A/N: Okay, I've had a short break from my main stories, but here is the second chapter to Lie to Me :) I'm still trying to write The Seven Seas (this next chapter is particularly hard!), so I apologise to everyone! But please check out my tumblr klaroline4eva . tumblr . com. :) My personal one is bullet2tm . tumblr . com but I don't post my stories on there. :) Also, thank you SO SO much for all the reviews and +alerts for this one! I really appreciate all your comments, please keep them coming. :) I might try and ask someone to make a proper pic for this, but we'll see how popular it is first. :) Anyway, enjoy.
Lie to Me
Chapter 2
Caroline awoke in unfamiliar surroundings. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking a couple of times to register where she was. She sat up and stretched.
"What the-" she started as she looked around to find herself in a massive room, almost like a hotel.
Caroline looked down to see she was in her shirt and underwear and had been sleeping in a king size bed and by god it was comfortable!
"I want to see her!" she heard someone exclaim downstairs.
She didn't recognise the voice.
"She's asleep," said a voice she did recognise. It was Klaus. They must have been standing in the foyer and then she remembered where she was.
They had spent all day together yesterday as she tried to remember what happened to her. And she had killed someone.
Caroline closed her eyes as she remembered what she had done. The guilt consumed her. But Klaus had explained it was a part of who she was now.
After she had cleaned up, he had met her as she had gotten out of the bathroom and guided her to a spare bedroom down the hall. As she had gotten into this bed, he had told her that he would help her to control her vampire urges. He had looked at her with an unrecognisable expression which she couldn't place, but somehow, she just felt safe...like everything would be okay.
"What the hell is wrong with you? They told me you were keeping her here, I just couldn't believe it!"
Caroline was brought out of her reverie to the arguement that was taking place downstairs. She held her head, trying to block out their conversation, but it was no use. Klaus had to help her control these things, including how to control her enhanced hearing. It was driving her mad.
So she decided to go down and see what the commotion was, not caring that she was pretty much in her underwear. She just wanted the yelling to stop from downstairs.
"Keep it down, Tyler," said Klaus warningly as he stepped off from his leaning position in the doorway. As he stepped toward Tyler, when he was suddenly shoved backward.
He managed to stay on his feet, but he wasn't expecting a physical attack from his hybrid. Tyler stepped inside, walking toward Klaus menacingly with clenched fists. Klaus had now readied himself for the next attack and Tyler raised his fist ready to deliver it.
"Caroline's mine, Klaus. When will you get it through your thick head that she will never like you...ever!" shouted Tyler angrily as he went to punch him, however, Klaus simply grabbed Tyler's hand effortlessly with a glare.
Tyler snatched his hand back, growling as he raised his other fist. But before he delivered his next blow, something caught his attention from the corner of his eye. Tyler turned to see a blonde at the top of the stairs just staring at them.
Her emerald orbs were wide, clearly not understanding what was going on. She looked beautiful, just standing there, her long blonde curls fell to the sides and she had only a tank top and underwear on allowing her long slender legs to be seen by all whom admired her. Which at the moment, were Tyler and Klaus.
Tyler came out of his thoughts and snapped an angry glare at Klaus.
"What the hell Klaus?!" he yelled, pushing him by the shoulders for the second time, but Klaus merely smirked, not allowing Caroline to see it of course, as he staggered back a bit from the push.
"Stop it!" said Caroline, as she walked down the stairs, briskly, her eyes going from Klaus to a man she didn't know. "What's going on, Klaus?"
"Don't worry, love. He was just leaving," said Klaus with a soft smile when looking upon her and then a menacing glare when he looked back at Tyler.
Tyler looked from Caroline, whom was looking at Klaus like he was the only person she could trust and then when she had looked at him, she held fear. No, he wouldn't accept this. He couldn't. It was madness.
"Caroline, its me...Tyler! Your boyfriend! Not this phsycho serial killer! You have to remember me," exclaimed Tyler as he went forward to grab her hand.
However, Klaus pulled her away before Tyler could so much as touch her and pulled her behind him protectively. She placed a hand on Klaus' upper arm as she peered around from behind his back to stare at the unknown man before them.
Caroline was scared. First she had come down the stairs to witness Klaus and an unknown man fighting. And he was saying things she didn't understand...things about her. She would talk to Klaus about it later, but for now, she didn't trust the other man. He looked dangerous and violent. Perhaps what he spoke of could possibly be right, maybe she did know him but she didn't like that he was trying to hurt the one person she trusted at the moment. She was scared at the fact that the other man had come at her, not really knowing what he was going to do. And for some reason, when she looked to Klaus, she felt so secure. He made her feel protected and when he instantly pulled her behind him, it made her feel like he cared; truly cared.
Klaus would protect her, she knew he would. He had said so yesterday. And right now he stood in front of her, shielding her from the harm the man in front of her may cause.
Tyler clenched his fists and glared at the two of them. He knew that Caroline had lost her memory, so he could forgive this; forgive her. But not Klaus. Never Klaus.
"You're taking advantage of her, Klaus," he said in low tones, his gaze on the floor. He couldn't look at the scene any longer, it was too much.
Klaus smiled over at him, knowingly. After all, Caroline was seeking protection from him, not Tyler. She even seemed scared of him, which was just classic.
"C'mon love, go upstairs. I'll see him out," said Klaus softly, as he turned to look at her, noticing she was still gripping his upper arm tensely.
She looked up at him with worry in her emerald orbs, but nodded with a small smile as she moved away from his body. Klaus watched her walk up the stairs, not failing to notice how beautiful she looked, especially with her bare legs showing. She really had no idea how flawless her whole body was. He admired her assets a few seconds more before snapping his gaze at his hybrid, the smile no longer present. He waited until he heard her close the bedroom door upstairs.
Then Klaus strode forward angrily, grabbing Tyler by the throat and throwing him out of the open front door.
Tyler landed unceremoniously on the ground, near the stairs, luckily not falling down them. He got to his feet quickly, ready for Klaus' next attack.
"Don't come here again, Tyler, unless I ask you to," spat Klaus, his eyes narrowed in annoyance as he walked outside to stand a metre away from Tyler.
Tyler glared back. "So what's the plan Klaus? To sleep with my girlfriend? Or have you already done that?" said Tyler angrily, trying to hold back his jealousy but failing.
He knew she had lost her memory but that didn't make him any less angry.
Klaus simply smirked with amusement. "Maybe I have, maybe I haven't. There is a reason she is here, Tyler. She went to that meeting and she knows something. There is a reason she lost her memory and I intend to find out. But, in the mean time if she wants to know what its like to be with a real man, who am I to stop her?" said Klaus with a shrug of his shoulders.
Tyler's eyes widened at his last comment and as he was about to rugby tackle Klaus to the ground, he held out his finger to stop him.
"Ah ah, I wouldn't do that if I were you, mate. I could make her hate you. She trusts me, Tyler," he whispered with a small smile. "Me. Not you or the Salvator's or anyone else. Only me. I could make her hate all of you if I wanted to, so don't test me."
Tyler shook his head, still not believing this whole situation. He must be going mad, he had to be.
"If you hurt her, we'll come for you. And if you take advantage of her, I swear-"
"You'll do what?" asked Klaus in a bored tone. "I wouldn't hurt her, you should know that by now."
And Tyler did know. He knew Klaus wouldn't hurt her, not physically at least. But that was the problem. Even before this had happened, he hated the way Klaus looked at his girlfriend. He hated that Klaus pursued her like he didn't even exist.
And now she'd lost her memory and how the hell did she only remember Klaus? When he had been contacted by Elena, he had gone to the boarding house the next day to find out what happened. At first he was furious that Caroline had been the one to go to the meeting with the Five, but his anger at that part of the story was soon forgotten.
When they had told her where she was, he had stormed over here to confront Klaus straight away, not bothering to listen to their protests.
So yes, to him, this was a nightmare. One that he wished that he would wake up from before he went nuts and tried to kill Klaus before all the hybrids were unsired.
"I know," said Tyler quietly, his eyes focusing on the ground intently, clenching his fists again to stop himself from trying to rip Klaus limb from limb.
This was all Klaus' fault. Why the hell did he have to like Caroline in the first place? Was it a game? Was it his punishment for breaking the sire bond?
"I also know that what ever sick game you're playing, just remember you're not hurting me. You're hurting her," said Tyler calmly.
Klaus frowned at his comment, not liking what his hybrid was insinuating. "I'm not playing a game."
Tyler laughed humourlessly as his eyes looked to Klaus. "I know you don't care who you hurt, but Caroline doesn't deserve this. This has gone on too long, Klaus. You may hate the fact I broke the sire bond, but don't try and punish me by doing this to her. She's more vulnerable than ever now...she thinks you're her saviour or something!"
"You think I went after her because I was punishing you?" glared Klaus angrily, deciding whether to break Tyler's neck or not.
Tyler glared back at him, refusing to believe a psychopath, murdering evil son of bitch like Klaus could ever just like someone like Caroline without an ulterior motive. It wasn't true and he would never believe it.
"I think you better leave or I may not be so forgiving with what ever leaves your mouth from here on out. And lets not forget your indiscretions before this whole incident. Caroline was quite hurt by all that, I'll have you know," warned Klaus, taking a step forward.
Tyler knew he couldn't do anything, not after Caroline losing her memory. It seemed that she trusted Klaus now. But he couldn't help but laugh to himself, knowing that Klaus didn't know the real reason behind their little ruse about their break up.
And then it hit him. What if Klaus told Caroline what he thought had happened? He could turn her against him.
Well, it wouldn't matter. They were going to get her memory back, he was going to make sure of it. His quest to free the hybrids from Klaus' grasp would have to be put on hold for now. He needed Caroline back.
"What ever. We'll get her memory back, don't doubt that. And when she does, I can't wait to see your face once she realises what an evil dick you are, not that she didn't know that before," said Tyler, before walking down the steps to his car at the bottom.
Klaus stared at Tyler as he watched him walk away.
Oh yes, she would get her memory back. But he was going to make sure she would only remember the things he wanted her to remember.
"Who has her?" he asked.
Arthur looked up at him, scowling. "The Original."
"I told you to make her forget!" he yelled angrily.
Arthur didn't flinch as he continued to sharpen the wooden stake he was making, with his legs perched up on a desk, one on top of the other.
"She did. It just seems like she remembered him," said Arthur, not really caring.
"She must have taken it out before all of the potion entered her system," he said.
"Maybe, I didn't check."
"Well, maybe you should have," he said angrily, walking up to the desk. "And we have nothing to show for it. We need Jeremy, now!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Calm down, would you? I'll handle this."
He sighed. "Did you tell her what I told you to tell her?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. But you know it wasn't Elena, don't you?"
"Do you think I'm a complete imbecile? Of course I do. I knew they wouldn't put Elena in harms way. I was relying on it, however, I thought that they would send Bonnie."
"So. You want me to go and give her the potion again?" asked Arthur, lifting his legs off the table and getting up off the office chair. He went over to a chair and picked up his duffle bag with his weapons, placing it over his shoulder as he glanced over at him.
"No. Not yet. She is the closest to him...to all of them. She is in the centre of all of this," he thought with a smile. "Perhaps it was best that she was the one to go. Just keep an eye on her. We don't want her to remember too much."
Arthur nodded but before turning to leave, he said one last thing. "Shane, I want them gone. All of them. That was the deal. If she remembers, we'll have to kill her. And then he'll come for us."
Professor Shane turned from his position to look at Arthur. But his expression wasn't of worry, in fact, it was the contrary. "I know, but that's our best case scenario. If he comes to us, which he will, he will be too bent on revenge to think that we were waiting for this; planning for it. All we need is that stake."
Arthur frowned, not seeing how that would be the best case scenario. Yes, they would be able to kill one of the Original's, but one of his brother's could die and he couldn't let any of his brother's die, not even for Shane.
"Isn't there an antidote?" piped up Damon, rubbing the back of his hand to his eyes.
They had done an all nighter, trying to research this potion that Caroline had been injected with and then the 'wolf boy' as Damon liked to call him showed up. He thought he was going to get some sleep after he left, however, no such luck.
Bonnie glared at Damon. It seemed that it was the only look she gave him.
"What?" he said with a shrug of the shoulders. "There could be."
"Yes, because it would be that easy Damon," said Bonnie with a yawn at the end. She pulled her legs off the couch so they touched the floor, swivelling around and stretched.
She placed the book on the table that she had been studying.
"Lets take a break. You go rest and I'm going to go and convince Klaus to let me see Caroline," said Bonnie as she got up from the couch and walked to the exit.
Suddenly Damon was in front of her with a glared.
"Excuse me? What if he goes nuts and decides to turn her against us, huh? Oh and think about this! What if he has his own witch working on her memory and he finds out what was said at that meeting before us? I don't think we have time for you to go have chats with an even more air-headed Blondie," spat Damon angrily.
Bonnie simply narrowed her eyes in fury. Damon was a real prick sometimes.
"If you don't move, you'll have a hell of a headache," she warned, glancing to Elena whom was sleeping soundly on the other couch. "I honestly don't see what she sees in you."
Damon sighed. "Fine. But if you fuck this up, it won't be just me that will be against you."
"Tell Stefan when he wakes up to call me. He might be able to reach Klaus since they used to be friends," said Bonnie as she walked out the door.
OOO-OOO
Caroline heard Klaus open the door. She looked up from her position on the bed and he could see he would have some explaining to do shortly from the confused look upon her face. But he also couldn't help but notice how relaxed she had been and still was getting used to seeing so much of her skin...and on a bed; a bed that he owned. It wasn't his own, but he had bought it and it was in his house.
She laid on the bed face down with her elbows propping her head up with her hands clenched under her chin and her legs dangling slightly off the edge of the bed with one leg moving up and down as she had been contemplating what had happened as far as she can remember.
"Who was that? I heard you say Tyler, but just who was he in my life?" she asked, her head turned slightly in Klaus' direction. He was still standing in the doorway, just staring at her.
"No one important. Not right now," he said as he walked over, sitting down nearest her head.
Caroline changed her position, rolling over onto her back and looked up at him with inquisitive eyes. She was trying to work out what sort of person he was. Since yesterday, she just felt so at ease with him. Even after the incident where she had killed that woman. But he had explained everything about being a vampire after that, even after her tears had dried. He kept telling her it wasn't her fault, to try not to worry about it...it didn't make her forget, but after a while, it didn't hurt anymore. He had talked to her about how long he had been alive, some things he had seen over the years and how he was a hybrid.
They had talked for hours as she had sat in the bed and eventually, she had fallen asleep. She hadn't planned to stay last night, seeing how she didn't really know him, other than remembering his face and that he had saved her from something. But she didn't feel in danger when he was around, like she had when Tyler was downstairs about to touch her.
It was because she had no idea who they were. They could be killers for all she knew and Klaus had told her not to trust anyone, not even him. He said that trust was a weakness that vampires couldn't afford.
"Why did he say I was his girlfriend?" she asked with a frown.
Klaus sighed. "You broke up, before the incident. I suppose he wants to re-connect with you and sought to take advantage of the fact that you have no memory of anything that had happened between you two," lied Klaus, but then again, Tyler had lied too.
They had broken up. Caroline had told him that herself.
"So...you never told me what we were," said Caroline, a little nervous to ask, but she had been thinking about it ever since yesterday when they had sat in the field.
Klaus smiled down at her. "Its complicated-"
"Well then un-complicate it, Klaus," she said, a little more firmly, since she was getting annoyed at him trying to dodge her questions.
He clenched his jaw as his smile faded. "Why? Does it matter?" he snapped at her, glaring in her direction.
"Yes! It does!" she exclaimed, sitting up suddenly then turning around to look at him with a glare as tears threatened to fall. "If you haven't noticed, I've lost my memory! The only person I remember, apart from Matt and my mum is you. Please, just tell me something!"
Klaus looked at her and realised that he felt something when he saw that she was clearly upset. He upset her.
"Love...its just, there are more pressing matters to worry about, but if you must know, there was something," said Klaus, inwardly smirking at himself, although it wasn't a lie. There had been something. They had gone on a date and he was sure that he had started to wear her down. He was sure of it.
But then when she had seen him at the Salvator house to discuss the meeting with the Five, she had acted as if they hadn't really connected at all. In fact, she had been defiant, infuriating and foolish. It had made him want to rip someone's heart out at the time, why couldn't she have just listened?
Caroline's eyes widened slightly. "Oh," she said, trying to remember something about him. But it wouldn't come, only his face in the woods. She did remember that and it was because she couldn't recognise what she saw in his eyes that night that made it memorable. It made her feel special; wanted.
"Now, I think you should go have a shower and I'll arrange for you to be taken home to get changed," said Klaus with a smile. "We'll also need to discuss what will happen from now on."
Caroline got up and nodded but as she reached the door, she realised she had no idea where the linen closet was for fresh towels. She turned with an awkward smile upon her face.
"Uh...towels?" she asked sheepishly.
Klaus merely smirked, getting up off the bed and walking past her. He disappeared before reappearing with some white fluffy towels in hand.
"I ah didn't know if you wanted two...for your hair and whatnot, if you were washing it or-" rambled Klaus. He wasn't a rambler and he was kicking himself internally, but, he had no idea what women did.
Sure he had lived with Rebekah for centuries but she usually took care of these things on her own.
"Thank you, yes I'll wash it, you dork!" laughed Caroline audibly, taking the towels and continued laughing until she got to the bathroom. Klaus glared after her. As if he knew if she wanted one or two towels! He was not a bumbling idiot! He was the Original Hybrid...if only she knew just how dangerous and feared he was across the world and if it had been anyone else, well, he'd have their heart in his hand by now.
What was wrong with him?
He heard the shower turn on so he walked down the staircase. As he reached the bottom, he heard a car pull into the driveway. He frowned and figured it must have been one of Caroline's 'friends'.
Before waiting for the person to knock on the door, he opened it.
"Klaus," spat Bonnie, he head held high as if she didn't fear him.
"What do you want?" he asked sternly as he leant against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. He fixed the Bennett witch with a glare, showing her to not test him today.
"I want to see Caroline," she said with a glare just as dangerous as his own.
Klaus clenched his jaw in clear annoyance. "Oh? You obviously missed this part of the conversation last night since I didn't say it exactly, but, none of you will see her until we work out why she doesn't remember you."
Bonnie scowled and was tempted to just give him an aneurism.
"What? Why?! I need to speak with her! I could help her to remember us!" exclaimed Bonnie.
"Perhaps. Or you could make it worse and I can't risk that. She already had a visit from my hybrid which I told Stefan to make sure did not happen, but I'll let that slide this time," said Klaus with narrowed eyes. "Now run along."
Klaus pushed himself away from the door frame, grabbed the end of the door to close it, when it flew back, hitting the wall in the process and knocked Klaus back a bit. He growled and went to lunge for her, but she held her hand up to stop him.
"I know that you want the information from Caroline's head, but I know its more than that," said Bonnie, taking a step forward, glancing quickly inside to see if she could see Caroline anywhere.
Klaus knew that the witch could use her abilities on him, he wondered if she was really powerful enough to hold the aneurism long enough to detain him though? But he wasn't sure so he decided to not risk it for now, so he didn't attack her and snap her neck like he really wanted to.
"This fascination you have with her...its sick, you know that, don't you?" said Bonnie as her gaze fell on him again.
He was standing stock still, watching her movements to see if she was going to use her powers on him or not.
"Its not a fascination. My fascinations don't last this long and usually end with a dead body," said Klaus with a wicked smile as he advanced forward.
Bonnie's eyes widened as she turned to walk out the door, but Klaus was faster. He moved in front of her causing her to gasp as she stopped herself before she ran into him.
"As I said last night, this will be dealt with my way-"
"You're going to get her killed! We're working on a way to get her memories back and I think she should go see Matt since she still remembers him," said Bonnie as she glared up at the evil hybrid.
Suddenly his expression turned to rage, not liking her words one bit. He pursed his lips and looked away for a moment, thinking about her proposal. It may help her remember things more quickly, but he didn't want that to happen...yet.
"No. Not yet," said Klaus with finality.
Bonnie's eyes narrowed. "You can't just keep her to yourself, she needs to see familiar people and you're only one of those people."
"I can and I will. I didn't want this to happen to her in the first place, but no one bothered to listen then. If the need arises, she can go see the human boy but until then, she will remain with me. And if you recall, the hunters may also be after her, so I am best suited to protect her," said Klaus with a smirk.
Bonnie clenched her jaw in anger, knowing that what Klaus said was true.
"Fine," spat Bonnie, but it wasn't over yet.
They would send Stefan to see if he can reason with Klaus. She didn't understand why he was so unrelenting with Caroline seeing other people, what harm could it really do? She just hoped that he wouldn't twist her mind into believing the things Klaus wanted her to believe.
Bonnie glanced back once more at Klaus as she walked down the stairs from the Mikaelson mansion and it was then that she realised Klaus was planning something, she just didn't know what. But she had a feeling they weren't going to like it.
Klaus walked upstairs to see Caroline in a towel walking toward the spare bedroom. A few minutes later she was dressed and he knocked on the door. She opened it and he noticed that her hair was still dripping with beads of water running down onto her shirt. She smiled at him awkwardly as she walked back over to the bed where she began to brush her hair. He walked hesitantly into the room.
"I need to go back to my house," she said simply, her gaze meeting his.
Klaus nodded as he walked over to her slowly with his hands joined behind his back.
"I know, but-" he began, but she cut him off.
"I'll be okay, I should spend some time with my mum if she's not working, that is, and Matt," said Caroline, pulling the brush through her hair slowly.
Klaus frowned, not liking that idea at all.
"Look, Caroline, its dangerous. At least let one of my hybrid friends go with you," said Klaus sternly. "And don't see your human friend yet...just start slow."
Caroline sighed and snapped her gaze up at him, abandoning the brush on the bed. "I appreciate everything you've done, Klaus, but I think I should talk to my mum and see what she has to say about what has happened for the past, I don't know, ten or so years," said Caroline in an annoyed tone, getting up from her sitting position on the bed and over to where her hand bag sat.
Klaus walked over to her with a sigh. Even though Caroline had lost her memory, she was still as infuriating as ever. He just wished that he could tell her why he didn't want her to go.
"Caroline," he drawled as he stopped behind her.
Caroline picked up her hand bag and turned to face him. "Klaus," she said, mocking his tone. "Look, I know we said we'd talk about what I should do from here, but I need my mum and then I'll call you, okay?"
"I'm sorry sweetheart, but no, that does not suit me," he snapped as he glared at her in an unimpressed way. "We have to figure out why you lost your memory and why you only remember certain people. It's dangerous for you to go without someone with you. Go to your mother's if you wish, but at least take one of my friends with you."
He had told Caroline that he had other hybrid 'brethren' and that they were his friends. He didn't mention the fact that they were sired to him and were therefore obligated to be around him.
Caroline glared up at him, crossing her arms over her chest which indicated to Klaus that she was going to be defiant.
"Caroline, its for the best. When you get back, we can talk about where to go from here," said Klaus, hoping that he wouldn't have resort to compelling. He had never wanted to do it to Caroline and usually he wouldn't have thought it an option, but since she didn't know that he was an Original and what that entailed, he may have to.
The blonde in front of him sighed. "Fine, but you have a lot of explaining to do. I can tell you're keeping something from me, you always are," she said, causing Klaus to frown.
Where had that come from?
Caroline's eyes widened as she looked up at him, holding a hand to her mouth. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that," she said in a confused tone.
Why had she said that? It was a slip of the tongue, but she couldn't help but think that maybe she was starting to remember some things about him that he hadn't told her. The words 'you always are' just came out of her mouth as if she knew him...as if it were normal.
Klaus kept looking at her with curiosity. "Its fine, love. Now go home, Taylor will go with you," said Klaus, placing his hands on her cheeks to calm her down.
Caroline nodded as she came out of her reverie. He ushered her out of the room with his hand at the small of her back.
They reached the foyer and Klaus told her to wait there. Suddenly he came out from a room underneath the vast stair case with another man whom she didn't recognise. He was young looking, muscular with a leather jacket and blue denim jeans. He was caucasion with piercing brown eyes and stood at the same height as Klaus.
"Go with her, make sure nothing happens to her," he said sternly at him and the man nodded.
Caroline looked to Klaus hesitantly, clutching her black handbag tightly in her hands.
"I don't know Klaus, I don't know this person," she said looking from the unknown man to Klaus with uncertainty.
"This is Taylor. He won't harm you, I promise," said Klaus with a soft smile as he came up to her, standing a metre away. He then glanced over at Taylor as he spoke. "And if he does, he won't get away with it." Klaus glared at Taylor pointedly, which Taylor nodded knowing what Klaus was implying. Taylor nervously walked over to them, standing a distance away from Caroline to show that he would do as Klaus asked. It hadn't exactly been an order, but he wasn't stupid, he didn't want to die painfully and he certainly didn't want Klaus going after his pack back home because he had touched Caroline or allowed her to get hurt.
He didn't want a death wish, no way.
"But, why can't you just come?" asked Caroline, not wanting to sound like she wanted him to, but it was a better alternative than this Taylor person whom she knew nothing about.
Klaus smiled and shook his head. "I have some business I need to tend to, but you'll be safe with him. And don't talk to strangers, you live in a dangerous town, love."
Caroline nodded. Klaus knew what he was doing, she was sure he had her best interests at heart. After all, they were 'something' weren't they?
"Well, come on then Taylor, I need to get to mum's," said Caroline as she smiled once more at Klaus and walked out the door.
OOO-OOO
"How do you know he's going to listen to me Bonnie?" asked Stefan with a raised eyebrow.
Bonnie's expression darkened. "I just think you'll have a better chance than any of us as I clearly demonstrated earlier," said Bonnie with a sigh as she pulled out another grimoire and sat on the couch next to Elena.
"Witchy has a point," said Damon with a shrug, leaning against the wall near the hall to the front door with a glass in hand with bourbon swirling around in it.
Stefan glared at Damon pointedly. "Really Damon? Do you have any nicknames for people that don't have a 'y' or 'ie' at the end of it?"
Damon frowned, thinking about his question. "Uh, no."
Stefan sighed, grabbing his keys and walked out the door. "Text me if you find something in the grimoires, I want to have to upperhand on Klaus on this one."
Damon rolled his eyes. "That's what we aim for all the time, usually doesn't work though," said Damon negatively as he downed the rest of his drink and jumped over the back of the couch, falling unceremonioiusly next to Elena whom glared at him in annoyance. Bonnie wasn't pleased either.
"Thanks for that," said Elena, sarcastically as she turned back to another grimiore.
"You know, there's something about this whole thing that's been bugging me," said Elena, looking away from the book to look at Bonnie and then Damon.
"Apart from Caroline losing her memory and therefore the information about the meeting?" asked Damon, which earned him a hit in the arm.
"Yes, Damon apart from that. I mean, why only remember Matt and her mum? If you think about it, Matt's human, so is her mum...its like she forgot everything there is to know about the supernatural," said Elena with a frown, looking back to Bonnie whom shook her head.
"Maybe, but then why remember Klaus? He's like smack bang in the middle of all of the supernatural," said Bonnie, her expression crestfallen as she remembered that little detail. Otherwise that theory could have been spot on.
"I agree," said Damon. "Just find out a cure or something."
"You think I'm not trying? Potions are an old way of doing magic, Damon. Maybe we should ask Shane-"
"Don't even think about it. We're not letting that weirdo in on any of this, not unless its our only option," spat Damon, glaring at Bonnie from over Elena's head.
Bonnie clenched her jaw in annoyance. "He's been nothing but helpful and he's helping me with my magic-"
"And why do you think that is Bonnie? Out of the goodness of his heart?" interrupted Damon, his gaze penetrating her own. "No, that guy's up to something. But he knows all this stuff about everything and he just shows up out of nowhere?"
Bonnie pursed her lips, trying to think of something to oppose his last comment, but nothing came.
"No, we won't be sharing anything with him, unless we have no other choice," said Damon, his eyes dangerous, just daring her to oppose him.
"Look, guys, stop fighting. We have to be together in this, for Caroline. I can't lose her," said Elena her eyes filling with tears as she looked to Damon and then finally to Bonnie whom placed a soft hand on her friend's forearm.
"Lets just focus on these grimoires, there has to be something about it. I found something about that potion, there has to be mention of how to reverse it," explained Bonnie as they all focused back on the subject at hand.
Damon nodded and grabbed another grimoire and began to try and go through that, but none of it made sense to him. Surely there was something else he could do other than this researching crap which wasn't his forte.
OOO-OOO
Taylor drove Caroline to her house, the silence during the car ride was excrutiatingly awkward. Finally they arrived and Caroline was glad to finally get out. Taylor followed her closely as she marched up the pavement to her front door.
"Hey, Taylor. Just let me explain to my mum why you're here, then come in okay?" said Caroline with a small smile.
Taylor frowned, but nodded hesitantly. If he lost her, he would be instantly dead. He watched as Caroline left the door adjar and spied on her through the glass until she went out of focus as she went down the hallway and disappeared. His heart skipped a beat for a moment, before her mother came around the corner and opened the door.
"You can come in," the elder version of Caroline said, but eyed him suspiciously. Taylor followed Liz down the hall to the kitchen where Caroline was sitting at the breakfast bar with her handbag sitting on her lap.
"I don't know why Klaus feels the need to get one of his...friends to follow you everywhere," said Liz sternly, eying Taylor before looking to her daughter.
"I know, but he said its dangerous-"
"And why the hell are you just listening to everything that...that man says?" exclaimed Liz, trying not to reveal too much, just in case.
She'd already considered about telling Caroline everything but thought against it since Klaus seemed to be the only other person, apart from Matt and herself, that she remembered. Caroline would need Klaus now, despite how much she hated to admit it. And she had to acknowledge that he really did care about Caroline. He had saved her twice before, why would he hurt her now? Caroline wasn't exactly important in Klaus' agenda that she knew of, so why had he bothered with her in the first place? But Liz knew why. No one really told her anything about Klaus and his involvement with Caroline, but she wasn't stupid. She saw the way he'd looked at her the night he came to cure her of the werewolf venom and he had heard from Stefan and Damon about how Klaus had saved her again from Alaric and then from Caroline about him wanting to dance with her at the Mikaelson Ball. And then she'd had the date with him at the Miss Mysitc Pageant, so Liz had put two and two together. Klaus liked her daughter and it gave her an ill feeling when she realised Klaus was someone that Caroline remembered.
And then she'd spent the night at his house.
"Because he's nice to me and I remember bits and pieces about him. He seems to care about me, I guess and because he's one of the people I remember," said Caroline with a shrug. "I'm a vampire mum, but you knew that right?"
Liz nodded sternly, still eying Taylor whom seemed to just be standing there awkwardly, not really knowing where to look at the moment. He looked like a body guard. At least Klaus was trying to protect her.
"Yes. I do. Look, just promise me that you'll be careful. Don't trust him, Caroline. Have you spoken to Elena and the Salvatore's yet?" asked Liz as she went to one of the cupboards to get some cups to make them a coffee.
Caroline watched her mum reach for some cups and sighed. "I don't know who you're talking about mum."
Liz placed the cups on the bench and frowned at her. "Not even Bonnie?"
Caroline shook her head in confusion. "Should I?"
"They're your childhood friends, Carebear. Oh god, this is a disaster," said Liz as she went to the kettle to pour their coffees.
Caroline looked to the bench and sighed. "Are they? If they were so important, why don't I remember them?"
The clinking sound of Liz stirring their drinks echoed around the kitchen. "Do you want one Taylor?" asked Liz in a clipped tone, clearly not comfortable with his presence.
The young hybrid shook his head.
"Okay," said Liz as she pushed a cup toward Caroline, whom took a sip straight away.
"Look, go see Matt later, alright? I'll have to go soon, I have a double shift today," said Liz with pursed lips as she placed hand on her daughter's forearm. "Caroline, promise me you'll at least consider talking to Elena and Bonnie."
Caroline looked to her mother as she took another sip of her drink. "I-I donno. Klaus said to take it slow."
Liz took a sip of her own drink with a raised eyebrow. She placed the cup down on the bar, her eyes not leaving Caroline's. "Did he now?" she said, knowing that Klaus could be manipulating Caroline in some way. Not that she would put it past him really.
"Yes. He said I should hold off seeing Matt for now," explained Caroline as she finished her drink and got up from the bar stool.
"Go see Matt, Caroline and think about what I've said," said Liz with a concerned expression. "I love you but I've got to go in a minute, I'll see you tomorrow?"
Caroline nodded with a smile as she walked down the hall, her 'body guard' following close behind. She wondered why her mother couldn't spare one day to just spend with her daughter who had lost her memory. But it had always been this way.
"Um, I have to go get changed, so uh, you can wait in the loungeroom? You can watch TV or something if you want," said Caroline as she turned to look at Klaus' 'friend'.
Taylor nodded. "No worries," he said, but wouldn't watch TV. He would listen just to make sure she didn't do something stupid, like leaving without him.
OOO-OOO
"Stefan," said Klaus boredly. "I see, so the witch couldn't convince me so you've come instead."
Stefan walked past Klaus, inviting himself inside the mansion. He walked a few steps before turning to face Klaus, noticing he hadn't closed the front door.
"As much as I'd love to catch up, mate, I'm busy," said Klaus, eying Stefan suspiciously.
Stefan raised an eyebrow. "Really? You? Busy? No...I don't believe it," said Stefan sarcastically before sighing. "Let her go, she needs to be around her actual friends, Klaus."
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "You know, this gets really old, very fast; these distractions you people keep sending my way. Whether it be Caroline or you. But I don't care, Stefan, because I always get what I want and I always win-"
"So, at the cost of Caroline's life basically," said Stefan angrily as he advanced forward, grabbing the front of Klaus' shirt as it bunched up in his fist and caused Klaus' head to hit the side of the door frame he had been standing in front of.
They stood barely inches from each other, both dangerously close to attacking the other.
"And if it were, do you really think I care?" spat Klaus finally, after a few moments of silence. His icy blue orbs pierced Stefan's brown ones fiercely.
Stefan saw something in Klaus' eyes and let go of him, stepping backward and turned away.
"I think that if she were in the way of what you wanted, you wouldn't hesitate. That's why I will protect her from you," said Stefan quietly, turning back to Klaus with a sorrowful look on his face. "Its a pity really. I really thought deep down somewhere in your black heart that you cared for her; guess I was wrong. And when she gets her memory back, I'll be sure to tell her."
Stefan began to walk toward the door when Klaus grabbed him by the throat, looking into his eyes with a vicious smirk.
"I don't think so Stefan. You came here to talk, right? So lets talk, mate," he said dangerously, throwing him further inside the foyer.
Stefan hit the ground with a thud, sliding a couple of metres before he got to his feet slowly. Klaus closed the front door with a slam as he moved toward Stefan, intent on causing him more pain for saying things he had no clue about.
"What is wrong with you? She's in your way, right? You're going to kill her, whether it be from a witch getting the memories from her against her will or you killing her out of frustration. And I can't let that happen!" screamed Stefan angrily. "She means a lot to all of us." He said the last part more quietly.
Klaus stared at his 'once upon a time' friend but then looked away suddenly, knowing that his words could be true. He just wanted Stefan to shut the hell up. He pursed his lips as he stared intently at a far away wall, but looking at nothing in particular.
"She trusts me," he said quietly, but still his gaze remained at the wall.
Stefan stared at him, trying to work out what Klaus was getting at. Was he going to threaten him again? Tell him that he would turn Caroline against them?
"Yeah, so you can twist her mind!" exclaimed Stefan.
"No!" yelled Klaus, snapping his gaze at Stefan.
Klaus took a deep breath and calmed himself down before he killed the only friend he'd ever had. "I've only ever wanted her to take a chance with me."
Klaus looked at Stefan seriously, showing no anger, no deception and yet Stefan narrowed his eyes with suspicion.
"Right. So after a thousand years, Caroline is the one to take your eye? I'm not buying it," said Stefan as he raised his eyebrow with incredulity.
He walked toward Klaus until they were a metre or so away, facing each other. Stefan really wanted to rip Klaus' head off for what he was doing, what right did he have to keep Caroline away from them?
"And you wouldn't would you?" said Klaus angrily. "I will find out what she knows, maybe she won't get all her memories back, I don't care."
"Yeah and that's why you're the bad guy. Rebekah was right about you. You are the man that could never love," spat Stefan.
Stefan scanned the room, wondering if Caroline was around, hoping that she was hearing their conversation so she could see that Klaus was just a monster. He wasn't a saviour unless it suited him.
Klaus clenched in jaw, trying to hold back his homicidal tendancies as he stared at Stefan as he cased the place for Caroline.
"She's not here," he said finally.
Stefan snapped his narrowed eyes back to Klaus.
"What have you done with her?!" screamed Stefan, not leaving Klaus the chance to deny that he'd done something sinister.
Klaus shook his head. "Nothing. She's with her mother, if you must know," said Klaus, deciding that now was not the best time for a fight.
After all, he had a witch to engage and a plot to plan.
Stefan frowned in confusion. "You...let Caroline see Liz?"
"You make it sound like I'm some kind of monster. Well, I am, but she was persistant," said Klaus with a sigh, folding his arms over his chest. "Now if we're quite done."
Stefan laughed once but it held no humour. "We'll never be done, Klaus. Not until you release Caroline into our care."
"You're right, we won't ever be done because we have an alliance, Stefan. The cure for Elena, if you recall. So I suggest you focus on that, rather than trying to convince me to let you take Caroline," said Klaus as he began to walk to his study. "You can let yourself out."
Stefan stood stock still, watching Klaus walk away underneath the staircase. But he wasn't finished. He wouldn't leave until he had some sort of clue as to what Klaus was up to. So he followed.
Caroline made her way to the Mystic Grill where Matt worked, however, he was not there. There were some supicious characters in there though, but that wasn't anything unusual.
"I think we should eat, you eat don't you Taylor?" asked Caroline with a small smile.
The hybrid shrugged.
They sat, ordered and then sat in an awkward silence again.
"So...where did you meet Klaus?" she asked, trying to make conversation.
However, her question obviously made him feel awkward as he frowned at her.
"New Orleans," he said stiffly as he scanned the restaurant, clearly not interested in conversation.
"Oh...but you're friends, right? Surely you have some stories-"
"Look Caroline, I'm here to protect you, not to be your friend. I value my-" he began but stopped himself before he said too much as he recalled his instructions.
"Protect her by any means necessary, Taylor," instructed Klaus.
Taylor nodded.
"She will probably try to make conversation with you, tell her as less as possible. Do not reveal you are sired to me, understood?" said Klaus with narrowed eyes.
Taylor again nodded.
"If she is hurt...if a hair on her head is touched, I will kill everyone you've ever known," said Klaus warningly as they sauntered back to where Caroline stood in the middle of the foyer.
"Smile, we're friends, remember?" said Klaus quietly as they rounded the corner to see Caroline in her beautiful glory, waiting for him with a smile.
"Yes?" Caroline prompted.
"...friendship with Klaus and he...he gets, uh, he gets very possessive of his lovers," said Taylor, just putting two and two together.
After all, before Caroline had lost her memory, it wasn't a secret that Klaus was really into the blonde vampire in front of him. It was a 'no-go zone'. No one touched her, no one spoke to her and by no means did any of the hybrids threaten or hurt her. But everyone else was fair game, apart from the doppleganger vampire.
And now that she had lost her memory, it appeared it was still the same.
Caroline automatically felt flushed at Taylor's last comment.
"L-lovers?" gasped Caroline quietly. "Is that what we were?"
Taylor inwardly panicked, had he said too much?
"Uh, I mean...love interests. Anyway, lets just keep our talk to a minimum, so I can protect you," said Taylor as his gaze went from Caroline to the area behind her.
Taylor frowned, noticing a pair of eyes staring in their direction.
"Come on, lets leave," he said, grabbing her arm gently and ushered her out of her booth seat.
Caroline protested, pulling her arm out of his grasp.
"Why?" she exclaimed, walking over to him as he walked the opposite way of the person whom had been looking at Caroline.
"Because its not safe here. I think you've had enough of an outing," snapped Taylor, waiting until Caroline walked along side him, just in case she decided to run off.
Caroline huffed, slinging her handbag over her shoulder roughly.
"Our food hadn't even arrived yet!" she grumbled as they made their way to Klaus' car which Taylor had been allowed to borrow for the duration of Caroline's 'visit'.
OOO-OOO
"He's got one of his hybrids guarding her," said Arthur.
"You need an outlet to get information. Go see Hayley."
Arthur ended the call with a sigh as he got up from the booth and walked out the door.
All he really wanted to do was kill those two vampires that were a few booth's down from him. He had to clench his fists just to hold himself back. The alliance he had made on behalf of the five with Shane was proving to be troublesome so far. Was it really worth all this? He would have to talk with his brothers to see what they thought.
OOO-OOO
"Damn it Klaus!" exclaimed Stefan. "There's a chance that she could know absolutely nothing, and you're going to rely on this rogue witch for answers?!"
Klaus pursed his lips as two of his hybrids entered the room behind Stefan.
"Stefan, always the optimist," smirked Klaus. He was being sarcastic of course.
He wasn't going to use Briarna unless absolutely necessary. She was the best though and one of the most powerful witches he had ever encountered, but it wasn't a secret that she delved in the dark arts. In what people called their type of magic 'expression'.
Klaus' gaze went from Stefen to the hybrid standing behind him. Stefan turned to see a stake come out from behind the hybrid. Stefan blocked the stake which was aimed for his stomach but then the other hybrid charged at him, holding his arms as the former hybrid stabbed him in the stomach.
Klaus moved around the hybrid with his hand still holding the bloody stake and stood to the side, next to Stefan, slapping his hand on his shoulder with an evil smile.
"Stefan, Stefan, Stefan. You don't seem to be getting the point, so I'll make it very clear for you, mate. This is going my way, Caroline will remain with me until I figure out a way to get her memories back. None of you will come here unless you have information and you will not contact Caroline or even attempt to see her," said Klaus, lifting his hand off Stefan's shoulder and began to pace in front of him.
The hybrid pulled out the stake, causing Stefan to cry out suddenly in pain, falling to his knees. But the hybrid holding him in place just bent on one knee to keep him still with an arm around his collar bone. Stefan clutched his stomach as blood began to pour out for a minute. He looked up at Klaus whom looked down at him, shaking his head.
"Now, we're going to have a bit of fun here until you acknowledge that you will do as I ask. Well what I call fun, you may call torture but what can I say? I'm a fun loving guy," said Klaus with a shrug as he walked over to take a seat at a desk, keeping his eye on Stefan whom looked at him with anger.
"What if we bring back memories that will unlock the mystery of that meeting?" said Stefan as he took deep breaths. "She's close to me, to all of us-"
"I don't care Stefan," drawled Klaus, crossing his arms over his chest and placing his legs on top of the desk one on top of the other. "Keep going, would you Richard."
The hybrid nodded as he stabbed Stefan again with the stake, causing Stefan to cry out.
Klaus didn't like hurting Stefan like this but he had to learn to stop defying him and to trust him. He was the third person to try and convince him to let Caroline go today and he'd had enough. He supposed that Stefan had just been the lucky third.
This went on for an hour or so before he heard a car door slam. It was probably Caroline. Within seconds he heard the front doors open. He looked at the scene before him and realised this would probably not be the best thing for her to witness.
"Richard, hide that stake and Stefan, stand up please. Wouldn't want Caroline to see you like this," said Klaus demandingly.
He heard her heels clonk against the marble floor as his hybrid lead her to the room underneath the stairs.
Caroline came in to see Stefan standing awkwardly, holding his stomach, not knowing who he was of course, another man standing with his hands clasped together formally in front of him and another man she didn't know with his hands behind his back looking at her oddly. Finally her emerald orbs found Klaus whom was sitting at a desk. Finally the smell of blood filled her nostrils and she frowned at Klaus.
"What is going on? Are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "And who are these people?"
Klaus let his legs fall to the floor and got up to greet her. He gave a look to Taylor whom nodded and then he smiled once his eyes were cast on her. She looked like a vision today, noticing that she wore a white sun dress today with red wedges on her feet and light makeup with her hair tied half up with the rest of her long blonde curls falling to the sides nicely.
"We were just...hanging out as the young people say these days," said Klaus with a smile. "Nothing to worry about."
Caroline narrowed her eyes suspiciously, looking to each of the other three men consecutively before finally looking back to Klaus.
"Why can I smell blood?" she asked, knowing that Klaus was keeping something from her.
Klaus looked to Stefan pointedly, his eyes warning him to say something to convince her.
"Oh, this?" he asked, pointing down at his holey and bloody dress shirt. "We were playing a game and it got rough, but its nothing."
Stefan smiled at her, almost longingly, since he may not be able to see her very often.
Caroline frowned and nodded, her frown turning into a bright smile. She looked up at Klaus and began to tell him of her mother and how she went to the grill but then Taylor got grumpy and they had to leave.
Stefan stood there, rolling his eyes as Klaus just listened to everything she said saying "I see" or "that's good". Unbeknownst to Caroline, the whole time she was speaking, one of Klaus' hybrids was holding the bloody stake behind his back. She honestly had no clue what had been happening here just moments before her arrival. And she was talking to Klaus like they were best buddies! Like she was his girlfriend or something.
It made him sick to the stomach and that wasn't a pun since he had holes there which were still healing. No. This was serious.
"Well, I should really be going Klaus, best buddy of mine," said Stefan, sarcastically.
To Caroline it sounded legitimate, but to Klaus and Stefan, they knew he was trying to be smart. Klaus sent him a warning look and sent a look to his hybrids to see him out. They obeyed as one of them left the room and the other patted Stefan on the back forcefully. But to Caroline, it looked as though he was patting him on the back like friends.
"Where are they going? Did I interrupt? I can go back home-"
"No, love. Its fine," smiled Klaus as he walked beside her with a hand on the small of her back, ushering them out of the study.
Caroline nodded, noticing his touch and sort of liking it. "So, did you want to talk about what we're going to do about, well, me?" she asked as they walked around the corner and into the lobby where Stefan had just walked out the front door.
Klaus' hybrids shut the door behind him. Caroline walked in front of him to head toward the loungeroom, so behind her back Klaus motioned with his hand pointing to a door to the left, telling them silently to make themselves scarce.
He didn't think Caroline could handle these strangers at the moment. He walked into the loungeroom to see Caroline sitting on the couch, anticipating his arrival. She smiled up at him and he couldn't help but like the way she looked at him now.
How could he let her remember her past? Not when he could kill two birds with one stone. He could have Caroline all to himself and figure out what she remembered from the other night.
And that's when he decided he will need to see Briarna after all.
"So, love," he said with a smile as he sat beside her on the couch.
Caroline looked up at him, realising she felt totally comfortable with him right now. She was just concerned that Klaus was blowing off his friends for her but at the same time it was sort of romantic. Maybe he just wanted to spend time with her alone.
And even though she had more pressing things to think about, like, getting her memories back, she couldn't help but want to spend time with him too.
"I fancy you," he said.
She frowned.
"Is that so hard to believe?"
Caroline came out of her reverie to see Klaus' blue orbs looking at her worriedly.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked, placing a hand on her cheek and rubbing his thumb against it.
She nodded and smiled. "I just remembered something."
A/N: Will have to leave it there. Its sort of a filler chapter thingy to establish the story. And I don't usually do sappy and lovey dovey stuff at the beginning but its sort of necessary for this story since Caroline doesn't know what type of man Klaus really is, since he's decieving her. And she likes him at the moment. She has been comfortable with him and trusts him because she remembers him saving her and remembers his name etc, so she figures that because she remembers him, he must have been someone terribly important to her. There is actually a legitimate reason as to why she remembers Klaus, FYI. Anyway, just thought I'd explain that.
Anyway, as promised, I've updated. Please review and thanks for reading, sorry again for the length!
Bullet2tm