AKateF2705 - I'm glad you liked the chapter. I hope you like this one!

Lavendor Queen - Fingers crossed!

1Jemmagirl22 - I didn't watch Gossip Girl so I couldn't tell you. But I want to say no, it's not that.

SaltedCaramelIceCream - Almost!

Skyla71 - Some people won't let Klaus get away with being selfish ;)

klasies - Here's an update!

TwilightHybrid - Tyler? Have a heart? Pshhh. We will have to see where his true motives lie. :)

Carrie281 - lolol She really is a saint though. Something tells me she won't be letting him get away with all of the behavior once the drama dies down.

It's Morley to You - Aww thank you!

Guest - I'm guesstimating the story will be a few more chapters. Originally I said 25, but maybe 26 or 27. We'll see. But I do plan to balance out their relationship by the end of it. :)


I'm rushing to post this so I just want to say I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, reviewing, etc. More to come soon!


Part 22

Saturday – Mikaelson Mansion – 3:23 p.m.

Indulgence was the name of the game since Henrik had been back home. The 6am weekend wakeup call had been excused and, instead of grumbling, Kol delighted in watching cartoons with his little brother while breakfast was prepared. But even the gooey decadence of Rebekah's chocolate chip pancakes could not prepare the Mikaelson family for the rattled nerves that would ensue later that day.

Finn's plan was afoot. Social Services sent their caseworker over to assess the household. It was a little after noon when she arrived. She introduced herself as Delilah. She was young, mid-twenties Elijah guessed, but she carried herself with the confidence of a woman beyond her years. Her poker face was unrivaled leaving no lenience in gauging her judgement. She spent the first hour touring the house, taking notes in each room she stepped into and asking questions in regard to the safety and sanitation of the environment. She spent a lengthy amount of time thoroughly evaluating Henrik's bedroom and asked that he be brought in shortly thereafter so she could perform her assessment.

Though they'd been legally advised not to coach or coerce him, he'd been advised that someone would be coming to talk to him and, should he feel comfortable enough, to answer her as honestly as possible. Since then, he'd grown quiet. Nerves, most likely, Elijah had said, but Klaus wondered if there was an underlying reason for Henrik's fear. As Klaus ushered him to his room, Henrik had completely reverted to his reclusive nature.

The wait was agonizing. Fifteen minutes felt like an eternity. When the door finally opened, Henrik's gaze was cast downward and for the first time he flinched at Klaus' touch. They agreed to take turns staying with him as the questioning went on.

Delilah went in chronological order starting with the youngest. When Rebekah emerged from her interview, her face was stained with tears and, of all people, it was Kol's arms that she went to for comfort. Tension was rippling and the uncertainty was putting everyone on edge. While Kol went for his turn, Elijah and Finn lamented their lack of preparation. By the time Klaus was called, he was furious and beside himself with anxiety. Doubt danced through his brain, producing an overwhelming paranoia. What kind of triggers had this woman produced that had Rebekah weeping, Kol pale as a ghost, and Henrik balled up on the couch away from them all? What secrets was she trying to uncover?

"Have a seat," she said when he entered, without looking up. She was writing in her notebook. What was there to write about his entrance into the room? She set the notebook face down in her lap and smiled. "How are you?"

He cleared his throat as he sat on Henrik's bed. "Not very thrilled, circumstances being what they are."

"What circumstances are those?"

His eyes narrowed. He hated being patronized. "I'm being interviewed by the state about the guardianship conditions of my youngest brother. What do you think?"

She picked up her notebook and began to write again. "Are you distrustful by nature?"

He frowned. "What does that have to do with Henrik?"

"Trust is a vital part of the human connection, and generally the basis for a strong foundation in any relationship."

"If you're asking if Henrik can trust in me, then the answer is yes."

"You're defensive."

"This is supposed to be about Henrik, is it not?"

"One of the factors of a healthy environment includes the mental state of his caretakers."

Klaus' jaw clenched in agitation. "Forgive me if I'm not the epitome of stability. My mental state is in shambles given that he was needlessly torn from our grasps."

"Interesting word choice. Do you feel that you should have authority over Henrik?"

His breaths stammered. "No. I just want him where he feels safe and protected."

"In your opinion, what constitutes as 'safe'?"

"Being surrounded by his family. In his home. Where he feels comfortable and loved."

"Do you and your siblings argue in front of Henrik?"

He blinked, thrown by the redirect. "Not overtly. If we do, it's over minute things such as unkempt rooms or missed curfews."

"Can you tell me why it is you and your brothers have moved your family three times in the last two years?"

He swallowed and his heart began to race. What would Finn and Elijah have said? What would happen if any of them had deviated in their answer? "Our parents' transgressions have haunted us. At first, we wanted to start anew, to escape the place where they'd committed their crimes and leave it behind us." He began wringing his hands. "A year later, the threats began. So we relocated."

"Threats?"

"When my mother got wind of our departure, she deemed it a violation of the guardianship order. She believed we were holding her family hostage from her and retaliated. That's when the custody war started."

"Was it a violation?"

"No. We stayed within the state, moved counties. Mystic Falls is the farthest we've gone without violating the terms."

"Was Henrik a factor in the decision to leave?"

"He was only two when they were incarcerated. Three when we fled. It was more about giving Rebekah and Kol back their sense of security. Moving somewhere Henrik could grow up without his parents' infamy looming over him."

She looked down and kept writing, growing unnervingly quiet as she turned a page. "How has Henrik been academically?"

"Excellent," he boasted. "He's advanced in his penmanship, and his favorite activity is being read to." He smiled. "He's started to develop a yearning to learn for himself, so his teacher had been spending time with him in the afternoons teaching him to read."

"Is he ever left alone?"

"No," he answered adamantly. "He's well looked after, and extremely independent in spite of it."

"How has the custody battle impacted Henrik?"

He swallowed. Was this a trick? Was there even a right answer? "What makes you think it has?"

She gave him a look. "He's a child without parents. I'm sure questions have come up. I'm interested in how you may have answered them and how they were received."

"He knows where his parents are. Were."

"You told him?"

"We didn't have to. Like I said, he's very advanced –"

"And he never questioned the whys or hows?"

"I don't think he minds not knowing."

"Do you think he might be scared?"

"Shouldn't he be?"

"Are you insinuating there is reason for Henrik to fear his mother?"

"You know as well as I do, sweetheart. Just because the charges were dropped doesn't make her an angel."

"What makes you say that?"

He peered coldly. "Experience."

"Can you elaborate?"

"Esther was a hard-working woman in her youth, providing for us through contemptuous means. Whatever she wanted, she got it, regardless of the sacrifice. Most of the time, her children suffered the collateral damage." He looked down bitterly. "We've had to fend for ourselves our entire lives."

Her pen was moving rapidly across the paper and she turned another page. "Has Henrik ever expressed to you any feelings of depression?"

He gaped at her. "He's six." She paused her pen and looked up. He swallowed nervously and sat back, his pedestal crumbling beneath him. "Has he expressed those feelings to you?"

"I can't share details of my assessment. Please answer the question."

"No. He hasn't."

"Tell me about his aversion to physical affection. When did that develop?"

A hot flash seared through him and his stomach began to churn as memories resurfaced. Is she hedging? "He's always been a careful child..."

"Have you or your siblings ever exhibited violence or misconduct?"

Is it getting dizzy in here? "Not in front of him," he said quietly.

"There was a police report for an incident outside of the school…"

Sweat beaded on the back of his neck. It was a stupid mistake.

"Both Rebekah and Kol have misdemeanors on their records…"

Rebekah?

"…under your guardianship…"

His ears were ringing and Delilah's voice became distance. "I didn't know," he stupidly mused aloud, unable to hear his own voice as the ringing grew louder.

She paused. "Didn't know what?"

The silence was abrupt. He blinked trying to clear the daze from his view. "What?"

"Mr. Mikaelson, are you stating that you are unaware of your siblings' criminal history?"

He was still blinking, trying to piece it together. Idiot. She thinks you're careless.

She turned a few pages backward in her notebook. "Kol Mikaelson: two counts of public indecency, three domestic disputes; six noise complaints; two breaking and entering charges that were dropped." She turned a page. "Rebekah Mikaelson: proceedings filed for truancy resulting in a fine and driving privileges suspended; one count of possession of illegal substances." Klaus' eyes were wide with confusion. When had that happened? "I take it you were unaware of the latter."

He swallowed, debating whether honesty was truly the best policy in this situation. "Elijah handles all legal matters pertaining to our family," he answered, knowing full well it was a cop out.

Delilah closed her notebook and laid her pen down atop it. "Mr. Mikaelson… I want to ask you about one more thing."

At the conclusion of his questioning, Klaus excused himself to the Great Room for a much needed drink. The burn of the bourbon sliding down his throat hit his stomach with a stinging splash, arousing the nausea he was trying to stifle.

He should have been better prepared. Of course they would have access to their criminal records. Esther probably planted the idea, painting her children to look like the irresponsible miscreants while she basked in the light of her angelic lie. He downed the rest of his bourbon, relishing the pain trickling down his throat. He clenched the empty glass in his fingers, willing it with his mind to break, envisioning the shards of glass cutting into his skin and releasing him from his mind dungeon.

He didn't know how long he'd stood there in his masochistic fantasy until Elijah's footsteps broke the sound barrier in the room. Without a word, he waltzed up beside him and started to fix himself a drink. Klaus glanced out of his peripheral, noting the sudden years Elijah seemed to have put on.

"You never told me about Rebekah," he quietly accused.

Elijah took a long sip and sighed, his eyes narrowing. "Attorney-client privilege."

"She's a minor."

"She didn't want you to know."

Klaus turned fully to face his brother. "What did she ask you?"

"The same things she asked you, I presume."

His lips twitched and he felt his chest beginning to concave. "She asked about Tatia."

Elijah nodded. "That ordeal has had a great effect on your mental stability."

"Not enough to effect Henrik."

He raised a brow. "More than you might think."

Just as Klaus was about to respond, the hallway echoed with sound. Finn and Delilah approached the threshold, amicably speaking. Klaus followed Elijah to join them.

"Thank you for your time and patience," she told all four.

"What happens now?" Klaus urged.

"You will receive my report within the next 30 days."

"30 days?!"

Elijah put a hand out. "My apologies. My brother is a bit sensitive when it comes to Henrik."

"The investigation is ongoing while I continue to contact the pertinent persons in Henrik's life. You'll be notified when the investigation is complete."

"Which pertinent persons?"

"Anyone who is in frequent contact with Henrik. Teachers, neighbors."

His teachers… Klaus felt his muscles tense. "Is that necessary?"

"Yes." Her definitive tone felt condemning.

"I'll walk you out," Finn offered, eyeing Klaus warningly.

He and Elijah were locked in a stare down until the door shut and her call pulled away.

"She's going to speak to Caroline," he said finally.

"She is his teacher, so that would seem the logical route, yes." Elijah took another sip of whiskey. "She spoke with Katerina, as well."

"I should warn her."

"Niklaus, we need to let this play out organically."

"She should know that anything she says–"

"Caroline is an astute young woman. Moreover, she cares for both you and Henrik deeply enough to know when and how to choose her words." He rested a reassuring hand on Klaus' shoulder. "Trust her. Trust the process."


Caroline's Apartment – 8:37 p.m.

It had been a grueling Saturday. The anticipation was killer, and between texting with her mom, checking in on Klaus and Henrik throughout the day, and preparing the following week's lesson plans, Caroline barely remembered to eat. It wasn't until her rumbling stomach reminded her that she needed more sustenance than water and Pop Tarts. She was having a late dinner when a knock at her door interrupted her mac and cheese du jour.

Her heart was skipping beats as she went to answer it. Since Klaus had been incommunicable all day, she had a feeling what state he'd be in. On the bright side, he'd cleaned up. His beard was trimmed and he'd tamed his curls (as much as she'd started to grow fond of their dishevel). His eyes still looked hollow, though, and there was a world of worry behind them.

"Come in," she beckoned him, stepping aside to make room. "How's Henrik?"

"A little rattled but he's holding up."

"He's a resilient kid," she agreed. She held her wrist awkwardly as they lingered in the space between rooms. "What about you?"

"A little rattled but holding up." A ghost of a smile flitted across his face.

She took his hand and led him into the living room where she tucked her legs under her on the couch and took up her bowl of pasta again. Klaus sat beside her, glancing at the muted TV. It looked like one of the Real Housewives shows.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked between bites.

Instead of answering, his eyes pierced hers with a question that he finally stopped repressing, "Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"When I came here last night, did you know Social Services would be speaking to you?"

Truth be told, she had known it was a possibility since Finn asked for her mother's assistance. He'd explained his intentions and even her mother agreed it was an appropriate strategy. After he'd left, her mother had warned her that she could be pulled into it, given that she was with Henrik daily. When Delilah called her to set the appointment, she had half a mind to call Klaus, but the situation was so fragile that it had her questioning everything.

She set the bowl down, feigning confusion. "Why does that matter?"

"Answer the question, Caroline."

"Yes, I knew. But–"

"When?"

"Monday. After school." She crossed her arms. "Why?"

He exhaled through his nose in frustration. "You could have told me."

"I didn't think it was a big deal."

"Every word that woman is told is a big deal!"

"What is it you're afraid I'm going to say?"

"It's not –" he began to backpedal then stopped himself with a frustrated grunt.

Whatever had happened today had him seriously freaked. She wasn't sure why. They should have had nothing but perfect answers and been the embodiment of a loving, doting family. Unless they weren't.

"I have no doubt your testimony will be nothing short of helpful," he told her, "but it's a delicate situation."

She shook her head. "They're not allowed to be biased, but clearly you are."

"Of course I am!" He ran a hand through his curls in frustration. "Thirty days and it could all be for nothing."

Thoughts were whirring in her head and this felt all too familiar. It made her feel sick to her stomach with rage. "There's always your new buddy Tyler," she jabbed, arching a brow when he gaped at her.

"Why are you treating me like I've done something wrong?"

"The fact that you're even asking that question means you know you're wrong, Klaus. Coming here and trying to accuse me of betrayal? Projecting your guilt onto me? Classic gas lighting move." She shook her head with a shallow laugh. "You've been around him, what, one time? And yet you're acting just like Tyler, which is exactly what I was afraid of." Klaus' lips wavered but he couldn't make the words come out. "Look, I know how much you want Henrik back home permanently. And that you'll do anything to do that. I just…wish it didn't have to be him."

He shook his head in defeat. "If there were any other option, I would have already exhausted it."

"I know."

She looked up into his eyes and let him see her hesitation. He finally seemed to let go of his anger and slid his hand against her cheek. "Henrik isn't the only one I would go to great lengths for."

Her lips tugged upwards a little. It was a mild relief, but still… "And if I ask you not to go through with it?" His hand dropped, as did her shoulders.

"I have to see this through, Caroline."

"You don't know him, Klaus." She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "He's a master manipulator. He knows Esther is a weakness. He can use that to his advantage."

"To do what?"

Her arms wrapped tighter around herself and she looked down, speaking meekly, "Turn you against me?" She frowned at the floor, shaking her head as tears sprang to her eyes. "He's found a way to sabotage every part of my life in some way. Whatever I do, wherever I go, he's there."

Klaus drew her into his arms, holding her head with slow, smoothing strokes of her hair. "Have you gone to the police?"

She nodded against his chest. "The restraining order was a temporary fix, but it only protects me." He grew quiet and her heart started to panic. She looked up. "Klaus?"

"I wish I could have spared you all of this." She sighed and let her head drop against his chest. "I know you don't want to hear that."

"I just wish you would stop blaming yourself."

"If I don't hold myself accountable, who will? Some of the things I've done…" He shook his head. "In the end, it may not have mattered, but to Henrik it will. When he learns the truth of how this all came to be." He swallowed. "I just hope he'll forgive me."

Maybe she needed to relent a little. It wasn't either of their fault that they got caught in each other's crossfires. Caroline chewed the corner of her lip and looked up, resolute. "Meet with Tyler," she ceded. He looked up in surprise and she shrugged meekly. "Maybe he'll surprise me and actually help you. His job was always more important to him anyway."

He tipped her chin up so she'd see his sincerity. "He could never turn me against you, love."

"He'll try."

"He's never met a man as stubborn as I." She let out a laugh and the release was almost tearful. "And if he's senseless enough to try anything, I'll reacquaint him with Kol's right hook."

She laugh-sobbed. "Wait, Kol punched him? When? Why?"

"Last week, outside the courthouse. Apparently, you've made an impression."

She laughed again. "I definitely owe him a hug." And a little credit, she thought.

Klaus smiled but it withered slowly. "It might ease your mind to know that Elijah will be present at our meeting."

"You told him." Her smile slowly grew. "You actually listened to me."

He grinned, teasing, "Against my better judgement." She thwacked him lightly and his breath was a laugh. "Turns out he was legally in violation, speaking to me alone."

She hummed. "Maybe it's you who needs protection, after all."

"Well then, perhaps I'd better stay here tonight." He pouted his lips, eyes narrowing wickedly. "As a precaution."

"Uh-huh. Because Tyler's just bound to come storming in at any second, right?"

"In that case, we'd better hide." He grinned, swooping her into his arms in a cradle, her giggles echoing down the hall toward her bedroom.


Mystic Falls Elementary: Miss Caroline's Classroom – Monday May 18, 11:17 a.m.

Mid-morning that Monday, Caroline was going over the worksheets she had given her class earlier on shapes. She was just about halfway through when a mop of brown hair near the corner of her desk surprised her.

"Miss Caroline?" Henrik asked quietly. "May I have a word?"

Her brows shot up and she had to purse her lips to keep from smiling at the learned formality. "Of course." She set her red pen down and swiveled her chair to direct her full attention at him. "What's up?"

He frowned and pulled out a folded piece of pink construction paper and handed it to her. She opened it up to reveal an expertly sketched picture of she and Henrik sitting on the reading carpet in profile view. He'd undoubtedly had help, but Henrik's touch was evident where he wrote out TO: MISS CAROLINE and FROM: HENRIK in perfect penmanship.

"I'm sorry I wasn't talking to you," he said. "And I'm sorry I didn't listen at story time."

Her heart clenched. She leaned in, her smile rearing. "Apology accepted."

His shoulders immediately dropped in relief, but the tension quickly returned as a look of worry filled his eyes. "Can I still do reading with you? On Fridays, when Nik takes me home?"

"I would love that." She'd missed that smile. "Thank you for my drawing."

"Nik helped me. We drewed it before mommy came yesterday."

She hesitated before asking, "Is everything okay with your mother? She's being nice to you?"

"Yeah," he answered in a small voice, looking down. "I miss Nik, though."

She smiled. "I know he misses you too." Past his shoulder she noticed another person in Henrik's life who had been a bit blue, playing quietly with the building blocks on his own. "You know, I think someone else might miss you too." He frowned and she pointed discreetly at Bryce. He turned to look then hung his head as he faced her again.

"I didn't be a good friend."

"It's okay. You went through a lot last week." She saw him start to fidget. "But you know what?" He looked up. "The really good friends will always forgive you."

With that thought in mind, Henrik went over and approached his friend. Bryce lit up and Henrik was soon invited to help build the block kingdom he was crafting. She smiled as she watched them, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. Just as she turned back to her desk, another interruption appeared. Caroline smiled warmly at her student.

"Hi Sophia."

"Is Henrik feeling better now?" she asked, her braided pigtails turning with her as she looked over to where the boys were playing.

Caroline looked too. Henrik was still keeping his distance but he seemed more at ease. She tilted her head, debating the dangers of hoping. She glanced back to Sophia with a smile and nodded. "I think so."


Office of Tyler Lockwood, LLC, District Attorney for Mystic Falls – 11:45 a.m.

This was the last place Klaus wanted to be, which meant it was exactly where he needed to be. Given the history between Caroline and Tyler, trusting in his word was questionable. But if there was a way to bring justice to their situation and return Henrik to his home, he would temporarily swallow his pride. For Henrik.

The man who greeted them was a far cry from the villain he had previously seen and heard of. Tyler was amicable, with a firm and masculine grip when he shook his hand.

"Good to see you, man."

Suspicious.

The room was bright and inviting with crisp white walls, strategically placed plants and colorful décor against the boastfully expensive oak furnishings which included his desk and wall of bookcases. Two diminutive, leather armchairs sat across from his matching executive swivel, which he eased himself comfortably into with a rock backward.

"This is my brother, and attorney, Elijah Mikaelson," Klaus introduced.

Tyler leaned forward to shake his hand and they sized each other up in tandem. "What firm are you with?" he asked.

Elijah smiled thinly, ignoring the bait. "My brother tells me you have information regarding our mother?"

Tyler gestured for them to take a seat. His office was pristine, Klaus noticed as he sat. Every sheet of paper perfectly stacked upon the next in a mound of deposition rounding off the corner of his desk. The organizer had a specified slot for each of his pens, and compartments where he individually housed his personal effects – wallet, keys, perfectly wrapped headphones, and tear-away calendar with each day checked off, excluding the present. The bookshelves were lined with color coded manuals all arranged by corresponding height. It was the obsessive compulsive behavior of the carefully calculated. He's a master manipulator.

"It's mostly a suspicion," Tyler admitted. "I need more information before I can proceed. I was hoping Klaus could help."

Elijah's eyes slit. "That is awfully vague."

"If I can confirm this hunch, it could disprove Esther's innocence in my client's case. I think we can all stand to benefit from that."

"How so?" Klaus inquired.

"The jury deemed Mikael guilty of assault and attempted murder, but they only charged Esther with accessory. That's why she got off early."

"Mikael's forfeit of his spousal privilege resulted in her early release," Elijah argued.

"Right. His written confession exonerated her from any involvement in the crime itself. What got her released is her added admission of aiding and abetting, after the fact."

Elijah squeezed the rim of his nose. "Which the state of Virginia cannot prosecute if it's an immediate family member."

"Right. And here's the kicker – Mikael's written confession not only stated that his actions were premeditated, but that Esther had no idea of his intentions."

"That reclassifies his charges from second-degree murder to first-degree murder," Elijah concluded with a nod.

Klaus' fists had balled atop the table, anger coursing through him.

Tyler shook his head in distaste. "I never thought they should have been tried together."

"She went after him," Klaus reasoned. "We all saw it."

"It was never proven in court."

"We could testify to it," he offered abruptly. "Help put her away for good –"

"Niklaus." Elijah put his hand on Klaus' arm forcefully. He glanced to Tyler who was visibly excited. "No one is testifying to anything until Mr. Lockwood tells us why we are here."

"I've been digging into her past," he began, "trying to establish enough probable cause to get the judge to grant a warrant to arrest her and allow me to retry her for the attempted murder of my client."

"You believe she had more to do with it than she lets on," Klaus deduced.

"I've seen more than my fair share of sociopaths. Esther Mikaelson fits the description perfectly. And the fact that she was able to manipulate her husband into having his sentence increased tells me she's guiltier than he is."

Klaus opened his mouth to speak, but Elijah's hand pressed against his chest. "Until you tell us what exactly it is you want from him, my client will not say a word." He glanced warningly to Klaus.

Tyler sighed, scratching the back of his head. "If he has information pertaining to my findings, which I think he does, I'm gonna need him to testify."

"Testify to what?" Klaus demanded.

"The murder of Tatia Petrova."