Above All Else

Chapter 31

The day went faster than they had all anticipated and Caroline was left to watch it all happen from her spot on the sofa in the study. It frustrated her to no end that while everyone else was caught up in a flurry of activity, rushing through the last minute details down to the precise second, she couldn't assist in anyway. Hell, she couldn't even stress clean let alone bark her standard orders. All she could do was lay weak and slightly gray with a blood bag in her grasp that was meticulously changed out by Klaus whenever it came even close to being emptied. She snorted, grumbling to herself internally about how they didn't have her flow chart she had instructed Klaus to make propped up in the correct place. I mean hello! What happened to efficiency? She thought in irritation. It was her only contribution and they were failing horrible at even looking at the damn thing.

On the opposite side of the room speaking in hushed voices to Rebekah and Stefan, Klaus glanced over to Caroline for what had to be the hundredth time in the past fifteen minutes alone, a soft understanding smile slowly taking over his lips. He knew if he were the one in Caroline's position he would be near to ripping himself apart at the seams to get involved in the action.

This had to be killing her.

He winced at the thought, mentally lambasting himself for even allowing the turn of phrase to filter through his mind. Distracting himself from his dark and morose thoughts, Klaus followed Caroline's line of sight only to shake his head with a quiet puff of laughter.

Of course she was upset about the placement of her well organized chart; the hours she had spent dictating to him what should go where were as fun as they were tedious. It had been a pleasant interlude into the inner works of her fantastic mind as well as it had served as a perfect way to keep her occupied while allowing her to feel productive. Klaus had no doubt she was internally ripping everyone a new one for ignoring her small but well thought out contribution. Excusing himself from his sister and Stefan, Klaus weaved his way through the flurry of people that had taken over his study as their temporary headquarters. Picking up the easel they had utilized as a makeshift stand for her chart he moved it to a more prime location in the room clearing his throat as he purposely slid the legs across the glossy wooden floor making enough noise to halt all conversations.

"If I could have everyone's attention for a moment." His stern voice rang clear over the hush that fell across the room, "If everyone would please take a moment to check off what has been done, what needs yet to be completed, as well as any last minute ideas to the board that would be fantastic." One of the witches opened his mouth, no doubt to say how ridiculous such a thing was by the look on his face, Klaus quickly silenced him with a heated stern glare, putting the right amount of force behind his next words, "Caroline worked tirelessly to give us all a starting point as well as a place to be completely sure that we do not miss anything vital during this operation. And seeing as this entire endeavor's key factor is keeping her safe; I will be quite put out if her safety is compromised by some foolish mistake. So I suggest you all follow through with her demands or else you will be the ones missing something vital." A devious smirk formed on his mouth along with a hint of yellow flashing in his eyes strictly for the added effect, "I am particularly fond of vital things such as livers and spleens."

"By the Gods Nik, enough with the livers already!" Kol exclaimed before leaning towards a group of witches in a mock whisper, "I've lost mine to him more times than I care to count. Personally I am partial to the kidneys and lungs but," he casually shrugged his shoulders, "to each their own I suppose."

The flurry of feet and the shuffling of papers followed immediately after as everyone began swarming the board.

Caroline weakly shook her head at Klaus and Kol's antics, giggling softly at their matching shit eating grins. Kol waggled his eyebrows at her before he promptly walked back over to Bonnie to carry on with their conversation. Her eyes followed him before looking back at Klaus who gazed at her with such a loving and knowing look that she couldn't help but smile back, mouthing the words, "Thank you."