Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries - the original books were written by L J Smith and the TV show was developed by Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson. This story is the product of their characters and world and my imagination. Any recognisable lines (verbatim or amended) from Vampire Diaries episodes belong to the writers, not me.

Caroline

Klaus stormed back into the house, blood on his hands and fury in his eyes.

"What a damn fiasco," he muttered, "Rippers might be interesting enough at times but their messes could get us all exposed to the humans. Where is he? Perhaps he'll be more careful after a few days hanging from some chains."

Human Caroline would have protested at the idea of putting anyone in chains like that. Vampire Caroline was starting to realise that the supernatural rules were different, especially when such an experience wouldn't cause any permanent harm. In this case, however, she didn't think chains would help much.

"I think he's learned his lesson," Caroline said softly.

"Stefan is a Ripper, love, he can't control himself when it comes to blood."

"I believe he's switched his humanity back on," she admitted.

Klaus had briefly explained that a vampire could switch off their humanity, a process that seemed horrifying to her, a choice she hoped she never felt pushed to make.

Klaus' eyes widened slightly. It seemed she'd actually managed to shock him, which was a rare feat, "hmm, well I suppose it will be interesting to see if he survives the experience."

"What!" she cried out, "why wouldn't he survive?"

"Turning your humanity back on isn't quite as simple as it sounds, Caroline," he explained, "everything comes flooding back – memories, emotions, guilt. Vampires are stronger than humans but many who turn their humanity back on can't deal with everything that comes with it – they stake themselves, walk out into the sunlight without a daylight ring, or simply go mad."

"Well, we have to check on him then!" Caroline insisted frantically.

Klaus didn't seem quite as panicked. She knew he had an 'only the strong survive' sort of mentality, but Stefan was his friend (sort of, at least).

He stood slowly, "relax, love, I'm sure Stefan is fine."

However, Stefan, as they discovered after a thorough search, was not actually in the house anymore.

Caroline wanted to go after him. Klaus pointed out that they had no idea where he was.

"I suppose he might want some time alone, but will he be alright?" Caroline fretted.

Part of her was worried Stefan might harm himself in his grief and regret. Another part was concerned he might end up hurting someone else.

"He has to come to terms with what has happened," Klaus told her, "this isn't a burden you can shoulder for him, Caroline, though I've no idea why you even want to – I didn't think you were fond of the Ripper."

She frowned. She hadn't forgotten that Stefan had murdered her parents, torn into them right in front of her, but there had still been something terribly sad about the expression on face before she left him in his bedroom, a lone tear glistening on his cheek.

Caroline was far from heartless, even when it came to Stefan Salvatore.

"Fine," she conceded, "I'll leave him alone for the moment."

She was still concerned about what Stefan might do in his distressed state, but she couldn't control everything around her, no matter how much she might want to sometimes.

"Well then," Klaus turned to her with a sly, lascivious smirk on his face, "we may as well make use of the empty house."

Caroline had to smile at how quickly he could turn from serious to seductive.

And, honestly, she didn't mind. Vampirism, she had learned, came with heightened senses and sexual desire, and Caroline had learned that she really, really enjoyed sex with Klaus.

Sometimes, she worried that her mother would be turning over in her grave at her current behaviour, but she hoped that Elizabeth Forbes would see that her daughter was happy and that was what really mattered. After all, the concept of 'waiting for marriage' didn't exactly fit into the new world of monsters Caroline found herself in.

She reached out for Klaus, twining their hands together, "sure," she smiled, "bet you we can get the bed to break in ten minutes or less."

He laughed, "it's a reinforced steel frame, love."

She winked at him, loving her new boldness, "I'll take that as a challenge."

He laughed loudly and her heart fluttered a little at the sound.

Too early to call it love, but oh how she was falling for him.

(in the end it took nine minutes and thirty four seconds. Caroline gloated for days).

Stefan came back to the house when Caroline was alone, Klaus having gone out to meet a business associate.

Even paler than usual, wild-eyed and dishevelled. For a moment, she was concerned about being alone with him, worried he might go into a frenzy.

There was no cause for concern, however. Stefan simply slumped into a seat opposite her, a pile of papers in his hands, in a kind of shocked stupor.

He handed the papers over to her without a word and she began to read a list of names and dates. Hundreds of them, dated from when she knew Stefan had been turned up until a few days ago.

Oh god, this was …

This was his list.

She didn't want to look at this, didn't want to imagine faces to go along with the names.

She flicked to the end almost automatically, to one of the last massacres.

To the house party she couldn't ever forget.

William Forbes. Elizabeth Forbes.

Her parents. Their names in black and white, a reminder of what Stefan had done.

"I'm sorry."

His words were so quiet she almost didn't hear them, even with her enhanced senses.

"I'm sorry, Caroline," he repeated.

Stefan looked broken.

Caroline's cheeks were damp with tears.

She was lying on their bed when Klaus came back.

It was their bed now rather than his. Caroline had recently abandoned the room she had first slept in, moving the growing collection of items she had (presents from Klaus, as well as a few sentimental items he had liberated from her family home) into Klaus' bedroom bit by bit.

"What did he do?" Klaus demanded angrily, "I'll rip him limb from limb."

If she wasn't so sad, Caroline would laugh at his protectiveness. It was an overreaction, but well meant. Threats to dismember or kill people who upset her seemed to be one of Klaus' favourite love languages.

"I'm just missing my parents," she told him, "Stefan … he apologised to me."

Apologies only went so far. Her parents were still dead and nothing would bring them back. Nevertheless, she appreciated the gesture.

"Would it make you feel better if he was dead?" Klaus asked.

She shook her head, "I don't want to be the reason you kill people. I won't be an excuse. Besides, it won't make my parents any less gone, will it?"

"It might make you feel better, sweetheart."

"Maybe for a little while," she admitted, content enough to admit she might have something of a bloodthirsty side, "but not for long, and I'd only feel worse in the end. Anyway, you enjoy his company."

"I did," Klaus said, "though I imagine he'll be far duller now he's got his humanity back. You're more important, though, Caroline."

It was a short, simple sentence, but it was one that meant more than she could ever fully explain.

So often in her life she had been the second choice, overlooked for a girl who was prettier or less difficult or sweeter-tempered. Klaus was different, he put her first.

"I think I almost love you," she admitted softly.

"I'd burn worlds for you, Caroline," he responded.

Then he climbed onto the bed, wrapped his arms around her, and simply held her.

Stefan stayed in his room for the next week.

He was usually quiet, but occasionally they heard the sound of glass smashing, or a particularly anguished cry.

Caroline wanted to go and check on him, but Klaus insisted it could be dangerous to interrupt Stefan at such a time.

"Remember, some of them go mad when they switch their humanity back on," he told her, "and they aren't always able to distinguish between friend and foe."

When Stefan did finally emerge, it was whem Klaus had gone out to deal with some trouble brewing at one of the speakeasies he owned.

Caroline wondered if it was deliberate on Stefan's part. He had known Klaus longer, but he was probably very aware that she was more likely to be sympathetic to him. Klaus was always wary and on the look-out for possible threats.

"I can't stay," he confided in Caroline, "not here, surrounded by this lifestyle. It would be too easy to slip."

"Where will you go?"

"I've got a friend, Lexi. At least, I hope she's still a friend. She helped me before and I'm hoping she can do the same again."

"She sounds wonderful," Caroline said, unable to hide the relieved look on her face that Stefan had some support waiting for him.

"Lexi is great," he agreed, "I don't deserve a friend like her."

There were a few seconds of silence before Stefan spoke again, looking far more nervous now.

"You could come with me," he suggested, "I'm sure Lexi would love you. And it would be a less … dangerous life."

Caroline almost gaped at him. She hadn't expected his words at all.

"I know you and Klaus are … something," Stefan added, "but I wasn't sure how serious it was. And Klaus is … well he's Klaus, Original vampire, scourge of the supernatural world. I just … wanted to give you an out, if you needed it."

Caroline could imagine Klaus' reaction if she left. There would certainly be anger, a dark fury that could shake Chicago to its foundations. She hadn't known him that long, really, but it was clear he was intensely possessive of the people he cared about. So, there would be anger, but, even more than that, there would be a deep hurt that she thought he would hide but still feel.

And, on her own part, she didn't want to leave. There were parts of her new life that scared her, but there were far more exciting, beautiful things to see. Klaus cared about her in a way no one else ever had, respected her more than she ever dreamed a man would.

How could she ever give him up?

"I'll be fine, Stefan, I promise."

He still looked troubled, "just think about it. I'm leaving tomorrow morning and you're welcome to join."

She nodded, smiled, thanked him for the offer.

However, she knew her answer wouldn't change.

Klaus was stony-faced. To most he would probably look as if he didn't care at all that Stefan was about to leave, but Caroline knew better.

Klaus didn't like it at all when people left, at least not while he still wanted them around.

While the Ripper was gone, at least for the moment, Klaus still wanted Stefan around, if only to decide whether he liked the vampire as much with his humanity on as without it.

Caroline was glad she hadn't mentioned Stefan's offer to her, or perhaps he would be departing missing a limb or two.

Klaus said a curt goodbye and moved across the room to give Caroline and Stefan an illusion of privacy.

"Are you sure?" Stefan asked her, looking worriedly at the surly Klaus.

She nodded confidently. Klaus was a nightmare, but he wasn't her nightmare.

And while Stefan trying to improve and atone was a good sign, she knew she'd never be able to forget that he had murdered her parents, would never be comfortable travelling with him.

"You go," she added with an encouraging smile, "I think I'll stay."

"Really?" Stefan tried to hide his scepticism but didn't quite manage it, if Klaus' growl in the background was any indication.

Caroline's gaze slid to Klaus. Klaus, who looked at her like she was something precious and special and interesting, who was watching her now with an almost-boyish hope.

"Yes," she told Stefan, "I'm sure."

As she waved Stefan off, Klaus appeared next to her and his hand found hers, their fingers tangling together.

"How do you feel about Paris, love?"

She grinned, excitement building inside her at the thought of seeing such a beautiful city.

"Sounds perfect."

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.