Author's note: Thank you so much for your reviews! Also, thank you for asking me to expand my short story; it gave me the opportunity to revisit this fun universe and expand on it! Here's the final chapter in this story; I'm excited to hear what you think!

"I've got a black magic woman

Got me so blind I can't see

That she's a black magic woman

She's trying to make a devil out of me." — Carlos Santana

The serial killer's apparition was a surprisingly lively dancer. Caroline and Klaus watched in fascination as The Axeman of New Orleans, one of the earliest documented serial killers in the U.S., swung his ghostly limbs in enthusiastic arcs in time to the lively jazz music that poured out onto the streets. They were in the Algiers neighborhood, where the local coven made a pact to bind the murderous spirit by playing enchanted jazz music every evening. Their selfless magical service not only protected their community, but also filled the neighborhood with an invigorating energy that made the air sizzle with power.

Caroline tilted her head back, momentarily closing her eyes as she allowed the ageless, sultry voice of Ella Fitzgerald wash over her. So lost in the melody, Klaus took her by surprise with the warmth of his touch, running his fingers up and down her bare arm until he grasped her hand in his, slowly twirling her in the middle of the brick-lined street.

As she felt the soft ruffles of her skirt flutter around her, she opened her eyes to find him staring at her, an uncharacteristic softness upon his handsome face. "It's been ages since I've been over here; it's just as wonderful as I remember," she told him, watching in childlike fascination as the coven's special brand of magic breathed new life into the jazz lyrics, giving the musical notes a tangible form as they danced upon the night air in brilliant, colorful swirls.

Klaus ducked his curly head, leaning in close to whisper, "Thank you for joining me, sweetheart." He twirled her again, pivoting her body until it pressed firmly against his. Her heart stuttered as she realized their hips moved together as one, finding the unique pulse of the music and turning it a sizzling rhythm that only they could follow.

This was dangerous. You're on opposite sides. She impatiently shoved those traitorous thoughts away, wanting to revel in the moment before cold, hard reality came crashing down. When the music transformed into Louis Armstrong's fiery trumpet playing, the sensual mood deepened, and Caroline swore her skin was set ablaze.

Gold flared in Klaus' gaze, and she allowed herself to be pulled into a seductive, fiery kiss that made her want to beg for more. She breathed in his familiar scent of spice and orange, hoping it would linger on her skin, marking her. Damn it. She was getting in way too deep.

With a groan of frustration, Caroline pulled away, giving him a sad smile as she took a small step back. "If this is really happening, I need to go into it with my eyes open. And we need to have an understanding." She quickly held up her hand as he furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to interrupt. "We both have secrets. It's unrealistic for creatures like us not to have accumulated a few over the years. And I don't expect that to change — some secrets are meant to be kept."

Klaus' face turned serious as he listened to her, seeming to carefully weigh her words against his own internal dialogue. He nodded, telling her, "Very astute, love."

Caroline's blue eyes turned hard as she took a breath, holding it in her chest until it nearly burst out of her. She harshly told him, "Katerina is my friend. I won't give her up to you or anyone else." She straightened her spine, steeling herself for his infamous temper. She hated the way her heart sank at the possibility of her revelation destroying everything that had started between them.

What she wasn't prepared for was the way Klaus suddenly threw back his curly head, laughter bubbling from his throat until he nearly choked. When he spied her bewildered expression, it seemed to further fuel his amusement, and it wasn't until he was wiping away tears that he was able to regain control. Finally, he explained in a voice still rough from laughter, "Why do you think I approached you to begin with, sweetheart? I was curious to see the depths of your loyalty to the elusive doppelganger. I must admit, you've impressed me immensely with the strength of your heart."

She didn't care how her mouth flopped open as she tried to jumpstart her brain into catching up to Klaus' surprising reaction. Klaus knew she was protecting Katerina?! As she processed what it all meant, she came to an unpleasant realization. "So you've been using me this whole time," she concluded harshly. Gesturing wildly toward the colorful music notes floating in the night air, she hated how the colors suddenly seemed too garish, too ugly. "That's what all this was about, then? Biding your time with me until you figured out where my friend was so you could kill her?!"

Gray eyes widening, he stepped toward her, his tone desperate as he protested, "No! I've no interest in hurting you, love. From the moment we met, you ignited something in me and I just want to know you...and for you to know me."

"Seriously?! You just expect me to believe that," Caroline scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Growling in frustration, Klaus explained, "After I met you and had a chance to mull things over, I decided to alter my plans. I no longer desire Katerina's death." At her derisive snort, he added wryly, "Actually, I'd like you to broker a deal between me and your friend. I will grant her freedom in exchange for the cure she stole from Silas."

"Ha! Like I'd ever believe you. You've hunted her for centuries — there's no way you'd give up your revenge for me," she angrily accused him.

A hopeful gleam appeared in his eyes as he grabbed her hands, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant as he told her, "You don't have to take me at my word, love. When we first met, you used your magic to divine my true intentions from my signature, remember?"

Caroline felt her cheeks warm as he recounted so many details from that first encounter. Maybe...he was telling the truth? With a flick of her wrist, a piece of parchment and a silver pen materialized between them. She had to bite her lip to keep from giggling at how eagerly he grabbed the pen and scribbled his name with several flamboyant flourishes and scandalous eyebrow wiggling.

As the parchment shot into her hand, she admired the powerful curvature of his signature once more, the letters burning red as she allowed her magic to flow through her to parse his true intentions. She blinked in surprise as wave after wave of intense emotions hit her, and she could feel his heart's desire. It was her. Tentative at first, she'd intrigued him with her supernatural knowledge, charmed him with her flirty banter, and soon he was bargaining with himself, weighing his obsession for revenge on Katerina with the potential connection he could have with Caroline. Everything he said was true.

Swallowing hard, Caroline glanced at him, the warmth from his gaze making her breath catch. "Um, okay then. I'll uh, get started organizing this supernatural peace summit." Giddy at the prospect of finally securing her old friend's freedom (not to mention exploring this sizzling attraction between her and the persistent hybrid). Raising up on her tiptoes, she lightly kissed him on his dimpled cheek, reminding them both of the first time they met.

As they broke apart, Klaus suddenly touched his familiar collection of necklaces, smirking. "Last time, I learned you're a bit of a pickpocket, love. Any chance I can have back the necklace you stole?"

Grinning up at him, she replied, "I'll see what I can do."

She should've never bet on the largest alligator. That was a rookie mistake — bigger rarely meant faster — and this was the fifth Alligator Derby she'd attended at her friends' retirement community. Every year, the local wildlife preserve brought over a dozen alligators and hosted a mock 'Kentucky Derby', complete with gambling odds on the outcome of the race. It was a fun charity event, and the generous proceeds allowed the wildlife preserve to continuously expand their facilities.

After helping a tipsy Ida Mae and Myrtle back to their suites after the celebration, Caroline and Lisette giggled as they made their way back to Lisette's for another round of mint juleps. Lisette took a delicate sip from her straw, casually setting her oversized sunhat on the granite countertop. "Well, little Carebear, should we discuss terms?"

With an impish grin, Caroline answered wryly, "We know the terms, old friend. And we'll need to throw in his necklace. Apparently, he misses it."

"Fine," Lisette grumbled good-naturedly, carefully unknotting her mauve silk scarf to reveal a worn leather cord with a silver medallion scored with ancient runes. With a wicked smile, she unclasped Klaus' stolen necklace, breaking the powerful glamour spell that Caroline had crafted.

Lisette's cheerful, elderly visage disappeared, and the eternally youthful and alluring Katerina Petrova emerged with a sly smile. She shook out her signature brunette curls, running her fingers through them as she sighed happily, "That's better. While it's a bitch being stuck in a granny glamour spell, at least you made me the hottest geriatric here."

With a delighted chuckle, Caroline raised her tumbler to toast her friend. "You're the hottest geriatric anywhere, Katerina. Although I'm curious to see how this affects our mahjong buddy's crush on you once Kol realizes he can't pursue his Golden Girls fetish anymore."

They dissolved into laughter, feeling lighter and more carefree than they had in ages. Caroline had secured Katerina's freedom and somehow managed to start a whole new adventure of her own with a scandalously sexy hybrid. She would never understand the unexpected, wonderfully messy ways of the world.

Klaus greeted Caroline with a toe-curling kiss, lifting her off her feet and gently swinging her in a circle as she clung to him. As she broke their fiery kiss, she rested her forehead against his, panting slightly as she asked, "Is that how you always greet the messenger?"

A hint of gold appeared in his heated gaze as he teased, "Only if they bring me good news, sweetheart."

"Dick," she said fondly, lightly smacking his chest. "But you're right — I've brokered the deal with Katerina."

He ducked his head to quickly kiss her, smirking as he asked, "So, love, where in the deepest, most remote part of the world have you been hiding Katerina?"

Caroline answered with a sly smile, "Yeah...so here's the thing..."