She Deserves Better Chapter 21, a vampire diaries fanfic

A.N: I've been getting some messages with questions about Hayley. I'm still not sure what her full purpose will be. I will say the one thing I enjoyed about the character was her development as a mother, she made a great mom. While I think the miracle baby plot was a bit much, the relationship between Hope and Hayley was a joy to watch. Everything else? Including the love triangle thing that wasn't truly a triangle between Hayley, Jackson and Elijah…ehhh.

Plus, I enjoy the possibilities Katherine and Elijah produce way too much not to play around with them. So, what will become of Hayley? We shall see.

Chapter 21

Niklaus was bending down to open Caroline's side of the car, after a snarky comment from the blonde about him not really being a gentleman soon divulging into a small bet between the couple when the females phone began to ring. Looking down at the caller id, the blonde frowned upon seeing Tyler's name pop up.

"Tyler?"

"He murdered them Caroline" In the background the vampire could hear trees being smashed into pieces. Niklaus gave her a curious look to which she held up a finger before taking his hand and bringing them to the front of the house. The hybrid quickly ushered the two in hearing the bickering voices of his family and the Scooby gang.

"Who murdered whom?" The blonde asked, a nagging thought at the back of her mind. Niklaus was with her the entire party, or within eyesight not that she doubted his word. Mikaelson's always kept their word.

"Klaus" The young hybrid hissed, "your boyfriend murdered my friends."

Her boyfriend, his entire family and the majority of her friends who were waiting for them in the foyer could hear Tyler's accusation. Bonnie looked up questioningly as the Mikaelson's all tensed at the accusation. Niklaus narrowed his eyes at the phone in her hands, as Bonnie quietly asked what was going on.

Elena quickly whispered what she heard over the phone the witch's eyes widened looking over at the hybrid waiting to see how the man would react. The hybrid's stare was intense as he opened his hand for the phone. Caroline pulled the phone away giving him her custom stern look that both Elena and Bonnie knew from experience would only cause Klaus pain if he so much as stepped a toe out of line.

Elena wondered just which one of the two vampires were under the other's thumb more Klaus with his surprising restraint, or Caroline who seemed to finally found a man she was willing to actually listen to. Based on Elena's own observations it appeared to be a tie Klaus had only ever treated Caroline with respect in front of her.

Niklaus clicked his tongue tapping his fingers against his open palm, but not forcing the blonde to give him the phone. Said blonde sighed in irritation before passing the phone along to the hybrid muttering a quick, "Behave please."

Niklaus smirked at her before placing the phone near his ear, "Hello Tyler, what is it that I have done now?"

Niklaus's eyes narrowed as his remaining hand clenched. Caroline could hear Tyler hissing at the hybrid accusing him of murdering his fellow hybrid partners. Elena and Stefan quietly explained to Bonnie what was being said on the phone.

Rebekah could be heard hissing to herself about ungrateful hybrids, while Elijah put a calming hand to the young woman's shoulder. Kol pursed his lips tapping his foot against the floor. Bonnie could see no one in the original family enjoyed what was going on in that phone conversation.

"I can guarantee you Tyler. That as much as I would have loved to murder your traitorous friends. I'm afraid I was busy with a shared interest of ours. Caroline was with me the entire time, are you willing to call her a liar?"

The others watched as the dangerous hybrid prowled against the length of the room. His eyes locked onto Caroline's.

"I will only tell you this once more Tyler" Niklaus hissed into the phone, "I have not murdered your little hybrid pack but perhaps you should talk with your beloved Hayley she seemed rather insistent on telling me something I already knew. This is the last mercy I will extend to you my first successful hybrid for Caroline. Accuse me again and I will hunt you down like the cowardly wolf that you are."

Caroline sighed resignation knowing that was the best she was going to get out of him. Niklaus looked her straight in the eye daring her to speak up about it, a playful smirk on his face. The baby vampire scowled decidedly not playing into his flirtation. He wanted to act like the villain then he could deal with the outcome. Ignoring the hybrids goading looks, the blonde turned to the group.

"I take it your little avoid the second massacre plan didn't quiet go to plan love?" Kol drawled from his place beside his siblings.

Niklaus shook his head, " It looks like they found another way to achieve their ends."

"What massacre?" Elena asked causing Rebekah to groan in irritation.

"The second massacre that would allow a egomaniac bigger than my own family break down the very fabric of the other side so he can be returned to his lover, another one of your ancestors by the way, something your little friend was trying to prevent" The original looked over at the youngest Petrova with disgust, giving the second brunette beside Elijah the same treatment. Katherine winked over at the blonde earning a deeper scowl and eye roll from said woman. The brunette chuckled in glee.

"Caroline?" Elena questioned turning to her childhood friend.

Said blonde had her dominant hand raised to her forehead as if asking for patience. The vampire once again began to explain, with occasional input from others, the story of how the Bennett ancestors brought her back, most importantly the reason.

"That's what was going on at the dance. You had given Niklaus information to get him to trust you?" Elena frowned in concentration trying to piece together what she had missed these last few months.

Caroline nodded, "I believe that what the Bennett ancestors want me to stop starts with Silas, the only reason I know this is because the magic done to me allows for this small loophole when the opportunity arises to best change the outcome."

"This Silas, a powerful witch" Stefan started only for Katherine to interrupt.

"Traveler. He was a traveler a very specific group in which we belong. Our bloodline is connected to his lover's" Katherine turned to Caroline, "Tell them that I am right little blondie?"

Caroline rolled her eyes at the new nickname, "The Petrova doppelganger bloodline comes from Amara's bloodline. One of her siblings carried on the bloodline, with Amara and Silas both actually immortal, magic needed balance hence the doppelganger was born. Stefan your Silas doppelganger."

"Forever compelled to find and lose each other every five hundred years or so" Katherine taunted earning a glare from both doppelgangers.

"Okay. So, my sister and her ex-boyfriend and the vampire who's taunted them for the past year almost two are all doppelgangers of two immortal beings. Silas, who is trapped wants massacres to happen to destroy the other side? He would have to be free wouldn't he?" Jeremy questioned.

Kol sighed, "As your mind controlled professor has told you, Silas is trapped alongside the cure the only problem is he needs the spell trapped on your body to be releases and a Bennet witch to perform it, using expression then he will use the power once all the massacres are complete to destroy the other side once he takes the cure. "

"So, if we take Shane on his offer" Stefan paused paling slightly at the realization.

"You'll only get it by going through Silas. He still needs the spell to be released and to drink blood to undesicate, but technically he is not a vampire. Similar need to feed but otherwise completely different supernatural creature" Caroline informed with a sigh, just as Niklaus wrapped his arm around her sensing her exhaustion at repeating the story once gain. He kissed her forehead when she did not refuse his touch.

So much for being mad.

"Why are we here?' Jeremy asked, "Shane needs Bonnie to release Silas. I get that but if Bonnie knows how bad he is she will never go for it."

"Silas is powerful, and she has been taught expression. I believe it's made her natural defenses weaker against him" Elijah speaks up softly eyeing the younger Gilbert with a touch of concern. It was clear from the tension that between the urges of being a hunter, and his connections with the Bennett witch the young man was struggling with the reality they were informing him of.

"So, we don't bring Bonnie" Elena stated as her friends shook their heads softly.

"Silas is closer than he has ever been to being released. He has Shane under his thrall, according to Caroline I fell for it once. But if we don't do anything he will not stop" Bonnie took Elena's hand in hers.

"Then what do we do?" Elena asked.

"That's why I invited you here. I need you to be willing to work with the Mikaelson's. We have a plan, that can still work even if we did not succeed in stopping the hybrid massacre" Caroline urged her friend softly.

Niklaus muttered, "Believe me, we will find out how that massacre occurred."

XXX

The remains of the scooby gang returned to their homes an hour later, with a wounded Damon in toe being taken into custody of his brother under the compulsion he would never feed from the vein again and never compel a woman into bed or after a sexual encounter again. Niklaus promised that if Damon crossed any lines, that he would have no problem murdering him in front of his brother for his trouble.

Elena stood by Bonnie staying clear away from the other vampire as physically possible waiting as Bonnie conferred with Kol about a small part of their plan. Stefan was quietly helping Damon out of the house and informing him of the agreed upon plan, that his release from the prison was solely because he was needed to calm Shane's curiosity. He would comply or the Mikaelson's would capture him once again.

Once their temporary allies had left, the Mikaelson siblings soon drifted to their own corners. Rebekah walked up to the youngest of her brothers into his room, careful not to touch him but stayed near enough for him to feel her presence. Her little brother was carefully handling clear stones into a little box.

"Hello Bekah" Kol sighed looking over at his blonde haired sister.

"Are those for the Bennett witch?" His sister asked carefully, standing just far away enough that her brother would not feel stifled.

"Yes, before she puts any magic away we must make sure no one we would not want has access to the stones. That was her one request before allowing me to help her the stubborn witch. As if I would suggest it without a way to protect her precious magic" Kol rolled his eyes causing Rebekah to smile enjoying seeing some of the light heartedness in her brother.

"Do you really feel so separate from us?" Rebekah desperately wanted to know, had they truly pushed him so far away?

"Bekah look what happened a hundred years ago in New Orleans, I don't feel pitiful, but I do know the score" Kol reminded. Rebekah flinched at the reminder of her brother catching her with Marcel, of their plans to lead Mikael right into the heart of the city that they built. It remained her greatest regret thinking that sending Mikael right into their home was ever a good idea.

Kol covered for her, in a heartbeat.

"You covered for me and Marcellus" Rebekah whispered looking up at her older brother with tears in her eyes.

Kol shook his head, "Bekah do not cry. It's unbecoming of a Mikaelson. I could care less about Marcellus. "

Rebekah wiped her tears and snarled, "Then why did you cover for me?"

"Because you're my sister. Niklaus is prone to rashness and its far easier to swallow when I mess up than our dear sweet sister does" the drawl in his voice made Rebekah look away from her brother arms crossed.

"How can I acquit myself brother."

Kol paused what he was doing momentarily, he took several minutes of silence thinking ignoring his sister's pleading looks. Just as her pleading look turned into irritation he said, "Perhaps ensuring a promise from our brother, not to dagger me again."

"Yes, I will drag Caroline into it if I have to."

"One other thing" Kol added suddenly serious turning to his sister.

"Anything" Rebekah vowed.

"You have to tell Nik the truth."

XXX

"Yes, mom I made it home safe. You invited him we can hardly actually keep him out. Mom" Caroline laughed hearing her mom threaten her boyfriend with a shot to the butt. The blonde giggled at the image of Niklaus Mikaelson running from the Sheriff of Mystic Falls because she struck him in the ass with a bullet.

"I love you too Mom" Caroline wished her mom a goodnight at the office before hanging up when she heard a soft chuckle.

"She really dislikes me."

Caroline turned around to spy her boyfriend laying across her bed in his typical jeans and a dark brown Henley and a smirk. She casually walked up to the bed her fingers finding their way towards his leg. Her fingers danced across his leg, her mind in careful thought.

"It's more concern that there is very little she can actually do for me. She has seen the two of us together, and I know you watched her reactions" Caroline smiled at him watching the man shrug.

"Always best to know your enemies, love."

"My mom is not the enemy."

"Not anymore. But I needed to ensure that she trusted my family with you. You are right there is very little she can actually do to protect you from what truly endangers you, it's a pain that caused my own parents' actions."

Caroline sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers walking up his leg to his stomach up to his shoulder. He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to it, "I don't blame a mother for being cautious with her daughter, sweetheart."

Niklaus moved over slightly to allow the tiny blonde to crawl into her own bed laying her head on his chest.

"You threatened Tyler."

Niklaus groaned softly, "He accused me of murder, love."

Caroline kissed his hand that was wrapped around her shoulder keeping her close, "You haven't exactly endeared yourself to him."

Niklaus snorted kissing her forehead, "Stealing his girl hardly counts. I assume."

Caroline smacked him in the chest earning a hearty laugh, "Nik, you did not steal me."

"What's really on your mind, love" Niklaus asked playing with the strands of hair he curled onto his fingers.

"Who killed those hybrids? You were by my side the entire time" Caroline whispered into his chest.

"I imagine the little wolf found another way to ensure her massacre happened" Niklaus hummed into her head.

"You think Hayley did it?"

"I think she needed the massacre to happen and found a way even if I refused to be her weapon."

XXX

Bonnie drove up to the Gilbert house before cutting off her ignition, turning over to the Gilbert siblings.

"I'll stay with Bonnie tonight, Jere you take the house" Elena said to her brother. He patted her hand softly whispering a thanks before wishing the girls a goodnight.

"You don't think he can handle having you in the house?" Bonnie questioned her friend with concern. They had made great progress at the lake house, but it was just that. Progress. It would take time before Jeremy would fully be able to relax around a vampire without the urge to kill pulsing through him encouraging him to act.

"I know that will take time, Bon. I just can't get my mind around everything that happened tonight" Elena confessed, turning towards her friend reaching out to grip her hand. Bonnie automatically squeezed it.

"It's hardly that shocking… strange things have been happening for a while now" Bonnie tried to joke, nudging her vampire friend for the girl to crack a small smile.

"With everything happen between Ric, Jeremy and Stefan then being turned. Have I really been so self-involved?" Elena spoke more to herself than towards Bonnie, but it was the witch who answered.

"Yeah."

"Bonnie!" Elena said shocked earning a Are-You-Serious look from her witch friend.

"Elena, admittedly things have mostly evolved around you for the past year and a half. That doesn't excuse you from not noticing things that happen with your friends, it gives you leeway but not an excuse to totally ignore them. It took you how long to notice Jeremy and I even had a thing? Or that Jeremy was talking to ghosts?"

Elena sighed leaning back against the seat bringing her head into her hands, "So Caroline is from the future where magic is basically about to implode. Your witchy ancestors chose her to send back, now she broke up with Tyler started to date the hybrid who was after me and generally likes to cause havoc?"

"Hey, she ensured I won't be mind controlled by a super powerful witch that is the originator to your ex's doppelganger bloodline."

"And failed to stop the massacre of twelve hybrids" Elena let out a breath, "Aren't small towns supposed to be low on crime?"

Bonnie laughed, "Unless your town is a supernatural center of power. But she did stop Klaus from doing the killing and that means Tyler's mother is not dead."

"Are you really going to put your power into objects that just anyone can use and leave them with the originals?" Elena asked changing the subject, not wanting to think about the possible death of someone she has known since she was a child.

"Technically not anyone would be able to use them, my power is locked in. One would have to have the ability to channel magic to even attempt it. Besides I trust that Kol is like any other Mikaelson."

"Family above all" Elena quoted remembering her chat with Elijah that seemed so long ago. Hell, even her own discussion with Rebekah held along the same themes, the Mikaelson's were loyal to their own.

The two sat in silence as Bonnie finally reignited the engine, carefully turning on the low lights before checking for traffic. As she drove Elena sat with her own thoughts, "Elijah said that Caroline was a part of their family now," Bonnie spoke quietly.

At Elena's questioning look, Bonnie explained her conversation with the calm original at the Young family farm. Elena opened her mouth before closing it deep in thought. The doppelganger trusted Caroline, even with her newly found connection to the originals. She trusted that Silas was not to be trusted, then he would just keep trying to ensure they did exactly what he wanted.

"Do you think the plan will work?" The vampire finally asked.

Bonnie sighed as she finally turned onto her own street. The dark skinned witch didn't answer right away focused on her driving. Once she pulled up to her own house turning off the ignition for the second time that night, she turned towards her childhood friend.

"You're not a witch Elena. I can't ask you to understand the ancestors, but I will ask that you trust in our friend. Trust in the fact that the future she is trying to prevent is disastrous for not just magic but all our friends. I believe that she went to the Mikaelson's because of how old they are, and because of her weird connection with Klaus. We all knew that he had a thing for her after the ball, the fact that she went ahead tried to get to know the entire family is pretty serious."

Elena nodded softly.

"I think that the Mikaelson's are self-serving but loyal to those who they claim as their own" Bonnie took a breath, " I firmly believe that Caroline has endeared herself to them. They won't do anything to hurt her."

"Katherine?" Elena asked in a grimace.

Bonnie let out another sigh opening up her door signaling for her friend to follow. The two walked up the path steps, "I think that is something to worry about another day. She is part of the plan after all."

"That's what worries me" Elena sighed, "She is self-preserving to the core and slippery."

XXX

The next morning Rebekah used her enhanced hearing to location her most volatile brother in his personal study. The original sister knocked carefully on the door, going against all the self-preservation instincts coursing through her body. Her mind screamed to find another way to recounsel with her youngest brother.

"Come in Bekah" Niklaus called through the door.

Walking into the room, the sister found her brother sitting at his desk looking over multiple pieces of paper on his desk. From her spot across the room Rebekah could see that most were bank statements from various investments from Niklaus's personal fund. Being as old as they were each sibling had over a thousand years to collect money and learn how to invest wisely, mostly architecture in design. They also set up early on a family fund each could reach into, for they found it much easier to have multiple legitimate resources than relying on compulsion constantly.

Compulsion was also not always foolproof, as simply having vervain offers protection even against an original. The siblings sat in silence, as Rebekah cautiously sat across from her favorite brother, the same she was about to voluntarily inform of a hundred years old betrayal. Rebekah could only hope that Nik did not have a dagger near him.

"Are you just going to sit there my dear sister?" Niklaus murmured finally taking his eyes off his own investments to give her a calculating look.

"I had a talk with Kol. We have come to an understanding him and I. There is something I kept from you about New Orleans" Rebekah paused delicately stressing the end of her words. She knew he heard her when his shoulders tensed, and his eyes narrowed as he focused all of his attention back onto his babbling sister.

"What about New Orleans?" Niklaus asked softly, Rebekah holding back a flinch at the heavy steel under his words.

" I was angry at you for daggering me when you found out about my relationship with Marcellus. It took years for me to understand my anger at Marcellus, instead I focused on my anger towards you. My very own daggering me once again" Rebekah laughed bitterly as imaged of her life in New Orleans a hundred years ago played out again in her head.

"Bekah, what did you do?" Niklaus hissed as the desk cracked under the pressure of his hand. Both his palms were placed around the edges of the desk, as he forcibly stood up. Rebekah usually pushed herself away stepping towards the door.

"Nik you have to listen" She urged her brother pleading with him to hold onto his temper.

"Rebekah, it sounds like you are telling me that you did something to destroy our happiness in the city that we built."

"I was the one who got word to Mikael about our whereabouts not Kol" Rebekah admitted quietly, holding back a flinch as the desk finally succumbed to her brother's temper. As her brother stepped over his wreckage.

"Nik, I was angry about Marcellus and instead of taking it out on where it belonged, on him I took it out on you. I'm so sorry. I never meant for Kol to take the blame."

"Yet you kept your pretty mouth shut while Kol was daggered for a century" Niklaus hissed vamping towards her pressing her against the door. His hand on her throat squeezing the air out of her. Rebekah gasped for air as her hands tried to claw his grip from her throat.

"Brother, as happy as this scene makes me. Perhaps you should let our sister go before you do something you would actually regret" Kol's voice could be heard from outside the door, a soft swish and a soft "Niklaus" from Elijah informed all his siblings still state side were now right behind the door.

Niklaus growled letting go of his grip pushing himself away from his traitorous sister. Allowing her to drop to the ground, as the door opened Kol grabbing Rebekah to stop her tumbling onto her back. The hybrid paced against the room like a cage animal.

"Bekah" Elijah called his sister softly, the blonde shrugging off his concern as her vampire healing allowing her crushed lungs to heal. She cast a wary glance towards her hybrid brother, as Kol brought her to stand.

"Are there any more secrets this family is keeping?" Niklaus's tone roared through the room despite the volume actually being quiet low.

"Marcellus helped with the plan" Rebekah turned towards Kol as their brother roared in anger kicking the broken down disk.

"There is no more Niklaus. Our family has no more secrets of actions against each other. Am I correct?" Elijah turned to fellow siblings who nodded.

"As much as I am loving this bonding. I believe Nik promised a little blonde baby vampire a night out before you know we risk everything we built over a thousand years to get rid of an egomaniac witch who is intent on destroying the delicate balance of nature" Kol's squawk as Elijah hit him echoed throughout the house.

XXX

Caroline, Katherine and the Mikaelson's entered the Mystic Grill with the five hundred year old vampire on alert. If there was a tension between the siblings neither Caroline nor Katherine thought it was wise to bring it up at the moment. Besides Katherine had a slightly larger problem at hand being mistaken for her doppelganger was not high on her list of priorities today. Elijah and Niklaus led the group where Matt walked up to greet them, looking more towards Caroline and Rebekah than the original men.

"Hello Matt" Rebekah greeted with a smile, elbowing Kol in the stomach when he snickered at the softening of her tone.

"Rebekah" Matt nodded turning towards Caroline he pointed towards a familiar blonde, "Your mother is here Care, you all have a booth near the back."

Caroline wrapped her arms around her childhood friend tugging him in closer with a tight hug. He returned it with a genuine smile, much to Niklaus's irritation. The hybrid rolled his eyes at the warning glare of his elder brothers.

He was not going to kill the boy. As much as he wanted to his little vampire had a moral compass of a saint, causing him no end of headaches. If he wanted to avoid a fight then he had to fight his basic instincts, outside of protecting family.

Still this Matt was a friend of Caroline's, he could be useful in the future. He was not about to kill someone with information he may potentially need one day.

"Mom!" Caroline cried out carefully speeding towards her mother as not to cause the humans not notice. The sheriff turned around a bright smile on her face reminiscent of her daughter, so much that Niklaus couldn't help but appreciate how his little vampire still had a parent like Liz Forbes.

Even when she looked at him like she wanted to grab her gun, the Forbes protective streak was more endearing than it was annoying.

The door to the establishment opened, the vampires turned to see a nervous Elena with an amused Bonnie. The two females were quickly followed in by Stefan and Jeremy. Elijah nodded towards the newcomers while Kol gave them a wild grin, which only widened when they all moved a step farther from the wild original.

"Where's Damon?" Elijah asked cordially.

"Locked in at home" Stefan replied tersely, Niklaus smirked as he spotted the nervous twitch of his hand. The vampire was telling the truth but was clearly unhappy and not telling them everything.

Sheriff Forbes handed her daughter the list of karaoke songs ignoring the comments about Damon for the time being, that the bar had available to use. She squealed, "I actually have a spot?"

Liz rolled her eyes playfully at her daughter, "Trust me no one would take your spot, Caroline."

Bonnie and Elena giggled, "I think they learned that the hard way in fifth grade" Elena joked.

Kol perked up, "Now this is a trip down memory lane I must hear."

"Kol, shut up" Niklaus and Caroline said at the exact same time, the two meeting with their eyes causing the two to share a laugh. Kol pouted before turning towards the Bennett witch with a pouting face, "Will you tell me Bonbon?"

Bonnie glared at him, "Shut up, Kol."

"You brought me out for Karaoke?" Katherine's nose twisted in disgust.

"Scared Petrova?" Caroline taunted the brunette, causing her two childhood friends to perk up at the exchange. The original family subtly turning in as Liz shot her daughter a warning look.

"No, I just think its so adolescent" Katherine purred over at the blonde raising her eyebrows at the once insecure girl. Instead of rising to the bait, Caroline saw right through it and smiled.

"Well I am only eighteen. Plus, it is fun. I'm sure you know how to have fun don't you Katherine? Unless you are afraid of embarrassing yourself."

Niklaus chuckled underneath this breath as Elijah held back a sigh, there was no way that Katerina would ignore the jab. The brunette scowled, "Pick a song and I'll go up."

Caroline smiled, " How about a duet?" before handing over the lyrics for the brunette to study. Reluctantly taking the lyrics the former doppelganger quickly memorized the lines smirking as she read beneath the lines.

"Are you sure you can handle the reactions Care bear?"

Caroline laughed as her name was called up for the next slot, taking the brunette by the hand the two vampires quickly gave their selection off walking onto the stage. An upbeat melody began to play out of the speakers. Caroline began to sway softly encouraging her partner to join in. The brunette rolled her eyes but began to sway her hips with a wink towards Elijah.

It's a full moon, it's the weekend
Lookin' for a little fresh meat to sink your teeth in
Slow motion rollin' in like a wild wolf pack (woo woo)
Got a trust fund beard like Moses
Betcha gotta spend a lot to look that homeless
With your shaggy hair, don't care, thinkin' it's in the bag

I've seen this before
Couldn't be more
Not surprised (I ain't surprised, baby)
But sure, buy me a drink
Tell me what you think
Look deep in my eyes

Caroline quickly took the lead, Katherine backing her up as they matched tone perfectly. The girls immediately began to laugh at the subtle reference. Caroline sang out with a playful wink towards the originals laughing as Kol bowed playfully in return.

Hey baby, let me guess
You've never felt this before
My beauty takes your breath
Boy, get that jaw off the floor
Ain't my first rodeo
I know the way this goes
Bow wow, baby, got a bone to pick
New dogs, old tricks
Ooh, put a leash on it
(New dogs, old tricks)

Katherine smirked over at Niklaus and Elijah at the start of the next verse. She pressed herself next to Caroline who laughed as they looked at each other overtly rolling their eyes as they sang.

Got the same moves (same moves), it's the same game (same game)
They were playboys back in the stone age
Carving promises they don't keep on the cavegirls' walls

I've (I've) seen this before (before)
Couldn't be more
Not impressed (I ain't impressed)
But sure (sure), by me a drink (come on)
Tell me what you think
Yeah

Kol burst out laughing banging his hand onto the table earning the annoyed stares of his older brother's. Kol chuckled in good cheer as he whistled out to the two on stage. Bonnie chuckled as Elena and Stefan shared an amused glance at each other.

Niklaus raised a glass to the pair hiding his smirk against the glass, out of the corner of his eyes he could see Elijah shaking his head fondly.

"That's pretty daring of Katherine to agree to such a song in front of me" Niklaus chuckled finishing off his glass.

"Katerina seems to have taken a liking to the lyrics" Elijah smirked as Niklaus shook his head patting his elder brother on the shoulder.

"You are particularly cheerful lately brother."

"I can't say I noticed a difference Niklaus."

Niklaus snorted, "If she brings you a small amount of happiness, and she dares not plot against us. I will reconsider hunting her down for all eternity."

"How kind of you" The monotone of Elijah's voice was enough to get Stefan to laugh out loud having heard the brother's conversation. Niklaus looked around at the group, Caroline had surrounded them with. The way her childhood friends cheered her on, the chuckles of his own amused siblings, even the fond smiles of both the sheriff and Stefan.

Perhaps Caroline's obsession with being good, as annoying as it was, brought a certain kind of light into his family's life that they had needed. Looking into the knowing blue eyes of the baby vampire on stage as she stuck her tongue out at him, he would bite his tongue out before admitting it.

I've seen this before
Couldn't be more
Not surprised

A.n: Song is called New Dogs Old Tricks by Maddie & Tae. I heard it and I automatically thought of Caroline and Katherine.