I intended to have this up yesterday, but I didn't get finished with it in time.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT TRULY MEANS ALOT!
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~Two Months before the Present and the Trial~
The sound of kitten heels could be heard as Caroline walked down the hallway, her hips swaying in the grey skirt she was wearing. She was on a mission.
She made her way down to the door, and didn't bother knocking. She swung the door open, and glared at the man sitting at the desk, and slammed the door behind her.
"Tell me, what the hell is going on?!" She shouted, glaring at him.
Damon sighed, and placed his hands on the desk as he stood up. "Good morning to you too." He replied, stepping around his desk.
Caroline rolled her eyes, and folded her arms over her chest. "It's been almost a week, Damon, and they won't let me see him." She stated, stepping towards him.
"Can you blame them?" He asked, leaning against the desk. "You are after all the arresting officer, at least to them." He stated, placing his hands on the desk behind him.
Caroline groaned, and threw her head back. "I have a right to see him." She stated, roughly.
Damon sighed, and approached her, gently grasping her upper arms. "I know you do, Caroline, but they don't." He replied, gazing into her eyes.
She sighed, and lowered her head. "Have you seen him?" She asked, slowly.
He sighed, letting go of her arms, and shook his head. "I haven't." He replied, turning back to his desk.
"I have to see him, Damon." She stated, lowly.
"You know how dangerous that is, Caroline." He replied, turning to lean on the desk.
She shook her head, and stepped towards him. "I don't care." She stated, firmly.
"You will be monitored, at least this time, and there is nothing I can do about that." He remarked, sighing.
"I don't care." She repeated, her head lifting higher.
Damon shook his head, and bowed it, letting out a sigh. "Caroline," He began, knowing this was fruitless.
"Damon, I love him." She stated, stepping closer to him, lowering her voice so no one could hear but them. "I love him." She repeated, standing a foot away from him. "I need to see him." She replied, softly. "You know, this could be the last chance I get." She added, softly.
Damon closed his eyes, and shook his head in defeat. "They are going to bring him to the courthouse this afternoon for an interrogation." He began, sighing. "I could arrange for you to have a few minutes." He added, lifting his eyes to hers.
Caroline sighed with relief, and nodded. "Thank you." She whispered, turning to go.
"Caroline,"
She paused, turning back to face him, taking in the sour look on his face.
"Be careful. You know what Klaus will do if something were to happen to you with him locked up." He stated, watching her nod her head.
"I'll be fine, Damon, and thank you." She replied, leaving the room, softly closing the door behind her.
Damon sighed as the door shut with a click, and he pulled out his cell phone and dialed. "She just left." He replied, stiffly.
"Okay, I'll let him know." Stefan replied on the other end.
Damon nodded. "Are they safe?" He asked after a moment, emotion riding on his voice.
"They are. We'll need to move them in a few days, but for the moment they are." Stefan remarked, softly. "Everything is fine, Damon."
Damon nodded. "Tell her I love her." He replied, walking towards the window.
"She knows, Damon, but I'll relay the message, anyway." Stefan said.
"Thanks, little brother." Damon replied, smiling sadly.
"No problem, big brother." Stefan returned, ending the call.
Damon sighed as he lowered the phone. Since the arrest of Klaus, Damon had felt pressure from an unknown source trying to get Klaus convicted, quickly. He suspected who the source was, and even though he was a Judge in the state of Louisiana, his family was not safe.
So, he had contacted his brother, and in secret, he had moved his wife and son to a safe place, far enough away from the threat, at least he hoped they were.
He knew this was dangerous, but his family had to be protected, and Klaus was a member of that family, no matter what the blood relations were. He also knew that his brother would keep his wife and son safe, so with a strong will and voice, the next threatening call he got would be the last.
~XXX~
Klaus sat in the cell, awaiting the transfer to the courthouse. He glanced down at his left hand, and frowned. It had been almost a week since he saw her, and it was killing him. He knew it was going to be difficult, but this was torture.
He leaned his head back against the wall, and sighed. He just wanted to see her, but it was impossible. How could he see her without giving it away?
The door opened to the cell block, and he turned his head to see his lawyer enter. He shook his head as Finn made it to the door.
"You're being transferred to a maximum security jail after you give your statement." Finn stated, firmly.
Klaus nodded, and sighed. "Will she be there?" He asked, trying not to sound relieved at the prospect.
Finn sighed, and glanced over his shoulder. "I don't know, but she might." He replied, knowing how much his brother wanted her to be.
Klaus lowered his head, and closed his eyes. "Have you spoken to her?" He asked, lifting his head to look at his brother.
Finn sighed, and nodded. "I have for a brief moment." He replied, taking out a piece of paper from his insider jacket pocket. "She sent this." He added, holding it out.
Klaus stood up, quickly, and stepped towards the cell. He took the paper, and opened it up. Tears filled his eyes as he read the words, and took in the drawing at the bottom.
"She's a good woman, Niklaus." Finn remarked, lowly.
Klaus smiled, and chuckled. "No, she's perfect." He amended, lifting his eyes to his brother.
Finn returned the smile, and stepped back. "I'll come back before they move you." He stated, heading towards the door.
Klaus nodded, and lowered his eyes to the paper, as he walked over to the small bed a few feet away, and sat down. In the silence, he read the words to himself, letting them sink into his soul and heart.
Niklaus,
I will always wish you weren't so stubborn, but no matter what. You are mine.
Caroline
At the bottom of her words, was a drawing. A drawing of a hand with only three fingers turned up. He smiled as he fingered the drawing.
~Flashback~
"Hold your hand out." Caroline replied, a smile on her face.
Klaus smiled at her, and gave her his right hand. He watched as her blonde hair fell down her bare shoulders, and the sheet clung around her chest. She was a vision in his bed.
She moved his fingers, pushing ring and middle finger down, keeping his thumb, pointer, and pinky up.
He lifted his eyes to hers, and tilted his head to the side. She smiled, and traced his fingers. "It means 'I love you'." She replied, searching his eyes.
Klaus smiled, and leaned forward, and kissed her lips.
She giggled against his lips, and touched his face as he pulled back. Holding up her hand, she copied the motions she showed him.
He smiled, and stroked her face with his left hand. "I love you." He whispered, searching her eyes.
She bit her bottom lip, and leaned forward. "I love you." She returned, kissing his lips, before he laid her down on the bed, and continued to show her the love he felt for her.
All night long.
~End Flashback~
Klaus smiled as he folded the letter, and placed it in the pocket of his orange jumper, which the county had forced him to wear.
He closed his eyes, remembering the cries of passion from that night. No other woman had ever made him react the way she did, and no other could. She was his. His love… His light… His wife…
He sighed, and opened his eyes. No one knew outside the family, and that killed him. He wanted so much to shout it out, especially to her superiors. He had married the Marshal sent to arrest him. He smiled at what a victory that would be, and what her superiors would do.
No, he would not gloat, for he did love her, and he wouldn't want to break her heart. He made a promise, and he never broke his word, especially to her.
~XXX~
Caroline held the phone to her ear, and sighed as the other line picked up. "Secure?" She asked, sitting in her car, just outside the courthouse.
A sigh came from the other end, and she smiled. "Yes, we're secure."
"You sound tired, Tyler." She stated, looking around outside her car.
"No, shit, of course I'm tired, Caroline." He stated, on the other end. "I've been pulling all-nighters since Klaus was arrested, and now I'm doing you favors." He sighed, and she heard him typing on his computers. "I should get a raise, and a vacation." He stated, in a low tone.
She laughed, and shook her head. "You should put some time in." She stated, hearing him groan on the other end.
"Like Alaric would ever give me time off." He stated, roughly.
She lowered her head, and sighed. "Do you have them ready?" She asked, lifting her head.
Tyler sighed. "Of course, I do." He stated, in a sing-song tone. "You're lucky we're blood kin or else you would have some serious explaining to do." He added, and she could just imagine him shaking his head.
"Oh, Ty, you sure do know how to sweet talk a girl." She replied, shaking her head.
Tyler scoffed, and pounded the keys a few more times. "I sure hope your plan works, Caroline." He stated, roughly.
She sighed, and leaned her head back. "Me too." She replied, softly.
"I know that tone." He replied, grimly.
"I don't have a tone." She stated with a mild scoff.
"Yes, you do." He stated, firmly. "It's the tone you use when you have doubts, and you hate it." He added, with mild pride in his tone.
She shook her head. "Just get the documents ready, Tyler." She remarked, firmly.
"Yes, ma'am." He muttered, and she smiled.
"Thank you, Ty." She replied, half-heartedly.
"Yeah, yeah." He rebutted, before hanging up.
She sighed, as she leaned her head back against the head. It was risky, what she was planning, but it was the only way.
Taking out her notebook, she flipped it open, and began to make notes, crossing off the ones she had accomplished.
"Fake ids, check," She began, marking through the words. "Resignation typed, almost." She continued, moving down the list. "Marriage certificate filed," She paused, and smiled, glancing quickly at her left hand. "In Damon's care," She remarked, crossing out the line. "House, check," She whispered, lifting her head, and sighed. "Reinforcements, on the way," She added, softly.
Lifting her head, she closed her eyes. "Please let this work." She replied, with a sigh. "Please let it."
~Flashback~
Caroline sat down at the small table in her kitchen, and looked over at the women in the family. She smiled, and placed her forearms on the table, and sighed. "I can't talk him out of it." She replied, slowly.
Rebekah shook her head, and scoffed. "He's an idiot." She stated, leaning back in the chair.
Caroline smiled at her sister-in-law, and nodded. "Yes, but we love him anyway." She responded; watching all the women, except Katherine nod their heads.
"So what are we going to do?" Bonnie asked, calmly, with a quiet voice.
Caroline lowered her head, and fingered the wedding set on her left hand. "I've contacted a good friend of mine at the office, and he's agreed to help." She replied, lifting her head, with a small glance towards Katherine, who nodded in understanding.
"Help with what?" Rebekah asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Help with freeing Klaus." Caroline answered, lifting her head a little higher. "And keeping this family safe." She added, firmly.
"How exactly are we going to do that?" Katherine asked, shaking her head. "I mean, Klaus claims his plan will work, and we should trust him." She added, shrugging her shoulders.
"I do trust him, Kat." Caroline replied, firmly. "But I don't trust Enzo or my father, and who knows who my father has in the system that could get to Klaus or this family if need be." She stated, shaking her head. "There are no limits to what my father will do to get what he wants, and what he wants is to see me and Klaus suffer and die." She added, angrily.
Bonnie reached over, and grasped her friend's hand in hers, and sighed. "What do you have in mind?" She asked, studying her friend.
"I know that the system will do what it can to protect Klaus, because of the deal he wants to make, concerning my father, but it can't completely protect him or this family." Caroline stated, shaking her head. "My friend," She paused with a secret smile, and a glance to Katherine, who smirked. "Is going to create some fake ids, and help us leave New Orleans, until the time comes for Klaus testify against my father." She finished, with a serious expression on her face.
"Nik won't go along with that." Rebekah stated, shaking her head.
Caroline sighed. "I know, that's why I'm not going to tell him until the time is right." She stated, lowering her eyes.
"What about Joey?" Katherine asked, shaking her head. "You can't expect him to go on the lam." She added, narrowing her eyes.
"We aren't going to be on the lam, Kat." Caroline stated, firmly. "I have the letter prepared to send to my superior, letting him know the danger, and what I plan to do." She added, glancing at the others. "Along with my letter of resignation." She finished, smiling.
"How can you protect Klaus and Joey without your badge?" Bonnie asked, shaking her head while shrugging her shoulders.
Caroline smiled, and lowered her head. "Marshal or no Marshal, I will still protect my family." She stated, a dark look coming into her eyes. "And as for Joey, I have already asked him his opinion of moving, and he agreed with me." She added, turning to Katherine. "He said he would do anything to keep his family together." She finished, tears filling her eyes.
Katherine nodded, and lowered her eyes. "Well, I hope you have this friend of yours making documents for me as well, because there is no way in hell I'm letting you leave without me." She stated, after a moment.
Caroline tilted her head to the side, and laughed. "He's preparing papers for the whole family, Kat, in case you all want to come with us." She stated, moving her gaze to the other women.
Rebekah smiled, and nodded. "Hell yes." She stated, folding her arms over her chest. "This family sticks together." She added, shaking her head up and down.
Bonnie smiled, and squeezed Caroline's hand. "I may have to hog tie Kol, but you're not leaving without us." She stated, firmly.
Caroline smiled, and returned the squeeze. "Thank you all." She replied, glancing at the others.
~End Flashback~
Caroline opened the car door, and secured her purse to her shoulder before stepping out, locking the car, and headed towards the courthouse, now to face the object of her plan, and love of her life.
She just had to remain strong when she saw him or else everything would go to hell in a hand basket.
~XXX~
Joey sat on his bed, and sighed. He knew this was going to be hard when his dad told him about the plan, but every day, for the past week, he watched as his mother put on a fake smile, trying to give him reassurance.
But he saw through her smile. He saw her eyes and the sadness in the depths. She missed his dad, and so did he.
He missed the days they would play outside, running around, chasing his mom, watching his parents with so much love, he never thought he would be a part of, but he was.
He smiled as he fingered the picture in his hands. A reminder of what used to be, and what will be again.
The door opened to his bedroom, and he lifted his head.
"Joey," A tiny voice called, and he smiled as he turned around. "Will you play with me?"
Joey stood up, and walked over to the small boy he had just met a few hours ago before his mom had left to see his dad, and knelt down. "What do you want to play?" He asked, in a grown up tone.
Khristo smiled, and Joey saw his front bottom tooth had come out. "Anything," He replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Joey smiled. Since meeting Khristo, he had felt a connection to the small boy. They had both been left by their mothers, but for different reasons. Khristo had been taken from his mom, and Joey had his mom taken from him. He knew it took some time for Khristo to get accustomed to living with his parents, but from what Katherine had told Caroline, (and yes he listened) he adapted very quickly, just like Joey did.
"Come on, Khris, let's go outside." He stated, taking the boy's hand, and they both raced out towards the back door.
Both boys laughing at the thought of finally having the family they both had dreamed of.
~XXX~
Caroline stood outside the door, and inhaled deeply.
"He wants to see you alone, Caroline." Finn replied, standing next to her. "I spoke to the cops and the other agents. There are no bugs or cameras in there, but they will be listening outside the door. Although, they can't see you." He added, for her benefit.
Caroline nodded, and sighed. "Thank you, Finn." She replied, glancing his way, before opening the door, prepared for any words he might say.
She entered the room with a cold, stiff look on her face, but her eyes conveyed the hunger she felt at seeing him.
Klaus sat at the table, and though he wasn't chained to the table, his hands were still cuffed together. His eyes held hers, and she saw the warm look of love in them, the total opposite of his face.
"What the hell do you want?" He demanded, loudly, knowing the others were hearing.
"I came to see if the accommodations were just right for a criminal like you." She stated, firmly, lifting her head proudly.
He smirked, coldly, and scoffed. "You should know. I hear this was all your idea." He stated, looking around the room.
She pulled out the chair across from him, and sat down, placing her arms on the table, waiting for his return gesture.
He smirk turned to a soft smile as he reached across the table, and grasped her hands with his. "Hello, love." He whispered, searching her eyes.
She shivered, and felt a blush appear on her cheeks. "Hello." She returned, grasping his hands in hers.
"How are you holding up?" He whispered, looking around the room.
"How do you think?" She asked, her voice raising slightly, trying not to give the show away.
He sighed, and leaned back in his chair, letting go of her hands, already missing their touch. Lifting his hands, he began to talk. "I miss you." He signed, watching her smile in recognition.
She lifted her right hand. "You remember." She signed back, tilting her head to the side.
He nodded, and smiled. "How can I forget?" He signed, moving his hands as best as he could.
"Joey says hello." She signed after a moment.
His eyes faded a little at the mention of his son, and he lowered his head. "How is he?" He asked, with his hands.
She sighed, and dropped her hands on the table. "Missing you, but he's good." She replied, in a low tone.
He nodded, and cleared his throat. "Are you just going to sit there, or are you going to interrogate me?" He stated, loudly.
She smiled, and bowed her head. "I thought I would see if you would crack under my stare." She answered, strongly, causing them both to smile at the implied meaning.
"Oh, there are other ways of getting me to crack, love, and I'm sure you remember." He stated, leaning forward.
She shivered, and shook her head. "Damn you." She stated, though the smile on her face told him she was playing the part.
"So that's what it takes to get a rise out of you, is it?" He asked, continuing the charade.
She plopped her right hand up, and placed her chin in the palm. "Oh, there are other ways." She whispered, seductively, watching him fidget in the chair, before she continued. "Shut up!" She stated, in a loud voice.
He licked his lips, and swallowed, hard. "I suggest you tell your superiors that I have no intention of answering any questions you have to ask, Marshal." He stated, roughly.
"Then why did you want to see me?" She asked, searching his eyes, almost losing her cool.
"Because I wanted to see the real you, and I was right." He stated, leaning forward, but his voice was still loud. "You are nothing, but a backstabbing bitch with delusions that you are better than me, but the truth is," He paused, holding her eyes, softly. "You are the same as me." He added, cruelly, but she didn't read anything into it.
She smiled, and dropped her right hand on the table. "I am nothing like you." She stated, loudly.
"Oh, Caroline, stop lying to yourself." He stated with a cold scoff.
She shook her head. "It's not a lie." She stated, firmly.
He chuckled, and shook his head. "Sure it is, because deep down, you like having your perfect feathers ruffled, especially by me." He stated, lowering his voice in a seductive manner.
Caroline swallowed, and squirmed in her seat. Lord, she didn't know it was going to be like this.
"Why did you do it?" He asked, after a moment. "Why did you turn me in?" He asked, firmly.
Caroline searched his eyes, and opened her mouth to continue the part she needed to play. "I had a job to do, Klaus." She stated, after a moment.
"Damn your job." He stated, with a scoff. "I could have given you everything that job never could, and you know it."
She sighed. "That's not the kind of life I want." She replied, though he read the lie in her eyes, and smiled.
"Well, then, I should applaud you for doing your job." He stated, moving to stand up.
She stood up with him, and quietly, they moved towards each other, both knowing that this would be the last time for a while they would ever see each other. "You should know, it wasn't easy, Klaus." She replied, shaking her head.
He nodded, but his eyes held hers. He wanted to hold her, at least one last time, but the damned cuffs were keeping him from that. Instead, he lifted his hands to her face and stroked her face. "You shouldn't come back, love." He whispered, for her ears only.
Tears sprang to her eyes, and she touched his face with her right hand. "I know. I hate it, but I know." She replied, holding his eyes.
"Two months." He whispered, leaning closer, but not finishing the move, for he knew if he touched her lips, the cover would be over. "That's how long Finn said it would take to set up the trial, and the deal." He whispered, holding her eyes.
She nodded, and caressed his cheek, softly. "It'll be forever." She whispered, despairingly.
He sighed, and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "It'll be over before you know it, love." He whispered, watching her smile.
"You are such a charmer." She whispered, shaking her head.
He smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You better go." He stated, backing away.
She nodded, but grasped the top of his jumpsuit, and pulled him close. With a quick movement, she kissed his lips, and then pulled back, before it could go deeper. She turned at the door, and smiled. "No matter what you believe, Klaus, it wasn't easy." She stated, loudly.
He scoffed, and shook his head. "Bull shit." He stated, lifting his left hand, and formed the words he wished to say out loud.
She smiled through her tears, and lifted her left hand to copy the gesture, before leaving the room.
~XXX~
After Klaus gave his statement to the other Marshals and Agents, with Finn present, he was led to a holding cell before transport, and sighed as he sat down on the cot.
"I never thought I would see the day when you would be behind bars."
Klaus jerked his head up, and glared at his visitor. "Forbes." He stated, standing up, and stepped towards the bars.
William smiled as he stepped closer, and moved his eyes around. "I just saw my daughter leave, and I must say you two gave a splendid performance." He stated, lifting his hands to clap twice. "Making the others believe that nothing happened between the two of you," He began with a dramatic sigh. "Genius," He added, though he laughed at the end.
"What the hell do you want, and how did you get in here?" Klaus asked, glaring at him.
William leaned forward, and sneered. "Just to let you know, that this little game you're playing will not stop me from getting my revenge." He stated, gruffly. "As for getting in here, you would be surprised how far my arm actually reaches in this system, in this state." He added, with a dark chuckle.
"You already took your revenge, Forbes." Klaus stated, roughly, with a sadness flashing in his eyes.
"Oh, yes, the little babe" William stated, mockingly. "I was sorry when I heard that my daughter lost a child." He added, with serious sadness. "I never wanted her to find out she could bear children." He finished, roughly. "Of course, I never wanted her to meet you."
Klaus smirked, and folded his arms over his chest, for they were free to move now that the chains had been removed. "Life is full of surprises." He remarked, lifting his brows.
"Yes, it is." William returned, with sadness. "I never intended to fall in love, and yet I did." He stated, thinking back to his wife.
"Caroline told me what you did to your wife." Klaus said, roughly. "That wasn't love."
William's eyes flashed as he leaned forward. "I didn't kill her!" He stated, in a low growl. He inhaled deeply, and leaned back. "I let Caroline believe that I did, because it was easier than telling her the truth." He added, sadly.
"You expect me to believe you, after you what you did." Klaus stated, scoffing.
William smirked, and shook his head. "No, because it doesn't matter." He replied, backing away towards the door. "When the trial comes, I'm going to make sure that you are sentenced to life, away from my daughter, forever." He stated, roughly, opening the door, and left with Klaus a confusing look on his face.
~XXX~
William left the courthouse, and entered the black car parked at the back of the building. He sighed as he settled in, and glanced at the man sitting next to him. "Two months before we can act." He stated, glancing towards Enzo.
Enzo nodded, and settled back. "What about your daughter?" He asked, formally.
William sighed. "She's so much like her mother." He whispered, shaking his head. "Trying to redeem a killer." He added with a small smile. "Bring her to me, along with the boy." He stated, firmly. "If Klaus manages to get out, which I doubt, then bring him as well." He added, watching Enzo nod.
"We'll have a wonderful family reunion." William replied with a dark smile. "Before they watch me kill what is most precious to them." He added, darkly.
Enzo nodded, but somewhere in his mind, he hoped and prayed he wasn't talking about the boy, but with a man like William Forbes, anything was possible.
~XXX~
Caroline held Joey's hand as they walked down the walkway towards the quaint little cottage, she had purchased under a different name, just a few weeks ago before Klaus' arrest.
"This is our new home, Joey." She replied, glancing down at her son.
Joey's eyes roamed over the cottage, and he sighed. "It's not really a home without dad." He replied, sadly.
Caroline nodded. "I know, but in two months it will be." She replied, lifting her eyes to the cottage.
Joey nodded. "Are you sure the plan will work?" He asked, after a moment.
She let out a long sigh, and nodded. "I have faith that it will." She answered, hope filling her voice.
Joey nodded. "Then I'll have faith too." He remarked, knowing his mother needed to hear those words.
She nodded, and led him towards the front door. As she opened the door, she turned on the front porch, and sighed. "It really isn't a home." She whispered, as the wind began to blow through the bayou. "Oh, Niklaus," She added, before turning to enter the cottage, where she would live for two months until the trial of her husband, the Hybrid.
Please be kind!
I hope you enjoyed it!
ONLY ONE MORE CHAPTER TO GO AND THE ONTO THE SEQUEL WE SHALL GO!
I will point out that the next chapter is the PRESENT CHAPTER, which will set up where the sequel is going to go, if you have not already guessed it.
I should have the last chapter up tomorrow at the latest!
Until Next Time...