I don't own anything TVD or TO related.

Thank you to all who read and reviewed (as well as favorite and followed).

Sorry for the short chapter before, but my guilty pleasure of college football started and I knew I wouldn't get much writing done.

Happy Reading!

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Chapter 5

Mystic Falls

Katherine was falling over the side as Caroline flashed to her with her hand reaching out to grab anything she could. She found fabric, Katherine's shirt as she was disappearing over the side. Caroline had her, but her breath stopped as she heard a rip. She feared the shirt would tear before she could pull her back, leaving Katherine to fall to her death. Caroline bent over the ledge, reached with her other hand and was able to grab Katherine's arm. Looking down, she could see a few people who had glanced up were stopping and staring with horror as Katherine was dangling over the side of the building. As Caroline was pulling her up, she saw a hand grab Katherine's other arm to help. She turned and saw Stefan, panic in his eyes, helping her pull Katherine back over the side of the ledge to safety. Caroline hesitated for a moment, looking directly at Stefan but the compassion and fear all over his face put her at ease.

Caroline quivered with relief as they moved Katherine away from the ledge, but Katherine was fighting their hold, still under Silas's compulsion.

"I have to jump." Katherine said as Stefan shook her, trying to pull her out of it.

"Katherine!" Stefan yelled in her face, but she didn't respond to him. The yelling and shaking wasn't working. He looked to Caroline, at a loss of what to do. Caroline stared at Katherine, not really wanting to hurt her, but she grabbed Katherine's arm and turned her around. She knew there was no way to reach her, so she did the only thing she could think of. She threw a punch and it connected. Katherine fell back into Stefan's arms, knocked out cold.

Caroline met Stefan's shocked gaze and shrugged a shoulder. "It worked, didn't it?" Stefan lifted Katherine in his arms and followed Caroline down the stairs. Stefan shook his head, walking past his apartment. "She's not safe here, we have to take her with us." Caroline figured that, but the task of protecting Katherine, who was now human was very ironic. But everything was changing, so Caroline wasn't really surprised anymore. Roles were being reversed, enemies were becoming friends, and people she never thought she could count on were now playing a role in their survival.

As they were coming down the stairs, Liz was entering the building in a hurry. She came to a sudden stop when she saw us as she surveyed the scene before her.

"What happened now?" Liz asked, looking at an unconscious Katherine in Stefan's arms.

"Silas compelled her to jump off the building. We caught her before she could fall." Caroline said, worrying even more. With her mom running around town, she was glad there was protection on the way for her. Caroline hoped Sophie and whoever was coming with her would get there soon, because Silas seemed determined to cause as much mayhem as he could.

"She's going to stay with us for safety. Mom, please be careful." Caroline said, looking back with concern as they were leaving.

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"We're taking strays in now?" Damon asked, waving his hand at Katherine. Stefan ignored him, walking in to lay Katherine on the couch. Rebekah, with eyebrows raised, stepped to the couch with Matt. Tyler and Jeremy, preparing weapons in the corner stopped to look on. Elena walked in the room as Stefan turned to face Damon. "Silas compelled her to jump off a building, Caroline was able to get to her in time." Damon, for once, didn't comment as Elena came to stand beside him.

Elena was looking down at Katherine, who was still unconscious, with anger in her eyes. "You should have just let her jump." Stefan was disturbed by Elena's comments, while it seemed mostly everyone else in the room agreed with her. Jeremy, Matt and Tyler didn't look like they had much pity for her and Rebekah barely glanced Katherine's way. But Caroline was disturbed by Elena's words, though she could kind of understand after everything Katherine had done to them. When it came down to it, she couldn't just let Katherine fall to her death. She felt that life was precious and shouldn't be taken for granted, even Katherine's.

As Caroline looked at Elena, still glaring at Katherine, at times she wondered if Elena still had her switch off. Ever since she had been turned into a vampire, the compassionate girl was hardly there anymore. After everything that Elena had been through, Caroline could relate, but being a vampire was supposed to enhance emotions that were already there. Caroline guessed that compassion for Katherine was asking for too much from Elena.

Stefan didn't move, but he seemed to draw back, looking at Elena as if she were a stranger. He searched her eyes as if he were looking for the girl he fell in love with. Caroline could have told him a long time ago, that girl was gone.

"She's human and vulnerable, Elena. Silas already came after her once, she needs to stay here." Stefan said firmly.

"Here? We're not protecting her after everything she did to us." Elena said, stepping closer to scoff at the idea. Jeremy was definitely in agreement as he moved to stand by his sister's side to show his support.

Stefan sighed with impatience. "You got your revenge, let it go for now."

"Let it go? She killed my brother and made my life hell-" Elena started, reminding everyone what Katherine had done. Tyler snorted quietly, while he mumbled under his breath. "Not so easy to forget, huh?"

Caroline avoided Tyler's gaze, but spoke directly to Elena. "We don't have time for this, Silas is the problem now. We need to get rid of him before someone ends up dead." Elena continued to glare Katherine's way, not wanting to hear reason.

"She's staying, end of discussion." Stefan said, picking Katherine back up. "She can stay in my old room." Elena opened her mouth to argue, but Stefan walked upstairs, not wanting to hear anything else. Elena, in shock, turned to Damon for help but he shrugged. "She'll be gone as soon as Silas is taken care of." Elena's face changed to anger at the very thought of having to protect Katherine. Caroline turned away as she pulled out her phone to send a text, thinking that bringing Katherine here maybe wasn't such a good idea.

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New Orleans

The sun sent rays of light through the muddy bayou as Klaus and Elijah hurried to Diego's hideout. They figured they could get the vampires without daylight rings and hopefully Diego and any others would be there, catching them off-guard. Klaus wanted Diego personally, asserting his authority to show everyone who was in charge. Once he took care of them and with the loyalty of the witches, the city would be under his control. Klaus felt a vibration in his pocket and pulled out his phone. There was a text message.

We're at the Salvatore's. I'm safe.

Caroline.

Klaus breathed a little easier, hoping she was safe for the night. Now he could focus on resolving this, so he could be there to protect her himself. They approached the house, surrounded by the bayou with caution. Klaus signaled Elijah to take the back, while Klaus would handle the front. The sound of the bayou, mosquitoes and birds filled the silence as Klaus and Elijah crept towards the house. Klaus focused on the sounds coming from inside, he could hear some upstairs and there were others voices in the back of the house. He gave a nod to Elijah and watched him disappear to the back. There was a vampire walking back and forth, watching for any intruders. Klaus moved quietly through the bayou, surprised that there wasn't more standing guard but he had a feeling he was mostly dealing with amateurs. Diego hadn't taken him seriously before, so he shouldn't have expected much more. He crept to the side, quickly flashed to him while his back was turned and snapped his neck. He quietly moved the body out of sight into the trees.

Klaus flashed from behind the tree to the front door. He braced himself and kicked the door down. The sudden presence of the hybrid sent those in sight running for the back, only to confront Elijah as he stepped in the house. Klaus flashed and threw a punch, sending one flying into the wall. A vampire quickly tried to escape around Elijah, who just reached for his heart. The body fell to the floor as Elijah tossed the bloody heart and then reached to snap the neck of one closest to him.

One tried to escape through the window, but Klaus flashed in front of him. He picked him up by the throat and slammed him against the wall to hold him there. Klaus looked around the room and saw Diego attempting to run upstairs. Elijah flashed and grabbed him before he could reach the stairs. Elijah dragged him to the center of the room to face Klaus, who snapped the neck of the one he was holding and watched the body drop to the floor.

Klaus let the silence thicken as he scanned the room. Besides Diego, there were over fifteen vampires that now stood still waiting for the hybrid to make his move. Klaus slowly stepped forward to face Diego as the others looked on. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a few trying to edge their way out the front door. "If you run, I will make it much worse for you." They thought better of it and froze, their breath stopping as they awaited their fate. Klaus decided to make an example out of Diego, to show what would happen to those who question his authority.

"The witches of New Orleans are under my protection now. If you attack them, you attack me." Klaus walked in a circle around Diego, like a snake preparing to strike. "I hear they're following your orders." He stopped again to face Diego, noticing the fear settling into his eyes. "It's good to know who to kill." Klaus thrust his hand through Diego's chest and tore his heart out. The body fell to the floor as Klaus, still holding Diego's bloody heart, scanned the group. "Anyone else what to be a leader?" They all shook their heads, fear radiating through them. Klaus tossed the heart and accepted the handkerchief from Elijah.

Klaus looked at every face as he made a decision. "You have two choices, leave town or follow my orders. If I have to come back, I will have all your hearts." He let the words settle before he nodded to Elijah and walked out the door. He figured the fear he had installed would be enough, he didn't need to kill all of them and they might be of use one day. Fear, as well as gratitude could create loyalty.

Elijah strolled with his brother. "I'm surprised you didn't kill all of them."

Klaus shrugged. "Diego was the one pushing them, showing them what I do to those who threaten my leadership was enough. That should take care of them until I get back and I'll keep my eye on them."

"Haley's about to give birth, Klaus, maybe I should go instead." Elijah said, looking over at Klaus.

Klaus stopped and eyed Elijah with suspicion. "Is there a reason why you don't want me to go to Mystic Falls?" This was twice now, Elijah had tried to stop him from leaving. Klaus noted that Elijah was having a hard time meeting his eyes.

Finally, Elijah sighed as he faced his brother. "Katrina was forced to take the cure. She's human."

Klaus eyebrows raised in surprise and he started to smile. His smile grew as the news registered, then he started laughing out loud. Klaus couldn't stop as Elijah looked on, shaking his head at Klaus.

"Who forced the cure down her throat?" Klaus asked, still snickering.

"Elena." Elijah turned away as his answer sent Klaus laughing again. "I'm glad you can find enjoyment in Katrina's misery."

"She turned herself into a vampire to keep me from breaking the curse, so yeah, there's amusement." Klaus said, smiling as they continued walking. "So, why am I just hearing this now?" He tried to feel anger that Elijah had deceived him, but he couldn't stop smiling at Katrina's situation.

"Can you blame me, Niklaus? I can't trust you with Katrina's life, are you really surprised that I wouldn't tell you that she's human?" Elijah asked. "This obsession you have with building an army, her life means nothing to you but it does to me."

Klaus grew quiet at the thought of getting another chance to create an army. Now that he had control of the city, he needed that army more than ever and Ester would always be a threat. The possibility of obtaining his goal was there for the taking. Seeing the calculation in his brother's eyes, Elijah stopped him with frustration as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Put yourself in my shoes, Niklaus. What if it was Caroline's blood that was needed to create your army? Her life at risk everyday, just to protect yourself."

"You're reaching, Elijah. Her life wouldn't be at risk, I would just need her blood." Klaus said, waving his hand at Elijah's concern.

"That's not the point. What if someone was using Caroline to get what they wanted? You would rip their heart out if anyone tried to hurt Caroline. Look at what you were going to do before, drop everything because she was in danger. You've put her needs first and you're willing to put your life in danger to protect her. I would do the same for Katrina, but I have always put the safety of my family first, standing with you over her every time. Now I need that from you. I need you to choose the wishes of your family over you own desires." Elijah implored.

Klaus looked in his brother's eyes as he listened. He could almost see a mirror image of his own emotions, the fear for her life, the regret in their situation, and the love that he had for her. He understood now, all that Elijah had sacrificed for him. And he had repaid him with betrayal, stabbed him to protect his secret of killing Ester. Klaus weighed his options, the chance of building his army or the chance to have his brother's trust again. He rolled his eyes. "Fine, I won't use her blood."

"Will you protect her, Niklaus?" Elijah asked, with caution.

Klaus drew back in disgust. "You're asking for too much, brother."

Elijah sighed with impatience. "Please, Niklaus? She's human, she can easily be killed."

Klaus growled at the injustice. It was one thing to not use her blood, but to now have to protect the woman that has caused him so many problems disgusted him. "Fine." He snapped, walking away.

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Elijah and Klaus walked to the house, both deep in thought. Just as he was about to enter the house, he turned his head and saw Athena standing across the street. He stopped Elijah and waited for Athena to cross the street.

Athena smiled as she came closer. "I'm glad you made the right choice. I no longer sense a threat to the witches, you're pretty good."

"You keep giving out compliments, it's going to go to my head. Elijah, this is Athena, a witch who gave me some advice earlier. This is my brother, Elijah." Klaus said, introducing the two. Elijah nodded in greeting as he inspected Athena.

Klaus turned back to the witch. "I'm leaving but if there's a problem, come to Elijah, he can handle it."

Athena nodded. "The danger is still surrounding your friend, I understand. There's something else you need to know. Your child will link the supernatural elements when it's born."

Klaus looked in her eyes with surprise at her knowledge of the child. Elijah moved closer with concern at how much the witch knew. Klaus met Elijah's eye before turning back. "What do you mean?"

"The werewolves would welcome your child in honor, the product of a vampire and a werewolf would link the two supernatural sides. And with the loyalty of the witches, the city would be fully under your control." She handed a piece of paper to Elijah. "Call me when she's about to give birth, I can help." Athena smiled with relief before walking away. Klaus watched, thinking of all that she had told him. For the first time, he could see an advantage of having the child.

Klaus turned to walk in the house. "Call me if there's any problems."

With the sun finally starting to set, Klaus left for Mystic Falls, relaxed and lighthearted for the first time in months because he knew he would be with Caroline soon.

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Mystic Falls

As darkness begin to fall, the house was quiet as everyone settled in the living room to discuss what to do next. All heads turned as Katherine walked in with Stefan. Elena and Katherine eyed each other with disdain as Katherine took a seat. Stefan and Caroline looked on with caution at the hate on display, but we didn't have time to deal with the petty drama. They needed a plan, any plan to trap Silas long enough for Bonnie to do the spell. Silas was strong, stronger than any vampire in the room. He was fast, quick as lightening and Bonnie seemed to be the only one who could slow him down.

Damon rubbed Elena's shoulder to calm her down, Stefan looked away in pain at the gesture. Stefan cleared his throat. "We need to find a way to trap him, give Bonnie enough time to turn him into stone."

Jeremy nodded after listening to Bonnie. "She said she doesn't need much time, but he's pretty fast and now he knows what Bonnie's trying to do. It won't be easy to fool him." They were all in agreement, they had played their hand and Silas would know what was coming.

Caroline was about to tell everyone about the witches that were on their way, when there was a knock at the door. Damon opened it to find three women standing in the doorway.

Sophie looked over his shoulder to see Caroline walking towards them. "Hi, Caroline. We're here to help."