Chapter 6

Caroline woke up the following morning with a groan as she felt her arm cramping and looked outside to see the storms were continuing for the day; with the pain she felt she knew it could last until the following day. She quickly lit a candle and went downstairs to inform Sheila and Bonnie that she could not assist with breakfast and to warm a cloth near the fire. Sheila had insisted she take a breathing treatment and return to bed until everyone else awoke so she did as instructed before returning to her room. Once she was back in bed her mind drifted off in wonder on who it was to return her to bed this time; knowing it was usually her brothers but, with guests in the house, it could have been anyone. Pushing the thoughts from her mind she curled her wrapped arm up to her chest and forced her body to go back to sleep for a couple of hours.

The second time Caroline woke up she noticed the minimal light coming from outside as the thunder shook the house and further observation showed her the empty bedroom; realization that her sister and Rebekah were already downstairs settling in. She pushed herself up and changed into her dress for the day before going downstairs to join the others. Her mother greeted her and told her that she was about to send one of the girls to retrieve her, but it was moot now with her already arriving. Caroline took her place at the table as she tried to push the cramps in her arm out of her mind and wrapped her shawl further around her arm; she would hate having to excuse herself if the pain persisted. A few moments later the food was being served and Caroline sent up a silent prayer of thanks that she wouldn't need to use both hands or to cut anything up. Seeing everyone already beginning their breakfasts she began eating hers; a little slower than the others since she was only using the one hand, but nobody noticed from what she could tell.

Breakfast seemed to pass at a snail's pace and Caroline fought the urge to ask to be excused as the pain increased. Once everyone was finished and dismissed she wasted no time in going to the kitchen to prepare another wrap for her arm. She had just finished wrapping the cloth around her arm and breathing in relief at the soothing heat dulling her pain when her father entered the kitchen and requested that she take another treatment because of the severity of the storms passing through; he didn't want to chance her having a breathing attack. Caroline agreed and asked who had taken her back to her room from the stables. Hearing Giuseppe mention that it was Klaus because he had checked on the horses and found her gave her a pause as she tried to formulate what to say to him in order of thanks. Caroline waited until the wrap had gone cold and the pain had eased further before going to seek out Klaus, and found him in one of the empty study rooms with the windows open and an easel in front of him as he painted. She didn't want to interrupt his concentration but she knew she needed to give her thanks before she talked herself out of it so she gave a small knock on the door.

"May I speak with you for a moment, Niklaus?" Caroline asked when he had raised his head up from the easel and glanced in her direction. Seeing him nod in return and gesture for the bench by the window to sit she made her way over as he was turning the easel to the side so he would be facing her. "I came to thank you for bringing me back in last night… father said you were the one to do so."

"It was no trouble, but you are welcome nonetheless." Klaus replied and Caroline nodded and sat there awkwardly since she didn't know if she should stay and talk with him or go on about her business.

"What are you painting, if I may ask?" Caroline asked to alleviate the silence in the room.

"While we were working in the fields yesterday, the sun was over the plantation at just the right angle to bring just how grand the place is to the surface and I wanted to try and capture that image; it is proving just a little difficult at the moment though." Klaus replied and Caroline raised her brow. She remembered when he would play with the paints and try to draw, and though she thought he did well as a child, she had not seen how his art had progressed until adulthood. Not wanting to pry, she nodded her head in reply and moved her gaze out the window at the rain pouring down. "I heard you play on the piano last night… it was quite impressive." Klaus stated and she turned her head back to look at him. "I can never get past chords, it seems."

"It takes a lot of practice… much like art in that sense, I guess; I'm horrible with paints and sketches." Caroline replied and watched as he laid the brush down and beckon for her to walk over. "I really shouldn't move too close to the paints… sometimes it makes it hard to breathe." Caroline spoke and he moved the easel closer to the window and motioned for her to come again; releasing a sigh she stood and walked over to join him. She stood in awe for a moment as she gazed over the landscape in front of her until she felt a brush being put in her hand and Klaus guiding her hand towards the painting. "Klaus… I cannot paint… I'll mess it up." Caroline stuttered out as she tried to pull her hand away from the work of art but he held her hand still.

"Just relax and I'll guide your hand if you need help." Klaus encouraged and she forced herself to take a breath and relax as he lifted her hand again and placed it lightly on the canvas. She didn't move unless his hand guided hers with the brush as she worried she would make a mistake. She knew she wouldn't be able to paint for long since the paint was already making her want to cough to remove the irritation at the back of her throat, but she didn't want to say anything because it wasn't often she had a chance to learn to paint. She managed to make a few swipes of the brush before Klaus pulled his hand away from hers and she stopped painting. "You are still too tense… I am going to give you a little space so you can relax." Klaus spoke as he kept his gaze from her, but she didn't look away from him.

"I really cannot paint… and I must stop anyway before I cannot breathe." Caroline replied and explained when he looked at her. She set the brush down and went to move out of the room, but Klaus called on her to wait for him. Feeling slightly confused she turned and watched as he put his brushes into water and shut the windows before walking forward to guide her out of the room. She didn't say anything as they walked down the hallway and into the music room. "Why are we in here?"

"If you have difficulty painting because of your breathing then maybe we should try to do something that is more in tune for you." Klaus stated and she looked down at her arm as it was still wrapped in a cloth that had long been cold and her shawl. "Today is not good for music, is it?" He asked and she shook her head before looking back at him. "Another time then. For now, let us get your arm feeling better." He spoke and began making a fire in the fireplace.

"You do not have to trouble yourself, Klaus, I will be fine; it always passes with the weather." Caroline tried to insist but he just shook his head and set up a cloth to begin warming once the fire was lit. She sighed as she realized he wasn't going to budge on the matter and went to sit on one of the chairs close to the fire. She had barely sat down when Klaus moved over and crouched down next to her arm; unwrapping it from the shawl and cloth already surrounding it, and began rubbing his heated hands over the cramping limb. She was set to protest but the combination of heat and the massage his hands were giving relieving some of the pain and she remained silent; aside from an almost inaudible sigh of relief with the pain dimming slightly.

"How about we read today, since the weather does not seem like it will lighten anytime soon?" Klaus asked as he kept up the rhythm of his movements and Caroline nodded as she remained silent. She remembered when they were little and how he had read aloud to her when she was still learning to read herself. She didn't comment on how he seemed to want to fall back into their friendship like they hadn't been separated for the past decade; it could be guilt, but he genuinely seemed to enjoy spending time with her.

Hours passed as the pain in her arm remained constant and her main focus had been keeping it hidden as multiple heated cloth wraps had been applied with little relief. Since the pain hadn't lessened or went away she knew it would continue storming for a day or two more. Klaus was still reading aloud and they had been joined by a few of the others as the day had passed, but now it was time for supper and Caroline was hoping it was a simple meal that wouldn't require both hands. Caroline listened to the conversations taking place around the table regarding her brother's wedding and another upcoming town festival that the more prominent land owners of the town had suggested in order to boost spirits with the threat of an impending war. Caroline briefly wondered if Tyler would be in attendance and if he would ask her to accompany him during the duration of both events, but he had been reluctant to speak of both events the last couple of times she had seen him. After dinner, she excused herself for the rest of the night so she could use the remainder of her evening trying to go to sleep through the storm and the side effects her body had endured from it.

One Week Later…

Caroline stood with happy tears as she watched her eldest brother walk out of the church with Elena before walking out with the rest of her family. The wedding ceremony had flown by without a hitch and now it was time for them to go to the square of town for the celebration. Caroline was sure nothing would get her down from the happiness she felt watching her brother wed one of her best friends, so she gladly darted through the crowd to see everyone had already began dancing. She wanted to join in, but without an invitation to dance it would be improper, so she scanned the crowd until she saw Tyler and went to join him. She wasn't thrilled that many of the other girls in town were huddled around him, but she didn't speak of the matter since they hadn't entered a courtship between them. What bothered her was how he hadn't the slightest interest in dancing during the ceremony and had left her and the others that had congregated around him in order to begin drinking with his friends. Feeling slightly downtrodden she started walking back towards her family, but she was surprised when Klaus blocked her path with his hand out in invitation.

"May I have this dance, sweetheart?" Klaus asked and she placed her hand in his before he led them into the center to dance. She did her best to try and avoid looking at Tyler but she couldn't completely; she wished she hadn't when she saw him glaring and huffing in their direction. She put her gaze back on her dance partner to see he hadn't looked away from her. She gave him a small smile and nod of her head before they began to twirl around the small area jovially; it was her brother's wedding after all. After a few dances she noticed he had tensed somewhat but his focus came back on her and he began speaking before she could question it. "You dance wonderfully."

"Well, Papa made sure I had training." Caroline returned as she felt him guiding her away from where they had been and more to the side.

"I fear I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look today." Klaus complimented and she felt herself blush as she tried to keep it at bay.

"It is the dress I believe…"

"No, it is your smile today; absolutely radiant." Klaus contradicted and she almost faltered in their dance before she was able to regain her steps. She was about to reply but she felt herself pushed forward, further into Klaus' arms as he tried to keep her stable, and she turned to see Tyler with a smug grin as he danced away with Hayley; only a moment later pulling Matt's sister Vicki into a dance. She felt Klaus' hands release her and she turned to see him starting to move in Tyler's direction so she put her hand on his arm to stop him. "He should not disrespect you like that, Caroline."

"Please let it go… I want to go home anyway." Caroline spoke in a rush and Klaus clenched his jaw before nodding and holding his arm up to escort her. He led her back to her family where she excused herself for the night and Stefan offered to take her back home since he was tired as well. Caroline moved away from Klaus when her father beckoned her; thanking him for dancing and listening to her before she forgot since he had been her company for most of the evening and she was beginning to enjoy spending a little bit of time around him again. Klaus only said it had been his pleasure before he excused himself and went to his own horse to return home since Stefan would be taking her home.

"Do you intend to keep up this idea of courting Tyler in your head?" Caroline heard her father ask and she turned to look at him finally.

"I'm sure he did not mean any harm… it could have been an accident…" Caroline returned as she tried to defend Tyler, but her father's face did not look as lenient as it usually did.

"It was the boy's jealousy and that was no accident." Giuseppe spoke with conviction and Caroline sighed; she didn't want to argue with her father, but she didn't want to give up her hopes of Tyler being able to court her either. "I will give one last chance for him to prove himself, without you telling him so, before my decision will be final; he will not court you ever, much less have your hand in marriage. There are more worthy bachelors that you could have for your future if you would notice them at all." He finished and she nodded before Stefan came with the horse to take them home. Feeling tired from the events of the day and the thoughts weighing her down she didn't take long to fall asleep.

Klaus POV…

Enraged would be the word to describe Klaus as he rode through the night on his way back to the Salvatore plantation; the gall of a stupid boy pushing Caroline because she was dancing with him. He had half a mind to go back and teach him a lesson, but he felt Caroline wouldn't take it kindly; she might even call him a hypocrite since he had pushed her in the past. Seeing his competition in the flesh had already made him nervous and hesitant to ask Caroline to dance, but as time passed and he watched disappointment become more prominent on her face, he decided to make his move. Dancing with her for over an hour before they had been stopped by Tyler's act had left him feeling a bit more hopeful in thinking she was starting to feel close to him again and that he might not refuse his offer to court her; even more so, her father would see how hard he was trying to gain her favor. It also helped he had finally told her brothers of his intentions, even if they were a little wary in the beginning with their history, and they were now rooting for him. His thoughts were still consumed as he arrived back at the plantation, but he decided to push them back for a later time because he had planned to rise early the next morning to try to get a head start on the orders from the field.

The following morning, he still didn't feel rested, but he forced himself to get out of bed to try and focus on work that day. Passing through the house he saw Caroline with the servants as she helped prepare breakfast and he paused as he saw her laugh along with the others she was with. He hoped that soon enough he could see her wake up each morning and they could begin their days together, but he knew he still had a few things he needed to learn and he had to pass the test Giuseppe would have in store for him. He didn't want to get caught staring so he silently moved passed the kitchen and out of the house. Walking to the field, he pulled out the ledger to see how much they would need to gather that day and groaned at the sight; it was higher than he had anticipated so it was a good thing he was getting a head start. He was grateful that the change of the season and early morning temperature kept the air cool enough that he would not break a sweat as he didn't want to have to change before breakfast; no one wanted to smell like they had not bathed at the breakfast table, especially with a group as large as theirs.

A short time later he was startled when Caroline came to collect him for breakfast, and he laughed when he could hear her grumbling about having to track him down; seeing her small glare in return he quickly silenced himself. He would never admit out loud that he had worked up a hefty appetite that morning as his breakfast was placed in front of him; he had to force himself to eat at the same pace as he normally did. Giuseppe thanked him for his effort to start working early, but assured him that he had expected to need more help for the day and had switched some of the servants to the field to help cover the extra labor needed; offering extra pay to those who volunteered, but it was unneeded since there were no complaints working for the Salvatore family because they had given them freedom, work, and a place to live. Throughout breakfast, he was reminded that Caroline would begin learning with Dr. Gilbert that day as he needed an assistant and she wanted to become a midwife. He felt a little disappointed that he wouldn't get to spend the day beside her, but he was also relieved because he didn't think she should be in the field working like a man would.

The day carried on and the coolness of the morning had long disintegrated to leave the sun and its harshness without a cloud in sight. He was ever so glad when the ledger had been met and Giuseppe called everyone off for the day; quickly making his way to get extra clothes so he could go to the creek nearby to cool down with his brother and the other workers. The cold, flowing water was a relief as he heard groans of appreciation surrounding him from the others; he hadn't bothered wading in himself as he took a leap and landed further out. The little trip to the creek hadn't lasted long before they heard the bells through the trees to signal dinner and they all got out to start dressing. Klaus wanted to remain in the creek but he wondered if Caroline had returned while he was gone and that was all the motivation he needed to pull himself from the water. Caroline had been a welcome sight as he seated himself at the dinner table and listened as she told her father of what she had learned that day; her face giving away all of the excitement animatedly in time with her hands. Klaus could see the pride on Giuseppe's face and the worry on Liz's as Caroline kept talking, but he kept silent as he watched and listened.

When dinner ended, he watched as Rebekah offered to start teaching Caroline the violin since the evening time was free of chores for them and the latter had readily agreed since she was still so excited over the events of the day. Klaus decided to bring his paints out and try to capture the image of his two favorite girls as they sat in the shade for the experience; slightly wondering if he would have to paint it twice since he knew his sister would want a copy the same as he intended to give Caroline the original. He learned that Caroline already knew a few notes on the violin because Stefan played a little from time to time, plus she could already read sheet music, but there was still quite a bit for her to learn. When he stood to stretch out some of the stiffness he had acquired he saw a horse coming closer, but it was still too far out as to try and guess the guest the Salvatore family would be having soon; sitting back down he decided to keep quiet about the incoming rider so he wouldn't distract the girls and he might finish soon. When the hoofbeats sounded off closer to him he looked up and immediately scowled when he noticed the familiar rider atop the horse.

Tyler had shown up unannounced and Klaus was somewhat glad that Caroline hadn't took notice yet since it pained him to see her attention on the other male. Apparently, Tyler could see he was still unnoticed and that Caroline was preoccupied with Rebekah; jealousy and anger barely being withheld from his facial expressions. Klaus looked at the other members of both his and the Salvatore family in various positions outside as they enjoyed their evening to see they had paused in their activities a well; no one seemed to be happy with the disturbance being because of Tyler Lockwood. Klaus didn't feel bad about his reaction once he saw others had the same emotions on display as him, but they had all hidden it better than he had, admittedly. Klaus watched as Tyler jumped down from his horse and grabbed a couple wrapped parcels from the saddle bag before approaching the girls; Rebekah ceasing instruction before Tyler reached them. Caroline had jumped slightly when Tyler had tapped her shoulder, but she didn't seem to relax when she noticed it had been Tyler; if anything, she looked more upset.

"How are you doing today, Caroline?" Klaus heard Tyler ask, although his face didn't seem to portray that he actually cared and was just asking out of cordiality.

"Very well actually. I spent the day learning medicines and practices and now I am learning more about the violin." Caroline answered as she gestured towards the instruments. Hearing the curtness in her voice, Klaus guessed she was still upset with his behavior the evening before.

"Why would you want to learn all of that when you will not need it once you are married? Surely you do not think you will be able to take care of the household and be able to have a trade; women should not ally in men's work?" Tyler questioned and Klaus could see Caroline's brow furrow and her cheeks turn red; a clear sign that she was beginning to get angry.

"I have every right to learn a trade as I have the blessings of my parents, as well as their promise my future husband will be one that does not disallow me this venture." Caroline answered and Klaus couldn't help but smirk in reaction as he kept up the brush strokes and pretended that he wasn't eavesdropping on the conversation.

"No Lockwood woman, by blood or marriage, has ever had a trade and they will not as tradition is held firm." Tyler replied and Klaus grit his teeth as he kept from speaking his own mind.

"I am a woman of the Forbes and Salvatore family so therefore I am able to have a trade; if you do not like it Tyler, you do not have to pursue me for my hand." Caroline retorted.

"I did not come here to argue with you today, Caroline. I came bearing gifts as an apology for my behavior during yester eve." Tyler switched topics, but Klaus could see they were still not in agreement. Klaus watched as she unwrapped the small package first to see ribbons of various colors inside and she gave a small smile in return, but when she opened the larger parcel she tried to give it back. Klaus doesn't know when he began to move, but he knew that he wouldn't be fast enough. Tyler had pulled out a bouquet of flowers from the wrapping and moved it directly in front of Caroline as she went to breathe.

The family members all started moving towards Caroline as Stefan landed a punch to Tyler's face, but Klaus had been the closest that had moved and caught Caroline before she fell; her breathing already raspy and labored as the flowers triggered a breathing episode. His mind started bringing up the many memories from their childhood where she would play too much and trigger these attacks on her own, and it took over his movements as he lifted her up and ran her inside the house; not stopping until he had reached Sheila and Ayanna. Once the two elder women had seen Caroline they went straight into preparing treatments for the blonde in his arms. Klaus had set her bon a bench ripped a washcloth to tie her hands together and pull them up to wrap around his head as he supported her upper body; it would give her lungs more room to breathe, if he remembered correctly. Outside he could hear all of them men yelling at Tyler, but Giuseppe's was the loudest when he declared that Tyler would never have Caroline's hand and that he was unwelcomed on the property from this day forward. Klaus knew he would be celebrating inside if he wasn't trying to keep Caroline breathing as she had begun to yank her body in multiple directions as she fought to breathe.

Sheila gave her the first treatment without warning and Klaus could feel Caroline's fingernails dig in to is scalp as she fought against the immobility she had currently. Klaus had to pull one of his legs over both of her to keep her seated and nearly lost his balance with the both of them, but he felt himself getting steadied and looked up to see Elijah had caught him. Knowing he wouldn't topple over with her, he moved his hands to rub up and down her back to stimulate her breathing like he had seen Giuseppe do a couple times when she was small. Rebekah, Liz, and Ester soon joined the room as they tried to help hold Caroline down with all of her thrashing; he could see they had all been crying and it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon. He felt the moisture on his own face, but he was terrified to look down at Caroline's and see fear and pain on her features; he wouldn't be able to keep from leaving her there and tracking Tyler down for himself if he did. Ayanna brought over a bowl to hold in front of Caroline as Elijah pushed him and her forward enough for her to hang over it; Liz moving to keep Caroline's hair from getting ducked into the mixture. Klaus didn't stop moving his hands until he heard a loud heave to signal that Caroline had finally opened her lungs enough to catch a breath; resuming when he took his own breath of relief. It was short-lived relief for him as he felt her breathing turn into shallow pants and her movements stopped as her weight settled more on him.

When he realized Caroline had passed out, he moved her arms back over their heads and untied them before Stefan came through and lifted her to take her to her bed. He was still shaking when he felt Elijah squeeze his shoulder and he turned to nod at his brother before he stood to face Giuseppe in the doorway. He quickly cleared his face of any tears that had slipped through before extending his hand to shake the elder's hand. Giuseppe walked over to him and disregarded his hand as he threw an arm around him in a thankful embrace; his mind racing as all he wanted to do was make sure Caroline was being tended to by the women that had followed Stefan, but he knew he had to wait until they had changed her and made her decent to visit. Klaus was wary of letting his emotions take over as he didn't want to return the embrace too roughly and possibly hurt the elder man, but he couldn't stop shaking so he broke out of the embrace and started pacing the length of the kitchen.

"She will be alright, Niklaus, she is able to breathe again. She will rest a while and spend the next couple days inside, but then she will return to the Caroline we all know her to be." Giuseppe spoke but all Klaus could do was nod in return. "You acted fast enough to get her to help and you have our thanks for that." He continued and Klaus finally looked at him in the face.

"Thank you, but I will feel much better when I see her resting and breathing." Klaus answered as he listened for any sign that Caroline was ready for visitors to her room, but there was nothing.

"I will not announce it until her birthday, but my decision has been made this day; you will have her hand if you still wish for it." Giuseppe spoke again and Klaus lost his own breath as he quickly sat on the bench again. "You first steps were getting to my daughter and seeing to her health instead of seeking vengeance against her attacker; whether it was an accident or not. That is the values I wish to see in a husband for her; not riches or usage, but of care for her."

"I wish for nothing more than the best for her, but I want her to make that decision; I will not force her hand to be mine." Klaus answered and Giuseppe nodded to him in agreement. "Do you think they have her decent so I may check on her?" He asked and Giuseppe nodded again before Klaus excused himself and walked up the stairs to her bedroom. Walking in slowly, he saw the women sitting at her bedside as Caroline was propped up slightly with her hands laid above her head to keep her breathing clear. Rebekah was clinging to Ester and Liz had her hand rubbing over Caroline's forehead; all three still crying as they noticed him enter. Once fully in the room, he could see Stefan leaning against the wall as he held Lexi and comforted her; the child much too old and heavy to be carried, but needing to be soothed regardless. He caught Stefan's eye and nodded to him as he received a nod in return as Stefan displayed his gratefulness on his face; his sister was alive and her breathing was back under control to fight another day.