"The world is hard because you will have to fight for the things you love or worse, fight the things you love. The world is hard because the things you love will kill you."

~Unknown

It was easy at first, watching him.

Afterall it was just his brother. It was just Niklaus.

Kol has seen him in his best times and more than once at his worst. This shouldn't have been anything new to him.

After Elijah left it was easy. He wasn't as bad. The killing was at a minimum and the anger wasn't always so violent. So he would proceed to sit in the bar booths, lounging back with a drink in one hand and a girl draped on the other arm. It was almost fun. For once he wasn't being babysat but he was doing the babysitting.

There was some power here, some authority he was never granted before. How could he not relish in it? How could he just brush that off?

Well he didn't.

And at first it was great. It was everything he thought it would be.

But then villages were destroyed.

Trails of blood led to the forests.

Screams were heard well into the night.

He was spiraling down and Kol didn't have a clue of what to do. How do you confront a thousand year old hybrid?

Well that's the thing, you don't.

And he sits here now, staring out the window blankly as Caroline sobs quietly on the porch. All this time he had this thought that his brother was just throwing a tantrum. Who cared what he felt when everyone else in his family was grieving the same pain? They all lost Rebekah, they all lost the coming child.

Who cares?

Why didn't he matter enough to be given the attention that Elijah gave out?

Kol was always looked at as the pesky, little, annoying brother. He was drunk most of the time and had a different woman each night. In some cases he was worse than Klaus. He liked to have his cake and eat it too, every day and every night. Blood lust consumed him and he relished in the recklessness of his life. On the outside you think he's immune to pain. Half the time you think his emotions are off.

But no.

No.

He's just like everyone else.

He bleeds and he cries and he wallows.

He feels guilt and sorrow and fury.

And right now he feels helpless, completely and utterly helpless.

His brother has been controlled for years now and Kol didn't even know.

But really, who would?

"She said she needed some rest." Enzo was in the doorway, leaning against the frame as Kol stood facing the window. "She didn't feel like talking."

Kol stiffened.

"She wouldn't tell me much but I gathered enough. I assume you did as well."

Kol nodded. "I need you to stay here for a while. There's something I have to do." He looked to the side. "Alone."

Enzo pursed his lips but nodded, heading over to the couch. "I suppose I could. You do have cable, correct?"

Kol was already halfway out the door.

"Yeah," he said. "I have cable."

His heart felt heavy, as if it was turned to stone within the past few hours. The look in her eyes kept flashing through his mind, this pure and utter shock. She thought he was going to hurt her. He knew it. And he was merely inches from her, one breath away from ending it all.

But he didn't want to do it. This wasn't him. This wasn't the Klaus Mikaelson everyone knew him as.

He was weak, falling to his knees with every command in his head. They told him what to wear, how to talk, what to say...how to be himself.

But this wasn't him. Nothing about this was even remotely close to who he was.

It didn't start out like this. He was only supposed to have it off for a few decades, do the normal damage, learn to live and recover, and then turn it back on. There was enough control within him to know he didn't want this life forever. There were perks to feelings, to living and experiencing the world around him. He didn't want to waste it in endless blood shed.

Because there was her….

And it was on July 3rd, 2045. He was strolling through the streets of Venice, licking his lips from the treat he had merely minutes ago, when the world began to spin around him. Memories after that only come back in flashes but he remembers their faces.

One of them had green eyes.

Their skin was a dark brown.

And their chanting filled the air.

He didn't know how they got to him, didn't know how they were able to hold him down. But they planted their control within his mind, transformed his thoughts into hatred and resentment. They amped up his grief into utter despair and threw him into his very own hell. The hell of his own mind, of his own fears and sadness. They twisted his desires and turned all the love he ever possessed into another irrational fear.

Love is a weakness.

And no matter how hard he tried to fight it, they always pushed back. As if he was drowning and with every breath gained they pushed his head back down under water, letting his lungs fill. And he choked and coughed, trying to hold on to any shred left of himself until he finally gave up. The darkness filled his once light heart and there was nothing left. Nothing remotely close of the person he was, the person she helped him become.

Sometimes it comes back, the realization of the curse upon him. The truth opens up his mind and his eyes no longer see a blank nothing, a black and white world. Because the world isn't black and white...it's all different shades of grey.

He remembers looking into her eyes that night, seeing the fear that consumed her as he was only a breath away from ripping out her throat. And he couldn't bring himself to do it. Something pushed him back, something snapped within him and he screamed inside.

Help me.

Every day he screamed it. At the top of his lungs it came roaring out, turning his throat raw, making the blood drip back down onto his lungs. But no one heard him and he walked around with this poker face, as if nothing was wrong at all.

But it was wrong.

And it was killing him.

….killed him.

"Brother-"

He whipped around. In the corner of the room, unknowing to him, Kol stood. His expression was strained, tight as his eyes barely made contact with Klaus'. From a distance he looked like he was ten years old again, watching from afar as his father gave Klaus a good beating. The pain and hurt in his eyes matched the ones he carried now but Klaus didn't get a chance to feel any sympathy towards him.

It all clicked back into place.

"Ah, Kol," Klaus said, his voice bright, "What brings you here?"

He was still in the corner, refusing to come out of the shadows. "I know what happened."

"And I suppose I can thank your dear Caroline for that, yes?"

"She isn't mine. We both know that."

"I don't bloody care whose she is." Klaus spat. "She was out of her mind tonight, far too much to drink. She didn't know what she was talking about."

Kol finally stepped forward but kept his distance. He wasn't taking any chances. "She lost it when she got home. I couldn't...I couldn't even look at her. She said you're suffering…."

I am, I am suffering. God, Kol, open your eyes! Don't believe me, please, don't believe me.

Klaus laughed, his head whipping back. "Do I look like I'm suffering? I have everything I've ever wanted, I'm living the life I strived years for. It's all mine."

"You don't have everything. Remember what you lost."

He had him pinned against the wall in the matter of seconds. His hand wrapped around his neck, squeezing it so tightly that his veins popped out.

"I don't see what they have to do about it."

"You're saying that you don't miss your child? Your sister?" Kol paused, attempting to swallow. "Caroline?"

"I don't see what she has to do with it. She left."

"You drove her away! You drove everyone away!"

His eyes turned to black. "It's because I didn't want them. I don't want anyone of you. I don't even understand why you're still here. I should have daggered you ages ago."

"And what about Caroline? You're going to kill her if she furthers your saving?"

"She'll give me no choice."

Lies. It's all lies.

"I don't believe you. I'll never give up because I know you're still in there."

"Then prepare to be sorely disappointed." He let go of Kol's neck and pushed him back to the other side of the room. "Now leave, before I change my mind."

He was gone before Klaus finished speaking.

And then the screaming started yet again.

It was the second night she stayed in his mansion. Remarkably, Klaus managed to fall asleep. She suspected he'd been watching her for some time, felt his fingers grazing over her face as she slept. Her smile widened as she entered the kitchen. A small light hung over the kitchen sink, illuminating the small space around it. Her feet padded across the tile, searching for a cup or some sort.

She was so thirsty.

Her hand reached up to the cabinet, going on her tip-toes as she saw the gleaming glass on the top shelf. She wanted something small, disposable, nothing fragile and expensive. After all, it was just for blood.

"Need help?"

She jumped, the movement so fast that she knocked the blood bag down to the floor. It burst open almost immediately, the red liquid flowing out.

"Klaus!" she shrieked, hitting him in the shoulder. "I thought you were sleeping!"

"Well all of your rummaging made me realize something was missing from my bed."

Caroline smiled but quickly replaced it with a scowl. "I was thirsty and since everything you own is made out of crystal and china, I wanted something plastic. And the only seemingly plastic cup you had was on the highest damn shelf! I'm not a giant, Klaus, I couldn't reach it. I was so close though and then you-"

He cut her off but picking her up and setting her on the counter. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him as he stepped over the growing puddle. Her eyebrow raised as he leaned in closer to her, his lips forming a smile.

"If you think I'm giving you kitchen sex, then you're sorely mistaken."

"I'm offering something far better."

She tightened her arms around her chest. "Oh yeah?"

He nodded slowly and leaned his neck to the side. "I'll make up for the little accident. Again, my apologies."

Her eyes widened and suddenly her body felt numb. She looked down at her hands blankly, not knowing where to put them as he placed a soft kiss to her lips. He trailed them down her neck, sucking at her pulse point before pulling away. His forehead rested against her shoulder and she could practically smell the blood running through his veins.

It was far better than any human could offer her.

"Are you sure?" she whispered.

He only nodded.

And so she leaned in, hesitating only briefly before he groaned her name, egging her to go on.

She let her fangs sink deep within his neck, going to the perfect vein as she let the blood flow in through her mouth. It was an experience like nothing else. A spark shot through them and she heard the crushing noise his hands made as they connected with the counter. A cloud of dust came up in front of her but she barely noticed.

The blood kept filling her mouth as her fingers tangled in his hair. His lips were still doing wonders on her neck while she devoured his and she wondered why he never suggested this before.

It had been long enough and he finally mumbled her name, a weakness creeping through his voice. She reluctantly pulled away and he kissed the remaining blood away from her lips. The smile on her face made him grin from ear to ear, chuckling in the process.

"Are you satisfied?" his soft voice filled the dark kitchen.

She nodded. "I suppose I can forgive you now."

"Oh really?"

Caroline giggled as he pulled her against him. "Mmhmm."

"Now I would like to take you back to bed. I didn't enjoy it very much to find you missing from it."

She frowned slightly as she trailed her finger along his cheek. "Well I'll have to leave it eventually, you know."

"But right now...right now you're all mine."

And thank God, for that.

Her eyes popped open. The room was dark, shadows casting over the walls in grey hues as the wind blew the curtains towards the ceiling. Despite the chill hanging over her she felt hot, sweating covering her body causing her hair to stick to the back of her neck.

She sits up slowly, taking in a deep breath as the voices from the kitchen carried into her room. Her arms stretched up to the ceiling before she swung each of her legs onto the ground.

In the kitchen Kol was standing by the window, eyes gazing out into the backyard as Enzo sipped his coffee. She didn't know the time but predicted it was later with the sun so high up in the sky. A yawn escaped her lips as her feet touched the cool tile and their heads snapped up to see hers.

She would only look at Kol.

"Oh good, you're up."

Caroline nodded.

"Sit down, darling. We've come up with a plan."

She took a seat on the stool with a raised eyebrow, clearly doubtful. "Really?"

"Well...not a solution but it's temporary. It'll get everything moving."

Caroline tapped her fingers against the countertop, pressing her lips together as she listened.

"I went to see him...last night." Kol started.

Her eyes widened.

"It could have gone a lot better. I wanted to accomplish way more than I actually did but it gave me an idea. You said he's suffering which implies that this isn't Niklaus… that this isn't his doing."

"We don't know for how long though, Kol." Caroline whispered.

"I know that. But what if we contain him? What if I can find a way to keep Nik under control as we search for a way out of this?"

She contemplated it for a moment. Of course it would be a good idea. Just lock him up while they all look for a cure to this curse he's under. But they know nothing. They have no idea who's doing it, why they did it and even how they did it. What if it's irreversible?

She couldn't even stomach the notion.

"How would you do that? How would we make him agree to come with us? Don't forget we have to keep him contained in something. He's stronger than all of us combined in this state in addition that he can't feel remorse and won't care what he has to do to get out. I appreciate your efforts, Kol, but I don't see how this would work."

This was when Enzo stepped forward. "Well you see-"

"Why is he even here?" she snapped. "You don't belong here, this isn't any of your concern."

"We need all the help we can get. Enzo just happens to be one of the many few people who have nothing against my brother. They've never met until last night."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Whatever. That isn't going to work anyway. He's too strong and there's no way to distract even if it's only for a little bit. We need to come up with something better."

"Caroline, this is all we have. If we get him down, lock him up, he can't do any harm. While he have him like that we can break him down and try to find a witch who can undo all of this. Or at least figure out what's wrong."

She bit her lip, doubt creeping into her mind. "What if this is all a lie? What if his emotions are really off?"

Kol shook his head. "You said so yourself that he's suffering. And I saw him myself. Niklaus...he isn't right. At first this could have been his doing but now...now this is out of his control. We owe it to him to make it right."

She looked away from them, sucking in a deep breath as the room fell silent. She knew what this would entail. Once again she would return to her rightful position as the beautiful blonde distraction. Before it was easy, Caroline was never sure of her feelings for him. It was always fueled by hate as she never cared for the consequences he would receive. But it was so different now.

How could she look the man she loves in the eye and lie to him? How can he lead him into this trap? She knows she can do it, she's more than capable of lying. After all she's a beautiful liar, has been for years now. But it's different somehow. This isn't out of revenge or to help her friends.

She has to save him. She's doing it for him.

Maybe one day he'll forgive her.

Caroline licked her lips slowly as her fingers dragged against the countertop. She pressed her lips together and finally nodded, crossing her legs in the process.

"Fine," she said, her voice barely audible, "Let's do it."

The plan was fairly simple. All she had to do was keep him occupied for ten minutes and draw him outside. When they were finally alone Kol's witch would come out, knock him unconscious and they would be on their way. He went into explaining how he befriended a coven only a few miles away from the house. Apparently they owed him a huge favor and this was the perfect opportunity to pay him back.

She stayed in her room longer than the allotted time Kol had given her. But he would have to wait. She wouldn't rush her image because they were on a time schedule. It wasn't like Klaus was going anywhere. He would still be in the same, stupid spot he's always in at the bar. She didn't understand the rush.

Caroline had to admit though, she did look stunning. She slipped into the black cocktail dress he had admired years ago along with curling her hair into tight rings. And with a touch of red lipstick, she was more than ready to take Klaus off guard. Even in his emotionless state he wouldn't be able to resist her. Most men couldn't and that knowledge gave her a sense of power. She loved having the upperhand. Seeing them fall to her feet was like nothing else. It reminded her of the control she possessed, that they were all at her liberty. It made everything just the slightest bit better.

They were walking up to the bar when Kol stopped her, his hand resting on the small of her back.

She turned slightly.

"He will not hurt you so long as you maintain this facade. Enzo will be in the bar while I round up Arianna and her coven. It should take about an hour." He was whispering low in her ear, lips barely moving as she took in his instructions. "Stay calm, relax, and this should all be over soon."

"Isn't that what you told me last time?" she quipped.

He shrugged, a smug look playing at his features. "I suppose it was."

"I'll be fine." She assured him. "We'll see you soon."

And she was off, sauntering into the bar with a wave of blonde flowing behind her. Her heels were clicking against the floor, one after the other in a rapid pace as she pushed through the wooden doors. It was as if every head snapped up, dancing at a standstill even as the music kept pounding. She heard a low whistle from the other end of the bar and two girls slapped their boyfriend's arms from staring.

She wasn't halfway through the bar when he was in front of her.

Everyone went back to their activities.

The bartender poured his drinks.

The dancer's feet began to move.

Gazes were destroyed.

Men looked away.

And it was only them.

"Caroline."

How could she hate and love the sound of her name all at the same time?

"Klaus."

"I thought I scared you away the other night."

"Kol was bugging me," she shrugged indifferently.

"Was he now?" Klaus stepped forward, his rose colored lips pursing up. "I thought your other boy-toy would help you get away?"

"But would he be able to show me a good time?" She didn't get too close to him mostly because she didn't want to. But to jump at him so quickly would raise suspicion. Surely he can understand her annoyance with her brother and the subtle jab that she could possibly have a distraction waiting for her was all he needed.

She felt his hand curl around the small of her back, pulling her in despite the shocked look on her face. He barely even noticed as his attention was nowhere near her silly features.

"I promise you this will be far better than last night. I'm glad I'm worth second chances."

You're worth a million and then some.

Caroline swallowed hard, forcing a smile as her eyes connected with Enzo's. He had a brunette on his left arm and nursed a drink in his right hand. The girl was whispering in his ear, fingers trailing along his torso as she nearly crawled on top of him. She could his attention was on the girl or at least trying to be. Every so often she felt his eyes on her back and even though wanted nothing to do with him, even though she wasn't entirely sure about this Enzo, she couldn't help but feel okay.

He was trailing circles on her arm, slow movements as he sipped from his drink. His people had cleared the area around them, dispersing throughout the crowd to give them the space Klaus wanted. And although he didn't say to leave, didn't say to give them time, with one look he had half the bar running. She could have sworn some of them counted the fifty feet away he probably would have liked.

She wouldn't have minded the gesture. She remembers how he used to do it so mindlessly during their weekend. It seemed like he was always in contact with her body in one way or another. The action was always peaceful to her, gave off this calming effect that released all the built up tension throughout her body. It was sensational, truly like nothing else to have his hands all over her.

Yet, if you looked at her close enough now, she was trying hard not to cringe. There wasn't a soft, loving look on his face that she had fallen for years ago. It was replaced with something more chilling, sadistic even as his eyes shined with each stroke on her skin. They weren't talking, no eye contact being made as he only resided in his little world.

Finally, she cleared her throat. "Don't you want to dance or something? I'm sorry to say but you're kind of disappointing me right now."

His movements stopped which was both a blessing and a curse. "Disappointing, hmm?"

She merely shrugged.

"I suppose I could entertain you for the time being." He stood. "Dancing, yes?"

This would be nothing of the dancing they performed during his ball. It would not be slow and romantic, heads touching lightly as he caressed her palm.

No.

He guided her to the middle of the dance floor and immediately let go. She felt his hands slide down her waist and, like so many times before, she wrapped her arms around his neck. It hasn't been an hour, she didn't know the time and Enzo had disappeared minutes ago.

She was completely alone with Klaus. There was a flicker in his features, something that made her think twice. But he looked away then, up to the ceiling as he took in the feel of her. The feel of everything.

And it was funny, you know, how this is what she's been dreaming of for the past hundred years. Ever since he turned her away she's been imagining the life they could have had. The images killed her so much that for decades she drowned herself in blood and sex for a simple escape. All she wanted was five minutes of him not existing, of him not roaming the earth without her. And to think that she's here, right now, a breath away from kissing him with his hands all over her. Only this wasn't going to end sweetly. In minutes Kol would be storming through the door, a band of witches up his sleeve to take down one of the only brothers he has left.

None of this was real. He wasn't surging with emotions, eyes beaming with love as he held her on this floor. That wasn't who this Klaus was.

But she wanted him back desperately and she would do anything for him.

His eyes connected with hers and there was a twitch in the back of his mind. He felt his eyes darken as his hands slid down her body. Somehow it felt wrong. There was a lingering smell of blood in the air but that wasn't what had his veins buzzing. His mind was rattling, screaming and pounding as his eyes blinked rapidly.

Wake up you bloody moron!

His breathing sped up as the air began to trickle out from the room. The screaming wouldn't stop, the coming pain was constant as he felt a shift in the room.

They're here! Get her out of here!

There was something stopping him from bolting from the room, from taking Caroline and himself as far away from this place as possible. He wanted to move but his feet stayed planted on the ground. The struggle went on, back and forth, back and forth.

But the feel of her body, the smell of her lavender hair, brought him all back.

The music changed to something heart pounding. She saw a bead of sweat trickle down his face just as her feet were swept up from the ground. And all she saw was darkness but she wasn't dead or unconscious, there was just the problem of no light.

Where the hell were they?

And his hands were still on her, gripping her waist so tightly. But the fact was she couldn't see anything. This was ruining the plan. How could Kol trap him if even she had no idea where she was?

"Klaus," she whispered, her voice echoing in the small space.

He shushed her. "Caroline, please."

"What's wrong?"

He was quiet for a moment. "I can sense them."

It was the way he said it, the edge in his voice that was a complete turnaround from how he acted just moments ago. He was changing while they were dancing but it was barely noticeable, he didn't want her to see. They could have just gone about their dancing, pretended like everything was fine.

But they were coming. He wouldn't be a fool this time and be so blinded by their coming. He could actually do something for once instead of being so helpless. Yet he felt himself changing back, the switch being shoved back down to it's original place, a place that should feel horrible but can't help but be welcomed. His heart rate picked up because, oh God, he forgot.

She was here. Pressed up against him her fingernails dug into his shirt. And she should be terrified, shoving and thrashing against him like any normal person would.

But they aren't really people, are they?

"Caroline...you have to go."

"Klaus?" her voice was too bright, too hopeful that it made him cringe. "Klaus is it-"

He gripped her shoulders so tightly she whimpered. Soon she saw light, wincing as he nearly threw her into it.

"You have to leave...the witches-"

Her facial expression changed, as if guilt were taking over. She tried to step towards him, her hands reached out but he stopped her.

"Caroline?"

"I want to help you. I've always ever wanted that."

He cocked his head to the side, not fully understanding her.

It was when she looked away that he crashed to the ground, his screams piercing through the night. Chanting filled the air, words spilling from the witches' mouths that Caroline couldn't understand. She watched from afar as his back arched up, as he thrashed against the growing restraints on his arms. But instead of anger flashing through his eyes, instead of the yellow she expected to see, it was all fear.

His eyes connected with hers and she nearly died by the look.

Pure and utter betrayal.

Ahh sorry I took so long but I hope it was worth it! I would love to hear your thoughts about this one, things are kind of rolling and I would love to hear your comments, concerns, whatever they are!

I want to thank everyone for the support for this story. After last chapter it really means a lot! I love you all!

Alsooooo I am searching for a cover for this story so if anyone is interested either PM me here for message me on tumblr (theinevitabilityofus). It would mean the world! (:

I hope you all liked it and have a great weekend! (: