Caroline was having trouble processing everything.
"He…what?" she sputtered. Klaus's gaze remained set on Tyler.
"He killed Elijah! I've waited two years to find this bastard. Two…years. Now step out of my way so I can do what I promised so long ago," he threatened, attempting to move past her. Wherever he moved, she followed though. Caroline could see Damon standing in front of Elena across the room, protecting her from the ticking time bomb that was Klaus. Actually, he wasn't ticking so much anymore. It was more like destruction and mayhem now.
"You can't kill Tyler!" she yelled. Tyler was currently using one of the café tables as a shield, standing behind it as if it would save his life. Caroline was pretty sure that if Klaus got a hold of him, he'd need more than a round table to protect his life.
Klaus looked at her with wide eyes. Oh she could tell how pissed he was. He was still shaking and his fists were shut tight. This couldn't be true. Tyler wasn't a murderer! Was Klaus beginning to mix reality with his imagination? Did he really remember what the killer looked like? He moved closer to Caroline, his face only inches from her. All she could see were those blue eyes she had grown to love. Just not when they were so full of anger.
"I said…move," he growled. His voice had this raspy quality to it that Caroline could have found so many other uses for. She steeled herself, her eyes narrowing.
"No," she said with a new found determination, "Tyler is my best friend. We don't even know he's the one who did it!"
Klaus's expression changed then. The anger dissipated as he backed away from her a little.
"You don't believe me," he said quietly. Caroline realized her mistake then.
"No…Klaus," she began gently. He wasn't having it though.
"I get it. Can't believe the crazy man. He doesn't know what he's talking about," Klaus said.
"I never said that. Please Klaus…just…wait for me upstairs, okay? We can talk about this. But I can't let you hurt Tyler. He means a lot to me, Klaus," she pleaded with him. If there was ever a time he looked conflicted, it was right then. A part of him looked as if he had been hurt, betrayed. Another part of him looked as if he was about to hit something. Anything.
He stared at her for ages before finally turning around and heading to the stairs, messing with his fingers as he went. Caroline took a deep, deep breath. Once Klaus was out of sight, and none of them could hear him anymore, Damon moved from standing in front of Elena.
"What kind of crazy did you introduce us to, Barbie?" He asked.
"Shut it, Damon!" she snapped at him.
"No! Look," he said, looking between Caroline and Elena, "I think it best I take Elena to the penthouse. If you still want to come over later, fine. If you don't, that's fine too. Just call if that's the case. However, I don't think I feel safe staying here right now with Mr. I'm-gonna-kill-ya upstairs." Damon informed them as he walked to the door. Elena gave her friend an apologetic look before following him out. It was probably best she went with Damon. At least until she knew what in the hell was going on.
"So…" she started, turning to Tyler, "is there any truth to what Klaus said?"
"Wait…you believe him? How long have you even known him?" he asked offended, stepping back from his table to stand in front of her.
"I don't want to! But when you hide like a scared puppy, it's hard not to think something's up!"
"Caroline, I didn't kill anyone!"
"You never killed anyone during your service, huh?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, yea I killed people, but that was my job. It's why I never wanted to tell you about my work. I didn't want you judging me!"
"So killing his brother could have been your job at one time?"
"I never killed his fucking brother!" Tyler grunted, pacing around now.
"Tyler that poor man has been suffering! He lost his older brother while he was in his arms! If you had anything to do with that, I would fess up now," Caroline said, crossing her arms in front of her. This week just kept getting better and better.
"Caroline," he said softly, "I'm sorry he's gone through so much pain. I really am. It's not my fault though. You look at me and tell me if I'm lying or not. We've known each other our whole lives. You know when I'm lying."
He looked her straight in the eyes, putting both his hands on her arms. It was true. Tyler had never been great at lying. At the moment, she didn't know if he was or not. His expression indicated that he wasn't, but his actions said the complete opposite.
"Why did you get so scared if you had nothing to do with his brother's death? Why do you want to know how long I've known him?"
Tyler took a deep breath, and then nodded his head, releasing her arms from his grasp. "I've heard about him. Word spreads fast. Everybody knows he's seeking revenge. Everybody knows he went a little off the rails after Elijah died."
"So you knew his brother?"
"His brother was the best marksman. Hell, I wanted to be just like him. The Mikaelson brothers were the most talented soldiers the marines had ever gotten. I may not be a marine, but I do know that much."
"Well…I see Klaus everyday and he doesn't scare me."
"Now I know you're lying," Tyler said knowingly. Dammit. He was right. Caroline was still scared he would always crack when he was with her.
"Okay, only sometimes. He isn't the monster he used to be."
"So you agree that he was a monster at some point? You understand what I'm talking about?"
"I know he killed innocents during his service. Okay? I know. That's not who he is now though. All I know is that he is blaming you for his brother's death, and Klaus rarely even talks to anyone. Ever. Much less make a heated accusation."
"I didn't kill Elijah," he said calmly, and with certainty.
Caroline eventually nodded, not sure what else to say. Tyler was her best friend. Of course she would never let Klaus lay his hands on him. She wrapped her arms around Tyler's waist and hugged him. He stroked her hair gently while she nuzzled her head into his chest.
"You like him…don't you?" Tyler asked. It sounded like he had already figured out the answer.
"Yes," she whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was afraid you would get all protective on me. Especially if I told you about just how much he had been…suffering."
"PTSD?"
"And a very severe case of it."
"Did Stefan know?"
"Only that I liked him. He didn't know about the other part."
"Hmm. What did he say?"
"He said I should get to know him," she chuckled, "He practically shoved me to make a move." Tyler laughed with her.
"I'm guessing Elena knows?"
"She knows about all of it."
"Damon?"
"Clueless."
"At least I got to know before him," he joked. Caroline couldn't help but giggle.
"I'm sorry for not telling you."
"No need to apologize. It is your life. I can't say I'm going to be friends with the guy, but if he makes you happy…then I can't do anything about it." Tyler said, sounding a little defeated. Caroline backed away to look him in the eye.
"I'm not just going to ditch you because I like him. We're still best friends."
"Damn straight," Tyler said, pushing her lightly on the arm. Caroline looked toward the stairs, and she knew what she had to go do next. Her stomach began to knot up as she turned to face Tyler.
"You go on to Damon's place. I have to do this alone."
"Just…be careful? I don't know how out of whack he is."
"I'll be fine. I'll call and update you guys later when I know what I'm doing." Caroline waved a small goodbye to Tyler before walking to the stairs, and going up to what was undoubtedly going to be a tough conversation.
She walked slowly, her legs not able to take her any faster than her current pace. What kind of mess was Klaus going to be in when she got up there? How bad were things about to get after she had told him not to kill the man he was so sure had killed Elijah? It could only end well. Obviously.
Caroline reached the door to Klaus's apartment, hesitating slightly before knocking. She tried the knob and found it was unlocked. When she stepped inside, she saw Klaus sitting on the floor, leaning against his couch, and drinking from a bottle of whiskey. He didn't bother looking up as she closed the door behind her, slowly walking over to his kitchen so that she could lean against the counter. After all, his bottle would eventually need to be refilled.
"How are you doing?" she asked quietly. He scoffed.
"Just brilliant," he said sarcastically, "I mean, after all, the only person I've talked to besides Rebekah thinks I'm a lunatic. What's not to like?" he asked, taking a swig from his bottle afterward. Guilt slapped Caroline right across the face as she watched Klaus. So he did feel betrayed.
"Tyler didn't kill your brother."
"And how in the hell would you know?" he said bitingly.
"Because that's not who he is. I've known him my whole life Klaus, you know that from when I've told you stories about all of them."
"Apparently you don't know him as well as you thought you did."
"Klaus-"
"Save it. I know you're going to try and tell me I'm mistaken, but I know who I saw that day. I know it was your friend, Tyler. He will get what's coming to him."
"No! No getting revenge on anyone…no dying. I'm sick of everyone I care about dying!"
"And I'm sick of being hurt by those who say they care! I'm tired of being disappointed with my life! With everything and everyone!"
The two of them stared at each other in silence. Caroline was breathing heavily, her heart racing as she stared at the broken man in front of her. How was she going to explain to him that Tyler wasn't capable of such a murder? That she trusted Tyler?
"If you would let it go Klaus, you might find you could be happy with your life."
"Let it go? Are you joking? Please…tell me you're joking," he sneered, "Because I can't let the fact go that my brother was killed in front of me. I should have been able to do something about it, and I didn't. I was the perfect little soldier, and I did what I was told. I left. I left my brother there to rot. I couldn't even give him a proper burial!" Klaus yelled, a tear running down his cheek. Caroline was fighting back her own set of tears.
"And it was horrible. It was, but you can't keep living in the past. You can't keep seeking revenge, because you're going to end up killing yourself instead. Elijah is gone, and killing the man who killed him won't change that."
"You're just saying that because your little friend was the one who pulled the trigger."
"One, it wasn't him. Two, I'm saying it doesn't matter who it is. It won't bring Elijah back."
"But I'll feel much, much better. I will have done something about it. And your friend," he said, getting up and walking to stand right in front of Caroline, "will pay his dues."
"You wouldn't do it."
"What makes you so sure? I told you…I enjoyed killing back in the day."
"Exactly. Past tense. You wouldn't do it now."
"And why's that?"
"Because you know I love Tyler, and you wouldn't hurt me like that," she whispered, unable to say it any louder. He set his bottle down, placing both hands on either side of her, so that he was grabbing the edge of the counter. Caroline backed up until she was sure she couldn't go any farther, the counter practically digging into her lower back. Klaus moved with her, never distancing himself further from her. Suddenly, she wasn't so sure of what he would do.
"For two years, I've dealt with nightmares that involved that boy's face. Haunting my every…waking…moment. Tonight, my worst fears, and greatest wish came to life. I had both the man who ruined everything, and the chance for redemption I've been seeking, within my grasp. Why would a silly, little girl…cause me to falter?" he breathed against her. She could smell the mint and whiskey mix that clung to him, making quite the combination to her senses. Her eyes darted down to his plump lips, and something about the proximity between them made her shiver.
"Because," she began, her breathing a bit shaky as a tear finally rolled down her cheek, "deep down I think you care more about my feelings than your revenge."
"Brave words, sweetheart," he whispered, his eyes raking up and down her body, always studying her every move, "What makes you say such a daring thing?"
"If you were the monster you claim to be…you wouldn't have wavered when I asked you to leave Tyler alone. You wouldn't have thought twice about it."
Klaus's lips formed into a tight line, not pleased at all by what she was saying. However, she watched as his expression slowly changed from one of vexation to one of confusion and hopelessness. His hand moved from the counter to go near her hair, but he stopped himself, making a tight fist and bringing it back down to where it had originally rested. Another tear fell down his cheek.
"I only cherished two people in my life…my big brother, and my baby sister. The first is dead, and the second might check on how I'm doing, but even she tires of being around me. If Elijah hadn't died, the strain on the relationship between my sister and I would never have existed. Everyone I ever care for…disappears," he whispered, his eyes filled with anguish.
"And then," he said, searching for something in her eyes with his, "I find someone else to care about, when I thought I'd never be able to again. I considered her my…best friend. But like everybody else…she disappeared when I needed her most."
"It's not fair to ask her to choose between two friendships she values though."
"Maybe he's not asking her to choose between two friendships, but asking her to choose between what's right and wrong."
"Killing someone, for whatever reason, is wrong."
"On the contrary…in my experience, I've found it to be quite a useful tactic."
"Klaus…" she trailed off, not sure of where to go with this conversation. There was no convincing him that nothing good could come from what he wanted. Killing wouldn't solve his problems.
"I know. Doesn't matter what I do. Just as long as I don't kill Tyler," he said faintly. His gaze met hers, and she could swear she saw some foreign sentiment held within them. What it was, she didn't know.
"I don't like having weaknesses…" he rasped, his voice probably worn out from the shouting, the crying, and all the raw emotion he never failed to show her. Klaus looked embarrassed again, and Caroline understood what he was admitting to her. It wasn't a declaration of love, but he was telling her that she had gotten to him in some way.
For a split second, she was sure his mouth had moved closer to hers. For a split second, Caroline thought she would get to taste the leftover whiskey that remained on his lips. But, none of this was the case.
Klaus quickly moved from his spot in front of her, leaving Caroline at a loss for air. He started getting fidgety, his hands running through his hair as he paced the kitchen. He was definitely uncomfortable with what Caroline was pretty sure had almost happened. Had she just been imagining it?
"I think you need to leave," he said, all the while not looking at her. Caroline began to move closer to him.
"Please don't shut me out," she began softly. It was far from being enough though to stop him.
"LEAVE," he yelled, grabbing the empty bottle of whiskey and chucking it in her direction. She was able to dodge in time, but her heart was beating fast as she moved toward the door.
For the first time, he had actually aimed for her.
Without another word, Caroline raced out of the room. She shut the door behind her, and she skipped steps trying to get to the coffee shop. There was no way she was staying at her place, not tonight. Klaus had never released his anger on her before. It had been frightening to see that look on his face. To have it directed at her.
Caroline called a cab and told the driver where Damon's penthouse was located. What was she supposed to do now? She was sure she could stay anywhere besides her place, but she would have to go back eventually. Caroline rested her head against the window, crying silently as she thought about what had been there between them. What was now lost.
This time, she couldn't keep trying. She couldn't go back to him and hope that the screams would stop. It was back to her iPod and ignoring that he was there. She refused to be run out of her own apartment. Whatever had been between her and Klaus though…that was gone. And that thought made her want to cry more than anything else.
A/N: Hope everything here made sense and seemed believable! It was not easy keeping Klaus and Tyler out of the same room for so many chapters. So the end of the last chapter, and this one were the first time they had seen each other, if that wasn't clear already. Tyler has also been distant simply because he is living his own life outside of his circle of friends. This is why he hasn't seen Klaus until now.
P.S. Tyler really does love Caroline, even though I know some of you guys hate him. That's why I see him being somewhat okay and accepting of whatever or whoever makes her happy, even if he is scared shit less by the thought of Klaus haha.
Remember, unanswered questions may very well be revealed in later chapters.
Klaus and Caroline can't stay away long either. Wonder what will cause them to reconcile after this rather big fight...
As should be a given, a big thank you to Yana for helping me out and discussing the nonsense that goes on in my head.
See ya next chapter!
