I will say that I'm not entirely thrilled with parts of this chapter, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! WITHOUT YOU THIS WOULD NOT BE WRITTEN!

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The next few days were mainly considered an adjustment period for both Klaus and Caroline. She felt her powers becoming stronger than ever for with each passing day she fell more and more in love with her husband.

For today, she sat next to him in the grand throne room, in a velvet silver chair. Her hair was down and curled, and she wore a dark grey dress with silver thread across the bodice. She looked like a queen, a true queen with her grace and beauty shining through.

She smiled, reaching for her husband's hand, and received it quickly. They had been required to sit in the throne room and hear the cases of the souls. Some were complaints, and some were praises. She smiled at each one, and held her tongue for the most part. This was one of her new duties, and she loved it, for with passing soul she learned more about the people she was now ruling with her husband.

She was growing accustomed to the way judgment was ruled out down in the Underworld. They would hear the cases, and Klaus would glance at her. In the one look she would either nod or give a subtle shake.

She wanted to be fair, and she knew Klaus was more than fair. With each case, she could see the loyalty and love pouring from the souls towards her husband and towards her.

She glanced at Klaus, and smiled lightly. He was striking in his black pants with a black tunic. Normally, he would wear more modern attire, but for the cases, he would change to god like clothes. Of course, it didn't matter to Caroline what he wore. He was handsome either way, and she loved him.

She glanced to her left and smiled at the wolf. Since her return, the wolf stayed by her side, and never left her, except when she was in her bedroom. Klaus had informed her of how the wolf stayed with him after she left, mainly out of loyalty to her.

She knew a part of Klaus was hurt by that, but she knew he also respected that loyalty.

As the last case was heard, Klaus gave his verdict, and he stood up as the soul left the room.

He turned to his wife, and smiled as he helped her stand up. She smiled as she leaned into his side, placing her left hand on his chest.

He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "You were magnificent, love." He whispered, kissing her once more.

She laughed lightly. "I didn't do much, but sit by your side and nod or shake." She replied, reveling in her love.

He smiled, and touched her face with his right hand. "You're here, and that's more than enough for me." He said with reverence.

She blushed and dipped her head. "Who knew the Lord of the Underworld could be such a romantic?" She asked, lifting her head to gaze into his eyes.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Who knew he would find his true love and win her love?" He whispered, softly.

She sighed, and leaned into his embrace. "We have other duties, Klaus." She whispered, placing her head on his shoulder.

He sighed and nodded. "Yes." He said, simply. He held her tight against him, still trying to make sure that she was there and not a figment of his imagination. She seemed to understand, for when he strengthened his hold, she strengthened hers.

She sighed as her head lay softly on his shoulder. "I'm not leaving." She whispered, as if she read his mind.

Klaus smiled at her words. "How did you know?" He asked, kissing the top of her head.

She pulled back to look into his eyes. "Because despite everything that has happened between us, you still have a tiny doubt that I would be taken away from you." She answered strongly. "Because I feel the same way." She added with a sigh, glancing down to his chest. "I don't think I could handle being separated from you." She whispered, playing with his chest with her left hand.

He frowned. "I couldn't either, love. Once was enough." He whispered, strongly.

She smiled, and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "I love you, you know." She stated, pulling back slightly.

He chuckled. "I know, and I love you." He returned, kissing her lips softly.

Caroline felt his love in his kiss and his touch. She knew that what they had was a strong form of love, and she knew that something else was brewing.

She didn't know what, but the feeling of something coming to destroy their love, was getting stronger.

They pulled back slowly, and just stared into each other's eyes until the room around them disappeared.

The only thing that brought them out of their trance was the sound of the doors opening. Slowly, they turned their heads, and Klaus frowned slightly at the sight of his mother entering the room.

"Mother, what brings you here?" He asked, lightly, holding Caroline close to him.

Esther smiled at her son and gave an approving nod to the young couple. "I came to offer my congratulations to you, Niklaus." She began, stopping within a foot of them.

Klaus eased slightly, but didn't let Caroline go. "Thank you." He whispered, glancing at Caroline briefly.

"She is perfect for you." Esther continued with a kind smile to Caroline. "I am so happy for you, my son." She added softly, approaching him carefully.

Klaus let go of Caroline briefly as he wrapped his arms around his mother, returning her hug.

Esther pulled back, and smiled at her son. "Maybe now I can have some grandchildren." She teased with a laugh.

Caroline blushed at the thought, and smiled as Klaus stepped back to her.

Esther smiled once more, at the sight of her son tugging his wife to his side. Her smile slowly faded.

"Mother?" Klaus asked, watching his mother's happy mood slowly disappear.

Esther sighed. "I also came here for another reason, Niklaus." She began with regret. She glanced at Caroline. "As you know the darkness from above has weakened, but it has not dissipated." She continued, sadly.

Caroline lowered her eyes, and felt Klaus turn his gaze to her with questions. "I tried to fight it off when I was above, but I couldn't." She whispered, finally bringing it up.

Esther nodded. "Yes, and then you returned down to the underworld to be with my son because you discovered the truth." She stated, watching her son's face cloud over. "Your love for my son is what weakened the darkness and when you accepted it, it severely weakened it, but not enough."

Caroline leaned into his husband's side. Her fears were coming true. She lifted her gaze to Klaus' and saw his doubt and questions, but when he saw her sadness and love his doubt faded away.

Still gazing into Klaus' eyes, she spoke. "How can it be defeated?" She asked.

Esther sighed, and bowed her head. "That's the dilemma." She stated, clasping her hands in front of her. "The darkness is getting stronger now, and I don't know why, but I have my suspicions." She added, lifting her head.

Klaus studied his mother. "What suspicions?" He asked, clutching his wife tightly.

"The darkness is being fueled by the anger and doubt of Mystic Falls, and only the light of your love can destroy it; however, you must destroy it together." She stated, firmly.

Caroline tightened her grip on her husband's shirt and waist. "Why must it be us?" She asked, glancing at Klaus.

"Because your love is true and whole, that is the one thing he hates." She stated, glancing at Klaus.

Klaus tensed. "He?" He asked, afraid of the answer, but his suspicions were getting stronger.

Esther frowned. "My husband." She stated simply.

Klaus' face clouded over with hatred and fear. Caroline felt his body tense, and she laid her hand fully on his chest, feeling his body ease slightly but not enough.

"Mikael." He whispered his voice laced with the same fear and hatred he was feeling through his body.

Esther nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so." She remarked, sadly.

"How in the hell could he come back?!" Klaus raged, still holding Caroline tightly to his side.

"He was never meant to stay in the prison you designed, Niklaus. You know this." Esther replied, lifting her hands. "You have to defeat him completely or else he will be released and everything you, all of us, have worked for will be destroyed. He will take away everything and everyone you love." She stated, firmly.

Klaus ripped himself away from Caroline and growled, running his fingers through his hair. "This is impossible!" He shouted, whirling around, danger flashing in his eyes.

Caroline swallowed at the danger and coldness in his eyes. She had never seen him like this before not even when he kidnapped her or even before she fell in love with him. This was a different man altogether. She didn't know this man, but that didn't mean she was going to leave him.

Esther's back straightened. "You knew this day was coming, Niklaus. You knew it the day the Bennetts decreed it." She stated, stepping toward her son. "Mikael is returning, and only you and Caroline can defeat him forever." She added, grasping her son's upper arms firmly.

Klaus closed his eyes. All the pain from the past millennia came rushing through his body. He had tried for so long to forget all the brutality that his stepfather had inflicted on him, or at least put it behind him, and he thought he had when he fell in love with Caroline, but now…

Tears welled up behind his closed eyes at the thought of Mikael taking his beloved away from him. Slowly he opened his eyes, and captured Caroline's eyes immediately. He saw not only her love but her strength. Slowly his cold eyes transformed into warmth, as he continued to gaze into her eyes. Esther had seen this opportunity to step back, and allow the lovers to absorb this information.

Caroline felt the pull towards her husband, and practically ran to his arms. Her arms encircled his neck and his wrapped around her waist. She held him close to her as she felt his anger turn to fear as his face buried into her neck.

Esther watched the exchanged with a soft smile. If there was one thing she knew for certain, they were going to make it.

~X~

Klaus sat down in a velvet arm chair, facing a giant marble stone fireplace. His right hand propped up on the armrest, and he placed his chin in the palm of his hand. His cerulean eyes gazed into the fire, and his mouth drew a straight line.

Esther had left a few hours ago, and left them with the knowledge that Mikael was returning, though she couldn't tell them when.

His mind flashed back to the times when Mikael was around. He loathed that man, and the belittling he endured from him. Mikael was the reason he didn't think he would ever find love.

Mikael always told him that no one would ever love him, and Klaus had taken him at that…until Caroline.

He dropped his hand on the arm rest and leaned his head back against the chair. His eyes never moved from the fire.

Of all the things he had told Caroline about his past, about his life, he never told her about Mikael. He knew she had heard of him, but he had never opened up the subject with her. He knew he should, but a part of him though if she knew about his past, she would leave him. Although she had told him that she never would, he still had that nagging doubt.

Truth was; he wouldn't blame her if she did leave. As strong as she loved him, this was too much for someone as precious as her.

He closed his eyes, and shook his head. If they went up against Mikael, Caroline could die or become injured. His heart broke at the thought. He couldn't stand that thought. After everything, to lose her to his stepfather, a man he hated with every inch of his soul would be the worst torture he ever endured.

He felt a hand on his knee, and he jolted up, and opened his eyes. He relaxed when he saw her loving blue-green eyes looking at him.

"I would ask if you are alright, but you look horrible." She whispered with a kind smile.

He smiled sadly, and lifted his right hand to her hand, and gently pulled her up to sit on his lap. He sighed as she settled down, wrapping her right arm around his neck. He clasped his hands around her waist, and held her securely to him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked, looking down at him.

He tightened his jaw. He slowly lifted his eyes and found her looking at him softly. "The one person in this whole world I fear is coming after me." He whispered finally, after a moment of studying her.

Caroline didn't say a word as she gazed down at him.

Klaus took a deep breathe, and she saw the anger in his eyes. "I know how he thinks, Caroline, and I know what he will do." He continued, moving his eyes away from her for a split second before moving them back to her. "He will come after you." He stated, watching her eyes remain calm.

Caroline nodded slowly. She knew the risks of loving a man who was hated by most. She knew she would be subject to ridicule for following her heart, but to have someone come after her because she was Klaus' wife…she never thought of that.

"Esther told us that we were the only ones who could defeat him." She replied, after a moment.

Klaus shook his head. "Caroline, if we go against Mikael he will use you against me. I can't stand the thought of you being hurt or worse." He stated in a strangle yet firm tone.

She shook her head. "You are not going to lose me, Klaus." She stated, firmly.

Klaus closed his eyes. "You don't know Mikael." He whispered.

She lifted her dress so she could straddle him, and grasped his face in-between her hands, causing him to open his eyes to look at her.

"I know you." She stated, holding his gaze with stern look in her eyes.

He sighed, and held her hips in his hands. "Caroline…" He trailed off when she shook her head.

"No, Klaus, I know you. I know you will protect me, even though I can hold my own." She stated, firmly.

She took a deep breathe. "Nothing is going to rip us apart. Not you and certainly not some god who should have treated you like a son instead of treating you like garbage." She stated, fire burning in her eyes.

She nodded at his shocked look. "Yes, I know about how Mikael treated you, though I don't know the details. I do know that he was a coward for abusing you and for banishing you down here." She continued with a hard glare. "You know what I think?" She asked, tilting her head to the side and dropping her hands to his shoulders.

He just stared at her speechless, his eyes glistening with pride at her defense.

"I think he couldn't stand to see you succeed at anything. I think he was jealous because he saw something that I see in you every day." She replied, softly. "Your caring and giving heart." She added, with a smile.

Klaus smirked and lowered his eyes. "I don't have that." He whispered, searching her eyes.

Caroline smiled. "Can you be any more dense?" She asked in a teasing tone.

He chuckled at her tone, and she joined in.

She smiled and caressed his face with her right hand. "You were willing to give me up, because you thought I would be happier above. You care about the people down here, and you give them anything they wish for to live a perfect afterlife." She continued with eyes misting. "And you want to know something else?" She asked her voice breaking. "You love without provocation. You love me just as much as I love you, Niklaus." She whispered, holding his eyes.

Klaus swallowed hard at her words. "I can't do this without you, Caroline." He whispered, after a long moment.

She smiled and nodded her head. "Neither can I."

He smiled faintly, and leaned forward. Claiming her lips with his, he kissed her until the air left his body. Pulling back, he saw the fire in her eyes once more.

"How about we send Mikael to the deepest hell we can?" She stated, lifting her brow, breaking the serious mood from a moment ago.

He chuckled and his heart warmed. "I say, if anyone can, you can, love." He stated, with a laugh.

She giggled and shrugged her shoulders. "Hey, I'm just getting warmed up." She stated, wiggling her eyebrows.

Klaus narrowed his eyes playfully. "Shall I fan the fire?" He asked in a low voice, his accent deep and sultry.

She blushed, but kept the smile on her face. "You are horrible." She stated, slapping his chest lightly.

He laughed, and shook his head. "What happened to the caring and giving bit?" He asked, though his tone had a lining of seriousness.

She sobered slightly. "You are always caring and giving, Klaus." She smiled, leaning forward. "Except when you are trying to seduce me." She whispered, seductively.

He smiled. "Is it working?" He asked, watching her carefully.

She smiled, and climbed off his lap. "You'll just have to see." She whispered, grabbing his hands and pulling him up out of the chair.

Before she could lead him out of the room, he stopped her. She turned her head, and smiled at the look of love on his face. "Thank you, Caroline." He stated, capturing her eyes.

She tilted her head. He smiled as he continued. "For believing in me and for staying." He whispered, tenderly.

She nodded, and squeezed his hand in hers. "Always."

They made it back to their room, but they didn't make love. As much as they wanted too, Caroline told him that she just wanted to hold him, and Klaus had agreed.

It seemed strange that, since they were married, they had made love every night and morning, but tonight, they didn't move towards it.

As Klaus laid his head on her chest, Caroline smiled into the darkness of the night. No matter what came to face them, she knew that they would withstand everything. She wasn't about to let anyone or anything tear apart what she had waited for, for her entire life.

She glanced down at Klaus' sleeping face, and smiled once more. No matter what, she was not going to lose this man beside her. Even if she had to give her life to save him, she was not going to lose him.

She closed her eyes feeling confident that Klaus would protect her just as she would protect him. They were not going to lose. They couldn't. They still had an eternity together.

And she was not going to let some overbearing manic take it away from her.

~X~

Mikael growled in the darkness of the cave, and extended his newly formed hand. Too long he had waited for this day. Too long he had planned for this moment.

He sneered as he felt his body form, and let out a dark chuckle. He couldn't wait until he got his hands around the neck of his wife's bastard son and his slut of a wife. Yes, he knew they had married. He felt their union weaken the darkness above, but not the darkness below.

He spread his arms outward, and felt his darkness grow throughout the Underworld. Soon, he would have his revenge. Soon, he would have Klaus' kingdom along with his own. Soon, everything would be his once more. Soon, very soon, the light would be diminished forever.

Soon…

What did you think? PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!

Well, everything is about to hit the fan! I hope you approve!

I will say that there are four or five more chapters left in this story, and they will up in the next few days! (Hopefully a chapter a day, since this is Thanksgiving break for me!)

Until Next Time...