Ok, yes, I know you probably want my head on a spike, but, hey! I did it! I finished the story (probably with the biggest delay in the history of fanfiction, but let's not get judgy, shall we?)

So this is the end, the final chapter, and I really hope you like it. I give my biggest thanks to those who were with me till the end and didn't give up on the story.

~Nikkitosa

It all happens in slow motion. The fear and shock push away that beastly anger in Klaus' baby blue eyes. His mouth opens to say something but no sound comes out, just blood that streams down his chin. He looks down at the dagger, driven deep into his chest and a shaking hand wraps around mine. My eyes follow his slow and pained movements, a part in me shouting to do something, to help, but I'm left paralyzed. His larger hand grips mine, pulling the weapon out of his chest. It seems like an eternity until the dagger is finally out of his body. Then, a low ringing sound breaks the silence and time returns to its usual speed.

The second dagger slips out of my hand, but by the time it hits the ground like its twin, my arms are wrapped around Klaus' waist, my body the only thing keeping him on his feet. As my medical side kicks in, I go on autopilot and drag him to his bed. Laying him down and ripping his T-shirt open, I examine to wound – too close to the left lung, yet not through it. There are no signs of death looming behind the corner, as he is still alive, in a great deal of pain, but alive. Yet my mind has a hard time processing that thought and keeps pushing my body around, barking orders and compelling all my senses to work in helping Klaus.

Suddenly I'm gripped by the upper arm and literally dragged out of the room. Not sure what happened, as no more than a second passed, I look up to see Elijah narrowing his eyes at me.

"What happened?" his voice is deprived of all emotions.

"I… he…" I'm at a loss of words.

You know the kind of people, little persistent fuckers, that won't let you breathe until you tell them what they want to know? They'll push, threaten, even hit. And then there's Elijah – he'll just look at you, his face whiter than chalk, and with his mere gaze will make you spur out your darkest secrets, only to make him leave you alone.

"He got furious and snapped. I guess I just reacted by instinct." my chin is almost touching my chest, I have bend my head so low.

"Pardon? Reacted by instinct?" he almost spits the word back at me and I wince. "Should I remind you that Rebekah warned you to let Nicklaus be?"

"I…"

"And you yet came, agitating him further! How could you be so stupid, Angelique?" the oldest sibling's voice is sharp and painfully stern in my ears.

"I meant no harm." the muffled whisper leaves me, but I fear it's to no use.

"Of course you didn't." calm and relaxed, his change in tone makes me look up.

His seconds ago sharply cut features are now soft, and a pleading for forgiveness swims in his eyes.

"I beg to be excused. It's not your fault. For all we know, you wanted to help; be a better sibling than any of us could be for Nicklaus."

Blinking at him, I barely manage not to yell out of frustration. 'What's with the mood-swings in this family?!' Yet I see Elijah is genuinely sorry, so I only nod and look back at the room from which I had been dragged out. My chest clenches painfully with the realisation that I could have caused pretty bad damage to Klaus, were I a little bit more focused and less emotionally scattered.

"I'm sure he'll be fine." wrongly deciphering my quietness and distant look for gloominess and worry, Elijah tries to reassure me that the worst is over.

"I know he'll be fine." I groan and massage my temples. "But his pride will have hit rock-bottom by the time he wakes up."

A low chuckle is all that comes from the man next to me. His amusement is contagious as a smirk tugs at my lips and I sigh, feeling both at ease and defeated.

"Yeah. He may prove to be… troublesome, when he wakes up."

"That's one way to say it." I mutter and lean against the wall.

*/*/*/*

I'm back at my house after waiting near Klaus's bed for any signs of improvement. When the colour returned to his sculpted features I bit my farewell and left, knowing that it'll be better if my feet stay away for a few days – until the tornado they call younger brother returns to his usual emotionless self. Yet I made it known that I'd like to speak to him once he cools down, and so to tell him that I'll be waiting at my house. That may sound pompous, but Klaus considers whole New Orleans his. So it won't be wise of me to rush into his comfort zone and push him – we already saw how that one unfolds. And thus my humble home, being situated on the border, turns out to be the best location for a meat-and-greet on no man's land. Moreover, I'd like him to come to me only because that way I'll know that it's his choice and I'm not pushing in.

That was three days ago. And still not even a phone call. But I guess this is part of my punishment – isolating me and keeping my contacts with the family at minimum. Under different circumstances I'd have been so riled up that the near-death experience Klaus had would have seen like a poke with a stick. Despite my hot temper, I know I deserve it, so ,in favour of making things a little bit better, I keep my distance as well.

That's until one rainy night there's this persistent and prominent knock on my door, threating to break it down any moment. Jumping on my feet and leaving the book I was reading on the coffee table, I run to the door, already sensing its near destruction.

"Coming! Coming! Goddammit!" I shout and fling the door open, ready to beat the shit out of whoever thought it was smart to try and kill it.

My fierce chocolate eyes clash with two blue sapphires, their ferocity just as strong.

"Klaus…" his name leaves my lips like a soft whisper.

In an instance my hostility melts away into shock and worry. He stands there, dripping wet, with his clothes clinging to his toned body and his hair falling over his face, looking at me with what I believe to be anger of some sorts.

Without saying a thing I move away, letting him walk in. He strides past me like a storm and goes directly into my living room. With a light frown and a sigh I close the door and shuffle my feet back to the couch, on which I find Klaus browsing through my book like it's a cheap magazine.

"Can I offer you a drink?" my hospitability has never been under such ordeal of having a guest such as Klaus.

He looks at me from underneath his eyelashes, giving me that amused smile, and the wicked sparkle in his baby blue eyes makes shivers run up and down my spine. 'Good Gracious! Stay calm! Stay calm!' I try to stop myself from overreacting. And so instead of kicking his feet off my coffee table, I go to the kitchen and return with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

"Here, we may as well drink our disagreements away." I say after handing him one of the glasses and proceeding to open the bottle. "And you also may forgive me for almost killing you… Again."

A low chuckle comes from within him as he looks at his still empty glass, or rather right through it. Opening the bottle, I pour him a generous amount of the amber liquid before giving myself the same dosage. For a second I look at him before gently knocking my glass against his. As a response he raises his drink a little and we swallow in a single gulp the whole thing. The effect is immediate – I feel warmth coursing through me alongside the burning sensation in my throat, that protests against this kind of exploitation. With a sigh I toss my head back and stare at the ceiling, only halfway registering that my guest is refilling our cups.

"Are we really going to drink the night away?" I ask after he sets the bottle down and again raises his glass.

"Do you have something better to do?" he tilts his head my way, his still wet hair sticking to his forehead.

Our eyes clash, and apart from amusement, I see not even the slightest trace of hostility. Which is definitely a good thing as I'm not in the mood to fight anyone. Let alone a capable opponent such as the Original Hybrid.

"It depends – do you plan my execution for the near future?" despite my happy tone, I'm dead serious and tremble in anticipation.

He stares at me for at least a whole minute without blinking with that really good poker face of his before his eyes travel around my face for a second and then return to my eyes.

"It depends – to you intend to leave me dripping wet in hopes I'll die from pneumonia?" his playfulness eases my nerves.

"Fair enough." I laugh and stand up. "Come. I think I have something that may fit you."

We exit the living room and go to the second floor, and into my room. I nod towards the bathroom, where he can find dry towels while I rummage through my wardrobe. In record time I manage to dig out a plain grey T-shirt large enough to fit him and a tracksuit's bottom.

"Did you die in there?" Klaus shouts from within the bathroom, making me realise its high time I bring him his clothes.

"Here you go." handing him the garments I let him change while I occupy myself with tidying my room a little bit.

Tiptoeing and putting series of books on a shelf over my desk, I'm slowly but gradually feeling my calves starting to go numb from the uneven pressure I apply on them, yet my stubbornness doesn't allow me to step down with only three books left. Extending my hand even further and raising my body slightly higher, the book is now touching the end of the shelf and all it needs is a little push. So, despite all rational thought, I lean forward over my desk. The second the book is shuffled into its place I sense I'm fly forward. Surely I'd have stabbed myself on the various dangerous things that are scattered all over the surface of my desk for no apparent reason, yet a second before a pointy pencil stands me in the face, a strong hand wraps itself around my middle and stops my falling. For a moment I just loom over the wooden surface, with my hair falling around my face like a curtain, before I'm pulled backwards against a broad and strong chest. With my back firmly pressed against him I feel his hot breath fanning against my hair. The light scent of whiskey spins around us and creates a little bubble. 'A barrier between us and the outer world…' this tempting thought lingers in my mind for a second; in that time Klaus's hand ends up in my hair, his long and skilled fingers running through my curls with ease. Unconsciously I lean into his touch, finding it soothing and welcome. While running through my hair, his forefinger touches my neck and traces the tender skin, sending the skin on fire. A low purr vibrates in my chest and the male's hand strokes me once again, making me tilt my head to the side, leaning it on his shoulder and exposing it to his seeking fingers. His large hand caresses my throat in a gentle way, manoeuvring my head further back and resting on his shoulder. I steal a glance his way when his digits wrap themselves around my neck and give it a light squeeze, as if warning me about his dangerousness, tempting me to snap or to just taste the waters. The lack of any hostile reaction from my side surprises both of us, yet the smirk that graces his features makes me frown.

"Don't be so full of yourself…" the whisper is hoarse, making my voice barely distinguishable even in my own ears.

Klaus leans forward until the tip of his nose touches my shoulder, his hot breath fanning over the tender skin, making it prickle. The low hum that vibrates from deep within him charges the air around us and my heartbeat quickens.

"You don't seem to mind…" his words bounce off from my skin.

To emphasize his point, his hands roam down my body, following its curves with a strange sense of familiarity, as if they have always done it, as if every part of me belongs to him. I grit my teeth when his right hand stops on my hip and covers my inner thigh, making my legs part.

"Klaus."

My meow echoes in the room when he gently nips at my neck while his hand grabs a better hold of my thigh while the other wraps itself firmer around my middle, pulling me flush against him, with not even an ounce of space between us. His low feral growl makes my whole being tingle, itching to be touched by his hands. Biting my bottom lip I finally remember I can also make him tingle and itch. So instead of standing like a statue, I let my hands roam – one goes up and into his blond hair, running through the silky curls; the other goes down my body and finds his, still firmly positioned around my thigh. I let my finger play around, cares his hand, follow the pattern of his skin and just taunt him. I smirk of my own tugs at the corners of my mouth when he groans against my neck. Yet my victory is short-lived as he bites me, gently and not breaking the skin, yet making me yelp and jump. Using the opportunity Klaus spins me and plants me firmly on the desk, after with a single swing of his free hand sends all my stuff flying around. I huff and fling my hair to the side only for his hand to entangle into it and pull, bending my head backwards and giving him a perfect view and access to my neck. Without even bathing an eyelash his mouth ends up planting soft kisses up and down the gentle skin while his hands continue roaming up and down my body. I moan when he finds that sweet spot behind my ear and kisses it, making my insides curl deliciously and my legs to wrap around his torso, bringing him even closer to me.

Eventually his lips touch the corner of my mouth, yet skip to kiss it. He just stops there, his hot breath fanning over my tender skin. A low shudder runs down my spine, making me stand on edge, and Klaus senses it as his hands grip me by the hips even firmer. Pulling me completely flush against him, with not even air-space between our bodies, I feel just how hard he is; this very thought arouses me more, my core already dripping wet.

"I can smell you, darling." his husky voice sends shivers all over my body.

His nose gently follows the outline on my jaw, while his hand skilfully unbuttons my jeans. Before any rational thought manages to destroy my mood, the male lifts me off of the desk, pulls the jeans off of my legs and tosses them to the side, a victorious smirk gracing his face.

I hum lowly and look at him from under my lashes, wondering if I should let myself be tamed, just this once. For once this doesn't sound so bad, so I quickly grip Klaus' shirt and pull at it harshly, tearing it apart. His eyes show wonder and amusement before they darken and he once again closes the space between us. This time our lips finally meet in a heated kiss, our tongues battling for dominance. Suddenly the sound of tearing fabric snaps the silence once again and I give a moan of protest as my T-shirt falls down on the floor in pieces. Smirking against my lips, Klaus quickly buries his hands in my hair, pulling me even closer, deepening the kiss. The gentle nip of his lip makes him groan and pull away just for a second, enough so that I can see the wildfire burning in his now dark eyes.

Before I know it I'm sprawled on my bed, with my feet parted enough so that the male can position himself there, on top of me, dominating me in almost every sense of the word. I pant and eye him provocatively, knowing perfectly well how he'll react to being disobeyed. The dark smirk that skips past his lips for a second is the only warning I get before our lips clash once again, this time with more passion and urgency. Using this at my advantage, I raise my lower body up, shamelessly brushing it against his. His groan is muffled by our lip-lock, so I decide to proceed with my small plan. Letting my hands sneak between our bodies, I find the bottoms of his jeans and quickly undo them before pushing down the garment. Getting my hint, he moves away long enough to discharge from that obstacle, before once again taking his place between my legs, this time giving my neck some more teasing. I meow and trash under his hold, feeling so wet and horny that it's unbearable for me to stand still. He growls, both from pleasure as I rub myself against him, and as a warning to stay still, yet I will have none of it.

"You are so impatient, darling." he purrs against my neck, the sudden poke of his fangs against my skin making me intake sharply, creating a somewhat hissing sound.

His low laugh makes the hairs on my neck stand up and my body trembles, the desire to have him deep in me becoming unbearable.

"You have no idea…" I purr back and with a single push roll us over so that I'm straddling him.

Letting my body slide down his chest, with my lips planting small kisses here and there while my groin shamelessly grinds against him, showing him just how wet I am because of him, I finally reach his lips and kiss him with ferocity and passion. He moans under me and his hands grab me firmly by the buttocks, pushing me even harder against his hard member.

"Look what you have done to me, Klaus." I whisper lowly over his lips after we part, before gently biting at his bottom lip, making him hiss and grip me by the ass even harder.

"It'll be my pleasure…" he purrs and swiftly spins us so that I'm back on my back and under him, "… to help you out."

I smile and my nails gently dig into his biceps, leaving small red lines behind.

"Dare not to." my voice is muffled by yet another kiss, during which both our underwear disappear.

By the time Klaus is done with the teasing of my lips, I'm dripping wet and swollen from desire to finally be fucked. Sensing my distress and irritation, the male finally stops playing around and gives me a look, as if asking me if I'm sure. For a response I grind myself against him, showing him just how ready I am. His pleased smirk makes me narrow my eyes at him, before he enters me in a single thrust, making me arch my back and moan. He growls against me and for a second we stand still, adapting to the other, before he pulls out of me, making me whimper at the loss, only to slam back into my vagina. Soon we set a pace comfortable for both of us, with him diving deep into my womb, hitting that very sensitive spot and making me shout with each and every trust, feeling my realise nearing. Unlike most men with which I had slept during the years, Klaus is the first who doesn't start off slowly and build up his pace, but gets straight to the point, as if knowing exactly how I like being fucked. After a series of thrust and rotation of my hips, I feel my walls starting to contract around him member, a clear sign I'll cum any moment. Sensing this, Klaus quickly changes the pose so that he has a better angle and deeper penetration, and starts rocking back and forth in a fast pace, making me grab him for dear life, knowing that my release will be epic. It's seconds before I cum and milk him dry that I manage to wheeze out a single command.

"Bite me."

And Klaus complies. His sharp canines sink into my neck and make me cum immediately with a low howl, arching my body in his hands, and losing any sense of time and place.

A few minutes later I finally manage to collect myself and realise I'm lying on his chest, his even breathing lifting me up and down as if I weight nothing. Letting my hand travel down his hard abs and then back up, tracing his tattoo, I can't help but smile in a goofy way, a clear sign that I've had a good fuck.

"You seem content with yourself." Klaus' husky voice makes me snap out of my trance, so I push my upper body up, giving him a good view of my breasts.

"Ah. You know what they say - a satisfied woman is a happy woman." I purr and roll to the side.

His smug smile makes me poke him with a light frown.

"Don't get so full of yourself." I mumble and snuggle against his chest.

Instead of telling me off, Klaus wraps his hand around my shoulder and pulls me closer, allowing me to get more comfortable.

Things take a turn for the better after the relations between myself and Klaus settle for a better option – instead at each other's throats, we end quite often in each other's hands. Sex became not only the perfect outlet for both of us, but also formed some kind of a relationship. I'm not delusional as to where Klaus' dreams lie – in his still unborn child, so I show no signs in actually having fallen for him. But I have. Hard. Yet by the time the baby comes, I know I'll have to learn how to keep my distance. That child is currently the only thing that keeps the Hybrid's humanity in check; I wouldn't like to become an obstacle for his family life after he becomes a father. So I decided against telling him about the way I feel. Instead I allowed myself to play around for some time before eventually gathering my stuff and stopping by the Abattoir to say my goodbye to the family.

Rebekah, who doesn't seem the least surprised, greets me at the door, her expression the one of a constant pout. I smile at her and chuckle.

"You're ditching us." it's a statement, yet I nod.

"Came to tell the family goodbye." I admit and we enter the mansion.

"I had hope this time you'll stay." she whispers and I can't help but sense the sadness in her voice.

"Becks, I'm moving towns, not dying." I pat her on the shoulder, trying to cheer her up.

"You are leaving?" Hayley's voice comes from behind us and I turn around.

She stands there, with her now pretty big belly, and with a shocked expression. Elijah, with whom she apparently was, seems just as amazed.

"I'm afraid so, yes." my sad smile, despite my best attempts, appears.

She nears me as fast as her round belly allows her, under Elijah's watchful gaze, and hugs me tightly.

"Must you?" she whispers against my shoulder, making me wince internally.

Against all logic I came to really like Hayley and her wolfish manner. We became pretty close, like friends, and the very thought that I may never see her again makes me feel sick to the bone. Yet I release her from the hug.

"Unfortunately, yes. I have dealings south that cannot wait any longer."

She gives an understanding nod before stepping away.

"Does my brother know?" Elijah's sad eyes are the only thing showing me that my departure somehow affects him.

"Not yet." I admit and frown slightly.

"He's in his study."

I smile at the eldest sibling and hug him as well, not minding the fact that he literally stiffens before wrapping his hands gently around me.

Rebekah, as usual, is giving me a nasty look, yet when I open my hands she rolls her eyes at me before giving me that bone-crashing hug on hers.

"Be safe. And, dammit, call once in a while!"

"I will." I promise and move away.

With a last nod we scatter, me going to look for the troublesome male. Like his brother said, I find the youngest Mikaelson in his study, vigorously painting something. For a second I allow myself to just lean against the wall and admire him, the way his hands move, the confident strokes of the brush, how he anxiously moves his shoulder blades every once in a while.

"Mind if I take a glimpse?" I finally break the silence and step closer.

Klaus looks over his shoulder and I notice the sudden change of mood – a second ago he looked agitated and concentrated, now he looks amazed. Taking a step away and leaving his supplies on the nearby table, he allows me to looks at what he has been working on.

The painting takes my breath away. The resemblance I find is so strong that I need to make a double take in order to realise what exactly I'm looking at. Or who, for that matter.

"That's me." my voice has disappeared, the lump in my throat preventing me from voicing anything whatsoever.

"Yes." the rather shy answer makes me look at him, not sure how I am supposed to react to this.

Yet by the sight of Klaus' light blush and evident worry, I can't help but give him my most dazzling smile, masking the sudden sharp jab in my heart.

"It's beautiful." I praise him and once again look at the painting.

He has depicted me sleeping in my bed, with my auburn curls sprawled around my face like a halo. It's hard not to notice the small details that he has added, the soft shades and the precision with which he has recreated me on the canvas, perfectly capturing the moment.

"You seem discontent." the bitterness in his voice snaps me out of my spacing.

It seems that my smile has turned into a sad one, making Klaus believe I do not like what he has done.

"You have captured me perfectly, Nicklaus, there's no question about that. I love it."

"But?" his foul mood is fast to set root and I sigh, realising that what I'm about to say won't be to his liking one bit.

"I'm leaving Klaus." my low whisper makes him almost drop the brush he has been twirling around.

"What?" just like that anger appears in his blue sapphires, threatening to make him hostile.

"I must. There's things I must take care of south."

"Bullshit!" he snaps, making me frown. "You are leaving me."

The sadness that appears out of nowhere only makes me feel even worse. Ignoring my instinct that tells me to not get too close in his current state, I melt away the distance between us so that I can stand face in face with him, cupping his jaw gently and resting my forehead against his.

"I'm not leaving you. I'm not giving up on you." my voice is truthful and filled with devotion.

"Then why?"

"Your child will be born soon, Klaus. And then I'll have no place in your life. It'll be better for all of us if I leave now." I admit.

He immediately tenses and grits his teeth, letting me know that has been troubling him as well.

"That's not a farewell, just a goodbye." I say in a low voice, too afraid of losing my either ways shaky control over my emotions.

Yet he stays silent. Eventually I step back and lift his face so that I can look straight into his eyes. I know he's hurt, yet there's no other option, and he knows it.

"One day I'll come back. Once you have full control over your life." I promise and kiss him gently.

He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. Once we part I stay in his arms for a little while before stepping away and fighting back the tears that are threating to appear any moment.

"If you ever need someone to have your back or kick some ass, call me."

"I will." his husky voice makes me smile and turn around, ready to leave.

"Angelique!" I look over my shoulder. "Don't die."

A small chuckle skips past me lips, yet I nod and smile at him before walking out of the room.

My car speeds down the highway, going south. The scenery changes so fast that all the colours mix in one big blotch of green and grey. A sad smile pulls at my lips and a lone tear streams down my cheek, before I wipe it away and push all those emotions at the back of my mind, not really feeling ready to fight them now. 'One day I'll be back.' it's a promise I made to both Klaus and myself. One that I'm definitely fulfilling.