Charlotte was sitting in the living room the Salvatore house reading when something hit her in the face, blinking with surprise she pulled it away to see a dress. The dress was the same one she'd worn to homecoming, Caroline had let her keep it and it stood in her closet as the only dress she owned.

She looked up at the culprit, "Get dressed Charlie," Damon said, "we're going to dinner."

"Matt and I are meeting up, sorry," she replied lazily, pulling her book open again as she tossed the dress back towards him.

"I didn't ask. Elijah and I have organised a nice old fashioned sit down for-"

Charlotte cut in, putting her book to the side and looking up at Damon, suddenly interested, "Elijah's awake?"

"I undaggered him," Damon grinned cheekily before continuing, "keep up. As I was saying, Elijah and I have organised a sit down for Klaus and Stefan-"

"So take Stefan," Charlotte rolled her eyes, "I told you guys I don't want in on your revenge plot."

"It's not a revenge plot it's a dinner, maybe a distraction," Damon replied, Charlotte looked skeptical still and so Damon pulled out the big guns, "Klaus is less likely to murder us with you there, don't you like us alive."

"Are you technically alive?" Charlotte asked, reluctantly agreeing with a laugh at the frown that crossed Damon's face playfully. She didn't want to see Klaus and she still didn't trust Elijah but she did agree with Damon that the chances of him and Stefan loosing hearts did lower if she attended.

"Can't i just wear this?" she motioned to the shirt and pants combination she was already wearing, "Surely a dress is overkill."

"Wear the dress Charlie," Damon called, leaving the room, "We leave in thirty."

-

Charlotte had put on the dress and when Matt had whined over the phone about her cancelling she'd passed it to Damon to make him explain why she had to cancel despite her very strong rejection of the supernatural world. The three had reluctantly made their way to Klaus' residence with only Damon somewhat excited, Stefan was as grumpy as Charlotte and had been passing her a flask even as they drove over.

"Niklaus, our guests have arrived," Elijah called out as he opened the door to the three Salvatores. He was wearing a suit, as always, mirroring the formal looks that his guests reluctantly wore. Stefan and Damon pushed through past Elijah but Charlotte paused, remembering her manners.

"Elijah," Charlotte greeted, "thank you for having us."

Despite her pleasantries, she eyed him wearily, aware of the fact that he was the one who'd betrayed her brothers during their last alliance. She was here as requested, she would treat him more respectfully than likely Klaus or her brothers would, but she felt a little uncomfortable.

"Charlotte my apologies for our last interaction, you look lovely. Please come in," Elijah offered his arm to Charlotte as he replied, tugging her gently through the foyer following her brothers.

"Damon, Stefan. Elijah tells me you seek and audience. Very bold," Klaus called out to them, pausing when he realised Charlotte stood behind them with Elijah.

Klaus had intended for the pause to be a momentary one, a glance over at the final heartbeat he'd heard in the doorway but his breath caught in his throat. She was wearing that damn dress again, the one she'd worn at the homecoming he'd thrown at the house of Tyler, his first hybrid. The dress had a belt around it this time instead of the safety pin but it still swung as she moved and floated as she walked.

Klaus wanted nothing more than to rip the fabric to shreds so he could see her again, all of her.

Charlotte felt Klaus' gaze deeper than she'd hoped it would be, his eyes were following her body and she pushed her face into a frown, she still was mad at him and she couldn't have him looking at her like this. She could see Damon and Stefan looking between them and she knew the thoughts that were whirring in their heads and it made her heart race even more. She just wished Klaus would talk again so they could move on from this moment and sit down, perhaps drink excessive amounts of the expensive wine that she knew he would've compelled for them.

Realising his pause had gone on too long, Klaus continued, "And you brought along my favourite Salvatore, Charlotte. You look beautiful, darling. Now, let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilised men and women, shall we?"

Klaus gestured to the table set for dinner beside him and Elijah came forwards, "It's better to indulge him," he said, holding his arm out again for Charlotte to take. When she wrapped her hand around his arm he moved to lead her towards the table, pulling the chair out for her while she glanced at her brothers who watched the interaction wearily.

"I didn't uh, come here to eat, Klaus," Stefan said, following Charlotte down towards Klaus and the table, "In fact, I didn't want to come here at all, but I was told I had to. Because you would hear us out."

"Well," Klaus chuckled, "we can sit and eat, or I can reach down your throat and pull out your insides. The choice is yours," as he spoke, Klaus came and pulled out the chair beside Charlotte, smirking at the way her face screwed up in a forced annoyance.

"Damon what's the point of us being here if you guys are going to cause a problem before we even start," Charlotte complained, knowing Damon was the more reasonable of her brothers at the moment.

If she had to be here, sitting beside Klaus at this dinner wearing this dress, then they were going to sit and eat too. Damon sighed in annoyance but he shoved Stefans shoulder towards the table and the pair reluctantly followed sitting on the opposite side of the table to her and Klaus, while Elijah took the head on Charlotte's other side.

"You lost your appetite?" Klaus asked Stefan. Meals and wine had been brought out and they were all eating aside from Stefan who sat grumpily watching the scene in front of them.

"Eat," Damon told him, "I thought we agreed that we would leave the grumpy Stefan at home," Stefan forced a smile to his face, reluctantly grasping the silverware.

"Thats the spirit," Klaus smiled, "Isn't this nice? The five of us dining together," as Klaus taunted the table his hand abandoned his knife, going beneath the table to sit on Charlotte's leg. He liked this dress all the more than her bulky trousers now his fingers were gliding on the skin of her thigh, a grin broke out across his face as he continued talking, "Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger out of my brother?"

"Well I knew how he felt about you, so I figured the more the merrier," Damon replied, grinning back at Klaus' apparent displeasure. Charlottes hand meanwhile had abandoned her food and was furiously working at prying Klaus' fingers from her leg. His grip wasn't hard, just unmovable, it was gentle and warm and would've been nice if he hadn't been doing it just to get a rise out of her knowing she hadn't forgiven him.

Klaus let out a chuckle and removed his hand to reach for his wine, "Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the centuries but we always make it through."

"Kind of like, uh, you and Rebekah, right?" Stefan replied, "Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her."

God Stef, way to keep the peace Charlotte wanted to say. Instead she just downed her wine, gesturing to the compelled woman to ask for more.

"If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother I've already come clean to Elijah," Klaus replied.

"Hey, Stef, remember when you killed Dad?" Damon cut in, "Might want to dial down the judgement till dessert."

Charlotte's breath hitched in her throat and she saw Klaus watching her as she looked down at her lap. She knew that Stefan was the one to kill their father, but she didn't think about it often and was surprised to be reminded like this. Klaus' hand reached across again but this time it landed on her hand that lay in her lap, his thumb swiped across it comfortingly for a moment before it returned to his cutlery.

"We're here to make a deal, Damon," Stefan snapped back, "Doesn't mean we need to kiss his ass for seven courses"

"Jeez Stef," Charlotte finally cut in, rolling her eyes, "we've got a long evening ahead of us, pace yourself."

"Stefan," Elijah changed the subject, "where is the lovely Elena tonight?"

"I don't know," Stefan replied, "ask Damon."

Klaus laughed callously and Charlotte reached over to pinch him, "I'm sorry you missed so much," Klaus explained, his hand finding Charlotte's leg again and squeezing to annoy her, she wished she hated it more, "trouble in paradise."

Stefan leaned forward to reply, "One more word about Elena, and this dinner is over."

"Hey, you know what?" said Damon, "Probably best just to keep Elena in the do-not-discuss pile."

"You're probably right," Klaus agreed, a smile breaking across his lips as he felt Charlotte's leg break out in goosebumps when he started stroking his thumb gently along the inside of her thigh, ignoring her hand working to try to pry him from her, "It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelgänger is still so-"

Klaus broke off from what he was saying as Charlotte stood to her feet, her dress fluttering around her and her silverware knocking against her plate with a clatter. All eyes were on her now and she froze, trying to figure out her next step.

"Elijah," she addressed him directly, he furrowed his brow but gestured for her to continue, "would you mind switching seats with me. It seems your brother can't keep his hands to himself."

"Niklaus," Elijah scolded as he stood from his seat apologetically, swapping their plates and then their glasses, "let us remember assaulting the guests as they eat is not conducive to a truce."

Klaus narrowed his eyes at Charlotte who was smirking at him knowing she'd beaten him at his own game, "Perhaps when they're done eating then," Klaus replied cooly, "as I was saying brother, shall we tell them about Tatia?"

"Now why should we discuss matters long since resolved," Elijah replied.

"Well, given their shared affection for both Elena and Katerina, I think our guests might be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line," Klaus replied.

"We're not going anywhere, Elijah. Please, do tell," Damon implored causing Charlotte and Stefan to roll their eyes.

"When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia. She was an exquisite beauty," Charlotte could feel Klaus' eyes on her, she didn't want to look up and have him catch her eyes and so instead she stabbed her fork at her food as Elijah talked, "Every boy of age desired to be her suitor even though she'd had a child by another man, and none loved her more than Niklaus."

"Oh," Klaus tore his eyes off Charlotte and looked to Elijah, "I'd say there was one who loved her at least as much."

"Wait a minute," Charlotte asked, "so you both loved the same girl?" Stefan was smirking in the corner and Elijah looked annoyed at the interruption as he continued.

"Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia and so she took her. Klaus and I would later learn it was Tatia's blood we consumed in the wine on the night where out mother performed a spell which turned us into vampires. Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us, so for a time Niklaus and I grew estranged. Harsh words were traded. We even came to blows, didn't we brother?"

"But in the end, we recognised the sacred bond of family," Klaus replied, looking to Charlotte before returning his gaze to his brother.

"Family above all," Elijah replied, holding his wine to the air.

"Family above all," Klaus replied, clinking glasses and smiling.

Charlotte was surprised that Klaus and Elijah shared the same path as her brothers, both loving the same girl, a doppelgänger. She felt relieved to know they'd gotten past it and were more unified. She worried as she watched Damon and Stefan interact with Elena at times, fearing she would be the one to tear them apart.

"So why don't we more this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal," Elijah said.

"It's very simple," Damon answered, "Klaus gets his coffin back in exchange he and the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Charlie, Stefan and Elena, live happily ever after. No grudges."

Charlotte felt a little twinge of emotion hearing that they would leave forever but she pushed it away, that was what was best for her family. Family above all. She needed to remind herself that her brothers were more important, to push whatever feelings she might've had once away.

"That deal sounds fair, brother," Elijah acquiesced.

Klaus had been watching Charlotte as Damon spoke but he turned now, "I don't think you understand. Elena's doppelgänger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind."

Charlotte opened her mouth to snap at Klaus but he continued, "Say I do leave her here. Under your protection, what then? How long before one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies, caught between your feuding? You see, each one of you truly believes that you're the one that can protect her. And that is simply a delusion, Gentlemen, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is the two of you."

"I'm gonna get some air," Damon said, breaking the silence after Klaus' speech then standing and walking away from the table. He looked hurt and Charlotte wanted to go after him to make sure he was alright.

"Let me deal with this," Elijah told her, placing a hand on Charlottes shoulder as she rose to follow him.

"All this talk as made me thirsty," said Klaus, gesturing to one of the blonde women he had waitressing for him, "What do you say Stefan. Can I interest you in a little after dinner drink?" Stefan didn't reply and Charlotte flinched, squeezing her eyes shut as Klaus dove in and fed from the woman's neck.

"God," Charlotte spat out, "is the only reason you agreed to this evening to drive a wedge between my brothers?"

"You know I'd rather you called me Nik, darling," Klaus replied cheekily causing both Salvatores to roll their eyes, Stefan also pretending to gag in disgust, "besides, I needn't worry about driving a wedge between them, they're doing that well enough on their own. Because of Elena, Stefan's going to lose Damon. Your family is tearing itself apart and your brothers only have themselves to blame."

Charlotte could feel the rage brewing between them and she stood, placing a hand on Stefans arm, hoping he could keep it in until Damon returned.

"What do you say Klaus," Damon called out, Charlotte letting out a sigh of relief as he and Elijah returned, "time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer. Now you counter."

"Okay," Klaus agreed with a smirk, "I offer Elena's future happiness. You see, what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot and to fall in love with a human," Klaus paused and looked to Charlotte with a grin, "maybe that nice football player you're always hanging about with darling, the blonde one."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes in annoyance. She didn't see Matt as more than a friend and he felt the same but she knew Klaus suggested him just to piss her off. He wanted to push her buttons and since he couldn't grab her leg anymore he thought he'd throw her friend into the mix knowing it would irritate her.

"Matt Donovan?" Damon asked glancing between Klaus and Charlotte with a raised eyebrow, "really?"

"Yeah, why not? They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life and pop out a perfect family."

"And continue the Petrova bloodline," finished Stefan, "every few hundred years you'll have a new doppelgänger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?"

"Consider it a small return on my investment in her wellbeing. See, after you hand me back the coffin I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life. You know its what's best for her," Klaus stood from where he'd been sitting and walked towards Charlotte, Stefan and Damon, "So, what do you say Stefan. Do we have a deal?"

Stefan walked around his siblings towards Klaus causing Damon's face to furrow in confusion, "What are you doing?" he asked when he grabbed Klaus' outstretched hand.

"Nice try, Klaus," Stefan whispered causing Klaus' face to fall, "But no deal."

There was pandemonium in the room as Klaus twisted Stefan by their still attached hands, breaking his leg and pushing him towards the fire. Charlotte didn't have a moment to respond before Elijah grabbed one of her arms and tugged her as he used his other hand to grab Damon's neck, holding him against the wall.

"What are you doing?" Damon groaned out.

"Stop," Charlotte begged, "Klaus, stop it, let him go."

Stefan was held by his arms while his face was pushed towards the fire and he cried out in pain. Charlotte was tugging her arm frantically from Elijah as she tried to help Stefan but Elijah didn't even blink, focused on Damon he didn't notice her unsuccessful attempts to free herself.

"Bring me my coffin, before I burn him alive."

"I'll get it," Damon spat out, brushing past Elijah rudely as he released him an he left the room.

"Go with him brother," Klaus demanded, "you keep him honest. Charlotte can wait with us. When you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family."

Elijah paused a moment before releasing Charlotte and following Damon from the room. The moment Charlotte was released she rushed over to Stefan, before she could even touch him Klaus had pulled her back and away causing her to stumble.

"Go ahead," Stefan goaded, "kill me. I know you'll do it when he brings the coffin."

"Klaus, let him go. Stop this," Charlotte begged, surprised when Klaus actually pulled Stefan from the fire, gripping him by his shirt as they moved away from Charlotte.

This felt like the night in Gloria's bar where every time she approached, Klaus would speed Damon and himself away. Charlotte wished she knew how to stop it, she didn't expect that stabbing herself would work as well this time as it did that. She knew Klaus didn't care for her like he had then, or at least she thought he had.

"You really have given up, haven't you?" Klaus said to Stefan cruelly, "Where's the fight? Where's the ripper?" Stefan pushed Klaus from him and in retaliation Klaus sped over and grabbed Charlotte, wrapping an arm around her waist, his free hand rising to push her hair from her neck as he held her to his body, "Perhaps Charlie can remind you who you used to fight for."