Hey everyone, I honestly don't know how I found time to write this with school work and uni applications.
Enjoy, sorry if there are any mistakes I'm seriously lacking sleep:)
Caroline looked down the street, the cloudless blue sky hovered over the city whilst people bustled over the cobbled streets. She tilted the light cream trilby hat sitting onto of her golden curls down slightly causing a shadow to fall over her eyes. She ambled down the street taking in the loud, eccentric atmosphere that enveloped her the moment she had entered the Quarter as the air danced sizzling across her skin.
Pursing her lips she came to stand in the middle of the street as people rushed by her, she glanced down at her phone where the name of the Original hybrid was lit up on the screen, the blond nibbled at her lower lip before relenting and pocketing the phone.
Her eyes sought out a bar, a drink would most definatly be something that would calm her nerves which she needed after the butterflies that continued to bite inside her stomach. Seeing no such place, she continued down the street taking in the sights and sounds, the rich saxophone beat lingered in the air whilst the thumping of bass echoed from the buildings around her.
She squinted as she glanced up at the balconies were a few people lingered nursing a drink or simply gazing at the street below, she could instantly tell they were natives, the way their eyes ran over the entire street but came to halt over a few tourists who looked around in awe with cameras covering their faces. Their dress code was nothing to be garnered as most wore khaki shorts and bright shirts instantly signifying 'tourist'.
Huffing she turned onto the sidewalk instead and grinned as she picked out a little bar that exhumed richness and old décor. Rousseau's. She squinted as she saw a tall blond stride through the doors, her lips turned up into a smirk as she instantly became aware of who the person had been.
Taking a deep breath, she strode forth and followed the blond into the bar opening the door slowly allowing the musky scent of bourbon and whiskey to welcome her. She cautiously stepped in sliding past the members who were taking their leave, thankfully they didn't pay attention to the newcomer with the trilby hat that shadowed over her features.
She edged towards the wall and leaned against it as she took in the scene in front of her. A dark skinned man had all eyes on him as he belted a few notes owning the stage entirely, he winked at the blond bartender causing Caroline to roll her eyes as she watched a deep pink blush paint her cheeks, she fidgeted with a glass before sliding it across the bar to a customer who tipped their head in thanks.
Licking her plump lips, she continued to observe the bar. She could make out Rebekah's head of hair as she sat in one of the booths, pressing her lips together she glanced at the man sitting beside her.
Klaus Mikaelson.
It had been months since she'd seen him. Graduation had come and gone. Tyler came back and left again. With a newly single status. Katherine had come back. Her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Two months later…she was dead.
And now…now she was here.
Caroline gritted her teeth as she heard Katherine slam the door shut before throwing her-Elena's-bag across the room cracking the mirror that was clearly on Caroline's side of the room.
"Hey!" The blond shrieked as she glared at Katherine who shrugged and fell back on the bed with a deep sigh. Caroline took a deep-supposedly calming-breath before returning her eyes on the AP biology book that sat in front of her on the desk covered in sticky notes and lined with highlighters as if the whole rainbow shone from just the first few pages.
Katherine sighed. Again.
Caroline ignored her. Again-well she most definitely tried but was forced to look at her when she felt a pillow hit her arm.
"Seriously!" She narrowed her eyes at the brunette whose lips curved up into a sly smirk. Sighing, the blond tilted her head and looked at Katherine exasperatedly before dreading as she asked: "What do you want Katherine?"
The brunette flipped to her side to face the blond with her elbow supporting her as her fingers ran through her tightly curled hair.
"Party." Caroline scoffed before looking at the pile of books on her table then back to Katherine who rolled her eyes, a habit she had clearly picked up from the blond.
"No." The blond turned back to the notes in front of her before they were swiftly pushed to the side making her highlighters fall to the ground. "What the hell, Katherine?" Caroline shrieked trying to prevent the doppleganger from creasing her papers, seeing her fingers curl around the corners of her notes the blond forfeited. "Fine, fine, fine…" she rubbed her temples then looked at the brunette tiredly, "…we'll party…"….
…It was the first time Katherine Pierce had ended up drunk out of her head supported by Caroline who was barely sober herself...
"He left me…" Katherine smacked her hand against the boot of the car as she gritted her teeth, Caroline could feel the alcohol begin to leave her system sobering her up, "He had no right!" the brunette continued to vent, "He blamed me. Me!"
Katherine let her head fall to rest on the cool metal of the car, Caroline rolled her head towards her as she gripped the top of the car feeling her sanity rush back to her as the tequila faded away, "Come on, Kath." Caroline murmured as she pulled the brunette away from the cold metal and gently eased her into the car where her eyes shut immediately, her light snores echoed in Caroline's ears as she got in and put the car in drive...
...it was the first time Katherine Pierce had shown the slightest hint of the damage a certain suit-and-tie clad Original had done to her….
"What can I get you?" Caroline heard, she lifted her head and saw the pale face of the blond bartender from earlier. Keeping her voice low enough to melt into the surrounding noise, she answered:
"3 shots of tequila." She ignored the raise of the bartender's brow as she caught the blond- Cami, judging by her nametag- glance at the clock noting the time, even Caroline had to admit that tequila at one in the afternoon seemed a bit earlier, but hey, Caroline was a vampire so to hell with all the social conventions that she no longer had to follow.
Besides, the blond vampire would most definitely every bit of courage she could again for what was about to come.
"I haven't seen you 'round here before." Cami tried to draw out a conversation form Caroline, feeling the need to simmer her nerves she obliged the human and answer.
"Yeah, it's my first time in the city."
"Oh? Well what brings you here then?" Cami fished gently, she had clearly noticed the lapis lazuli ring gracing the woman's finger and wasn't aware of any new incoming vampires. "Visiting?"
Caroline rolled her eyes internally, the girl was definatly the nosy type. Caroline licked her lips before nodding. "How long are you going to be staying for, Mardi Gras is coming up in a few days?"
"Hmm, maybe next time."
"So a short stay?"
"It'll be like I wasn't even here." She murmured, Camille heard the low whisper.
Caroline felt the hair on her neck stand to end as the door opened and in strode a fully suited brunette with eyes so cold that the blond wondered if they were made of ice. He ambled towards the far side making his way to his brother who chuckled lightly hearing Marcel tease Rebekah whilst the latter scowled at him.
Camille looked at Caroline intently, her eyes followed Elijah surreptitiously before landing on the Mikaelson clan, the blond vampire looked down into the burning embers of the tequila shot before swallowing hard and draining the liquid without hesitation. The human raised her brow before sliding the second shot in her direction and watched the glass still between her fingers effortlessly as she slid the empty glass back at the human who caught it moments before it would have hurtled off the bar.
Caroline trailed the tip of her finger along the rim of the glass before cautiously looking over her shoulder, her eyes were set on Elijah as he slid into the booth whilst sliding his fingers down his tie straightening it as he seated himself and listened to the conversation.
"You wanker!" Rebekah hissed towards Klaus before being casually interrupted,
"Language, Rebekah." Klaus returned a lazy smirk to Rebekah who leaned back and fumed at her older brother wondering if jamming the glass in front of her into his eyes was worth the mess the movement would make especially as she was wearing her new designer blouse.
"Yes, dear sister, language." He mimicked Elijah with amusement causing his sister to grit her teeth as she grasped the glass and got ready to shove it into his eye socket.
Caroline couldn't help the curve of her lips as she listened in to the Originals acting like teenagers, it was quite refreshing after the mess she had temporarily left behind in Mystic Falls…
"So what you're telling me is that a whole community of witches is after our town?!" Caroline hissed as she glared at Damon who gave her a smirk and shrugged.
"Pretty much, blondie." He drained his glass of bourbon, setting it back on the table he turned to her and raised out his hands. "Well?"
Caroline looked at him confused, "Well what?" He rolled his eyes and ambled closer.
"Well, what's the plan?" The blond straightened as she glanced around the room.
"Why are you asking me?"
"I'm clearly all out of ideas otherwise I'd have led our little group to safety by now, so…whose up next?" He looked around the room glancing at each and every person that stood in the space before his eyes settled on the Elena look-alike who had her legs swinging over the arm of the sofa that she lounged on with a clearly bored expression painted on her face. "How about you?" Katherine raised her brow, "Got any bright ideas you'd like to share?"
Katherine pretended to think about it for a few seconds before looking back at the elder Salvatore, "Nope."
"Oh come on, nothing in that head of yours on how to escape a whole community of witches? You are after all the Queen of hide and seek, especially against the Original hybrid."
"Let me think about it…umm…nope." She threw a fake smile in his direction. Stefan looked between them.
"Look, we've just got to think of something, we have a few hours before the Travellers find us, by then we'll have a fool-proof plan to get away from them."
Damon pursed his lips and nodded as he looked at Stefan, he clapped his hand on his brother's shoulder and looked at him in faux awe. "I like your confidence, brother. I don't share it, but I definitely like it." He let his hand drop and turned back.
"Any other bright ideas…?" No-one answered, he took in a deep breathe, "Great…" he muttered sarcastically.
A few hours later…
"RUN!" Tyler screamed as he sprinted round the corner of the Mystic Grill only to come face to face with a hoard of Travellers, Caroline, Stefan, Katherine, Damon, Matt and Elena followed stooping immediately as the hybrid froze.
"Shit, this way." Damon hissed as he pulled Elena along with him and ran down the street towards the Falls as the others followed.
Caroline felt her lungs burn as the cold air entered them, she fought for air as she ran following Damon and Elena whilst keeping Katherine in her sights. "Come on!" She screamed as she grabbed Katherine's wrist and dragged her along with her.
"I hate being human!" Katherine exclaimed trying to push further but found her lungs working against her as she tried to take air in but it seemed to become sparse, she relied on Caroline to drag her along and hated that she no longer had her vampire strength.
They continued running for what felt like an eternity, their skin as they fought against it to keep pushing through the town to a safer place than were they were.
"Shit!" Tyler exclaimed as they saw a line of Travellers awaiting them, they had seemingly cordoned off any further movement with their bodies and fallen trees that blocked the path as well. Most of the Travellers approached them slowly, a few beginning to gain speed either side of the path to hurtle towards the oncoming Mystic Falls gang.
"This way." Damon pulled Elena away down a small dark alley, the others followed but were immediately blocked off as crates and dustbins were throw across the path. Thinking on her feet, the blond tightened her hold on Katherine's hand and swiftly dragged her away from the blocked path and ran towards a closed boutique.
Caroline's hair whipped across her face as she smashed the glass door and pulled Katherine through into the dark store.
"Breaking and entering. Wow!" Katherine said impressed with the blonde's actions, the two women hurtled through the barricades of clothes on hangers and shoe displays before running down a small corridor into a little storage space were, thankfully, Caroline spotted a fire escape leading out back into the open.
"Oh shut up!" Caroline hissed as she pushed the door open and edged forward finding the alleyway clear of obstruction, gesturing to the brunette who followed they ran down the path into an empty street which led straight to the edge of town.
Caroline grabbed Katherine's wrist, "Hey, not so hard, sunshine!" Katherine squirmed in the blonde's grip whilst Caroline ignored her keeping her eyes focused on both ends of the street making sure there were no Travellers heading in their direction.
Finding no one following them, Caroline pulled Katherine along the street keeping to the shadows of the walls as they moved quickly.
Caroline froze spinning round.
"What?" Katherine glanced around them worriedly before returning her eyes to the Caroline's face.
"No one's following us" she whispered lowly causing Katherine to furrow her brow.
"Of course there isn't dummy, that's kind of the plan!" She hissed quietly making sure her voice didn't echo into the night, Caroline shook her head slowly keeping her eyes locked on the distance they had just covered.
"If no one's following us, where the hell are they?" The brunette looked over her shoulder to see the vast emptiness that Caroline watched. "Stefan, Matt, Tyler? Where are they?" She murmured panicking, she stepped forth before being halted by the brunette.
"Woah, woah, woah. What are you doing?" The blond scowled at Katherine.
"We're going back to find them." She stated obviously stepping forth again before being dragged back by the human.
"We are doing no such thing. You're my ticket out of here, sunshine. And there's no way I'm gonna' let you sacrifice yourself and me for them."
Before the blond could argue back, the alley they had escaped from exploded throwing fire into the abandoned street causing glass to shatter and a heavy gust to push against the two girls. Sensing the imminent danger, Katherine grasped Caroline's arm and dragged her down the street whilst the latter continued to look over her shoulder trying to find any sign of her friends but failing.
"Come on!" Katherine whispered bringing Caroline to a quicker run as shadows danced across the walls welcoming the presence of a crowd of Travellers that swarmed into the street. "Run."
Grabbing the other's hand, both women ran through the street…
"Hey, are you alright?" Caroline was snapped out of her thoughts as she looked up to see the girl looking at her worriedly, the blond vampire smirked remembering the vivid details of their past.
"Fine." Caroline answered simply. The bartender hesitated as she gently placed the third shot next to her.
"It's just…" Caroline tilted her head.
"Just what?" Camille leaned closer as if they were about to share a secret.
"You seem lost." Caroline narrowed her eyes at the human, Camille backed away instinctively, "Sorry, it's just I'm a psychology major, it's what I do."
Caroline couldn't help the smile that spread across her lips, "I get it. Don't worry 'bout it. I'm a neurology major myself. And a journalism major." Caroline shrugged.
"Joint honours?"
"Nope." Camille looked at her in confusion.
"I didn't know you could major in both."
"You can't." Caroline said simply as she gave the human a sly grin, Camille looked at her suspiciously.
"What college are you going to?"
"I went to NYU." Camille looked the vampire up and down, there was no way that the girl stood in front of the bartender was a day over 17, so how the hell did she already major in not one, but two degrees and complete college already?
Caroline could see the questions in the human's eyes, she would have loved to answer such a simple minded creature but had better-more urgent-things to do.
The blond vampire drained her second shot slamming the glass back onto the bar which Camille quickly pulled away. Caroline took in a deep breath as she reached out for the third short hesitating as she heard Camille speak again.
"You didn't answer my question." Caroline looked at her blankly, "Why you're here?" Caroline dragged the shot closer to her as she pursed her lips before meeting the human's eyes.
"Personal business." Camille grinned lightly thinking she had hitched onto what Caroline was saying.
"You're meeting someone?" Caroline rolled her eyes. "Anyone I know? It's practically the town square in here, I'm sure I've seen whoever you're looking for."
"So have I…" Caroline murmured under her breath ducking her head as she saw Elijah's gaze scan her bar…
"You really need to evaluate your life choices, cupcake." Katherine said as the diamond bracelet dangled from between her fingers as she pinched a little unrolled parchment in her other hand. "Please tell me I'm not BFFs with the pyscho killer's little girlfriend."
Caroline's eyes widened as she saw the items in the brunette's hands, she slammed the door shut behind her and flashed over to Katherine pulling the bracelet and paper away from her. "How did you- You were snooping around my stuff!"
"I was actually looking for my Verasache shoes." Katherine answered causing Caroline to pop out her hip with her hand on it as she glared at the brunette.
"You mean the ones on your feet?" Katherine painted a look of faux-shock on her face before smirking.
"Hmm, don't change the subject." She gestured towards the objects which Caroline was now placing in her 'memories' box. "What's with the pony drawing that Klaus, let me repeat Klaus, drew for you and captioned with 'thank you for your honesty'. What the hell does that even mean?" Katherine sank onto the bed crossing her toned leg over the other.
"Nothing." Caroline said offhandedly as she shoved the box to the back of her closet. "Now we really need to get going if we're gonna' talk to that witch." Katherine stared at the blond blankly trying to worm an answer out from the vampire but the latter didn't fall for it as she simply strode towards the door. "Well come on." She said stopping before she looked over her shoulder and threw a few more words over it, "Unless of course you want to remain human for the rest of your life."
Katherine groaned as she slid off the bed and followed the blond who wore a triumphant smile. "This isn't over." Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, it is…"
Caroline glanced in the Mikaelsons direction noting that they all remained seated for now, Katherine had told her a few bits and pieces of the Original's lives in New Orleans, especially on Marcellus Gerard-the boy Klaus had raised.
The dark skinned man-Marcellus- chuckled deeply as he leaned closer to Rebekah teasing her lightly whilst the blond Original rolled her eyes and ignored him.
"Come on, Bekah, I'm just joking. No need to take it to heart."
"Oh she takes everything to heart." Klaus murmured under his breath causing Caroline to smile as she heard his luscious accent.
Camille backed away slowly rounding the corner as she glanced at Caroline who smiled to herself whilst looking over her shoulder. The human followed her line of sight and saw it settle on the Mikaelsons, she furrowed her brow. Better to be safe than sorry. She dug into her apron and pulled out her phone to send a message to the Mikaelsons.
Caroline leaned back, she had planned to ambush them of course but really couldn't be bother to deal with the entire population of the bar so instead she sat back and let the human do the work for her. Let the mouse come to the cat.
The blonde vampire could hear Camille's fingers tapping against her phone as she proceeded to text.
A few seconds later she could feel his burning haze on her.
She refused to let herself look at him.
Klaus chuckled lightly as he heard the banter between Marcel and Rebekah, draining the bourbon in his glass he saw his phone vibrate, picking it up he opened the message.
Blond girl at the bar. Leather jacket.
Vampire?
She keeps looking in your direction. I think she's trouble.
-Camille
Klaus slowly looked up, he hesitated to turn his head and instead used the reflections from the aged paintings to pinpoint the blonde at the bar. He squinted catching sight of a head of blond hair that was at the bar. Her face was obscured by her hair as it fell around her shoulders in waves.
Waves?
Klaus edged out of the booth keeping his eyes on the woman, her hair was definitely familiar and the way it waved down her back was attributed to only one woman he knew. He heard another buzz from his phone and quickly glanced at it.
What should I do?
-Camille
He rolled his eyes, though he did respect Camille, she could dramatically overestimate herself. She couldn't do anything, especially against a vampire. Especially if it was who he believed it to be.
Swallowing, he rose slowly, "Nik?" Rebekah asked after him as she saw the look on his face. He didn't answer her as he slowly turned his head from the reflections towards the bar where he caught sight of a blond head of hair.
Caroline could feel the intense burning across her body, just by the feeling she knew he had spotted her. She looked at Camille as she came back out, her pulse raced whilst she avoided Caroline's eyes purposely. The blonde vampire released a deep breath before raising the shot to her lips and sipping it slowly as her body sizzled.
Klaus walked towards the woman, his eyes widened as she raised the shot glass allowing him to catch sight of the diamond bracelet that lay against her wrist whilst it glistened in the dim light of the bar. He watched as she placed the glass back to the bar top and ran her finger along the fragile glass.
Caroline's lips curved up just as Klaus' did, he moved closer, stragglers in his way immediately moved as he walked straight towards the blond. Caroline saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye move closer, she caught Camille glance towards her and over her shoulder at Klaus who came closer.
"May I buy you a drink, love?" Caroline slowly lifted her head, her lips curved up into a smile mirroring Klaus' grin as he set his eyes on her memorising every detail of her face, the way her cheeks blushed lightly, the wisps of hair that framed her face, the strands that now fell down towards her waist instead of her shoulders as they had done when he had last seen her. Her eyes shone with the same brightness that had consumed him since the beginning.
"Champagne." Caroline answered softly keeping her eyes on Klaus as the dimples in his cheeks came into view. They shared a secret smile, their thing.
"Champagne it is." He murmured, Camille nodded and pulled a bottle out from beneath the counter when Klaus stopped her, "The pinot noir, if you would Camille." She nodded confusedly before going into the back leaving the couple alone. "It's been a while." He spoke moving closer and sitting on the empty seat beside her.
"That it has." Caroline answered keeping the mysterious air around her.
"What brings you here, sweetheart?"
"A few personal errands." Klaus quirked his brow as Camille brought the champagne and placed two glass in front of the pair.
"In New Orleans?" He asked wondering if she was here for him or for something else. He uncorked the champagne and filled their glasses to the brim before they picked their own up and took a sip sharing the sentimentally of the gesture.
"Do you two know each other?" Camille asked watching them intently, she had never seen Klaus at anyone the way he looked at the woman seated beside him.
Klaus nodded as he gazed at Caroline, "Camille this is Caroline Forbes, a friend of mine. Caroline this is Camille O'Connell." Camille pressed her lips together as she fiddled with the tea towel in her fingers.
"Nice to meet you." Caroline said with a friendly smile as Camille returned with a nod and smile as well.
The conversation was interrupted as the door opened and a few men and women came wandering in buzzing towards the bar with eagle eyes. "How are you liking my kingdom so far, love?" He leaned closer whispering into her ear, his accent curled softly around the murmurings, Caroline suppressed the shiver that threatened to run down her spine and looked at him nonchalantly with a shrug of her shoulders.
"It's alright, I suppose." She glanced around the bar, "A little too bland for me." She continued with a smirk causing Klaus to raise his brow. Last time he had seen her the blond bombshell in front of him still lived in the one-pony town of Mystic Falls. "Though it certainly doesn't boast the culture of Éparney" Klaus couldn't help the smile that crossed his lips.
"France, sweetheart?" He watched her carefully as they locked eyes once more, "And here you had me thinking you had your entire life laid out in Mystic Falls?"
"A girl can change her mind, right?"
"Right." Klaus nodded in agreement, they continued to watch each other carefully taking in the changes of one another. "Alors, comment était il?" He asked in fluent French, Caroline's smile widened hearing the language, it had been nearly 3 months since she'd returned from her little adventure but nothing would make her forget the beauty of the place or the language.
"C'etait fantastique, la culture, la musique," she leaned closer, "veritable beauté…" Klaus' lips curved up hearing the perfect French escape her lips whilst leaning closer as if they were in the midst of sharing a lover's secret.
Caroline pulled away putting distance between herself and the Original hybrid before draining her third and final shot. "I missed you." Caroline murmured under her breath yet it was loud enough for Klaus to hear who raised his head and looked at her intently searching for any sign of a lie, when he found none he let the back of his hand brush against hers.
"I missed you, too." He whispered back allowing his touch to linger on her. Both forgot about the human who was watching them, she could clearly see the way Klaus looked at Caroline. Was this an illusion by the hybrid or was it genuine feelings?
Seeing the way he gazed at her intently, no man could replicate that look without emotion behind his eyes. He looked at Caroline as if she brought the stars along with her, as if sunshine glowed around her, as if his whole world lit up just by her mere presence. He looked at her with so much love. A look he had never shared with another, not even Camille herself.
Caroline let out a deep sigh as she stood, "Going so soon?" the blond vampire gave him a smile before moving round the seat and coming to stand before Klaus who rotated himself round so he his body faced hers. "Surely I can persuade you to stay for a while?" He asked, the vulnerability in his voice cracked through. Caroline looked over at his family and friends who shot looks in their direction, she could clearly see the question in their eyes except for Rebekah who rolled hers and carried on talking.
"I would-"
"Rather die of thirst?" He spoke causing Caroline to let out a faint laugh as she remembered that particular conversation before she glared at him.
"I was going to say…I would love to." Klaus grinned and pulled a bottle out from over the counter before he felt Caroline's hand rest on his arm. "But I've got something to do."
"Just one drink?" Caroline watched the puppy look overcome his features, his raspberry lips pouted out as if he was a child.
Caroline tilted her head observing Klaus, imprinting his features into her brain. She had no idea when she was going to see him next and what life had taught her so far was that no one, not even the Original Hybrid, was indestructible.
"Remember our time before you left?" Klaus nodded wondering why she was bringing it up, surely she must have been embarrassed after the entire evening of their time together. He could certainly tell from the way a blush rose up on her cheeks back in the woods when he began teasing her.
"It's imprinted in my mind, love." Caroline rolled her eyes as she felt Klaus' fingers dance along her hand which rested on the bar top.
"What about the deal that you asked me to offer you. Letting Katherine die in peace?" Klaus squinted wondering where she was going with before she continued, "She came back, Klaus." Klaus narrowed his eyes as Caroline chuckled nervously, "And she kind of became my best friend."
"What-"Caroline kept talking interrupting him as he tried to speak, she squeezed his arm urging him to listen to her words.
"Things happened in Mystic Falls which…" she searched for the right word, "…nearly broke me. Katherine protected me just like I did for her." Klaus looked confusedly at the blond before he stiffened feeling Caroline slowly wind her arms around his neck and lean in to press her body against her. He couldn't help but wind his arm around her waist. "She died, Klaus. The girl that grew to be there for me when no one else was, died in my arms." She whispered against the shell of his ear. "I owe her this. I owe her closure." She murmured, as she pulled away slowly.
"What do mean?" He whispered suddenly feeling incredibly vulnerable, she rubbed her fingers against his stubble.
"Let me do this, please." He nodded unconsciously wondering what she needed from him before she pulled away completely and straightened her jacket. "Don't worry I won't cause much damage, just enough for him to question why I'm doing this." She murmured under her breath as her eye locked onto the brunette man sitting in the booth.
Klaus followed her line of sight and found her gaze stuck on Elijah. His mind worked at the speed of a train as he tried to connect the dots. Katherine. He turned back to face Caroline but instead found the blond walking towards his brother.
"Elijah." Caroline spoke in a resolute voice gaining his attention, his eyes lifted as he caught sight of Caroline who stood tall as she watched the brunette Mikaelson lift his brow wondering who the blond woman was.
"Caroline, Mystic falls too glum for you?" Rebekah sneered.
"Mystic Falls is gone, so yeah, I suppose you could say that." She threw the words in Rebekah's direction whilst the Original blond narrowed her eyes in confusion. She turned back to Elijah and held her hand out. "I've heard a lot about you, Elijah."
The suited Original stood and gracefully shook the blonde's hand trying to place her, she seemed familiar though he was sure he'd never seen her before. However, at the mention of Mystic Falls he recalled the daughter of the local Sheriff who he had never interacted with.
"It's a shame I can't say the same Miss…"
"Caroline. Just Caroline." The blond gripped his hand tightly as she assessed him.
"I hope its all good things you've heard." He smiled lightly, the way she gripped his hand didn't sit well with him.
Caroline took a moment to think but she shook her head. "Hmm, not really." Her eyes darkened as she tightened her grip, even though she was a baby vampire compared to him he could feel the tightness on his fingers.
Elijah glanced over her shoulder and saw Niklaus amble over to come and stand just behind her, he wondered who the girl was and why of all reasons she was here.
"What do you Mystic Falls is gone?" Rebekah asked. Without her gaze wavering she spoke.
"Just that. Mystic Falls is buried in rubble and Earth, it doesn't exist anymore." Caroline finally loosened her grip on Elijah's hand. "Though come here for that."
"Well, what brings you here, Caroline?"
"Katherine Pierce." She said clearly making sure he heard every syllable of the name, his face remained blank. "Or Katerina Petrova, as you may recall."
"Didn't she die a life time ago?" Rebekah murmured under her breath whilst the dark skinned man leaned in and asked who the woman was, rolling her eyes the baby Mikaelson set about explaining who she was.
"Yeah, but then she came back and she told me all about you, Elijah." The man tilted his head curiously wondering where the blond was going with this. "You see, I may be a baby vamp compared to the lot of you but that woman taught me a lifetime of lessons. One being never, ever trust the noble Elijah Mikaelson."
Elijah swallowed hard, is that really what Katerina thought of him? "I've seen what kind of man you are, Elijah, I've witnessed your so-called nobility, and what I can't seem to figure out is how every being in this city looks at you as if the sun shines from your behind. The man you seems feeble in comparison to his younger brother, the man who negotiates and listens." Caroline chuckled biting her lip before she set about again. "I've heard about you. I've seen what you are. Just like Katherine did."
The bar had slowly fallen quiet as Caroline found the words flowing out of her mouth effortlessly, there was something about the man in front of her that she couldn't stand.
"I'm not here to kill you," she scoffed before waving her hand, "hello, baby vamp over here. No," the amusement fell from her face, "I'm here to do what Katherine should have done a long time ago." She paused as Elijah remained stoic.
Caroline could feel the bile rise up in her throat remembering the moment when she had grown to hate the Mikaelson standing before her…
Caroline sighed as she opened the front door, she pulled the bags of groceries along kicking the door closed. Living with Katherine had taken a toll on their bank accounts, she was human and all humans needed food meaning that most of the wages she earned singing in the local bar were put towards the shopping.
"Kat, are you home?" Caroline yelled placing the bags on the counter of the kitchen before tilting her head as she saw a pair of toned legs sticking out from behind the kitchen island, cautiously rounding the corner she saw the dishelved looking brunette. "Katherine?"
Her hair fell limp around her face, the tight curls she had worn this morning nowhere to be seen. Her skin was pale, a fact the brunette had begun to come to terms to as her human life passed before her eyes. She wasn't the olive skinned 22 year old she had stopped aging at. No. Now she was a 23 year, 4 months and 9 days old woman whose body had suddenly been kick-started back to life left to catch up with the 500 years she had already existed for.
"He's gone." She whispered as she stared blankly at the floorboards in the next room, her eyes were filled with emptiness and defeat as she rested her head against the surface of the island. "He left without saying goodbye." She could see the brunette's orbs dry of tears, the stains that blotched her skin already hinted at an hour long breakdown.
"What are you talking 'bout, Kat?" Katherine scoffed.
"Don't play dumb Forbes, I know you know." She spoke in a bland tone. Caroline took in a shaky breath, of course she knew what she was referring to. The man who Katherine had called for help, the one who had promised her that he'd get her back to who she had been before. A vampire.
"What happened?" Katherine shrugged.
"We met, he promised, we fucked and then he…simply left." Caroline caught Katherine's eyes holding the look.
"He left?!" Caroline shrieked, Katherine smiled lightly at the blonde's reaction.
"Yep."
"Wait, wait, wait. You slept together and then he left?!"
"That's what I said wasn't it." Katherine closed her eyes. "I shouldn't be surprised, after the amount of times I've disappeared it was to be expected."
"No. He can't do that. He said he'd help you, believe me I heard your conversation." Katherine gave Caroline an unimpressed look which the latter ignored. "He promised he'd help you, he gave you his word!" Stressing the last part of her sentence. Elijah Mikaelson was the only one she thought could be trusted, she had heard of his dealings with Elena and thought he was one of the good ones.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Katherine chuckled maliciously, "There's a reason you don't hear of the great Elijah ever breaking his word." Caroline listened closely, Katherine looked at Caroline darkly, "It's because every time he breaks his word, the person ends up dead." She shrugged. "No one to pass along the bad reputation means no bad reputation to be passed. It's as simple as that in their world."
It suddenly dawned on Caroline that this life full of magic and supernatural creatures had a darker side, everything wasn't what it appeared to be.
"What do we do now?" Caroline murmured placing her hand in Katherine's.
"Nothing. We, I, can't do anything…" Katherine resigned herself to her fate as she laid her head on Caroline's shoulder. The blonde ran her fingers through Katherine's hair, a breath escaped her as she spotted a few grey hairs amongst the mass of chestnut brown strands. She tucked them underneath other strands and proceeded to push the thought away focusing on the girl that was finally coming to terms with what life had thrust in her direction.
"I'll find a way to fix this…" Caroline murmured into her hair hoping that the words would bring some hope to the human.
2 months later the brunette clutched at her chest as she felt the piercing ache run through her heart, her breaths came in gasps as she tried to find a way to breathe but failed. Caroline had rushed through the house hearing her friend's erratic heart and held her tightly in her arms trying to reassure the girl but failed in finding a way to save her as she had promised.
"You're a coward." Caroline hissed at him. "She deserved so much better than you're empty promises and I wish, oh I wish…I wish she had never met you. I wish you never came back to fill her head with hope only to walk away without saying goodbye." The anger rose in her causing her voice to tighten. "You have no idea what she went through." She ground out from between her teeth before taking a calming breath. "Now I have no clue as to why you would do that her. Maybe it was some sick twisted form of revenge but let me tell you something, Elijah Mikaelson, you disgust me. You are the reason she waited so long, you promised you'd find a way to help her, you made her believe in you. She waited and waited instead of finding an alternative. You wasted the precious time she had left." Caroline chuckled without humour, "You're the reason she's dead."
Elijah remained emotionless at Caroline's attack, never in his entire life had someone been so upfront of any mistakes he made or wrongs he did.
"So," Caroline let out a deep breath as she looked at Elijah, "Katherine may not be here right now, but that won't stop me from doing this…."
Crack!
Elijah's head snapped to the side, he could feel the throb in his jaw. Judging by the crack he had clearly broken a bone. Caroline tightened her fist feeling the ache run through her entire arm but ignored it vehemently knowing that it was definitely worth it.
"That was for lying to her." Elijah blinked slowly trying to come to terms with what had just happened when he felt a sharp pierce through his lungs, he was winded as Caroline thrust a wooden stake through his chest narrowly missing his heart. "That was for leaving her by herself. And this," Caroline took in a swift breath as Elijah clutched at the stake she left embedded in his chest before raising her knee and shooting it up aiming between his legs, his knees gave out immediately at the hit and he fell to his knees as Caroline kneeled catching him by his arms and leaning into his ear, "this was for ever letting her down." She hissed into his ear enunciating her words before she stood and looked over him. "You're pathetic." She said with an air of finality before turning round coming face to face with a shocked looking Klaus, finding nothing else to say she walked past him heading out of the bar whilst Klaus glanced at Elijah who groaned as he struggled to his feet. Part of Klaus pitied his brother whist the other part was triumphant at Caroline's direct and non-bullshit approach.
Hesitating for a few seconds to look back at his brother who sat back into the booth trying to ease the stake out of his chest before Klaus flashed out of the bar trying to locate Caroline but found himself out of luck as the streets buzzed with people.
"Dammit."
"Please tell me you're going to wring her damn neck." Rebekah hissed out from behind him causing Klaus to roll his eyes, "Oh don't tell me you're infatuated with her again."
Oh, it's much more than an infatuation…
Klaus pushed his way back into the bar moving towards Camille who was still in mid shock as she passed some ice to Elijah even though he was a vampire and clearly wouldn't need it.
"Did she say where she was going?" He asked Camille suddenly who became flustered at his question, sighing he found himself growing extremely tired of her humanly ways, "Where did she say she was going, Camille?"
"I don't know, she didn't say." He gritted his teeth.
"The girl had guts, you've got to admit." Marcel said in his deep, rich voice trying third not to laugh. Klaus clenched his jaw together and pulled his phone out locating Caroline's name when he instinctively looked back at the seat the blond had occupied at the bar and spotted a piece of paper tucked under Caroline's shot glass which was still resting on the bar top.
Moving closer he pulled it out from beneath the glass and let out a sigh of relief.
I'm not going to apologise, he deserved it and much more. He still has some explaining to do, I would have stayed longer but didn't want to be responsible for murdering a third of the Earth's vampire population.
Katherine was my sister, you of all people know what it feels like to lose a sibling and the hatred that wells up when you realise you can't protect them as you should have.
Maybe one day I'll come back and immerse myself in your city.
Xx Caroline
P.S I haven't found my way to Paris or Rome or Tokyo yet so don't worry…
555-7684-3476
Klaus' lips curved up slightly as he noted the change in her number which she had willingly given to him, he glanced at Elijah who was trying to fix his jaw whilst murmurs of who the blond woman was flew around the bar.
If only they knew what she meant to him.