My eyes open and the burning pain from moments ago is gone. I'm lying on my back in what appears to be the compound; however, I can tell it's not the same. The fighting has stopped. The people have vanished. For a moment my mind is foggy, I have forgotten the even that got me here. I sit up and run a hand through my hair. There is a blood stain on my shirt, above my heart, but the wound has healed. Slowly, the memories begin to flood back. We were attacked at the compound. I was shot with the last white oak bullett. I was protecting my family. Hope, she was there, I was protecting her. Suddenly, I'm full of anger. I scream, but no one is around to hear me.
Finally, I gain the strength to stand up. My body aches and I'm surprised. If I am dead, how can I still be in pain? Once I find my balance, I walk out of my house. As I suspected there is no one in the streets. It's far too quiet for my liking.
I travel down the streets of an alternate New Orleans. If this is Hell it is nothing like I had imagined. There is no fire, no chaos. In a strange way, I feel calm. I feel at peace and it overwhelms me.
Is it possible, that after everything I have done in my long life that I have not gone to Hell? Is this what happens to every supernatural being that dies now that the other side is gone? I fear I will never know, so I stop questioning it. I could have ended up a lot worse.
I hear a soft noise in the distance, and I know my mind is now playing tricks on me. However, I can't stop myself from walking in that direction. It's like a lighted path, wanting me to follow. As I grow closer I realize where I'm headed and I feel the ache in my chest. At the end of this street is a cafe. I want to stop. I want to walk away, but I can't. My feet pull me forward, and then I see her. I shake my head because I know this can't be real.
Her blonde head turns to face me. "I wondered when you'd show up here." She says and that's when I know that this isn't Hell. If I were in Hell, it would not allow me the privilege of seeing her.
"Camille…" I breath out. I don't believe my eyes. She died beside me, then again I am dead now too I remind myself.
She stands up and smiles at me. It's the most beautiful smile I've ever seen. Whether she is real or just a figment of my imagination, I need to touch her. I run and pull her into my arms.
"Are you real?" I ask looking into her eyes.
She nods as tears fall on her cheeks. Automatically my thumb wipes them away. "Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?"
"I think I have some idea." She answeres.
"How are you here?" I ask, clutching her too me.
"I don't know." She answers and suddenly pulls away looking at me. "Wait, Klaus, if you're here does that mean you're…" She trails off with that look on her face. It was just like her to be worried about me.
"That I'm dead? Yes, after a thousand years it was bound to happen eventually."
"Oh, Klaus." Before I knew it she had her arms around my neck.
"You shouldn't be worried about me, love." I say slowly rubbing her back. "I'm with you now."
"But you family, Hope." Is she crying?
"Hey, hey it's okay." I pull away to look at her. "Don't be sad for me. I've gotten to spend decades with my family. As for Hope, I died protecting her and our family. She will know that one day. She has plenty of people who will love her."
I will miss my daughter, but I know she's in good hands. She might not be able to know me, but she will know of me. I trust my brother and Hayley will tell her stories of her father. Perhaps she is better off without me anyway. I try to remain strong, but thinking of never holding my baby girl again causes a tear to slip from my eye.
Her hands cup my face, and again she's looking at me with that face of love and worry.
"You deserved better than me, love." I say as more tears fall from my eyes, and she's quick to wipe them away.
"Don't you say that, Klaus." She says shaking her head. "I wouldn't change a thing that happened between us. Sure, I'd love for us to still be in the real world," she let out a small, sad laugh, "but that's life." She smiles at me and I instantly feel better.
"You let me in, Klaus. I was your therapist remember? I know how hard it is for you to let people see the real you. Being loved by you isn't the burden you think it is."
Now it's my turn to pull her into my arms. She always knows what to say to lift my spirits. I hadn't realized just how much I missed her until this very moment.
"I love you." I say, bringing my lips to hers.
She pulls away slowly, and she's smiling at me. "I love you. Now, I think we need to get you cleaned up." She says and I suddenly remember the blood stain on my shirt.
"Is there someplace to do that here?" I ask looking around.
She takes my hand and leads me in the direction of the compound. "It's strange, but everything here is the same. It's like the day I died everyone vanished and left everything behind."
I squeeze her hand at the mention of her death. She's with me now, but the memory is still painful. Once we arrive at the compound I realize what she meant. I hadn't paid much attention when I had awoken, but everything is in it's rightful place.
Camille still has my hand as we make our way to my room. I note that the bed looks freshly slept in, I look to her and she blushes.
"Have you been sleeping in my bed?" I ask with a smile.
She nods, embarrassed. "Had I known I was going to have company, I would have made it."
(FLASHBACK: Cami's POV)
My eyes flutter open and I look around the dimly lit room. "Klaus…" I whisper as tears spill from my eyes, but he's gone. The wonderful scene we had shared in my head has faded away and I'm left cold and alone. Slowly, my feet find the floor and I'm standing. It's Klaus' room, but he's gone. "I'm dead." I remind myself.
I wonder into the hallway. A chill runs through me when I know I'm truly alone. I'll always be alone here.
"Hello?" I call out, desperate for anyone to answer, I'm fooling myself. Yet, I can't stop myself from checking every room.
I make my way out of the compound and into the streets of New Orleans. I have to admit, it's frightening seeing the city so empty. I pull my arms to my chest. I shouldn't feel so afraid, but I do. The small bit of light hanging above me is quickly fading. Even though I can not see it, the sun must be setting. I turn around and find myself heading back to the compound.
My heart aches as I walk back into his room. Without thinking I grab a shirt from his dresser and bring it to my nose. It smells like him. Still holding the shirt close to me, I sit on the bed. Tears fall down my cheeks and I don't bother wiping them away.
"Klaus, I'm scared…" I let out a shaky sigh. "I know you're hurting right now, I can feel it, but please don't let your anger get the best of you." I sob and wipe at my face. I know he can't hear me, but I let myself pretend. "I love you…"
When the last word are out of my mouth I'm sobbing into the shirt. I fall back into the bed, my head hitting the pillow, and I cry until I am asleep. My dreams are the only things to keep me sane.
(PRESENT: Klaus' POV)
I take my time in the shower, letting the hot water wash over my body. The only thing that pulls me out is the thought of Camille waiting in the next room. I run the towel through my hair before wrapping it around my waist and walking into my room. Camille is sitting at the desk looking through an old book.
"Hey, I was thinking we could…" She trails off when she glances up at me. Her cheeks blush and I can't hide my smile.
I walk over to her. Talking her hands, I pull her up to meet my lips. I feel her melt into the kiss and my hands slip around her waist. "What were you saying?" I ask with a wicked grin.
"I-I was thinking we could keep doing this." She grabs my neck and kisses me hard.
I smile into the kiss, slipping my hands underneath her shirt and my fingers graze her bare skin. I inch my way up her back, taking her shirt with me. I break away long enough to pull her shirt over her head and toss is on the floor. Her hands move down my chest and rest at the top of my towel. I let out a soft sigh as her fingers unwrap the towel from my waist. It falls in a pile beneath my feet and I'm left standing completely naked in front of her. In one swift motion I have Camille on her back in my bed. I work quickly to unbutton her jeans and soon they lay on the floor with her underwear.
"Klaus…" My name leaves her lips like a sigh and my mouth is covering hers.
She arches her back and I take this opportunity to unhook her bra. Using my teeth, I pull the bra straps down her arms. When her breath are free, my lips leave a trail of soft kisses down her neck only stopping when I reach her nipples and I take my time teasing each one. Her naked body wiggles beneath me as she moans softly.
"Keep still, love." I whisper in her ear. I feel goosebumps rise on her skin as I run my fingertips up her side. My erection proving how badly I want her. I kiss her neck, my teeth nipping at her skin. A soft growl escapes me. "I want to taste you."
"Then do it." her response more of a challenge and I ache for her.
My want is too strong, my teeth sink into her flesh. I slide into her at the same moment her blood enters my mouth. She moans in response as her hips move up to meet mine.
Suddenly, it's like her vampire side is awoken, and in a flash she switches our positions. "Now, it's my turn." She says with a devilish smile.
Her lips are on my neck, she's teasing me as I wait for her bite. When she buries her fangs into my throat my body is electrified. I feel her all around me as my blood flows into her mouth. "Camille…" I moan and she collapsed on top of me as we find out release together.
(xXx)
My eyes open to a sleeping Camille tucked safely in my arms. She's beautiful and I can't help but smile. I carefully untangle myself from her. Once I'm fully dressed I make my way to the kitchen. I put on some coffee and pull out some eggs and bacon from the fridge. Camille's timing is perfect. She enters the kitchen as soon as I place the food on the table.
"You didn't have to do this." She says taking a seat.
"I wanted to, love." I assure her.
"Hmm, I must say it's nice having someone here to cook for me."
"I should have done this for you a lot sooner." I say, knowing there are many things she deserved from me that I failed to give.
We laugh as we talk about nothing and everything over breakfast. Every time she smiles my heart swells a little more. Perhaps death will not be all bad, for she is here with me.
When we are finished she stands and begins clearing the table. I take her wrists in my hands, stopping her. "That isn't necessary, love."
"You cooked, it's the least I can do." She leans over to kiss my cheek quickly. Her lips are gone too soon and I find myself frowning.
"At least allow me to help." I pick up my plate and walk towards the sink.
Suddenly, I stop, as if an outside force is holding me in place. The plate falls from my hands, shattering on the floor.
"Klaus?" Camille asks turning to look at me. "What's going on?"
My vision blurs and her voice is fading. "Camille." I try to shout, but it comes out as a whisper.
I know she is now at my side. Her hand on my back as I fall to my knees, but I can no longer feel her. I try to reach for her; however, I find myself unable to move. I'm losing her again as darkness surrounds me.
There is a flash of white light and my eyes pop open. I wiggle my fingers l and I have control over my body once more. I'm still at the compound, but I'm back among the living. I hear their voices around me and I force myself to stand. They brought me back, but I was not ready to leave. I'm flooded with a hundred different emotions.
"Camille…" I mumble.
"Klaus…" It's Hayley speaking. She's standing in front of me, Hope in her arms.
I walk to her quickly, taking my daughter and holding her close. "Camille, she was over there with me. We have to bring her back." I look from Hayley to my siblings, pleading with them.
"Niklaus," it's Elijah who speaks first, "I can't promise anything, but we will try."
"I can't leave her." My voice cracks and I fight through the tears that are threatening to come. "I can't let her down again. She's all alone…"
Hayley takes a step toward me. I think she's about to say something, maybe try to comfort me, but I don't let her. I take a few steps back until I'm against a wall. Clutching Hope tightly, I slide to the floor. I take comfort in my daughter as the pain of losing Camille again washes over me.