A/N: I know - I'm terrible at updating in a timely manner. Please forgive me. Big thanks to Elleharper47 for beta'ing – feedback was great per usual. Hope this chapter was worth the wait! Enjoy!
Also, I'm not very good about responding to reviews though I absolutely love love love receiving them. But to answer a few questions, there will be Caroline and Cami interactions, Stefan will be making an appearance and likely Bonnie. I think I mentioned this before, but I'm not following the shows per se just borrowing some ideas (i.e., Caroline's mom passing) but no baby, so there won't be any sort of Caroline response to it. In fact, other than the brief mention in the first chapter, Haley won't have a big part. This story is generally AU.
Disclaimer: Still don't own any of it.
Chapter 3: The Arrival, NOLA
Klaus' hand reached up to swipe at his stinging cheek. It's enough to rile his anger.
Concertedly trying to control his displeasure, Klaus leaned towards Caroline and warningly said, "I would refrain from further acts of violence against me lest you are eager for another broken neck, Sweetheart."
Irritated, Caroline replied "What is it you Brits say? Oh right, sod off, Klaus. You had no right. Take me back!"
"No," Klaus answered sitting back into his seat.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say?"
"Is there something wrong with your hearing, love? I believe I was perfectly clear."
"And I believe I wasn't asking. Take me home now!"
Klaus turned towards Caroline again and asked, "Why? What is there to go home to? Your mother who is buried 6 feet under? Friends," he scathingly spits out, "that don't know what to do with you."
"Shut up, Klaus, just shut it. You don't know anything. You're an unfeeling bastard whose own parents cursed him and siblings barely tolerate. You don't know the meaning of family or friends," Caroline cuts in her attempt to goad him into sending her back.
Hearing her words and knowing them to be untruths now, Klaus' fury quickly cooled, "I've forgotten how clever you are, Caroline. Trying to rile me up, I see."
His eyes sought hers and caught a brief glimpse of her sorrow before she looked away. "Before, your words would have provoked me to no end causing some sort of rash and rather uninspired actions on my part towards you. I guess it has been some time since we've been together." Settling himself, Klaus closed his eyes as the jet continued its descent, "I look forward to getting reacquainted."
Suspicious of Klaus' response, Caroline rebelliously stated "I'm not staying. The second we're on the ground, I'm going to turn around and go back. There's nothing you can do to keep me here."
Without opening his eyes, Klaus confidently retorted "You can try, Caroline, but remember you're in my city now. I'm the king here and what I say goes and I say you're staying. Shortly, we'll be landing where my private car with my people will be waiting. You can kick and scream all you want - nobody will come to your aid. These people are not your friends, Caroline; no one will go against me here."
With his words swirling inside her head, she thought: Why can't he just let me be? Stupid Stefan for calling Klaus and making him think I need him. Gad, I need to get out of here.
She felt the jet touch down and caught a glimpse of the outside. Her eyes widen and a surprised 'O' formed on her lips as the realization hit of just how far from Mystic Falls she really is.
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Unused to this Klaus, a Klaus who isn't as pliable to her wants, Caroline is not sure how to play her hand.
She decided to retreat, momentarily, refusing to say a word as they landed and made their way towards the car.
Scanning the man waiting for them, she looked for a sign of weakness and wondered if he might be bendy: potential ally perhaps? Nope, she thought, as she saw Klaus and the man clasp hands in greeting. Wait a sec, does Klaus actually have friends? Do the people here like him? What weird alternate universe is this? What is going on? she screamed inside her head while outwardly maintaining a calm façade.
Klaus quickly tossed out, "Marcellus this is Caroline, Caroline Marcellus. She'll be staying at the compound." Marcel's eyes followed her as she begrudgingly trailed behind Klaus. Noticing his gaze, Caroline popped her head up, pushed her shoulders back, and looked ahead as remnants of the old Caroline, the Caroline who isn't broken, rise up. She walked past this Marcellus with an assuredness she was far from feeling. Just sell it Caroline, if you believe it he will to, she silently chanted to herself.
A smirk appeared on Klaus' face as he watched Caroline reminding him that his Caroline was still there, deep down but there.
Driving away from the airplane hangar, Caroline mutely sat in the backseat looking out the window.
After a time, Klaus glanced over at her, "Sweetheart, if you look to your right you'll start to see the outline of the French Quarter. It's where we are going and where you will be staying…with me. I think you'll find much to enjoy about the Quarter, Caroline."
More silence.
With a sigh, Klaus looked away. Marcel peeked at Klaus from out of the corner of his eye, a small smile spread across his face "So –"
"Don't, Marcel, I'm in no mood."
A chuckle slipped out before Marcel could stop it. "I was just going to ask if you had a good trip?" he innocently replied.
Klaus gave him a murderous glare and didn't bother to reply.
Unable to squelch her curiosity, Caroline subtly looked over to the right to get her first look at the city. The closer it came into view the harder it was for her to ignore the glimpses of vibrancy and liveliness. A ghost of a smile crossed her mouth which she quickly quelled as her eyes clashed with Klaus' in the mirror. She quickly turned her head away from the city view and from Klaus' eyes. A brief feeling of guilt erupts from her heart, there is nothing interesting here, none of this matters, I shouldn't be here she reminded herself.
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They made their way through the Quarter taking longer than necessary. Klaus wanted to pique Caroline's interest in his city before they reached the compound showing her the architecture, shopping, and the infamous Bourbon Street hoping his city would draw her out.
Arriving Caroline took in the enormous dwelling and sneered, "Seriously, do you do anything small," before she marched out of the car toward the front door.
Marcel struggled to hold back the laugh that bubbled up. "She's a feisty one, Klaus. I'm starting to see why you like her," he called out as he ambled off away from the compound.
Klaus didn't spare Marcel a glance and went after Caroline. Opening the door, he gently took hold of Caroline's arm, "Welcome to my home, sweetheart."
"Yah, whatever, Klaus. So, where am I to be held?" she impudently asked making her way into the courtyard.
Her cheekiness caused a small yet annoyed smile to grace his lips. The further they are from Mystic Falls the greater her feistiness, reinforcing his decision that to bring her here was the right one.
"Caroline, how your stay here goes is entirely dependent upon you. If you wish to be treated as a prisoner or a guest - either can be accommodated." He knew this wouldn't be easy, but he hoped she'd see some sense in his actions.
"Me, if it were up to me, I wouldn't be here. I would be where I belong, not here with you."
Temporarily letting her get to him, he snarled "If you were so anxious not to be with me why were you asking for me? Why call my name out, why crumble in my arms?"
She remained stubbornly silent on that point and instead said "It certainly didn't mean I wanted to be abducted!" Before Klaus could respond, they heard a clacking of high heels coming from the east wing.
A familiar blond comes into view. Oh great just what I need, Caroline thought.
Giving her the once-over, Rebekah sassily remarked, "Well, well look what the cat dragged in," a quick flip of her blond locks, "You look awful, doesn't she Nik?"
"Rebekah," Klaus threateningly called.
"What? She does," Rebekah arched her brow and simply stated. "Unfortunate business about your mum –"
"Rebekah, don't…don't bother. Only my friends get to talk about my mom and that is something we are definitely not!" Caroline shot back.
"Good - glad to see the pathetic creature standing in front of me hasn't completely swallowed up the girl I knew back in Mystic Falls," she tossed out before walking out the front door.
"Huh?" Caroline questioned to Rebekah's retreating form.
A quick shake of her head Caroline refocused her attention back to Klaus. Putting a hand on her hip, she impatiently asked, "Now, back to my original question. Where am I staying?"
Klaus smirked as he took note of her stance and called out, "Joshua." Out of nowhere Josh appeared.
"Caroline this is Joshua. He will be here for you to help you acclimate to your new surroundings. Whatever you need, within reason, Josh here will provide."
"Lucky me, my own personal babysitter," Caroline quietly said.
"Joshua, show Caroline to the room next to mine."
Josh hesitated slightly. Klaus catching on, "Is there a problem? I assume the room has been made ready, yes?"
"Uh, yah, it's been packed up and cleaned, Rebekah knew you'd request that room but I thought…" he trailed off. Looking from Klaus to Caroline, Josh continued, "Never mind, I get it."
Caroline sensed something is off and questioned, "Wait. What do you get? What am I missing?"
Josh muttered, "Nothing, right this way" indicating for Caroline to follow him. Caroline shrugged not having it in her to really care too much.
Klaus called out to Caroline, "Sweetheart, get some rest. I have some things I need to check on but will do that from here. Oh and Caroline, remember what I said on the plane."
Caroline ignored him and continued walking. Her stiff posture is the only sign he received that she remembered his earlier words: no one here is my friend.
Striding away from Klaus, Josh attempted small talk, "Soooo, you've been to New Orleans before?"
"Nope," nothing further came.
"Uhmm, you must be a good friend of Klaus'. I mean he literally dropped everyone, I mean, uhmm, everything, he was doing to go to you" he quickly corrected himself.
"Pfft, yah, good friends, yep, that's it. I mean who doesn't call someone who snaps their neck, takes them against their will and tells them they can't leave a friend. Yep, we're thick as thieves," Caroline snorted.
"Listen, your babysitting stint won't be long. I'm leaving just as soon as I can and Klaus can go back to whoever he dropped," she snidely said as she glanced over at Josh.
Reaching her room, a nonplussed Josh stood back and allowed Caroline to enter. "Ah, ok, well, here's your room. You have your own en suite, plenty of closet space. There are a few accessories already in the bathroom but let me know what else you may need. Klaus' bedroom is right next door," he mumbled not knowing what else to say after her speech.
Caroline took a quick sweep of the room before she looked back at him, "Josh, is it? I know there's quality booze in this place. Can you bring me a bottle of…whatever? Thanks," with a too sweet smile she tipped her head to the side and closed the door in his face, turning the lock.
Josh uttering piece of work under his breath strode away to go raid the liquor cabinet.
For the first time in hours, Caroline finally has a chance to catch her breath and take stock of what's happening. Perusing the space, her room looked comfortable with its soft blue palate, ginormous bed one can sink into, and two windows on either side of the armoire that span floor to ceiling that led out to a balcony on both sides. She's not surprised that the room is bigger than the one at home – home; suddenly the pit in her stomach is back as the sadness settles in, taking over. Lying down on the bed, Caroline took refuge under the covers and cried herself to sleep.
Josh returned with the bottle of Balmoral and stopped short when he heard her weeping while the waves of sorrow emitting off of her surrounded him. He left the bottle at her door with a note to let him know if she needed anything else. Her grief stayed with him as he walked away and he wondered what happened to Caroline, softening his heart a bit towards the blond.
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"Joshua," Klaus called out as he entered the courtyard stopping him in his tracks. "You heard me tell Caroline you'll be watching over her while she's here. I'll take her shopping later but, for now, I need you to help her get the basics. So when she's ready, you'll need to take her out to pick up her most immediate needs as she'll soon realize all she has are the clothes she's wearing. But, more importantly, do not let her out of your sight and protect her."
That caught Josh's attention, "Protect her? From who?"
Shrugging Klaus said, "Mostly, herself."
"What – what is going on with her, Klaus?"
"Joshua, I don't need you questioning, I need you to do what you're told. Take care of Caroline, keep her safe and protected at all cost, even if it means putting yourself in peril. Oh and Joshua, Caroline is not to leave the quarter. If she attempts to lose you, you do whatever you must barring permanent death to keep her here. Do you understand me?" Klaus too calmly inquired.
A calm Klaus is never a good Klaus in Josh's opinion, "Yep, understood."
"Good," he called out walking away. "You may go now. I'll ring you when you're needed."
Klaus briefly stopped outside Caroline's door and focused in on her breathing. He nods, satisfied that she's fallen asleep. At least she listened to one of my requests to get some rest, he thought.
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Josh made his way to Rousseau's, a frequented place of the supernatural. The unfortunateness about the place is that Cami also worked there, but that can't be avoided – no other establishment will top off his drink with a drop of A positive. He called his boyfriend Aiden and witch friend Davina to meet up for a beverage. A few drinks later and one quick check that Cami isn't around, and he's spilling the beans all about Klaus' friend.
"At first I thought she was just, you know, cuckoo for coco pops crazy but, really, she's just tragically sad. Whatever happened to her, Klaus isn't sharing, but it can't be good. He has me on guard duty. Apparently she's on some sort of vampire suicide watch or something. I overheard them talking before his lordship summoned me," he joked, "You should hear the way she speaks to him, it's insane, and he totally takes it."
Davina was intrigued and asked "Who is she – to Klaus?"
"He won't say, but I'm pretty sure she means something to him. Ya know, more than a friend, like he keeps calling her. I mean, have you ever seen Klaus drop everything for anyone? I haven't, not even for Cami, and we all thought he really liked her. But, one call, and bam, Cami is out and Caroline is in, clearly she's important to him," Josh surmised taking a swig of his beer. "I feel bad for Cami -"
Aiden jumped in before Josh went off on how terrible it must be for Cami, "You need to be careful, Josh. If she matters that much to him, I can't imagine what he will do if something happened to her."
"Ah, is my man worried about me," Josh smilingly said. "So cute, but I don't think you need to. For whatever reason, I get the feeling she's not like Klaus. She's totally depressed and possibly off her rocker, but she doesn't seem psychotic off her rocker it was more woeful crazy-like. I don't think she'd do anything if it meant I'd pay the price for her actions."
"Well, whatever, you just better make sure you take this detail seriously, Josh," Aiden warned him.
Davina gave them the look to pipe down and pulled out her ringing phone, "Hi Klaus."
"Davina, love, I need a favor?"
"What sort?"
"I have a friend in town I need some assistance with. I'll fill you in when you arrive which I presume to be shortly," Klaus told her.
"Oh, uh, ok. I'll swing by now."
"Splendid, I'll be waiting," Klaus exclaimed before ending the call.
Turning to Josh and Aiden, "Well, it looks like I've gots to go boys. Magical duties await me."
"Aren't you the willing participant today?" Josh noted.
"I admit my curiosity is getting the better of me. Besides, our king is calling," she laughingly replied grabbing her purse before sauntering off.
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While Klaus was impatiently waiting for Davina, he kept an ear out for any noise upstairs.
Davina walked into the compound and came across a pacing Klaus.
"Took you long enough, witch," he acerbically stated.
"Really, I came right over. You know it didn't take that long," she carefully replied.
An impish grin later, Davina accepted the silent apology knowing it's as close as she'll ever get to the real thing from him.
"So, I'm here. What exactly am I here for, Klaus?"
"As I mentioned, I have a friend in town. I need to make sure the protection spell previously placed on her is holding what with all the witchy magic that exists here. My friend, you see, she's somewhat unbalanced at the moment and I fear she may do something hurtful to her own wellbeing. I need to ensure that doesn't happen."
"Where is this friend of yours?"
"She's sleeping in her room. Is this something you can do without waking her? She's exhausted from her travels today."
"I should be able to. It's a simple check to see if the magic is still holding, nothing too difficult," Davina claimed.
Both Klaus and Davina made their way to Caroline upstairs. Davina briefly stopped mid-step seeing the room they were walking towards, Cami's room, well old room, Josh is right about this girl, she definitely means something to Klaus.
"Is something wrong, Davina?"
"No, nothing, I was simply gathering my thoughts," she covered up.
Klaus quietly opened the bedroom door and saw Caroline's slumbering form in the middle of the bed. Davina watched him gaze upon her still form with a worried frown.
Focusing her energy, Davina feels the magic radiate off the sleeping girl.
"It's powerful, the spell," she said. "There's no weakness that I can feel. It will hold until the witch who cast it removes it."
"Thank you, Davina, that will be all," he casually dismissed her.
Davina, too curious not to ask the question, "Who placed the spell, Klaus? I rarely feel power of that level. She's strong this witch."
"A friend, to her, not someone you need to worry about."
Davina nodded thoughtfully and left Klaus.
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Hours later, Caroline awoke, temporarily muddled from sleep, it took a moment until full consciousness kicked in – crap, right, New Orleans, with Klaus, now what, she muttered to herself and sat up.
TBC
A/N: Please follow, review etc. I totally get excited when I see reviews and story followers. It does spur me on, I promise it does. It's the editing process and Beta feedback that I get lost in :)
