Caroline stared blankly at the man in front of her. Elijah? The very same Elijah that haunted Klaus's every waking moment? That Elijah?
"How is this possible? You…you died," she said breathlessly.
"Actually…it only seemed like I died."
"Please…do tell," she encouraged. She swore if zombies were real she was hightailing it to some far corner of the world and never speaking to anyone again.
"Remember how I said I caused some unnecessary trouble for Walker?" She nodded, and he continued.
"He set up my death. He faked it, plain and simple. Walker hired a gunman to shoot me with a special bullet, one he had created. There was a chemical inside that would slow my heart rate down so much so, that it would appear I had died. When I was 'killed,' he had medical assistance hiding nearby. They were ready to help me once he had taken Klaus away. Walker did it because I was a 'bad influence' on Klaus. I was a distraction. Right before I was shot, we were talking about when we would leave. Walker didn't want that. So he got rid of the problem."
"That's horrible!" she gasped, covering her mouth in shock. Poor Klaus.
"I never liked Walker. When I found out it was his fault Klaus thought he had lost me…I was devastated. Not only that, there was nothing I could do to fix it. I was stuck."
"What was the purpose of faking your death though? If Walker was going to make it seem like you were dead, and really get rid of his problem, why not just kill you for real? Not like I think he should have," she added quickly, "because I'm glad he didn't. You know…just wondering." Elijah chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.
"I understand what you're saying," he smiled, "but there is no logical answer. Walker did it because he is, and always will be, a crazy son of a bitch. He kept me for his own amusement. He wanted to break me, just like he had done with Niklaus. Said it had taken two years to break Niklaus, and wondered how long it would take for me to lose my sanity. Walker paid me a little visit when I woke up, and felt the need to tell me his intentions. That's how I know all of this. He most likely did this to put the fear of god in me, but that will never happen. He will never break me." Caroline smiled at Elijah's determination. Already they shared a personality trait together. Then something clicked.
"You know everything?" Caroline asked quietly. Elijah nodded.
"Almost everything. He told me Klaus already had it out for the boy he hired to shoot me. He wanted Niklaus to ask him for help. Walker wanted him to be fully committed to this position as the ultimate soldier. He wanted Klaus angry with the people responsible for my death. He planned on using Niklaus's hatred and need for revenge as a starting point." Elijah hesitated for a moment, stopping his explanation. Caroline put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"What else is there?"
"Well, I told you that they haven't always kept me here. You asked my why I haven't escaped sooner, and my current location isn't the only reason why I haven't been able to."
"What else has he done?"
"Besides having his claws in Niklaus…he had them in Rebekah too. For all I know, he still does."
"How?" she asked in surprise. Had Walker thought of everything? How were they supposed to find a crack in his plans when he seemed so damn thorough?
"He sent a spy to her. The way he phrased it, he made it sound like he was going to woo Rebekah. You know, get in close with her."
"Landon…" Caroline breathed.
"So you've met him?"
"Yes. Oh god. I had no idea!"
"Don't worry yourself over it. If she's still alive, that's what matters most to me. I'll take care of him when we get out of this, but for now…news of her safety brings me more joy than you could imagine," he said with a genuine smile.
"Why did he send Landon in the first place though?"
"Insurance. If I tried to escape and tell Niklaus of Walker's plans…he would order Landon to…"
"It's okay," she said, shaking her head, "you don't have to say anymore. I get it."
"Unfortunately, after being imprisoned, I wasn't privy to anymore information. This is the first I've heard of Niklaus in ages, actually. I…I didn't realize he was having complications. I didn't even know Walker had let him go. Please…you must tell me everything you know," he pleaded. She nodded, racking her brain for what she could possibly inform Elijah about.
"Well, Walker let him go not long after your death. Klaus was dealing with post-traumatic stress, and it always happened at night. He said the other soldiers couldn't sleep, and that Walker made him leave. For two years he said he tried living in a bunch of different places before being kicked out by a complaining neighbor."
"Then he met you?"
"Then he met me. Klaus moved into the apartment above mine. We live above a coffee shop, and nobody lives in the building except us. I was terrified when I first heard the shouting. I didn't realize that Rebekah was his sister at the time, and I thought maybe it was a domestic dispute or something."
Elijah chuckled a little, but Caroline detected a hint of sadness. He grabbed onto a pillar, placing his forehead to it while he listened. She could tell this wasn't easy for him, but he had wanted to hear this. So she kept going.
"He was completely broken when I first met him, Elijah. He wouldn't talk to anyone, he wouldn't touch anyone, and every night he was screaming at the top of his lungs at who knows what. My friend says everyone knows Klaus went a little…insane after your death. Later Klaus told me that it was you he saw every night, along with a variety of other nightmares. He said your body was so still…so lifeless. He said he regretted everything he had done once you were dead, and it all just came flooding back to him," she said, close to tears herself.
Caroline couldn't tell if it was just the water on his face, or if she really saw Elijah crying too.
"It's my fault he's had such a hard time then." It wasn't a question.
"Don't think that. Obviously you never wanted this to happen. You can't possibly think it's your fault."
"If I had just-"
"What? Escaped? Then you would have been risking Rebekah's life. You were in a tough spot, Elijah. You couldn't have known this would happen. Besides, he's doing better. Rebekah and I can talk to him, and we can touch him. And once he sees you…" Caroline said smiling, but Elijah cut in.
"He'll think he's having another hallucination."
Caroline stopped. That hadn't occurred to her. What if Klaus did think he was having another flashback? Or worse, some advanced hallucination that he had never had before? He almost hadn't been willing to hear her say she loved him. What would happen when his thought-to-be-dead brother was standing in front of him, saying he was alive?
"But if I'm there, then maybe we can get him to see that you're real, and not something his head tricked him into seeing."
"Perhaps. It's a long shot though, Caroline. I don't wish to cause him anymore pain."
"What will be painful is knowing his brother is alive, and that he didn't want to see him."
"Of course I want to see him. That's not the point."
"I know why you're scared, but you have to see him. You both deserve to be reunited. He needs you." Elijah thought about it for a moment, and then looked at her with that determination she was beginning to love. He nodded once.
"And I need him."
"Then it's settled," she said smiling, although another thing Elijah had said began nagging at her memory, "Did you happen to see who shot you? The boy Klaus was set on killing?"
"I didn't. Why?"
"No reason…I was just curious." Caroline's previous beliefs were being thrown out the window like yesterday's trash. Who knew what else was a lie. Had Tyler really been telling the truth? Was Klaus really just mistaken? She couldn't see him lying about something as serious as Tyler shooting his dead (or now undead) brother. Everything was so confusing. She wanted to believe both Klaus and Tyler…but only one could be right.
Elijah's voice brought her out of her reverie. Oh yea. There were other important matters to attend to first.
"Now you said you don't know why Walker wanted Klaus, correct?"
"Yea. I'm guessing that's something you don't know either?"
"No, I don't know why he would want him. Especially if Walker let him go…it doesn't make sense."
"...Elijah?"
"Yes?"
"Is there anyway Walker would leave him alone if we simply escaped? Wouldn't he-"
"Find him again?" Elijah finished for her, his voice sad at what she was implying. She nodded, and his lips set into a tight line.
"I think…I think we have to kill Walker," Caroline said quietly, half afraid someone would overhear them.
"I agree," he said, barely above a whisper, "but how?"
"I don't know." How were they supposed to take on the big bad that had ruined Klaus and Elijah's life? She sighed leaning her head against the pillar, exhaustion setting in. This was a lot to take in for one night. Elijah eyed her with sympathy, gently taking her hand.
"Come on. You're not sleeping like that."
"How else am I supposed to sleep?"
"Follow me."
She did as she was told, too tired to argue. He swam a short distance to a small cubbyhole looking area. It was right between two pillars, and there was a small hammock there, big enough for a person to sit or lay down on. It hung above the water, looking very welcoming to her tired body.
"What's this?"
"Where I usually sleep. It's the same material used for a cot, but they turned it into my sleeping quarters just for this prison."
"How thoughtful of them," she said sarcastically. He scoffed.
"They're angels," he deadpanned, gesturing for her to hop on to the piece of cloth. With a little help from Elijah, she managed to climb on, happy to finally be out of the water. Caroline turned back to Elijah.
"Where are you going to sleep?"
"I can hang off of this. With my head out of the water, I can still get some decent shut eye."
"Oh no," Caroline said horrified, "if we're going to attempt an escape, as well as infiltrate the facility to kill Walker, then you need your sleep."
"I'm fine, Caroline."
She wasn't having it though. Very carefully, she moved over on the hammock, giving him just enough room to get on too. He shook his head, understanding what she was wanting.
"Get up here," she practically demanded.
"I don't believe that's appropriate."
"Oh, come on. We're not getting naked," she chided him. He still wasn't submitting to the idea though.
"I wouldn't feel right sleeping next to you."
"We're both adults Elijah. It's nothing more than getting sleep. I love Klaus."
"That's exactly why I should stay right here."
"Look, I can't do this with you half asleep tomorrow. You need to be fully rested for this to work. It's necessary."
He still seemed unsure, but hesitantly, he climbed up anyway, making sure not to tip them both back into the water. Once he was adjusted, he put his arm around Caroline, while she used his shoulder for a makeshift pillow.
"Now that we have this worked out," he began, "do you have any ideas on how to get out of here?"
"No. All I know is that we have to escape, find Klaus, and then finish this once and for all."
"Hmm. Perhaps…I wonder. How good are your acting skills?"
"I don't know. I've never tested them. Why?"
"Because I might have a plan, and it's going to require you being a bit of a distraction."
"There's a surprise," she said, rolling her eyes. It made sense though, so she listened intently to what he had to say.
"Here's what I'm thinking…"
The rest of the night was spent discussing his idea. They went back and forth, throwing ideas off one another and revising the plan until it was near perfect. Caroline was excited. It was invigorating, to be in charge of her situation and knowing they would undoubtedly get out. If everything went smoothly, she would get Klaus out of this hell, he would be reunited with his brother, and the three of them would get out alive. As soon as the sun came up, her and Elijah were breaking out of there. They would show Walker who was really in charge.
"Man, I can only get you guys so close. If you want to stay incognito that is. Leave your bags here and you can retrieve them when you get back to the city."
"Just do what you can. I don't want them to know we're anywhere close by. We'll walk there if necessary," Klaus shouted to the pilot, reaching into his duffel bag and going through his things.
Josh, the pilot, had met them at a private landing strip after Klaus had called in for a favor. The helicopter was smaller than a standard one, but that was perfect for their needs. Josh had told them ahead of time as well that he wouldn't be able to pick them back up. They were going to have to find their own way out of Thailand. Klaus hadn't thought of a way yet, but he would. He just needed time.
Tyler sat across from him, looking out over the waters as they flew above the mountains and rivers. It was daytime now, because it had taken them all night to get everything prepared, and get to the landing strip for takeoff, and then actually get to Thailand. The sun was high in the sky, so he assumed it was around noon.
No matter how hard he tried, Klaus couldn't get his mind off of Caroline, and how she was handling everything. If anyone had a strong spirit though, it was that girl. He just hoped Walker didn't break it before he could get to her.
"Do you think they're holding Caroline in this facility you've been talking about?" Tyler asked.
"It's my best guess. Walker will be there, that much I'm certain of. If he's there, then she has to be." Tyler nodded, looking Klaus up and down.
"Did you get enough sleep last night?"
"Yes, why?"
"You look beat."
"Well that's because the girl I love has been kidnapped, mate. Doesn't really leave a man much time to sleep when he's worried about her condition, does it?"
"I love her too. But she needs us to be rested. We can't half ass the job."
"I'm quite aware of that. Lucky for her, and for you, I've operated on much less sleep than this," he said, pulling a couple of knives out and sticking them in his boots. Tyler watched with concern. Good. He should be frightened. It was already taking everything in Klaus not to shove him from the damn copter.
"I'm not your enemy," Tyler said flatly. Klaus stopped his movements to look up at him with a deadly glare.
"That's questionable."
"Caroline loves you. Despite everything you've done. If I hurt you, it would hurt her."
"Despite everything I've done? You've already admitted to offing my brother. You're no saint."
"Klaus would you just-"
"No. I'm tired of your apologies. Nothing you say or do will bring Elijah back to me. He's gone. So just drop it."
"But Klaus-" Tyler persisted.
The sound of a knife being driven into the side of the helicopter right by his ear made Tyler shut up. Klaus held the handle tightly, looking Tyler directly in the eyes. The fear held in the younger man's was something that almost made Klaus giddy.
"I said…drop it," he hissed through gritted teeth.
Tyler nodded frantically, and Klaus walked back over to his seat, preparing his weapons. He put a few more knives around his waist, along with a few grenades Josh had stored away just for him. Tyler would be handling the firearms mostly. Klaus just needed something sharp, and something he could hold in his hands. Hell, all he really needed were his hands. They had done nicely in the past, and would work wonderfully this time. Everything was already coming back to him. It was hard to forget some of the lessons he had been taught.
Time passed slowly as they made there way to god knows where. Klaus couldn't stop thinking about what they were going to do. As showy as he used to be, storming in would be a horrible plan. They had to be stealthy. No risk could be taken when it came to rescuing Caroline. If they weren't careful, they could mess everything up before she was safe.
After a while, Josh was taking the helicopter down into a clearing, where they could safely land without shredding a tree into confetti. Once on solid ground, Josh turned to face them.
"You know where we are, Mikaelson?" Klaus looked around, and the scenery began to tickle his memory.
"Yea…I do. Thank you. For everything."
"I owed you for saving our asses back at camp three years ago. You two take care, and I hope you find your girl."
"We will," was all Klaus answered with before hopping out of the helicopter, Tyler trailing closely behind him. They had made sure to equip the bare minimum, so that nothing would be holding them down. They ran off toward the forest, looking back long enough to watch Josh fly away. Now…there was no turning back. They were stuck until the job was done.
"Let's get moving," Klaus said quietly, walking off without waiting for a response from Tyler. The black haired boy caught up with Klaus, matching his stride as they trudged through the dirt and past all the trees.
"Have you thought of a plan?"
"No, but you'll be the first to know when I do think of one," Klaus said curtly.
"Do you even know where we're going?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
It was silent as they walked onward. Klaus was still trying to come up with a plan of action. All night and day he had tried to come up with something, but every time an idea popped up, he could think of a million different ways it would fail. Klaus was always ten steps ahead of his enemies, but for once, they were ahead of him. He didn't like the feeling.
"How many men do you suppose will be here?" Tyler asked from beside him.
"It's hard to tell. Could be a lot. Could be a little. Guess that's why we need to observe first," he said pointedly, not amused at all by his companion. Why had he brought him along? Oh right, because he didn't exactly have a choice in the matter. If it were up to him, Tyler would have been long gone by now.
"Do we separate? Cover more ground?"
"Yes, because you are the first person I trust to separate from. Especially considering we're on Walker's territory," Klaus said sarcastically. Really? Was he fucking serious?
"I was only asking," Tyler said, lifting his hands up in surrender.
"Well, you're sticking by me. No questions about it."
"Fine."
Klaus inhaled deeply, trying to calm down. This was going to be a long trip.
The two continued walking until they came upon the outskirts of the facility. The large, gray building stood in the middle of another clearing. Massive trees encircled the area, sort of protecting the place from onlookers wandering eyes. Sunlight peeked in through the canopies, lighting the steely structure enough to see all that went on. The forest floor was all that was close to the building itself, all trees having been cut down to make room for it's development he supposed. It had been modernized since he last saw it, but it was definitely where he thought Walker was. In fact, it was kind of obvious this was where he was.
Klaus and Tyler stayed behind the cover of the trees just in case guards were patrolling the grounds, or the steel mesh platforms outside that were next to the upper floor. To be extra cautious, they climbed a large tree near them, getting a spectacular view of the premises, and who all was there. Well, if there had been anyone.
"Where are all the guards?" Tyler whispered. Klaus slapped him upside the head. Tyler grabbed onto the branch to keep from falling, and then rubbed his head tenderly.
"Inside, dumbass," Klaus hissed. Was the guy a complete beginner?
"It was an honest question!" he hissed back. "How many do you think there are?"
"I told you before," he sighed, exasperated by the repeated question, "I don't know. My guess, however, would be twenty, twenty-five? That's manageable," Klaus said thoughtfully. He was already thinking of ways to get rid of them.
"Manageable? Not everyone here is a world-class killer."
"But you're a mediocre shot, if what you've told me is true."
"I'm decent enough. But if you haven't noticed, that's a lot of men for just the two of us to handle. There's only going to be more inside. You really think we can take them all by ourselves?"
"Not like we have a choice, mate."
"Well, what do you suggest we do then?"
"Not sure. There are going to be cameras surrounding the place. Look," he said, pointing to a moving camera that was rotating, overlooking the grounds. Walker would know if they got anywhere close to the place. Klaus would have blown it up right then if Caroline wasn't in there.
"Anyway to take out the cameras? Without alerting anyone?"
"There's always a way. We just have to find it."
"Might want to think of one quickly then. I want to get Caroline out of there."
"So do I. We can't just be reckless though and hope for the-"
Klaus was cut short by the sudden sound of a bullet hitting one of the security cameras. Sparks flew as the camera stopped moving instantly. Shortly after that one was out of commission, another was shot at. Two…three…four...all five cameras that Klaus could see were hit, one right after the other. Klaus and Tyler looked at each other, shock written all over their faces.
"What was that?" Tyler asked, a little breathless.
"More like who," Klaus said distantly. He looked around, but saw no one who would have done that.
The doors to the facility opened not too long after the cameras had been taken out. Klaus counted about twenty men, all with guns. They looked around furiously. Tyler was already getting his gun prepared.
"Fuck!" Tyler spat quietly, loading his gun as quickly as he could. "Whoever did that just caused one hell of a commotion. I don't know if I can take all of them!"
"I don't think you have to worry about that," Klaus said, watching as one man fell dead to the ground upon walking out, another loud shot ringing through the air as blood began protruding from his head.
"Why's that?" Tyler asked as he aimed his gun at the oncoming guards. They hadn't spotted Klaus and Tyler yet, so there was a chance they could take them all out before anyone noticed. Klaus had no intention of leaving the branch they were on though. There was no cover anywhere besides the tree they sat on, and it would be stupid to go out there when the guards had the gun power. Klaus took cover behind the tree trunk while Tyler readied his gun.
"Because whoever shot the cameras wants to make this a duck shoot. They want to create a fuss," he whispered, peeking around the tree every so often to search for the source of the gunfire. All of this…it was all planned. But who caused it? A smirk grew on his face as he heard another shot ring out, and then watched another guard fall. When Tyler finally fired, hitting a man square in the chest, the soldiers began frantically looking around. They were getting scared. There were people firing at them from both ends, and they couldn't pinpoint the sources.
"Bloody hell, Tyler. Whoever they are, they're on our side."
A/N: Stuff is happening guys! Stuff...is...happening.
Is everyone with me so far on here? Questions? Concerns? I have another scene planned to hopefully fill in the leftover gaps, but don't be afraid to raise your voice if there is something you're confused about.
P.S. Yet another new cover! I'm addicted to graphics. There, I said. Whatcha guys think though? Yes? No? Stop switching covers already? Haha it was made by shippers-graphics on tumblr.
Thanks as always to Yana (queenofklaroline), for listening to the ideas that go on in my head and helping me keep them straight.
Next chapter, we find out whose shooting at Walker's men, and get to the awaited reunion. It might be kind of obvious who is helping Klaus and Tyler out though ;)
More action ahead! See you then =)
