Belgium, January 1945

It was dark, and the morphine was clouding his mind, but Stefan knew what he was seeing. She moved through the hospital wards like an angel, familiar yet different.

'Elena,' Stefan whispered as he half sat. The woman tilted her head and made her way towards him. She wasn't a nurse, she was wearing the uniform of an American solider.

'Hi,' she whispered as she knelt next to him and examined the information chart above his head. 'Lieutenant Salvatore.'

'What are you doing here?' Stefan was mesmerized. Her hair was curly, her voice sounded huskier, and she swayed when she walked.

'What did you call me sweetie?' She asked gently as she took his hand in hers.

'Elena, you're the image of Elena,' Stefan said.

She stroked her fingers over his hand and smiled at him, and with a start Stefan realized she tough he was delirious Perhaps he was, but he pointed to his pack under the bed. She pulled it forward a little and Stefan was able to reach into a pocket where a small bundle of letters were tied together. There was a photograph at the back and he pulled it out and showed it to her.

The woman gasped as she looked down. 'Who is this?'

'Elena,' Stefan repeated as the woman examined the picture.

'Is she your girl?' The woman whispered. She looked almost jealous.

'No, she's just the girl who broke my heart.' Stefan laid back. He couldn't look away from her face. She was the image of Elena yet he knew she wasn't she was different, she was someone else entirely. There was an air about her, a confidence that drew him in. 'Tell me your name.'

'Its Katherine. Katherine Pierce.'

Belgium, January 1945

Katherine visited him every day, and with her she brought a folder full of photographs. Katherine was a wartime correspondent who focused on photography. 'I write articles too but I find it tedious.' She flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Stefan leafed through the photographs. He liked the ruined buildings, the way Katherine captured them didn't show destruction but beauty. There was something about how she captured images of life among the rubble. There were people too, soldiers, families, children playing and women working, people being pushed to the limits of their capacity and beyond. People surviving.

'Life goes on,' Stefan said sadly.

'In an ideal world you'd like it to stop and cry for you?' Katherine asked.

'No, no I wouldn't, I would hate that,' Stefan said as he shook his head.

'I would love it, I love attention, or I used to,' Katherine said.

'What changed?' Stefan licked his lips.

'I found out I preferred to be on the other side of the camera,' Katherine admitted. 'I got more attention for being the female photographer than being the subject of the male's photographs.'

Stefan nodded and shifted to swing his legs over the side of the bed. 'That makes sense I suppose.' He stood up and Katherine helped him. They walked around the ward, then the hospital as they had done every day. 'What brought you to this place?'

'I don't know,' Katherine admitted. 'I'm trying to pull together an article on the wounded. I'm told the people at home aren't that interested in their injured warriors.'

'I think that people are afraid to admit what they're really interested in,' Stefan said as they headed back to the ward.

'Do you still think about her, about your girl?' Katherine asked as she helped him back into bed.

'Not as much as I used to,' Stefan admitted. He wasn't lying. Katherine captured his attention more now, Elena was already fading into memory.

'Am I a good distraction, or do you just like my face because it reminds you of her?' Katherine tucked him in.

'You're nothing like her,' Stefan promised. For some reason that seemed to make Katherine happy.

'I'll be back tomorrow, maybe we'll go for a walk outside,' Katherine said.

'I'll be waiting for you,' Stefan said.

In the morning Stefan feared that Katherine wouldn't turn up, as he did every day, but he dressed himself and waited patiently. His fear was needless, Katherine was there as promised. 'You didn't think I'd let you down did you?' Katherine lifted an eyebrow.

Stefan leaned close and pecked her lips. 'No, I was just looking forward to your company,' Stefan admitted as Katherine laced her arm with his. He didn't miss the small smile Katherine carried around for the rest of the day.

'War is ugly,' Katherine screwed her cute little nose up.

'Yet you document it with your camera and your words,' Stefan said as he limped over the rubble in the street.

'There's a beauty in ugly, I feel that it's important to preserve this,' Katherine said. 'We should record everything visually so that understand the devastation of battle.'

'War is hell,' Stefan swallowed. His leg ached but he was determined to push through the pain. He was desperate to get fit and return to his buddies.

'You would know- hey,' Katherine caught him when he stumbled.

'I could have crushed you,' Stefan said.

'You're not that heavy and I'm not that weak, come on,' Katherine kept one hand on his chest and the other on his hip. Her face was inches from his and all he had to do to kiss her was close the small gap between them. 'Lets rest.'

The spell was broken but Katherine helped him to an abandoned house a few feet away. She settled him on an old worn sofa and handed him her water canteen. He took a sip. 'I don't - you're not her. When I look at you I don't see her. You share the same face but you're totally different, your personality, how you walk, your voice and mannerisms,' Stefan took another sip of water. 'Why are you here, why haven't you moved on?'

'I like you, you're funny and strong and there's something in you that I just, I don't know. I can't describe it, the first time I saw you I just, I had to talk to you, I had to get to know you,' Katherine slid closer. 'And I'm using you.'

'Oh,' Stefan said.

'You're 101st Airborne, when you're ready I'm the one driving you back to the front in my jeep,' Katherine smirked.

Stefan chuckled. 'So that's all you want from me,' he swallowed.

Katherine licked her lips and leaned closer to him. Her hand cupped his cheek and her lips were cool when they finally brushed his. Stefan sighed against her as he opened up to her.

Katherine edged closer and let her hand trail from his cheek, down his body to the bulge in his pants. Stefan arched into her hand but his leg screamed in pain. Stefan hissed and his head hit the back of the sofa in frustration.

'That damn leg,' Katherine bit her lip. 'Stay here.'

Katherine hurried out of the room and Stefan heard her rifling around upstairs. She was back soon with pillows and blankets in her arms. Stefan moved to help but she glared at him. 'Don't you dare!'

With a sigh he watched as she laid the sheets and pillows on the floor and then she was opening the wood stove. She gathered kindling and looked around. 'Is there no paper in this place?'

'Here,' Stefan reached into his inside pocket. The envelope was creased, the letter had been read and reread more times than Stefan cared to count. His "Dear John" letter. Katherine didn't ask questions, just took it and set it among the wood. Soon the fire was burning merrily and she turned her attention back to him.

She removed his boots and socks, then her own. Stefan watched her undress, and when she was completely naked she reached for him. 'This will be easier if you stand.'

Stefan did as she asked and watched as she unbuckled his belt and opened his pants. He reached for his jacket but she batted his hands away. 'Let me,' she rose on her toes to kiss his mouth sliding her tongue inside to tease his as she worked on his jacket, then his undershirt.

When he was naked she helped him to lie back on the makeshift bed. 'I've got no GI issue,' Stefan swallowed as her fingers drifted over his knee.

'Then don't come in me,' Katherine whispered. She sucked the head of his prick into her mouth. Stefan moaned, but it felt good, she felt good. Her hands drifted over his hips as she took more of him and then her fingers brushed the scar there.

With curious eyes Katherine pulled off his cock and examined the scar on his hip. She looked at it for so long that Stefan thought she was going to change her mind. And then she kissed it, and the one that marred his waist. She kissed lower, over his thigh, marking each spot with her lips. When she sat back her eyes were dark with lust.

'You are so beautiful,' she whispered. Her throat was husky, and Stefan wanted to pin her down but he couldn't, not yet, not when he was under her spell like this. 'May I take a picture?'

Stefan faltered. He was completely naked, in a strange place with freshly healed battle scars and this woman wanted to take a picture of him. 'I-' Stefan panted.

'Just, just let me-' she adjusted the sheet around him and covered part of his unmarred hip and his cock, then she adjusted the dog tags so they were in the middle of his chest. 'Turn your head to the left, and close your eyes.'

Stefan did, pressing his face into the sheet below him. The first click had him flushing, and he felt more open and vulnerable than he ever had in his whole life, but each time she clicked his confidence grew. She was moving around him, looking for an angle, and when he couldn't take it anymore he turned his face to her and opened his eyes.

'There we go,' Katherine whispered. 'Please, don't move.'

She took a few more and then Stefan surprised both of them by fisting the sheet that covered his cock and pulling it away until he was completely exposed to her. 'May I?'

'Please,' Stefan said.

Stefan counted three clicks and then she was in his lap kissing him. Stefan wrapped a hand in her hair and pulled her head back so he could nip the skin at her throat. Katherine was glorious and Stefan couldn't resist lifting her over his face. She cried out when his tongue circled her clit and sucked, but before he could draw an orgasm from her she pushed away and slithered down his body.

'No,' Stefan snapped. He flipped them so she was on her back and kissed her hard.

'Your leg,' Katherine reminded him.

'Screw my leg,' he grunted as he reached for his cock.

'I'd rather you screw me,' Katherine purred.

Stefan nipped her lips and pushed into her. He ducked his head to catch a nipple in his mouth and Katherine groaned and wrapped her legs around him, urging him on.

They fucked in the living room, on someone else's sheets in the middle of an abandoned house. Nothing had ever felt so right to Stefan.

She grabbed his ass and bit at his neck and Stefan sucked marks onto her breasts. He used one arm to hold him above her and he diligently ignored the ache in his leg as he pinched her clit between his thumb and forefinger.

Katherine came with a loud scream and Stefan grunted as he followed her over the edge, releasing inside her.

'I came inside you,' Stefan turned to kiss her cheek.

'I don't care,' Katherine cupped his face and kissed him.

Stefan rolled off her and lay behind her with his arms around her. He must have dozed off because he woke face down with a pillow below his cheek. Katherine's head was in the middle of his back and her fingers were curling over the scars left by the shrapnel on his buttock.

'Hey,' he said.

'Can I take more pictures of you like this?' Katherine kissed his shoulder and moved to meet his eyes.

'Yeah,' Stefan said. Katherine stood and arranged the sheet how she wanted. There was clicking and then she moved the sheet to bare his body completely.

'Are you comfortable?' She asked.

'I've never been more comfortable in my life,' he admitted. Katherine took a few more pictures before she lay down and pulled his arm over her. Stefan drew her close and kissed her softly as his fingertips danced over her flawless skin.

Stefan got himself discharged when he could make it around the town without sitting down for a rest. Katherine was waiting for him outside with the military issue jeep she'd been supplied with for her photography.

He had just dropped his kit bag inside when a familiar face was lifted from the troop truck on a stretcher.

'Hey Ric,' Stefan said when he recognized Saltzman. 'You got hit.'

'Lost my leg,' Ric looked pale. Stefan reached out and shook his friends hand.

'I'm sorry to hear that man,' Stefan said.

'I'm alive,' Ric said with a groan. 'I'm going home.'

'Who's in charge?' Stefan asked as he pushed his hands into his pockets.

'Klaus. Who else,' Ric said with a snort.

Stefan chuckled. 'He'll do a good job,' Stefan said.

'I would have recommended you if you were there,' Ric admitted.

Stefan drew his hands from his pockets. 'Klaus will do Able proud.'

Katherine moved behind him and Ric gasped. 'Elena?'

Katherine rolled her eyes. 'Nope. The names Katherine,' Katherine said.

'Katherine here is a war correspondent,' Stefan explained.

'You're playing with fire Stefan, she's not Elena,' Ric warned when Katherine turned back to the jeep.

'I know, okay, she's Katherine. I can tell the difference,' Stefan said.

'Can you?' Ric asked.

'I know my own mind,' Stefan said. He could feel his teeth on edge, it was time to go before he said something rude to someone he respected. 'You take care Ric, love to Jenna when you get home.'

'Just Jenna?' Ric said.

Stefan nodded. 'Just Jenna,' he said as he got into Katherine's jeep.

'Seriously!' Caroline said.

Stefan turned around just in time to catch her in his arms. 'Hey Care,' he said as he hugged his friend. They had stopped off at division to deliver some paperwork and rest for a night before they traveled to the front. Caroline was an unexpected surprise.

'Is Nik...'

'I'm sorry, he's back at the front. I got injured so I'm recovering,' Stefan said.

'Injured?' Caroline looked down as if his injuries would hurtle out at her.

'Shrapnel in my side, hip, legs,' Stefan shrugged.

'Don't forget ass,' Katherine said as she slid her hand across his left buttock.

'Oh my god Elena?' Caroline frowned.

'No, its Katherine,' Katherine sighed with a roll of her eyes.

'So it turns out that Elena and Katherine were adopted in Virginia before she moved to New York,' Stefan explained gently.

'Oh, and you're together?' Caroline said as she looked between them. Stefan shrugged and nodded.

'I take it you heard about Elena and Damon,' Stefan said after an awkward silence.

'Oh boy did I ever! Bonnie wrote me and Klaus wrote me then she wrote me! I gave her a good piece of my mind!' Caroline snapped.

Katherine wandered off with her camera and Caroline watched her go.

'Is this wise?' She whispered.

'She's not Elena, she's completely different, her personality, her movements, her confidence,' Stefan shrugged. 'There's something about her Caroline, and I can't put my finger on it, its like I've been waiting for her.'

Caroline folded her arms and rolled her eyes and Stefan knew this discussion wasn't over, not by a long shot but here was not the place to have it.

'How is Nik?' Caroline asked when Stefan said no more about Katherine.

'He's good, last I heard. I'm heading back tomorrow to see him, if you want to give me a message,' Stefan said.

'I'll write him,' Caroline said decisively.

'I'll deliver,' Stefan said.

Katherine padded back with a bottle in her hand. 'Polish vodka,' she suggested.

'Where did you get that?' Caroline asked.

'There were a few soldiers carrying bottles of booze so I asked for it, I thought we could get to know each other,' Katherine smirked and Stefan's tummy flipped.

'I'm up for that,' Caroline said. Stefan couldn't help but wonder if he was about to make a mistake.

Belgium, February 1945

Mortar shells crashed in the distance, and occasionally one hit closer to the large derelict house that Klaus called home. It didn't phase him, not any more. Eight months had hardened him to the sounds of battle.

He was pouring over a map of the section of town they were covering. His company was below half strength, third platoon was down to five weary men. There used to be forty but injury and death had taken their toll.

'Aren't you a sight for sore eyes,' Stefan said.

Klaus turned and embraced his friend. 'You little son of a bitch. How's the ass?'

'Scarred,' Stefan admitted with a grin.

Klaus laughed. 'You aren't due back for weeks.'

'What can I say,' Stefan moved around the room. He still had a slight limp Klaus noted. 'I missed your ugly face.'

'Well I did miss you, you left me with a company of idiots!' Klaus snarled.

'What happened?' Stefan asked.

'We lost Berger, Greer, Thompson, Magee. Rollins is injured and in hospital,' Klaus shrugged.

'As is Saltzman, congratulations on getting the company,' Stefan sat on the edge of the desk. 'I brought you a present.'

'A woman?' Klaus asked as a tiny brunette wearing the uniform of a US soldier stepped into his office. There was a camera over her shoulder, but she looked vaguely familiar.

'This is Katherine Pierce, she's a war photographer,' Stefan said.

'You must be Captain Mikaelson,' she reached a hand out. Klaus shook it as he tried to place her face. 'It's refreshing to meet one of Stefan's friends that hasn't called me Elena.'

Klaus raised his eyebrows. Her hair was curlier, but she looked exactly like the photograph of Stefan's girl that he'd seen countless times. 'I don't know her personally,' Klaus admitted.

'We're twins, adopted, long story,' Katherine made a face. 'Actually you got the facts right there.'

Klaus liked her immediately, and so did Stefan, if the lingering look he gave her was any indication. 'So what brings you out here?' Klaus asked.

'A few things, Stefan needed a lift and I decided to join him,' she explained.

'And you take pictures?' Klaus asked.

'Basically,' Katherine said. 'It's a little more complicated than that,' she shrugged and ran her fingers over his desk.

'That's not your present,' Stefan said as he plonked a half empty bottle of booze on the desk.

'You decided to drink half of it?' Klaus asked.

'Oh no, that was Caroline's idea,' Stefan said.

'You saw my wife,' Klaus took a step closer to his friend.

'I have this,' Stefan handed Klaus an envelope. 'And a message. "Don't do anything stupid you hear me mister. This god damned war is almost over and I want my husband back safe and sound in my arms",' Stefan said in a high pitched imitation of Caroline.

'That wasn't bad,' Katherine leaned close to Stefan.

'She looks fantastic by the way,' Stefan said.

Klaus nodded. He'd only known his wife a short while but he missed her terribly, more than he missed his family. He thought about Caroline every day, often imagining her pretty face in his mind. He couldn't wait to start a proper life with his beautiful wife.

'I bet,' Klaus said wistfully.

'Well I'll leave you boys to it, you have a war to run after all,' Katherine said. She stepped close to Stefan and brushed her lips against his. Stefan placed a hand at the small of Katherine's back and pulled her closer so he could prolong the kiss.

'You be good, keep out of trouble,' he said when they pulled apart.

'You know me,' Katherine shrugged as she sashayed her way out.

Stefan gave Klaus a tight smile and raised his eyebrows.

'You know-'

'Look Nik, I've already heard this from Ric, and then Caroline, extensively, but she's not Elena. I know that, she's a different woman altogether, she's fierce, and I like her. A lot,' Stefan shrugged.

'I was going to say I'm happy you're getting laid but try not to flaunt it in my face,' Klaus said. 'I don't care who you're shagging as long as you're happy.'

'I'm happy,' Stefan said.

'Good. Will she be okay alone?' Klaus said.

'She can take care of herself, but I asked Burns and Guillermo to keep an eye on her,' Stefan said. 'Now fill me in on what's happening here.'

'Well, we're covering this god damned river and there's sporadic mortar shelling,' Klaus tapped the map. They spent the next hour discussing their situation and what was about to happen next.

Klaus couldn't help but wonder though, as they took their first mouthful's of vodka later, what the future held for them now.

Katherine hesitated a brief moment before rapping her knuckles against the door.

'Come in,' a voice called.

Katherine was relieved to see Klaus sitting alone at his desk with a pile of papers in front of him. 'Do you have a few minutes Captain?'

'Is Stefan okay?' Klaus leaned forward.

'I haven't seen him since I left here, it's you I want to talk to Captain,' Katherine took the seat opposite him.

'Call me Klaus. What do you want to see me about?' Klaus rested his arm on the desk. He looked tired, like sleep was a luxury to him. The place they were was under siege, she guessed, so the constant crack of bombs falling would take their toll on anyone.

'Last night, as you know, I spent a few hours with your wife, she's a sweet woman and she asked me to give you this,' Katherine slid a brown envelope across the desk to him.

Klaus eyed it with suspicion. 'She and Stefan are old friends and go way back, why didn't she give this to him?'

'I gather that Stefan and you would die for each other but I'm not sure you or Caroline would appreciate him looking at what's in there,' Katherine explained.

Realization dawned on him and his eyes flicked between Katherine and the envelope. 'I found an abandoned dark room in the town, it was in good condition,' Katherine explained with a shrug. 'Goodnight.'

'Wait,' Klaus said. 'You've met my wife, and she's probably said this already, but two months ago I spent a little over a week watching Stefan to make sure he didn't put a bullet in his mouth.'

'You've both bonded,' Katherine agreed. She knew where this was going. 'The first time I laid eyes on him, I don't know, even lying in a hospital bed injured there was a strength about him, I was drawn to him. I felt safe in a war zone for the first time in months, and I admit at first it was fascination, but for me it's more now. I can't answer for him.'

Klaus nodded. 'He's getting over a broken heart, give him time. His billet is directly across the street, first door on the right at the top of the stairs. He and I are sharing because I can't sleep in this room. I'll give you an hours privacy.'

Katherine examined the man in front of her, his pale skin and scruffy chin. There was a shadow in his eyes, the same shadow she'd seen in Stefan and countless other men. The same shadow he'd likely carry with him for the rest of his life.

'I'll visit him, but nothing that will keep you out of your billet will happen,' Katherine said.

Klaus nodded and she left him to it.

Klaus waited until Katherine was gone before he pulled out the photographs. There were six, one of his wife smiling in her uniform, then without her cap and showing her thigh off. The third one had her jacket off and a few buttons undone on her blouse. She was blowing him a kiss. The fourth one she had lost her skirt and the fifth one had her in her army regulation underwear.

The last one was Caroline covered by a sheet. She was sitting up and he could see her bare feet, but she was resting a cheek on her knee, waiting for him to come to bed.

Klaus smiled; he knew the purpose of the pictures and he would enjoy taking himself in hand and thinking about his beautiful wife, but right now all he wanted to do was lie next to her and ask her how her day was, tell her about his.

He sighed and tucked the photographs away. The walk was short and he found Katherine lying next to Stefan on the other bed in the room. They were both fully clothed and fast asleep, although Stefan's arm rested on Katherine.

Klaus tucked the photographs into the safety of his kit bag and lay down. He closed his eyes and listened to the breathing in the room, and he pretended it was Caroline. He fell asleep with her bright smile filling his mind.

Germany, April 1945

'What a place this is,' Klaus said as Stefan joined him next to the low wall that overlooked the lake. The mountains rose high above them, and the brilliant blue sky was peaceful and calm.

'Its beautiful,' Stefan agreed as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

'He loved it here you know, Hitler, it was his favorite place. Even a monster sees beauty Stefan,' Klaus said.

'You're pensive,' Stefan said.

Klaus smiled. It was April, and bar a shallow wound on the arm, he'd survived. Stefan had gotten torn up a little, but in a twisted way Klaus was glad he did. The damage to his body helped repair the broken heart he'd been left with. Was that only four months ago? Those woods felt like a lifetime ago, and Klaus had changed, not just since then, but since he'd been in England. Since he last saw his wife in mid August. 'Caroline would love it here.'

'I know,' Stefan said. 'She told me.'

'I know your friendship with my wife goes back a long time but I find it hard to believe that one day she said to you that she would love to see the Bavarian Alps,' Klaus said.

Stefan chuckled deep in his chest. 'You have a point there, she never once said she would love to see the Bavarian Alps but she did tell me she loved it here, you know, on the walk over here to find you.'

Klaus turned to look at Stefan but he was looking behind them. Klaus shifted and spied his wife.

Caroline looked glorious in her neat uniform and hair tidy under her cap. Her smile was wide and her eyes sparkled. He couldn't help but run to her, and she met him halfway.

'Oh I missed you!' She cried as she threw herself into his arms. Klaus held her tight and buried his face in her neck. She smelled good, warm, and perfect. Klaus never wanted to let go.

'I missed you more,' he admitted. She didn't argue, but she did pull back and press kisses to his mouth. 'You look so beautiful.'

'More beautiful than the scenery you were admiring before?' Caroline whispered.

'It doesn't even compare my love,' Klaus cupped her cheek. Caroline pressed her forehead against his and blinked up at him.

'Its almost over,' she whispered.

Klaus' chest tightened and he nodded. 'Can you stay a while?'

'I'm stationed here with Colonel Jackson,' Caroline admitted. 'Until further notice.'

'May I have a few hours of your time?' Klaus smiled.

'You may, and he said to tell you that Stefan will cover this afternoons briefing and he'll see us both in the morning,' Caroline said.

Klaus looked over his shoulder at his friend. 'It's about time you did something.'

'Go to hell,' Stefan said fondly as he walked past.

Germany, April 1945

'I was never more than a hundred miles from you, of course I couldn't write and tell you that, but I always knew what was going on with Able and I followed their progress and,' Caroline looked down and Klaus squeezed her hand. 'And I always checked the dead. I felt guilty every time I felt relief that your name wasn't there.'

'Oh sweetheart,' Klaus kissed her. They were in his billet on a narrow bed. The sun was still high in the sky but they couldn't keep their hands off each other.

'And then,' Caroline sat up and swung her leg across his hips so she was straddling him. Klaus tucked a hand behind his head so he had a better view of her. 'Then, I got a letter from my Mom who tells me that Matt Donovan was missing in action. Matt was my first boyfriend so I was a little upset, so I got this idea that maybe I could do a little research and try and figure out what happened to him. Low and behold, Matt's not MIA, he just lost his tags and they found them someplace. Matt Donovan was admitted to field hospital three days after Stefan was released and I gave him a piece of my mind.'

'I'm sure you did my love,' Klaus grinned.

'And I got this idea. Maybe I could be reuniting families. So during my free time I helped write letters for locals and even sent them off, so I was doing that, pretty much from the time I arrived in France,' Caroline said. 'So that was my war, paperwork.'

'Do you know that you saved my life,' Klaus said.

'What, don't be silly,' Caroline said.

'You did. When I was down, or miserable, I would think of you. I was miserable a lot,' he said. 'So you did more than paperwork.'

Caroline fell forward and kissed him. He rolled them so she was underneath him and he ran his nose down the side of her neck. 'When we get home we're going to make lots of babies.'

'We'll fill the house,' Klaus agreed softly.

Caroline giggled and cupped the back of his neck. 'Or we'll have fun trying.'

'So much fun,' he kissed her, and she was soft beneath him. Her hand reached between them and stroked him to hardness and then he was sliding into her wet pussy.

'Oh, oh yes,' Caroline breathed as Klaus kissed her breasts. She arched beneath him and he buried his face in her neck, hiding, taking comfort. 'Oh Nik, I love you,' she cried as she came. He followed a few moments after.

They lay for a long time, Klaus pillowed on her breasts, her legs hooked around his. 'There's a dance tomorrow night,' Klaus said against her skin. 'Will you be my date.'

'I thought you would never ask.'

Germany, April 1945

'Its been a long time since we've worn our parade uniforms,' Stefan said as he straightened his jacket.

'You suit it Captain Salvatore,' Klaus said.

'As do you, Captain Mikaelson,' Stefan grinned. 'I think this is the first time we've been the same rank since France.

'Ah Normandy,' Klaus said with bitter fondness.

'Who'd have thought we'd survive that,' Stefan agreed. 'Are you picking Caroline up.'

'No, she's meeting me there, apparently my wife doesn't need picked up, she's quite capable of making her own way to the dance,' Klaus complained.

Stefan threw his head back and laughed. 'She'll keep you on your toes,' Stefan agreed.

They took the short walk to where the Army had arranged the dance. Most were there in uniform but there were a few girls in dresses. They were probably locals, Klaus realized, invited along in an attempt to improve relations.

'She's late,' he complained as he looked at his wrist watch.

Stefan made a face and looked around them, but then he was slapping Klaus on the chest. 'Look.'

Klaus looked up and spotted a pretty blond girl in a blue dress. Her hair curled over her shoulders and the dress was the same shade as her eyes. It was his wife. 'Caroline,' he said with a grin. 'You look ravenous!'

'Do you like it?' She twirled and Klaus smiled, but he made a note to keep her close least she get mistaken for a local. There was another girl with her in red and it took a moment for Klaus to recognize it as Katherine.

'Hey Soldier,' she greeted Stefan and he tried not to watch her kiss his buddy but he was pleased that Stefan had someone that made him smile.

'Lets get inside before all the tables go,' Caroline said.

'Don't worry love, you can sit on my lap if you can't find a seat,' Klaus teased.

'Ass,' she said fondly but she took his hand and led him inside.

There was food and music, but hardly anyone was dancing. Caroline seemed unphased by this as she pulled Klaus onto the dance floor.

'We're practically alone,' he told her as he twisted her around.

'Good, more space for us then,' she said, but soon the floor filled up.

Stefan and Katherine were waiting with drinks by the time Caroline allowed Klaus to sit down. 'Oh I need this,' Caroline said as she lifted the beer from Klaus and took a long gulp.

Klaus laughed and kissed her on the cheek when she set it down. 'So tell us all of your adventures Katherine.'

'The last few months have been a bit dark,' Katherine admitted as she sipped her gin. 'I've been to three camps.'

'Oh, sorry I killed the mood,' Caroline bit her lip.

'No, you didn't, I did, I could have lied,' Katherine said as she leaned into Stefan.

There was silence, each lost in their own minds.

'How long are you here for?' Stefan asked her.

Katherine shrugged. 'As long as I want to be,' she admitted. 'I'm trying to capture the end of the war, and I know I should probably be in Berlin, but it was here that he used to come, so it's here I decided I wanted to be.'

'Have you found billets?' Klaus asked.

'I'm bunking with Caroline,' Katherine said.

'You should come stay with us, Caroline and I have applied to share billets until one of us gets shipped off again,' Klaus said as he slid his arm around his wife.

'We have?' Caroline turned that frown on him that made him wonder if he'd made a mistake.

'We have,' he said quietly.

Caroline smiled and relief washed over him. The last thing he wanted was an angry Caroline on his hands.

'We is together, as in you and I, you is singular, as in you. It's a good thing I approve of the use of we this time,' Caroline said.

'I'll make it up to you,' Klaus said.

'You better, because we're dancing again,' Caroline pulled him to his feet. Klaus rolled his eyes at Stefan as he followed his wife onto the dance floor.

Germany, 30th April 1945

Katherine was rocking in Stefan's lap with the blanket around her hips when there was a knock on the door. Whomever it was didn't wait, just barged on in. Katherine squealed and pulled the sheet around her chest as Stefan curled an arm around her.

'Fuck sake personal boundaries Klaus!' Stefan cried.

'Hitler's dead,' Klaus said breathlessly.

'He is?' Stefan half turned before he remembered Katherine was on top of him.

'The little bastard shot himself,' Klaus smirked.

'That's the second best news I've heard all day, not get out of here before I shoot you,' Stefan said pointedly.

Klaus mock saluted him and retreated. As soon as the door closed Katherine giggled and collapsed on top of Stefan. 'I can't believe him.'

'I can,' Stefan said as he ran his fingers through her hair. Katherine kissed him again and they picked up where Klaus interrupted them.

'Wait, what was the best news?' Katherine asked as she dropped the sheet and pressed her chest into Stefan's face.

'When you told me you wanted to suck my cock,' Stefan smirked.

'Mm mm, it was delicious,' Katherine grinned.

'You're impossible,' Stefan pulled her close for a kiss.

Later Stefan found the company crowded around a makeshift bar in the common area. Katherine slid onto a barstool and being the only woman in the room, got most of the men's attention. She didn't seem to mind, and in turn everyone posed for a picture anytime she asked them too.

Klaus was late, entering with Caroline and a few of the other secretaries. Caroline made a beeline for Katherine and the gin. 'We accepted the surrender of almost three hundred thousand German soldiers a few hours ago,' Klaus said.

'That's one hell of a number,' Stefan said.

'They're still on the eastern front, but fighting is slowing down. The war is coming to an end old friend,' Klaus slapped Stefan on the back.

'You know what that means though,' Stefan looked across at where Caroline and Katherine were giggling together. 'We're lucky, we're damn lucky that we got a few days with our women, most men haven't seen theirs in years.'

'I know,' Klaus said. 'And there'll be more jumps.'

'Tokyo?' Stefan asked.

'I expect so,' Klaus said.

'If not Tokyo it'll be someplace in the Pacific,' Stefan shrugged.

'I'm sorry about earlier,' Klaus said.

'No your not,' Stefan nudged him remembering the shit eating grin his friend had gave him before he closed the door and left Stefan and Katherine in private.

'No I'm not,' Klaus agreed. 'Lets go spend a few hours with them, we don't know when we might be split up again.'

Germany, 6th May 1945

Stefan was drunk, and so was Klaus. They were leaning against each other in the sunshine with a bottle each in their hands. Most of the officers were, so when Colonel Jackson stopped in front of them Klaus squinted up at him. Caroline was behind the Colonel with a blank mask over her face and Klaus wondered what he'd done now. He narrowed his eyes for a moment, and she gave him a cheeky smile and then looked away. Klaus turned his grin up to the imposing figure of Colonel Jackson again.

Perhaps Caroline was pregnant, and Jackson was here to yell at him. Klaus wouldn't mind being yelled at for getting his wife pregnant. He could see Katherine too, with her camera, and now he was really wondering what the fuck was going on.

'Is that any way to speak to me?' Jackson said but he was smiling. Klaus realized he'd spoken out loud. He must be drunker than he thought. Behind him Stefan was giggling. Klaus made a mental note to slap him.

'My apologies sir, toasting Hitler with his own bourbon sir,' Klaus raised the bottle but Stefan was handing Jackson an unopened one. With a grin he realized that was why he kept Stefan around, Stefan diffused Klaus' cock ups.

'I forgive you, but I've got some news,' Jackson said.

Klaus concentrated on focusing on the man, but Jackson was swaying from side to side. Couldn't he stand still for one bloody minute. He wondered if he'd just said that aloud too.

'The German army surrendered. The war in Europe is over.'

Klaus could hear the clicking of Katherine's camera, could feel the heat of his best friend behind him. Caroline was grinning at him and then, he didn't know how it happened, but he was on his feet looking around him and Stefan had his arms around him slapping him on the back.

Somehow Caroline found her way into his arms and Stefan was leaning heavily on Katherine and they were there, the four of them, cuddling and hugging and dreaming of their future.

Mystic Falls, October 1945

Stefan looked at his watch and turned to Klaus. 'We'll be another half hour,' he sniffed.

'I can't believed you talked me into this,' Klaus complained. 'We should have went straight to Chicago.'

'Your wife is in Mystic Falls,' Stefan said. 'And my family. I need to at least see my parents before I settle down almost a thousand miles away from them.'

'What about Katherine?' Klaus asked.

Stefan shrugged. 'She was supposed to meet us in New York but we got delayed and she missed us. We'll find each other.'

Klaus nodded. He hopped Katherine wasn't dumping Stefan now that she had her photographs taken and the war was over. Klaus knew things looked different already. They fell silent, both lost in their own thoughts.

When the train pulled into the station people were milling around together busy and bustling among each other. It took a few minutes before someone was throwing themselves against Klaus. Stefan stood next to them and smiled as Caroline hugged him tight.

'You're home,' she whispered.

'You look so different,' Klaus said examining her civilian clothing. She wore a smart two piece suit and her hair was in a messy roll.

'You don't,' she said as she admired his uniform. 'You look so handsome. Stefan,' she reached for his friend and hugged him tight.

'Hey,' he said.

'Turn around,' she whispered.

Stefan turned and looked behind him. 'Katherine,' he said.

'Hi you,' she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him.

'Are you-' Stefan stepped back and looked down. 'Are you pregnant?'

Katherine bit her lip and looked up from beneath her lashes. 'Don't be mad.'

'I'm not, I'm delighted,' Stefan kissed her and Katherine threw her arms around him. He felt her sigh in relief as be buried his face in her neck.

'I've been staying with Caroline, waiting for you,' Katherine said. There was something, Stefan, could tell, and it wasn't like Katherine to hold back.

'What is it?' Stefan curled his hand around her neck and brushed her earlobe with his thumb. Katherine pressed her face into his hand.

'I'm just happy we're both here,' she whispered.

Stefan left his kit bag with Caroline, and taking Katherine by the hand he headed home to see his parents.

They weren't particularly close, but he had missed them. Growing up it had always been Damon. Stefan idolized his brother, and when Damon decided to join up Stefan blindly followed him. He wasn't sure what happened, but Damon ended up missing his appointment. He never did join the war effort. Stefan wondered if it was just a way of getting rid of him so Damon could chase Elena, but he didn't think so. Damon wasn't like that, falling for Elena was an accident, Stefan was sure of that.

'Stefan,' his mother pulled him into a hug when she seen him.

'Mother, this is Katherine,' Stefan said.

He could see the long look his mother gave Katherine, and he knew what she was thinking. He was far beyond caring what others thought of his relationship with Katherine. He loved her, and they were happy. That was all that mattered to him.

'Is this some sophisticated way of punishing yourself?' Lilly asked.

'No, you can believe what you want but Elena is in the past. Katherine is a different woman and I love her for it,' Stefan said.

'And you're in the family way I see,' Lilly noted. 'No ring.'

'We haven't gotten around to that detail yet,' Stefan admitted.

'Your father won't be happy,' Lilly said.

'My father wasn't in war torn Germany,' Stefan pointed out.

Lilly gave him a funny look as they sat in the parlor for tea.

'Will you be staying with us long?' Lilly asked.

'We decided to move to Chicago,' Stefan explained.

'Chicago?' Lilly asked softly.

'I've been offered a job there, and Katherine's keen to visit,' Stefan said.

'I'm a photographer, I have a lot of images I took over the past six years that I want to display, and I have a friend who has a gallery there,' Katherine said.

Stefan watched his mothers face pinch. 'I think I've seen some of your work.'

Stefan watched as his mother rose. Katherine must have taken hundreds of pictures, he wondered which ones his mother had found. He looked at Katherine and she shrugged as Lilly sat down.

She handed him the magazine and he examined the photographs. The article was entitled "The Humble Soldier".

Stefan remembered this article, and each photograph that went with it. Katherine had asked his permission, he'd even proof read it before she sent it off, and he had approved the pictures. She had warned him though that sometime the magazines manipulated them. The first one was his profile in the early morning light after he'd escaped hospital, and the next was one where he stood discussing something with his platoon. There was one of him talking with Klaus, and then he turned the page. The picture was of half of his body, the scarred half, from the afternoon they'd made love. He remembered feeling vulnerable but the image was anything but. He looked powerful, strong even despite the pain in his leg that day. The last one was from the day the German army surrendered when he was drunk with Klaus. They were leaning against each other, both smiling at something, happy after what felt like a lifetime of pain.

'They came out well,' he said to Katherine. She was afraid he was going to be upset, he realized Her bottom lip was between her teeth and her eyes darted from him to the article in his hands.

'So you just stood around and posed for photographs all day?' Lilly asked. 'That picture of the wounds is disgusting, I was the subject of far too much gossip. Did you stop to think how that would affect me?'

'Thank you, mother, for your warm welcome home. It's time Katherine and I went, we anywhere else to be right now,' Stefan stood.

'Oh stop being dramatic Stefan. Parading your injuries like that-'

'What, show that I was actually injured. I was, I could have died. I have scars, and you can see all but one of them here in this photograph,' Stefan explained. He was hurt, his mother had written to him once a month, she never addressed his questions or asked much after him. He knew all of her luncheon meetings and details of the founding families, and their lives, but the letters were cold and impersonal, just like Lilly had been since he began to grow into a man.

'You've changed,' Lilly said.

'War does that, it makes good men bad and bad men good, it shows us what's important. I watched friends die, mother, I killed people, and I hurt people and I got hurt myself. What did I get for my trouble, a broken heart and a damaged body and yes, I got a girl I'm not even engaged to pregnant, but I fell in love with her, and every night I fell asleep over there I was thankful to be alive. I have changed, I know what's important in life, I know what I want, and I know where I'm going,' Stefan took a breath. 'The boy that left died. The man before you is your son now.'

There was a sad look in his mothers eyes, and Stefan wanted to hug her, but he didn't, he wrapped an arm around Katherine instead.

'Caroline has organized a bit of a going away party at the Grill, you'll come won't you,' Katherine said.

Stefan was surprised that it was Katherine offering the olive branch but he masked it behind a bland smile.

'I will,' Lilly nodded.

'I want to pack up a few things to move,' Stefan said.

'May I help you?' Lilly asked.

'I'd like that,' Stefan said.

As they walked up the stairs he only gave a passing glance to his brothers wedding photograph displayed for all the world to see.

'My mother loves him,' Caroline gushed, 'but he does have his charm on.'

'I'm glad,' Stefan said as he leaned back against the bar. 'I can't believe you organized this.'

'I just wanted to say goodbye to some of my friends,' Caroline admitted.

'Or show off your handsome husband?' Stefan licked his lips. Katherine slipped an arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. 'Are you tired.'

'No, just don't want to ever let you go,' Katherine whispered.

'I found some silk by the way,' Caroline nudged Katherine. 'I made sure to pack it up for Chicago.'

'What's this for?' Stefan frowned.

'Your wedding,' Caroline said slowly.

'You know I haven't actually proposed to Katherine,' Stefan said as he took a sip of his drink. He was relieved to see Klaus coming, apparently he had said something wrong, if the looks on their faces were anything to go by.

'You need to get your finger out then, or hers,' Caroline said sweetly.

'I can't propose when I don't have the right ring. I'm sure we'll find one in Chicago,' Stefan murmured into her hair.

'I feel so spoiled,' Katherine tipped her head back and they shared a kiss.

The door opened and Caroline sighed. 'Oh no,' she murmured. Stefan glanced up and saw his brother and Elena walk in. Elena was staring at them and he nodded before turning to the bar and nodding to the bartender.

'Aren't you going to sock him in the mouth then?' Klaus asked as he leaned on the bar beside Stefan. Stefan kept his arm tight around Katherine and smiled when he felt her slip her hand down his back. She was in a possessive mood tonight.

'Nah,' he said as he took a mouthful of bourbon. 'If I hit him then it might imply that I care. I don't, not anymore,' Stefan admitted.

'You're allowed to care, Stefan, you're allowed to be hurt,' Katherine said.

'I know, but I'm over it, I've got a girl that I love, a baby on the way, and a future all mapped out,' Stefan said.

A moment later Damon leaned on the bar next to Katherine. 'So its true.'

'That I'm alive. Disappointed?' Stefan asked. 'Have you met Katherine?'

Damon made a complicated face and shook his head. 'Its nice to meet you.'

'You too,' Katherine said tightly as she pressed herself closer to Stefan's side.

'This is Klaus,' Stefan pointed to his friend with a half full glass. Damon nodded at him too.

'I'm glad you're home,' Damon said. 'I'm glad that you made it.'

Stefan nodded. 'I am too,' Stefan said.

'So a baby huh?' Damon motioned towards Katherine.

'Due in February, all being well,' Katherine rubbed her hand over the neat little bump she had and Stefan looked on proudly.

'We just stopped in to see Caroline, we'll be on our way,' Damon said.

'Take care, be sure to send me a Christmas card,' Stefan said.

'I have to ask,' the voice was familiar yet different.

'Ask what?' Katherine turned to the woman Stefan used to love, probably still did if she was honest with herself.

'How?' Elena waved a hand between them.

'Well I don't know about you but I grew up in care homes,' Katherine shrugged. 'I was born in Virginia on June 22nd and I was passed from home to home. When I was sixteen the uncle of the woman I was living with took a liking to me and took me to New York.'

'Oh,' Elena blinked.

'You didn't know you were adopted?' Katherine said. She could hear someone approach them and saw Stefan from the corner of her eye.

'I didn't,' Elena frowned. 'I'm sorry that you didn't find someplace to settle.'

'I'm not,' Katherine shrugged. 'If I hadn't lived the life I did I wouldn't have met Stefan, I wouldn't be here,' Katherine curled her hand over her abdomen where her baby grew. Elena's eyes flicked down then up at Stefan who was behind Katherine now.

'I should-' Elena stepped away from them. Katherine watched her go and her heart sank a little.

She would have loved nothing more than a sister, but now wasn't the right time. She leaned into Stefan instead and gazed up at him. He would need to know that she had been trying to get herself pregnant, that she was terrified of him leaving her too. He would be angry, he may even leave her still but Katherine realized she couldn't deceive him like that. It was wrong and he might grow to hate her.

'Are you okay?' She asked him.

Stefan just kissed her hair and led her to where Caroline and Klaus were dancing, and pulled her into his arms.

'I thought you didn't like dancing,' she said as they fell into a slow rhythm.

'I hate it, but I love you, and I want everyone to know that,' he smiled as he pressed a kiss to her lips.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Elena watching them dance.

'I got the pictures you had Katherine take of you,' Klaus said into Caroline's ear. They were under her pink floral duvet in her old room. This was the last time she'd wake up here, in this room. She was just a visitor to her old life now. It felt strange for Klaus to be in her old bedroom with her, strange but perfect.

'You did,' Caroline blushed. Those pictures had been intimate, and knowing that Klaus had admired them set her core on fire. They weren't overly risqué, just Caroline half stripped from her uniform and at one point showing off her stockings and bloomers, and of course the last one with just the sheet, even if he had her underwear on. She had giggled so much with Katherine that night, the first night they met when Stefan had been discharged from hospital.

'What did you do when you saw them?' Caroline asked. Klaus rolled her so she was on top of him.

'I imagined doing this,' he brushed his thumb over her nipple, then pulled her close so he could suck it into his mouth. Caroline sighed and his hand slid around her ass to grip her tight and pull her close to him. She was already wet, and she reached between them to slide her hand along his cock. She was no longer worried about the consequences of having sex with Klaus, she wanted nature to take its course for them, she wanted her future.

'I like that,' Caroline told him as she jerked his cock. 'I bet you touched yourself too.'

'Oh I did, I imagined your greedy little pussy was gasping for me,' Klaus said. Caroline rocked her hips against him and they both groaned, and then she was sinking down on his length. Klaus kept a hand on her hip to guide her, the other he used to explore her body, touching her everywhere.

Caroline bounced on him, and when the burn started to build she caught his mouth with hers, pressing her hands into his and pinning him to the bed.

Klaus bucked up into her as she found that perfect angle and cried out when her orgasm hit. Klaus growled into her mouth, flipped them and fucked into her for a few more thrusts before he collapsed spent on top of her.

As Caroline stroked his hair she smiled to herself, knowing her was hers now for the rest of their lives together.

Chicago, November 1945

'How does it feel to be a married man?' Klaus asked as he joined Stefan on the roof.

'Honestly, no different,' Stefan said as Klaus handed him a glass. 'What is this?'

'That shitty vodka you like,' Klaus made a face.

Stefan took a sip and licked his lips. 'You were right.'

'Of course I was right. What was I right about?' Klaus tilted his head to the side.

'That we'd survive, that we'd make it home,' Stefan said quietly.

'That we'd find our future,' Klaus asked as he took a sip of his own bourbon. 'Caroline thinks she's pregnant.'

'You see that right there, that's good news,' Stefan said.

Klaus frowned. 'You're going to be a father yourself.'

'Katherine let herself get pregnant though, she was afraid that I would leave her,' Stefan said. 'She was terrified I still would out of spite after she told me. Someone really did a number on that girl once upon a time.'

'You married her,' Klaus said.

'Because I love her, and I trust her to take care of my heart,' Stefan explained. The daylight was starting to fade away, and there was a slight red hue on the horizon. 'I'm not angry at her.'

'Caroline hates Esther, and I think the feeling is mutual. Rebekah isn't fond of her either,' Klaus said. The burden of the women in his family hating each other had his teeth on edge, but he'd warned his mother and sisters to accept Caroline or they'd find themselves out in the cold.

'You expected that though,' Stefan pointed out.

Klaus did, he knew his family were a complicated bunch, accepting anyone was hard, but a strange girl was a different matter altogether. Klaus didn't care though, he knew they'd come around. He always had Freya and Elijah on his side, and Kol seemed taken with her too.

'I did,' Klaus said with a nod.

They stood in silence and watched as the sun set in the west over Chicago, painting the sky in an eerily similarity to the morning before D-Day. Klaus would never forget the blood red chill that morning left in his bones, but this one, it was something else. It gave him warmth and hope and a thirst to live life to the fullest.

'We've got families, but we're going to have fun now, right,' Stefan turned to look at Klaus.

'Try and stop us,' Klaus said with a grin as he swallowed the last of his drink. 'Come on, there are two beautiful women waiting for us downstairs.'

Stefan chuckled and followed Klaus down into Gloria's bar.