Chapter 13
Caroline stepped outside to get away from the bustle inside the ballroom. After the dance she could practically feel the various stares she was receiving of everyone. The glares from many envious girls who were most likely all human and unaware of what they were actually being jealous of. The interested stares of Klaus's family members, no doubt wondering what she was to Klaus–something she herself didn't know–was all too intimidating as well.
But worst of all was the confused scowl Elena was sending her. She knew Elena would try to corner her and demand answers after the dance so she did something rather cowardly. She ran. After saying an excuse to Matt she had walked–very quickly–outside before Elena could reach her.
She was now walking down the stone path accessorised with fairy lights (not that her vampire vision needed them) when she spotted the animal. With a happy grin she moved closer to stroke one of the horse's manes, which gave a happy neigh in response. The Mikaelsens really were taking this fancy ball to the max with having horses leading carriages.
When she heard the footsteps of Klaus approaching, Caroline wasn't surprised at all. He had said he would find her after the dance and she had been expecting him with every second that passed. However, she didn't turn around and continued to admire the animal in front of her.
That didn't hold back Klaus though, as he simply stood in front of her and asked, "You like horses?"
She held back a sigh. It would be all too easy to talk to Klaus normally. But she knew, no matter how much she denied it, Klaus didn't fall in the normal category for boys. There were answers that she needed.
So Caroline said stubbornly, "I'm not talking to you until you tell me why you invited me here."
With just the two of them, standing here alone, Klaus decided he should finally tell her. It was pointless to deny how he felt towards Caroline anymore. The feelings he had been denying from the moment he had saved her life had slowly crept up on him and flourished into so much more. Klaus refused to be foolish like the Salvatores and hide the love they had for a girl.
Klaus said softly with no hesitation, "I fancy you."
That made Caroline stare at him in utter shock. Sure, she'd pondered on the thought of Klaus perhaps liking her (I mean, hello – gifts pretty much screams 'I like you' in the human world) but she had always pushed the thought away because it was absurd.
He smiled at the reaction. "Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes!" She said impatiently. How could it not be hard to believe that the immortal hybrid had been completely straightforward and confessed to her?
"Why?" He asked, sounding surprised that he'd even have to elaborate, "You're beautiful, you're strong. You're full of light." Too bright for a vampire. "I enjoy you." Far more then he should.
Looking into his eyes, so full of emotion, as he gave her compliment after compliment she could easily lose herself in them and regret her next action. Caroline quickly put a barrier back up in-between them, "Well I'm spoken for." She felt the need to clarify just who and added, "By Tyler."
Because even through the entire struggle her and Tyler were going through they were still together, right? There was no doubt in her mind that Tyler still loved her.
"I thought you two ended things." Klaus spoke aloud her worries.
Caroline was annoyed at how care freely Klaus could just announce something he was to blame for. She said with irritation, "Yeah, because of you and your freaky sire bond with him."
"So you're not spoken for." He grinned cheekily at the victory.
Caroline looked away with a slight huff. She had completely slipped up there.
"You know," he began looking slightly nervous–but that couldn't be right because Klaus didn't get nervous, "horses are the opposite of people." His gaze fell to the horse she had been petting moments earlier and his eyes glazed over. "They're loyal."
Loyalty was something Klaus didn't take for granted; it was something he'd never truly had. Sure, he had been able to charm–and most of the time force–many over the years to serve him, but it wasn't the same as true loyalty. To have faithfulness and devotion to someone out of free will. The sired bond his hybrids had towards him was simply a cheap imitation.
Caught up in his memories he continued, "My father hunted me for a thousand years and the closest he ever came was the day he killed my favourite horse." He smiled sadly, the memory still as vivid after all this time. "He severed its neck with a sword," he finally met her eyes again, "as a warning."
"Have you even considered…sitting down with your father and talking it out?" Caroline had never been the comforting type, so she knew before she even started talking whatever she was going to say would be a bit silly. But for him to reveal such raw and painful memories in front of her she felt that, in return, she could at least provide some sort of comfort.
The numb look that Klaus wore made her tighten the hold she had on her shawl. He said dully, "I'm afraid my relationship with my father was a little more complex than yours."
"Hm. Maybe so," she paused, considering his words. "But I let my father go with no regrets." The night her father had died she had begged, yelled and cried. Through all that she had said everything she needed to say to him. "And to answer your question, yes I do like horses. But I also like people and they actually like me." And if I want them to keep liking me I need to stop seeing you, she mentally added. "So I'll be inside." With that close, she turned to leave.
Klaus clearly had other ideas though, as his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist. His grip wasn't tight, it was loose enough for her to get free but she still felt trapped all the same and she looked at him, ready to demand what he was doing. The question died on her lips when she saw the conflicted expression he was wearing. There was an odd light in his eyes, like he was trying to keep something under control and Klaus seemed to be struggling with what to say. Whatever he had finally decided on was lost as a new arrival appeared.
They both looked at the new company. Upon seeing who it was Caroline ripped her hand out of Klaus's grasp in embarrassment and shame. Stefan Salvatore stood, hands in pockets, watching them with an unfriendly smirk and his eyes darting between the two.
"Oh. My bad." Stefan said while not looking the least bit sorry. "I seem to have accidently stumbled upon something very," he looked at Caroline, his gaze accusing, "interesting."
Her brow furrowed at the implication she could hear in his voice and went to remark–probably something about him being a dick–but Klaus cut in before her.
Klaus forced a tight smile–the sort of smile that promised many broken necks. "Stefan, always a pleasure to see you," his tone indicated the very opposite.
"Got bored of making hybrids Klaus?" Stefan smiled back with similar falseness and dipped his head in Caroline's direction. "I see you're now finding another way to spend your immortal life."
"Okay!" Caroline snapped as she saw Klaus's eyebrow twitch in irritation – she was not watching two of them rip each other apart, even if they both deserved it. "Stefan," she growled, sending him a warning glare when he went to comment, "Dance with me."
As expected the request startled him enough for her to grab his arm and drag him back inside. Caroline didn't have to look back to know the angry expression Klaus would be wearing because of her departure. Once the doors shut behind them she released Stefan, whose mocking grin had vanished.
She glanced around to make sure no-one was within ear shot when she went into her rant, "What the hell was that? Are you suicidal?"
"Not today." Stefan said stiffly, "But it seems you are."
Caroline faltered as her mind raced to think of something to say. Sadly, her imagination failed and left her to face the situation on her own. She meekly replied, "I don't know what you mean."
Stefan shook his head and leaned back while glancing over at the few people still dancing. Finally, emitting a sigh, he looked back at her. "I spent a whole summer with Klaus. I know him. The real him. Not this pretence he puts in front of you. His a –"
"Monster." At his surprised expression Caroline decided to put him out of his misery, "Yeah your brother got there long before you with this little talk."
"Well clearly Damon didn't do a very good job since your still rendezvousing with him."
She protested immediately, "That's not –"
"That's exactly what it was, Caroline!" Stefan cried and she flinched back in shock. He then rubbed his forehead, obviously trying to compose himself before he started again, "The things his done are unforgivable, Caroline. He killed Jenna and Elena." Caroline's eyes averted to the floor, tears threatening to overflow but he continued relentlessly, "I've seen him torture so many people–just for fun. I lost count of the lives he took in the short time I was forced to spend with him. Have you forgotten how he would have used you in the sacrifice if Damon hadn't saved you?"
"No," she murmured–it's something she'll never forget, "I haven't."
The Stefan she used to know returned then–however briefly–and he rested a hand on her shoulder when he said softly, "Then you know to stay away."
Something snapped then and Caroline isn't exactly sure what but she decided to go with it. First Damon and now Stefan are lecturing her on her love life? Did everyone believe her so stupid that she'd instantly forgive Klaus? Didn't they know how much torture she was putting herself through because of the conflicted feelings she was having?
She shook his hand off. "You've killed people too Stefan." His eyes widened and she laughed. "Oh yeah, I know all about your ripper days. Isn't that why you're pushing Elena away? Because you're ashamed of what you are. You do know that no-one's buying this no humanity crap? Oh, and let's not forget Damon who used to go around killing people like it was going out of fashion!"
Stefan didn't deny any of it and just nodded with a grim expression. "You're right. But unlike Klaus we feel regret. I feel it every day. Do you think Klaus would have felt regret if he had used you in the sacrifice?"
They both knew the answer to that. She avoided the question and instead muttered, "I much preferred the Stefan that ate bunnies."
Stefan's lips twitched with amusement at her remark before he sighed in exasperation. "This isn't a jo –"
"Is there a problem?"
Elijah was standing there, with an eyebrow raised in questioning as he observed the two annoyed individuals who both moved apart when they realised how close they had gotten to yell at each other.
"No," Stefan finally replied and gave Caroline a meaningful look, "I think we've covered everything."
She returned the stare with equal determination. Stefan must have realised he was getting no-where as he eventually broke his gaze away. He walked past Elijah in his exit, ignoring the older vampire entirely.
The Original watched the retreating Salvatore before addressing her, "I told you we'd meet again soon, Caroline. Here," Elijah offered a glass, "you look like you need it."
"More then you know," she muttered whilst eagerly accepting the drink. "I guess you heard everything?"
"Clearly," he raised an eyebrow when she swigged half the drink down. "I find it curious that you defend my brother so."
Curious indeed. It's not like she had intentionally gone out of her way to defend Klaus. In the end, they were all killers. Even she had killed and that would follow her forever, a constant weight on her shoulders. Surely if Damon could be forgiven for his sins, couldn't Klaus be given a chance too?
"Klaus fancies me," she blurted out. Caroline peeked at Elijah's face, expecting horror or some sort of shock but he remained passive. "Shouldn't you be more…?"
"Surprised?" Elijah smiled, "I suppose you could say I expected this. My brother is terrible at lying. That ring was confirmation enough."
"Oh," she didn't question what Klaus might have said about her to hide the… feelings he had for her. "Wait – the ring?"
He shrugged, "Niklaus held on to it for years. I began to think he would never find another he deemed worthy to wear it." This time it was Elijah's turn to be shocked at the company's un-shocked expression, "The mention of another does not raise questions?"
She scoffed. "Klaus is one thousand years old. If he didn't have an ex then I'd have questions. Besides it's not like were dating so why would I even care…" she trailed off, knowing she was babbling. She was unprepared for Elijah's next inquiry.
"Do you fancy my brother back?"
She spat out the wine she was drinking in her shock, earning a laugh from Elijah who commented 'How lady like.'
After composing herself she protested, "N-no! I mean, well–" she let her feeble denial end and instead said, "It's complicated."
Elijah smiled sadly in response. "Love always is." He looked like he had more to say but cut off when he noticed a quickly approaching figure. "Ah. And here is my brother himself. Excuse me Caroline; I must leave your side now. Niklaus gets ever so possessive and I've faced his anger more than enough in my long existence." Elijah raised his glass as a farewell before he disappeared into the crowd.
Klaus watched his departing brother with irritation before he approached and then glanced around, probably to see if Stefan was still lurking nearby, before he spoke, "Caroline, will you join me?" He gestured to the nearest staircase.
"Why?" She asked, wary. Stefan's words still rang loudly in her head, on constant repeat despite her best effort to block them out.
"There's something I'd like to show you." He said and she picked up on the hint of desperation in his voice.
The best thing for everyone would be if I just leave the ball right now. I'll make it so I never have to see Klaus again. I'll forget everything that happened tonight.
Klaus took her silence as a negative. "Please," was all he had to say for her to give in.
"Okay," she quietly agreed. His smile in return was enough to make her forget any doubts and, always the gentlemen, he offered his hand. After giving him an 'are-you-serious?' look she put her hand in his and allowed Klaus to lead her away from the main room.
After all the time she had already spent with Klaus it's not like a few more minutes would change very much, she reasoned.
Caroline couldn't have been more wrong.