"Please, come sit, I'll tell the help to take care of these little ones. We have a lot of catching up to do, love."

"The help ," Caroline said, already annoyed, "is named Emeline. And she's very nice. But I'll take care of them. Do you have a bathroom I can use?"

She won't let them out of her sight. Klaus noted, intrigued.

"Even better; I have a changing table." He said, smug smile on his face. Which didn't make much sense, seeing as the girls were obviously old enough to be potty trained, and when three year olds wear diapers, you change a three year old's diaper with them standing. Of course, she never expected him to have any knowledge about babies, though he could have just smelled that at least one of the girls had soiled diapers that Caroline had decided to use so she wouldn't have to stop during the drive down. Still, she wondered.

Why would he have a changing table? It's probably just a fancy antique. Or maybe he has it for guests with children, though I'm sure that would be all Elijah.

He knew she would figure it out sooner or later. He had mentioned that bit about the changing table on purpose, trying to get her to question. He did love it when her eyes lit up after a realization.

"Just to be clear, I'm too smart to be seduced by you."

"Well, that's why I like you."

"Okay…" Caroline sounded unsure. "Let me get them out of the stroller." She turned.

"Okay, girls, we're going to go to the bathroom, alright?" She bent down, starting get the girls out. Klaus tilted his head, smiling slightly, observing Caroline Forbes as a mother. It was extraordinary, but so was she. He couldn't help imagining her with Hope.

"Okay mommy. But me and Lizzie are hungry, can we have a snack?" Klaus hadn't been formally introduced to these little girls yet, but he's guessing the one Caroline is pulling out of the stroller wasn't Lizzie, seeing as she had just said "me and Lizzie". Caroline was standing up now, little girl on her hip, looking at her, smiling.

"Of course you can, Josie. Even if mommy's friend doesn't have any snacks for us, he'll go and get some." She glanced at Klaus then, and he was chuckling, but he nodded. "Would you like to meet my friend Klaus, Josie?" Josie looked over to him, and then very decidedly, nodded up and down twice.

"Okay, then!" Caroline passed Josie over to Klaus and he took her without blinking, and smiling at her. This caused Caroline to pause.

Does he...? There's no way.

"Hey there, Josie, I'm Klaus. I'm going to help your mommy for a while, which means you and your sister get to stay here for a while." He was practically baby talking. Which was extremely strange, but Caroline's heart was melting. She turned away fast, but she could here the two talking back and forth. She did her best to block it out as she attempted to get Lizzie out of the stroller.

Niklaus had turned his attention to Caroline, as Josie was distracted by his necklaces. She was good at this; being a mom.

Of course she is. She's mom material. Bringing clementines to little league games and organizing play dates and all that. But this isn't the life she deserves. Being a mom. It's a life that traps you. Just because she's good at it doesn't mean she should do it. She'd be doing everything, then. And she can't even have children, so whose kids are these?

And then he saw it. It was just a little flash, but it was enough to make him notice. At first he thought maybe it was just her daylight ring, but that was on her pointer finger. No, this was a different ring. The ring. An engagement ring, diamond and gold band.

The diamond is too small, it should be bigger. Was Klaus' first though. He knows she doesn't care about that, but she deserves so much better. His next thought was, Who is it?

Elijah chose this time to walk in.

"Caroline!" He said, surprised, "How lovely to see you again." Caroline looked up, with Liz finally on her hip. She broke into a smile. Out of all of the Mikaelsons, he was surely her favorite. Or at least she pretends, because he's everyone else's favorite.

"Elijah, still donning the suits, I see."

"And you're still…" he looked at the child on her hip. "You're still blonde." Caroline laughed. "At least she gets my jokes. I would ask what you're doing here, but I think we all know." There was a joking tone to his voice as he looked between her and Klaus. Caroline was shocked. He seemed much happier. Now that she thought about it so did Klaus. She prayed her coming here wouldn't hurt them.

"Yes, well, your jokes usually undetectable, brother. Would you mind entertaining these little ones while Caroline and I talk?" Klaus asked, referring to Josie and Liz. Caroline looked at Klaus pointedly. "Caroline, it's Elijah. He will protect them with his life, et cetera et cetera."

I need to talk to her alone.

"Do not 'et cetera et cetera ' when it comes to my children, Klaus!"

Her children? Did she really adopt? She was just going into college!

"My brother's apologies Caroline. But he's right-"

"As usual." Caroline and Elijah both rolled their eyes, Elijah a little more dignified in his motions than Caroline.

"No harm will come to them while they are in my care." Caroline looked at him searchingly. She desperately needed a break, and she knew Elijah is telling the truth.

"Fine. But you have to change them, and feed them, and tire them out. They've been in a car for 13 hours."

"Of course." Elijah said, nodding his head, taking Liz from Caroline. She heard him saying something, but she had turned around and come face to face, and very close, to Klaus. His blue eyes weren't breaking contact, and every sound around her faded out.

It's a challenge. He's always trying to establish dominance.

It's so amazing to see her eyes again.

"Mommy, who's that?" Josie said suddenly, tugging at the collar of her mom's shirt, tearing the intense staring contest apart, and pointing towards Elijah, who was looking upon the situation with a knowing gleam in his eyes.

"That's Uncle Elijah. He's gonna go play with you and Liz for a while, okay?"

"Okay!" Josie said, eager.

She introduced Elijah as 'Uncle', but not me. Hmm…

Elijah walked over and took Josie from Klaus.

"Let's go upstairs, okay girls?"

"Okay!" Liz was looking at Caroline, but Josie was ready for anything, apparently, "Bye-bye Klaus!" she said, waving at him. He smiled big, causing Caroline to all but stare at him, her mouth agape as he waved back.

"Farewell, Princess Josie and Princess Elizabeth, I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again."

"Mommy?" Liz suddenly said, voice small.

"Where's daddy?" Klaus took an interest at this.

"At home, sweetie."

"Well when is he coming here?" Caroline looked at Klaus, who was looking at her, eyebrow raised, before she turned back to Liz.

"He's not, sweetie, we're just on a vacation for a little while. Daddy has to… work, okay? We'll see him soon, I promise."

"Okay, but I miss him."

"I know sweetie, so do I." Klaus looked away.

"Bye-bye!" Elijah had started to back up, towards to staircase.

"It was wonderful to see you again, Caroline." He was walking up now, and Liz was laying sleepily on his shoulder, while Josie was playing with his tie. Caroline turned towards Klaus.

"So, what is it you need help with, love?" He asked, arms crossed. Caroline was taken aback.

"You don't want to know about..." she motioned towards the staircase, "them?" She felt stupid as soon as the words left her mouth. Of course he already knew all about that. He keeps tabs on everyone.

"Oh, I do. Believe me. But you need help, and that's what's most important right now."

If he wants to know about them, maybe he doesn't isn't keeping tabs. But why would he do that?

Caroline was startled by how much the thought that he hadn't been keeping track of her these past five years hurt her. It's just she had always believed that he was there, that if she were ever about to die, he would show up, just like he did at her graduation.

Caroline could hear Alaric's voice over the phone, frantic, as she hung up another unanswered phone call to Klaus.

"Stefan-" He started, but he was quickly cut off by a loud, painful, high-pitched ringing, as Stefan, Caroline, and Elena all doubled over in pain, clutching their heads.

"Remember us, Caroline?" Asked a cruel voice behind the three. Of course she did, she had killed her. And her eleven friends, which was something that haunted Caroline every day. She would have been on her knees apologizing, begging for forgiveness, telling the witch how she wasn't a killer, but she panicked and did what her instincts had told her to; save Bonnie, but she was in too much pain, the sound not only hurting her ears, but acting as a hammer smashing through her brain over and over. She could sense the witches, and their power, as they stalked up behind the trio, murmuring incantations. She could almost see the leader's face twisted cruelly, her hand outstretched to channel her power. Fear filled her, and then she sensed a familiar presence, and heard something whirling through the air before there was a squishing sound, and the incantations stopped, as well as the pain. She heard Elena gasping for breath, and she was as well, straightening herself out, already recovering from the magic -induced aneurysm. Then she heard it, the most glorious thing she has probably ever heard.

"There are plenty more of these to go around." Klaus all but growled out, flipping a graduation cap in his hand. Caroline hadn't laid eyes on him yet, but from her hunched over position, she could see the witch's head clean off her body, bloodied graduation cap lying next to her two parts, obviously thrown. "Who's next?" The witches didn't have anew leader step forwards, they all looked to Klaus Mikaelson with fear. "I can do this all day." Caroline finally straightened out and turned to face Klaus, and she smiled at him, no teeth, she couldn't act as excited as she felt, but it was definitely a smile. The corners of his lips turned up in response, as much as he would let himself smile while he was threatening the witches.

It startled her how much that scared her, that he might not always be around. And there was also the fact that he was focusing on her need help, rather than her having children. She definitely didn't want to kiss him right now. She looked at the floor, but Klaus pretended not to notice, instead turned and motioned for her to follow.

"Follow me, love. Would you like some bourbon?" He led her into a room with antique couches, and Caroline was afraid to sit on them, they looked so old, but also in such pristine condition.

"Yes, please." She breathed out the please, which made Klaus ache. She was going to need this. He handed her a glass of bourbon.

"You can sit, Caroline." She sat down and smoothed her hands over her jeans nervously, and he sat on the couch across from her, leaning back lazily, head tilting as he observed her.

"So, Klaus, how have things been?" He smiled at her.

"Oh, you know the Mikaelsons. Never a dull moment." She barked out a sarcastic laugh, raising her eyebrows for a few seconds as she does when she's talking about something that slightly annoys her.

God, he missed this. Missed her.

"I'm sure." She took a sip of bourbon, letting it burn down her throat. She usually barely feels alcohol go down her throat, especially since she hasn't been near Damon's stash of extra strong bourbon in years.

"Oh my god, this is strong!" Caroline exclaimed, coughing.

"That's what you get for drinking my bourbon before you're 21. Besides, it's made for vampires." Damon said from the couch.

"You can do that? Have bourbon made for vampires?"

"Sure, I just go to the best bourbon people in Virginia and have them make me around 50 bottles of almost 100% alcoholic bourbon." He tapped his head, "I use compulsion." Caroline instinctively reached up to feel the bite marks on her neck. She was compelled to keep quiet about everything Damon tells her. She also has to wear ugly scarves every day. It's a wonder her mom hasn't asked if she's hiding hickeys yet.

She guesses Klaus has the same method of acquiring bourbon that Damon does.

"So, Caroline, what's troubling you? After all these years, what has brought you to my door? Don't tell me you missed me?" Caroline rolled her eyes.

"Someone's after Stefan." Klaus' face fell.

Is he the one who gave her that ring?

"And why is that a problem?"

"Wasn't he your drinking buddy in the 50's or something?"

"It was the 20's, actually. And that was no-humanity Stefan. Completely different guy now. If I remember correctly, the last time Stefan and I even talked was when I was pinning him against a tree, arguing about whether we should let the witches kill Bonnie or not." Caroline scowled, and took another sip.

"I should've known, you don't care about anyone but yourself."

"Now, you know that's not true, love. I care for my family. And you, of course. I care about you." Caroline blinked in surprise. She shouldn't be surprised, they all knew. Ric knew, he's the one who sent her here, and it was Damon's idea. Klaus Mikaelson would always protect Caroline Forbes.

That doesn't necessarily mean he cares about you. Had always been her train of thought. Which didn't pack much of a punch, seeing as she held no other use to him.

"Klaus, I was hoping you'd help me eliminate that threat, but seeing as that's not going to happen, I still need somewhere to hideout. We need a place to hideout." She was trying to keep things professional, but how could she, really? She was literally using his feelings towards her for protection. He knows she has no other choice, but it still stings a little. Which he'd never admit.

I want to stay here. With you. I'm safe with you. Her unsaid words ran through her head.

"Why do you need to hide when it's Stefan this person is after? And who is it, and why are they after the lovely Stefan Salvatore?" He sipped his bourbon.

"She used me against Stefan. She made me repeat the same message over and over to the camera at the newsroom I worked at, after she attacked me, of course."

"She attacked you?" The anger was clear in Klaus' voice.

"Yes, Klaus. She attacked me. And to answer your other questions, she's after Stefan because Stefan came to meet the end of her sword, and now she won't ever stop hunting him. He's been running for 3 years." Klaus' face was beginning to fall. Before Caroline could start talking again, Klaus interrupted.

"Rayna Cruz is after you and your friends?" There was a quiet rage in his voice. "You brought your problems with Rayna FUCKING CRUZ," He threw his bourbon across the room, and he was standing now, and spitting, and yelling. Caroline didn't flinch. "into my city, possibly putting my family in danger. For what? Stefan fucking Salvatore? Is he the one who put that pretty little, emphasis on the word little, diamond on your finger? Is that why you think he's worth putting my entire life near Rayna Cruz?" Caroline was taken aback. Klaus was yelling again, but she was planning on letting him for a little while longer, because she knows him. She knows he needs to yell and be angry.

He's jealous. Was her first thought when he had said that part about Stefan. But then, No he's not, why the hell would he be jealous?

You're jealous. Was Klaus' first thought after that bit about the youngest Salvatore brother flew out of his mouth. But then, What reason do you have to be jealous? You left. You promised her you would never return if only she were honest with you. You have no claim over her. Klaus knew words were still flying out of his mouth. Caroline never flinched, not once. Even when he was an inch from her face, spit landing on her.

He never threatened her. Anyone else, he would have threatened them. Perhaps they would already be dead. But not her. He couldn't.

After what he supposes was a minute and a half of yelling, she spoke.

" Klaus. " She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down, since he was standing now. She looked him in the eye. "Klaus. I am terrified. I am terrified for Stefan. I am terrified for Bonnie, and Enzo, and Ric, and Matt, and Damon, and even Elena. I am terrified for myself and my children. I came to you because you will take care of me. You'll always take care of me. Please, Klaus." His eyes were softening as she was speaking. He breathed out and sat in the opposite corner of the couch she was sitting in, looking at the floor.

Goddamn her. God-fucking-damn her.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a good 10 minutes, and Caroline could practically hear the gears turning in his head. He finally looked to his right, observing her, and she was observing everything but him.

She hasn't figured it out yet. Maybe she has. She probably has.

"I have a daughter." Caroline's head whipped around to face him, blue eyes wide.