Chapter Twenty Five: Praying for Humanity
"So what are we going to do with him?"
Rebekah and Kol were looking down into the open coffin where Finn's gray and dusty body rested. They had placed him in an empty room down in the basement. Bekah reached out and touched the hilt of the dagger sticking from the torso of her brother.
"I'm not sure, wait for Nik to tell us, but I know we shouldn't do that." Kol indicated with his eyes that she should remove her hand from the dagger.
She pulled back her hand like it had been burned and turned towards Kol with a longing expression. "Do you think Nik will ever let Finn wake up?"
"Now Beks, don't get like that. You know that he has his reasons to keep Finn like this." He too secretly thought that maybe Finn had redeemed himself, but feared being daggered by Klaus as well, so he kept his opinions quiet.
With a heavy sigh Rebekah closed the lid to the coffin and both siblings walked up to the main level of the house. Elijah had left yesterday and they had not heard any news about Caroline and they were both worried. Bekah shared Elijah's fears about the type of monster Klaus would become if Sage or Elizabeth were to kill Caroline.
Kol walked with her in to the kitchen. "How about we invite Matt, Bonnie and Elena over for a movie night. It will help all of us take our minds off everything that is going on."
Rebekah nodded with a small smile. She went up to her room to shower and change out of her soiled clothes. She had not expected to help Kol dig up Finn but after the circumstances were explained to her, she felt like she had to help in any way she could, for Nik and Caroline's sake.
An hour later the five of them were in the living room with popcorn and pizza getting ready for the movie to start. Matt sat behind his girlfriend rubbing her back.
"Are you already Beks? You seem really tense." He whispered in her ear as he placed a kiss on her neck.
Leaning further into Matt's warm chest she answered. "Just a little family drama. It should be resolved soon."
Elena started to feel like the odd person out as the others coupled off and a few minutes into the opening credit her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Elijah. She excused herself to the kitchen.
"Elijah what's going on? Why did you have to leave so quickly?" She leaned up against the counter top and bit her bottom lip.
"A foe from the past took Caroline yesterday. We were able to get her back this afternoon but are unsure of her status."
Elena was trying to understand everything that she was being told. "What do you mean her status?"
She heard him exhale. "She just woke up but we don't know if she is in transition or not."
"You mean if she is becoming a vampire? How did this happen?" Elena covered her mouth felling sorry for her friend. The decision to be turned was a difficult one for her and Elijah but she didn't know how Caroline felt about it.
"Her captors feed her blood incase there was a struggle, so she would still be alive and could still act as a bargaining token. One of the vampires' that took her, lost her temper and feed on Caroline to the point of draining her. Klaus tried healing her with his blood but we don't know if it was in time."
"When will you be home?"
There was a pause and Elijah answered honestly. "Whenever she is well enough to travel."
The brothers had reached the flat in Paris and Klaus carried Caroline up to his bedroom. She was still not awake yet and Klaus started to fear the worst. After laying her down on the bed he called out for Charles.
"Help Elijah with the two things in the trunk and secure them in the cellar."
Charles nodded and walked out to the car where Jordon was also starting to help. He could smell that the two women were vampires and threw one over his shoulder roughly as he followed Elijah down to the small cellar. With the help of Jordon they were able to restrain the women with ropes soaked in vervain.
Elizabeth woke up screaming. She felt like she was being poked with red hot coals. She looked around and saw a man wickedly smiling at her. She looked closer at his face and could see the iridescent lining at the back of his eyes.
"Untie me dog! I can give you anything you want. Money, property, girls..."
He smiled at her and flicked vervain water at her face. Charles took satisfaction in her screams. "Nothing you have could make me turn on my Alpha. You have hurt his mate, my Queen, and you deserve everything that is coming to you."
"That will be all Charles." Elijah spoke from the doorway to the room. "Rest up little one. You and your sister are going to America."
Elijah walked up to the second floor and knocked on the door to his brother's room. "How is she doing?"
"Still no change. Can you have Charles go get a blood bag just in case." Klaus hoped that it wouldn't come to that but he wanted to be prepared. Elijah left the room and Klaus crawled onto the bed, wrapping himself around Caroline. "Wake up, my love."
He laid there for another hour, just running his fingers though her hair and tracing his fingertips down her arm to her diamond ring. He sat up quickly when he heard her breathing pick up, knowing that she would wake soon.
Caroline's eyes fluttered open and she tried to take in the bright room around her. She was laying on something soft and warm and she could small him. She thought that she had died and this was just some joke that was being play on her in the afterlife.
"Caroline. Look at me. You are safe sweetheart."
She tried to process his words and then her eyes focused on Nik's beautiful face. With more strength then she thought she had, Caroline sat up and threw her arms around his neck.
Klaus was shocked and quickly wrapped his arms around her back to hold her close and steady. He shushed her and rubbed soothing circles on her back as he felt her body start to shake.
"I thought she was going to kill me Nik." As soon as she finished her statement, her body when ridged and she said, "I had her blood in my system. Am I in transition?"
Helping her sit up all the way and taking her face in her hands, he looked at her eyes. "I don't know love, she had taken so much blood from you. I tried to heal you but I don't know if it was too late." He watched as devastation crossed her features. "I'm so sorry Caroline. We are taking all the precautions in case you need to feed."
Caroline laughed darkly to herself and said. "Well at least I made it to the legal drinking age before dying."
Klaus cringed. He didn't want her birthday to turn out this way. "I'm sorry that a day that was supposed to be happy, full of love and celebration was so traumatic for you."
She smiled weakly with tears starting to form in her eyes. "I'm scared Nik. I thought I would have more time. That we would have a chance at starting a family."
"Now, now my love. We don't know if all is lost. Within the next twenty-four hours we should know for sure if you need to transition or if you are still human."
Nik reached out and swiped the tear from her face. Caroline put her hand over his and held it to her cheek then moved it to kiss his palm. "Thank you for saving me. No matter what happens, we are still together and I love you so much."
He brought his lips to hers and they shared a chaste but passionate moment. Resting their foreheads together there was another soft knock at the door. Looking over she saw that Elijah was there. Caroline waved him into the room.
"So I hear wishes of a happy birthday and congratulation on your engagement are in order." Elijah spoke as he took a seat on the bench at the foot of the bed.
Caroline smiled and removed herself from the intimate position with Nik. "Thank you Elijah. I might want a do over for this birthday though." Elijah chuckled and nodded his head. "So what is the plan?"
The brothers exchanged a look and Klaus spoke. "We will stay the night here and then head home tomorrow. Elijah still has a private plane on hold incase there is a blood lust issue."
Looking down at her hands in her lap Caroline just nodded. Nik moved to sit next to his brother and they entered a quiet discussion. Her stomach growled. "Guys, I'm hungry."
They both stopped their conversation and looked at her. "What kind of hungry dear?" Klaus asked.
Blushing and then scoffing she answered. "Food hungry. Now one of you hunky men go get me a sandwich. Oh, salt and vinegar chips and cookie dough ice cream."
Smiling, Klaus got up to fetch her dinner while Elijah jokingly whispered under his breath. "She may or may not be a vampire but are you sure she isn't pregnant."
Klaus turned to his brother with a serious look. They walked out of the room together and then down to the kitchen. "Don't joke about such things brother. Caroline wants a family."
"With you?" Elijah questioned with a concerned tone.
Grabbing the loaf of bread from the fridge he rounded on his brother. "Of course with me. Are you insane to think I would let another man tough Caroline."
Elijah put his hands up in surrender. "I just don't understand how it will work."
Klaus laughed. "Well when a man loves a woman, they take off their cloths and lay down together…"
"Oh, shut it! I know how that part works." Elijah rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean. Vampires can't have children."
Setting the sandwich and chips on a sliver trey he motioned for Elijah to get the ice cream out of the freezer. "I was going to get with one of my witches and see if anything could be done. I would give Caroline anything, and if she wants a child we will find a way."
This news brought many questions to Elijah's thoughts. What kind of father would Niklaus be? Considering their past with Mikael. How would the child turn out with a human mother and hybrid father? Would Elena want children?
Elijah stopped his mind's wondering at that point and watched Klaus walk back up the stairs with a trey of food. He made his way to his room on the third floor and decided to call Elena.
Nik came into their room and set the trey in front of Caroline. She was sitting cross-legged at the head of the bed and picked up a chip, popping it into her mouth. Next she dipped a chip into the ice cream and moaned at the sweet and salty taste.
Klaus watched in horror at her food combination. "Are you pregnant?" He blurted before he could stop himself.
Caroline dropped the spoon full of ice cream and looked at him shocked. "Not that I know of. I've always liked chips and ice cream, so this is not an odd combo for me."
She smiled at his stunned expression. Heaven forbid if she were to ever be with child he would be even more over protective of her. Caroline looked at him and giggled because he swallowed thickly and seemed nervous.
"Relax Nik. We will cross that bridge if we ever come to it. Right now I'm just worried about still being human tomorrow morning." She picked up her sandwich and took a large bite out of it.
Klaus laid back with his hands behind his head and closed he eyes. He thought about Caroline's excitement at one day telling him he was going to be a daddy. Going to doctor appointments and hearing the baby's heart beat for the first time. Watching her grow and become round with his child and then meeting the product of their love.
Having finally considered becoming a father he was determined to find a way to make it so. His heart sunk, remembering that this would only be possible if Caroline was still human. So he did something that he never thought he would do again. He prayed.
Nik had fallen asleep next to her and she quietly got out of bed after finishing her dinner. She placed the trey on the side table and walked off to the bathroom. Caroline cringed at her appearance. Her hair was dirty and matted; her clothes rumpled and there were bruises on her arms and neck.
She slipped off her clothes and turned on the shower and got out a clean towel. Stepping under the warm spray was so refreshing that she couldn't help the long sign that left her lips. Caroline lathered up her hair and tilted her head back under the water. Her eyes were closed but she could feel his presence.
"It's not polite to stare."
Klaus reached out and ran his hand along her side, starting at her ribs and grazing her breast with his thumb, before continuing down over her soft stomach and finally resting on her hip.
"A man would have to be a fool not to marvel at your beauty."
She still had her eyes closed when she felt his lips on her collarbone. Forgetting the remaining shampoo in her hair she wrapped her arms around his neck and further buried him in to her bosom.
He sucked at her wet skin and lowered himself to his knees and placed kisses on her abdomen, flashing back to the thought of her being with child, which he quickly shook from his mind as he continued to ravish her body with his lips. Klaus moved his hands up and down her silken thighs and enjoyed the feeling of her fingers tangled in his short hair.
"Make love to me." Caroline moaned into the steam filled stall. When Nik stood to kiss her deeply and pull her tight to his chest she whispered. "Claim me."
Klaus' hand skimmed her back, over her rear and he gripped the back of Caroline's thighs. Using his enhanced strength he easily lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, linking her ankles at the small of his back. Moving one hand to her perfect bottom and the other to her hip he lifted her just enough to press himself at her entrance.
Thinking that this might be the last time they make love with her as a human, Caroline grips him tighter around the neck and shoulders before whispering her love and sinking down on to him. They both gasp at the intense feeling and Nik starts to help her move in a painstakingly slow pace.
Feeling Caroline losing her grip on his slick skin, Klaus stepped out of the shower, leaving the water running and not even missing a thrust. He walked them to the bench at the foot of the bed that Elijah had been occupying a few hours ago and sat down with his love cradled in his lap.
He held her close and felt her dripping hair stick to his chest as Caroline rocked on his lap. Their foreheads were rested together and their hot breath swirled around them. Klaus cupper her breast and assaulted her lips before tracing her bottom lip with his tongue.
Caroline loved everything about this man. How he smelled, tasted, felt, everything called to the most instinctual part of her and she wanted to consume him and be consumed. Breaking their kiss she looked into his eyes. "Bite me Niklaus."
As his eyes changed and his fangs dropped a shot of adrenaline rushed through Caroline and it heightened the sensation of him moving deep within her.
"Are you sure sweetheart?" Klaus asked kissing the area over her left breast.
She shifted her hips deeper and faster on his lap and as her body started to heat from within with her oncoming climax she threw her head back and moaned. "Yes. Now!"
He was not one to keep a lady waiting and he gently broke the skin above her heart and drank in a small amount her sweet life force. Caroline was mewing and panting while trying to watch him feed. Once he released his fangs from her, she grabbed his face and roughly kissed his still blood stained lips. She licked at his mouth, tasting copper and iron and a slight bitterness of his venom.
Nik growled, picking her up and swinging them around. She landed on her back on the bed with him hovering over her. He grabbed her knee and held it close to his torso as he drove into her with determination. Caroline encouraged him with moans and breathy curse words as she cried out her orgasm and he roared with the intensity of their connection.
Klaus collapsed on to her sweaty body and she ran her fingers though his hair as they both came down from bliss and caught their breath. Lifting himself off of her, he looked down at their chests that were both smeared with blood. He dragged his finger from the bite wound, around the curve of her breast and down her sternum before moving the blood tinged finger to his mouth.
This made Caroline a wanton mess all over again but she didn't think she could handle a round two tonight. Nik just smirked down at her before they both started laughing. He picked her up and deposited her back into the shower so they could both clean up.
"Let me heal you sweetheart." He said about to bite into his hand.
Caroline stopped his motion. "It's not too bad. I have enough vampire blood in me. Plus if it is still there in the morning, wouldn't that mean I'm still human?"
He thought about her logic for a moment. During transition all of your wounds are healed in preparation of becoming a vampire. "How did you become smarter than me on this topic?" He questioned and kissed her forehead.
"Not smarting, just taking a stab in the dark." She laughed as they got out of the shower and dried off.
Nik set her on the bathroom counter top and lovingly cleaned and bandaged the wound on her chest. Walking back out to the bedroom she picked up a silk nightie out of her suitcase and slipped it over her head.
Klaus had put on a pair of boxer briefs and drew back the blankets on the bed. Turning off the lights he slid in to bed after Caroline and pulled her to him. He brushed a curl behind her ear and looked into her sparkling blue eyes. "No matter what comes about tomorrow, I will always love you and never leave you."
"I know Nik. If I turn tomorrow, it won't be the right time, but I won't regret it because it will be the day my eternity with you starts."
He must have been a saint in another life because in this one he didn't even come close to deserving Caroline. She was everything wonder, passionate, exhilarating, bright, and loving about this world. Klaus would never take her love for granted and he would cherish her for all of their days.
Caroline thought that she could feel his soul connecting to hers and she leaned in for a kiss. His unkept stubble was rough but his lips were full and soft and she savored both side to the kiss and both side of the man that owned her heart.
They spoke words of love and forever in the darkness of the room as they drifted off to sleep anxiously awaiting tomorrow's dawn.
Caroline started to stir when the first rays of sunlight filter through the partially drawn drapes. She looked over at Nik and saw that he was still peacefully sleeping. Slipping out of bed as carefully as she could as to not wake him, she padded off to the bathroom.
She closed the door and flipped on the light before standing before the mirror. She didn't feel any different and she wasn't craving blood. Exhaling she lowered the strap of her nightgown and winced as she removed the taped bandage. Once it was completely off she looked back in the mirror.
"Nik!" She yelled with a huge smile.
Klaus had been dreaming about Caroline and himself living in a manor in England as a toddler with bright blonde curls ran after a small brown bunny rabbit. He was startled awake as he heard her yell. He clambered out of bed and fell flat on his face as his foot got caught up in the blankets. He was thankful that no one was around to see that because his brothers would never let him live it down.
Untangling himself from the bedclothes he rushed to the bathroom actually panting for breath when he got there. "What is it my sweet?"
"Look! It isn't healed. That's good right?" Caroline smiled and showed him the two marks that were starting to scab over.
Shaking his head with a chuckle he kissed her. "We can only hope." He led her back out into the room and started to pull on a pair of trousers. "How about I make you some breakfast?"
Caroline nodded eagerly and pulled on a cashmere robe, pulling the tie tight around her middle. They walked out on to the landing just as a groggy Elijah was coming out of his room in a pair of plaid sleep pants. Though she only had eyes for Nik she couldn't help but admire the broad tight chest of his brother.
"Good morning Klaus, Caroline. How are we feeling?"
Smiling and taking Nik's hand they started down the stairs she said. "Still human, I think."
Once in the kitchen Caroline sat down next to Elijah as they watched Klaus get out the ingredients to make French toast. "If we are in France, is it just called toast?" She asked with a giggle and tossed her curls over her shoulder.
At Caroline's movement her robe loosened at the top and Elijah saw the two makes on her chest. He wondered how long she had been allowing Niklaus feed from her. The topic was about the only thing that was taboo between him and Elena. He felt that this was not breakfast conversation and would talk to Nik privately later.
"They call it pain perdu, and the French didn't invent it. The recipe actually predates us." Klaus said from his spot by the stove.
Caroline laughed and poured herself a cup of coffee. "I didn't know anything predated you. Weren't you created at the same time as the wheel?"
Elijah snorted from behind the newspaper as Klaus turned and pointed a spatula at her. "That's it little miss, no cinnamon or sugar for you."
Using her best weapon, she pouted and stuck out her bottom lips while giving him her best puppy dog eyes. It worked and Nik threw his hands up in the air in defeat and flashed over to her and planted a playful kiss on her lips.
Peering over his paper, Elijah didn't know what to make of this display of affection. He had never seen his brother act this way, not even when they were both courting Tatia. He felt that for the first time, their family had real chance at happiness.
They finished their breakfast and everyone went back up stairs to pack for their trip home. Klaus gave an order to Charles to have the cargo boxed up and taken to the airport.
With a curt nod the werewolf trotted down to the cellar. He shot each woman with a vervain laced dart before entering each cell and snapping their necks. It would be easier to load them if they weren't moving around and snapping their teeth at him. Placing each vampire in the metal coffins, he ran a bead of vervain gel around the edge before closing the lids and engaging the locks.
He called a trucking company and went to secure the rest of the house for his Alpha's absence. Charles was always glad to serve Niklaus because the hybrid had been very good to his family, but he missed his wife back in Ireland and couldn't wait to be reunited with her.
Elijah showered and then packed his small bag before sending a quick text to Elena letting her know that they were heading home. He knew that it was the middle of the night back home but was happy to see a simple 'B safe' message back from her. He walked his bag down to the first floor and Jordon took it out to the car.
Caroline was looking out of the bedroom window at the small but busy street below. She signed as Nik came up behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I'm sorry your first time in Paris wasn't pleasant."
She turned in his arms. "What do you mean? I'm not counting my little fieldtrip. You have shown me a wonderful time in a beautiful city. I will always have fond memories of our time here."
"You amaze me more and more each day my love." He kissed her lips before releasing her and going back to packing.
Elijah had come up and was helping with Caroline's luggage. She walked though the house and was a little upset that she didn't have the chance to explore every part of the expansive home. Though she could not be too sad, because she and Nik would have a hundred vacations in Paris in their years to come.
Charles held the door for the three as he bowed to both Klaus and Elijah. The werewolf placed an innocent kiss on Caroline's hand and wished them safe travels. Jordon was waiting by the car as Elijah got into the passenger side as the couple slipped in to the back.
Caroline glued herself to the window again watching the city pass by them on the way to the airport. She couldn't wait until they could come back. She blindly reached back and held on to Nik's hand, squeezing it slightly conveying all of her gratitude towards him for not only showing her the city, but also saving her human life.
AN: I really loved writing this chapter. I also can't wait for mean Klaus to come out with the sisters and Finn back home.
I am so close to 100 reviews, so I know the 250+ people that read last chapter can leave me some love.
Also I have started to Beta for MarsterRoo so if you haven't already check out her stuff, you should. I'm in love with it.