]Chapter 1
August 2009
Sixteen-year-old Caroline Forbes, official Head Cheerleader of the Mystic Falls Cheer squad, squealed as she saw the familiar off-white envelope with her name scrawled over it. The detailed calligraphy told her exactly who the sender was without looking for a return address. Her temporary roommate, Elena, did not look up from her spot on the couch, scribbling into her diary. Sparing her friend a glance, Caroline tried not to let the dip in her stomach affect her too much.
Elena had been practically a zombie all summer.
"Not that Zombie Elena treats me any differently than Normal Elena," Caroline thought uncharitably. Immediately Caroline grimaced at the thought perhaps space would do them some good? Caroline was more than grateful that her friend could finally stay with her Aunt Jenna, whose guardianship had finally been declared official.
The only truly positive thing since the accident was Elena finally cutting Matt loose. With Bonnie away with her father for the summer, Caroline had hoped to decrease the gap between them. The only thing Elena has done since coming into the Forbes home was write in her diary. Then gave her younger brother, Jeremy, disapproving looks when he would come home late.
What Elena did not know was that Caroline's mother was not as oblivious to Jeremy's newfound habit. Hell! Sherriff Forbes was not as oblivious to any of their less-than-savory dealings. In fact, it was after cheer camp, the one Elena begged off, and Liz and Jenna both relented. Caroline understood.
It was cheer camp! In her first year as captain, juniors rarely got to captain the cheer team. She had counted on her best friends to be there. At least Bonnie had been there. All their free time was spent talking about Elena.
How was Elena doing?
Did your mom hear from the courts yet?
It was exhausting. Especially when she had to deal with the rest of the squad. Several seniors were livid that they were passed over for underclassmen. Then on top of it, when her mother went to pick her up. School policy did not allow the squad to drive themselves. Her mother informed her of the new curfew that was being put in place.
"I mean it, Caroline," Liz Forbes warned. "The department can't supervise a bunch of drunk teenagers right now. No more parties, or I will start using the breathalyzer on you."
"Mom!"
"Caroline. This is a small town. I know what teenagers do for fun" Liz gave her daughter a look that warned the younger blonde not to push it. "I don't condone underage drinking Caroline. But you have otherwise used good judgment. I've never seen you or the girls driving after one of those parties drunk."
Caroline blushed, "I do listen to you, you know."
"I realize as a teenager, I will not be able to stop you from making your own choices and pushing boundaries. But you promise me you'll come to me? Any questions or concerns, I'll be there for you."
"No lecture?" Caroline tried to get her mother to promise.
"Can't promise you that. But I do need you to do me a favor."
Caroline had a feeling she would not like this. "What favor?"
"I was wondering if you or maybe Matt or Tyler? Could speak with Jeremy. He's been coming home, and I can tell he's been using."
"You want us to talk to him?"
"Just to see if he will open up to someone closer to his age," Liz glanced over at her daughter. "I've overheard his fights with Elena. Perhaps another guy would be better. I've tried getting a hold of John, but no luck."
John Gilbert. The elusive younger brother of Elena's very own father. He was barely around when the elder Gilberts were alive. Caroline was sure no one her mom suggested would get through to Jeremy. He was hurt.
Caroline's seen how boys react when hurt. While she knew intervention was necessary. Caroline was a sixteen-year-old girl. She didn't know what intervention would work. Just that her mother's blunt force would backfire.
Seeing her mom's expectant face, Caroline sighed, "I'll try, but Jeremy's never really fit in with our group, you know? Hell, I can barely stand Tyler on most days. He is a douche, but maybe Matt?"
"Caroline!"
That was how Caroline ended up spending her summer watching Jeremy Gilbert. Not stalking him, mind you…but watching over him. She'd make sure to have an Advil ready for him when he woke up. Would pass him a breath mint when he noticed her mom noticing the drugs and taking a bit too much beer.
Caroline knew teenage rebellion. She was a queen at it, rarely even getting caught. What the Gilberts were going through? Caroline was fucking clueless, and every time she opened her mouth, she said the wrong damn thing.
Walking towards the living room, Caroline internally groaned at how Elena still ignored her. How much longer until Caroline could tell Elena she needed to get on with it? Elena was a fucking shadow of her former self, for god's sake. Caroline didn't expect her to be the same, she was blonde, not dumb, but the Gilberts would want their daughter to begin moving on.
"At least fucking smile!" Caroline wanted to scream!
Caroline closed the door, the white envelope tucked safely against her chest. It was the same every time the blonde received a letter from the pen pal she had developed last year while visiting her father in Georgia. Ignoring her mother's knowing raised eyebrow, she closed her door with a soft click as she flopped her way down on the bed, tearing into the envelope.
Dearest Caroline,
From your letters, might I assume you've changed your mind about the art of letter writing? Has anyone told you how beautiful your penmanship is? You had such a fit when I suggested it; how did you say it? Oh, yes. You said letter writing was for old people. Haven't you heard of texting?
Caroline would swallow her tongue before she ever admitted that fact to the British brute. It was bad enough that she could practically feel the smugness from the letter.
I had such pleasure reading about your camp exploits. Congratulations on becoming what was it now? Oh yes, Head Cheerleader. I only wish I had the time to stop by to congratulate you in person. I can already see you outshining every one of those insipid teenagers on your squad. Perhaps you could perform a little routine for me?
Caroline tried to stop the blush blooming across her cheeks. No one outside of Nik had ever spoken to her like that before. Both amused and understanding without Caroline feeling her bristles standing up at not being taken seriously. She never felt talked down to by Nik, even if he had the habit of doing it to everyone else.
As for your earlier tidings, please give my regards to your friend for the loss of her parents. Being without family can be very lonely. Try not to be hard on her, love? You mean well, but not everyone will see your loyalty for what it is. Don't pout, sweetheart, and I can practically see you pursing those beautiful lips now. As for her brother…I am intimately aware of the dangers of parenting a younger sibling.
My advice, sweetheart, is to learn from my own failures. Think of what you did for my own family love. Perhaps all they need is someone to show them how to listen.
Caroline let out a small giggle reading that line. Her smile only grew as the blonde continued to read.
I can't be there in person right now. Don't pout; I know you are. I happen to have a few business meetings in the area around your birthday. I'll be sure to bring your present to you myself. I am sorry to hear about your friend's parents. Losing a family is a terrible fate. Enclosed I have left you a few souvenirs from my travels. Perhaps one day I can take you with me.
See you soon, love.
Nik
P.S.: Make sure you wear the necklace. Don't think I won't know if you haven't.
In her hands, she found postcards from Paris, Dublin, Barcelona, and Athens. Her hands traced the captured images of the places she had always wanted to see. Each postcard was filled with pictures of all the places Caroline told him she wanted to discover. On the back of each postcard was a small description, mostly random facts that the blonde thought had to be made up. Setting the postcards aside for now, the teenager went into her closet, where she reached onto her tiptoes for a shoebox on the shelf.
"Ha! Got you!" She cheered, opening the box with great care as she laid it out on the bed. Caroline placed her new postcards and letter into the shoebox along with the rest that Niklaus had sent over the year. The blonde smiled as her eyes went towards a small black box hidden carefully under the pile of letters.
She picked up a jewelry box; opening it, she found a necklace made of platinum with a locket shaped like a shield with the letter M the pendent fit snugly inside her palm. Above and below the letter were lines that appeared like the ocean. It was not ridiculously large but cost a good fortune. After receiving it, Caroline was almost afraid to wear it after receiving it, but Niklaus insisted that she start.
While Caroline hated being told what to do, the locket was gorgeous and gifted. Besides, Caroline knew that Nik wouldn't be so insistent if it were not important in the back of her head. Carefully she pulled the chain around her neck, allowing it to fall onto her chest. Suddenly her phone chimed.
Nik: I'm glad you've finally chosen to wear it, Sweetheart. Don't you dare take it off now?
Caroline: Will you ever tell me how you can do that? You know you can just text me instead of writing me letters.
Nik: Then how else could I give you the trinkets you deserve? I'm a man who enjoys my secrets, love. If I told you, it ruins all the fun. Besides, don't you deserve to be romanced? What better way than to write you sonnets of your beauty.
Caroline: Since when have you written poetry?
XXX
Summer 2008
Caroline hated the Georgia heat. Virginia was bad enough in the summers, but it got cold! Virginia had seasonal changes that couldn't be said for freaky Georgia on a good year. The blonde couldn't help but huff as she entered the space that would hold the art gallery. She could practically feel herself sweat.
Georgia was the worst.
At least she was not stuck in Mystic Falls, where her mother had sunk deep into her work—avoiding the remains of her failed marriage to a man whom even Caroline could admit could never love her like Elizabeth Forbes wanted. Sherriff Forbes had put on a strong façade when her ex-husband asked if Caroline could come for a visit. Get to know the new man in Bill's life.
The only reason Caroline didn't say no outright was because Caroline didn't think she could face an entire summer in Mystic Falls. Alone as her mother worked herself to death, Matt followed Elena around like a puppy as she and Bonnie did a poor job of rolling their eyes at Caroline. They didn't even try to pretend to care about all the projects she was a part of!
Caroline sighed; they didn't get it. Bonnie was the closest, but she at least had her grams on her side. Elena had two doting parents, who were in love, and a brother to annoy. What does Caroline get when she begrudgingly tries for her now out-in-the-open father? Saddled with another project, not even for her own bloody town!
The teenager was only in the blasted state because her father moved there to be with his boyfriend after coming out to his wife and daughter last year. Her father's partner had signed her up as a volunteer upon hearing that she was visiting and of her many organizational committee memberships. Steve pleaded with her to help him.
"I'm so sorry, Caroline. I got so caught up in the move that I overextended myself. Would you mind helping at the gallery? It's mostly finished. You will be supervising the decorations and sign in etc."
Seeing her father's hopeful face at his lover's request, Caroline put a fake smile on her own, agreeing against her better judgment. It was never a good idea to finish what someone else had started to organize. Someone always was disappointed, which was how Caroline Forbes found herself in Georgia, of all places, yelling at the volunteers for placing the paintings far too close together.
"Can't you see they have to be separated at least two more feet apart? It's called symmetry, people! It's like you people have never done this before!" Caroline bemoaned. The blonde teen failed to notice the looks being given around her
. In the middle of her diatribe, a tall dark-blonde male entered the establishment, walking towards the long tables near the sign for contributing artists, signing his name. Niklaus Mikaelson heard Caroline giving the movers a hard time, chuckling as he could hear the gulps coming from the movers, who quickly did as the young woman asked. Imagine his surprise when instead of a woman, he found a rather petite teenager with shoulder-length blonde hair poking her finger into the chest of a much taller man for not knowing how to set up a gallery that had been going on for years.
"You are telling me that no one, absolutely no one got my note that the chairs should be put away? THIS IS NOT A BAR CRAWL! IT'S AN ART EXHIBIT; PEOPLE HAVE TO WALK AROUND THE ARTWORK UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE DAMAGES."
This time Niklaus could not help but chuckle at the scared look on the man's face. The vampire took his time looking over the blonde-haired she-devil as the men had come to call her. Evidently, the fiery teen had heard the sound; her blonde hair wiped across, hitting her face as she turned to meet the man who dared to laugh.
Her blue eyes found his own startling blue.
The teenager crossed her arms to appear older, more intimidating than she was. Caroline prayed her eyes would leave his, to stop staring. Her tongue licked her lips as her eyes finally went from his piercing eyes up to his golden hair, following down to the sculpted frame of his face with bright red lips. His body was toned but well-endowed in the muscle department. Strong without needing to boast.
God, was she really getting all hot and bothered for a volunteer?
The man grinned, watching as her pupils enlarged as she stared at him. Humans, indeed, were far too easy to offer them a smile, and they never needed to be compelled. This one, while entertaining, was no different. Niklaus crossed his arms, leaning against the sign-in table, daring her to say something to him.
He surprised himself at how badly he hoped she would prove herself to be more than a member of the flock. Her little show just now thoroughly amusing him, and a part of his hoped to see just how far her fire went.
The blonde placed both her hands alongside either hip, narrowing her stare toward Niklaus. Her steps were sure, even as her heart dropped and her mind screamed, what the hell was she doing? She cursed as she barely reached over his shoulder; looking up at him, she raised her eyebrow. Poking into his chest, she whispered, "And what do you think you're laughing at?"
Niklaus's grin was predatory as his eyes scanned her face knowing that this one would be delicious to play with. He gazed down at her licking his lips subtly, enjoying how her eyes zoned in right away. There was a tickling in his subconscious that she was not one to be misused in any way.
Niklaus snorted, shaking the thought away. He may have been a monster, but even he had morals that he never crossed. One of them was bedding those who did not consent, let alone hurting the ones he brought to his bed. Glancing over her physique, Nik could tell that she was barely done growing, perhaps no older than sixteen.
"Nothing, love. I'm just enjoying the view."
Caroline let out a coy smile leaning up and pushing her finger deeper into his chest, "You know what I enjoy?"
Niklaus chuckled, "What's that, love?"
"When volunteers actually do their work and not stare at jailbait," Caroline pulled away with a grin, flipping around on her heel and smirking to herself as she felt his eyes on her ass. Her eyes met his as she ordered around more of the tables to their correct places. When he turned towards the area where the artists were to go place their pieces, Caroline felt her grin drop.
He was one of the artists?
XXX
August 2009
Caroline placed the shoebox back into its safe space in her closet with a smile on her face. She had been so embarrassed, feeling that he would surely complain about her. Startling out of her thoughts, Caroline noticed there was a knock coming from her doorway. Peeling away from her memory box, she looked up to find Elena leaning against the frame.
"Hey," Elena greeted softly.
"Hey"
"Aunt Jenna is here, so I thought I'd come to say goodbye—" Before Elena could finish, the blonde was out of her seat and flinging herself into the brunette's arms. Elena's arms wrapped themselves around the blonde with a weak laugh.
"I love you," Caroline whispered into her neck. Elena smiled softly, tightening her grip on her friend.
"I love you too; I think you'll love me more when you get your room back," Elena teased, knowing how much it tested Caroline sharing a room with her control tendencies. The girl blushed, mumbling apologies as the brunette shook her head. The two slowly walked down to where Liz Forbes and Aunt Jenna were waiting.
"Hey, Kiddo, ready to go?" Jenna asked with a small smile, Jeremy standing stoically by her side. Elena offered her aunt a small smile giving Liz Forbes one last hug, waving her friend goodbye as the Gilbert siblings drove off with their aunt. The two Forbes women stood by the door awkwardly.
"So, I see you got the mail today," Liz prodded her daughter, "Anything new from your pen pal? What was his name again?"
Caroline rolled her eyes, "His name is Nik, Niklaus Mikaelson."
"Ah, yes, how old is he again?" Liz Forbes crossed her arms, an amused smile on her face.
Caroline sputtered, blushing as she mumbled, "Twenty-Two. Mom, must we go through this every time I get a letter? You and Dad already approved my pen pal. Dad said he even liked him! "
"Nothing Caroline. I'm just trying to get to know who my daughter is writing to; that's all" Liz raised her hands, watching as her daughter stormed off her room. Liz watched her, wondering just when she would have words with this Nik. The way her daughter talked about this, Nik, there was no way they would be just friends for long if that was what they truly were. Especially the stilted way her ex-husband explained the situation when he dropped her back off home for the summer. He was not telling her everything; after years of living with a man in the closet, Liz could tell that Bill was hiding something from her.
And it had everything to do with just who this Niklaus Mikaelson was.
XXX
Summer 2008
Hours later, with the gallery in full swing, Caroline was alone as her father, and Steven talked with many of the potential buyers. Caroline was standing by a painting of an enlarged snowflake, a virgin drink in her hands. The Gallery was a success; the blonde felt a rush of pride at a job well done. Her eyes ran over the painting again and again; it was beautiful in its simplicity.
"Fancy meeting you again, love," Came the voice of a smirking Niklaus Mikaelson. Caroline spotted him just in time to see him walk towards her with his hands behind his back. The smirk on his face caused irritation to shoot through her despite how bad she felt at mistaking him for a volunteer. The blonde hated how devastatingly handsome he was. The girl thought for sure it was worse because the man clearly knew it.
Caroline pointed to the snowflake, "The volunteer who is not a volunteer, is this one yours?"
Niklaus came to stand by her side, looking down at her drink with questioning eyes. Rolling her eyes, "It's a virgin."
"I don't believe I asked if you were" He smirked, causing blood to rush to her cheeks.
"The drink!" She sputtered.
"My apologies, love. But to answer your question, this painting is indeed mine."
The two stood in silence as Caroline took her time looking at the painting with new eyes; a soft smile graced her lips. Niklaus found he could not look away from watching her look at his work. He found himself saying, "Art is a passion of mine."
Looking down at the plate where the name of both title and artist usually was only, to frown, realizing he did not put his name down. His gaze followed hers.
"Niklaus," He said, interrupting the silence.
Caroline finally turned to face him for real, "I'm sorry, what was that?"
"My name is Niklaus Mikaelson" He took her hand into his lips, kissing the back of it as their gaze returned to each other.
Caroline couldn't believe that this man was talking to her, her! After the way she had completely told the man off, not knowing who he was, completely mortified her. Yet here, this gorgeous man stood with her even after making that jailbait comment and mistaking him for a lazy volunteer. The teen internally cringed as she let out a shaky breath as she mumbled, "Caroline Forbes."
"May I ask what you think?" Niklaus asked, turning their attention back to the paintings surrounding them.
"Oh, I don't really know anything about art. I'm here helping my father's boyfriend, who signed me up without asking. Oh my god, I'm rambling. I'm so sorry!" Caroline cried out as Niklaus chortled contently.
"I find a woman who rambles endearing. Now who said anyone needed to know about art to have an opinion? I'm asking for your take, not an artistic critique," He continued earnestly.
Caroline looked at the painting thousands of times. She took her time with it, taking her time to decide on how to word what she wanted to say. The fact that his eyes never left her did not play a part in it. It's not like she never wanted his gaze to leave hers. Oh no, she just wanted to ensure she answered his question as truthfully as possible.
She was never more grateful that mind reading was not a thing!
"It's simple. You say so much without doing a lot. It adds meaning to it. It's truly beautiful but also sort of sad and lonely" Her eyes met his, and they shared a smile.
"Am I that transparent, love?"
"People find themselves in the art, Niklaus. Your painting is lovely, but I see sadness there—" She paused, feeling the warmth on her cheek. Her blue met his to find his finger had caught a tear.
"I didn't mean to upset you, "He whispered softly.
"Oh" Was that all she had to say? Caroline blushed, much to the man's amusement. Raising his arm towards her, Caroline's mouth opened in an 'o' fashion as she gently took his proffered arm. He led her around the room, stopping at paintings that caught her eye.
It was as they were examining a painting that she spoke again, "You did not upset me."
Niklaus's grip on her arm tightened softly, "You spilled a tear. Why?"
"It's a beautiful painting. Isn't that the point of all this, to make me feel?" Caroline pointed to herself and then all around them.
Niklaus did not reply right away, much to Caroline's mortification. She must have sounded so childish trying to appear like an adult. Niklaus looked over at her, "For one so young, you have a strong understanding of art."
That was not what she had been expecting. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Damn, this man for being able to make her blush, "You have a talent. I would love to see more of your work. I mean, if you want me to. I mean, I told you I was jailbait, and now you are talking to me—You're gorgeous. You have to be used to girls, especially young ones falling all over you-"
Blue eyes widened, a hand covering her lips upon realization of her rambling status. The man beside her threw his head back in laughter. Eyes looked over at the two of them; the younger blonde blushed at the sudden attention. The male kissed her forehead in a comforting jester as his hand patted hers soothingly.
"Don't pay attention to the sheep, sweetheart. Now what were you saying? I believe something about how I look?" His eyes glinted dangerously, leading her around the room.
"God, you're impossible" The blonde laughed. All of her attention was on the man before her. She did not notice when he had slowly guided them toward the back of the building. She didn't realize until she felt her back press against the wall as Niklaus leaned into her.
"Niklaus," The girl asked quietly, their gazes never leaving each other; her breath hitched as his warm hand caressed her cheek.
Caroline felt his lips meet hers, grazing against her mouth. Independently of any thought, her lips met his, persistently growing in courage as the gentleness of his lips turned heated. His mouth attached itself to hers; Caroline felt her arms gripping his shoulders. His leg slid between her thighs, pressing his body against hers. The teenager had no idea how long they stayed that way. His lips made a low tantalizing path down to her neck, sucking on it, causing the young woman below him to moan.
"Caroline?"
Regretfully he pulled away from her, smirking to himself at her glazed expression coming from the amount of pleasure she felt from his actions in her dreamscape. The teen blinked, and there was Niklaus standing in front of his painting. Caroline turned around, finding that they had not moved at all. When Caroline focused back on her companion, she noticed the smirk on his face, almost as if he had been inside her head. That was impossible, though, wasn't it?
"I'm sorry, I must have spaced out. What did you say?" Caroline blushed, tugging a piece of hair back.
"I gave you a compliment; let's see what did I say? Oh yes, you understand art despite being so young" If it was possible, the man's smirk just grew. Caroline felt the telltale signs of irritation flare up in her stomach.
"Like you are so much older than me! What are you twenty?"
"Apologies, you are close. I'm twenty-one" Niklaus quickly did the math inside his head, deciding to stick to as close to the truth as possible. It was at that moment Niklaus Mikaelson decided. Caroline Forbes was not food or someone to play with to torture or for pleasure. As delicious as she was, the girl had proven herself to be intriguing to the vampire.
He wanted to find out how she ticked. He kissed her hand again, "My apologies, sweetheart, I've kept too much of your time. I should get you back to your parents."
Caroline's eyes finally blinked away from the heat of his kiss, "My father and his boyfriend, I'm sure they are done schmoozing the buyers by now."
Niklaus chuckled, "I'll make sure to send them a substantial donation after I've returned you."
That was when Caroline pulled away, "Excuse me. One I am fully capable of returning myself. Two, I thought you were an artist."
Niklaus's eyes darkened at the sight of her fire, "Sweetheart, I'm a very rich man, as you can return yourself. I am capable of both producing art and donating to it."
"I'm sorry," Caroline cursed herself. Was there anything else she could say? God, this gorgeous man must think she was a complete ditz of a teenager.
His thumb grabbed her gently under her chin, forcing the blonde to look up. His eyes were filled with mirth and appreciation, "I like your fire, Caroline. But perhaps it's time I return you to your guardians? Unless there is a date, you need to return to?"
"No, just Steven and my dad. Steven would love to meet you! He's been gushing on about your painting all day, actually."
XXX
A.N: Alright, this is my re-do of the 1st chapter. Minor changes, mostly, and an added scene. What do you think?