A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update! I had... ninety percent of this chapter pre-written in my mind. The other ten - well, I had too many ideas. And none of them fit the ending. Eh. Oh, well. Heh. Regardless, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed, followed and favorited this story! You guys have brightened my day. Really.
Lay my head under the water. Lay my head under the sea.
Excuse me, Sir. Am I your daughter?
Won't you take me back – take me back and see?
There's not a time for being younger.
And all my friends are enemies. And if I cried unto my mother.
No, she wasn't there – she wasn't there for me.
Under the Water – The Pretty Reckless
Caroline heard screaming. Or maybe someone was calling out her name. She felt someone pulling at her. Okay, mom. I'm getting up for school. She wanted to say. But she was too weak. Elena unbuckled her seatbelt and did the same with Caroline's as the car filled with water and gripped her friend around her waist and dove.
She dove under the water, lugging Caroline along as she slipped out through the broken windshield. They were both pulled by the rushing current of the river, but Elena kicked and swum to the surface, gasping for oxygen. She didn't know why she did that. Why she caused the accident. Something had made her.
She wore vervain to resist compulsion. So, it couldn't have been a vampire, right? She pulled Caroline to the rocky shore and begun CPR. She remembered being trained for this by her father. He'd trained her in emergency medical techniques. "Just in case," He always said. Worried that she might be found in a situation requiring it. She never understood why, until now.
She breathed into Caroline's mouth and forced the water from her lungs. "Come on, Caroline," She sobbed, "Caroline! I'm so sorry. Please, wake up. Please!" Caroline heard Damon shouting her name. Over and over. I'm here! She called back, sighing softly. But he hadn't heard her. Her eyelids felt heavy.
Unbelievably heavy. And her body ached. God in heaven, how she ached. A dreary sky swam into focus before her. Someone was crying next to her. Oh. It was Elena. She looked over at the other girl as she sat up. "Elena?" She croaked; her throat dry.
Elena clambered to her side, relieved, "I thought –" Caroline waved a dismissive hand, "It takes more than that to kill a vam –" She halted, her eyes finding a vein throbbing in Elena's throat. Blood pooled in her eyes as her veins ridged around them and her eyeteeth sharpened.
Without as much as a warning she gripped Elena in an inescapable hold and sank her teeth into the Gilbert girl's throat. Her teeth slashed open Elena's tender flesh and blood began to flow. She cried out, but didn't struggle as her friend drank greedily.
Caroline felt her body alight with warmth and her pain melted away. Clarity rang throughout her mind as she released Elena, guilt ripping at her insides. She wiped her mouth clean of the other girl's blood, stammering, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry! I didn't –" She stood abruptly and ran away so quickly, Elena's human eyes would've rendered her merely as a blur.
She heard Elena crying out for her but didn't turn back. Tears burned trails down her cheeks as she ran, dashing through the woods, leaping over fallen trees and crashing through the underbrush. Sharp stones poked her feet through the soles of her shoes.
She barely felt the brambles ripping at her clothes and her flesh. She just knew she needed to add distance between her and Elena. How could I do that? She thought as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. Elena trusted me! Now, she'll think I'm a monster. A sob spilled from her lips.
You are a monster, the little voice said matter-of-factly, get over it. She burst out of the trees and into the highway, slipping on the slick asphalt and landed on her hands and knees. She gasped and looked up as a pair of headlights shone into her eyes. A car screeched to a halt and stopped just inches from her.
Caroline's heart pounded against her ribcage painfully. The door opened and a familiar voice called her name. Caroline blinked and raised her eyes. Mr. Michaelson was gazing down at her, stunned. "What happened, Caroline? You're drenched!" Caroline stood shakily, stammering, "I – the car – Elena – We –" She sobbed again.
Mr. Michaelson nodded and walked to his car, popping the trunk and grabbed a wool blanket, wrapping Caroline in it before pulling a phone from his pocket; he dialed quickly and hit send. He spoke to the person on the other end. The conversation was brief and clipped.
He turned to Caroline, "Someone will see to your friend." He nodded and guided her to the car, turning on the heater. Caroline shivered before gazing around the inside of the car. "I can't leave Elena." She stated numbly. Mr. Michaelson turned to her before saying in soothing tones, "I called the police and reported your accident. I'm sure they will take care of Elena."
As he spoke, a ripple of…something washed over Caroline and she found herself agreeing with him and calming as he put the car in gear, speeding her away. Besides, she thought, what if my mom showed up? It's better this way. Soon, a mansion loomed into view. It was awe-inspiring.
"You live here?" "No, I just look after it for a friend," Mr. Michaelson said in teasing tones. Caroline gazed at him, bewildered. "I was joking." He admitted almost sheepishly. "You know? We teachers and Brits do that sometimes." Caroline laughed softly before nodding in acknowledgement and followed him out of the car.
She looked up at the windows and saw a flash of brown hair in one of them and paused, "Do you have a daughter?" She asked nervously. "No," He said, amusement tinged his words. "I do have a housekeeper." He nodded, unlocking the doors. He paused a moment before shoving the door open and stepped aside, waving Caroline in.
Caroline entered a vast hallway, few pictures lined the walls and the ones that did were artistic paintings and photographs of Paris and other cities. None of her teacher, or his family. If he had one. She walked along the hallway to a parlor, one larger than the one in the Boardinghouse.
The room was spacious. The little furnishings in the parlor had a purpose of some sort. It was equipped for practicality. Not comfort. Not style. It was the most practical living room that Caroline had entered. She dropped into a chair in front of the fireplace.
A stone-carved cavern in the wall, filled with burning and crackling logs. Mr. Michaelson entered the room and deposited a bundle on the arm of the chair Caroline was seated in. "Thought these might fit you. At least until the clothes you're wearing have dried." Caroline picked through the pile.
There was a simple white t-shirt and a pair of shorts. "Thank you," Caroline whispered. "You can use my room to change," He nodded, crouching near her chair, poking at the logs, stirring the flames to make them rise. "Have you heard about Elena?" She asked, worry pinching her features.
"She's fine," Mr. Michaelson said with a hint of finality. Caroline nodded, the hairs on the back of her neck rising in warning. Somehow, his genial nature had told her that he was not one to cross. The way he handled Klaus had struck fear into her heart. "You spoke to… Klaus – Mr. Mikaelson. Do you…know him?"
Her substitute history teacher had remained silent. But the stiffness of his posture told her that he'd heard her. She sighed, muttering, "Right." She stood and marched upstairs and called out, "Which is your room?" "The first on the right," was her only answer.
Caroline muttered her annoyance as she entered the room and stopped. The room was as large as Damon's. Larger, even. The only furnishings were a dresser, the curtains and the largest bed Caroline had ever seen. Oh, my. How does that even -? She moved towards it and pressed her hand on the bed, smoothing it over the duvet, which felt smooth and cool, like silk.
Caroline withdrew her hand and changed quickly. Peering around, she was pleased to find herself alone and sat on the bed. She sunk into the mattress and bounced up and down, giggles bubbling in her before pouring from her lips.
Hayden heard Katherine and sensed her before she entered the room. He heard the click of her heels on the tiles as he brought a glass of whiskey to his lips, taking a swig. The alcohol tingled its way down his throat. It dulled the ache of hunger.
"That little stunt you pulled today doesn't amuse, Katherine." The arctic undercurrent to his words chilled the air between them. He felt Katherine's hand smooth the front of his shirt and make its way downward. He swept her hand away with a growl.
"What are you talking about?" The saccharine tone of Katherine's voice could have caused tooth decay. He rolled his eyes before he snapped, "The car accident. I know you caused it, Katherine. And Elena's behavior. I know you were behind that as well."
He heard Katherine's sigh as she withdrew. "Fine," She snapped, "So I had a little fun. So what?" Hayden cast the tumbler he held into the fire, the flames flaring up at the contact with the alcohol and the tinkling of shattering glass filled the room before he moved across the room, his hand clamping around the younger vampire's throat.
He'd shoved her against the wall hard enough to crack it before she could blink. The fissure spread up the wall, splintering off into branches as his lips skinned back, revealing his lengthened and sharpened canines. A growl rumbled in his chest as he snarled, "I could rip your head off before you even knew what happened."
Katherine clutched the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer, her legs winding around his waist as she purred, "Are you sure that's what you want to rip off?" Her lips spread in a smirk as she said, "God, you're hot like this." Hayden's hands slammed into the wall before he shoved away from her with a snarl.
Katherine sunk to the floor, watching him move away raptly. Hayden turned to face her, his tone sharp and gruff, "Stay away from Elena and Caroline. And do not do this or anything harmful to either of them ever again." "Or what?" Katherine sashayed towards him.
"Or you'll find that your existence will be cut very short." He scowled at her before stalking into the hallway. He paused and spoke without turning to face her, "And if Caroline finds out about your presence, I will ensure that you are never found or heard from again. Am I making myself clear?"
Katherine paled at his words and nodded, whispering, "Very." Hayden's lip quirked as he said softly, "Good." He walked upstairs, hearing Caroline's infectious laughter. And the sound of her jumping on his bed. He pushed the door open and leaned in the doorway, watching her bounce on the bed. Hayden folded his arms and said with as much amusement as he could muster, "Well, that's one use for my bed."
Caroline had frozen – frozen – in mid-air. She seemed to hover a moment before dropping to the mussed up bed with a squeal. At this, Hayden had thrown his head back, roaring a laugh. Caroline peered up at him sheepishly and stammered, "Sorry. I couldn't resist. I don't know what came over me. I'll fix it."
She nodded and clambered from the bed, hurriedly smoothing the wrinkles. Hayden waved a dismissive hand. "Don't bother with it. We need to talk." Caroline paused, her hands hovering over the dark duvet and gazed over at him, saying unsteadily, "About what?"
"About my being a vampire and you knowing it," He replied so casually that Caroline nearly fell over. "What?" She sputtered. Hayden stepped into the room, "My name – well, my name this century – is Hayden. I had no name. Not when I was…. Created." Caroline felt as though the walls were closing in on her.
Oh, god. Oh, god. Ohgodohgodohgodohgod! She thought, panicked. She searched for ways of escape. What is this? A nightmare?! Hayden carried on as though he hadn't noticed her behavior, "I came into being six billion years ago. When the earth was formed. I am the first and last of my kind. We consider ourselves the true vampires. Living vampires, I suppose. We live. We go in the sun. And we survive on blood. We have many abilities. Unlike you. You are a witch-made vampire. Which, in fact, makes you weaker."
Caroline felt as though the room were spinning. As though gravity wasn't supporting her and she was spiraling towards space. "Caroline!" Hayden's voice shook her back to reality. "What do you want from me?" She'd found her voice. And it was very small. Hayden grasped her arms gently, "To help you, Caroline. That's all I want."
His words echoed through her mind. She sat down on his bed numbly and gazed up at him, whispering, "Why has everyone been warning me away from you then?" Hayden shook his head, seating himself next to her, "Everyone must have their stories mixed." Caroline hugged her knees to her chest, studying him.
Either he was a very convincing liar. Or he spoke the truth. Caroline couldn't decide. "I should go home." She announced, standing. Hayden stood as well, "What about your clothes?" "They'll dry just as well at home. I'll send your things back." She nodded, slipping her waterlogged tennis shoes on.
"I'll drive you," Hayden fished his keys from his pockets. Caroline began to protest, but Hayden insisted and proved just as stubborn if not more stubborn than she. So, not five minutes later, his expensive sporty car had pulled into the driveway of the Boardinghouse, where a thunderous looking Damon was standing.
His arms were folded and his features held a dangerous expression, a muscle in his jaw throbbing. Caroline climbed out and he strode towards her. Damon jabbed his finger at her, snapping, "You, inside." He pointed at Hayden through the car windshield, "You, out." He looked on the verge of snapping.
And, Caroline knew, that his murderous side would make an appearance if that happened. Caroline placed her hand on Damon's chest gently, "Damon," She said softly. She felt him quivering with barely controlled rage and she also saw that Hayden was about to climb from the car.
You have guts, my friend. She thought acerbically, too bad they might get ripped out. Damon looked at her, and the anger he felt seemed to melt away. He relaxed under her touch, "I heard what happened with you and Elena." He began, "If he had anything to do with it –" "He didn't."
Damon nodded, before gazing down at her attire, "Whose clothes are you wearing?" Oh, great. Caroline thought as Damon's rage came back full force with jealousy in tow. "I can explain," Caroline began as Damon started to step around her. "Oh?" He snapped, "Well, I can also explain his body ripped in half!"
Caroline chased after him before waving Hayden away frantically. Hayden gazed at her doubtfully before the car sped away, tires squealing on the cobblestone drive. Caroline stepped in front of Damon again, "I was wet." Damon's eyes narrowed, a scowl donning his features.
Caroline facepalmed inwardly and began again, "Our car crashed into the river, Hayden found me and offered me these clothes until my clothes dried." "You were wet because the car crashed into the river?" Damon asked; his words brittle. "Yes. What do you think I meant?" Caroline exclaimed.
Damon's brow spiked towards his hairline and told Caroline everything she needed to know. "You think –? Oh my – what is wrong with you?!" Caroline shrieked. "You think for a second I could want anyone but you?!" She halted; a sunset brushing over her cheeks as she avoided his gaze.
Damon seemed mollified by her outburst. "Well," he said, a husky tone to his voice sending a shiver down Caroline's spine, "I see now the error of my ways," Amusement rode an undercurrent in his words. Caroline closed her eyes, biting her lip, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Is Elena okay?" She asked, opening her eyes, seeing Damon roll his before saying, "She's fine. Confused and worried about you and asking me why you left. But fine." I don't know why I left, Caroline thought helplessly. Maybe to get help? She noted the annoyance adorning Damon's features.
As though Elena had somehow interrupted something just by being brought up. Caroline slung her arms around his neck, whispering, "So, you were worried?" Damon snorted, "Not worried. Annoyed." He muttered, inching his face near hers. "Oh?" Caroline giggled. "Well, that. And maybe jealous. A very little."
His nose brushed against hers as he continued, "Certainly impatient." "Jealous, eh?" Caroline remarked, her brow rising. "I think I like you jealous." She gasped when Damon's hands found her derrière and squeezed at her words. A growl rose in his throat as he said, "Don't get used to it, Blondie."
Caroline's blunted ivories sunk into her lower lip before she released it and pressed her lips to Damon's. He returned her kiss with such passion that they both seemed to tremble at the contact. Damon trailed heated kisses along her jawline and down her throat as she struggled to remember what she wanted to tell him when she arrived.
It was important. About the guy that brought her home. What was it? She struggled to remember as she led Damon inside. I don't – Her train of thought ended when Damon's lips touched hers again. He kissed her hungrily. Almost desperately. Oh, how I needed this. I missed this. Caroline thought, her fingers brushing through his silky black locks.
He lifted her onto the table when they reached the study and her legs wrapped around him. Damon had awakened a hunger in Caroline. Not an ache to feed. But a different one. One that went to her bones. A need for him. And, oh, how it burned. Her hunger was an eternal flame. One that never seemed to go out.
She'd feared that it would have died when she turned. But, on the contrary, it grew. Being with Damon fed her hunger for him. But, being away from him caused it to gnaw at her from within. She craved Damon the way dehydrated men craved water. She couldn't get enough. Damon's lips attacked hers fiercely, sending ripples down her spine.
Caroline shuddered against his lips, returning his every kiss with one of her own. "I love you," She gasped against his lips and to her dismay, Damon broke the kiss. His aquatic hues roamed the plains of her face before he whispered, "I love you too." Caroline's cheeks pooled with blood as she realized that they both meant it.
Caroline did love Damon. She loved every part of him. She loved the way he respected her and her choices regardless of the fact that he didn't always agree with them. She loved the way he protected her and saved her – the way he was always there when she needed him. She loved his darker side as well.
And she knew that he would kill to keep her alive, in the very literal sense. Although, she prayed that it never came to that. She loved Damon. She was in love with him. Caroline knew she'd loved him. Before she turned, when she laid eyes on him, before she knew how he'd had time reset.
"Caroline?" She heard his quizzical tones resonating through the silence of the room. "I'm sorry," She breathed, shaking her head. "You seemed to be miles away," Damon said, amused, as he cupped her cheek. "I was," She replied, resting her head in his hand. "Where were you?" Damon asked, his brow rising.
Rather than replying, Caroline slid off the table and brushed past him, glancing back at him through her flaxen strands as they curtained her face, and walked upstairs. Damon huffed softly in indignation, his features contorting in mock annoyance. Caroline emitted a tinkling laugh as she walked to her room and flopped onto her bed, bone tired.
She gazed up at her ceiling as she thought back to the way Damon had kissed her, her fingertip brushing against the edge of her lip as she smiled sleepily, slowly drifting off, intoxicated with passion and love.
Oh, you're in my veins and I cannot get you out.
Oh, you're all I taste at night inside of my mouth.
Oh, you run away, 'cause I am not what you found.
Oh, you're in my veins and I cannot get you out.
In My Veins – Andrew Belle