Apologies for the delay in updating. For your information there is a pattern with the chapters. One present day chapter followed by two combination past/present chapters (from alternating points of view). So this one is all present.

Thanks to Sophie my wonderful beta especially for turning this around in record time!

And also a big thank you to Nicole for the stunning cover art for this fic, I love it as usual!

Family Ties

"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire. The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, and if we meet, we shall not 'scape a brawl. For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring" (WS)

Act 4: Pretty Piece of Flesh

"Go, go, foes can never measure to the crew as we roll on. Blast the amplifiers in the back with the soul on, a pretty piece of flesh, and yes, you better show your crest, shoulder holster strapped, I'm pull'in from the chest" (One Inch Punch)

June 12, 2016: Mystic Falls Virginia

"He did what?" Katherine asked, her voice rising, not only in pitch, but in volume.

"Shhh! Do you want the whole of Mystic Falls to hear you?"

"I'm sorry, but you can't just tell me these things and not expect a response," she hissed. "I would have been ropeable if he'd carried me off like a piece of meat, I hope you told him to get lost."

"Of course I did," she replied. "It was only when he threatened to tell Matt that I agreed to a ride. As soon as my feet hit that curb, I was out of there."

"I can't believe he thinks he can just act like Tarzan after what he did to you."

The girls were seated at their favourite table at the Mystic Grill. Katherine had arrived that morning and Caroline had escaped her spa treatments with her mother as soon as possible to join her.

When her mother had insisted that Caroline come back for her father's birthday she'd roped Katherine in for moral support. Not one to let her friend down she'd agreed right away, even if it did clash with her social schedule in New York.

"You're telling me," she murmured. As much as she'd tried to get him out of her head Klaus Mikaelson still had that annoying effect on her, bastard.

"So what now?"

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously. "We go back to pretending we barely know each other; we are quite good at that after all."

"I'm just worried about you."

"I'm fine, Kitty Kat," she promised, trying to make it sound convincing. Her brunette best friend gave her a look which clearly said she didn't believe her.

"This guy was your first love, he had your heart," she implored, placing her hand comfortingly over her friends. "Then he had to go and stomp on it, shattering it into a million pieces."

"How very graphic," she uttered. "It's been five years, I've moved on."

"Oh really?" She asked cocking her left eyebrow and settling back into the booth. "I'd love to know your definition of moving on Care."

"I've been on dates," she spluttered.

"You realise I can count on two hands the number of proper dates you've had since we've been living in New York," she baulked.

"It's better than none," she shot back, childishly.

"Not much," she drawled. "I have introduced you to plenty of eligible bachelors Caroline. I mean what about Jesse?"

"Was he the one who claimed to be an actor and proceeded to paw me relentlessly? An octopus had nothing on that guy."

"No the groper was Mark, and I already apologised about him, let's call that a brief lack in judgement."

"Yes, very brief," Caroline chuckled.

"Jesse is the surgical intern at Lenox Hill Hospital," she reminded her. "Comes from a wealthy family, intelligent, well-travelled and loves puppy dogs."

"Oh, and let me guess, long walks on the beach?" She joked. "He was just too perfect for my liking."

"Okay, please tell me how someone can be too perfect?"

"Like you can talk," Caroline said. "You may date regularly but it generally only lasts one date and a second if they're really lucky."

"You know how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet."

"Quoting Cher from Clueless isn't going to divert my attention Pierce," Caroline replied. "You are just as commitment phobic as me."

"I can't help that commitment causes me to break out in hives," she argued. "However in your case, it's the fact you can't get over your ex-boyfriend."

"I just haven't found someone I like enough."

"Yeah because brooding, arrogant, blonde Mikaelsons are so difficult to find. Look, I admit I was swept up with the Romeo and Juliet story you had during high school, but instead of a double suicide that ass broke my poor Care Bear's heart."

"I'm not really sure how to take that," she asked, perplexed. "I'm assuming the fact I'm alive is a bonus."

"Well, of course," she answered. "So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to put on a fake smile and celebrate my father's birthday before fleeing town, as fast as I can."

"Now that sounds like fun," she quipped, sarcastically. "I'm so glad I came back now."

"We can enjoy it together, plus the biggest wedding of the decade in Mystic Falls should cause some flurry of activity around town."

"Tell me your father didn't plan his party to coincide with this on purpose."

"Even with all his power and influence, I don't think my father could have changed his birth date for a bit of petty revenge," Caroline said. "It's a little inconvenient though, I must admit."

"Stefan Salvatore and Rebekah Mikaeslon living happily ever after, who would have thought that would happen?"

"Well, they have been dating since high school, so it's hardly a surprise Kat."

"Yeah, well I can't believe they're not sick of each other yet."

"Some people actually love each other and want to be with each other forever, believe it or not."

"Well, I feel sorry for them," she mumbled. "I'm just upset I won't be on the invite list to check out the fashion."

"Trust you to think about the fashion. What about the romantic display of their undying love?"

"Oh p-uh-lease." Katherine drawled. "The return of your ex has obviously made you weak; I thought you'd be the complete opposite."

"Oh, you mean bitter, twisted and out for blood?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I mean it would be more fun that way," she teased. "He doesn't deserve any less."

"I have no intention of seeing him ever again, if I can help it."

"Well, you spoke too soon," Katherine acknowledged, gesturing towards the entrance of the Grill. Caroline's eyes shot up hoping it wasn't who she thought. She shivered involuntarily as her eyes made contact, hating that he still had that effect on her.

She didn't think he could get more handsome than the previous night but she was wrong. His grey Henley fitted tightly across his broad chest, those necklaces she had once used to pull him closer for a kiss, peeking out from underneath.

"Can I kick him where it hurts and shout a few choice insults?" Caroline looked back at her friend, realising she had been oblivious to her nattering.

"Again?" She asked, thinking a few of those insults had already been hurled. "Maybe hold onto that revenge fantasy for now," she replied, trying not to react to his reappearance. Caroline had no intention of letting him get to her, even if it was a little late for that.

"They never usually bothered with the Grill," Katherine observed.

"Maybe times have changed," she murmured, her gaze downward. "It has been five years after all."

"Yeah, not long enough," Katherine growled. "Oh, looks like we've been discovered."

Unable to help herself she looked over meeting his stormy, blue eyes in the process. They remained fixed on her face until his eyes dipped lower raking over her body. At least she knew she still had it.

Caroline shook her head to try and snap out of her trance before moving her gaze to his friend and giving him a brief nod. She had always liked Stefan, even after everything fell apart with Klaus.

They took a seat at the bar and Caroline had to do all she could not to stare at his back hunched over the bar. She could still remember running her fingernails down the length of it during the heights of passion.

"Earth to Caroline, hello," Katherine said waving her hands in front of her eyes.

"Sorry Kat, what were you saying?"

'Well, obviously it wasn't anything as good as imagining your ex naked."

"I was not doing that," she spluttered.

"We've been best friends forever Care, I can read you like a book," she said knowingly.

"Okay, fine," she admitted. "Even after all these years and everything he did to me, I can't help it. Plus it's a little difficult having him in this close proximity."

"I know sweetie," she soothed. "Do you want to get out of here? Go to the Highway and cause some trouble?"

"I think after last night Alaric has had more than enough of me," she chuckled.

"I'm still surprised you were there in the first place?"

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I usually have to drag you out or set you up on dates in New York, but here you are back in town acting like you never left, hitting up bars and flirting with the locals."

"I was not that bad."

"No, in fact, it was fun having a partner in crime Care but we all know why the sudden change in behaviour." It wasn't a coincidence that right after Klaus left she went off the rails. As pathetic as it was, his rejection had stung and she had needed the attention to validate her insecurity. Plus the alcohol acted as the perfect numbing agent against her feelings.

"Yes, well Klaus has a lot to answer for," she muttered angrily. "Anyway it was my first trip to the Highway, I needed to prepare myself for all the fun of being back in Mystic Falls."

"And the return of the idiot," Katherine added.

"Yeah, I figured he'd be here for the wedding, but I had no idea I'd run into him."

"Twice," Katherine noted. "You've got to love small towns. Come on, let's just go."

"No, I'm not going to let him win," she argued. "I have just as much of a right to be here as him."

"Okay," Katherine sighed. "This is going to require an upgrade from wine to tequila you realise?"

"That would involve a visit to the bar," she observed. "You're more than welcome to go over there."

"I'd just make a scene and people around here already think I'm a crazy bitch," she joked. "Oh, speaking of all things crazy."

"I'm not sure I want to hear this."

"Crazy can be a good thing Care," she replied, knowingly. "Bonnie is coming to town."

"What, when?" She asked, wondering why she didn't know. Bonnie had been accepted to Berkley to study law after graduation, and even though she was across the other side of the country, the girls still managed to see each other every now and again.

"Tomorrow apparently, Bonnie always was good at making a surprise entrance."

"You can say that again," Caroline smiled, thinking about a few of their past reunions. "It will be so good to see her, not to mention a much needed distraction." She paused to look over at Klaus, glad his back was to her so she couldn't see those dimples.

"Well she might say the same thing about you and me, you know given she hasn't seen Kol since she left town for college."

"Yeah but they only dated for three months," Caroline replied. "If I recall he was too immature to handle a relationship."

"Well, we all predicted that," Katherine snorted. "It still might be weird though."

"Tell me about it," she agreed, her eyes finding their way over to the bar again. "I feel like I'm in the twilight zone."

"Cue the creepy music," she joked.

"Okay, I've had enough," Caroline conceded. "Let's get out of here."

"Leaving so soon ladies?" A familiar voice asked interrupting their conversation. Caroline looked up reluctantly, knowing who it belonged to.

"Tyler," Katherine drawled, sending Caroline an unimpressed glance. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Well I am back here for good. In fact, we should celebrate with a drink."

"Maybe another time," Caroline replied quickly, thinking that was the last thing she felt like doing, especially with Klaus loitering nearby.

"Well that's not what you said when we caught up in New York a few months ago," he replied, taking a seat beside her. Katherine gave her a questioning glance.

"I've just got a few things to do, you know family commitments."

"Oh come on, one drink won't hurt," he suggested. "We can pick up where we left off."

"We do really need to leave," Katherine interrupted.

"That's not like you Kat, you were always up for some fun."

"Well things change, Tyler," she growled. "People grow up and move on; I know that's a foreign concept for you."

"Oh so now you're Miss Maturity?" He joked. "Feel free to go home to mummy and daddy, Caroline will be okay with me."

"We're going Tyler," Caroline confirmed, refusing to waver. "Come on Kat."

The girls slid out of the booth walking towards the exit purposefully. Out of the corner of her eye Caroline could see Klaus staring in her direction, following her with his eyes. No doubt the unwanted commotion had caught his attention.

"Oh come on Caroline, don't be like that," Tyler appealed, following them closely. She ignored him; her only thought to get out the door and away from him and Klaus.

"Nice to see your woeful skills with women haven't changed, Lockwood," Klaus commented as they passed.

Klaus always had this annoying habit of baiting people, and this was the last thing she needed. As much as she wanted to leave, Caroline was worried the situation might escalate. Tyler and Klaus had a long and acrimonious past and she knew from experience that this wouldn't end well.

"Are you seriously talking to me, Mikaelson?" Tyler spat. "I thought we'd seen the last of your sorry ass around here."

"No such luck," he quipped, "And here I thought you'd be happy to see me."

"This was a private conversation before you interrupted."

"I thought a conversation required two people?" Stefan piped up from beside Klaus.

"If it isn't my favourite groom to be, how are those wedding plans going?"

"Something I have no interest in sharing with you."

"So my invitation didn't just get lost in the mail then?" He joked. "Just stay out of this Salvatore. You two really need to stick to your own kind."

"Our own kind?" Stefan drawled.

"Yeah cheap and nasty," he seethed. "Caroline is off limits."

"Oh wow, I feel like I've been transported back to Junior High in a single moment," Caroline interrupted. "I'm not an object, believe it or not."

"But what a pretty object you are," Klaus grinned, his eyes devouring her every curve. She felt that familiar shiver take over her body. Caroline wasn't sure whether she wanted to kiss him senseless or wipe that smug grin off his face.

"You've got no chance, Mikaelson," Tyler argued. Klaus smiled at Caroline and she knew exactly what he was thinking. Yes he'd had that chance once, but never again.

"This isn't about her," he replied, and she had to admit his impersonal tone hurt. It was just the usual way they covered their tracks in public, but she forgot how difficult it was to hear. "I intervened because I find overly desperate males amusing."

Caroline wasn't sure whether she was happy for the intervention, or whether she was angry that he'd inserted himself into the situation again. The rage boiling inside her was telling her it was most probably the latter.

"Well, maybe we need to ask Caroline whether she finds me desperate," Tyler suggested. "I'd beg to differ after our dinner in New York, not to mention all of the fun memories we had back in the day."

His gaze flicked over to her and for a brief second she could see a hint of jealousy in his blue eyes. She didn't want him to find out that way, but at the same time he had no reason to be upset. Even though she regretted her fling with Tyler, it was after Klaus broke up with her.

"I find that hard to believe," he replied, moving dangerously close to Tyler's face. "You really should apologise for making up stories."

"I'm just telling it how it is," he smirked. "Now, my obvious question would be why the sudden interest?"

"I'm not," he shot back, and Caroline would be lying if it didn't sting a little. "I just don't like you."

"Now, this is making sense," he chuckled. "There's no need to include the lady in our argument. Maybe we need to go outside and settle this like adults."

"Yes, because that's exactly how you are acting," Caroline mumbled, unable to help herself. The testosterone in the air was becoming stifling. It didn't help that his heated gaze on her was creating all sorts of untoward feelings to pulse through her veins.

"I couldn't agree more myself," an English accent interrupted from the entrance. Caroline's head swivelled around to see where the voice was coming from. His suit was immaculate and he was tall, dark and very handsome.

"Elijah?" Stefan asked, obviously surprised by his appearance. Caroline hadn't seen the eldest Mikaelson since before he left for college, she barely remembered what he looked like but it was obvious the years had been good to him.

"Well, hello there handsome," Katherine purred quietly in her ear. Trust her best friend to get so easily distracted from the drama that was unfolding.

"Oh, you need your older brother to fight your battles, do you?" Tyler sneered.

"No, I'm not much of a fighter," Elijah replied, his face deadpan. "It all seems rather primitive."

"Why am I not surprised?" Klaus muttered. "I can handle this brother."

"Yes, because I can see what a stellar job you're doing of it." Caroline looked at Klaus, noting the stormy expression on his face. She'd knew how resentful he was towards Elijah. He blamed Elijah for the way his father treated him, because he could never live up to his elder brother.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Now, where were we Lockwood?"

"I heard there was some trouble here." Caroline just shook her head as her blonde cousin walked towards the group, dressed formally in his uniform.

"No trouble here, Sheriff," Tyler replied, his lips curving into a knowing smile. "Just a small difference of opinion."

"That's putting it mildly," Klaus snorted.

"I know you haven't been back long but things have changed around here," Matt said, addressing Klaus. "I won't stand for any of this family drama Mikaelson."

"Oh, you mean your family," Klaus reiterated.

"I'm charged with keeping the peace," he said, not bothering to acknowledge his comment. "Meaning we're going to have to break this up boys."

"I was getting bored anyway," Tyler drawled, giving Caroline a brief smile before walking out the door.

"Come on girls, let's go," Matt instructed.

"I think we'll be okay without an escort Sheriff," Caroline shot back, sick of people in her life telling her what to do.

"Well it's a pity I'm not asking then," he replied, unmoved.

Klaus glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning around to face the bar as Matt placed his arms around both girls and steered them towards the door.

"You know Matt, we're not twelve anymore," Caroline groaned, as they walked onto the main street.

"Well, I beg to differ," he disagreed. "Why do you both always seem to be at the centre of trouble? My life has certainly been a lot quieter since you left town."

"Well, that doesn't sound like fun at all Matty Blue Eyes," Katherine laughed, using her long standing nickname for him. "More than happy to liven up your life though."

"Yeah, don't worry Matt, I won't be here for much longer anyway."

"You know I love you, cuz," he grinned, those bright eyes only accentuated by his blue uniform.

"Yeah, yeah," she hissed, knowing it was true, but still annoyed at being treated like a child.

"Now, please do me a favour and stay out of trouble, both of you," He warned, looking at Katherine in particular. "I have no qualms about making you spend a night in the cells either."

"Well, it definitely won't be the first time, and I'm pretty certain it won't be the last," Katherine quipped.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Pierce," he groaned. "As fun as this has been, I've got to get back to work ladies."

"I hate this place," Caroline growled, after Matt was out of ear shot. "When I'm not being treated like an object, I'm treated like a child."

"Yeah, well nothing ever changes around here, except the return of the hot Mikaelson in a suit."

"Trust you to focus on the important issues."

"He was yummy," she replied licking her lips. "Do you think he'd be interested in a little fling?"

"He's a Mikaelson, Kat. I think I know the answer to that question."

"Well it hasn't stopped his brothers from going there," she scoffed. "There seems to be a certain aphrodisiac that comes from sleeping with the enemy, you'd know all about that."

"Yeah, well not anymore," she muttered. "My advice would be to stay away, they're all trouble."

"You know I don't take advice very well, in fact I consider that a challenge."

"God help us all," she murmured, knowing just how relentless Katherine could be when she was on the prowl.

"I nearly smacked Klaus when he was talking about you like that."

"Well I'm glad you didn't since Tyler was around."

"Yeah well, I think this whole situation is just too weird. And by the way, what was all that about you having dinner with Tyler in New York?"

"Oh, it was nothing."

"So you didn't go out with him? He is fairly delusional so I'm hardly surprised he made it up."

"We did, uh, catch up," she admitted, sheepishly. "It was only once though."

"Why? And more importantly why didn't you tell me?" She asked. "You've got some explaining to do Forbes."