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A knock resounded on the door to Caroline's room, and she smiled at thought of Klaus changing. Normally he would barge in, now he was knocking.

Approaching the door, she reached for the doorknob, and opened the door.

Her smile brightened as she took in Klaus' appearance. Dressed in blue jeans, a black Henley, and black boots, he looked on the edge of danger and comfort.

She glanced down at her attire. She was dressed in a tan gown with light green embroidery on the bodice. Her hair fell down her back in curls. She looked like the Goddess she was, not really casual like Klaus' appearance.

"We look like a pair, don't we?" She asked, with a slight smile.

Klaus smirked. "Perhaps, this will help." He replied, and waved his hand.

Caroline gasped as she watched her dress disappear into a pair of black pants, knee boots, and a long flowing tank top with a white sweater top.

She looked up into his amused eyes, and smirked. "You know, one would think you were trying to charm your way through this relationship." She quipped, narrowing her eyes playfully.

Klaus lowered his eyes, and moved away from the doorway, allowing her to exit her room.

Caroline sighed, as she left the room, clasping her hands in front of her.

"So what exactly have you planned for us?" She asked, gently, glancing at him as they started walking down the marble hall.

Klaus smirked and clasped his hands behind his back. "Can't you be surprised, Caroline?" He asked, quirking his brow at her.

Caroline narrowed her eyes, playfully, and pursed her lips. "I like giving surprises, not receiving them." She replied, watching his smirk turn into a smile.

Klaus pursed his lips outward, and nodded. "I told you last night, love. I'm going to show you the realm." He replied, softly.

Caroline smiled. "But not the Despair Fields." She stated, lifting her hands in front of her.

Klaus' eyes clouded over, and he clenched his jaw. "Never." He muttered, harshly.

Caroline's smile faded, as she took in his mood. "Where are you taking me first?" She asked, trying to get him out of his ill mood.

Klaus glanced at her, and smirked. "I think you will enjoy it, Goddess." He answered, a sparkle escaping his eyes.

Caroline narrowed her eyes, and tilted her head, as she glanced at him. She wanted to say as long as she was with him she would, but it was too soon, and besides her mind kept battling her heart for the right response. Instead, she nodded her head, and sent him a soft smile, but her eyes told him all he needed to know.

Her eyes shone with excitement, and he couldn't help the light beat of his heart.

He had never felt such softness and warmth flow through him since he became Lord of the Underworld. She truly was changing him, and he wasn't sure if he liked it.

They walked and talked briefly as they exited the palace. Caroline watched with eager eyes as the trees seemed to bow as Klaus stepped out into the pathway.

"It's like my flowers." She whispered, watching as the trees straightened.

"What's that?" He asked, looking at her.

Caroline stopped at the base of a willow tree, and reached out her hand to it. "When we left the palace, the trees bowed to you. It was like my flowers in the meadows." She answered, turning to look at him.

Klaus lowered his eyes. "I never really thought about it." He replied, quietly, looking up at the trees surrounding them.

Caroline shrugged her shoulders while she shook her head. "How could you not? You are their lord, the keeper of the underworld, their king, surely you must have." She asked, stepping back to him.

Klaus shrugged his shoulders. "When you have so much surrounding you, you don't tend to think of the insignificant things." He answered, looking back at the trees.

Caroline narrowed her eyes. "Trees are not insignificant, Klaus. They give life. They should be respected." She stated, light fire flashing in her eyes.

Klaus looked back at her. "How can they give life in a dead realm, Goddess?" He asked, stepping towards her.

"They give air." She stated, fire burning in her veins.

"Air in a dead realm?" He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Goddess, you have to learn that everything down here is dead, and there is no reason for the trees to give life, therefore they are insignificant." He stated, staring in her eyes.

She narrowed hers. "You are alive, Klaus, and so am I. How can you be alive if the trees are insignificant?" She asked, tilting her head to the right.

Klaus smirked. "Because we are gods, Caroline, and do not need air." He answered, lifting his right brow.

Caroline stared at him. "Everything that was ever created needs air, Klaus. You are not dead, so therefore you need air as much as I do." She returned, her voice growing with more anger.

Klaus studied her. She was breathtaking when she was fiery. Her hair was curled around her face, as her face held a red flush of anger. Her bluish green eyes had turned to a full fiery green.

She watched as his eyes roamed over her face, and felt exposed. Her face flushed more, not from anger, but from his stare.

"Why are you staring?" She asked, turning her head, trying to avoid his gaze.

"You're beautiful." He answered, lowly.

She turned her head to look at him, her eyes widened. "Why would you say such a thing?" She asked her voice breathless.

Klaus tilted his head. "I always speak the truth, Caroline, especially if the opportunity presents itself." He replied, his eyes speaking truth.

Caroline stared into his eyes, and felt the tension that she felt nonstop whenever she looked into his eyes, was there once more.

"I don't see the opportunity to tell someone she is beautiful during an argument, not to mention when she is not." She added, softly, glancing down at the ground to avoid his searching eyes.

Klaus tilted his head curiously. "I see the perfect opportunity when the object of said compliment is strikingly beautiful, even in anger." He stated, pointing towards her.

Caroline lifted her eyes, and captured his once more. "Why do you say such things to me?" She whispered, searching his eyes.

Klaus closed the distance even more. "Because I enjoy your company, Caroline, you fight me, and believe me that is something I usually don't tolerate, but with you, I do." He whispered, sternly, but softly. "You are beautiful in every way, not only physically, but your soul is beautiful. You see the beauty in everything, and take nature as more than face value." He paused with a slight smile, but his eyes held seriousness. "You have showed me more in the past few minutes, than anyone has in my entire life." He added, painfully.

Caroline sighed, softly, and couldn't help the smile appearing on her face. "And you say these things because…" She trailed off, her eyes never leaving his.

"Because you are changing me, Caroline." He whispered, painfully. "I don't know how, but you are." He added, his eyes never leaving hers in return.

Caroline smiled, and gave a small unwavering nod, before breaking the gaze.

"I believe I have a realm to see." She whispered, after clearing her throat.

Klaus smiled at the change of subject. "For what it's worth, Caroline, I never believed the trees were insignificant." He stated, bowing his head, only to peak up at her with his eyes.

She gasped, as she took in his words.

"Everything in the underworld has a purpose, from the smallest plant to the mountains, I may not approve heartily, but I do not believe anything in this realm is insignificant." He replied, looking at her shocked face.

"Then what you said?" She asked pointing to the place they had just been.

Klaus smirked. "I wanted to see how fiery you could or would get in defense of your precious trees." He answered, glancing at her as they walked further down the cobble path.

Caroline glared at him, but inwardly she felt at peace at his words.

There was hope for him.

~Above~

The flowers shriveled and bent over. The wind, which blew, was cold as ice, seeping through the thickest coat. The light, which once covered the land, began to slowly diminish, making the earth darker than it had ever been.

Liz watched as the favored tree of her daughter, began to moan as the wind lashed out at it.

The tree was dying.

The earth was dying.

Their precious light was leaving the earth.

What was she going to do?

~Underworld~

Caroline sighed as they walked onward across the cobble path, and stopped when they reached a arched bridge reaching over a dark colored river.

Her eyes took in the serenity of the water, and how peaceful it looked. It was beautiful, with small lights, which seemed nonexistent, bouncing across the water.

Klaus watched her face transform into one of pure beauty. His heart clenched in his chest as her eyes light up at the sight.

"What is this place?" She asked her eyes never leaving the river.

Klaus swallowed as he turned his head. "It's the water of the dead." He answered, avoiding her gaze.

"Then why does it seem to have life to it?" She asked, as the water moved quietly over small rocks at the bottom.

He couldn't help the smile on his face at the simple question. "Because it gives life to the dead, Caroline." He answered, simply.

Caroline tilted her head. "How can it give life when everyone in the underworld is dead?" She asked, softly.

Klaus extended his arm, and waited until they had made it to the top of the arch. "Just because people are dead to the world above, does not mean they are dead here." He answered, watching her prop her arms on the wooden railings. "Were you not the one who argued about trees having life as well?" He asked, quirking a brow.

She narrowed her eyes playfully. "I meant the people, Klaus. I know the ones here are dead, so the trees should not have any effect at all on them, but in the case of you and me, it's different." She explained, with a smile.

Klaus shook his head. "I just told you, Caroline. The souls, who end up here, are no longer dead. They live and breathe just the same as you and I. Trees have the same effect as the world above, so does the water." He explained, calmly.

Caroline thought about his answer. "It really is another world down here isn't it?" She asked, studying the water.

He nodded. "I tried to tell the others, that even though it appears dark, there is life here, but they do not seem to understand." He muttered, slight anger reaching his words.

She moved her eyes to study him, and smiled. "I can see why they paint you as a dark cold hearted monster." She replied, softly. "You live down where no light shines through, and it appears cold and un-wanting, but it's all a façade isn't it?" She asked, tenderly.

Klaus' jaw tensed. "I wouldn't make assumptions if I were you." He whispered, tensely.

She shook her head. "Why do you constantly put up a shell for the others to see?" She asked, searching his eyes.

Klaus' eyes flashed. "I do believe it is none of your business." He whispered, but his voice wasn't harsh.

Caroline sighed, as she turned to watch the water peacefully travel downward over rocks, causing a serene sound. She knew was walking on dangerous ground with him, but how was she to get to know him, if he continued to put up walls?

"Besides humans are not the only ones who end up here." He added, lifting his eyes to the horizon, his voice turning dark, with a grim expression on his face.

She lifted her head to look at him, and couldn't resist the urge to touch his arm. He looked down at her, and captured her eyes.

"Your beloved trees, plants, and animals, end up down here as well." He whispered, his eyes never leaving hers.

Caroline studied his azure eyes, and couldn't help the feeling that he was leaving out something.

"Where do they go?" She asked in a whisper, her body reacting to the stare of his eyes.

Klaus turned his body to face her, and she copied the act. Reaching up, he caressed her face.

Caroline felt a jolt surge through her body at the touch. It was warm, not the expected cold she imagined. She felt her face tilt into his palm. Her eyes never faltered from his.

With a sigh, Klaus leaned forward. Caroline watched with eager expectation as his lips came closer to hers. Her lips parted and waited for his lips to touch hers.

Her mind screamed at her to pull back, but her body and heart told her to allow it to happen. She had to know.

Suddenly Klaus pulled back, and dropped his hand from her face. He swallowed hard, and cleared his throat. That was too close for him. He almost gave in. So much did he want to feel her lips under his, and the pleasurable sounds he could arose from her.

Caroline's eyes widened only a fraction, and she couldn't help but feel regret and rejection at his move.

"Did I do something wrong?" She asked, searching his eyes.

Klaus frowned, and his brow furrowed at the pain evident in her eyes. With a shake of his head, he whispered, "No."

"Then why did you pull back?" She asked, looking down at her hands.

Klaus couldn't resist. With swiftness, he raised his right hand, and lifted her face so he could look into her eyes.

"Because you are not ready, love." He answered, with a whisper.

She narrowed her eyes.

"I'm leaving the decision of the next step up to you." He continued, though the desire running through his veins was arguing against it. "I don't want to kiss you when you are at war with yourself, Caroline." He added softly, stroking her chin with his chin.

Caroline opened her mouth to protest.

Klaus shook his head. "Caroline, can you look at me and tell me that your mind and your heart agree with letting me in?" He whispered, and she recognized the pain in his voice.

Oh, how she wanted to disagree with him, but he was right. She couldn't say it. Though her heart was yearning for him, which she didn't fully understand it; her mind was saying the opposite.

Closing her eyes, she gave him her answer.

Klaus smiled wanly, and dropped his hand. "I think we should continue." He whispered, walking past her, down the bridge.

Caroline opened her eyes, and felt tears filling her eyes. He was changing. He was giving her a choice. How could she resist him?

He was steadily proving her mind wrong. He wasn't a cold hearted monster. Or was he just saying the words so she would let her guard down? Her mind ran with the latter, but her heart didn't.

"Do you mean it?" She called out, as he reached the bottom.

He stopped and slowly turned around. "I would never lie to you, Caroline." He whispered, but she heard him anyway.

Caroline smiled, and let her heart guide her. With grace, she reached the bottom of the bridge, and stood in front of him.

Raising her right arm, she placed her hand over his chest. Klaus felt his heart beat in his chest faster, at her touch. His eyes searched hers, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"This is why I said you are not a monster, not anymore, not to me." She whispered, with a slight smile.

He inhaled deeply. "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Goddess." He whispered back.

She lowered her head for a second before raising it again. "You took me from my home and my mother, Klaus, but despite that, I find myself seeing you as a lonely man searching for more than this dismal realm, which needs a little light." She began, peering into his blue eyes.

Klaus' eyes flashed pain, but Caroline didn't waver. "I told you that I wish to see your kindness more often; does this tour you are giving me show that kindness?" She asked, tilting her head.

Klaus clenched his jaw and blinked his gaze away. "My brother has made an influence on you." He whispered, turning his gaze back to her. "What did he do? Promise to return you to the world above if you change me!" He growled out, tears brimming in his eyes.

She shook her head. "He didn't promise me anything, Klaus, and these are my beliefs, my words." She stated, dropping her hand.

Klaus scoffed, and stepped away from her. "My brother has always had a way with words. He can influence the darkest of souls with just three words." He replied, with a scoff. "No doubt he used the same tactic on you." He stated, with a sneer.

Caroline's eyes flashed. "He only told me that he loves you, and he believes as I do, that you can be saved." She stated, crossing her arms.

Klaus shook his head. "I'm a lost cause, Caroline." He stated, glaring at her.

Caroline shook her head in return. "No, Klaus, you just think you are." She returned, stepping closer to him.

He tilted his head to the side. "If I recall correctly, you said that I couldn't be when I brought you down here." He replied, placing his right hand on his chin.

"That's because you stole me, what else was I going to say?!" She shouted, throwing her arms out. "Was I going to welcome my kidnapper with open arms on the first day?!" She continued, her eyes flashing.

Klaus shook his head. "How can a person who was so angry and full of hatred for me suddenly give me a chance?" He stated, through clench teeth. "Especially after talking with my brother?!" He shouted in her face, bringing his arm up and then down.

Caroline rolled her eyes. "I don't know, Klaus! I'm having trouble digesting that myself!" She shouted back, leaning forward. "Maybe I was wrong, maybe you will always be a monster!" She shouted, before walking past him.

Klaus growled, and grasped her upper arm, and turned her to him. "Don't you turn your back on me!" He shouted in her face.

"I should have turned my back on you from day one!" She shouted back in his face.

Klaus lifted his head higher, and realized how close she was.

Caroline felt the tension running through her body. She couldn't deny, even her mind couldn't deny it.

Seize the opportunity. Her mind and heart spoke.

Searching his eyes, she seized the opportunity. Turning her body completely to line it with his, she reached up, with her right hand, and brought his head to hers.

With the tension building like a fire, their lips met for the first time.

What did you think?

I know, I know, cliffhanger, but it seemed like a good place to stop. lol I hope you approve!

I was a little nervous about this chapter, so again be kind in your reviews.

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all! (More Thumper creeping in! lol)

Next Chapter: Tour Part Two

Until Next Time...