Disclaimer: No one is surprised to learn I don't own TVD

"Please Don't Say You Love Me" by Gabrielle Aplin - Please don't say you love me, cause I might not say it back; doesn't mean by heart stops skipping when you look at me like that

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Sage.

They had been burning it all morning, with absolutely no results. Secrecy spells where still a mystery, and now the scent of the herb clung to her clothes and hair. It was going to take her at least five showers to get rid of it.

"Mom?" Caroline called out at she shut the front door. There was no reply - when was there ever? - so she tossed her bag at the couch, grabbed a fistful of curls as she headed to the kitchen, and sniffed to confirm her fear. She smelt like stuffing.

It was all the sage's fault, really. If she hadn't been so preoccupied sniffing her hair, she would have noticed the other scent in her house.

The male scent.

The owner of the said scent was sat on her kitchen counter, gazing at a haphazard scrawl of a pony that a five year old Caroline had proudly produced to her parents. She didn't have time to notice his little smile, or the crease in his forehead as he studied the artwork. No, Caroline just yelped at the surprise intruder and hurled her only weapen - her car keys - in his direction.

Apparently vampirism didn't compensate for poor aim as a human, and Klaus watched as they sailed past him. With an almost lazy gracefulness, he stretched to his left and caught the weapon before in landed in the soapy suds of the sink. There was a lengthy pause as Klaus smirked whilst Caroline stood, hands on hips, glaring at him.

"You know sweetheart, your car keys aren't my one weakness"

"Then tell me what is, so I can fix everyone's problems and kill you" Caroline snapped, lacking any of her usual bite.

"That's not very kind, Caroline" Klaus chastised gently, placing her artwork on the table gently as though it was a precious jewel.

"Neither is breaking into other people's houses"

"Throwing your keys at them isn't exactly gracious, either" Klaus continued, relishing in the glow her annoyance brought to her cheeks.

"You were an intruder!" Caroline protested.

"You're a vampire" Klaus reminded her, "You could do a lot more damage than a set of keys could. Although-"

"Don't say anything about my aim" Caroline warned him, a finger pointed at him and her sternest expression indicating this was a sore point.

He held his hands up in mock surrender, "I wouldn't dream of it"

"So..." Caroline sighed, fully appreciating just how surreal it was to find the most powerful creature on the planet sat on her worktop, "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to talk to you"

Caroline bit her lip. When she had woke this morning, she had been determined to completely forget the events of last night. The confessions, the champagne, the dancing, the argument, the lot. They would both pretend it had never happened and all would be right with the world. And then Elena shared Esther's plan. Numerous times.

She had told Elena herself. They shouldn't feel guilty about this. It was Esther's plan. Original business. They didn't owe anything to the Mikaelson's, and they certainly didn't need to get involved in any of it. Why should they feel guilty? Guilt would imply responsibility, emotion. Nope. No emotions involved. Not one. Indifference. Was that an emotion?

It didn't really matter. She was indifferent about it.

"I don't want to talk about last night" Caroline muttered, avoiding the issue and suddenly craving a blood bag.

"It's not about our disagreement"

"Disagreement?" She repeated incredulously, turning back to him. That was one word for it, "Seriously?"

"I need to talk to you" Klaus repeated as he hopped off the counter. He seemed determined as he strode towards her. Her heart gave a leap and a flutter as she stepped backwards, her back hitting against the cool surface of the fridge door.

His proximity was stifling, suffocating. She didn't want him that close, she couldn't have him that close. Because he was Klaus. The bad guy. "You can talk from over there, y'know"

He continued on his path, regardless, "You seem awfully skittish, love. Something the matter?"

"I am not skittish" Caroline protested, her voice a few octaves higher than normal, "And why wouldn't I be? You're Klaus"

"You didn't seem to mind that yesterday - when you wore my dress and my bracelet. When you came to my ball" Klaus had continued his advance, his arms creating a cage as they were placed either side of her head.

She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. All that she could acknowledge was that he was so close, his breath warm on her neck. His body was towering over her, his form pressed ever so slightly to her curves. She couldn't concentrate on anything else, and only parts of his words managed to penetrate her brain. But, even at that, they were lost in a muddle and she flushed hotly, "Oh my God, no one said anything about your balls"

Klaus dimpled a mischievious smirk, "Except you"

"Look" Caroline said forcefully, giving his shoulders a gentle nudge. She quickly retracted her hands, the simple touch felt as though she'd been shocked. She knew the sear of vervain all too well, but it was nothing compared to the delicious, glorious burn of him, "I know it's your thing to get into people's personal space, and y'know, intimidate them, but just... back off, buddy"

Klaus pressed his hard body closer to her, "Do I intimidate you?"

She couldn't help but let her mind wander back to Prank Night. She was definitely intimidated then, but now... Her heart was racing, but it wasn't fear. She didn't have a rational explanation, but all she wanted was to throw herself head first into the flames. As if on cue, her body subconsciously arched into him.

He closed his eyes as she drew closer, "Sage"

"Hmm?" she queried, still unable to concentrate on anything but his proximity.

"You smell of sage" Klaus clarified, opening his eyes to peer at her, "What are you up to, little one?"

Oh no. "I was cooking" she lied awkwardly.

Klaus leaned even closer, his breath dancing along the shell of her ear, "We're in your kitchen"

"At Elena's" Caroline stammered, struggling to come up with a lie, "We made...brownies"

"Sage brownies?" Klaus couldn't hide the amusement in his voice.

"Yep" Caroline muttered, deciding that the best course of action was to stare at the necklaces peeking from his shirt. His eyes seemed to make her tongue-tied, "They're really good"

Klaus smirked. He would no doubt found out whatever their little plan was in time. He needed to do what he originally came for. Her eyes were fixed on his neck, her breathing heavy, her heart pattering. He placed his index finger under her chin and raised her head to meet his gaze.

She was lost in his stormy eyes as his pupils dilated, "You remember, Caroline. Everything I've compelled you to forget. You remember it all"

And then it came crashing down on her. Wave after wave of memories. The cage, the stranger, the rescue, Nik, the promises, the dungeon, Nik, Klaus, the sacrifice, Klaus, being compelled.

The only way to describe the sudden influx of memories was dizziness. It just kept hitting her over and over, crashing down, pulling back and then knocking her again. She closed her eyes and internally begged for it to stop. It was all too much.

He watched her with her eyes closed, drawing ragged breath after ragged breath. After what felt like an eternity, she slowly opened her eyes, blinking slowly. The memories that seemed to cloud her azure eyes cleared and as she looked up to meet his burning gaze, he saw it. He saw the Caroline from that very first night, "Nik?"

Klaus allowed a small smile to grace his lips. She knew. She knew it all. He was no longer just Klaus, he was more than the bad guy, he was-

Crack.

He took a deep breath, allowing his anger to settle. Adjusting his jaw and forcing it to pop back into place, he turned to face her slowly. Her eyes blazed, her rage marring her angelic features. Venom poured from her lips as she hissed, "What the hell did you do to me?"

"I saved you"

It was as though the floodgates had opened, and he was intent on drowning, forcibly pushing himself beneath the tidal wave of her fury. She swung out at him again, but this time he caught her wrist in a vice-like grip. His voice was silky smooth, "You only get one free shot, love"

"Get the hell out of my house" Caroline pulled feebly against his grip.

"I need to explain" Klaus lessened his hold the moment he saw marks blossoming on her ivory skin.

She was angry, she was so angry. She remembered how special she had considered Nik, the way that night had played out. And now to find out that it was Klaus? She had never felt rage like it, "That you screwed with my mind? I understand perfectly"

"Caroline-" Klaus objected, surprised when she slammed her entire body into him. She had sprinted past him before he had a chance to regain his senses. He followed her, listening to her heavy breathing as she clearly rested against her locked door.

He braced his hands either side of the wall, struggling to contain his anger, "Open the door"

"No"

"Open the door now" Klaus ground out, the plaster crumbling underneath his fingertips.

"No"

He paused, "Open it, or I will break it down"

"Well aren't you just the Big Bad Wolf?" Caroline's stomach lurched. He wouldn't, would he?

Klaus readied himself to kick through the flimsy wood, "Caroline-"

"Get the hell out of my house"

The words were repeated, but it was an entirely different Forbes hissing them. Liz stood, her gun aimed at him, even though it was entirely fruitless. For a briefest flash, Klaus admired her. And then he remembered that she was yet another obstacle to talking with Caroline.

He turned to face her fully, adopting his slick, charming tone, "Sheriff"

"Get. The. Hell. Out. Of. My. House" Liz repeated slowly, venom lacing every word. Her eyes rapidly darted from him to Caroline's door as it was opened a crack.

He yearned to turn and face the object of his attention, but he knew Liz would shoot him in an instant. He didn't fancy the pain, "Very well. I'll see you at the next Council meeting"

As he swaggered past her, Liz muttered lowly, "I told you not to use my daughter, ever again"

"I didn't" Klaus murmured as he strode out of the house, his voice so low Liz didn't have a hope of hearing it.

But Caroline did. The sadness in his voice made her heart constrict. Wait, she was furious at him. How could he make her feels so many things? Ah, yes. Mind control.

"Caroline?" Liz holstered her gun, "Sweetie?"

Caroline opened her door fully, as though to allow an inspection, "I'm fine, Mom"

"Are you sure? Did he hurt you?"

"No Mom, he didn't touch me. I'm fine" Caroline soothed gently, giving Liz's arm a reassuring squeeze.

"Are you sure?"

"Mom. I'm good. Honestly"

Caroline tuned back to her room, her eye catching the indentations Klaus' rage had made against her wall. She traced the markings gently. She was still shaken, realising Nik had caused these marks too. They were one. It was all so confusing. She was angry. She was so angry she felt as though she was on fire.

And yet...

She was so happy to see Nik again.

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"No"

"Blondie, this isn't about you" Damon muttered angrily.

"This isn't about me?" Caroline snapped sarcastically, "Using me as bait for the shark isn't about me?"

And then he dropped the three little words that could get any Mystic Falls resident to bend to his will, "It's for Elena"

Caroline paused, for a fraction. There wasn't a choice, "What do you need me to do?"

"Fluff up your hair, get the goodies out and do a bit of crusty old Original charming"

Caroline's mouth fell open in shock, because, seriously? She was supposed to hunt down the man who had been threatening to kick her door down roughly six hours ago? "What? Oh God, ew! Is there something else I can do?"

"No!" Damon snorted as though her help was limited. Charming, "We need you at the Grill. Remember Blondie, divide and conquer"

Counting to ten to avoid shrieking, Caroline huffed loudly, "I am not a Trojan Horse Damon! And there is no way in hell I am sleeping with him"

There was a signifcant pause, "I meant a skimpy outfit, Caroline. You seem more neurotic than usual"

There was no way she wanted Damon to know about Klaus. And Nik. "I'm on my way"

She was so not following Damon's digusting, creepy advice, but she did feel the need to freshen up. Selecting a relatively new black top and the blazer that hugged her curves, she changed quickly. She recurled her hair, because, well. She was Caroline Forbes, Miss Mystic Falls. It was in the job desciption to look alluring.

For the town. She had to look alluring for Mystic Falls.

She arrived at the Grill sooner she'd of liked. Of course, Damon was there, giving her a suggestive nod, as though he was the Wicked Witch of the West and she was his Flying Monkey, off to do his bidding. Which she was. Eugh, she heard him mutter "a little blonde distraction".

It was for Elena.

That was the mantra she repeated in her head as she strutted towards the bar, the Hybrid and his younger brother in her sights. She kept the dismissive look on her face, despite Kol's 'compliments'.

She ignored the thump her heart gave when Klaus muttered about tearing out livers. Because, really. Caveman, much? She did not appreciate it. Not one bit. Nope.

"Caroline" Klaus greeted with a smile.

"Oh, it's you" Caroline snapped coldly. He seemed to be most interested when she was angry, and honestly, she was angry. No amount of 'Let's save Elena!' planning could change that.

Klaus lowered his eyes, almost as though he was ashamed. Almost, "Join us for a drink?"

"Yes" Kol agreed, raising his glass in the air, "Then we can finish our little chat, darling"

Caroline rolled her eyes. Not getting the message was clearly a Mikaelson family trait, "Hmm... I'd rather die of thirst, but thanks" She turned on her heel, hoping the division strategy would work.

She she shouldn't want him to follow her, because... he's Klaus.

It made her sick with fear, because she did want him to follow her.

And it wasn't for Elena.

If Damon accused her of having an extra sway in her hips as Klaus accepted the challenge Kol set him, she'd deny it for an eternity.

"Caroline!"

The screech of tyres and the blast of a horn brought a smile to her lips. Good, run him over. She whirled round to face him, ready to sass him with all she had, "Seriously? Take a hint"

She turned back to stride away. She couldn't help but smile as she heard him follow, "Don't be angry, love. We had another spat. I'm over it already"

What?

She turned sharply, her golden curls falling wildly around her face, hissing, "A spat? A spat? Are you seriously calling what happened a spat?"

"Yes" Klaus replied evenly, "Given everything I've done, this really wasn't all that bad"

"Not all that bad?" she repeated incredulously, "Do you not get it?"

Klaus stood before her, looking like a confused puppy, "Not really" 'He isn't a puppy. He's a wolf' she mentally coached herself.

"It's not okay to rip blocks out of my mental jenga!" Caroline burst, her eyes wide, "It causes all sorts of problems. I get confused, I don't know what real, I don't know what I'm feeling, why I'm feeling like-"

"And what are you feeling, Caroline?" Klaus asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Caroline knew she had no idea what she was confessing to him, but that whatever it was, it wasn't good. Her mental boat was most definitely drifting into dangerous waters, "Well, I don't know. I don't know anything anymore"

"Well, talk to me" Klaus offered, sitting on the nearby bench. He eyed the incredulous look on her face, "C'mon, I'll tell you everything you need to know about that night. Get to know me"

"I don't know how good an idea that is, given how our last conversation went. My Mom is billing you for the damage" Caroline sighed, weighing up her options in her mind. Talking to him seemed dangerous for her sanity, yet it would keep Plan Salvatore very much alive.

Mistaking her plotting for hesitation, he added, "I dare you"

Right.

"So" Caroline began as she threw herself on the bench, "That night. Why did you save me?"

He opened his mouth, ready to begin, and then seemed to change his mind, "I genuinely don't know. I saw you, in that cage, you were curled in a ball and you looked so helpless. But then, you bared your fangs, you challenged me and... I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful"

Caroline looked down, refusing to get lost in his warm eyes, "So, why were you there?"

"I was doing a little investigating of the town. When you've spent a thousand years with a curse and the opportunity arises to fix it, you cater for all eventualities"

And in an instant she was repulsed, "So, you were making sure Elena was alive so you could kill her?"

"I'm not going to apologise" Klaus replied evenly.

"No, that would indicate that you had a shred of decency" Caroline muttered sarcastically.

"No" Klaus countered, his voice betraying his irration, "That was indicated when I saved your life"

Caroline's mind immediately flew to his blood, warm and thick against her lips, "You put me in danger"

"When Nik intervened, I believe it was Tyler's pack that had you in that cage"

Caroline paused, internally cursing. She really had to start equating Nik and Klaus.

"The word you're searching for is touche" Klaus added with a dimpled smirk.

"Don't be cute" Caroline muttered.

"You think I'm cute?"

"Don't be an ass" Caroline snapped quickly, "So why did you compel me to forget?"

Klaus hesitated, "It was a weakness"

Caroline frowned, "What was?"

"Kindness"

She had to catch her breath. His honesty, the sadness that shined in his eyes, the idea that he lived his life believing kindness was a weakness. It was devastating, "But why did you bother to save me if you would just need to compel me?"

"I didn't know what you were apart of, who you were friends with" Klaus smiled a regretful smile, "I couldn't have you live and tell anyone"

"So how can you cope with it now?"

Klaus titlted head to the side, his eyes shining as though it were obvious, "I'm the Alpha now. I have my family, Mikael is dead. Nothing can touch me"

Caroline scoffed. For the briefest moment she felt like she saw something more. And now he was back to being a first-rate Hybrid douche, "You are seriously screwed up"

His eyebrows raised in amusement, as if he didn't believe her. She was keen to clarify this wasn't some weird form of flirting, "Seriously. It's disgusting"

"Oh? Tell me sweetheart, what disgusts you most? That I'm in fact Nik, that I saved you or that I compelled you?"

"Look, you win points for saving me" Caroline admitted. He smiled happily again, so she quickly added, "But the false personna? Compelling me? You're back down in the negatives"

"And how can I acquit myself?"

Caroline blushed, because really, Klaus had a thousand years to perfect that searching gaze. And, boy, was it perfect. Coming to her senses, her voice was almost pleading, "You can take your expensive gifts, and your romantics drawings, and leave me alone"

"You didn't like the drawing?" Klaus ventured.

"No, of course I did" Caroline muttered, "It's just-"

"I'm the Big Bad, and it should stay that way?" Klaus finished for her.

"Yeah" Caroline agreed enthusiastically, "I'm firmly Team Mystic Falls and you're Team Original, so really we should, y'know, keep batting seperately"

Klaus stifled a laugh at her analogy, and her face turned outraged in an instant, "Don't laugh at me! Do not laugh at me Klaus!"

He forced his lips into a line in an effort to please her, and Caroline rolled her eyes, "Besides, what would your family say? I don't think they are paid-in members to the 'Preserve the Life of Mystic Falls Residents Association' ".

"Kol seems to have taken a shining to you" Klaus countered, "But do you honestly think things are that simple? Has Nik not blurred the moral lines, ever so slightly? And as for my family, I don't think you're going to tell anyone"

"Oh?"

"Because then you're going to have to talk about Nik to your friends" Klaus clarified, "There was a reason you kept me secret"

"Because he asked me too" Caroline explained as though she was speaking to a child, "Nik. Not Klaus"

"And you complied"

"For Nik" she murmered annoyedly. He still had that smug smile on his face, so she added, "Not Klaus"

"Ni...klaus"

God "And then you compelled me. So I couldn't, even if I wanted to"

"You didn't want to" Klaus replied confidently.

"How do you know?"

"Because then you would have to share all the gory details. And then the one man on the planet that put you first wouldn't belong just to you"

She clicked her tongue, desperately trying to find a counter argument, tell him he was wrong, laugh in his face, punch him, anything, "I don't want to talk about this anymore"

"Shutting down isn't healthy, Caroline" Klaus teased gently.

Caroline's eyes flashed, "Well I learnt from the master"

Klaus paused, allowing her a moment, "I want to talk about you. Your hopes, your dreams, everything you want in life"

Her laugh was like a harmonious melody to his ears, "Seriously? Does that line ever work?"

He simply grinned at her, and she couldn't help but smile back, "Just to be clear. I'm too smart to be seduced by you"

"Well, that's why I like you"

She blushed. That was twice in the last twenty fours hours Klaus had voiced his feelings about her. Not that she was keeping count.

"So, your dreams?" Klaus prompted.

"Travel"

"Well, that has painted quite a picture Caroline, thank you" Klaus smiled sarcastically.

Caroline threw her hands up in the air, "What? I want to travel!"

"Where?"

"Italy" Caroline's grin grew wide, "Russia, the Caribbean, Norway, Mexico, Austrailia, Britain. England. Oh my God, London" She eyed Klaus, "Judging by your smug look, I take it you've been everywhere?"

His smile grew, "Once or twice"

"Where's the favourite?"

"We're talking about you" Klaus gently reminded her.

"I'm just looking for a tiny recommendation!" Caroline protested, "Really, you need to lose the weird control thing you've got going on- Klaus?"

He was gently tracing the front of his shirt, over the spot where his undead heart was. His complexion had greyed ever so slightly, his eyes darting around the parking lot.

She looked back at the Grill and couldn't see anything suspicious, "Klaus? What's wrong?"

He stood up sharply and she blindly followed, "What did you do?"

She winced at his tone. It was no longer the charming, easy going Klaus she'd had a real conversation with. No, this was the Alpha. An extremely pissed Alpha, at that. His bruising fingers crushed her arms as he pulled her into him, growling, "What did you do?"

"Nothing" Caroline looked back at the Grill, hoping reinforcements would appear. She was just meant to be the distraction. She remembered the pain of a broken neck the last time she adopted this role, and suddenly this plan was a very bad idea, "I didn't do anything. Stop it"

His grip lessened as his eyes calculated what was happening. He murmured Kol's name and then he was gone, vanished into the inky night.

She waited, her breathing slowing and her heart returning to normal. It was over. Her part of the plan was done.

It didn't feel that way. It felt like this was just the beginning. And she had no clue what of.

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I am so, so, so sorry for how long it has taken me! But I'm on top of things now, so I should be better, I hope!

Thank you to everyone who has favourited, alerted (230?! Amazing. Group hug!) and reviewed (I am going to answer these in a timely fashion, I swear!) It means the world.

I can't leave without saying... 4x21 stills! OH MY GOD! What is air?!

Thanks for reading, and your thoughts/feedback are welcomed!

See you soon!

LoveYouBye!x