Chapter 37

Tabula rasa

Klaus was speechless. He could only stare at Zora. Elijah was the one who spoke first.

"Zora? Are you hurt?" he asked calmly.

She looked confused.

"Do I know you?"

"Yes, my name is Elijah, I'm your brother-in-law, and this is Nathan, your foster father and your husband, Klaus."

Zora's eyes widened.

"My…husband?"

"Yes. What do you remember?"

"Zora", Nathan said. "Please say that you remember me kiddo."

Zora looked even more confused.

"I…"

"Gentlemen", the doctor said. "Can I please have a word with you outside?"

"Of course", Elijah said.

He and Nathan turned to the door but Klaus wasn't going to leave. He walked straight to Zora and lifted her up. She was panicking.

"Let me go! Someone help me!"

"Niklaus…" Elijah started but Klaus wasn't listening.

He carried her out bridal style. She was screaming and fighting him as hard as she could. He didn't care. He only knew that he had to get her away from that place. He barely noticed some people who were trying to stop him. Elijah could handle them. Nathan was shouting at him but he just shoved him out of his way, not very gently. He carried Zora to the car and started it. She was looking at him fearfully.

"What do you want?"

He didn't say anything. He had to get away from everyone else first. Zora wrapped her arms tightly around herself and started to cry.

"Please let me go."

"Never again", he murmured.

He kept driving. She could barely stay awake. They must have given her sedatives or something in the hospital. Finally she fell asleep. Klaus drove to his villa and carried her in. He placed her gently on the bed and started to examine her injuries. He could saw bruises on her face and arms. He lifted her hospital gown. There were bruises on her stomach and thighs as well. He touched her face gently.

"Who ever did this is going to pray for death before I'm finished", he said and kissed her forehead.

Klaus stood up and took his phone. He called Elijah.

"What did the doctor said?" he asked as soon as Elijah answered.

"Yes, I did manage you clean up the mess you made, thank you for asking. Luckily Finn, Kol and Rebekah were there…"

"Elijah."

"Well, first of all, you shouldn't have taken her from the hospital, she's injured. And she doesn't remember anything."

"By anything you mean…"

"Anything. She doesn't even know who she is."

"Is this permanent?"

"The doctor didn't know. He said that this kind of total amnesia can be permanent but it's also possible that her memories will return in time. But in the meantime try not to scare her to death, remember she doesn't know who you are. Maybe it's best if I come there…"

"No. She needs to be with me. I will take care of her."

"Just try to be sensitive. And Nathan would really like to see…"

Klaus hung up. No. No one would ever take her from him again.

...

"Well that was fun", Kol murmured.

They were all sitting in a limousine on their way home. No one seemed to be very cheerful. Finn and Elijah were talking quietly, Rebekah and Nathan looked miserable and Kol seemed bored. Esther on the other hand was furious. She didn't show it on any way of course. How had those idiots managed to fail like this? That girl was supposed to disappear, not been found from some hospital.

At least she had lost all her memories. Perhaps that could work for her advantage. But Niklaus had taken her. That could be a problem. It was a good thing that Esther knew how to solve problems. And soon she would have some help. Some competent help.

...

Klaus watched Zora who was still sleeping. She looked so fragile. He would find out who had dared to hurt her. He was way past furious. But right now he had to stay calm. For her. Zora moved and opened her eyes. She looked terrified when she saw him.

"It's ok, I'm not going to hurt you", he said as calmingly as he could.

She looked at him disbelievingly.

"You…kidnapped me."

"I'm your husband Zora; I will take care of you."

She looked confused.

"My name is Zora?"

"Yes, love. My Zora."

"This is all so…I can't remember…"

"I know sweetheart, I know. But don't worry; I will take care of everything. No one will ever hurt you again, I promise."

She was quiet for a while and looked at him.

"I'm sorry…was your name Klaus?"

He smiled.

"Yes, love."

"Ok. So we are married?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry that I can't remember you."

"That's ok; we have time to get to know each other again. But first of all, could you tell me the first thing you remember?"

"I…I remember the road. I was cold and scared and…There was this light. Someone asked me am I alright. I don't know what I said to them. And then I was in a hospital."

"Ok. Can you tell me who hurt you?"

Zora looked scared. She wrapped her arms around herself.

"No…no, no. I can't…"

He eyes started to fill with tears. Klaus sat next to her and touched her shoulder.

"It's ok, you are safe now."

"No, no…"

Klaus wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and cried. She didn't seem to be able to stop. Klaus hold her and stroked her hair until the crying exhausted her and she fell asleep again. He tucked her in very gently.

"Everything is going to be alright Zora. I promise you."