Hello, my lovely readers. So, this is the much awaited event: Caroline's surgery. I kind of skipped the really technical medical bits because I was afraid they would come out really badly. Oh, and this chapter is action packed so hold onto your seats it's going to be a bumpy ride. On with the show…
Chapter 9: By the Light of the Moon
"Good morning, honey," Liz Forbes said and Caroline sat up in bed.
"Mom?" Caroline moaned, yawning. "What time is it?"
"7 am," Liz told her. "Your roommate, Rebekah, let me in."
"Gee, I'll have to thank her," Caroline muttered.
"Don't be angry. It's the morning of your surgery and I wanted to be here for you," Liz said, taking Caroline's hand and squeezing it lightly.
"Hello?" Klaus called from somewhere probably near the doorway since he rapped his knuckles on the wood. "I'm sorry. Am I interrupting? I can come back later."
"No," Caroline called to him, pulling away from her mother and trying to jump out of the bed. She would have fallen if Klaus hadn't caught her.
"Good morning, love," Klaus said quietly, stroking her back.
"Ahem," Liz coughed to get their attention. "And you are?"
"Klaus Mikaelson, your daughter's boyfriend," Klaus replied without hesitation and Caroline felt her lips tug upward into a wide grin.
"Oh!" Liz sounded shocked but in a good way. "Well, that's good. I think. I mean. I'm sorry. Caroline's never had a boyfriend before."
"Mom!" Caroline shouted.
"What is all the yelling about?" Hayley called out from her side of the room. "Can I, please, get some sleep in this room at some time?" Caroline heard Hayley groaning as she stumbled toward the bathroom.
"That I assume is the other roommate," Liz said with a chuckle.
"Yup," Hayley replied. coming out of the bathroom. "Hayley Marshall. You must be the mom of my favorite roommate. Caroline heard Hayley begin to brush her teeth as she looked for her clothes. "Klaus, if you were a female and were going to be around your brother and wanted to look good but not too good what would you wear?"
"Never had that problem and I do not intend to ponder the ramifications of that question, Hayley," Klaus retorted. "Now, if you will excuse us, we need to give Caroline our undivided attention this morning."
"Yeah. Go ahead. Make her more nervous," Hayley called. Then she grabbed Caroline's hand. "I have a better idea. Klaus, you can get a coffee with Sheriff Forbes. Sheriff Forbes, you might want to interrogate that one; he has a bad reputation. Caroline and I are going to have some boy talk while we get ready for our days." Hayley yanked Caroline into the bathroom and closed the door.
"You remember that question you asked me yesterday about when that time of the month is?" Hayley questioned Caroline as she turned the shower on.
"Yes," Caroline called as she heard Hayley get into the shower.
"It's tonight. This is the first time it will happen in such a populated area and I don't want to hurt anyone so I was hoping you could help. I mean you and Rebekah," Hayley called over the sound of the shower.
"Did you tell Rebekah yet?" Caroline asked while sitting down on top of the toilet.
"No, I thought I'd do it when she comes home about the time you'll be in surgery." Hayley replied.
"Do you think she'll freak out?" Caroline called.
"Of course. She's Rebekah. She really should be taking that acting class." Hayley started to laugh and Caroline thought about Rebekah rushing off to the housing office and attempting to have her rooming assignment changed due to her roommate's nocturnal habits.
"Oh, yeah, I can see it now. Excuse me, I do not believe that it is stated in your information that you run a kennel three nights out of the month. I demand a full refund. Well, then get your manager." Caroline doubled over with laughter. "Can you tape this for me? I want to watch it after my eyes heal."
"Sure. Can I do anything else for you, your highness?" Hayley called lightly.
"Yes, can you tape this show I'm always hearing about, The Vampire's Journals. There's this new character played by my favorite actor, Joseph Montague. I heard he's smoking hot. But I'd like to see for myself."
"Will do," Hayley called, steeping out of the shower. "It's all yours."
"Thanks," Caroline called. She slipped out of her clothes and got into the shower. Shortly after she got in there was a tap on the door. "Yes?"
"Hey, Care. Can I come in?" Stefan's voice came out muffled because he was on the other side of the door.
"Yeah," Caroline called.
The door opened and then closed. "I wanted to tell you that I hope the surgery goes well for you," Stefan told her through the shower curtain.
"I do, too. Thanks, Stef," Caroline called to him.
"Caroline, I also needed to tell you something. Something I've been meaning to say for awhile now but I couldn't. I don't know why but I just felt like you wouldn't understand…" Stefan trailed off and then there was the sound of more tapping on the door.
"Caroline?" Klaus called. "Caroline, is there someone in the bathroom with you?"
Not knowing why she did it, Caroline called back, "No. I was playing my iPod. Trying to catch up on the news. That's all," Caroline called back and then pulled the shower curtain back, grabbing her iPod and turning it up.
"Caroline?" Stefan whispered into her ear while wrapping a towel around her body, making her shiver at the feel of his cool skin touching her bare skin.
"We'll talk later," Caroline reassured him, patting his arm. Then she pulled the door open and closed it behind her. "Hey, I thought you would still be with my mother," Caroline called to Klaus.
"I would have been if I hadn't run into my own and they started chatting. Suffice it to say I extracted myself in case we might have some time to be together before we go to your surgery. As Hayley pointed out you need to relax and I thought I might be able to help in that department." Caroline heard his swift footsteps move across the room and pull her off her feet.
"Klaus," Caroline tried to protest. "I need to get dressed." Feeling him lay her down on her bed and then pulling the towel away, Caroline tried to think of something to stop him so that Stefan wouldn't be stuck in the bathroom listening to his best friend getting friendly with her boyfriend.
"Klaus," Caroline began again and then felt his hand on her thighs pressing them ever so slightly to the sides.
"Shush, love. Let the doctor work his magic," Klaus murmured and then she felt his tongue.
"Klaus. Klaus, what if someone comes in?" Caroline whispered. She really hoped Stefan couldn't hear them through the door. Maybe she should have left the iPod in the other room. "Klaus, I have to get dressed," Caroline told him, placing her hand on the back of his head.
Klaus did not verbally respond. All her protests did was cause him to tighten his grip on her legs, pulling her closer. Giving up and in, Caroline grabbed a pillow and pressed it to her face to prevent the sounds her boyfriend was provoking to echo through the room.
Gripping a fist full of comforter while biting down on her pillow, Caroline felt her entire body tightening like a spring before she fell back on the bed. She felt Klaus pull back and pull the pillow away. "Feeling more relaxed now, are we, love?"
Giggling in spite of herself, Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down on top of her. "I'll take that as a yes," he whispered into her ear. "Now, I should go and let you get dressed. Wouldn't want your mother walking in on us like this, now would we?" Getting off the bed, Klaus walked out the door.
Caroline quickly wrapped the towel around herself and walked over to her bathroom. Turning the knob slowly and pulling the door open, she heard Stefan. He was breathing harshly and she wished at that moment she could see his face. "Stefan?"
"I've got to go, Care," Stefan told her as he brushed past her.
"Stefan, wait. Talk to me. Please. You're one of my only friends." Caroline called after Stefan.
"By the sounds of it you have a really close friend. So, why don't you talk to him about it?" Stefan jerked the door open and then walked into the hallway.
"Damn it," Caroline groaned as her mother came into the room.
"Hey, honey, was that Stefan Salvatore that just left? He didn't seem to be in a very good mood." Liz informed her daughter with that mother voice.
"He came to wish me good luck but I guess there's something he's upset about. Couldn't imagine what it is," Caroline told her mother. "I'm going to get dressed so we can go."
"Okay, honey. Your boyfriend is going to drive us. He seems nice enough but I've seen boys like him who were picked up for things I don't even want to think about. So, be careful, Caroline." Liz warned her daughter.
"Yes, Mom," Caroline replied while gathering a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She headed back to the bathroom to change.
An hour later they arrived at the doctor's office. "Hello, Caroline. It's nice to see you again." Caroline's optometrist said as he led her back to the room where she would be having the surgery in. He began to talk to her and she phased in and out trying to answer his questions. He left and she changed into a gown.
Lying back on the bed and having the nurse place a needle in her arm, Caroline began to count down from ten. She got to five before the blackness claimed her. It was a dreamless, drug induced sleep.
When she woke up there was a bandage over her eyes and Klaus was lying next her in her bed. "How long have I been out?" Caroline asked, yawning.
"It's about 5:00 pm. So, I would say for some time, love. They gave you something for the pain after you got out of surgery and you fell asleep in the elevator. I had to carry you to the car," Klaus replied.
"Yeah, and now that she's awake, Nik, it's time for you to go home," Rebekah spoke up from someplace close.
"Oh, and why is that, Sister?" Klaus asked, keeping his arm around Caroline.
"Because it's girl's night," Bonnie told him from some other part of the room.
"Yeah, so unless you want your nails polished and your hair done. Get out," Hayley snapped.
"Fine. Caroline, I will see later, love. If anything happens to her in my absence, Bekah…" Klaus warned his sister.
"You'll kill me good and proper. Now, get out." Rebekah could be heard shoving her brother out the door.
When he was gone Caroline sat up. "What are we really doing?"
"We're going to take Hayley across campus and chain her up for the night because she claims she's a giant dog. Personally, I think she needs medication," Rebekah told them, sounding irritated.
"Do you have something better to do?" Bonnie snapped at Rebekah.
"Gee, rather than be stuck with you lot tonight anything should be lovely," Rebekah snarled.
"Really? You could always spend the night with the acting teacher. Maybe he could teach you how to pretend to be compassionate. Or at the very least pull the stick out of your-" Hayley yelled before Caroline intervened.
"Hey, it's getting late. We need to get going," Caroline told them.
"Fine," Rebekah snapped.
"Put on some sensible shoes," Hayley ordered.
"What's wrong with these?" Rebekah sounded offended.
"You'll find out if I get loose," Hayley retorted and Caroline heard the door open. They left after Rebekah pulled on a pair of sneakers. "I didn't think you would have a pair of those," Hayley informed Rebekah in a snide tone.
"Screw yourself," Rebekah snapped as they walked down the hall and Hayley laughed.
When they got outside Hayley took the lead. "It's this little area. I think like a cellar or something just off campus. What it was there for I don't even want to know. But it beats nothing."
They walked down a flight of crumbling stairs and there was the sound of metal on metal screeching, loudly. "You want us to lock you down here for the night?" Rebekah asked, sounding worried.
"Yeah," Hayley replied dryly. "Unless you would like me to rip you limb from limb."
"What are you doing?" Bonnie piped up.
"Taking my clothes off. What does it look like?" Hayley snapped. "Or do you think I buy new clothes for every time this happens. Not all of us are rich like Becky here."
"Sorry," Bonnie said quietly.
"You chain yourself, get naked and then what exactly?" Rebekah asked.
"You'll see," was Hayley's response. "The tranq gun is in my bag. I hope you brought lots of coffee and you all need to be on the other side of the door like nooooooowwwwwwwwwww," Hayley began to scream at the end of the sentence and there were the sounds of loud popping like the sound of bones breaking. "Get out of here," Hayley growled at them.
Caroline felt Bonnie's hand on her turning her away from Hayley and shoving her out the door. All three girls slammed the gate shut and pushed the lock into place as Hayley screamed in pain. "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh."
"Oh, my God," Caroline whispered quietly. "That is so horrible. Could you imagine going through that every month?"
"No," Bonnie whispered.
"Rebekah?" Caroline called when Rebekah didn't comment and then she heard a high pitched sniffle.
"I thought she was lying," Rebekah cried out. "Oh, Hayley, I'm so sorry." Then there was the sound of a snarl and something hit the gate. "I'm not that sorry," Rebekah screamed indignantly. "Keep your teeth to yourself or I will have you declawed."
"I think we would be much better off on the other side of the door," Bonnie told them.
"There's a door?" Caroline asked as Rebekah and Bonnie pushed her ahead of them.
"Yes," Rebekah replied shortly. "And we are going to be on the other side of it. Now." They slammed the door shut and bolted it. "Alright. That is just great. So, our roommate is a bloody animal. Literally, I don't know if I can do this."
"How do you think Hayley feels?" Caroline asked Rebekah, feeling pissed off.
"I think she probably fells like she wants a water bowl and a bone. The next thing I know you'll be telling me that you're a vampire and want to suck my blood," Rebekah snapped.
"I'm a witch," Bonnie told them.
"What?" Caroline asked, when something slammed against the door and they all jumped.
"That's lovely, Glinda," Rebekah snapped and Caroline felt Rebekah's hand brush her own as they attempted to keep the door closed. "Do you think you can do a spell to make the mutt take a nap?"
"Not without my grimoire," Bonnie told Rebekah apologetically and Rebekah gritted her teeth. "So, we'll be at this all night." Rebekah spat out through clenched teeth. "Caroline, get the tranq gun and then run."
Caroline turned to Rebekah. "Are you out of your mind? She'll kill you," Caroline yelled at the other girl. "I'm not leaving you here."
Rebekah laughed bitterly. "I thought you would be happy to be rid of me. It could be like that girl who was found out in the woods. No one would have to know that you left me."
"That was a vampire. Not a werewolf," Caroline replied and then groaned when Hayley slammed into the door again.
"Oh, Caroline, first werewolves, which I will admit form the evidence there is a pretty strong case for, but now vampires. Really?" Rebekah questioned Caroline.
"We meet again, little girl, and look, you brought friends. Where's the boyfriend, he was tasty?" The vampire who had attacked Caroline and Klaus the week before called.
"Who is this?" Rebekah demanded. "Is this some kind of sick joke. Because I do not find it funny?"
"That. Rebekah," Caroline hissed, "is a vampire."
"Oh," Rebekah gulped and then screamed when the vampire lunged at them. Each of the girls ran away from the door.
"What do you three have in here? One of my buddies?" the vampire asked.
"Yeah," Caroline shouted at him.
"Good. I think I'll let him out so we can party with you three," the vampire jerked the bolt lose and Hayley jumped on top of him. Caroline, Rebekah and Bonnie scrambled to their feet.
"Get the bloody gun," Rebekah was shouting as Caroline unzipped the bag. "Over here." Rebekah screamed and Caroline did not know whether she was talking to Caroline or Hayley or the vampire.
Taking a deep breath, Caroline raised the gun to her bandaged eye, sniffed the air and fired. She heard a whimper and the sound of a body dropping to the ground. Sighing in relief, Caroline relaxed slightly. "Is everyone okay?"
"She ate that man?" Rebekah whispered.
"Vampire," Bonnie corrected.
"Good job, Hales," Caroline whispered coming over to stroke the weregirl's head. "Let's get her back inside. It's going to a long enough night as it is."
I hope all of you are enjoying the post-surgery chaos so far. There will be more to come in the next two chapters. You'll get to see Klaus' reaction to Caroline being able to see him. Oh, and a warning. The next chapter is funny in the beginning but it gets freakin' sad. So, beware and grab a box of tissues.
MissDK: I'm glad you liked Damon making mimicking Stefan. I love the Defan bromance but I really love Damon imitating or irritating his baby bro. And I just love Damon. I've been an Ian fan for a long time since Lost and probably before that.
Guest: Thank you. I shall take a bow now. Kol will be in next chapter. I promise. I would like to say that I don't lessen anyone's appearance but I try to give everyone a fair amount of time except for Caroline because this story is coming from her perspective of course.
Redbudrose: Thank you. I'm really happy that you're enjoying this story because it's has different feel than most of my work so I was afraid readers wouldn't like it.
Hello Beauti: Thank you so much. It's so cool that people like this story that much. I smile every time a reader tells me how much they like. So, my heart skips a beat when I go to post another chapter for fear this will be the one that readers hate and run away screaming.
AurorMartinez23: Klaus kind of runs off sometimes in the story. You'll see characters popping in and out of the story from time to time because some part of Caroline's story focuses more on her relationship with this character or that character. Like there's a chapter where it's basically Stefan and Caroline. And then in chapter 20 there is a big event revolving around Rebekah which takes into another major plot. Therefore Rebekah will have a larger role in the following chapters.
iikawin: Disclaimer: The original answer to this review has been changed, only in this paragraph. The word used has been changed to reflect my own personal views on the subject which is that if we're going to insult people; it should be in a manner in which you would insult anyone, or a generalized insult.
Really, Kol is trying to irritate the person who is romantically interested in his sister and he did say things to Rebekah that were horribly out of line. Let's just say that the Mikaelson family as a whole is not always politically correct and Kol is the worst offender followed by Mikael, Rebekah and Klaus.
Personally, I love the character of Marcel and I hope to see his character on TO for a good long time. That is why I incorporated him into this story and have given him a nice sized role in the plot. And I'm partial to Marcel/Rebekah.
Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing: AnimeLockDiaries, Nati1729, MissDK, Guest, Shadow's Secret, redbudrose, Hello Beauti, AurorMartinez23 and WeasleysGroupie.
Peace,
LL