This chapter answers a lot of questions for a few of you! I hope you enjoy!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUPPORT THIS STORY! I TRULY APPRECIATE IT!
Please remember to review at the end! :)
Caroline stood outside on the small balcony just outside her room, or should she say their room. She smiled faintly as she bowed her head when the wind began to blow around her. After her talk with Katherine, she had made her decision, and when she called her bosses, they were more than happy at the progress, the closer to the family the better.
She tried to say to herself that she was doing this because her bosses approved, but that wasn't the reason. She wanted to move in with him, because for the first time in her life, she was taking a chance.
A once in a lifetime chance: she was following her heart, but what would happen when she told him the truth? She felt her heart twinge in her chest. She couldn't bear the thought.
Hearing footsteps behind her, she slowly turned her head, expecting to see Klaus, but froze when she saw who it was.
"Elijah." She replied, nodding her head towards him.
Elijah nodded, and placed his right hand in his pocket and curved his left arm beside him. "I was hoping I could have a moment of your time, Ms. Dobbs." He replied, formally.
Caroline nodded, and leaned against the railing. "Sure." She replied, shrugging her shoulders.
"Niklaus had some business to attend to, so we have a few moments." He added, approaching her.
She nodded, slowly. "Okay." She said, slowly.
He nodded, and his eyes focused on hers. "Since we are alone, should I call you Forbes?" He asked, watching her eyes widened, and her throat bob as she swallowed.
"Wh…what?" She asked, straightening her back.
"I know all about you, Miss Forbes." He replied, coldly.
Caroline felt the blood drain from her face, and she closed her eyes. "Everything?" She asked, her voice wavering slightly.
Elijah nodded. "I know about your current job, yes." He replied, moving to stand beside her.
She swallowed hard, and crossed her arms over chest, nervously. "Oh," She whispered, moving away from him carefully.
Elijah turned to face her. "You have nothing to worry about, Miss Forbes, I won't tell Niklaus." He stated, placing his right hand on the rail.
Caroline turned her head to look at him. "What do you want?" She asked, standing taller.
He smiled. "Nothing." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.
She deflated slightly, but looked confused. She opened her mouth, but was stopped when Elijah held up his hand.
"I want you to continue whatever it is you are doing." He replied, dropping his left hand to his side.
"Why?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.
Elijah smiled, and turned his head to the side. "Because I've seen you around my brother, and above all else, you make him happy, and he needs that." He replied, lowly. "I just wanted you to know that I knew, Miss Forbes." He added after a moment.
Caroline nodded slowly, still not believing that he didn't want something. All men want something.
"You don't believe me, nor do you trust me." He speculated, as he watched her face contort.
Caroline shook her head. "No, I don't." She replied, lifting her head higher.
"But you trust Niklaus." He added, smiling slightly.
She didn't nod, but the answer was in her eyes.
"Which leaves me to question why?" He asked, watching her shift on her feet.
She lifted her hand to push her hair behind her ear, and he got his answer.
"You care deeply for my brother, don't you?" He asked, feeling at ease with the answer.
She turned her head away. "Is that a problem?" She asked, with a slight sass.
He shook his head. "On the contrary, you are going to need that when everything comes to light, for my brother will find out the truth." He replied, stepping closer, but not too close. "Believe me, I won't tell him, but he will find out, Miss Forbes." He added, in a vow.
Caroline searched his face, and frowned. "Why should I trust you?" She asked, lifting her head higher, proving she wasn't scared of him.
He didn't know if he should be flattered with that movement. "Because Niklaus trusts me, and so did Katherine." He replied, firmly.
Caroline scoffed. "Katherine told me how you betrayed her." She returned, but her face softened when she saw the pain on his face. "You loved her, didn't you?" She asked, reading his actions.
Elijah narrowed his eyes. "I never stopped, Miss Forbes, but my feelings are not up for discussion." He replied, coldly.
Caroline nodded, and turned to look out into the river, which the balcony had a clear view of. "She never stopped either." She replied, softly. "She denies it, but I know how to read lies." She added, turning to look at Elijah. "I do care for Klaus, but you must understand that I have a job to do, and I will do it no matter what." She replied, strongly.
Elijah nodded, and straightened. "Then I will keep your secret until the time comes, Miss Forbes, or would you prefer Marshal?" He asked, watching her straighten her back.
"I would prefer Caroline, if you don't mind." She replied, harshly.
"Very well, then, Caroline, we shall speak again." He replied, turning to leave her alone on the balcony.
When she heard the bedroom door close, she breathed out, and grasped the railing in front of her. "What am I going to do?" She asked, shaking her head. "What am I going to do?"
~XXX~
Klaus lifted some papers from his desk, and examined each one, as he sipped his bourbon. He frowned as he read the list of merchandise. There was too few. Something was wrong.
"I know that look, Nik."
He lifted his head, and smirked before lowering his head once more. "I see, you've decided to join the family once again, dear sister." He replied, searching the documents on his desk.
Rebekah smiled, and took a step further inside the room, wincing as she did. She let out a small groan, causing Klaus to lift his head, and look at her completely. Shaking his head, he raced towards her after setting the glass down on the desk.
"Rebekah." He replied, anger flashing in his eyes, as he reached for her.
Rebekah groaned. "It's nothing, Nik. I'll be fine." She whispered, as his arm went around her waist, and helped her inside the room to a chair.
He lifted his head, and was about to call Elijah or someone when Stefan appeared in the doorway.
"What happened?" He asked, approaching Rebekah and Klaus, worry and anger etching on his face.
Klaus frowned. "That's what I'd like to know." He replied, turning to his sister.
Rebekah frowned, and shook her head. "Marcel was trying to find a weakness in the family, and he got a little carried away." She whispered, lifting her eyes to Klaus, only to see his eyes become cold and distant. "I didn't tell him anything, Nik." She added, shaking her head. "He doesn't know about Joey or Caroline." She stated, struggling to breathe.
"We need to get you to the doctor." Stefan remarked, looking her over.
Rebekah smiled kindly, but shook her head. "I'll be fine, Stefan." She said, softly.
Klaus shook his head. "What did you tell him, Rebekah?" He asked in a demanding tone.
Rebekah sighed, and her right hand flew to her side. "I didn't tell him anything, Nik." She repeated, lifting her eyes to her brother. "I only told him that family was strength, and you had no weakness, because you were so careful." She replied, firmly. "I wasn't about to tell him about Joey, not after everything that happened, and I certainly wasn't going to tell him about Caroline." She stated, strongly.
Klaus smiled faintly, but his anger stilled bubbled underneath the surface. "He will pay for this." He whispered, touching his sister's head with his right hand.
Rebekah smiled, and shook her head. "He's already been paid, Nik. I'm not the only one who is bruised." She replied, thinking about the multiple kicks she delivered and punches before she left him, after he had hit her to get information.
Klaus smiled proudly, and leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "Go get some rest, Rebekah." He ordered, glancing at Stefan, who nodded, and helped her up.
"I'm not helpless, Nik." She stated, moving away from Stefan and Klaus.
Klaus smiled, and lifted his hands in defense. "No, you're not, but you are hurt, Rebekah, and you need some rest." He replied, watching her narrow her eyes as she turned on her heel, and walked out with her head held high.
Klaus frowned when she had gone out of sight, and turned to Stefan. "I need to pay Marcel a little visit, later." He replied, darkly.
Stefan nodded. "I'll help." He remarked, glancing at the doorway.
Klaus nodded. "Tonight, we'll go, but first, you need tend to Rebekah." He replied, firmly.
Stefan bowed his head, and headed out of the room, leaving a seething Klaus behind.
~XXX~
Klaus stepped out in the backyard after making a few calls, and smiled as he watched Caroline and Joey run around. He crossed his arms over his chest, and felt his heart beat faster as he watched her smile brightly and laugh.
"I caught you!" Caroline hollered, picking Joey up, and swinging him around, causing both to laugh loudly.
Joey turned his head, and waved his right hand. "Uncle Klaus! Do you want to play?" He asked, when Caroline set him down.
Klaus smiled, and approached them. "In a little bit, why don't you go and get your lunch? It's on the table in the kitchen." He replied, as Joey brightened even more.
"Okay!" Joey remarked, skipping off towards the house.
Klaus shook his head, and turned to Caroline, who was looking at him carefully. "What is it, love?" He asked, approaching her.
Caroline sighed, and touched his face lightly. "Something's bothering you." She answered, dropping her hand to her side.
Klaus nodded, and moved to the small chairs on the back porch. "Marcel has been chipping away my business, and I just found out that he's been searching for a weakness." He replied, honestly.
Caroline nodded, and sat in the chair next to his. "What kind of weakness?" She asked, studying him, as his face became distant.
"You, Caroline, you and Joey." He answered after a moment, looking into her eyes.
Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn't say a word. She nodded, and bowed her head. "I see." She whispered, after a moment.
Klaus leaned forward, and reached for her hands. "I promise you that I will protect you both, Caroline." He vowed, watching her smile.
"I know that, Klaus." She returned, nodding.
"You are good with him." He said, nodding towards the door where Joey could be seen sitting at the table.
Caroline smiled. "I always dreamed of having children." She replied, sadly.
Klaus tilted his head, and rubbed his thumbs over the back of her hands. "You mentioned a few days ago that you couldn't have children, but you never told me why." He replied, softly.
Caroline sighed, and bowed her head. Looking at her hands inside his, she smiled. "One time, before my mom was killed, dad got on a bender, and attacked me. He grabbed a knife, and stabbed me, but didn't kill me." She replied, motioning to her stomach, where a small scar lay.
Klaus swallowed, and moved his eyes to her stomach, where he had lovingly kissed when they made love a few nights before.
"The knife penetrated my uterus, and the doctor said that it would prevent me from bearing children." She recalled painfully.
Klaus sighed, and moved out of the chair, only to grab her up into his arms, and hold her close. "It'll be alright, love." He whispered, stroking her back and hair.
She nodded, and held him tightly against her. In the stillness of the Louisiana air, Caroline felt such peace and comfort in the arms of the man she had come to care for, and she knew that she didn't want to let go.
"I have news for you, love." Klaus whispered, with a smile.
Caroline smiled, and pulled back, moving her arms around his neck. "Oh?" She asked, quirking a brow.
He nodded, and wiped her face lightly. "I designed the perfect tattoo for you. If you still want it?" He asked, watching her carefully.
Caroline smiled, and nodded. "I do." She replied, firmly. "What is it?" She asked, excitedly.
Klaus smiled, and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
As he described it to her, she smiled and felt tears fill her eyes. Not tears of sadness, no, but tears of joy for at that moment she was happy, and nothing could take that away.
Nothing.
~XXX~
Stefan opened the door, and sighed when he caught sight of a blonde head standing next to the window. "You're supposed to be resting." He replied, closing the door behind him.
Rebekah turned her head, and sighed. "I don't take orders from you or from my brother." She stated, firmly.
Stefan shook his head. "It wasn't an order. It was a request, Rebekah." He replied, moving next to her. "You have a couple of fractured ribs, and they need time to heal." He added, looking at her side.
Rebekah closed her eyes, and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "I can't believe how foolish I've been." She whispered, shaking her head. "All my life, I've done nothing but protect my brothers, and what do I get for my protection, hurt." She stated, glancing at Stefan, before walking towards the bed, and sitting down.
Stefan looked out the window, and closed his eyes for only a moment. "Klaus and I are going after Marcel tonight." He replied, turning towards her.
Rebekah's eyes widened and she shook her head. "No, Stefan!" She nearly shouted, standing up, abruptly, causing her sides to pull.
Stefan reached for her, and held her gently in his arms. Rebekah grasped his shirt in her hands, and fear radiated from her eyes. "You can't go." She whispered, shaking her head.
"We have to." He returned, looking into her blue eyes. "We can't stand by and watch someone we love get hurt, Rebekah." He added, strongly.
Rebekah searched his eyes. "You love me?" She asked, hopefully.
Stefan frowned, but didn't say a word. Stepping back from her, he moved towards the door. "I'll come and check on you before we leave. Please get some rest, Rebekah." He replied, turning his head towards her, before opening the door, and walking out.
Rebekah stood watching the door for what seemed like hours, and a slow smile crept up on her face. He may not have said the words, but his last request said it for him, and that was enough.
~XXX~
Caroline slowly slipped her shirt off, and sat down on the stool in their room. She smiled as Klaus brought out a tattoo gun, and prepared to begin the outline of her new tattoo.
"Are you ready, love?" He asked, rubbing her skin lightly with an alcohol swab.
She nodded, and studied his face. "I am." She whispered, watching him smile.
Placing a small needle in the gun, he turned towards her, and turned it on. Moving towards her, he lifted his right arm, and placed his left hand on her left shoulder. "Don't tense up, love." He warned, as he slowly brought the needle down, and it began to penetrate her skin.
Caroline tense for a second, but felt his left hand squeeze her shoulder lightly, and slowly she began to relax. She turned her gaze to his face, and watched as his brow furrowed in concentration, as the needle made its way across her skin, carefully, and accurately.
She slowly forgot the pain that she was feeling, as she continued to watch him. He was so handsome, no, that was not the best description of him. No, drop-dead-gorgeous was a better description.
She smiled lightly as the pain wore off, and she was left only with the pleasure of having him put his mark on her. She heard the gun go off, and she looked down to see the outline of her new tattoo.
"This might hurt, Caroline." He replied, bringing out a new gun. "I have to fill in the blanks." He explained, slowly wiping her skin with a swab.
She smiled, and touched his face with her right hand. "It's okay." She whispered, watching him smile.
Bending over her once more, he began to color in the tattoo, being careful not to hurt her.
Caroline winced slightly, but once again focused on his face, and how devilishly handsome he looked with his scruffy beard covering half his face. She was so grateful that he kept it trimmed, and not allowed it to grow out, and that he never shaved it. She loved the texture of his beard across her skin when they made love, especially between her thighs. She resisted the urge to shiver as she thought about it. Instead, she bit her bottom lip, and resisted the urge to groan.
Klaus shifted his gaze, for only a moment, and caught the desire in her eyes, and tried to tone down his, before going back to the tattoo.
She focused on his fingers gently brushing against her skin, and she flashed to the pleasure he inflicted upon her with those same fingers. She tried to shake those images out of her mind, but the more he continued with his project on her left shoulder, the more the images came out.
She felt him doing a touch up on her shoulder, and she lowered her gaze to find him gently wiping the new tattoo on her shoulder.
He stepped back, and smiled as he examined his work. He placed the gun on the table, and pulled out a mirror for her to examine the tattoo.
Caroline lifted the mirror, and smiled brightly as she took in the artwork on her left shoulder. "Oh, Klaus." She whispered, tears filling her eyes. "It's perfect." She added, handing him the mirror, only to stand up, and wrap her arms around him in a semi-tight hug.
He smiled, and kissed her temple, as his arms wrapped around her bare waist. "I must say, it looks ravishing on you, love." He whispered, pulling back to glance at it before kissing her on the lips. "May I ask what you were thinking of when I was branding you?" He asked, feeling her shiver at the words he chose.
She smiled. "I was thinking of how much I wanted you in bed, and how wonderful it feels when I get you in there." She whispered, not ashamed to say it out loud.
Klaus smirked, and scooped her up into his arms. "Well, then, I don't want to disappoint you." He whispered, carrying her, laughing, towards the bed.
Slowly the digested the rest of their clothing, until they were lying against each other, with hands touching every inch, and lips that didn't want to leave the other.
Klaus pressed her into the mattress, and pushed himself inside her body with a satisfied groan. She arched against him, and smiled as she felt him fill her completely. Never before had she felt this connected to someone, and she was beginning to think never again.
As she reached the height of her orgasm, she felt him reach his at the same time, and captured his eyes as they both moaned in a sweet long confirmation that this was the most intense loving they had ever experienced together.
As Klaus pulled the covers over them after they had come down, he watched her snuggle into his side, and slowly drift off to sleep. Gazing down into her sleeping form, he fingered the tattoo on her left side.
"I'm falling in love with you, my Earendial" He whispered, kissing her forehead. "And I don't know what I should do." He whispered, smiling faintly.
~XXX~
Klaus slowly opened the door as he turned his head to gaze upon her sleeping form once more. He had held her in his arms for a few hours, until he knew he had to leave.
The tattoo he had given her shone brightly in the light from the hallway, and he smiled as he made out the shape of the star and the light blue coloring on her shoulder. He had chosen that particular design when he realized that she was the light to his darkness.
Even though she was in the same business as him, she brought the light back into his life, when all the other lights had gone out of his life. It was a perfect picture for she was the embodiment of light itself, compared to his darkness.
He frowned, and slowly left the room, closing the door behind him. When he returned, he would need her light more than ever.
He slipped on his black sailor jacket as he reached the door, and smiled darkly when he saw his brothers and Stefan join him at the door.
"Let's go." He replied, as they walked out of the house and into the fading sun.
The building was dark and cold as they pulled up to the outside, and turned off the headlights and engine.
Klaus pulled out his 9mm and checked the bullets before cocking it, and listened as the others did the same. "If Marcel is in here, leave him to me." He replied, watching the others nod, and together the four left the car, and headed towards the building next to the docks.
They entered quietly, and silently crept into the dark room with Elijah leading, and Kol bringing up the rear.
Stefan held up his rifle, and prepared to fire as they heard footsteps coming towards them.
Elijah held up his hand, and pulled out his knife he kept concealed in a harness behind his back, and twisted it until it was in stabbing form.
Two burly men with small handguns appeared, but Elijah and Klaus were too quick for them.
Elijah knocked one of the guns out of his opponent's hands, and jabbed his knife in his chest, twisting it until the man became lifeless.
Klaus broke his attacker's wrist, and moved to his back, and with a quick wring of his hands, broke the man's neck.
As the two men fell to the floor, Elijah and Klaus picked up their guns, and put them into their belts, before moving forward.
They made it to the center of the warehouse, and slowly they separated, until they had the six men surrounded.
With a quick flux of his hand, Klaus ordered the hits. Shots rang out in the building, until five men were laying lifeless on the ground, and one man crawling to get away.
Klaus smirked, as he moved towards the man, and stepped on his wounded leg. "Now, where do you think you are going?" He asked, coldly.
The man shook his head, but the fear in his eyes was evident.
Klaus smiled. He loved to see men cower before him. "Going to go back to Marcel?" He asked in satisfaction.
The man slowly nodded his head. He let out a scream when Klaus stepped harder on his leg.
"You know, I'm almost tempted to let you go." He replied, pulling out his gun, and aiming it at the man's head.
The man held up his bloodied right hand, and swallowed hard. "Please, please, Mr. Mikaelson." He whispered, his voice shaking. "I'll tell you anything you want." He replied, fear evident in his voice.
Klaus smirked, and let out a dark chuckle. "Now why would you do that?" He asked, moving his gun to the side.
"Because, Marcel is planning on bringing in a shipment of large artillery next month, and he wants you out of the way." He replied, shaking.
Klaus frowned, and narrowed his eyes, as he pushed harder on the man's leg. "Why would I believe you?" He asked, leaning forward.
The man swallowed. "Because, I wouldn't lie to you, Mr. Mikaelson." He answered, glancing at the other three surrounding him.
Kol smirked, and knelt down beside him. "You better not, because Nik will kill you." He remarked, darkly.
The man inhaled deeply, and gazed at the man above him. "Marcel knows about the blonde." He replied, his face turning to a dark tone.
Klaus tilted his head to the side, and studied him. "What blonde?" He asked, coldly, giving nothing away.
The man let out a small chuckle, but quieted when he heard three guns being armed around him. Fear came back into his eyes, as he looked at every man around him. "The one you're dating." He replied, slowly.
Klaus' eyes flashed, and he straightened up, and aimed the gun at the man's head.
"Niklaus, don't." Elijah remarked, touching his brother's arm.
Klaus clenched his jaw, and his body tightened with anger. "You go back to Marcel, and you tell him that if he even comes near her or any member of my family that I will destroy him and everyone he has ever known." He replied, through clenched teeth. "And tell him that I am not through with him yet." He added, lifting his foot off the man's leg.
The man nodded, and moved to stand up with the one good leg he had. He moved backwards, limping along the way, as Klaus watched him until he turned his back.
"Let's go." He ordered, moving to leave the building.
They heard a gun being cocked behind them, and Klaus whirled around to see the man holding up a 9mm, aiming it at Klaus' head.
Klaus lifted his gun, and fired before the man could get a shot, and smirked as the man fell to his knees, clutching the shoulder he had held the gun with.
"That was a warning, mate. The next time I lift my gun, you will be nothing more than a memory." He shouted, turning his back once more.
"You should have killed him, Nik." Kol remarked, disapprovingly.
Klaus glared at him. "What I chose to do to the messenger is not your affair," He shouted, walking faster towards the car.
Kol turned to the see the man rocking on his knees before looking at Elijah and Stefan. "Marcel knows about Caroline." He replied, softly.
Elijah nodded. "Yes, and Niklaus is not happy." He replied, firmly.
Stefan sighed. "What are we going to do? If Klaus gets emotional…" He trailed off as they made it to the door.
Elijah sighed, as he reached for the doorknob. "We'll just have to be careful." He answered, opening the door. Knowing he would have to tell Caroline, or get Klaus to tell her.
Stefan sighed. "Very careful." He whispered, slinging the rifle on his shoulder as they made it to the car with Klaus sitting in the passenger seat, playing with his phone.
None asked what he was looking at, they didn't have to.
For on the screen was a picture of Caroline and Joey, both laughing, as the picture was being taken.
Klaus knew then that he would do whatever was necessary to make sure that they were both safe. Whatever it took.
That meant he would have to be truthful, completely truthful with her. He had to tell her he was the Hybrid, and soon.
I hope you enjoyed it!
As you probably have guessed, next chapter will be a doosy! I know I'll have a wonderful time writing it, but then again, I've already written have of it! So YAY! You won't have long to wait for it!
Oh, the name Earendial, is from Lord of the Rings, if you watch that! Just so you know, if you haven't guessed it already!
Oh, BTW, I am now on Tumblr! I've just started it, so I haven't gotten my bearings on it yet, but for those who follow me, I will post a sneak peak on my account of any story I happen to be working on, at least once a week. I'm so excited about it! My name is the same as my name here, scifichristian!
Until Next Time...