It wasn't long before the Salvatores and Klaus had returned to the warehouse. None of them speaking more than a few words along the way, they were all wrapped up in their heads, thoughts overflowing.

While Klaus pulled Charlotte inside the warehouse along with him, he'd told Stefan to stay outside, waiting for his call. Rebekah had never arrived at Gloria's bar, as Klaus had instructed the security guard to tell her to, but the security guard was also absent, the warehouse empty.

They walked forwards, approaching the coffin where Rebekah first lay, Charlotte gripped Klaus' hand tighter when they saw it was empty, looking beyond it to see the guard, bloody and dead on the floor.

She felt nervous to meet Rebekah, she figured she likely wouldn't be in the best mood after laying dead for nearly a century by her brothers own hand, not to mention that she was the only human in attendance, and she happened to be covered in blood. Dried blood, but she wasn't sure the distinction would be enough really.

"Rebekah," Klaus called, "it's your big brother. Come out, come out, wherever you are."

They turned around slowly looking for Rebekah when suddenly she was barreling towards them, plunging the dagger into Klaus' heart.

"Go to hell, Nik," Rebekah spat, ignoring the girl beside him who's heart was pounding with terror.

"Don't pout," Klaus replied cooly as he pulled it from his chest with ease, "you knew it wouldn't kill me."

"No, but I was hoping it would hurt more." It was clear Rebekah was as furious about being kept with a dagger in her chest.

Fair enough.

Charlotte had been kept half dead like Rebekah and she felt sore about it sometimes but at least with her there wasn't really anyone to blame, it must hurt knowing your own family willingly chose to hide you away.

"I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah, so I'm gonna let that go, just this once. I brought you a little peace offering."

Rebekah turned to Charlotte, "Is this it Nik?" looking her up and down her face was disdainful, "You dagger me for God knows how long and this is all you bring me to apologise. Goodness you didn't even clean her up properly after you had a bite." With a shrug however, Rebekah allowed her fangs to appear, her face vamping out as she leaned in to bite Charlotte.

"No," Klaus' voice was hard and strong, he'd dropped Charlotte's hand and sped between her and Rebekah, pushing her back so he could be between them, "Little sister, you will not touch her. Charlie is off limits." Klaus could feel Charlotte's hand against his back, balled into a fist she held onto his shirt steadying herself from the speed at which she was pushed back.

Rebekah pouted, disappointed first that Charlotte was the gift she thought she'd been given and now more disappointed that she wasn't. Klaus turned around slowly towards the door he lead them all over and called out towards Stefan who Charlotte had forgotten was waiting outside.

"You can come in."

"Stefan," Rebekah gasped out as Stefan walked in, slowly at first.

Klaus sped over to Stefan, touching his shoulder gently he compelled Stefan, "Now, you remember."

Klaus stepped back towards Charlotte again, just in case his sister wanted to take another shot at her. She was after all, still covered in blood and however pleased Rebekah was at the sight of Stefan he wouldn't put it past her taking Charlotte out to annoy him.

The memories of their time together returned to Stefan all at once, "Rebekah," he choked out her name in surprise. He looked overwhelmed with emotion, not knowing how to feel after so long not even knowing she even existed.

Rebekahs face seemed filled with love as she approached him, "Stefan," she said again.

"I remember you," Stefan told her next turning to Klaus to speak, "we were friends."

"We are friends," Klaus replied. He seemed happy to have what clearly had been his plan for so long work out. Walking back with Charlotte, Klaus turned again to Rebekah. "And now, the reason you're here. Gloria tells me you know how to contact the Original witch."

"The Original witch?" Rebekah seemed disgusted at the idea.

"What do you have that Gloria needs?" Klaus's smile was gone and his voice was low.

Rebekahs hand went absentmindedly to her neck and her face changed, "Where's my necklace?" she sounded worried and anxious as the words flew out, "What did you do with it I never take it off."

Charlotte backed away from the arguing siblings, touching Stefans arm softly she looked up, "Are you okay?" she asked.

Stefan smiled weakly, he was overwhelmed by it all, but something more seemed to be panicking him as he listened to Klaus and Rebekah. Stefan nodded to the door and Charlotte called out to Klaus they would wait outside who absentmindedly nodded as he argued with his own sister.

Charlotte could hear the siblings were fighting over a necklace as she and Stefan walked outside. She thought they'd talk near the doors but once they were clear, Stefan grabbed her hand and sped them around the block.

"What's going on?" Charlotte asked, concern pulsing through her body as she looked at him leaning against a building dejectedly. She knew he was unhappy but now he seemed more terrified than miserable and she was worried something was about to blow up between him and Klaus.

"I don't want to you to get caught in the middle," Stefan said. He was hesitating and however much he wanted to tell her everything he worried about where that would leave her when she had to lay next to Klaus again at night.

"Stef, I'm already in the middle. Tell me what's wrong, I'm worried about you."

Charlotte could see his resolve crumbling as she stared up at him. Even as children Stefan was hard pressed to keep things from Charlotte and now as she looked up to him with so much concern he knew he needed to be honest with her.

"Charlie there's things you don't know, things I didn't tell you," Stefan felt bad that he'd kept all the secrets so long but he couldn't hide it anymore, "Elena's alive, there was a spell and her father traded her life for his. She's not a vampire and she's not dead, she's okay."

Charlotte was so overwhelmed she couldn't speak for a moment, "she- she didn't die or become a vampire? She's alright?"

She'd been so worried for Damon once she'd seen the wolf bite that she'd been able to forget about the blood he'd fed her at the time but soon after the worry over her transition terrified her. She knew how much Elena meant to Stefan and Damon and she was so happy to know they hadn't lost someone they'd loved.

Stefan nodded before continuing, "they've been following us for a while too, the woods with Ray, and then Elena was there with Damon at the bar tonight." Charlotte had guessed there was more to this evening, she loved Damon and she knew coming inside was an idiotic plan that wasn't his only option, a distraction made more sense, "There's more, the necklace that Rebekah lost, Elena has it, I gave it to her."

"Oh no."

"If Gloria looks for it she'll find Elena, she's not an idiot she'll know what the doppelgänger looks like, she's gonna find out and Klaus is going to figure out-"

Charlotte finished his sentence, "-why his hybrids have failed."

Charlotte felt as worried as Stefan had looked when she finally processed this all. She remembered how close Klaus had been to killing Damon just hours ago and the thought of him following through when he found out about Stefan's betray wouldn't surprise her either. Her head was racing at all the things Klaus would do to punish him when he found out the truth and she knew she needed to do whatever she could to keep Stefan safe.

Stefan nodded again, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Charlotte."

She laughed in response, it wasn't a difficult choice to keep it from her, she knew why he had and she knew what they had to do now.

"Stef I don't care why you kept it from me, I get it. I'm always on your team.. unless we're against Damon, then I'm maybe with him," Stefan let out a half laugh at this, "I need you to compel me." Charlotte was reaching up and unclasping her necklace, Stefan looked up with shock at her as she did, "We'll figure it out but compel me."

Charlotte trusted Klaus enough to know that if he was worried she knew something he wouldn't threaten to hurt her like she would Stefan but if he was really desperate he might compel it out of her. She hoped he wouldn't do it, but if Stefan compelled her first, it wouldn't even be an issue. Even if she was asked she wouldn't be able to say anything, she wouldn't need to worry about letting anything slip, lying would be the only option.

"Stef, we all know I'm terrible at secrets, its the only way. You know he wouldn't hurt me to get the truth but if he's desperate he could try and compel me. Compel me first, compel me to not tell anything I just found out to anyone but you unless you say otherwise."

She had grabbed his hand now, forcing her necklace into his palm. Stefan looked between the necklace and her, nothing felt more wrong than compelling her now. He understood her reasoning but he didn't trust Klaus in the way she did, he worried that if he took the ability to tell Klaus away that instead Klaus would hurt her in a fit of rage. He worried this would only put her in more danger and he felt terrible doing something to alter her free will.

"Do it."

Stefan compelled his sister, heart racing with guilt. He returned her necklace to her, clasping it about her neck, regret gripping him that she'd ever had to take it off for him and that she was involved in any of this.

"I'm sorry I let you get wrapped up in all this Charlie, I should've stopped Damon when he pissed Klaus off or pushed back harder when he wouldn't let you leave."

Charlotte pulled Stefan into a hug, "Stef, I'm older remember, it's my job to look after you I wouldn't have left you alone for this. I'm gonna fix this somehow, we'll figure it out. I'll do whatever I can to keep Elena a secret and I won't let Klaus hurt you."

Charlotte and Stefan returned in time to watch Rebekah throw the coffin she was searching against a wall where it smashed into pieces.

"Over your tantrum little sister?" Klaus asked at last when Rebekah finally began to calm down.

Rebekah ignored Klaus and turned her attention maliciously to Charlotte standing beside Stefan near the door. "So who are you then darling. Carla was it? Why are you following my brother and Stefan along like their little pet?" Her voice was cool as she spoke, looking between the two Salvatores with jealousy.

"Charlotte," Stefan corrected when Charlotte didn't speak quickly enough.

Rebekah's eyebrows rose as her face darkened. "Don't tell me you've stooped this low Stefan darling, not with someone as ugly as her."

Charlotte coughed suddenly, choking a little with shock, finally understanding Rebekah's animosity towards her. Not even focusing on the insult hurled her way she was simply eager to explain herself, "Charlotte Salvatore. I-" Charlotte broke off, not quite sure how to explain that she had absolutely no interest in getting between Rebekah and Stefan, "Stefan's my little brother."

Klaus' laughter boomed behind them, he could hear how flustered Charlotte was. He found it amusing watching his sisters jealousy towards Charlotte and hearing her heart race as they spoke. Rebekah's face softened at her words, clearly her reaction had been a little extreme.

"In that case," Rebekah looped her arm through Charlotte's as she spoke, "we must become great friends."

Charlotte was flustered, terror at Rebekah's mood swing was masked with a smile that amused Klaus and Stefan. She wasn't exactly scared of Rebekah killing her, she figured that both Klaus and Stefan would help her. But she was still a human, covered in blood with a vampire that was no doubt still quite hungry after a 90 year fast and she'd rather not test her luck.

At last Klaus took pity on her, bored of watching his sister attempt to make a friend he spoke up. "Come now Rebekah," he said, "let my darling go, surely you and Stefan want to get a fresh bite before you sleep."

Rebekah considered for a moment, this was just a ploy to make her leave she knew, but she did want to be alone with Stefan and she was rather peckish. The guard that Klaus had left behind for her did little to satisfy her appetite and so Rebekah considered her options. Finally dropping Charlotte's arm she reached for Stefan's instead, grasping it quickly the two rushed away leaving Klaus and Charlotte in silence.

"I think your sister considered killing me for standing next to my brother just then," Charlotte laughed lightly, turning towards Klaus as they were now alone. Klaus walked over to her and took her hand to pull her towards him for a quick hug before they left the warehouse.

"Are you alright darling?" he asked, her hand was in his as they walked to wherever he'd compelled for them to stay the night.

Charlotte wasn't alright, she was terrified that Klaus was going to find out about the necklace and about Elena and kill Stefan for the transgression. She was so worried for her brother and what she could do to fix it that took her a moment to remember that Klaus didn't know why she was worried.

"She didn't hurt me Nik," she quickly stuttered out, hoping he would believe her silence was about his sister.

"I don't mean my sister," Klaus replied, "Charlotte, you're still covered in blood I mean your stomach."

"Oh," Charlotte let out a weak laugh, how had she allowed her life to descend into such chaos that a near death experience at her own hand hours earlier didn't even register on the list of things to concern her, "God I can't believe stabbing myself in the stomach wasn't the most memorable event of the day."

Klaus pulled them to a stop and pushed Charlotte to the wall as he stared into her eyes, "Darling do you realise how incredibly stupid what you did today was?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes at his tone and tried to push away but Klaus held her still. She acted as though she wasn't bothered, letting a frown cover her face, but Klaus could hear her heart rate quicken. Charlotte was remembering the last time she was held against a wall like this, pressed between the wall and a body against her will.

"Let me go," she growled.

"No," Klaus' voice was loud and sharp, angry at her dismissal, "What if I didn't notice in time? What if Stefan or another vampire were there and had lost control."

"Nik you were about to kill Damon," Charlotte pushed her fear down, she felt mad that she was the one getting reprimanded as though she'd acted rashly, "You wouldn't listen and you were going to kill my brother."

Klaus let Charlotte go, stalking away from her in frustration and then turning back.

"What if I didn't react properly?" he asked, "What if I staked Damon and you still had a bottle in your stomach?" His voice was low, shaky but coated with anger and worry.

Charlotte realised now. Klaus wasn't angry at her, he was scared.

"But I didn't," Charlotte replied, softening as she understood and reaching her hand to his, "I'm fine, Nik."

Klaus's hand rose to her face, softly he pushed her hair out of her face leaving his hand to linger on her cheek, "I told you, you can't leave me." Charlotte leaned into him, a hand snaking around his hip.

"I'm not going anywhere," Charlotte replied at last, using his hand that lay on her face to tug him closer and pressing her lips to his. She didn't know what this was between them but she knew she wanted to pull him closer and closer.

Charlotte was pressed against the wall again, her heart wasn't racing with panic this time but excitement. One of Klaus' arms mirrored hers, wrapped around her waist tugging her closer to him while the other lay beside her head against the wall.

The difference between the world now and 1864 was glaringly obviously to Charlotte most moments of the day but especially now. She couldn't quite believe that she was here kissing Klaus in the middle of the street as though it was normal.

They stayed that way for longer than Charlotte intended, she was flushed when they finally pulled apart whilst Klaus grinned with satisfaction. Rolling her eyes at his boyish attitude Charlotte simply grabbed his hand and pulled them in the direction they'd been walking hoping that Klaus would take over when they needed to make a turn.

They were inside the room now and Charlotte was preparing to shower, remove the excessive amount of dried blood that coated her body and clothing. She stood at the door to the bathroom, hesitating before turning around and addressing Klaus directly.

"Nik," she said, her voice was quiet but it caught Klaus' attention easily and his eyes flicked from his phone to her face, "I need you to understand that if you ever hurt either of my brothers it's going to be a lot worse than what happened today. I swear that to you."

Charlotte was sure now that she cared for Klaus more than she should, she knew that the way she felt about him wasn't right after all he'd put her and her brother through but she was choosing to let it in. The affection she felt for him seemed inevitable at this point but she needed him to understand her. She needed him to know that no matter what, she cared about her brothers above all in this world.