Misdirection - Edited by my most precious beta Sophie :) - 10/25/2015

Last time...

Katherine, working with the Salvatore Brothers, takes them to New Orleans to get Elena back and return her to her own body. When they arrive, however, they quickly find out that Genevieve and Sophie have a dark ritual planned. Damon, Stefan and Elena manage to escape, while Katherine, Hayley, Marcel, Davina, and Rebekah are left at the mercy of Esther, Sophie, Genevieve and later Dahlia who turns out to be possessed by the Dark Mistress. Seeing Katherine, the Dark Mistress reveals to her that she used Genevieve to lure her to New Orleans, offering Katherine a chance to fight on her side. She also exposes her identity as the dark side of Death and Alessia's (V's) doppleganger who is the light side of Death. With Katherine's help, the Dark Mistress hopes to become her own being by consuming Klaus' dark energy, but Katherine refuses to help her. Angered, The Dark Mistress sends Katherine back to the Other side, not before completing the ritual that allows the Dark Mistress to raise Freya from her slumber, to Esther and Rebekah's shock. Back on the Other side, Katherine reunites with Manning to the time period after he saves her soul from the Dark Mistress. Katherine quickly fills Manning in about the connection between the Dark Mistress and Alessia, warning him that Alessia may be a threat. As they argue about this, dopplegangers of the Crescent Wolf Pack that Manning murdered along with his brother appear to attack them, sent by the Dark Mistress. Manning goes to fight them while Katherine flees. She doesn't get far before she bumps into the residents of the Other side that she has killed or betrayed, including Mason Lockwood.

A/N Another update and it's less than a month?! Yes, people. I owe you because there was no Klaroline last chapter and I don't feel right having you wait forever for a chapter including them when you guys have already waited so long.

Thanks to those who have started:

Following: Weareyoung245, chell15, lookingforneverland, livingdeadblondequeen, 15tschultz, yeliel123, jessj3, goldenhummingbird, ms klarolinemikaelson, deboruzzy, red08, nolife96, procrastinator tomorrow

Favoriting since last chapter: chell15, mylove4klaus, jessj3, goldenhummingbird, deboruzzy, 555hikai, lottie quinton

and to those who reviewed: justanotherfiveminutes, juseapeterson

Heads up - Liz does not fall into a coma in this like the show but is hospitalized.

Guest review responses at the end, including the two I missed last chapter (sorry Sam and Guest!)


Klaus POV - Mystic Falls, Virginia

I walk into the mansion late at night the following day with Elijah. It holds so many memories (some featuring a certain blonde beauty) but I don't have time to dwell on that. One of my sired hybrids comes up to me the instant we cross the threshold.

"I've opened the mansion and got you a phone, as you requested," he says, passing me the device and falling in step with me and Elijah as we stride into the parlor.

"Were you seen?" I say, tucking my new phone into my pocket and setting down the ættartala on a nearby table. Any new faces tend to stick out like a sore thumb in a small town like Mystic Falls. Secrecy is of the utmost importance. No one can have a hint I'm actually here and not in New Orleans.

Especially V.

"No. Used the woods, only traveled at night."

"Good," I say, sitting down, Elijah warily following suit. "Now show me what you found."

The sired hybrid signals some help to bring in multiple boxes into the room in which they set on the floor.

"You told us to bring everything from the assassin's shop in England but most of it was burned or destroyed. We put on the top what is less damaged," he explains.

"That will be all Lucius," I say, grabbing the first bulging folder I can reach. "The lot of you can see yourselves out. Leave town tonight."

They nod, flashing away. The minute they are far enough, Elijah speaks.

"Alright Niklaus," he says, leaning back and pulling out the indestructible White Oak stake that I had given him as a peace offering from his breast pocket. He is still sporting that stony face he's been wearing since he awoke on the plane and made it very clear he had every intention of killing me for murdering Katerina. "Convince me as to why I will not be plunging this into your chest and watching you burn."

"She had to die so Caroline would have the best chance at survival," I say bluntly, rifling through the first folder of papers.

His jaw tightens, not liking that. "You're failing to convince me," he warns.

"Katerina was going to die eventually and was going to go to Hell for all her misdeeds. By killing her sooner, I gave her a chance at redemption and did the world a favor. Honestly, I should be elevated as savior to the planet," I say with a smirk.

The words are barely out of my mouth when I find myself flying out of the chair, the papers scattering all over the place when I hit the ground, Elijah hovering over me with the stake raised, his expression deadly.

"I am in no mood for your coarse words Niklaus," he growls in my face. "I will kill you for this."

My smile falls, my gaze narrowing. "Really? Over a traitorous whore who would have sold you off to highest bidder to save her own skin in heartbeat? She's been using you since she was human and now you'd kill your blood for her sake? Don't make me laugh Elijah! Always and forever."

His lips purse into a thin line, absorbing my words.

"You are right Niklaus," he admits finally. "You are, unfortunately, my brother and that still means something to me. However, your beloved Caroline is not."

Genuine panic surges through me when he flashes off, but I manage to cut him off at the door.

"Elijah. Don't."

"Why not?" he says harshly. "Why are you allowed to murder the lovers of Rebekah and now myself at a moment's notice while yours are above reproach?"

I clench my teeth, reeling in my rising fury. "Caroline is more than a sordid fancy," I spit out. "You know that. What of her being my redemption?"

"There is no redeeming you," he says coldly, sidestepping me, but I stop him with my hand.

"Caroline isn't Katerina with a laundry list of sins. She's innocent."

"Maybe so, but Katerina didn't deserve have you as her Judge, Jury and Executioner," he says, making his way out the door in human speed, inadvertently giving me time to think.

I bite back the argument that she did indeed deserve it, but knowing it wouldn't help and knowing it would only make Elijah want to kill Caroline even more to teach me a lesson, I decide to do something I haven't done in regards to any of my siblings since we were human.

For Caroline's sake.

"Forgive me Brother," I whisper, not turning to face him. The words are like gravel passing through my lips, so foreign and uncomfortable as they are coming out of my mouth.

I hear him stop mid step behind me.

"I know I haven't been the best sibling, and if you want to punish me for all the pain I've cause this family so be it, but Caroline..."

My heart clenches painfully in my chest just thinking of her being a casualty of my actions. I can't have it.

"...Leave her be. This is between you and me."

For a long time, there is nothing but silence between us. Finally he says:

"I don't forgive you Niklaus..."

My hands go into fists, ready to take Elijah down if need be.

"...But I won't touch her. You have my word."

I let out a breath and I turn then, a slow smile appearing on my face before it's eradicated by his next words.

"Now, I no longer wish to see your face for the remainder of my existence," he says, his back to me. "We are done."

My blood runs cold at his announcement. This is the worst time imaginable for Elijah to go rogue never mind permanently when he is so essential to my plan of misdirection. V believed I was going to New Orleans and so does the rest of them, but that didn't resolve the issue that Rebekah was essentially alone in New Orleans. She would undoubtedly turn over the city looking for Hayley, only to find that the witches were aligned with our Mother and the Dark Mistress. Rebekah is resilient, but even when Kol was with us, withstanding Mother's antics was not a simple feat.

I feared for her, but I couldn't entrust Caroline to anyone else, even with the others with her and especially with V's true intentions remaining unclear.

Therefore, I needed Elijah to go to New Orleans in my stead. Kol isn't an option as I'm not confident he would go alone. If he did, he would surely get distracted by the Bennett witch, taking his bodyguard title too seriously. Elijah has no such ties with Katerina out of the picture and would be able to get our sister to safety if needed. Knowing him, he'd probably try to save the she-wolf. As long as Rebekah is safe, it matters not. There are centuries of betrayals between Elijah and I but he has been the constant, second only to Rebekah. He can't possibly be this angry over the doppelganger's death that he would abandon us all.

Can he?

Not chancing it, I play a card I know he can't ignore. Family above all after all.

"And what of Hayley and the baby? What of our sister?" I ask, right when he makes a move to leave.

He stops again and I inwardly smile in triumph, knowing I have him.


"When is the last time you heard from Rebekah?" Says Elijah, following me back into the mansion.

I frown when I pick the fallen folders from V's shop from the parlor floor, taking a nearby seat, going through them. "Not since Australia."

Elijah sighs, rubbing his chin in concern. "She had one task," he starts in frustration. "To keep Hayley safe. How could she have failed in that?"

"She mentioned that witches were involved, most likely Genevieve," I say distractedly. "They have plans to sacrifice Hayley and the baby by the next full moon."

"That is tomorrow night Niklaus!"

I almost shrug, thinking the witches are actually doing me a favor by ridding me of the unnecessary complications in my life that stand in the way of my quest to have Caroline by my side for eternity. I had originally planned to kill Hayley and the baby myself if Elijah didn't stop me, I want to remind him, but I don't say any of that. I'm already on shaky ground with Elijah as it is. Might as well manipulate the situation in my favor.

"I know," I say, "but the threat to Caroline's life has escalated to a point I can't ignore. Potentially involving beings more powerful than us. Therefore Brother, if you could return to New Orleans and aid them in my stead..."

"What do you mean 'beings more powerful than us'?" interjects Elijah.

I pause, wondering if I should regale Elijah with my suspicions, concerns, and fears about everything involving my father, V and Caroline, the return of our Mother.

A thousand year habit of using Elijah as my confidante rears its ugly head and I tell him everything, squelching the voice that warns me not to trust him after he just tried to kill me, but if I can't share this with Elijah, and Rebekah then who is left?

By the time I'm finished, Elijah has taken a seat, disturbed.

"Well?" I press when he doesn't say a word for a whole minute.

"In sum, you believe that an Angel named V, who is your Father's lover, has ties to a demon named the Dark Mistress. A being who possessed your father and is manipulating our Mother, who in turn is possibly allying herself with the witches of New Orleans to use Hayley and possibly Caroline to get to you because of the darkness your soul bears. And we mustn't forget that Caroline is some extinct hybrid of an angel and human who has hidden powers that we know little about. Does that cover it?"

I smell him not believing a word I just told him and narrow my eyes at his sarcasm.

"I know it sounds like madness..."

"Quite."

"...But it's not. Kol and Bonnie were there. Caroline saw V and the Dark Mistress as well..."

"You have no proof other than your word that any of this is true..." he starts to say as I stride across the room and slam the ættartala in front of him.

His eyes go wide. "I've seen this Norse genealogy book before," whispers Elijah, his hand gliding across it. "Katerina was carrying it."

"It's mine."

He looks up at me and nods. "I surmised as much," he says, pointing at the howling wolf engraving. "This seems to be an emblem of your Father's family. It matches the medallion that Manning gave Ms. Bennett..."

"...And that V also owns. Her medallion unlocked it. Not Bonnie's. The book is from her. A gift from her to me for my birthday."

Elijah leans back, shaking his head. "That doesn't make sense. Katerina had the book with her and she never left my side. We never encountered this V."

"Then how do you explain V's medallion opening it? How did the book come to Katerina's possession? Did you not meet her before the meeting at King's Park?"

Then, I watch Elijah's eyes glaze over, him, stumbling for words and I realize with rising alarm that he's trying to tell me something, but can't.

"You've been compelled," I say, not believing it, but my mouth saying the obvious anyway.

Elijah shakes his head, flying to his feet. "Impossible," but his voice is uncertain now, his stance, rigid.

I grab his shoulders, steadying him. "There's only one way to know for sure."

His eyes meet mine, realization and then hesitation coursing through him at the prospect of opening his mind for me to delve into.

"You will be able to manipulate my thoughts..."

"...Not without you knowing. You're an Original. Not a mere vampire."

He pauses. Finally, he grows resolute, giving me a curt nod of consent.

"Very well."

I hold his head in my hands, locking my eyes with his, and take the plunge into his mind.


She is annoyingly good.

Never have I needed to take so many precautions just to follow someone.

Before Elijah had departed for New Orleans following our shared discovery in his compelled mind, he had returned the White Oak stake to me. I had hidden it carefully in the mansion and now waste no time going to Caroline. I am several yards away from the hospital where she is visiting Liz with Kol and Bonnie, not even close. Were it not for the centuries I had run from Mikael that conditioned me to be hypertensive of my surroundings, I wouldn't notice the slight shift in the wind before flashing off far enough to see V appear in the place I had been standing seconds before. The clear glint of her sword catching the moonlight, its downward pose the only thing giving away that she had already swung to kill, impressing me. I have no doubt that my head would have been laying on the concrete by her feet had I not moved.

Flame haired Assassin indeed and I can't help the relief I feel that someone that capable is taking Caroline's safety so seriously. It makes me wonder how Caroline could die with that level of protection.

Then again, the memories of what I saw in Elijah's mind are concerning, and as always, too many question marks still exist where V is concerned.

She had compelled Elijah. Most likely Katherine as well. The how is still a mystery to me, but I will find out.

I watch momentary shock register on her face when she realizes she has missed me. She slowly surveys her surroundings, her hybrid features apparent as she sniffs about.

Her head snaps in my direction and I don't wait this time, running far and hard with a few close calls along the way before I finally lose her. It takes me several attempts, the rest of the night and most of the next day to figure out how to get under her radar. When I am finally able to get close enough to see Caroline, I have to be downwind so my scent doesn't carry, have my cellphone on silent, not breathe and travel solely on tree branches so the slight sound of my weight resting on it would be written off as some squirrel scurrying about.

I know my stealth has succeeded when I'm finally able to achieve a vantage point where I can see both V and Caroline. For the last time, I watch V in satisfaction as she snaps her fingers, making the sword in her hand disappear and signaling that she no longer senses a threat. In a flash, she's gone. A small creak on a tree branch to the left below me gives away her position as she settles back and watches Caroline, going back into surveillance mode, not a trace of fatigue on her.

It's only at this point that I'm finally able to take in Caroline sitting besides her resting Mother in the hospital room, her eyes shining with tears as she watches the ailing woman.

She grasps her hand and Liz Forbes' eyes flutter open, her sleepy gaze falling on her daughter.

"Caroline?"

"Shh. Go back to sleep Mom."

"You're back," she says, growing more alert with every word. "I was so worried when I heard about Katherine taking you..."

"I know and I'm sorry."

"Don't be. What happened? Was it Damon and Stefan that got you back home?"

Caroline lets out a chuckle. "No. Bonnie and Kol..."

"Kol?" Liz blanched, "As in the dead Kol Mikaelson?"

"Yes. And...And Klaus," she adds quietly.

I perk up, hearing her mention me to her mother. She could have left my name out of it, but she didn't, meaning she wanted to talk to her Mother about me.

She wanted to...

I go rigid with anticipation, eager to hear.

"Klaus? Are you serious?"

Caroline leans back in her chair. "Yeah. I'm totally serious. He tracked me and Katherine for like three months till he found me," she says, a slight tone of awe echoing in her voice as if she still couldn't believe she mattered to me, puzzling me.

She knew I loved her, accused me of it the last time I bit her and she lay dying in the Gilbert living room. I didn't deny it so she had to know the depths of my affections. She had to know she was no longer just someone I fancied.

Didn't she?

"Why? What could he possibly want?" comes in Liz's voice, deterring my thoughts. "Did he threaten you?"

"No."

"Hurt you?"

I roll my eyes.

"No, Mom! Klaus wouldn't do that. Not to me anyway."

Thank you sweetheart.

"Why not?!" says Liz, sitting up, the machines taking her vitals giving off agitated beeps as her heart rate escalates. "Klaus Mikaelson is a murdering, supernatural sociopath!"

"You're forgetting the part where I told you he helped me come home!" cries Caroline in frustration. "Klaus is..."

She falls silent suddenly and the machine's rapid beeps slow somewhat as Liz appraises her daughter.

"He's what Caroline?" she demands firmly.

Yes. What indeed. I can't help but want to know.

Caroline shakes her head.

"We shouldn't be talking about this. You're sick and need to rest..."

"Caroline Forbes, don't change the subject on me. What's going on between you and Klaus?"

"No! You don't get to make this about me and Klaus when you're laying here dying!" snaps Caroline.

Liz's eyes widen and then she looks down as Caroline's eyes fill with tears, biting her lip.

"Caroline..."

"I'm going to save you Mom. I swear. I'll just give you my blood and you'll come back..."

She shakes her head, finally looking up at Caroline.

"No. I'm exceptionally ordinary and...and I want to stay that way. I don't want to be a vampire Caroline."

"But what about what I want?!" she shouts, her tears flowing freely now and my heart tightening in my chest at the sight. "Daddy and now you?! It isn't fair! All I've ever done is do everything to make everyone else happy and then when I want something, no one cares!"

"I do care Caroline," she says quietly.

"Then act like it! Let me heal you!"

Liz quickly swipes at a renegade tear that falls on her face, her emotional daughter affecting her. I don't know why anyone would decline the gift of immortality but there is a great respect for anyone willing to face certain death in the face and not falter.

"Baby...I wish I could."

"No. You don't," snaps Caroline coldly, upset. "You just don't want to be a freak like me. Just like Daddy, you don't love me enough to try to stay with me."

Caroline is out of there before Liz can even respond. Without thinking, I'm following her all the way back to her home where she instantly falls on her bed and starts sobbing.

She's so distraught, she doesn't notice I'm in the room with her until she turns her head and finds me, jolting upright.

"Hello sweetheart," I say quietly.

I brace myself, letting her take me in before her eyes are watering again and in a blur, she's in my arms, her precious scent and the Vow enveloping us with feelings of warmth, safety and completeness.

"She's going to die Klaus. She's going to die and she won't let me stop it..." she cries into my shirt as I hold her tightly against me.

"It's her choice, love."

"It's a bad one."

"Indeed," I say without thinking.

She stiffens slightly and I fear I have said something wrong when she's so vulnerable, but she looks into my eyes and gives me a smile that makes my undead heart surge with affection for her.

"You're terrible."

I give her a dimpled smile that I know she secretly likes if her poking at them the last time I did so was any indication. "I know," I say, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But I don't understand why anyone wouldn't jump at the chance to have an eternity with you," I say. Myself included.

"I just need to convince her that being a vampire isn't bad," she says. "That I can help her with the whole drinking blood to survive thing. She can do this. We can do this!" she says, her eyes alight with hope.

I stare at her, not wanting to say what I'm thinking so carelessly again and lying to her won't help.

"What?" she says.

I hesitate.

"What Klaus?"

"What if you can't convince her?"

I watch her visibly deflate and bite her lip, her eyes glistening.

"Then..." she grasps my shirt tightly, shaking and bowing her head. "No. No. I can't watch the both of them die," she chokes out, falling into me again and I embrace her.

"Why does everyone leave me?" she sobs into my chest. "If she dies, I'll have no one."

I swallow deeply, her pain tearing at me and the Vow not helping much with the strength of her grief overtaking everything else.

"Not true sweetheart," I whisper into her hair. "Do I not count?"

She looks up at me and I hold her gaze as she cups my face in her hands, kissing me soundly. My heart pounds like a jackhammer in my chest the longer it goes on and wanting her closer, I pull her into me by the nape of her neck and kiss her deeper with increasing force, passion surging through me when she moans loudly in appreciation. She reflexively returns my embrace, pressing me flush against her, making me gasp with the increased contact. I lift my head, groaning when she starts to kiss and suck on my pulse point, my mind growing hazy with lust.

It feels too long since I've had her like this beyond dreams or fantasies via the spiritual connection of the Vow. I inhale the perfume of her arousal right when her hand drops down to go under my shirt to glide over my stomach, her thumb dipping into my pants to graze the top of my growing erection.

I hiss, wanting more of her touch.

"Caroline," I groan, my self control breaking. I don't want to take advantage of her when she's so emotionally vulnerable.

But when our eyes connect, and I find her gaze heated, desire screaming at me to take her, I can't find it in me to stop.

I lips hungrily connect and a make out session ensues, raw and passionate. Clothes are torn, gasps and moans join in concert to become the soundtrack of our sex session.

By the time we tumble onto her bed where our first official meeting began, we're naked and I'm reveling in her caresses as I explore every inch of her.

The physical aspect of the Vow wraps us in a swirling inferno of pleasure, and all I can feel is her. Everything falls away so I can notice the slightest discomfort.

Her blood is rushing like a river in her veins, and I can hear it go through her with increasing intensity. Eventually, something new happens. Like a road map, I see the areas of her skin where her blood has gathered. Experience tells me such areas become more sensitive to pleasure. Eager to test my theory, I run my tongue on a spot under the curve of her breast, a sly grin of satisfaction leaking to my face when my eyes take in my rosary I gave her resting on her breast. I continue my journey, following the trail to her nipple where I wrap my lips around it and give it a hard suck.

She lets out a gasp of appreciation, her eyes snapping open to take me in with dilated eyes and a parted mouth.

"More Klaus," she says breathlessly, her fingers delving into my hair. "More."

Her demanding tone makes my nether regions twitch and my inner wolf to surface. My fangs are dropping against my will, gliding over her skin before I pull away to avoid hurting her, but her hand keeps me firmly in place.

Her whisper sends a shiver through me, breaking my resistance.

"Bite me…Please."

My hybrid eyes lift to hers again while I gently pierce her breast, and she cries out. I groan at the explosion of flavor that soaks my mouth from her blood, so much so I get lost in it.

I never tasted anything so good in a thousand years.

A hard yank has me on my side and Caroline instantly over me, a blond curtain of hair descending over me briefly, the rosary brushing my cheek before I feel her fangs aggressively pierce my throat.

I let out a deep sigh, loving the delicious combination of pain and pleasure, indulging in the knowledge that she was is willingly feeding off me without being on death's doorstep.

I close my eyes and leave a reverent kiss on her shoulder, marveling in the softness of her skin as she feeds.

Suddenly, she lifts her head, a devilish grin gracing her stunning vampiric features.

I run my fingers over her throbbing veins, her lips dripping with blood.

My blood.

Possessiveness rakes through me and I pull her in for a kiss that she moans into. She takes my lower lip and bites on it with a ferocity that makes me painfully hard for her. I pull her firmly away by her soft curls, growling at her mischievous smile.

"Such a daring little vampire. How dare you make a meal of me?" I tease her lowly.

"You always taste so good," she confesses softly, my heart skipping in response, "and those lips of yours tempt the hell out of me." She leans in, eyes hooded and not leaving my mouth. "Now, I really can't help myself. I don't want to," she finishes, biting on her own lip before kissing me.

Her blood intermingling with the blood she fed off me moments before is the perfect blend, her confession nothing short of an aphrodisiac. Without warning, I've flipped us, lifted her leg, and have pushed through her slickness in one go.

She cries out, grasping my biceps tightly and I fear I've hurt her.

"Caroline, I'm…"

She wraps the lifted leg around me and pushes me forward with her heel. I gasp at the delightful sensation going deeper into her.

Her naughty smile is the only signal that she knows exactly what she's doing to me.

I return her smile with a smirk of my own, lifting her leg to my shoulder, thrusting in an angle that make her smile fall and her head tilt back.

"Oh," she breathes out, her walls clenching around me as I take her, "Klaus."

She pushes into me and sets a sweet rhythm that follow eagerly.

Her eyes flutter open to watch, mouth parted as I go into her. I read her reaction, the dark look in her eyes when she licks her lips, and bring her fingers to her clit, taking me aback.

The freedom in which she takes what she wants, mesmerizes me, so different than the way she usually is in life.

It proves her potential to embrace life, to bend it to her will, to enjoy all it has to offer.

All I can think in that moment is how much I want to be by her side to see it happen.

I roll my hips sharply and she moans.

I push into her again and her eyes roll back.

I feel the heat, the coil of pleasure threatening to snap coming closer.

When she pushes up and I dip into her once more, I'm the one to cry out when I feel the flutter and wetness of her orgasm, triggering my own.

I'm tempted to collapse on her, the ripples of my release so strong. Instead, I fall to the side, and lay back on the bed, smiling.

"That was…" starts Caroline, breathless.

"…Perfect," I finish, smirking, turning over to look at her.

She smiles back. "Yeah."

I take a sweat drenched curl from her eyes and tuck it behind her ear, brushing my thumb over her cheek…

Only to immediately notice the physical potency of the Vow has disappeared.

The attraction, the affection, it is all there, strong as ever, but the nearly uncontrolled urge to have her six different ways right now was gone.

Caroline confirms my thoughts. "I feel normal Klaus," says Caroline with a frown, "Does this mean the Vow is gone?"

No…How? If it's gone, then Caroline is no longer connected to me and will eventually leave.

Like everyone else.

Because who would willingly want to be near a monster like me?

"Klaus?"

I flash to my feet, only to find her in front of me, naked.

I smile despite everything.

"You're naked love," I say, enjoying the sight and stating the obvious.

She pushes me, but I don't move due to my superior hybrid strength.

She lets out a huff in irritation.

"Where are you going? Sit. You're not leaving," she demands.

"Why not?" I say, amused at her bossiness.

She averts her gaze then. "Because I don't want you to," she says softly.

I swallow deeply, taking in her rare display of vulnerability. Caroline is usually all snark and sass. Ever wary of me, keeping me at arm's length.

But in the last few hours, she's shown me a new side to herself that I don't think anyone else has been privileged to bear witness to. Always pressured to fall on a sword for the sake of her friends, especially for that accursed doppleganger Elena, her wants, her needs going unheard, never considered.

Yet, here she is, voicing them to me.

I follow her wishes, her eyes going wide and a pleased smile gracing her face when I grab her wrist, pulling her down with me.

She lets out a startled gasp and giggle, readjusting herself so she is straddling me.

My smile falls when her core brushes against my manhood, a jolt of desire lancing through me.

"You feel that?" she says quietly, her face now serious.

I take her hand to kiss her palm. "Yes."

"We don't need a Vow to be connected Klaus."

Our eyes meet when I lift my face from her hand, awed to hear her voice my concern out loud.

In that moment, I love her more for understanding me so well without me saying a word.

She breaks eye contact, getting off me to sit against her headboard, pulling her legs up to cover her nakedness

"You're doing that look. Stop it."

Missing her closeness, I part her legs, sliding in between them. She encloses them around me, inadvertently drawing me closer, but still not looking at me.

"What look?" I say huskily, continuing to stare at her.

She purses her lips.

"What look Caroline?" I press gently when she says nothing.

"The, 'I'msofreakinginlovewithyourightnowit'snotevenfunny,' Klaus look," she mumbles in a quick succession, blushing furiously.

I give her a soft smile. I suppose I can now decipher Caroline speak, because I'm able to decode her ramble.

Like the time she first accused me of loving her, I say nothing to deny or confirm her statement, still unable to let that final wall of security down. If I say it, all the power would reside in her hands:

The power to make me the happiest being on Earth.

Or the most destitute.

The first would only come if she said those three words back, and meant them but…

"Nobody cares about you anymore boy!"

Mikael's voice echoes in my mind and I silently know it to be true. Elijah hates me, Rebekah and Kol tolerate me, but none really care.

So how could Caroline, a woman so innocent, so full of light, ever find anything in me to care for, let alone love?

"You're not going to say anything are you?" she says flatly, with an arch of her brow.

I laugh, banishing such thoughts and choosing to live in the illusion of happiness, pecking her lips, kissing her chin, neck. "What is there to say love?" I murmur against her skin.

She sighs. "Nothing. I guess," she says, her voice having a hint of disappointment. "Maybe I should go back to the hospital."

She gets up abruptly, getting dressed and I run my hand over my face, not liking her reaction.

"Caroline…" I start to say, before my eyes land on familiar book on her nightstand, making me freeze. She stops dressing at my silence, following my gaze.

"Oh. I forgot I put it there."

I play dumb, keeping my voice as neutral as possible.

"What is it?"

She laughs as take note of the writings on the cover that are not Norse like mine but in a language I don't recognize. "A book, duh. V gave it to me."

Of course. "What's it about?"

She stiffens for a second but then quickly covers.

"Nothing important," she mumbles, snapping her bra in place.

"Don't lie to me," I growl, losing patience with her.

Her eyes narrow at my tone. "I'm not. Relax."

"Then tell me what's in the book."

"Why is it a big deal? It's just a book!"

I grab it. Unlike mine, there are no seals barring me from opening it.

She quickly lunges and tries to grab it from me, but I'm faster.

The pages start to fill, and I stop moving, my eyes growing wide when I see the page change to bear an image that has eyes I have drawn countless times, the flow of hair that I've sketched over and over to perfect but failing because no drawing of mine can do her justice.

"It's you," I whisper.

She lets out a defeated sigh. "I know."

"How?"

She shrugs. "Don't know. She gave it to me to read."

"Why?"

"She says I have a right to know its contents, being, you know, what I am," she says uncomfortably. "As if being a vampire isn't enough. Mom would totally freak over this Nephilim business. I don't even know how to tell her with everything going on..."

Caroline's words fall away as I take in her face on the page, a soft smile on her lips. I'm reading her human birthday, date of death, rebirth as a vampire and then...

I swallow hard at the other date, the writing beside it sending a cold chill through me as I glare at it:

Final death: 3/20/2013.*

That is a month from now.

If this book is right, I have a date to look out for now.

The pages continue to fill, the first line containing Caroline's title making my heart skip a beat and a slow smile to appear on my face.

The eternal mate of the current Allvaldr of the Original Werewolf line Niklaus Mikaelson.

"Why are smiling like that? What are you reading?" comes in Caroline's voice suspiciously.

"Nothing."

She grabs at it and I pull it away from her, the moment reminiscent of our date during the Miss Mystic Pageant where I pulled her Miss Mystic application away from her reach.

Unlike then however, the swift movement makes me drop the book on the floor and she grabs it by the edge before I do, smirking in triumph. She goes to close it, but stops, frowning at the page it was randomly opened to when it dropped.

V is there, her true name and her title as Manning's mate along with other titles filling the page.

"I never read this far into the book," mumbles Caroline.

My eyes don't leave the page, waiting for the date of birth to fill in for V, my curiosity burning. I'm quickly realizing that this book must contain the lives of the Mates of Past Allvaldr from Manning's family while my ættartala serves as a counterpart to this one.

Finally, an event emerges as V's date of birth and I shake my head in disbelief.

"That..." says Caroline. "That can't be right."

Date of Birth: Lucifer's fall. Date of Death: 967 BC

It's isn't the last one though. Whole pages fill with different birthdays and times of death and both of us are left more confused than ever.

What kind of Angel was she that she could live so many lives and that her time of birth would coincide with the fall of the devil himself?

More concerning still, why would she give Caroline this book, knowing what it contained?

I shake my head, taking the book from her.

"What does it even mean?" asks Caroline.

I flash about the room, dressing within seconds. "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Go back to the hospital so the others don't worry. I need to head back to mansion to get the white oak stake for the ritual and find out what is going on, but I'll be back," I say, turning to leave with the book.

"Klaus!" she says suddenly in urgency.

I stop, turning back to her.

She lets out a chuckle. "Your," another chuckle, "Your butt is lighting up."

I arch my eyebrow in confusion and then it dawns on me.

My phone. It must be lighting up because someone is calling me.

I pull the phone out of my back pocket, and answer.

"Niklaus."

"Elijah. What is it?"

"I've found Rebekah and Hayley..."

Caroline's eyes widen, hearing the conversation.

"Good. Let me talk to Bekah..."

"The witches still have them and have placed a barrier around their hideout. I cannot break through and time is running out," he says in frustration, his pacing footsteps coming through the phone. I hear a door open and a familiar voice come through.

"Elijah! Oh my God."

Caroline brightens up, a grin breaking through her face and she's instantly beside me. "That's Elena! 'Lena! Can you hear me?"

"Why am I hearing Blondie's voice?" says Damon from the background.

"Caroline? Caroline! Are you alright?"

"Yes! I am! I'm so happy to hear your voice! Why are you with Elijah?"

"Katherine brought Stefan and Damon to me since she gave her original body to the witches here in New Orleans to take care of and I guess to put her spirit back in it at some point. I don't really know how Elijah's here, but I'm guessing it's to save his sister from Esther and friends inside. She's back by the way. Why can't she stay dead?"

For once, the doppleganger and I share similar sentiments. But wait? Katerina brought the Salvatores to Elena? If so, Manning and V must have been successful in convincing her to help us despite everything. Not an easy feat.

Given that I killed her.

People usually have hard feelings about that.

Caroline and I share a look before she speaks into the phone. "Elena," says Caroline patiently, "Katherine is dead."

"No. I saw her."

" 'Lena..."

I cut her off. "Where is Katerina now?"

"Is that…Klaus?" says Elena in disdain.

I roll my eyes. Here we go.

"Caroline. Why are you with him? He's..."

"Enough Elena," I snap. "Be useful for once instead of the typical, dimwitted damsel in distress that you are and answer the damn question!"

Caroline throws me a disapproving glare. "Seriously? Can you not call my best friend names?" she says in a low growl.

Before I can answer her, a piercing, feminine scream is heard through the phone.

I stiffen. I swear if Esther does anything to Rebekah, I don't care if the Dark Mistress is manipulating her. There will be no forgiveness.

"We've got to get out of here," says Stefan frankly.

"Elijah, don't!" cries Elena suddenly.

"I will not stand here and leave Rebekah and Hayley in the mercy of that madwoman! If Katerina is truly in there..." his usually composed voice riddled with emotion.

"Elijah," I say firmly but understanding his distress, "You need to gather any witches you can immediately and do what you can. Elena, you were on the Other Side with Bonnie and met...my father. Correct?"

"Y...Yes." I smirk, hearing the fear in her voice. Forgot daddy dearest ripped her heart out while she was on the Other Side. I suppose she hasn't forgotten that.

"So then you know Caroline's life is in danger," I say. "Bonnie and she need you to return to Mystic Falls so Bonnie can complete the spell to preserve her life. Can you do that?"

"Of course I can. She's my best friend," she says indignantly. "I'll be there as fast as I can Care," she says to Caroline, her tone softening.

"Thanks 'Lena," she mumbles, shifting uneasily by my side.

I end the call, my worry for Rebekah only increasing. Yet, there's a silver lining. Once the doppleganger arrives, there will be no more delay in turning Caroline into an Original. When the spell is complete, I'll talk to Caroline about convincing the Bennett Witch to go to New Orleans with Kol to free Rebekah. I'd go myself, but leaving Caroline with just V as her guard? No. And I know Caroline wouldn't consider leaving with her mother dying any day. Gods why is everything so bloody complicated?

I start to share the plan with Caroline, but I quickly note her downcast expression.

"What is it, love?" I ask in concern, reaching out to touch her only to have her step away from me.

I frown, a sense of foreboding settling in.

"I think it's time we talk about this whole turning me into an Original thing."

I narrow my eyes at her. "There isn't anything to talk about. We're turning you. End of story. Unless you wish to die…"

"Of course not!"

"Then what is the problem?!" I say, my irritation rising, striding slowly towards her. "You like being strong, ageless, fearless," I say, repeating my words from the Gilbert living room months before. "We'll be the same Caroline. In more ways than one."

"At what cost though?" she bursts out in frustration. "Eternity yes, but on your terms? I'm not stupid. I see the way you treat your family. How long after I'm an Original will it be until you dagger me because I do something you don't like?"

My eyes widen, honestly I had not even thought about the daggers. "I…I wouldn't," I stutter out, silently knowing that would be lie. If it meant protecting her, if it meant keeping her from ever leaving me, I'd do it.

"Really?" she says, now the one closing the distance between us, as if sensing the lie. "Even if you get tired of me…"

"That'll never happen," I growl, knowing that to be true at least.

"You don't know that! You don't know if we'll work! You don't know what might happen to make us leave each other."

"I do know!" I retort hotly. "Which is why I can promise you that I will never leave you. I suppose that is the difference between you and me. Do you even have the faintest clue of what I am to you?"

Caroline's face goes crimson, most likely remembering being confronted by her mother with a similar question earlier.

She breaks eye contact with me, looking down.

"What am I to you Caroline?" I press desperately.

"I…I don't know," she whispers helplessly. "I'm still trying to figure this out. I know I have feelings for you, which is why we're here, testing this relationship thing out."

I scoff. "I'm not a science project."

"I didn't say that!"

"Then what are you saying?!"

"I'm saying I'm not ready for an eternity with you!"

A heavy silence falls between us and I swallow the hurt of that statement, watching her. This wasn't a shock to me. I had surmised as much long ago, determined to change her mind. Still, having her say it aloud…

Good thing I hadn't been foolish enough to make any declarations of love.

"Then it isn't a wonder why turning into an Original petrifies you. No. Not that. More the notion of spending eternity with me is what petrifies you. You'd rather toy with death, than be tied to me forever." I let out a mirthless chuckle, turning away from her. "If only I could be as casual about our connection as you, view our time together as a project until something better comes along. Unfortunately for me, I've lived far too long for that delusion to work."

"Klaus…"

I can't face her with what tumbles out of my mouth next, my emotions still high from our earlier tryst. "You are it for me Caroline," I admit quietly. "I say that because yes, in a thousand years, I've had women of all kinds but none of them have ever made me feel half the things you make me feel in just a moment in your presence. You may not be ready for an eternity with me, but I'm ready for one with you and I will not watch you die."

"I'm…I'm not asking you to."

I turn back to her. "Are you sure love? Because that is what it would mean if you don't let Bonnie do the spell." What I say next is a low blow, but I won't lose her to anything. She needs to know exactly what she's asking of me.

"You would be no better than your mother then, who is asking you to let her die because she refuses to turn. Do not dare ask me to do the same. Do not ask me to let you die."

Her mouth drops. "How can you say that to me?" she whispers, hurt.

"Because it's the truth!" I blurt out helplessly, the prospect of her forcing me to do nothing while she's in danger, putting me on edge with every second. "I won't be standing vigil at your side only to have you stripped away from me! I won't have it Caroline! I…"

I bite down on my lip hard, shutting my mouth before I say anything I'll regret.

I stride to the window, needing to leave and not snap.

"I'm sorry Klaus," she says, stopping me in my tracks. "But you saw the book. I'm dead in a month."

I whirl at her, upset. "Not if you let me bend heaven and earth to have you live!"

Her eyes go wide, stunned. "You'd…You'd do that?"

I'm in her face in an instant. "Yes!"

The words hang in the air, and I'm taking her face in my hands, memorizing the way the moonlight dances over her face, my thumbs gliding over her lips that I'd kiss forever.

If she'll let me.

"Yes," I repeat again softly.

She swallows, nodding and grasping my wrists.

"Then...Then, can you stay with me?"

I swallow at the emotion I see there, the need to protect her rising within me.

"Promise me you'll let Bonnie do the spell," I say.

"Promise me you won't dagger me no matter what if I do," she retorts back stubbornly.

Only caring to have her live and ready to find a loophole later to keep her with me with the Vow gone, I relent.

"I promise."

She smiles brightly at me, rising to kiss me.

When she pulls away, I enjoy the hope I see on her face, making me smile. "Now hurry back from the mansion so you can start keeping your promise. Will you come to the hospital?" she asks hopefully, her fingers toying with one of my necklaces.

"Once I get the white oak stake for the spell, yes. I will be there, if that is what you want." I'll figure out the V dilemma later. Right now, I need to be with Caroline.

"Yes. It is."

I feel warmth spread through me at her say, storing up in my heart the moment Caroline Forbes admits aloud wanting me by her side.

I silently vow to create infinite reasons for that never to change.

I bring her close, leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead, feeling her grasp my sides in response.

I love you Caroline.

I finally find the strength to leave her, flashing away full hybrid speed back to my house to lessen the amount of time I need to be away from her.

Caroline's book is heavy in my hand as I suddenly stop, feeling my hold on it slip. It drops to the ground and I quickly go to pick it up, finding my vision has doubled.

I shake my head, trying to clear the strange sensation, but failing, only to be assaulted by a strong wave of fatigue. I stumble back, trying to keep upright.

The click of heels makes my head snap up, my stomach dropping when my vision sharpens long enough to make out V.

She bends down to pick up the book in front of me.

"This isn't yours," she says, tucking it under her arm. "There are consequences to reading a Book of Life that doesn't belong to you."

I shake my head more insistently when the bad vision and fatigue is accompanied by soft, inaudible voices.

"So this is how the end begins," murmurs V. "When you go back, mention me. It is your only chance. I'll keep Caroline safe until you return."

I try to respond, but my eyes roll back, V's face being the last I see before it all goes black.

The voices I hear come with more fervor and strength as I slowly regain consciousness.

"Er hann á lífi?"**

"Enginn andi kemur frá vörum hans."***

My eyes snap open, causing the man who was crouching over me to leap to his feet and take a step back.

I take in my surroundings and find that I am at the bow of a moving ship.

No longer in Mystic Falls.

No…

I glance down at my body clad in black medieval wear, dread swirling in my very being at their appearance.

This can't be happening. Not now when Caroline needs me.

"Hvað heitir þú?"****

I turn my attention to the man speaking with light blond hair and sky blue eyes. I had seen his face in the ættartala but to see it now in real life is something else.

If he is here…

"Where am I?" I ask, a part of me already knowing the answer. My eyes falling on the man who was crouching over me moments before, his brown hair tossing in breeze and brushing over his stormy blue eyes that resemble my own.

Manning.

"You speak the tongue of the English so perhaps you'll heed me now," says Dante, stepping in between us. "Your name pup," he demands with a growl.

I smirk at his dominating stance. I start to answer my full name, then think better of it. "Klaus."

He nods in acknowledgement. "Now," he says, his smile turning dangerous, walking up the stairs to the helm of the ship, leaning on the wheel. "Our wolves need exercise. Isn't that right brother?"

I hear the creak of floorboards about the ship as men surround me and I know I'm in for a fight.

I really don't have the time for whatever this is...

Manning comes up to other side of the wheel, arms folded, his eyes analyzing my every move.

"Dreptu hann,"**** he commands them in a cold, flat voice.

In an instant, a group of men descends on me, ready to kill.

Well. They aren't the only ones in need of exercise. I can't help but think, ready for a challenge.


A/N Translations and notes:

*This date was set based on the TVD fictional timeline found on vampirediariesdotwikiadotcom/wiki/Timeline. According to it, we are in February 2013.

**Is he alive?

**No breath comes from his lips.

***What is your name?

****Kill him.

Oh fun. We are finally in the past. I've been waiting to get to this arc for awhile. :). Don't worry about reading a Klaroline separation for long as there will be some time jumping between the chapters. After this arc, we will be coming to the end. As always, feel free to leave a review as I live for those :)

Answer to reviews I missed last chapter:

Sam - I'm happy I answered all your questions and I'm glad you find this fic enjoyable to read. All the loose ends will tie together, from Nope to Caroline's lineage. Not all answers or paths the characters take will be happy ones. People will die, so prepare yourself, but there will be good times. Hope they are enough that you continue to read. For the most part, everything will end well for characters we really care about (ie . klaroline) so I hope you can take some comfort in that ;).

Guest: There is nothing forced about this fic. In my quest to be imaginative, I may get a little carried away with plot but this is why I write, for fun. And I hope people read it for the same reason. I'm sorry you got lost in the storytelling and hope you find a more simplistic fic to read. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them. To answer your question as to why Katherine and Caroline was running from Klaus, the answer is simple: Katherine kidnapped Caroline for leverage and protection. Once Celeste died, Katherine had to stay away from Klaus until she was able to strike a bargain that can get her back into her body and make Klaus leave her alone. So she ran off with Caroline, saying she was linked to her so she wouldn't get killed in the meantime. Of course we all know how that ended...

Till next time!