Chapter 14

"So… what did you want to show me?" Caroline asked when they entered what she assumed was the room they held whatever Klaus wanted to show her. The room was just like the others in the mansion; elegant, with expensive furniture allocated around the room and extravagant pillars that held up the ceiling.

"One of my passions," he replied as they stopped in front of a grand painting displayed on the wall.

"Wow. Impressive," she commented while admiring the painting—it really was impressive. She never thought Klaus would be one for art. "I take it the curators at the Louve aren't on vervain."

Klaus chuckled. "Yeah, well that's their mistake."

Caroline shook her head but decided to keep any lectures to herself; it probably wouldn't get her anywhere. She glanced down at the jewellery she was wearing and a question she had wanted to ask for a while popped into her head again, except now she had the opportunity to voice it.

"What about these?" Caroline held out her wrist to show him the bracelet. "Where'd you steal this from?"

"Well, that's a long story," Klaus answered elusively. "But rest assured it was worn by a princess… almost as beautiful as you."

The cheesy compliment made her roll her eyes. It was becoming harder and harder to remember the person standing next to her was a murderer when he was so hopelessly romantic. Klaus was becoming more like an awkward prom date from high school.

She shook her finger at him to show the ring. "And this?" Sure, Elijah had told her a few things about the ring but she wanted to see if Klaus himself was going to tell her.

Klaus hesitated briefly before he answered back vaguely, "That's an even longer story."

He hadn't really answered any of her questions, she realised. Caroline was just about to inquire further, because dammit she wanted answers, when she noticed the sketches sprawled out on the table. She picked one up and a quick flicker of her eyes to one piece of paper to another showed that they had obviously been drawn by the same artist. So unless Klaus had a favourite artist the only other option would be…

"Wait a second. Did – did you do these?" She asked incredulously, dreading the answer. If his answer was ye—

"Yeah," Dammit. "Um... actually one of my landscapes is hanging at the Hermitage." Klaus admitted, before he added sheepishly with a hint of sadness, "Not that anyone would notice."

Caroline couldn't help but gape even if it made her look a bit stupid. Not only had Klaus—Mr-always-speak-elegantly—said 'um', but the discovery that he also sketched was too much for her mind to keep up with. There was no way she could imagine Klaus—the thousand year old hybrid—sitting with a pen and paper and…drawing. A hobby like that was too…normal, too human. Besides, she thought with spite, Klaus doesn't create things, he destroys them.

"Have you been?" Klaus asked, referring to Hermitage, and brought Caroline out of her quickly spiralling dark thoughts.

"I've never really been anywhere," she confessed. Caroline hadn't meant for it to sound so pitiful and almost winced at how pathetic the fact was. The small town, Mystic Falls, was as exciting as it got for her.

"I'll take you," Klaus declared and she looked at him in surprise. "Wherever you want."

Caroline looked away with a scoff at the promise, despite how tempting it seemed. He might as well be offering her the world but she still wouldn't be able to accept.

"Rome." Klaus proposed and when she rolled her eyes at him he suggested, "Paris… Tokyo?"

"Oh, wow," she exclaimed while laughing at the sheer bizarreness of Klaus taking her on holiday. Klaus had joined in her laughter with her and she started at him while trying to memorize the sound, she may never hear it again after all. She wondered if he was like this with anyone else, like his hybrids—

Tyler.

The name hit her like a tidal wave and she tore her gaze away from Klaus. When her eyes rested on the drawings though, it just made the situation worse as it caused her to hope Klaus had a piece of humanity in him; she shouldn't be hoping.

Caroline took a deep breath before she said the words she knew would cause a rift between them, but words that had to be said nonetheless. "Must be really nice to just snap your fingers and get whatever you want." She saw from the corner of her eye that Klaus's smile had frozen at her remark but she carried on recklessly, "Is that why you collect hybrids? A little servant army to take you places and bring you things."

The smile he wore was on the brink of disappearing when Klaus stated, "You're making assumptions."

"Then why do you need Tyler?" Caroline challenged him. "Stop controlling him. Give him his life back." Because maybe then I can be in your presence guilt crawling in my chest and consuming me.

Klaus's earlier charming attitude vanished and the tightly controlled mask she had got used to seeing returned. "You know," he started in a low and dangerous tone, "this has been a fun evening, but I think it's time for you to leave."

There was a moment of silence filled with the two glaring at each other. Caroline was full of anger and she clenched her fists. She wasn't sure who she was most angry at; Klaus or herself. She was stupid for ever considering that Klaus would free Tyler.

"I get it. Your father didn't love you, so you assume that no one else will either," she recalled what Klaus had told her earlier about his father. "And that's why you compel people, or you sire them, or you try to buy them off!" She ripped the expensive bracelet off and threw it to the ground. "But that's not how it works. You don't connect with people, because you don't even try to understand them." Caroline then removed the ring and chucked it blindly. She barely noticed how Klaus caught the item with quick reflexes.

Caroline spun around in her heels quickly—she really didn't want to witness the expression he must be showing after her harsh, yet truthful, words—and headed for the door. For the second time that night Klaus grabbed her wrist before she could make her escape. Unlike the first time, however, Caroline was in a less pleasant mood and this time actually attempted to free herself. Klaus held on with a vice like grip.

Panic began to engulf her as she turned back to face him. Klaus's features were tight, controlled and emotionless. He simply watched her struggles with unreadable eyes before he said quietly, "You're right."

"I'm right?" Caroline echoed in disbelief at his agreement. Wasn't this the part where he murdered her in cold blood for her bold words?

"To earn love freely is something I've never experienced, so I've always resorted to alternatives—intimidation, threats, seduction, bribery." Klaus brought her hand up and gently slipped the ring back on her finger. "But believe me when I say this, Caroline, I wanted to give you these gifts. Not to buy you. No bribes." She wondered if he even realised his thumb was stroking her hand in a circle motion. "No threats. No motives. Just you." Klaus rested his forehead on hers. "And me."

She could feel the heat from him through her thin dress. His hands slid into her hair, pushing an unruly curl out of the way and his touch left a scorching hot trail. She opened her mouth to say something—anything—but the emotions exposed in his eyes stole any words away.

"Give me a chance," Klaus murmured as his breath caressed her face and his lips were so near that all it would take was a tiny movement to close the distance. "Caroline."

Whatever trance she had been in crumbled when Klaus said her name and she pushed him away, taking a few steps back to create some much needed distance so she could think clearly.

"I –I can't," she managed to stumble out despite her flustered state. Because really, what else can she say? Those two words were enough. She can't because he's the enemy. She can't because he's why Tyler's gone and stuck in a sire bond. She can't for so many reasons.

But she wants to for even more reasons.

This time Caroline made sure to use her vampire speed to escape the room.

Klaus made no move to stop her and watched as she fled. It didn't take a thousand years of lifetime experience to know he had messed up. He was a fool, really, for thinking he would—or could—ever have her. She was too pure, too innocent for someone corrupted as him.

Hadn't he not always said that love was for the weak? The very feeling itself a weakness? He was becoming weak. But the worst thing was that he didn't particularly care if that was so. A shimmer of reflected light brought him out of his musings and he looked down at the cause. The bracelet. Klaus picked up the object off the floor and put it on the desk as he sat down. The only thing that was keeping him from tearing the item apart was the fact that Caroline had previously worn it.

Without realising he was doing it, Klaus reached over for one of the pencils on the desk and started to draw. It was no surprise when the person he was sketching was Caroline. Every curve of her face, every detail, every emotion of hers was printed into his mind and he had no trouble copying them onto the paper in front of him.

He had barely been sketching for five minutes when his hearing picked up on a yell. It wasn't the person who yelled that was important though, it was the name they had screamed in panic.

Caroline.

Caroline stomped down the stairs, pulling back up a dress strap that had fallen during her quick flee from Klaus. As soon as she found Matt she was leaving this godforsaken mansion and never coming back. A quick scour of the Foyer below showed that her friend was no-where in the vicinity though and worry began to seep into her. Since the dance, she hadn't seen him; she had been too… busy with Klaus. She quickly began to move before she would start feeling the inevitable shame.

It's okay, she comforted herself, I'll just ask Elena and Damon where his gone. I bet Matt's fine.

She never made it to the couple as she heard a voice she would recognise anywhere gasp in pain.

Matt.

Any thought of somebody witnessing her using unnatural speed never occurred to her as she rushed towards the sound. When she made it to the balcony she halted in shock at the sight. Kol Mikaelsen, the cocky idiot who had approached her earlier, was now gripping Matt in what, at first glance, would look like a friendly handshake. But the snapping sound of a bone breaking in Matt's hand clearly showed otherwise.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She exclaimed to the Original who was now smiling coldly at her.

"Caroline," Kol greeted pleasantly as if he didn't had a killer grip on Matt. "I have to say I'm surprised, I had assumed Nik would have been with you most of the night to keep you occupied while I dealt with this commoner." He paused as he considered the current situation. "Then again, this certainly makes it more of a spectacle, doesn't it? You can witness his death first hand."

"Let him go, now!" She snapped, allowing her fangs to appear. "Or I'll –"

Kol's menacing laugh cut her off. "Or you'll what?" He released his grip on Matt, but before she could breathe a sigh of relief or even move to stop him, Kol had kicked Matt into the wall. He then smirked at her distraught expression. "You can't stop me, you're just a little baby vampire."

Blood began to trickle down Matt's face and in a rush of anger and newfound strength she dashed at Kol and pushed him over the balcony railing. Kol's eyes widened at the sudden action and, just as she was about to say a snarky comment as he plummeted to the ground, Kol's hand snatched out to drag her down with him. During the chaos she distantly heard Matt yell her name in panic. They both began tumbling to the ground, each trying to get the upper hand before the unavoidable landing.

Kol was the one who took the impact of the fall and she made sure to land extra hard on him. After she regained her senses she tried to pull herself off him to get away, but he was too quick and flipped her over so they had changed positions. Now she was the one on the cold concrete floor.

"Not bad," he praised, "but not good enough, either."

Her breath caught in her throat when he displayed his fangs and Caroline suddenly became very aware of the severity of the situation. This was it, she thought with dread, I'm going to die. Worse of all, I'm going to get killed by a narcissist!

"You know," Kol began conversationally despite their current predicament, "I can actually understand what Nik see's in you."

"Oh god," Caroline grumbled. "If you're going to kill me, just get on with it!"

His smile twitched at her remark and she was sure he was going to take her up on her order but then his weight on top of her vanished all together. She propped herself up with an elbow to see her saviour in front of her—she wasn't surprised to find it was Klaus—now glaring at the younger Original threateningly. The look sent shivers down her spine; she had never seen Klaus so angry.

"Nik," Kol began to say as he picked himself off the floor where Klaus must have thrown him. "Come to join in on the fun?"

Klaus's eyes flashed darky. "I don't know what happened, but that doesn't matter," his tone held pure fury. "If she has even one scratch on her I will kill you."

Caroline looked down at herself to see that, yes, she did have a few scratches and, even if Kol deserved whatever was coming to him, she couldn't let Klaus kill (or dagger, whatever) his own brother. She knew all too well how important family was now that she had lost one parent. She also knew how important Klaus's family was to him despite the front he put up. He would regret hurting them again.

"I was the one that attacked him," she blurted out and, in a way, it was true. She had been the one to attack first (even though Kol provoked her and was about to kill Matt which gave her a pretty damn good reason). She saw Kol arch an eyebrow towards her at the outburst.

Klaus slowly turned to face her and she felt like she was under a spotlight when he fixed his calculating eyes on her. A few silent, tense filled moments passed before he must have found what he was looking for as he turned back to Kol and asked, "Is this true?"

Kol flicked his gaze to her while straightening out his bowtie (a part of her cheered that she managed to destroy his otherwise perfect demeanour). There was something displayed in Kol's eyes as he regarded her; curiosity, surprise and…reluctant respect? The moment passed quickly before his arrogant grin returned to his face when he said, "It is indeed. It was merely self-defence, brother. I wasn't aware she would be so…aggressive."

In a moment of anger Caroline flipped him the middle finger. Thankfully Klaus had his back to her and was unable to see the rude gesture. Kol, however, didn't miss the action and his grin widened considerably. She really regretted saving his ungrateful ass.

Klaus wasn't convinced. "Was tossing her over the balcony really necessary, Kol?"

"A moment of panic," Kol lied effortlessly. "I'm not used to blondes throwing themselves at me. Well," he started to add as an afterthought with a cheeky grin, "not in that manner."

Klaus growled. His patience was incredibly thin when it came to his younger brother. "Leave now, Kol." His brother remained unaffected so he threatened, "Before I reconsider my decision to be merciful and keep you daggered for another century."

"I'd like to see you try," Kol remarked. He then glanced at both of them and Caroline couldn't help but smile at his obvious crushed pride he was displaying at being saved by her, the 'little baby vampire'. He must have caught her smug grin as he added, "Try not to kill each other in your lover's spat." He shrugged and smiled at the alternative. "Or do."

Kol finally swaggered back into the mansion and she glared at his retreating form with venom. If he even thought of hurting Matt again she would do more than throw him off a balcony. When the huge doors closed with a loud bang she became very aware it was just now her and Klaus outside.

"Are you hurt?" Klaus asked while his gaze swiftly skimmed over her body for any serious injuries. When he found none, he offered his hand.

"I'm fine." Caroline grumbled and ignored his hand while standing up. She didn't want to touch him after what had happened earlier, she didn't think her resolve was strong enough to endure it. It was difficult to hold his gaze while they were filled with such unconcealed worry in them for her, so she instead smoothed the creases in her dress she had received from the tumble.

He easily picked up on her clear aversion and sighed, raking a hand through his dishevelled hair (which was odd, as it was usually perfectly kept and she wondered if it was from his rush to get to her).

"Caroline," he started, his voice now soft and nothing like how he addressed Kol. "About earlier –"

"Don't," she cut in. "I-I just can't." She repeated the words she had spoken earlier; whether she was trying to convince him or herself she didn't know.

Klaus smiled weakly, the expression not quite meeting his eyes. "You can't, or you won't?"

Caroline bit down on her lip, hard enough to draw blood. She answered honestly, "Both."

The doors Kol had previously retreated into opened with a slam and she saw Matt, holding his head to cover some of the blood, rush out followed by Elena, Damon and Stefan.

"Caroline!" Elena yelled, "Matt told us you were fighting Kol so we…" she let her sentence die off as she noticed Klaus standing next to Caroline.

Damon, who looked extremely pissed off, snorted. "I told you Klaus would save her. But I guess since I'm not Stefan my words don't matter."

Stefan lifted an eyebrow at this and she could see the touch of smugness in his features. Elena ignored Damon (clearly, they must have had another fight) and headed for Caroline.

Caroline put a hand up to stop her. "I'm fine, I wasn't hurt," she assured them, "I'm leaving now anyway."

Elena gave a nod, but it was clear to see on her face that Caroline would be receiving numerous questions tomorrow.

"Where is Kol now?" Stefan asked, glancing around the garden as if the Original would pop out of the bushes.

"Who cares?" Damon snapped at his brother. He then regarded Caroline with pride. "Good job Blondie. I just wish I had gotten there first to give him the beating myself, but still."

She rolled her eyes at him. Trust Damon to dish out compliments only when it came to beating up Originals.

"I'll drive you back," Matt offered.

The offer caused Caroline to let out a small laugh. "Actually, I think it will be me driving you back!" She pointed to his head. "In your condition you'll drive us into a tree or run someone over – probably both."

"True," he reluctantly agreed with a smile. "Come on, I'll show you to my car."

She went to follow Matt but unconsciously glanced back at Klaus one last time.

Klaus had watched the whole exchange silently, his gaze permanently on Caroline for the entire time. When he did finally speak the only thing he said, which was addressed to Matt, was: "Make sure she gets home safely."

The hybrid had then vanished in seconds, leaving everyone equally confused at the new development that Klaus might not be as heartless as they all believed.