Fixing Mistakes

Chapter 4 - Confrontation

"I think we need to talk."

Caroline tilted her head, "What do you wish to talk about?"

"Niklaus." Tatia crossed her arms, glaring at Caroline, "And the fact that he is mine."

Caroline bit her lip to contain her grin, she had a feeling that this conversation would be coming, "Is that right?"

"Yes, it is." Tatia replied, "He has been since I arrived in this village."

"What about Elijah?" Caroline asked, curious as to how Tatia would answer, "If I chose to court him instead of Niklaus what would you say then?"

Tatia clenched her fist, "I would tell you that he is also mine."

"You cannot have them both, Tatia." Caroline responded, "One day you will have to choose."

"I choose them both." Tatia grew annoyed at Caroline's unconcerned behaviour, as if she didn't feel threatened by her, "I want them both. Separate they only give me a little of what I need, together they give me what I deserve."

"And what exactly is it that you think you deserve that you are not happy with the love of one good man but you must have them both?" Caroline asked incredulously, unbelieving of Tatia's nerve of craving them both.

"I deserve everything!" Tatia burst out, she was sick of the respectable image she projects, finally showing the immaturity that hides beneath, "I have a child that I have to care for and I need something for myself. I need love and passion. Niklaus and Elijah provide that."

Caroline felt disgusted, "Is that what you wish to teach your child? That it is okay to toy with the affections of two good men for your own enjoyment." Caroline shook her head at the unapologetic look on Tatia's face, "You would destroy the bond between two brothers simply because you are too afraid of picking the wrong brother and regretting that choice."

"How dare you?" Tatia's cheek coloured with rage, hating with everything that she was that Caroline had guessed correctly.

"How dare I? How about how dare you?" Caroline narrowed her gaze as she stepped closer to Tatia, entering her personal space and crowding her as she continued her brutal honesty, "You are so afraid of being alone that you don't know what you want. I bet that you don't even love either of them. You will just keep stringing them along until you grow bored of them or find some other poor soul to cling to."

Tatia clenched her jaw as she glared at Caroline. Each word piercing her deeply as they were the truth. She balled her hands into fist as she was unable to reply to Caroline.

"Niklaus does not deserve you and your changeable affections. It is you," Caroline pushed her finger against Tatia's chest, "who does not deserve him."

White hot anger filled Tatia. She was the most desired girl in the village, she would not take this from an outsider who didn't know what they'd been through together. Yelling with rage Tatia pushed Caroline, "I hate you!"

Klaus had tears in his eyes after overhearing Caroline's defence of him. No one had ever stood up for him before not even his siblings. Yet Caroline had known him for less than a week and she somehow found him worthy. She believed that Tatia didn't deserve him as opposed to the other way around. Mikael told him often that he didn't deserve Tatia, that he should be grateful for whatever scraps of attention she gave him as it would probably be the only form of love he would ever know as nobody would ever love a weakling like him. If that were true then how could Caroline stand up for him with such pure honesty.

Klaus heard Tatia yell that she hated Caroline so he looked up. His eyes widened as Tatia pushed Caroline, he was about to intervene but what happened next shocked him frozen.

Caroline stumbled back at Tatia's push and glared at her. She saw Tatia raise her hand to slap her, she caught it in midair, jerked it down and twisted it behind Tatia's back causing her to spin around crying out, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Caroline bent her head to whisper in her ear, "Unlike you, I know how to defend myself."

For the first time Tatia was scared, Caroline's grip was strong, if she pulled her arm anymore she'd break it. Whimpering in pain she tried to break free. She couldn't.

"Stop your struggling." Caroline hissed, angered that Tatia had tried to attack her. She may now be human but she hadn't forgot how to defend herself, she may be weaker but she was not weak.

Tatia stilled, her heart almost bursting out of her chest with fear, "L-let me go."

Caroline smirked, "All in due time. First of all," she twisted Tatia's arm slightly, not enough to break it but enough to hurt, "if you ever try to attack me again you will see just how strong I really am." Caroline let go of her arm and pushed Tatia away from herself, "Second, Niklaus is a grown man and can make his own decisions on who he wishes to be with."

Tatia's heart was still beating frantically in fear as she rubbed her sore arm. Tears fell down her cheeks as she stared at Caroline, she knew she had lost Klaus as no one ever defended him, least of all to her, if anything they tried to dissuade her from being with him.

Seeing that she would get no reply from Tatia, Caroline dismissed her, "Go."

Tatia all but ran away from Caroline stopping only when her eyes locked on Klaus, he was hidden behind a tree and from the look in his eyes she knew that he had heard everything. They were well and truly over. Choking on a sob she hurried back to her home, embarrassed that Klaus had seen her try to get Caroline to leave him alone and when she couldn't she had resorted to attacking her. How could she face either one of them after what she'd tried to do?

Klaus was in awe. Caroline had dealt with Tatia's attack calmly and with knowledge of how to defend herself. Who had taught her? And why did they feel the need to? With questions burning within him and an overwhelming need to talk to Caroline he left his hiding place. He approached her and said her name softly, "Caroline."

Caroline snapped her head up, "Klaus."

Klaus stopped. No one had ever called him that before. The way it rolled off Caroline's tongue made him shiver. She said it so naturally, as if it had crossed her lips a hundred times before. He mulled the name over for a minute, "Klaus." He tested it on his tongue, "I like it." He smiled wide, liking it even more because it would be between him and Caroline alone.

Caroline's eye widened at her slip. She couldn't believe that she had just called him Klaus instead of Niklaus. It just came out, great! I have just given him the name Klaus. Decades or probably centuries before he was supposed to. Though judging by Klaus's smile he doesn't seem to mind, "I don't know why I called you that. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't." Klaus replied, his voice soft and full of admiration, "In fact I quite like it." He tucked a stray curl behind Caroline's ear, "I suspect it is because it is you who said it."

Caroline was caught within the endless depths of Klaus's eyes, his softening gaze drawing her in, trapping her in his orbit as he had many times in the past. Future. The word sobered her up and she looked down at her feet, "Niklaus..."

"Don't." Klaus took Caroline's chin in his hand, "When it's just you and I call me Klaus." A shy smiled curled his lips, "I love the way you say it, as if you have been calling me it for years."

That wasn't far off the truth, Caroline thought.

"Now," Klaus released Caroline's chin and smiled widely, "I heard what you two were talking about." He leant in and kissed her cheek, "Thank you."

Caroline could see the gratitude in Klaus's eyes. Swallowing at his close proximity she whispered, "For what?"

"For defending me." Klaus looked at Caroline in wonder, "No one ever has before."

Caroline's breathing quickened as Klaus's eyes dropped to her lips, "You didn't deserve to be treated that way."

"No one has said that either." Klaus raised his hand to Caroline's face, gently cupping her jaw and brushing his thumb against her cheek, "You are the first."

"Klaus..." Caroline's eyes slipped closed, almost moaning at the reverent way Klaus touched her face.

"Only you." Klaus brought Caroline's face toward him and softly covered her mouth with his. He tenderly took her bottom lip between his and sucked on it. His heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest, her sweet taste becoming addictive.

Caroline moaned as she cradled Klaus's face between her palms, holding him to her as she returned his kiss. Tilting her head she deepened the kiss, opening her mouth and tangling her tongue with his, almost whimpering as she tasted him again.

Klaus pulled back and rest his head against Caroline. He was breathing hard, his eyes alight with desire, his body almost shaking with need for her. One kiss and he wanted to ravish Caroline. He never felt this way with Tatia, her kisses were pleasant but they never made him want to throw her down on the ground and lose himself in her.

Caroline looked deep into Klaus's eyes, trying to catch her breath after his passionate kiss. She had just kissed Klaus, technically for the second time and she had enjoyed it. Almost as much as she had in the future, unlike that time it did not lead to sex as they didn't just sleep together in this time, they did it only when they had feelings for each other and were married.

Klaus pushed a curl behind Caroline's ear and let his hand rest against her face. He stared into her big eyes and smiled happily at her, "I wish to court you, Caroline." His heart picked up as he waited for her reply.

Caroline was speechless. Klaus wanted to, well date her apparently, not that she was that surprised after that kiss. Could she be with Klaus? She had feelings for him but they were for future Klaus, though she couldn't deny that she and Niklaus shared a connection. How would she ever know just who she had feelings for if she didn't take a chance. She was a thousand years in the past and she didn't have to worry about what her friends thought. Plus, she didn't know if she would ever return to the present, or if indeed the Mikaelson's would still turn into vampires. She would not give up a chance of happiness for people she may never see again. She made her choice.

Klaus grew uneasy at Caroline's long silence, he was sure he felt her return his kiss with equal passion. Feeling the familiar sting of rejection he dropped his gaze, tears threatening behind his eyes, "I understand." His voice was dejected.

"No, you don't." Caroline hesitantly placed her hand on Klaus's chin, tilting his face up to hers. She could have gasped at the hurt in his eyes. Stroking his jaw she never looked away from his gaze, "Do not take my silence for rejection, I had to think, to be sure of what it is I wanted."

Klaus dared to hope, "What is it that you want?"

"You." Caroline smiled, "What I want is you." She leant in and brushed a tender kiss against Klaus's mouth, just caressing his lips with her own.

Klaus smiled into Caroline's kiss, she wanted to be with him, his heart filled with happiness. He bravely placed his hands on her hips, just holding her as he returned her kisses. He sweetly brushed his mouth against hers, enjoying her taste and the heat from her body under his hands. She was so beautiful.

Caroline was unused to the unhurried way they kissed in this time, with Matt and Tyler their kisses were passion filled, letting you know what they had on their mind, sex. With Klaus, it was as if he was letting her know that yes he did desire her but he also cared about her. She daren't say love, knowing that it was impossible to feel anything like love this quick. She was so lost in Klaus that she almost didn't hear her name being called.

Rebekah was starting to get worried. It was late, her whole family were asleep and Caroline had yet to return from her stroll. She was sure Caroline said that she wouldn't be long but it must be well over an hour since she left. Unable to sit and wait any longer Rebekah took her lamp and went searching for her.

Walking through the village Rebekah called out just above a whisper, "Caroline?" She shone her lamp around trying to catch a glimpse of Caroline's blonde hair, "Caroline! Where are you?" She saw something near the treeline, what looked like two people were standing close together.

Rebekah headed toward them. The nearer she got she could start to make them out. A man and a woman, both had blonde hair, one was light the other a darker shade. They appeared to be kissing. An embarrassed blush stained her cheeks, she was about to turn around when she finally recognized who stood before her, "Nik! Caroline! What are you both doing?"

Caroline gasped against Klaus's mouth as Rebekah's shocked voice reached her through her haze of lust. Pulling back from Klaus she stared wide eyed at Rebekah, not knowing what to say.

Klaus tried to catch his breath, his hand still on Caroline's hip, unwilling to part from her. He was embarrassed at being caught but he wasn't ashamed, he was enchanted by Caroline and wanted to tell everyone of his newfound happiness.

Rebekah crossed her arms over her chest raising her eyebrows, "Well? I'm waiting."

There was the Rebekah Caroline remembered, she almost smiled as she saw the parts of her that had not changed. Caroline placed her hand on Klaus's and interlocked their fingers, she wasn't sure if they did that now but it was her way of showing that she and Klaus were now together, "Niklaus and I talked and..."

Klaus smiled at Caroline before telling Rebekah, "Caroline has graciously agreed that I may court her."

Rebekah was surprised, "What about Tatia? I thought you were courting her."

"I was." Klaus replied, he looked at Caroline as he explained, "But ever since Caroline arrived I have not been able to stop thinking of her." He frowned as he recalled Tatia's confrontation with Caroline, her selfishness laid out before him as he'd never allowed himself to see, "After witnessing a conversation between the two I realised that if I truly loved her I would think of no other and if she loved me she would not also see my brother."

Rebekah was happy that Klaus had finally rid himself of Tatia. She did not deserve him or Elijah and she wished that Elijah would also let her go and find someone worthy of him.

"I hope you do not mind that I am now courting your brother." Caroline hoped Rebekah was not upset as she truly valued the friendship she had developed with her.

"No, I do not mind." Rebekah smiled at the couple to show that she was not displeased, "How could I? My best friend and my favourite brother can make one another happy." She approached them and placed her hands on each of their shoulders, "Trust me, this news brings me nothing but joy."

"Thank you, Rebekah." Caroline grinned, happy that Rebekah was pleased for the two of them.

"Thank you, little sister." Klaus brought Rebekah into a hug, knowing that she supported him made him happy as she was his closest sibling.

Rebekah returned Klaus's embrace, whispering in his ear, "You deserve nothing but happiness."

Klaus tightened his hold on Rebekah, unable to express his feelings through the lump in his throat. He did not hear that he deserved happiness very often, in fact tonight had been the first when Caroline said it to Tatia and now Rebekah had said it to him. Today was turning out to be one of the happiest of his life.

Rebekah pulled back, "Not that I'm not delighted for you both but we really must go home. It is late."

Klaus held his arms out for Rebekah and Caroline to take, "Then I shall escort my two favourite ladies home."

"Thank you, Nik." Rebekah giggled as she held her brothers arm.

Caroline curled her arm around Klaus's, "Take us home, Niklaus."

"It is my pleasure." Klaus smiled, escorting Rebekah and Caroline back to their home. He loved that Caroline lived with them, that no matter what he was doing on any given day he was guaranteed to see her. He walked with them all the way to their shared room.

"I will let you two have a moment." Rebekah offered to give them a moment alone. She kissed Klaus on the cheek, "Goodnight, Nik."

Klaus smiled at Rebekah, "Night, Bekah." He watched her go inside before facing Caroline. He cupped her cheek and covered her lips with his for a sweet kiss. Pulling back he rest his forehead against hers, caressing her cheek tenderly, "Until the morn, Caroline."

Caroline leant into Klaus's touch, never looking away from him she whispered, "Until then," she smiled her eyes twinkling, "Klaus."

Klaus smiled, loving the sound of Caroline's version of his name. He kissed her forehead and watched her enter before retiring to his own room. His dreams would be full of Caroline, he was sure of it.

Caroline put on her night dress before laying down on her bed on the floor. The smile never left her lips as she thought of Klaus and the sweet way he held her as they kissed, close but not too close. She didn't know if they would last but if she was stuck here for the rest of her life she was happy to spend it in his company.

Rebekah turned over so that she faced Caroline, "You will treat him right, won't you?"

Caroline faced Rebekah, "I know the pain of being used and abused. I would never do that to Niklaus."

"Good." Rebekah had seen Klaus hurt more than she cared too, she didn't want her new friend to be another person to hurt him. Smirking at Caroline she asked, "How good was it?" Rebekah had never been kissed before and she was dying to know if it was worth all the fuss.

"He was," Caroline smiled, biting her lip, "incredible. He made my toes curl."

Rebekah sighed with envy, she hoped for the day that a man would sweep her off her feet and shower her in all the kisses she desired. However with two very overprotective brothers and an overbearing father, the chances of her meeting her true love dwindled by the day, "I wish I knew what that felt like."

"You don't?" Caroline asked surprised, "You've never kissed anyone before?"

"No." Rebekah admitted, "With Nik and Elijah scaring off any male who comes near me, I cannot find a man brave enough to even talk to me."

Caroline held her hand out for Rebekah to take, smiling she squeezed it, "Then they are not worthy of you in the first place."

Rebekah blinked back her tears, "It makes me despair of ever finding happiness."

"It can take a while to find the one." Caroline sighed as she thought of her previous relationships, "I have courted a few before Niklaus."

"What happened?" Rebekah asked, it was unusual to court more than one person.

Caroline pondered over how to answer, she was by no means a slut but in this time, the simple fact that she'd had sex before marriage implied that she was. She chose her words carefully, "The first man used and abused me, he was the biggest mistake of my life. The next was the complete opposite to him, he was safe and sweet and I loved him. But we lacked passion, plus he was also in love with someone else. Then there was Tyler," Caroline felt pain as she thought of Tyler, he had picked revenge over her and that still hurt, "he was the closest I came to a forever love."

"Why are you two not married?" Rebekah asked, she could see the pain that Caroline still carried within her, "What separated you two?"

Your brother, Caroline thought, out loud she said, "We had passion and a fierce love but he never stuck around when things got tough and he picked others over me." She released a breath, "We no longer fit."

"I am sorry." Rebekah smiled sympathetically, "Their loss is my brothers gain." She winked.

Caroline laughed, "I suppose it is."

Rebekah snuggled under her blankets, a new content feeling within her at the possibility of Klaus and Caroline, the hope that she will become her sister putting a smile on her face, "Night."

"Goodnight." Caroline whispered, her eyes closing as the exhaustion of the day pulled her into sleep.

Ara was ecstatic. Caroline had dealt with Tatia swiftly and Klaus had finally seen her true colours, choosing Caroline to court. The kissed they shared was so full of feeling that Ara swooned. Sending Caroline to Niklaus had been the right choice.

Nera was overjoyed at how well Caroline and Klaus's relationship had progressed, their bond would grow stronger by the day, further cementing their shared future.

"Is that the end of Tatia's involvement?" Ara asked.

Nera placed her hand in the alter, gently swirling the water so that waves formed. Looking in her minds eye she looked through their future, "Tatia is no longer a problem for Caroline and Niklaus. However," she frowned as she watched the new images, "he is coming. After the moon he will try to tear them apart." She smiled as she saw what will happen, "Caroline is not so easily dissuaded."

"She has the strength of the light within her, darkness cannot touch her once she and Niklaus unite." Ara revealed, Caroline's inner strength was the match to Niklaus's outer strength.

"She will need that inner strength for what lies ahead." Nera replied.

"They will be each others strength." Ara was sure of that and soon Caroline and Niklaus will show one another just that.

TBC

AN - What did you guys think? Did you like how Caroline was brutally honest with Tatia, just as she was with Klaus when they first met. Thank you all for your awesome reviews, I am so happy that you have enjoyed it. Until next time X X X