This is set after Cami is killed during season 3. A heartbroken Klaus leaves New Orleans after killing all the Strix. He seeks a witch to save Rebekah from a curse that was put on her by the Strix, a vampire group created long ago by Elijah and now led by the first man he ever turned Tristan. Tristan's sister Aurora killed Cami, the human Klaus had grown to love in New Orleans. Eventually, Klaus' journey leads him to Cleveland where Faith is living, protecting the hellmouth there. For BTVS, this takes place a few years after season 7. Begins with a slight Vampire Diaries crossover.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of BTVS, The Originals, or the Vampire Diaries.

Chapter 1: A Journey Begins

Klaus was covered in his enemies' blood and still he craved more. Seething, he looked at Tristan crying over his sister Aurora's body. Lucian's body lay beside her. Klaus had killed him first. Lucien was the one who brought Cami to Aurora's attention to begin with.

"She took Cami from me. Rebekah is cursed because of her! She deserves a thousand deaths!" Klaus exclaimed angrily.

"She was sick, Niklaus! She loved you!" an anguished Tristan cried, rocking her body.

"Sick she may have been, but she was too selfish to ever understand what love was!" Klaus said coldly. "You allowed your fear of mortality to bring about this sire line war. Now all your soldiers are dead. I want it known that all who come against me and those I love will die," Klaus said.

"Kill me now and be done with it!" Tristan cried.

"I'd rather you suffer your immortal life all alone knowing that anytime you begin to care about anyone or anything I could come along at a moment's notice and snatch it from you," Klaus said, hatred dripping from his every breath.

He turned to leave, nodding to Elijah and Marcel. Marcel was the only Strix allowed to live. Klaus never considered him one since he pretended allegiance to Tristan only to find out what they were up to.

Elijah, though, wasn't about to allow Tristan to live. He walked up to the first vampire he created. "You are such a disappointment," he said with a sigh. Then he reached down and ripped off his head.

Klaus had paused to watch, and he couldn't hold back the smirk. His brother could still surprise him. He went home, washing the blood from his body and donning fresh clothes. A desire to hold his daughter filled him, so he went next door to Hayley's.

Jackson opened the door. "Is it over?" he asked, stepping back to let Klaus in.

"It is. They are all dead. No threat to our lines or to Hope remains," Klaus said. Hayley appeared with Hope in her arms.

"Dadda!" Hope called. Her first word had been that, and Klaus never tired of hearing it. She was his light, his heart—the only thing keeping him from becoming lost in his darkness.

He reached out and took her from Hayley, hugging her. "Daddy's here, sweetheart," he told her.

Hayley looked at him in concern. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Okay enough," he said. He kissed his daughter. Then he looked up at Hayley. "I need to leave this city for a while as I am unfit to be around Hope in the state I am in."

Hayley frowned. "Hope lost me for months, Klaus. She doesn't need to lose you, too," Hayley said.

"She'll never lose me," he replied. "I will only be gone a few weeks. I will seek out covens and find someone strong enough to free my sister from her curse."

Hayley nodded. "All right," she said. "Will you call?"

"Yes," Klaus agreed. "Elijah will remain home with Freya. Hope will be protected."

"Hope is always protected," Hayley said fiercely. Jackson put his arm around her in support.

"I know, little wolf," Klaus said with a half-smile. "Nevertheless, Elijah is the strongest next to me. He would die for you both." He looked at Jackson. "Even you."

Jackson didn't like the reminder that Klaus' brother would give his life for him or his family even though he knew it was true. It was hard to resent a man so devoted to his family even if he was in love with your wife.

He kissed Hope one last time and handed her back to Hayley. "Goodbye, little one. I will return," he said.

"Bye-bye!" Hope said with a grin.

Startled, Klaus looked at Hayley, who looked equally surprised. "When did she learn to say that?" he asked.

Hayley grinned. "Just now," she said. She grabbed Hope's hand and showed her how to wave goodbye.

Klaus hated knowing he might miss other firsts, but he knew he had to leave. He was no good to anyone right now. "Bye-bye, Hope. Daddy loves you," he said, dropping a kiss on her head. His eyes locked with Hayley, who regarded him with concern.

"Be careful," she advised.

Klaus didn't make promises he had no intention of keeping. "I'll return soon," he said, hoping that was true. He forced himself to leave his daughter behind, knowing she was in good hands.

*****Three Days Later*****

Klaus spent a few days driving to Florida and killing whenever the mood struck him. There was always some foolish vampire that didn't know who he was. He spoke to a coven in Tallahassee that got him nowhere. Bloody witches were all the same. He was an abomination that no one wanted to help. Frustrated, he decided to find a witch he knew would help and drove to Mystic Falls.

When he entered the town, it was clear something was very wrong. No one was around. The town was utterly empty. He pulled up to the Mystic Grille and got out of his car, disturbed by the lack of noise and movement. New Orleans was so full of life, but Mystic Falls was now a ghost town. The contrast was unsettling.

He wondered what had happened to destroy his old home so thoroughly. It bothered him that Caroline hadn't called him for help. He walked into the Grille, hoping to find someone to explain what was happening.

His sister's former lover, the lone human in the Salvatore's circle of friends was sitting alone at a table. He looked up when Klaus entered, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Klaus!" Matt exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for a witch," Klaus said. "Do want to fill me in on what has happened to this town?"

Matt looked wary and guarded—a hardness about him that Klaus had never seen. "A lot," he said with a sigh.

"How about I pour myself a drink while you fill me in?" Klaus asked.

Matt wasn't sure what compelled him to share so much with the hybrid who'd caused him and his friends so much suffering. However, he was lonely. He was the sole guardian of a town that was devoid of human life. The Mikaelsons, no matter the problem they caused, had never sought to destroy his home as the heretics had.

Klaus listened to Matt's story without interruption. When Matt spoke of vampire witches, Klaus blinked in surprise. His mother would so not approve. However, when Matt shared that Caroline was magically knocked up, he spoke. "Is she okay?" he asked. Caroline was a dream not forgotten. One day their paths would cross again.

"You know Caroline. Nothing fazes her for long. Her mom died last year of cancer, so she's missing her a lot right now," Matt said.

Klaus felt a pang of sympathy. His little golden vampire was going to be a mother. How extraordinary! He was surprised that he felt no resentment or jealousy over the fact. Instead, he felt happy for her. "Those babies will find no better mother," Klaus said.

"I heard that you—that you fathered a child," Matt said, haltingly. "Is that true?"

Klaus nodded. "I have a daughter. It seems my werewolf side did the impossible. Hope will be two in the spring," Klaus said proudly.

"What brings you to town?" Matt asked.

"We had a battle with the sire lines back in New Orleans. The first humans Rebekah, Elijah, and I turned decided to try and put us in a protective custody of sorts," Klaus shared. "We killed them all, of course. But Rebekah has been cursed by one of their tricks. I need a witch to save my sister."

"Bonnie is at school in Whitmore. She shares a room with Caroline, so you can find her there," Matt said. "I'll call and tell her you're coming."

"What can I do to help you? This town is a tomb," Klaus said.

"You can go to the Salvatores' and kill the insane heretic vampire living there. Stefan and Damon have been trying to kill him, but he is too strong for them," Matt shared.

"Consider it done," Klaus said.

"If we get them to leave, we can begin bringing back our town," Matt said.

Klaus downed his drink. "Are you tired of being weak? I can make you a vampire, so you can be strong enough to protect your town," Klaus offered.

"Thanks, but I don't want to become the thing that's destroyed it to begin with," Matt said firmly.

"Come now, Matt. You have to know that each person is as a vampire the person they are at heart," Klaus told him. "Caroline became the best version of herself, did she not?"

"Caroline is the exception to every rule," Matt said with a smile.

Klaus chuckled. "Very true," he said.

"I'll call Bonnie now," Matt said. He pulled out his phone. "Bon, are you at your dorm?

"No. I'm in my car. Caroline called me. She's at Stefan's. I was unconscious since Nora drained all my magic," Bonnie said.

"Are you okay?" Matt asked her.

"Yea. Just a headache. Caroline needs help with Stefan and Damon. Julian stabbed Damon with that sword that has the phoenix stone on it, so he's trapped in some type of hell. Stefan had some harebrained plan to kidnap Mary Lou to draw out Julian, so Nora got pissed and did the same thing to him," Bonnie said. "I've got to help them somehow, and I have no idea what to do."

"Klaus is here. Maybe he can help. He'll kill Julian at least," Matt said.

"Really?" Bonnie asked. "We could use something good happening for once. I'll see you guys soon."

"Looks like things are a real mess," Klaus said, shaking his head.

"They really are. I don't think you want to get dragged into the mud with us," Matt said, standing.

"I can handle the mud," Klaus said. "And I relish a good fight." It would be nice to have a distraction that kept him from focusing on what he lost with Cami.

Klaus and Matt arrived at the Salvatores before Bonnie. Caroline met them at the door.

"Klaus!" Caroline said, pleased to see him.

"Hello, love," he said, smiling at her. She was a sight for sore eyes. "You're radiant!"

She looked embarrassed and put her hand to her stomach. "A lot's happened since you left," she said with a smile.

"So I heard," he said. "Congratulations."

Caroline was so scared for Stefan and Damon and worried about being a mother or not being one that having Klaus there was such a relief. He was an immovable force. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him. "I'm really glad you're here," she said.

"It's good to see you," he said.

"I filled Klaus in on what he's missed," Matt said.

"It's been crazy. People dying and coming back to life right and left," Caroline said with a grin.

"I've experienced a bit of that myself. My mother figured out how to come back in human form and my father was brought back by a witch after the Other Side collapsed," Klaus shared.

"Seriously?" Caroline asked.

"Some people are even more fun killing the second time," Klaus said smugly.

Matt laughed. "Same old Klaus," he said. At least that hadn't changed.

"So first thing's first. Where's this Julian?" Klaus asked.

"Did someone call my name?" Julian asked, appearing.

"Is this the guy who's squatting in my friend Stefan's house?" Klaus asked.

"That's him," Caroline said, giving the man an angry glare.

Mary Lou and Norma appeared behind him. "Who is this?" Norma asked.

"This is Klaus Mikaelson. Hopefully, he's here to kill you," Caroline said, glaring at the girls.

"I do need a witch, though. I'll let one of them live," Klaus said.

"If you need a witch, you can keep Stefan's old girlfriend Valerie alive. She's one of them. Stefan knocked her up when she was human, and Julian made her miscarry their baby. Stefan never knew," Caroline shared. "He probably won't like it if you kill her."

Klaus nodded, moving before anyone could react. He punched his hand through Julian's chest, pulling out his heart. "One down. Two to go," he said, tossing the heart aside.

The two girls linked hands and tried to bring Klaus to his knees with pain. Klaus just smirked. "Is that the best you got?" he asked. The girls looked scared for the first time. "Which one of them sent Stefan to hell?"

"It was Nora," Caroline said, pointing to the brunette.

Klaus grinned and moved again in a blur, killing the two women, starting with Nora. "There. Problem solved," he said.

Matt just shook his head. "You make that look too easy," he complained.

"Thank you," Caroline said, relieved that one problem was solved.

Bonnie opened the front door and saw the bodies. "You killed them?" she asked, looking up at Klaus.

"It's what I'm good at," Klaus said with a shrug. "I took care of one of your problems. Now I need you to help me with mine."

Bonnie nodded. "Okay, but I need to check on Damon and Stefan first," she said.

Valerie appeared. "You killed them? Now I have no one," she said woefully.

"I guess that's what happens when you surround yourself with psychos," Caroline said, unsympathetic.

Klaus grinned at her. He had missed her and was glad to see age had sharpened, not dulled, her edges. They went into the living room. Damon was on the couch and Stefan the floor. They both appeared dead.

Klaus watched with interest as Bonnie went to Damon's side, upset. Had the oldest Salvatore finally won over the witch?

"Oh, Damon. Not again," Bonnie murmured, stroking his head.

Klaus looked at Matt. "What did I miss?" he asked.

"She and Damon were stuck in a hell purgatory with a psychotic heretic that tortured them for several months," Matt explained. "They bonded. The ass they were trapped with is the one who put a sleeping spell on Elena, tying her life to Bonnie's. When Bonnie dies, Elena will wake up."

Klaus knew how much the vampire loved his brother's former girl, so he couldn't believe that Damon hadn't killed Bonnie immediately. "Things really have changed," he murmured.

"It looks like that freeing the Salvatores is going to take some time," Klaus said. "So how about you help me first?"

Bonnie stood, nodding. "What's going on?" she asked.

Klaus explained what he was needing. "I will consult my grimoires," Bonnie said. She looked at Valerie. "Do you know anything about this type of curse?"

"I know that something like this can only be broken by a very powerful witch," Valerie said.

"We'll figure it out, Klaus," Bonnie assured him.

Klaus grinned. "This is just like old times," he said.

*****Cleveland Hellmouth*****

Faith was bored. "That was the lamest world ending attempt yet," she complained to Xander.

"Yea, they do seem to be kind of tame lately," he agreed.

"It's because there's too many slayers fighting. Takes the fun out of it. The odds are always in our favor," Faith said.

"Makes me miss Sunnyhell," Xander said.

Faith's eyes lit up. "Now Sunnydale knew how to keep a gal guessing," she said. "I'm bored and horny. Do you want to take me for a ride?"

"Be there, done that. I still have the whiplash," Xander said with a smirk. Surprisingly, he and Faith had become good friends in the past two years. She still hit on him all the time. More since she and Robin broke up a year ago. However, Xander knew it was mostly just a reflex with her. They'd spent a year in Europe finding their footing, collecting and training slayers. Then the Cleveland hellmouth started acting up, so Giles decided it was Faith's turn to be in charge of one. Technically, Xander was the Watcher in charge of the slayers stationed there. There was a dozen or so besides Faith.

Xander threw his arm across her shoulder. "Cheer up, Faith. Willow is coming back in a few weeks. We have Andrew to torture in the meantime," he said.

"I just wish someone would come to town that wasn't trying to end the world but could give me a good workout!" Faith said with a sigh.

"It's a new year," Xander reminded. "I'm sure someone or something will come along to play with you." He grinned at her.

"I can only hope…" she said.

*****Chapter End*****