A/N: Hey everyone! New chapter! Thanks for all the comments and reviews last time, they made my day! I hope you like this update, things are moving along now!

Enjoy!

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"Don't tell me you are going back to the office now?" Klaus said as Elijah put on his thick black coat over his suit. It was dark out, nearly eight in the evening on a Friday. Klaus knew Elijah was dedicated to his job but surely even he must take time off on occasion.

Caroline laughed then from her spot on the couch, looking up from the notes in her lap. Klaus had to admire her own dedication to her clients. "He does this every Friday night. Never explains where he is going just there he has paperwork to do."

"Being a lawyer is demanding, Caroline, as you well know." Elijah pointed out with a sigh as he reached through his pockets for his keys.

"Yeah but how much paperwork do you have that keeps you at the office late every Friday? Even Damon stays on top of his paperwork and that's his least favourite part of the job." She replied as she settled further into the couch. Things were getting better now, it had only been a few days but Liam had quickly warmed up to Klaus and Caroline was thankful he hadn't pushed the thought of them getting back together anymore after that first conversation. Klaus always knew when to push her and when to give her space.

"I can't believe you work with Damon Salvatore now." Klaus mused, "Especially considering Stefan is more into my line of work."

"I think that's why Damon went into defence, actually." Caroline replied, "To help keep Stefan out of trouble."

Klaus chuckled, "The Ripper has quite a reputation in certain circles."

"Well why you reminisce about past criminal activities I shall be getting some proper work done." Elijah cut in, his eyes scanning the room for his keys.

"They are on the table." Caroline pointed to him, smiling as Elijah retrieved the items in question. "Seriously though Elijah, what do you do? I've seen your case load, the paperwork is minimal."

"I think he buys more suits." Klaus teased with a smirk causing Caroline to laugh.

"Liam thinks he fights crime like Spiderman."

"I'll see you children later." Elijah scowled, "Tell Liam I said 'Goodnight'". He finished before disappearing out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

"He's isn't doing paperwork, is he?" Caroline asked.

Klaus chuckled, "Probably not."

/

Klaus woke up early the next morning, sunlight streaming in through the gap in his curtains. He had moved into one of the spare rooms in the house, near to Liam's. The last three days he had spent getting to know his son were amazing, Liam was a clever little boy with a lot of energy and Klaus found himself smiling every time he noticed Caroline or himself in the boy. They had never talked about having children, with his criminal activities and her law degree it wasn't a conventional thing to think about but Liam Henrik Mikaelson was perfect. Klaus beamed with pride every time he saw his son and he knew then that he wouldn't want a child with anyone else but Caroline.

He was only sorry for the way it happened, the consequences she had to suffer while he was inside. He knew he would spend the rest of his life making it up to Caroline, and to Liam. He could only pray it was enough.

Klaus got out of bed quickly, throwing on a grey Henley over his pyjama pants with a yawn as he made his way downstairs to make a coffee. Caroline was probably still asleep and he wasn't even sure if Elijah came home last night or if he was still at the office.

He waited for the kettle to boil as he fixed himself a cup of coffee, stirring the contents as a beeping sound came from the table. Klaus frowned slightly before reaching out for his phone. It was the old one he had before he got released from prison, his eyes softened slightly at the image of him and Caroline on the menu screen.

His face hardened quickly as he read the message though.

Heard the Hybrid was out. I think it's about time we had a catch up. Usual place. Marcel.

Klaus knew Marcel would find out about his release soon enough, he just wasn't expecting him to be in contact so quickly. Klaus sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. If he didn't go then Marcel would just seek him out, Caroline mentioned that Marcel had taken over the business from Klaus after his arrest and Klaus knew his protégé craved the power that came from running the city.

He was pulled out of his musings by the sight of Liam walking into the kitchen, his stuffed wolf under one arm, wearing his pyjamas.

"Hey, mate." Klaus greeted with a smile, throwing the phone on the kitchen counter.

"Is mommy up yet?" He asked tiredly, his hair in disarray on his head.

"Not yet, but I'll make you some breakfast if you like?" Klaus suggested, eager to spend more time with his son.

Liam nodded, "Okay, Nik."

"How does pancakes sound?"

Liam's stormy blue eyes lit up, "Blueberry ones are my favourite."

"Mine too." Klaus smiled as he got to work.

He found all the ingredients he needed in the kitchen and got Liam to help him stir the batter before cooking the pancakes, making sure to add extra blueberries. He was just plating up the pancakes when Caroline walked into the kitchen, already dressed in a business suit for work. She smiled at the sight before her.

"What are you two up to?" She asked, moving over to the fridge to pour herself a glass of orange juice.

"Nik made pancakes, they are really yummy!" Liam said around a mouthful of pancake.

Caroline smiled, "Yeah, he does make the best pancakes." She said thinking back to the many breakfasts in bed Klaus brought her, pancakes were his speciality dish.

"I think your mom has me beaten on the baking front. Her brownies are to die for." Klaus smiled as he tucked into his own pancake.

"Why would you die for them?" Liam asked curiously causing both of his parents to laugh.

"It's just an expression, Kiddo." Caroline explained.

"It means they are really yummy." Klaus added poking the little boy's side causing him to laugh.

"We have to get you dressed, Liam. Auntie 'Bekah will be here soon." Caroline reminded him.

Liam smiled widely, "Is she taking me to school today?" he asked before climbing off his seat, "I drew her a picture!" he finished as he raced out of the room eagerly.

Caroline and Klaus stared after him for a moment before he raced back into the room clutching a piece of paper behind his back.

"I drew one for you too, Nik." He stated proudly as he held the paper out to him. Klaus took it, a smile on his face. It was of a tiger with a large face coloured in orange with black pieces on it.

"That's brilliant, Liam." Klaus commented, "I think I will keep this in my wallet."

Liam's smile grew bigger as he left the room to brush his teeth.

"He likes you, you know." Caroline smiled, "He is normally shy around new people but with you… he seems comfortable, happy."

"We're family, love, that's how it's meant to be." Klaus reminded her.

"I know, it's just nice to see." She replied as she walked out of the room to help Liam get ready for school.

It was only a little while later that Rebekah arrived, Klaus opened the door to her with a smile and the blonde immediately flew at him.

"Nik!" She squealed happily as she wrapped him in a tight hug. Klaus chuckled and returned her hug.

"Hello, Rebekah."

She pulled back to slap his arm, "You've been out for three days and I only just find out now?" She demanded, "Not to mention all that crap about none of us being allow to visit you in prison. We need to talk about that!"

"I've missed you too, little sister." He smirked.

"I have missed you." She admitted, "I still think you're an arse."

Klaus chuckled then and the pair were interrupted by the sound of Liam calling Rebekah's name. She smiled and opened her arms up as Liam raced into them.

"Auntie 'Bekah!" Liam shouted happily.

Rebekah smiled, "How is my favourite little guy doing today?"

"Okay." He smiled, "Nik made pancakes!"

Rebekah looked over at Klaus briefly with confusion before returning her attention to Liam, "Well we better get you to school, Liam. I have a present for you in the car."

Liam clapped his hands together before running to the car parked on the drive.

"He calls you Nik?" She asked, "Wait, you do know Liam is your…"

"I know he's my son, Rebekah. He just doesn't know it yet. Caroline doesn't want to tell him until we sort everything out and I respect that decision." Klaus replied.

Rebekah scowled slightly, "Fine, but we need to talk soon, properly." She insisted.

Klaus nodded briefly before waving her and Liam off as Rebekah drove away. Marcel's message was still turning over in his mind as he shut the front door behind them.

/

"Here he is!" Marcel stated with glee, "The Hybrid has come home."

Klaus didn't say anything as he walked further into the room that use to be his office down by the docks in an old warehouse. It was a convenient location for his work, the docks were secluded and he could monitor the shipments of weapons that were travelling overseas. He wanted to be anywhere but here but he knew seeing Marcel again was evitable and he would rather it be on his own terms.

Marcel walked over to him, pulling him in for a hug. Klaus stiffly returned it, one hand patting his back awkwardly.

"I was told you took over." Klaus said, "Thought I would make sure you aren't running it into the ground."

Marcel chuckled then, "I always liked your sense of humour." He said, "But as you can see the place is still standing. I was just keeping things running until you got out."

"We both know you like the feeling of power too much to step aside for me. You've done a good job here, perhaps its better left in your capable hands." Klaus suggested with a coy smile as he walked around the room he use to know like the back of his hand. His eyes stopped on the sleek black desk in the middle of the office. Images of Caroline spread across it as he made love to her flashing through his mind.

"I was thinking we could be equal partners this time." Marcel replied, "I've just secured a new job, a big shipment for a guy named Silas. If we pull this off it means big money."

"But of course, the greater the job, the greater the risks. The police must be watching this place closely after my arrest. Draw to much attention and things are going to get ugly, Marcellus." Klaus pointed out.

"Think of the power we would get from this job, Klaus. No one would dare challenge us again, we'd be back on top running this city. I need you to help me do that, you're the Hybrid after all. People fear that name."

Klaus sighed knowing he had to be blunt, "I'm done."

"You're done?" Marcel asked in equal disbelief and confusion.

"I can't do this anymore, Marcel. I don't want to go on this job and I have no desire to get involved with this again." Klaus said plainly, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. He could feel the picture Liam drew in folded up in his pocket.

Marcel laughed shortly, "Did prison mess with your head?"

"No," Klaus replied, "It gave me a wakeup call. I lost everything that mattered to me because of our business." He sighed running a hand through his hand, "I have a son now, I can't risk going back to jail and missing more of his life."

"Well, I knew you were many things, Klaus, but I never had you down as a coward." Marcel smiled menacingly.

"Don't you dare," Klaus warned in a low tone, "I was the one that picked you up from a gutter. You would be dead if it wasn't for me. I seem to recall a time when you were throwing up as I got my hands dirty, gutting a man for betraying us." He reminded him, "If anyone's a coward, Marcellus, it's you."

Marcel nodded, "We'll see about that but I promise you one thing, Klaus: You'll be back. You will screw up trying to do the right thing and you will be right back here because it doesn't matter how hard you try. You will never be able to wash the blood off your hands."

Klaus grabbed his harshly by the collar, slamming him up against the nearest wall as Marcel laughed, "Once a criminal, always a criminal." He taunted.

"You know what I am capable of so I am only going to say this once. Back off or there might just be some more blood on my hands." Klaus warned as he gave Marcel a shove.

He turned and started walking away, his anger boiling as he heard Marcel call out to him, "I'll see you around, Klaus Mikaelson."

/

Tension! So what did you think? Favourite line/scene? Let me know!

Please review! The encourage me to keep writing and I love hearing your thoughts on this story! Thank you!

Next chapter we see some more Rebekah, another Klaroline conversation and another flashback!