Chapter 8

Caroline always thought the day she received a ring of a boy would be a very nice day indeed. Cleary, she was wrong. How did Klaus even manage to slip the ring on her finger without her noticing? Hopefully it was the haziness she felt from the alcohol that made her oblivious, not that he was far too good at being sneaky.

She should rip the stupid ring off and give it to someone so she would never be tempted to wear it again. Well, anyone but that annoying and flirty waitress. But it was so shiny and even her size…Come on Caroline, think rationally; it's probably spelled to kill you in your sleep! Her instant denial at this idea frightened her. Since when did she start doubting Klaus's evil intentions?

Probably the same time he called you beautiful and gave you gifts that made you feel like a princess, her more logical side offered sardonically.

Typical; she says it takes more than diamonds to impress her and what does Klaus do? Get a ring with the most beautiful and expensive white diamond she had ever seen in her life. It was hard not to be impressed! She wasn't sure how long she scowled at the infernal object simply because Klaus had proved her wrong before Matt appeared behind the bar, drawing her out of her thoughts.

"-line? Caroline?" He was asking in an attempt to get her attention, worry heavy on his face.

"Sorry, I was…thinking." He quirked an eyebrow at that making her laugh, "Yes sometimes I think too!"

"Caroline, what was all that about?" Matt asked, pretending to be wiping nearby glasses when he saw his manager glaring at him from out back.

"What do you mean?" Caroline feigned not understanding; she wanted to avoid having another conversation like the one she had with Damon.

"You and Klaus," He stated, "First he saved your life…now you're having drinks together?"

"What are you implying?" She yelled, sick of being accused because of Klaus. Did people really believe she was so fickle that she'd change sides overnight?

"I'm not implying anything, Caroline." Matt said softly, "I'm just worried about you. You weren't exactly in the best condition last time I saw you."

Of course, she thought, hating her stupidity. Last time she had saw Matt was when he helped her home on the night of her birthday. She had been too much of a delusional mess because of the werewolf bite to remember much.

"I'm sorry, Matt. It's been a long day." That's an understatement.

She looked back down at the ring again. Following her gaze, Matt's eyes widened after resting on the ring and he stuttered out, "W-wow. That's nice, from Tyler?"

"Um, yeah." She hated lying to Matt, but she didn't want to burden him with her problems.

Because that's exactly what Klaus was. One huge problem she was sure she wouldn't be getting rid of anytime soon.

She mumbled some excuse about not feeling well, which was probably believable due to the state she was now in, and was finally able to successfully leave The Grill. She never noticed a female hybrid watching her from the other side of the road with extreme envy, as by the time Caroline looked up the woman had already vanished.

The gloomy room only held two signs of movement, each reluctant to be in each other's presence. The candles being the only source of light; illuminating one tense and one furious expression. Even the spirits not dare disturb the confrontation between the two enemies'.

"I will tear you limb from limb," Klaus began walking towards his current opponent in his wrath, "and only when you are a writhing mass of blood and flesh will I rip your heart from your chest."

Klaus's hands itched to end the life of this pathetic vampire and relish in the anguish it would cause his loved ones. He rarely had to resort to such threats as usually his abilities kept anyone from being rebellious unless they wanted an untimely death. Except now he was hindered and couldn't dispose of these annoyances as he so desperately wished. Another reason to rip these Salvatore brothers apart the first chance he got.

"Sorry," Damon said in his best sarcastic tone, "Same rules apply. You know, leverage and all."

Damon didn't particularly like being at the end of Klaus's glare, one he was sure he would be seeing many times in the future, but he had some things to say and this seemed like a good a time as any. Besides, he was hardly known for his ability to hold back.

"I know you want your family back," he started falsely sympathetic, "but something tells me you want what's in that coffin a loooot more."

He smirked as Klaus's glare intensified and began to walk away, only to stop after a few steps.

"Oh. Before I forget," Now Damon was the one to close the distance between the pair, "I'm not sure what you're up to with Caroline," his tone turned deadly serious, "But I suggest you back off."

Caroline had effectively dodged his questions earlier, which he couldn't help feel a snippet of respect for her. Throwing in mention of Elena was a smart move, momentarily stunning him while she made her get away. Obviously she had learnt from watching the best; clearly him, the master of deflection.

But now Damon was still left with a question. What could Klaus possibly want with Vampire Barbie? She hadn't known where the coffins were located, ruling out that possibility, and it's not like Klaus cared about anything else. He could also deduce nothing from the hybrid, which annoyed him greatly. He much preferred when he was the one sporting the leather jackets and causing havoc in Mystic falls – at least he had a little fun with it!

There was a moment of silence between them and continued glaring that made Damon worry his face may be permanently stuck in a frown. Suddenly Klaus began to laugh devoid of humour, making Damon take a step back and stare at him bewilderedly. And people called me a psycho, he thought annoyed, if only I had this recorded.

"You brothers never fail to amuse me." Klaus's amusement subsided instantly, "When I get my last coffin back, and believe me I will…"

Klaus walked over to one of the coffins now in his possession and touched it, as if a caress.

"…you should then be worrying about your own safety, not hers. Caroline will come to no harm by my hand. You are the one who will pay in blood."

Damon never thought he would feel relief from being threatened. Any sarcastic comment he was about to throw in about this new liking Klaus now seemed to have toward Caroline was easily forgotten by what Klaus said next.

"Oh, I'm sure I can stay away," his lips curled into a smirk at Damon's startled reaction to his agreement, "but can she do the same?"

Klaus turned away then, dismissing him and cutting off anything Damon had to say.

"Give my regards to Stefan."

Caroline sat on her bed that evening frustrated. The source of that frustration was still perched on her finger innocently, looking stunning as she shifted her fingers to get a better view of how it sparkled.

Just like how the bracelet had sparkled.

Unintentionally she looked over to the drawer that she had locked the bracelet away in with little hesitation. She was already wearing his ring; she might as well look at the bracelet again. She opened the drawer to see the bracelet in the exact same location she had left it. Lifting it above her head to get a better view she couldn't comprehend what she noticed this time.

Klaus's bracelet was composed of infinity signs.

"You can have a thousand more birthdays."

Dammit, it's just a bracelet Klaus probably carried around for years and finally had a chance to get rid of, she scolded herself, stop looking too much into it! Instead focus on what you do know.

She understood why he had saved her; Klaus had admitted it himself after all. It was to get the support of this town and she was only 'collateral damage.' But that didn't explain the bracelet he had left after, especially not this new silver ring.

Caroline hadn't been able to let her friends know of all the incidents of today. She didn't think it would have been fair to have told them over the phone when Bonnie was dealing with meeting her mother for the first time in years. Now, however, she was left with dreading panic at what they might say when they found out just who her new accessories were from.

She could already see Elena's disapproving expression, yet understanding; which made it so much worse. Then there was Bonnie. She would probably set Caroline on fire, explanations after. That was reason enough to not wear them… she should hide them away so she never could lay her eyes on their beauty ever again.

No, she decided, if Klaus was going to give her expensive gifts every time they met who was she to refuse? She might as well get a reward for surviving an encounter with him. Caroline was a prom queen kind of girl and this little gem would be perfect to top off her outfits with that extra jazz.

Then why wasn't she wearing the bracelet too?

Because the bracelet was different, she found herself thinking. When Klaus had given her the ring he had been himself - the confident and smug hybrid this town had come to hate so much. Yet when he gave her the bracelet he was…not the same. He had been kind, maybe even caring towards her, and for god's sake it was a birthday gift! Caroline had no idea what to make of it and that frightened her more then she wanted to admit.

She would wear the bracelet for a special occasion; some event where she needed some diamonds to outshine the other girls. Caroline hardly wanted Klaus to think a stupid piece of jewellery would affect her so much that she left it rotting in a drawer.

With this reasoning she left the ring on and instead of hiding the bracelet like before, she ended up leaving it hanging on her table mirror in plain sight. She found her eyes flicking to it every now and then, attracting her attention and bringing her thoughts back to Klaus.

How was it possible that the more she saw Klaus, the more questions she had? Great, out of all the people to be interested in her – was it even interest with him? – it had to be the villain who carried around his family in caskets.

Caroline let out a long, suffering sigh as she flopped back on the bed. What had she gotten herself into?

Even after Damon had left the old mansion, Klaus still remained in the same spot, hand poised over the coffins as though contemplating opening them or not. An onlooker would believe his mind was on the recent retrieval of his family members; however Klaus's thoughts were on another different subject entirely.

Miss Caroline Forbes.

It was silly really, this new fondness he had toward such a naïve and inexperienced vampire. But maybe that's why there was such a fondness. He was ancient, knowledgeable and felt the need to show Caroline all of the beauty in the world that she had access to even as a vampire. Beauty that would surely pale in comparison to her own, but would still make her eyes light up in wonder. The same light he had waited from afar to see enter her eyes after giving her his ring.

Klaus wasn't fool enough to pretend that he didn't crave companionship. The love he never got from his parents so long ago he now longed for from others, even if he had to force their affections. Now Rebekah was once again not with him the loneliness he had been able to push away was gradually consuming him, reinforced every time Stefan made a move against him. A constant reminder of the brief brotherhood they once shared. Not liking where his thoughts were headed he decided it was now time to get down to business.

"David." Klaus summoned one of his hybrids, knowing he would hear despite not being in the same room.

He appeared in the door way momentarily, patting off cobwebs that he walked through to get closer.

He nodded over to one of the coffins, "Should I begin moving them?"

"Yes, and be quick about it. These dead witches," Klaus glared at the sudden increase of flames from the candles, "aren't the politest company for Originals."

Klaus stood their proudly, silently challenging the witches to try and harm him again. He smirked at his victory as the flames diminished. Cowards.

"There is something you should know." David began when he saw Klaus start to leave.

Vaguely interested, Klaus stopped and raised an eyebrow in questioning. His hybrids rarely talked to him unless it was to accept orders or to say they had completed them.

"I heard you mention that vampire before with Salvatore, Caroline –"

His eyes narrowed at the mention of her name. "That has nothing to do with you."

The hybrid took a step back at the dangerous tone in his master's voice. "I know." He said meekly, "But I think Miranda is planning –"

"Who?" Klaus was getting bored of this hybrids babbling and noted to be more careful to who he next turned into a hybrid.

David looked extremely abashed. "One of your hybrids." Seeing Klaus's increasing frown he added, "Black hair, green eyes, really pretty actually and –"

"I'm getting impatient." Klaus cut in sharply, "What is it?"

He recognised from the description that she was the hybrid he had threatened when she proposed to 'get rid' of Caroline. If Klaus had known this female hybrid would cause him to have to go through this dull conversation he would have done more than simply scare her.

David looked anywhere but at Klaus, knowing the angry reaction he would give at Miranda's disobedience.

"I think…she's going to kill Caroline."