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Another chapter for you lovely people! And a huge thank you to carasedrin for helping out again:)

Disclaimer: Don't own TVD.

Chapter Nine

Obstacles

"'Til all my sleeves are stained red from all the truth that I've said, come by it honestly I swear, thought you saw me wink, no, I've been on the brink, so."

Well, this is awkward, thought Caroline as she stared at the woman who gave birth to her, whilst a part of her mind was focused on the sensation of the man behind her… who just so happened to be the expecting father of her child.

"Mom…" The blonde said again, finally getting over her shock to give Liz Forbes a quick hug, before pulling her inside. "Come on in. This is… Klaus." Nervously, she put her hand on his elbow, as he looked down at her with a raised brow, unused to seeing her so shaken by anything. She smiled up at him, though anyone who knew her could tell it was forced. I am really not prepared for this meeting right now.

"So… You're Klaus?" Liz said, a cool expression on her face.

Klaus tore his curious eyes away from her, holding out a hand to her mother, immediately turning on the charm, a smile playing on his lips. "Yes. Pleasure."

"Hm." The older woman intoned, clearly unaffected by Klaus' efforts as she gripped his hand and gave it a firm shake. Her expression remained cool but Caroline could see distaste in her eyes.

Oh no, she realized, her stomach dropping, I still haven't told her about how Klaus decided he wants to be part of our baby's life… The last I told her about was our argument nearly a month ago… She probably still thinks he's the good-for-nothing douche I first described him as.

This is not going to go well. Oh God.

Still wearing her smile despite her panicked thoughts, she spoke again. "So Mom… I thought you were coming down tomorrow." Why didn't you just come tomorrow? I could have had a chance to explain before you met Klaus…

"I was but I finished all my paperwork so I decided to come down early and surprise you… which I see worked." She said, looking meaningfully at her daughter as if to ask what he was doing here. Caroline swallowed nervously, but met her gaze head on, practically begging with her eyes not to question it, that she would explain everything when they were on their own.

Klaus sensed the tension. "Perhaps I should take my leave." He said politely. Caroline was just about to agree when her mother interrupted.

"No, Klaus, do stay. I'd like to get to know the father of my grandchild better." She commanded in her no-nonsense-I'm-the-Sheriff-you-better-listen-to-me voice. How many times has she used this voice on me when I got in trouble? This is even worse than I thought.

It seemed her nervousness travelled somewhat to him as well when he turned back to them. "Right, of course." He replied, trying not to seem out of place, which of course only succeeded in making him seem more so. A small part of Caroline wanted to laugh at that; she'd never seen Klaus anything but suave and cool. He seemed almost scared of her mother. But the larger part wanted nothing more than to be out of this situation. I really should have just talked to her about everything sooner but I wanted to wait to explain everything face-to-face.

Oh how she regretted that now.

But I can't change it anymore; I'm going to have to make the best of it. And I was having a surprisingly nice night with Klaus too… I just can't catch a break, can I?

Resolve strengthened, she quickly played the perfect hostess, showing her mom in and making small talk while they settled. They quietly discussed the sleeping arrangements, Liz insisting she'd take the sofa bed in the living room so Caroline could keep her bedroom (considering she was pregnant and all). Klaus hovered silently in the background, not wanting to intrude but also carefully listening, as if trying to figure out what type of woman Liz Forbes was. Finally, with all the housekeeping stuff done, the three sat down in the living room and fell into silence.

Finally Liz broke it, stating what everyone was thinking. "Well then. This was somewhat unexpected. I didn't think you'd be here." She glanced at Klaus in slight accusation and he finally seemed to realize the fact that she didn't know what had happened between him and Caroline. He turned his gaze exasperatedly to the pregnant blonde, who shrugged in apology.

Still, he took it in stride. "Caroline and I have… improved our relations you could say." He said, trying to explain their situation.

Liz raised both brows at that. "Oh?"

Caroline winced at how his words could be taken. You're digging your own grave here Klaus. Knowing she needed to get on top of things before it all got worse, she took over. "Mom. Klaus and I have been talking a lot lately, we've both made our amends and… he's going to be a part of his baby's life." She said firmly and with complete sincerity, her hands resting momentarily on her stomach. We had a rough start but now we're here, and I'm going to make sure we keep a united front. She could feel Klaus' eyes on her now, as if he were surprised at her support. Despite her temptation to turn and meet her gaze she kept it firmly on her mother, not wanting to show anything less than solidity in this.

Liz stared silently at her daughter for a long moment before she turned her eyes to Klaus and they narrowed slightly. "Is that so? Tell me, Klaus, how is my daughter, furthermore my grandchild, going to be able to depend on you when it took you this long to decide to do so?"

"Mom!" Caroline exclaimed, shocked and embarrassed. Oh God, I really should have told her. She turned to Klaus, intending to apologize for her mother's behavior and get him out of here so she could properly explain the situation, when he stopped her with a soft hand on her forearm.

He shook his head sadly. "No, love, your mother has the right to question my motives…" Finally he went back to face Liz, letting his hand fall from her arm. "At first I was more than doubtful about my ability to be a father of any caliber, in fact I still am, but the more I thought of it… the more the idea that this child, my child, would grow up thinking that their father never even cared enough to be in their life… it was simply unseemly... unacceptable even." He swallowed then, pausing painfully, seemingly lost in thought. Caroline found she couldn't pull her eyes away from him, aware that a confession like the one he was giving now was a rare occurrence from him. It made her heart ache to hear the honesty in his words. "The more I thought of it, I found that even if I am a sorry excuse for a father, I want my child to know that I love him or her. I want my child to know me…" The blonde couldn't help but smile at him, amazed. He's so sure now, he's come so far… We both have. "It's thanks to Caroline that I've been able to take such a step forward… Your daughter will without a doubt be a wonderful mother. Of that I am sure." Now he glanced to her for the first time since he'd started his speech, putting a comforting hand on her knee. He smiled down at her slightly and Caroline felt her own lips pulling up in response.

Across from them on the armchair, her mother's gaze softened. "In that case, pleased to meet you, Klaus." She said, effectively breaking the spell between the two. They both turned back to Liz, noting that she now also wore a smile. "I am sure we will be seeing more of each other."

"Of course, Mrs. Forbes."

Finally, all the tension between the three was broken and they conversed with relative ease. Caroline tried to keep up but often found her thoughts drifting back to Klaus' words. Does he really mean all that? It sounded like he did… A small part of the blonde was still somewhat doubtful. It had always taken her a long time to trust someone completely, and even then she rather kept her innermost thoughts and feelings to herself. Perhaps it was to do with the insecurities she'd had as a teenager. Oh she'd been popular and all of that meaningless stuff, but it had been a persona, a façade. Rarely had she shown her true self. But, she'd changed since then. With her father's illness and his passing, she'd grown up faster than most.

Maybe she should just go on faith for once. Do what her heart was telling her instead of her head. Give in.

So, she relaxed slightly, and joined in the conversation Klaus was having with her mother. And of course, it had to be some overly embarrassing anecdote about her childhood. She was quick to defend herself but it only resulted in more laughter on her behalf. Finally, the night was coming to a close (or early morning now), all three occupants tiring after an extremely long and emotional day. The blonde was just happy she had a late shift at the hospital tomorrow; she wasn't sure she'd be able to handle working whilst being pregnant and overly exhausted.

Once again, Caroline saw Klaus out, though this time their goodbye was quick, both too tired to do much more than wave each other off. Plus, with her mother hovering in the background, she didn't really want to give into her impulse to steal another hug from him. She blamed her fatigue for that thought as she let him out, determined not to believe that she was feeling something other than friendship.

She went to help her mother with the sofa bed when Liz told her to just go get some rest, stating that she wanted a healthy grandbaby. Though she'd normally argue, Caroline decided to just let it go and walked into her room, crawling into her bed without changing, and promptly passed out.

Her dreams were surprisingly peaceful that night, despite the turmoil of her day. But in the morning she'd only remember startling blue eyes and a voice that soothed away all her fears.

Liz watched her daughter stumble tiredly into her room, a small fond smile playing at her lips. It was past two in the morning and she knew how Caroline hated to lose too much sleep so she was quick to send her off to bed.

Today had gone surprisingly different from how she'd expected. When she'd made her plans with Caroline, she really had thought she'd come in the morning. But the prospect of surprising her daughter tonight had been too good to pass up. Of course, when she'd arrived at midnight, she really had not thought that there would be a man walking out of her single, pregnant daughter's apartment.

And then said daughter had said his name and Liz's happy mood had promptly darkened. So this is the man that's been causing my baby girl so much trouble, she had immediately thought. Of course, in that moment it hadn't seemed as if he was causing any sort of trouble but the Sheriff of Mystic Falls was nothing if not protective and her mind had immediately jumped into 'dangerous mama-bear mode' as Caroline had dubbed it over the years.

Klaus. He was probably the least expected thing of the evening, both his actual being there in the first place and who he was as a person. From how her daughter had described him to her… well, it didn't paint him in a good light. So of course she had reacted as she did because of the expectations that Caroline had given her of him. Seeing them so amiable with each other had been more than confusing and she'd rightly demanded answers.

She was both relieved and happy at how her little interrogation had turned out; at least this way the berating she knew she'd get from Caroline in the morning would be worth it. She'd learned that her daughter had someone who was going to help her through her journey of motherhood, and it was the father too. Klaus, though obviously a smooth talker, also seemed genuinely interested in both mother and child. He wanted to do well by them, and that was the most Liz could ask for. Even if it didn't work out the way Caroline hoped, at least both she and Klaus had tried.

Still lost in thought, Liz moved around the living room, quickly figuring out how the sofa couch worked and pulling it out. Having stayed here a few times before, she found the bedding in the hall closet, just about to take it to her makeshift bed when something caught her eye. Putting the duvet she was carrying down, she picked up the white business card that was harmlessly lying on the small foyer table. It was the name that had made her pause.

Mikaelson Art & Antiquities

Niklaus Mikaelson CEO

It was obviously Klaus' but her mind went back to a man with the same name, one she hadn't seen in years, remembering so quickly partly due to the pretentiousness of someone name Mikaeal Mikaelson.

And Klaus' full name also reminded her of him, remembering he'd had a few children, one of them with the name Niklaus.

God, they're related.

This numbed Liz to her core. If the Klaus really was the son of that man… she shivered to think of it, remembering Mikael's cold, unremorseful eyes… the way he used fear to instill loyalty rather than love.

What will it mean for Caroline?

Though she wasn't sure of the answer, there was on thing she was sure of.

I can't let this happen.

But how do I stop it?

Caroline awoke the next day in an oddly good mood. Though it was nearly past noon when she was ready for work, she didn't feel any of the exhaustion that seemed to have been following her around since the start of her pregnancy. I guess I just needed a good old sleeping in. Still, it had its consequences, and she had to have a rushed brunch with her mom so she'd make it to the hospital on time. But she left her apartment with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. Even her mom's oddly subdued mood this morning hadn't brought her down.

Maybe everything will actually be okay, she began to hope.

Happily, she made her way to the hospital, when there quickly getting changed into her scrubs, ready for her shift. She made her rounds first, checking on the patients and making sure they were all comfortable and had the proper doses of whatever medication they were on. She took her time today, chatting with a few of them, which they responded well to, considering there was not much to do in a hospital room.

Finally she went back to the nurse's station and started on the tediousness that was paperwork. But even that didn't dampen her mood. She hummed as she flipped through the medical files making the necessary adjustments.

"You seem perky… Well perkier than usual." Stefan commented, white lab coat swishing around him as he stopped by the station, placing his load of folders for her on the desk and looking down at her in amusement.

"I do?" She asked, a little smile playing at her lips, as she rifled through the papers, double-checking everything was up to date.

"Yeah…" Her friend replied, trailing off. "Are you ok?" He inquired, curious as to what got her into such a good mood.

She nodded, laughing to herself. "I'm good. I'm great." It was true she realized. She hadn't felt this happy in a while. Oh, don't get her wrong, she was excited about the baby, looking forward to that next chapter in her life… but she'd always been extremely nervous too, worries she'd mess everything up. She still was, but to a lesser extent, because she knew she would have Klaus with her. So, yes she was happy.

She started in surprise when she felt Stefan moved forward and place a hand on her forehead, wearing a mock 'professional' expression on his face.

"What are you doing?" She asked, half-laughing as she stared up at him, questioning his sanity.

"Checking for a fever. Wouldn't want it to affect the baby's health as well." He commentedseriously, though his eyes were alight with humor.

Caroline rolled her eyes at his antics, reaching up and pulling his hand away from her forehead. "Stefan, I am not sick. I'm just happy." She crossed her arms over her chest, raising a brow in his direction.

"If you say so."

"I'm serious!"

Laughing, Stefan asked. "Ok, then what's got you in such a good mood?"

"Well… Let's just say things have changed… everything's just kind of looking up." She hesitated, but eventually got enough of the truth out.

Her friend looked at her knowingly. "Ah. Klaus."

"How did you-?" She looked at him confused. He couldn't know that.

He wore a triumphant grin. "I didn't. But thanks for confirming."

Quickly getting over her shock, Caroline couldn't help but be impressed by her friend's cunning. "Stefan Salvatore, you are surprisingly devious when you want to be."

"I do try. So tell me, what did Klaus do to up your spirits so much?"

For a moment she hesitated, wondering if she should tell him everything when a part of her want to keep it all to herself, something that was just for her. But then another part of her laughed at the idea. Why would I want to hide stuff about Klaus to Stefan? He's my best friend. I never hide things… Unless her feelings were deeper than they should be for Klaus… But no, that couldn't be it. Figuratively shaking herself out of it, she told him about the events of the night before, from the success of the dinner with the Mikaelson siblings, to the baby kicking in her apartment, to Klaus' speech and then finally winning the approval of her mother. She smiled as she told the story, happy that it turned out the way it did.

Stefan's lips pulled up in return. "Looks like everything's working out. I'm happy for you, Care. You and your kid really deserve to have this." He told her, genuinely meaning it.

"Thanks, Stef. But you know I wouldn't have made it this far without you." She said, reaching across the desk to poke him lightly in the shoulder.

"Stop. You'll make me blush." He replied with sarcasm.

She rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, yeah laugh it up, Salvatore. Don't think you'll never be on diaper duty. My baby's godfather is going to have to babysit quite a lot you know." Caroline mock lectured.

He raised a brow. "Oh will he."

"Mmhmm, and he's going to have to make his snazzy pasta tonight for my mom and I to make up for his crimes."

"Well, it has been a while since I've seen Liz…" He responded, considering. He and the Sheriff got along famously.

"I knew you'd see it my way." She said smugly as she rounded the corner of the nurse's station to stand by Stefan's side.

"Yes, Caroline, your powers of persuasion never ceases to wonder." Stefan replied dryly though she knew him well enough to see the happy glint in his eyes. The blonde laughed again, hooking her arm with his and walking down the hall.

Today is good.

Caroline sat patiently in the waiting room outside of her gynecologist's office, waiting for her appointment to be called out by the assistant. The dinner with Stefan and her mom had gone really well the night before. Liz had seemed better, like she'd resolved whatever problem had been bothering her that morning. Either way, the blonde was happy for her and they spent a really nice evening together. They'd also invited Bonnie but she'd already had a 'previous appointment' (which Caroline was pretty sure was a date but she'd wait for her friend to come tell her all about it instead of questioning her), so it had just been three of them. It was still a pleasant night considering Liz had known Stefan since high school and treated him almost like a son, especially since learning that he and Damon had been orphaned at quite a young age. So the dinner had been filled with motherly concern and familial banter.

The only odd thing, she thought, was that Liz had very conspicuously avoided mentioning Klaus, and if Caroline or Stefan alluded anything to him, she deftly turned the subject of conversation on another matter entirely. It confused the blonde greatly, as she thought the Sheriff and the father-to-be had gotten on fairly well after the initial bumps. Maybe she's still deciding what to think of him.

Deciding to put it out of her mind for now, she tried to focus on the generic magazine she held in her hands.

Of course, the sudden and completely unexpected arrival of Klaus in the waiting room stopped that from happening. Speak of the devil. Immediately spotting Caroline, he headed towards her, sitting down in the empty seat beside her.

"Klaus." She said, shocked. "I didn't think you'd be here. I thought you had a meeting today." One thing they'd agreed on so far was that Klaus would help her occasionally with the troubles of her pregnancy, not just raising their baby after he or she was born. It had actually been his idea to begin with, stating that he wanted to have at least a strong friendship with her so as to make raising the child between them easier. Even so, when Caroline had previously told him of her appointment today, he'd told her he couldn't make it.

"Well, I did but I rescheduled. I thought this was more important." He told her firmly, blue eyes sincere.

She swallowed nervously, and felt her cheeks warm a touch. "You really didn't have to do that." But I'm glad you did. She was really beginning to like this lack of hostility in them. It's about time we acted like adults, myself in particular in some cases.

He smiled at her now. "Yes I did. I thought it time to make my priorities clear."

"Thank you." She returned his grin.

"Of course, love. In fact, why don't we grab some lunch after if it doesn't take too long? My next meeting shouldn't start until two."

"I could agree to that."

"Fantastic." His smile widened, triumph sparkling in his eyes. Just that moment the receptionist called out her name, causing Klaus to stand up. "And I do believe that's us." He held his hand out to her. "Shall we?"

She wrapped her fingers around his with a wide smile of her own.

Caroline laughed again for what felt like the hundredth time since the start of their lunch with Klaus. The appointment had gone well; luckily, everything checked out and she was told that both herself and the baby were healthy. So by the time they got to the little bistro they'd decided to eat in they were both in a good mood. Klaus especially so; in fact, he'd begun to tell her some anecdotes from his childhood, opening up to her in a way he never had before.

Finally, in a lull of conversation, Klaus hesitated, seemingly unsure of what he was going to say next. Which was quite out of character, considering his usual confidence. "Caroline. I've been meaning to ask…"

"Yes?" She replied, trying to seem open to whatever he wanted of her. It's been going so well, I'd hate to have him close up on me now.

"Well, what shall we do about the living situation? I am not proposing our child go anywhere without you… however…"

"You don't know where you'd fit in…. and my apartment isn't exactly spacious enough for a child." She guessed, already seeing what he was getting at. She didn't at all expect what he asked next however.

"Why don't you both move in with me?"

"What?" Her immediate reaction was to protest angrily, thoughts of her own possible inadequacy consuming her. But Klaus put his hand on hers, forcing her gaze to meet his, trying to get her to calm down so she would listen.

"Hear me out." He requested firmly, something in his eyes causing her protests to die on her tongue, at least for the moment. "I've been thinking of this possibility for a while now. I think it could be perfect solution to our problems. Say you move in just a little before your expected labor. Get used to the house. You'd have your own suite, of course, perhaps in a more secluded area of the house so you could have your privacy and the baby would stay close to you. I'm not suggesting you stay forever but maybe you and the baby could stay with me for just the first year or so. That way we would both be on hand and help one another out with ease, and learn together how to raise our baby. Space wouldn't be much of an issue and it would give use both a chance to get on our feet with the whole situation. You shouldn't have to figure it all out on your own. And then by the time the year is up, you can find your place and we can discuss custody and all that… I simply think that figuring out how to raise the child separately when it is but a babe might do more worse than good." He finished laying out his idea, clearly well thought out, still staring at her in the eye.

Caroline sat in silence, still stunned at the suggestion. It really had come out of nowhere… though, in hindsight, he had been leaving hints about his concern. Though her first instinct was to be offended that he seemed to think she couldn't find a viable solution, she took a longer moment to consider it, not wanting to do anything rash. It's gotten me into stupid situations before… like when I told Klaus about the baby. No, I have to really think about this, not act like a child and throw a tantrum.

"So it would be more of a roommates type of situation than anything?" She asked a few minutes later, rolling the idea around in her mind. In a way, she supposed it made sense, certainly for logistics. In practicality it would make things easier. However, as with every human situation, there were also the social, emotional and mental aspects to consider. Could she handle uprooting her entire life when the baby came? Or even before it? Ok, maybe she was over exaggerating slightly there; she wouldn't be leaving town or anything… But still, she wasn't sure about the whole thing. Regardless of the benefits, it would be a major change and was a lot to ask. He does make a point though.

"I suppose you could say so yes." Said Klaus in response to her earlier question. This sent relief coursing through her. To be honest, this made the idea more appealing Caroline. It really would make the situation much like a business arrangement… This sounded better to her as she still couldn't quite figure out how she felt about Klaus… what he meant to her.

"Wow, when you said you wanted to get involved I really didn't expect this." She muttered, pulling away from him to lean back in her chair.

"And this means-?" Klaus ventured, clearly awaiting her answer.

Caroline interrupted, holding a hand slightly up, but her tone didn't have any hostility, trying to keep calm and rational. "It means I would like to take some time to think it over. I see your point and you make a good argument… but it's a big step. And I'm not sure I'm ready, or even want to take it. And even if I do, we'd have to talk conditions. I don't any charity." She stated firmly but not unkindly.

"It wouldn't be charity. I swear it." He replied steadily.

Caroline smiled, wanting to reassure him. "I know." She was surprised to find that, despite her initial reaction, the statement was true. "Nevertheless, there are certain boundaries we'd have to discuss." She continued, still not agreeing or disagreeing.

Klaus took this as encouragement, however, smiling at her. "Of course."

"But before we decide anything, I really do need time to think it over. I can't say anything right now… this is all a bit of a shock to be honest with you." She told him quietly, wringing her hands somewhat nervously. How am I ever supposed to make a decision like this?

"I understand, love. I didn't mean to add any stress to your plate." He said sincerely.

She shook her head. "You didn't. The opposite actually. I'm glad you've put so much thought into this." It was true; despite her shock and indecisiveness on the matter, she was relieved they were finally putting ideas out there. "We should still discuss other options though."

"I wouldn't accept anything less. Neither, I suspect, would you." He shot her a teasing grin, effectively changing the subject and breaking some of the tension between them.

Caroline's eyes narrowed but an amused grin began to take shape at her lips. "You're going to be quite the challenge, aren't you?"

He smirked now, leaning closer to her so all she could see was the utter blueness of his eyes. "Well, sweetheart, some things you simply can't change."

They lapsed back into normal conversation, speaking of nothing of importance. It was nice to have a break from the heavy topics actually. I need some time to think, that's for sure. Finally, towards the end of lunch, they said their goodbyes. But before Caroline could walk away completely, Klaus took her gently by the arm, making her meet his eyes again.

"Caroline, before you go, I just wanted to tell that even if you don't accept my proposal…. I want you to know that my door will always be open to you, no matter the situation." His gaze burned into her, the utter depth of both his sincerity and his desire for friendship and companionship shocking her still for a moment. She felt a slight burn begin in her cheeks under the intensity of his stare.

After a short second of silences, she got ahold of herself. "Thank you, Klaus. I appreciate it… and I might just take you up on that." She put her hand over his for the briefest moment.

Klaus smiled. "Good." Then, before she could react, turned his hand up under hers, pulling it up to his lips and placing a quick, fleeting kiss on the back of it, before turning and walking to his car.

Caroline was left gazing after him, once again reeling due to the sheer conundrum that was Klaus Mikaelson.

A day later, Caroline's mind was still clouded with thoughts of Klaus, or rather his very unexpected and perplexing offer. Luckily, her preoccupation had gone relatively unnoticed by those around her. She was especially relieved her mother hadn't noticed, she really didn't think she could answer questions about her predicament at the current moment. It was all still so confusing.

On the one hand, she understood completely where he was coming from. Her apartment, though large enough for a single adult would become cramped upon the birth of her child. Though babies were small, the stuff she would need to raise him or her would naturally begin to take up whatever space she had left. It's not that it couldn't technically work; it was just that there were other options available to her, better options. One of which Klaus was offering her. And of course, it wasn't just about the space and whatnot, it was also about his relationship with their baby. After all, if she was primary caretaker from the very beginning, it would become harder and harder for Klaus to have a meaningful place in the baby's life… and that was exactly what he didn't want. When he said he wanted to be part of their lives, he had meant it.

On the other hand, however, this situation would bring up about more problems as well… The foremost being boundaries. Living together wasn't just being part each other's lives, it was being an integral part of it. While she understood why he would want that, Caroline wasn't sure she was ready to let someone into her life like that. Even if it was more of a 'roommate' situation, she would be in close quarters with Klaus for quite a long time… How was she supposed to handle these unwanted and unprecedented feelings that always popped up when he was around? Besides that, what if they got into a major argument? What if they ruined whatever vestiges of friendship they had managed to build? What if they were horrible parents together?

Conversely, what if together they were all the better? And what if it made their friendship stronger and made her fledgling feelings for him fade away?

But still… And what if Klaus suddenly decides he doesn't want this anymore… what he abandons us?

No! He wouldn't do that… Would he?

God! Why does this have to be so hard? I'm getting nowhere, just talking myself in circles!

Caroline frowned to herself, realizing she really needed to talk this out with Klaus. Knowing that it was necessary, she decided she'd drop by his house. It's a Saturday so I'll likely be able to catch him… and he did tell me his door was open to me. Decision made, the blonde was quick to leave to his place, aware that if she waited to long she'd just begin doubting herself.

A short while later, she found herself standing outside the imposing door of the Mikaelson mansion, nerves getting the best of her. Finally steeling herself she knocked. When there was no reply for a long time, she knocked again, this time calling out as well, not wanting to concede that nobody was there. "Hello? Klaus? You home?" No reply.

Just as she was about to admit defeat, the door abruptly opened and she turned back around in shock.

"Caroline." She got by way of greeting, the man's voice in his usual cultured tone.

"Oh, Elijah." She replied, surprised by the vision of the elder Mikaelson brother standing in the foyer. Quickly getting over it, she smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Sorry I didn't mean to just come here like this but Klaus said to drop by whenever… Speaking of your brother, is he here?" She finally asked, feeling awkward standing alone with the rather imposing man.

He shook his head in a negative, tucking one hand into his dress pants. (Does he always wear suits? Seriously?) "I'm afraid not. He and Rebekah went out a short while ago."

"Oh…" She murmured, disappointed. She really wanted to figure this out before the worrying would eat her alive. "Well in that case, I'll just be going. Will you let him now I came by?"

Instead the affirmative she'd expected, Elijah looked down at her curiously. "Caroline, if I may, you look troubled." He told her, his serious voice tempered by sincerity. "Perhaps I could be of some assistance."

Now that surprised her. What is it with the Mikaelson brothers and making me offers I don't expect? "I don't know." She replied, unsure. Much as she liked Elijah, she really didn't know him and she didn't believe she'd be comfortable having a personal conversation.

"If it concerns my brother, I do consider myself an expert." He told her with slight sardonic amusement, before once again returning to his usual seriousness. "Please, at least let me offer you a drink. I insist. Besides, I am to be uncle to your child, after all, in my eyes that would make us family as well."

"O-Ok." Caroline was shocked but hesitantly gave in, allowing him to guide her inside the house and to the kitchen. I didn't realize Elijah put so much stock in family… Also, the idea that he was indeed going to be an uncle to her baby dazed her; it hadn't crossed her mind before that by letting Klaus into her life, she was also significantly expanding her baby's family, and, as Elijah said, her own.

In the kitchen, Elijah helped her into one of the high bar-type stools that stood by the island counter. He then went about putting their drinks together, deferring to Caroline when she said she could only drink decaf coffee. Finally, he spoke, turning to her momentarily. "I must say, you are not the woman who I'd expect to have an… entanglement with Niklaus."

"No? How come?" She asked curiously.

"Well, you seem to actually care for him. And you have a stabling influence, I suppose you could say." He smiled genuinely at her then. "You're unexpected, Caroline… but not unwanted."

The blonde was utterly flattered and honored by both his acceptance and his praise. "I don't quite know what to say to that… Thank you." She said quietly in return, sending him a small, sweet smile. It made her happy to know she now had Klaus' siblings, well some of them, on her side along with Klaus himself.

He nodded gravely. "You are most welcome. Now, why did you decide to seek my wayward brother out?"

Caroline hesitated, unsure how to put it. She wasn't sure if Klaus wanted him to know just yet. Deciding not to risk it, she kept it vague. "He made me an interesting offer."

"Oh?" He lifted a brow, amusement sparkling in his dark eyes as he recognized her tactic. I'm beginning to see why Kat likes him so much.

"Elijah…" She paused, not wanting to be offensive but also unsure how to phrase the question she wanted, no, needed to ask. Finally, she just went for it. "Is Klaus the type of person to stick to his commitments? Or is he more likely to… abandon something if he's not ready for it?" She winced slightly at how distrustful she could sound to the elder Mikaelson brother; in reality she wanted more to assuage her own fears and insecurities than anything else. It's not that she didn't trust Klaus, she just wasn't sure.

"Sounds complicated, but that is how it tends to be when involved with Niklaus." He commented dryly, not taking her queries offensively, much to her relief. "My brother is a complicated man, after all. But I will tell you this; he never breaks his word. Oh, he might fight against it at times, struggle against the confines of whatever promise he made you… But he will not break it."

"So you're saying I just have to have faith that he won't…" She just managed to stop herself from saying 'abandon me. Swallowing, she quickly changed the question slightly. "That he'll keep his word?" That I have to believe in him?

He nodded but continued on. "I am saying that my brother is more than the façade he puts up. And that at times it will be hard to see past it. But when you do you will see-"

"-A good man." She interceded, lost for a moment in her own thoughts. She missed the grateful and pleased smile that Elijah sent her.

"Indeed." He affirmed, coming to sit at her side.

"Well, you've certainly given me a lot to think about. Thank you, Elijah, for answering so honestly." Caroline said after a long moment, staring down at her coffee cup before looking back up to him with a smile.

"My pleasure, my dear."

They lapsed back in relative silence, slowly drinking as they continued to think. Though Caroline knew Klaus hadn't promised her anything, he had certainly been determined and truthful about his off… and now going off Elijah's claims, she could certainly trust that. Though she'd trusted him before, the other Mikaelson had managed to wipe away some of her doubts and for that she was truly grateful…

Now the only question was, could she trust herself to be around Klaus in such a manner and not do something… foolish?

Caroline frowned.

Looks like I still have quite a bit of thinking to do.

For a moment, she hesitated, her finger hovering over the call button on her phone. For the past few days she'd thought long and hard about what to do to solve she found her daughter in with Klaus Mikaelson. And finally Liz had come to one viable conclusion. Only, it wasn't one she particularly liked. But what else can I do?

She pressed her thumb down and dialing tone sounded. She waited silently, sitting heavily in her daughter's living room couch. In that instant, she found herself filled with doubt, thinking of how happy and relaxed Caroline had been this past week. But then she thought once more of Mikael, and her resolve strengthened again.

Finally, she heard someone pick up her call.

"Liz." The familiar female voice said in greeting, tone shocked and extremely wary. "I must I'm surprised to see you've called. It's been a long time."

"Yes, it has." It had almost been twenty years now since they had last spoken… and their friendship had not ended on the best of terms. "But I felt it was time considering the circumstances."

This peeked the woman's interest, her tone of voice now reminiscent to how she used speak to Liz when they were roommates in college, curious about one another's adventures or whichever guy they were crushing at the time. Ironic that it was a man that eventually got between us. "Circumstances? What circumstances?" Her old friend asked.

This time it was Liz who was shocked; she really had thought the other woman would be aware of what was going on. "You don't know…"

"Know what? Liz?"

"You don't that your son has been running around with my daughter." She stated.

"Whatever do you mean?"

Liz sighed heavily preparing herself to tell the full, long story of Klaus and Caroline. "Oh, Esther, there's even more."

…. Ehe. Cliffhanger ;) I know, I'm evil. But don't worry, all will be explained soon.

Anyways, thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

RW