Chapter 10
The Original stood with a hand in his pocket, casual but still with a sense of elegance, while waiting for the younger vampire to end his phone call. Damon spotted him and hung up shortly after with a simple 'tea with an old friend' as explanation.
"Elijah, my favourite Original." Damon said truthfully, he'd rather deal with Elijah than Klaus any day, "Back from the dead." He saw the new clean cut suit and hair, "You clean up nice."
Ignoring the compliment, Elijah reached into his jacket and pulled out a small piece of paper. "You left something in my jacket pocket."
"Oh yeah," Damon muttered, beginning to recite the letter back to himself, "Dear Elijah, let's get together about the destruction of your brother. Ex oh, ex oh…"
"Damon." Elijah cut in.
"Was I right to un-dagger you?" Damon said, apprehensive, "Or are we gonna have a problem?"
Damon sure hoped not. He didn't think they'd be able to dagger Elijah again and he wasn't up for an 'I told you so' from Stefan. His brother hadn't been supportive when Damon had told him about un-daggering Elijah, so then having said Original go on team Klaus and screw things up would earn him years of whining from Stefan. His brother was broody enough already without that added bonus.
Elijah shrugged, "I'm here, let's talk."
"Well I'll start with an easy question." He said getting to the point, eager for an answer they had all been trying to find out for weeks, "Any idea what kind of Klaus killing weapon could be magically sealed in a mystery coffin that Stefan stole from your brother?"
"No." Elijah replied simply and honestly, unaware there even was a fourth coffin until now – another thing to ask Klaus. "My turn for a question. What is the relationship between Klaus and Caroline?"
Damon had to pick his jaw up before he could reply. "It's rude to eavesdrop and being stuck in a coffin is so excuse either." The Originals plain look made him answer the question, "There is no relationship." He paused, "Plus this is Blondie we're talking about, those morals of hers would keep her far away from that killer." One more thoughtful pause. "And its Klaus, the towns," he started to mimic Klaus's british accent, "'I will kill everyone you love for stealing a few boxes' friendly hybrid."
"Really." Elijah said sceptically seeming to ignore most of Damon's rambling, "Then why was my brother so…passionate in ensuring her safety? Perhaps you are just unaware, Damon."
He snorted. "I know you've been preoccupied, being dead and all, but this is your brother we're talking about. I can assure you he hasn't turned into a huggable teddy these past few months." He felt slight doubt though – he had seen Caroline visit Klaus, not to mention Klaus's weird attitude when he told him to back off. "And what do you mean her safety? Is Caroline in danger?"
"From a hybrid." Elijah saw Damon's unease at this and he added, "Niklaus will deal with it." Elijah smiled slowly, "Very well. It seems we each don't have the answers we so desire from each other, so how about this? I propose a dinner with me, you, and our brothers."
"You're joking." Seeing Elijah's ordinary stare that said 'no, I'm really not' Damon said, "Unless Klaus is on the menu to be deep fried, Stefan won't agree to it."
"Convince him. I want my family back, and if all it takes is Niklaus and Stefan to come to an agreement then we should waste no time." Elijah began to walk off.
"Where are you going?" Damon yelled to the retreating Original.
Elijah didn't glance back when he replied, "To convince my own brother and teach him a lesson that is long overdue."
It was only the element of surprise that allowed Caroline to successfully interrupt the attack that would have killed the hybrid and shove Klaus away a few steps. It didn't take long before he was back on his feet but it was enough time for her to get in between him and the hybrid. She was now standing protectively in front of the female, her eyes following Klaus and what his next move would be to her bold action.
Klaus wasn't happy. His lycanthrope features now displayed the tip of his fangs sticking out, the gold in his irises slowly fading back to the usual blue hue. He was tempted to simply push the weaker vampire out the way and finish what he had come to do – which was to get rid of the hybrid that had dared disobey him – but instead was curious as to why Caroline would intervene and held himself back knowing the hybrid wouldn't be moving anytime soon.
"What," Klaus forced the fangs back, "are you up to, love?"
She wished she knew how to answer that. What was she doing?
You're the doing the right thing, her conscience answered. She couldn't just stand by as Klaus killed this hybrid that was helpless against him. Sure, the stranger's method of trying to get Klaus's attention sucked loads, but in the end she was just a girl who was in blinded by love. Caroline could easily relate to that.
"I won't let you kill her." She said unwavering and heard the hybrid behind her gasp in surprise, obviously as shocked as Caroline that she'd saved her.
"You won't let me?" Klaus echoed dubiously, a humourless chuckle falling from his lips, "See that's the thing, sweetheart. You can't stop me."
She said nothing in return, knowing he was right – she would be powerless against him. Caroline wasn't going to just give up and stand by though just because the odds were against her.
"Let's also not bypass the fact that she would have killed you had I not showed up to the rescue." He walked up to her, "A little gratitude would be nice considering this is the second time I've saved you."
She crossed her arms, in the hope it would create a barrier between them and the motion gave her a small amount of comfort.
"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been in need of saving in the first place for both times." She could see his smile falter at the truth of the statement and she quickly moved on, "I think she's learnt her lesson anyway." Caroline pointed to the hybrids weak state, "You don't need to kill her."
"Of course I do, love." Klaus put a hand on her shoulder, "Now stop being so insufferably selfless and stand aside. I'll be done in a tick."
Selfless. That's exactly what she was; which was beyond reckless and grated on his nerves. It was silly enough that she put herself in danger for the people she called friends, but now for a complete stranger as well? It infuriated him that Caroline would simply throw her life away and made Klaus want to spill the hybrids blood even more.
"No!" She grabbed his wrist to pull him off, but his grip was too tight.
"Caroline, dear," he said impatient, "don't make me use force."
"You already are!" She pointed out and felt his hold lessen slightly, "Shouldn't someone like you be grabbing onto any amount of love that they can get? Cause last time I checked no-one had any of those feelings for you!"
Caroline knew she had gone too far this time when his perfectly controlled mask flickered into anger.
"Enough!" Klaus growled, pulling her closer.
"Let me go!" She hissed back.
"You two are behaving like children." An unfamiliar voice drawled out. "In a public place, no less."
They both turned to the voice and she saw Klaus become rigid at the sight of the new arrival. The mysterious person had the hybrid she had been trying to save grabbed by the shoulder – an almost mirror of how her and Klaus were right now – who was looking even more petrified now. The hybrid must have attempted to run when they had been…busy.
The man was in a posh suit and the way he held himself reminded her of Klaus, they had the same air of authority around them.
"Elijah…" Klaus breathed out, the name feeling foreign on his tongue.
So this was Elijah. She'd heard about him obviously. She had helped Bonnie find a way on how to take down an Original because of him. That was before Klaus had showed up and made them realise just how weak a threat Elijah was compared to Klaus; that all seemed so long ago now.
"Judging by your look of surprise it seems you haven't noticed my absence from that awful coffin you placed me in."
If it wasn't Klaus who un-daggered Elijah then who out of the group who knew about the coffins would be rash and careless enough to take the dagger out of an Original? Oh of course, she realised, Damon would be. I am so remembering this when he next tries to lecture me.
Klaus was visibly shaken and remained speechless, making Caroline feel nervous; she had never seen him look so… vulnerable.
"You are slacking Niklaus." Elijah pushed the girl forward, "This one almost got away while you were in your squabble." Elijah regarded her then. "So this is the lovely Caroline I've heard so much about. Ah yes, I remember now." He said, looking her up and down. "I believe you were on the list of Elena's loved ones."
Klaus moved so that Caroline was behind him, which blocked Elijah's view of the blonde vampire. Whether this move was intentional or not Elijah would probably never know.
"We have a lot to discuss," Klaus still sounded stunned but appeared more himself, "allow me to show you my new home."
Elijah continued like Klaus hadn't spoken, "I'm surprised she doesn't have brown hair, brother."
She didn't catch who attacked first but suddenly there was a frenzy of attacks that scattered around the parking lot causing devastation, until Klaus was finally bashed into a parked car making the alarm go off. Caroline looked around worriedly, hoping no-one would be coming out of the hospitals back exit soon.
"Easy," Klaus snarled out whist in a cat like crouch, "we are in the presence of a lady."
Elijah wasted no time in attacking again, years of hate giving him the upper hand over his brother momentarily. Caroline inwardly cheered when Elijah punched Klaus, sending him a good distance away and she had to resist clapping when she saw Klaus's usually perfect face now had a bruise forming.
Caroline took that time to talk to the frightened hybrid. "What's your name?"
The girl tore her eyes of the fighting Originals, "M-Miranda."
"Okay Miranda, I saved your ass so now you're going to do me a favour. Take this opportunity to run and never show your face in this town again if you know what's good for you."
Miranda looked at her, shock and confusion evident in her eyes, "What about you?"
Caroline smiled sadly, "I'm afraid it's not that easy for me. This is my home."
She nodded and began to walk away, looking back one last time. "I'm sorry for before…and thank you." Then Miranda was gone.
Caroline checked her watch. She had called Elena for support when she found out her father was in hospital and asked if they could meet at the hospital. Elena, always the caring friend, agreed and said she would get there as soon as she could. Caroline really hoped Elena would be late this one time.
A loud crash made Caroline whip her head round to see Klaus had pinned Elijah up against one of the cars, his face a mix of rage and sadness.
"I understand you are angry with me, but listen to me brother," He held Elijah's gaze, knowing the impact his next words would have. "…Mikael is dead."
"What did you say?" Elijah shook Klaus off, his face full of disbelief and then frustrated confusion, "Then why do our family remain in coffins?"
Klaus went to answer, but held back when he saw Caroline. "We shouldn't discuss matters like this here. I promise I will tell you everything you need to know when we return."
Elijah followed his gaze. "Of course." He began to walk towards Caroline, ignoring his brother's warning glare. "Forgive me for the…unsightly display, Caroline. Family business, I'm sure you understand."
She was absolutely dumbfounded. She wanted to say something – perhaps a sarcastic remark or a charming comment that would rival his own charm as a gentleman – but her mind was blank.
Elijah took her hand and Klaus tensed, wondering what his brother was up to, and feeling an unfamiliar emotion when Elijah planted a kiss on Caroline's hand.
An irritating emotion he hadn't felt in centuries. Klaus was jealous. The jealousy was intensified when he saw the almost shy and flattered way Caroline was now looking at his brother. She had never looked at him that way, Klaus realised. While Caroline's determination was oddly endearing, he wouldn't mind such a shy expression appear on her face and him being the cause of it.
"I'm sure we will meet again soon." Elijah smiled enchantingly, still holding her hand when he noticed the jewellery on her hand and he raised an eyebrow, "Very soon." He murmured.
"Elijah," Klaus forced a thin smile, "If all you desire is a snack there are plenty of willing females awaiting in the mansion."
Klaus's smile became earnest when he saw Caroline snatch her hand away and look at Elijah with disgust. His brother fixed him with a knowing stare - that he gladly returned with a murderous glare - before walking off, presumably to wait for him elsewhere but still within hearing range. Still on edge from the arrival of his family member, Klaus decided to do what he did best to mask his unease; Tease the youngling with charming smiles. He would get that appealing shy look from her, no matter what.
"I see you're still wearing my ring, love." Klaus said with a hint of pride, Elijah had already noticed anyway. Klaus had seen right away that she kept it on, and he felt a rush of warm and welcome emotions because of it. She was wearing one of his possessions that would claim her as his.
Caroline shrugged. She had been waiting for him to say something about it the whole time and had braced herself to show nonchalance. "It's a nice ring when I forget who gave it to me."
"Ouch." He said jokingly, "How's that working out for you?"
"It would go better if the person didn't show up all the time."
As usual her comments only increased his amusement, "Well I couldn't have one of my hybrids going about on a rampage and ruining my reputation, now could I?"
Caroline bit back a retort about this so called reputation of his, knowing they could keep this up the whole day. She needed to see her father and meet Elena before the day was up.
Noticing her lack of remark, which was odd for her as she always tried to rival him, Klaus changed the subject, "So what brings you here on this lovely day, sweetheart?"
She glared at him and became defensive at the personal question, "That's none of your business."
"True." Klaus agreed unfazed, "But I was only asking out of politeness, love, see – I make it my mission to know everything that happens in this town."
Caroline tensed. If what he said was true - and it probably was - did that mean he knew about Tyler's attempts to break the sire bond?
"Yes," Klaus replied as if he had read her thoughts, "I even know all about Tyler's latest act of defiance." She expected to see anger but instead he seemed utterly unconcerned, "It hardly matters though as it will be proven impossible to break the supernatural bond," he became falsely sympathetic, "but I wish him the best of luck."
She was about to yell at him when she got a text, probably from Elena, and she looked away from his gaze long enough to check.
Where r u? I'm at front entrance in the hospital waiting. – E
Caroline jumped back in fright when she noticed how close Klaus had gotten to read the text. He watched the movement with great amusement, a smirk present on his lips because of the effect he had on her despite her courageous front.
"Better get going then, love." He flicked his hand in the direction of the building, as if giving her permission to leave, "Oh, and make sure my doppelganger keeps herself out of trouble, would you?"
She gave him a glare that made her usually bright eyes a venomous dark, a look she reserved only for those who disrespected her friends.
"Elijah should have punched you more." She spat out unable to help herself, pleased when irritation appeared on his face at his brother's name.
Caroline turned to leave but Klaus grabbed her arm and pulled her against him, his lips close to her ear when he spoke in a low, icy tone.
"Don't think that I didn't notice you assisting that hybrid's escape, love. She was lucky given the circumstances." His eyes flashed, promising danger, "But I never let someone escape from me no matter how far they run." He slowly let her go.
Caroline was grateful he had stopped touching her so she could steel her nerves for one last jab. "Are you done being the cliché villain? Because I'm pretty sure we both have family waiting for us."
"Regrettably," Klaus struggled to be indifferent about how he did, in fact, have family waiting, "fun time is over, it seems. Next time we meet I expect to see that ring paired with my bracelet." Klaus gave her a coy smile, "I'm sure you'll look ravishing with them both on."
Caroline, too shaken to reply, bolted from the scene as fast as she could feeling his eyes on her until she entered the building.