Notes: And here's the next chapter! A bit later than I had planned, but I got a little burnt out with all my klarolineauweek stuff. We are (hopefully!) back on track. Thanks to everyone who's still reading, and especially those that are reviewing, even if it's to tell me that I'm driving you nuts. It's only a little bit on purpose, I promise.

JANUARY – MONDAY

CAROLINE:

Caroline had noticed the delicious smell as soon as she exited the elevator. If Kol thought he could exploit her weakness for pasta (and she's pretty sure he made bread too, the sneaky bastard!), get her to soften up, he was going to be in for a rude awakening.

Because she wasn't done being mad at him. No matter how much cheesy, tomato filled, goodness he put in front of her.

Okay, fine. Maybe she mostly was. She'd had a good time with Klaus yesterday, had forgotten to feel awkward about all the talk about her lingerie by the time their appetizer had been delivered.

But then Kol had been all suggestive eyebrows and leers when she'd gotten home and her annoyance had returned. Because seriously, would it kill him to mind his own business? Caroline had shot him a warning look, letting it convey all of her displeasure. It must have been promised sufficient retribution, because Kol had held off on making any comments. Unsure of how long his willpower would hold, Caroline had grabbed a glass of water and retreated to her room.

Even though she'd really, really wanted to ask about Kol's date.

Maybe a little hypocritical, but Caroline made no secret of the fact that she was nosy. And she was genuinely interested in Kol's well-being and future happiness, not just poking at him for her own amusement.

Mostly.

His determined pursuit of Bonnie the caterer, and his mystification when she kept dodging him, was fun to watch.

It was good for Kol, Caroline thought. Character building, to actually have to work for a woman's attention.

Unlocking the door, Caroline took a deep breath, unable to help herself, her mouth beginning to water. The apartment looked cleaner than it had when she'd left and Caroline tries not to let that get to her. Kol was pulling out all the stops, it seemed.

She takes her shoes off, drops her bag, and hangs up her coat, acting like she's not aware of the changes or the aromas coming from the kitchen. She refuses to make it easy for Kol, even if she can't wait to eat. Finally, turning towards the kitchen, she's startled to see not just Kol looking back at her, but Enzo and Klaus too.

She narrows her eyes at Kol but he blinks back at her, the picture of innocence (and who does he think he's fooling? She's lived with him for months, Klaus has known him since his birth and he and Enzo had been meeting up for drinks at least once a week, surely getting into things that Caroline didn't want to know about).

He's invited himself buffers, and Caroline mentally commends him for his strategy.

She can't bring herself to hide in her room, when they have company, and Kol must know that because his expression shifts, to a knowing grin, "Do you want some wine, Darling? Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes. Enzo and Nik were just getting to know one another better. Turns out they have quite a few things in common, who knew?"

That makes her steps falter, and she glances between Klaus and Enzo warily. No one's bleeding so Caroline supposes that's a good sign.

"Like what?" she asks, forcing an upbeat tone.

"Art, travelling. A few other things," Enzo answers her, but his eyes remains on Klaus. Klaus returns the look steadily, not flinching, or seeming at all uncomfortable.

"Yes, it's been most interesting," Klaus murmurs, and Enzo smirks before taking a long sip of wine.

Caroline's pretty sure they'd been talking about her and she has no idea how she feels about that. She makes a note to grill both Enzo and Kol later (and see if their stories match up, so she knows they're not doing something stupid like trying to lie to her) and maybe throw a few, subtler inquiries Klaus' way.

And then, if it turned out they had done anything excessively cro magnon, under the guise of 'protecting' her, she'd smack some heads together.

Klaus breaks the strange, tense stare off, turning to Caroline, with a small, dimpled smile, "How was your day, love?"

Caroline returns it, because how could she not? Before replying lightly, "Pretty good, for a Monday."

She walks up to the kitchen island, and Kol puts a glass of red wine, and a cutting board with a loaf of bread and garlic butter in front of the empty stool, which happens to be next to Klaus. "Just baked it this afternoon," he tells her, looking a little smug.

Ugh. How was she supposed to resist that?

Caroline cuts herself a slice (because she is weak) and does her best to look like she's not melting into a puddle of food-gasmy ecstasy when it practically melts in her mouth.

Enzo lets out an amused snort, "Should we leave you and the carbohydrates alone, gorgeous?" he teases which tells Caroline that she hadn't been successful.

She throws him a dirty look, reaching behind Klaus to shove him. And maybe noting that Klaus smells ridiculously good, as per usual. Which was yet another thought she probably shouldn't be having in her current company.

She ignores Enzo, helps herself to another slice, before sliding the board over.

"Thank you, Caroline. At least someone," Klaus says, with a pointed look at Kol, "who lives here knows how to treat a guest."

"You're not a guest, Nik. You're my brother. And you're doing the dishes."

"Isn't Enzo a guest?" Klaus shoots back, not bothering to argue with the rest of Kol's statement. But then Klaus pretty much always did the dishes, even helped when it was technically Caroline's turn.

It's Caroline's turn to laugh, "Enzo once got so drunk he forgot his address. And somehow lost his wallet. And his shoes. He managed to stumble here and passed out in front of the door. Once of my neighbors recognized him and hauled him inside. He slept in the bathtub. He's so not a guest."

"That was a good night," Enzo says fondly, not looking the least bit ashamed of himself.

Caroline rolls her eyes, "Yeah, for you. You didn't get woken up at 4AM and have to drag your disgusting dead weight around. You're just lucky it was summer. Also, you're heavy."

"Are you calling me fat?" Enzo places his hand over his heart, pasting on an exaggeratedly wounded expression.

She reaches over again, intending to smack him, but Enzo scoots his chair away, out of her reach, "Such violence. Careful Caroline, I'll begin to think I'm not welcome."

"And when has that ever stopped you?" Caroline asks sweetly. "Rebekah has told you to drop dead, often and creatively, usually with profanity, and you still pester her every chance you get."

Both of the Mikaelson's turn to look at Enzo, Kol more amused than Klaus, and Caroline thinks she probably shouldn't have said that.

"Speaking of," Caroline hurries to continue, "I got a very long email from Bekah today. She says Turks and Caicos is gorgeous and that I'm going to be really jealous of her tan. She's managed not to stab Damon, or drown Elena, but apparently there have been some close calls."

"Sounds like Bekah," Kol says approvingly. "She's a bit of a brat, but I must admit she has superb taste in people."

"I resent that," Enzo pipes up.

Caroline gives him a pointed 'shut up' look, because had he not noticed how she'd artfully smoothed an awkward moment? As much as Klaus and Kol picked on Bekah, and each other, they did not take kindly to other people doing it. Caroline so wasn't up for explaining, or defending, the twisted enjoyment both Enzo and Rebekah took in verbally sparring with one another.

It was weird and entertaining and Caroline had long since given up trying to understand it.

A timer goes off, effectively distracting Kol. Caroline presses her arm against Klaus' and he looks over at her questioningly, "How was your day?" she asks, because it was only polite, to return his earlier question.

And was a simple way to divert his attention for Enzo, though Caroline knew Klaus well enough by now to know that he'd merely file it away, to be examined and likely brought up at a later date.

Hopefully when she wasn't around.

"My day was fine, sweetheart. Spent most of it drawing. Marcel extended his stay in California for a few days, so we're not really moving forward, just yet."

"And you still won't give me any hints?" Caroline widens her eyes, uses a hint of a pout, at the mention of the graphic novel. She might have spent some time googling spoilers, since Klaus was so tight lipped. And come up with nothing, unfortunately.

Klaus shrugs, "Sorry. You'll just have to wait for a printed copy."

"An advanced printed copy?" Caroline bargains, raising an eyebrow.

"I could perhaps be talked into that."

"Can I just mention again how unfair I find this?" Kol butts in, setting a salad down. Caroline jumps, quickly looking away from Klaus and straightening up on her stool, when she realizes she's leaned into him. "I am your blood, Niklaus."

Caroline sneaks a peak at Enzo, as Kol and Klaus bicker back and forth about the likelihood of Kol carelessly leaving a copy behind somewhere on his travels, to be leaked onto the internet, had Klaus provided him with one before they were released to the public.

He's watching her, and he inclines his head slightly towards Klaus, raises an eyebrow.

Crap. If Enzo was officially on Team Just Do It And Get It Over With then Caroline's going to be pissed.

Could no one be on her side? Just a little? Until she works things through in her own mind, decides on a course of action, at least?

Enzo nods, as if he understands, and maybe he does. He's always read her well.

Kol and Klaus have continued to argue, though they've moved on to something about a bike. Caroline clears her throat. Then again, at a greater volume, when it has not effect. Still getting nothing, she grabs the butter knife and taps it on her wineglass, until they stop talking and look at her, "As much as I'd love to rehash your childhood grievances, and I really would, I am also very hungry. Can we eat, please?"

Kol still looks peeved, but Klaus sighs, "I suppose I could get you a copy too, Kol. Provided that it does not leave this apartment. And that if it does, you understand that I'll tear out your liver."

Kol looks incredulous, and also like he wants to continue their squabble. Caroline hops up out of her chair, because the food does smell amazing, and elbows Kol aside, "You, sit next to your brother. Maybe say thank you. I'll cut the lasagna."

He goes, though he does not follow her pointed suggestion, settling into a seat with a grumble. But Caroline supposes she can't always have everything.