Thank you thank you thank you! You guys, the reviews are awesome so thank you for writing them!

sad olive's frnd: lol! Thanks for the compliment. As for my name 'Sad Olive', I've battled Depression most of my life but writing has always been my coping mechanism. But really I am a 'Happy Banana' as you say. (Haha) Sad Olive is just a name tribute to all the struggles I've overcome….I will admit that the Olive part was completely random. :]

a fan: THANK YOU. What a wonderful compliment. If Julie Plec hired me my dream would come true.

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to TVD or the OGs.

Klaus had never been happier. For the first time ever he was seeing the world, or at least New Orleans, in a new light, and he knew it was because of the blonde who was tucked under his arm as they continued to roam the Quarter. Every time he looked at her he felt hopeful. The sparkle that he saw in her eyes made him smile.

Caroline felt his arm pull her little closer to him and she peeked up and smirked. "Afraid I'm going to run away?" she teased.

"You can't run away from me, Caroline," he responded, looking back at her with a confident expression.

"Why, because you're faster than me?" she said, continuing to tease him.

He bent his head closer to hers and caught her gaze. "No. Because I love you."

By now they had stopped walking and were now standing just outside of what looked like a small park. Caroline looked away from him and took note of the perfectly landscaped trees and bushes and she could see a large white church in the distance. She saw a plaque not too far from her labeled 'Jackson Square'. She was about to ask the name of the church but when she looked up at him again she couldn't make a sound. Klaus was looking at her so intensely it made want to take a step back from him only she was frozen in place.

He had been watching her look at her surroundings and even though he knew she was curious about names, he chose not to indulge her for a moment. When she looked at him again only one thing was on his mind. "If you were to run away from me, Caroline, I would be the only thing on your mind. And it wouldn't be because you fear me, like Katerina so obviously does, it would be because you're so madly in love with me a life without me wouldn't make any sense."

She looked at him with a confused expression, wondering why he became so serious all of sudden. She never planned on leaving him. Reaching for his face she caressed his stubbled jaw. "I was only joking with you," she explained softly.

Klaus took her hand and kissed the tips of her fingers. He slipped one into his mouth and sucked before he bit down hard and watched her wince. "Don't joke about leaving me," he said quietly.

Caroline was stunned. This was the second time he bit her like this and both times his response was some sort of order. She scoffed and tore her hand out of his grasp. She didn't even know what to say to him. He made her so mad when he was like this. She turned and began to walk away from him.

Klaus sighed as he watched her cross the cobbled street back in the direction of the Quarter. It was true he disliked her teasing him about leaving but at the same time he knew he was wrong about intimidating her like he just did. He was only thankful that she still had the courage to turn her back on him like she just did. He never wanted her to fear him. "Caroline!" he shouted as he quickened in her direction.

"Unbelievable," she mumbled as she continued to stride away.

"Caroline," Klaus called again, this time upsetting a horse pulling a tourist buggy.

"Why do you do that?" Caroline nearly whined when she turned to face him. "Let's get something straight," she said with crossed arms when he finally stood in front of her. "I am not your hybrid, I am not sire-bonded to you, Klaus."

"I know, love."

"Do you? Because you have a funny way of showing it."

He caught her elbows and gently pulled her to him. "I'm sorry," he said to her sincerely. "I'm sorry," he said again when her expression didn't change.

"And!" she added for good measure, "I don't think my sire would appreciate you biting me either."

At that he couldn't help but laugh. "Ah yes, I wouldn't want to upset big brother Stefan." Before she could respond to that he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to him and molded his lips to hers softly.

"I'm tired of fighting with you, Klaus," she said when he pulled away. "I, I love you I'm here with you, okay?"

"Beautiful jewelry is always the best apology," an older gypsy-dressed woman interrupted from their side.

Klaus and Caroline looked at her at the same time and eyed the jewelry she was selling. It was indeed beautiful but a glimpse of a price tag made Caroline turn her down. "Thanks but no thanks," she said sweetly before turning in the opposite direction.

Klaus grabbed her hand and walked her back to the woman's table. "Choose something, sweetheart."

"Klaus I forgive you, I don't need jewelry to accept your apology."

"I know." He didn't move though.

"Klaus," she tried again, "I don't need this."

"I do." Blue met blue as they gazed into each other's eyes. For a moment she could see something purely human in him, she didn't know exactly what but she knew it was there. "Please."

She acquiesced by turning her attention to the jewelry. All of the pieces were beautiful but she quickly concluded that they were way overpriced with the exception of the rings.

"Red is the color of love," the woman suggested as she picked up a giant red ruby ring and held it toward Caroline.

The blonde only shook her head as a response. Unconsciously she brushed her fingers over a simpler ring. It was sterling silver and it held a small heart-shaped onyx stone. It was dark but when she picked it up it gleamed under the sunlight.

Klaus produced two one hundred dollar bills and placed them on the woman's table.

The woman picked up the money and smiled. "You're boyfriend surely loves you, darlin'."

Taking Caroline's hand and walking away from the table, he slipped the ring on her left ring finger. He looked at her, her eyes meeting his. "Yes, he does," he whispered to her.

:

The afternoon was slowly melting into a warm evening. Caroline yawned as Klaus and her lazily strolled about the Quarter streets.

Klaus caught her yawning and gently squeezed her hand. "Tired, sweetheart?"

"Just a little," she answered. They hadn't said much to each other after their earlier spat. They were both deep in thought even though they both persisted on continuing their sightseeing.

Klaus's thoughts were driven more by anger because he hadn't imagined her first day of seeing the world to be tainted and what made it worse was he blamed himself. He was still upset with himself for how he handled her earlier teasing and yet at the same time he wasn't sure, if given the chance, he'd handle it differently.

Caroline couldn't help but fiddle with her ring and the heavy meaning she felt came with it. She could tell that he deliberately put the ring on her left hand on ring finger but he didn't comment on it.

"We can head back to Belle Nuit if you wish," he said softly.

She was about to answer but then his phone went off. She didn't even realize his phone was on him until that moment.

"Brother." Caroline nearly rolled her eyes at how he answered Elijah's phone call, wondering why they could never just greet each other with a Hello.

"Niklaus, meet me by the fountain in Jackson Square."

Caroline heard the click of the phone call ending. "That was short." she commented.

"Indeed. I can call and have someone pick you up unless you'd rather join me."

She stared up at him and even though he kept his expression neutral, she could tell that there was some deeper emotion in his eyes, something hopeful and yet unsure. She would see it from time to time and the more she did the more curious she became. "I'll go with you," she finally answered. She hardly recognized her voice when she spoke. As tired as she was, she felt like she couldn't leave his side.

Her answer brought him a sense of relief, and if he was honest with himself, it surprised him. Still, he didn't let it show on his face so instead he kissed her forehead and took her hand again, leading them in the direction of the square.

:

"Good evening, Caroline," Elijah greeted when he saw her and his brother approach him.

Caroline gave him a sincere smile. She still didn't know much about Klaus's older brother but she knew that he was a friendly face, at least for her. Strange, she thought, how his family, a stranger, had become a friendly face. She really didn't have a choice in the matter. Mystic Falls was her past now.

"So what is it, brother, that you decided to steal the rest of this day from Caroline?" Klaus asked.

Caroline tiredly took a seat on the width of the fountain edge and watched the two Original's converse.

Elijah regarded Caroline and gave her an expression that she figured was his way of apologizing. "Marcel has returned," Elijah began.

"Ah, so I can finally reunite with my old friend," Klaus drawled. "Did you find out where he was?"

"Valentina made that discovery this morning," the elder brunette continued. At the mention of her name, Caroline perked up and put the pieces together. She remembered seeing the sassy Latina saunter away earlier that morning and now Elijah answered her unspoken question. "Being that Valentina has made this city her home for quite some time, Marcel believes her to be his friend, not to mention she is also from an Original bloodline as is he. Anyway, Marcel chose to escape to New York until the news of Jane Ann's death subsided."

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Why are we trusting her?" he asked with more anger in voice than curiosity.

"You already know the answer, Niklaus."

"And is it enough?" Klaus pushed.

"When is Love not?" Elijah countered.

Caroline was beyond confused. She stared at Klaus until he finally looked at her and he knew that she wanted answers.

"Marcel at this very moment is in a karaoke bar just down the street. I think it would be wise to present yourself."

At Elijah's suggestion Klaus and Caroline's staring battle ceased and Klaus turned his attention back to his brother. "Very well, Elijah. I'll go in just a moment."

Elijah seemed to understand Klaus's underlying meaning and with that walked away, presumably to Belle Nuit.

"Caroline." Klaus slowly walked over to her to which she stood up and met his serious gaze head on. "I know you have questions but right now isn't the time."

She nodded even though she was bothered by the obvious unexplained history of Valentina and his family.

He sighed heavily because this was not how he wanted things to play out but the Marcel situation screamed for his attention even though all he wanted to do was escape with Caroline undisturbed. He buried his face in her hair and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Forgive me, sweetheart. I know all this is unpleasant for you and if I had a choice then I would turn my back on this whole matter."

Closing her eyes she melted against him, and if she ignored all the sounds of the city, she remembered how it felt to be with him in Mystic Falls. It was familiar. It was reassuring. It was what made her nod her head against his chest and summon the courage to face meeting Marcel by his side. "I know. It's okay. What do I need to do?"

Klaus was amazed at her courage. He grabbed her face and kissed her hard until she moaned from his brutal assault and when he finally granted her air he gazed into her young eyes, trying to understand her bravery and then kissed her again.

:

"Niklaus Mikaelson."

The bar was packed when Klaus and Caroline entered. It was rather small and even though there was a full bar available, the main thrill of the place was centered around a small stage.

However when they had walked in, everyone's focus was on the stage but instead of a song came the announcement of Klaus.

A dark beautiful man stepped down from the stage, dressed in a simple black v-neck and black leather pants. He, like Klaus she observed, wore a few necklaces and also had the same habit of making the atmosphere in the room change by just his presence. He slowly made his way toward them, a serious expression on his face and Klaus repaid the compliment. As Marcel came closer to them, most of the occupants of the bar stood up. In that moment, Caroline realized they were definitely in the lion's den.

"The goal is to maintain the illusion that we know nothing about him," Klaus explained.

"Okay, I can do that," Caroline said easily.

"Just follow my lead, sweetheart."

"Niklaus Mikaelson," Marcel repeated. "Last I heard you killed your papa."

"You're not wrong." Klaus kept his face neutral.

"And then I heard about the havoc you caused in a small town by the name of Mystic Falls."

"Still not wrong."

Marcel's eyes landed on Caroline and for the first time since she saw him his face stretched into a wide smile as he boldly took in her features. "You've been busy," Marcel finally said and then turned to look at Klaus once more. "If I had known you were coming…" He paused and looked over his shoulders, keeping the suspense going. This man was all about show, Caroline concluded. "I would have thrown you a damn parade!"

At that Klaus grinned wickedly and he and Marcel embraced each other, laughing as if brothers.

"Ah Niklaus. My mentor, my savior, my sire. Let me get you a drink!" He outstretched his arms as a welcoming gesture.

Klaus continued smiling. "I'd written you off as dead."

"Yeah well I'm a lot harder to kill than you think," he joked but then his attention was back on Caroline. "But never mind that. Klaus who is this blue-eyed goddess?"

At Marcel's compliment Klaus wrapped his arm around Caroline's waist. "This beautiful woman, Marcel, is Caroline." Klaus pulled her closer and kissed her adoringly on her cheek and she smiled up at him. "My fiancé."

**Okay so this was kinda a filler chapter but it needed to be done. Still, I hope you guys enjoyed it and are still excited for this fic. The story of Valentina is coming up soon and then after that the pace of the story will change.

I'd love to hear your thoughts so please review! Some of you have PMed me with questions and predictions, keep it coming!

I'll be on vacation this week but I'll try to get some writing so I could update soon again.

Also, I'd love to hear some news about comic con, especially the OGs panel, so if anyone wants to share… ;)