Hey hey lovely readers! I'm hitting you with a whammy today! A double update. Hope that's not too much to handle. I was worried one chapter would just not suffice the feels, so I wanted to give you two to enjoy. Not to be a review whore, but if you enjoy them both, maybe drop a comment for both. I appreciate it :)

God, asking for reviews is tacky.

Anyways! Just wanted to say that a lot of the NOLA characters I worked into this fic, I started developing after only a couple of the Originals episodes aired, so we weren't too familiar with the characters and who they were. I was working off the few hints and cues I had, so if they're a bit different, I apologize. And also a few of them are just in different places than they are in canon. And as I always say.. Eff Canon...or you know something to that effect.

Enjoy ;)


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A vampire opened the door and let Caroline, Bonnie, and Kol into the home of the infamous Marcel Gerard. To the human public, Marcel was just another independently wealthy benefactor, a man who had come into his inheritance and chose to spend his youth in a city where the party never ended. To the supernatural set of the South, Marcel was royalty. A king in his own right. King of the Quarter…or so Caroline had been told.

She stepped over the threshold and into the foyer, her heeled ankle boots clicking against the black and white marble tiles. Above hung a large, crystal chandelier; its light gleaming against the brass candleholders fixed to the walls. In front of them was a grand, antique table, a large spread of flowers displayed on top. Just to their left was a staircase; it's black iron-and-brass railing ascending toward the upper flowers of the house.

"Marcel and your friends are in the parlor," the vampire announced, gesturing for the three of them to follow him.

Caroline was beginning to learn how to identify the age of a vampire, based on the customs they still clung to from their pasts. Judging by the way this man seem to act as some sort of valet to Marcel—menacing but still very proper-she guessed he must have been from the early 20th century.

The trio walked through the crimson entryway and toward the parlor. It was extravagant, Caroline thought, with the amount of antiques she saw displayed. Original artwork hung along the walls depicting various periods of art and there were more fleur-de-lis's on display than she could count. She paused in front of a portrait, one that looked familiar to her. His eyes were a darker shade of midnight than she had come to know, his hair longer and pulled back behind his neck, his mouth turned down the corners. Her own pulled up at the sight of Klaus in such a frilly costume, looking all regal and brooding. On his right was Rebekah in an equally frilly dress, her hair in a high bouffant, and on his left was Elijah.

"What a pompous lot," Kol whispered over her shoulder.

"Where are you?" Caroline inquired. "Daggered?"

"Having fun," he replied with a wink. "Couldn't be bothered to sit for hours while this was done."

A hearty laugh called her attention forward and away from the grim family portrait. They entered the parlor and she saw Klaus, Stefan, and a third man she did not know. A stranger with a shining smile and mischief in his eyes.

"I see the rest of your party has arrived," the man grinned, his teeth large and white. "Kol Mikaelson, it's good to see you out of the box."

"Marcel," Kol said, returning his embrace. The two men separated and Kol turned to the girls. "Allow me to introduce Miss Bonnie Bennett."

Marcel stepped toward her, taking her hand. "I've never met a Bennett witch who wasn't absolutely stunning. And I mean that both literally and figuratively."

Bonnie returned his smile with a small giggle and stepped aside.

"And this," Kol said, "is Caroline Forbes."

Marcel looked over at Caroline, transfixing her with his sparkling eyes, turning the full power of his charming smile onto her. He took her gloved in his. "Well, they certainly don't make southern belles like they used to anymore, but I can see the mold has again been broken with you." He bent forward and placed a chaste kiss on top of her lacy knuckles. "Caroline, my home is yours, for as long as you would like to stay. Have you been to New Orleans before?"

"Nope," Caroline said. "This is my first visit."

Marcel straightened, still holding onto her hand. "I hope that you enjoy it."

Klaus cleared his throat behind Marcel and stepped forward to take Caroline's hand into his own. Marcel backed away, allowing Klaus to assert his territory.

"Well, I'm sure you all would like to settle in before tonight's festivities," their host said. "Please make yourselves comfortable. The second and fourth have guest rooms, fully stocked. I'm sure you will enjoy them and the privacy they offer."

They broke off to go upstairs, Marcel leaving them to follow one of his vampire friends into another room. The house boasted six bedrooms. The master suite-which belong to Marcel-took up most of the third floor, with it's large bedroom, bathroom, and private sitting room.

The second floor included three of the mentioned guest rooms. Stefan branched off toward the one at the far end. The next was an adjoining room, with a bathroom shared between the middle. Caroline knew this would be perfect for herself and Bonnie. She started forward but Klaus reached forward and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Not so fast, love," he whispered in her ear. "I think there has been quite enough of girl time."

Caroline tried not to let him feel the shiver of excitement that coursed through her.

Bonnie walked into the room and Kol was all too happy to follow. She could already hearing his teasing and Bonnie's retorts. None of them were paying attention as Klaus pulled Caroline up the stairs to the top floor.

"I thought," Caroline said, "since we are in relationship limbo that you'd probably want some space."

"You're free to stay in the opposite bedroom," he answered gesturing to the door across the hall. "I would just feel more at ease being closer to you. For your protection."

Caroline scoffed to hide the feeling of continued rejection that struck her. "How romantic," she muttered spinning toward the opposite bedroom.

She threw her things onto the four-poster, king bed and turned to see that Klaus had followed her inside, shutting the door.

"Kla—"

He raised a finger to silence her and walked toward her, coming to stop just in front of her. His voice was low. No louder than a shiver, conscious of the ears that were just downstairs. "I don't trust Marcel."

Caroline gave him a wry look. "It's just a little bit of shameless flirting."

"It isn't only that."

Caroline searched his eyes, attempting to decipher his thoughts. It was usually the only way of figuring out what he was thinking. "I don't trust him either," she said quietly, knowing that Marcel or one of his minions could be listening. "That much charm usually means that someone is trying to cover something up. If someone is that nice to you off the bat, they're up to something."

Klaus smirked. "Speaking from experience, love?"

"Well, Damon was super nice to me when we first met and then turned out to be a total dick," she said, walking to the bed and peeling off her jacket and gloves. "You on the other hand tried to kill me before we even knew each other and now," her nose scrunched up teasingly, "well, you're still kind of an ass."

Klaus reached forward and whirled her around. Caroline squealed as they crashed onto the bed, a wave of giggles over taking her. She felt a lightness that she hadn't felt in weeks as they bounced on the bed. But her enjoyment died as soon as she looked up and saw the look of horror that crossed Klaus's face. He was touching her bare skin and the contact was making him human. She could feel his panicked heart pound against her chest and see him turn white as a ghost, before he pushed off her and backed away across the room.

"I guess separate rooms is a good idea." Caroline sat up, dejected, and picking at imaginary fuzz on her dress. Klaus let out a sigh keeping his eyes locked on the ground and Caroline decided to switch into business mode. "We should probably talk about what Bonnie, Kol, and I discovered today."

"What is that?"

Caroline tried to ignore the husky note in his tone. He wasn't going to act on it, so she would keep focused on their mission. "We found the Devereuxs," she told him. "But there's a small problem."

"What's the problem?"

"Aside from the fact that they really, really hate vampires…they aren't allowed to do magic. She said they could be killed if they were caught."

Klaus's brows knitted together. "The witch I met in the Quarter mentioned that as well. Something about Marcel's rules."

"What do you think that's all about?"

Again, Klaus didn't have any answers. "I suppose we'll have to find out his reasons for these rules. And see what we can do to convince him to bend."


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During the daylight hours, New Orleans had thrived with an air of mystery and enchantment. Now that the sun was down and the moon had risen, the city became an entirely different animal. The nightwalkers had arisen from their daily hibernation to feed and frolic to their dead hearts' content.

Klaus followed Marcel through the Quarter, with Stefan and Caroline in tow. They were accompanied by a few of Marcel's compatriots.

"Your brother didn't want to join us this evening?" Marcel inquired. "I remember him knowing how to have a good time."

"Kol is out with Bonnie," Klaus explained. It was true, he had accompanied Bonnie to her rendezvous with the witches, in spite of their request that she come alone. It served as cover for her absence and offered her a modicum of protection.

Marcel chuckled. "Boy always did have a thing for witches."

As they walked down Bourbon street, Klaus noticed the vampires accumulating around them. They zipped past at vampire speed, cackling in the night, jumping from building to building without regard for the humans sharing the streets.

"Not exactly subtle are they," Klaus observed.

"Not in this town," Marcel replied. "You don't have to be."

Klaus dropped back to Caroline his eyes roving over the vampires. "Stay close," he advised her. Caroline met his eyes before he nodded to Stefan, who understood his silent warning to look after her. She may not be exactly human, but she would seem so to a group of hungry vampires without compunction. Klaus gazed down at her again. She did look rather tempting in her low cut top and hip hugging jeans. The bare skin of her chest and arms made the need for gloves almost obsolete, yet she still wore them.

Marcel led them into the same bar they had met him in earlier that day. A live band had replaced the karaoke set-up from that afternoon, but now the party was in full swing. Revelers danced and spun as the liquor flowed.

It was a mix of vampires and humans, tourists and locals alike. They all parted like the red sea as Marcel moved forward and commandeered a high top table close enough to see the dance floor but shadowed enough to be private.

Marcel's friends dispersed, leaving him alone with Klaus, Caroline, and Stefan.

"A round of shots for my friends, unless…" he paused, looking at Caroline. "You prefer something a little softer?"

She arched a brow. "Think I can't keep up?"

Marcel answered with a laugh and made his way to the bar. He returned with glasses and a bottle, passing them around and filling them up. He raised his glass in the air and said, "Ochan! Sante! Onè Respè!" They all clinked together and threw back the shots.

Caroline suppressed a cough beside him, attempting to cover her reaction with a question. "What does that mean?"

"It's Creole," Marcel explained. "To good health. A little ironic, I know, toasting to the good health of a vampire but I always enjoy a good bit of irony."

He refilled their glasses, toasting another shot. After the third, he paused, cheering for the band as they finished their set and announced a short break.

"So Caroline tell me, how did you two love birds meet?"

"Um, well—" Caroline stammered, before quickly recovering. "You know, sometimes it seems like we met centuries ago, and other times it's like it's only been a few months."

Klaus ducked his head and smiled into his glass at the way she could skirt the truth of their relationship. A part of him wondered if she would deny anything between them. Before she had mentioned being in "relationship limbo", the phrase making him stomach churn. The limbo didn't exist for him. Caroline would always rule his heart, whether he let himself show it or not.

"I'm glad Klaus has found someone to stand beside him," Marcel said, patting him on the back. "Back in the day, he was suffering from a rather severe broken heart."

"You're assuming that I had a heart to begin with," Klaus replied, sipping at his drink. "When did you get so sentimental?"

Marcel flicked his eyebrows. "Time and circumstance can change a man I guess."

"Well, well, look who it is."

Klaus turned to see a fetching blonde behind them, in a dark flowered blouse and jeans, an apron tied around her hips. She was looking at Marcel, a flirtatious grin spreading across her face.

"Camille, ma belle," Marcel greeted her, standing up from his chair. "Join us, won't you?"

"I'm not sure if I can," she said. "I'm working and my boss is kind of a hard ass."

"I have a feeling he won't mind."

Marcel smiled at her and then slipped an arm around her waist, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She smiled up at him, a little eye roll accompanying the affection. "Give me an hour, everyone will be too drunk to remember to tip and then I can take it easy."

Klaus watched Marcel watching the girl walk away, his teeth pulling at his lips as he smiled at her back. A moment later, Marcel slipped back into his chair still his mouth still fixed with a goofy grin.

"Who's she?" Klaus asked.

Marcel thought for a moment. "A circumstance that changed a man," he answered.

An hour later, Camille joined them. The party raged on as the band continued play and the drinks continued to pour. Marcel introduced the girl to Klaus, and discovered that she had already met Caroline. The blonde waitress joined them for a couple shots, tipping her liquor back like a seasoned pro.

"You work here and at the Devereux restaurant?" Caroline asked.

Cami nodded. "I only work here a couple nights a week," she said. "The tips are amazing and this place is always packed. Marcel knows how to draw a crowd." She sipped at her beer, her head bobbing to the music coming from the band. "You wanna dance?"

Caroline shrugged and followed Cami out to the dance floor. The two girls carved out a spot and let the music move them. Stefan excused himself to the bar for some more whiskey. He was hitting the bottle harder than normal, the alcohol suppressing his craving for blood. The ripper still hadn't learned to balance himself and the carefree atmosphere of the French Quarter vampires was a bit testing his will power.

The smell of blood lingered in the air, between the smoke and booze. A few vamps were feeding on humans on the dance floor and in dark corners, the tourists too drunk to notice, others compelled to ignore it all and just continue having fun.

Klaus watched Caroline spin around, moving her hips to the music. He knew her lowered alcohol tolerance was letting her guard down, but he enjoyed seeing her carefree. It had been a tough few weeks and he missed his shiny girl.

"She doesn't know," Marcel said, breaking into Klaus's thoughts. "Camille," he clarified. "She doesn't know about all this supernatural stuff."

"Did you compel her?" Klaus wondered.

"No," Marcel replied. "I don't want to lie to her, but I can't tell her the exact truth. It's too dangerous. But she's not dumb, I knew that when I met her. Otherwise, she'd have been dessert." Marcel poured another drink. Klaus had lost count of how many they had shared. Ignoring the fact that he wasn't sure of Marcel's loyalties, it was nice to commiserate with his old friend again. "No one living in this town can deny the existence of supernaturals, vampires and witches and what have you. Some people are smart, they turn a blind eye, keep their noses down. Others—religious zealots, rebellious witches, vigilante humans—they've tried to dethrone us, but no one has beat me yet."

Klaus leaned forward, hoping that Marcel had had just enough liquor to loosen his tongue a bit. "Tell me," he said, his tone filled with innocent curiosity, "how did you manage to conquer the quarter?"


.

After about the fifth song Caroline was feeling winded and sweaty. Dancing with Cami was fun. She wished Bonnie and Elena were there with her. Thoughts of Elena made her sad. They hadn't spoken before she had left Mystic Falls or had a chance to clear the air.

"I need a drink," Cami said, fanning herself

Caroline nodded and the two girls made their way off the dance floor. Instead of leading her to the main bar, Cami took her upstairs. It was a bit quieter up there, and a little less crowded. Cami pointed her in the direction of the balcony while she headed to the bar to grab drinks.

Caroline stepped out into the open air, looking down from the second story, and out onto the busy street below. It was like the city was joined in one giant, never ending party, the festivities spilling over from every bar down Bourbon Street and weaving through the roads. The energy and life the city evoked made it easy to see why vampires would be drawn to this place. An never ending party for creatures who would live to see it rage on.

"Here," Cami said, hanging her a glass. "Shit, I forget you're a teenager." She pulled it back but then thrusted it forward again. "What the hell, you've been drinking with us all night anyways. It's not like anyone is going to say anything." Caroline laughed and took a sip of the cool drink, the smelled like pine, but tasted sugary and tart all at the same time. "You look like an old soul though," Cami said. "But maybe you're more than just an old soul?"

Caroline sipped her drink through the tiny black straw. "What do you mean?"

Cami laughed. "Oh, come on," she said. "You're one of them right? I've lived here for almost three years now, and I've been with Marcel for half of it, it's kind of hard not to notice that myths aren't quite so mythical here."

"So, you and Marcel…?" It wasn't like Caroline even needed to ask, it was written all over their faces. The only genuine moment Caroline had noticed in the old vampire was when he looked at and spoke to the blonde next to her.

Cami shrugged, but she couldn't hold back the smile. "He's not the type I usually fall for," Cami admitted.

"Yeah," Caroline said. "I know what you mean."

"It's hard sometimes, because I know he keeps things from me. Stuff about…you know…" Cami waved her hand over the open air and the street below. "Sometimes I'm glad but sometimes, it scares me." She took a large sip of her drink. "I'm an academic, I like asking questions and I like getting answers. He hates that."

"Well isn't it better to have the whole truth?" Caroline asked.

"Do you want my honest psychological opinion?" Cami asked, looking at her. Caroline nodded, genuinely curious about what she would say. "No. Love it trust. And part of the trust is trusting the fact that even when the person you love is keeping secrets, they might be doing it because they really think it's for the best."

"So that makes it okay to lie?"

"Hell no!" Cami said. "You keep annoying him like hell until he tells you what you want to know."

Caroline laughed, taking another drink. Below them a few boys cat-called, trying to get them to come down. Cami waved them away and they continued down the street.

"There are no rights and wrongs, black and whites in this mad world we're involved in. It's all just shades of gray. You have to decide what you think is right in your heart. It's the only way to make it through this life."

"Psychologist and a philosopher." Caroline and Cami turned around and saw Klaus leaning against the doorway.

"I've been looking for you," he said, his mouth turned down in a similar way she had seen in the portrait back at Marcel's.

Cami looked over at Caroline. "I'll leave you to it." She attempted a friendly smile in Klaus's direction, but he ignored it, keeping his eyes on Caroline.

Caroline threw back the rest of her drink and set the glass in the planter, hanging over the balcony. "So you've found me."

"Indeed I have."

"Find out anything?"

Klaus walked forward, leaning over the railing on his elbows. "Marcel has taken over this city, turned it into the kingdom I had always hoped for. He's gotten rid of the werewolves, controls the witches, and acquired a mass of loyal vampire subjects."

"How did he do all that?"

"I don't know," Klaus sighed. "He still regards me as a friend, but he doesn't trust me enough to reveal his secrets."

"Well, it's not like you want to go Game of Thrones on him and take over," Caroline muttered, passing him a glance. He didn't say anything. His face revealed it all. "You do want to take over?"

"Sweetheart, please keep your voice down, we are surrounded by vampires," Klaus chided.

Caroline ducked back. "Klaus that is insane! Do you know how insane that sounds?"

"Why should I sit by and watch him enjoy the life I wanted?"

"What are you talking about? What life?"

Klaus shifted, standing up straight, pacing to the end of the balcony and back again. "If I hadn't ran when Mikael came to this city, if I would have stayed and fought, this could all be mine."

Caroline shook her head. "You know, everyday you are just becoming…" she trailed off, biting her tongue and looking off into the distance.

"What? What am I becoming?"

"Someone I don't recognize," she replied. "All this scheming and secrets and greed. I don't know who you are anymore. No, wait—I do recognize you." Caroline raised her chin. "You're the man I met back in 1492. The one who didn't care about anyone but himself. Who pushes people away and daggers his siblings and throws tantrums every time someone upsets him."

"You thought I'd changed since we met?" Klaus asked.

"Yes, I did think that," Caroline replied.

Klaus pursed his lips. "You're right. I did change. I have changed." Caroline's eyebrows knitted together, not believing that he was admitting she was right. "I showed mercy, when you're friends brought you back from the island dead, I allowed them to live. I showed forgiveness, to Kol, waking him up and giving him his own dagger in exchange for helping us here. And I've showed kindness, time and again since I first saw you again in Mystic Falls." Klaus tilted his head toward her. "I have changed Caroline. These things, I did for you. It was all, for you."


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Thoughts? Random noises? Let me know!

Thanks to klausykins and klarolineepiclove for the beta wizardry.

Onto the next...