"Hello, love."

Caroline immediately relaxes but is nonetheless pissed about the intrusion. She throws her hands up in the air. "You've got to be ...freaking... kidding me!" She scoffs, staring into the sky wishing she could wish Klaus away.

"Now…sweetheart. Why so much hostility? I thought we had a good time yesterday." Shushing Caroline's woes, his dimples still apparent in the moonlight. He begins to saunter over to Caroline.

As he comes closer Caroline mentally details his appearance. He has a little stubble, black cargo pants, black boots, and his gray knit shirt clings to his chest. Klaus is taller than her with a slim athletic build, it makes her wonder what he used to do before the change, and how he got the physique he has now, a billion years ago. She mentally giggles, internally rolling her eyes. She knows Klaus is not a billion years old, but she exaggerates his age because he aggravates her.

"Yesterday was our date, not today….so beat it." Caroline says using the most annoyed tone she can muster, again turning away from him. Then, it hits her. She whips around, "What are you doing here?! Being a creeper as always? Stalking me still?" Klaus's expression is one of knowing and anticipation, the corners of his mouth turn slightly upward. "Furthermore, this is MY place." Caroline enunciates the MY as much as possible, hoping to coerce Klaus to leave her in peace. Klaus's small smile only widens as she says this…. "I know" he replies. "Of course you do." Caroline huffs, exhausted from the events of the day, she returns to her previous position, sitting on the cliff, only to be joined by Klaus.

He sits beside her, facing her with a blank look while she stares off into space. Caroline is hoping to look anywhere but his dimples and blue sea green eyes that seem to captivate her at every turn. Klaus is quiet and content, reading Caroline's body language and facial expressions. He is the ultimate predator after all, regardless of the circumstances; hunger, power, greed, or love. He studies his prey.

After several minutes, Caroline breaks the silence… "How did you know about my place?" "Caroline, you'll soon realize when I fancy something or someone, I want to devour it. Painting, drawing, art, fine cuisine, money, power, and of course, there's you." He replies, looking up with bashfully. Caroline is disarmed, without being able to think of a sassy remark, she simply rolls her eyes. She thinks… Why did he do this to her? How did he do this to her? She can't like Klaus and she definitely cannot fall for Klaus. He's the Original bad of the bad, he's King Hybrid, Mr. Rip out your organs.

While Klaus would be perfectly happy staring at Caroline for the remainder of the evening; he can tell something's wrong. Not only is she at her "place" as she calls it but her brow is furrowed which seems to be her tell-tell of being stressed. "What's wrong love? More issues with the little hybrid? I can handle that for you if you'd like…all you have to do is say the word."

Caroline knows he's serious but sometimes she can't believe the things he'll say or do, especially when it concerns her. He saved her from dying once before, risking his own life. She doesn't count the blood trade considering it was his fault. But she remembers the look in his eyes when he told her to go home after she was freed from Alaric's capture. The look in his eyes would be permanently etched into her brain for eternity. She's never had someone look at her with so much love and concern, not even her mother.

Remembering he's asked her a question she replies blandly "No, I don't want you to kill Tyler." She's become so accustomed to his threats that they don't faze her anymore even though she knows he's as serious as having your heart ripped from your chest. That's the thing with Klaus, when it comes to anger, rage, death; you always know where you stand.

"Well come on then love, tell me what is troubling you so…?" He questions out of genuine concern. "I think I'll pass but thanks." Caroline begins to move from her place, "If you leave, I'll only have to walk you home to make sure you arrive in your mother's care safely with it being so late, and with hunters on the loose." Caroline stops moving and relaxes once more. Klaus walking her home, talking with her mom? She'd rather stay. Once she sits back down, the sheepish grin on Klaus's face reappears. He's always delighted to be in her company.

"I just need a break from the drama. Stefan's upset about Elena, Elena loves Damon now?!" Rage begins to pour from Caroline's soul, "I mean what is with that! I just don't see how she can stand him! He's just so….ugh…!"

Caroline catches the sight of Klaus's expression falter. "See what I mean, I'm even bothering you! I just can't win for losing!" With that Caroline lies back on the hard stone, hands covering her face, and sighs deeply… She expects Klaus to become angry or abandon her. When she realizes he hasn't left, she peeks through the cracks in her fingers, and adds weakly… "Sorry."

Klaus buries his anger momentarily… "How is it you hate Damon so much, yet you went on a date with me? I'm sure everyone would agree I'm more of a monster than the eldest Salvatore brother."

"It's just, even though you almost killed me in your weird sacrifice and made Tyler bite me, you've never hurt me. You've hurt other people but never me, so it's easier for me to like you more than Damon." All the fight had left Caroline, what she wanted now was to talk and if Klaus was offering, she was willing.

"How did Damon hurt you, love?" His anger began to bubble inside, after all of the research he's done, he's never heard about anything concerning Damon and his dear Caroline. Caroline proceeds to go into the story of how petty she was as a human, how Elena and she were always in competition, how Elena got Stefan and how jealous she became, how Damon took advantage of her naivety and need for attention. She then summed up the story with a sigh "Soooo basically…. Damon compelled me, took advantage of my needs and age, then used me as a blood bag and practically raped me."

The air was calm, an eerie calm, as if waiting for a storm to begin. Klaus had been looking down, unmoving, other than to scratch a pit into the cliff about 4 inches in diameter using only his Hybrid nails. "Sweetheart, why didn't you tell me this sooner? To be honest, I've never really been a fan of Damon. It's simple really; I'll go over there and rip out his heart after I pour a gallon of vervain into his eye sockets. Elena will stop being mean to you and he can pay for his heinous crimes against you." He began to stand…

Caroline shot up grabbing his wrists and keeping them at his sides. "No, you can't. It's in the past; I don't want to hurt Elena or Stefan. Just let it go, it's in the past." Klaus tensed, looking down at her hands gripping his wrists, his first reaction was to throw her off, no one touched him in an authoritative manner. He was the alpha in every aspect in every situation. He looked up, his face void of emotion until he met Caroline's pleading blue orbs, only inches from his own. A sudden warmth washed over him, he wanted to give her everything and anything she could ever want. He wanted to kiss her, to brush his lips against hers; her mouth always seemed to invite him….. Instead he stepped back, letting out a feral snarl. "You can walk me home, if you promise not to kill Damon." Caroline bargains.

Klaus stared at the starry sky for a moment weighing his rage for Damon against his longing for Caroline. He then looked down; Caroline was standing, awaiting his verdict. "For you sweetheart, anything." With that, they began to walk to her house.

Upon their arrival, Klaus walked her to her door like a true gentleman. During the trip neither of them had said much, leaving each to their own thoughts. Caroline loved how chivalrous Klaus was, his passion for her, his protection. Although, she did notice once again she had made a deal with Klaus in order for gain. She didn't want this to become a trend.

When they reached the door, Klaus raised her hand to his lips, boring into her eyes constantly. He brushed his pale pink lips across the back of her hand with the faintest of touch, making Caroline's hand tingle, making her body crave more. Klaus straightened and began to walk away…

"Klaus…" Caroline called. "Seriously, don't kill Damon." Klaus paused, and then turned around, "As you wish. Sweet dreams. I'll see you soon, my lovely." With that he disappeared into the night, much too fast for even Caroline's sight to track.

Caroline walked into the house, grabbed her things, and headed straight for the bathroom. She undressed quickly and hopped in the shower, hoping the water would clear her mind and relieve her stress. Then she realized as she let the warm water soak her body and hair, she wasn't stressed anymore. She began to wash her hair, realizing she truly did feel free and clear of her worries. Thank god for my place, she thought, and then paused….. Was it my place? Or was it spending time with Klaus…?

As Klaus walked up the steps to his house, he thought of his time with Caroline. He thought of how her body and mind seemed to relax quicker with each encounter they had. He also thought of Damon Salvatore, he had promised he wouldn't kill Damon. Klaus stopped in mid stride, he had promised he wouldn't kill Damon but he never agreed to not hurting him. Klaus closed the door to his house and went at full speed to Damon's house.

Since things had calmed down between Klaus and the Salvatore brothers, Damon opened his door willingly; only to be met by a stake in the arm. Once the stake was removed, Damon asked "What was that for?" This only produced a throat ripping growl from Klaus. He climbed on Damon's back and before he broke his neck, he said "…For hurting my light." CRACK.

The next morning Caroline awoke to the doorbell ringing. Who the hell is ringing my door bell this early? She thought as she climbed out of bed to answer the door. It was a delivery man….

"Yes, can I help you?" She asked when she opened the door. "I'm here to make a delivery to Miss Forbes?" He replied. "That's me." Caroline signed for the delivery, only to be handing a glass vase filled with sunflowers. She placed the flowers on the kitchen table and opened the card….

"For my light.

Fondly, Klaus."