AN: Hello! Thank you guys for all your support with this story! I love reading your reviews and seeing your thoughts and questions. If you ever have any ideas or suggestions to make this story more enjoyable, please don't hesitate to review or PM me. I want to make this story as interesting for all of you as it can be! That being said, this is the longest chapter I have ever written. I really hope you guys enjoy it!
Klaus trudged into his home. It was late and he had been busy. Plus he was not sleeping much, not that he needed sleep. As soon as he arrived at his home, he poured himself a drink and flopped down on the couch. Klaus sipped his scotch and his thoughts drifted to the reason he wasn't sleeping well. Caroline. He wondered what she was up to. He was still holding out hope that once he was done with his parents and has successfully co-parented Hope, he would be able to look for her. See how she has been spending her eternity. Klaus imagined what Caroline could be doing and his eyes slowly drift shut.
Klaus opened his eyes and was surprised to be standing in a dungeon of sorts. Only this one looked rather familiar. Klaus looked to the wall and saw three people chained up. Upon a closer look, Klaus recognized Caroline and Stefan as two of the captives. Klaus barely registered the conversation they were having about trying to break out. Klaus was more focused on turning in a circle to view the entire dungeon. It confirmed his original thought, that he was standing in his dungeon and Caroline, Stefan and some other vampire were chained up here.
Klaus bolted awake, gasping for unnecessary breath. It took a minute for his breathing to return to normal and then he vamped to the door to his dungeon. Klaus pulled open the heavy door, which scraped against the floor. Klaus took the steps two at a time to reach the bottom quickly. His eyes widened when, in fact, there was Caroline, Stefan and some other vampire chained to the wall of his dungeon.
Caroline's breath hitched when she saw him. "Klaus." She whispered in shock.
Stefan's head snapped to follow the direction of Caroline's eyes. "Klaus, can you help us out, here?"
Enzo sat there, taking in everything, smiling. Klaus ripped the door to the cell open and torn the chains off of Caroline's wrists and ankles, as if they were paper. Klaus grabbed Caroline's shoulders and held her still as his eyes roamed over her body, checking for injuries. When his eyes finally met hers, Caroline tried to give Klaus a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "What are you doing in New Orleans?" Klaus barely managed to choke out, due to his shock.
"Can you just let Stefan and Enzo free, first?" Caroline asked. She needed to think of a good lie to explain her being in New Orleans.
"Please, almighty hybrid, set us free." Enzo mocked.
Klaus ignored Enzo and looked from Caroline to Stefan. "Please, Caroline. Just explain to me why you came here and didn't try to find me first." Klaus pleaded.
"Klaus, they are my friends. Set them free." Caroline demanded. She had no intention of leaving Stefan and Enzo down in this cell.
Klaus grumbled under his breath, but freed Stefan. "Happy, now?"
"No." Caroline stood her ground and narrowed her eyes at Klaus.
"It's rather lonely sitting here by myself." Enzo complained, though he was still smiling, amused at the way Caroline could manipulate the Hybrid.
"I don't even know who that annoying vampire is. Why would I free him?" Klaus said, granting Enzo a dirty look.
"I'm Enzo. Pleased to meet you, mate." Enzo tried to stick his hand out for a handshake.
Caroline rolled her eyes and Klaus continued to ignore Enzo. "That is Enzo. He's my friend. Please, Klaus. We didn't do anything. Just let him go."
Klaus looked from Enzo to Caroline. "Only if you promise to stay here and explain to me what you are doing in New Orleans."
Caroline nodded and Klaus freed Enzo. "Thanks Gorgeous." Enzo winked and gave Caroline a quick kiss on the cheek, before vamping out of the house.
Klaus growled possessively and clenched his fists. After a moment, Klaus turned to Stefan and Caroline who had been watching Klaus carefully. "Come." Klaus rested his hand on Caroline's lower back and led the two vampires up the stairs. Caroline looked around the home in awe of its beauty and décor. They stopped in a sitting room and Klaus smiled. "Would either of you like a drink?"
"Actually, I was hoping to find your sister. Any idea where she might be?" Stefan asked.
Klaus continued pouring his drink, while looking at Stefan with a twinkle in his eye. "I'm sure she will be thrilled to see you, Ripper." Klaus pulled a blank page out his sketch book and wrote an address down. "Look for her here." Klaus wrote one more thing down before handing the page to Stefan. "If she's not there, this is her cell number."
Stefan smiled in gratitude. "Thank you, Klaus. I'll touch base with you later, Care." Stefan said locking eyes with Caroline to make sure she was comfortable being alone with Klaus.
"Ok. Have fun, Stef." Caroline gave Stefan a little wink. Stefan chuckled as he left the house in search of Rebekah.
Klaus turned toward Caroline and offered her a seat on the couch. Caroline reluctantly sat down and watched as Klaus placed himself next to her. Not too close, but most certainly not on the other side of the couch either. Klaus took a moment to just take Caroline in. She looked much like she had in his dreams. Although her hair was not perfectly styled, most likely due to her encounter with his vampires. She was wearing a tank top and jeans, which looked just tempting enough. Caroline squirmed slightly under Klaus' scrutinizing. "So?" Caroline said, hoping to take his focus off of staring at her.
"Talk to me, Caroline. Why did you come to New Orleans? I'm hurt that you didn't search me out." Klaus decided his best bet was to charm the truth out of her.
"We were hoping to not stay too long. Enzo is looking for a witch and he dragged Stefan and I along for the ride." Caroline lied. She could hear her accelerated heart beat and hoped that Klaus was too focused on staring at her to notice.
Klaus tried not to get angry. Caroline had always been a horrible liar. He always knew when she had been playing him. It didn't mean it didn't hurt, but he was not a fool. "Caroline, love." Klaus held in his ire. "I have it on good authority that you were in fact searching for Hayley." Caroline gulped and diverted her eyes. "Don't lie to me." Klaus' voice took on a dangerous edge.
Caroline looked around the room for a minute, sorting out her thoughts. "I'm not lying. We are looking for a witch. The witch may or may not have a connection to Hayley. How is ruling New Orleans? What have I missed?" Caroline turned the conversation onto Klaus and smiled brightly, expecting Klaus to just accept her explanation.
Klaus chuckled and shook his head. He did not completely believe her, but he would allow the excuse for now. "I would love to show you around my city. Show you firsthand what I have been up to." Klaus gifted Caroline with his charming smile, his dimples making an appearance.
"Maybe. That might be nice." Caroline replied, returning Klaus' smile with her own. Caroline's smile faltered a little. "Why were we captured for asking about Hayley? Is she still under your protection?" Caroline asked with a small amount of disdain for the wolf.
Klaus swallowed hard. He debated within himself whether he should tell Caroline about Hope. Klaus wondered if she was aware that Hayley had only been under his protection because she was pregnant with his child. What would Caroline think of him having a child with the wolf, whom she seemed to dislike so much? Klaus had trusted Cami with the information about Hope, but he had thought about Caroline when he had brought Cami to see Hope. Klaus opened his mouth, just about ready to spill his dirty secrets to the vampire he couldn't get out of his heart, when his phoned beeped. Klaus checked the caller ID and saw it was Elijah. "Excuse me a moment, Caroline." Klaus vamped into another room and answered the call. "Elijah."
"Klaus. I'm at the safe house with Hope. I have gotten a call from Marcel and he asked for my help with dealing with some vampires. I need you to come watch over your daughter." Elijah worded the demand in the nicest possible way he could. Hope was in fact Klaus' daughter and it should be assumed that he was responsible for the baby.
Klaus grunted and growled into the phone. "Right. Give me a few minutes to get there." Klaus hung up, angry that he might not get another chance to talk to Caroline. But Hope was his priority at the moment. Sighing, Klaus vamped back to Caroline. "Please forgive me, but business calls." Caroline nodded and Klaus detected a bit of sadness in her eyes. That only fueled his guilt and anger. "Enjoy my city. Make the most of your time here, please. And good luck finding your witch." Klaus gave Caroline a cheeky smile.
Caroline gave Klaus a small smile, that didn't fully reach her eyes. "Thanks, Klaus. Good luck with your business."
Caroline wondered around the dark streets of New Orleans for a while. She tried to make sense of what happened at Klaus'. Just before his phone rang, there was a vulnerable honesty in his eyes, which made her wonder if he would come clean about Hope. However, that phone call changed everything. Klaus returned to the room with his eyes guarded and his charismatic, yet closed off demeanor back. All it did was fuel Caroline's deep seeded insecurities. Perhaps he was over her and he felt that he couldn't trust her to keep his secret. Caroline tried not to let herself get too depressed thinking that her chance with Klaus was gone before she even took it. Caroline turned down a street and saw a familiar building. Caroline's eyes drifted to the sign out front, reading Rousseau's. The bar she had found Klaus in during her first dream of him. Caroline sighed and decided that a little alcohol would be just what she needed. Caroline sat down at the bar and just stared at her hands.
"What can I get for you?" A woman's voice drifted to Caroline's ears.
Caroline lifted her eyes up and took in the familiar looking woman. This was the woman from her dream. Caroline schooled her features, as to not reveal her shock. "Yeah, can I get a shot of whisky?"
The blonde human shot Caroline a smile. "Sure." The bar tender set the glass down and filled it up. "I'm Cami, by the way." Cami slid the glass towards Caroline.
Caroline gulped down the entire contents of the glass and grimaced. "Caroline."
"You look like you're having a rough day?" Cami insinuated and Caroline huffed. "Another shot?" Cami offered as she fulfilled some other orders.
"Yeah." Caroline nodded.
"What's got you down?" Cami asked, genuinely wondering why this beautiful blonde woman was so upset.
"The same thing that causes all women to drink." Caroline gave a half smile to Cami. "Men."
Cami let out a laugh. "Ah, I see. Want to talk about it? I've got my own man issues to work through, too. We can help each other." Cami smiled at Caroline.
Caroline tipped back her second drink. "If you keep these coming, I would love to work through my issues with you." Caroline replied. She knew she would regret this. She wasn't sure if she would regret the heavy drinking or listening to Cami talk about Klaus. From her dream, she could only assume that Klaus was the man that Cami was dealing with issues concerning.
"Deal." Cami filled the glass again. "So, tell me about this guy that's got you so sad." Cami leaned her elbows on the bar top and rested her chin in her hands.
"He's this guy I've known for a while. He had this, uh, crush on me." Caroline laughed to herself. The almighty hybrid having a crush. "But I had a boyfriend at the time. This guy made all these promises and told me all these sweet things back then. I just saw him for the first time in a year or so and I know he's keeping secrets from me."
"How do you know?" Cami interrupted.
Caroline was glad she was not too drunk yet, that she could still think on her feet. "We run in the same circles. I heard things from mutual friends. But he won't tell me. I think he doesn't trust me. Worse, I think he is over me, regardless of the promises he gave me. His grand declarations of love." Caroline downed her next drink, satisfied with the burn of the alcohol down her throat.
Cami filled Caroline's glass again and disappeared for a few minutes to make some other drinks. "So, what now?" Cami asked, completely invested in Caroline's man, or rather hybrid, drama.
"Now, I need to get over him. Because he is clearly over me." Caroline downed the drink and pointed the glass at Cami. "Your turn."
Cami laughed, finding Caroline to be enjoyable. "Ok." Cami filled Caroline's glass again and wondered how such a small woman could hold her liquor so well. "So, there are these two guys. They are so different, but very similar at the same time. And I really like them both." Cami admitted.
Caroline was reminded of Elena and all her drama with the Salvatore brothers. "They aren't brothers are they?" Caroline prayed Cami wasn't having a thing with Elijah too. Especially since she remembered Elijah having feelings for Hayley. Caroline's thoughts were getting jumbled and she figured the whisky was affecting her more than she had expected.
"No, not brothers. But they are kind of like family. It's hard to explain." Cami admitted. As she gave Caroline another shot, she began to assume that Caroline must be either a vampire or werewolf. But Caroline didn't seem to want to hurt anyone, so she decided not to call Caroline out on it. Besides, she was enjoying talking with Caroline.
Klaus reluctantly pulled into the driveway at the safe house. "Elijah, I'm here." Klaus called as he walked through the door.
"Wonderful. Thank you brother." Elijah slid into his suit coat and smoothed down his pants. "Hope is in her crib, but she has been fussy tonight. I will return once Marcel and I have dealt with the vampires."
Klaus nodded and listened to hear his daughters little grumbles and fusses upstairs. Elijah flashed out of the house and Klaus quietly walked up to his daughter's room. Sure enough, Hope was awake in her crib, rolling around and scrunching her little face up. Klaus gently picked up his daughter and settled in the wooden rocking chair in the corner of the room. Hope cuddled into Klaus' chest and Klaus let out a sigh. "I should have told her. She deserves to know the truth about you. But then don't I deserve to know the truth about why she is here? She didn't come for me. But I wish she would stop lying. Perhaps if I had been truthful to her, she would extend me the same courtesy. Then again, when has Caroline ever done what is expected of her." Klaus mused softly, to his daughter. Klaus looked down to see Hope's eyes closed, her breathing even and soft. She had finally settled down and fallen asleep and Klaus was too comfortable to move. He let his eyes slowly drift closed, as he held on to his sleeping daughter.
Klaus opened his eyes and was pleasantly surprised to see Caroline sitting at the bar in Rousseau's. It meant that she was still in New Orleans and enjoying his city. He walked up behind her and was little shocked to see her talking to Cami. Klaus moved to stand next to Caroline so he could listen and watch her.
"Well, the one guy is really charismatic. I like him and he clearly likes me. We had have a physical relationship in the past." Cami admited, her cheeks tinted pink with blush.
Caroline choked on her drink. "Really?" Klaus looked closely at Caroline and could see some hurt in her eyes.
"Yeah, but more disturbing is the other guy. We've never been more than just friends. He has this crazy family and a daughter." Klaus was still watching Caroline's face, as recognition hit. Now Cami was talking about him. "He took me to meet his daughter and it just meant so much to me. I just really see something in him that most people don't. I want to bring out the sweet, caring man he can be. I know I can do it. If he would just let me." Klaus sighed to himself. He knew Cami had developed some feelings for him, but he hadn't realized that she thought of herself as being able to bring out his humanity. Klaus watched as Caroline downed another drink and wobbled a bit on her bar stool. Caroline was obviously getting drunk.
Caroline held up her glass and Cami regrettably filled it again. "So, you bring out his, humanity, for a lack of a better word." Caroline had barely asked the question without slurring.
"Yeah. That's a good way of putting it." Cami smiled to herself. "And I like that I can do that to him. We have shared these intimate dances, and we even came close to kissing. He confides in me and I was able to convince him to have mercy on someone. And then letting me meet his baby, who is kind of a secret." Cami continued on her story, without noticing Caroline's face. Klaus watched the light drain out of her eyes and the jealousy and defeat take over.
"Sounds like he must like you, too. What's holding you back?" Caroline downed another glass of whisky.
"He just seems hung up on something. I can't pull the admission of his feelings for me out." Cami replied, sadly. Klaus could only shake his head. He wouldn't admit to those feelings because they weren't there. He could never be in love with Cami. Not when Caroline was what his heart desired.
Klaus stood back as Enzo entered the bar. "Hey Gorgeous." He said sitting next to Caroline. One look at her face and Enzo wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What's the matter, Caroline?" Enzo's entire body language changed, seeing Caroline noticeably drunk and upset.
Cami smiled at the handsome, accented vampire. "She's having a rough day. She's been drinking. A lot."
Enzo nodded his thanks to Cami. "Come along. Let's get you a place to sleep it off." Enzo practically carried Caroline out of the bar and Klaus could only follow, growling at the vampire. "I take it your little talk with Klaus didn't go so well." Enzo tried to engage Caroline in conversation.
"Yeah, I think he's completely over me. I was just chatting with his newest love." Caroline's voice was husky from being drunk and she slurred a bit. Klaus followed them to a hotel and watched as Enzo compelled them a room. As they were waiting for the elevator, Klaus watched with wide, jealous eyes as Caroline leaned into Enzo, unstable on her own two feet. Caroline whispered in Enzo's ear. "Are you going to come up and join me?" Enzo turned to look at Caroline and before he could answer, Caroline pulled Enzo in and kissed him, hard and rough.
"Nik!" Rebekah's shrill shout woke Klaus up with a start. It also caused Hope to jump in his arms and let out a wail.
Klaus focused on calming his upset daughter down and tried to put his heart break over Caroline making out with some other vampire out of his mind. "What do you want, Rebekah?" Klaus grumbled as he stomped towards his sister, with a crying baby in his arms.
Stefan was stunned into silence at the sight of Klaus cradling a child and offered no help to Rebekah. "Nik, we need to talk."
Klaus narrowed his eyes at his sister. "Talk, then." Klaus moved to the living room, where he sat down and was finally able to lull Hope back to sleep.
Rebekah launched into a long story about how Stefan and she have been having these strange dreams about each other. She explained that they confirmed that the dreams aren't exactly dreams, but they are actually seeing each other at the moment. Stefan found his voice and explained how a witch confirmed they are the result of a spell. Klaus just nodded in silence.
"Do you dream of Caroline?" Stefan asked. Klaus just turned his head so that neither Stefan nor Rebekah could see his face. Stefan sighed. "She dreams about you." Stefan said quietly.
"Yes. I have dreams about her. This last one you woke me up from was quite revealing." Klaus mumbled.
"She's hurt. She knows about Hope. She's heard about her from other people and not you." Stefan explained.
"Yes, well. She is currently drunk and at a hotel with that other vamp you lot arrived with." Klaus admitted.
"Ok, well I need to go stop her before she does something she will regret." Stefan said as he turned to leave the safe house.
"I'll stay with Hope. Go with Stefan." Rebekah reached out for Hope and nodded to her brother.
Caroline and Enzo stumbled into the hotel room. Caroline was pulling Enzo close to her. Enzo could smell the whisky on her breath and he knew he needed to stop this. But Caroline had attacked him. She had attacked him with hot and desperate kisses and it was using all his will power to not just take her against the doors of the elevator. Caroline let go of Enzo and peeled her shirt off, leaving her standing in front of him in just a pair of tight, skinny jeans and a lacy black bra. Enzo groaned as Caroline reached for the button on her jeans. Enzo's hands shot out and wrapped around Caroline's drunk ones.
"Please, Caroline." Enzo whispered. "Stop." Caroline looked up at Enzo with wide and almost innocent eyes. "This isn't you, Goldilocks." Enzo took a step back. "You are drunk and hurt. You just want to forget. But I'm not Klaus. I'll gladly take you back to that bed and make you scream my name all night long. But only if I am the one you want. I know I am not who you'd be imagining." Enzo watched as realization hit Caroline and tears filled her eyes. "Come here, Gorgeous." Enzo opened his arms and let Caroline just fall into them. He guided them to the couch. Enzo sat down and Caroline flopped next to him, resting her head on his chest. Enzo felt his shirt get damp with Caroline's tears and he just wrapped his arms tighter around her body.
"He's completely over me. You know the saying 'you never know what you have until it's gone'? I'm living that right now. I waited too long and he's moved on. Klaus has Hope, New Orleans and Cami. I have nothing." Caroline continued to just sob into Enzo's chest, half naked.
The door came crashing down as Klaus and Stefan appeared, walking into the hotel room. Klaus' eyes turn yellow as he took in Caroline's lack of a shirt and her very close proximity to Enzo. Klaus flew at Enzo, ripping him away from Caroline and pinning him to the wall. Klaus growled and thrust his hand deep into Enzo's chest.
"Klaus! What the hell?!" Caroline screeched. "Stop!" Caroline pulled at Klaus' arm, more tears flowing down her cheeks rapidly. Klaus let go of Enzo's heart and pulled his hand from the vampire's chest. Klaus still held Enzo up, by the neck with his other hand. "What is your problem?" Caroline demanded.
Klaus turned to Caroline and tried to ignore the tears she was shedding for this lesser vampire. "I'm going to kill him." Klaus tilted his head in Enzo's direction.
" Why? What reasons could you possibly have for killing my friend?" Caroline exclaimed, sobering up quickly.
"Look at your state, Love. He was touching you." Klaus admitted. Leaving out the part in his head that said 'He was touching what is mine. You are mine.'
"What right do you have to say that?" Caroline demanded. She didn't even give Klaus time to reply. "Enzo was a gentleman. I was the one who threw myself at him. But he stopped me before we went any further. Not that it's any of your business." Caroline huffed. Stefan slowly approached her, handing Caroline her discarded tank top. Caroline gave him a small, embarrassed smile in thanks. "What are you two even doing here?" Caroline asked, as she pulled the shirt on.
Klaus loosened his hold on Enzo and Stefan took Caroline's hand. "Care, we need to talk."
AN: This note has nothing to do with the story, that being the reason why it's down here. I just wanted to say that I have joined tumblr a short while ago. And while I don't post too much about Klaroline, I do enjoy reposting and reading/admiring the things that so many talented Klaroline lovers post. I would love to follow any of you who are on tumblr, so please feel free to review or PM me your url. You are welcome to follow me at tippybabe093, but my posts are mostly dedicated to my ultimate passion, my kids. :)