A/N Hello I'm back with another update. Thank you to new reviewers, followers and faves.
I will mention my new reviewers in this chapter Klaroline1920 , blackwings07 , guest ,guest , klaroline93 .. thank you so much guys.
So this Chapter may feel like a filler chapter but it's essential to the story.
CHAPTER 14
I'LL FIGHT FOR YOU
"So this is Mystic Falls?" Katherine asked as the bus dropped them off at main town square.
"Yep. It says so on the board "Welcome to Mystic Falls". Caroline replied noticing that like any other small town people had turned in early even when it was just quarter past eight at night. The chirping of crickets was the only sound echoing as they stood at the main square.
"More like Welcome to the rustic falls." Katherine commented.
"Are you regretting coming with me already?" Caroline asked, "I told you if you regret it later, it'll be too late."
"Nahh. I'm not I'm just saying Eww."Caroline looked at her and rolled her eyes.
"What I'm serious. This Mystic Falls is vastly over rated. How could anyone want to live here of their own free will. So what's the plan?"
"Plan is first we look for an inn to stay the night and then we locate Logan Fell and the rest we figure out later."
"This is the most shitsome plan in the history of all plans."
"Kat. You got a better plan? "
"Sorry I'm just feeling bitchy and tiresome. Sadly no. I mean I could've called Elena to come pick us up if I hadn't followed in your footsteps and thrown my phone out of the window too."
"You're always bitchy but I get it I'm tired too and nobody asked you to follow in my footsteps."
"I know it felt cool at the time. All Thelma and Louise style. And now I'm wishing I hadn't done that."
"Just forget it. Let's find some place to stay." Caroline remarked and then both moved forward dragging their luggage along with them.
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(FIVE DAYS LATER)
Handing a beer bottle to Caroline Katherine toasted and said, "To us for finally making your mother's house which now is your house habitable. And to every aching bone in my body which is cursing you right now for slaving me around for two days. I have never worked so hard in my life.", and slouched on the living room couch.
After finding an inn to stay the night. The next day they had easily been able to locate Logan Fell because as it turns out everyone knew everyone in Mystic Falls so they had just asked around about him and went to his office.
Logan Fell at first was a little suspicious whether Caroline was really Elizabeth Forbes daughter but after showing him her birth certificate, which along with her check book and details of her bank account was stapled in the diary her aunt Jenna had given her, he was convinced and even happy to unload the burden of care taking of the house.
Then he had transferred the deed of the house over to Caroline's name and now three days later they were sitting in the clean and tidy living room which only had a single couch yet.
Caroline sat beside her and taking a long sip from her bottle remarked, "To us for a new and I hope a very successful beginning."
"Yes. Also to us for kicking the ass of every yucky nook of dirt and cobweb in this house."
"And to you for being here for me." Caroline said squeezing her hand affectionately and tapping her bottle with hers again.
"And to you for having me here and being such a forgiving and loving friend."
"Aww."
"Wait. I have an official toast." Kat said and stood, "To us for our new life, for our new house which technically is yours but I'm gonna pay my rent as your roommate, for our friendship which I pray remains forever, for our sexy asses which two uber jerkwads had the stupidity to let go of, for us because we don't need physco ass men and thank god for dildos." Both laughed like lunatics at the last part and then Katherine added, "To the person who invented dildos. And to this crazy ass lengthy toast which I think we should write on a paper, get framed and hang in our new and shiny living room."
Caroline still laughing added, "Except maybe the part about dildos."
"Why? Come on girl embrace your sexuality. Be the modern woman." Kat remarked again slouching next to Caroline.
"I do but I'd rather not be an exhibitionist. And before this whole frame the toast thing we still need furniture and you need to go and visit Elena."
"No we just need to go and get the furniture which I'm ready for because I'm so not sleeping on the floor another night."
"Why are you avoiding your sister? I thought you started talking to each other. Bonnie told me that you called her."
"Yeah that was before I dumped her life's work her Boarding House in the hands of a mere stranger."
"What? You said you trusted Matt."
"I do but I don't know if she would or not."
"So that's the reason you're avoiding talking to Elena. Kat you're forgetting this is a small town like who where is doing what, everybody knows and it's already been five days, you have to go see her."
"You forgot with whom."
"What?"
"You know who is doing what, where with whom."
"Oh shut it I'm serious. You can't avoid this any longer. Besides I don't think she'll hold it against you. I mean what little I know of her I think she's a sensible woman."
"Fine. But you're coming with me too. I mean I have to tell her you're our cousin if word already hasn't gotten out via Logan the hunky Fell."
"I will but I'm not up for telling her about… my.. "
Caroline hesitated and Katherine understanding that she was struggling to talk about her vicious and sordid past gripped her arm and squeezing it reassuringly said, "I know. Don't worry."
Caroline leaned her head on Kats shoulder and said, "Thanks.", then after a short pause lifted her head and asked, "Really Fell?"
"Did you check out his… "
"Don't please."
"Hey I was gonna say eyes."
"Yeah right." Caroline replied and started laughing with Katherine joining in and their laughter echoed in the spacious living room.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Careful Hon. There you go." Damon remarked as he sat Elena on the sofa in their main living room. Then sitting on the sofa lifting her legs and placing her feet in his lap he said, "Do you want me to get you anything? Are you comfortable?"
"Stop fretting Damon. I'm pregnant not dying."
Elena replied and at his troubled expression she leaned up and kissed him. Then moving away he cupped her face and then kissed her forehead, "You almost gave me a scare fainting like that. If anything were to happen to you or our babies… ", he added placing a hand on her protuberant abdomen affectionately.
"I'm not leaving you for other women that easily so stop dreaming." She replied with a chuckle and lifting the hand resting on her abdomen kissed it.
"More like a nightmare. Elena please don't joke about it. This is serious you're well in your 36 week of gestation and I'd prefer if you stop doing all the work. You need to take care of yourself and if… "
"Stop worrying, I and the babies are fine. Where's Guiseppe?" she asked trying to distract him.
"He's sleeping. I was thinking…. "The bell rang and interrupted whatever Damon was about to say.
"I'll go see who that is. You stay right here and don't move, understood." Damon said and with one last kiss on her cheek went to open the door.
"Hello bringer of everything evil and vile." Katherine remarked when Damon opened the door.
"Hi to you too Medusa." he said and moving aside to let her pass he added, "By all means please come inside and make a crappy day even worse. OH and hello to you to Lina is it.", he remarked when Caroline entered and she replied, "It's Caroline."
Both Katherine and Caroline entered the main hall with Damon in tow. As soon as Katherine's eyes landed on a very pregnant Elena she said, "Oh my god. What is that?"
Elena had just found out this morning that Katherine was in town. She herself had wanted to go meet her sister but couldn't because she had fainted due to hypoglycemia luckily for her and the babies no harm had come to either of them.
She awkwardly got up and moved over to hug Katherine. "I'm so glad to see you Kat. I am truly happy to have you here. And this is me being pregnant."
A little surprised by Elena's overt affectionate gesture Kat moved back and looking back at Damon asked, "Does pregnancy make you go mush brain?"
"It does." Elena answered, "But this is more than my hormonal mood swings. I am really happy to see you."
"Okay. Me too." Kat hugged her back with a smile and pulling back asked, "Why didn't you tell me that you were bringing Damon's spawn into this world, on the phone? "
"I was going to call you today and ask you to come stay with me until my delivery but I just felt that maybe it was selfish of me so I didn't say anything and then I found out you were here in town I wanted to visit but… "
"She is not taking care of herself and ended up at the hospital and scared me to death." Damon added moving to stand next to Elena.
"Are you okay and the baby?" Kat asked immediately concerned for her sister's well-being.
"Yes I'm fine and so are the babies. Avoid Damon he is a worrier and it's rude of me to stand here talking to you and not welcome Lina here. Hello. It's nice to meet you again." Elena said and extended a hand towards Caroline. Caroline shook her hand and replied, "Nice to meet you to"
"Please sit." Elena said gesturing towards the sofas and winding an arm around Damon's she added, "Honey stop loitering."
"I will as soon as you get off your feet and rest." he replied and plucked her off the ground and settled her on the sofa.
"You're gonna break your backbone someday carrying the load of us." Elena commented and Caroline couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at witnessing the love they had for each other, guess that kind of love and companionship is not in the cards for everyone she concluded.
Kat and Caroline both took a seat on the adjacent sofas and Kat remarked, "Wait hold on you said babies how many babies are in there? Let me guess by the size of your abdomen, six."
"Thank you Katherine that's actually a compliment to my virility." Damon added as he started to rub his wife's feet.
"Oh please do you even know the meaning of virility." Kat remarked back.
"We're actually expecting twins." Elena added.
"Twins are you serious, are you forgetting what we had to go through with Guiseppe? " Kat asked then looking at Caroline she said, "He was the most annoying baby ever. Like he'd poop and cry all the time. No, I'm so not gonna deal with colon cannonballs again and that too of two babies. It's all Damon's fault. You guys should have covered up your businesses. And are you not afraid of the genes they'll inherit from Damon ? I mean with Guiseppe it was a close call."
"Kat we wanted more babies and Guiseppe is three years old now." Elena replied then with an innocent expression added, "But I won't burden you with my issues."
"I know that look. Your words say one thing and that perfect helpless look says another. Cut your look at me I'm a victim crap because I know what you're doing Missy."
"But you don't want to help me and it's fine." Elena replied.
"Exactly we don't want to burden you." Damon said.
"Both of you are so full of it. You both know I'm gonna do it anyway."
"We know that's why we love you." Elena replied. Caroline quietly noticed their playful teasing of each other, this right here was how families were. Families that took care of each other, she now understood Kat's resentment when Elena at first left New Orleans, Kat was afraid of losing this bond, this nexus of a family.
"However Thank God I'm not alone in this, this time around, because Caroline will share the responsibility of cleaning up your babies dingleberries too seeing as she is our cousin." Kat remarked.
"Kat!" Elena said.
"I'm not joking her mother is Elizabeth Forbes and her father is Bill Forbes."
Both Damon and Elena looked at Caroline with almost astonished look on their faces and waited for her to say something.
"It's true actually." Caroline said.
Elena reached over to grab her hand and with a smile added, "In that case welcome to the family."
"Thank you." Caroline replied with a smile of her own.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(THE NEXT DAY)
"Finally we have our beds and real furniture I have never felt so blessed ever before." Katherine remarked sitting cross legged on her bed with her laptop in her hands.
"Hmm I know. I need to tell you something." Caroline replied coming to sit on the bed facing Katherine.
"Shoot."
"Remember I told you that Valerie had hooked me up with a few gigs."
"Yes and? "
"And I'm supposed to leave for Chicago sometime in next month but."
"But what?"
"But I called her today asking if she could hook me up with some gig this month and she has one for me."
"Oh. So when are you leaving for Chicago?" Kat asked.
"Day after tomorrow. It's actually a choreography session for Broadway and I'll have to stay in Chicago for a week. So I'll be back after a week. "
"Okay."
"Actually it's good money and I was thinking I need to see if I can do this I mean I need to figure out what I want to do and if I can do what I want or not."
"It's okay I get it. I understand why you need to do this.. "
Caroline knew what Katherine was about to say hence she interrupted her, "No it's not me trying to keep busy so I wouldn't think about Klaus and what went on a week ago. Oh don't give me that look."
"What look?"
"I'm just gonna end this here by saying that it's just me trying to find my niche."
"Okay."
"And not about trying to deflect my emotions."
"Hmm."
"Yes it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with my recent problems or heartbreak."
"Cool. Are you convinced?" Katherine questioned.
At Caroline's bland look she added, "Well congrats you successfully convinced no one" Then moving closer Katherine held Caroline's hand and added, "You don't have to justify yourself to me Care. I understand what you're going through, maybe I don't understand it fully but I do get it some. It's okay to feel like this."
Choking back her emotions Caroline whispered, "Maybe its okay but I don't want to feel it anymore. This ache inside me, I need to get rid of it or else I feel I'm going to go crazy."
"No you won't. Because you're a fighter and a survivor Care. And if you need to keep yourself busy in work not to think about him then do it I won't judge you."
"What if it doesn't go away? What if this anger and pain becomes permanent, what will I do then?"
"Then you use this anger and pain to succeed and show the bastard that you don't care about him shit."
Caroline ran a hand over her face ,"I'll do that. What are watching by the way?" then tried to turn around Kat's laptop but she resisted.
"Hey show it to me." Caroline called out again and Kat let go.
She turned the screen around and saw her and Klaus's picture at the last moment of their routine when he had kissed her with water falling on them. It was a newspaper article with a headline that read "Klaroline makes a splash at the Annual Dance Selection Event"
"The media is still talking about you guys and Care I just clicked on MBDA's page and that came out. I'm sorry I was gonna close it before you saw."
"It's okay."
"I'm really sorry."
"Kat. It's okay."
"So let's forget about it. Check this out I've got a good news. Bonnie sent me a mail. She is in New York with Kol. ", then turning the laptop towards Caroline she said, "See their pictures they are so happy."
"So he followed her to New York? "
"Well not exactly she said she missed her flight and was gonna come back to him when an out of breath Kol met him at the airport. He decided he would go to New York with her." Kat said with a longing smile.
"Not all us are destined to find that kind of true love. Well at least find and keep it forever." Caroline replied.
"I hope one day we will."
"Let's see. Send her my wishes will you."
"Already done."
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(LATER THAT NIGHT)
Lying in her bed Caroline kept thinking about how things had changed so drastically. A few weeks ago she thought she was happy, that she had everything every happiness and joy one could desire and aspire for and now she felt empty, a void so deep that it tore at her soul. Her heart felt a strange dissatisfaction, a sort of numbness that thawed into intense pain whenever she thought about him. She had promised him she would get out of his life forever and she had acted on it. Moving to Mystic Falls had been the first step to see through to that promise, however her heart still wanted to get its rhythm back. It all but propelled her, begged her to break this promise so the pain would end.
No she was stronger than this she wasn't going to give in especially not for a man who didn't love her enough, who turned away from her so callously and easily. For a man who wasn't strong enough to tell her the truth. She knew she resented him for lying to her and for falling out of love with her but even if she were to be objective about this whole scenario she still blamed him for treating her so poorly, treating their break up so carelessly.
Maybe she was wrong for expecting him to love her for eternity like she knew she would him, but he didn't have to treat her so thoughtlessly, as if all those days of love, those nights of passion and those moments of tenderness and togetherness meant nothing to him.
Caroline wiped a tear that escaped her eye and closed her eyes.
At the moment she despised herself more than she hated him because even after his callous treatment of her she yearned to have his arms around her, to lie in his embrace and feel his lips on her neck, like he used to nuzzle her at night when he thought she was asleep.
She again reminded herself to be stronger, harder and all but fruitlessly tried to will herself to sleep.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Many hundred miles away another soul was haunted by his emotions too. Taking a deep swig from the bottle of whiskey he walked aimlessly in a street. He had beaten up a bloke in the bar, and ended up with a few bruises on his own body too maybe more than a few because even simple walking felt like a feat.
Each step caused severe burning pain in his ribs and a stabbing pain in his left arm where the asshole had nicked him with a small knife. Maybe he had bled a little too but he didn't care about this pain as long as it kept the pain and despair of losing her at bay. As long as the gash in his arm and the searing burn it caused kept him from thinking about her.
He had ran after in an attempt to stop her from leaving him but he had been late,, too late he thought and took another step and stumbled upon a rock and fell and the bottle of whiskey smashed and a shard from the broken bottle cut his palm.
Watching the blood oozing out of his palm in a daze, knew he should get up and go home but he lacked the heart and will to do so, to live. Everything in his apartment reminded him of her, her eyes, that sexy yet cautious smile that always ignited his lust. He didn't want to return to an empty apartment, he didn't want to go back because he had nothing to go back to.
So he continue lying his vision slowly fogging, the voices in the background fading and just when he was about to close his eyes and surrender to the black void he felt himself being dragged and carried away all the while he heard a scared voice calling out his name from somewhere far and out of his reach, "Nik! Nik!."
"Nik! Please wake up." he heard a female voice call out as he stirred, "He is waking up. Oh thank God."
He slowly opened his eyes and immediately shaded his eyes against the sunlight pouring into the room. The hand he had tugged forward to shade his eyes was bandaged and an IV line was attached to his arm.
"Are you okay? Nik. I was so worried." Rebekah said as she moved forward and took his hand. He was lying in a hospital bed in ER. He tried to get up and Rebekah helped him sit.
"I need to leave."
"Are you out of flogging mind? You're severely injured you can't leave until the doctor says so."
"Watch me." he answered in hoarse voice. He tried to get up but pain shot through several different areas of his body and had him swaying. He took a deep breath and was about to rip out his IV when Enzo restrained him, "Calm down man and relax."
"What do you care?" he bit out and took a deep breath again and this time managed to stand up.
"You're right I don't give a rat's arse about you but I'm here for her. Can't you see your self-destruction mission is hurting your sister?"
Klaus swallowed a ball of guilt and looked at his sister who had tears in her eyes. Mikeal was right he was nothing but an abomination, a living breathing curse who did nothing but hurt the people who loved him. He however did rip out his IV this time and at Rebekah's shrieked protest he said, "Stop pretending that you care."
He turned to leave clamping a hand on his bleeding arm, where he had taken out the IV line, when Rebekah called out, "You're wrong we do care. She cared Nik. When you went missing after the Event Caroline texted me to ask if you were okay."
He whirled around and almost yelled, "You're lying if she cared she wouldn't have left. She wouldn't have thrown everything in my face and left."
"Are you even listening to yourself? You have the gall to blame her after you broke her heart. After you're the one who broke up with her." she yelled back and then steadying herself said in a more calm voice, "Why are you doing this? Is this going to be a nightly ritual now, you getting beaten up and almost dying in some dark alley and we rescuing you only for you to leave and do the same the next day? This is not the life she would have wanted for you Nik."
"Maybe that's the exact kind of life she wishes me to have after I hurt her. I hurt her Rebekah after I promised I wouldn't."
"So you think you are punishing yourself? How convenient when you know I wouldn't let you hurt yourself." She angrily bit out in an effort to get through to him.
"Nobody asked you to, so you can sod off."
"Fine this time I will. I will get lost and never come back. Because you don't deserve my help. But let me tell you one thing maybe you can destroy yourself like this in the name of love but this isn't redemption it's cowardice. And I can't stand here and watch a coward dissipate himself like this because he has some skewered sense of punishment in his mind. I can't stand here and see my brother be a weakling and hurt himself anymore." Rebekah said and with tears streaming down her eyes she left.
Enzo spared him a pitiful and angered glance and rushed after her.
They left him standing alone and aching but he didn't blame them because as Mikeal had said he himself was the root of his all grief.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::;;;; :::::::::::::; :::::::
( ONE YEAR AFTER THE EVENT)
She knocked on his door. She knew she shouldn't have come he didn't deserve her forgiveness but she couldn't help it after all she needed him with her.
A brunette with brown eyes opened his door and had any hope she had of him getting sober crushed.
"Hi I'm Rebekah Mikealson. Is Klaus here?"
"Yeah come in he's still sleeping and I was leaving anyway." saying that the woman left.
She proceeded towards his bedroom and rapped hard on his door and only stopped when she heard him yell, "Get lost."
"Nik? It's me Rebekah."
She heard a few shuffling sounds on the other end of the door and a minute later Klaus opened up the door.
Her heart sank when she saw the hollowed out and toxic look on his face. He had lost weight and his eyes had sickly pallor about them with bags under his eyes like those of an addict.
"I thought you said you'll get lost and never come back." he taunted.
"I know." she said and walked in the bedroom which looked more like a dumpster, "Good to know you moved on from drinking to whoring yourself."
"Don't be too happy little sister." Klaus remarked and grabbed the bottle from his nightstand and took a sip from it.
"Spoken too soon I guess."
"What do you want Rebekah other than to pass judgements at me?"
"I came here to invite you."
"Thanks not interested.. …"
"To my wedding Nik." she interrupted him, "I'm getting married Nik, next week. Enzo proposed three months ago."
"Congratulations. So you are here to rub your happiness in my face."
"Your an arse. I came here to invite my brother because I thought no hoped despite my better judgement that maybe, maybe you would have changed but clearly I was wrong. I was wrong to expect that you'd want to be there for me on the biggest, brightest day of my life so I'll leave."
She hollered and turned to leave but she turned around to face him again and said, "You know I met Caroline six months ago in Chicago and I'm so glad that I didn't call you to tell you about her. "
"Rebekah. Stop. How could you do this to me?" he asked infuriated.
"How could I? How could you do this to yourself? Have you even looked around? Have you even looked in a mirror recently? You're a wasted filthy pathetic drunk Nik. Is that the person you expected me to send her to, not that she was anxious to meet you. It sure as hell isn't the brother I remember. You know I talked to Marcel and Lucien last week and they told me you had fought with them too some months ago. Do you realize why Mikeal wanted to completely wreck your life this time around because you were becoming a better person, a better human being with her by your side. You were finally becoming someone I could be proud of, you yourself could be proud of, he saw that and used her to ruin you and you let him. You are letting him win every day you squander away your life like this and you are not the Klaus she fell for, you haven't been for quite some time now. So you have no right to ask me that how I could do this to you when you continue to waste yourself like this." Then opening her purse she flung the Invitation Card at him and added, "Show up or don't. See if I care anymore."
:::::::; ::;;;; :;; ::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;:::::::::
"Thanks Bonnie." Rebekah said as Bonnie adjusted her veil.
"You look so beautiful Rebekah. Absolutely stunning."
Rebekah smiled at her and Bonnie's reflection in the mirror and then turned around to grip her hand. "I'm so relieved and so grateful that you could be here otherwise I would've felt alone in this."
Bonnie was right she was looking stunning in her white satin strapless gown that had a lace pattern and beads embedded in the heart shaped bodice, with a low back and tail that trailed behind. She was wearing diamonds at her ears and a silver chain with a single tear drop that rested at her cleavage.
"You don't have to be grateful and I wouldn't have left you alone because that's not what friends do."
"I know but you had a super essential ballet and you still came how can I not be grateful. Kol told me."
"Well Kol always had a big mouth."
"Lucky for you Bonnie that he has big mouth well you'd be luckier if some of his other parts are big too." Kat called out as she entered the room Rebekah was getting ready in.
Bonnie rushed to grab Kat in a hug, "Oh my god I'm so happy to see you here. I've missed you guys so much. Did Care come too?"
"You know she couldn't." Kat returned her hug.
"And they are big Pertvertrova." Bonnie replied moving away.
"Congratulations Rebekah. Care sent her wishes. I hope you understand why she couldn't come.", Kat said then handed Rebekah her wedding present.
"Of course I understand though I doubt Nik would come either." Rebekah replied.
"So are you all set with your vows and stuff? " Kat asked and Bonnie moved over to hand Rebekah her bouquet of pink tulips.
"Yeah I'm all set."
"For once I'll not be a bitch and tell you, you look beautiful."
"Thanks Katherine that's the nicest thing you've said to me in all the time we've known each other."
"Don't get used to it."
A knock on the door interrupted them. Rebekah called out, "Anyone who is not Enzo can come in."
The door opened and Klaus came in. He was dressed in a tux. His eyes still had that hollowed look but he had bathed and shaved and was looking much better than last week. Rebekah felt the beginning of tears which she held in and said, "You came?"
At the sudden palpable emotion and tension in the air Bonnie and Katherine excused themselves and left.
"Yes I did. Because I wanted to be there for you on the brightest day of your life." Klaus answered and took out a small box from his pocket and handed it to her, "Open it please."
Rebekah wiped her tears and said, "Yeah okay."
She opened the box and it revealed two exquisite gold hoops with a single diamond hanging in the middle.
"I know my presence here and these earrings aren't of much value considering my past behavior but Bekah I'm here. I'm here for you." when he saw tears threatened her eyes again he held his sister and added, "You cry and you'll ruin your make up. You don't want to look like a hag on your wedding day do you?"
She smacked him and with a laugh said, "Oh bugger off. He'll take me even if I look like a hag."
"Well good now at least I won't have to corner him and give him the customary big brother speech that if he hurt my sister I'd chop off his legs so on and so forth."
"No you don't have to. Kol already accomplished that."
"You look like a princess Rebekah."
"Thanks. You look less horrible than before."
He laughed at that. "Thanks for not giving up on me."
"Well technically I did give up on you a year ago."
"No it at least stopped me from picking up fights. But I still needed another kick to my arse which you delivered successfully last week. Bekah I'm going to clean up my act."
"Nik."
"Yes. You were right I changed, became a better man when I fell for her and Mikeal used her to ruin me and took away the one thing that I had begun to cherish more than anything else in this world. But it's not over. I'm not going to let him win Bekah. He doesn't get to snatch away my happiness just because he has it out for me. I'll fight for myself this time and most of all I'll fight for her. Katherine is here….. "
"Nik. It's just Bonnie and Katherine, Caroline didn't come."
He let out a sigh and Rebekah added, "Whatever you are planning to do I'm with you. And don't give up just yet you'll find her."
Bonnie peaked her head and said, "Rebekah they're ready for you. Elijah's waiting outside." then left.
"Elijah's giving me away." Klaus started to leave but she stopped him by saying, "Nik. Will you give me away too? I mean I know it's not tradition but both, you and Elijah."
He went to her extended his arm for her to take and said, "It would be my utmost pleasure."
Hence with both brothers giving her away Rebekah moved down the aisle towards the man who loved her and whom she loved more than anything.
As she reached him Enzo took her hand and kissed it reverently. As she was walking towards her he couldn't look away, he felt bewitched she was his dream come true and so much more than that.
The officiant announced that he may kiss the bride and he pulled her into his arms, dipped her back and kissed her soundly with the guests applauding in the background.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"It was such a profoundly beautiful ceremony. And the way he kissed her. I'm.. " Bonnie wiped a tear from her eye.
"It was Bon. I agree. Unfortunately it doesn't happen for everyone." Katherine said a little wistfully.
"Hey don't say that. It will happen for you too."
"Pfftt. What me? I don't want that kind of life, I'm not into the whole tying the noose thing. I was just saying it as a fact."
"I think I heard a little wistfulness in your voice back there."
"Nah. I've stopped hoping. Maybe a year ago but not anymore. Now I'm fully focused on making our dream project come true. Me and Caroline, we are thinking about turning our dance tuition into an Academy."
"Wow so you guys are expanding from the tuition you had in your house to a proper Academy."
"Yep."
"Well best of luck to you guys."
"Thanks."
Elijah walked over to where she was standing talking with Bonnie. All through the ceremony he couldn't help but be hopeful. She was looking absolutely breathtaking in her red and black strapless dress with her hair loose falling beyond her shoulders just the way he liked it best.
"Hello Katerina. May I have a moment of your time please? "
"Ah Bon I'll be back."
She walked with Elijah to one side of the hall and stopped. "So why did you want to have a moment of my time Mikealson?"
Elijah had never felt nervy before. All through the event he had been rehearsing what he would say to her but now looking at her magnificent face he could do nothing but stare.
"I wanted to inquire did you get my e-mails? I tried your number a million times but no one was responding and I tried looking for you but you were nowhere to be found. "
"I threw away my cellphone before I left. And yes I did get your e-mails all 300 of them."
"365."
"What are you trying to prove Elijah? I came here because Rebekah invited me and Caroline asked me to."
"I'm just trying to tell you that I'm not giving up on us."
"Us? Elijah just stop."
"I will if you tell me that you don't feel anything anymore." he backed her into a corner, secluded from the rest of the party and kissed her. He always feel this rush this heady pleasure when he held her in his embrace and he could feel she was experiencing the same desire as he tasted the pulsating vein at the base of her neck. She pulled him closer wanting his hands all over her. She had kissed other men but none of them made her feel weak and powerful at the same time.
Before coming here she knew she would run into him and she had promised herself she wouldn't be affected but now when he was kissing her senseless all her resolutions felt insignificant. He hoisted her up against the wall and kissed her mouth again, this time much more tenderly. Then he pulled back. Still caging her against him, the passion still reverberating through both of them he asked, "So tell me if it was just my imagination? This passion between us is nothing but a mirage tell me and I'll stop."
She knew she couldn't lie. Katerina Petrova may be a bitch badass with occasional tendencies for rudeness but she wasn't a liar. So she couldn't lie especially when she was still in his arms .So she evaded, "This proves nothing except that we are combustible between the sheets or in our case in hotel lobbies."
"So you'll chalk it up to lust? Smart. Then let me make you an offer." he replied letting her go and suddenly a little miffed at her for saying it was just heat between them.
Feeling disappointed when he let her go she adjusted her clothes and asked, "What offer?"
"Let me court you, woo you. Come with me, spend two weeks with me and we'll see if you can still maintain what you are saying now. Come with me to Venice I've got a hotel booked for us we can.. "
"How dare you? You think I'm some common whore that I'll spend two weeks in your bed.. "
In a flash he had her in his arms again, barely controlled ire vibrating within him, "Don't say that. I have never treated you like that. Don't cheapen this.. "
"Haven't you? Twice now you've cornered me like this and you're proposing that I have an affair with you?"
He loosened his hold on her. Cupping her face and pressing a kiss on her forehead he said, "I'm sorry if you've ever felt that I've behaved inappropriately with you Katerina. But this trip is not a proposition it's just…. I want to court you if you'll let me."
"So this trip isn't about sex. I mean you want to court me right, so you wouldn't mind if sex was off the table. "
She saw him hesitate and was sure he would never agree when he surprised her by saying, "Fine if you come with me I won't touch you until you want me to. And of course now if you back away I'll think you are the one who can't keep your hands off of me."
Katherine mentally kicked herself as she had backed herself into a corner. She had no option but to say yes to this stupid yet exhilarating offer.
Yeah she could say yes and never hold her end but that's not how she rolled and she didn't want people calling her a coward. Besides she was much too intrigued by the whole offer and was even anticipating it a bit okay a little more than a bit. "Fine I accept. But the original condition holds you don't touch me until I say so and I say when. Also if we are doing this we'll share the expenses.. "
"But.. " he started to protest.
"We share the expenses or I walk away now deal?"
"Deal." Elijah extended his hand but Kat moved forward and kissed him on his mouth for a few seconds when she felt his hands come around her she moved back and said, "Hands off. Remember the deal."
"But you kissed me."
"Yeah but I didn't say you could touch me now did I? And we said you don't touch me until I say we didn't say I couldn't touch you. Email me the location and time I'll meet you at the airport." she said and left him horny and befuddled. This is going to be fun, Katherine thought.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Wow Venice?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah. He thinks by the end of two weeks I'll start blubbering over his sexy arse but man am I going to have fun proving him wrong." Katherine moved over to her closet to take out her clothes and dumped them on the bed. She started folding the one's she was taking with her and put them in the bag.
"And there's no sex deal? " Caroline asked as she helped her pack.
"Yep."
"Really and that's why you're taking this with you? " Caroline asked holding a black net teddy.
"No sex doesn't mean I can't have my fun."
"You're such a slut."
"Thank you."
"But I hope you have fun."
"Thanks again. You sure you'll handle the meeting with bank for the loan."
"Hey don't worry about me. I'll handle it. So how was everyone else at the wedding? "
Katherine put the shirt she was folding down and asked, "You really wanna know that?"
"I meant others I'm not talking about Klaus."
"Yeah and I'm not going on a trip with my ex. But you'll be happy to know he looked like the bottom of a dumpster. I mean he looked like shit."
"It doesn't."
"What?"
"It doesn't make me happy to know he's not doing well."
"Of course because you're the most frustratingly nice and sunny person I've ever met. And it's okay to wanna know. Once or twice he I mean Klaus tried to ask me about you too but I shot him down. I did the right thing right?"
"What?"
"I didn't tell him about you so I did the right thing right?"
"Of course. You did the right thing. Why would you think otherwise?"
"Because Care I want to see you happy and if that means you want to take him back then I'll support you no matter what my personal feelings are regarding this."
"You think I'm not happy? And you are forgetting he broke up with me so I doubt he'd want to get back and even if he did I wouldn't want to. " Caroline replied getting up and pacing.
"You sure you're happy?"
"Yeah why?"
"It's just. You don't date and if I browbeat you to go out with a guy you don't give him another chance."
"And only if I date a guy will I be truly happy?"
"No. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying life goes on Care. You have to move on if you have to be happy. Give yourself another chance at love. I know things with Klaus were pretty intense but even after it ended you're still here and breathing is not enough Hon. You have to live." Katherine got up and moved over to where Caroline was standing.
"I understand what you are saying. And it's already been a year. You're right I need to live my life. And I will as soon as we get our loan sanctioned."
"You promise that this is the last thing you do before you start to pay attention to yourself? "
"Yes."
"Good."
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He knew why Katherine had evaded any of his questions about Caroline it was because she (Caroline) was holding her end of promise of forever. But he wasn't lying when he had told Rebekah he would get his act together. He would do anything to become that man again that she was proud of. He would go to the ends of the Earth to find her, to find Caroline who was his light, his hope and his heart. And for that he would first have to become that man and defeat Mikeal. Because he couldn't risk her life again. He couldn't risk finding and losing her again because if he lost her again he didn't think he'll be able to survive this time.
So he would right all the wrongs in his life and he will find her again even if he has to go up against all the hurdles in the world.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
(FOUR YEARS AFTER THE EVENT)
It had been four long years that he had been looking for her. He had a number of private investigators looking for her. He had even begged Kol and Elijah to try and get something out of Bonnie and Katherine but he had ended up being frustrated and impressed by both women's loyalty to their friend.
Four long lonely, lifeless years since he had broken up with her in an attempt to save her life and had ended up ruining his own when she had walked out of it without a backward glance, until now.
Until now when he finally knew where she was. His PI had given him a lead to Mystic Falls a week ago and he had been too afraid if this lead might be another dead end until now when he held the newspaper cutting from a local newspaper from Virginia that had her and Katherine's face on it naming them as the up and coming names in the world of dance and announcing the opening of her new Academy.
He got up from his chair at his office at the MBDC. He was now the official owner of the Academy and along with Elijah and Shiela Bennett ran the Academy and occasionally took a few dance classes too.
With Elijah's assistance he had been able to acquire his mother's original will three years ago and within six months of the discovery of the original will had forced Mikeal to relinquish his hold on the Academy and a few other businesses. During their search they had also come along a few papers that incriminated Mikeal as a part of illegal drug smuggling but before the police could arrest him Mikeal had got wind of it and he had vanished. Nobody knew where he was right now.
He turned to his office window and looking down at her face in the clipping he dialed a number.
"Hello Marvin. Yes I would like to book a flight to Mystic Falls Virginia."
"Yes today. Thank you."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Caroline had never felt so keyed up and edgy before. Three years ago she had dreamed of this exact moment, well not this exact moment with preparations for the opening event still under way but of the moment when she and Katherine would have their own Dance Academy.
Walking throughout the spacious auditorium she kept checking the progress on the preparations and decorations.
She went over to the stage and looked up to see a few men adjusting the curtains and hooking them up with a pipe.
"Guys careful that pipeline is actually the water pipeline."
Just as she was about to turn she heard the familiar baritone voice call out her name in his typical style and British accent. The voice which belonged to a guy who had haunted his dreams, asleep and awake for the last four years.
"Hello Caroline." he called out and she took an eternity to turn and face him.
His annoying smirk and her bafflement turned to ire as in the next moment both of them found themselves drenched with water falling on them from above.
Their ire soon forgotten as both lost in each other's eyes felt entranced by the other stood staring as if a much desired dream came true and the world around them stopped.
I HOPE YOU LIKED IT,,,, PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF IT …
Also I'm thinking about adding a few more Kalijah scenes as flashbacks as I've already taken a four year time jump. Let me know if you guys want more of Kalijah…..
And I haven't decided the name of Katherine and Caroline's Dance Academy I'm open to suggestions…..