"So let me make sure I've got this this straight. You're a vampire who hates being a vampire who is best friends with the girl who is the cure to vampirism. But you won't take the cure because you want to stay strong enough keep her safe because you accidentally fell in love with her after she helped you get over your ex. But now she's pregnant with someone else's twins and you know you can never be with her… Did I get it all?"

Stefan looked at the pretty bartender named Cami. He was pretty sure he was giving her psychology major a real workout. He shook his head, laughing at himself and this whole situation.

"Well it sounds bad when you put it that way," He said, shrugging.

"Oh, and how would you put it?" She asked.

"That way."

She laughed and it made him laugh as well. It felt good to laugh. He used to laugh with Caroline, but she didn't laugh much anymore and that made him sad. She was the person who could always get him out of his own head, get him to stop worrying so much and just let go.

He wasn't sure if she was that person anymore. He was too busy trying to save her to be able to enjoy her company these days. She'd become a cause and he missed the days when she was just a friend and he could just make her smile with a few offhand words.

Stefan looked at Cami and took a deep breath, "Can I get you a drink sometime?"

Cami looked him over. He looked young, but he was nice and handsome and he seemed to understand what it was like to be drawn to the wrong person.

"I should say no," She said, "My dating life is complicated and I already know you're a mess, yes, that's the clinical term for it." She flashed him a smile. "And I made a rule to stay away from guys that are going to cause me trouble."

Stefan scoffed, because he'd surmised that she had something for Klaus.

"I never said I was doing a very good job of following that rule," She amended, looking at Stefan through her lashes.

"So should I take that as a yes or a no?" He asked with a charming smile.

"One drink." She said.

Stefan nodded, honestly relieved that she said yes. Given that his relationship with Elena had ended with her leaving him for his brother and his feelings for Caroline were the definition of unrequited, he was ready to have something uncomplicated and drinks with Cami seemed like they could be just that.

"Thank you, I needed that." Caroline said, pressing a kiss against Elijah's cheek. She could still taste the powdered sugar on her lips and she felt like she'd eaten her weight in unhealthy food something she hadn't been able to do since before her pregnancy, thanks to the near constant vigilance of her mother, Hayley, and Rebekah. It wasn't that she wanted fried foods all the time, but every once in a while it was just what the doctor ordered.

Elijah smiled softly and gently squeezed her hand, "I'm glad, and you're very welcome."

He'd taken her through the quarter telling her the stories of the parts of town that dated back to the time when his family ruled the city. He described it all in such vivid detail that she could picture it almost as though she had been there.

Caroline quickly found that she loved New Orleans. It was loud and vivid. No matter where they went, music seemed to float on the air and she finally felt as though she'd something beautiful, something bigger than the little town where she'd spent the entirety of her life so far. She'd felt a twinge of sadness throughout their afternoon together, because as much as she enjoyed Elijah's company, the wrong Mikaelson was showing her the city.

Klaus had offered repeatedly to show her the world. She'd scoffed at the offer at the time, but now there was nothing she would have liked more than to have him show her the world, to guide her through all the beautiful places. She imagined visiting all the greatest cities with him, with their children… but the perfect little family she let herself imagine was impossible. That was not Klaus. Klaus was not peaceful and he certainly did not have good intentions. Even if she was foolish enough to allow him back into her life she was not blind enough to think that they'd ever have a peaceful or even happy existence. She was still in love with him, but Klaus Mikaelson loved power more than he could ever love anything else. And she owed it not only to herself, but also her children, to choose better.

Klaus came by Josephine's house again, he came multiple times during the day because he couldn't think straight unless he checked that Caroline was safe. He'd followed Elijah and Caroline at a distance as his brother gave her a tour of the city. He basked in the rapt expression of awe that showed on her face as she took in the sights. He stayed out of sight, he didn't want to disrupt the experience for her. He just wanted to make sure she was safe. He didn't doubt Elijah, but the only person he truly trusted to protect his family was himself.

When they returned to the house after dark, Klaus watched from the outside. He saw Caroline retreat to her room and almost against his will he went on the porch and dragged on of the chairs over to the window. He intended to stay and watch over her while she slept. He closed his eyes and listened carefully, he cause the rapid heartbeats of the babies, his babies.

He opened his eyes and found Caroline standing at the window, staring at him as though he was a ghost. He half expected her to pull the drapes shut, but she didn't. Instead she opened the window.

"Klaus," She said. He hated the cautious edge in her voice as though she was afraid of him. He didn't want her to be afraid of him, he'd never wanted that from her, but fear was what he knew best. He knew how to rule people with fear, but not love.

She looked at him expectantly, but when he didn't speak readily, she took a seat on the edge of the desk by the window.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I came to make sure you were okay… after." He didn't mention the fact that he'd hurt her. They were both well aware of what had happened.

"I'm fine." She said, her eyes flicked over his face as though she was attempting to read his mind. He thought it should be easy for her considering that she was all he could think about since she came to town. He was so used to planning and scheming but he couldn't think straight with her here. All he knew was that he had to keep her safe. She glanced at the chair he was sitting in. "I can't invite you in… Wouldn't even if I could."

Klaus smirked, her sharply barbed words felt good, natural like how things had been between them in the beginning. He wished he could go back to the beginning. If he could he would have made sure that things played out differently. He never would have let his fears control him. He never would have pushed her away when she was the one thing he had truly loved besides his siblings in his long, lonely life.

"Fair enough," He said with a shrug, before looking at her, his gaze wandering down to her stomach. "How are you feeling, love?"

"Fine." She said, shortly, "But don't call me love."

"Can't be helped." He met her gaze, "It's what you are, love."

He noticed her eyes widened. It was the first time he'd directly admitted that he was still in love with her, but he was fairly certain she already knew or at least suspected that his feelings for her had never altered or lessened from what they had been six months ago, regardless of what he may have said to the contrary. He had told her he loved her and those where not words he uttered lightly.

She shook her head, "You can't say that to me… you don't get to say something like that to me."

Klaus stood up and leaned against the frame of the window. He closed his eyes and breathed deep the scent of her, with his hybrid senses it was better than any perfume to him. He ached to reach out and touch her, but he physically couldn't and he knew she wouldn't let him even if he could. He opened his eyes and looked her over slowly.

"Let me in," He whispered, low and desperate. He knew she couldn't grant him entrance into the house, but they both knew that wasn't what he was asking for. She straightened up and took a step away from the window. Her expression made him feel as though he was bleeding from the inside. She looked small and broken and more hurt than any one person should ever have to be.

"I can't…" She whispered and she pulled the window shut.

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There was a great deal of demand for a return to Klaroline, so I hopw you all enjoyed that angsty last scene!

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