Like there's no tomorrow
Nik was lying in some dingy cell God knows where. I mean this most certainly was a prison, but it wasn't Chicago's main prison (don't ask how he knew this little fact). The alleged cops that brought him here weren't talkative either. They just literally pushed him into a cell and left him here to rot. Apparently he was too much of a low life to have the right to a lawyer, or any other rights normal citizens had. Nik wasn't one of those that would easily despair, but in this dark, smelly cell he had a confession to make. He was starting to despair. And not just because of him … It was because of her, his sweet Caroline. She hadn't left his mind for a second after they had taken him and placed him in this box. He was driving himself crazy thinking about her. He was trying so hard to believe she was fine, she was safe. Victor got to her in time, and she was somewhere neither Bill nor Tyler could reach her. Yes, this had to be the truth, it just had to be. Faith couldn't be so cruel to punish an innocent like her. But as much as he tried he couldn't push Tyler's words from his head:" She had made the wrong choice. A really horrible choice. She'll regret it for the rest of her life; I can promise you that friend."
If that mutt places a hand on her … He'll … He'll … God damn it, what will he do? he thought and pushed his fists through the steel bars of the cells, the pain of it making him scream but it felt kind of good, it felt as he was still alive. He could do nothing to keep her safe from here. Nothing at all … And it was killing him … She was the one good thing that had happened to him, and look what happened. He was a selfish prick, that he was. I should have pushed her away that night, I should have made her leave, I should have broken her heart in million pieces but at least she'd be safe now, a voice inside of him was screaming. But another voice said, yes, but she'd be married to Tyler Lockwood, a man she didn't love, she wouldn't be happy, she would die slowly in that gilded cage of hers. Well, I guess they were just screwed either way you looked at it. One life to live my ass. It turned out to be a real shabby one.
"Hey pretty boy" a guard yelled at him.
"We didn't want you to feel lonely so we brought you some company." the horrid man chuckled and opened his cell for a second time, bringing another inmate inside. Nik didn't even look at him. He just stared at the wall, like none of this concerned him. And it didn't actually. He had to believe he wouldn't be here long. Victor would help him, Elijah would help him, he rolled his eyes when thinking about it, but it's not like he had a choice. He wasn't alone anymore. He had Caroline to take care of, so his selfishness had to go.
"My, my, you really are a pretty boy. Such a nice face, maybe we should do something about it." and before Nik could react a man was standing in front of him holding a small knife in his hand.
"Look man, I have nothing with you. So put down that knife mate." Nik was trying to reason with him, since he had no weapon on his own, and he knew from the look on that guys face something was seriously wrong with him.
"And I have nothing with you, truth to be told. But my boss, well, you might have heard of him, his name is Tyler Lockwood? Well he told me he had plenty to pick with you."
"So you're yet another of Tyler's little dogs." Nik cut the nice act, since it was obvious reasoning would get him nowhere, it was also obvious why this man was sent here and placed into his cell. To kill him.
" They told me you're a cocky little son of a bitch. That's okay, it'll only make this more pleasurable for me. I like them cocky. That way it's more fun when they beg for mercy."
" You won't here me beg." Nik gritted his teeth.
"You sure? Want to bet pretty boy?"
The man lashed out at him with a knife but Nik was quick and he managed to push him against the bars, trying to get the knife.
"Yes, I'm sure you bastard." Nik screamed at him while punching him in the face.
But it took a second of carelessness and the man swing the knife at Nik. Luckily Nik tucked pretty fast so the knife only cut into his arms a bit. Ok, maybe it wasn't just a bit but Nik wasn't one of those who complained easily, he had his fare share of street fights in London, of boredom, of being young and stupid, but never having to fight for his life, like now.
"Next thing being cut is going to be you're pretty face boy." the man was recovered and going at him while Nik was stepping backward, figuring out his next move.
"What's with you and my pretty face? Do you have a thing for me or something?" Nik knew the right thing to say to piss the man off.
The man went after him in full speed, and Nik used his careless rage to his advantage.
Muscles are nothing without the brains. A friend in London always told him. So he managed the rotate himself and throw the man against the wall. He heard the crack noise his head made. That will be a hell of a headache, he thought. He went for the knife but the man was quick. They both jumped at the same time and were fighting to get it. The man hit him in the jaw, damn, that will leave a bruise to my pretty face, Nik almost laughed out loud. But Nik was good in reciprocating punches, so he gave him a good one in the stomach. The man flinched in pain and Nik finally got the hold of the knife.
He stood up, all bloody and dirty, barely breathing. But he still had the strength to approach the man and put the knife underneath his neck.
"Now listen up pal. As much as I would like to push this down your throat so deeply blood would make a Mona Lisa portrait on this wall I'm afraid I'm not going to do that, unless you make me. You got that pal? I don't want to add murder to my alleged accusations, but if you leave me no choice this is exactly what'd I will do. Now stay on your side of the cell. And don't try anything stupid because this knife isn't leaving my sight."
Nik sat on his bed holding the knife firmly in his hand. It was going to be a long night. And who knows what tomorrow may bring.
Nik sat like that, holding the knife in front of him the whole night. At least it felt like a whole night. The cell was too dark; he had no way of knowing if it was night or day. But somewhere in the morning, or at least it seemed like morning, the guards came at took his little roommate away. Not saying a word to him as usual. I guess they were really disappointed to see him still alive. Well damn, that was just their bad luck. But he wondered how much longer he could keep this up, no food, no water, and murderous inmates sent to finish him off. Maybe it was all hopeless; he thought and allowed himself to close his eyes only for a second. And right away a vision of Caroline came to him. Her beautiful blonde curls, the way they touched his skin when they were making love. If only he could see her one more time, he'd die a happy man. He was beginning to feel dizzy, the lack of sleep and the lack of fluids, plus the blood he lost from the wound on his hand were getting to him. He was so sleepy. If only he could rest his eyes for a second, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing …
But as soon as he's eyes were closed he heard a horrible noise coming from outside. Oh now, not again, he thought to himself. Another cell roommate from hell? They really won't stop until they kill him. But he was wrong this time. It wasn't a roommate from hell, but a savoir from heaven.
"And be rest assured both the mayor of Chicago and the president himself will hear about this monstrosity." he heard a familiar voice scream at somebody and than the doors opened.
" Nik, you look terrible!"
"Pleasure to see you too Elijah. I truly hope this is not just a social call."
"Nik, you're sense of humour still amazes me sometimes. I feel sometimes like you're still ten and I fifteen, and we … Never mind, let's not go there now. I'm here to free you. I can not believe they took you here; it took me all day to find this place. This is where they take the most atrocious criminals."
" Well, you know me, always liked doing everything in style. But seriously now Elijah, I didn't do anything. You have to believe me, they framed me."
"I know, I believe you brother. Miss Forbes was so kind to explain everything to us."
"Caroline?" his heart almost exploded in his chest when he heard her name.
"Please tell me she's ok." he was trying so hard no to tremble while saying that, but he couldn't help it. He just wanted her safe, more than anything else in this world. Even his freedom didn't matter, as long as she was fine he could endure anything.
" Calm down Nik, don't get worked up, you don't look so good. Miss Forbes is fine. She's in our mansion; Rebakah and Kol have been pampering her ever since that friend of yours dropped her off. But I had to promise her I'd bring you back, wherever you were to be found, and I'm a man of my word brother. So just wait here a second, you'll be out in no time. I promise Nik."
Elijah was about to walk out when Nik spoke to him.
" Elijah?"
" Yes?"
"Thank you." was all he said before Elijah left and he was alone again. But this time sleep and death weren't on his mind anymore, no sir. She was fine, and she was waiting for him. It was all that mattered. It wasn't all over yet. There was still hope. Things could still work out.
Another half an hour had passed and Elijah once again entered the room with someone else. That someone else unlocked his cell and said: "You're free to go for the time being Mr. Mikaelson."
"You are damn right he is free to go officer. And don't think this office won't be slapped with such a big of a law suit you're heads will twirl for years to come. Let's go brother. This damp isn't good for my suit, I just bought it." he gave an evil glare to the officer. Yeah, Nik already forgot his big brother could be cool that way, when he wanted to.
"First thing's first, I'm taking you to a hospital." Elijah said when they sat into his car.
" Don't be silly Elijah, because of what? This little cut? It's a bruise, it will heal in a day or two. I just need some water, and maybe some food. And I need Caroline … Like now … So no bloody hospitals, alright?"
" Is there even a point in arguing with you brother?"
"You know there isn't Elijah. Take me to her. She must be worried sick, I know I was, not knowing what happened to her, not knowing if she had to marry that bastard Lockwood, or if her father got to her …" Nik shivered when thinking about it.
"You really love her?" Elijah couldn't help but ask.
"Like there's no tomorrow."
"It just sounds so strange coming from you …"
" Why? Because you all thought I had no heart? You thought Mikael had broken me for good and I was incapable of love?"
Elijah said nothing and Nik knew he might have said something he shouldn't have. I mean this man, his brother, did save his ass today.
" I thought so too you know." Nik decided to continue.
" That I wasn't capable of love. But then she walked into my life and, I don't know … Somehow … Everything fell into place. And I know this is all such a mess, not the best situation, to but it mildly, but we love each other. She's everything to me."
" I'm glad to hear that Nik. You don't have to believe me but I am, I know you always refused to believe in it but this family, your family Nik, always wanted the best for you, wanted you to be happy. And we'll do anything we can to help. "
" Thank you Elijah. I do appreciate it."
" We should stop somewhere to get you cleaned up a bit. Or Caroline and Rebekah will have a heart attack when they see you."
So they stopped at a restroom near Chicago so he could eat something and get a bit washed up. It was almost night when they finally arrived at the Mikaelson mansion.
He got out of the car and stood there looking at the mansion. He hadn't been here for years, and still it looked completely the same. But he had to put his emotions aside; he had to bury his past once and for all. Caroline was in there and she was probably anxious to see him. Hell, he was anxious as hell to see his beautiful blonde as well.
Elijah and he stepped inside the house. Rebekah spotted them first and started screaming like crazy, she would probably wake up half the neighbourhood if there were any neighbours around. This way she probably just scared the shit out of some wild animals.
" Nik, oh my God. I'm so happy you're alright. I was so worried about you." she came to him and hugged him carefully, not knowing if he would return the hug. But he did. He held his only sister tight and it felt good. It felt right.
"Thank you Bekah. For worrying, and for … taking care of Caroline …"
And then there she was. His beautiful angel. Standing at the door staring at him with her big blue eyes. He saw she was crying and it hurt him to know it was because of him.
" Hi." she said shyly, not being sure what else to say. Elijah and Rebekah were staring at them staring at each other, but to Nik it felt like they were alone in the room. Just the two of them, just like it was meant to be.
" Hello sweatheart. I promised to come back to you, didn't I? Always and forever."
" Oh Nik." she said and finally ran to him. She threw herself in his arms like there was no tomorrow. And it felt divine. To hold her so close, to touch her once more. To smell her hair and to place a kiss to her luscious lips. He could die a happy man.
" I was so worried you wouldn't came back to me." she whispered into his ear while applying kisses to his whole face.
" Sweetheart, you think I'd let something as small as this take me away from you?" he was trying to tease about all of this.
" Oh Nik." she said and slapped him on the hand and he couldn't help but flinch a bit in pain.
" What? Oh my Lord Nik, you're hurt, who did this to you?"
" He's hurt?" Rebekah right away jumped at him. Ah, women.
" I'm fine. It's just a small cut. Please Elijah, tell them I'm fine."
" My father really has no limits." Caroline said with tears in her eyes.
" Hey, love, look at me. This isn't your fault, none of it. Beside, if we're going to be precise, it was one of Tyler's thugs this time. Although I'm sure Bill Forbes is in it too. I'm sorry sweetheart." he said gently and caressed her cheek.
She kissed his hand and kept it in hers. " It's ok, you have nothing to apologize for. The pink glasses have been taken off a while ago, I know what he's capable off. I'm just glad you're alive."
" I am. And we will be. Alive and well. But we do have to leave this town. I'm sorry Elijah. I know you don't agree with this but …"
"Yes, I don't think escaping is the right way to solve this situation, but I will not meddle. It's your choice Nik."
"No" Nik said right away.
"It's our choice. Caroline? I know this isn't the life you planned for yourself, or that I would give you if I could, and believe me I'd give you the world and more, everything. But at this moment … Are you ready to live like fugitives? I know I'm asking a lot …"
" Nik …" she interrupted him.
" Just shut up, ok? You are not making any sense to me. I already have everything, because I have you silly. I'd live with you under a bridge if necessary, and no, I'm not kidding. Niklaus Mikaelson I'd go with you to the end of the world and back. If you'll have me."
" Oh Caroline love, I love you so much. You could never imagine how much exactly …"
" I think I could, because I love as much."
" So, it's settled. We're leaving tomorrow."
" So soon?" Tatia's voice echoed from the door like a black omen falling upon them all.
I'm so sorry this update took so long but I have exams coming up, and I'm writing my diploma paper, so it's a bit stressful... But I really hope you like this one, it's filled with a lot of things, all kinds of emotions ... The ending is so sweet, but ... That damn Tatia ... Hm ... We'll see if they'll manage to get away or not ... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS, THEY MEAN THE WORLD TO ME, SERIOUSLY ... SO PLEASE BE SO KIND AND KEEP REVIEWING ;)
