Straight into the meeting. Just a warning, I am going a little off book, and putting in a brand new character, who is 100% fantasy on my part. There was no one else that could currently fit this profile I felt.

I don't own Vampire Diaries or any of it's characters, L.J Smith does and I'm jealous.

"Forgive us for intruding, we are early." Elijah apologised.

"My ears are certainly burning, so I suppose I don't have to ask you what you were discussing." Klaus remarked, smiling pleasantly around he strolled into the middle of the room. Casting a sideways glance at Damon he remarked,

"I'll take that drink mate."

She struggled to keep her eyes casual and disinterested, but she felt like her emotions were painted across her face. Her first glimpse of him in over a week, and it made her mouth dry. Quickly reaching into her bag she pulled out her phone and stared at it, feeling his eyes making their way towards her, so she concentrated on her phone, feigning absorption with something, smiling slightly.

Suddenly Stefan cleared his throat and began talking,

"Why don't you tell us why you gathered us here today Klaus." Caroline looked up then and for the slightest of moments, she caught his eyes lingering on her face. Almost as soon as her eyes connected with his, he looked away, towards the fire, and spoke,

"Well, I think we need to set some ground rules here. Mistakes have been made. On both sides may I add." he said cutting off Damon as he began to speak.

"However, my family and I have put down some roots in this town, and we don't want to leave just now. I am willing to overlook the fact that you all betrayed me... and then broke your deal with my siblings to deliver my body safely to them. I am also willing to forgive you for the fact that because of your ineptitude, I almost died."

"Why didn't you die?" Damon asked suddenly

"I'm not interested in going into it too much, but you should all be grateful I didn't. I am undoubtedly the creator of your bloodline, so the group sitting in here, if I had died, would be much smaller."

"And we are just supposed to forgive you after everything you've done?" Jeremy said angrily.

"Jeremy" Elena began, but he interrupted, "He killed Jenna!"

"Like I said, young Jeremy, there is blame to apportion on each side... Yes, I tried to steal all of Elena's blood to make my hybrids. Yes, I had your aunt turned into a vampire, then killed her. What I am trying to make you understand, is that there is no real reason for me to try to smooth things over and get along. We three could kill you all before you finished taking your present breath. But, I'm not an unreasonable man, and I'm tired of all this blood shed."

"So, what are you proposing?" Caroline was proud of her mother's commanding tone.

"We will remain here as long as we wish. You will not try to kill, dagger or desiccate any of us. In return, we will protect this town, and leave you to live your lives. We will not kill or feed on the general population and in fact we could facilitate your lives here quite a bit. "

"In what way?" Stefan asked critically

"Well, are you or are you not aware that Rebekah's compulsion of the council hasn't quite worked as planned? And they are at present plotting to oust you Sheriff and imprison your daughter."

It took Caroline a second to realise that he was talking about her.

"What? Imprison me where?" she cried, having a visceral flashback to the room her father had kept her in.

"It doesn't matter, they're not going to succeed, but clearly, something must be done." he answered still not looking at her.

"How can they know? I thought Rebekah took care of it?" Elena asked scathingly, as the two girls exchanged glowers.

"I did, but how was I supposed to know they were prepared for that. They backed everything up, wrote it down. It's procedure apparently." she raised an eyebrow at the Sheriff.

Liz sat on the arm of the couch and looked a bit stunned.

"Well! Is she right?" Damon demanded

"I don't know, I mean, it's possible... but neither Carole or I know. But it doesn't surprise me. We are not original founding family members, we just married into the families. They have never opened to us fully."

Silence stretched out after this while everyone considered the implications.

"So, does this mean the council is coming after us?" Elena asked.

""No, they only know about Caroline and Tyler, the Sheriff and the Mayor's involvement." Elijah finally joined the conversation.

"Well, that's a relief!" Damon laughed and everyone turned to him. Rebekah noticed her brother looked particularly aggravated.

"So... what does it mean?"Caroline asked in a small voice. Then jumped as Klaus finally turned to her and met her eyes full on,

"It means sweetheart that they are watching you, waiting for you to slip, to be alone, vulnerable" as he spoke his eyes slid over her, memorising every detail of how spectacular she looked.

"Then, when you least expect it, they are going to take you... and they are going to try to make you tell them who else like you lives in Mystic Falls, and when you don't want to tell them... they are going to hurt you." she couldn't move her eyes from his. They were locked in, and she saw something writhing in their depths, again, a kind of torment. Caroline was suddenly aware of everyone watching them, and she looked down self consciously. She felt Klaus's eyes still on her. Elijah stepped in,

"We can help protect you from this. Make sure we are all allowed to go on living here, without danger and suspicion, but we would need your word that you have accepted our terms."

"And why do we need your help? What can you do that we can't?" Damon demanded angrily.

"Because there is someone leading the council, who knows a lot more about vampires than anyone before him. I believe you know him Sheriff and you too Caroline, however you call him uncle."

"Uncle Simon is here?" just uttering the words, she felt a slither of fear go through her. Almost immediately she thought of the photograph from the week before, something she still hadn't told anyone about.

Her father's brother had always been a tough guy to get along with, Elena and her used to joke that their uncles should be brothers, so similar was Simon to Elena's uncle John. Except he had turned out to be her father... Caroline sighed. How confusing was that. The relationship between her father and his brother had always been volatile, and Simon was never a fan of Liz, so as a result, Caroline didn't really know her uncle very well. However, he was a founding family member, and if anything, he hated vampires even more than her father had. She wondered if he blamed them for his brothers death now too.

"Very much so, and he has quite a few tricks to rely on. Unfortunately regular vampire powers are not going to be enough. That, plus the fact that he is quite remorseless. He is not above sacrificing anyone, for what he believes is the greater good. I worry most about you Jeremy and you Matt. As two of the only genuine humans left in this group, you are at risk. As are you Caroline. He knows you, your habits, your lifestyle. He will find it easy to take you. The only thing he doesn't know about are originals and hybrids, thus giving us an advantage over him."

"How will you neutralise the council?" Stefan asked, receiving a sharp look from Liz.

"Rest assured Sheriff, if you accept our terms, we will not spill any human blood, despite how they might deserve it." Klaus said, thinking about Caroline's uncle.

The group looked around at each other, shocked faces, becoming resolved. Elena finally stood up and went to stand in front of Elijah

"Do you promise, to protect this town and all the people in it? To keep us all safe?" her eyes searched his, the closest friend she'd come to having among the oldest family of vampires. He took her hand in his and held it to his chest.

"You have my word." Stefan watched them warily before rising and going to stand near Klaus.

"If we make this deal, how do I know we can trust you?"

"Because, deep down inside, you remember the guy who was your friend, who never actually broke a promise to you. Your brother standing here is proof of that. And because you are a logical man Stefan. You know that I only propose deals that are beneficial to me, so why would I break them?" Stefan could have sworn that his eyes flickered to Caroline for an instant, and it was enough to convince him. Looking at the Sheriff he raised an eyebrow at her and she nodded,

"I think it's in our best interests Stefan. I accept your terms Klaus. I hope you don't disappoint me."

Stefan extended his hand out, he felt Klaus grip it strongly and shake it, a smile brightening the hybrid's features.

"We have a deal."

"Excellent" stepping back, he addressed Damon who had popped up in front of him,

"I don't trust you." growled Damon.

"Noted" Klaus said with a smile and slapped Damon on the arm,

"Let's get down to the first order of business then shall we?"

With renewed sense of purpose everyone gathered around a little closer. Rebekah edged closer to the chair Matt was sitting on, smiling shyly at him. Klaus and Elijah remained standing, closing the circle that they formed.

"We will get to work rooting out our enemies in the council. For the time being I think it best if you Sheriff... don't let anyone know that we have discovered them. As for you Caroline, you will need to go somewhere safe. Somewhere your uncle wouldn't expect you to go." Elijah spoke calmly.

"How about my house?" Elena asked quickly, but Elijah shook his head.

"The first place he'd look, after Bonnie's and Matt's of course. No this needs to be somewhere totally new for you, unexpected."

"Well, I would volunteer here, but everyone on the council knows we... have history" Damon waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively, prompting a throat clearing from Liz. Caroline suddenly caught sight of Klaus just then, he was looking at Damon calculatingly, his eyebrows lowering into a scowl. He turned abruptly towards the fire and leaned his hands on the mantle, face lost in the orange flames of the fire.

"Well, what about ours then?" Rebekah suggested, eagerly waiting for Matt to give her a smile, he looked at her sidelong, and crooked his lips a touch. Looking up she met her brother's gaze, hidden from everyone else it pulled the smile off her face,

"What? It's the safest place with us all there, and it's the most unexpected too"

"I agree" Bonnie said, shooting Caroline a forceful look.

"She has to be protected."

"Wait a minute! Doesn't anyone care what I think?" Caroline demanded sarcastically.

"Not really, so it's decided. Caroline will hide out at yours, we will investigate the council and no one is going to try to kill anyone else around here..." he pointed fingers around at everyone.

"I'm not staying there!" Caroline announced shrilly, standing. Everyone looked at her, except Klaus who still had his back to them all, contemplating the fire.

"Caroline" her mother griped her hand "If it's the safest place, then you should go"

"Mum, you don't understand..." Caroline trailed off, suddenly overwhelmed by the prospect. Turning she strode off to the kitchen, leaving the others discussing methods of infiltrating the secret council inside the secret council. Leaning her forehead against the cool glass of the window she took a few deep breaths to calm racing heart.

"Caroline" Bonnie's voice "What's wrong?"

"Seriously? You don't know? I can't stay there Bonnie... not with him"

"Caroline, this isn't a joke, you need to take it seriously."

"I am! I seriously don't want to stay there. And why are you supporting it?"

"Because I know he'll keep you safe!" They stared at each other in silence, until Caroline felt tears tug at her eyes. Bonnie wound her arms around her and held her tight, stroking her hair gently.

"Why is this happening again?" Caroline cried "Why do my family hate me so much?"

"It's not their choice, it's how they were brought up." Bonnie whispered. Then gathering courage, she told her what she had been dreading.

"Did you speak to Tyler today?" feeling Caroline shake her head. Bonnie took a deep breath and let it out

"He's left again Caroline. He feels so horrible about everything, that plus breaking up...he's just really down and needs some time to come back to himself. It's been really hard on him, changing bodies, probably on Klaus too, not that he'd say. Are you OK."

Caroline had pulled back and was now sitting on a bar stool, she considered it briefly then nodded.

"I am. It's OK, at least he's out of danger. And after a little while, it'll be easier to be around each other." They sat in companionable silence for while, as Caroline agonised over how she could possibly get out of staying there. There didn't seem to be another option, her traitorous heart quaked at the prospect of being back in that house, near him all the time. She thought of his back outlined by the fire, wondered how much it irritated him that Rebekah had volunteered his house. She sighed, maybe this was a kind of revenge. Invading his personal space, he definitely seemed upset about it.

"Let's go back through" she said rising, Bonnie, guessing she had made her decision smiled and followed. Arriving back in the room, she saw Klaus's back stiffen, even before she spoke, and he still hadn't turned.

"I need to get some things from home" she mumbled quietly, as Rebekah jumped up and came over to her.

"I'll come with you, your own personal bodyguard" she smiled, she looked a little too happy, seemed like Matt must have spoken back to her this time. Finally Klaus turned slowly from the fire, he was composed but quieter now. He attempted a smile at the assembled group.

"Well, seems we can work together when needs must. We'll be off then, but we'll talk tomorrow. I think we should keep meetings here, as we can arrive unseen and it will keep them from suspecting us."

"I concur" Elijah said, prompting an eye rolling from Damon.

"Fine, but next time it's BYOB" cracked Damon, his eyes following Elena as she shrugged on her coat and came over to Caroline.

"Are you sure you're OK with this?" she asked in a concerned way. Caroline managed a breezy smile and said,

"Of course! Don't worry about me."

"Caroline, are you ready?" Rebekah asked pointedly behind her. Caroline winced, she felt completely in the middle between her oldest friend, and a brand new one, who was not exactly tactful.

"Can't you guys just get on now?" she asked, instantly making it awkward for all of them.

"Ask Elena." Rebekah said cattily. Elena stared at Caroline, her features gradually softening, she turned to Rebekah and said,

"Take care of my friend and... we'll see"

"Whatever" Rebekah said arrogantly, though Caroline could see she was relieved, even just from a Matt angle.

Klaus and Elijah passed them on their way to the door.

"See you at home ladies" Elijah said, Klaus kept silent, his hands in his pockets, head down, he strode to the exit.

"So, this is your house. It's very homey isn't it." Rebekah walked around her room, touching Caroline's things. Caroline rolled her eyes, as she pulled a little suitcase out from under her bed, and started to put some essentials in it. Rebekah was acting cool now, but they'd had a bit of a moment before at the door.

Walking into the house with her mum, she'd forgotten temporarily that Rebekah won't be able to come in. Pausing beyond the door, she'd affected a cool expression and sat on the rocker on the porch.

"I'll just wait out here shall I?" she'd asked in a nonchalant tone. Caroline had exchanged a look with her mum, and Liz had cleared her throat, before saying,

"In spirit of this evening, please come inside and wait Rebekah." the blond had registered this, slowly standing she came to the threshold, looking warily at mother and daughter, before stepping a foot inside the house, casting her eyes around for the trick. When non was forthcoming, she visibly relaxed, breaking into a genuine smile for them.

"Thanks, you have a lovely home Sheriff" she said, and Caroline swore her heart broke a little for the girl who didn't expect acceptance or friendship from anyone.

"Definitely take these" Rebekah was holding up a silky, ice blue pajama set, with tiny shorts and camisole top with ribbon straps that tied on the shoulders. Grabbing them, Caroline threw them on the bed before asking,

"And why exactly would I need those?"

"To seduce my brother of course" Rebekah smirked and raised an eyebrow dirtily at her. Sitting on the bed she started to fold them, regarding Caroline speculatively,

"So... how long are you going to make him suffer?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this week has been like living with a teenager again. Moody, depressed and drunk for most part. How long before you let him know you remember everything. That you still... feel like you did before, when he was Tyler..."

Caroline was rooting through her make up, choosing some basics to put into the case. Seeing Rebekah was really asking her this question, she decided she needed to answer her properly.

"Well, I haven't really decided if I'm going to. It's complicated. He and I... I still don't think there's any reason to bring up those feelings. We both know it's pointless."

"Why" Rebekah asked, confusion clouding her brow.

"Because... he's... him and I'm... me. We are opposites and... it'd never work."

"But that's why it would work!" Rebekah exclaimed, sitting forward,

"He needs someone like you Caroline. He's spent so long being lost... and alone."

"He wasn't always alone, you were there."

"And just as lost and alone as he was. He's my brother. Sometimes I hate him and he drives me crazy with his manipulations and plotting and bloody highhandedness. But, I also love him, and I've seen the effect you have on him. You would make him a better person, you would be his humanity." Rebekah broke off, observing the emotions playing across Caroline's features.

"And what about me...? What would he give me?" Caroline asked softly, genuinely interested in what this age old original thought they could give each other.

Rebekah took a few minutes to search for the right word, then finding it, fixed Caroline with an honest look

"Devotion. Eternal devotion, which for a vampire, is a very long time."

"Girls, sorry to interrupt" Liz's voice interrupted them from the doorway "Caroline, can I speak to you for a second."

"Sure" she went you into the hall with her mum, where her mum handed her an envelop and a plastic sports bottle.

"Emm, thanks." Caroline said quizzically, wondering what it was.

"It's vervain" her mum whispered, "Just in case, I don't like the way Klaus looks at you sometimes."

"How's that?" Caroline asked lightly

"Like you're his."

"Mum" Caroline said softly, hugging her.

"Just take care of yourself sweetheart" Liz whispered.

Back in her room, Rebekah had obviously progressed to deciding what Caroline should pack, and was currently looking through her bedside drawer,

"Wait!" Caroline cried, immediately seeing it was too late as Rebekah's hand withdrew with the pictures and photograph in it.

"What's this?" she leafed through them. Looking at her brother's drawings, she arched an eyebrow at Caroline, but didn't say anything, though her look made it clear she was assuming plenty. She focused on the photograph.

"Nik didn't give you this..." Rebekah said with certainty.

"No" Caroline admitted, pulling it gently from her hands, she looked at it.

"I don't know who did. I found it here, outside, last week."

"Have you told anyone about it?"

"No, and I'm not going to, neither are you. I don't want to worry my mum anymore."

"Well, you should at least tell Nik, and Elijah and maybe the Salvatores, it must be related to the council stuff. It's... creepy." Rebekah shuddered. Pushing it under the sketches and back into the drawer.

"I will soon. Anyway, I'm going to be staying at yours, so I couldn't possibly come to any danger right?" Caroline smiled to show she wasn't worried, which wasn't exactly true. Changing the subject she looked at her bulging bag.

"So, I guess I'm done packing. What have you put in here?"

"Just the essentials." Rebekah claimed. "Now, we should get a move on and let your mum go to bed. Don't worry, I left room for your vervain" she grinned before saying,

"By the way, you won't need it, we have enough at home."

"Yeah, I remember." Caroline muttered.

p.s - Reviews make my day))