Hey everyone! I'm so glad you guys enjoyed my portrayal of Tatia. I both interpreted what I saw of her on TO and simultaneously turned it upside down. I'm sorry for the filler-ish chapters recently, there's just a lot of stuff that has to happen in between Klaroline scenes and also I do believe y'all asked for a lot of interactions between the present and past characters ;) Thank you so so much for the reviews, as always they keep me motivated and also really inform on how to shape the next chapter and even the ones I haven't written yet. Often, if possible, I even add stuff or chapters I hadn't planned on because you guys have asked for it.

Ok, that's it from me, hope you enjoy :)

xx


"Why did you do that?"

It had been a few minutes, long enough for Caroline to have stewed in the interaction that had just passed, along with Rebekah's contributions to it.

The Original turned to her as they walked, heading back toward the Mikaelson house.

"What do you mean?"

She'd come to the only conclusion that made sense to her – that Rebekah had deliberately left her with Tatia in order to remind her that Niklaus was taken.

It confused her, considering Rebekah had seemed so in favour of her and Niklaus earlier this morning, but she couldn't think of any other logical explanation.

And it was surprising to her how much Rebekah's small betrayal stung. Not only because of the way they'd semi-bonded that morning, but also because she had the strangest and perhaps juvenile instinct that Rebekah should be on her side just because, at least in Caroline's mind, she'd known the blonde longer.

"I mean you leaving me alone with Tatia."

The Original sister was silent for a while then she smiled a little.

"You are smart."

"Look, whatever. I don't need your condescending compliments. Just stop trying to play with me like I'm some kind of doll. I'm not going to get jealous of Tatia. In case you've forgotten, I'm engaged to William."

They were halfway home but Rebekah stopped abruptly, setting down her buckets of water.

"That is what you assume my intention to have been?"

"Was it not?"

"No," Rebekah said with a laugh.

"Oh," Caroline said, sheepishly. "Uh, then what was it?"

Rebekah looked a pleasant combination of amused and happy, something Caroline didn't think she'd ever seen on the Original's face before.

"I was attempting to make her jealous," Rebekah grinned. "I despise that Tatia wench and her hold on my brothers and she knows it – which is why she promptly scampered off when I arrived."

They stared at each other for a good long while before both breaking out into loud spontaneous laughter.

"Oh my god, I can't believe you did that!"

"Well it worked splendidly!" Rebekah giggled. "Did you see the look on her face?"

They were still laughing as they picked up their buckets and made their way back home, Rebekah forcing the other blonde to recount the entire interaction for her.


The men were back.

Caroline knew this when she entered her room and saw a steel jar sitting on a small table near her bed.

She stilled, knowing immediately what it was and what it meant.

The latter having many answers, of course. Primarily that the men were back.

That Klaus had thought of her and kept to his promise.

But, moreover and more disturbingly, that he'd chosen not to give it to her himself but rather leave it here for her to find.

With a heavy sigh Caroline picked up the makeshift jar, removed its serrated lid then took a sniff at the distasteful blood inside.

Even with her hunger peaked, the thought of animal blood wasn't satisfying.

Going out into town with Rebekah today had proved to be a real feat, with all the throbbing pulses on revealed necks she had to pretend not to see, plus having the new and incredibly weird experience of having to resist Rebekah's blood.

She thought of Klaus' comment last night and his offer that she drink his blood. The idea seemed even more appealing right now, which was saying something.

Caroline tried to drag her thoughts from his appetising blood as she swallowed the gross animal substitute, focusing instead on the need this would fill and how unlikely getting anything from Klaus would be.

The problem was… she was sick of being ashamed.

Something about spending time with Rebekah, laughing, and standing up for herself with Tatia, had put her in a mood ready to face the world again. Or, more accurately, ready to face Klaus.

She wanted to find him and talk to him.

She still had no idea how to explain or excuse her behaviour that morning, but she knew she just needed to talk to him. Whatever spilled out after her apology would just have to be fine as long as she could be in his presence again; have him look at her with something other than disgust.

Because, yes, she felt something that scared her. A lot.

Deep inside there was an ice cold patch of what she could only describe as… intense absence.

She missed him.

So much it hurt.

It had come to the point where she didn't care what happened when they saw each other again, how either of them would react, as long as they did actually see each other again.

Not knowing where he was or what he was thinking unsettled her in the strangest way. And the thought of him being mad, disappointed or disgusted with her – or, likely, all of the above – made her want to take action.

With a jolt she realised, as she finished the last drop of blood, that her feelings for him had – worryingly – escalated to the point where it was actually distressing to imagine him no longer feeling the same way about her.

Burying first that thought then the jar beneath her bed, she strode out of the room, determined to find her Klaus.