Chapter Two: This Po'dunk Town

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It had been raining all week, a freak storm no one had expected. Bonnie left early to do…whatever it is Bonnie wanted to do. She was more fearless now that she returned from the other side. Having now died twice, that was understandable. Still, I wish she had taken Elena with her to leave me alone with my thoughts. Instead I was alone with Elena's thoughts.

I could tell something had been bothering her, I wasn't a complete zombie. The world still existed outside of myself. It's just…though my time was essentially infinite it was still precious. I wanted to spend it doing things I wanted. I guess in recent weeks that didn't include listening to Elena freak out over her on/off relationship with Damon Salvatore.

"I'm losing him, Care. I know it. You know when he came back I didn't remember him but I still felt something. Even if I didn't want to admit it. Then when the memories came back…and we decided that he wasn't going to be human with me. It's just, I think something happened to him on the other side. I know Bonnie knows what it is but she insists it's nothing but I know Bonnie Care, I know when she's lying to me." Elena ranted. It was so important for her to have me listen, to have me help. I wanted to but there were other things I wanted more.

I wanted to be more selfish with my life! For once, do what I wanted to do. Even if I didn't have a clear picture of what that was yet. I knew, in some way it involved Klaus. I just didn't know in what way or if it was something that I should explore. He said he intended to be my last love, what if that had changed? She couldn't expect to show up at his door and him just open it, telling her that he'd been waiting for her all this time. Klaus was 1000 years old. He had an entire life of adventures and experiences. He'd seen the world grow and change. What value would I hold for him?

And yet, maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe the point wasn't to show up and expect him to still be in love with me. Maybe the beauty of life was to take the leap of faith, leave this small town, and take the time to find out if or how we would work.

I had been fantasizing the 100 different ways I could go to Klaus and how we would be instant soulmates. Like a Disney love story. But that was assuming a lot and what about all the millions of moments that make life worth it. Dates and discussions. Flirting and experiencing things together. Getting into fights and making up. Learning about each other. I'd been psyching myself out of talking to Klaus because I didn't think I was ready for forever but…

I started to fall for Klaus over the hundred little interactions that we had while he was here. Not because of some epic thing. Our story could be as simple as, seeing him on the street and saying hello. Or sharing a cup of coffee or whatever they drink in New Orleans.

"Caroline are you listening to me? I feel like you're a 1000 miles away."

I heard Elena but I wasn't ready to stop my train of thought. Because the last thought I had pretty much summed up everything. When I pictured the future, I wasn't here. I didn't want to be here anymore. I'd out grown this place, and it's never ending problems.

I'd already sold the house after my mother passed. I could study anywhere with my grades. I didn't have to be here. I could go, I wanted to go. Not just because of Klaus but because I knew whatever happened, it would jump start my future. I'm living my life as a human but I'm not, I'm a vampire. I needed to live in that world, because I could only pretend to be human for so long before the world around me go suspicious.

I was a vampire. I wanted to be with Klaus. I wanted more than the life I had here. I wanted out of this town.

"I'm leaving, Elena. I've been thinking about it a lot and I don't want this. I don't want to be a journalism major. I'm going to move to New Orleans." I said it. I said the words out loud. They were so powerful the room went completely silent.

"Wow! What Care? What are you saying? What's going on? What happened?" Elena immediately shifted gears to focus on me.

"I've been fooling myself into thinking this is the life I wanted because when I was human this was my plan. But I died, Elena. I've gone to war, I've killed people. I've changed and I'm not being honest with myself. I'm staying here because you girls are here and it's safe but…I'm not happy. So I'm gonna go. I'm going to find, happy." The truth, as it turned out, was very easy to identify when I stopped lying to myself.

Elena stayed quiet, thinking of what to say next I'm sure. She dropped on to her bed and looked at me when she was ready to speak again.

"…Does this have anything to do with Stefan…or wait. New Orleans? Does this have anything to do with you sleeping with Klaus!? Caroline, Klaus is..." I had to cut her off, I was barely coming to terms with what I was feeling for him, I didn't want to internalize anyone else's feelings again. It was one of the things that held me back before and…I didn't want to go down that road. Not again.

"I think I might be in love with him. I have feelings for him. If we meet in New Orleans, I think I would like to give it a chance. What happened with Stefan…I care about him he is my friend. He is also the acceptable guy. I never opened the door with Klaus because of everything else going on. I've been left with what ifs and a bit of regret. I need to know for sure." I explained to her but I could tell she wasn't ready to hear any of it. She didn't want to lose me especially not to Klaus.

"Klaus is a monster, Caroline! He tortured us! How could you love him? I didn't want you to feel like I was judging you for sleeping with him. So I said nothing but are you sure he didn't compel you when you…two…you know." My feel good wave of happiness was coming to an end the more Elena spoke I get where she was coming from but it was insulting.

"We're monsters too! Just because you took the cure doesn't mean it erases what you did as a vampire! Humanity on or off. Besides look who you're in love with! I've never forgotten what he did to me but I more or less forgave him. Since then he's still done horrible things. There are centuries, Elena, he's been alive that you don't know what he did but you love him despite that. Why do the rules always change when it's me? I'm sick of it Elena. I'm done here!" My voice was strong. I never threw anything in her face, not once. She didn't have to like my decisions but she had to respect them.

"That is not fair Care! Damon has always come through when we needed him. He's better now!" Her voice was starting to crack, I snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't take having this fight with her about Damon. I was done here.

"He's been there for you or because of you! Don't act like he doesn't have an agenda! Look, you can be supportive or you can stay out of my way but just like with my humanity it's not your choice to make on my life. I want your support Elena but I don't need it." I snapped back, she stared at me angry and hurt but I was angry and hurt too. And for once I didn't want to be the bigger person.

"So what happens when he asks you about me. When you let it slip about the cure I took and he comes running after me. What happens when you realize he's only using you to get to me. So he can make his army. When you realize that I'll still be here for you." Elena's words burned every inch of me. She wasn't holding back so neither would I.

"If Klaus is who everyone thinks he is; then I'll deal with it then. That doesn't change that the Caroline that belonged here is gone. But if Damon ever realizes that he's only with you because of all those centuries of unresolved love and longing to be with Katherine. When that wears off and he's ready to move on, I'll accept your apology. From what you said earlier it seems like that day is just around the corner."

Elena got up and walked away, slamming the door behind her. Knowing I would have to deal with more encounters like this one, I packed my stuff. I was leaving, tonight. I knew it was abrupt and completely unlike me but it was time for spontaneous. I was aware this was crazy but if I didn't leave right now, everyone would just convince me to say and I would be stuck here. Miserable.

I left a note for Bonnie, explaining why I was leaving and what I had told Elena. I wrote how sorry I was for my cowardice to not talk to her face to face. I also gifted her my mini fridge. Elena didn't deserve it right now.

I left, I got in my car and drove as far as my GPS told me to go. It felt good so good. I could feel my heart get freer and lighter with every mile that I drove away from Mystic falls.

When I finally got to the French Quarter, it was alive and beauty. There was music and dancing in the streets. Smells of spices, herbs, and food. I wanted to take in everything all at once. I wanted to eat and dance in the street. I belonged here.

As if fate conspired to send me a message a woman walked up to me. She was old but I could see the wisdom beyond her years. Her hair was wrapped in scarves and even in the night I could see her beautiful flawless brown skin.

"You are home child. Welcome!" I couldn't help but smile, was everyone this nice here?

"You will find what you seek just take this road forward." She told me, I looked at the direction she pointed me to and before I could thank her she was gone.

I walked the path not really having a plan. It was alarming and freeing at the same time. I had already gotten a hotel so I wasn't worried about that. I had all the time in the world to walk aimlessly.

Fate, had different plans.

I was walking when two people exited the bar. It was him. I'd know that scent anywhere. He hadn't seen me yet and I waited for the woman he was with to stop talking. She was very close and friendly with him. Her name was Camille, he had said it when he was disagreeing with her. I didn't want to be jealous but I was. I was also really happy to see him alive and well. My dream had rattled me but it was just that, a dream Because the was there.

"Have you always been this stubborn?" The woman huffed. I felt like that was the right time to make my presence known.

"Yes. The answer to that is yes. Klaus is relentlessly stubborn." I joked. He stopped dead in his tracks then turned around shocked. I smiled. Finally, it was my turn.

"Hello Niklaus."

It took him a second, a feeling I knew all too well. Then he spoke

"Caroline."