Sneak Peek of Chapter 15 - The Ties that Bind - Unedited

A/N On the 25th of January, a year ago, I wrote a one shot that morphed into this full blown fic that has received over 250 reviews, over 200 favs, and almost 350 follows. I'm getting a bit emotional writing this, but I don't want to lose my cool card, so I'll just give you guys a big THANK YOU! I love you guys for sticking with this story and my bouts of laziness/lack of inspiration that brings about long wait times between updates. Sorry... *puts head down in shame.*

So. Happy Klaroline Kiss Fic Anniversary!

I want to do something special to celebrate the anniversary of this fic, but I'm scared to say something like "I'll do an double update!" Or, "Upload a chapter everyday for a week," and then something gets in the way and I don't do it :(. So what I will say is that I'm going to start with this sneak peek of next chapter and hopefully have something special before the end of the week.

As you've seen last chapter, it's time to get to the juicy stuff! *rubs hands together in glee*Glad so many liked the last chapter. Guess it came out alright...:)

Thanks to the fabulous people who started:

Following since the last chapter-niafadra, ecc1234, seriouslymilady, cneives1, skich, aimes13, tawmascarinn, bettybug13, ava-night, adamsra, cookiepandaluv, caritobear, justanotherfiveminutes, krmc, kisa418, wahoogirl15, rachel wolff

Favoriting - twincous, ecc1234, aimes13, steroliner, randomxx, cookiepandaluv, justanotherfiveminutes, krmc, rachel wolff

and reviewed! You all are the lifeblood of this story. You have no idea...Blondie10, Hellzz-on-Earth, LoveOfAVampire,Jasper'sGoddessofWar, Seralina, dangerouslycrazy, ecc1234, JLW, tippy093, AvalonTheLadyKiller, Ellavm18, elijahlover, justanotherfiveminutes, messy75, juseapeterson,

Answer to Guest reviews at the bottom!


Klaus POV

It's like the world stopped spinning, leaving everyone as helpless spectators to what is unfolding before us.

It bloody worked.

Little Bonnie Bennett did it.

I truly thought it was a ruse. There was a big part part of my being that thought Bonnie and Kol were toying with me in regards to seeing my father, that they had found other means from returning from the Other Side that they simply did not wish to share.

But, now...seeing him. There was no denial left to be had.

The man before us was undoubtedly the same man I found after I had turned into a wolf the first time, pierced through a ground stake. He even wore the same clothes.

The medallion Bonnie wears hangs around his neck, glowing brightly in the night and his stare is insistent on my face, reading every reaction.

Then his face changes, giving way to a sinister grin that sets his features alight with madness.

And I knew immediately something was deathly wrong.

As if in response to my thoughts, suddenly swings her fist for Manning's face, but he is too fast, jumping back. She is already sending a backhand his way that he blocks by grabbing her wrist and twisting it so viciously, she cries out. He twists her around and pulls her into his embrace, not releasing his hold to growl tauntingly in her ear:

"Is that how you greet your former betrothed? It's been over a millennium."

V's eyes narrow as his hand goes to her hip.

"You would know how I greet him if you were him."

His evil grin broadens, his eyes slowly turning yellow as a dark mist shrouds him, giving him the appearance of a living shadow, his fangs glistening in the moonlight.

"How right you are," says Manning with a darkly, inhuman hiss

"The Executioner," whispers Kol, and I turn to him, seeing him pale and genuinely frightened.

V reacts, slamming her head backwards into Manning's face. He roars in pain and releases her.

Then things move in lightning speed, a flurry of fist and movement.

"Brother!" shouts Kol. I turn back at him, his gaze pleading taking me aback. "Take Caroline and run while you still can!"

Before I scoff at that, a fist connecting calls my attention, just in time to see Manning kick V hard in her chest, launching her towards Kol and Bonnie.

There is a displacement of air, everything now moving in slow motion as if a movie.

I move to dodge Manning's hand that reaches for my chest, but I find I can't move, my feet anchored to the ground. I notice a dark mist at my feet, hands grabbing my ankles.

I wait for his hand to push through my chest cavity, to grasp my heart and pull it out. I hear his hand push through, the slippery sound of his fingers touching the beating organ.

But to my horror, it isn't mine.

My eyes are wide, and air leaves my lungs at the sight of Manning's hand plunging into Caroline's chest.

"No!"

Her delicate hands are around his wrist, her voice breathless, strained. Manning's grin is malevolent, filled with glee like he was watching the most amusing comedy.

What was she doing?! Why did she step in between us?!

"The time for running has long past," comes Manning's voice from the living shadow whose hand is within Caroline's chest in an eerie accented voice. "Young Caroline, if you wish for death, who am I to deny you?"

"Don't touch her!" cries Bonnie, raising her hand warningly. "Or I'll fry your brains!"

He cackles at her. "Foolish girl! With what magic? You cannot be referring to the magic I endowed you with?"

Realization dawns on her, grasping the once glowing howling medallion hanging around her neck. It was dark, black, dead.

"Now back to..." Manning says, squeezing her heart.

Caroline cries out, her eyes shining with tears, but her jaw setting in determination. "Kill me and be done with it," she says.

No. No! My mind screams frantically. I will not watch yet another person I lo...care for die before my eyes, not again. It happened with Henrick, Kol...

Not Caroline.

Not her...

"Let her go," I say to Manning, keeping my voice even. "It's me you want. Not her."

His attention is turns to me then, and from the corner of my eye, I see V slowly get to her feet, her eyes on Manning.

This would need to be quick.

The Shadow recedes a bit to show his smile. "Indeed. For you were supposed to die long ago. The Other Side and I have come to claim you."

The minute he withdraws his hand from Caroline's chest, V slams into him like a full speed train.

The black mist instantly disappears, freeing me to catch Caroline before she collapses. I hold her close to me as Manning and V roll on the ground a few times before V lands on top. While Manning is disoriented, V wastes no time bringing her hands to his neck and snapping it.

I look down at Caroline, brushing her hair from her face earnestly, her eyes looking up at me. The memory of Manning's hand plunging into her chest instead of mine sends a flash of red hot anger through me.

I grasp her arm tightly, furious at her nearly killing herself.

"What were you thinking Caroline?! Are you bloody daft?! He could've killed you!"

"And he wouldn't have hurt you," she murmurs, her eyes unwavering at me.

I still at her words, my chest swelling up with emotion.

She risked herself so no harm would come to me...

"I cannot be killed love," I remind her softly, finding the words to say after a moment.

She smiles. "I know. But I didn't think. I just saw him going for you and I just...reacted," she says, ending with a blush and breaking eye contact.

I was amazed. Hearing that it was her instinct to protect me was doing things to me that I cannot begin to fathom. When did she count me worthy of her protection, I'll never know. If I hadn't seen it, I would of thought it impossible that Caroline would count my life something of value.

She leaves me speechless.

"Caroline!" cries Bonnie, coming up next to Caroline. They hug each other, leaving me to get to my feet with Kol coming up beside me.

We stare at the unmoving form of V sitting on top of a lifeless Manning.

"Why did you tell me to run?" I ask Kol.

"In that form..." he shakes his head. "Let's say the last time I saw Manning like that, he killed a room full of souls at the Mystic Grill. Nothing but death follows him when he goes dark like that."

I nod, moving towards V. I come up in front of her, her eyes staring out blankly, her hands still around his neck, now nonthreatening and more like a lover's caress.

I smirk when I look at her eyes more closely, seeing the all familiar spark of life in them filling with fresh tears.

Her emotions were back.

"Welcome back V."

She raises her eyes to me, giving me a watery smile in response. I follow her gaze when her eyes return to man on the ground, my hands clenching into fists as I stare down coldly at the man, my father, named Manning.

Time to send someone back to Hell.

*A/N Probably not what you guys expected huh? Well. The next scene is Manning awakening, and some mastermind plotting. Then, Kalijah, explanation of Katherine's death and then New Orleans with Hayley and some crazy other drama over there lead by Queen Bee Esther. Let me know your thoughts. I live for reviews!

Answer to guest reviews:

Sam - I updated but I hope to answer your question on how Manning's appearance changes things in the next chapter.

JLW - Thanks so much for the compliments. I do work hard to keep the characters from being OOC. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Blondie10 - I'm glad you loved the the chapter. I enjoyed writing it, especially the bike chase scene!