A/N: Fun note, this was one of the first chapters I wrote for this story so I'm excited to finally share it.

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 Twenty Two

Caroline wasn't sure how long it had been since the transition, even if she did have it in her planner, she didn't feel like checking. The only number she knew for certain was how many days she had left here with her husband and his family, less than a week and that was killing her. Especially considering her calculations could be off given she didn't start keeping track until later and her ancestors never gave her a set date.

With the knowledge of her impending departure, she had been a little more than desperate to spend as much time with her husband, with Rebekah, Kol, Elijah, Esther and even Finn. Wanting to remember as much as she could about them, wanting to be as close to them as she could. She spent morning with Rebekah and Elijah, whether it was chores or simple chatter about anything that came to mind. With Kol, he would ask her to perform some simple magic tricks and pretend he could still do them with her. Her evenings belonged to Niklaus, however tonight was a little different.

Niklaus and Elijah were off hunting, giving her some girl time with Rebekah. However her husband and brother-in-law were late. As she waited in her living room, she began to pace back and forth as she considered all of the possible things that could have gone wrong where he was. While she did remind herself that as a vampire he was near invincible, it didn't stop her from worrying about him or Elijah. It shouldn't be taking them this long to hunt game. Her pacing was easing her nerves slightly, but annoying the hell out of her sister-in-law.

"Caroline I am sure they're fine," Rebekah said, her expression annoyed and her tone exasperated.

Caroline didn't look at her, "Sorry I'm nervous. I have a really bad feeling is all."

"My brothers are the strongest predators now, they are able to take down wolves. Certainly they can handle some hunting," Rebekah assured her, though she didn't sound as confident as before.

Whenever Caroline had a bad feeling, it usually meant something less than pleasant was on the way. All the times Caroline had voiced her unease on something, she was proven right to worry. The most recent and painful case had been the loss of Henrik. Somehow Caroline knew something was wrong when it happened, how no one else knew that Niklaus and Henrik were in trouble, but Caroline could feel it. That had been a troubling day, one of the most painful ones. If Caroline was truly having a bad feeling about her brothers, Rebekah considered maybe she should take the worry more seriously. Her sister-in-law walked further away from the dining table to stand at the window, pulling the cloth back to look out and see if her husband was on the way.

"How bad exactly," Rebekah asked leaning forward in her seat.

Caroline visibly swallowed, her stomach tight, "Really bad Reba. I just, I feel as if something has gone wrong."

Rebekah rose from her seat and walked over to Caroline, "Would it make you feel better if I went out to check on them? Perhaps they got caught up need my outstanding skills."

"Perhaps," Caroline said turning away from the window with shimmering eyes, "But I could be overreacting. I don't mean to worry you."

"While I am certain they're fine, one can never be to-" Rebekah stopped abruptly, a curious look on her face.

Caroline recognized the expression, it meant she was hearing something in the distance needed to focus on the sound to decipher what it was. Mere seconds seemed to be hours, but Caroline forced herself not to say anything and distract Rebekah from her focus.

"That can't be right," Rebekah whispered, more to herself than Caroline.

"What can't be right," Caroline asked, concerned.

Rebekah looked into Caroline's eyes, "A wolf. But it's not a full moon."

Before Caroline could reply, the familiar sound of a wolf's howl entered her ears and she turned around in the direction of it's call. Her memory came alive with the same roar that Tyler had when he first killed Sarah. This howl was much closer than before, it sounded more human the closer it got, but still feral and that was bad news. Rebekah quickly made her way to stand in front of Caroline, prepared to fight off the beast if it dared get too close. Those monsters had taken away her family before, Rebekah would not allow anyone else to be taken by them nor would she let Caroline fall to them like so many others before.

"You need to stay here, I'll handle this," Rebekah said, her fangs coming out and eyes turning to their red color.

Caroline grabbed Rebekah's arm, "I can help-"

Rebekah whipped her head back to look at Caroline, "Absolutely not. I can do this. Now stay here."

Rebekah pulled her arm away and walked out of the house, shutting the door sharply behind her leaving Caroline to stand there alone. A frustrated groan left her, her hands clenched her green dress tightly as she knew that sitting back would not work and knowing how pissed Rebekah would be with her for this. However that didn't matter, she wouldn't leave her sister-in-law out there alone.

Besides, if her hunch was right this new wolf would not be threat and likely would need help getting back home. Her chest ached at thinking of how this new wolf would have a life of painful transformations ahead of them. Steeling herself, Caroline opened the door to see Rebekah standing close to treeline with slightly hunched shoulders to show she was ready to attack.

"Caroline get back inside," Rebekah snarled, not bothering to look back.

That tone surprised Caroline, she hadn't expected Rebekah to sound so deadly and dark, but she didn't take it personally. However with a little worry she tapped into the aura sense that Lexi showed her, she was pleased to feel that Rebekah's hadn't changed and that the vampirism hadn't taken a bad hold on her. It was beginning to take a dark hold on Kol and even on Niklaus, but Caroline was confident that it wouldn't overpower them. She was about to turn off the 'look', but stopped when she felt the presence of Niklaus only it wasn't quite the same. Was this the reason for her bad feeling? Had something bad happened to him?

"Rebekah don't attack him," Caroline said as she raced over to her side.

Rebekah glared at Caroline, she put her arm out in front of Caroline to stop her from moving any closer to the treeline. The creature was getting closer, Rebekah could hear them running this way uneasily. If worse came to worse, a fight would certainly break out and Rebekah could not afford for Caroline to be out here and distract. While she knew that Caroline was capable of protecting herself with her magic, she also knew that Caroline had a tendency to try a different approach first that often left her vulnerable. Well she would not be vulnerable tonight, neither of them would be.

"Why on earth are you still out here," Rebekah asked still annoyed, "And what do you mean don't attack him? It's one of the wolves, they'll kill us if we don't fight."

Caroline shook her head pleadingly, "No, no. It's Niklaus, it's not just any wolf."

Rebekah frowned, "At any other time I would say that's hilarious, but currently I'm not amused."

Caroline licked her lips, "Please, trust me on this."

Just then a dark grey wolf appeared at the edge of the treeline, his golden eyes fell on them as he hesitantly stepped forward. Caroline pushed Rebekah's arm out of her way and walked forward slowly, feeling her heart ache as she made her way closer to her husband. Niklaus was a werewolf, she couldn't believe it and didn't understand it, but for now she couldn't question it. It wasn't a full moon, but he was in full wolf form which was unlike what happened to Tyler when he first killed. Perhaps over the centuries that changed or maybe the curse was different for everyone.

"Niklaus, can you hear me," Caroline said softly as she got on one knee, "It's okay. You're okay, it's me and Rebekah here. We're right here for you."

The wolf stared at her for a moment before stepping forward. As Caroline extended her hand, the wolf sniffed her fingers before pressing his nose against her hand and closing his eyes. A relieved sigh escaped Caroline at that, she couldn't fight the smile. Gently, she rubbed his head and moved her hand to his ears still smiling. He owed her quite an explanation for this, but there would be time for that soon.

Caroline glanced over her shoulder, "Go get a blanket, quickly."

Rebekah hesitated, but nodded and raced to get one. She was back in the blink of an eye, a brown blanket in her hands. Though she was not convinced that this was her older brother, she could not deny that this wolf was acting different than the ones she had seen. Even if she had only ever seen a handful of them due to her turning and being able to attack them when they attacked her, she only saw them on the offense or defense when they were not in human form. So seeing this wolf here, acting so calm made her unease. The wolf moved forward, resting it's head on Caroline's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him. Then in moments the wolf before her was gone and there was her older brother without any clothes and covered in sweat, dirt and a little blood.

"Caroline," Niklaus breathed out painfully.

Rebekah threw the blanket over him, she would have made a quip if not for her own shock.

"I'm here," Caroline said, she kissed the side of his head, "I'm right here. You're okay, we've got you."

Nikalus held onto Caroline tightly, he released a shuddering breath as she tried to steady himself. He tried to ground himself in the moment, focusing on just her and her alone, hoping it would calm his heart. This was the last thing he had expected to happen this night. And he could not fight the fear that was in him now, the pain and sorrow that sat in his stomach that was overshadowing the thrill he felt at the revelation. A sound torn between a laugh and a sob escaped him as he held onto Caroline.

"I'm a werewolf," he said, sobbing and laughing at once, "I, I don't, I am one of those beasts."

"You are no beast," Caroline whispered as she pulled away from Niklaus to see his face, "We need to get you inside. Come on."

Niklaus held onto Caroline's shoulders as she helped him stand. His gaze fell to his sister for a moment. There was no anger in her eyes, however the look on her face was not one he particularly enjoyed to see. What exactly the expression was he couldn't decipher it really. Perhaps it was disappointment or sorrow or pain. Once they were inside, Nikalus took a seat at their table, holding the blanket tightly around him as struggled to come to terms with the night's events.

The yelling of his father, the concern he saw from Elijah, the pain as his bones broke and he felt larger fangs leave his mouth. How this could be, how it could have happened, he truly didn't know. Tonight had been the first time he had ever taken a life, was that it? Was taking a life meant to curse you with this? However if that was the case, how come his brother's hadn't turned when they killed for the first time?

Niklaus barely noticed when Caroline handed him his clothes, barely processed as he put them on or when she put her fingers in his hair to remove the leaves. He was right there next to her physically, but mentally he was so incredibly far away and uncertain of what to do. Since turning into the creature his mother made him and his siblings, everything had been uncertain and strange. Yet now, things seemed to be even worse than before. Niklaus looked to Caroline, her green blue eyes studying him with worry and… love. She still loved him despite what he was, despite what this meant.

"Do you not hate me," he asked her softly.

"Of course not," Caroline said quickly, she cupped his cheek, "How could you ask such a thing? I could never hate you, I love you, you know this."

"But look at me, I'm one of those beasts, the ones who took your family, who took Henrik," Niklaus said, his tone strained.

Caroline brushed her thumb against his cheek, "You are not a beast. Okay, you aren't. A wolf yes, but that does not make you a monster. You're just, you're just different. Okay, you're just different and there's nothing wrong with that."

Niklaus rested his hand over Caroline's, his breath shuddering and uneven.

"How is this possible," Rebekah asked quietly.

Niklaus answered her, "Isn't it obvious sister? I'm a wolf, I killed someone tonight and turned into one. Unlike the rest of our siblings, I have triggered something. I'm like our neighbors. I bear their abilities."

"It's gene- you inherit it. It's passed down through family," Caroline said, her gaze downcast.

"But, that means…" Rebekah didn't know how to finish that sentence.

None of their siblings or herself had this transition happen to them. Each of them had killed before, but they did not go through this which meant that something was different with Niklaus. If this was something inheritable, that meant that Niklaus was of slightly different blood than themselves. Mikael certainly had killed before and never turned into the beasts, their had taken a life and never turned. The only beasts they knew of were here, which meant that if Niklaus could turn like them… they did not share as much blood as they thought.

"Oh, I see," Rebekah said more to herself than to the husband and wife.

Niklaus plastered on a bitter smile, "It seems our mother had an affair."

Exhaustion weighed down on Niklaus, he sunk in his chair and he looked to the ceiling to see the painting he had made for Caroline. How she wanted his art all over the walls of their house so that wherever she looked, he would be there waiting. He felt Caroline wrap her arms around him, holding him close to her and resting her chin on his head as she whispered something to him that only his enhanced hearing could pick up on.

The truth he learned was near as painful as the transition he had just endured. Mikael was not his true father, it was the only explanation that worked and made sense to them unless somehow he was adopted and their mother was not even his mother. However that was unlikely. There was no way that Mikael would have brought another couple's child into his home and his mother never would have been able to get away with that.

Besides if that had been the case, Mikael certainly wouldn't have hidden it from him and would have held it over his head all the years and the fact that he hadn't meant he never knew. While Niklaus considered that Mikaels hostility towards him was due to them not being related, but he also knew that Mikael would have made it clear as to why.

Tears fell down Niklaus' cheeks, "She lied to me, to us all."

Caroline shut her eyes, "I'm so sorry sweetheart. I, I wish I knew of something better to say. We are here with you and though we may not understand what you are feeling, know that we are right beside you. That I am right here."

Niklaus inhaled her scent deeply, trying to stop himself from breaking down further and focusing on his wife with every piece of him. It was stronger than before, almost overwhelming, but he was calmed near instantly at being so close to her. His strength began to fade, he put more and more weight on Caroline who did not object, only continued to rub his back in circular motions to help him relax.

Helpless was Caroline's least favorite emotion and she was devastated that there was nothing she could do to ease her husband. There was no telling the drama this would bring, what Mikael would do or try to do to him now that this truth was out. Her grip tightened around him ever so slightly. She wouldn't let anything happen to him, she would protect him no matter what. Caroline ran her fingers through his matted hair as he fell asleep in her arms. Her bottom lip trembled slightly as she held him, she knew her days were numbered and didn't know what would happen when she left.

Niklaus was going to need her and God if she was being honest with herself, she needed him more than she ever dreamed possible. Tears fell from her eyes and into his hair as she continued to hug him closer to her, trying to block out everything, but him. Him and his family being vampires meant that there was a chance that they would be alive in her time, but that hurt her more than she thought it would. That should have given her some hope, so why did it hurt so much?

Rebekah put her hand on her shoulder, "Carol?"

Caroline inhaled sharply, "We, we should get him to bed."

"I'll do it, you stay here and drink some of that tea I made," Rebekah said.

Caroline opened her mouth to argue, but Rebekah was already half dragging her brother away and into the main bedroom. With a pained sigh, Caroline went over to grab the tea Rebekah had made and gulped the entire cup down. It burned her throat slightly, but her magic healed the burn before she set the cup down on the ground near the dying fire. Somehow her husband was a vampire and werewolf. Such a thing was unheard of in her time, so how had this happened and no one ever knew?

Meanwhile as Rebekah laid her brother down, she was overwhelmed with emotions and struggling to decipher them. Her brother was a werewolf, her mother had an affair that ended with a child. It was a lot to take in at one time and she was uncertain of what she should do with the information. She wondered who else knew, did her other brothers know, her father?

The surprise seemed to overshadow her other emotions, but she could make out a touch of anger though she couldn't quite place why she was angry. Was she angry at not knowing? She knew she wasn't angry with Niklaus, after all it was far from his fault and she knew that. She wanted to be angry with her mother for her infidelity, yet she couldn't be considering who her father was. Though as far as Rebekah knew he hadn't cheated on his wife. Rebekah left the room to see her sister-in-law sitting by the fire, the cup of tea empty. Caroline turned to look at her with sorrowful eyes.

"How are you taking this," Caroline asked when Rebekah sat down.

"I am shocked," Rebekah said after taking a breath, "I am afraid I don't know how I should feel or react. What about you?"

"Stunned, but more worried for him," Caroline replied and looked to her bedroom.

Rebekah said nothing in reply, she was worried to.

Caroline spoke again, "He is a wolf and a va- a uh whatever you all are now. He is two supernatural creatures and who knows what challenges and obstacles await him because of it."

"Well it is a good thing he will not face them alone, we have each other," Rebekah said with a nod.

"Always and forever," Caroline whispered, looking into her sister's eyes.

Yet even as those words left her tongue, she wondered how true that was for herself. Her time was running out after all, but no matter what she would be with them in some form or another. As the night continued on, Caroline and Rebekah fell asleep in the main room, both trying to rest. However that harsh and unpleasant feeling practically stabbed Caroline in her chest, forcing her to wake up from the restless sleep she had been. That feeling coursed through, much stronger than any other time and she felt miserable as she looked around.

"Niklaus," she called softly rising to her feet, she noticed in the moonlight that Rebekah was not here either, "Reba? Hello?"

No answer came to her as she moved through her home, stopping in her bedroom to find it empty, her gifts no longer set up in their usual places. They were knocked over and messy. Caroline shook her head, she kneeled beside them to see none were broken and considered how she would find Niklaus and Rebekah. These gifts were a connection to Niklaus, surely they would work to find him. Though she remembered Bonnie saying it had to be an item that belonged to the person, each of these had been made him so it could be worth a shot to use.

She picked up the bracelet with the wood carvings and rose to her feet. She paused for a moment, her time was running out and she knew that, but she wiped the tally marks she had made in the dirt away. Steadying herself, she closed her eyes and focused on the item in her hand. The exact incantation she needed escaped her and she didn't even have a map to help, so she would have to improvise.

Focusing on the magic rushing through her veins, filling her mind with memories of Niklaus, she pushed for the magic to lead her to him. When she opened her eyes moments later, she was greeted by the sight of a thin line of golden light leading out of the house into the forest.

"I'm coming Niklaus, hang on," Caroline said as she followed the golden thread into the night.