Chapter 3
~ ⓛⓞⓥⓔ ~ POV Klaus~ ⓛⓞⓥⓔ ~
There she was. A little girl, with the dark blond hair hanging in long graceful curls over her shoulders, stood on the doorsteps. To Klaus' surprise she didn't look at all nervous or confused. On the contrary, Hope was gazing at him with determination and impatience as if she summoned him here, and he made her wait too long. Klaus got out of the car and walked towards Hope, still searching for words. But the moment he stopped in front of her, Hope smiled and handed him a creased envelope.
"I'm your daughter," she informed him. "Proof," Hope pointed her index finger at the letter that Klaus now had. "You wrote that for me when I was still a baby."
Klaus clenched his hand until his nails entered his palm. He kept his expression under stern restraint, hating the witnesses whose presence was ruining his reunion with Hope. It wasn't place or time to get emotional and show his weak side. Klaus always stayed alert, and at that time the Bennett Witch and ex-Original, people who proved to be ones of his most dangerous enemies in the past, stood right behind his daughter.
"I don't need proof, Hope," Klaus said in a quiet voice and lightly popped her tiny nose with the edge of the envelope.
"I'm Ana," Hope gave him a conspiratorial look. "If you don't need a proof, I'd rather have my letter back. It's of sentimental value," she seized the opportunity to retrieve the envelope and, folding it neatly in half, hid her letter in her jumper's pocket.
Klaus leaned over to embrace his child, and Hope laid in his arms, looking up at her father with her shining blue eyes. He gave Hope a little loving smile, hoping she could feel just how desperately he waited for that moment to come.
Her hands rested casually on his shoulder and she waved to Caroline who stood behind Klaus. "Thank you, Mommy!" Hope shouted in his ear, "Daddy's finally back!" The Original hybrid twitched, and Hope covered his ear with her little palm, smiling at him apologetically. "Sorry, Papa!"
"Your dad has extreme sense of hearing, remember that, baby," Klaus heard Caroline responding. "Especially when you're older."
He shot Caroline a warning look, not feeling like Hope's teen years were a good ground for jokes. Caroline just rolled her eyes at him as if Klaus was some average Joe and not a bloodthirsty paranoid psycho she presumably believed him to be. Fine, he let that one slide since Caroline did help him out of the coffin the day before.
"I was waiting when you'll show up," said Hope as if she never doubted that he would. Every time she looked at him, her royal blue eyes glowed with joy. "Is everything okay now?" Then she leaned a bit closer to his ear and whispered. "Where's my first mommy?"
At such a young age, Hope already understood that they were hiding from someone very dangerous, and believed that she had to stay vigilant at all times and not to drop her act for a moment. Klaus hated himself for not being able to shield his child from the world that teemed with his enemies whom she inherited together with her father's name.
"I'll explain everything later, little one," holding Hope close, Klaus finally acknowledged presence of four other witnesses, only two of whom he was looking forward to meet.
Alaric greeted him with a restrained nod, so did the Bennett Witch. Both were alert and clearly reluctant to let him back in their lives. Klaus' sixth sense told him they were armed as if he would have attacked them right there, in front of children and Caroline. As if they stood a chance against him if he did. Klaus gazed at Alaric and Bonnie with a bland half smile, noticing clear signs of aging. Even the Bennett Witch looked a few years older than Caroline, and Alaric… To be fair life has never gone easy on that poor human fella.
"You look wonderful, Alaric, Bonnie," Klaus spoke in a tone filled with admiration. "No matter what life throws your way, you overcome all obstacles and stay strong. I'm impressed!"
"Thanks," Alaric responded with a delay, clearly confused, "I guess."
First thing Klaus noticed looking at the twins was that they were nothing alike. Caroline's girls were about as tall as Hope, perhaps only one or two inches shorter. One of them had dark hair and, with her hands on her hips, she watched Klaus with a critical squint. Not very often someone dared to stare at him that way. Her sister stood slightly behind and looked puzzled, perhaps even nervous.
"Now, little one," Klaus asked his daughter not taking his eyes of the twins. "Would you introduce me to the ladies?"
Hope located so-called "ladies" with her bright eyes and shrugged her shoulders as if she wasn't sure why her dad would be interested in other children.
"This lady is Josette," Hope pointed at the dark haired girl, "and the other la demoiselle is Elizabeth."
Klaus nodded not missing the sarcasm. Yes, being raised by Caroline did that to a child. Apparently Hope already had tiny claws and was a bit territorial. A proper little wolf she was. Klaus came closer to the twins and offered his hand to Josette, who seemed to have authority over her shy sister.
"Josette, Elizabeth. May I introduce myself," the Original said in a soft voice that usually got through people's defences, "Niklaus Mikaelson, call me Klaus."
Josette raised her head a bit and, looking straight in his eyes, shook his hand. "Only if you call me Jo. What are your intentions to our family and Bonnie?" the girl wasn't falling under his spell.
"Towards," Hope corrected her. "He's my dad, so he's family," she glanced at Caroline. "Unless I'm not part of your family anymore, am I, Mommy?"
"Why… No… Of course, you're, baby," Caroline responded eagerly.
"So Ana gets to live with you and her dad? No fair!" Liz spoke from behind her sister, and if Klaus didn't pay attention, he wouldn't know which twin said it.
To be fair to the girl, they were growing up in a rather strange family. Caroline looked extremely uncomfortable.
"You promised to forget that exclamation," Alaric reminded Liz, coming to Caroline's rescue.
"We don't know that word," Jo replied to her father.
"All right," Caroline spoke. "I guess we better get inside and continue with all the greetings in there."
"I'm sorry, guys, our place is a mess," Alaric answered in an odd, yet friendly tone. "I think you better take Klaus to your home. Ana can show her dad her room with all the trophies and prizes, would you like that, Ana?"
Hope shined at the idea and looked passed Klaus at Caroline. "Can we do that, Mommy?"
If Caroline was surprised by Alaric's refusal to invite Klaus in his house, she didn't show that in any way. Running her fingers through her hair, she smiled at Hope. "Sure, sounds like a great idea, we can order pizza or something for dinner."
"Yay, pizza! I love pizza!" Jo exclaimed, and Liz was about to second it, but their father spoke before she could.
"You'll stay home, girls," he said. "Let's give Ana some time with her dad. We can order pizza too though."
Jo and Lizzie looked disappointed, but after giving Caroline a group hug, they obeyed their father.
Few hours later
Klaus wasn't exactly thrilled with the Bennett Witch. For a few hours she's been trying to locate Hayley with zero luck. Bonnie still had both of her hands and some of Hope's blood required for the location spell, hence Klaus started to think she was lacking incentives. He could have inspired the witch to try a bit harder in an instance, if only Hope and Caroline weren't there. Thus, the Original was forced to watch how Bonnie Bennett muttered the spell again and again, and every time the drop of blood slid around the map for a while before dropped on the floor to Klaus' feet.
"You're now completely useless, aren't you?" Klaus' mouth took an unpleasant twist, and a warning cloud settled on his features. "That's very disappointing."
Bonnie's eyes narrowed, and she lifted her head stubbornly. "I'm trying to help you," she said with an obvious resistance in her voice. "Remember, that I don't have to do it."
Now she was deliberately provocative. Brave, Klaus thought, not smart. Caroline mentioned that the Bennett Witch lost her powers, and they were coming back slowly. But that wasn't "coming back slowly", that was "I am a disgrace to my ancestors" kind of situation. Klaus was extremely unhappy. He was actually looking forward to being on the same side as Bonnie and taking a full advantage of it. But now he'd have to use someone else to locate his family.
"Where's that heretic woman?" Klaus asked turning to Caroline and thanked Hope, when his daughter put a slice of pizza on his plate and then got one for herself. "Invite her over, love."
Before Caroline could reply, his daughter spoke.
"Valerie also has this condition, you know," Hope entered the conversation at the first opportunity.
"A condition?" Klaus stared at his daughter, baffled.
"Yes, like if Bonnie had to invite you in, that means you can't pass doorsteps easily, right?" Hope asked and took a bite of her slice of pizza. "I have the same problem," she pursed her lips unpleased. "And mom too. Twins run past doorsteps without blinking their eyes," Hope exclaimed with a twinge of envy. "No fair!"
"I'm afraid you inherited this condition from me, little one," Klaus offered his girl a small smile, taking full responsibility for her "condition". "So did your mom actually," he added and Hope looked at him confused, "it's a long story." He glanced at Caroline impatiently, waiting for her to call the heretic.
"I can't invite Valerie over," Caroline said avoiding eye contact with Klaus. "She's on a mission with Stefan."
Klaus immediately felt as an unwelcome tension stretched between him and Caroline, who became strangely anxious under his scrutiny. He knew that reaction, she felt uneasy for doing something behind his back.
"Continue," Klaus said and covered his plate with a napkin.
"We freed you to help us to get rid off the Monster," Bonnie spoke. "We've studied every possible magic there was and came to a conclusion that it can't be destroyed. Only trapped as it was done before."
"Only took you two years?" Klaus retorted in a cold sarcasm. He sometimes forgot that despite being somewhat talented, all those Mystic Falls pals were youngsters in the supernatural world with the eldest of them, the Salvatores, still younger than Klaus' adopted son.
"Do you know anything about the Monster?" Bonnie asked.
"I already told Caroline," Klaus shrugged his shoulders. "I've heard about Soul Eater, a folklore figure, who is believed to be a classical form of the cannibalistic witch. Other legends talk about a soul-eating creature, which looked like a beast and hunted human souls. By possessing them, the soul-eater turned humans into beasts making them do terrifying things, and fed on their misery and darkness. That started first rumours about werewolves. Another belief is that there was a woman, who was cursed by witches to feed on human souls to survive. She kept feeding because she had no soul of her own so if she died she'd turn into dust. That was how vampirism began."
"You didn't tell me any of that!" Caroline gasped.
"I gave you a short version," Klaus replied.
"You said, "I heard something about that Monster"!"
"Sounds like a short version to me," Hope shrugged her shoulder, and Klaus smiled down at her. "Tell us another story, Daddy?"
"So is it a woman? A witch?" Bonnie asked the Original. "Which story do you believe?"
"Probably a bit of everything," Klaus assumed. "The Monster has mind control abilities similar to Silas'. He was a witch. So far it got only male minions. Likely it's a woman. No one knows what she looks like. Perhaps she can shape-shift like a werewolf. And if she feeds on souls to stay strong, then she's somewhat a vampire. If she's so ancient, she can be all at once."
"Neat!" Hope clapped her hands. "Tribrid, like me! But old and evil one."
"Well then it'd come at no surprise when I tell you," Bonnie said in a troubled voice, "that I can't trap her. I don't have that magic anymore, and she's stronger than before."
"And Damon and Enzo are completely loosing it," Caroline added and looked at Hope who just finished her feast and was smiling so cheerfully as only a full little wolf can.
Klaus couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Hope. Caroline helped little Mikaelson off the stool and took her to a sink to wash her face. Hope was quick to use that chance to play, splashing water around the counter and on Caroline.
Bonnie's voice returned Klaus to the present issues, all those troubles with that Monster were so untimely and unfortunate. Klaus would prefer Caroline to let Damon and Lorenzo go already and to stay somewhere safe with kids, while Klaus would put all his effort in retrieving Mikaelson family, people who actually mattered.
"As you probably know, Klaus," Bonnie's voice was like an echo from an empty tomb. "Your mother was a best friend of one of my ancestors, witch named Ayana. Perhaps they both knew something about the Monster, because Esther's grimore has an Ultimate Sealing Spell very similar to the Bennett's one used to imprison the Monster before. But Esther's spell is even stronger, because it ensures that what gets trapped, stays trapped."
"I see you found a way around that protection spell on our family's grimore," Klaus helped Hope back on her stool beside him and stroked the deep golden curls from her face. "Hate to break it to you, Bonnie, but every spell has a loophole."
Caroline lounged against the doorframe with a troubled expression on her face and her eyes on Klaus and Hope.
"Not that one if it's done right," Bonnie shifted nervously from foot to foot. "It has to be bound to someone living. But as long as that someone is alive, no one can break the seal." The Bennett Witch waited for his reaction, but Klaus just waved her to continue.
"The Originals are strong and can live forever," Caroline entered the conversation, meeting Klaus gaze straight on. "But they are technically dead. You're the only one who is living, enjoying your immortality, and proved to be impossible to kill no matter how hard many tried."
"Dad is like Thor!" Hope's mouth opened in awe. "Who tried to kill you, Daddy? I can make super spells. Are we really gonna live for thousands of years?"
"Yes, Hope, we will," Klaus responded, hugging his daughter. "Just like Caroline, because of that condition she and many others inherited from me."
"And Jo with Liz?"
Klaus, Caroline, and Bonnie remained absolutely motionless for a moment.
"You never know," Bonnie suddenly spoke, "I'd been many things in my life, some of them were immortal."
"Can you record tonight's Modern Family, darling?" Caroline asked Hope, helping her of the stool and not taking anything but a "Yes" for an answer.
When Hope disappeared in the living room, Klaus thought that he should have been the one to protect Hope from that conversation. His family could speak freely when she was a baby, and Klaus didn't fully adjust to the fact that Hope wasn't two anymore. Luckily Caroline was mom twenty-four seven and didn't miss those sort of things.
"I was waiting for you to say something," she told Klaus in a quiet, intimate voice.
"My mistake," he acknowledged to Caroline, still thankful that she expected him to be not just a biological father, but a good responsible parent. Not many people would believe he was even capable of that.
"I gave you a look like three times."
"I missed it."
"All of them?"
Bonnie suddenly decided to put milk back in the fridge, as if she was feeling as a third wheel.
"Let's go back to the spell, she'll be back soon," Caroline gestured in a sweeping motion with one arm. "Now Hayley's a hybrid too. But not Original like you, I suppose she's similar to those hybrids you massacred, so—"
"Did I do that horrible thing before or after you killed those twelve witches for our dear Bonnie, love?" Klaus glanced at Caroline, looking confused, as if memory was failing him.
Caroline swallowed hard and chewed on her lower lip. But a moment later, she lifted her head and gave the Original hybrid a narrowed glinting look. "It was before, Klaus, you might want to start writing things down."
Bonnie looked terrified and ready to reach for whatever weapon she had, expecting Klaus to act out. But the Original patted her on the back in a calming motion.
"Don't worry, sweetheart," he said to Bonnie. "I enjoy our gentle sparring as much as Caroline does," Klaus shared. "I just wish you weren't here," he added not taking his eyes of her blond friend.
"About Hayley," Caroline snarled, "we can't use her as a binding agent, because as little as her head off or her heart out would set the ancient evil free. She isn't an Original like you, so she can't grow those back, right?"
Klaus' eyes narrowed looking at the ice queen. "I hate to break your heart, Caroline, but that's right."
A muscle flicked angrily at her jaw. "Klaus, can we count on you or not?"
So that spell had a loophole – Klaus could die. Perhaps those youngsters didn't realise in how much danger Klaus and his family were. They figured, he was the oldest living creature they knew, and no matter how hard his many enemies tried to end the Original hybrid, he always pulled through. Hence, Mystic Falls gang was willing to bet on him. Klaus was flattered. But not only. The Original saw a fruitful opportunity for himself, and he was going to take a full advantage of the situation.
"I'll do it, love."
"Perfect," Caroline nodded. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Bonnie's brow were still creased with worry. "But there is another thing, which is related to where Stefan and Valerie are—"
"Let me guess, a spell from my Mother's grimore requires the Original witch," a devilish smile spread on his lips as Klaus realised the convenience of that all. The situation was getting better and better for him. "I assume my dear old friend is on a special mission to bring back remains of my poor mother."
Caroline and Bonnie exchanged nervous and confused looks, surprised that Klaus took it all in so calmly. Klaus wasn't sure how would they bring Esther back and didn't think the Bennett Witch had it in her. But perhaps with help of a heretic they would manage to put Esther's spirit into someone's body. Once she's back, Esther, Klaus was sure of that, would have found a way to get back into her original body if needed. But…
"I'm afraid you can't bring Esther back, my lovelies," Klaus stood up in a deliberately casual movement. "Her soul found peace."
For a moment both women stared at him, completely shocked. Then Bonnie leaned back on the fridge door and closed her eyes.
"I can't believe it!" finally Caroline yelled in frustration. "That wicked witch! How could she possibly find peace after all she'd done! That's absurd!"
"Actually she found peace with my dear aunt, who'd done quite a few nasty things herself," enlightened her Klaus. "But two sisters forgave each other's sins, hugged, and disappeared in white light," the Original reminisced. "It was a beautiful moment."
"Unbelievable!" Caroline looked as if she could burst at any moment. "I'm not sure about my soul, but your mother," Caroline poked Klaus with her finger in an accusatory gesture, "your wicked diabolic family just keep fooling everyone around! The Original witch tricked the damn universe! You exist for centuries, do whatever the hell you want, then forgive each other' sins and, holding hands, you find peace! But someone like Katherine, who refused to be your sacrificial lamb and spent all her life running from you, got sucked into oblivion—"
"Are you going to end your speech with "No fair"?" Klaus wondered and to stop her poking, covered Caroline's hand with his own. A vaguely sensuous light passed between them, and she immediately pulled back.
"Katherine was evil, Caroline," Bonnie insisted.
Klaus and Caroline snorted at the same time and quickly glanced at each other. The Original hybrid has never been a big fan of his mother. Was Katherine more evil than Esther? The woman who created vampire species that killed millions of humans? The mother, who killed, cursed and then hunted her children? The wife, who cheated on her husband? The sister, who betrayed her sibling.
"Daddy!" Hope called and a moment later showed up in the kitchen, jumping on her way straight in Klaus' arms. He didn't even have to bend down to catch her.
"You can only do it at home, baby," Caroline was there to remind Hope. Her face relaxed at the look of happiness on her girl's face. "I'll clean up in the morning," she said and gestured them into the living room.
The news about Esther hit Bonnie hard. She sank into a chair, with her fingers in her dark hair, and lost expression on her face.
"Don't look so grim, sweetheart," Klaus winked at Bonnie, when she glanced at him. "You don't need the Original witch, an Original one will suffice."
"What do you mean?" Bonnie replied in a low, tormented voice.
"See, Bonnie, Esther wasn't the only one," Klaus explained patiently. "An Original witch means a witch from the Original family. And luckily for you, a few years ago I was reunited with my dear elder sister Freya, who just happened to be a powerful Original witch. If you help me to bring her back, she'll do the spell for you and I'll be your binding agent to seal the Soul Eater for good."
Bonnie sat up in the chair, her thin fingers tensed in her lap. Caroline looked at Hope, who was cosy and nearly asleep on Klaus' hands.
"Doesn't sound like we have any other option," Caroline said. "And time isn't on our side. The Monster is out there, Damon and Lorenzo aren't the only minions she's got. We'll need Klaus to bring the boys home and take care of all those who'd been possessed by the Soul Eater. They'll put up a fight."
"And by "take care" I assume you mean end them?" Klaus double-checked.
Bonnie felt bad enough about it to say something. "Perhaps we can try to help—"
"I mean kill them," Caroline barked at Klaus defensively as if he would judge her. "We'll be lucky if we seal the Monster away and make it out alive to bring the boys back to normal themselves. Don't forget three kids we have. Let's be realistic, Bonnie," she looked at the Bennett Witch. "We have to put our lives first, and we're in no position to run a rehabilitation centre."
Klaus knew from centuries of experience, that tough side of Caroline was vital for survival in their world. She had morals but wasn't Mother Teresa, and Caroline made her peace with that. In fact Klaus witnessed that moment, when for the first time Caroline realised she killed a dozen of innocent people to save one. Klaus didn't expect Caroline would to do that. She didn't either. But she killed them, and he dug graves for her victims, keeping an eye on shaken to the core Caroline. He knew that feeling. When for the first time you realised that you were not a human in a vampire body. No, you really were a monster to be feared. And now, who knew what Caroline was capable of to keep her children safe?
"That's what I'd do," Klaus responded. "In fact I'd sacrifice soulless Damon and Lorenzo too, but I understand your tricky situation, love."
Damon was Stefan's brother and Elena's boyfriend, and Bonnie seemed to truly care about Damon and Lorenzo. Stefan and Bonnie couldn't give up on them, but what Caroline gained out of saving Damon and Lorenzo? Were her children safer with two careless vampires back in Caroline's life? Was her life with Stefan better with Damon in it? Did she think Damon and Lorenzo were best options for her mortal best friends, Elena and Bonnie? It was Caroline helping to get that Cure she didn't need all over again.
"I think the little wolf left the stage for today," Klaus held Hope tight in his arms. "Will you show me her bedroom, love?"
Caroline led him upstairs to Hope's room and opened the door so that Klaus could bring the sleeping child in. She held Hope's blanket, while Klaus put her to bed and took off her shoes and socks. They decided to let Hope sleep in leggings and a t-shirt to avoid waking her up.
"I think I'll stay here for a bit," Klaus said sitting down in a chair by Hope's bed.
Caroline nodded and tucked Hope in, making sure the child was warm and cosy.
"Thank you for agreeing to help us," Caroline licked her lips nervously as if those words didn't come easily to her. "I'm counting on you, Klaus."
An intimate silence enveloped the small room. Then Klaus responded in a voice carefully coloured in neutral shades. "I won't let you down, Caroline. Make sure you don't let yourself down." The Original hybrid tensed in his chair, when his hearing suddenly caught something odd. "Now where's our ex-powerful witch going?"
Caroline looked puzzled for a few seconds, listening intently, but a moment later she vamped out of the room to catch Bonnie.
— * — * — * —
Thank you for reading, guys! It's my first fanfic, and I'd very much appreciate if you review, so I know what you liked and what you didn't like :)
Btw, I recently re-watched a scene where Klaus and Stefan witnessed Caroline killing twelve witches (4x17). I barely noticed that scene when I watched 4th season, but it's actually a really good one.
