Turning Point Part II - Edited by the Fabulous Sophie :) 7/5/2015

Last time...

After Katherine's death, Klaus decides to go back to New Orleans to find Hayley, telling Kol and Bonnie to accompany Caroline back home to her dying mother. Caroline, emotionally conflicted, expresses her feelings to Klaus, while bringing up what happened an hour earlier in V's hotel room as one of her concerns. In a flashback, Klaus, Caroline, Kol and Bonnie talk over Manning's exorcism. Seeing Klaus' resistance to aid his father as a mistake, Caroline intervenes and starts the exorcism process without Klaus' consent. During the exorcism, Caroline unintentionally views Manning's memories which then turn into visions of the future involving her, Klaus, V and Manning. The exorcism is successful and reveals the Dark Mistress that was residing in Manning's body. The Dark Mistress, when seeing Caroline does not hide her interest in Caroline's light, identifying Caroline as a descendant of an extinct race called the Nephilim. When the Dark Mistress reaches for Caroline, Klaus stops her and the Dark Mistress immediately desires to have him when she sees how dark his soul is. A fight breaks out as a result in which Manning and Caroline attack the Dark Mistress to defend Klaus. They hesitate in destroying the Dark Mistress when V collapses suddenly, in her true form, suffering from the same wounds the Dark Mistress has. The Dark Mistress takes the chance to retreat, promising to get Klaus at all costs. Manning and V are then left with the group to explain what is going on.

A/N You guys! This fic got a mention as one of the top 15 underrated fanfiction on KlaroMag by the fabulous Sophie (justanotherfiveminutes)! That's so amazing! I never thought that would happen. It's a real precious feeling. Take a look at her review on the Klaroline magazine website!

Now fic business. This fic is almost at 400 followers?! *In Caroline's voice* Seriously?! *back to normal voice* That is In...SANE! I just love it. I enjoy writing for you all and my reviewers are my drug of choice :).

This chapter, I got to say, was originally a beast of reveals, but it literally became information overload. As I wrote the answers to everything, I realized there was some things I can hold off on. Finding out what to reveal now and what to reveal later is one of the reasons this chapter too so long. I think I finally got it right though. I hope :-/

Some of you are confused. If you still are after this chapter, please let me know via review. There is a lot of things explained here, regardless. I write to keep you guys guessing, so I'm purposely vague at times, but I don't want you to be completely clueless. That isn't fun.

Thanks to those who have started:

Following: loonytuned, bobo85, booksaremydrugs, Sophia Chase, pinktrinityrose12, a4princess, shadowteir, relllle, brianna94, desiredxwishes, sarasanthya, jasperloverxoxo, Ins11a, Penelope aac, ureeber, ashleylynn29, berry71, amers-x, avengers4life, elleharper47

Favoriting since last chapter:booksaremydrugs, pikabooooo, shadowteir, desiredxwishes, sarasanthya, ivesc, supernaturallytwisted, elliebeann, Penelope aac, katerinamikaelson, sammina, windyjaw, avengers4life

and to those who reviewed: justanotherfiveminutes, juseapeterson, looneytuned, sophia chase, kobby76, shadowteir, sam, avalontheladykiller, Seralina, Jasper'sGoddessofWar, ellavm18, capp'n

Guest review response at the end!


Klaus POV

Caroline falls uncharacteristically quiet. I wait for the fiery quip that never comes, watching her eyes turn downcast. I can practically hear her playing the events of the last hour in V's hotel room in her head and I cannot help when, unbidden, my mind goes to the same place.

I may have pretended to not believe a word Manning or V said, but I would be a fool to ignore what I saw with my own two eyes.

For the first time, I had lied to Caroline, telling her I did not know what I saw.

I have been alive for too long, a thousand years, which makes what I saw in that hotel room even more disturbing.

Too many things clicked together, seeing V in that form earlier.

And what clicked, converged with stories, legends I had dismissed as fantasies created long ago to entertain, to subjugate whole civilizations, or at the worst, fuel for unnecessary wars (something I wasn't complaining about because war was nothing if not a bloody good time).

Now, however, based on what I had seen tonight, it looked like I was the fool, and the masses were on to something after all.

But I couldn't do that to her. Give her this information to worry about on top of everything else. This knowledge would be my burden to bear, the resolution, mine to find.

Yet one thing is clear. Caroline is in danger being with me.

And the thought that I am the reason she gets killed doesn't sit well with me.

Trouble is brewing over in New Orleans, more than ever since Hayley was kidnapped. More likely than not, the Dark Mistress has a hand in this, and I wouldn't be surprised if Esther makes herself known now as well.

Meaning Caroline needs to stay far from there, probably indefinitely, which means if I want Caroline alive...

Safe...

I have to let her go.

News of Sheriff Forbes couldn't have come at a better moment (horrible to think, but true). It gives me the perfect excuse to push Caroline to stay in Mystic Falls until I make New Orleans safe for her to come to me.

If she'll still want to by that time, I think sadly.

I'm not a fool. Caroline's vision of us together is fickle at best. One moment she's giving me a chance, another, she's running, starting our game of chase all over again.

Our connection is strong, it has always been, but any progress towards a relationship is constantly being dismantled. With Caroline back in Mystic Falls, away from me and surrounded by influential people in her life that hate me (number one being her mother), all promises made, moments shared, I can see eventually rationalized away, belittled, her human judgement again reigning supreme until she finally tells Bonnie she went momentarily crazy thinking she could be with me.

That she wants out.

That she wants to break the Vow.

Which Bonnie would be all too happy to do and then...

Whatever chance I had with Caroline would be gone for maybe a year.

A century.

Or more.

A big part of me is screaming to be selfish, to keep her with me and just find a way to protect her at all costs.

But I am hearing Manning and V's words in my head again, and it leaves me conflicted on what to do...


One hour ago - V's Hotel Room

We couldn't stop staring at each other.

He's younger than I imagined, I can't help but think, taking in Manning's face. Instead of looking like he was in his mid to late 40's like Esther, Manning looks to be 10 years younger than that.

His eyes, however, which are laying heavily on me, no longer possessed by the Dark Mistress, are alight with warmth and wisdom. In his eyes, I see that what Bonnie said about his motivation for helping me, for fighting for my happiness. I see the reason why Caroline's survival matters to him:

"It matters because he loves you," recalling Bonnie's voice back in China, "...miraculously."

Miraculously indeed...If it is anything but a well played ruse by a man I know nothing about other than that he had a hand in my conception.

"You must have many questions for me, my son," he says, breaking into my thoughts.

I ignore the clenching in my chest at hearing the words "my son" being said for the first time without an ounce of disdain but kindness, acceptance. So different from Mikael...

I mentally shake my head, refusing to fall for this.

I give the man called my father a cold smirk, feeling everyone watching my reaction with bated breath and rapt attention, including Caroline, who, from the corner of my eye, looks more concerned than curious.

"Questions would imply that I give a damn about anything you have to say, which I don't," I say sharply.

Manning frowns as Caroline rolls her eyes and lets out a huff.

"Seriously? You won't even give him a chance to prove he's here to help?" she says to me.

I snap at her. "No! Do you forget? He nearly killed you!"

"He was possessed!"

"And now he's absolved of all suspicion and doubt? Grow up sweetheart. Everyone has an agenda."

"Grow up?! GROW UP?!' she cries shrilly in my face, closing the distance between us. "That's rich coming from you, Mr. 1,000 year old temper tantrum fanatic! All you do is lash out like a child when people hurt your precious hybrid feelings!"

"Perhaps I lash out because growing up, all I knew was being subjugated by countless beatings from a Father who rued the day I was born!" I bellow hotly, years of hurt and rejection overflowing pouring out of my mouth. "A father who did nothing but tell me how completely useless I was because this man," I shout, pointing an accusing finger at his direction, my eyes beginning to burn with unshed tears that I refuse to let fall.

"...Was too much of a coward," I spit out, "to claim me as his own. Forever the dark cloud tainting me as a bastard because he couldn't keep his cock out of Esther. Now, he shows up a thousand years later and his inaction is simply forgiven?!"

Manning, whose face is like stone throughout my whole speech, speaks and the anger lacing his voice makes me pause.

" 'My...Inaction?' " He repeats coldly.

V takes a step back as he rises to come slowly towards me.

"Here we go," Kol mumbles under his breath.

"You have not the faintest understanding the blood that was shed trying to free you from Mikael and Esther," Manning's eyes, so much like mine, stormy like the fiercest tempest.

"Manning..." interrupts V, but he raises a fist, silencing her.

"You are not a simple werewolf Niklaus, nor am I a simple Alpha of a werewolf clan. We are THE line of werewolves from which all werewolves are born. We are nothing short of royalty, our family is the equivalent of what the Original family is to vampires, bestowed with abilities unique to us. Original vampires have compulsion, we have the sire bond, which is why when you made your hybrids they all obeyed you. When you broke the curse and unlocked your hybrid side, you were able to change at will and stay in that form for DAYS. Do you think this all an accident? No. It is the blood the runs through your veins that makes you special, the fact that you are mine," he growls.

I swallow deeply, not finding words as he continues.

"Because of you, my brother Dante went to war with Mikael, because we do not abandon our kin. Because of you, I buried hundreds, including him. Because of you, Esther cursed me to be nothing but a wolf in your presence out of fear I would steal you away and tell you the truth. So spare me your self righteous tirade! I am guilty of many things, much I am still atoning for but of inaction, I am not guilty!" he finishes fiercely.

Not allowing myself to be thrown by his explanation, to let the knowledge of a war being started over claiming me and that I had a family that cared that much for me take hold, I spit out maliciously:

"You still failed. So much for the great werewolf family line I'm supposedly from. Color me unimpressed."

Manning's eyes spark with hybrid gold, furious, his mouth opening to say something.

Please...Father. Give me an excuse to send you back to where you belong.

"la det gå Manning,"* whispers V from behind us in our native tongue, her face pained, obviously displeased with our blow out.

He closes his eyes, calming himself as my eyes narrow at V and I answer her statement spitefully before Manning can.

I may be out of practice with the language, but my eyes lock on to Manning's now normal ones.

"Ikke i noen tusen år."**

His eyes widen, and it looks like my words have physically struck him. I revel in the feeling of hurting him. I've been hurting because of his mistake with Esther for over a thousand years after all. He takes a few steps away from me.

"Very well," he says quietly. "I am a fool for thinking our past relationship could recommence..."

Past relationship? Before he can say anything, my mind goes back to the drawing he made of Caroline and I back in the past that the Salvatores took a photo of in V's shop. Was Kol right? Does the metaphysical rendition of the Vow take I and Caroline back to 972? How? When?

"...I may never gain your forgiveness," continues Manning, while my mind goes a mile a minute. "Dante and I did fail you..."

"That's who I saw when I touched you!" bursts out Caroline suddenly with snap of her fingers, the contemplative look that had taken residence on her face vanishing, cutting Manning off and bringing my full attention to her.

We look at her in confusion and she quickly explains.

"Your brother. Platinum blond hair, almost white, sky blue eyes with dimples?" she asks Manning in a rush.

Both V and Manning go pale simultaneously, and immediately I get the feeling we are about to open Pandora's Box.

Manning recovers first, his jaw tightening. "Please explain your meaning, young one," he says in a whisper, his accent heavy.

Caroline seems to feel the same foreboding, because she hesitates before she starts answering slowly and cautiously. "When you were...Possessed and I touched you. I..." she looks briefly at me and then back at them, "...Saw things," she ends quietly.

When no one says anything, she continues. "It was weird. I felt all gross, like I was crawling through a really dirty tunnel with creepy crawly things, but when I reached the end, I saw these images..."

"What?" I demand, catching the flash of wonder that go through V's face.

"Caroline's light is more powerful than I thought," she says. "The tunnel she mentions, the things she saw...Caroline. Were they memories?"

Caroline nods slowly. "I...think so. I felt like I was living it with him, but then it changed at the end. You, Manning, Klaus and I were in this hall made of crystal..."

Manning and V's eyes turn to saucers.

"And then this forest...No. It looked more like..."

"A garden," whispers V breathless with Manning sharing a fearful look with her quickly, then pacing about worriedly.

Bonnie and Kol who have been quiet up to this point, come to life.

"Okay. Honestly. It's time for you two to tell us what you know. I think we've all been patient enough," says Bonnie sternly, referring to V and Manning.

"I'd have to agree with my little witch extraordinaire here. Anything that has him," says Kol, pointing at a pacing Manning, "about to wet his pants, I want to know about. It has to be some deep shit that I need to stay a thousand miles away from."

"Kol!" chastises Bonnie, closing her eyes in exasperation.

I roll my eyes. "Go running with your tail between your legs Kol. You've done it for centuries."

"So have you if I recall, like the dog you are," snaps Kol and I growl at him, ready to throttle him.

"Enough, guys!" shouts Caroline irritably, turning back to V and Manning who are deathly quiet. "Is what I saw really that bad?"

"Yes it is," says V bluntly.

Manning gives her a disapproving look, rolling his eyes. "Forever tactless, beloved."

"Forgive me, but it's true."

"Why is it so bad?" demands Caroline.

V opens her mouth, but Manning raises a fist again to silence her, clearly not thinking V the best at delivering the news gently.

"The tunnel you describe traversing was the crevices of my soul, the grime, the weight of my sins that still taints it," he tells Caroline. "For you to make it through at all is astonishing, and why V said your light is great. No being is able to do what you did without losing themselves and you did this accidentally because you truly wanted to help me. The images you saw were memories I cherish within me, and the visions are where my soul is destined to go. Sometimes, these visions can extend to the futures of those around me that I care for. In short, Caroline, when you cast the Dark Mistress from my spirit you were able to penetrate my very essence with your light and see both my past and future."

He takes a breath as Caroline looks absolutely stunned by the explanation.

"And in my future, you saw us, and then you and Niklaus in two places that one only goes when..." Manning looks away.

"When what?" I growl, done with this dance of words.

"When a spirit transcends from the Other Side," he finishes.

The proverbial bomb drops, my mind still trying to work out what it means to "transcend the Other Side" when I hear:

"No...Just...NO!"

We all turn to Bonnie whose eyes fill with tears and Kol turns away, his jaw set.

Clearly transcending the Other Side isn't a good thing.

"Brother?" I call to him.

He looks at me, and I'm thrown by the sadness I see there. "That means we fail," he says in translation.

My blood turns instantly cold in my veins.

"To transcend the Other Side brother, is everyone's worst fear who lives on the Other Side," Kol continues, serious for once. "Remember what I said about Mikael being rekilled by Manning? Well that was a form of transcendence. Oblivion, Hell, Heaven..."

"So we die? Is that what you're saying?" says Caroline in shock.

V, who has been deep in thought, stroking her chin, speaks. "The Garden leads to the Hall of Crystal and Light that leads to the Gates of Heaven. It is feasible that Manning's soul gets purified enough through his arrangement with the Dark Mistress..."

"Wait. You're working for that thing?" interjects Bonnie, glaring at Manning.

"Like I said, can't be trusted," I add smugly.

"Enough Niklaus," V snaps at me. "I made the arrangement with the Dark Mistress for Manning to be able to exchange his soul for 1,000 dark ones. Does that mean I cannot be trusted as well?"

I glare at her. "If I were you, I wouldn't be speaking. You have been hiding things since the day we met. Don't think we didn't see you on that floor moments ago, dying when the Dark Mistress was attacked. So really, do you want me to answer that?"

Her eyes narrow at me, her voice dropping but severe. "I have been NOTHING but loyal to you," she hisses.

"And now that your long lost love is back, I wonder how loyal you truly are."

For the first time since I met her, I see V's eyes flash gold, losing her cool. "I have given everything to this family! I have done everything I was told!"

"And hidden everything else," says Manning quietly to our surprise, including V, who staggers away from him, his accusation like physical blow.

"You had wings coming out your back, just like the Dark Mistress," he continues in the same tone, eyes closed, arms folded. "When Caroline and I attacked her, you nearly died."

She's blinking rapidly, uncomfortable. "I..."

"It's clear you are Angel of some kind, but there is more to it isn't there?" His eyes open, looking at V.

"If she's an Angel," says Caroline slowly. "Does that mean I'm one too?" she asks.

V just looks at her when Bonnie butts in.

"What the hell are you talking about Care? Sure, you see the good in people, you forgive way too easily sometimes..."

"Not to mention you're tasty looking," adds Kol with a wink to which Caroline rolls her eyes, and I give a warning look in his direction.

"...But Angels don't exist," ends Bonnie.

Caroline scoffs. "She had wings coming out of her back Bonnie! I know you didn't see that but Klaus and his Dad saw..."

"I don't know what I saw love," I lie, quickly noting that she is already on edge and this information may be too much for her to absorb right this second. I refuse to take part in anything that will make her go mad.

"Klaus! Really?!" Caroline cries.

"Like I said..."

"What about the light coming out of my hands, then?" presses Caroline, cutting me off. I say nothing, having no retort ready.

"You heard V say when her humanity was off that she'd '...hate to kill one of her kind,' so that would mean I'm some sort of Angel too! Right?!" Caroline ends, her voice rising, nearly panicked.

"Caroline..." I say softly to soothe her.

"No! I need to hear this!" she says, her hands getting animated, making me think how radiant she looks at that moment, though I wished it was under more...pleasurable circumstances. "Am I? Is that what the freaky light thing is about?! The Dark Mistress called me some Nephilim thing and I don't know what the hell that means either and this is all getting to be too crazy..."

"Yes," says V, finally speaking up. "It is a lot to take in and you deserve answers. In short, Caroline, you are not 100% Angel per se but to be a Nephilim is to be a creature that holy blood resides in, which by default, makes us members of the same race. Like humans, there are subdivisions, African, Caucasian, Asian and the like. It is the same with Angels. The Nephilim are essentially spiritual hybrids. They are the product of Angels mating with the daughters of mankind, those that held such beauty they enticed Angels to leave Heaven to be with them. Of course, such a union has benefits which the offspring benefit from. The powers of the Nephilim, when they walked the Earth, were extraordinary.*** They are the reasons we have so many 'myths', stories, told about them, from the Greeks, Norse men and beyond. Niklaus, albeit a product of a different union, is another example of this. Over time, stories become legends, much like the Sun and Moon curse. As more time passes, legends become myths, like the Nephilim, who should have all died in the great flood, but..."

She smiles at Caroline.

"...Here you are."

Caroline looks like she's going to be sick, trying to absorb all this information. I put a stop to it.

"This is ludicrous," I say bluntly.

"I actually have to say I agree with Klaus. God. Just saying it makes me want to hurl," says Bonnie disgustedly.

"I, for one, think this is a ploy by the gorgeous V to take our attention away from the real issues. Like her possible deal with this Dark Mistress? Hmm? Sounds like you two are long time mates if you ask me," Kol says pointedly with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Manning speaks again and he obviously agrees with us, for he continues his interrogation of V. "In this deal Kol is making reference to, you arranged for me to be the Executioner of the Other Side so she would not take my soul, did you not?"

V bites her lip, fidgeting back in the hot seat once again. "It was the only way to save you. Yes, it will take you giving her many dark souls..."

"Dark souls like Katerina Petrova perhaps?"

My eyes widen and so do everyone else's. Katerina? Where is this going?

"The doppelganger?" responds V in confusion. "Why..."

Manning raises his hand, revealing Katerina's name in Bulgarian on his palm.

"This appeared on me, as it does before a special soul dies. Katerina died yesterday and the Dark Mistress came to take her before I intervened," he explains.

I shake my head, Katerina's death not making sense when I just made arrangements with Elijah to meet them at Kings Park in an hour.

"That doesn't make sense," says Caroline, expressing my thoughts aloud. "Katherine and Elijah are going to meet us in an hour. Katherine isn't dead."

"No," says V slowly. "It makes perfect sense. Time does not reign in the spiritual realms after death. It is why ghosts can warn loved ones of upcoming doom at times. Time is irregular there, so it is possible that Katerina's death is a future event that Manning has experienced or will experience again."

Caroline looks saddened by this. "So Katherine dies? Does she mention how?"

I roll my eyes. "Please don't tell me you want to save her love."

"Listen," she says defensively. "I am NOT team Katherine. She killed me and turned me into a vampire for YOUR sacrifice!"

I huff at the jab.

"But she helped me..."

"After kidnapping you," I mutter.

"Look. She's the vindictive bitch that she is because of you."

"A doppleganger trait," I retort smoothly, with sass.

"True," adds Kol with a grin.

"Shut up Klaus," Bonnie says upset at the insult to her friend.

My nostrils flare at the Bennett witch and Kol moves protectively to bar my path of attack. I glare at him, then at Bonnie. "I would watch your tone sweetheart," I hiss. "You may be Caroline's friend, but I'll not tolerate your obstinate behavior any longer."

"And I won't tolerate you ragging on Elena," she says.

"I am simply making an observation that Kol agrees with as well," I say with fake innocence, raising my arms.

"Caroline, tell your dog to sit or something. He's bothering me."

I growl, my hybrid features flourishing and the veins under my eyes throbbing.

She takes a step back, fearful at first, but then raising her hands in attack from behind Kol.

I'm going to kill her.

Caroline, sensing this, grabs my arm right when Manning cries out in pain.

My face reverts back to normal as we all watch, astounded, as writing appears on his arm, spelling a name.

I stop breathing.

Caroline stiffens.

Bonnie takes a sharp intake of breath, breathing out an "Oh God," while Kol states the obvious.

"Well. That's not good."

Manning stares at his arm, watches the name settle on his flesh and looks at Caroline, his expression pained.

"Why is my name on your arm?" she asks quietly.

"You know the answer to that young one."

"Fix it," I tell him harshly. He shakes his head, while V says:

"It cannot be fixed. Caroline's death is now certain."

I flash at her, grabbing her by the throat.

"Niklaus!" shouts Manning at me.

"As you Allvaldr I command you to tell me how to save her," I say automatically to her, then remembering it's useless since V probably broke the sire bond before coming to kill me with her humanity off...

But I watch in delight her eyes glaze over. I let her go, V's body going rigid, then straight, like when I sent her off to break the Hunter's curse.

"What is happening to her?" asks Bonnie quietly, looking on.

I smirk. Guess V didn't break the sire bond after all.

I feel my body slam against a nearby wall, a furious Manning at my throat. I let out a dark chuckle.

"Do not dare!" Manning bellows in my face. "She is NOT your puppet!"

"What exactly do you want to know my Allvaldr?" V says in a monotone voice beside us.

"Oh. That's...Interesting," says Kol.

"Do NOT do this," he growls at me, his eyes flashing. My smile broadens at the power I hold over him and I go to rebelliously ignore Manning, but Caroline's soft voice cuts through.

"Stop."

Manning releases me slowly when my eyes take in a deflated Caroline.

"How long do I have?" she asks Manning.

The smile falls from my face in an instant, her words letting me know she is giving up. "No sweetheart," I say, hating her defeated appearance. "Don't believe them. There is no proof that anything they say is true."

"But you're ready to use that freaky sire bond on steroids thing on V to find a way to avoid it," she says in retort but it lacks its usual fire. "You believe it, why shouldn't I?"

"I don't! I'm simply taking precautions..."

"How long do I have?" she repeats again, ignoring me.

"Three days minimum, two months at the most. I am sorry," he says and I really, really want to rip out his jugular and feed it to him for being so abrupt. Wasn't he just chastising V for being tactless? Gods, they're made for each other.

"This is bullshit!" cries Bonnie, irate. "You sent us here to turn Caroline into an Original to save her! Now you're giving up, saying you're sorry?!"

"I, for once, agree with the witch," I say, repeating her words from earlier, ironically. "Caroline can still be saved. We simply need to turn Caroline into an Original as soon as possible."

"Originals can still die," butts in Caroline. "White Oak Stake anyone? This turning me into an Original is not a fool proof plan," she says with a shake of her head, too smart for her own good.

"She's right," murmurs Kol.

"Even so," Manning says to me, "you need my help to accomplish this. My energy to fuel Ms. Bennett's magic to do the immortality spell. You are mistaken if you think I will offer my assistance if you use the bond of the Allvaldr on V. Release her immediately."

I glare at the command, but relent for Caroline's sake.

"Forget it. As you were," I say to V.

Her eyes light up with life again. She blinks rapidly, her eyes falling on me.

Pain crosses her face, knowing what I attempted to do and she instantly turns away. I had never done it before without her consent and clearly she thought I never would.

I ignore the guilt, turning to Manning who looks relieved.

"Well?" I press.

"We proceed with the plan of turning Caroline into an Original. I will return to the Other Side to gather information about any remaining White Oak stakes and eradicate them. We can only pray that time is on our side."

"But what about the Dark Mistress? She's made it clear that she wants Klaus," says Caroline and my heart warms at the blatant display of concern for me, unused to it.

"And Esther," says V in a faraway tone. "She is in New Orleans, and working for the Dark Mistress, for she knew part of incantation to subdue me. No being knows it except for three."

"Caroline is the priority, not me," I say, dismissively. "We'll deal with that later."

Kol and Bonnie's eyes widen in shock and disbelief.

"But..." starts in Caroline.

"Enough, Caroline. We're focusing on saving your life. End of story," I say firmly.

She goes to argue again, but Kol opens his mouth first.

"We still need the doppleganger's blood to do that and no one knows where she is," says Kol.

"I wouldn't say no one," I say, capitalizing on Kol's interruption. "I highly doubt Katerina wouldn't be keeping track of her body, possibly hoping to get back into it at some point. Elena's baby vampire body leaves her vulnerable and Katerina has never been a fan of that. Her being in Elena's body had to be a temporary option for her."

"Then I suggest you rendezvous with the doppleganger before her demise," says Manning. "Hers will happen, I feel, within a day at least as I have already met her on the Other Side. Without her, you will lose precious time finding Elena, who you need to turn Caroline into an Original. Make haste and do not delay."

"But there is still the possibility that I can walk out that door and die before we can do anything!" says Caroline in exasperation.

Manning gives her sympathetic look. "Indeed."

Caroline's face falls, distraught. I move to console her, but the witch beats me to it.

"Care. It's going to be alright. We..."

"I need a moment," she says abruptly. "I'll meet you guys outside so we can leave to meet Elijah and Katherine."

"Care..." starts Bonnie.

But Caroline flashes off before she can say anything else.

Bonnie's shoulders slouch in defeat, despondent. Kol doesn't waste a moment, taking advantage.

"There, there darling," he says, stroking her back to show comfort, his hand creeping dangerously down to inappropriate regions. "She just needs to unwind. Maybe we should do the same...together," he says, touching her butt.

Bad idea.

Suddenly, her wolf medallion glows as she raises her hand against him. He is instantly flung across the room, breaking a love seat.

"Go to hell, Kol," she growls, storming off.

"Bonnie! I was just...Ugh," he mumbles, getting up, moving the pieces of wood aside. "Bloody witch. It was just a suggestion. Bonnie!" he exclaims, flashing after her.

Leaving me alone with Manning and V.

He doesn't waste any time speaking behind me.

"Son..."

"I'm done being anyone's son," I spit out, not bothering to turn around.

"I realize you despise me..."

"You don't know the half of it."

"I simply want to make amends."

I whirl at him. "Then make things right by saving Caroline! Perhaps then you can have your bloody Father and Son bonding moment."

Without another word, I flash away.

I haven't even made it down the hall before a sentence stops me in my tracks:

"You did not give Katerina's soul to the Dark Mistress?" I hear V's voice, stunned.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because before she was to be devoured, Katerina mentioned a red head with a triangle tattoo made her do it. Set her up to die. And of course, not knowing your fate for centuries, I spared her to garner information from her. Now Niklaus simply needs to do his part," says Manning.

"And the Dark Mistress agreed to this?" asks V, surprised.

"Yes. I have done nothing against her in my years of service. She was feeling indulgent and honestly looked intrigued when I mentioned your name."

"And what is Niklaus' part you mentioned in this?"

"To kill Katerina," he says bluntly.

I smirk. Fantastic.

"If my son outside who can hear everything going on in this room agrees."

My smile broadens, not all put out by being noticed. "To what end?" I respond, not really needing an excuse to kill her, but genuinely worried about any fallout with Caroline over this.

"We will need someone who can go back and forth from the Other Side to destroy the stakes if there are any remaining. The only beings that can traverse spiritual realms are angels, demons..."

"And an apprentice Executioner of the Other Side," finishes V in understanding. "Very well. I will set the stage to ensure Niklaus does not lose face with Caroline by killing Katerina. I leave now."

I close my eyes. Even after trying to control her against her will, she is still looking out for my best interests. The guilt I felt before starts to resurface.

"Niklaus?" says Manning, prompting my answer. "Will that be sufficient?"

"How exactly will you ensure Katerina helps us after I kill her? She can be very spiteful."

"She wants immortality and power more. That is what she'll have when she takes my place as Executioner."

Without thinking, not as if I care, I ask:

"And what will happen to you?"

I can almost hear his smile, to my irritation. "Careful, son. You almost sound like you care."

"I don't," I say sharply.

"Do we have an accord regarding Katerina?" he responds, the amusement still in his tone.

"It will be done."


*Translation: Let it go Manning.

**Translation 2: Not in a thousand years.

*** Refer to Genesis 6:4


Kings Park, Australia - One Hour later

"Klaus?" says Caroline, snapping me out of my memory.

I sigh, and take her into my arms, knowing what I have to do. I can't go weak now. I have to stay the course. I can't be selfish. Not with her. Not now.

"Your mother needs you love," I say, inhaling her sweet scent, committing it to memory. "Go to her."

I feel her arms wrap ever more tightly around me.

"Klaus..."

"...And I'm sorry for going against your wishes. I had to protect you." Not a lie. The last thing I want to do is to disappoint her, but I'm not going to shed a tear killing Katerina, especially if what Manning says is true and he manages to make her more useful dead than she is alive.

"I know."

She looks at me then, her blue eyes bright.

"And I still meant what I said Klaus."

I blink at her in disbelief, right as her hand touches my face and a warm wave flushes through me, much like when we shared the dream while experiencing the spiritual aspect of the Vow.

When my eyes open, we are back in the hotel bathroom I found her crying in after I left V and Manning.

She's instantly in my arms again, and it feels like returning home.

She wastes no time in kissing me and I open my mouth, groaning as I feel her delicate tongue trace my lips.

In between kisses, she repeats her promise to me from back in the hotel: "I won't die without knowing what it's like to be yours," she had said.

My eyes lock with hers, brushing her silky locks away from her face, caressing her cheeks with both my thumbs in awe at her words. Her fingers tangling with the curls of my hair, looking at me so lustfully, my cock is about ready to burst, but my mind has to confirm what was happening.

"So you'll be mine?" I say huskily, my breath coming out heavily. "Forever?"

"With all the time I have left, I'll be yours," she says.

My grip tightens on her waist, my forehead leaning on hers. I know what she's doing. This commitment coming from one who thinks she has nothing to lose, and won't be around to face the consequences.

"You will not die, Caroline," I promise her. "I won't allow it. I will be your last love."

I grasp her the back of her head tightly, drawing out a heady moan from her lips, making me drink in the beauty that is Caroline full force, pulling my undead heartstrings.

"And you will be mine," I say passionately.

Her face softens at my words and as a reward, she pulls me close to kiss me in a way I nearly come in my pants.

I grab her thighs and her legs wrap obligingly around my waist. She immediately rubs herself against my erection, and I thrust into her, her pantie and my jeans becoming an annoying barrier. Unlike an hour ago, when Kol bursts into the bathroom and interrupts us, the memory is altered due to the spiritual version of the Vow and Caroline takes control, ripping my jeans just enough for my erection to spring free. Seeing her intent, I pull her underwear to the side, tearing it and she wastes no time sliding down on cock, her eyes locking with mine as she slowly takes every inch of me, my mouth parting at the divine sensation.

"Gods," I groan, my head falling on her shoulder, squeezing her ass. "You feel incredible."

Before she can say a word, I flash us to a bathroom wall, and thrust upwards, making her cry out.

She lets herself slide down and I push up in response until we set a rhythm. Her mouth is open in ecstasy as I take her hard.

I push her ever closer, changing the angle and she screams my name, her juices coating me as she gets even wetter for me.

"More, Caroline," I whisper, sucking her neck, marking her. "I want more."

"Niklaus...I can't. Oh. God. Don't stop. I'm so close."

She starts to clench around me and I gyrate against her, making sure my pelvic bone hits her swollen clit, and she trembles in my grasp as I capture her lips with mine.

When my tongue meets hers, I push into her hard, grabbing her free hand to intertwine her fingers with mine on the bathroom wall, and the intimate gesture shatters us both, the euphoria from our orgasms pulsing through us.


I barely notice Caroline's hand slipping from my face. It takes me a full minute to realize I'm staring blankly at trees before my eyes rest on a blushing Caroline.

I swallow hard, touching her face reverently, shaking my head.

"That was..."

"Take that with you when you go back to New Orleans," she says, smiling, turning to walk away.

I grab her arm, pulling her back to me to lay a strong kiss on her lips that I have to break before I get carried away.

"I am not the only one who gets to leave here with a memento," I tell her.

With an arch of an eyebrow, I take one of necklaces from my neck and place it over her head.

She smiles, fingering the rosary with a cross at the end.

"Are you being funny?" she says.

Getting the irony she is implying, especially with the recent revelation about her family origins, I chuckle.

"No, love. I've had it for over 900 centuries."

Her eyes widen, my tone going serious.

"It is one of the first necklaces I ever owned. This one I got from a powerful witch I encountered in Italy after a century running from Mikael. It became clear by that point that he was serious about killing me and so I asked a witch..."

"...Manipulated," she corrects with a roll of her eyes with a small smile that I return.

"You know me so well love. I'm touched, really."

She shakes her head.

"In any case, she used a simple rosary and enchanted it so Mikael wouldn't be able to find us easily. Turned out, it didn't entirely cloak me, but it couldn't be denied that there would always be some stroke of luck that would alert us to him being close, giving us enough time to run. My suspicions strengthened when the one time I didn't wear it, Mikael snuck into my Opera box in New Orleans with a white oak stake. And then confirmed in the 20's when I didn't wear it and Mikael descended upon Rebekah, Stefan and I unexpectedly. I wear it now when I'm feeling nostalgic."

I touch the cross resting in the valley of her breasts, unable to resist gliding my thumb across the swell of her breasts visible above the neckline of her top, her breathing becoming shallow under my touch.

"Or maybe I was just wearing it to give it you?" I muse softly. "It suits you."

Her hand rests on top of my wandering hand, her stare magnetic and meaningful.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome," I whisper.

"Caroline!" shouts Bonnie. "We've got to go! Matt just called and says the Sheriff is getting worse!"

She frowns, letting go of my hand, reluctantly stepping away, and I'm already missing her, praying to Gods I don't believe in that I'll see her again.

"Good bye, Klaus."

My teeth clench, hating how much I want to grab her and take her with me.

"Good bye, Caroline..."

She flashes away.

"My love," I end quietly.

I stare at Elijah, still out on the ground and move to grab him before I feel another presence.

"I need you to help keep her safe," I tell her.

V comes up beside me in her high heeled lace boots, black leather jacket and red top that sets off her hair. "No. Esther and possibly the Dark Mistress herself are awaiting you. You will need me. Caroline is safe with Bonnie and Kol."

"Do not make me use the bond V," I warn.

She freezes and then shakes her head in disapproval. "Very well," she says reluctantly. "I'll catch up with them and put them on my jet. I will not leave her side," she vows. "If you need to use the Bond of the Allvaldr on me again to ensure it..." her tone resigned.

"No. I trust you."

She looks at me stunned, speechless.

"I've always known you were hiding something since the day we met and it has yet to adversely affect me or those I care for."

I look at her. "Let's not have it be an issue now."

A slow smile spreads on her face. "It will not."

"Make sure of it," I growl threateningly.

Instead of being intimidated, she chuckles, her eyes falling on Elijah then:

"Ah! She brought it!" V bends down and grabs a grimoire from the ground beside Elijah.

"I am late, but Happy Birthday Niklaus," she says with a smile, handing the book to me and then taking the howling wolf medallion from her neck, identical to Bonnie and Manning', giving that to me as well.

My eyes widen with surprise, taken aback she continues to remember despite all that has happened.

"I forgot it on the highway next to my damaged bike," she explains during my silence. "Thankfully it was still there. I grabbed it on my way to intercept Elijah and Katerina. Guess she still managed to get it to you."

Meaning, even with her emotions off, V subconsciously remembered...

"I have plenty of grimoires V, but the gesture is appreciated," I say, finding my voice, refusing to get sentimental.

She shakes her head. "Look at it closely Niklaus. It is not a grimoire."

I arch an eyebrow at her.

"I must leave to catch up with others," she says, looking off in the direction Caroline left. "I will take care of Caroline along with Kol and Bonnie but do know, you are never alone. I pray you find your child."

With that, she is gone.

I sigh, looking more carefully at the book in my hands and I stop breathing.

Not a grimoire indeed.

An ættartala. A Norse genealogy book, judging from the writing embossed on it.

And considering the engraving that locked it matched the medallion in my hand, it is a book storing the history of the side of my family that I secretly wanted to know about for a thousand years.

The history of my werewolf family line at my fingertips.

With my heart hammering in my chest, I settle V's medallion in the howling wolf engraving and it instantly clicks open.

Slowly, I open the book to be greeted by empty pages.

I clench my teeth, swallowing my disappointment. My fingers glide on the pristine pages, its true age not obvious, but then again, it's blank so it could be a cruel joke to get back at me to what I did to V earlier.

But then...

Then...

Norse writings appear on the page I touch and my name appears along with the date of my birth.

A flawless black and white picture of me appears and to my amazement, the pages fill with my life story to this point, every detail, bare in front of me.

It doesn't stop there, I notice, as I flip page after page, till I pause at a picture of Manning and a man next to him that looks nearly identical to him.

"Dante," I read the Norse script silently.

Not stopping there, I flip to the end of the book, staring at the picture of the first werewolf of our family line and his name. I read the first couple of lines of who he is and I close the book. Not quite able to accept what I see there.


A/N Oh so glad this chapter is done. It took a lot out of me, but I wanted to get in a lot of been promising for awhile.

Coming up: More on the ættartala, and Klaroline's journeys' back home. Trust me, they won't be separated from each other for long. Also hope to get into what has been going with Elena and the Salvatore brothers.

Till next time.

Answer to Guest Review:

Sam - Hopefully this chapter clears up most of your confusion. Let me know if there is anything that is still unclear and I'll try to see if I can address it. Thanks for reading and reviewing!