Candycolabear - lol Thank you for your reviews, regardless of being eaten up. You have my undying gratitude for your undying love and I promise I'll try to update sooner now that I have a break from school!

MsKlarolineMikaelson - No no no, did I mention NO? There will be no pregnant Caroline in this fic. And no pregnant Ryanne either, for the record. :P

MS - I'm going to go into more detail about the blood mate thing and what it means in one of the next few chapters. Right now they're not even sure it's legit so he's going to be working on finding out exactly what the deal is with Lyall and what he's doing before he can start to try to break the bond. But I'll go into how to break it when I explain more about it. All in due time, my love. As for Caroline, I'm hoping this chapter is going to make everyone understand more clearly.

Maria - Darling you wrote me a novel! lol So, okay. Klaus said they can't kill Ryanne because she is their leverage, and he wants to use her to their advantage. That's all. The way Klaus has been acting since his father came into the picture is important. Yes, I understand he's been acting somewhat (if not completely) OOC and now Caroline has started to realize it too, and so is he. I didn't write him into submission for no reason. And believe me, he will return in full force as the actual Klaus. Right now, the question you should be focused on is WHY is he acting this way and what is causing it? The blood mate thing doesn't affect his emotions if she isn't around. Ryanne did explain a little that their wolves only want to be around each other when they're in close proximity. Otherwise, if they're apart, it's like nothing and the longer they're apart, the more the bond weakens. But I'll go into that later on. As for Stefan, you're about to find out why he ditched them. :)

flipped - "he's this one ginormous iceberg where we'll only ever know or see the tip, and the other huge submerged chunk remains a mystery" FOR NOW. There's more to Lyall than meets the eye and I fully intend to flesh that out some. Once all the drama is resolved. I never wanted him to be the bad guy, but I couldn't make him completely honorable either. That would just be boring. :P

jessnicole - Oh Klaus is definitely drowning. But he's not going to swim out of it just yet. Things are just starting to get serious now with what's going on with him. Watch and see. ;)

rebecca1 - I love the dynamic of Klaus and Caroline working as a team. And I'm going to build on that more. Stefan, however, is probably going to be under some fire for a while. Should he return...

stillvamptragic - Hello love! Don't worry about not reviewing and being caught up, it's all good. Life happens. No babies, I promise. At least not for the MCs. There is definitely going to be some interaction with Caroline and Lyall in the near future. And it'll be verrrry interesting...

JuseaPeterson - Liz will be okay. As far as I've written so far, anyway.

ashlytorres24 - The hallucinations are definitely getting worse. But hey, Klaroline progress right? *giggles*

S K Steven - Hmmm indeed. ;)

My readers are the best readers. I love you all and thank you kindly for all your support and reviews. It means the world to me. I know it can get crazy around here but you've stuck it out with me and I appreciate it so much. I'm honored to have you read, review, follow and favorite my Klaroline saga. Hugs to all!


Well, I had originally planned on posting this as a Christmas gift to you all but then suddenly Christmas was here and the holiday just kind of took over my life. Oops. So here is a slightly later Christmas gift to you all. I hope you like it and I hope it helps you to understand what I've been trying to get across in regards to their relationship. I'm actually pretty pleased with the chapter, for once.

MERRY (belated) CHRISTMAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Chapter 29

Caroline ran to her mother's arms and hugged her tight, laughing through joyful tears of disbelief.

"What are you doing here?!"

"I came to see you."

She whipped around to Klaus in accusation. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He flashed a smug, dimpled smile. "I thought that might defeat the purpose of the surprise."

She blinked a few times, then turned back to her mom shaking her head with a squealing groan before grabbing her in a hug again. Liz laughed when she squeezed her.

"I missed you so much."

Liz smiled and stroked her hair when she pulled back. "I missed you too."

"How long are you staying?

"Just for the weekend."

"You could stay longer if you like," Klaus offered.

She gave him a look. "Thank you, but I have a job to do."

"Actually, I've already arranged for a stand in sheriff in your absence. And your deputies seemed more than understanding of your sabbatical."

"This is not a sabbatical, this is a visit with my daughter."

"A daughter whom you've not seen in the last three and a half months," he pointed out, arching his brow in determination.

Liz opened her mouth to protest but Caroline raised a hand between them, the tension rising way too quickly for her liking. "Can we just time out for a second? Mom. I know how important work is to you. But how many times have you said over the years how you never get to take a vacation?" She smiled, hopeful. "Mystic Falls will be fine for a few extra days, so why not live a little?"

Liz glanced from Klaus to Caroline, finally begrudging a sigh. "I'll think about it," she promised.

"Yay!" She clapped gleefully. "Come on, I'll help you get settled. We have so much to catch up on. You've been watching The Bachelor haven't you?"

"Of course!"

Echoes of laughter filled the foyer as Caroline led her mother upstairs. But it was the sound of Caroline's utter happiness that filled Klaus' heart. He didn't get the chance as often as he'd liked, or rather, he didn't seize the opportunity as often as he should. Perhaps this was a small step in the healing process of their relationship, but he was almost certain it was a step in the right direction. If anything, it had been worth it to see her smile at him like that again.

After showing her around, Caroline began to help her mother unload her things in her room where she had decided Liz would reside with her for the interim. Now that she was here, she wanted her close. They were working together to organize her clothes in their own little assembly line where Liz would refold and hand off to Caroline to put them away in the second dresser.

"Looks like he's got you settled in pretty comfortably here."

"They're Originals," Caroline argued. "You can't expect anything short of luxury."

Liz nodded with a wry smile, looking around the room. "You don't seem out of place at all."

Caroline glanced at her through the mirror then looked down, neatly setting the last shirt on the pile before taking the next.

"So, when exactly did you decide you were just gonna hop a flight out here?"

"I didn't. Klaus called yesterday. He'd already booked the flight and said he was sending two of his hybrids to 'collect' me and that I should pack. I told him I couldn't just leave work without notice but he drives a hard bargain."

Caroline rolled her eyes, expecting nothing less. "What did he do?"

She tilted her head. "He said you needed me." Caroline turned around with a frown. Liz smoothed the folded shirt in her lap and looked up with softened eyes. "That only a mother's comfort could heal you."

Caroline's brows knit. Her heart swelled, even through the sting of the current circumstances. Just when she was starting to think he'd stopped paying attention, he'd surprised her. It registered now that the gift of her mother wasn't just another fancy wooing mechanism, but an actual attempt at rectifying his mistakes and helping them both get through this rough patch. He knew his promises weren't enough to get him by, so he'd reached deeper and appealed to her heart. And it was working. His insight toward her needs was undoubtedly touching, if not a little bit scary.

Liz lifted a brow, knowingly. "You wanna tell me what he meant?"

She sighed heavily, swallowing past a rising lump in her throat. With everything coming to a head, it was hard to ignore all of the feelings she'd been harboring. She shrugged and turned back to the dresser, rearranging the shirts as her nerves kicked in. It was bad enough she was judging herself, but...what would her mother think? Better to just ease her into it, Caroline thought.

"Everything is a mess," she confessed, mentally kicking herself for the way her voice cracked.

Liz frowned, spying her teary reflection. Her demeanor turned stern. "Did he hurt you? Don't lie to me Caroline."

"No! No, he didn't - " She squeezed her eyes shut with a huff of determination and shoved the drawer closed before meandering over to sit with her mother on her bed. "No. I'm okay. It's just...everything was going so good and now it's horrible. And I don't know how to fix it."

"You know, it's not your job to fix everyone, honey. Especially Klaus. In fact, I'm pretty sure he's unfixable."

Caroline scoffed a laugh as her emotions bested her and the tears rolled down. "You're just saying that because you don't like him."

"I'm saying it because you're my daughter and I love you." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in consolation. "And I want what's best for you."

"He is what's best for me. At least, I think he is. He's just too stupid to realize I'm what's best for him too."

"Well I could have told you that."

"Think maybe you could tell him?" Caroline laughed, her spirits slowly starting to lift. She breathed more evenly, trying to calm down. "It's been so hard out here alone. I have literally no one left to talk to about this objectively and it's driving me crazy."

"You could have called me."

"Yeah, but...I didn't want to burden you. You already have work and all the drama back home to deal with."

"Caroline, you are my daughter. Your drama comes before anyone else's." Caroline smiled weakly and Liz laid her hand over hers, wrapping her fingers around to give it an affectionate squeeze. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it for Christmas. It wasn't the same without you."

"It's okay." She let out another breath, fighting hard for her composure. "Christmas is a busy season. I totally get it."

"No. I should have been there."

"Mom, it's okay. And besides, you're here now."

"I just want you to be happy. And when he told me that, I felt like maybe I wasn't doing my job. I should have been your mother first and a sheriff second."

"Please, stop." Caroline shook her head, tears welling again.

"It can't be easy being out here all alone."

Caroline frowned, her lips trembling as she swallowed, the lump rising again. She shook her head, her voice breaking. "It's not." Liz immediately pulled her in to hug her and Caroline broke down, sobbing against her. "I'm miserable, mommy. I'm in one of the most beautiful places in the world and I can't even be happy. What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you."

"Then why is this so hard?" She sat back, sniffling. "Love's not supposed to be this much work, is it?"

Liz tilted her head, smoothing her hair sympathetically. "Well if it wasn't it wouldn't be called love."

Caroline heaved a heavy sigh, forcing herself to pull it together. She wiped her eyes then paused with a frown. "Wait." Her brows lowered in confusion. "You're not going to say anything about the fact that I mentioned Klaus and love in the same sentence?"

Liz laughed shortly. "You went off to another country with him, Caroline. I already knew you loved him."

"Oh." Caroline's stomach fluttered and she blushed, embarrassed that everyone seemed to be able to read her too well. It was also a huge comfort. She didn't have to hide it anymore.

"So what exactly is going on? Start from the beginning."


On the opposite side of the villa, Elijah was heading toward his room when he heard his sister's voice barking orders. Something he was accustomed to.

"I want this room scrubbed from top to bottom, not even an inch left untouched, do you understand?"

"Rebekah?" Elijah frowned as he approached. He stood at her side and looked into the abandoned guest room that was now infiltrated with hybrids on a cleaning frenzy.

She glanced at the two blood bags in his hands. "Since when do you double up between meals?"

"I skipped lunch," he explained. His brows pinched in curiosity. "Why are you throwing away Stefan's things?"

"Clearly he has no need for them, as he just left them here."

He peered at her with a cock of his head. "Did you even give a thought to the fact that he might return and wonder where his belongings went?"

"Why should I? Did he give a thought to what might happen to me when he walked out that door? It's his own fault."

"Are you sure you're not just overreacting Rebekah? You do have a tendency – "

"I won't be made a fool of again by him! Call me pitiful if you must, but at least I'm being proactive and not wallowing in heartache."

Shaking his head, he left her to it and disappeared down the corridor to his own room. Once inside, he locked the door securely and leaned against it, lamenting his sister's unchangeable antics and inescapable heartbreak. He sighed, trying not to compare his own standing, sparing a glance at his closet door with an unsettling twinge of doubt...


It had taken two hours for Caroline to spill her guts, but it was the most therapeutic talk of her life. She'd missed talking to her mom about her problems and hearing her feedback, even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear. No one else would be as honest with her but she valued that most. She always had that way about her that could cheer Caroline up when she needed it, and make her laugh when she was crying. She was her rock.

She rehashed everything, starting with all of the wonderful things she did and saw in New York City. She told her about Times Square, and Rockefeller Center, even showing her the selfie she and Rebekah had taken in front of the tree. She told her how she managed to get the Originals to celebrate holidays in true Forbes fashion. She told her about shopping with Rebekah and their trip to Chinatown, carefully leaving out the part where she killed a man on the subway. She told her about Rebekah and Stefan's rendezvouses and how she knew all along because seriously, no one could keep a secret from her when she was determined. She told her about Kol and his antics, annoying though amusing and how he was really starting to feel like an obnoxious big brother to her. She also confided her suspicions of his potential crush on Bonnie.

She told her about Klaus – about his artwork and his passion and how he loved to share it with her as often as he could despite how recluse he became while he was painting or sketching. She told her about their game changing trip to Central park and their visit to the MoMA, cleverly omitting their nearly public indiscretion. She told her how he taught her how to paint, and how to navigate the subways. She told her how he salvaged Thanksgiving dinner, bringing a taste of home to the big apple just for her. She told her about his saving her life, again, when his hybrids had gone rogue. She told her about Paris, and spending New Year's Eve on top of the Eiffel tower, just the two of them. She briefly mentioned Céline, though her petty jealousy seemed to have diminished now. She told her about the magical day and night he had created for her to apologize for his mishaps – the wine in the vineyards, the surprise horse he had gifted, and their private dance where he finally opened up after all this time. She told her about all of the progress they had made and everything good they had managed. She even braved telling her about the night she told Klaus she loved him, and how far they had come since then, especially him.

And then she told her about Grecia, and the mess that she got Klaus into with his father. She told her about Lyall, what little she knew of him, and all of the backhanded manipulative things he'd done to Klaus and how it had affected his relationship with her. And she told her about Ryanne, what she suspected, what she knew and what she wished she didn't.

At last, she finally told her about the plan she and Klaus had concocted to use the soon-to-be-unsired hybrid to their benefit. And her hopes that everything that was going wrong was all thanks to some sort of spell Lyall had Klaus under. When she was finished, she was drained of all energy and laying on her bed.

"I don't know. Is it actually possible? Am I just scraping the bottom of the barrel here, making excuses for him? Being too lenient? I mean, come on, mom. You hate Klaus. There has to be something you want to say."

Liz shrugged, letting out a little sigh. "Honey, I've always disliked all of your boyfriends at first. Not that any of them were this murderous and volatile…"

Caroline sat up with a new look and a sudden possessive need to jump to his defense. "I know he's dangerous. I know what he's done and what he's capable of. But we both know that I'm not that different from him. I just have more self control. And support. And I've seen for myself what he can be like when he does have both of those things. When he's reminded of his worth."

Liz nodded. "You were always so good at that."

"What?"

"Bringing out the best. I mean, I've known most of the kids you grew up with all their lives. Before you, Tyler Lockwood was a serial cheater. I'd seen the way he treated girls. And I was terrified when you brought him home. I didn't want to see my little girl go through that kind of pain. But then I saw what a different person you made him. How you brought the good out in him, made me remember the sweet little boy who brought me chocolate chip cookies when his parents had to bring him to the town meetings. And with Matt…he's always been a very nice boy. But I was a little worried with him too. I wondered if he would have the patience for you, if he had what it took to be the kind of support you needed. But then you proved me wrong again." She laid her hand over hers. "That's why I know I can trust you with Klaus. I've seen what you're capable of."

She rested her head in her hand, her hair falling over her shoulder. "What about him? Do you trust him with me?"

"No. Not for one second. Not when I've seen all that he's done, and when I see now how he's affecting you." Caroline frowned and lay back again with a groan, closing her eyes. "But that doesn't mean I will stop you if he makes you happy."

"Do you think you could ever approve of him?"

"Maybe. In time. Once I see proof that he loves you too."

Caroline's eyes slowly opened with a wince. "Well. That's kind of the other thing."

"What?"

She hesitated, staring at the ceiling. "He hasn't said it back..."

"And you let him get away with that? I'm surprised."

She smiled. Her mother knew her so well. "He's just scared."

"Good."

With an offended frown, she sat up, ready to accuse her. "Why is that good? He's afraid to let himself love. He thinks it's weak."

"Maybe he's just scared to let himself love you."

Caroline scowled. "Thanks mom."

"I meant he knows he can't screw up with you. You have a good thing going and he knows the risk if he makes even one mistake. You've threatened to walk before which means you can make good on it if you have to. If he pushes you to that point. This might be a shot in the dark, but maybe he just wants to be 100% sure he won't let you down before he says it." She nodded, her expression turning firm. "And that's a good thing because if he wasn't, and down the line he broke your heart, he'd have me to deal with. And I am trained in taking down vampires. Original or not, I will kick his sorry ass."

She laughed, leaning against her shoulder. "Have I mentioned I missed you?"


Down the hall, Klaus was sitting in his study behind his desk staring down at the same piece of parchment he had been trying to read for the last two hours. He had done everything he could to try to distract himself from the conversation going on in Caroline's room – from calling Ryanne and arranging her arrival the following day, to perusing the texts in his phone from the hybrid he'd left in command in Mystic Falls. In the end, temptation won out and he fell into a brooding state that brought him out to the attached balcony in the hopes that the cold air might clear his mind.

Strange that her mother was so protective, yet so perceptive. She barely knew him, but she knew Caroline and to make the assumption that he was waiting for certainty to tell her what she wanted to hear was nothing short of mother-knows-best.

What was his reluctance anyway? Perhaps it had to do with the lack of love for himself. His worth was decades, if not centuries, away from being repaired. One thing he did know was that she was a big part of his healing regimen.

She had shown compassion and that inspired him to feel his own again. It was hard for him to understand that it wasn't a weakness, but rather a strength. And perhaps it even took seeing a weak man like his father to realize where his own strength lie. Here was a man who called himself king, who let his ranks fall in his stead, who reproduced more and more expendables to do even the most infinitesimal of bidding, who manipulated and was, perchance, using magic to his advantage just to ensure his reign. The horrifying part was that it was exactly what he had been trying to become not too long ago, before he had met Caroline.

What she had brought back was his humanity, and while at first he was resistant to it, he found that it grounded him. Whereas he had been attempting to teach her more about what she was, she was teaching him to remember who he was. It was definitely give and take between them, although he had done more of the taking and she the giving, but he was hoping to change that. Starting with giving her a chance to partake in his schemes, and a much needed visit with her mother. But perhaps it was what he needed too. Ethically, eavesdropping was wrong, but she had to assume he would hear. Perhaps it was intentional and she was coaxing him into listening to her more closely than he would otherwise. How manipulative and how...admirable.

He smiled to himself, marveling at this little hellfire he'd grown fond of. Like it or not, his darkness might be rubbing off on her, just as her light was rubbing off on him. He was far from who he was when they'd first met, and still so far from who he wanted to be as well. There were still so many demons haunting his every dream, every thought, every action. She had made him a better warrior against them, given him stronger armor, but could he ever best them for good? Could he ever see himself the way she saw him, the way he saw her? If he could, and if he could allow himself to love her, then maybe, one day, he could love himself again too.

Klaus inhaled a deep breath and let it out in a slow smoky stream as he stared out at the vineyards beyond, squeezing the railing between his palms. His back straightened as a faint whoosh of wind behind him alerted him to a familiar presence. After all, when you'd been hunting for over five centuries, you learn to distinguish auras, even scents.

"I would have expected more tact from Elijah," he said casually, keeping his back to her for dramatic effect. "If he thinks his affections will stop me from killing you then he's a fool. Especially when I've been presented with such a giving opportunity."

"Niklaus."

Her voice echoed hauntingly, sending ripples of cold wind treading down his spine. It was a Petrova indeed, but it wasn't Katherine. His Adam's apple jumped as he swallowed, eyes wide and round as he turned slowly to face her. There she stood, in all her glory and just as stunning as he remembered – her wild mahogany curls braided away from her face, her dark eyes as mysterious as ever, and her curt smile that made every man wonder what lie behind it. Most remarkable was her untouched neck bared from the scoop of her gown. The last time he saw her, her corpse was stained with dried blood from where his mother had slit her throat.

"Tatia," his breath wavered.

His stomach lurched when her smile widened in response. Every ounce of warmth in his body turned to ice as she began gliding towards him. He could do nothing but stare, immediately struck with the remembrance of his brothers fond analysis that Tatia was a woman who defied the most commonplace actions, never just walking and never just looking at you; for she had been never just.

She extended her hand as she neared, meaning to touch his cheek, but Klaus stumbled backward. He shook his head in refusal, his voice strangely wavering.

"You're not real."

Her hand dropped slowly, withdrawn. "Surely you do not believe that."

His face tightened with resolve as he tried to force himself to believe it when he said, "You're a hallucination."

He turned his back on her, balling his fists and closing his eyes, fighting to keep his composure. This meant nothing. He was seeing nothing.

And then he felt it.

The gentle caress of a phantom hand laid over his shoulder. A quickened gasp trembled from his lips. Her touch was warm and sent burning tingles down his arm. It felt real. It felt like Tatia. He willed himself not to pay any mind yet found himself glancing to his right to be certain there was nothing there. But there was her hand, fingers slender, sitting on his shoulder perched like a dove. He turned slowly, eyes huge, horrified and mystified. His heart pounded. Her hand slipped away from him and he grabbed it back, astounded that it was solid against his own palm.

"How is this possible?" he wondered, asking no one but himself. Adrenaline was fiercely rushing through him. Tatia merely smiled. His voice was raw with fear now, almost thick with tears. "How are you here?"

"You called to me."

"No." He swallowed, shaking his head once. "I haven't thought of you in centuries."

She squeezed his hand, reaching to touch his cheek. "Your heart was longing – "

He tore his hand away. "Don't." He turned away from her and she laughed, still as sweet and light as he remembered. "Whatever your reason for being here, I don't care. I want you gone."

"And how long until you will say the same for Caroline?"

He heart jumped, a wave of nausea overwhelming him. He turned around with a fierce glare. "What did you just say?"

She smiled coyly, this time reminiscent of Katherine. When she spoke again, he was startled even more, his face ghost white and his blood chilled. "We do not feel, we do not care." They were his words, even eerier, in his voice.

He swallowed, eyes wide enough to show the whites. "You're not real," he repeated, more adamant as his fear grew.

"I am as real as you are." She laughed at the bemused shift in his gaze and pursed her lips. "Do you remember the night we shared our first kiss?"

Klaus's expression dimmed as the memory suddenly came in flashes. He sneered in resent. "How could I not? It was the night you chose Elijah over me."

She shook her head slowly, slinking towards him. "But Elijah did not choose me. You did. Or why would I be here with you and not him?"

She smiled, reaching out to caress his cheek, her thumb stroking across his forehead. He shivered at her touch, his eyes closing of their own accord. How could this be possible? How could he feel her? How could he feel what he'd closed off so many centuries ago? His eyes snapped open at the thought and he angrily backed away.

"Enough!" he growled. "I won't feed into your mind games again."

"It is not a game. And it is your mind. If you cannot trust yourself, then who can you trust?"

He turned away from her but she was there in front of him again like some sort of illusion.

"Elijah broke your trust the night he set your doppelgänger free." He turned away again, trying to walk away from her but she was blocking his path once more. "And Rebekah, when she chose love for another over you." He balled his fists with a low snarl and sped to the glass sliding door but again, she was there. "Your mother, when she let you come to harm by Mikael's hand."

"Stop it!" he pleaded, shouting as he gripped his head. "Leave me alone!"

"Your own father broke your trust when he made you do those horrible things. Made you break the only trust you'd ever earned."

He snarled and grabbed her shoulders and thrust her into the railing, winning a gasp from her. Her voice rose in panic, "You will never love her how she needs." Klaus' hold weakened, eyes wide as all frustration melted away from the piercing sting of her words. "Simply because you do not want to."

He stopped, paralyzed as he was thrust into a tumult of emotion. Tatia smiled then, slow and wicked, dripping with malice. He released his hold and turned his back to her, squeezing his eyes shut as he gritted his teeth, panting through them as rapid as his heart was beating.

"Love is a vampire's greatest weakness..." She was using his voice again. He kept his eyes shut, afraid of what he might see if he opened them. Her hand touched his face and his heart lurched.

"Tatia," he begged as her other hand slid against his cheek.

An overwhelming sensation of affection weakened his loins and he dropped to his knees, finally gaping up at her as she dipped her head, lips brushing against his as she murmured, "We are not weak..."

His eyes closed slowly of their own accord and when he reopened them all he could see was a Tuscan sunset and metal railing.


Another hour and still no resolution. Caroline ripped open a blood bag and began to sip as she paced the room.

"So, if I just forgive him I'm being too lenient. But if I ignore him and don't even try, then I'm being too hard. I mean, there's no happy medium here, is there?" She paused. "Don't answer that."

"I think you're overthinking this."

She raised a finger. "But if I just give up on everything then what does that say about me as a person? You've always taught me, Forbes' do not give up. So now I'm back at square one again." She sighed and flopped onto her bed with a whine, "Help me!"

"Well the way I see it, everything he's been doing for you has been completely un-Klaus of him. If he's been treating you well and he's been making changes and making progress, opening up, doing things he wouldn't normally do for no other reason but your benefit, then that's something you have to give him credit for. Most men aren't very malleable. I would know."

"But what about the wolf bond? I can't just ignore that even if it doesn't turn out to be real. And what about his father and not being around, leaving me high and dry, and – "

"Caroline!" She laughed when Caroline let out an exasperated breath. "Just calm down. I can only handle one thing at a time."

"Sorry."

"Listen. I am the last person to defend Klaus. But if I have to be objective about it..." She let her shoulders slump in a shrug. "Then I'd have to say, the best you can do is be there for him while he deals with this."

"I'm trying but he doesn't let me. Or at least he wasn't before. It took him finding out that his father was using him to even let me in."

Liz frowned. "You said things were greatest in New York, right? Before this all happened?"

Caroline nodded. "As soon as his dad came into the picture, he just...changed. I don't know how, or why. At first I thought it was just the shock value, but that would have worn off by now. Then I thought maybe he was out to prove something, you know with all his issues with Mikael. But even still, something about him just wasn't right. He just became this totally different, helpless kind of person. Like he just did everything his father wanted him to."

"Hmm. And you said his wolf had been acting funny?"

"Well Bonnie said he almost turned on her once. But Klaus never almost turns. He can usually control it."

"And that was the only time?"

Caroline fidgeted with the empty blood bag. "There was one other time..."

"Caroline..."

"It was fine," she insisted, sitting up with emphatic eyes. "Nobody got hurt. We're past it."

Her mother sighed. "Could it be some sort of wolf bond? Like the sirebond."

"No." Caroline shook her head. "It doesn't work that way. His dad didn't turn him. He thinks it might be some sort of spell."

"Then maybe you should talk to Bonnie. I'm sure between the three of you you'll figure it out and find a solution. As far as your relationship goes, know where you stand. If you aren't sure, make him tell you. Don't just let him walk all over you just because he's an original and has money and intelligence and years of experience. The Caroline I know wouldn't let any of that cloud her judgement."

"I'm not. I'm just trying to get the old Klaus back."

"Then fight for him. I've seen a lot of domestic disputes in my line of work, and I can pretty easily pinpoint which ones will blow over and which ones will end in handcuffs. The ones that are really in love aren't fighting out of boredom or hatred. They're fighting because whatever the dispute was about, even if it doesn't make sense to anyone around them, it means something to them. They're the ones that are fighting for each other. Because when you love someone, you fight for them. Whether it makes sense or not. Don't make the same mistakes I've made. Compassion isn't a weakness. Neither is forgiveness. Not that you have to make it easy for him," she added with a smirk.

Caroline laughed. "Believe me, I'm not."

"And hey, if things turn out that you have to walk out and never look back, you still have a home to come to. And a mom who loves you."

She smiled and hugged her. "Thanks." They both sighed when they broke away, then laughed at their synchronicity. "You have no idea how much I've needed this. With everyone busy or gone it's just...a lot. I can't talk to Elena because she's always with Damon, and Bonnie is off doing her witchy thing, and then Stefan is just totally M.I.A."

Liz frowned. "Stefan is with Elena."

Caroline's eyes bulged. "Excuse me?"

"I thought you knew."

"That he ditched us to be a backstabbing jerk? Uh, no."

"I don't think that's what it is."

"It's typical Stefan behavior, mom. Because he still thinks that Elena is his "epic love." I mean she was with Damon. His own brother. Not to mention he just totally blew off Rebekah and if he thinks she's going to just let that go – she is an original."

"Damon's been missing for over a week."

Caroline blinked. "What?"

"Elena called Stefan to ask for his help finding him. Last I heard, they were trying his blood for a locator spell."

Caroline tried to register the information influx but it was overwhelming. "Well, why couldn't Stefan just tell me about Damon instead of taking off in the middle of the night like some kind of creeper?!"

"We all do inexplicable things for our family."

Caroline hummed with disdain. It wasn't exactly inexplicable of him to run off and help his brother. Everyone who knew Stefan knew that his allegiance lied first and foremost with Damon. But this was just plain inexcusable. Especially where Rebekah was concerned. Oh god, what about Rebekah? If she found out he ran back to help Elena she would be crushed!

"How could Damon even be missing? Who would even want him?"

"We have a few leads," Liz informed her, "but we're not entirely sure yet. The attacks at Whitmore college are somehow linked but we haven't figured out how. We do know it isn't Klaus' hybrids."

"So just some psycho vampire chomping on people. That's just great."

"Just let me worry about that. You have enough on your plate. Besides. Stefan and Elena won't let anything happen to Damon."

Caroline snorted. Too bad, she thought. But she was right. The two of them would do anything for Damon. Despite how idiotic and impulsive he was. It made her wonder, if they were that willing for Damon, why shouldn't she for Klaus? Granted, there would have to be some major stipulations. For one, he would have to start reciprocating. Like, yesterday.


It took all of five minutes for Klaus to pull himself up off the balcony floor and speed to Elijah's door. His heart was pounding as he knocked furiously, cracking the wood. After a brief delay Elijah finally unlocked it and opened the door, only part of the way, peering in confusion at his brother's manic state.

"What is it, Niklaus?"

"I saw Tatia." Elijah immediately stiffened and gestured him inside. Klaus walked in a few steps as his breath stuttered out from his nose, letting rage at his own collapsing mind getting the better of him. "She was here, Elijah. She...she touched my arm. I held her hand. And it was warm. Real."

Elijah's lips parted as he went on, his brows furrowed in deep concern.

"How is it possible?" He turned around, expecting an answer and Elijah began to wet his lips to offer one but Klaus diverted, "I must be going mad."

Elijah blinked, once, twice, pursing his lips as he pondered his brother's dilemma. He opened his mouth to speak but again Klaus cut him off.

"Why would she torment me? Say things that..." He circled his hand by his temple then dropped his hand to his side and exhaled sharply through his nose. "It's another of her mind games. She wants revenge. But you know I never once wronged her!"

Elijah took a preemptive breath then paused, narrowing his eyes curiously. "What do you think it means that you saw her, Niklaus?"

Klaus rolled his eyes skyward, his voice thick with sardonic resignation. "That I'm either going insane or there is some sort of bloody witchcraft going on."

"That's not what I meant." He straightened his shoulders. "You hallucinated our father weeks ago, when your biological father first appeared. If it is stress induced, perhaps these visions pertain to something in your subconscious that you are refusing to face. A fear. Seeing Mikael was a reminder of the demons you harbor from his brutality in your childhood, thereby instilling the same expectations of Lyall. Now Tatia has come to you. What could that mean?"

Klaus stared at him, knowing full well what he was expected to say. But he wouldn't dare.

"When was the last time you spent a day with Caroline?"

"I know where you're going with this, Elijah – "

"Then you know that these visions come with a purpose. She is still here, Klaus. But for how much longer if you continue to neglect her?"

He was right. He'd just heard her say it herself. He'd been neglectful toward her, and their relationship. He'd been so invested in his father and preoccupied with his own selfish desires that he hadn't been mindful of hers. How could he possibly acquit himself fully if he didn't even take the time to ask her what she wanted? What if he lost her the same way he'd lost Tatia? He couldn't bear the idea of letting history repeat and it made his fears all the more real.

He needed to do more than spoil her and fly her friends and family out for occasional visits. He needed to be dependable and available. But in order to do that, he had to fix himself first. If he was going to give himself to her, he wanted to be his whole self.

Elijah watched his brother's eyes as he grew pensive and silently prayed that he would do as he was instructing. If he kept himself near her, Elijah was certain there would be less opportunity for more hallucinations. He was growing increasingly worried for his brother's mental stability but if anything could help repair it, it was Caroline. At the very least, it would be a means of stalling until Elijah could figure out what was going on.

"Don't give anymore of your energy to the past, Niklaus. Not when the present is beckoning you. That is my advice."

Klaus nodded, clapping him on the shoulder and finally feeling a tiny shred of his old self returning. "Sound as ever."

Elijah lifted his chin with a sense of pride and watched him go, glad to see a bit of determination instilled. Once he was certain, he shut and locked the door again, resting his hand against it as he heaved a heavy sigh of relief. He looked back towards the closet and Katherine swung around the corner, lifting a brow.

"And the plot thickens."


By 8pm Caroline was tucking her mother in for an early night's sleep. Between jet lag and the lengthy heart to heart, Liz was exhausted. Leaving her to a peaceful sleep, Caroline decided to venture over to Klaus' study to seek him out for a talk of their own. If this was to be their starting anew, then she would have no problem breaking the ice. But like her mother said, she didn't have to make it too easy for him.

It had been over an hour since his hallucination and his talk with his brother, and Klaus was still trying to come down from the anxiety. He'd taken to distracting himself from his worry by researching spells that could remedy whatever was impairing his mental status. When Caroline approached, he was at his desk immersed in a grimoire with about fifty more of them opened up around the room. His head snapped up on alert when the door opened, his heart briefly palpitating until he saw her.

"I didn't mean to interrupt," she apologized, noting his jumpiness.

"It's all right. Come in." He gestured.

She looked around the room as she entered, picking up one of the books from the edge of his desk on approach. It looked and smelled like old leather and the binding was torn. She opened it and scanned the weathered pages, her brows furrowing hard as she read the written incantation for a binding spell.

"What are you looking for?"

"A spell that could control a werewolf. If he is using one there must be a way to break it."

She nodded and glanced back at the other books on the desk. Parchments and sketches hid beneath his elbows, some littering the floor. Apart from that, the two armchairs and couch were covered with more old looking books, some open and some not, and there were a few stacked on the floor beside it.

"How many of these do you have?"

He looked down at one of the scrolls on his desk, distractedly. "I've amassed a couple hundred of them over the centuries."

Caroline looked back down at the one in her hands, her face screwing up apprehensively. Klaus looked up, catching her expression and guessing her train of thought.

"Less than half are a result of fatality," he assured her with a tiny smile. "Actually a good portion of them were tracked down by Kol."

She sighed and closed the book, setting it back down on the desk. "What's his deal anyway? Does he have a fetish or something for witches?"

He smirked. "Something of that nature."

He flipped the grimoire he'd been reading closed and grabbed another. In the meantime, she meandered to one of the bookcases, fingers idly skimming one of the shelves.

"So what's the plan? For the spell, I mean. If that's what it is."

"I'll find the witch who cast it and kill her," he said plainly.

She looked over her shoulder with a frown. "You couldn't just ask her to remove it?"

"Something tells me whoever put it in place has no intentions of removing it. Especially if Lyall had anything to do with it."

Point taken. She pursed her lips. "And you're sure killing her will automatically break the curse?"

"It's been my experience, yes." He looked up, his eyes wavering with a slight worry. "I'm more concerned with what to do with my father after the fact."

Her eyes turned soft with sympathy. Though inevitable, that was a bridge she didn't want him to have to cross. Since he'd diverted his attention back to the book in his lap, she walked over to the table by the couch and caught sight of something more interesting. She frowned curiously as she sat and lifted the large sheet for a closer view. It looked like blueprints.

"What's all this?"

He lifted his head and his brows raised. "Ah...that's a schematic of Lyall's villa that I drew up." Caroline peered at him suspiciously. "I thought I'd cover all bases," he explained. "It's not an exact layout but it'll serve enough purpose."

She smiled a little, a hint of conspiracy to it. "So you'll know where to send Ryanne once you compel her."

He smiled to match hers. "Exactly."

She glanced over it again and he got up to walk over her, standing and watching her as she studied it, her finger tracing a path from room to room. He watched intently as she read each title and let her finger lead her around the blueprint, wondering what wheels exactly were turning in that mind of hers. She bit her lip as she focused, letting out a little "hm" as she glanced over the courtyard. She inhaled deeply before looking up and opened her mouth to speak but their eyes locked and her words were lost. His eyes narrowed very slightly, a certain curiosity flaring to life behind them. He heard her heart rate pick up and felt his own pound against his chest. It felt like eons since they'd been so connected. He was scared to break his gaze but he couldn't help himself from glancing down to her lips, still parted as the tiniest shaky breaths puffed out almost silently, if not for his vampiric advantage.

"It's good," she finally said, breaking contact and looking back down with a nod. When she looked up again, she was more like herself. Determined, but cool and casual. "What can I do?"

He swallowed and looked back at the desk with the grimoires strewn on it. "I'm still working on that. But rest assured, you'll be the first to know when I decide."

She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "What if, instead, we decide?"

He lifted a brow. "If you have an idea, love, by all means."

"I want to talk to him."

His face took on a sudden protective tension. "Why?"

"We want to find out what witch he's working with that cast this spell, right? If you go inquiring it might look suspicious. But if I ask for help, by mention of Bonnie, he might be more inclined to introduce us."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Then we go to Plan B."

"What might that be?"

"I will work on that and get back to you." She smirked and stood. "But don't worry. You'll be the first to know."

Klaus paused then hung his head with an endeared smile, his heart growing fonder. It was the little things that struck him, things he still had not come to expect from her. Like being fed his own words.

"Anyway, I'm going to bed."

She was already heading to the door when he resurfaced, but he didn't want to end the night on too neutral of terms. Then again, he also didn't want to push for a speedy reconciliation. These things, he was learning, took time and consideration. So he took the high road, opting for simplicity.

"Good night, Caroline."

She stopped and turned her head over her shoulder with a warm smile. Klaus lifted his chin, his heart skipping a beat. Before his confusion could register, she'd walked back and wrapped her arms around him in an affectionate hug, her head rested against his chest.

"Thank you for bringing my mom here," she said softly.

His brows raised at the genuine and unexpected gesture. He let his arms slowly wrap around her to return the hug, growing unnervingly aware that the warmth spreading through him was love in full bloom.

"You're welcome," he mustered the words, fumbling through the thoughts and emotions that her embrace incited.

She broke away a moment later and she heaved a short sigh, seemingly resolute. He searched her eyes as she fed him another smile then turned away to make her exit. Something in him beckoned and he took a step forward.

"Caroline, I – "

She stopped and looked back once more, brows raised, expression as open as her heart. It stuttered his own and as soon as he blinked he lost his nerve, closing his mouth and setting his shoulders. He nodded once, his eyes softening, mostly with his own disappointment.

"Sleep well," he said.

She nodded once with a small smile. "You too."

And it took everything in him to let her walk out of the room.