So here is a bit of background:

This takes place 4 years after the finale of the Vampire Diaries. So January 2022 (according to the timeline on the TVD wikia, the finale of TVD was set in March 2018).

This is basically 8,000 words of set up. How the Mikaelson's came to be in Mystic Falls again. Who exactly is there etc. I don't predict any other chapters being this long, as this took me close to a week to write!

The ages of the twins in January 2022 are 7. Hope is 9. I think… that's what I worked it out as anyway!

This chapter kind of eludes to what happens in season 3 of the Originals, as well as some assumptions I have made from the first two episodes of season 4.

Basically everything is canon up to that point.

Hope you enjoy!

January 2022

If you had asked Caroline at the start of college, what she thought her life was going to be like in ten years, never in her wildest dreams would she have come up with Headmistress of a secret school. She had seen herself in a luxurious apartment in a fashionable city, becoming a top reporter or broadcast journalist. At night hitting the town with Bonnie or Elena, to look for cute boys to hang out with, being forever 17 did have its advantages after all.

But so many things had changed since the start of freshman year. For a start, she never would have predicted being a mother, Vampirism supposedly taking that away from her. Nor would she have seen herself as a widow, and to Stefan Salvatore of all people. She thought her Mother would be alive still protecting the town, but even the cruel twists of fate had taken that from her. But of all the things that Caroline never saw coming, dealing with multiple Mikaelson's, as well as being friends with a few of them, would have made 18 year old Caroline laugh for a good ten minutes. But in reality, her relationship with the Mikaelson's was complicated.

When she had received that cheque in the post, not long after Alaric had returned from New Orleans, a cheque that she had never cashed, she knew that sooner or later she would hear from Klaus again. In addition to Alaric describing Hope Mikaelson's inability to control her magic, she thought that he was keeping an option open for his child. Which Caroline understood. Not being able to help the girls had driven Caroline and Alaric to open the school in the first place. Though Klaus had been the first Mikaelson that Caroline had heard from in many Original-Free years, she was not the first one that she had seen…

X

January 2020, Two Years Earlier

Caroline was busy cleaning up after breakfast, when she heard Lizzie chatting quite animatedly in Caroline's room. Her eyes narrowed, there were just the two of them in the house, Josie and Ric had gone to Damon and Elena's to run a quick errand, though Lizzie was running a fever so Caroline had made her stay at home.

It took Caroline a moment to identify the other voice, before realising that it was Bonnie on the phone. Caroline had not heard from her since she had been in Italy, travelling and researching a particular coven in the Mediterranean. Caroline smiled, before abandoning the dish cloth and following the conversation into her childhood room.

'Mommy, mommy! Aunt Bonnie says that she has seen the Pyramids, in real life! Can we go and see them too? Please mommy, please?' Lizzie asked. Caroline could see Bonnie's face on the phone, she was worried, this wasn't merely a social call.

'When you are older honey, I promise we will go to Egypt. Why don't you go and draw me some of the other places that you want to go," She lifted Lizzie off the bed and she nodded enthusiastically.

'Ok Mommy, bye Aunt Bonnie!'

'Bye sweetie, I will see you soon,' Bonnie laughed, but it didn't meet her eyes. When Lizzie was safely out of ear shot, Caroline turned to Bonnie.

'What's up Bon? You don't look nearly as happy as you did last time to video chat me,' Bonnie bit her lip.

'Jeez Caroline, cut right to the chase why don't you?' she said taking a sip from her red wine.

'I'm sorry Bon.' Caroline sighed. 'How's Egypt?'

'It's pretty great actually, some really interesting covens out here. I was trying to keep a low profile though.'

'Was?' Bonnie blinked a few times before taking a deep breath.

'Kol Mikaelson is alive.' She drank some more wine, 'And he may be heading your way.' Caroline inhaled.

'What? Why? Why is he coming here?' Caroline stuttered. The last thing she needed was the craziest Mikaelson coming to town.

'There have been rumours Caroline. The supernatural community is on red alert since the Originals reappeared. And now they hear that there is some kind of magic school opening? They think it may be a security risk.' Bonnie explained, fiddling with her necklace.

'Seriously? That doesn't explain Kol Mikaelson.'

'He is actually quite interested in the whole thing. He knew about the school before he found me. I mean I didn't confirm anything major. He doesn't know the girls are Siphoners, but he knows that there are supernatural kids in Mystic Falls. He likes witches, always has.'

'Kol found you?' Caroline raised an eyebrow.

'I don't want to talk about it,' she poured herself some more wine. 'I don't think he is going to hurt you or the kids…but Jeremy and Elena killed him…I mean do Mikaelsons ever show restraint?' Caroline paused before replying.

'Elena's at Whitmore, Kol doesn't need to know where she is. Jeremy is still on a recruiting drive, he could be fine. Do you think I should send him away for a while? Maybe to Steven's?'

'I mean, I wouldn't rush him back.' Bonnie replied, the clock behind her chimed 10pm, 'Care, I have to go. I have a meeting with a witch, who may be able to help us with some more magic subjects. The spells I put up around the boarding house should keep anybody bad out. At least until I get back.'

'Thanks Bonnie, I love you'

'I love you too, see you soon', the call disconnected. Caroline sat on the edge of her bed, absentmindedly tapping the phone with her fingers. She didn't even notice Lizzie enter the room again.

'Mommy? Is everything ok?' Lizzie's voice was low, her voice filled with questions. Caroline plastered on her best Miss Mystic Falls smile and turned to her daughter.

'Of course honey. Aunt Bonnie just misses us.' Caroline got up from the bed.

'I miss Aunt Bonnie too. I wish she was here.' Lizzie pulled a drawing out from behind her back 'I drew her a picture'. It was a classic child's drawing. Bonnie was drawn as a stick figure, and the twins holding each of her hands. They were surrounded by fire, but they were protected by a circle of magic. Caroline's heart sank as she realised that this was from her wedding day.

'Wow honey that is beautiful.' Caroline sank to her daughter's level. 'Shall make another picture for Daddy?' Caroline smiled, and Lizzie's eyes lit up.

'Yeah,' Lizzie took her mother's hand and they went and sat at the dining room table.

When Alaric returned with Josie about an hour later, he found them like this. Caroline had Lizzie sitting on her lap, as she drew. They both smiled when they saw Alaric and Josie come through the door.

'Mommy, Uncle Damon and I made cookies! And he gave me all of them to bring home!' Josie ran to Caroline with a baggy of homemade chocolate chip cookies, she had flour in her hair, but her eyes were wide with excitement. Caroline gasped theatrically.

'Oh wow! Why don't you and Lizzie grab a plate and have one!' Caroline said in her Mom voice. Lizzie jumped off of her lap and went into the kitchen. Caroline stood up and turned to Alaric. 'We have a bit of a situation,' He raised his eyes quizzically, as she filled him in.

Over the next week, there was an uneasy feeling in Mystic Falls. Alaric had told Damon, who had elected to not tell Elena to avoid her worrying. But Damon wasn't stupid, he was a human now and would definitely not hold up against any original, let alone Kol. So over the following days, Caroline and Alaric went about their business with the school, whilst quietly keeping their ears to the ground to hear of any new comers into town. Matt was busy with his campaign for Mayor, but he still had pull in the police department. There were no unusual deaths or injuries, and nothing had come up on the security cameras. Neither of them had had any direct confrontation with Kol before, Caroline had only really spoken to Rebekah and Klaus. But Kol's reputation had a habit of preceding him.

A week and half after Bonnie's phone call, a trip to the old Lockwood cellar was needed. Caroline and Alaric had toyed with the idea of using it as a space for self defence classes for the kids. It also allowed for a safe space for any witches to practice, without fear of being caught. Though of course it retained its original use, space for werewolf transitions, but there were no triggered werewolves currently in attendance at the school. It would be converted to that purpose when needed. Caroline had decided to go and see how much of a renovation would be needed.

Having parked at the house, she started the long walk through the woods of the Lockwood property to the cellar. There were so many memories in these woods. Tyler and she had spent a lot of time in them, the summer that Stefan had gone missing with Klaus. They were just friends then, but they both knew they were hiding something from the other. She laughed to herself. They were kids. Playing at being adults. They didn't have a clue what was coming for them, or what was going to happen. She still missed him, even after all this time.

'Well, well, well…if it isn't my brother's tasty little thing,' Caroline froze. The voice came from behind her. Kol. If he had wanted her dead, he could easily just have staked her. They were in a forest. She cautiously turned around, smiling slightly.

'Kol Mikaelson. Back from the dead.' She said carefully. 'You know the last time you called me that, your brother threatened to tear out your liver,' he chuckled, though his eyes remained unblinking. They danced with danger and power and Caroline knew that she would never be able to take him in a fight. Not even with the element of surprise.

'Do you make a habit of eavesdropping? Though I suppose, I should be flattered.' He started walking slowly towards her, 'I am sure Nik would love to know that you remembered something that he said from oh so long ago,' he looked at Caroline straight in the eyes. 'How long has it been? 10 years since that little ball?'

'Why are you here Kol?' She said, exuding false confidence.

'Well, after being in the dream world for the last 5 years,' he started counting on his fingers, ' being dead for the few before that, on top of the previous century that I had been daggered' he stopped counting at that point, 'I thought to myself: It's time to experience the modern age for all of its pleasures,' he purred.

'So when you think of all of life's pleasures, you think of Mystic Falls?'

'Well it is home sweetheart' he winked, 'But that isn't the only reason that I am here,' Caroline remained silent. 'I've been watching you, Caroline Forbes, and I have heard some truly interesting tales.' Caroline tilted her head to the left and narrowed her eyes. 'A baby vampire, by any man's standards, you are barely a decade old, but strong. Orphan, but soon enough all of our kind becomes orphans. You got married.' He chuckled again, eyeing the wedding band on her finger, 'to a mortal. Only to be widowed on that same night. How tragic. '

'Where are you going this Kol?' He ignored her, apparently in the middle of his monologue.

' But things get really interesting about 6 years ago. You carried a set of twins. An impossibility for a vampire…but here you are'. Caroline glared at him.

'You lay a finger on my girl's heads I will make you suffer in unspeakable ways,' she snarled. He laughed. Though not maliciously, or condescendingly but seemingly out of genuine amusement.

'Easy love,' he raised his hands in a sign of surrender, 'No need to vamp out,' Caroline had not noticed that she had lost control, revealing her vampire features. 'I'm not here to hurt you Caroline, I'm here to help you!' Caroline's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, her face returning to normal, but still distrusting.

'Help me? What makes you think that I need your help?' Having an original in town could only spell disaster.

'You need me Caroline. I have been studying witches for the last thousand years. I was one before I was turned. A witch from the Original family bloodline, I was powerful. Or could have been at least.' He added on bitterly, 'I was a witch for a few months in New Orleans for a while,'

'Weren't you dead?'

'That's a story for another time love. The point is, I have all the magical know how to help with the magical kiddies, a thousand years of experience, and the Original muscle that you need to keep the school safe. There are a lot of people that want it to fail.'

'If you wanted to work at the school, you should have sent me a resume' Caroline said sarcastically.

'Ahh but this way, it is so much more personal,' He smiled, for the first time a genuine smile.

'So you aren't going to kill anybody? Elena, Jeremy? They killed you?' she crossed her arms. He paused and licked his lips.

'I won't kill any of your precious Gilbert clan.' She raised her eyebrows, 'don't get me wrong, I love revenge but I tried to kill them before graduation. I have worked out some of my issues. And what can I say, I believe the children are the future…treat them well and-'

'Whitney Houston? Really?' he smirked.

'I love a good ballad,' He stopped. And he looked excited talking about the prospect of imparting his knowledge. Caroline was quiet for a while, as she thought it over. She wasn't going to lie, it was an intriguing prospect. Having an original on side would definitely help matters. Especially if there was a threat looming to her little school. He also seemed to know what he was talking about. She sighed.

'You aren't running from Klaus are you, because I really don't want to get involved in more Mikaelson family drama.'

'Not at all darling, Nik and I are on good terms.' She paused again, staring at Kol. She remembered Elena saying that Kol was the unpredictable one, the dangerous one. More dangerous than Klaus in some ways but… could she really put her girls in danger for him? Thinking with her heart: no. He was too much of a flight risk. But logically? Then he said something she had never thought she would hear come out of an original's mouth. 'Please Caroline. I just want to be around magic again,' Caroline sighed.

'I am not promising you anything. You are on a trial basis. You are going to have to prove that you aren't going to tear the heads off of the kids or staff. So you are going to have to earn my trust. Do you understand?' Caroline ran her fingers through her hair, was she really doing this? Kol broke out into a smile.

'Of course darling.'

'And I want your word that aren't going to kill anybody. That means the Gilberts, Damon, Bonnie, my girls, Alaric or Me,'

'Nik would never forgive me,' Kol winked. Caroline shook her head. 'You have my word'

'Don't make me regret this,' She extended her hand.

'Wouldn't dream of it' He shook her hand, lightly. Everyone was going to hate her.

x

A lot of people were not happy, that was for sure. Damon had refused to talk to her, Jeremy threatened to quit and Alaric threatened to find another dagger for him. That did not go down well. It wasn't until Bonnie vouched for Kol, a surprising turn of events by itself, that the people involved in the school began to get used to Kol's presence. And to his credit, Kol did his time, he paid his dues and eventually became a trusted member of the staff. Though, some people could not let go of the past. Damon and Jeremy remained very suspicious of him. Rightly so, considering what he had put their families through. Despite her best efforts, Caroline actually grew to like him.

After their rocky start, Kol was a genuine friend to her. He gave her some pretty solid advice, he knew what he was talking about and he could have a good time when he wanted to. Likewise, Kol grew fairly fond of Caroline. He had never really had any friends. He had had meals. He had had convenient witch allies. He had had lovers (though that would never happen with Caroline, as Kol valued his life). But he had never had a true friend of his own. Perhaps it was because he was finally away from his family. He knew the bond of 'Always and Forever' applied to him, and knew that one day they would all be reunited. They did not know he was in Mystic Falls, Klaus would surely be enraged, but he supposed that sooner or later they would find him. Whether they were looking for him or not.

He had not been foolish enough to completely abandon his family, as he was known to do previously. He had only been freed from the Dream world for 6 months before he came to Mystic Falls, but he had kept tabs on the family's progress through his various siblings. Amongst the trivial family dramas, Rebekah had informed him that Hope was getting more and more out of control. Her psychic abilities began to drain her and drive her power inward. As well as the fact she was constantly at war with herself. Her werewolf temper made her witch powers fluctuate. The vampire blood that ran through her veins acted as a counter balance, but also counter acted with her witch side. Kol knew that Hope should probably come to the school, and he also knew that the Original family were aware of its existence. He sat in wait until the inevitable admission came.

X

April 2021

Kol had made the transition from creepy original vampire, to valued instructor at the boarding school with relative ease. So much so that he now lived in the Salvatore boarding house, as a permanent resident, in order to ensure the safety of the children. One morning, after conversing with his many spies across the world, to ascertain the current threat to the school, Caroline called him into her office.

'Summoned to the headmistresses' office… how kinky,' he winked.

'If this were a mainstream workplace, I could have you fired for work place sexual harassment,' She smiled, looking at something on her computer.

'The kids love me far too much for you to fire me,' He said with confidence. Which, to be fair, was true.

'I don't know, I think they just like to use you for target practice. And they aren't going to kill you, so they know they can't actually hurt you,' Caroline smiled.

'You wound me Caroline with that sharp tongue of yours.' He placed his hand over his heart melodramatically. 'What can I help you with anyway darling, unless this was a precursor to a crazy night out when we both have the night off?' he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

'Last time I went out with you for a, and I quote: quiet drink. I woke up in a barn, with a goat eating my hair. I had to wear my hair up for weeks.' Caroline deadpanned. Turning to face him fully now, she noticed he was not even trying to stop laughing.

'For that I apologise, but you can't deny that we don't have a good time,' Kol laughed. Caroline smiled. He could tell she was working up to telling him something. 'What is it Caroline, you are starting to worry me,'. She chuckled darkly.

'I got an email today…from your brother,' her voice cautious, as if she didn't know how he was going to react. Kol just smiled.

'Elijah is finally embracing the 21st Century. I am ever so impressed. Tell me, was he being inappropriate with you?' He leaned forward in his chair.

'Ew gross, no!' she shivered, 'You know I meant Klaus,' Kol paused for a second.

'Was he being inappropriate with you? Though I don't suppose you would mind it coming from him,'

'My God, you are so annoying.' She interrupted him, before he could go anymore down that road. 'Listen, he wants to send Hope here, I have no objections, but I just wanted to know if they knew you were here? I assume Klaus and Hayley will be moving back, but are you going to be ok with that?'

'Sweet Caroline, I have no qualms, I would do anything for my niece, and I believe that coming here would be good for her,' He went to stand. 'But do be a dear and don't tell them that I am here. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise now would we,' He winked as he walked out of the door.

Caroline shook her head lightly. He had gotten way too comfortable around her, but she couldn't bring herself to reprimand him. Her eyes scanned over the offending email, that she was still drafting a reply to.

From: klausmikaelson
To: carolineforbes
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 03:26.
Subject: Of a personal nature.

Dearest Caroline,

I hope this finds you well. I trust the school is flourishing under your leadership, not that I would expect anything less from you.

Forgive the impersonal form of my correspondence, but I write of a most urgent matter, that calls for swift attention. As you may be aware, my daughter is something quite unique, like her father before her. However as a Tribrid (blame Rebekah, she coined the phrase and it seems to have stuck), the three parts of herself seem to be constantly at war with the other. Though my sister Freya has tried many things in order to balance her out, it seems that she could benefit with some further education.

As I understand it you have a few witches on your staff, and I believe with this extra knowledge, Hope would truly benefit from attending your institution, should you have the space.

I understand this is a big ask, but you and I both know that I would never ask something of this magnitude lightly, Caroline.

Yours as always,

Klaus

Caroline hmmphed. Of course he would send her an email like that. How was she supposed to reply to that? She didn't want to start some awkward email chain between the two of them. The part about Hope didn't bother her at all, and Caroline would love to accept Hope to the school. But there were other things to consider. The Originals back in town. She could handle Kol, but Klaus and Rebekah? And obviously Hayley, God she hated her. Pulling herself towards her desk, Caroline started to pen a reply.

From: carolineforbes
To: klausmikaelson
Date: Mon, 5th April 2021, 13:48
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

Klaus,

Of course there is a place in the school for Hope.

However, there are many things that need to be discussed:

How soon would you like her to start?

What are her expectations from attending the school?

Can she play well with others? Has she been around other children before?

How long would you like her to attend?

Does Hayley know that you are planning this?

We also need to discuss the pastoral care for Hope, will the entire Original Family be accompanying her? Or will it be a clean break?

Kind Regards

Caroline Forbes
Headmistress of the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted

Caroline's finger hovered over the send button. Could she send that? Of course she could, she was simply replying to another parent. Resolutely she slammed the send button. This was weird. She hadn't spoken to Klaus in years. The letter a couple of years ago didn't count. That was one sided. But it had been nearly seven years. To him that was probably nothing, but Caroline was still young, so much had happened. And after all that time, this is how she spoke to him for the first time. Did she even want to speak to him? There was a ping from her computer. New E-mail. Seriously? It had been like three minutes…God he must be desperate.

From: klausmikaelson
To: carolineforbes
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 13:51
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

Dearest Caroline,

It is easy to answer any questions about Hope. She will be 9 in May, and is an intelligent vivacious little girl. I regret that she has not spent a lot of time with other children. She has spent most of her time with adults, primarily Hayley during my imprisonment. Though from what I hear she got along with children just fine during that period. Since her return to New Orleans, she has spent most of her time with my family.

Hayley and I are in agreement, for the most part, that she should attend your school with immediate effect. And stay for as long as is needed. We obviously expect that she should control her magic a lot more than she currently can. But under your guidance I do not for see any issues in that department.

With regards to my family it is more of a difficult matter.

Yours,

Klaus.

Caroline frowned. Asshole. Ending the email like that? He was fishing. God. He was already getting on her nerves. He couldn't just say it? He knew that she would need to know about his family. With a new found irritation she opened up to reply.

From: carolineforbes
To: klausmikaelson
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 13:53
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

Seriously Klaus?

I need to know. Just tell me how many of your crazy circus family I am going to have to try and convince Damon not to stake.

Caroline Forbes
Headmistress of the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted

Caroline looked over the email he had sent again. He was imprisoned? She didn't know that. Kol had never said. He had mentioned the dream world that he had been in, but she had just assumed that Klaus was in there with the rest of the family. Who could have put Klaus down? She couldn't imagine him in chains. New E-mail.

From: klausmikaelson
To: carolineforbes
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 13:55.
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

It is a rather complicated matter love, and rather arduous to type out on this tiny little screen.

Perhaps a phone call might be easier.

Yours,

Klaus

Caroline scoffed.

From: carolineforbes
To: klausmikaelson
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 13:57
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

Stop fooling around Klaus, I am working.

Caroline Forbes
Headmistress of the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted

She sent it. She didn't normally converse with prospective pupils parents like this, but dammit Klaus was already driving her crazy.

From: klausmikaelson
To: carolineforbes
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 13:59
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

In normal circumstances, is it not customary to discuss these things over dinner? I realise Louisiana is a plane ride away, but I could easily be in Mystic Falls by 7pm, if that is what you want.

Yours,

Klaus

He wouldn't. Would he? Ugh. Caroline couldn't have him here right now. She needed to butter up Damon and Elena…and everybody else. And Kol would be super pissed if he came now, Klaus would probably drag him back to New Orleans and dagger him. And then sooner or later Kol would come back and give Caroline a lecture about friendship. Caroline could do without that.

From: carolineforbes
To: klausmikaelson
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 14:04
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature

I guess you still have my number? Creepy stalker that you are?

Call me at 8pm.

Caroline Forbes
Headmistress of the Salvatore Boarding School for the Young and Gifted

From: klausmikaelson
To: carolineforbes
Date: Mon, 5 April 2021, 14:06
Subject: RE: Of a Personal Nature.

Looking forward to it Sweetheart.

Yours,

Klaus

She almost regretted it. Almost. He was an ass, the much was true. But they would always be like that with each other. And he cared about his daughter which Caroline could not fault. She didn't have too long to ponder on their conversation as there was a knock on the office door. Elena walked in smiling, dressed in pale pink scrubs and a large water cooler in her arms.

'Caroline, I have the blood bags that you wanted from the hospital.' She put the cooler onto Caroline's desk.

'Ahh excellent. Thanks for dropping them over.' Caroline opened the cooler, it was filled to the brim with different blood bags in a variety of blood types. 'How is everything?'

'Everything is really good. The hours are long, but who said med school was easy." Elena said tiredly, supressing a yawn she continued, 'Have you got those vervain seeds for me?'

'Yes, give me a minute they are downstairs. Make yourself comfortable.' Caroline got up and headed out of her office, with the cooler in her arms ready to take to the freezer on her way. Just as she got down the stairs she spotted Kol.

'Need a hand with that darling?' he smiled. Caroline glared at him.

'Your brother is an ass,' she thrust the cooler into his arms, not stopping to talk to him.

'It is a family trait!' he called after, still on the spot where Caroline had left him.

When Caroline returned to her office, Elena was not sitting on the sofa under the window like she normally did. She was sat behind Caroline's desk, looking at her computer. Her eyes were wide behind her glasses, and mouth slightly open.

'What are you doing?' Caroline asked. Elena had not noticed her presence, her head snapped up as she realised that she had been caught. She looked at Caroline, in something resembling betrayal.

'What am I doing? What are you doing? You are going to bring Klaus back to town?' She stood up behind the desk and walked around it. Caroline rolled her eyes.

'Klaus coming here is a possibility yes. But, it's not like I am inviting him here. Its Hope, she needs my help.'

'Klaus is evil Caroline, Evil. And you want to bring him back into our lives? I am human now, what if he wants to use my blood again?'

'That is what I am going to find out tonight…don't worry I won't mention your condition to him,' Caroline raised her arms tentatively, almost as if she was surrendering.

'I know you are going to talk to him! You were flirting with him! Like you always have, God.' Elena was getting lost in her own thoughts, and quite frankly Caroline was getting pissed at the accusations.

'I wasn't flir-'

'Stefan is barely cold in his grave and …' Elena stopped, she realised she had gone too far. Caroline was silent, grasping the vervain seeds in the brown bag tightly, her eyes glazed over with rage. 'Care I'm sorry, I didn't mean-'

'Get out.' Elena moved slightly towards her.

'I know you aren't moving on from Ste-' she continued.

'Just go Elena. I have a lot of work to do.' Caroline pushed the vervain into Elena's arms as she walked past her. She silently went to her desk, and started tapping away on the keyboard. Elena licked her lips. She almost went to say something, but decided against it, and left the office. When Caroline heard the door click she stopped pretending to type. Looking down at her left hand, she noticed her wedding ring looked a little tarnished, and took it off and began cleaning it.

The rest of the day passed without incident, but as the clock got closer and closer to 8pm, Caroline found herself getting slightly nervous. The last few two times she had communicated with Klaus, they had been impromptu, unplanned and at Klaus' own initiation. But now, Caroline was stress cleaning. Anything to distract herself for long enough to forget that she was going to have to talk to Klaus Mikaelson again. The girls had only just gone down, both of them asleep upstairs. They had had a busy day, Kol had been teaching them about siphoning magical objects, which they loved. He seemed to have a soft spot for the two of them. Caroline was snapped out of her thoughts by her phone ringing shrilly on the kitchen island. Klaus Mikaelson flashed on her phone. Of course he would call at precisely 8. That insufferable bastard. Caroline accepted the call.

'So what exactly was so complicated that you were willing to pollute the earth even more with a private plane ride, just to talk to me in person about it?' Caroline smoothly opened with.

'Caroline,' She could hear the smile in his voice, 'I see that time has not dulled your aptitude for wit. Do tell me you have instilled these traits in your children,' he teased.

'I'm their mother, they strive to be like me in every way,' He laughed. 'Stop avoiding the question Klaus, you are really cutting into my reality tv show time,'

'You wound me love. Our first conversation, in almost seven years ,and you would rather find out which Kardashian broke up with her boyfriend this week,' He teased.

'The fact that you even know about the Kardashian's is disturbing. Have you been watching them? '

'Hayley watches them from time to time. It is fairly infuriating viewing.'

'Come on Klaus, tell me why we had to have a conversation rather than just clear this up in an e-mail,'

'E-mails are so impersonal don't you think? I much prefer the art of conversation, especially with you,' He replied.

'Klaus' she warned. 'what is going on? Have you daggered someone again?'

'Not recently. Though Kol has been travelling for the last little while, so that might be why the daggers remain unused.' Caroline remained silent, waiting for him to continue. 'It is not often that I have to ask people for favours. I find myself unaccustomed to it.'

'This isn't a favour Klaus, this is for Hope. She is a scared kid, with power she doesn't understand, power that she cannot control or even begin to know where to start. I've seen it before, I will see it again.' Caroline reasoned.

'I do not doubt that,' He was silent for a while.

'But we had already agreed that Hope would attend the school. This isn't why you called.'

'You are quite right, let's get down to it then,'

'So I assume that you and Hayley will be moving back to Mystic Falls?' Caroline started.

'Only with your permission.' Caroline narrowed her eyes.

'My permission? Since when have you needed my permission for anything?'

'I made you a promise never to return to Mystic Falls. I am not one to break promises to beautiful women,' Klaus was starting to sound more like himself. Caroline scoffed.

'But answering phone calls and sending 3 million dollars in the mail, that's ok?'

'I never promised not to communicate with you again, merely not to step on Mystic Falls soil,' he sounded proud, 'everybody loves a loophole,'

'I would never stand in the way of a father and daughter being together. I assume you would want Hope to live with you and then go in every day, rather than live at the Salvatore's full time?'

'If that were possible,'

'The twins do the same thing, though most of the other students do live on campus, I am sure I can make an exception,' She smiled. Not that he could see, but he could probably hear it in her voice.

'How generous of you sweetheart,'

'But there are conditions of Hope's enrolment. But these are mainly about you.'

'Conditions? What kind of conditions?' Caroline could hear the suspicion creep into Klaus' voice.

'Well I need you to guarantee you aren't going to hurt anybody. Especially my friends,' Caroline noticed that this conversation could have easily taken place 10 years ago, like no time had changed.

'Depends which little friends you are talking about. You of course, know that I would never hurt you, or your little witches. That courtesy extends to, what do they call it these days? Ah yes, your Baby Daddy.' He seemed to get too much joy out of using that phrase, laughing softly but continued. 'Bonnie and the quarterback I also assume, though Mayor would probably be more accurate these days. And of course, the Gilbert-Salvatore's, currently living their little human American dream in sweet Elena's childhood home,' Caroline was quiet for a few moments.

'Have you been stalking me?' Klaus laughed out loud.

'Of course not, but word does spread. Especially when said Baby Daddy comes to visit,'

'Please stop saying that,'

'Well that is what he is isn't he? So that is the best description for him,' Caroline put her hand to her head, and attempted to change the subject.

'You forgot the staff and the kids at my school. All of them.'

'I will not protect them, but I will not harm them,' He said matter of factly.

'I guess that is going to be as good as it gets with you.' She paused, she could hear him breathing on the other end of the line, 'You know Elena is human?'

'I have known for some time, yes.' Caroline heard him take a gulp of a drink.

'How?'

'Believe it or not, the Sun and the Moon Curse still has legs in some parts of the world. Not long after my release I received word from a vampire underling , Collins I believe was his name, that there was a human doppelganger residing in Mystic Falls with her very human boyfriend. I knew that Katerina was dead, but I summarised that it must have been Elena, who in turn had taken the cure.' He was smug.

'And you just sat on this information? You didn't want to start building your hybrid army again?' Caroline poured herself a glass of wine.

'Alas, her blood was contaminated by the cure. Her body rejects magic, she cannot ingest Vampire blood, therefore her blood cannot be used to help sire any hybrids. It strips the body of magic, whatever it inhabits, which would stop a potential hybrid transitioning. It would leave a bloody corpse behind. I am perfectly content to let her live out her days as a human. Perhaps have a child or two, to see if anymore Petrova doppelgangers appear in a few centuries,' Klaus didn't seem at all put out by this.

'You know that is super creepy right?' Klaus laughed. 'Like super creepy, like the bogeyman just stalking Elena and Damon.'

'I've been called far worse than the bogeyman Caroline. Mostly the Devil,'

'Please, I met the Devil, he is so much worse than you.'

'Silas wasn't the Devil, just a love sick fool.' Klaus sounded slightly bitter.

'Ahh Silas. God I wish it was just Silas.' She chuckled slightly. 'I could handle him. He was easy to kill. Cade was…pure evil, he…' He took Stefan away is what she had wanted to say. But then Klaus would start talking about Stefan and she didn't want to deal with his sympathy. She couldn't think about Stefan either, it was still too fresh. He hadn't been dead three years and she still missed him every day.

'Caroline?' Klaus said, she must have been quiet for a long time. She cleared her throat.

'Sorry, um…I mean, isn't that unlikely? Amara and Silas are dead, so nature doesn't have to make copies of them anymore, so why would they need more doppelgangers?'

'Only time will tell. But assuming I leave the doppelganger and everybody else alone. I have your blessing to return to Mystic falls?' He sounded hopeful.

'Well I guess. I assume Hayley will be coming too?' Caroline would not be able to bare being away from her girls for so long a time.

'Well see this is where it gets complicated.' Klaus stated.

'How?' Caroline's voice became accusative at Klaus' overly confident voice.

'Well it wouldn't just be me. Hayley of course would also move. As would Elijah' Elijah wouldn't be so bad. Caroline heard that he was the good brother, he would keep Klaus in line.

'I am sure Elijah will be fine.' Caroline started

'You see sweetheart, its not just him.' He paused, the Mikaelsons loved a good dramatic pause. 'My sister would be joining us too'.

'Rebekah?' She hissed, 'You want to bring Rebekah back here?'

'No, not quite love. My other sister. Freya. She's a witch. Very powerful.'

'The secret older sister is the complication?' Caroline didn't buy it, something else was coming. Klaus laughed darkly.

'Well…not quite. She would make a lovely teacher, don't you think?' Caroline actually heard crickets. That's how not on board with this plan she was.

'You want your sister, to teach at my school?'

'She's an original witch, very powerful.' Where had Caroline heard that before? Oh wait, with Kol! 'she worked with the most powerful witch on the planet for a thousand years. She could help teach those children things they would never dream of!'

'That's why we have Bonnie.' Caroline drank half her glass in one go.

'Come on Caroline. Take a chance.' Caroline sighed.

'You realise what you are asking me right? It's one thing to say to everyone, 'Oh by the way, remember Klaus? Yeah he's coming back. He says he's not going to hurt any of you. But I can't promise anything, cos you know, its Klaus' and then to say, 'Oh and he's bringing Hayley, who screwed us all. And Elijah…who admittedly I don't really know, but… whatever. Oh and secret original witch sister who could probably kill us with a click of her fingers,' Easy peasy.' She heard Klaus chuckle on the other end of the phone. 'This isn't funny Klaus,'

'I know. I can promise that I won't deliberately hurt any of your little friends. My siblings will not pose a threat either, once they understand that it is what is best for Hope.'

'Once Hope Is settled in. And I think that you are going to make good on your promise of not killing everyone… and if Freya doesn't seem like a complete psycho, I will consider taking your sister on. But until then, no.'

'Caroline-,'

'That is as good as you are going to get Mikaelson, so I would take it,' she warned. There was silence for a while. Too long for a phone call really. Neither of them spoke, each taking into consideration what the other had said. Eventually Klaus spoke:

'Thank you Caroline. I truly appreciate this.'

'Don't mention it. How soon can you get Hope here?'

'End of the month? Or is that too soon?' Klaus sounded like so many concerned parents that Caroline had dealt with.

'Alaric can always come and collect her? It might make the transition easier. She could stay with me until you sort out your way over the top mansion?'

'That is very kind of you, Caroline. I will consider it.' Klaus said resolutely. Caroline nodded.

'Then I guess I will hear from you soon,' Caroline said, wondering if Klaus would take the opportunity to end the phone call.

'I shall look forward to thanking you in person,' However long it takes was unspoken, but both knew those words need never be spoken aloud between them.

'Of course. Goodnight Klaus,'

'Good night Caroline,' The phone call ended. Caroline looked at her phone for a minute, wondering if that conversation had just happened?

Klaus was coming back into town. She had encouraged it. Damon was going to kill her. Could this be anything but bad? Caroline poured herself some more wine, mentally preparing for the fight that was to come.

X

January 2022 (Present Day)

'Caroline? Caroline!' She was snapped out of her thoughts by an agitated Damon. Elena was working late and Ric was investigating a new dark object at the Amory, so Caroline had suggested dinner. Damon insisted on cooking, which Caroline did not argue with. He was a wonderful cook, and he even incorporated blood in Caroline's bolognaise sauce. The girls had been excused and were playing in the living room.

'Hmm? Sorry Damon, I zoned out. What were we talking about?' She looked at him apologetically.

'You know, in some society's, it is considered rude to 'zone out' on a dinner host,' Damon quipped. 'We were talking about Donovan's fundraiser in two weeks, are you going?'

'The fundraiser for the police department? Of course I am going. I am still organising it.'

'Another one? Aren't you organising Miss Mystic in next month?'

'Why wouldn't I? As a former Miss Mystic, I have duties…and they asked me to,' Caroline smiled. She loved organising town events, and having the mayor as a friend let her creative outlets shine.

'Yeah but you are a vampire. You can't come back into town for Miss Mystic for the rest of eternity.' Damon got up and started clearing the table. 'And, not to be a downer, but you still look like you are in High School. You are already 12 years older than you look. People are going to start to notice.' He sing-songed .

'I am going to ask Bonnie if she knows of an appearance spell, that makes it look like I am older to humans. That way I can stay in Mystic Falls and people won't get suspicious.' Caroline got up and started loading things into the dishwasher.

'Bonnie is still in Europe, has been for the last year doing God knows what. Are you expecting her back anytime soon?'

'No but she will. She's been giving lessons to some of the kids via Skype and she said she wants to come back and help them more,'

'Well I won't be holding my breath. I'm human now, I could die.' Damon smiled. 'So what were you thinking about that was more interesting than me?' Caroline sighed.

'Nothing ,really. I mean, I never thought that my life was going to end up like this. I love it, and I wouldn't change it, ever. But when I was 18 and had just graduated, I thought it was going to be so different. But things are still the same, you know?'

'I get it. Things aren't as apocalyptic as they used to be and have settled down. Granted, the Originals are in town and I don't like it. But they aren't causing trouble with me and Elena so I made my peace with it. I think I only seem them at fundraisers and town events,' He opened up a bottle of red wine and poured himself and Caroline a glass. 'But 12 years ago, I never saw us as being friends and we are. I never saw myself as being human, and I am. You are a fantastic mother, a wonderful headmistress and an amazing party planner. Your mom would be proud.'

'I know.' She took the glass from Damon, 'I miss her every day, but some days are easier than others.' They fell into an easy silence, before the girls laughter interrupted them. 'Did you give them sugar?'

'I may have,' he smiled.

'Dammit Damon. I swear to God. It is going to be a nightmare to get them to go to sleep.' Caroline whined.

'Ease up Momzilla, it's Friday night. I am fun Uncle Damon and I give them an end of week treat. If it makes you feel better, Elena never lets me give them anything fun.'

'Which is why I love Elena more.' She teased. 'I'll just finish this glass, then we have to go. I have to go dress shopping in the morning, and Ric has the girls.'

'Sure. Do you still want us to take the girls up to the lake house next weekend?'

'Yeah they are looking forward to it,' Caroline smiled, taking a sip of wine.

Meanwhile… in Berlin, Germany

Bonnie Bennett slept fitfully in the rented hotel room. Visions invading her dreams. The Salvatore school burned before her eyes. Before she could make sense of it, the vision changed to Alaric fighting someone who Bonnie did not recognise. The vision shifted to the Forbes House, Klaus had his hands on Caroline's shoulders in a comforting way and said: 'I will always keep you safe.' The rest of the visions passed in a blur, Caroline on a bed suffering from a werewolf bite. A young redheaded witch holding hands with the twins. Damon standing at the threshold of the Gilbert House in a suit. Caroline shouted 'Protect the girls!'. Dorian hunting. Kol and Klaus in the Salvatore Crypt. Caroline wearing a pale blue dress, dancing with Matt. Rebekah Mikaelson. Elena and Jeremy hugging. Caroline holding hands with the twins.

Then it was over.

Bonnie awoke with a start. It was still dark. She could not have been asleep for long, the digital clock read 1am. She breathed deeply and looked around her hotel room. There was no sign of any intruder. Everything looked the same as when she had fallen asleep. She had had visions before, but none that specific. She grabbed her phone and dialled. Eventually another voice answered.

'Little Witch! To what do I owe this pleasure?' He smiled through the phone.

'We have a problem.' She muttered.

A/N: I have not written anything in about 6 years! I have about 4 stories that I just abandoned from when I was 16, most of them I know how they finish, but life just gets in the way.

I vowed to myself that I would not write a long fic again. And if I was going to, I would write it first then upload, like once a week when it was done. So I am kind of cheating. I basically wrote this, and if people want to hear how the rest of the story turns out, I will write it. If not. I think it stands quite well on its own. Let me know what you think!