Chapter 6
"Niklaus," Caroline gasped as her boyfriend led with his hand resting on her back. They followed the waiter, Caroline glancing around at the restaurant, feeling nervous. When her boyfriend had asked her to dinner, she didn't realize he meant a place like this.
"Yes, love?" He replied, his eyes twinkling at the look of aw on her face.
"I feel underdressed for a place like this," Caroline looked down at her simple black spaghetti dress, seeing how the heat had only just started to go down in Virginia. The blonde felt as his hand pushed deeper into her back, causing Caroline to turn to look up at him.
"You're perfect. I just want you to enjoy tonight."
Caroline smiled, "Are you trying to butter me up? Did you do something that requires my forgiveness?"
"It depends on your viewpoint," Niklaus answered honestly as the waiter bowed to them, offering them menus without appearing to be listening.
Caroline immediately felt her walls fall into place. Did he meet someone else? Perhaps a bombshell from the past came out from the gutter. Did something happen with Elijah and Finn? She hadn't seen them around town. The oldest three Mikaelsons were changed in their early twenties and, therefore, even less likely to attempt to pass for teenagers. She did worry about what it meant if she hadn't seen them.
"Can I get your drinks started?" The waiter asked upon their return to the table only a few minutes later.
"Strawberry Lemonade, please," Caroline requested as Nik ordered himself a Bourbon. "You know you could have a drink. I can simply compel them."
Caroline shook her head, "I'm fine. I want a clear head for this conversation."
His eyes twinkled in mirth, "You sound so serious, love."
"Apparently, you have some major news to tell me," She rebutted. "Something I may or may not approve of from the sounds of it."
"I hardly think putting a house in your name would earn your disapproval," Niklaus waved her off.
"You did WHAT?" Caroline hissed, her blue eyes widening. "I'm not even eighteen yet! How the hell did you put something in my name! Nik! I don't think that's legal!"
"To be fair, I knew you might have this little hiccup. Your mother is considered its custodian until you reach the age of 18," Niklaus answered with a grin. "But she doesn't know it."
Caroline's mind was struggling to keep up. She let out a breath, "Oh, and how did you manage to keep that from the Sherriff?"
"I might have had some of her deputies slide it underneath papers that required her signature when she was less likely to notice. For a town with a history of the supernatural, your security is rather lackluster."
"You'd think we'd all be on vervain," Caroline agreed.
"I think some of you are," Niklaus murmured. "From my time in the twenties, the living Salvatores knew about their vampire ancestors. However, I am unsure if they knew about vervain's protective characteristics."
"I don't understand why you placed your house in my and my mother's names?" Caroline questioned quietly. Niklaus didn't respond right away as the waiter returned with their drinks.
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asked with a smile. Caroline frowned. She had been so caught up in their conversation, trying to wrap her brain around what Nik had done, that she hadn't looked at the menu.
Seeing Caroline's conundrum, Niklaus replied, "I'll have a steak, a well-done side of potatoes and vegetables. Ensure they are steamed, not the quick, cheap way you normally do it. My lady here will have Chef's choice."
The waiter nodded, writing down their orders quickly and taking the menus with them. "Trust me, love, you'll adore it. I' wouldn't have ordered it was disgusting."
"But you'll think I'll enjoy it?"
Niklaus smirked, "You'd have never dared to order the most expensive thing on the menu. I was simply allowing you to have your desire. As for why your name is on the deed, isn't it obvious?"
Caroline thought about it for a moment, "protection. Not even original vampires and those who live there can enter a home without the homeowner's permission."
"Exactly."
"I'm unsure if I find it sweet that you trust me or are in awe of how self-serving this scheme is. You've just added protection around your house, knowing I'd never deny you entry into your home," Caroline laughed.
"You approve?" Niklaus asked.
"Not exactly. I won't make you change it if you can promise me something." Caroline's eyes held their own light. Niklaus felt the stirrings of desire, seeing the wheels in her mind turn, trying to turn this situation into a more significant benefit.
Wanting to see where her mind went, he asked, "How can I be of service, Sweetheart?"
"You can use my name to protect your home if you give your siblings freedom in their love lives," Caroline finished quickly, seeing the hybrid narrow his eyes at the word freedom.
"You want to give them freedom over their lovers?" Niklaus repeated quietly.
"Specifically, you cannot dagger said sibling or hunt or scare the lover away simply because you don't approve," Caroline specified. Quietly, she wondered if she needed to amend her request to every possible torture scenario the blonde could think of?
Niklaus couldn't help the rumble of approval that left his throat, "You'd have never been this specific about your requests before. Good your learning."
Caroline felt her body shiver, "After hearing your siblings' tales, I can't help but think I need to be very specific with my deals with you."
"I'd never harm you," Niklaus murmured.
"I know, but I also know how you get about your family." Caroline pressed a finger to his lips. "Listen to me. Your siblings are awake and currently not trying to murder you or me."
"They did perform their own brand of justice after you left," Niklaus kissed her finger.
"You were still able to see me the next day. I'd argue their need for payback was reasonable, but the exact reason you need to show them some trust. You have me; don't your siblings deserve someone?"
XXX
Mikaelson's family bonding was something else, Caroline decided. It was only a few days since Caroline awakened her boyfriend's siblings. Siblings who told her more than once that Niklaus would surely be displeased once he found them all awake. While undoubtedly true, the blonde was sure he was more surprised she survived. Hell, she was surprised.
Caroline couldn't help but think about the exciting complexities of the Mikaelson family. As the first sibling to re-awaken, Rebekah could only be described as vivacious and terrifying. Finn was going through nine centuries of culture shock and was very subdued. Caroline was unsure if that was due to the changing morals of society or due to the absence of someone named Sage? Kol's fun-loving antics were likely to cause destructive chaos rather than a family bonding moment.
Immediately upon coming to his senses, Niklaus scolded her for endangering herself. Rebekah had snorted, reminding her brother that he left a human alone in a house filled with sleeping vampires. Elijah responded before Niklaus could, daring, "Our sister has a point, Niklaus."
Everything else was sort of a blur. Caroline could only recall that Niklaus spent hours inspecting her while his youngest siblings mocked his care. The blonde blushed at the memory. It was now day three of the Mikaelson reunion, and Niklaus and Elijah were rather busy with "paperwork."
Obviously, forgeries.
Caroline had yet to see Finn after having overheard Elijah that he had set his brother up in the library to study. Caroline decided now was the perfect time to get to know the oldest, Mikaelson. Quietly stepping into the library, reframing from jumping in victory on one of the couches, Finn sat with piles of books in front of him. Raising a brow, Caroline couldn't help but ask, "Am I interrupting?"
Finn looked up from the book in his lap, "not at all. Elijah simply thought this was the most prudent way of catching up with the times."
Caroline glanced around at the stacks of books, reading the top book's title, and grimaced. "Do all Mikaelsons live to torture their siblings?"
Finn chuckled, "Don't approve of Elijah's choices?"
"They are thorough," Caroline said delicately as she glanced over each pile. Pointing to the shortest stack, "that one is the most relevant for everyday life. You could always ask your siblings about the world's history or google it."
"Google?" Finn's face twitched in confusion.
"Internet search engine. One of the most popular, big tech companies practically can rule the world?"
Finn's hand flew to his forehead, "The world has changed so much in nine hundred years."
"Yeah, Nik was an asshole for keeping you in what was basically a messed-up version of sleeping beauty's Curse for nine hundred years. Man, my boyfriend can be such a douche" Caroline shook her head, flopping down onto the couch next to the eldest, Mikaelson, without fear.
Finn couldn't help but chuckle, "Does my brother know you so easily call him a? "The vampire paused. "What was the word you used?"
"Douche," Caroline repeated, slowly pronouncing each syllable with precision. "What? I might be dating him, but that doesn't mean I don't recognize awful behavior. Besides, it's not as if my friends don't consider me a neurotic control freak of the first order."
Finn smiled at the nonchalant way the blonde spoke perfectly at ease in the room with him despite barely knowing him. "Yet you feel comfortable enough with me. I was locked away the longest, with the most reason to use you against my brother. Did you know that they are conscious of it when a vampire is daggered long enough?"
Caroline's mouth opened and closed, "You were aware of your surroundings despite being daggered?"
"Yes, your monologue about dating a serial is particularly amusing." Finn smiled sardonically. "My siblings who were frequently daggered, such as Rebekah and Kol, can wake up very quickly once the dagger is loosened. You see, my brother's favorite tool was not just to subdue us but rather a form of torment."
"Does he know?" Caroline was unsure if that was the right question to ask. What do you say to a thousand-year-old vampire who has been under torture for most of his existence, torture that his family was the very cause?
"My siblings and I procured punishment of our brother."
"Does he know what you went through being daggered for so long? Does he truly know?" Caroline asked again. "I didn't ask if you and your siblings got revenge for being locked into coffins at his every neurotic, controlling whim."
Finn smiled at the blonde, looking at her so closely that Caroline fidgeted. "You really do understand him, don't you? My brother?"
"Nik once said he and I were far more alike than I could realize. While I may never know what I would do with siblings. Even I can recognize a fellow control freak when I see one."
Suddenly, an idea popped into Caroline's head as she smiled at him, leaning forward, "Finn, what if I could help ensure you reunite with your old lover. What was her name again? Sage, right?"
Finn's eyes narrowed, "How do you know about Sage?"
"For a bunch of ancient vampires with rooms warded with privacy spells, you lot really suck at actually keeping conversations in places I can't overhear."
"Klaus was grumbling about my attachment to Sage." Finn nodded in resignation.
"Nik told me about how you all became vampires. I know that he noticed how unhappy you were before Sage."
"He and Rebekah hated her."
Caroline shrugged, "Family doesn't always get along. Nik explained what happened with your father and how you obeyed your parents. Can you see why your siblings would be concerned if Mikael found you?"
Finn frowned, "Caroline, you know what we are. How do we survive?"
"Vampire needs blood to survive." Caroline shrugged. "From the sounds of it, Mikael was an asshole who beat his children."
"He did what he thought would make us stronger."
"Then decided he must kill you, the very children he sought to protect. I disagree with Nik's methods, but Nik wanted to protect you despite your differences."
"He kept me daggered for nine hundred years for reasons I still do not fully understand. I have never been a part of his Forever and Always. That belonged to Elijah and Rebekah, never Kol and I. I am a man of my time, Ms. Forbes. We were taught to obey our parents for survival, and our parents had survived many horrors. In turn, they have been the cause of more. In their attempt to save us, we were turned into something they could not understand.."
"I know you lot don't know me. But I do think you should at least talk with your siblings? Do that, and I will talk Nik into not daggering you for going in search of Sage," Caroline prompted with a grin.
"I will be going after Sage as soon as I can."
"That's the obvious move," Caroline countered with a smile. "Even if you did out yourself to the world, the outcome is likely your torture rather than death. It's better to bring her here or wait until you can hide in plain sight. That will take a moment; use that moment to talk with your siblings. I think Nik cares about you more than you seem to think he does. If you do, maybe I can be persuaded to talk Nik into aiding you in your search."
XXX
The ring was Sage's favorite place in the world, the second most favorite place after Finn's bed. Yet the ring couldn't dislodge the loneliness in her throat even after nine hundred years of separation. Growling in anger, the redhead punched her other vampire opponent in the jaw, earning a roaring cheer from the supernatural crowd.
Sage smirked at her opponent, deciding that a quick defeat would suit her better that night. Using her age against the other vampire, Sage had the other vampire's neck snapped as the ref called it in Sage's favor. Bowing to the crowd, Sage took her applause as the ref slapped her arm in congratulations.
"Sage, you, okay? You rarely end a fight that quickly," The ref muttered to the ancient vampire as they slipped under the ropes. An assistant tossed two blood bags towards the pair.
"My sources have told me that Klaus is on the move," Sage grumbled, finishing off the blood bag and wiping her hand against her mouth. Uncaring that Rebekah's voice could still be heard in her head snidely commenting on the peasant's lack of manners. The fighter hoped the bitch was daggered just like her beloved Finn.
"I thought we've finally come to terms on that. He is never going to let his siblings go. The man is a legend that most of the supernatural world does not believe exists. They think he is a myth," The man hissed, glancing around, sighing in relief that no one seemed to mind the two.
"You won't get killed for mentioning his name," Sage snorted. "You are a supernatural bookie. You do realize he does have money in your business, don't you?"
The man shook his head, "Why would he do that? It's hardly all that profitable when we have to keep out of sight of the humans."
"Because my brothers are in the business of making money. While your establishment is hardly high quality, it serves a need that isn't going anywhere. Therefore, it's profitable in more ways than one."
Sage froze, feeling every cell in her body still as a voice she had not heard in centuries spoke towards her back. Turning around, Sage couldn't help but gasp at the sight of Finn, dressed to the nines in a ridiculous suit, standing before her. It couldn't be…
"Finn?" Sage asked hesitantly, her foot automatically stepping forward before she forced herself to stop. "How?"
Finn reached out to close the space between them, his hands covering hers, bringing them to his lips. "It's a long story. One I look forward to telling you."
"Klaus-"Sage started looking around and frowning when she noticed Finn was alone. "Does he know you are awake?"
"Sir, is there a place we can go without being heard?" Finn looked towards the referee, who paled at being addressed by one of the same legends that Sage had informed him were very much accurate.
"You can use my office," He squeaked. "It's been spelled by a witch for privacy."
Sage took Finn's proffered hand. The redhead glanced over at her long-time friend and shook her head at the starstruck expression on his face. She returns her attention to the man who has captured her for almost a thousand years. They remained quiet, ignoring the curious glances as Sage locked the office door, touching the ward on the wall to activate the privacy seal.
"How are you awake?" The redhead questioned, crossing her arms as she slid onto the desk, crossing her legs. "Klaus is a micromanaging asshole who would never let you out knowing you would return to me."
"Klaus wasn't the one to awaken my siblings or me," Finn answered, his lover casually touching her knee. "It was his human girlfriend, Caroline."
Sage snorted, "Hypocrite having a human lover. What, she suddenly woke up realizing she was nothing but a blood bag? Where is she buried? I should pay my respects."
Finn's mouth twitched, "Caroline is still alive, Sage."
Watching as his lover raised her brow, Finn coughed into his hand before continuing. "Caroline caught my brother's attention last year. Despite being human, Niklaus values her. She is not a blood bag or a pawn in his schemes. It's a miracle as far as Elijah and Rebekah are concerned; he has had his fair share of lovers in the past of all species, but they never last more than a tumble. Perhaps more if they were beneficial to a scheme, but never for long."
"Yet he has been with this human for a year? Continues to be with her and allows her to live despite releasing his precious siblings from their prison?" Sage snorted.
"Sage, it is unbelievable, but my brother has found someone he values and desires to keep her safe. However, he cannot dagger her like our family," Finn chuckled in amusement. "I've seen the look on his face; I do believe he wishes for the capability of daggering her to sleep without harming her."
"Compulsion?"
"Apparently, he likes her responses far too much to compel her." Finn shook his head. "My brother has changed, even if only in the smallest ways. He is more honest with her. There is still so much she does not know. Still, we have managed to impart enough wisdom to keep her knowledgeable about the supernatural."
"You respect this wisp of a girl," Sage noted, disliking the seeds of jealousy she felt. The man she fell in love with was a man of familial obligation who hated what his parents forced them to become. Who agreed that they were abominations, but once she met the man, Sage watched as the world stopped being dreary. Finn admitted that he only thought the world was colorful and bright when he met her. Finn was a man whose respect was hard to earn.
"I do. My brother has no idea how much she has influenced him. I doubt he knows the depths of his attachment."
Sage breathed out a long breath, reaching out to grasp Finn's hands in her own. "You once told me that I was your sole reason for continuing on this existence, then your brother daggered you."
Finn's grip on her hand tightened, "Sage, my love, you are the sole reason this existence is even palpable to me. It brings me no greater joy to see you thriving in this existence. You alone know where my heart lies."
"You are unsure of what path to choose," Sage murmured, barely suppressing her rage toward the Mikaelson clan. For centuries, she had followed the Mikaelsons in a vain attempt to get them to allow Finn's freedom. Didn't they see the pain he had been in? The oldest sibling was the only one who knew the reality of the ancient world. To see the pain and secrets of his parents and kept his suspicions to himself. She would have vouched that they would never be seen again, yet Klaus could never give up a sibling, even one as disliked as Finn.
"I have always been my mother's son. I could never bond with my siblings, being busy as I was hiding her secrets. This human has brought changes I never thought possible," Finn's eyes locked onto Sage's. "I must stay long enough to see what her influence could do. If my family can be saved from themselves."
Sage sighed, "So where is the mighty Mikaelson clan going to roost?"
"We are returning home to where it all began."
Sage squeezed his hand, "I believe it's called Mystic Falls now."
"It's also where his lover and the doppelganger grew up," Finn murmurs. Sage looked over at her lover and kissed his hand.
"I'm glad you've returned to me," Sage whispers.
"After all this time?" Finn murmurs.
"You are my soul," Sage murmured back as she touched his lips, kissing him thoroughly for the first time in centuries.
XXX
"Welcome, ladies," Caroline called out with a smile, her blue eyes glancing over the current members of her squad, then towards the group of girls hoping to earn a spot on the squad. Caroline held her hands to her hips.
"Our squad has one open spot. We also have three spots open for our B team. Today, you shall learn a simple routine. Those of you who cannot keep up will be tapped out. Any questions?"
A girl raised her hand, "Will we have time to practice?"
Caroline kept a smile on her face, "We will model the routine up to two times. After that, you will be expected to follow along to the best of your ability. We aren't expecting perfection, but a stronger ability to pick up moves quickly will be prioritized in recruits. It does not mean you won't make it simply that you are out for this round."
The girl looked unhappy, but Caroline was glad when her friend shushed her.
"Remember, we use an eight count. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8" Caroline called out the count beat, matching it with a slow movement.
The routine was the most basic within their repertoire. The captain was looking for three key things: an ability to follow to the beat, gymnastic ability, and grit. Even if they didn't master this essential routine, they found the beat and worked. Caroline could work with that. Nodding her head towards one of her senior squad members, Caroline watched the new recruits. The blonde would shake her head at those who struggled with the beat, watching as her squad members tapped the girl's shoulders.
Tryouts lasted a reasonable hour. Each round, the routines got harder, and specialty moves were added. Rebekah smirked as she saw the doppelganger walk past her; the brunette looked at Caroline in question. When the blonde ignored Elena's gaze, the original sister scoffed inwardly. She was a vampire; of course, she had the move perfected. She had given them nothing to earn being tapped out.
Sweat poured from Rebekah's face, droplets flinging off her face with the momentum of her movements. As the song ended, the original vampire quickly landed the final pose, sharing easy grins with the cheerleaders around her. Later, when it was clear that Rebekah Mikaelson had passed rapidly the tryouts, the Mikaelson household was anything but pleased.
Kol thought pretending to be a teenager was ridiculous. Elijah warned her to keep her temper in check, reminding her of the increasing difficulty of erasing evidence if someone caught her on camera. Her older brother, Nik, believed it was a waste of time if not for the closeness of his sister to her two charges. Only one of whom Rebekah was even slightly inclined to do anything to help.
"That was amazing, ladies!" Caroline cheered from her spot in front with a giant smile. Her blue eyes narrowed in on Elena, who was on the opposite side of Rebekah in the formation.
"Is there a problem, Elena?" The captain questioned, placing her hands on her hips, tilting to the right. The irritated look that flashed across the doppelganger's face so quickly, if Rebekah was not a vampire, would have missed it. The original smirked, knowing that the two friends had been rubbing each other incorrectly since the year started.
"Care," Bonnie inserted herself, warning the blonde from the brunette's side. "Not now, okay?"
"We are done for the day," Caroline told the team, turning her attention towards Elena. "Elena, we need to talk."
Rebekah pretended to leave but hid out of eyesight, focusing on their conversation with her enhanced hearing. Seeing her brother walk up to her, Rebekah pressed her finger to her lips as she focused on Caroline's familiar vitals.
"What's going on with you, Elena?" That was Caroline.
"I'm sorry I was out of it today, Care," Elena replied softly. "I just have a lot going on in my life right now. Jeremy-"
"Don't blame Jeremy," Caroline shook her head, "I get that he is having a hard time, but all I see is you pointing out everything he is doing wrong. Trust me, hanging around Vicky Donovan is the last thing he needs, but that doesn't mean you can stop him."
"Care, you don't have a sibling you don't understand. I'm his big sister. I must look out for him," Elena said defensively. Rebekah rolled her eyes at the apparent childish display. Caroline didn't have siblings, but she did.
"Jeremy will not stop doing what he is doing based on your words. Look yourself in the mirror, Elena! You want him to act like your lives are normal, but neither are you," Caroline accused.
"Care," Bonnie hissed.
"No, Bonnie. Elena, what happened to you sucks. If you want Jeremy to stop being in trouble, you may need to stop hiding. Instead of holding tight onto that diary and don't think I don't know about the deputies finding you in the cemeteries late at night, creepy much?"
"Care that is enough," Bonnie whispered, wrapping her arms around Elena.
"Elena, if you want to be a part of this squad, you must put your head into it. If you can't, that's okay too."
"I had a bad day. It's just cheerleading, Caroline," Elena snapped. "I'm sorry my family drama is getting in your plans."
"You know what, Elena? If you think cheerleading is such a waste of time. The only reason you are even on this squad is because of me! Want to blame your brother's delinquency for your behavior? Fine. You are off the squad."
Rebekah squealed from her hidden spot, earning an exaggerated eye-roll from her brother. "You will still have to keep an eye out for the doppelganger. Especially if she keeps hanging around Stefan Salvatore, of all people."
Rebekah sniffed, "I don't see what the appeal is. Katherine, at least, was intelligent enough to be skeptical of the men around her. Elena Gilbert acts as if she doesn't notice how men act around her."
Kol smirked, "jealous sister?"
"Please," Rebekah scoffed. "That wannabe just lost her spot on the squad where her best friend is captain because she cannot see past her own concerns."
"Hmm, I wonder if that sounds like anyone I know," Kol pretended to ponder, laughing when his sister landed a punch into his shoulder.
"Kol," She growled.
"Your sister is the queen of the woe-is-me attitude," Kol snickered. "All because Nik never likes your boy toys."
"Says the little boy who still wishes for his older brother's approval," Rebekah hissed. Kol cackled, swinging his arm around his sister, "Sweet, sweet Bekah, how are you going to watch both the doppelganger and our brother's favorite plaything?"
"Will you call her that to her face?" Rebekah let out a snicker as her brother's face whitened at the thought. "Not so tough now, are we, Kol?"
"Caroline may be human, but she does have our brother wrapped around her delicate finger," Kol shuddered. "As fun as it is watching Nik become a puppy around her. I'd rather her not stick her dog on me."
"You know she would much rather handle you herself," Rebekah smirked.
"Our brother has threatened to dagger us for disagreeing with his plans; for Caroline, he wouldn't threaten he would act," Kol deadpanned.
"That is why you will be on doppelganger duty. I highly doubt this friction will last; Caroline seems downright depressed that she had to kick Elena out." Rebekah pointed to her ear as she said this.
"She does have a stubborn loyalty streak. If her reaction to our family secret is any indication. Fine, I will suffer the doppelganger's presence when you and Caroline cannot be there," Kol pouted.
"Try not to interfere," Rebekah warned. "Stefan is unaware that we are vampires."
"Are we sure he has any brains?" Kol asked skeptically. "This is the bloody Ripper our brother cannot shut up about when talking about the '20s?"
XXX
"Caroline?"
The blonde in question stalled in her movements, having just finished changing out of her cheerleading uniform. Recognizing the voice, Caroline braced herself, momentarily closing her eyes. As she began to count to five, Rebekah, who, changing further away, glanced over. Her eyes narrowed, and the blonde vampire mouthed, "Want me to get rid of them?"
Appreciating the gesture, Caroline smiled, shaking her head. The cheer captain closed her locker when Elena repeated her name. Leaning with her back against the locker, "Yes, Elena?"
"I'm not really off the team, am I?" Elena asked her childhood friend. The brunette's eyes widened to the point of being very doe-like. Standing beside Elena, Bonnie's eyes urged her to conform to their friend's wishes.
"You missed summer camp as a veteran member of the squad. I not only have to train the newbies now, but I also must train you on what you should have been around to learn?" Caroline winced at the harshness of her words. Elena had been dealing with her grief as her friend Caroline knew she needed time.
"My parents had just died. Cut me some slack, Caroline," Elena defended herself.
"It's been a month, Elena. You still haven't learned the new cheers. You spend more time glancing at the football field than trying to learn the cheer." Caroline could feel her voice peak. Looking into Elena's eyes, the cheer captain wanted to wilt. It was their junior year. Caroline had planned every major event and what they needed to accomplish to make their dreams come true.
Determined what activities would look best for their goals, graduate get into Whitmore College. Elena would become a doctor like her father, Bonnie would travel, and Caroline would be the best news anchor the world had ever seen. That was the plan! Yet this year had not gone to plan, but she was determined that she could make the most of it.
She was finally captain. She would bring them to the championships. She understood Elena was in pain. It didn't change that Elena was barely interested in learning the cheers. Her mind was not on the team. On top of it, all was that her usually sweet friend was being a complete bitch towards Rebekah.
For some reason, the original set off her friend, and having them both on the team would be a disaster. It might not matter to her friends, but Caroline needed this year to go well for them. After all, it was their junior year. They all had to do well. Caroline can see Elena getting into Whitmore…even without as many extras in her final years. She was a legacy.
But she had known Caroline since they were in nappies. Caroline had always wanted the best and needed to be the best. This included cheer. She needed to win. Caroline would much rather have Rebekah on the team when the blonde was more interested in the sport than Elena. Caroline winced at the thought.
Since when did she get so honest with herself?
"I can work with her. You know Elena will be caught up in no time," Bonnie vouched for their friend, gripping Elena's arm softly. Caroline looked down at their joined arms, feeling insecurity run through her. Even when they were younger, it had always been Elena and Bonnie. Caroline was the last to join their little group; hell, Caroline barely recalled how that happened.
"Elena, do you even want to be on the squad? Or are you attempting to be normal when you've clearly lost interest in it? You seem far more interested in Stefan Salvatore," Caroline asked her friend.
Elena blushed as Bonnie smiled at Caroline, "See, even Caroline could see it. The two of you have been mooning after each other since the start of the school year."
"Stefan is just a very nice guy," Elena smiled. "He makes me look forward to school. That's being a normal teenage girl, right? Not Sad Girl."
Caroline smiled, wrapping her arms around both of her friends and stepping in between them. "Listen, I think it's great that you found a new guy. Let's face it: your first is seldom the one you end up with. Matt will get over it, Elena. But if you want to stay on the team, you have to put in the effort and not stare at the new kid the entire practice or start a fight with Rebekah."
"I can't help it. Doesn't she seem a bit snobbish to you?" Elena asked, causing Bonnie to groan.
"Elena, Caroline is dating her brother," The witch informed her friend, offering the blonde an apologetic smile.
"Rebekah was amazing at tryouts. We need her on this team. Do you think you can get along?"
Elena sighed, "It might be best if I don't stay on the squad. You are right. My heart hasn't been in it."
Caroline squeezed her arm, "I just want you to be happy, Elena. Focus on your new beau."
Elena blushed, causing Bonnie to laugh at the two of them. As the trio walked out of the locker room, a lone blonde didn't know whether to be happy that the newest doppelganger was off the squad or annoyed that Caroline sidelined how Elena acted. The bitch needed to apologize to her as well!
When Kol met her outside the locker room, she said, "Looks like Caroline is back amongst the throngs of teenage girlhood. Makes our job easier, ya?"
Rebekah rolled her eyes, "perhaps. You must be on Elena duty when I'm at cheer practice. Make sure Stefan does not notice anything suspicious."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" Kol asked, only mildly offended.
"Just easily distracted, especially when a witch is involved. You'd do well to stay away from the Bennett witch," Rebekah warned her brother as they walked towards the school's main building.
"Have you checked your phone?" Kol quipped. "Looks like our brother has finished our new home," His hand waved his phone in front of her. Grabbing his phone, Rebekah scrolled through his messages; she snorted.
"Wolfy? Does our brother know of his new nickname?" The blonde laughed as she held out the phone to keep it away from her brother. "Perhaps I should inform Nik just how much you admire his wolfy nature."
"Don't be mean, sister," Kol pouted. "I just thought you would enjoy looking at our new home."
"You want to distract me. With Nik in town, it is only a matter of time before Elijah and Finn come home, too." Rebekah's mouth twitched. "Do you think Finn managed to find Sage?"
"We can only hope not," Kol shrugged. "Knowing the demon. She was tracking us and found him the moment he left."
"Maybe we will get lucky, and Finn will decide to travel with the wretch for nine hundred years," Rebekah scowled, thinking about the woman who captured her older brother's heart. Finn had always been more of a follower than a leader. He followed their parent's lead, always obeying even if it meant allowing his siblings to suffer. Then, when they had become vampires, Finn went and found Sage.
The way Finn could capitulate towards whatever Sage wanted infuriated Rebekah. Her eldest brother was a gentle soul forced into violence by their parent's hand, first by their father, attempting to mold his sons into warriors. Then, their mother forced this eternal life onto them. Finally, Sage held so little respect for what they were. Who they were even when Finn gave her the gift of immortality. Sadly, Finn had been awakened, and the only way to deal with Finn was to ensure he was kept busy.
Sage kept him busy and wouldn't allow him to mourn the life that was stolen from them by their parents. The bloody woman was irritating, but Sage was the sole person whom Finn seemed to get along with.
"Sage, at least was fun. What did she ever see in our brother? I will never know," Kol snickered.
XXX
The Next Day…
"What is waiting outside?" Caroline could hear coming from the throngs of eager students, followed by furious typing.
"Oh my god! Jess, hurry, we don't know who he's waiting for!" Came a squeal from a freshman as two girls rushed past Caroline, narrowly avoiding hitting her.
The corridors were by nature noisy, especially moments after the final bell for the day echoed in the halls. Caroline laughed as Kol immediately grabbed her hand after the near miss and twirled her in between himself and Rebekah. "Can't risk something happening to our favorite human," Kol teased.
"Seeing as that spot won't last long, I'll take it," Caroline laughed. "Until someone beats tormenting your siblings with a Twilight Book and Movie Club."
"How can someone write someone so…bland yet get all the guys?" Rebekah groaned. "It's preposterous! Caroline, you told me it was the peak of modern culture!"
Caroline laughed, "The books are good, not classics, but they are good. You wanted a taste of what a modern teenage girl enjoys. Well, Twilight and Harry Potter are at their peak."
"At least Hermione has vicious tendencies," Rebekah muttered to herself. Kol grinned at his sister. Before he could say anything, both vampires stopped in their tracks.
Caroline, only noticing after a few steps, looked back, raising her brow, "What's going on?"
"Nik's here," Rebekah whispered.
"What do you mean your brother is here?" Caroline demanded, glancing over at the double doors. "He's at the school?"
"He would never let the contractors alone with our house," Rebekah mumbled. "They must have completed the work."
That was when Caroline noticed the crowd growing outside, fewer students going straight for their cars, the bus, or walking home. They were crowding around something in the center; based off her conversation with Kol and Rebekah, it had to be her boyfriend. Caroline felt her face flush at the thought of the entire school knowing about Nik.
Before she had met Nik, having the entire school know about her relationship with an older man would have made her year. That an older man wanted her over Elena, who everyone in town chooses over her, would have thrilled her. Now? Well, it still thrilled her, but a part of her still worried. It was one thing knowing she was a teenager and he was an adult out in the world, years older than she even wanted to think about.
But what if he changed his mind? She wasn't worldly. Her entire world was a small town. Still forcing herself to keep walking between his youngest siblings, Caroline couldn't help but grin as the crowds moved apart when they were noticed.
Then he was, leaning against a ridiculously fancy car with a shit-eating grin, arms crossed. Rebekah grinned at Caroline before yelling at her brother, "Nik, don't tell me you've gone soft and are offering your favorite sibling a ride?"
Nik smirked in Rebekah's direction as they quickly stopped several steps ahead of him. Fully aware of the campus of teenagers looking at them, Nik responded with," I'm offering a ride to the lovely Caroline. You, my dear siblings, have your car I bought expressly for your transportation."
Caroline felt her cheeks redden as the whispers amongst the crowds got louder. The entire town would know about her relationship with Niklaus Mikaelson before the sunset. Stepping in front of Rebekah and Kol, the blonde allowed Nik to wrap an arm around her shoulder.
"You didn't need to pick me up. Rebekah would have given me a ride," Caroline told him, ignoring the whispers. What was more challenging to miss were the stares of her childhood friends Bonnie, Elena, and Matt.
"But how would these insipid teenagers know you are off the market if I didn't finally make my presence known?" He teased, earning a bark of laughter from Kol. The brothers discreetly glanced to see that the doppelganger's face resembled a fish. Nik chuckled darkly, returning his attention to the firecracker blonde before him.
"Staking your claim?" Caroline exclaimed; her tone was exasperation, but her eyes were delighted. He wanted people to know! God, her mother would know… and she was saying they were just friends….
"Just paw at her, why don't you?" Kol jested, stepping just out of the way of Nik's less-than-friendly punch. Both barely keep it to a human level despite their audience. Leaning into Nik's embrace, Caroline shared a comprising look with Rebekah.
"Why don't you meet my friends tonight? At the Grill? 7 pm," Caroline suggested, glancing over at her friends, eyeing the scene with curiosity.
Niklaus let out a sigh, looking like a very put-upon boyfriend, "I was rather hoping to kick my siblings out of the house for the night, love."
"Mom's the sheriff, remember?" Caroline teased. "Now that you are in town…we have to play by the rules sometimes. Besides, you should meet Bonnie and Elena at least. Matt will probably be stuck working, but we can at least say hi to him."
"Ah yes, the Sherriff. I want to stay on her good side, yes? " Niklaus murmured. The man glanced at the human blonde with a playful smirk, ignoring the stares of the teenage miscreants around them. "What do I get out of meeting your friends?"
Caroline licked her lower lip, pretending to think, "I'll side with you in the next great Mikaelson game debate?"
"Deal."
XXX
A.N: Updated 4/15/23. Please read and review!