thank you very much. A practice that has served us very well indeed.
Everyone laughed at them.
Bella: but he can help us fit in. Imagine the comfortable bed...  [Finn grabs Elijah by the shoulder and holds him back before he can kill the man.]
Finn: She has a point! He may be of use.
Kol: Ah, a proper family squabble! [Klaus raises his hand to silence him and walks over to join them.]
Klaus: Perhaps we should put it to a vote. All those in favor of letting him live? [Bella and Finn raise their hands]
Kol: Those inclined to gut him? [Kol and Elijah raise their hands. Klaus looks torn.]
Kol: Oh, Nik. What shall it be? [Klaus sighs and pauses for a moment before walking toward Lucien, who still looks terrified.]
FRENCH QUARTER
[Cami and Vincent are still in the alley off of the main street, where they're examining the body staged to look like a puppet. After a moment, Cami steps away to tell Vincent what she thinks.]
Cami: Well, I'm no forensic psychologist, but whoever did this took their time. He bled-- a lot-- which means he was alive... but it was like he just stood here. [She gestures to the loose restraints on the victim's wrists and elbows.]
Cami: These ropes are just for display. He wasn't bound-- there are no marks on his wrists, no signs of struggling or clawing... [Vincent looks at her with a weary expression.]
Vincent: He was compelled, Camille. Maybe Rich-Boy pissed off the wrong vampire.
"Oh. Seems like it traumatized him." Said amused Bella.
"What?" Said Davina.
"That's how Lucius died, but instead of rich boy it was Lucien and rich boy was the one doing it to him." Said Bella.
"How do you know it's his doing?" Asked Hayley.
"Who else? I'm sure we didn't see that memory for nothing and i don't think Tristan would be so obvious." Said Bella.
[Cami does not seem happy with this possibility, but before they can discuss it further, Detective Kinney returns to get an update.]
Kinney: How are you guys doing over here? Tell me you got something. [Cami, knowing she can't tell him the full truth, quickly begin to list some non-supernatural details.]
Cami: It seems methodical. Precise. The wounds might have a special meaning to the killer. Not a formal ritual, but intentional. And, the things we do on purpose, we tend to repeat. [Kinney does not seem overly pleased with this information either as the three of them continue to study the body.]
ST. JAMES INFIRMARY
[Klaus' art exhibition is underway, and though there are no familiar faces, he seems to have drawn a large crowd. Bella walks in.]
Bella: Hello, Nik. [Bella looks around.] Good exhibition.
Klaus: Thank you. I thought you wouldn't come.
Bella: And skip your exhibitions? Never. I was just too involved in spell and lost track of time. [Klaus smiled.]
"Okay. I know i said it before, but i really love their relationship." Said Layla.
[One middle-aged man looks at the painting of Genevieve laying naked in his bed, which Klaus made in The Big Uneasy, and discusses the artwork with his two female companions. Bella joins Klaus.]
Art Critic: It's a derivative fiasco-- little atmosphere, less technique. It's nothing more than a self-congratulatory ego trip.
"Ouch." Said Layla.
"If you look at it better, you will see it's good." Defended Bella. Klaus smiled.
[Nearby, Klaus and Bella are eavesdropping on the man's criticisms and watches him walk away. After a moment, Lucien appears out of nowhere and alerts Klaus and Bella his presence by speaking to him.]
Bella glares at him.
"What that dick doing there?!" Said angry Bella.
"Why do you hate him?" Asked Layla.
"Because he's an arsehole!" Said Bella.
Lucien: I wouldn't expect you to host an art show without compelling the critics to speak your praise.
Klaus: And I wouldn't expect an uncultured savage to crash such a formal affair. [He smirks at Lucien, not unhappy to see him, and Lucien chuckles.]
Bella: Nik is serious about his painting so he wouldn't compel someone to sing his praises, but how would you know?
Lucien: Bella. As sharp tongue as always.
Bella: Lucien. As much of disappointment as always. [Klaus looks amused.]
"He is your second love?" Asked Layla.
"First if we are being technical. Alexander was after him." Said Bella.
Lucien: I missed you.
Bella: I didn't. (To Klaus) Sorry, Nik, but i have to leave. I really liked your paintings. Expecially the view of city. [Bella kisses Klaus's cheek and leaves.]
FLASHBACK-- SOUTHERN FRANCE, 1002 AD
[Lucien is holding Bella's hand and dragging her somewhere.]
Bella: Where are we going? It's dangerous. We might get caugh.
Lucien: We won't. We are almost there. [Lucien and Bella go toward a tree, under which is picnic. Bella looks suprised.]
Lucien: We have never been to proper date and yesterday you mentioned you loved stars so i thought... You would like date under the stars. [Bella looks surprised and touched.]
Bella: It's- It's amazing. Thank you.
"You looks so different." Said Layla.
"I was." Said Bella.
[Lucien takes flowers from picnic and gives to Bella.]
Lucius: Not as beautiful as you, but i thought you might like it.
"Such a charmer." Said Layla.
[Bella smiles, takes flowers and sits at picnic, Lucien sits next to her. Bella look over at him.]
Bella: Lucien. [Lucien looks up at her.]
Bella: I-I love you. [Lucien looks surprised.]
"It was our first 'i love you!' " said Bella. People look at her with sympathy.
Lucien: I love you, too. More than anything! [Bella kisses him. He kisses back.]
Present day– Bella's room
[Bella is curled up and crying on her bed.]
Some look at her surprised, Mikaelson men look angry.
St. JANE INFIRMARY
[Lucien looks over at the art critic, who has moved on to another painting.]
Lucien: That mouthy blood bag does have a point. Your work is derivative--
Klaus: [amused] Oh?
Lucien: Of Degas, I'd say. Although, I happen to know that you compelled Degas to mentor you. I always thought his work improved after your influence. [Klaus gestures toward him and smiles.]
Klaus: Finally! Someone with an eye for art!
Lucien: Well, live long enough and you develop a taste for it... among other things. [He lowers his voice and leans toward Klaus.]
Lucien: Speaking of which, can we please have a drink? I am quite parched. [Klaus laughs joyfully and throws his arm around Lucien's shoulders before leading him to the bar.]
Bella glares at Lucien.