Caroline woke up a few hours later, when Bonnie knocked at the door to her room.

"Oh, did I wake you? I didn't mean to," Bonnie apologized.

"No, it's okay. What's up?"

"I wanted to apologize for how I reacted to you being a vampire. That was not fair to you. I've been incredibly stressed with everything with Elena and vampires and my family don't have a great history. Is there any way I could make it up to you? I see that you already have a daylight ring, do you want another one? Or some other witch-y favor I can do? I really value your friendship, Care."

"I know. We'll figure it out, but I can't think of anything really. I'm good, honestly," Caroline said mostly honestly, not wanting Bonnie to blame herself when she already puts the world on her shoulders.

"Come up with something," she gave a guilty smile.

"I'll figure something out," she said, mostly to end the discussion.

"Okay, good. Get some rest, we'll hang out sometime soon. Next weekend?"

"Sure. School's almost over, I'm sure I can find some reason for us to celebrate that."

"I'm sure it will be incredible."

"So you're trying to be patient, waiting for Carolyna by hyperfocusing on making a hybrid army?" Katerina asked, criticizing.

"What do you suggest I do?" he scathed back.

"What do you need an army for?" after a pause she spoke again "No, ugh. The werewolf bite-thing scared you, didn't it? Carolyna is strong even if she doesn't have her powers."

"What if I hadn't found her? She only has the ability to defend herself of a baby vampire."

"What do you think is going to happen to her in this town? The most dangerous being here is you, followed by me or perhaps Elijah. The Salvatores are more focused on killing you to have time for her. I bet you never thought you would be happy that she's stuck in Mystic Falls."

"No, I don't suppose I did," he breathed a laugh.

"And I never thought we would be sitting in Mystic Falls of our own volition."

The pair settled into a comfortable silence as they both drank their scotch.

Katerina filled her drink before breaking the silence.

"Are you really going to put guards on her?"

"This town has a history of strange things popping up. I won't be obvious about it."

"When Carolyna comes back, she'll kill you herself."

"That's what you're looking forward to, I should have realized it sooner," Klaus half-joked. "I'm afraid my death will not come that soon."

"It will be a show," she smirked before leaving bringing the drink with her. "Her return and your death," he only heard with his supernatural senses.

May 31, 2010

"Another school dance? What do you think the odds are that a certain original will crash it?" Stefan asked Elena as they danced to one of the songs Caroline had tediously placed on a playlist for this dance.

"I've been more worried about an ex-girlfriend who bears a striking resemblance to yours truly."

"I haven't seen Katherine recently."

"And that is never a good thing," Elena insisted.

"Are you sure she's still in Mystic Falls? I'm not sure why she was staying here, especially while Klaus is."

"We should figure that out."

"And how do you suppose we do that? Spy on Katherine? Not a good idea, we should stay out of it as much as we can."

"You want to spy on Katherine, and you're asking for my help?" Damon asked Elena, no hint of suspicion in his voice. Not that he should be suspicious, but she had expected it.

"I brought the idea up to Stefan, but he wouldn't go for it. It would have to be our secret."

"I can handle that."

"Ah, Elena, just the girl I was looking to speak to."

"What do you want, Klaus?" she asked as viciously as she could muster, though she was starting to tire of the dance staying only for Caroline's sake.

"Ooh, a bit of a bite too. I would appreciate it if you could gather your friends, I have something I need to speak with you about."

"No! Whatever you are doing here, no!" Caroline interrupted the conversation between Klaus and Elena. "You said that I was in your eternal gratitude, which I assume means a lot for a vampire. I know you're a hybrid now, but I assume the promise still stands. You are NOT ruining my dance."

"I have no intention of ruing your dance, love. I do, however, need to meet with Elena and some of your other friends outside of the dance. Hybrid business, no need to interrupt the dance if everyone else cooperates."

Caroline stared at him, trying to tell him that she was not amused. "Fine."

"I've lived long enough to know that that does not mean what I would like it to. I'll make it up to you," Klaus smiled a promise at her in such a way that she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Or how she should feel about it.

"Fine," this time she spoke it with a smile and he took the meaning as genuine. "Go, Elena, you're excused from dance duty for 'Hybrid business,' but I expect details."

Elena, Damon, Stefan, Bonnie, Jeremy, and Tyler met Klaus outside.

"Long time, no see friends," Klaus declared, sarcasm clear in his tone.

"What do you want, Klaus?" Bonnie and Elena shouted at the same time before meeting each others' eyes and smiling.

"I have found a new use for your blood."

"No way!" Jeremy and Damon shouted at the same time. Stefan appeared to be lost in thought and Tyler was questioning why he was there.

"Well, you see, I have a bit of an issue," as he spoke, he patted Tyler's shoulder. "I am a hybrid, the Original hybrid," his arm now fully behind Tyler's neck. "I shouldn't be the only hybrid and I believe I am able to make more. So, should Tyler be the first test or will I have your cooperation?" he asked, targeting the question at Elena.

"So that is why you didn't want Caroline here. So she doesn't make a deal with you again," Stefan interjected.

"I am more than willing to make a deal with you."