TVDU one shots ; mainly gxg

(caroline/rebekah) A Wicked Game

CypressSunn on ao3

Klaus had skipped town weeks ago. No one knew where to. Except for Stefan, possibly, or at least that's what they all suspected. He'd been very hush-hush on everything that led up to Klaus's departure. They all knew that he had brokered some kind of deal, but he wouldn't give any specifics. Elena and Damon worried about it nonstop.

Caroline had tried to warn Elena to give it a rest. Damon's ulcers would heal. Hers would not. Elena hadn't appreciated the joke.

"I need to know Care!" she'd all but cried. "Klaus wouldn't just up and leave everything! He left his hybrids, his blood supply, his sister! And Stefan isn't telling us anything- so whatever Klaus's terms were he already knows we never would have agreed!"

Caroline had to admit that sounded a lot like Stefan.

"Klaus is going to come back! It's only a matter of when, and what he comes back to collect... And what if it's Stefan?" Elena's voice had been so small and fearful at the prospect of losing her boyfriend again.

Caroline had decided then help them get to the bottom of it. She had always been good at getting into other people's business.

***

The Mikaelson Manor was empty except for a few bleary-eyed, compelled staff and Rebekah Mikaelson herself.

"To what do I owe this displeasure?" Rebekah asked.

"Just came to ask a few questions."

"If this is about Niklaus, I've already told your friends. Your guess is as good as mine."

"I don't believe that. Klaus would have told you-"

"You'd think that, wouldn't you? After years and years of loyalty."

Caroline knew a tender nerve when she hit one.

"I do not know where Nik ran off to. He and Stefan are in on something together, and I want no part of it. Neither should any of you."

Caroline believed her without any further questioning. She seemed so... so honest. And unguarded. And a little disappointed. But about what? Caroline wondered.

Rebekah turned to retreat to her wing of the estate, but before leaving the entry hall, she turned and asked, "Will you be going to the dance?"

"What?"

"The next decade dance? Will you be going?"

"Well, sure. Me and Bonnie and Elena are going. Girl dates and all."

Rebekah raised an eyebrow, and let out a soft "oh." And proceeded to look Caroline over very curiously.

That was weird. Caroline always found it weird when thousand year old vampires checked her out.

"It's not like that-"

"No need to explain. Seeing as this is a dance I will actually get to attend, I will just see for myself what its like."

"This decade dance is the 70's. I have the dance committee on vervain. No last minute changes," Caroline said firmly.

"I wasn't around for the 1970's..." Rebekah sounded mournful about that fact.

"Well, me neither. But-" This was weird. Originals just made things weird. Because something about Rebekah standing there looking all sad was making Caroline feel- it made her feel like she had to say what she said next: "You can join us! In getting ready for the dance. Y'know, if you wanted to."

Rebekah gave her the once over again. "Could I?"

"Yeah, it's kind of an unspoken secret for high school girls. The real fun happens before the dance. We try on everything we own and model for each other and-"