A/n: Edited on 10/9/2019.

Disclaimer: I do not own TVD. The only thing I do own is the plots I write for this story and the Original Characters I create.

Chapter 7: She-Wolf (Falling To Pieces)

Mystic Falls

Present - January 28, 2011

The Original Hybrid downed his third bottle of champagne that night with the list of what he had drunk endless in length. Everything else around him didn't matter. No one dared to come onto his domain, not even his sister. The only one who stayed with him was still lying by the fireplace with her head on her paws. The she-wolf's amber eyes kept studying the lights of the fire to keep herself distracted. The wolf knew if Klaus needed her, he would call her over. That was part of her job.

Her sensitive hearing picked up the sudden shattering of glass, but it didn't faze her. She was used to it just like she knew a lot about his ever changing mood swings. The she-wolf adapted to it. It was in her blood. With her ears perking up, she vaguely heard the front door opening indicating someone's presence. She leaped over to Klaus, aware of whatever dangers she may have to take on, but that changed when she saw a familiar face. She almost growled seeing him marveling at the small things that made the mansion unique, but majestic. There was something familiar about the dark hair and hazel eyes, but what really took the ticket was the immaculate tailored suit.

"Niklaus," he addressed as he touched the molding of the wall. "I see you're still of residence here."

Klaus never counted on his elder brother coming so quickly. Both of them knew that their brotherly bond wasn't in the best state presently, but he was the only family he had left. Rebekah had made her decision and trying to change her mind was impossible. Stubborn as a bull, he once recalled her.

"Hello, Elijah," he greeted his brother back. "Do you want a drink?"

"Scotch will be good. Thank you."

As Klaus prepared the scotch, Elijah treaded closer to the almost caramel-furred wolf slowly showing her he meant no harm. But, the wolf recognized him so there was no trouble. She was smart. The wolf excitedly yipped at him with her tail wagging fiercely and jumped on him with her front paws, almost making it to his shoulders. He had already noted the she-wolf's big yet manageable size.

Grinning down at her, Elijah scratched behind one of her ears. "It's good to see you too."

Klaus sat himself down in his favorite chair with a glass of scotch in his hand. With a low whistle, he gestured to the spot next to the chair with his open hand.

"Here, sweetheart."

The she-wolf rolled her eyes, hating Klaus' pet name for her. The big bad hybrid giving orders again just like usual. He better keep a rein on it. The wolf's chest rumbled with an annoyed growl as she came back down on all fours. God, since when she ever had to lower herself to these standards to be like some lapdog. She trotted to the spot of where he required her to be. After all, she had to keep up the act for her own sake. No need for any blood spilled between them.

"Be careful, Niklaus. It won't be long before she may start to rebel." Elijah warned him knowing fully well of the wolf's independent streak.

"Don't worry about me. I am fully capable of handling her, and you know this isn't some pleasant family reunion, Elijah." Klaus reminded him of the cold fact of why he really called him here.

Elijah nodded to his words in agreement. Klaus was right. They weren't here for all the pleasantries like Klaus pointed out. After Kol's death, his brother had placed a call to Elijah about the grave news. The eldest Mikaelson secretly arrived into the small town of their original home just in the nick of time. Klaus made sure the barrier spell was put into action after Elijah arrived to Mystic Falls. Just like before, no one can come into Mystic Falls and no one can come out of it.

The wolf surveyed Elijah who didn't need another reminder of what more of this family had lost. It seemed as time moved on, death became a more common visitor to claim its next prize. The nobility held within conflicted with the enraged beast inside of him as the sting of Kol's death lingered. Elijah never would allow himself to stoop Klaus's level, but even that promise was beginning to wane as he dwelled over his younger brother's death.

What also broke his heart more was the responsible parties involved. His heart splintered for the very first time in all of his centuries, and it brought a great amount of pain. He never dallied around with human emotions, but he still started as a human before he became a vampire. He still felt emotions and as a vampire, it was obvious that they were heightened. All of the previous thoughts he had of Elena Gilbert diminished like the stars dying in the dark bleak night that was over them. He no longer saw the compassionate human girl she used to be. That Elena died that day while another took her place. Something darker and…he couldn't comprehend it. Neither did he put in the no longer will he try.

This is a family matter.

Sensing his discomfort, the she-wolf softly whined, yearning to placate the distraught part of him, but she stayed in her place. Elijah sadly smiled at her for her hospitality. "I'm surprised of your effort to keep everything under control."

"Never underestimate me, brother. Look where it has gotten others in the past."

"May I ask what you have done in retaliation for Kol's death? I know you're not for one to sit back idly. You're too cunning for your own good."

Klaus's silence was enough to scream volumes. He just tilted his head at Elijah with an evil leer that would shame the devil himself.

"What have you done, brother?" Elijah frowned.

If Elijah knew anything about that face, it was that he knew Klaus had done something wicked. Elijah even saw the she-wolf next to Klaus trying her hardest not to show any worry, but her strength was weakening. It may not be now, but little by little she was crumbling.

"Would you like the short or the long version?"

New Orleans

Past - January 25, 1910

"Are you sure that you know what you're doing?" She asked the witch tiredly as they approached their mysterious destination. Turning back to the current matters, she can't figure how Adelaide as a witch and how werewolves fit into the puzzle that seemed to be before her. Caroline wasn't sure how a witch could know so much about wolves in the first place.

How did this all come to be? Let's rewind a little bit.

To begin today, Caroline woke up at the crack of dawn by Adelaide's doing. It was hard not to gripe over how Adelaide was so chipper in the mornings. Caroline's instincts were right about when Adelaide was up to something. She even let Maggie and Charlene sleep in later today because of what she had planned the night before.

"Of course, I do. I just know things." Adelaide said as she gave Caroline a clever smile.

"I'm not going to believe that for one second. As far as I know, werewolves and witches have little interaction with each other. There's got to be more to it and from the way you're talking, it's like you've had more of a personal experience." Caroline said, determined to get answers. She's had enough being kept in the dark.

Adeline frowned, contemplating on how she should answer. She usually never talked about her personal life since it wasn't the best to remember, though it wasn't all that bad. "I have to hand it to you. You're intelligent. There's more to you than meets the eye, Caroline."

Caroline was speechless for a second, not used to the attention the witch gave her. That special one-on-one attention was as rare as a diamond in the rough. If that was even a good comparison.

"You're right, though. Witches and werewolves don't associate that much. It's a surprising fact because witches and werewolves are actually the oldest supernatural beings on this earth. At least older than the vampires from what I remember, but yes. I've had personal experience with werewolves." She explained.

"Can I ask how?"

"Years ago, I worked for a werewolf family. The head of the family had a daughter at the time, and I was assigned to watch over her. I will tell you bluntly. They weren't the picture-perfect family with a white picket fence." Adelaide's face glowered further as she told Caroline.

Adele's words reminded Caroline of Tyler's family. She never associated with the Lockwoods specifically, but from what she could tell with her previous boyfriend, his home life wasn't all peachy either. She hadn't thought of Tyler in a while. Caroline spent time in New Orleans for a little while now, and not to forget to mention, back a hundred and one years into the past. Inside, desperation coursed through her veins to get back home. The desperation drove her, but unforeseen circumstances had changed her too. It was like life was draining the energy out of her, causing her to bury inside to keep it out. If she didn't think about it, it wouldn't consume her. Adelaide kept her occupied with Caroline earning her blonde witch, Charlene, was friendly and helped to try to make it as easy as possible. And Maggie was still like the usual, but she seemed to back off for now. It didn't stop her from sending disgusted glares to the hybrid. And, Kol still annoyed Caroline to no end.

Caroline felt guilty for not thinking about Tyler like she should. After all he had done for her, shouldn't she give him some courtesy? Then there were her friends too. Was thinking of all her friends really that bad? It shouldn't be, but the harsh memories of when she had last seen them and Tyler were too unsettling. He came at her with a white-oak stake and tried to kill her! And, let's not forget about her friends' stupid plans that got her into this mess!

Oh, if only she could change things then it would make things so much better. If only Caroline hadn't give into Klaus, but he got under her skin. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get rid of him. As time flowed by, she would open up more by little pieces. Oh, great. Now she was still thinking about-

"Caroline!" Adelaide yelled, breaking Caroline out of her reverie.

"What? Oh! I'm so sorry! I don't space out so much like that." Caroline apologized.

"You don't need to say you're sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. I was just about to ask that you're familiar with werewolves, yes?" The witch inquired.

Very personal more or less.

"You could say that," Caroline answered as a blush slightly reddened her face.

"By what I can figure out from your blush, it was way more than what you're saying. I'll even bet that you were in love with one too." Adelaide mused with a motherly smile, judging at the girl's reaction.

Oh, she was deeply in love with this werewolf. "You got me."

Talking about Tyler was the last thing she wanted to do.

"It's okay to be in love, Caroline. There's no shame in it. It's just that it can be very trying at times. Werewolf tempers run high a lot." Love wasn't something only a supernatural individual would know. Anyone can love, but love wasn't easy. It was anything, but the only easy part of the whole grand scheme - depending on the person - is to fall for someone. The difficult part was a whole list of its own hardships.

"Was he the tall, dark, and handsome type? Blue eyes?" Adelaide asked out of curiosity.

"No, he actually had brown eyes. He was handsome too. Why do you ask?" Caroline didn't even know why the question was relevant.

"Because believe it or not, Charlene has a sort of type of man she likes. She may not admit it, but she is attracted to those. Bah! Men are the last thing any girl needs, but that's what I get for letting her have too much moonshine. Now, that was something else. She talks way too much with that poison in her system." And that's one mistake she was never going to let happen again. Charlene ended up having a hangover for three days straight drinking that foul liquid.

Now, back to the real topic here.

"So, you've worked for a family of werewolves. Was it that hard?"

"Yes, everyone had their own weight to bear. There were things are already set in motion I couldn't change. The only thing I could do was to try to make it through the best I can…" Adelaide's voice trailed off as she looked into the cloudy sky. 'I still should have done something. It's still my fault,' she thought gloomily.

Caroline stayed silent until the older witch was ready to talk again. She felt guilty for making Adelaide remembering any regrets she may have had.

"Anyway, let's begin." Adelaide said as they came closer to an open field with rich grass. Caroline's sense of smell kicked in as the scent of fresh water from a ways of where they were at brushed her nose.

"Is there a river nearby?" The smell of water was more potent with each step she took.

"Not a river, child. We're near Lake Pontchartrain. I'd like to think you could use something new other than the city. Sometimes, I would come here with the family I worked with." Adelaide smiled almost, savoring the precious moments made in time right by this lake. There were simpler and brighter moments in that dark life. She even recalled a certain child's laughter that was contagious with her witty smile.

"Do you only know about it?" Caroline was amazed at the rich rural beauty of the countryside, but the amazement was cut short when a sharp cold wind blew right through her. "Oh, my God!" she gasped shivering. "What's with the weather around here?"

Honestly, it drove her crazy.

"That's one of the downfalls of living in this state. The weather changes from one day to the next. Where are you from? I take it you're from up north." Adelaide personally did not take to the weather here either, but she dealt with it. That's what you have to do when it comes to life, anyway.

"Virginia." The female hybrid responded as she rubbed her arms frequently, trying to warm herself.

"That's where you're dilemma is. Up there where you lived before, the weather is more of a dry cold. The dry air is less dense so the chill doesn't make you cold as much, but Louisiana is known for the humidity. I'm not one loving the hot and sticky." She laughed as Caroline tried to vainly get past the cold chill. "You'll get used to it in time. Besides, only a few people know this place, so I don't care if you curse. Just try to keep it to a minimum."

"You try to not to keep it to a minimum with this stupid weather." Caroline grumbled to herself hoping Adele didn't hear.

Adelaide heard her, but she ignored it. She quickly dabbed into her knowledge of werewolves and vampires, prepping Caroline to where she needed to be.

"Let's get this started then, shall we?" Adelaide's face changed to a firm and stern expression, not letting Caroline go that easily.

Somehow, Caroline knew she was in for one hell of a day.

Hours later…

"So, how did it go?" Charlene asked as she was cleaning a little bit in Caroline's current room.

"Don't even ask." Caroline said, tired from the workout Adelaide pushed her through. Gosh, she never expected to be this tired. Adelaide didn't play around. "Does she always push you this hard when you learn spells and stuff?"

Charlene nodded. "Oh yes, she does expect a lot out of us. Her motto is if you work hard, you get to play hard too. She doesn't treat anyone special. She treats us all equally, but she's a good teacher. You can't deny that."

Caroline had to agree with her on that point. It's been a while since Caroline had pushed herself so hard. Even as a vampire, she never came on to a task so taxing. Her skin was slightly damp with sweat. She shed off the dress she had on, and wrapped a thin robe around her body. "Still, I've never been this tired."

"You're a hybrid. You'll get over it." Charlene said dryly, spelunking into the bed making the bed dip with her weight. As she collected her thoughts, her mind hatched an idea. "I know just what you need."

"I know what I need: a long, soaking bath." Caroline said as she combed her hair with her fingers, cringing a little from feeling her oily hair. She missed all of the little advantages technology had given to her before she died. She took advantage of them, and now she was really regretting it.

Charlene turned her head mock-glaring at Caroline. "No, silly! I meant you need to get out. See some of what New Orleans has to offer for you and all that nonsense. In fact, I've been rather cooped up myself."

"You're actually serious." The way her words came out, it seemed Caroline asked instead of a statement.

Charlene rolled her eyes. "Would I lie?"

"Not really, I just don't see you doing that. Witches are too honest." The girls spun around seeing Kol perched by the open window of the fire escape, looking great as usual.

But, that didn't change the fact he snuck into the bedroom.

"GAHHH!" Both of them screamed.

Caroline quickly unfolded the blanket on top of the bed, and wrapped it around her robed clad body trying to shield herself from his prying eyes. Charlene tried to help Caroline covering her up with her body blocking Kol's vision.

All three of them heard quick footfalls coming up the stairs in a fast manner, and the door was slammed opened revealing a very worried Adelaide. "What in the world is going on here?"

"Him! That's what's going on!" Caroline yelled, highly embarrassed worrying what his meddling eyes might have seen.

Adelaide's face changed from worry to agitation quick as a heartbeat. Her eyes were wide and manic as she dangerously stepped toward the Original vampire unafraid. He may well be over a millennia in age, but he still remained a young man in her eyes. And, young men tend to be so infuriating to the point where you want to strangle them. With a flick of her finger, the open window closed by itself. Then not even a second later, she sent a shot of pain to Kol, adding a little more concentration than what she did the last time.

"I am done with this," Adelaide said as she broke the connection. Her dark eyes were still on him in a fixed glare. She was in no mood for such nonsense. "Now, will someone please tell me what happened before I lose my temper?"

"He scared the living daylights out of us. That's what happened," Charlene said, a little petrified from his sudden appearance.

"I didn't want to take the conventional route so I took the long way. I'm way more original than that. Goes with my title, don't you think?" Kol joked playfully.

"Do I really look like I'm in a joking mood? No, I'm not." Adelaide answered her own question, closing in dangerously in front of Kol. "Any more mishaps, and I won't just send you another shot of pain. I'll do it where you won't be able to function for weeks, and you know exactly where I'm talking about. So, stop being a pain."

"You may be a powerful witch, Adelaide. But, do not test me," Kol said, his face set in a pinch of warning.

Adelaide's hands were planted on her hips as she stood holding her ground, her glare still currently there. "Trust me, Kol. I'm taking your word of caution to heart."

"Okay, okay. Let's calm down. No need for all of the tension." She came in between the glaring match between Kol and Adelaide, taking up the role as the peacemaker as Charlene preferred to call herself.

"Can we get back to addressing what's going on? Like why Kol is here in my room." Caroline flippantly spat out, annoyed with Kol's games.

"Ah, you're right, darling. You always come to the point." Kol teased, playing with her emotions.

Her tolerance for his antics was diving lower and lower. It wouldn't be long before she lost her grip over her temper. She glanced to Adelaide pleading "Please go through with your threat. Please!"

"Caroline, that wasn't a threat. It was a promise. Technically, he hasn't done anything wrong. And, I simply do not have the energy to do so." Adele chuckled as her face began to be more jovial again. "But, nice try."

"Speaking of trying, we were kind of hoping to try to ask you if we could go out tonight." Charlene asked, hoping that Adelaide won't be overprotective like a mother hen over her chicks, but she had an inkling that wouldn't be the case.

Adelaide arched a slender eyebrow. "Who's we, Char?"

Might as well get this over with. Charlene sighed as she got ready for the inevitable. "Me and Caroline."

Adele paused for a split second. Just when Charlene and Caroline thought they got it, Adelaide exploded. "NO! No way in hell!"

Not a very good sign.

"Adelaide, just listen to us." Charlene pleaded.

"Oh, I've been listening. I've been listening to insanity!" The witch snapped.

Charlene should've acknowledged that this would be the exact case and point. Even though Charlene and Magdalena trained under Adelaide's wing for some time, which had been for a while, there was always that one overprotective quality about Adelaide that reared up in anything they wanted to do outside of the house. Over time, it continued to grow more as time passed. And, Charlene knew Adelaide always had a reason for everything she did, but not once did the witch spill the beans of what that reason was.

That was when Kol stepped in. "On the contrary, maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

Adelaide doubted that. "Oh, do tell. I have to see what cockamamie idea you brought up from that brain of yours."

"This would be a perfect opportunity for your girls to properly test their magic, and Caroline can get out seeing what this city has to offer. No one wants to be kept in a cage like a dog." Kol clarified.

Caroline didn't like the comparison of her to a dog in a cage. Adele was only trying to protect her, and Caroline realized that. Adele protected and treated Maggie and Char like they were her own daughters. Even Caroline can come clean to the fact that Adele had treated her as her own too.

Caroline saw Adele as she pondered, brushing her hand over her chin thinking. Releasing a heavy sigh, she finally relented. "I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going to agree. It would be good for the girls, but with the danger of your brother lurking about, they're going to need some help. That's where you come in." Adelaide pointed to Kol.

The Original was outright shocked. "Me? You're joking, right?" he sputtered.

That's when Caroline outright laughed at his response. Charlene joined in the laughter too, although she did it more quietly not wanting to upset the undeniably handsome vampire. Caroline was braver and she didn't care. Kol can just kiss her ass.

"No, consider this as a way to make up to me for what happened this morning. And if you want to be extra good, you can help me around," she said before inclining her head to Charlene. "Char, you get yourselves ready and you help Caroline out too. Kol has a previous engagement with the mop."

Kol glared daggers in his eyes to the girls silently hoping to bring the saying - Looks can kill - to reality. But, Adelaide whisked him out of the bedroom about to close the door, but leaving her head out before she left. "Make sure that if Maggie comes in here, you offer for her to come with you too."

"Sure, Adele. We will." Charlene answered to her teacher even if inviting Maggie wasn't what she had planned to do. The door finally closed after all of the commotion, and Caroline could hear Kol's grumbling words as he went down the stairs.

"That went well." Charlene stated.

Caroline held a strange expression on her face.

Well…duh!

Charlene proceeded to refold the blanket that had been wrapped around Caroline's body previously. "Don't worry, Adele will keep him plenty occupied."

"Hopefully, she'll do just that." Caroline started to search head to the bathroom ready to give her a bath.

"Heads up!" Charlene tossed a bottle to Caroline. Curiously, she opened the top inhaling the sweet vanilla scent followed by something else she didn't recognize. Lavender maybe?

"What is this?" Caroline asked as she inhaled the wonderful scent one more time. "It smells nice." She vocalized her thoughts.

"Remember what I said about how Adele is a very innovative witch? She's very creative too, to the point where she likes to make things from scratch. What you have there is homemade. She doesn't make it often." Charlene enlightened about Adelaide. "It's one of the last bottles I have so don't waste it. Go and take your bath, and I'll get everything ready."

She didn't need to be told twice. Caroline sprinted to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She dropped the thin bathrobe onto the floor leaving her nude body exposed. Surprisingly, the bathtub had already been filled with warm water. Right by the bathtub, there was a folded over note at the edge of the tub. Caroline picked it up recognizing Char's handwriting.

Hey Care,

I thought I knew how you would be when you got back with Adelaide. I filled it with warm water just a few minutes before you came. Anyway, take your time, but not too much. Maggie tends to rear an ugly head if there isn't enough hot water.

- Charlene

Care. Her special nickname. Charlene's small note brought old feelings of nostalgia for her friends back in Mystic Falls. Only a number of people called her by that name. Elena, Matt, Bonnie, Stefan…Tyler. She had been there for all them. Was it so bad or so trying for any one of them to be there for her? She wasn't asking for anything difficult. Yet with the witches that had taken her in, she felt guilty for feeling a certain sense of belonging. Like she actually mattered.

Dismissing any negative thoughts, she dipped one foot in the tub testing the temperature of the water. "Seems warm enough."

She stepped into the tub letting her body finally relax after a well-deserved morning workout. The warm water worked its magic loosening the tense muscles starting with her back. It felt so good.

Using some of the shampoos and the bottle Charlene gave her, she massaged her head with her fingers, working the shampoo in making her hair foamy with bubbles. She rinsed her hair using a large cup dumping the water over head, trying to get rid of leftover shampoo. Then she worked the conditioner into hair too and repeated the rinsing process. She continued her bath shaving her legs and anywhere else she needed to be rid of unwanted hair.

Relieved of being clean and fresh, she got out of the tub wrapping a huge fluffy white towel around her. She pulled the drain up letting the water recede. Now, onto her current dilemma. How was she going to dry her hair without the convenience of a hairdryer? No one invented that until fifteen years from now. Maybe even twenty.

She unlocked the door, and saw Charlene bringing a pile of clothes in her arms. Then her eyes went big as dinner plates when she saw a deadly contraption on the bed: a corset. Oh, no.

"Do I really have to wear that?" Caroline enjoyed being a girl at heart, but corsets were so not what she planned to wear.

"Unfortunately, you do. I'm giving you the easier one to wear so it shouldn't be that bad. Come on, and I'll help you get into it."

Charlene noticed Caroline's reluctance in her face. "Get over here and don't be so hesitant. Trust me."

Warily, the blonde hybrid walked over stepping in front of the full length mirror that stood in the corner. Charlene handed her from what she could tell were khaki colored undergarments. Hopefully, they were undergarments.

"Put these on, and I'll help you with the corset. You're not experienced enough to tie it by yourself from what I can tell." The blonde witch said as she loosened the strings of the matching colored corset.

"It's not that I don't trust you. I just don't trust that death trap."

"Yeah, that's actually a pretty good name for it. But, you'll work your way around it. The trick to it is to be actually able to breathe in it. I've seen way too many girls my age getting into the trend of trying to have the smallest waist, but they can barely breathe. Sheesh!"

"Let's just get this over with." Caroline muttered.

Charlene chuckled at her and helped her get into the corset while Caroline watched in the mirror. Finally after a few tries and maneuvers, Charlene successfully put on the corset on Caroline, and she began tightening up the strings in the back. After a few minutes, Charlene pulled one last time on the strings of the corset in one last good tug.

"Ow!" Caroline yelped.

"Sorry," Charlene said apologetically.

"I have to admit you handled yourself well." There in the open doorway stood Magdalena smirking and scrutinizing the two of them.

"Hi, Maggie. Is there anything we can do for you?" Charlene asked in a neutral tone, not wanting to stir up any trouble for either of them. Adelaide had enough on her hands as it is. She finished tying off the corset for Caroline hoping she will get used to it eventually.

"I come in peace. If anything, I am so bored out of my mind right now so let's not waste time." Maggie answered nonchalantly. "Charlene, you get ready to put on the new corset. I'll handle our little hybrid's hair problem."

Caroline looked up to Maggie in confusion. How did she know? Did she read minds growing up as a child? "What are you going to do?"

"First off, if you're even thinking of ruining my teacher's reputation, which would be so wrong. I will do anything to prevent that from being tarnished. Even if that means I have to play makeover with you like young girls." Maggie said flipping her dark hair.

The witch's hair was like a dark onyx waterfall flowing down her back. No matter how many times you would run your hands through it, it would still be smooth and unknotted. Caroline picked at a lock of her own hair comparing it Maggie's, but Charlene saw it and she came to Caroline's rescue.

"Tone down on the insults, Mag. We don't need to do this."

"I'm not insulting anyone," Maggie said as she ushered Caroline over to the dresser making her sit down. "I'm just stating facts. I'm rather blunt, and you should have already known by now."

Caroline turned to the witches and reminded them with her cyan eyes flaring up in determination. "Look, I can handle myself. I don't need anyone coming to my aid. I appreciate the help, but I can take care of myself. I'm not helpless."

"We'll see about that. Now, let's get your hair situated. One quick heat spell should do the trick." Maggie quickly muttered something in Latin with a snap of her fingers.

"Incendia." A blast of heat rushed through Caroline's face blowing through her blonde hair wildly. Caroline almost jumped out of her skin with the sudden spell. After the quick gust of heat, surprise became visible in Caroline's face as she stroked her hair through with her fingers.

"Wow." It was the only word Caroline could say.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Charlene, are you done yet?" Maggie impatiently drummed her fingers against the wooden dresser.

"Give me a second! A little help here would be nice!" Charlene barked as she struggled to tie the back of the infernal contraption.

"Come here. I swear it's like dealing with children." Maggie complained, leaving Caroline at the dresser to help Charlene. "One good yank ought to be good." Then with a good tug, she managed to get the corset done right with Charlene's squeal as the result.

"Damn! Take it easy!" Charlene swore trying to get some breathing back into her lungs. "Just you wait until I get to do that to you."

"Oh, but you can't though because I'm not going tonight. I'm perfectly happy here so don't try that stunt with me. Let's get into your dresses before I have a headache."

Caroline saw two dresses laid out on the bed. One of them was red while the other was blue. Both of them were beautiful for early 20th century clothing. They had a low-V neckline showing daring cleavage and had beautiful elaborate designs sewn into the dresses, but both of them were different. The red one had silver and ivory designs while the blur had more dark navy and shades of cyan in the dress with a dash of white thrown in.

Glancing at the blue dress, she knew what her first choice was. She didn't want the blue. She was up for something a little more daring. "I'll take the red one."

Charlene nodded in agreement. "Okay. I always kind of thought that blue was more of your color, though."

Great. Just great. Now she had to remind Caroline of what she didn't want to remember.

Maggie helped out Caroline into the red dress in silence while at the same time, Charlene had no trouble getting into the blue dress on her own. It was a lot easier to get into the dress than to put on a corset. Damn those things!

"So, do any of you know what you want for your hair?" Maggie's boredom started to rear back in with all of the dull dialogue exchanged, but she pushed herself through it.

"I can fix my own hair. You can fix Caroline's."

"Just what I need." Maggie muttered.

Caroline couldn't agree with her more. Like she wanted that witch to mess with her hair.

"I'll be quick about it. Don't get your undergarments in a knot." Maggie decided to test with Caroline's hair, messing around until she found something to be able to work with. Soon enough, Maggie had brushed, combed, and done everything in between to get the right fit for Caroline. She managed it by doing the finishing touches. "Voila! My work here is done."

Caroline's hair was up in a simple yet elegant bun with some blonde ringlets falling around her face. Maggie didn't sabotage her hair like she almost imagined she would do. Maybe Magdalena ...who knows?

"Now, if you excuse me, I'll be on my way." Maggie circled around bearing course to the bedroom door.

"Thank you," Caroline called loudly to her before she left.

After a silent moment, Maggie replied with a much hidden smile. "You're welcome."

After Maggie left, Charlene pulled up a chair beside Caroline. "Now, for the final step. Or at least the second to last step is better wording for this. Is there any certain look you're trying to pull off?"

"I was thinking something bold. Daring. That's why I picked the red dress." Caroline explained.

Charlene's mischievous smirk rivaled Kol's with her little idea forming inside. "Oh, I get it. You're trying to make a statement. This, I can definitely work with. I know just how to do it."

Caroline laughed. It really felt good to have some girl time. It was much needed. Damn, she never thought she had been neglected up until now. When was the last time Elena, Bonnie, or her ever did this? It seemed forever ago.

"When I'm finished with you, you're going to be gorgeous. Let's get started."

Later on that night...

Saints and Sinners. This was Marcel's palace of where he reigned as king. Grand, Gothic, and in Louisiana-style. It was the perfect place for any supernatural citizens of New Orleans to have a good time. It had everything that made New Orleans superb. Or at least the darker, sinful side of it. Gambling, drinking, pleasure, and even more to quench those dark desires of the heart.

"This is the place you wanted to buy me a drink?" Caroline asked, really wondering if she shouldn't have taken up on his offer after all.

"Have I really given you any indication not to trust me?" Kol asked honestly.

"Are you seriously asking that question?" Charlene countered back at him, truly thinking that the damn fool was out of his mind.

"I wanted to make it up to you. Something grand, something I think both of you will enjoy. Now, come along." Kol ushered both of his beautiful ladies in with one hand on each of the small of their backs.

Both Caroline and Charlene looked their best. Caroline pulled off the audacious statement down to the letter. With the help of the resident blonde witch, of course. Her smokey eye make-up made her eyes pop out with dangerously dark red lipstick added taking on a more luscious look. She had jewelry adorning on her, especially the necklace enhancing and attracting attention to her neck. She wanted to make a statement and she definitely made one.

Charlene, on the other hand, wasn't one for an attention grabber. Surely, she was beautiful. However, she decided more of a subtlety appearance this time. The blue dress brought out her even lighter blue eyes. She had jewelry too, but not as much. Her hair was pulled to the side over her shoulder in a neat ponytail. Her lipstick was more of a paler pink.

As they ventured inside, two vampire guards stood menacingly before they crossed the boundary line. "Were you invited?" one of the guards asked.

"Of course. If you excuse, me and my company of ladies would like to get through," Kol said urgently not in the mood for delay. The guard though had other ideas though.

"You cannot not go through without invitation." The guard gruffly repeated.

Kol's scowl deepened. He grabbed the vampire guard by his shirt collar slamming him into the wall holding him up with natural strength. "Are you sure you want to really go against me? I tend to leave a rather bloody mess behind. Figuratively and literally."

"It's all right, Andrew. Let our guests through. I'm sure they didn't come this way for nothing," a male charismatic voice spoke.

The trio saw a tall man emerging from the shadows to their eyesight. Caroline nervously wrapped her shawl around herself closer as Charlene took deep breaths trying to slow her racing heartbeat.

The man's devilish and broad grin really sent Charlene's witch instincts on overdrive. He was dangerous. Those dark, almost black eyes made her almost cower, but she didn't show any emotion.

"Oh, now you decided to show up."

"This is how you treat me for all of my hospitality? You should know better than that, Kol." His pristine white teeth almost glowed with the evil grin that tugged on the corners of his lips. He heard the shorter blonde girl's heart pulse galloping inside her body pumping her blood. Then he smelled the very peculiar scent of the other girl. He would need to find out more about this later on.

"Welcome to my palace. My name is Marcel. I will be your host this evening."