I know I said this story would be finished by last week but ugh. Blame my immune system. In fact I will gladly join anyone who raises a revolution and pitchforks against my immune system. Err, when I'm better, anyway, heh.
Thank you thank you thank you for all the reviews! I always love hearing what you guys are thinking, I'm still so surprised by how many readers this story has lol.
P.S. I know you guys really want Klaus and Caroline to talk, but Klaus really really really doesn't wanna talk to Caroline right now. If I put them in a locked room together he'd say nothing. He'd probably be breaking the door down. It's not my personal preference to keep them away from each other, Klaus is just in a real mood right now.
She froze by the front door.
The entire family was gathered in a sort of line, waiting to say their goodbyes. And at the end of it stood Niklaus, staring at her.
Now she realised she'd lagged far behind the four brothers because of this.
She could see in his eyes that Kol had already spoken to him. He looked bewildered and hurt; his gaze entreating.
But she dragged her eyes away. She'd made her choice.
Klaus was already at the end of the line, squatting in front of Henrik. She'd chosen not to listen in to their conversation but now she watched as they performed some kind of complicated hand movement. They both seemed to mess it up and burst into laughter before Henrik practically pummelled Klaus with a hug.
The hybrid was taken by surprise and he froze for a moment before she watched his eyes close as he savoured the last time he would get to be with his brother.
A hand landed on her arm and she looked up to see the eldest Mikaelson. Finn would be accompanying them, which she wasn't surprised about considering he was the only other person besides Esther who knew the truth about them, but that didn't make her any happier about it.
"Say your goodbyes. We should leave shortly."
Esther stood in the corner of the room watching the room's proceedings like a hawk. She'd already shrugged off Elijah's request that he go with them too and as a result Caroline was treated to Elijah Mikaelson sulking – because he was such a bundle of fun usually and all.
"Elijah," she stuck out her hand, "it was… interesting meeting you here."
He narrowed his eyes at first her hand then her words. He hesitated for a long moment before engaging in the handshake.
"I wish you safe travel on your journey."
She almost snorted. She was pretty sure he wouldn't mind if a bus ran into her as soon as she left this house. Well, a donkey.
"Good luck with the whole Tatia thing, by the way," she smiled sneakily. "I totally don't see that ending awfully at all."
With his scowl she moved swiftly on to a grinning Rebekah.
"I seriously can't believe how much I like you," she smiled, reminding herself that there would be a Rebekah in the future so there was no need to get teary.
Still, from how heavy her heart felt, she could tell it knew better.
That Rebekah wasn't this one. She was sceptical and hated Caroline. This one was open; they'd shared a lot with each other.
"Likewise," she said. "Though that amount has decreased somewhat since you damaged something I hold very dear."
Caroline bit on her lip guiltily.
"I'm sorry. But I had to take care of my own first."
She tried for a smile but her features kind of collapsed instead and she turned with the full intention of moving on, but Rebekah quickly grabbed her into a hug.
Her eyes widened in surprise before she shut them tight.
"Take care of him for me," she whispered.
She felt Rebekah nod before she let her go and they exchanged small smiles.
"I wish you safe travel on your journey."
"Thanks."
She moved on.
"Kol," she smiled and he grinned back. "Thank you." The words were heavily laden and even in his naturally mischievous eyes she could see acknowledgement of the significance. "It was really awesome getting to know you some more."
"I would say the awe was at least partly shared, darling," he winked.
She laughed then hesitated before going in for a hug.
He enfolded her easily before whispering into her ear: "Never be too good."
She giggled and hugged him tighter before pulling back.
He winked and she blushed a little before all expression disappeared when she got to Mikael.
"Mikael. I can't say with a straight face that it's been fun. But knowing how much of a dick you are was definitely enlightening. I'll be sure to tell everyone back in my village what an unwelcoming ass you were."
He stepped forward with a growl and she heard Esther sigh.
"Mikael. Let it go."
He glared first at his wife then at her before storming out, muttering about them being gone when he came back.
"I plan on it," she muttered after him.
Caroline stood rooted to her spot, her head still turned to the front door where he'd disappeared from. Anything to keep from doing what she had to next.
Klaus passed her to say something to Kol but she was so nervous that she didn't even hear it.
They did a guy hug and she was watching Klaus savour this moment too when suddenly she felt a hand on her arm.
With a swallow she reluctantly turned to Niklaus.
"Caroline."
She still loved the way he said her name.
"I'm sorry," she said honestly. "This was never supposed to happen."
None of it was. Not coming into the past and meeting him or feeling what she had for him or even what she had for his double as a result of it.
"You should stay. At least until morning, it will be dark soon."
She looked up at him, into his pleading eyes, then down at his hand still on her. Carefully she laid her hand over it.
She knew everyone was probably watching them but for the moment she didn't care.
"I'm sorry but I'm leaving – right now."
She met his eyes again, watched him swallow and then nod in slow acceptance.
"Then I suppose I should wish you safe travel on your journey," he noted bitterly.
His voice kind of cracked in the middle of it and she found herself launching onto him, burying her face in his neck. Immediately she felt him ensconce her tightly in his arms.
"None of this was supposed to happen," she whispered into his ear, feeling her eyes tear up, "but I'm really glad I met you."
She began to pull away, blinking away the stray tears.
He let her go and she wiped up the few drops before leaning back in and placing a kiss to his cheek.
"Goodbye, Nik."