Knock. Knock. Knock.

Caroline vaguely registered the sound coming from the door as she turned on her side. Did something fall off a table?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Caroline," Klaus mumbled from beside her. Ah yes. Morning-after-sex bliss. That's what she was feeling.

"Mmm?" she groaned in response.

"Door."

"No thanks."

"Not a question," he yawned, moving a little beside her.

"Caroline?" a voice came from the other side of the door. It was Elena.

"Go away!" Caroline shouted, putting the pillow over top of her head.

"That never worked in the past, and it won't work now," the other girl retorted.

Caroline moaned and looked at her clock. It was two in the afternoon. Eh. She'd done worse.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Make it stop," Klaus whined.

"No you," Caroline argued, searching for his body with her feet. When it met with a squishy surface, she realized she had found his fabulous ass. Working her way up a little to the small of his back, she pushed with force. There was a loud thud soon after.

"Caroline? Are you okay? I heard something," Elena asked with concern.

"Ow," Klaus muttered, his voice muffled by the floor.

"Fix it," Caroline grumbled, referring to the knocks. She immediately took up the free space on her bed, and burrowed into the sheets.

"No," he said curtly.

The knocking had stopped at this point, and Caroline thought for a split second she would get some peace and quiet. At least, until she heard tiny clicking noises coming from the direction the door would be in. And then that door was swinging open, and a couple of footsteps could be heard entering her sanctuary.

"Thanks," she heard Elena say.

"In my line of work, lock-picking is practically second nature. Think nothing of it," she heard a second, more unexpected voice, reply. Caroline forced one eye open to see Elena with a carrier that held three coffees, and Elijah standing right next to her.

"It's okay…come in," Caroline said sarcastically.

"I knocked," Elena reminded her. The brunette began taking the coffees out, and placing them on the table.

"Niklaus…I'm surprised. You're normally an early bird. Unless that's changed?" Elijah asked, taking a seat in one of Caroline's chairs.

"Busy night," she heard Klaus say simply. Caroline smiled to herself. Yes, it had been very busy indeed.

"Ah. Details aren't necessary then," Elijah said nonchalantly. Not a shock he would be completely mature about two people obviously having sex the night before. It was getting hard not to adore the oldest Mikaelson.

Caroline would have gotten up then, but she realized that all she had on was a shirt of Klaus' and underwear. She turned to Elena with a helpless expression.

"Elena," she sang a little, "would you please get me some shorts?"

Elena just rolled her eyes before digging through Caroline's drawers for a pair of cotton shorts. She tossed them to Caroline. Then she went and took a seat beside Elijah, sipping her coffee carefully. Caroline shimmied on her shorts while under the cover of her blankets, getting up afterward and grabbing the coffee Elena usually brought her.

"There are four packets of sugar in that. I think it's how you like it," Elena said knowingly. They shared a grin before Caroline turned back to Klaus. Elijah chuckled gently beside her.

"I believe you tuckered out our poor Niklaus last night," he said, amused by Klaus' unwillingness to move. Caroline smiled with pride.

"I think I did. And I was expecting Elena, but how come you're here Elijah?" she asked curiously, taking a seat across from Elijah. He shrugged.

"You said to be here by six, but I thought I'd come and socialize before then. Is that alright?"

"Absolutely. If Klaus were moving, I know he'd be happy to see you," Caroline said, smiling at her newest friend.

"How did you sleep last night, Elijah?" Elena asked as she took another sip of her coffee.

"Wonderfully. Sleeping in an actual bed after years of cots and make-shift hammocks was like paradise."

"Especially when you're sleeping on silk sheets," Caroline giggled.

"It wouldn't have mattered to me if they weren't. I look forward to staying with Klaus, even though I'm sure I'll be on his couch."

"At least it's a sofa bed," Caroline said optimistically, "So it'll work until we can get you a real bed."

"We?" Elijah said with an amused grin. She smiled sheepishly, taking another sip of coffee to keep from saying anything else. Maybe it was too early to be presuming she would be a part of the shopping process. It might be brotherly bonding time. He didn't seem upset or anything though, so maybe she could go with them.

The three of them turned toward the pile of human on the floor beside her bed. He was starting to stir, slowly getting up and stretching his arms above him. Klaus turned around, and was caught slightly off guard by the audience around him. Caroline giggled as he got up and walked toward the table.

"I got you a coffee. I wasn't sure how you liked it, so I just left it black," Elena told him. He waved his hand dismissively.

"That's how I like it," he said groggily, grabbing the cup and chugging half of it down in one go. Show off.

Klaus then walked over to kiss Caroline on the top of her head, and moved to sit beside of her and Elijah.

"What's on the agenda for today again?" he asked through hooded lids.

"Breakfast for dinner. Everyone's coming over, so look presentable."

"I've had a very long week…I think I could get away with this very outfit if I chose to," he said with a nod.

"Would you change for me?" she asked innocently, giving him her best set of puppy-eyes. Caroline watched as his resolve crumbled, and he got up.

"Fine…I'll go get ready," he said as he got up, with his coffee, and headed out the door.

"But Klaus…" she trailed off because it was too late. He was already out the door. Was he heading for his place or the coffee shop? Elijah stood up quickly, following behind him.

"I'll go make sure he doesn't fall down the stairs," he said as he hurried out the door. Caroline and Elena went into a fit of giggles.

"What did you do to him last night?" Elena whispered conspiratorially. Caroline just shrugged, feigning innocence.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Caroline said. She got up to go get ready for the day ahead. Seeing Klaus so undone in the morning was a fantastic start to her morning though, she had to admit. Or afternoon...whatever. It must have been a good sign.

Elena suddenly seemed to remember something as she reached into her pocket.

"I almost forgot," she said, "I got this earlier."

"What is it?" Caroline said, picking up the note Elena had passed to her.

"Read it," the brunette said, barely able to hold her excitement. Caroline eyed her warily, but opened the note. Her eyes scanned over the words a few times, trying to digest what it was saying. And what was enclosed with it.

Heard your shop was going under. Thought a donation would help out a little.

-Anonymous

"Is this a check for-"

"Yes!" Elena said, jumping up and down in her chair. Caroline covered her mouth.

"That's enough money to keep the café going for…hell, for as long as you want!"

"That's not all. The owner told me this morning that I'm now in charge. She was planning on calling it quits soon so she could go traveling, and she was going to pass the position to me. Caroline…I get to run the coffee shop now! I've already done all the paperwork!"

Caroline squealed as she tackled Elena for a hug. How was this even possible?

"Are you sure? Is this real? Do you think you can handle it?"

"Yes to everything! Caroline…it's really mine. The shop is mine," she breathed.

"Well…we have to tell Elijah and Klaus immediately! We need to celebrate this!"

Apparently, their dinner that night would double as a celebration. Elena was getting something she had wanted for a long time. And Caroline couldn't be happier for her.


The time before six had mostly been spent conversing between the four of them. Elena and Caroline had gone to the store too, gathering ingredients for the night ahead. Damon was in some business meeting until five. Matt was working at his bookstore, and Rebekah had gone to visit him. Tyler was who knows where, trying to avoid any contact with the group. She wondered how dinner was going to be if he couldn't even face Klaus or Elijah. Had he not done his part to show that he wasn't a threat to them?

At around five, Elena and Caroline began baking and cooking furiously in her kitchen, creating a variety of breakfast items to choose from. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bagels, toast, oatmeal, sausage, hash browns, bacon, muffins, yogurt, fruit, orange juice, milk, coffee…literally everything a person could imagine for breakfast was there. There were going to be a lot of people, and Caroline wanted a large assortment. Elijah had said he would eat any kind of pancakes, just as long as he got some with bacon. She had decided to make plain ones, chocolate chip ones, and blueberry ones.

Basically her kitchen was a mess. But quite frankly, she didn't care. Klaus would tease her occasionally about not being tidy, but she ignored him. If he wasn't going to help, then he wasn't allowed to have an opinion on the state of her kitchen.

Elijah sat patiently at the table, his eyes never leaving the preparations that were underway. He had the tiniest of contented smiles on as he watched them flip pancakes. For a man in his early thirties, Elijah was full of little quirks and surprises. He had this calm, mature, and intelligent air to him practically twenty-four/seven. Yet, during moments like this, a more…what was the word? It couldn't be innocent. Elijah was about as innocent as Klaus…which wasn't very. He had killed a lot of men in his time. Klaus said he was quite a charmer with the ladies too, and was definitely not a virgin. So whatever word she was thinking of…it wasn't innocent. Yet, it somehow was. That boyish grin was genuine, and she didn't know how else to describe it.

Caroline thought a lot of it had to do with being away from home for so long. Elijah was strong, physically and mentally. In the short amount of time she had known him, Caroline had grown nothing but respect for the older and honorable man. But how would she have been afterward? Would she have been like Elijah, who simply craved for homemade dishes, and a warm bed to sleep in? Or would she have been more like Klaus? Broken and lost because everything had been torn from her?

It really made a girl think.

She shook her head, trying to clear all negative thoughts from her mind. Everyone was safe, and that was the important thing. Walker and Kane were dead. And the facility was destroyed. They would never have to deal with any tropical imprisonments ever again.

The room slowly began to fill with people as Caroline and Elena began setting plates onto her table. She had to add an extra section to the table to make it bigger, which thankfully made room for everything.

Damon walked in, tossing his jacket on the couch before walking up behind Elena and giving her a hug from around the waist. Elena smiled and patted his hands that were hooked around her.

Next to come in were Matt and Rebekah. The two had become quick friends over the past week. Rebekah helped comfort him while he mourned his brother, sharing her feelings on how it had been when she thought Elijah had been dead. Rebekah even told Caroline that she had wanted to ask Matt out on a date, but thought it too soon after everything. Between Carter's death, and her break-up with one of Walker's henchmen…the timing just wasn't right. Caroline felt for Rebekah, but figured it would only be a matter of time before the two were dating. Matt showed painfully obvious signs of returning her feelings. He was just too shy, or nervous, to act on them.

The very last person to come in was Tyler. This didn't come as a surprise to Caroline. Of course he wouldn't want to be there, but Caroline had asked him to be. Tyler needed to be okay around Klaus. She didn't like her boyfriend and best friend fighting. Even if the reasons behind the tension were understandable. Tyler was afraid of getting his neck snapped, and Klaus was afraid he wouldn't get to snap it.

It was all really wonderful. Really.

Klaus eyed Tyler dangerously, but Caroline put a hand to his cheek, making Klaus face her.

"Behave," she warned him. His gaze never changed, but he stopped staring at least. She would take it.

Caroline watched Damon unhook himself from Elena's back, and walk over to sit on the couch until dinner was ready. She hesitated for only a moment before rubbing her hands together to clean off the excess food. There was still something she had to settle.

Damon eyed her suspiciously when she slowly sat down next to him. She grinned timidly.

"Hey," she said quietly.

"Hello, Barbie," he said, that normal sarcastic tone to his voice.

"Um…could I ask you a question?"

"You just did," he said with a smug little smirk. She gave him a helpless look, really wanting him to cooperate. Caroline was afraid Damon was going to freak out on her and get angry. He saw the serious expression on her face though and waved for her to continue.

"If I told you something…would you promise not to get mad?" she asked in a hushed tone, so that no one else would hear her. Damon looked utterly confused.

"Well…no. Spill," he demanded. Caroline sighed and began to fidget a little.

"Okay…um…everything is under the floorboard?" she tried. Damon just raised an eyebrow and blinked a couple of times. He looked at her like she was insane.

"No comprende, senora loca!" he said, his eyes wide as he shook his head at her. Caroline took a deep breath before trying again. She had to know if it had been real.

"Everything that you're looking for…is under Stefan's floorboard," she whispered.

That had gotten his attention. His eyes snapped up to meet hers.

"What are you talking about?" he asked seriously, all playfulness that was previously in his voice now gone.

"Whatever it is that you're looking for is under his closet floorboards. Stefan put it there when he got into a fight with your father because he was afraid your father would trash it when they were talking about his career."

Damon looked at her skeptically. "How do you know if I'm looking for anything or not?"

"He told me you were," she confessed. Damon didn't show any emotion as he watched her. Caroline could see in his eyes though that he was getting pissed. It was even more apparent when he leaned closer to her.

"If this is some sick joke," he hissed, the unspoken threat looming in the air as he sat close to her. She shook her head violently, her eyes watering a little.

It hadn't been a dream. It had been real.

"It isn't. I would never do that to you."

"Sure," he scoffed in disbelief.

"I'm serious!"

"How am I supposed to know you aren't just eavesdropping on me? Or Elena, since you have no reason to be at my house that late at night."

"Because I don't know what you're looking for. I just know you're…wait…eavesdropping?" she asked, confused. Suddenly, it all clicked.

"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" Damon asked sarcastically.

"He hears you," Caroline said distantly. Now it all made sense. Why Stefan wanted her to tell Damon all of this.

Damon still talked to him, and Elena didn't know.

"What?" he spat. She turned to him with sad eyes.

"Do you talk to him still? Stefan? Is that what this is about?" Damon sat up straight, his emotions finally giving him away. He sighed, rubbing his forefinger and thumb over his eyes.

"Yes," he admitted quietly. "Before bed. When Elena isn't in the room with me. It's a stupid routine, and I don't want her to think differently of me for it."

"Routine?"

"I do it every night," he scoffed, looking down at the floor, "I go outside, look up, and tell him about my day."

"Do you ask him about where his stuff is?"

"…Yes."

"Damon, what are you looking for?" It would have been nice if Stefan had told her, but maybe this was for the better. Now Damon could be sure she hadn't overheard his conversations with Stefan.

"His old journals, so that I could read them. And…"

"And what?" Caroline persisted. Damon sighed, like he was giving away his deepest and darkest secret.

"A stuffed bear of his that he gave me. We were young. It was right after mom died. I got into an argument with our dad, and he left the house infuriated. I went to my room upset, and Stefan followed behind me. He gave me the stuffed bear in his hands, and told me to keep it, in case I ever needed a friend. And I…laughed," he said with disgust. Damon was obviously horrified by his past actions.

"What happened after that?"

"I threw it across the room like it meant nothing," he laughed humorlessly. "So Stefan picked it up, told me I could have it whenever I wanted, and left. Now that I want it…I can't find it. I ask him where it is every night, and every night it's the same response. Nothing. Nothing…but silence."

"Damon, he hears you," she repeated. He shook his head.

"Sure. Whatever you say," he said, waving his hands like he was tolerating her notions. Caroline didn't give up though. She had promised Stefan to do this.

"Look, I wasn't privy to specifics, at least not until now. But he said everything you're looking for is under his closet floorboards. I'm guessing this includes journals and said bear."

"How do I know you're not just pulling some location out of your ass? How am I supposed to believe that he kept that bear for all these years?"

"Because he also said you have nothing to be sorry for."

Damon's eyes widened. He had to know she was being honest. She hadn't known what he was looking for. That had to be proof, right?

"What?" he asked, dumbfounded by her words.

"He said you had nothing to be sorry for. He said he always hears you. He said that most importantly out of all of this, is that he loves you. And no matter how many arguments you two got into, that never changed."

Damon stared out into space. His eyes were a little watery, but he never once shed a tear. He began to nod his head slowly.

"And how did my dear, baby brother pass this on?" he asked, finally looking up at Caroline. She smiled.

"When I was unconscious after being admitted to the hospital, I had a…unique experience."

"How unique exactly?"

"Let's just say I have an angel watching over me. We all do," she smiled. Damon's mouth gradually formed a smile, as he started laughing quietly. In an uncharacteristic gesture…he pulled Caroline into a hug. She was taken aback at first, but she regained her bearings quickly and returned it.

"If his stuff isn't under the floorboards…I'm going to rip your pretty little clothes to shreds." Caroline smiled.

"You're welcome," she whispered.

The two broke away, and Caroline could see he was still smiling. He gave her one last pat on the shoulder before getting up and walking over to where Elena was finishing her table setting.

"Everything okay? What were you two talking about?" she asked sweetly, putting the last bowl of food on the table. Damon shook his head.

"I'll tell you later. On our way home," he said, placing a kiss on her head before helping to pull her chair out. Damon gave Caroline a knowing look, and she smiled. Good. He needed to confide in Elena. Caroline knew her friend would never judge Damon for his nightly routine. In fact, she would probably encourage more of it. But Elena would never, ever make fun of him for it. His worries were silly, but considering this was Damon she was talking about…it made a little sense as to why he would have them in the first place. Stefan had told her enough to get a hint of what their father was like to him.

Caroline joined the rest of the group, giving Klaus a kiss on the cheek before grabbing a chair and sitting down. He followed suit, taking the chair next to her.

Once everyone was seated, Caroline clinked her glass of Orange Juice with a knife, and gave everyone a delighted smile.

"I'm going to make this short and sweet. Thanks to everyone for being able to make it tonight. Hope you enjoy!"

With that, she sat back down, and watched as everyone began going for plates and bowls. Caroline caught sight of Tyler, being rather quiet. He was never quiet. She sighed, unsure of how to get him to open up. This couldn't go on.

"So Tyler, how has your mom been? Have you heard from her?" she asked, sincerely wanting to know.

"With all the money he has, she must be doing wonderfully," Klaus chimed in. Tyler glared at him from across the table.

Oh this was just going swimmingly.

"I knew you of all people would understand," Tyler said sarcastically.

"Klaus…"

"Right. What would the crazy man know about anything? Oh yea…I know not to lie to my friends about my job."

"That would imply you have friends," Tyler retorted.

"Tyler!" Caroline said horrified. Oh god she should have just kept her yap shut.

"Treading on thin waters, mate," Klaus threatened.

"Klaus, look I know Tyler lied to me, but it's not like I've forgotten okay? I'm still upset about it. But he's also my friend. I can't shut him out completely."

"Technically…I didn't lie…" Tyler added.

"What do you mean? Of course you did," Caroline said, utterly confused by what he was getting at.

"I mean…I did tell you I never killed Elijah…"

Caroline's eye twitched. He considered that being honest? Those might have been his exact words…but it wasn't what he had been suggesting. He had let Caroline believe Klaus was making wrongful accusations. Was this supposed to be a poor attempt at a joke?

Damon and Matt looked anywhere but at the two fighting, knowing very well that Tyler had crossed a line, and they felt sorry for his impending future. Elena and Rebekah just looked as if they couldn't believe he had said that. Elijah was completely oblivious as he put in another forkful of pancakes.

Before Tyler had time to dodge, Caroline flung scrambled eggs at him. She smiled. Maybe it wasn't just Klaus who had some leftover anger at Tyler for lying.

"Oh look…you have a little egg on your face," she quipped.

Tyler nodded his head a couple of times, a humorless smile spreading across his mouth. He took a glob of oatmeal and reached over the table, smearing it on her face with his hand.

"And you have a little oatmeal on yours," he came back with.

The two stood up instantly, facing each other with a challenging look in their eye. Unexpectedly, Caroline saw Damon standing up, jelly slowly falling down his shirt. Elena was giggling beside him. Rebekah followed soon after, putting whipped cream on Matt's face. They all sat silently for a while, looking from one person to the other.

Within seconds, it had become an all out food fight.

Everyone was getting up from the table, grabbing their respective pieces of ammo. Be it a bowl of oatmeal, some syrup, or even a plate of waffles. Caroline grabbed a big cup of blueberry yogurt, running to take coverage behind the couch.

She dared a glance around the couch, trying to gauge where everyone was. Damon had nailed Rebekah in the face with a pile of strawberry preserves. He stuck his tongue out, but was then met with a ton of oatmeal.

Caroline turned when someone came running up behind the couch to sit down next to her. It was a smiling, and strawberry covered Rebekah.

"This was the best idea I think you've had in a long time," Rebekah chuckled. Caroline shook her head.

"I didn't mean for this to happen! I just…had to get my anger out."

"Well…I think it's working. Even Tyler doesn't look grouchy anymore," she observed, looking over to the boy stalking Elena. Caroline smiled as he popped up over her bed to throw hash browns at Elena, but was met with syrup over the head from Matt.

"I guess. Did you see where Klaus went?" Caroline asked. She looked back around the couch. This time, she noticed that no one was left at the table except for Elijah. He had his feet propped up; one crossed over the other, and was still eating his pancakes. Anytime a speck of food touched him, he simply flicked it off before going back to his bacon and pancakes. His mouth was quirked into a smile though as he watched the proceedings in front of him. Elijah was enjoying himself.

But that still didn't answer her question about where Klaus was. He wasn't sitting with Elijah.

"I don't know. This doesn't seem like his kind of game."

"I didn't think so either," Caroline said dejectedly. Rebekah gave her a sympathetic look.

"Don't be discouraged. It's just who he is. And you should be happy right now. We're in the middle of a food fight, and Elena got the café! You should be having fun."

"I know. And you're right, it's just…wait…I never told you that," Caroline said, narrowing her eyes. Rebekah blushed, looking away embarrassed. Caroline's face lit up.

"It was you! You're the anonymous donor!" Caroline exclaimed in a hushed tone. Rebekah only shrugged.

"Busted, I guess."

"But why?"

"As a thank you for saving my brother. I know it means a lot to you and your friends, and I knew it was close to closing. I…wanted to show I appreciate everything you've gone through," she admitted quietly.

"But Elijah saved me just as much as I saved him. There's no need to-"

"I wasn't talking about Elijah," she told Caroline sincerely. They both looked at each other, and Caroline realized what she was saying.

"Oh. But Rebekah-"

"I know you didn't do it for something in return. That's why I wanted to help. You were the one person to help my brother out when I couldn't. You got through to him when no one was able to. You saved Nik from himself. And something as simple as helping to keep that shop open was the least I could do."

"I don't want Klaus to think I did it for anything though. I love him, and I don't want him to get the wrong idea. I don't want you to think you have to buy my friends and I anything to be in our group either. You're our friend too." Rebekah nodded, and then giggled.

"I'll tell Nik what I did, okay? And thank you. Really…thank you," she said seriously. Caroline wondered how many friends Rebekah actually had. She gave the youngest Mikaelson a quick side hug.

"Anytime. And to properly initiate you, Elena and I will take you shopping with us. If you can survive that, you can withstand anything this group throws at you." Rebekah laughed, and nodded her head before maneuvering herself to make a getaway.

"It's a deal. I'm looking forward to it." With that, Rebekah crawled toward the place Matt was attempting to hide. Almost as soon as Rebekah had left, another body took her spot. It was Tyler.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked. His voice was worried, and she couldn't help but feel deflated.

"No…well," she paused, smearing some yogurt on his cheek, "Okay, now I'm not mad anymore."

Tyler chuckled, bringing her into a hug and making sure to wipe some of the yogurt off onto her.

"I am so sorry. I never meant to jeopardize our friendship. I just got scared."

"I get it. I do. But you can't keep clashing with Klaus. Elijah, Klaus, and Rebekah are with us now. Everyone else has accepted them."

"Caroline, I shot Elijah. It makes for awkward dinner conversations with the three of them."

"Does Elijah look pissed about it still?" she asked, pointing to the man who was still eating at the table. Tyler shook his head.

"No, but Klaus is. And I don't blame him." Caroline shrugged. Klaus honestly had every reason to be. But she wanted the fighting to end.

"Well, leave Klaus to me. It'll take some time, but he'll come around."

"Caroline…I think I'm going to Mystic Falls for a while."

"What?" That had caught her off guard.

"I'm going to Mystic Falls. Just for a couple of months to see my mom. I think it'll give you and Klaus the space you need, and the time I need with her. I want to make up for what I've done, and even though I shot Walker, I think this is the best way to go about it. I see how much you love him, and I see how much he loves you. I just want you to be happy, Care. And I don't want to lose your friendship."

"Tyler…I don't want to lose you either," she said quietly. It was true. Now that she felt her anger had completely dissipated, Tyler leaving for Mystic Falls made her upset. But like he said, it was only for a couple of months. And he did need to see his mom. Maybe it was the best thing to do for now.

"I love you, Caroline. And I just want you to be happy."

"I love you too, Tyler. I am happy. So go see your mom, and when you come back, I'll be waiting with open arms."

Tyler gave her one last, heartfelt grin before hurriedly going over to the kitchen. At this point in the fight, everyone was starting to use more than breakfast items. They had started to raid her refrigerator for other foods. Caroline still had her blueberry yogurt at least.

To get away from the crowd, she crawled over to her door, and quickly went out into the hallway. Caroline closed the door behind her, and looked around. Now, where was Klaus? He had to be outside, because there wasn't a sign of him in her apartment. She jogged up the stairs, wanting to see if he had gone to his place in an attempt to escape the mess below.

She knocked a couple of times, but no answer. Hmm. Caroline hadn't seen any movements outside her window, so he wouldn't be on the fire escape. She kept her yogurt close; unsure of when he would pop out. Why did he have to go pout somewhere? He could have at least told her he was leaving.

Caroline continued walking up the stairs, keeping an eye out for him in case he happened to be around a corner. How had he slipped out so quietly? Well…it was Klaus. It shouldn't be that surprising she guessed.

It wasn't until she rounded her third corner that she felt herself being grabbed, and pinned to the wall. Her yogurt cup went flying as her hands stuck to the wall she occupied. Klaus' hands slid up her forearms, not stopping until his fingers intertwined with hers. She smiled.

"Why did you leave?" she smiled, not fazed at all by the fact she was pinned to a wall by her boyfriend.

"Well," he said, wiping a little oatmeal residue from her chin, "food fights don't appeal to me. Besides, it was getting a little too tense for my tastes."

"Still, you could have told me you were stepping out. And you need to try and get along with Tyler."

"He shot my brother, sweetheart. A man doesn't forget something like that."

"He shot the very man who hired him too."

"Not quite convinced of his intentions."

"He's leaving town," she added. He cocked his head to the side.

"What?"

"Tyler is leaving for a couple months. He wants to see his mom, and he wants to give us space. He knows you mean a lot to me, and that I want everyone to get along," she said pointedly. Klaus sighed, putting his forehead to hers.

"I want to try, Caroline. I do. But-"

"No buts. Please…for me? Take these two months that he's gone to get used to the idea of him being around, and then at least try getting along when he gets back. Please," she pleaded.

It was all she could think of doing. Plead with him to get used to Tyler. No matter how many times they went over this, it always came back to the same problem. She wanted the fighting over with for good this time. Klaus seemed to have given in, nodding his head as he placed a kiss to her cheek.

"I'll try. I will really…try to tolerate him."

"Thank you," she smiled, putting her arms around his neck and giving him a kiss. He returned it, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Don't thank me yet. I said try."

"I have faith you'll do beautifully," she laughed. He smiled, stroking her hair softly.

"As long as you have faith in me."

Caroline grinned shyly, taking his hand and tugging him back downstairs.

"Come on, we better get back before my place looks like a restaurant threw up in it."

Klaus chuckled, bringing his arm around her shoulders lazily as they walked back downstairs. She leaned in to him a little; reveling in the glow the day had brought her. No worries. No problems. No nightmares...well, yet. No deaths. Her biggest obstacle that day had been dealing with Tyler and Klaus. And now that was on it's way (hopefully) to an end. Her newest obstacle would be cleaning her apartment, but she would take that to psychotic commanding officers and watery prisons any day.

Her and Klaus looked at each other when they reached her door, preparing themselves for the sight behind it. Caroline slowly opened the door, and smiled at everyone.

Oh had she been right. Her place looked like a disaster. But it was calm on the home front while everyone sat together watching a movie on Netflix. Elena sat in front of the couch with her head curled up to Damon's chest, while her feet sat atop Tyler's lap. Rebekah and Matt were sitting nervously together on the couch. Matt kept looking at Elijah, who was completely transfixed by the movie. Caroline giggled, bringing Klaus over with her to the floor so they could lean against the chair Elijah sat in.

When they had settled, she felt Klaus put his arm around her, bringing her closer to him. He planted a kiss to her hair, and rested his cheek against her. Caroline could feel the small smile on his lips as the movie went on.

"I don't get it," Elijah began calmly, waving a piece of bacon around in the air, "Why does everyone think this Laney is so unattractive? I think she's quite stunning."

"That's because the douchebags in this movie are…that," Damon finished lamely.

"Shut up," Elena and Rebekah said in unison, enthralled by the movie. It didn't take Caroline long to figure out why they were watching a romantic movie rather than an action packed one.

"This is stupid," Tyler muttered.

"Is not! Now be quiet, Zack is about play with the hacky sack on stage," Elena said, hitting his leg with her foot. He opened his mouth in a silent cry of pain, but he didn't talk after that. Caroline heard a chuckle deep from within Klaus' chest, and she smiled. He would never admit it, but she knew this was all he wanted. Klaus had his family with him, he had a small gathering of new friends, and it had been a few weeks since his last hallucination or flashback. If she didn't count the minor one at the hospital when she first woke up.

For the first time, Klaus was being accepted into a group. They knew who he was, and they still didn't mind him being around. Caroline knew that was more than Klaus had ever hoped for. And if she had anything to do about it…he would always feel that way.

Caroline would always make sure Klaus felt wanted.


A/N: In case anyone is wondering, the movie they're watching is She's All That =P

And guuuuuuuys. The end is near. Like...next chapter near.

It is both a sad ending...and a beautiful beginning =)

Next chapter, we have fluff, we close up any loose ends in this story, we introduce some new characters, and we set up for the next fic (which is still currently not titled) ;)

See you all real soon for the ending of Torment!