Any Castle fans will realise where this has come from, if you recognise anything it is not mine. It's from the amazing writers for Castle who I must say are epically fabulous.
Don't worry for those of you who are anxious when angsty moments are present, there are none as angsty as I had first planned. There is a happy ending so don't worry.
-Caroline is a detective who has been investigating her mother's murder for the past 4 years whilst Klaus is either a detective or a writer who has been shadowing Caroline (whichever you prefer, the latter option being the same as in the show), he finally lets her know why she hasn't discovered any new leads in over a year.
I hope you enjoy and don't forget to tell me what you think :D
"Good, you're here." Caroline said as she turned away from the blond and headed towards toward a large board that stood in front of the window blocking the light. "So, I figured out that the killer had a key chain which matched to 'East Wing Car rentals'. "
"That could be any one of a thousand cars." Caroline nodded pursing her lips but seemed optimistic nonetheless.
"I know, it's a needle in the haystack but at least we've got a haystack." She turned towards the board looking intently at it. "They keep most of their licences on file-"
"Caro-"
"-Yeah he's probably using a fake idea but we should be able to narrow it down from there-" Caroline flicked open the folder on the desk in front of the board as she spoke, her words were cut off as Klaus swallowed hard and called out her name.
"Caroline." Her eyes turned up to lock on his, his chest tightened as the weight of what he was about to say began crushing his chest.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she set her full focus on Klaus as he orientated himself to stand in front of the board.
"You, um…" he whispered hoarsely before clearing his throat and looking into her cornflower blue eyes, "You have to stop." She didn't move, "This investigation, y-you have to stop." Klaus didn't expect to see her lips turn up as she placed her hands on his arms squeezing them gently.
"Klaus, we've been through this already, I'm fine." Klaus shook her head, "I'm in control."
"No, you're not" He took a deep breath in, "they are." Caroline's eyes narrowed. "And if you don't stop, they will kill you Caroline."
"What are you talking about?" She asked, her hands slipped from his arms, Klaus couldn't help but yearn for her touch again.
A beat passed as Klaus parted his lips to speak but no voice came out. He had a chance, stop and pretend like he hadn't spoken at all or continued with what he was about to say.
He looked at Caroline, really looked at the blond woman that stood before him and he wondered how she was ever going to forgive him for the secret he had kept from her. Would she walk away from him, arrest him…kill him for all the times he had suppressed any information that could have helped her?
He watched as her blue eyes dilated in the dim lights, the way her golden blond hair fell around her shoulder, he could feel her rosemary breaths tickle at his chin as she breathed out evenly, the way her chest heaved and fell raising the scar that was tattooed in the middle of her chest from a long while ago…
"Alaric Saltzman taught me what it meant to be a cop…" her blue eyes scanned the rows of graves that sat in the wide field of grass, "…he taught me that we are bound by our choices…" she looked at the blond woman that sat in the middle of the congregation, her tears marring her pale face. Jenna Saltzman. "…but we are more than our mistakes." She interlinked her fingers tightly behind her back forcing herself to remain composed even as she felt the anger and sadness begin bubbling up her throat. "Captain Saltzman taught me that there are no victories, only battles."
Caroline looked down at the podium in front of her where her speech laid. Her eyes failed to find the words that came next as her eyes filled with water. Forcing her eyes back up to the audience she came to look at the American flag that rippled against the air. "And the best you can hope for…is to find a place you can make your stand."
Klaus swallowed hearing her words, his mind became filled with images of Alaric being shot in the head, the blood spattering everywhere and the vomit that ros-
He pushed it to the back of his mind as he focused on Caroline's determined voice. "And if you're very lucky…you'll find someone willing to stand with you…" Caroline couldn't help it, her eyes immediately sought out Klaus who stood a few metres away from her, and he caught her eyes. Neither broke the intimate connection until Caroline proceeded with her words. "Our Captain would want us to carry on with this fight."
Klaus looked away from her and faced the congregation, his eyes narrowed as he caught a glimmer of bright light behind one of the gravestones in the distance before it disappeared. His brow furrowed as the point illuminated again, he looked at Caroline wondering if she saw it, he urged to gain her attention but before he could a shot rang out whizzing towards them.
"Caroline!" The blond felt nothing for a moment. But then the searing pain radiated through her chest. She heard Klaus call out her name but couldn't find it in her to say a word. Her body hunched over for a few seconds as it absorbed the impact before her cap fell off her head and she was pushed back onto the cool grass.
Her eyes homed in on the blue sky above her which was littered with innocent white clouds before the sight was blocked and Klaus' face came into her view.
"Caroline!" He shouted amongst the screams that echoed around her, she felt his fingers run into her hair pulling her head up slightly as his other hand held on to her waist.
Caroline gasped as she felt her throat burn, her lips parted but all that could be heard from them where the sharp inhales of air that failed to fill her lungs.
"Shh…Caroline." Klaus whispered as he kept his eyes on her, his fingers found the soft skin of her cheek as he brushed away a tear Caroline hadn't even felt fall from her eye. "Stay with me, Caroline…don't leave me…please…" he pleaded in soft murmurs as Caroline's whole body trembled fighting for air. "Stay with me, ok?" She tried to nod as her wide eyes remained locked onto his. "Caroline…" he whispered, he saw her nod, "...I love you…I love you Caroline…" another tear slipped from her eyes, she gasped lightly whether it was from his words of the lack of air was unknown.
Klaus watched in anguish as her eyes rolled back and slid shut, her head became limp in his hand and her body sagged whilst red liquid seeped through her shirt and covered the white gloves that she had worn…
Klaus knew he couldn't let her continue with his, he'd rather have her hate him for the rest of her life than to have her remain blissfully ignorant and dead.
"Before Saltzman went into that hangar, he sent a package to someone, someone he trusted." He released a deep breath as he continued whilst Caroline kept her eyes locked on his. "It contained information damaging to the person behind all of this," he saw Caroline tilt her head as she heard his words, "Saltzman was trying to protect you. But…" he shook his head slightly, "…the package didn't arrive until after you'd been shot." He swiped at his dry lips, "Saltzman's friend struck a deal with them. If they left you alone, the package and the information inside would never see the light of day." His voice caught in the back of his throat as he watched her take a step back, "But they made one condition…you had to back-off." He released a slow breath as he finally bared the full truth to her. "And that is the reason you're alive, Caroline, because you stopped."
A beat of silence passed as both blondes stared at each other, one in fear of the repercussions and the other in awe and disbelief.
"How do you know this?" Caroline allowed her voice to finally leave her lips. She saw Klaus' mouth open and close but no words came out. He closed his eyes for a moment recollecting his thoughts before he steeled himself and finally let her know.
"In order for the deal to work…someone had to make sure you weren't pursuing it."
"Are you part of this?" Caroline asked incredulously as she stepped back once more, whether it was in anger or fear was unknown to the dimpled man.
"I was just trying to keep you safe." He knew the moment the words left him that she wouldn't believe him even if it was the absolute truth. Caroline gasped in shock letting the words wash over her before she swiftly turned paced towards the other end of the room as she ran her fingers through her crumpled locks.
"By lying to me about the most important thing in my life?" She exclaimed turning back to face him.
"That lie was the only thing protecting you." He stated clearly earning a swift shake of the blonde's head.
"Klaus, I didn't need protection, I needed a lead. And you sat on it for a year." She said in disbelief as the reality of the situation settled in her. Swallowing back the anger and hurt she painted her features with steely determination. "Now, who is this person?" She demanded, "How do I find him?"
"He's a-a voice on the phone. A shadow in a parking garage." Caroline narrowed her eyes at him in anger.
"You met with him?" She hissed, "How do you know he's not behind my mom's murder?" She stepped closer feeling the rage begin to solidify, "How do you know that he's not involved?" The air settled around them before she erupted with a few more words, "And how the hell could you do this?"
Klaus looked at her in awe, how did she not already know why he did this?
"Because I love you!" He exclaimed, the anger fell from her features, "…But you already know that, don't you? You've known for a year…"
"The bag wasn't mine."
"Oh, so you admit to having it?" Klaus watched fascinated behind the glass as Caroline walked around the frightened young brunette man.
"No, no that's not what I said, you've got me goin-"
"Did you, or did you not have it?" She demanded. "It's a simple question." She perched against the metal table which sat in the middle of the interrogation room.
"I don't know." He replied, the fear was evident on his face. Caroline watched him intently before she continued.
"Who put you up to this Luka, who gave you that back-pack?"
"I do-don't know, I don't re-remember."
"You don't remember." She repeated not believing him even for a second. "How do you not remember?"
"I was in shock, the bomb went off, everyone was running and scream-"
"Oh!" Caroline exclaimed as she stood up, "Ok, ok, so you remember what happened after the bomb went off but not before."
"It must have been one of those traumatic amnesia thing-"
"Luka!" She stared at him, "Don't lie to me." The man shook his head adamantly as he began speaking.
"I'm telling you, it was all a big blank. It was the trauma." Pressing her lips together the blond tried fighting off the annoyance.
"It was not the trauma, you don't get to use that excuse."
'I swear I don't remember." Caroline narrowed her eyes as she slammed her palm against the table and leaned closer.
"The hell you don't remember!" The floodgates opened as she let the past six months of aggravation out. "You wanna' know trauma, I was shot in the chest and I remember every second of it!"
Klaus' head snapped up as he heard her words and realization dawned on him
She remembered. And yet she had denied it when he had asked.
Caroline let out a breath, "Are you kidding me? You're actually bringing this up now, after you told me that you betrayed me?"
Klaus tried to pacify her, he needed her to hear his side.
"Caroline, listen to me-"He started gently before he was cut off.
"Listen to you? Why should I listen to you? How am I supposed to trust anything that you say?!" She exclaimed.
Klaus' jaw dropped in shock, "How are you su-Because of everything that we have been through together!" He shouted, his voice echoed in the room, "Four years, I've been right here! Four years just waiting for you to just open your eyes and see that I am right here. And that I'm more than a partner." He moved closer towards her, "Every morning, I-I bring you a cup of coffee just so that I can see a smile on your face, " he continued to stride towards her as she remained frozen on the spot, he clutched her arms in his squeezing them gently as he spoke, "Because I think that you are the most…" his hands trailed up her shoulders along her neck to her cheeks which he cupped gently as he looked intently at her, "…remarkable…maddening…challenging…frustrating person I have ever met," He brushed his thumbs along the apples of her cheeks as his eyes brimmed with tears at his own need and frustration for her not seeing what was right in front of her. "And I love you Caroline, and if that means anything to you," he observed her emotionless features, "If you care about me at all…just…don't do this."
Klaus breathed a sigh of relief as Caroline's hands covered his own. "If I care about you?" She whispered, "Klaus, you cut a deal for my life like I was some kind of child. My life. Mine." She pushed his hands away from her face, "You don't get to decide."
Klaus refused to allow Caroline to push him away, he gripped her cheeks tighter as he stepped closer, his added height allowing him to tower over her slightly as she wasn't wearing her usual heels. "You keep going with this and they're gonna decide. They're gonna come for you, Caroline."
The blond pushed his hands away this time succeeding as they fell to his sides. "Let the come! They sent Lockwood and he's dead. They sent Parker and he's dead. And I am still here, Klaus. And I am ready." She stated in finality. Klaus looked at her with a hint of confusion.
"Ready for what, to die for your cause?" She pressed her lips together and walked past him back towards the murder board. "This isn't a murder investigation anymore, Caroline. They've turned it into a war." He gritted his teeth, why wouldn't she just listen to him?
"If they want a war, then I will bring them a war. Straight to their doorstep." She got her gun from the drawer and loaded it before setting it aside in front of the murder board. She looked at it intently before turning towards Klaus who ambled towards her.
He watched as her eyes were glazed over in determination and the one thing he knew about Caroline Forbes was that when she set her mind on something no one, not even him, could change it.
"Well, I guess there's just nothing I can say is there?" He murmured, Caroline stared at him blankly as he came to stand only a few feet away from her. "OK…yeah…you're right Caroline." He itched to brush his fingers through her soft blond hair, "It's your life." He swallowed hard as he said his peace, "You can throw it away if you want to…" he looked at the murder board, all the time and effort she had put into figuring it out whilst Klaus had done the complete opposite and tried to prevent her from finding out the truth, "…but I'm not gonna stick around to watch you."
They watched each other in silence for a moment both knowing the words that were to come.
"This is it." Klaus whispered. "I'm done." He scanned her face committing her features to his memory so that he could etch them onto paper. "I'm done…" he repeated in a mere whisper as Caroline's eyes widened.
Klaus slowly intertwined his fingers with hers before leaning in to press his lips against her forehead, he pulled away put rested his nose against her skin wishing that this wasn't it. That she would say something-anything-that would stop him from walking away. "I hope you find everything you've been looking for, sweetheart…" he murmured, his lips brushed against her skin causing a shiver to run down Caroline's back.
She swallowed at the feeling that enveloped her but was quickly replaced with coldness as Klaus pulled his fingers away from hers. Klaus glanced at her face once more to see her eyes tightly shut, he stepped back losing all contact from her even though his body ached to grasp her against him. "Goodbye, Caroline."
Caroline felt the water glaze over her eyes even though they were shut, she knew the moment she opened them the anguish would be seen. She heard the click of the door and waited for a few moments hoping that Klaus was still stood in front of her.
She opened her eyes and was met with the daily surroundings of her apartment.
He was gone…
A few hours later…
"Help!" Caroline screamed as she gripped the ledge tightly but could feel the grains of stone slip under fingers. "Come on." She strained as she tried to catch her feet on something to boost her way up but she was met with nothing but the smooth bricks. "Come on, come on." She hissed as she tried to keep hold, "No." She grunted as her fingers began slipping.
The blond dared to glance down and felt the full effect of the height, "No!" she screamed as her hand lost its grip and all she was left hanging from was the last effort of her left fingers that tried to grip the ledge for as long as they could. "No…" she murmured as she watched her fingers lose their strength and begin to slide. "Klaus…" she whispered hoping that he'd be there to save her like he usually was. She could hear the blood rush through her ears as she began to lose faith.
"Caroline!" She heard Klaus' voice echo, her eyes widened as she tightened her hold on the ledge.
"Klaus!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Klaus I'm right here!" She shouted as her fingers continued to slip. "Klaus!" She screamed out as her fingers finally lost their resolve and glided off the ledge. "Klaus!" She shouted as she felt gravity begin to pull her down.
A hand grabbed her wrist stopping her descent and instead pulling her back up.
She gasped a mouthful of air as she was hauled back to the top and looked up expecting to see Klaus but instead saw Stefan's eyes staring back at her, "Klaus?" She whispered earning a shake of the brunette's head. She let out a shaky breath as she gripped Stefan's arms whilst he led her away from the ledge.
"What were you thinking, Forbes?" He murmured into her ear.
Caroline squeezed her eyes shut as drops of water began to fall over them, "I wasn't…" she whispered releasing a deep breath…
Klaus gulped down his second glass of bourbon as he looked at the blank page of his sketch book, his fingers itched to draw countless images of Caroline's face but he…just couldn't. Not if he was determined to forget about her.
He placed his empty glass on the side of his desk as he flicked through his sketchbook and eyed the fireplace, he licked his dry lips as he contemplated throwing the memories into the fire and letting them burn away. He set the book aside when he heard a knock on the door.
Damn him if this was Rebekah coming to pester him about some crisis or another…
He walked towards the door expecting to see anyone's face except for hers.
"Caroline." He breathed out, his eyes roamed over her, she stood dripping from the rain at his doorstep. "What do you want?" He asked keeping his guard.
Caroline sighed as she let the walls around her drop finding it pointless to even try and pretend like she was here for something other than him.
"What do you want, Caroline?" He repeated holding the door open.
"You." She whispered before stepping forth and grasping his stubble covered cheeks in her hands tilting his face down as she caught his raspberry lips with hers. The air around them sizzled as Klaus' disbelief lifted and he set his hands on her hips not pushing her away yet not pulling her closer. The younger blond pressed herself closer to his body as she tilted her face wanting to feel more but was suddenly stopped when Klaus pushed her back.
"Why?" He asked needing to know what had finally made her choose him. She gently scratched at his stubble.
"I almost died…and all I could think about was you…" A beat of passed filled with nothing but the harsh rainfall against the windows. He looked into her eyes searching for a hint of doubt but found none. He grasped her hips tighter as Caroline leaned closer to him parting her lips but being just out of reach as Klaus kept his lips from hers. Caroline looked up at him, lighting struck flashing across his face and the next thing she knew she was pushed against the cool wooden door as Klaus pressed his body against hers with his lips slanting over hers, they both fought for dominance as Klaus' hands brushed back her jacket whilst Caroline unbuttoned his shirt sliding if off his shoulders. Klaus pulled back as he unbuttoned her shirt, Caroline looked at him curiously as he stilled, his fingers slid up her body before they brushed over the scar that rested in the middle of her chest. The younger blond shivered, Klaus met her eyes seeing the unbridled emotion swimming in her eyes. He leaned down as he let his lips glide from her collarbone down to the scar where he pressed tiny butterfly kisses along the mark.
He skimmed his way back up to her face where he pressed the pads of his fingers along her cheeks as he kissed her lips once more and stepped back entwining his fingers with hers and pulling her towards him as he moved back towards the bedroom.
She followed letting her shirt slip down and land on the floor, he slowly twirled her round to lead the way instead as he followed her.
Finally reaching the bedroom, Caroline pulled him towards her kissing him languidly as Klaus let the door shut behind them allowing them to finally explore each other's bodies like they had wanted for an eternity…
So…how was it?
If anyone has any prompts or ideas for any future oneshots/drabbles drop me a PM or suggest it in a review. Unfortunately I don't have a Tumblr account or anything like that since I know I wouldn't be able to keep up with it especially when I'm at school, thankfully I've got a week long holiday in which I have to revise for mock exams but Klaroline will always be up there as one of my main priorities.
BTW, shameless plug, I'll be updating Ray of Sun after this and also uploading the first chapter of my new story Life Worth Living. I'm hoping to update End Like No Other and A New Era tomorrow so look out for that as well. With all this free time inspiration has finally hit me and I'm on a roll even if I do say so myself… :)
See you next time…:D