Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or its characters. If I did, The Originals would never have happened, Kol would be alive and happily causing mayhem somewhere, and Klaus and Caroline would be travelling the world and sexing it up.
Klaus doesn't even seem bothered by the vase in her hand, instead holding out his hand to her in a placating gesture. It's probably meant to be calming, but it just makes her all the more furious at being forced into this situation.
"Put down the vase Caroline, let's be reasonable." Klaus' voice is quiet, but it still commands her attention. He's always had that ability, the perks of being over 1000 years old she supposes.
Caroline takes a deep breath, her grip tightening around the priceless antique if anything, her back still pressed to the wall. She feels cornered, his chair on the opposite side of the bed blocking her way to the door.
Her tongue darts out to wet her lips, and she silently laments at how cracked they are, how hungry she is for something more than human food. She pushes down the bloodlust, pushes down her anger as best she can.
"Be reasonable?" She finally replies incredulously. "Your psychotic brother snapped my neck and threw me in the trunk of his car!" Her voice increases in volume despite her best efforts, the vase cracking under her hand.
Klaus winces at the grating sound.
"An unfortunate occurrence and one I plan on addressing with Kol shortly. It would have been much better for you if you'd come willingly."
She finally places the vase back on the wooden tabletop, turning away from him for a moment, even if it was just to gather her thoughts. Being in the same room as him was distracting. Their time together in the forest, however fleeting their encounter had been, was still a memorable one for her. And she hated the way that her body betrayed her whenever he was around.
"You realise that there are so many things wrong with that statement? You could have just I don't know, picked up the phone and called me like a normal person." She crosses her arms over her chest, a defensive move left over from her days of being human.
"And I'm sure you would have picked up the phone right away after realising that I was calling you sweetheart." Klaus replies, tone dripping with sarcasm. It's enough to make her roll her eyes and stamp her foot on the floor but she refrains. She needs to be on an even footing with him here.
Klaus remains seated, doesn't need to use his body or his stature to dominate the conversation, or the room. She's not sure if she's thrilled or terrified to be in his presence, and she hates feeling such confusion.
For all of his airs and his centuries of experience, Klaus remains infuriatingly the same, despite all of the years that have separated them.
"Maybe I would have." She replies softly as Klaus' fingers twitch where they're resting on the arm of the chair, the only sign that he's surprised by her answer.
"You could have come to New Orleans. There was always a place for you." Klaus' voice is low, and she can detect an undercurrent of hurt in his tone that has her blinking at him in surprise.
She had not expected their conversation to take this turn. Seeing him this vulnerable, this broken down reminds her that this is something that he only ever does with her. The smug, cool, distant façade is reserved for everyone else; her friends, his family, his subjects.
It should scare her, that he shows a completely different side to him when he's with her. But it doesn't. It used to, when he was showering her with dresses and bracelets and drawings. When she was afraid of the judgement of her friends, what they'd think. Now though…
Now it makes her feel powerful, and isn't that just something?
But you see, the thing that she will never tell him is this.
She went to New Orleans. It was about a month after her mother had died, when she'd flipped the switch and just gone crazy for awhile. When she'd turned it back on and hated herself and what she'd become, the only person she could think of was him.
His offer. To show her the world, to give her the world. Because no one had ever put her first like that, and she doesn't think that anyone ever will again.
She didn't say goodbye to her friends. She'd packed a bag one night and had driven off into the darkness, Mystic Falls disappearing in her rear view mirror as she pressed down on the accelerator.
It had taken three days for Elena to realise that she was missing, three days for her friend to leave her a message asking where the hell she'd gone. Caroline had switched off her phone and left it at the bottom of her bag, not willing to deal with Elena and her Salvatore drama right now.
She hadn't needed to ask about Klaus or his family once she got into the city centre, they were the hot topic in pretty much every bar that she visited along Bourbon Street. She would sip slowly at her drink, overnight bag beside her as she overheard snatches of conversation about Klaus and his siblings.
It was strange to hear of the Original family being respected rather than feared. Klaus had cast such a pall over Mystic Falls in the short time that he'd lived there. Hearing of this other side of him was strange.
A visit from Klaus or one of his siblings was a good revenue booster for the nightspot, even if it was Kol wreaking havoc and starting bar fights and just generally being a sanctimonious asshole.
Asking after Klaus hadn't been a big deal. Apparently plenty of people did it, even if it was just to ask a favour of him. Regardless, it was easy enough to find out where he was living, and easier still to get a set of detailed directions from one of the many bartenders who didn't think to ask twice for her name.
The house that she was directed to was gorgeous, multiple levels with a wrap around balcony on each floor. There'd been some sort of street party happening outside, and it was very easy to blend in with the dancing crowd of humans and vampires, finding a strategic spot to stake out the house while she plucked up the courage to knock on the front door.
Because really, there was no turning back after she made that decision. Klaus would want all or nothing, no in between. By knocking on that door, she's committing to something she's not sure that she's ready for. Eternity is a long time after all.
Even now she can still remember what he was wearing when she finally saw him appear on the second floor balcony. Worn in boots, faded jeans, the usual Henley and those damn necklaces that he wore everywhere. Nothing extraordinary, but he still seemed to radiate power.
She had taken a single step forward. The crowd had shifted, she'd taken a breath, and then everything had changed.
Because the next time she'd glanced upwards, eyes seeking him out, he hadn't been alone. At first glance she might have mistaken the blonde women for Rebekah Mikaelson. But the laugh lines, the awkward way she held herself betrayed her humanity.
She could only watch on as the blonde ran a gentle hand up Klaus' arm, Klaus leaning closer to listen to her, chuckling at whatever it was she'd said. He looked relaxed and comfortable in her presence, like the blonde was familiar. A part of his life.
It had been enough to send her running. She hadn't looked back since, closed off that part of her that had dared to hope for something more. She had hardened herself against the world, and she had hated herself for it.
"Caroline?"
His voice is gentle, pulling her back into the present. The look on his face is one of concern, and it's enough to have her crossing the room, heading towards the door so she can at least figure out a way out of here. Anything to get away from him.
He chooses that moment to stand, a fluid movement that blocks her path. Caroline narrows her eyes at his chest, not wanting to look into his eyes. He tilts his head towards her, breath fanning against her cheek.
"What are you so afraid of?" He asks quietly, a loaded question if ever she's heard one.
She squeezes her eyes shut, hands clenched into fists at her side.
"Let me go Klaus."
"Caroline?" There's a warning in his tone somewhere, but she doesn't want to listen. She's done listening.
"Let me go." She repeats, finally looking him in the eyes, chin jutting out defiantly. His eyes are blazing with something, jaw clenched tight in anger or frustration. She can't tell and it should scare her, but it doesn't. Not anymore.
"I can't do that." He finally says with a sigh, running his hand through his hair.
"I will not be held here against my will." She hisses through her teeth at him, noting the surprised look that dances across his features momentarily.
Klaus sighs, his entire body slumping in defeat.
"Will you at least hear Elijah out before you make your decision?"
She very much gets the sense that she's walking into the lion's den; figuratively speaking as Klaus shadows her footsteps down the stairs.
She knows very little about Klaus' older brother, Elijah Mikaelson. Elena swears that he's a decent person all things considered, but there's something about Elijah that's always set her on edge.
Klaus was obvious with his emotions. He didn't really wear his heart on his sleeve, but when he was angry, people knew about it. He and Kol were similar like that; they could flip their emotions on and off like they would their humanity switch.
Elijah was different. He was quiet, and reserved, and aloof. Beneath the polished veneer of dress shoes and suits was someone dangerous. He had to be, he wouldn't have survived for 1000 years otherwise. Elijah was more subtle in his anger, and that was what made him all the more terrifying.
Caroline can feel Elijah's eyes on her as soon as she steps into the lounge room. Her eyes land on Kol Mikaelson, who gives her a two fingered salute and a smirk, head cocked to the side as he gives her a languid onceover. He's sprawled out across one of the sumptuous couches, drink in hand and a cigar between his lips.
Even in this seemingly relaxed state of his, she's perceptive enough to tell that Kol is still on edge, ready to react to anything that goes wrong. She takes note of this as she perches as far away from Kol as she could possibly get, on one of the other lounges.
"Ms Forbes." Elijah greets her with a cordial nod, smile not quite reaching his eyes as he holds his own glass. "Can I offer you a drink?"
Caroline waves him away with a tight smile, shifting slightly when Klaus sits down next to her on the lounge, shoulder knocking against hers.
"Am I to understand that you have… reservations about remaining with us?" Elijah voices, tone neutral as he stares her down.
"I have reservations about my neck being snapped and being thrown into the trunk of a car." She snaps in reply, levelling a glare at Kol.
Elijah sighs, directing that calm gaze towards his younger brother, who's still puffing away at his cigar like he doesn't have a care in the world.
"Kol, apologise please."
Kol lets out a long suffering sigh of his own, turning that dark gaze on her, a playful smile curling at his lips.
"Sorry for snapping your neck and throwing you in the trunk of the car." He repeats in a monotone voice, which pretty much tells her that he didn't really give a shit and that he'd do it again in a heartbeat if needed.
Elijah casts his gaze heavenwards but refrains from saying anything more to his brother. It would have to do for now.
"How did this happen? How did humans become aware of vampires?" She voices her question out loud, drawing the attention of all three of the Original brothers.
Surprisingly enough, it's Kol that answers for the rest of the room, finally taking an interest in the proceedings unfolding right in front of his very eyes.
"When you've lived as long as we have darling, you'll find that history has a way of being cyclical. Vampires have always lived on the fringes of humanity, it's the only way that we can gain sustenance and continue living. In a manner of speaking." Kol smiles toothily at her, the slightest hint of fang showing through at his private joke.
"Eventually once every couple of hundred years, a human more intelligent than the rest of them figures out that there's something not quite right with us. Very rarely does it have far reaching consequences. The world was a bigger place back then."
"By the time the news would have spread from one spot to the next, it would change beyond recognition and seem so outlandish that very few people would be hard pressed to believe in vampires." Klaus picks up from where Kol abruptly left off; speaking for the first time since he'd seated himself beside her.
"But now the world is smaller. More connected." She pieces the puzzle together in her mind, looking towards Elijah for confirmation.
He gives her a curt nod.
"Indeed. And now they've gathered enough momentum to pose a problem to us. They call themselves the SRA, or the Supernatural Resistance Agency. They're backed by the US government, and to the best of my knowledge they are aware of the existence of vampires, hybrids, and werewolves. They are also aware of our identities and the role we played in the creation of the vampiric race. I'm hoping they are not aware of the different vampire bloodlines."
"But why that restaurant? Why did they happen to be in the same place as Kol and I just as the news was breaking?"
Klaus shifts next to her, his body tense as he glances briefly at her.
"They weren't there for Kol. We think that they were after you sweetheart. Because of your association with my family."
"But how did you know that I was there? That I was even going to be there at that particular time?"
"I've been tailing you for awhile now darling." Kol cuts in, giving her a quick wink. "I was waiting for the right moment to pull you aside and explain things to you properly. Unfortunately I was forced to improvise. Hence the throwing of the dinner knives."
Kol flicks his wrist in a pantomime of his earlier action, and she watches as the last silver knife turns end over end and lodges itself in the wooden panelling. She hears Klaus sigh in exasperation from where he's sitting next to her.
Elijah interrupts Klaus before he can continue.
"What I believe Niklaus was trying to say, is that the SRA were there to bring you in. Possibly it may have been because you might have had information on us. Had Kol not been there, you may very well not be alive right now. Likely they would have disposed of you once your usefulness ran out." Elijah pronounces delicately as she shivers at the thought of more torture.
She can't help but glance over at Kol, who just lifts his shoulder in a shrug and takes another puff on his cigar like it isn't a big deal what was happening.
"I believe thanks are in order then." She directs towards Kol, who just nods once at her before turning his back on the rest of them.
"We of course, understand that you may wish to remain independent from us and continue your existence as you were. Should you wish to leave, we will not hold you here against your will. But if you do leave, you will have no further contact from any of us, at least until this entire situation blows over, if it does." Elijah voices without hesitation.
She mulls over Elijah's words in her head. If she decides to up and leave, she could possibly be hunted by this shady SRA. If she's captured, it's likely she'll be tortured and killed, if what Kol and Elijah are insinuating turns out to be true. She will be completely and utterly alone, with no back up and no guarantee of survival.
"If you choose to remain in our company, we will take you with us wherever we may go, and offer you our protection to the best of our abilities. But if you choose to stay, we will not allow you to leave unless we deem it absolutely necessary. If you choose us, you choose us for the long haul." Elijah continues, watching her carefully as she taps her fingers against her knees in a nervous gesture.
"Basically the choice here is die, or increase your chances of survival slightly until we can figure out the best way to take the bastards down." Kol doesn't bother to mince his words, delivering it in that blunt way of his.
"Will you stay here then? Until things blow over?" She glances between Klaus and Elijah, both of whom exchange a look before falling silent.
It's Elijah that clears his throat, drawing her attention back to him.
"No we will not. In fact we're leaving at first light tomorrow."
"Where are you going?" She asks, not sure if she even wants to hear the answer.
Elijah tugs at the cuffs of his jacket, smiling faintly at her.
"New Orleans of course."
AN: Aaaand Chapter 2 is done and dusted. We will find out in coming chapters just how much of a threat the SRA poses to our heroes.
Next chapter The Originals head to New Orleans, you'll have to wait and see if Caroline chooses to join them!
Caroline will also find out something surprising about herself and her vampiric nature that will pull her further into the brewing war between the SRA and the supernatural.
This was a bit of a filler, but we'll get some plot and world building next chapter.
Until next time!