NOTES: New chapter! This one actually came way easier than the last few! It wasn't supposed to go up until tonight but I'm going to an outdoor concert/fireworks thing (Happy Canada Day!) Also, this fic is now has a cover! Isn't cartoon!Violet precious? Thanks to Giulia (cutiepieforbes on Tumblr, Miss . Full . of . Light, minus the spaces becasue ffdotnet is weird, here), who made it for me! And thank you to everyone who's reviewed! This one's set to break my personal most reviews ever record in the next few chapters and it's a little mind boggling!

DECEMBER – SATURDAY

CAROLINE:

"Will you stop fidgeting?" Kol demanded, "You're making me nervous and I don't get nervous."

"Of course you get nervous. Everyone gets nervous."

"I don't."

"It's a psychological response to threats. Important to the continuation of the species. Survival of the fittest."

"Thank you, Dr. Forbes. Now hand the nice lady your coat."

Caroline offered a strained smile to the woman who had been listening to them bicker, but did as Kol suggested.

"And I think we both know that I am incredibly fit," Kol added, winking at the attendant as he took off his own coat, "I see you ogling me when I walk out of the shower."

"I do not ogle him," Caroline insisted.

The look the coat check girl shot her was skeptical.

"Okay maybe a little. He doesn't know the difference between a hair towel and a body towel. What am I supposed to do?"

The woman eyed Kol, a hint of appreciation in her gaze, "I'm not here to judge you."

Which meant she totally was judging. "Ugh, Kol. I can't take you anywhere," Caroline complained. She ran a hand over her hair, regretting that she'd decided to pull it back. She straightened her blouse and took a deep breath. "Okay. I can do this. It's just a party. I plan parties. I am a party professional."

"Wonderful. An excellent mantra, darling. Can we go in now?" Kol held the door open and made an impatient gesture.

Caroline glared at him but walked into the room. She'd used this space once or twice, but years ago, before she'd moved on to larger events. The view of the Hudson was spectacular, if she remembered correctly.

Kol held out his arm. Caroline looked at it, then at his face, "Seriously? Have you been reading my books again?"

Kol merely raised his arm a few more inches, "Don't leave me hanging, Caroline."

Caroline rolled her eyes, and grudgingly placed her hand on his elbow, "Won't I cramp your style?"

"My style is un-crampable, thank you very much. The coat check girl is already warm for my form. You saw it."

Caroline tried really hard not to laugh, but she couldn't help it. "You are an excellent distraction, Kol Mikaelson."

"I know," he replied. Kol shot her a look out of the corner of his eye, softer and a touch concerned than usual, but quickly looked forward again. When he spoke again it was quieter, "It really will be fine, Caroline. There's a reason we sent Bekah in first."

Caroline turned to look at him, "What?"

"She got here a half hour ago. Nik and I figured someone would call her Helga, she'd make them cry. They'd immediately regret their life choices and call their mum. An example would be made, and then people would leave you alone. Quite a genius plan. Mostly mine, obviously."

Caroline bit her lip. God, for all that Kol could annoy the crap out of her, he could be so randomly considerate. She kind of wanted to hug him. But that would probably lead to comments about her wanting to jump his bones. She should at least wait until they were at home to do it and that way she could reap some benefits via The Perv Jar.

But, there was one thing she could do, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but Bonnie's here. You know…"

"The caterer from Elijah's? She's here?" Kol's eyes darted around, lingering on anyone in uniform. Didn't get nervous? Please. What a liar Kol was. "Wait, why aren't you supposed to tell me that?"

Caroline shrugs, "Klaus asked me not to? Something about pranks."

"Those were Bekah's idea!" Kol exclaimed, and several people nearby glanced over. And Caroline didn't think she was imagining their eyes lingering on her.

"Not all of them," Klaus spoke up, and both Kol and Caroline turned, to him coming towards them, Rebekah and Stefan trailing behind. "Hello, Caroline."

"Hi," Caroline replied, smiling slightly in greeting. Klaus was more dressed up than usual, in a blue button down and a grey blazer, (less so than he'd been at Elijah's birthday, but Caroline's pretty sure denim had been banned at that event) and as a woman with excellent eyesight Caroline would be unable to deny that Klaus looked very, very good. Rebekah and Stefan joined them, preventing Caroline from having to think of anything further to say.

"Did you rat me out?" Kol hissed when Rebekah was within ear shot.

"Not intentionally! How could I when you didn't even tell me what you were doing? Besides, as if I would paw through Nik's underwear drawer."

"That's weird," Stefan interjected, "even for you guys. And your startling lack of boundaries."

Caroline pressed her lips together determinedly. Laughing at that would be wrong, right? Though it was probably a good thing neither Kol nor Klaus likely knew that Damon's fiancée was once Stefan's high school girlfriend. The Salvatore's weren't exactly a shining example of a functional family unit.

"Why did you steal his underwear?" Caroline asked, genuinely curious.

"I'm on a budget, Caroline."

"Okay?" Caroline phrases it as a question, not sure how he'd thought his newly poor status was an answer.

"I'm not about to wear Hanes, am I? Or Fruit of the Loom," Kol gives an exaggerated shudder. "Nik springs for Paul Smith. Not my favorite, but beggars can't be choosers. Though would it kill you to try a color, Nik? Or maybe a pattern. Anything other than black or charcoal grey? What if I want to wear khakis?"

No one spoke as they digested the meaning of that, "Are you wearing Nik's underwear, Kol?" Rebekah asked incredulously.

"Not right now," Kol answered, his attention having returned to trying to find a certain caterer in the crowded room. Perhaps feeling the heat of several gazes he returned his attention to the group. "What?" he asked, perplexed.

"Why would you do that?" Klaus wondered, his expression hilariously flabbergasted. Caroline kind of wanted to whip out her phone and immortalize it.

"Startling lack of boundaries," Stefan repeated.

"I only took the clean ones!" Kol cried defensively, "I tossed the ones from the laundry in the dumpster."

"I'm not sure that makes it better," Caroline said slowly.

"Such an only child," Kol remarked, a common lament of his, "We used to take baths together. Ask Elijah to show you the pictures."

Oh, Caroline absolutely would be doing that. Because it sounded adorable, and highly embarrassing for those involved in said pictures.

"When you were children! I took baths with you too, Kol. Would you wear my underwear?" Bekah asked.

Kol shrugged, "In a pinch? Wouldn't be the first time I've worn ladies undergarments. You can't be going commando in high temperatures or high humidity. The sweat. The friction in delicate areas. It's quite uncomfortable."

"I could have gone my whole life without knowing that," Rebekah declared mournfully. "I'm going to need something stronger than champagne. Come with me, Caroline?"

"Sure," Caroline agreed, "I could use a drink."

Rebekah glared at her brothers, "No boys allowed. Sorry, Stefan."

Caroline shot Stefan a brief apologetic look before Rebekah dragged her away. Whatever conversation that was about to go on between Klaus and Kol probably didn't need an audience.

Though she'd totally be pumping Stefan for the details later.

Caroline notes that she and Rebekah garner several interested looks, from men and women alike, and her anxiety returns. They order martinis from the bartender and Rebekah turns to her as he begins to mix them, "So? How are you? I couldn't get away yesterday but I know my idiot brother dropped by your office."

"Bekah, don't call him that."

"Please. I've called him far worse."

"Well don't do it on my account," Rebekah opened her mouth to protest, "I mean it, Bekah. Whatever… weirdness is going on between Klaus and I shouldn't have anything to do with Klaus and you. I know it's hard for you not to butt into things…"

"Pot meet kettle."

"Okay, fine. That's accurate," Caroline admitted, only to be interrupted by a startled gasp next to her. A pretty brunette, who couldn't be much older than twenty, was staring at Caroline, eyes wide and excited, "Oh my god, you're Violet! You're real?! I can't believe Marcel never told me you were real!" she gushed.

Caroline could feel Rebekah stiffen next to her, but she held up a hopefully quelling hand. This girl was young, and seemed to mean no harm. Caroline would feel terrible if Rebekah crushed her soul.

"I'm Caroline, actually. It's nice to meet you...?"

"Davina," the girl offers, "Davina Claire. Marcel's an old family friend. My mom wouldn't let me start reading The Originals until I was 18 but my best friend used to sneak me copies at school. I love you. Or, well, Violet. And Einar. Klaus can be kind of a douche, though. But Marcel says he's not actually that bad."

Rebekah laughs at that, "He really doesn't like children."

"I'm nineteen!" Davina says, offended.

"Like I said," Rebekah sniffs, "children."

The bartender, in an excellent display of timing, sets their martini's down, and takes Davina's order of a Sprite. Caroline smiles at Rebekah, tips her head pointedly, "Why don't you go make sure Klaus hasn't killed Kol? That's a concern of yours, right? Pretty sure it's a big part of the reason Kol's my roommate."

"Ugh, fine. I suppose I ought to rescue Stefan. I'll catch up with you later, Caroline." Rebekah plucks her drink off the bar top, nods at Davina, and really she could have done worse, before walking away.

"Sorry about Rebekah," Caroline says, after a moment. "She's Klaus' sister, actually. So, I guess terrible first impressions are kind of their thing. It might be genetic."

"Is Klaus your boyfriend?" Davina asks bluntly.

It's a good thing Caroline hadn't taken a sip yet, because she likely would have choked on it. "What? No. No, of course not. I barely know him. Why would you ask me that?"

Davina's brows rose throughout Caroline's rambling, "Oh. Sorry, I just thought you and Klaus. Violet and Einar. Vionar, you know."

"Vionar?"

"You don't know about Vionar?" Davina asked, her voice pitching upwards incredulously.

"That's… not actually a word?"

"It's a ship," Davina explained.

"A ship?" Caroline repeated, feeling her confusion grow.

"Have you ever even been on the internet?" Davina asked, lips pursing, and Caroline was beginning to regret having Rebekah stand down. She'd forgotten what nineteen year olds could be like. She'd certainly not been at her best at that age.

Marcel appears at Davina's side, a warm smile on his face, "Caroline! It's good to see you again. Davina, your date's looking for you."

"Were you nice to Kaleb?" Davina asked, standing up on her tiptoes in an attempt to see over the crowd. "Because I like him and if you scared him away I'll be so pissed."

"Define nice?" Marcel asked innocently.

"Ugh," Davina groaned, turning away from him. "Will you take a picture with me later, Caroline? My friend Monique will never believe you're real."

"Uh, sure," Caroline answered. Davina beams at her, and whirls away, without another glance at Marcel.

"Sorry about that. She's really into the books. Gets kind of intense about it."

"No! She seems sweet. But what's a ship?"

Marcel grinned, "How much have you delved into the fan stuff online?"

"Not far at all, actually. Why?"

"It's part of that. Short for 'relationship.'"

"Oh. Okay. I guess I get it now. But Violet and Einar aren't together, together. Right?"

"Not in canon," Marcel says with a shrug, "at this point in time, at least. But I can't give away any insider knowledge, you understand, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Spoilers. You're publisher would kill you. Kol was livid that I got an advanced copy of the 50th issue. I guess that's not really allowed?"

"Not at all. Especially this last year. There was very limited access. I had a copy, Klaus must have given you his," Marcel remarked, before glancing over her shoulder, "Oh, speak of the devil."

Caroline takes a big sip of her drink, makes a mental note to leave a good tip, because the bartender did not skimp on the gin, something she appreciates at the moment.

"It was good to see you again, Caroline. I'm sure we'll run into each other again," Marcel touches her arm briefly before he leaves her side, and meets Klaus a few paces away. They speak quietly but Marcel walks away laughing and Klaus with a scowl.

It melts away as he reaches her, and orders bourbon neat. It's on the tip of Caroline's tongue to inquire about how things went with Kol but she hesitates. Does she really want to have another conversation about Klaus' underwear? But Klaus speaks first, turning to stand with his back to the bar, "How are things going?"

"With the Violet thing? Not too bad. I feel a little bit like I'm standing here in my underwear, with the way people are looking, but the only person I've talked to Davina and she was nice."

Klaus winced, "And nosy, I'd bet. She's forever asking questions."

Caroline smiled, "Yeah, she's not a big fan of yours either. Me she likes. Also, Vionar."

Caroline watches him carefully for a reaction, and his eyes lift to the ceiling in exasperation. "Of course she did. I'll have to thank her for that."

Caroline nudges him with her elbow, "Hey, secrets bad, remember? I have a tendency to ferret them out. And react not so well."

He turns to her, his expression surprised, "What do you mean?"

"Threatening to punch you was probably uncalled for," Caroline says with a grimace.

"Nonsense, love. Have you met my family? Threatening acts of violence is practically a show of affection."

Caroline lets out a quick laugh, "That sounds about right, now that you mention it. Explain this ship thing to me."

"I try to stay out of it, actually. I'm not the best person to ask."

Klaus turns to meet her eyes when he says it, and Caroline is pretty sure he's being honest. "Guess it's more internet research for me. Good thing it's Sunday. I've had way too many sleepless nights because of you lately."

"Oh really?" Klaus asks with a hint of a smile, "Tell me more."

Caroline points a finger at him, "Not like that and you know it."

Klaus sobers, "I know."

Caroline sighs, nudges him again, "Don't be a downer at your own party, Klaus. Seriously. That's advice people usually pay for, you know."

"I'll bow to your superior knowledge, love," Klaus says with a nod, finishing his drink. "Now, I have to go and make a speech of some sort. Elijah had to leave early, but I'm supposed to invite you to brunch tomorrow."

Caroline hesitated. Brunch at Elijah's was a monthly thing. She'd been invited to the last one, but weaseled out over a work engagement, "Well…" she stuttered, groping for an excuse.

Klaus was watching her knowingly, "Kol assured him that your calendar was clear."

"That traitor!" Caroline gasps.

Klaus chuckles, "You should know by now that Kol lives by an 'every man for himself' code. It's really not that bad, Caroline. What's the problem? You've spent plenty of time with us en masse, handled it better than most."

"Not at Elijah's! What do I even wear? Do I need one of those giant hats? Where would I even buy a giant hat?"

"It's not a royal wedding, sweetheart."

"I know that. Wait, have you been to a royal wedding?"

Klaus shakes his head, clearly trying not to laugh at her, the jerk. "No. And you can wear jeans. Elijah tried to make it a semi-formal kind of occasion but some of us refused."

"You and Kol refused, you mean. Bekah likes to get fancy."

"I didn't shave for a month," Klaus says, confirming her guess, "Kol wore socks with sandals."

Caroline squints at him, tries to envision a beard, "Does Elijah have pictures of that, too?"

"Probably," Klaus replies, "he claims the reason he collects the pictures is something about family memories, or some such drivel, but I'm quite sure he's just compiling blackmail material."

Privately, Caroline agreed. Elijah was smart like that, and seemed crafty under all the manners, "Alright then. If there will be embarrassing pictures I'm in."

"Excellent," Klaus proclaimed, "I'll let Elijah know to set a place for you," they shared a smile, and lapsed into the most comfortable silence they'd managed to share since before the Violet bomb had dropped. Klaus cleared his throat, looked at her for a long moment before adding, "I'm glad you came tonight, Caroline."

Caroline found that she was too.