Chapter 2
The sun had set long before the hybrid found himself on the porch of the old farmhouse. Klaus looked around assessing his surroundings. Klaus had to give them credit. If they did not want to be found, hiding out on a non-working farm in the hills outside of Portland, Oregon was a good choice. Not a neighbor in sight and miles away from the nearest town… Not a place Klaus could picture the Ripper or Miss Mystic Falls settling down.
Klaus took in the domesticity of the scene – a picturesque red and white barn set 50 yards from the house, a fresh pile of firewood just off of the porch, rocking chairs and a porch swing. It was a perfect Norman Rockwell setting, all the way down to the snow boots neatly arranged to the right of what was obviously a brand new "Welcome" mat.
Klaus lifted his head as he caught Stefan's voice. Slowly, he approached the window and watched as Stefan made his way into what appeared to be the den. Klaus surveyed the room, ever vigilant in completing the proper reconnaissance of his surroundings. The room was somewhat sparse but homey. He could easily discern a small fire crackling in the stone fireplace on the wall opposite the porch windows with two well-worn, leather armchairs set on either side. A built-in shelf housed a stereo along with assorted books, dvds and cds that lay tidy and ordered to the left of the fireplace. Klaus didn't take the time to read the titles on the shelves as his eyes moved to the plush, deep sofa set across from the fireplace, perfectly situated to enjoy the warmth issuing forth and adorned with the requisite throw along the back. Even from the porch, Klaus could tell that the room had been painted recently, the floors varnished. Klaus smiled at the thought. Caroline Forbes would be the only person he could imagine who would convert a hideout into a house-flipping project.
Klaus took in a deep breath and his nostrils were overwhelmed by the smell of the oversized fir tree that virtually overtook the entire right half of the room. But there, intermingled with the scent of pine, was the light, familiar musk of the girl he came here to see.
Klaus's eyes returned to Stefan who stopped just before the couch while wiping his hands on a dishcloth.
"The dishes are done and I was able to erase most of the damage you did to the kitchen," Stefan teased, to the inhabitant currently burrowed in the soft cushions.
"I could have helped, you know."
Klaus was barely conscious of his own movement as he found himself drawn closer to the window at the sound of Caroline's soft voice. It had been three months. Three months of following false leads, dead ends, cashing in favors, compulsion and threatening to reign hellfire on those who failed to give him the information he desired. Three months of tireless searching and worrying until he finally found himself in his current position: standing outside the penumbra of a porch light, attempting to steal a glimpse of the girl who haunted his thoughts for so long.
Stefan chuckled and took a seat on the couch, now only offering Klaus a view of his carefully coifed hair. "You know the rules; the cook doesn't clean."
"I know but these are special circumstances," Caroline argued, sitting up. Klaus could just see her crown of golden curls and a portion of her profile as she faced Stefan.
Klaus placed his hand to the window that separated them and he unconsciously began tracing along the lines of Caroline's face.
"I left you a Thanksgiving-sized disaster!" she continued.
"Only because you spent two days preparing a feast for us. I seriously won't be able to eat for a week after that glutton-fest," Stefan, issuing a sated sigh.
"Well, don't get too comfortable, mister. You lost a bet tonight so you'll be the one going on the hot chocolate run," she giggled.
Stefan rested his head on the back of the sofa and expressed another exaggerated sigh. "What about a foot massage instead," he offered.
Klaus's eyes closed as he heard Caroline's soft giggle. "Oh, the foot massage is a given but you will only satisfy the powers that be with hot chocolate. "
Stefan groaned while Caroline began to push him up and off of the couch.
"Go on, now. You don't want to face the fury of a chocoholic, do you?"
Stefan shook his head, defeated. He disappeared for a moment only to reappear wearing a heavy coat.
Making his way back to the couch, "ok, ok, I'm going. God forbid I upset the powers." Before exiting the front door, Stefan leaned to the angel perched on the couch and placed soft kiss on her forehead. Klaus could see a small smile grace her face.
Klaus's heart clenched as he closed his eyes at the display of intimacy between the two, hoping to erase it from his mind. While he had attempted to steel himself against such an image for the last few months, the reality produced a visceral reaction for which he was unprepared. Klaus was accustomed to feeling like an outsider looking in but never before had he felt so overwhelmingly shut off from something he so desperately wanted to be a part of.
Klaus opened his eyes and quickly positioned himself into the deep shadows of the porch as he saw Stefan move towards the door.
"I'll be back soon. Don't even think about moving from that the couch. If you do, then you'll be the one to face the fury…"
"Haha, just concentrate on your mission and pray that you can find a grocery store open on Thanksgiving night." Caroline called as Stefan stepped onto the porch. "And don't forget the tiny marshmallows!"
Stefan closed the door behind him, began lacing up the snow boots that he retrieved from the porch and muttered, "like I'm masochistic enough to forget the tiny marshmallows," he muttered.
Once Klaus saw Stefan drive away, he made his way back to the window. He heard Caroline release a deep sigh and then saw her tilt her heard, appearing to be listening for something. Seemingly satisfied, Caroline rose from the couch and made her way towards the enormous tree, which only served to make Caroline appear small and almost fragile.
Tearing himself from the window, Klaus made his way to the door to hang the talisman above the doorframe. It took a powerful coven to find a way for him to enter a house uninvited but Klaus knew he needed every advantage once he found the couple. While he was tempted to go to Caroline immediately and whisk her away, he wanted to watch her for just a bit longer. He'd never seen her so relaxed and he didn't want to remove her from her little safe haven before he absolutely had to. He returned to the window.
With her back to him, Klaus was only privy to the image of her blonde hair cascading down the back of her oversized camel colored cardigan. The firelight made the waves of her hair sparkle like spun gold. Klaus had never seen her hair so long and he felt the overwhelming desire to reach out to her and feel the gentle waves in his hands.
He continued to watch as Caroline stood in quiet contemplation of the tree. After a minute or two, he saw her reach down and retrieve an ornament and place it strategically on the tree. Klaus found himself virtually mesmerized as he watched her carefully place an ornament, take a step from away the tree, then return to move the ornament to another branch… Over and over she repeated this process until she was satisfied with each placement.
Klaus's attention was immediately diverted when he heard a car approaching slowly. Once again removing himself to the shadows, he watched as a car he did not recognize parked in the driveway. The driver quietly got out and walked to the porch. Klaus body tensed as he took in the familiar figure: leonine and stealthy. He would recognize it anywhere but how could it be?
He saw as the intruder looked into the window at Caroline. The corners of her mouth twisted into a devious grin before she used vampire speed to enter the house.
Klaus was so taken aback by her sudden presence that he was not quick enough to overpower her before she could enter. He cursed himself for leaving the talisman over the door, essentially inviting an intruder inside. However, he was just crossing the threshold of the home when he heard the unwelcome guest approach Caroline from behind.
"Caroline," she purred, "you broke the rules. Tsk, tsk…" Klaus could see Caroline freeze. "Now, I you know I have to kill you, right?"
Caroline issued a shallow breath and lowered her head. "Katherine," she uttered.
Before Katherine could take a single step towards the blonde, Klaus had her by the throat.
"I believe there's only one person who will meet her end this evening, Katerina, that person will be you," he hissed.
Klaus watched as Katherine's eyes widened in horror. She mounted a short, futile struggle against Klaus's grasp before screaming, "Caroline, run! I'll find you. Just run!"
Klaus's eyes cut from the woman still attempting to pry his fingers from her slender throat to see a trail a blonde curls whipping past the door beyond the tree. He threw Katherine into the bookcase before pursuing his girl.
If he wasn't convinced of Stefan's inability to protect Caroline before, he was now certain that she would only be safe under his guard. How could Stefan leave her alone and susceptible to an attack like this?
Klaus was slightly surprised that it took mere moments for him to catch up to the retreating figure who had made her way through the kitchen, the back porch and was steps away from a car parked in the back of the house.
Klaus stopped Caroline, grasping her tiny shoulders with each hand and pulling her back into his strong form.
"Shh," he whispered. "It's me, you're ok." Klaus could not help but be struck by the familiarity of the situation.
He could feel Caroline tremble under his touch as he began to turn her to face him.
"Get away from her!" Katherine screamed, as she came bursting though the backdoor.
Klaus pulled Caroline closer to him, shielding her from Katherine's onslaught. His eyes travelled down and met hers. After so much time and so much longing, Klaus was finally looking into the most beautiful, most expressive eyes he had ever seen. Klaus cradled her face in his hands and smiled down as he looked into those deep blue eyes, anticipating a multitude of reactions. However, he was not prepared for what he found - pure unadulterated fear.
"Gregor?" Caroline breathed, "are you going to kill me?"
Klaus took a step back, his confusion mounting. His eyes took in the girl standing before him.
Klaus wasn't sure what shocked him more: the fact that Caroline didn't seem to recognize him, the sound of a human heart pounding within her chest, or, perhaps it was the fact that as his gaze lowered to where her the folds of her cardigan parted, he was met with a soft, round belly.