So, how is it going on with Caroline and Klaus?

You will find out a bit more right below!=)

Happy reading!

Caroline threw yet another glance into the mirror.

She turned and twirled around in front of it several times to look at herself from every angle. She threw her hair back a couple of times, making sure that everything was just perfect. She had just curled her hair and was pretty satisfied with the result. She looked very pretty in the dress she had chosen and there was not one single hair out of place. The young vampire smiled delighted and hoped that it would be good enough.

She hoped that nothing had changed overnight. That's why she gave her reflection an encouraging nod.

Caroline was so nervous that her whole skin tickled. God, how did she get here?

Klaus hadn't called yet, but she had expected at least a text message or something. Or was it wrong to expect anything?

This debate had been going on the whole morning and Caroline had looked into her phone a hundred times already trying to figure out what to do, because there was this nagging feeling inside of her that couldn't stop wondering what he was doing at the moment. In order to stop wondering and pondering about everything and nothing she had decided that she would take a chance and go over to the Mikaelson mansion. She was so restless anyway that she just had to get out of the house so why not pay a visit?

There was a tingling inside of her stomach that always seized her when she thought about the feeling of his lips on hers. Her face lit up at the envisioned sight of his dimpled smile that was only directed at her.

Maybe she should call him beforehand? Just in case?

She sighed and with a queasy feeling inside her stomach and quickly hit a few buttons on her mobile before she would change her mind again.

And then she waited and tried not to let her hands tremble. Come on, pick up!

Caroline almost jumped at the sound of the free dialling tone. Beep!

A chill ran down her back. Would he pick up? And what if he saw her caller ID and decided he didn't want to?

Beep!

The signal screamed into her ear.

Beep!

It sounded almost as if it laughed at her.

Beep!

Klaus didn't pick up and Caroline frowned as the mailbox greeted her. Whatever, he probably wasn't in reach of his phone. She would just stick to her plan and walk over. Yes, she would do that!

Her mum had already left for work very early this morning which meant that everything was already back to normal and she asked herself if it wasn't too early...or was it just the calm before the storm?

Would her life ever slow down again?

Elena had already tried to call her, but Caroline hadn't picked up. She didn't want to talk to her yet. Caroline had to see Klaus first and try to figure out how much this weekend had really affected her. How much did she really like him? Elena had been almost furious when she had figured that Caroline did feel attracted to him. However, Caroline was sure that her friend would understand her if she just knew the true story behind everything. Klaus wasn't who everyone thought he was, well at least that was not everything there was to his character. There was more and Caroline felt eager to find out how much more there was.

There was just this one tiny problem she had to overcome as well: Tyler.

Especially now after the weekend, Caroline wondered if she could even look him in the eyes again. Then again, it was true that even before they had developed into totally different directions and sadly the words Caroline had said in pure rage were still true. He would always be her friend, that was for sure, but she couldn't be with him anymore. Her feelings had changed and she didn't feel the strong connection anymore they had had in high school. Then there was still this story with Hayley. Caroline still didn't know what was true about it and what wasn't, but she was too tired of it to even want to figure out the bare truth. And even if Tyler hadn't cheated on her, it didn't change anything. He had still betrayed her by not warning them about the witch.

Ironically Klaus probably knew the truth about Tyler and Hayley, because he had made the reference to Tyler on the phone which she had merely overheard. Whatever, she didn't want to know anymore. She wanted to close that chapter of her life and move on.

Meanwhile Caroline had gathered all her things together, purse, a denim jacket, boots and a scarf and opened the door when her phone vibrated.

Her heart jumped and almost frantically she rummaged through her purse.

Come on, where is it?

Until she finally found the ringing phone and…sighed disappointed.

Tyler.

Caroline looked at the ceiling.

Sorry, Ty, not now! I don't want to fight right now!

The closer she came to the mansion the more nervous she felt. Okay, take a deep breath!

Her hands were clammy and cold.

-Don't be ridiculous, Caroline! It's just Klaus!

-But exactly that's it, it's Klaus! Apparently there is an allure to a sexy combination of darkness and bad boy, huh?

-Oh, shut up!

She parked her car in front of the house and looked at it from the safe distance. It was huge and it towered intimidating over her.

Here we go!

She winced at the loud noise of the closing car door. According to how loud she had smashed the door everyone inside should be aware of her presence now. So there goes your chance to run away again.

She made her way over to the front door admiring the facade. Caroline had always liked this house, even before the original family had moved here. As a little girl it had seemed to her like an enchanted building, full of mysteries and hidden treasures, especially because as kids Elena, Bonnie and her had often played by the small lake that was close to the grounds of the backyard of the house. They had always imagined how they would go in there and find the most amazing things, of course those had been protected by monsters that they had to defeat first. They had spent hours by that lake just plotting their plans. She smiled at the almost forgotten child hood memory.

The door was right in front of her now and all she had to do was knock but her hand felt suddenly very heavy. With a shake of her head she tried to get rid of the awkward feeling and after another second she stretched out her hand and knocked. However faint it might have seemed, they would hear it. Definitely!

But there was no answer. Caroline frowned and looked through a window next to the door, but she couldn't see anything or anyone. She knocked again and waited for another second before she tried the handle. It was open.

"Klaus?" She entered the house. "Hello? Anyone home?" Caroline looked around the great hall she was standing in. She tried to strain her vampire hearing to pick up any sound at all, but there was nothing to be heard. She frowned and was suddenly feeling heavy. So, no one there…

She could always wait, couldn't she?

Caroline looked around and tried to look into the attached rooms, but there really didn't seem to be anybody home.

No one would rip her head off if she waited, right? …or if she wandered around…she had been in here before anyway...

The curiosity got the better of her. There was no one around and she could admire the interior in all its beauty without any disturbance. It was all very fancy and big.

And probably unspeakably expensive!

She walked into the living room and further on into the kitchen.

There was another door, she had never noticed before, in the living room and she tried the handle. It was unlocked and suddenly Caroline found herself in a conservatory at the back of the house.

The room was bright for it was made of glass, just as bright as Klaus' studio in the other house. And as his studio there this room was also covered in paintings. The faint smell of paint lingered in the air. He seemed too take his art more seriously than Caroline had thought at first.

The garden behind the house was beautiful with flowers and bushes surrounding it and even a small fountain in the far back that was half covered by big green hedges.

Caroline just stood there for a while and looked at her surroundings imagining how Klaus would stand here and paint. A smile sneaked onto her face before she turned around to take in the rest of the room. The paintings hardly left any space on the walls.

She wandered around and in a corner she found something that attracted her interest.

Very carefully Caroline pulled it forward so the light uncovered it from the darkness in the corner.

Her mouth slightly dropped opened and her eyes went wide.

She looked at a beautiful sunset. The light was reflected in yellow orange and red glows in front of a night sky that was dark royal blue. It looked as if the last light of day embraced the night sky or maybe the other way round? There were tiny stars blinking very faintly and very beautifully as if they were real. As if he had caught some tiny stars and glued them to the canvas.

Beneath the interplay from day and night was a deep lake that mirrored the spectacle. It looked so real that she could hardly taker her eyes off it.

But the lake reflected something else, something that wasn't there. A silhouette or shadow or something that wasn't ready yet.

The surrounding earth of the lake was also painted in dark blue shades, besides some spots that face the shadows. It looked as if someone had spread sun drops over the face of earth. There was a magic glow to this play of different colours. Darkness and Light.

As ever so carefully she shoved the piece of art back into the shadows and while she walked back into the living room she tried to memorize the painting as clearly as possible.

It was breathtakingly beautiful!

Somehow encouraged she pulled her phone out and dialled his number again.

Mailbox.

Disappointed she put it back into her bag and sat down in the living room to wait.

"Caroline, what a lovely surprise."

A little startled she looked around. "Elijah!" She hadn't heard him coming. She must have really been lost in thoughts but then again an original was probably just that good at sneaking up on any other vampire.

"I didn't expect anyone to be here." He said while stepping closer.

Caroline just then realized her intrusion for she had been sitting in the Mikaelson's mansion for quite a while now. She jumped up as she realised how much time had gone by:

"I am sorry. I didn't want to intrude. I was just looking for Klaus since I can't reach him and there was no one here, but the door was open and I thought…I'm sorry." Suddenly she felt really bad and maybe a bit afraid. If Elijah would tear her head off?

But the oldest original just shook his head and smiled kindly. "That wasn't meant as an affront, just a very lovely surprise. You look gorgeous which makes me assume that you are fully back to your senses?" He winked and Caroline smiled. She said down again for Elijah motioned her to and he himself took a seat next to her.

"Yes, I feel brilliant, thank you."

"Can't have been easy." Elijah mused and Caroline shook her head. Her tone was serious: "No, it wasn't and I would have never made it without Klaus. I owe him. Do you know where he is?"

Elijah's lips pulled into a thin line and he stared at her with his blue wise eyes. "I assume that Niklaus has left."

Caroline's eyes widened in some mixture of surprise and shock: "What!? But…" Caroline tried to grab a clear thought. "When? For how long?"

"He didn't tell you anything then, did he?" Caroline numbly shook her head: "No, not a word." She tried to search her brain for anything that could have told her about his leave in advance, but she couldn't find any hint. "When did he leave, Elijah?"

Elijah sighed. "He left last night."

"Last night…" Caroline repeated. He had helped her, took her home safe and sound just to leave?

"But, when is he coming back?" She hated her voice for sounding so small. Elijah swallowed and quietly answered: "I don't think he intended to return so soon…"

Caroline swallowed. "But…" Suddenly there was a big black hole in front of her. They had spent so many fun hours together and they had slept together, just yesterday morning.

You naive, silly girl! Of course that was what he wanted, but he never wanted more!

Caroline's eyes dropped to her hands in her lap. There was a huge lump in her throat, she thought she had seen something in his eyes and especially after he had opened up to her. She thought they had formed a connection and now he had thrown her away like the second choice she would always be.

"Caroline?" Elijah asked carefully.

Caroline sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek before she smiled at him.

"I guess, it's time for me to leave then. I am sorry again."

Caroline looked at her shoes and felt like she had been caught doing something impertinent. She felt so utterly stupid and betrayed. He would laugh about her and move on. The silly baby vampire he had seduced so easily. Too smart to be seduced by him, huh?

Elijah put a hand on her shoulder and pressed her down again. "Please stay."

She didn't know what to say, but Elijah knew just what to do. "I can't get rid of the feeling that there is something going on between the two of you."

Caroline looked up from under her eyelashes chewing on the inside of her cheek.

Elijah's eyes were kind, and most importantly, not judging like everyone else's.

"How about a nice cup of tea?" He asked and Caroline nodded slowly.

She silently followed Elijah outside into the garden.

The sun was low in the sky. The wind rustled through the leaves. It was peaceful here and Caroline took a deep breath.

Elijah watched her out of the corners of his eyes. He knew better than to send her home alone now.

"Would you like to talk about it?" He offered and just for a second Caroline wondered if she actually wanted to talk about it and humiliate herself even further, but as if he had read her mind Elijah answered: "There is nothing you have to feel humiliated about, but of course we can talk about something else if you rather prefer that."

She was silent, not sure how to begin. She knew that she could trust Elijah of all people. He never put pressure on her and always made it easy for her to open up because he neither judged her nor his brother. "I have been around for a long time, Caroline and I have seen a lot of things." He added and stared into the sunset. "But I have never seen my brother like this." Caroline looked at him surprised. "Like what?"

"Indecisive."

She swallowed and after some seconds Caroline asked: "Elijah, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course, my dear."

"Has your brother ever had a…a…was he always this lonely?"

Elijah set his cup down. He put his fingertips together and watched her. "Yes, he has always been a loner, well, that is since he became a vampire."

She nodded to show that she was following. "He didn't have an easy life as you already know, then again he wasn't an easy child either. Picking fights with others, putting up with our father, that was never easy. Finn was always mother's favourite, Rebekah was father's, Kol and Henrick were the youngest and I have always tried to reason with everyone, but where did it leave Niklaus?"

Caroline was silent for a while and listened to the wind. "He told me." She said without any sound. "He told me about Laelia." Elijah smiled: "I have hoped he would."

"I think I know now why he is who he is, I am just not sure if I understand him."

"Niklaus has a fascinating personality that is definitely not easy to grasp. I do take the liberty to say that I think I know him best, but sometimes it is hard to look through him, even for me."

"I thought he liked me. I thought we were at least friends now, but…he didn't even say good bye." Caroline whispered without looking at Elijah.

"Oh, but he does like you, very much indeed." He smiled knowingly and Caroline frowned. "Did he tell you?" She would have never thought that Klaus would tell anybody about his feelings, if he had any…

"He didn't have to. It was all over him. His scent, your scent and this aura that tells another vampire that someone might be taken."

"What?"

"It happens sometimes when two vampires get intimate and decide for themselves that there could be more between them. That there is a special bond that could grow. It is nothing you can influence."

She gasped. "Excuse me?" She didn't even know what there was between them and now there was something as a bond between them? "Why didn't anybody else notice then?"

Elijah chuckled. "It is not easy to detect and easier for vampires who are close to each other, who know each other. I sensed that something was off with Niklaus the minute he stepped through the door." Caroline swallowed.

"I still don't think I understand."

Elijah smiled and almost chuckled. "Niklaus tends to run from things he doesn't know nor understand. He runs from things that could be dangerous for him." As he said it he looked intently at Caroline so she got goose bumps.

"What!? What do you mean? …dangerous… what, me? For him?" She laughed. Ridiculous!

He was an original, a hybrid, immortal.

"There's something about you, about this development he doesn't understand." The old vampire leaned closer. "It scares him not to be in control."

Caroline frowned and Elijah went on: "You stand up to him, when no one dares to and yet, has he ever compelled you or snapped your neck? He has gone out of his ways because of you and yet, has he ever intently hurt you?"

Her eyes darted up at him. "No." She whispered.

"Most importantly: You are still alive. He behaves very carefully around you. After a thousand years he knows the importance of truth. He has never connected to anyone that strongly. His human side was never strong enough."

"Human side?"

"Even though it looks like it, Niklaus hasn't flipped the switch, he probably told you that. He has just never listened to his feelings."

"But he certainly still doesn't! He thinks he doesn't deserve it." Her voice was sad and Elijah felt a deep running sympathy for her. He had grown to like this young vampire and he had no doubt that maybe she was the one who would help Niklaus overcome his self loathing.

"No, but when you meet a potential mate your feelings become stronger and sometimes press you to act. This way or the other."

Caroline had trouble again to understand. "Potential mate? What does this all mean?"

"Vampire mating is much more serious than it seems to be. More than a relationship. It's a bond that runs through eternities."

"Like a sire bond?"

"No, because you still have your own will, you can turn around and deny your feelings, but in one or the other it will always be a part of you."

Caroline was silent, the concept was hard to grasp and she didn't even know what she was feeling.

"But shouldn't it be mutual? I mean, shouldn't I have such strong feelings for him too?"

"Have you?"

"I…don't know. I am so confused. Yes, I do like him I think, but I don't know how much… And it feels like…like he used me. The reason why I felt something again was him telling me that second choices will always just be second choices." She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. "I wanted to believe that I wasn't but I am. He just wanted to have me in his bed and I have been so stupid!"

Elijah's hand came down on her back. "No, Caroline, I don't believe that. Niklaus cares about you a lot, but as you said it yourself, he thinks that he doesn't deserve it and he doesn't want any harm to come to you. He needs time to think, so grant him that."

Caroline let herself be comforted by Elijah, but she didn't believe it.

"He is as confused as you are, probably even more."

Caroline finally swallowed her tears. She couldn't tear up every time someone would put her second. It would be a never ending road. Eternity could be a bitch.

And she certainly shouldn't tear up over Klaus! Get a grip and get over him!

"Sorry Elijah. I think I am not yet stable enough for this kind of drama."

He smiled kindly. "Believe me that he has no intention to hurt you. Don't give up on him."

On her way back to her house Caroline huffed annoyed: "'Don't give up on him!' As if I couldn't care less! What the hell! For all I care he can go and screw himself!" Caroline felt hurt and used and humiliated. "Don't give up on him!" She scoffed again as she made her way over to her front door. "Who does he think he is!?"

"I have no idea who you're talking about but I hope it's not me."

She started and jumped around as quickly as she could.

"Tyler! You scared me!" She exclaimed.

"Sorry." He came slowly closer.

Tyler looked as handsome as ever in a green shirt and short pants with sneakers. His eyes were big and there was this deep brown that she had once loved. They scrutinized her in a wary but also curious way. There was probably even something very sweet and loving in them, and there was a pinch at Caroline's heart. For a split second she wanted to let him embrace her until she was totally oblivious to anything else that was going on right now. Until she felt happy again.

"Care, how are you?" He put a hand onto her shoulder and his thumb stroked the side of her neck.

She tried to smile. "I am me again."

"I came here to talk, Caroline! Please!"

She sighed and nodded. Yes, they needed to talk and sort this out now, for once and for all with a calm demeanour. The girl unlocked the door and motioned Tyler to come in.

"Would you like some coffee?"

He took the offer and followed her into the kitchen where Caroline instantly busied herself with the coffee happy to have something to do. In her mind she already went over the possible upcoming conversation.

"So, where have you been?"

"With Klaus to one of his houses, just outside of Mount Wickham."

Tyler pursed his lips and drew a deep breath at the mentioning of Klaus' name. He seemed to force himself to stay calm. "Klaus…"

"Tyler, please." Caroline said quietly.

"So what happened between the two of you?"

"Well…nothing really…we just…I…" With a loud clang she put down the mugs she was holding. "I like him, okay? And now don't tell me that he is the bad guy, because I have already heard that for a couple of times already, thank you!" Annoyed she poured water into the mugs.

Tyler's features hardened. "Good!"

He waited for her to sit down before he went on. "Care, I just don't get it! But anyway, it's over now, isn't it? I have heard that he left town." Tyler took her hand gently. "You are back and that's all that matters, even if I wish I could have been there for you. Now everything can…"

Caroline slowly withdrew her hand and shook her head. "Tyler it doesn't change anything! I told you before that we just developed into totally different directions! We have both changed!"

"Is this still about Hayley? Bonnie? Or is it Klaus?"

"No!" Caroline said a bit desperate now because after all she didn't want to lose Tyler's friendship in a stupid fight. She wanted this to end in a peaceful way if there was one. Maybe she was just too good for her own good. "Tyler, this has nothing to do with anyone of them, but with me and you! We don't have the same goals anymore! What do you want to do with your life?"

He frowned. "What do you mean? We'll go to college then search for a place to live, maybe around here…"

"But Tyler that's it! I want to travel the world! I want to see the world and everything it has to offer! With all its beauty!"

Tyler's eyes screwed together and there was a vein pulsing at the side of his neck: "You sound just like Klaus Caroline!" He stood up. "So that's it, huh?"

"Tyler…"

"No, no I get it! My love is not enough anymore, you want Klaus with all his wealth and badass attitude. Exciting, his darkness isn't it? Just tell me, are you doing this on your own accord or has he compelled you? Do you have a big bad master plan to conquer the world!?"

"Tyler stop it!" Caroline jumped of her chair and gestured frantically with her hands while she almost screamed at him: "It told you this had nothing to do with Klaus! Don't make any assumptions, because you know nothing at all! You are just as blind as everyone else! I thought you would know better, but apparently I was wrong!"

"He totally brainwashed you, didn't he? But let me ask you where is he now? Now that your perfect little weekend is over? He got you Caroline and he is over it already!" As soon as the words had left his mouth he put a hand in front of his mouth while his eyes widened. "I'm sorry, Care!"

Caroline's lips trembled and her eyes looked as if something broke. "Go!" She whispered.

"I didn't mean that, Care!"

"Just go!" She yelled and threw a plate after him.

Later that night someone knocked at Caroline's door and even though she was in no mood for company she went to get it anyway.

"Elena, I am…"

"I know I know! Tyler told me and he was worried about you. Are you okay?"

Caroline sighed and nodded.

"Beside I come bearing gifts!" Elena smiled and waved her hands to the side where Bonnie jumped out of hiding. "Tada!

"Bonnie!" Caroline hugged her friend. "I have been so selfish! How are you? How are you dealing with things?" She looked at her in all earnestness but Bonnie just smiled and waved it off. "It's only half as bad as it seems and I have had quite some days to wallow in self pity."

Caroline looked at her and felt as if she understood her better than she wished she would. Elena nudged Bonnie who rolled her eyes: "Yes, okay, I am not happy about it, but I am handling it and I try to make the best of it! It will come back to me eventually." She shrugged and Caroline smiled half heartedly.

"How do you manage to stay so positive about this?" Caroline asked genuinely because maybe she could find this source of strength in herself as well.

Bonnie chuckled. "There's nothing else I can do is there? I am past the point of hiding and I am ready to go out again and fight for it! Oh and Elena and Stefan kicked my ass." She laughed and Caroline joined her quietly. Nothing else to do. Bonnie was right about that one. Caroline still felt pretty down but she would manage.

"But what about you? How do you feel?"

The three girls walked into the living room to make themselves comfortable there. Caroline shrugged and tried to laugh it off. "I am fine, I guess."

Elena sighed. "It's not easy is it?"

Caroline crossed her legs under her and shook her head quietly.

Bonnie put her hand onto her knee. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really." Caroline answered honestly. There was a brief silence that felt rather heavy.

Bonnie glanced at Elena, before she decided to speak up and find out how Caroline would react. "Tyler said that Klaus left town…"

Caroline glanced at her but quickly averted her eyes again before she shrugged. "He did. So?"

Elena and Bonnie shared another indecisive glance. "Is he coming back soon?" Elena asked.

Caroline was quiet.

"Where did he go then?" Bonnie asked.

"I know, what you are trying to do." Caroline answered finally looking up at her friends with tired eyes. "I know you want to persuade me that he is the bad guy. And no, I don't know where he went and no I don't know when he is coming back!" She pressed between closed teeth. "If he is coming back." She added mumbling and Bonnie's face suddenly fell. "I am sorry, Care. I have heard what happened and you know pretty well, that I hate Klaus, but it is bothering you, isn't it? Honestly?"

A sigh escaped her throat then. "He just left." Caroline's voice was small. "Without any message!"

"I know you don't want to hear it." Elena tried. "But isn't that what he always does?"

"But…"

"Yes, he may be more attached to you than anyone else from Mystic Falls." Bonnie interrupted Caroline. "But try to see it rationally, Care. He will always be Klaus and Klaus leaves when he wants to. He doesn't think twice about anything! He takes what he needs and moves on!"

"Even though you wish otherwise. Don't see something in him that he isn't!" Elena added and Caroline bit her lip in order to swallow her answer.

She didn't want to fight and she knew that her friends would not understand it. They had not seen what she had seen and they never would so it was just understandable that they wouldn't understand it. Caroline had a lot to ponder about and she had yet to decide if Elijah just unnecessarily held her hopes up, because…why would he do that? What would he get out of it?

Was there a reasonable possibility that he was right about his brother?

Her heart clenched and it stung. She didn't even know how she felt about Klaus, but she was disappointed that he had just left. When she was really honest with herself than she figured that she had hoped that he'd really care about her. He fancied her and Caroline had felt flattered, but…what now?

Elena pulled her back out of her thoughts into reality: "So, how about a movie night?" Her tone was hopeful and her friends nodded being kind of relieved about the suggestion. All of them needed a distraction from the world and neither wanted to be alone that night.

So Elijah does care a lot for his family, doesn't he? There will be more to the Original Family in the next chapter...

Thank you for following and reading!=)