Good To You - CH 24
A/N: I'm sorry for the insanely long wait but I hope the length of the chapters makes up for it!
Updates are really slow for me, I have some family stuff that came up, if you follow me on tumblr or twitter you probably already know about it, and on top of that I got sucked into another fandom that has consumed me.
I want to thank everyone who is still reading this story despite the unbelievably slow updates.
Genevieve and Celeste stroll through the cemetery.
“Oh, I remember this cemetery. Hmm. Hasn't changed a bit.” Genevieve mused.
“I've been coming here over a century, wearing one face or another,” Celeste replied.
~*~ ~*~ ~* ~
1919
Genevieve approaches a woman kneeling in front of a tomb in the Lafayette cemetery, praying to her ancestors.
“Clara Summerlin, will you come on?” Genevieve complained. “We're gonna miss everything.”
The two walk over to where a crowd of witches is standing around a bonfire, playing conga drums and watching as a witch dance around the flames. Papa Tunde walks out with an albino python around his shoulders, which he hands to his twin sons after clapping in order to quiet the crowd.
“Told you. Every witch in the Quarter is here to see the great Papa Tunde,” said Genevieve.
“Witches of the French Quarter, thank you for your welcome.” Papa Tunde addressed the crowd of witches. “It is good to be among people of the faith. I, too, practice ancestral magic, honoring those who walked the path before us. From them, we draw strength. And you will need strength, for a great darkness is coming. The city your forefathers left you is now overrun by pirates, beasts, and vampires.”
Papa Tunde takes the python from his sons and throws it into the fire, and many of the witches gasp in surprise and fear.
“I practice other magic, as well. Sacrificial magic, channeling power from the lives of my offerings.” Papa Tunde explained. “I use this strength to vanquish my enemies, and I will punish your enemies for their greed. In return, you will accept my family into your coven, and me as your leader.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
1919
Two men enter the room and join Elijah and a police officer at a table where a meeting was taking place.
“Gentlemen, make yourselves at home.” Elijah greeted. “Mayor O'Connell appears to be running late, but there's much to discuss, so I shall begin.”
Klaus walked down the stairs to join them. “One moment, please, brother. You know how much I enjoy these illicit, little gatherings.”
“Do not be troubled. Despite my brother's reputation, I can assure you, we've invited you here to broker in peace.” Elijah assured the men. “You have my word.”
“And, lucky for you, my brother always keeps his word,” Klaus told them. “You two are from the Guerrera crime family, a brutish pack of thieves and killers. And that's nothing compared to what you become on a full moon, is it?”
“Yes, yes, yes. Of course, a bite from your kind is not lethal to an Original. Conflict between us would not end well for you at all,” Elijah cautioned. “Let's state our proposal here. My brother and I control the ports of the city, but with Prohibition soon to be the law of the land, there'll be a certain uptick in the kind of federal presence we prefer to avoid. Therefore, I'd like to suggest a system whereby, under our supervision, of course, the Guerrera family can traffic alcohol into the city of New Orleans for a profit. We would still be in charge, but our rule would remain a secret.”
Papa Tunde walks into the room with his sons following behind him.
“This all sounds very good, but tell me, how will it benefit the witches?” asked Papa Tunde.
“I am sorry.” Said Elijah. “This is a private meeting.”
“Yes, for kings of the city, but I, too, am a king, and I have rules,” replied Papa Tunde.
“I'm impressed. You're either quite ambitious or quite mad. What's your name, mate?” asked Klaus.
“I am Alphonse Bellatunde Delgado, Papa Tunde to my followers, and I come to ask that the witches be granted fair tribute for allowing your existence in our city.” Papa Tunde responded.
“Are you suggesting that you speak for the French Quarter witches?” Elijah questioned.
“I do now, and I expect our future negotiations to go very smoothly.” Papa Tunde answered. “As a guarantee, I brought a gift. I await our next gathering.”
A small leather case is placed on the table. Papa Tunde and his sons leave. Everyone else gathers around as Klaus lifts the lid on the trunk to reveal a head inside with a symbol carved into his forehead.
“Well, I suppose we'll need a new mayor,” Klaus said.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Marcel walked into the Abattoir Courtyard Davina and Josh beside him.
Marcel grabbed a table with Davina and Josh. Davina was supposed to be meeting with Sophie at Caroline’s request to start searching for a way to save Katherine.
Most of Marcel’s guys weren’t happy that Klaus was now in charge and Marcel appeared to be following his lead without question. And were shocked to see Davina alive and well having believed she was dead after learning the truth about her and Marcel’s connection with her.
Diego sees him enter and approaches. He walks over to the table Marcel had chosen.
“Hey, Marcel, maybe you know what's going on. Klaus ordered us to meet here, and now he's a no-show.” he looked at Davina. “And how are you alive?”
“Caroline,” Davina answered simply.
“Klaus has a lot on his hands to deal with. Give him time.” Marcel told him.
“Like what?” Diego challenged but before Marcel could answer. Klaus enters the room with Caroline and on his other side is Thierry.
“Dearest brethren, your attention, please.” Klaus’s voice ringed loudly through the courtyard. “No doubt, you're all surprised to see Thierry Vanchure, who's supposed to be rotting in the Garden for the crime of killing one of our own, and I personally decided to issue him with a pardon.” Klaus declared. “I hope you'll all welcome home Thierry.”
Thierry smiles and gives Diego a hug.
“Welcome home, man,” Diego told him.
“Now some of you may see the difference with Caroline.” Klaus continues, pressing his hand to her lower back and the other resting on her stomach. “It turns out the wolf Hayley who I had believed to be carrying my children was working with the witches all along and had stolen my children from their true mother. Now they are back where they belong and the witches will soon pay for what one of their own has done.”
Caroline forced a smile before moving toward Marcel’s table, ignoring the stares of disbelief she was receiving. “Davina, thanks for coming.”
“You said you needed my help,” Davina replied.
Caroline frowned, tilting her head at the younger girl. “You know you don’t have to help me just because I helped you, right?”
“Caroline, you saved my life.” Davina countered. “I owe you everything.”
“No, you don’t,” Caroline told her. “I didn’t save your life so you would feel indebted to me. I want you to live your life how you want. I do want your help but I don’t want you to feel obligated that you have to. You can say no.”
Davina smiled. “I know, that’s why I want to help you. You're not like everyone else.”
“As long as you know you have a choice.” Caroline gestured to the stairs. “Let’s go see Katherine.”
Davina smiled and linked their arms.
“You too, Josh,” Caroline called over her shoulder as she started up the stairs.
“Coming.” Josh quickly followed. “Hey, Caroline, any chance you have some blood bags lying around. I haven’t eaten all day..”
Marcel tuned out the sound of Josh's voice turning to Klaus as he took a seat across from him. “You're in a good mood,” Marcel said to Klaus. “You must really love the fact that Caroline is the mother of your children.”
“It’s definitely a gift,” Klaus responded. “But before I can truly celebrate this turn of events I have responsibilities that I need to tend to.” Klaus turns to address the crowd of vampires. “The witches have gone too far with their actions against Caroline. Actions they will pay for. However, since their Harvest failed, their magic will soon be gone forever. Now there has been a debate, on whether to kill them or keep them on their toes. I, however, want them dead, every last one. Diego, I wonder if you might lead a rousting in the cauldron. One that ends in blood and carnage.”
Diego smiles and starts to plan with the other vampires.
Marcel smiled. “As much as I would love to shed some witches' blood, especially after everything they put Davina through, I do have another girl to see so I will be taking a personal day.” Marcel stood and left. Confident that Davina would be fine in the compound with Caroline there.
Klaus' eyes narrowed, wondering where Marcel was headed and who he was going to see. Almost everyone he knew was at the compound.
Diego and the others looked up at the sound of multiple voices and a group of men, women and even a few children walked into the compound.
Klaus smiled at Zach and the other wolves and walked over to them. “Caroline has been expecting all of you. She’s currently occupied with helping someone who doesn’t deserve saving but until she has a moment free why don’t you get to know the place and divide up some of the empty rooms amongst yourselves.”
“We will be staying here?” Zach asked speaking up on the behalf of the wolves who were more than a little surprised.
“Caroline has insisted that you all stay with us and what Caroline wants she will get,” Klaus responded, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“What the hell is going on here?” Diego walked over, glaring darkly at Zach and his group of wolves.
“I’d like you to meet Zach and the rest of my pack,” Klaus smirked. “They will be staying here at the compound. Indefinitely.”
Diego's eyes darkened with hate. “You’re kidding, right? They terrorized the Quarter for centuries. It’s why Marcel ran them out of town.”
Zach stared Diego down. “Wrong pack. We don’t run from anyone. Not anymore. And we only came to New Orleans once we heard of Klaus’s children.”
Diego scoffed as more vampires gathered behind him.
“What he says is true. Zach is of my bloodline. Not the New Orlean wolves and they are welcome guests in my home and every single one of you will treat them so or face my wrath.” Klaus’s voice hardened like a steel blade.
The other vampires started yelling out their protest.
“Quiet.” Klaus thundered, eyes flashing, a growl emitting from deep in his chest.
Diego glared but was wary. “You expect vampires and werewolves to co-exist? You’re crazy.”
The other vampires' protest increased.
“Maybe so,” Klaus smirked. “But you will work together, starting today. Zach here will be joining in on the witch hunt.”
Diego glared but said nothing. Klaus was in charge and as of right now there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Katherine looked over at the door as it was opened, feeling Elijah squeeze her hands in reassurance.
Caroline walked in followed by a girl who couldn’t be more than sixteen and a young male not much older than Caroline.
“Caroline,” Elijah greeted.
“Sorry to interrupt but I was hoping to check on Katherine and introduce her to Davina.”
“And why do I need to be introduced to kids?” Katherine raised a perfect brow as she sat up more in the bed. She had been feeling weaker and weaker. It was only a matter of time before her body completely gave out on her. She didn’t want to think about it, refusing to think of the fear that came with knowing you were going to die.
She hated it. She was Katherine Pierce, sick, frail, weak, was not the way she was supposed to go out. For the last 500 years, she had clawed and kicked and screamed to get everything she wanted to make it this long when she had a man like Klaus Mikaelson intent on killing her.
“Because Davina here is going to save your life.” Caroline wrapped her arms around Davina’s. “So if I were you I would be a little nicer.”
“Nice isn’t in my vocabulary.” Katherine retorted.
“Expand your vocabulary because without some witchy interference you're going to die soon.” Caroline stepped further into the room.
“And you care so much about my well being, why?” Katherine asked.
“For telling me the truth. Let’s not pretend we’ve ever been friends because it would be a lie. Still, this is my way of repaying you for once doing something when you had nothing to gain from it.”
“I wonder what Elena would say about you trying to save me?” Katherine taunted, trying to push Caroline’s buttons.
“I don’t much care what Elena has to say about it.” Caroline retorted. “This has nothing to do with her.”
Katherine smirked. “I gotta say, I’m warming up to you. Getting out of Mystic Falls suits you.”
Josh cleared his throat, making Caroline realize she hadn’t introduced him. “Oh, and this is Josh.”
Katherine looked him over. “He comes across as a puppy,”
“Puppy?” Josh wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not.
“Caroline,” Elijah interjected. “Just how do you intend to save Katherine's life. She is getting worse by the day. I’m not sure how much time she has.”
“Yes,” Katherine said. “How do you and this young witch plan on keeping me alive?”
“Well, I planned on seeing if Sophie knows anything or maybe looking at The Original Witch book of spells. Generations after generations of witches walk this city. Someone has to know something.”
“Caroline, I don’t think Sophie is going to be so keen to help,” Elijah interjected. “We’ve ruined all her plans and have taken her prisoner. Let’s not forget the torture.”
Caroline’s eyes darkened at the mention of Sophie. “Who said she had a choice in the matter?”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Sophie’s arms dangled above her from chains attached to the ceiling, her feet barely touching the ground, she had to stand on the tip of her toes, her shirt was soaked with blood, her neck covered in red stains.
Her skin pale and dark circles beneath her eyes, exhaustion coming off her in waves.
She looked up as a knock sounded on the door. The werewolf guarding her sent her a disdainful look and pulled the door open.
Caroline stepped in. She was alone. Davina was with Katherine, Josh had stayed with his friend.
“Did you really come here alone?” Sophie asked, eyes glaring. “How wise is that?”
Caroline moved forward. “You and I both know, you are too weak to do a thing to anyone, and secondly if you did anything and I mean anything you would be scattered in pieces across this floor.”
“What do you want?” Sophie asked through clenched teeth.
“Your help.” Caroline stepped closer, her eyes filled with hate.
“You have got to be joking!?” Sophie exclaimed in disbelief. “You’ve chained me up like an animal, tortured me, fed on me, healed me only to do it all over again. You keep me weakened and you expect me to help you?! You’re crazy!”
Caroline grabbed her by the neck, eyes blackening, her temper flaring. “You will do whatever I asked you to do. You live because I say so, because I allow it. The second I say otherwise you will be dead and forgotten. Don’t test me. The sight of you makes me see red and I want to rip you apart until there is nothing left. Even now I fight the urge to kill you. I rather delight in your screams as I slice you open and cause you excruciating pain.”
Sophie's eyes darkened and she looked at Caroline in revulsion. “You sound like Klaus. Has being with him changed you that much?”
“Being with Klaus has been the most freeing thing I’ve ever done,” Caroline said, feeling like the words were the most honest she ever was in her life. “Selfish, deplorable, disgusting individuals like Hayley and yourself have no legs to stand on moral ground.” Caroline pressed closer, her hand tightening on Sophie’s throat cutting off her air. “You can do as I ask or we can make this into another torture session. If you won’t do as I say. I will turn you into a vampire. I know from a friend that there is no worse fate than this for a witch. I’ve seen it. The disconnect a witch feels is hollow.”
Sophie glowered. She hated Caroline. She underestimated her and now she was just starting to realize who she was dealing with.
Sophie tried to pull back from Caroline’s hand. “Okay. Okay.” Caroline released her. “What do you want from me,” Sophie asked, struggling to breathe normally again.
“You’re going to help me save someone’s life.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“Klaus.”
Klaus was in the middle of giving orders to the wolves and vampires, splitting them up into two separate parties when he heard his name from someone he wasn’t expecting to hear from anytime soon.
He turned to see Stefan standing in the middle of the courtyard. “Stefan, mate, what are you doing here?”
“I came to see Caroline?” Stefan’s brow furrowed as he saw all the people lined up awaiting further instructions. “What is going on here?”
Klaus turned back to the two groups. “You know your orders. Go.”
The wolves and vampires shared a hateful look and dispersed.
Klaus focused back on Stefan. “Now is not a good time.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m not here for you, isn’t it?” Stefan replied.
Klaus tensed, a voice in his head whispering that Stefan was there to convince Caroline to leave him behind and go back to Mystic Falls.
“Look, Klaus, I’m not here to play games. I’m here to see my friend. You can tell me where she is or I can call her and tell her I’m here, either way, I’m not leaving.”
Klaus rolled his eyes heavenward. He would never hear the end of it from Caroline if he told her he sent Stefan away. She had such a soft spot for the younger Salvatore but so help him if he was there to take Caroline from him, he would find himself in Marcel’s Garden.
“Dwayne,”
Dwayne stepped forward seeming to move out of the shadows startling Stefan.
“Take Stefan here to Caroline, then if she wishes for you to leave do so,” Klaus ordered.
Dwayne’s face brightened. He wanted, needed to be near Caroline.
He started walking, not even stopping to see if Stefan was following.
Stefan shot Klaus an uncertain look before following behind Dwayne.
Dwayne led him down a corridor and down a flight of stairs, the sound of a bloodcurdling scream had him, stopping. His mind screamed that Caroline needed his help and he took off on a run past Dwayne. He burst into a room, slamming the door open with his shoulder. “Caroline!” he looked around the room frantically and froze.
A dark-haired girl was strapped to a med table, blood pouring down her skin, dripping into a large puddle on the floor, she was crying out in agony, she tried to thrash around, attempting to get away, to break free but was restrained tightly to the table with barely any movement. When she turned her head his way, shaking from the pain, Stefan recognized her.
Hayley Marshall.
His eyes shot to the blonde standing over her, pouring something over the girl. The blonde’s back was to him, he couldn’t see who it was but he knew he had to stop her. What did Hayley do to deserve to be tortured like this? Her cries were echoing off the walls, the stench of blood filled the air.
He moved forward grabbing the girl by the arm spinning her around. “Stop, what are you-” Stefan released the blonde, taking a step back in shock. “Caroline?!”
“Stefan, what are you doing here?” She pushed her hair back from her face, streaks of blood coating the blonde strands from her hands that were coated in Hayley’s blood.
“What the hell are you doing, Caroline?!” You’re torturing people now? This isn’t you?!” Stefan stepped forward again, crowding her. “First Damon, now Hayley, who’s next?!”
“She deserves it and so did Damon!” Caroline shoved him back not liking the way he was standing over her.
Suddenly Stefan found himself pinned against the wall by Dwayne.
Stefan’s eyes widened as he stared in the face of an angry hybrid. “Oh my God,” he looked past the werewolf to Caroline. “Klaus can make hybrids without Elena’s blood?”
Caroline turned and stuffed a gag into Hayley’s mouth cutting off her screams and cries of pain.
“Klaus didn’t make him. Tyler did, trying to prove he was right about why Klaus cared about his children.” Caroline said, her hand drifted down to her stomach. “Let him go, Dwayne.”
Dwayne let Stefan go reluctantly but he was eager to get closer to Caroline, coming to stand beside her.
Stefan pushed off the wall, rolling his shoulders, he followed the movements of Caroline’s hand’s, his eyes widening. “Your mother told me what was going on but I had trouble believing it.”
But how could he continue denying it when he could see the roundness of Caroline’s stomach. “I don’t understand.”
“You want to know what Hayley has done to deserve this? She stole my babies, she used magic to steal a pregnancy for her own gain. I’ve taken back what’s mine but that doesn’t mean, she gets to walk away from this after everything she has done.”
Caroline turned back to Hayley gripping the surgical tool, a rib spreader, and spread Hayley’s open wound where all the blood was coming from open wider.
Hayley whined in pain, sniffling. “Please, it hurts.”
Caroline’s eyes hardened. “Good.” She lifted a bottle of liquid and started pouring it inside Hayley, watching Hayley’s insides burn and sizzle as her bloodcurdling scream filled the air.
“Is that wolfsbane?” Stefan asked, alarmed.
“Yes, mixed with hydrofluoric acid,” Caroline answered, a dark smile pulling at her lips.
“Caroline, you have to stop.” Stefan came forward again.
Caroline put down the container of Acid and wolfsbane. And removed the rib spread from Hayley’s body. “She needs time to heal until next time.”
Caroline bit into her wrist and squeezed it over, Hayley’s mouth giving her only enough so she would heal slowly and not die from her wounds.
“Next time?” Stefan repeated.
“Dwayne take care of this for me,” Caroline ordered and walked out of the room.
Stefan followed her. “Caroline, stop, we need to talk about this.” he grabbed her arm, turning her around to face him.
“What’s there to talk about?” Caroline asked, shrugging him off. “I am causing Hayley pain for her deceit.”
“Caroline, this isn’t you. You don’t torture people.” Stefan protested. “You’re good.”
“What I am is tired. Why am I always the pawn in someone’s larger game? I will not allow my children to suffer nor will I allow them to be used. I’m done being a casualty. If I have to do things that I otherwise wouldn’t then I will without hesitation and if you can't accept this then maybe you shouldn’t have come here.”
“I came here because I realized what a bad friend I’ve been. I’m not going to turn back now. I wasn’t there for you. I can’t make up for what happened to you in Mystic Falls but I can be here for you now. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling. How you handle this is up to you but I am not going back to Mystic Falls.”
“Then follow me,” Caroline said and turned walking down the corridor, expecting Stefan to fall into line behind her.
Caroline led Stefan upstairs and into a room, he was shocked to see Katherine lying in the bed, Elijah sitting beside her and on her other side was Nadia.
Nadia had shown up, demanding to be with her mother. Caroline hadn’t much cared about keeping the mother and daughter separated.
There was a woman in the room and a younger girl, a dark hair male, and another man who was watching the dark-haired woman like a hawk.
“What’s going on here?” Stefan questioned, looking to Caroline for answers.
“We’re going to save Katherine’s life,” Caroline told him.
“I’m sorry, what?” Stefan was in disbelief.
“I’m still doubtful about it myself,” Katherine spoke up. “It’s good to see you, Stefan.”
“Klaus is okay with this?” Stefan asked, looking to Caroline.
“He’s willing to accept it for me,” Caroline said and then did a quick round of introductions to the room.
“Have you found anything yet?” Caroline asked Davina, coming forward.
“Not yet,” Davina answered, casting a curious look at Stefan.
“Stefan and I will go through the books Elijah has required and I’ll call Bonnie, see if she knows something. Maybe there’s something in the Bennet books that can help.” Caroline said, after thinking it over.
“You really think Bonnie’s going to want to help save Katherine’s life?” Stefan asked skeptically.
“No but I’m asking as her friend and I will explain why I am trying to do this.” Caroline insisted.
“I believe Katerina is in good hands.” Elijah smiled over at Caroline and walked past her and Stefan into the hallway. “I will be back shortly.”
“Alright, so this is what we’re going to do, Sophie and Davina continue searching here. Josh and Stefan will go through the books in the study. I will call Bonnie and see if I can get her to help. Dwayne.”
As if he was just waiting for Caroline to need him Dwayne appeared.
Caroline shifted away. He made her uncomfortable with how he was always ready to do whatever she asked. She didn’t like using the sire bond he had to the twins and how he was always lurking in the shadows wherever she was, creeped her out.
“Dwayne, you will make sure Sophie doesn’t try anything if she does lock her up and get Zach or one of the wolves to deal with her until I have the time to do it myself. Nadia, you can stay with Katherine.” No one moved much to Caroline’s annoyance, she clapped her hands. “Well, you got jobs to do. Go!”
Davina nodded and continued searching the book in front of her, Sophie glared but did as she was told.
Josh motioned to Stefan to follow him and led him out of the room.
“You really think this is going to work?” Katherine asked Caroline.
“Yes, because I will make sure of it,” Caroline answered.
“I don’t want to be human,” Katherine argued.
“You don’t want to be dead either, do you?” Caroline retorted.
Katherine shot her a look. “What do you think?”
“Good, we’ll save your life, and then we’ll find a way to turn you back into a vampire.”
Caroline stepped out of the room to call Bonnie in private.
Katherine watched the door close behind her. She hated the feeling of hope that was beginning to rise within her.
Damn Caroline Forbes and her unending optimism and determination.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Rebekah and Elijah walk through the streets of the Quarter as they talk about recent events.
“Now, you may doubt him, but today, I saw Niklaus demonstrate mercy towards an enemy. Tell me that's not progress,” said Elijah.
“That’s Caroline’s influence,” Rebekah stated. “He wants to be better for her. He’s not the same brother we knew the last thousand years. Honestly, she is the only reason I’m not still working with Sophie.”
Elijah turned to her abruptly. “You were working with Sophie?”
“Not anymore. Not after everything she has done.” Rebekah responded.
“Are you the reason he let Thierry out?” Elijah eyed her with suspicion.
“No, that was Caroline,” Rebekah told him. “She didn’t like that he was locked up for protecting someone he loved. Though we should keep a close eye on him. Thierry despises Klaus and for good reason. He got the witch he loved killed. However, I was thinking, he knows about French Quarter covens because he dated a witch. Maybe he can lead me to whoever stole off with the Harvest magic.”
“Rebekah, we are all devastated by the outcome of this ritual,” Elijah began.
“That's just it,” Rebekah interrupted. “There was no outcome. Davina is only alive because of the Elixir. We both know that power like that doesn't just vanish. I say someone stole it. I'd like to know who, and then I'd like to make an ally out of them and then kill them.”
“To what end, exactly?” Elijah asked. “When will killing everyone who challenges us be enough?”
“I'm tired of being threatened and controlled by our enemies, being moved on a chessboard like sacrificial ponds,” Rebekah told him. “If you want to stop bullies, you need the power to stand up to them.”
“You’re not alone in this Rebekah. You have me and you have Niklaus.” Elijah insisted. “He is finally making an effort. He's invited us back into our family home. He yearns for our family to be reunited. He’s there for Caroline and their unborn children.”
“Yes. He's in a brilliant mood now, but for how long?” Rebekah challenged. “What about when things fall apart with him and Caroline? What then? He was bad before but if anything were to ever happen to Caroline or their children, he will be inconsolable, wreaking havoc and pain wherever he goes. And who says he won’t turn that anger on us and bury a dagger in our hearts?”
“I believe that he is approaching some semblance of peace here. As long as we keep Caroline safe we have nothing to worry about,” Elijah argued. “Leadership may, in fact, be a good thing for him and as I am quickly learning Caroline may very well be the best thing to ever happen to him in his thousand years on this earth.”
“I hope it’s enough and that Stefan has not shown up here to take her back to Mystic Falls. That’s not her home anymore.” Rebekah said. She had been surprised to learn that Stefan was here but she didn’t think he would be staying long. It was only a matter of time before he found his way back to Elena and his brother in Mystic Falls.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Her phone call with Bonnie didn’t go as well as Caroline had hoped. Bonnie was hesitant to help Katherine but Caroline kept insisting that she owed Katherine. Caroline reminded Bonnie that Katherine was human and was no longer in New Orleans.
Caroline kept insisting until Bonnie finally gave in. Bonnie ended the call with the promise to look through her family journals and she would let her know immediately if she finds something.
Caroline walked to Elijah’s room and sifted through his things until she found what she was looking for.
Esther’s grimoire. Grabbing the book she left the room and found a sitting room in the compound, she settled into the end of a couch and started sifting through it.
The smell of blood filled the air and she looked up to see Klaus carrying a glass of blood and a plate of food.
“What are you doing?” Caroline asked.
Klaus set the plate and glass on the table in front of her. “Have you eaten?”
“No,” Caroline shook her head and took a drink of the blood, savoring the warm liquid sliding down her throat.
“You should,” Klaus took the seat next to her. “I know you're dead set on finding a way to save Katherine but you can’t neglect yourself or the babies.”
Caroline’s eyes widened suddenly and pulled the glass of blood away from her lips. “Do you think blood is bad for them?” her other hand dropped the book in her lap, placing her hand over her stomach.
“I think nothing that is good for you can possibly be bad for them.” Klaus reached for the book. “Are you looking through my mother’s book for a spell?”
“I was hoping it might have something to help Katherine,” Caroline admitted and reached for the place of fruit grabbing an apple slice. “I found nothing so far.”
“Where did you find it?” Klaus asked.
“Elijah’s room. I went and took it,” Caroline took another drink of the blood.
Klaus laughed. “Elijah’s is not going to like that.”
Caroline shrugged. “I don’t care.”
Klaus tossed the book on the table and turned his body more towards her. “Did you speak with Stefan?”
“I did. My mom told him about what’s going on here and he came out of concern, I guess.”
Klaus nodded, his body becoming tense. “Has he managed to convince you to go back to Mystic Falls?”
Caroline placed her glass on the table and turned toward him. “Klaus, we’ve been over this. I’m not returning to Mystic Falls. Not even for Stefan.”
Klaus swallowed, choosing his words carefully. “Things are different now. Why would you stay here after everything that was done to you?”
Caroline nodded slowly. She needed to get her point across. Klaus had insecurities and she more than anyone understood how powerful they could be, if she let the insecurities take root it could ruin what they were building. He needed her reassurance to silence the voices in his head telling him she would return to Mystic Falls.
Caroline pushed at his shoulders, shoving him back.
Klaus fell back against the cushions surprised. Caroline threw a leg over his hip, settling into his lap, and grasped his face in her hands. “I need you to listen to me and hear me, Klaus. I am not going back to Mystic Falls no matter what happens. Not for Stefan. Not even for my mom. My life is here, with you. I will go where you go. As long as you want me by your side I am going to be there. I won’t leave you.”
Klaus leaned his forehead against hers, his hands coming to rest over her stomach, over their children. “I am never going to want to let you go, love.”
“Then don’t,” Caroline whispered. “Don’t let me go. Always fight for me. Always want me.”
Klaus couldn’t take it anymore. He surged forward, burying his hands in her hair and clashing his mouth against hers.
Caroline deepened the kiss and Klaus licked into her mouth, tasting the blood she had been drinking on her tongue.
A groan tore from his throat as she circled her hips, grinding against him. He grasped at her hips urging her down on his rapidly hardening jean-covered cock.
A whimper pulled from Caroline’s mouth and she gripped his shoulders for leverage, looking for friction as she ground her hips against his, desire taking over.
“Hey, guys, we got a problem,” Diego announced entering a room in the compound, looking worried.
Klaus broke away from Caroline with a growl, his hands digging into her hips.
Caroline looked over her shoulder at Diego, perched in Klaus’s lap. “You know there’s this thing called knocking.”
Diego’s worried expression twisted into mild disgust.
“Just a little common courtesy would be nice.” Caroline reluctantly removed herself from Klaus’s lap.
“What’s wrong?” Klaus asked, readjusting his jeans as he stood. “And there better be a real problem or I might just kill you for the interruption.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Thunder rumbles overhead as Diego leads Klaus, Caroline, and Stefan to the Cauldron to show them what he found.
Stefan had insisted on tagging along last minute when he realized Caroline was going.
“We came to kill the witches, just like you said,” said Diego. “And these two, they went missing. Found them like this, not even staked. Just dead.”
Two vampires were on the ground desiccated, symbols carved into their forehead.
“Someone has to account for this!” Klaus growled.
“Are we talking about revenge?” Caroline questioned. “I’m only asking because even though I’m no expert on magic, I know that marks got to be tied to some bad mojo.”
“I don’t like this,” Stefan said, having a bad feeling. Caroline was in complete agreement.
“Revenge is only the beginning,” Klaus told Caroline before turning to Diego. “We're gonna find whoever did this, and I will show them what suffering is.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Thierry and Rebekah walk into a warehouse at the docks to investigate.
“Used to run things down here for Marcel,” Thierry explained. “Thought you'd like to see what I found before Klaus did.”
Rebekah smirks. “Not a day out of the Garden, and you're already proving yourself useful.”
“We made a deal, and if it screws things for your brother, I'm all for it,” said Thierry. “Though, to be honest, this stuff makes my skin crawl. I've never seen anything like this.”
“Except you’re a little late to the party,” Rebekah told him. “I have ceased my plans for my brother.”
“What?” Thierry glared at her. “You can’t-”
“Quiet,” Rebekah cut him off. “I have seen this before,” Rebekah said as they stop in front of another salt circle on the ground with two dead vampires inside. Both are desiccated and have the same symbol carved into their foreheads. “I have, a long time ago,” said Rebekah, recognizing the mark. “Somebody is copycatting a very dangerous witch. They draw their power from sacrifice.”
“I just don't understand why someone would leave it here for us to find,” said Thierry, distracted by the turn of events.
“Unless they wanted it to be found.” Rebekah pointed out.
Papa Tunde appears from the shadows behind them. Rebekah notices him in shock and horror.
“Mademoiselle Mikaelson.” Papa Tunde greeted.
“That's not possible,” said Rebekah, still unable to believe what she was seeing.
“Sure, it is, chére. It's magic.” Papa Tunde told her.
Rebekah speed vamps toward him to try to kill him, but Papa Tunde simply reaches out and grabs her by the throat. “Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi. Embrace-toi. Symbole du masque et de l'ombre, embrace-toi.”
Rebekah starts to desiccate, and thick gray veins pop up all over her face and neck. Terrified, Thierry speeds vamps and disappears out of the warehouse, leaving Rebekah on her own.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Klaus, Caroline, Elijah, Stefan, and Diego, and many of the other vampires are congregating in the courtyard, discussing their current situation.
“Ah! Someone will die for this.” Klaus declared.
“Remarkably, I don't disagree,” said Elijah. “However, I would like to know where they learned such dark magic.”
“I had hoped never to see that symbol again,” said Klaus. “I recall it is the signature of a fool who once stood against us.”
“Isn’t someone always standing against you?” Stefan asked with an arched eyebrow.
Caroline smacked his arm. “So not the point, Stefan.”
“Clearly, some upstart witch is salvaging old tricks,” Elijah responded.
“Ugh, witches,” Caroline said. “I’m really starting to hate them.”
“Bonnie was a witch,” Stefan reminded her. “Before she became an anchor, she was a witch.”
“Bonnie’s, Bonnie.” Caroline defended. “And she’s different. She’s not morally questionable.”
Stefan couldn’t argue with her there. Plus, Caroline’s hate for the witches in New Orleans was understandable. “What about Davina?”
“Davina is innocent, nothing that has happened is her fault.” Caroline defended her new friend.
“I'll do for him as I did the other.” Klaus turns to Diego. “Diego, when night falls, I want you to gather every vampire in the Quarter. Get me the head of whoever did this and put it on a stick.”
“Yeah. That's gonna be a problem,” replied Diego. “Everyone is freaked out, man. We haven't had witches killing vampires in a long time. Marcel made sure of that.”
“Marcel is no longer in charge and is busy chasing after his human. You lot are left with me. Now, who of you will fight to defend our home?” Klaus looked around to see that no one comes forward. “Not a single one of you will stand with me, so afraid are you of this new threat? You should know better. I'll handle this myself.”
“We will stand with you,”
Klaus turned to see Zach and his pack stepping forward and he smirked. “Good.”
He turned to Caroline. “Stay here, I don’t want you near this,”
Caroline wanted to argue but she did not want witches near her unborn children again. “I’ll be fine,” She brushed a kiss against his stubble jaw.
It wasn’t nearly enough for Klaus, he grasped her chin and kissed her deeply.
Stefan cleared his throat after a moment, uncomfortable seeing Klaus and Caroline kissing each other like they’ve been doing it for years.
Klaus turned and the wolves followed, sending disgusted looks the vampires’ way.
Caroline lifted a hand to her lips watching him leave.
“Stefan a word,” Klaus called over his shoulder. Stefan rolled his eyes and followed him out onto the street.
Klaus turned to him. “Keep an eye on Caroline, will you? It’s only a matter of time before she involves herself.”
“I’m not going to keep her prisoner for you,” Stefan glared.
“I didn’t tell you to keep her in.” Klaus rolled his eyes. “I said keep an eye on her as in help her if she needs it. I promise you now if one hair is harmed on her head and you could have prevented it, your brother won’t be the only Salvatore I want to kill.”
And with those parting words, Klaus left.
Stefan sighed, he came here for Caroline but it looked like he was going to have to deal with Klaus on the regular.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Cami spoke into her phone. “Sophie, the restaurant is an epic disaster again. Do you think maybe you could come in today and…”
The voice mail interrupts: "User's mailbox is full."
“Good-bye,” Cami said annoyed, ending the call.
“Looks like I should've been here last night,” said Marcel.
Cami, startled, looks for anything she can find to use as a weapon, finally settling on an empty liquor bottle on top of the bar. “Before you try anything, I'm on vervain.”
“Yeah, Klaus mentioned you broke free of his compulsion. Good for you.” Marcel wondered.
“What are you doing here?” asked Cami.
“Wanted to see you.” Marcel sits down at the bar.
“I thought now that you have Davina back you wouldn’t be leaving her side.”
“Except now I need to keep New Orleans from falling apart,” Marcel told her.
“Is Klaus causing trouble?” Cami questioned.
“When isn’t he?” Marcel responded, “and I’m more than likely going to have to be the one to clean it up. He has his hands full with Caroline and his kids and Hayley’s betrayal.”
“What are you talking about? What did Hayley do?” Cami questioned.
“Right,” said Marcel. “You wouldn’t know.” He reached for a bottle and poured two shots. “You’re probably gonna need a drink for this.”
Cami joined him at the bar. “Tell me,”
“Caroline is the one Klaus knocked up before coming back to New Orleans,” Marcel said.
Cami’s eyes widened. “But she's a vampire and Hayley is the one who's pregnant.”
“Not anymore,” Marcel shook his head. “The twins are back with Caroline now.”
Cami’s shoulders slumped forward. “I’m so confused.”
Marcel laughed. “It’s pretty unbelievable. From my understanding before the witches brought Caroline to New Orleans, she and Klaus got busy in her hometown, and by some dark magic on Sophie’s and her sister’s behalf they made it possible for Caroline to get pregnant and-”
“But how did they even know about Caroline?” Cami questioned.
“Witches talk.” Marcel shrugged. “Plus, when Klaus Mikaelson truly cares about someone other than himself people tend to notice. It’s no surprise word traveled. Anyway, when the Deveraux witches learned their plan worked and that she was pregnant they lured her here, took her babies, and put them in Hayley’s womb. Hayley went on to pretend it was her pregnancy.”
“Why would someone do that to another woman?” Cami was disgusted.
“The witches promised to help Hayley find her family and she was desperate enough to take the deal,” Marcel said.
“Still,” Cami shook her head.
“So while he’s dealing with that I have to deal with all the other drama he’s left in his wake,” Marcel stated.
“Marcel, I'm sorry,” Cami told him sympathetically. “This all sounds so complicated.”
Marcel shrugged. “Same old, same old.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Elijah walks into Davina’s room to find her going through her old sketches.
“There you are.” Elijah greeted. “Aren’t you supposed to be helping Katerina?”
“I needed a break and something keeps bothering me,” Davina answered, continuing her perusal of her sketches.
Elijah gestures to the sketches. “And it has to do with your drawings?”
“I don’t know but I feel this pull. I know they're telling me something,” Davina insisted. “I don’t understand why I was drawing a witch who has been dead for longer than I’ve been alive. I’m killing time, now that I'm on vampire lockdown.”
“Are you sure it has nothing to do with the harvest?” Elijah asked and Davina glared at him. “Whoever did this, we will deal with them,” Elijah stated. “It won't be long.”
“I'm not worried.” Davina declared. “I can handle what’s thrown my way. I just want to be prepared. I don’t want to get caught off guard. Something’s coming and I need to know what it is so I can protect the people that I care about.”
“I do apologize if you feel all of our problems have fallen on your shoulders,” Elijah told her. “Finding a way to save Katherine, the Sophie and Hayley situation, Caroline. Stefan’s arrival. Rebekah is off trying to make things right. Niklaus grows more agitated with every new threat. You're just a child none of this should have fallen on you.”
“I’m not a child,” Davina said strongly. “I was forced to grow up sooner than I should have but I did it and I can handle this and I will. For Caroline but ultimately for myself. They have not beaten me down and I intend to show them they never will.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Marcel is still sitting at the bar with Cami when his phone rings. It's Klaus. He hits the ignore button and returns to his drink.
“El presidente?” Said Cami.
“He likes to keep track of his people,” Marcel responded.
“Why are you loyal to him, exactly?” Cami wondered.
“For someone who says she can't stand the guy, you sure ask a lot of questions about him.” Marcel pointed out.
“My interest is purely academic.” Cami defended.
“I know what you're doing,” Marcel said, knowingly. “You're mad he used you, and you want to get back at him. Maybe you're hoping I'll let slip some chink in his armor. Friendly advice--don't do that. It won't end well. Let me tell you a story about someone who went up against Klaus.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
1919
Marcel returns home in his military uniform to find a party being held at the compound. Marcel sees Rebekah sitting at a table with an unknown gentleman, and walks toward her.
“This was right after I returned from World War I. I'd been trying to get away from New Orleans for a while. Something kept drawing me back.” Marcel began.
“Why don't you get me some Martinis?” Klaus suggested. “Thank you.”
“Aren't you gonna welcome me home?” Marcel asked Rebekah.
“I wouldn't want you to think that I was happy to see you,” replied Rebekah.
“How long you gonna hate me?” Marcel asked.
“You left me in a box for fifty-two years.” Rebekah glared. “Twice that seems like a good start. Come on, boys.”
Marcel watched her walk away with a look of longing.
Klaus approaches Marcel. “There he is. Our war hero triumphantly returned. Oh, good to have you back, Marcellus. Welcome home.” They drink together. “Mm.”
“Haha! The prodigal son has finally learned to hold his liquor.” Elijah teased.
“The Army'll do that to you,” Marcel replied.
“Well, it's good to have you back,” Elijah told him. “Niklaus was beside himself in your absence.”
“Now that you are here, perhaps you could help settle an argument,” said Klaus. “You see, you've traded a war abroad for one here in the Quarter. Some rogue witch wants a piece of the city we built, and Elijah, for reasons beyond my comprehension, insists that negotiation is our best recourse.”
“Yes,” said Elijah.
“On the topic of your failed comprehension, you neglect, as a soldier, Marcel has seen not only how small the world has become and how fast news can travel, but also the very horrors of war itself.” Klaus continued. “Surely, Marcel would agree with me.”
“The best way for us to defend our home is by exercising discretion.” Elijah insisted.
“So who's the witch you want to kill?” Marcel asked.
“His name is Papa Tunde,” Klaus answered. “I think he's a charlatan. “
“Well, Marcel shall be able to decide that for himself. You invited him here.” Elijah reminded.
“Of course. We're not savages, are we?” Klaus replied.
Papa Tunde arrives at the party, and Klaus immediately approaches him.
“Thank you for accepting our invitation, and welcome.” Klaus greeted. “I hope you'll allow me to play the role of host. If there's anything you need- Anything at all…”
“Pleasure before business, then,” replied Papa Tunde. “Hahaha! Hahaha!”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“I didn't get it at first,” said Marcel. “Klaus was the one who wanted to go to war.”
“So, why was he inviting his enemy into his home?” Cami questioned. “Why be so generous to someone who he's gonna have to kill?”
“But, you see, that's the thing. It was all part of Klaus' plan.” Marcel told her. “He was sussing the guy out, learning his weaknesses, his strengths, getting him to let his guard down. That's how Klaus does it. Then he goes in for the kill.”
“Because he's a two-faced sociopath.” Cami accused. “There's nothing enviable about what Klaus does. He is a monster.”
“We're all monsters, Cami,” Marcel told her. “If you're powerful like Klaus is, you just don't have to bother hiding it.”
“Davina’s powerful,” said Cami. “She is not a monster.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Papa Tunde finishes doing his spell on Rebekah. She laid desiccated in a circle of salt, with his symbol carved into her forehead.
He stands back and admires his work. “It is done. The power of the Original sister flows through me.”
“And will that be enough to make Klaus suffer?” Asked Celeste.
“I will hurt Klaus Mikaelson as he hurt me,” said Papa Tunde. “When I am done, he will wish that he could die.”
“You’re going for Caroline?” Celeste inquired.
“His children will die before they even take their first breath.” Papa Tunde promised and celeste smirked.
Caroline had interfered with her plans when she saved Davina, she would celebrate the blonde’s untimely, tragic demise along with Klaus’s abominable spawns.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“You gonna open this place today?” Marcel asked.
“And risk you eating the clientele?” Cami asked in return.
“Oh, and here I thought you were starting to like me again,” replied Marcel.
Marcel's phone rings again and he answers it.
“Ah, you've stopped chasing after Cami long enough to pick up the phone.” Klaus’s voice came over the line.
“I figured you'd just keep calling,” Marcel replied.
“I'm in the Cauldron now,” Klaus informed him. “You could meet me here, we could start burning passersby at the stake.”
“Sorry. I'm in the middle of something here.” Marcel replied.
“Is she more important than what is happening?” Klaus asked.
“Is Caroline?” Marcel countered. He knew the answer but he wanted Klaus to understand that he could care about someone as well.
Klaus scoffed. “Please you couldn’t possibly feel so deeply for Cami so quickly. Finish up with her and come and help me end this.”
Marcel hangs up the phone not taking too kindly to Klaus’s tone.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Katherine tensed as Klaus walked into her room. Her face forming into a scowl. “Have you finally come to kill me?”
Klaus scoffed. “You have long since lost your importance to me. You live because Caroline wants you to, if you want it to continue that way, I would advise you keep in her good graces.”
Caroline walked in and swatted at him. “Be nice.”
Stefan snorted from the doorway. “I can’t believe you just said that to him.”
“You’re still here?” Katherine asked Stefan in surprise. “I would’ve thought you would have returned to be Elena and Damon’s third wheel by now.”
“Perhaps, I’m learning,” Stefan countered, shooting her an annoyed look.
“Enough,” Klaus said, impatiently. “I did not come here for you.” He turned to Sophie who was glowering at them. “I came here for you, the witch I was looking to brutalize.”
“What now?” Sophie shut the book she had open in her hands. “I am trying to do as you asked.”
Caroline stepped forward. “While I would love to torture you some more, there are some more pressing matters at hand.”
Klaus speeds vamp towards Sophie and grabs her in a chokehold. “Perhaps you could explain the attacks on my men.”
“What about helping me?” Katherine protested, the witch couldn’t help her if she was dead.
“I will handle it.” Davina stepped back into the room, picking up the book Sophie dropped when Klaus hoisted her up by the throat. “We haven’t given up on making sure you don’t die.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Elijah is in the courtyard, trying to reach Rebekah.
“Rebekah is not answering her calls,” said Elijah.
“You worried about whoever killed those daywalkers still being out there?” Josh asked.
“Yes, I'm worried. She is dead set on making things better for Caroline,” replied Elijah. “I’m not sure how far she will take this.”
“Can she really be in any real danger?” Stefan asked. He had left Klaus and Caroline to deal with Sophie not wanting to get involved with torturing the witch.
“Things here in New Orleans are a lot different than Mystic Falls. Much more dangerous. Enemies around every corner.” Elijah notices Thierry drinking alone at a table and joins him. “Thierry, is it?”
“That's right,” Thierry answered.
“My sister is rather fond of you. Strange, she's not typically drawn to unremarkable men.” Elijah commented. “Would you care to explain your sudden magnetism?”
“I don't know what you're…” Thierry started.
Elijah, annoyed, grabs him by the throat and pushes him against the wall.
“You can either tell me what you know, or I can distribute tiny pieces of you throughout the Quarter.” Elijah threatened.
Stefan crossed his arms wondering where Elijah was going with this. Usually, it was Klaus’s method to use threats and fear to reach a goal.
“She asked me to keep an eye out on witch stuff,” said Thierry reluctantly. “I found something, and when I showed her, we were jumped by some guy. He desiccated her with his touch.”
“Like a coward, you left her.” Elijah accused angrily.
Stefan dropped his arms and stepped forward. “You did what?”
“What was I supposed to do, fight some warlock that took out an Original?” Thierry asked.
“Yes, if you were friends you shouldn’t have left her,” Stefan scolded.
“Where was this, exactly?” Elijah questioned.
“The docks, warehouse 57,” Thierry answered. “I was just doing what she asked. You cannot tell Klaus about this.”
Elijah throws Thierry against the wall. He's unconscious. “I shall take that into consideration,” said Elijah.
”I'm coming with you.” Caroline appeared. “I need a break from hearing Hayley wail when all I want to do is kill her.”
“You're not going with Klaus to handle the witch thing?” Stefan asked.
“No,” the truth was she was concerned for Rebekah. She was still mad at Rebekah but she didn’t want her in any real danger.
“No. Stay here.” Elijah instructed. “The compound is safe.”
“First, Rebekah is in trouble. I'm going. Second, I don’t care what is safe” Caroline was not going to stay behind. “And third, you don’t get to tell me what to do. No one does.”
Elijah considers this and sighs. “Do not leave my sight. I don’t look forward to being daggered by my brother for the rest of time.”
“If Caroline is going, I’m going,” Stefan said. He was determined to stay by her side and be there when she needed a friend. He needed to make up for being a bad one.
Caroline nods, and the three leave for the docks.
Elijah prayed nothing was going to happen to Caroline. He would really hate to end up in a coffin even longer than Finn or watch Klaus ripped Katerina’s heart just to watch him suffer.
Niklaus was the most vengeful, vindictive person he knew.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“Me calling things off with you wasn't lack of interest. I was hoping to save you from all this.” Marcel told Cami.
“Well, thanks, Romeo, but I'm in it,” Cami replied. “So, when are you gonna get to the good part with Klaus and that Papa guy?”
“Papa Tunde said he wanted to empower the witches. Mostly, he wanted money and territory. Klaus and Elijah weren't about to give him either. He didn't like that, so he went on a rampage.” Marcel continued his story.
“No one was safe. Not the humans in the faction. Not the Guerrera werewolves. He even went after the witches who opposed him. Elijah offered a truce. He gave his word, in fact, but Klaus, being Klaus, he had another idea.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Papa Tunde is waiting in their meeting place when he hears someone enter. “You're late, Elijah. It's not like the noble brother to keep me waiting.”
“I'm sorry, mate. Elijah is the brother you meet when negotiations are to be had. I'm the one you get when negotiations are closed.” Klaus informed him, something dangerous shining in his eyes.
“You do not scare me,” said Papa Tunde. “You have no idea the power I possess.”
“Oh, in fact, I made it a point to learn all about your power,” Klaus responded. “I noticed how you're almost always near those twin sons of yours, how they bear your distinctive mark. Got me to thinking--you channel their power, don't you? Which, of course, begs the question: what would happen were that power to be taken away, if those sons whose lives you depend on were suddenly struck down? What of that power then?”
Marcel brings in a box and sets it down. Papa Tunde looks into the box and sees the severed heads of his twin sons.
“I will kill you for this.” Papa Tunde vowed enraged.
“I cannot be killed.” Klaus declared confidently. “You, however…”
Klaus zooms over to him and presses his thumbs into Papa Tunde's eyes.
“Aagh!” Papa Tunde cried out in pain, blood streaming out of his eye sockets.
Klaus pressed harder, his thumbs smashing through his eyes and into his brain, killing him.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“That's awful!” Cami was horrified.
“Oh, to Klaus, it's just business,” said Marcel.
“And don't you think there's something fundamentally wrong with that?” Cami questioned. “Don't you worry you'll end up one of his victims or, worse, just like him?”
Cami wondered how Caroline could justify being with someone like Klaus if this was the man that laid beneath all the art and charm. Let alone have children with him.
Papa Tunde suddenly appears in the bar. “Poor Marcellus. You remain always in the shadow of your father. Climb out from beneath it, will you, so you can die like a man?”
“Cami, you need to run now. Don't look back. Just go.” Marcel urged her urgently, wanting her to get to safety.
“I think she should stay,” said Papa Tunde. “I prefer an audience, and I'm about to put on quite the show.”
“Marcel?” Cami was unsure of what to do.
“I said get out of here,” Marcel ordered.
Cami, terrified, hesitates in the doorway, not wanting to leave Marcel alone.
“You cannot defeat me.” Papa Tunde declared, he strode forward like he was stalking prey, his sights set on Marcel. “I channel the power of an Original vampire. Soon, I will have all three. But first, I will take you, however not before you can tell me where I can find Caroline Forbes. I will take from Klaus what he has taken from me.”
Even after all this time the loss of his sons still left him with unbridled rage and the need to take everything from Klaus.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Sophie examines the abandoned desiccated vampires that Papa Tunde left for the vampires to find at the docks. “It's a complex spell. Old-school stuff, rooted in sacrificial magic. Whoever did this to your guys, my guess is they were an offering to gain more power. More guys they kill, more power they have.”
Klaus's phone rings, and when he sees it's Cami, he answers it, motioning for Zach beside him to not take his eyes off of Sophie. “I didn't expect a call from you.”
“You need to get to Rousseau's now. Some lunatic witch doctor looking for Caroline is killing Marcel.” Cami told him. “He refuses to give her up. I can maybe buy him some time, maybe lie about where she is-”
“Say one word about Caroline to him and I will make you regret it. There is a line that can’t be crossed. Not even by you.” Klaus hung up abruptly, meeting the worried eyes of Zach, he was gripping Sophie by the arm, ensuring she didn’t try anything as he got distracted by the mention of the only vampire he considered a part of his pack. “Stay with her.” He ordered
Zach nodded. “Caroline?”
“Don’t worry about her. I have it covered. Keep your focus where it’s needed.” Klaus looked at Sophie. “If you try anything your coven will suffer the consequences.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t try anything.”
Klaus turned to see a familiar face.
“You, your Katherine’s daughter, right?” Klaus' eyes narrowed on the brunette who's been in and out of the compound since they brought Katherine to New Orleans. He hadn’t really cared to question her whereabouts. She held absolutely no importance to him.
“Yes,” Nadia answered. “We don’t need her breaking free. I need her to save my mother.”
“I need her to suffer.” Klaus retorted. “Don’t make me regret this or I’ll take you from your mother just like I did the rest of her family. “
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Caroline, Stefan, and Elijah arrive at where Theirry told them about. Rebekah's body was on the ground. Caroline started to run toward her but Stefan stopped her pointing toward the magic circle beneath Rebekah’s body.
Elijah is also on the phone with Sophie.
“Rebekah!” Elijah goes to kneel next to her, but can't cross the barrier made by the salt.
“What’s going on?” Caroline questioned.
“Some kind of boundary spell.” Elijah answered..” Someone is channeling her. Typically, it's a lethal process, but, because she's an Original, she can't die. Instead, she's an endless source of power. “
“So what are we supposed to do?” Stefan asked. “I can only imagine the damage that could be done by channeling an Original.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Papa Tunde bends over Marcel and holds his knife to his forehead as he begins to carve in his mark. “As I recall, you're one of the few people Niklaus Mikaelson ever gave a damn about. You know what he did to my family.”
“Aah!” Marcel cried out.
“The sins of the father are paid for by the son. I will take pleasure in telling Klaus how you died.” Papa Tunde told him. “And how you refused to give up the woman carrying his spawns.”
“Wait!” Cami screamed, running back inside. “I can get Caroline here. Just don’t kill him.” She ignored the look of betrayal coming from Marcel. She was trying to save his life.
“No!” Marcel snapped through the pain. “She has to stay away from him.”
“Marcel, he's going to kill you.” Cami protested. “If we give him what he wants-”
“You will do no such thing!”
Cami gasped, whirling around to see Klaus, his face black with rage.
She took a step back frightened.
“I would kill anyone who puts Caroline in danger for whatever the reason.” Klaus shoved Cami back and she crashed into a table, crying out in surprise and by the force. “No one’s well being is worth more than hers.”
Papa Tunde glared. “You cannot protect Caroline or your children she carries, no more than you can protect Marcellus, here.”
Papa Tunde prepares to kill Marcel but Klaus runs forward, ripping him away from Marcel.
“I remember killing you,” said Klaus. “I rather relished it. What a joy it is to relive fond memories.”
“I can crush you before the eyes of your son.” Papa Tunde said, brushing himself off. “Then, I will consume you both and then I will kill Caroline and end your children’s lives before they take their first breath. This time, I'm stronger.”
Klaus' eyes turned amber. “Stay away from my family!”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
“You're not listening. We cannot enter the circle. There's some kind of confinement spell... If I can't remove her, we can't break the link.” Elijah explained to Sophie on the phone.
“It's a convoluted spell. It's like a witch's recipe. You can spoil the balance by adding a more potent ingredient.” Sophie informed him. “A mystical binding agent. I don't know, volcanic ash, rock salt...anything up to and including eye of newt.”
“What about the blood of a witch?” Elijah inquired.
“Do you have the blood of a witch?” Sophie asked, confused.
Elijah turns to Caroline. “I need a favor.”
“Why are you looking at me? I have vampire blood.” Caroline protested.
“The babies, Caroline,” Stefan interjected. “Their Quarter witches.”
Caroline nodded slowly, she raised her wrists to her lips and bit into it gingerly, drawing blood. She walked toward the circle, holding her wrist out and letting the blood fall on the magic boundary line. It starts to fizzle and deteriorate.
Elijah is able to get through, and he quickly picks up Rebekah and takes her out of the circle.
He nodded at Caroline and Stefan to follow him before speed vamping out.
Caroline looked down at the ruined magic line. A little surprised it had work and that her vampire blood had not tainted it. She vamped away and Stefan followed in her wake.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Papa Tunde has the upper hand on Klaus, Papa Tunde’s superior strength throwing Klaus off and is about to finish him off when he suddenly becomes weak when his link to Rebekah is broken. Klaus is able to stun Papa Tunde long enough to run over to Marcel.
“Uhhh, is he dead?” Cami asked.
“Get out of here.” Klaus glared at her.
“Is Marcel dead? Did that guy kill him?” Cami questioned, ignoring his glare.
“He didn't finish him off. Marcel needs blood to heal. Go. Find me someone off the street.” Klaus ordered.
“I'll do it,” Cami told him.
“Fine. Get over here.” Klaus snapped. He didn’t have time for this.
Cami rushes over to Marcel and puts his mouth to her neck. “It's ok, Marcel. It's ok. It's ok, Marcel.”
Klaus barely spared the two of them a look, needing to find Caroline. She was being used as a target against him. Again.
He needed her beside him. He needed to know she was safe.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Rebekah ambushes Thierry in an alley. “Ah! I should rip out your coward heart.”
“What, Rebekah? We made a deal to take out your brother. You were the one to go back on that deal, and at the end of the day, it's every man for himself.” Thierry responded.
“I am so sick of self-serving narcissists. Are men simply incapable of thinking about anyone but themselves?” Rebekah demanded angrily.
Elijah speeds up to Thierry and snaps his neck.
“Oh, I asked you to cease these petty moves against our family, and yet you conspire with this fool. Is this what it's come to, making moves against your own blood?” Elijah asked, looking at Rebekah with disappointment.
“I called it off and don't you try and shame me,” Rebekah replied. “Nik grows more powerful by the day, and you do nothing but encourage him. Before the truth came out, I was set on taking him down but this isn’t about Klaus anymore, it’s about our whole family. I know we need to stick together for the sake of Caroline. She has a target on her back. If we don’t stick together her children may never see their first sunrise. I refuse to let that happen. She has inherited enemies she doesn’t deserve.”
“I offer him, my counsel because it's clear to me that he needs to make the city our home. Now, perhaps leading these derelicts will curb some of these impulses, grant him some degree of happiness. Caroline is that happiness. We will all protect her.” Elijah said. “We all will make sacrifices in the name of this family, Rebekah, but know this. I will never stand against you or Niklaus.” Elijah told her.
“What about Hayley?” Rebekah questioned. “Are we just going to let her live after everything she has done to deceive our family for her own gain? Are we just going to let her go?”
“We are going to let Caroline and Niklaus decide her fate, she wronged them more than any of us. It should be them who decide her punishment. Not us.” replies Elijah.
Rebekah glowered, she wanted to kill Hayley for her treachery. The wolf girl didn’t deserve to breathe another breath.
“I think death would be a blessing for her.”
Elijah and Rebekah turned to see Stefan standing there.
“How long have you’ve been there?” Elijah questioned with narrowed eyes.
“Long enough to know Rebekah was making plans against your brother,” Stefan answered.
“Will you tell him and Caroline?” Rebekah demanded.
“No,” Stefan answered. “I don’t see what good it will do.”
“Be sure that you don’t, Stefan,” Elijah told him. “Or your time here in New Orleans won’t end well.”
Stefan watched him and then looked at Rebekah. “Did he just threaten me?”
“What are you doing here, Stefan?” Rebekah asked on a sigh.
“I came here for Caroline. She should have a friend here.” Stefan said. “And I have a lot of making up to do in that department.”
“I know that,” Rebekah rolled her eyes. “I meant here. Why did you follow me?”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Stefan admitted.
Rebekah met his eyes, she could see his honest expression but then again it wouldn’t be the first time Stefan deceived her into thinking he actually cared about her.
She looked away. “Don’t bother yourself with me. I’m fine. I always am.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Marcel walks into the Jardin Gris Voodoo shop, where Rebekah is standing and waiting for him.
“Fancy meeting you here,” Rebekah said in greeting.
“That symbol is already up and down the cauldron, more of them popping up everywhere,” Marcel said.
“I suppose Papa Tunde is marking his territory,” Rebekah replied.
“I'm told you saw him, as well,” said Marcel.
“Yeah. Brought up a lot of memories. Memories that are best left buried.” Rebekah stated.
Marcel swallowed. Memories of a secret long since buried 90 years ago that if it ever came to light would find him and Rebekah on the run for their lives.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
1919
“You're soused. Celebrating Klaus' defeat of the mad Papa Tunde?” asked Rebekah.
“Not celebrating, drowning sorrows,” Marcel told her. “I'm the one who brought Tunde to town.”
“What?” Rebekah replied.
“I made some inquiries while I was abroad, wanted the most dangerous witch anyone could find,” Marcel informed her.
“Why on earth would you do that?” Rebekah wondered.
“For you,” Marcel answered. “I figured if someone as bad as Tunde comes in, maybe Klaus gets chased off. Very least, he's occupied enough that he can't stop me from trying to get you back.”
“You mean to tell me that you would tear down everything my family built, everything you helped us build, risk your own life on the off chance that I would show you the slightest bit of affection?” Rebekah asked.
“I would,” Marcel answered. “I did. I'd do it again.”
“Klaus has killed a thousand Tunde's. All his life, there's only ever been one man he has truly feared. My father Mikael.” Rebekah told him.
“The vampire who hunts vampires,” said Marcel.
“If he came here, Klaus would flee and never turn back,” Rebekah told him. “All we need is a witch who can help us find him.”
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Klaus commanded the attention of the whole compound as he spoke directly to the vampires of the french quarter.
“Not long ago, you all united against me. You failed. Since then, in my benevolence, I have wiped the slate clean, yet it seems clear you think that I am the one who needs to earn your respect, your loyalty. You're mistaken. It is you who must prove yourselves to me. Our community is under attack. I require soldiers. I need warriors, not cowards. Each of you has a decision to make. You either fight alongside me and my wolves or you leave now.”
“We don't owe you anything. If staying in the Quarter means living under your rule, working with wolves, I'd just as soon get the hell out.” Thierry declared.
Caroline grabbed Klaus’s hand as they watched a handful of vampires join Thierry and walk out of the compound. Thierry looks at Diego in hopes that he'll come along, but he gives him a pained look and stays behind.
Theirry couldn’t believe his friend was choosing to stay. Diego hated wolves and for good reason. His family was torn apart by them.
Afterward, Marcel, Caroline, and Klaus talk with Sophie.
“I got to admit, I thought you'd lose a lot more guys than that,” Marcel told him.
“Well, good riddance to them, I say,” Klaus replied. “We've no room for slackers or cowards in our kingdom. Now that you've regained your composure, let's move on to the next item of business, shall we, with a little help from our prisoner Sophie.”
“The last thing I want to do is help any of you!” Sophie snapped.
“Now, now, don't be difficult,” Klaus told her.
“You're lucky you’re still alive. You should be more grateful.” Caroline said, wanting nothing more than to slap the taste out of the witch's mouth but now was not the time to torture her some more. That time would come again later.
“You'll only live as long as you're of use to me, and right now, your best use is to explain why a witch I killed has come back for revenge. Come on. Resurrected witches with vast power?” Klaus insisted.
“It's the Harvest. To die and be reborn.” Sophie told him. “I don't know how, but someone jacked that power, and they used it to bring back three witches, just not the right ones.”
“Davina’s not in danger, is she?” Caroline asked, speaking the words before Marcel could.
“I don’t know,” Sophie answered.
“Well be sure.” Marcel ground out. “I will not lose her.”
“Let's concentrate on the immediate problem, shall we?” Klaus suggested. “Papa Tunde wants revenge. He'll continue to attack us, channeling power from the vampires he sacrifices. He kills, he grows more dangerous. So how do I end him? He needs sacrifices to gain power.”
Klaus needed to kill him, he wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing he was out there, wanting to take from him what Klaus himself took from Papa Tunde.
“Hmm. You keep him from killing any more nightwalkers, that's a start.” Sophie told him.
“Easier said than done in a city full of them.” Caroline snapped at her, just hearing Sophie speak made her want to rip her tongue out through her throat.
“Caroline’s right,” Klaus said. “If he finds the one place with a load of vampires ready to be sacrificed,” Klaus stated.
They all look at each other with a look of dawning realization.
Stefan who was standing back, for the most part, minding his own business stepped forward. “What’s happening now?”
“Nothing good,” Caroline said and leaned into Klaus’s side, seeking his touch. She felt more grounded when she could feel any part of him pressed against her.
Klaus’s arm wound around her waist, his hand curving around her side, unthinkingly, he leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
It was actions like these that threw everyone around him, having never seen Klaus so tactile so affectionate.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Klaus, Marcel, Stefan and Caroline, and Zach arrive at the garden only to discover that they are too late. All of the vampires are dead, sacrificed by Papa Tunde.
Not only that the wolves he had guarding the place until he got there were dead.
Caroline’s hand went to her mouth, she knew every wolf by name, she had got to know in the short period after being introduced to them and had formed an attachment.
They were good and they had welcomed her into their pack, willing to overlook that she was a vampire, they trusted her and protected her and she did the same for them.
Now, here they were. Gone. Dead at her feet.
Anger coursed through her with a viciousness that left her reeling.
“How could this happen?” Zach stumbled forward, falling to his knees in disbelief.
“This..this act of violence,” Caroline turned to Klaus, her eyes blackened with her rage. “Can not go unanswered. Their lives meant something. These were our people and they slaughtered them! We have to make everyone involved pay!”
Marcel's brow raised up to his hairline at her harsh reaction.
Klaus was enthralled by her words, the anger coming off her in waves, she vibrated with righteous anger for their wolves.
The way she had accepted his wolves as her family was something he admired. “Nothing that has happened today will go unanswered, I promise you that, love.” He cupped her face, his thumbs tracing the black veins beneath her eyes. Soothing them away.
Caroline breathed slowly, her eyes closing at his touch. A calm washing over her, pushing her anger back down just beneath the surface. She nodded and released him. She stepped forward and placed her hand on Zach’s shoulder. “We will make this right.”
Zach nodded numbly, his hand coming up to cover her own. Thankful for her support, he looked at Klaus seeing the same readiness to avenge the wolves in his eyes.
Stefan wanted to reach out and offer his support to Caroline but it seemed she had all the support she needed.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Celeste meets with Papa Tunde near a crypt in the Lafayette cemetery.
“Is it done?” asked Celeste.
“This blade now contains all the power I harvested from the vampires. It will do things worse than death, even to an Original,” said Papa Tunde.
“And are you ready for the final offering?” Celeste questioned.
“Will you avenge my sons?” Papa Tunde asked.
“Klaus will never get the chance to see his children be born,” Celeste vowed darkly
Papa Tunde nodded in acceptance. “In the name of the witches of the French Quarter, it is my honor.” Papa Tunde hands her the bone knife.
“Thank you, Papa Tunde.” Celeste stands behind him and slits his throat with the knife.
Celeste breathed deeply, her hands coated in Papa Tunde’s blood. Her plan of making Klaus suffer was closer than ever thanks to Papa Tunde’s sacrifice to her cause.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Caroline walked into Katherine’s room, Davina sat on the floor surrounded by a mountain of books. Elijah was seated on the bed next to Katherine who appeared to be asleep.
“Where’s Josh?” Caroline wondered.
“I told him to go find something to drink. He couldn’t stop talking about blood.” Davina looked up from her book to Caroline. “How did today go?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Caroline said. “I rather talk about how things are going here. Have you found anything yet?”
“No,” Davina answered reluctantly. “But I will find something. I will, I just need more time.”
“I don’t know how much time she has left.” Elijah didn’t look away from Katherine. He reached his hand brushing her hair back from her face. “We need to save her before it’s too late.”
“She knows that,” Caroline cut a look at him. “Don’t pressure her. It’s not all on her.”
“I promise I will try everything I can to help her.” Davina insisted.
“Good but don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Have you eaten at all today?” Caroline asked.
“No,” Davina shook her head.
“Come on, then,” Caroline looped her arm through hers. “I haven’t either and I am starving for blood but I am craving actual food. I talked my friend Stefan into cooking for me. He’s a good cook. He makes great pasta.”
“Caroline,” Elijah protested but Caroline ignored him and walked out the door with Davina.
She would not allow Davina to neglect taking care of herself.
Nadia, Katherine’s daughter appeared in front of them in the hall. “Where are you going? You're supposed to be helping my mother.”
“And she will but right now, she is going to eat and then get a good night's sleep and rest her mind.” Caroline moved protectively in front of Davina. “And if you don’t like it, you can leave.”
Nadia took a step forward as if to challenge her and Caroline raised one pointed brow, daring her to try something.
Nadia with an angry huff pushed past them into her mother’s room.
“Do we like her?” Davina asked as they walked down the stairs.
“Not sure yet,” Caroline answered, leading Davina to the kitchen. “Don’t really know her.”
Stefan was pulling something out of the oven, Josh was seated at a table, drinking from a bag of blood while engaging Stefan in conversation.
“Something smells good,” Davina said, looking toward Stefan.
“That would be baked pasta. I hope you like Italian.” Stefan popped the platter on the counter.
Caroline leaned forward getting a better look. The melted cheese mixed with red sauce and beef looked delicious and smelled even better. “It looks great, you know, if you’re going to be sticking around I might talk you into cooking for me more often.”
“I am sticking around and shouldn’t Klaus be the one taking care of your food cravings?”
Klaus walked into the room. “I take care of all her cravings.” He tugged Caroline into his side, placing a kiss on her neck.
Davina made a disgusted face. “TMI.”
“Agreed.” Stefan put two plates on the counter and filled them with pasta putting them in front of the two girls. “I am not used to seeing the two of you together.”
“Well, you better get used to it then because it’s not about to change.” Caroline took a seat and started digging into the food. “Thanks for the food, Stefan. I’m starving.”
“I would imagine,” Klaus moved around and set a glass of blood in front of her.
“Is it your blood?” Caroline asked curiously, giving Davina a look of encouragement to eat.
“No,” Klaus pulled up a seat next to her, his hand resting on her knee.
“Pity,” Caroline said, wishing it was his blood. She loved the taste of his life-sustaining life force on her tongue.
Klaus moved his hand on her knee higher, fingers curling around her thigh. “Later.” his eyes held promise and Caroline felt heat rush through her.
“You guys are blood sharing?” Stefan asked, surprised. Wow, being together was one thing and accidental pregnancy another but blood sharing, that was like a whole other ballpark of seriousness in a vampire relationship. The only thing more serious would be if they had shared the vampire mate claim.
“Not really,” Caroline said. “He doesn’t drink from me and I don’t like being poisoned by a hybrid bite”
“You could always bite your wrist for him,” Davina suggested and Caroline looked at her. “I know this is not a discussion for me.”
“Actually, that’s a great idea. Klaus and I will have to try it.” Caroline said, her interest piqued.
“We will?” Klaus asks, his eyes darkened with want, imaging the taste of Caroline’s blood on his tongue as he was buried deep inside her.
Caroline bit her lip. “We will.”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Stefan cut in. “How about you keep the blood sharing interest in the bedroom and eat your food.”
Klaus grinned. “I could eat but it’s definitely not food.”
Davina’s eyes nearly widened and Caroline choked on air, her cheeks heating. “Klaus!”
Klaus smirked at her in response that devilish smirk that had Caroline squeezing her thighs together as desire shot through her.
“I think I am going to take my food back to my room.” Davina stood up and made a quick exit, waving a hand when Caroline called out an apology.
Stefan sent Caroline a strained smile. “I’m going to leave you to enjoy your food.”
Caroline watched him go, knowing it was just an excuse for him to leave. He might be weirded out by her relationship with Klaus but she didn’t care.
She dug into her food, moaning at the taste. Stefan sure did know how to cook.
Klaus’s hand tightened on her thigh and she looked at him to see his pupils were blown wide, eyes dark with that look she was quite familiar with and despite the hard and difficult day, her lips pulled into a smile.
“Want some?” She asked, her smile coy and flirty.
“Yes,” he answered.
Caroline extended a bite to him.
“Not of your food,” he said roughly, resisting the urge to pull her against him.
Caroline's own eyes darkened with want. She quickly ate her food and pushed the plate away and downed her glass of blood.
The second she was out of her seat and on her feet, Klaus hauled her against his body, urging her to wrap her legs around him.
Caroline did so eagerly, her arms going around his shoulders, eyes sliding shut as his mouth slanted over hers.
Klaus groaned, he could taste the blood she had been drinking on her tongue.
It was mere seconds before Caroline felt her back resting against soft sheets, Klaus’s weight a comfortable feeling settling over her.
Klaus pulled his mouth from hers tugging at her shirt.
Caroline rose up, allowing him to remove her shirt.
She fell back against the bed as he kissed a path down the valley of her breast to her rounding stomach.
His hands moved to cup her belly, the softness in his kisses had tears filling Caroline’s eyes, her chest tightening with emotion. “I’ve been avoiding my mom.”
Klaus looked up at her, waiting for her to say more. “I know she’s going to have questions about the pregnancy and I can’t talk about it with her.”
Klaus pushed down his desire and moved back up her body, he rolled off her laying on his side, and pulling her into him. “Why?”
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel real,” Caroline confessed.
“What?” Klaus looked at her taken aback. “What doesn’t feel real? Us? The babies? All of it?”
Carolien placed her hand on his heart, wanting to reassure him. “Not us. What we have is the realist thing I have ever felt in my life. I meant the pregnancy.”
Klaus's hand came to rest over her stomach. “Trust me it’s real. I can hear their small hearts. I know you can too.”
“It’s a beautiful sound,” Caroline’s eyes grew wet with unshed tears. “I love hearing it, knowing they're there.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Klaus asked, his hand absentmindedly stroking her belly, caressing his unborn children.
“What if they’re more hers than mine?” Caroline whispered, voicing her fears.
“I don’t understand,” Klaus said, her words confusing him.
“She had all this time to connect with them, to form a bond. I feel like I missed so much. I feel like they're no longer mine. It's almost like she has this claim on them that I don’t. And if I feel like this now, how can I possibly be a good mother to them?”
Klaus lifted a hand to her cheek as a lone tear slipped from Caroline’s eye and brushed it away. “Caroline, love, you are everything any good mother should be. Your kind, loving, caring, selfless, forgiving and so fiercely protective of the people you love. Being a mother is going to come naturally like everything else for you.”
Caroline's lips pulled into a smile before she put her hand on the back of his neck and leaned forward, pressing her mouth to his in a meaningful kiss.
Klaus kissed her back, his arms going around her, pulling her flush against him, his lips moved down her jaw. “Is that all that’s bothering you? Today was a hard day. How are you dealing with everything?” His every word was pressed against his skin as he spoke.
“Shh,” Caroline rolled onto her back, pulling him on top of her. “Everything else can wait. Talking can wait.” She pulled his mouth back to hers. “I just want to feel us.”
Klaus kissed her deeper, her mouth opening beneath his inviting him inside, he reached behind her unfastening her bra.
Caroline pushed her head back, her body arching as his lips traveled across her skin, leaving a burning fire in his wake.
She put everything else out of her mind and focused on the here and now.
She and Klaus, the way he made her feel, how he knew her body like one of his sketches.
She lost herself to the most real thing she ever felt.
And when he finally pushed inside her, eyes locked on hers, one hand digging into her thigh the other planted next to her head, she felt like everything would work itself out.
She would make damn sure of it because she was not giving up the life she was building or her new family.
Always and Forever.
It was the Mikaelson family motto.
And now it was hers.
She held on tightly to Klaus as he moved inside her, branding himself on her soul.
She opened herself to him, letting down all her walls and defenses, pushing the love she had into his heart, wanting him to know, to believe after all his time on this earth he wasn’t alone and he never had to feel like he was.
She will always be there.
She wasn’t going anywhere without him.
A/N: Thanks for reading!
Tags: @zinebaklaro @eloiselili @caritobear @paulinhaals @lord-luminous @bellarkehotchniss @fantasylover4evr @storm-pirate
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