A/N - My apologies for the delay but I do have a good reason. I do background work in movies and tv when I can for fun, those people you see walking around in scenes to make it look realistic, and I've been working on a pilot that stars an actor named Shane Coffey - he played Tim, Davina's love interest in TO earlier this season. The pilot is called The Novice and I hope it gets picked up. It was a lot of fun to work on and this actor is really good. Didn't get to meet him but still... =)

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I originally uploaded this last night but a story alert wasn't sent out – thank you Ellavm18 – so trying again. If you're already read this, thank you for your patience.

Considering I'd been staying in the mansion for many days now, I was used to the normal calm atmosphere of the house. I was totally unprepared for the chaos I met with when I made it downstairs in time for dinner that evening. There were voices everywhere in the mansion, a buzz of activity.

Kol met me at the bottom of the stairs. I could have tried to avoid him, but decided to get this over with. He was Klaus' brother and I would need to find my own way to deal with him now that he was back. That didn't, however, mean I was going to let him get the best of me for any reason. Crossing my arms across my chest, I looked him in the eye. Kol grinned then.

"So the beautiful Caroline finally emerges from a night with my brother," he teased. "How are you, darling?"

I nodded, smiling back at him. "Yeah, okay. Get it out of your system."

"You don't deny it." His smile widened. "What a relief. It was quite frustrating watching your endless games with Niklaus when it was so obvious how much you wanted each other."

"You watched?" I'd forgotten about what he'd revealed when he'd spoken to Jeremy. When he'd been on the other side, Kol had apparently been able to see whatever he liked.

"My family? Absolutely," Kol assured me. "You were especially interesting to me because I'd never seen my brother so taken with a woman before. At least without a motive that benefited him greatly but there were never any real emotions attached to any of those. You're the only one he spent hours drawing pictures of, even after he left Mystic Falls to come here."

Well that stopped me cold. Klaus had spent hours drawing me? That he'd thought about me that much made me feel lit up from the inside, warm.

"And watching you was hardly boring, even though how you felt was a little less obvious," Kol went on. "Still you didn't get rid of the drawing he did for you. And I love those little shorts you wear to bed that say pink across the back."

I shoved him playfully out of my way as I finished the stairs and stepped into the living room with him following me. "Then consider me so glad you were back on this side before last night happened."

"As enormously grateful I am to be back on this side, I can't say I would have minded –"

Klaus clasped his brother's shoulder tightly enough to cut him off.

"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you, brother," Klaus warned him, smirking.

Ignoring Klaus, Kol kept his attention on me. "When you tire of my brother here, and I imagine it won't take you long, I'll be waiting in the wings, darling."

"Well, I'm waiting for an explanation of where the X-Box came from and why my girls are setting it up," Clarice's voice came from behind them. "I don't let them play video games."

Kol gave me a conspiratorial wink before turning to face his descendant. "Guilty. I thought it would be a bit of fun for the girls. It would give us something to bond over since you'll be living here."

Clarice's jaw dropped. "Living here? Wait, I –"

"We'll talk about it," Elijah approached us, looking impeccable as always in a dark gray suit. "As a family, over dinner if that suits you."

Looking at each of the three brothers, Clarice shook her head. I felt sorry for her because she didn't know what she was getting into with the original family.

"Talk?" she asked.

Elijah nodded. "We'll talk and see if we can come to an agreement."

"I'm not promising anyone anything," Clarice told him.

"I understand," Elijah said easily. But I could tell from the set of his features that he had a strategy and didn't plan on taking no for an answer. "Dinner will be ready shortly."

Kol strolled without a worry towards a corner of the living room where the girls anxiously worked at opening a box that held an enormous flat screen TV. The X-Box package was there with a stack of games for it that had probably cost hundreds of dollars. Clarice was on his heels.

"Where's Rebekah?" I asked Klaus who was ushering me to the hallway, in the direction of the library.

"Apparently, she is with a friend of mine," Klaus explained, not appearing happy about it.

Marcel. I'd promised her I wouldn't say a word on our trip to Virginia, so I let it go.

Closing the huge door to the library behind us, Klaus gently pushed me against it. "I needed a small taste of you before dinner," he whispered against my lips.

Then he set about kissing me until I was squirming between him and the door. One hand held the back of my neck, the other at the small of my back kept me pressed against him intimately. The hot, hard length of him nudged at me as he explored my mouth as if he'd never kissed me before. Klaus moaned into my mouth, a deep hungry sound that I felt in every inch of my body. The heat and yearning at my core was quickly growing unbearable despite the fact that I was still recovering from last night.

When his lips seared my neck, I gasped for breath. "If you keep kissing me like this, I don't think I'll be able to make it to dinner."

"You want me as desperately as I want you." His breath was hot in my ear.

Groaning, I nodded.

"All you have to do is make it through dinner, Caroline," he continued, "and after that, I'll be happy to take you back to our room and finish this. I'll pleasure you for hours."

That promise stole my breath. One of his thighs pressed between mine, applying pressure where I needed it most and all I could do is cling to him, wanting more. The sexy smile he wore told me that he loved the trembling state he'd reduced me to.

"Dinner?" I asked weakly.

Now the dimples were out, I was melting. "Dinner. We need to get to know our new family members, get them settled."

The witches. I knew they'd be important to him, especially now that Tyler was busy creating hybrids.

"Clarice came to talk," I explained, trying to straighten myself up on shaking knees.

Reluctantly Klaus stepped back, but only allowing me space to breathe. His forearms were still braced against the door on either side of me, his lips close to mine.

"And talk we will," he assured me. "She will be of great use to us."

"Be careful," I told him. We hadn't made time to talk last night about all that happened. "She's powerful, Klaus."

"I'm counting on it." He was smirking, I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind.

"No, you have to understand something. I haven't seen anything like her," I explained. "Bonnie is a Bennett witch, from a powerful line. She became even stronger after Shane taught her the expression stuff. But still that much magic took its toll on her. Bringing Jeremy back killed Bonnie. This woman, Clarice? I watched her drop the veil to the other side allowing Kol and Ric to return. Clarice brought both of them back and she didn't even seem that phased afterwards."

"The teacher was also returned?"

I nodded. He had to remember Ric considering he'd inhabited his body the first time we ever dealt with him.

My words were meant as a warning. Anyone but Klaus might have taken me seriously. Instead, he looked more excited.

"And the girls?" Klaus asked. "Have you seen any evidence of their capabilities?"

"Not yet, but they are supposed to be stronger than her and -"

"You haven't seen what they can do?"

"No and she's a strict mom type, you know, and –"

"Oh, she'll be made to see reason."

Klaus claimed my mouth for a kiss, stepping back in to press against me. Whatever argument I'd been about to make, was wiped away by sheer desire. One of his hands caught in my hair, the other was skimming under the blouse I wore.

I jumped when someone knocked on the door behind me. Klaus paused, allowing me to catch my breath.

"Niklaus, would you and Caroline join us for dinner?" Elijah asked from the other side of the door.

Klaus was annoyed but relented. "We'll be there in a moment."

Blowing out an exhale, Klaus took a step back. "I'll just have to ravish you later then."

He straightened my blouse, began trying to smooth my hair. Rolling my eyes at him, I swatted his hands away and made sure everything was in place. I followed him out of the library, letting him lace his fingers with mine, holding hands as we walked down the hallway. Klaus was a villain, he was a god in bed. But he was charmingly old-fashioned about certain things and sometimes I didn't know if he even realized that about himself. I smiled at our joined hands as we made our way to the dining table.

Klaus pulled out a chair for me at his right then had a seat at the head of the table. Elijah sat the other end. Rebekah, I was glad to see she was there now, and Kol were on my side of the table with the witches on the other side. The girls appeared to be trying not to laugh about something and kept looking at Kol, who was grinning back at them.

The servers began to bring elegant trays of food to the table, a beautiful pork roast being one of the center dishes, and began serving all of us. Elijah directed his attention to Clarice who looked like she felt out of her element. Having grown up middle class and not used to the finer things, I understood how she felt. Her daughters watched everything in fascination.

"Clarice," Elijah began, "thank you for accompanying Caroline and Rebekah from Virginia to meet with us. Thank you also for returning our brother Kol."

Pulling her napkin to place on her lap, she nodded to Elijah while her girls scrambled to do as their mother did.

"Caroline explained what's been going on with the werewolf girl and her… and the hybrids," Clarice said, apparently choosing her words carefully. Powerful as she was, she was wise to be cautious with the dangerous family. "All of this poses a threat, even to my kind, so I came to see if I can help since my family has descended from yours."

"And we're very grateful you have, Clarice." Elijah smiled warmly.

"But," Clarice went on, "while I'm glad to help, I did want to establish some parameters on the time we're here. I don't mean to seem rude but I have a life back home and my girls here to think of."

"Of course," Elijah told her, not seeming surprised at all. "We'll be happy to help you in any way you can. I understand you have an online business and homeschool your children. We can give you an office here, a room for school, any computer or equipment needs. Tell us what you require."

Rebekah and Kol were cracking up over the girls trying to figure out all the silverware around their plate. Klaus hadn't begun his meal, listening to his brother's conversation with the witch with great interest. I silently hoped that he remembered what I tried to tell him.

"I have my laptop and the kids' school books. No need to go to all of that trouble when we're only here temporarily, right?" Clarice asked.

That pulled Kol's attention to Clarice. "Why on earth would you want to go back to that squalor? You can live here, in a mansion, with anything you or your girls desire. You'll be protected here from anyone who comes looking for you because of your relationship with us."

Kol really did seem to care about them even though he was just getting to know them as we all were. His obvious concern made me feel better.

"I can take care of us," Clarice assured him, confident. "We're perfectly safe back home and we get by."

Elijah considered her words carefully. "You're quite right, Clarice. But while you all are here, we have can do much to make your life easier."

Clarice's sigh whispered across the table. "I appreciate that. I do. I just want it understood from the beginning that we're here to help, on my terms, and then we're going home."

The girls looked disappointed but didn't say anything. Kol looked about to speak but Elijah held up a hand to stop him.

I glanced at Klaus to find him staring at the witch hard, his jaw tight. I willed him to look at me. I willed him with everything I had to be silent but I knew we weren't that lucky. I even thought about kicking him under the table.

Klaus allowed no one, not even his family, to dictate to him and I could tell by the way he was staring Clarice down that a confrontation was coming.

"You get by," Klaus said, leaning forward to fold his hands in front of him on the table. His expression as he locked gazes with Clarice was deceptively calm. "How is it that a witch with all the alleged power you claim to possess merely gets by?"

Here we go…

Clarice either didn't realize the danger she was facing in a confrontation with the original hybrid or felt like she could handle him. And I honestly hoped, for her sake, it was the latter. She didn't seem surprised or uncomfortable at all at his question.

"Once upon a time, our family enjoyed some wealth and comfort," Clarice explained to him. "I'm sure it had much to do with your brother here who looked after our family from one generation to the next. And I'm sure they were very grateful to you, Kol."

Kol nodded his acknowledgement as she went on.

"But some time ago, our family lost our benefactor and had to become self-reliant. Witches are servants of nature and it's an abuse of our power to use it solely for selfish gains. Add to that the fact that each generation, our powers grow stronger. Each of us has had to deal with that, to learn to use that power responsibly. It's not an easy task and has an impact on every aspect of your life."

Klaus smirked at her. "That's all very noble, Clarice, but I'm still stuck on the part where you are dictating to my family, to me, what your role will be and the duration of it."

"Niklaus," Elijah broke in.

Klaus ignored him.

"I was told that you needed my help," Clarice told him with a smile playing about her lips. "I'm putting my life on hold and exposing my girls to things I'd really rather they not be exposed to in order to come and help you. Did I miss something?"

"Klaus," I tried to get his attention, placing a hand on his. But he was glaring at her now. He didn't look my way. Gently he clasped my hand in his and moved it away as he rose from the table.

Elijah also rose from the table, just as Klaus came to a stop behind Clarice.

"Not you, nor anyone else, will ever dictate to me," Klaus said fiercely, leaning down to get in Clarice's face. Her girls scrambled away to the other side of the table to stand behind Kol and Rebekah. "Do you understand?"

Clarice's eyes were wide as she stared up at him, but she said nothing.

"Nik!" Rebekah looked appalled.

Clarice rose from her chair, stepping behind it to face him. Elijah quickly stepped in front of Clarice.

"Niklaus, brother, I'm sure Clarice means no disrespect," Elijah explained carefully. "She also doesn't understand how matters are normally dealt with in our family."

"I'm instructing her, brother." Klaus grin widened. Peering around his brother, he spoke directly to Clarice. "You, my dear, are part of this family. You've acknowledged that. As part of this family, you will serve our purposes if you are that powerful, be loyal, and remain with us. If you can manage to do that, as my brother so generously offered already, you will be well taken care of."

Elijah stayed between them, looking ready to defend Clarice if he had to. Kol had also risen from his seat, I noticed he placed a comforting hand on Mary's shoulder. The younger girl glanced up at him with trust.

"But make no mistake," Klaus warned. "If you betray this family or defy us in any way, your life will be misery."

I expected Clarice to be terrified at this point. But if she were worried at all, it didn't show. She took a step to Elijah's right, folding her arms across her chest.

"So you're threatening me?" Clarice asked. "You're threatening us. That includes my kids and no one threatens my kids."

There was that eerie feeling in the room that I'd experienced when Clarice had brought the veil down back at the school. It took me a moment to realize that it was emanating from the witch and just how strong it was. I knew she was aiming that power at Klaus because I watched him begin to tremble, his fists clenching, veins popping out on his neck as he endured whatever it was she was doing.

Apparently, Elijah also caught it, being in her way. After a moment, he dropped to his knees on the floor, shaking as he experienced whatever it was the witch was doing. Elijah finally cried out in pain.

"Elijah," Rebekah yelled, getting ready to head around to help. I grabbed her elbow to stop her. I didn't want her to get caught in it.

I'd tried to warn Klaus about Clarice. And the thing that worried me was the fact that she hadn't moved. Bonnie, Dr. Martin, other witches I'd seen, did motions with their hands to use their power – as if to guide it, to control it. Clarice still stood with her arms folded across her chest, looking like she was just watching some display. The witch gave no appearance that she was doing anything at all.

Elijah yelled again, Klaus shook hard now where he stood. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Clarice," I begged her.

Blowing out an exhale, she glanced at me. The weird energy I felt in the room evaporated. Elijah slumped where he was on his knees in the floor. Klaus' stance relaxed as he stared at Clarice with anger, sure, but something like awe was also in his expression.

"I apologize," Clarice said to Elijah as she helped him to stand.

Elijah's expression was one of shock as he glanced at her, accepting her help. And who could blame him? She'd just brought him, an original, to his knees with seemingly no effort. Klaus, while he'd been able to remain standing, had been in obvious pain too.

Kol stood proudly watching the entire scene. I would caption his expression as "yeah, check out my witch." The girls and Rebekah looked relieved that it was over.

Surprising me, Clarice glanced at Klaus. "I apologize."

Klaus was angry, that was pretty obvious. But I could tell that her display of power, and an apparently minor one for her at that, had gotten his attention. Everyone returned to their seat at the table. Klaus quickly went from confrontation mode to plotting. I could tell from his body language. As we resumed our meal, albeit awkwardly, he was already contemplating how the witches would be of use to him.

Elijah finally broke the silence. "We'll work together and respect each other while we are all here. The rest can be worked out as we go along. Agreed?"

Clarice considered his words but after a moment nodded. Klaus didn't acknowledge his brother's words but he didn't protest either.

Finally after a few moments, Kol drew the girls out into conversation and their laughter as they bantered back and forth with him lightened things greatly. I even caught Klaus once on the verge of laughing at their antics.

Once the meal was finished, Klaus rose from the table, taking my hand in his and leading me to the stairs. Once we were out of view, he grabbed me against him hard and vamp sped us up to the room, slamming the door shut and locking it behind us. The breath rushed from my lungs as he threw me down on the bed, his eyes darkened with desire as he crawled up over me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, giving him an opening to tell me about what Clarice had inflicted on him.

"I'm fine." He pressed a hot kiss into my hair, his hands began to roam all over me.

"Will you be able to deal with Clarice?" I wanted to know, but it was hard to think at all when he was starting to set me on fire with his amazing hands.

"Later. I want you. Now. Where were we?" he asked before his lips dropped to mine.