A/N: Part 3/3

Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Diaries

Part 3: In Love With You

"You're leaving?"

"Yes."

Her brain and mouth struggle to form words so she settles on shaking her head as he turns to look at her. "You…you…No…you can't," she finally whispers.

Klaus' brow creases. "This little town has ceased to amuse me. We both know that I've outstayed my welcome, love…not that I was ever welcomed in the first place, but you get the idea."

Caroline folds her arms over her chest. Tears are stinging her eyes and she desperately tries to fight them. He called her strong and strong people aren't supposed to cry. "I guess," she says quietly as she turns her gaze to the floor. How could she not agree with him on that point? No one had wanted Klaus to come and terrorize their already messed up lives.

She feels his fingers under her chin, lifting her face so she has to look at him. They stand there like that, inches apart, looking into each other's eyes. It's different this time. Klaus still looks like the crushed little schoolboy who's first crush laughs at him and his affections, but it's for different reasons this time. This time, there's no hate and disgust in Caroline's eyes, only pain and fear.

She shakes her head and remembers saying 'goodbye' to her dad. The same emotions are running through her now, only amplified and she finally comes to terms with it. "Please…don't leave me." And then she kisses him, shows him the words she can't quite make herself say.

It's reminiscent of their first kiss, passionate and eager as they feel the anxiety of possibly losing each other. Klaus even holds her the same way he held her that day, tenderly, as if she might break, but firm, as if he needs to reassure himself that she's really there. Granted, he had almost lost her- like, dead lost her- that day his lips first found hers and taken her completely by surprise.

But this time, it's different because he's the one surprised. This kiss is about her. She pours her emotions, the good and the bad, into it. It's passionate but she can taste the fear that he must of felt that day. It's her fear of losing him but nothing has ever felt so right.

She's Caroline. Vampire Barbie. Bubbly, loyal, neurotic, insecure, beautiful, strong, and full of light.

He's Klaus. The Original Hybrid. Evil, manipulative, lonely, powerful, passionate, extreme, insecure, and angry.

It's right because they make each other better, show each other that there is someone who cares. His strengths are her weaknesses and vice versa. No, they aren't perfect, but they're perfect for each other.

She's breathless by the time he pulls away, resting his forehead against hers. One of his hands on the small of her back, the other gently caressing the back of her head, his fingers laced in her golden curls. She's pressed against him, arms wrapped around his neck, holding on as if she would fall to her death if she let go.

"Come with me," he breathes, the words fanning out across her cheeks as his lips brush her skin tenderly.

And here it is. Her choice, the one she was so eager to make but can't now that the moment's arrived.

Everything she wants is right here in this room, that much Caroline is sure of. And she wants to see the world, but she's scared because everything she's ever known is right outside, right here in Mystic Falls. She can't stay here forever but she's not quite ready to leave yet. The tears finally escape and she moves to hide them in Klaus' shoulder as she finally understands what her dad told her.

"This is what it means to be human."

"I need time," she whispers into the fabric of his shirt.

"I'll wait for you… whether it's one day or a century, Caroline."

He pulls her away from his chest and takes her face in his hands, wiping the tears before placing another kiss on her lips. It's gentle and sweet and everything that Klaus shouldn't be capable of, but it communicates the emotions his words don't convey.

It lets her knows that he understands.

A/N: Does he stay? Cliff hangerish, I know, but I'm going to post an epilogue so I guess this is now a 4 part story, lol.

Thanks for reading and if you have a minute, please review:)