A/N: I want to take a moment to discuss a few things regarding the story. One this story is not going to follow all of season one, I might use some of its themes but I'm going to veer away from canon when the truth about the babies is revealed.

Secondly, Katherine and Stefan are going to have a bigger role to play in the story eventually.

And last this is primarily a Klaroline story but the side pairings will be Stebekah and Kalijah.

Warning: This chapter has SMUT.

300 years ago, Klaus and his siblings helped build New Orleans. In their absence, a new king arose. Now Klaus returned and taken Marcel's kingdom as his own. Klaus had hoped this would bring his family together. He was wrong.

Caroline sat tensely at the head of the long dinner table in the courtyard of the compound. She felt like she was surrounded by enemies on all sides. Being surrounded by Marcel's inner circle around the table, it was reassuring to feel Klaus's presence just behind her, she glanced at Hayley at the opposite end of the table, not looking too pleased to be there.

Klaus reached around her, grabbing the fork next to her, calling for everyone's attention by tapping his glass with it. "Let us begin with a toast to our shared gift: immortality. After a thousand years, one might expect life to be less keenly felt, for its beauties and its sorrows do diminish with time. But, as vampires, we feel more deeply than humans could possibly imagine."

His hand landed on Caroline's shoulder and she glanced up at him, catching his eyes. "Some more than others."

Klaus pulled his gaze from her and gestured toward a group of waiters and waitresses and they stepped forward joining them at the table, one for each guest.

Caroline swallowed hard, she was slowly realizing sometimes bloodshed couldn't be avoided but that didn't mean she wanted to feed off of innocent people.

She looked down when Klaus's hand moved in front of her as he produced a glass, she could see was already filled with blood. She felt a small smile tug at her lips, appreciating that he knew she didn't wish to take part in drinking from innocents.

She accepted the glass, her fingers brushing against his.

Klaus faltered for a moment at the simple touch, before straightening his shoulders and focusing back on his speech. "Insatiable need, exquisite pain…"

The servants slit their wrists with knives, filling the cups with blood for the vampires.

"Our victories, and our defeats." Klaus continued, turning his gaze to Marcel.

When Marcel met his gaze he thought about the last time he saw Rebekah.

"You can't afford your wounded pride. With Klaus in control of your empire, you need to give him what he craves most: loyalty." Rebekah stressed. "Or, at least, the illusion of it."

"I took his girl. I ambushed him, tried to bury him alive." Marcel pointed out. "He's not gonna trust me."

"He will, because he wants your allegiance," Rebekah replied. "Speaking from my experience, I know that if you play the part, all is forgiven. But, if you give him any reason to doubt you, he will strike back." Rebekah took Marcel's hand in her own. "Make me a promise, Marcel. You will do whatever it takes to stay alive."

"...To my city, my home again. May the blood never cease to flow…" said Klaus.

"...and the party never end!" Marcel finished.

Diego watched Marcel with judging eyes.

"I just don't get it, man. We would've stayed with you to the end." Diego argued, looking at Marcel like he couldn't possibly understand how his friend could have doubted how far they were willing to go. How far he was willing to go for him.

"Letting you do that would have been letting you die, and you're still my people," argued Marcel. "Now, just follow my lead. Trust me, it ain't over yet."

Diego wanted to trust Marcel but he was no longer sure it was the right move.

Diego raised his glass. "To New Orleans."

"To New Orleans!" Klaus echoed, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

"To New Orleans," Caroline murmured looking at every face seated at the table. How the hell was she supposed to remember every vampire who came through here?

"New Orleans." everyone echoed, raising their glass, all drinking.

Caroline lifted her glass to her lips but the moment the blood touched her tongue, she had to bite down on her cheek and breathed deeply.

It wasn't human blood in her glass. It was Klaus's. She would know the taste of his blood anywhere.

She glanced at Klaus and saw him watching her, his lips tugging up into a tiny smirk and she quirked one perfect brow at him in response as if to say 'really?'.

His eyes only sparkled with mirth in response.

More than one throat cleared, pulled their attention away to see the occupants at the table, looking at Klaus expectantly.

Klaus cleared his throat, focusing back on all his guest. "I understand that some of you may have questions regarding the recent change in leadership, and I invited you here tonight to assure you that you are not defeated. No, my intentions moving forward are to celebrate what we have. What Marcel, in fact, took and built for this true community of vampires."

"What about her?" asked Diego, pointing toward Hayley. "The wolf?"

"Had you'd let me finish, Diego, you would know that there is, of course, one further matter I would like to address." he extended his arm, gesturing to Hayley at the opposite end of the table. "As many of you know, the girl is carrying my children. Consequently, I trust you will all pay her the appropriate respect. However, I understand that some of you are concerned by this vicious rumor that I intend to use the blood of our children to create hybrids. I assure you I do not."

Hayley smirked sarcastically. "Father of the year."

Every New Orleans vampire seated a the table looked highly doubtful.

"It appears I will have to earn your trust," Klaus commented, observing their lack of belief. "Very well, we'll eliminate the root of your anxiety. You see, how can I sire any hybrids if there are no more werewolves alive in the bayou to turn?"

Caroline's eyes widened as Hayley exclaimed. "What? Klaus, no!"

Klaus, however, ignored Hayley. "So- eat, drink and be merry. And, tomorrow, I suggest you have yourselves a little wolf hunt. Go ahead, have fun. Kill them all!" he smirked widely.

Caroline stood from her seat and Klaus turned to her questioningly. "A word, Klaus." she didn't wait for his response walking out of the room.

Klaus offered up a smile to his guests. "If you'll excuse us," he turned and followed after Caroline without question.

Marcel lips tugged up in amusement, he couldn't ever remember Klaus following around anyone but yet here he was following after Caroline without a single complaint.

Caroline led Klaus into his new required study and whirled around to face him as he shut the door behind them. "You can't just order a massacre to gain trust."

Klaus frowned. "It's not like I ordered them to kill a bunch of humans."

"No, you ordered them to kill wolves. Possibly Hayley's pack which makes them her people, her family, and your children's family."

"I am all the family my children are ever gonna need," Klaus argued.

"Klaus." Caroline shook her head. "I need you to think about the far-reaching consequences," she took a step toward him her hands landing on his chest. "One day you're children might want to know more about the pack they came from. Do you really want to have to tell them that their own father had them wiped out?"

Klaus faltered. "This can't be about that. I can't think about that. Right now, we are surrounded by enemies, I need to remedy that. I need allies. We need allies." his hands covered hers. "And to do that sacrifices have to be made and unfortunately the wolves have drawn the short stick. I value your opinion Caroline but I won't be swayed from my decision." he leaned forward pressing his lips to her forehead. "I can't have the vampires thinking I'm going to use the blood of my children to make myself a hybrid army. Trust that I know what I'm doing."

Caroline sighed. She wanted to argue further but he had a point they needed allies. Still, it didn't mean she had to like it or support it.

A blue truck was parked just outside the plantation house. Movers were packing up a large painting into the truck.

"Absolutely not, I paid for that!" Rebekah called out firmly to the worker.

"Please, you never paid for anything in your life." Said Elijah.

"I hardly see how that's relevant," replied Rebekah, turning to him. "Nik's just punishing us."

"Well, we've hurt him. Deeply, it would appear," said Elijah.

"We believed the worst about him, the one time in a million when the worst wasn't actually the truth." Argued Rebekah, believing they had been justified in their actions.

Elijah turned and started to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?" Rebekah questioned, calling after him.

"To make sure Hayley doesn't suffer for our mistakes," answered Elijah. "Niklaus is feeling vindictive, we cannot trust that she is safe." he left the house and Rebekah glanced at the empty home around her with a frown.

Klaus stood talking where Cami was seated on the couch typing, transcribing his memoirs, their previous fight forgotten.

"And so then I bit Elijah and left him in the bayou with my hybrid venom in his veins. Serves him right, for making such vile accusations against me. And the way that he treats Caroline, it's unacceptable. And then…" He noticed Cami had stopped typing. "Are you taking this down?"

"To be clear: if the Quarter is yours now, you still need me why?" asked Cami.

"My memoirs." Klaus shot her a flat look. "A thousand years of history isn't going to write itself."

Approaching footsteps sounded and they both turned as Marcel walked in. The man looked at Cami in surprise, her presence there throwing him. "Cami. What are you doing here?"

Cami looked directly at Klaus. "My question exactly."

"Oh, it's quite alright," Klaus said dismissively to Marcel, for the moment ignoring Cami. "She knows."

"She does?" asked Marcel once again surprised.

"That you're vampires?" asked Cami. "Don't worry, he's compelled me to forget everything as soon as I leave. That way, I'm too busy agonizing over whether or not I'm losing my damn mind to realize I'm playing spy for an immortal egomaniac."

"You know, I actually talked to him about all the compelling but he deems it necessary," Caroline walked into the room. "He didn't listen to me."

Klaus smiled at her. "I heard you. I always hear you, love. I just didn't agree with you."

"There's a shocker," said Caroline, her lips tugging up in amusement.

Marcel chose to ignore the obvious flirting going on between Klaus and Caroline and focused on what suddenly had occurred to him. "You compelled her to go out with me, didn't you?" he asked knowingly before looking to Cami. "And I thought you really liked me."

"So did I." Responded Cami.

"I mean, to be clear, I only compelled you to give him a chance," Klaus told Cami. "Anything you felt for him was quite real."

Cami and Marcel exchanged confused glances unsure of what was real between them and what wasn't.

"...and for the record, the level of awkwardness we're all currently experiencing is entirely genuine," said Klaus as he moved closer to Caroline.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?" Asked Cami glaring. "Compelling the poor naive bartender. Look what I found: real me, not your compelled therapist." she showed Klaua an old photo that looked to be from the early 1900s of him and Marcel.

"Actually I prefer "convenient stenographer...'" Klaus mused, unbothered by her anger.

"You think this is funny, messing with my mind?" Cami demanded angrily. "My sanity is not a joke!"

"No. I don't believe it is." Klaus replied, locking eyes with her, intending to compel her. "You never found this. You will remember nothing of our life as vampires when you leave here, do you understand?" Cami nodded dazedly. "I think that just about does it for the day. You may go." Klaus dismissed her and Cami took her things and left."

Marcel frowned after her.

"If you have feelings for Cami what were you doing with Rebekah?" Caroline wondered, bringing Marcel's attention to her.

Marcel frowned. "It's complicated. I'm not sure you would understand."

"And you think my history with Klaus, isn't complicated?" Caroline snorted. "Believe me, I know all about complicated relationships and conflicted feelings."

"I have a feeling our level of complicated differs." Marcel arched an eyebrow at her.

"Klaus came to my town, broke his curse by sacrificing someone I have been friends with since we were kids, his existence was the reason I was turned into a vampire, he terrorized my town, turned my werewolf boyfriend at the time into a hybrid who is now my ex-boyfriend not to mention he had that same boyfriend bite me. Hell, he bit me once." Caroline leveled him with a look. "I know complicated relationships."

Marcel looked at her in slight amusement and wonder. "And here I thought you had no idea the monster that Klaus is, yet you stand beside him?"

Caroline considered him for a moment. "I know who Klaus is. I've always known who he is but I choose to look for the best in him even when its buried deep, deep down beneath everything that makes him who he is to everyone else."

Marcel was unsure how to respond to that and instead remained silent regarding her closely.

Hayley looked around, making sure she was still alone. She didn't need anyone knowing she was sneaking out through the backyard of the Abbatoir.

She looked behind her again uneasy but no one was following her, she turned back around and she nearly jumped out of her skin as a figure cut in front of her.

"Going somewhere?" asked Diego.

Hayley opened her mouth to reply but hands wrapped around Diego's neck before those same hands threw the vampire into the wall.

Hayley stared at Elijah in a mixture of relief and trepidation. "Elijah, you shouldn't be here. Klaus has his guys watching me."

"I wouldn't worry about them," Elijah commented dismissively as two thuds sounded and she turned to see Rebekah taking down two other vampires who had been hidden around the corner. "Come, we mustn't linger." he took her gently by the arm. "We'll get you someplace safe."

"No, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine." Hayley pulled her hand from his grasp. "I've been deemed under protection by the almighty Klaus. It's the werewolves who need help. He ordered a wolf hunt as some jacked-up peace offering to Marcel's crew. You have to help them."

"Out in the bayou?" Rebekah questioned, sending Hayley an annoyed look. "Do we look like a bloody vampire-rescue-squad? I think you should be grateful we came to save you!"

"Listen. Rebekah," said Hayley. "All my life, I've wanted to know who my real family was, and just as I find out that they're out there in the bayou, Klaus orders them killed. You wanna help me? Help my people. Please." she pleaded.

Klaus stepped back into the room just as Caroline turned to leave Marcel on his own.

"Love, where are you going?" Klaus asked his hand, gently landing on her arm.

"I'm gonna leave you and Marcel to your business," Caroline responded. "Maybe, I'll see what the French Quarter has to offer."

"You will," Klaus said. "I was hoping to spend the day with you."

Caroline's brow furrowed. "Don't you have things you need to do now that you have the city?"

"Now that we have the city." Klaus corrected. "I want you at my side through all of it."

"Oh." Caroline's eyes fluttered in surprise.

"If you want to be that is." Klaus' finger grazed her inner wrist.

Caroline smiled at his attentiveness. "Alright, so what's on the agenda."

"Well first, we have a meeting with Marcel." He slipped a hand around her back and led her over to a room where there was a table set up, he motioned Marcel to follow.

Marcel hesitated he had watched Caroline and Klaus's exchange and he was thrown by how different Klaus was with the blonde compared to how he was with everyone else, including his own family.

Klaus pulled out a chair for Caroline and she took a seat and he scooted her chair into the table before taking the seat next to her, and looked to Marcel, waving him over. "Have a seat."

After a brief moment, Marcel took a seat opposite Klaus. "The humans have called a meeting. They're not exactly thrilled with the new status quo."

"Why would they be?" asked Caroline. "No one ever likes change and the fact that an Original is now running things, I'm sure doesn't help their concerns."

"How unfortunate for them," Klaus commented.

"Look, it's your show now," said Marcel. "But you wanna know how I built what I built? Politics. A little diplomacy goes a long way, especially with the human faction."

Caroline snorted, drawing both their gazes to her. "I'm sorry," she glanced at Klaus. "But the idea of you being diplomatic is laughable."

"Duly noted." Klaus looked at the photo that Cami found of him and Marcel from the year 1919. "I haven't thought about this night in ages. 1919, the opera house, just before it burned. This was the end of an era. Now, in the interest of new beginnings, I feel that there are some things I should probably confess to you. But…" He grabbed a glass of alcohol. "Where to begin?"

"Thierry was never disloyal to you, I set him up in an attempt to locate my brother. He's your friend, and consequently, he can return to the compound at your discretion. Cami's part, you just learned." Klaus listed off his deceits. "And then, there's young Joshua. I've been compelling him from the beginning, although I suspect you already knew that, as he was the one who led me into your trap."

"I may have fed the kid some information, nothing more," Marcel admitted, not wanting Klaus to kill an innocent kid vampire or not.

"And then there's Davina. She's a powerful weapon. At this point, I'd like to keep her close at hand. I think we-"

"Hold on a second." Caroline interrupted. "Davina's the teenage witch, right?"

"Yes, correct, love," Klaus answered, looking at her expectantly sure she interrupted him for a reason.

"She's not a weapon, Klaus, she's just a kid who's been screwed over by the witches of New Orleans, she doesn't need you acting as if you own her simply because you want to use her power."

"Caroline now is not the time to be high on morals. Sometimes, here in New Orleans, you're going have to do things you otherwise wouldn't."

"I know that but I'm never going to be okay with seeing a young girl as a weapon." She sent him a pointed glare. "As far as Davina is concerned we're going to have to agree to disagree."

Klaus heaved a sigh turning his focus back to Marcel who was watching the back and forth between them with slight amusement. "We should have her move into the compound here with us."

Caroline's brow furrowed if Davina lived there she could keep a protective eye on her. She may have accepted her feelings for Klaus but she still knew his flaws, she accepted them but that didn't mean she couldn't interfere on Davina's behalf.

"She can't leave the attic," Marcel said, his voice pulling her from her thoughts. "I already tried to move her once."

"Yes, about that... Turns out, your little witch is quite the actress." Klaus informed Marcel. "She made a deal with Elijah while he was in captivity, tricked you into letting her stay put in exchange for some spells from our mother's grimoire."

Marcel nodded bitterly. "Good to know. Is that all?"

"I do believe it is," said Klaus with a decisive nod.

"I appreciate the honesty," said Marcel.

"A rare occurrence from the Mikaelsons." Caroline quipped.

Despite himself, Marcel found his lips ticking up into a smile as Klaus sent Caroline a mock glare, she only smiled back at him in response.

Klaus took a drink from his glass, eyes never leaving Caroline.

Marcel cleared his throat and Klaus slowly turned his eyes to him. "Meeting's in an hour," Marcel told him, getting up and leaving.

Klaus returned his gaze back to Caroline, setting his glass on the table.

"That went better than I expected, considering how you got the reigns of the city," Caroline commented.

"I suppose it did," he notices her bangs had fallen in front of her face, and he reached out brushing it back behind her ear, his thumb skimming her cheek. "Enough about Marcel." he leaned forward brushing his mouth against hers.

Caroline leaned forward her hand curling around his neck, enjoying the simple kiss.

Marcel watched as Davina stood with her back to him, painting. "You're gonna love it at the compound. I already got the best room in the place picked out."

"I can't leave!" Davina protested. "Remember what happened last time?"

"I know about your deal with Elijah," Marcel told her in disapproval of her deceit. "We can't be lying to each other. I'm trying to protect you. With the witches still looking to kill you for the Harvest, believe me, you're safest with us."

"New Orlean witches suck," Caroline walked into the room, Klaus right beside her. She took in the young witch. She looked even younger than Caroline imagine she would. "No offense to you of course. Hi, you must be Davina. I'm Caroline."

Davina looked from her to Klaus. "You're with him?" her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Are you his wife?"

Caroline laughed. "Definitely not a wife but I am with him."

"I like to think of Caroline more as my Queen." his eyes turned to Davina's paintings and he stepped closer to get a better look at them. "I see you're an artist. Wonderful! I look forward to witnessing your many talents!"

Davina turned to Marcel, glaring. "Was this his idea?"

"Davina, please. I understand you're devoted to Marcel, but Marcel is devoted to me. I assume you'll want what's best for all of us." Klaus walked over to Marcel.

"Okay, enough." Caroline cut a look at Klaus. "This can't be about what's best for everyone. This needs to be what's best for her." Caroline turned to Davina. "Look, I am not going to stand here and lie to you and say that moving you out of here is all about you. Klaus wants you close. You're powerful and he sees you as a weapon but you'll be protected from the witches and from my own experiences their a bigger threat. It would be better if you were at the compound and once all this harvest business is taken care of, you can go wherever you want. Move on with your life."

Davina watched her. "You really think, it's going to be that easy, that simple?"

"No," Caroline answered. "But it's something to fight for. Don't you want your life back?"

Davina didn't know Caroline and her instinct was to distrust but the blonde just seemed so genuine. "Yes."

Klaus walked over to Caroline placing his hand on Caroline's lower back. "We have a meeting to attend downstairs."

Marcel nodded.

"All I'm saying is do what is best for you," Caroline told Davina before allowing Klaus to lead her out.

"You have quite the way with words, love," Klaus commented, as they walked from the attic.

"Its called being honest." Caroline returned teasingly. "There are better ways of doing things than using intimidation."

"I'll leave those ways to you," Klaus responded as they disappeared from the room.

Marcel turned to Davina. "I'll get someone to pick up your things. We'll get you settled in right. Trust me." He turned and headed back downstairs to join Klaus and Caroline for the meeting.

Davina watched him go, casting a sad look around her room.

Father Kieran lifted his head and took notice of Klaus and Marcel and a blonde he recognized from when she came to the church with Rebekah. He believed her name was Caroline.

"Klaus, Marcel, thank you for coming." he greeted. "We are aware of the change in the leadership in your community, and we thought it was time to make the appropriate introductions."

The meeting was being held in a back room of St. Anne's church, several men were seated around a table.

"Who is the blonde?" The Sheriff asked standing up and the Mayor followed suit.

"Caroline Forbes." Klaus leveled him with a murderous look. "And you will treat her with the same respect you would me."

The Mayor didn't much care who the blonde girl was instead he focused on Klaus. "We wanna be sure you understand how things work around here."

"Is that so?" Klaus asked the Mayor, his audacity rubbing him the wrong way.

The Mayor nodded, not noticing the dangerous look in Klaus's eye.

"What the Mayor means is that we just want some insurance that this new development isn't going to endanger our city or its inhabitants." Father Kieran explained, speaking directly to Klaus.

"Look, you freaks do your thing, and we'll look the other way." The sheriff told the three vampires in the room. Caroline glowered and Klaus looked at Marcel as the Sheriff continued to speak. "As long as our pockets stay full, we won't have a problem."

Father Kieran shot a disappointed look at the members of the council and tried to backtrack, wanting to keep things as civil as possible. "More importantly, there are rules," he spoke to Klaus. "No feeding on the locals, don't bring any unwanted attention to the city. History has proven that we can co-exist peacefully. However, if you cross the line…"

"You answer to us." The Sheriff told Klaus interrupting Kieran.

Caroline raised one eyebrow at the Sheriff, either the man was stupid or he didn't know who Klaus was. Not many people lived to see another day after speaking to him like that.

Klaus laughed loudly. "Okay... I'm sorry, let me get this straight- I'm to play supplicant to this pompous ass and his ridiculous group of petty thieves?" He sighed dramatically, shaking his head, he walked toward the Sheriff and Mayor. "Here are my terms: You will take whatever scraps I see fit to leave you, and you will be grateful. If that doesn't suit you, I may decide you've outlived your usefulness." Klaus held his hand out to Caroline. "C'mon, Love."

Caroline accepted his hand, falling into step with him. "The council here seems more corrupt than the one back home," she commented.

The Sheriff watched angrily as Klaus and Caroline walked down the aisle to take their leave.

Marcel followed, annoyance feeling him at Klaus's action. He was never going to run the city properly if he couldn't learn to compromise with the humans.

Klaus' and Marcel's vampire crew were deep in the werewolf encampment of the bayou not far from the lake nearby, they violently tore through the camp in search of wolves to kill.

"Hey, they're obviously here. Fan out, find 'em, and bring me some heads!" Diego commanded the vampires he was leading.

"I'd rather you didn't." Elijah appeared just meters away from Diego, Rebekah at his side.

"The hell are you doing out here?" asked Diego.

"I've come to suggest you seek other hunting grounds," replied Elijah diplomatically.

Diego shrugged. "Suggestion noted…" he said but he had no real intention of taking the suggestion to heart.

Rebekah walked up to him. "Oh Diego, it would be such a shame to have to rearrange that pretty face." She pulled her arm back but Diego grabbed her arm, stopping her fist from slamming into his face.

"What the hell do you care about wolves?" Diego asked her, releasing her arm and pushing it away from him.

"Generally, I don't," Elijah responded candidly. "However, this particular clan is not to be touched." he paused for just a moment. "Goodbye."

Rebekah smiled sweetly at Diego, whispering. "Bye."

"Nothing here anyway," Diego called out to his vampires. He whistled, motioning to his guys that they were going and the werewolf hunting party followed him as he led them out of the wolf encampment.

"Ah, great," said Rebekah pleased. "I think as well our job here is done."

Elijah stopped sensing something, someone nearby. "Not quite." he vamp sped away, appearing in front of the vaguely familiar woman, Eve, she stood by a tree, waiting. "We're not here to harm you," Elijah assured her. "Hello, again. Eve, was it?"

"One of Hayley's litter-mates, I presume?" asked Rebekah, looking at the woman.

"Hayley sent you here to protect us, didn't she?" Eve asked knowingly. "Tell her we appreciate the concern, but we've been looking out for ourselves for a while now. Nobody finds us unless we wanna be found."

"Well, we found you, so…" Rebekah said, her tone filled with condescension.

"Like I said," said Eve. "There's something I thought you and your family should know about." she started walking along a path, fully expecting the two originals to follow her, she had a map and stake in her hands.

Elijah and Rebekah shared a look before following after Eve.

Caroline and Klaus walked into a bar Klaus said Marcel frequented. "There he is," said Caroline, spotting Marcel sitting at a table alone.

"Why don't you go and join him, I'll be there in just a moment," Klaus suggested.

Caroline nodded and walked over to Marcel's seat, taking the seat across from him. "Hope you don't mind if I join you."

"Looks like you're already making yourself comfortable." he straightened in his seat. "I appreciate what you said to Davina."

Caroline gave a shrug. "I was only being honest. If it isn't obvious I don't exactly approve of a teenage girl no matter how powerful being seen as a weapon."

"Oh, you made your opinion known, love." Klaus settled in the seat next to her, settling a bottle of whiskey on the table in front of them. "About meeting with the humans, I think it goes far more gracious than they deserved."

Marcel stared at Klaus falling silent as he poured the three of them drinks. "You're disappointed by my lack of diplomacy," Klaus noted. "You out of all people should need no reminder of the human capacity for cruelty."

Marcel continued to remain quiet.

Klaus' phone buzzed and he rose from his chair to answer it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Mikaelson." The Sheriff's voice sounded on the other line. "I just wanted to let you know that the faction's considered your terms. We've reached a decision."

"Have you?" asked Klaus, not really caring what decision they reach because they would fall in line rather they wanted to or not.

An explosion sounded from outside, the ground shook slightly. It was quickly followed by the sound of gunfire, glass shattering, the windows blown in, shards of glass flying everywhere, sunlight piercing into the local vampire bar.

Vampires in the bar were hit by the gunfire, some bursting into flames when the light of the sun hit them, not fortunate enough to have a daylight ring.

Screams of pain and agony filled the air.

Marcel saw some of his guys around him collapse from being hit, from burning. He rushed to save one of the burning vampires, Klaus moved to help him, and Caroline went to help one of the ones hit with bullets.

Marcel felt a sharp pain throughout his body before he could reach the burning vampire, bullet after bullet tearing through his body. Klaus felt the same pain but he gritted his teeth against the onslaught of bullets.

Marcel collapsed, falling to the floor in pain but Klaus barely noticed, all he could focus on was the awful sound of Caroline crying out in pain as she was hit with a barrage of bullets. Her cries pierced his ears, tearing at his chest, the sound of her pain doing more damage to him than the bullets had.

His eyes shined amber and he saw red, immediately furious, he rushed to her covering her body with her own shielding her from further pain.

Anger rushed through him as he hovered above Caroline, her face twisted in discomfort, eyes shining with pain.

How dare they cause her any sort of pain.

How dare they hurt Caroline!

Klaus kept Caroline close, she breathed heavily. When the attack had ended he had to remove wooden bullets from her abdomen. He hated causing her pain, seeing her cry out but it had to be done.

Klaus ripped into his wrist and held it out to her. "Drink. It will help you heal faster."

Caroline's fingers curled around his wrist, her mouth closing over his blood and drinking deeply the moment she tasted his blood on her tongue.

Klaus ran his hand down her hair, in a soothing motion before wrapping his arm around her shoulder, holding her close.

Marcel looked at them for just a moment, anger surging through him, the vampire bar was empty besides the three of them after the explosion and the gunfire.

The room was destroyed and in complete disarray. Destroyed furniture, broken glass, burnt skeletons, and desiccated vampires littered the floor around them.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" Marcel flipped a table over, enraged.

Caroline release Klaus's wrist, licking his blood from her lips and stood, Klaus's arm was wrapped firmly around her waist as if he was trying to steady her.

She shook her head at him, silently telling him she could stand on her own.

"This is on you!" Marcel whirled on Klaus suddenly. "Now that you're in charge, these are your guys laying dead. Your guys."

"You think I care about them when Caroline was hurt?! Do you?!" Klaus demanded. "Because if you do you are sorely mistaken."

"I think what Marcel here is trying to say is that I can't be the only one you care about. I'm not the only person in this city." Caroline interjected, wanting to ward off the storm brewing in Klaus.

Klaus wanted to argue that her life was the only life besides his children that mattered. However, he bit the words back.

"You're gonna run this city, that better mean something to you, otherwise no one worth a damn is gonna follow you." Marcel snapped. "No one!"

"I was beginning to worry about you," Klaus said when Marcel turned away. "I don't think I could've taken any more of this differential nonsense. I mean clearly I underestimated the faction, that won't happen again. But, tell me: Now that we've arrived to this point, now that they have come into our home, visited this upon our people, hurt the ones we care about… How would you counsel me to respond?"

Caroline had a feeling Klaus was only asking out of courtesy to Marcel. She knew that no matter the answer Marcel gave Klaus would make the city's council pay.

"Let's go kill them all," said Marcel.

Klaus looked to Caroline. "Are you with us, Love?"

If Caroline wanted to sit this one out he wouldn't object. If she couldn't bring herself to hurt humans even ones that had wronged her then he would do it for her.

He would be her sword.

Caroline thought of the council and how they only seemed to care about filling their pockets and nothing more. Vampires died because of them. She could have died.

She raised her eyes to Klaus. "I'm with you."

Eve led Elijah and Rebekah to where she was set up by the lake and was showing them a map of the surrounding bayou. "Surrounded by 20,000 acres of swamp, the ones born here who now know it like the backs of our hands, will be fine. But here," Eve pointed at the map with her stake. "newcomers from out of state - not of Hayley's and my kin. But, word's spread about those babies of hers. A lot of werewolves wanna see this miracle pregnancy for themselves. Only now, the vampires are out looking for blood, and all these werewolves new at the bayou might not know where to hide."

"You say that like we're supposed to care," Rebekah responded. Why would they care about wolves?

"Believe me, you're gonna want them kept alive," Eve said with certainty.

"And why is that?" asked Elijah.

"See for yourself," said Eve. It would be better if they saw for themselves rather than just taking her for her word. At least this way they would have no reason not to believe her.

Davina walked into the Compound's garage. "I know you're in here, Josh. I can sense your fear."

Josh moved out from behind a car. "I heard you're moving in."

Davina smiled at the sight of her friend. "What are you doing in here?"

"You might've known," Josh said as he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her in a hug. One Davina returned instantly.

"You know, incognito," said Josh, releasing her. "Gotta run for the hills, but I'm stuck here until it gets dark."

"Are you okay?" asked Davina in concern.

"Yeah, yeah…" Josh started to lie but then thought what was the point. Davina was his friend. "Not really. I mean, totally led Klaus into a trap that was the most epic fail of all time, so yeah, kinda crapping my pants right now, figuratively. So far."

"It's okay. You can trust Marcel." Davina told him. "And if Klaus tries to hurt you - I'll hurt him."

Haley stepped into the garage, having picked up in their voices. "I'm sure if you could actually stop Klaus, you would've done it already."

"You're Hayley. Klaus's mistress," said Davina.

"Ew, no." Hayley's face scrunched up in disgust. "Never. I'm the pregnant werewolf. That is more of a title suited to Caroline. And you must be all-powerful superwitch, Davina? And let's not forget Josh, newbie vampire way out of his element, voted "Most Likely to Die Next.""

"Fantastic." Josh nodded nervously.

"Hey. I'm just another one of Klaus' prisoners," said Hayley. "Of course, it would suck if he found out you're still lurking around. Maybe there's a world where we can all look out for each other?"

Davina crossed her arms over her chest, moving to stand in front of Josh defensively. "That sounds like blackmail. You know, I met Caroline today. I think I like her better than you."

"You don't even know me," Hayley protested defensively.

"And after speaking with you I don't want to know you." Davina retorted and Hayley clenched her jaw.

Cami rushed to the door when she heard a knock cut through the air. When she pulled her front door open it reveal her uncle. "I called you hours ago!"

"I came as fast as I could. What's going on?" asked Kieran walking into her apartment. "Your voicemail sounded…"

"What!? Paranoid?" Cami interrupted him abruptly. "Unhinged?"

Father Kieran hesitated. "Upset."

"That picture I found. The one that was.. I don't know, a hundred years old. You said it was just a coincidence. But…" She grabbed her phone and pressed play and suddenly Camille's own voice and Klaus's came over the line.

"'My sanity is not a joke.'"

"No, love, I don't believe it is."

Cami's eyes fill with tears. "...that's my voice! But I don't remember it. I think it's... I think it's some kind of mind-control, he's erasing my memory!"

Father Kieran's phone rang suddenly and he quickly answered it. "Yes? They what?" a look of concern came over him and he quickly hung up, looking at Cami. "We will talk about this later." He walked past Cami, leaving her apartment in a hurry.

"Why wasn't I consulted on this?" Father Kieran demanded upon arriving at the city council meeting where it was being held at Rosseau's.

"You've been gone for over eight months, Kieran." The Mayor reminded. "We got used to doing things on our own."

"This Klaus Mikaelson, I don't care who he is or what the rumors say. He needed to be taught a lesson." said the Sheriff, believing what they had done was the right choice.

"You are gonna start a war!" Kieran exclaimed, not understanding how they could be so stupid.

"I'd like to see them try." The Sheriff replied. "Oh, and Kieran, this is the last time you call a meeting. Next time you wanna criticize our leadership, send a damn email."

Father Kieran forehead creased in a look of confusion. "I thought you called this meeting...?"

"The hell we did." The Sheriff bit out.

"Actually, I called it." Klaus entered the room, Caroline and Marcel on either side of him. "It appears I made a grave error during our earlier conference. My friend Marcel offered me wise counsel, and I failed to heed it."

"I'm glad to hear you've learned your lesson." The Sheriff replied, smugly feeling superior that a vampire with Klaus reputation was backing down to him.

"Oh, I won't be making that mistake again." Klaus turned his head to Caroline. "Love, take your pick. Who should be the first to go?"

"What?" The Mayor's gaze snapped to Caroline.

Caroline looked from the Sheriff to The Mayor. The Sheriff was clearly a smug entitled asshole but it was the Mayor who was meant to do what was in the city's best interest but the only interest he was concerned with was his own.

She flashed behind the mayor, her hands gripping his head and twisted it violently, the bones breaking. She shoved him forward his body hitting table, slumping forward.

Klaus smirked, his eyes never leaving her as he said. "Marcel."

Marcel vamp sped to the Sheriff, stabbing him through the neck, coating his hands in blood. Marcel grinned, content with what he just did, watching the Sheriff bleed out as screams filled the air.

Caroline looked around her. She didn't relish causing fear and panic but if she was honest with the darkest part of herself. It had felt good taking the life of The Mayor and knowing the kind of man he was made it easier.

Klaus approached Caroline, smiling. He hadn't been sure if she would be able to kill any of the council members but when she did he couldn't explain it he felt proud. It was like watching her starting to embrace the vampire she was.

"There are still many more corrupt humans to exact revenge on." He held his hand out to her. "Shall we...?"

Caroline looked down at his hand and then raised her eyes back to his. She kept her eyes locked with his as she placed her hand in his. "Lead the way."

Klaus smirked and looked to Marcel expectantly.

Marcel waved his arm out. "After you!"

Caroline threw her head back, the blood coursing down her throat. Warm, sweet and delicious. It was rare when she allowed herself to actually drink from the vein but it was so much better than bagging it.

She took comfort from knowing that the person she was feeding on was not a good person and lessen her guilt from indulging in some of her darker vampire urges.

Klaus withdrew his fangs from the neck of a woman he had drained, allowing her body to drop as he watched Caroline, enjoying the sight of her, eyes blackened and red, veins on the apple of her cheeks, blood coating the corner of her lip.

Klaus could hear Marcel feeding off a body not too far away and he heard approaching footsteps but he pushed it all away only having eyes for Caroline at that moment.

Overwhelmed with the urge to be closer to her, touch her. seeing her embrace being a vampire had his blood running hot. A surge of want for her alone coursing through him.

He stepped over a dead body, approaching her.

Caroline felt his eyes on her and looked up as he drew closer. She pushed the man she had been feeding on away and looked directly at Klaus, seeing the way his blue eyes had darkened with want had her skin prickling with awareness.

She waited as he moved directly in front of her. His body so close to her own that all she would have to do is take one tiny step and she would be pressed against him.

Klaus focused on the blood, coating her lips. He placed his hand against her cheek and Caroline closed her eyes, feeling her skin heat up at the simple touch.

The feel of his thumb swiping across her bottom lip had her eyes opening slowly darken with lust, watching as he sucked his thumb into his mouth cleaning off the blood. "Klaus."

He stepped forward his hands reaching out to frame her face, his body surging forward as he crushed his lips to hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth tasting the blood on her tongue.

Caroline moaned as he plundered her mouth, his hands twisting in her hair, she slid her hand up to the back of his neck, fisting it his hair, arching her back and pressing her chest against his, wanting every inch of her body pressed against his.

Klaus groaned and Caroline relished in the sound, knowing it was because of her.

The sound of a chair scraping against the floor had Caroline pulling away from Klaus and she saw Kieran looking around at all the dead bodies littering the floor.

Klaus turned slowly releasing Caroline, pushing his current lust away and turned to the Father.

"There he is. Our lone survivor. Such a sad day for our city." Klaus approached Kieran patting the man on the shoulder. "Some of its best and brightest killed in a tragic boating accident on the Mississippi. Rather nasty explosion, I heard." He looked Kieran directly in the eyes. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Okay, hold up." Marcel stood up and held his hand out for Klaus to not doing anything rash. "I've know Kieran for a long time. He's smart and he's fair. I think he can do us more good alive than dead."

Caroline stepped forward, placing her hand on Klaus's arm, she didn't want Klaus killing the priest any more than Marcel did. He at least seemed to care about the people of this city, unlike his now dead associates.

"Not to mention he's Cami's uncle," Marcel added.

"And I'm supposed to care about that why?" Klaus glared. "Why should he get off scot-free after what the council pulled?"

"Because he had no hand in hurting, Caroline," Marcel responded, earning a look from Klaus. "You've made it pretty clear that's not a line to be crossed. plus, I don't see you caring about much. It's impossible not to nice how much you do care about her."

"It's not like I was killed in their attack." Caroline interrupted.

Klaus's eyes shot to her. "Don't talk like that." He couldn't even think about the possibility of her death.

"All I really meant was that Father Kieran did not play a part in the attack and should not be punished for something that he had no hand in." Caroline insisted, leveling Klaus with one of her looks.

Klaus nodded, turning his eyes back to the Father, "Very well. Use this reprieve to remake your human faction."

"And how do you expect me to remake the Mayor?" Father Kieran demanded.

"Well, surely there's a deputy Mayor," Klaus suggested. "Choose new leaders. Then we'll re-open negotiations." he held his hand to Caroline and the moment she placed her hand in his, he linked his fingers with hers and led her out.

Rebekah looked around the werewolf encampments. "All these wolves really travel in style, don't they?"

Elijah ignored her snide remark and opened the door to a trailer. "Empty."

"Piled on the pavement, perhaps," Rebekah suggested.

"So, proceed then," Elijah told her, they needed to find Hayley's wolves. He told her he would. He gave her his word.

"Let's not, and tell Hayley that we did," Rebekah told him. "Then, you get to impress the girl, and I can go home. You know how hovels depress me. "

Elijah smiled slightly. "I'm not trying to impress the girl."

"I should bloody hope you are, why else are we out here?" Rebekah demanded however Elijah remained silent. "Come on, Elijah! You've fallen for her, admit it. May do wonders for the stick that's lodged up your enduringly stoic arse if you did."

Elijah smiled. It's true that he felt something for Hayley but he wouldn't say it was love not when Katerina was never far from his thoughts. "If I admit to you that it's complicated, would that suffice? Or, are you determined to torment me throughout this endeavor?"

Rebekah was about to respond but a noise nearby caught their attention, turning to find that the hunting party had returned. Diego the one leading the charge of vampires had his fangs sunk into the neck of a werewolf. Elijah vamp-sped over to Diego and pulled his head backward by his hair. "Darling, we need to stop meeting like this. This is how rumors begin!" He released Diego, placing himself between Diego and the werewolf. "You can go now."

Diego glared at him, not moving. The Originals and their superior attitude grating on his nerves.

"Perhaps I'm not making myself clear here." Elijah's voice hardened when Diego did not make a move to do as he ordered. "This is a threat. In precisely three minutes' time, your little hunting party will become the prey. Now, based on your recent failure to subdue my baby brother Niklaus, this, despite a better than a 100-to-1 advantage. I recommend you heed my warning."

Diego with a look of frustration and embarrassment turned to his guys, motioning for them to follow him as he leaves with them in tow.

"Impressive." Rebekah complimented, smirking at Elijah.

"Well, I thought the situation demanded something a little dramatic," Elijah responded, good-naturedly.

The werewolf, Diego had been feeding on groaned in pain on the ground. He slowly pushed to his feet. "Who are you people?"

Elijah's eyes focused on a ring on a necklace around the wolfs neck with keened interest. "I would say the better question is: Who are you?"

Klaus produced a flask, taking a drink, looking at Marcel he said. "To our united front! This act of yours, the imitation of friendship. Don't get me wrong, you played the part well enough, I should know, having played it myself. There was a time when the affinity between us was quite real."

Caroline looked between the two men, the tension between them a mix between hostile and civil.

"Sure. And then you got it in your head to take what I created." Marcel said pointedly. "When I picked up that coin I swore loyalty, Klaus, not friendship. I'm holding up my end, the other one has to be earned."

"This is probably none of my business, then again I have a habit of butting into other people's business with the intention to help," Caroline interjected. "How do you expect him to earn your friendship if you won't even give him the chance to do so? Besides, it's not like you know the whole story."

Marcel's forehead creased in obvious confusion. "What's she talking about?"

"My decision was not entirely my own." Klaus elaborated. "If I didn't agree to usurp your power, the witches swore to kill my unborn children and Caroline. To be honest, the threat on Caroline's life was the deciding factor." Klaus looked at Caroline with a small smile. "I would do anything to ensure her safety." he turned his eyes back to Marcel. "The promise of offspring meant little to me however I recalled my father; how he held me in contempt from the moment I was born. As yours did with you. I will not do to my children what was done to me. To us." He drank deeply from the glass.

"All this - the spying, the manipulation - that's just something you were forced into. Is that it?" Marcel asked. "And what now? You feel kinda bad... "Hey buddy, it's nothing personal." Is that it?"

"I admit. I was jealous." Klaus confessed. "I saw the empire you had created on your own, without me. I saw it - and I wanted it."

"You're wrong, you know. I didn't do it on my own." Marcel told him. "I stood in the shadow of my father my entire human life, and I never would've gotten out from under it, if not for you. You're the one who taught me that a man can't be defined by anyone but himself." he paused, it was hard to admit he owed Klaus anything, still he continued. "So, what now?"

"This community that you've built - you have their respect. Their love." Klaus said. "I could rule them but I cannot win them, not without you. So rule with me. Side by side as equals. Friends. Brothers."

Klaus raised the bottle in an offering. Marcel looked at him, consider his offer and after a tense moment he accepted, taking a drink from it." Klaus smiled cheerfully in response, seeing it as Marcel accepting his offer.

Hayley walked into the living room, her eyes glaring at the man seated on the couch reading a book. "Those werewolves you ordered killed, that's my family."

"Not for long, love. I mean, this so-called family of yours, they haven't done you much good, have they?" Klaus looked up from his book but she avoided his gaze. "You said it yourself: they abandoned you and left you on your own. Now it's simply your turn to do the same."

"Maybe they had their reasons." Hayley defended, wanting to believe that the family she wanted to reunite with so bad wanted her just as much.

Klaus tossed his book away angrily, standing up abruptly. "Yes, while I have reasons, too, little wolf. If the werewolves are dead, then the vampires have less desire to kill you. I am trying to keep my children safe. Not that you appreciate the effort when that includes you."

"And as soon as I have these babies, what happens to me then?" Hayley demanded. God, she hoped before than with Sophie's help she would get out of here. Disappear, never to be found by Klaus. She should have gotten tips from Katherine on how to evade him for the rest of her life.

Klaus stared at her, his silence answer enough for Hayley. He would no longer have a use for her and she would be lucky if all he did was send her away.

"Right…" Hayley said after a long moment. "Well, lucky for me I have a little while before I find out," she smirked bitterly. "And in the meantime, I will find a way to pay you back for this. As long as I'm in the family, as long as I carry your children inside me you can't do a damn thing about it." she turned on her heel, storming back out of the room.

Klaus glared at her retreating back, cursing the fact that he had to knock her up of all people. A thousand years of Karma was coming back to bite him in the ass in epic fashion.

Hayley walked into Davina's new bedroom, she didn't bother knocking and saw the young girl searching through a cardboard box. "What are you looking for?"

"My violin," Davina answered. "It must be left in the attic."

"So, just go get it," Hayley told her.

"I can't. It's not safe for me out there," said Davina, as long as the elders were out there she would always be in danger.

"Funny, I was under the impression everyone was afraid of you." Hayley mused.

"The witches are after me," replied Davina, defensively.

"You mean that crazy witch, Agnes?" asked Hayley. "Yeah, she tried to kill me too. The thing is, she's dead. Klaus killed her."

Davina looked at her in disbelief. "But.. Agnes was the last living Elder. If she's dead, then I'm safe. Marcel would've told me."

"Maybe he didn't wanna lose his secret weapon against the witches?" Hayley suggested.

"You're lying." Davina accused. She wasn't just a weapon to Marcel. He cared about her. He wanted her happy.

"Why would I lie to you?" Hayley asked her.

"Because you want something from me." Davina glared. "Everyone does."

"Do I want something from you...?" asked Hayley rhetorically. "Yeah, Davina, actually I do. Thanks to your friend Marcel, most of my family is cursed. They're stuck in their wolf form, except on a full moon. Now, I'm smart enough to know that every curse has a loophole. And, well, you're the strongest witch I've ever heard of. But I wouldn't lie to you to get what I want. I'd ask you. I guess that's the difference between Marcel and me." Hayley turned away, walking out of the room, hoping her words had an effect on Davina. She needed all the allies she could get.

Davina watched her leave unsure of what to think anymore.

"Looking for something?" Josh asked walking into the room and Davina smiled when she saw he brought Tim's violin with him. "I figured with you vacating, the attic would be a safe zone. Found this there."

"It was dangerous for you to come back, Josh," Davina told him in concern.

"Yeah, well... What are friends for? Or whatever." Josh replied and Davina laughed gently. "Hey, what did Hayley want?"

"Do you trust her?" Davina asked him.

"I don't know," Josh answered. "Why?"

"She told me about a witch being killed," said Davina. "An Elder, but I don't know if she…"

"Yeah, crazy Agnes?" Josh interrupted. "I heard about that, that Klaus went all berserker on her crew. I guess it was super gross, just like heads and guts... bleh!" Davina looked at him in concern. "What?" asked Josh. "You hate the witches."

"Hayley was right." Davina realized with a look of hurt. "Marcel is just using me. Josh, I can't stay here. I'm not gonna be their puppet, you have to get me out of here!"

"Okay. But where else are you gonna go?" Josh questioned.

Caroline ran a hand through her damp hair, after being covered in blood, she had definitely needed to wash it away.

She had expected to feel guilty for the actions she took today but she didn't instead she felt guilty for not having guilt.

Her phone buzzed on her dresser and she reached for it. Rebekah's name flashed across the screen. She swiped her finger over the ignore button, sending the call straight to voicemail. It wasn't the first time Rebekah called her today. She had ignored those calls too. She didn't want to talk to Rebekah.

Looking at the time, she realized her mother was still waiting on her call, she quickly opened her contacts and pressed on the one for her mother's.

It ranged four times before her mother's voice filtered over the line. "Hello?"

"Hey, mom."

"Caroline! It's good to hear from you though I was expecting your call a few hours earlier."

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry, something came up." Caroline apologized, moving to sit on the edge of her bed.

"Is everything alright?" Liz asked in concern.

"No, everything's fine," she assured her mother. "It's just been quite the day. How are things there?"

"It's Mystic Falls. There's always some kind of trouble brewing. There's nothing you can do from there for everyone back here just know I have everything under control."

Caroline thought that was her mother's way of not telling her something but she was right and she had her hands full with the constant drama in New Orleans and it wasn't like her friends were too concerned about her. The only one who even called her every once in a while was Stefan.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right."

"Enough about Mystic Falls? What about you? Is Klaus treating you well? Have you taken the time to see the city?" Liz asked.

"I..honestly I'm really good," Caroline admitted. "I mean, of course, I miss Mystic Falls but New Orleans is great and being able to experience the food, the music, it's been great."

"And Klaus?" Liz asked uncertain if she even wanted to know. Her daughter's connection with the monster that terrorized their town was worrisome at best especially with his infatuation with her daughter. She honestly worried about his obsession becoming a danger to Caroline.

"Klaus is.. You have nothing to worry about Klaus. I know you're probably worried about him when it comes to me but you don't have to. He's being very good to me," she gave a small laugh. "It might be his default setting where I'm concerned. He won't intentionally let anything happen to me."

"Well, that's good to know," Liz responded. "At least I can comfort myself that your safe even if you're not here with me." she paused. "You have no idea how much I miss you, sweetheart. I can't wait till all this is over and you come back home."

Caroline faltered. It was always nice to hear her mother missed her but the prospect of going home to Mystic Falls didn't appeal to her as it once did. "Yeah, back home." she murmured.

"Look, sweetie, I have some paperwork I need to finish but I'll talk to you soon," Liz told her.

"Yeah, sure, bye mom." Caroline ended the call and tossed it aside.

"You don't sound like you want to go home."

Caroline looked up to see Hayley standing in her doorway. "It's rude to eavesdrop."

"I couldn't help it besides I wanted to ask you for a favor." Hayley stepped further into the room.

"A favor? What favor could you possibly want from me?" Caroline wondered, standing from her bed.

"I want you to ask Klaus to call off his attack on the wolves."

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Caroline questioned.

"Don't you think I tried that? He won't listen to me." Hayley let out a huff of frustration.

"And what makes you think he'll listen to me?" Caroline asked. The wolves weren't any of her business.

"Because he's in love with you. He listens to you. He seeks your approval." Hayley looked at her with the best pleading look she could muster. "You can get anything you want from him. You can convince him to look after the wolves."

"Let me get this straight, you want me to use Klaus's feelings for me against him to get what you want?" Caroline asked Rhetorically. "Yeah, I'm not doing that anymore. I'm done being Klaus bait. I'm done using his feelings like a weapon to manipulate him to do what other's want."

"Caroline, that's my family out there!" Hayley placed her hand over her growing stomach. "It's the twin's family, can't you do this for them."

Caroline jaw clenched. She hated that Hayley was trying to use the fact that she cared about Klaus's unborn children against her to get her to do what she wanted. "I won't manipulate him. I won't take advantage of how he feels about me."

Hayley jaw snapped shot, glaring. "Thanks for nothing." she snapped in frustration, spinning on her heel and storming from the room.

Caroline sighed, flopping back onto her bed, wondering when Hayley's problems started becoming hers.

Klaus was in the parlor alone, playing the piano when Rebekah walked into the room, he, however, refused to acknowledge her presence.

"I stink of the bog!" Rebekah complained in disgust glaring.

"Serves you right, for your pathetic attempt to undermine my rule." Klaus groused.

Elijah joined them when he heard the sound of his brother's voice.

"Nik, listen." Rebekah began.

"When I order werewolves to be hunted to extinction, I expect you to stand aside and let the blood flow." Klaus cut her off not wanting to hear what she had to say.

"How delightfully democratic of you." Elijah threw a ring at Klaus and he snatched it out of the air examining it. "Do you recognize it?" Elijah asked. "Perhaps you don't, it has been a thousand years since you last saw it grace the hand of our mother. The ring was in possession of one of the very wolves whose extinction you just ordered. So naturally, I questioned him. He spoke of a legend. A legend wherein long ago, a chief of theirs had fathered a child to a very powerful witch. Their mythology further states that this child, a son, was later transformed into something this clan had never before seen. Something werewolf and vampire."

Klaus' eyes flickered with emotion.

"Nik, we're trying to make amends," Rebekah told him. "We found remnants of your family. The bloodline of your true father. And we saved them from being slaughtered at the hands of the vampires you command."

"Niklaus, your ambitions have come before this family for far too long," said Elijah, taking a step toward his brother. "Niklaus, I beseech you please, come home."

"What home?" Klaus responded the emotion in his eyes from just a moment ago gone. "This pathetic substitute? You see, despite all your doubts, all your attempts to thwart me, I've reclaimed our true home. I took back the entire city."

"You have the audacity to boast of your victory when the mother of your children remains your prisoner?" Elijah challenged.

"It all comes down to the pretty little wolf for you, doesn't it, brother?" Klaus smirked derisively.

"Stop it, both of you!" Rebekah exclaimed.

Klaus stood up behind the piano. "Even if this is what you say it is, I have had enough of family to last me a lifetime. Why would I possibly want any more?" he pushed past them, leaving them alone in the house.

Rebekah sighed and Elijah looked away with an expression of defeat.

Father Kieran stood before the altar in his church, lighting candles.

"Ah, good. You're awake." Klaus walked down the aisle of pews, interrupting father Kieran's solitude. "I have a favor to ask."

"I am saying prayers for the dead," Kieran informed him. "I request a moratorium on favors for the king."

"Well, you'll like this one," Klaus responded. "It involves helping people who need protection."

"And whom, may I ask, do they need protection from?" asked Father Kieran doing his best to remain civil.

"Me. You see, I recently ordered the slaughter of a group of vagabonds out in the bayou. Turns out, I may have been too hasty. Thing is, if the vampires find out I'm protecting them, it won't sit well." Klaus said, explaining his current predicament.

Father Kieran sighed and after a moment of hesitation, he said. "I think I can arrange something, on one condition. - For her own good, I believe it is time for my niece to leave town."

"If that's what you want in exchange for your help, fine." Klaus turned walking back out of the church.

Klaus stared in at Cami, watching as she listened to recordings of their conversation, proof she had of vampires.

"You're tenacious," Klaus announced his presence. "It's quite admirable if not a little annoying at times."

"Klaus," Cami shouted. "you can't keep-"

"You're looking for truths you don't want to find." he interrupted her, he just wanted to get this over with and be gone from here. "Monsters are better left as fiction. It's time for you to leave this place, Cami."

"You have kept me here for weeks just so someone, anyone, would see who you really are, and now that I have you want me to leave," Cami responded angrily.

"None of this was ever about you and don't delusion yourself. You don't know who I am." Klaus told her.

"Then show me." Cami challenged, grabbing his arm. "Let me see you the way you let Caroline see you."

"No." It came out harsh and she flinched back, retracting her hand as if he burned her. "I don't wish for anyone to know me the way Caroline does let alone you." he locked eyes with her. "You're going to leave New Orleans." he compelled. "Forget everything you learned today. Forget me. Forget your reasons for staying because you no longer have a reason to."

"I no longer have a reason to stay," Cami repeated.

Klaus nodded to himself and turned and left, leaving Cami standing there, confused as to what just happened.

Caroline glanced around at the merchants on the street, after her talk with Hayley she just really felt like she needed to take a walk and clear her head. Walking amongst the residence of New Orleans was pleasant. It was so different from Mystic Falls and it was eye-opening. There was so much more of the world out there and one day she wanted to see all of it.

She turned down a street and was surprised to see Klaus walking toward her. "Hey," she smiled when they reached each other.

"I thought you went back to the compound for a shower?" Klaus looked her over in her green blouse, blue jean jacket, and a black mini skirt. "I'm assuming the change of clothes meant that you did but why are you not there now?"

"I felt the need to go out for a walk, we spent all day handling vampire business, I thought I see what else the city had to offer." Caroline shrugged.

"What do you say about going for a drink then, Love?" Klaus' lips pulled into an enticing grin.

"That sounds really good. Do you know of a good place around here?" Caroline asked.

"I do," he fell into step with her placing a hand on her lower back to lead the way. Caroline barely even noticed the way she leaned into his touch but Klaus did and he relished in it.

Twenty minutes later Caroline and Klaus ended up in a small jazz bar. It was in a rundown area part of the city but the place itself was nicer than Caroline had been expecting.

There were leather brown booths, tables, dim lighting, a piano off to the side and a small stage where a jazz band was playing.

Klaus led her to the bar a hand on her lower back. "Two shots of your finest bourbon." Klaus slapped a hundred onto the bar top. "Keep the change."

The bartender accepted his money and quickly poured the drinks.

"Quite the day," Caroline commented as she took a seat at the bar just as their drinks were set in front of them.

"You could say that." Klaus turned his body to her. "Seeing you embrace who you are as a vampire is an experience I won't be forgetting."

Caroline gave a barely-there smile. "You want to know something I never told anyone before?"

Klaus straightened, she had his full focus. "What?"

"I sometimes like the feeling I get from being just a little bad. Killing if I'm being honest comes easy to me but I choose not to because I'm a good person and I don't want to be a monster."

"You could never be a monster," Klaus replied instantly.

"Thank you for saying it but I don't actually need to be told that," Caroline ran the pad of finger around the rim of her shot glass. "My point is I try really hard to be good all the time and it's not always easy to do the right thing."

Klaus was quiet for a moment. "I think you know by now that I very much like the person you are. You don't have to try to be good. I just want you to be exactly who you are."

"I always believed if you tried to change someone to be something you wanted them to be then you didn't truly like them for who they are."

"Is that why you never tried to change me?" Klaus had to ask. Even his family had tried to change him, wanting him to be the brother they wanted.

"Yes, if someone is going to change. It should be for their self and no one else." Caroline responded.

Klaus nodded and lifted his glass to his lips. "Earlier you spoke up against my choice to have the wolves hunted by the vampires? After today do you still feel the same?"

"Yes, I don't believe every wolf out there should have to die," Caroline answered. "You know Hayley came to me asking me to get you to call off the vampires?"

"And is this you trying to convince me?" Klaus questioned, if it was she was being pretty straight-forward about it.

"This is me telling you I don't believe every wolf out in the bayou deserves to die," Caroline repeated, taking a drink from her shot glass.

"You're right, they don't. But if the vampires believe I'm for the wolves, that I would create a hybrid army with the blood of my children. They are always going to be in danger."

"You're protecting them the only way you know you can without endangering them." Caroline realized.

"Except now Elijah and Rebekah have brought it to my attention that it's not just Hayley's pack out there but mine." Emotion flickered in his eyes.

"Your pack? As in your family?" Caroline questioned in surprise.

"My father's pack. Apparently, they heard the story of a wolf of their line who became a hybrid and set out to find me?"

"But now their being hunted by the vampires like Hayley's pack," Caroline concluded.

"I went to father Kieran, made a deal for him to shelter them," Klaus admitted. "It's all I can do. I can't have the vampires turning against me."

"Looking at it from all perspectives, I can see where you're coming from with the wolf hunt and wanting to protect the twins. I can even see where you're coming from about protecting your wolves and keeping the vampires from turning against you." Caroline admitted with a conflicted look.

"But?" Klaus could sense a but coming.

"I don't like it. Any of it." Caroline told him point blank. "It's great that you're at least trying to protect your wolves after sending a vampire hunting party out to the bayou and I know you did it to protect the twins. I guess, it just all really sucks. Almost everything about today sucked."

Klaus stood downing his drink and then he downed hers.

"Hey! That was mine." Caroline protested.

"Come on," Klaus held his hand out to her.

Caroline looked at his hand then placed hers in his and walked them out onto the dance floor.

"Oh," Caroline slid her hand up to his shoulders as he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her impossibly close. "Is dancing supposed to make this day suck less?"

"No," Klaus stared back at her. "I just wanted to dance with you."

"Is that why you chose this place?" Caroline wondered.

Klaus smirked. "Yes, in part,"

"And the other part?" Caroline asked.

"I wanted to take you somewhere I have never taken anyone else to. This has been here longer than most people realize and it has always been one of my favorite places when I want to leave everyone else behind."

"Yet you brought me here?" Caroline murmured, wrapping an arm around his neck.

"I would never leave you behind," Klaus swore.

Caroline smiled, tightening her arm around his neck, she tugged him down until his mouth met hers.

Klaus slid his mouth over hers slowly at first his hand sliding up her back to tangle in her hair while the other gripped her hip.

Caroline moaned from the back of her throat as his tongue slid into the wet caverns of her mouth, his tongue sliding against her own slowly, enticingly. She arched closer, pressing her chest against his, her hands grasping at his neck, giving herself over completely.

Her right leg lifted curling around his calf, trying to draw him closer, desire surging through her.

Klaus groaned his hand traveling from her hip, lower to the curve of her ass, pushing her tightly against him and his rapidly hardening erection. It didn't matter to him that they were in a bar filled with people.

He groaned in complaint when Caroline suddenly drew back from their kiss.

She cupped his face in her hands, her blue eyes filled with want, had turned a dark sapphire blue. "Klaus."

Heat surged through Klaus. The last time he heard her say his name in that tone was the one and only night they slept together. It was filled with want and longing and just the sound of it shot right down to his dick, feeling it twitch in the tight confines of his pants.

Caroline knew what she was asking him without saying the words and God, she hoped he got it because she wasn't sure she was capable of explaining what she wanted from him at this exact moment when her body was thrumming with desire.

Klaus's hand in her hair slid back down her back, and wrapped around her waist completely, his hand curling around her rib.

Caroline felt the air shift mere seconds before her back was being pressed against a brick wall, the sounds of the bustling streets nearby, she barely had time to take in the fact that they were suddenly in the back alley behind the jazz bar before he was kissing her again, his mouth devouring hers.

Heat washed over, she glided her hands up his back, over his shoulders, and into his hair, fingers scratching at the base of his neck.

Klaus' hands were everywhere, running over her arms across her collar bone, gliding down her torso, circling her hips and further down, past the edge of her skirt only stopping once he reached the hem of her black mini skirt, fingers grazing her bare skin, slipping beneath the fabric.

Caroline felt every nerve in her body come alive with his touch and arched her back, her hips pressing against his, feeling his hardness pressing against her through the fabric of his jeans.

She ran one hand down his back, slipping it in his back pocket, and pressed him tighter against her, grinding against him.

Klaus ripped his mouth from her, his lips kissing down the underside of her jaw down to the juncture of her neck, sucking the flesh into his mouth.

His hand slid up higher beneath her skirt, curling around her thigh, hiking it higher up his leg.

Caroline tilted head back against the brick wall as his tongue trace a path across her collarbone, noting that the spot they were in was secluded enough that no one would see them. It was all about a matter of not being loud.

And, yes, she was considering having sex in an alley. That was how much she needed Klaus at that moment.

Klaus slid his hand from her thigh further up and cupped her clothed sex, feeling how damp her laced panties were, the smell of her arousal reaching his nose. Her scent, the feel of her, the sounds she was making was all like a sirens call to a man lost adrift at sea.

He wanted to bury himself inside her but he didn't want to push. He wanted it to be her decision.

He let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding when he felt her hands tugging at his belt buckle. "Are you sure about this?"

Caroline's eyes shot to him. "I'm sure I want you. Here, right now." She unfastened his belt and with nimble fingers undid his pants, pulling the zipper down and slipping her hand inside, fingers curling around him.

Klaus groaned, watching her grip him. "Tell me you're not going to regret this."

"I won't." The hand in his hair slid down his neck, placing it over his heart. "I want this. With you. The last time we did this. We argued. It was the heat of the moment. This, right now, while yes, it's the heat of the moment, it's not just that. It's about giving into what I want."

"And what do you want, love?" Klaus murmured, cupping her cheek.

"You. Now." Her fingers tightened around him.

Klaus was hoping she would say that. He curled both hands around her thighs and lifted her bracing her against the wall and his body, he reached beneath her skirt and tugged sharply at her panties, the fabric tearing effortlessly, he pulled it from her body.

Caroline gasped, not expecting for him to literally rip her underwear. And why was that so hot?

A fresh wave of lust hit her and she tightened her hand around him, pushing his jeans and briefs down just enough to free him.

Caroline wrapped one arm around his neck and reached between them with the other aligning him up with her entrance.

"Caroline." Klaus groaned as he pushed the just head of his cock forward.

Caroline let out a breath releasing her grip on his hard shaft and looped her arm around his neck with her other one, locking her eyes with his she used his shoulders for leverage, and rose up just enough and then sunk down on him, until he bottomed out inside of her, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, her heels digging into his ass.

Klaus' eyes widened, the feel of her wrapped around him, so perfect.

Caroline's lips parted on a silent moan, clenching around him.

"Fuck." Klaus groaned at the sensation of her gripping his cock buried deep inside of her.

"That's the idea." Caroline breathed, eyes clouded over with lust as she rocked against him, using his shoulders for leverage to ride him.

Klaus tightened his hands on her thighs, pulling his hips back before thrusting upwards as she came back down.

A cry of pleasure tore from her mouth as Klaus started to honestly drive up into her, his hands digging into the sensitive flesh of her thighs

She moaned rather loudly circling her hips, feeling the pleasure coursing through her taking her closer and closer to the edge of bliss that only the gratification of great sex could bring.

The sounds of her moans were intoxicating and Klaus reveled in hearing her cry out in pleasure because of him, but with every thrust, every deep plunge inside her welcoming heat, she grew louder and louder. The last thing he wanted was for someone to interrupt them because they followed the sound of it.

His mouth covered hers swallowing those beautiful sounds as he felt her tighten, clenching down as she came around him.

He savored it, even as he felt a tingle at the base of his spine, his hips losing rhythm, wanting to commit this moment to his memory, every vivid detail. How tight she was, the way she clenched around him, the soft velvet feel of her, her hot breath washing over him, the feel of her lips against his, the warm cavern of her mouth, the feel of her body completely wrapped around him, the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

He thrust up sharply, one hand moving to grasp her ass as he buried himself in her as deep as he could, pleasure washing over him as he came hard.

He ripped his mouth from hers and buried his face in her neck, groaning deeply from his chest.

Caroline slid her hands into his hair, holding him to her as she breathed heavily.

They could've been like that for minutes, hours for all they knew. It was like time had just stopped for them and they just stayed wrapped up in each other another until Klaus eventually slid out of her and gently set her back onto her feet, though he didn't step away from her as he tucked himself back into his jeans.

Caroline brushed a hand down her skirt and ran a hand through her hair. "God, that was…"

Klaus looked at her, holding his breath.

"That was really great, amazing even." Caroline finished, smiling widely, her eyes shining with satisfaction.

A surprise huff of laughter escaped Klaus and he surged forward, pressing a hard kiss to her lips.

God, he loved her more than he thought it was possible for a man like him to love. Before Caroline came along he didn't think himself capable of loving someone the way he did her.

"Look, things are good with your brother right now." Marcel had met Rebekah in The Garden cellar like they had planned however today hadn't gone like the way he expected it to. "He wants to run things with me - as partners. But if we keep meeting like this behind his back... You said it yourself, whatever it takes to stay alive."

"Oh, this is about survival, is it?" Rebekah challenged angrily sitting down. "If you were this pathetic a liar with my brother, I'm surprised he hasn't killed you already."

"Come on, Rebekah…" Marcel pleaded.

"The only reward anyone ever gets for loving Niklaus is suffering and death. You're choosing him over me, aren't you?" she glared, fighting back the hurt rising in her chest. "Again."

"Rebekah, I got people to look out for," he sat down beside Rebekah. "and Klaus is offering me a chance to do that. With Davina working her magic against the witches, and an Original by my side, that's not something I can just turn my back on. Not even for you."

"When you were reliving history with my brother, did you happen to revisit what came next in 1919? Or have you forgotten our little secret?" Rebekah asked, a threat laced beneath the words. "I know the words that will make him hate you forever. Remember that when you're embracing your new "family"."

Hayley stood on the balcony, taking a moment to herself, feeling like she failed her wolves. She turned at the sound of approaching footsteps, relaxing at the sight of Elijah. "Are they..?" she trailed off.

"They're safe. All of them." He smiled at her.

Hayley breathed a sigh of relief and threw her arms around him and Elijah returned it.

"Thank you." she pulled back. "What you did, Elijah, it means a lot."

Elijah noticed Hayley's bare shoulder and her crescent moon birthmark. "You should keep this covered up."

"I will," Hayley replied, knowing now the target it painted on her back.

"If any of the others saw this…" Elijah cautioned.

"I promise," Hayley swore to him, keeping her eyes on his.

"I should go," Elijah said, feeling a pull to her that he knew he should ignore.

Hayley's eyes fell to Elijah's lips, she wanted to kiss him.

Elijah struggled to step away from her, his attraction to her at the surface, it didn't help with the way she was looking at him but by some miracle, he didn't give in.

"Right." Hayley murmured, watching as he walked away from her.

Klaus glanced down, his fingers laced with Caroline as they walked into the courtyard of the abattoir heading toward the flight of stairs however his steps slowed when he noticed Elijah.

"Haven't you had your fill of telling me all the ways I've disappointed you, Elijah?" Klaus groused his good mood evaporating.

Elijah found his gaze drawn to Caroline and Klaus's hands, clasped firmly together. When was the last time he ever seen Niklaus do something so simple, so mundane as holding the hand of a pretty girl?

"Well, there is something important we neglected to discuss," he said, raising his eyes back to his brother and then settling them on Caroline. "I owe you an apology Miss Forbes my brother brought it to my attention that I have treated you unfairly and I cannot say that he is wrong. I haven't been the most welcoming to you."

Caroline was honestly surprised by his sudden apology. She glanced at Klaus quickly, finding him watching his brother with an expression that told him one wrong word and he would regret it. Slowly she turned her gaze back to Elijah.

"Since meeting you I've only seen you as a girl my brother has chosen to pass the time with. It didn't occur to me that you meant more to him and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have belittled your importance as someone he cares about or an individual the way that I did." Elijah said sincerely.

Elijah hadn't thought much of her until he saw them walking hand in hand and the look on his brother's face was completely unguarded. It was as if Niklaus felt he didn't need to put up walls and protect himself for once and that..that was a revelation to see, to acknowledge.

"Thank you for apologizing," Caroline said, she still didn't really like him but maybe in time she would warm up to him.

"I also want to apologize for when we were first formally introduced when I invaded your mind. I know how much it bothered you. I'll be honest I overheard your talk with Niklaus about what Damon put you through and can't imagine having someone invade your privacy against your will help matters."

Caroline tense at the mention of Damon and she pulled her hand from Klaus's wrapping her arms around herself like a shield and Klaus stepped closer to her, instinctively, wanting, needing to surround her with the protection, the assurance his presence could provide.

"I'm truly sorry for that," Elijah said remorsefully.

Caroline nodded. "I appreciate that but I don't ever want to talk about it." Not with him. Not with anyone. It had been hard enough for her when she had opened up to Klaus about it. She just wanted to put it behind her.

Caroline turned, unfolding her arms, she placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to give you guys a moment." She stepped forward, placing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, her hand sliding down his cloth chest as she took a step toward the stairs.

Klaus watched her walk up the flight of stairs before turning back to Elijah, his expression guarded.

"Niklaus, I owe you an apology as well." Elijah took a step toward her brother. "I accused you of having ulterior motives regarding the twins. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"I imagine that must have been hard for you to say," Klaus responded.

"You don't make it easy to love you, brother," Elijah informed him with a frown.

"And yet, you're obstinate in your desire to do so," said Klaus, sometimes he didn't understand his brother. Elijah claimed what a chore it was to love him yet he continuously fought for him to be a better man. "When you're ready, should you be so inclined, both you and Rebekah are welcome to join me and Caroline, here. It is, after all, our family home."

Klaus turned, walking up the stairs. "Though, I'm afraid Rebekah has some fences to mend if she does return."

Elijah said nothing watching as Klaus disappeared up the stairs.

The offer to return to their family home tempting.

Cami had her bags packed and was all set and ready to leave New Orleans and moved on with her life when a knock sounded on her front door. Cami moved toward it, swinging it open to reveal and upset looking Davina.

"Cami, I need your help." Davina rushed out. "Marcel has been lying to me, and I can't trust him anymore."

Cami looked at her surprised. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

"Oh, you've been compelled." Davina realized and let herself into Cami's apartment, closing the door behind Cami.

"Ok, what are you doing?" Cami asked utterly confused. It wasn't every day a complete stranger came barging into her apartment.

"It's ok. I can fix you." Davina focused on Cami intently. "I'm really sorry, but this is gonna hurt." Davina held out her hand toward Cami, focusing her magic.

She was able to removed from Josh. She was determined to do the same for Cami.

Cami collapsed to the floor crying out in pain, grabbing at her skull with her hands, fingers digging into her scalp from the agony.

Klaus made the familiar path to his room, he paused however when he saw Caroline leaning against her bedroom doorway which was next to his own room. "I'm starting to think every talk between you and your siblings are intense."

Klaus gave a small chuckle, stopping in front of her. "Oh, that was nothing. No one got their necks snapped. No one got daggered."

"Your family is so dysfunctional," Caroline responded, reaching for his hand and playing with his fingers.

"Speaking of my family, are you okay with them taking me up on my offer to stay here?" Klaus wondered.

"Would it matter if I was opposed to it?" Caroline questioned. "I mean, it's their home, it's your home."

Klaus lifted his hand to her cheek, fingers sliding into her hair. "It's your home too, now, Caroline."

Caroline's lips pulled into a smile. "I'm fine with it though I can't say I'll be very welcoming to either Rebekah or Elijah and speaking of your brother, did you tell him to apologize to me?"

"I might have had a word with him," Klaus confessed. "No one is going to disrespect you. Not even my family."

"I can stand up for myself but I do appreciate it." she lifted her arms, wrapping them around his neck. "Perhaps I could show you my appreciation," she said suggestively, her lips skimming across his stubble jaw. "If you're interested."

Klaus wrapped one arm around her back and the other curled around her thigh, lifting her up as he stepped into her bedroom. "Interested?" Klaus repeated. "That shouldn't even be a question." he matched her wide smile with his own.

Caroline's bedroom door shut, closing on her laugh and the sound of Klaus murmuring her name like a prayer.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Reviews are encouraged!

Now, I'm gonna focus on getting over this stupid flu.