A/N: I am so sorry to anyone left reading this that it has taken so long to get this chapter up. This is the last proper chapter, there may be a short epilogue to follow.

Chapter 6

"Kol."

Klaus hadn't seen his brother alive since he watched him burn to death at the hands of the Doppelganger and her hunter brother. The thought still made his skin crawl with frustration at not being able to do a thing to save him. He hated that he now had to use the very people who had brought on that anger.

"It is nice to see you, Brother. And thank you for grieving. I appreciate that it could not have been easy to watch that."

That shook Klaus. He had had no idea that Kol had even been aware of his presence.
"Why are you here?" He deflected.

"Did Bonnie not tell you about the consequences? You can't just drop the veil for one individual; she had to release us all."

Kol casually walked from the end of the hallway to the living, completely comfortable with his surroundings. Like he had been here many times before. It made Klaus wonder, how often had his little brother been watching him?

"Why are you here, Kol?" he repeated as he followed his brother, who had made himself very at home on the sofa complete with feet propped up on the table.

The younger Mikaelson smiled. "I'm always here. Around. You and Rebecca do leading such entertaining lives. Elijah, less so. Always about saving the girl. Ever the gentleman. And I liked this era. The little amount of time I got to spend in it. Everything is so convenient. I miss it. When I heard young Bonnie was dropping the veil I just had to come say hello."

Klaus took the seat opposite him. He had always assumed he would have questions for his brother. Something to say. Something he should have said a long time ago. But now with him sat sitting in front of him, he was unprepared. "Is this one of those consequences the witch spoke of?"

"You didn't take those threats seriously did you? You do surprise me, Nik. So a few pissed off supernatural creatures get to wander the earth for a few minutes, big deal. You should be considering the ramifications of Bonnie talking to your favourite baby vampire."

If he was perfectly honest with himself, he hadn't thought much past bringing her back to reality. He had expected nothing but good to come from those actions.

His younger brother shook his head as he idly flicked flipped through a magazine that had been left on the couch, "Haven't given it a second thought have you? What happens if the witch brings her back? Are you going to stay here with her and live happily ever after? Convince her to go back to New Orleans with you and play happy families family with the miracle baby." Klaus' fist clenched as his brother spoke, "I'm sure she'd love that, I know how fond she was of your little she-wolf." He smirked as he watched the anger and realization rise in his brother. "Does she even know about the baby?"

Klaus glared at his brother, "Of course she knows."

Kol raised an eyebrow, "And she just accepted it? You don't think that there's a chance that that small piece of information got lost along the way to dream land?" The younger Original couldn't help but smile. Not because he had any ill feelings towards the baby vampire, in fact from what he'd seen of her he actually thought he might like. No, he smiled because he often found not greater pleasure than trying to get a rise out of his older brother.

Klaus hadn't thought about Hayley since he'd first mentioned the child to Caroline. She had become his main focus. He wanted to see her well. Maybe it was a fact that had slipped her mind as simply as it had left his. Would repeating that conversation do more harm than good? The way Kol studied his face told him the concern was etched into his face.

"That's the consequence, Brother. You might bring her back, but what are you bringing her back to? What happiness can you, if any, offer her?"

The lights flickered throughout the house causing the brothers to stop glaring at each other, the realization that they didn't have much time left dawning on them.

"I know what you think you're doing is right, Nik. But be careful. Do not break the girl any more than she already is. She does not deserve any heartbreak caused by you. Our time is almost up. Pass on my regards to Elijah. And if she lets you, give Bex a hug."

Before he could respond his brother was gone from his life once more. He didn't dwell on what he said, he couldn't. There was gentle sobbing coming from behind her closed door.

"Bonnie?!"

She waited for Klaus to leave before speaking. Not consciously, not really. The shock of seeing her best friend stood standing in front of her had rendered her speechless. She shouldn't be here, she was dead. At least here she was.

"Bonnie... you're... you know?"

"Dead?" Bonnie gave a sad smile, "I know."

To her surprise, Caroline grinned happily and leap towards her. "I knew this wasn't real." she wrapped her arms tightly around her.

Bonnie couldn't help but hug her back but she couldn't smile for her. "That's why I'm here." She guided her so they were both sat on her bed. "Klaus came to see Jeremy. He wanted my help. He's concerned about you. "She paused for a moment; the whole concept for Klaus actually showing concerned baffled her."I've watched you, since you found out about me, and you're not ok, Caroline. I've seen you dream. I've seen you smile as you've slept."

"You don't need to worry about me, Bonnie. Nothing can hurt me here. This is a dream. You're going to laugh when I tell you about this tomorrow. "

"Care... This is real. I wish whatever life you're dreaming of was, but it isn't. You're friends are here and we want you to see that." The witch tried not to grimace; none of their friends had come to see her about Caroline, only Klaus.

"I've seen you cut everyone out. When was the last time you spoke to Elena? Or Matt? When did you last think of me?" She grabbed her friend's hand. "I'm not judging you for. We all grieve in different ways but you act like this hasn't happened. Like it's not real. And I wish I could tell you it was all a dream. God, I wish it was all a dream. But it's not. I'm dead, Caroline and I'm not coming back. And it kills me every day to see you this way. Not being able to hug you, talk to you, or even just send you a text message." She was crying now, tears streaming. "I miss all the little things. Things you don't think you would."

Caroline watched her, silently, as she spoke. She knew something inside of her wanted to tell her it wasn't real. That Bonnie was really as home in bed like she was. But this felt different. This felt real. The way Bonnie's hand felt against her own, somewhat cold. Almost not there, a gentle grasp. And then something cracked; something inside of her that should have broken a long time ago. Her heart. And with it came tears. Guilt. Over whelming pent- up sadness. "Oh god, Bonnie."

Bonnie smiled through the tears, "It's ok, Care. I understand. I'd want to escape this too if I were you. I'd want to imagine a future. A life. Any amount of happiness. But hiding yourself away in dreams? That's not healthy. I want so much more for you. You get to live. You have to for both of us. You have to let me go."

The lights flickered. "We don't have long left. I need to raise the veil. But remember, I love you. We all love you. And I'll always be with you, no matter what. Be sure to thank Kl-"

Before she could finish, her best friend disappeared right before her eyes. Gasping for breath through the tears, Caroline pulled herself up against her headboard, drawing her knees to her and hugging them tightly.

There was a gentle knock on her door, she quickly wiped away her tears but before she could reply, he slipped in. he leant against the door for a moment, studying her, trying to decide without words if Bonnie had been successful. The tears spoke a thousand words. As her face cracked, as more tears fell, and before he could even contemplate his actions, he was holding her tightly in his arms with; his back against the headboard, her head to his chest. "She's gone. She's really gone."

They stayed that way for a long time, just sitting. Perfectly still. Day turned to night and night turn to day. He wasn't sure when they had fallen asleep, or how he had even allowed that to happen. It had been a very centuries since he had slept with someone by his side. But that night he had slept more soundly than he could remember. She was still deep in slumber so gently slide from under her laid her down on the pillow before creeping out.

Liz was in the kitchen sat the table sipping coffee, in her uniform ready for work.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were home. I was just sat..." He tried to explain his appearance from her daughter's room; he felt like a teenager.

Liz just waved him off, "I stuck my head round last night when I got in. You both looked so very peaceful that I just left you. I trusted you to not have harmed her."

He nodded, appreciative of her understanding. "Bonnie got through to her. She'll need some time but she's back."

The tears welled in her mother's eyes. She had her daughter back. "I'm just going to..." She motioned to her daughter's room and he understood.

He didn't know what to do with himself while the two women spoke. Part of him wanted to run since, his job here was done. His brother's words played in his mind. What was he bringing her back to? A life without her best friend? A life with him? He would never expect her to follow him. In truth, he often wondered if she would have sought him out. The other part of him wanted to stay. To hell with Marcel and New Orleans. To hell with Hayley and the baby; Elijah would ensure that they were cared for.

Before he had chance to make up his mind, Liz exited her daughter's room still looking teary eyed but happier. She smiled at him as she wiped away a couple of stray tears. It felt foreign to him to be smiled at in that way. A genuine smile of thanks.

"Do you mind staying with her for a few hours, just while I go to work? She's sleeping now but I'd hate got her to wake and find no one here."

He nodded in reply.

Time was just passing her by. There were not enough hours in the day to get everything done and yet everything was falling into place. She had venues booked, picked out a dress, picked out bridesmaid dresses, a band confirmed and a seating plan already half organized. TV had taught her planning a wedding was stressful but this had been anything but.

She had visited Meredith once more. They had chatted about her dreams, the various meanings behind them. But they weren't affecting her as they once had. It was as though a switch had been flicked and whatever had been upsetting her, no longer did. It was hard to describe. It was like she had accepted the dreams. They no longer hurt her. She slept peacefully for hours on end until her days just blurred into each other.

A few nights before the wedding, as she watched him casually move around their bedroom preparing for bed, she had a sudden out of body experience. It was the only way she could describe it. Like she was watching herself watching him. And an overwhelming feeling that this would be the last time she did so washed over her.

He smiled at her he pulled back the covers and climbed in. Buddy was curled up at the bottom of their bed, taking up most of it now he had grown. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. "You okay?"

She snuggled further against his chest, "I'm fine, just a little tired."

"You better get some sleep; preserve that energy for our wedding night." she felt him smile against her head, a smile she saw every time she closed her eyes.

She twisted slightly to look at him, "I can't wait to be married to you."

"Glad to hear it." He replied before placing a kiss on the top of her forehead.

Her hand traced circles on his chest, "I love you, you know that right?"

"You sure you're ok?"

She nodded and rested her head against his chest once more. The last thing she remembered was him brushing his lips against her forehead again and murmuring that he loved her too.

It was almost dark again when she woke; the sun was just starting to set. She knew she had dreamt again, of that life but she was left with a feeling of closure. While it brought a peace to her, it also left a hole.

Casting her eyes over her darkened room she found him slumped in her chair, pulled up by her bed. He was still sleeping. She hadn't seen him look this tranquil before. As though when he slept, all his troubles and anger disappeared. It brought a small smile to her face but then she remembered last night and she choked up again. How could she be smiling after speaking to Bonnie? After not spending months grieving for her death?

As she choked back around sob he stirred, slowly waking and becoming aware of where he was. They stared at each other for a moment, trying to judge who should speak first.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired. Feeling a little stupid. Very guilty for not grieving." a beat passed, "My mom..."

"At work. She asked me to stay with you. At least until you woke. If you prefer, I can leave?"

"Thank you. For being here. For helping me." She avoided his question.

"You're welcome." He was stuck for words; it wasn't something he was used to. She didn't usually have this effect on him. Rising from the chair, he straightened his coat. "Walk with me?"

They walked silently through the trees. The time she walked through them Silas played on her mind. She was in no doubt it was actually Klaus by her side but the conversation with Silas repeated over and over. What was she afraid? Retreating into a world of dreams had undoubtedly been brought on by the fear and grief of losing her best friend, but to dream of a life of happiness with him had to mean something.

She ached to reach out and grab his hand. For so long, she had being able to touch him whenever she felt was normal. It had been real. And although she knew it wasn't, it still felt real and natural. Her hand grazed his gently as they walked. She wondered if it affected him like it did her. She knew how he felt about her. How head had always felt about her. But her own feelings were still in doubt.

He spoke first, breaking the silence that was becoming uncomfortable, "Caroline. There is something you need to know. I wasn't passing through Mystic Falls. I came for you. When I heard what happened, how you were dealing, I left New Orleans immediately."

As he spoke he noticed her hand jerk away from his ands she wrapped her arms around her. He had never been one for public displays of affection. Loathed them in fact, thought that it showed weakness. But with her he didn't care how vulnerable he appeared.

Caroline nodded; she had suspected he hadn't been 'passing through'. "And Hayley, she was ok with you just up and leaving?"

"You remember what Ii told you about her? About the child?" He had assumed she hadn't remembered his news. He stopped abruptly.

She carried on walking for a few steps, "I wish I hadn't but I do." She paused as she tried to shake the image of the two of them together from her mind. "I mean, Hayley, of all people? Seriously?"

"You're upset." He still spoke to her back, wishing he could see her face.

"No. Yes. Maybe. I don't know." she turned to face him, a sad little smile on her face. "Everything is still a bit messed up in my mind."

"You need time. Space away from everything. Come to New Orleans." As soon as the words had slipped out, he regretted them. Regretted how he had phrased it. It was a command, not an invitation. Not how he had intended.

Regardless, she seemed to contemplate it. They walked silently for a little longer as she thought. Somehow how though, as they walked, she found her arm had slipped beneath his and they walked linked arm in arm. It brought a peace to her, one she hadn't felt for a while. Not since... the last moment she remembered feeling this way was graduation night. As she walked across the football field with him.

"I don't think I can't be around you right now." she felt his arm tighten but she made no effort to pull away. "As much as I'd like to be, it's not good for me. Or you. These dreams. What I felt, that was real to me. So very real. And while I appreciate the offer, I need space to figure out how I really feel. Do you understand what I mean? I don't want to lead on you, make you believe that there might be something there."

He nodded. He understood precisely. She had spent months, maybe longer in her dreams loving him. A love that was so strong, she hadn't wanted to face the sad reality they lived in. She had had a perfect, happy life with him, one he had torn her away from. And while it caused an ache in him that he didn't know could exist within him, and while he wished that she would just take a risk and come with him, he respected her decision. They both needed space to assess where their lives were headed.

"I'm not saying I never want to see you or hear from you again. But for now? It's for the best. Maybe Someday…in the future." She said with a shy smile. She was glad he understood. Part of her wanted to go with him; part of her even wanted him to stay just so she could be near him. He had helped her so much, without her even really being aware of such, and the prospect of being away from her scared her a little. But she knew in her heart, she needed time. Time to grieve for her friend. Time to get her life in order. And simply to spend some time with her mum after all she had put her through recently.

He nodded and came closer to her. "I understand." But part of him couldn't help the feeling of loss that assailed him.

She raised a hang to his cheek wanting to ease the feeling and wanting to ease her own at the same time. She held it there for a moment, both of them unsure what to do next, of who to make the next move. And then she was hit with an overwhelming need to hug him. Both arms slipped effortlessly around his neck. "Thank you. For everything." she whispered in his ear.

The token of affection she showed froze him. The feeling was foreign. Then he relaxed, letting his arms wrapped around her waist. "This isn't goodbye. Just…Until then."