Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or its characters. If I did, the Originals would never have happened, Kol would be alive and happily causing mayhem, and Klaus and Caroline would be travelling the world and sexing it up.
Located in the Laurel Canyon just outside the city of Los Angeles, California; Wonderland rehab centre has played host to big names such as Mike Tyson and Lindsay Lohan. Well known for having the highest success rate along with being obscenely expensive, now it would seem Kol Mikaelson is just the latest big name in a long list of clientele.
Chosen by Elena and approved by Kol's record company, Wonderland offers a unique tour and support service unlike any other in the area. Even after Kol finishes up his 28 days in the facility, one of the counsellors will follow him around on any tour or promotion he does to make sure that he's sticking to his program.
Kol would absolutely hate it, which is exactly why Elena chose it to save herself the trouble further down the track. Apparently Elena taking over management of Kol was rare enough in the PR world, but Kol's label must have been desperate to outsource him to someone else. Elena was known for being the best in the business, and if the rumours are true then Marcel Gerard also had a hand in putting Elena forward as well, having already worked with her on the management of many of his musicians.
Kol hadn't been allowed any visitors for the first week. Apparently it had been a pretty rough 7 days as well. Going cold turkey from alcohol is generally not a recommended form of treatment, and the rehab centre had monitored him carefully while they'd done a detoxification process.
Kol hadn't responded well to it according to Elena. Lack of sleep while his body tried to cope without being dependent on something that it had for so long had led to shakiness and anxiety. Add to that the fact that Kol wasn't sleeping properly and it made for a pretty grim picture of the once larger than life enigmatic rock star.
On the seventh day Elena had given her the go ahead that she could visit him. It had also come with a warning that Kol may be completely unrecognisable, a shadow of the person that he used to be, at least until he gets back up on his feet again. Despite her eagerness to see her best friend, it hadn't been until the tenth day that Kol had agreed to see her. A car from the facility had picked her up that afternoon and had taken her out to the site. She'd immediately been impressed by the sprawling, two storey mansion.
She has to surrender her phone and the rest of her belongings at the reception desk, lest anything from the outside world be seen as a temptation for Kol. It all seems a little over the top and ridiculous, but if it's going to help him get better than she'll roll with it.
A well dressed orderly escorts her from the foyer and into the hallway beyond, pausing at the archway that leads into an absolutely gorgeous open plan sitting room.
She spots Kol straight away, a glass of water in front of him, a guitar in his lap, and a faraway look in his eyes. He's paler than he usually is, and his hair is free of the product he usually styles it with. It's falling messily into his eyes, and it makes him look years younger, a throwback to the teenager he'd been when he'd arrived off a plane from the UK ready to take on the world.
It does nothing to mask the purple smudges under his eyes, a clear sign of the lack of sleep that Elena had mentioned to her before. He's twitchy and jumpy just from what she can see and unbidden, tears come to her eyes as she makes her way towards him.
"This doesn't seem so bad." She says gamely, coming to stand in front of Kol so she doesn't startle him too much. "Can I sit?"
Kol waves a hand dismissively to the chair next to him and she immediately drops into it, crossing her legs and resting her hands in her lap.
She's actually a little nervous if she's going to be honest with herself. As she sits and drinks in the sight of her best friend she can't help but feel guilty that she didn't do more to stop him from reaching this point.
"Stop blaming yourself." Kol's gentle tone interrupts her train of thought suddenly and abruptly as she blinks back at him in surprise.
Kol smiles softly at her.
"I know you well enough to know what you're thinking. None of this is your fault." He continues, waving his hand around to encompass the entire room. "This is my own doing and no one else's."
She reaches for his hand, squeezing it once and holding on.
"I should have done more. I could have done more." She emphasises as Kol smiles weakly at her.
"Caroline you are not my keeper, however much you think you are. I have always been responsible for my own actions. Being here… it's not as bad as I thought. But don't tell Elena I said that or she'll never let me leave." Kol replies with a roguish wink, and she has to hide a smile because there's a small part of the Kol Mikaelson that she knows and loves.
She glances over at the notepad sitting on the table, covered in scribbles and illegible, cramped handwriting. Its worlds away from the neat handwriting she usually sees from him, but she supposes that like the other parts of him that will come back with time.
"Have you started writing again?" She asks warily, because if he has then it's a good sign. That he's able to focus on things other than the addiction that he's trying to kick.
"A little bit here and there." Kol replies evenly, finally resting his guitar carefully next to his chair. "Besides, you're not the only visitor I've had over the past couple of days."
She waits patiently for him to elaborate further, knowing that he will.
"Marcel Gerard signed this girl to his record label. She's from Nashville, used to be quite big down there in the country scene." Kol frowns, fingers drumming along the arm rest of his chair.
"Cassidy Payne." She supplies softly as he nods once in confirmation.
"She's a nice girl. Only here because Marcel has asked it of her though. You have to appreciate her honesty I suppose." He notes with a chuckle.
Kol might not realise it, but she realises exactly what Marcel is doing. Despite his rock star tendencies and his proclivity towards misdemeanours, Kol is still a serious talent in an industry that is relying more and more on auto tune and ostentatious shows to market their artists.
Although Kol's record label hasn't exactly been the most supportive of him lately, Marcel is first and foremost a business man, and recognises that Kol doesn't really have a lot to do at this point in time. He knows Kol well enough to know that he hates sitting around and doing nothing.
And Kol, similar to Klaus, has a way with words and weaving them together the likes of which haven't been seen in the industry for years. With Klaus currently hard at work pulling together the rest of his album, Kol is the next best person. Cassidy Payne may be new to the bright lights of this city and the darker side of this particular industry, but Marcel isn't an idiot.
It's very likely that he'll make a deal with Kol, or at least put the weight of French Quarter records behind Kol once he exits this rehab in return for Kol spending time with Cassidy Payne and letting her learn from him. There's still quite the real danger that Kol might be dropped from his own label, so of course Marcel is going to capitalise on this and pick him up if needed.
Who better to teach Marcel's newest star on the rise than the front man of one of the most influential bands of the past decade? Alcohol issues or not, Kol Mikaelson is still a serious money maker in whatever he chooses to do.
"Do you think she has what it takes to make it in the industry?" She asks curiously, because from what she's seen the girl can sing and has talent, but good lord you need thick skin to make it as far as Kol and Klaus have and still come out the other side as a decent human being.
Kol looks thoughtful for only a moment before nodding.
"There's something about her that I can't quite pinpoint. She's got a quiet strength and determination. And she can write like a dream. I'm not sure why Marcel has even sent her in the first place to be honest. Speak of the devil…" Kol trails off, gaze shifting towards the opposite side of the room.
She tries not to gape at the transformation in Kol in those few short moments. He sits up straighter, brushes his hair out of his eyes. The frown lines in his forehead seem to fade and the ghost of a smile even graces his lips.
Cassidy Payne picks her way across the room towards them, guitar case in hand and a shy smile on her face. She's absolutely gorgeous close up, with the chocolate brown curls and deep brown eyes.
The other girl's gaze flicks towards her for an instant, a shy smile cast in her direction. She can't help but smile back at the brunette in return.
"You must be Caroline Forbes. It's a pleasure to meet you I've heard a lot about you." Cassidy says politely, holding out a hand for her to shake.
"I could say the same thing. I wasn't aware that you were visiting Kol." She remarks softly.
Cassidy smiles a little awkwardly before setting her guitar case on the table and tucking her hair behind her ear in what's quite clearly a nervous gesture. Kol is watching their interaction somewhat nervously, and she arches an eyebrow at that realisation.
"Yes, well Marcel thought it would be a good idea. He's successfully cracked the market at quite a young age. I guess he thought that it would be good for the two of us to meet. And he's a fantastic writer. He's been a great help with suggestions for my debut album." Cassidy notes carefully, a glance of her own towards Kol.
She's not sure what she was expecting out of Cassidy Payne. Marcel seemingly has a habit of signing on powerhouse talent, and if Klaus is anything to go by then the girl is going to go far. But she's honestly surprised at just how softly spoken the other girl is.
She doesn't miss Kol's pleased expression and raises an eyebrow in his direction. He shakes his head minutely as Cassidy hovers, unsure whether to sit or to give them some more time.
Kol's pointed glance in her direction tells her everything she needs to know, and she is so not going to cock block whatever thing they have going. She glances at her watch feigning a look of surprise.
"I'm actually going to be late for a meeting, you have good timing Cassidy. I'll leave the both of you to it." She grabs her visitors pass and stands, bending down to give Kol a brief kiss on the cheek. "I'll come and visit in a day or two?"
"Please." Kol replies smoothly, tugging on some of her hair with a playful smile. "God only knows how I'm going to get through the next few weeks without you darling."
She gives her best friend a jaunty salute, a nod in Cassidy's direction as she makes her way towards the front desk.
And it's not until she steps out into the sunlight that she lets the smile take over her face.
Because if that interaction was anything to go by, Kol Mikaelson totally had a crush on Cassidy Payne.
And if she had her way she was never going to let him live it down.
It's the realisation that she hasn't properly spoken to Elena since this whole thing started with Klaus is what has her directing the driver back in towards the middle of the city, to where Elena's offices are.
Despite their differing views on how they should handle the whole thing with Kol and Klaus, the fact remains that Elena is still her best friend for better or for worse, and has been since they were children growing up together in Mystic Falls.
And it doesn't take a genius to see that Elena is pretty close to spectacularly burning out. With Damon heading back to the studio to help Klaus pull his album together, it would seem that it falls to her to make sure that Elena is still alive and functioning as a human should be.
She stops by Miguel's and picks up Elena's regular coffee before making her way to the modern glass and steel office. The guys at the desk are used to seeing her around, and don't stop her as she heads determinedly towards the elevators.
By virtue of her reputation and clout within the organisation in which she works, Elena has the office in what would be a pent house, with it's own balcony attached and insane views over the city. Elena has her own secretary and assistant, which in her eyes means that her best friend has pretty much made it.
In hindsight she probably should have rang ahead to make sure that Elena wasn't going to be in and out of meetings all day with various clients. It had happened before, when she'd decided to surprise her best friend with lunch or a pastry.
So she can't really say that she's surprised when the elevator doors slide open at the top and she almost runs straight into Marcel Gerard.
"Caroline Forbes." He greets her pleasantly enough, smile a blinding white. "I hope one of those is for me." He adds, gesturing towards the two coffees that she's currently carrying.
"Sorry to burst your bubble." She replies easily with a soft laugh. "What brings you to this part of town?" She asks curiously, because although Elena's offices see a very wide variety of celebrity and industry clientele, there's not really much of a need for Marcel to come down and see her personally, let alone have anything to do with Elena at all.
Marcel smiles lazily at her and she can't help but eye him off a little warily as she steps out of the elevator and towards the desk of Elena's secretary. Marcel looks and seems nice enough, but she's very much aware of the fact that you don't get where you are in the industry without stepping on a few toes and making a few enemies along the way.
"Actually you were just the girl I was hoping to run into. Do you mind if we have a quick chat outside?" Marcel smiles again, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. And it chills her to the bone. Whatever this is, it can't be good.
She forces a smile as she sets the coffees down on the secretary's desk, scribbling a quick note for the absent girl.
Marcel is the very picture of a proper gentleman as he pushes open one of the glass doors leading to the wrap around rooftop balcony. There's a certain bite to the air that has her pulling her jacket more tightly around her as she follows the man to the railing.
"Can I tempt you?" Marcel quips, pulling a pack of cigars out of the jacket of his suit and putting one between his lips.
She shakes her head in a silent refusal as he shrugs, lighting one up and puffing on it for a few moments.
"How's Kol?"
She blinks at him in surprise, and she's so out of her element because she actually has no idea why she's standing here with him having this discussion. Marcel has never showed the slightest interest in Kol apart from inviting him to a few parties every now and then.
"Okay I think. He looks a bit worse for wear understandably but I'm sure he'll bounce back from it." She replies with a nod.
Marcel gazes at her for a long moment, head cocked to the side.
"How did you say the two of you met again?" He asks innocently, and she frowns slightly, because what even is this conversation?
"We moved in the same circles, went to a lot of the same events. We got talking at one of them and started hanging out shortly afterwards. We've been friends for almost three years now."
"Yes the two of you seem quite close. I can imagine that Klaus would have a few objections though, given that the two of you are together. Wouldn't want to give people the wrong idea would we?"
"He'll put up with this as long as it benefits him."
Klaus' words from the White Party so long ago after her first meeting with Marcel come suddenly to the front of her mind. And she knows that she has to tread carefully.
"Actually Klaus and I aren't together." She corrects Marcel with a brief smile. "We remain friends, as we always have."
Marcel hides his reaction well, but it doesn't take a genius to see that she's actually caught him off guard. This is new.
"My mistake. I thought from the way that he looked at you…" Marcel trails off enticingly but she just smiles serenely at him, not willing to take the bait.
She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning one hip against the railing as she fixes a calm gaze on the man in front of her.
"Let's not beat around the bush Marcel. I'm sure we both have places to be. Why don't you say what you came to say and just get it over and done with?" She asks coolly.
"I'm first and foremost a money maker." Marcel replies bluntly. "I have Niklaus Mikaelson under my roof, and I've waited years for Kol Mikaelson to get in the position where he is today, free from the grasp of Universal Records and starting to strike out on his own. I have the next big thing as my newest sign. You could say that things are going pretty swimmingly for me."
"And then there's me." She points out for him as he grins at her.
"And then there's you." Marcel confirms. "Your best friends with Kol Mikaelson, and beyond all logic and reason you're the object of his older brother's affections. You can deny it all you want but anyone who looks close enough can see it. You're a wildcard and I don't know how to play you."
"You can't play me. That's your problem." She smirks at him as his easy smile turns to a frown. Honestly, she's still reeling from the fact that Marcel thought she and Klaus were actually together.
"I know you want to song write. I'm willing to open doors for you in this industry- with two conditions."
She stops to consider his proposal if only for a moment. Marcel Gerard is the most powerful player in this industry, with endless amounts of wealth and no shortage of contacts and people to introduce her to.
"One, I want you to take a step back from Nik. Give him some breathing space, let him record this album. Let him get back on top."
"Let him make you money you mean." She adds harshly as Marcel shrugs unapologetically.
"I'm nothing if not honest. Second, I want you to convince Kol to separate from his band and strike out as a solo artist. If anyone can do it, you can. You're his best friend and he's in a precarious state of mind. I'm quite sure that he'll listen to you if you float the idea."
"Absolutely not." She crosses her arms over her chest. "There is no way that I'm going to manipulate Kol for your own gain. Throw some money at him if you want him that badly."
"I'm sure you know Kol well enough to know that it's not going to work that way."
"Then it seems we've reached an impasse. So if there's nothing else…" She trails off, waiting for Marcel to answer.
Marcel stubs his cigar out and gestures for her to head back towards the building.
"No I think you've made your position quite clear."
"Sorry I'm late." Klaus announces as he closes the front door of her apartment behind him. He comes to sit on the lounge next to her, guitar in one hand and writing pad in the other.
"Studio time?" She enquires politely as he nods, running a hand wearily through his hair.
"It's relentless. Damon and I have been going at it non stop trying to pull the album together in time for Marcel's deadline."
She hides her frown at the mention of Marcel's name, instead choosing to focus on the other part of his previous statement.
"Deadline?"
"The cut off date for album submissions to this years Grammy Awards are soon. Marcel wanted to ensure that my album or at the very least a song was put forward for nominations.
She has to lean back and let out a breath at that. She thought it was an amazing feeling meeting a deadline and getting a novel published, and yet here Klaus sits talking about the Grammy's like it's an average everyday thing.
Klaus gazes at her thoughtfully for a moment.
"How's the practice coming along anyway? Are you having any problems with the song I gave you?"
She shakes her head as a way of reply. By virtue of being Kol Mikaelson's best friend, he'd pretty much taught her all there was to know about guitar. Really when it came down to it, it was just the lack of practice that was letting her down from actually being good at it. And the fact that she'd never owned an instrument of her own, messing around on one of Kol's many guitars until Klaus had given her one.
The songs that he gave her to practice on guitar increased in complexity and difficulty, and Klaus had flat out refused to teach her anything to do with writing until he was confident that she had a broad understanding of rhythm and notes and how all of it pulled together.
Do I Wanna Know by the Arctic Monkeys was the song he'd given her, one of his favourites he'd later revealed with a quick smile. He sits back and she plays the acoustic version for him, smiling to herself as he hums along under his breath for the chorus.
"You should cover that one live. You'd sound amazing." She allows with a shy smile towards him.
"Now there's an idea." Klaus muses more to himself than to her. "I think we should start on some writing today."
She lets Klaus take her guitar from her, resting it next to his carefully. She clutches her own writing pad close to her, ready to learn as much as possible.
"Every musician is different when it comes to writing. If I described all the processes that you could possibly use we'd be here for days. You just have to play around with a few of them and find something that works for you. Everyone is different." Klaus begins, and already she's captivated because this is a guy that's a master at his craft, and she's getting this sort of advice for free that others would normally pay thousands of dollars for.
"You'll find it easier starting out if you write about what you know, what you're familiar with. It gives you such a wide scope, and often you can build an entire album around the one theme. In fact, you'll find that the best albums often tell a story from start to finish."
She takes the time to watch him as he talks. He's open and animated and relaxed, one arm slung comfortably over the back of the couch and his body angled towards her. There's no awkwardness lingering from their previous conversation about what they were, and it's both surprising and refreshing that Klaus is mature enough to give her whatever space they need. The space they both need.
"What do you do? When you write?" She interrupts a little awkwardly as Klaus blinks at her in surprise.
"I usually write the words and set the music. But sometimes Damon will come up with a killer track and I write to the music instead. But usually the former is how I build a song. For example my previous single that I performed at the TCA's- I wrote about what I was feeling at the time and it came quite naturally."
"But lyrically it was a beautiful song. I'm not quite sure how you managed to get all of that out of feeling heartbreak and betrayal." She points out, slumping back into the couch because it's really starting to hit her just how difficult this entire thing is. She actually doesn't even know where to start.
Klaus smiles.
"How do you construct a sentence, paint a character, or build a world?" He asks, arching an eyebrow towards her. "I think you'll find that it's a lot less difficult than you're anticipating sweetheart. You're already a writer; it's going to make the transition a lot easier for you."
He walks her through the basics of how to build a song; first verse, hooks, bridge, and chorus. Its interesting learning about the basic construct and elements that go into so many of the tunes that she enjoys listening to, strange seeing it from another perspective.
But it's Klaus that finally calls their session to an end, citing near exhaustion as a reason for wrapping things up. She's willing to let it slide considering he looks dead on his feet. He turns down her offer to make up the spare room for him and instead lets her walk him to the front door.
"Thanks for doing this." She says softly; hand on his arm to stop him from leaving before she can get a chance to show him her gratitude.
"It's no trouble at all. And the least I can do all things considered." He allows, tilting his head towards her.
"Still." She replies, leaning against the door frame. "I do appreciate it."
"Then you're most welcome." Klaus says as he fishes into his pocket for his car keys.
There's a long pause between them, Klaus very much looking like there's something he's dying to ask her or to say to her.
"Actually I was thinking of going to visit Kol sometime this week. Do you think that would be okay?" He asks hesitantly, as if he's not sure if it's such a good idea in hindsight.
She has to stop the smile from stretching across her face as she rests her head against the timber.
"I'm not Kol's keeper. I think it would be good for both of you. Just… just don't patronise him okay? He's in a bit of a difficult place at the moment and I don't think he'd appreciate you lording over him. Just be his brother Klaus."
Klaus nods to himself, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.
"I'm a little nervous if I'm being honest. Kol and I have not had the most brotherly of relationships in the past few years."
She smiles fondly at him, despite everything that had happened and had led them both to this point. She never thought that she'd ever count him as a friend, especially with the way that he'd behaved on their first meeting.
But he'd very quickly ingratiated himself into her life without her even realising. Now she's not sure what she'd do without him, and it both thrills and terrifies her just a little.
"I know." She says softly in reply. "But now is a good a time as any to start." She adds with a nudge.
Klaus smiles in return, eyes landing on the corner of an envelope peeking out from underneath her door mat.
"This looks important. And fancy." He notes with an amused glance in her direction, passing it over to her.
She flips the envelope over to try and figure out who the sender is. Once she does, that familiar name staring back at her, her heart drops in her chest.
She tries her best to mask her emotions, but Klaus is as perceptive as ever if the odd look he shoots her is anything to go by. But he refrains from commenting, instead bending down to press a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"I'll leave you to it then." He muses out loud as he grips his guitar more tightly in his hand. "Sweet dreams."
She lifts a hand in goodbye and waits until he's disappeared into the elevator before closing the door and leaning against it, letting out a long breath.
It's with shaking hands that she rips open the envelope, picking out the elegant filigree stock card and taking in the information printed on the card.
Together with their parents
Tyler Lockwood and Hayley Marshall
Would like to invite you to join them to celebrate their marriage…
Shit.
AN: Okay so guys I just want to put a little disclaimer here. I know very little about the effects of alcohol abuse on an individual. I know it's very glossed over with Kol here, and it's highly unlikely that he'd be as okay as he is after just a week in rehab. I am not in anyway trying to dramatise or glamorise this very serious issue for the sake of this story. As a writer I do try and do my research but sometimes there are topics that even I don't feel comfortable touching.
Marcel shows his hand to Caroline. This won't be the last we see of him.
Klaus begins the very complicated process of teaching Caroline song writing.
And the next few chapters will see Caroline head back to Mystic Falls for Tyler's wedding.
Until next time! Happy Easter to all of you.
Katie xx
