Thanks for your reviews for part one, now onto part two. To one of my absolute favourite reviewers who told me I didn't write what they wanted last chapter I have to apologise in advance for this chapter because I did it again, so sorry mycutehamlet :) Please stick with me everyone, I promise you won't regret it –SC
Collision Course: Chapter 20
July 21: Ely Cambridgeshire England
Klaus looked in the mirror attempting to fasten his tie, his ashen face making his crimson lips look even darker. He had been trying to do up his tie for the past ten minutes but failing miserably. It probably had something to do with the fact that his hands wouldn't stop shaking. Klaus threw away his tie in frustration and sat on the bed placing his head in his hands.
He couldn't believe it had been ten years since his mother passed away. Klaus had been dreading the anniversary because of all the feelings it would dredge up and now it had finally arrived. Klaus wanted to spend the day alone preferably with a bottle of whiskey but his siblings had other plans unfortunately.
When Elijah told him about the memorial he had tried to object but apparently Rebekah was already in full planning mode so it was too late. He didn't begrudge them doing something but people had different ways of grieving and Klaus liked to do it by himself. Elijah suggested they each say something but Klaus wasn't sure what to say and if he did he didn't know if he'd be able to get through it without breaking down completely.
He grabbed his tie and stood up proceeding to try again. He looked at himself in the mirror and took some deep breaths; he was an actor so if anyone could get through today he could. Klaus was so involved in his task he didn't notice her enter the room until he felt her hands brush over his shoulders and onto his chest.
Klaus looked at his reflection noticing Caroline standing behind him her body rubbing against his back. She was so close he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, her floral perfume filling his nostrils making him dizzy. Klaus could feel himself stirring, all it took was one touch and he was a goner when it came to Caroline. He wanted nothing more than to pick her up, lay her on the bed and completely ravish her. He closed his eyes blocking her out and trying to calm his growing erection. He felt her pull the tie out of his grasp.
"Here let me help you, turn around." She said smiling as he opened his eyes. Klaus did as he was told although having her in such close proximity, her lips within inches of his, was rattling him to no end, not to mention failing to relieve the pressure building inside him. She looked so beautiful in her simple black dress, her hair pulled into a low bun with wavy tendrils framing her face.
He closed his eyes again hoping the term out of sight out of mind would work. It didn't. Once she finished he moved away quickly trying to get some distance between them. Klaus needed to focus and didn't need any distractions, especially today.
"Um thanks Caroline." He said quietly purposely not looking at her.
"Yeah you're welcome." She said weakly. "So ah is there anything I can do or anything you need."
"No I'm fine." He replied quickly. "I should really finish getting ready." Klaus started moving towards the bathroom.
"Okay I guess I'll see you out there." She murmured before walking out, her sad tone not lost on Klaus. He turned around watching her retreating back his erection now well and truly gone. He wanted to tell her to come back and that he did need something, he needed her.
The events of the past week had made Klaus realise a few things, the most important being that he was in love with Caroline. Instead of bringing him peace however it was tormenting him. He thought back to the moment he knew she was the one.
July 19: Edinburgh, Scotland
The sun was peeking through the blinds into their suite; Klaus was lying on his side watching his wife sleep soundly. Even after their excessive activity during the night Klaus was unable to sleep. He grinned as the memories of their spectacular night filled his thoughts.
Caroline looked angelic her blonde waves cascading over the pillow, her creamy skin flawless like porcelain. She moaned quietly scrunching up her face, her nose twitching animatedly. Klaus noticed a piece of hair had fallen over her face. He leant over and brushed it away gently soaking in her beauty.
He realised he could lay there forever just watching her sleep. Then it hit him, Klaus was in love with Caroline. Klaus felt his stomach flutter in the realisation that he was truly, madly and deeply in love with this amazing woman. He couldn't believe it had taken him so long to realise something that was in front of him the whole time.
He thought back to their interview with Oprah and his comments about Caroline. At the time it was just a line to make America believe their story but now Klaus knew it was true. His wife was the one. He looked up at the ceiling thinking how bittersweet that sounded.
Theirs wasn't a real marriage and as much as he wished it was they were living a lie. He thought back to what his father said about it ending in a complete mess scared that he was right. He hated that Mikael was still able to get into his head after all this time.
He rolled over in frustration, his morning reverie interrupted by his father. Klaus got out of bed slowly, careful not to wake her; he needed to get out of there. Caroline had been asking so many questions and he had no idea how to answer them.
Klaus knew she'd want to know what Mikael said and he wasn't sure he wanted to tell her just how much he'd turned out like his father. Caroline deserved to be with someone who could commit to her, someone that didn't have so many issues. He looked at her one last time before walking out of the room.
July 21: Ely Cambridgeshire England
Esther Mikaelson was buried in the town's cemetery, a beautiful stretch of undulating grass dotted with tombstones of varying shapes and sizes. The Mikaleson children along with Stefan, Katherine and Caroline stood around her gravestone to pay their respects, each of the siblings taking a turn to share favourite memories of their beloved mother.
Kol regaled them with stories of his naughty childhood and that no matter how much he tested her Esther was so patient loving him no matter what he did. He recalled how Esther became good friends with his school principal because she was always in her office talking about the latest thing Kol had done wrong. There was also the time his pet mouse Monty escaped and ended up in her bed which didn't end at all well. Klaus smiled still remembering her blood-curling scream when she eventually found him.
Rebekah recounted growing up with a houseful of males and sometimes feeling left out but Esther always insisted they had weekly girl time. When she was younger they would dress-up and have tea parties where her mother played a very convincing Queen Elizabeth to her Princess Diana. They would eat cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off and sip water from little plastic cups. Even as she grew older girl time continued without fail usually involving a shopping spree or trip to the movies.
Klaus found himself smiling despite the sadness and knew his mother would have loved it, especially seeing what successful people they had grown into. Elijah opened up more than usual sharing stories about his childhood and his relationship with his mother.
"Mother was always the first to tell me when I was being too serious, which for me was quite often believe it or not." Elijah said making them all chuckle. "She'd say smile Elijah it's really not that bad, then of course that would make me smile."
"It even reached the stage where I'd smile because I could see her coming. Mother had such a sunny disposition you really couldn't help but break into a grin when she walked into a room." He paused momentarily obviously trying to gather his thoughts.
"Unfortunately I haven't smiled as much as I would have liked over the years but the one thing that never fails to make me smile is thinking about my beautiful mother." He said sincerely his face breaking into a huge grin.
"She was the most loving and caring person and mother and although she left us far too soon we were so lucky to have her in our lives at all. As Dr Seuss put it so well; don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." He finished stepping backwards and signalling towards his younger brother.
Klaus felt the nerves swirling violently around his stomach knowing it was his turn to speak. He looked over at Caroline briefly a reassuring smile on her face soothing his anxiety slightly. He cleared his throat.
"I um never understood what I'd done to deserve such a wonderful mother. Our happiness was her main priortiy and she was always there for us no matter what, not to mention all the other children on our street. They'd call her their second mother because she used to care for them like they were her own. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little jealous..." He said making them laugh.
"Mother volunteered for a number of charities and made it her life's work to care for people less privileged than us. As an immature ten year-old boy I asked her why she'd want to help people like that and I remember her scolding me saying I shouldn't be so judgemental." Klaus looked up faltering slightly his eyes meeting Caroline who mouthed her encouragement for him to continue.
"Not long after she read me To Kill a Mockingbird which I realise now was to teach me a valuable lesson. One particular quote; 'you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it' has stuck with me to this day."
"I think as Atticus taught Scout in the book my mother taught me not to judge people or their circumstances because you don't know what they've been through in their lives." His voice began to shake slightly.
"We would read that book every year and every time we did that message was reinforced. It's something I've kept with me ever since her passing and thanks to her will carry around for the rest of my life." He said quietly looking at his wife noticing the tears glistening in her blue eyes. Elijah placed his arm around his brother affectionately while Klaus let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding.
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Klaus took a sip from his hip-flask, the whiskey burning his throat. He looked at the engraved gravestone in front of him describing Esther as loving mother to Elijah, Niklaus, Rebekah and Kol. He just wished he could have been a good enough son to deserve her love.
Their argument before she died still haunted him and he wondered if there would ever be a point where he would stop feeling so miserable. Ten years seemed to have done nothing to dull the pain and Mikael's reappearance this week had made it that much worse.
He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes almost like he was waiting for a sign to help him deal with his grief. The sound of her melodic voice was like an angel speaking to him from above.
"Here you are." She murmured. "Everyone was starting to get worried when you didn't show up at the pub." Caroline said walking over to Klaus who was hunched over his mother's grave.
"Well you can tell everyone I'm fine." He said quietly refusing to open his eyes. Whenever Caroline looked at him it was like she could see right into the depths of his soul and he was terrified of what she might see at that very moment.
"Okay so if you're fine why don't you come to the pub, everyone wants to see you."
"I'm not really in the party mood Caroline."
"Well you could have fooled me what with all the whiskey you've already drunk." She replied dryly.
"You'll have to excuse me if I'm finding it difficult to deal with this anniversary." He growled opening his eyes for the first time.
"Gee how mature of you to finally acknowledge me." She said raising her voice slightly. "I understand it must be difficult for you Klaus but you should be with the people who love you not sitting here all by yourself."
"Could you please stop trying to tell me what's best."
"Well someone needs to Klaus because you're doing a pretty bad job of looking after yourself." She said. "Klaus your mother knew you loved her no matter what was said in the heat of the moment."
"Yeah well sorry if I find that hard to believe. Look Caroline all I want is to be left alone." He cried in frustration.
"Yes I know that's what you want since you say it enough." She muttered. "I think considering it has been ten years and you're still this upset it's obviously not working for you Klaus."
"And what would you suggest Dr Forbes?"
"There's no need to be so rude Klaus if you hadn't noticed I'm just trying to help."
"Why do you do this Caroline?" He asked his voice lowering.
"Do what?"
"Why are you always trying to save me?"
"It's called being a concerned friend Klaus." She shot back.
"Well you really shouldn't bother. Haven't you realised yet Caroline? I'm damaged goods." He muttered.
"You are not damaged Klaus, I admit you've had a rough childhood but withstanding that look at all you've achieved." She cried shocked by his admission.
"Yeah I've turned out exactly like my father, what an achievement."
"How do you figure that Klaus, I mean from everything you've told me you are nothing like him."
"Well he'd tell you different." He spat.
"He's obviously trying to get into your head Klaus and by the looks of it, it has worked."
"Look I really don't want to get into this with you right now." He said quietly closing his eyes once again trying to shut her out.
"Fine Klaus if that's what you want." She said sadly. "You know I've been walking around on eggshells the last few days worried about upsetting you but obviously I shouldn't have bothered because you are determined to push me and everyone else away."
Klaus could hear her footsteps and slowly opened his eyes watching her stride away. The tears gathered in his eyes as Klaus wondered what the hell he'd just done. He grabbed his hip-flask and skulled the amber liquid hoping it would help to numb his pain.
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"You know I don't think I've ever seen you smile so much." Katherine said approaching Elijah at the bar.
"I haven't really felt like smiling up until now." He said shrugging his shoulders. "That probably sounds weird considering it's the anniversary today."
"I don't think so; thinking about your mum makes you smile and considering what you said I think she'd be pretty happy looking down from up there." She smiled pointing towards the heavens.
"Yeah I hope so." He said. "You know it really means a lot that you came Katherine." She coloured slightly his comment unnerving her slightly.
"Well you did swoop in and save me the other night so it's probably the least I could do." She chuckled.
"I'd hardly call it that." He mumbled bashfully his face colouring this time. Elijah looked towards her arm noticing the residual grey bruise for the first time. "I hope it doesn't hurt too much."
"It's fine." She said smiling at his obvious concern. "Well as much as you deny it you did help me out of a pretty tough situation the other night. Although having said that it wasn't the only reason I came."
"Oh really why else did you come?" He asked curiously his voice rising with every word.
"Well I thought it was only fair. I mean Klaus has Caroline and Rebekah has Stefan. I thought it was only right I was here to help comfort Kol." Elijah inhaled sharply his forehead crossing into a deep frown.
"And you Elijah." She teased watching his face break into a smile.
"You'd better not say that to Kol, I think my brother has a little crush on you."
"Well as much as I like Kol, it's not nearly as much as I like his older brother." Elijah looked at the beautiful brunette in front of him his face softening before the realisation registered on his face.
"Oh I get it you're going to say Niklaus." He said pre-empting her next joke.
"No I wasn't actually. That time I was actually being serious." She said quietly lowering her gaze almost scared of his reaction.
"Elijah I'm glad I found you." Caroline cried walking over to them not realising she was interrupting something. He looked over at the blonde his face clouded in confusion.
"What wrong Caroline?" He asked concerned. "Oh no what has Niklaus done now?"
"He's still at your mother's grave very drunk and very angry with the world." She said sadly. "I've tried talking to him but he's being impossible." She choked. Katherine instinctively put her arm around her friend in comfort.
"Niklaus is his own worst enemy." Elijah muttered. "I take it this has something to do with father's reappearance?"
"That and the guilt of how he left things with your mother before she died." Elijah looked at her his surprise obvious. "I'm not sure what to do anymore."
"Don't worry Caroline I'll talk to him." He promised squeezing her shoulder affectionately.
"Be my guest Elijah because I'm done." She uttered completely defeated. "I'm going back to the hotel."
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"You know Niklaus this self-depreciating act is getting really old." Elijah chided walking towards the gravesite.
"I should have known she would have sent you to annoy me." He snarled heavily intoxicated. "Just leave me alone Elijah and you can tell Caroline the same thing."
"I'm not really sure she cares anymore Niklaus considering you've done everything possible to alienate her. She's already gone back to the hotel she's that upset."
"Well good, I've had enough of her interfering."
"I can't believe you, she's not interfering. Caroline cares about you deeply Niklaus; she's just trying to help even though you're too damn stubborn to accept it."
"Well I don't need her help or anyone else's for that matter, I'm perfectly fine." He slurred.
"Yeah you seem fine." He replied sarcastically. "Niklaus why didn't you tell me you still felt guilty about the fight you and mother had over your birthday?"
"What was the point of rehashing everything Elijah?"
"Well if I'd known I could have done something. You really need to get over this guilt Niklaus otherwise it will eat you alive."
"Well that's easy for you to say Elijah." He snapped. "It's pretty hard to forget telling your mother you were ashamed of her right before she died."
"Mother knew you didn't mean it Niklaus, she told me that."
"What do you mean?" He asked his interest peaked.
"Mother told me you were just lashing out like normal teenage behaviour so she didn't take it to heart. She knew you loved her Niklaus, just as much as she loved you."
"I just wish I never said any of those things and could take it all back." He murmured.
"Well unfortunately you can't change what happened in the past Niklaus but you can at least try and change the present." He said. "Do you think mother would want you to be living like this?"
"No." He conceded.
"Exactly, she'd want you to be living your life and most of all she'd want you to be happy Niklaus. That's all she ever wanted for us kids you said it yourself earlier." He pleaded with his brother hoping to somehow get through to him.
"Yeah it was." He said smiling slightly. "I just wish it never happened if someone had to go it should have been him instead."
"Mikael had no right to speak to you like that Niklaus."
"Yeah well since when has that ever stopped him before." He growled thinking about their argument.
"He is so bitter and full of resentment he's just trying to make you as unhappy as he is obviously."
"You weren't there Elijah he was absolutely horrible and as much as I try and stop it Mikael still has this way of getting to me."
"I know but don't you see Niklaus, by letting him get to you he wins, he doesn't deserve that."
"Everything he said was so true though Elijah, I have turned out exactly like him when I vowed I would never be like him."
"You are nothing like father Niklaus." He stressed. "He is an alcoholic, you're not. He is a womaniser, you're not. I admit it has taken you a while to settle down in that department but all it took was the right girl." He said making Klaus smile. "Although if you keep pushing her away like this I'm not sure she'll stick around much longer."
Klaus felt his stomach drop realising his brother was right, as always. What had he done? Caroline was the best thing to happen to him and he wasn't prepared to lose her, he loved her too damn much to let her slip through his fingers.
"I've got somewhere I need to be." He cried ditching his hip-flask and staggering away.
"I couldn't agree more Niklaus but maybe when you're less drunk." Elijah called out but he realised it was too late, Klaus was gone.
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"Caroline!" He yelled stumbling into their dark hotel room and crashing into a chair causing it to tip over with a bang. "Are you asleep?"
"Well I was trying to sleep until you came crashing through the door." She replied into the darkness. He squinted his eyes realising it wasn't actually helping him to see her. He felt his way over to the bed and sat down on the edge swaying slightly.
"Caroline I'm so sorry about what I said; I didn't mean any of it." He pleaded with her. He heard her sigh and felt her move over in the bed and switch on the bedside lamp.
She looked beautiful even with her tousled blonde hair, patchy skin and red bloodshot eyes. He instinctively reached over and rubbed her face softly devastated that he was the cause of her tears. She winced at his touch making Klaus feel even worse for his behaviour. He lowered his hand looking downward trying to articulate the emotions racing through his head.
"I was so horrible to you and all you were trying to do was help me."
"Yeah you were horrible Klaus."
"I really am sorry Caroline." He cried. "I got so caught up with my guilt not to mention my issues with father that I took it all out on you."
"Yeah you did Klaus and you know what it hurt a lot." She replied her blue eyes beginning to water
"I know and I don't want to hurt you anymore. I want to be everything you deserve Caroline, I want to be a better man for you."
"You are a good man Klaus you just need to start believing that more." She replied lowering her gaze.
"If I'm a good man it's only because you've made me one Caroline." He whispered placing his finger under her chin and pulling it upwards so she was staring deeply into his eyes. Klaus leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, gently at first, then his kisses become harder and more intense his tongue forcing its way into her mouth. She responded initially letting the desire wash over her but as he pushed her roughly down onto the bed Caroline pulled away.
"Okay someone's had a lot to drink today so I think it's best we stop." She said moving out of his grasp.
"But I want to do this." He slurred trying to kiss her again.
"Well I don't want to Klaus, maybe we can just talk some more or watch a movie." She suggested.
"Trust me Caroline that won't make the pain go away but this will." He said cocking his eyebrow suggestively.
"Contrary to popular demand sex doesn't fix everything Klaus." She cried obviously appalled by his behaviour.
"But it did in Scotland." He sing-songed. "You have to admit it was pretty explosive."
"Oh so that's all I am to you, an emotional outlet to use when you are upset?" She cried moving away further pulling the covers up to her chin protectively, tears welling in her eyes.
"I never said that Caroline, come on you're twisting my words." He pleaded almost falling off the bed, the alcohol making him dizzy.
"I am not your personal sex toy to use when you're feeling down." Caroline shouted as the sorrow overcame her. "I can't believe all this time I thought you liked me but you were just using me for sex." She moaned the tears spilling down her cheeks.
"That's not true Caroline I promise." He begged trying to make it all better.
"So why did we have sex in Scotland then?"
"Well I'll admit I was upset after seeing my father and needed some comfort but…"
"That's good to know Klaus." She cried. "Seriously I should have known. You were like a man possessed that night but I thought it was all okay because you lo..." She stopped herself before she could say the word.
"Loved you?" He finished looking deeply into her eyes pausing momentarily. "I do love you Caroline more than you know, you have to believe that."
"I have no idea what to believe anymore Klaus. You're so drunk at the moment you probably dont know what you feel." She hissed.
"Oh so I'm sitting here like an idiot confessing my feelings so you can just throw them back in my face." He growled his anger rising.
"Look Klaus this whole sham marriage has done nothing but play mind tricks on both of us. Maybe it's time we finally stop pretending and come back to reality."
"So what you want a divorce?"
"We'll stay married but this, whatever this weird thing we have going on, ends now." She murmured her eyes trained on the floor.
"Fine if that's what you want." He spat.
"I think it's for the best Klaus this whole thing has gotten so out of hand." She said quietly.
"Yeah what's best for you." He snarled. "I should have known considering this arrangement has always been about you, I didn't even want to be your husband." He cried trying to inflict as much hurt onto Caroline as possible. "Maybe it's time I start doing what I want for once."
"Fine if that's how you feel I suggest you start by finding somewhere else to sleep off your hangover." She said shaking her head disapprovingly.
Klaus stood up quickly ignoring the light headedness that overcame him and walked out slamming the door behind him. He didn't need Caroline Forbes, he'd survived just fine without her for this long.