A lot later the trio was in the thick of Chicago. Tall buildings surrounded them as if they were ants, the traffic wasn't too bad as it was nearly midnight but the city itself still buzzed. In the darkness it looked like any other city. Pulling into a warehouse Klaus parked the car.

"Welcome back to Chicago Stefan" Klaus said as he parked the car within the building people pulled down the garage door behind them.

"What exactly are we doing here?" Stefan asked sliding out of the back seat. Klaus handed the keys to one of the many vampires that seemed to emerge from the dark walls of the warehouse.

"Come along you two, I know you liked it here bringing back those memoirs from the good old ripper days" Klaus directed the last part of that at Stefan as he opened a door in the warehouse. Letting way to a grand scenery of the city. Antonia peered between the boys rubbing her eyes.

"I blacked out a lot of those memoirs, details are a little fuzzy"

"What a crying shame, the details are what make it legend" Klaus said as Stefan stood as if he was actually remembering those days for a moment before shaking his head out of the thought. Antonia wondered what being in Chicago was like back then when Stefan was truly lost in the blood lust, wondering if it was very different from New York city where she was during the time.

Antonia stood a step or two behind the boys, the winter night breeze came between them. She shivered a little at the wind tickled her arms.

"You know what I think it is time to get down to business then" Klaus said as he closed the door. Stefan stepped back rubbing the back of his neck as he said, "Why am I still with you, we had our fun. Your hybrids failed. I mean don't you just want to move on already?"

Antonia could tell she wasn't wanting to be in this conversation, she took a few steps back still facing the two only to bump right into a very hard chest. Whipping around she looked up at a very red head vampire who didn't smile or even frown at her as he stepped back opening up the car door again, "Please get in" he said his voice was soft but commanding.

"We're going to see my favorite witch tomorrow, if anyone can help us with my Hybrid problem it's her" He said getting walking back to the car pushing Antonia along who still stood in front of the vampire unsure what to do. "Penthouse" Klaus said as he guided Antonia into the back seat before getting himself in. The unnamed red headed vampire got in the driver's seat, starting the car.

Stefan stood not getting in the vehicle with them. Just before shutting the door Klaus looked at Stefan, "You are free to explore the city and people's veins just be back here at 9am. If you run… I will find you… so don't" Klaus winked and with that the door was shut. Antonia had slid all the way to the opposite side of the seats and buckled up.

Antonia wasn't surprised that Klaus was having someone drive them around, in fact she was more surprised he hadn't had his people driving them around the entire summer.

Klaus rested his head on the headrest closing his eyes, Antonia watched from the corner of hers. It was as if Stefan stressed Klaus out, Antonia could see the relief in his face when he had closed that door and Stefan had swooshed away.

"What?" Klaus' gruff voice broke her from her thoughts, his eyes remained closed.

"What?" Antonia voice was soft and timid not understanding.

"What do you want?" His voice rough against the cool breeze of the night, He had yet to open his eyes he must have felt her gaze.

"Nothing?"

"Good then stop starring its annoying" Antonia's head snapped to the window embarrassed that he could tell. Of course, he could tell he was the hybrid, of course he could tell when he was being starred out eyes open or shut.

She hadn't noticed the car pulling out of the warehouse and back onto the city streets. The rest of the drive was in silence, they came to a stop in front of a very tall apartment building. It was so tall and so dark out that the top of the building seemed to disappear into the night sky. The vampire opened Klaus door and Antonia hopped out herself. She shut the door behind her as the trio walked into the building. The doorman didn't even stop to ask their names he just opened the door for them.

Crossing her arms, Antonia gave the doorman a tight smile as they passed by but he just had a glazed look over his eyes and didn't return the smile. "Perhaps he's compelled to be so grumpy" Antonia thought. The red headed vampire stopped at the front desk quickly grabbing a key from behind it flashed to the elevator pushing the button just as Klaus and Antonia joined him.

Klaus got in the elevator first settling in the back, as the vampire inserted a key and pushed a button. The elevator came to life and slowly started backing it's climb to the penthouse.

"The maid was in just a few hours ago so everything should be in order, Sir." Klaus only responded with a head nod as he leaned against the back of the elevator wall his own arms crossed. Antonia and the red headed vampire faced front watching the light move farther and farther up as they went all the way to the top. The elevator was reflective and Antonia stole a glance at the vampire, he was stone faced and a little nervous from what she could tell. She absentmindedly wondered how he came to work for Klaus.

Klaus suddenly cleared his voice from the back, causing Antonia to jump slightly from the surprise but also the sudden sleepiness that had over taken her and caused the red headed vampire to remember what else he was supposed to say.

"Oh! And I had the maid also laid some clothing options out for yourself and the young lady, Sir." He didn't turn to look at Klaus and Antonia was sure he was nervous now.

"Good"

*Bing* They finally reached the top and the doors opened, Antonia stepped out first and was taken back by the openness and the amazing view of the city from the grand floor to ceiling windows. It was as if their building was tallest around them giving them a perfect view of the city, one that Antonia had never seen before. The only times she had been in Chicago were from the alleyways nothing even remotely close to where she was now. Her legs carried her right up to the window, it was truly breathtaking.

"Wow" she muttered to herself. "I'm not sure I could ever tire of this view" In the moment she wished she could stay here forever, her sleepiness evaded her and all she wanted was to watch the sunrise from her very spot.

"Please come with me" A hand gripped her upper arm gently but firmly. Turning her head, she was met with the red headed vampire, silently in awkwardness and slight fear as Klaus had seemed to disappear Antonia followed the vampire's lead to a bedroom. Opening the door to a nicely furnished bedroom the vampire told her to get some rest.

"This is your room, clothes for tomorrow are on the ottoman laid out. Klaus' room is down the hall on right but he is to be left alone"

Antonia looked around for the bed, her sleepiness hit her again and all she wanted was to flop down and sleep. Half listening to the vampire she nodded as she eyed the clothes on the ottoman, "Bathrooms through there" pointing to one of the doors, "I would suggest you be up by 8, Klaus is leaving at 9 and he does not like to be kept waiting"

He let go of her arm, "Thank you….?"

"Frankie"

"Thank you, Frankie"

"Goodnight"

Antonia felt a breeze and Frankie was gone. Toeing off her shoes Antonia slowly padded into the bedroom feeling the carpet underneath her socked feet. The light wasn't on but she made her way to the bathroom. Flicking on the light which blinded her for a moment she splashed her face with water before reached for the tooth brush and travel sized tooth paste laid out on the granite counter top.

"This better not be used" she muttered before taking the toothbrush and brushing. Running a hand through her hair she tried to focus on the task at hand rather than let her mind wander into the future speculating.

Her mind was wandering to that dark place. She wondered about what Klaus would do if he knew the truth, with his constant mood swings she was beginning to become unsure of how to even approach the subject. Antonia starred into the mirror, her eyes met her own as she sighed.

With the impending visit to the witch tomorrow coming on fast she kind of hoped it would come out that she was Klaus' mate simply so that she wouldn't have this internal struggle to tell him, when or even at all. She was a terrible liar and every time she opened her mouth to answer a question she found herself telling him more than she wanted. Antonia knew her heart was taking over every time she spoke to him when her mind should be taking control.

"This was so much easier when it was all hypothetical" she muttered. Spitting Antonia finished up in the bathroom, turned off the light and softly flopped onto the bed letting sleep her take her away from her thoughts not even bothering to take off her socks which she usually detested to sleep with on.

Sun broke Antonia from her slumber too soon in her opinion. Squinting she turned to look for a clock, finding one hanging by the door she saw it said 7am. Grunting in annoyance at the time and the fact that she was still quite tired she intentionally slid off the bed coming to sit on her behind leaning against the bed frame.

With the sun lighting the room she looked around groggily. It was a decent modern guestroom, light blue walls accompanied gray and white furniture. On the couch against the wall she spotted clothes laid out for her. Realizing she might as well get up now in fear of not waking up in time if she went back to bed and the promise of warm shower waiting for her in bathroom Antonia pushed off the carpet.

Peeping some denim and something black Antonia decided to check it out later and padded into the bathroom. It was nicer than she remembered the night before but fell in love with the nice walk in shower. Pushing the bathroom door closed behind her she pulled off she got undressed and turned on the water making it nice and hot to boil away her thoughts.

In the moment she wished she had her phone or at least a radio for music to sing to in the shower but decided to hum instead as silence wasn't something she ever grew comfortable with even when she was alone. She made a mental note to ask Klaus about that in the car ride later.

Humming she looked through the cabinets at the various bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash stashed away.

I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh, oh whoa

Steam soon filled the air, with her hands full of a selection of bottles Antonia stepped into the shower. Antonia took her time washing her hair and body, singing softly to herself.

Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me.
Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me.
No, oh whoa

Feeling a better optimistic mood Antonia kept singing to herself as she got out. Wrapping herself in a fluffy gray towel she ran her fingers through her hair before reaching out to wipe away the steam from the mirror.

In a split second she was back in the hotel room that she was in when she was on her way to find Katherine in the first place, the beginning of this whole crazy situation. Antonia was surprised at the turn of events never thinking it would end up here but with this new found positive outlook on the day Antonia looked at it as a good sign.

Take me away (take me away)
A secret place (a secret place)
A sweet escape (a sweet escape)
Take me away (take me away)

Take me away (take me away)
To better days (to better days)
Take me away (take me away)
A hiding place (a hiding place)

She got the hidden knots out of her hair and threw it up in a bun on the top of her head before picking her clothes up from the ground where she shed them and into the bedroom she went. Depositing them on the bed in a pile she wondered if Klaus was up yet it was only half an hour past seven. "I wonder what time evil sleep in to" she thought to herself before singing the next phrase as she twirled to turn to go see what the maid had laid out for her on the couch.

I got a pocket, got a pocketful of sunshine.
I got a love, and I know that it's all mine.
Oh, oh whoa

Plain distressed jeans jacket a black cami but no pants? Antonia look under the couch crouching down to see if it had fallen or something but nothing. Picking up the shirt it rolled down to be a dress and flopped out a bra and thong that had been rolled up in it. "how stupid am I to think they forgot bottoms?" Antonia thought.

Giving the dress a once over, it was a simple spaghetti strap black slip dress and the bra on the floor seemed to be her size from what she saw. Letting the towel fall to the ground she put the dress down and slipped on the thong and put the bra on. Boy how she hated strapless but the thin material on the black dress wouldn't do without one.

Glancing to the mirror propped up in the corner she felt confident as Antonia pulled the dress over her head pulling out the little black baby hairs from her bun making it messier. It fit nicely as she twisted to check out the back and the fit of the dress.

The dress cut off just at mid-thigh and was clearly going to be one of those dressed the rode up with every step she took. Huffing she threw the jeans jacket only to notice she had no shoes other than her converse she had been sporting all summer which were going to surely change the entire vibe of her outfit. It did help that they were pink, with the blackness of her hair and the dress she was left a little pale and washed out despite being in the sun so much. Over at the bed Antonia rummaged through the pile to find her socks, putting them on with shoes she was ready to take on the day.

Just as she stole a few swipes of deodorant and perfume from the bathroom she heard a soft knock on the bedroom door. Glancing at the clock quickly, it was only eight. "I swear they said 9am" Antonia thought to herself as she opened the door.

"Frankie" Antonia greeted softly, her heart was beating fast hoping she hadn't gotten the time wrong in hopes that she would be able to find the kitchen and find something to eat.

"Good you're awake." Frankie shamelessly checked her out and Antonia's cheeks flushed at his, "I would suggest you eat and be ready to leave at 9am sharp"

"Okay"

She looked side to side wondering if he needed something more, "I'm here to take you to the kitchen, let's go chop chop!" Frankie raised his voice at the end gesturing to the left of the hallway. Flustered at his tone Antonia quickly shuffled out of the bedroom and started down the hall. Frankie came up beside her passing her leading the way to the kitchen where breakfast smells wafted from.

The kitchen was attached to an eating area. White marble, tile floors, and opened windows let the sun come right in creating a halo effect behind Klaus who was sitting newspaper in hand with his feet propped up on the table next to a steaming cup of coffee.

He didn't look at her when she walked in but still greeted her cheerfully, "Good morning, love. Frankie do come here we have something to discuss"

"Morning Klaus. Beautiful day isn't it?" Pleasantries were always awkward for her but she knew how to keep her manners her mother had always drilled that into her.

Klaus ignored her as she went to the fridge surveying it Antonia settled and pulled some raspberries and plain yogurt setting it down on the kitchen's island. Frankie had sat down in the chair next to Klaus and they were talking in hushed tones, obviously trying to keep Antonia from hearing whatever they were discussing. Stealing glances at the two Antonia found a bag of granola, a bowl and spoon. Putting together her breakfast she stood at the island eating not wishing to disturb the vampire and Klaus.

A minute or two went by and Antonia was finishing up her breakfast as Klaus slammed his fist down on the table causing her to drop her spoon on the floor.

"That is unacceptable! Go fix it now!" Klaus boomed standing up his chair pushed back by his actions. Wide eyed Antonia quickly stooped to pick up her spoon, whatever it was Klaus was angry about she didn't want to be on the receiving end of it. She was determined to have a good day and not freak out until she had to about the witch.

"Are you ready?"

Standing up with her spoon, "Huh?"

"We're leaving now" Klaus' voice was softer than it had been a minute ago but it was clear he was still angry.

"May I brush my teeth first?"

"Quickly"

Placing her bowl and spoon in the sink Antonia walked briskly back to her room to brush her teeth. She noted Klaus behind her in the mirror after a moment, "Why are you so upset?" Antonia boldly asked after she spit. Rising her mouth out with some water she turned to Klaus hands against the bathroom counter.

"Nothing that concerns you, now if you're finally ready let us be going" Klaus' face had since softened but his voice still showed his frustration at his morning.

The pair made their way to the elevator where they rode down to the front entrance in deadly silence. Antonia followed Klaus out to the car where Frankie was holding the door open. Klaus wordlessly slid and Antonia followed suit. Wondering why there wasn't a seat between herself and Klaus Antonia leaned forward around Klaus to see Stefan in the farthest seat.

"Rippah" Klaus greeted, his mood changing yet again, a smirk graced his face, "have a pleasant time last night?"

Sitting back Antonia pulled on her dress' hemline as it had ridden up quite a bit on her walk out, she had thought that they were meeting Stefan at the warehouse and was hoping to get Klaus to talk before they had to join the vampire. Regardless she tried to keep a positive outlook on the day.

"The best" Stefan said gruffly from his seat as he rolled down the window letting a warm breeze flow through the car as they pulled away from the curb and off to see the dreaded witch. Antonia had hoped for a short drive as she left her confidence to face a witch slipping the longer she was in the car. Her wishes were not granted as it took a half an hour for the bunch to pull up to the front of a bar in the heart of Chicago with various little shops around.

"Can I go to a café or something instead…I'll take Frankie?" Antonia said hopping out of the car quickly to ask Klaus before Stefan heard.

"What part of no did you not comprehend from last night?" And with that Klaus turned on his heel walking into the bar leaving a slightly take back Antonia. She knew he was in a rotten mood from whatever but she hadn't expected him to have that reaction at her question.