Rescue Me
A.N.: Holy macaroni! The feedback for this story blew my face off! You guys are incredible! Seriously!
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Mystic Falls was certainly a place Niklaus Mikaelson never thought he'd ever see himself. It wasn't exactly his kind of town. It was far too small, for one. In the middle of nowhere, for another. Not that the solidarity of the town's location was something he was unfamiliar with. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd found himself in the middle of nowhere, in a dusty Afghani desert or stranded in the mountains somewhere, miles from civilization.
No, none of that was what bothered Klaus. It was just how suburb Mystic Falls appeared. Old timers diners, car garages closed on Sundays, family bicycle rides. It was all just so mundane to him. He honestly couldn't see what Rebekah even saw in this little, one stop town.
Well, that really wasn't true, he thought as he leaned against the wall outside the convenience store, his duffel at his feet. He knew just what had drawn his baby sister to this Virginia town. Or rather, who.
Stefan Salvatore.
He'd been hesitant when Elijah had casually mentioned the young American lawyer Rebekah had started dating seven months ago. He'd known the Salvatore boy was only in the country for a short time, and worried about how deep Rebekah had clearly been throwing herself into the relationship. When Rebekah did anything, she didn't do it halfway, after all. She often got attached far too early on, and it never ended well. Elijah, always the most level headed of them all, had shared his concerns, and said he would be sure to keep an eye on their young sister and her American beau.
Neither of them could have seen the engagement coming. Or the move overseas.
Which is how Klaus found himself here, in the middle of Virginia, a broke down truck and a full duffel the only things to his name, while he waited for his sister outside the store. He hadn't been able to stop the smile that spread across his face when he heard Rebekah's excited voice over the phone. Even when she'd started to lecture him on his choice of beat down vehicles, he'd been more than delighted to listen to her rant. It had truly been too long since he'd since his young blonde sister.
While he stood, arms crossed over his chest, he couldn't help but let his mind drift to a different young blonde he'd come across recently.
Caroline.
He had truly not known what to make of her. Their interaction hadn't lasted long, but it had still left an impression. He couldn't quite put his finger on why, though. She wasn't really his type. She was pretty enough. Beautiful, really, when he reflected back on it. Her jeans and hooded red sweatshirt hadn't given any clues, so he really didn't know if the body matched the face. Not that it mattered.
He couldn't help but smirk when he recalled the way her lips had defiantly quirked up upon her announcement of a stun gun. That had been a nice touch. He was impressed really. There weren't a lot of girls who would think to lie about owning a stun gun. A pistol maybe. Pepper spray. But a stun gun? She was clever. And he liked his women easy. Something was telling him that the lovely Caroline was anything but.
His train of thought was cut off by the screeching of brakes, and he raised his eyes to see the red mustang that came to a sudden stop just on the outside of the parking lot. He couldn't help the grin that spread across his face when Rebekah's blonde head popped out from the driver's side window, eyes shining and smile bright. She threw open the door, barely remembering to put the car and park and turn off the ignition, before she was racing over to meet him.
He let out a gust of air when her small body collided with his, and he chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. "It's good to see you too, Bekah."
Rebekah pulled back, a smile on her face, before she reared back and punched him—hard—in the upper arm.
"Bekah!" he exclaimed, reaching up to cradle his slightly stinging arm and glaring at her.
Her blue eyes were glaring back, her hands perched on her hips. "That was for the three years of radio silent, you bloody dolt." She shook her head, blonde hair flying as she glared at him defiantly. "Not a word, Nik. Not a single word for three years. You're lucky all I did was clobber your arm."
"Come now, Bekah," Klaus cajoled, unable to stop the smirk on his face. "What's with the attitude? I'm here now, aren't I? In the middle of rural America, no less. I thought we were past all this."
Rebekah scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not even close, darling brother," she said, her face softening as she looked up at him. "But I am happy that you're here."
"As if I could miss my baby sister's wedding," Klaus said, reaching over and putting an arm around her shoulders, tucking her into his side. She giggled under his arm, and he knew that all was forgiven. "Now, where's this Salvatore I've flown across the world to meet?"
He couldn't help but smile at the way Rebekah's face lit up at the mention of her fiancé. She truly was happy. Despite all of his reservations, he couldn't deny that. He picked up his duffel bag as she turned on her heel and headed to her car.
"He was otherwise occupied today," she said over her shoulder, sliding gracefully behind the wheel and waiting for him to load his bag into the trunk. "He's back at the house, waiting for Caroline."
Klaus froze momentarily as he opened the door, one eyebrow arching up at the mention of the familiar name. But it couldn't be the same woman…could it?
"Caroline?" he asked, sliding into the passenger seat. Next to him, Rebekah sighed.
"Caroline Forbes," she said, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "She's Stefan's best friend. She's coming in for the wedding preparations today. Believe it or not, she is essentially the best man. Or…woman, or whatever. Which is ridiculous, in my opinion. The girl is exasperating."
He bit back the grin that was threatening to burst forth. This conversation was sounding oddly familiar. Wasn't it just moments ago Caroline was voicing a similar opinion on his sister?
"Oh, come now, Bekah. She can't be all that bad."
Rebekah sneered at him. "You've not met her, Nik. Wait until you do. She'll drive you up the bloody wall."
Klaus shook his head, letting his gaze wander to the passing streets and buildings. Maybe his stay in Mystic Falls wouldn't be so boring after all.
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Caroline had barely step foot out of her car before the air was knocked out of her, a pair of strong arms wrapping around her tightly. She laughed, a large grin on her face, and lifted herself up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around Stefan's neck. She breathed in his familiar, manly scent, and closed her eyes at the sheer joy she felt at being in her best friend's arms.
"You've been gone too long, Forbes," Stefan mumbled into her hair, the smile evident in his voice.
She laughed, and felt his arms tighten around her the slightest bit. "We just saw each other two months ago, Stef," she said, pulling back but letting her hands rest on his shoulders as she looked up at him. "But I've missed you too." She grinned, tilting her head as she squinted up at him. "What's up with your hair?"
Stefan chuckled self-consciously, one hand raising to curl into his hair as the other perched itself on his hip. "Uh…Rebekah said something the other day about me having funny hair so I decided to…try something new."
Caroline rolled her eyes, laughing quietly. "And where is the blushing bride-to-be?"
Stefan didn't miss the annoyance in her voice, and he sighed inwardly. It wasn't any secret to him that Rebekah and Caroline didn't exactly get along. Caroline was protective, never believing anyone was deserving of him. And Rebekah…Rebekah was intimidated by the friendship he and Caroline shared. She'd voiced her concerns more than once over the past several months, even more since they'd actually met face-to-face. And even though each of her concerns were met with his blunt assurance that nothing romantic had ever—or would ever—happen between them, he knew the doubt was in the back of her mind. Which, understandably, led to quite a bit tension between the two blondes.
"She'll be back later," he replied, stepping forward to grab the duffel she was reaching for before her hands could touch it. He smirked at her glare, knowing that she hated being waited on by him, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her towards the door to the boarding house. "One of her brothers is getting to town early. She went to go pick him up."
Caroline nodded, her eyes taking in the familiar setting of the Salvatore Boarding House with a small smile. "That's right, she's got like six, right?"
"Four, Miss Sass," Stefan said, smiling when he felt her shove him. "Klaus is one of her older brothers. He's been MIA for awhile, so she was pretty excited when he called to say he was flying in early to spend time with her before the wedding. The others won't be here for a few more weeks."
"KLAUS?" Caroline snorted, taking her bag from Stefan's shoulder as he pushed open the door the room she'd be occupying for the next several weeks. "Seriously?"
Stefan laughed, watching as she trudged to the bed across the room and tossed the bag on it, before launching her small body onto it as well. Her face lit up in a childlike smile as she bounced on the mattress, and he realized once more just how much he'd missed her company. "Yeah. Bex says her parents were into the old fashioned names. I've actually not met this brother yet. So, uh…at the party tonight, you're my buffer."
"Oh, throw me to the wolves, huh? Gosh, I forgot how much I meant to you, Stefan."
Rolling his eyes, Stefan turned on his heel and walked to the door. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response, Forbes," he said, stopping just inside the door and turning back to look at her. "Anyway, the party isn't for another few hours. I have to run into town and make sure the caterers have everything in order before then, so feel free to just relax. Shower, watch TV…do whatever it is you do to make yourself look absolutely fabulous." He laughed when she just shrugged, a smile on her face. "I'll be back before the party." He turned to leave when she nodded, but stopped just outside the hallways. He ducked his head back inside to see her rising to her feet. "I really have missed you, Care."
Caroline smiled, her blonde hair falling over one shoulder as she tilted her head. "I've missed you too, Stefan. Now scram. I'm dying for a shower and you've got exactly two seconds before I start stripping and you're blinded forever by my rockin' bod." She gripped the hem of her sweatshirt to strengthen her threat, and with a laugh he disappeared down the hallway, shutting the door behind him.
Caroline laughed, shaking her head.
So maybe it wasn't so bad being back in Mystic Falls.
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The Salvatore/Mikaelson engagement party certainly didn't disappoint.
Though considering one half of the couple was a member of the town's Founding Families, that wasn't really a surprise. Caroline would bet more than half the town was loitering inside the boarding house at that moment.
She'd been able to avoid the townsfolk for most of the evening. After the initial Inquisition—where have you been, what have you been doing, oh, still single, dear?—people had seemed to forget that the prodigal daughter had returned, instead deciding to focus on the happy couple the party was really for.
She sighed, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She ducked through the crowd, forcing a smile onto her face at the gazes she met, before she ducked into a corner of the room, pressing her back into the wall as she let her eyes rake over the festivities. She shook her head, bringing the glass to her lips. You knew it could only last so long, Caroline…
"Hiding in dark corners, Blondie? Times certainly have changed."
Caroline sighed, closing her eyes against the familiar voice that spoke so close to her, and she took another large gulp of champagne before she turned to face the elder Salvatore brother.
"Still lurking in doorways and preying on the younger generation? In that case, you've not changed at all."
Damon Salvatore smirked down at her, dark hair falling into his piercing blue eyes. He hadn't changed much in the five years since she'd seen him. Still tall, dark, and handsome. His bad boy persona still oozed off of him in waves, his all black attire seeming to only enhance that. His dancing eyes—always so vibrant even when they glared in anger—holding so much more than what he ever let on.
"Oh, come on now, Barbie," he said, leaning against the wall next to her and letting his gaze drift off into the crowd. "It's been five years. Aren't we passed the whole 'You cad, you fiend' phase of our relationship?"
Caroline scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest, the glass dangling from her fingertips. "Trust me, Damon. Five years barely scratches the surface for us to be passed anything." She sighed, slumping against the wall.
"Whatever happened to letting bygones be bygones? You were young. I was young. You were stupid. I was…well…less smart, but nowhere near as foolish as you."
She rolled her eyes.
"Our little dalliance cost me two years of a relationship with my brother, not to mention being labeled a few choice words by the townsfolk. Now you're the best man at my little bro's wedding, and I've been demoted to groomsman number three. Haven't I suffered enough?"
"Seriously?" Caroline asked, staring up at him incredulously.
"Come on, what girl is going to hook up with groomsman number three at the reception? Answer: None I'd be willing to see naked."
She scoffed, surprised to see that Damon could still render her speechless with his sheer ability to be a complete douchebag, and shook her head, shoving her glass into his empty hand before turning on her heel and walking away.
"Good talking to you, Barbie!," he called from behind her.
Caroline was perfectly content to disappear up the stairs and lock herself in her room until the party was over then, so completely overwhelmed she was. But Fate seemed to have other plans for that evening.
"Caroline!"
She stopped in her steps, biting back a groan at the British voice that called her name, and she plastered a smile on her face as she turned to face Rebekah. The tall blonde was making her way through the crowd, Stefan's large hand enclosed in her smaller one as she pulled him along. She could tell from the way Stefan's brow furrowed that he knew how uncomfortable she was, but before he could voice his concern, Rebekah's hand was wrapped around her arm.
"Stefan just reminded me that I've been a horrible hostess," she said, an unnervingly friendly smile on her face. Caroline was hesitant to reply, so unfamiliar with this version of Rebekah. Maybe the limelight had mellowed her out a bit. "You were indisposed when my brother and I got back, and things have been so hectic since the party started, I haven't had a chance to introduce you. You'll be seeing a lot of each other, after all. He's staying here, too."
Caroline could only nod as she was jerked forward by Rebekah's steady grip, trading a panicked but confused glance with Stefan as she followed her through the crowd. Stefan only shrugged, shaking his head sympathetically, and followed along shortly.
She was dragged halfway through the boarding house, Caroline would bet. She smiled and nodded at the people they passed, for once grateful for Rebekah's persistence and annoying take-charge attitude as she was spared any small talk that would lead to questions she'd rather not answer at that moment.
Finally they came to a halt, and Caroline sighed, glancing over her shoulder to see Stefan hurrying to catch up with them. She rolled her eyes with a small smile, causing him to grin in response.
"Caroline, I'd like you to meet my brother," Rebekah was saying next to her, referring to a tall, blonde man who had his back to them a moment before.
Caroline turned, her best Miss Mystic Falls smile plastered onto her face.
That smile quickly slipped away when the man turned around, and she recognized his broad shoulders. His curly blonde hair. His piercing blue eyes. And those delectable lips she'd spent far too much time thinking about since he'd walked out of her car that morning.
Lips that were presently upturned in a knowing smirk.
"Good evening, love," he said, his deep voice teasing. "Long time no see."
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Okay, seriously? 43 follows? 7 favorites? This is insane! I never thought this story would get this kind of response. I'm so glad you all are enjoying it!
So Damon is still very much season 1-ish at this point in the story. If you all are confused about why Caroline is so hostile towards him, I promise all will be explained before too long. And no, Damon is not the reason Caroline was so hesitant to return to Mystic Falls.
I love that you guys loved the banter between Klaus and Caroline in the car. It was definitely a favorite to write.
Thanks again for your support, loves! Please review, as they are like written crack to my writer heart.
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