Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or its characters.
This chapter is inspired by the newest episode of Vampire Diaries, "Our Town". My friend and I had both a fan-girl and a "what-the-flip?" moment with the connection between Caroline and Klaus. The bedroom scene both intrigued me and made me incredibly curious. We had to pause to laugh hysterically when Klaus was wounded by Caroline's distrust, saying, "You think I'd kill you on your birthday? You really think that low of me?" We also had to wonder why on earth Klaus, the resident baddie, was so tender and caring towards Caroline. "Obsession" is my interpretation of Klaus's motives for saving Caroline. "Our Town" was one of my favorite episodes, since I had to rethink my total hate for Klaus, as well as my eternal respect for Stefan and Elena and what they try to accomplish. Maybe Klaus is just like Damon and has a really short list of people he gives a damn about. Only vampire diaries has the power to both make me delve deep into the characters, speculate, confuse myself during the complicated plot, laugh out loud, and feel for every single character… even the evil ones. Sorry for rambling, on to the story!
Tyler Lockwood was a useful pawn, but was steadily becoming a liability. And Klaus couldn't afford liabilities; they were variables in an already unknown plan. Klaus respected Tyler, though. He still cared deeply for his friends, and that was the only reason that Klaus left him alive. Loyalty did mean something to Klaus, no matter how heartless and selfish he seemed.
No, he didn't appreciate the boy's sentimentality. It was just that if Tyler had turned his back on his friends and girlfriend at the drop of a hat, he would have been of no use. Sure, Elena hated Tyler now. But everyone else grudgingly accepted that Tyler was being controlled to some extent, and that it wasn't his fault. That someday everything could go back to the way it was.
Silly, optimistic humans. Klaus snorted. He'd given up such things long ago, when he realized that life didn't work that way. In the world of monsters, you could never be the same again. He wondered when the residents of Mystic Falls would realize that too, and finally give up.
"But then again, that would be no fun." He smiled. He rushed through the night, towards Caroline Forbes house. She was high on his list of people to torture if he didn't get his way. Klaus was a hunter, after-all, so he liked to keep tabs on his prey. He'd visited Elena several times last week, watching the brunette sweat and head towards insanity, especially after his hybrid had nearly killed her brother.
He found Caroline a fascinating vampire, both delicate and fierce at the same time. He could understand why Tyler wanted her so badly. She held on to her humanity like a lifeline, which amused him. She was cheerful on the outside when she was among her friends, melancholy only when she was reminded of things she had no time for anymore, things that normal humans did. Like cheerleading, and shopping, and sleepovers. And Tyler, who was in the palm of Klaus's hands. Klaus couldn't fathom the idea of not surrendering, not accepting reality. She wasn't human anymore, she was a vampire.
Klaus crouched on her windowsill. He looked around her room, still containing her most human elements, and evidence of her vanity. A hairbrush and curler lay on the table, various bracelets in a dish beside them. Her clothes were strewn near her dresser, like she'd had trouble deciding what to wear in the morning.
Caroline was tossing and turning in her sleep, skin even paler than usual. Her movement revealed the smooth skin of her neck, and the veins under his eyes shifted with sudden hunger. He vaguely wondered what Caroline would taste like. Something sweet, he imagined, and very addicting. Maybe he would have a chance to sample her one day, if it fitted in with his plans.
"My dear Caroline," He whispered, "You are a fascinating creature. If only you weren't constantly in the way of what I want."
The next day brought a whole new problem to Klaus's plate. Stefan wanted the hybrids out of Mystic Falls, and would toss Elijah into the ocean if the request wasn't honored. Stefan hadn't even been fazed when Klaus had threatened a brother for a brother.
He was angry. Stefan had pushed the limits of his patience. He was Klaus, an Original. He was supposed to be feared, not baited and played with by vampires who were centuries his junior. He was used to calling the shots. But Klaus wasn't stupid, he wasn't entirely taken by rage, yet.
"Well Stefan, if you want to push, I'll push right back." He growled, nearing Rebekah's coffin. He ran a loving hand over the wood, asking forgiveness once more. He couldn't bear to release her now. Not when she hated him, and he'd already lost his family to Stefan.
This thought angered him even more. Stefan would find that Klaus would hurt everyone he loved, even if the vampire didn't seem to care. Klaus would take revenge on whoever he could get his hands on. He wasn't ready to kill of Damon yet, and it would take far too much effort. Damon was the only one Klaus could use against Stefan later on, because he was sure that Stefan wasn't as indifferent to his brother as he pretended. Damon was also the only one strong enough to deal with Stefan at all. Not disposable—yet. He went down his mental list of potential victims.
"Sorry, Sweetie. But I'm afraid you're next." He said, imagining Caroline's face. He reached for the cellphone in his pocket and dialed Tyler's number. What pure irony it would be that Caroline would suffer at the hands of the only she loved. Her loyalty would be shattered.
So there was a chance that he'd lose a pawn on the board if Tyler followed orders. But it would be worth it, just to cause those who opposed him pain.
He was only a little sorry that it had to be Caroline.