Klaus walked up to the Gilbert house ready for anything. He knew she was hiding here. If he had learned anything these past 1000 years of living it was to be one step ahead of everything and everyone. It also helped that he ran into that dark haired Vampire friend of Caroline's when he left the school. Compulsion is quite the useful tool in times such as these.

He knocked on the door and there was no answer. Again, no answer.

"Come on, Elena. I know you're in there, sweetheart. I promise I won't hurt you, just open up, I'd like to talk to you," he said, hoping she wouldn't test him.

He listened and heard movement, almost as if she and whoever was in there with her were trying to hide her.

"You do realize I can hear every movement, every whisper, everything. So there's no point in hiding, I will find you," Klaus assured them. They were beginning to try his patience.

He waited another minute and said, "Fine, we'll try it your way," as he kicked down the front door, sending it flying into the staircase. That's when he saw them, Elena and a very familiar Vampire, whom he hadn't seen in years.

"I didn't want to do it this way, love, but it seems I have no choice. Either you come with me, now, or I kill everyone you love starting with that brother of yours, and then the line of bodies will just continue until you can't take the stench of death and the guilt anymore that you beg me to end it all for yourself."

Klaus watched as horror fell all over Elena's face.

"I have to go with him," she said.

Stefan held her tighter and said, "Elena, no. We will find another way, you can't do this, you can't"

Klaus watched the display before him almost felt pity for this young couple, almost.

"But if I don't, everyone will die. The only family that I have left will die. I'm one person, Stefan."

Before Stefan could protest anymore, Elena looked at Klaus and said, "I'll go with you, but please give me one day to say goodbye. Please"

At this moment, Klaus watched Elena. She was willing to go with him. She wasn't like Katerina or Tatia. She was almost…selfless.

Like Caroline.

He didn't need to think about her now. Not when he was so close.

After debating with himself for a moment, Klaus made his decision.

"Fine. You have 24 hours, I suggest you start now. And don't think about trying to leave town, step one toenail out of here and I'll keep my promise about people dying. You'll learn I'm a man of my word."

And with that Klaus stormed off the Gilbert porch. He felt a little defeated and somewhat triumphant.

Triumph over the doppelganger.

Defeat over Caroline.

She gave up her protection of Elena for a dog. A dog. Never once considering the consequences and never looking back at him as he walked out of the library. What she didn't know was that, before he sped away, he turned around and caught one more glimpse of her. Her pitying another man. A man that wasn't him.

X

Caroline didn't sleep at all that night. She tossed and turned, racked with nightmares and memories of before.

She rose out of her bed, putting on her robe as the sun crept up, exhaustion and hunger setting in. As she made her way to the kitchen for a blood bag, there was a knock at her door.

God, please don't let it be him.

Caroline had no intentions of facing Klaus. One night was enough. Couldn't he just leave her alone?

Reluctantly, she opened the door to find, "Mason?"

"Is it a bad time?" he asked.

Caroline examined him for a moment, no wounds, no blood, just sheer exhaustion and worry and angry written all over him.

"Sure, come in," she said, ushering him into the house.

They didn't say anything to each other right away, just standing in awkward silence.

"Can I get you something? Coffee? Tea?" she asked, trying to start some form of conversation.

"No, thanks. I'm here to ask you something," he said flatly.

"Okay."

"Where is he?"

"Who?"

"My nephew."

Caroline shuddered at the way he said those last words. There was no emotion at all in his voice. She had never seen him this way.

"I think…I'm pretty sure that Klaus has him," she explained.

"Klaus? That maniac who ripped me open last night? That guy?" he said, furiously.

"Yes. That guy,"

"Well we have to find him. I mean what does he want with Tyler anyways it's not like-," then he stopped in his tracks, realization hitting him, "why do I have the feeling that you know more than you're telling me."

Caroline looked at him saying, "Mason, please just try to understand-."

"Understand?! My nephew is in danger, everyone could be in danger and you're asking me to understand?! All you've done since I met you is lie about everything. I asked you to open up to me because I could tell that you had a past, something bothering you and causing you stress and I wanted to help you because I cared about you, Caroline! But this?! No. I can't understand this. I'm not ever really sure what this is, but I have a feeling it's endangering my family. So please, Caroline, if you have ever cared about me, for even a moment, you'll tell me everything. He's just a kid, he doesn't understand what's happening to him. Please just…help me," all anger vanishing from his face and voice and being replaced with pleading and worry.

All she could do was nod and say, "you might want to have a seat."

She explained everything. The curse, Klaus, her connection to him, and he just sat there and listened, and Caroline couldn't help feel like, if only she had done this before, things might be different between them.

"So you're saying he needs a werewolf."

"Yes."

"It doesn't matter who it is?"

"Correct."

"That's all I needed," Mason said as he started towards the door.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"To make a trade," and with that Mason walked out the door.

Caroline followed close behind saying, "What do you mean 'make a trade?' Are you saying-"

"My life for Tyler's? You bet I am," he responded.

"Mason, stop!"

"Why? He needs a werewolf and I am one," he turned around to face her, "Caroline, don't try to stop me."

"At least let me go with you. I know who he is. I know how he works. Just don't go alone, please. Let me help you," Caroline begged him. She couldn't bear it if Mason died too.

He looked at her and tried to read her, look for any deception, and he saw nothing but honesty.

Mason sighed and said, "You have 5 minutes."

Caroline smiled an appreciative smile and they both walked back to the house. They had a long day ahead of them.

X

After an afternoon of compelling, tracking and listening, Caroline and Mason found Klaus. His hideout was an old, abandoned house right outside of town. Caroline remembered she and Elijah had been so close to it only the day before searching for the same person. She wished Elijah was here with her, instead of in a box somewhere.

"This is it," Mason said, bringing Caroline out of her thoughts.

"Yep," was all Caroline could say.

After a minute of silence, Mason asked, "well do we knock on the door or ring the bell?"

"I'm afraid you won't need to do either," said a voice from behind them.

Klaus laughed at their surprise and said, "Well you've been looking all day for me and here I am. How can I help you?"

Caroline started to speak but Mason put his hand on her arm, letting her know he could handle this.

"We're here to make a trade," he said.

"A trade?" Klaus responded, "what on earth could you possibly possess that would spark my interest?"

"A wolf for a wolf."

"Ah, I see now. You're the uncle of the pup I've been looking after these couple of days."

"Where is Tyler?" Mason growled.

"Oh, feisty too? I see where you're nephew gets it from," Klaus taunted.

Mason hauled back to punch him, but his hand was stopped by Klaus grabbing it. He could feel his bones crushing under Klaus' grip.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Caroline, it seems your dog needs a little more training," and he let Mason go, hoping he could relish in watching Mason crumple to the ground from pain, but it didn't happen, much to his distaste.

"You need a wolf for this curse of yours. I'm one. Tyler is only a kid. He's seventeen years old! He's not even out of high school yet. I've lived long enough and I'm asking you to let him go and take me instead," Mason said. He would get on the ground and beg if he had to, anything to save Tyler.

Klaus stared at Mason and watched Caroline's reactions to his words. She looked astonished and in pain at the thought of this dog dying in Tyler's place. Almost as if she would think him a hero for it. And Klaus was not going to give Mason the satisfaction of going down in a blaze of glory, to always be remembered by Caroline as the hero that was selfless and good.

"No," Klaus hissed out.

"What difference does it make who it is, as long as you get your way?!" Mason hollered.

"Because I tend to take pleasure in making those I have an issue with, suffer."

"So you would kill my nephew because we didn't hit it off over drinks?!"

"No, I would kill your nephew so that every day when you wake up and every night when you fall asleep you'll remember that you could not overpower me. That one's affections for you could not be magnified by your sense of heroism. That no matter what, I will always be dominant over anything that you could conger up."

As he said these things, Klaus looked at Caroline, almost as if he was saying those words directly to her. His eyes locked with hers and he saw that she understood what he was saying. Everything was directed to her.

"I will break this curse. And no one will get in my way this time," and with that Klaus sped off, leaving Mason and Caroline in his wake.

"No!" Mason hollered after him, running towards the house. Caroline followed close behind and caught his arm, stopping him.

"Let me go!" he said, trying to get out of her grasp, but she was stronger.

"Mason, you can't go in there!"

"Tyler is in there!"

"I know, but you'll be no good to him dead."

"Don't you see?! There's no time! It's the full moon and I can't stop from turning! If I'm going to save him I have to do it now!"

She knew he was right. There was no stopping the inevitable, but she couldn't let him die. It would all be in vain. Unless.

"There may be a way to stop it," she whispered to him.

It was then that Mason stopped struggling and turned to Caroline, saying, "What do you mean?"

X

"Absolutely not!"

"Bonnie, you have to at least try," Caroline implored.

"What you're asking me to do is go against Nature, to break the balance of a werewolf turning and I can't do that. The spirits won't allow it."

"I may not be a witch, but I've been around long enough to get a good idea that the spirits can often times be persuaded to let the balance bend, at least once."

"That's not possible! There's no way you can convince the spirits of something that extravagant. Bringing someone back from the dead is one thing, stopping the supernatural from occurring is an entirely different one."

Mason stood in between of the two women's bickering, trying to understand what was going on. Caroline suggested that Bonnie stop Mason from turning so he could help save Tyler. And Bonnie was a witch. Caroline was a Vampire. This was getting to be too much for him.

"Enough!"

Both women turned towards Mason at his sudden outburst.

"If there is a way you can stop this, you should at least try. Please. Tyler may not be the nicest kid in your class or whatever, but he doesn't deserve to die. And Elena too, isn't she your best friend?"

This struck a chord with Bonnie. She didn't want any part of this. If Elena wasn't involved, she probably wouldn't even be considering helping. Tyler was no one to her.

"Please, Bonnie. At least try," Caroline plead.

Bonnie sighed in frustration and said, "Fine. But I'm letting you know now, it might not work."

Caroline nodded in response and watched as Bonnie walked away to contact the Spirits. She turned towards Mason and found him sitting on the couch, his face in his hands.

"This has to work," he grumbled.

"It will work, I promise."

"Something you're sure about because you've had witchy friends over the centuries?" he quipped. He didn't mean to come off short with her, but part of him couldn't help it. She did lie to him after all.

Caroline ignored the sting of his words and brushed it off with a chuckle, saying, "You could say that."

He half-grinned at her response and sighed, frustration, exhaustion and worry written all over him. He stood up and started pacing the floor.

"What time is it?"

Caroline checked and said, "a little after 5."

Mason exhaled sharply and said, "I can feel it."

She had heard about this over the years. As the day drew on, for a werewolf, they began to feel the time coming nearer for them to turn. Almost as if the sunset caused an ache in their bones, preparing them for the breaking and bending they did to become what he was.

Caroline stood up and got right in front of him, taking his face in her hands and said, "This will work. I know it."

He looked at her, broken and hurt, "how can you be so sure?"

"Because your intentions are pure. You want to save a life. Also, what Klaus has planned goes against Nature. A vampire and werewolf combined aren't the works of Nature. They are separate for a reason."

Caroline noticed he hadn't moved away from her grasp and continued, "Mason, I don't expect you to forgive me for lying to you. I wouldn't blame you if, when all of this is over, you never spoke to me again and this may not justify it, but everything I've done has been to protect everyone. To protect you. Because, Mason, I care about you."

Mason's eyes shot up to meet hers, trying to process what she had just said, "What did you say?"

Caroline stepped closer to him until they were breaths apart, "I said I'm sorry, and that I care about you."

He closed his eyes and let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Hearing her say those words was like a cool breeze on a hot summer night. It brought comfort and the slightest bit of relief. For a moment, she helped him forget what was happening around them and the only two people in this world were him and her. He forgave her. He'd forgiven her about two minutes after he walked away from her last night. In the short time he had known her, she had that effect on him. Mason knew that what he felt for her was going from "caring" to something else. Something he had never felt before for anyone. It shocked him at how fast it was happening. In the midst of her lying and everything else that had happened in the past 24 hours, it was still going and he couldn't stop it if he tried.

Taking his silence for anger, Caroline brought her hands down from his face and moved back towards the couch, when she felt him tug her back to him, her chest coming flush against his. Caroline felt his hands come to her face, holding her the way she was him only a moment ago, and in one swift movement, his lips were on hers.

The kiss wasn't passionate or on fire, it was sweet and slow, almost reassuring and for a moment, they both forgot about everything around them and focused on each other.

Mason loved the feel of Caroline's lips on his. It felt like a lifeline, something he could hold on to in the midst of everything falling apart. He didn't want to let go, he wanted to stay that way forever, but as quickly as the kiss had begun, it ended.

Caroline let out a slight gasp when Mason pulled away from her. She wasn't expecting this from him, but she couldn't help the feeling that swept all over when he kissed her, almost as if this was exactly where she belonged, the home that she had been looking for, for so many years, was right here in front of her, in the form of a man who, despite everything, would do anything for her.

She watched as Mason tried to speak, but was soon cut off by Bonnie walking in the room, saying, "It'll work."

X

Mason watched as Bonnie muttered some ancient language, something he had never heard before. He waited for something, a reaction, a feeling, but nothing came.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" he asked.

"Rewriting the laws of the Supernatural takes time, so be patient," Bonnie responded.

He nodded and looked towards Caroline who gave him a reassuring look and smile.

Everything will be alright.

They hadn't spoken much since their kiss, but there would be time for that later. First save Tyler, then discuss the kiss.

The kiss.

Mason hadn't planned on kissing her tonight, or any time soon for that matter. Before he found out the truth about her, he had planned on asking her on a date. A real date. Not a school dance. He wanted to make her feel special because he sensed she hadn't been made to feel that way in a long time. All he wanted was to care for her and make her feel wanted.

When all of this is over, he thought to himself.

Then suddenly, he felt like he was on fire. Like he was turning. He fell to the floor in agony, his bones grinding against each other. He felt Caroline's hand rest on his shoulder, letting him know she was there, holding him trying to take away some of the pain.

Mason couldn't breathe. Every inhale caused burning pain and every exhale brought a crushing feeling. Then, just when he thought he would turn completely, a feeling of cold, rushing water swept over him. Sweet relief flooded through him, causing all pain to cease.

"It is done. Your werewolf gene has been shut off," Bonnie said.

"For how long?" Caroline asked while Mason caught his breath.

"Twenty-four hours. You'll be able to turn with the next full moon, but tonight you are fully human."

"Thank you, Bonnie," Mason said, standing up, "you won't regret this."

"You're right I won't, because I'm coming with you guys."

And with that Mason, Caroline, and Bonnie left the Bennett house. They had some rescuing to do.

X

The full moon had risen, reaching its apex. Klaus stood, watching in anticipation, thinking of how long he had waited for this.

Too long.

The witch was ready, the werewolf and vampire were here, and the doppelganger had come willingly. He had met no further resistance from either Caroline or her pup. Everything was going according to plan. At least it was until someone showed up.

"Come to catch the show of the century? Or the past 10 centuries?" he asked, turning around to face the intruder. He knew she would come.

"I'm sure you know why I've come," Caroline responded.

"Oh yes. Because you think you have a thought through plan to stop me. To contain me and stop something that has been my calling for the past thousand years. You believe that-," that's when he caught it. His scent all over her.

"Has he touched you?"

Caroline stared at Klaus in confusion, "what do you mean?"

"Mason. Has he dared to touch you? He must really want to die."

Caroline just stared at him, she had no words for him.

"Has he made promises to you? Has he told you that he cares for you and wants nothing more than to make you happy?" Klaus spewed out, every word drenched in jealousy and envy.

"That is none of your concern," she responded.

"You are my concern, darling. From the moment you came within walking distance of me, you became my concern. Every move you make, every one you see, everything you do, is my concern."

"Not anymore!"

Klaus turned around to see the man in question, "you must be very brave or very stupid to show your face here. Greta!"

Klaus' witch turned and said, "Master?"

"Contain them," he commanded.

And with a few words, Caroline and Mason were both surrounded by rings of fire, each time they tried to escape fire rose, blocking their attempts.

Caroline turned and saw Bonnie trying to break the containing spell, but it wasn't working.

"She's called on the power of more witches, I can't stop her!"

"It's time," Klaus said. The moon had passed its apex, and he handed the moonstone to the witch.

"Shall we begin?" he said, a wide grin on his face as Tyler and Jenna were brought out along with Elena. Fear written all over their faces.

"Caroline!" Elena cried, calling for help.

"Uncle Mason!"

Mason watched as Tyler was thrown on the ground, curling up in a ball from the pain he was in.

"Tyler! Everything's going to be alright!"

"Bonnie!" Caroline hollered.

"It's not working!"

Caroline watched as Greta cast the spell. She had to get out of that boundary spell now. Greta said the final words, the fires were lit, and all Caroline could do was pray.

Damon and Stefan suddenly appeared, trying to save Elena, when suddenly, Klaus came and stabbed them both in the stomach with stakes.

"I told her to tell you two not to come," he growled, breaking the stakes in half, making it difficult for them to be removed.

They both fell to the ground in agony, calling out Elena's name.

The fire surrounding Jenna had vanished and Caroline watched as she, wracked with hunger, speeding towards Greta and sinking her teeth into her neck, feeding from her, causing the witch to scream. Klaus sped up to Jenna and shoved a stake into her side, causing her to break from the witch and fall to the ground.

"Jenna!" Elena hollered. Jenna looked up at Elena, not knowing what to say or do.

"Just turn it off. Jenna, just turn it off. That way you won't be scared anymore."

Klaus grabbed Jenna and turned her over so that she was facing him. He smiled and then brought the stake down to her heart.

"No! Jenna!" Elena sobbed, watching her face turn grey and one last tear fall down her face.

The fire around Tyler went out and he saw his chance. He leapt into the air, hoping he could defeat Klaus himself, his eyes yellow and fangs bare.

Klaus sped towards him and grabbed him, pinning Tyler to the ground, sinking his hand into his chest, grabbing and clutching his heart and said, "thank you for your generous contribution, Tyler Lockwood," and Klaus yanked his heart out.

"Tyler!" Mason screamed, falling on his knees.

Klaus sped up to where Mason was and dropped Tyler's heart at his feet, saying, "I told you I wouldn't let you be a hero."

Caroline wept for Mason. She wanted nothing more than to run to him and comfort him. To bring back Tyler and make all of this pain go away.

Klaus walked towards Elena, saying "let's finish this."

When they got to the witch, Elena looked around, she saw Tyler, Jenna, every one she cared about, seeing them one last time. She felt Klaus' hand come to her face, turning towards him to look him square in the eye. He simply said, "Thank you, Elena."

She replied, "Go to hell."

"Fine last words," he said, before he sunk his teeth into her.

Damon and Stefan screamed for her, Mason wept for Tyler, Bonnie cried for Elena, but Caroline just stood and watched. Unable to breathe, to move, to think. Everything she wanted to protect everyone from was happening. Tyler was dead, Jenna was dead, and now so was Elena. Everyone that she tried to save, was gone. And all thanks to not anticipating how powerful Klaus' witch was.

Klaus let Elena collapse to the ground, suddenly feeling something change.

"I can feel it. It's happening," then he fell on the ground screaming. Bones twisting and turning, bending and breaking. This was what it was like. This was what he was meant to be for the past thousand years. This was power.

In the midst of the pain, Klaus looked up at Caroline and said, "I told you, you'd get quite the show." And then he screamed again in pain.

Caroline watched as Klaus fell on all fours and his eyes turned yellow. He was becoming a hybrid. A true hybrid.

"Bonnie! Keep trying to get me out of this thing!"

"I'm trying!"

Then she came face to face with a blonde, blue eyed wolf. He looked right at her, knowing who she was. Not going into a blind rage like most wolves do. And she could've sworn that she saw that smirk that had brought her so much grief for the past 500 years, and watched as he sped off into the night.

AS soon as Klaus disappeared, Greta lowered the containment spell, and Caroline sped towards her, grabbing her and breaking her neck. She was of no use anymore. And as she looked up from Greta's body she saw every eye in the field on her. Waiting for her to tell them what to do next. And in all honesty, Caroline had no idea what to do.

Klaus had won, and Caroline had lost. There was no going back now.

OH GOD! That was INTENSE! I don't think I've had as hard a time writing ANYTHING as I did this chapter. I hope I've lived up to our expectations. Let me tell you how sorry I am for this taking so long to get to this point. The curse is finally broken. Please don't kill me for killing off Tyler. I really didn't have any choice. Please leave your thoughts, comments, questions, and/or concerns. also the whole Bonnie shutting off the wolf gene was made up completely by me. I don't know if it's mythologically possible or not but here it is!

Any and all lines that seem familiar belong to Julie Plec and her group of minions.

THank you my lovelies! ;)