Hi everyone!

This is my first work, so I'd be very grateful for any feedback.

I'd like to clarify that in this fanfiction, I'm diverging from canon. Caroline is not pregnant with Alaric's twins. My story falls into the "alternate universe" category. The events take place after Season 6.

* Xander is a character I created. In my mind, he looks like Robert Sheehan from the show *The Umbrella Academy.*

First chapter

End of Season 6*

Stefan and Caroline are standing in the hospital room in Mystic Falls next to the sleeping Elena.

— Will you be okay, Stefan?

— What about you?

— Of course not, — Caroline said with a bitter smile. — My best friend is in a coma, my mom is gone, but I'll manage, I'll definitely manage, just not here.

— Caroline, what do you mean by that? We'll get through this together. — Stefan gently took Caroline's hand, but she carefully pulled away and looked straight into his eyes.

— I'm leaving Mystic Falls. I can't stay here right now, I just can't. I need to be alone, I want to try living a different life. I promise I won't turn off my humanity or do anything reckless. But don't come looking for me. I hope one day you'll understand.

— Goodbye, Stefan.

Six months later*

Caroline is sitting in the airport waiting area, her head full of thoughts, as she prepares to fly to Paris. Funny, she had dreamed of visiting the city of love and lights since childhood. But now she's not going for a vacation. She needs to find a French witch.

Her thoughts are interrupted by a phone call.

— Hi, Bonnie. It's so good to hear from you. How are you? — Caroline replied cheerfully.

— Caroline, have you found anything?

— Yes, she's in Paris. I'm going to try to find out more about the curse. This is our last hope to bring Elena back.

— We can come to you, just say the word. We miss you.

— Bonnie, I'll be fine. You guys have enough on your plate already. How's it going with Lily and the Heretics?

— Better not ask. They're still in Mystic Falls, but Damon promised to take care of it.

— Say hi to everyone, Bon. I love you guys.

Caroline strolled through the evening streets of Paris and suddenly saw a bar called "Hemingway."

— Seems like the right place, — she thought and walked inside.

There were many open seats at the bar, so she took a seat at the far end and ordered a glass of wine.

— Have you heard anything about Linda De Gaulle? — the vampire asked flirtatiously. — I heard she used to come here often.

The bartender smiled but shrugged.

— Sorry, I've only worked here for a week, haven't met the regulars yet.

"Oh, did you really expect it to be that easy?" Caroline thought to herself.

Suddenly, a dark-haired man in a long leather coat sat down next to her. It was obvious that this wasn't the first bar he'd visited today.

— Hello, care to have a drink with me? — he asked with a tipsy smile.

— I'm not staying long... — the vampire was about to get up.

— I overheard your questions about my old friend Linda, — the man looked directly into Caroline's eyes.

— But I can stay longer if we're having such a conversation, — she replied slyly, sitting back down.

— Then how about we finish our drinks and take a walk? There are too many ears in here, — he winked, downing his whiskey in one gulp. — My name is Xander.

Once they were outside the bar, Caroline began asking about the witch.

— So, what do you know about Linda? Do you know where to find her?

Her companion smiled and put an arm around her shoulders.

— Maybe I could help you myself, beautiful?

Caroline quickly grabbed Xander's arm and used compulsion:

— *Tell me everything you know about Linda De Gaulle.*

— Oh, sweetie, you're a vampire? Now I remember where I've seen you before. I think you'll still be useful to me. — Xander grinned maliciously and, with a snap of his fingers, broke her neck.

New Orleans, that same evening*

Klaus approached his sleeping daughter and gently kissed her on the forehead.

— Daddy will be back soon, sweetheart.

As he closed the door behind him, he immediately ran into Elijah.

— Niklaus, when's your flight?

— I'm heading to the airport now, I'll be back in a couple of days.

— Maybe I should come with you?

— There's no need. Xander isn't a threat, he'll just ask for our mother's runes again, I'll set my conditions, nothing new. I'm getting tired of these meetings every three years.

— Don't underestimate your enemies. Xander is eccentric and unpredictable, — the older Mikaelson remarked coldly.

— Spare me the lecture, Elijah. He knows that if he steps out of line, I'll tear him apart, — Klaus smirked and walked out.

The suburbs of Paris, Xander's mansion*

When Klaus arrived at his destination, he immediately rolled his eyes. A large Louis XV-style castle loomed before him, surrounded by gardens and fountains.

"He loves showing off. Let's get this over with quickly."

The Original entered the grand dining hall of the old mansion and waved at Xander, who was sitting at the table.

The sight of the warlock hadn't changed since their last meeting — the same tangled black hair, twisted mustache, and peculiar taste in clothes. As soon as Xander saw Klaus, he beamed with a smile.

— Klaus, it's been so long! Shouldn't we meet more often? What do you think of my new home? Grand, isn't it? I love the grandeur of kings. I heard you've become something of a king yourself in New Orleans...

Klaus sighed heavily and cut him off.

— Let's get straight to the point. I don't have time for idle chatter.

— Sit down! Can I offer you something? Bourbon, blood, maybe some magic mushrooms?

— Bourbon, — Klaus growled curtly.

— Perfect, perfect, — the warlock walked over to the drinks and handed a glass to his guest.

— What will you offer me this time, Xander? I can't say I'm interested as usual… though if you manage to intrigue me, maybe I'll let you use mother's runes one more time, — Klaus spoke slowly, each word dripping with authority.

He knew he was in complete control today, and he didn't bother to hide it.

— Intrigue, yes, that's the right word for today's meeting, — the warlock began slyly. — You see, this time, I need not just one rune, but all five. There's going to be a powerful astrological event this year. A blood moon and a planetary alignment on the same day. With their power, I can claim thousands of lives from those I've made contracts with.

— Still playing at "deal with the devil"?

— I wouldn't call it that, dear. I give people everything they desire, but under the terms of the contract, I don't take their souls, just their lives. I have no use for souls. — The warlock winked at Klaus and took a large swig of bourbon.

— Why should I give you all of my mother's runes? I can't even imagine what price you'd offer me. It must be something truly valuable, — the Original laughed and spread his arms wide. — Go ahead, Xander, I'm listening.

The warlock paced around the room before abruptly sitting on the table right in front of Klaus.

— Now we're getting to the most interesting part of our conversation. Shall I pour you more? — he casually refilled Klaus' glass and continued. — You see, the other day I was strolling around Paris, as usual, looking for interesting people to make deals with, and suddenly... — the warlock shouted, slamming the table and grinning widely. — I met a stunning young woman. Golden curls, sky-blue eyes, a fiery personality. — Xander spoke with exaggerated admiration. — She needed help, looking for my old friend Linda De Gaulle. Remember her? That hot redhead witch?

Klaus shot a stern glance at the warlock.

— So, this charming girl needed help, and naturally, I stepped in. We had a few drinks, chatted a bit, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd seen her somewhere before... — the warlock looked intently at Klaus, but not getting the reaction he expected, continued. — When we stepped outside, she tried to compel me. And then it all clicked.

— Xander, I'm losing my patience, — Klaus growled.

— Remember our last meeting? We visited your workshop and talked about art. — The warlock spoke so slowly and lazily that it made Klaus' blood boil. — I noticed a beautiful portrait back then. It was of the same girl I met at the bar. Miss Forbes, if I'm not mistaken.

Klaus didn't show it, but he was beginning to understand where this entire evening was headed, and a burning rage started building inside him.

— And before you ask why I think you'd care, you know I'm a very powerful warlock. I'm over 700 years old and have mastered many branches of magic. I can sense things like weakness, attachment, love… — Xander was clearly proud of himself and made no effort to hide it. For a moment, he had taken control of the situation.

Klaus sprang up suddenly, and within a second, he had the sorcerer in a death grip by the throat. The hybrid's eyes glowed yellow, and black veins appeared beneath them.

"Where is Caroline?!" Klaus growled.