Above All Else

Chapter 25

Caroline's hands fluttered nervously at her sides as she twisted the ends of Klaus's shirt she was wearing. She couldn't believe this was happening right now. Where Elena had been complaining just seconds ago about how heavy douchebag Damon was, now she was staring a burning hole through her. She felt relieved instantly when Stefan cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention back at the real issue.

Stefan shifted Rebekah in his arms as he began to walk into the front parlor, "Come on Elena, let's get them in here and set them down." He sent a grin at a thankful looking Caroline. His grin turned to a knowing smirk with a raised eyebrow at Klaus as he passed him. Setting Rebekah gently onto the sofa he turned to help a struggling Elena with Damon. Stefan winced at the pain filled groan Damon released as his nearly detached arm jostled as they placed him on a large chair. No matter how angry he was at him, Damon was still his brother and he hated to see him hurt.

Klaus watched the proceedings through narrowed eyed, already deducing that the little rag-tag group was attacked by werewolves. He couldn't help the self-satisfied smirk that grew on his face as he watched the doppelganger shoot daggers out of her eyes at himself and Caroline. Taking a quick look at Caroline out of the corner of his eyes he noticed the ridged set of her shoulders as she crossed one arm over her front while rubbing the other nervously. He did not like the way she was reacting to the doppelgangers obvious distaste at the two of them together, but he also did not like to see her upset by it either. Strutting into the room with a confidence that he hope would not fail him after this upcoming test of their relationship, he made his way to the liquor table speaking over his shoulder as if this was an everyday occurrence, "Can I get you a drink Love?"

"Yes please." Caroline replied and he was happy to hear her voice, though a touch shaky was strong even as Elena scoffed.

"Stefan?" Klaus asked as he raised another tumbler only to shrug his shoulders at Stefan's decline.

"Look," Elena began, tying to sound confident in their decision to come here, "I know you don't want us here anymore than we want to be here, but..."

Klaus cut Elena off as he finished filling the two tumblers with Scotch, "Let me guess," He turned with a glass in each hand as he walked towards Caroline, "You had a bit of a nasty run in with a werewolf and you are here to ask, no wait, beg for my blood." He grinned evilly at Elena's narrowed angry eyes but smiled softly at Caroline as he handed her the glass, "Here Love."

Caroline tucked a frazzled piece of her hair behind her ear as she took the glass from him with an equally soft smile, "Thanks."

"Oh my God, are you kidding me right now?" Elena spat as she looked between the two of them and took in just how their eyes danced with each other's.

Stefan rolled his eyes before trying to calm her down, "Elena I don't think now is the time..."

"The time for what Stefan?" Elena shouted as she threw her arms out and pointed at Caroline, "The time to say that while we've been fighting for our lives our friend here has been playing house with the monster that came in and ruined our lives?" She folded her arms over her chest and stared hatefully at Caroline. "Maybe you want to explain what the hell you are doing Caroline? I mean I get it; we've all been too busy to be there for you with the whole Tyler situation but Klaus? Really?"

Klaus could feel Caroline vibrating with a nervous agitated energy next to him, his own nerves getting the best of him as well. He was afraid of finding out just how she would reacted to Elena's obvious anger over their being together and being caught in such a state of undress. Too afraid to find out whether she would stand up for them or deny them, he chose his own way out of the situation, "I don't believe you came here to speak of what is or is not going on between Caroline and myself," he could feel Caroline's gaze on him but refused to look down to see the relieved look on her face at his deflection from whatever they were or weren't, "So you best get on with it before I get moody and throw you all out on your asses."