Hey gang! I'm sorry for the long wait to update. I've had family issues, and my stress level has been through the roof lately.

First off, I would like to thank anam for your kind words and giving me the inspiration to continue writing.

Second, I'm currently working on the next chapter, so I ask for you all to please be patient!


Morning came too soon for the Caroline. Not wanting to disturb Klaus, she quietly got up, still in the clothes from the day before, and walked down stairs. For some reason the garden was calling her this morning. Sighing she opened the door, and walked into the majestic garden.

She walked over to the bench and sat down. Leaning her forearms on her knees she bowed her head and got lost in the nature surrounding her. Her mind went to the direction her life had taken since she came back.

She had taken a chance and gave Klaus her heart, and she couldn't be happier. She was happier with him. He made her feel beautiful and smart. He listened to her. Much more than other boys she had dated. Caroline smiled at the thought of spending an eternity as Mrs. Niklaus Mikaelson. It sounded almost poetic thinking the name. Caroline let out a giggle as she looked at the ring sitting on her third finger. After all of the chaos surrounding her and her family now, she still felt happy. Her life with Klaus was just beginning and she wasn't going to let anyone ruin her happiness, not after all she had been through.

The image of Matt entered her mind. He had given his life to save this family, and made the ultimate sacrifice. Caroline knew he was happier where he went, but she still felt the loss.

She closed her eyes, and then opened them again trying to fight back the tears. The battle was coming, and she was afraid, but she would never tell Klaus that. He didn't need to know that she feared for her life. He had protected her from so much in her life, and now it was her turn. She needed to be strong. She needed to be fierce. She knew Esther would play any card she had to destroy this family. Her powers may have taken, but she still had Abby.

Abby, Bonnie's mother, the one person Bonnie wanted to make sure to save. Caroline knew the risks, and in the end Abby might not make it. Caroline knew for certain, Esther would never make it. Caroline shuddered at the thought of killing Klaus' mother. He had told her he killed her before, but she came back. Caroline knew it was one thing for him to kill his mother, but for her to kill her. Fear crept in her heart at the thought of Klaus hating her for killing his mother. She knew he would understand, but the doubt still lingered.

This war or battle was not easy. Caroline knew this was the only way to protect her family, but still she feared for them. Esther played dirty; it was evident when she used Tyler and Matt. Poor Tyler, Klaus never told her how he died. Frankly, she wasn't sure she wanted to know how he died. She knew how vengeful Klaus could be, she remembered. He could be cruel and heartless if the occasion called for it, but he was the most caring man she knew, or at least to her he was. What other man would protect his family with his life and then protect a girl he hardly knew?

Caroline looked up when she heard someone enter the garden. She smiled as she saw him coming towards her.

"You know I don't like waking up and you're not there, love." He stated as he came closer.

Caroline gave a silent laugh. "I didn't want to wake you. You were very peaceful." She answered, standing up to greet him with a quick kiss on the lips.

"Good morning, Nik." She whispered, tracing his stubble.

Klaus smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Good morning, Caroline."

Caroline shuddered at the sound of her name on his lips. She didn't think she could ever get use to that sound, and to be honest she didn't want to.

"What are you doing out here, love?" Klaus asked, as Caroline walked back to the bench.

He sat down beside her, and watched her.

"I came out here to think, and to get some peace." She answered, looking at him.

"I'm sorry, love. I can leave if you need me to." Klaus replied, beginning to stand.

Caroline reached over and stopped him. "No, it's better with you here."

Klaus nodded. "As you wish" He whispered, settling down again.

Caroline smiled.

"What were you thinking about?" Klaus asked.

Caroline's smile grew. "Well, I was thinking about you."

"About me" He asked, raising his bow with a killer smile.

Caroline nodded. "Yes, I was thinking about how happy you make me, and how caring you are to me."

Klaus nodded, "What else were you thinking?"

Caroline looked down this time. "I was thinking about the battle ahead."

Klaus clenched his eyes shut with pain. "Caroline, you told me there was nothing to worry about."

Caroline nodded quickly. "I know, Nik. It's just I'm not sure about…" She trailed off.

Klaus leaned towards her, and waited. When she wouldn't answer, he asked, "About what, love?"

Caroline looked away, with fear of her next words. Klaus watched her and gradually grew impatient. He raised his hand to her face. He stroked her face gently, and then placed it under her chin and slowly turned her face towards his.

Caroline looked into Klaus' blue eyes and Klaus read the sadness in her eyes. "What is it, love?" He whispered.

Caroline sighed. "Your mom," she paused, tears forming in her eyes. "I might have to kill her." She whispered.

Klaus smiled, sadly. "I know, love."

Caroline eyed him carefully. "You know?"

Klaus slowly nodded. "Caroline, if it comes down to you or her. I choose you. Never forget that, Caroline." He replied, grasping her face between his hands.

"She's your mother, Nik. How can I kill your mother without you hating me?" Caroline cried.

Klaus grasped her arms tightly. "I could never hate you, Caroline. You know that. I love you; nothing you could ever do would make me stop."

Caroline closed her eyes, and sighed. "I know that Nik, but this is your mother."

"I know that, Caroline. I killed her once before myself, and"

Caroline stopped him. "Wait, you killed her before. You never told me that." She ranted.

Klaus sighed. "It never came up before."

Caroline shook her head. "You didn't tell me because you didn't trust me, did you."

Klaus rubbed his face, with agitation. "Caroline, I trust you. You are the only one, besides my family that I trust with my life."

"And yet, you didn't tell me you had killed your own mother before."

Klaus stood up and faced her. "It was after I turned. I was angry at what mother had done. She used us, and she killed a woman I loved. I was enraged, so I ripped her heart from her chest." Klaus replied, angrily.

Caroline had crossed her arms in defiance, but after Klaus' statement she uncrossed her arms. "How did she survive?"

Klaus shook his head. "She said the witches kept her alive for a thousand years."

Caroline nodded. "I knew she had been dead before, but I didn't know that you were the one who killed her." She whispered.

"Even in the future, you didn't remember. Surely you knew about my mother."

Caroline shook her head. "I never asked." She shrugged. "I really didn't know."

Klaus held up his hand. "Caroline, I want you to know, if you have to kill my mother I will not hate you."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Nik, you changed the subject."

"What do you want me to say?!" He screamed in her face.

Caroline flinched. His temper was something to be feared, but she had faced his temper before and she knew exactly how to handle this, or so she hoped.

"I want you to tell me, if you are okay with this. I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you are okay marrying a woman who may have to kill your mother."

Klaus softened. "I've already told you. I will marry you no matter what. Nothing is going to change how I feel about you."

Caroline tilted her head and thought for a minute before she smiled. "Okay, I just want to be sure."

Klaus smiled.

"How did we get so mushy anyway?" She asked, eyeing him teasingly.

Klaus laughed. "We're in love, Caroline. I think it is called for us to be mushy."

Caroline laughed, as tears fell from her eyes. "I love you, Nik."

Klaus smiled. "I love you."

Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck, and placed her lips on his. They stood in the garden, getting lost in the feel of their lips on the other.

Standing in the edge of the boundary, Matt watched with a sad smile on his face.

"You have to tell them, Matt." Lily replied, approaching him.

Matt turned. "I thought you wouldn't be able to talk to me, now that I'm dead."

Lily smiled. "Oh, you would be surprised at what I can accomplish. That's why I'm the enforcer and you, my dear, are the protector."

Matt turned back to Caroline and Klaus and sighed as they pulled apart and headed back to the bench where Klaus pulled Caroline into his arms.

"How's Damon?" Matt asked.

Lily frowned. "He's getting worse. They have to know now. If you wait, Damon will die, and there is nothing I can do to stop it."

"Why does it have to be me anyway, Lily? I died so they could live and be happy. I was supposed to be at peace. This isn't what I signed on for."

Lily touched his shoulder carefully. "I didn't sign on to become the enforcer either Matt. I was chosen. Nobody knows exactly why we are chosen for the hardest tasks, but we are. All we have to do is to accept them, and pray that everything will work out for the best." She paused.

"You were chosen, Matt, because you have a pure heart. You see the good, and you fight for it with the purest soul I have seen in a thousand years. I know you have it in you to tell them, even if you are no longer a part of their world. You are now a part of mine."

Matt smiled and nodded his head in understanding. This was his job, and he wasn't going to let anything tear apart this family. He was their protector, now, and that was exactly what he was going to do.


Okay, what did you think? I was kinda divided on the Klaroline scene. I probably messed up on what this chapter was going to contain, but I got carried away.

Next chapter: Matt appears to Bonnie and Caroline. Finn and Sage make a decision. Caroline and Bonnie find Damon.

Remember to Review.

Until Next Time...