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A/N: enjoy the events leading up to the sacrifice

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After Stefan said goodbye that night, Caroline made a resolution. The blonde decided that no matter what, she was not going to live in ignorance anymore. She wanted to know what was happening in Mystic Falls. She wanted to know if her friends were in danger. She wanted to be prepared for what was to come.

Logically, Caroline decided to spend as much time as possible at the Boarding House, though Caroline wasn't exactly invited. You can imagine there were mixed reactions to her presence. For example, Stefan seemed to trust her, as he had shown the night of the Decade Dance. And he was willing to share information with her. But Elena was hesitant to tell the full story since she felt so protective of her friend. And finally, Damon tolerated her like he would a spider. He considered her a pest, of course, but allowed her to listen in if she wanted to.

None of them could argue against her presence though. The night of the Decade Dance had made sure of that. After a night like that, no one could say that she didn't have the right to know what was happening. Yup, no one could say that she should live in blissful ignorance now.

The first morning Caroline spent at the Boarding House, she already learned some useful information. Elena had undaggered Elijah to learn more about his brother Klaus. While Elena was picking Elijah's brain, god knows where. Caroline spent some time with her favourite Salvatore brother. And she would make sure that she was there when Elena came back. Knowledge is power, isn't that right?

'Do you trust Elijah?' Caroline asked Stefan casually. They had just been lounging around the house, waiting for Elena to get back. Currently, they had taken possession of the sofa. Stefan had his feet up on the coffee table and Caroline was lying down lazily staring at nothing in particular.

'Nope,' Stefan said while looking at his drink, before adding, 'But, Elena does.'

Caroline nodded. She thought it said something about his character that while he doesn't agree, he still respects Elena's decisions.

Damon on the other hand did not. He made that very clear.

Every now and then Damon would come in to pour himself a drink and say something snarky like, 'What was Elena thinking? She is going to get herself killed.' Then he would retreat to his room and entertain a leggy woman. She was probably compelled and Caroline felt bad for her. She had been there.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Stefan's phone. Jenna had called to ask if Stefan knew where Elena was. Caroline sat up straight. Apparently, Jenna had made her way back home from campus and was going to meet Alaric for lunch later. Caroline's eyes widened. If Klaus was still in Ric's body, Jenna was in danger.

Stefan thought the same and he told Jenna to stay away from Alaric no matter what. And that he would explain everything to her once he got there.

'I will come with you,' Caroline said decisively. No more lying around on the sofa.

Stefan knew better than to argue with her.

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Jenna opened the door and Stefan and Caroline quickly walked in. Jenna had a strange look on her face. She was probably freaked out about all the warnings not to meet Ric, Caroline thought.

'Thanks so much for not going to the Grill,' Stefan said.

Caroline nodded in agreement with a smile plastered to her face. 'Yes thanks, Jenna, we will explain everything later,' Caroline promised cheerfully.

Jenna didn't reply. She only looked right past them with wide eyes, she was pale as a sheet. The feeling of dread crept upon Caroline. He was right here, wasn't he?

As she followed Jenna's gaze her suspicions were confirmed.

'Stefan, Caroline,' Klaus greeted while inclining his head. He had a creepy smile on his face. And Caroline couldn't understand how this was the same Klaus she had come to know. Anyhow, she needed to get Jenna out of here.

Caroline turned around and faced Jenna again. 'Jenna, let's go and get some fresh air, you look very pale. It will make you feel better,' The blonde said cheerfully before gesturing at Stefan and saying, 'Maybe this one would be so kind as to keep Ric company while we are gone.'

Klaus seemed amused with her antics and started playing along. 'Now, that would be a shame, Caroline,' Klaus drawled. 'Since, I hadn't finished telling Jenna about the vampires, yet.' Klaus sighed in disappointment before adding, 'In fact, I was only getting started.'

Klaus is less of a danger when entertained Caroline thought. It's time for some more performing.

'You are quite the storyteller,' Caroline said smiling sweetly at Klaus. 'Not surprising for a history teacher, but maybe this is enough storytelling for today,' Caroline gestured at Jenna, 'Jenna looks scared to death, as it is.' Yup, Klaus liked her little act. She could see it in his eyes.

Stefan seemed impressed by her little performance as well and finally started doing his part. The younger Salvatore moved to stand protectively in front of her and Jenna before saying, 'I agree with Caroline. We wouldn't want Jenna to faint now, would we?'

Klaus chuckled then and gestured to the door. 'Off you go then, Caroline. But remember it's up to Elena how this story ends,' Klaus said darkly.

Caroline swallowed but didn't waste time getting Jenna the hell out of here.

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Once outdoors, Jenna obviously wanted to know what the heck was going on. But Caroline figured it was not her story to tell, it's Elena's. So, Caroline called her.

They met Elena at the Boarding House and the blonde left them to it. Instead, she started pouring herself a drink. It wasn't long before Stefan made his way back here too.

After Stefan checked in with Elena, they started lounging again. 'You handled that really well,' Stefan commented. He was talking about the Klaus thing. Caroline merely raised an eyebrow, playing it cool.

'He just likes being entertained, that's all,' Caroline replied drily, holding back the fact that she had enjoyed the exchange, too, in a twisted way. Caroline looked at her hand and remembered Klaus squeezing it. A part of her was curious what his real hands would feel like.

Stefan leaned forward in his seat. 'It sounds almost as if you know him,' He observed.

'He is not that hard to read,' Caroline said pleasantly, neglecting to mention the previous interactions between her and Klaus. The man hadn't actually told her much about himself, she just knew his favourite decade. Yup, most of the time, he had been the one asking the questions.

'If you say so,' Stefan merely said, raising his hands in surrender. He had clearly noticed her reluctance to elaborate.

Caroline laughed. She really liked Stefan.

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Caroline walked home feeling satisfied but also overwhelmed, she had learned a lot at the Boarding House. Mission accomplished, she thought, it had been a good call to go there.

Elena had gone to see Elijah again, after talking to Jenna. Elijah had apparently shared a lot about Klaus' and his own history. Elena had made the right call in trusting him, Caroline thought.

And guess who was still there when Elena came back to the Boarding House to spill the beans. Yup, a certain blonde.

Caroline had met Elijah too, he has an old-school charm to him. They had exchanged a polite smile. After all, it was because of him that she finally understood why Klaus was so obsessed with this Sacrifice. Klaus had been trying for centuries to unlock his dormant werewolf side. The Sacrifice required a doppelganger, the moonstone, a werewolf, a witch, and a vampire. Most ingredients were easy to come by, but not the doppelganger. Klaus was obsessed with Elena because she was the key to this whole Sacrifice. Thank god, she would survive this if Elijah's elixir worked.

It would happen upon the full moon, however, it wouldn't surprise her if Damon tried to stop it from happening, as he is not one to respect Elena's decisions.

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That morning, her mum mentioned that Tyler's mum was in the hospital, and since Caroline had nothing else to do, she figured she would go and check in on Mrs. Lockwood. Caroline had an image to maintain, as Miss Mystic Falls. She chuckled to herself, how simple those times had been.

Caroline ran into Tyler and Jules in front of the hospital. Of course, he would come back to visit his mum. The truth is, she hadn't thought about Tyler in a while. Caroline had helped him with his werewolf transition, but then he had left town without much of a goodbye. Caroline remembered wanting to say something to him when everything blacked out.

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At least, she had company she thought, as she became conscious again. Tyler and she were all chained up in what she believes to be the tomb Katherine had once been in. And ouch her wrists hurt from the vervain. Somehow, she hadn't thought about the possibility that she would be the one to get sacrificed. When Klaus said he wouldn't hurt her he had lied.

Caroline looked sadly at Tyler and thought to herself that he shouldn't have come back. Caroline told him that and in response, Tyler had asked her if she knew what was going on. Caroline had just started her explanation when they heard a loud noise. Instinctively, the blonde stopped talking.

Caroline looked at the entrance of the tomb with vigilance. This could either mean death or her freedom. And she wasn't sure which one was more likely.

A short-haired man she hadn't seen before walked in with a swagger. Confidence radiated from him and he was headed straight to her. His eyes pierced hers and she knew right away who this was. Klaus.

Caroline was mesmerized by his face.

She only stopped looking at Klaus when she heard Tyler's voice. 'Who are you?' Tyler had asked the intruder. Caroline looked at her friend then, and he had a frightened expression on his face. God, she didn't want him to die.

Klaus changed direction then and walked towards her friend. She heard it before she saw it. 'Thump' was the noise Tyler made as he fell to the ground. What the hell. Klaus had knocked Tyler out with his own chains.

First, she felt shocked, and then she felt anger rise up in her. It was like the tomb lit up with her emotions. 'What was that for? Caroline asked Klaus angrily. She really hoped her friend was alright.

'Privacy,' Was his one-word reply. Klaus kneeled down in front of her, thereby blocking her view of Tyler. Then he started massaging her wrists. 'Does it hurt, love?' Klaus asked as he examined the wounds on her wrists. It was like he massaged all the negative emotions out of her.

Caroline stopped breathing for a second as she saw his features up close. Her lack of a reply made Klaus look up at her. He read her like a book and chuckled. 'Like what you see?' He teased.

Caroline looked away and groaned. 'It's not fair,' She sighed. 'Why are the bad guys always hot?'

Klaus laughed at the compliment, shaking his head. She liked the sound of his laugh. It was the kind of laugh that made her want to laugh, too. So she did. It felt so surreal laughing with the enemy that she had to take a mental picture of this moment. Caroline caught his eyes, but then she noticed, oh my god, he has dimples.

Klaus broke her chains then, the sudden noise brought reality back to her. She looked at him searchingly. What now?

'You are free,' Klaus said, holding her gaze. 'You are full of life. Look at you lighting up this whole tomb with your light.' He gave her a genuine smile. 'There is no question about it that you should live, Caroline.'

Klaus helped her up with his arms. Her limbs were stiff and she had dirt all over her legs. Caroline couldn't help herself, she hugged him. Caroline could smell his shampoo. She smiled internally that even ancient vampires needed shampoo. An idea came to mind. She knew she was in a vulnerable negotiation position but she had to try it.

She pulled out of the hug. Klaus' eyes pierced hers with intensity. 'I don't want to be your enemy, Klaus,' She said. "I know you need Elena, but please don't hurt my other friends.' She squeezed his hands. It was up to him now.

Caroline let go of him then and walked out of the tomb. She felt his stare burn in her back. The blonde had no idea if she would gain a friend or an enemy tonight.

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What did you think of their first meeting with Klaus in the right body? xxxxxx knuffel