A/N – Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend! If anyone would be willing to share my story on Tumblr, Twitter, or wherever, I would appreciate it so much! I think I lost a lot of readers with my super long hiatus (my own fault, I know.). OK anyway…on with the story (I can't believe we are on Chapter 40)!

FUN FACT: I like to wear men's Henley shirts when I write for Klaroline because Klaus looks HOT in them and idk I feel like it brings be closer to the story.

CHAPTER 40

Caroline sighed as she read his message.

'My brain tells me that I can't trust you. But…another part of me…I don't know…this other part tells me that you would protect me with your life, so…"

When Klaus arrived home he pulled out his phone and saw that Caroline had texted him back. He smiled at her response.

'Listen to that other part, Love.'

Caroline finished cleaning up her room. She was folding her clean clothes when she noticed the men's Henley shirt that she had on the day she woke up and had no idea what was going on. She picked up the shirt and laid it on her bed. She snapped a picture of the shirt and opened her conversation with Klaus.

'Is this shirt yours?'

'It is, Sweetheart. You liked to wear them to sleep in.'

'Oh, I can bring it over if you want.'

Caroline was a little shocked that she had offered to bring it to him but really…it fit in with the last few crazy days.

'As much as I am aching to see you, you don't have to do that. Besides, I am hoping one day you will want to wear it again.'

He was aching to see her? A guy has never said that to her before. She wanted to crawl into bed and get some sleep but she just couldn't shake that part of her that was telling her to just trust him and forget everything else. She sat on her bed and began cleaning off her nightstand. She opened the draw to begin working on that and noticed a bunch of folded pieces of paper along with drawings that Klaus had drew for her. She sat and read the little notes he had written for her and admired the beautiful drawings. She didn't realize just how late it had gotten until she glanced over at her phone. She picked up his shirt and held it out in front of her for a few seconds before folding it and laying it back on her bed. She played with the button for a moment then let out a sigh; she grabbed the shirt and walked outside to her car.

It was pouring rain; she hated driving in the rain ever since that night she found Vikki's body but something in her was telling her to do this. She pulled up to the Mikaelson's place and sat there staring at it for a moment; she could barely see it through the hard rain that was coming down. Eventually she gained the courage to get out of the car and walk up the very long path to the front door. Caroline rang the doorbell and waited, becoming even more soaked. It was late; really late she hoped that they didn't get too mad at her for dropping by.

Kol pulled the door open, he looked annoyed for about two seconds until he saw that it was Caroline. "Darling, is everything alright?"

"I…" Caroline fiddled with the shirt in her hands. "Um…is Klaus here?"

A smile spread across Kol's face when he realized she was okay. "Come in, Darling. He is in his study." He said as he closed the door. "Oh I am guessing you don't remember where that is. It's just down the hall." He said pointing in the direction of Klaus' study.

"Thanks." She said with a small smile. Kol went upstairs leaving Caroline alone. She took a deep breath then headed down the hall to see Klaus.

The door was open and Klaus was standing in front of an easel with a large canvas on it, painting something. He must have been concentrating hard because it seemed like he didn't even hear her.

"Hi." Caroline said barely above a whisper.

Klaus turned around immediately turned around and looked at her in shock. "Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" Concern was dripping from his face and the tone of his voice. Caroline was a bit taken back by how worried about her he seemed. "Caroline." He said when she didn't respond.

"I um…" She held out his Henley shirt to him. "I brought your shirt."

Klaus turned and placed his paint brush on the ledge of his easel then turned back to Caroline. "You are soaked, Love. Come sit." Klaus said as he ushered her to the set of chairs next to his easel. "Bekah! Fetch a towel for me." They both took a seat and Klaus turned so he was facing Caroline. "Sweetheart it is practically the middle of the night. I told you to keep the shirt."

Before Caroline could even attempt to control herself tears began pouring out of her eyes. "I don't know what to do…I fell like I am being pulled in two different directions." She said between gasps.

"Sweetheart," Klaus began in a soothing voice. "I have been trying not to force myself in your life."

"I know." She managed to give him a tiny smile. "But that part of me that is either really stupid or knows something the rest of my brain doesn't won't let me stop thinking about how hurt and broken and un hybrid like you seemed last night at The Grill." She paused. "I mean the last thing I remember is planning on killing you all with my friends and now I am loosing sleep because you looked upset."

Rebekah appeared in the doorway holding a towel. "Caroline! Are you okay?" she asked as she handed the towel to Klaus.

"I am handling it Rebekah."

Rebekah smiled. "I will go get you some dry clothes to change into."

Klaus wrapped the towel around Caroline then carefully placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed them gently. She didn't move away and Klaus let out a silent breath of relief; it was the first time since this whole mess happened that she allowed him to touch her. "You saved us." He said softly.

Rebekah returned and handed Klaus a pair of black leggings and a tee shirt for Caroline. As much as she wanted to make sure her friend was okay she left them without a word.

"Let's get you upstairs where you can change out of those wet clothes." Klaus said as he stood up. He extended his hand to help her up and to his surprise she took it. "I can drive you home when you are done changing."

Caroline stiffened and Klaus of course immediately noticed. "I would rather not go home. This is the most relaxed I have felt since this whole mess has happened."

It broke Klaus' heart that this was her relaxed but it also gave him hope that deep down she still loved him. "You are welcome here anytime, Love." Caroline followed Klaus upstairs and into what she assumed was his room. When Caroline didn't make a move to go into the bathroom Klaus turned around. "Forgive me, Love. I keep forgetting this is like your first time here. The bathroom is right through there and there are extra towels in the closet." He said pointing to a door.

Caroline walked into the bathroom and shut the door. The bathroom, like the rest of the house was of course beautiful. She knew one thing for sure; Klaus had excellent taste. She grabbed a towel form the closet and dried off before quickly dressing in the clothes Rebekah had gotten for her. Caroline stood there in front of the mirror just staring at her reflection. Between the rain and the crying she looked almost as awful as she felt. After a few more moments she let out a sigh and opened the door.

A/N – I hope everyone enjoyed the new chapter! Don't forget to share the story, follow my FanFiction Instagram (JavaJunkie110) and of course review!

The next chapter will be up either late Tuesday or sometime on Wednesday depending on how much writing I can get in tomorrow.

Thank you for reading!