Liz Forbes On-Duty

Caroline's POV:

I reached home and went straight into my room to get ready for the day. I texted my mom to inform her that I'm not going to school today and asked her to inform me once she is back from work. Also stated to her that we have to finish our talk. Once I finished my shower, I picked my white tank top and black leggings with black leather jacket to top it as my outfit of the day. I curled my hair, put on light makeup and went down to the kitchen to prepare toast as a breakfast.

While I ate my breakfast, I thought of the events that occurred last time. There was a funeral of sorts to pay respect to Jenna, for that myself, Elena, and Jeremy the screening of 'Gone with the wind' at the same time of this filming, Bonnie contacted witches on the other side for cure for Damon's werewolf bite. Since Jenna was not sacrificed, there is no funeral. Still today the 'Gone with the wind' picture screening is happening.

I texted Bonnie on where she is and stated I wanted to meet her. Then I started to go to the mansion to speed up the process of finishing the work. I entered the house and waited for the witch to arrive. Shortly in a few minutes Maddox arrived at the door and knocked. I opened the door and invited him in, "Did they start the trip?" I asked him. "No, Klaus said I was wanted here first. I'll finish here and will go back"

"Okay then. Shall we start?" I asked him and he nodded. "All the rooms to be spelled are upstairs. Please follow me" I showed him Nik's room first then moved to his art studio and then all his siblings' rooms. I haven't asked him to spell my room for a reason. Once all the six rooms are spelled for privacy, I showed the witch out and waited for workers to arrive.

I checked my emails and received a text message from Bonnie that she is in the witch house now and will meet me at the Grill by an hour. I thought I should call Elena before meeting Bonnie. She picked my call on the third ring 'Elena, how are you? Is everything okay there?' I asked right away once she picked up. 'I'm fine Caroline. Everything is okay here except for Damon' she said with sadness in her voice. I rolled my eyes at that and asked 'Why? What happened to him?' as if I don't know about it. 'He got bit by Tyler yesterday while rescuing him from the sacrifice, Caroline' she said.

'There is no cure if a vampire gets bitten by a werewolf' I said. 'Bonnie and Stefan are working on something at the witch house right now' she responded. 'But Bonnie would have already been exhausted from before' I said exasperated. 'We do not have a choice on this Caroline. This is Damon we are talking about, Stefan's brother' she said anger rising in her voice. 'Okay okay whatever. How is everyone else, Stefan said there was a ploy of keeping Jenna as a leverage' I asked changing the topic from Damon. 'Yeah, Klaus played us all. Jenna was compelled to be inside our home without contacting any of us till the ritual was completed. She is fine too. Currently Alaric is with her' she finished. 'Good then. Call me if you need anything' I said and hung up the phone.

The contractors chose that moment to enter the house. I had given them the orders to complete the work before the end of today and ventured out to the Grill to wait for Bonnie there. Only after entering the Grill, I remembered the last time Jeremy was shot by my mom. That Damon had used him as a shield to escape my mom's bullet. Hopefully this time that shouldn't happen. Last time, Bonnie even as a newbie witch was able to channel the sacrificial power of a hundred witches and brought Jeremy back to life.

I walked towards the bar and seated myself on a bar stool. When I looked around, the area was empty like last time. Just then, Jeremy had just entered along with Damon and his phone rang, he answered the call informing that Damon was with him only. Within a few seconds my mom had also entered with wooden bullets in her gun and aimed at Damon, he looked at my mom and just vamped out after she pulled the trigger. And it went straight into Jeremy's chest. My mom and I ran towards Jeremy. I tried feeding him the vampire blood, but he is not drinking. I called Bonnie to stay put in the witch house, Alaric entered the Grill at the same time. So, he was the one who rang about Damon's whereabouts.

"Ric, take him to the witch house. Bonnie knows what to do" I said to him. He immediately picked Jeremy's body and ran towards the car to get him to the witch house. When I turned to see my mobile Bonnie was still on call, 'Bonnie, my mom shot Jeremy and I wasn't able to save him with vampire blood. Alaric is bringing him to you now' I could hear her just cry. 'I'm sorry Bonnie. I tried, I really tried to save him. But you could, you have a power of 100 witches at your disposal. Anyway, you were not able to use that on Klaus. You can definitely bring Jeremy back. I believe in you'

She just cried and asked, 'What if I can't? These witches are punishing me for abusing their power when I tried to reach them for Damon' l responded immediately without missing a beat 'Of course they would not help Damon. One he is Damon and top of that he is a vampire, Bonnie. Jeremy is not Damon' she took in my point and her cry subsided. Then she said, 'I'll call you back, Caroline' and hung up the phone.

I turned to my mom, "Why mom? Why?" I asked her exasperated. She was standing there and shaking her head, "I shot at Damon only, he…. he…... disappeared" she stammered still in shock. I sighed took the glass of water to her "He didn't disappear, he just vamped out of here mom. Here, have some water" I said. Once she drank and calm down, I asked her again "Why did you do this mom? I told you to wait. I will tell you anything and everything you want to know. Tonight, we would have had that talk if you have seen my message" She just looked at me and said "Yes, I saw your message, Caroline. But I deduced that Damon was the one who abused you when you were human, I thought of confirming with you tonight. But Carol had pressured me to take steps on the Vampire situation. She is suspecting that she fell down the stairs due to some kind of compulsion which summoned her son to the town"

Then only it hit me, last time after two weeks of ritual only Carol caught me at her home and handed me to my dad for torcher session. When my mind runs with all those thoughts of past my mom was seeing me expectingly for my response. So, I said "Mom, once we know about Jeremy's state, we will go to home and talk about everything. Okay? Till then we can wait here in the Grill" She just nodded her head; we both await for Bonnie's call or message. After half an hour Bonnie texted me that Jeremy was brought back to life and will catch me up tomorrow. Since she was exhausted today. I looked up after reading the text and informed my mom, "Jeremy was revived safely, Bonnie is fine too" She released a sigh of relief on hearing that and muttered "Thank Goodness!" Then we both had headed to home.

Once we reached my house, we both sat in living room couch as opposed to each other to have eye contact so that I could convey my sincerity. "Mom, what I'm going to say is turn you whole understanding of supernaturals and you would have lots of questions after that. So, before we start, I want to know how you deduced that Damon was the one who used me" I asked her lightly ashamed of myself looking down at my hands in my lap. She reached for my hands took it within her and squeezed to comfort me, "Caroline, I know how odd you behaved shortly after your 16th birthday, but I brushed it off as being you in your teenage phase. I shouldn't have done that, for that I'm really sorry. When I think back to the time Vicky died, there was another vampire we killed with the help of Damon. Who was a cover up for Damon himself, I guess. And even though both the Salvatores are vampires, I have seen you interact with Stefan if he was the one who used you when you were human you wouldn't be friends with him and you also said he was the one who helped you through your transition and gave lessons on bunny hunt" she explained all the while holding my hands in her and brushing her thumb against my knuckles.

"Okay, but there were tomb vampires too. And the Logan Fell turned as vampire who even kidnapped me to threaten you. Why haven't you had doubt on any of those tomb vampires or him? How you know exactly it was Damon?" I asked even though her explanation seemed okay there were these vampires too when I was human. "By the time of all those vampires, you were with Matt for a month by then. The time between all those tomb vampires and Logan Fell was very short about only a week's time before that accident of yours. And you were still restless or afraid of this person when you talked about it, so I just matched the constant. From the beginning it is Salvatore brothers" she finished her deduction.

I just looked at her with shock expression on what to say to that, "Wow, Mom. I never thought that you have taken time from your work to notice me and my life. Seeing you track the past step by step with the time for each and every event, I don't know what to say to that" there was stubborn tear spilling down both my cheeks. She just wiped my tears and continued "I'm so sorry sweetie. I really thought you were safe if you knew less about these dangers lurking around. Or else I would have taken every precaution I could. I love you, Caroline. You are my daughter, and I will love you no matter what. Maybe I was not showing the way you expected from me or not showing at all as far as you were concerned. But know this Caroline, whatever you do in your life I couldn't hate you sweetie. I was just confused at hearing you became the same thing; we were brought up to hate from our long length of ancestors. Seeing you day by day is more liberating and I could see not all Vampires are the troubled ones. So, you can come to me with anything that happens in your life. I promise you not to judge you and I will support you as I could be in anyway"

After my mom finished speaking, I jumped at her hugging tightly but carefully not to show my vampire strength and sobbing on hearing all those things my mom said about loving me. I just said "Thank you mom. Thank you so much for saying those things. It means a lot to me" releasing her from the hug. I wiped my tears away and took some deep breaths for my next topic.

"So here goes nothing…" I started "I had already lived through this life mom, I was returning to Mystic Falls from New Orleans in 2032 to meet my two daughters" when my mom tried to interrupt, I said "Let me finish the whole story mom, then we can have questionnaire session" she gestured for me to continue. "That was the day, when the love of my life planned to end himself in order to save his son." even though we were back in time and he is alive and well here, just thinking of him as dying had be heartbroken. Tears were streaming down on my both the cheeks "The one person in this whole world who put me first, the one who understood me even though I was mean to him and pushing him away at every turn, he is the one who see me beyond my words, insecurities, my last love, my last hope to be happy, everything was gone. I just blinked my tears away while driving, then suddenly I was waking up two days back in my childhood bedroom. I have already lived through this, that's how I know you are using Matt as a spy to report you back about me. I do not want to live through that phase of my life where you hate me to the point of thinking to killing me yourself" I paused a bit "First thing I planned was to do things differently this time and avoid as much as death. I was sent back by a group of dead witches to keep the nature in balance. Due to his death, there was an imbalance, and it seems they decided I will be the best candidate to do what they have in mind" I said, and my mom asked, "Who is he Caroline?" I took a deep breath and said "He is Klaus Mikaelson mom, he is one of the Originals. His family is the first of Vampires, from them only all of vampire population came to. He is an Original Hybrid now. There was a curse put on him 1000 years ago by his mother herself to suppress his werewolf side, he got removed that now. I hope you already know about Vampires and Werewolves, in the supernaturals world. But there are Witches, Vampires, Werewolves, Vampire-werewolf Hybrid, Heretics, 2000-year-old Immortal, Arcadis the King of Hell, Sirens, Vampire Hunters, and more."

I gave her a moment all these to sink in her mind, "I know it's a lot to take in mom. But please know this, not all supernaturals are evil. Just like we have good and bad in humans; we have both good and bad in supernaturals" she nodded her head; then absorbed me for few minutes and asked, "You still love this Klaus Mikaelson person?" I bobbed my head as yes "He is like me mom, not understood by many. Everyone just saw his exterior and judged him before getting to know him. Also, I want you to meet him mom and his family if you feel the need. Since he is half vampire and half werewolf, he needs to be invited in. But if you feel uncomfortable inviting another age-old vampire into house, I will understand mom. We can wait till you feel comfortable and safe around him" I said with my head down not to show the emotions brimming in my eyes. She squeezed my palms, I lifted my head to see her "If you love this person and you trust this person that much, I definitely will invite him in sweetie. Yes, I would love to meet this person first anywhere in common place to get to know him better if that's okay" she said. My face brightened immediately on hearing that, my mom trying to be supportive. This is much more than I expected, "Definitely mom, I understand. That can be arranged. Currently he is out of town but will be back soon" I leaned into my mom for a hug and kissed her cheeks conveying my happiness which is over my roof.

After we parted, she just patted my cheeks throwing one for her own smile at me. "Caroline, I want you to feel safe in your own home. I know I haven't been a good mom so far, but here onwards I'll try my level best for you sweetie. I will have to revoke the invitation to either Salvatore to this house. Do you know how to do that?" she asked. I had never felt happier about my relationship with my mom in either life, but upon hearing what my mom says I am in cloud nine. "Yes mom, we can revoke by just changing any initial or surname in the property papers. For example, if your name in property papers is like 'Elizabeth Forbes' then we can insert your maiden name initial in the middle and sign the papers. Then, even I couldn't enter the house without your invitation." I said my tone showing all the happiness I'm feeling right now.

"But that will take about at least two days Caroline. Could you stay with Bonnie or Elena for those two days?" she asked determined to do it as soon as possible. At that time there was light bulb goes bright at my head on the possibility of being with Klaus in the newly renovated mansion. "Mom, I could not stay with them right now. Both the Salvatores have invitation for Elena's house. Even though I can take care of myself now better, I wish not to see Damon if I could. And Bonnie is going through something, and she needs to be alone for that. I will check on her but didn't want to be burden for her. But I have another place, where I could be safe and secure" I said sheepishly and looked into her eyes.

She gestured for me to go on, "Mom, you remember I said about Klaus and his family right. He bought that mansion here in Mystic Falls at the bottom of the mountain near the falls for all of them to stay, I'm the one in-charge of renovating that. The work would be completed by tonight, I can stay there, if you are okay that is. Klaus would be back before tomorrow afternoon or the latest by evening. Tomorrow after school, I'll go meet Bonnie then will go to the mansion straight" I said.

My mom just eyed me carefully and then gave the green signal, "Okay you can stay there, but in guest room only. No funny business allowed. And before that if he'll be back tomorrow, can I meet him for dinner" she asked. "I'll speak with him and confirm you the time mom. We will pick you up for the dinner from station" I responded immediately floating with joy on staying with him in the mansion. I hugged my mom again and kissed her cheeks. "Thank you so much mom"

We both stood up done for the day, I said "I know still you have lots of questions mom, but you look tired. I'm not going anywhere; we can discuss this anytime you wish. Now I'll prepare dinner for you, when you refresh and change" I strode towards the kitchen and prepared streak, garlic bread and kidney beans in a half an hour, since I had bought the soaked kidney beans. Between myself and my mom, I'm the cook of the house. In the meantime, she went upstairs to her room to freshen herself and came down in PJs.

I served her the dinner, I had just decaf since we both are going to bed. After some time, it hit me that my mom knows about Damon which lead to today's incident. I placed my empty cup in the kitchen sink and said "Mom, you could not go after Damon. I can take care of myself; your safety is more important to me than him getting punished"

My mom responded "Sweetie, I know you can take care of yourselves. But I can also take care of myself honey, Damon should be punished for whatever he did" I sighed knowing that she is as stubborn as me, "Mom, that is not the point. Please understand, can you let me handle this on my own term. That's all I ask. As you see, even though it's been ages according to my memory it had happened. It is still afresh during this time of my life, that is why I reacted that way when I was talking about my human days. And I want to be the one to overcome or deal with it. Hope you'll get that" I pleaded.

She said "Okay, I'll give you that. But if you want anyone to talk about, please come to me sweetie. I assure you I'll never judge you or love you any less," I nodded my head as okay. She asked me to go to bed, since I prepared dinner, she'll clean up. She kissed me good night. I hugged her and kissed her back and went up to my room.

Took out my phone and placed it in charge. Then went to my bathroom to shower and changed into PJs shorts and tank top. I settled in my bed and took the mobile phone to text Klaus. I changed his name as Nik in my phone, in case any of my friends go through my phone. Then texted him as follows

Caroline: Hi Nik, hope you reached the place. My day was fine. How is yours? I haven't had the opportunity to meet Bonnie today. Call me once you are free, I'll tell you in detail. I told my mom about you; she wants to meet you tomorrow night for dinner in a restaurant. I assumed you'll be back before tomorrow evening. Sorry If I went too far, but I had to get you invitation to my house. And guess what, I'll stay at the mansion for two days from tomorrow night.

I laid there waiting for him to text or call back. I know he and Elijah will be together. Either they would have had to stay somewhere tonight, or they could finish the work return as soon as possible. I do not know what they are doing. I hope that Klaus will not be mad at me for making him meet my mom or that I decided to stay the night in the mansion before he explained everything to his siblings.

As my mind wandered about him, I was thinking about how I lost my chance of being with him due to my misplaced loyalty towards my friends. I will not make the same mistakes this time. Even though they are my friends and I'll always love them, but not at the cost of myself. Then it hit me that wickery bridge was made of white oak even the sign board, we are yet to destroy that in this time. Last time stakes are made using that sign board, Finn died in this power struggle. And the indestructible white oak was made with this, which was used to kill Kol in search of cure. When Nik calls, I should first discuss about when to destroy wickery bridge, then everything else. I lay there waiting for him to call back and wondering what is happening at his end.