A Confession:

Beth's first stop the next day was to see Caroline. She knew there were probably be a lot of squealing so she wanted to get that out of the way, but she couldn't pretend that she didn't miss her friend a lot. It was nice to be alone with just Kol but sometimes she just needed girl talk. As she was walking to Caroline's, Beth swore she heard someone behind her, but there was no one. She picked up her pace a little faster, but there was still that feeling that she was being followed.

Finally, Beth was around the corner from Caroline's house so she slowed down her pace until she could hear the ever so slightly sound of someone's shoe against the pavement. She quickly turned around flinging the stalker into the tree with her power. She was shocked to see that it was Klaus. "Klaus?"

"Bloody hell, love. A hello would have been better." He groaned as he got to his feet, straightening out his jacket. She still couldn't believe that he was really alive, but she was conflicted because of the truth she knew about him. He could see that on her face. "I've missed you, Elizabeth."

She couldn't help but give him a weak smile. "I've missed you too, but...I, um, I should probably be going."

"No, please hear me out. I'm begging you, Elizabeth. I made a mistake, but what you heard wasn't the whole truth, please." He told her desperately. Beth wanted to say no and walk away but there was something telling her that he was telling the truth. Before she knew, she never felt nervous about her safety around him. "Love?"

"Alright. You have an hour." She told him, narrowing her eyes at him. His face lit up and he nodded.

"Thank you." He told her, as he took her by her hand, but she slowly moved it away but continued to follow him, ignoring the hurt expression on his face. They walked deep into the woods, taking a shortcut to his home. She forgot how big the mansion was, not as big as the one in England, but still enormous.

He led her in the house to his art room. She couldn't help but look around at the new things that had been painted. Before she could catch herself, her opinion on his work slipped out. "I like that one, but that one's a bit...not you. You do better with the landscapes and familiar portraits." He looked at her curiously and she blushed noticing his gaze. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I appreciate your opinion above others. You actually inspired the fall leaves. It was your favorite season." He took a step towards her but she took a step back as he sighed. "Will you take a seat? I promise that I won't bite."

She rolled her eyes at his weak joke, but took a seat besides him nonetheless. Klaus had a small smile on his face at the progress, but it left his face as she looked around nervously. "Elizabeth, you have to realize at the time that you were with my family I wasn't as strong as I am now. I wasn't a hybrid. It's not excuse but I just want you to know that." He said hesitantly.

She nodded. "I'm listening."

He took a deep breath. "That day that you died, you had a run in with Mikael."

Elizabeth ran quickly back to the house. Looking behind her shoulder, she made sure that no one would follow her, but that didn't stop her from bumping into someone. She let out a small shriek of surprise before realizing it was just Klaus. 'Elizabeth. It's alright. It's me. It's Nik. What's the matter?" He asked noticing the look of fear on her face. Anger flared up at whoever made her feel terrified. Elizabeth wasn't easily scared, he knew that.

Klaus knew Elizabeth just as well as anyone else in his family. Elizabeth hesitated on telling him. "Elizabeth, love, look at me." Klaus touched her cheek with uncharacteristically gentleness. "Everything will be okay, just tell me everything that happened."

She nodded. "M-Mikael. I-I saw him. Not far away. Maybe a few hours. I don't think he knows who I am, but it looked like he did. Like...like I was familiar to him, but he's close, Nik. Far too close. You need to leave, all of you." At the word of his surrogate father Klaus' face went from angry to just as terrified as her, before composing himself. "N-Nik?" She stuttered out.

"Shhh, it'll be okay, love. I promise. A few hours away gives us enough time. Don't worry. I'll send the others out. We'll need tonight, though. Do you trust me? To do whatever it takes to keep our family safe? Do you trust me for that, Elizabeth?" He asked cupping her face. That was a no brainer for her. Nik was one of her closest confidants. She trusted him no matter what, just like with Kol. She nodded. "Then meet me in the library later tonight. Everything will be okay. You'll be safe."

"So you lied to me?" Beth asked as she walked around the room. She was too antsy to sit down. Klaus sighed, shaking his head.

"No, I kept my word. You're safe now, aren't you? I made sure of that." He told her seriously. She looked back at him. He stood up in front of her. She looked at him expectantly. He placed his hand right above her heart. She stiffened at his touch. "Shh, I'm not going to hurt you. There is a birthmark right above your heart is there not?"

She took a step back from him in surprise. Only a few people knew that or had seen it/ "There's no way you could possibly know that." She muttered, but he could hear her as clear as day.

"You visited your mother often. Once, you even took us all with you. They foresaw that you would have a gruesome death before your time. I couldn't see that happen to you, sweetheart." He touched her cheek gently before pulling away. "Mikael would've found you and murdered you in front of me, in the most horrible way. I couldn't lose you. The only way to save you was to kill you. I made sure that night that you drank a potion that would ensure that you returned to life. I could not let anyone know either, it would've been too dangerous to my enemies. They would hurt you just to spite me. I did not realize when you would return."

"Elizabeth, you have to realize I felt I had no choice. It was either lose you for a while or for good. I couldn't lose you." He said softly. Beth could see the true sorrow and pain swimming in Klaus' eyes. And she understood. He saved her, but in a way he hurt her too. He was cursed to hurt those he cared about the most. Just like with daggering his siblings, he killed her to protect her. "Forgiving me may not be an option for your right now, but I needed to tell you that."

They stood in silence for a moment before she spoke. "I don't like it. You lied to me for months, made me felt I couldn't trust you. I still don't completely trust you, but I believe you. And I know that you thought you couldn't do anything else and you actually probably saved my life. I..forgive you mostly." She said seriously. His eyes lit up in surprise and happiness. She actually forgave him. He took her hand in his, quickly, surprising her.

"Thank you, Elizabeth. I promise you will not regret your decision. I'll find a way for your to trust me again." He was rewarded with a smile that he dearly missed. One that he was afraid that he'd never see again. Before she could say anything else they were interrupted, by the opening of the door.

"Nik, don't bother getting up I'm just getting the rest of my...things." Beth looked up to meet the eyes of Rebekah. She looked shocked to see her there, let alone so close to her brother.

"I must leave you, but I'll see you later, yes?" Klaus asked hopefully and she nodded in reply. He left the house, going to see his first hybrid.

After finding out what her brother did and telling Elijah, Rebekah had doubted Beth would ever want to see him again. "Elizabeth. You're back." She smiled excitedly and went over to hug her. Beth was surprised and a little tense. She realize that she was upset. After hearing that Alaric was dead and Rebekah was mainly the cause of it made her leery.

"I should go."

Rebekah stopped her. "Please, Elizabeth. If you had the heart to hear my brother out then hear me out too. Lizzie?" She begged using the nickname she rarely used, but new it'd get her to listen. Elizabeth stopped. She was grateful, because she was sure she wouldn't. Someone hurting her was one thing, someone hurting her family was another. Someone hurting her family would be worst than someone crossing her brother. "I wasn't thinking right. All I saw was my brother being murdered and my heart broke. I didn't think of much."

"Bekah." Beth stopped her putting a hand on hers. She looked up at her hopeful. "Alaric died the night in the tomb. I know what you did was for your family. I understand. I just...I wish I could've saved him before he was turned. I know." She said. Beth knew she had to accept that. Her Alaric was dead the moment he awoke as a vampire. It was never Rebekah's fault for trying to keep her family safe.

Rebekah gave her a weak smile. "Thank you, Elizabeth. You have no idea how much that means to me.' She hugged her, and she hugged her back. For the first time since being in Mystic Falls she finally felt like she was back home.

xxxxx

"Are you sure that you want to do this?" Kol asked Beth as he followed her into her room as she grabbed her shoes. "Rebekah will understand if you don't want to party. She just misses you that's all, especially with only having Nik for company."

Beth and him had spent a better part of the afternoon discussing what Klaus had told her. Even if he didn't want to believe it, what his brother had told him had made sense. He only took away her life so he could protect her, but that didn't mean he wanted Klaus to be any closer to her than necessary.

"I know that, Kol, but it'll be nice. I promise. I won't be back for more than maybe a few hours." She told him with a small smile. She hated lying to him. It gave her a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, but she agreed to help Damon and Klaus. After finally finding the hunter, they needed to question him and they might need her for help restraining him.

"Are you sure I can't come with you? I don't like leaving you alone. It could be dangerous, even with Bekah there. No one will be paying attention to me."

"When we get rid of the hunter." She reminded him. She wouldn't risk Kol. Not for anyone. She loved him too much to lose him too. Which made her feel guilty since she knew that he would be angry if he knew that she would be using magic.

He sighed, he hated leaving her alone, but he'd give her space. He kissed her quickly. "That's why I want to come. Just be safe, tonight, alright. I love you." Beth deepened the kiss as Kol pulled her closer. She would never get tired of those three little words that made her heart beat spike, at least coming from Kol.

"I love you too."

xxxxx

"Surprised you came." Damon said looking up as Klaus and Beth walked towards them. Meredith already knew what she was supposed to do for her part of the plan, but he still wouldn't mind having some back up for this. He made a face. He honestly didn't like either of them with her, but if he had to pick? He'd pick Junior over hybrid any day. "And with our favorite Original."

"Don't start, Damon. Klaus asked me for help so I'm here. Is the hunter here yet?" She asked. Damon looked like he wanted to say something, but restrained himself from doing just that.

"No, Jeremy and Meredith will lead him into the medicine room, he should be here soon, though. Come on." Damon nodded as they followed him. He honestly didn't want to get Beth involved in this, and possibly injured, but of course she would help Klaus. He didn't like the way he looked at her, especially since he didn't like Klaus, but he wanted his best friend back and if he had to tolerate the hybrid he would.

After a few minutes of being in there, all three of them looked up to see the hunter coming into the room. "Is a hospital really the best place for a germaphobe?" He asked out loud. Damon grinned and stepped out where he could see him.

"Did I say germaphobe? Sorry, I meant vampire." He smirked. Connor pulled out his gun too shoot him, but was instead shot with arrows that Beth aimed to hit him. He bent down to pick it up but she aimed another one at him. They were both attached to bombs. "Stings, doesn't it?" Damon taunted him. Beth stepped into the light as he reached out to grab it again, but Klaus kicked the gun out of his reach. He grinned down at the hunter.

"Hello, mate."

xxxxx

"Keep it up, buddy. We'll be scraping you off the ceiling." Damon smirked at him as Connor kept trying to pull the arrows lose from his side. Beth just rolled her eyes at how at ease Klaus and Damon were. There was something about this hunter that made her nervous. He didn't look scared or worried.

"You all are going to kill me anyways." He snipped back at them.

Klaus chuckled at him. "Well, let's not be too hasty. I feel like we're just getting to know each other."

"Let's start with the basics." Damon added taking a step forward, making sure that he was between the hunter and Beth. He might be tied up but he wasn't going to risk it. "Where are you from, what do you know, maybe you can clue be in on this greater evil, because I've fought this guy," He pointed at Klaus. "And there's nothing more evil than that."

"Yeah truth be told I'm as evil as it gets." Klaus said amused looking at the letter Damon handed him. Beth looked at it over his shoulder, surprised that it was the pastor who wrote it.

"I'm not telling you anything. And if you think if you kill me it's going to be over, there's another waiting to take my place." Connor said to them all.

"See this is what I like to hear; vague threats, ominous prophecies, disappearing tattoos." Damon said grinning over at Beth. She rolled her eyes at him. He shouldn't be taking this as lightly as he was.

Beth noticed first how, Klaus' amused expression became much more serious. "What do you mean tattoos?"

"Don't bother you can't see the damn thing."

Klaus kneeled down so he was at eye level with the hunter. They both stared down at each other. "There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?" Before any of them could move, Connor attempted to stake Klaus, but being an Original, he was faster. "Nice try, but I'm faster than your average vampire/" He chuckled and twisted his arm so he'd drop the stake and then he looked at a carving on it.

Beth took a step forward and saw markings that almost looked like it could be witch craft. "What is it, Klaus?" He continued to stare at it before glancing at her big green eyes.

"He's one of the Five."

Beth was confused. "What?"

While Damon and Beth were looking over at Klaus, none of them realized what was happening with Connor. "And I'm faster than your average hunter." Before Beth knew what happened, Damon grabbed her and rushed them out of the room just as the bomb exploded, they landed face down on the floor outside the door, barely escaping it in time.

xxxxx

After nearly getting blown up in the hospital, Damon insisted on making Beth go home. She was worried about Klaus, but Damon knew that he could take care of himself. Walking out of the hospital, Beth immediately spotted her car. "Love." Beth turned around and saw Klaus. He had a look of relief that was quickly overshadowed by a grin.

"I was worried." She said with a sigh but smiled back all the same.

"I'm an Original, love. It would've been a lot harder to kill me." He assured her walking towards her. "But you have a scratch." He noticed brushing over her cheek. She didn't notice it until now, but his touch sent shivers through her.

"It'll be gone soon. Don't worry." She looked over near the hospital. "Who's that?"

Klaus chuckled, following her line of sight. It was the wolf girl from Tyler's mansion once again. "That's our little Tyler's lady friend." She looked at him confused. "Apparently she's what helped him get through breaking my sire bond, I'm sure in more ways than just one." He grinned.

"I don't like her, there's something about her." Beth decided. She didn't exactly take an immediate disliking to everyone that she just saw, but she just didn't like the way this Hayley girl was. It was a strange vibe. "Do you think Caroline knows about her?"

"I doubt it. My guess is, love, that she's our Tyler's dirty little secret." He winked at her and she shook her head. Klaus may think that, but she knew Tyler and he loved Caroline, more than anything. He wouldn't' cheat on Caroline, he wouldn't do that to her. Yet, she couldn't help but think it was odd that Tyler never mentioned her.

"No...no way. Tyler would never do that to Caroline."

"You don't know that, love." Klaus said looking at her and she rolled her eyes to look up at him. "Things can happen when there's thick sexual tension like that, even between friends. Some things you just can't stop." He glanced down at her, unconsciously licking his lips. She blushed and nodded going.

"Yeah well he didn't." She said. Klaus chuckled at her stubbornness, she had to be right, as always. "I need to get back. I'll see you later."

"Night, love." He smiled at her, sharing the one true smile that would always belong to her. She was the only one who'd ever see it. He helped her into the car before she drove off, him watching her until she was no longer in sight.

It wasn't ten minutes that she got to the apartment. She unlocked the door and immediately grabbed Day so he wouldn't scurry out the door. "No, you don't. Kol, I'm back!" She called out as she closed the door behind her and Kol came in the front room. He looked angry, but in a worried way. That only meant one thing; He knew. "Hi?"

"Hi? That's all you have to say? I've been worried and all you have to say is hi? Where were you? Especially since you weren't at the party like you said that you would be. I thought we agreed that we would be honest with each other?" He snapped angrily and she' flinched a little at his tone.

"I'm sorry, but Klaus and Damon needed my help. Listen, I know you said that it was a bad idea, but I promised." She sighed as she stepped into the room, he was still fuming, mentioning them probably wasn't exactly a good idea.

"Of course you just had to go." He scoffed. He wasn't going to let them take advantage of her again, not Damon. "They could take care of themselves and you know you shouldn't be stretching yourself so much with magic! It took a lot out of you, especially when you're under pressure. You can't do that, Elizabeth. I won't let you." He said firmly. Beth took his hand. He sighed but didn't pull away.

"I'm sorry, Kol. I should've told you, next time I will. I promise." She said sincerely. She knew that he was only worried about her and he had a right to be, but she did want to help.

"Promise me, Elizabeth. No more lies?" He cupped her face, but his brown eyes were filled with worry and concern, only for her. It was overwhelming but at the same time she liked that he only looked at her like that. She kissed him softly and he kissed her back.

"I promise, no more lies."