Klaus's POV:

Klaus entered his apartment after a long day on patrol. He was dreading having to make the decision about whether or not he was going to take this under cover assignment. He was already feeling guilty at the prospect of keeping it from Caroline. He knew she'd be upset, probably never forgive him. Trust was a huge issue for both of them and if she lost that, he didn't know if he would ever gain it back. He poured himself a glass of his favorite bourbon. He had just finished swallowing the entire glass when there was pounding on his door.

He sighed as he sat the glass down. He was so not in the mood for company. Before he could make his way to the door the pounding started again, accompanied by Caroline's voice.

"Klaus! I know you're in there Klaus, I heard you come in! Open this damn door right now!"

He opened the door and leaned on the frame and took her in. She was upset, not angry necessarily, but concerned.

"No need to shout Love, I'm sure the whole building has heard you by now. With maybe the exception of Mrs. Taylor down in 102, but you can't really blame the old girl she's 93."

He finished it all with his trademark smirk, trying to lighten the mood. Caroline still just looked at him with concern on her face.

Despite himself he reached out and brushed a thumb along her cheek. Caroline closed her eyes and leaned into his palm.

"What's wrong Love?"

Caroline opened her eyes, the concern was still there,

"Maybe you should tell me. What were you talking about with Alaric and Stefan."

Klaus turned and walked further into his apartment and said, "It was nothing Love."

"Bullshit!" She yelled

Klaus turned and immediately had to take a step back. She was a lot closer than he realized.

"Pardon me?"

"That's bullshit and you know it Klaus. You may fool a lot of people, with your nonchalant little smirk you show the world, but you don't fool me Klaus. I know you, whether you care to admit it or not. I see past that facade. I watched you through the windows in Ric's office. You were radiating tension. Someone who doesn't know you wouldn't be able to see it but I did. So you tell me what is going on, right now."

Klaus scoffed, "You're imagining things Sweetheart."

"Oh really? So the fear in your eyes when you looked at me as you came out of the office. Did I imagine that too Klaus?"

Klaus opened his mouth to answer her but she interrupted him by raising a single finger and saying, "I suggest you think about your answer. Don't you dare lie to me."

Klaus clenched his jaw and studied Caroline. She had that look of stubborn determination he had come to love about her. Love? No there would be no love. With that thought he made his decision.

"Alright, Love. I'll tell you but you must promise not to mention it to Alaric or Stefan. I'm not supposed to tell you."

Caroline studied him, a look of umcertainty on her face before she finally nodded.

"Ric called me into his office to ask about us."

Caroline shook her head slightly as she said, "Us? What about is?"

"Ric wanted to know if things were going ok between us. If we were having issues...if we needed to switch partners."

Caroline gave a sarcastic laugh, "Well that's silly. What gave him that idea? We don't need different partners. We work great together."

Klaus considered for a beat before asking, "Do we Love? We used to, but ever since we slept together we fight each other more than we fight crime. Sometimes I feel like all I have to do is breathe wrong and you're angry. It's no secret there is tension between us, it's palpable. Then you asked to ride with Elena today instead of me. He was bound to figure out something was going on."

"So what are you saying Klaus? You wan't a different partner?"

"Maybe, I think we need some time apart."

Caroline's lower lip started to quiver and he could see the tears threatening to fall, "You don't mean that. You're just still upset about the argument this morning."

Klaus stared at the floor clenching his jaw. He hated himself for this, but it was best for both of them.

"I do mean it, Love. I think we need time to consider our feelings. I need time to get my head figured out and I can't do that with you breathing down my neck."

Caroline flinched at the last comment. "Sorry, I didn't realize I was being such a bother. I assure you I'll refrain in the future from giving a damn." She paused for a second before adding, "You know what Klaus, just remember you did this. Months from now when you miss us and are filled with regret. Which you will be because I know you feel this connection too. You just remember you did this, you're the one that ruined it. You're the one that walked away, and there's no one to blame but yourself."

She turned and started toward the door but Klaus put a hand on her arm to stop her, "Don't be like that Caroline. I'm just asking for some time and space to think." Quietly he added, "Don't give up on me."

Caroline's POV:

Caroline turned and looked at Klaus. His face was blank, waiting for her to say something. "I'm not giving up Klaus, I'm just smart enough to admit when I'm defeated. I can't compete with your fear of your feelings. After all this time, I guess what hurts the most is you still can't trust me."

Klaus started at that, "I do trust you Caroline, you know I do!"

Caroline just shook her head, "No Klaus, you don't trust me enough to trust me with your feelings, and you sure don't trust me enough to trust me with your heart. Not to mention the fact that you're lying to my face."

"I have never lied to you Caroline!" Klaus argued.

Caroline crossed her arms over her chest, "Really Klaus? You're doing it right now! First, I know you aren't telling me the whole truth about what happened in Ric's office. If you think that I would believe the conversation you told me about would result in the kind of tension I saw in you, then you must really think me stupid. Second, you are lying to me, not to mention yourself about your feelings. Call me when you figure out what you want, goodbye Klaus."

Caroline turned to open the door but paused with her hand on the doorknob. She turned half way back around and said, "You know what I can't figure out? What Stefan was doing at your little meeting with Ric? What does he have to do with us at all?"

She saw Klaus still, but to his credit he didn't miss a beat before answering, "He was concerned about us too, Love."

Caroline pretended to ponder his answer for a moment before saying, "You're good...quick response... very good. I almost believed it."

With that she jerked the door open and ran back to her apartment. She was able to slam the door shut before sliding down it as the sobs overtook her. Time and space. He was going to get plenty of it. She just hoped she could still trust him when he was done figuring things out. Her gut told her more was going on than he was saying. Her heart was telling her not to let go.