A/N: This is my continuation/rewrite of the ending of 3x11.
"You're free." Klaus stated simply.
"No, I'm dying." Caroline said with no emotion. Her eyes flittered up to Klaus' face and showed no sympathy for him.
"And I could let you," began Klaus as he sat softly on Caroline's death bed, "die. If that's what you want. If you really believe your existence has no meaning. I've thought about it myself," Klaus though back to his long existence, "Once or twice over the centuries, truth be told. But I'll let you in on a little secret. There is a whole world out there waiting for you. Great cities and art and much. Genuine beauty. And you can have all of it. You can have a thousand more birthdays. All you have to do is ask."
Caroline took a shaky breath. Genuine beauty, that's what she'd always wanted it wasn't? Wasn't that the one thing she'd truly given up on ever finding? But surely if Klaus knew it was out there it must be, right? "I don't want to die." I want to see this beauty, she thought, I want to be the beauty you speak of.
Klaus gingerly place his hand under Caroline and securely placed her in his arms. His sleeve rolled up, Klaus offered her his blood. "There you go, love. Have at it."
And the second that Caroline bit into him, Klaus felt an emotion that he'd never felt before – or at least hadn't felt in a long time. He felt a connection; a lightness flew threw his body—what was that? Could it have been happiness? Surely not. But as he said the words he knew it was, "Happy Birthday, Caroline."
He lay her gently back on her bed and arose. He was Klaus, her enemy, she wouldn't feel this sort of emotion towards him, and so as he rose and began to exit, he knew he must push the feeling of happiness aside.
But his heart tugged at him and wouldn't let him let the feeling go when he heard her voice again.
"Klaus?" Her voice was weak as she was still recovering, but the determination in her voice was as thick as fog in the early morning.
He turned slowing on his heel, "Yes, love?"
"Don't leave." She begged him with her eyes, "Please." She threw him a weak smile as she said her final word, "Love."
He smiled a genuine smile as he laughed under his breath. He walked slowly towards her as he began talking, "You see, I would, Love," He smiled at her, "but you see I've got this friend. And you see, it's her birthday," His accent was thick and she loved it, "And I haven't given her a present. How un-gentlemanly of me, correct."
She smiled and nodded in agreement, playfully.
"Well, she's an amazing little thing," He sat back down on her bed and rested his hand on her knee. "And deserves the best present. I most go find it." He leaned gently towards her, "But as soon as a find it. I will be back."
"How can I believe you?" She asked was a sad smile. This was Klaus after all, and just because he had her mother's trust didn't mean he had hers.
His hand rose from her knee and graced her cheek. "You have my word, love. I always keep my word."
Klaus got up ready to leave again, but she stopped him one last time.
"Can I have your word on something else, too, Klaus?"
"What is it, sweetheart?"
"Will you be here for my thousandth birthday as well?"
He smiled at her and saw that Caroline Forbs was lonely. Caroline Forbs might have been just as lonely as Klaus was. "You will not be alone," He said clearly, "You have my word."
And as he turned to leave, she settled into her bed. Just before dozing off, Caroline saw Klaus throw he once last smile as he mouthed the words Happy Birthday, once last time before heading out the door.
SO, SHOULD I CONTINUE?