She'd been lying awake in bed for several minutes now, but Kensie was too comfortable to get up. Curled up beneath the covers, she felt warm and toasty. She was sure the moment she removed the blankets and sheets she'd be cold. Since her stomach wasn't rumbling yet and it wasn't a school day, she was content to be lazy. It wasn't as if she had anything pressing to do anyway. She still had a week left of being grounded from magic.

A faint knock caught her attention, and she listened carefully as muffled voices carried from downstairs. Glancing quickly at her clock, she noticed it was barely 8 a.m. Who would be visiting so early in the morning? Curiosity nudged her out of bed, and feeling a sudden chill, Kensie slipped on a robe and slippers before padding out into the hallway to glance down into the great room.

Damon and Caroline stared up at her.

"I'm all for free expression, Kensie, but I am not taking you shopping in your pajamas," Caroline said, placing one hand on her hip.

Kensie blinked. "Shopping?"

"You wanted to go Christmas shopping, yes?" Damon asked.

She tried to rub the sleep from her eyes. "You never said anything about going today," Kensie pointed out.

"If you don't want to go…"

"Of course I want to go!" Even though she'd just woken up, Kensie managed an impressive eye roll. "What a ludicrous suggestion. I'll be down in five minutes!" With that, she bolted back into her room to get dressed.

On the main floor, Damon glanced at his watch. "I don't know how much you're planning on buying, but how long do you think you two will be out?" he asked in a low enough voice not to be heard by human ears.

"I don't know," Caroline replied with a shrug. "Why?"

"I want to surprise Kensie. I found a tree yesterday and did some shopping while Kensie was at school, but I also found a bunch of decorations left over from when Zach lived here." He nodded to several large boxes toward the back of the room. "I'm hoping to be able to set up a few things before she gets back."

"Wait. If you already have a tree and decorations, what exactly are we shopping for today?"

"Just let Kensie pick up whatever decorations she wants, including some Christmas ornaments. I don't care if we actually need them. It will make her happy, and the kid deserves to have a happy Christmas."

Caroline smirked. "Damon Salvatore. You really are going soft."

"Don't tell anyone," muttered Damon. The last thing he needed was for word to get around that he wasn't as bad ass as he'd led everyone to believe. He was still a force to be reckoned with. It was just… different… with Kensie.

"I'll tell you what," offered Caroline. "Kensie and I will do a bit of shopping, grab lunch, and perhaps even catch a movie before we come home. Will that give you enough time?"

That sounded perfect to Damon. He should have more than enough time to carry through with his plan. "Plenty thank you. Just give me a couple of minutes to make sure she eats something for breakfast before you two go. I won't stick you with a crabby twelve-year-old."

Three minutes later, Kensie bounced down the stairs, dressed in jeans and a sweater, hair pulled back into a ponytail. "I'm ready!" she announced.

At once, Damon placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face the stairs. "Go back upstairs and try that again."

"What?" Kensie protested indignantly, spinning around to face him. "Why?"

"We've discussed the proper way for you to walk down the stairs," he explained. "That wasn't it just now. Go upstairs and walk down properly, please."

Kensie rolled her eyes. "Damon, that's ridiculous!"

"If you want to go shopping with Caroline today, you'll follow my instructions. If not, you can head right back upstairs to your room anyway and spend some time thinking about your attitude."

She really wanted to argue her case further, but Kensie didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to go shopping with Caroline. Sighing exaggeratedly, she walked up the stairs at a sluggish pace. Once on the second floor, Kensie paused for dramatic effect before descending the stairs at the same pace.

"Better?" she asked, placing one hand on her hip while looking expectantly up at Damon.

He was sorely tempted to comment on her attitude. Instead, Damon once again spun Kensie around, this time so that she was facing the great room, and gave her a gentle push. "Go eat breakfast before I decide you're too cranky to go anywhere other than back to bed."

A sarcastic retort danced on the tip of her tongue, but Kensie wisely bit it back. It was clear she was on thin ice, and Damon was being rather patient about it. She couldn't expect that patience to last much longer. Without another word, she crossed the room to the doorway that led to the kitchen and proceeded to rummage through the fridge for something appetizing.

Sighing in relief, Damon turned back to Caroline. "If she gives you any trouble…"

"She'll be fine," Caroline cut him off. "I understand what it's like to be a twelve-year-old girl. Don't worry about her or about me for that matter."

Damon wasn't exactly satisfied, but he wasn't going to get anywhere with Caroline at that point, so he made his way to the kitchen, where Kensie was seated at the table with a bowl of cocoa puffs. He plucked a banana off the counter and set it down beside her breakfast before occupying the chair to the right of hers. "I want you to listen to Caroline today."

Kensie let out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a whine. "Damon… I always listen to Caroline."

"Perhaps, but usually you're in a better mood. Any hint of this attitude had better disappear by the time you walk out the front door, because if I hear from Caroline later that you were anything less than pleasant and cooperative you will not like the consequences. Am I making myself clear?"

She frowned, but nodded in understanding. "Crystal."

"Caroline."

The blonde froze, recognizing that voice instantly. She slowly turned, placing a hand on Kensie's shoulder as she did so to keep the girl close. "Klaus," she greeted him in turn, keeping her tone neutral.

Klaus's presence in Mystic Falls came as a surprise, naturally, but then again, Caroline always found herself surprised when he'd show up unexpectedly. She didn't fear him as she once had; she felt safe in the knowledge that he cared too much for her to ever truly hurt her. It wasn't to say he hadn't hurt her before, because he had, but since their first meeting they'd come to an understanding of sorts. However, Caroline doubted Klaus would extend that courtesy to Kensie on her account, and Klaus didn't need to know anything more about the girl than what was absolutely necessary. As far as he knew, the Bennett line in Mystic Falls had ended when Bonnie had died and come back as… well… whatever she was.

"I had hoped we would cross paths," Klaus admitted, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. Unlike the sinister smirks he normally shared, this smile was genuine – a show of affection that he saved for a select few. "You haven't changed your mind about coming to New Orleans, have you?"

"My home is here in Mystic Falls."

"One day. One day, Caroline, you will take a chance and discover what it means to truly live." The vampire turned to assess Kensie, as if just noticing her presence. "Who is the child?"

Kensie bristled at the comment. Before Caroline could respond, she narrowed her eyes at this newcomer. "I am not a child," she told him defiantly. "Who the hell are you?"

Caroline quickly squeezed Kensie's shoulder in a gentle warning. "Kensie, don't," she said in a hushed tone. She waited a moment, wanting to be sure that Kensie wouldn't say anything further that might set off Klaus, before addressing his most recent question. "This is Kensie Garrison. Kensie, meet Klaus Mikaelson."

Kensie froze, her eyes widening. It took her several seconds to regain her voice. "You're one of the old ones," she said in recognition, "an Original."

Klaus narrowed his own eyes, studying the girl in a calculating manner. "You're human," he stated, having known from the moment he saw her that she wasn't a vampire. Children weren't typically turned, but even if he had suspected such a thing, he could hear her beating heart. What surprised him was that despite the fact that she had heard of him, and obviously knew he hadn't been human in many years, she didn't appear all that afraid of him. In fact, he could hear no change in her heartrate to indicate any fear or trepidation. "How do you know of vampires?" He glanced to Caroline. "I can't believe you would have told her about such things."

The younger vampire shook her head. "Kensie is staying with Damon for a while. He couldn't possibly keep her in the dark, considering everything that happens in this town." It wasn't at all the truth, but the truth was the last thing Caroline wanted to share with Klaus.

Klaus scoffed, an expression of disbelief on his features. "Damon Salvatore is caring for a child? I don't believe it."

Kensie stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "I am not a child!" she ground out, her hand twitching at her side as she contemplated whether or not to use her magic. Before she could decide, however, a hand wrapped around her arm and tugged her back. She turned to stare up at Caroline in surprise.

"Hush," Caroline ordered, frowning at the child. She stared at Kensie until the girl looked away, only then satisfied that her instructions would be followed. "I really need to get Kensie home," Caroline told Klaus, hoping he wouldn't object. "Will you be staying in Mystic Falls for long?"

"That depends. Will I be able to see you again?"

Caroline shrugged a shoulder casually, though her eyes twinkled a bit. "I'll think about it."

Reaching for her hand, Klaus brought it tenderly to his lips. "Until then."

Caroline watched as Klaus vanished before turning and leading Kensie back toward the car. Her hand moved from the girl's arm back to her shoulder, guiding her in a gentle yet firm manner. For her part, Kensie didn't say a word. It was the first time Caroline had spoken so much as a word in such a serious tone toward her, and she was still in shock.

The two remained in silence until both were buckled and the car engine started. Then, Caroline turned to face Kensie. "What were you thinking, Kensie?"

"I… I don't like him…" protested the preteen, caught off guard by the scolding tone Caroline had adopted. For the first time, it occurred to her that she might have mistakenly gotten herself in trouble. Surely Damon wouldn't be as upset as Caroline clearly was.

Snorting softly, Caroline said, "Not many people do, but that doesn't make it okay for you to goad him like that."

Kensie crossed her arms over her chest in a pout, despite the fact that she knew it was a childish thing to do and ironic considering the next words that came out of her mouth. "He called me a child."

"Kensie, Klaus Mikaelson is over a thousand years old. You are a child compared to him. And where exactly did you hear about the Originals?"

"My mom told me about them."

The blond raised an eyebrow at that revelation. She hadn't been sure what lessons Kensie's mother had taught her about the supernatural world. "Did she tell you how dangerous they are? More so than the average vampire?"

Kensie chose that moment to look away, absentmindedly chewing on the corner of her lip. Her mom had shared that information with them, as well. The Originals were not to be trifled with, she'd been told, especially Klaus. His reputation was far worse than the others'.

"You need to stay away from Klaus," Caroline pressed, recognizing the silent admission from the preteen. "He's the most dangerous of the Originals, but he's even more of a threat to you personally. If he finds out you're a witch, he may try to covet your powers for his own personal gain. You might be able to protect yourself from a run-of-the-mill vampire such as Damon or myself, but you're no match for Klaus."

Being told she couldn't handle herself against a vampire, regardless of his age or strength, caused Kensie to bristle a bit. "I could handle him," she insisted defiantly.

"No." Caroline turned to give Kensie a hard look. "Stay away from Klaus Mikaelson."

Kensie unconsciously shrunk back. For all of her talk about not fearing vampires, she couldn't deny feeling a little frightened by Caroline's expression, particularly considering it was directed straight at her. She didn't think for a moment that Caroline would actually hurt her, but she definitely felt intimidated.

Arching an eyebrow, Caroline gave Kensie one more glance before returning her attention to the road. The drive continued in silence, each girl lost in her own thoughts. Kensie couldn't get Klaus out of her mind. He pissed her off, that was clear, but he also fascinated her. She wondered how he might act if she had a chance to speak with him without anyone else around.

Caroline, meanwhile, was a bundle of conflicting feelings. She was concerned for Kensie, whose interest in the Original hybrid was obvious. At the same time, she fought to push down feelings that threatened to surface – feelings of affection for that same hybrid. Damn it, Klaus sure had a way of getting under her skin!

Before either one knew it, they were heading up the long drive to the Salvatore house. As the former boarding house came into view, Kensie felt her jaw drop. Garlands, wreaths, and thousands of twinkling white lights adorned the outside of the house, a striking contrast against the gray sky and complemented by the dusting of snow on the ground and surrounding flora. It was a beautiful sight to behold, and one she had not expected.

Parking the car in the driveway, Caroline glanced over at Kensie with a chuckle. "I didn't think it was possible for anyone to render you speechless."

"It's so pretty," Kensie breathed.

"Damon will be glad you approve. You know, I wonder if it's just as pretty inside as it is outside. Should we find out?"

Kensie nodded and wasted no time opening the passenger side door. She bolted for the front door, but Caroline's voice stopped her.

"Hold up there, missy. I'm not carrying all of these bags in by myself."

The twelve-year-old backtracked and lifted several bags out of the open trunk. "Sorry, Caroline," she said sheepishly. She waited until Caroline had picked up the rest of the bags and closed the trunk, then once more Kensie made a beeline for the house. She had to shift all of the bags to one hand in order to open the door. Upon entering, her nose was assaulted by the scent of fir and pine. Like the exterior, the inside of the house was adorned with greenery and tiny lights. Kensie had always thought the boarding house was beautiful, but the holiday decorations only served to enhance that beauty. However, the most impressive sight to behold was the 12-foot Christmas tree standing near one of the windows. The tree, which Kensie could tell was real, was covered in small white lights, rich garlands of ribbon, and glittery balls in assorted colors. At the very top of the tree sat a shimmering star. A tree skirt circled the trunk, and to her amazement, Kensie spied a few wrapped packages tucked beneath the branches.

A few feet away stood Damon, his expression a mix of amusement and uncertainty. "What do you think?" he asked.

"I… how… I mean…" She stared at the tree for several long seconds before setting her bags on the coffee table and rushing to throw her arms around Damon. "Thank you."

Damon gave her a gentle squeeze, and it made the ambience of the room all the more Christmas-y. "You're welcome, but there's more. Take your bags up to your room."

Curious as to how Damon could possibly top it all, Kensie retrieved her bags from the table and turned back to Caroline, who she noticed for the first time since she'd entered the house. She took two more bags from the young woman and carefully made her way up the stairs, not wanting to drop anything she'd purchased.

Nudging open her bedroom door with her foot, Kensie spotted a 4-foot fir tree standing atop a low round table by the window. It was bare – no lights or decorations had been added – but Kensie was still shocked. Never had she expected to have her own Christmas tree up in her room in addition to the tree downstairs. Spotting a slip of white on the table beneath the tree, she set the bags down on her bed and moved closer to inspect. It was a folded piece of paper, which revealed a message when she unfolded it.

I thought you might like to have your own tree to decorate, since you didn't have a chance to help decorate the tree downstairs. –Damon

The man was continuously surprising her. She would have never believed when she first met Damon that he had the ability to care for anyone, yet here he was, making her feel more at home and doing things for her that didn't give him anything in return. Kensie wished she could adequately express what Damon's actions meant to her, but the words wouldn't come. For the time being, "thank you" would have to suffice.

"Klaus is in town," Caroline informed Damon as she set her remaining bags down on the nearest table.

"Wonderful," Damon muttered, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Do we know why?"

Caroline shook her head. "Nope, and I have no idea how long he's staying. She nodded her head toward the stairs. "While he's here, though, I suggest keeping Kensie away from him at all costs."

Damon's brow furrowed in concern. "What happened?" he demanded.

"We ran into Klaus as we'd finished up our shopping. He knows she's staying with you, but he doesn't yet know that she's a witch. I figured you'd want to keep it that way. However, Kensie has taken a rather understandable disliking to Klaus and I don't trust her to keep her mouth shut should they meet again."

Great, Damon thought. He knew how infuriatingly stubborn Kensie could be, yet he also knew she had a curiosity that she couldn't always squash. Keeping Kensie away from Klaus would likely prove difficult. "Does she understand the threat he poses?"

"I don't think she does," Caroline admitted. "She's heard about the Originals before, and she recognized Klaus's name. However, no matter what I said to her, it didn't seem to sink in that he's more dangerous than you or I are."

"I'll talk to her."

"Talk to who?" Kensie asked, rejoining the other two in the great room. She'd been prepared to express her gratitude once more, but having inadvertently caught the tail of their conversation, she decided it was too interesting to ignore.

"You," Damon replied, turning to his adopted child as he mentally prepared for an argument. He knew Kensie well enough that she wouldn't simply accept his warning about Klaus without a fight.

"I need to get going," Caroline said quickly, knowing her presence wasn't necessary for this conversation. "I'll see you guys later."

"Thank you for everything today, Caroline," Kensie said with sincerity.

The blonde smiled. "You're welcome."

Kensie and Damon watched in silence as she departed, then Kensie turned expectantly back to Damon. "You wanted to talk to me?" she clarified.

Damon spoke in a calm yet serious tone. "Caroline told me that you two ran into Klaus today."

Kensie bit her lip, wondering exactly how much Caroline had told Damon. Had Caroline mentioned that Kensie had snapped at Klaus, or that she, Caroline, had scolded Kensie? Would Damon be upset about either of those things. "Yeah…?"

"I understand that you don't like Klaus. Can't say that I blame you, either. He's a pompous ass."

She had to nod in agreement with Damon's assessment of the ancient immortal.

"I know Caroline attempted to explain to you the threat that Klaus poses. She was concerned that you might not fully understand that threat."

Great. Now Damon was going to try to lecture her as well. Kensie took two steps back and plopped down on the sofa, folding her arms as she pouted. "I can defend myself against a vampire," she muttered with a huff.

"Yes," Damon agreed, not missing the way Kensie's eyes snapped wide in surprise. "If anything were to happen, you could protect yourself against Caroline, Elena, Stefan, or even me. However, Klaus isn't just any vampire, Kensie. He's an Original – one of the first vampires ever created. They are stronger, faster, and deadlier than any other vampire. They cannot be killed without a special white oak stake. Klaus is even worse than the other Originals because he is a hybrid – meaning he is also a werewolf. Werewolves have horrible tempers, and Klaus will kill anyone and anything in the blink of an eye for no other reason than he feels like it."

She'd hoped he might see her side, but it appeared he was siding with Caroline. Kensie glared at Damon in defiance, feeling far braver than she should. "I'm not afraid of Klaus Mikaelson."

"You should be," Damon said. His tone sent a shiver up Kensie's spine. "However, I'm not here to debate whether or not you're afraid of him. I want your word that you will stay away from Klaus."

Kensie had expected Damon to deliver an ultimatum, to make threats if she didn't comply, but she hadn't expected him to request promises from her. That changed things dramatically. It was one thing for her to simply disobey Damon's demands; it was another thing entirely for her to break her word, which she knew he'd consider lying. While Kensie wasn't planning on sneaking out to hunt him down, if the opportunity to observe or even talk to Klaus presented itself, she knew she'd have a hard time resisting. The consequences if caught wouldn't bode well for her. Damon didn't have to warn her of what would happen in that instance, because she already knew. "Damon…" she protested, only a hint of a whine audible in her voice.

"No," he replied firmly. "Promise me you'll stay away from Klaus, Kensie. You have no business being anywhere near him and I've already given you a generous explanation as to why."

Shaking her head, she moved to push herself up off the sofa. However, Damon was seated on the coffee table in front of her in an instant, blocking her path.

Reaching out, Damon gently grasped Kensie's chin, turning it until she felt she had no choice but to look at him. Piercing blue eyes bore into hers. "Your word, Mackenzie."

Normally she would protest his use of her given first name, but Kensie couldn't bring herself to complain – not when he was looking at her like that. "I promise," she whispered, realizing she was now royally screwed if she went anywhere near Klaus.