Title: Between Two Points
Category: Alternate History
Rating: M for language, mild sexual situations, and violence
Couples: Stefan/Caroline/Damon; Klaus/Caroline/Elijah; Niklaus/Charlotte/Elijah, Stefan/Charlotte/Damon
Note: Sorry, there was a mistake in the first update. It was in the second entry of Mystic Falls 1862, when Damon and Charlotte are talking about the confederacy; there was a part in there which states he met Charlotte after Stefan but I in fact meant it the other way around, my apologies for any confusion.
Please read and review. If there is any confusion please leave it in a review and I will do my best to respond in my next update.
V
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 1862
He watched as his two companions played their habitual game of chase that warm afternoon; laughs electrifying the air as the blond danced out of the young man's reach every moment he grew inches away from capturing her in his arms. He had become so accustom to the sight of his brother and the woman he was growing in affection for that it was hard for him to find fault in the time in which they spent together. But he could not deny that in his heart the affection he had growing for Charlotte was more than that of sisterly necessity. There was indeed a part of him that was irrevocably infatuated with the girl. And he could tell, by the way she shared his smiles and tired stares, that there was possibly—a part of her that felt the same; and if he had to he would insure he did whatever was necessary to win her heart.
"Damon!" Stefan called out as he made his way down toward the family rose garden; the one in which served as a labyrinth of excitement and childish foolery for the two. The older man's head twisted to look behind him and up at Stefan as he approached at a surprisingly brisk pace; nodding a good afternoon to the chaperone for them that day, Mary—Charlotte's personal handmaiden, who'd traveled with her all the way from New York.
"Good afternoon, Stefan," Charlotte greeted with a delighted expression, lips curved into a large smile; curtsying in her adorable blue dress.
"Charlotte." The young Salvatore greeted warmly with a smile of his own before addressing his brother, "Father wishes to speak to you."
Damon's face wore a pinched expression of discomfort at the knowledge. He was sure his father was going to finally give him an incredibly lengthy and boring lecture about his dismissal at joining his fellow confederates in the war. With an audible sigh he turned his attention to the blond before making his departure.
"I'm sorry. It seems I will not be able to make our evening stroll."
Charlotte gave him a nod of understanding, wearing a feigned smile of indifference. "Tis' no matter…I'm confident Stefan will be a suitable replacement. Go on; I would not enjoy being the reason you kept your father waiting."
The older Salvatore looked between the two hesitantly before bowing out and turning toward the estate and making his way.
Charlotte's eyes watched his departure before turning to the other Salvatore, a slight glint in them mirroring the enthusiasm bottled up inside of him at the turn of events. He'd never expected he would be granted the opportunity to woo the young woman. He felt himself mentally jump for joy as she extended her hand out to him expectantly, beckoning him forward.
"Let us be off, Stefan," Her sweet voice called to him like the siren singing her deadly song, "Before the sun goes down."
His feet moved under him, shuffling toward her as his heart began to beat excitedly as his hand came around her gloved one; wrapping her arm around his and leading them through the bushes of blooming roses; Mary following silently five strides distance behind them.
England, 1489
The room held the stench of death. Blood lined the walls; so much that it took her back to her first night—her first kill. There were soft moans coming from the shrouded corner were his bed lay…and the bitterly sweet scent of blood. The moans grew louder as she neared the cot; its canopy veiling her from what may lay behind. She knew she ought not be in Niklaus' bedchamber but the urge had returned; the one to bathe in the blood of all the able bodied servants that slid past her in the corridors of their new home. And only Klaus seemed able to keep her level.
As her hand reached out and grabbed hold of the black, silk covering draping around the bed the sounds got louder. It sent a flutter down to her toes and slowly, deliberately she pulled it back; unsure of what she would find. Her eyes grew wide at the sight before her and her lips warped into a tight line. Niklaus' head rested between the legs of a familiar brunette—the one from the party they'd held over a month ago. Her hands were running through his dark, blonde locks a whimper stuck in her throat as he continued on with his ministrations.
"Niklaus." Charlotte spoke up, the sweet scent of the blood streaming from the woman's femoral artery emitting horrific undertones of pain to the blonde's head; of things she wished she herself could be doing. Ripping someone inside out and pouring their blood down her throat.
The man either did not hear her—which was highly improbable with his magnificent hearing, or he was choosing to ignore her. The latter idea alone sent waves of anger throughout her body and she found herself seizing him from behind, yanking him away from the girl and tossing him across the room. His back collided into the nearest wall and he slid down onto his rear. His head lolled to the side and his hair fell over his face, hiding his expression.
"Niklaus I am in need of assistance." She got out between breaths, trying to block out the scents flowing throughout the room. She heard movement behind her and an aggravated chortle.
"Why are you here?" The loathsome voice bellowed from the bed, the girl sitting up slowly using whatever strength she had left to boost her up. Charlotte looked over her shoulder and eyed her as she continued on, "Klaus does not want you…you intolerable shrew…I could give him all that he desires; a wife, a lover…and a son."
The blond internally flinched at her words. She'd always wanted children…it was one of the many things that plagued her over the years. And it was one of the things that set free the creature inside of her whenever she was angered.
"I've heard the rumors…we all have. Walls are not thick." The brunette cooed in torment, eyes drifting past Charlotte to Klaus, who watched on with lithe amusement. "She cannot give you the son you desi—"
Her voice caught in her throat as Charlotte suddenly stood before her, eyes transformed into that of an unspeakable demon; a hand clasped tightly around her neck, strangling her with an unusual glint in her eye.
"And neither will you," She whispered darkly before taking the girls head in her hands; ending her life with a sickening snap. She let the body fall from her, onto the bed stained in her blood.
"I quite liked that one Poppet," Klaus's voice cut through the silence as he got to his feet; hand going to the back of his head and rubbing softly. Charlotte turned back around to face him; seemingly unaffected by his nudity. Her eyes were darker than usual as she stared back at him for a moment, the next instant she was before him; only an inch between them.
"I see your primal instincts have come to play." He murmured as she took a step forward; trailing her nose up his arm, across his shoulder, up his neck and stopping just below his lips; which, were stained with the blood of the girl. Her tongue poked out, lapping it up with a devilish expression.
"Compel me," She suddenly spoke out, taking an unsteady step back, then another as he followed suit. "Please Niklaus, I do not wish to do this…I beg of you."
She never ran to Elijah when she began to feel her humanity slipping; though he was the one of the two who showed more kindness toward mortality. He had a larger appreciation for it. She just did not wish him to see her biggest fault.
His head craned to the side in thought as he continued to match her steps, until the back of her knees meet the edge of his bed. His compulsion was all she needed to return back to her sweet, gentle self. But she'd killed his new plaything and therefore she must serve out the purpose as her replacement for the night.
"Not tonight, Charlotte," He enlightened her, reaching out and running a hand through her hair. Her body quivered at the contact, eyes shooting to his hand. "I'm in need of a bedmate tonight…Don't you remember how much fun we had? You were a remarkable lover."
VI
Mystic Falls, Virginia, September 2009
Stefan Salvatore—her lips twitched into a small smile when she caught sight of the boy heading in her direction. The blonde's heart fluttered in her chest and she took a deep breath. There was just something about him that made her stomach do back-flips and her skin tingle with excitement; and as his eyes trailed appreciatively over the short, blue sundress she'd decided to wear for the Founders' Party that night she felt the familiar sensations coming on. There was a warm glow in his expression as he approached, extending a glass of champagne out to her; which she gladly accepted.
"Thank you," she murmured, peaking around them to make sure her mother was nowhere in sight before taking a sip; the soft, tart taste sliding down her throat as she returned her attention to her date for that evening.
He was staring at her silently, intently; as if he were trying to figure something out—figure her out. He bore his pensive forehead, lines creased in a way abnormal for any typical teenage boy; as if he'd had so many deep, complex thoughts running through him. Caroline was quick to learn Stefan was not the typical teenage boy. He was cultured—he spoke Italian flawlessly, he was a seasoned cook, and he actually read literature. As appose to guys like Tyler and Matt who lived off of minimal syllable usage, fast-food, and sports illustrated. And that's what she liked about him. He was different—in a good way.
"Stefan," She spoke up, earning an apologetic look from the boy who had been staring; he took a swallow from his own glass before turning his full attention to her, "I wanted to say thanks for getting me to come out tonight…"
The boy tilted his head to the side, gazing down at her with one of his usual expressions; the perfect mixture of sympathy and empathy. She continued on with a grateful smile.
"I've been really out of it lately after everything that happened this summer with Elena and the funeral…and my own family drama. I really need this…thanks, again. Really."
Stefan nodded with his mouth tugging into a small smile. He'd yet to say a word, though that was fine with Caroline. All she really wanted was for someone to just listen. And the Salvatore was great at it.
"I don't know what—"
His sudden touch on her shoulder silenced her; and her eyes drifted down to where his hand rested, heart thumping a bit faster in her chest with exhilaration.
"You look beautiful tonight."
"I was thinking the exact same thing." A smooth voice said from behind. Caroline stole a look over Stefan's shoulder, eyes meeting the deepest blue she'd ever seen. The man was beaming a crooked smile at her and she felt Stefan tense up beside her. He turned swiftly on his heel, blocking her view of the unfamiliar face.
"Damon…what are you doing here?" Stefan inquired in a steady voice, eyes darting from the man to the blond wearily.
"I cut my vacation short," Damon informed him, brow raised slightly as he turned his eyes onto the blond, "Monaco was a bore. You'd think my brother would be happy to see me."
Caroline looked between the two flabbergasted about the turn of events. They were brothers? Why hadn't Stefan ever mentioned to her that he had a brother? Realizing she'd yet to voice any of her thoughts on the matter she spoke up.
"I'm sorry. Should I leave?" She asked hurriedly; she never knew how these sibling reunions were supposed to go and she didn't want to encroach on their time together.
"Yes."
"No," Damon exclaimed as he eyed her with interest. "Ignore my brother. He tends to get a bit paranoid whenever I meet one of his girlfriends. He thinks I'm going to steal them with my good looks and charm."
She blushed slightly at him for thinking she and his brother were dating and rolled her eyes internally at his obvious flirtation technique. It was cute though.
"I'm Damon; the better looking, funnier, older brother." He said with a devilish grin, extending a hand out to her.
"Caroline Forbes," She replied in turn. As she put out her hand to shake he caught it in his, bringing it to his lips and placing a chaste kiss on it.
"Nice to meet you," Damon's grin widened as he stared up at her.
Eastern Europe, 475
Charlotte followed her companion Genovefa through the marsh, eyes set on the tiny, slanted hut standing up ahead with clouds of black smoke being released through what was a break in the covering. She knew what the people of the village whispered in secret about the woman that dwelled there—an enchantress they said, others a worker of the devil. But, from what the brunette had told her she was none of these things. And Genovefa was never one to be deceitful.
"We've arrived," the girl informed her with a soft smile, bring a fist up and rapping her knuckles on the wooden door of the home. They were suddenly blinded by a white light as the entry opened and a hunched figure appeared before them.
"Ay?" An unusually warm voice spoke up, face shrouded by the light in their eyes.
"It's me Agatha," the brunette informed her, pulling back the hood of her cloak to reveal her face. Large, brown eyes staring back at the woman with a curious playfulness in them; long, dark brown ringlets pulled back into a messy tie, exposing her perfectly oval and beige face. "Genovefa and I've brought a friend as you asked."
The older woman looked from the girl to Charlotte, eyeing her closely before nodding her approval; motioning them to come inside before closing the door securely behind her.
"Why am I here?" Charlotte inquired as the woman slid past them further into the dwelling and began gathering up vials of unidentifiably things and bowls of foreign powders that immediately sent off voices of alarm in her head. Genovefa had promised her that she was not dealing with the devil but from what she was witnessing she begged to differ.
"Charlotte." Her companion hushed her; placing a hand on hers for comfort as Agatha looked up from the cluster of ingredients she had arranged around a large cauldron-like bowl. "I promise all will be well…Agatha has visions…and they warn her of impending dangers…"
"You promised me she was not dealing with the devil, Genovefa," the blond exclaimed, tugging her hand free as she stared at the girl in contempt. Her lips set in a thin line.
"She is not."
"Visions, Genovefa? You are spouting outrageous things," Charlotte continued, bringing a hand to her head to massage the throbbing vein pulsating in agitation. Their visit to the woman had been a mistake. She knew she should have waited along with her mother for the return of Niklaus and Elijah, as well as their family. They'd been away for over a month and she missed them dearly. However, her childhood friend had come to her with a request and who was she to deny her this one, simple thing. Though simple was no longer the word she would use—dangerous was now it. The could be punished severley if they were thought to be participating in the dark arts.
"Charlotte, I beg of you…please, just listen."
The blonde's eyes shifted from Genovefa to Agatha, who was waiting impatiently for her reply. With a curt bob of the head she was back at work. Mixing and pouring things into her bowl, and then she was at their side, pulling them each toward wide wooden toped slabs; which each took a seat on as instructed.
"What did you see in your…visions?" Charlotte asked with a hint of skepticism in her voice. Although she was doing this for her companion she still distrusted the strange woman. People talked—said she could set things aflame with simply a look.
"Death." Agatha answered in a whisper, turning the contents of the bowl with a large wooden stick. "And blood. And creatures beyond mortal limitations."
VII
Mystic Falls, Virginia 2011
"What do you mean you saw me?" Caroline inquired from where she sat; eyes following the older Salvatore paced the floor of the living room before the fireplace, glass of bourbon in hand.
"I mean she looked exactly like you…" Damon informed her, ears listening for Stefan's return from the witch's house. He'd been sent out to ask if there was a possibility someone could be using a spell to impersonate the blond. She watched him worriedly; and he paused mid step as a thought came to him suddenly. "Doppelganger…"
"What?" She exclaimed at the idea. The brothers had told her about Katherine. Hell, she'd met the queen bitch herself over two years ago—where she was now they didn't know. She'd come roaring back into Mystic Falls hoping to win the boys over with her zeal and never ending abundance of sex appeal. They'd sent her packing with a stake through the chest and a warning to never come back.
It had been weird having the face of her best friend wearing an unfamiliar expression, voicing cruel and usual things to her about the Salvatores' disillusion of love for her. And they had urged her to ignore the girl, which she had done. And when Katherine had threatened her life, as well as Elena's, they were quick to jump to the rescue.
But now—the mere suggestion that she herself had a doppelganger was enough to send waves of panic throughout her body down to her very core. What would that mean for her? How was it possible?
"Wha—why would I have a doppelganger?" Caroline stammered as a familiar feeling of dread washed over her. If she did have a doppelganger that could only mean one thing—trouble. Katherine had warned them of an old vampire—one in search of the doppelganger, before she'd left. If she herself was a doppelganger did that mean she was in trouble, too? She ran a hand through her mess of blond locks, hand trembling slightly as that thought came to her. "That…that can't be possible…Damon, how is that possible?"
The Salvatore's faced softened at her look of distress, and he made his way to her side, placing a comforting hand on her knee as he sat down beside her. "I—I don't know Caroline. But we're going to find out."
"But Katherine…what she told us—I can't be a doppelganger—I can't." She breathed out and Damon pulled her shaking body into his chest, placing a kiss on her forehead as she attempted to calm her nerves.
"It will be okay, Caroline. Elena is the Petrova Doppelganger not you," He reminded her, running a hand down her side, "She is the one needed to break the Curse of the Sun and Moon, not you."
She nodded in his hold in understanding. He was completely right, which reminded her of one very important thing: they would need to protect Elena when the time came, whether it'd be from a vampire or a werewolf. Caroline pushed away from the man slightly, gazing into his eyes with adoration in her own. "I know…but if it's true, and I am or I have a doppelganger, what does that mean for me?"
Damon stared back at her and sighed, "I really don't know, Caroline. But, we'll figure this out. I promise. I will never let anything happen to you."
Stefan slid out the front door of the Bar & Grill wearing an expression of discontent. He had been unable to find Bonnie, and Jeremy—her boyfriend, could not help find her for him. It was a bit disheartening especially when he wished he could be at Caroline's side, comforting her through her time of confusion. He himself almost didn't believe Damon when he'd informed them on the look-alike. It baffled him that there was a possibility of more than one doppelganger being in Mystic Falls. Hell, the first time he saw Elena he'd almost been tempted to get to know her purely because she resembled Katherine. But the moment he'd laid eyes on the blond there was just something inside him urging him to talk to her. Maybe it was her blood, it exuded a unique smell; it drove him crazy and he remembered what happened two years ago—when he'd almost gone ripper on the poor girl. He shook the memory away as he made his way down Main Street, hoping to find the girl in one of the small shops when a head of familiar blond hair caught his eye disappearing into a small boutique.
He followed after, entering the establishment with a searching eye. Spotting the figure heading toward the back entrance, he pursued slowly behind, heart thumping in his chest wildly—or so it felt like. Stefan passed the cashier check-out stand, made his way down the hallway, through the back door into an empty alleyway.
"What—"
All of a sudden he felt his back collide into the side of the building, rough brick underneath his suddenly tense muscles as his eyes landed on his attacker, widening slightly; his breath caught in his throat at the visage distorted with veins protruding around the eyes and canine teeth lengthened into fangs before him.
His attacker stared back at him with a startled glare; blue eyes widened slightly staring back at him.
"Ca—Caroline?" Stefan got out in surprise, noting the fact that she was significantly stronger than him. The blond shook her head in reply, curls swishing from side to side, eyes returning to their normal state, softening slightly as she dropped her hands from his shoulders—which she'd been pressing firmly into the wall to secure his position. She took a step back from him, allowing him the space he needed to collect himself.
"Hi, Stefan." She said coolly; he visibly froze at the sound of his name on her lips. Her voice was so like Caroline's it was almost hard to believe that the girl was not her. "It's been a long time."
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 1863
A laugh escaped Charlotte as his hands wound their way around her waist, significantly stopping her from getting away and ending their little game. She peeked her up, catching the Salvatore's large grin.
"Why Mister Salvatore I do believe you are getting quite better at this," The blond murmured quietly as he began to trail delicate kisses down the side of her neck, out of the view of their chaperone for the day—again, Mary who probably would not voice her objections on the couples' display of affection.
"Yes, I am," He said between pecks, hands falling from her waist to her hands. She turned swiftly in his arms, eyes darker than before as she stared back at him.
"Now, now Stefan," She began in a chiding voice while a playful smile tugged at her lips, "What would your father say if he'd seen that?"
His brows raised with amusement as a laugh overtook him, green eyes gleaming with delights as he took her hands in his, "The real question is, what would Damon say? I'm sure he would be none too pleased with the idea of my lips touching such beautiful skin."
Charlotte's smile dropped slightly at the name. Damon—her heart was torn between the two brothers, as it had been in the past with Klaus and Elijah; that had always been her problem, her indecision. Both Salvatores' tended to bring up the other whenever they were alone with her, hoping that she'd finally choose whom she really wished to be with. Truthfully, it was a choice she was none too quick to make. Both were so similar, yet so different that she did not know whom she would wish to spend eternity with, in fact a part of her—the selfish part of her dreamed of having both.
"Charlotte, have I said something to upset you?" Stefan's voice removed her from her thoughts and her smile returned just as quickly as it had left.
"No," She informed him with a shake of the head, "I was just wondering what your lips taste of…"
She trailed off as her ears quirked at the sudden increase in heart rate of the boy; his blood circulating his system down to the most intimate part of his body. Her eyes swept below his waist before returning to his face, which had a light tint of red to them.
"Now, Mr. Salvatore," Charlotte began in a playful tone, "You would not be thinking what I believe you to be thinking…"
The boy eyes darted around her to Mary who was pretending not to be listening in on their squabble before he spoke up, "Oh, the things you say…all so…improper…"
Charlotte grinned widely, stepping onto her toes so that her lips were at his ear as she whispered, "I wish for you to be waiting for me in my chambers tonight, after all the festivities."
Taking a step back, she received a silent nod in reply from Stefan. She was glad she never needed the use of compulsion to get both Salvatores to do as she asked; they simply wished to please her, unlike Klaus who'd only wished to please himself. It was one of the reasons it was easier to love the brothers. Though, it hadn't been hard to care as deeply as she had for Elijah. The one who'd helped her during her transition, protected her from Klaus—who'd had never got the satisfaction of tasting her blood; Elijah had made sure of that when they'd returned from their journey as immortals. Though, he didn't stop his brother from feeding her his blood and snapping her neck.
"Mary, the Founder's Ball is in less than five hours," Charlotte spoke up, suddenly turning on her heel to face the young woman, "and I wish to prepare. Give Stefan and me a moment, please."
Mary looked up, cool brown eyes clashing with blue and the young woman nodded curtly, turning swiftly and making her way toward the home to ready the blonde's gown.
Charlotte returned her attention to Stefan, wearing an apologetic, "Damon will be escorting me to the ball."
Stefan's expression hardened at the information; heart swelling up with pain at the thought of her choosing his brother over him.
"Stefan," She sighed, hands raising to his face and cupping each check tenderly, warmth in her eyes as she continued, "I am not choosing Damon over you. Your father had personally requested that I attend with him. And this is the least I could do for the man who has given me a place to call home."
He signaled his accord and placed a kiss on her lips swiftly, hands circling her body and pulling her body closer to his; sensations of pleasure replacing the pain that had been there moments ago. She was the only woman he'd ever felt such strong feelings for, and the fact that she was a creature of the night did not scare neither him nor Damon away. Infact, is was a bit intriguing to meet someone who'd lived as long as she had. But with the years there came secrets, things she did not wish to talk about...not yet. And he would not push her to tell him. He wanted her heart and confidence wholly and solely.
If you have not guessed it Genovefa is the original Petrova doppelganger. Agatha is also the original witch.
Paradise Circus by Massive Attack
Crystallized by The XX (Covered by Gorillaz)
Satellite by The Kills
Cut by Plum
Soon We Will be Found by Sia
Closer by Kings of Leon