Sorry about the lack of updates. I have been ridiculously busy with other people's birthdays. As fun as that has been, Charlotte has been on my brain since I published chapter 3. I am liking where this story is going and I hope you guys do, too. I haven't had any reviews that said otherwise. Drop one for me if you have a comment or concern.

Lisolotte

It was weird to see such vital information written in Charlotte's delicate hand and in purple pen no less. There it was though, the address of the witch who would be able to help them. On a separate sheet was the spell itself. That had been entrusted to Charlotte to take care of. Elijah had mumbled something about her "holding onto things forever."

Now was the matter of finding the witch. They had a location, but they were not sure how to go about contacting her. Charlotte wanted to go on her own, but that would mean one less person to ensure that Klaus would not die. Elijah and Charlotte had been arguing rather seriously about it, with Rebekah interrupting every so often to prevent bloodshed.

Caroline took this opportunity to sit down next to Klaus. "So, any chance you could explain to me why Elijah and Charlotte hate each other so much? We are all dying to know, but too afraid to ask."

Klaus laughed bitterly at this. "I applaud your bravado, Ms. Forbes, but it would take more than that to drag the answer out of me. You've been punishing me for taking Tyler's body since I admitted it to you. But now you are smiles and charm because you want something only I can give you. It doesn't work that way. I wouldn't betray Charlotte just to satisfy your whims. She might just be the only person in the world who has never betrayed me. I don't take that lightly. Her secrets are hers to disclose if she so chooses. Don't forget that she is working to save not just my life, but the lives of you and all your friends. I didn't ask to be put in Tyler's body. It was either do that or die. That would have meant your death too, sweetheart, so you should be pretty grateful that I did. I didn't even use it to my advantage and woo you. No, I was honest. So enough with the victim act and how about leaving me alone for a while?"

Caroline was stunned by the speech. Klaus had never spoken so harshly to her and she had taken it for granted. "Been saving that up for the right moment?" she asked him as her face hardened in anger.

"Maybe I have. Either way, I would love just an hour where you are not affecting my mood. So, why don't you go mourn the great loss of Tyler Lockwood somewhere or go chat with Elena about how difficult it is that I fancy you?"

Caroline's face crumpled a little. She wouldn't say that she had feelings for Klaus, but she certainly didn't like this new attitude he had taken with her. She went to go compose herself in the bathroom and to have a nice hard think about how she was going to move forward with all of this.

The question still remained in everyone's mind: who was Charlotte? They had small pieces of information, but that did not mean they even had a clue. Elena was the most curious. It had been strongly implied that she had an interest in Elena's life, but the girl had never heard of the older vampire before today. When Charlotte and Elijah took a break from arguing, Elena took the chance to try and talk with Charlotte alone.

"Hi," Elena said timidly.

Charlotte looked at her in complete surprise for a second. Then she shook her head and said "Hi," to Elena in a slightly questioning tone. "Do you need something?"

"Well, I just wanted to know who you are to me. If you don't mind talking to me."

Charlotte closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I want to have this conversation with you, Elena. I do. I can't do it right now though. We need to get Klaus righted first. Then we can work on this." Charlotte laughed heartily. She looked at Elena with a slight smile. "I keep saying that, don't I? It is just the truth. One thing at a time. Right now, I am just trying to get in contact with this witch Gloria suggested, but I have to contend with other personalities. Please don't fret about it. It will all be clear soon."

Charlotte walked calmly over to Elijah. She put up her hands. "I come in peace this time. I swear it. I don't want to fight with you. Please, Elijah," the pleading tone in her voice was heartbreaking. Elijah's composure cracked just a fraction. "I want to get as much of this out of the way as quickly as possible. I have been living a wonderful, quiet life for the past 75 years. I needed that. I don't want to jump back into this drama and intrigue."

Elijah reached out and stroked her cheek, willing her to not cry. There were so many words he had for this beautiful, wonderful girl. No, that wasn't right. Girl was not right. Charlotte was certainly a woman. She was fierce and strong and perfect. She deserved to be protected and pampered. Instead she was now shouldering the burden of all this drama. Because of his siblings and Elijah himself she had been drawn into this mire. She was the only one who could right it at this point, unfortunately. "Lottie, I don't want you to get hurt. It is too risky for you to go off on your own and find this witch. Let us help you."

Charlotte leaned into Elijah's hand for a second and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for just a moment and they straightened herself. She stepped just slightly out of Elijah's reach. "Don't, Elijah," she said almost silently. "I can't dance this dance with you. I don't have the energy. You know where I stand. And you can't erase everything with a few tender looks and sweet words. I can do this. I am not the simple teenage girl you met. I am a 1000 year old vampire. I am incredibly strong. I have made a point of never being helpless again. Stop fighting me."

The moment of tenderness between the two had passed. They had both removed themselves behind masks of indifference. The argument could have continued forever, but the door opening rendered the whole conversation moot.

In waltzed Kol with a woman in her mid-30s following close behind him. She had close cropped black hair with deep brown eyes and chocolate skin. She had an obvious resemblance to Gloria. Particularly when she was younger.

"Hello, sweets," Kol drawled and sauntered over to Charlotte. He picked her up and spun her around. A giggle escaped from her and she hugged Kol close.

"What would even make you think I would be calmed down by now?" she asked him laughingly.

"Ah, so my siblings have already sold me down the river in an attempt to gain favor with you. What scoundrels! They are simply too jealous of the pure joy you and I take in each other's presence." Charlotte laughed at his audacity and shook her head. "But to answer your question, sweets, I did not even think that you were calm by now. I was notified that there was something I could do to be of service in this whole mess so I got right on it because I love you so. You know, I am the only Mikaelson you are not feuding with for a reason."

"Enough of that," she chided gently. "Bringing up topics like that won't guarantee that you continue to be. So who is this that you have brought for a visit?"

Kol turned to the woman who was standing quietly near the door. "This is Rachel. I believe you were directed towards her."

A wry smile crossed Klaus's face. "How would you know that, brother?"

"I texted him asking for his help," Jeremy said matter of factly. All eyes were on him and not all the looks were flattering. "What?" he asked. "It is not like you guys were any close to finding her. I thought Kol could help us."

"So you two stayed in contact after your blossoming bromance in Colorado?" Damon asked sarcastically.

"Yeah, Damon, we did. Not that it is any of your business," Jeremy responded.

"Baseball is the American pastime, Damon. It bonds us together," Kol said with a huge grin on his face.

Charlotte stepped between the two vampires who had been slowly moving towards one another. "There will be no fighting in my house. Absolutely none," she said with finality. "We have a goal in mind and it does not involve fighting with each other." She turned to Rachel. "How much has Kol told you?"

"Everything," Rachel responded calmly. "And I will be willing to help you. There are just a few things that I will need to get together before we go through with this. That is my most important thing: do not rush me."

"Bonnie Bennett was able to pull this all together on the fly and you need time to get it together. That does not sound right to me," Damon said.

"Quiet," Charlotte commanded.

"Bonnie Bennett did this recklessly with little or no forethought. I am told that retaining the boy whose body Klaus is in is of vital importance. Not only that, but Klaus's body is not in any state to be inhabited right now. So, yes, I need some time to do this right," Rachel said coolly.

"Write out the 'grocery list' as I am sure Charlotte will call it. We are yours to command when it comes to getting this spell done and over with," Elijah said stepping behind Charlotte very clearly stating where his alliance lied without words. Everyone but Charlotte noted this immediately.

They were making so much progress toward their goal. Unfortunately, this was the time that Gloria decided to arrive and demand that Charlotte fulfill the promise that she had made in order to get Rachel's name.