Chapter 3

By ZebraBow

Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries or any other copyrighted things mentioned in this story.

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People have the right to fly

And will when it gets compromised

Their hearts say "Move along"

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After convincing her best friend that she was alright and coming home to a completely empty apartment, Caroline managed to finish four tubs of Ben and Jerry's by herself while watching reruns of The Bachelor. So it was completely understandable that Caroline woke up in the morning feeling groggy and nauseous. Maybe she shouldn't have force fed herself that last tub just because her favorite guy didn't end up making it to the final rose ceremony.

She went about her usual Sunday morning routing which included her three mile run. Even though she had Katy Perry songs playing at full blast during her run, her thoughts mulled over the events of last night. She wasn't a bad person at heart. Everyone has bad days and yesterday might have been one of the worst days of her life – ever.

Almost everyone knew that she had bad luck when it came to kids. Most of her friends steered clear of her when it came to their children. Sure, she liked the little munchkins, but she was no expert by any means. The only person who ever trusted her with their child was Damon and Elena.

Mid run she paused and took a deep breath. Katherine had mentioned something yesterday about Alex being sick. She had been meaning to go see her god daughter after Kat picked up Ella last night. Things didn't go as planned, but Caroline was determined to be in a better mood today. And nothing made her more cheerful than seeing her favorite little girl.

After showering and getting dressed in some comfy sweats, she headed over to the Salvatore residence. On the way, she stopped by the florist and picked up a bouquet of daisies for her god daughter. The little girl loved flowers and Caroline knew it would cheer her up.

"Hey, anyone home?" Caroline asked as she walked in through the front door. She had an extra key and she didn't want to bother Elena if she was busy with something.

"In the kitchen Care," a voice shouted from within the house.

Caroline walked through the foyer into the brightly painted kitchen. Her other best friend, Elena Salvatore, looked like a domestic goddess as she took out a tray of freshly baked cookies out of the oven. Even though the two Gilbert girls were identical physically, there was nothing identical in their personalities.

"You're just in time for some warm chocolate chip cookies," Elena greeted as she gave her friend a one handed hug.

"Yay, don't I have awesome timing or what?" Caroline grabbed a cookie of the tray and placed a small piece into her mouth. It wasn't too hot, but she could still feel the chocolate gooeyness. "I came to see Alex. Is she resting?"

"I wish. If I could only get her to sit still for a few minutes, I would get some rest. She's in the backyard practicing kicking for her next game." Elena waved to her daughter through the kitchen window.

The little girl – almost seven years old – came into the house. Alexandra Salvatore was a beautiful little girl. With the long black hair and ice blue eyes she had inherited from her, she was as cute as a button. However, everyone was thankful that she got her personality from her mother.

"Hey pumpkin, I heard that you were sick. And I thought these might cheer you up," she said handing her the daisies.

"Aw! Thanks Aunt Care. You're the best," Alex said giving her god mother a hug. Caroline leaned into the hug. "Don't worry. I'm not sick anymore, but dad still is."

Elena took the bouquet and started putting it in a vase of water. "She had a cold – nothing that a hot bowl of soup couldn't cure. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry." Pausing in the arranging of the flowers, "I know how much of a worry wart you can be."

Caroline let out a little dry laugh. If only her friend knew how much trouble she had gotten into last night. "Damon's still sick? It must be harsh Elena."

"Oh, you have no idea Care! I seriously contemplating just leaving him here and going to the movies with Alex yesterday."

Alex let out a little huff. "Yeah, dad's just being a huge baby."

Elena gave her daughter a reprimand, "Alexandra Nicole! That's no way to talk about your father!"

Caroline met her god daughter's eyes and gave an understanding smile. She could understand what the little girl meant. A sick Damon Salvatore was an absolute pain in the ass.

"Barbie, did you come to give me my last rites?" Damon asked as Caroline walked into the master bedroom.

"I wish, but sadly no," Caroline smiled.

"And still funny as ever. Can't you recognize a dying man when you see one?

"Damon, you have the common cold. I don't think you're going to die any time soon."

"Lies Barbie – that's what they want you to think. I probably have Ebola or yellow fever. Those two were the most probable matches on the web for my symptoms."

Caroline chuckled, "Don't worry Damon. If anything happens to you, I'll watch out for your two girls." She looked around the room and saw a couple of odd machines placed around the room. "What's that?" she asked pointing to the one near the bed.

"A humidifier – it increases the humidity in the room."

Pointing to another machine, "And that one?"

"A dehumidifier – it decreases the humidity in the room."

"Wait," tilting her head to one side, "doesn't that mean that it just cancels it out. Is there any point to any of these machines?"

"They're healing me Barbie. You wouldn't understand, but there's scientific research backing all of this."

Caroline deadpanned. She could understand the frustration that Elena was feeling towards her husband. She needed to get out of the room now or Damon would probably rope her into an exhilarating six hour game of Go Fish like in the ear infection of '08. "So, I'll just get going… I have a ton of errands to run."

"Wait, play one round of Go Fish with me. Elena and Alex won't play with me and I'm so bored," he turned his pleading blue eyes on her. Caroline could feel her will crumble under the infamous Salvatore charm.

Just when she was about to say yes, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it. Elena's pretty busy in the kitchen and I'm on my way out anyways. Good bye Damon! Hope you get better soon." She hurried out of the room leaving a flabbergasted Damon.

Saved by the bell – literally.

"I got the door Elena! I'll be leaving now. Thanks for the cookies and all the best of luck dealing with Damon!" Caroline yelled towards the kitchen as she headed towards the front door.

"Ok, Care! Just let the people at the door in – its Alex's play date from school. And don't forget, we are having drinks tomorrow at that swanky new bar tomorrow." Elena hollered from the kitchen.

Caroline smiled as she heard her friend. All of those years in the cheer squad had really built healthy pair of lungs for the both of them. Even when they lived together with Katherine while in college, they communicated by shouting from different rooms of the house they rented.

She grabbed her wallet and keys and opened the door. "Hey, Elena said just go into –" she paused midsentence. Standing in front of her was the last two people she expected – Klaus Mikaelson and his daughter.

His expression suddenly turned sour as soon as he saw her, "You!"

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Their minds say "Gotcha heart"

Let's move it along

Let's move it along

Authors Note: Next chapter will be full of Klaroline moments. So until then!

Shameless advertising: Please go check out my Klaroline one shots 'free fall' and 'capture'. They're both filled with Klaroline goodness.