The Southern Comfort was bigger than it looked from the outside. Charlotte was sitting at the bar, musing over a drink which she'd quickly downed as a man walked in. A few people greeted him by name telling Charlotte he was the man they were after.

She looked away, seem disinterested, Klaus had advised as she walked in alone.

"Hey, Red," Ray called out he walked in, making a beeline for Charlotte, "let me get a beer and a refill for," here he trailed off, waiting for her to introduce herself.

The bartender laughed as Ray waited for her response, moving to get the ordered drinks. Ray slid into the chair next to her, placing his elbow on the table and laying his chin on his hand to watch her.

"I'm Ray," he tried again, "What's your name gorgeous?"

Charlotte let out a soft laugh of disinterest, eyes still averted. "Charlotte," she replied with a smile that didn't meet her eyes, looking across the bar, waiting.

"Now Charlotte, what's a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this all alone," as he spoke, his hand moved to snake around her and she fought the urge to push him away.

"I"m not alone, I'm waiting on a friend."

"Ray?" Klaus appeared, on his other side, "Ray Sutton?"

"Who wants to know?" Ray answered his focus on Charlotte before turning, "Sorry man, if she's your girl," he raised his hands in surrender.

"Charlies a resilient one," Klaus answered, pleased to see his hands off of Charlotte and in the air before moving on to the topic at hand, "I've been looking everywhere for you. We started in Florida, Pensacola. I met a young chap there who you worked with before you moved to Memphis. Now, he directed me to two lovely young women. And they led me here. To you."

"I think I'll be going," Ray set down his beer as he tried to leave realising Klaus had nefarious plans. Charlotte remembered when they'd ambushed the schoolteacher, he acted the same. They both had the same air, light interest and then a sudden drop, their faces stony cold as they realised, working to hide their terror as they did their best to escape.

"Not so fast, mate. You only just got here," Klaus not so softly pushed him back, "Now your type, are very hard to come by."

Ray turned the other way only to be met with Stefan, "I wouldn't do that," Stefan pushed him back towards the bar, cornering him in.

"Vampires," Ray concluded.

"You are swifty swift Ray," Klaus replied condescendingly, "Yes, my friend here is a vampire. He's compelled everyone in the bar. So don't look to them for anything else."

Charlotte laid her head down on her arms, she felt miserable right now. She was feeling guilty that she was part of this, her head was throbbing as she dwelled on and on. Gulping down the drink Ray bought her she shut her eyes and covered her ears with her hands. She could still hear Klaus' monologue faintly, but if she focused on something else she could pretend that she wasn't here about to let them torture this man to give up his family. She stayed that way, ignoring it all until she felt an arm grasp her elbow, guiding her somewhere new to sit.

Klaus had moved them both to a booth, a little away from Stefan but close enough to see and hear easily. Charlotte sat beside him on the inside, leaning away from his arm swung on the seat behind her. She didn't want him to touch her right now she felt dirty, the amusement on his face as Stefan tortured Ray made her sick.

This was the Klaus she didn't like, not the one who held her tight at night because he knew it made her safe, the one who was enjoying himself as someone screamed in pain.

They had darts dipped in wolfsbane that they were throwing directly to Ray who was chained against the wall. Charlotte pretended she was ignoring it all, she had one of the books with her that Klaus had given her, but he could see how she'd flinch when one made contact and Ray would yell out. Ray let out a spectacular cry and Charlotte sat up to look, there was one in his face now, she looked at Klaus, wanting to make him stop it all.

"Hello, Mr Klaus," a woman came over to them, "I have some more information for you. You told me to tell you if I saw anything. I saw their brother, Damon, at the farmhouse."

Klaus had stood up to talk to the newcomer, moving away a little so Charlotte couldn't hear but she caught the tail end, her head shooting up at her brothers name. Instantly her body tensed, her mind racing with possibilities and possible scenarios, she had to fight to keep herself from reacting.

"Well, thank you, Claudine. You just tell your friends to keep up the good work with the neighbourhood watch."

Suddenly Stefan was before them.

"My brother's still on our trail?" he said with disinterest.

"He's getting closer. I'm gonna have to deal with that," Klaus replied, Charlottes breath hitched in her throat as she watched the exchange desperately.

"No, no no. Let me handle it," Stefan offered.

Please let him, please let him, please let him.

Charlotte was silently begging in her place, her breath held as she listened intently to their conversation. She knew Stefan was their only option, Klaus wouldn't let her go and she didn't trust Klaus not to kill him if he went. Even if Klaus somehow would let her go, there wasn't any way she could get to him without him or Stefan. She didn't have vampire sped like them and cars weren't even invented when she was last alive so she certainly couldn't drive.

"Why should I let you leave?" Klaus' eyes flickered over Stefan and a grin flitted across his face as he considered both Salvatores, their panic was falling off in waves that they tried unsuccessfully to contain.

"Because you know I'll come back."

"Do I?" Klaus chuckled.

"You saved my brothers life. I'm in your service," Stefan answered easily, ignoring the answer they both knew was true. He wouldn't leave Charlotte and they all knew Klaus wouldn't let her go.

Klaus grinned, gesturing to Ray on the wall, darts still hanging from his face, "Oh. It all sounds so tedious and indentured. Aren't you even having the least bit of fun?"

"I'll make sure that my brother doesn't bother us anymore," Stefan replied cooly ignoring Klaus' obvious dig. Klaus didn't respond but evidently that in itself was a reply as Stefan waited a beat before leaving.

"Another drink, love?" Klaus turned to Charlotte still in the booth behind him, his face showing innocent confusion when she glared at him. Standing up, she pushed past him out the door. She didn't go far, just outside, crouching against the window she hugged her head with her hands.

"Don't you dare let him hurt Damon," she finally muttered out. She didn't look up, she knew he had followed her and she knew he could hear her.

"Stefan's a big boy darling–"

"Shut up," she cut him off, "Fuck, this is so fucked up." She laughed a little, it wasn't a happy laugh, it was one that hurt him and her equally, "I want to leave Nik, this is so fucked up. Let me leave. I can't do this, I can't live like this. Please don't make me keep doing this."

Klaus' eyes darkened, she couldn't leave. For one it was his choice not hers, she was here to punish Damon and so he wasn't going to let her run back to her brother now she felt like it. For two, well there was no two. She wasn't leaving him. Klaus was running the show, he was a thousand years old and he wasn't going to let these bloody Salvatores start deluding themselves that they were in charge.

His voice was sharp as he spoke, "You're not leaving," he turned on his heel, "Come back inside, it's cold. Don't make me take your necklace."

She knew the implications of the final sentence. Don't make me take your necklace and compel you.

Charlotte was more hurt by the final sentence than by his refusal. She felt like they were back to square one, back to the day they first met and she was shuffled to see his vampire and wolf in chains, to the witch's house, to Alaric's house. Ferried back and forth, the only reason for her presence was for her to threaten her brothers into playing by the rules. She felt foolish for thinking that she was anything more than just a thing for Klaus to play with and use for his own gain.

Charlotte did come inside, she didn't know if Klaus' threat was honest, surely he wouldn't compel her, he was just lashing out from anger. He was frustrated with his Hybrids and wanted to control something.

She didn't return to the booth that they'd been sitting in earlier where her book lay by her empty glass, no. She sat at a couch in the corner that was old with worn leather. The couch smelled a little and she felt a little gross sitting on it, still sticky from what she hoped was someones spilled drink, but still it was better than the other option. Charlotte wrapped her arms around her legs, she felt cold again, she missed the warmth of his body near hers, beside her.

She hoped Damon was okay, Klaus hadn't compelled Stefan to hurt him, it was all Stefans choice. Stefan had been growing more distant, colder, over their time together. She knew it was all he could do, forced to do whatever Klaus wanted he had to shut down a little but it hurt to watch. The real Stefan was still there, but she worried, worried what he might do. Damon did need to take the hint, Klaus wasn't going to let him follow without consequences, but she was worried that Stefan would react too strongly to make him stop, knowing it wasn't just him but her that he was trying to save.

Ray had told Klaus where the pack was at last, but now Klaus had moved him to the pool table, laying him out dramatically he was explaining his three step plan. The plan that started with Ray drinking his blood, Ray struggled against him but it was useless, Charlotte knew first hand how hard it was to move when Klaus didn't want you to.

"It's time for step two, Ray," Klaus smiled down at him before his arms shot out and he snapped Ray's neck. "You're back," Klaus acknowledged, Stefan had returned to the bar and was walking closer now.

"Did you doubt me?"

He watched Stefans eyes flicker around looking for his sister as he approached, softening as he spotted her curled up in the corner. He could see the frown on her face but at this moment all he could care about what the fact that physically, she seemed okay.

"Not for a second. I knew you'd pass the test. You still care for your brother, for your old life."

"No. I don't care about anything anymore."

"You put on a good show, Stefan. I almost believe you. Let's hope for your brothers sake he does. But I know you, I see you watch your sister, your eyes looking for her to check on her, an absurd amount of tenderness for someone who doesn't care. You never stop caring about family, do you? But every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go." Klaus spat poison as he spoke, Stefan didn't reply but Charlotte could hear him and it hurt her like it was hurting Stefan.

He ignored Klaus and after a moment Stefan walked from the bar. Charlotte rose to follow him but Klaus was beside her, an arm around her waist, he pulled her back and then down beside him. They were both cuddled up on the couch together now.

"Klaus, I swear to god–" she broke off. Charlotte was so angry her body was shaking more than her voice.

"I don't know when you started thinking you were in charge here darling."

"I need another fucking drink. May I have your permission?" her voice was hard and sarcastic, the hurt pouring through into rage. She was pulling his fingers back, prying him off her waist and he let her. She walked to the bar and asked for the bottle of tequila, Stefan having compelled the bar staff to give them all whatever they liked.

Klaus was amused at first when she poured the shot, still too when the second was drunk right after, but his face furrowed when she abandoned the glass, bringing the bottle directly to her lips. He sped over and pulled the bottle from her hand causing Charlotte to roll her eyes, frustrated with the way he was behaving. She wanted to hate him right now and she hated herself that she didn't, so instead she wanted him to be as mad as she felt.

Klaus stared back down at her with fury. God those eyes could kill him. They were bright and blue, when she was happy, he could see all the brightness in the world in them. They caught every ounce of light in the room and reminded him of the sky on a sunny day. Not now though, no now they looked dark and deep, dark and miserable. He could see the hurt, feel the hurt, she let the pain show through in her eyes and his rage fizzled into shame for a moment, returning quickly.

"Don't make me toss you over my shoulder, sweetheart," Klaus seethed as she turned to walk away from him again.

Charlotte rolled her eyes again, just to make him mad, tossing her hair behind her shoulders but then she sat back down, waiting beside him until Stefan returned to the bar. His eyes looked red, she knew today was Elenas birthday and she felt bad that here he was on that day.

It wasn't, but Charlotte felt like it was her fault that he couldn't leave. Maybe if she wasn't here, when Stefan left to talk to Damon he could've just run and hidden. Klaus looked at the two miserable siblings, clapping his hands together having found the pack of hybrids. He directed Stefan to carry Ray and they were off.

It was quite late, almost early so they loaded Ray into the trunk of the car and sped off to a motel nearby. With a roll of his eyes at the mood of the car, Klaus left Charlotte and Stefan as he went inside to compel them all rooms.

"Is Damon–" Charlotte couldn't finish the question.

"He's fine Charlie, he won't follow us anymore."

Charlotte nodded, reaching across the handbrake to hold Stefans hand, "I'm sorry you're here Stef. I'm sorry he makes you do these things."

Stefan nodded, his face hard and emotionless, he turned and looked out the window, squeezing her hand tight and hard. Charlotte's door opened, it was Klaus, holding his hand out in what she well knew wasn't a request. She let him pull her from the car, dropping his hand to reach for the bag in the backseat. Klaus tossed a pair of keys with a big number 42 on them to Stefan, before turning to Charlotte, a hand on her lower back.

Klaus opened the door for her and she knew that there was no third room, she didn't want to be here right now. Yes she had been here most nights the past month, but she was angry with him. He hurt her. She changed in the bathroom, folding up her clothes and packing them in the bag so she could go straight to the bed when she walked out, she wouldn't have to look at him. He was waiting for her of course, sitting on the bed, facing the bathroom door.

"Klaus, I don't want to do this I'm tired."

It was almost 3am.

"Nik," he corrected.

"Fuck that," she was mad again, "Fuck that. Fuck you."

He stood towards her so she took a step away and he followed. Sighing, she walked around him and took his place on the bed. It was worse fighting with someone when you cared this much and she was struggling to tell him how she really felt.

"Nik I was worried and upset earlier and you threatened to compel me. You threatened to compel me just to come inside."

"I can't let you leave," Klaus spoke softly, stepping closer unusually honest with her.

"You can't threaten to take my choice away just because I disagree with you," Klaus stepped closer again and Charlotte lent forwards, eyes shutting as she rested her head on his chest. She felt his arms wrap around her back, fingers lightly tracing circles. She didn't know how the man she was with in the bar could be the same as this one, how he could be so soft and kind now when he was brusque and sharp earlier.

"Why am I here?"

Klaus was silent.

"Am I here because you want to hurt Damon, or am I here because you want me here." Charlotte wasn't going to let Klaus get away without answering. It was quiet and she spoke again, "Nik, I can't do this, I can't do any of this, if this is a revenge plot. If it's still about Damon I need to know."

Klaus wasn't good at honesty, he wasn't good at caring, and he wasn't good at feelings. He was impulsive and he was callous and he did whatever he liked with only his interests in mind. Klaus knew, deep down that Charlotte's presence didn't have anything to do with either of her brothers anymore. He knew he wouldn't hurt her and he knew he wouldn't compel her but he didn't know how to tell her that.

When the silence remained Charlotte started to pull away, surely that was his answer but then she felt his grip tighten against her, his fingers stilling as he pulled her close.

"I need you here," Klaus answered at last, "I don't want you to leave me."

This was the closest Klaus had come to telling Charlotte his true feelings before. She certainly knew some elements of it, but he preferred to keep his affection unspoken as though safeguarding it. It was the me on the end of his sentence however that was the distinction for Charlotte, the me on the end that was her answer. However foolish she was being, she had to believe that he cared too.

She pulled away and reached for his arm, thumb stroking it softly, "let's go to sleep, Nik."

The light was switched off and Charlotte was tight against his chest, his fingers in her hair. She didn't know how she'd learn to sleep again without someone stroking her hair if this all ended, when this ended.

"I'm sorry I made you come inside," Klaus spoke softly, "I shouldn't have made you get involved. I knew it would upset you and I did it anyway. I'm sorry."

"I know, Nik."

"I wouldn't compel you. I wouldn't do that to you again."

"I know."