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Song Title:How to save a life by The Fray.

''And why do I hear of this now?!'' Damon was a little furious. Just a little.

''There was nothing you could have done to help. I arrived there on time,end the situation,no harm done. Coffee?''

Klaus was more cheerful than usual that morning. When Damon went by to ask if he knew anything about Irene's departure,or anything at all, he found him sipping coffee and reading the paper. Of course he had more than one good reason to be in a good mood. For starters,his best friend was alive. It was more than good reason. For another, last night he made quite the progress with Caroline and their relationship. Baby steps but a development none the less.

''Thank you for bringing me home.'' She finally felt safer. What had happened to Irene really shook her up. It could have been her in there if she hadn't left after leaving Irene at the inn. Fortunately, Klaus was more than efficient.

''No trouble love, I wouldn't have it any other way...'' his dimples showed,after forming a small smile. She smiled back looking down and he continued.

''I know we haven't had an opportunity to talk since..he left,but I want you to know I am here for anything you might need. I am not asking if you are ok,it's an extremely silly question and the chances of an honest answer lean to zero,but...I'm here,for you. Anything you might need...''

''Thank you. Really. I never thought you could be so good,kind to somebody,but..never say never.''

''There is a first time for everything Caroline. That's what they say,right?'' she gave a hesitate smile

''And I was thinking we could have gone through a party without something to happen!''

''Caroline!I thought you knew better!'' he joked at her and made her give a genuine laugh.

''For what's it's worth,the whole night was worth it for that smile...''

They looked at each other without saying anything.

''I guess I should go..''she proposed and moved to the door

''Yes,my duty is complete. I delivered you home safely. And don't worry about Rene,she is in fine hands.'' both smiled a little craftily

''So...goodnight.'' said she without moving. He turned to the car and she opened her house door.

''How about coffee some day...you know just coffee and chatting?'' he said,voice a little shaky,his neck vein stretched. She replied nothing and looked at him intensely.

She smiled at him and closed the door between them.

''How can you be so cool? Irene could have died,you do understand that? And that guy is still out there!Why his head isn't decorating the wall?''

''About that. I would do that,with most pleasure,as you probably imagine, but there is a little problem. Have you heard of the brotherhood of the Five?''

''No. Do I care enough to learn?''

''Yes,I believe you do.'' Klaus replied and showed Damon the chair across him.

She woke up at the sound of the rain,hitting the windows. It was supposed to be a sunny day.. she thought. How long has she slept? Was he still there? Or he had just left her like the other times?

''Good morning Irene...'' his voice brought her back to reality. She sat up inside the pillows and blankets.

''Good morning. How did you know I was awake? You couldn't see my face...''

''You really do underestimate me... she looked at him a little pissed ... I heard your breathing. It became faster.'' she gave a smile and looked away.

''It's not getting any easier you know that? I'm not over the fact that you lied to me the way you did. Nor have I forgiven you. Yet I can't even look at you,you are beyond the annoyingly handsome stage he smiled looking down I'm serious!And you haven't slept all night! I don't even want to know how do I look!''

''Incredible as always.'' Not the slightest hint of lie or irony in his voice. It was true. She captivated his sight from the moment she was in the room. It was very difficult to look away in any conditions.

''You are not helping!'' she stood up and looked outside the window.

What was she suppose to do?Leave?Forget?She couldn't. She never would now. Now everything made sense. Now the hole in her chest was full. It hurt,but it was whole. There wasn't a place in the whole world now that she wouldn't miss him. She blamed him for what he did but in her ignorance she was happy. Or at least,not like she was right now. In the end,

''Ignorance is bliss.''she came to a conclusion.

He smiled briefly,and got near her. She immediately took defense position,crossing her hands beneath her chest.

''What are you thinking?'' his voice was soft,direct and completely captivating. One of the many things she had loved about him.

''That you should keep your distance. You may be an Original but I do play a good fight.'' he couldn't help but laugh. He had missed her immensely. All of her.

''Don't laugh Elijah, I can take you down if I want to!'' she said,looking upset,but really enjoying it.

''I am more than sure that you can.'' He reassured her most teasingly. She turned around and faced him,eyes sparking

''Do I detect irony mr. Mikaelson?''

''On the contrary,miss Darcy,I most sincerely value you threat''. She couldn't help but laugh. He made her laugh. Another thing she most graciously valued in him.

''Oh,of all the people in all the ages of the world,I stumbled upon you. An Original. And after..everything,I find your brother. Another Original! Seriously now,what are the odds?!''

''You never were any good with the odds,for what it's worth!'' he teased,challenging his luck.

''You didn't just refer to my mathematical skills...''her face was forming shock.

''What if I did?...''he came just a little closer,making her hold her breath.

''I'd suggest you run. Away!'' said in a rage-pretended voice.

''Oh I am terrified.''

''You should be sir!'' her eye caught the dress she wore last night,nicely placed in chair.

''I really loved that dress. he turned his face to see what she was seeing Before Nik brought it, I was wondering I had left it.''

''It' a big shame indeed. You won't be able to fix it?''

''Chiffon? From the '50s? Not in a million years.''

''Pity. You looked stunning in it.'' he looked back at her. She was avoiding very hard not to look back.

''Right... Now,if you'll excuse me,I need to take a shower.'' said and fled.

He looked at her,until she was vanished in the bathroom,and took out his cell phone.

''Okay so,let me see what I've understand. The brotherhood of the Five,was a group of vampire hunters created by a witch to eliminate the earth of our kind. Their sole purpose is to kill as many as possible,in order to achieve that cause.''

''Very good Damon. Must say I am impressed.'' Klaus said in a mocking tone. Damon ignored him and moved on.

''The hunter also has a tattoo. Which is the map to the cure. The tattoo will be complete when the hunter kills enough vampires...that's all I got.''

''Which is,more or less the big picture. As I've explained to Stefan as well,it is necessary that the hunter remains alive,or else we loose the map,and therefore,the cure. Which as much as you wouldn't mind Elena not to take,there are more of us who would like her to have it. Am I clear?''

''Crystal.''

Before any further conversations,the door open and Elijah came in with Irene.

''Ah,good morning brother,Rene. How are you feeling today?''

''Better Nik,thank you. Good morning Damon.'' he rushed to her side and hugged her,leaving her and everybody stunned. He spoke first

''Don't ever do that again.''

''Do what?''

''Almost die.'' she smiled and replied

''I'll do my best.''

''And while I'll do that,I need to book a flight. And find a car that'll take me to the airport. Any takers?''

''You know I always enjoyed your sense of humor Rene. Glad to see it hasn't fade over the centuries.'' Klaus said,sitting up and started to walk around the room. Irene looked at him confused.

''I am starting to losing you here Nik... I am going. There is absolutely no reason for me to stay. You do get that?''

''Oh I do love,but you see the hunter that you crossed paths? He doesn't seem to be joking around. So since they have disappeared for 900 years and suddenly return,I wouldn't know how many of them are here,or how much they have developed over the centuries. So you won't be leaving because by not being here,I can't protect you.''

''Nik,I do get what you are saying,and it is more than touching to see how much you care about me but there is no reason that will convince me to stay. None her eyes momentarily fixed on Elijah whatsoever. '' she turned around to leave,but Damon rushed and blocked her way.

''Sorry Irene,not today.''

''This is ridiculous. Elijah,say something!''

''Now I am afraid I won't be much of a help. I am the one suggested on you staying here in the first place.''

''You...you brought me here so that he pointing at Klaus can compel me not to leave. You flirted with me in the morning to get in my good graces, ask me later to come over the mansion for coffee and lured me here so you wouldn't have to do it yourself. Neat Elijah. Very neat.''

''It is isn't it?I am very proud of you brother!'' Klaus bragged and tapped Elijah to the shoulder.

''Irene all I want,all I ever wanted was for you to be safe. If I had never to see you again,but know that you would be safe, I'd be the first to let you go.

But that is not the case. And if keeping you safe means compelling you not to leave,then yes I'd do it again.'' his tone was calm,precise as usual,and honest. She looked him in the eye,and believed him.

Before she could answer ,Klaus' phone rang. His face turned emotionless and Irene could distinguish the boiling rage he was growing into. She got closer and put a hand on his back. He turned around,clenching teeth,drowning in anger.

''Niklaus what happened?'' his brother asked before she could.

''He has her. he looked at Irene He took her Rene. Caroline. He has her,Matt and Jeremy at the Grill. It was Stefan on the phone.''

''Okay,so we're gonna go and get her. She'll be okay. They'll all be okay. Call Stefan. Tell him to come here with Elena. We need a plan. And before you suggest we rush through the Grill,rip heads,hit and run,you need to consider the casualties this may cause,including Caroline in them.''

He reluctantly picked up the phone and called Stefan. Damon spoke.

''I'll go by Alaric's place,he had maps of the tunnels beneath the town,the cellar etc. I'll go get them.'' Irene nodded and he left. She looked at Elijah with mixed feelings. She briefly smiled,feeling terrified of doing or saying anything more.

After everybody meeting together,they left for the Grill. Elijah,Elena and Damon would take the tunnels where Stefan would go through the front door,as Connor,the hunter, demanded to negotiate with. Klaus and Irene would sneak through the back door.

''I really don't feel comfortable leaving Caroline's,Matt's and my brother's life in Klaus' hands. It's not that I don't trust Stefan, but Klaus has his way of doing things.'' Elena was more than worried and it was more than obvious.

''I understand you worries Elena,but Irene should keep him in place. Her I trust. I believe this is where we part. Damon go that way,Elena and I will take this one.''

Before he could argue,a massive explosion was heard right above their heads.