Above All Else

Chapter 22

As the engine of the car cut off Caroline released a pent up sigh, her eyes stared unseeing out the windshield towards the path that would lead her to the Fall's which would take her directly to where her Father was waiting for her. Just the thought of coming face to face with him had her chest rising and falling quickly with every breath she took, her heart thundered against her ribcage as she felt herself begin to hyperventilate.

Klaus looked over at her in concern; she had been strangely quiet since leaving the mansion. While he completely understood why that was, he worried over what could possibly be running through that brilliant mind of hers to cause her this much disquiet that now was quickly morphing into panic. Careful as not to spook her, he slowly turned his body to face her, reaching his hand to her clenched fist placing it between his own.

Pulled from her inner panic at the feeling of Klaus holding her hand Caroline jumped slightly as she whipped her head to face him. Her frantic eyes met his calming blue ones, "I don't think I can do this." Her breath left her in harsh pants, "I mean I know what everyone said, but I just ... I mean." She growled irritated with her own non-coherent rant, "I don't even remember him Klaus. I mean, outside of the dream I keep having anyways. And he has all these memories of me and...and..."

Klaus cradled her hand in his as he ran smoothing circles over her knuckles, asking he patiently in a calm gentle tone, "And what Love?"

Caroline looked at him with such a child-like innocence and fear that he could feel his throat close right along with hers as she whispered in such a small voice, "What if I disappoint him? What if I'm not who he thought I would be? What if I am not enough?"

Klaus shook off the momentary mirroring of her emotions to stare her directly in her terrified eyes. He was still in awe of her, finding it hard to believe that this beautiful, amazing woman was looking to him for comfort and support. That she was relying on him to see her though this. Klaus licked his lips, "Caroline listen to me, for the life of me, and we both know I've lived many," He smirked and relaxed a bit as he watched her come back to herself a little as she huff and roll her eyes, "I will never understand how you can be so depreciating of yourself Love. I was not lying when I told you this before, and I will tell you as many times as it takes for you to get it through that marvelous head of yours. You are beautiful, strong and full of light; and you can handle whatever happens here." He lifted a hand running it across her cheek brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear as he gave her an affectionate smile, "You are not alone in this Caroline. I will be right here when all is said and done."

Caroline gave him a soft appreciative grin, "Thank you." She told him earnestly before rolling her eyes at herself, "I'm sorry for the mini freak out but..." She flicked her eyes away from him only to look back hesitantly while she gripped his hand tightly, "Will you go with me?"

It was Klaus's turn to feel hesitant, while he did not want her going alone by any means; he knew she needed this time with Silas, her Father. He had pulled Kol aside before Caroline and he had left and his younger brother had assured him that Silas truly cared for his daughter and only wanted to see her, if only for a moment. Klaus pushed aside the thoughts discomfort and tension over coming face to face with his, with the woman he was in a sense courting's Father. He mentally scoffed at himself, he was the Original Hybrid. He did not get nervous over meeting a girl's Father. "Of course Love, but why don't I stay off to the side, to give you and your Father some time alone together hmm?"

"A seen but not heard kind of thing, huh?" Caroline thought it over and released a deep breath, "Ok." Squaring her shoulders she nodded her head determinedly, "Ok, let's do this." before opening her door to climb out of the car.

Klaus opened his door getting out of the vehicle at the same time as she did, "There she is." His proud dimpled smile met her over the roof of the car, "You are stronger than you let yourself realize Caroline." He flashed over to her side holding out his wrist with a look that brokered no argument, "But just to be sure, drink."