I'm not too pleased with this chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway. :)
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME! :)
Please remember to review at the end! :)
Caroline bent over the sink in the courthouse bathroom, and splashed some water on her face, trying to get rid of the nauseous feeling trying to overtake her. She lifted her head, and glared at her reflection in the mirror, and groaned silently.
She couldn't be sick. She couldn't be, there was too much at stake now for her to be stricken down by the stomach bug or something. It had to be nerves. Yes, that was it. Nerves. Right?
She shook her head, and straightened her body, and grabbed a few paper towels from the dispenser, and patted her face gently, careful not to smudge her eye makeup. She sighed, and shook her head as she tossed the napkins in the bin, and gave one last glance in the mirror before moving out of the bathroom.
"Be strong, Caroline. This will work." She whispered, as she lifted her head higher, and swallowed down the bile threatening to come out.
She walked towards the courtroom, and smiled faintly as she found Bonnie waiting on her outside the doors.
"Are you okay?" Bonnie asked, her eyes moving over Caroline's face worriedly.
Caroline nodded slowly. "My nerves are getting the better of me, I think." She replied, trying to smile.
Bonnie nodded, slowly, and opened the doors. "We better get a seat before it starts." She replied, following Caroline inside the courtroom.
As they sat down, the doors in the far left corner opened, and Matt entered, leading a shackled Klaus behind him.
Caroline felt her heart pound in her chest as her eyes caught his before he made it to the table where Finn was waiting. She smiled faintly at him, and watched as he returned the smile before sitting down.
She lowered her head, and smiled as Bonnie's left hand moved over Caroline's resting in her lap.
They stood as the Bailiff called out, and Damon entered the courtroom, and approached his bench. He sighed as he lifted the gavel, and motioned for them to sit down.
As the prosecutor began her opening speech to the jury and the court, Caroline's eyes moved around the room. Her blue eyes froze as she caught sight of a man she wished to never see again.
"Bonnie…" She whispered, her eyes never leaving the man.
Bonnie turned her gaze to where Caroline was looking, and her body stiffened. "Do you need to leave?" She asked, glancing back at Caroline.
Caroline shook her head. "I'll be fine." She replied, knowing she couldn't leave, not yet.
As the prosecutor sat down, with a pleased look on her face, after informing the court that Klaus should be found guilty, and sentenced to life in prison for first and second degree murder, since she was dismissing the moving of guns, even though Klaus had claimed guilty on that charge.
Caroline jerked her head to the front, and furrowed her brown. "What just happened?" She asked, in a low tone.
Bonnie leaned over, and whispered. "The prosecutor asked to dismiss the charges for illegal smuggling, but keep the murder charge." She answered in disbelief.
Caroline shook her head, and lowered her eyes. "Something's not right." She replied, lifting her gaze, and caught Damon's eyes at the bench, and read his confirmation and disbelief. "They must have something on Klaus." She whispered, shaking her head. "Wait a minute; I thought the prosecutor was a man." She whispered, taking in the dark haired woman taking a seat.
Bonnie narrowed her eyes, and slowly shook her head. "What's going on?" She asked, becoming confused.
Finn stood up, and began his opening speech, and claimed in a distinct voice that the prosecutor had no case, since his witnesses were not admissible in this court, therefore all the charges should be dropped.
"Objection!"
Damon moved his eyes to the prosecutor, and quirked a brow. "On what grounds, Counselor?" He asked, firmly.
The prosecutor shook her head, and motioned to her folders. "All of my witnesses, including the arresting officer, will be able to testify." She stated, glaring at Finn, who smirked.
"I'm afraid; your arresting officer won't be able to do such a thing, Counselor Gilbert." He remarked, lifting a document in the air.
Caroline swallowed hard, and felt the room begin to spin. She shook her head, and bowed it as she lifted her left hand to her forehead.
"Why won't the officer be willing to, Counselor?" Damon asked, placing his arms on the podium, and narrowed his eyes.
Finn lifted the paper higher, and motioned to the bench, ignoring Klaus' look of curiosity. Damon nodded, and lifted his hand, as the Prosecuting attorney approached as well, but before Finn could hand out the paper.
Caroline collapsed.
~X~
They quickly led Klaus back to the cell, though he had wanted to stay with Caroline, who was being examined by the paramedics when they took him away.
He had witnessed Bonnie bending over Caroline, and wanted so much to rush to her side.
The door opened, and Finn stepped through with a semi-pleased look on his face. "The trial's been postponed, since the other witnesses were not here to testify." He stated, approaching the bars.
Klaus nodded, but he didn't really care for that. "Caroline?" He asked, with emotion.
Finn sighed. "They're taking her to the hospital." He lifted his hand to stop Klaus from interrupting. "She's fine, Niklaus. When she collapsed, she hit her head on the bench, and they want to make sure that she doesn't have a concussion." He explained, calmly.
Klaus nodded, slowly, and turned his head. "Why did she collapse anyway?" He asked with worry.
Finn shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. In any case, the prosecutor doesn't know about the reason she can't testify, yet." He replied, watching Klaus smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes. "She'll be fine, Niklaus." He added, calmly.
Klaus nodded. "Let me know when you hear anything." He stated, though Finn knew he was asking.
Finn nodded, and stepped away. "I will. I'm heading her way now." He replied, moving towards the door. "She'll be fine, Niklaus." He repeated, watching Klaus slowly nod.
As the door closed behind Finn, Klaus closed his eyes. "Please let her be fine." He prayed, silently. "Let her be fine."
~X~
Caroline slipped on her jacket, as the door opened behind her. "I'm fine, Bonnie." She replied, but a throat cleared, and she stilled her movements, and looked behind her. "Dr. Meredith."
Dr. Meredith, a tall dark haired woman, smiled, and nodded to Caroline. "You're very lucky, Ms. Forbes. That blow to your head could have been serious." She stated, walking towards her.
Caroline nodded, and lifted her bag. "So does that mean, I can go?" She replied, motioning to the door.
Dr. Meredith shook her head. "I'm afraid not yet. There is something we need to discuss, and it has to do with you passing out." She began in a calm professional tone.
Caroline sighed, and nodded when Dr. Meredith motioned to the chair, and sat down. "What is it?" She asked, watching the doctor sit down across from her.
"Well, Ms. Forbes," Dr. Meredith began, lifting the charts in front of her. "There are a few tests we need to run, before you leave, and if I'm right, you'll need to come back for further examination." She replied, dropping the charts.
Caroline shrugged. "What kind of tests?" She asked, watching the Doctor smile, slightly.
"Just some routine tests, blood work, and so forth, they shouldn't take too long."
Caroline closed her eyes, and bowed her head. "What do you think is the matter with me?" She asked, slowly.
Doctor smiled, and leaned forward. "I'd rather not make any judgments until the results come in." She answered, calmly.
Caroline slowly nodded. This was not how she had pictured the day to happen. Now, what was she going to do?
I hope you all enjoyed it!
Next chapter will be up soon! More surprises to come!
Until Next Time...