Chapter 7: The Dreaded Ex

"Marcel will know if I use magic Caroline." Sophie said. "Look as much as I want to help you there's nothing I can do."

"Surely there's something we can do that won't attract too much attention." She said wracking her brain for a solution. The girls had met up on a deserted road near the bayou and were planning their next move.

"I may have an idea." Rebekah murmured thinking about a certain witch in an attic. She moved out of earshot and produced her cell and dialed the familiar number.

"Rebekah I'm a little busy right now." Elijah whispered connecting the call as he watched the girls chatting away animatedly. He realised he would never get sick of watching the scene unfolding in front of his eyes and was a little annoyed to have it interrupted by his sister.

"Well I'm sorry brother but we have a situation." She grumbled feeling unappreciated as usual. "I need you to run some interference and distract the little witch."

"Why would I do that?" He asked walking away for some privacy.

"We need Sophie to do a spell so I need you to distract Davina and make sure Marcel doesn't get wind of it."

"Who's we?" He asked curiously wondering what could have possibly happened in the last few hours. "What have you done sister?"

"Nothing much." She mumbled defensively. "Turns out Tyler and Hayley are conspiring against Nik."

"What?" He hissed. "She's having his baby, that doesn't make any sense Rebekah."

"Yeah well if this is true who knows what else she's lied about Elijah." She replied. "Look for once please just do this for me."

"Fine." He said thinking how timely his visit to see Davina had been. "I expect an update soon Rebekah otherwise I'll call Niklaus. You know how upset he gets when he's left out." She rolled her eyes knowing how true that was.

"Will do." She disconnected then walked back over to Caroline and Sophie. "I've found a way so you can do the spell without detection."

"Which is?"

"Let's just say I know some people." She replied mysteriously. "Now I don't have much time so let's get to work."

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"That's a beautiful violin." Katherine murmured looking at the instrument next to her bed. Davina leaned forward and grabbed hold of it. She stroked it gently loving the feeling of the beautifully carved wood under her fingers.

"It is." She smiled sadly. "Do you play Katerina?"

"No that would require some talent, which I don't have." She joked. "Maybe you could play me something."

"Oh I don't play either, I mean it's not my violin." She stuttered.

"So whose is it then?" She asked curiously noting the crimson blush spreading across the young girl's face.

"It belongs to Tim." She whispered shyly.

"And who's this Tim?" She asked. "He didn't hurt you did he? Otherwise I may need to kill him."

"No, not at all. He's a boy I used to know but he doesn't remember me."

"I find it hard to believe that someone could forget you so easily."

"Well that's what happens when someone is compelled." She muttered still upset from the experience in the church.

"Who would do that?"

"That would be the other Original brother."

"Ah Klaus Mikaelson strikes again, trust me I know all about that one given I've spent hundreds of years running from him."

"But how, I mean you're not a vampire." Davina said thinking if she was one she'd know.

"I'm not but I was once."

"How did you become human then?" She asked curiously.

"That is a long story." She grumbled still extremely angry at her nasty doppelganger. "Which I would be more than happy to tell you another time but don't worry about Klaus, it wouldn't be a normal day if he wasn't terrorising someone."

"Yes that's definitely my brother's favourite past time." Elijah commented walking back into the room again. "I hope he hasn't done anything to you Davina."

"No it's fine." She said dismissively not wanting to go into detail. "Elijah is very protective of me." She said for Katherine's benefit. She looked over noticing his cheeks tinged slightly pink.

"I think you've embarrassed him." Katherine chuckled. "Did I happen to mention how much I like Davina." She remarked a cheeky grin on her face making the young girl beam.

"I noticed you both gossiping away in here, what exactly have you been talking about?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"Boys and music, you know the usual." Katherine said.

"Oh really?" He asked curiously. "Anyone I need to kill?"

"No." Davina cried not quite sure if he was being serious until his face broke out into a smile. "You both sound like over protective parents." She laughed making Elijah regard Katherine with interest. What exactly had come over her to make her act this way?

"Trust me if we were your parents then I'd definitely be the fun one." Katherine joked not realising the enormity of what she'd said. Elijah looked at her an unfamiliar feeling coming over him. For the first time in his long life he actually wanted a child and he wanted one with her.

"I think you'd make a wonderful mother." She smiled. Elijah noticed a dark shadow cross her face briefly before she regained her composure.

"I'm not so sure about that." Katherine said. "But anytime you want to talk about boys or anything let me know."

"Are you leaving?" She cried upset to lose her new friend so soon.

"I think you two seem to be having entirely too much fun to leave just yet don't you think Katerina?"

"Yes." She smiled. "What would you like to do?"

"Can I practice braiding on you?" She asked excitedly. Katherine was immediately self conscious given the current state of her hair but didn't want to let the young witch down.

"Of course Davina." She smiled nervously sitting on the floor.

"There's actually something I need to ask you Davina." Elijah asked hoping she'd be amenable to turning a blind eye to some witchcraft.

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"You're both idiots." Klaus growled as they drove along the dirt road.

"I think we heard you the first five times." Matt groaned from the backseat.

"Don't worry I'm more than happy to say it another five times for good measure." Klaus shot him a dirty look in the rearview mirror.

"No I think we're all good, now back to the matter at hand." Stefan said rolling his eyes. "Do you know where you're going?"

"Yes Stefan, I actually have a map." He replied sarcastically. "If Tyler Lockwood is around here I'll sniff him out then torture and kill him." When Klaus heard Tyler was in town he'd been livid. Knowing that the dog was in his backyard, conspiring against him and possibly harming Caroline at this very moment had driven him over the edge.

Klaus was so angry he could barely see straight and if he was being honest was scared of what he'd do when he finally set eyes on him.

"Okay calm down, you can't kill him Klaus. We need to find out what his plan is and how that involves Marcel and Hayley." Stefan said trying to talk some sense into the angry hybrid.

"Fine." He said through gritted teeth. "Once we find out the information then I'll kill him."

"Easy on, we don't know anything for sure." Matt said thinking that he and Tyler had been best friends once and wasn't prepared to jump to any conclusions just yet.

"Well let's look at what we do know." Klaus cried. "Oh that's right he broke your friend's heart."

"I'm aware of that Klaus." Matt spat really sick of his attitude. "Trust me I wanted to hurt him myself when I found out but I hardly think death is a suitable punishment."

"Yes well that's where we differ, I actually have a backbone." He groaned sick of hearing the quarterback's voice.

"Children." Stefan chided. "Look what matters right now is finding Caroline."

Klaus wasn't used to all of these out of control emotions and was struggling to keep a lid on them in front of Stefan and Matt. He felt completely powerless not to mention sick with worry. If Tyler was willing to give her up to Marcel there was no telling what he would do to Caroline if he came face to face with her.

He felt slightly relieved his sister was there but it if they walked into a trap there might be too many people for Rebekah to hold off single handed. Klaus wasn't willing to lose Caroline after he'd driven cross-country to save her from Marcel. He was also desperate to resolve things after the previous night. He was bewildered to say the least and couldn't believe he could go from deliriously happy one minute to deeply hurt the next. She'd instigated the kiss and he knew she enjoyed it as much as him but when she ran away he was filled with confusion and anger.

Klaus would usually run in the opposite direction at her rejection but knew his only chance was to tell her how he felt hoping she would finally open up and reciprocate his feelings.

He needed to find her now.

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"Okay so what I've done is put together a truth serum, the best way to get someone to spill the beans." Sophie said handing the vile to Caroline. "I hope this is worth it."

"Trust me it will be." Caroline said gleefully. "Now to work out how to administer it."

"I'll do it." Rebekah said gesturing for her to hand it over and placing it in her pocket. "You distract him and then I'll sneak in and shove it down his throat."

"How exactly is she going to distract an angry hybrid?" Sophie asked.

"Well she's had practice." Rebekah said pointedly referring to Klaus. "Anyway these two have more than enough break-up drama to last a life time."

"You certainly have a complicated love life Caroline." Sophie commented. "Angry hybrid must be your type."

"Ha ha." She groaned. "Well this angry hybrid is definitely going to get a piece of my mind."

"Unlike the other one who she's been busy kissing." Rebekah drawled earning a slap from Caroline.

"Woah since when?" Sophie asked. "Looks like you're out of your denial phase finally."

"No she's still firmly there." Rebekah joked earning another slap from the blonde. "It's not very smart to anger an Original darling." Caroline stepped back thinking that was probably true.

"So what's happening there?" Sophie asked.

"Last time I checked we were here to kick some arse not analyse my messed up excuse of a love life." She cried in frustration.

"Well if my locater spell is correct he's just over that ridge." Sophie said pointing ahead of them. "Go get him girl."

Caroline gulped nervously. Now that the moment was here she wasn't exactly sure what she was going to say. Tyler was a selfish bastard who broke her heart and should rot in hell. She shook her head hoping something better would come to her. She saw him from a distance surprised the butterflies she used to get every time she saw Tyler were notably absent. Instead she felt numb, there was no anger at what he'd done or residual feelings of love there was absolutely nothing.

Besides the fact that a vampire wanted to kill her Caroline realised without this bizarre chain of events she wouldn't have seen Klaus again and shared that breath-taking kiss. In a convoluted way Tyler's betrayal had brought her closer to the man she was beginning to realise she was head over heels in love with.

"Care?" Tyler asked peering at her curiously. She jumped slightly startled by his presence. She'd been so deep in thought she'd let him creep up on her. This really wasn't a great way to start things.

"Tyler." She said. "I really should have guessed you'd be here given how much you hate Klaus."

"Well it's not like I don't have good reason Care, remember my mother?"

"Yes Tyler I remember what happened." She said quietly wishing he hadn't brought it up. "So is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"You know what I'm taking about Tyler. You told Marcel about me didn't you? After everything we've been through I never thought you'd sacrifice me to exact your revenge."

"It's nothing personal." He said shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh really so telling Marcel about me so he could come and kill me wasn't personal at all?"

"He's not going to kill you."

"Oh really? Are you sure of that Tyler because from what I've been told Marcel isn't someone to mess with."

"He promised." He said. "I would never unwillingly hurt you Care, you have to believe me."

"Oh like I believed you actually loved me."

"I did at one point but love just gets in the way and makes you weak Caroline." He explained.

"That's lovely." She spat. "I can't believe I could ever love someone as selfish as you."

"Oh I'm selfish?" He baulked. "Speaking of that particular trait how is Klaus?"

"He saved me." She hissed. "After you put my life in danger."

"Yes he's entirely predictable when it comes to you not to mention incredibly stupid for someone that's over a thousand years old." He chuckled.

"He's more of a man than you'll ever be." She hissed. "I'm just upset it took me this long to realise it."

"Oh please." He groaned. "If that's what you think then your idea of reality is completely skewed. What did he compel you or something?"

"How dare you." She cried. "He would never do that to me just as he would never use me like a piece of meat for a ridiculous revenge plot."

"Yes because Klaus Mikaelson is an angel."

"Maybe not but he's only ever been good to me and at the end of the day that's what matters."

"Oh isn't this sweet. You sound like some pathetic sycophant. The sooner Marcel finishes him the better then maybe you'll come to your senses." Caroline bristled wanting to bite but knowing she needed more information.

"I'm surprised you're letting Marcel have all the fun sort of defeats the purpose of revenge."

"Oh don't worry I'm pretty sure I have the biggest revenge of all for Klaus." He said cryptically. "I don't think aligning yourself with him or his family is very wise."

"Well they've been more loyal and supportive than you ever were." She growled growing impatient of his ambiguous statements knowing some truth serum was in order. She spun around and caught him by surprise hitting him with such force that he fell back into a nearby tree.

He sat there for a while coming to terms with what had happened then stood up shaking it off and stalking over, his eyes flashing yellow.

"That was a big mistake." Caroline stood there prepared to fight, she was that upset. He hurtled towards her but before he could strike Rebekah appeared in a flash and snapped his neck.

"Oh Rebekah I was just starting to have fun." She whined.

"Yeah you're welcome." She said rolling her eyes. "Now let's get this stuff into him and wait for the fun to begin." The girls hovered over his body administering Sophie's concoction, Caroline not noticing the smiling hybrid who had heard every word of their conversation.

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"You have pretty hair Katerina." Davina sighed.

"Well I'm not sure about that but so do you." Katherine smiled at Elijah then closed her eyes enjoying the therapeutic feeling of her hands raking through her hair. She was feeling quite at peace for some reason, almost like if her time was up she could handle drifting into a deep sleep. Of course if she had a choice Katherine knew she would stay and was starting to realise it was Elijah that had given her this renewed will to live. Katherine Pierce didn't have any friends or family so it was easier to succumb to death but then Elijah had to come in and throw everything off balance.

She opened her eyes again catching him studying her closely, a warm smile plastered on his face. All she wanted to do was walk over, run her hands through his dark hair and place a lingering kiss on his lips.

As much as she wanted to give into her feelings Katherine knew she'd never put Elijah through that much pain. Yes he'd hurt her in the past but this was too much. That was why Katherine decided to sneak out that night and leave New Orleans and Elijah far behind.

"You're not well Katerina." The young witch murmured. "I can sense it." Katherine pulled away not expecting her to be able to read her mind. Although given her extensive powers she really should have guessed.

"What are you talking about Davina?" Elijah asked curiously. "Katerina is fine." Katherine stood up abruptly feeling the dizziness overcome her again.

"Yes of course I'm fine, but we really should get going." She said distractedly attempting to drag Elijah away.

"Katerina?" He asked looking at her closely and cupping her face softly. "Are you okay?"

"Of course." She cried as her vision blurred and before she knew it the world went black and she collapsed on the floor before Elijah could stop her fall.

"Katerina." He cried helplessly kneeling at her side and pulling her head onto his lap. Davina ran over running her hands along the length of her body obviously deeply concerned.

"She's sick Elijah, very sick." She murmured. "I think she might die if we don't do something." Elijah watched on unable to comprehend what was happening. His Katerina couldn't be dying, he had just got her back again and wasn't prepared to be parted from her ever again.

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"We need to tie him up, I have a rope in the car." Rebekah instructed taking over as usual.

"Of course you have a rope in your car for times like these." She said shaking her head.

"Must come in handy when you want to have some of that kinky sex with Matt." Sophie laughed walking over and earning an eye roll from the blonde given her sex life was non existent. "Nice work on the neck snap by the way."

"Yes it's just one of my many talents." She boasted. "Rope Caroline?" Rebekah demanded gesturing for her to go to the car. As she walked through the clearing she heard the sound of twigs snapping and turned faced with him. Caroline really should have known.

"I'm not going anywhere Klaus." She groaned knowing where this conversation was going. "I came here to find out what Tyler is up to and we're not finished yet."

"I noticed." He smiled surprisingly calm.

"Okay what have you done with the real Klaus?" She asked trying not to melt from his gorgeous smile.

"I gave him a xanax." He chuckled. "Someone said he was being too controlling and over protective."

"Well that's an understatement." She mumbled. "It is good to see you less angry and more understanding."

"Don't get too excited love, you still ignored my orders and escaped to interrogate the person who just happens to be responsible for the threat to your life."

"Okay well let's skip the pleasantries and get to the part where you hand me my punishment." She groaned. "What will it be; house arrest with your pregnant she wolf, another road trip from hell with the bickering twins, or more supposed protection from tweedle dum and tweedle dee."

"As fun as that would be to witness I was thinking more along the lines of another kiss or possibly ten." He said completely straight-faced. "I have to say I felt rather short changed last night when you ran away."

Caroline could feel her face getting hotter remembering their kiss. All she wanted to do was replay that moment over and over again. Klaus watched her obviously torn by her conflicting emotions. Something he knew all about.

"This isn't the time or place Klaus." She whispered looking around knowing a few vampires with supersonic hearing would be eavesdropping. She walked away determined to get back to the matter at hand. "I heard what you said."

She turned around not exactly sure what he was talking about and looked at him quizzically.

"To Tyler, I heard your conversation."

"Great it's nice to know I have absolutely no privacy."

"I won't apologise because I'm glad I heard it." He pushed his voice full of emotion. She looked at him her face softening unable to resist him. Klaus approached her slowly gazing deeply into her blue eyes and running his hands through her blonde waves, his intimate gesture making Caroline feel like her whole body was on fire.

"I've been so blind." She murmured unable to meet his penetrating stare. He placed his finger under her chin and pulled it up so she had no choice but to look at him. He noticed her eyes shining with unshed tears wanting to memorise this moment forever.

"Caroline I…"

"Niklaus, Caroline!" Rebekah hollered breaking them out of their trance. "The whiny hybrid is awake and ready to spill his guts."

"We have to go." Caroline said and Klaus nodded in acknowledgment. His sister always had that way of interrupting important moments. He cleared his throat nervously.

"Don't think this is even close to being over." He grinned making her smile the tension broken slightly. They made their way back to Tyler, Caroline noticing Matt and Stefan for the first time.

"If it isn't my best buddies." She said awkwardly.

"Yeah I think the jury is still out on that one." Matt said shaking his head.

"I meant what I said you're dead Forbes." Stefan muttered.

"Well you might need to get in line for that honour." They all went silent at her obvious meaning.

"That's not going to happen on my watch." Klaus growled shooting her a dirty look for even going there. "If it isn't my best friend Tyler, I have to say this all seems far too civilised to me, I'm much more partial to torture."

"Klaus behave." Caroline warned.

"Since when has he ever done that Caroline?" Rebekah uttered unable to help herself.

"Seriously if you guys spent more time focusing and less time sniping at each other you'd get a hell of a lot more done." Sophie observed.

"So why are you here mate?" Klaus asked kicking him roughly in the side to get his attention.

"Well if it was possible I'd kill you but failing that I'd settle for making your life a living hell."

"Well good luck with that." Klaus chuckled. "Come on surely you've got something better than that up you sleeve."

"Oh don't worry that I do." He cried pulling at his restraints and wincing in agony.

"Oh God enough with the dramatics." Rebekah groaned. "What is your impressive plan already?"

"I told Marcel about Caroline knowing Klaus would predictably race to her rescue which allowed time for us to plot your downfall, one piece at a time."

"So Caroline isn't Marcel's ultimate revenge?" Stefan asked.

"No she never was, Marcel could care less." He scoffed. "What he has planned is bigger."

"Which is?" Caroline cried sick of waiting.

"He increased his army while Klaus was away and stole the daggers that can incapacitate your siblings." He spat looking in Rebekah's direction. "And Caroline is just the pretty cherry on the top." She shuddered involuntarily not liking the sound of that.

"Marcel went after Caroline though, it was all over the quarter." Sophie said remembering all the chatter.

"That's exactly what he wanted everyone to think but instead he was mobilising and training his men in preparation for war."

"So what does Hayley have to do with all of this?" Stefan asked curiously.

"Well we decided to work together given our mutual hatred of Klaus." He seethed. "She's been the perfect little distraction for both Klaus and Elijah so that Marcel could carry out his plan undetected."

"Wow and that ladies and gentlemen is the mother of my child." Klaus groaned shaking his head.

"Here's my absolute favourite part in this whole saga." Tyler grinned. "You're not the baby's father." Caroline turned and looked at Klaus her hands up to her mouth in shock at the revelation. Klaus felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, he wasn't going to be a father? For some reason he had been looking forward to meeting his daughter and now she'd been ripped away by one of the people he hated most.

Caroline stepped forward and in one swift move snapped his neck making them all look at her their mouths agape. "Hey like you all didn't want to do that." She mumbled.

"I have to admit if you hadn't I would have done it myself." Stefan said matter of fact.

"Although you could have waited so we could find out who the baby daddy actually is Caroline." Matt groaned.

"Yeah it's like watching a television show with a really big cliffhanger." Sophie sighed.

"Sorry my anger sort of took over." She said shrugging her shoulders looking over at a devastated Klaus, her heart immediately going out to him.

"Well well I have to thank you for making this all too easy by gathering in the same place." Marcel bellowed walking toward them, Thierry by his side. "I'm upset I missed story time though."

"Marcel I assume? Well it sounds like you knew everything anyway." Stefan said.

"I know everything that is going on in my town newbie." He replied. "I came to see my new friend Tyler but looks like he's otherwise engaged. Looking good ladies." He smiled going from Sophie to Rebekah.

"Urgh I can't believe I ever went there." Sophie muttered.

"You can't believe it?" Rebekah moaned. "Unfortunately that's something we seem to have in common."

"Here I thought you had some taste." Matt cried in disgust the visual of Marcel and Rebekah making him feel sick.

"Well we could revisit some of your past conquests if you'd like." She shot back.

"Hey!" Caroline cried realising she meant her.

"If you've finished your childish bickering I came here for a purpose." He grinned circling the group and stopping at Klaus who had been unusually quiet since Tyler had dropped the big baby bomb. "I've come for you Niklaus." Klaus finally averted his gaze and stared at Marcel the contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Is that supposed to scare me or something Marcellous." He spat not quite believing the nerve of his former protege.

"Probably not." He mused. "So I brought a few friends along to make things more interesting." A hoard of very angry vampires descended on the group making sure there was no escape route.

"Have you forgotten the fact I can't be killed?" Klaus seethed always having to be the alpha male.

"No but she can." He cried and pulled Caroline towards him so that his arm was across her neck pulling a stake from his pocket with the other hand. "I don't believe we've met gorgeous, I must say it's an absolute pleasure." He murmured in her ear causing shivers to run up her spine.

"Well the pleasure is definitely all yours." She mumbled trying to free herself from his grasp. Klaus looked around noticing his minions closing in trying desperately to work out his next move.

"Oh she's feisty, I can see why you like her so much man." All Klaus wanted to do was rip out Marcel's heart unfortunately his grasp on Caroline was too firm and he knew one false move and she'd be dead.

"If it's me you want fine just let her go." He growled trying madly to control his urge to beat him to death.

"You know what? I think I want to get to know sweet Caroline a little better." He mused. "Fellas why don't you grab me the witch and we can have a little party tonight. Don't even think about fighting us otherwise you know what will happen." Klaus looked over at Rebekah silently telling her to back off. Sophie tried to fight off her attackers earning a whack in the face for her trouble. Stefan ran at them finding himself faced with a wall of Marcel's imposing vampires.

"You're not taking them." Matt cried advancing forward. Rebekah instinctively screamed out hating that he had to be so damn brave all the time when he had the least power. Thierry lunged on him and sank his fangs into his neck eventually knocking him out.

"Why don't you bring the pathetic human with us, he might make a fun sacrifice." Marcel laughed purposely looking at Rebekah and pulling Caroline away. "Oh and Klaus if you want to see this one again I suggest you bring your brother and sister along with those coffins so we can finally finish this thing."

The group scattered dragging Matt, Sophie and Caroline with them. Klaus wanted nothing more than to go after them and save Caroline but knew if he acted rashly she might pay the price and he wouldn't risk that chance. If Marcel wanted a war he was going to get one, he'd messed with the wrong guy.