AN: I wasn't planning on updating till tomorrow as I should be revising for my maths exam but I have had numerous emails asking me if I know that Klaus father is dead. The answer is YES of course I do. That is part of the surprise.

Chapter 36

Caroline shook her head at the revelation at what this man was enquiring. She took a few steps away from him and said "that's impossible. You're a werewolf, you are not immortal. Besides, Nik's father is dead, Mikael made sure of that".

Markus took a step towards her and said "he thought he did, well at least till I showed my face in New Orleans. A thousand years ago when Mikael killed my entire camp, he succeed and he did kill me. For some reason I, my brother and his children all came back but no one else did. We found a witch a few years later who said we came back because we were connected through Niklaus through close blood. I didn't really understand but basically she said that because Niklaus was turned immortal so were we when we died but we were different. We still had to change on a full moon; we were nothing like vampires except for the immortality. That same witch had a vision, of the day I was reunited with my son and she said that I had to follow it in order to succeed. I had to wait a thousand years for my son but over that time I was watching over him, over you. I distracted Mikael the best I could without being seen but in New Orleans it was too close and I knew that Mikael wouldn't move from the building until he saw it collapse on you, so I intervened. He saw me and his rage for me was too much for him and he chased me, as I ran away so you could escape. He didn't find me but I could tell that he knew I was protecting you by the look in his eyes".

"You said until you succeed, succeed in what?"

He said "I knew with my son's determination that he would eventually break the curse that Esther placed on him and I couldn't let my son be alone. I knew the time he was going to break his curse and I arranged to meet him for him to turn me and my family into hybrids. I couldn't let my son be the only hybrid, for him to feel alone and for him to eventually feel ashamed of what he is. You know he would feel like that". Caroline glanced to the floor as she didn't want to admit it.

She then looked at him and said "I saw you when I was compelled, why?"

He gave her a genuine smile and said "you are my sons mate. I had to make sure you were alright when you were compelled, not only because we are family but I am pretty sure my son wouldn't give me a chance, if he knew I could protect his mate if she was in danger and I didn't do anything".

Caroline ran a hand through her hair then said "how do I know you're telling the truth? This could all just be a plot to get inside my head to make me trust you...I should go and tell Nik right now" she walked towards the door but before she could open it, she gasped as he grabbed her wrist and sent her a vision.

*flashback*

They were stood in the centre of the forest and from the way they were talking no one would be able to hear them. Markus had hair that went just past his shoulders; he wore a green outfit with boots and had a sword at his waist. Esther was facing him and she was in a long blue sleeve outfit and her hair went just to the tip of her waist. "I have a right to see my own son" Markus shouted.

"He is not your son, he is Mikael's" Esther said.

"Please, we all know that, that is a lie. We have a son".

She sighed then said "we may have a son but you will not be a father to him. You were just a moment of weakness, Mikael is my husband and he will raise Niklaus".

"And what does Mikael think of this...wait, why don't we go and ask him?" he walked past her but then as she turned around, she held up her hand and he went down to his knees and held his head in agony. When she stopped he jumped to his feet and said "bitch".

"You will not tell Mikael of my indiscretions".

"Or what?" he said as he was now less than a foot away from her.

"If you tell anyone of how Niklaus was made or try to contact him in anyway, I will kill you and your entire pack" he tried to stay strong but he sighed and looked to the floor. Esther smirked as she knew that an alpha male always had to protect their pack. Esther didn't say another word as she left.

Just as she left, Markus turned around and punched a tree so hard that it made a crack in it. He looked down at his hand for only a moment to determine that it was broken and bloody. He walked towards the lake that was just beyond the tress to clear up the soon to be dried blood but before he came out of the trees fully, he saw a sight that nearly brought tears to his eyes. On the opposite side of the lake was a young Elijah holding up his new born baby brother, trying to teach him how to walk. He laughed as Niklaus fell down the first couple of times but then smiled every time he got back up to try again as it showed his determination even at a young age. Markus couldn't help but feel lost inside as he thought that he should be the one teaching his son how to walk but he was grateful to Elijah as he knew that his son would never be alone.

He looked down to the ground but then back up at his son and said "I promise you, my son, I will protect you" a tear fell from his eye but he wiped it away quickly and watch his son for as long as he could.

*end of flashback*

Markus moved his hand from her wrist and walked over to the stone balcony. Caroline stood there still shocked by what she had seen but she felt sorry for both Niklaus and Markus. Markus gripped the stone on the balcony, so it began to makes cracks in the stone as he said "that vision was when he was six months old. I tried to see him before that but that was the first time Esther and I discussed it and the last. I broke my promise to him. I couldn't protect him from the monster but I intend to keep that promise now. To make sure that my son can live out the rest of eternity in peace and with the woman he loves, not living in fear of how long they have together".

Caroline slowly walked over to him and when she got to the balcony, she placed a hand on his upper arm and squeezed it "I'm sorry, for all the times that you missed out on. I truly wish you were there".

He turned to his side so he was facing her and said "was he happy, I mean was he truly happy?"

She nodded and said "I can't tell you of when he was younger but when I first arrived he was happy but only whenever Mikael wasn't around. He adored playing with his siblings, even Kol, which may shock you. You should know you were watching us".

He sighed and said "I don't know if my son is just putting on a brave face or if he is truly happy. That is why I asked you, you can get through to him and see things that others can't".

She smiled and said "believe me when I say you're not the first person to say that".

He laughed and said "well you are both a pair that matches together like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and I am proud to call you my daughter in law".

She giggled slightly then said "I guess it is kind of comforting to know that I don't have a father in law that's well...Mikael" they both laughed "come on we should get back to the ball".

As she walked towards the door, he said "Caroline" she turned back around to face him "you can not tell Niklaus about this".

"Why not? Markus, when we all turned, we all mourned for something whether that was our humanity or the chance to have a family but...Nik mourned you. Once he found out Mikael wasn't his real father, he wanted to meet you but it was too late after Esther placed the curse on him and Mikael killed your pack. He mourned the father that he never had and I had to watch as he tore himself apart over it because he was not able to save any of you".

"Please, Caroline. Just let me get to know my son, let my son get to know me, before I tell him. Please".

Caroline sighed at the pleading look on the mans face but then said "okay, fine. But don't wait too long, Nik really needs this in his life".

He nodded and said "thank you" before they both walked through the doors and back to the ball.

AN: please review