"Are we all just monsters?"

It was almost noon. Caroline and Klaus were driving to the old warehouse at River Grove. The silence in the car from the moment they sat in it was so thick you could cut right through it. Klaus was done with Caroline. But somehow just couldn't get rid off her, out of his life, and out of his mind. Soon enough everything would be over, but what does that mean exactly? Will they live or die? Will she live? It was just the stupidest thing that she was here with him. He should have just compelled her to stay in the house and not move. The only thing she could do was get herself killed. And of course he lied; of course he did, when he said he didn't care if she was dead or alive. Of course he cared; he cared so much it was burning a whole inside of his body. That could only end in tragedy, caring that is … Love is a vampire's greatest weakness, he had seen it millions and millions time in history. Great men fall because of love for a woman. Doesn't it always come down to the love of a woman?

They shared a life changing night together, he felt closer to her than he ever had to anyone, but she still considered him a monster, her enemy, a person unworthy of her and her affections. In her eyes he meant nothing.

"Nobody cares about you boy." Mikael's words were once more echoing in his ears. No one cares, and the only thing he could do is not care as well. Not care about anything but getting his Moonstone, breaking the curse and becoming invincible. In the end that was the plan all along, all these years … She … she was just a distraction … a bad distraction that has left a bitter taste in his mouth …

"We're here." he said, not sure if that was meant to be for Caroline or for himself. He wasn't a fool, he knew after this one of them was going down. Finn or him … It was a matter of life and death. No more daggering and carrying around in coffins, this was the ultimate fight between brothers, the one that had to end in death. He hated Finn for betraying them, for running out on them, but he was still his brother and killing your own blood … It's not an easy task even for a ruthless killer, who is by the way not ruthless at all, apparently.

"I meant what I said Caroline." he thought it was important to explain it to her one more time.

"I don't care what happens to you, I'm not going to be your knight in shining armor, you made it perfectly clear you don't want that, so for once I'm going to respect your wishes love. If you go there with me, you're on your own."

She looked at him with those beautiful eyes and he expected to see anger in them but all he could see was sadness. Maybe she wasn't made of stone after all. But it didn't matter anymore. It was too late for fairytales now. In the end, they were merely monsters.

"Don't worry Klaus, I can take care of myself, knights in shining armor are long dead and buried. Damsels in distress are also passé."

"Very well then, let's go. I believe we have a lovely noon meeting to attend."

They stepped into the abandoned warehouse. And, well, it really looked abandoned. Finn was playing hide and seek, testing his patience, knowing how little of it he always had. And then suddenly the man of the hour stepped into the picture.

"Brother, I thought I told you to come alone. Or is this a "so happy to see you" gift. She's a pretty little thing."

He saw Caroline flinch for a second before putting her brave face on. That's my girl, he thought, before remembering she wasn't … his girl … or his anything, for that matter …

"My name is Caroline Salvatore." she exclaimed proudly trying to show she wasn't afraid of yet another Mikaelson. He had to applaud her for her bravery or stupidity, because he knew Finn could see right through her and sense her fear.

"And you are here because? This is between me and my brother, a family thing."

"Well you see, when you kidnapped her father you kind of made it her thing too. Or at least she keeps telling me so for the last few days."

"Klaus, don't tell me you actually care about the old man? If he lives or dies?"

He saw Caroline was observing him and he also so Finn observing him. He had to choose his next step wisely.

"Of course I care; he's a big part of my plan. That's pretty much it though. You know I was never really a caring type." Klaus tried to say it as nonchalantly as he could. Caroline was looking at him with hate and Finn caught a glimpse of it.

"Dear Caroline, don't tell me you're disappointed with his response? This is my little brother in all his glory, the only side of him you'll see because this is the only side he has. He is heartless. He is a monster.

Klaus smiled and his smile filled the room.

"Takes one to know one dear brother. We're all the same."

"Nooo!" Finn screamed at him.

"I'm nothing like you. I'm nothing like any of you monsters. Mother was right; we're the abomination of nature, the worst thing that had ever walked the Earth. Moonsters! We only cause pain and misery … I'll put to end to it. And I'll put an end to you trying to create and army of once such as yourself, because I know that you're capable of that, and of much more. So hand me that Moonstone."

"You really think I'm handing over anything before I see if your little hostage is even alive? Where is Joseph?"

He saw Caroline's face turn pale, they where waiting to hear if he was still alive. She looked so different from the Caroline he admired, for this scared Caroline he had only love. And there, his brain had said it, or maybe was it his heart, but something buried deep inside of him. Finn was wrong. They might have been an abomination of nature but they weren't monsters. Not if they could feel and if they could love. She felt for her father, her family, and he felt for her. All hope wasn't lost on them yet.

Finn stepped outside while they were standing in place not moving an inch, not even breathing. Just standing and waiting … Waiting to see about that hope …

Finally Finn came back holding Joseph in his arms.

"Daddy!" Caroline screamed when seeing him all bloody and ran to him, but Klaus grabbed her first and knocked her against the wall as hard as he could, knocking her unconscious. This was the only way to keep her safe, he knew Finn would have snapped her neck in half if she went anywhere near him and Joseph. He was the monster that was protecting her in the only way he knew how. Yes, he knew she would never forgive him but keeping her alive was more important to him. "Are we monsters?" he asked himself. "Are we really such monsters if we're willing to let the ones that we love the most hate us, just to keep them safe?"

Joseph was barely standing on his too feet but he still managed to murmur: "Caroline …" when he saw what Klaus did to her. If only he knew it was to protect her and not to hurt her, Klaus thought to himself …

"See, I've kept my part of the bargain. He's alive."

"I see you've been playing games with him, have you brother?"

"Well, no reason why you should have all the fun in the family. He was a real challenge, strong little bugger, it made it even harder to resist. Always wanted a Salvatore for a pet. Although I have to admit yours is a prettier one. Can I have her if you're done with her?"

Klaus felt his jaws clench, the thought of anyone hurting Caroline made him sick, but he had to remain calm.

"If you want, she's just a distraction. Pretty one, but talks way to much. Now release Joseph and I'll give you the Moonstone."

Finn grabbed Joseph even tighter and put a dagger right where his unbeating heart was.

"Please Klaus; don't take me for a fool. The Moonstone first, or another one bites the dust."

Klaus took the Moonstone out of his pocket and showed it to Finn.

"This is what you want?" he looked at Finn's eyes with an evil glare. They weren't exchanging chit-chats anymore, the games were over. It was now or never. He threw the Moonstone in the air. Everything went in slow motion from there on. Finn released Joseph to the ground and ran towards the Moonstone. And in that exact moment – Elijah, Rebekah and Kol appeared in the warehouse. They were quite the family, the Mikaelson clan. Rebekah grabbed the Moonstone while Elijah and Kol grabbed Finn.

Klaus approached Finn and enjoyed seeing fear in his eyes. He knew his end was approaching.

"Not so confident anymore, are you brother?" Klaus was mocking him.

Finn was fighting to release himself, but he was no match for both Elijah and Kol.

"You bastard, all of you. I can't believe you sided with him. You're all monsters."

"It doesn't have to be this way Finn." Rebekah said.

"We could be a family Finn. Why do you have to do this? You are our brother, we are family." Rebekah was repeating herself but Klaus could see how torn she was, nobody really wanted Finn dead. They weren't monsters as he called them, and even if they were, even monsters care for their loved ones. And Rebekah was a spoiled, self –centered brat but she loved her brothers, all of them.

"Ha Rebekah, always so pathetic and naïve. We never were a family, not after we became vampires, not after we were cursed this way. You are nothing to me, just an abomination of nature." Klaus could see Rebekah's eyes tearing up; even Elijah was truly affected with this. It was time to put an end to this, Klaus thought, there was no turning back.

"Goodbye brother." he was just about to rip his heart out when Finn spoke one more time.

"Kill me; I can't wait for it dear brother. But you will never get your way. You will never get rid off your curse; I promise you that." he said and started, you wouldn't believe, laughing.

And than it all again went in slow motion. Who would say so many things can happen in just a second. Rebekah was the one that took out a white-oak tree dagger from her coat and plunged it into Finn's heart. He eyes were filled with tears as she watched her brother die, the only thing she said, whispered actually, was: "We are not monsters, we are not monsters …"

Klaus took her in his arms as she was still crying and Finn's body turning into ashes.

But … At that moment something started happening to Joseph. He started gasping for air and his whole body was covered in blood. Elijah and Klaus flew to his side to see him gasp for his last breath. He wasn't moving or breathing anymore. Of course as it always is, in that exact moment Caroline came to, and saw something happening around her father. She stood up and went where he was, still a little unstable on her legs. But when she saw him covered in blood she screamed and fell by his side.

"Daddy, daddy? Please daddy, just say something. It's me, Caroline. Please, open your eyes."

"Caroline …" Klaus tried to touch her but she pushed him back and held her father in her arms, her white blouse turning into red.

"No,no, nooo …" she was trying to catch a breath between her screams.

"Please don't leave me daddy, please don't leave me."

They were all looking at her, and it broke their hearts to see it go down like this, especially his, to see this girl in so much pain. The girl he loved with all his heart.

They have lost their flesh and blood, and now she was losing the one person she cared most about. All this blood, pain and mayhem. Klaus closed his eyes and he let one tear escape him.

"In the end, are we all just monsters? "he wondered.

So, this was one deep and dark chapter ... I hope you guys liked it :) ... It was the culmination of so many things, Klaus's feelings, Mikaelson family clan and the question of humanity of all of them ...

Btw. I have a tiny spoiler - don't hate me cause I killed Joseph and made Caroline suffer, NOTHING is over yet ;) ... There, I hope you feel a little calmer now ;)

P.S. I wanted to thank all of you FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, for all of your lovely reviews and kind words, they made my day in a way you couldn't even believe ;) ... So keep being this awsome and amazing, and REVIEW, cause you're making me sooo happy :)))