A/N – Yikes! OK so let me just state now, that YES I am completely aware that 500 years is half a millennium NOT half a century *SMH* I seriously need to have someone proof-read this stuff before I hit the publish button. Thank you guys again for all the wonderful reviews and for putting this story on alert, you sure do know how to make a girl feel special!
VIII
The next day Klaus decided to pay Stefan a visit. Ringing the bell at the boarding house, Klaus could hear Stefan coming down the steps towards the door.
"Caroline, I'm really not in the…" Stefan opened the door and stopped mid-sentence when he saw Klaus standing at the threshold.
"Hello, Mate," Klaus said coyly. Stefan kept the door slightly ajar, not really ready to invite the hybrid in.
"What are you doing here Klaus?" Stefan asked as he tapped his fingers on the door. Klaus shrugged and smiled broadly.
"Well, I've been in town for about a week now, and I thought I'd pop in and say hello."
"I really don't feel like catching up right now. Goodbye Klaus," Stefan said as he started to close the door. Klaus put his hand up to stop the door from shutting and pushed back a little.
"There's a matter that I would like to discuss with you. Can I come in?" Stefan groaned as he stepped back allowing Klaus to enter.
"If this is about Elena's family, I have nothing to say other than leave them the hell alone," Stefan said as he walked into the main room of the house. Klaus followed and watched as Stefan went straight to the wet bar and poured himself a brandy.
"I have no desire to interfere with Elena's family Stefan. This is about Caroline." Stefan looked back at Klaus, his eyes cold.
"What about Caroline?" Stefan asked.
"Well it seems that our sweet Caroline holds you very dear to her heart. She feels loyal to you and feels the need to protect you when you start to spiral out of control." Stefan put his drink down on the bar and crossed his arms over his chest.
"What the hell is your point Klaus?" Klaus smiled slightly and took a couple of steps closer to where Stefan stood.
"I don't want you to overstep your boundaries Stefan. I understand that you're probably feeling a little vulnerable right now but that gives you no excuse to move in on my girl." The images of last night flashed through Stefan's mind, but how would Klaus know what happened? Stefan didn't remember seeing him there and he was sure Caroline wouldn't have told him about it.
"I don't know what you're trying to get at Klaus, but I care about Caroline and I'm not going to step to the side just because you think she's 'your girl'." Klaus was losing his patience. He was trying to turn a new leaf and be more civilized but he was starting to break. He sped over to Stefan and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground and pressing him hard against the wall.
"If you ever dare to kiss Caroline again, I promise you I will end your miserable existence," Klaus growled out. Stefan had both of his hands on Klaus' arm, trying to pull him off when he heard a car pull up the driveway. Klaus must have heard it too because he quickly dropped Stefan back to the ground and took a couple of steps back. Moments later, Caroline came storming into the boarding house.
"Stefan! We need to…" Caroline froze mid-step. "talk," she finally ended as she looked at Stefan and Klaus curiously. 'Awkward' her mind taunted at her.
"Well good morning, Love," Klaus said smiling as he turned to face Caroline.
"What are you doing here Klaus?" Caroline asked.
"I thought it was high-time I came to pay my old friend here a visit, being as I haven't seen him since I've been back in town." Klaus turned back to Stefan and gave him a wink.
"Oh," Caroline said feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "Well I can come back later…" she said as she jutted her thumb towards the door. Stefan crossed his arms as he glared at Klaus.
"Klaus was just leaving Caroline. You're more than welcome to stay." Klaus smiled as he looked down at the floor then back up to Stefan.
"Yes, well I suppose I should be heading out," Klaus strode over to Caroline and put his hand on her lower back, pushing her closer to him. "You should come to my house later, Love. I would love to start that portrait of you." Caroline blushed a deep red as Klaus let his mouth lightly graze over her lips then proceeded to leave without another word. When Caroline regained her composure she looked at Stefan who still had his arms crossed and was now glaring at Caroline.
"What?" Caroline asked exasperated.
"So what, you guys are a couple now?" Stefan asked sharply.
"Definitely not!" Caroline replied back just as sharply.
"Well, you might want to tell Klaus that since he just threatened my life if I ever dare kiss you again."
"He did what?" Caroline half screamed. "How does he even know Stefan?" Stefan merely shrugged and took a large swig of his drink.
"The guy's got stalker issues, Caroline. He follows you like a lost puppy." Caroline rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Well it doesn't matter. It's not going to happen again," Caroline huffed as she threw her arms up in the air. Stefan raised his eyebrows and clenched his jaw.
"Right. It doesn't matter." Stefan refilled his glass as Caroline left the boarding house mumbling something about some much needed retail therapy.
After about two hours of Caroline purchasing half the mall, she headed to her car with her arms full of bags and boxes from various stores. She cursed herself for parking so far away from the entrance as she struggled carrying the bulky load. Finally reaching her car, she dumped her purchases on the top of her trunk as she fumbled for her keys. If she wasn't so busy cursing herself for being unorganized she probably would have heard the footsteps approach her, but it was too little too late when she finally realized someone was standing directly behind her. Caroline turned around quickly when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and dropped her keys in shock.
"Ric?" Caroline managed to choke out.
"Hello Caroline," Alaric said before breaking her neck.
