AN: Hello my lovely readers! Thank you for your follows and favorites and reviews! Especially to my guests who review, since I can't thank you personally! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I apologize for any errors, as I almost wasn't able to get this chapter out tonight. My hubby has been out of town for over a week and I am playing single mom. It doesn't leave that much time for writing and editing. Anyways, enjoy and please let me know what you think, if you get a chance! :)
Klaus still held Enzo up by the throat and turned to face him. "I'm going to put you down. But then you are going to leave. Am I understood, mate?" Klaus didn't compel him, but he was threatening enough to get his point across.
Enzo nodded to the best of his ability and Klaus dropped him, unceremoniously to the floor. Enzo stood up, glaring at Klaus and rubbing his neck. "Are you going to be ok with him here, Gorgeous?" Enzo asked Caroline, smiling inwardly at the way Klaus seemed to growl at his nickname for Caroline.
"Yeah, it's ok. I have Stefan here, too. Just go enjoy New Orleans." Caroline even offered Enzo a small smile of encouragement.
Enzo nodded. "Be safe, Goldilocks. Call me if you need me." Enzo winked in Caroline's direction and left the hotel room.
Caroline watched Enzo leave and slowly turned to face Klaus. Stefan had decided to just sit in one of the chairs and hoped to fade into the background as Klaus and Caroline had it out. Klaus took a couple of steps towards Caroline, which would have been threatening to anyone else, but Caroline knew he wouldn't ever actually hurt her, not physically at least. "Tell me, Caroline." Klaus drawled. "Why are you in New Orleans?" Before Caroline could answer, Klaus held up one hand. "The truth this time."
Caroline looked over at Stefan and the guilt was written all over his face. "Something tells me you already know." Caroline challenged. She determined she wasn't going to just give in to him easily.
"Yes, Stefan was more than willing to share about your curious dreams." Klaus teased. Stefan sat immobile on the chair, holding his breath, hoping that he wouldn't have to get in between Klaus and Caroline.
"Then why are you here, hounding me?" Caroline crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Klaus. It was obvious she was still upset over him barging in and almost killing Enzo.
Stefan watched as Klaus and Caroline engaged in a battle with their eyes. Neither one backing down, neither one looking away. It was intense and a bit frightening. "Ok." Stefan called out. Neither Klaus nor Caroline turned in his direction. Stefan raised his eyebrows and decided to try another tactic. "So, Bekah and I were very forthcoming with our dreams and I think it would be beneficial for us all to sit and talk. Come up with a game plan, maybe? So we can get to bottom of this."
Finally, a smile emerged on Klaus' face. The only proof that he was listening. "I agree, Stefan." He said, though he was still staring at Caroline.
Caroline finally broke the eye contact and turned to Stefan. "Yeah, ok. But can it wait a little bit longer? It's nearly morning and the last time I slept it was because I was vervained and had my neck snapped." Caroline tossed a glare in Klaus' direction.
Klaus smirked in response, though deep down, he felt bad. Guilty, almost. "I think this can wait a few more hours. Though I would feel much better if you both came and stayed at my home. It is more comfortable than this." Klaus looked around the perfectly nice hotel room in disgust.
Caroline was too tired to fight. "Only if Enzo is allowed, too."
Klaus nodded reluctantly. "Fine." He ground out. "You can call him on the way."
Klaus had a town car pull around and the three of them piled into it. Caroline pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Enzo's number. Klaus tried not to feel jealous of the fact that Caroline seemed to have Enzo's number memorized. "Hey Enzo."
"Gorgeous, I didn't think I would hear from you so soon. Everything ok?" Enzo's voice was teasing, but it was laced with concern.
"Yeah, everything is fine." Caroline said and glanced at Klaus. She knew he was listening in, so she tried to be brief. "Klaus has offered his house for us to stay in. I made sure the invite extended to you."
Enzo chuckled on the other line. "That's very generous of him. But I'd rather keep my distance for the time being. I already compelled that hotel room. It will serve its purpose for the night." Enzo mused.
"Ok. But call me in the morning." Caroline requested. "I need proof that Klaus didn't off you while I was sleeping." Caroline added.
Klaus huffed, offended that she would think that low of him. Enzo barked a laugh. "I can do that for you. Have a good night."
"You, too." Caroline hung up the phone and looked at Klaus innocently. "What?" She asked, smiling with false sweetness.
Klaus shook his head. "We are here." Caroline and Stefan looked at the mansion where they had been held captive not too long ago. Klaus led Caroline and Stefan into the large home and up a set of stairs. He stopped in front of two doors. "Two guest rooms. One for each of you." He offered with a charming smile. "Get some rest, freshen up. Whatever you need to do. I have some business to attend to." Klaus began to walk away as Caroline and Stefan just looked at each other confused. "We will touch base in the morning."
Caroline rolled her eyes at Klaus and gave Stefan a bright smile. "Good night, Stef!" She called as she let herself into one of the guest rooms. She was impressed with the light, airiness of the room. It was decorated in a French style and she found it very comfortable. Caroline peeled off her jeans and tank top and settled into the bed. It sunk down just enough and softness enveloped her as her eyes drifted shut. Her last thoughts before sleep claimed her were wondering what she would see Klaus doing.
Caroline looked around the room she was in. She was pretty sure this was a part of the safe house where Hope stayed. Caroline had visited Klaus in her dreams at this location enough to recognize it. Caroline heard voices and she drifted through the house to find Klaus and Rebekah sitting in a living room. Klaus was sitting in a chair and Rebekah was lounging on the couch. "I want to help you, Nik." Rebekah pleaded.
"She's mad at me." Klaus mumbled.
"Why?" Rebekah asked, picking at her nails.
"I may have almost killed her friend. The one they came with." Klaus admitted.
Rebekah looked like she was going to laugh. Caroline stood back and watched the siblings. She knew they were talking about her and she was curious what kind of advice Rebekah would give. "So you threaten to kill her friend instead of talking to her?"
Klaus let out a dark chuckle. "I didn't just threaten him. I had him pinned to the wall with my hand in his chest." Klaus recalled. "That's not all she is mad about, I think. You heard Stefan. She is hurt because I wasn't honest about Hope."
Caroline shook her head and inwardly cursed Stefan. Why couldn't he just keep his big mouth shut?
"The only way we are going to be able to figure out the truth about these dreams or whatever they are is if we are working together. You need to make things right." Klaus nodded. "Even if it means apologizing."
Klaus paled. "Rebekah, you know I don't apologize."
Rebekah let a ghost of a smile waft across her face. "This might be a good time to start."
A cunning smile exploded on Klaus' face. "I think I have a plan, little sister."
Caroline was thankful when she finally woke up. She didn't really feel rested, but she assumed that she wouldn't until she was no longer plagued by these dreams. She rolled over and took time to look out the large picture window in the room. The sun was out and the day looked lovely. Caroline sat up and noticed a tray sitting on the table next to the bed. It hadn't been there when she fell asleep. On top of the tray was a blood bag, a mug of coffee and a folded up piece of paper. Caroline easily drained the blood bag and took a sip of the surprisingly still hot coffee. She slowly open the paper to reveal a note from Klaus. "Obviously, it's from him." Caroline mumbled to herself. The note requested Caroline's presence on the patio. Caroline thought about ignoring it, but she thought about what Rebekah had said to Klaus in her dream. They would need to work together to figure this out. Plus, she was hoping maybe she would be on the receiving end of his first apology. Caroline didn't want to deny herself the pleasure of that. Caroline climbed out of bed and walked towards the en suite bathroom. She shook her head as she noticed her bag sitting by the door to the bathroom. She took a quick shower and got dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a red tank top. She let her hair curl naturally and she threw some light make up on.
It took Caroline less time to find the patio than she has thought. She hated to admit it, but she followed Klaus' scent. She found him with his back to her on the patio. He was bouncing around, uncharacteristically and Caroline assumed he was nervous about apologizing or about her reaction to seeing him. What Caroline was not expecting was when Klaus turned around and she discovered the reason for his bouncing was the baby in his arms.
Klaus gifted Caroline with a genuine smile at her stunned face. "I know you are already aware of Hope." Klaus gestured to the baby in his arms. "Since I was not the one to tell you, I wanted to make sure that I was the one to formally introduce you to her."
Caroline took a few uneasy steps towards Klaus. She was in awe of how gentle he was with Hope and how he almost looked natural holding the sweet little baby. "Isn't Hayley going to be mad that you told me?" Caroline asked as she offered her hand to Hope. Hope grasped Caroline's fingers and held them.
Klaus could not wipe the smile off his face if he tried to. "I don't really care what Hayley wants or thinks." Klaus locked eyes with Caroline. "She's my daughter and I trust you. I trust you with the secret that is Hope's life."
Caroline could see exactly what that meant to Klaus. It was a big deal and Caroline didn't want to take it lightly. "Can I hold her?" Caroline asked, offering her hands to take Hope.
"Of course, love." Klaus allowed Hope to shift her weight into Caroline's waiting arms.
"Aren't you just beautiful?" Caroline cooed. "It's really too bad they have to keep you hidden away. Such a sweet little girl." Caroline was in awe of the calm nature of Hope and how she seemed to just trust Caroline.
"She's at ease with you. She must be a good judge of character, already." Klaus could not wait to get some time to paint Caroline and Hope. It was an image he needed immortalized on canvas. "I'm sorry, Caroline." Caroline looked up from Hope, with wide eyes and parted lips. "You should have heard the news from me. We were friends back then. Are friends." He corrected himself, waiting for Caroline to dispute their friendship status.
Caroline placed a kiss on Hope's soft fuzzy hair and hummed her acknowledgement. "Thank you." Caroline took a step closer to Klaus and looked up at him with honesty shining in her eyes. "I'm sorry too, you know."
"Whatever for?" Klaus asked, mesmerized by her light.
"For all the times I played you. For leading you on and inevitably hurting you. Whether you want to admit you were hurt or not." Caroline added quickly, assuming Klaus would never confess to being hurt.
Caroline took the final step, so they were face to face, with only mere inches between them. Caroline shifted Hope, so she was resting on Caroline's hip. "Oh, Caroline." Klaus murmured. He gently stroked her face and Caroline let her eyes drift closed for a moment. "I always knew you were playing me. It hurt, but I let it happen. I just wanted to be near you. I would accept the pain again if it meant living all those moments again. Talking and flirting with you, holding you in my arms while dancing." Klaus took advantage of the honesty between them and leaned down. His lips were a fraction of an inch away from Caroline's. Caroline could feel Klaus' soft breath on her face and she was surrounded by his musky scent.
She leaned in ready to kiss him, when a voice broke them apart. "Hey guys." Stefan called out, not noticing what they were in the middle of. Caroline jumped back, jostling Hope and causing Hope to squeal. Klaus groaned and rubbed his temples. Stefan's eyes darted between Klaus and Caroline and picked up on the slight blush tinting Caroline's cheeks. "Uh, if you guys are in the middle of something, I can come back." Stefan waited as both Caroline and Klaus both glanced at each other, recognizing that their moment had vanished. "But we really should get this thing figured out." Both Klaus and Caroline agreed, albeit reluctantly.
"Let me give my dear sister a call and have her meet us here. Then the four of us can talk." Klaus offered.
Klaus left to make his phone call and Caroline grabbed a blanket from the patio table. She spread it out on the grass and sat down with Hope. "Hey Stef, grab me those blocks, will you?" Caroline asked.
Stefan gave Caroline the soft, toy blocks and sat back at the table, watching Caroline entertain Hope. "It certainly comes natural to her." Klaus commented, as he settled into another chair, sketchbook in hand.
Klaus began to draw Caroline and Hope. "It was a good idea." Stefan offered. Klaus looked up for a moment, waiting for Stefan to elaborate. "Coming clean to Caroline and letting her meet Hope. It was probably the best thing you could have done to get her to forgive you."
"I think she does." Klaus replied, not even looking up from his sketch. "Forgive me, that is."
"Caroline sees the best in people. She also gives people second and third and fourth chances. Just make the most of this chance and don't break her trust again." Stefan said the words with a hint of a threat, which usually would have caused Klaus to lash out.
Instead, he just looked up from his drawing and smiled at Stefan. "I know." Klaus went back to his drawing of Caroline and Hope. Stefan sat in silence just watching Caroline. Klaus's head jerked up and looked at Caroline. "It seems my dear sister has arrived." He called out, making sure Caroline could hear. "We're on the patio, Rebekah." Klaus announced.
Rebekah emerged from the patio doors with Cami trailing behind her. "I called Cami to join us, so she can watch Hope while we talk." Rebekah informed them. Klaus nodded and Stefan shrugged.
Caroline was walking over, with Hope in her arms when Cami's eyes landed on her. "Caroline?" Cami gasped. Her face contorted in confusion and she looked from Caroline to Klaus. "How do you know Klaus?"
"Hey Cami." Caroline closed her eyes at the awkwardness of the moment. "You remember that discussion we had yesterday." Cami nodded, still trying to understand. "Klaus was the guy I was talking about."
"Talking about me, love? What wonderful things did you have to say?" Klaus teased, trying to dull some of the tension.
Cami continued to nod absentmindedly. "Would you believe that one of the guys I had told you about was also Klaus?" Cami scoffed.
Klaus recalled the conversation that he had listened in on during the dream. He tried to hide his discomfort with a smirk, but Rebekah knew better. "Ok, maybe we can deal with this strange tension later."
"Is Caroline the reason?" Cami blurted out, cutting Rebekah off. She was looking at Klaus with a small frown on her face.
"Come again?" Klaus replied.
"Is Caroline the reason you never admitted any feelings for me?" Cami asked, point blank, shocking the vampires with her audacity.
Klaus took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. He gave Caroline a pleading look and lightly grasped Cami's elbow. "Come with me, Camille." They walked inside the house, away from the vampires. Klaus knew they would still be able to hear, but Cami would think their conversation was private. "Camille, I never admitted any feelings for you because I simply saw you as a friend. My lack of romantic feelings for you has nothing to do with Caroline." Klaus explained.
Cami shook her head. "No, I don't believe you. Because I think if she wasn't in the picture, you could have fallen for me. But it's ok." Cami didn't know if she was saying this more for Klaus or herself. "I can tell Caroline really likes you. I mean, no one gets that drunk over someone that they don't really like." Cami took a breath and let it out slowly. "And I'm mature enough to admit that I do have feelings for you. And part of that means I want to see you happy. If Caroline can make you happy and bring out some of your humanity at the same time, then I can live with that."
"Thank you, Cami." Klaus placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "I also appreciate you staying here to watch Hope. She's lovely, but a bit distracting and we really need to figure out this spell."
Cami followed Klaus back out onto the patio. Cami slowly wandered towards Caroline ready to take Hope from Caroline's arms. Cami offered Caroline a knowing smile as she retrieved the child. Caroline left a quick kiss on Hope's cheek and returned Cami's smile. As Caroline made her way to the table where Klaus, Rebekah and Stefan were sitting, she couldn't help but think. Perhaps she and Cami could actually be friends. She had enjoyed talking with the human bartender. Maybe once all this dream stuff is sorted out, Caroline would try to develop a friendship with Cami. Caroline took a seat between Stefan and Klaus.
"So we all can agree that we have each been plagued with dreams that cause us to, in a sense, watch over each other?" Rebekah asked, not sure where to start this conversation.
Klaus nodded to his sister, but his eyes were trained on Caroline. Caroline swallowed thickly. "Did Stefan go into detail about the witch?" She asked, not wanting there to be secrets, but not wanting to throw her best friend under the bus, either.
"I believe one of my dreams allowed me to see your witch." Klaus remarked.
"He didn't go into detail. We had decided that the four of us needed to talk." Rebekah explained.
Caroline nodded and exchanged a look with Stefan. "Annie, our witch, could sense where the spell had originated from." Klaus and Rebekah waited on baited breath. "We followed her spell to a cottage in the bayou."
Klaus' face twisted in confusion and anger. "Where exactly was this cottage?" Klaus' voice was deadly.
"Well, the wolves we ran into." Caroline didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as Klaus nearly leapt up from the table.
"Wolves? You came across wolves in the bayou and I am just finding out about this. None of them attacked you?" Klaus was confused. The wolves didn't take kindly to visitors, especially of the vampire variety.
"No, they didn't attack. They were actually pretty easy to talk to." Stefan admitted, giving Caroline an encouraging look. They needed to come out with the truth.
"The cottage where the spell was done." Caroline began. "The wolves told us, it belongs to Hayley." Caroline cast a side look over to where Cami was playing with Hope. "That's why we were searching for Hayley." Caroline said softly, making eye contact with Klaus. Her eyes pleaded with him to believe her and understand.
Klaus reached his hand out and laced his fingers with Caroline's. A small smile spread on his lips. "Bekah, dear. Please call the little wolf so we can get this sorted out."
Rebekah pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts. After a few seconds, she placed the phone up to her ear. All the occupants of the table could hear the ringing of the phone and the click when it jumped to voicemail. "What now?" Bekah mumbled, while putting her phone away.
Klaus wordlessly pulled out his phone and pressed the screen a couple of times. The vampires heard the phone ring and a familiar voice answered. "Elijah, I need a word."
"Niklaus." Elijah paused and there was a faint sound in the background. "Now is not a good time."
"That is too bad. This is urgent." Klaus growled.
The vampires listened as Elijah paused again. Some rustling was heard. "Can it wait?"
"No, it concerns out dear Sister." Klaus said with false sweetness, hoping Elijah would cave for Rebekah. Elijah was silent and Caroline's furrowed brows and confused look was reflected by the other vampires at the table. "Where are you, Elijah?" Klaus demanded, darkly.
"I'm at my apartment. I must go." Elijah hung up quickly.
"That was strange." Rebekah murmured.
"I agree. Elijah has been acting most peculiar lately. I believe in order to solve this blasted mystery, we need to pay my dear brother a visit." Klaus smirked.