A/N: So Haley's dead. But more importantly Klaus will be confronted with questions from Caroline he might not be ready to answer for fear of losing her, but let's see what happens. Kennett and Stefarine are progressing as you requested.

Now I'm confronted with a fork on how Damon and Elijah characters will move forward. I still want this particular story to be a journey for Klaroline so this is not yet near its end.

So here goes the next chapter…..

Chapter 12

Klaus deposited Caroline on the bed carefully removing her shoes and garments so as not to disturb her sleep. He was feeling guilty, knowing it was his fault that Caroline was put in a life-threatening situation. He dreaded to think it may not be the last one knowing he's family had a lot of enemies lurking once they grasp the significance of Caroline in his life, she would be an open target.

But more than that, his mind was focused on what her reaction would be like when she woke up, being confronted about who he was and whom his family really were was something he had not encountered in the past. The moment he met Caroline he knew she would be important to him that soon she would trigger an avalanche of emotions he would be struggling with. He recognized that if he wanted Caroline in his life, he should be able the trust her with who he really was.

But revealing who he and his family really were and her accepting him were two different things. Accepting him and Caroline embracing his life enough to settle with him was something he was afraid to confront Caroline with. Would she lose the light he so loved about her, would his world corrupt her being? Could he live with himself if she chose to still remain by his side and succumb to the darkness that surrounded him?

Klaus had changed Caroline in one of his shirts before he himself undressed until he only had his boxers on, finally settling down beside Caroline on their bed circling his arms as he repositioned her to lie on his chest. Kissing her hair before uttering a quiet, "I love you", Klaus closed his eyes hoping that all his worst fears for the day to come wouldn't be realized.

Meanwhile in the wee hours of the morning, both Damon and Stefan were still deep in conversation as Damon had opened up to Stefan about the Salvatore empires status and his dealings with Silas. Damon still contemplated the repercussions of the current state of Silas and the rumbling of the investors who had investments with them. The general sentiment was that investors felt anxious about the return of their investments. Being the uninjured main partner, it was he whom they pressured and coerced, some openly threatening his life until he gave them concrete assurance that they would get their money back.

Being the man on top during a crisis situation was never Damon's strength. It was the reason why he so willingly teamed up with Silas. All he wanted was the benefits that came with it, the unlimited spending sprees, the fear that his name produced, the women, the high-profile people he socialized with. He never desired the hard work that had to be put in to earn the benefits.

So at this time he was torn, on one hand he wanted Silas to recover quickly to take back the reigns of running the empire, on the other hand, he wanted to be rid of Silas, had wished the attempt on Silas' life was successful whomever had planned it. Being rid of Silas would mean unsurpassed levels of power and money for him. Even if the estate of Silas would be messy, his natural heir should be his daughter, because of the stipulations of their partnership, a large part of the companies and shares would still remain within the Salvatore empire, his property. But either way, he knew he couldn't do it alone, after a taste of what partnering outside of family felt like, he wanted someone familiar with him, who pretty much had his back always. The only person qualified for this he knew was the brother he had ignored for so long, hell the brother he had dismissed and forgotten about, the same one who was contently managing a lone magazine among the thriving publishing empire of the Salvatores.

"I need you Stefan. I regret not saying this before but now I realize what I need. I need my brother wth me, beside me, supporting me. Sometimes leading me, I admit I am not the man father envisioned me to be, the great leader he was," Damon told his brother.

"oh come on brother, the business has expended in areas even father hadn't foreseen. A few setbacks should dampen the leaps you had made." Stefan offered support to his brother.

Damon scoffed, "that wasn't really me, those were seeds father had planted before his death, his trusted associates had followed through with them, I was just the face of the empire, a good for nothing figure."

"Then see this debacle with Silas as an opportunity, for you. You're my older brother, I have always looked up to you, never stopped looking up to you."

Damon refilled their glasses with scotch, "that's exactly why I need you with me, insights like that." Getting no reaction from his brother he continued, "it's my fault really, you became so comfortable in what you are doing that you forget you were also a Salvatore. You should be part of the empire, managing it with me."

Stefan sighed, "Damon, the thing is, I have no desire, nor ambition to be part of the whole empire, I'm happy where I am, even father recognized this. But I will tell you this however, whenever you need me for anything, anything at all, I promise to be there for you, I will just be in the background. I have no wish to be inside on the wheeling and dealings."

Damon swallowed his drink then patted his brother, "I'll take it. And I'll hold you to that promise."

Stefan patted his brother back, "now go and get some rest, you look like hell."

"You can go home now Kol, it's 2 in the morning," Bonnie impatiently told Kol.

"No, I'm not going to leave you. After what happened. You don't seem like your okay." Kol countered.

Bonnie shook her head, "I don't think anyone is okay with a shooting happening in front of them. I'm just relieved that Caroline is okay and safe. Are you sure I can't talk to her?"

"Not a good idea, she's probably sleeping after the ordeal. My brother is with her, he'll take care of her for sure," Kol assured Bonnie.

Bonnie eyed Kol, "he really does love her, doesn't he. I mean to go out and rescue her himself, all of you, something could have happened to you too."

Kol smiled, "I didn't know you cared Bonnie Love."

"Well it's been a long day, I for one am going to try to get some sleep. If you're sure your staying, you can use the couch, no funny business." Bonnie pointed sternly at Kol.

Kol smirked, "a more tempting invite, I've never had. Are you sure you don't need me to warm your bed, drive all the scary monsters away?"

Bonnie scoffed, "don't make me take my offer back," with that she left Kol and banged her bedroom door. A few minutes later, she had been changed for bed about to tuck herself in when she remembered that Kol was probably uncomfortably sleeping in her living room couch, she huffed before opening a cabinet containing extra pillows and blankets which she took out to bring to him.

Taking the few steps from her bedroom to her living room, she was momentarily stopped by the image of Kol napping so peacefully hugging one of her throw pillows with only his boxers, shocker! Bonnie knew she was staring and taking longer to remove her gaze from a certain part of his anatomy but she tried to rationalize that the guy was asleep anyway, he would never know how seeing him in this state had raised her temperature. Finally deciding she had done enough staring to memorize every part of his body, she moved forward, spreading the blanket she had brought open to cover up Kol's amazing body. The hand that suddenly grabbed hers sent her sprawling on the floor nearly hitting her head on the center table, in alarm Kol's plan to tease Bonnie because he actually was aware she had been staring at him flew out the window as he gathered her in his arms.

"Are you hurt?" touching Bonnie from the back of her head to her back side, Kol asked.

"Oh god, you were awake the whole time?" Bonnie bristled.

Kol raised his hands to defend himself, "I was sleeping okay, but I'm a light sleeper so when I felt someone watching me I woke up. I didn't make a sound because I was still trying to recall where I was for a few seconds. By the time I felt your presence, you had been hovering and I didn't know what you were going to do so I decided to pretend to still be asleep."

Even in the dark, Kol could feel Bonnie smoldering at him, "here's your blanket!" throwing it at Kol.

Kol knew he was responsible for Bonnie's mood, after all she wanted to do him a good deed by bringing him comfortable beddings, so he went after her tugging her arm, "hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," by the time he finished his statement he had both his hands on Bonnie's arms.

Bonnie exhaled a breath, and Kol traced his hands from her arms to her shoulders and finally to the sides of her face, "hey, I'm sorry. Forgive me?" Kol ended up caressing Bonnie's cheek which made her hitch her breath unconsciously lifting her hands to Kol's chest intending to push him away from her but ending up with her just leaving her hands on his chest. When a moment later she felt Kol slowly leaning in, she found herself anticipating what he was going to do next that when their lips finally touched she let out a moan.

Bonnie finally broke away from the searing kiss "Kol, we should…"

Still panting Kol continued, "yes I agree, we should take this to the bedroom," once again capturing Bonnie's lips.

Bonnie broke away from the kiss again, "no, no we shouldn't….Kol."

Kol let out a frustrated breath, "yes we should Bonnie love, what are you afraid of?"

Bonnie pushed Kol away finally, "ok fine, I'm afraid that when you finally have me, you'll leave ok!" she didn't realize she was shouting, emotional as she was, "that you'll just go, I know your kind!"

Kol grabbed Bonnie's face once again, "I'm the kind of guy who will be there for you tomorrow, and the day after, and the month after, for you Bonnie, for you…you, you've changed me, take a chance Bonnie love," as Kol once again swooped in for a kiss. This time Bonnie did not pull away but pulled Kol toward the bedroom.

Elijah had been back in his apartment for an hour, having a nightcap trying to reconcile to the fact that he had killed his wife, well not really someone he felt any remote emotion for, but still for his family, his brother Klaus in particular. Calculating what his next move should be, first he needed to sort out the legalities of his claims concerning his wife's estate, he being the legal husband, anticipating a legal battle with Silas when the guy was recovered enough. Second, he needed to get a firm grip on what the family plans were moving forward, thinking this last act of putting the kill shot into his wife's brain solidified his loyalty to his family.

The brothers had agreed on a cover story about Haley's death earlier, planting evidence to make it look like Silas, through his men, had actually killed his daughter in retaliation and burning the warehouse to the ground to bury as much evidence as possible.

His thoughts finally settled on one Caroline Forbes, his brothers girl. He never thought he would see the day, well he knew at some point they would all probably end up married, but the marriages they all would have had would have all been calculated partnerships to further solidify or expand the empire, not marriages because of love. But his brother had sure done a one-eighty on that belief. It seemed that his brother was so distraught by the possibility of the loss of Ms. Forbes.

Maybe times were indeed changing, maybe being in a relationship has opened up his brother to the importance of family and trust. Maybe Ms. Forbes was what this family needed. Maybe, it was what he needed to, love. Elijah scoffed at the notion, shaking his head, maybe someday.

The moment Caroline woke up she felt someone's eyes on her. She tried to feel her way around the bed with her hands, checking if she was alone before she tentatively opened one eye and then the other searching the room then finally settling on the man seated on a chair pulled up to her side of the bed. She reached out her hand nearest to him for him to take.

"Hey, what time is it?" Caroline asked Klaus.

"It's after two in the afternoon, I thought it best to just let you sleep. How are you feeling?" Klaus tried to search her face for answers.

Caroline tried to sit up a little, wincing in pain, Klaus hurriedly went to her side to help her. "Maybe you should just lie down sweetheart."

Caroline shook her head, "I want to sit up, but I think my muscles are sore. Help me sit up."

Klaus proceeded to help Caroline, putting several pillows at the headboard then aiding her as she rested her back at the pillows, "are you hungry?"

Caroline smiled a little, "yes, but that can wait for awhile." Caroline patted the bed for Klaus to sit on. "Tell me what happened."

Klaus exhaled, this was not a conversation he was looking forward to, "you where kidnapped by someone who wanted my family's help, as leverage." Taking her hands and joining them together, "I'm sorry, this is my fault. I almost lost you."

Caroline looked at Klaus, "there are a lot of things I don't understand."

Klaus kissed her hands, "I want to tell you everything, but I don't know if you're up to it today, are you sure?"

Caroline, "yes I am. But can we do that after we had a bite to eat? I also wanted to talk to Bonnie and Kat, they must be worried."

Klaus nodded, "okay let's get you something to eat then get you back here you need to rest. Why don't you call your friends first, while I instruct the staff to prepare for late lunch," kissing her forehead before standing up and just as he was about to open the bedroom door, "oh by the way, ask your friend where Kol is, he's not answering his phone. He told me last night he was going to check on your friend Bonnie."

Caroline raised her eyebrow at this information as Klaus stepped out of the room. Grabbing her phone which Klaus had conveniently put on top of the side table beside her, she searched for Bonnie's number and called her.

Bonnie groaned at the sound of her phone ringing thinking who the hell would be calling her at this hour. She groped for her phone which she usually placed right beside her pillow instead found a warm body beside her making her jump up from the bed. At the sudden movement of the bed, Kol woke up abruptly sitting up confused at his surroundings. Bonnie looked down and realized she was naked and quickly pulled the sheet from Kol's body around her leaving Kol naked. The movement brought Kol's attention to Bonnie, locking eyes with her before the persistent ringing of the phone cut through their consciousness.

Kol suddenly grabbed the phone before Bonnie could, answering it abruptly, "what?"

Confused, Caroline tentatively answered, "Kol? Is that you?"

Kol realized a second later it was actually Bonnie's phone that he grabbed, looking sheepishly at Bonnie who was trying to burn him with a look, "Hey Caroline, how are you feeling?"

Bonnie finally wrestled the phone away from Kol, "Hey Care, how are you, I was so worried but Kol said you where with Klaus and resting so I shouldn't bother you."

Caroline recovered from her confusion and decided to tease Bonnie, "so you were worried enough for me to actually spend the night with Kol," Klaus had entered the bedroom again and heard what Caroline had said mouthing 'really?', "and don't try to deny it, I caught you read handed, letting Kol answer you phone. Might as well put it on speaker as Klaus wants to talk to his brother too," Bonnie glared at Kol again before complying with Caroline's request putting the phone on the bed.

Caroline egged Klaus to speak, "Now brother, I trust you had a good nights' sleep so maybe its best that we use the remainder of the day to inform them of the what they need to know about our family, I think it's time."

Kol exhaled noisily then looked at Bonnie tentatively, "I agree. So, you take care of your girl and I'll do the same for mine?" at Kol's statement Bonnie threw a pillow at him screaming, "mine! I'm not yours, you…baboon!"

Caroline and Klaus snickers could be heard through the phone as Kol looked at Bonnie again before saying, "I think my Bonnie love needs more tender loving care, so I gotta go," cutting the connection.

Caroline looked at Klaus, "Kol better not mess around with Bonnie if he knows what's good for him."

Klaus shook his head, "I don't think Kol is messing around with her, seeing that he went running back to her the moment we had rescued you tells me he was concerned for her safety as I was of yours," reaching for Caroline's hand, "come now, I have instructed for lunch to be brought up here, I will help you wash up first."

Trying to absorb the information Klaus had told her, she ran the highlights back at him, "so your family has a lot of different business interests, not all of them are above board, some of them requires some creative approaches and you are the head of the business empire, like Marlon Brando," Klaus was confused by the last statement of Caroline, "hello, Godfather, Marlon Brando!"

Klaus stared at Caroline before saying, "you're taking this calmly."

Caroline let out a breath, "no….I'm still trying to absorb the information. But I've always been a quick study. Besides, this is about your family, about you."

They were back at the bedroom after a late lunch with Caroline reclaiming her former lounging position in the bed and Klaus sitting beside her. Klaus shook his head, "this is not just about my family, who we are and what we do. This is about us, you and me." Klaus gathered her hands and brought them to his lips, "our future together. I love you and I want us to be together. But for the first time in my life, I don't want to be selfish, I need you to know, to understand what a life with me would be like. I swear to keep you safe, swear on my life to keep you safe."

Caroline paused and looked out the window from her position on the bed then looked back at Klaus, unclasping their entwined hands to put her on the side of his face, "Klaus, you know I love you. I have never felt more loved than when I'm with you. And I may be crazy but I know I won't regret it if I tell you, I want to make us work." Entwining their hands once again, "but I don't want anymore secrets between us. I've had some trust issued in the past. Can you promise me that?"

Klaus gave Caroline a smoldering look with eyes that were on the brink of tears, so overwhelm was he from the response of Caroline, "I promise, I promise," he repositioned himself to straddle Caroline without trying to put his weight on her, "you don't know how much what you said meant to me, I love you my Caroline," and kissed her with all the passion and emotion he was feeling.

Okay, no cliffhanger this time. Just resolving a lot of relationships between the characters, so they can all move forward, Klaus and Caroline, Kol and Bonnie, Damon and Stefan, Elijah and Haley.

For all Stefan-Katherine shippers, the next chapter will have some, plus the next phase of both Klaroline and Kennett.