The only place that fear can exist is

in out thoughts of the future.

- will smith

CAROLINE FELT a slight tension hitting her forehead as all ten of them beginning in the car was the worst idea to ever exist. The car ride was filled with pure chaoticness, Kol and Bonnie were in the front arguing about the directions, Rebekah and Elena were arguing while Stefan and Damon fought. Elijah was quietly rubbing his temples in frustration as Caroline had her head in Klaus's shoulder as Athena played with her hair.

Athena glances out the window, recognizing the neighborhood, already knowing she is going to Nora's house. She loved Nora but she is scared that while she is there, her mom will get hurt while trying to protect her.

Athena held a giggle as she noticed her aunt Bonnie hit Kol in the shoulder. The car came to stop as Kol turned to Caroline and Athena, "We are here."

Caroline lifted her head, already missing Klaus's scent of mixed pine woods with hint of subtle old spice. Caroline sighs as she has Athena on her waist, "I will be back."

Elena felt herself narrowing her eyes at Caroline, "You know her?"

Caroline nodded as Athena gave a smile, "That is aunt Nora."

Caroline opened the door as Athena waved them all a goodbye. Caroline walked towards the house as she felt a certain heat gaze on her, a chill went up her spine knowing it was Klaus.

Shaking that away she set Athena down as the little girl ran to Nora, immediately wrapping her arms around her, "I missed you aunt nor."

Caroline smiled knowing Athena loved Nora a lot. Nora bent down as she gave her big hug, "Me too troublemaker, now why don't you say bye to your mom and then eat some cookies waiting for you in the kitchen."

Caroline crouched down as Athena gave her a big hug as she whispered to her, "Be safe momma. I love you so much."

Caroline gave out a watery laugh as tears came to her vision, "Me too sweet girl, I love you. And I will be okay. I am always with you."

Athena nodded as she gave her a kiss on cheek and ran inside to go eat some cookies. Caroline stood up as she glanced at Nora, "Thank you so much again for this Nora."

Nora nudged her shoulder, as her yard and house was spelled, "Of course and friends?"

Caroline turns to see everyone in the car looking at her and Nora. Caroline rolled her eyes, "Complicated. There are originals in there."

Nora gave her a small smile, "They're going to help you?"

Caroline shook her head sighing as she took off her short leather jacket feeling the hotness get to her. Revealing her smooth ivory skin and her breast were out in display teasing anyone but still covered everything as the white crop top blended with her skin. Her red bralette was seen through the thin white material.

Nora had her eye's on Caroline's breast, "This is why I prefer women."

Caroline let out a laugh as she shook her head, "To answer your previous question, they don't know anything."

Nora sighs knowing Caroline would not want anyone to know or she would like to do it all herself because she is stubborn to get help.

Nora went to the side, grabbing a file, "They can help but if you're going to be stubborn then do the deal with Nate, here is the file that you need to before meeting him."

Caroline nodded, grabbing the file the same hand she had her jacket on, "Thanks Nora. Tell Athena I love her."

Nora gave her delicate smile, "I will. Be safe, okay, and don't be stubborn and get help, you don't have to do it all yourself."

Caroline shook her head giving her one last smile before walking back to the car / van ignoring the stars coming from all inside. She opened the door as they all looked at her with sheepish smile, Caroline shook her head entering, "New Orleans, now."

Kol and Bonnie nodded at that. Caroline sighs knowing the confusion from everyone in the car, "Yess?"

No one dared to ask anything until Elena went first which caused Rebekah to roll her eyes, "Who was that girl?"

Caroline felt the judgment coming from her tone, "Her name is Nora and how I know her is a long story."

Damon tilts his head, "You're hiding something aren't you blondie?"

Caroline rolled her eyes wishing she could hit Damon on the spot, "Nothing that concerns any of you. Now what do you all want to talk about?"

Both mystic falls group and the originals replied in unison, "Is better if we do it in private."

Caroline sighs as she puts her jacket on her lap, and opens the file as her eyes scanned it absorbing its information. Her eyes stopped at the words, luca sin.

She felt her breath hitch as the pain of memories hit her as he almost ruined her. She felt all eyes on her, as she could tell her reaction to this news was anything put pleasant.

Caroline swallowed her fear as she grabbed her phone texting a friend of hers, he is back. Caroline felt rage hit her as all the signs of his return were in front of her but she did not get it. Setting her phone down on her lap, she closed the file, as she needed to gather her thoughts, she shut her eyes.

After awhile opening her eyes, she turned to the window as the colors blurr all together, they have been in road for 3 hours now, and everyone is sleeping minus her, Klaus, Kol, and Bonnie.

She felt a sudden raspy voice hit her ear, "Don't you think that shirt is showing a bit too much, love?"

Caroline faced him as his eyes were taking her in as she felt a heat hit her cheeks. Caroline gave him a nudge, "Eyes up here. And no, I like this shirt so, I'll wear it."

Klaus gave her a slight smirk as he moved closer to her as she could feel him breathing on her, "It will be better, if you were wearing my shirt instead."

She cursed him for how smooth he was. Rolling her eyes giving him her best flirty smile, "Maybe one day."

Caroline had a satisfied smile on her as his eyes darkened. She had spot a phone booth, "Hey can you pull here, I need to make a phone call."

Kol did what he was told but questioned her, "Why don't you just use your own phone?"

At this time everyone else who was asleep woke up and Caroline could not help feel that she had the worst timing for everything. She faced Kol, "Because my phone can be tracked."

Caroline got off the car as she took some quarters and took four steps to the booth. She hated how they would hear everything but she needed to make this call. Putting the quarters in she punched the numbers in as the line began to ring.

"Hello?"

Caroline felt a relief hit her, "Valerie."

"Caroline?"

Caroline squeezed the phone as she stared on the ground as she whispered, "He is back."

Everyone in the car hearing conversation felt alarmed as they never heard Caroline so scared before. Klaus clenched his fist as he will find out what is wrong and help her.

They all stood quiet as the girl on the other side talked, "Are you sure it is not the nightmares? Or the life-like visions? You saw him die Caroline."

Everyone in the car wonder what happen to her that they never knew about. Caroline closed her eyes hating being this vulnerable and she could feel all the eyes on her. She let out a shaky breath, "He had all this plan. Everything from the messages and more."

Valerie let out a breath, "Are you safe?"

Caroline glanced back to the car as all the heads snapped to front as if they were not hearing her, "I think so. I'm heading to New Orleans."

"Are you going to see Nate?"

Caroline through her side eye could see a flash of possessiveness hit Klaus at the mention of another man, "Yea, I am. He has information that I need."

Valerie sighs, "Go. I will go to Nora and be with Athena. Look, maybe it's nothing, okay?"

Caroline clenched her jaw, "I will be okay. Just protect Athena, okay?"

"I will."

The phone line cuts as Caroline is left with her thoughts. She saw a motel across her sign, saying she needed rest to do this. She turned to the car, "You all can go back home."

Bonnie immediately protested, "What? Why?"

Caroline sighs, "Look I'm staying at a motel, since I need a plan, okay? Plus this does not concern any of you so go home."

Caroline did not give anyone a chance to reply as she made her way to the motel. But Klaus refused to leave her side, so he exited the car making her way towards her side as they both walked side by side. Caroline shakes her head, "You can go home."

Klaus clenched his jaw, "No. I will not stand by here and do nothing while you go out and get hurt."

Caroline stopped as she turned to him, "Klaus, is complicated."

Klaus took a step forward as he let out a breath trying to keep his anger in control, "Then let me help you. I can protect you. I promise I will not let anyone hurt you."

Caroline could see the sincerity in his eyes, she grabbed his hand and pulled him to the motel, "Where the others?"

Klaus gave her a sheepish smile, "They should be staying at motel two block down."

Caroline rolled her eyes as they made it to the front desk and grabbed a key to the room. Making their way to the room there was only one bed. Caroline turned to see Klaus with a smug look, "No funny business."

Klaus gave her sheepish smile. Caroline rolled her eyes as she layed on the bed as she threw her phone, jacket, and the file on the side table. She felt the bed go down as she turned to see Klaus laid next to her. They both laid quietly.

It has been such an eventful week, as they both have this attraction towards one another but they don't know how to deal with it or even talk about it. Caroline whispered so lightly that his vampire hearing barely caught it, "Why do you like me?"

Klaus moves his head to face her but Caroline was avoiding his every gaze as he heard the vulnerability in her tone. How could he not like her? She is everything so more.

"Because you're strong, beautiful, good, full of light."

Caroline felt the butterflies in her stomach as her cheeks had light pink color on them, "Flattering."

Klaus had an amused smile on him. Caroline turned to face him, "You are wrong about the being good part."

Klaus raised his brow in disbelief. Caroline is the definition of light whether she sees it or not, even in her darkest times you can see the light shines through. He nudged her shoulder, "I find that hard to believe."

Caroline had a soft smile as she stared into his gorgeous eyes, "I have hurt people. Kill people…. I don't want to but I have to."

Klaus could hear the struggle in her voice. He wondered what she meant, that she had to but that will be conversation for another day.

Klaus gave her a teasing smile, "So, have I, sweetheart. Or did you forget who I am? And I am pretty sure you had your reasons for doing it."

Caroline let out a small shrug as she shut her eyes feeling the heated gaze on her. She opened it to see Klaus observing her until his eyes once again stopped twice on her scar and bruise on her neck. She teased him, "It's not that bad, I had worse."

That did not seem to help her case as Klaus's eyes flashed gold in anger for anyone daring to put their hands on her. Caroline grabbed his hand which seemed to calm him a bit down. She carefully shifted closer to him, "I'm okay."

Klaus tightened his hold on her hand, for confusion as to why he feels overprotective over her? Why can't he handle the fact that Caroline had been hurt before? Why can't he handle the fact that she is okay with it?

He never felt this type of emotion over anyone. He was a selfish man but he couldn't be like that, not with her. He glances at her with a hardened look but not for her but for the anger he feels, "Tell me. Anyone who hurt you or your daughter, they won't live to see the light."

Caroline sighs looking away from him as she gripped harder on his hand as he squeezed back, "I can't. This is something I have to do on my own."

"Caroline."

Klaus moves his free hand to get hold of her chin, "Look at me, sweetheart."

Caroline faces him as he wiped a tear off her cheek, "Whatever it is, I can help."

Caroline gave him a watery smile, "I know but trust me, I have to do this myself… just do one thing for me?"

Klaus immediately nodded as he gave a rare loving-dimpled smile for her, "Anything."

"Don't leave my side?"

"I will never leave your side, love."

notes!

THOUGHTS?!?!?

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thank you for reading !!!