25 Days of Klaroline+ NOLA

Set when Caroline arrives in NOLA looking for Klaus (the twins don't exist) and is told no one has seen him in years. Confused, she leaves the bar and is kidnapped by a coven of witches who think she knows more than she's letting on and decide to administer a truth serum with some very interesting results. (FYI - I don't watch either show so this doesn't reflect anything that's happened on them.)

This drabble is dedicated to the gorgeous and wonderful Miranda - livingdeadblondequeen. I am so lucky to have your friendship on here whether we talk writing or real life (give the gorgeous Rowena a big pat for me btw).

The Naked Truth

New Orleans

"I'm Caroline Forbes, he'll know me," she insisted.

"I don't care who you are, Klaus Mikaelson is gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

The bartender was unresponsive, busying herself with polishing glasses. Obviously that was the end of the conversation. Caroline couldn't help but think that New Orleans hospitality standards left a lot to be desired. She turned on her heel and stalked out of the bar, the sunlight hitting her as she stopped on the sidewalk to figure out her next move.

Where was Klaus? Caroline thought it was odd that the Original Hybrid had just decided to abandon his kingdom like that. She wondered if he was on one of his crazy, revenge vendettas. Or was he in danger and had sought refuge elsewhere? She shook her head thinking that was impossible, he loved to boast that he was the most powerful creature in the world, after all. She began to walk aimlessly through the streets trying to decide what to do now.

In true Salvatore fashion, Damon and Stefan had provoked an evil witch in Mystic Falls and she was out for revenge. That revenge, it turned out, was trying to kill Caroline. It really didn't seem fair that she'd become witch bait. She'd left town immediately, jumping in her car and never looking back. There was only one person who could save her, he'd done it numerous times before, and he was in New Orleans. Well, that's what she thought until she was told otherwise.

"You look like you could use some tea, dear," a friendly voice interrupted her thoughts. She was a little, old lady with grey hair and heavy set wrinkles across her face. She was standing outside one of the many small shops that lined the main street.

"I think I need a lot more than that," she muttered, thinking a vodka wouldn't go astray given her current predicament.

"Come with me and I'll read your leaves," she offered. She considered declining given her situation but if she was going to die maybe finding out how it was going to play out would help. Caroline always did like to be prepared after all. She could smell the spicy incense that was burning as soon as she entered. The shop was cluttered with just about anything and everything, including glass bottles of all shapes and sizes and jars filled with what looked like herbs but given this was New Orleans, Caroline was fairly certain it was something more potent than that.

"Nice place you've got here," Caroline said, trying to make some conversation but she didn't reply just gestured to the seat across the counter from her.

"I thought we were having tea."

"Between you and me, I think something a lot stronger than that is needed," she replied, sliding over a shot glass and filling it with whiskey. "I think this might be of more use to you right now." It wasn't vodka but Caroline figured it was the next best thing, downing it in one go. It could have been laced with anything but at this point Caroline would have preferred that kind of death than the impending one pursuing her from Mystic Falls.

"Do you mind telling me what is going on?"

"You're really asking me that?"

"Yes, I am," she replied, defensively. "You were the one who invited me inside for tea and has pried me with hard liquor instead."

"I hardly needed to pry you with anything," she drawled. "Look, the one thing you need to learn about New Orleans is that someone is always watching, Caroline. I needed to get you inside but I had to have a plausible reason."

"How do you know my name?"

"I know a lot more than your name, so how about we focus on the important things right now? It seems two very impulsive vampires angered a powerful witch and she's out for revenge. Revenge that includes seeing you dessicated."

"Do you think you could lay off using the d word?" She joked.

"You have a funny way of dealing with impending death."

"Humour is usually my go-to coping mechanism."

"Caroline, you need to leave the city right now, there is too much danger in New Orleans."

"But I came to find someone."

"Ah yes, the Original Hybrid," she murmured.

"Do you know where..."

"Don't say his name."

"Why not?"

"Uttering his name it will only attract the witches in New Orleans to you." Caroline was wondering whether she should admit that she'd already said his name twice already. Maybe that would explain the imminent threat of danger she felt.

"Where is he? Why hasn't anyone seen him for years?"

"Those are questions I cannot answer," she answered, mysteriously. "I suggest you leave as soon as you can and don't ever come back." Caroline figured her witchy instincts had been pretty accurate so far so she should probably heed the advice. She took another shot of whiskey for the road and for extra courage and was on her way, still wondering just who she was and why she was so interested in keeping her safe.

She left her shop and headed in the direction of her car, wondering where the hell she should go now. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice them appear from what seemed like nowhere.

"Remember us Caroline?"

Baton Rouge

"Elijah, we have a problem, it's the girl," the eldest Mikaelson shook his head in dismay wondering why this of all things had to happen given their present and precarious circumstances. Not only were they fugitives on the run from New Orleans, they were in real danger, something the Originals had never really faced before.

"What happened?" He asked, his voice low so as to conceal the conversation from Niklaus.

"She came here looking for your brother, for protection from a witch. I told her to leave immediately but..."

"They caught her," he finished. He sat down on the nearest chair, using his free hand to rub his left temple that had began to throb from the consequences of this situation.

Elijah prided himself on his ability to remain emotionless in the protection of his family but his brother was an entirely different case. Yes, he could be calculating and cruel but when it came to the beautiful blonde he was unreasonable. Elijah figured it was the protective wolf in him even though he himself had felt the same thing when it came to a feisty brunette that constantly plagued his thoughts.

"Thank you for letting me know." He disconnected the call without another word, he couldn't risk Niklaus finding out after all. It was also fairly evident that this wasn't a coincidence.

"What's going on?" Klaus demanded, throwing open the door and storming into the room and beginning to pace like a caged animal. Ever since they'd fled to Baton Rouge he'd made it a daily occurrence. Not only did he hate being kept in confined quarters he hated being powerless and his enormous ego wasn't coping with the situation unsurprisingly.

"Nothing."

"You are the worst liar, brother," he scoffed, not ceasing his pacing. "You think by not saying her name I don't know who you are talking about?"

"This isn't your concern," he growled. "It can't be Niklaus, not with everything that's going on."

"How is Caroline not my concern?" His dark blue eyes were wild with a mixture of anger and a hint of unexpected fear. "Those witches are going to do god knows what with her because they are after me."

"I find it interesting that the only time you seem to have a conscience about anything is when it involves Miss Forbes," Elijah commented, his tone not lost on his brother.

"I love my family," he replied, defensively. "But you are all immortal, unable to be killed and can look after yourselves."

"And Caroline can't."

"You've already come to the same conclusion Elijah. Some witch angered by the Salvatore's decides to make Caroline her revenge and she just happens to turn up in New Orleans looking for me. They knew she'd bring them to me."

"Seems very likely."

"Likely?" He seethed. "You know that's exactly what happened and now she's in danger because of me. There is no way I will let her get hurt for something I've done. I could never..."

"Forgive yourself? As much as I'm in awe of this selfless side of you it's futile."

"Nothing is futile," he shot back, barrelling from the room in true fashion.

"Your powers are weakened now, you can't compete against a full coven of witches," Elijah yelled out. "This is a suicide mission, little brother."

"Well, so be it," Elijah heard him respond.

It took all his willpower not to chase after his wayward brother but he knew when it came to Caroline Forbes there was nothing he could do. Klaus was too in love with the baby, blonde vampire to ever consider common sense. Elijah watched him leave from the window of their hideout, a hysterical Rebekah attempting to stop him but failing. He was apprehensive but there was another foreign feeling enveloping Elijah and that was regret. Regret that he never chased after his beloved Katerina like he should have.

New Orleans

"Where is Klaus Mikaelson?" It was about the hundredth time they'd asked her after plying Caroline with what she assumed was some sort of truth serum. She was tied up in the cemetery against someone's tombstone thinking just how cliched this whole situation was, in fact she was pretty certain she'd seen it in a horror movie more than once.

"How in the hell would I know? Maybe you need to do a lot less fruitless interrogating and look into your crystal ball or whatever it is you witches do with your spare time."

"Your humour is not appreciated, vampire," one of them shouted in response.

"I have no idea where he is, in fact I came to this place to find him without any luck, so I'm not sure what I can give you," she whined. "He always has been a love you and leave you type..."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, he showed up at my high school graduation in a dramatic fashion with no cash, no presents, just a promise to let my ex boyfriend free but that didn't end well. In hindsight I wished I'd just gotten that mini fridge, it probably would have been more useful."

"A mini fridge?" Caroline rolled her eyes thinking that witches had no idea about real world problems.

"Small refrigerated device, keeps things cool," she replied, knowingly. "Do you think you could loosen these vervain ropes they're beginning to cramp my style."

"The Original Hybrid, he loves you," Caroline baulked not quite expecting that comment but knowing it was very true, well it was a year ago.

"I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm argumentative and gives my opinion way too freely," she shared. "But you don't just kiss someone on the cheek like that and murmur such a comment when you just want to be friends."

"What did he say?"

"However long it takes," she whispered. The memories from that exact moment washing over her all at once. Bastard, why couldn't he just leave her alone and not haunt her memories mercilessly?

"Exactly why you're here, vampire," they laughed, sensing some sort of victory even though it was obvious the Original Hybrid hadn't bothered to show up, angering Caroline further. Yeah she'd played hard to get but come on.

"Well, if we're going to be here for a while the least you could do is get me a chair," she scowled.

"Do you love him?" The question came from left field but her answer didn't take long to come.

"Yes." Before Caroline could think about the consequences of her reply the street lights flickered, a hum of shock sounding out. She wasn't quite sure what was happening but her ropes were untied and she was being pushed towards the exit. It was only then that Caroline knew she was possibly free. She looked to her side, to the feeling of pressure on her left arm pulling her away but no one was there.

Caroline attempted to stop in the street, worried by what was happening.

"Keep moving," his gruff voice was very familiar.

"And what if I don't want to," she argued, unable to help herself. Caroline was never a fan of being manhandled even during times of crisis.

"Why do you insist on being so god damn stubborn, love?" She smiled despite what was going on, happy that at least he'd come to her rescue exactly how she'd hoped. She really shouldn't have been surprised given his unrelenting desire to save her.

"It's in my nature."

"You don't say," he joked. Caroline suddenly felt impatient, desperate to see his smug but gorgeous face.

"If I keep talking to you like this people are going to think I have an imaginary friend," she teased, making her way towards a quiet section of the French Quarter.

"Someone you love apparently," his mocking voice said, suddenly appearing in human form. Caroline had to regain her composure, forgetting just how gorgeous he was with those crimson lips and accentuated dimples. Damn him.

"I didn't..."

"Oh, yes you did," he argued.

"I was being held captive," she huffed, attempting to profess her innocence.

"And I'm sorry about that but it was a truth serum," he conceded, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair from her face, his blue eyes gazing into hers deeply. "Luckily my sister had an invisibility spell up her sleeve to save you."

"So, what exactly are we going to do now?"

"Run far away and get the hell out of here so you can tell me all about your feelings for me, love," he said somewhat excitedly, his enthusiastic tone not lost on her. Between the comfort and safety she felt to be in his arms, Caroline knew she could get used to this.