Chapter 10
Music could be heard blasting from the small town's high school gym. Stefan and Damon Salvatore stood before Mystic Falls High when Bonnie and Elena caught up to them. The brother's eyes lit up when they spotted Elena. The brunette offered them both a small smile, Bonnie rolling her eyes secretly thinking that Elena really needed to make up her bloody mind already.
The tension between the brother's truly was growing ridiculous. Damon's eyes rose a smidge when he finally noticed someone missing from their little party, "Where's Blondie? Weren't you girls going to get ready together?"
Bonnie shared a look with Elena after a moment the brunette shook her head. Bonnie smiled at the Salvatore's a tight one but a smile, "Don't worry about it. Are we going in or what?"
Two very dumbfounded vampires followed the female duo. The older one shrugged it off assuming it was some teenage drama. The school gym covered in dangling silver stars, lunch tables covered in cloth filled to the brim with all assortments of junk food and punch. The students were all coupled up, dancing to the upbeat songs of the decade. Damon was in hell as giggling teens pressed passed him towards the dance floor. Stefan gave one glance to his brother and chuckled, "What did you expect?"
Damon grimaced, "Exactly what I got. Bad food, horny teenagers and tacky decorations."
A dark chuckle from their right caught their attention. Where Klaus stood in a white tuxedo arm wrapped around a not so amused Caroline. The girl in question did not seem bothered by the placement of the hybrids arm, Stefan had to stop himself from gapping as the pair seemed to lean into each other. The blonde glared at Damon with a fierceness that amused most who knew her. Stefan raised an eyebrow at the blonde slowly backing away as if to let the girl attack his elder brother, while Damon looked positively delighted at the turn of events. "I would not let my sister hear you say that, she was in charge of this dance."
Caroline snorted, "I'm surprised that she kept to the school's budget. Nik, she didn't ask you for money?"
Klaus smiled down at the blonde, much to the shock of the Salvatore's. "You didn't have to hand over the reins love, I'm sure the two of you could have duked it out."
Caroline shook her head, wrapping an arm around Klaus's waist leaning into his chest turned to stare to the two brothers. Klaus noticing her actions chuckled again, "I was so happy for the invitation, it allowed me to take this one on a date."
Damon gave a wink towards the blonde as his typical smirk grew, "Blondie traded one bad boy hybrid for another? Why am I not surprised?"
Klaus's eyes narrowed taking one step forward, causing the brothers to tense up as the hybrid hissed, "You don't talk to her. Ever again do you hear me? The only reason your heart is not torn out of its chest is because she once again chose to be the better person."
What he did not say was that Rebekah, Kol and Sage came to him after his night with Caroline. Asking for confirmation of their suspicions. The original, not truly shocked at the lack of privacy given to Caroline, who had been fighting his basic urges since viewing her memories barely contained his rage. His reaction only confirming what they knew had left them in a dilemma. They owed Caroline a debt, one that has not yet been redeemed solely for undaggering them. Then proceeding to continue to help them as they dealt with Esther. Rebekah and Sage were seething at the mouth, while Kol shrugged and said even he was raised better than that. It was decided that this was Caroline's call. Niklaus only suggesting to take the blondes lead for the time being to avoid angering his bedmate. The answering smirks proving that they all saw through his feminist argument. Without having been into her mind they couldn't see what Klaus saw, a girl on the verge. He would just have to wait until Damon attacked the Original family directly.
Or Caroline tired of defending the undefendable piece of shit.
Niklaus could wait he was a patient man after all. One of these days Damon would go once again a step too far, then Niklaus would have all the freedom to do as he liked with the vampire. Without earning the ire of the pretty blonde at his side.
"Now my brother Elijah is just over there" Niklaus points to a corner where the chaperones usually stayed. "Why don't you go get reacquainted with my brother. I believe I owe Caroline a dance."
Klaus gracefully pulled Caroline away onto the dance floor as a slow song began to play. He grinned down at her as she gave him one of her looks. "What have I done this time love?"
Caroline shook her head, "You are just do determined to kill him, aren't you?" Klaus's gaze turned from warm to intense as he pulled in close whispering in her ear. "After what I saw love, I assure you no one is going to get away with hurting you."
Klaus shook his head after seeing the blonde frown, "No Sweetheart, you cannot ask that of me." Caroline sighed as he twirled her around the dance floor. If Niklaus Mikaelson could be described as anything it would be protective, possessive and vengeful. Traits so amplified Caroline shuddered to think about what he went through as a human to cause such an amplification as a vampire. Instead of saying anything Caroline just leaned against him, following along to the melody.
XXX
Elijah watched from his corner as his brother Niklaus danced with the blonde vampire. A small smile graced his lips as his eyes slid from the couple to his sister Rebekah pulling the human boy, Matt he believed it was, along to the dance floor. Even his youngest Kol was flirting a group of human girls.
"Does he do that often?"
The most noble of the Mikaelson's raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at the youngest Salvatore who couldn't stop starring at his brother and Caroline. Elijah kept his face neutral, as the two looked onto the dancing couple.
"You'll have to be more specific Stefan," Elijah murmured allowing some steal to enter his voice. The vampire contemplated how much killing the younger vampire would cost his brother. Niklaus would be cross for a time, the unknown would be how Caroline would react.
The short time he had known the girl had proven herself on his family's side. The sole exception being that she fought for her friends, even when admitting how poorly she was treated. It was for the blonde's sake alone, that the family would do their best to come to a truce. Niklaus already voicing that if it went south, they would do what they had to. They had higher priorities such as finding their wandering murderous mother.
"You'll find that my brother does not do things lightly. He's had multiple lovers over the years" Elijah nonchantely informed.
"Does he care for Caroline?" Stefan asked as Damon scoffed muttering how Klaus does not have a heart.
"I believe in his own way, Niklaus does. But you should not worry Stefan, you're here to discuss a deal with my family are you not?"
Damon clapped his hands, "Yes let's get to business!" just as Rebekah and Kol had walked toward their little group.
"Well then you won't mind if we leave the horny teenager's and go somewhere quieter?" Kol grinned, upon seeing the two Salvatore's uneasiness he assured, "Niklaus will be along shortly. Finn and Sage will monitor the dance from a safe distance."
When the two vampires looked at him disbelieving the youngest Mikaelson shrugged, "It was dear Caroline's idea. She knew you wouldn't want to leave poor Elena undefended, and we may need her witch friend to ensure the peace no?"
"Kol" Caroline called his name, arms crossed as she walked over with Niklaus. The hybrid had a large grin on his face, paired with Caroline's frown they obviously heard.
"Hello Caroline, spying, are we?" Kol retorted.
Caroline laughed, much to Stefan's shock and Damon's disgust. Damon snarled, "You are betraying your friends for some action? Really wish I could say I was shocked Blondie."
Rebekah's hand was around his throat pushed into the wall, hissing at him before anyone could blink. Elijah was calmly encouraging the chaperones around them that there was nothing to see, while Kol strutted up to the pinned Damon.
"That was not a wise move, Damon. You see Caroline here unlike you has earned our respect. In fact, we've heard some interesting stories about you compelling little girls to sleep with you after you've snacked on them," Kol taunted.
Rebekah's hand squeezed so tight that the vampire stopped being able to breath properly. Elena and Bonnie finally seemed to notice something was going on, when Elena's dates did not return and joined the fray.
"Damon!" Elena cried trying to walk up to him, only to be held back by Finn.
"Apologies Miss. Gilbert. But this is family business" Finn said regretfully well almost, as Sage appeared on Bonnie's other side.
"Hear that Damon? Your little girlfriend's here to save the day. I wonder what would happen if let's say Nik did to Elena what happened to Caroline?' The blonde laughed as the vampire began to struggle against her.
Kol chuckled, "Look sister, I think we've upset him."
"Now siblings, I think it's best if we take this somewhere else," Klaus's voice left no room for argument. The female Mikaelson sighed, pulling her hand away from the younger vampire's throat, tossing a "you are no fun. Nik" to her brother who chuckled watching as his sister took Caroline by the hand and dragged her out of the gym.
Finn, Elijah and Niklaus took up the rear while Sage and Kol rounded up the witch, doppelganger and Salvatore's towards the door. Finn shook his head muttering to his brothers; how unruly their sister could be.
Elijah laughed softly, "Be thankful we talked her out of bringing her sword collection."
Finn's eyes widened at that knowledge while Niklaus shrugged only saying that he could hardly deny her every whim. The swords seemed to be a good comprise at the time. Elijah hid a chortle behind his hand, as Finn's face paled considerably.
"Don't be so worried, brother" Niklaus barked out a laugh, causing Caroline to look back at them only for Rebekah to tuts and force her attention back on the original sister.
"Our sister has a sword collection Niklaus. A sword collection I imagine she has used on her brothers on occasion" Finn murmured watching as Kol flinch slightly glaring back at them.
Sage cackled, "Rebekah now you will have to share that story," earning a coy smile from the original sister as Kol argues loudly in favor of not rehashing that particular story.
It was only when Rebekah and Caroline stopped at a classroom far away enough from the rest of the students did the girls unlock the classroom. Niklaus flopped down immediately on the teacher's chair pulling up his legs to rest on top of the desk. Caroline walked past him only to be grabbed and placed on his lap. Her glare was only returned with a dimpled grin and a tightening grip around her waist.
"Bloody hell Caroline, just humor my brother" Rebekah complained, rolling her eyes at the man's antics. Non-Mikaelson's noticed a distinct lack of bite in the originals tone. Usually the two blondes could not converse without massive amounts of bloodshed and theatrics. Caroline shook her head leaning into the hybrid, with ease only one who shared intimacy could achieve.
Elena kept looking between Damon and Caroline, clearly still uneasy with their earlier conversation. Bonnie looked between Niklaus and Caroline her eyes deflating slightly coming to a conclusion she clearly was not okay with. Damon opened his mouth, but his eyes met with the number of ancient vampires that all aligned the side of the room Klaus and Caroline were at, thought better of it and changed his mind.
"Shall we begin" Klaus clapped his hands from where they lay across Caroline's waist.
"Yes, let's" Elijah seconded.
"How about this you agree to stop using Elena for your hybrids and maybe we won't kill you," Damon snarked, only to be glared at by everyone else in the room.
"I'm rather partial to the idea of killing you myself," Klaus threatened, allowing his eyes to glow a threatening yellow.
"Nik," Caroline warned turning so she could look him in the eye.
"Love," He replied raising an elegant eyebrow at her. The blonde sighed, "At least pretend like you're going to take this seriously."
"But I am love!"
XXX
They spent the entire dance arguing back and forth. Conditions ranged from being free to kill Damon with no repercussions and Elena agreeing to give Klaus blood, enough a few times a month under Dr. Fells supervision. The only thing they agreed upon was that Elena would not be killed, however everything else was still being argued about.
Caroline finally had enough when the door busted open for them to see Alaric Saltzman looking over at them worse for wear.
"Ric?' Damon questioned, "Are you actually you or the dark evil murderer version of you?"
Alaric coughed, "It's me. I don't know for how long though. It's Esther, she and the other me are planning something."
The original family turned to Caroline who paled, "Shit."
Niklaus rubbed her arms, "Love, what do you know?"
Elena looked up, "You know something about this Care?"
Caroline shook her head, "So much has happened, I completely forgot that Alaric used the Gilbert ring too much, and Esther was basically mind controlling him. She plans on using him as a single human lifetime super vampire hunter. Tied to a single human life."
Elijah sighed, "Let me guess, Elena?"
Caroline looked guiltily over at Elena and nodded, "Super blood."
Damon looked enraged, "How the fuck did you know all this Caroline? What the fuck we could have done something!"
Caroline growled pushing herself off of the hybrids lap and didn't stop until she was in front of the older vampire, "Because Damon would you have believed me? You fucking think I am nothing!"
"You're the blonde distraction for Klaus! You aren't good for much else" Damon shrugged, only to regret his choice of words when Kol had come up behind him and reached into his chest.
"Kol!" His family chastised over the vampire's groaning.
"Kol, I'm fine" Caroline reassured, looking over to Klaus to ensure he also behaved. The blonde hybrid looked like he was enjoying the entire situation.
Caroline crossed her arms and looked over at Damon once more, "Behave Damon or I'll send Sage after you next."
The vampire in question nodded groaning in pain as Kol pulled out of his chest wiping the vampire's blood on Damon's clothing. Kol shrugged, "Why should I get messy?"
Rebekah looked over at the history teacher, "So now that we know what mother is planning, how do we stop it?"
Stefan looked over at Caroline curiously before she snapped, "Don't look at me. I forgot this entire mess! Last time it took…."
"Care, how do you know all this?" Stefan asked, stepping closer to her looking into her eyes.
"Care?"
"Enough" Klaus barked placing himself between the Salvatore and Caroline. He knew what he saw from her mind. He saw how she did not have all the answers, she did not know how she got here. Caroline had trusted him with that information, knowing his tendency to use things to his advantage, and gave all of hers away.
He wasn't going to disappoint her this time around. Even if it meant keeping her from her so called friends.
"He knows?' Elena's voice betrayed her emotions. Caroline could hear the shock and distaste in her tone. That she would trust Klaus of all people over those she has known since childhood.
"Let little Caroline have her secrets. We can agree to work together to solve this issue for the time being yes?" Rebekah stepped up, looking each person in the eye before moving on.
"Good."
XXX
Bonnie decided that the best thing she could do was call on her ancestors to see what they could offer. Kol's eyes lit up at being able to see magic being completed again. Caroline vaguely recalled Niklaus telling her how of all his siblings only Kol inherited an innate ability to perform magic. She met his eyes nodding towards the magic mouthing encouraging words. Kol seemed shocked but grinned at her. Elijah who noticed the interaction and smirked. Perhaps the little blonde would be good for more than just Niklaus's temper.
"The only thing that they will tell me is to stay out of it" Bonnie sighed, "Caroline, my grams said that things happen for a reason."
Caroline gasped, "Bonnie…"
The dark-skinned witch smiled a teary smile, "We'll talk later yeah?"
Caroline nodded fiercely, "Yeah."
Damon groaned, "As touching as this is. What the hell are we going to do? Ric can only stay away so long!"
"Not long at all" A dark chuckle echoed through the room. The vampires turned to see Alaric with Elena tightly held in his grasp.
"Ric!" Damon slowly tried to walk towards him. The possessed vampire hunter held a knife in his hands. Alaric pressed it into Elena's throat as he walked back towards the classroom door. Niklaus growled in rage, as he spotted a white oak stake. Rebekah's eyes widened, and that's when the hunter grinned.
"See we managed to make one before you arrived, I just hid it before anyone realized it was missing" The hunter chuckled, "Now no one will follow me. Bonnie perform a barrier spell for insurance."
When the witch tried to deny his order, Elena screamed as he pressed the knife into her hand.
"Next time it will be her stomach or heart" Alaric threatened. Caroline seethed, they outnumbered him, they could easily get to Elena but either she would be hurt or one of them would be. If they got to Elena, then he would stab one of them and get away. She doubted Esther had not already started the transformation on Alaric. They were just waiting on her blood.
Seeing Caroline shake her head, the original family took a physical step back. The vampire hunter bowed his head mockingly.
"Fine, one barrier spell" Bonnie agreed. The witch looked toward Caroline who nodded subtly, began to chant a known barrier spell. Several minutes passed the only sound coming from Bonnie, as Alaric ensured no one else tried anything.
"It's done," Bonnie hissed.
XXX
As soon as the hunter left with Elena in tow, Bonnie was quick to relinquish the spell. Only she found that Esther was fighting her, obviously trying to buy more time for Alaric to reach her. As soon as the barrier spell was down once again, Caroline shouted out to go to where Esther was killed.
The vampires in the room quickly dispersed while Caroline sat with Bonnie who was trying to catch her breath. The two friends stared at each other for several minutes until the witch said, "Klaus huh?"
Caroline blushed, "Maybe."
Bonnie shook her head, "Caroline."
"It's just…he's always been there for me. You don't know this yet, not for a long time. But whenever I've needed him, he's been there. The only exception was when I did not know he had needed help before I did" Caroline defended wrapping arms around herself as she began to stand up.
Bonnie was quick to match and gently grabbed for her hands, "Care. Its okay. I know."
Caroline blinked, "You know?"
"The ancestors, they helped to bring you back here to this time," Bonnie confessed, "They worked in conjunction with others. They won't name who. But according to them the worlds balance was in tatters. "
"I think I need to sit down" Caroline began to panic, her hands automatically searching for a seat. Bonnie immediately helped her to a desk kneeling in front of her as she practiced breathing. After a minute of copying Bonnie's breathing pattern Caroline began to focus.
"Okay. So according to the Bennett ancestors they and other supernaturally dead people sent me back to the past?" Caroline recounted to Bonnie. The witch nodded, "As I said, the balance was in tatters, they would not tell me what caused it."
Caroline had a pretty good idea, "What else did the ancestors say?" she redirected instead.
"They wouldn't tell me much, only that the only way to fix the problem was with you. It's what they showed me that is really bothering me" Bonnie looked at her, "I'm so sorry, Care. I…. "The witch started to sniffle as the blonde pulled her into a hug. Closing her eyes, the baby vampire hugged the witch tightly.
"They made me watch snippets. I couldn't tell you exactly what was happening but I saw Damon compel you, Rebekah and you getting along believe it or not, I saw every time we used Klaus's feelings for you against him," Bonnie whispered into her neck, hugging Caroline tighter. Blue eyes watered as she didn't say anything just hugged her friend tighter. After a while the two girls pulled apart.
Bonnie wiping her eyes mustered a weak smile, "I should have been a better friend to you."
"You are my best friend."
"I didn't do more to save you from Damon," Bonnie whispered to herself, "Then when you turned into a vampire…. Care you didn't deserve that."
"Bonnie, you didn't deserve what's happening to you either," Caroline grabbed her hand rubbing it softly.
"They showed me so much pain, Care. They focused on you, reshowing me what happened to you then even bits of what will happen…how I pull away after everything…" Bonnie shook her head in disbelief.
"You were in pain Bonnie. You lost someone extremely important to you by someone extremely important to me… "The vampire broke off in a whisper, "I don't think you could forgive me for still loving him."
"That's a horrible excuse. Elena is falling head over heels for Damon, no matter how much she tries to deny it, and He's done horrible things. Yet I didn't see any of us yell at her because she slept with him" Disgust took over Bonnies face.
Caroline laughed softly, their hands still connected, "Well…."
Bonnie snorted through the tears, "Of course you did."
Caroline shrugged, "At the time I thought Stefan was her big epic love. In some ways I know I was right, but Stefan loves them both more than anything."
A.N: Thank you all so much! I'm in awe at how popular this fic is. I wanted to explain this ending scene a bit. I always thought that while Bonnie and Caroline had their problems, they always had each other's backs. The problem that occurs is that Elena overshadows everything, and I think the whole Enzo thing really hurts them. I don't think Bonnie would easily be able to overcome it, hence leaving Caroline alone.
However, I do think that Bonnie is someone who would realize what she's done if she is shown it. I think her relationship with Caroline is redeemable. Hence, I decided to have some acknowledgement of how Caroline came to the past and Bonnie being let in on the secret via her witchy connections. Let me know what you guys think! Anything in particular you guys want to see happen or think would be cool if it does?