A/N: Hi, this is a part story again. :S I know, I suck at updating my multi's but meh, what can you do when you get ideas? This is lightly based on that song A Thousand Years by Christina Perri (from Twilight of all things!) As you can tell from the summary however, this is a sort of different take on the type of fic where Caroline grows up with Niklaus, so...I guess I'll try my luck on this fic's popularity. But I don't mind if its not popular haha, I just like to get my ideas out :P Anyways, boring stuff over, please enjoy.
PS: I sort of changed Caroline's name to something different in the past to sort of show that she is trying to let go of her past.
I've Loved You For A Thousand Years
"Tatia, please," pleaded Carolena as she pulled her friend by the upper arm to cause her to turn to face her.
Tatia looked at the one person who meant the world to her and her eyes lowered in shame.
"Perhaps I'm a fool, Carolena. But I love them both," said Tatia as she pulled her friend toward her by the shoulders. "Please, you must understand. I'm not a bad person, I just..."
Carolena shook her head and shoved her away, but it was not for the reason Tatia suspected. "Promise me you will not go to Niklaus tonight," breathed Carolena with her back turned to her.
Tatia's eyes widened as tears formed in her eyes at the request her friend had made. "I-I cannot make such a promise," said Tatia quietly and watched as Carolena began to walk away from her.
"Please Carolena! You are the only friend I have!"
Carolena heard Tatia's voice from behind her, but it became quieter the further she walked. She heard Tatia plead and beg for Carolena to forgive her, but Carolena could not forgive what she was doing. For Carolena was Niklaus' best friend and although Tatia was also her friend, she had to do what was right for Niklaus because Carolena also loved Niklaus.
If only Tatia had listened to her; she may have lived a full life.
Mystic Falls, the small town of Virginia. Caroline had waited for this moment. She knew Klaus was after the doppleganger so she had to make sure she was safe. It was 2008 and she had managed to slip in unnoticed.
However, she hadn't expected to see an old acquaintance so therefore her plan to compell her way into Elena Gilbert's life would not be possible.
OOO-OOO
"What happened to you, Caroline?" asked Damon, his eyes searching hers for an answer as she stood in front of his front door, unannounced.
"Not a lot," said Caroline as she pushed her way past Damon roughly. "Look, I'm only here for one thing. Please don't hurt Elena."
Damon smirked as he shut the front door with a slam and turned back to the blonde elder vampire. "Do you think that low of me?"
Suddenly in a blur he was held against the wall with his feet dangling to the floor. He looked into Caroline's now black eyes, noticing her fangs were protruding in anger as she held him by the neck.
"Do not say that to me," she snarled as she dropped him and walked over the couch as if nothing were wrong.
Damon rubbed his neck after landing on his feet and glared at Caroline. "What was that for?" he said angrily, knowing that it was so unlike Caroline to skitz out, especially after meeting each other again for the first time after fifty years.
Caroline sighed as she plonked herself onto the couch, closing her eyes for a moment in a relaxed position with her head lying back on the cushions behind her.
"Forget it," she said quietly. "I'm here to ensure Elena is safe. I've enrolled at school and have already met her. She likes me, I think."
Damon scoffed loudly as he jumped onto the couch on the opposite side, holding a glass full of bourbon and managing to keep all the liquid inside the glass. He took a sip and placed it on the coffee table next to the couch.
"Why is she important to you?" he asked inquisitively, his brow raised.
Caroline held no expression so he couldn't tell if she was keeping anything from him, apart from what he wanted to know.
"She looks like Katherine," said Caroline simply. And Tatia.
Damon nodded in agreement. "I know. Stefan and I had a little conversation about it earlier," smirked Damon, causing Caroline to narrow her eyes at him from the opposite side of the couch.
"If she gets caught in your crossfire for revenge, Damon, I won't be happy," said Caroline, but it was an empty threat. Maybe she could torture him, but she would never kill him.
"Relax. Things will get heated, but I'd never hurt her," he said with a genuine smile, placing his crossed hands against the back of his head in a relaxed fashion.
Caroline turned away from him, getting up from the couch. "Fine. But I'll be keeping an eye on things," said Caroline remembered something and snapped her gaze back at him from her standing position near the end of the couch.
Damon looked over at her, waiting for her to speak. Caroline pursed her lips as she considered whether she should let him know that she knew his plans, however, refrained. Suddenly she was gone and Damon glared at the empty space where she had been standing seconds ago.
Things were getting complicated, after all, he hadn't expected Caroline to show up after fifty years. It would either work to his advantage or disadvantage.
"Tell me your name," spoke 7 year old Carolena with a smile, holding out her hand for the brown haired girl to grasp.
She was crying and wouldn't stop. People were picking on her and so she was at the river, bawling her eyes out. When she had looked up and seen the bright smile of Carolena she couldn't help but let a lick of a smile begin to form at her lips.
"T-tatia," said the girl, grasping Carolena's small hand.
"Come. Niklaus doesn't mean it, he's always like that to the ones he likes," said Carolena. Tatia saw something in those emerald orbs but she was too young to truly know what it was. All she knew was that Carolena was full of light and they would be friends forever.
"A-are you his friend?" asked Tatia as they walked away from the water and sat on some rocks near it, letting their feet dangle off the edge.
Carolena nodded with a smile. "Yes."
Tatia scrunched up her nose in obvious dislike. "I hate him. He is mean and is a bully!"
Carolena laughed. "Yes. I know. Momma says that it is because they do not see beauty until it blooms," said the young Carolena.
Tatia looked at Carolena. Perhaps her mother was right. "T-thank you," said Tatia, looking into Carolena's eyes with a smile.
Tatia noticed Carolena's blonde curls and angelic face. Carolena also looked at Tatia, noticing her long brown beautiful locks of hair and her pretty brown eyes.
Suddenly the blonde turned away and wished upon wish that she could also be as beautiful as Tatia one day.
Caroline came out of her reverie and noticed that she had been staring at Elena without realising.
"A-are you okay?" asked Elena with a raised eyebrow.
Caroline smiled. "Yeah, I'm just a bit out of it. Sorry," she laughed.
"Well, get focused because tonight is the Miss Mystic Falls pageant!" exclaimed Elena with a laugh. "This is your thing, right?"
The blonde nodded. She had no idea what had possessed her to get into these traditions of extra-curricular activities but it made her feel more human. When she had started nearly a year ago at the high school with Elena, she found that she liked it and wanted to aspire to be just like her.
But nowadays, Elena was preoccupied with the Salvator's, much to Caroline's concern and didn't have the time for such activities anymore. Deep down Caroline liked that she was the head of the cheerleaders, head of the decorating committee...head of just about everything and anything these days and people liked her too.
However, her main concern was still Elena. So of course, anything she planned immediately went to the back burner if Elena needed her.
"Yes," smiled Caroline when suddenly she got a text.
It was from Damon. He had a fight with Stefan and he was still off the rails. She hated these issues they were always having. First the sibling rivalry, then Damon revealed his plans and why he was really in Mystic Falls, then the hunter Alaric, then back to sibling rivalry, then Anna who was obviously getting involved with Elena's brother and lets not forget Stefan's ripper bloodlust that had reared its ugly head again. It was simply a nightmare in Mystic Falls, especially if you wanted to protect innocent human Elena Gilbert.
But she would do what she came to do. She would protect Elena from Niklaus.
Caroline stared at Elijah with narrowed eyes.
"Touch her, and I swear-"
"You'll do what Carolena?" he asked with a small smile as he wiped his arm from the blood from Trevor's severed head.
They could hear Rose sobbing in the background, but Caroline didn't care. She held Elena protectively behind her, thinking how lucky it had been that she had gotten here before the Salvator's. She had never told them how old she really was and she hadn't planned on ever telling them.
"So, you knew where the doppleganger was the whole time?" asked Elijah.
Caroline remained silent, her anger seething. She could take any vampire she had ever encountered down, except for the Original's. And Elijah was especially skilled in fighting, as well as Klaus.
"Niklaus wouldn't be pleased to know that you are keeping her from him," said Elijah, fixing his cold blue eyes down at her.
Caroline ignored the comment.
"I care not what Niklaus does these days for he cares not for me," said Caroline as her old ways of talking came back to her suddenly. It seemed just being in the presence of Elijah had caused it.
Elijah looked at her, observing her as if she were a speciman he needed to learn from. And then he gave her the look that he used to always give her. It was pity.
"I will give my life, if it means that Elena will live," spat Caroline, before he could say anything.
Elijah's pitiful expression turned to that of silent anger. "Carolena," he warned before Caroline and Elena disappeared.
It all seemed a blur to Caroline as she watched as Elijah was staked in the heart with a wooden post which had been torn from the antique balustrade by one of the Salvator's.
"We haven't got long," said Caroline, looking to Stefan's frown and then Damon's suspicious look. "Lets go."
OOO-OOO
"So you're over a thousand years old?" gasped Stefan with incredulity.
Caroline nodded.
"No wonder you always beat us in strength," he said, deep in thought.
"You knew I was the doppleganger?! Why didn't you say anything?" exclaimed Elena angrily.
Caroline sighed and turned away from the group for a moment. "You wouldn't understand Elena. None of you would."
Damon glared at her from behind, wishing he were strong enough to take Caroline down. She was a threat to Elena and so therefore, he had to do something to keep her safe.
"Before you plot to kill me behind my back, let me tell you something. I came here for the sole purpose to keep Elena alive and well," said Caroline, trying not to reveal too much.
For it was too early for them to know everything. Especially about how she loved a man named Niklaus Mikaelson; the very man whom seeked to kill Elena as a sacrifice.
"Oh! I see! You want us to believe you and we just go on living happily ever after, right?" said Damon sarcastically. "Well guess what Blondie! You've got another thing coming."
Damon and Stefan had clearly made an unseen alliance to take her down as they began to advance on her with stakes in their hands. Stakes which she didn't realise they had been holding up until now.
Caroline disappeared and reappeared in front of the hall to the exit door, a considerable distance from the three of them. She looked to Elena and smiled, however, didn't recieve one in return. Elena seemed to just look at her as if she couldn't understand how she had decieved them into believing she was their friend.
"I knew the first doppleganger," spoke Caroline softly, remembering Tatia's smile, her laughter and her betrayal.
This caused the Salvator's to stop their advances.
"Tatia. She was a beautiful girl. I saw her by the river once, crying. Niklaus had pulled apart her necklace she had just made out of grass and flowers. I grabbed her hand and comforted her, but the thing I remember most about her was how fun and loving she had been. That was, until she turned of marrying age. Unbeknownst to most of the village, she had a child. It was taken away of course without her consent since it was forbidden to raise a bastard child, but even still, she was pursued like you wouldn't believe after that fact. She was beauty itself and I aspired to be like her. But we were friends...good friends," explained Caroline, smiling faintly as the memories poured back through her mind.
But Niklaus was my best friend.
"You remind me of her, before she had become tainted by the horror of losing her child," said Caroline sadly, as she looked up at Elena whom stood in between Stefan and Damon.
Elena's eyes glistened with tears at her story. Elena wondered what Caroline had been like back then, what Tatia had been like. And she realised that perhaps Caroline just wanted a friend because wouldn't it be a lonely life to have lived over a thousand years and to never have someone to call upon to talk to, to drink with, to laugh with or even to be angry at.
"I came here with a goal. To meet Elena and to protect her from the Originals. That's all," said Caroline, her eyes pleading for them to stop this madness. "If I wanted to fight you, I could have killed you both by now, but I would never do that."
Stefan's eyes softened slightly as he looked to Damon who continued to glare. Stefan place a hand on Damon's tense shoulder, silently telling him to give up his want to kill Caroline.
"She's no danger to us," reasoned Stefan, looking over Elena's head and into Damon's dark brown orbs.
"Argh! Fine, Stefan, have it your way. But if Elena gets hurt because of your compassion to her stupid story, I'll blame you," snapped Damon as he walked toward the stairs to retire for the night, but before he did, he took one last look at the Caroline he thought he'd known.
The Caroline whom had unknowingly helped him at times when Stefan wasn't around. But perhaps she was never that Caroline, maybe she had always been Carolena.
Caroline sat quietly at the table, poking at her food whilst eying Elijah suspiciously from her spot beside Elena.
It seemed he did the same. The conversation had been contraversial at best and while Damon had wanted to do the 'staking', Caroline had advised against it. She said it was a mistake to attempt it, but they didn't listen. Did they not see that she had Elena's best interests at heart as well?
It all went so fast with Alaric holding the dagger in Elijah's heart, he went to remove it when Caroline finally spoke up and told him to leave it in. It was her first betrayal against Elijah, but it was for Elena.
She kept telling herself it was for Elena, but all of this in the end was to save the one person that perhaps never could be saved.
OOO-OOO
"Pearl, please," said Caroline, shaking her head.
"Katherine knows this is risky, it is to ensure her survival," said Pearl curtly, but knowing that Caroline was speaking sense.
Caroline sighed. She had already tried to get Katherine to listen, after all, she didn't want her to die like Tatia. When she had learnt that a Katerina Petrova had ran from Klaus' clutches and prevented him from performing the curse, she had decided to try and find this woman.
She had been curious to see what this Katerina was like. And to her delight, she was somewhat different to Tatia but also had some of her qualities. Such as knowing how to have fun, her smile was infectious and had confidence that made her beautiful on the inside and out.
Unfortunately, she also had the same quality as Tatia; knowing how to string two men along and not just men. Brothers. But this one didn't care. Tatia had felt remorse at least, but she supposed it was because Katherine was a vampire.
A few nights later, a day before the fire at the church, she had approached Katherine.
"I can not stay for this," said Caroline in a clipped tone, showing her clear annoyance at Katherine's plans.
Katherine looked to her blonde friend with an expression she couldn't place. "I do not wish for you to stay either. You are a true friend to me," said Katherine as her mask for a mere moment was gone and Caroline saw a look she did recognise. Worry.
"You think I wanted this for you? I could try and plead for your life! If you let me-"
"No Caroline! He would not listen anyway," said Katherine, shaking her head furiously. "He would kill you instantly!"
And that was when she told Katherine her true origins.
"But you are right, Katherine. I fear even if I did beg for your life that he would not listen," said Caroline sadly, remembering the last time she had seen Niklaus.
It was in the early 1800's and he was in a very dark place at the time. Well, he always seemed to be in a dark place. He had embraced her presence but when she tried to plead with him to give up his quest it seemed not even Caroline could get him to see sense. She had planned on telling him her secret but could see that it wouldn't help either way. So she had remained silent and left him; again.
Katherine was so surprised by her revelation by the time she realised Caroline was leaving, the blonde had already gone. So she continued on with her plan. But she remembered her words.
"Please don't see them tonight," said Caroline as she had left.
It was the same words she had begged of Tatia. Both ended in tragedies, well, so Caroline thought.
"Oh, dearest Caroline, don't look at me like that," smirked Katherine.
Caroline merely scowled at the troublemaker as she raced over to help her.
Katherine anxiously waited for Caroline to pull off her bindings, as she did so, Katherine looked up at Caroline. For the first time since Katherine come back into her life, she held no malice or playfulness. Only a thankful expression graced her beautiful face. She had first been angry that Caroline had left her a hundred and fifty years ago, but, today she forgave Caroline for that.
"T-thank you," she muttered before disappearing.
Damon looked over at Caroline with a glare.
"We weren't supposed to let her go!" he yelled as he went to grab Caroline by the arm but she was much faster.
She grasped his arm and held him by the throat with a glare. "She didn't deserve this torture and I don't want Niklaus to hurt people anymore." With that she threw him to the side, causing him to hit a nearby wall and disappeared.
Damon stared after her, realising that perhaps Caroline had known Klaus before. Just what did she know? What was her agenda?
So far she had been keeping her distance from Klaus, hoping that he wouldn't know she was here until the last possible moment.
Caroline was far from the ritual that was being performed as that was what was agreed upon after she told them the truth about her origins. Stefan had said they had a plan to avoid the ritual for another month in which Damon killed the vampire and werewolf he needed.
She remembered the disbelief in their eyes as she re-told some aspects of her past, however, she left out the part of being in love with Niklaus. And he had never known of course, how could he? After Tatia and then the transformation into the undead and then his curse, there was just never an opportunity.
It was a mess. It had been for over a thousand years, but she was keeping her end of the bargain, not only with the Salvator's, Elena and her friends but also to Klaus. She had promised him that she would protect him. He didn't ask, but she would also protect him from himself.
She finally got a frantic call from Elena, explaining that Damon was dying, Jenna was dead and that Klaus completed the ritual to break the curse. Elena hadn't asked her, but Caroline knew what she had to do.
It was time for a reunion with Niklaus.
OOO-OOO
"My blood is the cure," said Klaus. "I will give you a vial of my blood, if you come with me."
"Stefan don't!" came a familiar voice.
Both Stefan and Klaus glanced over to the door to see it off its hinges with an angry looking Caroline standing in the door frame. Her eyes held desperation and anger at the scene before her.
She was pissed and yet, she still held the light that she had obviously kept for a thousand years, Klaus noticed.
She had skinny jeans on and a tight sleeveless blouse. Her longish blonde curls hung loosely around her since she hadn't had the time to put it up in any fashion. Klaus stared at her incredulously, noticing how different she looked in modern clothing before his expression quickly changed to anger.
"Caroline, Klaus will-" began Stefan before Klaus held up his hand to silence him. He got up from his chair and sauntered over to Caroline, taking in her form appreciatively.
"Carolena or should I say, Caroline. I always forget," smirked Klaus, with an amused look upon his face.
Caroline narrowed her eyes at him and then looked to Stefan sympathetically. She had to do something before Klaus ruined yet another life.
"You can't do this. Please just give me the cure for Damon," said Caroline, as her emerald orbs found Klaus' icy blue ones.
Klaus frowned, unable to understand her sudden presence and then it clicked. All this help and sudden information they seemed to acquire and Katherine's sudden escape, it was from her. The Salvator's wouldn't have dared let Katherine go, but Caroline would. Klaus had also been keeping tabs on Caroline, all these years. And still, he didn't know what her plans were exactly, only that she had one.
"Caroline, my blood comes at a price," he warned, eying her dangerously.
"Oh I'm sure it does, Niklaus. As does everything with you, nowadays," said Caroline angrily. "I have watched you ruin your life, but I won't allow you to ruin another's. I've come to fulfill a promise. Please give me the blood."
Klaus pursed his lips, trying to remain calm.
"Stefan stays," he said curtly, walking forward until they were inches apart.
Stefan watched on and realised just what was happening. It was the thing that Caroline had kept from them. Damon had told him that he suspected Caroline was still keeping important information from them, but he had never imagined it was this.
"No. Don't do this, Klaus. Please, they don't deserve this!" exclaimed Caroline, trying to see if there was any humanity left within her longest friend as she searched his eyes.
"Don't deserve this? They betrayed me!" said Klaus as he grabbed Caroline by the shoulders, shoving her against the wall next to the door. He gripped her tightly as Caroline winced in pain, but didn't cry out. She wouldn't let him see her weakness so she defiantly looked up at him.
"How could they betray you? You ruined their lives with your stupid agenda to remove your curse! Do you not see how this has twisted you into a heartless man who will never love?" she asked, more regretfull at the end.
But Klaus would not listen. He had been around too long on his own to let anything anybody said get to him, not even Caroline.
"Everyone who doesn't obey me, betrays me," he said. "I could kill you now, you know you're not invincible like me, Carolena."
Caroline looked away from him as tears formed in her eyes. She shoved him away forcefully, knowing that her pleas would do no good, just as if she had done it for Katherine. It seemed that Katherine had been right after all, she would never have been able to get through to him then and certainly not now.
She walked over to Stefan and he shook his head. "Take the cure, I have to do this for him. He's my brother."
Caroline let her tears fall as she placed a hand on Stefan's forearm, wishing that she had been there today to stop all this. If she'd known...
Klaus stared at the interaction and looked away with an unreadable expression. It seemed Caroline had been in Mystic Falls for a while and that bothered him.
Caroline took the vial with Klaus' blood but before she left she turned around once.
"You used to be better than this," she said softly, looking over at Klaus before disappearing.
Klaus stared at the doorway as if it offended him. He couldn't believe her audacity. Carolena didn't know him anymore, no one did. She wasn't his confidante, his best friend and certainly wasn't his voice of reason anymore.
It was too late for that.
As he drove the truck down the highway, he kept seeing her face and remembering the woman who stayed by his side always, when he was human. She had changed so much, not only her personality but also her physical appearance. He couldn't place what was different, but when he saw her standing in his doorway, looking like a vixen, he couldn't help but feel like he had missed something all these years.
But despite the nostalgia he felt he knew that Caroline couldn't continue to get in his way. So now, she had just made him more determined to kill her; to rid himself of his wretched past.
Carolena gasped, watching the exchange between Michael and Niklaus. Rebekah, Kol, Elijah and Heinrich watched on in horror as Michael held the sword to his throat.
The next day, she tried to talk to him about it but he merely brushed her off. She knew it was because he felt belittled since Michael had purposely made him look a fool in front of most of the village.
"I've never noticed before but it seems that Michael holds an unspoken grudge," said Carolena as she looked over at Rebekah whom was gathering some herbs from the field.
Carolena had stopped for a moment as she gazed at Rebekah, waiting for an answer. They were both on their knees with their hay baskets sitting beside them, half filled with various medicinal herbs. Rebekah was opposite her and gave Carolena a sigh, looking up from her work. Her blue orbs held sadness; a sadness she rarely saw Rebekah exhibit.
"I do not know, Carolena. It has always been this way though I'm surprised you hadn't noticed before," said Rebekah with a frown.
Carolena pursed her lips as she recalled times she had noticed them fight. It wasn't exactly a rare occasion but she just assumed it was because Niklaus was always fooling around and Michael wasn't exactly a loving man. He was noble and could be kind sometimes, but he always came across harsh and cold at other times.
"What you saw yesterday was...a taste of our home life," said Rebekah, hesitating a little.
"I tried talking to him, but I think he needs time to himself," said Carolena, brushing a few strands of her blonde curls away from her face.
Rebekah observed her good friend as a small smile begin to form. Carolena was younger than her, a few years at most, but Rebekah could see that she had certainly grown into a young woman. She had long blonde hair which fell to her mid-back, a slender body and it seemed she had grown into her feminine curves. Her smile was bright and full of light and her emerald coloured eyes sparkles brightly in the sun.
"I think he needs the extra push. You always were the only one who could get through to him in times like these," said Rebekah with a warm smile.
Carolena had began to pick at the herbs again but stopped at her words. Was that really true?
"You are his best friend and the only person who sticks by him through all his hardships, trantrums and fights. I am his blood so I am obligated to do that, but, you aren't. You help him even when he hurts you," said Rebekah with understanding.
Carolena looked at Rebekah with intensity. If only she knew why.
"Promise me, Carolena. Promise me that you will help him, no matter what. Always," said Rebekah with an almost pleading look in her eyes.
"I promise."
Later that night, Carolena found Niklaus sitting on a large rock near the river, looking up at the moonlight. His long blonde hair fell to his shoulders messily and his angelic face was lit up by the moon's light. He turned to look at her as she approached and his demeanor changed.
"Go away, Carolena," he said almost scornfully as if she had done something wrong.
"Niklaus, please-"
"I don't want to talk about it!" he exclaimed as he pushed off from his position on the rock, landing on his feet as they carried him in the opposite direction.
Carolena ran toward him until they were walking side by side. She looked up at him as he continued to defiantly keep himself facing in the direction he was walking.
She grabbed his hand softly, as she always did to calm him down, but he yanked it away. He stared at her, hating that she was so full of innocence and light but he couldn't stop himself before the words left his lips.
"Why won't you ever just keep to your own business, Carolena?" he almost screamed as his body shook with anger, however, it wasn't directed at her.
He was humiliated today, all because Elijah and himself were play fighting. He had wanted to be alone tonight, but then Carolena had come and he knew that she would make him talk about his feelings. She always got him to talk about it despite how much he always told himself he wouldn't and she would tell him sweet words to make him feel better. She was always like that; always wanting to fix things. But some things just couldn't be fixed.
He watched, trying not to show that he knew he shouldn't have said those horrible words, as tears welled up in her eyes. The moonlight shone down onto her face lighting up her blonde curls and beautiful features.
"Because I care about you. However, I can see that I can't get through to you tonight, so I bid you good night, Niklaus," she said with a tight smile before taking her leave.
Niklaus watched her go and clenched his fists at his side at his stupidity.
"Carolena, wait!" he said.
Carolena continued to walk briskly, despite the fact that the rocks beneath her feet were beginning to hurt the soles of her feet. Suddenly she felt a firm hand on her upper arm, causing her to turn to look up at him. He pulled her into an embrace as he uttered how sorry he was and she accepted it. Klaus placed a hand through her blonde curls at the back of her head and wrapped his other arm around her lower back; resting his cheek on the side of her head as he breathed in her familiar scent.
"I know you feel humiliated Niklaus, but do not," she said softly, pushing herself slightly away from him. She looked up into his eyes as he turned away in shame. "It is okay to have fun, now and then."
Niklaus let go of her as he began to pace in front of her. "Father doesn't think so-"
"Damn that man, Niklaus! Yes, he is noble and a reasonable father but he can also be cruel! He may have been trying to teach you a lesson but that is no way to go about it," said Carolena as she moved forward and placed a hand up on his cheek, looking up at him with a smile. "You are a good man, Niklaus."
Niklaus raised his hand to her forearm in thanks and smiled down at her.
Klaus clenched his hands on the steering wheel and noticed that Stefan was staring at him with curiosity. He ignored it, deciding it was time for a pitt stop.
Caroline stared at Tyler. Maybe she did like him, a little. He was funny, attractive and seemed to care about her. So after Elena's birthday party, which she totally organised all by herself, she decided she would try and move on. To try and forget her feelings for the man from her village who had now turned into a heartless monster.
And it worked, for a little while.
Klaus seemed to be out of town for good, which suited her fine. It was time to forget that Klaus would never love her. There had only been one ultimate love for him and that girl was the first person she couldn't save.
But Caroline had to live with her betrayal. She had been foolish and jealous to not go after Tatia that night; to forgive her. She had died and the last thing she had done to Tatia was abandon her.
OOO-OOO
Caroline found out that not only had Damon seen Stefan once before after their departure but he had seen him yet again today and this time Stefan had warned Damon to keep Elena safe. To say she was concerned was an understatement.
Stefan had made his bed now. He could had left with her months ago because she would have protected him, but he chose not to. And from what she'd heard and seen, he was back to his ripper ways.
If only Lexi had been around, none of this would be happening.
Katherine got a tip on where Stefan and Klaus were, so they were on their way there now, with Elena, despite both herself and Damon going off their tree at her about it. But she wouldn't budge.
Frigging Petrova's! Caroline thought angrily.
"Fine, its your deathwish," said Caroline darkly, placing herself in the back of Damon's car with a huff.
Elena smiled slightly since Caroline seemed to be acting like a bit of a child and thought how wrong that was since she was over a thousand years old.
"Don't smile, its not funny," said Damon in an annoyed tone as he placed himself in the driver seat and waited for Elena to put her seat belt on. "Safety first."
Elena raised an eyebrow and rolled her eyes. "What ever, lets just go."
Caroline watched the exchange and noticed that Damon and Elena had certainly gotten closer over the last few months and somehow, she just felt sad. Stefan was off doing what he thought needed to be done to save Elena, however, it was just pushing them further apart. And now Damon was in the mix.
Caroline never thought that Damon would ever stand a chance.
OOO-OOO
The trip was a wasted effort Caroline had realised when suddenly she got a call from Katherine.
"I'm going to save him, will you come?" asked Katherine, sounding bored, but Caroline knew she was really hoping that she would accept.
"Yeah. Is Klaus there?"
"Not sure," said Katherine suspiciously.
"Text me the location," said Caroline before hanging up the phone.
She held the mobile to her lips for a moment in contemplation. She looked over at Tyler's sleeping naked form and shook the thoughts out of her head.
OOO-OOO
Caroline dried her lips of blood as her eyes changed back to their normal emerald colour, watching as Katherine placed Stefan's arm over her shoulder. They stumbled out of the room and toward the car.
Caroline looked down at the dead witch, regretting that a human had to die. She thought her days of killing were over but it seemed that her morals were going to have to be questioned for her goals to be achieved.
She walked out to see Stefan stumbling into the car. His eyes caught hers and he smiled softly in thanks through the car window. Katherine waved her hand out of the driver's seat window as they drove off into the sunset, or rather, dusk.
The blonde vampire couldn't go with them however, which is what she had told Katherine earlier. She had to go and make sure Klaus wouldn't find out Elena was in town, so she went over to her car and sped off back to Mystic Falls.
OOO-OOO
Again her efforts were wasted since Klaus had Stefan back in his clutches and they were back in Mystic Falls which did not make her feel at ease at all.
She was headed to the highschool gym as she had got a jumbled and confusing text from Tyler about it earlier.
Caroline removed her keys from the ignition, got out, slammed the door behind her and ran toward the gym; pressing the lock button as she ran.
She should have been there. Tyler, Elena, Matt and Bonnie had gone to the gym to set up some 'prank night' thing and Caroline had passed on it saying that she had something to attend to. Of course it was a lie, she had just been sitting on the couch at the boarding house, wallowing in sorrow and drinking from a blood bag.
It was yet another thing she now felt guilty about.
Suddenly she heard voices. There was so much going on right now, so she tried to zone into the most important thing of all.
"Stefan!" exclaimed Caroline as she appeared in the gym in front of Elena protectively, staring at Stefan with caution.
"Run Elena, I'll hold him down," said Caroline, not bothering to face her friend.
"Care...I can't, what if-"
"Don't, just go. I'm stronger than him, over nine hundred years stronger. Just get to safety, please," she said as she turned her emerald orbs to Elena whom was having an inward battle with herself.
"He-he won't hurt me-"
"That's right!" said a cold voice from in front of them. "Isn't love just grand, sweetheart?"
Caroline looked over and saw Klaus dragging Tyler in behind him. Klaus threw Tyler to the floor and he landed unceremoniously a few metres away from where Stefan stood.
"Don't do this, Niklaus," murmured Caroline softly as she looked over at him.
Someone began to walk into the room behind Klaus and stopped abruptly with widened eyes.
"C-Carolena?" gasped Rebekah as she stopped suddenly in her confident pace.
Caroline looked from Klaus to his sister and saw the clear recognition of her friend from long ago.
"Its Caroline now, Rebekah," said Caroline with a sigh as she looked back to Klaus. "Look, can you please reconsider."
Caroline's gaze snapped back to Stefan who seemed to be contemplating to attack her, however, she narrowed her eyes, silently advising him not to.
"Reconsider? Love, you may think you have some hold over me, but I can assure, I feel nothing. We were friends long ago but that was then. You are standing against me, Carolena," said Klaus coldly, his eyes studying her.
Caroline shook her head. "You don't mean that," said Caroline quietly.
"Nik, why is Caroline here? You told me nothing of this!" exclaimed Rebekah shrilly. Why was she always kept out of the loop? And why would Klaus say such a thing?
Klaus smirked at her, clear amusement in his eyes.
"Look, it doesn't matter. But I won't stand by and watch you hurt Elena," said Caroline with a determined look in her eye.
Caroline for a moment, cast her eyes over to Tyler whom was simply watching the exchange between the Originals and herself with curiosity and confusion.
"We're not. Its the werewolf we're after," said Klaus as he was trying to work out in his mind why Caroline cared so much about the Gilbert girl.
She was his doppleganger, what would she achieve by standing in his way?
He watched as her eyes cast downward at Tyler and he narrowed his eyes.
"I can't allow that either. He's innocent-"
"I don't care what you have to say anymore, Caroline," said Klaus in a dismissive tone as his eyes went to Elena's.
"Now," said Klaus, stepping forward past Stefan. "I'm going to test a theory of mine."
Klaus stepped in front of Stefan and Caroline watched on warily. "If Caroline moves, you are to start feeding on Elena," said Klaus, looking directly into Stefan's eyes as they dihilated, showing that the compulsion was in effect.
Caroline narrowed her eyes angrily. "Klaus," she warned.
But he just ignored her as he moved to Tyler, fed him his blood and broke his neck. Caroline screamed, running toward Tyler with tears in her eyes but forgot that Stefan was compelling to feed on Elena.
Caroline's eyes widened as she used her enhanced speed to step in between Stefan and Elena before he could sink his fangs into her neck.
Klaus watched the exchange and found that he didn't like what he saw. Firstly, Caroline seemed very concerned about Tyler's life and secondly, she seemed willing to save Elena despite gaining nothing from it.
Stefan went for Elena again but Caroline held him back effortlessly with a palm to his chest.
"Fight it, Stefan, please," pleaded Caroline as she looked at Elena who didn't know what to do. She was scared beyond belief, but she kept keeping her eyes locked with Stefan.
Elena loved him so much, surely he could break through what ever compulsion Klaus had put on him with his love for her.
"I-can't!" screamed Stefan as some veins in his neck began to pop out as he tried to hold himself back.
Suddenly, Klaus pulled Stefan back a bit. "Stand over there," he said to Stefan, whom obeyed immediately.
Klaus looked down at Caroline with an unreadable expression but then reached around her to grab Elena. He pulled Elena forcefully toward the body of Tyler to which Caroline started to panic. What was he going to do?
Suddenly Tyler awoke as he gasped for desperate breaths. Caroline rushed toward him, crashing to the ground next to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Tyler!" she exclaimed as tears fell down her cheeks.
Tyler accepted the embrace and looked to her in alarm. "What the hell happened?"
Caroline remained silent, avoiding his gaze.
Klaus walked closer and smiled down at him. "You're a hybrid, mate, or you will be." Klaus grabbed Elena, pulling her arm over toward Tyler until her now slit wrist was in front of Tyler. "Drink, or die."
Caroline's eyes widened, could Elena's blood really be the answer to creating a hybrid without them dying? She watched as Tyler accepted it, licking the blood up and allowing it to enter his system. He pulled away suddenly as he felt fangs begin to form from his gums and his eyes turned black.
The transition was complete.
Caroline gasped, backing away a bit as she looked at the first successful hybrid. Then she looked up at Klaus whom watched her quietly, his excited smile gone.
Suddenly Tyler was gone, he'd disappeared, clearly off to cure his new blood lust.
"You should go after him," sneered Klaus. "He'll need looking after."
But she knew what he was trying to do. Now that he knew Elena's blood was the answer to creating his hybrid army he would take her away to keep her as his blood supply. And she couldn't allow that.
Caroline got to her feet and shook her head. She looked past him to see Rebekah whom had been watching the whole scene with a curious glint in her eye.
"You're with him in this, Bekah?" she asked incredulously.
Rebekah's expression darkened slightly, holding her head high as she walked over to them. "What did you expect Carolena? You didn't stay with us-"
"You didn't even know I was turned. You all left me for dead," spat Caroline at the accusation.
Rebekah closed her mouth for a moment as she thought of a retort. "That's not true-"
"Its not? Oh, so when I woke up to find myself seeking blood and all my senses heightened with only bodies and blood surrounding me, that was not staying with you?" exclaimed Caroline angriliy as all the feelings she had back then came flooding back to her.
Rebekah didn't know what to say, perhaps that was true. It was so long ago, she couldn't really recall what exactly had happened but when she looked to her brother it seemed that he did.
"Well, it doesn't matter now. I know what you're going to do and I won't let you," said Caroline as she coldly looked away from Rebekah and cast her emerald orbs to Klaus.
"You can't stop me, sweetheart-"
"I will die before I let you have her, Niklaus," said Caroline, her demeanor full of brave determination.
Rebekah gasped. "Don't die for these pathetic people, Carolena," said Rebekah as she walked forward, trying to get her long lost friend to see reason. Klaus raised his arm to stop Rebekah from moving forward.
"No. She's made her choice," said Klaus coldly. "Fine, death it is."
Caroline could see in his eyes that he would do it, so she turned and grabbed Elena, disappearing out of the gym. Once they were in the parking lot, Elena pulled on Caroline's arm.
"Stefan! We have to go back," said Elena as tears fell down her face. Why did it have to be like this?
Caroline growled and snapped an angry glare at Elena. "Are you that foolish? Klaus will never kill him! You are more important, right now."
Suddenly Caroline felt his arms around her neck, but not the position she had been used to a long time ago. She looked up slightly to see him staring down at her and she knew what he was going to do.
"I never wanted this for you," he said softly as an audible cracking sound was heard throughout the car park.
Klaus lowered her to the ground softly, letting his hand linger in her curls longer than he had intended. He cast his eyes at her form, noticing how peaceful she looked. But Elena saw it as she stared at the exchange in confusion.
"Now, its time for you to give me some of your blood," he said, snapping his eyes on the doppleganger.
OOO-OOO
Luckily Damon had gotten back in time from finding out about where Michael had been kept. Caroline hadn't seen what had happened since Klaus clearly cared nothing for her anymore. He had broken her neck without hesitation and to say she felt heartbroken right now was an understatement.
She had heard from Elena the cliff notes version of what went down when she had been knocked out. She woke up on the couch at the Salvator's house. She had moaned and groaned at first but then the sadness kicked in. She had wallowed in sorrow for a few hours before falling back to sleep as her tears began to dry.
The next morning, she opened her eyes again to find blue ones staring back at her.
"Rebekah," said Caroline groggily as she sat up from her lying position.
"We-we never left you," she said quietly from her sitting position on the couch opposite Caroline.
Caroline raised an eye brow in disbelief. "Then where were you?"
"We thought you dead-"
"Oh yes, I was dead Bekah. I was fed blood from Elijah after he almost near drained me. After that, Kol had lost control and killed me," explained Caroline as she regretfully re-told the story. "He was not himself; none of you were."
"If I'd known...if Nik-"
"Don't! Don't you dare stick up for him," yelled Caroline as she jumped out of her seat on the couch. She went to walk away but Rebekah was already up with her arm on Caroline's shoulder.
"He was-he never got over it," said Rebekah quietly, looking into Caroline's eyes with remorse. "I know I never did."
Caroline remained silent, turning around fully and sighed. "It makes no difference now. Its done. But, I made a promise to you, and I haven't broken it yet."
Rebekah frowned. "I haven't given up yet, I promised to help him. But I will do better than that, I will save him," said Caroline her tone unwavering. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a shower."
The female original frowned at Caroline. "I know Caroline...your secret, that is," explained Rebekah with a knowing smirk.
Caroline narrowed her eyes suspiciously, folding her arms over her chest. "Is that so?"
"Yes," said Rebekah but then her expression turned remorseful again. "But, he cannot love, Caroline. Why do you bother to love my brother when he will never love you in return?"
Caroline's eyes widened as she turned on her heel, heading for the stairs leading up to the bathroom. "I don't expect him to. I have loved him for a thousand years, Rebekah. And I will probably love him for a thousand more."
Rebekah's eyes widened, realising the pain that Caroline must have been through all these years. As she watched her walk up the stairs, away from her, she knew from the look in Caroline's eyes that she had endured the worst torture of all.
To die everyday waiting for the person you love, knowing that the person you loved wasn't that person anymore.
"Carolena..."
OOO-OOO
He heard the whole conversation as he stood outside the front door of the boarding house. He clenched his fists in anger, had she played him this whole time? He cared about her so much, maybe was even starting to fall in love with her. But he had always wondered why she kept him at arms length, always hesitating to sleep with him and didn't want to dive into a relationship straight away.
And now he knew why.
Tyler was angry, hurt and betrayed. He shook his head as he walked back to his car in a rage. How could Caroline love a monster like Klaus? What was the appeal there? He couldn't for the life of him, fathom it, but then again she was quite old. Perhaps all the old ones were twisted like him.
How could he have been so stupid?
It was obvious that Rebekah was here to stay since she had moved in with her at the Salvator's boarding house, much to Elena's chagrin. Caroline had avoided her ever since they had that 'heart to heart' which she decided was not going to happen again.
She had more important things to worry about right now. It appeared a lot was going on, what with Bonnie having issues with Jeremy since he could see ghosts, Stefan was back too but was only there to keep an eye on Elena and Tyler was a hybrid and it seemed he had some sort of sirebond to Klaus.
Caroline shook her head. That's what happens when teenagers get mixed up with the supernatural. It takes 'teen-drama' to a whole new level.
She was at Tyler's house watching a movie when he had been called by someone whom she knew was Klaus. When he got back he could tell something was up due to Caroline's mood being somewhat cooler than before he had left.
"So you're his lap-dog now?" she said, folding her arms over her chest, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
Tyler remained calm, not wanting to give away the fact that he knew she was in love with his sire and that she couldn't talk, but didn't.
"No, Care. I'm just doing him a favour, that's all. It has nothing to do with our friends, I promise," said Tyler with a warm smile as he sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her, pulling her close to him. He was a great actor but somewhere deep inside, he wasn't acting and just really wanted to be with her despite knowing that she will never love him.
Caroline sighed placing her head on his firm chest comfortably, deciding to forget for just tonight that Tyler was being used. Tomorrow, she would do something about that.
OOO-OOO
"Caroline?"
But she didn't give him a chance to respond as she pushed her way past his door and threw her school bag to the ground unceremoniously. He eye'd her suspiciously, ignoring the fact that she had just come over uninvited.
"You break his sire bond, now!" she spat, pointing a finger at him angrily. Her eyes were sparkling with emotion, in fact, her whole body was rigid.
Klaus raised an eyebrow in amusement. "You're giving me orders, love?"
Caroline scowled at him. "Seriously?! You're going to be like this forever?"
"Like what? I don't understand why you care," said Klaus, narrowing his eyes. "Oh, but its because you're sleeping around with my hybrid isn't it?"
Caroline couldn't help but hear the sound of some sort of resentment or perhaps disgust. She looked at him and realised that the man she loved perhaps was still inside, deep deep down.
"Your hybrid? Your hybrid?!" she screamed, as she walked forward, letting her anger get the better of her. Caroline used her vampire speed to run forward and push him to the ground.
She jumped on top of him, straddling him as she put her hands to his neck, looking down at him with anger and yet, unshed tears formed in her eyes.
God how she wished that things could be different. Maybe if she had been there she could have saved Klaus earlier because she wasn't even sure he could be saved anymore.
Klaus grabbed her forearms and she let go slowly.
"You're a fool, Niklaus. You think that having an army will take your loneliness away?" she asked softly as tears ran down her face.
Klaus glared up at her, not even realising their position for the moment. He hated seeing her like this, he never liked it when she cried and yet here she was, crying. He looked away for a moment.
"What would you know about it?" he accused, noticing that he was still holding her arms. He let go of her and kept looking up at her curiously.
Caroline laughed as she hoisted herself up off of him, slightly blushing as she realised she had be straddling the one person she had wanted to be with for over a thousand years. She walked toward her school bag, picked it up and glanced at Klaus whom was also getting to his feet.
"More than you. There is something worse than living over a thousand years alone, Niklaus," said Caroline as she moved to the door.
Klaus didn't move and kept staring at her, unable to fathom what was happening. He was going to kill her, he was. And yet, he was beginning to think she was too beautiful to die. How had he never noticed before?
In fact, the modern clothes of this age seemed to accentuate the curves of women, he knew that. But for some reason he finally noticed how breathtaking and ravishing she really was. Her perfect long blonde curls, her bright emerald eyes, her cute pink lips, flawless skin, long legs and slender body.
He stared at her.
"What's that then, love?" he asked breathlessly, watching as she turned the door knob on the front door.
"Living for over a thousand years, alone, loving someone who will never love you in return. Watching them destroy themselves and knowing that no matter what they say or do to you, that you will always love them," she said softly before closing the door behind her.
Klaus stood there for a few moments, just registering what she was saying. It couldn't be true, she was obviously talking about someone else. But who could it be? Was it one of his brothers?
He shook his head as he turned and walked up to his studio after finally having a muse after years of painting landscapes.
How could someone love a person for so long? It was madness. She was lying, she had to be. But that didn't stop him from painting her, sketching her, dreaming of her at every free moment that he had.
So no, he could never kill her. Not yet.
She cursed herself for being weak, for forgetting why she had even gone there. What was wrong with her? She'd come here two years ago, nearly three, with one goal.
To protect the doppleganger. To meet her friend's descendant, to right the wrongs she had committed and to forget about Niklaus Mikaelson. But it seemed he was distracting her too much.
So she would forget, or try to. Perhaps ignoring him would do the trick, or simply not speaking to him unless absolutely necessary.
That meant no more visits and no more private talks with any of the Mikaelson's.
OOO-OOO
Caroline stared at Elena, not really sure why she was showing up here unannounced and there was something very off about her.
"Elena, are you okay? Did something happen?" asked Caroline with a frown but as Elena turned around she saw a small smile upon her face.
"Carolena...you have changed so much," said Elena, walking forward and embracing her tightly.
Caroline had gone for a drive for a while to clear her head after the run in with Klaus. She had arrived back to the boarding house when she saw Elena standing in the middle of the lounge room. Elena had been looking around as if she had no idea where she was but when she saw Caroline it was as if it all clicked together.
"Elena, I saw you yesterday. You were angry that Rebekah was here, remember?" said Caroline as she pulled away to look into her eyes and noticed something different about them.
"Oh Carolena, its me! Tatia silly," she smiled cheekily.
Caroline gasped. No, it was impossible! She backed away and then ran out the door using her vampire speed. She unlocked her car with haste, practically jumped into the drivers seat and turned on the ignition.
She was afraid this moment would come. She was afraid that Tatia would know that Caroline abandoned her when Tatia needed her most.
"You can't get rid of me, Carolena," sighed Tatia whom had now appeared in the passenger seat beside her.
Caroline gasped loudly, holding a hand to her chest in fright. "Jesus, Tatia! God!"
Tatia raised an eyebrow. "You are quite blasphemous today, Lena, but I suppose you always were," laughed Tatia as she looked out the window, just observing her surroundings. "Everything is different here...in this time."
Caroline gripped the steering wheel as she stared incredulously at the girl. "Is it really you?"
Tatia looked away from the window and toward her friend with a genuine smile and nodded. "It is I, Carolena."
"W-why?!" exclaimed Caroline in astonishment, her emerald orbs filled with concern.
"That is something I do not know. Maybe I must save you-"
"No, you can't do this to me, you can't!" exclaimed Caroline, pulling her keys out of the ignition and getting out of the car. She slammed the door behind her and decided to walk to the Grill.
She walked briskly, but heard familiar footsteps behind her.
"Stop following me!" snapped Caroline, stopping to turn around to look at Tatia whom simply ignored her 'request'.
"I can not. I am tied to you. I suppose you could say I'm here to ease your guilt? To do something worthwhile? I'm not sure," said Tatia with a sigh.
Caroline shook her head as angry tears formed in her eyes. Why was this happening to her?
She continued to walk on ahead.
OOO-OOO
"Bon is working on a spell," said Elena as she continued to glare at her other doppleganger suspiciously.
Tatia however held no malice toward Elena whatsoever, after all, she wasn't here to see her descendants. She was here for Carolena.
Stefan circled Tatia with curiosity and Lexi was rolling her eyes at the whole situation. She of course was here to bring Stefan back to where he was supposed to be.
"They're all here for a reason, I guess," said Elena, looking over at Caroline whom hadn't really said much thus far. "Are you okay, Care?"
Caroline looked up out of her daze. "Ah, yeah. I'm fine," she said with a broken smile as she looked over at Tatia.
She knew she had to tell him, he would want to know, right?
"How long before the tomb vampires make their move? Damon texted me," said Caroline when Elena frowned at her questioningly, wondering how she knew that.
"I'm not sure, why?"
"I-I have to go. Come on Tatia," said Caroline softly as she went to the door. "We don't have much time."
Tatia followed silently.
OOO-OOO
Tatia didn't recognise the house, in fact, she didn't recognise anything that was in Mystic Falls. Caroline looked up at the steps and at the large front door of the mansion. She hesitated, noticing that Tatia was a few metres behind her. She turned around with a small smile.
"D-did you ever choose?" asked Caroline, looking into Tatia's eyes, hoping to find her answer without her saying anything.
Tatia's gaze saddened and her brown orbs lowered to the ground guiltily.
Caroline's jaw tightened in annoyance. "Do you understand why I didn't come back? Why I turned my back on you?"
Tatia nodded. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt, Carolena. I had no idea...that you-"
"That I what? What are you trying to do?!" screamed Caroline angrily, lunging at Tatia with her hands gripping her shoulders firmly, causing Tatia to wince in pain, but she didn't complain.
Tears fell down their beautiful cheeks as brown orbs met emerald. Both of them emotional and trying to get past what had happened over a thousand years ago.
"Do you want to kill me? Well don't bother! I'm already dead inside, because of you! But I think I know why you're here now. For him. I've brought you to his place, just go," said Caroline, her voice turning quiet at the end with defeat.
Caroline pointed up to the door behind her as her gaze fell to the ground. Tatia watched as the door began to open, clearly the occupants heard the commotion in front of their home and had come to investigate.
Tatia shook her head and grabbed Caroline's cheeks as their faces came close together. "No Carolena. No, no, no! I'm here for you."
Caroline shook her head. "No, its not true. Please, just don't do this to me. You have what you want," said Caroline quietly, ignoring the unwanted presence at the top of the stairs, staring at the scene below.
Tatia smiled, her brown orbs glistening with determination. It was something Caroline had missed. "That was long ago, was it not? Had I realised what you felt, maybe things would have been different."
Caroline's eyes widened but before she could embrace Tatia, she disappeared. "No..." she whispered as the tears continued to fall silently down her cheeks as her horrified gaze stared at the spot Tatia had been in moments before.
"Caroline?" asked a voice. "Was that-"
"I didn't...I didn't even get to say how much I..." spluttered Caroline as she walked forward, only to fall to the ground as she tripped, trying to grasp out to Tatia whom was clearly gone.
Caroline was lost in her thoughts, not even registering that Klaus had picked her up in his arms, taking her inside. She looked up at him and he looked at her with an emotion she never thought he would exude ever again. It was concern.
"She didn't come for you, she came for me," she said quietly, unknowingly putting her arms around him for support.
"Elena?" he asked, not really understanding what Caroline was going on about, but had a suspicion. Tyler had of course told him that ghosts had been showing up, could it be the person whom had been speaking to Caroline was Tatia?
Klaus laid her down on the couch and looked down at her with curiosity. "What did she say?" he asked with a neutral expression on his face.
"She was here to save me, but she couldn't finish what she was there to do."
Finally Caroline realised where she was and whom she was with and got up suddenly. "God, I'm sorry. I...I had a weak moment, but its over."
Klaus watched her curiously as Caroline walked to the door of the loungeroom and was clearly back to her indifferent self.
"I brought her here to see you. I thought that's why she was here to first torment me that she was here and that she was coming for you," said Caroline with a humourless laugh.
Her heels clonked on the marble floor, echoing off the walls of the foyer as she once again reached for the door handle of the front door.
"Why would that torment you?" asked Klaus whom followed her, trying to catch up to her before she left.
Caroline rolled her eyes and turned to face him. He noticed her tears hadn't dried yet, why was she so upset everytime she saw him nowadays? Although he could probably not count this time as he imagined she was distraught over seeing Tatia again.
He had wanted to interrupt their conversation earlier but when he saw her he could tell it wasn't Elena. He had first thought it was Katherine but the way they were holding each other told him that it wasn't. He didn't really understand what she meant by "...had I realised what you felt, maybe things would have been different."
Was it Elijah that Caroline loved? And that thought alone made him clench his fists by his sides tightly. Seeing Tatia again made him realise how stupid he had been a thousand years ago. He had loved Tatia but that love had diminished to nothing after a short while of being a vampire. But he never forgot Carolena; never.
"She was stupid to think she could save me," said Caroline shaking her head sadly as she took one last look at Klaus whom was trying to work out everything he had just seen. "Its a thousand years too late for me, but maybe not for you."
"Caroline," said Klaus in an annoyed tone. Why would she say that? She was full of light, she was good, not like him.
"That's why I'm here," she whispered as she walked out the door, away from him.
She had just broken her new rule of not speaking to him. God, what was wrong with her?