A/N 1.0: so there seemed to be a bit of confusion about last chapter (sorry!) so here's a quick rundown about wtf is going on.

~if this were canon, the first 3 chapters would take place in 4x19 which is the Prom episode.

~Klaus and Caroline were together in the first two chapters (not romantically) and, going by spoilers for episodes we haven't seen, they've built a tenuous relationship and Caroline is doing her best to steer Klaus straight with this redemption arc thing they've got going on. and, Klaus, decided he wanted to try something "good"

~Silas did come intrude on Klaroline's moment in the woods, that all happened. but he only messed with one of them.

~this chapter would be ep 4x20, starting the backdoor pilot.

I hope that helps a little bit! enjoy:)

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Diaries.

title courtesy of 'Broken Crown' by Mumford & Sons.

4

tis not enough your counsel still be true; blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do.

Klaus pulled his phone out of his pocket and checked the caller ID before answering. "Stefan! To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, striding briskly down the street basked in the late afternoon sunlight.

"I stopped by your house hoping you could explain what the hell happened last night but you weren't there. Convenient of you to skip town, isn't it?"

Klaus stopped in his tracks. "You saw me last night after this supposed murder and did it look like I had ripped any hearts out?" he snapped.

"Only Caroline's."

"How is she?"

"Mourning her boyfriend's death."

"Mark my words, I did not kill Tyler Lockwood."

"Caroline's convinced you did but that's the thing. Damon and I have both searched the woods. There's nothing there. No blood, no body and we all know you like to make a spectacle of your kills unless you're trying to sweep it under the rug and keep her in the dark."

"I make a spectacle to warn others against ill advised attempts on my life and I find it cute that you think I would leave obvious clues if I committed a murder I didn't want all you sycophants to know about. Come now, Stefan. Give me a little more credit than that," Klaus said with an amused smirk. Stefan didn't respond and Klaus growled, moving to lean against the brick of an old building and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Silas dropped by for an unexpected visit last night."

"What?"

"Silas confronted me last night while Caroline was with me and made a rather unwise move on his part. It'll cost him his life, that I can assure you," Klaus said, continuing on his way.

"You think he did something to Caroline?"

"I know he did something to her and I'm taking measures to rectify the situation."

"For your own selfish reasons," Stefan scoffed.

"No, Stefan," Klaus growled. "Not just for my own reasons but for you and your ungrateful little posse. Isn't that what you wanted from me in the first place? A partner to help you take down the new big bad? I recall you and Caroline being quite adamant that I provide my help on the matter. Surely you realize if Silas breaks through the barrier of the Other Side, both Esther and Mikael will come back into this world, hell bent on my demise which, you know, with the whole bloodline issue would cause some rather undesirable side effects. So, can I trust you to be a good boy and keep your idiot brother in line in my absence? No meddling, no foolish plans that will get you killed, no messes."

"That depends. Can I trust your word on the whole situation?"

"I think you've come to that conclusion on your own, mate. Not only did you prove my innocence yourself by playing detective but I just disclosed the truth to you."

"In not so many words," Stefan said with a humorless chuckle.

"I'm not playing games, Stefan, and my patience is running thin."

"You have my word we won't do anything until you get back. If Silas is as powerful as it seems then we'll need the extra vampire muscle to take him down."

"Your word doesn't mean much to me until I see it for myself. I need action."

"Alright. I'll do whatever it takes, Klaus."

"Keep an eye on the Bennet witch. Move her location if necessary, the last thing we need is for Silas to discover her whereabouts before I can get back."

"If you think you're going to turn Bonnie over to him…"

"No, Stefan. If I have it my way, which I will, Bonnie Bennet will never contact Silas again. She's the key to this. If Silas gets his hands on her, the veil will be torn down without a moment's notice. I'm giving you permission to use whatever means necessary to ensure she is not found."

"Thankfully I don't really want to turn Bonnie over in the first place so there's no need for you to 'give me permission', Klaus. I'll do what it takes, I told you that."

"And I said I'd need action. One more thing, Stefan."

"I'm listening."

"Keep an eye on everyone. Caroline, especially. I need you to be my eyes and ears, Stefan. Do not disappoint me."

"I think I prefer my damned life too much to risk upsetting you," Stefan said with a sigh. "Where are you?"

"Well, let's just say 'le roi est de retourné' and leave it at that for now, mate," Klaus said with a smirk, ending the call before Stefan could respond. He rounded the corner ahead and saw the girl leaning against the lamppost underneath the street sign, twirling a lock of dark brown hair around her finger in boredom. "There's my girl," he said in way of greeting.

"It's about time you showed up," Hayley drawled, looking up at Klaus under thick eyelashes.

"Don't look so excited, love. We have work to do."

"Then go do it. He'll show up in there around 4 o'clock, I made sure of it," Hayley said, giving Klaus a tightlipped, sarcastic smile and pushing off the lamppost to walk away.

"Ah, ah, ah let's not be difficult, Hayley. You know what's riding on the line of your cooperation," Klaus warned, grabbing the werewolf's elbow and applying gentle pressure to get his point across before spinning her around to escort her into the bar. "And I'd hate to see you lose that."

"I'm sure you would," she said under her breath, causing Klaus to chuckle as he opened the door of the run down bar and ushering Hayley with a hand on the small of her back. She stiffened under Klaus' touch, her eyes darting left and right in the dim light of the aged building.

"You seem nervous."

"This place is crawling with vampires. You know, only my sworn enemies. I'm a little outnumbered so of course I'm nervous," Hayley countered, sliding onto a bar stool, eyes raking over the other inhabitants of the bar as they studied her and Klaus with dark and suspicious gazes, whispering in hushed voices.

"Love, I'm the king of this city. Whether these sycophants are aware of that fact or not remains to be seen. But, nevertheless, you're safe with me," he whispered in amusement, sitting on the stool next to Hayley's, rolling his blue-green eyes and signaling for the bar tender.

"Should I just consider you a regular here now?" the girl asked with a bright smile and a laugh, placing two napkins over the aged wooden surface and placing a drink in front of Hayley.

"Probably not, Cami. I'll be out of here before long," Hayley said, forcing a smile of her own.

"Well that's too bad. Marcel's gonna miss you."

"Please. You know how he is. He'll have other girl hanging on his arm the second he realizes I've split and won't think twice about it," Hayley said, raising her glass and downing the shot Camille had slipped in front of her. "You're paying my bar tab, by the way," she snapped, shooting Klaus a sideways glance. "It's the least you can do."

"A new boy already, Hayley? Damn, you work fast! What can I get you, handsome?"

"Oh no. I'm never even going there and you shouldn't either, Cami. This ass isn't worth it."

Klaus raised a hand over his heart in mock offense. "A scotch would be lovely, sweetheart. Marcel and I go back a long ways and as fetching as Hayley here is," he said, placing a hand on Hayley's shoulder and relishing in the way the wolf girl tensed and squirmed at his touch, "I'm afraid it's not like that between us. You could say we're business partners."

"Business partners to be meetin' up with Marcel? That's a little peculiar if you don't mind me saying," Camille said. "If you have business with Marcel, he normally finds you. He's mysterious like that."

"Is that so?" Klaus said, not at all surprised. He had taught his protégé well.

"Mhmm," she said, placing the tumbler of scotch in front of Klaus. "You must be pretty high up on his list if you're seeking him out."

"Tell me more about my mysterious friend, love. It's been years since I've been in contact with him."

"Klaus," Hayley warned, giving the hybrid a pointed look.

"Go on, love. Tell me what's so mysterious about my friend," Klaus said, ignoring Hayley and leaning forward on his elbows with an all too innocent wolfish grin as he listened to Camille's heart hammer away in her chest. "I can tell there's something dying to escape your pretty little mouth. You're secret will be safe with me."

"Well…he's…there's something about him. Like he's been through a lot and…," Camille trailed off when the door to the old building open, creaking on it's hinges. The other inhabitants quieted themselves, only talking in hushed murmurs as heavy footsteps echoed against the brick walls. Hayley whipped her head around and Klaus saw her stiffen beside him, her fingers tightening around her shot glass just as Camille pushed off her elbows and stood up straight but maintained a relaxed stance. The footsteps halted directly behind Klaus and he smirked as he recognized the scent, it hadn't changed in years.

"If it isn't everyone's favorite bad boy," Camille said, an easy smile growing across her gentle features, her bright green eyes twinkling. "What can I get for you today?"

"Maybe you can tell me what riffraff Hayley's dragged into my bar? He reeks," Marcel drawled and Klaus saw a dark hand reach to pat Hayley on the cheek in a sarcastic manner. The werewolf bristled under the touch, her lip curling up in the beginning of a snarl. Klaus downed the rest of his scotch, the hard liquor disappearing down his throat, and was thankful he had the surprise of unlocking his curse on his side.

"Riffraff," he scoffed, without looking at his former protégé. "I'm a bit upset that you seem to have forgotten all about me and the fun time we shared, mate. And you of all people should know what happens when I'm upset."

Klaus could hear the smirk spread across Marcel's face as a hand clapped his shoulder in greeting. "Well, I'll be damned! The king has returned! Cami, sweet pea," Marcel said, slipping onto a barstool next to Klaus and leaning over it to get as close to the blonde as possible and flashing her a flirtatious smile, "make sure you give this sly bastard whatever it is he wants, got it? And I mean anything. I won't have the king of N'awlins wanting for anything while he's visitin'."

"You got it, hun," she said, her green eyes raking over Klaus' figure with renewed interest.

"C'mon girl! Don't just stand there and gawk. Fill us up!"

"Now that you've seen that I'm capable of catering to your every beck and call, can I go? I really have no interest in sitting here while you two rekindle your sick and twisted bromance," Hayley snapped. "I have better things to do."

"Yes, yes go," Klaus said, waving his hand dismissively. "Go check in with my siblings. Elijah will find something useful for you to put your nose to, love." Hayley glared at him before strutting off and out the door, leaving Marcel looking after her with lust-filled eyes.

"Where on earth did you find that little fireball? Let me tell you she's a grand ol' time, Klaus."

"It's a long story and I'd rather not disclose details. She doesn't like me very much," Klaus snorted, taking a lengthy drink from the refilled tumbler in front of him. "Her transgressions put her on a list you'd rather not be on if you know what I mean. I spared her because she provided very valuable information. She's is indebted to me for that and I figured why not reap the benefits of that servitude while I'm here."

"I take it this is a business trip then?"

"Yes and I'd like to get in and out as quickly as possible. I've brought Elijah and Rebekah along to help things run smoothly."

"Your wish is my command, Klaus. My henchmen are at your services," Marcel said, throwing in a mock bow.

Klaus smirked. "Fantastic. Now, I've set Elijah to work on this seeing as he rekindled his little romantic spark with Katerina Petrova and she'd spent a fair amount of time down here conspiring with my little wolf girl but I figured I'd come straight to the source."

"And here sits your steward," Marcel said, covering the resentment in his voice with a cheeky smile.

"I need a witch. And not just any witch," Klaus said, quickly amending his statement. His eyes quickly and discreetly flashed over to Camille who had busied herself cleaning glasses and mugs, humming something under her breath. He gave Marcel a pointed look, waiting for the man to fill in the blanks.

"Ah. I forgot you didn't like to keep those witches in your harem. Why go to all the trouble of seeking me out? Kol kept himself busy with witches, I'm sure going through the trouble of waking that sly dog up wo-"

"Kol's dead and my patience is wearing thin, Marcel," Klaus growled in warning. "Do you know where I can find what I need or will I have to tear the French Quarter apart?"

"The last witch I knew of that practiced was Valerie LaMarche and she's long dead, killed by her own foolishness before I could get my hands on her. Her daughter Nandi still lives here. There's a small circle that runs with her. I make sure they make it their business to keep it quiet. If anyone knows where to find what you need, it'll be them."

Klaus nodded curtly, his eyes straying back to Camille.

"She's a college student down over at Tulane," Marcel said, filling in the blanks as he toyed with his empty glass.

"Working in a vampire infested bar? I thought I taught you to be discreet," Klaus scoffed. "How much does she know?"

"She's a psychology student- fascinated by behavior and what makes someone… tick," he said, looking up at Klaus with a malicious smirk as he knocked his glass over and it shattered on the floor behind the bar. "She's clueless," he whispered in a voice so low only Klaus could hear as Camille scurried over to clean up the mess. "I'm so sorry, doll face! Forgive me and pour me another?"

Camille only rolled her eyes and laughed at Marcel's wide, all too innocent smile. "Sure thing, handsome. Should I top you off while I am it?" she asked Klaus, turning to look at him as she pulled the bottle of liquor down from the shelf, her green eyes sparkling as they lingered on him.

"Yeah, go ahead and fill 'im up, darlin'. Monsieur Klaus ain't much with words," Marcel said, throwing a wink at Klaus, "'specially when he sees a pretty thing like you. Say, what're you doing tonight?"

"Marcel," Camille warned, giving him a playful look.

"Oh, come on! We always have fun!" Marcel whined, leaning up on the bar top to get closer to her as she poured him a new glassful of scotch.

"Not tonight. I have a term paper to work on."

"What if Klaus here came with us? He may look stiff as a board but once you get him unwound, he's brilliant."

"Maybe some other time," she said, glancing at Klaus again, the spark in her eyes turning his thoughts to another bright-eyed blonde.

"Fineee," Marcel drawled with a pout, causing Camille to laugh. "One more thing, gorgeous."

"Hmm?"

"How much of that conversation did you hear?"

"About the witches? Only some of it. Why?"

"Because I want you to forget it," Marcel said, pursing his lips and boring into Camille's green eyes as his pupils dilated. Klaus watched with a raised eyebrow as the girl froze for a split second before going about her business behind the bar. Marcel looked at him expectantly, awaiting approval from his former teacher. "What? Did you think I let a mere human run rampant spewing about us no matter how much she'd fit in down here? Please, Klaus. I learned from the best." Klaus only rolled his eyes and took another lengthy drink. "Don't give me that look. I was only trying to help you out…you look like you could use a good lay. She isn't all that bad…tastes pretty good, too."

"I thought I had already disclosed that this isn't a pleasure trip, Marcel," the hybrid drawled.

"Right. Let's go see what we can do about your problème de sorcière, shall we?" Marcel said, gulping down his drink. "And then we can grab a real drink. For old time's sake."

A/N 2.0: sorry for another filler-y chapter:( I just had to introduce characters (uhm. I love Marcel. he's already such fun. that is all) and set the scene and all that jazz. we will have some action, badassery and (maybe) some answers next chapter. Elijah and Rebekah will also come out to play with everybody:)

thanks for reading! please leave a review if you have a minute, I'd appreciate it!

see ya next time, loves:)