" I love you"

Bonnie was getting ready to do another spell; it was two for the price of one evening apparently. This one, thank God wasn't lifethreating for anyone. It could have been, potentially, if Joseph refused to pass the ruling of the Moonstone. But for some strange reason he didn't …He said that he would do it and this would make them even, he made Klaus promise not to hurt any members of his family and also added:" We'll do this Klaus and then go our separate ways once and for all." Caroline didn't look at neither of them as Joseph was saying this. She was just staring at the wall and breaking his unbeating heart in millions of pieces. She didn't say anything … He still remembered how he held her in his arms an hour ago, how she hugged him when she saw her father was alive, and how she called him his hero. No one in his entire life, in his thousand years, had called him that. And he had to be honest, it felt good, it felt incredible actually. It felt like nothing before, he felt strong and full of life, and he felt like he didn't need the Moonstone and immortality, the only thing he would ever need was her. But now she was sitting there, holding his father's hand and not even looking at him. They had their strange little story from the start, a baby Salvatore and the big bad Mikaelson. And from the start he could never really tell what she felt for him, if she felt anything at all … And he, the big bad hybrid, the "I can't be killed" hybrid was petrified to ask her. Because he didn't know if he could handle her answer … and her rejection …

Caroline was waiting in the car with her dad, ready to go to the airport and head back to Mystic Falls while he was saying goodbye to Bonnie.

"Super witch to the rescue one more time." he was teasing her.

"Seriously Bonnie, I can't thank you enough for what you did today."

"You have your Moonstone, no more cursed man walking, but somehow I know that's not what you're talking about. She matters to you more, doesn't she?"

"I don't know what to say to that Bonnie." he never had trouble to express his emotions when it came to hate, but love that was a different story all together.

"Oh, yes you do. You love her. And you need to tell her that Klaus, if you let her go … Well I don't have to be a psychic witch to know you'll regret it a thousand years to come. And no Moonstone and no being the strongest person on Earth could change that. You see there is this thing called love that is stronger than all of it, and eventually the only thing that matters."

"Oh Bonnie, when did you become this sentimental?"

"I don't know, maybe tonight? Watching Caroline beg me to save her father? Watching you being capable of love? You know all the other witches told me you're the devil, the worst of them all, but I knew there was something more to you; you just needed the right person to come to your life to remember that. And she has … Don't let her go …"

He looked at Bonnie and knew she was dead right; she was a clever little witch, but unfortunately he also knew he couldn't' promise her anything.

"I can't keep her Bonnie if she doesn't want to be kept …"

"I know Klaus." and then she hugged him goodbye and said: "Nevertheless, don't give up on her. Wait … Love is worth the wait …"

He looked at her sleeping on the plane, her head resting on Joseph's shoulder. She looked like an angel. He would have done anything for it to be his shoulder. Anything to have her that near, even if it was the last time. He was truly torn, should he risk more than ever before in his life, more than when he killed his mother, more when he fought Mikael, more than when her daggered his siblings, and tell her everything? Pour his heart out to her, throw himself at her mercy … He was one proud hybrid and he had never done something like this, ever before, but on the other hand he had never felt anything like this before. Was it worth it? Could he risk everything for love? He never said "I love you", to any woman. Was he ready to do this? His heart said yes, but his brain still needed some convincing. He had only a few hours before the plain landed and he needed to make a decision.

"I'll take you home, I had my car driven to the airport." he said to Caroline and Joseph as they finally landed in Mystic Falls. Who would have thought only a few days ago they were in his mansion, dancing, drinking, him kissing Caroline for the first time by the lake. Who would have thought only a few days ago was when he met her. It seemed a life time ago because it seemed like he loved her for all eternity now, not just a week. But when you're a vampire everything is heightened, you can fall in love in a second … The exact thing that has happened to the biggest beast of them all … But he didn't know if the beauty felt the same.

"I appreciate your offer Klaus, but I also called for a car to come for us. I don't think you driving as home is a good idea. Damon and Stefan would not be happy to see you, and I don't want any confrontations." Joseph said coldly. This kind of reaction was expected and Joseph was more than right but it still kind of stung him a little. He might have saved his life but Joseph would never forget he was the one responsible for him dying in the first place, and would Caroline?

"Caroline sweetie let's go, I think the car is already waiting for us outside." Joseph was taking Caroline away.

He looked at her as she was looking at him, not knowing what to say. How to keep her by his side, forever if possible.

"Caroline …" he whispered trying to explain to her with that one word everything he felt.

"Caroline, let's go." he father said and not in a whisper but in a very serious tone.

"I'm coming, I just … I want to say goodbye to, to him …"

"I don't think he deserves that courtesy." Joseph was being harsh, he wasn't his usual self, but Klaus understood him so well. He was just trying to protect Caroline; they both loved her so much, more than she would ever know.

"I'll be right there dad, please wait for me in the car." she wasn't backing down. Klaus was holding on to that, hoping that meant she did feel the same and was ready to stay with him.

Joseph finally left but not without giving him an evil glare. They were alone, and this was his chance but before he could speak, Caroline started to talk.

" I, I couldn't leave without saying goodbye. I'll forever be grateful for what you did, for saving him. I, I could never repay you …"

"I don't want your gratitude Caroline …"

She looked at him and her eyes seemed sadder than ever.

"I know, but that's all that I can give you …"

She took his hand and kissed it lightly. It was such a strange gesture but he knew what it meant. It was her saying goodbye. She let go of his hand and started walking away. But she turned to see him one more time and he saw the tears in her eyes but stood still.

"Goodbye" she whispered and then she left the airport.

"I love you" he whispered. But it was too late. She didn't hear him.

Caroline was looking out the window of the car, observing Mystic Falls. It seemed to her like she was away for years and not days. She was lost, more last than ever, even more lost than when she was in her "I'm going to kill myself" phase, at least she had a goal then. Now it felt like she had nothing. She looked at Mystic Falls from the car window and for the first time it looked too small to her. It was still her home but now she knew she wanted more … She wanted to be in that bar in Chicago dancing to the 20is music. She wanted to be in Paris screaming her name from the Eiffel tower. But I guess more than anything she wanted to be at the Mystic Falls airport with him … telling him how she felt … and not saying goodbye to the one man she had truly felt great with … but then she looked at Joseph, sitting beside her, observing her carefully, so she smiled even though her heart ached. She remembered her promise … She was a Salvatore, and she had to be faithful to her family, they would never forgive her if they knew with whom her heart belonged right now. She leaned on her father and thought: "I would just need to learn how to cope, to shut down my emotions, I'll just need to find a way to carry on… to forget him …" But even at that moment she knew she was lying to herself, she would never be able to forget him … There will never be another Mikaelson … Not in this lifetime …

Home sweet home … Before she could exit the car Stefan opened the door and hugged her so severely she thought he would choke her.

"Are you trying to choke me to death?"

"Just with my love little sis. Oh Caroline, I'm so glad your alive and ok. I'm so glad you're both back here, where you belong."

She smiled at him and hugged him back but thought to herself: "I don't know where I belong anymore."

And than the hugging and kissing and screaming really began when Katherine and Elena ran from the house. They were both crying their eyes out, yes even Katherine, but Caroline was still in some kind of a trance. All of this seemed surreal. Like she wasn't the same Caroline anymore.

Damon came out of the house last. He was observing them from the distance but then came and hugged his father first. He was trying to hide his emotions but anyone could see he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. He probably remembered all of those times in life when they fought, all of the years he spent and wasted hating him, and how close he came to losing him. Love is all that matters in life, Caroline thought and shivered. Anything else, it's just a waste. Damon approached her and hugged her too, whispering in her ear: "Good work Blondie, you're a real trooper. Proud of you and I, I love you."

But before she could answer back Damon looked at everyone and screamed: "What the hell are we doing here outside the house? The party is inside … Drinking till dawn … We have to celebrate this …" Everyone was so enthusiastic but Caroline just wanted to sleep, and possibly dream of him, his lips, his arms caressing her … No, she shouldn't think about that … It was gone … She was the one that made it disappear … And now she had to live with herself …

They all sat in the salon and started chatting as Damon was pouring them drinks. He even bought and made a martini just for her.

"So, I know you're probably tiered and we'll let you go to sleep but you have to tell us how you defeated that bitch Klaus." Damon was being, well Damon, as usual.

She twitched a little and almost said something to defend him but stopped herself since she realized there was no use.

"It wasn't exactly like that Damon." Joseph corrected him.

"A lot has happened but it's all behind us. Klaus will probably leave Mystic Falls now that he has what he came for and he promised to leave us be."

What he came for? Caroline thought. Yes, he did have the Moonstone and the curse broken, maybe he would forget about her. Maybe it was all just a small fling to him, maybe … yes, that would be easier … but she remembered his face on the airport and thought: "Maybe he even got more than he came for, maybe we all did along the way."

"Caroline? Earth to Caroline?" Damon was calling her.

"Ha, what? Did you ask me something?"

"Still jet-lagged? I didn't think that applies to vampires. I asked you however on Earth did you survive those few days with Klaus. He's such a dick."

"Damon …" Katherine reproached him.

"What? I'm just saying it how I see it." She wasn't angry at Damon, not one bit really, he didn't know Klaus, not like she knew him … like she loved him …

"I think I'm going to go shower and than hit the sack, I really am beat." she said and kissed them all, before running to her room. Would she forever feel like this? Torn … Even if she didn't make that stupid promise, could she be with him? Her family hated him … They say all is fair in love and war, but is everything fair when you have to choose between love and family? No, no it isn't …

She was just about to try to get some sleep and try to turn of her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door. She really wasn't in the mood for visitors, not in the state she was in, but she still said:"Come in."

Thankfully it was just Elena and Katherine, the female part of the clan, coming to check up on her.

"Hey you …" Elena whispered

"We just wanted to say goodnight. And, yeah, hug you and kiss you silly …"

Katherine rolled her eyes: "That's just her." but she also sat on her bad and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you guys, but I'm fiiiine … I know this is the "is she ok" patrol, and she is ok." Caroline was trying to joke about it but her eyes filled with tears and she suddenly started crying.

Elena took her in her arms and Katherine started caressing her hair. They were just letting her cry her heart out.

"Ssshhh, it's all ok." Elena was still not letting her go.

"We know you've been through so much these few days but it's all going to be ok. We're here, and you're here, we're going to take care of you. We love you sis."

"Cry all you want, today, because you know I'm going to tease you about it tomorrow." Katherine was just kidding of course, since her eyes were filled with tears as well.

She loved having them there; holding her, comforting her, but none of them knew the reason why she was crying. But she knew … Her heart knew it … I never told him that I loved him.

She looked at the Moon outside shining bright while one last tear escaped her blue eyes.

" I love you" she whispered. Hoping he might hear her. But knowing he couldn't …

So, they finally say I love you to each other, but unfortunately neither of them hears it ... Don't hate me for it :) ... I mean they are the Romeo and Juliette of the Salvatore/Mikaelson family, it can't be that easy for them to stay together ... But true love always finds a way, so don't worry ... Better days will come for our favorite love birds soon, I promise :) ...

I just know how much you like reading this, and I love writting it and enjoying your REVIEWS sooo, sooo much, so I didn't want to finish it just yet ... A few more chapters,ok? SO PLEASE REVIEW this time around again, and make me very,very happy ;) ...

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you ;)