Chapter 7 - Reluctant Alliances - Part II - *Edited 3/6/14

Last time...

Manning, Elena, Bonnie and Kol ally with one another to turn Caroline into an Original to save her life and to prevent Klaus from turning off his humanity after Manning has shared his history of his life on the Other Side along with Bonnie's predicament as Qestiyah's anchor. To ensure Bonnie's cooperation, Manning "kills" Elena. When Bonnie agrees to help, Manning sends her back to the land of the living along with Kol who is told to protect his "investment" (Bonnie). Once they leave the Other side however, Kol and Bonnie find themselves in New Orleans, greeted by Klaus' gut wrenching screams.

A/N Sorry it took so long but my present to you is my longest chapter yet! I will have you know that for some reason, this chapter wore me out mentally and I had to rewrite things SO many times. I really hope you guys enjoy it. ANYWAY! We have reached 100+ REVIEWS, 124 favs, 168 follows in 6 chapters! That's just so awesome. All of YOU are awesome! When we reach 200 follows or favs or reviews (whichever comes first) that will be cause for another celebration in either the form of a long chapter (like this one) or a super quick update but for now, thanks SOOOO much!

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Klaus POV

"I think you might want to take that back," says Sabine, pulling out her phone and tapping it furiously. "Especially since I hold the life of your beloved..." She turns the phone to me and my heart stutters in my chest at the visual of Caroline chained up.

"...In my hands," she finishes, her smile widening.

It's instantaneous my reaction. Within a millisecond, I'm rushing her, ready to torture her within an inch of her life. How dare she touch Caroline and flaunt it in my face as if I'd beg her to release Caroline like a subjugated dog?

Did she not know that I'm a pull hearts out and ask questions later type of Hybrid?

A little voice whispers in my head, shaking its imaginary head, wondering why should I aid the audacious teenager girl who rejected my affections, yet again less than 24 hours ago, but it's my heart, not my mind that moves me.

My fingers literally brush the front of Sabine's shirt before she accomplishes the impossible. She raises her hand, and her magic breaks my right leg, wrenching a scream from me as I fall to my knees, her magic immobilizing me.

I feel my siblings start to move to my aid, but Sabine stops them.

"I wouldn't. You will only makes things worse."

No sooner the words are out of her mouth, I feel it and true terror starts to overtake me when every bone in my body starts to break.

The pain is too great, words leave me and my screams of agony flood the room as the damn witch makes me turn against my will.

How...How is this possible? Sabine is nothing but a backwater, low class witch! She shouldn't possess this amount of power. She...

My thoughts are interrupted when my spine snaps and a gut wrenching roar comes out of me, the raw pain nearly making me pass out.

"NIK!" screams Bekah.

"Let him go Sabine!" demands Elijah, his voice only rising a bit, but the concern and rage is evident in it.

"Sabine?" She scoffs, her concentration breaking just enough to stop my transformation, but not for me to move, leaving me on the ground, breathing heavily. "Elijah. You really haven't figured out have you?" she continues in patronizing tone. "Tell you what. Why don't you call me by my real name? Celeste."

If I had the strength, I would roll my eyes. Bloody hell. I think I've had enough of these Night of the Living Dead witches and spurned deceased lovers. Whatever happened to the good old days when enemies stayed dead?

I cannot see Elijah, for he is far behind me with Bekah, but the stutter in his response gives away his surprise.

"That's...That's impossible."

"Really? Don't offend me Elijah. Can any witch do this?"

When the pain returns, I almost want to weep instead of scream. To my horror, I see my hands turn to paws, my hair turning into fur.

No...

In my periphery, I see my siblings flash into action as they go to ambush Celeste. Rebekah's body, a second later, falls back beside mine, fighting off a group of MY vampires, as does Elijah.

The fighting ensues around me as Celeste steps up to me, smiling as I start to feel my inner wolf come to the forefront of my mind, the desire to hunt, to kill, taking over.

"Now you..." she purrs, her hand still extended. "I think I'll have you rip your siblings to shreds in your wolf form and then take you to your little girlfriend and have you do the same to her. After that, I'll find where you've hidden that pretty White Oak stake Esther mentioned and drive it in your chest. What do you say?"

Mother...I inwardly seethe. What does she have to do with this?

Before I can attempt to voice my question, a voice I never thought I'd hear again speaks.

"I think your plan is missing a little bit of flair, darling."

Before she can turn around, her heart is out of her chest, my pain disappearing in a puff of smoke and my body returning to normal. Celeste falls into a heap, revealing...

"Kol," I choke out in disbelief, right when the sounds of screams fill the air around us.

The chanting of Latin mingles with the screams as I see a certain Bennett witch walk determinedly into the compound behind Kol, eyes closed and a soft smile on her face while she continues to chant, powerful winds accompanying her.

The pillars shake and every vampire in the room, over 20, except my siblings and I, fall to their knees, blood coming out of every orifice of their bodies.

I'm unable to speak, awed by the Bennett witch's immense display of power that puts Davina's to shame. When can little old Bonnie do this? She was powerful when she had all the spirits behind her and used that magic to subdue me after I completed the sacrifice necessary for me to become a hybrid, but this...this dwarfs even that.

I take her in, noting how there isn't nosebleeds or any sign of her straining herself. She brings down all of the vampire guards in the compound and she isn't breaking a sweat! She is actually smiling. A smile that only grows as the yells of my minions only intensifies.

It is then my eyes fall on a glowing golden medallion of a howling wolf hanging around her neck, bright and brilliant as the sun itself.

Her eyes suddenly snap open, the glow of the medallion dies and the yells cease.

She smiles at Kol. "I think I broke the spell that the witch used to control them. They should be fine."

Kol smiles back, reaching out to brush some hair out of her eyes. She blushes, and quickly steps away from him. A quick frown takes over his face before he clears his throat and says gently, "How...How do you feel? That was a lot of power, darling."

Her smile widens, glancing down and clenching the medallion in her hand, then quickly letting go.

"Amazing. Just...AMAZING. It was just so BEYOND words. God, Manning wasn't kidding! Channeling his energy along with the sun will definitely be enough."

I wanted to ask her so many questions that came from that statement, but I was too distracted seeing Kol in front of me.

Alive and well.

"Kol?" I hear Bekah ask in disbelief, her voice laden with emotion.

He turns away from Bonnie and throws a winning smile at Rebekah.

"Who else dear sister? Finally ready to tell me how handsome I am?"

In a whoosh of air, Rebekah is in his arms, sobbing, yet managing to tease in between them: "Oh Kol, you know I can't be compelled," she murmurs into his neck the same response he gave him long ago when all my siblings had been undaggered from their caskets, getting dressed for Mother's ball back in Mystic Falls.

Kol squeezes her playfully before letting her go, saying "I know," while I walk hesitantly towards them along with Elijah who, with a short laugh, gives Kol a brotherly hug.

The Bennett witch eyes our approach warily but I ignore her when Kol's eyes link with mine.

Unbiddingly, I remember the last time I saw him, burning up with a White Oak stake in his chest. I swallow down the emotion that clogs my throat wanting to tell him despite what he believed at the time, that I didn't truly want to kill him. Even though he was a pain in my arse, he was still my brother and I loved him, mourned his passing more than anyone else...

"I saw everything from the Other Side Niklaus," he says solemnly, as if answering my thoughts. "You don't have to explain anything to me."

I rake over his features earnestly, trying to detect any lie, anger, hostility. All I find is a genuine fondness there, making me let out a sigh of relief when he closes the distance and hugs me tightly.

"I'm sorry," I choke out, words pouring out of my mouth like a river before I can stop and hide the effect his survival has on me. "I wasn't fast enough. I couldn't stop them. I didn't know..."

He pulls away, clenching my shoulder in reassurance. "I said you didn't need to explain anything. You did what you could and you wept over me. I...I can't tell you how much that..." he turns away. Before he does, in a rare moment of vulnerability, I see his eyes fill with unshed tears, clearly moved. He quickly composes himself, however, his regular mischievousness returning full force when he turns back to me.

"Anyway," he says brightly. "We have bigger things to discuss. Like your tasty little Caroline who is nearing death as we speak."

I stiffen. "No..." I breathe. The reminder of Caroline being in danger sends me in panic that I fight to push down so I can think rationally enough to help her.

But...WHY?! screams my mental voice at me. Why does she deserve you protection or even your concern? She doesn't love you!

But she doesn't hate me either, I mentally retort. I'm not doing this so she will either. I...I know she doesn't want me. I don't want her. Not anymore. I only care for her survival, nothing more.

Nothing more...

Immediately, a thought comes to me and I flash immediately to Celeste's dead body, searching for her phone. I pull it out, everyone watching me with perplexed looks as I silently pray for the dead witch's phone not to have a pass-code. I let out a sigh of relief when I see it doesn't, going through her texts.

A loud groan draws the attention of the others while I continue with my task, glancing up for a second to see Marcel stands up, rubbing his neck.

"Welcome back mate," I say, sparing him a smirk. "You missed all the fun."

"Well. I was too busy coming back from the dead with a broken neck," he says, the anger in his voice drawing a clear picture of how his expression at the moment must be without me looking.

I shrug, nonchalantly, not seeing what the big deal is when he gasps.

"What the hell? You're...You're..."

"Dead. I know," responds Kol. "I was about to explain how I am here..."

"Marcel," interjects Elijah. "Take the men and have them rake the quarter for any dead witches roaming about. We have much to discuss..."

Marcel walks pass me with the men out of the compound when I find what I'm looking for; The text containing the picture of Caroline in chains. My teeth clench when I see the name associated with the image. I hit call hard, my fury being stoked by every ring that hits my eardrums as I wait for that accursed woman to pick up.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite witch?" says the annoyingly prissy voice of the woman in this universe second only to my mother that I despise.

"Appears that news of your demise were greatly exaggerated, Katerina," I say with an underlying growl. I see Elijah's momentary shock and concern before he schools it back to impassive. I almost grin knowingly at him, but I choose to pretend not to notice. Even with his interest in Hayley, the doppelganger can still evoke this reaction from him...

I don't muse on that for long, also taking note of the quietness on the other line, relishing in the fact that it was probably because I took Katerina off guard by calling her from a former ally's phone. She must know what it means. How the end result will not bode well for her.

"Klaus," she says finally in mock happiness. "Isn't this a pleasant surprise."

"Where is Caroline?" I snap impatiently. Part of me is screaming not to care, especially in lieu of her recent rejection, but I can't help my concern for Caroline, obviously. Frustratingly so.

"Fine actually," Katerina replies as if she's talking to a friend instead of a mortal enemy. "We're just having some girl time, braiding each others' hair, painting our fingernails..."

"I have no patience for your audacity Katerina."

"And I have none for a moody, biopolar, Original hybrid."

She was always the snarky one, reminding me of the elder Salvatore. "You have quite the mouth for someone who'll be dead soon," I say with a dark smile. "Which is what will happen, when I find you."

"Where have I heard that before?" Katherine responds in a near yawn.

Her lack of fear annoys me and I of course, make sure to reinstill it. "I know you have this false sense of security, believing you have outwitted me the last 500 years, but I'll have you know that you only lasted this long because I found your paranoia and our game of cat and mouse amusing. No longer. This. Ends. Now," I hiss.

The coolness in her tone evaporates and I knew I was successful in my mission. "Actually, I think this goes on a bit longer," she responds viciously, getting how serious her recent transgression is. "See, if I die, bad things will happen to your favorite blonde next door. I called in a favor and had a friend bind us together. You're not the only one with connections."

My clench the phone tightly, truly fearing for Caroline now. If they truly were connected, there is no chance she would let Caroline leave her side. With Katerina being human (or even a vampire, if that is how she managed to ensure her survival, yet again), whatever happens to her will happen to Caroline, and Katerina, like me, had many enemies she made over the centuries. As a baby vampire, worse if she was still human, she wouldn't have a prayer in protecting herself let alone Caroline if any caught up with her.

Meaning Kol was absolutely right. Caroline was nearing death every second she's with Katherine.

"You're bluffing," I manage, the severity of the situation weighing on me.

"Good-bye Klaus." She hangs up.

I instantly call her back, getting the message that I have reached a nonworking number.

"Damn it!" I shout, flinging the phone clear across the room before I start pacing furiously.

"Why can't that doppelganger just die already?" asks Kol, voicing before me what I was about to say.

"My sentiments exactly," I growl.

"Niklaus!" chastises Elijah.

I lash out. "Oh come off it Elijah and spare me your defense of Katerina! Go back to pining over the she wolf why don't you!"

"Niklaus. Killing Katerina will not resolve anything. She is still linked to Caroline, who you obviously care for deeply..."

"I. DO NOT. Care for her," I say lowly.

"Bollocks."

I glare at Kol. "What did you say to me?"

"I said bollocks," he says again daringly.

"You..."

"I'll have to cry bull too," interjects Bonnie to my surprise. She gives Kol a sidelong look before she continues. "Especially given the fact that we both witnessed a meeting of the supernatural dead on the Other side that was all about how you love" she makes a face at the last word, "Caroline so much that you will turn off your humanity when she dies, endangering anyone living."

I gape at them, along with Bekah and Elijah.

"Never mind the fact you spoke the Eternal vow to her," adds Kol, winking at me.

I feel air leave my lungs as Rebekah and Elijah turn to me stunned.

"You did WHAT?" asks Rebekah in shock.

Elijah just stares, looking dumbfounded and rendered speechless.

I feel my cheeks warm, knowing I, the Original Hybrid, the killer of many, is blushing.

"I..." I stutter, letting out a huff. "I got enveloped in a moment. I wasn't thinking clearly..."

"Which usually happens when a certain body part is getting lost in the breathtaking miracle that is a women's vagina," quips Kol.

They all groan while I fantasize about the different ways that I want to dagger Kol, already forgetting how seconds ago I was glad he was alive.

"This, I must say is unprecedented," says Elijah, finding his voice again, in clear amusement. "Neither I nor Bekah who have loved others throughout the centuries, have ever been moved to say such words, yet you Niklaus, the man whose killed many of Rebekah's suitors and have told me with conviction how love is a weakness, is the first to say it and to mean them so irrevocably that a meeting was held on the Other side to discuss it," a small smile spreads his features. "Perhaps your child that Hayley carries isn't your redemption after all. Perhaps it lies with a certain blond baby vampire."

"You're getting ahead of yourself, Elijah" I bit out. "Admittedly, I care for her survival due to the fact she aided me in overcoming Silas' hallucinations," I inwardly pat myself on the back with coming up with the convincing cover. "That. Is. All."

Bekah lets out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Thank...God! Nik maybe a bit infatuated with the little girl but love?" she snorts. "The day Nik falls in love is the day that flying unicorns, hearts and lollipops fall from the sky."

"Silence Bekah," I mutter, officially fed up with comments of my nonexistent love life.

"Um..."

We all turn to Bonnie who looks at Elijah mortified. "Did I just hear wrong or did you just say something about Hayley having Klaus' child?"

I mentally swear and quickly decide to say something to avoid any further conversation on that matter.

"About Esther. Why is she working with Celeste?" I deflect. "I may of said some things but the vow is nothing but a fairytale. Surely it doesn't warrant yet another condoned assassination from the spirits executed by my mother. The magic of the vow isn't real... "

"Actually no," cuts in Kol. "It's very real and breaking it tends to have disastrous consequences. Silas spoke it. When Qestiyah broke that bond between him and Amara, it resulted in the creation of the Other side. Never mind when Manning..."

My eyebrow arches up in question at the mention of that name again when Bonnie elbows Kol roughly, effectively cutting him off.

"What?!" cries out Kol, annoyed.

"He isn't going to believe you. About Manning, I mean. And..." she suddenly glares at Kol, the heat of her stare looking like it could melt steel.

"Is he really having a baby with Hayley? Why didn't you tell me?! Care is SO going to freak..."

My eyes widen and I almost open my mouth to beg her not to tell Caroline. If Caroline knows about my indiscretion with Hayley, it will destroy the fragile connection we have. Yet again, is there still a connection between Caroline and I? She wanted to forget our time together, told me to move on. Was there anything left to salvage? Probably not and it shouldn't matter. I was done caring after all, but who knows what may change in year, a decade or a century? Who knows if we find a way to one another?

If there is a chance with Caroline, now or in the future, the knowledge of the baby will blow it up to kingdom come. I know it.

And I cannot allow that.

Especially when turns that heated stare at me. "You need to tell her, or I will."

Within a millisecond, I flash at Bonnie. Before I can get to her, my body is colliding with Kol's who hovers over me briefly, hissing in my face, fangs bared.

"You are NOT touching her!"

"She does NOT threaten me! What are you? Her bloody bodyguard?!" I yell.

"Actually," he says, his fangs receding. "I am. Plus, you need her if we going to turn Caroline into an original."

I blink, trying to process the unbelievable information just thrown at me as Kol gets up.

"That's impossible," says Elijah first.

"No one has that type of power," adds Bekah.

"Bonnie does," says Kol. "Did you not see what she can do?"

"She'll need something to channel besides the sun to boost her power. She is not Esther," says Elijah dismissively. "She would need something tangible. Like the moonstone that was destroyed in the sacrifice..."

"The medallion channels Manning. His energy is more than enough. Trust me."

"Alright. Who the bloody hell is Manning?" asks Bekah in exasperation. "And why should we even turn Caroline into an original anyway?"

"If she is an original," says Bonnie thoughtfully, "Nothing can kill you guys but the white oak stake. Which means..."

"...Even if Caroline is linked to Katerina, Katerina's death won't kill her."

Irritated with wasting time talking about a method of saving Caroline that is unrealistic, I explode. "Enough! Obviously, dying has driven you to madness Kol and you have infected poor Bonnie with it. Whoever this Manning is, even if his energy can garnish enough magic to do the immortality spell, all the white oak trees has been obliterated and there is no human doppelganger blood so why are we talking..."

Bonnie lets out a gasp. "Oh my God! Elena!" she looks imploringly at Kol. "I totally for got about her! Manning said...!"

Kol nods curtly, understanding. "Niklaus. Give Bonnie your phone."

I narrow my eyes at him, disliking how he just gave me an order. "I don't have long distance," I lie with a smirk.

"God Nik you can be such a child," says Bekah, brushing past me and marching to Bonnie to give her a phone. "Here you go. Use mine."

"Thanks," says Bonnie, grabbing it. She stares at it a moment, then frowns. "I...I don't know Damon's number."

"It's in my contacts," says Bekah casually.

I roll my eyes. Of course it is.

"I guess being the Mystic Falls' strumpet paid of in spades after all," teases Kol.

I smirk at that, even catching Elijah smiling before Rebekah hisses:

"Why don't you go back to being dead Kol?"

"You wound me little sister!"

"Witchy! Why are you calling me from Ultra Original Bitch's phone?"

"How did you know this was her phone?" Bonnie shot back, squinting.

Silence. Then...

"Where are you?" Damon asks finally

Bonnie sighs, biting her lip. "I'm kinda in New Orleans."

"What? You know, your hunter boy toy has been crying in my ear all night over you..."

"I wasn't crying dick," cuts in Jeremy.

Bonnie's features soften. "Jer..."

I hear a nearly indiscernible growl coming from Kol's direction, making me look at him. He averts his eyes.

I narrow my gaze at him. Interesting...

"Where's Elena and Caroline?"

"Katherine kidnapped Caroline."

"Katherine is dead Bonnie. We sang campfire songs and danced around it happily remember?"

"She stole Elena's body."

"What?!" shouts Damon. "Then what happened to Elena?"

Bonnie sighs heavily. "God. This is going to sound crazy but I think Elena's in Katherine's body now."

Silence.

"Damon? Hello? Hello?!"

"I gotta go," says Damon abruptly.

"Wait Damon. What..."

"Katherine's body is gone Bonnie!" snaps Damon. "Meaning that Blondie isn't the only one missing. Elena is too."

We all share looks of concern with one another. "Looks like Mother is already moving against you and Caroline Nik. She used Celeste. I wouldn't be surprised if she's behind the doppleganger's disappearance too."

Fantastic. Simply fantastic.


Two months later - Beijing, China

"We have tried EVERYTHING!" I bellow in the hotel suite, interrupting the chatter between Kol, Bonnie and Elijah that was going on prior to my outburst, making them look at me as if they had forgotten I was even there in the first place.

For the last 2 months, we traveled together, having no choice but to due so because our shared interest in saving Caroline (albeit for different reasons). A reluctant alliance. After convincing Bekah to stay behind and look after Hayley, I had mastered the art of caring but not caring TOO much concerning Caroline. I gave my input sporadically, kept my face expressionless and voice monotone at all times, not giving away how every day I am driven closer to madness being away from her, not knowing if she was safe or, for awhile, not knowing she was even alive. Ever since this Eternal vow theory of me loving Caroline so deeply that I inadvertently bonded myself to her forever in some way, I made it my life's mission to express little to no emotion regarding anything Caroline to discredit the existence of the Eternal vow. I believed Mother was out to kill me, to ruin any potential happiness I may experience but this vow...No. Way too romance novel for me.

Unfortunately, I no longer had the capacity to continue mission "Eternal vow is bullshit," at least for the moment, because losing Caroline now, after being so close to getting her, was becoming real.

A reality I would not accept.

Elijah looks at me with pity, exacerbating my anger. "Niklaus..."

"NO!" I shout. "I will not have you tell me to calm down! For two months I have done things as you lot recommended! After months of searching, we finally found them and watched them for a week, waiting from the right time to take Caroline from Katerina. Now they've disappeared from right under our noses!"

They didn't know how torturous it was for me watching Caroline from a distance. They didn't know how it brought all our times together to the forefront of my mind, her close proximity making my dreams of her much more potent, the ache to have her in my arms so resilient.

It reminded me of her rejections too. How in her eyes I would always be unworthy. Unworthy of her love and unworthy of showing her the world. A privilege that Katerina, of all vomit worthy beings, is indulging with my Caroline as we speak, every. Bloody. Day.

It's...unnerving.

"Perhaps we waited too long Niklaus," starts Elijah in admittance, "But..."

I flash to him, enraged. "YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO ME ELIJAH! You think I don't KNOW why you came on this excursion?!"

He doesn't waver in the face of my fury, as usual. Just like Caroline, I cant help but think sadly. Would I ever see her again?

I immediately chastise myself. Gods, STOP! What was I? A glutton for emotional punishment? Why was I trying so hard? Hadn't I done enough?

I will. Once I've found her and have ensured her safety, I remind myself for the millionth time. I would be done with Caroline Forbes. I was the King of New Orleans. The Original Hybrid. It is past time I go back to being the Big Bad instead of some lovesick sap!

Once I find her...

"I did not make it a secret," says Elijah calmly. "You know I believe Ms. Forbes to be the key to your redemption..."

I scoff at that.

"...So of course I was more than happy to aid in reuniting you with her," he finishes without a beat.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Yes. The selfless Elijah," I sneer. "Surely, you secretly didn't want to buy more time in coming up with a way to prevent me from killing Katerina when I found her."

Elijah frowns, but his eyes says it all. "Niklaus..."

I turn away, disgusted. "Save it," I say, silencing him. "Bonnie. Do another locator spell."

She sighs.

"What?" I ask, not liking the expression on her face.

"I can't. We used all of Care's belongings that Damon sent to us before he and Stefan went after Elena. We would have to go back to Mystic Falls to get more."

"By the time we get to Mystic Falls, do the spell and fly out again to wherever it is they went, they can be gone again!" I point out in frustration.

"I know," says Bonnie quietly.

"Unless..." chimes Kol with a devious smirk.

I roll my eyes. "Enough with the dramatics. Just say it."

"Honestly, I don't know why we didn't try this before, but it should work with the vow and all," says Kol excitedly.

I pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation. "Again, the bond through the vow doesn't exist Kol."

"Right. Because you are so NOT in love with Caroline," he says sarcastically.

"Precisely," I snap. I'll say it till that sickness leaves my body, because that was what loving Caroline was; A sickness. A sickness that I needed to cure and get vaccinated for so it never happened again.

I feel a sharp object slice my arm and I whirl at the culprit, nostrils flaring, "How dare you..."

"Calm down Klaus," says Bonnie, stepping back a bit, slightly fearful. "Kol is implying that if you and Care are magically bonded that we should be able to use you as a conduit to do a locator spell on her. If not, you're right. The vow is fake, and we made everything up about what happened in the Other side. Should I start?"

"I never said you made everything up," I reply. "I simply disputed the vow business. Furthermore, you or Kol have yet to convince me how this bloke Manning can be so certain of Caroline's demise. Who is he? What is his role on the Other Side that channeling him can give you so much power and you two would trust him without question?"

Bonnie lets a derisive chuckle. "Oh I wouldn't say without question. The last time I challenged him, Elena's heart ended up on the floor."

I arch my eyebrow in amusement, impressed.

"Oh yes," says Kol, dreamily. "Let's not forget when he rekilled Mikael, Niklaus' hybrids, the 12 witches all within a minute."

My eyes widen, intrigued. Anyone who can accomplish all that, along with bringing pain to Mikael of any kind, had my respect. I want to hear more. "What do you mean rekilled Mikael?" I press. Even Elijah is hanging on every word now.

"Manning, as Executioner of the Other side, can deliver the final death to all supernatural creatures and send us to our final destinations, whether it Heaven, Hell or Oblivion," explains Kol. "Mikael's end came that day, so would of Mother's, but she anchored herself here somehow and he couldn't do it. Another issue we need to deal with besides finding Caroline and turning her into an Original."

"Which was all this Manning's idea?" I ask, incredulous.

"Yes," says Kol.

"Why save Caroline?" I utter in confusion. "Why not simply allow Esther to kill me so I won't kill anyone if I am truly destined to turn off my humanity? Why go through all this trouble?"

"Because he wants you to finally be happy," Kol says bluntly. "He believes Caroline can do that for you."

I scoff. "Why would my happiness matter to this so called Executioner of the Other side?"

"It matters because he loves you," says Bonnie,"Miraculously," she mutters under her breath.

I snap my head in her direction, her eyes widening and taking a step back when she realizes I heard her. "What?!" she cries defensively. "I wouldn't believe it either but he does! I mean, he killed Mikael and Esther not because of what they did to him but what he did to you! He..." she shrugs helplessly. "...Loves you. There isn't another explanation."

"Loves me?" I snort. "What is he? Some homosexual secret admirer?"

Kol laughs, obviously enjoying our banter. "Come on. Think about it. It should be obvious. Who is dead and would have cause to hate our Mother and Father just as much as us, that shares Niklaus' blood?"

I furrow my brow, thinking when Bonnie cuts my hand.

I hiss at her, fangs bared. "Do that again and I swear..."

"You want to find Care or what? We don't got all day," she snaps.

I press my lips together. I wanted to say no, for a small part of me believed it and didn't want to confirm that in the throes of passion, I had triggered some ancient magic that tied me eternally to Caroline beyond death. Allowing me to always be connected to her regardless if we end up together. Yet, she is in danger with Katerina, suffering God knows what in Katerina's custody just to spite me. Though, I admit, out of the times I had watched Caroline, she didn't look mistreated. She looked happy even.

In any event, I couldn't decline because I was afraid of the answer. Caroline needed to be found and if my blood was linked to her somehow...

"Do it," I demand.

Bonnie nods and gestures for me to bring my bleeding hand over the world map on the table. Bonnie's chanting fills the suite, the lights flickering on and off as the spell goes on. When the lights stabilizes, we all watch my blood trickles across the map, big blotches receding into a smaller ones that line up perfectly, ending in a miniscule droplet that stops in Australia.

Over a dot that indicates the city of Perth.

I look at the map aghast.

"That has to be the most precise locator spell I've ever seen..." says Kol in amazement.

I step away, licking the blood of my arm, acting immune to what just occurred. "Precise yes, but how accurate is it?" The bond, the vow wasn't real. I don't care. It wasn't. What was the point of being bound to someone forever if they didn't want you?

Then suddenly, Elijah murmurs, his thoughtful expression turning more prominent with disbelief. "This Executioner from the Other side which shares the same blood as Niklaus, which hates Mikael and Esther just as much as us..." he says slowly. "You cannot tell me..."

Kol claps. "Congratulations, 'Lijah! It's exactly what you are thinking!"

Elijah is so overtaken by whatever knowledge he has come across, he sits down and breathes: "I need a moment."

"Who is it?"

When they all avert their eyes at my question, visibly uncomfortable, I lose patience. "Who? Who is this Manning?!"

"Your father," says Elijah, wearing the same small smile he had on his face when he told me Hayley was carrying my child. "He is your biological father."


Next Day - Perth, Australia

The next day, I find the locator spell is very accurate when I end up on a beach, so transfixed on the image before me, I forget to breathe and temporarily stop thinking about the biological father I never met, supposedly fighting for what he and others believe to be the source of my eternal happiness.

Therefore, it should not be shocking, my fury, when I see some no name bastard cup my Caroline's plump backside during what is obviously a heated make out session. I hear him draw out a heady moan from her as he deepens their kiss, making me see red, my bloodlust rushing to the forefront of the feelings that had been assaulting me since I found Caroline again after months of worrying about her.

I grit my teeth and clench my hands tightly to prevent myself from propelling forward and ripping his heart out in front of a beach full of people.

How could she? How COULD SHE?! After everything, how could she even think of being with ANYONE else? I almost would of preferred her kissing the pup Tyler Lockwood. At least that I could wave off as possible residual feelings but this?! This was why I needed not to care, to not love this woman.

It drove me insane, it made me unstable, irrational...

Emotional...

...Jealous.

He leaves her to go to the bar, turning into alleyway and without a second's pause, I'm before him, plunging my fangs into his jugular, popping his voice box rendering him unable to scream. I enjoy it all too much, the gurgling sounds he makes while he chokes on his own blood, the way his heart rate starts to slow. I pull away to whisper in his ear:

"You shouldn't have touched her mate." With that, I pull his heart out, dropping it next to his head while I wipe the blood off my face. I don't know how long I stare blankly at his body, my bloodlust still present before I hear footsteps approach.

Excellent. I surely would love another snack.

I rush at the blonde haired female, ready to grab and drain her before, to my shock, she uses my momentum and flings me clear across the alleyway into a stack of empty boxes.

I recover quickly. Angered at the vampire (it had to be) that managed to temporarily best me.

It shan't happen again.

I flash to the vampire that is smart enough to use the moment of putting me off balance to run.

The minute I have her in my arms, I feel the familiarity of her body flush against mine. Instantly, the smell of lavender and vanilla envelops me like a lover's embrace and I knew.

I knew it was her.

When she relaxes, I close my eyes automatically, feeling every curve mold onto mine. Quickly, I became aware of her heated, bare skin under my grasp, her soft lips pressed against my hand, noting she's wearing a bikini of some kind. The thought makes me harden instantaneously. My hands want more of her satin, supple skin, gliding right under her breasts, light as a feather. She shudders under my caress and I know she knows its me touching her this way. I can't help but let out a possessive growl, about to grind harder than I already am against her so she can feel my desire for her before the sight of my bloody hands reminds me of the bloke I just killed because he dared to kiss her lips, to touch her.

And she let him.

At the memory, I push her away, seeing her turn towards me.

I swallow hard, taking in the delicious sight of her white and gold bikini that cups her womanhood so right, that rested so low on her hips, which begs me to grab them again, and that traps her tanned breasts with a flimsy cloth that does a poor job in hiding her hardened nipples.

Gods, she is glorious!

"Klaus."

At hearing my name, the spell that her body casts on me is broken. I look up into her eyes, my fury coming full force but I control it, not willing to expose how easily she can ignite an emotional response from me.

"Caroline," I say in a cold, monotone voice.

She frowns at me. "You're mad," she says bluntly.

"Don't flatter yourself sweetheart."

"You are," she says softly. "And..." she sighs. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Klaus. What I told you over the phone..."

"Bygones, love," I say nonchalantly. "You were right. We need to move on, remember? And you have, with that beach boy Aussie in the alleyway. Shame he's dead," I finish with a dark smile. Not really.

Her eyes narrow at me, glancing at my bloodied hands, then at me. "You saw us making out and you killed him?!" When I shrug, she blows up. "Oh my God! What is your PROBLEM?! I know you're probably mad because of what I said over the phone months ago and I really am sorry but that doesn't give you the right to randomly kill people I like! I can't believe this. Katherine was right! You are a lunatic!"

She lets out a gasp when I close the distance between us with my vampire speed. I ignore her intoxicating smell that I know as well as my own name and I glare at her.

"You don't get to take that condescending tone with me as if you're special. Not anymore,"I sneer. "Killing people has nothing to do with you. It is what I do. I was a killer when we met and I am a killer now. I really hope you didn't deceive yourself into thinking I would change because I gave you some jewelry, drew you some pictures and bedded you in the woods, mewling under my touch like an animal in heat. You were a good lay sweetheart but you are right. We. Are. Done. Which means," I cup the side of her face, ignoring the twisting sensation my heart makes at my next words: "You are NOTHING to me. The only reason I'm here is because I feel obligated in ensuring your survival. Nothing more, nothing less."

I release her, leaving her breathing heavily as her eyes, glass over. I wait for her to break down, to cry but instead, her face hardens, taking me aback, making me swallow deeply. "I don't believe you," she says.

I blink rapidly, not expecting that. Then again, when can I ever predict her? "What?" I whisper.

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" She shouts in my face boldly. "Despite what you think, I know you enough to know that THIS is what you do when you're hurt! You lash out! Last time, you bit me, almost letting me die from it to stick it to Tyler, now it's this! Do you really think I'd fall for it twice? That I'd get so caught up in your hurtful words that I wouldn't know how much I hurt you? Well. You failed Klaus!"

"I meant every word love," I growl, refusing to back down. I wouldn't let her get to me. I wouldn't let her see how her words sparked a hope in me that someone could truly know me. Not even my siblings took the time to see past all my indiscretions and acts of violence to acknowledge that I too can be hurt, can feel so alone that I can't help but act out and push others away because its all I've ever known. Even Bekah didn't believe I have the ability to love. Even Elijah was more ready to believe that I only cared about my own child due to its ability to make hybrids. No one really believed in my capacity to do, feel, anything remotely...human.

No one except my beloved Caroline, who takes my breath away when she reaches out and cradles my face in her hands, forcing me to get lost in her eyes.

I feel myself go back to our time in the woods before we shared our first true kiss together, counting every eyelash, taking in the face I cherish no matter how hard I try not to.

We feel the energy change in the air, our breath mingling together at our close proximity to another. Her eyes fill with a familiar desire, eyes dropping to my lips...

"No...you didn't," she whispers now with certainty.

I raise my hands to cover hers that stroke my stubble. I feel the heat, every particle of the air we breathe prickle with the magnetic energy that makes me lean forward. I knew I shouldn't but I'm already falling back into the allure that is Caroline. The call of her lips which demand me to taste them is too potent, for I remember all too how right those lips feel against mine. My lingering resistance fades further when her eyes close and her arms come around my neck, her whole disposition telling me she wants this as much as I do. This time, she doesn't have to do anything further before I move eagerly to capture her lips with mine...

A/N Wow! I think I need a break after that! Next time, Klaus breaks the news to Caroline about her impending death and hopefully we get into the fates of Katherine and Elena. Review plz (ie: Oh my God! Can you not write a chapter that is so long next time? Has Klaus really forgiven Caroline? I really like (don't like) Kennett. When's Manning coming back? What did Esther do with Elena? Will Damon and Stefan find her? What happens to Katherine? stuff like that ;) )!

Answer to guest review:

AmandaKlaroline: I'm sorry for leaving you hanging last time. I hope you've forgiven me now you have seen Klaroline!