Chapter 17
A loud bang from downstairs woke Caroline up from her sleep. Klaus was nowhere to be found. She quickly bounded off the bed, dressed herself in a robe and headed out of the room to check out what was going on. Suddenly, she heard a guttural cry, one that was all too familiar to forget.
If she wasn't earlier, now Caroline was fully awake. A few steps away from the kitchen she heard another cry from upstairs, one that wasn't too difficult to recognize. She was about to make her way back up the stairs, her heart beating a thousand times faster than it normally would. But she could only choose one.
Caroline looked up for a quick second before hastily making her way to the kitchen and finding him crumpled on the floor, a stake in his chest and a pool of blood - Tyler. She couldn't believe her eyes. Why was he here in the first place?
"Ty-" she screamed, kneeling next to him at the same time. She then pulled out the stake.
Within seconds, he coughed and thrashed about. It was only when Caroline pulled him in for a hug and whispered soothing words in his ear that he realized he was not facing the enemy any longer.
"You came for me" he barely managed to whisper, still trying to recover from the attack.
"Why wouldn't I? Speaking of which, what are you doing here? Who did this to you? What is going on?" Caroline exclaimed, trying to put all the pieces together.
Tyler pulled back, and looked into her eyes before responding; as if he knew his words would break her heart somehow "Klaus."
He was right about one thing. As soon as he said it, Caroline felt like she had been stabbed in the heart. She couldn't breathe. Everything that had happened the past few days flashed before her eyes. "No, no no. It can't be" she insisted, letting him go and quickly standing up.
"You stay here. I'll find him." Caroline snapped, motioning for the door.
She didn't bother to hear his response. Caroline never turned back as she bounded up the stairs. She knew where she would find him. Maybe this was all a mistake. But which part of it – the part that believed the past few days were real or the part where Klaus had once again stabbed her in the back and hurt someone she loved? She hoped it was the latter.
Tears formed at the corners of her eyes, and she tried to hold them in as she barged in her bedroom door. She was expecting to find him attacking his next prey or waiting for her to come in so that she could witness the torture herself. But Caroline was clearly taken aback when she found him collapsed on the ground, similar to Tyler. Klaus was lying on the floor, motionless, with his back turned to her.
She quickly made her way over and once she got a closer look, she couldn't contain her scream.
Klaus' heart had been pulled out of his chest and he was as white as stone. Caroline was too late. He was already gone. Of all the things that could have happened, she never expected this. She never expected to see him gone forever– to be unable to feel his arms around her, hear his laughter, or even argue with him about anything and everything. Earlier she thought she knew the worst, but she was terribly wrong. The loss was slowly crippling her, and this – this was beyond her greatest nightmares
The tears that she desperately attempted to hold back fell all of a sudden and it was all too much to handle. Caroline found herself crumbling to the floor, wrapping her arms around him tightly, searching for his light.
But there was still no response. He wasn't coming back.
Caroline had chosen Tyler, and because of that she lost Klaus. There was no one else she could blame but herself. She would have to live with this choice for the rest of her life. If she only knew… But wait, would she have saved Klaus first if she knew and left Tyler to die?
No. Caroline didn't even need to think twice about that one. She couldn't leave her friend after all that they've been through. She would have figured out a way to save them both. "I'm sorry love. I'm really sorry" she whispered apologetically, meaning every word.
She heard shuffling behind her and suddenly felt arms around her pulling her away from Klaus.
"Nooooooooooo!" she screamed, thrashing wildly, attempting to break free of his hold.
"Caroline" he said soothingly, trying to calm her down.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!" she screamed once more as they moved further away from Klaus' lifeless body.
"Caroline" he whispered once more, "he's gone"
"I said no." she screamed, using all of the strength left within her to break free. Without even looking up, she turned and threw him across the room.
The second she realized what she had done, she looked at the person she threw across the room.
And that was when she really woke up.
Caroline turned to where lifeless Klaus should have been and his body was no longer there. She was in fact, no longer in her bedroom but standing in the middle of Klaus' master suite. It was all slowly coming back to her – the mindless banter, the lovemaking and finally succumbing to slumber, both of them wrapped in each other's arms. Caroline had just lived through another vivid nightmare.
"Ughhhh" he groaned, as the man she threw across the room struggled to get back on his feet. Caroline snapped out of her thoughts, and made her way over to help him. It was Thomas.
"I'm sorry Tom. Are you okay?" she asked, helping him up.
Thomas brushed himself off and forced a smile. "Nothing I can't handle Miss Caroline. I just heard you scream and I was worried about you. I know I shouldn't have just barged in, but with Mr. Mickaelson out, I couldn't help it. It was then I found you standing there, talking to yourself. When I tried to wake you up, you threw me across the room. What happened? Are you okay?"
Caroline pulled him in for a hug, recalling the ordeal she had just gone through. "Yes. It's a long story, but I am glad it was only a nightmare. I'm sorry for throwing you across the room like that. Let's just say I was really angry"
"I wouldn't want to get on your bad side then." Thomas teased, as he let go of her. "In the meantime, I'll leave you to get dressed. Let me know if you need anything." It was then that he made his way out of the room.
Caroline was once again left with her thoughts. What she refused to think about while she was awake seemed to infiltrate her dreams. Aunt Jenna had appeared once before, telling her that Klaus needed her. And it was in that same dream, after all the confusion, that Caroline had discovered her light. Now, with all the back and forth between Tyler and Klaus, the inevitable choice she had to make was now haunting her. Klaus had almost died.
It was hard to recover from that, especially when the person was nowhere to be found. Klaus had left her side and she didn't even realize it. Caroline felt her cheeks turn red. What could she expect? It wasn't as if they were in some sort of relationship, right? It may have bothered her that he wasn't around like the first time they had made love, but she would never admit that.
Caroline gave into the temptation and what does she get for it - an empty bed and a really bad nightmare? Well, there's that, and the look he gave when he almost said that he fancied her, the way he brushed back the hair falling in her eyes and drowned her in his kisses, and the way he called out her name like a benediction when they both finally found fulfillment.
The pros seemed to greatly outweigh the cons – in that very moment, at least. Klaus Mickaelson might actually fancy her. She knew he had said this once before, but things were different now. He never got the chance to say the words when she interrupted him, but she couldn't help it. She didn't know if it was because she couldn't handle it if it were a lie, or because he was actually telling her the truth. Either way, it scared her.
What was even scarier was the way she felt now. She may have chosen Tyler in her dreams, but would she do the same in real life? After all the things that she had been through with Klaus in the past week, would it be enough for her to choose him over Tyler, who had been with her for years? With Tyler out of the question, how did she feel about Klaus?
It was an age-old debate she had in her head for days, but it seemed clearer now than it did before. He angered her with his compulsion, infuriated her with his pride, hurt her when he almost killed everyone she loved – and yet, she understood it all. Only someone who actually cared would be thinking about it as much as she did.
In spite of all his flaws and misdirection, Klaus was starting to reveal more of himself to her. She could see how hard it was for him, especially after being betrayed by too many people in his life. Klaus was never incapable of love. He just never knew what it was or how to express it. Caroline may have felt sorry for him in the beginning, and simply gave in out of curiosity, but her reasons for staying weren't the same. If it was simply compassion and curiosity then she knew she wouldn't have given in a second time. She would have left with Elena, Stefan and Damon when they came for her.
It was more than that. Caroline remembered what had come to her mind the first time they had slept together—that she might just be in love with this man? It wasn't too far from reality now. Klaus was trying to be honest with her, and protected her with his life even before when they were mortal enemies. There may be a thousand reasons why this wouldn't work, or that this could all be a lie and she was the dumbest girl alive for believing him – but that wouldn't change the way she felt. There was no turning back now.
Caroline brought a hand to her cheek and couldn't help but laugh to herself. She had to be crazy – completely mental. She had only spent a number of days with him, but everything that was going on in her head wouldn't change her heart. However way she spun it, it would always come down to the fact that she was falling in love with him.
As soon as Caroline admitted it to herself, it was like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. How else could she explain the intensity between them or the dreams she keeps on having? What about the fact that no matter what horrible, selfish and childlike thing Klaus attempted to do to her and her friends, she had forgiven him – or at least listed to his explanations and took them as the truth. She was still in London for crying out loud, even after debating each day if she should leave.
It was funny how all this confusion, even back in Mystic Falls, led to the simple conclusion that she might be falling in love with a thousand year old Original vampire. On second thought, that didn't seem so simple at all.
Caroline quickly headed over to the dresser and grabbed one of his robes. No wonder Thomas quickly left the room. She was only dressed in her underwear and one of Klaus' shirts. How embarrassing. Klaus would have been furious. It was only after she put the robe on that she opened the door.
Thomas was still there, standing watch. He bowed to her in greeting. "Would you like some breakfast Miss Caroline? I apologize again for the intrusion earlier."
Caroline smiled back. "Yes please. Let's just keep that between us, shall we? We wouldn't want to get your master angry. Speaking of which, where is he? Will he be joining us for breakfast?"
Thomas shook his head. "Oh Mr. Mikaelson? He had some business he had to settle."
"What kind of business?" she asked curiously, as they walked arm in arm down the hall.
Thomas looked at her apologetically. "He didn't say. But he looked really angry as he left the mansion earlier in the day."
Caroline couldn't help but worry. After finally admitting to herself the way that she felt and going through such a ruthless nightmare, she needed to see his face – at least to know that he was okay. She was also a little apprehensive about what angry Klaus would do. She knew better than to interfere, but that wasn't her – and Klaus would have known that by now.
"We need to find him" she declared.
Thomas squeezed her arm. "I don't think that's a good idea Miss Caroline. I can tell that you care about Mr. Mickaelson but sometimes it is best to leave him alone."
Caroline shrugged. "Is it – the best? Maybe someone should actually make sure he is all right for a change instead of leaving him to make foolish decisions out of his anger. You know what he is capable of. You've seen how he could kill someone in a fraction of a second and even compel us whenever he wanted to."
Thomas' expression didn't change. "That may be true, but a man needs his space as well Miss Caroline. Take it from experience, even though you care and worry so much about him, the best thing to do sometimes is to let him go."
His words sounded oddly familiar. It was pretty much the same thing Caroline asked of Klaus when he compelled her.
"But he's Klaus. He's dangerous and rash and unpredictable. Somebody else might get hurt," she insisted.
Thomas let go of her arm. "I am not going to stop you. But I will say this– the Klaus who left the mansion this morning was not the same Klaus who walked in here months ago. And I should know – I've been here long enough."
Caroline cocked her head to one side as she realized that they were already at the bottom of the stairs, near the front door. "Are you trying to convince me to stay or to go?"
Thomas was smiling now. "Neither. I'm just simply telling you an observation."
She might not have known Thomas for very long, but he had no reason to lie to her. He trusted his instincts, and by the look on his face, he truly believed what he had said. Caroline only needed a second to make her choice.
She took his arm once more. "So, where's breakfast? I'm starving."
Thomas looked almost relieved. His smile grew wider as he responded, pointing in the direction of the dining hall. "Right this way, mademoiselle."
Arm in arm, they made their way into the room, leaving their worries behind them.
After Caroline had her fill of warm blood, from a fresh blood bag of course, she felt somewhat rejuvenated. Although it would never compare to blood from the vein, it was good enough for her. She was used to the lack of human blood in her system and had developed a great sense of control over her cravings in the short amount of time since she's turned.
She went back into her temporary bedroom and took a quick shower. After she had put on one of her vintage shirts, pulled on some jeans and applied some make-up, she realized that she had nothing else to do. She had to keep herself busy so she wouldn't think of Klaus. He was taking an awfully long time finishing up his "business" and although it was already mid-afternoon, there was still no word from him.
There was no bother pretending. Caroline dragged the stool from the vanity and placed it next to the windowsill. She then grabbed a pad and a pen that she found sitting on one of the side tables. Instead of pacing back and forth around the room trying to figure out where he could have gone, she would sit down and keep watch. She had a pretty good view of the driveway should he decide to come home. At the same time, she would keep herself distracted by attempting to draw. Klaus may not be the only one with an artistic eye.
She really couldn't stop thinking about him even if she tried. Caroline started to visualize the way he looked while he was resting, like Klaus did to her once before. She sketched the curls of his golden locks, the bridge of his nose, his stubble. As soon as she finished she realized it looked more like a lion than a man – or a cartoon. It made her laugh.
Caroline realized that sketching people was harder than it looks. Even though you can get a good visual in your head, it takes a steady hand and precise strokes to make it right. Caroline then felt humbled and appreciative of the sketches he made of her. He must have put in a lot of thought. She tore off her cartoon Klaus and tucked it in her back pocket. She wouldn't be able to live through the embarrassment if he found it.
She would never hear the end of it from Tyler either; that is, if Tyler ever spoke to her again after this. Caroline put the pen and paper aside, and covered her face with both hands. She knew she had left him on the beach in search for answers, but developing feelings for Klaus halfway across the world and not telling him was wrong and unfair to him, no matter what way she justified it. Tyler was searching the corners of the world for her, but here she was snuggling up to his mortal enemy.
Would he ever forgive her after what she did? If the roles were reversed, Caroline knew she probably wouldn't – at least, not right away. So she couldn't expect the same from Tyler. If she chose to walk the dangerous path and plunge into some kind of relationship with Klaus, she could lose Tyler forever.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She quickly headed over to it, expecting to find Klaus, but when she finally opened it, Thomas stood before her instead.
He had a somber look on his face and immediately Caroline could sense that something was wrong.
Before she could say a word, he said, "I was instructed to take you to the airport, Miss Caroline. Would you please gather your things? We must leave immediate—"
"Where am I going?" Caroline interrupted.
Thomas didn't respond. She stood there for a moment, trying to figure out what to do next. While she finally realized that she cared about Klaus, here he was driving her away. But she couldn't just throttle Thomas for answers. It looked as if he didn't have them himself anyway as he walked away from her.
If she wanted answers, she would have to get them herself. Without giving it a second thought, she put on her coat and boots, dumped her things into her bag, and it only took her a few minutes before she finally bounded down the stairs and out the front door.
Thomas was already in the car waiting for her.
Caroline placed her bag in the trunk before taking a seat in the passenger side. "He's changed, huh? She couldn't help but retort strongly.
Thomas was silent.
For the first few minutes, Caroline tried desperately not to cry. In less than 24 hours, she had gone through a whirlwind of emotions. None of this was normal. One minute she was about to cry over losing Tyler and now she was losing Klaus? The decision wasn't just on her shoulders after all. They had to choose her too.
Caroline distracted herself by starting out the window, taking in the view. But it was no use. If she was confusing, Klaus was worse. He had hurt her numerous times and yet in spite of that she was drawn to him like gravity. Caroline refused to believe that although it may not be real love for him, it can't be that he didn't give a rat's ass about her either. He would have killed her if that was the way he felt. She gave him so many opportunities to do so.
He wouldn't just send her away.
It was then that she remembered his sweet words about protecting her from danger and also from himself if would come to that. The truth suddenly dawned upon Caroline.
"Stop!" she screamed.
Thomas immediately stepped on the brake and they came to an abrupt halt.
"Miss Caroline, are you alright?"
She turned to face him before replying. "No Tom. I'm not alright. You see, I care about this man and because of that, I can't just walk away. You have to take me back. Your master and I have some unfinished business to take care of."
"Plus, he can't boss me around" She folded her arms across her chest.
Caroline almost jumped when there was a sudden knock on her window. Thomas expression turned from dismal to amusement. Caroline wanted to punch him in the face.
They were supposed to be going back right now, and she couldn't focus on anything else. If Tom wasn't going to take her, she had vampire speed. She could always run back herself. There was another knock on her window.
Caroline was about to put down the window, scare off the person and run back to the mansion when suddenly she came eye to eye with Klaus. She was surprised to find him here—at her door. So that's why Tom was so amused.
Caroline immediately unlocked the door and Klaus extended his hand out to help her out of the car. As soon as she got out, she couldn't believe where she was. They were at an airbase of some sort and parked a few yards away from them was a private jet.
"You have got to be kidding me. What? Where?"
She was in a state of shock and instantaneously let go of his hand. Klaus seemed to be able to read her thoughts then. Or he must have noticed the steam coming out of her ears. Before she managed to punch him in the face or even attempt to tear him apart, Klaus jumped a few feet away from her.
He waved a finger in her face. "Now don't be angry love. But this is where I've been all day, arranging matters for our departure."
It took Caroline less than a second to stand right in front of him so they were nose to nose. Klaus smiled, admiring her guts. He would never let anyone that close to him, not unless it were on his terms. But with Caroline, it was like he lost all control.
He leaned over, but just before their lips met, she picked her up off the ground and carried her fireman's style. He made his way towards the private jet.
Caroline giggled at first, but then she realized how embarrassing she must look. She pounded his back with her fists. "Klaus, put me down!"
"As you wish love. You always like ordering me about, don't you? " He said, pulling out a piece of paper sticking out of her back pocket before putting her down.
Caroline was blushing as she pulled down her shirt and brushed the hair from her eyes. She didn't notice the paper in hands before she heard him laugh hysterically.
"Is this supposed to be me sweetheart?"
Why did she even think she could hide it from him? Caroline looked up and found that he was showing her the portrait that she made earlier. She had forgotten it was in her pocket in the first place. Now he was laughing at her, and her cheeks grew hot in response.
She tried to snatch the paper from his grasp, but he held it out of her reach.
"No, of course not…You're so egoistic Mr. Mickaelson. Not everything is about you."
His smile turned into a frown. He lowered his arm and was about to tear the portrait into shreds. But Caroline reached out her hand, stopping him.
"Okay okay. I'm sorry. I admit it. Not everything is about you. But some things are—and this is one of them."
He folded the paper and tucked it in his own pocket, amused with her confession.
"You could have at least kept your laughter to yourself though, so I wouldn't have been embarrassed to admit it in the first place" she said, shrugging.
Klaus took a step forward so they were once again inches away from each other. He brushed back her hair and cradled her face.
"Sweetheart, don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. It's the first time anyone has ever attempted to draw me for a change, so pardon me if I couldn't believe it when I first saw it. And for the record, I wasn't laughing at you, I was simply overjoyed. Even when I myself thought it was impossible, you actually managed to surprise me once again."
She smiled at his sweet words. "If you say so."
"Ehem" someone coughed from behind, interrupting their haze.
While Klaus looked obviously annoyed, Caroline welcomed the interruption. "You knew it all along Tom, didn't you? Why didn't you tell-?"
"Is everything ready?" Klaus interrupted.
Tom bowed to his master and handed over Caroline's bag. "Yes, sir. Everything has been prepared as you requested. Have a safe flight."
Caroline turned to Klaus. "He's not coming with us?"
Klaus shook his head. "Not this time, Caroline. Now say your goodbyes, we need to go."
Klaus nodded curtly in respect to Tom before walking over to a hybrid male flight attendant standing nearby. He kindly ordered the latter to take the bag to the jet and wait for them there.
Tom reached out his hand, waiting for Caroline to shake it in return, but instead she pulled him in for a hug. "Thank you Tom – for everything. You don't know how much this all means to me. This isn't goodbye. I'll be seeing you soon okay. Take care of yourself."
She could hear Klaus squirm from behind. Caroline quickly let go of Tom, placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before skipping over to where Klaus stood.
"So, before I get on the plane, where in the world are we going? Spain? Greece? Switzerland?"
Klaus looked more relaxed as Caroline took hold of his arm. He was now smiling ridiculously.
"We're going to Mystic Falls."
Caroline's jaw dropped. "What?"
"Home love."
She pointed to the plane. "In that?" She refused to believe all of it.
"Why not? Didn't you just say you were willing to get on the plane in the first place? Does it matter where we go?" he asked her, chuckling.
Caroline was too shocked for words. Her silence could only mean one thing. "I guess it does" he said, still leading her to where the plane was parked. She didn't refuse.
As they made their way over, Caroline couldn't help but replay the events of the past week or so in her mind. She left Mystic Falls in search for answers, but until now she wasn't even sure if she's found what she's been looking for. Sure, she already admitted to herself that she was falling in love with Klaus—and it made things in her life all the more clear to her. But it would only ruin everything else. Elena had a hard time believing her, let alone Stefan and Damon. How much more Tyler? She left Mystic Falls before because she lost herself, but now that she has found her way back, she might lose everyone else.
And she wasn't even sure Klaus felt the same way. If she only could, Caroline would live in the past week as if it were on repeat. She didn't know if she was ready to face everyone back home.
But it was apparent that Klaus didn't feel the same way about Mystic Falls.
This was what it came down to. Caroline refused to keep it in any longer. If he wanted to go home – to face the danger lurking in Mystic Falls and the judgmental looks on all her friends – so be it. But she had to know the way that he felt about her. She couldn't live in darkness any longer.
"Niklaus" she whispered.
They stopped right before the boarded the private jet.
"Yes love?"
As soon as he said the word love, Caroline tensed up. Even though she didn't want to keep it in any longer, she was suddenly at a loss for words. Maybe this wasn't the right time to admit it. Maybe she shouldn't say anything at all.
"Why are we going back to Mystic Falls all of a sudden?" she blurted out unexpectedly. "It's just I have-"
"Don't you want to go home?" He interrupted. Klaus then let go of her arm and turned to face Caroline. He once again lifted his right hand and cradled her face.
At that very moment the only person Caroline could think about was Tyler. How could she tell him the truth about the way she was feeling without tearing him apart? The truth might drive him over the edge and he might do something he would regret. Tyler had become a big part of her life, especially during her transition, and she couldn't lose him too.
Klaus could tell Caroline was bothered. Before he could ask her to explain, she said "It's complicated."
He cocked his head to one side. "I'm really sorry to hear that love but we don't have a choice. I would stay here if that's what you wanted and if it were only up to you and me. But it isn't. You do know that your friends might have left us alone, but not completely. Stefan and Damon still don't trust me. I don't blame them for that, but I think you need to go home before this gets out of hand and innocent people get hurt."
"Since when do you care about me or about anyone else?" Caroline uttered.
Klaus sighed, taking a deep breath to calm his mounting anger. "When I said I would protect you Caroline, I meant it. You need to go home. Tyler isn't the only reason, if that's what you're getting at."
She remained silent and Klaus continued "I heard Rebekah is in town as well and I do wish to pay my fugitive baby sister a visit."
Caroline bit her lip. A part of her really wished that Klaus would stop speaking in riddles and be straight with her about his feelings or the reasons why he wanted to protect her, but Caroline knew he was different. That would be asking for too much.
"But"
He silenced her with a passionate kiss, one that made her forget what they were talking about in the first place. He was more than proud to have the power to do so. Between the chemistry in the air and the thumping of her heart, Caroline could feel his strength, and also how happy he was as he laughed against her lips.
She broke away first and almost raised a fist to slap him.
She caught her arm. "Twice in one day. We have yet to beat the record. You're so feisty and spontaneous Caroline, you remind me of my little sister. I expected you to do as much. But let me tell you a little secret."
He leaned over so his lips were barely touching her ear, making Caroline tingle all over. "I like you better."
Caroline frowned in response. "Fine, let's go already. I can't believe we are leaving London and heading back home together. What has the world come to, really?"
Klaus leaned back and smiled arrogantly. "Well what can we do when we have forever? You haven't seen anything yet."
She couldn't help but smile back. Caroline was reminded about eternity –and what it would be like to spend it with him—full of fighting, bickering and abandon, but also a whole lot of passion and adventure.
Klaus interrupted her thoughts when he said, "Let's get this show on the road. Not only is Rebekah in Mystic Falls, but did I mention Kol is in town as well? My brother isn't one to easily get over getting killed. He must be up to something. And I'm pretty sure it isn't good."
Caroline admired his honesty. She didn't need to ask and he was already telling her everything. "And your mother…?" Caroline asked. She was the greatest evil at this point, especially after she managed to use Alaric against them and get him killed in the process.
He shook his head. "No word. But if we all end up killing each other then she wins. She wants us all in the ground after all!"
"Fine let's go."
Caroline took a step up the flight of stairs leading into the private jet, when Klaus suddenly pulled her back. "Wait what was it you wanted to tell me?"
He had a concerned look on his face, and he seemed to be listening intently to what she had to say.
But now didn't seem the right time for sentimentality. "Nothing. I just wanted to say that the portrait I made of you also looks like a lion to me – strong and protective; and well, all alpha male" she mocked, trying to imitate his accent.
He didn't believe that it was exactly what she wanted to say to him, but he didn't question it anymore. Instead, he laughed. "The idea is fetching. You have quite the imagination. I'm part wolf love, not lion."
She smiled back.
Within minutes, the two of them were seated side-by-side in the plane as it took off. At first they sat awkwardly, but when the flight attendant headed to the other compartment, Caroline leaned her head against Klaus chest.
He stiffened. Intimacy was never his strongest point. But as soon as she looked up to him and he caught Caroline's gaze and the way her eyes lit up, he knew he was lost. He wrapped an arm around her and once again placed her head against his chest. He tried to warm her up by rubbing his hand against her arm and he could feel her ease into him comfortably – like she always belonged there.
"Thank you." Caroline whispered softly, almost in a daze.
When he didn't respond, she was a little worried. But a few minutes later, Klaus grabbed her hand and laced his fingers through hers. He held it awkwardly at first, like it was his first time. He held on too tight and it almost crushed the bones in Caroline's wrist, but she didn't mind at all. If this wasn't a sign that he cared for her as well, then what would be? She squeezed his hand, letting him know that it was okay and that's when Klaus softened his hold. He didn't let it go.
Both of them couldn't wipe the amusement off their faces as the plane ascended into the skies.