Return and Remember

Battle and Life Decisions

Esther came forward and raised her hand to gently caress Caroline's cheek. She looked down for the first time and a frown appeared on her face as she noticed the ring on Caroline's finger.

"Where did you get that?" She whispered.

Caroline glanced down at her hand, now gripping the hybrids forearms.

"Nik gave it to me, why do you care?" Caroline cried, tears pouring down her face.

"That was the ring Niklaus' father gave me."

"Mikael" Caroline whispered.

Esther shook her head. "No, Niklaus' father, Garrett," She whispered.

Caroline felt new tears forming in her eyes for the sadness she detected in Esther's voice.

"What happened?" Caroline whispered again.

"Mikael killed him."

"I'm sorry."

Esther shook her head. "I loved Mikael. Garrett was only an accident, but I loved him too."

Caroline tilted her head in questioning.

"Garrett was a werewolf, but we grew up together. He was there for me when Mikael had left on a hunting trip, and everyone thought he had been killed. That was how Niklaus was conceived. I never told Mikael until after Niklaus was turned. I never meant for him to find out, but he did." Esther said with memory.

"That ring was the only thing I had to remember Garrett. I gave it to Niklaus when he found out. I never told him that Garrett gave me the ring. I just told him to give it to the woman who steals his heart. Apparently he found her."

Caroline smiled, sadly. "I do love him, Esther with all my heart, and you do to, if you didn't you wouldn't have given him this ring. Please end this, and get to know your family. Nik needs his mother, and you need him."

Esther fought back the tears, but let them escape anyway. Caroline was right, but that still didn't change anything.

"That's not going to happen, Caroline. There is no way he will forgive me for what I'm about to do."

Caroline struggled in the hybrids arms again, and grunted loudly. "Please don't. Think about this, if you kill me you will have killed the only person who understands and loves Nik for who he is, and it will be just like Mikael killing Garrett."

Esther paused and gazed at Caroline, but still shook her head. "I'm sorry Caroline. It has to be this way."

Before she could nod, Caroline looked down at Bonnie and her eyes widened as Bonnie's eyes snapped open and she gasped for air.

Esther turned around with a stunned look on her face.

"Impossible"

Bonnie stood up quickly and shook her head. "Love conquers all." Bonnie answered, as she sped over to Esther and grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the tree.

"How" Esther squeaked.

"Kol" Bonnie whispered as she leaned forward and inhaled Esther's scent.

With the hybrids and Abby distracted, Caroline made her move. She broke free of the hybrid and turned around to reach in his chest and pulled out his heart. She moved from hybrid to hybrid and pulled every heart out, with a force that would make Klaus proud, not to mention Damon.

Bonnie leaned towards Esther; the smell of her blood became overwhelming.

Abby approached her daughter softly. "Bonnie" She replied, tearfully.

Bonnie glanced at her mother. "Mom, stay out of this."

"I can't. You have turned into one of them. How could you?"

"Not now, mom. I have something I need to do."

"No you don't need to drink. You can die."

Bonnie turned her head to her mother, and frowned. "I choose this, mom."

"Bonnie" Caroline replied, coming up behind her.

"She has to pay, Care."

Caroline nodded. "I know, but not by you. You are going through a hyper drive of emotions, and bloodlust. I need to do it."

Bonnie glanced at Caroline and knew she was right. She couldn't do it, but the smell was overpowering.

Control, Control she heard in her head.

She imagined Kol's face, and her bloodlust dialed down. She moved away from Esther and Caroline took her place.

"I ask you again. Please reconsider, and get to know your son."

Esther's eyes welled up with tears. "I can't. Kill me."

Caroline raised her hand, but before she could Esther spoke. "Tell him, I love him, and I'm sorry."

Caroline nodded, as she reached into Esther's chest and ripped her heart out quickly.

Bonnie smelled the blood and went straight for Esther's body. Caroline reached for her, and held her tightly.

"Caroline, I need it."

"I know, but not her. She's suffered enough. We'll get you some blood, soon. Come on, let's burn these bodies, and get out of here."

Bonnie nodded, but still smelled the blood emanating from Esther's body.

She bit her lip and continued to help Caroline pile the bodies up and watched as Abby set them on fire.

"I'm sorry, mom, but this was my choice." Bonnie whispered.

Abby wiped her tears and smiled. "You must really love this guy if you were willing to give up your life for him."

Bonnie nodded. "I love him with all my heart."

Abby nodded. "Then, take my life."

Bonnie gaped at her mother, as did Caroline. "What are talking about?"

"You need blood to survive, and I want to help you live. Think of it as my gift to you."

Bonnie shook her head frantically and stepped back. "No, I won't. They have blood banks back at the house; I won't take your life."

Abby approached her daughter with a mix of happiness and sadness in her eyes.

She pulled out a knife and gave her daughter a smile before slitting her wrist.

"Take it, Bonnie."

Bonnie again shook her head frantically. "I can't. I'll kill you."

Abby held up her hand and smiled. "It'll be worth it for you to live. Take it."

Bonnie tried to resist the urge to clamp her mouth around her mother's wrist. Caroline watched her friend's battle and felt sympathy. She knew how hard Bonnie was fighting the urge, and then she realized that Bonnie was stronger than she was.

Bonnie was fighting for her humanity.