A/N: If I'm fortunate enough to get 1 more review, I'll have 500 for this story. You have no idea what it means to have 499. I never expected to get that far. Thank you so much to Iansarmy, PerfectlyGoodHeart, Kaylabeth21, Kjsama, casper22, lateVMlover, jessnicole, souzap, Le26199, Ellavm18, karmen238, An Amber Pen, foureyedgirl01, DevilJolie, Purpleme523, karensevani, Quwinntessa Starber, suziraye, caritobear, MJTE, KeepOnTrying, SONY, klauroline4life, Laby Anne Boleyn, 2brittbritt, elisabethjj and all my guests! Thank you for the follows and favorites too.

Quwinntessa – Thank you so much for your assessment of my work. I'm so honored. Thank you.

PurpleMe523 – Thank you so much! To be honest, I've really been on the fence about the rating. I've heard from readers that they like the sensuality so far. I've heard from others, and some in a handful of PMs, that they'd really like a little more smut. The next chapter would be a good opportunity…

Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, Happy New Year! I love you guys!

Elena's pretty dark eyes were wide on the screen of my laptop. I'd Skyped her as soon as Clarice had finished doing the favor I'd asked her for.

"Wow," she said, having listened to my story of what had happened earlier today, the confrontation with Marcel and Davina. "So, Clarice is really… good?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "She's great and so are the girls."

"Are they going to be okay?" Elena asked, looking concerned about the kids. "And what about the other witch? Davina?"

"Clarice said with some sleep they'll be okay in a day or so. She doesn't seem affecting at all. Remember how Bonnie used to pass out and have nose bleeds and stuff? Clarice never even slows down. It's scary what she can do. And her girls are supposed to be stronger than her."

Elena shook her head. "They are related to the originals. That's what scares me."

"I know right." I had to laugh at that. "Still, Kol is really great with them. He really seems to care about them, especially the kids."

"Kol?" Her expression was one of total disbelief. "Since when does he care about anything?"

I understood why Elena felt that way. Kol, up until the point where Clarice had brought him back, had seemed dangerous and volatile, just like Klaus had seemed to me until I knew him better.

"He cares about them," I told her. "Really. And he can be funny. When he's not annoying me to death."

Elena chuckled at that.

"Davina?" I went on telling my tale. "She's younger than us. Younger than we were. You know. She's young. Elijah, Klaus and Clarice have decided to keep her here. I don't know if she's nice yet. She's still unconscious. But here's hoping."

"So there was no sign of Tyler?" Elena asked after hesitating a moment.

"None," I said, feeling bummed about that situation. I'd explained to my friend how he'd come to claim Hayley and the things he'd said. I told her about the hybrids that he'd created. I even mentioned Elijah's plan for when he found her. "I really wish it hadn't come to this, Elena. But what he's doing…"

"Care, don't you dare feel guilty about this," Elena told me. "Things between you and Tyler were always… He was always off doing something else. Then the Hayley thing hit. I'm so sorry it all happened that way. It was like it was never meant to be."

"I know." She was right. "But maybe if I'd done something different, he wouldn't have gone in this direction, you know? I mean—"

"Care, Tyler's actions aren't your fault. You have to accept that. In the end, we're all responsible for our own decisions. You can keep reminding yourself that Klaus killed Tyler's mother. You can remind yourself of all the things Klaus has done. That had nothing to do with you. Tyler is doing terrible things but that doesn't have anything to do with you either. And we've all lost people because of the supernatural… stuff… that invaded our lives. I have. You have. And all of us have done things we're not proud of. Don't beat yourself up."

Elena had lost more than any of us. And the fact that she wasn't disowning me for giving Klaus a chance made me love her a little more. If that was even possible.

"Do you think Bonnie will ever speak to me again?" I asked pitifully.

Bonnie had lost so much too. She absolutely despised Klaus and not without reason. She had been completely unable to understand why I fell for him and part of me understood. The other part, the part that wanted a friend to be happy for me, felt a little stung by her reaction.

"She'll come around, Caroline," Elena said gently. "She's been through so much in the last year. I know we all have. But with being dead, coming back and now dealing with whole Qetisyah/anchor thing, she's dealing with a lot. Let things settle. She'll miss you. I know I would."

I nodded, so happy Elena was supportive and still in my life after everything we'd been through.

"Have you talked to your mom?" she asked me.

"I have. She's trying to understand but mostly we don't talk about Klaus," I admitted. "I think she's okay for the most part, because I was going to live away from home anyway. I just hope I'm able to make it up there to see her, you guys, soon."

"What about school?"

"I can transfer to school down here once all of this gets resolved," I told her, having given it some thought. "Clarice has even suggested I think about doing online classes in the meantime. I'm thinking about it."

"What are you going to do about Klaus?" Elena grinned at me slyly, referencing the part where I'd told her about him trapping me in the room with Clarice's daughters and I'd sworn revenge. She knew me well.

"This room is spelled so he can't get in," I said, safe in saying that since Clarice's spell didn't remove the other spell that made it soundproof.

"Your room?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Our room. It used to be his room."

"Did Clarice do that for you?" Elena's smile widened.

"Yes!" I couldn't help but laugh with her.

"You're laughing now," Damon warned. "You two were trapped up in the school when Ric went all dark hunter. Klaus wanted in Elena's house to take her with him and well, he wasn't invited. He ripped boards off the neighbor's fence and made it a game of extreme darts trying to get in there. So you may want to rethink this, blondie."

Elena gave him a look that said "you moron." "Damon, he's not going to physically destroy his own room or try to hurt Caroline for that matter."

"Especially not with what I plan to be wearing when he gets here," I teased, pretty proud of myself for that part, all hidden under his bathrobe at the moment.

"Oh, well," Damon grinned at me through the screen. "In that case, can you set up the web cam? Because I'd love to see how he reacts to that."

Elena punched him in the arm. "Damon!"

He ignored her. "Did she give you the heads up, blondie?"

"What heads up?" No, I guess she hadn't.

"My baby brother is heading your way," Damon told me to my surprise and delight.

Stefan? "Really?" I asked, glad to have my friend here. "When?"

"In the state he's in, who knows?" Damon couldn't hide the concern for his sibling that clouded his eyes. "He said he needed a change of scenery."

Elena avoided my gaze on that note and I didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She'd chosen Damon. Still she hadn't wanted to hurt Stefan, I knew that. And while I once considered Stefan her endgame, I realized that ultimately, I just wanted her to be happy. If she was happy with Damon, that was good enough for me. I could deal with it. She was dealing with the fact that I was with Klaus.

Stefan was my good friend. Getting out of town would be good for him. And there was just so much fun for him to get into here, right?

My breath caught when I heard footsteps outside the door. The doorknob twisted but didn't move and not because it was locked. I grinned. Next he pounded on the door.

"Caroline!" Klaus called.

Trying not to laugh, I waved goodbye to my friends. "He's here," I told them.

Damon was motioning for me to turn the laptop in the direction of the door so they could watch. Shaking my head at him, I shut the laptop, ending our internet chat.

Klaus pounded on the door louder this time. "Caroline, open the door."

I took my time climbing off the bed and walking to the door, wrapped in his black silk robe. I fought the smile from my face as I opened the door. Klaus was leaning against the doorframe, the angry set of his features telling me he'd already figured out he couldn't get into his own bedroom. His heated gaze met mine before raking down my body to take in his own robe, the black stockings that covered what he could see of my legs.

Then he blew out an exhale. "So it's going to be like this, then, is it?"

"You didn't mind my being in a spelled room earlier," I told him.

"Caroline, I am not going to apologize for protecting you," his low tone didn't hide any of his anger. "Ever."

"I don't have a problem with you wanting to protect me, Klaus," I explained. "It's the how you went about it. You slung me over your shoulder with all the panache of a caveman, in front of your brothers no less, and pushed me into that room. You didn't stop once and consider my feelings."

His grin was tight and didn't reach his eyes. "Marcel was here with a powerful witch and a group of his vampire minions, most of whom are a bit older than you are. There's wasn't enough time, love, to stop and have a chat on how you felt about things."

I folded my arms across my chest. He was still missing the point.

"And you might have noticed that Marcel was looking for you. He knew your name. Who do you suppose told him that?"

Of course Tyler had told him. Elijah had explained the reasons he had to believe Marcel and Tyler had joined forces.

"Well, that's the way to make this better," I told him, enjoying the way his smug little smirk faded. "Pointing out how my ex totally betrayed me by telling your enemies about me. I'm surprised I'm able to keep myself from running out into your waiting arms."

Growling at my sarcasm, he slammed his hand against the doorframe. Somewhere in the house I heard Kol howling in laughter.

"You knew what you were getting into here, love," he said in warning. His blue eyes were dark and ablaze in anger and desire, glaring into mine and moving heatedly over the rest of me in turns. "You're fully aware of who I am and how I deal with situations."

"How you deal with situations?" I threw back at him. "I'm one of your little minions now? Whenever I'm in danger or in the way, you're just going to lock me away like I'm some possession?"

Oh, he was furious now. "I've done far worse to my family, Caroline. To protect them."

"To control them," I added. "I guess I should be grateful you can't dagger me like you do them."

"You will not question me about the manner in which I chose to protect you or my family!" Klaus yelled.

"I will question you!" I yelled back. "You're supposed to love me and you're supposed to love your family, Klaus. When you love someone, you don't take away their choices."

Klaus just looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language.

"When you love someone, Klaus, you take how they feel into account. You work together." I blew out an exhale. "You don't assume you know what's best for everyone. You know what? This is pointless. You don't get it. You're not even trying to get it. I'm going to bed."

That line was meant to end this argument. It was after midnight. I really was tired. And he obviously had a lot to think about.

Instead, he smiled at me, dimples and blue eyes flashing at me. "Bed. Now that's the best idea you've had this entire conversation."

I scoffed at him.

"I'll just go and get Clarice, she can remove the spell, and we can vent our frustrations in more pleasurable ways," he told me meaningfully.

"Clarice isn't going to remove the spell, Klaus," I told him. "Not until you give me your word that you will never do this again. And there's really not a lot you can do about that."

A muscle tightened at his jaw and I knew I'd hit a nerve with that remark. But after a moment, his smile returned. He made a show of looking me up and down and damned if it didn't have the effect on me I'm sure he intended. My body hummed in excitement under his gaze.

"What are you wearing under that robe?" Klaus asked quietly, still smiling at me.

"Nothing you're going to see tonight," I promised him, losing my nerve under the intensity of his stare. The way he was looking at me made me feel naked already.

Studying my feet, the lower portion of my legs that the robe didn't hide, his smile widened. "Stockings? Are you wearing garters too?"

Damn him. "Don't worry about it," I told him, worked up now and unable to form a better response.

"Take off the robe, love," he said in his sexiest tone. "I dare you."

I took a deep breath, realizing that I was shaking. While things were for the most part going according to plan, I didn't take into account the effect Klaus had on me. It was different when I didn't know what his lips tasted like, how they felt on my body. I knew all too well what he was capable of now in bed and my body was literally aching for it.

Okay, well, he wanted to see what was under the robe? I lifted my chin and loosened the belt of his robe, pulling it off my body to reveal to him what I wore underneath. The robe slid to the floor as he took in the whole package.

Now he could see that he'd guessed correctly. I wore lace-topped black stockings with a fancy lace garter belt that matched the small pair of black panties. The bustier pushed and lifted my cleavage into an appealing display in front. It was a hot little number, I knew. And it was gratifying to see Klaus practically drooling as he took it all in.

I spun around for him slowly so he could see everything.

"Happy now?" I asked him. I ran a hand down my body, watching his eyes dart after the movement. I licked my lips and grabbed the door to close it. "Goodnight, Klaus."

The sound he made was somewhere between a growl and choking sound. I grinned, beginning to close the door.

"That's not what a woman who plans to go to bed alone wears, Caroline," he said quietly.

My hand shook on the doorknob as I paused. Shut the door, Caroline. Shut the door.

"Admit it, love. When you put that on, did you really plan to go bed without me?" He whispered now. "Or did you fantasize about how I'd adore you in your black lace? Did you image all the ways I could take you wearing that?"

Oh, I had and from the smug grin he wore, he knew it. But now wasn't the time for weakness.

"I have imagined all the things you could do to me, Klaus," I admitted in my best sex kitten voice. "I've imagined all the creative ways you could take all of this off me."

Klaus was as turned on as I was, it was easy to tell.

"All you have to do is promise me that you'll never pull another stunt like you did today, and we can go to bed," I assured him. Then it occurred to me how vague my words had been. I had to be specific or else he'd use any holes in my logic against me in the future. "Promise me that you and I will work together in the future when face with danger or any situation even remotely resembling this one."

Klaus did just what I thought he would. His jaw tightened, any amusement faded as he glared at me in frustration.

I shook my head. Unbelievable.

"Want to know the real reason I chose this outfit, love? Because I knew you'd pull this attitude with me. And I wanted you to have something to think about. I wanted you to get a good look at what you're not getting until I get your word, Klaus."

His eyes narrowed on me, but he remained silent. It was unnerving.

Then something occurred to me. Maybe, just maybe, I was overestimating myself. Here I was parading around in sexy lingerie thinking I was giving him something to think about. What if he was just trying to figure out how to tell me how pathetic it all was? Maybe now that the challenge was met, he'd had me, he was losing interest. Maybe love meant something different to him than it did to me.

Dropping my gaze, I whispered "goodnight", quickly closing the door and then backing myself up against it for support. Yeah, I was feeling all insecure now. I waited to hear the sound of his footsteps as he stalked off, but heard nothing.

"Caroline," he said softly. "Open the door."

I blew out a shaky breath, pushing away from the door and staring at the doorknob.

"Sweetheart, open the door."

When he said it like that, it was hard to refuse. I opened the door just enough to peek at him on the other side.

The anger and frustration wasn't entirely gone from his expression but his eyes reflected some deeper emotion as he looked me in the eye.

"I don't agree with you that we should mutually decide what to do when situations arise that could place you in danger," he told me. "I've seen you in action in the schemes of the Salvatores and their doppelganger and I know how reckless you can be. You think nothing of placing yourself in danger to protect your friends, those you care about. Am I to trust your judgment when you'd be willing to sacrifice yourself to save Clarice or her children? Rebekah? My brothers?"

Klaus saw a lot. More than I gave him credit for at times.

"You," I offered.

His expression softened at that.

"Caroline, I've been around a long time," he began. "And –"

"I know, I know. You know more than I do. I get that but –"

"I've only now found happiness, Caroline," he cut me off. "A thousand years was a long time to wait for you. Now that I've found you, I'm supposed to allow any possibility that would take you away from me?"

My heart melted more than a little at that.

"You said you loved me," he reminded me. "How painful would it be to have love, to know such happiness in your embrace, only to lose it and then to spend another thousand years without it? It would be unbearable, Caroline."

Loneliness? That I understood. I'd spent a good portion of my life lonely. But that was less than two decades. Next to a thousand years? My heart ached for him at the thought.

"What if we compromised?" I offered. "I learn to be more careful, you learn to trust me?"

"Old habits die hard," he warned me.

"I know," I'd give him that. "I'm just asking you to try."

After a moment, he gave a tiny nod. For Klaus, it was a huge concession and it meant so much that I meant enough to him to give me that. Tears stung the back of my eyes.

"Champagne," I whispered.

Klaus angled his head at me curiously. "Champagne?"

I nodded, a tear rolling down face. Reaching for his hand, I took it in mine and pulled him into the room.

"It was the word Clarice gave me to break the spell when I was ready," I explained, swiping at my face. "It's our thing."

Klaus closed the distance between us in a second. But instead of beginning to seduce me in all the sinful ways I knew he was capable of, he pulled me against him, just holding me. His hands were so gentle on my back and in my hair. Pressing a kiss to the top of my head, he pulled me even closer.

"I'm sorry," he whispered so quietly that I might have imagined it.

"I love you," I told him.

"That's it?" Kol yelled up the stairs. "Come on!"

Klaus gently eased away from me looking ready to go after his little brother in earnest. I followed, holding onto his hand and stretching up to kiss him as I closed the door behind us.

"Kol," Elijah's voice held a warning tone, coming from the same direction as Kol's had.

"Let Elijah deal with him," I told him, smiling. "I'll go get changed and we'll…"

"You're not going anywhere."

I gasped as he pulled me flush against him hard.

"How can you think for even a moment, love, that I don't fully intend to enjoy this delectable fashion choice?" His eyes were darkened with desire as his gaze moved over me. "How could you even think that you aren't the most beautiful creature in the world to me no matter what you're wearing or not wearing?"

I didn't get to answer that as his lips claimed mine in a kiss that started so softly, but soon began to set my world on fire.