I intended this to be a one shot with an 'open' ending to the 'one day' idea because who knows when Julie Plec will let them be together or at least on the same show. I'm excited for that day myself! But, in the interest of finishing a thought that keeps popping up in my head (and a kind guest reviewer that asked me to provide an ending, as much as I think an ending could be when you live forever), here's my take on when 'one day' happens. It is strictly Klaus and Caroline; no other friends join this adventure. It's mostly from Caroline's voice unless otherwise noted by a Klaus POV note.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, TVD, TO
Summary: After rejecting Caroline for reason she didn't understand, what happens when Klaus finally shows up one day?
One Day
It's been a quarter of a century, a quarter of a century since that day back in New Orleans when I ran away from Klaus. Enough time has passed that the sound of his voice is almost foreign to me and his face is a faded memory of curly hair, devilish eyes, and hands that could save as easily as kill. It's been a long time to nurse a broken heart. It turns out that being a vampire doesn't make it easier to push ahead and time isn't a friend.
I still remember that day vividly.
I ran, I ran as far and as fast as my vampire speed would take me. I couldn't breathe and I needed to escape the pain that enveloped me. I ended up at the Louis Armstrong airport and compelled my way onto a flight. I didn't care where I went, just as long as I was far away from New Orleans, from Klaus. After I was seated and in the air, I took a look around, and asked the stewardess the end destination. Admittedly, she looked at me with some concern. I mean, who doesn't know where they're going when they get on a plane. But, she answered me nonetheless. It turns out I was going to Rome, Italy. Of all places, the city, Klaus himself, said he'd show me. I sunk further into my seat and fell deeper into my sadness.
After hours in the air, the plane started its descent. I was anxious, nervous, and just wrapped in unending misery. I didn't have much on me - little money, no clothes, not even a passport. I didn't care. For once, Caroline Forbes, always perfectly coiffed, didn't care. I was too heartbroken and disillusioned, and feeling rather foolish for believing in a creature such as Klaus.
The day I landed in Rome changed everything for me. I had to learn to rebuild my life and do things for myself. I had to put myself first and forget my world, as I knew it. To do that, I couldn't stay in Rome, my heart couldn't bear it. I traveled a lot in the early day trying to lose myself in city after city. I never contacted old friends and barely stayed in contact with my mom. I wanted no reminders of my foolishness, of my love. I couldn't explain the hurt and pain of being rejected by him. Of all the times I was put second, him shutting me out hurt most of all. I could never make them see or understand how he slowly made his way into my heart. So, I stayed away.
I ran when I felt the past of old feelings of hurt and anger rearing up again. I didn't want to be that sad, pathetic creature anymore. So, I kept moving. Each new city felt like a breath of fresh air, a new adventure where I didn't need to think beyond what there was to see, explore, and learn. I purposely made my way back to Rome and visited each city Klaus enticed me with – Rome, Paris, Tokyo. I had to prove to myself I was strong enough to move on from his promises of forever, and I did. I lived. I experienced art, culture, and the various music of the world. Food was as fascinating to me as the art, as it served to be very much a part of a cities culture.
Through the years I heard whispers among the supernatural of a miracle child, a hybrid's child. I confess I never stayed long enough to find out. I didn't want to know.
Until one day, it happened. I finally stopped running. I wanted a home again. I decided to stay in a little town off the coast of France where I had spent some time previously. Few in the supernatural world ever came across the place and I was yearning for a quiet, calm, peaceful existence. But, time….it seems to always catch me.
After some time in my new home, I came across an old vampire named Marcel one I'd mingled with before when I happened to be in central Europe, Budapest actually, enjoying the old churches of the town. It was a random meeting in a small café I regularly visited. We chatted no more than few minutes as he was passing through. Shortly after I made my way to my small cottage off the seaside, enjoying the quiet of the day before a thought occurred to me: The old vampire, he was more than a familiar face from Budapest, I've seen him before in my travels. Noooo, that doesn't make sense. I shake my head, thinking I'm being a bit paranoid for no reason.
It's been years since I've had any trouble. I took myself out of those situations a long, long time ago.
Klaus' POV:
I've been in Europe for several weeks now. My sources tell me my Caroline is here. I admit it has been difficult keeping tabs on her, keeping her safe. She moved around far too much and too often. But, my old friend Marcel has kept an eye out, following my orders to watch over her all these years. He just confirmed she is in that little seaside village in France that she seemed to like all those years ago.
I know I've only given her a short time – a quarter of a century isn't quite a life time, but I'm only so patient when it comes to her. I've decided it's time, time to face the truth and hope that she's ready. I'm too selfish a being to stay away any longer, longing from a distance, but no more.
It was a beautiful cool morning on the coast. I decided to sit outside watching the waves from my front step while having my morning blood bag and coffee. It was a little routine I started a few months ago that I found to be pleasing.
I heard the crunch of gravel and felt someone approaching. I was curious but cautious. Despite trying to make a home for myself I hadn't really made 'friends' yet, I wasn't sure I wanted to. There is something about anonymity.
I wait, prepared for either friend or foe.
Klaus: "Hello, Caroline."
Caroline: "Klaus. What, how (I stammer)….why are you here?"
I feel like my heart was going to explode. I can't breathe forgetting for a moment that I really didn't need to. Everything came crashing back. All the feelings of heartbreak, anger, pain. I needed to get out, run away. I couldn't be here with him. I couldn't feel like this again. Ugh, what is it about time and being a vampire? Why can't it all just melt away?
I immediately jump up preparing to swoosh away. I have to escape. His next words stop me.
Klaus: "I'm here to see you, sweetheart. To tell you I miss you."
Caroline: "But, you closed your door on me. You said goodbye. YOU don't get to miss me"
Klaus: "Did I? Did you hear me say goodbye"
Caroline: "Seriously! It's semantics Klaus. You said and I quote 'that door has closed', it gets no clearer than that. You need to leave, now. I am not doing this with you after all this time."
Klaus: "I'm here to explain, sweetheart."
Caroline: "Well you don't get to. I don't care. I've moved on, lived, did things. You no longer matter. Now, my door is closed. So, leave."
Klaus: "I'm afraid I can't do that, love."
Caroline: "Fine, then I will."
Klaus: "Caroline (he says in frustration). You will not turn your back on me."
Caroline: "Why not? You did."
Klaus: (stumbling on his words after hearing this) "I never turned my back, sweetheart. I just shut my door, but never turned away from you."
Caroline: "Again, semantics. Just go away"
Klaus: "No."
I try to leave but Klaus is suddenly right in front of me. He grabs my arms to stop my momentum. His grasp is tight, I can't escape. I catch my breath for a moment. It's the first time he's touched me since our time in the woods, since the time when he made promises of forever.
Remembering those moments I lash out, attacking him with my hands, legs, baring my fangs. I know he's stronger and can't be hurt but I don't care. I'm angry, betrayed, and he's going to feel every bit of pain and heartbreak I felt for the past 25 years.
He stands there taking every hit as I pour every ounce of emotion I've carried with me through the years into each blow. I finally collapse against him, depleted, I have nothing left. I realize he's holding me while I'm crying on his shoulder.
He blurts out: "I had to close my door. I made a mistake a long time ago and I didn't know how to tell you, I didn't know if you could ever forgive me. I have a child, Caroline. A girl. She's amazing, gifted, unique."
Caroline: "What are you talking about? You're dead, Klaus. You can't procreate."
Klaus: "I know, it shouldn't be possible, but it is. The witches call it one of nature's loopholes." (Klaus pulls out pictures showing his girl as a baby to a young woman today).
Caroline: (gasp) "But, how, why, it's just…" (I stumble from his grasp, needing space than the question pops into my head) "Who is the mother?"
Klaus: "That is my mistake…it was a liquor fueled one night stand a long time ago, she was the mistake, not the child."
Caroline: "WHO is it?"
Klaus: "Haley"
Caroline: "Haley, you slept with the were-whore, THE were-whore! You shut me out because of HALEY!"
Klaus: "Now sweetheart, we had no promises of commitment. Other than our time in the woods, I wasn't sure how you felt about me…us. I only know what I was feeling and what I saw in your eyes, but your tongue has quite the bite, love. Only you could make me doubt what I mind kept telling me was true. What my mind is telling me now."
Caroline: "Really! You tell me you have a child, slept with the slut, shut me out for years, YEARS Klaus. Now, you're here literally at my doorstep flirting with me. God, do you have any decency. No, don't answer that, I know the answer already"
Klaus: (he smirks, that adorable smile that I always found hard to resist) "When it comes to you, sweetheart, no, I won't ever hesitate to cross the line."
I start to pace, wondering, for the first time since he walked up my pathway why he was really here. What did he want? It's too late. I'm finally settling down, making a home, finding peace. I won't, can't let him invade me, consume me, not anymore.
Caroline: "Ok, you've confessed. Feel better? Now go away."
Klaus: "No, not without you"
Caroline: "Argh, go away Klaus. Can't you see I'm making a life for myself, a life that doesn't include you. I'm finally making plans again, a future that in no way has room for you. You rejected me and I moved on. "
Klaus: "I never rejected you. You've always been my first choice, always. I did what I had to do because you weren't ready, ready to hear about my indiscretions, about my child. You were just a baby vampire yourself. You needed to experience life. I couldn't saddle you with my mistakes. I promised you the world but I couldn't show it to you just then, but I could push in the right direction. I tried to give you a lifetime of experiences, but I couldn't wait any longer. I'm sorry, love, but I'm far too selfish to spend one more day without you next to me."
Caroline: "What about Haley, your child?"
Klaus: "Who cares about Haley, she's living her existence. The only thing between us is our child, who is, I remind you, a young woman now. She doesn't need dear ol' dad hanging around (he smirks). Besides, she knows, knows all about you. She also knows I've been watching, protecting you all these years. I'm here because I can't bear not to be anymore. Come back to me, Caroline. Be by my side. Let me show you what the world has to offer."
Caroline: (I snort inelegantly) "I believe you made me that promise a long time ago and look how well that turned out. I can't trust you. I don't believe you. Go away, Klaus, just go away."
I'm exhausted. I can't deal with this anymore. It's still early morning on what promised to be a beautiful day. Coffee forgotten and cold, I walk away. All I want to do now is curl up in bed and not come out again. He lets me go, for now. I know he'll be back. I need to think. I can't do that when he's around, he's too much, he's has always been too much.
Klaus: "I'll see you tomorrow, Caroline. Think about what I've said. Think about why I'm here. You know, deep down, you know why I'm here."
I nod having nothing else to say. I need to escape him and think. My brain is jumping from question to question - Do I run? Stay? Hear him out further? Is it worth it? Is he? Ugh, if vampires could get headaches I'd have a massive on right now.
Ok, it looks like this will go on for 1 more chapter. I didn't want to make this too long but I feel that Klaus has a lot of explaining to do after his hard rejection of Caroline. And, Caroline has to realize that she had some growing to do. When I manage to get back to this story it will pick up on the next day. Until then…
If you feel like following, reviewing, please do. I love these characters too much and enjoy plotting their future so I do this for me, but am inspired if I even get one follower
