The room descended into silence, the weight of memories enveloping Caroline, Klaus, and Rebekah as they recalled that tragic night. The reality of Caroline's sacrifice loomed over Klaus like an unshakable specter, an ache deep within his heart. Tears shimmered in his eyes, but within him, a fierce determination began to burn; he couldn't bear the thought of losing her again—he simply wouldn't allow it.
"NiKlaus…" Caroline's voice, trembling with emotion, pierced through the quiet. She reached out, cradling his face in her hands, her touch reminiscent of the gentle caress she used to offer him. "You really didn't know I was alive?" The weight of her question hung heavily between them, a stark reminder of the chasm that had separated their lives. "You all thought I was dead?"
"I didn't know you were alive; if I had, I would have rushed to your side long ago," Klaus whispered, his voice thick with despair. He leaned into her gentle touch, feeling a warmth he had feared was lost to him forever. "I searched every corner of this world, every face after we lost you. Your death was the most devastating moment of my life; it shattered everything for me." He brought his other hand to cover hers, which rested on his cheek, his grip tightening as his thumb traced reassuring patterns over her palm, anchoring them both in the here and now. Unbeknownst to them, Rebekah had slipped quietly from the room, leaving Klaus and Caroline alone in the master bedroom. "I thought I would never see you again, that I lost you forever. This was something I never thought possible until my own death."
Taking a deep breath, she spoke softly, "I thought I was alone in this world. But it pains me to see you suffering because of my choices." The memory of stepping in front of Mikael that was new to her but already haunted her, a constant reminder of the guilt she carried for the pain she inflicted on Klaus and her siblings. She hesitated, trying to sift through the blurred memories as she continued, "I may not remember everything about our time together just yet, but I always knew there was someone who loved me."
"Love," Klaus answered with fierce intensity, his voice low but filled with unwavering conviction. His feelings for her had never faltered, not even in the aftermath of her death. He loved her; there was no need for past tense. She had always been the love of his life since the moment they met. "You were incredibly brave, stepping in front of our father to shield the one you cherished most—the one you married. You acted as any of us would have: you fought for those you loved, for your family. It's something we've always believed in—always and forever. I am eternally grateful that you saved my life, Caroline."
His thoughts turned darker as he remembered the man who had shattered their family, the one who had stolen the light from his life. With a quiet determination, he pledged to make Mikael pay for what he had taken.
"Always the protector," Caroline murmured, a small smile breaking through her tears. "Thank you for sharing that memory with me. I know it must have been painful, Niklaus…"
He savored the sound of her saying his name, a sweetness he could never tire of. "Yes?" he responded softly.
"Could you hug me?" she asked. A gentle smile spread across his face as he slid to the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close. He felt her relax against him and silently vowed not to move until she chose to, this was something he wished for so long.
—
In the downstairs living room of the Mikaelson household, Rebekah walks in to find Stefan and Elijah. "Has Kol come back yet? I know he'd be excited to see Caroline." She takes the glass from Elijah's hand with a grateful smile before savoring a sip.
"He called while you were getting Stefan and Caroline; he should be here any minute." Elijah rolls his eyes at his younger sister before pouring himself another glass of the dark liquid. "Is everything alright upstairs?" he asks.
Rebekah sighs. "Yes, though I don't fully agree with it, our brother showed Caroline the memory of her death. Now, they're having a conversation."
"Oh, yikes. To witness your own death through the eyes of someone who loves you so deeply is bound to create some emotional turmoil," Kol remarks as he enters, slamming the front door behind him with a thud and carrying a bag in his hand. "I don't have an answer for our dear Caroline regarding how she still exists among the living, but I do have something important for us to discuss."
Elijah raises an eyebrow as he grabs another glass to pour Kol a drink of whisky. "What's that about?"
"I recently heard a rumor about our sister, who's battling her amnesia," Kol says, accepting the glass from Elijah after placing the bag he was carrying on the ground. "It hints that she might have some link to our father and could potentially possess information about where he is." His voice trails off as he notices two sets of footsteps approaching from the stairs. A grin spreads across his face when he sees Caroline's blonde curls beside Klaus, whose gaze is fixed on her. "Caroline."
It takes a moment, Caroline looks at Klaus before looking back to the room where the Mikaelson siblings and Stefan stood. She feels like his name is at the top of her tongue and feels embarrassed that she can't recall it. "I…I was telling NiKlaus upstairs that I recognized the man who killed me, outside of the memories that are coming slowly to me. Mikael is his name right?"
Klaus nods as Elijah tells her yes.
Caroline sighs, feeling nervous for a moment before speaking, "I know where he is, where Mikael is."