A/N Ok so here we go with chapter 9, chapter 10 will be the last followed by a final end and epilogue chapter.

I feel like I could keep tweaking this chapter forever, so I'm biting the bullet and posting.

Enjoy -

Chapter 9

When Caroline awoke the next morning she was pleased not find anyone standing over her. Like the previous morning she had awoken to find her head resting on Klaus's chest. His warmth surrounded her and she knew she could happily wake up like this every day. His arm was circled around her and his hand was softly drawing circles on her shoulder. She tilted her head to look up at him. "Morning, how long have you been awake?"

His eyes flicked to her for a moment before focusing back on a spot above her head "Awhile". His voice was distant and thoughtful

"Oh" she mused wondering why he was avoiding looking at her, when the way he held her said something completely different.

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask how he was but he cut her off before she could speak. . "Write down you address in Jacksonville, I'm going to head over there today to collect you stuff" he climbed out of the bed and Caroline felt the cool chill set in at the loss of his warmth. She sat up in the bed and grabbed a note pad and pen from the bedside cabinet. She scrawled out her address as he pulled on his clothes.

"Here" she said handing him the paper. She grabbed his hand as he went to take it from her. He looked at her with a silent warning, as her eyes pleaded with him not to shut her out.

Eventually she asked "Will you be heading back to the Plantation, or heading straight out?" her voice shaky, it wasn't what she wanted to ask but the words wouldn't come.

He carefully pulled his hand away from her and glanced at the paper before folding it and placing it in his pocket. "I thought I'd head straight out, not sure when I'll be back"

He started towards the door.

"Avoiding Hope isn't going to fix anything" Caroline called after him

He stopped with his back to her "I'm not avoiding, I'm just giving her some space. Besides she's not at the house, she's with Hayley. I'm just not in the mood for twenty questions from my siblings."

Caroline climbed out of the bed and flashed over to him, she caught his wrist at the door. "Hope will be sorry about what she's said. Once she calmed down she'll apologise"

Klaus sighed. Caroline had way of always smashing down any kind of defence he tried to build. He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. She turned her face away from him and rested her cheek on his shoulder as he held her.

"Thank you" he mumbled into her hair "for last night"

Caroline lifted her head and turned to look at him.

He watched as her eyes danced with indecision. Then darken as she bite her lower lip and refocused on his lips. His heart was thumping in his chest. He could kiss her right now, loose himself in her and forget all his problems. He wanted to, badly but he could risk losing Hope any more than he had already.

His voice cracked as Caroline started to lean in "I chose Hope, Caroline. She's my first priority over everyone else."

Caroline hesitated "She won't make you chose"

"She might?"

Caroline smiled dimly "She loves you and she wants you to be happy, she won't ask you to choose any more than Nik would ask it of me".

His gaze hardened "You choose Nik over me a long time ago" a trace of jealously to his tone

Caroline placed her hands on his chest and push back as much as his tight grip around her waist would allow. "That's not fair, he was a baby and it was an impossible choice. He needed me more. Besides Nik's not a baby anymore he doesn't get to dictate my happiness and you know what! Hopes not a baby anymore either if she can't cope with me begin in….. well… with you and me then quite frankly she needs to grow up"

She reached down to disentangle herself from Klaus. He quirked his eyebrow and smirked as he let go "being in?"

Caroline huffed, "Just go, if you're going."

He left without another word. Leaving her to mull over how close she'd come to admitting to his face that she was in love with him. She knitted her brows together as she contemplated the implications, of if Hope never accepts her in Klaus's life.

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Hope awoke slowly, the memory of yesterdays' events washed over her and she felt her heart grow heavy again. She reached up and rubbed her eyes, unwilling to let herself cry anymore. She sat up and looked around the empty cabin "Mom? Mom?"

She waited a beat before realising she had woken alone. She got up and went to open the door "Mom?"

The air was still cool and crisp so she figured it was still pretty early. Looking around she surmised that her mother was nowhere to be found. She wondered briefly if her father had come back when she had been sleeping and done something to her mother but then if he had Hope would not have woken up alone in the cabin. When she tried to step outside she hit an invisible barrier. She muttered an incantation and tried to walk out again... When nothing happened she looked down at her wrist and inspected a metal cuff that hadn't been then when she fell sleep. Thoughtfully she retreated back into the cabin and leaned her back against the closed door. She sank down to the floor her tears beginning anew. It should not have come as a surprise to her that comfort from her mother would be fleeting, but somehow it did. Her mother had never been someone she could rely on, not like her dad. When she had been upset or hurt in the past he had always been the one to be there for her. Today was the first time that he hadn't been but then Hope had never been quite so openly hostile to his face before. She recalled the broken look on his face when she'd told him that she hated him. In the cold light of the morning after, she regretted her actions terribly. Hope wiped her eyes and tried to pull herself together. She needed to go home, swallow her pride and apologise, just as soon as she figured out how to get out.

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Rebecca went to check on Cami, after the day before she was decidedly worried for her friend. Elijah had resorted to compelling Cami to remain in the house until Klaus had calmed down. She walked into her room and froze. Cami had taken the time that morning to use curling irons, her hair felt into delicate curls a look that was uncommon for Cami "What do you think?" She asked merrily "I decided to try something new. Do you think Klaus will like it?"

"I don't know" Rebecca replied carefully "Does it matter if he didn't?"

Cami looked on in shock "Oh but it does. I have to please him, I love him... I think he will like me better with curls"

Cami set about putting on her makeup with a childlike happiness on her face "You'll see, when he comes home. We won't leave this room for days" She winked at Rebecca and it was almost creepy.

"Cami, do you feel like you have to please Klaus and make him happy all the time"

"Of course I love him, like he loves me"

Rebecca backed out of the room slowly, and went in search of Elijah.

She found him in the study.

"Elijah, I think Cami is sired to Klaus?"

He looked up at her sceptically, "Don't be ridiculous, she has been a vampire for 10 years don't you think we would have noticed by now."

Rebecca sank down into the chair in front of the desk

"Not unless our devious, brother has been artfully hiding it from us for years, in some misguided attempt to keep hope happy"

Elijah put down his pen as he considered the scenario, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "If that's true, then our brother has been extremely reckless, if he doesn't return cami's feelings…"he trailed off and sighed "he doesn't, does he?"

Rebecca shook her head "NoPe" she said popping the P.

"That stupid, reckless, insufferable….ass"

Rebecca burst out laughing, Nik reducing Elijah to use the word ass was a feat in itself and Nik wasn't even in the room.

"Stop laughing sister you understand how serious this is, remember Charlotte?"

"Mmm yes our first encounter with a sired vampire, she really did have it bad for Nik, until he killed her that is."

"Yes well I don't really want Cami to end up with that fate, she has been good to Hope. She doesn't deserve to descend into that kind of madness"

"I know, but what do you suggest"

"I'm sure our brother has something in mind, he's clearly been managing her pretty well until now"

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Tyler strolled casually into the compound. With his spies notifying him that Klaus was well and truly out of the city he knew he had nothing to fear from paying Caroline a personal visit. He'd already made short work of the handful of guards Klaus had watching the compound. He paused at the bottom of the stairs as Caroline appeared at the top

"Tyler?" if she was afraid. She hid it well "What are you doing here?"

"What I can't just pay my ex-girlfriend a visit on a lovely sunny day?"

Her face hardened "What do you want Tyler?"

"Come on, let's go for a stroll. Oh no wait you can't can you? Your psycho hybrid lover has you compelled to stay in here and do his bidding now doubt"

Caroline walked down the stairs slowly "Leave Tyler, this is you one chance to walk out of this city alive. If you keep up this stupid vendetta against Klaus he will kill you and I wouldn't be able to stop him and I'm not sure I even want to anymore. You bit me Tyler"

Tyler pressed his hands together and held them to his lips "See now here's the thing, Klaus killed my mom, he's taken your love for me and made it his own. That boy! you have he should have been ours"

Caroline recoiled in horror and Tyler's implication

"He still could be Care, you could help me kill Klaus and then we could be together again. We could be a family"

Caroline shook her head, Tyler's madness was clear to her now "No I won't help you kill Klaus, and I'll have not part in a plan to hurt him"

"Why because you are in love with him "he send snidely

Caroline blinked rapidly "Yes" she said

"I'm sorry what?" Tyler's jovial exterior darkened and he stared hard at her

She held her chin up defiantly, "Yes I love him and I won't let you hurt him"

Tyler laughed manically "I was afraid you'd say that. Now come with me, I have treat to set up for Klaus"

Caroline smirked "You know I can't" she folded her arms with satisfaction. Her confidence faltering where she saw the look on Tyler's face.

"Oh yes the compulsion, oh well lucky for you there is always a loophole" He grinned and with lighten speed Tyler lurched forward and snapped her neck.

He swept her up into his arms and headed for the doorway. He took a tentative step over the threshold and smiled when he proved himself right. Caroline couldn't leave but that didn't mean someone couldn't take her if she was unconscious Of course it did lead to the interesting dilemma of what would happen when she woke up and realised she was no longer in the compound.

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Hope heard whistling approach the cabin. The door flew open and she stood in surprise as a dark haired man, closely followed by her mom, walked in and threw Caroline down onto the bed.

"Mom, what's going on?"

The dark haired man ignored her and disappeared back outside for a few moments before reappearing with some chains.

Hope approached the bed and inspected Caroline, the awkward angle at which her head lolled indicated she's had her neck snapped.

When he begun to put shackles on Caroline, Hope furrowed her brow in confusion. She looked at her mother who shifted uncomfortable from foot to foot. Her mother was about to say something when the dark haired man approached Hope.

"Hello Hope," his smile was almost creepy and she tried to pull back when he brushed her hair away from her face. "My name is Tyler, I'm please to meet you finally"

"Tyler!" Hayley snapped "Back off, we have an agreement" Hayley reached out and grabbed her daughters arm pulling her to her side.

"You've got your Klaus bait, now let me and hope get out of here"

Tyler moved closer to the door, "No I think I'll keep Hope a while longer, just a little insurance policy until Klaus is dead"

Hope felt the colour drain out her face, This 'Tyler' intended to kill her father, for a brief second her heart stopped in fear but she found solace in the knowledge that her father was un-killable.

"Good luck with that" she jeered "My Father is un-killable, he will rip you apart for this"

Tyler's loud laughter was unnerving "That's where you are wrong I have found away. I will kill him but not before I've made him watch as I destroy everything he loves in front of his eyes."

Whistling happily Tyler strolled back out of the cabin.

Hope turned quickly to her mother, she lifted the wrist with cuff "Quick, help me get this off. Let's get out of here"

Hayley gently pushed her daughters arm back down, "no sweetheart, I can't, the cuffs been spelled"

Hope allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. "Mom, please we have to get out of here"

"Sshh, don't worry Tyler's going to let us go when Klaus is dead" Hayley pulled away slightly and cupped hopes face "Where would you like to go baby?"

Hope looked at her mother in disbelief "You're, you're gonna let him kill Dad?"

"Yes" Hayley replied firmly

Hopes eyes danced from side to side as she felt the tears swimming in them. She pulled away from her mother's grasp. In the past 24 hours the pedestal she placed both her parents on had been well and truly torn down. Only to be replaced with a better understanding of the people they were and how important she was to each of them. Right now from Hopes perspective her mother was failing miserably and showing that she didn't really gave a damn about what Hope felt in all this.

"He'd never let anyone kill you, he'd make sure you lived for me" hope said with conviction

"He had is hand in my chest only yesterday!" Hayley shouted, sensing that hope was slipping away from here again.

Hope nodded, "He told me about that and he also told me he'd never kill you because you are my mother. He knows enough about me to know that I don't want you to die and if you cared about me and my feelings AT ALL! You wouldn't be standing by while that mad man kills my father"

Hayley stepped forward reaching out for her but hope moved away closer to the bed "No, if my dad dies I'll never speak to you again"

The tears flowed freely from Hayley's eyes "Hope please, this is our chance to be free to be together"

Hope shook her head strongly "NO!"

Their eyes locked in a stare off.

Hayley conceded "Ok," She turned towards the door as Tyler casually walked back in. Hayley put out her arm in a gesture to Hope to stay behind her.

"Let Hope go with me right now Tyler, you don't need her. We will head straight out of town I promise"

Tyler was shaking his head as he laughed "No I don't think so"

He clapped his hands together with glee "Now let the games begin, time to send Klaus a present"

Hope screamed as Tyler sprang forward and shoved his hand into her mother's chest, she choke down her sobs as she watched in slow motion unable to move as her mother's heart was ripped from her chest. Hayley's lifeless body dropped to the floor and hope fell to her knees gathering her mother in her arms "mom, mummy… No no no…" she buried her head in her mother's hair and her body wracked with sobs. She felt a hand on her head and she looked up into the eyes of her mother's murderer. "There, there you'll be an orphan by the end of the day, just like me. " Hope closed her eyes in disgust as he stroked her cheek with fingers soaked in her mother's blood, "don't worry I'll look after you" Hope shivered at the insinuation

"Touch me again and I'll kill you" she shook his hand away from her face.

"Well you're not getting out of this Cabin anytime soon and you can't use you magic so we'll see"

Hope ducked her head back down into her mother's hair and she didn't look up as she heard Tyler walk towards the door.

Caroline came round slowly, before opening her eyes she reached up and rubbed her neck. She opened her eyes and blinked as she took in her surroundings. The sound of sobbing reached her ears and there was a stench of blood in the air. She swallowed hard as she took in the sight before, Hope covered in blood holding her mother to her chest and sobbing. She climbed off the bed and approached cautiously "Hope" she tried tentatively, her heart melted for Hopes obvious distress. She gently prised hope away from her mother and pulled her into her arms. "Sshh sweetheart it's ok…what happened?"

"That man...T...Tyler, he killed her"

Caroline closed her eyes, there was no saving Tyler now. She was resigned to her ex loves death by Klaus hands. Tyler had crossed the line beyond saving.

While she held Hope tightly in her arms offering comfort she slowly assessed what had happened before she'd blacked out and where exactly she was now... Something was gnawing at her subconscious a pulling sensation, she was suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling that she shouldn't be here.

"Where am I?" she asked hope in a shaky breath

"Out in the Bayou… how did you get out of the compound, did dad release you?"

"Tyler snapped my neck... the...com…"Caroline felt her head start to pound..."the compulsion...has...n't be...en un...done" She gripped her hands to either side of her head as she forced the words out. "I can be bare it I have to go" She sprang to her feet and moved to flash to the door but found herself lacking in speed. The she looked down at the shackles, noting the strange carvings in the metal. She struggled to the door but when she tried to leave she found herself-repelled back.

"There is a spell on the Cabin, we can't leave and I can't use my magic. She held up her hand to reveal her own cuff."

Caroline sank to her knees, "But I can't be here, I can't be here" the pounding in her head escalated to a thundering roar as her compulsion tried to force her body back to the compound.

Caroline squeezed her eyes shut firmly, and tried to picture herself in the compound.

With eyes tightly closed she reached out and grabbed at the sheets on the bed, "Hope help me cover you mother"

Hope grabbed at the sheet and carefully placed it over her mother's corpse. Salty tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

Caroline sat down on the floor her back pressed against the bed frame, she reached out her hand. "Hope sweetheart, come sit with me"

Hope begrudgingly sunk down next to Caroline and as the blonde wrapped her arm around her shoulder she relented and gratefully sobbed into her side.

Caroline stroked her hair as she tried to focus solely on Hope and not the agonising need in her brain to get back to the compound.

After a time hopes sobbing soften. "Where is dad?" she asked quietly

Caroline sighed "He went to Jacksonville to arrange getting mine and Niks belongings packed up" She felt Hope stiffen in her arms, "he...he didn't come look for me first?" the sting of rejection flowing through her words.

"You hurt him Hope, deeply. He thinks he is doing the right thing by giving you the space you wanted."

Hopes sobs began anew "I didn't mean it, I... I can't lose him to"

Caroline gave Hope a reassuring squeeze "You won't lose him, and he will never let anything bad happen to you." Caroline tightened her hold on hope "and neither will I, whatever happens you stand behind me understand"

There was a firm steel in Caroline voice not dissimilar to the tone her father used sometimes, it was oddly reassuring.

Hope looked up as she realised Caroline's breathing was becoming more laboured, her eyes where screwed tightly shut.

"Caroline?"

"It's the compulsion," Caroline threw back her head and screamed in agony "Hope please…. Snap my neck"

Hope shook her head "No"

"Do it! It's the only way, I need to be unconscious or this compulsions going to drive me made and I don't want to hurt you."

With tears in her eyes hope reached up and reluctantly snapped carlines neck.

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A Couple of hours later in Jacksonville

Klaus casually pushed open the door to Caroline's apartment. As he stepped inside he was struck by the homeliness of the place. The Hallway was lined with photos of Nik from all ages, birthdays, Christmas's various other holidays. There was a picture of Nik dressed as a little devil for Halloween... Caroline despite her vampirism had always clung to her humanity and never had it shown more than in the way she had chosen to raise Nik. The apartment was a stark contrast to the sprawling mansions and townhouse Hope had called home. Documenting every moment by photograph had never occurred to Klaus or his siblings, sure there was a Portrait of Hope but the realisation at the lack of child hood mementos of hope was troubling. He walked into what must be Nicholas' room, the space was decorated out like your A-typical high school jock. The room was littered with trophies, banners and photos of school friends. There was a degree of pride as his surveyed the array of Trophies signifying Niks achievements over the years. Caroline had gone out of her way to ensure that Nik had the most normal human existence she could create for him. He understood more now of Caroline's instance that Nik finish school.

Slowly he crept down the hall and into Caroline's room.

Out of curiosity he opened her Closet and switched on the light. He idly flicked through her clothes and stopped a two dress bags she had at the end of the rack. A brief inspection proved his assumption correct, Caroline had kept both the dress's he'd given her. He wondered what else she had kept. He opened the box on her dresser and found the drawing he had done for her. He sighed and glanced back around to the closet, a box on the top shelf caught his eye. Lifting it down carefully, his eyes widened at the words 'For Klaus' neatly written on top.

He sank down to the floor as he opened it. Inside he found a picture of Caroline and Nik in the hospital, the date on the back indicated the date and time Nicholas had been born. The box was full of keepsakes of Nicholas from over the years. His hospital bracelet, teeth, a print of his tiny feet. In the box was also a collection of DVD's all clearly labelled... He glanced up and spotted the DVD player and TV in her room. Without thinking he pulled out Disc one marked 'pregnancy' and slipped it into the player. The TV sprang to life as he flipped the switch and he smile as Caroline's face appeared on the screen.

"So, we are having a baby, yay" The Camera panned down briefly to her swollen belly and then back up to her cheery expression

"I've decided to document everything, I can't change anything now but I can give you these moments back"

Klaus proceeded to watch his way through every DVD in the collection, he laughed he cried and his heart swelled with even more love for Caroline Forbes. A feat at this point he didn't think was even possible.

Once he was done he placed everything back in the box and carried it back out to his car like it was the most precious thing in the world. He instructed his men to pack up the apartment before he headed home himself.

He started the drive home, sure of three things, 1, he was going to make things right with hope and as a by-product do right by Cami, 2 he was going to try much harder to get to know his son and 3 he was going to release Caroline from her compulsion, then after that he was damn sure he was going to tell Caroline how much he loved her and then he was going to show her.

After a couple hour's drive he finally pulled up in front of the plantation, he grabbed the box of keepsakes from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. He tucked his precious cargo under his arm and headed towards the study where he fully intended to secure the box away in his safe.

Walking in to the study he was surprise to see Elijah seated behind the desk. Elijah spared him a quick glance "so you've decided to return" before returning to signing papers. Klaus walked over towards the desk, "Obviously brother" he placed the box down and cast a glance at the paperwork. Finding nothing of interest, he sank down in the chair in front of the desk. "Caroline is insisting that I enrol Nicholas in school so he can finish his school year and graduate with honours. He is on par to graduate with a 4.0 apparently" he paused "….she has suggested that I enrol hope also"

Elijah put down his pen ad looked at his brother, "4.0 really?" His brow furrowed in contemplation "You know Hope has become quite Lazy with her Schooling under our tutelage. Perhaps enrolling her with Nicholas is not such a bad idea"

Klaus snorted, "I concur, but she is not going to like it."

"Well last time I checked brother you are the parent" Elijah quirked his eyebrow at this brother and smirked he knew exactly how those conversations with hope would end, Klaus would concede and give anything she wanted.

Klaus ran his hand over his face "Yes well, unfortunately Hope and I got in to a fight last night she has got the idea into her head to go away with her mother"

For a moment Elijah looked livid but covered it quickly. "Whatever you did Niklaus I suggest you fix it, because if Hope leaves so will I."

Klaus knew all too well that on some level Hope was the glue holding the fragile truce between his siblings together. "I know brother and I'm grateful that you would protect her like that but right now I'm giving her some space to calm down but later I will find her apologise. I assure you"

"What's with the box?" Elijah asked with interest

Klaus placed his hand on the box hesitantly. "It Nicholas's whole life in a box, for me. So I would never feel like I had missed out"

He pushed the box towards Elijah, "Go ahead get to know your nephew, I have some other business to attend to and please put it in the safe when you are done"

Klaus let his eyes locks with his brothers, "I hope you learn to protect him as you would Hope"

Elijah gave him a curt nod in understanding.

Klaus stood to leave "Niklaus! Is Camille sired to you?" He paused on his way out of the door, "Yes… it's partly what Hope and I got into a fight over"

Elijah let out a deep breath "What do you intend to do about it?"

Klaus didn't answer straight away, "Where is Cami now?"

"Confided to the house until you calm down" Elijah replied

"Good, see to it she stays in the house. Once I have sorted things out with Hope I will deal with Cami. I want to know what hope thinks I should do, and if hope comes home can you call me?"

Elijah nodded as Klaus walked out the room, he pulled out his phone and cast a wary eye of the message less screen. He wondered briefly if he should be concerned that hope hadn't called him at least, he had been her go to before when she'd had arguments with Klaus. He made a mental note to ask Rebecca if she's heard from hope at all.

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Hope sat on the end of the small bed in the cabin, Caroline was curled up next to her currently unconscious. She hugged her knees to her chest trying to avoid looking at her mother's body on the floor. This whole situation was messed up, she shouldn't be here. She should be at home with her family. Her gaze occasionally fell onto Caroline, taking the opportunity to study her it dawned on Hope that she really didn't look any older than Hope herself. She briefly considered what it must be like to be stuck in a body that never ages. A shiver when down her spine at the thought that it could be her fate by the end of the day.

Caroline began to stir again, they had found during the day that she was able to hold it together for a little while before the compulsion would become unbearable again. Caroline opened her eyes and blinked a few times.

"How old where you when you became a vampire" hope blurted out.

Caroline frowned at the oddity of the question, "I died when I was 17"

"Because of my dad?" hope wondered

Caroline pushed herself up into a sitting position "No, well sort of maybe? You dad wasn't in town when I died but Katherine Petrova was and she knew he would be coming for Elena so she killed me as a 'Game on' type message"

Caroline rubbed her head, trying fight the pain as long as possible this time.

"Wow, what a bitch" hope chuckled

They sat silently for a moment, "Why did you ask?"

Hope chewed her lip "because…I think Tyler's going to hurt all of us. Bonnie was convinced that if I died by supernatural hands then there's a good chance that I'll wake up a full vampire, thanks to my freaky hybrid heritage"

Hope turned over her hands and looked at them, "I guess I was contemplating what it would be like to be 18 for ever? If it's true that is otherwise I'll just be dead" Hope tried to hide the hint of fear in her voice.

Caroline reached out and took hopes hands in her own, "You are not going to die, I won't let that happen"

Hope snorted, "You are just saying that because you like my dad, why should you care what happens to me"

Caroline's eyes narrowed "Hope Mikaelson, you are worse than a five year old sometimes. You are the number one most important person to your father, he pretty much told me so. He will always chose you!" Hopes smile faded as Caroline continued her rant. "…but that doesn't give you the right to make him. If you love him you will let him be happy."

"With you?" hope asked

Caroline sighed "That's his choice to make if you let him" she rubbed her temple again, she was running out of time before her neck would need to be snapped. "I'm not trying to ever replace Hayley or Cami, but I'd like it if we could be friends at least"

Hope reached out and placed her hands on either side of Caroline's head, "Do you love my dad?" she pondered.

Caroline gave her a determined look. "Until the day I really die"

Their eyes locked with a new level of mutual respect as hope snapped Caroline neck. She laid her back down on the bed.

It irked her but Caroline was right she did care about her dads happiness, trouble is all these years she had foolishly thought that Cami made him happy. How could she not have seen that he wasn't? The guilt from the way she had treated him gnawed at her, she just hoped she got the chance to apologise.

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Klaus had decided on the spur of the moment to drop in on one of his witches. Caroline's comments about Dahlia were playing on his mind. If Dahlia had something to do with Niks conception and or Hopes he wanted to know for sure. He pushed past the curtain into the back room of her shop. If he hadn't been in quite such a good mood he may have been more thoughtful over her 'rabbit caught in the head lights' expression before she pulled herself together, a warm smile graced her lips as he greeted her "Hello Ali"

The witch was in her late forties with cropped brown hair, she had been a good friend to bonnie for a number of years now. He brushed of her initial reaction, it was not unusual for people to look guilty for no reason when he walked into a room.

"Klaus" "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"There is something I want you to look into for me"

"OK"

He ploughed straight in not wanting to waste too much time here, when he could be with Caroline. "When Hope was conceived the witches at the time told me it was because I was a wolf before being a vampire. It seemed plausible as a loop hole so I didn't question it too much. However I have recently found out that I have son, only his mother is a vampire. I have been told that Dahlia may have been up to something at the time to make sure she could get her hands on a mikealson baby. I'm guessing because we all became vampires and Freya outlived her usefulness she decided she would have to use some magic to get what she wanted is that possible?

Ali looked pensive, she sat at her computer and pulled up what looked like a celestial calendar. "You are probably right to be suspicious, I have often wondered about that myself. Werewolf or not you are still a vampire and as such you are dead. She pulled up the calendar dates from when Hope was born and worked back nine months. Her eyes widened "Well, there was certainly one hell of celestial event for her to pull power from, she must have cast a spell to make you fertile but only during that time. I'm guessing after that it was not a coincidence that the wolf fell into your path. "

Klaus nodded thoughtfully "So I'm not fertile anymore?"

Ali smiled "No not exactly"

"What do you mean not exactly?"

"Well it would have took some powerful magic to cast the spell so when the same occurrence happens again…well I suggest you don't sleep with any werewolf's or humans for that matter."

"Or vampires clearly" he added dryly

"Yeah about that, vampires are dead! There is no way she should have been susceptible to conception let alone hosting a foetus for nine months …That must be one pretty special vampire"

"Unless of course you too shared blood or something?" She added jokingly

Klaus paled

Ali chuckled "You did, didn't you?"

"Well then, there's your answer... You blood shared, your vampire friend had your blood flowing in her system... You passed the magic fertility spell to her so to speak. I'm no expert but I would say that once she had conceived, the baby sustained its self being a hybrid, which was why she was able to carry to term."

"So if she and I blood shared, could it happen again?"

"Only if you foolish enough to blood share with her during the same recurring event your aunt used to seal the spell"

"Which is?"

"Oh yeah right, it Summer Solstice blood moon, it occurs every 50 years or so give or take and can cover more than one full moon."

Klaus looked relived, it was nice to have some answers but he wasn't too keen on relaying to Caroline that blood sharing could equal more babies. At least now he could tell her the dates they needed to avoid.

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Elijah was looking through the box when Rebecca walked in, "Hey, have you seen Cami? What's that?" she grabbed at the box and quickly assed its contents.

"Wow that certainly strikes me as something control freak Forbes would do"

"Klaus suggested that I get to know my nephew?"

Rebecca was flicking through the DVD's when Nik walked in "Have you guys seen hope?" He paused as he spotted the box, "Oh god is that what I think it is?"

Nik looked at his aunt and uncle, "If you plan on watching them don't watch the one marked birthing" Then it dawned on him "is dad back?"

Both Elijah and Rebecca blinked in surprise, it was the first time they had heard the phase dad from Nik, he seem to recognise his slip "I mean is Klaus back"

"Yeah, but he has gone out again on business." Elijah looked up at Rebecca "which reminds me have you heard from hope today?" when Rebecca shook her head he glanced at Nik "What about Lizzie?"

Nik shrugged "I'll go check with Lizzie" he hurried out the room.

Rebecca put down the box, "Maybe we should go look for her?"

Elijah frowned "Maybe but I'm sure it's nothing, it's just staying this long with Hayley? And not talking to us?"

"NICHOLAS!" both originals jumped at the sound of Klaus yelling at the front door, they threw each other a 'this can't be good look' before flashing off to see what the fuss was about

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Earlier

Klaus strolled into the compound a smile on his face, after his visit with Ali coupled with the trip to Jacksonville he was in a pretty good mood. Somehow despite going to Jacksonville and back today he had still made it for 7pm. Caroline wouldn't have cooked for them but it didn't matter he was going to release her and take her out into New Orleans for the evening. He paused as he was greeted with deathly silence. He flashed from room to room looking for Caroline and growing ever angrier every time he failed to find her. His heart beat out his chest, had she left him? How had she got out? He dulled his initial paranoia. He'd come from the plantation where he had left Nik, watching movies with Lizzie. If the boy was up to something, he showed no signs. Unless of course that was part of the plan and he and Caroline where already on their way out of New Orleans. Klaus flashed out the compound and back the Plantation. If he had lingered in the courtyard a little longer her just might have picked up on the faint trace of another hybrid...

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"NICHOLAS!" Klaus roared as he walked back into the plantation. "Nicholas!" he yelled again. Elijah and Rebecca walked out into the entrance way,

He looked at his siblings, "Which one of you did it?" both Rebecca and Elijah looked on in confusion as to the cause of Klaus's latest temper tantrum.

"NICHOLAS" Klaus was about to start searching the house convinced he was right, when Nik appeared at the top of the stairs. He was slightly taken aback and little bit relieved to see his son was still in his house. Nik walked down the stairs and stood near his aunt and uncle.

Klaus pointed at all three of them accusingly "WHERE IS SHE?"

"Who?" Rebecca asked

"Don't play dumb with me Rebecca, I know one of you released her so tell me now and I promise not to dagger you"

"I'm sorry Niklaus but I don't know what you talking about?" Elijah started

"Caroline, she's not at the compound so I ask again which one of you found a work around for my compulsion." Klaus said angrily

Elijah and Rebecca shared a look, both wondering for a second if the other had done what their brother was accusing them of. Never taking her eyes of Elijah, Rebecca said, "We have been here all day, ask Nik?"

It was on the tip of Klaus's tongue to say and why I should trust him, but he stopped himself. The look of genuine confusion on Nik's face was enough to moderately calm him.

"My mom's not there?" Nik walked over to his father worry all over his face "I haven't seen her since last night, where is she?"

When Klaus looked dubious nik added "She wouldn't leave without me and I'm telling you I've not seen or heard from her today"

Klaus was in the mood to make a harsh remark when Nik grabbed his arm "Dad! seriously. We need to find her, she might be in trouble" he said in earnest.

Klaus clamped his hand on his sons shoulder, the sound of the word 'dad' on his lips was enough to bring him to his senses.

The ringing of the doorbell had everyone's eyes turn to the door.

Klaus pulled open the door hoping he'd find Caroline standing there.

There was a box on the porch, Klaus picked it up the stench of blood filled his nostrils. Walking back into the house he approached the table by the stairs, in one swift move he pushed the vase of flowers to the floor and placed the box down. He opened it, a heart stared back up at him. He heard Nik gasp and run out of the room retching, Rebecca and Elijah stood on either side of him. "Is it hers?" Rebecca asked, Klaus inhaled sharply, he spied a note addressed to him in the box. He knew who heart it was without reading the note is. "It's Hayley's" he said with no emotion

He grabbed the note and turned away from the box. His heart ran cold again, he had left Hope with Hayley the night before.

Klaus

I hope you like my present?

That's not the only heart I'm going to show you today before I take yours.

Come find me, I'll be waiting with my guests of honour.

Tyler

Klaus screwed the note into a ball in frustration. It was likely that Tyler had Hope and Caroline but he'd didn't have Nik and he needed to keep it that way.

He turned to Rebecca and Elijah. "I'm going to find Tyler and kill him, do not let Nik leave this house under any circumstances. I think Tyler might have Caroline and Hope, I don't need him getting to Nik as well I need you both to protect my Son."

Rebecca stepped forward "No Nik, I'm coming with you. This has got to be a trap"

"I know sister, but I don't need to be giving Tyler any more people to hurt because of me" Klaus flashed away before anyone could argue.

Rebecca turned to Elijah "I'm worried Elijah, Tyler wouldn't have made a move now unless he had something up his sleeve."

"I agree recebba, which is why we are going to split up. You watch Nicholas and I will follow Niklaus.

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In a few minutes Klaus was back at the cabin where he had left hope the night before, he picked up the thumping of a heartbeat coming from inside. He scanned the area, sniffing the air for any indication they weren't alone. Satisfied he approached the door cautiously.

He pushed open the door and stepped inside, Hope gasped and leapt of the bed into his arms "Daddy!" "I'm sorry" she sobbed. He wrapped his arms around her relieved to find her safe. "It's ok, you are right to be angry with me as soon as we get back I'll make things right with Cami, I promise"

Klaus spied Caroline unconscious on the bed, and breathed another sigh of relief.

Hope pulled away from him and showed him the cuff and indicated to Caroline's shackles, "we can't get out, these seem to be holding us in here. Klaus yanked at the cuff on hopes arm in an attempt to shatter it. "Bloody witches" he murmured as it found himself unable to break it. The smell of death hung in the air and he really took in his daughter's appearance, her face smudged with blood and red puffy eyes. It didn't take him long to spy the shape on the floor, which had been covered by a sheet. Hope followed his gaze, "he. Killed her right in front of me" hope sniffed, Klaus pulled her back into a tight hug "I'm here now, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you I promise."

Hope looked up at him, "Dad, That man Tyler…I...I don't like the way he looks at me"

Klaus growled at the unspoken implication of her statement. "Don't worry sweetheart, he'll be dead soon"

The sound of Caroline stirring drew his attention back to the bed, Hope held him tighter in anticipation of what was to come.

The agonising scream that came from Caroline's lips had Klaus looking at his daughter for explanation. If it wasn't for hopes tight hold on him he would have been at the bedside instantly. "The compulsion! she has to get to the compound but she can't leave the cabin. I've been snapping her neck over and over all day, her pain gets worse every time she wakes up though"

Klaus knew what he had to do, he eased himself away from hope and approached Caroline... Who had pulled herself into a tight ball clutching her head? Klaus grabbed her hands and pulled them away from her ears "Caroline, sweetheart. Look at me?"

She was muttering, as he leaned in closer he heard "I can't be here, I have to go, and I can't be here" over and over. He eyes where tightly closed, "Caroline" Klaus tried to coax again. "Love you have to open your eyes so that I can undo the compulsion" he shook her very gently. She continued to rock slightly. Klaus leaned in closer to her, "I'm sorry love, this is my fault I should have released you days ago but... I ..." he pressed a light kiss on her lips before pulling back "Come on love, let me help you please..."

Hope felt her mouth go dry as she heard the sincere plea in her father's voice, it had been apparent for days that her dad feelings for Caroline but seeing him so open, so desperate. She made her way over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder before she gently place her other had on Caroline, "Caroline, its hope. Let us help you for Nik"

The mention of her son seemed to reach Caroline, her eyes shot open. Klaus seized his opportunity and locked eyes with her, her eyes widened as he started to speak "Caroline you're…./NO!" Caroline screamed as she saw the pointed end of a stake suddenly appear out of Klaus chest, his eyes glazed from the pain, his mouth filling with blood as he grabbed at the stake and tried to pull it all the way through.

"Now, Now, I can't have you freeing her just yet" Tyler stated with glee from behind Klaus.

Caroline instinctively reached out and yanked Hope on the bed, she moved to the edge so that hope was shielded behind her.

Klaus turned to face Tyler is eyes already turning yellow from the rage of the wolf, Tyler reached out and slapped a pair of shackles onto his wrists similar to Caroline's.

"Now I imagine that chest wounds getting pretty painful right about now, these shackles suppress all of you strengths, then render you as weak as a human"

Tyler reached over and pulled out the stake causing Klaus to fall forward onto his knees crying out in agony.

"Oh yeah and you'll heal pretty slowly to"

Despite the pain in his chest Klaus sprang to his feet and lunged at Tyler, his should rammed into the other hybrid driving him back towards the door. Tyler grabbed at the chain securing the shackles together, he forcefully slung Klaus out of the Cabin. He followed as Klaus hit the ground hard his back scrapping along the dirt floor leaving a trail of blood from the stake wound. Dusk was begin to fall and torches had been lit around a salt circle. Klaus rolled onto his front and pushed himself up by his hands, his eyes never leaving Tyler. The pain in his chest was unbearable but he had to fight. Tyler observed with satisfaction Klaus struggle, it was clear he was close to passing out from blood loss. In one swift motion he stepped forward and kicked Klaus in the jaw. Klaus fell to the side, he swallowed a scream as Tyler stamped down hard on his wrist, the sweet snap of bones breaking causing the other hybrid to laugh gleefully.

Tyler grabbed at the chains again and threw him into the salt circle. "There now, that should hold you while I decide on the method of you demise."

Klaus cringed as Caroline's screams of agony began anew followed by a deathly silence which was horribly worse as he heard the faint crack of her neck being snapped again.

"Who are working with? Where is your witch" Klaus felt his consciousness slipping as he lost more and more blood. As he sunk down onto the ground and his eyes started to droop in spied someone else walk into the clearing. He cursed inwardly as he made out the shape of the witch 'Ali' before he passed out."

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A/N oooo so it's all kicking off now. What's in store for hope, Caroline and Klaus? Will nik figure out how to save them in time? Find out next time

What did you think of the explanation for the conceptions? I know there was probably 2 months ish between Hayley and Caroline in this story so I couldn't be too specific with the celestial event. I like the idea that it's Klaus himself that was spelled and that spell would remain active during the occurrence of the same event.