This is a little one-shot that came to me today. Nothing special, just my take on how I think Caroline was feeling in this amazing scene!
I own nothing!
Even before her inherent Vampire senses send a million tiny alert signals to someones presence, she knows it's him. Maybe it's the amount of times she's had his blood in her system that causes her her blood to hum as if responding to a call, his call or it's the way she's come to rely on him always turning up when she needs him.. both of which equally frighten and excite her. For a moment, she's stuck in time, she never knows what to expect from the man, the beast who has terrorized all of their lives for so long to accommodate his own needs, yet only cares for her safety. She puts the last of the gowns down and feels his presence. Without thought, a tiny smile fleets through her features and a feeling that one could only describe as confusion washes over.
Caroline has never had a problem showing Klaus a lighter side to herself because she was always putting on an act for him, or so she thought. So turning around and allowing Klaus to glimpse the small smile on her face was all part of the plan.
"How did you get here so fast?" Caroline asked with an almost smug expression.
Except there was no plan... well not anymore. The plan was to get Klaus here to heal Damon, and he had, and now for the first time, there was nothing that he was holding over their heads. her head.
"I was already on my way." Klaus returned with his own smug look.
She couldn't hide the surprise she felt, that was not something she was expecting him to say. She may have believed if he said he caught a jet or even ran! But to learn that he was already on his way, that he was actually doing something that didn't involve killing anyone or getting something he so selfishly wanted, caught her very much off guard.
Klaus pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket that looked suspiciously like an invitation.
"I received your graduation announcement... very subtle."
And there it was. Her moment of weakness. A moment she still can't quite explain. But then she was sure he would never come, it was done more so as a tease. Yes that she could admit, that was the safer option.
"I assume you were expecting cash" he teased.
"That, or a mini fridge." she challenged with a smirk.
The banter they were now sharing was safe, and safe was good. Safe she could predict. But then he goes and get's all real on her.
"Well I had considered offering you a first class ticket to join me in New Orleans." He confidently admits.
Like a storm during a perfect night...
"But I knew what your answer would be. So I opted for something I knew you would accept." Taking a hold of his courage, Klaus takes a second before continuing. "Tyler is now free to return to Mystic Falls."
He shatters all illusion.
"What?" Caroline whispers as she feels the air escape her lungs.
Suddenly she's locked in his gaze and everything has just become very real and very unpredictable and there is no denying that in that moment...
"He's your first love. I intend to be your last. However long he takes" Klaus declares in a way that only Caroline can bare witness too.
He has her.