Greetings, my lovelies! Got another idea for another drabble for "Eternal Flame." In fact, it's another back door pilot type of drabble. It's for a Klaroline story I've got swimming around in my head. Not to give much away, it's an AU/AH about Caroline, a Psychology major at Whitmore College, going undercover as a patient at the Mystic Falls Psychiatric Hospital as part of an assignment, and meets a patient named Klaus Mikaelson.

You drive me crazy

I just can't sleep

I'm so excited, I'm in too deep

Oh…crazy

But it feels all right

Baby, thinking of you keeps me up all night

It was hard to avoid the staring as Caroline entered the rec room. The other patients, who had gathered around the vintage television had now shifted their attention toward her. She forced herself to stay calm and reminded herself that she wasn't really one of them, but a student who was spending the next six months among them as part of an assignment. Speaking of which, she made a mental note to write a strongly worded letter to Professor Maxfield's bosses about this once the six months were up and she was allowed to return to reality.

Yeah, right, reality will be pretty messed up by the time this stupid assignment is finished, she thought. I don't even know why I took that damn course to begin with. Hell, I don't know who was crazier, Professor Maxfield for giving us the assignment, or me for agreeing to subjecting myself to living like a mental patient.

Letting out a sigh, Caroline made her way to a vacant table by the easels, where she sat down and grabbed a magazine that looked like it was older than her, flipping through it to avoid eye contact with the other people.

"You're really too nice of a girl to be in a place like this, love."

An accented voice startled her and Caroline looked up to see a young man standing there, giving her a curious look. In fact, she remembered seeing him when she first arrived the other day. "I take it you're spying on me?"

The man blinked. "Spying? Dear girl, you wound me. I wasn't spying on you. I was merely observing you."

"Same difference," said Caroline. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I was reading this magazine."

The man ignored her and sat down across from her. He had noticed the way the other inmates were staring at her and he didn't like it. He hated it so much, in fact, that he decided to take it upon himself to protect her. A rare beauty like her needed to be guarded like a treasure.

As soon as he sat down, Caroline stole a glance at him. She had to admit, he was gorgeous, with short, slightly curly dark blonde hair and greenish blue eyes that any woman would have to be blind and stupid not to notice, as well as a body that, although it was covered in that orange uniform he was wearing, was made for hours of hot, passionate, primal sex, and lips that she could imagine herself kissing and nibbling.

"Who are you?"

"Forgive me, love, I have forgotten my manners. My name is Klaus Mikaelson."

Well, he has a sexy name to go with that body and eyes. Who'd have guessed that I'd meet an incredibly hot inmate? I'll definitely have to tell Katherine about this when we're back in our room later. "It's nice to meet you, Klaus. I'm Caroline Forbes."

Klaus smiled at her, liking her name already. "A pleasure, Caroline." He gently lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I assure you that you are in no danger with me. Unlike these animals, who would rape you and kill you if given the opportunity, I actually think a woman should be treated with dignity and respect."

Caroline said nothing to that, just listened to him talk. Shit, I can listen to his voice all day and not get bored. Though, I wonder why he's in here if he's not like the others. "Why are you here, Klaus? You don't look crazy to me."

Klaus' smile faded. "I'm here because I was addicted to drugs."

"What kind of drugs?" Caroline knew she was pushing it, seeing as how she barely knew this guy, but her curiosity was piqued and she couldn't stop herself from asking the question.

"Cocaine, marijuana, you name it, I took it," said Klaus. "You see, love, I'm an artist, and the drugs helped with my creativity when I hit a dry spell. However, that didn't stop me from becoming addicted once they had done what they were supposed to do."

Caroline gulped slightly. She found it hard to believe that this man would use cocaine and marijuana to help boost his creativity. Then again, most creative people did use some sort of illegal substance in their heyday, such as Edgar Allan Poe or even William Shakespeare.

As the silence between them increased, Klaus took the opportunity to really look at Caroline. She was truly a beautiful thing, with long, blonde hair that rivaled the summer sun, blue eyes that were like sapphires, and a body he could imagine himself caressing under the sheets, and lips he was dying to kiss and nibble.

Finally, he said, "As I said before, Caroline, you are really too nice a girl to be in a place like this."

"I'm not going to be in here that long. It's only for six months."

"Anything can happen in those six months," he replied. "I'd hate for you to descend into a madness you'll never be able to escape from."

Caroline bit her lip. "I'll be fine, really."

"Really? I think otherwise," said Klaus. "I've seen what happens to people in here, Caroline, and I'd hate for anything to damage that psyche of yours."

"I don't need you to protect me. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself."

"I'm not doubting that. And although it's not up to me to save you, I'm still going to do everything in my power to make sure that you're looked after during the time you're here. Whether you choose to admit it or not, you're going to need protection."

Caroline wanted to protest, but decided against it, knowing that it would do no good. If Klaus wanted to protect her against the other inmates, she had no choice but to cooperate. He's obviously not going to give up until I agree to let him be my bodyguard. He does have a point, though. I'm completely innocent, and the other inmates might take advantage of that.

"Very well, Klaus, I'll let you protect me. On one condition."

"And what might that be?"

"No funny business," she replied. "I know you think I'm attractive, but that doesn't mean you get to touch me or kiss me. Are we clear?"

"You have my word, love. Tempting as it may be, I shall refrain from wanting to kiss you or touch you." Which will be easier said than done. Bloody hell, how am I going to keep myself from wanting to kiss her when she's just so damn beautiful?

Note: Thus ends my new drabble. As I said, this is going to be part of a new Klaroline AU/AH I'm planning to write in the future. I haven't figured out a title yet, but I will eventually. Enjoy and stay tuned!