Hey everyone!

I am trying to update as much as I can! But know; the more reviews, the faster I'll get! It's just an amazing motivation!

Did you know that this is Chapter 25 already!? Amazing! And ohmy, 9000 views already! Also close to a stunning 50 reviews! Let's crack that up!

With a special thanks to Bianca. 101, for her support! Thank you sweetie!

I am also open for ideas, and I got a great one, unfortunately it wasn't right for my story, in my opinion. Would also love to hear as to where you want this story to go!

Well, I hope you enjoy, and until next time :D

Don't get too close…

When they walked up to the mansion Cara felt a little nervous. Sure, she had been here before, but never to stay. Plus, then Klaus hadn't been mad at her. And what would Rebekah be like? Would they like each other? Or hate each other? And what about Caroline? What would she think about all of this?

Cara froze in her spot, terrified of all her questions, spooking her head.

Kol and Elijah didn't notice at first. They were too busy chatting away about doing groceries. Really, groceries? Like that's important. Cara scoffed. That made them turn around. Cara rolled her eyes.

Kol was back in a flash. 'What's wrong, darling?' he asked, the amusement quickly leaving his eyes.

Cara shook her head. Too many questions, too many thoughts… She didn't know how to formulate them. In trying, she only muttered: 'Klaus… Angry.. Rebekah… Caroline?'

'I believe Cara here is a bit scared of what certain people might think of her,' Elijah said, appearing next to Kol.

'Do you?' Kol asked, putting his hands on her shoulders, trying to look at her. Cara just shrugged. 'Because it doesn't matter what other people think of you! I will always be there to defend you, and so will Elijah!' Kol said firmly.

Cara's head snapped up. 'Always? Like today? Which you spent mostly in a coffin?'

Kol let her go as if his hands burned. His eyes turned dark. 'Elijah was there, wasn't he?' Kol managed to get out through gritted teeth.

'Kol…' Elijah warned. 'Hold it together, keep it in.'

'Now, Cara, why does it matter to you what others think of you staying here?' Elijah asked with a smile, keeping an eye on Kol, who was calming down, even though his eyes still burned.

'Never mind,' Cara muttered. 'Let's go in, shall we?'

She walked up to the mansion, leaving the brothers behind her. She knew Elijah was trying to calm Kol down. What she said to him probably was uncalled for, but she couldn't care less. How dare he say that it doesn't matter what other people thought of her? If it didn't, then why had she lost everything? And always defending her? Yeah, that worked out great for her in the past. Not that Kol knows about that. She brushed away the thought. He didn't know, and it will stay like that.

'Cara, right?' Cara turned around and looked at a curious Rebekah.

She swallowed. This was it. 'Yup, that's me,' Cara smiled nervously.

Rebekah looked her over, and was satisfied to see that Cara had the decency to be nervous. That was a good start for sure.

'I'm Rebekah,' Rebekah said with a genuine smile on her face.

Cara immediately relaxed, and nodded. 'I know.'

Rebekah chuckled. 'Of course you do! I heard all about it. So, what are you here for?'

'I'm actually going to stay here for a while… Kol wouldn't want to leave me with Damon, since he believes it will cause trouble.' Cara shrugged. 'I guess he's right.'

'Where is he now, then?' Rebekah asked, a bit confused.

'Outside with Elijah, as far as I know. I might just have pissed him off a little bit.' Cara shrugged apologetically.

Rebekah laughed. 'He's easy to piss off. What did you say to him?'

Cara told her, and only now realized that he was in that coffin because she pissed him off. Ah well.

Rebekah shook her head. 'It's going to be hard, for both of you, but you are exactly what he needs. Someone who isn't scared. You'll make a cute couple.' Rebekah smiled at Cara and walked out. 'I'm going shopping, maybe next time you could join me?'

Cara smiled gratefully. 'I would love to!' Rebekah gave her a reassuring smile and left.

Not a minute later Kol rushed in, looking around frantically.

'I'm right here, jeez.' Cara said.

Kol relaxed immediately. 'So everything went well with Rebekah?'

'Yep. We're going shopping someday,' Cara said casually.

Kol tilted his head at her. He had no idea what was going on with her. 'See, nothing to worry about! People like you,' he smiled.

Cara's eyes went cold again. 'I suppose,' she muttered. 'Now, where will I be staying?'

Kol was about to answer, when Elijah interrupted him. 'Why don't you bring Cara's stuff up, while I show her around? We can show her her room after dinner.'

Kol was trying to find an argument, clearly not pleased, but Cara shrugged and followed Elijah.

When they were out of the hallway, Elijah chuckled. 'Kol is cursing about me taking you. He still doesn't trust me completely.'

'Ah well. That's his problem,' Cara said, while looking around. This was the living room. She'd been here before. She even hyperventilated here.

'So, why are you taking me on a tour of a house I basically already know?' Cara said, turning around to face Elijah.

'Why do you care about people's opinions so much?' Elijah asked. He watched Cara shut down right in front of him. Something must have happened to her. He only then realized they knew nothing about her.

'You can tell me, you know that right?' he asked, sitting her down on the couch.

Cara almost felt sad for him. He looked so worried. Yet she did not want them to know what happened to her. They liked her here for who she was. Or at least she thought they did. Why bring up stories from her other life? This was supposed to be her new start.

'I know,' she muttered, while staring at her feet. She just couldn't trust anyone, she had learned that by now. Not even Elijah. She couldn't bring herself to it.

'Well, maybe later, then,' Elijah smiled at her. She smiled back, hesitantly. She just hoped she didn't screw it up now.

'Dinner's ready,' Kol's flat voice came from the kitchen. He couldn't still be mad right? She shrugged. Not her problem right now. She was starving.

'So, which one of your maids cooked today?' Cara asked when she walked into the kitchen. 'Just so I can thank her.'

Elijah chuckled, but tried to hide it in a cough. Kol looked slightly hurt.

'Well, you can thank me,' he said. 'I cooked.'

Cara raised her eyebrows in surprise. 'Well, that was fast.'

Kol shrugged. 'I had prepped a lot already, since you know, we were going to talk today, and I'd invite you for dinner… Only had to finish it, really.'

Cara's heart melted. Kol actually looked insecure!

'Well… Thank you, then,' she smiled. 'What are we having?'

All flustered Kol started putting plates down. 'Ehm, grilled chicken stuffed with cream cheese and herbs, with pommes duchesse and a simple salad…' his voice trailed off, in anticipation of Cara's response.

Cara tried her best to look happy. She had made his day hard enough already. He didn't have to know just yet that she despised lettuce. She could manage.

'It sounds lovely, Kol, thank you!' she beamed, hoping he wouldn't notice her little lie. Unfortunately, Elijah did. She pleaded him with her eyes not to say anything. He rolled his eyes and sat down.

The tension was thick while they were eating. It was really good though, apart from the lettuce.

She pushed her plate away from her, pretending to be stuffed, leaving half of her salad. 'Phew, that was good, Kol! Never thought you could cook!'

Kol smiled at her, taking his last bite himself. He caught the weird glances between his brother and Cara, and he had had enough.

'So, what's going on between you two?'