It couldn't be happening. Caroline found the scene slightly amusing yet totally incredulous. Hayley was there and was apparently about to cry, at least that's what she wants to look like. Then the she-wolf called for Klaus in an alarming tone. Caroline raised her eyebrows, waiting for the show to start. The damn woman just didn't know when to give up. She saw Klaus rushing down the stairs as if expecting danger. When he saw nothing, he sent a questioning glare at Hayley.
"Are you going to choose this woman over your own flesh and blood? This baby will make you powerful, remember what the witches said. This baby is going to be your strength," Hayley declared.
Caroline looked at Klaus and it was obvious to her that he was conflicted despite the passive expression on his face. She had heard of the powerful prophecy, the main reason why Hayley was walking freely among the Mikaelsons. But there was still that doubt in her mind. She was pretty sure Hayley had been banged by at least a dozen men, and the prophecy only mentioned Klaus' son, it didn't necessarily mean Hayley's. She shook her head at the idea that took her mind since it was pretty obvious who was pregnant at the moment.
She knew what she was to Klaus, and although she doesn't plan to abuse it, she will use it to keep him by her side. She was not letting someone try to instill in Klaus' mind that she was yet again another pawn in the game to keep him behind.
"Klaus, I'm not standing in your way of building power. Probably criticizing but I'm not actually stopping you. You can do whatever you want, but I'm not guaranteeing that I'll agree to it," Caroline placed her hands on his forearms and gently squeezed it, standing beside him.
Niklaus looked at her eyes, his gaze burning, as if trying to find something. He tried hard, but eventually sighed, and gave her a small smile. He looked at Hayley with disdain before putting his hand on the small of Caroline's back and guided her towards the stairs.
Caroline turned her head to Hayley and smirked before mouthing, "Bitch."
Caroline's devious attitude towards Hayley didn't go unnoticed by Niklaus, but he found it amusing that Caroline was doing his usual job of putting the she-wolf in place. She was getting more aggressive, she was still the same Caroline he adored, but this time she knew her place. She knew she was a queen. His queen.
As they went up the stairs he asked Caroline if she wanted to go somewhere but she shook her head. She looked crestfallen and it frustrated him that he didn't know what the reason was.
"Caroline sweetheart, what are you thinking about?" His concern seeping into his words.
"Nothing," she then smiled solemnly at him. Too solemn for his liking.
He sighed frustrated and walked out on her.
Caroline watched him walking away. It was actually a surprise that they didn't fight. She was changing, she noticed. Because of him. She felt scared. She didn't want to be like him, and that made her mad. Mad at herself because once again she was stereotyping Klaus. She didn't feel like herself, she felt foreign.
She entered her room and like always it enticed her with it's regal aura. Klaus did always manage to make her feel special, she just never felt like she was up to it. She sighed when she remembered Elena who never had a problem managing all the attention. Just like the selfish bitch she's always been. She failed to see it before, heck, she was one of the many people who kept Elena in her pedestal. Now Caroline knew how wrong it was that everything was centered around her best friend.
"Klaus," she called out softly from her room knowing Klaus would still hear her. "I want to go to Mystic Falls."
Niklaus stilled at what Caroline said. She wanted to leave. He had expected this at the back of his mind, but not so soon. Then he sighed. It was for the best, the changes would agree to the plan accordingly, it would be a relief for him. But Caroline's absence would always be a dark shadow looming over him.
"When?" He finally asked.
"Today," Caroline had answered quickly. With that he had no doubt the woman had made up her mind and there was no changing or delaying it.
"Start packing," was all Niklaus said before he pulled out his phone and walked outside to inform his siblings of the change in plans.
Several minutes later he saw Caroline with only one packed bag. He raised an eyebrow at her choice of packing light.
"I'm ready", she assured him as if understanding his confusion.
With that they left New Orleans, Niklaus choosing to go on a road trip so he can extend his time with Caroline.
They stopped somewhere along the way at a gas station that had a decent looking diner at the side. Walking in, Caroline saw a few teenagers here and there and the usual strangers. Nothing seemed out of place for Niklaus but he remained alert.
Their meal was uneventful with a few questions thrown back and forth between the two of them. The conversation circling around topics of what do you plan to do now and such simply revolving around the newfound enemy.
They stayed like that throughout the whole trip, avoiding the elephant in the room. Once the Mystic Falls signage came into view a feeling of dread came over Niklaus. This was it, he blew his last chance and there was no trying again with Caroline. Sighing, he pulled up in front of sheriff Forbes' house like it was the most normal thing in the world. Looking at Caroline, she looked as anxious as him.
Caroline gulped at the sight of her house. Her old home. Looking at Klaus who didn't seem as eager to move as her, she made the first step and walked out of the car, heading straight to the front door. She saw Klaus follow suit soon after.
"Mom, are you home?" She had the key but knocking seemed appropriate with Klaus by her side.
She hard shuffling inside and her mom eventually opened the door, shock evident in her eyes with Klaus' presence.
Liz swiftly recovered and moved to let both of them in. Klaus had already been invited before so there was no need for words. Moving to the living room, they settled with an eerie silence waiting for someone in the other party to speak up. Anxiety got the better of Liz.
"Can you tell me what's happening Caroline?" It came out more of a demand than a request.
"Mom we're afraid there might be a new threat, something even bigger than Klaus that may have had eyes on us for a time now," Caroline rolled her eyes when she heard Klaus scoff at the word threat when she mentioned it.
"Who is it?" Liz asked.
"We believe it's someone named Sephtis. But we still don't know much about him," Caroline explained.
They went about the conversation with Niklaus keeping as much information about the plan. He didn't want to divulge too much.
The topic soon died down and both mother and daughter moved to the kitchen to make some food while checking on how the other had been.
Klaus sighed and thought that it would be a good time as any to make his leave and avoid making a scene. Trudging down the porch he was making his way to his car when he heard Caroline come out the door and call out his name.
"Where in the world are you going Klaus?" she was exasperated.
Niklaus turned around, confused with what was happening.
"Leaving?" he answered, or rather making it more of a question.
"And how do you expect me to get home? We only came in one car. I am not going to literally run back to New Orleans you brute!" Caroline's tone was getting higher.
Niklaus' hopes soared higher than ever and he flashed Caroline a grin, quickly apologizing and giving her a peck on the lips before retreating inside the house. Caroline simply stood there confused at what happened and frozen at the same time because of Klaus' sweet gesture.
They had chosen to spend the night in Mystic Falls and to leave in the morning instead. Caroline had told her mother not to tell the others she was back. She was not in the mood for explanations, and she certainly didn't feel like having to explain herself to Elena. For the first time, she was going to think about her own comforts.
"Here Klaus, you sleep on the couch," Caroling handed him two pillows and a blanket.
Niklaus raised an eyebrow at her. "Your bed is big enough love," he reasoned.
"No. We are not sleeping together in my mother's house," she countered.
Wanting to keep in her good graces until they left, Niklaus obliged and started to get comfy on the couch.
"Caroline," he called out before she went up the stairs. "It means a lot that you're coming home with me."
Caroline smiled, unseen by Klaus. "What can I say, the Quarter feels like home."
And with that, Caroline left to sleep, leaving Klaus with a smile plastered on his face.
