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Emily stood wide eyed, her mouth dropped open.
"You expect me to believe this?" She asked staring at Klaus as he removed the bracelet from Caroline's wrist and slipped it into the cotton bag with Rebekah and his necklaces.
Caroline lay on the small bed in the back of the cabin, her body curled in a ball shivering. She was freezing but her insides seared with heat. The images and voices a constant taunting.
She would get minute's sometime seconds of clarity before her body convulsed and fell back into the delirium. She would confuse Klaus with the Nik she loved and instantly her eyes would turn black and she was lost again. Rebekah sat beside her on the bed trying to pull her out of herself but it rarely helped.
"Look at her!" Klaus snapped waving his hand at Caroline.
"Alright I believe you." Emily replied her expression full of sorrow for the poor girl. "I am going to need some time alone with her."
"No!" Klaus replied shaking his head.
"I can't focus with you staring at me like that." Emily raised her voice, boldly stepping forward.
Rebekah stood from the bed. "We need to feed anyway, Nik."
"Hurt her and you'll feel pain you could never even fathom." He threatened before following Rebekah out the front door.
"I'm not sure I can help you my child." Emily sighed sitting beside Caroline on the bed. The girl looked so broken; her hands clutched her head as her face twisted in agony.
"The magic used to send you through time is not one I am familiar with but I will do everything I can to help you. I can see the good in you, child. It shines bright against the darkness of your friends."
Emily placed a cloth in a basin of warm water beside her and rang it out. Gently she rubbed it over Caroline's bloodied face. Her hands had tugged at her hair matting the bloody blonde locks. She was a mess. Emily rinsed the cloth and rang the extra water from it once more before placing it over Caroline's temple.
Emily placed her hands over Caroline's back and began chanting. Instantly Caroline felt the conflicting images begin to slow and finally stop completely. Her body relaxed as she inhaled a deep soothing breath.
"Sleep now child." Emily murmured and as if she had willed it Caroline was out.
Her once ragged breath slowed to a peaceful calm as she slept.
Emily stood from the bed and crossed the room. She wasn't sure how long Caroline would be at peace. The chant was only a small sleeping spell.
Emily knew she would pay for what she was about to do but she needed to protect herself. Emily walked into a hidden back room and pulled out a barrel.
Prying off the lid she scooped out a handful of salt and created a wide circle around the walls of the room. She kept everything she needed to practice her magic inside. Closing her eye she raised her hands as she began to chant. She spelled the room for no vampire to cross the barrier. She would be safe inside, for now.
Emily pulled out her ancient grimoires and began searching for any information on traveling through time.
"Caroline will be safe there. The witch is not foolish enough to harm her." Rebekah reassured Klaus as they sped through the forest.
He ignored her, his thoughts solely on finding someone to eat and returning to Caroline.
"Stefan seems quite lovely during this time." Rebekah mused.
Klaus tilted his head and snorted. "I have no time for this Rebekah. I need you to send for Elijah."
"I'm not leaving to go find him. He could be god knows where. Find a vampire to compel to run off and bring him here."
Klaus stopped and narrowed his eyes. "Rebekah-"
Approaching footsteps silenced him. Rebekah grinned at her brother and raced away.
"Stefan." Rebekah smiled flashing behind him as he trudged through the forest.
"Oh, Rebekah. You startled me." Stefan said looking around nervously. Where did she come from?
"What are you doing out here?" She asked as Klaus approached.
"I was just taking a walk."
Rebekah noticed the journal in his hands.
"Did you have anything of interest to write about today?" She asked nodding towards his leather journal.
"I may have met an enchanting stranger on my way home earlier." He smirked coyly.
"Sounds interesting." She giggled.
Klaus rolled his eyes. "Our conversation about Elijah is not over, sister."
Klaus stomped past the flirting couple determined to find a snack or two.
Caroline felt like she had slept mere minutes when the intrusive memories broke through once again. Her muscles tightened and her breath caught as she prepared for the pain.
"Caroline."
She was not sure who it was. Her lover Nik, The scary but sweet Niklaus, or her enemy Klaus. Three men, all pulling her to pieces and shattering her insides.
"Come back love. Focus."
Caroline felt hands brushing across her cheek and then the warmth of blood being poured into her mouth.
Slowly her eyes flickered open as she left the haze buried for the moment.
"Klaus." She stammered.
He stood beside her, leaning down holding a glass of fresh blood to her lips. His hand held her head propped up for her to drink.
She sighed as she swallowed, relishing in the sweet taste.
Klaus watched as she finished the blood and lay back down.
"Thank you but I still hate you." Caroline murmured.
Klaus noticed the playful gleam in her glossy eyes.
"You can hate me for all eternity sweetheart it won't change how I feel about you."
Caroline sat silently staring up at him. After a few minutes his hand caressed her arm and she didn't pull away. He always made her feel safe and she despised him for confusing her further.
She knew it wouldn't be long till her mind lost track of its self. She was beginning to feel when it was about to happen. Her pulse would start to race and every muscle in her body would tighten.
"I'm scared." Caroline breathed. "I'm so scared, Klaus."
Klaus pulled her into her arms as her body began to shutter. It was happening again and there was nothing he could do to help her. Caroline's hands gripped his shirt as she held on to him.
"Try to stay with me, Caroline. You know me. I'm Klaus. I came to Mystic Falls in search of my doppelganger and…" Klaus continued his story replaying every day he spent in Mystic Falls tormenting and killing her friends. He felt horrible reminding himself but it was for her. He wanted to help her remember what was real.
Slowly his words began to sink in and her breathing began to still. He felt her body calm and within minutes she was asleep in his arms.
Klaus laid Caroline's sleeping body gently back on the bed and pulled her hand free from his chest. He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss upon her temple before leaving to find Emily.
He had noticed immediately Emily had taken up refuge in a back room. He found it amusing at first but now standing in the doorway unable to enter he began to growl.
"What do you think you're doing in here?" Klaus seethed, anger rolling of him.
"I'm doing what I promised. I need to go through the grimoires to find answers and I can't do that with you in the same room as me. I won't leave. I said I would help the girl and I will."
"You are right about that, love. You won't leave until I allow it!" Klaus watched as she pulled another grimoire down to the table that was already covered with four others. They lay open with papers scattered around as two candles lit the room.
"I'm sending for my brother. He has witches around that can help." Klaus said resting his hands on the doorframe.
"Why come to me for help if you want another witch?"
"Don't misunderstand me, love. You will help but I have a feeling it will take more power than even you are capable of. Although it was your descendant that caused this mess it's only fitting you be the one to clean it up." Klaus walked away leaving her to wonder.
Emily felt a sense of pride and sorrow at her future descendant causing such a rupture in balance. She always wondered what witches Klaus would send for. There were thousands of witches around the world but very few with genuine powers as cultivated as hers.
"Klaus?" Caroline called out her voice weak, barely audible.
In an instant he was at her side.
"I'm here, sweetheart." Klaus stood beside her bed looking down at her as her eyes flickered open and closed repeatedly.
"It's happening. I can feel it. I don't remember. It's all one time. It's so…so…fo-ggy." Caroline slipped away. Her breathing rapid as she clutched the quilt around her tight body. Her body began convulsing as the intrusive images flew through her mind.
"Damn!" Klaus barked his jaw locked.
He looked at Caroline once more, there was little for him to do. He wrapped her quilt around her body and walked out of the home.
Klaus walked uncharacteristically slow down the long dirt road. He could hear a babbling creak to his left and a few miles ahead were the annoying giggles of laughter. His ears peaked at the familiar voices.
"Come now brother. It's rude to not introduce me to your lovely new friend." Damon's voice rang out and Klaus could picture his smug grin.
Klaus flashed down the path and stopped close enough to watch the interaction. Rebekah had at some point changed her dress and had her arm snaked through Stefan's.
"Rebekah." She smiled holding out her hand. Damon locked his eyes with hers as he brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
"A pleasure, my lady." Damon smiled wickedly, his young eyes filled with mischief.
"This is my brother, Damon." Stefan interrupted, coughing awkwardly to break up the growing tension.
Rebekah let her hand slip out of his grip and turned to Stefan. "I should return back to my brother. It is getting late and I would hate to create a scandal on my first day in your lovely little town by being seen past sundown with two handsome brothers.
Rebekah leaned forward and whispered softly into Stefan's ear. "I must confess you are more than handsome. Meet me tomorrow at dawn by the creek."
Glancing back at Damon she gave a friendly smile and walked away. She had no interest in letting Damon play her against Stefan. Rebekah could not deny the chemistry and attraction she felt when Stefan looked at her. Her stomach flipped anxiously as she thought about meeting him tomorrow. She wasn't sure how long they would be here but she would make the best of it. Perhaps when she returned home to the future she could have someone looking forward to seeing her. It's not like Nik could really complain seeing as he himself had changed more than his share.
"What are you doing Rebekah?" Klaus asked stepping out from the trees that had kept him hidden.
"Since when do you lurk about like a creep?"
"Answer me!" Klaus grabbed her by the arm bringing her to a halt.
She twisted her head back and narrowed her eyes pulling her arm free. "I'm just having a little fun while we figure out what's wrong with Caroline. Unless you'd rather me sitting around moping from boredom all day."
Klaus let out a low hoarse growl as he held her gaze. She had a point; he had no interest in having her get in his way.
"Go. Stay with Caroline, I'll be back later." He scowled before flashing away.
Rebekah rolled her eyes as she began walking back to the small home. She wondered if there had been any progress with Caroline but judging by her brother's foul mood she sensed it was unlikely.
Night fall came and went. Klaus fed from a number of victims, always compelling them to forget he was there after feeding them his blood. By the time he returned to Emily's, Rebekah was outside waiting for him.
"About time!" She scowled.
Klaus ran his hand through his hair. "Is Caroline the same?"
"No, she's awake running laps." Rebekah huffed.
"I'm in no mood, sister!" Klaus flashed dangerously close, his teeth bared.
"She's calling for you. I was about to go look for you."
Klaus's eyes grew as his head snapped to the side facing the house. His ears peaked as he heard Caroline's soft voice. His name rolled from her lips but it wasn't Klaus she wanted. It was Nik.
Klaus slowly entered the house and saw Emily had left the back room and was standing in front of Caroline's bed.
"She's lost to the delirium." Emily explained looking up from her grimoire. "I've found something that may help but-"
"But what?" Klaus's voice was menacingly low as his eyes locked with Caroline's pained expression. Her eyes were closed; her body trembled as small beads of sweat covered her temple.
"She cannot process both lives. I found a spell that can erase one."
"Do it," Klaus's jaw ticked, his gaze never leaving Caroline.
Emily shifted her feet as she flipped through the pages of her grimoire. "The spell will take one set of memories away but there's no telling which she will lose."
"Will she be herself again?"
"I believe so but-"
"Spit it out, love." Klaus cut his eyes to her. Slowly he began circling her predatorily.
"She was not a full vampire when she traveled through time. The nose bleeds that's not from her delirium. Somehow the traveling released her past memories causing that."
"What are you saying?"
Emily looked up and met his scorching gaze. "Even with the extra memories gone, she's still sick. The transition cannot fully complete due to her body being pulled through time. I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?" Klaus grit his teeth as he came to a halt behind her.
Slowly he stepped into her and whispered. "Say it."
"I don't under-"
"Say it!" He yelled. His hot breath assaulting the back of her neck.
"She's dying."
Everything happened so fast Emily was unsure how but she was in the air and across the room. She watched, waiting for death when Rebekah raced into the room and grabbed Emily dragging her back to her spelled room where she would be safe.
"Stay inside." Rebekah said harshly as Emily stumbled over the barrier.
She slammed the door shut and slid to the ground as she listened to her house shake. Ear piercing echoes of furniture crashing against walls. Muffled yells and glass shattering. Emily needed to get out of there before Klaus took his anger out on her; she winced at what he was capable of.
Suddenly as she planned her escape it all stopped. Like a bad storm that suddenly cleared. She heard muffled voices speaking and then the front door open and slam shut.
Klaus ran through the night until he could run no more. She couldn't die. He wouldn't allow it. His fists slammed into multiple trees. He hated that the pain lasted mere seconds and his knuckles instantly healed.
"Shouldn't you be taking care of Caroline?" The voice made his blood run cool.
Turning slowly he was met with his own reflection.
"What are you doing here?" Klaus hissed through his teeth. He never wanted to see Niklaus anywhere near Caroline again.
"I made a promise to ensure eternity to a set of Salvatore brothers. My hybrids have been watching them for months now while I took care of some other business." Niklaus grinned stepping closer as he examined his future self. "Imagine my surprise when I receive word that Stefan was seen talking to a man that looks identical to myself and carrying an injured blonde girl."
Klaus was not surprised. The fact that Niklaus had hybrids 400 years after breaking the curse filled him with a sense of triumph and left him wondering what all had changed since they last saw each other.
Niklaus stepped closer. "Where is she?"
"Don't worry about Caroline. I need you to send for every witch at our disposal." Klaus turned and began walking away. "I'm sure you can bring them quickly."
Niklaus raced forward and slammed Klaus into a smaller tree. The force knocked it down. Klaus rolled but Niklaus was fast and pinned him to the ground.
"Where is she?" Niklaus screamed his nostrils flared.
Klaus pushed against the hybrid but was met with resistance. Niklaus was nearly as strong as Klaus.
"I'm not that much younger than you." Niklaus smirked his grip tight around Klaus's throat.
"I still have years on you!" Klaus kicked out Niklaus's legs snapping the bones.
"You're going to stay away from Caroline." Klaus said wiping the dirt from his shirt exasperated.
"Why don't you let her decide who should stay away from her?" Niklaus raised his brows.
Klaus shook his head and flashed away heading straight to the small house.
Niklaus was right in step behind him.
Klaus entered the home and turned back grinning to Niklaus. "Sorry mate, no invite."
Niklaus's face lit up as he realized Klaus didn't understand what it meant to be the same man.
Niklaus stepped forward and grinned like a Cheshire cat when he walked over the threshold entering the house.
"You were invited in which means so am I."
"Nik? Nik where are you?"
Both men snapped their head to the side as Caroline's weak voice filled the air.
Niklaus raced to Caroline's side appalled. He fell to his knees beside her bed and gripped her hand.
"I'm right here, love."
Niklaus looked up to Klaus for answers when he saw the blank stare in Caroline's eye.
"Rebekah will explain." Klaus said before turning and sitting in a chair across the room.
"Everything's ready." Emily said entering the room.
Niklaus sat on the bed holding Caroline. She was no longer there but Niklaus held her and talked to her hoping to bring her back to reality.
"Get on with it then." Klaus snapped, his hands running over his face. He sat across the room looking everywhere but at Niklaus holding Caroline. As hard as he tried his eyes were constantly pulled to the sight.
"You understand I can't determine which future she remembers."
"Yes! Now do it already." Klaus stood from the chair, knocking it over in the process.
"Alright." Emily held up her hands and instantly dozens of candles spread around the room flickered to life.
Bonnie sat in her cell with Sheila for hours. Kol occasionally sat by the top of the stairs listening in on their conversation but it was always the same.
Bonnie making vial remarks about life being unfair and Sheila trying to talk her down.
To Kol and Elijah's relief by the time night fell Sheila had Bonnie crying in her arms.
"We're ready." Sheila called out.
"About time darling." Kol huffed descending the stairs.
Sheila narrowed her eyes at him. "Some things are worth patience. Now let us out."
"Not yet." Elijah said stepping forward. "What do you plan on doing to fix our problem?"
"I have the spell to bring them back. I just need something from each of them." Bonnie said glaring at Kol. Something about him made her feels things she wasn't comfortable with. "Whatever they did in the past is the reason for the changes. I am unable to fix that, but I can return them to this time."
Elijah and Kol gave a knowing glance. Klaus had done this by breaking his curse. Once he was back he would be dealing with setting things right and restoring the balance.
"And you're just going to bring them back that easily?" Kol chuckled.
"No. I'm going to bring them back in exchange for your help." Sheila replied.
"What would that be darling?"
"Your word that once everything is set right you'll take Bonnie to a temple I know of that has everything she needs to harness her abilities. There she will find her peace and learn to control her growing powers."
Kol and Bonnie shared a look. Neither sure what it meant but he didn't have anything better planned to do in the near future.
"He will. But only if they return safely and she help's fix what is happening." Elijah answered calmly.
Sheila nodded at Bonnie and took her hand. "Bring us their items and we will return them at once."
Emily began chanting, the power rushing through her body as she held one hand over Caroline's head and the other high in the air.
Calling upon a power she was not sure would listen she chanted louder, blood seeping from her nose as Caroline shook and began screaming.
Suddenly Caroline flew up out of Niklaus's hold and sat in the bed, her hair flying around her face. As instantly as it happened it ended. Caroline fell back to the bed and the room stilled.
"Caroline?" Niklaus breathed cupping her face. "Caroline, answer me!"
Caroline suddenly opened her eyes. She only had one memory and the men surrounding her were terrified at which one she remembered.
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