Hi! This the new story I've been talking about. It's based off the song "Over the Love" by Florence and the Machine. I hope you like it!
WARNING: Dark subjects discussed like suicide, death and murder.
P.s. In this story Hayley and the baby do exist and Kol was never killed.
'Cause you're a hard soul to save,
With an ocean in the way,
But I'll get around it,
I'll get around it.
It was a hundred years ago today; the anniversary of their tragic ending.
She was lying in bed, a sheet barely covering herself as the stranger from the bar walked out from her bathroom. He had pulled his jeans back on and was yawning, stretching his arms up to the ceiling. There was a glazed look in his eyes as he leaned down. His hands dropped down on either side of her stomach and he smiled.
"I have to go."
She shrugged and reached over to grab her drink. "Okay."
"Can I see you again?" he leaned down more, his breath skimming her lips.
Caroline let out an annoyed sigh and propped herself up on her elbows. They were inches from each other now, something the man didn't seem to mind. She didn't particularly care for him though. He was just to fill the hole in her chest, nothing more.
They never were.
"You will collect the rest of your things from my room and leave now. Tomorrow you'll brag about the amazing sex you had with a hot blonde but you'll have no desire to find me again. Understand?"
The man's pupils dilated and he nodded blindly. He repeated her words in a whisper before gathering his shirt and bolting out the door.
He was...nice. She knew she probably could have found someone better, someone more like...him...but there was no one tonight. They weren't who she was looking for. One's hair was too brown while another's eyes were the wrong shade of blue. There was one man who couldn't stop staring at her boobs and another who was completely immersed in him himself. They weren't at all who she wanted them to be.
With a huff Caroline fell back onto the bed. Her blonde curls fanned out onto the pillow and a bit of alcohol splashed onto her chest. A small breeze burst through her window, spinning the curtains around in circles. If you listened carefully you could hear the soft crashing of waves against the shore. They licked their way up the sand, as if they were trying to become a part of a land they were never made for. And before they knew it they were sucked back in, being pulled into where they never wanted to belong.
She could be a wave. A big, huge wave with all the power in the world yet no matter how hard she crashed and smashed, she would be pulled back. Hands would wrap around her ankles, yank her down and drag her back to where she was always supposed to be.
But she was no wave. She was Caroline Forbes.
She had chosen Spain.
It was mostly because of the warmth. Everywhere she stepped there was sun, fun and beaches. A constant energy was brought to her, making every day new. She liked that there wasn't a need for clothes, that she could prance around in a bikini and drink until the sun went down. It's been a while since she's fully been sober. Between the vodka margaritas and blood, everything turns hazy. Though she doesn't mind. It makes the whole forgetting thing easier.
It makes everything easier.
She places her drink back down on the nightstand and sits up, bringing the sheet up to cover herself. The man's scent still lingered in the room and her nose crinkled. He smelled like a cigarette, an old, burnt out cigarette whose smoke embeds into everything it touches. All she intended to do was feed from him, to get her fill before moving onto something else. Spain was beautiful, yes, but it's been twenty-five years. She craved something new and tonight, most of all, she craved someone. Someone, anyone. It's been long, these years, all alone. Every morning it's someone new who she has no desire for and that man was no different.
God, she never even knew his name.
The moonlight poured into the room, casting her shadow along the walls. Her place wasn't big, something small along the ocean with one bedroom and a tiny kitchen with no dishwasher. It never bothered her though. She didn't prepare her own food. Caroline wasn't much of a cooker. But in the late hours of the night, when the world was asleep around her, she would slowly make her way onto the deck.
She let the light of the stars bask on her skin, shimmering and sparkling back into the sky. There was a chill lingering in the air tonight. It ran through her skin, shooting up her arms and settling deep within her stomach. Goosebumps popped up on her legs and she brought the sheet closer to her, eyes fluttering closed.
Tomorrow, she would leave. Her things would be packed by afternoon and she'd be in France by nightfall. She's missed France. The music made her smile and the food filled her to no end. There was a certain calmness that came with it, a slow moving pace that was so unlike how she lived back home. She couldn't get enough of it. Although she would be staying somewhere in the south, perhaps Nimes or Marseille. Somewhere warm. She would want nothing more than to travel upwards, explore more parts of the country. But the dreaded city was too close. In a hundred years she's steered clear of so many things and it's left her unsatisfied.
Paris, Rome...Tokyo.
I'll take you.
She wouldn't go without him.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Caroline picked herself off the bench and wandered back into the bedroom. Blood stains covered her soft duvet along with remnants of their activity on the sheets. She sighed softly and turned around, heading for the living room instead. The couch in there wasn't her favorite but with a few extra pillows it might. A wave of exhaustion hit her and she stumbled to the side, still barely holding up the sheet.
With a few more strides she made it, crashing down on the three pillows she laid by the arm rest. Her blonde locks fanned around her as a small sigh escaped her lips.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
She would be gone.
Waves against the shore filled her ears as she slowly began to wake up. The cold breeze blew in through the opened doors, invading the room with the heavenly scent of the sea. It smelled like salt and brought such a heavy feeling of hope that a smile came to her lips. She rolled over to her other side and was met with a pair of liquid blue eyes. They shined brightly at her as a set of strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her in closer. She didn't protest. Why would she anyway?
"You're so beautiful." his warm, velvet voice whispered in her ear. A set of chills ran down her spine as she molded herself closer to him, letting him feel every part of her.
As always his hands traveled up and down her sides, fingers trailing along the sight of exposed skin below her shirt. He was humming something to himself and she closed her eyes again, letting his soft voice lull her back to sleep.
But then she was pinned back to the mattress, all the air escaping from her lungs. His hands squeezed around her wrists and the once comforting blue eyes flashed gold. He hovered over her, confusion on his face. She watched as his head tilted to the side, as if he didn't recognize her.
"Klaus-" she choked out, fighting against his restraints. "What are you-"
"Shh," he shushed, his finger grazing her bottom lip. He shook his head. "Caroline."
And then his fangs retracted and he bent down, letting them sink into her throat. She felt the sting of his venom entering her system and cried out in pain. He kept shushing her though, whispering against her skin that everything was going to be okay. Yet he took and took as his hands pushed her back down against the bed. She struggled to get up, to fight him off but it was no use.
"You're hurting me." she whispered.
He chuckled softly. "Why do you think I'm doing this?"
She woke up screaming.
Tonight.
Tonight.
Tonight she would be gone.
Caroline moved around the apartment in hyper speed. Everything that meant something to her was thrown in the little duffle bag she calls home. Pictures of her mother and Stefan, another of her father, then clothes and the velvet blue box. The box that hasn't been opened since she left that place. She bit her lip and averted her eyes, focusing on the clothes.
She had hundreds really.
It took longer than expected but some things had to be left behind. Once she was sure everything she needed was in the bag, she was off. There was no need to tell anyone where she would be going or how long she would be gone. That was for her to know and her to find out. Caroline didn't make friends wherever she settled. She had friends.
And look how well that turned out.
She felt the memories creeping back in her mind, shoving their way through the walls she's put up years ago. They always came back unexpectedly, when things were going right and there wasn't a reason to be unhappy. She hated remembering, hated experiencing the sense of utter despair that ripped her insides apart. She needed to be constantly in motion, occupying herself so it wouldn't come back. And moving was the best way. A new country, a new city filled with strangers who had no idea who she was. It was a chance to reinvent herself, to become someone she hasn't been yet. When leaving a place she left the memories she made behind, left the pain that may have been caused and moved on to something new.
Something new.
Caroline threw her duffle bag into the hallway, keys jingling in her hands as she shut the door. She was locking up when her phone began buzzing, though it wasn't with her. There it sat on the kitchen counter, vibrating to no end. The number was unknown as it flashed onto the screen, buzz after buzz just waiting to be answered.
But she was already walking away, the bag slung over her shoulder and the keys gripped firmly in her hand. There was a train that needed to be caught. Time that she had no intention of wasting.
Though perhaps things would be different if she had heard the ring.
The last time she was in Mystic Falls, it was when her mother had passed away.
She hadn't been there in years, perhaps ten or fifteen. It was different walking back through the town, seeing the changes that had been made. The whereabouts of her friends were unknown. After she made her decision to leave, they had all went in their separate ways. No one knew where the others were going, what their plans were for the future or even asked to stay in touch. She didn't protest though. Everything with them was forced.
Caroline couldn't stand the constant attention people threw at Elena. She was getting sick and tired of saving everyone else when they didn't even bother to see that she was the one who was hurting. Damon disgusted her to no end and Bonnie was growing distant. With each time someone passed through her, the pain overwhelmed her. Soon she was gone, not a trace of her left behind. It devastated Jeremy.
And when she had attended her mother's funeral, she did it alone. It was a private ceremony told by a compelled priest. Something solemn and personal, uninterrupted by prying eyes. She didn't want anyone else there, didn't feel like she needed them. Over the years she developed this sort of independence. An attitude that screamed she didn't need anyone but herself. There was a walk developed, a look that made people scurry in her presence and it was the way she held herself that drove fear in people's eyes. She never understood that power but she liked the distance it put in between people.
Caroline never let anyone get too close.
When they lowered Liz's body into the ground, she lingered for a while. She visited her father's grave but didn't stay long. As soon as her fingers brushed against the limestone a shiver ran through her body. It was too painful, almost unreal to accept that yet another person was gone from her life. It seemed like that's all anyone did now. They brought you in, made you feel like this was forever and simply vanished.
There were never goodbyes.
No explanations.
Just a puff of smoke residing in where they once stood.
She doesn't think of her mother anymore and almost never reminisces of her father. Two people that once meant the world but can no longer invade her mind. If they do, it'll take over. The emotions would boil her blood, tear through her skin and break every individual bone in her body.
There would be no question in turning it off then. It'd be easy, like flicking off a light before going to bed. Mindless. Routine. No thought involved.
But Caroline was stronger than that.
It's why she's pushed through. There was no such thing as giving up, she wouldn't allow it.
The train came to a screeching stop. She leaned forward slightly before falling back against the seat. Her fingers gripped the duffle bag tightly before she stood up, righting herself as the train still seemed to be moving. The conductor came on the speaker, announcing that they had finally arrived. Her french was a bit rusty but understood it nonetheless. It would be a breeze to settle in here.
The station was crowded at first but it didn't take long for her to worm her way through. It was just reaching morning, the sun peeking out from the hills as it shined down on her face. She squinted slightly as she began walking. There wasn't a particular destination in her mind and she didn't have a clue of where she would be staying tonight. But somehow a drink was calling her and it wasn't the human kind.
As she advanced further into town an uneasy feeling washed over her. It was completely deserted. Only moments ago she was surrounded by hundreds of men and women and now there wasn't a soul in sight. A small breeze blew past her and she spun around in a circle, trying to take everything in. With the wind came whispers. She couldn't make them out. They were jumbled words, slurred and twisted into something incomprehensible.
Carelina-
He's here….
Coming, coming.
Never-
She spun around just in time to see arms clutch hers. The sound of crumbling brick blowed in her ears and dust collected on her shoulders. Her bag collided to the floor and she let out a puff of air, everything that was left in her lungs gone. The stranger's eyes pierced into hers and there was something strangely familiar about them. As he let go the name escaped her lips without permission. She couldn't believe she actually remembered him.
"Kol?"
His hands left her immediately and he stepped back. She held her breath as his eyes swept over her, going from confused to awed.
"Caroline, is it?" For some reason he was breathing heavily, eyes darting around them.
She nodded slowly.
He pointed a finger at her. "I remember you." There was a scream from a shop down the street. He winced. "Come with me."
"What's going on?" she whispered. Her back hit the brick wall in an attempt to distance herself from him. But he only stepped closer, his arm reaching out for her bag. He barely knows her yet he's offering his assistance.
But for what exactly?
Another scream.
Anxious footsteps.
The sun rose higher.
Shattering glass.
"There's no time."
"But I don't-"
"He's coming! You just have to trust me."
Trust; something she hasn't possessed in years. And now a thousand year old vampire is holding out his hand, begging for it. She sees the pleading in his eyes, something different about his voice and features. No longer the careless vampire who cracked jokes and drank but someone who has witnessed far too many tragedies. The begging look he flashed her though made her think it had more to do with the sound of blood curdling screams.
But before she could answer he grabbed hold of her, flashing them out of the streets and into the shadows. He was shielding her away, placing his body protectively in front of her as he held his breath. They were somewhere cold and damp now, a certain dripping sound coming from behind them. She tried to take a breath but he shook his head, bring a slender finger to his lips.
"Just a moment, darling." he whispered as the darkness fell around them.
There were footsteps now, inching closer and closer. They echoed and appeared heavy, dragging almost as Caroline inclined her ear. Mumblings followed and then a crash sounded, the noise so shockingly loud that it made her jump. Her fingers instinctively curled around Kol's shirt and it was only moments after that she realized this. She never does that: clings to someone else.
That's just not done. It's not allowed.
"Don't fret." he said.
Slowly she released her clutch but it only returned at the sound of a voice. A voice she hasn't heard in-
"Oh, little brother." It rang throughout the halls, bouncing off walls and going straight threw her heart.
Kol pushed her forward, their footsteps like air.
"I told you what would happen if you followed me."
Caroline was biting her lips so hard, blood dripped down her chin. It fell in droplets to her feet. The splatters sounded like thunder.
"There's no use in running." The voice said. "You know I'll find you eventually."
Kol rolled his eyes and pointed to the exit at the end of the hall. "When you reach the light, run." his voice was so low she barely caught it. "I'll be right behind you."
"But-"
Her soft, feminine voice caught unwanted attention. They both knew. Before the sun hit her skin she was running. Her legs moved at a speed she hadn't thought possible and everything disappeared behind her. It was only the wind leading the way, carrying her in an unknown direction. She didn't know if Kol was following her or if he chose to stay behind and face-
At that point, she was at least a good fifty miles away from the town. Her mind registered as soon as her legs halted. Back there, in wherever that was, he was there.
Tears bubbled up in her eyes, something she hasn't done in ages.
But he does that.
He brings out emotions that shouldn't be there. Though, that hat was their thing; making each other feel things that weren't supposed to be there.
But you couldn't stop them.
Unfortunately feelings were uncontrollable. You can't erase them when they're there and you can't create them when they're not.
It doesn't matter what she tries to tell herself, what she lies awake at night losing sleep over.
Feelings like that just don't go away.
They only build with time.
Kol caught up with her just moments after. She had just wiped the remaining tears away and ran a hand through her hair as he approached. There was a worn out look in his eyes as his feet dragged against the grass. At any second Caroline worried he'd collapsed in front of her, crashing onto the ground as if his heart was just ripped from his chest. But he stayed firm on his feet, remaining the strong original vampire she knew him to be.
"Are you-"
"What the hell was that?" she placed her hands on her hips.
He smiled and took a slow step forward. "You got some spunk. I can't believe I almost forgot you." His face fell then and a more serious expression replaced it. She wanted to pry, to let the racing questions in her mind exit. But it was the way he approached her that made her lips seal shut. "I trust that you're well though? That these years have treated you kindly, darling?"
Caroline frowned and nodded her head. "What happened?"
He was shaking his head. "I can't...I can't tell you here. But come with me. It's not safe."
"I don't understand." She bent down to pick up her bag but his arms restrained her. "Kol-"
"He'll find you...if you don't come with me he'll find you."
Kol didn't have to say the name. She knew with every cell in her body that Klaus was here. But the state in which he resided was unknown. To her it sounded as if he'd fallen off the edge-
"You've come to the wrong place at certainly the wrong time. What made you come to Nimes?" his arms fell from her.
Caroline tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sighed. "I've been in Spain for a while and wanted a change. France just seemed like the right place. Apparently not though."
"No," he laughed. "It certainly isn't."
Caroline hesitated, looking down to her bag and then back up to him. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to go with Kol. He seemed genuine and there was something in the way he spoke that told her he wasn't lying. There was urgency in his voice, a sort of concern that couldn't be faked. She was uncertain of course, nothing was guaranteed with this family. But going anywhere else at the moment seemed foolish.
"Where are you going to go?" she whispered, her gaze averted away.
"You'll come?" he seemed surprised.
Caroline nodded. "I want you to tell me everything then I'll leave."
He held out his hand for her to take. "Follow me."
Perhaps some things don't change, no matter how much time has passed. Kol lead her to a bar a few miles away from where they were. He assured her that they wouldn't be followed. Apparently Klaus gives him a few hours before he starts searching again, that is if he even remembers. He's been going through black out periods now. His emotions have been off for so long that sometimes they flick back on themselves and take over.
"There's triggers." Kol said as he thanked the bartender for his drink. "He could see someone that resembles them or someone says something that brings him back. And then it turns back on and he snaps. I've only seen it a few times, Elijah would know more."
Caroline was looking down at her hands, twisting and untwisting them together. She had so many questions, so many things she wanted to know. But it scared her. All this time she thought he was fine when in reality he was crumbling, withering away to a man she barely knows. A hundred years with not a single emotion...would he even be the same?
"You said them…." she finally whispered.
Kol sighed. "Who would have thought this would all be over women?" he shook his head.
Caroline's chest tightened.
"I assume you knew about the baby."
Their eyes met. She found out ninety-five years ago with Stefan. They were somewhere in Seattle at that time when Damon called them. After investigating on it more they discovered it was no threat to them but that didn't mean it was painless. She couldn't look at another child for years.
"Damon told me."
He nodded. "Well back in New Orleans, no one was very fond of it. The former king of the city, Marcel, tried everything in his power to destroy it. As you know Niklaus wouldn't have it. In those months, to all of our amazement, he grew very attached. We all saw the child as a way to mend our family together so we could have a chance at what we've always wanted." his eyes moved away from her and to his drink instead. She saw him swallow down some pain before continuing. "Bekah was even carrying out her motherly duties. I've never seen anything like it. For once she actually cared about something other than herself. She wanted this as much as everyone else did and she didn't let much stop her. But then-" he swallowed, looking up to the ceiling and then away from her.
"You don't have to do this. If it's too much-" she began.
Kol cut her off. "No, no. I can do it. That day, though, isn't something I like remembering. We thought we had everything in control. The baby was due any day and everything seemed to be flowing perfectly. Klaus was even somewhat pleasant. He was happy, ready even to become a father. And although it wasn't with the ideal woman," he smirked up at her, "it was enough for him. So we all kind of went our separate ways that night. I had overheard Rebekah and Hayley fighting about something, bickering non stop that it was impossible to sleep. But before I was able to investigate, Bekah had stormed off. She said she needed a walk." To Caroline's awe, tears glistened in his eyes. He tried to swallow the lump rising in his throat again and took a drink. Everything he's kept down so long was finally coming back up. It was hard to function.
"She didn't come back for hours and it was then when I notified Nik. He sent out his hybrids and even himself, scouring the city for her." There was a pause now. It seemed to have been an hour before he spoke again, the words tasting like acid, burning his tongue on the way out. "They found her in the quarter, grey veins and completely scorched. I-" he shook his head. "I still don't understand what happened. But hold onto your hat, darling, because it gets worse. When Nik finally returned, he went to see Hayley. I told him of the spat they had before she left but we discovered it was too late for her as well."
Caroline's eyes widened.
"We found her hanging from the ceiling fan, big belly and all waving in the room. My brother, big bad hybrid and all, literally dropped to his God damned knees. He just screamed. It only took him seconds to rush and dismount her. But I never thought the man-" Kol blinked his eyes a few times. "He tried to cut the child from her womb, to save it. I tried stopping him but he wouldn't listen to me, he just kept screaming. It was Elijah who finally calmed him down, who brought him away and out into the hall. It was there I found a letter Hayley had written before she died. She said she didn't want to be a pawn in Marcel's game or our own. The woman claimed that he was planning to take her baby, to give them each a life of misery. She didn't want that and she made sure she never received it."
Caroline reached her hand over tentatively, testing the waters before finally placing it over his own. "Kol-"
He ignored her. "Surprisingly my brother held on after that. My sister, his pride and joy, was gone as well as his child. But I saw him struggling for something. Every day he got out of bed and pulled through. It was amazing, really. I gave him credit. He didn't even kill a person, just had this blank expression on his face all the time. But that was until you came."
Caroline winced.
She could remember it all.
This was it.
Her bags were packed.
Her family was left behind.
Everything she ever wanted was in front of her now.
She was ready, God was she ready. So what if it took some time? All that mattered was that she came. She was here, just like he wanted her to. After their weekend months ago, she couldn't deny it anymore. Klaus was who she wanted, who she was always supposed to be with in the first place.
His mansion was huge, like something that came out of story books. She treaded the waters carefully, each step slow and hesitant as she made her way to the front door. Multiple people in the city pointed her this way, not without questioning looks of course. She could see they thought she was crazy but Caroline didn't care. Soon she would be his and no one would look at her the same again.
She couldn't wait.
Her hand hovered in front of the door, going to knock once, then twice before finally smacking against the wood. It only took seconds before it opened. But the smile was quickly wiped off her face and thrown into the dirt at her feet.
He looked like a mess.
"Hi…." she whispered, fingers curling around the duffle bag on her shoulder. "Klaus."
For a minute, he merely stared at her. Blue eyes wide but cold, piercing and filled with this hatred. It made her step back and he flinched.
"What are you doing here?" his voice was hard, stinging the air around her.
She took a deep breath. Maybe something happened. Maybe he lost a fight. He won't turn her away, he won't.
He loves her.
"Well I came...for you. You said that your door was always open and I just don't care about anything anymore. I know about Hayley and the baby and it doesn't matter. I just want you." she was talking fast and stepped towards him.
But that's when his whole demeanor changed. He started laughing, a bitter, in-your-face laugh that made tears well up in her eyes. There was nothing happy or joyful about it. He was laughing at her.
"Oh Caroline…." he murmured, shaking his head. "How foolish can you be?"
A coldness settled within her. What was he talking about? Just weeks ago he had held her, arms like a cage around her waist as he brought her in. He wanted that, begged her nearly for years and now the look crossing his face made it seem like some sick joke. As if he was playing her-
"What are you doing?" her soft whisper shattered the hard look on his face. "Klaus."
"You'd best go home, Caroline."
"Why?" she asked incredulously. "Why in the hell would I go home?"
He averted his gaze which only angered her further.
"Klaus!" she dropped the bag to her feet. "What's wrong? I'm here! Finally, I'm here like you've always wanted and now you're turning me away?"
It was if he stabbed her, straight through the heart but not in the place to kill her. Just right to torture her, twisting and twisting the stake in her chest until she could no longer bleed. But God, was she bleeding.
"I don't need you, Caroline. I never did."
She flinched but somehow her face kept composed. "I don't believe you."
"I enjoyed our time weeks ago but that's all it was, time. I always wanted to know and now...I do." he sighed. "Love is a weakness. That is not something I need in my life nor have I ever felt it."
Her eyes widened, hands balling into fists and it seemed like the world was crashing down around her. She tried telling herself that he didn't mean it, that something happened and it made him this way. But it was so easy to believe. It's something she had thought for months. And she waited for this, waited for him to turn her away like everyone else did. No one ever wanted Caroline Forbes. She was always just a girl, a second choice in a crowded room. There wasn't any beaming quality that drew men to her besides her boobs. There was always someone better and as he looked to her now, she knew.
She knew.
Caroline took a step back. "I don't believe you." she tried saying again, although they both knew it was a lie. "But if what you really want is me to be gone...then I'll go."
He simply nodded his head. "And don't come back."
The door shut in her face.
She killed three people that night.
Caroline blinked her eyes down, shoving the memory in the deep depths of her mind as she tuned back into Kol.
"I don't believe he ever fully shut his emotions off. But turning you away did send him over the edge. Don't ask me the reasons for it because I have no idea but ever since then, he's spiraled downwards. Nik then destroyed New Orleans, put the city in ruins before moving on to the next." he sighed. "And then next and the next. He has hundreds of cities under his belt, all broken and battered to their full extent. I've been following him for some time now, watching over to make sure he doesn't do too much damage. Elijah quit years ago, he couldn't take it."
"Have you ever considered helping him?"
Kol laughed. "He doesn't want it."
She scoffed. "You can't possibly believe that he enjoys this. If his emotions aren't really off then this could be torture for him, Kol."
Kol looked back to her and this time really looked at her. His eyes connected with hers and softened as he leaned forward. She watched as his hand came down to her knee and he squeezed it, now wearing a saddened expression.
"He's not worth it anymore, darling."
Caroline turned her head away. "I don't believe that."
"He's been like this for a hundred years. There's no coming back from that. Everything he's done, everyone he's killed and pushed away...not to mention the ones lost. There would be too much guilt, too much pain and sorrow to sort through for him to ever be the way he was. Or even remotely close to that."
"But you said you don't think his emotions are off. What if this is all just a show?"
She felt the feelings she's kept buried for years resurface. All the hope she's held onto bubbling up, begging to be trusted and used to it's full extent. She's always wanted him and through the years it didn't change. Caroline learned to know what she felt, what he felt and what it all meant when put together. And if there was a chance for that, if there was a chance to have the life she's craved then why not at least try?
Where was the pain in that?
Well, everywhere really. She could already feel herself breaking as she looked to Kol, a certain pleading in her eyes.
"What if he doesn't mean it?" she said.
Kol only frowned. "I don't know-"
"You can't just leave him like this. It isn't," she shook her head. "It isn't right."
"Then what do you suggest, darling?" Kol leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. He knew exactly where this was going but he wanted her to say it. The trait reminded her of Klaus, making her unbeating heart ache.
Could she do this? Could she give up her time in Nimes, the carefree, luxurious life she has now for this man? It probably wasn't worth it. She might be spending yet another hundred years in attempt to save someone who didn't want to be saved. He'll hurt her, no doubt, and tear every piece of hope she has to shreds. Though, somehow, she couldn't find it in herself to deny this opportunity. Because what if...what if...it worked? What if he comes back to the man she fell for all those years ago? Sure he won't be perfect, he never was, and he won't be exactly the same but he'll be there. He'll be what she's always needed and she'll be what he's always wanted. She could help him.
She could heal him.
Just like all those times before, he saved her. Every trouble she encountered he was there. He was there to pick up the broken pieces of her life and help put them all back together.
So why couldn't she do the same for him?
"I guess," she took a breath. "That I'll be sticking with you for a while."
A wide grin came to his face and only then did he remove his hand. "Are you up for the challenge, Miss. Forbes?"
She frowned now, whipping back her blond curls. No, she wasn't ready. Not in the slightest, really. But Caroline never backs away from a challenge and the knowledge that Kol believes she can't do it will only push her forward.
"Yes," she responded confidently, "I am."
He hopped off the barstool. "Then we have someone you should see."
Before they even entered the establishment she could smell the blood. It was a smack in the face as they approached the large wooden doors. A vampire was standing watch, arms crossed over his chest as he stood still and tall. His gaze hardened at the sight of Kol and the voice that sounded in the air gave Caroline the chills.
"He doesn't want to see you."
"Well, perhaps he can change his mind." Kol only smirked as he stepped forward.
The vampire looked Caroline up and down, clearly not impressed. "I'm not permitted to let you in."
"Ooh," Kol teased, "I'm terrified." He had the vampire up against the doors then, his hand squeezing tightly around his neck. "Now get out of my way." Like a ragdoll he was tossed to the side, Kol stepping casually over him.
Caroline followed blindly, trying to appear oblivious, and scurried after Kol. She couldn't lose him in this crowd.
She closed her eyes as she burst through the door. For the first time in forever no one noticed her. Everyone went on as if she hadn't entered the bar at all. Every pair of eyes were trained on the table in back. It's where most of the noise was coming from. There was shouting and pounding, hooting and hollering as a set of moans escaped the mouths of two girls. A small sigh sounded from behind Caroline and she turned to see Kol shaking his head.
"I don't see the pleasure in that, honestly. It's so...public." he said. "But come on, go to the bar, he shouldn't see you yet. And you don't need to witness any of that."
But they were too late. In the matter of seconds there was a clearing in the middle of the dance floor, giving Caroline a clear shot to the source of all the commotion. And there he sat, two girls on his lap dripping with blood. His lips were connected with a brunette's, the biggest smile on his face as she continued to moan and grind against him. The other girl, a blonde, was pouting on his left knee. She kept nudging him until he finally broke the kiss with the other and gave her the attention she wanted. After he had his fill Caroline saw his fangs descend and plunge into her neck. He was awarded with laughter from the group of people he was surrounded with as well as more girls running his way.
Caroline couldn't have been more disgusted.
And that's when their eyes met. His lips were about to plunge onto the blonde's as his tongue darted out to lick the remaining blood from her chin. But his hands slipped and she ended up on the ground. A few gasps sounded from the crowd yet he barely noticed. Soon the brunette joined her friend and he was bounding across the floor, appearing in front of Caroline in the matter of seconds.
He was breathing heavily despite the fact that it took little to no effort to reach her. Perhaps it was the anger.
For a minute, they said nothing. Kol was holding his breath as his body went rigid against her. Caroline couldn't break away though. Their eyes locked and she felt like taking her hand and smacking it against his cheek. God, of all the people to get involved with. Of all the people to get in so deep with. Why on earth did it have to be him?
Why Klaus?
She licked her lips slowly and moved back, wanting a clear head for this.
"Caroline." His voice sounded different somehow. There was more roughness, not the smooth, thick, honey like sound she remembered.
She didn't like it.
But there he was. The person she's been hiding from, the person who ripped her heart in two. He's ruthless. He's a killer. The amount of blood on his hands cannot be washed away. This is a person who does not care, who does not feel.
Love is a weakness. He said that to her once, right before he claimed he never loved her.
He's everything someone should be running away from. So why was she standing here? Why in the world was she risking everything that was left of her for this one man? No one in their right mind would do it. They would have taken the chance Rebekah gave before they entered the bar.
So why?
Why?
"Hello, Klaus."
It's because she's still in love with him.
So continue, yes or no? What do you think? Lemme know!