Chapter 25: Where Do We Go From Here?

The plane ride home was filled with silence. Klaus drank heavily while Cami's stomach was still in knots as she contemplated her new state of existence. When they landed in New Orleans, they retrieved his car and he drove her to Rousseau's, as she had requested during their single brief conversation when they left the airport. They shared one final glance before Klaus drove away, leaving Cami alone in front of her former place of employment. Ignoring the already obvious pain of separation, she stared at the Rousseau's sign for a moment before entering and finding Vincent seated at the bar.

He turned to her and his eyes widened in shock. She could tell that he knew something was different about her. "That obvious, huh?" Cami ordered a drink and downed it quickly.

"Um, yeah. Pretty obvious. Your power level just went through the roof and you look like you've been to hell and back."

"That pretty much sums it up."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"It'll take a while."

"It looks like you need a friend right now, so I'm not going anywhere."

"Well, here goes…"

Klaus walked into the compound and dropped his bags in the foyer. Freya greeted him with a smile, but it quickly faded when she saw that Cami wasn't with him. She started to ask when she saw the sadness in his eyes, but he gave her a weary, yet dangerous look that told her to remain silent. He brushed past her, grabbed a large bottle of bourbon, and went straight to his private art room. It was not long before he had a canvas covered in dark colors and aggressive brush strokes that echoed the turmoil that resided within him…

Vincent's expression was a mixture of shock and compassion as Cami finished telling him about her journey into witchcraft and her decision to leave Klaus. They finished another round of drinks, then moved to a table to have something to eat. "So, I'm ready to hear your thoughts," she asked earnestly.

"Well, Cami, you've been through a lot, both good and bad. I think it's a good thing you're taking some time to be by yourself. I'm no fan of Klaus Mikaelson, but he did save your life. If he hadn't, I would have lost a good friend and chances are your brother would be wreaking havoc on this world right now since he was being coached by that ruthless Green Serpent Guild."

"I know you're right. I just can't help but think there could have been a way for him to tell me the truth."

"I understand what you're feeling. You feel betrayed. It'll take some time to get over that. But, the man does love you."

"I love him, too. That's why this is so hard."

"Let me help you with your new powers. Maybe we can work through some of these feelings you have through your magic."

"I can't think of anything else to do. It's worth a try…"

It had been three days since his return when Elijah paid Klaus a visit in his private art room. He had a couple of completed canvases by this time, which were concealed with a white cloth. "I'm quite busy, Elijah," he muttered, still painting furiously.

"This will not take long, Brother. I want to know what you have seen through your link to John."

"All is well. Hugo was successful in slaughtering each and every one of the Green Serpent Guild members. It occurred last night and I watched with intense curiosity and satisfaction."

"Is that all?"

"What else would there be?"

"I, for one, would like to know where he plans to go next."

"I don't really care at this point. He has served his purpose for me and…for Cami."

"You have not spoken her name until now. It pains you. I can see that."

"I do not wish to discuss it. Now, you may leave. I have work to do."

Elijah headed to the door. "I am truly sorry, Niklaus. Do not lose faith."

Klaus did not respond. He heard his brother leave, so he continued moving the paintbrush across the canvas, desperately trying to block out the ache of missing her…

Nothing was the same for Cami. It had been over a week since she came back. She tried to enjoy staying in her old place, working a few times as a backup bartender for Rousseau's, and studying her psychology textbooks, but she soon realized that those were meant for Camille the Human, not Camille the Witch. Vincent had worked with her every day, helping her discover what she could do with her new powers and listening to her talk about Klaus much more frequently than she had intended.

Finally one day, he stopped her in mid-sentence and said, "Girl, you need to stop all this."

"Stop what?"

"You know where you belong. I think you've accomplished all you're going to on your own, and with my help. You know and I know that there is only one person that can truly help you now."

Cami took a deep breath. "I hurt him, Vincent. What if he can't forgive me?"

"You've forgiven him, right?"

She thought it over and realized that her anger at his deceit was gone. "Yeah, I guess I have. He saved my life. I trusted him then and I trust him now. He would never do anything to put me in jeopardy. He said he made a selfish decision, but maybe I would have chosen the same path just so I could live to be with him."

"You've got a point there."

"Why didn't I think of that before?"

"Because you're a strong, independent woman who doesn't like people making choices for her."

"I get it now! He was right! If he had told me the truth, I wouldn't have fought as hard and I wouldn't have ever realized how valuable my life is. I never wanted to die. I want to be with Klaus. That's the one thing I am sure about." She gathered her things and kissed Vincent on the cheek. "Thank you for everything. You've been a wonderful friend."

"Be happy, Cami. Good luck to you both."

She found him where she expected him to be. As she entered the moonlit room, it was as if she were about to relive the glorious night they spent together not that long ago. Cami was in awe as she watched him furiously painting on his canvas, the muscles of his torso flexing with each brushstroke. He was shirtless once again and wearing his usual tight-fitting jeans. As he moved to the side just enough for her to see what was on the canvas, tears began sliding down her cheek as she realized he was painting her. Looking around, there were several paintings of her, each showing a different side to her personality. She covered her mouth, stifling sobs at how beautiful his art was and she realized how deep his feelings for her really were.

"I did as you asked, did I not?" He spoke in monotone, cold and distant.

Cami could barely speak. "Yes, and I thank you for that."

"Why are you here?" His voice was the same and it almost frightened her.

"Don't you already know? Or, are you really that unsure of how I feel about you?" She cautiously took a few steps toward him.

"I believe you made yourself quite clear when you left. You indicated that you had no intention of returning, so what, pray tell, should have made me think otherwise?"

"First of all, I never told you I wasn't coming back. After everything we've been through together, the fact that my heart belongs to you should be enough to realize that no matter where I go, that's never going to change. I know that now."

He stopped in mid-stroke, turning slightly sideways. "So, what is it that you want from me?" His voice broke just slightly, which made her realize that he was opening up to what she had to say.

"I want you to understand why I had to leave. Yes, I was furious at you for not letting me choose my own destiny, but I know you well enough that if you had been in my shoes, you would have reacted the exact same way."

He took a deep breath. "Perhaps." He continued to paint.

"Klaus, look at me."

"I am busy right now. Another time would be better."

"Well, I think this is the perfect time. Looking around in here, all I see are images of me! I'm right here, in the flesh! And I'm never leaving you ever again. You, the troubled soul that I've spent hours of therapy with turned out to be the one person I could count on. Thank you, Klaus, for saving my life. I love you so much for everything you did for me, and I still love you for everything that you are." She walked up to him and encircled his torso, leaning her tear-stained cheek against his back. He stiffened at her touch and stopped painting. She felt him take a deep breath, then let out a slight shudder. He slowly turned to her and she could see him fighting back tears.

"You were my world, Camille. I made my choices because I could not bear living without you. As you can see, I didn't fare too well once you were gone, so I created my own world filled with every version of my Camille I could think to create."

"It's beautiful, Klaus. So amazingly beautiful."

He placed his palm on her cheek and gave her his trademark crooked smile. "I still prefer the real thing."

She smiled and placed her hand on his. "I need you, now more than ever."

"As I do you, my eternal beloved."

The moonlight grew brighter, highlighting the exposed skin of the two bodies that lay intertwined under the red satin sheets. Klaus reveled in the fact he could be more sexually intense with Cami, now that she was immortal. He spent hours making love to her, making her feel the extent of how much he had missed her and how much more rewarding their coupling would be for the rest of eternity. He took one drink of her blood and the sensation of it coursing through his body sent him over the edge in a matter of seconds. Every cry of pleasure inspired him to go even further with her until exhaustion had finally set in. She was his queen in every sense of the word and he wanted her to know it.

The new heights of passion were beyond anything Cami could have imagined. She thought back to their first time together and how she didn't think anything else could compare to how skilled he was as a lover, but she was so wrong. The feel of his bite was no longer painful, just purely erotic. He reached new levels of intensity that exhausted her into a peaceful sleep, safe in his arms. After a few hours, she awoke with an insatiable sexual appetite and began making love to him, bringing his passion to its zenith before both fell asleep well into the early morning hours.

Both awoke at the same time, kissing each other and stroking each other's bare skin. "I was starting to believe that you intended to stay away for much longer," Klaus murmured.

"That was my intention, but I missed you so much and I forgave you a lot quicker than I expected."

"Must be my unending charms," he said confidently, smirking at her.

"Or your amazing bedroom skills," she replied.

"Or simply that I was right all along."

"I don't know if I would go that far, but I am grateful to still be here with you. Let's just leave it at that." They continued to kiss until there was a knock at the door.

Klaus quickly got dressed and opened the door to find Elijah standing there with a concerned look on his face. "What is it, Elijah?"

"I'm afraid your unwillingness to care about a certain ancient warlock has proven to be a mistake, Niklaus." He stepped past him into the middle of the room and looked at Cami. "My apologies for the interruption, but you need to know about this, too."

Cami covered herself as best she could and sat up attentively. "Of course, Elijah. What's going on?"

"It seems the cemeteries have been in a state of unrest. Long deceased witches are rising from the grave…as heretics."

Klaus's concern was apparent as he looked at his brother. "Well, it seems our Hugo is trying to raise his own army. But to what end?"

"I do not know, but I believe you two would be the best ones to investigate this matter."

Klaus looked at Cami, still somewhat stunned by her luminous beauty. "Camille, would you prefer me to handle this or do you wish to be involved? After all, you are practically a Mikaelson." He gave her his trademark crooked smile.

She looked deep into his eyes and saw the respect he felt for her, which made her smile despite the potentially dire situation that presented itself. "I'm already involved. Always and forever goes for me, too."

THE END

Author's Note:

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I am so glad you enjoyed reading this story. I love these two main characters so much (obviously, I'm a big time Klamille shipper) and I hope I did them justice in staying true to who they are on the show. If you haven't already, please read my other work and follow me so you will know when I post my next one. Thanks and happy reading!