The Transition

18 Hours in Transition

"Daddy!"

I turn around, smiling as I see a little girl with chestnut brown hair and ocean blue eyes run towards me. By the time she reaches me, she's a full grown woman that I hold tightly. When I let her go, she smirks at me with a dimpled grin.

"Hey Dad."

I brush a hair from her cheek, finding my voice thick with emotion: "Claire."

Suddenly, she's ripped from my arms.

"Share Nik. She has other people who love her you know."

I roll my eyes playfully as Claire shouts merrily "Aunt Bex!" She hugs Rebekah tightly. After they part, they both smile at me.

I can't help but grin as i take Claire's hand and pull her into my arms again as Rebekah pouts with disapproval.

claire giggles.

"I'll have you know Rebekah, that She's my child and heir. I don't have to share," I retort.

"Oh. Don't be such a child Niklaus," scolds a male voice. As i look to my right, i see Elijah, then a little boy as he pulls his hand from Elijah's grasp and comes running to me. He collides into my leg, holding it tightly as he looks up.

"I found him! I found him Claire!"

"So you have," she says, her smirk growing wider.

"Now that isn't fair," says Elijah, kneeling next to the child, "I brought you to him."

he looks down apologetic. "Sorry."

Curious, I let go of Claire, and kneel before the child, staring at him. His tight, messy blond curls are as bright as an angelic halo. His piercing stormy blue eyes are filled with merriment as he flashes me a dimpled smile. i ruffle his hair, summoning a giggle from his lips as he rolls his eyes in a very familiar way that I can't pinpoint.

"What's your name?" I ask, smiling.

Before he can open his my mouth, the sound of a phone ringing makes my eyes snap open.

I awaken to my phone ringing on my nightstand.

I grab it instantly without looking at the caller id, the dream already fading in my mind. The dreams had switched now. Now i was dreaming about Claire, Bekah and Elijah and some child I didn't recognize. Why?

The phone keeps ringing. With a grumble, I answer.

"Speak."

"Really, Nik. Is that any way to greet your sister after 3 years?"

I sit up.

"Rebekah?"

"No. It's your fairy godmother. Who else? Did you delete my number or something?"

I ignore the edge of hurt in her voice as I glance at a nearby alarm clock.

"It's 3am," I growl. "Can't we have our family spat later in the day?"

Much later. I want to add.

"No. That's not why I'm calling. It's...it's Caroline," she chokes out.

fully alert, I ask apprehensively: "What about Caroline?" I have gotten so much bad news in the last 24 hours whenever I asked that question, that I was genuinely beginning to wonder if it was safe for my mental health to ask at all.

"Something is seriously wrong with her Nik. First off, she collapses in front of the mansion, out of breath scared and ghostly pale..."

I smile. Of course that is where Caroline would go. she loved that place. i felt like an idiot wasting hours looking all over New orleans and not the most obvious place. The witches knew she was still in New orleans but hadnt known where.

But if Caroline went to the mansion, that meant only one thing.

her memories were returning. she was remembering. eventually she'll remember...

everything.

I sigh heavily. Caroline's going to be furious with me, I think grimly, just as my sister asks over the phone:

"What did you do this time Nik? Wasn't compelling her enough?"

I ignore the accusation as i press forward.

"I highly doubt Caroline collapsing from exhaustion and showing up at the family home is why you called me."

"She can't feed. I gave her all types of blood, but she can't keep anything down. I called Elijah and his band of witches to see if they could figure it out but they must of sensed something bad because they tried to kill her. Of course, Caroline went ballistic and drained all the witches dry. It was so bad Nik..."

Though the situation was bad, my heart swelled with pride thinking of my queen taking out witches. How I wished I was there to watch. I accidentally let out a chuckle, causing Rebekah to scold me loudly.

"This isn't funny Nik! We had to vervain her! And I swear her eyes flashed gold, almost as if she's a werewolf. But that's not possible. Right?"

I was already dressed as I spoke into the phone. Opening my door and marching down the hallway where Marcel and the witches slept in my spare bedrooms I say:

"Turns out it is dear sister. Dear Caroline is transitioning into a hybrid."

"What? How?"

I knock loudly on Marcel's door. "I'll tell you when I arrive. I'll be there within the hour."

"Okay Nik. But...I'm scared. Drinking blood is not helping her transition. If she can't, won't she die?"

I purse my lips as Marcel opens his door, giving me a heated glare.

"We'll figure it out Bekah. Has Kol arrived? The Bennett witch said he was following Caroline's trail."

"What are you talking about? Kol's dead Nik."

Odd. So he hasn't arrived?

"The Bennett witch resurrected him," I casually explain.

"What?!"

"Never mind Bekah. Just you and Elijah take care of Caroline till I arrive."

I end the call before she responds, turning my attention to Marcel.

"This better be important," he says in grumpy tone. "We've been doing missing persons for 16 hours non stop. I just fell asleep."

"I don't care about you bloody beauty rest mate," I reply coldly. " Rouse the witches. we're leaving. Caroline isn't transitioning."

With that, I head off to the car, my mind consumed with worry.

One minute into transition

How was I alive? I don't know. I felt the werewolf venom burn through me. Felt everything shut down.

Felt me die.

But I woke up and I was hungry.

So hungry.

Before I knew it, Marcel was in front of me. he says Caroline with a shocked look on his face before I bit him.

I Bit him with such animalistic need that i didn't care i was killing him. I cared only about the hunger and the delicious blood.

But then I smelled them.

Intruders.

Snapping Marcel's neck, I ran.

I ran as hard and fast as I could. Midway, i felt sick and I threw up Marcel's blood. There was so much of it that I became instantly afraid.

What was wrong with me? Suddenly, I yearned for safety, normalcy.

Home.

And for some reason, I didn't think of my apartment, not even my mom's house at Mystic Falls, but a place I never felt afraid. A place full of happiness.

Before I knew it, I was at the outskirts of New orleans, filled with farms and former plantations. I cross a huge field that in the middle had the most beautiful mansion I ever seen. It made the Mikaelson house back at Mystic Falls look like a joke. I looked like something out of Gone with the Wind with its old school charm and grandeur. It was painted a soft yellow color.

"Like your hair Caroline," that familiar British voice came to me. unlike the other times, I can see him, Klaus, Clear as day, holding me tightly from behind, whispering in my ear, sending tingles down my spine. "Bright and brilliant like the sun itself," he finishes with a smile.

I shake my head, now dizzy as I make it to the front door, knocking as hard as I can.

16 hours in transition

I open my eyes, adjusting to the darkness as I glance at my surroundings. I must have passed out because I was no longer at the front door.

I was in enormous bedroom, with an en suite bathroom and studio. I look behind me, seeing floor to ceiling French doors that lead to an outdoor terrace that overlooked a lake.

Out of the corner of my eye, i notice a light. I stand up unsteadily from my bed focusing on a figure standing in front of a lit fireplace.

His toned back was tense, his white shirt stained with blood. Before I can open my mouth, the door opens behind me and a blond haired woman runs towards him.

My eyes widen. Me. The woman was me.

"Klaus," she, I whisper, taking a step forward.

"Klaus. Talk to me."

I bit my lip not knowing what else to say before he breaks the silence.

"I failed," his voice came out hoarse and weak. "I failed her, Caroline."

I quickly come up behind him and hold him laying my head on his back.

"Shh. Shh. Don't say that."

"What is the point of being King, the purpose of being an all powerful hybrid if I can't protect those I care about?!" He was shaking, his anger radiating through him.

I step around him to face him.

"What happened to Claire wasn't your fault. It...it was mine. I let her convince me to go to Mystic Falls. I put her in a position for Silas to attack and find her. It's my fault she's dead!" I choke out starting to cry.

His strong arms went around me, and I became angry with myself. So much for trying to comfort him.

"Caroline. I'm the alpha male. You and Claire's safety is my responsibility, no other. And it's obvious that I can't do it. I can't keep you safe. Not as long as you're with me and my enemies know what you mean to me."

I stiffen and step back, my eyes wide with fear as I read his expression. The hopelessness, the pain, the determination.

"No! You can't! You can't do this to me!" Fresh tears comes down my face. After all we've been through, after everything we've done to be together...

"Caroline," he whispers, "I have no choice. I can't lose the both of you."

I shake my head furiously and the words that I never had the guts to say, even when we got married, came tumbling out.

"I love you," i say, grabbing his face. His features change in my hands, stunned. "Don't send me away Niklaus. We'll get through this...together."

I watch him swallow hard, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he grabs my face too, his gaze intense with affection and think I got through to him until he says:

"You won't remember this," his voice came out strangled and quiet, his stormy blue eyes dilating. "You won't remember this night, you won't remember the last 17 years," he pauses, collecting himself,before he continues, "You won't remember how much I love you, how you saved me, how you're everything to me," he chokes out, a tear escaping his eyes. "You came to New Orleans because you were tired of Mystic falls and wanted to start fresh. You...you never met me."

I blink hard, and fall to my knees at the end of the memory, letting out a sob.

He did. He did compel me! How could he? How could he finally tell me he loved me and then wipe it from my mind? How could he?! I glance at my left hand, my rings, gone.

Like it never happened. I think angrily.

There's a knock on the door.

"Caroline?"

Rebekah.

"It's me and Elijah. We brought some witches to see if they can help you. Can we come in?"

"Yeah," I say hoarsely. My throat was dry.

So thirsty.

The door opens. Elijah, Bekah and five witches come into the room.

"Klaus compelled me," I mutter with a sob.

Rebekah and Elijah glance at each other them back at me.

"I know," says Elijah. "For the record, I was aganist it. But you know Niklaus."

"I won't forgive him," I say clenching my teeth. "I will never forgive him!"

"An abomination," hisses one of the witches suddenly.

"You drank the potion that was buried with Silas," another accused.

The memory came searing back with that accusation...back to three years ago...

We were at Mikaelson mansion at Mystic Falls. I watch as Claire removes a brick from the back of the fireplace and takes something out of the opening.

"So let me get this right," i say, "Katherine made a copy of potion?"

Claire stands up with a vial in her hand, smirking at me.

"Yep. Sophie was the witch who did it for her. That's how Katherine found out about the so called plot to bring Dad to New Orleans. the copy however, was missing some essential ingredients so she kept the original and gave Uncle Elijah the fake one. She's with Uncle Elijah now, but she says she still worries that Dad is biding his time, waiting for the chance to kill her."

"So..." Claire takes my hand and puts the
Vial in it. "She told me to give this to you as a peace offering. Convince Dad to promise to leave her alone."

I look at the vial warily. "Whose to say it won't turn me into a frog?"

Claire laughs. "Sophie verified the story Care. It's the real deal. Silas has the copy."

I bit my lip. "I don't think this will work on me. The only reason it would work on Silas is because he was originally a warlock and magic turned him to an immortal being. It probably would work on your Aunt Bekah because she was a witch before she was turned. But me? I was just a regular human turned vampire. I don't have hybrid potential."

"No Caroline, you're wrong!" claire insists excitedly. "I asked Sophie about that too. She believes that since you and Dad are mates and that you guys have shared blood, that the potential is there."

I sigh heavily, hesitating.

"Don't you see?" She continues, her eyes glowing. "You can finally have kids with Dad! just like you've always talked about. and i know it would make dad happy too," she adds softly.

I look up at her, her usually cheerful face is etched in sadness. "Claire..." I start softly.

"No. Listen. I know Dad loves me now, but Sophie told me how Dad reacted when he found out my mom was preggers."

My anger flashes at Sophie. What in the world was wrong with her?

"And I can't help but think that if it was you that turned up pregnant and not my mom, that his reaction wouldn't have been the same."

"Oh God, Claire..." My eyes fill with tears.

"Just stop it okay?" she cuts me off. " I didn't tell you that so we can have a pity party. I told you so you can take the potion. I want you and Dad to have the desire of your hearts. Be happy, and let me have a brother or sister for Christ's sake!"

I laugh and give her hug. "Thanks," I whisper in her ear.

"No problem."

"Oh. How touching," says another voice.

We both turn to the door.

"Klaus!"

"Dad!"

I run up and wrap my arms around him.

When he doesnt hug me back, i pull away. "You're not mad at us are you? I know we left without saying anything..."

He smiles broadly, flashing his dimples. "I'm not angry love. All is forgiven."

I smile back, "how much did you hear?" I ask coyly.

His smile suddenly becomes more sinister, cold. "Everything," he murmurs.

It takes me too long to notice that he has a white stake in his hand, etched in tribal writing and gems.

But not Claire.

In a flash, she grabs my arm and throws me towards the fireplace, away from him.

As I sit up, I see Silas, still as Klaus, grab her by the arm, pull her towards him and plunge the stake into her heart.

"No!" I scream.

Silas smiles as Claire's body falls to the ground, satisfaction etched on his features.

Take the potion, Caroline, I think. Take it! You can't let him have it!

During my fall, the vial had flown across the room. Just as he brings his attention to me, I flash to the vial, and drink as I feel him grab me by the hair, attempting to stop me.

But he was too late. The sweet liquid had gone down my throat.

He let out a deafening scream of despair as he threw me across the room. No longer was he Klaus, but a tall, hooded figure, with a disfigured face, marching towards me.

"You'll pay," he rasps. "You'll pay!"

Bracing myself for the worst, I close my eyes, until I hear a familiar voice chanting and Silas screaming in pain.

I look up, and see Bonnie saving me with her magic. Her chanting commanding, powerful.

Her voice melds, then fades as my mind comes back into the present. the five witches were glaring at me, chanting loudly.

I scream, holding my head.

Rebekah and Elijah turn to the witches trying to stop them, but they get magically flung across the room.

They're going to kill us, I realize.

Me and my family.

In a blur, I grab the neck of the nearest witch and rip her throat out with my fangs, relishing in the blood. The others, try to direct their strength towards me, but I was too fast.

And thirsty.

So thirsty...

A/N Well. That's it! you guys have been so awesome with the favs, follows and reviews. Keep them coming! Your question are always welcome too!

Next Chapter- Caroline completes her transition. Klaus and Caroline face each other now her memories have returned!