Our Town

Klaus followed Sheriff Forbes up the stairs, pictures of her family covered the walls. He smiled as he watched Caroline grow up with each step. Starting with photos in her mothers arms at the bottom to pictures of her final year at school. There was her whole life on this wall, so short and full of potential.

Sheriff Forbes motioned to Caroline's room and Klaus smiled politely at her, "give us a moment? She'll be good as new soon enough."

He noted the Sherrif's look of disdain towards him, but it was not enough to replace the overwhelming fear of losing a child. The Sheriff nodded and glanced in at her daughter once more before descending down the stairs. Klaus stepped into Caroline's bedroom and furrowed his brow as he saw the young vampire lying in her bed.

Klaus gazed at her, even as she lay dying she remained outstandingly beautiful - so naturally lovely.

Caroline opened her eyes, her voice was weak, "are you going to kill me?"

"On your birthday," surprise filled his voice as he raised a brow, "do you really think that low of me?"

Her eyes didn't leave him, the disdain he had seen from her mother earlier was plain on Caroline's face as well. "Yes," she responded firmly.

Klaus felt a slight twinge of in his chest and he pulled the covers down to look at the spreading wound on her collarbone. "Ah, that looks bad. My apologies, you are what is known as collateral damage, it's nothing personal."

He looked down and touched her charm bracelet, smiling as he thought of this exquisite woman celebrating the wonderful day and receiving a gifts from the people who cared for her. "I love birthdays," he told her absently.

"Yeah, aren't you like a billion or something?" Caroline responded, her voice still weak but harsh.

Klaus chuckled, he did not miss the bitterness hidden behind her tone. "You have to change you perception of time when you become a vampire Caroline. Celebrate the fact that you are no longer bound by trivial human conventions, you're free."

"No." Her eyes met his once again, "I'm dying."

The mood switched suddenly, Klaus felt something in him soften at her words. She had surprised him in so many ways, with her boldness, bravery and light. And now, sitting with her in her room, something about this intriguing young woman was broken. Klaus was overcome with the intense need to help her.

He slowly sat himself on the edge of her bed, and spoke softly, "And I could let you, die, if that's what you want. If you really believe your existence has no meaning."

Caroline's eyes met Klaus', her cold expression softened at his words. He reached forward and hesitated, swallowing back the urge to caress her cheek, brush the hair from her face. He breathed in, "I've thought about it myself, once or twice of the centuries, truth be told." Klaus looked back to Caroline, his eyes meeting hers once again. "But I'll let you in on a little secret: there's a whole world out there waiting for you. Great cities, and art, and music. Genuine beauty. And you could have all of it, you could have a thousand more birthdays, all you have to do is ask."

He watched her slowly repair, the tears were still in her eyes but he saw hope and light returning. "I don't want to die." Caroline whispered.

Klaus smiled and pulled up his sleeve, exposing his wrist. He put his hand on her back and gently lifted her to rest against his chest. "There you go sweetheart," He spoke gently as he offered her his wrist, "have at it."

Caroline was quick to drink from his arm and he smiled at the sensation. Her had rarely ever allowed people to drink his blood, and even then he didn't like to allow them to drink straight from the vain. It felt too personal, too intimate. But here, with Caroline he didn't mind it so much. She leaned against him and his free arm held her closely.

"Happy birthday Caroline."

When she finished drinking Caroline rested her head against his chest, she blinked and yawned. "Thank you," she murmured as she tried to keep her heavy eye lids open, "for everything."

Klaus smiled as he watched her drift off to sleep, he finally brushed his fingers against her cheek, then lightly pushing her hair from her face. He stared at her for a long while, his one hand resting on her cheek and the other still holding her close. All he could think in that moment was how perfect she was. He carefully laid her back on her bed and leaned forward, placing a light kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well." Klaus whispered, and then he was gone.

-x-

When Caroline awoke the sun was shining brightly through her window. She squinted and blinked, adjusting to the brightness. She stretched out her arms and brought her hand to her neck, for a moment she was surprised and then the memories of the night before flooded back. She could not remember it clearly, but she did remember Klaus coming to her, drinking his blood and listening to him speak out life.

She had always dismissed him as being evil but throughout their conversation she felt as though perhaps he had a softer side to him than the evil hybrid he always portrayed.

As she glanced to the door her eyes locked on a black box sitting on her bedside table. She stared at it for a moment before reaching forward and grabbing the gift. Caroline sat up straight in her band on lifted the card from on top.

From Klaus

A faint smile brushed Caroline's lips as she stared at the name. Within a second she was pulling the ribbon off the and opening it carefully, her breath caught and her eyes widened at the gift.

It was a beautiful, truly stunning, piece of jewelry. Caroline was speechless. She had never owned something so expensive, nevermind having been given something so expensive. She thought about giving it back, wondering if he would take it well or not. She reached her fingers out to tough the cool metal and instantly she knew that she wouldn't be able to give this back.

In an odd way in reminded her of him. The comforting words about life, beauty, music. Very dignified and regal, fit for someone with a higher stature than herself. She could not resist the temptation to put it on and within moments was admiring the simple, elegant bracelet on her wrist, clashing with sweet charm bracelet Tyler had given her.

She examined them both for a moment, it was like seeing two totally different worlds collide, and when her mind was set she removed Tyler's bracelet.

She stood up and made her way to her closet, picking out an outfit to wear for the day. The entire time she tried to convince herself she had only picked Klaus' bracelet because her and Tyler broke up, she didn't need a reminder of him each day.

But did that mean she wanted a reminder of Klaus?

Her mind wandered to the way he had held her in his arms the night before, so strong and comforting. He was a terrifying, awful monster - but when she was in is arms, she had never felt safer.

Caroline let out an exasperated sigh and grabbed the first outfit she saw, quickly pushing any thoughts about Klaus to the back of her mind. She would not allow herself to think like this, and for the rest of the day she continued to shove all thoughts of Klaus to the back of her mind.

But she never took off the bracelet.