Give Me Love Like Never Before
A/N: Hi guys. This chapter is all about family and consists of very little klaroline. It is kind of filler. But I promise the next three chapters will be only about klaroline. I completely forgot that the British don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanks for pointing out the mistake. I have tried to give some explanation in this chapter. It seems everyone loved a feisty Caroline. It is my favorite too! Couple of you has wondered if there is a spy in Mikaelson motors. Yes there is a spy. I would like you all to start guessing. I haven't watched the season finale, and I really hope they haven't killed klaroline. Thank you for your reviews, follows and favorites.
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD
Chapter 9
Elena folded the napkins methodically without paying attention to anything around her. She still couldn't believe what was currently happening in her life. Until last week she was happy, had a boyfriend and had so much hope that her novel would surely be published this year. But now her whole life was in shambles. She may not be happy with her situation right now but she doesn't regret her choices. She really needs to sort out her life at this point of time. She needs to take publishing her novel seriously and work hard on it.
Katherine observed her from afar while savoring a strawberry. "Already missing Stefan?" enquired Katherine smirking with a raised eyebrow. "Not in the mood, Katherine. Please leave me alone" said Elena trying to leave the place. Katherine stopped her by arm and told, "Oh! Not so quickly. Come on it is not the end of life. Then again wasn't it you who ended everything?" teased Katherine.
Elena pulled her arm out of her sister's hold and was about to retort when Jeremy entered with Bonnie. Katherine changed her whole demeanor and smiled widely while greeting her little brother. Jeremy too came forward and engulfed her in a warm hug. "I really missed you, Kat. So happy to see you again" greeted Jeremy enthusiastically. "Oh, I can't believe how much my little Jer has grown up" said Katherine ruffling his hair.
Elena looked at them with a little bit of envy. Right from childhood, Katherine had always been closer to Jeremy and acted completely different with him. If one had to say the truth, the only one she loved in the Gilbert family was Jeremy. Miranda Gilbert entered the room and called out, "The food is ready, kids. Come on"
Everyone in the Gilbert family settled to have a sumptuous dinner. It had been years since the whole family was present for the Thanksgiving. Bonnie watched Jeremy sit down without even turning in her direction. She suddenly remembered the lunch with Kol where he pulled out the chair for her. She shook her head feeling guilty for comparing her boyfriend with Kol. She really needs to stop thinking about him.
The whole table was filled with awkward silence. Everyone munched on their food without even a little bit of glance to their family members. Grayson Gilbert decided to end the silence and asked Elena, "So is everything going on alright in your life, honey?" Elena gulped down her food and answered giving a fake smile, "Yeah! Everything is fine dad. Katherine just rolled her eyes on hearing it. "And Jeremy, don't you want to introduce your girlfriend to us?" teased Mr. Gilbert.
Jeremy grinned and said, "It is not like you guys are new to her. She had been Elena's best friend from school. I thought there was no need for introductions" "Still this is the first time she is attending a family dinner. Speaking of which, where is Stefan, Elena? He had never missed our thanksgiving dinners" enquired Mrs. Gilbert.
Elena looked a bit uneasy and was about to reply when Katherine said, "Oh they are on a break. Elena got tired of dating the same guy. Who knows, may be Stefan got tired of dating a whiny girl." "Shut up, Katherine" retorted Elena. "Wow, what a great comeback?" smirked Katherine, "Really Elena you were even lucky to have such a handsome, well settled guy and you went on to lose even him. Seriously, the only thing you had right in your life at this point of time was Stefan and you go on and spoil that too? I mean it is not like you have a job or anything" continued Katherine ruthlessly.
Elena was close to tears by the end of it and just got up and ran to her room. Bonnie followed her excusing herself. "I can't believe you just did that, Katherine. How could you be so insensitive? Don't you realize she is your sister?" reprimanded Mrs. Gilbert. "Yeah right, I am the insensitive one. Did you two realize that I just came back after a long time? But still you are only concerned about your precious Elena? Are you kidding me?" exclaimed Katherine.
"Katherine honey, you always look it with a wrong perspective. We love all our children equally. We never treat anyone partially" explained an exasperated Mrs. Gilbert. Katherine snorted humorlessly in response and said, "That is right. Did you even come and visit me when you came to know about my return? No, you are just interested in Elena's failed relationship than what happened to your daughter who left you five years ago."
"As usual, you have got it all wrong. We thought we could talk to in private and learn everything about you. It was Elena who suggested not rushing things" told Mr. Gilbert. "Of course, it was Elena who told you to ignore me. Seriously I am fed up of you two. I thought once I prove myself everything would be different. But I believe I was wrong" said Katherine.
"Maybe you were wrong the whole time. We don't focus on our children's achievements" told Mrs. Gilbert. "Yeah, you don't care who does better. All you care is only about Elena fucking Gilbert" yelled Katherine storming out of the room. Jeremy sighed heavily and followed her leaving behind the perplexed Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert.
?
Kol let out a frustrated sigh as his phone rang for the fifth time in fifteen minutes. He answered the call knowing full well it was his annoying brother pestering him to join the family dinner soon. Granted he had been forty five minutes late for it, but that didn't give Elijah any right to call him continuously and call him names. "I am almost there, Elijah. Can't you wait for a few minutes patiently?" asked irritated Kol. "Well that's what you told me the last ten times I called. I am not going to fall for it this time too. Just tell where you really are so we could start without you" said Elijah.
Kol stepped into the house and retorted in his phone, "It is not as if our whole family is present. It is just you and Rebekah, both of whom have nothing better to do. Will you treat Nik the same way? It is the innocent one who gets harassed the most" pouted Kol as he entered the dining hall staring straight at Klaus who was waiting impatiently drumming his fingers on the table. Kol looked sheepishly at Elijah who looked at him with amusement. Rebekah scowled and told, "Well I thought we will have one less annoying brother and hoped for a silent dinner". Kol grinned at her and said, "It seems you have no such luck, little sis." Rebekah just rolled her eyes while Kol smirked at her.
Elijah tried to take control of the situation and said, "It is charming to have the whole family here. To tell you the truth I didn't expect a few of you to come today" said Elijah glancing at Klaus. "Thanks for being present here" "Well not everyone came willingly. Some were threatened to make it" shrugged Klaus. "You too, brother? I also got death threats to come to this dinner" fake sympathized Kol. Rebekah narrowed her eyes at him. "What is your problem, Nik? How could anyone threaten you to come to a family dinner?" demanded Rebekah.
"Just realize how dysfunctional this family must be that everyone should be manipulated into coming" countered Klaus. "It is you who is ignoring us all for the past few weeks. What wrong did we do, Nik? Maybe loving you was the only mistake we did" said Rebekah with tears in her eyes. "I am done with those tricks, Bekah. I know you guys' true intentions. I know Elijah wanted the company and Mikael was glad to hand it over to him. Please don't make a fool of me with your tears" retorted Klaus. Rebekah furiously wiped her tears and said, "Don't you see all this is father's work? He wanted us to fight and he achieved it. You are making him win, Nik. Elijah is an innocent here"
"Yeah that is why he immediately accepted the CEO post without any second thoughts" retorted Klaus. Elijah who had been silent during the whole exchange lost his cool and said, "I am sick of having to explain the same thing again and again to you, Niklaus. What do you expect me to do? To resign from my post? Because I am not doing it. I need money for my law firm and so I am going to do it whether you like it or not." Klaus laughed a humorless laugh and said, "Why doesn't this surprise me at all? It is fine if you want the company. Lets see who is worth it" "Nik, I don't think it is father who is responsible for our fallout. It is you and your stupid ego" declared Rebekah.
"Thanks a lot for being such a supportive family and for such a lovely thanksgiving dinner. I think its time for me to leave. I hope not to run into any of you in the near future" said Klaus walking out through the doors. "How the hell did a family dinner escalate to such fallout that quickly?" wondered aloud Kol. "I just wanted our family to have one peaceful dinner. Was it too much to ask?" asked Elijah. "Maybe it is, for our family" answered Rebekah dejectedly.
Elijah's phone rang breaking the silence that had set in after Klaus' departure. His expression changed to joy on seeing the caller id and he excused himself to have a private conversation. Kol looked on amused and asked Rebekah, "Do you think it is his girlfriend?" Rebekah looked unsure and said, "Elijah with a girl? It is really hard to imagine" "Well, whatever. It just means I get to have more turkey" said Kol helping himself with more food. Rebekah looked at him curiously and asked him the question that had been in her mind for a long time, "Don't these quarrels affect you at all, Kol?"
Kol looked up from his plate and shrugged, "It used to. When I was a kid our parents' quarrels affected me the most. So I vowed myself to become detached from everything and take life as it comes. Life is smoother now. Maybe you should try these chicken pops. They are heavenly". Rebekah realized that Kol was just affected by all these as of others, but had really learnt to put a mask as if nothing affected him. If anything she felt even sadder for Kol. He was the one to spend more years with their parents and had always been a loner. She looked back at the day and feared that her family may never really be together in the future.
Katherine leaned against the railings in the balcony allowing the wind to mess her hair. Jeremy approached her silently from behind and touched her shoulder. Katherine smiled on seeing Jeremy and asked, "Do you remember the thanksgiving when we sneaked out to a bar? We almost got caught on returning". "Yeah, but do you remember it was Elena who saved us from getting caught? She lied for us and saved us from mom's wrath" reminded Jeremy. "That was because mom believed and still believe Elena could do no wrong" sulked Katherine. Jeremy sighed and realized it was no use trying to make her see sense. So he decided to change the topic and asked, "How was Europe? Did you have a great time?"
Katherine grinned before answering, "It was magical, especially London. The art, culture, food and everything was just splendid. You have to come with me one day". "Sure, why not? It is not as if I have a job here" joked Jeremy. Katherine shoved him and laughed along with him. Her phone beeped loudly indicating that she had got a message. "Who is it? Is it your boyfriend?" teased Jeremy. "Shut up, Jer" told Katherine checking the message. "Fine, take your own time. I will be waiting for you inside" said Jeremy leaving his sister with her phone. Katherine smiled on seeing the text and dialed a number. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the receiver to attend the call.
Damon answered the call by saying, "Hello! Happy Thanksgiving, smiley. Hope you didn't ruin anyone's day there?" Katherine frowned on hearing such a greeting and retorted, "What makes you think it will always be me who ruins the day?" "So the day is somehow ruined there too. Don't feel bad. It is not that great here too. If anything it may even be worse than yours" placated Damon. Katherine sighed and said, "Whatever. Are you free tomorrow?" Damon furrowed his brows in confusion and asked, "Why does it matter?" "Hmmm. Because I want to go out on a date with you" answered Katherine sarcastically. Damon smirked and said, "I won't hold my breath if I were you. There are some conditions if you want to go out with me"
"Yeah, right. I bet it is a miracle if any girl even agrees to date you" retorted Katherine. "I am hurt. Don't you think I am sexy?" drawled Damon. "Yeah yeah. See this is some serious stuff, Damon. You told you wanted an appointment with that Hollywood actress for an interview, didn't you? Well I have got you an appointment tomorrow. You better not mess it up" instructed Katherine. Damon was rendered speechless and stammered, "What? You got… but it is really very difficult to get to her" "Of course. But she is my client. So it is not much of a surprise" replied Katherine. "Oh! But then again why are you helping me?" asked Damon suspiciously. "Well maybe because I hate you" said Katherine. "I never thought hate could do this much. If I had known about this before I would have taunted you more. But seriously Katherine, thank you" told Damon sincerely. Katherine noted that it was the first time he actually used her name. "Show your gratefulness through your actions. Happy thanksgiving" said Katherine ending the conversation.
Damon entered the room in all smiles as Stefan and Caroline frowned on seeing him that happy. "What got you in such a good mood?" asked Stefan suspiciously. "Well, you mean apart from a burnt turkey and a spoiled thanksgiving dinner?" retorted Damon sarcastically. "Oh come on, Damon. It is not that bad. I mean see it is just a little burnt" tried Caroline unsuccessfully to make the horrid looking turkey look appetizing. "Seriously, Care. I strongly advice you not to trick us and make us eat it. It looks like a charcoal for heavens sake" pleaded Stefan. Caroline looked offended and said, "Well then you guys yourself should have made the dinner instead of blaming me". "You never should have chatted with that guy you are crushing on for hours leaving the turkey unattended when we both were not here, Barbie" pointed out Damon.
"For the last time I am not crushing on Matt" shouted Caroline. Both Stefan and Damon smirked at each other and said simultaneously, "If you say so". Damon sighed and said, "It is okay. Let us forget about blondie's incompetence to cook a turkey." Caroline glared at him while Damon continued clearing his throat, "Let us all have our dessert, shall we? I mean this day can't get any worse, could it?" Caroline looked guiltily at Stefan who raised his eyebrows as if asking 'Can it?' Caroline nodded and affirmed it. Damon who was watching this whole exchange couldn't take it anymore and exclaimed, "Whoa whoa. Stop right there. You are saying it can get worse than this?" Caroline shifted guiltily and admitted, "Sorry sorry. I am so sorry. I forgot to pick up the pie from the bakery". Damon looked outraged and shouted, "You have got to be kidding me."
?
Klaus laid back in his chair and realized how bad he had messed up the family dinner. Maybe he shouldn't have brought up about the company that night but he couldn't hold back when he was provoked by his sister . He still couldn't understand why he was in bad terms with Rebekah. He knew she had nothing to do with anything, but he was just afraid that she might be the next one to backstab him. It didn't help that she supported Elijah in that matter. He was supposed to be her favorite brother not Elijah.
He was brought out of his musings by a phone call. He groaned on seeing the caller id. It was Elijah. "What is it now, Elijah?" asked Klaus warily. "I have not called you as your brother. I would like to tell you as the CEO that you are asked to attend the International Automobile Conference in Japan" said Elijah. "What? It used to be attended by Mikael. Why should it be any different this year?" retorted Klaus. "Because I told you so. I have some work here in New York, so I can't attend" explained Elijah. "What work could you possibly have here?" asked Klaus suspiciously.
"That is none of your business. You are going to attend the Conference and also visit and see how our Asian market is doing?" instructed Elijah. Klaus hated being bossed around by anyone and grunted, "Fine, but why Asian countries?" "What, you thought of going to Rome and Paris? I would like to inform you that you are not on any romantic trips" said Elijah. Klaus sighed frustrated and explained "I know that perfectly well. But it is only that it had always been Mikael who took care of our Asian market." "Well, you have to take care of it from now on. It is that simple. Don't worry I will take care of the European market. Okay? You clear now? Have a nice trip" wished Elijah.
'Yeah, right. You enjoy here while I go and work for you out there' grumbled Klaus to himself. Maybe this was the relief he required from all this drama. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise. He should immediately inform Caroline to pack her bags and be ready. Wait, he can't. Wasn't he the one to stupidly yell at her for no reason? Wasn't he the one to misdirect his anger on her? How could he be so stupid? She was actually blending well with his work schedule and actually performing well. He had to lose his temper at such an inopportune time and drive her away. He can't get a new PA in such a short notice. He needs to make it up to her and have her on board to the trip. But he can't exactly go about apologizing to her. He was Niklaus Mikaelson for heaven's sake.
"This is absolutely ridiculous" muttered Damon looking around the table. There were cookies, candies and milk on the table all mocking at him. "What to do? This is all we have got in the house. We have to adjust with this" said Stefan. He got a message and Damon enquired about it. "Oh it is just Klaus. He is coming over as usual" shrugged Stefan. "Thank god. I hate that guy but I can't deny that he always brings the best champagne. And I desperately need one right now to feel old enough" said Damon.
"What do you mean Klaus is coming over?" panicked Caroline. "Well, he mostly visits us on thanksgiving after his family dinner" told Stefan. "Great. Just great! Anyway I had been meaning to ask this from yesterday. Aren't the Mikaelsons British? As far as I know they don't celebrate thanksgiving" asked Caroline curiously. "Well, Klaus' mother Esther is part American. So they have followed this tradition from childhood" explained Stefan.
"Oh my god. There are Oreos too. Are you kidding me? Is this an adult's thanksgiving or what?" demanded Damon. "Don't panic, Damon. It is just that Care and I thought it would be fun to replicate the thanksgiving we had while we were kids" said Stefan. Caroline smiled reminiscing about the good old days. "We were too little. My father had left us that year. You two were alone too. My mom had duty that day. Embarrassingly I was crying. It was you two who cheered me up and took me to your house. You lit the candles and served the cookies and Oreos with milk. I had such fun that day. Till now I consider that as my best thanksgiving memory."
Damon looked at the two of them and felt fiercely protective of them the same way he had felt all those years ago. He always wanted to make his little brother smile and he came to know how important this blonde girl was to Stefan that day. From that day he considered her too as a part of their family. "So you ready to dip your cookies in the milk?" asked Stefan. "Sure" replied Caroline. The three of them dipped them simultaneously and laughed at the silliness of the situation. "God, we were so stupid" said Caroline in between the laughs. "Well we were young" defended Stefan. "Doesn't make much difference brother. We are old and we are still stupid" told Damon.
Klaus reached the door and knocked on it still wondering what he was doing. He had to get Caroline back but he still had no idea how he was going to do it. Much to his relief Stefan opened the door and invited him in. "Happy thanksgiving, mate" wished Klaus handing over the champagne bottle. Stefan smiled while accepting it and asked him to have a seat. Klaus saw the other Salvatore on the other side of the room.
For some reason those two never got along well much to the displeasure of Stefan. Added to that now he had Klaus and Caroline spat. Why could two people he loved never get along? "Hello Mr. Mikaelson" greeted Damon. Klaus nodded back thus effectively ending the conversation. "So had an eventful family dinner, I suppose?" prompted Stefan. "What? How did you…? Of course Rebekah" concluded Klaus. "Sorry if I sound too intrusive, but I believe you have to give your family another chance" said Stefan.
"I understand, Stefan. But unfortunately my brother is not as innocent as I thought him to be. See, even now he had instructed me to go to some stupid conference in Tokyo" complained Klaus. "So you are not going to be in town for a few weeks, huh?" asked Stefan. "Yeah and I need my assistant for this trip" hinted Klaus hoping Stefan would help him out in the matter. "Aah, now I get it. Sorry will never get in the middle of a fight between my friends. But from what I heard from Care you have some serious work to do" informed Stefan. Klaus groaned and asked, "Fine, where is Caroline?" "She is in terrace. Best of luck" wished Stefan and left the place.
Caroline looked at the sky pretending to admire the stars. But the truth was that she was uncomfortable of the very idea of being in the same room as Klaus after their fight. She had never been a fan of him right from her first telephone conversation with him as a stranger, but she thought she had glimpsed a part of him which was much more than an ambitious and ruthless businessman during the party when he told that it was Tyler's loss that he didn't marry her. He had sympathized with her. Though she didn't want to work under him there was still a small part of her that thought maybe he still had a kind heart somewhere inside. But all that belief was lost once he accused her of theft and spying. How dare he? Thinking about that still makes her angry.
There was a distinct clearing of throat and Caroline turned around to see the very bane of her existence standing before her. "Happy thanksgiving Caroline" wished Klaus smiling with his annoying dimples as if nothing had happened. "What are you doing here? Want to accuse me and humiliate me more?" questioned Caroline with her head held high. Klaus couldn't help but admire her boldness and also her beauty enhanced by the moonlight. Somehow it all appeared surreal. "Well, about that I didn't intend to falsely accuse you or anything. It was just a bad timing as I had just discovered that the company secrets were bring revealed to our rivals. I was in a bad mood and hence lashed out" explained Klaus.
Caroline understood his situation and she actually came to know more on the spy suspicion from Stefan. But what she wanted right now was apology. "Are you trying to say something?" encouraged Caroline. "Well, I just wanted to say it a mistake on my part to yell at you unnecessarily. I hope you will be back to work" said Klaus. 'Still no apology' thought Caroline and hence prompted, "And?" Klaus struggled within himself and blurted "And I want to say that you have signed a contract for six months anyway and you have to be back to work tomorrow. We have an Asian trip too this week. So be ready for it." Caroline couldn't believe his nerve. Can't he just let go of his ego for once and say sorry? God he had to be the most infuriating person on earth.
Klaus turned to leave and descended the stairs. He berated himself silently on the first landing. 'God, why couldn't I just apologize? Here I have gone on to infuriate her even more' thought to himself. "I am sorry Caroline" whispered Klaus and left the place immediately. Caroline who had rushed right behind him to call him out and shout that she did not care about any stupid contract stood there silently after having heard his apology that she so badly wanted to hear and which Klaus did not intend for her to hear at all.
A/N: Hope you all liked this chapter. What I wanted to prove was that even though the Salvatores didn't have money or family as the Mikaelsons they had a better Thanksgiving than any other family. Hope you got the point. The next three chapters would be only about Klaroline. So please forgive for less klaroline action this chapter. Please review review review. It would mean the world to me.
So Klaroline in Asia. I have couple of countries in my mind but I would love to see your suggestions. Please drop it in your reviews. Also start guessing about the spy in the office. It must be FUN. And don't forget to tell me what you think of Datherine. Also tell Beremy or Kennet?
KRISTINE.W: hi! Yeah I saw the pilot of 'Originals' and actually liked Marcel and Camille. I just didn't like the baby storyline. Watch it online. I do so because here they haven't even started the 4th season. I guess one of Klaus' integral part is his voice and accent. I don't believe I would like dubbed version even if it is in my mother tongue. I actually reacted very badly when I heard Hayley was the mother. I would have no problems with Originals if they do away with baby storyline. Also I haven't watched the season finale :( Have you? Hope you liked this chapter. Don't forget to review.
Fallen Witch Angel:Thank you. I am happy that you like the fact that I include all characters :) I also look forward to see who Bonnie ends up with ;) btw Kol is my all time fav character.
Inga: thanks for reviewing! Don't worry the upcoming chapters will only be about klaroline.
Chetopat & Skyblue13: thanks for pointing out the mistake about the British and thanksgiving. Continue to do so. It will help me a lot. Glad to know that you loved Caroline's outburst.
Mystery Girl3 : thanks for your lovely review :) There is definitely a spy. Start guessing and keep reviewing :)
April420: Glad to hear last chapter made you laugh. Klaus definitely want Caroline back. And yes someone is seriously backstabbing Klaus.
Thanks to 1998baby, walkingthegardengnome, mysf, kacomu and MyloveforKlaroline for their fantastic reviews. You guys made my day :)
