Klaus and Caroline wasted little time in making it back to the hotel.

He had taken her hand in his, pulling her in that direction, and she willingly followed. Reality flooded in soon after their kiss had broken – how was this okay? What was compelling Caroline to be so reckless? That's what it was, after all, and she had to keep that in mind. Except that as reckless as it was, she couldn't continue to ignore the feelings she'd had for Klaus, because she'd always had them. She never would have worn his dress or kept the drawing if she hadn't, would she? No.

The warmth of his hand intertwined with hers made her feel more at home. Caroline needed to forget about Elijah, he wasn't coming back… or at least, she couldn't count on it. Klaus, she could count on. Something about holding hands with the centuries-old hybrid felt so domestic, too soft for it to possibly be Klaus Mikaelson. And yet it was. She brought that out in him.

Klaus glanced back at her, a strange vulnerability in his gaze as though he expected her to stop following him at any time. With each look he spied her way, Caroline found herself only less willing to reconsider.

They arrived back at the hotel, hurrying through the lobby and into a vacant elevator. The doors closed.

He stood close to her, the entire length of his tall frame pressed into her side. Caroline could feel her body reacting, her nerves pricking with sensitivity and anticipation. Klaus played anxiously with her hand.

If Caroline thought she was being rash, she had no idea. Klaus was playing with fire here, about to ignite a war against his older brother that may never be truly reconciled. Not only that, but he was so quick to jump at this opportunity, and he knew that could make it short-lived. If he could only be patient, he might do this right; he would follow the steps of chivalry and truly win her over, not take her the second she gave in. That proved nothing, it would make her look like less than she was, and would give her less than she deserved. But Klaus was not a patient man, and he wanted this too badly.

Still, he forced himself to give her an out. To be fair.

"Caroline," he said softly, eyes on the ground. "Sweetheart, what I told you… it wasn't for this. I didn't mean for –"

She turned, capturing his face with her free hand and stilling his mouth with another kiss. He went rigid. She pulled away, the tip of her nose brushing lightly against his as she moved.

Her bright eyes studied his for a moment.

"Do you want this?" Caroline asked, voice barely audible. She looked very serious.

Klaus's gaze was frozen, still stunned by her forwardness. When he'd collected himself, he raised a hand to cup her rosy cheek, softening as he gave a small nod.

"Of course I do," he said. The elevator halted, doors sliding open, and before Caroline would have a chance to resist he scooped her up into his arms, taking in her surprised gasp and trying not to wonder just what other sounds he could draw out of her. She linked her arms around his neck, clinging to him as he dashed toward his room.

…

Stefan pocketed the map that Wright had given him, pock-marked with several dots and scribbles of information. He stepped off her porch, brushing off his shoulders and releasing the tension he'd felt all through the meeting. Mona Wright certainly did have a flirty disposition, and he couldn't deny that she was a beautiful woman – but she was a beautiful woman who asked too many questions, and, unfortunately, gave too few answers.

Four swords, he thought, frustrated. How the hell could she only find four swords?

His mind reeled forward, trying to work it out in his head. Klaus had expected there to be a sword in New York, but it had never appeared on the map. They'd gotten hits in Cairo, Thule (why one popped up in Greenland, Stefan had no idea) and Barcelona, along with the anticipated location in Mystic Falls. But nothing in New York. Why?

He slowed his stride, realizing that he'd sped up to a power-walk through the now-steady stream of pedestrians of New Orleans. If Stefan was only going to show up at Klaus's door with bad news, he certainly didn't need to rush.

Elijah had recently made an excursion to New York, and Stefan had a gut feeling that the Original had everything to do with their problem. Surely Klaus would realize that, after hearing the news. Except that only caused more problems… like Caroline. She'd been in New York too. Despite Klaus's affections toward Stefan's friend, he doubted she would be spared from the hybrid's impatient antics.

He groaned. This was so messy.

So he needed to get Caroline away from Klaus, to get her in on this. He couldn't keep another huge lie from her, not after the Elijah cover-up (which he still regretted). But Caroline couldn't keep a lie herself, there was no way… and after reuniting with Elijah, however that went, how much would she really trust Stefan?

Fuck me, Stefan thought. He rubbed at his head, trying to clear his thoughts and sort it all out.

Stefan paused at a street corner, watching absent-mindedly as the mass of colorful pedestrians walked about their day. He caught the eyes of several, though he didn't notice, and they continued on without much else. The low hum of their collective pulses bit at his subconscious.

He couldn't lie to Caroline again. If it meant jumping ship on Klaus, then so be it – he just had to keep them separated in the meantime, which shouldn't be an issue. It occurred to him that he could actually use the Elijah cover-up as a reason to get Klaus on her bad side so Stefan could step in and handle the rest.

Stefan started off again, making a beeline for the hotel. Pulling out his phone, he dialed for Elijah, hoping the Original would be willing to cooperate.

…

Klaus kicked the door shut behind them, spinning Caroline back around to press her into the cold wood. He paused briefly, watching her reaction to the swift movement. She looked nervous, and overwhelmed.

"It's okay," she whispered, trying to steady her breaths. The careful way he was going about this brought up feelings of both relief and uncertainty – it would be so much simpler if he would just do it, and not wait for her permission every five seconds. Caroline didn't want the opportunity to back down, because somehow she was afraid she might take it.

She nodded, reaching a hand up to his neck. "It's okay."

He sensed her hesitancy, moving in slowly now to kiss her. It felt so different from when he'd been in Tyler's body, and the way she'd leapt on him, clung to him, tearing off his clothes and hers. That had been hot, and passionate, and had kept him up for countless nights afterward. But this… this was more. Maybe it was the risk, or simply by virtue of being in his own skin again, and feeling her react to him, not Tyler. Whatever it was, slow and hesitant or hot and heavy, he wouldn't trade this moment for any in the world.

His hand scooped up through her hair, cradling the back of her neck as their lips met, and slid his other arm around her waist. She arched gently into him, lips parted, fingertips digging into his leather jacket as her body stirred. He felt so solid. After all this time of only seeing him, she'd had no scope for how broad and strong he would actually be to touch.

Klaus pressed in, digging a knee slowly between hers and leaving no space between them. His pelvis pushed into her hips, every tight muscle from his chest to his abdomen brushing into Caroline's smaller, softer form. She curled into him, wrapping one of her long legs around his, pulling him even closer as her hands slipped under his coat and dug into his back, able to feel him now even through the cotton of his shirt.

Something clicked, and they found each other. It was like everything suddenly made sense, like they were reading each other's minds and senses as they moved. It was rhythmic, and balanced, and as she pushed he pulled, and as he breathed out she breathed him in. No more tentativeness, no more second-thoughts or waiting for the other to make a move; all thoughts of the real world vanished. For now, this was their world.

And miraculously, it made perfect sense.

…

Elijah shut off his phone. It wasn't easy to speak obscurely about the sword (he couldn't risk being overheard by his fellow first-classmates) but he had managed. That younger Salvatore was smarter than he'd anticipated.

Then again, it wouldn't take much to have connected Elijah to a missing sword, when he had only just been to its hiding place. Still, he found himself impressed with Stefan's ingenuity, more with managing the social dilemmas than anything else – so he'd given in quite easily.

"So," Stefan had said, and Elijah could practically hear his brain working over the phone. "You brought it back with you?"

"Yes," Elijah answered. He knew this was a gamble, but so far Stefan had proved to be a man of his word. They had a lot in common, that way. "And from what I can tell, Niklaus didn't know about it."

"So you still have it?"

"Yes."

Silence from the other end.

Elijah cleared his throat. "Mark New York on your map, and give it to Klaus. Continue with your business. I have other matters to deal with."

"You mean Caroline?"

More silence. Elijah rubbed at his face. If he had trusted Stefan with everything so far, he might as well trust him now.

"Yes, Caroline." He sighed. "I can only imagine what my brother's been up to with her. And more importantly, what he's led her to believe about me. I would very much like to rectify that."

"Elijah…" Stefan seemed hesitant. "He told her you skipped town. She believed it."

"And I will explain to her how that was not the case," Elijah stated simply. "Regardless of whatever you tell me, Stefan, I will still make the attempt. She deserves as much."

"She'll know I lied to her about you."

"And I will say that you never knew. You were compelled."

Stefan went quiet, mulling that over. He returned to the initial reason for calling.

"We need to keep that sword," he said, "and Klaus can't know. As long as we have it, we are one step ahead of him. Then maybe we can send him to New York, while we get the cure…"

"And we can end this, finally."

Elijah chewed on his lip. It was good to have an ally other than his siblings. In truth, he couldn't trust any of them either – maybe Finn, but he'd ducked out of the picture almost immediately. So as far as he was concerned, Bekah and Kol would be kept out of the loop on this as well.

"Do we have an agreement, Stefan?" he asked.

"I'm marking the map right now," he replied, voice strong with certainty. "When will you get here?"

"Soon. It's a short flight."

There was a pause, and Elijah could picture Stefan nodding at this on the other end. "I'll get them separated. It'll look better if I stick with Klaus on this one."

"Agreed. I'll see you shortly, Mr. Salvatore."

That was some time ago, and now Elijah just stared at his watch expectantly. They'd be landing soon, and before too long he would see her again. He'd see Caroline and fix whatever damage Niklaus had caused this time… or, at least, he would damn well try.

…

Caroline burned. Klaus was slowing the process considerably, constantly urging her to hold back and take in the moment. Except he didn't do this with words; he would make his point by pressing into her more solidly, grasping her hands and pinning them back into the door. She moaned impatiently each time he did so, though when he lifted her in his arms, her legs hooked tightly around his narrow hips, and she found herself nearly overwhelmed.

He bit lightly at her neck and collarbone while she dug her fingers into his hair, guiding him closer to the low neckline of her blouse. Klaus kissed at her skin, tipping his face upward to glance back at the younger vampire.

A tremor went through her body when she saw that look. He felt it, felt the way her muscles tightened in his hands, which gripped the backs of her thighs. It stirred him.

But he forced himself to slow. He had to, he couldn't rush this.

Caroline tugged at his shirt. She pulled up on it, and Klaus obeyed – briefly raising his arms, she slid the cottony material off and tossed it unceremoniously away. He was laced with muscle, very lean but still very present. As he returned to supporting her slight weight, she could see the way his shoulders and biceps rippled. The burning increased.

Klaus pulled her away from the door, wrapping a strong arm around Caroline's back to keep her close. She held eye contact with him, her face still very near to his as he turned, walking them to the room's spacious bed. If her heart still beat in her chest, it would have been pounding. This was it.

They fell back onto the mattress, where Klaus climbed over her, staring down with all kinds of want in his eyes. He placed a hand on either side of Caroline's thin frame as she leaned her knees against his hips, trapping him there. Without further hesitation her hands found the buttons of her blouse, which she undid, hoping to pick up the pace.

He leaned into her, breaths hot against her neck, and she moaned softly. With the smallest motion, Klaus ripped away the remains of her shirt. She didn't feel the fabric tear away, only the rush of knowing her upper body was now nearly bare. Klaus lowered himself onto Caroline, skin hot against hers, kissing her again as he ground his pelvis desirously into hers. She could feel him already, even through those damn well-fitted jeans of his.

Caroline pressed her head back into the bed, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn't remember ever feeling so in need of being filled, of having strong hands on her body like this. Exhaling deeply to restrain herself, she tried to ignore her mind and focus on the feeling of having Klaus on her this way. She pushed away thoughts of Elijah, which seemed to loom at the edges of her subconscious. He had no place here. She tried in vain to ignore the heat and pressure that was building low in her body, that caused her to pull Klaus in tighter and rock her hips into his, but it was nearly uncontrollable.

Klaus kissed her deeply, a hand rubbing its way slowly over her breast and belly button until it came to rest somewhere near her hip, pressing so close and causing that fiery sensation to ignite. When she sighed into him, clenching her knees into his sides, he slipped his tongue between her lips. She gasped.

Fingernails digging into his shoulders, Caroline arched her back sensually. She moved to break away from the kiss, to refocus on the goal at hand (at that moment, to undo his belt) but he followed, not allowing her to pull away. A tremor went through her body as he kissed more forcefully.

Caroline felt a strange excitement. If she even wanted to, would she be able to stop him now? Probably not. But somehow, right now, that didn't seem like a bad thing.

Then he broke away, breathing heavily and staring down at her. Face flushed and eyes alight, Caroline had never looked so sexy to him. She breathed quickly, huffing lightly like she'd just run a marathon. A coy smile broke out on his lips.

"Don't get winded now, love," he whispered, leaning down to nibble at her ear. "We're only just getting started."

Caroline moaned, hands immediately finding his belt and zipper and undoing them both. She was tired of waiting.

"Now," she breathed, pulling at his pants, "I want you now."

With that, Klaus stepped back from the bed, sliding off his jeans while Caroline undid the button on her own. She kicked off her shoes as he tugged away her pants, leaving her poised on the end of the bed while he loomed overhead, his hard package swathed loosely by his simple black boxer briefs. It was difficult for Caroline not to stare.

He kneeled there, placing his hands on her thighs and pushing them apart as he leaned in close. They were now eye-level, his dangerously serious as hers were wide in anticipation.

"This is your chance, love," Klaus said softly, glancing down to her lips as he spoke. "If you want to back out, you need to go now."

Caroline stared back for a moment, weighing that idea in her head.

"And if I decide to stop later?" she asked, though it didn't seem like a huge possibility.

He just shook his head slowly, expression serious. "It's all or nothing, sweetheart."

The pressure in her core increased sharply – it was almost painful, how much she needed him. Who was she kidding? She wasn't going to back out. Not with him so close, and her legs locked around his waist like this, and his fingertips digging into her thighs the way that they were. Caroline needed to be filled, needed him to thrust into her until she felt release.

Caroline nodded, slow but certain.

Klaus smiled, his face softening in a way that she'd never seen before; he looked relieved, and excited, almost human. Her chest warmed at the sight, and before she could react he leapt, sending them tumbling back onto the bed so that he could have his way with her.

…

Stefan stepped out of the elevator, making a beeline for Klaus's room. Hopefully they'd made as quick of their business as he had. If he could take a guess, Caroline would most likely be holed up in their room again, moping until Stefan returned and she didn't have to be alone with the Original any longer.

He felt a little relieved, knowing that Elijah was on his way back for her. Not that Stefan really approved of that relationship, but clearly it was too late. All that mattered was that Caroline was being looked after, and properly so. That girl was all kinds of delicate and strong at the same time, and very prone to surprising him.

Not wasting any time, Stefan strode directly to Klaus's room and knocked on the door. If he could keep Klaus busy with the location information, then he'd have a chance to get Caroline out to meet Elijah. He needed to keep the Mikaelson's separated at all costs.

It was nearly silent for a minute, the only sound being footsteps on the other side of the door. Stefan waited patiently.

The door finally opened, revealing Klaus in nothing more than his jeans. He looked thoroughly annoyed.

"Yeah?" he snapped.

Stefan raised his eyebrows. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your power-nap." He held up the map, which was rolled neatly into a tube, and made to step into the room. "I have coordinates for you."

Klaus barred the doorway with his arm. "That's great mate, let's take a look later –"

"No," Stefan interrupted, his own frustration rising, "Let's take a look now before your newly-undaggered big brother gets here and tears us apart." He glared pointedly at Klaus, who was busy shaking his head, eyes squeezing shut.

"What did you just say?"

Stefan looked up, glancing past Klaus's shoulder into the room. Caroline stepped into view, wrapped in only a towel. His heart sank.

Oh no.

He chose to ignore the accusing and betrayed look she was giving him, instead glaring directly at Klaus. The Original merely stared at the ground, eyes unfocused, as though he could for once feel emotions like everyone else.

"What did you do, compel her?" Stefan seethed, voice rising.

"Stefan, what did you just say?" Caroline demanded, louder this time. She walked up closer, glancing between her friend and the back of Klaus's head. "What do you mean, 'undaggered?'"

"Elijah never went away," Stefan said. His eyes remained on Klaus, who merely clenched his jaw. Screw the plan, he had no reason to side with the hybrid anymore. "Klaus daggered him when he brought you home. Elijah's on his way now."

He saw the way that hit her, and almost regretted it. Almost. Caroline recoiled, her jaw dropping in shock as she stared at Klaus. He wouldn't turn to her. He hadn't moved since he'd realized just how much trouble this put him in.

Caroline stilled, if only for a moment, and Stefan could see her shaking. It hurt him.

"You lied to me," she hissed, voice very quiet. She then pushed past Klaus, who snapped out of it long enough to grab at her arm as she passed.

"Caroline, let me explain –"

"Oh, fuck off, Klaus!" she yelled, wrenching her arm from his grasp. The all-powerful Original hybrid flinched away. Caroline rounded on Stefan. "Give me the key."

He didn't hesitate, already having had the card in hand. She snatched it away and before he could blink she was at the door, swiping the lock and dashing inside.

Stefan merely glared at Klaus, who still refused to meet his gaze. After a minute or two, Stefan hurled the map at the hybrid, who didn't even react. His blood boiled.

"There's your map," Stefan spat. "Now go find your cure, we're done with you. Enough fucking with my friends."

Klaus still stared, almost dead-looking, at the floor. His eyes had grown uncharacteristically watery.

"She wanted me, mate."

Stefan's anger boiled over. "No, you manipulated her into thinking that you were the best she could do. You've been waiting to jump on the first opportunity, haven't you? I mean, you practically cheered when she and Tyler broke up!" He stepped close, squaring his shoulders. He hadn't felt this protective of someone since Elena, though it was in a different way. His voice lowered. "Think about it Klaus. This is practically rape."

Klaus bristled, finally reacting to the younger vampire. He lashed out, throwing Stefan into the opposite wall.

"Yeah? And was it rape when my brother had his way then?" Klaus shouted, volume nearly to a roar. "I thought you were the authority on having your love taken away by family!"

Stefan ignored the insult, picking himself up from the ground. The drywall behind him was terribly cracked.

"You know about that?" he asked, shocked at the reference to Elijah.

Klaus's face darkened. "You do?"

The pair remained at a standstill in the hallway, each poised for attack or defense at the slightest movement. They matched each other well, both in stature and emotion – fury and rage. The lies had finally crumpled around them, and left them a sorry mess to deal with now. No more Team, not anymore.

Well, not all the lies were totally dead.

Stefan was the first to lower his guard, though his passion didn't lessen any. Klaus didn't return the movement, choosing to remain fight-ready.

"He'll be here soon," Stefan said, voice back to a normal level. "Take your map and leave."

Klaus seriously considered arguing. He despised the idea of running away at the first sign of his brother, but in the end, he knew that was the only choice. Despite Caroline's obvious feeling of betrayal, the only lie he'd told her was that of Elijah. Did he love her? Yes. Would he tear apart worlds for her? Hell yes. Would he walk away quietly, if that's really what she wanted?

Yes.

And so, for now at least, that's what he had to do.

Stooping slowly to pick up the map, Klaus kept his eyes trained on the younger Salvatore. Without another word, he fished the key card to his room from his pocket, tossing it Stefan's way.

"I'll get my things," he said. "When I'm gone, she can take her clothes."

Stefan nodded, still a little skeptical.

Klaus returned to the room, letting the door shut behind him. He looked to the bed, where only minutes before he'd come so close to fucking the love of his life. So goddamn close. Her smell lingered in the air, light and flowery, as he tried in vain not to stare at the clothing she'd left behind – even her light-pink underthings lay in a pile beside the bed, torn off so impatiently after she'd given him her full consent.

He couldn't admit how much it hurt. All his life, Klaus had fought to find his place, a little nook in the world that was his and only his. He'd built armies and killed hundreds searching for that place. And, for the very briefest of moments, he'd glimpsed just where it was.

And she'd been taken away.

Klaus pulled on his shirt, pausing to sit on the end of the bed. He buried his face in his hands, eyes burning and heart deadened by all the mistakes that he had made. Nobody knew it, but Caroline Forbes had brought out the human in him, whatever good was left in his miserable existence, and now that man was gone. Gone, at least, until he had some reason to return.

…

Hey guys! Hope you liked the chapter. I'm sorry it's taken so long to update, life caught up with me recently in a pretty bad way so I was out of commission. But hey, I'm back! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Thank you to all who have reviewed so far, it really makes my day to read your feedback!

I hope I haven't lost anyone on the plot yet. Believe me when I say there's still a lot yet in store for our favorite characters. ;)

Moony240