This was requested by Anonymus. Enjoy! Review!

Pairing: Klaus/OC

Prompt: Klaus says some hurtful things to OC, and she decides to end things. Your choice whether they get back together or not.

Summary: Klaus is having a very stressful week, and takes it out on Haley.

I Can't Be Perfect

Haley felt the tension as soon as she entered Klaus' office. He didn't even look up when she came in; he was focusing solely on the papers in front of him. Headmaster Randolph and Professor Schuyler had been gone for three weeks, leaving a lot of the academy's affairs to be handled by Klaus.

It was not going well.

Well, to anyone else, there was nothing wrong with him. He was the same Emperor he'd always been. She knew the stress was getting to him, because of his temper. Even Elias had abandoned him after a particular nasty fight the other day. He'd advised her to do the same, but she couldn't leave Klaus to his own devices when he was so stressed.

Not knowing what to do, she set about doing the usual afternoon routine. At least, she tried to. When she went to pick up the books off Klaus' desk, he snapped, "Did I tell you to put those away?"

She backed away. "Sorry."

Next, she decided to organize the documents on the coffee table. She didn't even get to touch the first pile before Klaus' voice was snapping at her again. "Haley, leave those alone."

His tone was starting to wear on her nerves.

Tea, she decided. What they both needed was tea. With this much tension in the room, tempers were definitely running short. Haley prepared his favorite tea, making sure not to mess it up. The last thing she needed was for him to tell her it tasted bad.

Pleased with the result, Haley took a cup to Klaus. He looked at it, and glared at her. "Do you really think I have time for tea?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I think you could really use it, Klaus."

He continued to glare at her. "I think I know when I do and do not need tea. Right now, I need you out of my way."

"Fine," she said, hurt. She went to pick up the cup just as he reached to give it to her.

Their hands collided, sending the tea all over the documents he was looking at.

"Damn it, Haley." Klaus growled, "Those were very important papers."

She winced, "I'm so sorry."

He stood up from his desk. "You're sorry? What's apologizing going to do? Why didn't you just leave things alone?"

Her shoulders slumped. "I was just trying to help."

"Trying to help?" Klaus said, "You've been trying to help this whole time, when all you've done is create more things for me to fix."

She took out her wand and said, "Look, I'll dry the papers-"

Klaus held up a hand. "Don't even think about it. With your luck, you'll cause them to grow legs and run away. I'm pissed off enough already."

Now that hurt. "I haven't made a mistake like that in ages!"

Klaus' laugh was anything but genuine. "Haley, all you do is make mistakes! You say you're trying to help me when all you've really accomplished is making my life more stressful. Can you not go one day without pissing me off? You messed up the spell in class the other day, and it took me hours to get all the students back to normal!"

Haley couldn't believe he was bringing that up. It wasn't even her fault. She said, "That mess up wouldn't have happened if that other student hadn't bumped into me as I was casting, and you know it."

"It was still a mess I had to fix," Klaus said. His tone suggested he had won that argument.

Frustrated, she threw up her hands. "I'm not perfect, Klaus."

"I am the Prefect, and a Goldstein. My reputation must be beyond reproach. Everything I do must be perfect, that includes the actions of my girlfriend." Klaus wasn't looking at her now.

She sucked in a breath, "What happened to putting what's between us before status and position?"

He was already sitting down again. "Why are we even having this conversation? I have a lot of work to do. This is wasting time."

He was right. It was a waste of time. "You're right. I won't bother you again." Frustrated, heartbroken and mad, Haley grabbed her stuff and left.

Haley ended up taking comfort in the various animals at her favorite spot in the northern valley. She hadn't called them, but they always knew when she needed them.

Today's fight had been… Haley didn't know what to think. Were they over? Did he really want her to be perfect? She loved Klaus with every fiber of her being, but she just couldn't do it. She knew she wasn't perfect, had never pretended to be. She thought Klaus had liked that about her…

Haley reluctantly said goodbye to her friends as it got dark. She didn't want to get caught out past curfew. With her luck, she would have to see Klaus again. She just wasn't ready for that. If he meant what he said… No, she'd never be ready.

Amelia was waiting up for her, and Haley told her about the fight. She was sympathetic, and angry on Haley's behalf. Haley appreciated the support, but wasn't quite up to Klaus bashing just yet. She still loved him, even if he didn't think she was good enough for him.

She waited until they had settled down for the night to let the tears flow.

The next morning, Haley was careful about her appearance. She needed to appear unaffected. The last thing she wanted was for Klaus to know she'd spent the night crying over him.

She made her way to class, faking a smile to everyone who called out to her. If anyone thought it was weird to see her before class, they didn't say anything.

Elias glanced up when she walked into class. He said, "I thought you'd be with my brother until class started."

She shrugged, "I'll just be in his way."

Her tone must have alerted him, because he said, "What happened?"

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it."

He nodded, but still kept sneaking glances at her throughout class. Haley was not really interested in today's lessons. Normally, she enjoyed Professor Merkulova's lectures, but her heart just wasn't in it today. Thankfully, he kept his questions to a minimum, not even asking her any as he was prone to do.

Haley was able to pass most of the day this way. Elias stuck by her, even going as far as sitting with her during lunch instead of going to the library to study. She was grateful for the companionship, even if he didn't know exactly what had happened.

They walked into their last class, the one that was normally Professor Schuyler's. As she had feared, Klaus was teaching the class today. They took their seats, Elias looking between the two.

Klaus walked up to them. "Haley, we need to talk."

No, she didn't want to talk. "Was there something I could help you with, Prefect?"

Klaus ran a hand through his hair. "Don't be like this. Come to my office after class."

"Are you making it an order?" She asked.

Klaus glared at her. "If I have to, then yes."

She shrugged, "Alright, I guess I'll go to your office after class."

She could feel him staring at her, but she ignored him. Instead, she took out her book to do some reading before the bell rang. After a while, he moved to the front.

Elias said, "You never call him Prefect."

She didn't get a chance to say anything, because the bell rang. She made sure to pay attention this time, so that Klaus would have no reason to pick on her. It didn't help. If he asked a question, he was asking her the question. Her answers started becoming short as time passed on, the tension building between the two. At one point, Elias tried to answer for her, but Klaus sent him a stare that caused him to wilt in his seat.

She was the first one out the door when the bell rang. Her intention had been to get away from Klaus, but then she remembered he had ordered her to go to his office. Wanting to get it over with, she walked quickly, not surprised he had already beaten her there.

He was sitting on his couch, and gestured for her to join him once she closed the door. He said, "Look, about yesterday-"

Suddenly, what she needed to do came to her. She interrupted him, "Wait. I've given what you said a lot of thought. You're right."

His face was startled. "I am?"

She nodded, "You family is very influential, and you are an Elite Wizard Knight. People look to you, and you were correct in saying your reputation couldn't be harmed. I understand that. That is why I can't be with you."

His face paled. "Haley, you can't mean that."

She smiled sadly, "I do. You need someone who will protect that image, someone that fits perfectly with the Goldstein name. That person isn't me. I love you, and that's why I am doing this." It was best for the both of them. "I really hope we can still be friends."

She left before she could change her mind.

Haley cried for the first week, Amelia having to make excuses to the housemother so that she wouldn't have to go to class.

The second week was a little better. The professor and headmaster were back, so she didn't see Klaus all that much. Elias was fully aware of the situation now. He had called them idiots more times than she could count. He also acted as a deterrent for Luca, who had found out she was single.

The third week came, and she found she could breathe without the ache in her chest. It came back every time she saw Klaus, but it was only when she saw him. As long as she didn't think about him, the ache wasn't there. Luca continued to chase her, and Haley found herself flattered even if she wasn't all that interested.

By the time the fourth week came, Haley was feeling like herself again. Seeing Klaus no longer hurt her, and she found she could even help him with errands without wanting to hide from everything.

She was taking some books back for him when she saw the headmaster walking down the hall. With him was Mrs. Goldstein.

Haley panicked and started to turn back the way she'd come, but her name was already being called. It felt like she was preparing for battle when she straightened her shoulders, and met them with a smile. "Hello, Mrs. Goldstein. It's nice to see you again."

Mrs. Goldstein quickly embraced her. "I've told you to call me Alice, Haley. I'm here, because Klaus hasn't responded to any of my letters. Now that I have a chance though, why don't we go into town and get fitted for the gowns we'll be wearing for Walter's magical tool ceremony. I told Elaine we should all match in color…"

Listening to Alice go on, like she was a part of the family was too much for Haley. Sucking in a breath, she dashed off without a word.

Alice watched her go, confused. "What did I say?"

Headmaster Randolph sighed, "I thought maybe one of your sons would have told you by now. Klaus and Haley are no longer together. They separated a month ago."

Alice shook her head. "Why would they go and do something like that? She's a lovely addition to the family. Anyone can see she loves me son." Deciding to get to the bottom of this, Alice marched to Klaus' office.

Haley ended up back at her spot. The tears wouldn't stop pouring down her face. She was a fool to think she'd gotten over him. She didn't think she'd ever get over him. All these weeks of being strong and trying to move on were nothing but a farce. There was no getting over the man you're in love with.

Haley stood up, needing to do something to keep her mind occupied. All she wanted to do was run to Klaus, and make up.

In the end, she didn't have to run to Klaus. He came to her.

His hair looked like he'd run his fingers through it many times. He didn't have his jacket or cloak on, and his shirt was slightly unbuttoned. He said, "You've been crying."

She sniffed, "I'm having a moment of weakness."

They just looked at each other, both very miserable. Then, Klaus was holding out his arms and she was jumping into them. They hugged each other fiercely, neither wanting to let go. Haley loved being in his arms again. It was like coming home.

Klaus pulled away, and looked down at her. "Haley, I meant none of what I said that night. I was frustrated and stressed. I don't need you to be anything else but who you are. Don't you see? You are perfect. You're perfect for me."

Klaus kissed her, both moaning at the contact. He was exactly as she remembered. His hair still ran smoothly threw her fingers, and his body still fit perfectly with hers. She had missed this, missed him.

He broke away, and glared at her. "You are never to leave me again, Haley."

Then he was kissing her again, not giving her the chance to disagree.

There you go guys. Hope you enjoyed. Either way, let me know. This is probable the first of many I will do. They don't all have to be Klaus, so send in requests.