Red

Caroline inwardly groaned when she saw the two figures approaching from the forest.

It was just her luck, really.

After a disaster of a date with Tyler, she'd refused to let him drive her home, which was how she found herself walking the deserted highway in the middle of the night. Normally this would have been fine - since stranger danger wasn't so much of an issue when a vampire - except after only a quarter-mile of the way, the left heel of her brand new red peep toes gave a telltale snap, she realized she'd left her cell phone in Tyler's car, and now she could smell the distinct smell of eau de not very friendly werewolf.

Caroline wrinkled her nose. If only she could bottle it.

Seriously, was it not bad enough that her boyfriend was more interested in some new computer game than in celebrating their 6 month anniversary?

"Look, boys," Caroline called out, "I'm having a really bad night, and I'm sure you are too. What do you say we just pretend we didn't see each other, and go on our separate ways?"

Unfortunately, the two werewolves weren't so interested in negotiating, as instead of giving a counteroffer they crouched low for a split-second before charging towards her.

"Right," she muttered under her breath. "The hard way, then."

Two seconds later, Caroline had her remaining good shoe pegged at the first werewolf, cringing slightly at the squishing sound when the shoe hit the target dead centre, the spike heel embedded in the werewolf's neck. The second werewolf stopped abruptly at the sight of his friend lying on the ground.

"Like I said," she tried again, "let's just all walk away, you get your friend some help, and we all live to tell the tale."

Caroline watched in tense silence as the two werewolves evaluated the situation, then slowly made their way back through the forest, but not without shooting a few nasty glares in her direction. She mourned the good shoe that they took with them. When they were out of sight, Caroline turned expectantly, and Klaus stepped out from under the shadows.

"Excellent shot," he critiqued. "Your aim has improved. I would advise you to take the offensive more often, since negotiating does not always work. And you should probably work on your hand-to-hand combat, in case your opponents outnumber your shoes."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Yes, sensei."

She didn't know how it started, but Klaus had taken to appearing at any scuffles she managed to get herself into, and offering - very unsolicited, thank you very much - advice about her technique.

Caroline blinked in surprise when Klaus suddenly flashed in front of her, reaching out to pull a stray leaf from her hair. "My offer to train you still stands," he said softly.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How do I know you're not setting up these attacks, as part of some weirdo savior teacher fantasy?"

Klaus grinned. "I promise you that I have nothing to do with that, love. But if it's your fantasy, I'm happy to explore with you."

"You wish, you freaky stalker," Caroline scoffed, and started to walk in the direction of her home again.

"You wound me, sweetheart." Klaus fell in step beside her.

A few moments later, he said quietly, "I'm just trying to ensure your safety."

Caroline mulled over his words as they walked the rest of the way in silence, accompanied by the sound of their footsteps on the pavement, the TVs playing in her neighborhood, the jangle of her keys as she turned the lock. Even though he had an invitation, Klaus waited outside.

Despite their earlier light exchange, Caroline could see the lingering tenseness in his shoulders, the gold that tinged his eyes, and the restraint that lined his body as if every instinct had been telling him, back on the side of that highway, to attack.

"Klaus," she said, choosing her words carefully. "I can take care of myself. I'm not some damsel in distress."

And they both knew that he'd never treated her as one.

Klaus gave a slow smile, and said simply, "I know."

As he sped back in the direction from which they'd come, Caroline stood for a moment in the doorway, listening to the distant sounds of a hunter rustling through the forest, before shutting the door.

For their sakes, she hoped that those werewolves had already left town.