The sun piercing through the gap in the thick curtains woke Caroline from her deep slumber. She began to stir, taking in her surroundings. Images of the previous night flashed through her mind; Klaus pulling her in for their first passionate kiss, their hands running all over each other's bodies, the way he looked down on her like the most beautiful woman in the world. Caroline blushed as she remembered him staring deep into her eyes, looking into her soul. She was happy, she was satisfied.
Rolling over to face the man sleeping next to her, she was surprised to find the bed empty. She sat up holding the sheet to her chest looking around the room. He was nowhere to be seen. Using her vampire hearing she focused on his ensuite, which was empty. She crawled out of bed chuckling as she realised where her clothes were; her dress and bra on the football field and her underwear at the bottom of the stairs. Looking around the room she found Klaus' signature shirt draped across an arm chair. She pulled it to her nose, taking in his delicious scent. There was truly no one who smelt as good as him. Smelling his scent sent a flood of memories to the front of her mind. Klaus ravishing her neck with bites and kisses as he carried her into the house, his eyes as he removed her dress from her body. She throws his shirt over her body and makes her way down the hallway. The Mikelson mansion was, well just that a mansion. The hallway was full of doors that lead to more rooms than anyone would ever need. Caroline knew from experience there were only two options as to where he was. She made her way to his study, pushing the door open she glanced inside. The room was empty, but the canvas on the easel in the middle of the room caught her attention, moving towards it she noticed the paint was still wet. The painting was abstract, but she could tell it was painted by someone dark and lonely. She swallowed deeply touching the paint to be sure it was new. Why was he drawing these things after the night they had together. Insecure Caroline makes herself known, doubting and overanalysing every moment of the night before. Next to the easel was another canvas, it made Caroline smile. It was a landscape, lit brightly on a sunny day, the meadow green with two figures frolicking in the tall grass. Her heart skipped a beat; she knew the two in the painting were her and Klaus. She touched the paint, wet but drier than the canvas on the easel. Why had his mood changed so dramatically? What had happened? Maybe he had his fun and he was done with her? She knew deep down she couldn't possibly be his number one, she wasn't worthy of number one she was the consolation prize.
Caroline headed down the stairs towards the library. Peering around the corner she saw him, her beautiful man slumped in an arm chair facing the fireplace, as she got closer she noticed the empty scotch glass in his hand. Caroline looked up at the grandfather clock, it was only 9am, why was he drinking? Klaus didn't move an inch as she came up behind him. She felt sick; waiting for the rejection she so rightly deserved after all the games she had played with him. "Klaus?" she asked, not sure of her question. He didn't respond. Slowly she moved in front of him, the bottom of her shirt at his eye level. He scanned her body, but his eyes never met her face. Her heart broke. She took a step back suddenly vulnerable, smelling the scotch on his breath. She bent down and looked into his eyes, but he looked straight through her. She quickly stood up wiping the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "Klaus, I…ah…" she hesitated looking everywhere but at him, he still didn't move. It felt like an eternity before he snapped "Just say it Caroline". Caroline stepped back her eyes wide in confusion and hurt. As she processed his words he continued "Just say it Caroline, Just say it" his words weakened as he progressed. "I don't know what you want me to say" she muttered her voice breaking. Klaus quickly got up from his seat and flashed past her to lean on the fireplace his back to her. She slowly spun around watching the rise and fall of his chest. She had finally admitted her feelings and he was rejecting her, hurting her, not with words but with body language. He was so closed off; it was as though they were strangers. She tugged the corners of her shirt down feeling very underdressed. "I'm sorry" she cried as she sat back in his chair, tears welling in her eyes. She was sorry for taking too long, for not realising what was right in front of her. She was sorry for hurting him, for pushing him away, for manipulating him at every opportunity and she was most sorry for not being good enough; not living up to his expectations. Klaus' breathing became erratic and his chest quivered ever so slightly. Was he crying? Regardless of the current situation her instinct was to console him, to hold him and make everything ok. She walked up behind him and snaked her hands around his chest resting her head against his shoulder. She felt his body tighten and his breathing stop.
"Caroline" he drawled, leaning into her embrace. They stood this way for what felt like hours. She ran her hands along his chest gently trying to console him. He spun around his eyes tired and red from his tears. She reached out and brushed away a tear as it escaped his eye, a tear escaping her own at the same time. He leaned into her hand, closing his eyes tightly "Please just say it love, It's killing me, tell me the truth" he whispered swallowing deeply. Caroline was confused, why was he calling her by her pet name? What was she meant to say? She though back to how she had felt only minutes before. Caroline swallowed and whimpered "I'm sorry…" Klaus moved away from her touch staring into her eyes beckoning her to continue "I'm sorry that I used you and manipulated your feelings for me. I'm sorry that I hurt you over and over again" she ran her hands through her bed hair as she began to cry. Klaus was staring at her, his face unreadable, she took a deep breath before continuing "I'm sorry that I took too long, and for not realising what was right in front of me. I'm sorry for not being good enough" the last sentence coming out at barely a whisper. She watched his face change to that of utter confusion. His features scrunched up trying to comprehend her message. She waited for his response holding her breath.
"Sweetheart, what are you talking about? Not good enough? I have told you countless times you are perfect Caroline, you are perfect for me" he said his voice cracking the emotion overcoming him. "You don't have to make excuses Caroline, just tell me you regret it and it was a mistake and I promise to never tell anyone of this night" he whispered looking towards the fire. Caroline laughed at his admission, Klaus' head snapping up staring intensely into her eyes. Caroline continued her fit of laughter, as she realised the misunderstanding. He had assumed, rightly so based on previous behaviour, that she would regret what happened between them. If only he knew what she was thinking. What she had thought on the football field, during their night together and the fear of his rejection that morning.
"Caroline" he yells anger rising in his voice, it wakes Caroline from her internal monologue. "You say you're sorry for hurting me, yet you stand here and laugh at me" his body was tense; Caroline knew how he was feeling she had been feeling it since she found the bed empty earlier. "Klaus" she said raising her voice getting his attention fully. "I do not regret what happened between us, if anything I regret waiting as long as we did" she smiled reaching out to touch his face. She breathed in deeply finding the courage to express how she felt. "The thing is Klaus…" she started. Klaus went to speak but she covered his lips with her finger. The contact reminding her of how good they felt upon her own. "The thing is Klaus, I think I'm in love with you". Caroline stood there staring at the gorgeous man in front of her feeling at her most vulnerable. Klaus looked at her eyes wide, but said nothing. He didn't even move. Now she regretted it, she regretted putting herself out there on a limb, to be shut down. Worse than shut down stared at like a circus freak. "Seriously?" she scolded throwing her arms in the air turning on her heel to walk away. She felt like a fool. She didn't get far when she felt a warm hand reach out and grab her elbow. She stopped and turned looking into his eyes, the rejection evident on her face. "Caroline… I love you". Her heart felt like it was going to explode as her body from head to toe was set on fire. She knew she had made the right choice; he was the one for her. The way he made her feel. The way he looked at her. She loved him and he loved her. She grabbed his face forcefully and moulded her lips to his. This was it, this was her eternity.