Hi! It's me again! OMGOSH! Guys thank you SO MUCH for all the reviews on the last chapter, you truly made my day! Please keep it up like that it makes me so happy and your opinions are so important!

Now I would write a long rant about your awesomeness but it's past 5 A.M and I need sleep! So I'll just settle to a BIG thank you :D

Happy reading!

14: Ghostly Figures

There were no nightmares that night. Caroline slept peacefully through the night for the first time since Tyler's death. There were no nightmares, only dreams of Klaus doing unspeakable things to her that made her blush when she saw him first thing in the morning, recalling how so very wrong it was to feel this way about him.

There were no nightmares, but Caroline did not know if that was a good or a bad sign. Did it mean that she was now trusting Klaus so much to the point that even her subconscious stopped urging her to stay away from him? And where was The Voice? Of course the contradiction between her subconscious and the direction of her thoughts while she was awake was bothersome, but at least that assured her that she was not completely losing her mind, that she was not completely driven in the route where Klaus had wanted her to turn all along.

But it didn't matter anymore, because there were no nightmares in her sleep. There was only his sweet dimpled-smile and sparkling blue eyes.

Klaus was clearing the last of his things from the drawing room when Caroline stepped closer to the painting he had been working on during their stay in the hotel. He had left it to be packed at last and for the first time she allowed herself to look at it closely. Caroline frowned as for the first time she noted the floating figures in the darkening painting. Squinting, she recognized not what they were, for they weren't human figures, nor animal-shaped, they were something that was quite incomprehensible. They were ghosts, unrecognizable ghosts. In the midst of her concentration, Caroline did not notice how Klaus froze in his place and stared at her intently, taking in every expression of hers.

'Do you not like it?' Klaus asked, noticing the frown she was wearing.

Caroline shook her head lightly 'I am not sure how I feel about it' she paused for a moment, focusing her attention on the ghostly figure that stood in the middle. She noted how that figure gave the feel of being slightly more dominant, with the posture it held and the way it was a tad taller than all the others.

She felt Klaus approaching her. He stood next to her facing the painting, his scent filling her nostrils, and, once again, she felt that extreme pull towards him. She felt her cheeks turn red, recalling the dreams she had had about him the night before.

'What does it make you feel when you look at it?' He asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

'Depressed' was her quick, sure answer

'Why?' he asked again.

That needed a moment of thought from Caroline, and when she answered, she was hesitantly talking 'I am not sure. I guess it's the colors, they are too dark. And those figures, they just seem so…. Lost'

Klaus pondered that for a moment before asking her again 'What do you think this means?' he gestured to the painting

'I don't know' she shrugged 'You're the painter, you tell me'

Klaus shook his head 'Forget that the painter is standing next to you. It doesn't matter what he thinks it means, what do you see when you look at it?'

Caroline fixed her gaze on the painting, ignoring the fact that it was Klaus's and the fact that his arm was brushing hers lightly.

'I think …' she started slowly 'that these ghostly figures are people who lost their idea of themselves, and don't really know who they are or what they want, that's why they are so foggy and vague. And that they are lost in the darkness, thus the gloomy surrounding' she concluded turning to meet his small smile 'What?' she asked with a smile of her own.

'That's the perfect answer' Klaus said with a gleam of admiration in his blue eyes.

'Is that what it really means?' Caroline asked him with a raised eyebrow.

Klaus blinked saying seriously 'If you think that this is the explanation behind it then that's the explanation behind it'

'Yeah that's what I think is the explanation behind it, but as the painter, what's the real explanation behind it?' She urged

'Caroline' he smiled turning fully to face her 'That's the thing about arts, love, there's no "real" explanation behind it. Whatever you think it means that's what it means. Not even the artist's explanation to the painting is the real one'

'Yeah' Caroline said confusedly 'But when you start a painting, there's a certain message or whatever that you want to deliver and paint based on that, right?'

'Actually, not' He answered tilting his head 'It's a very vague vision I have of the painting when I start, and as I move along it starts to make more and more sense to me. Sometimes I don't understand what I paint myself'

Caroline nodded slowly 'That's interesting. I always thought you would have everything planned when you start the painting'

'Well, it depends on the picture' he added

'How?' she asked, truly enthusiastic about the subject. After all, Klaus was finally sharing a personal experience with her willingly and talking about it so freely in front of her.

'Well, if I am to draw something like this picture…' he gestured to the one they were standing in front of 'I wouldn't have it planned out. But if I am to draw you, I would have it planned, and so very carefully so it can do you justice' he smiled sweetly at her, giving her the same focused gaze that seemed to linger on her features, the one that used to make her uncomfortable before, but now gave her a fluttering sensation instead and a smile that she couldn't wipe off of her face no matter how much she tried.

'Have I ever told you…' Klaus stepped even closer to her to the point that their chests were about to brush against each other, and had any of them leaned in closer their lips would meet. Caroline's breathing picked up at once as she lost herself in the blue ocean that was his eyes 'how much I love your smile?' he whispered gently.

Caroline wanted to say something, anything, but when her lips parted she couldn't say anything that wasn't "Kiss me", so she shut them closed instead. And with that, Klaus's sweet smile, turned into a cocky smirk. He tenderly removed a strand of hair away from her eyes then cupped her cheek, never taking his eyes from her face. Caroline found herself unable to stop from staring at his beautiful lips, unable to stop herself from leaning into his touch, unable to even her breathing or to utter a single word. The flame his touch caused ripped through her entire body, her mind stopped thinking about anything other than the need to lean in and kiss him fiercely until her lips were bruised and swollen, until she couldn't breathe.

'You're so beautiful, Sweet Caroline' Klaus whispered, his own voice husky, his breathing heavy. He leaned in closer and Caroline felt his breath on her face. His lips were brushing hers ever so slightly, anytime now he would kiss her. Caroline's breathing became so heavy at the anticipation of his next move that she wanted to happen so badly, but a very, very distant voice was urging her to stop him.

With a sudden move he jerked away from her, stepping back several steps. Caroline was confused, she truly believed that he was about to kiss her, she really wanted him to kiss her. Then she heard it, the sound of knocking on the door. Klaus was muttering something angrily under his breath as he strode off to open it, leaving Caroline surprised that she was so caught in the moment with Klaus that she didn't even hear the knock on the door.
What have you done to me, Niklaus Mikealson?

She just hopped that the young man who came to take their bags downstairs wouldn't pay highly for his intrusion at the very wrong time.

'Where's Nik?' Rebekah asked, stepping into Caroline's room, who was packing the last of her things. Caroline had heard Rebekah as she stepped into the suite and wandered looking for Klaus, but refused to talk to her, instead ignored her completely and went about her business. The least she could do to Rebekah was showing her insolence after what she had done to Elena.

Caroline shrugged her shoulder carelessly without looking at the blonde Original.

'I suggest you talk or I will make you talk my way' Rebekah said through gritted teeth.

'Wow, Rebekah, you don't have bad temper at all!' Caroline mocked, zipping her bag 'He's at the reception. We are checking out' She answered, facing the not-so-happy Rebekah for a second before turning back to pack her handbag.

'What do you know, He's going to pay this time' Rebekah said sarcastically.

'Yeah' Caroline shrugged with a slight snort 'He has a thing for the receptionist obviously, doesn't want her to lose her job' Caroline tried to sound sarcastic, but her irritation slightly surfaced at the end of the sentence.

Caroline focused her gaze back on Rebekah who was eyeing Caroline sharply and weirdly at the same time, as though judging her. The latter folded her arms across her chest, if a staring contest was what Rebekah wanted, then Caroline was all for it.

'I know what you're doing' Rebekah suddenly stated harshly.

'What's that?' Caroline asked raising her eyebrows at Rebekah

'I know you're using my brother' Rebekah hissed.

'Right' Caroline scoffed 'I'm using your brother. Call me crazy but I don't think it's very wise to "use" Klaus and expect not to lose your head as a result'

Rebekah stepped closer to her, her voice threatening as she uttered her words 'My brother cares for you, Caroline, it's more than obvious, so if you are not interested in him, leave him be. He's been through enough, and a broken heart because of someone like you he doesn't need.'

'I'm the one who is dangerous in here, Rebekah?' Caroline said sarcastically, rolling her eyes 'I am the one who is in danger here because of your brother's tantrums. I am the one who should fear that he's playing games with me, not the other way around'

'Is that so?' Rebekah mused, then added intimidatingly through gritted teeth, pacing even closer to Caroline, who was trying to not be frightened by the Original vampire, but failed 'Well, let me tell you something then, Caroline, if it turns out that you are playing a game, if you do break his heart, then I will rip yours out and gladly. So you make sure that your stupid, little, blonde head does not do anything that you might regret' by the end of her sentence, she was cornering Caroline between the wall and her threatening face 'Is that clear?' she asked.

'Yes' Caroline's voice shook despite herself.

'Good' Rebekah said sternly. She then moved away with a sweet smile 'It was really nice talking to you, Caroline' she said before leaving the room and darting off out of the suite.

'Oh hello Nik' she heard her greeting her brother cheerfully in the doorway.

Caroline stood still for a moment, recovering from her shock that seemed to be the day's theme

Did Rebekah just defend her brother's heart?

The transportation method that Klaus had chosen for them was the black Cadillac car. He claimed that the road trip, even though long, was far more fun and that there was a lot to see.

And he was right. Never mind the rain that seemed to take complete control of the weather that day, the scenery was absolutely beautiful. There were green hills and beautiful lakes on all sides as they drove on to their destination. Klaus was quiet, and unusually so. It was not the peaceful silence that would occasionally occur between them, neither was it the heavy silence that would lead to Caroline's annoyance and frustration, it was the thoughtful silence. He was wearing the same look that she had seen a few nights ago, like he was a man in a conflict of which he did not know how to solve.

Caroline caught herself staring at his profile instead of at the road trying to figure out what it was that kept him thoughtful, but did not succeed for he kept an annoyingly straight face that told nothing she did not know. To distract herself, she picked up her cell phone and texted Elena. Caroline was thankful for providing herself with a SIM card that worked in London during her shopping trip, at least she wouldn't have to depend on hotel phones.

Hey, Elena! On my way to Scotland, she wrote, all is great.

It took Elena a mere minute to reply, as though she was waiting for the text for quite sometime

Hey Care, Why aren't you calling? Did something happen? Call me!

Caroline sighed profoundly as she texted back

Nothing happened, sweetie. I'm in the car with Klaus, we can't exactly talk.

The reply came instantly

That's it? There's nothing you want to hide in your voice and you are not chained to a chair and being forced to type?

Caroline rolled her eyes.

Gosh Elena! Stop freaking out! There's nothing I wanna hide and I am looking at the most beautiful view.

That view was the man sitting next to her and the green hills in the background. Caroline shook off the idea immediately.

Elena's text arrived two minutes later

OK, just let me know when you get there. Love you.

I will, love you too! Give my best to Stefan.

With that Caroline turned off her phone, slumping in her seat.

Klaus was still silent which, by then, was frustrating to Caroline. She smiled mischievously to herself as a thought popped into her mind and she started fumbling with the radio. It wasn't until Taylor Swift's voice rung in the car that she stopped and turned it up. The song was one of her favorites "Sparks Fly", which almost every guy hated and reminded Caroline of Klaus so much. She started to sing along in a low tone, waiting for Klaus to comment but he didn't. She threw several expectant glances towards him, but he was as silent and unchanged as ever.

'Oh God' Caroline groaned dramatically 'What's wrong?'

Klaus turned to her startled, as though just waking up from a deep sleep 'What's wrong with what, love?' he asked.

Caroline really shouldn't let him get away with breaking their deal so much and so guiltlessly. But for some reason she loved it when he called her love or Sweet Caroline

Oh God, Caroline! What are you doing to yourself?!

'With you!' Caroline's tone was annoyed 'You've been as silent as a stone ever since we left the hotel. What's wrong?'

Klaus turned back to the road pressing his lips lightly.

'Great' she rolled her eyes 'please do resume your silent treatment. We have only six hours to go. Clearly there's no need for talking'

'I am acting as solely your guide!' he mused.

'Funny' she rolled her eyes 'Now you decide to stick to the deal? The whole trip I've let you get away with all the flirting and teasing and pet names. Besides even our deal says that if I wanted you to talk to me you do' She blurted out.

Klaus chuckled 'I really did not think you would be so upset over my silence'

'I'm not upset' She defended her tone a pitch higher than normal.

Klaus shook his head, chuckling still 'What would you like me to say?'

'Umm' she thought about it for a second 'How come you didn't object that we are listening to Taylor Swift?' She raised an eyebrow

'Well, sweetheart, if you like her music then I have nothing to object to' he grinned.

'You're so cheesy' Caroline rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the smile.

His eyes glittered with that sparkle she loved so much and saw so rarely, as he laughed his beautiful laughter. Caroline had the sudden ridiculous urge to make him pull over and kiss him so hard just then.

She shook her head as though that would wipe the thought away. A moment of silence passed as Caroline did nothing but stare at his profile, there was a smile dancing still on his lips, and his dimples were still evident. He looked exceptionally joyous that moment. All signs of whatever dilemma that ailed him a few minutes before were gone. Klaus tried not to think about how Caroline could turn his mood around instantly for that would lead his thoughts back to where he did not intend to go. He felt her eyes on him, but did not want to disturb the process of her thoughts, instead he stared on as his smile widened.

'I think I don't like your painting, Klaus' Caroline suddenly said, desperately needing to distract herself from her own thoughts.

'Why?' Klaus asked seriously, but was not bothered by her comment at all.

'Because it's too dark' Caroline said simply 'I mean, every lost soul can find its way back. A little bit of light would have, at the very least, provided hope' she reasoned, intentionally referring indirectly to him.

'Even if it was lost in complete darkness?' Klaus asked, slightly frowning.

'Even if so. There must be a way or a person that would lastly save it' Caroline nodded in confirmation, turning her whole body in the passenger's seat so that she was facing him

Klaus was thoughtful for a moment before replying unsurely 'What if that lost ghost had no soul? Will there still be any chance for it to be saved?'

'Like a vampire?' Caroline asked sternly, knowing the answer. Klaus's hands tightened around the driving wheel to the point that Caroline thought he would crush it 'Even if it was a soulless creature. There must be some sort of salvation, some sort of light that would break its way to darkness. There's no way someone would live in pitch darkness for their entire life'

Klaus's face was cold when he asked again, his voice close to a whisper 'Even if that person had lived in pitch darkness for a thousand years already?'

Caroline's eyes formed tears 'Even if ' she whispered softly to him, then added with a pitch higher tone 'But that person must want to step out of the darkness, not push anyone who comes close to freeing him from it'

Klaus's profile was an expressionless mask that made Caroline feel so cold, even his eyes carried no emotions at all. Something that Caroline truly hated, for it was hard to break her way through his mind when he could easily wear a mask that would give nothing away. Even more she hated how sad that made her feel, for she was sure that whatever he was hiding was far more tormenting for him to allow anyone to see it.

Caroline's mind flashed back to Rebekah's words at that moment. Rebekah was obviously very concerned about her brother. Of course, she did not like Caroline and would have really liked to threaten her, but Caroline could easily tell that that was not the deal that morning. She was looking out for her brother and Caroline wondered more than ever what hidden stories Klaus had behind him. She wondered how much pain he had to go through in those thousand years he lived. Surely he would turn it off. Until then Caroline had not heard a single happy story about his life, from being an outcast in his family and his own mother rejecting him, to being hunted down by his father, to his mother wanting to kill him, to one true love who died and whose story Caroline was eager to learn, but knew that she may never be able to. Where was his redemption? Where was his salvation? Is he ever to find happiness or had he lost that right when he started killing people in search of what would fill that void in his heart? Had he had the chance to find it several times before but shut them down that he no longer had a chance anymore? But no, it can't be. Klaus had good in him, just like Stefan and Damon who did unspeakable things but one found his happiness and the other was soon to find it, she was sure of it. Klaus deserved that, too. He suffered, too. He wanted love more than anything but never received it. He deserved a chance at finding his own happiness as well.

'You will find light, Klaus, if you allow it in' Caroline told him gently, resting a hand on his arm soothingly, her eyes still forming tears. Klaus clenched his jaw and Caroline could swear that his eyes were sparkling with tears, but he quickly contained himself and wore his expressionless mask again 'You deserve happiness, too, Niklaus, and you will find it one day' she whispered.

The problem was that Klaus himself did not think that he deserved happiness.

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