Hi guys, Im new to this site and new to writing so please go easy on me, this is my first Klaroline fic and its all human. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did writing it. Ive wrote a few chapters so far so if you're interested in reading more let me know with a follow or a review... I'd appreciate it immensely...
Thanks. Sarah.
Its been a very long time since Caroline has heard the voice coming from the phone, shes confused as to how she even got her number. Alot of time has passed since high school so its kind of a shock to hear her former best friend asking, begging for a favour.
Elena sounds the same, she has the same droney, miserable tone that Caroline tries desperately to block out. Shes seen pictures of the brunette living the fabulous hot shot life style she leads, posted all over her facebook and twitter accounts so Caroline knows she looks the same too...
But shes not the same person.
Shes not the girl who consoled Caroline in ninth grade when Tyler Lockwood completely humiliated her in the school lunch room by breaking up with her. Shes not the same girl who she instantly became best friends with and shared all her deepest darkest secrets with and shes not the same girl she loved like a sister.
Elena Gilbert had broken her more than Caroline ever thought possible. She packed her bags and up and left to LA when Caroline had needed her the most. Which makes it even more amusing that shes calling her seven years later... for a favour.
"Please Caroline, you know I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate" Elena says breaking Caroline from her thoughts. Shes in shock if shes being completely honest. The audacity of the woman is totally entertaining and it gives Caroline satisfaction knowing her mothers words were true.
Elena will need you long before you need her.
She clears her throat, preparing to give Elena some harsh truths before slamming the phone down but Elena speaks again before Caroline gets the chance "Care?" Elena asks and Caroline realises shes been silent for quite a while.
That must be a first.
Elena lets out a heavy sigh "Look Care, I know I have absolutely no right to ask anything of you especially after all this time but this problem, I need someone that I can trust, someone who wouldnt be fazed and honestly you were the first person I thought of"
Carolines lips turn up into a small smile. Its nice knowing Elena trusts her, even if they haven't spoken for years. "I still remember when Kai Parker came to school for a semester, you were the only one that didn't treat him like a king"
Caroline laughs at that. Kai had been a child star, growing up in the spot light. He went to Mystic Falls High, apparently claiming he wanted to be 'normal'. The girls at school had drooled all over him, trying to impress him, Hayley Marshall being the worst culprit, practically throwing herself at the poor boy every chance she got. The guys at school all tried to get into his good graces, hoping that having Kai as a friend would up their status but Caroline didn't care either way. To her he was just another person.
A bit more wealthy than the norm but a person none the less.
"Care, please?"
Caroline huffs because she knows her answer already, shes Caroline Forbes, shes unable to say no. Even if it is to her traitorous ex best friend. "What do you need?" She asks.
"I have a client, hes pretty well known, theres a huge story been leaked about him and the media is crazy around here" Elena says. Already Caroline regrets asking but she'll let Elena continue anyway. "I need a place for him to stay, somewhere no one will be able to find him and with someone I know won't sell us out"
"How can you be so sure I won't?" Caroline asks slightly insulted. After what Elena did, she deserves everything she gets. "What if I did?"
"You won't"
"How do you know?"
"Because you're Caroline" Elena says simply and Caroline conceeds. She has a point. Caroline is alot of things but she would never stoop so low as to get revenge for something as stupid as abandonment. It had hurt more at the time, knowing Elena had left when Caroline was at her lowest point, but thinking back now, Elena was just doing what she had always planned to do.
After a few seconds of silence the blonde talks up. "When?"
"Is tomorrow too early?"
"As long as whoever it is doesnt get in my way, I have work to do around here, if they lay low and don't cause any trouble then tomorrow is fine" Caroline answers. "Who is it anyway? Anyone ive heard of?"
"Klaus Mikaelson"
Carolines eyebrows raise. Shes impressed. She knew Elena was a hot shot publicist but she had hoped, quite chilishly that Elena wasnt doing so good in the work department. Its petty, she knows but she doesn't care. Klaus Mikaelson is a high profile actor, hes constantly in the media and running up magazine columns so its baffling to Caroline what can be so bad that he has to hide. "How long?"
"A month, maybe two. Depends how long this whole thing takes to blow over, you know how the media can be" Caroline chuckles because Elena is so far off the mark. Caroline has never nor will she ever know what its like being stalked by big guys with cameras.
"Wait a minute, isn't he married? What about his wife?" Caroline asks. Tatia Petrova is a victoria secret model and together with Klaus, they're one of the most well known couples in Hollywood. Anyone that lives in the real world knows you don't get one without the other.
"I'll answer any and all questions tomorrow, is that okay?"
"Yeah sure"
"Okay well Damon and I will bring him to you. I'll call the airlines now and I'll text you the details"
Caroline rolls her eyes, Damon and Elena, joined at the hip, theyre together, theyre seperated, theyre back together again. Honestly Caroline cant keep up.
"Okay" Caroline replies because she doesn't know what else to say. Shes sure nothing else will come out of her mouth right now.
Shes still in shock. Stefan will have a field day with this tid bit of information.
"Um... Thanks Caroline. I really appreciate your help" Elena adds sounding a little embarassed. It must be killing her to ask for help, let alone from Caroline.
"Yeah, whatever" She attempts to sound casual but doesn't do a very good job. "I'll see you tomorrow then" The thought unsettles Caroline. Shes doing incredibly well for herself but her competitive side comes out, it always had around Elena.
Elena always got the guy, she always had the perfect family life, she was pretty and popular and now she had her dream job.
But Caroline loves her life. She has an amazing job, in the city she loves and had the two best friends anyone could only dream of.
"Yeah, tomorrow. I'll text you soon"
"Elena?" Caroline prompts before Elena can hang up "How did you even get my number?"
"My mom" Elena answers "She said you did some catering for the Miss Mystic pageant a couple of months ago, I didnt know you still went back there"
Caroline wants to burst out that not everyone is the same and some people actually do go back and visit the small town they grow up in, no matter how successful they get but she refrains, deciding to keep the peace. "I'll see you tomorrow Elena" Caroline hangs up without waiting for a reply.
Caroline slumps down into the nearest chair, her minds racing a mile a minute, shes mentally preparing her to do list before Elena and Klaus Mikaelson arrive. Some stress cleaning and baking are definitely near the top of the list but first things first.
She needs to call Stefan.
She quickly scrolls through her contacts and clicks the little green icon. After a few rings, Stefan answers "Hi Care, whats up?"
"You'll never guess who just called me"
Its just after five in the evening, Carolines just closing up the little pastry store she owns with her best friend Bonnie when Elena texts her, they're on there way and Carolines kind of freaking out.
Put Caroline in a room full of celebrities and movie stars and shes fine but when it comes to seing Elena in all of her perfection and success, its terrifying.
She looks up at Stefan and Bonnie and shes anxious. She wants them to stay. A little moral support would be good right about now. She told Stefan most of her conversation with Elena the night before and he refuses to stay for an awkward encounter with his long lost brother so Carolines pissed but she understands. Bonnie doesnt know a thing. Stefans been like a brother to her sice high school and the pair met Bonnie not long after moving to Chicago. Both girls instantly bonded over their love of baked goods and a drunken night had resulted in the decision to become partners in the business Bonnie had inherited from her granmother two months earlier.
It was a small space, formally used as a wicca supply store. Since the death of Bonnies grams, it had been unused, an old neglected building gathering dust until the girls decided to turn it into their very own dream come true.
And alas Sheila's place had been given a complete makeover. They replaced the floors and the paper on the walls. Every table and chair had been reupholstered with new brightly coloured fabric and some display cabinets had been ordered and placed accordingly. The whole place had been transformed but after months of choosing and arguing over names for the place, Stefan suggested they keep it as it was.
The mid sized two bedroom apartment above the shop was perfect for Caroline, and she moved out of the apartment she was sharing with Stefan and started up on her own. She highly doubted it would compare to Elenas house but Caroline loved it.
The blonde smiles at Stefan and gives him a small nod indicating the text Elena had sent and Stefan returns the gesture as he picks up his coat. "How about I walk you home Bon?" He suggests hoping to get her out of there.
"Thanks Stefan but I'm meeting Enzo for a couple of drinks when he finishes work" Bonnie replies with a smile as she slips her own jacket over her arms.
"Well I could walk you there, wherever there is" Stefan laughs helping her into her jacket.
Caroline makes her way around the counter and locks up the cash register before grabbing some papers from under the counter. "I hope this isn't you getting your flirt on again Stef, you know I love you, but not like that" Bonnie teases him.
"Haha" He deadpans "you're hilarious, just being a gentleman as always"
Caroline cant help the laugh that escapes her. Shes known Stefan long enough to know he is anything but a gentleman. She'll admit he has his charms about him and to anyone else he would be the perfect boyfriend but Caroline had to endure living with him for a year and that was not a pretty experience.
"Something amusing?" He asks turning to Caroline looking genuinely insulted. It just makes Caroline laugh harder.
"Never mind, just go, be a gentleman" Caroline waves him off "Im planning on taking a hot bubble bath, ordering some chinese food and relaxing with Ryan Gosling for the night"
"The Notebook? Again Caroline?" Stefan asks.
"Actually I was thinking Crazy, stupid love. As long as I get to see Mr. Gosling shirtless I'll be happy"
"You really need to get a life, or a boyfriend" Stefan retorts.
"Ha! Says the guy offering to walk Bonnie to her date so he can avoid his stalker ex at home"
"Its creepy, shes everywhere" Stefan shudders and Caroline and Bonnie laugh.
"You should call the police, get a restraining order or something" Bonnie says and Caroline agrees with a nod. As soon as she met Valerie, she knew there was somethig wierd going on with her but for the life of her Caroline couldn't put her finger on what it was. It wasn't until a month into the relationship when Valerie started talkig about wedding plans and baby names that Stefan had totally freaked out and ended things. Five months later and Valerie is still hanging round trying to win Stefan back.
"Na, She'll get the hint eventually" Stefan shrugs and Caroline hopes hes right. "Well, we should get going, I dont think Enzo will wait around all night and Im pretty sure Caroline is going to combust soon if she doesn't get her fix of Ryan" Caroline pokes her tongue out as Bonnie laughs.
"I'll see you tomorrow Care, have a good night" Bonnie says with a smile.
"Yeah, you too. Don't do anything I wouldn't do" Caroline smirks as she watches the pair leave the store through the back entrance.
Caroline takes a breather, letting her eyes scan the store, everythings as it should be and she sighs in relief. She can't be bothered with more work right now. The fact she'll have a house guest for the next month or so was enough to keep her awake all night and now shes exhausted. Shes usually so organised and a day to wrap her head around a stranger living with her was not enough time.
Her phone beeps again and this time Caroline ignores it. Its a notification from twitter, she makes a mental note to check it later before sitting down on one of the stools and opening her book work. She scans the page and reads through the numbers for a few minutes before it all begins to blurr together, her mind unable to focus properly. She closes the file and taps her nails inpatiently on the soft cover.
She must be sitting there for a further ten minutes before she hears voices coming from outside the shop, she looks up and sees three people, all three of them recogniseable.
Elena and Damon are cuddled together, there arms wrapped tightly around the other and Klaus, donning a dark cap that hides his face walks behind them.
Caroline stands and begins to walk toward the double glass doors, pulling her keys from her front pocket. Elenas beaming smile greets her as she unlocks it and she can't help but smile back. As bitter as Caroline is, shes missed the brunette. The realisation suddenly makes her feel more at ease.
She opens the door for her guest and is instantly bombarded with one of Damons quips. "Blondie, quaint place you got here" She cant be bothered to retalliate with a sassy retort of her own so she gives him a pleasant smile and mumbles a quiet thankyou.
"Its good to see you Caroline" Elena says with a genuine smile on her face.
"You too" she replies. Its progress since they've had no contact for the past seven years but she doubts theyll be hugging and sharing sex tips anytime soon.
Its a little awkward for a moment as they move further into the establishment but Caroline soon speaks ups. She never could stand awkward silences. "How was the flight?"
"Since when do you make small talk?" Damon asks inspecting the place "just say what you have to say Barbie, get it off your chest, you must have something to say after all this time"
She does. Theres plenty she wants to say but she refuses to give Damon the satisfaction of riling her up so she shrugs. "Not to you" she replies. Its technically true, everything she wants to say is aimed specifically at Elena. "I'm Caroline by the way" She introduces herself to Klaus as they shake hands.
"Klaus" He replies, taking his cap off. If Carolines not mistaken he sounds pissed.
She notices his deep cherry lips first and the shallow dimples in his cheeks. His hair is dishevelled from his cap and his eyes look tired and fed up. She has to admit hes better looking up close than he is on the big screen. No wonder he managed to bag Tatia.
Caroline moves back slightly, her nerves suddenly making an appearence again. "Well, my place is upstairs, come on up, I'll show you around"
Klaus nods but doesn't reply and Elena begins to follow her up the back staircase, the men following behind her.
"Wheres my baby bro today? I thought he at least might make an effort to see me" Damon complains.
Caroline rolls her eyes "Maybe he thinks effort works both ways Damon, he hasn't heard from you for months" She throws over her shoulder.
"I've been busy"
"Yeah, well so has he, hes out right now with some friends, couldn't miss it. You know Stefan, always so loyal" Caroline says and Damon scoffs. "He told me to tell you to call him though"
"How comforting"
Caroline smiles to herself as she lets them into the apartment.
Klaus has set his bags into Carolines spare room and they've gathered themselves onto the sofas in the living room. Carolines busied herself in the kitchen, making tea and coffee for her guests.
Shes calmed down slightly, having Klaus in her house and settled in has relieved her nerves somewhat. Shes still uncomfortable with Damon being there but theres not much she can do about that. She lifts the tray of mugs and takes them into the living room, setting it on the mahogany coffee table inbetween the two sofas. Klaus and Elena are talking and Damons fiddling with his phone oblivious to anything around him.
"Thanks Care" Elena smiles as she looks up at the blonde. She takes her coffee and adds a little milk.
"No problemo, so is someone going to fill me in on why this is all happening? Whats with the houdini act?"
Elena sighs and she looks thoroughly tired. "Try asking whats not happening, that would be an easier question to answer" the brunette replies taking a sip of her steaming coffee and tucking her long hair behind her ear.
"Do you read the newspapers? Or watch television? I highly doubt anyone doesnt know whats going on right now" Damon adds still focused on his phone.
Again Caroline ignores him as she turns back to Elena and Klaus waiting for a response. "Some woman, a fan presumably, has made a complaint to the CSA about me, she has a three year old son, shes claiming is mine, but hes not." Klaus says. Caroline feels kind of sorry for him if the look on his face is anything to go by, she thinks hes telling the truth.
"Theres no possible chance?"
Klaus glares at her and she shrugs, regretting her question. Sometimes her brain to mouth filter just failed miserably. "Sorry, just asking" she holds her hands up defensively.
"Shes came up with a story about how she met Klaus in a bar in LA a few year back, had a one night stand and now shes had his child, the media are loving it" Elena frowned "Of course the fact that Klaus and his wife have recently split makes matters worse, I mean we can't exactly release a statement about that, without everyone thinking Tatia has left him because of this other business"
"Did she?"
"Not that it matters or that its any of your business but no she didn't" Klaus snaps angrily.
Caroline shoots him a look "lets get a few things straight, I'm helping you here, You came to me. If you don't want to answer my questions or stay here then you know where the door is" She gestures to the door and she can vaguely hear Damon chuckling from beside her.
"Theres sassy little Caroline, I've been waiting for her to come out and play"
"Shut up Damon" Elena glares at him "Of course he wants to stay here, hes just stressed" Caroline doubts it but she doesn't comment further on the subject.
"So why did they break up?" She aims her question at Elena rather than Klaus, she assumes getting info from Klaus would be like getting blood from a stone at this point.
"Irreconcilable differences" Elena shrugs "I know most of Hollywood say stuff like that but its actually true in this case, they're still friends, but to the world outside they're still madly in love"
"So this whole love child thing is just adding fuel to the fire"
"Exactly"
Caroline shakes her head confused. What woman in the right mind would use their own child to get money, its easy enough to prove surely so why would you bother with all the hassle.
"Its easy enough to prove Klaus isn't this kids dad, I mean a little visit to Maury Povich and a DNA test should do it. Then Klaus will be out of your hair, and back i to the limelight where he belongs" Damon jumps in. "Irs just a matter of keeping the papz at bay until this thing can be sorted."
Caroline nods and for the first time in her life she sees the down side to being famous. The first movie she ever watched with Klaus in it was when she was thirteen, it was some horror movie and Klaus must have been no more than seventeen, over a decade of dealing with crowds of people on a daily basis must have had an effect on him. Caroline struggles dealing with customers too early in the morning, never mind what he has to go through. "I'm sorry" she mumbles, the words coming out without her permission.
Klaus look up at her and there is a hint of a smile on his lips that instantly make her feel better about the whole situation.
Caroline snaps out of it and looks back to Elena "What time is your flight back out?"
"Nine, we should get going soon actually" She slaps Damon on the leg grabbing his attention. "We hired a decoy so the papz think Klaus is in Monnoco with Tatia, Nobody knows hes here"
"And we're trusting you to keep it that way Blondie" Damon adds "Its been a pleasure as always. Try not to kill him"
Caroline gives him a fake smile. "Im sure theres more appropriate and more deserving victims I could find."
Elena steps in before Damon can reply "Thanks again Caroline, I owe you big time"
"Yes, you do" Caroline smirks. "I'll keep him well hidden, don't worry Elena. Just hurry up and sort this out, you know how I get living with people"
"I remember" She smiles. Elena hugs her before she gets the chance to protest but Caroline doesn't pull back. "Its been good seeing you Care. Youve got a good set up here, you look happy"
"I am happy"
"Enough soppy shit, Can we go now?" Damon asks ruining the moment completely.
The girls pull apart and Klaus steps up to both Elena and Damon. "I'll call you tomorrow, maybe you should think about calling your wife? Let her in on your where abouts"
"She doesn't know you're here?"
"She knows Ive gone away for a while, I told her I would call her" Klaus answers.
"That reminds me" Elena says "Do not use your cell phone, its veen hacked already and we are not going through all this trouble to get you here just for people to find out where here is"
"I have a phone you can use" Caroline replies.
"Perfect" Elena responds "If I need to contact you I'll call Caroline"
Klaus and Caroline stand on the thresh hold of the apartment after saying their goodbyes and they watch as Damon and Elena walk down the flight of stairs. She makes a mental note to lock the shop up properly but first she has a tour to give. "Okay then, let me show you around Mr. Mikaelson"
Thanks for reading you lovely lot! Also, I'm in desperate need of a beta so if you would like to assist, drop me a PM or follow me on twitter. WorldHasToOffer