He reached up and brushed his fingers across her cheek.
"He is your first love." His heart warmed at the joyous expression that graced her face.
"I intend to be your last."
She felt a tear slip out of the corner of her eye. He turned, as if to walk away. Even though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Klaus,"
He stopped. Had she said his name?
"Yes Caroline?"
"Thank you. For coming, for saving me and…" She didn't know what to say. This felt so wrong, thanking the immortal murderer, but it also just felt right.
He took a quick step toward her and placed a swift kiss on her cheek. His heart fluttered when she didn't flinch away.
"You're welcome love. Come, let's get out of here, before twelve angry hybrids decide to pick a fight." He offered her his hand, not fully expecting her to take it. Her face didn't falter, she slipped her hand in his, ignoring his shocked expression.
"Let's."
What was she doing? Why was she inviting the half vampire, half werewolf, full fledged serial killer into her home? That's what her inner voice was screaming at her, but why wasn't she listening. She didn't quite know.
He paused at the door, not sure what to do.
"Come in Klaus." She said, ever the confident Miss Mystic Falls. What was she doing? he thought, inviting me into her home?
"Caroline,"
"Yes?"
"You know what." He stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"I really don't know. I just, I'm not sure what I'm happy about. The fact that you let Tyler back in Mystic Falls, or the fact that Tyler is back in Mystic Falls." She admitted.
His mind went blank. He didn't know what to say. Here she was, saying everything he'd been hoping she'd say for the past how many years of his immortal life. Here she was, making him feel something real, for the first time since he could dare remember. He'd been wishing for this moment for centuries. Why couldn't he think of anything to say now?
"Klaus? Oh God, I shouldn't have said anything. I- I guess I'm sorry." She rambled, mentally slapping herself.
The rejected expression on her face brought him back to reality.
"Caroline," he interrupted her muttering.
She looked up at him, embarrassed.
"Don't be sorry." He said softly, cautiously taking a step into her home. But he stayed there.
"I'm not used to this." he admitted.
She stayed silent.
So did he. So that was it then?
"Maybe...maybe you should go." She drew in a shaky breath, trying to hold back tears. Heightened emotions, something else she disliked about Vampire life.
His face fell. He didn't want to leave. Why didn't he want to leave? He scowled at the ground.
"Fine."
"Fine." Her voice struggled to keep from breaking.
She took two quick steps across the room and got right in his face, "If you want to go, then go." Her hands pushed lightly at his chest. He allowed her to push him back a step.
"I hate this. This always being second choice. I don't want to feel like this anymore." Her voice came out cold. What was she doing?
"I'm not going to let myself feel like this anymore. Congratulations Klaus, I'm going to be like you. Cold and unforgiving. That's the way it usually goes isn't it?" Her voice was rising.
Was she turning off her emotions? No, he couldn't bear to see this precious light burn out.
"Sweetheart, stop."
"Stop what? I'm not doing anything. You're doing it. You don't want me."
He put his hands on her shoulders. "Caroline, look at me please."
He took one hand and trailed it across her cheekbone, ending at the corner of her mouth. She stopped breathing.
She couldn't look away from his eyes, they held her there.
He gently, uncharacteristically gently, brushed his lips against hers. His other hand came up to hold her face. His fingers gently pushed her curls back behind her ears.
He pulled away, fighting his impulse to take her when she was so obviously willing. He wanted to have her, but he knew he shouldn't do it this way. Where all of this sense and reason and emotion was coming from, he didn't know.
He trailed his lips to her ear, "Sleep well, Caroline."
Then, in another breath, he was gone