Caroline and Klaus had spent the rest of the week in Las Vegas in a state of sickening, dream-like, sickly sweet romance; the overall effect was quite surreal. She knew Klaus was a man of extravagance, but the change in him was so shocking, it was like being with a whole new person.

For the days, they would lounge in bed together, or by the side of the pool, lost in endless chatter and the mystery of each other. Come night, they would visit beautiful restaurants, dance in quirky, modern clubs and even just walk along the strip, taking in the sights and sounds and smells and sensations. For one, slightly awkward night, they had returned to Sang Lune. Caroline noticed that people there did not just brush her over and speak to Klaus, and she seemed to install a certain degree of fear. Klaus seemed especially happy about this sudden transformation of Caroline's character; there must have been something highly liberating about threatening your exboyfriend with inconvenient open heart surgery.

All these nights ending on a different roof, with a different song, and a different dance. Each night, he would take her hand and show her on to the roof, and together they would admire the view and soak in the delightful atmosphere.

Her only concern was blood. His words echoed in her head every time he returned home with the taste of blood on his mouth and a tipsy grin on his face; "Never underestimate the allure of darkness. Even the purest of hearts are drawn to it." She knew he had been referring to Elena and Damon, but not for the first time, she wondered how true it was. Klaus had happily supplied her with bloodbags, but she knew that he wished she would hunt with him. A part of her wished that too, but human life meant so much more to her than to Klaus; she wondered how long it would take for her to feel like him. That idea filled her with fear.

They woke up on Saturday morning, Klaus before her as usual. He left another glass of blood on the bedside table and a note promising his return. The sight of his handwriting made her smile in a way she thought only possible in cheesy romance films. She propped herself up in bed, sipping at her glass. She flicked on the TV, finding the morning news. She had felt rather isolated since she arrived in Las Vegas, and even though she had sent the odd message to her parents and friends, a part of her longed to go home.

Klaus had returned before long, a broad grin on his face. "I've got a surprise for you."

"I can only imagine." she teased jokingly. "What is it?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be much of a surprise."

"Does this involve me wearing that final dress?" she asked hopefully. She hadn't allowed herself a look, but she had had a curious feel; the material was exquisite, soft and silky like water on her skin.

"It does," he smiled. "although I think you'll like my surprise even better."

They spent the rest of day as usual; he climbed back into bed with her and together they watched some abysmal show on TV while they both enjoyed a glass of blood. After that, they went for a walk around the surrounding desert. Before she turned, this would have been hell for Caroline, but heightened senses made every grain of sand pure magic. The salty smell, the sensation of it under her feet, it was all magical.

Her and Klaus took ridiculous pictures on their phones of each other; just another bizarrely human aspect of a relationship that was anything but. It made her smile to see him like this.

The first glimpses of sun set made him grab her hand in excitement. They ran back up the hill and down the road, coming to a rest just before they reached their hotel. Caroline, who's stamina left much to be desired next to Klaus's, was out of breath. He laughed at her struggling to catch her breath, resting a hand on the wall to steady herself; the feeling was invigorating, she hadn't felt physical struggle in a long time.

They quickly ran back up to their room, collapsing on the bed together.

"Urgh, I can feel sand everywhere!" she squirmed. "I'm covered in it."

He laughed, kissing her nose. "I'll go run us a shower."

She raised her eyebrows at him, then started giggling again, laying back on the bed, allowing herself to rest.

When they were both showered and clean, Klaus slipped into a suit. It was black, crisp and sharp, creating the most delicious outline on him. She disappeared back into the bathroom to change. She carefully removed the dress from it's bag; it was forest green, a deep, rich colour. She slipped it on, and the flowing, floor-length fabric and one shoulder design made her look like she was wearing a toga. She felt like royalty. She quickly did her hair and make-up before slipping on a pair of heels and going out to meet Klaus.

He was already downstairs in the lobby. When he saw her, his mouth fell open in the most adorable of ways. He took her hand, and kissed it.

"You look beautiful." he said. "A modern day goddess."

She blushed, and they linked arms and went outside. There was a sleek, black car waiting for them by the entrance, which Klaus helped her in to.

"Where are we going?" she wondered aloud, curious as to what all this extravagance was in aid of.

"The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art." he smiled, unable to hide his glee.

Of course they were going to an art gallery. Klaus loved art. "The Bellagio?" She'd heard about it; an enormous building, surrounding by lights and water works that were as much as an art form as the building itself. She beamed at the thought.

When the entered the building, they found their way to the gallery. It was traditional in that sense; pale wood floor, plain white walls, filled with well dressed men and beautiful women. Just as the sand had seemed magical instead of mundane, the art seemed to jump off the walls at her. Colours and shapes moved and swirled and danced in front of her eyes. Statues shifted so slightly, their idea and meanings painted so clearly to her. She was in a land of magic and wonder.

Klaus escorted her around, their arms linked. He pointed out the rich and the famous of the art scene, rich investors and collectors, artists. Some beamed and shook Klaus's hand vigorously when they saw him. Most addressed him his full name, and it made Caroline wonder how it had been so hard to track him down the first time if he was so oblivious to trail he had led back to himself. But, she supposed the last place they would have looked for a sadistic 1000 year old killer vampire was the Las Vegas art scene.

Waiters showered them with champagne and ridiculously small bites to eat, so neatly arranged they were like their own individual art displays.

Klaus lead her to a wall they had not yet visited. The painting was large, landscape, depicting a young woman with light hair, dancing alone high above the Las Vegas skyline, the lights a rainbow of yellow, green, red, orange and blue dots. She looked so happy, wearing a beautiful, full length green dress.

"Is.. is that me?" she gasped.

"It is." he beamed at her. "Look at the title."

She did; Reine Du Monde.

"Queen of the World?"

He nodded, obviously thrilled at her reaction.

A sensation of pure, undiluted love swelled inside her. "It's beautiful, Klaus."

He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she rested her head on his shoulder. The painting was stunning.

"I'll go get us another drink." he smiled, disappearing off behind her. She watched him go, but she felt an odd breeze from behind her. She turned back curiously, and found nothing there that would have caused such a sensation. Then she saw it;

A single yellow post-it note stuck to the wall beside the painting, a familiar writing scrawled on it.

I still love you,

May the best man win,

TL

Caroline's heart sunk in her chest as she snatched the note of the wall and scrunched it in to a ball in her hand.