Hey guys *awkward wave* See ya at the bottom :)


"I don't know what's happening to me"

"I know dear."

The first day Bonnie felt magic in her veins it was terrifying yet empowering all at once. It wasn't the flashes of images she felt from a random strangers touch. It wasn't the first candle Bonnie lit using magic, a burnt candle extinguished from the nights wind. Bonnie looked to the distance, silently contemplating how early she could leave another Mystic Falls town party without being detected, not sure any of the adults would really care. Gray smoke pulled her boredom upwards while the smoke curled, Bonnie narrowed her eyes at a burnt wick. Leaning into the candle for more focus, shock caused Bonnie to freeze as her eyes glued to the new flame. She blew it out as if that would erase what happened, not believing it actually did happen.

Bonnie pushed her luck further with more candles in the dining room of the Lockwood's family home. Nothing happened at first, only slightly disappointed in herself. The faint flicker of a candle against the wall as Bonnie tried to leave froze her at the doorway. Turning towards the dining table, the entire dining room was glowing gold as every single candle lit the room. Bonnie's gaze fixated on the same candles that minutes earlier Mrs Lockwood belittled the waitstaff for neglecting to light. That night at the Lockwood's mystified her although it wasn't her full potential.

No the day Bonnie realized she was spinning out of control had been the afternoon at Mystic Falls high school when she turned water into flames. Emotions are powerfully conductors for witches along with nature and the anger Bonnie felt towards her classmate only added gasoline to her growing magic. A trance washed over her while smoke rolled off a puddle of water in the middle of Mystic Falls high parking lot and a line of flames took over a local's car. If Stefan hadn't been at school to snap Bonnie back to reality that day... things could have ended much worse.

Bonnie knew all those drunken stories Grams told her were true. Any possible belief Bonnie had about keeping this a secret was lost and she needed her Grams. With a tear stained face, Bonnie ran to her door and she welcomed her with open arms. Those same comforting arms Bonnie would give anything to be wrapped around her and to guide her along the next stage in her supernatural life.

Sheila Bennett was the one unwavering role model in her life. Mystic Falls's cooky old lady gave so much unconditional love that Bonnie craved it decades later. Abby Bennett was more of a coward than a mother and her father well... he preferred business trips than family gatherings.

Ignorance truly is bliss.

"I could use some of your witchy juju right about now Grams."


Brown and green landscapes blended into one muddy shade against the aspalt of backwoods Georgia. It's been a calm seven hour road trip from New Orleans, the ocassional silences a welcome retreat from the chaos. Caroline insisted on traveling by car, the freedom it provided by the open road was too appealing. In more recent decades, airplanes only served as a means to disappear.

The only disruption of silences were the brief phone calls with Bonnie as Klaus symotaniously dodged his own family. Caroline adjusted her gaze from the passenger window to take in her traveling companion behind the wheel. One would think a caged wolf would be unpleasant but Klaus was surprisingly relaxed. Perhaps Caroline wasn't the only one needing a reprieve from New Orleans. Although brief, her own experience with Marcel had Caroline wishing she could flick her daylight ring out the window. The loss of power for a fellow control freak had to be disturbing for Klaus.

Being covert clearly was not her forte if the twitch of Klaus's lips indicated anything. Giving up on subtly, Caroline settled for unbuckling her seat belt and turning towards him, knee resting against the center console.

"Tell me a Klaus fact."

"Klaus fact..." The words rolled around Klaus's tongue but held no meaning. "You know Sweetheart, you would think since my name is involved I would be an expert but I'm at a loss."

"Klaus fact. By definition it means a fact about Klaus." The heavy exhale from Klaus brought a smile to Caroline. Seven hours and Klaus still wasn't a fan of Caroline's form of entertainment. "What's something the average vampire wouldn't know about the infamous Niklaus Mikealson."

" I spent the better part of a millenium making sure every vampire knew exactly who Klaus Mikealson was." Klaus glanced briefly in her direction before turning back to the road ahead, twisting the wheel along a sharp corner of trees. "You know plenty."

"I know what you want people to know about you. I know what your family or strangers have told me. "

"The rumors are true." Smugness clung to his words.

"Oh I don't doubt that but I want something more than a scary bedtime story to keep your minions jumping." Caroline paused to pull a stray thread from the bottom of her skirt. " I want something real."

"Why." Klaus' grip tightened on the steering wheel at her insistance, voice rigid.

"Never judge someone by the opinion of another."

Judgemental behavior was human Caroline's glaring flaw, most people unable to accept the truth when given. It isn't until you become on the opposite end of those snap judgements that makes someone want to change. Three decades of being immediately judged by the accusations of her father makes a person reasses. Clearly now was not the time for any such discussion if the silent tension that now filled the car was anything to go by.

"Ok look. I won't force you to share anything but..." Caroline exhaled while looking towards the gravel road as Klaus's speed increased, dirt and gravel kicking beneath the tires. "I've shared with you so I expected the same courtesy."

Caroline's voice drew softer as a two story log cabin appeared in the distance. The tin green roof and exposed logs were her relief, familiarity giving her the false comfort she needed. It wasn't a lavish penthouse in Manhattan or seaside escape but it was a small piece of home tucked away from civilization.

"Home sweet home."

Caroline clapped her hands together, gathering the spilled contents from her leather bag and pretended the higher pitch in her voice wasn't because of the mounting tension. As the car drew closer, the unmistakable sound of rock music filtered past the open screen windows and door.

"Unbelieveable. Just park here and we'll walk the rest of the way."

Caroline didn't wait for a response as she swung open the car door and placed her hands on her hips, a line of parked trucks and jeeps blocking the entrance to the garage.

"You've found yourself quite the comfortable house sitter."

The amusement evident in Klaus's voice even as he paused just behind her out of view.

"Don't start, " Frustration powered her feet towards the front porch steps. "They could have atleast attempted to be conspicuous." Caroline pointed her finger upwards, stomping her sandals with extra force against the wood, "You won't believe the detailed instructions I left behind including but not limited to no social gatherings on Forbes property."

"Fear is a better tool of persuasion than color coded spreadsheets."

"These people aren't subordinates of mine, Klaus. Friends. You do remember what friends are right? " Caroline not hiding the biting tone, hesitating on the brown welcome mat, turning from the door to the original now at her side. "Give me your word you won't harm any of these werewolves while we're here."

"As long as your friends know thier place we won't have any problems, " Klaus brushed a lost strand of hair behind her shoulder, " We still need them alive."

With one final look, Caroline knodded in understanding. The goodwill that was built over the course of a year with the werewolves was strong enough that any attacks weren't likely. It would also help to keep the identity of one Niklaus Mikealson concealed until it was time to reveal the doppelganger blood.

As Caroline opened her door, a mixed scent of wolves, stale cigarettes and booze consumed the air. The music that once flooded the speakers was silenced and the echo of a breaking beer bottle across her once pristine tiles signalled the wolves heard them.

"I guess were not as quite as we thought." Klaus observed while the murmors of curse words grew stronger and two wolves came into view, meeting Caroline head on as she entered the living room.

"Caroline," the nerves in the young werewolves voice not going unnoticed, "I didn't think you would be back so soon... I "

"Didn't have a chance to cover up the party you started?" Caroline cut into Jules sentence, silently cursing the numerous unattended bottles and red cups, hands jestering towards the great room. "This furniture was a custom design. I can't just pop over to IKEA and order another. "

"Could have fooled me." The male werewolve grunted as he moved past the group and slid onto the white leather sofa, feet crossed on top of the coffee table. Beer bottles dropped to the floor instead of being cleaned.

"This was supposed to have been a quick stop in to check the place out. However... " the werewolve Jules started as her attention moved cautiously between the two vampires, hands tucking her wavy blonde hair behind her ears. "Brady decided some of the pack needed to reconnect."

Caroline's stance was firm, arms crossed to her chest and not amused.

"Oh come on Caroline. You have this giant house empty that you hardly even use. Some of the pack went to Florida for the last full moon and they just got back to town. It's just us now."

"Wolves can never turn down a good place to party, " Brady's eyes flickered to Klaus momentarially, "You brought more of them? Here?"

"And where exactly is here, Brady?" Klaus took two steps forward with amusement, "Are you the Alpha?"

"Who's askin' ?" Brady stood to his feet, his stance straighter from his earlier relaxed posture.

"We're not here for a pissing contest, " Jules interjected, hand extended between the two men. "I'm the Alpha and here is our packs territory. I like to keep track of the supernatural creatures that pass in and out. Especially vampires."

"Vampires." Brady stated, almost accusing.

"It seems manners are slipping away left and right," Klaus gesturing a fluid hand towards the area of the room Brady stood in. "I haven't been properly introduced..."

"This is just an old friend of mine Nik who insisted on coming with me back home." Caroline placed a hand to Klaus's shoulderblade, hoping her nails dug deep enough so he could play along.

"Now theres that pesky word again. " Klaus looked down to her with fondness, "I think we can do better than that."

"Those specifics aren't necessary, Nik." Caroline turned akwardly to the two curious werewolves. " While we were in New Orleans, Kat was attacked in the office upstairs by two vampires and only one of them escaped."

"When we got here, I gave everyone strict instructions to not go upstairs for any reasons and as far as I can tell none of them did. If there was a break in I know nothing about it."

"So I shouldn't call on your pack for my next security detail then." Faith was slipping farther away from Klaus each moment he spoke to the wolves. They hadn't even attempted to secure the property. Brady's slight step forward made Jules subdue the situation.

"Why don't you go find the others, Brady. They wondered into the woods and are probably too drunk by now to find thier way home. " Jules motioned with her chin towards the door, not allowing Brady to step closer to Caroline or Klaus. Brady stood fixated on Klaus, mentally weighing his odds in a fight but only after a moments hesitation, he stalked his way out the door.

"I'm not sure how many packs your old friend has been around but you dont insult a pack and get away with it. Certainly not to the Alpha."

"And I'm not sure if you're aware how lethal it can be to threaten a stranger without knowing thier capabilities."

"And this is getting old." Caroline dropped her arms to her sides, trying to release unwanted tension. "Nik, can you please give Jules and I a few moments alone?"

The two had a silent stand off but Klaus reluctantly agreed, excusing himself upstairs,

"Very well. I'll see what damages were done to poor Kat upstairs."

Caroline kept her comments silent while Jules was present since they both knew the concern for Katherine was superficial.

"Look I'm sorry I got upset but.."

"I shouldn't have allowed the party to happen and I'm sorry for that. Brady won't always listen, even to me and I'm his alpha."

"Do you think he will still try to challenge you ?" Caroline leaned in to place a supportive hand on her wolf friends shoulder, worry flashed momentarily in Jules.

"I'm not sure." Jules exhaled deeply, "It hasn't happened yet but with the pack growing in numbers someone is bound too. We just recruited two new members from Florida this week."

"If Brady does make a move, I'm all for putting him in his place."

"Thank you Caroline but as much as I love your enthusiasm this is something I need to handle myself, " Jules smiled gratefully. "I need to set an example for all the wolves and it needs to be at my hand."

Werewolves and vampires have always been natural born enemies but Brady carried a stronger hatred for vampires than the rest of the pack. If it weren't for the kindness of Jules and other members of the pack, Caroline would already have his body buried in the back yard.

"Do you think you can get the pack together so we can all talk? I have something I need to discuss, " Caroline tossed Jules a warm smile, "Preferably sober werewolves."

"Anything wrong?" Jules emulated concern and it comforted Caroline slightly to see it.

"I just .. might need their help with something. You know calling in that favor you guys promised me." The nervous edge was back in Carolines voice, her smile a bit too wide. Caroline's hand went to her back pocket to feel it vibrate but elected to ignore it.

"Ofcourse, " Jules chuckled but didn't comment further. " It's not too late so we might be able to meet up tonight. At the very least early morning. "

After walking Jules outside, Caroline shut her front door and leaned against it, eyes closed, as her mind drifted to the prior month. Caroline was already ticking off her own mental list and making adjustments.

"The damage seems to be contained to the upstairs office." Klaus's voice brought Caroline's attention to the top of the stairs where he stood but she didnt open her eyes. "My guess would be Marcel or hunters.."

"And they were looking for blood." Caroline opened her eyes to see Klaus descending the stairs with full attention on her and Caroline moved to meet him. "Katherine said the vampires mention New Orleans."

"Marcel." The name still stung Klaus tongue being barely twenty four hours since his death. "Good thing we exterminated his coven. There shouldnt be any of his daywalkers left to finish the task."

"Maybe." Caroline and Klaus stood in the middle of the stairs, Caroline a step lower so she had her head tilted up to Klaus. "I need to get some sort of speech together to tell the wolves about the blood."

"Im a fan of improvisation myself." Klaus laced his hands to his back. "You will have to kill wolves, atleast the ones that fight back."

Caroline stiffened at the statement. "Or they could just leave the pack Klaus. Not everything ends in death."

"Any wolves leaving this pack willingly is very minimal. This pack is growing in numbers which means wolves are starting to settle down in this community. All wolves are territorial and they wont leave without a fight."

"And what happens if you kill them all Klaus?" Caroline's voice adding volume, "No werewolf will be loyal if we slaughter thier family in front of them. Murdering the entire pack just leaves us back to square one."

"As your Alpha just stated a show of dominance is needed for the wolves to fall in line. Werewolves are still animals to the core and physical persuassion in order to submit is key. From what I gather the pack is full of misfits that wondered here because they had nowhere else to go. Some of them can still be swayed by the allure of being a hybrid."

Klaus paused to think through his next words, inspecting Caroline's expression carefully. It's been decades since he left that little girl that lost her youth in Mystic Falls, she has killed many times before but part of her still didn't want to. Caroline still clung to her humanity after all this time and it was something to be admired. Klaus only hoped it would still be around a few centuries from now as his own was lost.

"Can you kill them Caroline?"

"Ofcourse." Caroline answered a little too quickly and her voice slightly too elivated to be completely believeble. "You've seen me kill my own father before so a few wolves shouldnt be much trouble."

"And it haunts you to this day."

Klaus left the statement between them as Caroline's phone buzzed from her back pocket. The buzzing wasnt going to stop, hadnt stopped for the past ten minutes. Enzo's name flashed across the screen with multiple missed calls and Caroline released a heavy sigh, not noticing Klaus's adams apple bob with the lump in his throat.

"If its not one its the other... Answer it. " The anger feathered his voice as the buzzing persisted. "Answer it and then we'll talk."

"It's not like the guy can take a hint," Caroline snapped from Enzo's annoyance and followed Klaus upstairs, too distracted to truly process his sudden anger. Caroline pressed the accept button with more force than necessary and made sure to project her attitude into each word,

"Enzo this better be good."


"

I wanted to test the waters again and see if there was any interest left with this story? If not Ill still continue. I've been craving a new creative outlet lately.

I really enjoyed Bonnie's bit at the beginning and I really didn't want to gloss over the fact that she is now a vampire. I nearly kept her a witch but decide to stick to the game plan.

Thanks to those that hung around or any newbies. As always you can catch me on tumblr clhous3248

Cassondra :)