A/N: Always a great day when a bunch of writing gets done :) thank you guys for being patient and understanding, the reviews and PM's were so nice. With some pushing in honor of National Writing Month plus being ahead on my other project, I was able to get this chapter edited and move some stuff around that I think you guys will enjoy piecing together. Something very interesting is brought up this chapter and I wonder if you guys can point out what it is. Stay safe out there guys!
Summary: Caroline was building a life for herself, her plans were set and continually derailed by the supernatural world. The next thing to take her off course is the discovery that she is married, to Klaus Mikaelson and a vampire/witch hybrid. With her memories of their life back, she finds herself in New Orleans, ruling beside the big bad himself. Sequel to Sun and Moon, An Immortal Dance.
Chapter Twelve
Caroline had always been interested in power plays for reasons she never quite understood, though she guessed now that she was a bit older she understood more. In high school, all her life really, she felt as if she had to be the best because being the best meant she had power, meant she had influence. While it had been easy to walk over her in high school, it was also not something people did often. She had a strong front that made people believe she wasn't meant to be walked over, until they got to close.
At the moment she stood next to Elijah at this bar with a wolf who was claiming to be human, a power play. Wolves had a certain scent, even in their human forms, but it seemed this woman had found a way to mask it from her smell. The reason Caroline could tell was the slight aura around her. Wolves had little wisps of white, she guessed almost like a reference to moonlight, but it only appeared on a wolf who had triggered their curse, not if they just carried the gene as far as she knew. She wouldn't call her out on it now, but she would make sure that Elijah knew if he couldn't tell.
"Are you giving me a mandate," Elijah inquired, head tilted to the side.
The woman, Francesca, shook her head with a light laugh, "Giving you an ally. I want peace just as much as you do. My lifestyle, which I enjoy very much, depends on it."
Caroline rolled her eyes, "You're drug trafficking empire is a strong motivator."
"Yes. You know, I should mention- I've already spoken to the city's new mayor and the chief of police and other interested parties, and I have their blessing," she told them plainly, her smile too sweet, "I think you'll find it beneficial to have me on your side, even if it's just to prevent my less civil brethren from lashing out in ways that could prove painful to you."
Caroline narrowed her eyes at this, she didn't like the undertones of that sentence. This wolf, like everyone everywhere, wanted the power of being in charge of the city. It started with a seat at the table, but it wouldn't enough until she was the host. Power plays may have interested Caroline, sure she had made some in her life, but power hungry wasn't something she liked to see.
While she loved being in control to make sure things happened a certain way, being power hungry never translated for her. This Francesca Correa was bad news, Caroline could feel that she was going to be a problem and that was not something she could have. For ages Caroline had been throwing quite literally everything she had mentally, physically, emotionally into rebuilding New Orleans as some kind of supernatural utopia kingdom.
Caroline's fangs poked out of her gums, her eyes black and red as she reached her magic out to the woman. It took a heartbeat for the woman to feel the grip of magic, freezing her in her place, but to her credit she kept a straight face and didn't outwardly show her fear or surprise. It didn't matter, Caroline could smell, feel her fear. She should have been disgusted with how much she enjoyed the feeling, but couldn't find it in her to care too much about it.
"I'd watch your thinly veiled threats if I were you," Caroline remarked coldly, "I'd hate for you to deal with me and my less than civil husband."
Caroline let her hold go then, her face returned to normal and she felt some of the magic flit away. She ignored the odd look Elijah was giving her, not wanting to explain what that was about. Having his disappointment or disproval was not what she needed today. Her patience was wearing thin, she was growing sick and tired of all these power grabs everywhere. Why was it so hard for people to put their differences aside for five minutes and work to do something better? Why was that too much to ask?
Francesca smiled, faked a smile really, "It'd be better we all be friends instead of enemies. Have a good night."
Caroline folded her arms over her chest, her gaze still narrowed as she watched the woman walk away. The odd magic wrapped around Caroline's frame, she could feel it like a beach towel around her shoulders. Not heavy enough to be a bother, but just enough weight to notice. This wasn't the first time her magic felt this way and she knew it certainly wouldn't be the last. She wondered just how dangerous it was to play with magic like that. Maybe she could talk to Bonnie some more about it or if Lexi would answer her calls.
"Want to tell me what that was about," Elijah asked her, curious more than anything.
Caroline clenched her jaw, "She's a wolf, passing off as a human."
Elijah frowned, "She didn't smell like a wolf."
"It's not too hard to mask scents, even for an Original vampire," Caroline said glancing at him, "Just need a witch to hide the scent or erase it. The witches still aren't fans of vampires, let alone our family. I'd imagine they'd be more inclined to the wolves and work with them since we vampires are abominations."
"Have they said anything on the matter," Elijah asked, but he knew she could not answer if they had.
Caroline said nothing, her tongue would not move even if she wanted it to. The position she was in was a unique one. A vampire witch, an abomination of nature and servant of nature. Well technically her witch bloodline wasn't a servant of nature at all, but guardians of it, a different order that sometimes went against nature. All of that combined with the fact she was married to the witches main enemy meant she wasn't someone to really trust. To ensure she kept witch business witch business, she entered a binding spell that she would keep the witches secrets.
Caroline didn't fight it externally, though internally she had been livid. It was only thanks to aunt Margaret whispering in her ear that kept her at bay. If the witches had the intent to hurt or kill the innocent or those she loved, the bind would be broken and Caroline no longer tied to them. This certainly complicated things for Genevieve, not that Caroline cared about how hard her life was. Because that bind was still tethered, there was nothing you could tell Elijah about what she knew. Seeing this, he let out a very faint sigh and his expression turned slightly exasperated.
"Is there no way around that bind," Elijah asked her next.
Caroline smirked, "Elijah Mikaelson, trying to find the loop holes in a deal. You should become a lawyer."
Elijah's brows quirked, "Yes well being an immortal bloodsucker might make that a bit difficult."
"Yeah," Caroline said absently, she shook her head, "I was certain I was going to go into broadcast journalism, but imagine a news anchor who never ages on screen."
"It'd be quite a sight," Elijah said a bit sadly, he wondered just how much vampirism had taken from her. "How do you want to play this?"
Caroline thought for a moment, "We'll invite Francesca and her people to the 'ball' but I want Kieran's thoughts on them first. Maybe he knows something useful about them, he worked them in the past and certainly has had his hands in a lot of stuff as the human representative."
Elijah frowned, "How is he doing?"'
"Awful, and there's nothing I can do for him," Caroline admitted sadly, she shook her head.
The situation with Kieran was stagnant at best. While he wasn't getting any better, he wasn't getting worse either which in it of itself was a positive. However the magic Caroline was using to keep his hex at bay would only last for so long. Eventually, her spell would fade out and that hex would take over, unless she could find a way to remove it.
Caroline rubbed her arm, the guilt churning inside her and refusing to leave her be. Though people told her that it wasn't her fault and she was doing all she could, it still didn't feel like enough. Here she was, the first vampire-witch hybrid, the Original vampire-witch hybrid actually and she couldn't stop a simple hex or spell daylight or moonlight rings. The smallest stuff that should have been as easy as breathing for witch with her raw power and she couldn't do it. As if she were wasting the gift, as if she couldn't do it or that the magic shouldn't have been hers.
Being useless, powerless, was something she could never stand. Becoming a vampire, despite the circumstances, had been the best thing to ever happen to her. She was strong, confident, fearless. Everything she couldn't be as a human. Learning to be a witch had given her more of that strength and power, but what good was that power if she wasn't enough to use it? How could she help and protect the people she cared about most when she couldn't get her magic to work with her when she needed it most?
A hand rested on her shoulder, jarring her from her thoughts. Elijah looked at her with kind brown eyes and for a moment, Caroline felt as if she were back with him a thousand years ago. Giving her that same look to reassure her that things would be okay, that she was going to be okay. An older brother almost who was looking out for her. Caroline had always wanted a brother or sister, she had found that through Niklaus' family and Lexi.
"I know the burden you carry is a heavy one, but you must remember it is not one you need to carry alone," Elijah told her sincerely. "And I am sorry."
Caroline's brow creased, "Sorry? You don't need to be sorry for anything."
"But I do," Elijah said, his voice almost strained, "I, I spent all my time worrying about Niklaus, seeing the good you bring to him, to our family and I, I never stopped to consider the bad it would bring to you."
"I chose to be apart of it," Caroline replied, her frown deeper.
Elijah's expression shifted to something she couldn't place, "It wouldn't have been in you to say no with your memories in tact. Without your memories, sure, but with them? You wouldn't have been able to stay away."
Caroline crossed her arms over her chest, "Because we're family. Always and forever, that applies to me to you know."
"Yes, but as Rebekah pointed out, always and forever is every bit a curse as it is a blessing," Elijah remarked softly.
Before Caroline could respond, Elijah was already walking away from her and out of the bar. For a few moments, Caroline only stood there wondering what she should do with his words. Part of her wanted to go after him and argue about this, but she found there was little energy in her to do anything. With a shake of her head, she walked out of the bar after him and said nothing as she made it to his side. And for the first time, their silence wasn't comfortable.
Days passed on with little things happening to cause any trouble, meaning before anyone knew the day of the Faction Ball had arrived. Everyone dressed in their nicer clothes, suits and fine dresses worn by all the guests who entered the starry night themed compound. Caroline thought it was an appropriate theme, but did admit that maybe it was a little too on the nose. After, wolves, vampires and witches did some of their best work beneath a starlight sky.
Hayley stood beside Caroline with a mildly impressed look on her face which was enough to make the vampire hybrid beam. The compound had been transformed into something out of a Disney movie if Hayley was putting it lightly. If she was being brutally honest, it was overkill for her taste, but the crowd of vampires, wolves, witches and humans seemed to be enjoying it. So it was working.
Hayley glanced at Caroline who was watching the crowd below with a nervous expression. The blonde had been on edge lately, ever since they planning for this event had really started and then she watched as Caroline was in full 'Queen Bee' mode. It was a little less than bizarre as far as Hayley was concerned, but normal in an odd way. This was the Caroline she had more or less been expecting, but hadn't seen often. Given the circumstances, she couldn't blame her.
"Quite the turn out," Hayley commented.
Caroline nodded, her eyes scanning over the crowd in anticipation, "Yeah, just three warring factions of super naturals all jam packed in one building. Super."
Hayley raised an eyebrow at her, "This was your idea."
Caroline playfully smacked her shoulder, "Yeah, I know that. I just, I'm expecting something, anything, to break this tentative peace here."
Hayley made a noise of agreement for that. It was a little more than a miracle to see that everyone was getting along. Well that was probably putting it too nicely, it was a miracle to see no one had killed someone yet. This whole tentative peace was just that and nothing more. Somehow, some way, it would fall apart. Hayley hated to think that way, but she really didn't think it would last. She hoped it would and that it could get better. Putting some positive thought sun the universe wouldn't kill her.
All the groups were here together, but mostly just avoiding each other. Some mingling between the groups was going on, just very little which probably was for the best. Out of the corner of her eye, Hayley saw Klaus walking over with Elijah hanging back for a moment, with an odd expression she couldn't quite read. She watched as Klaus came to Caroline's side, but the blonde had been too lost in thought to notice until his hand slipped around her waste. Caroline tensed in her spot, but then seemed to relax instantly when she realized who it was. Odd to see someone relax with Klaus near.
"Easy love, you look ready to run off," Klaus said in her ear.
Caroline sighed, "How are you so calm with all these factions in here?"
"I have you here," Klaus said, his smile mischievous, "You can calm even the wildest of storms."
Caroline tilted her head up to look at him and Hayley could see there was a glaze over Caroline's eyes. A little absent, like she was remembering something from long ago. The grin ok Klaus's face matched her own expression, reminiscent of something from another time. It was a reminder that not for the first time that Caroline and Klaus's history started centuries ago. That in response to the loss of his wife, Klaus had gone on a rampage and burned everything in his path.
Because of her.
And now, he seemed to be trying and doing things differently for her sake. On the hand he was doing things for the sake of his child, but how he was doing it was for the sake of the woman in his arms. It brought a gentle smile to Hayley's face and she stepped away from them, letting the two of them have a moment alone. When Hayley made it to Elijah's side, she turned to look back at Klaus and Caroline and found them in each other's arms, swaying to the music.
"Take away all the chaos, and they're just two people in love," Hayley commented when she faced Elijah.
Elijah tipped his head, with a gentle breath he said, "Yes. Niklaus never could love another the way he loved her. And though Caroline may not be willing to admit now, Klaus still rules over her heart."
"She can't admit that," Hayley asked with a raised brow. "Doesn't look that way from here."
"Given the circumstances it makes sense why she can't or won't," Elijah said, not missing a beat. "Consider this from her point of view."
Hayley thought it over for a moment, her eyes fell on the vampire-witch hybrid. From what she knew, Caroline hadn't remembered her time with Klaus until a few short months ago and soon as she found out, she found out he was having a child with another woman and then had her life basically uprooted to where she was now in New Orleans at his side. Add into the growing war, she was now being groomed into becoming Regent of the witches. That had been what Marcel had said. Hayley remembered that conversation vividly, when he stopped by to speak to Caroline about how Davina was doing.
"You need to be careful to," Marcel told her.
Caroline looked at him with a frown, "I can handle myself."
"I don't doubt that," Marcel replied, "But those witches are up to something with you. They want you to lead them right?"
"It seems that way, but I'm half vampire and not a French Quarter witch so it doesn't work. Whatever they're planning, it won't work either way," Caroline said, arms crossed over her chest.
Marcel spoke softer, a sincere look in his eyes, "Just watch yourself alright."
"Why do you think that French Quarter witches want Caroline in charge," Hayley asked softly, eyes meeting Elijah's.
Elijah's eyebrows raised in surprise, "I don't know. I imagine husk got her as a way to keep Niklaus down."
"There has to be more to it than that," Hayley pressed on, "She's from some crazy strong witch bloodline, sure, but now she's a hybrid. They couldn't have just recently decided that they want her in charge."
Elijah had to agree with that. There wasn't a reason for the Quarter witches to want Caroline in their high ranks given how closely her ties were to the Mikaelsons and how she was half vampire now. Following that thought, it meant they likely wanted her beforehand. Before they knew of her connection to Klaus or her turning to a vampire.
"Her ancestors brought her back to our time in order for her to keep her witch abilities," Elijah said softly.
Hayley frowned, "But left her a vampire? Does Caroline know why?"
Elijah searched his memory, "I, I don't think so. If she does know why, she hasn't told me."
Hayley didn't say anything to that, but her mind was spinning. Something was there. Exactly what the was, Hayley didn't know, but she would find out. One way or another, she would learn exactly what the witches wanted with Caroline. It couldn't have been anything good and how they came to the conclusion of her likely wasn't much better. Elijah opened his mouth to say something, but was halted by the shouting.
Voices that belonged to Diego and Oliver, Jackson as well. Vampires and wolves. An ancient rivalry. Hayley and Elijah moved through the crowd to see Diego pick up and throw Oliver across the courtyard. Oliver crashed into a table covered in champagne glasses that shatter on impact. Diego sped over to him, not wasting a moment, but Oliver was ready and gets him pinned to the wall. Elijah got in the middle of them in the blink of an eye, pushing the men apart. But the room had erupted by that point, vampires and wolves going at each other, some witches involved as well, but mostly vampires and wolves. The wind picked up speed and the temperature shifted from the warm air it held to some much colder.
"Enough!"
The fighting ceased as all eyes turned to see Avery pissed up and frightening looking Caroline. Standing on the staircase, her soft dress glittering in the light contrasting against the fury and shape look on her face. Hayley glanced to the side to see Klaus watching in the wings with a far too pleased expression on his face along with some prideful looks from the witches.
A real and raw burst of anger wen through Caroline. It took a few moments to recognize the fury was not her own, but a combination of all the angry people in this room. The wolves and vampires were fighting the most with the witches doing tricks here and there to make things worse. Caroline knew not everyone would get along, it would be more than naïve to believe a gathering would change that. However to see this childish behavior and pettiness along with the hatred that ran deep in their veins sent her over the edge. Her hands clenched into fists, she could feel the heat of fire in her palms before she could smell the smoke.
"Enough," Caroline shouted at the chaotic room.
The wind swirled relentlessly, all items succumbed to it's force and everyone halted their attacks in response to the shout. Caroline's face looked every bit like the vampire she was, but the black part of her eyes did hold some white spots that only the ones right next to her could see. With the speed and strength of a hundred vampires, she separated every fight in a matter of seconds, including Elijah, Jackson, Oliver and Diego. Soon as everyone was separated Caroline stood in the center of the room, fury in her eyes and power radiating off of her in waves. Everyone knew they should be very afraid of what she would do next.
"Now that everyone has stopped their stupid and pointless fighting, let's clear the air," Caroline said with a snarl, "I mean, why bother with all this fancy stuff and talk of peace and a treaty right?" Caroline let out a bitter laugh. "It's not like we all deserve to be here, to live. Why not just kill each other?"
A tense silence followed, not sure what to make of those words from the very person who had brought this all together.
When no answer came, Caroline continued as her face shifted back to normal, "No one would expect everyone here to get along and sing kumbaya, but this-" she gestured to the where the fights had happened, "-is more than juvenile. It's childish and immature."
"The vampires started it," barked Oliver, he was starting to piss Caroline off.
"I don't give a damn who started it, I'm ending it," Caroline snarled, her vampire features returning and the air chilled further, "We just kill each other to get revenge for all the wrongs? Let's tally it. Hayley, wasn't it Oliver who handed Rebekah over to the witches?"
Hayley blinked in surprise at being asked the question, but she answered, "He did it. Rebekah was tortured by the witches and almost killed because of it."
"Right. Then there was Diego who led a wolf massacre not too long ago. How long would you say Elijah," Caroline asked, turning her heated gaze to her brother in law.
"Around three months ago," Elijah answered softly.
Caroline turned her gaze to Genevieve across the courtyard then, "And Genny, wasn't it the witches of this quarter who cursed the wolves?"
Genevieve shifted under the weight of the gazes. A defense was ready on her lips, but she knew it would do her no favors. Instead she only nodded.
"And the humans just watched it happen," Caroline said, her gaze falling to Kieran, Cami and Francesca.
"Are you approaching a point," Elijah asked, his expression both frustrated and confused.
"The point is that no one here is innocent," Caroline said sharply, "Each faction has wronged the other and we have a chance to break that cycle." Caroline got rid of her fangs, but her eyes did not return to normal. "This city is supposed to be some kind of haven for super naturals right? Where the witches can do their spells, the wolves can run free and the vampires get blood and the humans get protection. How in the hell is New Orleans ever supposed to be a safe haven, ever supposed to be the great supernatural city if all the super naturals are tearing each other apart? Answer me that. Because it seems to me all any of you care about it fighting each other and I'm so sick and tired of it."
Caroline's eyes returned to their normal appearance, the veins around her eyes fading as well. In her spot on the stairs, she stared out at the crowd of people in front of her. Recognizing most of the face, knowing the names of the witches and vampires and wolves and humans. Peace was not just some pipe dream, she refused to believe that it couldn't happen here. Somehow, some way, she needed to make this city into something more than it was now. A safe place for super naturals, a place for them to not just hide away in fear, but a place to do more than survive. A home.
"We all want a home, a safe place for our families," Hayley said then, coming to Caroline's aid, "But if we can't do that here, if all there is, is just more fighting between us and then our children, then what is the point?"
Caroline flashed her a grateful smile, she looked out at the crowd and spoke, "There is a lot of hurt and anger here. But if want the future of our factions, for our families to not inherit our wars, then we have to be the ones to end the fighting. So, please. Please, let's try something else."
There were a few moments of silence, but then the slow clapping from the right side of the room started with Marcel Gerard. It was a little surprising that he had come, but given he would represent the vampires, Caroline shouldn't have been that surprised. Though his clapping was a welcomed sight. Not too long after, the room did erupt in some cheers of agreement and mild applause, which made hope warm Caroline's chest. Maybe things would work out, maybe they had a real chance here. She hoped so, she really, really hoped so.
The bubbling laugh that filled the now empty compound was enough to warm Klaus' heart as he continued to paint the New Orleans skyline. Pounding feet reached his ears next followed by the woods of air to tell him that his Caroline had returned and in a great mood. Klaus turned around to see Caroline there wearing the biggest grin on her face and her eyes bright with triumph. The sight of her so happy made him happy, he would give anything to keep such a look on her face.
Tonight he had been busy working some magic and wonders of his own, though not quite as much as he wanted, but enough to help him feel more secure. Though it seemed he may not be have even needed it considering how well Caroline was able to get everyone on side and get the fighting to stop. Pride had swarmed him when he watched her unleash just a fraction of the powers she possessed, showing them exactly how strong she was and how she was not to be messed with on her own.
"I take it the signing went well," Klaus said as she walked over to him.
"It went really well," Caroline said with a disbelieving laugh, "I, I can't believe it. I know there is still plenty of work to do and a lot of ground to cover plus don't even get me started with Co-"
Caroline was cut off by Klaus's lips pressed against her own. Before she could do much as blink, he pulled away from her with a look in his eyes that she knew all too well.
"What was that for," Caroline asked softly.
"For proving me wrong," Klaus said in a tone just as soft as her own. "While I still have my doubts, you continue to prove to me how they don't need to remain. Your vision, your dream, your passion, ambition. It fuels you and propels you to do, so many incredible things."
Caroline let a small grin form on her face, "And you're buttering me up for something, I can tell. You're tricks don't work on me."
His hands rested on her waist, "You sure about that? I have plenty of tricks you haven't seen yet."
Caroline scoffed playfully at that, "Uh huh. There's so much left to do."
"And it can all be done tomorrow," Klaus said, pulling her closer, "Tonight, let's just celebrate a job well done. To new beginnings."
Klaus brought his lips to her own and she responded in kind. There were far too many things for either of them to worry about, to consider, but for tonight, they could just be with each other. And for now, that would be enough.