A/N:

Guys, just telling you. OH MY EFFING NUTELLA. This chapter makes me want to douse myself in holy water. It is dramatic, it's heartbreaking, it's absolutely satisfying, if I do say so myself. I poured my blood, sweat and tears in to this damn thing. FOUR DAYS! Freaking four days staring at a computer screen trying to write this. I REALLY hope you enjoy this.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~keepingklarolinereal

Chapter 23: Hearts Decision

Caroline POV

I was snuggled into the comforter of Klaus's bed, physically and emotionally drained. I had taken over Klaus's bedroom ever since our fight had begun. Klaus had been holed up in his drawing room, sleeping on one of the leather couches.

The tension between us was undeniable. And, no, not sexual tension. We were constantly disagreeing with each other, fighting, and tearing one another to shreds.

What happened out on the veranda was a perfect example. I had meant every word that had come out of my mouth. I wanted nothing to do with a relationship with Klaus Mikaelson. Never have and never will. A future with him was implausible in my mind. Klaus was violent, a ruthless killer, and cold hearted.

I wondered why I even wanted to stay in Rome with him. I had the choice to go home, back to Mystic Falls. My mom was probably working late nights and early mornings like always. Bonnie and Elena would welcome me back with open arms. But then I would have to explain to them where I had really been. Tell them the actual truth of my absence.

But then came to my mind all the happy memories. Klaus had put extreme effort into our dates and excursions. He hadn't been ashamed to introduce me into his vast social circle. He wore his adoration for me like a stripe on his sleeve, and I had just pushed him down under my feet like a doormat.

What would have happened if Xander had actually tried to kill me? Klaus may be indestructible, but I was not. Cecelia or Xander could of both easily driven a stake through my heart. If they had the means to put vervain into my tea, what could've stopped them from sealing my death certificate?

Maybe Klaus really had been protecting me. His way of dismissing such a dangerous threat was death to the threat itself. How could I have been so stupid?

Before I could even answer my own question, I heard a crash echo throughout the villa. I looked around to see if I could pick up were the noise was from, and my eyes caught the dark wood stained door that led to Klaus's private drawing room. Quickly pushing the covers off myself, I tiptoed across the bedroom to the door.

Leaning my ear to the oak door, I could hear the soft sniffles of another living being. Labored breathing and small snorts sounded from the outside of the drawing room. It sounded like a wounded animal struggling to stay strong. I leaned further against the door, which I then realized I shouldn't have done.

The door opened into the drawing room, pulling me into the room and right into the most heartbreaking sight I had ever seen. Klaus sat in the center of the dark room, surrounded by what seemed to be the remnants of a broken liquor glass. I was hesitant to rush to him, because I did not know what was to be his reaction; anger or sadness.

I decided to go against careful judgment, and approached Klaus.

"Klaus, are you okay?" I asked, sitting down next to the original hybrid.

"Go away." A simple mutter escaped his lips, and I could smell the alcohol that he had been sipping.

"I'm not going to go away until I know that you are all right. Please just tell me that you are okay, Klaus. Then I will pack my bags and go back to Mystic Falls. You will never have to see me again." I whispered, and yet still no response was received.

"I've never seen you like this. I need to know that you're okay." I asked again, and Klaus moaned. Moaned as if someone was impaling him; he actually looked wounded.

"You are the reason I am in so much pain. So why are you trying to comfort me?" Klaus suddenly looked up, eyes swollen and tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry for whatever I have done to hurt you. But I need you to tell me that you're okay. Please. I'm begging you." I continued to plead with the empty look that was filling Klaus's normally emotion drenched orbs.

"Stop speaking. Every word that comes from your mouth is a lie or a heartbreaking truth. All I ask is that you leave." Klaus said through gritted teeth. His anger and hurt showed through the quaking of his muscular body.

"I am not going to leave you. Not like this. Klaus, I am so sorry." I whispered, and I realized that my own tears where now flooding from my eyes. I could see the hurt, the betrayal, all of the pain that Niklaus Mikaelson had suffered through all of his life come rushing out of him at that very moment.

I was breaking him. The pain, the hurt, and the depression and deprivation of love throughout the years were being intensified by my refusal of accepting him as a real person. My words, not matter if their influence be of a ridiculous love spell, had given him a reason to live. A reason to let his real spirit of caring and kindness to return; I was his light.

"You are going to leave me. Everyone always leaves me." He cried, and my heart made a decision before my debating mind could even make an input.

My lips were on his in a matter of mere seconds. They tasted of scotch and the saltiness of his tears. His hands went up to cup my face, the roughness of his calloused painter's hands softly caressing my heated cheeks. Klaus's lips travelled with mine in syncopation, as the kiss soon depend.

All innocence was soon to be lost. My hands tangled into the soft mess of golden curls that was his hair, pushing myself harder into the kiss. Klaus pulled me into his lap, making me straddle him. The heat of the emotion between us radiated, and soon I was up against the wood paneled wall.

Passion coursed through both of us, and before I could even inhale another breath I had ripped Klaus's t-shirt off and thrown it to the ground. His hard chest pressed up against me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, anchoring myself to him. My hands travelled down his tanned abs, amazed by the texture of his smooth skin.

"Are you sure about this, love? Whatever you do I don't want you to regret it." Klaus whispered in my ear.

"I'm as sure as the sun setting." I whispered back, and leaned in for another kiss.

The flames of lust ignited, and my heart was racing. Klaus's hands gripped the edge of my shirt, and gently tugged it over my head. After he had completely removed it, he went back to kissing the side of my neck, not leaving any inch of skin untouched. I moaned, and I felt Klaus smile against the skin in the crook between my neck and the edge of my cheek.

"This is when I give you forever. I am never going to love anyone else as much as I love you." Klaus said as he backed me into the bedroom.

"You can give me the forever speech tomorrow. Tonight, just kiss me." I whispered into his ear through labored breaths. And that he did.

A/N:

Caroline, you naughty naughty girl! Was it steamy? Was it electric? Do you hate me? Happy Holidays guys! This was my deeply written and dedicated Christmas present to you all. REMEMBER TO REVIEW YOUR THOUGHTS! I really want to know about you guys reaction to this! ;) Merry Ho-HO!

~keepingklarolinereal

aka Elle