"Caroline, Claire, I want you to meet someone" Liz said motioning for her two daughters to follow her. Claire nods giving her mates a glance before following her mother with her twin sister. The memorial for Carol Lockwood had just ended. The crowd was starting to disperse but some stayed behind to mingle with one another.

Claire shifted Madelyn to her other hip. The one-year-old was starting to get fussy. Claire didn't think the nice dress she was wearing was the most comfortable. To add onto the uncomfortable dress, Madelyn didn't take her nap. Claire couldn't wait to go home knowing that once she was in the safety and comfort of her home she'd be able to completely relax.

"Want me to take her?" Caroline offered quietly.

"No, I've got it" Claire said. She tried to sound thankful but she feared she only sounded tired and annoyed. Caroline just gives her an understanding smile.

"Girls, I want you to meet the interim mayor, Rudy Hopkins" Liz introduces. Rudy smiles at the twins and shakes both their hands.

"I believe we met before, though I believe you two were a lot younger" Rudy smiles at the two of them. Claire couldn't remember meeting Rudy. Him and Bonnie had a rough relationship. Whenever they hung out with Bonnie it was when she was with Shelia not Rudy. "And this must be, Madelyn."

"Yep, she just turned one a few weeks ago." Claire smiles proudly. The smile doesn't last as Madelyn squirms and cries in her arms. "I'm sorry, someone is a little grumpy"

"No need to apologize, I remember how it is" Rudy says kindly. Claire simply smiles. "Now, it's my understanding that you don't actually live with your mother." He brings up. Claire frowns her eyebrows.

"No, I haven't lived with her for a while." Claire said. She glances at Liz but her mother doesn't speak up.

"You live with the Mikaelson's right?" Rudy questions. Caroline glances at her sister but Claire simply looks back to Rudy.

"That's correct" Claire nods.

"Why is that?" Rudy questions.

"No offense, interim mayor, but that's my business, not yours" Claire says diplomatically. Rudy nods and takes a step back.

"Of course, I apologize, I didn't mean to over step" He says. He glances behind her and notices the Mikaelson's watching them intently, some of them were glaring and the other's simply had a hard stare. "I just want to better understand the girls Liz talks about so much." He smiles but Claire sees through it. She didn't trust Rudy but she knew she couldn't do anything, he's Bonnie's father and she wouldn't do anything to hurt her friend.

Claire glances at her mother, who's been oddly silent during this confrontation. Claire knew Liz could easily tell Rudy everything about her and the Mikaelson's, probably already has. She then wonders why Rudy would bother to bring it up. Whatever his reasoning is, it left an unsettling feeling in her stomach.

Liz holds Claire's gaze for a few moments. Claire becomes even more uncomfortable but hides it well. Claire knew Liz suspected something. She knew that Liz suspected Claire knew something of Carol's death. She also knew that now that Rudy is interim mayor, he would be caught up on all the supernatural events. This included her relationships with the Mikaelson's. Perhaps this is why he brought it up, he wanted her to tell him herself. He wants to know if he can trust her.

"Of course but I'm sure if you have any questions, my mother will be more than happy to answer them. If you'll excuse me, I think this one needs to get home." Claire smiles at him kindly. She then looks at her mother. Liz forces a smile before looking away. Claire sighs softly before walking away from them. Caroline says goodbye to their mother and to the interim mayor before jogging to catch up with Claire. "She doesn't trust me." Claire whispers.

"Who? Mom?" Caroline asked. Claire nods.

"She knows I know something about Carol's death. She suspects the Mikaelson's." Claire told her. "And now Carol's been replaced and something tells me Rudy isn't just going to stand aside like Carol did."

"What do you think is going to happen?" Caroline asked. Claire sighs and shrugs.

"I don't know. Mom doesn't understand the mating bond, she's not going to understand why I'm siding with the Mikaelson's, why I'm keeping secrets." Claire mumbles stress fully. Madelyn continues to cry in Claire's ear only adding to her annoyance.

"Here, give her to me" Henrik said reaching for Madelyn. Claire doesn't object and lets him take her. Elijah, who's closest to Claire, pulls her into his side. He kisses the top of her head and she relaxes leaning into him.

"Do you think their gonna try something?" Caroline asked.

"If they suspect that one of them," Claire says motioning to her mates. "is responsible for Carol's death then polite interrogating will be the least of our concerns" Claire mutters. 

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves" Caroline said quickly when she noticed the Mikaelson's become agitated at what Claire was suggesting.

Claire couldn't help but to think of the worst. She didn't trust Rudy and now she didn't know if she could trust her own mother. She knew Liz cared about Carol, the two of them had known each other for decades. Now Carol's dead and Liz knows Claire knows something. 

Claire didn't know what her mother has in mind, she didn't know what Rudy knew or what his plans are. But all she can think about is how she's one of the Mikaelson's only weaknesses and if her mother and the interim mayor don't know that yet, they will very soon.

"Right now, our mom doesn't know anything, she just has suspicions." Caroline points out. "So what she does some poking around, she's not going to find anything. She's our mother, she loves us. This will blow over and we'll all be painting the nursery together like a happy family" Caroline grins. Claire smiles softly.

"As long as it's not that god awful green" Caroline instantly glares at her sister while Claire grins even wider. "The green was terrible, Caroline. The off white worked out so much better." Caroline rolls her eyes.

"I can't even look at you" Caroline says jokingly. "I'm going to go talk to Bonnie" Caroline wonders off. Claire smiles and laughs a bit.

"And on that note, I've got to get going, love" Klaus speaks up. Claire frowns her eyebrows.

"Where are you off too?" Claire wonders. He kisses her cheek.

"Just something I have to look into" Klaus smirks before sauntering out of the gym. Claire watches him walk away.

"He better not be bothering Tyler" Claire grumbles.

"And why do you care, love?" Kol asks slightly jealous. Claire gives him a do-not-fucking-start look. He holds his hand up and backs away.

"I said to leave him alone for today, it's his mothers memorial for god sakes. I don't care what happens to him tomorrow but give him a day is all I ask." Claire snipped. Elijah's hand squeezes her hip comfortingly. She snuggles into his side more.

"I'll make sure he doesn't do anything" Finn volunteers. Claire gives him a thankful look and kisses his cheek. He leaves to find Klaus.

"I'm going to take her home, are you coming?" Henrik asked.

"I'm going to hang back for a little longer" Henrik nods and kisses her forehead before leaving as well.

"I'm going to go have a word with your mother and the interim mayor" Elijah speaks.

"Be gentle" Claire said. He smiles and kisses her before leaving the gym knowing the two had made their way into the hallway. Kol holds out his hand and she grabs it. The two of them walk into the hallway. Kol's phone starts to go off. He tries to work it and Claire gives him a few tips.

Rebekah had texted him. Claire couldn't see the text but from Kol's mischievous grin she knew they were up to no good. After a moment, he puts the phone away and kisses the side of her head.

"Stay with Elijah, love. I have to do something for my darling sister" Kol said and left before Claire could say anything else. Claire stands there slightly shocked at his change in mood.

Looking down the hallway she sees Elijah speaking to Liz and Rudy. She could see the tense postures but the relaxed facial expressions. She knew none of them were enjoying the conversation but it seemed important.

"My family only wants what is best for the town" Elijah says to Rudy. "I assure you, if we knew anything of the... unfortunate accident that resulted in Carol Lockwood's death, we would have inform you instantly."

"I would hope you would seeing as holding that kind of information is against the law." Rudy replies. Elijah gives him a tight lipped smile. "Now, lets not beat around the bush. I know what you and your family are, I know the reputation you all have. I'm curious, how can a sweet girl such as Claire live with you willingly?" Elijah's eyes darken.

"What are you suggesting?" Elijah questions glancing at Liz. He then realizes that Liz didn't completely buy the mating bond phenomenon. However, Claire's 18 and Liz can no longer control her, not that she ever could to begin with.

"I just want to know the truth. Ease some minds." Rudy said.

"Claire and her daughter Madelyn live with my family of their own free will. It is very bold of you to assume otherwise." Elijah told him.

"Is it?" Rudy tilts his head. "Your family has been known to do whatever they want without consequences. You believe you're above everybody else. That the lives of the people don't matter to you or your family. It just doesn't make sense." He shrugs. "All I want is to make sure everyone is safe."

"I'm sure the town can rest easy knowing that you care so deeply about their safety. I feel as though I should warn you, there is a very thin line between bravery is idiocy." Elijah tells him. "I believe myself to be more level headed than some of my brothers. I would be careful who you make these absurd accusations too. Claire and Madelyn are very important to not only myself but to my family and should someone threaten her safety or question her intentions..." Elijah doesn't finish the sentence, he doesn't need too. "Interim Mayor, my family can either be your greatest ally or your worst enemy, I suggest you choose wisely." Elijah warns.

"Rebekah's kidnapped Elena" Caroline said walking up to Claire.

"Oh, you're talking to me now?" Claire questions teasingly. Caroline rolls her eyes. "Why exactly should I care what happens to Elena?"

"You shouldn't but Rebekah just took her right in the middle of the day. There's already too much suspicion pointed towards the Mikaelson's, I figured she'd want to be a little more discrete so they don't start asking more questions." Caroline said nervously.

"Relax, Caroline" Claire said giving her sisters arm a light squeeze. "They just have their suspicions remember? Everything's going to be fine. Besides, let Rebekah have her fun. It's a quiet town, we should be happy she's sticking to just kidnapping." Caroline relaxes slightly.

"Yeah, you're right" Caroline nods. Claire smirks smugly. Caroline rolls her eyes but smiles. "Where did everybody go?" Claire takes in a breath.

"Klaus is hunting Tyler. Finn is following Klaus to make sure he leaves Tyler alone until tomorrow. Henrik is taking Madelyn home because she was getting fussy. Elijah is just down the hall talking our mother and Rudy. And Kol said something about 'doing something for his darling sister'." Claire finishes in a mock British accent. Caroline grins and giggles.

"Well, that can't be good" Caroline notes grinning. Claire grins as well and shakes her head.

"Especially not with the excited, devious smirk on his face as he practically sipped out of the building." Caroline and Claire both share a look. "I have no idea what he's doing and I fear for the person Rebekah sent him to retrieve."

"And how do you know it's a person he's after?" Caroline asked.

"Because I know Kol and I know Rebekah." Claire answered simply. Caroline shrugs again. They stand there for a moment. "What are they talking about?" Caroline asked looking at Elijah, Liz and Rudy.

"You're the one with supernatural hearing, you tell me" Claire mutters. Caroline listens in.

"Rudy thinks you're being forced to live with the Mikaelson's" Caroline tells her. "Elijah didn't like that, he's threatening him now." Claire smiles softly.

"Well, that explains why he was questioning my living arrangements" Claire brings up. "Mom must be worried I'm not thinking straight."

"Like you said, she doesn't understand the mating bond." Caroline says. Claire sighs softly. "Hey, don't worry about it. Their just asking a few questions."

"Everything always starts by asking just a few questions." Claire mutters. Caroline gives her a look. Caroline reaches over and grabs her hand. Claire smiles at her sister giving Caroline's hand a squeeze.

"Everything's going to work out" Caroline assures her. "Why don't we go home?" Caroline suggests. "It's been a long day." Elijah bids his farewells to Liz and Rudy before joining Caroline and Claire. Before Elijah could say anything, Claire's phone begins to ring.

"Hello?" Claire answers.

"Home?" Elijah mouths raising his eyebrows at her. Claire nods with a soft smile. He returns the smile and holds out his arm. She takes it. The three of them make their way towards the exit.

"You sent Finn to babysit me?" Klaus questions trying to sound annoyed though she knew he was amused.

"He volunteered" Claire smirks. "What are you up too?"

"I'm not hunting Tyler, whether you believe me or not" Klaus says. Claire couldn't deny that she was surprised by this. "You said you wanted to give him a free day and I respected that, won't save him tomorrow though."

"So what are you doing?" Claire wonders.

"Well, it seems that Damon Salvatore is more incompetent than I originally thought" Klaus says.

"I could have told you that" Klaus chuckles.

"He's been tasked to help Jeremy grow his tattoo yet Jeremy hasn't killed any vampires to make the mark grow. I'm simply helping speed the process up" Klaus says.

"I don't care what happens to Damon but I actually like Jeremy. We were very close once and he's helped me more than you can imagine. I understand he has to kill vampires but watch after him?"

"Of course I will" Klaus assures her. "It's not like he's of any use to us dead" He adds. Claire rolls her eyes.

"Yes but I'd like him in one piece" She says grinning.

"I'll see what I can do" Klaus smirks. "I don't know when Finn and I will be home, it'll be awhile." Claire sighs softly. "It can't be helped, love... I'd rather not have an unstable hunter around you and I don't care that you're not a vampire, he can still pose a threat."

"It's fine, Klaus" Claire tells him. "Just be safe. You, Finn and Jeremy, alright?" Claire asks. Klaus reassures her again that they'll be fine. "I'll be at home with Elijah and Henrik, so don't worry about me."

"What about Kol?" Klaus wonders.

"He's causing trouble with Rebekah." Claire tells him. "Don't ask for the specifics because I don't know them" She grins. Elijah, Caroline and herself make it to the car. "I'm going to get going, I love you and give Finn my love."

"I will, let me know when you get home safely" Claire smiles.

"I will... I'll see you when you get home" Claire said before hanging up. Elijah opens the car door and she slips in. "So, what do you think of Rudy?" Claire asked as Elijah begins to drive down the road. His grip on the steering wheel tightens.

"He had the audacity to accuse me and my brothers of forcing you to live with us" Elijah growls.

"I think it's more my mother's worries than his" Claire tells him.

"Either way, I don't trust him." Elijah says. "I don't know what he's going to do but he's no friend. I don't want you anywhere near him alone, please do not fight me on this."

"I won't" Claire assures him. She reaches for his hand and he gives it to her, relaxing with her touch.

"I just want you safe and I don't trust Rudy" He lifts her hand and kisses her knuckles. Caroline smiles form the back seat.

"I know but don't forget he's Bonnie's father... I don't want anything to happen to him." Elijah sighs.

"As long as he doesn't endanger your life, I won't do anything" Elijah promises. Claire nods.

"All we can do is wait for them to make their move" Claire mutters.

*I feel like this chapter was either pretty good or pretty boring, somewhere between there. I don't know it's been a long day and I wanted to write something. Hope you liked it!*