Klaus slammed the door to the Forbes residence after finding it empty. He had been hoping to find her either curled in her bed getting some much-needed rest or, the more preferable, to see her bright and shining as she flitted about her home. Anything to scrub the image he held in his mind from just twenty-four hours ago when he saw her last. Screaming and writhing in pain and covered in her own blood. Opting to leave his car behind, not only as a way to sneak up on the group but to leave a message behind to her Mother that he was looking for her, Klaus flashed off towards the one place this group seemed to frequent when things got rough and they were flailing for answers.

His muscles burned and ached with the force and speed he exerted. He welcomed it, welcomed the temporary physical pain of each branch that sliced him, each rocked he kicked with bone crushing force. He never thought himself to be a masochist, but the pain was a small relief from the constant worry and images of what Caroline had gone through at his expense.

As he reached the edge of the tree line bordering the Salvatore's front lawn Klaus slowed to a brisk walk, giving his body time to heal and his mind a chance to collect itself. He needed to be at his best and most cunning, especially with his feelings towards Caroline well-known.

His keen hearing picked up the high-pitched frustration of the latest doppelgänger arguing.

"This isn't right and you know it Damon!"

"What else are we supposed to do Elena?"

"Listen to me in the first place when I said I didn't want to help Esther, maybe take my thoughts and feelings into account since this is my life and my friend? But not this! There has to be another way!"

"There is no other way Elena. Not until someone comes up with a better plan. Would you please explain why we came to this decision Stefan?"

"Yes Stefan, please explain to the group what exactly is going on." On any other day, during any other occasion Klaus would have smirked, taking pride in the equally surprised gasps from all around the room. But not today, not when the one face he had come to see was nowhere to be found as he scanned the room. "Where's Caroline."

Watching them all fidget and avoid his demand did nothing to quell his mounting anger. Side stepping the elder Salvatore as he came his way for which ever distraction technique he had chosen for the moment, Klaus made his way towards Elena.

"As you seem to be the only one not thrilled with whatever the situation may be, I trust that you'll be more than happy to explain." With a warning glare at the two brothers Klaus turned back towards Elena with an impatient yet encouraging grin.

"After everything happened we brought Caroline back here. It wasn't long after her Mom showed up that she woke up. But…I…that's…" Her brown eyes glanced rapidly around the room before she rushed, "that's when things went really wrong."

"Wrong how?" Klaus felt his control slip, his fist clenching as his jaw ticked.

Stefan edged his was closer to Elena taking over the conversation, "Caroline attacked her Mother."

Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire and feeling unsure if they would rat him out about Caroline's current situation being his idea, Damon threw his hands up and quickly left the room.

Klaus's eyes bulged before scoffing in disbelief, "She would never."

"No she wouldn't. But whatever Esther did to her caused her to lose every memory she's ever had. She woke up panicked and when her Mom tried to calm her down, Caroline bend her arm back and tossed her across the room." Stefan cringed, wishing he had been the one to get to Caroline first, "She's okay. Bonnie took her to the hospital, she has a slight concussion and a dislocated shoulder. Once Bonnie is sure the Sherriff is settled into a room for the night she's heading back over here to pour over the books we have to try and figure this thing out."

"Well," Klaus stuttered as he processed all he was being told before regaining his bearings, "Now that that is settled, I've yet to hear the answer to my original question." He took a menacing step towards the couple, his eyes flashing yellow with every word his spoke, "Where. Is. Caroline."

"Klaus I don't think…"

"Stefan stop." Elena placed a hand to his chest interrupted him, her hopeful yet hesitant eyes peering up at him, "Maybe Klaus can help."

"Elena you don't know…"

"Of course I can Elena. You know I'll help Caroline, that I'd never hurt her." Klaus spoke smoothly, his grey eyes deceivingly innocent, "I can tell that you are as concerned about Caroline's state as am I, and that you don't agree with whatever mess they've put her in. Now, how about you be a dear and show me where she is, hmm?"

"One condition Klaus." Elena gulped, trying desperately not to show just how nervous she was, "I'll take you to Caroline on one condition."

"Come now Elena, you know I'll find her one way or another." It was a true testament to his restraint in keeping his smile comforting while his words spoke of more bloody and deadly intent, "I don't think you're in any position to be making demands."

"It's not for me, it's for her."

"I'm listening." Klaus gritted through his teeth, his patients wearing thin.

Gulping down once more, Elena showed a strength she little felt, "You can't hurt anyone in this house."

Klaus placed his hand to his chest mockingly, "I'm truly offended. My main concern here Caroline's well being."

"Right." Stefan scoffed before pushing off the side of the sofa, "Lets get this over with."

Klaus followed them through the hall and into the kitchen. His rage mounting with every step that led them towards the basement where he knew the locked cells of the house to be. His barely contained rage must have shown on his face, the moment they reached to bottom of the stairs Stefan tossed him the key before grabbing Elena and flashing her up the stairs.

"Coward." Klaus sneered, "You used to be so much braver than most."

With his hesitation to open the door, Klaus wasn't sure just who his words were meant for, Stefan or himself.

Shoving the key into the lock, he listened for any movement from within before slowly pushing the door open, her name a hesitant whisper on his lips. Within a second he was flung against the wall just outside of the cell, his arms full of an angry and snarling blonde as she fought him to gain her freedom.

Banding his arms firmly around her like a steel yet gentle vise Klaus shushed her, "Shh, it's okay. It's okay. It's me. You're safe."

He felt her gasp against his chest, her body freezing even as her muscles stayed clenched and poised to run. Her matted hair fell from her face as she lifted her head to look at him. Her red eyes turned to a mesmerizing blue, full of trust and relief when she finally spoke before throwing her arms tightly around his neck.

"It's you! You came back!"

Stunned Klaus ran his trembling hand over the back of her head, "Of course I did Caroline."

Caroline pulled her head back to look at him and what he found there left him feeling out of sorts. Her eyes filled with tears, her lower lip quivered as her voice carried her fear and devastation.

"You said you'd keep me safe. And when I woke up you were gone." Her nose crinkled as she sniffled. "I woke up surrounded by people I didn't know and the only one I could remember was gone. And I…I…think I hurt someone and then they…they locked me up. I didn't know where you were. I didn't even know who to ask for."

Klaus felt his heart break at the sight of her tears tracking down her dirty cheeks as her voice cracked. Carefully he wiped one side of her face to clear them and once assured of her acceptance he moved to the other, "I'm deeply sorry Sweetheart. I would have been here, I should have been here. I've been searching for you I swear it."

To his upmost relief, that seemed to placate her for the time being. Lifting her up to her feet, he swung her into his arms, "Now how about we get you out of here and cleaned up. Then we shall see what we can do about correcting your current condition."

Caroline wrapped an arm around the back of his neck, the other resting trustingly against his chest as he began the trek up the stairs, "I still don't know what to call you." She hummed against his shoulder.

"How remiss of me Sweetheart." He grinned cheekily down to her as he shouldered the door to the kitchen open, "Call me Klaus."

"Klaus." She tested the name before smiling softly with a whisper, "I knew you'd come back for me, Klaus."

He paused mid stride, glancing down to her with every ounce of honesty he possessed, "Always Sweetheart. I will always come for you."

Her brows wrinkled adorably as he continued carrying her down the hall. She gave him little time to wonder what was running through her mind before she spoke, "You keep calling me sweetheart. Are we like, dating or something?"

Klaus's choke was echoed by the three occupants of the foyer blocking the front door.

"Well well well. Looks like Klausy might just rewrite history and take advantage of this whole situation."

Klaus's response was stopped when he felt Caroline's hand fist tightly into his shirt at the sound of Damon's voice, "I don't like you." Her livid eyes and equally hard tone was aimed towards the vampire in question.

Damon shrugged his shoulders without a care, "Feeling's mutual. Nothing new there. Hey!" He snapped his fingers with a sarcastic grin, "Maybe she does have her memories after all."

"Damon." Stefan growled warningly as Elena gasped at him, "Now is not the time for jokes."

"Me? I'm the one joking? You can really be thinking of letting Klaus sprint off with your beloved best gal-pal now are you? Why he might fill her head with all sorts of despicable nonsense."

Klaus groaned under his breath at the two looks of concern and the one filled with nothing but mischief. He swore if Damon wasn't such a prat, he and Kol would get on famously. Glancing down to Caroline he softened his facial expression, "While Damon's jabs are in poor form allow me to reassure you as well as the rest of the group," He shot a hard glare at the others before softening once more as he looked back to the blonde in his arms, "No we are not dating. While my interest in you is well known, I promise to comport myself with nothing but honor and respect when it comes to you. You have my word. As for others, I make no such accord."

The onset of arguing that ensued was nothing but muffled background noise as he stared into Caroline's wide, trusting blue eyes. After a few moments she must have registered the irritating sounds as well for, in a very Caroline-like manner, she huffed with an eye roll before addressing the others.

"Look while I appreciate your concern about me, I don't know any of you. And before you go on again about losing my memories and all that crap just know that to me, as in me right now, I don't remember anything. Not a single shred of my past. The only person I remember, the only person I trust, is currently holding me in his arms because…Well it doesn't matter why, it's not like any one of you, my so-called friends, have even bothered to ask me how I'm doing or how I'm feeling."

Damon crudely began laughing hysterically as he left the room, "She trusts him! She. Trusts him!"

"I'm so sorry Care," Elena stepped away from the door with a look of concern. "How are you feeling?"

Caroline sighed with a hint of frustration, "Like I want to leave."

"You heard the lady," Klaus cut off any worried retorts, wanting nothing more than to leave now that he had found her and begin the task of curing her of whatever ailed her. "Kindly step aside so I can be about her business."

Begrudgingly Stefan opened the front door, placing his arm around Elena's lower back and pulling her in close as the hybrid carried his best friend out of the house sending a mocking grin over his shoulder as he passed, "Do send the witch over in the morning. We have a lot of ground to cover as I'm sure I house a more extensive collection for her to file through."

Once they were out of sight, hearing the door close behind them Klaus mentally cursed himself for leaving his car behind. Pausing just within the tree line he looked over Caroline worriedly.

"How are you really?"

Now that they were away from the others Caroline felt safe enough to finally let her guard down. Her body loosened as she sagged further into his embrace, her tired and slightly pain filled eyes looked up at him, attesting to what he had always known. Caroline was far stronger than anyone gave her credit for. She had held herself with such a rigid stance even within his arms, as if she had been ready and waiting for a fight. Feeling her relax trustingly within his arms was wreaking havoc on his psyche.

"I'm tired and oddly hungry. They tried to explain the whole vampire-blood thing but that was through the door of the cell and I didn't really know what was happening at the time. I just want to clean up, eat whatever it is I eat and sleep."

"I'm regrettably without my car at the present moment, but if you hold on tightly I can get us to my home quickly where all your wants await you."

"Hold on? Why?" She questioned curiously with a tilt of her head as she did as he asked.

His answering smirk gleamed brilliantly in the moonlight, "You'll see."

Her high-pitched squeal of delight echoed through the trees as he used every ounce of his strength to flash them towards his home.

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I know it's short…you don't have to leave a report. But a little something is always nice…a good way to break the ice.

Once again I would like to thank you all for reading, following and reviewing. As I said, I am going where the inspiration takes me for now to help get myself back on track. I think one of my issues has been trying to force things to happen. I swear I've been like Doug in the movie Up…Squirrel!

Anywho- Chapter Three is in the works, as well as the million other updates and projects I have going on!

PS- I went with rating this T for now as I am unsure how far I will take the M side of things.