Into the Deep End

Seven:

Elena had expected Caroline to call out her stupidity for jumping in bed with Klaus because she's angry at Stefan, but to her surprise, the blonde vampire turned up with Elena's favourite ice cream and a bottle of vintage bourbon she stole from Damon's secret stash the last time Caroline was at the Boarding House.

"Tell me everything," Caroline questioned the moment they both were safe from prying ears within the comfort of Elena's bedroom. "How did this happen!"

And so, for the second time Elena retells the story of how Stefan kidnapped her from Caroline's 'funeral' and used her as a way to get Klaus to leave Mystic Falls.

"Of course he didn't mean it, Elena." Caroline spoke, gripping her glass so tightly that little cracks formed, not wanting to believe that Stefan could do something so stupid.

"But he did, Care," Elena explained. "And I had an epiphany a few nights ago."

"About what?"

"Stefan." Caroline seemed confused, so Elena explained it further. "For months he had been treating us all like crap because of his petty hate-filled revenge against Klaus. Hate is an emotion, Caroline. Stefan never turned off his humanity. He willingly left me to die, for months I refused... Refused to believe the Stefan I knew, the Stefan I loved was gone. This manipulative, egotistical, 'only cares about himself' Stefan is the true Stefan."

"That bastard!"

And the glass shattered in her hand, thankfully, Elena was spared from injury.

Somehow Elena felt sorry for the youngest Salvatore as he know has an angry Caroline Forbes to deal with.

Caroline quickly cleaned up the mess, refilling a new glass. "So, how did you end up sleeping with Klaus?" The blonde tried to look all serious, but it was immediately broken as she shoved a spoonful of chocolate ice cream in her mouth. "I can see the appeal, but it's Klaus Mikaelson – you weren't compelled, were you?"

Elena immediately knew what Caroline was trying to imply, sure, Klaus was a diabolical monster who haunted Elena's dreams before and after the sacrifice – but he wasn't that monstrous.

"No, Caroline – I wasn't compelled. Maybe a little tipsy but not compelled."

"So then, why?"

"I guess I felt a connection with him, we both were alone." Elena sighed, leaning back against the headboard of her bed. "I pitted him and then I kissed him."

"And how was he?"

Elena looked startled at Caroline's question. "What?"

"Oh, come on, Elena! Compared to Matt and Stefan – how was he?"

"Good. Great – better even."

"Okay, enough talk about boys," Caroline quipped, sensing that the topic was becoming hard for Elena to talk about. "I brought movies. We can watch the Notebook or Monte Carlo."

"Is Monte Carlo the one with Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy?"

___

Klaus found himself at the Grill, he needed an escape from his mother and siblings, Mayor Lockwood had coaxed Esther Mikaelson into hosting a ball to officially welcome the Mikaelson family to Mystic Falls.

If only the insufferable woman knew the truth.

Klaus thought that he could escape to his inner sanctum, but he was haunted by another – Elena Gilbert.