A/N: Thank you all for follows, favorites and reviews! School has been stressful and this chapter is real short, but instead of having a super long chapter, I'll post chapter 16 tomorrow. Hope you enjoy!

Summary: Klaus was not the only one affected by the hybrid curse, denying him his werewolf side. The curse had a second victim, his wife Caroline, who for a 1000 years he thought was dead. Only days before he is meant to break his hybrid curse, he learns she is alive and closer than he ever imagined. Klaroline!Time travel story.

Chapter Fifteen

Niklaus had remained with Caroline until she fell asleep again. He was thrilled with her words, she wanted a future with him! However he feared that she may have been delusional or not in her right mind due to the sickness that had yet to leave her. When she was better, he would ask her once more to see if she was truly ready for it. In the meantime, he would need to speak with his father on the matter. Although it was no secret of the growing attraction and relationship between himself and Caroline, he would need to speak with the man of the household.

Traditionally speaking he would have to speak with her father, but considering their circumstances it would not happen that way. Mikael would approve, Niklaus was certain. The first reason being it would get Niklaus out of the house, since Caroline had no family their would be no need for a dowry or any kind and she had proven herself to be a valuable asset to the family. Besides, even if Mikael didn't agree, Niklaus would still follow through with it anyway. After all, it was more of a formality in this case than anything. Niklaus kissed her temple as she slept and left the room to speak with his father.

He never went out of his way to speak to his father, it was always better that he avoid Mikeal on any and all occasions. Niklaus spotted Mikael through the window, it was later in the evening and his father was outside chopping wood. A pulse of dread and panic went through him as he watched his father swing away, he wondered if his father ever imagined those logs were him. If it brought him joy to imagine his least favorite child as the wood waiting to cut in half.

A comforting hand rested on his shoulder, Niklaus didn't turn to look at who it was. He could tell it was his mother trying to offer her support in the best way she could. Even though Esther didn't play favorites, Niklaus had a soft space in her heart for reasons no one truly knew except for herself.

"Are you going to ask about Caroline," Esther asked softly.

Niklaus turned to face her, he nodded, "Yes. I want her to become my wife. I love her."

Esther's smile was glowing, "I know you do. She brings out the best in you and you in her. You're father will agree."

"I do not think so," Niklaus admitted, "Regardless of what he says, I will make Caroline my wife and we will have a beautiful future."

Esther continued to smile, though she couldn't hide the tinge of sadness she felt. When she had tried to get read on her son's future with that young woman, she found great happiness with equal amounts of sorrow and pain. Her son would suffer, for a long time he would be shrouded in darkness, but one day he would be blinded by light. She knew he would be dark, but one day he would be good again.

Niklaus stepped away from his mother and exited their home to approach his father. It took only a few moments, but before he knew it, he was standing in front of his father as the older man continued to chop the wood. He likely knew of his son's presence, but would not acknowledge it in hopes he would leave. However Niklaus would not have this, taking a deep breath of the cool air, he readied himself for this conversation.

"Father," Niklaus called as he approached his father, his tone confident, "I need to speak with you."

Mikael didn't glance at him, "What is it boy?"

Niklaus squared his shoulders, "I intend to make Caroline my wife."

Mikael stopped mid swing, he looked at his son then, "You have been courting her these past few weeks haven't you? Was that not the point of your courting?"

"It was, it is," Niklaus said as confidently as he could.

Mikael lowered his ax once again, "Did she agree to be married to you because she is too sick to refuse?"

"No," Niklaus said, his tone a bit dark, "I have not yet proposed to her and would not for another month as per our agreement."

Mikael scoffed at that, but said nothing verbally to his son about this. Making deals with women was beneath him, how he had raised such a weak man was beyond him. For all his years, he could never truly understand why Niklaus was so different than his other children. While all his children varied, he saw himself the least in this boy.

"I am here to see where you stand," Niklaus continued on, his tone sharp.

Mikael sighed heavily through his nose, "I approve of it."

Surprise flashed across Niklaus' face, he expected it, but not for it to be that easy, "You do?"

Mikael set the ax down and walked over to stand before his son, "I do."

"Forgive me for being surprised," Niklaus commented, "Thank you."

Mikael nodded, "You're skills with a sword have improved greatly with her arrival, not to mention you appear stronger due to her. In a way, she has become your strength. You and I do not see eye to eye on many things, I fail to see us as similar aside from temper at times."

Niklaus steeled himself for the insults, but they didn't come,

"However I recall that I had grown in strength when I met your mother," Mikael went on, he had a far off look, "Caroline is a strong woman, I do not say that lightly and find it more irritating than refreshing. Esther has moments like that. You and Caroline will make a fine couple."

Niklaus was stunned. This was the best conversation he had ever had with his father and truth be told, he had no idea what he should do now. Luckily, Mikael nodded once more and walked away. Though Niklaus was his least favorite child, there were few moments when he remembered the love he used to feel for the boy. They came and went at random, this moment had been a rare occasion of that love returning. By tomorrow it would be gone, but for now, it was there.

Niklaus inhaled sharply and uneasily. Of all the scenarios he has conjured, that was not one which had appeared to him. It was a bit welcomed, but Niklaus was at a loss. He shook it from his mind. He had the approval to marry Caroline, it fueled his already burning happiness. A hand rested on his shoulder, he didn't jump as he recognized the hand of his brother Elijah.

"He approved," Niklaus said breathily.

"I heard," Elijah said softly, "that and more."

"Eavesdropping brother," Niklaus questioned, though his tone held no teasing.

Elijah walked around to face his brother, his hand remained on his shoulder, "I was concerned when you went to father. I am pleased to see it went well."

Niklaus gave his brother a pained look, but it quickly was replaced by a smirk, "Soon enough I will propose to Caroline and we will be able to start our future together."

Elijah smiled, "This is wonderful Niklaus."

Niklaus' smile was blinding, "Truly."

The next day

Caroline's condition improved the next day, though she was still too weak to move around much. However the nausea had passed and she could hold down little bits of food which was certainly progress. Considering it was only the fourth day of her sickness, that was deemed a positive thing, borderline miracle. Caroline figured it had something to do with the medicine from Esther along with her own magic. Since Caroline didn't have tv or music or books to occupy her time as she lay sick, she decided to practice her magic.

Of course she couldn't do a whole lot, but she would do little things. If the water cup was too far away, she would use magic to bring it closer. When her headache had taken a worse turn, she used some magic to make it more bearable. It was fun. As the morning dragged on, she could only think about what she told Niklaus and was full of uncertainty.

After her talk with Elijah, Caroline was certain that she wanted to be with Niklaus. Every part of her was screaming for him, begging her to go to him, to be with him. Yet she had to wonder if it was the cold making her think that way. She didn't think so. With the memory of her mother and the number nine flashing across her mind, she didn't want to waste the time she had now with him. Even though she couldn't bring herself home, magic would bring her back and she would leave him.

Caroline knew that if she didn't go forward with him, if she tried to run from it, the day she leaves here will be one that will fill her with so much regret. Maybe it was selfish to want this time with him, how he believed they had forever and she knew they were on borrowed time. She draped her arm over her eyes to block out the sunlight, too tired to draw the curtain closed. At least she felt better physically, but emotionally she felt all over the place.

"And here I thought you were feeling better," came the teasing voice of Rebekah.

Caroline smiled, she lowered her arm to look at the younger girl, "I am feeling better, physically anyway."

Rebekah nodded, "Ah I see. Trouble with my brother."

"Not trouble," Caroline said.

Rebekah raised her brow, "You're courting my brother, what could be more troublesome than that? The only good thing about it is you two is the happiness and me finally getting a sister."

Caroline chuckled, "Those are some pleasant things."

"Speaking of pleasant things, you'll be happy to know father won't get in the way of you and Niklaus," Rebekah said, her eyes gleaming.

Caroline raised an eyebrow, "Really? Should I be flattered or offended?"

Rebekah snickered, "A bit of both actually."

Caroline knew how marriages worked in most past times. It was the daughter's family who was meant to provide a dowry, pay for the wedding and so much more. However since Caroline had no money or family to do that, she was essentially worthless. Marriages in this time were meant to advance people, build their wealth. Caroline has nothing to help build besides possibly childbearing, which she didn't want to think about now. While of course she did want to have children one day, being a vampire kind of ruined that possibility. Though if she had more time here, it could be something real. However she couldn't let herself think on it too much.

Mikael allowing the marriage was already something that hadn't seem entirely possible to Caroline. Yet as she thought on it a bit more, she began to understand. It could be seen as generous that Mikael would allow his son to court and marry a girl who had quite literally nothing, that he would be willing to sacrifice building up his family in material means. From the outside, it looked sweet and pretty. An inside view would be that he held so little value for his least favorite son that not having to allow him to marry someone of worth worked in his favor. So yes, Caroline should be flattered and offended.

"However that is nothing to worry about now, we need to get planning for the wedding," Rebekah said giddily.

Caroline wanted to laugh and cry, "Rebekah, he hasn't even proposed yet, we're hardly courting. We don't need to plan yet."

Rebekah shook her head, "You cannot be serious Carol. You and Nik have been courting this whole time and I imagine my brother will be proposing to you as soon as you are no longer ill. Therefore, yes we should start planning. Since when do you turn down planning? You must still be sick."

"I am still sick and I don't want to rush into this," Caroline said in reply, her tone shifted.

Rebekah waved her hand dismissively, "What do you have to wait for? Until you get another cold or die of old age? I will not have it, you and my brother will get your happily ever after soon enough, I know it."

Caroline couldn't say anything to that. There happy ending wouldn't be so happy when she left or perhaps it would be better for him after she was gone. She hoped that would be the case, but she couldn't be sure. Niklaus meant a lot to her and she hoped her departure wouldn't hurt him too terribly. A sickeningly thought entered her mind. That once she returns to her time, Niklaus and his family would have been dead for hundreds of years. How was she supposed to live and return to her crazy life with the memories of them? Knowing they had died long ago.

A wave of nausea rushed over Caroline as she realized that whenever she leaves this time, all the people she has met here, each person she has loved, will be dead. Gone, out of her reach for eternity because she will never die. For the first time since her birthday, she wasn't happy about the idea of immortality. While part of her had known more or less she would have to watch the people she loved die over time, this would be an abrupt change and one she didn't want to see.

"Caroline, you don't look well," Rebekah said leaning over the window.

Caroline weakly looked up at her, "I'm, I'm fine. I just, got a little nauseous… tell me about the village to make me feel better."

Rebekah smiled, she knew something else was bothering her friends, but wouldn't comment on it now, "Well, where should I begin…."

Caroline spent the rest of the day with Rebekah, listening to the town gossip in order to distract herself and enjoy the time with her friend while she could because some day, she would never get to spend time with her again. It was a horribly morbid idea, but that didn't make it any less true. She had to make the most of her time here, once it was gone, it was something she would never get back.