Hey readers! UPDATED! Some of you have asked where I got my fic's title from, and it's from the song Bound To You by Christina Aguilera, and the song shows up in this chapter. I suggest you all go listen to it before reading the next part if you haven't; because while writing the beginning I was listening to that song (and it's also an AMAZING song). AGAIN Thank you for reading! Someone asked me if I read all of my reviews, and YES I read every single one, sometimes more than once. You guys are so sweet, and your reviews are really inspirational! You are all the best! So if you're still with me, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy reading!
Bright lights momentarily blinded Caroline as she made her way onto the stage. She could hear some soft jazz playing, as well as the laughing and shouting of people around her. When her eyes finally adjusted she took in the crowd, it wasn't too big, but it was definitely larger than the one she had sung to at the Grille.
"Excuse me," a voice said, pulling her out of her daze. She turned to her right, where a well-dressed man stood; he had one hand placed lightly on her arm. "What song?"
"Song?" Caroline asked, she was a bit woozy, trying to ignore the stares she was getting from the crowd.
"Yes," he said, nodding his head. "What song are you singing tonight?"
Caroline looked back out at the crowd, trying to think of any song she knew from the 20's. She didn't know one. This, she hadn't thought about. She only knew one song that might even remotely fit this era, and it wasn't even from this era.
Caroline looked around her, spotting what she was looking for. In the far back she saw a piano, it was black and looked fairly new. Caroline tried to remember if she knew all of the keys, and the lyrics. It had only been just last year that she had sung this song for the schools talent show. She came in a bitter second place, she should have won, but Carry got the sympathy card because she broke her wrist the day before the talent show, getting her pity points that allowed her to win, although she played the clarinet terribly.
"Do you mind if I play the piano?" Caroline asked the man, gesturing to it. He looked at where her finger was pointed, pausing at the sight of the instrument; he then turned back to her, surprised.
"You play?" He asked.
Caroline nodded, smiling.
"I'm certain the band doesn't know the song I'm about to sing," Caroline said, shrugging her shoulders.
"We know every song," the man said, smiling a toothy grin. "What is the name of it?"
Caroline knew he would be persistent until he got a name out of her, so she humored him.
"Bound To You," she whispered. She had seen the movie Burlesque and had fallen in love with the song. It was beautiful and elegant, and it soothed her. Something she desperately needed right now.
The man frowned. "Artist?" He asked. She shook her head.
"Christina Aguilera." She said, watching him frown deeper. She hoped this wouldn't affect the future too badly. After all Christina would be born a far 60 years from now, it couldn't hurt.
Caroline watched the man nod, waving at one of the assistants, he pointed at the piano and ordered him to bring it over. The man rolled it over to the two of them, and Caroline could see a few audience members turn their eyes to look at the new addition to the stage.
"Good luck," the man said, shrugging his shoulders. Caroline could see he was disappointed, but she didn't care, she wasn't here for him.
Once he left, Caroline could feel the lights dim. Now, she could see the audience more clearly. Seating herself on the bench, and scooting herself closer to the piano, she laid a finger on a key. Pressing down lightly to hear its tone. She then placed both hands in their proper positions, and prayed everything would go well. It came naturally to her then, as if those hours of practicing, of perfecting, were still engraved into her mind.
The melody echoed throughout the joint. It was soft and flowed evenly. Caroline smiled to herself, and now the words were coming, as easily as they had the first time.
Sweet love, sweet love, trapped in your love.
Caroline looked up for the first time since she had began, taking in the crowd. Many people were still looking at her, although the majority had their attention elsewhere.
I found a man I can trust. And boy, I believe in us.
When she looked up for the second time, she spotted Rebekah.
She was standing in a far corner, her eyes glued to Caroline. She was not amused. Her mouth was twisted into a grimace as she took in Caroline. Here eyes then darted to her left, and Caroline followed her gaze, and saw that it led straight to Klaus.
He was sitting in a booth; two women were on either side of him. They were laughing, as he smiled and talked, gesturing with his hands. He hadn't even looked up at Caroline, not once noticing it was she. His attention was on the two ladies surrounding him. Caroline frowned at this. His hair was neat, and he wore black trousers, with a buttoned up white shirt, he had a black bow tie that accompanied this; he also had a high waist jacket that was thrown over his left arm.
Caroline looked away frustrated, trying to focus back on the song. She didn't know what to expect from him in this time period. Although she hoped he would be the same man she fell for twice before. Now though, all she could do was sing, he had to notice her eventually. After all, he had wanted her to sing to him, at which she laughed. This was her trying to make up for her rude behavior. She was singing to him, for him, yet he still didn't seem to notice. His eyes were still on the women, one of the girls had her hand on his arm, tugging him closer. Caroline looked away again. Screw him she thought bitterly, she focused back on the keys, now making sure to give them each an extra push as their tune filled the room. She sang louder now, as the song continued on.
I'm strong and I'm sure, there's a fire in us.
She closed her eyes now, feeling the music consume her mind and soul. She sang louder, her voice echoing in her ears. She remembered what her music teacher had said to her when she was in middle school, "Music speaks what cannot be expressed."
Well, this was her expressing what she seemingly could not say on her own. It felt to Caroline, as she sang, that she was finally acknowledging what she had been having a hard time understanding all along, which was that she felt something, for him.
I finally found my way. I am bound to you. I am, ooh I am. I'm bound to you.
Caroline held that last note for what seemed like eternity, grasping the microphone with one hand, and pressing down on the keys with the other. Once she was finished, releasing the mike, and the keys, she lowered her head. Then, she heard it, it was quite at first, then it slowly grew louder as more and more people began to clap. Caroline looked up quickly, gazing at the crowd, which she now saw, were standing and cheering; a few men even gave her a wink. She smiled then, laughing a little; looking at everyone, and waving. Then her eyes found Klaus'.
His attention was no longer on the two women next to him, who were tugging at his shirt, begging for his attention. Instead he was staring right at Caroline, his face was expressionless; although his eyes immediately lit with recognition, which told Caroline that Rebekah hadn't erased his memory, not yet. He remained that way for a few more moments, and Caroline looked at no one else but him. She nodded at him then, sending him a small smile. He didn't seem fazed by this, because he looked away from her for the first time after what seemed like hours when it had only been minutes. He pushed the woman on his left out of the booth, she stumbled a little as she tried to regain her balance. She frowned at him and stormed off. Klaus then made his way out of the booth, not looking at Caroline again as he turned a corner that lead to the back of the joint. Caroline frowned; something was different about him.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her arm, she looked over at the conductor that she had met when she first walked out. He was smiling at her.
"Marvelous darling," he said, lifting her from the bench and grasping her hand. Caroline smiled at him, looking back at the crowd; she also noticed that Rebekah was nowhere to be found.
The man then led her into the back room from which she came; the crowd was still clapping as she exited.
"My god," Alli said walking up to Caroline and grabbing her cheeks. "That was wonderful."
"I did her make-up!" Felix yelled from above as he laughed, danced, and clapped. Caroline couldn't help but smile at this.
"We need to book her again," the conductor said, pulling Alli aside. As they continued on with their conversation, Caroline slowly made her way to one of the side curtains, where she slipped out to the crowd, without anyone noticing.
Once she entered the busy area, people began noticing her and praising her left and right. They were shaking her hands, kissing her on the cheeks, and even a few men snuck a kiss on her lips. Caroline couldn't help but love the attention. She had never considered herself a good singer, at all; then again she never really tried to sing, like she had moments before. That came from deep within her soul, a place she had never gone.
People continued to compliment her as she weaved her way through the mass of people. She was looking for Klaus; she had to find him, now.
As she made her way to the back of the bar, Caroline stood on her tiptoes, seeing the back of Klaus' head she noticed he was only about twenty feet away, he was in a deep conversation with someone that Caroline couldn't see.
She was about to push her way through another batch of people, but someone grabbed her arm yanking her back. She tried to pull free, but he had a good grip on her, the kind of grip only a vampire could have. But it was the sound of his voice that truly stopped her.
"Why, hello there," Stefan said, whipping Caroline around. She stared at him, for a moment, taking in his twenties look. Trousers, black jacket, and white shirt; very proper. Although his eyes told a different story, they were wide and crazed, as if he had just gotten down from a blood high. "I haven't seen you around here before."
Caroline smiled at this, unsure of how to respond to the twenties Stefan, the one she had heard stories about, the full-blown ripper.
"A face and a voice like yours, I would have thought we'd already met." Stefan said, smiling mischievously at her. Caroline let out a giggle at how silly he was now compared to the Stefan she knew.
He laughed with her, although not for the same reasons.
"How about a drink?" Stefan asked, gesturing to his left. He wasn't pointing at the bar, instead his hand was directed at a petit woman, who was sipping out of what looked like, her third or fourth glass. She was alone, and looked upset.
"Widowed and depressed," He said, licking his lips. "My favorite."
Caroline didn't say anything to this; so he knew she was a vampire, probably the same way Klaus did.
"I think I'll pass." Caroline said, smiling a fake smile. She would have loved to watch ripper Stefan make a fool of himself, only to give present Stefan crap about it, but who knew how the past would effect the present if she interacted with Stefan too much. Besides, he hit on her, which was enough to make present Stefan embarrassed when she got back.
"Oh come now," Stefan said, grabbing Caroline's arm as she tried to walk away.
"Maybe just an alcoholic drink instead?" Stefan said, smiling at her. Caroline looked at the way she had been headed, toward Klaus, but he was gone now. Leaving an empty space where he had been standing only moments before. Caroline frowned at this, now she had no clue where he was.
Caroline looked back at Stefan; she considered his offer. To her, he seemed very persistent; and what's the worse thing that could happen if he remembered her? He already knew she was time traveling, so why not.
"Fine," Caroline said, smiling, she could have fun with this. And besides, this was a Stefan that Caroline had always been guiltily intrigued by. "But only one drink."
Stefan laughed at this, and swung out his arm as if to say: lead the way.
T-H-E V-A-M-P-I-R-E D-I-A-R-I-E-S
"Now," Stefan said, tapping his glass to signal the waiter that he wanted another. "What's a girl with a voice like yours doing in a small bar in Chicago?"
Caroline shrugged, taking a sip of her scotch. "Fate kind of brought me here." She said, looking around. She still couldn't find Klaus.
"Oh come now Caroline," He said, laughing and gulping down his scotch. "Us vampires determine our own fate. If you want to sing on Broadway, you make it happen."
Caroline laughed at this. She enjoyed Stefan like this, although she knew his other side, the if-she-weren't-a-vampire-she-would-be-as-good-as-dead-right-now side. She tried not to make too much of an impression on him, trying to only comment here and there.
"You don't believe in destiny? That things happen for a reason?" Caroline asked. At this Stefan shrugged.
"I believe that some things are out of our control." Stefan said, ordering another drink. "But I also believe that if we," Stefan said gesturing to both himself and Caroline. "Want something, we have the ability to go out and get it."
Caroline considered this, maybe this was half true, and after all, here she was messing with time and space. Things that weren't supposed to be messed with; yet she had broken all the rules, changing what was supposed to be untouchable.
"And what if we don't know what we want?" Caroline asked, in a small voice.
Stefan looked at her closely, she could see he was drunk, but she could also see the Stefan who had helped her through her transition, the Stefan that she grew to admire, he was in there, somewhere.
"I think we all do, deep down," he said, his eyes calm for a moment. "Even if at first we can't recognize what it is."
Caroline looked away, nodding at this. She was still scanning the crowd, subconsciously now, as if on instinct.
"You're looking for someone," Stefan said, hitting the bar, letting the waiter know he was done.
Caroline looked back at Stefan; she smiled at this but said nothing.
"Come on," he said, pulling on his jacket. "It's about time we have some fun. I can show you what it truly means to be a vampire. Besides, there's someone I want you to meet."
He then offered her his hand, at first she was hesitant, but then she knew, at this point, she had nothing to lose, so she took it.
T-H-E V-A-M-P-I-R-E D-I-A-R-I-E-S
When Caroline walked into the room, the first thing she noticed was the roaring fire in the far corner. The flames were easily licking the outside of the chimney.
"Klaus," Stefan said, pulling her deeper into the room. "I'd like you to meet Caroline, she's the wonderful singer from tonight."
Even at the sound of his name Caroline jumped, looking around the room, searching for him. When she finally found him, he was chatting with a woman, who wore a short black dress, she was twirling her finger around the rim of her glass. She took one look at Caroline and sneered.
"Caroline," Stefan said, nodding at Klaus. "This is a good friend of mine."
Caroline looked at Klaus fully now. He was so handsome; his dimples were showing as he smiled at the young lady, although they disappeared as soon as he laid eyes on Caroline. She swallowed hard, smoothing down her dress. Things had changed, it was obvious in the way he looked at her, and in the way he carried himself. This time, it was going to be a lot harder to get him to forgive her.
She smiled at him. "Klaus," she said, stepping toward him.
"Well," Klaus said, setting down his drink. "Isn't this a surprise? You handled yourself quite well on that stage, at first I wasn't sure if it was you. After all," he said, tapping his finger on the wall. "It's been a while."
Caroline could feel Stefan's confusion radiating off of him.
"I'm terribly sorry you stumbled upon her mate," Klaus said, staring at Stefan. "I truly feel pity for any man that does."
That hurt. Caroline thought, curling her hands into fists. He was angry with her. This was apparent. She had never seen him act this way toward her, even in present time, other people yes, but her? Never.
"You two know each other?" Stefan asked, looking between the two of them.
Klaus looked away from Caroline for the first time.
"We've met once of twice before," he said, smiling at the wall as if he were remembering better time. Then shaking his head, as if to awake from a trance he turned toward the woman he had been talking to a moment earlier. She smiled at him as he walked toward her.
"Have a good rest of your night," Klaus said, smiling at Stefan and Caroline. "I know I will." He said, looking at the young woman, who giggled childishly.
Caroline saw Stefan shake his head, as he glanced at the exit.
"Well that didn't go as well as I planned," Stefan said, smiling at her. "But no matter, we'll find something far more fun to do, I know a fellow that's just…." But Caroline wasn't listening to him anymore.
Caroline was fuming, she felt herself shake with anger. How dare he insult her, and pretend like she wasn't even worth a second glance. He had waited three centuries for her before, and now, only one century later, he couldn't be bothered with her. Caroline felt a growl escape her lips as she watched the woman place a hand on Klaus' chest.
Suddenly, she found herself abandoning Stefan's side, and storming toward Klaus. Upon seeing her aggressive assault, the woman stepped back and let out a small shriek as Caroline walked right up to Klaus, and pushed his left shoulder so that he was facing her.
"How dare you," Caroline screamed, she was shaking hard now. She watched the woman back away. Caroline knew it wasn't fair to him. She knew it must hurt to desperately want to be with someone, only to have them ripped away from you in an instant. It could make for a very bitter person. But it also wasn't fair for her; it wasn't like she asked to leave, or to be from a different time; a time where she had a boyfriend, friends, and a family. She was in love with two different worlds, both that kept pulling her one way or the other. "I understand why you're angry," she said, trying to calm herself. "But I came back here to really get to know you, to try and understand you, but now all you're doing is pushing me away."
At first, Klaus was surprised at her forwardness, but then his eyes grew dark at her words.
"Oh I'm sorry love, you're right I should be welcoming you in with open arms, like I did the last two times you came into my life." Sarcasm was thick in his tone. Caroline bit her lip at this. She saw the woman attempt to leave, but Klaus grabbed her by the arm, puller her eyes to his. She whimpered in response.
"Don't. Move." He said, his eyes slowly leaving hers and turning back to Caroline, who was shaking her head.
"This wasn't what I wanted." Caroline said.
"So you leaving," he said, with a fake smile on his lips. "Over and over again." He stepped closer to Caroline. "Wasn't what you wanted?"
"No." Caroline said shaking her head rapidly.
"Then why did you do it?" He asked, his voice was soft suddenly, as if he genuinely wanted to know, as if he had been asking himself this question over and over again since her departure.
Caroline continued to shake her head, she couldn't tell him, and she knew she wouldn't ever be able to.
Klaus smiled at her lack of response, his dark eyes were back. He was furious now, she could see it in the way he paced the room. She could tell he was thinking deeply because he didn't say anything for sometime.
"Klaus, I-" Caroline began to say, but he cut her off.
"You said," he said, looking up at her, his eyes wild. "That you wanted to get to know me."
She shook her head, she knew where he was going with this, and she didn't like it, not one bit.
"Well," he said, opening up his arms. "How about this time around, I show you a different side to me, one you haven't seen, one that I'm sure you'll enjoy." He had a mischievous look on his face and he looked from Caroline to the fire.
He then bent down and grabbed what appeared to be a hot iron stick that was used to move around firewood. Once he lifted it, Caroline saw that the end was a bright glowing red.
"Klaus," Caroline warned, as he walked over to the girl, she was trembling. Whereas before she had been sending piercing glares in Caroline's direction, she was now sending pleading looks, begging Caroline to save her.
"So tell me," Klaus said bringing to hot end of the iron stick up to his face. "Why did you leave?"
Caroline watched him bring the hot end down, his eyes on Caroline. She could see the anger and frustration buried beneath him. He was acting on anger.
Caroline shook her head. "I can't…" Caroline's voice sounded more like she was begging.
Klaus looked down at the floor after a moment, before lifting the stick and driving it into the woman's right arm. She screamed so loud, Caroline had to cover her ears. Once Klaus pulled out the stick, the woman fell to the floor in agony. He then walked over and stuck the hot end into the fire.
"Klaus! Stop!" Caroline cried, uncovering her ears. Staring down at the wounded woman who was screaming uncontrollably.
"All I want is a simple answer," Klaus said, lifting up the iron stick again.
"It's not simple," Caroline said, watching him. "None of this is simple!"
"Then give me something!" Klaus said, looking at her. "Anything other than these dodging glances and this unnerving silence. That's all I've ever gotten from you."
Caroline remained silent, looking at the woman now huddled into to corner.
"Klaus, please." Caroline begged taking a step toward him. He walked over to the girl, crouching down and petting her hair.
"I know this isn't the type of night you were expecting sweetheart," Klaus said, as he slowly stood. He then turned his attention back to Caroline, who looked at him in disgust.
"You know," he said, looking around the room. "At first I thought you died, because I had never dreamed you would leave, not again. It was the only explanation. You leaving, was the last thing I expected." He whispered the last sentence, studying Caroline. She kept looking from the girl on the floor to Klaus and back.
"What was it exactly that made you leave?" Klaus asked, pacing the room again. "Another man? Or were you just not happy with everything I had to offer?"
Caroline shook her head at both questions. It was now though, that she looked at him, really looked at him. He looked so incredibly unhappy; it was in his eyes every time he looked at her. Here she was coming into his life, hoping to change him for the better, when she had only made things worse.
"I'm so sorry," Caroline said, shaking her head. "I never meant to hurt you."
"Hurt me?" Klaus said, laughing loudly. He then turned around shoving the stick onto the woman's other arm, making her scream even louder. She was sobbing now, on the floor, hot tears rolling down her face. "If anything, you made stronger."
"Please, stop," the woman on the floor whispered, in between breaths.
"What is wrong with you?" Caroline screamed at him, her anger rising again.
"You were the one who wanted to get to know me!" Klaus yelled back, marching over to her. "Well, this is who I am Caroline!"
"That is not true," Caroline said, stomping her foot. "The man I knew-"
"That's just it Caroline," Klaus said, so close to her now she could feel his breathe. "That man you knew," Klaus said, his jaw clenched. "Is gone."
Caroline could feel tears in her eyes, her finger nails curled so deep into her palm she swore she drew blood. This was the last thing she expected when she arrived here. Instead of making him better, she had made him into an even bigger monster than he was before. It was her fault, and she hated herself for it.
In that brief moment that they were so close, Caroline remembered their first kiss, it seemed like ages ago. To him, it may have been, but to her it had been only days. He had spent centuries thinking and forgetting about it, whereas every night over the past few days, she had gone to sleep and that kiss had crept into her mind. Caroline could have thought of all the what if's, but it wouldn't help. In every life, you only get one shot to make things better; Caroline had gotten two, and managed to mess both up. She was getting what she asked for, what she deserved. She considered telling him everything, not caring about the consequences. But she didn't have a chance as he backed away, taking one look at the sobbing woman on the floor, and then back at Caroline.
"You may want to clean up this mess," he said, and then he walked out, not once turning to look back at her.
T-H-E V-A-M-P-I-R-E D-I-A-R-I-E-S
After Carline gave the woman some of her blood and sent her on her way, she just sat on the bloody ground looking around. Stefan had left at some point during her and Klaus violent conversation, probably figured this wasn't going to be fun for him anymore, so he split. Caroline sat there, contemplating the events that had taken place that night.
Nothing went the way she had wanted it to. Klaus was the old Klaus, the one she hated, but this time, it was her fault. She knew she had broken his heart, not only had Rebekah told her, but she had seen it in his eyes. She had hurt him badly. And on top of her Klaus issues, there was still the matter of the bloodline, which hardly mattered to her anymore, because if Klaus didn't know Tatia was alive, then he couldn't have turned her, which meant Tyler was as good as dead. So Caroline laid down on the old rug, one hot tear rolling down her cheek, containing everything unfortunate in her life rolled up into one tiny tear, and she begged to be brought home. She had had enough of this time travel; if anything she was ruining the future rather than making it better.
As Caroline lay on the rug, her eyes closed, she suddenly heard footsteps. They were close. She opened her eyes suddenly, sitting up from her laying position. She looked around the room, but saw no one. She thought she might be going crazy until she heard someone whisper her name.
"Caroline," someone said, the voice sounded familiar. She whipped around, looking behind her, and suddenly a figure formed from behind the shadows.
"Katherine," Caroline said, backing away slowly. "How do you know me?"
It was the spitting image of a Petrova doppelganger, only with shorter hair.
"My name isn't Katherine," she said, her lips pursed, staring down at Caroline.
"My name's Tatia," she whispered, her eyes wild and bright. "And I've been looking for you."
Thanks for reading! I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. More Klaroline to come! You guys are awesome for reading my story. Yay for next chapter!