Hi! (gasp) another update in just one week? Who am I?

Thank you so very much to those who reviewed, expressing their excitement of this fic. I'm excited too. And thank you for all the Follows, oh the pressure! Haha

Note: I will not have a pregnant Hayley in this story. Ain't nobody got time for that.

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to TVD; I just love its characters.

The private plane slowly glided onto the tarmac with a gently thud. The flight hadn't been long, at least it hadn't felt that way to Caroline because as soon as they were in the air she fell asleep.

For Klaus, he felt an immense sense of relief. She was with him. Finally. Her last week in Mystic Falls hadn't been easy for either of them since she was reasonably nervous. There were moments where he sensed she was about to change her mind but then he would press his lips to hers, persuading her thoughts to be at ease.

He watched as she stirred in her seat, taking in her beautiful sleeping face and especially soft lips. Funny he thought, he believed decades would pass until he would be able to kiss her and now she was his. He leaned back in his own seat, waiting until the plane ceased movement, and breathed in deeply. The emotions that were coursing through him felt foreign but they also confirmed that his feelings for her were sincere and pure. His heart swelled at the sight of her and he knew that his life had officially changed.

"What time is it?" Caroline asked as she sat up, running her fingers through her hair.

The sound of her voice shook him from his momentary daydream. "It's a little pass six in the morning, love."

She smiled at him, the sound of his voice making her feel warm. She remained staring at him and when his lips curved into a knowing grin she blushed. Still, she continued to stare at him, boldly letting her eyes roam over his leather jacket attire, lounging the way a wild cat would in a tree. He was so at ease and yet he radiated power and confidence. Aside from the fact that he was the Original Hybrid, he was also just a very beautiful man.

"Care to share what's on your mind, Caroline?" Klaus asked her even though he knew exactly what she was thinking. When her cheeks blushed again his smile grew.

"I'm just admiring the view," she played.

"Yes, I'd say it's quite stunning," he replied as his eyes traveled the lengths of her legs. She wore a dark navy sundress that had large prints of roses on it. She was very girly, he thought, but that part of her drew him to her even more.

"How are old were you when you were turned?" she asked suddenly.

The plane came to a stop and the pilot's voice sounded through the speakers. Welcome to New Orleans. Klaus smiled at the greeting. "I was twenty-six," he finally answered.

"Nine years difference," she said out loud but more to herself. "That's not so terrible." He chuckled. "Exactly how old are you now, like your vampire age?"

"One thousand and seventy-eight."

She knew he was over a thousand but hearing him confirm it made her eyes widen slightly.

"And how about you, sweetheart? Turned at the age of seventeen, how old are you exactly now?" He was teasing her and by the scowl on her face he knew that she knew he was too.

"A year and four months," she answered flatly.

"Hmm." He tilted his head and scratched his chin, pretending to ponder. "Nearly one thousand and seventy-six years difference. That's not so terrible."

Caroline pressed her lips together but then erupted in laughter. Klaus joined her, the sound of her giggling so infectious to him.

"Come, love." He stood up and offered his hand. "The day awaits us and the city is to welcome you."

The longer she was with him the more she realized how human he was. This can work. She placed her hand in his and readied herself for her first adventure.

:

"What? No personal driver?"

Klaus coolly looked over at her as he slid into the driver seat of his black convertible Roadster. "You'll find that I can be very self-sufficient."

She scoffed. "Really?" She only half believed him.

"Really."

As the sight of airport behind them shrunk, the more excited Caroline grew. The first thing she noticed about Louisiana was the weather. Unfortunately, it was uncomfortably hot and it was barely midmorning.

It also smelled different to her. She of course got whiffs of stale water but for the most part, the air smelled…historic. It was the only way she could describe it and the longer they traveled, the wiser the smell.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt his hand gently take hers and bring it to his mouth. He pressed a soft kiss to her fingers. "Thank you," he said to her almost sadly.

She looked at him confused. "For what?"

He glanced at her for the briefest moment and she saw a very lonely man. It tore at her heart. "For coming away with me, love," he answered. "For being with me."

:

The city slowly came alive as they continued to drive. Caroline's eyes were everywhere, frantic even, as she tried to take in every sight she deemed fascinating.

People were already out and about walking their dogs or getting breakfast. The sun crept higher over the Mississippi river that they were driving alongside and the light shimmered on its surface. Klaus took a turn and she realized they were nearing the famous French Quarter. She could see shop owners preparing their shops for another tourist-filled day. Street vendors were setting up their tables and paintings were be set out for viewing. She could smell spices and coffee in the air as the kitchens warmed up. She peered further into the famous borough but then Klaus took another turn down an alley between two gothic cemeteries.

"Hey!" She whipped her head around and looked at him.

Klaus chuckled. "The Quarter will still be there later this afternoon, love."

"I know. I just assumed—"

"That I lived in the Quarter," he supplied for her. She nodded and he continued. "My family built this town but it has indeed become quite the tourist attraction. Our home is only several blocks away, you'll see."

:

Soon enough they were driving down a street that was shaded by large trees covered in Spanish moss. Later she would learn she was in the Garden District. The homes were very large and the further they traveled down the street, the larger the homes became. Each house was utterly beautiful, all surrounded by iron gates, all historically picturesque, all a private paradise.

"Here we are," Klaus whispered. A smiled hinted on his lips and Caroline couldn't help but be happy too. She had never seen him like this, so carefree. She always thought that Mystic Falls was something special to him because it was where he was born but not she could tell that New Orleans held more meaning to him.

When she fixed her eyes ahead of her again she gasped. The house, or mansion, was a sincere breath-taker. The iron automatic gates opened in front of her and she read aloud the scripture that was engraved on a plaque over stone. "Belle Nuit."

"It means 'Beautiful Night'," he supplied for her. "Elijah chose it."

"Is there a specific reason?"

"Yes and I'm sure my brother will enlighten you when you ask him."

"Oh. He's here?"

"And Rebekah."

"Oh." Caroline felt a tremor of fear run down her spine. A house full of Originals. She never guessed that she would one day be living with them. Oh my god I'm really moving in with them!

Klaus took her hand again and squeezed it. "You're safe with me, Caroline. They know you're mine."

She instantly felt relieved and then she teased him. "Why, because you told them?"

He looked at her for a moment, completely serious, "Yes."

His.

:

Belle Nuit was an estate to be admired. Surrounded by large oak trees, rose gardens and fountains, it stood powerfully despite its apparent old age. It was pristinely white and the large porch that wrapped around each side was grounded by the intricate columns that supported the roof's French style arches. It was three floors of the richest kind of wood and the large windows acted as a natural light source but also as art, each one of them appearing as watchful eyes that held a secret.

Still looking in awe, Caroline got out of the car and took an unconscious step towards the front entrance.

Klaus opened the trunk and took out her one suitcase and the grimoires he retrieved from his attic back in Mystic Falls. When he looked at Caroline she was smiling at him.

"It's beautiful," she said.

He smirked. "It's been waiting for you."

"Hello, brother."

The sound of Elijah's voice broke Klaus and Caroline from their intimate gaze and they looked up toward the elder Original. He was dressed in a fine suit and that was really the only thing Caroline knew about Elijah. He wore suits. It seemed that every time he was in Mystic Falls, she never got a chance to really talk to him, granted he was her enemy at the time, seeing him now made her realize she was officially out of her element, out of her comfort zone, and the only person that would remind her of home was Klaus. She glanced at Klaus in that moment. How on Earth had he become the person to be her one representation of Mystic Falls? His record was dripping in red and she had found comfort in his arms.

"Elijah," Klaus greeted.

Elijah turned his attention to Caroline and slowly descended the wide entrance steps. "And I see Miss Forbes has agreed to return with you. I don't believe we've ever been properly introduced," he directed at her, offering his hand. "Welcome to New Orleans."

Conversing with Rebekah was one thing, in fact it was easy for Caroline because Rebekah was turned at the same age as her. It was easy to put up with her because Caroline already knew how to deal with the mean girl type. However, Elijah was a whole other story. Before her stood a man that had a reputation just a fearsome as Klaus's. Still, she knew she was strong in more than one sense and so right then she decided she would not fear Elijah in the least bit. "It's nice to officially meet you, Elijah. Thank you, and please call me Caroline," she said, taking his hand, expecting to shake it.

Instead Elijah brought her hand to his mouth a placed a kiss. "The pleasure is mine…Caroline."

He knew what he was doing. He was pushing his brother's limits, testing the waters per say, because he was fighting for his brother's humanity and he was intent on Klaus to fight for it as well. If Caroline was the key to getting his brother back, he wanted to make sure that Klaus held onto her.

"Enough, Elijah," Klaus said levelly.

Caroline withdrew her hand and took Klaus' as he handed the grimoires to his brother.

Once they walked inside Elijah excused himself after they made quick plans to meet again for lunch on the terrace.

Belle Nuit was as captivating on the inside as it was on the outside. Klaus gave her a tour and she discovered three libraries, two dining rooms, an extremely vast kitchen, sitting rooms, private balconies, numerous bedrooms, and a large studio which she could only assume was for his use only. Each room in the house was decorated to its finest, either embellished with silk, carved in marble, or hung with obvious particularity. Light danced through the hallways and furniture offered luxury and a distinct French appeal. The estate was Art on a grand scale and for each room Klaus showed her, Caroline experienced just a bit more of a taste of the world he so fondly spoke of.

When they finally reached the third floor Caroline instantly felt the atmosphere change. "This is your room, sweetheart," Klaus said to her softly as he pushed open the door.

Caroline stepped through quietly and looked around. Her heart swelled because this was a gift from him. His attention to detail, the feminine and light qualities of the room were proof of how deeply she was on his mind. Her room felt like the one in Mystic Falls with more of a womanly appearance and as she ran her fingers along the surface of the vanity she smiled out of happiness. The joy she felt wasn't a reaction to the obvious wealthy lifestyle he was planning on sharing with her but instead it was because she felt cherished. It would have been so easy for him to give her a room fit for a queen, but the fact that he made the room fit for only her, she couldn't help her smile. Her happiness.

Klaus set her suitcase on the end of her bed and then watched her carefully. Wooing women was nothing new to him but keeping one at his side was something he had never done. When he returned to New Orleans, one of the first things he had done was redecorate the estate with her in mind.

"You're really sweet," Caroline finally spoke. She walked up to him and placed her hands on the side of his neck. "Thank you." She pushed up onto her toes and pressed a kiss to his slightly parted lips.

Klaus reacted instantly, wrapping his arms around her while deepening the kiss. When he finally pulled away they were both breathless. He ran his hand down the length of her hair and she stroked the sides of his neck.

"Where's your room?" she asked.

He nodded toward her bathroom. "Through there," he answered smirking.

"Hold on, how did you know I was going to come here with you?"

He cradled her face. "I always planned on waiting for you." He kissed her hard.

:

Lunch on the terrace was fancier than any restaurant Caroline had ever been too. She took a seat and when a someone poured blood in a wine glass for her, she was reminded of the conversation she just had with Klaus.

"So people work for you here?" she asked as she saw a maid walking down one of the hallways.

"Yes. I've asked one of the drivers to get some bloodbags for you."

"You didn't compel him?" she pushed, half expecting him to hide that from her.

"No. I don't need to," he answered her. He was amused with all her questions.

"Won't they suspect something?" she couldn't hide the worry on her face. "I mean, I'm glad they're not compelled, but, again, won't they suspect something?"

He grinned at her. "You'll find that New Orleans isn't your typical town, love. With the exception of the tourists, the people are aware of the supernatural. They don't speak of it but they do know we exist. I'm certain the people who work for me know I'm not your average man."

Elijah walked out onto the terrace and joined them at the table. "How do you find your room, Caroline? Comfortable?" he asked her, tearing her from her own thoughts.

"My room is fine, thank you, Elijah." She couldn't quite figure him out yet. So far, the way he spoke to her seemed like a ghost of an innuendo but his eyes never suggested to follow through.

Klaus on the other hand was growing more agitated. He was about to openly threaten him but then Caroline changed the subject.

"So Klaus told me it was you who named the house, um property."

"Yes." Their lunch was served and three of them were left undisturbed. "Belle Nuit is a composition from the late nineteenth century French opera 'Les Contes d'Hoffmann'—"

"The Tales of Hoffmann," Klaus translated with an almost bored tone. He took a sip from his glass and reclined in his seat, slightly turning so that he could watch Caroline.

"Oh." Caroline wasn't sure if she expected that. "What's the opera about?"

"It's about a lost man who finds true love," Klaus interrupted again, cynically.

Caroline couldn't understand his obvious change in attitude. Why is this making him so agitated?

"Brother, may I explain to Caroline the story of Hoffmann or do you insist on continuing souring the mood?" Hybrid or not, Elijah always had a way of reminding Klaus of who was eldest.

"Oh my apologies, please continue," Klaus answered sarcastically.

Elijah turned his attention back to Caroline who was enjoying the meal way too much to continue caring about Klaus's mood.

"The tales of Hoffmann is about a lonely man, Hoffmann, searching for love. He searches for it through three woman, all of which do not reciprocate his love as he would have hoped." Elijah and Klaus share a look and then he continues. "The first woman is someone who has been bound to him since childhood, and despite the fact that he grew up knowing her and loving her, the woman did not ever care for him like he needed. The second woman," he continued despite Klaus's rude clanking of silverware, "he claimed was his true love. But alas she could not choose between him and another. The third woman he loved, failed in honesty. She led him to believe that she loved him but then left him unexpectedly."

"So does he ever find love?" Caroline asked, now intrigued by the story.

"It's a matter of opinion." Elijah looked at Klaus again who was now deep in thought. "You see, Caroline, through out Hoffmann's life there was a muse, an angel who took the form of a human, by the name of Nicklausse. During times of grief and danger, Nicklausse was the one to save Hoffmann from losing himself. Hoffmann was aware of Nicklausse's presence the entire time but he ignored him, believing that he did not need Nicklausse in any way. It wasn't until Hoffmann realized the sad and empty life he was leading did he finally accept Nicklausse into his life. The love Hoffmann finds is a sort of peace within himself. At least that is my opinion."

When Elijah finished, Caroline could tell that the story held a deeper meaning to them but before she could even ask another question they were interrupted by a female voice.

"Well this looks boring."

**Wow. Can I just say it feels amazing to write something that isn't a one-shot. I've missed writing like this. It's been too long. Haha

Well I hope you all enjoyed chapter two. The song Belle Nuit and the opera Les Contes d'Hoffman are real. The only thing I changed from the storyline were the descriptions of the three woman, other than that everything else is true. At least, that is was wikipedia told me.

Also, I've only been to New Orleans once for about a week and that was three years ago. So as the story progresses and some details aren't accurate, don't kill me.

Please review! You comments/critique help and encourage me so much. :]