Hey :)

So I'm a huge Klaroline shipper and this story idea kinda came to me whilst fangirling on a sleepless night (y'know, like you do!). Anyway, hope you give it a read and tell me what you think? It'd mean a lot :)

Fractured Light

After Elena turns off her humanity, she murders Caroline's mom to prove a point. Now Caroline's alone, just like Elena. So what does she do? She runs, never looks back and worst of all, flips the switch. Can Klaus save her? Can he be her light, guiding her back?

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or it's characters (sadly).

Klaus' POV

It had been months since I'd last seen her. Six to be in fact.

Stefan and I were still on the road, looking for her. Of course, Stefan left now and then to go and check in on Elena. I didn't really see the point in him doing so. As much as he loved Elena, she would never truly be his again. She wouldn't love him like he wants her to. She was far too gone. And Stefan, well he was just a lost soul. I knew one of the main reasons he agreed to help me find Caroline was so that his mind would be occupied by anything other than Elena. What could be worse than being in love with a girl who loved your brother after turning her humanity off?

My mind, however, was occupied by the need to find her. I craved to see her face again. It had been six whole months since I'd last seen her. Mystic Falls wasn't the same without her. It missed her essence, her beauty, her shining light.

I still remember the night Rebekah told me the news. I was out, running errands and hot on Katherine's trail after getting the heads up from Hayley. Of course, Caroline thought I was going after Tyler.

My phone rang just as I was about to pounce on one of Katherine's allies. I glanced at my phone and grimaced; what did I do to deserve such a pestering sister?

"What could be so important Rebekah that has you constantly ringing me for the past four hours? Hasn't my ignorance sent you the message yet?" I felt her frown at the other end of the line.

"Nik" she replied, she sounded off. I instantly grew worried.

"What is it Rebekah?" I demanded, knowing whatever it was that she was about to tell me wasn't going to be good.

"It's Caroline." And that's when I froze. Who knew those two words could cause an Original's heart to skip a beat? What about Caroline? It had only been over twenty-four hours since I last saw her.

"What happened? Is she okay?" I asked, growing anxious.

"No." Rebekah breathed.

I didn't reply. I wasn't even stunned at Rebekah's reaction and sudden sympathy towards Caroline; even though she'd otherwise be willing to tear her apart at any give opportunity.

"It's her Mom. Elena" she paused, hesitating, "- Elena killed her Mom".

I was glad Rebekah didn't beat around the bush and told me straight out. It gave me enough ammunition to drop everything and leave.

I hung up on her straightaway and turned around; terminating my plan and heading back for Mystic Falls even though I was half way to New Orleans.

Only when I arrived a few short hours later, Caroline was nowhere to be seen.

"What d'you mean she's gone?!" Stefan just looked away, his face drenched in guilt as I questioned him on Caroline's whereabouts.

"I don't know. I took her back home and she said she wanted to be left alone. And then she was gone when I went to check up on her later" Stefan shrugged.

I was fuming, my heart was racing.

"And where's she?" I spat, indicating to Elena.

"With Damon." he finished. Of course, I thought.

"What do we do now?" Bonnie asked.

To be frank, I didn't know what to do. After hours of coming up with a cover story, I was adamant on going out there, searching for her; she couldn't have gone that far. But Stefan held me back. He thought that throwing Liz a funeral in the coming days might draw Caroline in, that she'd turn up to pay her final respects to her mother. But it seemed Caroline had already done so. The day of the funeral came; we all kept watch, on high alert for her. But nothing.

She didn't return.

Having had a few last stern words with Elena who seemed to be the only one joyous of Caroline's mother's death and resisting the impulsive urge to tear the new vampire to shreds, I left. Only to realize I had a partner accompanying me.

"I'll come with you," Stefan said as I packed up the Jeep, ready to go. I gave him narrow look,

"Are you sure, mate? I don't intend to come back here until I find her." I vowed.

I watched as Stefan glanced around, as if he had already said his goodbye to the blasted town and was ready to leave.

He let out a huge sigh, "There's nothing left for me here anymore" he said, meeting my eyes. "Caroline was there for me when I needed her. But I didn't return the favour; I let her down. I owe this to her".

I small smile grew on my lips. I admired Stefan for a lot of things. Especially his nobleness and the fact that he was true to his words. He reminded me of Elijah with his credibility's. I didn't argue, I let him accompany me. After all, he did let Caroline down, as did I many a times. It was somewhat bestowed upon us to find her and bring her back.

And that's where we were now, looking for her.

We'd been following trails that led us nowhere for the last four weeks, crossing new towns, new territories, building false hope, following paths that lead us nowhere but dead ends and for a while, it looked like we were never going to find her. It made it harder due to the fact that we didn't know what to look for. She left no bloodshed which meant she stuck to her diet and hadn't fallen off the wagon and flipped the switch which was my biggest worry.

But then, just as we crossed into South Carolina, that's when that fear turned into a reality.

There was a long string of reckless murders, all killed callously and inhumanely and left bloodless. You'd think the person behind it wanted to be found. A liability.

At first, I didn't believe it. This wasn't Caroline. I knew how much she cared for humanity, how she didn't have it in her to feed on humans or to kill this way, this wasn't her lifestyle, leaving a trail up and down the state; she wouldn't be so reckless, would she? The victims left drained didn't have a pattern; it was varied, from college freshmen to lowlifes off the street. It was cleverly thought.

A part of me still didn't believe it was her as we followed the recent, most promising trail.

I followed Stefan into the seventh bar that we had searched tonight. I was tired of these loopholes, of looking in the wrong place. The evidence was there, dead bodies lay in the most obvious places all drained of blood but we were always too late. I was surprised there wasn't a dead body here yet. But then again, that would mean either she wasn't here yet or we were in the wrong place – again. I'd put my money on the latter.

"Can I get two whiskies on the rocks please," I heard Stefan order as we passed through the crushing bodies and finally made it to the bar. I eyed Stefan sternly. Surely he wasn't planning on staying.

"What? We've been passing through god knows how many towns looking for her and she's surely one step ahead of us. A drink won't change those facts. Besides, you can't come to a bar and not get a drink", Stefan cocked his head to the side with a cocky smile, making the tensesituation lighter.

I had to give it to him, he had a point. And i'd not had a drink in a while.

"Very well then," I muttered, glancing around the packed room and taking a seat.

This wasn't Caroline's scene anyway. It was much too loud and the atmosphere was crammed and I highly doubted she hung around alcoholics and drug addicts. But then again, never in a million years had I expected Caroline to fall off the wagon so maybe she had taken up some new hobbies.

I gulped the drink in one go, letting it disperse into my stream instantly and ignite my senses. It gave me just the kick I needed to get back to work.

"Ready to go?" Stefan asked, paying the barkeep as he finished up.

And that's when I heard the voice, totally ignoring Stefan.

"Can I get two vodka's, three shots and… a bottle of champagne" she ordered over the loud noise, "I'm celebrating" she said in her ringing, bubbly tone. God how I missed that could-be-annoying voice. Instantly, I could feel a smile on my lips as the recognition hit home.

Stefan turned to walk out but I stopped him in his tracks, standing in front of him and slowly turning, scanning the room until I laid my eyes on the very thing I had come searching for. He followed my gaze.

I froze instantly.

She was dashing as usual, her lustrous blonde hair falling to frame round her beautiful face, that angelic smile plastered on her face. She hadn't changed at all; she was still as radiant as I had last seen her.

But I thought too soon.

"ID please" I heard the bartender ask.

I watched as her innocent demeanour disappear as she laid her compulsion on the vulnerable barkeep.

"You don't need ID. Make that three bottles of Champagne and bring it over to us over there" she ordered fiercely, her face slowly returning to her angelic one. I watched as she made her way back to the other side of the room.

I couldn't blink as I lost her in the pool of people surrounding us, separating me from her.

"Caroline" I whispered.

"What do we do now?" Stefan asked.

I knew we had to be cautious. We had no idea what we were dealing with, whether she was still the old Caroline or not. I had to fight the urge to follow her, to lay my eyes on her once again. But I knew a confrontation wasn't yet needed.

"Observe her." was all I could come up with.

Most of the night went by as we stood behind the bar, peering over at her as she laughed and danced around the room, brightening up everyone's night as she passed, she was energetic, relaxed, in her element. Full of more life and energy than I had ever seen her with before. She was the life and soul and drive of the place. She was having fun. Truly having fun. Getting out of that godforsaken town did her good. I'd never seen her be so free before. And god she looked good, tempting even. It was true when they said time away made the heart grow stronger. I was ready to pounce on her.

And I couldn't wait any longer. After watching her let loose and dance on the tables, cause every male around her to be captivated by her light and made them swoon, she finally made it to the bar, alone.

Gladly, it was nearly closing time and place was pretty empty except for her new group of friends, us and a couple more bystanders.

It was my only opportunity.

Here goes nothing, I thought as I made my way towards her.

I walked up to the bar, watching her carefully, moving past the body that separated me from her.

"Can I get another vodka please" she ordered.

"Make that two" I added, as I reached her side.

I listened as her heart skipped a beat; she froze, staring straight ahead, her pulse pounding.

I couldn't help but try and meet those beautiful blue eyes, dazed and disoriented by her.

"Hello love" I whispered.

She didn't move, she didn't breathe; she just stared straight ahead.

"It's been a while" I said with a small smile. From the corner of my eye, I saw Stefan stand on guard at the other end of the bar.

She glanced down before her eyes met mine.

And that's when I froze.

There was nothing but darkness in the once captivating eyes. They weren't bright blue as I remembered but shadowed with fire and rage and animosity.

All of a sudden, my doubts about her being responsible for all those dead bodies evaporated. I was stunned.

This wasn't the Caroline I knew. It wasn't her. It wasn't my Caroline.

Thank you so much for reading this - sending y'all virtual cupcakes ;)

So, what did you think? Loved it? Hated? It'd mean a lot if you left a review and let me know what you thought! :)

Again, thanks for reading lovelies :)