Chapter Thirty-Six

Klaus shoved his clothes back on and stomped home. Tonight's events did not turn out the way he had planned, especially a run in with Kale. He rubbed his chin and neck but the stubborn blood stain refused to come off. How in the world was he going to explain the scratch marks all over his body? He just wouldn't speak of tonight's events with anybody. Nobody knew Kale was in town, did they? He quickly made his way into the empty kitchen of his large mansion. He needed blood and then the scars would be completely healed.

He leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping on another blood bag. That was when he heard rustling upstairs. Pushing himself off the marble, he went to investigate. "Caroline, what are you doing up?"

She tilted her head at him. "It's almost eight in the morning Nik." Taking in his appearance for the first time, she noticed his ruffled hair and dirt lingered clothes. And his blood stained skin. "Oh my God! What happened?!" She took some of the napkins off the counter and wet it under the sink before cleansing the blood off of him.

Seeing her so worried made him feel even more guilty. When had he ever felt guilty? He was the badass hybrid and here he was feeling bad for almost killing a man. Well said man would be dead sooner or later. Caroline stopped her actions. "Wait a minute." She looked at the red napkin, deep in thought. "Kale. This is his blood," she recognized, having seen and smelt his blood before. They may be old vampires but they still got in fights.

She stared at him, waiting for him to give some sort of explanation. He said nothing. He just briskly walked passed her and made his way upstairs to their bedroom. They haven't even been reunited a week yet and so much had happened already.

Caroline pulled her cell out and dialed his number. No answer, just a stupid voice mail. Come on, Kale. Pick up. She tried again. She imagined the worse. He was dead. Remembering the last thing he told her, she flashed out of the house and headed straight for the bridge.

"Wake up sweetheart," Klaus whispered. Raine was still fast asleep when he entered the room. She let out a small growl of protest. "Come on now. Do you not want to change back?" This time he spoke more loudly. Her ears shot up before she did.

Caroline stopped at the edge of the road. There was no longer a bridge connecting the two masses of land. It had already burnt to the ground. Where was Kale then? She screamed out for him but was only answered by the wind. She called out for him again. This time she heard a muffled voice.

"Caroline."

She turned around to a very distressed vampire. "Kale! Are you alright?" He had multiple bite marks along his arm and neck. But hell, he was almost as old as Klaus. The venom would take days if not a week to make him immobile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Niklaus, he didn't mean it," he whispered. She scoffed. She didn't know how he could be so forgiving after what Nik had done to him. "Let's go. You need to come back with me. Nik's blood is the cure, he'll help you."

She carried him through the foyer of the mansion and was met with Rebekah. "Kale?" The youngest Mikaelson asked in disbelief. "Rebekah, help him into the guest bedroom, please." Still in shock, she did as she was asked. After handing her best friend over to Rebekah, she flashed off to look for Klaus. She was met at the top of the stairs by an excited toddler.

"Mommy!" Raine charged towards her. She was human again. Well not exactly human but not a wolf anymore. "Oh sweetie. Don't you ever do that again okay? I was worried sick!" The little girl pouted. "But daddy showed me how to change back."

That reminded her, she needed to find him. "We'll talk about this later. Where's your daddy at?" Raine pointed towards their bedroom. "Can you go play with your Uncle Kol for a bit? I'll look for you later." She nodded happily before skipping to her fun uncle's room. Caroline could hear him moving around in his room so he was definitely home.

"Nik?" She asked, stepping in the room. He sat on the bed with his back facing her. "I know you're angry. So go ahead sweetheart. Tell me how disappointed in me you are." She came closer to him and sat down beside him. "I'm angry but I also know that you couldn't control it. You attacked him in your wolf form so it was almost instinctively. Even Kale seemed to think so because he's not mad at you."

Kale. That name always made his jaw clenched with anger and jealousy. Klaus turned around and scoffed. "Is that what he told you? Even when he's dying he's still trying to earn your affections." Caroline stared at him confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you not see it Caroline? The way he looks at you? It's the same way I look at you. He's in love with you. He has always been in love with you. And I hate him because of it! I hate every bloody thing about him!"

Caroline didn't know what I say. Kale's in love with me? No. It couldn't be. They were just friends, best friends. But wasn't that what she had said about Nik when Henrik told her his big brother liked her?

"Is that why you attacked him?" He looked down at his feet, finding them quite interesting. "It wasn't just instincts love. I knew what I was doing. I wanted to kill him."

"But he's not dead yet. You could save him. Please Nik. I don't want to, can't let him die," she begged desperately. He glanced up at her. She was begging him to save an enemy's life. Not only was he an enemy but one in love with his girl. "No. No, I won't do it." This time it was Caroline who raised her voice.

"Why not?!"

"Because he was the one who spent the past nine hundred years with you. He was the one who found you and undaggered you. It should've been me! You're mine Caroline and he's in love with you. And - and it's possible you might feel something for him as well," he stuttered that last part. She placed her hands on his cheeks and he leaned into her touch. A habit, it seemed. "I do feel something for Kale." Klaus gazed at her, eyes full of hurt. "But nothing romantic. I only see him as a friend. I've told you this many times before. I only have eyes for you. I love you. I'm yours, not his or anybody else's. You have nothing to worry about." He seemed to be reassured by her words but still removed himself from her. With his back turned towards her again, he spoked. "I can't save him."

"He helped us, you know. The Wickery Bridge was made out of wood from a white oak tree. He burned it. He saved our lives, even if indirectly. He saved your life. The least you could do is save his," she said harshly before walking out.

Bonnie woke up with a gasp. Her eyes widened in realization. Kale had referred to the originals as the Mikaelsons. Kol is a Mikaelson! She couldn't believe she hasn't known. She felt like such a fool. She was attracted to a vampire for God's sake. Well that matter would have to be dealt with later. Right now, she had an offer to make.

Bonnie walked up to the elegant double doors of the Mikaelson Mansion and rang the doorbell. She was expecting the handsome Kol to answer the door. "Ah, Bonnie lad, I was just visiting -"

She cut him off with the raise of her hand. "Save it Kol. I know your Klaus' brother." Kol smirked. She wasn't just a pretty little thing. She had brains as well. "Well then, what can I do for you?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her as if suggesting something naughty. "I'm here to see either Klaus or Caroline, preferably Caroline."

"Today's not a good day. Seems like they've gotten into a little lover's spat." Raine peeked at the older witch from behind Kol's legs. "Bad day. Daddy's mad," she said. Kol picked his little niece up just before Rebekah rushed past him without even glancing at the witch. "Good morning to you too sister!" He called after her.

"Shouldn't you be on your way to school too sweetheart?" She crossed her arms. "Shouldn't you?" He motioned to the toddler in his arms. "Nope. I have to watch this little one."

Raine poked his face, successfully getting his attention. "I don't need you to watch me Uncle Kol. I'm a big girl now," she beamed proudly.

"Hey Kale. How are you feeling?" Rebekah had heard her approaching the guest quarters and excused herself. She had somewhere to be anyways. "Aside from the minor hallucinations, I'm fine. Rebekah and I were just catching up. Did you know she used to fancy me? I had no clue until now," he laughed. Me neither. Though she was referring to her own revelation.

"Can I ask you something?" He nodded. "Promise me you'll be honest?" He promised. He was actually quite intrigued to what her question may be. Caroline took a deep breath and decided to cut to the chase. "Are you in love with me?" Too forward?

"What?"

Ending Summary -

Sorry for the long wait! Been super busy! Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next will come way sooner than this one did! Let me know what you think & don't be too harsh!

SPOILERS

1 - Bill Forbes

2 - Esther's leverage

3 - Spell gone wrong

4 - Raine's new "trick"

Esther will be making an appearance either next chapter or in two chapters!