When they're watching Klaus's body burn (the result of a spell by the Bennett witch), Elijah asks Caroline what she's going to do now. He's curious about the young vampire who more than proved her strength in the fight they just won.
She shrugs and says, "I don't know what else I'm going to do but leave."
He wonders what her plan is. "Are you going to follow Elena?" he asks causally.
Caroline laughs almost bitterly at that. "No," she tells him. "One part of that trio is already a third wheel. I don't think they need a fourth."
"So you're going off alone?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.
"What other option is there?" she asks, looking at him sadly. "Matt's dead, and I can't forgive Tyler anymore than he can forgive me—we've tried. My mother doesn't want to know the truth, no matter how much she thought she could handle it that first time, I will not risk her betrayal too."
He nods in understanding. "You're alone."
"Don't act so surprised," she remarks, almost offended by his tone. "It's not like you couldn't see it. I have been alone since I was turned…probably even before that. It's nothing new."
The hours go by, and they watch in silence as Klaus becomes unrecognizable. Finally, Elijah speaks. "You don't have to be," he tells her.
Caroline looks up at him in confusion. "What?" she questions, not understanding his meaning.
"You don't have to be alone," he informs her, his tone even.
She raises an eyebrow. "And who would you have me go with? You?"
"We could travel," he suggests. "I could show you all the estates I own. You could see the world."
"With you?" she states slowly, as if trying to process this.
Elijah doesn't know why he's offering when she clearly does not wish to accompany him, yet there's something about her. Something that will not let him allow her to wander the world alone when he has so much he can teach her.
"You've got to be joking," she mumbles under her breath, although he hears it quite clearly.
"Do I look like the type of person who jokes?" he asks seriously.
She doesn't answer, just stares at the fire. They all made a pact to watch Klaus burn to ash. Once that task is complete, they're all free to make their own eternity. Elijah can't help but wonder why he's contemplating having one with this ridiculously stubborn baby vampire who has no respect for her betters.
"Maybe…maybe I'll tag along for a little while," she whispers, catching his eyes. "At least until I figure out my next move." And he's content with that because he's convinced he'll be able to persuade her down the line.
That is, of course, if he can stand her after a century or two.
