After everything that happened with Prudence, Caroline is back 'home'. I hope you all like it. =D

Big shout out to those who reviewed. Including cupcakesweetheart5, hopeless637, ferrylis, WeasleysGroupie, Brina3, xxxLeanniexxx, ilovetvd, clairegleek, and Layla. Thank you all. =)

I do not own The Vampire Diaries, though I do own the plot and all original characters.

Chapter 18: Sweet as Sugar

I woke in what I was now fondly calling my bedroom. I pulled back the covers and stood. The room looked exactly the same, I guess I couldn't be surprised. I unpacked my pags that were at the foot of the bed, and then got dressed. Then quickly heading down the stairs for food.

No matter how much I tried to focus on being back at the Mikaelson's, my mind was still plauged with thoughts of Prudence and her death. I sighed deeply as I sat at the table and grabbed a plate of food. Finn and Kol laughed quietly as I stuffed my face.

"She's actually awake before everyone has left, it's a miracle." Kol said teasingly and I threw a piece of bread at him. Henrik was grinning at me from across the table and Ester reached over to squeeze my hand. I took a quick glance over at Klaus and I was surprised to see a somewhat sappy smile on his face. I would never understand him, I said to myself. Then I heard a sudden thumping on the stairs, and then a very loud squeal.

"You're awake!" Rebekah yelled as she rushed to my chair and gave me a huge hug.

"Hi, Bekah. I was only gone for what, two days?" I laughed, hugging her back.

"It seemed live forever." I chuckled under my breath at her comment. Breakfast went by quickly. I was soon sitting on the sofa, reading.

"Good to be back, huh?" Klaus asked and I nodded, not looking away from my book. Even with the time I had away I still hadn't figured out waht I was going to do about him. I was torn. I realized that I liked him, the human him at least. I liked him enough to make out with hiim in a cave. Ok, stop thinking about that, Caroline. But I couldn't get passed the whole, killer of thousands Original Hybrid thing. How could anyone get passed that?

He sat next to me and I couldn't help but look into his eyes. There was a look on his face that I just couldn't seem to read. Though it seemed to a common expression lately. Something about him, I don't know what, just makes me want to forget everything. Makes me see his like a regular person.

"See something you like?" He asked me teasingly. I shurgged back at me.

"Possibly." I blushed slightly and then burried my nose back in my book. His face practically lit up.

"Come on." He suddenly said, jumping to his feet and holding a hand out for me.

"But, I want to read my book." I said kind of whiney, but still jokingly.

"Nope. You don't get to read." He said as he tore the book from my hands and took off. A grin spread across my face and I chased after him, out the door and into town.

"Niklaus!" I yelled after him. He was way ahead of me, and ther was no way I'd catch up with him. He glanced back at me with his casual smirk on his face, and then dove into the woods. At this point, I was jogging, knowing I couldn't run much farther. Finally he began to slow and I was coming closer. I just had to laugh to myself. I should have figured.

"Your favorite place." I said when we both stood still neat the pond of the waterfall.

"Only with you." He let slip, which I was pretty sure he was joking. I walked up so I was standing right next to him.

"Can I have my book back now?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Why would you want your book back?" He asked, being a pain in general.

"Because I like reading." He rolled his eyes teasingly at me. I tried to grab it, but he pulled his arm and the book just out of my reach.

"Really?" I asked him. This game again? He chuckled at me with a light in his eyes and I reached out for the book again. He dodged and I went flying past my target. I blew the hair out of my face and went after him one more time, determined to get my book back. He pulled the book out of my gace, but we were both now right next to the edge of the water. As I tried to reach for the book, my ankle turned and I nearly fell in with a splash.

Suddenly I felt those strong arms incase me again. Making sure that I didn't fall. These arms, he always seemed to catch me, be there when I needed him. He brought me up to a standing position, though he didn't let go. And to be honest, I didn't want him to. Just the warmth that surrounded me when he was near. The spark that I had never expected to be here. The one person that I shouldn't want, yet I do, so badly. It's true, I finally admitted it. I want him, I want him a lot. And what harm would it do? What would happen if I was to be with him. If I said yes.

To the human him, I would say yes in a heart beat. Vampire Klaus, maybe not. But Vampire Klaus wasn't here. It was Niklaus, Nik. His eyes were looking deep into mine, they were gleaming bright with playfulness and fun.

I grinned at him and slowly pressed my lips to his. He was surprised at first, but then kissed back as he still held me, preventing my fall. The kiss was short but sweet, as we pulled away. His eyes were shining even brighter now.

"I've been meaning to talk to you." He said as he pulled me closer to his body.

"Hmm?"

"Normally I would talk to your parents, but since they're not . . . " He paused for a second, thinking he might have offended me. Then he continued. "So I asked your closest substitutes. Ester and Rebekah." He grinned at me, but I was totally lost. "Ester said yes right away, Rebekah took a bit more convincing, but she eventually gave in." He said cheekily.

"I'm sorry?" I said, extremely confused. "They said yes to what?"

"My courting you." He answered and my jaw nearly hit the ground. Klaus chuckled to himself. "So, what do you say?"

My heart was hammering in my chest. I had almost forgotten how to breathe. He was asking to court me, and Ester and Rebekah had already given their consent. The look in his eyes was so hopeful and honest, so human. This wasn't the Klaus I knew, not even Niklaus. This was Nik, my hero. As long as I'm with him, I'd forget the future, because it hasn't happened yet. I nodded. He looked at me admiringly, like he liked me for who I was, not like Klaus who liked me because I was a challenge.

I leaned up and kissed him again, a kiss with a sudden burning passion. I smiled as he kissed me back. Eventually the kiss broke, but we just stood there, his arms around me and my head resting on his chest. I'm not really sure how long we stood there. It seemed like forecer, and then only a second. Just the two of us, with the water, the wind and the trees. It was almost perfect, and it was the first time in this time period where I truly forgot everything. I gorgot the past, I forgot the future. The only thing on my miind was him, him and I. I know how sheesy that sounds, but it's true. That's how I felt.

Slowly we started to walk back to town, I jumped a little as he slid his hand around mine, capturing it in his own. I smiled at him as we took our time heading back home. I was slightly giddy, not that I would admit it. Nik was kind and gentle and loving. As we entered the house I saw Rebekah and Henrik pouring over papers on the dining room table. Rebekah looked up and noticed our intertwined hands, a slight grin appeared on her face, where as Henrik grimaced. Nik leaned over closer to me.

"I think my baby brother has a little crush on you." He whispered in my ear and then chuckled. "I guess I'll have to hold onto you, huh?" He asked as his arm slipped around my waist and pulled me closer to him. I giggled quietly, and then suddenly Rebekah spoke up.

"But if you hurt her, I will revoke my permission and severely injure you." She threatened and I laughed at the thought of her going after Nik.

"With what? A kitchen spoon?" Nik asked, provoked his sister.

"You don't want to know the damage those things can do." She answered and we all laughed. When I caught my breath I looked over at the papers on the table.

"What's going on?" I asked looking up at her and Henrik.

"Party planning." He answered grinning ar me.

"What party?" I asked them.

"Mother's Birthday Party. The whole town throws a huge party for her to show how much they appreciate her." Rebekah told me as she handed me a sheet of paper that was obviously a thank you note for Ester.

"Aww, that's sweet. Do you need any help?" I asked and she nodded with a grin on her face and then motioned for me to stand next to her. Nik came with me and placed a slow kiss on my right temple. I had a good feeling, the feeling I had with my friends, like I was at home.

a/n: Well, this was kind of a fluff chapter, sorry for the momentary cheesiness. I wanted something sweet and simple to break the tension from the previous chapter. But believe me when I say that the drama will continue in the next one. ;)

My curiousity strikes again. Which of the human Mikaelson's do you like best, and why?

Thanks for reading. =)

DramaticInvisibleGirl