AN: Here it is guys. The last one. Before we continue there are a couple of readers I would like to thank for their constant support over the lifespan of this story. Special thanks to Hellzz-on-Earth for an unbelievable insight and understanding of what I wanted to achieve and jessnicole for the positive attitude and genuine excitement over the story. Also a big thank you to all of you who took the time to read and give this story a shot amongst the sea of others and found it to their liking. Anyways, let us not make this a sob fest, but rather enjoy the last chapter :)

-KC-

Chapter 11

It felt like his dance card was full. The moment he walked in he was greeted by his siblings.

"Nik, we have news. One you might not appreciate but if you agree it would mean a lot to us."

Nothing like vague news to hit one blindsided. It was like everyone wanted something of him today. He was not a fairy damn it. Still they were family so he would listen what they had to say.

"Well go on than Rebekah. You don't want me to assume the worst."

She shook her head and looked over to Elijah. The mentioned man got up and left his drink on the fireplace.

"We have matters to attend in the city of New Orleans. It was the town where we spend most time hiding from Mikael during the course of history. We made it our home."

Soon after he was interrupted by Rebekah.

"That is until we found out that someone is trying to establish themselves as the new ruler of New Orleans and I will not have that. They must learn their place."

He listened to them while he poured himself a drink. He quite enjoyed this passing time, but not to get off topic.

"Let me guess. It would be oh jolly good if you had a big bad hybrid by your side to add to an already impressive original roster. Am I wrong?"

His brother only nodded while Rebekah had to add her two cents in.

"I wouldn't be so blasé about it Nik. These are formidable people. We will need your help."

Well he also wanted to discover things in the world, but it was as if the moment he got out from the Mikaels claws somebody else waited to dig in.

"Enough! I will put it under advisement."

Yet while Elijah remained calm, Rebekah was less so. She was growing frustrated by his evasive answers.

"But Nik, you can't turn us down. We are your family."

That was the final straw. He felt the pressure of the past days just pull him under their weight and in return he lashed out. The glass shattered into the flame of the fireplace, flames leaping in an enraged manner.

"Don't you think I know? I've been locked for centuries and the moment I am out everyone comes at me with their demands. I am not a fucking leprechaun. I am one man. So when I say to wait for my answer you damn well do or the next time we will have nothing to talk about."

He paced away, his steps creating the distance while he left the bewildered siblings in his wake. It was just enough, a drop that finally tipped the glass. He had no more patience left for the theatrics or anything else except for some alone time but as he went to his room he was greeted with the sight of Caroline. He was really not in the mood, but the day just kept on giving.

Taking a breath he tried to take it all in a stride.

"Caroline- what can I do for you this evening."

He knew they had left on a better note but he just couldn't get himself under control. She seemed to recognize that.

"You are upset. I can come some other time."

But before she could leave his answer stopped her.

"No."

Clearly confused by the state he was in she tried again.

"What?"

He just couldn't stop himself.

"No we will deal with this now. It is that kind of day love. Come on do share."

She looked at him weary of what brought this on. His mind clouded by the day's events. It was too much for a person to handle that was so used to solitude.

"No, I will talk to you when you are sane. Not when you are acting like a jerk."

He only laughed and it aggravated her more.

"Why not? Nobody else cares what I feel or what I want. I am everyone's helper. Mending fences and moving tide. So why not you too?"

She stepped closer, her own anger and hurt lacing her words.

"Because I care Klaus. Don't you see that in spite of it all I care? Even if it is not what any of my friends want. They wanted me dead before setting a foot in your direction."

He closed the space between them. A breath away from each other.

"Why don't you go with your friends then? They care so much while I am nothing but a bored relic searching for entertainment."

The hurt was there swimming in her eyes but he just couldn't stop. The doubts who to trust and what to do now that life started to pull him in so many directions left him on edge. The voices in his head had grown so loud that he heard nothing else but the hateful things they whispered.

"Is that what you want? Maybe I should walk away. I am better off on my own than with a person who will self-destruct their own way to hope."

With that she turned away and started to leave. Then it was only rush of blood in his ears and he was angry, so angry that he couldn't let her leave. It hurt to watch her leave. So in a flash he was in front of her, every bit as manic as they thought he was.

"Don't turn your back on me!"

She whipped around her own eyes ablaze and the skin starting to darken under her eyes. She was losing control.

"I should've turned my back on you ages ago!"

They stared at each other before she turned away, tension flowing like liquid around them.

"God! Can't you for one second not sabotage every little good thing in your life?"

His haze cleared and whispers subsided. It was like coming from under water after a long time. It was as if he was looking at her the first time. She continued her tirade oblivious to his change.

Her eyes bore into him while she paced around the room. Anger pouring out of her, but now it was resided in hurt. He had hurt her, just as he probably would sooner or later because he can't control himself. He is as lost for control as she is, even more so. Maybe it was better if he let her go.

As much as he didn't trust her friends to take care of her, he also didn't trust himself to do so. Even now looking at her as she went on, full of passion and energy he was in owe with her and the conviction with which she spoke made him get out of his own tortured mind and finally focus on what she was saying.

"...they were right, but I couldn't let it go. I wanted to meet this man and discover his will to live and understand new things. That simple belief that there was more to life is what I want too. Can't you see?"

He just stood still, not comprehending what was happening.

"I should feel sick of you, run the other way. My friends and family all of them would be happier for it-"

She sighed, defeat shining in her eyes, a sad smile on her face.

"For once in my life I wanted to do something for myself. Follow my own dreams, but it wasn't meant to be."

With that she was gone. The distorted sound returned and a picture turned into pale grey. What had he done? Again, his own mistake to merit this end.

"Caroline-"

He realized long before that she was the one who could pull him out of the haze and he did his damnest to push her away. No reason at all. Maybe he really was broken beyond repair. No one will try to fix him. She did and look where it got her.

"No. Not like this." he whispered to no one at all.

Soon his eyes flashed yellow and he tore from the mansion. He could pick up her scent anywhere. She was in the woods. As he came closer he saw her leaning against the tree. Fight had long left her but she sensed him.

Her whisper only confirmed the hurt he caused.

"You don't get to chase me. So what, you know your powers better than I do."

Another sob broke from her body and he was lost on how to make it better. He did this. Her fierce voice startled him.

"I will learn. On my own just you watch. I'll be the best damn hybrid this world has ever seen."

With that she looked at him and he thought he was standing in front of a queen. The body and spirit may bend but she will not break.

"I don't need you Klaus."

Caroline continued to walk away, the sun rays penetrating the trees and reflecting in the soft blonde curls. She was absolutely magnificent. He could see it. Them training and learning. Seeing the world together. Conquering those who opposed them. The king and his queen. He needed that. He needed her.

"But I need you Caroline."

At that she stopped and he heard a small sniffle escape her but she gathered herself up before turning to face him, doubt on her face. Disbelief at what he said.

"Really the mighty Klaus needs someone other than himself."

He walked slowly taking his time, waiting for her to come out of her shell. Like the sun coming up.

"Desperately."

A small smile escaped her. He was picking the pieces, mending her.

"What if I don't need you and run away?"

Another step forwards, his face clear and emotions shown perhaps for the first time in his life. He had nothing to hide. Not from her.

"I will follow you. Wherever you go."

She took a step towards him, an eyebrow raised.

"What if I don't want to be followed?"

Another step.

"I will wait. However long it takes."

Mischief in her eyes as she took her final step to stand before him.

"However long?"

He didn't want to hide. She was his queen. He had known it since the first time he saw her. He resolutely said, no stop or stumble.

"Forever."

The smile she gave him almost made him avert his gaze. He wasn't worthy, but then again he was the devil so he will take what he can get.

"Good."

With that her lips were on his and all he his senses stopped.

Finally - silence. Silence and Caroline.

(the end)

AN: If you've made it this far I'd just like to say thanks for sticking with me! And please if you have a sec hit that little button and let me know how did you like this chapter and of course the story as a whole :)