"You know Carol when I think of a Mayor I think of an old fuddy-duddy. But you really have changed my perception." Nik compliments her.

"Oh, thank you!" Carol replies. I see Damon walk up.

"I mean you are just delightful! What colour are your eyes?" Nik continues to flirt. I think I will let this play out. I know he won't actually hurt her.

"They are blue," she tells him.

"Oh yes, they are," he agrees.

"Look at what the cat dragged in. Nice vest," Damon says about Daniel standing behind us. He is here to protect me. If anything happens Daniel is to take me away to safety. He did volunteer. That was my rule. They are all to have free will.

"Thank you very much, good to see you, Damon. Carol and I were discussing about whether you would be the other big benefactor," Nik taunts.

"What do you say, Damon? The Mikaelson's have made a very generous pledge. You know how we're chomping at the bit to begin the restoration," Carol says to him.

"Carol, don't take this the wrong way, but you do realize that you've been kissing the ass of an immortal hybrid who ruined your son's life?" Damon asks rudely.

"Oh, come now, some would say that I saved him from all the nasty full moon business. I've never had to go through it myself more then twice, to be honest, but still, I'm very sympathetic." Nik tell him.

"Klaus has promised to protect Tyler, Damon. And our town." Carol says. I know he wouldn't actually hurt Tyler especially after the tongue lashing, I gave him earlier.

"From whom? His hybrids are the ones the town needs protection from." Damon says frustrated.

"Well, I would have no use for them if your brother would kindly return my kids unharmed," Nik says honestly.

"Not going to happen," Damon snaps clearly losing his temper. Not liking being pushed into a corner. Well with your brother's threat it will get worse.

"That's what I thought, which is why I've come to an agreement with the Mayor. You and the council stay out of my hair, I stay out of yours. Your town gets protected, my hybrids get left alone and everybody will be happy. All you have to do is to get Stefan to stop decapitating my friends," Nik explains.

"Please Damon, just get your brother under control, or the council will be forced to take action against him," Carol informs him.

"You've got to be kidding me," Damon exclaims in frustration.

"Oh, come on mate. Give peace a chance," Nik says. Damon storms off. Nik turns to me. "Founder's party tonight. Are you coming with me?"

We both show up to the founder's party. Damon eventually pulls us into an empty room.

"What now? You just pulled me away from a fascinating conversation about landscaping the town square," Nik tells him.

"Stefan just grabbed Elena," Damon says. Now this has gotten interesting. Damon looks actually frightened.

"Well, he's getting desperate." Nik observes.

"He's gonna try and use her against you. Do what he says, get rid of your hybrids," Damon tells him. I roll my eyes.

"Or what?" Nik asks.

"Yes, what is to guarantee that he gives my kids back. I know you know where they are. So, whatever happens to her is on you. If you would have given my kids back yesterday this all could have been avoided." I say sick and tired of all this stupid back and forth. My kids have been away for far too long.

"Stefan would never dream of killing her," Nik says backing me up.

"You sure about that? He just tried to behead someone in the middle of a council party. He's operating on crazy right now," Damon tells us.

"Well, crazy or not, that kind of love never dies. He's bluffing," Nik informs him.

No, that love doesn't just disappear. What if he doesn't technically kill her. Or he does and she comes back. This will just stop Nik's ability to make hybrids. He can do that by turning her. He is going to turn her into a vampire.

"Maybe, he is, maybe he isn't but if you don't want to believe him, believe me. I know my brother better then anyone, and right now, I don't have a clue how far he is willing to take this. So, if he says blink. I suggest you blink," Damon tries to convince us.

Almost every few days Elijah and Finn would take a blood bag or two from her. We also found out the hybrids only need a very small amount of her blood, so we add a very small amount to a blood bag. So, we can make tons of hybrids and sent them somewhere else. Only one bag is in the house.

"I am thinking you know exactly what it is Stefan is going to do. You just don't want to believe it." I say to Damon as he leaves. "He will turn her, not kill her," I tell Nik what I'm thinking.

"You think?" He confirms.

"I know. From what I know that are lovers. He wouldn't outright kill her. He just wants you to stop from making hybrids. If you send the hybrids out of town, he won't do it. You can keep bleeding her like you have been." I explain to him.

"You really don't like Elena." He remarks with a smile.

"No, I hate her. She knows where my kids are and doesn't give a shit so why would I give a shit about her life," I say.

Nik's phone rings. "Show time," he says. "Stefan, how nice to hear your voice." He puts the phone on speaker, this way I can hear what's going on.

We arrive at our house and head to the living room. The rest of the family is there listening. Nik gestures to them to stay quit.

"Tell your hybrids to get out of town, Klaus," Stefan says on the other line.

"Well, that's not gonna happen until I get my kids back," Nik informs him.

"Okay well then I'm gonna drive your blood source off Whickery Bridge." Stefan threatens.

We knew this was coming but off the Whickery Bridge. Heremy told me that's the bridge their parents went over even I'm not that cruel. I nod my head to him. The sign we agreed on whether the hybrids go or stay. They have to go. I can't be that cruel. Jeremy is crying in Sage's arms silently. Finn is rubbing his back, probably remembering his parents death which seems like a lifetime ago now.

"I don't believe you Stefan. You won't kill her," Nik tries one last time.

"No! No! No! what are you doing?" We can hear Elena screaming.

"What's going on?" Nik asks pretending he doesn't know. I text Tyler telling him that Nik bought them a pack house just outside town.

"I just fed her my blood. No more hybrids if she's a vampire," Stefan says exactly what I predicted.

"You won't do it," Nik says faking that he's calling his bluff. It wouldn't be believable if he didn't fight at all and just gave in.

"Really? Try me. Because your kids are next to go. Say good-bye to your kids, Klaus," Stefan says.

"Stefan, slow down! Stefan! Stefan, stop it!" We can all hear Elena screaming in fright in the background.

"Fine, I'll send then away. You win," he says faking that he is just giving in, now.

"Stefan! Stefan, Stop!" Elena is still screaming.

"Stop the car, Stefan!" Nik screams as him faking that he lost his temper.

You can hear the car screech and skid to a stop. Nik hangs us after hearing this and we all let out a deep breath.

"You really care about your hybrids that much, Nik?" Rebekah asks.

"No, Tyra and I had preplanned this. She figured out his plan and I gave her the power," he says. He puts his arm around me and kisses the side of my head.

"When I heard she was on the Whickery Bridge and knowing that he wanted to kill her the same way her and Jeremy's parents died. I wasn't okay with that. I also knew that would make her hate Stefan. I want him isolated, so he is forced into giving my kids back. Most of the town has turned against him. I may not like her one bit, but I am not so cruel to make her die that way." I explain my decision.

"How did you know what he would do?" Finn asked in English. His English being heavily worked on this past little while.

"Well, with their history I knew he couldn't outright kill her. I also knew he wanted to get rid of Nik's ability to make hybrids. So, turning her into a vampire was the only option," I say.

"That's good. I'm glad you figured it out," Sage says still holding Jeremy as he calms down.

We hear a knock at the door. I go get it. It's Caroline and Tyler holding her gift that Nik and I gave her.

"Hey, I thought I should open my gift with you guys," she says. I invite them in. We need a little bit of happiness in this dark hole we are in.

"No longer fighting with him?" I ask.

"No, not after what Tyler told me Stefan threatened. I'm sorry," she says giving me a hug.

"Me too," I reply.

"Thanks for standing up for both of us. It does mean a lot to me." She thanks me.

"It was the right thing to do," I say.

"Wow, everyone is here except the kids," she notices.

"Yeah, we were all here for a phone call with Stefan," Kol tells her.

"Stefan called?" Caroline asks.

"Yeah, he did," Nik replies.

"What did he have to say?" She questions.

"He tried to drive Elena off the Whickery Bridge," I inform her.

"What!?" Tyler and Caroline both exclaim.

"Yeah, so Nik played the part of big bad wolf." I say.

"It was your plan, Love. Take the credit where it's due," Nik says.

"So, are we opening gifts?" I ask clapping my hands together.

"Yes, I couldn't believe you guys got me a gift. Especially with how rude I've been being to you all." Caroline says.

"Of course, we would. It's from Nik, the Mikaelson's, the kids and I. Tyler was the only one here that didn't sign the card." I say. "He said he had his own gift for you. Eighteen is a big year. Just because you didn't grow physically doesn't mean you didn't grow mentally. You have had a lot happen in the past year that anyone would be cranky if they had to deal with. Especially for those with heightened emotions."

"You're right. I did grow mentally," she agrees.

"Now, open your gift." Kol says getting impatient.

She pulls out the purse I got her.

"Oh my god, no way. This is so cute and it's in black. So, it will go with everything," She squeals.

"Look inside it," Kol tells her rolling his eyes.

She opens it up and pulls out the matching wallet. She opens the wallet and see's a large amount of money and gift cards for tons of different things for traveling and luxury brands.

"Oh my god. You guys shouldn't have," she says in shock.

"You and I did talk about traveling once. You are now old enough to go. The money is for you to start out amassing your wealth as a vampire," Nik tell her.

"Thank you," she thanks with tears in her eyes. She pulls out a book. "What's this?"

"It's a journal for you. I asked around for some pictures to add for memories. You can write in it, and it's spelled to never run out of pages." Finn explains. "James spelled it before he was taken."

"This is so thoughtful, thank you. I will have to thank James when we get him back." She opens it and looks at the pictures.

We got a bunch from her mom and friends. I had some as well from recently. Sage added the pictures. Elijah and Kol invested money for her and added some gift cards. Rebekah and Thor picked out the purse and wallet. She comes over and hugs each and every one of us.

"Isn't Jeremy supposed to be heading to Denver? That's what Elena told me." Caroline notices.

"I was compelled to but turns out Tyra is the only one who cares about me making my own choices." Jeremy says still a little sore about being compelled so often.

"Come on, I apologized and designed your room exactly how you want it." Nik whines. We all laugh at his pout. "I'm even sleeping in the doghouse."

"Yeah, yeah, give me a few days," Jeremy says with a smile.

I know he forgives him and is just dragging it out to get a little revenge. I know Nik knows but he is letting him play his game. We all talk well into the night, Caroline just enjoying every minute of her birthday.

A couple of days later I'm talking with the Sheriff about my still missing kids and Caroline runs in.

"My dad is in town," she exclaims not realizing her mom is here. She then notices her. "Oh, uh," she freezes.

"I was just leaving," her mom says awkwardly leaving.

Caroline puts her head in her hands. "My mom and I are on so different levels," she tells me.

"We will get you two communicating in no time. When the kids are back, I will host a big celebration dinner. You and your mom can stay after. We will break out the good wine and talk about family. With all the Mikaelson's there is will help her see how important it is to connect with family." I offer.

"That sounds amazing thank you," she says with a small smile.

"Something's like Tyler's mom I can't fix. But what I can fix is your relationship with your mom." I say Caroline leaves and Nik comes down the stairs.

"Come on we are going to the Salvatore's," he tells me.

"Alright," I agree.

"It's time Stefan gives us back the kids," he says firmly.

"I couldn't agree more," I agree again.

Getting into the car we drive to the Salvatore's boarding house. We head inside.

"Should we be in here? Clearly no one is home." I ask a little nervous.

"He stole and hide our kids I don't care what he wants." Nik says pouring himself a drink. He sits in a chair and turns on music pulling me into his lap. Stefan comes in after a little while and turns down the music.

"What are you doing here, Klaus and Tyra?" Stefan asks stiffly.

"Enjoying out stalemate." Nik says causally.

"What do you want?" Stefan asks like he doesn't already know.

"What do you think we want?" I say rhetorically with more then a little attitude. He just cocks his eyebrow.

"The question is what do you want. My hybrids left town as you demanded, so please tell me what I need to do to get my kids back," Nik says sarcastically.

"Well, see… Klaus..." Stefan is hesitating. He wants more time for something.

"I'm not negotiating." He finally gets out.

"And you understand that holding them indefinitely is the same thing at dropping them in the ocean?" Nik asks his eyebrow cocking this time.

"No! no, you leave Mystic Falls and then give me a call in a few years, and we'll talk," Stefan says.

"You think I'm going to let you keep my kids for a few years," I exclaim in disbelief.

"I can give you another chance. Just one more. Let's make a reasonable deal." Nik adds.

"Or what? You make a move, and I will drop…" Nik laughs cutting Stefan off/

"Yes, right. Crazy Stefan. How is that working out for you? Any friends left?" Nik mocks.

"Nik may not make a move, but I will. Watch your back Stefan. A pissed off mother with nothing to lose is a scary one." I threaten finally hitting my limit. We leave right after that,

"He's panicking. I;m guessing it's about Ester's coffin. They want in it and using the kids as collateral to make sure you don't make a move against them," I explain.

Nik turns to me. "You're right as always," he says with a sigh. "Time for you to make your plans, love."