"Kol learns that Caroline's mom has cancer." –StefQ

6x15 made me cry. Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes, you will be missed.

Kol never really had much experience with meeting the parents in the past thousand years. When he was a human, he never really found a girl he wanted to marry and have children with, always expecting it to come later and then he became a vampire and things changed. He'd had plenty of lovers over the past century but none that he fancied to a point he needed to meet their parents. But Caroline was adamant and despite knowing that he was a scary Original vampire, the stuff of children's nightmares, she wanted him to meet her mother.

Liz Forbes was completely, utterly human and had no desire to ever join the supernatural world. She also loved her daughter fiercely and would no doubt kick his arse if he ever hurt her precious daughter. It was a bit daunting to find a devoted, loving parent that had no inclination to kill their child. And thus, he found Liz Forbes to be disconcerting.

Especially when he was greeted by a bemused smile and a raised eyebrow directed at her daughter when he appeared at her doorstep for dinner. She reluctantly invited him in and Caroline quickly looped her arm around his and led him to their dining room where Caroline had prepared a grand dinner, too much for three people (technically, one and two vampires).

Caroline kept most of the conversation going, expounding on his virtues (few and some of those were exaggerated), gleaning over his faults (many and with difficulty) but neither Kol nor Liz minded because Caroline was happy and practically glowing with it.

Liz got up to the dishes and Caroline was going to help her but had to take a phone call, leaving Kol alone with the sheriff. Liz was quiet as she washed plates, the almost oppressive awkward silence making Kol antsy. He didn't know whether he should break it but a nagging question had been bothering him since he walked into the Forbes household.

"Does Caroline know?"

Liz stopped for a moment before continuing washing. "About what?"

Kol moved from where he was leaning on the counter and turned on the blender near the stove. "About your illness."

Liz turned around and stared at him aghast, her face ashen. "How did you know?"

"I'm old, practically ancient." He explained. "I know the signs. I could smell it on your skin."

"Does Caroline…?"

"She's still too young to be able to sense these things. She will overtime." He held her stare as he asked again, "So have you told her?"

"No." The blonde woman looked down at her feet. "You saw how happy she was tonight. I couldn't tell her, not yet. I was looking for the right time."

"There is no right time." Kol knew he seemed harsh but he needed to talk some sense into the sheriff and he knew people and he knew that tough cookies like her did not enjoy kid gloves. "Just tell her and get it over with."

Liz stared at him helplessly for a few seconds before moving back to lean on the counter behind her. "I always knew I could never be there for her forever. I knew someday I had to leave her when she was all grown up but…I guess I expected more time."

"Everyone expects life to last longer than it does. I know. Believe me." Kol stepped towards her and touch her arm. "But now you know your time is limited you have to make the most of it. Tell her all the things you will never be able to again and anymore. You have to make every moment count."

Liz sighed and nodded. "I know."

"She's going to try and find a cure, you know." Kol shook his head. "Find some spell or try to turn you into a vampire – none of it will work."

"And I don't want her to waste her time. I don't want to have to cheat for more time on this earth."

He stared at her for a moment, amazed that someone would really reject immortality if it was an option and admired the woman more than ever. This was the woman who raised Caroline and helped make her into the shining light she was. He felt immensely grateful to this woman and found it amusing.

"Caroline's immortal." Kol expounded. "She's going to be missing you for a very long time."

"But you're immortal too." She returned. "And you will be there for her, won't you?"

Before he could answer, she continued. "I've heard things about you, even some things I found in history but…she's happy with you. She practically glows in a way I've never seen her before with anyone. And she'll need you."

"I will never leave her." He took the sheriff's hands and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I assure you, Sheriff Forbes, and may your spirit come back and haunt my arse if I do."

"You bet on it, Kol." She squeezed his hand back. "I'll tell her tomorrow. Let's give her tonight."

"Okay."

He moved and turned off the blender as Caroline came back into the kitchen.

"What were you making with the blender?" The blonde asked, confused.

He smirked at her. "Is that what that is? I thought it was some torture device I could use on mice."

"Eww!" Caroline grimaced at him. "You are so gross!"

He laughed and so did Liz who gave him a grateful smile as Caroline began to tell him the use of a blender that had "nothing to do with "torture and icky things. Kol, you freak!"