Fixing Mistakes
Chapter 3 - Jealousy
Caroline had been in the past for a week now and within that time Rebekah had become a true friend to her. Her personality was so different from the Rebekah she knew that she could not hold her future actions against her. She was sweet, caring and fun, always making sure Caroline felt happy and comfortable in her new surroundings.
Finn was very shy, he spoke little to her but Caroline didn't hold it against him. The only times she had seen him come alive was when he sneaked off to meet with Sage. She felt sadness whenever she saw the two of them together as she thought of their future, separated for nine-hundred years only to die within hours of each other because they shared the same bloodline. Tragic.
Kol had spent the week playfully trying to court Caroline, his lame pick up lines never failing to make her laugh. She often wondered if most pick up lines originated with Kol, so similar were they to some in use now. He was as playful and mischievous as he was in the future but now he had a boyish charm about him. Very endearing.
Elijah had been the polite gentleman she knew him as before; minus the occasional ripping out of someones heart, he was friendly to her whenever Tatia was not around. Tatia. She led straight to Klaus, ever since Esther had turned her away from supper the night Caroline arrived she had clung to Klaus, following him around like a simpering fool.
Caroline sighed, if Klaus so much as looked at her Tatia jumped on him like a cat in heat. She would bat her eyelashes and giggle at everything he said while shooting triumphant smirks in her direction. Like she was doing now. Caroline smiled sweetly back, shooting fire from her eyes, I hate you!
Tatia clung to Klaus's arm laughing loudly, "Oh, Niklaus. You do amuse me so."
"I am happy that I do." Klaus smiled at Tatia, he did not know the reason she had seemingly picked him this past week but he didn't care. He had been chasing her for years and he felt nothing but happiness at winning her. At least that's what he told himself.
"You do." Tatia moved in for a kiss, lips curling against Klaus's mouth as she felt Caroline's stare on her. Klaus was hers, as was Elijah, she would not allow some new girl to take what was hers.
Caroline looked away unable to stomach the sight of Klaus and Tatia kissing. She did not know why it bothered her so much, she had been rejecting his advances for well over a year before giving in to the connection between them. It shouldn't affect her and yet somehow it did.
"Miss Caroline," Henrik approached Caroline a bunch of flowers in his hand which he held out to her, "I picked these for you."
Caroline smiled widely as she accepted the flowers from Henrik, "Thank you, Henrik." As she looked them over she almost flinched; vervain, it unnerved her that she could now touch the flower that had previously cause her pain, just another reminder that she was now human.
Henrik blushed pleased, "I noticed that you are still sad." He looked at the floor, scuffing his boots on the ground, "I wished to make you smile."
Caroline could have cried at how utterly pure and loving Henrik was. How she wished she could prevent his death, but she was unsure as to when that particular event occurred and she didn't think Esther would believe her if she told her.
"Do you like them?" Henrik asked smiling.
Caroline brought the vervain to her nose and breathed in their smell, "They are lovely. I will put them by my bed so that when I wake I will see them and think of you."
Henrik grinned wider, happy that he had brought a smile to Caroline's face. Now that he had made her smile he wanted to make her laugh. He tilted his head in thought before asking, "Would you wish to accompany me to the orchid to pick apples?"
"I would love to." Caroline stood up brushing the dirt from her dress. She held her hand out to Henrik, "Lead the way, kind sir."
Henrik took Caroline's hand and began leading her to the orchids. He regaled her with stories of the exploits of his brave older brothers, the love and admiration in his eyes as he spoke of them clear for all to see.
The smile never left Caroline's lips.
Klaus was smiling in awe and it was not for Tatia. He had watched Henrik give Caroline flowers, the smile that lit up her face caused his breath to catch. She was so utterly beautiful that he found himself struggling to keep his eyes off her. He loved Tatia, he truly did but there was a part of him that was drawn to Caroline.
Tatia returned Klaus's smile, unknowing that it had nothing to do with her. Her eyes drifted to the side and she caught Elijah's hurt look. She had not made her choice yet between the two of them. Elijah was strong, he would keep her safe and provide well for her. Klaus was beautiful but he was weak. She had seen the way his father treated him, how he took it and never fought back. She didn't want to choose, she enjoyed being the object of their affection too much.
Klaus tried to shut down his thoughts of Caroline, though it was hard when she was sitting just ahead of him. As if led by his thoughts his eyes drifted to the side and was in time to watch Henrik lead Caroline away, the smile on her face constant. He itched to follow her.
Tatia held Elijah's pleading gaze for a long moment, knowing that he wished for her to come with him. She had been neglecting him recently and she missed him. Tatia smiled at Elijah before telling Klaus, "I will leave you to your duties as I have errands to run." She kissed Klaus's cheek and smiled at him. She turned around and walked toward Elijah.
Klaus still sat on the ground after Tatia left. His hands were balled into fists by his side. He was trying to resist the impulse to find Caroline. He wanted to see her, talk to her, find out what put that smile on her face.
He loved Tatia.
He wanted Caroline.
Tatia. Caroline. Tatia. Caroline. Klaus's mind ran on an endless loop of their names as indecision hit him. His body was poised to move, half sitting half standing, all he had to do was tell it where to go. His eyes lingered on the spots where Tatia and Caroline left. His heart and head were at war. Then he heard a voice.
Go to her.
Klaus smiled.
He ran to her.
Caroline held Henrik aloft on her shoulders as he picked apples from the tree. They had been busy, a basket laid at their feet already half full.
"Do you sing?" Henrik asked as he reached for a rosy red apple, "I have never heard any of my brothers sing only Rebekah."
"I have in the past." Caroline answered giggling, she could not imagine future Rebekah singing, she was too controlled. Present; or is it past? Rebekah, she could see clearly in her mind dancing around the fire singing merrily to her family. That thought brought up a recent memory of herself and Stefan, they had been drinking at Caroline's when Stefan began sharing stories of Lexi. Caroline had only been able to meet Lexi because Bonnie had cast an expression triangle, allowing the deceased on the Other Side to appear in Mystic Falls. Stefan told her how he and Lexi practically stalked Bon Jovi in the eighties. Needless to say that after several bottles of bourbon and tequila, she and Stefan found themselves with their arms around each other belting out 'Blaze of Glory' at the top of their lungs. Caroline sighed, she really missed Stefan.
"I am sure you have a beautiful voice." Henrik said.
"Would you sing for me?" Caroline asked, her cheeks flushed from Henrik's praise.
"Of course, my lady." Henrik continued to collect apples as he started to sing, his voice clear as it rang across the field.
Caroline smiled as Henrik's sweet voice washed over her. She began swaying her hips as she listened to him sing, she wasn't sure if he was singing in English, but whatever it was sounded beautiful to her.
Klaus arrived at the orchid just as Henrik began to sing the lullaby Rebekah taught him as a child. He smiled as Caroline began to sway, Henrik on her shoulders as he picked the fruit off the tree. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leant against the tree, content for now to watch his brother and Caroline.
Henrik finished the lullaby as he plucked the last apple of the tree that would fill their basket. He had finished his chore much earlier than he normally would thanks to Caroline's help, "We have picked enough fruit."
"Great!" Caroline held Henrik's waist dipped her head and swung him off placing him on the ground, his giggles lightening her heart, "What should we do now?"
"I do not know." Henrik was unsure what to do as he normally takes twice as long to finish his duty.
"How about we go to the lake?" Klaus made his presence known, a smile on his face as he noticed how happy Henrik was, he could tell that his little brother already loved Caroline like another sister.
"Nik!" A grin burst onto Henrik's face and he ran over to embrace Klaus.
Klaus returned Henrik's embrace, a loving smile on his face at how excitable his brother was. Pulling back he asked, "Have you had fun?"
"Yes!" Henrik replied, grinning widely, "We have been picking apples together," he took Klaus's hand and led him over to Caroline, "and I have been singing."
"I heard." Klaus smiled at Henrik, his brother had a lovely voice but with Mikael showing disdain for anything that wasn't for the good of the family or what he classed as useful talents, they did not have the opportunity to express their creative sides very often. Klaus enjoyed drawing, either landscapes or people it didn't matter to him so long as he could escape reality. Mikael found drawing especially useless, Klaus was sure it was because he himself indulged in it.
"Niklaus." Caroline greeted Klaus, she looked around before asking, "Tatia not with you?"
"No." Klaus felt bad, out of all of his family he had spent almost the least amount of time with Caroline since she arrived. Tatia had been occupying all of his time, becoming clingy in the last week, because of Caroline. She has noticed my interest.
Caroline absolutely refused to feel pleased, it was of no concern to her whom Klaus spent his time with, he was not hers, "You said something about a lake?" She grew up in Mystic Falls and had an idea of which lake Klaus referred to but as she was supposed to be new to the village she had to pretend that she was unfamiliar with the area.
"It is a lovely view." Klaus replied, meaning more than just the lake as his eyes took in Caroline's stunning features, "I will take you." He remembered Henrik was also with them, looking at his brother he asked, "How about it, Henrik, would you like to go to the lake?"
"I would love too." Henrik answered, eyes lighting up in happiness before a frown covered his features, "I have to return the fruit to mother."
"We can do it on the way, Henrik." Caroline offered a solution. She was more than happy to spend the afternoon in the company of Henrik and Klaus.
Henrik ran to pick up his basket, but a hand scooped it up before he could. "Let me take it." Klaus ruffled his brothers hair affectionately.
Caroline smiled at the affection Klaus showed Henrik, he was so open now as opposed to how he will be, his heart was still pure, unburdened by the knowledge of his true parentage.
Henrik held his hands out for Caroline and Klaus to take, holding on to the both of them as they began the walk back to their home. He quickly dropped off the fruit with Esther before returning to Klaus and Caroline and retaking their hands.
At the lake Henrik began searching for stones to throw in the water, finding a selection of perfect ones he brought them back to Klaus and Caroline. He handed one to each of them before asking, "Have you ever skipped stones before?"
"Yes, back home." Caroline swallowed, missing her home all of a sudden, "When I was a younger."
"Where was home?" Klaus asked curious, throwing a stone across the water. He wanted to know more about Caroline as she was a mystery to him, all he knew so far was that she lost her family to bandits.
Caroline panicked, what the hell could she say? Alaric may have been her teacher but history was not her best subject. She knew she was currently in the new world and basically anywhere in Europe was the old world. She threw a stone as she thought of a lie, "We originated from the old world, making the journey here recently." She stared at the water, "We were searching for a new home when my parents were lost."
"I am sorry for your loss, Caroline." Klaus meant it, feeling his heart break for this beautiful girl who'd lost everything and yet still managed to smile.
"Thank you." Caroline felt bad for lying to them, they had opened their hearts and their home to her and she had to mislead them to protect her secret, "I will always love and miss them," that wasn't a lie, "but they will never truly be gone as they live in my heart."
"I hope," Klaus bit his lip looking into Caroline's eyes, "that you will find a family with us." As her eyes widened in surprise a blush lit his cheeks and he dropped his gaze to his boots.
Caroline was shocked, Klaus had spent the past few days with Tatia, how could he want herself to become part of his family. She placed her hand on his arm, her voice almost a whisper, "Niklaus."
Klaus's heart raced at Caroline's touch, the heat from her fingers scorching his skin, raising his gaze to hers his breath stopped. There were so many unexplainable emotions swimming in her eyes, it felt like she knew him and his secrets but that was impossible.
Caroline could not help but picture her Klaus when she looked into his eyes, there was so many unresolved issues between them, they'd made love and then parted ways, presuming they had centuries to get it right. Caroline almost laughed, if the Mikaelson's were still turned into vampires she would have centuries with him, but a different him, a Klaus who had never reeked havoc on her friends, one who hadn't tried to destroy her relationship with another man and if she was being completely honest with herself he had succeeded, Tyler choosing revenge against Klaus over being with her. A Klaus she had never fallen in love with.
Klaus watched many different and confusing emotions cross Caroline's face. Sadness, anger, hurt and what looked like love. What was she thinking of? Or, who was she thinking of? A bolt of jealousy hit him at the thought that she was thinking of another man when she was with him. That was a ridiculous feeling to have as he was with Tatia.
Caroline could not help her gaze slipping to Klaus's mouth, her heart racing as she recalled kissing them for the first time. She flicked her eyes up to meet his and almost gasped at the barely hidden heat in them, the look reminding her of how he gazed at her as they joined together.
Klaus began breathing heavily as he saw Caroline's eyes darken, her eyes moving between his and his lips. His heartbeat quickened and his palms became sweaty. Unconsciously he moved closer.
Caroline leant in, her eyes closing. Anticipation ran through her veins as she craved tasting Klaus's mouth again, to cradle his face between her hands and cover his soft lips with her own.
They were inches separating them.
"I did it!" Henrik screamed in excitement, "I got six skips."
They sprung apart.
Caroline stared wide eyed at the water, I almost kissed Klaus! Just the thought sent shivers down her spine, no, not Klaus. I almost kissed Niklaus. Her thoughts became desperate, they are different. Klaus killed thousands, Niklaus is innocent. She watched Klaus out of the corner of her eye, so why am I so drawn to the both of them?
"Well done." Klaus tried to smile at Henrik. His heart was still racing from almost kissing Caroline, he was so close to covering her lips with his and tasting what he'd been dreaming of for the past week. He had spent his days with Tatia, happy to be in her company, at night however, his dreams were full of Caroline and all he wished to do to her.
Henrik narrowed his eyes as he sensed the tension between Klaus and Caroline, "Have you upset Caroline?"
Klaus did not know how to answer that as he didn't know himself. Had he upset Caroline by almost kissing her? He swore she leant into him, encouraging his advance before Henrik interrupted them.
"No, I am not upset." Caroline answered, desperate to break the tension between them, "I almost allowed something to happen that I am not sure I should have."
Klaus understood Caroline's message, he couldn't stop himself from replying, "I'm sure that if you had allowed it, it would have been," he smirked, "unforgettable."
Caroline was taken aback as the familiar smirk curled Klaus's lips, the same cocky arrogant smirk that future Klaus wore on a daily basis. Finally feeling somewhat normal as a side of Klaus she knew surfaced. Flicking her hair behind her she responded, "Unforgettable?" She scrunched her nose in thought, "I'm not so sure about that."
Klaus smirked wider as Caroline rose to his challenge, "I am very sure." He ran the tips of his fingers down Caroline's covered arm, loving the way she shivered, "I could make you forget."
"Really?" Caroline crossed her arms across her chest, purposely ignoring the shiver.
Klaus just continued to smirk. Caroline drawing him in, her fire sparking his interest and raising his confidence.
Tatia watched from the trees as Caroline and Klaus flirted. She felt jealousy hit her at the smile on his face, that should be for HER and not Caroline. She did not like how Caroline came from nowhere, started living with them and somehow made the Mikaelson's treat her as if she were part of the family. She had tried to get Rebekah to like her with no luck, Caroline came and she did it on the first day. Time to make my presence known.
Tatia left her hiding spot and made her way to the lake. Her dislike of Caroline growing as she saw the way Klaus looked at her, "Niklaus!" She called, forcing a smile to her lips, "I have been searching for you."
Klaus tore his eyes away from Caroline to greet Tatia, placing his hands at his side as she stood before him, "Why have you been searching for me?"
Tatia laced her hand with Klaus's, "My errand finished earlier then I expected," she actually had a fight with Elijah cutting their rendezvous short, "so I thought I would seek you out." She gave Klaus a flirty smile, "Perhaps we could pick up where we left off?"
Klaus hesitated, flicking his gaze over to Caroline and Henrik. He had suggested coming to the lake with them and he wasn't going to abandon them. Squaring his shoulders he prepared to reject Tatia for the first time, "Not today, Tatia. I am going to spend the day with my brother."
Tatia was shocked, Klaus had never rejected her before. Glaring at him she hissed, "What?"
Tatia's glare would usually have Klaus begging to make her forgive him but, with Caroline's presence, he somehow gained the courage to stand up for himself. Giving Tatia a calm look he repeated himself, "I said that I would spend the day with Henrik," and Caroline, "and that is what I am going to do." He turned his back and rejoined Henrik and Caroline. He blushed at Caroline's proud smile.
Tatia fumed as Klaus walked away from her. How dare he choose Caroline over her! He may have said that he was spending the day with Henrik but she could tell that he wanted to spend more time with Caroline. It rankled her that he had rejected her, he had never once turned down the opportunity to be with her. She glared at Caroline, all because of HER. I hate her!
Caroline could feel Tatia's jealous glare, it felt extraordinarily good to make her jealous of her, almost as if she had made Elena jealous. She was not proud of her thoughts but after a lifetime of coming second best to Elena Gilbert it felt nice to make someone with her face resent her. A bigger part of her was happy that Klaus had stood up for himself, he let his emotions be trampled by Tatia and her fickle affections. It was about time he stood up for himself.
Tatia felt hurt and angry at Klaus's rejection. She would make him regret dismissing her, I will throw myself and Elijah in his face, a smirk crossed her lips, I will make him hurt. Caroline too. With thoughts of revenge on her mind she walked back to the village. She would make up with Elijah and begin her plan to hurt Klaus.
Caroline, Klaus and Henrik had an enjoyable day at the lake. They continued skipping stones before being joined by Rebekah and Kol. They began swimming, Caroline and Rebekah splashing Kol, he chasing them across the water. Klaus and Henrik watched them play from the shore, calling out their encouragement for Rebekah and Caroline.
Their laughter and squeals rang through the afternoon until they headed back to the village for supper.
Caroline had a smile on her face as she went for a late night stroll before bed. Her afternoon had been wonderful spent in the company of Klaus, Henrik, Rebekah and Kol. Once out of Tatia's influence Klaus had been attentive to her, sharing easy smiles and joyful laughter. For the first time since she had arrived in this time period she had forgotten her problems and just had fun.
As Caroline came upon the Great Oak Tree she gazed at it in thought. This tree would give life to the Originals and all vampires. Esther would use its power to make the deadliest predators to walk the Earth. Without it thousands of people would not be killed, would not be food for the nourishment of vampires. Without it their would be no Originals, no Katherine, no Stefan, no Damon. Caroline frowned, with no Stefan they may not be Elena as he had been the one to save her from the car crash which took her parents.
Caroline could burn this tree to the ground right now to prevent the suffering of too many people to count. She could live out the rest of days in this time period, marry Klaus and have a family, be happy until the day she died. But there would be consequences. Her mother would never know what happened to her, her friends would always wonder what happened to her, some of those friends may not have been around in the first place. Stefan would live and die as a human never knowing she or Elena existed, her heart hurt thinking of her best friend never knowing her, even worse, we may have never been born. Stefan killed mine and Elena's relatives. We may never have been born in the first place. Her head hurt just thinking of all that could occur. It was too much to lay on her shoulders, she would prevent centuries of suffering but she could possibly lose everyone she cared about in the process. Plus, she enjoyed being a vampire, she had become the person she'd always wanted to be since she turned.
Happy in her decision Caroline turned away from the tree and continued walking around the village until she came to the forest. Hearing a noise behind her she turned around, surprised at whom stood before her, "Tatia. What brings you out so late?"
"Caroline." Tatia nodded in greeting, "I think we need to talk."
"Caroline passed the first test." Ara stated proudly. Caroline's decision not to destroy the tree which birthed vampires, to not be content to stay in the past and live out the rest of her human life, was her first test. She chose correctly.
"I had no doubt that she would." Nera replied, certain in her belief that Caroline would make the right choice. And she did.
Ara gazed at the image of Caroline and Tatia facing one another, "Tatia will be another problem." She had watched Tatia's jealousy and resentment build over the past week. Leading up to the confrontation that was about to take place.
"One Caroline will more than hold her own in." Nera stated knowingly, "She has the courage to stand up and fight for what she loves. Tatia has no such backbone."
"I cannot wait to see their conversation." Ara smiled, amusement in her tone at what was about to take place.
"Me too." Nera chuckled, watching events unfold was not unlike watching television shows on Earth. Overseeing the acts of mankind was like having their own soap. Fascinating viewing.
Ara sat beside Nera, still chuckling as Tatia began speaking with Caroline. One more step on the road to being together, however one of their biggest tests was yet to arrive. Soon, he will come.
TBC
AN - What do you guys think? Tatia and Caroline's confrontation coming up in the next chapter, plus Klaus and Caroline grow closer. Thank you for your reviews, they mean the world to me. You guys rock. Until next time X X X