Chapter 15 - Uninvited

"Elena what in the world are you doing here? You scared me half to death." Caroline said, pulling her friend in for a hug.

"What am I doing here? I think the better question is what are YOU still doing here? We've been looking for you everywhere and it wasn't the best welcome to find you canoodling with Klaus."

"You caught us what?" Caroline asked, letting go of her friend.

"We saw you in the ice cream shop."

Caroline's jaw dropped. "Oh, that. I'm really sorry for not telling you, but well, it's complicated. Once you hear me out I think you'd understand where I'm coming from with this… but wait, didn't you hear us get attacked? You decided NOT to help us?

Elena folded her arms across her chest. "Klaus can handle himself Caroline. You of all people should know that. We would have interfered had he not told you to leave and run for safety."

Caroline couldn't tell if Elena was angry, sad or excited to see her. It must be a little of everything. Now more than anything though, Caroline could feel a lecture coming on – one that was well deserved given the fact that she hadn't spoken to them in days.

"I can't believe you would do this to us Car. After all we've been through you would just drop from the face of the earth with no word whatsoever? Don't you know how worried we are? I told you to call. But did you listen to me? No."

Elena unfolded her arm and brushed back her hair with both hands, exasperated. "Bonnie is going ballistic because she can't track you. Your mom has been asking us thousands of questions and I've been answering her with lies. Oh and how can I forget? What about Tyler, Caroline? Do you remember him? Are you just going to walk away from someone who loves you – someone who we led to South America just so he wouldn't find you? What if he saw this Caroline? You ask me to trust you and I did, but now I'm starting to think that the person who made the promise is not the same person standing in front of me. I don't think I understand you anymore as much as you think I do either."

Caroline was hurt, but she knew she deserved it. It wasn't that she didn't care about her friends or her family, but she was too focused on figuring out things for herself that she forgot about everything else. Not to mention, with Klaus in the picture, she couldn't just come out and tell everyone. He was the ultimate enemy after all.

Elena deserved an explanation.

"I'm sorry, Elena. I really was going to tell you, but I didn't know how or when. I wanted to figure things out for myself first."

"But Caroline, he killed Aunt Jenna. He tried to kill me. He is not a person I'd trust with my life. How come it seems so easy for you to forgive? It seems to me that you already let him in—like you have forgotten all the pain he has caused us."

Caroline fought back her tears. She was tired, angry and confused. "Elena it's not that simple, okay? I'm sorry for not calling. Really, I am. But I thought you of all people would understand, especially with the whole Salvatore situation you have going on. I didn't want to say this before because I knew you just started your transition and you need to deal with that first, but right now you can't say these things to me when you've done it yourself. I mean come on – Damon killed Jeremy & Vicky. He used me as a plaything. Do you remember that? How about Stefan, "the ripper"? You forgave both of them, as did I."

Elena folded her arms and shook her head.

"At least I'm trying to figure out what I want before it's too late. I'm not the one stringing two people along, playing with their hearts and the fact that they both care about me."

Caroline knew it was a low blow, but the words came out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Elena knocked her over and held her by the neck. They both came crashing to the ground. Caroline grabbed both Elena's arms and managed to pull them back. Punches and slaps were thrown between both girls as each one tried to get the upper hand. Finally, Elena kicked her and Caroline flew across the room, hitting into one of the gazebo's wooden posts and breaking it. She was now covered with dirt and grime from the gardens.

Instead of heading back to retaliate, Caroline held her arms up in surrender. "I can't do this." Tears were streaming down her face.

Elena stood there for a moment, looking down at her friend. A few seconds passed before she finally held her hand out to help Caroline up.

"You're right Caroline. It's just that I can't lose them both."

Caroline wiped away her tears with the back of her hands. "I know that. I'm really sorry for what I said. I do know how it feels to want two people in your life. But we can't be selfish Elena. Just as much as we want to be happy, we should look out for the happiness of the people that we love. Sometimes we have to let people go so that they can find their own happiness. It's because we love them that we set them free. It's probably one of the hardest and riskiest things we have to do, and we can only hope that someday they'll come back to us."

Elena stared at her in shock. "You are definitely not the same Caroline."

Caroline raised her eyebrows.

"Relax Car. This time, I meant it as a complement. You've grown so much. Your dad would be more than proud." Elena said.

Caroline felt her chest grow heavy as she thought of her dad, but she managed to smile anyway "Thanks Elena. You know I feel the same way about you."

"But Caroline can you do me a favor at least?" she asked.

Caroline turned to her friend who now had a more serious look on her face.

"As much as I want to let you do things on your own, remember that I'm always here and that I care about you. Right now I don't understand the Klaus thing, but I can if you talk to me. If you're still trying to figure it out and you want to be on your own, that's also fine. Don't just follow your gut. Make sure to think wisely as well. I just don't want you to get hurt – not now, not ever. I hope you know that. Can you promise that if the time comes when I ask you to trust me, you will – no matter what?"

"Of course I will. I know you have the best intentions – you always have. You flew halfway around the world to find me, didn't you?"

Elena nodded. "Well, I can't get all the credit. Stefan and Damon couldn't sit still that they were the ones who decided to get on a plane in the first place. I couldn't stop them but at the same time I wouldn't let them go find you alone. Now that I know you're okay, I guess its mission accomplished."

"Speaking of Stefan and Damon, where are they?"

Elena looked nervously at her friend. "I couldn't stop them, even if I tried. Where do you think they are?"

Caroline was confused for a second before the truth finally hit her. She turned to the house and realized that Klaus might be in danger. She had to warn him. Even though Caroline was mad at him for the whole compulsion thing, she didn't want him to die. She had the instinct to protect him with her life.

Just before she could rush across the garden and back into the house, Elena grabs hold of her arm.

"Elena, trust me, you don't want to do this"

"I'm not stopping you. I'm coming with you."

Hand in hand, they ran to the back door of the mansion and made their way in. It was a good thing that the human owner of the house was long gone, so they didn't have a problem getting through the door. They quickly made their way down the hallways, trying to find where the three would be.

"Klaus?" Caroline cried in desperation, at the same time focusing her energy on listening in with her vampire senses.

Suddenly, they heard a guttural cry from upstairs. Caroline didn't know who it came from exactly, but at least she knew where they were, which was apparently in her room. She quickly bound up the stairs with Elena in tow, whispering a silent prayer and hoping she wouldn't end up seeing any of the people she loved get hurt.

Elena was right about one thing. Klaus could hold his own. As Caroline and Elena burst through the door they found Damon bound to a chair with some rope and Stefan withering in pain on the floor, a piece of wood protruding from his chest, mere centimeters away from his heart.

Klaus, on the other hand, was sitting on the bed playing with a stake in his hands. There were creases on his forehead and he looked rumpled, like he just came from a brawl fight – which in fact he had. His skin was beaded with sweat and his clothes disheveled. Nonetheless, Caroline found him beautiful. She was angry at him sure, but drawn to him at the same time.

"If you stab him again, I swear to God I'm going to kill you." Damon insisted, fighting to break free from the ropes that held him.

Klaus stood up and in a matter of seconds; he was already in front of where Stefan was keeled over. This wasn't the same person that held Caroline just hours before. The old Klaus was back, and with a vengeance. Caroline didn't want to believe it. This couldn't be happening.

"Try me." Klaus challenged. He raised the stake over his head with one hand, aiming it at Stefan's heart.

That was all it took. Before Klaus could even think of plunging the stake into Stefan's heart, Caroline knocked it out of his hand and was standing right in front of him. Elena had also rushed to Stefan's aid and was crouching in front of him, blocking him from Klaus view. She was ready and willing to take the blow instead.

Klaus took one good look at Caroline and he lowered his fist. They were now clenched at his sides.

Caroline could tell he was angry with her, but she was too angry with him as well to care. She was not afraid of him either. "No."

Klaus took a deep breath and walked away from her. Caroline was relieved. He wasn't entirely gone – the Klaus she came to know and care about in London.

Damon made a big mistake though, by laughing in response. "So now you take orders from a girl? Who could have known? You're not as bad ass as I thought."

Klaus picked up the stake and hurled it at Damon, nearly missing his heart. It knocked the breath out of him though. Before Caroline could stop him a second time, Klaus moved to where Damon was and held him by the neck. "Now that wasn't very nice of you Damon. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence? I don't. I do not appreciate uninvited guests in my home but I let you in- alive. Now I'm starting to think it was a mistake." He broke two of the chairs legs off and plunged them both into Damon's stomach.

"I do not take orders from anyone."

With that, he threw unconscious Damon who was still strapped to the chair out of Caroline's bedroom window. He landed on the garden grounds below with a loud thump.

"Damon!" Elena screamed, tears springing in her eyes.

She had already removed the wooden stake from Stefan's heart and the latter was already jumping out of the window to check on his brother.

Caroline, it seemed, was glued to the spot.

Klaus took one look at her and he walked out of the room. The loud bang from the door he shut snapped her back into focus.

"Elena" she whispered. She didn't know how to comfort her friend or what to say after the event they had just witnessed.

"I don't get it Caroline. I really don't. Is that the changed Klaus you were talking about? Because it seems to me that he's the same old selfish and relentless man we both hate. If Damon dies, I will never forgive him for that." Elena sobbed.

Caroline bowed her head, embarrassed. She thought he had changed and deep down she knew in her heart that he had. Damon just irked him with his comment. He wasn't going to really hurt any of them, was he?

"I'm sorry Elena. Really, I am. I know it doesn't seem like it, but he was just thrown off by what Damon said. I promise he wouldn't have hurt any of us."

Elena looked at her with disbelief. Caroline couldn't blame her.

"Come, let's go check on the boys. That should make you feel better."

Caroline grabbed hold of Elena's hand. Together they went back down the stairs and out of the front door. Standing in front of them was Stefan, with Damon leaning against him for support.

"Let me at him!" Damon mumbled.

Stefan held onto his brother firmly. "Not tonight brother."

Damon looked into Elena's eyes and saw that she had been crying. He struggled out of Stefan's hold, but as soon as the latter realized his intentions, he let Damon go.

He walked over to Elena and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm okay Elena. I'm sorry for making you worry."

As soon as they parted, she slapped him. Stefan and Caroline looked on as Elena folded her arms across her chest and explained "That's for your comment that almost killed everyone in the room. What's wrong with you Damon? You of all people should know a thing or two about temper—especially with Klaus. Did you want us to get hurt in there?"

Damon pointed a finger at Caroline. "Why don't you slap her? She's the one who brought us here in the first place. She's the one making out with enemy, not me."

Caroline held her hands up innocently. "Go ahead Elena. If our little brawl wasn't enough for you, have at it again. I deserve it."

Stefan stood in front of Caroline. "Stop it guys. This is pointless. No one is going to hit anyone else in the next few minutes as long as I'm watching."

Elena made her way past Damon to stand in front of Stefan. He acknowledged her presence with a curt nod and when Elena smiled, he knew that very second that she wasn't planning on hurting Caroline. He took a step aside.

Elena grabbed hold of Caroline's hand and held it for support.

"I think you should explain it to them Car" she said.

Caroline didn't know where to start.

"Guys, I'm really sorry for not calling and for not telling you all the details, but to tell you the truth, I don't understand most of it myself. I'm running on pure gut feeling here. It doesn't mean though, that I'm not using my head and that I'm not being careful – because I am. It's Klaus for Christ's sake. I know the risks are insurmountable. But these feelings –"

"Oh no, please don't say you're in love with him?" Damon interrupted.

Elena gave him a look.

"I don't know yet. Maybe, maybe not that's why I'm here. I need to figure this out on my own. I don't want to risk anyone else's life in the process. I thought that if I kept you guys out of it, you would be safe. Now you've dragged your nosy selves into it."

"With good reason Caroline. You know we care about you. We're family" Stefan explained.

Elena gave him a look as well.

Caroline smiled "And I thank you for your concern. Really, I do. But you had no right to burst in the door and try to kill him. Revenge isn't the answer for anything. It will only make things worse. Haven't you guys learned that already? It doesn't make us better people if we choose to succumb to it, does it? It doesn't keep us safe either."

Elena nodded in approval. "She's right. Our vengeful feelings got in the way of what was truly important; which was making sure Caroline was okay. That's why we're here right?"

"You're right. Now we can all go home and live in peace."

Stefan let out a sigh of relief.

Caroline walked over to stand in front of him and gave him a tight hug.

"Stefan, you know I love you and I love Mystic Falls. I will come home eventually, but right now, I have to figure this out. Please give me some time and I promise you things will be better. I can't just go back now. With all this confusion I might just die of depression."

He let go of her and forced a smile.

"I don't trust him Caroline. Neither should you."

"All you need to do is trust me. Have a little faith Stefan. Please." Caroline begged.

He looked from her to Elena, who also had a pleading look on her face. If Elena was willing to let Caroline go, he wouldn't have a choice in the matter. Damon wouldn't fight against it either.

"Okay. But you better call this time or else I'm letting Damon seriously kick some Mickaelson ass. You know, just as much as I do that he's been itching to do that. Deal?"

He held out his hand.

Caroline shook it. "You've got yourself a deal. Goodbye Stefan."

He smiled back at her. "See you soon Caroline."

Elena grabbed hold of Caroline and pulled her in for another tight hug. "I better get the full report. You know what I'm talking about."

She let Elena go and couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"Can we please not have any sexual innuendos about these two? I think I'm going to be sick." Damon called.

Caroline turned to him and waved. "As sick as the thought of you and the other Mickaelson?"

Damon made a face. Elena couldn't stop herself from laughing, even though it wasn't something she wanted to hear.

"You know you love me Damon. I'll be back before you know it"

In minutes, the three of them were gone and Caroline was left alone in the front gardens. She took a minute to regroup before heading back up the steps of the Mickaelson mansion. She couldn't believe she managed to convince her friends to give her some space. She was surprised and comforted by how understanding they all were.

Klaus, on the contrary, was a whole different story altogether. Although she was glad that he didn't hurt Damon or Stefan, he could have. That made her angry, aside from the fact that he compelled her when he promised not to. The thought that he could have killed her friends gave Caroline chills.. She didn't want to be acquainted with the old Klaus. Although that was impossible—he was one and the same, she was hoping he would be different.

Was she hoping for too much?

As she closed the front door behind her and leaned against it, she didn't notice that Klaus was sitting on the top of the staircase.

"Why were they here Caroline?"

She jumped back in surprise, knocking her head against the door. Caroline rubbed the back of her head with her hand before responding. "Why wouldn't they be? They're my friends. They look out for me."

"Looking out for you or trying to kill me? It didn't seem like they were looking for you when they tried to strangle me earlier."

Caroline gave him a serious look. "They were in my room, weren't they? If they wanted to kill you they would have gone to the manlier room not one decked in girls' clothes and flowery perfume."

Klaus stood as Caroline trudged up the steps. She didn't even look at him.

"I don't like that you commanded me back there, like you owned the place"

As soon as she was on the same step as he was she turned to face him – "Oh really, maybe I just didn't care."

She turned away from him once more. She was about to head down the hall to her room when he suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling Caroline to him.

"Caroline, look at me."

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. Klaus could see that she was angry with him, but at the same time holding back her tears.

Caroline turned away a second later. "What about me, huh? I swear I remember telling you I do not want to be compelled by you. But you didn't seem to care when you did it anyway."

"I don't like that you commanded me back there" she imitated before supplying her own words, "like you owned me."

She broke free from his hold and walked down the hallway without even looking back. She heard footsteps behind her but as soon as she wrapped her fingers around the door handle she whispered, choking back a sob.

"Leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you."

Caroline didn't wait for a response. She stepped into the room and shut the door behind her, shutting her feelings out at the same time.