I'm in an updating mood today, so I'll post the next installment of my one shot series. I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to the season finale. Anyway, let's continue our journey, shall we? Thank you for the great reviews!

3x15 AU. Let's just say I didn't like the burning of the sketches at the end.

Mikaelson Mansion – After the Scene outside the Grill...

A million thoughts raced through her head as Caroline drove up to the Mikaelson mansion following what happened outside the Grill just hours ago. The thing that stuck out the most in her mind was seeing the look on Klaus' face as he grabbed her and accused her of betraying him. It was true that she was supposed to distract him, but she couldn't just let this go without first trying to explain herself and possibly get him to forgive her.

When she approached the door, Caroline knocked on it, hoping that Klaus would hear it and answer it. However, she didn't get an answer from him, but from Rebekah instead. It still irked her that the bitch had all but wormed her way into her life, starting from Senior Prank Night and then, she had the audacity to get on the Spirit Squad.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Caroline crossed her arms firmly, not about to let this little she-devil deter her from what she came to do. "Not that it's any of your business, I'm here to talk to Klaus. Things didn't exactly...end too well between us tonight and I wanted to apologize."

"Really?" said Rebekah. "And why should Nik waste his time with you?"

Caroline growled. "Damn it, Rebekah, just let me in. I realize that you have your little family crisis that you're dealing with right now, but this is something that can't wait."

Rebekah wanted to make some snide remark, but decided against it and let the other blonde in. She was curious to see just how far this little drama between her and Klaus would play out. Caroline ignored the look that Rebekah was giving her and walked through the mansion, looking to see where Klaus could be hiding. After what seemed like an eternity, she found him standing by the fire place, his sketch pad in hand.

Sensing her but not looking at her, he said, "Haven't you done enough damage tonight, Caroline?"

Caroline sighed. Great, he sounded like he was still angry at her. "I know that you think I caused this, but I had nothing to do with it. It was your mother who caused this. She must've cast some spell that set it off. She is a witch, isn't she?"

Klaus didn't answer her, but then again, he didn't have to. He already knew that Esther had created that spell of hers that connected him and rest of the Original siblings together. He also knew that Finn was the sacrifice she had chosen for the spell. Sighing heavily, he opened his sketch pad to the drawings he had done of Caroline, which the blonde vampire noticed right away.

"W..What are you going to do?"

It was here that Klaus finally looked at her. "What do you think? I'm going to burn them. I can't bear to look at them, not after what happened tonight. I wanted you to take a chance, Caroline, to get to know me. I even dared you to, and what did I get out of it?"

"That doesn't mean that you should burn them, especially if they mean something to you." I would know, her thoughts added. I still have the drawing you sent to me the night of the ball, even if I don't know why.

"Why should I keep them?" said Klaus. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just burn them and be done with it. After all, didn't you tell me tonight that you wanted them to leave you alone? I'm only doing as you say."

Caroline sighed. This wasn't getting anywhere fast. Quickly, she said, "You shouldn't burn them because maybe I didn't mean what I said. Maybe I liked your drawings. They're part of who you are, and to destroy them would be like destroying part of yourself."

At first, Klaus didn't move, as thought considering what she was saying. It was true, his drawings were part of who he was, having been an artist most of his life, starting from back before he was turned. Finally, he closed the book and placed it on the mantel.

"All right, I won't destroy them." He then went over to the couch, sitting down on the cushions. "You know, you never did answer my questions, Caroline. I asked you what your hopes, dreams, and what you wanted out of life."

"You still want to talk about that?"

"Why not?" he replied. "They're legitimate questions, aren't they?"

Caroline smiled at that and took her seat next to him, obviously preferring the ambiance of the fire over the chill outside. "I guess you could say that one of my dreams was to be sitting in front of a fire on a cold day in a mansion."

"What a coincidence, it would seem that your dream just came true tonight," said Klaus. "You're sitting in front a fire on a cold day in a mansion, which so happens to be mine." He smiled again. "You see? Isn't it great to take a chance for once?"

Caroline returned his smile and then cleared her throat, changing the subject. "So, what's your next move? I mean, your mother linked you and your siblings together."

"Simple, we get Finn's blood," said Klaus. "He's the sacrificial lamb in her little plan to rid the world of the creations she brought forth. Therefore, if we get a sample of Finn's blood, I'll employ a witch to place a spell on it that will unlink us, breaking Mother's spell. Which means that even if Finn does die, all the rest of us will live."

Caroline nodded. "I do feel kind of bad for Finn. I mean, I've heard of doing anything for your family, but dying and bringing about their death? That sounds...gross."

"Try telling that to my mother," said Klaus. "She won't be satisfied until all of us are dead." He cleared his throat. "But, enough about that subject. I believe you came here for forgiveness?"

Caroline nodded again. "I did." She gave him a worried look. "I am forgiven, right?"

"I spared the drawings, didn't I?" said Klaus. "I think that qualifies as forgiveness."

"Yeah, I guess," said Caroline, getting up from her seat. "Well, I won't keep you from whatever you're going to be doing and I hope that you don't do something stupid, like accidentally performing the wrong spell on Finn's blood."

Before she left, Klaus got up and got something from the mantel, giving it to her. "You left this here the night of the ball. I'd give it to Rebekah, but somehow I don't think she'd do it as much justice as you did."

Caroline didn't need to guess what it was, because she already knew. It was the bracelet that she all but threw in his face. She wanted to ask why he kept it, but knew that the answer was obvious. He wanted her to have it.

She nodded in thanks and left the mansion.

Note: Enjoy the update, lovelies!