Thank you for the feedback on the first chapter!

This chapter is light on Klaroline, but no worries, there is A LOT coming up. There will be a slower set up on this story due to the nature of Klaus' state. Sorry.

"Uuuugh!" Katherine moaned.

"I told you that you were drinking too much," Caroline laughed into her cup of coffee.

The brunette's hands flew up to cover her ears, and she tilted her head forward until her dark curls fell over her face blocking the light out of her eyes. "Well, you know everything, don't you?" she sneered sarcastically.

"I'm just saying that I was human not too long ago; you were human, like, a bijillion years ago. Maybe you should listen to my wisdom when I say that you can't handle that much tequila," the blonde smugly put with a shrug. Getting up to refill Katherine's mug, she took a moment to shake her head at the domestic atmosphere in the kitchen. Never since meeting the elder doppelganger did she think she would one day be pouring her coffee to help her deal with a hangover.

It was early Saturday morning, and they were both still wearing pj shorts and tanks. Katherine maintained her dark fashion sense even in her sleep, but Caroline wore a peach top and shorts sporting yellow flowers. She had taken great joy in obnoxiously rousing the elder girl from bed that morning by running the vacuum through the guest room with a wide grin on her face. She had laughed almost maniacally when Katherine shrieked and rolled off the side of the bed. Now the poor doppelganger was slumping forward on the counter looking slightly green.

"Did you hear back from the Mayor? Can I count on some peace and quiet around here from now on?" the brunette asked peaking up out of her hair trying to distract herself from the way the room spun.

A bright, peppy smile came to Caroline's mouth, "Yep. He wants me to organize the Labor Day Parade as, sort of, a trial. I'm meeting with the lady that heads the Founders Association on Monday."

"Have fun with that," she groaned.

"I think I will!" Caroline's phone buzzed, and she jumped for it. After viewing the small screen, her shoulders fell slightly.

A corner of the brunette's mouth lifted, "Disappointed?"

"Shut up, Kat," she sighed. "It's Elena. They reached Berlin, but apparently Rebekah and Matt had to change plans."

"How fascinating," the doppelganger droned.

Caroline scanned through her phone for a few moments before tossing the white rectangle down on the counter with a huff.

"You are so transparent."

"Look, it's just weird. He's called or texted just about every day since graduation. It's been three days. I'm just worried."

Katherine arched a dark eyebrow.

"I know, I know! It's stupid."

"Well, yeah. Considering it's just about impossible to kill him, it's pretty stupid you are worried about him."

"Ugh . . . I know. Whatever, I don't care." Swiping a hand back through her hair, she exhaled sharply. Waiting for Klaus to return her texts made her feel restless. She needed to do something, so she made do with washing the few dishes sitting in the sink.

Just then, the bell rang from the front door and both girls raised messy, curly heads in that direction.

"Who the hell is knocking on doors at this time on a Saturday?" Katherine slowly turned her back to the counter and slid down until her bum hit the floor. The bell rang again. "Please, Peaches, please. Make it stop."

"My hands are all sudsy; you get it. You have legs," Caroline spat.

Katherine grunted tugging herself up off the floor and trudging toward the door, "I hate you."

Hearing the brunette's steps fade down the hall, she muttered under her breath, "The feeling is mutual."

Swirling the last glass under the water, Caroline realized she had heard the front door creak open, but no voices. "Katherine," she called grabbing a dish towel and making her way to the hallway. Once she entered the hall, her eyes immediately jumped to the scene at the door. There stood Katherine stone still, silent, and tense regarding their obviously intrigued visitor.

Caroline's expression was shocked as her voice came out quiet and confused, "Elijah?"

Peering up from the speechless and freaked out doppelganger, he smiled congenially, "Miss Forbes. Lovely to see you. Forgive me for not calling."

This wasn't good. Out of all the people that were to be kept in the dark about Katherine's humanity, he had to show up at her door.

His voice seemed to rouse the brunette from her shock, "What are you doing here?" she blurted.

"Alas, there is a private matter I wish to discuss with Caroline, but I can think of a second reason that just sprang to mind now that you mention it." His voice was as straight-forward and mannerly as ever but, somehow, also dripped with hidden meaning as his eyes burned into Katherine's.

"My mother isn't here to invite you in," Caroline piped in as she took a stance beside her house-mate.

"Pity," he said, his eyes briefly flicking over to her.

"We can talk on the porch," the blonde offered motioning with her hand.

"Unfortunately, it is necessary to speak in a more guarded location. Perhaps Katerina and yourself could join me at my family's estate?"

Before Caroline could answer, Katherine's voice sprang out maliciously, "Right. Leave this house, so you can deliver me to your brother. No thank you."

Seeing the curly-haired brunette's attempt to mask the obvious fear in her eyes, Elijah straightened. "I give you my word that if I were to take you from Mystic Falls, it would only be to remove you further from Niklaus' presence."

The doppelganger watched him for a moment, the toe of her foot tapping on the entry rug, before glancing over to Caroline. Taking the lead, the blonde declared, "We'll need time to get ready. An hour?"

"I appreciate it. I will see you in one hour." Before turning to leave, his eyes regarded Katherine once more. A small smile curled up his face as he made his way to the expensive black sedan parked on the street.

"I'm only asking that you stay here until I come for you," Elijah assured.

"You said this is a friend of mine. Why do I need to hide from him?" Klaus asked leaning against the mahogany desk in the well lit library.

"An explanation is in order. Don't you think? The people I have invited here have not always been your friends, Niklaus. In fact, one is most certainly not your friend, and I must first confirm that this is indeed the best option for your situation. I need to speak with them before you are seen in your current state."

Klaus' jaw tensed visibly and his voice lowered with irritation, "I am not a child, Elijah." Long hands fisted by the Hybrid's sides as he tried to remain calm.

"Stay here, please, while I speak with our guests and explain what has happened," the brunette said placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I still don't see why we are here at all. I'm hardly defenseless. You said so yourself. I can't be killed." The pleasure he derived from this idea was evident in his voice.

"You were hardly defenseless in New Orleans too when your enemies ripped your very memories from you. You must trust me, Brother. We don't know what their end game is, and you are safer here. They may not be able to kill you, but it is quite apparent that your memories, your mind, are a whole other matter."

A harsh breath escaped the Hybrid's chest, "Why here?"

"Mystic Falls is full of your enemies. No one would expect you to come here for sanctuary. They will assume you would be with Rebekah or myself."

"Regardless of what is expected, if this place is full of enemies, it's hardly a sanctuary. So, again, why here, Elijah?" One blonde eyebrow lifted as he regarded his older sibling.

"Because, I believe, Mystic Falls is also home to the only person, besides your family, that would want to protect you."

"I have a bad feeling about this," Caroline mumbled pulling onto the private drive that would take her to the Mikaelson house. "I have never shared more than three sentences with Elijah. What could he possibly have to talk to me about?"

Katherine grabbed a tuft of fuzz from her jeans and crossed her ankles casually. "There is only one way to find out." From a distance, she would appear collected and nonchalant, but to the vampire next to her, she reeked of fear. Not literally stunk, but the elevated heart rate, the unsteady breathing, and the flushed skin made it all pretty clear.

"You could've stayed home, you know?" the vampire mentioned.

"I know," she said smartly.

"You must really trust him," Caroline deduced, her tone matter-of-fact.

With a drawn out sigh, she replied, "Elijah may be many things, but it would take a lot for that man to renege on anything he put his word to. He's boring that way."

"I hope you're right," the blonde said with a half-hearted chuckle turning onto the paved loop in the Mikaelson drive-way, "'cause we're here."

Caroline couldn't deny that she was nervous and excited. What with Klaus being MIA the last few days, she was eager to know what his brother could possibly have to speak with her about. Did something happen to Klaus?

The heels of two sets of boots clicked up to the double doors. Unintentionally, in unison they took a deep breath. Hearing their joined sighs, Caroline laughed to herself and Katherine couldn't help but sardonically smile at the situation with a shake of her head.

Knock Knock Knock Caroline was thrown every time she knocked on the Mikaelson door. The emmense size of the house implied a heavy, haunted knock would sound, but the wood was solid and gave off a bright sound when struck. Not the sound you expected from the Addams Family's home.

After a moment, Elijah swung open the door with a pleasant smile on his face. "Ladies, thank you for coming. Please, come in."

Caroline smiled warmly as she accepted his invitation, but Katherine hung back regarding him critically. "Your word?"

"My word," he confirmed.

Stepping over the threshold she stood next to her blonde companion. With a light click, the front door shut and Elijah turned to show them into the parlor.

The ceilings were high and the room airy. Several tall windows allowed in an ample amount of natural light along the far wall with a decadent hearth nestled between two of them. There was plenty of dark brown leather seating stationed around an antique coffee table above which hung a glamorous yet well proportioned crystal chandelier. Elijah took a moment to remember the day he and his family had readied themselves for the Mikaelson Ball in that very room; one of the last times he had shared this homey place with both of his deceased brothers, Kol and Finn.

"Before we sit," he began, pulling back his suit jacket to tuck a hand into his trouser pocket, "Katerina."

Katherine stopped her walk toward the sofa and peered at him inquisitively, "Yeah?"

"What I am about to share with Miss Forbes is of a highly delicate nature. Knowledge of the information I am about to share with her may create issues for you if you stay to hear it. If you wish, I can escort you to the gardens to enjoy whilst we have this discussion."

The doppelganger looked back and forth between the elder Original and Caroline with an envious expression. Elijah couldn't deny that he wanted Katherine's curiosity to get the better of her.

"No, it's fine," she nodded hesitantly eliciting a small smile for him." I've already put one nail in my coffin. What's a second one?"

"Very well," he said swiping his hand out toward the room's seating, "Please, make yourselves comfortable. Would either of you like a drink?"

Caroline chirped a little too brightly, "No thank you." She plopped down on the cushions and curled her hands on her lap eager to get started.

"Nope. I've had enough," Katherine mumbled.

"Very well," he cordially spoke while setting himself down on one of the plush armchairs, his posture relaxed and legs crossed. "If you haven't already ascertained, this concerns my brother."

"Did something happen?" Caroline asked sharply. Noticing the pointed look from Elijah and the amused look from Kat, she cleared her throat and sat up straighter.

"Unfortunately yes," he sighed. "The witches of New Orleans are desperate for change. The city is under the rule of an old Protégé' of Niklaus'. Upon our arrival, they attempted to force an alliance with him and myself. Their tactics were ill-conceived, and when we discovered their treachery, we were prepared to retaliate. . ."

Caroline took advantage of the slight pause in his speech to ask, "What did they try to do?"

Before he could wave off the question as insignificant, the other woman in the room answered with a sly smile. "They convinced Elijah and Klaus that Hayley was pregnant with Klaus' little Hybrid baby."

"What?!" The blonde screeched, her blue eyes doubling in size before a nervous laugh trickled out of her mouth. "But, vampires can't procreate, and, even if they could . . . Hayley? Really?" She laughed at the absurdity before realizing no one was joining her in her amused moment. "Hayley?" she asked again, this time with actual belief in her tone, turning to Elijah.

"It's true. Well, at least that Hayley was used in the deception by the witches. It seems we . . . I," he corrected, "was too easily convinced that a child between a Hybrid and a werewolf was possible. Apparently, it is not."

Caroline fell back into the cushions of the couch with a sigh. She really didn't know why she was so upset. It's not like Klaus and her were in a relationship, but something about Klaus getting physical with Hayley of all people put her teeth on edge. Klaus hadn't even bothered to mentioned to her that he had put a bun in the she-wolf's irritating oven.

"To continue," Elijah went on, "The witches had to suspect that we would seek retribution. In what I can only assume was a preemptive strike, on the night of the last full moon, the very day we discovered that Hayley's pregnancy was a farce, Niklaus was attacked."

"Please tell me he's catatonic and stewing in a coffin somewhere . . . never to wake up," the doppelganger sneered with a half smile delighting in the idea.

"Not as such, Katerina, but charming assumption; as always."

"What happened?" Caroline questioned feeling impatient with Kat's interruptions.

"I don't know how exactly, but Niklaus has been robbed of his past. His memories have been taken from him." Peering up to the women in the room, he gave them a minute to absorb the information.

A wide smile spread out over Katherine's lips and a light chuckle came out, "Even better!"

An almost growl curled out of Caroline's mouth. "Shut. Up," she said between gritted teeth. Her breath fell from her chest as she tried to get a grip on the new information, "All of them?"

"No. He seems to remember our human lives," Elijah mentioned bringing his eyebrows together lightly; saying it out loud seemed unreal.

"That's it?" the vampire asked, the whites of her eyes clearly visible,

"That is all."

"Oh my god." She stood and began to pace in front of the fireplace, her brain already going into crisis mode. "So, how does he get them back? He can get them back, right? Where is he?"

"One at a time, Peaches," Katherine chastised.

The blonde groaned as she swiped her hand through her hair, "Okay . . ." Sitting back down in a huff, she looked expectantly at the Original.

"All I have been able to ascertain from the witches we have working for us is that there are two ways to take away memories. You can either suppress them or eliminate them. Suppression is temporary; elimination is incomplete."

"Incomplete?"

"Yes. A memory elimination spell would work well if the caster is only trying to remove one or two memories, but ten lifetimes worth of memories would not be so easily removed. From what I've learned, however, the spells can be combined. If a suppression spell is used first and then followed by elimination: A person's past can be permanently taken from them. The good news is, from what I've been told, both spells require a full moon and would be exhausting to the witch that casted it."

"Which means?"

"Which means that if our culprit is attempting a suppression spell followed by an elimination spell, it would take two full moons to completely take his memories." Elijah drew in a long breath. "I can't believe the worst for my brother. I'm choosing to believe that he is presently a victim of suppression. I'm choosing to believe that there is still hope to restore him to his proper state."

"Of course," Caroline hummed with sympathy in her eyes.

"Which means you have one month before your brother loses his shit for good," Katherine jumped in with a pout. "Poor Elijah."

The blonde rolled her eyes as she attempted to ignore her least favorite doppelganger while Elijah merely glared at the brunette like she was an unruly child.

"Elijah?" Caroline said gaining his attention once again. "Where is he?"

A softness around his eyes settled in as he regarded her, "I couldn't very well leave him in New Orleans in his current state. Physically, he is immortal, but he does not understand himself in this time. He does not understand his abilities or what it means to be a vampire, let alone a werewolf."

"So he's . . . ?"

"He's here."

"Here? Where?"

"In the other room awaiting my summons. I thought it best to speak with you first."

Confused by the whole situation, the blonde's eyebrows drew together. In a small moment of realization, she asked, "Why did you want to talk to me?"

"Klaus' enemies will expect him to stay close to myself or Rebekah now that he has been . . . weakened. So, naturally, my sister and I must not be with Niklaus. His location must be kept secret; I have already had his whereabouts magically blocked. The witches tell me that proximity affects the spell. Away from New Orleans he is safer from any more attacks, but if they discover where he has been moved, they could easily relocate their casting place."

"Wait," Katherine chimed in seemingly interested all of a sudden, "The witches in New Orleans use ancestral magic. They can't practice away from the spirits of their families. They would have no power in Virginia."

"Another assumption. I cannot rely on assumptions. They may have allies that do not rely on ancestral magic," he responded his hand waving in the air as he explained. "In answer to your question, Miss Forbes. I do not trust that any of our vampire connections would not take advantage of Niklaus' current, dare I say, naïve character. Beside myself, I would only entrust him to my sister, but as already discussed, that cannot be. So, I brought him to the only other person I could think would help me keep him safe; keep him hidden."

"Me?!" The blonde screeched with a hard blush on her cheeks. "Woah, Elijah. What on earth would put me at the top of your list?"

The Original smiled at her reaction. "Miss Forbes, I have noticed my brother's attachment to you. And, if I may, I do not think it over-reaching to say you have become friends. Do you?"

"Well, I . . . um . . . no," she stuttered.

"And from what I've learned of you in the past, you have a surprising amount of control of your vampiric urges for one so young."

"Okay. I guess."

"Is there a reason I would not find you the ideal candidate for this task?"

With an incredulous, sardonic smile she stood again to begin her pacing anew. "For starters, he doesn't remember me. Also, I'm just a baby vampire. I can't over-power him if he falls off the deep end, and . . . and—"

"—Caroline," he cooed pulling her out of her rant and standing himself. He took a few slow steps to stand in front of her. Her eyes were wild with a hint of panic to them. "Answer me one question honestly."

Taking a deep breath she nodded and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Do you care for Niklaus?"

A swirl of emotions echoed behind her blue eyes as they dropped to the floor. Did she care?

"I know of your loyalty, Caroline. I know that you have not always been on Klaus' side, but my observations have me believing that has changed. It would require stealth on your part. No one else can know that Niklaus is in Mystic Falls. The Salvatores, even Elena, would seek to harm or manipulate him. They mustn't know." Slowly, he lifted her chin, his touch pulling her from her head and back into the room. "Do you care for him? Do you care enough for your friend to keep him safe when he has been made vulnerable?"

Caroline's eyes critically peered at the elder Original. Softly, she murmered, "Yes."

A genuine smile curled on Elijah's mouth.

"Hold up," Katherine harped while standing up to join them. "Where is he going to stay? I'm sorry, but I am not bunking with a psycho-Hybrid with control issues." Her words seemed to snap Caroline to the reality of Elijah's request as she grasped at the logistical issue. If Klaus wasn't in command of himself, he couldn't be around Katherine or her mother, for sure.

Not to worry, Katerina. You will be perfectly safe with me in New Orleans," he said plucking something off his suit sleeve.

"Oh hell no! I am not going to New Orleans," she exclaimed.

"I'm afraid you do not have a choice. Now that you are human, you are of great value to Klaus. You will stay with me as it is the safest place for you."

"What! No no no no no. You gave me your word!" Her voice was shrill and echoed against the walls.

"I gave you my word that were I to take you from Mystic Falls, it would only be to add distance between yourself and my brother. As Niklaus is staying here, there is no breech in me taking you with me to Louisiana. And, seeing as I don't trust you as far as I can throw you now that you have this information, information that you elected to receive after ample warning by the way, you will be coming with me," Elijah finished with a pleased, inconspicuous smile.

"You son of a bitch! You tricked me!" She was livid. She picked up a vase from the coffee table and hurled it at him. He was hardly fazed as he caught it before it could cause any damage.

"Tit for tat, Katerina. Tit for tat," he teased.

A girlish growl issued from her mouth as she plopped back down on the sofa in an exaggerated pout.

Elijah turned back to Caroline. "Can I count on you, Miss Forbes?"

To say she felt overwhelmed was an understatement. Could she take care of Klaus? What would he even be like? "He won't remember me. I . . . is he even himself anymore? Nevermind if I can keep him safe, what's going to stop him from killing me? I mean, not to sound vapid, but I always kinda trusted he wouldn't hurt me because he, you know, fancied me. He doesn't know me like that anymore. I'm just going to be the baby vampire that's telling him he can't feed or can't go into town. I care about him. I do, but he doesn't care about me anymore. Not like he is now." Her words almost blurred together as she made this speech without taking many breaths. Now, sucking in a deep pull of air, she ran her hands through her hair once more.

His smile was reassuring when he said, "My brother only remembers up until the moment he was killed in the immortality spell. From what I've been able to gather in the last three days, he is the same as he ever was as a human. And, I can guarantee, Miss Forbes, that my brother was a good man, and he will respect my wishes if I tell him that you are not to be harmed. Though I truly do not believe that he would purposefully seek to harm you. In all honesty, I think you are overestimating how changed my brother will seem to you."

The vampire regarded him seriously for a moment. His eyes seemed truthful, and logic told her that he wouldn't be suggesting this if he didn't believe it would work or it was the best option. She could at least count on him having the best intentions for Klaus, if not the best for her. She took one last cleansing breath before nodding to herself, and her eyes jumped up to meet Elijah's again. Her voice came out confident and determined when she said, "I need to see him."

Klaus sat in one of the oversized armchairs in the library reading from an ancient-looking book he had pulled from a shelf. While he could easily understand the meaning of the words on the page, he struggled to remember how he knew the language it was written in. Nevertheless, the story was intriguing enough to keep his mind occupied from the conversation he could here muffled from across the mansion.

He had to admit he was curious about this friend he had been brought to see. Elijah had hinted strongly that he didn't have many friends, so who was the man that his brother trusted to keep him hidden? All Elijah had eluded to was that he and this person had grown close but had once been enemies. He wondered if he would appear at all familiar.

His attention was torn away from his thoughts when he heard footsteps approaching the library. Closing the book and standing swiftly, Klaus stared at the door awaiting his brother and their guest. He nervously wet his lips when the door opened quietly. There was his brother, and, behind him, a woman?

Klaus' confusion was evident. Barely taking a moment to view the approaching female, he turned his gaze to his brother.

"Niklaus, may I present Miss Caroline Forbes," Elijah said genteelly gesturing with his hand toward her.

He may be confused, but he was hardly going to be rude. Stepping forward he reached his hand out to take the woman's hand. It was then that his eyes locked with hers. His lips parted involuntarily as he regarded the radiant girl standing before him. Her eyes were a confusing shade of blue and green, and while her face betrayed a curious worry, there was something about her that shook with a bright softness. He could smell a wonderful mix of honey and flora coming off her skin as she stepped closer slowly to place her hand in his. The supple texture beneath his fingers was sending his unfamiliar vampire senses into an uproar as he spun her hand atop his in an antiquated shake.

Clearing his throat, he addressed her, "Miss Forbes, lovely to meet you."

PLEASE REVIEW! It motivates me to update sooner!

To be honest, I'm not fantastic with dialogue heavy chapters, but it was necessary to get things established. I hope it wasn't too boring. The next chapter should be more fun as Klaus and Caroline settle in.