I stepped to the side and caught the stake in my hand. Did Stefan think I was really that stupid? What else did they ever do when I was within twenty feet of them? Stefan had a miniature crossbow in his hand and had another stake already loaded. He was about to shoot when Caroline crashed against the bars.

"Stefan! No!" she shouted.

He paused and I sprung. I ripped the crossbow away and broke it in half over my knee before pinning his hands behind his back and kicking the back of his knee so he would bend down. I had the stake I'd snatched from the air and stabbed Stefan in the arm with it.

"Klaus, get me out of here," Caroline called. Stefan reached into his jean's pocket and pulled out the key. "Tell Caroline I'm so sorry," he whispered. I ripped the stake out of his arm and offered him an arm up before racing to Caroline and unlocking the door. She collapsed into my arms and I held her close. I pulled away slightly to stroke her face with my thumb and examine the injuries on her hands which were plastered to my chest. "Stefan says he's sorry," I murmured to her and she shook her head. She raised her hand, slung it over my neck and kissed me with a feline ferocity. Before I could even kiss her back she'd pulled away and gave Stefan a death stare.

"Caroline," Stefan said, approaching her cautiously, "I'm sorry. Elena asked us to and I couldn't disobey her. But, that's why nobody but Damon ever came down here. Because if we had, the key would be in the lock and Klaus would be back. I shouldn't have doubted you though," he laughed, motioning to me, "He's whipped."

Caroline giggled and glanced up at me. My eyes were still flipping between her worn-down face and her bright blisteringly red hands. She patted me on the cheek and spun around in my arms to smile at Stefan. "He is, isn't he?"

I glared at them both before lifting her in my arms like they do in the movies. "May we go?" I asked, a tint of sarcasm bleeding into my voice.

"I suppose," Stefan replied. "But don't be surprised when Damon burns your mansion down at midnight."

"I'll be ready for him."

"Just don't hurt him," Stefan pleaded. "He's doing it all for love, however much I hate to admit it. He's more whipped than you are."

I nodded, grateful for what Stefan had done. I had never enjoyed being in other's debts but I already had a perfect opportunity to clear that from my consciousness. I gave Stefan a respectful nod and then carried Caroline out the front door.

We arrived at my mansion to the delight of Rebekah.

"Thank god! I'm gonna go back to our apartment and pack everything up to bring home. You two lovers just stay out of my way."

Caroline's head was lolling against my shoulder and so I left in my arms and took her up to my bathroom. I set her on the counter and her head fell back against the mirror in exhaustion.

"Let's get you cleaned up," I murmured, wetting down one of my white hand towels and pressing it lightly against her inflamed skin. Her hand twitched and I automatically stopped and set the towel down.

"Am I hurting you?"

"It just stings a little. Don't worry about it."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Just get it over with."

I nodded and continued the process of flushing out her wounds. Once that was done I slashed apart the bottom half of my shirt and wound the fabric around her wrists.

"You didn't have to do that."

"It's alright. It's just the shirt I paint in. You know you like it," I grinned.

She flushed slightly and punched me in the shoulder feebly. "I don't really like arrogant boy's chests. They're not nearly as attractive."

"Whatever you say, love. Let's get you off that counter." I offered her my forearms and she slipped off the counter of her own will.

"I'm not a toy doll. I can handle standing on my own two feet. Do you mind if I take a shower?"

I shook my head and flicked the dial over to hot water. I stood in the middle of the room awkwardly for a couple of seconds before she shooed me out. I couldn't think of anything that could occupy my mind other than her. So I went back down to the painting and it hit me. The color of her eyes. It was the deepest blue of the ocean combined with the purest waters in the forest. I set to work and before I knew it her eyes and lips were in place. Somehow, my hand had worked the most perfect masterpiece I'd ever created, and that was saying something.

I heard a floorboard creak and smiled when Caroline's hand rested on my shoulder. She kissed my cheek and her hand slid down my arm and laced through my fingers.

"It's beautiful."

"As is it's subject." I swiveled around to face her and stepped back in shock. She was wearing my light grey sweater and nothing else. Her pale legs seemed to stretch on forever and I just wanted to run my fingers over her skin.

"Um," I breathed, "Didn't you have clothes?"

"I couldn't get back in them. They reeked of the dungeon. I'm tired of reliving what an ass Damon was. Do you like it?" she questioned, striking a pose.

"You have to ask?" I lifted her off her feet and brought my lips to hers. She wrapped her legs around my waist and I bent my back to recompense for the added weight. Her soaking wet hair flicked back and forth across my face, leaving trails of water everywhere like scratches from a blackberry bush. I set her down and wiped one of my cheeks with the back of my hand.

"I'm drenched. Don't girls blow dry their hair?"

"I wanted to see you. Blow drying my hair didn't seem all that important. Do you want me to clean that up for you?" She didn't wait for a reply and she used the sleeve of my shirt to soak up the water. My shirt rode up above her stomach, baring her white and pink polka-dotted underwear.

"Okay," I rushed, "time for you to go rest."

"Flustered, Mikaelson?

"I don't think anybody has ever called me that before."

"Probably because you wouldn't let them. You just threaten people who irritate you so they get out of your way."

I grimaced. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

Caroline laughed. "I know who you are. Don't worry, I'm not trying to start a fight. I was more pointing out you're my bitch."

"Get over yourself," I sighed, ruffling her hair. "Come on, love. Let's get you in a comfortable memory foam bed, shades drawn, some scented candles, and heated blanket. You've been sleeping on a cold hard ground. You need rest."

"You make not spending time with you so tempting."

"And you just convinced me rest was the absolute worst idea for you."

"Nah," Caroline said, "I feel like sleep."

I shook my head and picked her back up.

"Are you going to carry me everywhere?"

"Is that alright with you?"

"Mmm," she murmured. "It's like having a personal chauffeur."

We made it up the stairs and I laid her in my bed. The light red walls darkened as I shut the shades until I lit the candles. Suddenly, pink polka-dots were scattered across the walls. I strode over to her and kissed her forehead. Her now light brown hair was splayed across the pillow like she was submerged in water and her slight hands were tucked up underneath her cheek. Her eyes were closed and her light purple eye makeup was smudged around her entire eye-socket. I thought about crawling in with her, but I wasn't sure she'd want me to so I slipped out of the door and slowed the momentum of the door so that it wouldn't slam and wake the most sporadic, spunky, lively, and gorgeous woman I'd ever met.