A/N: Hi, I know its been so long, but here I am. Thanks everybody for all your reviews and +alerts and the encouraging words, I love it, thanks. So sorry for the delay, here is the next installment. FYI - this doesn't really take into account TO as I haven't actually watched it...only the pilot really (that was featured in TVD, not the actual one) so sorry bout that people. Maybe when I find the courage to watch it, I will then integrate it into this story. So consider this an AU fic if you will. Enjoy.

Strong, Ageless, Fearless

Part II

"That being said, I can't let you go on a vendetta Caroline," he said sternly, quickly breaking what moment they'd had earlier. His ice cold demeanor pierced into her soul. She could tell him that she was on a vendetta and that there was nothing he could do about it...but then it would ruin the surprise.

It could ruin Klaus' perfect little image of himself, because he was the Original Hybrid. THE strongest of them all. He had to be told subtly about their new invincibility; in a way that made him feel safe and comfortable.

Not in anger and spite like she really wanted to right now.

Caroline closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then finally opened her eyes. She smiled. It was fake and he could tell it was too.

"What I have in mind won't affect what you have here, I just want to question him; that's all. My mom was taken from me Klaus. My last blood relative that I care about," she said softly and with more emotion at the end of her speech.

Her blue orbs glistened in the fading light of the sun as it began to tuck away under the earth. He could see the emotion in her eyes; her silent plead for him to accept.

He regretted the way he'd spoken to her, after all, she had next to nobody now. Just her friends and him. And he would be there for her but he also couldn't let her ruin what he had here either.

"Even if I let you do this Caroline, you're no match for Marcel. He has many years on you, love-"

"Don't worry about that, Klaus. Just...will you please just let me question him? I promise I won't involve you," she said with more urgency this time.

She was clenching her fists, not understanding why he wouldn't just say yes. And that was when she realised that he'd lied to her. She wasn't his only romantic interest anymore and it was apparent more than ever now because she couldn't twist his arm like she used to be able to. He'd lied about how he wasn't happy and lied about how he'd wait.

He wouldn't. Not anymore. He was a liar, he always had been. He was Klaus...and somewhere along the way, she'd forgotten that.

"You're not listening, sweetheart. You're no match for him-"

Caroline turned and began to walk toward the path back to the city. "Don't worry," she said quietly, for fear that he'd hear the weakness in her voice. "Say yes and I promise I will make sure that I'm protected. He won't be able to lay a finger on me, that I promise."

"Caroline," he said suspiciously, grabbing her arm and causing her to snap her head back at him. She looked down at the hand on her arm, feeling the anger begin to rise and then she looked up at him.

"If you were me, you'd do the same. And you wouldn't wait to ask my permission. You wouldn't care who you terrorized, after all, you made my own boyfriend bite me back in Mystic Falls, just to suit your own selfish needs!" she screamed, yanking her arm away.

Klaus stared at her with a frown upon his face, wondering what was happening. Had he just become the opposite to what he'd been in Mystic Falls? On the good side?

"Caroline-"

"I'm never going to die, Klaus, never! I have to live for eternity, never dying, never being able to hold on to anyone mortal. I wanted mom to be around for just a little while longer, she was too young to die," exclaimed Caroline as tears streamed down her face. "I don't want to be the bad guy, I just want to ask him a few things. I'm not going to kill him, I promise. But whether you like it or not, I'm going to do it. I'm just being a better bad guy than you ever were."

And then his anger began to rise too.

"Sweetheart, I like you and you're beautiful, but I won't allow you to ruin what I've achieved here. I will-"

"What?! What will you do?!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed from anger. "Try and kill me, I dare you."

Klaus opened his mouth to retort, but it was then that he realised how easily she seemed to be giving away her life and he knew that he could never do as she asked.

His eyes darted away from her for a second, but when he looked back up, she was gone.

Klaus stared at the empty road where Caroline had been standing a few moments ago. He knew that what she said was true and it was almost like they had switched positions. But it couldn't be true...no, he was the evil one. That hadn't changed, had it?

She was hurt and upset and he knew that she had a right to be. But Marcel would kill her, he knew he would and he couldn't allow that either.

OOO-OOO

Elena had caught her leaving this time. Caroline always managed to sneak out but this time, Elena was in the lounge room waiting for her.

"What are you doing Caroline? I thought we didn't keep secrets from each other," said Elena with a slight pout. Her chocolate orbs scrutinized Caroline, trying to work out what her friend had been up to.

Caroline sighed and dropped her small backpack to the ground.

"I know...this is a small project. Its one I don't want you involved in. I didn't tell you because you have enough on your plate and you're finally living your life and you're happy!" said Caroline with a small smile.

The two stood in the lounge room with their hands on their hips, staring at each other.

"You still haven't told me what it is you sneak off to do. Someone at the bar mentioned that you go there sometimes at night, why's that, Caroline?" questioned Elena, her expression now full of worry and a little bit of hurt was mixed in it too.

Caroline contemplated lying, but what was the point? She'd learned that keeping things from people never worked because it always came out in the end.

"A while ago, I heard a rumour that a man named Marcel was involved in my mom's death," said Caroline, already feeling the relief of finally confiding in someone about it.

The cogs in Elena's brain began to click, because it was then that she realised the whole reason why Caroline had been so agreeable when she'd asked to come visit here was because of this information. Elena knew that things had gotten awkward before in Mystic Falls with Klaus because he left town and it didn't look like he'd expected a visit from Caroline.

Caroline had mentioned a few times that she hadn't really wanted to see him and then even after knowing that he was in New Orleans and that Elena wanted to go there, Caroline had agreed. She'd said it was for her but now that she was thinking about it; it wasn't for Elena. It never had been.

"I understand why you came here, but why didn't you say anything?" questioned Elena, still hurt that Caroline couldn't confide in her.

Caroline shook her head, walking forward to grab Elena's shoulder's, but Elena pulled away suddenly.

"B-because you were struggling Elena!" exclaimed Caroline, slightly louder than she'd intended.

Elena's eyes widened. "No...no I wasn't-"

"You were and sometimes you still are," said Caroline, more softly this time. Her eyes clouded in pity and empathy. "I didn't tell you because I was trying to keep my grief away from you, so you'd be happy for once."

Elena knew what Caroline was saying was sound and thoughtful. But it just made her feel guilty. She sighed and walked toward Caroline, grabbing her hand and guiding themselves over toward the couch.

Caroline turned the TV on, at a background level, and lifted her arms up as Elena laid her head on Caroline's lap comfortably. Elena's head was turned so she could watch the TV but not really watch it. Her legs were lying lazily along two couch cushions of their massive corner couch.

"We're just too young to handle stuff like this," said Caroline, after a few moments of comfortable silence. She began to play with Elena's perfect silky hair.

Her blue orbs stared toward the window as they hadn't actually closed the curtains yet. She wondered what would have happened if Stefan and Damon hadn't come into their lives, but she knew that they couldn't live without them. Not ever.

"Yeah, maybe," said Elena absently as silent tears ran down her cheeks.

Caroline felt her legs getting damp and held back her own, for Elena's sake.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just wanted you to enjoy yourself. You're happy with Damon at the moment and to be honest, I haven't found out much," said Caroline.

She felt Elena twist her body so that her back was on the couch and she was looking up at Caroline.

"I'm sorry about your mom, Care. I know its probably not comforting, but, at least you have me and Stefan...and Damon!" said Elena, adding Damon on the end.

Caroline cocked one of her eyebrows. "Damon? Really?" and then they both burst out laughing.

It made it easier, if only for a little while.

An hour or so later of watching TV, Caroline got up to head to bed.

"I'm seeing Marcel tomorrow," said Caroline as she turned before walking through the bedroom door. Stefan and Damon were probably going to be out all night, so she could use Stefan's room today.

"Caroline, is that a good idea? I've sort of been out of the loop with what Damon and Stefan have been doing with Klaus but won't that cause a rift between Klaus and Marcel?" asked Elena with concern in her voice.

Caroline shook her head. "Why do people think that I'm going to destroy everything by having a little chat with him? I won't hurt him, I won't threaten him...well, only if he makes me. I just want to know, Elena. I can't let this slide, I can't let her death mean nothing. Someone did this to her and I'm going show them my feelings about that."

Elena recognised the darkness in her voice. She may not have turned it off like Elena had first suspected, however, she was on a vendetta for revenge and it wouldn't end well.

OOO-OOO

Elijah left Hayley at Klaus' mansion and headed toward town. It was time Caroline started working for him, as he had kept his end of the deal thus far. He pulled out his phone and began to start texting her.

Frustrated at fumbling with the small keys, he decided to call instead. He was a traditionalist and would never understand 'texting' really.

"Caroline," he said politely.

"Err, hi," whispered Caroline. "Its a bit early isn't it?"

Elijah smiled. Young people these days. "Not really. I would get used to it if I were you, since I have a job for you."

There was a distinct pause on the other line. "I thought we were gonna start small, since I don't know you-"

"This is small. But I have kept my end of the deal. I've said nothing to Klaus nor anyone for that matter about your little...situation. I'm a man of honor and I will never tell a single soul, however, if you do not do this then that will change things. I'm sure you don't want that Caroline, do you?"

He heard her sigh. "Fine, I'll do it."

"Excellent," smiled Elijah, feeling elated at getting what he wanted. "Meet me at Niklaus' mansion at say...an hour?"

"Fine. But don't you dare let anyone know I'm working with you," she snapped suddenly.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

OOO-OOO

Caroline got off the phone and placed it on the bedside table. She then rolled back onto her pillow and sighed audibly.

Just as her thoughts began to drift about her situation with Klaus' older brother, she heard rustling next to her. She frowned and turned to see that Stefan had made his way home last night.

She delicately tried to escape the bed without disturbing Stefan, however, he'd been watching the whole time. In fact, he'd been awake and listening to her breathing for some time now.

He was enjoying her company over the past few months which was odd because he shouldn't be. His dark orbs watched her every move as she got out of the bed unceremoniously, seeing how he was awake, and she strode over toward her vanity to grab her hair brush.

He noticed how she was barely wearing shorts and a brown coloured tank top. He remembered a time when it was uncouth for women to show that much skin; even their undergarments used to be modest.

But then again, sometimes, he liked that. It made women so much more free and wild.

"..earth to Stefan," exclaimed Caroline. She stared at him through the reflection of the mirror at the vanity she was sitting at.

She stopped mid-brush and turned to roll her eyes at him. "Have you been listening?"

Stefan simply smiled cheekily and Caroline smirked. "I have some stuff to do today...I can't help you-"

"Don't you mean you don't want to speak to Klaus?" asked Stefan as he turned to face the ceiling with his arms behind his head boredly.

Caroline frowned and then shook her head. "Um, no. And since when would I want to speak to him. I don't speak to jerks who say they are people's 'friends' but aren't really and then lie about their feelings and intentions. So yes, you're right. I don't want to speak to him...ever."

And with that unwanted and unexpected speech, she stormed out of the room to shower.

Stefan regarded her retreating form until she was completely out of his sight. He was starting to like her...just a little.

OOO-OOO

"Ah we meet again, Caroline," drawled Hayley.

Caroline walked through the door that Hayley held open for her, with her head up high and ignored the wolf's tone.

"Where's Elijah?" asked Caroline, not really wanting to engage in small talk with her rival/enemy.

Hayley looked at her with a raised eyebrow and Caroline suppressed her bitterness at the fact that Hayley was free to roam Klaus' home, like she owned the place.

But she couldn't complain. Hayley was the mother of his child, of course she belonged there.

Hayley eyed Caroline as the blonde turned in a small circle in search of Elijah, her curly blonde locks bouncing with every movement.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Hayley, now over their little rivalry bout. She walked with authority over toward Caroline and stopped a bit behind her.

Caroline turned and finally took a good look at the wolf. She was in relatively good shape, despite the fact that she'd given birth. She could definitely see the curves that pregnancy had caused, but overall, she was a lucky one.

"Not to see you, that's for sure," snapped Caroline in annoyance as she folded her arms over her chest, and in turn, Hayley placed a hand on her hip as her anger began to rise.

Both women glared at each other.

"Actually, that's not entirely true," said a voice from the stairs above.

They looked up to see Elijah making his way down the stairs gracefully, as he always was. His eyes penetrated Hayley's for a moment, and she smiled; blushed even.

And then his cold brown orbs focused on Caroline. He still was unsure about her but if things worked out well, she would become his greatest asset.

Caroline narrowed her eyes and proceeded to the bottom of the stairs to scrutinize Elijah. She looked up at him as he proceeded toward the bottom and moved out of the way as he made his way over to Hayley.

Finally he turned and faced Caroline again. "I asked you here for a favour," said Elijah carefully, knowing that he couldn't reveal Caroline's secret to Hayley.

"Yeah and what is that exactly?" asked Caroline as her narrowed eyes went from Elijah to Hayley suspiciously.

She had an inkling as to what he was about to ask her and as soon as she made the connection her eyes widened. "No...no no, fucking no!" she exclaimed as she turned and proceeded toward the door.

Before her hands could even touch the door knob, Elijah was in front of her, with a knowing smile upon his face. "Yes, Caroline, you will."

Hayley was confused. The two vampires seemed to be talking in riddles. "What is going on? Elijah?"

This prompted Elijah to smile and walk back over toward Hayley. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and looked over at Caroline whom was watching him closely from the front door.

"Miss Forbes is your bodyguard, at least, I'm hoping she will be. I want to trial this arrangement tonight at the ball," said Elijah, causing Hayley to look up at him incredulously.

"What?! No Elijah, this is a bad idea. She won't guard me, she's the one that will kill me-"

"Shush now, she will guard you, that I promise," said Elijah as he pointedly looked over toward Caroline, warning her to do as he asked.

Hayley frowned. Just what was going on? Why was Elijah recruiting Caroline Forbes of all people?

"What's going on Elijah?" asked Hayley with a sigh. She turned and looked up at him.

Elijah placed his gentle hands upon her shoulders. "Don't worry. You need this, I can't protect you at all hours of the day. You know what happened while you were carrying Klaus' child and now that you have given birth you're just as vulnerable. You are the mother of his child and you are a weakness to him," explained Elijah, with slight contempt in his voice.

Caroline watched on intensely, realising that what Elijah said was true. Klaus did care for her and she was a weakness. Or is. She was slightly bitter but it wasn't Hayley's fault. No. It was Klaus' fault. It was always his fault.

She looked away for a moment and turned toward the door. "I'll do it," she said quietly, but didn't wait for a response as she disappeared out the door.

Elijah watched on. Was that sadness upon her face? Well it didn't matter now, he got what he wanted.

Hayley was still looking at the door where Caroline had been standing with a frown upon her face. But when she looked back up at Elijah, she smiled.

Yes, he was doing as he promised. He was protecting her.

OOO-OOO

Caroline waltzed in the bar with confidence and placed herself onto a bar stool as she took in her surroundings. It was day time, so there wasn't a lot of customers and they mainly only came for the meals.

"Can I get you something?" asked the bar maid.

Caroline turned in her seat and as she set her eyes upon the woman behind the bar, the woman's eyes widened in surprise. Caroline frowned at this, but thought nothing of it at the time.

"Yeah. I need to talk to Marcel, I heard that he frequents this place a bit-"

"No," said the blonde bartender bluntly.

Caroline raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? No as in-"

"No one can just see Marcel," said the woman, not trying to be rude, but trying to get Caroline to understand.

Caroline shook her head and leaned over with her elbows sitting on the bar. "Look, could you just tell me where he hangs out and I'll go there myself," smiled Caroline with that fake smile she loved to wear.

The woman frowned, obviously thinking about her request.

"He's comes back here tonight, usually," said the girl as she picked up a glass and began to dry it quickly, before placing it down next to all the other dry tumblers.

"I haven't seen you before, what's your name?" asked the barmaid.

Caroline leaned back as she collected her handbag with the intention to leave. She got off her stool and proceeded toward the door.

"Caroline," she smiled.

The barmaid knew who she was, but now she had confirmation.

OOO-OOO

She felt like an idiot in the bar by herself. It wasn't her thing usually to go to bars on her own, but she couldn't let Elena know what she was planning. She looked at her watch and realised she only had an hour before she had to get to Klaus' mansion to be with Hayley for the rest of the night.

And then she spotted the man she needed to see. Of course he had his 'posse' with him at all times. She shook her head and ran using her vampire enhanced speed until she was in front of him.

His eyes widened but as he drunk in her form slowly and obviously, he became pleased with her presence.

"Ah, you must be Caroline," Marcel said with a playful smirk as his eyes finally rested on her beautiful face.

She noticed Marcel held his 'friends' back as the walked to stand in front of their King, it seems that he wasn't scared of her.

"Yes. Why is it that everyone knows who I am in this town?" she asked rhetorically, not really expecting an answer.

Marcel smiled. "Because I'm the King here and I know who comes and who goes. I especially know if a young, hot supernatural previous fling of Klaus' turns up on my doorstep," said Marcel, showing his authority so that she knew to whom she was talking to.

But of course she knew who she was talking to.

"Of course, except I'm not a previous fling," she said with a small (fake) smile. Klaus must have told Marcel about her, but why?

Caroline didn't realise how this town worked, at least, not yet.

Finally, after ten minutes of shameless flirting, she got him and his posse upstairs as she'd planned, however, as she turned a corner to get to their 'meeting room' her eyes widened in surprise.

There, behind the mini bar, was Klaus.

She couldn't let Marcel see her surprise so she turned and smiled.

"Surprised to see me, love?" asked Klaus as he poured himself a bourbon and proceeded toward the lounge.

Caroline smiled as her eyes gazed around the room. It was like a conference room a bit, except with a bar and a lounge, with a large table at knee level for beverages etc. It was all a bit modern, even if the occupants of the room were born years before she was.

The colour scheme was not to her liking, however, it was modern with no expense being spared. But enough of thoughts of decorating, she was on a mission and she would not fail.

"Not in the slightest," she murmured, narrowing her blue orbs at him before turning toward Marcel whom was now unnecessarily close to her.

"Klaus said you had something to ask me; that true?" asked Marcel as he looked down at her with a charming smile.

His 'inner circle' were placing themselves on the couch, but kept watchful eyes on Caroline and their King. Klaus was sitting on the lounge with his feet lazily lifted up on top of the lounge table, however, he was also watching them from the corner of his eye.

Caroline nodded. She absently wondered if she could contain her anger long enough so that she didn't show Klaus her new abilities.

"I'll get to the point, as I have prior engagements," she said her expression now serious to show this was business.

Marcel nodded. "Good. I like a girl who doesn't beat around the bush," he said softly.

"Did you visit Mystic Falls this past year?" she asked.

Marcel looked taken aback by her question. "Why should I tell you? You're a baby compared to me and I'm the King," he said with confidence.

Caroline clenched her jaw and smiled. She cast her eyes over toward Klaus and knew she couldn't overpower him without anyone seeing.

"You're right, Marcel. You are the King. So how about you and I have a private little chat, surely there is a place around here just for you and me," she said with a cheeky wink.

Marcel took the bait and pulled her toward a small room through the back. Yellow, werewolf eyes followed their every move before he clenched his glass a little harder than necessary. He looked at his shattered glass on the ground and realised what he'd done.

He had no right to be jealous or be territorial over Caroline but he hated seeing her with anyone, and tragically, he wanted her to be alone. Why did she have to do that? Whore herself to that man, knowing what he was planning and how he felt about Marcel.

Well two can play at that game. Damn helping her. He was going to get a drink downstairs, so if she ended up dead because she was too rash and impatient, then that was on her.

OOO-OOO

"I know that you were there," snarled Caroline as she held him against the wall with one hand against his throat. "You'll tell me the truth."

His brown orbs were enraged and full of confusion and fear.

Her retinas expanded and then retracted as she attempted to compel him. It was a stab in the dark that compulsion would work on him since she'd never been able to do it before, but if Klaus could do it, shouldn't she be able to?

"I was there," snapped Marcel as he squeezed her hand but she was too angry and caught up in the moment to feel it.

Her hip was cocked to one side and her left leg was forward, between his legs to ensure closeness and to make sure he wouldn't move far if he managed to get past her iron grip on his throat. She squeezed tighter but as she looked into his eyes, Caroline could see his retinas turning.

Someone had already compelled him. She felt annoyed now. How would someone have compelled him already? It couldn't have been one of the Originals, could it?

"Who's compelled you?" she demanded, her blue orbs flashed in rage.

Marcel frowned and she could see an inner turmoil within himself.

"N-no one-" he began, clearly struggling to not do as she asked too. But then his demeanor changed, and he was calm; smirking even. "-sometimes Caroline, its best to leave sleeping dogs lie. You don't want other people you care about to die either, do you? I'm better at this game; you've only just joined the party."

Caroline's eyes widened in surprise and incredulity. Who did that sound like? Definitely not Marcel, although, she didn't know him very well, however, it was definitely compulsion that he was under. She sighed, shaking her head at what a waste of time this had been.

"No violence happened tonight. I didn't attack you and we had a perfectly civil conversation. I asked you a few simple questions, you answered and we had some fun. Now you're going to go back to your friends and have a great night," she said before disappearing from the room.

Unbeknownst to her, none of the compulsion had worked. Marcel was unaware that the person who had compelled him had also compelled him to put a slight amount of vervain in his blood everyday, so someone like Caroline would think that he was able to be compelled.

And now Marcel was left with a bad after taste, one that he would soon get rid of. He didn't know what Caroline was, but no matter what Klaus said about her; she had to go.

OOO-OOO

She saw him at the bar with the woman from the other bar; the blonde that warned her about Marcel. And then it clicked, of course that was girl was Camille...the Camille.

She saw the way he looked at her and the way she looked at him. He was facing her direction but hadn't seen her yet and Camille's back was to her, so she didn't notice her presence. Plus, the bar was pretty full.

Without realising, her eyes began to water. Whether it be from a case of hurt feelings, jealousy, dread that she'd missed the train with him - she wasn't sure but it hurt to look on any longer.

It had been too long that she'd thought him as Klaus, the murderer, the guy that had evil plans and had no time for anything else; except her. He was a man after all.

She'd been a fool and she always had been when it came to men.

Caroline wiped her tears and shook her head at how immature and stupid she was being. She turned and walked out into the cool recently turned nightfall.

She closed her eyes as her stilettos hit the pavement and brushed her hands up and down her arms. It was a bit chilly.

Caroline turned left and walked down a dark alleyway. Never in a million years would she attempt this, if she weren't a vampire, however one, she was in a hurry to get to Elijah and two, she was strong and fearless.

As she continued to walk, she swore she heard footsteps above her on the rooftops. She stopped and looked up, but saw nothing.

She continued to walk when suddenly five figures surrounded her. Her tears had now dried up as she sobered from her weak moment back in the bar.

OOO-OOO

Of course he'd seen her, he wasn't blind. He'd noticed that she spotted him and he swore she held a look he'd never seen in her eyes before, at least, when it concerned him.

He listened to Camille's talk of her day. It usually held a lot of interest to him but today...there was just too many distractions.

If he let Caroline leave without explaining, without telling her why he just left her with Marcel like that, he knew he would regret it. They were friends at least, weren't they?

"I'm sorry love, I have to go back upstairs," he said suddenly.

Camille was taken aback but she knew he had to. She nodded and smiled; watching as he got up and walked toward the stairs.

However, once her gaze went elsewhere, he used his vampire speed to race out the front door.

He heard some of the hustle and bustle of the night life of the French Quarter, however, around the corner, he could hear that some of the night walkers had found some prey. When he heard Caroline's voice, he disappeared immediately.

OOO-OOO

"Marcel sends his regards," smiled one of the vampires.

Caroline was backed against the brick wall now, realising that her compelling didn't work on Marcel. She looked around her, making sure no one was around.

"But I'm just a baby. I'm just a girl," she said dramatically, with fake desperation in her eyes, trying to act her way out of it as a last resort.

They surrounded her, clearly checking her out.

"Hmm, yes, you are. A pretty one at that, but, the King has given us orders," said one of them.

Caroline constantly looked around her, making sure no one was coming.

"Fine," she said, before one of them lunged at her.

She quickly moved to the side but copped a punch to her cheek, sending her back into the wall. An audible crunch was heard and she yelped in pain.

Then another one, whom had a rusty pole in his hand, swung it and hit her in the jaw. She screamed as she flew to the side, sliding a bit and stopped next to some random bins.

She could feel her jaw slacken which mean he broke it. She got to her feet, noticing that blood covered some of her blonde locks and also her outfit. The leggings weren't a big deal, but the shirt? It was new and expensive...and a cream colour. When she'd seen it in the store yesterday, it was to die for. It had a square neckline, was tight fitted, hugging her form and had gaps in the back which revealed her back, but it was her new favourite. And now...it was ruined. Caroline narrowed her eyes at the vampires in front of her.

The blood from her wounds flowed like a river for a moment before the wound sealed itself and her jaw went back into place. Before they had a chance to try that again, she raced forward at vampire speed and elbowed one in the face and then snapped anothers neck.

However, she wasn't really trained in fighting and she didn't have a thousand years of practice, like the Originals. Two of them lunged forward. One of them grabbed her by the arm and the other held the pole, swinging it and hitting her in the upper chest.

She flew against the wall, shattering some bricks. As the vampire with the pole advanced forward to continue his work his eyes widened suddenly and then fell to the ground; dead.

The other three standing went to advance on the newcomer, however, after realising who it was, backed away.

Klaus stood with a heart in his hand. He disappeared and reappeared with his hands plunged through two of their chests. The last man standing held his hands up in surrender.

"If you kill me, Marcel will have your head-"

"You're not part of his inner circle, nor are you important. Besides, you won't live much longer," said Klaus with a small sinister smile. He slowly walked toward him, his hands and arms bloody from making quick work of Marcel's night walkers and his eyes glowing yellow from calm anger.

The vampire's eyes widened in fear, but before he could cry out or plead for his life, Klaus had already pulled his heart out. He turned to see Caroline on her feet already.

He rushed toward her, grabbing her cheeks in his hands as he did a quick once over with his eyes. It was all healing, he could hear and see that much.

He looked into her eyes and as blue met blue, he knew that it had been a foolish mistake for him to leave her with Marcel earlier, out of a jealous rage. She didn't deserve such treatment, she didn't deserve to be hurt like she'd been tonight.

"I'm so sorry, Caroline," he spoke softly.

Her eyes glistened in the moonlight, clearly tears had made their way to the surface.

And then she did something she'd never done and leaned into him. "Thank you," she sighed.

Klaus was surprised, but nonetheless, he wasn't going to waste this opportunity to hold her, so he put his arms around her small form with a hand wrapped in her hair and the other around her middle back.

"Shh sweetheart, its alright. I'm here," he said softly as he rested his cheek on hers.

She nodded and held him tight, her mind doing backflips about how much more pain she could have gone through, if not for him. Sure she was immortal and invincible now, but one against five? Even Klaus had been dessicated by three against one and although they wouldn't have been able to kill her, that didn't mean she didn't feel pain.

OOO-OOO

"...their bodies are nowhere to be found. Its like they disappeared," said one of his inner circle.

Marcel clenched his fist and stared blankly at the bar.

It was empty now since it was in the early hours of the morning. He'd expected word from his night walkers, but nothing. How could that baby vampire get the jump on them? She was probably older than one or two of them, but he knew for a fact that Walter was over sixty and Tim was fifty five.

Something else was going on here, unless...

Marcel's brown orbs found Klaus' blue ones from down at the end of the bar, with clear suspicion in his eyes. Marcel looked away and nodded at his friend.

"It seems we have a supernatural killer on our hands," said Marcel, a little louder than needed, as he got off the bar stool and walked down to Klaus.

"I suppose you could say that-"

"Not suppose, we do. You vouched for her and so, you will kill her, Klaus," smirked Marcel, enjoying the way Klaus' jaw tightened. He was clearly holding back from ripping his heart out, but Marcel knew that he couldn't.

It was no secret that Klaus was plotting against him, it was just a matter of when. It was enjoying to watch his master squirm because he knew he had the upper hand. No longer was he the street urchin that Klaus had saved from a whip and out of pity no less.

No. He was the master now; the King. He knew it hurt Klaus' ego to watch him rule the city that Klaus and his family had built and so every opportunity to make Klaus hurt and squirm was every bit enjoyable.

Klaus made a fake smile - the one he always held when he voiced threats and impending doom to those around him. "No. What makes you think she did this?" he snapped, his eyes narrowed.

"Because she's trouble," said Marcel, meeting Klaus eye to eye as he sat on a stool opposite and leaned in to show he was not afraid of Klaus one bit.

"She's hot and she's single and she's a newcomer. Did I mention she's beautiful? We had some fun last night-" smirked Marcel, causing Klaus to stiffen and clench his fists. "-but that was all it was."

That and the fact that she was strong. Too strong for a 'baby' as Klaus had been led to believe, but he'd keep that information up his sleeve for now.

It was clear that Klaus felt something for the girl, but really, how many women did his mentor need? It was time that he shared.

However, a certain blonde always came back to his mind. She was always there but he always managed to find a way to block her out. It was Klaus' fault that Rebecca had turned out the way she has; it was his fault that she was unpredictable and untrustworthy, because she couldn't trust anyone herself. Somehow her brother had made her twisted and deceitful with all the things he'd done to her.

But he supposed that being lonely for a long, long time could do that to a person.

OOO-OOO

Caroline had been lying on the couch in the dark for at least an hour since she got back from Klaus' mansion. But the whole night, after dealing with the awkward tension between herself, Hayley and Elijah, she had been trying to understand why her compulsion didn't work. Was it because she wasn't like Klaus and his family? Was it because Bonnie used the same spell that Qetsiya used on Silas and herself? No, that couldn't be it.

Marcel was on vervain, there was no other explanation.

So that was sorted. There was just one other thing that was on her mind now and that was the fact that Klaus had saved her...again. Why did he do it? Why did he always do it?

He had other people in his life now; Klaus himself had said that, so why save her? It was going to jeapardise his plans with Marcel, wasn't it? He himself had said that he didn't want trouble.

Why didn't he leave her to die?

Finally she got up, after realising she would never understand that man.

She put herself to bed, however, realised that Stefan had returned. Caroline frowned, since she didn't remember hearing him come back from what ever him and Damon did for Klaus.

She took off her clothes quickly, since Stefan seemed to be asleep, and then replaced her bloody t-shirt with a tank top and hopped into bed as quietly as possible.

"What are you doing up so late, Care?" groaned Stefan suddenly.

Caroline's eyes flew open in surprise and she turned to look at him.

"O-oh, I was just watching TV," she stuttered, realising she could only think of something lame and unbelieveable to say.

Stefan turned to look at her with disbelief clearly on his face. "Watching TV huh? Without sound?" he said with a smirk, knowing she was lying.

"Y-yes?" she said but it was more of a question.

"I don't care what you've been doing, but I do worry about you. Just be careful," he said before turning back around to face the wall.

Caroline nodded. "I am, its nothing, I promise." Liar.

A/N: Thats it for now. Thanks everyone. :)