A/N: Story is based in the future, no particular time in the TVD or TO life. OOC, I'm sure. It's been a while since I updated, sorry for that. Here's the final chapter in this mini story. No beta and I didn't spend too much time editing. I mapped this story out in my head (didn't put anything down on paper per se) so there are likely some plot holes
Disclaimer: I own none of these peeps.
Chapter 3: Times Up
She ran.
There was no other way she kept telling herself.
The witches of NOLA got to her. They devised a plan to force Caroline to do their bidding. They told her to go to him, make him trust you more than he already does, prove to him your loyalty. And when the time comes, we'll find you and then you will betray him.
She knew. She knew she signed her death sentence by agreeing to do this. All she wanted was to protect her family, her mother. When the witches had taken and tortured her mother leaving her on the brink of death, Caroline remained stubborn. She knew her mom was strong, she could get through it. But the days and nights of endless pain as they paraded Liz in front of Caroline forcing her to watch their violent acts, it was too much, much too much. Finally, she cracked. It took longer than the witches anticipated getting Caroline to agree to their plan, so long in fact that the witches were almost unable to revive Liz' life force, they did. Liz was released shortly after with a spell in place that would be enforced if Caroline reneged on the deal.
She was to tell no one. She didn't.
She remembers the day she went to New Orleans, to Klaus. He greeted her with a smirk and a knowing look. She claimed she was there, ready for him to show her the world and he did. They traveled for months and he regaled her with stories of old. He was a thoughtful and charming host, always entertaining, never pushy. Caroline knew he hungered for her beyond friendship. His looks would burn right through her, the casual touches that lingered longer than appropriate for friends. After months of traveling, of promises never spoken, Caroline finally acted. Klaus seemed almost surprised by her boldness. She liked that she could still surprise him. A touch, a kiss, fingers entwined; nights that went on for days.
In her mind forever had to start now. She knew, once Klaus uncovered her duplicity nothing would ever be the same. Her immortal life would likely be cut short even if words of love have been used. This was Klaus, the big bad, she understood him, his temperament.
Caroline almost fooled herself into believing it was all real, almost.
The day came. The witches contacted Caroline and she told Klaus she was ready to go home, to his home, to be his queen. The true delight that he rarely shows and unadulterated adoration on his face was like a stake through her heart. She had no choice, she kept telling herself, no choice.
It had been a short time since their return when the witches finally shared their full plan. It was about Hope, his daughter; it had all been about Hope. They knew she was alive, in hiding. Caroline shared all that she had learned about Hope, all that Klaus had shared during their time together. It was enough for them to concoct a spell to learn her whereabouts. But, the timing had to be perfect. Her death had to take place when their ancestral magic was at its strongest.
Caroline was to play the distraction one last time. She knew the time was coming. Caroline called Bonnie and told her everything. She made Bonnie promise to protect her mother, all of them – to cloak them from everyone because he will be coming for them all. Of that she was certain.
On the night of the harvest it all went tragically wrong. Klaus' spies uncovered her deceit, the witches plan, and Rebekah was far too wise to not notice the signs and run.
Caroline manages to escape the compound after her run-in with Klaus. His anguish and broken stance, it was Caroline's undoing – she would never forget that moment, the moment she felt her heart break. With Klaus' roar of anger screaming through the distance, Caroline runs faster than she ever has before.
She never stays in one place for more than a few hours, constantly moving. Exhaustion overcomes her – she's tired of the deceit, the lies, of running, of being scared, of loving him. She knows he'll find her. Klaus is anything if not patient. It is too much. She is not a coward; she does not run from her mistakes. She is Caroline freakin Forbes, Miss Mystic Falls. She owns up to her wrongs. So, she stops and waits.
It doesn't take him long to track her down. He watches her for a few days wondering why she stopped moving. He looks at her with regret and love. Finally, he approaches.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Klaus," she whispers.
"Did you miss me? You know, you could've waited for me back at the compound. I was coming for you," he eerily acknowledges.
Caroline takes a deep breathe while cautiously watching him. Without Klaus seemingly aware, his eyes glow the most beautiful shade of yellow with orbs that flicker like flames. Caroline thinks I could get lost in those eyes.
Klaus slowly approaches her. He sees the look of fright and something else in her cornflower blues. As he closes the gap, it's then he realizes what that something else is – it's the look she had in her eyes the first time she told him she loved him. It crushes him.
As Klaus gently grabs her and pulls her in, Caroline softly says "I know why you're here and I deserve every bit of it. All I ask is that you don't forget – don't forget what you felt, we felt together. Remember that you can and did love once and that you were loved back."
He blinks as uncertainty rises up. But, he cannot back down, he cannot let her go. It's for Hope, her safety, that's all that matters now.
He strokes her face as he asks "Why?" A simple word that asks so much.
Caroline lightly touches his face. She runs her fingers through his curly locks, over his eyes, across his nose and cheeks, landing on his lips. She's memorizing every part of him. Her eyes touch his as she finally speaks, "I wish I could say I had no choice but that's not true. I realize that now, I didn't then. My choice was an impossible one – my mother or you – at the time my mom…" She stops short, unable to finish.
"And, now?" he pushes.
"It was an impossible choice. I understand now that there was really only one option for me. Yes, someone needed to be sacrificed but that someone should've been me. I should never have served as the distraction, I never will again."
"I am sorry for so many things, Klaus. But, I'm not sorry for our time together. I'm not sorry for loving you."
"Please, Klaus. Make it as painless as possible. I know I have no right to ask it of you, but please…" she begs.
Klaus nearly stumbles with her in his arms as her pleas and convictions of love are said.
He slowly leans in, takes her hand and entwines their fingers and says, "Nor will I ever regret our time together, sweetheart. It took me a thousand years to find you. I don't expect I ever will again"
He loosens his fingers as they slowly crawl down her chest. He gently places his lips to hers. Caroline closes her eyes, kisses him back with everything she's ever felt. It's a kiss of forever, of promises broken, of heartbreak, of love.
As Klaus pushes his hand through her chest and feels her heart Caroline's eyes clash with his as she whispers, "I'm sorry, Nik, I'm sorry we couldn't have forever."
Klaus looks at his Caroline, his love, as she closes her eyes for the last time.
The end.
A/N: I know, I know sooo not a Klaroline happy ending. Sorry. I envisioned this happening from the moment I thought of this story. Again, perhaps it's my angsty mood the direction of these characters put me in. I hope you can enjoy and fine some joy in the fact that they did find love, however tragic. Thanks for reading.
