AN: Thanks for reading, here's another chapter. if you get the chance listen to After Midnight by Blink 182. No beta still. And yes it gets a bit dark in this chapter. you have been warned.
Caroline sat at the table trying to draw something but it ended up being nothing. Anna was sitting across from her looking at the board game with missing pieces. Klaus walked into the room with the greasy bag of food. He walked towards her. She smelled the onion rings and her head snapped up. She ran out of her chair and ran into him. Her arms wrapping around him, holding him close. She buried her face in his chest.
"Hello to you too" Klaus said
Anna got up and saw Klaus and smiled.
"You did come back" Anna said
"I bring onion rings" Klaus said
"Ugh, no, you guys owe me for last time" Anna said
"You're really here" Caroline said
"Of course I am. I told you I'd come back" Klaus said
Caroline lifted her head up, her fingers reached up to touch the stubble on his jaw.
"I missed you" Caroline said
Ester watched from the door as her son was holding a blonde in his arms. How gentle he was with her. How she flung herself at him and he didn't mind at all. She wondered who she was.
Caroline sat on the couch and started eating the onion rings while Klaus watched her.
"How are you doing?" Klaus asked
"Better now that you're here"
"Do they think you're getting better?"
"No"
"Sweetheart"
"I know, it's hard without you here. I miss you" Caroline said as her finger touched his, "I miss how we used to…"
"We can do that once you're out. We'll go see the world. I'll take you"
"Right"
"There's a whole world waiting for you out there, its yours if you want it"
"I don't want to be in here anymore"
Klaus held her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. He kissed it gently.
"I'll wait for you. I'll visit you every week, and bring you these onion rings. You're not alone"
Katherine walked down the hallways. She was holding some files when she heard voices. She stopped by a door as she listened. It was Mason talking to someone, a girl.
"How are you feeling today?" Mason asked
"Better"
"Have you been cutting?"
"No"
"Can I see?"
Caroline pulled up her sleeves and showed him the scars that were there, but no new fresh cuts.
"Now show me the rest"
"What?"
"I know you have found another area to cut"
"No!"
"Caroline" Mason said as he walked towards her slowly
"NO! You just want to get me naked! No! I want a female doctor!" Caroline screamed
"Be a good girl"
"NO!"
Katherine opened the door and saw Mason grabbing Caroline.
"Is there a problem in here?" Katherine asked
"No, nurse, we're fine in here" Mason said
"I doubt that, get your hands off her. She asked for a female, I'm here, I can take over"
"I'm her doctor"
"And she's not comfortable around you, now get out so I can examine her. I'd hate to report you"
"Fine" Mason shoved her away and walked out
Katherine locked the door and turned back at Caroline.
"Does he do this often?" katherine asked
"Sometimes"
"Are you cutting yourself?"
"No"
"Show me, I'm a girl"
Caroline took her shirt off and then her pants off as well. She pulled part of her underwear down to show her the healing cuts there.
"So you're not cutting" katherine said
Caroline put her clothes back on. Katherine noticed something written on her wrist. She reached out and pulled it closer to look at it. It was a heart drawn on her wrist and the words not today.
"Go back to the common room, I'll handle Mason"
Klaus using pastels as he was drawing outside. Ester watched him from inside the house. Elijah walked up to her.
"He seems to be doing well" Elijah said
"He seems to be"
"What worries you?"
"He wants to work"
"What's wrong with that?"
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea"
"He doesn't have much to do here. Kol and Rebekah go to school. I go to work. He needs a hobby or something. He wants to work, which is good, it means he's trying to move on with his life"
"He wants to go back to that place"
"Why?"
"He wants to visit this girl there"
"A girl?"
"Yes, he insists on going every week. I find that place dreadful. He insists on stopping by that diner where you bought him those onion rings, and buying them to give to this girl"
"I knew it, I knew he wasn't eating all that. Was this girl blonde?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"You're becoming a real pain Katherine" Mason said
"Well maybe if you weren't molesting all the female patients here I wouldn't be"
"Jealous?"
"Hardly"
"In case you forgot, I'm the doctor and you're the nurse"
"And you're still being inappropriate, how about I report you for your behavior?"
"How about I report you for your fake credentials Katerina?"
"It won't matter when they find out you've been molesting the patients. They'll have you disbarred and slapped with so many lawsuits that they'll be too busy with you to worry about little me. Besides I can fake it anywhere"
"Fine, you can have her then!"
"She's not really my type"
Klaus threw the fries into the basket and then dipped it into the fryer. The hot oil bubbled and hissed. He looked at the burger patties that were cooking on the grill. He flipped them once and then Bonnie came into the window.
"Hey you done with those fries yet?" Bonnie asked
"Almost"
"Don't worry they can wait. How are you holding up?"
"Ok I guess"
"You must really like the onion rings here"
"Not me"
"Then who?"
Caroline saw him walk into the common room and she smiled. She jumped up and ran into him, her arms reaching around him, crashing her body into his. She buried her face in his chest and felt safe.
"You smell like onion rings, I like it" Caroline said
"I thought you would" Klaus said
She looked up and kissed him on the cheek and took the greasy bag from him. Klaus followed her. Anna saw the two and and kept her distance. Klaus saw her and smiled. He reached into the bag and took out a small container. He walked over to her and handed it to her.
"Fat free greek yogurt just for you. No sugar and no anything" Klaus said
"Thanks" Anna said as she took it
Klaus sat down next to Caroline as she ate her onion rings. She looked over at his arms and noticed burn marks.
"What happened to your arms?" Caroline asked
"I burned myself"
"Doing what?"
"Making fries"
"What?"
"I work at the diner now. I wasn't very good at the beginning, but I'm getting better. I'm saving up so we can travel the world"
"You really think it's going to happen"
"It is going to happen"
Elijah watched as Klaus ran around the block for his morning run. He observed Klaus as he came in, went to the bathroom, showered, came down, ate breakfast and then got on his bike to go to work at the diner. It seemed to be a routine that he slipped into easily. But Elijah wanted more for his brother.
"Niklaus" Elijah called out
"Yes?" Klaus said as he turned
"You seem to be working a lot"
"I like it"
"That's good, it's good. I've been meaning to speak to you about a few things. Such as finishing school, or getting your driver's license so you don't have to ride a bike to work"
"That would be nice"
"You can study for your GED, I can find a tutor for you. I'll find you a driving teacher"
"Thank you Elijah"
"We just want you to be able to move forward in life"
"I'm trying"
"Though you don't have to work that many hours. Mother does worry about you"
"I just want to save up"
"For what?"
"I don't know what the future holds for me. I don't want to be a burden"
"You have nothing to worry about, financially. Your trust fund is still intact and will be yours when you turn 21"
"My what?"
Caroline sat across from her mother. She glanced down at her wrist, the heart was faded but still there. Liz looked down at Caroline's wrist. She reached out and held onto her hand.
"I'm glad that you're doing better." Liz said
"Me too" Caroline said
Liz's ringers lightly ran over the drawn on heart on Caroline's wrist.
"What's this?" Liz said examining it
There was a drawn heart and the words not today. It looked faded but she could tell it was drawn with a sharpie.
"They say if you keep this up, you can come home" Liz said
"Home?"
"Yes, you can come home. We'd still have to go to weekly sessions but you'd be able to sleep in your own bed again"
Klaus drove his mother's car to work. He parked outside the diner and saw the old beat up RV outside that was always there. He wondered who it belonged to. He walked in to start his shift. Bonnie greeted him.
"Morning" Bonnie said
"Morning" Klaus said as he walked into the kitchen
"Good to see you again, wasn't sure when you were coming back"
"Things have been busy"
"I can see that"
"Been studying, and got my license…"
"Visit your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend"
"Why not?"
"Who's RV is that outside?"
"Don't try to change the subject. Why isn't she your girlfriend? Is it because you haven't asked her yet?"
Bonnie watched as Klaus tried to form an answer.
"She's so your girlfriend. And that RV belongs to one of the regulars. He's really old and can't drive, so he just leaves it here. That thing barely runs"
"Do you think he'll sell it to me?"
"He'll be happy to get rid of it, I'll be happy to get rid of it. It needs a ton of work though"
"When your mother brought you here, you claimed that you were being abused and molested by her boyfriend. There was no physical evidence of this, so please tell us what really happened" Mason said from behind his desk.
"I told you what happened" Caroline said from her chair
"Caroline if you want to be released from this place-"
"I don't want anything! Especially from you!"
"Does this have anything to do with Klaus?"
Why would Mason bring up Klaus? Did he know what happened between them? Did he know that he came to visit her every week? Of course he did. Caroline wished Klaus was still here with her, so she wouldn't feel so alone. She remembered what Klaus said to her the last night they were on the roof together.
"I believe you Caroline" Klaus said
"You're the only one that does. They all wanted proof of it. Like my word wasn't enough" Caroline said
"You risked everything for them, for people who don't believe you. When you really love someone, you don't need proof. You can feel it"
And in that moment, Caroline felt safe, protected, and loved.
"When your mother found you, you were inconsolable, you were catatonic, you said her boyfriend had taken something from you that you would never get back. You said he made you dirty"
"That's not what I said!" Caroline jumped out of her seat, not backing down.
"Caroline, you were an ignored girl who wanted to be loved. So you created this fantasy land, you created this drama where you were the victim, where you were the center of attention. You wouldn't be the first person to do this. But you are one of the few to continue to live in that world and still believe it is real"
"No, I don't believe it anymore"
"I know you're lying. You would say anything to make me believe that you're better" Mason yelled as he stood up
"I am better"
"You just want to get out of here so you can be with him don't you!?"
"What the hell? That's none of your business!"
"It is when one of my underage patients is messing around with her visitors! I could have him banned from ever visiting you!"
"Why?! He's the only thing that keeps me from doing it!"
Mason paused for a second, and sat back down.
"And why do you do it Caroline?"
"Because I want attention" Caroline said looking down at the floor
"Now that you have it, what are you going to do with it?"
Katherine flung the door open and walked in.
"What the hell is going on here? I heard yelling" Katherine said
"We're fine nurse" Mason said
"Like hell we are, she is under my care now" Katherine said
"But we've just had a breakthrough"
"I'm reporting you! You'll be out on your ass before the day is over!"
Katherine took Caroline by the arm and led her out of the room.
"Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?" Katherine asked
"No"
Katherine true to her word reported Mason for his indiscretion, and apparently there were others. He was fired immediately and removed from the facility that same day. Katherine looked over at Caroline's file and decided to change a few things around. She could tell that Caroline was making progress and getting better. She decided that she would get better in the outside world instead.
Klaus was studying for his GED when Rebekah came into the room. She placed a plate with a cupcake on the table where he was studying. Klaus looked up at her.
"Thought you might want a snack. I love cupcakes" Rebekah said
"I see that"
"You know you could always come to school with us"
"Too many people, it makes me a little on edge"
"Ok, guess you can go to college sooner then"
Klaus had never thought about college. He just wanted to show the world that he graduated high school at least and he wasn't a complete loser. He looked at the chocolate cupcake on the plate. It had white frosting with little sugar flowers on it. He realized that Caroline would have loved the little cupcake for some reason.
"Thank you Rebekah"
"Your welcome Nik."
Klaus got up and walked up to her. He reached out and touched a piece of her long blonde hair. It was a different shade than Caroline's but still soft to the touch.
"Your hair is very long" Klaus said
"Yes, I'm a girl"
Klaus let out a small laugh and hugged her. Rebekah was shocked at first, but then relaxed and hugged him back.
"You're not getting another cupcake" Rebekah said
Katherine walked into Caroline's room. She was packing up her bag. She noticed the numerous sketches she was placing inside her bag.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Katherine asked
"I guess"
"You don't sound happy"
"I am, I just don't know how to act outside there, with them"
"You'll do fine. I don't ever want to see you here again"
"But I have to visit Anna"
"You know what I mean"
"She needs her fat free yogurt"
"Take care of yourself out there"
"I will"
Katherine walked out of her room. Anna walked in watching Caroline pack.
"Hey" Anna said
"Hey" Caroline said
"I'm gonna miss you" Anna said
"I'll miss you more"
"I know you will"
"You'll get out of here too, then we'll all be together"
"No I won't. I'm 16 Caroline, my mom's dead. The state can hold me as long as it wants, until I turn 18. It's going to be a long 2 years without you"
"I'll visit. Klaus will visit and bring you more yogurt. We'll be together and we'll find a pool and go swimming like before"
"I'd like that. You've been a great friend Caroline, you're like my only friend"
"And when you get out we'll be even better friends"
Anna hugged Caroline and tried to smile. She was happy that she was leaving finally. Anna helped Caroline pack. She organized the sketches and then slipped an envelope between the papers and placed them into her bag.
"Let's go to the roof!" Caroline said
"Let's go!" Anna said as they ran down the hallway
Klaus was working on fixing the RV, he finally got to drive, but that was mostly it. He still had to replace the propane tanks and water tanks still but couldn't afford it yet. He glanced down at his watch and realized he was going to be late for his visit with Caroline. He had been busy with studying that he missed their weekly visits. He drove his mother's car hoping to get there in time by visiting hours.
Klaus cursed at himself mentally as he forgot the onion rings. He walked into the building. He walked into the common room and didn't see Caroline anywhere. He didn't see Anna either. He looked around and asked Katherine who was nearby.
"Excuse me have you seen Caroline Forbes?" Klaus asked
"She's being released today" Katherine said
"Where is she?"
Caroline walked out into the common room holding a small bag. She saw Klaus and smiled. She walked over to him and hugged him.
"Hey, I missed you" Caroline said
"I missed you too, sorry I've been busy, trying to get things in order"
"I wanted to tell you they're letting me go home"
"I heard. I told you it would happen"
Caroline smiled and held him closer. Liz walked into the room and wondered who she was hugging.
"I want to say goodbye to Anna" Caroline said
"You should. I forgot her yogurt" Klaus said
Caroline slipped her hand into his and started to lead him towards Anna's room. Liz watched the two and followed them. Caroline and Klaus walked to Anna's room and then stopped when they opened her door.
Anna lay on her bed, surrounded by purple pills. It looked as if the purple pills rained down onto her. She laid there with her eyes wide open staring at the ceiling.
"Anna?" Caroline called out
Klaus pulled her back into his arms.
"Don't" Klaus said
"Anna?! Anna!" Caroline yelled
Klaus pulled her away from the door into the hallway.
"Why isn't anyone here?! Can't they see her?!" Caroline screamed
"Sweetheart"
"Anna! Anna!"
Liz came running down the hallway and saw Anna laying on the bed. She saw Caroline crying and Klaus trying to comfort her. It took a few more minutes before the nurses and orderlies came. They all surrounded Anna's body. Klaus pulled Caroline away.
"Why did she do it? Why would she do it?" Caroline said
"I don't know"
"She said she wasn't ever leaving here. She said it would be 2 years before she'd turn 18, that her mom was dead. She had no one and I was leaving her. Oh my god it's my fault"
"No! No it's not your fault, it's never your fault. Anna choose to do this"
"But I could have stayed"
"Why?"
"Because she needed me"
"But you needed me"
Caroline cried on Klaus's shoulder. His hand reached up to stroke her hair. He looked over and saw Liz standing there.
"Caroline?" Liz asked
Carolien wiped her tears and turned around.
"Who's this?" Liz asked
"He's my friend. We were, are friends with Anna" Caroline said
"Isn't he a bit old?" Liz asked
"I'm 18" Klaus said
"And how exactly do you know my daughter?"
"Mom! Please!"
"You are 16 years old Caroline!"
"My friend just tried to kill herself!"
"I'm sorry for that, but let the doctors here do their job. We should get going"
"I want to go with him"
"Caroline! I will not let you run off with someone I don't know"
"His name is Klaus and he's my friend! He visits me every week which is more than I can say about you!"
"Does he come with a last name too?" Liz said
"Mikaelson" Klaus answered
Liz ran over and snatched Caroline out of his grasp. She pulled her behind her. Liz stood there in front of Klaus.
"I know who you are, you beat your father within an inch of his life. He was barely alive when help came. You were going to set his body on fire while he was still alive. You stay the hell away from my daughter!"
"He's not my father" Klaus said
"Stay away from her!"
So there you have it. Yes Anna killed herself. Yes that was sad. Yes there's like 1 or 2 chapters left after this one. Leave me a review. I got some of the doctor/patient lines from once upon a time in wonderland. when no one believes you what do you do? Next chapt you'll find out if Caroline made it up in her mind or not.