Hello glorious readers! Here is another chapter for you all. Another short one but I hope you enjoy it!
A nice fluffy one :)

Also stayed tuned at the end for a special teaser from chapter 9 :)

Cheers!

Caroline awoke the next morning still snuggled up in Klaus's arms. She inhaled, enjoying the natural, woodsy scent mixed with his cologne. Even though he was unconscious, Klaus held onto her tightly. Caroline had secretly enjoyed the protective vibe that he had been throwing at her last night. It made her giddy to think that that need to protect remained even while he was fast asleep.

Slowly she threw back the sheet that was covering her and did her best to slip from his grasp without waking him. He looked so peaceful for a change. His face was soft, there was no mask there. After last night's confession about not wanting to be alone, Caroline could only imagine what other insecurities Klaus might have. She understood the lonely part all to well. Quietly, she dropped a kiss to his nose.

"Darling if anyone could make staring a loud activity, it's you," Klaus spoke, his eyes still closed.

"You're awake," Caroline replied.

"Have been. Not exactly a light sleeper," Klaus smirked finally opening his eyes. "You look better."

"I feel better. I was about to go take all of these bandages off."

"Allow me," Klaus replied. He quickly scooped Caroline into his arms and carried her into the bathroom. She squeaked in surprise.

"I can walk you know," she protested.

"I am well aware," Klaus replied placing her gently down on top of the sink counter where she was sitting.

Slowly, he began unwrapping the bloody bandages from around her arms. The wounds were completely healed. He tossed the bandages into the trash and double-checked her face and neck; making sure that all of the tiny cuts there were healed as well.

"Let me guess. Vervain grenade?"

"It seems to be the favorite of those who don't like to get too close. Good thing they miss a lot," she replied. Her hands went for the bottom of her t-shirt and she began to slide it over her head.

Klaus's eyebrows shot up. He didn't mind that Caroline was about to strip down, on the contrary, but he didn't think she would do it with so little pretense. Bless these modern American girls and their forwardness.

But as Caroline removed her top and placed it on the counter next to her, standing there in just a sports bra and shorts and that's when he saw it: two bandages on her left side. One was on her back and the other on her chest just above her breast. Klaus clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowed.

"Think you could get the one in the back for me?" Caroline hopped down and turned around so she faced the mirror.

"What is this?" Klaus growled.

"I got a little bit staked," Caroline replied, concentrating hard on the bandage on her chest.

"You got a 'little bit' staked?" Klaus could feel the rage from the night before returning. "Someone tried to stake you?"

"Tried and failed. Luckily they didn't have very good aim."

"Who was it?"

"Nobody you know."

"I'll kill them," he snarled.

"That's why I'm not going to tell you," Caroline said meeting his eyes in the mirror. "You know, killing people doesn't solve everything. It just makes other people more mad at you."

Klaus couldn't deny the logic. Although killing someone who pissed him off always did make him feel slightly better. "Fine. I won't kill anyone. For now." He removed her bandages and tossed them in the bin.

"Good," Caroline smiled. She spun around and gave him a quick peck on the lips before leaving the bathroom.

"So what is on your world saving agenda for today," Klaus asked following her out of the bathroom.

"Ugh studying. I have to catch up after getting nothing done the past three days."

Klaus quirked an eyebrow. "Studying? You're still going to school?"

"Well no, not going per say. Just trying to keep up. I have to graduate in spring. I'm sure everything will be back to normal by then."

"You really think that Mystic Falls is going to solve all it's prejudices sometime this decade? That is a little naïve."

"It's not naïve, it's hopeful," she protested, "besides I'm willing to bet that everything will be back to normal within two weeks."

"Oh really? What makes you so confident?"

Caroline considered for a moment. Maybe she had opened her mouth when she shouldn't have. Klaus was turning over a new leaf, but could he be fully trusted? Still it was only fair. He did reveal a pretty big secret to her last night. Besides how could Klaus possibly screw this up for them?

"The town's water supply is no longer spiked with vervain." Caroline stated.

"So all of Mystic Falls will be susceptible to compulsion again," Klaus's eyes darted back and forth, "you and Damon are planning to compel everyone to forget everything."

The way he figured it out so quickly made Caroline uneasy.

"Yeah," she said," then we can go back to living normal lives. With our supernatural statuses as a secret again." She stood there, twisting nervously.

"Yes that would be perfect," Klaus mumbled, mostly to himself. He seemed lost in some distant thought. "That's a lot of people to compel though. Are you sure you're up to it?"

Caroline nodded her head determinedly. "If it means saving everyone and getting things back to normal then yes."

Klaus snapped out of his musings and gave her a sly smile. He walked forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Then I wish you all the luck in the world love."

She examined him for a moment. "You're acting weird."

"Well you do realize that once the town is back to normal, I will go back to being your number one threat. I'll be free to take my doppelganger and make my way out of Mystic Falls."

It was a partial lie, but Caroline didn't know that. Klaus was hoping she wouldn't call his bluff. He was mostly trying to distract her from his true thoughts. Which were on Stefan and his revenge.

"Why do you even care about what happens in Mystic Falls? Why not just take Elena now and save yourself the trouble?"

"Because," Klaus replied, "there are a few extenuating circumstances keeping me here at the moment."

"Like what?" Caroline raised one eyebrow. Klaus looked at her seriously for a moment. He trusted the girl in front of him, to a point, but he wasn't ready to throw all his cards on the table. His past experiences wouldn't let him be that stupid.

"Nothing you need to worry about now," he said lightly rubbing circles on her arm with his thumbs, "Let's just enjoy this we have right now. Not having to worry about being enemies. Just being—"

"Friends?" Caroline prodded.

"That depends, do friends do this?" He dipped his head down and kissed the edge of her jaw sensuously. His hands slid from her arms down to the small of her back. "Or this…." Now his mouth was on her throat. She could feel the scrap of his fangs against her skin. Shots of electricity coursed through her veins. Caroline threw her head back as his mouth explored her neck and his hands began to play near the band of her pajama shorts.

"Wait wait wait," Caroline said taking a deep breath and trying to push him away. He was strong but relenting. "No we can't now, I need to study."

Klaus's lazy, lust filled eyes gave her a challenging look. "You're sure about that?" He jibed.

"Yes," Caroline groaned out pushing him farther away. She hated always being responsible. Klaus conceded with a frustrated growl and stepped back to perch himself on her bed. He watched as she ditched her shorts and search around in her dresser drawers for something to wear.

"You know, removing your clothes doesn't really help your cause."

"Shut up."

Caroline dressed quickly; today it was jeans, a loose tank top and a cardigan. Klaus watched her appreciatively as she added some makeup and brushed out her curls.

"Well, shall I help you study? I did live through most of what high schools teach now."

"You want to help me study?" Caroline asked incredulously.

"Well no," Klaus admitted, "but I do want to spend time with you during this cease-fire we have. So studying is what I shall do for now."

Caroline smirked at him. "Ok."

"But I do expect a reward for my dutifulness."

"Really?" Caroline sauntered toward him, "and what kind of reward do you expect?" She wrapped her arms around his neck and he lowered his face close to hers.

He whispered huskily, "I think you know." Caroline felt his lips brush hers as he answered. "Until then—schoolwork."

It was her turn to groan in frustration. Klaus separated himself from her and she walked over to a small desk that was in the room and gather a couple books, placing them in her school bag. She slung the bag over her shoulder.

"Well I can't study here, too many distractions, and I can't go to the library without being attacked, so I've been hanging out in the woods. It's kind of gross and sweaty but at least it's quite." The two of them left her room and headed downstairs.

Klaus considered for a moment, relieving her of her backpack and slinging it over his own shoulder. "I have a better idea," he said once they were outside, "one that is less sweaty and gross. Follow me."

And just like that Klaus ran off. Caroline quickly dashed after him. He was super fast, but Caroline was a great runner. She was able to keep up with him without much problem. She noticed they were running towards the outskirts of the city. Soon they stopped in front of a small cabin.

"What is this?" Caroline asked.

"It's mine. It's where I've been staying." Klaus replied.

"You stole someone's house?" Caroline asked skeptically.

Klaus smirked, "Stole is a bit strong. Borrowed indefinitely is more like it."

Caroline rolled her eyes. Why was she not surprised? She just hoped he hadn't killed anyone in the process. Klaus opened the door for her and let her inside. She took in the modesty of the home.

"It's nice," she said.

"It suits my needs for now," he commented. Klaus sat her bag on the leather easy chair as Caroline walked around the room, checking everything out.

"It's not your typical bad guy lair."

"Well, I'm not your typical bad guy," Klaus's lips twisted in amusement.

Let me know what you think!

Sometimes I worry that I move things along to fast relationship wise. But I guess my justification of that is A) It's only supposed to be a short story, not a WHOLE novel and B) I always imagine that since vampire emotions are heightened, things like this would develop at a much quicker pace anyways.

Also here's a quick teaser from Chapter 9 that hopefully keeps you all guessing!

"Hello," he replied, the obvious glee he had felt at messing with Caroline slipping into his normally stoic voice.

"My, my don't we sound happy today," the voice on the other end greeted him.

"Stefan." Klaus snarled into the phone. Damn it! He hadn't bothered to check the caller ID before answering.

Caroline's head snapped up from her work at the mention of Stefan's name. Her eyes followed Klaus as he shot up from his seat and began pacing around the room in frustration.

"Klaus I have someone here who wants to speak with you." Klaus held his breath waiting for the other voice. Had Stefan awaken one of his other family members? Elijah? Finn?

"Hello Nik."