AN - Thank you to all of you that have reviewed! I appreciate your support and kind words. Sorry for the cliffhanger...

Chapter 12

Elena approached Caroline on Wednesday morning before classes started. It was the first time that either of them had interacted in over three days.

"Hey, Caroline," Elena started, her face unreadable. "I was wondering if you wanted to talk after school today?"

"Yeah," Caroline smiled, hoping that this was a chance to get things back on track. "I'll come by your place right when school's out?"

"Oh, um, I actually was thinking we could talk at the Boarding House." Elena said, awkwardly, not meeting Caroline's eyes.

"Oh, yeah, okay, sure. I'll be there." Caroline replied.

"Great." Elena said, sending her a small smile before heading to her first class.

Caroline immediately took out her phone and sent a text to Bonnie.

8:11 am

C - Did Elena say anything to you about meeting at the Boarding House after school?

8:12 am

B - No… I'm assuming she did to you?

8:12 am

C - Yep. Not sure if this is good or not. I mean, I'm happy that she was the one to approach me, but I kind of figured we'd talk at her house where there are less prying ears around.

8:13 am

B - Agreed. Do you want me to come with you if she doesn't invite me?

8:13 am

C - I don't know. I'm really not sure what to expect at this point. I don't have a great feeling about it though.

8:14 am

B - We can talk more at lunch. You're going to be late ;-)

Crap! Caroline sprinted down the hall, realizing that she only had a minute to get to her first period.

The morning went by without any more interesting chats. Caroline, Bonnie and Rebekah all sat together at lunch again; Matt was sitting with some of the guys from the football team today.

"So did Elena say anything to you?" Caroline asked Bonnie as they all sat down with their food.

"Nothing." Bonnie replied. "Which makes me agree that this seems weird. I mean, we both went to them with the idea of the truce; why would she only want to talk it out with one of us?"

"What happened?" Rebekah asked.

"Elena came up to me this morning and said that she'd like to talk to me after school at the Boarding House." Caroline began to explain. "Usually if we have a fight or argument, we end up at Elena's place and sort it out there. Also, the argument was between all three of us, not just Elena and I. It's odd that she just asked me to come talk instead of both of us. Also, we never settle these types of things in front of anyone else, which is why I was surprised when she said she wanted to talk at the Boarding House."

Rebekah nodded in understanding. "That does seem odd since it's different from what you all usually do. What do you think it means?"

"No clue," Bonnie answered. "But we both have a feeling that it's not a good thing."

Caroline nodded in agreement. "I mean, it's true that most of the mean things she said were directed at me and really hurt, but she knows that we're both not happy with her. Right, Bon?"

"Definitely," Bonnie confirmed. "I haven't talked to her since Saturday either."

"Well, I guess we'll never know unless I go over there." Caroline replied, grimacing. "I just hope it's nothing super terrible."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Bonnie asked, her worry evident.

"I don't know. I mean, I'm really not looking forward to going by myself, but there has to be a reason why she just talked to me about this; and I want to know what it is."

"Have you mentioned this to Nik?" Rebekah asked.

"No," Caroline shook her head. "I haven't talked to him since I left your place last night. Speaking of which," Caroline turned to Bonnie, "Bekah and I thought that we could start at her place Saturday morning around 8:30 to look through her closet. Then we can go shopping for shoes and accessories if we find dresses or we can go to a few of the vintage shops I looked up."

Bonnie nodded excitedly. "That sounds perfect. When we're done shopping we can start on the movies. Caroline and I can both bring some over when we loot your closet."

Rebekah laughed. "My fashion is your fashion." She turned to Caroline with a sly look on her face. "Are you sure you'll be up that early? What with you going on your date with Nik Friday night?"

"What?!" Bonnie turned to Caroline with wide eyes.

"Seriously?! He told you about that already? I swear it's like he's a teenage girl." Caroline said, rolling her eyes. "Yes, Klaus and I are going on a date Friday night. At first it was because he wanted to go threaten Tyler to stay away from me, and -"

"Caroline!" Rebekah exclaimed. "You said I could be there when he found out! Did that vein in his forehead pop out?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know you wanted to be there. I kind of started rambling and it just came out. It really wasn't a big deal." Caroline tried to move on. "Anyways, I told him not to do that and he asked what was in it for him. I had told him about you threatening Tyler and he made a huge deal about missing out on seeing it. He said that he wanted a date for not getting to go see Tyler himself. I didn't really know what to say to that. I mean, I know that we've been talking and hanging out over the past few days, but I didn't really think he was serious when he said that he 'fancied' me."

"When did he say that?" Bonnie asked, shock apparent on her face.

"At the stupid ball." Caroline replied. "I tried telling him that friends didn't go out on dates, and he was like 'Sweetheart, I've been keeping up with modern pop culture. Friendships blossom into romantic relationships all the time. Blah, blah, blah. Strong foundation.'" Both Bonnie and Rebekah laughed at her impersonation of Klaus. "I mean what kind of a guy says stuff like that?! But dammit! I've always wanted a relationship that starts as a friendship. How the hell is he able to read me so easily?!"

Caroline realized that she had began rambling and ranting again, so she quickly took a few deep breaths to calm down. "Sorry, I'm just really confused. I mean, he's Klaus, no offense, Bekah, and he's done so many bad things. But the past week, he's been so different. He's been reasonable and kind and thoughtful. He seems like he's genuinely trying to bring out his humanity."

Rebekah nodded in understanding. "Trust me, Caroline, I know more than anyone that my brother has done some really bad things. But… he really does have a good side too. I haven't seen him like this for so long. He's happy; he's smiling, like actually smiling instead of that damn 'I'm plotting' grin. I truly think his actions towards you have been genuine. I don't want to tell you what to do, but I really hope you give him a chance."

"Wow…" Bonnie exhaled. "I knew that Damon wanted to use you as a distraction because Klaus invited you to the ball, but I had no idea that half of the stuff you just said happened. I didn't know Klaus could show feelings or say things like that. I mean, I was shocked that he apologized and said that he was in the wrong on Saturday. I really can't believe I'm saying this… but I think you should see where this goes. I know you've always wanted a partnership with a guy you really like, I just never imagined that Klaus would be the one to give you that. As weird as the thought is, it sounds like he wants to though."

Caroline smiled at both of them. "Really?" She directed the question to Bonnie. "You don't think I'm crazy for wanting to see where this goes?"

"If you had asked me that a week ago, I would have said you were, but now… things are different. I've seen the changes with my own eyes; not just with Klaus, but with all of the Originals." She shot Rebekah a smile. "I don't really know Elijah, but he was really nice to me last night. Kol has been unexpectedly helpful with my magic, and you're really fun to be around, Bekah."

Rebekah smiled at Bonnie. "I'm happy this truce is a thing. I really like hanging out with you two. I didn't think I would, to be honest. When I approached Caroline on Monday, I was really just going through the motions for the truce, but I found out she wasn't who I thought she was. Neither of you were. I'm glad that we are friends."

Caroline grinned at both of them. "Man, that person who proposed the truce is a genius! Oh wait, that's me!"

Bonnie threw a piece of bread at her head.

"Hey! I'm just speaking the truth!" Caroline laughed. "For real though, thank you both for encouraging me. I mean, I knew that I kind of wanted to see where this date with Klaus led, but I thought that you'd hate me, Bon."

"Oh I think Bonnie has her own Original to try to resist." Rebekah smirked at the other girl. "Kol has been talking about you nonstop. About your magic and strength. Also some stuff that thoroughly grossed me out because he's my brother, but he seems quite taken with you."

"Please," Bonnie scoffed. "He's just being nice and helping me with my magic. He had heard about my Grams and wants to know more about her."

"Bonnie," Rebekah smiled. "Kol is never nice."

All three of them laughed. "And what about you, Bekah?" Caroline turned the conversation around. "Talked to Matt lately?"

"You and Matt?!" Bonnie asked, surprised once again.

Rebekah cheeks flushed pink. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Uh huh, sure," Caroline started sarcastically. "Is that why you kept stealing glances at him in Alaric's classroom yesterday? Or at lunch, even though he was eating like a starving chimp?"

"I was not! I was... simply making sure that he didn't choke." Rebekah said, not meeting Caroline's eyes.

"For being over 1000 years old, you're not very good at lying, Bekah." All three of them laughed at that.

"Fine," Rebekah conceded. "I might have the slightest attraction to him."

"It's called a 'crush,' Bekah." Bonnie giggled.

Just then, the bell rang. "Saved by the bell... for now. We will continue this conversation on Saturday for sure." Caroline said.

Caroline found it funny how time seemed to go by so quickly when you were dreading something. She felt like only a few minutes had passed between lunch and her sitting in her car outside of the Boarding House. Her afternoon had gone by in a blur. For the first time all week, she had homework she needed to do. Of course it would be on the day that she had something to do after school; she rolled her eyes at the irony.

Realizing that she had stalled long enough, she got out of the car and knocked on the front door. Stefan opened it and smiled at her to come in. They walked silently into the living room, where Damon and Elena were already seated on one of the couches. Caroline chose one of the armchairs as Stefan sat on the other side of Elena. Caroline had to stop herself from laughing out loud at the scene in front of her. Elena was sitting in the middle of the couch with Stefan on her right and Damon on her left. Caroline found the image a perfect representation of her friend's love life.

They all say quietly for several awkward seconds before Caroline couldn't stand it. "So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well," Elena began. "We wanted to give you a chance to tell us that you've changed your mind." She spoke as though she thought the purpose of the meeting was obvious.

"A chance to change… my mind…" Caroline trailed off, her face showing confusion.

"Yeah, about the 'truce,'" Elena continued, using air quotes.

"Has Alaric talked with you recently?" Caroline asked.

"You mean about the whole 'Klaus not wanting Elena's blood' bullshit?" Damon asked, rolling his eyes. "Yes. And if you believe that, then you're even dumber than I thought, Barbie."

Caroline narrowed her eyes at the elder brother. "Seriously? Don't talk to me." She turned her gaze back to Elena and Stefan. She felt a nagging thought in the back of her mind; why weren't either of them standing up for her? Damon had just called her dumb. Pushing the thought aside for the time being, she tried appealing to her friends' sense of logic. "Elena, Stefan, come on. This truce is a good thing. The past few days have been so nice and normal. Everyone has been getting along. It's been peaceful."

"Really, Caroline? I don't remember you eating lunch with Rebekah being a normal thing." Elena spat the Original's name.

"Yeah, Barbie. Or Klaus being at your house, in your bedroom until one in the morning." Damon interjected, his eyes doing that weird widening thing. "I don't recall banging the Big Bad Wolf being part of the truce that you explained to us."

"Are you kidding me right now?! I'm not 'banging' anyone! How do you even know that he was at my house?" Caroline stood up, shooting daggers at Damon.

"I asked him to keep an eye on you, Caroline." Elena said, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Do you hear what you're saying right now? Did you just ignore everything that I said to you about him on Saturday? You must have if you thought that having Damon spy on me was anywhere near being okay." Caroline yelled, her temper getting the better of her.

"He wasn't spying on you, Caroline! He was making sure you were alright." Elena defended the man on her left. "And it's a good thing he was. What if Klaus had tried to hurt you Monday night when he was there? Damon was there and ready to help you if he made a move against you."

"Klaus has never hurt me!" Caroline spat. "I feel safer with Klaus than I have ever felt with Damon, Elena! After everything he did to me a year ago? After he forced me to -" She stopped herself and closed her eyes. She took several deep breaths and willed her tears not to fall. Stefan stood up and walked over to her.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Caroline instinctively flinched away from him. She opened her eyes to see Stefan sending his brother a suspicious, searching glare. Elena looked like she was torn between yelling at Caroline and comforting her. Damon sat with the same indifferent look he had on when she walked in the door.

"No." Caroline finally answered Stefan's question. "Coming here was a mistake." She looked at Elena for one final time. "I really think that not accepting this truce would be a mistake. Don't send anyone to 'look after' me again; I can take care of myself."

With that she walked out of the house and got into her car. She made it home before the tears came. She quickly parked her car and sped into her house, straight to her room. She was happy her mother was at work; she worked double shifts on Wednesday. She really didn't want to explain any of this to Liz.

She entered her room, heading straight for the tissues that were on her nightstand. She froze when she saw him standing next to her desk.

"Rebekah said you were talking to Elena today. She thought you might need a friend." Klaus explained, his eyes full of concern.