Title: Moments of Clarity – Christmas Interlude
Author: mystic_blue17
Summary: "Caroline is going to learn this valuable lesson: Sometimes when you get what you want, it's not actually what you want." –Candice Accola. She claimed he could go but they just couldn't, wouldn't leave it like that. (based on 421 and going forward)

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or plots nor do I plan on receiving any profit from writing about them.

A/N: This has been so largely overdue that I shut my door and sat at my extremely old computer from high school so I could get something out to you all tonight. Bear with me I don't even know if this thing still has spell check. And yes this is a Christmas interlude. This came to me a few days ago and I wanted to post it before the holiday season was officially over. It is out of chronological order. For now it will be this interlude then the next chapter will pick up where chapter 9 leaves off. At least that is the plan.

"Klaus!" a newly turned vampires called. "You have a package." She informed with a smile. "Where do you want it?"

He looked up from his book and gestured to the side table. "There will be fine. Thank you."

The package was deposited without a fuss.

"Close the door behind you, please." Klaus instructed graciously.

Once the door closed behind her, Klaus approached the package carefully.

It seemed rather normal. Brown cardboard boxed sealed with clear packing tape. Judging on the return label, it seemed that this would be something from a certain blonde college freshmen. He shook the box cautiously, trying to guess at the contents. He caught a whiff of peppermint and vanilla, no doubt in anticipation of the holidays quickly approaching.

Klaus opened the box and grinned at the sight of her handwriting. Just below her card, a large box wrapped in red paper sporting several cartoon-ish reindeer pulling Santa. He shook his head knowing full well that she had laughed herself silly while assembling the present.

He opened her card first. The smell of her perfume filling the air quickly. Klaus pulled the card out of the envelope quickly. Festive elves jumping for joy announced the holiday season which also covered his hands in excess glitter. He rolled his eyes in her little prank and wiped his hands on his pants. He was more than eager to read what she wrote.

Klaus,

It has been pretty crazy over here. But then again there never is a dull moment. I can't decide whether it is more likely you are anti-Christmas or Santa Klaus himself.

It should come as no surprise to you that I don't care either way. If you love it then no harm no foul. And if you hate it, well then I love this time of the year enough for the both of us.

But seriously, I hope you like your present. It wasn't easy thinking of what to get you. So instead I thought I would give you a feeling, one I know you want.

-Caroline

Klaus quirked his head to the side, intrigued by her description. He carefully set the card aside and pulled out the box. He ripped the wrapping paper away and carefully muscled through the tape holding the box shut. He peeled back the white tissue paper to reveal a mat that proclaimed 'Welcome home'.

Klaus lets out a breath.

A/N: Oh man can you forgive me for being sooooooooo incredibly late? My office moved then Christmas was here then I got sick. Nothing terrible just enough that I couldn't fathom sitting at a computer trying to focus on writing these characters properly. In any event, I'm trying to get myself together before I go back to work again. I have one chapter done that just needs editing and a bunch of developed fics/chapters. Fingers crossed it shouldn't be long till I post something new.

Also if anyone was curious Klaus got Caroline a scarf that matched her eyes with a pithy little note that said 'don't get bit love'. The plan was to have it as part of the fic but I liked it better without it but I figured it couldn't hurt to put it in here if anyone was curious.

(Late) seasons greetings from me, Caroline and the glittery elves and a very happy new year!