I don't own anything TVD or TO related.

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

Sorry everyone for the long wait but my mom got sick and between spending time at the hospital and work, finding the focus and time to write was pretty hard. I want to finish the story but it won't be as long as I had originally planned and I'm sorry for that but I don't really have the time to invest in it as much as I want to. Here's hoping I can still have a good ending, though.

Happy Reading!

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Chapter 8

Caroline cleared her throat at the awkward silence that Klaus created as he left the room, avoiding everyone's eyes as Damon and Elena stared at her with shock. Katherine had both eyebrows raised as she now looked at Caroline with intrigue and speculation while Stefan stood by her side, seeming as if he didn't know quite what to say. Rebekah stayed quiet but amusement was all over her face. Sophie and Jasmine slowly edged closer to Caroline as if they wanted to protect her from the storm of words that was sure to be coming her way.

Damon moved away from the wall while he glared at Caroline. "You have something you want to share with us, Caroline?" Elena had her arms crossed as she waited for her best friend to speak. Elena didn't look surprised after the initial shock of Klaus' actions, almost as if she had been waiting for Caroline to confirm her suspicions. Every since Klaus had arrived, Elena had been closely watching their interaction, how at ease her and Klaus were with each other, the bond between them that was on display. Caroline looked away from Elena's prying eyes as she shuffled her feet, trying to come up with something, anything to avoid the questions that were sure to come. Rebekah now had a smirk on her face as she waited for Caroline to say something, she looked as if she had been ready for this moment to come. Of course, Rebekah had witnessed first hand what had happened between Caroline and Klaus in New Orleans though she had stayed silent about it, not even telling Matt.

"So, Jeremy and the others should have been back by now, shouldn't they?" Caroline asked, deciding it was better to sound like an idiot than to face the music. Damon shook his head as he faced her, not willing to give her a chance to dodge. "What's going on between you and the psychotic hybrid?"

Caroline's mouth tightened as a surge of anger unexpectedly flowed through. "He's a friend and I would appreciate you not calling him names since he's saved your life and mine on more than one occasion." Rebekah's smirk turned into a genuine smile as she moved to stand with Sophie and Jasmine by Caroline's side to show her support.

Damon and Elena glanced at each other with dismay as Caroline came to Klaus' defense. Stefan tried to talk but his older brother held a hand up to deter him. "So, lets get this straight, Klaus who has threatened all our lives, killed your best friend and your boyfriend's mother is your friend?" Caroline stared in Elena's eyes, wondering how high a price she would have to pay before she turned back to Damon. "Yes, I trust him and I know I can depend on him." As the words came, her validation strengthened within. She knew the words she spoke were the truth, even after all that Klaus had done to her and others, she trusted Klaus with her life and she knew he would do anything to protect her. Admitting it, acknowledging the way things were now opened a door that Caroline wasn't sure where it would lead to but she couldn't deny it anymore. Things had changed between her and Klaus while she had been in New Orleans and she had to face that.

"You're depending on the man who made our lives hell, who killed Jenna? Are you out of your mind?" Elena asked quietly, looking at Caroline as if she was a stranger but also glancing at the doorway cautiously as if Klaus would reappear.

Caroline licked her lips nervously. "I know it doesn't make sense for me to trust him, but I do. Klaus will protect me and anyone I care about." Damon gave a harsh laugh in response, nodding mockingly. "Yeah, throwing me into the wall was a great way to protect me." Caroline glared, realizing out of everyone, she really didn't care what Damon thought.

"Well as you can see, insulting me isn't a way to get on his good side, now is it? Maybe next time, you'll think about the way you speak to me. Klaus has proven that he'll protect my family and friends, although, do you really expect him to stand by and let you talk about me that way? Let's not forget that Klaus is not the only one here who has done evil things." Damon and Caroline stared hard at each other, a battle in itself. Caroline could be a bitch and bring up the past with Damon, how he had been forgiven after all that he had done to them, even to his own family when he first came back to Mystic Falls but there really wasn't a point anymore. Everyone had seemed to forgive and forget Damon's past actions even if Caroline hadn't. Klaus, on the other hand, had been evil, there was no denying that and he could still be if pushed far enough, but Caroline could see he was trying to be better and that's what mattered to her. Klaus was genuinely important to her now and she was going to stand by him, though she was afraid of all she could lose in doing so.

Stefan moved to Caroline's side to garner her attention and to make an attempt to keep the peace. "Everyone is just worried, Caroline." He turned to glance around at Elena and Damon. "But we should also trust Caroline, especially since Klaus has done some good for us at times, mainly when Caroline has asked him to. We all know how he feels about her and we've used that before so I don't think anyone should be surprised that Caroline sees some good in Klaus since she's spent the most time with him. If she says that she trusts him, then I think we should have faith in Caroline's word."

Damon scoffed as he shook his head in disbelief. "He destroyed your life, Stefan. He made you a slave, who had to follow his every command. Is he your mate again now?" Damon asked with a Klaus accent, which he couldn't really pull off. Caroline glanced at Stefan timidly, knowing that besides Elena and Tyler, he had suffered the most by Klaus' actions. Stefan was looking back at Damon, with an edge of anger. "As Caroline just stated, he's not the only one who's done things, acted in ways that have hurt other people. I really don't think you're in a position to be throwing stones, brother. We all have done things that we wish we could take back." The tension rose at Stefan's hint at the elephant in the room as the two brothers avoided looking Elena's way. Caroline folded her arms, glad the Stefan finally put it out there. She almost believed that it wasn't Elena and Damon being together that was the issue, but the fact that they had lied to Stefan's face about it that he couldn't accept. But who would want their brother and their ex-girlfriend to get it on? His pride, along with his heart most likely had taken a hit.

"Focus, Stefan." Damon said forcefully as he stepped closer to Stefan, brushing that particular topic to the side. "Klaus is the problem. We're finally free of him and now because of vampire Barbie here, he's back." Caroline rolled her eyes, thinking she never really liked that nickname.

Stefan sighed with frustration. "Since we have Silas to deal with, it might come in handy to have an original hybrid around, at least until we find a way to get rid of Silas, you know the big bad of the week." Katherine shrugged a shoulder, not denying the logic. Elena glared her way, obviously not wanting to hear her two cents.

Rebekah touched Caroline's arm. "I'll be right back." She stared hard Elena and Damon's way, almost daring them to cause more problems. Sophie and Jasmine stayed by Caroline, not quite ready to leave her side.

As Rebekah left the room, Damon shook his head in amazement at Caroline and Stefan. "We're talking about Klaus here, you know the homicidal lunatic who drained Elena dry to break a freakin' curse, the one we have tried to kill on more than one occasion. You really want him back in your life, our lives? And what makes you two think he will leave once Silas is gone?"

Caroline responded. "Klaus has problems of his own to deal with in New Orleans. After this is taken care, I doubt he'll be hanging around." She couldn't help but feel sad as that realization swept through. Klaus had his own life, one that included his child and a city to rule. Their lives were officially separate now and Caroline figured it wouldn't be long before circumstances in their lives would carry them even further apart. As she looked back at Elena, Caroline noticed an almost confirmation dawning across her face.

"Oh, god, please tell me you're not actually falling for Klaus?" Elena asked with eyes round in shock. Caroline gave a nervous laugh as she looked away. "Of course not." She didn't know if she was lying to herself or if she was speaking the truth. There was an attraction but she also knew Klaus for what he was and she didn't know if she would ever let herself completely go there with him. Elena shook her head, not buying it. "You're a bad liar, remember?" Damon groaned and shook his own head in disbelief. "Great, just perfect. Can this get any worse?" As if Damon's words were a forewarning, the door opened and Tyler, Matt and Jeremy walked in.

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Klaus was standing in front of the window in another room, trying his best not to go back and drag Damon outside to release some of his rage. He had promised Caroline he would be on his best behavior, but he couldn't let that go. Damn prick. He shouldn't be too surprised, all of them seemed to see Caroline as less than she truly was, even that Lockwood puppy. They took her for granted and only saw what was on the surface, not bothering to look deeper. The strength that she had, the loyalty she gave and the compassion she expressed, even to the ones who didn't deserve it. He was sick of them using her and allowing Damon to insult her, not appreciating what she did for them. Even now when she was in danger, she thought of others before herself. He wanted to show her how incredible she was, how much she had to offer the world and those in it. Its just too bad her own friends didn't see her like he did.

"So, Damon can't insult Caroline but you can walk all over me?" Rebekah asked, standing by the door. He had been so focused on his rage that he didn't hear her enter the room. She folded her arms as Klaus turned to face her. He looked steady at his sister as he mimicked her stance by folding his own arms in defense. She was right, he had no excuse for the way he'd treated her in the past. He never completely trusted her to make her own decisions, she often lead with her heart and in the past that always seemed to put their family at risk. But if he had to admit, it had also been about protecting his lies, believing that if she knew everything, she would choose to side with Mikael as Ester always had. He had been afraid that when she found out what he did to their own mother, she would leave, they all would. But his siblings hadn't abandoned him like Ester, well maybe except Finn, who had always been Ester's favorite. His sister and other brothers, on the other hand, he had pushed them away by his actions. It had been easier that way, hurting others before they did the same to him.

"You really want to get into this now?" Klaus asked, stepping closer to meet her eyes.

Rebekah put her hands on her hips. "I think it's past time to get into this. I have stood by you after everything you've done to me, coming to your defense time and time again only for you to treat me the way you have. I have let you talk to me any way you want, excusing your behavior and insults because you're family. I'm not doing it anymore because I deserve better from you. I see how you feel about Caroline and if you can change for her, then I expect you to treat me a hell of lot better."

He exhaled, deciding to get it over with. "I'm...sorry." Klaus hesitantly said, almost choking the words out. The words felt strange and alien, he didn't remember the last time he had said that to someone. He hardly ever felt regret for his actions, but he honestly did with the way he treated Rebekah. She had always been loyal to him and he had repaid her with disregard and a lack of respect.

"That was believable." Rebekah sarcastically said as she brushed her blond hair over her shoulder as she scoffed at his apology.

Klaus gritted his teeth, figuring she wouldn't make this easy. "What the hell do you want from me?" Admitting he had been wrong hadn't been easy but his sister didn't care, her stubbornness and pouting wasn't going to let him off the hook. Rebekah moved to face him with her hands clenched in fists at her side. "I want you to mean it, I want you to feel remorse for you actions for once because then, there might be a chance that you won't do it again. I have made mistakes, put our family in harm's way because I fell in love but that doesn't give you the right to make my decisions for me or to treat me the way you have. I was faithfully there, standing beside you, only to be daggered and shoved in a box."

Klaus could see he wasn't the only one that was changing. Rebekah had become stronger, standing up for herself and demanding the respect that she deserved. Klaus never imagined coming back to Mystic Falls would alter their family as much as it had but he was coming to realize that even though they had lost two of their brothers, coming here had been for the best. The bond between them had been broken, almost shattered beyond repair, mostly by him. But maybe that had been needed so that it could be rebuilt and strengthened.

Klaus was silent, deciding for once to be honest. "You led with your heart, sister, you always have. When we were human, that was to your advantage but as a vampire, that's your downfall. As Mikeal so charmingly stated before I drove a stake through his heart, being impulsive is mine. Which is why you, Elijah and I need each other." That was something he never thought he would ever do again, admit that he needed someone. Needing someone, that gives them power over you and he swore a long time ago that he would never let anyone have that much influence over him again. It was true though, he needed his siblings. His life was changing and Elijah and Rebekah's support was apparent to face what was coming. "Elijah's compassion helps us both while your power to love, sometimes too much, benefits Elijah and I."

"And what does your impulse do for us?" Rebekah asked thoughtfully, searching her brother's eyes.

Klaus shrugged. "Not much, you and Elijah give more than I do, while I usually take what I can." Rebekah rolled her eyes, not arguing with that. He folded his hands behind his back before he continued. "But you and Elijah need my strength, my determination to do whatever it takes to protect our family, something that I couldn't do when we were human. In my selfishness and quest for power, I have taken you both for granted, I realize that now." Rebekah's eyebrows rose in surprise at Klaus' confession. "But I will protect the family, even if it's to the extreme."

Rebekah snorted, shaking her head, not accepting his reasoning for his behavior. "That's an understatement. When you dagger us when you don't get your way, it isn't about protecting us, Nik and you know it. That's about control, just like Mikeal."

Klaus' eyes hardened at the comparison but Rebekah met his stare, not giving an inch. "You still don't see it, do you? You hate Mikeal so much but you don't realize that you're doing the same thing that he used to, all in the name of protecting the family. You've picked up exactly where he left off, rather having us fear you than respect you because it's easier that way. And we've sat back and allowed you to do it, just like Ester did with Mikeal. Well, not anymore." Rebekah stepped closer. "I will no longer fear you and if you want my respect, then you have to earn it." Rebekah let the words settle before turning and leaving the room.

Klaus stood still as the door closed behind his sister, not quite registering that she had left. The fact that Rebekah compared him to the man that he hated the most was jarring, so unsettling. But when she was right, what could he say? It had been easier to be feared than respected by his siblings, maybe not so much by Kol, Elijah and Finn but definitely with Rebekah. He turned back to the window, contemplating what to do. As thoughts overwhelmed him, he caught the scent of his first hybrid entering the house.

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Caroline turned as Tyler closed the door as he was the last to enter the house. As he stepped closer to the room, his head whipped to the hallway as a scent, one he recognized, registered. He turned back with a glare that he shot Caroline's way. She didn't have to tell him, he already knew who was there. She winced at the anger Tyler expressed in a nonverbal way. Those in the room who knew the history braced themselves as Rebekah entered the room with Klaus following close behind her. Sophie and Jasmine were the only ones relaxed, having never encountered the tension between Klaus and Tyler, while Katherine could care less. Caroline met Klaus' eyes, seeking them out as she gave a small shake of her head, trying to convey her appeal. She knew it wasn't going to help, Klaus could hardly ever be reasoned with.

Tyler and Klaus stared at each other with a hatred that needed no words. It had its own weight and volume. Everyone in the room looked back and forth, waiting to see what would happen. Those who loved the drama was relishing in it, namely Katherine and Damon, who snickered as he glanced Stefan's way. "Well, at least we're not the only one's with issues."

There were many reasons on both sides. Tyler was responsible for taking away Klaus' hybrid family as well as attempting to kill him while Klaus was responsible for taking away Tyler's will, his friends and the only family he had left. There wasn't any middle ground to be found here, too much damage had been created. Caroline eased her way in between their line of vision, if just to make sure they wouldn't attack each other. "So, what's the plan to take care of Silas?" Caroline asked nonchalant, trying to avoid the confrontation as long as she could. She had to make a decision soon, a choice that was sure to hurt someone. Both Tyler and Klaus mattered to her, each in their own right but she couldn't be selfish and have both of them in her life, that much was clear. It would never work. She stared in space, not acknowledging what was going on around her anymore. How could she decide between them, someone who was a true love and someone who was a true friend?

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I promise not to take as long for the next chapter.