A/N: I received so many kind reviews on the last chapter! I'm really glad that the story is being enjoyed, and I'm even more glad that people are liking how I wrote interactions between Clover and Elijah. Sadly there is no Elijah in this chapter, but there will be plenty of Elijah/Clover in the next one! Also a reminder that if you would like to see a glimpse in to Clover's style, just check out the link on my profile, and as always some of my inspirations music is posted below.
Pioneers by The Lighthouse And The Whaler
I Am The Doctor by Murray Gold, The BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
The House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals
West Coast by Lana Del Rey
I own nothing but my OC, Clover and any other OC that may pop up along the way.
Enjoy!
After Elijah left I stayed awake a bit longer before going to bed. I had been expecting Caroline to call me for my birthday, which had always been our thing, calling each other on midnight for our birthdays. She never did call, but I was so happy that I couldn't bring myself to be even just a little bit angry with her. My alarm went off, and it just so happened that one of my all-time favorite songs had just began playing on the radio. I slipped on some tennis shoes, and left the house to take Bingley on his morning walk. On my way back I ran in to Matt.
"Hey, Clover, I'm glad I caught you!" He said waving to me, walking down my front steps, toward me.
"Matty! What an unexpected surprise! What's up?"
"Well it is a special day right? Thought I would stop buy on my way to school and congratulate you on making it to eighteen. Any big plans?"
"Nope. I mean unless you count making an outline in to a power point for a lecture, big plans." I laughed.
"Oooh, genius stuff, sounds like fun. I would have thought that, surely, Caroline would have thrown you a bash." He said scrunching his eyebrows together.
"Yeah." I shuffled my feet. In my passing lives I've never expected parties for any of my milestone celebrations, but it still kind of hurts when a dear friend seems to have forgotten.
"Well, Clover I guess I should get going."
"Okay, don't be late for school!" I leaned in and gave him a hug. "Thank you Matt." He gave me a squeeze back.
"You're welcome Clover. I'll see you later."
"Bye!" I smiled waving as he retreated back down the stone path in front of my house.
I finished my outline, and my power point just in time for lunch. I was sitting on the front porch swing while Bingley sat at my feet, when my phone rings. I look at the caller ID, its Jenna.
"Hello." I answer.
"Happy Birthday! So you're legal now, any plans? I'm sure Caroline has something big planned, she lives for planning a big party."
"No plans, I actually haven't heard from her since our last tutoring session."
"Hmm, weird." Jenna muses, the line is silent for a moment.
"Only a little bit." Or a lot a bit.
"Well, I hope it ends better than it seem to have started, eighteen should be a big deal."
"I don't know if it could end any better than it began." I told her.
"What happened!?" She asked, excitement ringing in her voice.
"You'll have to wait for the video like everyone else, missy!" I tempted her. "Which I'm about to work on, so it should be up by time you get home later."
"Gah, you are such a tease." I could see her playful pout in her tone.
"You love it!" I laughed.
"Whatever, bye Clover."
"By Jenna." The call disconnected.
7:00p.m.
I'm dressed in my Sunday best, sitting cross legged in my living room floor. My phone is sitting on the coffee table, and I'm staring at it, and Bingley is sitting on the opposite side of the table staring at me, staring at my phone.
"Come on, ring." I whisper, tapping my fingers on the dark wood table top.
Meanwhile at the Gilbert residence
Bonnie, Caroline and Elena are gathered around the island in the kitchen, there is a semi upbeat song playing in the back ground.
"Chinese food or pizza?" Caroline, addresses her friends.
"Like you have to ask." Elena half laughs.
"I'll look it up." Caroline says, pulling a tablet from her bag. She pauses, saddened when she sees the photo of her and Matt that is currently serving as the lock screen of the device she is holding. Bonnie notices this.
"I'll do it." Bonnie offers taking the tablet from Caroline's hands.
"Do you believe that Jonas is being sincere?" Elena asks.
"I don't know what to believe. I think he's at a loss. He's not sure who to trust." Bonnie offers.
"Join the club."
"Well, what are we going to do about this movie situation? What about The Notebook?" Caroline says trying to deflect any negative energy.
"Caroline, how many times have you seen that movie?"
"That is so not the point! Clover would have agreed with me." Caroline huffs.
"Well, yeah, I mean. Hey." Elena addresses her aunt as she enters the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Jenna questions the three girls.
"Girls night."
"Oh."
"How are you doing? Elena notices the down look on her Jenna's face.
"You heard about my fight with Ric." She states.
"He feels terrible." Elena says, not sure if she is trying to defend Ric or cheer up Jenna.
"Is this some kind of disgusting attempt at cheering me up?" Jenna quips.
"No, this is about us girls, hanging out. We'll be here if you happen to want to talk, ok." Elena replies sincerely.
"Because, I am a winner when it comes to successful relationships." Caroline butts in.
"You too?"
"You have no idea."
"Well, you know who isn't totally bombing in the l-o-v-e department?" Jenna says, expecting a bit more of a reaction than the blank stares and questioning looks she is receiving from the three in front of her. Noticing that they have no idea what she is talking about, she grabs the tablet from Bonnie, and pulls up a video, then sets it back down for the girls to see.
The title of the video reads Sometime Around Midnight. The girls seemed a little confused as they watch a video of Clover. How does it have any correlation to Jenna's previous statement? They don't know until you hear a faint knock, and then see Clover scrunch up her eyebrows, lift up a small remote, and point it at the camera. It is assumed that she meant to stop filming, but did not. Moments later you see Clover com into frame followed by a man wearing a suit, do to the angle and the distance from the camera you can't really tell who he is by just looking.
"Hello, did I wake you?" The man in the video speaks.
"Is that Elijah?" Elena asks nearly choking on her water. Only to be shushed by Caroline and Jenna.
Toward the end of the video, when Elijah gave Clover the flower and bid her farewell with a sweet kiss on the forehead, even Elena couldn't help but admit that it was a romantic moment, but soon she had an itch of emotion. Before the end screen popped up you see a very ecstatic Clover dancing around with the song Hold Me Tight the cover version from the movie Across The Universe. She jumps over the back of her couch and sits back in front of the camera, reaching out to turn it back on, her eyes get wide realizing what the viewer has the whole time, she had indeed forgotten to turn the camera off. She sighs dreamily, shrugs her shoulders, and relaxes in to the cushions. Looking straight in to the lens, her big eyes sparkling with joy, and her cheeks are highlighted with a pink blush, her smile is bright, she is glowing with obvious happiness.
"Happy birthday to me!" She concludes. The ending screen plays, and then it goes black. The color has drained from Caroline's face, and that emotion that was itching Elena reared its ugly head, guilt. She has never been close to Clover like Caroline is but she did know that she was not the sort to get flustered over getting attention from a guy, it was a good look on her, and not long after that moment without Clover having any clue, Elena took that happiness when she drove that dagger through Elijah's heart.
"OH MY GOD!" Caroline nearly fell out of her chair. "I forgot her birthday! I'm such a horrible friend! Eighteen is huge, and I forgot!" Caroline thinks she might be sick. She is upset with herself for being self-centered and forgetting her best friend amongst her boy drama.
"I'm sure she's not going to be mad at you Caroline, she doesn't have the capacity to be mad at you." Jenna says patting Caroline on the shoulder.
"That makes is EVEN WORSE!" She runs he hand through her hair and releases a deflated sigh. "OH! I know, there is a band playing at the grill tonight, I'll invite Clover and we can all go celebrate with dancing, forget boys for once!" Every one nods and agrees they're all in for a good live band and dancing with friends. "Great, I'll go call Clover." Caroline walks out side, leaving the other three in the kitchen.
My phone lets out a shrill ring startling both Bingley and I. I grab it in one swift motion, it is Caroline.
"Hello Caroline." I drawl out, trying to sound like I haven't been sitting by the phone for an hour.
"Clover, hey, how would you like to go to the grill for some music and dancing with the girls to celebrate your birthday?"
"Ehh. Okay."
"GREAT! I'll pick you up in ten."
"See you then." I sighed, and looked at Bingley. He looked at me and his ears perked up. "I'll be back in a bit okay bud?" He sighed and went to the other side of the room, making himself comfortable on his dog bed.
When we all arrive at the grill the place is thriving with energy, the band is playing and the place is packed. We dance walk our way a bit closer to the stage, and then suddenly Caroline is at the very front. When the band stops playing the song, I can see my best friend getting the singer's attention, he leans down and she says something in his ear. He nods, and she smiles, turning and making her way back to the group.
"Okay, so this next song is a request. We have a birthday in the house tonight." She did not. "So this is for Clover from Caroline. Happy birthday Clover!" Moments later they are playing a very good cover of I'll Be There For You by The Rembrants. I immediately start dancing like a nerd, pulling Caroline in with me.
"I'm so sorry that I forgot to call you on your big day! You don't hate me do you?" She seemed afraid of what I would tell her.
"I can't be mad at you Caroline, and you made it before the day is over, it still counts. Also, I understand that you've been having problems expressing how you feel to Matt, and with your new abilities I know those crazy little teen emotions of yours are one million times more so, I can't blame you for that." I told her, hugging her tight.
Matt walks by and Caroline tries to get his attention, but he ignores her, and her momentary spike in good vibes instantly disappears, it is written on her face.
"He said the ball's in your court." I say looking at my blonde friend pointedly.
"Yeah, but I can't do anything about it." She replies lamely.
"Why not? All you do is talk about how much you care about him." Bonnie joined in.
"Yeah but I am still keeping so many secrets."
"Never stopped me." I winked at her, slightly bumping her shoulder, earning a small smile from the love stricken teen.
"Alaric is in the same boat with Jenna." Elena adds. I nod in agreement because we all now whats up with that. "And maybe that's our mistake."
"Yeah, she's right Care, when you try to protect the people that you love by keeping them out of it, you end up hurting them in the end anyway." I aid Elena's point with my words. Caroline looks at us and then taking off her jacket, handing it to Elena.
"What are you doing?" She asks. Ignoring her Caroline, once again marches up to the stage, but this time she gets up on the stage, and lowers the mic.
"What is she doing?" Bonnie wonders while looking between Elena and I. I shrug my shoulders, and Elena shakes her head, then we all turn to watch Caroline's next move.
"Hey, everybody. Let's hear it for the band!" The crowd cheers, and Jenna once again joins the group, I am now standing in between her and Bonnie.
"This isn't going to end well." Jenna comments taking another shot.
"So there's this guy." Caroline starts once the crowd's cheers die down. "And, uh. He told me to tell him how I feel about him." I look over at Matt, who stops in his tracks, staring at Caroline, hanging on to every word that she is saying. "Like it's so easy. Um, you know, just 'cause I talk a lot dosen't mean I always know what I'm actually talking about. Ah, like now, I'm feeling loopy, and I don't really know how to express myself." The lead singer of the band tries to take the mic from her, but she holds her ground. "I can sing." "Yeah."
"Sing?" Elena questions, and they all just look at one another, still confused. I just smirk, you go Caroline! Classic romantic comedy move, who says life can't have its moments where it is just like the movies.
"You know what I'm going to sing." The singer tries to get Caroline off the stage once more, but she looks him in the eyes and says something, and he suddenly is all cool for American Bandstand featuring Caroline Forbes, and then I realized that she probably, most certainly compelled him, which saved her some embarrassment.
The band ques up and Caroline starts singing Eternal Flame by The Bangles. It surprised me that Bonnie, Elena, and Jenna were shocked at how well Caroline can sing. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jenna give Alaric a look of longing. So much love and hurt. I glance back at Matt again, he looks at me, and I nod my head to the stage. He takes a deep breath, and runs up on to the stage, grabbing Caroline and kissing her passionately. Everyone erupts in encouraging cheers. Matt dips her down in a very classic romance movie move, and kisses her again.
After the show that Caroline and Matt put on they disappeared, probably to make out somewhere. Good for them. I hung out with the other girls, and had fun doing so, dancing, laughing, and having a ball. I go to step outside and get some fresh air, when I run in to Jonas Martin on my way out.
"Doctor Martin." I call out to him, he seems angry, and distraught. I walk to him. "Are you okay?" I ask him.
"Where is Elena?"
"She's inside. Last I saw she was heading toward the bathroom. Whats going on?"
"Your friends daggered Elijah, and killed Luka. And I can tell by the look on your face that you had no idea of any of it. I suggest you leave now, if you want to stay out of harm." He says grabbing my arm roughly.
I heed his warning. I'm waiting by Caroline's car when I hear paniced voices, and people spilling out of the grill, followed by a veil of smoke. I run, pushing my way through the people on the street. "CAROLINE! JENNA! BONNIE! ELENA!" I yell searching for the group. I calm slightly when I see Jenna and Ric on the outside of the grill, and Bonnie stumbling out of the door, but Caroline is nowhere to be seen. I make my way in to the grill, the bar has been set flame, I run in to Jonas once more as I tread deeper in to the smoky grill.
"I thought I told you to keep away." He looked at me stern.
"I thought you would be smart enough not to put innocents in danger!" I scold him. He ignores me and walks out of the grill. I finally find Caroline, she is crouched next to Matt who is bleeding heavily from a wound in his neck.
"Help me get him to my car!" She doesn't have to tell me twice. I examine Matt as we drive to Caroline's house, this injury would have caused him to bleed out. I looked at Caroline through the rear view mirror.
"You healed him with your blood didn't you?"
"I couldn't let him die." Hey eyes were still misty with tears.
"It's okay, Caroline. Everything will be okay."
We made it to the Forbes's residence, and were able to tote Matt inside and lay him comfortably, he was still passed out, and it wouldn't be too long before he woke up, but before then I had some time to have a much needed chat with Caroline.
"Care, I have to ask you something."
"Sure Clover, what is it?" She was worried.
"Did you know about what happened to Elijah?" The look on her face said it all. I stood up, and viciously rubbed my face in frustration.
"All I know is what Elena told me, and what we found out from Luka, Elena was going to be killed in some ritual, which Elijah lied about saying that he would protect her, but he's not dead, not completely. I'm sorry, Clover. I just didn't want more people to get hurt." She wouldn't look me in the eyes.
"And look what happened! Matt almost got killed, and Luka is dead, and.." I sighed, my emotions were churning and I didn't know how to express them right now. "I'm sure those Salvatore brothers had a hand in this." She nodded. "Of course. You know, they do know that Elijah would not have let Elena die, right? She was an innocent in all of this ritual business, but that ship sailed when she became a player in the game of, dagger the Original. Just, promise me that from this point on, no more secrets." And here we have the running theme of the evening.
"I promise." She grabs my hand and hooks our pinkies together. "And I'm sorry that your birthday was a bust."
"Says you, its not often that one gets to experience live action romance movies in person." I winked at her and she released a small laugh. Matt stirs on the bed. "He should wake up soon, so I'll let you do what you have to do. I have to wake up early and be on the road in a few hours, don't forget to check in on Bingley to take him on walks, I've set the timer on his feeder, but you'll need to fill his water." I reminded her, walking out of the house, going home.
When I arrived home after my lecture, I spent quite a lot of time doing research; it was mostly Astronomy paired with Astrophysics. I had become determined to learn about the subjects at hand since I worked with the amazing Carl Sagan for a few years in the late 60's in to the early 70's right before I died in 1973. It was an amazing, and ever expanding subject field to study, and I do love something that can keep my mind occupied. I'm also just waiting for the end of the week, it is time for another decade dance, and this time around we are being transported to the 1960's, and Ric had roped me in once again to come to his class and spread the word of the time, it was always fun.
Friday morning arrives, and I am running late, when you don't have to go to school, getting up on time on a weekday is tough. I make it to the school, and I dash down the hall, stopping in the office, grabbing my visitor's pass then I make my way to Alaric's classroom. I get there, and I hear him going on an unprofessional spill about the sixties., and how much they sucked "-and there was Watergate." Oh boy this is my cue to step in.
"Alaric, Watergate was the 70's." I interrupt striding in to the classroom. "Hello everyone!" I address the class. "Sorry I'm late."
"Hey Clover!" A few voices chirped from their seats.
"Right,it all kind of mushes together up here, the sixties, seventies, thank you Clover." He seemed distracted, more so than he normally would be.
"Well, since it looks like Mr. Satlzman forgot the lesson plans for today, why don't I play you guys some 60's tunes, and you can talk quietly amongst yourselves, as I'm sure your minds won't be on actual work today as it is, with the dance tonight and all." Every one gave a nod or a casual shrug, of course they wouldn't object to my plan. Once I was sure that everyone was no longer paying attention to me I sat with Ric.
"Okay, so, what is up with you? This is not your normal, I'm missing Jenna attitude I've been seeing as of late. And that whole lesson plan mishap and mixing up your decades? It's very un-Ric of you." I raised my eyebrows at him.
"I just, you know, didn't get much sleep last night, I must just be tired." He replied lamely.
"You're such a liar." He looked at me almost shocked that I would call him a liar.
"I assure you-"
"It doesn't matter." I interrupted him, giving a dismissive wave of my hand. Moments later, a wad of paper came flying between Ric and me, whacking the chalk board, and then landing on the floor. I picked it up and turned, glaring in to the pond of students, my eyes focused on Matt who was trying not to lose it to the laughter he was holding in. "Donavan!" I barked. "I have the power to send you the principal, don't test me!" I stood from my seat and threw the paper back at him, hitting him square on the forehead. This caused the rest of the class to laugh.
"Quite the spitfire today." I hear Alaric say amongst the chatter of the students. I look down at him to see him smirking up at me. Yep, something is up with him.
"I'm a redhead, that's nothing new." I plopped back down in my chair.
During the lunch period I was walking around the cafeteria, casually eating an apple as I walked, when I heard the glimpse of a very interesting conversation between Bonnie and Elena. Apparently Klaus, the big bag vampire that needed Elena for some ritual because of her being the doppelganger, was in Mystic Falls. And it appeared that he liked to play games, and stir up the emotions of those he is after, which means he is very clever, which is to be expected for a man of such power, but where could he be hiding? I leave to find Ric, seeing as he had his hands in this whole situation, I'm sure he would have some information to offer.
"If you were a very old, very clever, Original vampire, how would you get close enough to your prey to compel someone to send them a message without having to actually make contact?" I stormed in to Alaric's classroom speaking quickly. I looked at him, he seemed confused, but interested as to what I was going to say next. "There are so many options, you know." I sat in a desk that was placed front and center in the room, tapping my fingers on the smooth top. I stared at Ric and scrunched my eyebrows, he just stared back.
"Clover, what are you-"
"Shush. Ric I'm in Doctor mode, let me think." I stood up and started pacing around the room. He has so many options for infiltration at his disposal, but what would he choose. It's obvious that he likes to play games, to manipulate. He couldn't just stand back and let it all unfold without him being there to witness it, if I were him, I would want to be directly involved. Disguised? He could be, but a simple glamour spell wouldn't do, assuming he's using a witch, because everyone is suspicious, and would notice someone new popping up the day Klaus makes his first move; I mean its not like anyone knows what he looks like to begin with. But then he could… I froze in my tracks, and slowly turned and looked at Alaric. He was relaxed and casually leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on his desk.
"Oh, you are good." I shook a finger at him. "Using some sort of possession spell to take over Ric's body." He chuckled lightly, at my accusation.
"Are you okay? Clover?" He questioned me.
"I'm fine, Klaus, thanks for the concern." When I said his name he swiftly rose from his position, and stormed his way in front of me.
"You will do well to keep your pretty little mouth shut about this. I must hand it to you, such a clever girl, for being so young." Now it was my turn to laugh.
"I've been a genius ever since I could speak. I have the knowledge of the ages in my mind, not only that of the human world, but of the supernatural." I crossed my arms over my chest. "I could tell the others, right now, Bonnie and Elena, are just down the hall." He seemed surprised. "Sorry to disappoint but I have my own special way of keeping vervain on my person."
"Name a price for your silence." He paused eyeing me suspiciously. "Or I could just kill you. How does that sound?"
"You can't do that."
"Oh?"
"Oh, yeah. That's really all I am physically capable of saying. But, your secret is safe with me. I care little for your escapades or those of the unofficial Scooby Doo gang of Mystic Falls. I only care about Caroline ,Jenna, and Matt, as well as the other people who have no idea any that this is happening." I step closer to him, my shoulders back, and my head held high, while he is dressed in Ric's body he doesn't scare me. "I will say, if any more innocent lives are lost to this supernatural circus, I will be forced to step in. And you think I'm clever now, just wait until I'm angry. I'm not just any human, so, I suggest that you not underestimate me." With that I turned to leave the room, pausing at the door. "See you at the dance tonight Alaric." I flipped around and made my last exit.
"Thanks for being here everybody!" Dana addresses the sea of students, who erupt in a unified round of cheers and applause. "We have a special shout-out tonight. This is for Elena. From Klaus." Every one cheered, probably assuming that it was a sweet romantic gesture. I on the other hand was standing next to him, and he was enjoying the fear he just struck in to Elena's heart, just a bit too much. Moments later Damon comes over and joins Kalaric and myself.
"The decade suits you, little genius." He says eyeballing my outfit, and Bridget Bardot inspired hair.
"Thanks." I offer him a friendly smile.
"Special dedication, huh? This guy's a little twisted." Kalaric comments on his own stunt.
"I'm not impressd." Damon says.
"No?" I almost spit out my drink from the look on the imposter Ric's face.
"Let me know if you see anything outta whack." Damon says before walking off in to the crowd once more.
"If its any consolation, I thought your joke was funny." I tipped my glass to him.
"Well, I'm glad someone appreciates my humor."
"Yeah, well, it is about that time, I'm going to tell Caroline how beautiful she looks, and then I am going home. Let me know when you are going change back in to your body, I'm curious as to how it works." I threw in that last bit, because I am genuinely interested in how the spell is executed. I've only been a witch twice in my forty three lives, I never got to perform such a spell on my own, nor had I seen it done by another, and I've always wanted to be a witness to something so fascinating.
I found Caroline and Matt on the dance floor.
"Hey guys, you are looking very presidential tonight." I turned to Matt giving him a hug. "And Caroline, Jackie O, very fitting. You look beautiful as always. Hey, Matt, do you mind if I steal your date for a minute, I want to get a picture."
"No problem Clover."
I pull Care over to the photo booth. "You know, I met Jackie once, it was after JFK of course, she was a beautiful soul. You would have liked her, and I think she would have like you as well, at the least she would have complimented you on your impeccable fashion taste." We both laughed together.
"That is really cool, Clover. I'm really glad that you are able to talk to me about your past." I smiled at my dear friend.
"That was all you. But I'm glad if anyone figured me out, that it ended up being you." We were next in line. Stepping up to the booth, we hooked an arm around each other's waist and cheesed it up for the camera, then stepping aside for the next students. We walk back over to Matt.
"I'm going to go home, I just wanted a picture before I left." I hugged Caroline and Matt. "Make sure you get me a copy, okay."
"Yeah, I'll see you later Clover." Caroline bid farewell.
The next day I went for a walk after breakfast, by myself. I walked aimlessly through the forest, and soon found myself at the front door of the Boarding House. I didn't make a conscious decision to come here, I'm confused with my own actions. Why had I been drawn to come here? Despite my confusion I moved forward, reaching out to the door knob, but as soon as my fingers grazed the metal handle the door is thrust open and I am thrown back. All I can register is a sharp pain in my skull before blacking out.
