Caroline was strong. She was confident. She was independent. She didn't need anyone but herself.

That's why she moved out.

Her bags were packed. Boxes were taped up and labelled. Her room was nearing empty. Everything was done. All she wanted was consent.

And Damon and Stefan were sure to keep that locked up tight.

"No."

That was Damon's response words to the whole idea.

"No, no, no, no, no. Did I mention no?"

Stefan remained silent, clasping his lips tight as he listened.

"But Damon-"

"No."

She stomped her foot as she looked to her other brother. "Stefan, please. Say something."

He was at a loss for words. Their baby sister was leaving them, leaving her protection. How could they send her off into that world alone? She wasn't ready...she couldn't be.

"I'm in charge!" Damon shouted. "When father died I was appointed head of this family. You answer to me, Caroline."

Hot tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head. "I don't care! I'm twenty years old I can do whatever I want!" She grabbed her purse and keys in an attempt to leave. But guards blocked the exits, keeping her confined in her cage. She felt like screaming.

"Go back to your room and we'll discuss this in the morning." Damon crossed his arms over his chest. He wouldn't let his power whittle just because his sister looked at him with puppy eyes. He would keep his ground firm. Everything he said was what was best for Caroline.

She stormed back upstairs. She couldn't believe them. Damon running his mouth like he was her father and Stefan not uttering a single word. She thought he had her back but instead he just watched numbly, not a single thought being expressed verbally. Caroline didn't understand. He said he would talk reason into Damon, that he would explain to him her plea.

But he didn't.

Caroline went through with her plans anyway. She arranged everything on her own. An apartment, a job, money and even transport. She used up her share of the family funds before they could even think of sucking her dry. Those were one of Damon's conditions. If she left, every cent would be taken away.

He flipped the lid when she simply shrugged.

Bonnie was coming by in an hour to pick her up. She only had a few pictures to stuff away before the time would come to leave.

Her heart swelled.

This would be her last day in this home. The home she grew up in, the home her mother and father once roamed happily. Their voices echoed in the hallways at night, haunted her dreams whenever her eyes closed. No one was ever the same after their deaths. The atmosphere changed in the house. The workers no longer smiled. Damon befriended a bottle of bourbon while Stefan practically became mute. And Caroline's voice diminished to barely a whisper.

Her father gave her a choice while Damon simply took it away. The rules changed. Things were bound tighter. Damon had no mercy. He was a fierce ruler, standing over his family so his shadow could cast far and high above them.

Stefan stayed in the side-lines as he stepped in as the role of puppet, with Damon his puppeteer. He did the family's dirty work, delivered the news that was too shaming for any man. But he did it happily because it was his father's wish. Everything was lined out in his will. He had a place for everyone...even for Caroline.

But Damon discarded it all. He skipped over the wishes as if they were nothing, not even there. His saw his baby sister as a child still, incapable of making decisions for herself. She was weak, fragile, and emotionally unstable. She doesn't know what she's getting herself into by this. And he knew she'd come running back to them. That's what he counted on.

She was heading out the door when his voice stopped her.

"Caroline, wait."

Stefan was rushing down the stairs, almost out of breath when he reached her.

"Stop."

Caroline halted at the threshold, two guards eyeing her suspiciously. A few servants scurried past her with bags in hand, heading out to the car to load them up. She saw Bonnie out front, head bowed to her phone as she typed away vigorously.

Two steps until freedom. Two steps.

And he caught her.

"What do you what?" She snapped, a little too harsh for her liking.

The guards watched them carefully, slowly closing the door in front of them.

"I'm sorry." Stefan blurted, his head hanging down in shame. "And even though you don't have Damon's blessing on this...you have mine."

Caroline looked at her brother in shock. Her lip quivered and the grip she had on her bag loosened. She tried keeping her stance, tried masking those emotions with nothing. He hurt her. She couldn't melt in his hands just because an apology was uttered. It wasn't that easy. Sorry doesn't change what was done.

She didn't move, she didn't speak.

"Just be safe, okay?" He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Don't talk to strangers."

A smile tugged at the end of her lips. "Thanks."

Stefan motioned for the guards to move. They reluctantly stepped aside as Caroline went to face the world alone. But something changed in her. She stood taller. Her face brightened. There was a certain flame that ignited in her heart.

Freedom.

They opened the cage doors.

She spread her wings and took her first steps to fly.

Niklaus Mikaelson leaned back into his chair, trying to ignore the constant jabbering of his assistant. The girl just talked and talked, never seeming to tire. His eyes winced. He took a small sip of the bourbon in his hand.

"Margret?"

She took a breath and stopped. "Yes?"

"Please leave."

A sigh escaped her lips. "But, sir, you don't understand. You have three meetings back to back today. I've scheduled lunch with your brother until three and your sister keeps calling the office. My answering machine is full of messages from her and..."

That's when he tuned her out.

Of all the assistants his brother could have chosen, he had to pick the most annoying. The girl wasn't even fun to look at. Thick, black glasses framed her face as knotted brown curls fell to her shoulders. Brunettes never did anything for him.

He preferred blondes.

She continued to babble when a knock sounded at the door.

"Brother." It was Elijah.

Klaus breathed a sigh of relief. "Please, come in."

"But you're not scheduled until twelve." Margaret interjected.

"Leave us. Now."

She quickly scurried away, shutting the door behind her.

Elijah swallowed hard. "Your plan is in motion, Niklaus. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Klaus smiled with pure joy. "I know Mikael is. This I exactly what he intended to start. Once we have the girl the war shall begin." He leaned back in his chair, smirking up to his brother. When he first mentioned the kidnaping of the Salvatore girl, everyone thought he had gone mad. But once they finally connected the dots they began to see the bigger picture.

"And what is your plan for her once she arrives? Where will she go?"

"I have everything settled, Elijah. The girl will move into the mansion with us. She will live the life of a Mikaelson which will infuriate her brothers. You know how they are. They won't be able to stand this." Klaus saw the pleasure this brought to his brother's face. Everyone in his family despised the Salvatore's. Any pain towards their family was a gain to the other. "Within the next few months they'll have their sister back and we'll be the victors. It's foolproof, brother. You just have to trust me."

Elijah stared at Klaus, not sure of what to say. His brother was smart, he knew what he was doing. The plan was thought out, approved even by their father. But there was a lot of collateral damage with this war.

For starters there was the girl who would be forced into the middle of this. Elijah's moral side kicked in. He pitied her. She would have to endure months with his unbearable family, living day in and day out with them until the war was over. He knew little of her but enough to respect her.

The Salvatores have been through a lot within the year. Both parents perished in a fatal car crash, the cause unknown. He heard rumors floating around about it being set up. That it was murder. But there was no concrete evidence, no suspects.

"I'll send the Lockwood boy to retrieve her tomorrow." Elijah finally spoke up. This would be the only agreement his brother would get. "I was informed that she moved into a rundown neighborhood on the east side of the city. This might play out in her favor since she'll be safer; the girl would surely be safer with us than in her newfound home."

"How ironic." Klaus murmured, smiling widely as Elijah headed for the door.

"I'll be by tomorrow to see this through. Until then."

The two brothers looked at each other for a moment before the door slammed shut. Klaus couldn't help the happiness surging through him. By tomorrow he would have the Salvatore girl by his side and his enemies bowing before him. Nothing could be better. Everything was working out in his favor.

"Of all the places in the city to pick, you chose this dump?"

They pulled up slowly to a ratty old apartment building. The bricks were crumbling and graffiti was painted on the walls beside the door. Broken glass laid beneath their feet and the sound of sirens filled the air. Bonnie looked over at her friend worriedly, biting her lip.

"I couldn't afford anything else. Elena doesn't pay much."

Bonnie sighed. "There's not another job in the world you could have found?"

"I didn't go to college. I have no experience. This is the first time I'm even leaving the perimeter of the house." Caroline's voice diminished to a whisper. "I'm trying."

Bonnie leaned over for a hug. "And I'm proud of you. This took a lot after your parents died. You're doing the right thing. I'm sure it gets better inside." She tried to smile. "And with our feminine touch it'll be as good as new."

The girls took a deep breath as they grabbed the bags for upstairs. Caroline led the way, trying to focus on her home rather than its surroundings. She knew if either of her brother's laid an eye on this place she would be done for. They'd take her in the middle of the night and lock her up for good. It was one of the reasons why she did everything herself. They wouldn't have approved of anything.

It took three kicks with the leg for the door to finally pop open. The place was dark and dingy with the curtains drawn over the windows and dust collecting on the floor. There wasn't a big kitchen and the living space was rather small. The carpet was stained and the tile was chipped. Caroline noticed an odd smell coming from the refrigerator as she peeked her head down the hallway.

Bonnie was silent as her eyes wandered around the room. It wasn't the best thing she's seen but it definitely wasn't the worst. The place needed a bit of sprucing up. A new set of curtains, some furniture, a good cleaning and the place would be as good as new. It may even be cute.

"I can make it work." Caroline said slowly, setting a few bags down by the door. She was afraid to take her shoes off as the ground was covered in dirt. It'd take all weekend just to scratch the surface with cleaning. She sighed.

"Have your brothers seen this place?"

"No." Caroline laughed. "And I don't intend for them to."

Bonnie nodded and took a seat on a stool. "Where do you want to start?"

"Nowhere?" Caroline sighed. "This is so much work."

"Tell me about it."

"Well the movers should be on their way." Caroline leaned across the counter, sprawling her body on it. "Until then...how are you?"

Bonnie chuckled. "There's actually something I wanted to tell you."

Caroline's eyes widened, a giddy expression crossing her face. "Ooh, what?"

"I met this guy..."

"And you were just going to let us unpack in silence?"

She shrugged.

"Tell me everything!"

Bonnie bit her lip. "His name is Kol."

Caroline scratched her head, wondering why that sounded so familiar. But she let her friend continue, only nodding and smiling in acknowledgement.

"And he's british and beautiful and ugh I don't know. I was covering for Matt on a shift and he came into the bar late at night. It was only us so we drank and talked and I really like him."

Caroline smiled. After her and Jeremy broke up Bonnie hasn't been out much. She usually stays in, being a classic home body as the world goes on without her. It's not like Caroline has been any better but there was a difference. She didn't have a choice and Bonnie did.

"I hope numbers were exchanged."

Bonnie pulled out a crumpled napkin from her purse and slid it across the counter. "And I'm pretty sure I gave him mine."

"How long ago was this?"

She chuckled. "Last night."

"He's totally gonna call you. I mean, why wouldn't he?"

"You think so?"

Caroline nodded. "He'd be an idiot not too. Besides, you have his just in case. It's been too long, Bonnie."

She looked down to her hands. "I know. I'm not looking for anything serious but...he was so hot."

They girls giggled and laughed until the movers arrived. They hauled up all the furniture and boxes as Caroline ordered them around for placing. No comments were made since she was sure her brothers were paying them top dollar. So she bossed and bitched and yelled, making sure everything was in its proper place. Bonnie was laughing the entire time, smirking as the men grumbled around the room.

When the apartment was finally staged Bonnie began to yawn. It was just after nine and they've been scrubbing the floor for hours now. Slowly but surely it was coming together. Caroline stood up, proud of her work as her hands rested on her hips.

"It looks great!" She squealed, bumping Bonnie with her shoulder as she fished out a bottle of vodka. "Cheers!" She poured them two shots and they were down in seconds. "I feel so motivated!"

Bonnie shook her head. "I don't." She laughed. "Is it okay if I head out? I promise I'll be by after work tomorrow."

Caroline frowned internally but plastered a smile on her face. "Of course! I'm just going to unpack the rest of my things and head for bed."

The two girls embraced as Caroline walked her to the door. She almost wanted to ask her to stay. The sudden emptiness the apartment gave off was frightening. This was the first time Caroline has ever been alone. Damon and Stefan had always been right now the hall.

"You'll be okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Bonnie began walking down the hall.

"You better text me if he calls!" Caroline pointed her finger at her.

Bonnie just laughed. "Yeah, if!"

She rounded the corner and disappeared.

Elijah sat across from the Lockwood boy as Klaus entered the room. A smug smile painted his face as he took a seat in his chair. He leaned back slightly as he folded his hands to his face. Tyler Lockwood was never his favorite person but he did all the dirty work for the family. They needed him.

"We've called you to retrieve a woman for us today." Elijah said slowly. He wasn't sure of the Lockwood boy, never has been. There was a certain roughness to him. He liked getting things done, not worried about the process of it all. They would have to drill this into his mind, making sure he understood it fully. "Her name is Caroline Salvatore."

Tyler shook his head. "The bitch is crazy."

Klaus leaned forward. "You know her?"

"We used to date a while back." He shrugged. "I cheated on her."

Elijah closed his eyes. "Niklaus, could you have picked a better man?"

"Perhaps, but there's no time to choose differently. He's here."

"Why do you need her?"

"I'm sure that's none of your business, Tyler." Elijah said. "I just need you to take her very discreetly and bring her back to the mansion. No harm should come to her, only a tiny threat to keep those feet moving."

Tyler nodded. "Sounds easy enough."

"I swear to God if you screw this up you're done. This is your last straw, mate." Klaus hissed, his eyes piercing into Tyler's. There weren't enough fingers on his hand to count the number of times Tyler had messed up. Even the Donovan boy did a better job than him.

"Where does she live?" He ignored the comment.

Elijah slid a piece of paper over the table. "It's not in the best part of the city but you will have to make do."

"Her brothers don't know about this place, do they?"

Klaus' brow furrowed. "I don't believe so. She kept most of this to herself since they didn't approve. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Tyler shrugged. "Whatever. I guess I'll be back later."

"Pop quiz." Klaus sang. "Where are you taking her?"

He stopped by the door, rolling his eyes as he turned back to his bosses. "The mansion."

"A minus because I simply don't like you. Now run along, mutt, and I better not see you unless you're carrying a blonde in your arms." Klaus waved him away, a disgusted look on his face as the door closed. He hoped this was the last of the Lockwood's services he would be needing. The boy was so juvenile as he referred to the girl as a 'bitch'. It didn't surprise Klaus that he cheated on her, it didn't seem out of character for him.

Elijah was shaking his head. "We should have called Donovan."

"Shut up."

Caroline stretched her arms up high as she yawned. Sunlight spilled through the curtains onto her face, making her feel almost happy about the new day. For a while she laid in bed, glancing at the clock every now and then so she wouldn't be late. Today was her first day at work. She was the new waitress at the Grill. Elena and Jeremy bought the place together a while ago and began fixing it up. It opened just recently and they were desperate for workers. And as they found out about Caroline's job search, she was hired in an instant.

Looking around the apartment, she considered getting a pet. Maybe a little cat or a puppy. They were cute ideas until she thought about everything that came with them. For some reason though she felt so empowered. She wanted to break every rule, drink until the sun came up and sleep with every guy she saw. She wanted to rebel and do everything her brothers never wanted her to do. All her life Caroline has been so confined, so restricted from every fun thing on the planet. But now she was free. She answered to no one but herself.

It was liberating.

After twenty minutes of staring at her boxes of clothes, Caroline decided on skinny jeans and a simple sweater. The temperature was dropping constantly as the days flowed into winter and she couldn't wait. Winter was her favorite season. It was filled with hoodies, coffee, fireplaces, snow storms and Christmas songs. Perhaps it was cliché but it was the only time her family ever came together. When they weren't surrounded in their business, her father ventured out of his office and Damon and Stefan pulled away from their books. Her mother got out the ancient cook books and spent hours in the kitchen baking everything imaginable. She knew everyone's favorite goodies and had them all laid out in time for dinner.

Those were the best memories Caroline possessed.

She skipped out of her room, brushing her hair when she saw him.

He was leaning against the doorway, the lock and doorknob remnants on the floor. With his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes raked her body. He smirked.

"Caroline." He took a few steps in. "Long time no see."

She suddenly regretted not packing a bottle of pepper spray. Or her gun.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered, not sure what approach to take in this. She could be snippy and get hurt or play innocent and escape. There were different ways out of the situation but she didn't have a clue which one applied here.

Tyler shook his head, pointing his finger to her. "I talk. You listen."

She decided to follow his rules. For now.

"Now I was sent here to retrieve you. Any idea why?"

Caroline's heart stopped. She shook her head.

"I guess you spiked the interest of several Mikaelsons. Lucky you."

She felt like vomiting. Just hearing that name made her insides churn. All her life it was drilled in her mind to hate them. They were nothing but evil, vile, disgusting people. Nothing good came from that family. For years they've been their enemies, fighting over territory and business before she was even born. It's a rift that's always existed. But she didn't understand what they would want with her or why Tyler was working for them.

"Don't do this." She whispered, backing up against the wall. "Tyler, please." They would show her no mercy, commit all the things they want to her because they didn't care. The Mikaelsons only watched out for themselves, for their family. She was merely an insignificant girl to use as their pawn. Caroline wouldn't survive a night.

Tyler was walking closer, his eyes anywhere but hers. "Sorry, Care. But it's your life or mine and I prefer my own."

He grabbed her wrists and she began to thrash against him, screaming at the top of her lungs. Caroline tried remembering all the self-defense techniques Damon taught her but her mind was drawing a blank. She was in full blown panic mode. Her eyes were searching frantically around the room for a way out, something to hit him over the head with. She felt the bruises formed on her wrists and her muscles began to ache. He was too strong though. Every inch of his body was dripping in strength. She was no match for him.

A tear slid from her eye once she saw the scuff marks he left on her newly polished floors.

"Stop fighting!"

She spit in his face. "Go to hell."

That's when he lost it. A rough, hard hand slammed across her face, sending her right to the floor. She cried out in pain, tears filling her eyes as she used her weak hands to pull herself up. He was only laughing, knowing she couldn't win.

"I suggest you stand up, pull yourself together and leave with me in a civil manner. Unless you want any harm to come to your friends or family, I would stop the tears and failed attempts to escape." There was as smirk on his face as he spoke, a certain glimmer of victory shined through.

Caroline took a deep breath and slowly wiped away her tears. Her legs felt like jello as she pushed herself up from the ground. She kept her brave face on and ignored the sudden throbbing in her cheek. This wasn't out of the ordinary with him, he would hit her all the time when they were together. His anger got the best of him and he would snap, taking every little thing out on her.

But this time there was more fury, if that was even possible. He looked at her differently, more conflicted and confused than usual.

He stuffed her in the back of his car, slamming and locking the door shut. Her heart was pounding as her head rammed against the glass. Tyler was anything but gentle. And yet she would rather have this for the rest of her life than be in the hands of any Mikaelson for a mere second.

Too bad she had no choice.

They waited patiently in the study, each pair of eyes glancing at the clock as Tyler grew later. His arrival was expected over an hour ago. Elijah tried not to let his mind wander but he couldn't help but think the worst.

Klaus became aggravated as time flew by. He didn't like to be kept waiting, especially by someone beneath him.

Finally the doors flew open. A blonde head was shoved in. The brothers were taken aback by her appearance. Apparent bruises were forming in her wrists and face as Tyler roared in behind her. There was a mix of lust and disgust in his eyes and Klaus couldn't decipher which one weighed more. But he couldn't stop looking at the girl.

She was...beautiful.

"I got her."

Elijah stood, slamming his fists on the table. "What did I say about unharmed? For God's sake it's as if you beat her!"

Caroline scoffed, shaking her head as Tyler pushed her. "He did." She spat.

Klaus eyed her suspiciously. "How about you take a seat, love."

She continued to stand but flinched when Tyler came closer to her.

"That'll be all, mate." Klaus growled at him.

Two guards came in the room, escorting him quickly out as the doors trapped them in. Caroline held herself tightly, looking down at her feet. Her face was burning hot and pulsating as her hands shook. She wanted to bolt, run for the door and scream at the top of her lungs. This was a cage, a cage with metal bars and electric fencing. No one escaped for this place. You either died or were set free.

The second never happened.

"Miss. Salvatore, please sit down." Elijah said, his words soft. He could tell she was shaken up. Tyler's rude awakening this morning only made things worse now. She was even more reserved than they expected her to be.

She rolled her eyes. "I'll stand, thank you."

Klaus liked the temper slicing from her tongue. She was a feisty one. "My apologies for Mr. Lockwood, he's never been one to charm the ladies."

Caroline glared at him.

"Niklaus." Elijah whispered.

"Right, right." Klaus smiled. "We have much to discuss. Please, get comfortable."

Caroline sat on the couch slowly, her legs were killing her. She brought her gaze up to the head brother. He wasn't the oldest, she knew for sure, but there was a certain dominance to him. For some reason though, she didn't fear him. No fear took over her body. Only anger.

"Let's talk." She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in the cushions. She vowed then to give the men before her nothing. No secrets would escape her lips. She would about things on her terms. Caroline would die before any of their plans would unfold.

The two had no idea the challenge they had in their hands.

Hey! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter to my new fanfiction! This is my first one so I would love to hear some feedback so please review :) Next chapter we will see Caroline being made over into a Mikaelson and some feels from every ship ;) I should have it done in a week so stay tuned!