Blackout

Chapter Two: Bloodstream

Caroline had woken up in the middle of the night thanking god it was a weekend. It had been too hectic recently, especially with the new addition to her couch.

When she had woken up from her creepy dream to go check on him, she had found him all veiny and grey. She had instantly become wide awake and started to panic, even stubbing her toe by bumping into the coffee table, she had been so jumpy. It wasn't until after she had calmed down that she had realized he probably needed more blood in his system.

Trudging to the kitchen, Caroline yawned loudly and slowly made her way over to the fridge. Debating where or not to put the bags in the microwave, she stopped and scoffed at herself, rolling her eyes at her thoughts. "He's unconscious. He wouldn't know if the blood was warm or not." She muttered under her breath, smacking herself lightly on the head.

Grabbing her least favourite type, O negative, she shut the fridge door and sluggishly walked back over to the living room, near the couch. Standing over the body, she furrowed her brow at the change of expression she saw on the face. Before, he had appeared almost calm, and peaceful. Now his expression gave off the slightest hint of amusement, with his lip curled into a smirk. Reaching out, she let her hand brush again his lips for a second before pulling back timidly. He was a stranger; therefore raping his oh so soft lips with her fingers was a no-no. She sighed disappointedly before pricking the blood bag open with her nail and shoving it into his face.

The change was immediate- as soon as the scent of blood pierced the air, his fangs emerged from his mouth. Yet after three blood bags, he still did not wake. The only indication that the blood had even affected him was the fact that he was no longer grey and veiny, but back to his normal tan skin tone, if slightly pale.

After she had deposited the empty blood bags, she surveyed the room one last time before she was satisfied. Shifting her body, she made a move to go back to her room until she was suddenly stopped by a hand on her wrist.

Scared, Caroline karate chopped the air in front of her with her other hand before realizing it wasn't an intruder grabbing her arm, but an unruly and unconscious vampire.

"Seriously?" Caroline muttered as she felt the unknown man tug at her wrist, refusing to withdraw his hold from her no matter her protest. When she tried to move away, his grip on her arm only tightened painfully; it seemed that was his continuing tactic to keep her around. She regarded him with a glare for a moment before she sighed in defeat and flopped down onto the couch next to her demanding patient, watching him with a scowl on her face.

If she didn't know any better, she would say that he seemed pleased by her obedience; at least if the slightly growing smirk on his face was any indication. Grumbling, and with not much to do, she blew her bangs out of her eyes in annoyance. "You really should not be able to hold me down while you are all dead," she scorned.

Fidgeting, she started to stare at her nails in boredom before she felt another tug at her wrist. Seething, she turned to stare at the troublesome vampire and irritably mumbled, "What now?"

He gave no response. Exasperated, she sighed and scrunched her eyes in tiredness. The need to sleep starting to overtake her, she let herself lay down, and the last thought in her mind was the soft and warm feeling that seemed to envelop her as she drifted off into unconsciousness.

"Evening, love." the same smooth voice from before whispered in her ear, darkness encasing his features.

"Again? Who are you?" Caroline breathed out shakily as his fingers stroked her neck, pressing down on where her pulse point should be at her question.

Letting his eyes wander over her slender neck, he answered her in a murmur. "My name is Klaus," His eyes turned yellow as the bloodlust overtook him; elongating his fangs, he gently slipped them into her flesh.

She knew she should be terrified; yet at the moment all she could feel coursing through her was lust. As he drank from her, she could feel her own moans vibrate through her body. "Why are you doing this? She tried, moving so he was forced to release his fangs from her skin.

"Blood bags do not sate my need," He hissed out, pulling her back so she was nestled against him. She had no idea what he was talking about –it wasn't her fault he was drinking blood bags, it wasn't her fault that he probably needed to lay low, which involved no killing people- "While not of the human delicacy, your blood has a sweet scent to its own." He said as his mouth sought the skin of her neck once more.

"Besides," Grinding his erection against her bottom, he growled out, "I'm not finished with you yet."

Light poured in from the living room windows, and a car horn sounded off in the street. Moaning, Caroline rubbed her eyes with a hand, stirring awake. She felt warmth radiating from beneath her, and an arm being pressed into her stomach. Yawning, she finally opened her eyes to find herself on her couch, on top of her guest. Jolting up at the realization, she tried to remove his arm that was draped over her stomach only to hear a growl vibrate through his body.

"You have got to be kidding me," She muttered, forcing his arm off of her body with a hard push. Quickly removing herself from his hold, she slowly eased off the couch. She stretched some before finally going off to the kitchen for a morning blood bag and feed one to her unconscious guest before she left for her bedroom.

Getting prepared to go out for the day, she took a quick shower before getting dressed. Looking in her mirror, she eyed her hair in distaste, pulling out her blow drier and curling iron and set to work. Making each curl perfect was tedious, but needed- and even still she couldn't accomplish an ideal appearance.

As she curled her hair, her thoughts wandered onto her dream; but mostly on the fact that Klaus was invading her mind. While she hadn't meet him yet, hadn't even really seen him after they found out Alaric was taken over by Klaus, it still scared her that he could so easily invade her consciousness. They still knew nothing about what he looked like- only what he was capable of. Elena had told her frantically the night that she had found the sick vampire that Alaric had showed up on her doorstep apparently back in his own body, with no recollection of what had happened. Which meant Klaus was out there, and could be anywhere- or anyone.

It still puzzled her as to why he was slipping into her dreams, when he should be trying to get into Elena's- not that she wanted that for her friend, but the randomness of it surprised her. Sighing as she finished her last curl, she fluffed her hair once before putting on her lip gloss and leaving her room, intent on talking with Matt not only about his weirdness, but about the strange vampire in her living room.

"Matt!" Caroline called out excitedly, running over to her boyfriend once he was free from serving tables and dragging him outside to a more secluded area behind the building. He followed her, though reluctantly.

"Caroline," He greeted her with an awkward smile once they were outside, and she smiled back stiffly in return. Walking over to him, she put herself in his arms and leaned into kiss him, only to catch his cheek.

"What's the matter?" Although she already knows; he doesn't want to be with her anymore. She just can't compare to Elena.

"Look, Caroline," He said gently, but firmly. "I really liked you and all but it's just too much for me. This whole town is too much for me!" He tried for the joke, to soothe her distress, but it didn't work. She can feel the tears prickling in her eyes. "I know about you." He finally says. "You're a vampire, Caroline. I just don't think I can deal with that."

Well now she was surprised. Jerking out of his arms, she looked him in the eye and wondered why her compulsion didn't work. At the same time she was glad it didn't- she was only sad that he was fulfilling her fear of rejection. "But- I compelled you. How do you remember?" She says softly.

"Vervain," He states, looking her in the eyes as well. "I was taking vervain when you compelled me; your mom, Liz gave it to me. She wanted me to watch you. Find out thins about your kind. She knows you're a vampire, Care. But- I- I can't do it. You're just- Caroline to me still and I won't be the one to hurt you but I can't be with you anymore. I'm sorry."

So that's why her mom had been avoiding the house. She knew her daughter was a monster.

Matt watched her as she processed the information. But before too long he was just pulling her into a hug. They stood there in the street, until before too long he had pulled away, muttering about how he had to get back to work and how he hoped that she would understand why he had to do this. She did. But that didn't make it any easier.

As soon as he left, she pulled out her phone and called the first friend she saw on her list. Bonnie.

"Bonnie," She started, holding back a sob. "I really need you right now. Matt knows. And- and he dumped me. I'm coming over." She said quickly before hanging up after Bonnie's confirmation.

When she finally arrived, she parked her car in the driveway and slammed the door shut as she made her way out of the seat, trying to hold back her tears until she made it to the house.

As soon as she knocked on the door, Bonnie immediately opened up, ushering Caroline in and bringing her two mugs when she was settled on the couch- one with warm blood and one with hot coca. Laughing, Caroline wiped away her tears as she accepted both.

"You would always bring me hot coca after a breakup- though I never thought one day you would also be bringing me a cup of blood."

"I know Care, I know." Bonnie said smiling sadly before sitting down next to her and laughing slightly as well.

But as soon as the laughing ended, her tears started. Gripping Bonnie as she held her close, she let the sadness overtake her for a moment and simply cried.

When she was finished she quickly went into the bathroom to clean up, wiping her tears and splashing water unto her face. Grasping for the towel on the railing, she wiped her face and looked into the mirror. Her face was now devoid of makeup, but she looked better. Sighing, she put the towel back on the rack before going back outside to face Bonnie.

"Hey," She said, giving her friend a small smile. "Sorry for going all teary-eyed on you, I just needed a good cry. Things have been so crazy lately."

"Tell me about it," Bonnie said, groaning. "Especially with Klaus going after Elena,"

"Yeah," Caroline began, suddenly getting nervous. "About that…"

"Caroline….?" Bonnie gave her a questioning look.

"Klaus is kind of… invading my dreams." She paused, looking at Bonnie's astonished face. "Yeah, I am not too thrilled about it either. I don't know why and I don't know how, but for some reason he seems to enter into my crazy head for fun."

"I cannot believe him," Bonnie hissed, gripping a pillow forcefully, "That evil asshole! Going into your dreams like that-" Releasing the pillow, she brought her hands up in exasperation. The expression on her face was angry, yet also tired.

"Do you want me to try to find a way to block him from entering your dreams, Care? I could ask the witches…"

"No!" She shouted, before pulling back, embarrassed. "It's just that, I'm a vampire. Those stupid dead witches hate me. Plus- don't worry about me! I can handle it."

Bonnie gave her an incredulous look, "Okay," She said unwillingly.

"But, there is something I was wondering if you could help me with. You see, there is this sick vampire and…"

"Caroline!" Bonnie interrupted, looking at her sternly. "First of all, vampires cannot get sick. Second, I am not going to help you save a vampire! I'm a witch- servant of nature- I cannot just go around saving vampires all the time."

"But he is grey and looks sad and I just want to help him-"

"You are too trusting Caroline! This is a vampire we are talking about; they are inherently bad." Bonnie scoffed, crossing her arms in resoluteness. "He has probably killed hundreds of innocent people, if not more! I am sorry, but I am not saving a killer."

"I know Bonnie, but I am a vampire too. I haven't killed hundreds. And if I was dying on the road, I would not want somebody to see me and just leave me there!"

"Wait- you found him on the road? Caroline, what were you thinking?" She groaned again, bringing a hand up to massage her temple.

"I was thinking that someone was dying and needed my help," She said firmly.

"Technically, he was already dead."

"And so am I."

Both of them glared at each other in stubbornness.

Finally, Bonnie sighed. "Look Care, I love you, but I just don't trust vampires. Wait it out. Maybe he will get better."

Caroline tried to understand, but all she really felt was disappointment. Not at Bonnie; she knew her friend was trying, had finally begun to except her- just at the lack of understanding about the situation. She wished she knew more.

She felt compelled to help that poor vampire; being ditched on the side of the road and left to die was not the way anyone should have to go.

Caroline was sick of crying. She had complained about boys in general with Bonnie all day. She had even told her about the strange vampire illness and the dreams she had been having; even though Bonnie refused to help with the first one and Caroline didn't want help with the second. She had engaged in a quick talk with Elena to tell her she and Matt had broken up. She had discovered that her mother knew about her, and that was why she had been avoiding her lately. That was why Matt had been acting off. And while she hated it, she knew she would have to suck it up. Too much was happening in this town to wallow too long.

Add that to the fact that apparently a psycho killer was invading her dreams, it was probably better that she focused on that. Speaking of which, she hoped he gave her a break tonight. She was so not in the mood to deal with his ridiculous riddles, smug countenance, and demanding hands.

All she really wanted to do was sleep.

Her hope was in vain; it seemed he could not keep away from the little blonde vampire.

She had been transported from his bedroom, into a new room that contained a dark aurora; it was bare except for the burgundy silk covered bed, and the room was dark, lighted only by the glowing candles. The change in scenery startled her, making her gaze around the small room in confusion and tension. He was in here; except now the darkness encased him even further, hiding his every move and every intention.

"There you are," He whispered in her ear as he stood behind her, flipping her over so they were chest to chest. She screamed, but soon realized it would do no good; she was dreaming, after all.

"No need to be frightened, love." He seemed to deliberate his words for a moment, "At least not if you behave," Taking some strands of her hair, he pushed them over her shoulder, examining her neck. She stayed still throughout his movements, not knowing how he would proceed. That and the fact that he scared her slightly made her stay motionless.

"Good girl," He jeered, laughing at her indignant expression. His words made her start struggling, which he stopped by entrapping her further in his hold. Nestling his nose in her neck, he inhaled her sweet scent only to pause when a new, putrid smell entered his senses.

"And what is this?" Snarling, he shoved her against a wall and grabbed her neck. "Going off and prancing around with a boy as I lay indisposed, I see. Not very smart of you,"

"You're crazy!" She exclaimed. Honestly- she had no idea what the hell he was talking about- yet he still seemed to regard her with a betrayed stare. Pulling at his hands, it did no good, as the grip on her throat only tightened in response. It was only when she whimpered in pain that he seemed to stop; only to pick back up in his anger after a moment of thought.

"I don't want you seeing that boy anymore," He growled in warning. "I can smell him on you," Klaus released her neck, but his hands locked her in, preventing her from escaping no matter how much she wanted to.

"Please!" She said, feed up with his unexplained tantrum; looking him up and down, she regarded him with a snarky expression. "What gives you the right to be jealous?" She refused to tell him her and 'that boy', Matt, had broken up; it was not his business in the first place.

"You saved me. Therefore you are mine. And if I smell him on you again, do not think I will hesitate in killing the boy once I return." he said, voice cold. Yet his eyes remained still on her neck, and even if she couldn't see his visage, the irises were pronounced enough that they illuminated red in the darkness.

It seemed he was hungry again.

Or still angry.

"You are not going to kill him; I refuse to let you! And I 'saved you'?" She said disbelievingly. "What the heck are you talking about? I would never save you, Klaus!"

"You don't know?" He appeared surprised for the briefest second, before chuckling menacingly. "Of course. Of course you do not know, how foolish of me to think otherwise. No matter- this changes nothing. My healing will not be prevented now, and the sacrifice- because of you my lovely- will continue along as planned. It seems you are helping me whether you know it or not." His eyes lighted with amusement.

When he finally paused in his tirade, he looked down at her red lips and bright blue eyes and wild, curly hair with a licentious expression. Moving his head down to cover her mouth with his own, he stopped right before touching her lips. Smirking, he spoke lightly. "You look ravishing tonight, darling." Before pulling away completely and disappearing into the shadows.

Again, Caroline was forced awake in the middle of the night by another dream. Groaning, she continued lying in bed until she couldn't take it. Abruptly dragging the covers off of herself, she stood and pulled a thin blanket onto her shoulders, creeping into the living room to visit her unconscious vampire.

When she got there, she sat on the chair in front of the couch, just watching her strange house guest as he slept. It was strange that she felt so protective over him, considering he had bitten her. Yawning, she curled up on the seat and went to sleep, watching over him until she closed her eyes.

Klaus in turn was area of her proximity. It made him excited for what was to come.

"Esther. That girl is ruining your plans; she cares far too much. His healing is imminent at this point."

"If you do not hurry, the sacrifice will go on as planned, and he shall be even stronger; too strong for the likes of us."

"It is no matter. I shall rectify the inconvenience that she has made of my plan."

"Come now, she has no part of this. You would harm her still?"

"The means justify the ends. It must be done."

So I changed the Matt/Liz/Caroline storyline some to fit with the plot. Hope you don't mind! Oh, and enjoy! – k-laus on Tumblr-