"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind."

~William Shakespeare

Why they insisted on destroying this man over and over again was pointless to her. Even after they found out about the bloodlines, how they would all die if he perished, everyone insisted that this world would be better off without him. Frankly, she was sick of it. Pretty damn tired of it if you asked her. Yet they pushed and pushed.

The text messages blew up her phone. Elena called constantly and then Bonnie. She knew what they wanted and for some reason she couldn't bring herself to comply. Being the blonde distraction just wasn't doing it for her anymore. There were more important things on her mind than this stupid search for the cure. Why did they even want to be human again? Why did they want to shove it down Klaus' throat and get rid of him for good? Did they know he had siblings? Siblings, may she add, who would be rather upset to find that their brother was no longer walking around terrorizing the good people of the earth. Sure, the Mikaelson's hated each other, but they'll protect each other at whatever cost.

Though this constant avoidance of him had nothing to do with their secret meetings. It didn't matter that they would meet once or twice a week to talk, to 'get to know each other more' as he put it. She didn't want to do it, she swears, but for some reason he pulled her in. It was only supposed to be a one time thing. She was lonely...Tyler was never around and life was just...hard? Yes, it was very hard. And every night she reminded herself of how horrible he was, how he simply didn't care about anyone other than himself, how it would always remain that way and how it always was that way.

But she didn't know what she was walking into when Tyler called her. He said something about damage control at the Gilbert house, that Elena needed them to take care of something after she left for the island. So after Caroline finished up a few things at her house, she drove over. She wasn't sure what she was expecting but didn't think twice about it. It's probably nothing she's done before.

So rather casually she skipped up the porch steps as she hummed a meaningless tune to herself. Her phone was in her hand as she skimmed through her Twitter feed. A picture of a kitten poking through a toilet paper roll brought a smile to her face and she stepped into the house.

"That's so cute," she said to herself and then called, "Ty? Ty are you in here?"

Caroline set her bag on the couch and placed her phone on the coffee table. She listened for a second and heard movement in the kitchen followed by a few curse words and a deflated sigh.

"Tyler?" She called out again.

She stepped in the kitchen and found him hunched over behind the island. He bumped his head on the counter as he stood, a relieved look on his face as he came over to her.

"Care," he smiled and brushed a kiss on her lips. "Thank God you're here."

"What's the matter?"

"Well-"

Then, out of nowhere it seemed, a low chuckle came from behind her. "Oh yes, tell her what you need help disposing of."

She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of his voice. Tyler closed his eyes, shaking his head as she turned to face him.

He was standing in the middle of Elena's living room, hands behind his back as he smirked at her. She wasn't sure if she should be running or not, though Tyler seemed rather calm. He wouldn't have brought her here if he thought she'd be in danger.

(As if anyone thought Klaus would actually hurt her.)

"What's going on?" She asked slowly.

"Don't look at me, love, I believe your mutt was about to explain all of that."

She obeyed him and turned towards Tyler, raising an eyebrow at him. "I thought I was clear when I told all of you-"

"This has nothing to do with that." Tyler muttered, gaining a curious look from Klaus. "I just need help with the body."

"The what?"

And that's when she saw the burnt corpse on the other side of the island. It lay with a blanket draped over what seemed to be it's legs and she saw the back door wide open. A roll of nausea erupted in her stomach as her eyes widened at the sight. What the hell went on in here?

"Who the hell is that? Did you-"

"God, Caroline, no-"

She whirled around to Klaus, eyes ablaze as she took him in. "Did you burn someone to death? Seriously, Klaus, that's kind of-"

"Actually, love. For once, it wasn't me."

Tyler cleared his throat, glaring at the hybrid before pulling Caroline back to him. "Kol came by earlier today to kill Jeremy. He wanted to stop the search for Silas but Elena got to him first." He sighed, noticing the change in Klaus' expression, "She killed him with the white oak stake."

Caroline swallowed hard and glanced over his shoulder. "Why hasn't he killed everyone yet?"

"Bonnie trapped him in here for a few days, something about the moon and what not. We're safe."

"So they sent you to clean this up?"

Tyler shrugged. "That's what Damon was barking about on the phone."

Caroline sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Elena managed to kill an Original, who would have thought? And then she ran off leaving Caroline with the mess. Figures, some things just never change.

She tried ignoring Klaus as she spoke. "Well what were you planning on doing with him?"

"I don't know. They just told me to get rid of him."

"You won't dare touch him if you know what's good for you." Klaus snapped, now only feet from them. "I'll take care of him when I'm free."

"Then we can leave." Caroline nodded, not wanting to spend anymore time in here than what was absolutely necessary.

"But-"

"Why are you making this hard for yourself? The guy said no, he'll be out of here in a day or two just in time for everyone to get back. They'll never be the wiser."

Tyler rolled his eyes and moved to the cabinet behind him. He reached in for a glass and then bent down to retrieve something from the bottom cabinet. She watched as he come up with a bottle of vodka and poured it happily into his glass.

"Fine, I'll leave the body but I'm staying."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "To do what, exactly?"

He grinned, leaned over to Klaus, and took a sip. "To gloat. He killed my mother, basically ruined my entire life, forgive me if I want to rub this in a little."

"He's really worth all this anger? Don't you want to come home instead?" She tried coaxing him out, trailing her fingers over his clenched fists as he downed another glass.

He ripped his hand away from her. "No thanks. Seeing him all worthless and pathetic just makes it all the more easy for when I do kill him."

Klaus spoke up. "I killed your mother...my brother is dead...we are even."

"Even? Just because you're suffering from one lousy casualty doesn't mean the playing field has been leveled."

"I believe it does." He looked to Caroline. "Now why don't you call your little witch friend and tell her to let me out? I'll take my brother and be out of your hair...for now."

She scoffed and rolled her eyes, walking over to him. "Seriously? I'm trying to get him out. You're still an asshole but right now I'm feeling a little bad. You can stay in there for eternity for all I care, but I'll let you grieve."

"Stop bothering with him, Care. We'll leave in a bit, either get comfy or leave. I don't need you fighting with him." Tyler rolled his eyes.

"Can you just shut up? You're acting like a child," she looked at Klaus, "and you can't recognize that what you did was wrong. I mean might I remind you that this was the house Elena's Aunt Jenna lived in. Tyler's mother is dead and it's not like she was attacking you. You're not innocent in this."

He gritted his teeth and she saw his jaw tightened. There was a different gleam in his eyes tonight but for some reason it didn't stop her. She felt as if she needed to say these things, to remind herself that he was, in fact, a horrible person. Because it seems in these past few weeks she's forgotten it and that's something to be ashamed of, more than ashamed. These people, her friends, would never look at her the same again. She would be deemed a traitor, and they'd never let her forget it.

"God, I don't even know why I bother. You're not going to get it, you never will." Her hands balled up into fists but she whispered to him next, so low that not even Tyler heard. "It's over...I won't do it anymore."

And she didn't know what happened next, it was too fast. Her mind didn't register the poll being stabbed in her stomach as she was brought into his arms. Sooner than she realized his fangs were buried a few inches into her neck and she felt the venom hit her bloodstream. It flowed in easily, as if knowing it's way already as she fell to the floor.

She really did it this time.

Faintly she heard someone calling her name but all she could see was him. He loomed over her, his face darkened and eyes glistened as her lips moved soundlessly to him. She couldn't have picked a better time to be a raging bitch. He was obviously hurt and probably didn't need the extra blame thrown on his shoulders by her. But she insisted, she pushed and pushed until he went toppling over the edge. She just had to end it...but end what exactly?

They've met three or four times, only for an hour at the most. He would talk mostly, tell her things about him as she listened. It shouldn't have meant anything and at first she told herself she was doing it for information. This would make it easier to kill him, to end all of this. But no, of course not. It just made everything all the more difficult, impossible almost.

She felt herself being pulled and that's when he looked away. Tyler had dragged her into the sitting room before finally picking her up and setting her on the couch. He moved a few strands of hair from her face and tried to remain calm but it was proving difficult. Whatever she said to him was enough for him to proceed to stab her and take it as far as biting her. And all because of some stupid words.

"Alright," Tyler said, spinning from the couch to Klaus. "I get it. She wronged you, Elena wronged you, I wronged you...you're better and stronger than us all."

"Finally," Klaus smiled, "Someone's said it."

"But you're willing to let her die because of it? Because that's what's going to happen, you know, she'll die and it'll be your fault."

Klaus stiffened but it was so slightly, such a small change in his posture that Tyler barely noticed. "Well then you will have learned your lesson."

It was in that moment that her breathing picked up. At first she was numb, couldn't comprehend that he actually did what he did. But now it was sinking in, the pain made the tips of her fingers tingle and the skin on her neck bubbled and festered. She moaned as her hand covered the bite and she flinched as her fingers brushed over the blood, pus covered flesh.

"Oh my God," her eyes connected with Klaus' but he looked away from her. "Oh my God. No, not again, not again."

Klaus winced as Tyler turned back to her. He watched him kneel down and cradle her face in his hands. She was hyperventilating, her whole body shook as she stared helplessly into his eyes. He saw the hurt in them, the disappointment and it took everything not to look away. But this was her lesson. This is what she gets for treating him like he's nothing, for breaking off the thing he knows she enjoys all too well. This will teach Tyler to watch his mouth and let everyone in this pony town know who's really in charge.

And it'll all be by her death.

Tyler stood up then, carrying Caroline in his arms. At first Klaus thought he was taking her away and a wave of panic shot through him. But to his surprise Tyler came towards him and crouched down, setting her at the threshold of the living room. Her head rolled to the side as a whimper escaped her lips.

"Tyler?" She looked up at him, confused, but he didn't acknowledge her.

He was looking straight at Klaus. "You won't save her? Fine. But you're going to watch her die."

"Tyler…." Caroline nearly begged. The last thing she wanted was to be left here. What was he thinking?

Without another look Tyler walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him, leaving her to her fate.

For some reason she was holding out longer than she was supposed to.

He moved her to the couch and she clung to him for dear life, fingers curling around his shirt as his arms encased around her. But it ended all too quickly as he bent down and laid her onto the leather cushions. He barely said two words to her the entire time and empty silences were Caroline's pet peeve. But what could she say to him that he didn't already know?

She'll die if he doesn't give her his blood and he knows that. He simply wishes not to acknowledge the truth.

The pain has moved to her neck and crawled down her chest, making it harder to breathe. She doesn't have to breathe but it's this mechanic thing she's been doing for seventeen years and the very fact that she's unable to do it makes her panic. She chokes a little, not realizing it until all the air gets trapped in her lungs. The strangled noise probs Klaus to turn around and his eyes widen at her struggles.

"Caroline-"

"I can't-" She tries to sit up but it's too painful. "I can't breathe."

Klaus smiles solemnly as he sits across from her on the coffee table. "Love, you don't have to breathe."

She looks up at the ceiling and coughs. "Yeah, well I like to breathe."

"Why?" He whispers.

Caroline pauses before answering. "It calms me...reminds me of being human because that's what you're supposed to do, you know. When you're all stressed out and stuff...deep breaths calm you down."

Klaus nods his head although she knows he doesn't understand.

"Tyler," she tries to say because she wants to tell him something, "You know Tyler will never be able to kill you. He only had the courage to say those things because at the moment you're trapped in this room and he's free."

"And I thought the lot of you would be the furthest from my worry, yet somehow, I fear for my life at times." He admitted, his eyes averted from her.

She smiled although it didn't touch her eyes. "Yeah, everyone seems to accomplish the impossible when Elena's life is on the line. But here I am, trapped here with you actually dying and Tyler left me." She shakes her head. "He probably thinks you'll save me like before...because you have some crush on me or something...but it's different this time, isn't it?"

Ever so slightly he nods his head.

"Well, then I'm not sorry for what I said to you." Her voice is softer now. You can hear the actual energy slipping for her as her face pales. "Everything I said was undeniably true and you know that."

"Why you all insist on reminding me of those deeds is beyond me. They're never coming back. It's like rubbing salt on a wound every time someone mentions their names."

"You might not understand this, but they meant something to people. They were loved and losing someone you love...it's not easy, Klaus."

For a mere second, she thought she saw him look back to the kitchen. But perhaps it was just a hallucination.

"I know, Caroline…."

"Do you though? I mean...I know you're in love with me and yet you're going to let me die."

He smiled and nodded his head. "I've always loved you."

It was weird hearing it from him because it seemed to mean so much. Those words weren't insignificant like they seemed to be with everyone else.

And then he was leaning down, lips merely inches for hers as they came to brush against-

"Caroline?"

She seemed dazed, eyes blinking rapidly as she came back to him.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded but didn't say anything.

"I suppose you didn't hear me then."

She shook her head.

He pursed his lips and nodded. "Perhaps it's for the best then."

"Do you though?" Caroline didn't see the point in holding anything back. "Love me, I mean."

"I think I could have."

She coughed again but this time it was more violent, blood dripped from her lips and her neck was oozing. She reached out and gripped his hand as she attempted to breathe one last time.

"Welp," she rasped and coughed again, "I guess I'll never know."

And then her eyes closed but it was a slow motion, like she was doing it for the last time. She stopped trying to breathe and her body stilled.

He looked away for a brief moment, knowing exactly what he was about to do. He was at his breaking point, readying himself to end her misery when her eyes flew open. She shot up off the couch, chest heaving as her eyes fell on him. At first he thought it was fear within her but he was barely focused on her face. His eyes momentarily fell on her neck and saw it was completely healed.

Wait what?

He was up in a flash, hovering above her as he gripped her shoulders.

"Klaus what are you-"

His eyes silenced her as he pushed her matted hair back. It was impossible. Besides from the lingering blood her skin was completely healed, smooth and pure like it's always been. The color was coming back to her cheeks and she seemed to be able to breathe again, just like she wanted to.

She didn't realize she was gripping his sleeve, still gasping as his fingers were on her neck. He was muttering incoherent things under his breath, shaking his head and squeezing his eyes shut. As he pulled away from her he could have sworn she saw his hands tremble.

"Klaus...what's wrong?"

He was shaking his head, running a hand through his hair as he began to pace the room. She felt her wound and sighed in relief as it was healed. But if she was healed then why was he panicking? It was as if she died-

Before she could speak she found his wrist shoved in her mouth, his blood flowing down her throat. It tasted better than she remembered and it felt like so long but it shouldn't have. She usually comes back when he feeds her. Last time her senses snapped and everything became clear again. Her entire body buzzed and it was better than anything she's ever tasted.

Her eyes connected with his as she tried to pull away but he only pushed harder. His expression was torn, features ripped apart as his eyes were glazed with this unknown emotion. For some reason he couldn't believe it. She couldn't be healed, that's not how it works. And the thought of sending her home without a stitch of his blood running through her troubled him more than he liked.

She muffled something against his skin as she shoved his wrist away.

"What the hell is the matter with you?"

He swallowed hard and attempted to say something.

"Well?" She wiped her lips.

"You…do you remember anything?"

She eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "What are you talking about? We had our little talk and then I got super tired. I closed my eyes and then I remember waking up to you all over me."

He sighed and shook his head as he took his spot back on the coffee table. "Caroline, you...God I don't know if I can say it."

"Did I die? Oh my God am I dead or something? Klaus-" The tears were pricking her eyes, threatening to stream down her flushed cheeks. But he grabbed her shoulders, squeezing them lightly as he attempted a smile.

"No, love. In fact, you're very far from it."

"Then what's going on?"

She watched him swallow and he looked to the right of him for a moment. His hands slipped and disappointment flooded her as her skin seemed to burn from the loss of touch. For some reason she was aching for it back, restraining her hands from dragging him back to her.

This was different...odd...something wasn't right.

"You...you healed yourself, Caroline. I was about to save you. I turned away for only a second, I swear, and then you were sitting up on the couch and the bite was gone."

If there was ever a time to panic, to completely freak out, then this was it. She knew if she were human she probably would have fainted or stumbled back against something. Because this was...this was impossible, right? You can't heal yourself from something as severe as this. And it's not as if he didn't really bite her. She cringed at the memory of his fangs digging into her neck, ripping apart her skin as she fell to the floor. She felt the venom, had the hallucination of him kissing her and even lost her ability to breathe. The sweat coated her entire body and blood still remained on her shoulder for proof.

She was staring at him, not sure what to say, or what to do. Her eyes blinked a few times and her nails were digging into Elena's couch. If her heart could beat it would have given her a heart attack by now because she wasn't getting it. None of this was making any sense.

"Klaus, I don't understand."

He looked down at his clasped hands. "I'm not sure what to tell you. I didn't feed you any blood prior, and it's been a while since you had it. There's no way it could still have an effect. It's out of your system by now."

"So what does this mean? Am I immune? Does it not affect me anymore?" Caroline questioned as he held out her wrist. "Here, bite me again. See what happens."

Klaus narrowed his eyes. "I will not bite you again, are you insane?"

"Hey, I'm just trying to figure things out here."

"Well potentially killing you again wasn't what I had in mind."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "You did it twice, what's the harm in one more time?"

"It wouldn't work anyway. I already fed you my blood so there wouldn't be a point."

She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. "Well I don't know what you want to do but I have to get home. I'm gross and my mom's going to be there soon and it's late-"

"Who says you're leaving?"

She was halfway off the couch when she scoffed. "And since when are you in charge of me?"

"Caroline something could happen and I won't be there to stop it. As you can see, I'm currently trapped here and, therefore, am unable to watch you as needed."

"The only person here who needs watching is you. You're all mourning, and depressed, and raging with blood lust. It's good this barrier will hold for a little while longer." She bounced completely off the couch then and headed for the door when she was yanked back.

"Caroline-"

She whirled around, teeth gritted together as she stared at him. "I will be fine. I have your blood and apparently I'm good with the whole bite thing. But right now, I can't be here anymore because this is freaking me out and Tyler's probably worried, and my mom-"

He was inches from her now, lips slightly parted as his eyes roamed her face. His hands were twitching beside him and something was churning his insides. He felt undeniably sick with the thought of her going home and dying helplessly in her bed because he couldn't be there. For a brief second he debated in snapping her neck just to keep her here. But the consequences of that were something he didn't want to live through.

"Please, please, for the love of God go straight home. You go straight home and stay inside, understand?" He paused, waiting for her to answer. "Do you understand me?"

Caroline frowned and licked her lips slowly before nodding her head. She had the urge to reassure him, to reach out and stroke his cheek or squeeze his hand. Anything to let him know that it would be okay, that she would wake up tomorrow better.

"I'll come back if it makes you happy." She peered at him through her long lashes. "Does that make you happy?"

He smiled but it was a weak, fake smile. She knew it all too well. "Yes...yes it does."

She nodded, content with leaving them on these terms. Without another thought she collected her things and headed towards the door. She looked back only once before exiting but it was strange. As soon as she exited the home her neck stung even though her skin remained smooth and healed. She tried to shake it off as she headed towards her car because this was just insane. Totally, absolutely insane.

Why is it always her? You don't see Elena getting caught up in shit like this. At least her situations are explanatory. Everyone either wants her blood or her death, and that's easy. But this? This is on an entirely different level. A level, may she add, that she had no intention of reaching.

Though it seems the universe or fate or whatever the hell it's called...has other plans for her.

It was a few days after Caroline left the Gilbert house. She had stopped by occasionally per Klaus' request, twirling and spinning in all her fineness. He still believed that she was going to collapse at any moment, like she was some fragile girl unable to take care of herself. But everyday she proved him wrong.

He had dozed off, his eyes closing momentarily as he waited for her. It had been almost impossible for him to get any sleep. Who knows what these people would manage to do if he closed his eyes for a few minutes?

Minutes, that's all it was. His eyes shut and before he knew it they were open again. But now sunlight was peaking through the window and he heard movement coming from upstairs. There had to be at least three people in the house. One in the kitchen and two upstairs. He immediately bolted up, preparing himself for the worst. But then he heard an oddly familiar voice.

"Elena! Jeremy! Guys, come on, you're going to be late for school!"

His body went rigid, eyes going wide as he flashed to the corner of the room. It sounded exactly like-

"Sorry, I couldn't find my sweater." Elena popped into the kitchen, long brown hair swaying behind her as she took the mug of coffee on the counter. "And I'm pretty sure Jeremy is still sleeping."

The woman, whose name he couldn't place, sighed. "I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with him. He has to leave in five minutes."

"You guys have no faith in me." The infamous Gilbert boy entered the room but his appearance floored Klaus. He was dressed in all black, as if he was ready to go to some funeral. His hair was covering his eyes as he slung the bookbag over his shoulder. His voice was distant and he rolled his eyes as he came into the kitchen.

The woman seemed relieved. "Oh good, you're up. Do you want some breakfast? Coffee? Juice?"

Jeremy glared at her and shook his head. "I'm just going to go."

"Are you sure? I really don't mind-"

"I'm fine, Aunt Jenna."

Klaus' body stilled, his eyes popped out of his head as he watched the scene unfold before him. Aunt Jenna...Elena's aunt….

"I mean might I remind you that this was the house Elena's Aunt Jenna lived in."

He shivered as he remembered Caroline's words. But how could she be alive? How could the doppelganger be human? He smelled it on her as soon as she entered the room and Jeremy was the farthest thing from a hunter. It was almost as if he was thrown back in time, years before he returned to this town.

His body was shaking as he watched the pair leave together. Jenna had let out a relieved sigh as the door closed behind them and gathered up her things. She seemed tired as she sipped her coffee, trudging out of the kitchen and heading towards the stairs. He watched her carefully, eyes calculating her every move as she went up the stairs. Her phone rang and she talked to someone for a few minutes before heading into the bathroom and turning on the shower. He waited a few moments, sure she wasn't to come out before he attempted to leave.

Klaus smiled as he flashed out and onto the porch. Everything seemed the same, exactly how he remembered it. Perhaps this was just some dream or he was being cooped up in that house for too long. He couldn't possibly-

"Here you go," the paper boy on his bike rode by, throwing a newspaper right into Klaus' hands.

He caught it easily, not thinking much of it as he tossed it onto the ground. But as he walked away his eyes caught something in the corner of the paper.

It was the date.

October 10th...2009.

Soo this is my new play on a Time Travel Fic! I hope you all liked it. This has been my little project for a while now and I'm so excited to get this fic moving, I have so much planned for it! And special thanks to Laura (eternityofklaroline) for all the help with this fic, the ideas and getting me going with it! Also thanks to my beta, Stephanie (klarolinedrabbles) for helping me out so much!

I would love to know what you think! Good, bad, awful?

Thanks for reading and have a great week!