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:
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.
VIII
England, 1490
"Elijah…" her voice was soft to his ears and he knew the moment she pressed herself into to his back, the moment she wrapped her slender arms around him—that would be his undoing. All his resolve would crumble at the touch, her touch; the only thing strong enough to keep him from despising his brother and her all but completely. His love for her was so strong he was sure that it would one day ultimately lead to his demise.
"Charl—" the feel of the blonde's arms entangling themselves around him sent a twinge of pain to his heart; and his mouth closed as she pressed her head into his back, wet tears touching the worn material of his linen smock. He felt himself take in a deep breath and his finger trailed down to where her hands were locked firmly around him in a vice grip that would be painful for others to bear, but it was simply the contact that did him in. Wrapping his hands around her wrists he pried himself out of her hold, turning slowly around to face her.
Her usually angelic eyes, which had been so wide with warmth and comfort where now a cool blue, gazing back at him with sorrow he did not know could be held within such a loving being. There were traces of red at the corners of her lips from her last feeding and the poor body lay not ten feet from where they stood. Elijah recognized the man as one of the footman that been at her disposal.
Charlotte's face fell when she received a look of indifference from the man she'd known to always show her the deepest of affection.
"You cannot keep this up, Charlotte," he sighed after a moment of silence, raising his hands and placing them on either side of her face; turning her head so that she was staring back at him, his eyes bore into hers with a stark power in them. His fingers massaged the skin of her reddened cheeks in gentle circles as words reverberated from deep within him. "You are playing right into his hands…"
"He is like an evil serpent tempting me with forbidden fruit," she breathed out as she slid her fingers up his stomach, allowing them to rest on his chest. "I will never be well if I Niklaus continues to entice me with poison—blood. I believe I might go crazy."
"Then do not listen to him," Elijah begged, reaching a hand up and running it through her golden tresses, "He will destroy you if you so allow it."
She shook her head, eyes falling to their feet before speaking. "I am not strong enough, Elijah. I can feel what is left of my humanity being purged from my soul ever moment I am in his company."
He stood silent, hands falling to his sides and all the comfort he'd offered disappearing as he searched for something more to say. It seemed she already knew what needed to be said and so she spoke up with high hope in her voice.
"Come away with me, my love," Charlotte whispered, hands moving from his chest to his arms, grabbing a hold of them firmly, "let us leave. Niklaus will only cause us pain—with his futile search for the doppelganger and the reversal of his curse…he does not need us."
"He is my brother," Elijah interjected, "I cannot abandon him."
"Will you do so me?" she replied voice subdued; his face morphed into one of confusion then thought as she watched him carefully.
"What would you have me do?" He exclaimed, taking a step back from her; it hurt him to do this but he knew if they ran they would not only have Klaus to worry about but also the army of witches and vampires he had under his belt. He did not believe he could protect the girl from the harsh realities of his brother.
It was true that Klaus had liking for her, and even possibly loved her; and she'd returned his attentions long ago—Klaus had been the one to turn her and he had not stopped his brother. But Klaus did not take betrayal well and although a stake to the heart would not kill him Charlotte would not be as fortunate.
"I do not wish any harm upon you," Elijah continued, eyes following the girl as she took in his words; a small smile tugged at her lips before disappearing.
"I understand," Charlotte responded, pulling the man into another embrace; he placed a kiss on the side of her temple and almost missed it when she added in a whisper, "Know that I do love you, Elijah."
"I love yo—" his mouth hung agape and his eyes trailed down to where the offending piece of wood was—plunged deeply through his chest, through his heart. As he felt himself beginning to fade he turned his gaze back onto Charlotte who wore a face of guilt, a sad glint in her blue orbs.
She caught him as his knees gave out from under him, "I'm sorry Elijah…but I must be free of the devil."
She laid him down gently, placing a soft kiss on his forehead before peering up at the footman that had been laying on the floor moments ago. There was still a significant amount of blood seeping from the wound she'd inflicted on him; she got to her feet swiftly, approaching and pulling him to her by the collar of his shirt.
"You will wait till the 'morrow before pulling the dagger out, you will not call upon Klaus's immediate return after I am gone, and you will not remember how you got into possession of that dagger. Understood?"
The man nodded, reciting her orders back in monotone.
With one last glance at Elijah's ashen face, she turned on her heel and retreated out the room. This was her only chance at escape. Niklaus had left on the call of a nobleman, who wished to introduce him to his niece, who'd traveled all the way from Paris specifically to meet the man. She'd compelled much of the house servants to make themselves scarce that night as she'd set her plans into motion. She knew about the white oak ash daggers that Klaus kept around to keep his loyalties secure. It was one of the reasons Elijah stuck by his brother's side for so long, even while he had his way with the love of his life.
But she put those thoughts out of her head as she reentered her bedchamber for the possibly the last time; she reached for the cloak that had been laid out on her bed by one of her handmaidens and tugged it on; gathering the things she wished to take with her: a diary in which Elijah's picture had been drawn for her by one of the servants with such a talent, the lapis lazuli medallion enchanted for he by one of Niklaus' witches, and a trunk of clothes to suffice the inquisitions she may receive upon her journey. She sure her heart would have stopped if it still worked as she slid out of her room and down the corridor, dragging the heavy trunk behind her. But as the coachmen took her luggage off of her hands and tied it onto the roof of her carriage she knew she needed to do this if she ever had a chance at being the old Charlotte again. She needed to find her humanity again, before it slipped out of her grasp completely. She vowed she'd find it, and when she did maybe she'd come back to Elijah.
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 2009
Caroline stared between Elena and Bonnie, who were staring back at her with expectant expressions. They stood on the floor of Mystic Bar & Grill among the crowd of patrons gathered for the night's event, open mike. It was the trio's girl's night out and of course Mystic Falls being such a small time the grill was really the only actual hot spot that they frequented.
"You've got to be joking!" the blond exclaimed, eyes widened in surprise at the sound of her name being called onto the stage by Matt Donovan, who'd set up the event.
Her companions grinned widely as they shooed her toward the platform, where the house band were waiting impatiently for her to join them.
"Go on, Care," Bonnie encouraged, giving her a sympathetic smile.
With a final huff and pout the blond sent the two a look of defeat before making her way toward the stage, climbing the steps and joining Matt at the mic stand.
His ears perked up at the sound of her name being echoed from the speakers hanging from the sides of the bar. He swiveled on the bar stool, glass in head with his eyes focused on the blond now fronting the band. The guitarist—some grungy looking druggie stood at her side, asking her what she would like to sing; and she wore a pensive face before cupping her hands and whispering an unfamiliar title into his ear. A slight grin crossed his lips as he brought his drink to them, taking a sip as the druggie motioned for the band to start.
"This should be interesting."
He watched mesmerized as Caroline closed her eyes, arm and body swaying slightly to the music. She bit her lip slightly, eyes opening and it was almost as if she were staring straight through him as the lyrics began to flow through the air with her almost angelic voice.
And I shed my soul, feel it kneeling down
I'm clutching my faith, pull it tightly around
You're moving your mouth, but you don't make a sound
But I feel the walls slowly tearing down
Damon's breath hitched slightly as her eyes smiled back at him before returning to the audience. Something about the girl drew him to her as it did Stefan. It was some big mystery—which he found irritating since he could not compel her to find out. Of course Stefan would find a way to keep her from his control. He'd abandoned his romantic pursuit of Elena within his first week back in Mystic Falls and set his sights on the blond. There was just something about her that struck a chord within him…in a way Katherine never had.
Heel to toe take you from my side
In and out every breath divides
My eyes to your head, I can't go the distance
But when you go you take me in an instant
"Wow, she's good!" he heard one of the patrons exclaim, the older woman's words reaching Elena's ears.
"Yeah…she is," the brunette stammered out in surprise, wearing a large grin. He found her sweet melodious voice sensual to his ears. He'd never heard anything so…beautiful.
But in this life, I'll give it time
Cause it's always swimming up from behind
It'll be alright, it will be fine
Cause it's nothing more than ordinary life
The Salvatore watched with a transfixed stare as the blond and the druggie harmonized; an eerie feeling washing over him as her gaze drifted back onto him at the bar. Her lips twitched slightly as the words escaped her and there was a clear raise in her heart rate whenever she looked at him. And he was sure if his own heart still beat it would react the same whenever he saw her.
So I'll show you my sins, show me all your scars
As we settle in it's written in the stars
Your watery eyes got me simply floating
And my weak heart is swimming with devotion
IX
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 2011
Stefan could still not believe it. The girl sitting before him bore the face of the love of his life—large, blue eyes, though darker and without their usual shine, long, blonde locks framing her beautiful face, and pink lips set in a thin line as she stared back at him. There was sadness in her expression and she reached out her hand, running it through the side of his brown hair before suddenly retracting it, pulling it back to her before speaking up.
"Why did you follow me Stefan?"
"Why do you look like Caroline?" he bit back, lowering his voice as they were sitting at one of Mystic Bar & Grill's outside tables. The blond flinched at his tone, nose scrunching up with frustration as she let out a sigh. "And how I'm I supposed to believe anything you say?"
Charlotte's eyes fell to her hands, which she now had resting out before her, the familiar lapis lazuli medallion wrapped around her wrist. She turned her attention back to the Salvatore who was watching her uncomfortably.
"Why would I—you know there is no logical answer to why I would lie Stefan…" she murmured as his eyes drifted down to her hands wound their way around her mug of coffee. She even took hers the same—black with only a spoon of sugar. It was eerie how similar to two were other than looks. It reminded him of Katherine and Elena in how the two were so different and yet there were traces of bitch in the Gilbert that were kept out of light.
His brows knot together as he feels a sudden vibration on his thigh. With a sigh he pulls it out, eyeing the name with a deep set frown before bringing it to his ear.
"Yeah, Damon?" he droned with a monotonous voice.
"Stefan..."
Stefan's brows raised slightly at the familiar voice. Caroline was calling him from his brother's phone and she did not sound good.
"Caroline? What's wrong?" The moment he asked he knew it was the dumbest thing he could have asked. Of course he knew what was wrong. There was a girl walking around with her face, who was a vampire; a doppelganger. It was like the Katherine-Elena situation all over again. Only there was something about what Charlotte said that made him want to believe it; that she'd come to Mystic Falls long before Katherine and that she'd fallen in love with him and his brother. He even wanted to believe that she'd compelled them and everyone else in town into forgetting her before leaving, even going as far as to educate his father in how to kill vampires to protect the people. But the fact that he was compelled doesn't account for his lack of memory. Katherine had compelled him and after he had turned the memories of what she'd done had come back to him. Why not Charlotte?
"I just needed to hear your voice." Caroline breathed softly. He figured she was probably cuddling with Damon in bed—wouldn't go so far as to guess that they were both fully clothed—and his brother probably wearing his signature serious expression. "What are you doing?"
Stefan's gaze turned to where his companion still sat. She was silently staring back at him with a look of expectance.
"Can I call you back later?" He asked softly; regret already washing over him as he heard the blond scramble for a reply. "I'm looking into something."
He heard Damon mumble something to the girl from the other end before his voice filled his head.
"Stefan…don't do anything stupid." Then there was a click and silence.
Returning the phone to his pocket he shifted his eyes to Charlotte whose expression softened slightly.
"How come I can't remember you?" He inquired bluntly.
"Compulsion—" she began before the Salvatore cut her off.
"I was compelled as a human and regained everything after I turned." Stefan refuted, face hard with determination. Compulsion could not be the answer…
"I'm one of the oldest vampires you've probably ever come across, Stefan," She answered simply. Tone gentle as her hand came to rest onto of his. "I was around when the Original family were turned."
"The Original family?" Stefan asked in confusion. He'd never heard of them before. Katherine had never mentioned them to him and if Damon knew he'd probably speak up about them if they held any possible threat.
"The first family of vampires to ever walk the Earth…I was turned by one of them more than a thousand years ago. My compulsion is almost as strong as theirs…though I cannot compel other vampires."
Compel vampires? First family…His eyes widened as a thought came to him.
"Katherine told us about an old vampire…"
"Katherine?" Charlotte's voice rose sharply at the name, face twisting in frustration, "You've seen her? Stefan, she will bring nothing but trouble."
"You know Katherine?" He asked in awe. How come the vampire never mentioned to them she'd met a woman who was Caroline's carbon copy? She did enjoy teasing them with her inside knowledge.
"I've met the girl, briefly," the blond growled low, under her breath; picking up her mug and taking a sip of the warm liquid before she continued, "She was the Petrova Doppelganger…one of the Originals needed her for a ritual to relieve him of his curse…"
"The Curse of the Sun and the Moon," Stefan concluded with a sudden knowing look. Charlotte shook her head with slight pity in her eyes.
"No—that curse is purely fiction…"
"There are scrolls dating back to the Mayans—"
"Those are also fiction. They were created to have both the vampires and the lycan searching for the doppelganger, which was needed to lift the cure placed on Klaus," the blond told him simply, setting her mug down.
"And he is an—Original?" with a nod of confirmation from the blond he continued. "What is the real curse?"
"It was a curse that I helped put on Klaus—though he has no idea and I didn't know at the time. It was to keep his werewolf side dormant."
"Wait! His—werewolf side? As in…"
"He's a hybrid, Stefan, the only of his kind. And he's on his way here for Elena."
"How do you kno—When will he be here?"
He couldn't waste any time with the hows of his inquisition. It didn't matter how she knew about Elena or Katherine or even about an all-powerful hybrid's trip to Mystic Falls and how he'd found out the Petrova Doppelganger's location. What mattered was that Elena would be endanger and even worse Caroline would be—because by the way Charlotte said his name there was no doubt in his mind that something had happened between the two. But now wasn't the time to ask. That would come later, after they'd figured out what their plan of defense would be.
"Tomorrow night."
X
Eastern Europe, 475
Charlotte had departed from Agatha's cottage the moment the older woman's ritual had been completed. She'd parted ways with Genovefa who'd sworn her to secrecy about what had occurred between them. The blond had conceded, hand wrapped firmly around the cloth she'd secured across her hand from when Agatha had slid her dagger transversely, dry blood coated around the wound.
As she stepped through the entrance of the family's home the intense smell of death overwhelmed her. And the sight before her brought a hand to her agape mouth. There were trails of blood leading inside and for a second the girl prayed she'd entered the wrong dwelling. It was as if there had been a massacre in the home and the thought of it sent shivers of trepidation down her spine.
"Charlotte?" a groggy voice called out to her, its owner appearing at the entry of one of the rooms. Niklaus stood before her, mouth tainted with crimson liquids which were dripping down the sides of his chin. His eyes were dark, clouded over with what she could identity as a lustful hunger. It almost terrified her to imagine what possibly lay behind him in the other room.
"Niklaus," his name left her lips in a harsh whisper and her eyes followed his, which were drifting down to where she cradled her wounded hand. "What has happened?"
The blond watched as his body visibly shook and he suddenly stood before her, having traveled almost ten feet to bridge the gap. Her eyes widened as he placed his hands—which were coated in blood—on top of her shoulders, gripping them painfully tight before tugging her hand free and bringing it to his nose. He sniffed it deeply, eyes shifting into those of a demon and Charlotte stood horrified, trying desperately to pry her hand out of his.
"Let me go. Niklaus please, let me go!" She exclaimed as the man opened his mouth, canines enlarging with abnormal ease. Before he could sink his teeth into her hand he was suddenly pulled away from her; a large figure placing itself between where she stood and where Klaus now lay on the ground, picking himself back up with an annoyed growl.
"I was not going to hurt the girl, Elijah," Klaus exclaimed with annoyance as he stood before his older brother, who bore a look of utter seriousness.
"You will not drink from her," the older man said with a somber tone. Eyeing Klaus pointedly before turning his attention onto Charlotte who's eyes were moving back and forth between them, expression a mixture of shock and horror.
She backed away slightly, "Divil…what had befallen you?"
Niklaus' face did not revert back to normal as he spoke, "We've been given a gift, Charlotte."
"We?"
Her eyes drifted to Elijah as a sigh escaped his lips. She watched on as his face morphed into that of a fiend, veins protruding around his eyes, lined with a cool blue, pupils changing in shape and teeth extending abnormally.
"Elijah!" the blond exclaimed, hand going to her mouth the muffle the scream she was sure would overtake her.
"Do not be afraid," Niklaus said softly, moving passed Elijah, who was watching him closely, and situating himself before her. "It is a wonderful gift. One I will share with you…"
"Niklaus, no…"
Before Elijah could protest any further Klaus and pulled the girl to him, using his teeth to cut into his wrist before placing it between her lips; forcing the liquid poison down her throat as gently as her struggles would allow. His brother did not interfere for this is what both of them wanted, and Elijah knew that. Somewhere deep down within him that even though the blond had moved onto Niklaus there was a part within him that was still in love with the girl. He could not bear to watch her wither and die and eternity offered the time he needed to win her back. He had forever to be with her—or to see her happy with his brother. But that didn't matter at the moment, the end of her old life did.
The blood ran down her throat, leaving a coppery taste behind as the vampire finally allowed Charlotte to pull away from him. The blond brought a hand to her neck, trying to cough up the liquid; and Elijah watched on silently with worry etched on his face.
Niklaus titled her head up, locking eyes with hers. Her breath caught in her throat as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.
"Niklaus…" Elijah said; finally ready to speak up against his brother as he began to have second thoughts. What if she did not transition? What if she did not wake up? He'd rather have her alive than dead—truly dead.
His brother movements were swift as he rotated Charlotte's head at an odd angle. A sickening crack filling the silent room which would forever echo within Elijah's head as he watched the woman he'd love's body being rested gently on the ground. He watched her corpse intently, waiting for it to rise. Hoping, she'd get back up again soon.
Mystic Falls, Virginia, 1863
Stefan's eyes hadn't left her the moment she'd descended down he small spiral staircase in her cascading ivory colored dressed. She was like an angel to his sight and the moment he noticed his brother at the bottom of the steps, hand extended out for her to take he felt a part of his heart shrink slightly. The things she did to him were enough to allow for this minor transgression as it was in the favor of his father. He'd never felt such animosity toward the man until now but he'd allow this to slide.
He'd watched as Damon took her from person to person, introducing her to the other Founding Families before finally George Lockwood—his long-time friend and rival. The young man wore a warm smile upon the introduction and worked his charms upon the young blond, who had her arm looped securely around the Salvatore, keeping close at her side. Later on in the night, he followed her every move as she danced with Damon, a sly grin on her face as he attempted to invade her space as she twirled. She muttered something to the older boy who barked in laughter before claiming two glasses of wine passing by on a tray being carried by one of the house servants.
Charlotte sighed lightly as Damon escorted her up the stairs back to her room at the end of the night. She was delighted to state that this had been the most excitement she's felt in a long while. As they drew closer to her door she turned to face the man.
"I had a lovely time, Damon." She said softly, eyes still dancing with light as he stared back at her.
"How long do you plan on staying in Mystic Falls?" He asked her suddenly. The question had been on his mind for a long while and although she'd almost a year of stay she still could leave whenever she pleased. That was an idea he did not want to even contemplate.
The blonde's lips curved slightly into an unsure smile as she replied, "I do not know …for as long as your family shall have me I suppose."
Damon nodded thoughtful, eyes drifting down to her lips. It had been months since he'd felt them against his and he himself was to blame for that. He'd distanced himself from the girl when he began to see the longing in her eyes whenever Stefan was around. Even though there were glints of affection and devotion in her eyes whenever she looked at him there was no longing in them, no yearning. And that killed a part of him.
"I know that you've only been here a short while and I know I am in competition for your affections…"
Charlotte tilted her head up at him, expression changing with his tone, which was usually gentle. His hand cupped her cheek as he looked upon her face with adoration.
"I have never met anyone quite like you…and every time I look at you it makes it clearer to me that I am falling in love—that I am in love."
"Damon—" he cut her off before she could continue by placing a gloved finger to her lips before drawing her in for a kiss. It was slow and tender and Charlotte felt her body melt at the feeling, and all too quickly he pulled away wearing a ghost of a smile.
"Until tomorrow," he breathed out, forehead resting against hers for a moment before drawing back, and exiting back down stairs.
Charlotte watched him go in awe, sure that she'd be blushing if blood still circulated to her cheeks. Turning on her heel, she opened the door of her bedchamber and entering silently making sure to close the door securely behind her. A pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, engulfing her with warmth and a pair of lips came down upon her neck, leaving a trail of soft kisses in their wake.
"Stefan," she managed to say in a whisper, masking her slight surprise. She had told the boy to come that night and she could not turn him away, no matter the confession of love that had been thrust on her.
"I almost went insane watching you with him tonight," the younger brother said between kisses, "but knowing that I was the one you wished to see at the end was enough for me to suffice."
Charlotte pushed away from him, turning in his hold and giving him a halfhearted smile. "Will you just lay with me?"
The Salvatore's cheeks flushed slightly but his eyes bore understanding. She did not wish to do go any further than they'd already had—a few idle kisses and warm embraces, with words of adoration shared between them. Damon's confession must have overwhelmed her—yes, he had heard. But he would not let that stop him from his pursuit of the girl, as Damon had said they were in competition for the blonde's affections.
With a nod, he allowed her to lead him to the edge of the bed; she lay down on her side and he slid behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. His pressed his body into hers, resting his head in the crook of her neck.
"Damon is right," Stefan spoke up after a moment of silence. "There's never been a woman quite like you in Mystic Falls, and there probably never will be."
A soft laugh escaped her lips and she laced one of her free hands through his. "There is still so much you two do not know about me, Stefan."
"More to learn and love," He stated simply, placing a kiss on her bare shoulder.
"I am tired, Stefan, best to get some sleep."
Shelter by Birdy
Paradise by Coldplay
What You Feel by Chris Levy
Ordinary Life by Kristen Barry
Can't Take My Eyes off of You by Damien Rice
Until We Bleed by Kleerup ft. Lykke Li