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Chapter 2

Mystic Falls

"Tyler?" Caroline stepped onto the porch with caution. After her experience with Silas, she had a right to be concerned. Right now though, a small part of her wished it was Silas, so she didn't have to witness the betrayal on Tyler's face. He had heard everything, she could see the knowledge in his eyes. She bit her lip with regret as Tyler continued to look at her like she was a stranger.

"You're friends with that bastard after everything he did to me?" Tyler's eyes narrowed with fury, he took a step back as if he couldn't be close to her.

"Tyler, let me explain-" Caroline hesitantly spoke, not sure how to handle this. Caroline didn't want to lie to Tyler, she had too much respect for him. She looked away from the anger and pain that Tyler was expressing. This was not the way Caroline wanted Tyler to find out, but to be honest, there wasn't a right way to tell him. What could she say? Any reason that she could give for being friends with Klaus sounded selfish and insane after everything that had happened. Caroline decided to be honest and suffer the consequences.

Caroline took a deep breath. "Yes, we're friends." She could see that she was hurting him, like each word was a knife to his heart. She tried to step closer, but he moved away in disgust.

"I can't believe you just said that. He gave you a few kind words and you fall for his crap. Klaus manipulates and uses people to get what he wants. We all know what he wants from you, Caroline and it isn't your friendship." Tyler was pacing as he spat out his feelings.

Caroline was quiet, but inside she was a little insulted, even though that was something she couldn't help but worry about. The thought that a man would only want one thing from her, that Klaus would only use her. Klaus had lived for over a thousand years and certainly had experience, one in particular that she didn't really like to think about. Whenever Caroline would let herself go there, imaging what it would be like to be with Klaus, there were all these doubts she seemed to have. Would she ever be able to completely trust Klaus? How could small-town Caroline be enough for an all-powerful original? She shook her head, hating herself for even thinking about Klaus when Tyler was standing in front of her, hurting.

"Tyler, I love you, more than you will ever-"

"Do you have feelings for him?" Tyler cut her off, not wanting to hear declarations of love. Caroline stared, at a loss for words. She didn't know what she felt for Klaus, she just knew he was a part of her life now and there wasn't anything she could do to change that.

Tyler took her silence for confirmation. As he turned away, Caroline moved quickly to stand in front of him. "Tyler, please listen-"

"Did you sleep with him?" Tyler asked.

Caroline drew back as if she'd been slapped, she could accept his anger, and she could even understand the disgust. But what she couldn't believe was the mistrust that Tyler had in her. Yes, Klaus had kissed her, but she hadn't returned it, though she often wondered what she would have done if he hadn't pulled away. While Tyler had been gone, even when they hadn't been together, Caroline had been faithful to him. She had always felt guilty for any feelings or thoughts she might have towards Klaus, but she had never acted on them. Now, Caroline was the one that stepped away.

"How could you ask me something like that? Don't you know me at all?" Caroline couldn't help herself, she was hurt by his assumption.

Tyler scoffed as he shook with rage. "I thought I did. For someone who claims to love me, how could you want to be friends with Klaus? The man who killed my mother, the man who destroyed all our lives. Now, after all that he's done, you consider him a friend and probably have feelings for him, since you didn't answer the question." Tyler stared in her eyes, almost pleading for her to say he was wrong.

Caroline looked away, because she couldn't deny that she felt attracted to Klaus. Even though she was mad that Tyler assumed she slept with Klaus, she didn't have much of a defense for wanting to be Klaus's friend. "I didn't slept with Klaus, but I am willing to be his friend. He has been there for me when I needed him and I've decided to do the same for him. I'm sorry, Tyler and I understand why you don't agree with it."

"He's been there for you? Is that when he stabbed you with a coat hanger or when he ordered me to bite you? How romantic." Tyler said with sarcasm.

Caroline turned to breathe out her frustration before she responded. "Things have changed, Tyler. Klaus and his family aren't our enemy anymore and I'm sorry for that because I know its cost you a lot."

"So, it's forgive and forget? I can't believe this. If it's not you wanting to be Klaus's friend, then it's Matt, my best friend, dating his sister. I come back home to find everybody just shrugging off everything that family did to us, like you all were compelled to forget." Tyler stopped as the idea took root. He looked at me with suspicion, while he seriously considered it.

Caroline could see where his thoughts were going and held up a hand to deter him. "I'm not compelled and neither is Matt. He genuinely likes Rebekah and I honestly want to be Klaus's friend." Caroline shook her head, hearing herself. How in the world did it come to this? Defending Rebekah and admitting out loud that she wanted Klaus in her life. But she couldn't deny it anymore. Klaus was a good friend to her, when he wasn't trying to kill everyone she knew. And even though Caroline and Rebekah started off hating each other, things had gotten better between them, almost friendly. They had grown closer on their trip home and Caroline was surprised to discover that Rebekah was easy to talk to.

Tyler's eyes filled again with anger and betrayal and spoke softly. "That makes it even worse, that you're willing to trust and depend on them. It sickens me that you want to be friends with him. I love you, Care, but I can't stand Klaus in your life. You're going to have to choose, him or me? Because you can't have us both." His hands clenched in fists as he fought for control, before he turned and disappeared into the night. Caroline stared, wanting to run after him to change his mind, and convince him that being friends with Klaus wouldn't change things between them, but she didn't think he wanted to hear it. And she didn't know if she believed it herself.

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New Orleans

Klaus strolled in the room, grateful for the silence that filled the house. It had been months since he had a peaceful moment, he decided to take advantage and paint. As he picked up his brush to start, the door opened and Elijah walked in, there went his privacy.

"Are you going to alert them of the threat?" Elijah asked, coming to stand beside Klaus.

"I'll let them know tomorrow. It's not much of a threat, they can handle them." Klaus said, not really concerned.

As Elijah was about to respond, music filled the silence of the house. Klaus shot Elijah a glare and moved to the hallway, but Elijah stopped him before he could climb the stairs.

Elijah held his hand up. "I'll take care of it."

Klaus gritted his teeth. "Find her a place somewhere else, away from me." He glared up the stairs, where Elijah had given Haley a room. He hadn't had much interaction with her, only to bark out orders for her to stay in the house for the child's protection. Whenever she entered a room, he would leave to avoid her as much as possible.

"Your child could come anytime. Haley needs to stay here, at least until she has the baby. After that, we can discuss what the best thing is for the child."

Klaus turned away, gritting his teeth as he continued his denial. He didn't like to talk about the baby. The events that were impacting his life were out of his control now and he wasn't handling it well. He slammed the door to cut off Elijah's next words as he walked back into the room. With the music making his mood worse, he opened the balcony doors and stepped out to breath in the late night. The city sounds soothed his mood somewhat, but it was mostly this spot. Right where he was standing, his life changed for the better. He closed his eyes and relieved every second that he spent with Caroline here. He could almost smell her scent, feel the hand that he grabbed as he stood with her to look out into the city. There had been genuine happiness that ran through him as she looked upon him, not with hate or disgust, but with care. He knew she didn't feel what he felt, but it was good enough, considering where they started.

Klaus could feel his life changing again, though he didn't think it was for the better. This time, he didn't have control and he hated it. It reminded him of when he was human and Mikeal dictated their lives. After he was changed and became stronger, he swore to himself that he would never become weak again, ruled by his emotions or other people around him. That plan went to hell when he met Caroline, but he found strength in caring for her, and became a better person for knowing her. The door opening behind him interrupted his reflection.

"We should talk about what happens next." Haley said, leaning against the door. Klaus turned and stared, already disturbed by her presence. Her stomach lead the way when she walked now. The only experience he had with a woman carrying a child is when Ester gave birth to Henrik, but he had been pretty young. He was assuming and hoping that she didn't have much time left before she gave birth.

"There's nothing to talk about. After you have the child, we'll find somewhere else for you to live."

"My child is coming with me." Haley raised her chin, expecting a fight.

Klaus scoffed. "Didn't figure you to be maternal."

"Me, either. But after you carry someone for seven months, you kind of grow attached." Haley said, with a touch of sarcasm. Klaus sighed with impatience as he looked over the city in thought. He figured he could make it difficult for her, find a way to push her out of the child's life. But really, what did he know about children? Elijah was right about Klaus having enemies and for the child's safety, he was going to have to put up with Haley.

Klaus spoke directly to Haley. "The child will be in danger, so you'll have to stay here. You stay out of my way and take care of the child, then we'll get along."

"I want to find my family." Haley said, looking out into the city.

Klaus waved his hand. "Talk to Elijah about that, maybe he can help." He turned away, finished with the conversation. Haley rolled her eyes behind his back and went back inside, frustrated with the situation. Klaus put his head down in regret at the mess of his own creation, wishing that Caroline was here.

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Mystic Falls

Caroline decided to let off some steam with a late-night session with Stefan. Stefan was surprised and happy to see her when he opened the door to his apartment, but that didn't last long as they got started with her training. As Caroline got into a rhythm with Stefan, she started to replay the scene with Tyler in her mind. She understood where he was coming from, but her feelings mattered, too. And she couldn't help it, she was pissed about the whole situation. She was mad at herself for the feelings she had for Klaus. She was mad at Tyler for the assumptions and accusations, even though Tyler didn't have a problem using her to kill Klaus. And she was mad at Klaus for all the evil things he did. She felt like she was on a rollercoaster from hell and she just wanted to get off.

Caroline used her anger to throw a round of punches, hitting Stefan in the face as she caught him off guard. He deflected the next punch as the rage made her see red. She was so focused on releasing her anger, she didn't see Stefan easing back to escape the fury Caroline was directing his way. He flashed to the other side of the room, leaving Caroline to swing at thin air.

"How about we just talk about what's bother you, instead of taking it out on me?" Stefan asked, with a smile. That was happening more often, Stefan seemed to be having better moods. The first few weeks reflected his typical brooding self, but things were slowly returning to normal for him.

"So, things have been quiet here, huh?" Caroline asked.

"You might as well tell me. You know you will eventually." Stefan said.

Caroline drank some water as she looked away from Stefan's inquiring eyes. He had always been the one she could come and talk to about anything, but she was nervous about discussing this with Stefan. Klaus had destroyed Stefan's life, which had led to his break-up with Elena and even though Stefan was usually understanding about things, this might take the cake. Caroline took a deep breath and again decided to bite the bullet.

"Things changed between me and Klaus when I was in New Orleans. I decided to be his friend, no more manipulation, no more lies." Caroline took a peek at Stefan, who didn't look too surprised.

He shrugged a shoulder. "I could see that coming at prom when you asked Klaus for a dress. I told you then, you had Klaus wrapped around your finger."

"So, you're not mad that I want to be friends with Klaus?"

"No, but I will say that you need to be careful. Once you're a friend of Klaus, you're expected to be a friend for life. Believe me, I know. And I'm going to try to say this without choking on it, Klaus can be a good friend. He's an egotistical, homicidal control freak, but he has his moments. I know he tries to be better around you, almost human."

Caroline cleared her throat and looked away to gather some courage. "And what would you say, if I told you that it might be more than friendship that I feel for Klaus?"

Now Stefan was surprised, completely shocked. He struggled to form thoughts for a minute. "What about Tyler?"

"Tyler's pissed, do you know he accused me of sleeping with Klaus?" Caroline growled, still mad about that. "He told me that I have to choose, not that I really blame him. I knew he wouldn't accept Klaus as my friend."

Caroline turned away to pace her anxiety away. "This is crazy, right? I have lost my mind. I need to be sent to an insane asylum for vampires." Stefan's eyes filled with amusement as Caroline let her emotions get the better of her.

Caroline moved from one side of the room to the other. "I love Tyler, I do. God, I sound like such an idiot, to say I'm in love with someone and attracted to someone else at the same time. Tyler and I have been through so much, we were there for each other during the most traumatic time of our lives. It created a genuine bond, but this past year changed us and I'm not sure if it's been for the better." Caroline stopped pacing to think, before she grew agitated and started moving again. "With Klaus, it's like I'm a different person when we're together, more sure of myself. He sees me in ways that no one else really does. And I like that he's different around me, that he tries to be better. I just don't completely trust that he won't go all psycho on me, again."

Stefan tried to keep the smile off, to no avail. "I'm the last person to be giving love advice, but someone recently told me that you can have more than one great love. So, whatever you decide, I'll stand by you." A shadow of memories took the rare smile away and Caroline could see he was thinking of Elena. She felt bad that she was dumping her problems on top of everything he had going on.

"How are you, for real?" Caroline asked, with concern.

Stefan's eyes tightened with pride. "I'm fine, Caroline. I can't change anything, so I just have to deal with it. The hardest part is not knowing what he's planning to do. I hope that it's me Silas comes after and not anyone I care about."

Caroline admired Stefan's martyr syndrome, but that only made her worry more. They talked a little more and made plans to meet tomorrow. Caroline opened the door to head out, only to found someone else in the doorway. "Elena?" Caroline wondered why she was here and then she heard a heartbeat. "Katherine." Caroline looked over her shoulder back at Stefan with an eyebrow raised, pondering Katherine's presence. Stefan shrugged his shoulders, looking like he didn't want to talk about. Katherine glared at Caroline, brushing past her to walk in, uninvited. Before she could say anything, she sneezed. Her eyes and nose were red and puffy, it looked like she caught a cold. Caroline smirked at Katherine, enjoying the woman's misery. She had made Caroline's life hell after she smothered her with a pillow, so she felt like she had a right to gloat in her face. But she decided not to do it in front of Stefan and walked out, passing Katherine with a smile.

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Caroline entered her house, shaking her head at Stefan's love life, though she couldn't say much, considering the state of hers.

"Hey, look who stopped by. He heard you were home for your vacation." Liz said, walking into the living room.

Behind her, coming in at a slower pace was Stefan. Caroline stood confused, but everything came together when she saw his face. The hard eyes, so unlike Stefan's and the smirk, that gave it all away.

Caroline breathed. "Silas." She flashed in front of her mother and eased her backwards to the door. She could hear her mother's heartbeat escalate as she realized the danger.

Silas grinned with evil. "Oh, don't leave. I was having fun playing Stefan. It was too easy." They were more than five steps away from the door, when it swung open. Silas flashed to reach them, but he was thrown away and slammed against a wall. Caroline didn't wonder or question, she just grabbed her mother and ran into the night.