Sorry for the wait, but this week was a bit hectic for me. I hope you enjoy this.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH!

Please remember to review at the end!

Caroline finished dressing, and realized a smile had not left her face. She wondered as she brushed her long hair, why she was so happy. Yes, she was falling in love with Klaus. That may have been it, but…Oh, who was she kidding, that was the reason.

She lowered her head, and smiled brightly.

"I love him." She whispered, smiling. She let out a giggle, and lifted her head. She twirled around her room. She was so happy. Her world just seemed brighter just by saying the words aloud.

Her brightness dimmed as the small pain once again entered her heart. She still missed her mother. She sighed, as she closed her eyes. If only she could send her mother a message, letting her know that she was alright. Maybe Klaus would allow that. She sighed as she thought of Klaus agreeing to it. He probably wouldn't, but then again…

He had told her he was falling for her. Maybe he has changed enough. She smiled as she walked to her door, and opened it.

Gingerly she walked down the marble hallway, towards his room. Stopping outside his door, she lifted her hand and knocked.

When she didn't hear anything on the other side, she opened the door, and found it empty. With a sigh, she closed the door, and continued to head down the hall.

She smiled as she looked around, at the place she now considered a second home. It was strange. Two weeks ago, she would have been repulsed by the thought, but now, she was seeing it in a whole other light. It was peaceful and serene. It still carried a hint of darkness in throughout the palace, but she could sense there was a light emanating through every corridor and room.

She paused, as she reached the end of the winding hallway, where two large Cyprus doors with golden handles and an engraving of a willow tree carved in the center, stood. She smiled as she tilted her head, and gently pushed them open.

Stepping out onto the balcony, her eyes traced the scene below. The light, for which she had seen from a distance in her room, was now in front of her. A brilliant light filled the ground below, as if the sun itself was resting in underworld, giving its light. Trees were carefully placed in different areas. Flowers blossomed on the ground, and she could see and hear birds flutter and sing.

Both of her hands covered her mouth as she gasped at the sight. It was beautiful, breathtaking. It was everything.

She dropped her hands on the stone railing in front of her, and drank in the sight.

"I see you have found my little garden."

Caroline smiled at the accent, and turned around. She looked at him with bright eyes, and studied his physique. Dressed in dark jeans with a grey Henley, and a black sailor jacket, he was the picture of sexiness and danger.

She nodded, and tilted her head. "Why have you not shown me this before?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder.

Klaus smiled and approached her. "I was going to on our little tour, but…" He trailed off, and extended his right hand outward.

"Stefan interrupted." Caroline finished, with a nod.

Klaus nodded, and closed the distance between them. "Do you like it?" He asked, searching her eyes.

Caroline smiled and nodded, emphatically. "It's beautiful." She whispered, her eyes never leaving his. "But I have one question." She began, watching his eyebrows lift in curiosity. "How did you get the light?" She asked, softly.

He smiled and bowed his head. "The underworld is granted with at least three places for the light to enter. One is Elysium. Two is the Haven, and three is my personal gardens." He answered, with another smile.

Caroline tilted her head. "What is the Haven?" She asked, with slight curiosity.

Klaus sighed, and moved towards the stone railing, casually placing his hands on the top. "Haven is the place where the gods go after their death, if they are lucky." He replied, in a low tone, but added the last bit in a breathless whisper.

"What do you mean if they are lucky?" Caroline asked, stepping up beside, turning her body to look at him.

He took a deep breath and hesitated. "Not all gods will go to Haven, Caroline. There is also Oblivion or Tartarus, as many people call it." He explained, turning to look at her. "Haven is the human equivalent of Heaven, except for the gods of Mystic Falls."

Caroline nodded as the knowledge began to sink in. Her brow furrowed as she thought about his words. "What about the flowers on the ground?" She asked, motioning to the garden. "I've noticed them before, but…" She trailed off with a smile.

Klaus smirked and nodded in understanding. "They're called Asphodels." He answered, with a smile.

Caroline smiled, and nodded. "I think I've heard of them, but I don't think I've ever seen them." She replied with a small laugh. "They're beautiful." She whispered looking at the tall white funnel shaped flowers lining the ground below.

"To many people above, they signify death and mourning." Klaus explained in a low voice, as he nodded.

Caroline turned to her right, and looked at him. "Everything signifies death down here." She whispered, searching his face.

Klaus lowered his head, and closed his eyes. "That's because death resides here, Caroline." He replied, sharply.

"I didn't mean…" She began, lifting her right hand and softly placed it on his left forearm.

Klaus tensed slightly under her touch, but then relaxed, slowly.

"Is there nothing down here that represents life?" She asked, softly, searching his face.

Klaus sighed, and looked down at her hand on his arm, before looking up at her. "You" He whispered, searching her eyes.

Caroline opened her mouth, and her eyes filled with tears.

Klaus swallowed and turned to face her completely. "The only one who represents life down here is you, Caroline." He whispered, with a small smile.

Caroline tugged her bottom lip in-between her teeth, and lifted the corner of her mouth as a blush appeared on her cheeks.

Klaus smiled, and lifted his left hand to her face, to softly caress it. "There was no life here until you." He whispered, with slight nervousness.

"You live." Caroline whispered her eyes gazing into his.

"I existed." Klaus stated, with slight tension.

Caroline smiled, and lifted her right hand to his chest. "So did I." She whispered, softly.

Klaus tilted his head, and searched her eyes. "Do you mean that?" He asked, warily.

Slowly she nodded. "I do." She answered, with a smile. She sighed as she looked down at his chest. "Every day, I would wake up, and always look forward to my job, to my flowers." She began, moving her left hand to his chest. "Yes, I love my job, but being here with you…" She trailed off, and stepped back.

Klaus watched as she turned away from him, and placed her hands on the cold stone railing. He took a deep breath and moved his eyes towards the garden.

"You know this garden needs to be cared for." Klaus began, after a moment of silence, placing his hands beside hers on the railing.

Caroline jerked her head to the side to look at him with her eyes widen. "What?" She asked, in a startled whisper.

Klaus smirked and glanced at her. "I hardly have any time to take care of it, with my work, and I know it's not much, but would you like to take care of this garden?" He asked, watching her.

Caroline's smile lit up her face, and Klaus felt his heart beat faster at the sight. "Do you mean it?" She asked, her breath catching in hope.

Klaus smiled and nodded. "I would never lie to you." He answered, with a glance.

Caroline laughed out loud, and practically jumped into his arms. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, she held onto him as her happiness began to glow. Klaus smiled as he wrapped his arms around her and secured her to his person.

"Oh, Klaus." She whispered her mouth very close to his ear. She felt such happiness at being able to take care of a garden, even if it was an underworld garden, but still, it was a garden.

Klaus smiled as his eyes closed. He had never felt such peace or such happiness before in his life, or at least before the accident. No, he wouldn't think of that right now. He didn't need that pain again, not with her in his arms.

Caroline closed her eyes as she felt his presence envelope her once again. She never felt such contentment before, and she never wanted to let it go.

Slowly they pulled apart and just stared into each other's eyes. It was a normal occurrence between them. Standing still, and just staring in the other's eyes. They needed no words, no actions, just looking, and it was enough.

Caroline felt her veins burn at the intensity of his eyes. She didn't think she would ever get used to the look, and she didn't want to. She studied his burning eyes, and realized she never fully wanted to leave. She saw his loneliness, his heartbreak, his fury, his anger, and his love.

Klaus watched as she studied him. He felt a burn run through him, at the intensity of her stare. He watched as her eyes changed from joy to sadness to understanding, and finally to love.

She reached up with both of her hands, and grasped his face. Pulling his head down, she placed his forehead on hers, and wrapped her arms around his neck. They sighed at the same time, contently.

Klaus was the first one to move, after a moment as he lifted his head. "I have some business to attend to." He whispered, looking into her eyes.

Caroline's face fell at his words. He was leaving her? She lowered her head, and reminded herself that he was the Lord of the Underworld, and he too had a job, but why should he be allowed to do his job when she couldn't? For this she was still a prisoner.

Klaus watched her face fall, and he hated that he had to leave her. "I promise I will return, Caroline." He whispered, touching her face with his right hand.

Slowly she smiled, and nodded. "I know. It's just…" She trailed off, as she turned away from him.

"Just what?" He asked, watching as she wrapped her arms around her waist.

"It's just; you get to carry on with your job, while I'm stuck here, away from mine." She ranted, shrugging her shoulders, her back still facing him.

Klaus' eyes narrowed. It's true. A part of him wished it wasn't, and yet it was. He swallowed as he turned his head to look at the garden. He had hoped she would be happy here with him, but who was he kidding. Her place was in the sun, not here in the darkness of the underworld.

He turned his body towards the stone railing and placed his hands on the top. When he had first brought her down here, he wanted to keep her, forever. He never intended to fall in love, but he realized he had been falling for her for the past five years, only now had it grown into pure love. A love he never hoped to find. He didn't want to believe that he had grown soft. Love was a weakness. He always believed that.

Until now.

As he thought about how much he had to lose if he let her go, Caroline turned around. She watched as his demeanor changed, and her brow furrowed with worry. Stepping closer to him, she placed her right hand on his back, and twisted her body so she could look into his eyes.

"Klaus?" She whispered, trying to look deeper into his eyes.

He swallowed once more, and closed his eyes. "Do you want to leave?" He asked, in a strangled tone.

Caroline's eyes widened at his question, and she opened her mouth to speak. "Would you let me?" She asked, her voice becoming breathless.

Klaus's jaw tightened and his chin jutted forward. "If that will make you happy." He whispered, though she could hear the tension in his voice.

She closed her eyes, and lowered her head. So many ways she could answer this question. If he had asked her two weeks ago, she would have gladly said yes, but now…

How could she leave the man she had come to love? How could she turn her back on her flowers and her mother though? She still had her duties.

"Why are you asking me this now?" She asked, her eyes still closed as she turned her body towards the garden, and placed her hands on the stone railing.

Klaus lowered his head, and swallowed. "I want you to be happy, Caroline." He whispered his heart filling with pain.

She lowered her head. "Is that the only reason?" She asked, her happiness seeming to leave her body. Wasn't this what she wanted?

Klaus nodded, but stilled his head, when she turned once again to face him.

"Just this morning you told me, you were falling in love with me, and now you tell me I can return to the world above if I choose." She began, stepping closer to him. "Why?" She asked, searching his eyes.

"I want you to be happy, Caroline." He answered, repeating the words he had just spoken.

She shook her head. "I am happy, Klaus." She whispered, lifting her right hand to his face.

"Are you really?" He asked, in a nervous tone, wanting so much to believe it.

She smiled as she nodded. "I am." She whispered, searching his eyes.

He sighed as he stepped back. "How can you be?" He asked his tone dark and lonely. "I stole you from your home, and refused to allow you to see your mother. You should despise me." He stated, his voice rising as he spoke.

She closed her eyes and lowered her head for a brief moment. "You're right. I should, Klaus." She began, as she lifted her head, watching as his body tensed with her words. "I should hate you for everything you have put me through." She stated her voice breaking.

Klaus turned around, and she could see his eyes filled with so much pain. "Why don't you?" He demanded, though his voice was pained.

She sighed as her head lowered once more. She couldn't stand to see him in pain, and her heart broke because of it.

"Caroline!" He shouted, causing her to jump, and lift her head.

"Because I love you!" She shouted her eyes wary.

With a low curse, Klaus shook his head, and closed the distance between them. With a quick breath, he grasped her face, and crushed his lips on her for a searing, passionate kiss.

Caroline melted in his arms, as his lips opened her mouth, and began to explore. Their tongues fought for dominance within their mouths, but neither could really care. Caroline's hands moved up into his hair, entwining her fingers through his brown curls. Klaus' right stayed on her face, and gently wove through her blonde hair. His left held her tightly against his body.

This was so right.

Caroline moaned as Klaus lifted his mouth from her lips, and moved down her face to her throat. Her body began to tingle at the feel of his mouth on her body. Her breathe began to shorten as he began to gentle nibble down her throat. Her head moved to the right, allowing him full access. This is what she wanted, and yet a part of her screamed it was too fast.

Her mind began to muddle as his lips moved over her skin. She had to stop this from going further, but, oh, it felt so good.

Her mouth opened in an 'o' as he slowly moved his lips upward, and then pulled back completely.

Slowly she opened her eyes, and found him looking just as disturbed as she felt.

"Tell me you did not say those words, so I would let you leave." He whispered, shakily.

She smiled, and felt a blush appear on her cheeks. "I only speak the truth." She whispered, repeating his words.

Klaus smiled, and silently laughed. He searched her eyes, and caressed her cheek with his right hand. "I better leave. I have some business to tend to." He whispered, tenderly.

She nodded, and sighed. "But I'll see you later?" She asked, quietly.

He nodded. "Of course." He answered, kissing her cheek tenderly, before turning to leave.

She watched as he reached the doorway, and turned around. "If you wish, you could send a message to your mother. I can have Matt come to receive it later this afternoon, if you choose." He replied, opening his left hand and moving it outward.

Caroline's smile brightened as she nodded. "I would love that." She exclaimed, clasping her hands in front of her body. "Thank you." She added with another bright smile.

Klaus smiled in returned, and turned back around to disappear down the hallway.

Caroline sighed with happiness, as she turned back towards the gardens. Everything was falling into place. She thought.

She just hoped her mother would understand.

~Later in the Day~

Liz sighed as she gazed at the letter in her hands. Matt had left a few hours ago, and she was grateful. She needed to be alone. She read and re-read her daughter's letter, and still could not believe her eyes. Surely she had read it wrong. No, she didn't.

She sighed as she sat on her bed in the quaint cottage she shared with her daughter. Looking out her window, she could see the darkness, not as potent as before, but still present. Maybe Esther was right. Maybe love is the key.

She wanted to be happy that her daughter was safe and content for the moment, but how could she? Her daughter needed to be here, to care for her flowers, and to help rid Mystic Falls of the darkness.

She threw her head back, and sighed again. Her daughter was falling in love with the Lord of the Underworld, and from the letter, he was falling too. Her eyes closed at the thought of light loving the darkness.

"Light loving the darkness." She whispered, as her eyes opened widely.

She stood up, quickly, and looked out of the window. Holding the letter in her hands, she smiled.

What did you think?

Remember keep the reviews kind. NO HARSH COMMENTS!

The tension is building up between them. I hope you approve.

Until Next Time...