#yes i know i've written too many Caroline to the rescue fics

[lalainajanes]

For klarosummerbingo, this one for the square “Halong Bay”

Look how pretty!

Think About Where You Last Saw It

With her face tipped to the sun, wetsuit rolled to her waist, leaning on the stern rail of the yacht she’d bought with Klaus’ money, Caroline could almost pretend she’s on vacation. That she’d picked up scuba diving for fun, that there isn’t a small coven of witches below deck chanting, occasionally pausing to guide the captain she’s hired and compelled.

Halong Bay is beautiful, and she hasn’t thoroughly explored any part of Asia just yet, doesn’t know when she’ll get the chance. When her mother had died, Caroline had left Mystic Falls and had taken to a nomadic life far more quickly than she’d ever expected. She’d been leery of making new connections, too heartbroken to risk even a small loss.

But Caroline’s always been a people person, so she’d had to find a compromise.

She’d begun playing pretend, had stepped into a new identity each time, shedding them just as quickly. During her travels, she’d found that spending just a few days or weeks in a place was insufficient. The sites you can google, or find in a travel guide, are rarely the best attractions to see and experience. She’d learned to hang out in coffee shops, bars, and markets, to make conversation with waiters or the people who ran the stalls, to ask them where the real gems were.

That required more than a passing grasp of the local language, which necessitated longer stays. She’d spent thirteen years bouncing around Europe, and when she’d been ready to leave, she’d hopped on the first nonstop flight out of Madrid.

Eleven hours later, Caroline had disembarked in São Paulo.

Eighteen years had felt like less. She’d gotten lost in huge cities, wandered the jungle, and climbed mountains. Eaten great foods and drank liquor that even made her head spin. She’d discovered a knack for wildlife photography (being impervious to cold and able to stay stiller than most humans could manage certainly helped). Had even sold a series featuring Southern Rockhopper penguins to National Geographic.

When she’d received an email with an invite to Bonnie’s 50th birthday party, Caroline had been shocked that so much time had passed. Going back to Mystic Falls held no appeal. Luckily, Bonnie’d long since left the town in the dust. She’d found a witch mentor in Chicago, and Caroline had booked a flight, stayed a few months catching up with one of her oldest friends.

Seeing Elena, Stefan and Damon had been jarring. Caroline hadn’t been able to stop herself from staring at the lines around Stefan’s lines, the streaks of grey on Elena’s dark hair.

She may have shaken Damon’s hand a little too hard, until he’d gone white and she’d felt his bones begin to grind together, to remind him of the strength he no longer had.

They’d only stayed a weekend, had left on Sunday evening to make the drive back to Mystic Falls. Caroline had promised to be better about keeping in touch, but she’d known she was lying even as the words passed her lips.

They’d helped to shape the Caroline Forbes who had left Mystic Falls, for better or for worse. She just wasn’t that Caroline anymore.

She’d decided that her next adventure should be far away from the town she used to call home.

Klaus’ letter had found her the day after she’d landed in Auckland.

 Dearest Caroline,

I hope this letter finds you well and I apologize that you’re receiving it.

If you’re reading these words, it means one of my enemies has gotten closer than they should have, that I am incapacitated.

That my family has met a similar fate.

I know that I have no right to ask a favour of you, particularly one so large. There’s also no one else I trust to ask, who’d also be clever enough to be effective.

You once admonished me, suggested I change my ways. I’m afraid I never quite managed to take your advice, love.

So I write to you.

Will you help me?

You’ll receive everything you need to access my homes and accounts. Spare no expense. My contacts as well. They’re extensive, but please be careful. I have few true friends, news that likely comes as no surprise to you. Many pretend, and seek my good opinion, only because they plan to use it to their advantage.

I hope to see you soon. I find I’ve never been more eager to take on a debt.

Though, should you choose to continue your adventures, know that I would not hold it against you.

You’ve explored more of the world than you had that night we first spoke of possibilities, but there’s still so much more to see.

Yours,

Klaus.

 Had Klaus demanded she drop everything and rescue his ass, Caroline might have scoffed and gone about her business.

Okay, probably not.

The mystery would have been irresistible. She’d never managed to hate Klaus, even when she should have. They’d parted as friends, and Caroline always shows up for her friends.

Admittedly, she hadn’t been happy about another insanely long flight back to the US so close to the last. Had called Klaus some less than kind and very creative names in her head.

She’d always figured she’d visit New Orleans someday. Klaus had spoken so warmly of the city that day in the forest when they’d paused to catch their breath, and she’d given in to the need to be close to him, had tried to memorize the way he’d made her feel.

Then, it had been too big and messy for her to deal with, the risks too great, but she’d stored it away. Had known there would be time.

Standing on the sidewalk in front of the crater where Klaus’ home once stood, the smell of smoke still faint, she’d wondered if she’d been wrong about that.

If she’d come to regret turning down Klaus’ previous overtures.

Unproductive thoughts.

Caroline had shoved away the sorrow that could have crept in, had taken a deep breath, and forced down the tears that threatened.

She’d gotten to work.

It hadn’t been easy or fast. But, after thirty years, she thinks she’s finally found a Mikaelson. She doesn’t know how she’s going to be able to wait for nightfall to check if she’s right.

She has to, though. There are too many people around, serious divers and spelunkers, boats loaded with tourists. It would be too risky to attempt to bring up a body.

She’s one vampire, can only compel so many people.

She feels the yacht slow, hears the crew conversation grow in volume as they call out orders around dropping the anchor and fixing the lines.

Caroline squints at the sun, judges that she’s got about three hours until the sun begins to set.

Three hours.

A fraction of time, inconsequential, compared to how long it had taken to get here.

She can wait a little longer.