Hello Dearies,

I wanted to give you a quick update on the sequel to Dungeons. Thanks to everyone who is keeping me on my toes via PM and reviews, I love you for it!

A couple of days ago, I crossed the magic threshold of 100.000 words, so I thought I would let you know that there's definitely progress, although unfortunately it is not yet fit for publishing at all. Many chapters are partly unfinished, I did some major changes that entail a lot of rewriting, and there is still a way to go plot-wise. And there is the issue of having to squeeze in my job as well! But I will be taking a few days off work the week after next, and I promise to dedicate them entirely to the sequel! ;)

The story will be just as Klaus/Caroline centric as Dungeons, involving the Originals, the Mystic Falls gang and a couple of new faces. We will start off in New Orleans, but there will be quite some travel involved - not all of it voluntarily. Klaus and Caroline will have to face some tough times... maybe even without each other for a while? A wee bit of drama coming up! ;)

Thank you all for being so patient - I am speeding things up as much as I can, but do bear with me for another while, as I want you to like the sequel as much as many of you liked Dungeons. :)

By the way, the preliminary title will be 'Sanctuaries', but I might still change that...

XX

Sybille

Here comes a very small sneak peek... Klaus and his family issues! ;)

Kol returned two days later, still wearing the same clothes and reeking of cheap alcohol. Caroline was in the kitchen having a blood bag when he shuffled into the room and headed straight to the fridge. He wordlessly grabbed a beer and slumped onto a stool, giving Caroline a light smile and gulping down a few sips. An instant later, Klaus appeared in the doorway, tensing at the sight of his younger brother who very studiously ignored him. The older Original's eyes narrowed.

I have a bad feeling about this…

"Did you speak to Davina?" Klaus demanded, not bothering to hide his irritation. How did those two always manage to get each other's back up the minute they were in the same room?

Kol took another swig of his beer and shrugged. "Nope. Went to her place, she wasn't there, left a message, didn't hear from her. That is about the summary."

Uh-oh.

Klaus straightened to his full height, taking two measured steps into the kitchen and leaning over the counter, his face a mask of anger as he glared at his younger brother. "I am utterly tired of this, Kol. You keep whining about how no one takes you seriously, but whenever you are being asked to perform a task, you behave like a pouting child. What is your problem, brother?"

The younger Original slammed his bottle onto the counter. It crashed and splintered, sending dozens of little shards flying about the kitchen. "You want to know what my problem is, Nik? Fine, I will tell you! Your acting like God Almighty, that is my problem! It pisses me off! Who made you the head of this family? Why do we all have to bow to you and dance to your tune? Why, Nik? What makes you my boss?" he shouted, his face filled with rage.

Caroline held her breath. She hoped her presence would be enough to convince Klaus not to do anything he might live to regret later. Usually, the more someone shouted at him, the calmer he became, but all bets were off when it came to Kol. She saw him grit his teeth, and his voice lowered to a snarl.

"Well, brother dear, I would say circumstances have made me the head of this family. I will be delighted to give you some examples. First, our father who has been hunting us for a millennium. Would you have been able to protect the family from him for a thousand years? I think not. Second, your rampages. Both Elijah and I had to save your neck and keep the family from being exposed so many times I have lost count. You have no control whatsoever over your impulse, and you immediately cater to your every whim without giving so much as a moment's thought to the implications it might have. You want to be a part of this family? Fine. But as long as you are unable to assume some responsibility, show yourself worthy of our trust and think of something other than your own pleasures, I will continue to act like God Almighty, and as long as you live under my roof, Kol Mikaelson, I will be your bloody boss!"

Kol grabbed the first thing he came across, which happened to be a bottle of red wine, and tossed it in his brother's direction with all his might. Klaus evaded the missile easily and the bottle crashed into the wall next to Caroline, spraying her with wine and making her shriek. Crap, that's not good! He will go ballistic! In one quick stride, she was at Klaus' side and put a hand on his arm. He was so tense he would probably burst if she poked him in the chest right now.

"Sorry, Caroline," Kol muttered. "I didn't mean to…"

"That's fine," she hurried to assure him, "I never liked that shirt too much anyway."

Klaus gently removed her hand from his arm and took a step towards his brother. "Get out."

"Niklaus," she started to say, but he just held up a hand.

"Kol, you will leave my house. Now. I do not wish to see you again in the foreseeable future. Come back when you have made up your mind about whether you want to be a part of this family. Until then, do whatever you please, but don't do it here." He folded his arms over his chest and glared at Kol who had finally registered that his brother was actually serious. He growled and slammed the door wide open.

"You'll regret this, Nik! I swear to you, the day will come when you will be sorry for not being a brother to me!"

Caroline could see that Klaus was now working himself up into a full-blown rage. "I fail to see how, Kol, when I will so thoroughly enjoy the peace and quiet that will finally settle in this house the minute you are gone. Which is about… now!"

With an outcry, Kol stormed out of the house, leaving Caroline and Klaus to stare after him.

"Hey," she murmured softly after a minute of silence. She knew how he hated being at odds with his family, and she knew he would suffer over his fallout with his younger brother. "Are you all right?"

Klaus turned around and pulled her into his arms. "He drives me crazy, Caroline! I just can't fathom why he keeps being so bloody difficult! Yes, I know that I let him get to me far too easily, but… damn it!" He exhaled sharply, and Caroline began to softly stroke his back, breathing evenly against his chest, hoping to help him calm down.

"You will work it out, Niklaus. Look, I think he is desperate for you to take him seriously, to be given some responsibility for the family. He looks up to you so much, and it's not easy for him with such an overly powerful brother," she said quietly, making him shake his head.

"How am I supposed to take him seriously if he keeps acting like that?" he asked, a faint hint of despair to his voice.

"You're both a little, ah, unaccommodating when it comes to each other. Give the waters a little time to calm and then try again, okay?"

Klaus huffed. "Why is it always me who has to try?" he complained.

She let her hands sneak under his shirt, stroking his bare back, making him sigh. "Because you are older, wiser, less juvenile – okay, most of the time, granted – and the greater man. Aren't you, Niklaus?" she purred and heard him chuckle.

"Nice tactics, my love. But you will have to work a lot harder to actually make me give in, and I have a feeling I shall be enjoying your efforts immensely. But how about getting you out of that shirt first? You smell like you have been bathing in Château Mouton-Rothschild – not that I dislike the idea, but I much prefer that wonderfully pure, intoxicating scent of your skin separate from vintage Bordeaux."

Caroline giggled. "I'll go wash the stuff off, then."

He eyed her mischievously. "On second thought…" And without her having seen him move, her shirt was gone and his mouth was on the wine stains on her chest.

"Niklaus!" she gasped, feeling the heat pool between her legs immediately. "Bedroom!" She didn't even want to think about Silv's and Elijah's faces if they happened to walk in on them now.

Klaus just grinned, lifting his eyes to hers while swishing his tongue over her breast, making her moan and close her eyes in pleasure.

"Maybe later."

Very short, I know, but it is one of the few pieces that will most likely remain unchanged, and I don't want to give too much of the bigger drama away. ;)

Happy Sunday, guys!