Gone (A Klaus and Caroline Fanfiction)

Parting Ways

This is a shorter chapter, but I'm updating a lot. Hope like it :)

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Klaus inhaled once before stepping away from me, and I couldn't help but feel as if there were a great void, expanding between us. Without a single glance, he moved to the door, and opened it. "Perfect timing, Mate," he said, offering Stefan inside. "Bloody perfect, indeed."

Klaus gestured passed himself and stood stoic as Stefan entered, his eyes settling on me. I felt my muscles stiffen, and I waited for some glimmer of acknowledgment to register there. But it was empty. When he looked at me, he saw nothing.

I cleared my throat, breathing beyond the hurt that lodged itself there. Stefan didn't know who I was. This person standing in front of him was a stranger and even though it wasn't his fault, I couldn't help but feel just slightly betrayed, as if he'd given up on me when I had.

I gave a short, awkward wave. "Hi," I said, my voice coming out as a high squeak. I cleared my throat.

Klaus's gaze flickered to mine for a moment before drifting back to Stefan's. "Is there anything specific you want left out, Caroline?" He asked me. Stefan glanced between us, as if trying to catch something he'd missed.

With a nervous swallow, I shook my head. "No. I want it all back."

He gave a single, curt nod. "Stefan," he said in a emotionless, monotone voice. "It's time to remember Caroline Forbes. Every memory. Every feeling. She is your friend and you know her again."

Stefan blinked once and looked down, breaking contact. But when his head rose, his eyes found mine and that light of recognition returned. Slowly, he grinned. I couldn't keep my own smile from breaking across my face and I ran to him. His arms wrapped my waist and he lifted me up, squeezing tightly.

"You have no idea how good it is to have you back, Caroline," he said, his breath moving my hair. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes. "How are you?"

I shrugged as he set me back down, pulling away just enough to watch my reaction. "I'm....as to be expected," I said. At least this wasn't a lie. "How're you? How's everyone?"

He smiled, finally releasing me and shoving his hands in his pockets. "They're fine. Worried, which I didn't understand for awhile. Thank you, by the the way," he said, directing the words at Klaus who lurked a distance away. "For following through."

"No problem, Mate."

"I mean, I know it was for her, but I still appreciate it."

Klaus gave him a bitter smile, his gaze never leaving Stefan's. "As I said, it was nothing."

He nodded once and the air suddenly seemed to vibrate, the tension nearly tangible. I looked between the two men, Stefan, seeming momentarily confused, Klaus, appearing as if he wished to be anywhere else. I was about to say something to break it, perhaps along the lines that they didn't need to talk as if I weren't here, but Klaus interrupted before a single word could escape me.

"Well, as much as I would enjoy a heartfelt chat amongst friends, I have other things that require my attention."

His eyes finally met mine, and the remembrance of our kiss rose the blood to my cheeks. He repaid no such emotion. "Goodbye, Caroline."

My lips parted in surprise, and I gawked at him, grappling for words. "Wait....That's it?" I asked.

Stefan cast me a look of understanding. "I'll....give you guys a minute," but I motioned for him to stay where he was and he paused, my bag in hand.

"No need," I said. My gaze leveled with Klaus's, his expression clouded as he stared back.

I didn't want to leave. I knew that, but I wouldn't accept it. He had a child and I'd already given the lecture on the immaturity of me getting involved with him. I didn't want to shoulder that responsibility. Nor did I want to consider myself a possible step mother to anyone, especially mini Klaus. So instead of saying all the things I wanted to, I recited the opposite.

"Thank you for your hospitality. And everything else. For once, I owe you."

He gave me a dubious look. "You aren't indebted to me, Caroline. You never were."

"Yeah well," I lifted my shoulders again in a somber shrug. "We all get ourselves in situations we wish could be different."

And making sure my voice did not waver, I let the last words come.

"Bye, Klaus."

I turned away and left him behind.

Stefan followed me out and though I glimpsed the question written on his face, my expression was apparently enough to silence it. In front of Klaus's home was a car and Stefan opened the side door for me. I vaguely heard him explain that he'd left the car in New Orleans before and had run here, but I just nodded mutely. Of course, I tried to look normal, or however normal he'd expect, when in reality, I wanted to fall into a fetal position and cry.

I watched the house from the window as the car pulled away, catching the sudden drift of curtain and Klaus's face appeared, only half of it visible.

When I blinked, he was gone.

I looked back to the road, and though Stefan glanced at me worriedly, I made sure to look okay, smiling as something deep inside me broke. I swallowed back my feelings and stared pointedly ahead, focusing on the forward of things even as a painful realization rose to mind.

He'd stopped calling me Love.