Hurt and Heal

Epilogue

Life regained its normal course, winter went on and left and Caroline learned to cope with the memories of her rape, Klaus always by her side. When the nightmares threatened to swallow her whole, he was there to hold her and softly whisper in her ear reassurances of all her strength.

Damon fought each day with his new mortality, but he seemed to be doing better, adjusting under the care of one Bonnie Bennett. The struggle of adjusting to a steady heartbeat and breathing becoming a necessity again took an awful lot of time, but at least over the centuries he'd gathered enough money to never need to work a day even if he remained human, which he hoped he didn't. The two spent so much time together nowadays that it was a surprise to Caroline that she even needed her plan any longer, but she did as both parties involved were too stubborn to make peace and get down to business.

"Operation Bamon" was developing nicely, her ideas many and complex, yet subtle as to not be discovered, it was a blast! The blonde vampire had been particularly delighted when she managed to rope Klaus into her plans, much to the Original's horror. He was now the one keeping score of Damon and Bonnie's whereabouts as well as in charge of when – which was often – Caroline exaggerated in order to ground her back to Earth. Liz was just glad she had finally got her family back. Winter passed in this manner, the cold and whiteness vanishing into warmth and colours.

"Mom! Nik and I are going out! We'll be back at about 10!" Caroline screamed as she rushed out the door, slamming it in her wake. In the car, Klaus chuckled, amusement at her antics, and waited patiently. It was their sixth official date and they were still happy with each other, something neither had thought possible despite agreeing to give their relationship a chance. Klaus let her settle in, calmly started the engine as the blonde waved at the window where Liz was looking from, and then he swept in, capturing her lips and thoroughly kissing her. It left Caroline dazed, smiling widely and internally giggling like mad.

"Love, how are you?" he turned to her, eyes softening. He had been there with her every day since she first got back her memories. It had been a struggle, learning to live with this knowledge, for the both of them, yet it had only served to bring them closer. He discovered what it meant to comfort someone, to offer solace to a soul damaged and broken that didn't seem to be able to be cured. He discovered what it felt like for your own heart to shatter when another person was crying out their heart, what it meant to love and be loved and how much it could overcome.

"I'm fine." She said, grinning with her whole face, if only her eyes could truly reflect that because in spite of her physical well being, and her slowly mending mental health, it would take an even longer time for her emotionally state to return to what it used to be, if it would ever. They both knew she still awoke late at night, screaming and sweating and gasping for air, her hands clutched, knuckles white and eyes filled with dread. They knew she would lay crying hours later, be it because of the trauma or because of her own weakness. She would be trembling in his arms, struggling to control her breath and to regulate her heartbeat and yet all he would be able to do is hold onto her. He hated it, being this useless.

"WEEELL ... Let's move on, I want to talk about something first. You know how I said I want to lock Damon and Bonnie in a closet until they give in to their desires... " she trailed off, biting her lower lip and refusing to meet his eyes. That could only mean one thing.

"Please tell me you did not do what I suspect you did." He deadpanned, one hand going through his hair in an exasperated fashion. She would be the death of him, he swears it's true.

"I kind of, maybe, perhaps, possibly did it..." her voice dropped another few more decibels as she began fiddling with her hands, fingers twisting and pulling and curling. He resisted the urge to laugh aloud, it would seem insensitive.