A/N: Here you go! Another chapter! Hope you like it!
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Elijah was all but running down the corridor, his normally calm exterior now replaced with one of urgency as he dodged his way past interns and board members to get to Caroline's office. He had been in his own going over a new case when Damon had burst through, his eyes conveying everything he wished to say. Niklaus was in police custody, Stefan to. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, wanting nothing more than for people to stop trying to tear apart his family. Caroline was happier than he had seen her in years and Liam had quickly warmed up to the idea of having his father around. Elijah had hoped their family could work on repairing itself instead of getting wrapped up in this war again.
He knew he had to tell Caroline, Elijah couldn't bear the thought of her finding out any other way. He wasn't sure how bad her reaction would be but he knew it would be bad. She didn't want Klaus to do this anymore than Elijah did but offered her support none the less. Elijah was unsure of how this situation would play out if Klaus got sent back to prison again, Caroline wouldn't be able to cope with it and she certainly wouldn't be able to give him another chance.
Destroying everything they had built together once was heart-breaking for her. Elijah knew then Caroline wouldn't put herself or Liam through it for a second time.
He sighed, taking a deep breath to try and calm himself before stepping into her office. Caroline's head was buried in stacks of old cases and files and Elijah knew she was doing everything in her power not to think about what was happening with Klaus right now.
She moved her head up to look at him, giving Elijah a warm smile, "I know I'm obsessing but we really needed to have a clear out one of these days. Most of this should have been converted to computers ages ago." Caroline rambled as she sat up straighter, Elijah didn't say anything moving over to her desk slowly.
"Caroline…." He started then stopped, his wasn't sure how to finish.
"I know what you're going to say, Elijah but I'm fine. I promise, I like organising and it keeps my mind busy…"
Elijah cut her off, "Caroline." He said her name softly with a hint of pleading in his tone. His brown eyes met her blue ones and she knew something was wrong.
"What happened? Is Klaus okay?" She asked, her mood changing from upbeat to anxious in a matter of seconds.
Elijah sighed, moving closer to her to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Niklaus and Stefan have been arrested. Damon got a call from one of his contacts in the police force. They are to be taken for questioning and charged. Mikael was the arresting officer on scene."
Caroline took in a shuddering breath but kept herself steady, "Will he go back to jail?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"Caroline you mustn't…" Elijah started but she shook her head. Caroline stood up from the chair, backing away from him.
"Is Klaus going back to jail, Elijah?" her voice was clearer now, more demanding.
Elijah stared at her for a moment, "I don't know." He replied honestly, "He will be kept without bail but Mikael will have no say over that. He will have to stand in front of a jury."
Caroline nodded, "We both know how this works, Elijah." She pointed out, "Klaus is a repeat offender, his list of crimes are extensive and no doubt Mikael will make sure he is painted in the worst light possible. He doesn't stand a chance, neither does Stefan. They will be locked up for decades this time."
"Don't say that like you are giving up on him." Elijah said, "We will find a way to fix this, Caroline, I promise."
"I'm not giving up on him." She insisted, "I just don't know what to do? I can't do this, I can't lose him again. What about Liam? He can't lose his father, Elijah, I just…" she was sobbing before she finished her statement and Elijah nodded sadly, wrapping his arms around her as Caroline cried into his shirt.
"It's okay." He muttered, not sure if he was saying it for Caroline or for himself.
"Why does this keep happening to us, Elijah?" Caroline asked, her voice muffled by his shirt, "Why do I have to lose him?"
Elijah held her tighter, "He needs you, Caroline. He needs the best defence we have."
"Why do you say that? He is going to be fine, right Elijah?"
"Damon believes Mikael will file for an immediate trial." Elijah said, his eyes downcast, "It's the best way to get a conviction. There won't be enough time to form a strong defence if the trial is in a couple of months maybe even less."
Caroline froze pulling back, "He can't do that. Nobody agrees to an immediate trial these days. It's not a fair test of the justice system."
"I know but Mikael is a superintendent, he has the power to ask for something like that. He will probably have ways to make sure Niklaus' trial is as soon as possible." Elijah sighed, "We need to be ready, Caroline. We are all he has."
/
Rebekah was waiting for Caroline as her and Liam rushed up the steps to their house. The news of Klaus' arrest had spread quickly and Rebekah knew she needed to seek Caroline out, they use to be the best of friends and she would hate it if they lost that now. Caroline's blue eyes met Rebekah's and she could tell the youngest Mikaelson hadn't been sleeping well. There were dark circles under her eyes although her make-up did a good job at hiding it.
"Rebekah." Caroline said with a nod, her eyes darting down to Liam.
"Auntie Bekah!" Liam's greeting was much happier as he barrelled into her, hugging her tightly. Rebekah laughed at his antics, returning the boy's hug fiercely.
Rebekah smiled as she ruffled his hair, "How's my favourite nephew doing today?" she asked brightly and Caroline couldn't help the smile that crossed her features. She always knew Rebekah would make a great mom someday.
Caroline ushered everyone inside, telling Liam to go and play while she talked to Rebekah. They waited as they heard his footsteps bounding up the stairs before they started speaking.
"I heard about Nik." Rebekah sighed sadly, "I am truly sorry, Caroline, I never wanted any of this to happen."
Caroline nodded, busying herself with making them both a coffee. Rebekah could see her hands shaking at the mention of Klaus' name. "It wasn't your fault, Rebekah. Klaus was coming round to talk to you, he just needed to cool off." She replied, "You know how stubborn he can be. He just couldn't wrap his head round why you would do something like that." The question was heavy in her tone and Rebekah sighed.
"I was stupid, I know that. I thought Marcel was the one for me. I know now what we had was nothing compared to you and Nik. I destroyed that and I'm so sorry." Rebekah said, her eyes boring into Caroline's. Her plead of forgiveness hung in the air thickly as Caroline boiled the kettle for their coffee.
She turned round to face Rebekah, "It's done now. We have bigger problems to deal with."
"Does Liam know?"
Caroline sighed, "I couldn't tell him, I wouldn't even know how to explain. Klaus promised him that he would never leave us."
"He never had any intention to." Rebekah reasoned.
"He still did it though," Caroline said bitterly, "I knew he shouldn't have made a promise like that. It was out of his control and if he gets locked up for years what do I tell Liam then? What do I do then?"
Rebekah gave her a sad look, rushing over to her to wrap her arms around Caroline, "It's going to be okay, Caroline. Klaus won't stop fighting to get back to you. He won't let Mikael win."
"I won't let him win either. I'm not losing Klaus again, Rebekah. I can't." Caroline sighed into her shoulder, "He fought to get me back. I'm fighting so he can stay. We need him, this family needs him. The only thing he is guilty of right now is trying to do the right thing for us."
Rebekah nodded, "You two were always meant to be together. The way you fight for each other… I want that."
"Can you watch Liam for me?" Caroline asked once she had pulled apart from Rebekah, the kettle clicked off on the counter, "There is something I need to do."
"Of course I can." Rebekah smiled, seeing the glint in Caroline's eyes.
She was fighting back.
/
Caroline stormed down the corridor with a purpose, looking every bit the lawyer Elijah had trained her to be. Her hair was naturally curled and her dark business suit made her look invincible. Police in uniform and casual clothes moved out of her way as she stalked down the halls to where the interrogation rooms were. She had been in this police station many times, had sat across from some of the best officers on the force and represented people she knew were guilty yet she had the police doubting their arrest by the hour. She was Caroline Forbes and she was bloody good at her job.
The rookie at the desk told her that Klaus was currently being interviewed in interrogation room 1 and Caroline gave him a sweet smile as she headed in that direction. She didn't announce her arrival but she knew how to make an entrance.
She barged into the interrogation room without knocking which she could probably get into trouble for later. Everyone in the room stopped talking to look at her, Klaus' face a picture of shock while the two officers looked nothing short of confused.
"What the hell are you doing in our interrogation room?" A brunette police woman asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Caroline.
Caroline could only smile as she watch her partner, the blond hair and high cheekbones giving him away instantly, "Matt Donavon," she greeted, "Nice to see you again, last time I saw you I was getting your prime suspect off a 12 years prison sentence."
Matt nodded, "I remember. Still a pain in the ass lawyer I see."
"You only say that because I'm the best at what I do." Caroline said, placing her files down on the table everyone was sitting round. She turned her attention to the brunette officer, "I'm sorry, I don't believe we have met."
"I'm Bonnie Bennett." The woman greeted, "And this is an interrogation, you can't just barge in."
"I'm Caroline Forbes, I will be representing Mr Mikaelson for this case and I am stopping this interview until I have had a private conversation with my client." Caroline said blunt, folding her arms over her chest. Klaus' looked amused as he looked from Caroline to his arresting officers with a smirk.
Bonnie sighed, "We are in the middle of an interview."
"I can see that." Caroline nodded, "But my client is allowed legal representation and considering we both know you plan to formally charge him after this interview I will be having that private conservation now. Matt knows better than to argue with me."
Matt sighed and stood up from the table, "Interview terminated at 16:56." He said before turning off the tape, "Come on Bonnie, we can give them five minutes. He isn't going anywhere."
"You have got to be kidding me, Donavon." She grumbled as she followed suit.
They were just out the door when Caroline called out, "Cameras off too please, this isn't to be used as evidence."
The door slammed shut behind them leaving only Klaus and Caroline in the room. She smiled at him before letting out a huge breath, "I hate being the bitchy lawyer. Damon is right though, very effective."
"Caroline…" Klaus started as he rose from the table.
She placed a hand out to cut him off, waiting until she heard the click from the cameras. A sign they were now in private.
"We don't have much time." She said softly as she looked back at him.
Klaus cut her off as he crushed his lips against hers, his tongue delving into her mouth as his hands gripped her waist to pull her closer. Caroline was shocked by the action but kissed back earnestly. It had been too long since they had done this and she couldn't help but melt into his touch. Klaus had her backed up against the clear glass in no time, his lips trailing down her throat with need as Caroline panted into his ear. It's only when one of his hands hitched up her that she remembered where she is, the situation they are in and the fact someone can walk in and see them at any moment.
Caroline pulled back, pushing Klaus further away from her as she tried to catch her breath. Klaus was breathing heavily too but backed away slowly until he was sitting down again.
"It's not you." Caroline assured him, "But anyone can just walk in at any moment and I do need to discuss your case."
Klaus nodded, "I guess I got carried away." He admitted sheepishly, "I wasn't sure I'd see you again after I was arrested."
"I can't walk away, Klaus. I'm not sure I remember how to not love you." She said softly as she moved closer to him, her hands reaching for his.
Klaus took it, curling his fingers round her own as a small smile graced his features. "What happens now?"
"The police will formally arrest you. Damon said your father is planning to apply for an immediate trial so you won't have to wait long for a court date. A couple of months at most." Caroline explained, her eyes meeting his with a soft glance.
"That's not what I meant." Klaus said gently, moving her hand away, "What happens with us? I know you don't want any of this and there is Liam to think about."
"He needs his dad, Klaus. Liam needs you and so do I." Caroline said strongly, "So what happens now is, I build up a case for your defence. I'm fighting this thing with you, Nik." She continued as she placed her palms over his cheeks, thumbs ghosting over his cheekbones, "Then you come home to us."
Klaus nodded, "Just promise me you won't tell Liam where I am. I don't want him to resent me the way I resented Mikael."
"Klaus he loves you, he would never…" Klaus cut her off.
"Promise me, Caroline." He said softly, "Just tell him I will be home soon and that I love him."
She could feel the tears in her eyes as she nodded, trying to blink them back, "I love you." She said gently, her hand still stroking his face.
Klaus gripped her hand in his, kissing her palm, "I love you too."
/
So what do you think? Thoughts/feelings?
Favourite line/scene? Let me know!
Please review! They mean the world to me and we are approaching the end of the story now – it will be finished by Christmas! Thank you!
Next chapter we have more Damon/Caroline bonding and the struggles of building up Klaus' case!