Chapter 4
Klaus marched back to the front door after staring as Caroline's car disappeared from the view. He could believe she had left him. He always knew that she wouldn't accept his ways but a part of him wished that her love was strong enough for her ignore or at least tolerate his business. He had accepted her the way she was, she was also supposed to accept him the same.
Upon reaching the main door, he turned to his guard. "Make sure an escort is watching Caroline at all times. But from a safe distance" he ordered angrily and stomped inside to find all of his siblings waiting for him. He barely gave them all a glance before marching to his room. Her room. Their room. He spent three days safely avoiding everyone and everything. He even managed to give Caroline the time she needed but that was all he could give her. Time.
She wasn't allowed to leave him. No she couldn't leave him like everyone else did. She would stay with him, they would have a couple of kids and a really nice life together.
"Where is Caroline, these days, Niklaus?" Finn asked seriously one day.
Klaus' head snapped to his brother. "Not in my pockets" he hissed faking to search his pockets.
"Of course she's gone. Anyone with half the sense she had would've left." Rebekah growled at her brothers. "Tell me when you planned to tell me this. Or did you just think you'd leave me in the dark about this?" she asked angrily facing Klaus.
"Not now Rebekah" he growled angrily. He couldn't think straight. Not with Caroline angry and upset and most importantly, away from him.
Rebekah walked closer to him and scoffed. "Why? Because Caroline left after you lied to her, manipulated her and treated her like that?" she probed angrily. Caroline had every reason to be angry and she had every reason to be angry. Everyone in their right minds left the room to give Klaus and Rebekah their privacy.
"Because you would've left just like her!" Klaus shouted at her with tears in his eyes. He looked so broken, it brought tears to Rebekah's eyes as well.
She marched straight up to him and stood only inches from his face as tears streamed down her cheeks. "No I wouldn't have!" she told him angrily. Angry because he didn't trust her enough. Enough to tell her such a big thing. "I've always been there for you. It's never been Kol, Finn, Elijah or Caroline!" she shouted at him. "It's always been ME!" she yelled at him and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
"I've always been there for you Nik and this is how you repay me?" she whispered brokenly.
Klaus hugged her back as a lone tears trickled down his cheek. "I can't lose anyone else Bekah" he whispered so low, she wouldn't have heard it had it been said in such a silent room.
Suddenly Klaus stepped away from her and all warmth and emotion left his eyes. Just like that Nik was gone and Klaus was back.
Rebekah sighed before wiping her tears. "You should go to Mystic Falls. Talk to her. She loves you too much to let you go" she advised him with a small smile. "I'll even talk to her if you want" she volunteered. No matter what she couldn't hate Nik.
Klaus looked at his sister and his eyebrows furrowed. "I… thank you Bekah" he stammered before walking away to his art studio, no doubt to paint another portrait of Caroline.
Liz watched as her daughter kept sobbing and crying uncontrollably. She could not believe that this was the same daughter she had left so happy and content with Klaus and now here she was crying and on the verge of a breakdown. A few days ago, Liz had just come home after a long shift at the station and was ready to go to bed when she heard the doorbell. Once she opened the door, her heart broke as she saw her daughter standing out there in the pouring rain crying. Her clothes were completely drenched in water.
Caroline told her mother nothing. Not even a single word. She felt like everything she had to say got stuck in her throat. She wept, cried and sobbed. She broke things, screamed at herself and then cried again. A part of her blamed Klaus for lying to her but deep down she knew that this was coming. Her happiness never lasted. This had to have happened to her. Whenever she trusted someone too much she ended up getting hurt. She trusted Klaus with her life, with her love and this was how she was paid back.
She felt like her soul had left her body when she left Nik. Her life all but revolved around Nik. Even her mother had gotten so worried that she had called her father down to Mystic Falls. So naturally when Bill Forbes received a call from his ex-wife calling him back to Mystic Falls, he knew something was wrong. When Bill and his partner Steven came back, the sight that welcomed them was … devastating.
Caroline sitting on the living room couch cuddled in a blanket, crying and surrounded by tissues and broken objects. They spent as much time with her as possible. Still no one pushed her to tell them what happened until Katherine dropped by. She told them everything she knew about Klaus and Caroline's confrontation. Liz wanted to go down to Klaus and hurt him like he had hurt her daughter but Bill had stopped her from being irrational and Katherine had reassured her that Klaus was in as much pain as Caroline.
"Tell Klaus he's a fool if he thinks I don't see his men" Caroline spoke up one day when Katherine was having her last dinner with her in the Mystic Grille. "I can identify them from a mile away. Tell him I'm not his concern anymore" she added hissing angrily and glaring all of his disguised men.
Katherine gulped and finished the rest of her food quietly before saying her goodbyes and heading back to Elijah in New York. She promised Caroline she'd be back as soon as she got more time off work but in the meantime Rebekah would visit. Obviously this news was being kept from Elena and Bonnie because after all, they weren't part of the family.
"Elijah. Things are not looking good. I have never seen her so angry" Katherine told him biting her lip as she sat next to Elijah in the Mikaelson manor.
Suddenly Klaus barged in the room with a dark expression on his face. "Where is she?" he demanded angrily.
"She didn't come back. She doesn't want to" Katherine replied him and watched as his eyes darkened even more.
He stepped forward towards her and clenched his fists. "She doesn't have much of a choice. I can't leave her alone like that. Especially when she's carrying my child" he stated deliberately portraying that he didn't care for Caroline because of love but because she was carrying his child.
Katherine scoffed and stood up. "You know what she's right." She told him angrily. "She gave me a message for you actually" Katherine smirked and continued when he raised his eyebrows. "She said Tell Klaus he's a fool if he thinks I don't see his men. I can identify them from a mile away. Tell him I'm not his concern anymore." She added menacingly unable to stop herself. Klaus really was a jerk and sometimes she wondered how Caroline had fell in love with a person like him.
"Can I open my eyes yet?" an impatient Caroline complained and tried to remove his hands off her eyes but he didn't bulge.
Klaus chuckled at her childish behavior but for some reason these little innocent acts from Caroline made him feel alive again. She looked especially adorable when she would pout like a kid who doesn't get something he/she wants. And that was what her expression was when he didn't remove his hands from her eyes and told her to keep walking. "Patience love" he told her and led her further towards the edge of the cliff.
"Come on Nik. We've been at this forever. I want to see" she said stomping her foot in annoyance.
Suddenly he halted their movement and placed his hands on her shoulders and held her close to his chest. As she opened her eyes, she could not believe the scenery in front of her. They were at the edge of a cliff but that was not the surprise, it was the presence of the number of stars twinkling in the night sky like true diamonds.
"When you told me you had a surprise for me, I thought it would be cupcakes but this…" she joked and turned around in his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him close for a kiss. "It's beautiful" she mumbled before kissing him softly and sensually.
When they both pulled back, they rested their foreheads against each other's and Klaus smiled mischievously. He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it in Caroline's hand. "That star you see over there" he said pointing towards a star shining the brightest. "It's yours love. I named it 'mon amour' after you" he said softly. "It means my love in French" he explained kissing her forehead.
Caroline looked at the evidence in her hands in disbelief and chuckled before her eyes started watering.
Klaus frowned and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs softly. "Caroline, love, don't cry…" he started but Caroline chuckled and shook her head.
"I'm sorry. It's just- she said and sniffed. "I… I love you Nik" she stammered nervously.
Klaus blinked in shock. This was the first time, she'd ever said it out loud that she loved him. Caroline loved him. Caroline loved Klaus. Recovering from his shock a boyish grin plastered itself on his face. "I love you too sweetheart" he said and kissed her passionately. "I hope you don't plan on leaving because I'm not ever letting you go after this" he told her and to his surprise she chuckled lightly before kissing him again.
"Caroline you're not taking care of yourself" Dr. Meredith Fell told her sternly but Caroline kept staring ahead at the wall. It was like she was a prisoner in her own body.
Meredith turned to Liz worriedly. "She's not well. It's affecting the baby. She needs to take care of yourself. I mean just look at her" Fell whispered looking towards the blonde laying on the examination table with a troubled expression. "She's pale, weak and barely has any weight left on those bones. By this time, mothers are usually very glowing but she looks so dull and tired" she told her looking at Caroline sympathetically.
"She's just going through a rough patch" Liz reassured her and forced a small smile. "Give me the list of prenatal vitamins she must take. I'll get them" she asked her and took the list that Meredith gave her.
Meredith shut her folder and sat down next to the blonde who was lost in thought. "Caroline. I need to talk to you" she said softly and placed her hand on hers. "Look. I may not know a lot about what- she started but Caroline cut her off.
"My husband is a killer. He is a criminal. To top it off, instead of trusting me, he lied to me and I just married him not knowing that he murders people for a living" Caroline told her in a monotone voice.
Meredith opened and closed her mouth, unable to think of something appropriate to say. After a couple of moments of silence. "You still want this baby don't you?" Meredith asked skeptically.
Caroline gaped at the hidden accusation and tears formed in her eyes. "Of course I do!" she replied angrily. "This baby is the only thing I have left of Nik. Now there's only Klaus left in that man" she spat as tears rolled down her cheeks. She placed a protective hand on her stomach thinking of her baby.
"I can still help you. If you need it" Meredith said suspiciously but before she could probe anymore Liz came in and Caroline quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up.
"Ready to go?" Liz asked looking between the two shadily.
Caroline nodded and they both walked out of the doctor's office together. "Are you okay sweetie?" Bill asked as he stood up and came out of the waiting area.
She nodded and they went to the parking lot and walked towards their car which was blocked by three black SUVs. At first the alarm bells went off in her head and she thought it would be Klaus but when the door opened Rebekah stepped out and smiled towards Caroline widely. Caroline blew out a sigh of relief and hugged the other blonde.
"He's not here. Is he?" Caroline asked looking behind Rebekah suspiciously. The other blonde shook her head.
"He's not. But he will" she replied seriously. "We have to discuss some things before he comes though. Can we go anywhere private?" Rebekah asked glancing at Caroline's parents.
"Yeah sure." Caroline replied and then turned to her parents. "I'm gonna go to the grill with Rebekah for a bit. I'll see you guys at home then?" she asked glancing between the two.
They both nodded before telling her to be careful.
"So you mean to tell me that Nik lied to me because he thought he would lose me if he told me the truth?" Caroline asked Rebekah as she popped a fry in her mouth. They had been talking for the hour in the grill and she still couldn't wrap her head around Rebekah's theory. Maybe it was even correct because Nik's brain just functioned different than anyone else's.
"Yes" Rebekah drawled rubbing her temples in frustration. "Look. It's Nik's way of showing he loves you and he was only scared of losing you" she reasoned with a small smile.
"I don't know Rebekah. I don't think I can deal with this. I'll try but I still need time" Caroline sighed shaking her head.
"Fine. Take the time you need but not too much." Rebekah concluded. "How's my niece or nephew?" she asked excitedly.
"He or she is fine" Caroline replied rubbing her invisible tummy.
"I just hope it's a girl." Rebekah said excitedly. "It's gonna be so fun watching Nik running errands for two blonde girls" Rebekah chuckled but Caroline bit her lip and only smiled. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to go back to Nik. No. She wanted to go back to him but she couldn't stand looking at him knowing he killed people. And the thought of exposing her child to the same environment scared her.
"So do Elena and Bonnie know too?" Caroline asked Rebekah. This question had been nagging her since forever.
"I don't think so. I mean they were clueless when I asked them but Katherine and I didn't know either. Not until you told us. Sage knew. Of course" Rebekah said rolling her eyes at the last part. She always did consider Sage a traitor in their group.
"And you're okay with this?" Caroline asked ignoring the last part.
Rebekah shrugged. "I mean it's not ideal but family above all Caroline" the blonde told her seriously and that is when Caroline realized the weight of the situation. If it came down to choosing between Klaus or Caroline, Rebekah would always choose her brother. That's what it meant. Family above all. Klaus above Caroline.
They talked for another hour or so before Caroline excused herself, claiming to be tired and retired home after bidding Rebekah goodnight. She wanted to walk home but the other blonde had insisted that it wasn't safe and had delivered Caroline to her parents.
She talked to her parents and told them to expect Klaus in the coming few days but begged them not to let him in. She was still not ready to see him.
Exhausted after the day's events, Caroline went upstairs to her room. She changed into her pajamas and stood in front of the mirror. She placed her hand on her slightly protruded tummy and rubbed it softly. It had just been two and a half weeks since she had known she was pregnant and she was already bloating. She sighed and rubbed her tummy again.
"I'll always protect you" she promised looking at her stomach. "No matter what" she added smiling before she got into bed. Just as she closed her eyes her phone rang. She rolled her eyes and without even noticing the caller id she picked it up from the night stand.
"Hello?" she asked annoyed.
"Caroline love" his voice came through.
"What do you want Ni- she stopped herself from the completely saying his nickname. It always gave him hope that he could fix his mistake but now there was nothing to fix really.
She could hear him sigh through the phone. "When are you coming back?" he asked. His voice seemed tired and restless. Just like when he used to work late and he would come home after spending 20 hours straight in his office and he would look like hell but Caroline would massage his shoulders and kiss him softly to ease him.
"I'm not sure if I am" she answered. She could feel tears forming in her eyes but she shook them off. She had to stay strong.
"What do you mean you're not sure?" he asked angrily.
"I'm not going back to you. I can't." she replied closing her eyes and letting a few tears slip her eyes.
Klaus growled into the phone. "YOU WILL COME BACK. I am coming tomorrow and I hope you have everything packed and you are ready to go once I reach because I don't want to waste anymore of my time in that unworthy little town" he hissed at her angrily.
Caroline's heart broke into pieces at his harsh words. "I'm not your slave!" she yelled back at him. "You can't tell me what to do" she added.
"On the contrary I can" he answered smoothly. "As long as you're carrying my child, everything you do will be in accordance with my wishes" he told her.
"And after that?" she asked unable to help herself. She was surprised by his commanding and harsh tone. He always had anger issues but he had never yelled at her. And now he was treating her like she was a forlorn housewife.
"After that you will resume the role of my dutiful wife and we will all live together happily" he finished tauntingly.
"Go to hell" she seethed at him through the phone. "You don't have- she started but stopped when she felt her food coming up her throat. She placed a hand over her mouth before she dropped the phone on the floor and ran towards the bathroom.
"Caroline?" she could hear his worried voice through the phone as she heaved the contents of her stomach into the toilet seat. Luckily Caroline's mother came up and helped her.
"Are you okay honey?" she asked as she helped her daughter clean herself up. Caroline nodded weakly before wiping her face. Liz picked up the phone and looked towards Caroline for permission. When her daughter nodded, she raised the phone to her ear.
"Klaus" Liz greeted coldly. "Caroline isn't feeling very well so I would appreciate if you would let her rest" she said harshly and the bitterness in her tone even surprised Caroline.
"What's wrong with her?" he asked.
"Pregnancy symptoms I'm sure" she said not going into details much to Klaus' dismay. "Please don't disturb her after this. She needs her rest" she reminded him again.
"Of course. Tell her to be ready by tomorrow afternoon. She needs her rest because it's a long journey back home too" he added and hung up before anyone could protest.
Liz turned to face her daughter with the phone still in her hand. "What did he say?" Caroline asked faintly.
"Nothing you need to worry about." She reassured her daughter with a smile. "Let's get you in bed" she said and simply helped Caroline into her bed before tucking her in completely. She kissed her daughter's forehead lovingly before murmuring a 'good night' and leaving the room taking her daughter's cellphone with her.
Just as she headed downstairs, she saw her ex-husband and his partner sitting there. "How is she?" Steven asked.
"I'm not sure. But Klaus called" she said expressing the displeasure in her voice. "He's coming to pick her up tomorrow. No excuses" she told them bitterly.
Bill stood up enraged. "He's not going anywhere near my daughter after the pain he caused her" he roared.
"Calm down Bill" Liz said rolling her eyes. "He's not getting Caroline back but we're going to need help" she said.
"Who do you have in mind?" Steven asked straight forward.
Liz smirked triumphantly. "Dr. Meredith Fell" she said.
Both their eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "How do you think she can help?" they asked in unison.
"Well she happens to be in a relationship with Detective Alaric Saltzman" she told them. "Who is leading the investigation of Klaus' case" she added.
"And we, just, need Klaus gone long enough to make Caroline disappear" Bill said as realization washed over him.
Liz nodded and grabbed her coat before heading to the door. "Where are you going at this hour?" Steven asked glancing at the clock. It was close to midnight.
"There is no time to waste. I'm going over to Meredith's right now and I have a feeling that Alaric is going to be there" she said and walked out of the door determined to eliminate this Klaus problem from her daughter's life. Forever.
