Previously on ATCL: '… He was a disaster of a man.'

Breathing heavily, Caroline snapped up in her bed. Grabbing her phone, she checked the time. 3:04. Great.

After Klaus had left the room earlier that evening, Rebekah and Bonnie had helped her upstairs and into her room. Katherine's protests could be heard from down the hall, but Elijah had insisted she go back to bed because, "Katerina, you're looking pale and I will not have another person almost dying today". Now, she did not exactly take kindly to his coddling, and after what Rebekah had said were multiple escape attempts, Katherine was giving Elijah the silent treatment. Not that that would last very long, in Caroline's opinion. Those two were inevitable.

Once Caroline had gotten out of the shower, Bonnie shoved yet another mug of warm blood under her nose, with the special addition of a few herbs to leech the vervain out of her system. Apparently it was a remedy of Kol's. The blonde eagerly accepted the drink, and after much wheedling, got her best friend to make another mug for Klaus. The concoction worked too, as she discovered while throwing on sweatpants and a tank-top-screw fashion. Being tortured for almost three hours straight gave one a pass.

And now, here she was. It was three o'clock in the morning, and every time she attempted to close her eyes and grab a morsel of sleep, visions of the day's events plagued her mind. Lovely, no? Sliding out from underneath her silky sheets, Caroline grabbed a hoodie and her phone, just needing to give her mind a break.

Her footsteps took her to the secluded library in the back of the house, where a fireplace and plushy couches—not to mention a literal wealth of books which could put her to sleep—awaited. She, however, did not expect to see a fire already warming the room, and a certain man staring at said fire from his position on the couch, a glass of something hanging lazily in his hand.

"Couldn't sleep either?" She asked softly, her footsteps soft as she padded over and curled up in an armchair.

Klaus looked up from his brooding. "I'm a thousand years old, Caroline. I rarely need more than three or four hours of sleep."

"Ah. I'm still on a fairly normal sleep schedule, so I wonder if that changes with age." The lady shrugged. "Then again, at this rate, I probably won't make it that long." She laughed grimly.

"You will." He said firmly, though still with a soft undertone. "You will make it to a thousand, and many years past." Sighing, the hybrid took another sip of his drink.

"You can't promise that." Caroline shook her head, her golden curls reflecting the firelight. "What happens next year, or a decade, or even a century are not set in stone. The world is ever-changing; the future is not a given."

"As I am more than aware." Klaus arched an eyebrow. "If anyone is able to attest upon the movement of the world, it would be me."

"But you aren't." The blonde gave him a soft smile. "You've lost sight of some things in the past thousand years." As he went to reply, she cut him off. "You know I'm right. And I mean… I'm not chastising you, because it makes sense, you know? But all the same, your perspective is a bit skewed versus mine."

"And why do you say that?" He crossed one leg over the other, reclining.

"Your future has been the same for so long. You're immortal: strong, ageless, fearless." Caroline smirked as he took recognition of the very words he had told her once. "You've forgotten the moments where the prospect of being those things were incomprehensible, simply because the span of time wasn't long enough for any change to be obvious. It's just… It's really hard to think of, sometimes."

Klaus nodded a concession. "So, then, if you find your immortal existence mind-boggling, what do you suppose you would be doing now, had you still been human?" He was genuinely curious as to what she would say.

"Not much would have changed, really." She shrugged. "I mean… I would have continued with all of my committees instead of dropping a few, that's for sure. I'd probably be studying Journalism at Whitmore; maybe some other college, though I'm not sure about that. My mom and I wouldn't be on as good terms as we are now. My dad might still be alive, since he wouldn't have been stabbed by my history teacher's alter-ego. I think I'd still be dating Matt, too. I mean, the only reason we even broke up was because of the whole "your-girlfriend-just-became-a-member-of-the-undead" thing, and really… I would still just be the person I used to be. Girly, little Caroline." It was hard to answer honestly, for she was alluding to things she did not particularly want to talk about, but Caroline felt she needed to be blunt. Klaus deserved her honesty. "I wasn't exactly the…best person as a human, you know? I was really shall—"

The Original cut her off. "Caroline." His voice was hard as steel, in direct opposition to his easy tone of mere moments before. "Do not believe one word the despicable thing you call an ex-boyfriend said. You are more than what he dared degrade you to."

"No. No, he was right. Everything Tyler said was true." She stood suddenly, running a hand through her hair. "I had an inferiority complex as high as the sky. It makes sense, you know? I mean, no one's ever put me first." Caroline looked over at him briefly, before sighing. "Not my parents: I mean, my dad decided to run off with his lover instead of parent me, and my mom put her work above me constantly. God, I would avoid coming home some afternoons, simply because I didn't want to be in an empty house, you know?" She bit one her bottom lip, eyes far off as they remembered old times. "I could never get any of the boyfriends I wanted; all of them wanted Elena more. It's that damn Petrova allure, I guess. Not to mention I have one of the worst track records with guys ever." She squeezed her eyes tight, blocking out the protests Klaus threw out and continued on. "I was so pathetic. I did stupid stuff and I was rash and I threw myself at anyone who looked at me. I mean… I gave away my fucking virginity to a random guy at a stupid party because I was pissed at my dad and they were there." Caroline turned away, pressing the heels of her hands over her eyes briefly. "I first went after Matt to get over Damon, and I sort of cheated on Matt with Tyler and just... I was such a slut. I had it coming. God, I had it coming." She paced the room, not noticing Klaus had stood up by now. "I was practically asking for it. I mean… I was an easy target. A miserable and lonely girl who's willing to go home with anyone is such an easy target. And I was stupid enough to fall for all of it."

Klaus stopped her incessant movement as she passed by again, catching her forearm. "Caroline. What. Happened. To. You." He gritted out. She was momentarily quiet before exploding.

"Damon Fucking Salvatore, that's who!" She shrieked. "I was his personal little bloodbag and sex toy after he came to town! I mean sure, he was emotionless and all, but that doesn't give anyone a free pass, you know? And unfortunately I was the collateral damage!" Caroline froze as Klaus threw his tumbler into the fireplace, the sound of shattering glass breaking through her ranting. As he turned back towards her, a shiver went down her spine at the gaze full of fire and wrath focused upon her, and yet not on her.

"He did what?" The words came out in a deathly whisper, one which scared her more than louder tones might have.

"Y-you heard me." She looked down, the fight taken out of her, leaving her weary. She was ashamed of what had happened to her; she was the one stupid enough to get into that situation. If only she had had a bit more common sense. "I was an idiot and had it coming. It doesn't excuse his actions, but I participated." She turned and rested her head in her hands, breathing deeply.

His footsteps grew nearer, muted by the soft rug. As he turned her around, Caroline kept her gaze to the floor. Now he knew how ruined she actually was. How stupid. How shallow. How slutty. She should have just kept her damn mouth shut. The lady was surprised however, when she felt a hand cupping her chin and raising it. His other hand caressed her cheek in a butterfly touch, and almost subconsciously she turned into his palm.

"You, love, are the most amazing woman I have ever had the privilege of making an acquaintance with." Klaus's voice—not to mention that damn accent of his—was smooth and melted over her, but she shook it off, scoffing.

"That's ridiculous. You've been alive for a thousand years. I'm sure you've told that to a few dozen other girls." Caroline rolled her eyes, avoiding his gaze again.

"Sweetheart." When she simply closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, Klaus tried again. "Caroline, love. What's wrong?"

"You, damn it!" She stepped back, running a hand through her messy curls. "You can't just tell me something like that! Not when I just told you practically every bad thing that's ever happened to me!"

"I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true!" He shot back.

"But it can't be!" Caroline started pacing.

"And why not, love?" Klaus crossed his arms, arching an eyebrow.

"Because I'm a walking disaster!" The blonde looked into the fire briefly before resuming her movements. "Like, I'm really crazy half the time and I'm neurotic and my OCD multiplied by like a thousand after I turned. I've got jealousy issues and compulsion issues and I really, really, hate being told what to do." She gestured wildly as she spoke. "I'm damaged, okay?" Caroline sighed. "I have trust issues and parent issues and I still get nightmares all the time because, for some reason, people like to torture me!" She huffed angrily, coming to a stop. "Look, I appreciate the compliment, really, I do, but there are better women in the world you can give it to. Many who are more worthy of your time and company."

"You're acting ridiculous, sweetheart." Klaus scoffed. "You are one of the most extraordinary women I have ever met, and I will have you know, I do not exaggerate when it comes to circumstances such as this. I have spent decades in the company of empresses and queens, and there are only a handful who rival you." He ran a hand over his face, letting out a sharp laugh. "You… You're marvelous. Honestly, I do not even understand why you are still here after watching me slaughter dozens of vampires today. Hell, it is my fault you were even tortured today. Marcellus went after you to get at me, and don't even deny it." He cut the girl off as she started to speak. "Your capture was because of me, and mine. Even if the hybrid puppy had not handed you over like you were property to give, Marcel would have figured out our connection eventually." This time it was Klaus who did the pacing, and Caroline who stood in silence. She was shocked. This was the most she had heard Klaus speak of himself—not to mention his emotions—since telling her of his imminent child. It was slightly strange, to be frank, though in a good way. He turned back towards her, abruptly sweeping her out of her thoughts. Stepping closer, his eyes raked over her form, sending shivers down her spine. He reached out and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear before speaking once more. "You… You do things to me. Make me feel things I have never felt before. It is a strange thing, to wander the earth a cold and lonely man, and then to, all of a sudden, have a blast of sunshine fall into your life. I am a monster, Caroline. I have done despicable things; the blood of thousands rests upon my hands. I loathe how far I have fallen, and yet, I cannot seem to care. I have lived my life under the banner of love being the greatest weakness, and then you waltz in and shake everything up. You are a contradiction. The lady of light, and the queen of darkness. You hold both within yourself, even if you do not wish to admit it. You are… You are too wonderful for a man such as I." Silence reigned for a moment as Klaus simply looked at her. It felt, to Caroline, as if he was gazing into her very soul. Then he stepped back, never breaking her gaze. "Goodnight, love. I'm down the hall if you need anything." With a curt nod, Niklaus Mikaelson left the room.

Caroline simply watched him go in silence, shocked to her core. Klaus… Klaus actually… He really meant it. He truly meant every word to her over the time they had interacted. His feelings were true. She knew that now. The doubt she harbored in his intentions—the worry that maybe it was just the thrill of the chase—had always been present. He was an Original. She was just…herself. Caroline Forbes, from small-town Virginia. That's it.

But he saw her as something different. And she saw him as something different; the different facets of his personality. She saw the king in his everyday manner, in the way he dealt with his hybrid pack. She saw the monster, full of wrath, when those he considered under his protection to be in jeopardy. Yet, these were nothing new. These facets of his personality were shown to many others. No, the surprising part of him was the man. She saw the mere man when he interacted with his siblings, or herself, or even when she caught him looking at those ultrasound pictures of his child. He may be a very ancient man, but he was still one nonetheless. He made mistakes, like one. It was this side of Klaus's personality whom she spoken to this evening.

Man, monster, king. All three wrapped into one overwhelming tormentous whirlwind of a being. He brought so much confusion into her life. His role was supposed to be clear. Klaus was supposed to be the villain; the evil one. When he was merely that, it had been easy. Her existence changed the moment the bad guy walked into her childhood bedroom, bared his wrist, and saved her life: she would never be the same after that moment. The one she had loved was now more easily placed in the villain's role, and it seemed as if the villain was slipping into a permanent place in her heart.

-0-0-0-0-0-

The next morning, Caroline was lying in wait at the bottom of the stairs. Klaus had the habit of being a late riser, at least, if you consider eight in the morning late, and was always one of the last to breakfast. She needed to talk to him; though, not for the reasons one might suspect. The idea which was currently turning her mind in circles had formed the previous evening, while she tried to fall asleep after the conversation she and Klaus had had, and really, she needed this. She couldn't take another day like the previous.

Presently she heard the familiar footsteps coming down the stairs, and Caroline pushed off the wall. Klaus appeared on the landing, dressed in one of those henleys she had always held an appreciation for, those ever-present necklaces peeking out of the unbuttoned portion. A thought flickered into her mind of whether or not he ever took the things off; did he wear them like…all the time? It could be a sexy look… Snapping out of her thoughts, she refocused on the hybrid who was leisurely making his way down the stairs.

"I assume you are waiting for a reason, and not just for the pleasure of my company?" He smirked, cocking one eyebrow in the way that made Caroline want to both smack and kiss him.

"You underestimate me." She gave him a look. "I'm here for both, actually." Receiving a questioning expression, the vampire continued on. "Take a walk with me?" Caroline gave him a soft smile.

Klaus scrutinized her, searching for anything which would betray her purpose in her eyes, but found nothing. "Lead the way, sweetheart."

Their walk around the gardens—yes, the manor actually had gardens, like something out of a period novel—started in silence. When they were a sufficient distance away from the main house, Caroline turned to her companion. "I can't take another day like yesterday." Klaus's eyes darkened at the mention of the previous day's events, but he remained silent, letting her continue on. "I've been tortured by two packs of werewolves, my history teacher, and my own dad. I can't take it again."

The Original Hybrid took a deep breath. "How do you suppose we rectify this problem?"

"I want to go to war with you." She blurted out.

Klaus's head snapped up, and he turned to her. "Excuse me?"

"You heard correctly." The blonde shot back. "Look, whether I continue to live with you and your family, or I get my own apartment or something, I don't plan on leaving New Orleans for a long time. I love it here. The city is full of life and majesty. It's… It is so much more than I could have expected." She smiled, before her expression turned fierce. "But the city doesn't belong to its current ruler, and that's a problem that needs to be fixed." Caroline looked directly at her companion. "I know—in the bottom of my heart—that the city of New Orleans should reside in Mikaelson hands. It belongs to you." She said quietly. "I want to help make that happen."

Klaus looked at the ground, before looking back at his companion. Frankly, he was shocked. Especially after their conversation the previous evening, he was surprised she still wanted to be around him. He had received no response, after all; not that he had given her a chance to reply. The rush of emotions he had received while in the presence of the baby vampire before him was incomprehensible, though the previous evening it seemed everything was amplified. She was a magnificent woman. "Well then, love, nothing would delight me more than to have your assistance."

She broke out into a toothy smile. "Great! I mean, I know I'll have a huge learning curve to even be of any use, but I was really hoping you'd think me…you know, capable enough."

Klaus scrutinized her for a moment before nodding his head to himself. "It's going to be work, yes. But you've got most of it down, and Elijah approves of your table manners." When she scoffed, he laughed. "Sweetheart, it is an extreme task to have my brother approve of your etiquette. It is not a joking matter. The rest, however, can only be learned through practical experience. Though personally, when it comes to weapons, I could see you with a bow and arrow…"

Caroline arched an eyebrow. "I grew up with the sheriff, and my dad was fond of hunting. I can shoot a pistol, and fairly well, thank you very much."

"So then wooden bullets, laced with vervain." He nodded. "Pity. I always found archery to be a favorite of mine." Klaus looked at her grimly. "I may be a cruel man, Caroline, but I do not wish for battle to take place in the city. However, if Marcel pushes for a bloodbath, he shall receive one."

"Trust me, I'm not judging." She replied. "What needs to be done must be done. If he forces your hand, there will be no other option." An idea popped into her head, and she smirked, rolling with it. Taking a step closer to Klaus, she began to speak. "Though you know… I may be somewhat adequate with a pistol, but I'm terrible at hand-to-hand combat." Running her hand lightly down the back of his arm, the blonde vixen raked her gaze over his handsome form. "Maybe you could…teach me? I need to learn how to properly get out of compromising positions, you know." Caroline finished innocently, satisfaction welling up inside of her at the look in his eyes, dark with lust, a vein throbbing along his neck. His hands clenched and unclenched briefly before he replied.

"Your virginal façade is full of holes, sweetheart. You won't get away with that."

"When someone tells me I can't do something, I prove them wrong." The lady shot back.

The hybrid grabbed her waist and pulled her flush against him. Trailing his mouth—which was barely refraining from touching her cheek—to her ear, he brushed a barely discernible kiss along her jawline. "You are formidable, but I always win."

Caroline's chest heaved as her undead heart raced and breathing accelerated. "You're breaking the rules."

"I never agreed to follow them, now did I?"

-0-0-0-0-0-

Katherine was sitting in the den, browsing through all of the latest shoe collections online. Once she was cured, the first thing she was going to do was wear high heels again. She had pouted for an hour when the pain of wearing her favorite shoes became too much, and she had been stuck wearing flats ever since. And then, with the fact that she was either stuck in bed or on the couch—and only the latter if she was lucky enough to have someone help her downstairs—the practicality of keeping up her appearance was nonexistent. True, she still applied makeup daily, thanks to a lap-desk and a vanity mirror, but her wardrobe consisted of yoga pants and tank-tops, or a variety of comfortable sundresses she was borrowing from Caroline. Gone were the skinny jeans and leather jackets of her better days. Now she was just a pallid version of her former self, washed up and miserable, stuck in limbo. Will she live? Will she die? The waiting game was wearing upon Katherine more than the actual process of falling apart.

She would forever be indebted to Caroline for what she did. The insufferably perky blonde had managed to do what no other could: she had gotten the survivor to want to live. For though Katherine was a survivor—five hundred and twenty years of running does not exactly give one a choice in the matter—when she had received her diagnosis, the Petrova fire in her had gone out. This…illness was a violation of everything she stood for. It took away her agency and mobility; it injured her already fragile state of being. She was impaired for the first time since becoming immortal, and when Katherine had woken up in that blasted school's hallway, something inside of her shattered to pieces. She had always been alone, and it was never more apparent than that day.

Now she was in a better place. It wasn't by much, but she was better. The unlikely friendships with Caroline and Rebekah had helped exponentially. The last real friendships Katherine had maintained were with Pearl and Emily, back in 1864. And even then, those were more mutually beneficial partnerships than actual friendships. With the two blondes, nothing other than an open ear and a bit of conversation was required of her. It was easy. She could unload her thoughts and listen to theirs in return. Their spending time together was not dependent upon what Katherine did for them. The shopping trips, movie nights, and just…time spent in comradery had done more to boost her confidence and spirits more than anything else. She had not realized how much platonic companionship could help a person until she was in the middle of the whole process, living with the last group of people she had ever expected to even like. After all, when it came to the other members of the manor, she was of more mellow opinions. She and Klaus had accepted their mutual dislike of each other, but set aside their obvious differences so as to keep the fragile peace within what was becoming an actual home. Katherine was practically indifferent in an emotional sense to Bonnie and her imaginary friend Kol, but did appreciate the fact that she was dedicating her abilities—and Kol his knowledge—to finding the cure. A former Bennett witch and the Original Family's resident expert on all things magic were invaluable in a search such as this. Her former minion was inconsequential in the long run, though Katherine's hate of the sniveling little bitch stemmed from her blatant attraction to Elijah. Therefore, she would continue to do everything in her exceedingly limited power to make the girl's life hell.

Speaking of Elijah, they were in a strange place. Katherine was more than aware that she was still in love with him; this little fact had not changed. And, though he had not said the actual words, she knew he felt the same. She knew him well enough to be assured in that. Now, she had spent the majority of the summer royally pissed at him for dumping her after professing his love, but that was a fact neither could change. Instead they were in another limbo, in love with each other, but unable to do anything to further the process. Katherine blamed her own stubbornness, but if she was to go down, she was not going to leave Elijah with a heart broken twice over. It was not fair to entangle themselves in a torrid relationship and then die on him. She wasn't going to do it.

Seeing a flash of something, Katherine looked up from her computer, and almost had another heart attack. Kol Bloody Mikaelson was standing in the doorway next to Bonnie, one hand which appeared to be gently guiding her as they walked. Could the anchor make physical contact with ghosts? Wait a second… "Holy Shit!" She shrieked. "Oh my god. I'm dead. I'm dead." She backed into the couch as Bonnie approached her. "No! Don't touch me!"

"Katherine… What on earth…" Bonnie asked, stopping where she stood. She exchanged a confused look with Kol, who was standing beside her.

"I don't want to crossover! I'm not done yet!" The brunette shrank back into the couch cushions as much as humanly possible, not wanting to accept what she believed to be her death. Just then a burst of air flooded the room and came to stop in front of Katherine, revealing itself as Elijah.

"Katerina, what is going on?" The man in the suit kneeled in front of her, concern plastered across his face.

"You can see me?" The aforementioned asked, confusion seeping into her eyes. She was so sure she had died. After all, why else would Kol have been visible? He was dead, and unable to be seen by the alive. And Katherine was sure she had seen him; she wasn't crazy. She might be falling apart and bedridden, but her mind hadn't gone. Yet.

"Katerina," Elijah stroked her cheek, brushing a loose curl behind her cheek "you are just as visible as you were this morning."

"Then why on earth is your brother standing next to Bon-Bon!" Katherine arched an eyebrow, freaking out again at the fact that she could see the dead guy again.

Elijah looked over, and sure enough, Kol was standing next to Bonnie. His younger brother was messing with her earring, making an inane comment about not having seen that pair before or something. "Kol?" He stood, breathless and wide-eyed. The last time Elijah had seen his younger brother was in London, after Kol stopped in and interrupted him and Katerina in the middle of an extremely…compromising position. Needless to say, that was an interesting weekend. "Are… Are you…?" He trailed off, awestruck at the sight of his brother.

"No." Kol replied. "In fact, I don't even know how this is possi—" His voice faded out as the ghostly Original stepped towards his brother, disappearing into thin air as he walked.

Katherine observed the situation, putting the pieces together. "Bonnie, go touch your not-so-imaginary friend again." She gestured from her position on the couch, completely ignoring the fact that she had just been in hysterics moments before because of said so-called 'imaginary friend'. And when Bonnie told her that exact thing, she simply rolled her eyes.

She was right, however, because the moment Bonnie made contact with Kol, he appeared again. God, she could have gone a while longer without the psycho jackass's presence. Alas, Kol made Elijah happy, and that made Katherine less disgruntled. The things one does for love. Soon enough Klaus and Rebekah had come back from wherever they had spent the afternoon—Caroline accompanying the former of course—and needless to say, were shocked by the appearance of their brother. Kol brought a spice to the Mikaelsons the other three simply did not exhibit, and Katherine liked it. Though he was still dead, they would be able to talk to Kol face-to-face, and something told her that Bonnie actually quite enjoyed the physical contact which was required for Kol to maintain the connection.

Katherine had spent a month and a half inside the manor in New Orleans. And, surprisingly, there was something about the place that drew to her. It wasn't the enchanting city, but instead the people she was living with. And that in itself was surprising. For the first time in forever, Katherine Pierce felt at home. It was a really…nice feeling.

AN: So, how did you all like it? I thought it was about time for Klaroline to make some progress, you know? They needed to expedite the process of getting together already.

The Kalijah was short, I know, but the purpose of this chapter was to expand upon Klaroline and dig more into Bonnie's abilities as anchor, which, in this story, include the ability to make ghosts visible via physical contact. Katherine and Elijah's big chapter is swiftly coming, I promise. The same with Kennett.

Anyways, it's like two am right now as I finish up this author's note, and I'm exhausted. So yeah. Feel free to contact me with any comments, questions, or criticisms! My PM box is always open, and I love to talk to you all!

Special thanks to my best friend who helped me rewrite the entire beginning Klaroline scene. Without her, it would have been this huge mess of OOC-ness and nonchalance.

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing! Seriously, this chapter was a tough act to pull off after the last one, and the reviews you all left were the only things getting me through this chapter. So thank you.

-Abi