Chapter 4

It felt like she would blush if she could. "Yeah well." she said and scooted back on the bed , a little further away from him. The feelings inside of her confused her.

"And together we could do so much more."

Again she got uncomfortable and moved quickly off of the bed.

"There you go again with the "togetherness". Klaus I can't forget that you tried to kill me and my friends. You killed Elena's Aunt. How can someone just forgive that?"

His hand was suddenly around her throat. He was so quick she didn't even see him leave the bed. He pushed her against the wall and glared at her, his head cocked to the side.

"I am starting to lose my patience my love." Klaus opened his mouth and his fangs were long and sharp but these were his wolf fangs. His eyes yellowed and darkened. Caroline whimpered and closed her eyes. She tightened her body waiting for the bite. She opened her eyes and he was alone. The door was wide open. She exhaled sharply and raised her hand to her throat. She stretched her neck trying to alleviate the ache from his grip.

She reached for her stuffed lamb that Klaus had brought from her bedroom and lay down on the bed. She was fighting the tired she felt. She didn't want to fall asleep and lose her edge. She didn't want him to surprise her again.

And then she was running. Her feet hurt her as she ran. The thick, hard branches of the forest floor cut into her making her bleed. Then she heard him. He was chasing her. She turned and saw a glimpse of russet brown hair. She turned her attention to the trail straight ahead. Her chest burned from the cool air as she huffed and ran. His heavy footfalls were getting closer and closer then he was on her. Caroline fell face first into the brush as she felt his claws tearing at her dress. She turned over and saw his face. His green eyes were piercing. He reeled his head back and opened his mouth prepared to strike.

Caroline woke with a jump. She breathed heavily and ran her hand over her body, checking for rips in her clothes or flesh. Her chest hurt again from her heavy breathing. "Holy crap." she said out loud.

She looked around the room for Klaus. She felt his presence in the room but she was alone. He must have just been there. And then she noticed the bags on the floor. Shopping bags. She noticed Prada and a shoe box that said Christian Louboutin. Caroline vaulted herself off of the bed and slid on her knees on the floor to the pile of goodies. She felt like it was Christmas morning. She pulled a small Dior box out of a bag and cracked it open. There was a beautiful pair of gold framed sunglasses. In the Louboutin bag was a gorgeous pair of red peep toe pumps. She reached in the Prada shopping bag and produced a chocolate brown leather bag and leather bomber jacket to match.

"Do you like them?" he asked from behind her. His voice ran chills down her spine.

"What is all of this?" she asked bringing herself back to her feet.

"They are gifts. For you." he said and smiled. His eyes danced with delight at the happiness he saw in her eyes.

"Why?" she asked her voice cracking slightly.

He moved towards her and raised his hand to her face. "Because I like you Caroline. And I want you to be happy. Does this make you happy?"

Her eyes fluttered from his to the loot on the floor then back to him.

"Yes." she said softly. "Wait NO. What am I saying? Like or love or whatever you are calling this is not about buying me expensive gifts. Its about trust and respect for each other. Its about a mutual like for one another. Its about the truth"

Klaus opened his mouth to rebut. Caroline moved away from him.

"You don't trust me and I sure as hell don't trust you. You keep me down here in this dungeon like I am a prisoner when you get to go upstairs in the fresh air and the sunlight. You compel me to stay in this room and take my ring so even if I could get out I could never really leave this house. Is that trust?"

Klaus took a step towards Caroline and reached for her hand. He flipped her wrist and eased her fingers open. She was surprised at how gentle his touch was. He placed her ring in the center of her hand and closed her fingers around it. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

"Please forgive me Caroline. My temper got the best of me before. I am sorry." His eyes were so green.

"Come with me." he said and walked out the door. Caroline walked behind him at the door there was still the invisible barrier.

"You can leave this room." he said to her. Caroline stepped her foot over the threshold. She was able to move past it. She smiled and inhaled sharply. Klaus turned to her and caught her eyes. "But you are not to leave this house."

Caroline nodded and he lead her down the hall to the stairway heading upstairs.