"Caroline meets kol first. Not all human. Like he was there when tyler became a hybrid." -brunette_berry

"In which Kol and the original family are the damsel in distress and Caroline save them?" –I.a

"I had a Koroline dream last night. I'm not sure what was going on but apparently the Veil was dropped. Caroline arrived at a beach house with Elijah and Finn. Kol came out to greet them, looking like Nate Buzz did in PLL and wearing some cream-colored jumper. Caroline was happy to see him and she even hugged him. He hugged her back. And it was adorable. I was gushing in my own dream, "My OTP!" And it was beautiful." –Me and hummingbirds-and-champagne

Sequel to 'the spaces in between'.

*cue fireworks* This is the 50th story I've written for omil. Good God, that is a lot! *throws confetti*


"Carreen," Kol smiled at her, cupping her cheeks and staring adoringly into her eyes. "I've waited so long to see you again."

"Me too," She wanted to start crying because after so long they were together again. He was there right with her, holding her and making her feel loved. "I missed you so much."

"I love you," He leaned down to touch his forehead against hers and her skin felt feverish, her breaths in small puffs as he leaned to kiss her, his lips hot and needy against her. She whimpered as he deepened the kiss-

Caroline woke up with a groan, glaring at the insufferable Original sitting on her bed, grinning like a demented spirit. He looked far too amused and she knew why. She sat up and whacked him with her pillow, making him jump off the bed to avoid her. And his laughter just made her want to kill him more.

She sent a stinging hex instead that made him yelp. "What did I tell you about staying out of my head?"

He grimaced and rubbed his nape gingerly. "Come on, Carr, I was just messing around." He jumped away, hands up in surrender when she moved to hex him again. "Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!"

She sighed in exasperation, still annoyed with him and got off her bed, moving past the Original to get to the en suite bathroom. He moved to follow her but stopped at the doorway, leaning on the opened door to talk to her as she splashed her face with water to wake herself up.

"What do you want, Kol?" She muttered to him, just wanting him to leave but knowing he or one of his siblings probably needed her help with something or another again. These thousand year old vampires could be such helpless idiots sometimes, it was scary. "Because if it's Klaus again wanting my help with the sun and moon curse, I'm not doing it."

Kol sighed, watching her dry her face with a towel. "Look, none of us really want him running around the place a scary hybrid, alright? But you know Nik, he's not giving up until his curse is broken."

"Then he can find another witch to help him out because I refuse to do it," Caroline grabbed her toothbrush from inside the medicine cabinet and turned to him, pointing at him suspiciously with it. "Wait, Klaus surely has many witches he can call to do the spell for him which means…he needs me for something else."

Kol shrugged, trying to look innocent but she knew him too well to fall for those puppy brown eyes. She ran to him and shoved him as hard as she could. "What does he need me for?" She demanded.

Kol didn't even stumble back, her strength nothing against his and had she been someone else he'd have snapped her neck. Fortunately for her, he was still quite besotted with her and it was unfortunate in a way as well. "Carreen…"

She poked him in the chest with her toothbrush. "Kol!"

He rolled his eyes and grabbed her toothbrush, throwing it behind her and far away from her reach. She crossed her arms in defiance and waited for him to start talking, tapping her foot impatiently when he kept quiet. She glared at him to spill but he turned away. His silence said more than had he said anything because she suddenly realized he was not there because Klaus needed her for something, he was there because he'd already done something she didn't like.

With dawning horror, she gasped and felt pure rage boil inside her spurring from her belly and to her veins. Kol had been inside her head for weeks when he was daggered, he saw what she was and he saw Elena who had to be the descendant and doppleganger of Tatia, the original Petrova doppleganger. She was the final and very much-awaited ingredient to break the sun and moon curse and Kol must've told Klaus about her, putting her life in danger. And he was probably telling her now because Klaus was already at Mystic Falls stealing the doppleganger and maybe some other people needed for his ritual.

Caroline let out an enraged scream and her emotions heightening her magic, Kol was blown back to the wall, landing painfully on the hardwood floors as the windows exploded around them.

"What the bloody hell?" Rebekah exclaimed from somewhere in the house and suddenly appeared at her doorway, alarmed. "All the windows in the house exploded. What's going on?"

"Him!" Caroline retorted, glaring heatedly at the male Original getting to his feet. She wanted to melt his skin off his bones. "God, after all these centuries, you are still such a wanker!"

Kol smirked as her Scottish brogue bled through, it was always never ceased to amuse him. "Well, Carreen-"

"It's Caroline!" She turned away from him and started pacing, trying to figure out to stop the shitstorm about to hit Mystic Falls and wanting very much to kill Kol Mikaelson. "I can't believe you did this!"

"Did what?" Rebekah asked, simultaneously annoyed and worried. "What did he do?"

"He told Klaus about Elena!"

"Who's Elena?"

"The new doppleganger," Caroline shook her head. "And also my best friend but Kol didn't think about that when he spilled the beans."

"Please," Kol scoffed. "You hate her. I'd only been in your head for a few weeks but I could see just how much of an annoying whiny little bitch she is. Secretly, you're enjoying this, Carr."

Caroline stopped her pacing to stare at him in disbelief. "I am not! That is a lie!"

"Is it?" He eyed her challengingly. "I bet you're bloody rejoicing at the thought that the undeserving little weeper will finally be gone. Admit it. You hate her."

"I do not!"

Caroline felt a fire in her veins, wanting to set him literally in flames. He'd always done this to her, drive her insane and despite herself, her past self still adored him anyway. As if passion was worth all the insanity that came with it. As if Kol Mikaelson would be worth her love despite what a death wish he really was.

"Yes, you are!" He sped to her, pressing her against the wall. "Why do you insist on being this moralistic little ninny? You and I both know that's not who you are!"

"Who am I, then? Carreen?" She tried to push him off her but he was like stone. "She's gone, Kol! Why can't you accept that?"

"Because she's not gone!" He stared down at her heatedly. "Careen. Caroline. They're the same person!"

She pushed at his chest, not wanting his touch anywhere near here anymore. "Get off me!"

Rebekah finally took the time to intervene and pushed Kol away, giving him a pointed look. "That's enough. Leave the girl alone."

Kol looked ready to retaliate but one look at Caroline's furious face and he left the room without a word. When he was gone, Caroline let out a breath as tears finally escaped her eyes after holding them back for so long. She'd wanted to start crying the moment she'd realized Kol had betrayed her like that but she hadn't wanted him to see her cry. He did not deserve the privilege but now she couldn't control them anymore, not when she knew Elena could be dead in a few hours.

"Hey," Rebekah's touch was gentle and unexpected as she lulled Caroline into a hug. "It'll all be alright."

Caroline accepted her comfort even if she hadn't thought the Original would ever give it to her. When she'd been Carreen, Rebekah had not liked her and vice versa. The other blonde thought her not worthy enough for her brother until Caroline realized the truth. Rebekah had been jealous that Kol had found someone to love and loved him with the same amount of devotion. Caroline had learned that Rebekah still craved a love like that up to now and it made her feel pity for the other girl.

"Hey, in a house full of stupid men, we girls have got to stick together." Rebekah patted her back. "I think you're less annoying now than the first time. At least you're not following Kol around like a puppy anymore."

Caroline let out a laugh that was more of a hiccup and pulled back from Rebekah, wiping her eyes. "Thank you, Rebekah."

Rebekah just shrugged, smiling a real genuine smile at her for what had to be the first time. "No problem. Now, want to go find Finn and tell him Kol made you cry?"

Caroline laughed at that because if there was anyone who was not afraid to hurt Kol for her, it was Finn. The other Original adored her like a little sister and would probably go and dismember his brother if she asked. And he probably would anyway if she didn't. Finn was getting bored these days after all.


Klaus returned a few days later with Elijah, the latter looking so jubilant Caroline wanted to vomit. She knew why he was happy and she wasn't happy because of it. He'd killed Elena and God knew who else for the ritual and she wanted nothing more than to melt his pretty green eyes right out of his skull. The bloody hybrid could go to hell for all she cared.

"Hello, Carreen," He greeted her upon seeing her at the top of the staircase. "Thanks for the tip on the doppleganger. It was very helpful."

She wanted to make his blood literally boil but Finn appeared behind her, squeezing her shoulder in support and comfort. She knew he was looking out for her. Because as powerful as she maybe, she could not quite destroy Klaus without the proper tools say a white oak stay. If she could just get her hands on one, she'd be just peachy.

"I brought someone back with me," Klaus continued his jovial monologue. "You might know him, Carreen."

Caroline frowned down at him before an unconscious Tyler Lockwood was dragged inside the house by Elijah. The witch ran past Finn and down the stairs to her childhood friend, checking to see if he was still alive. At the pulse beneath her fingertips, she sighed in relief. But the sudden flashes of moonlight and claws in her vision, confirmed another fear.

Tyler was a werewolf and was awoken. There could only be one reason Klaus would take a werewolf from Mystic Falls – to create a hybrid. Without thinking, she sent a subduing spell on Klaus who shouted in agony as he fell to his knees before losing consciousness. Elijah tried to snap her neck but she gave him the same treatment and she caught Tyler before he fell to the floor.

With three Originals left, she stared them down as she tried to manage Tyler's weight. "You can either help me or stop me and I will turn you into a cockroach. I'll do it. I swear I will."

Rebekah sighed and walked up the stairs and into her room, promptly deciding not to be a part of anything. Finn remained where he was staring down at Kol who's at the end of the hall, looking annoyed.

"Carreen, drop the werewolf," Kol intoned. "I can talk Klaus out of killing you for this but if you walk out of here with his first project, I can only do so much."

"I don't need you protecting me, Kol." Caroline returned. "Tyler is my friend. I used to play in the sandbox with him. I am not letting Klaus turn him into a hybrid."

Kol let out a groan. "Carreen…"

"Caroline," She looked at him almost pleadingly. "My name is Caroline, Kol."

The Original turned to his older brother on the stairs and then back to Caroline before making up his mind with a head shake. He walked to Caroline and took Tyler from her with ease. "Alright. Where do we take him?"

Caroline nearly squealed and kissed Kol on the cheek, the dark-haired Original hiding his smile with a scowl. "Thank you."

"Well, I owe you one,"

Elena's name remained unsaid and Caroline realized he was trying to make up for his betrayal. Defying Klaus like this could get him daggered again indefinitely and he was going to let Klaus kill her after he'd only found her again. In his head, Carreen and Caroline were the same person and he loved her with the same devotion he did Carreen. It made her heart flutter and she remembered why Carreen had been so enamored.

"There's a werewolf pack in a bayou," Finn told him, urging them to move quickly. "The Crescent Moon clan, they've been cursed to be in their wolf forms until the full moon by Marcel's orders. But there's one who escaped and can probably helped."

Kol looked incredulously at his brother. "And you know this how?"

"Let's just say why you two have been dancing around each other, I've been making friends." Finn answered glibly as he opened Klaus' car and got in.


As Finn had explained, there was a blonde woman named Eve who was somehow reluctant to take Tyler in until Caroline explained the situation and promised to help break the curse placed on their clan.

"How can I trust you?" The blonde werewolf asked, doubtful. "You surround yourself with vampires. Why should I trust you?"

"Because I'm the only chance your clan's got," Caroline countered. "And would you really turn a teen boy away when he needs help? He's a werewolf too."

It took a little more convincing but Eve eventually conceded. This left the three of them to come up what to do next. Staying in town would ensure Caroline's death and Kol and Finn's daggering but if they left town, they would just be leaving Klaus to do as he wished and create hybrids. That was a horror they couldn't just be negligent about, right?

Caroline was a witch and descended from a long line of witches who would balk at the thought of her ignoring her duties to nature and letting Klaus create more monstrosities. The werewolves he'd turn wouldn't voluntarily want to become Klaus' mindless slaves and the creation of such an army would bring more bloodshed. With crazy witches in this town already aching for a war, anyone could see New Orleans was a battle zone in the making. No one would be safe especially the helpless humans stuck in between.

They're driving through the middle of town when the car suddenly stopped, a redheaded witch at the front her hand raised towards the car and chanting a spell. Finn tried to reverse the car but another witch was there, her wide eyes manic as she chanted. Kol cursed and kicked at the car door to get out, ready for a fight. Caroline just barely stepped out of the car before the redheaded witch subdued Kol with a spell, bringing him to his knees.

Caroline started chanting a counter spell when the curly-haired brunette witch appeared behind her and she let out a scream started pouring out of her eyes and nose. The pain was blinding and she sobbed for it to stop. The pain stopped with the snap of the girl's neck, Finn there and taking her in his arms before she fainted. Her vision swam and she was only able to let out a final scream as the red-haired witch plunged a white oak stake into Kol's heart.


Caroline didn't know where she was, surrounded by a constant white light. And all around her was warmth, something she knew. A voice whispered to her as she struggled to open her eyelids. Soft touches on her skin leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"Caroline," Kol's voice, she realized. "Caroline…."

She opened her eyes and was blinded by the bright light, Kol's face a blurred vision before her as he reached down to kiss the corner of her mouth. "Kol…" She tried to hold unto him, feeling like she was about to fall apart. "Don't go."

"I'm not going anywhere, Carr," He chuckled. "I'm always with you. You know that."

"Where are we?" Her vision wasn't getting any better, all around she saw only white and the blurred features of Kol. "What is this place?"

"The Other Side," He answered. "This is where all supernaturals go when they die."

"Am I dead?" The thought didn't give her fear like she thought it would. "Are we dead?"

"I am," His voice was sad, his fingers gentle on her neck.

She felt her heart breaking as she asked. "Is this goodbye? Is that why I'm here?"

"Caroline…"

Caroline woke up cold, a wool blanket covering her as she found herself back in Klaus' car, Finn driving them to God knows where. "Where are we?" She croaked out, her throat dry.

Finn glanced at there through the rearview mirror but didn't immediately answer. Caroline's head ached and she stifled a cry of misery as she remembered what had occurred earlier. The witches and Kol – oh no, not Kol. He was gone.

She bit her tongue so she wouldn't start screaming, the familiar pain overcoming her again. How cruel could fate be for one of them to always be dying? She'd thought Kol would be the death of her again but now he was the one gone, to somewhere she couldn't reach. She'd been so stubborn, trying to fight her feelings for him and now she'd just wasted the time she could've had with him.

She started crying, pained sobs wrecking her body as Finn kept driving on. They could be miles and miles from New Orleans now but she didn't want this. She wanted justice. She wanted to make that coven of psycho witches to pay.

"Turn around," Caroline demanded, making Finn eye her warily. "Finn, turn around now."

He shook his head. "Carreen…."

"Finn, they killed your brother." Caroline wouldn't let him look away, every bit serious. "They have to suffer."

Finn's grip tightened on the steering wheel before he swerved the car around.


The fight was bloody and messy. Witches tried their best to fight them, led by Celeste, the past lover of Elijah who had died because of him. Genevieve, the red-haired witch who killed Kol, put up a good fight but she was no match for Finn who'd killed more powerful men and women in his long lifetime. Marcus tried to intervene, his vampires trying to fight back, not wanting bloodshed but after Klaus learned what happened to Kol, there was no going back.

Vampires and witches lay slaughtered all over the streets, the wolves watching from the shadows of the forests. All that was left was a young witch sobbing into the corner, forced into horrors by power-hungry women. Caroline crouched down in front of her, voice gentle. "Hey."

The young witch looked up, watery blue eyes staring at her pleadingly. "P-Please."

"No one's going to hurt you," Caroline assured you, taking out a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe at the blood on the girl's cheek. "I promise you. No one will hurt you."

"M-My name's Davina," Her shoulders shuddered in between sobs. "I-I just want to go home."

"Then go home," Caroline caressed her messy brown locks, wondering if she'd ever been this young. "Even if home means somewhere far away, somewhere you feel safe."

She helped the brunette to her feet and tried her best to fix the mess of the girl's cloths, trying to spell out bloodstains and stitch back tears in the fabric. "And for the love of God, avoid Virginia. Go north."


With nothing left in New Orleans, the Originals left, their hearts heavy as they left the torn city. Caroline put Davina on a train to somewhere far away to some relatives who knew nothing about the supernatural terrors in the world. Rebekah departed from her brothers, seeking happiness she could never find there while Klaus and Elijah searched for another kingdom to build.

Finn decided to stay with Caroline and they travelled together from places they remembered and had never seen before. Months go by and the ache in Caroline's chest that longed for Kol was still there but some days were better than others. Finn was patient with her and sometimes told stories about his younger brother she'd never heard before. And she'd tell him things she didn't know about his brother in kind.

It's a year before they hear from his siblings again and it's a letter from Elijah. He asked to meet them at a beach. Elijah was in one of his suites, looking handsome as always. Caroline tried to tamp down the pain in her chest at remembering how much he and Kol looked alike. She grabbed unto Finn's arm and he squeezed her hand in reassurance.

"Why are we here, Elijah?" She asked.

Elijah smiled at her and motioned for them to follow him, they walked on the shore, their footprints a trail on the sand. The eldest Original began his explanation. "Niklaus and I bumped into an old acquaintance of ours while we were in Chicago. A very powerful and clever witch who owed us a favor and while it took some time, she was successful."

"Successful in what?"

Elijah stopped and turned around, right in front of a beach house. "Gloria was able to perform a ritual that took a great deal of power, particularly a special event that only happens every millennia or so. Do you know what happened the other day?"

Caroline tried to understand what he was talking about but the only thing she could remember was the comet that had not appeared in the sky for centuries but what-

Hope began to blossom in her as she began to see what he was saying. "The comet? She used the power from the comet to bring someone back from the Other Side?"

She was almost frantic in her theories. Could it be? Was it possible that they do such a feat? Because-

"Caroline!"

She thought she'd never hear that voice again and she turned around smiling as brightly as she could. Kol was there, coming out of the beach house and looking like heaven in a cream sweater. She couldn't stop herself from running to him, nearly tripping on the sand in her excitement. He caught her with ease, his joy as bright as hers.

"Whoa!" He laughed as she hugged him tightly. "Did you miss me, Carr?"

"You wouldn't believe." She murmured into his neck, feeling tears already in her eyes. She pulled back and took him in, his smile, his warm eyes and let out the happiest laugh she'd ever had. "You're back!"

He nodded, pulling her even closer, resting his forehead against her. He softened like seeing her, being able to touch her was all he needed in the world. And she never wanted to let him out of her sight again. "I'm back."