"I'll stand by you"

Klaus was pouring himself and Caroline a drink while they were sitting in his living room in Chicago. Neither of them was being very chatty tonight. A part of him was wondering what she was doing here, imagining millions of different scenarios in his mind, but another part of him was just over the Moon for seeing her beautiful face again and for having her near. He looked at her and he was just happy, he didn't have a doubt in his mind he could be looking at that beautiful face forever and he would still admire it and worship it.

"You're probably wondering what I'm doing here …" Caroline broke the silence. He said nothing, so she continued.

"I actually didn't even know for sure if you where here. But when I thought of you … this place was the first thing that popped to my mind …"

"I guess you know me pretty well, ha?" he gave her a drink and sat next to her. God, how much he wanted to touch her, kiss her, just by smelling her perfume he went insane but he didn't want to do anything rash. He didn't want to drive her away. Ever again.

"So is everyone, ok?" he didn't want to do this small talk but he didn't know exactly how to start, he still wasn't completely sure why she came to him. And yes, he was careful, a bad hybrid with a broken heart, twice is not exactly a popular thing.

"Yeah, everything is great … Back to normal. And with you, how is your family."

" Well, nothing is ever exactly normal with us, but the usual, Elijah went somewhere, no one knows where … Rebekah and Kol are here, I was just with them … Kol would be so glad to see you." he didn't mean to say the last part in such a tone but he couldn't help it. He was still a bit jealous.

"Are, are you glad to see me?" she asked a bold question.

And he gave her a bold answer: "Never in my life was I gladder to see someone than seeing your face tonight."

"Oh Klaus …" she practically jumped into his arms and he held her tight.

"That's a good answer." she said while smiling.

"Glad you approve sweetheart." he was touching her hair, kissing her neck and he just never wanted to let her go. But she pushed him aside.

"No, wait, we have to talk."

" You can talk and I can kiss you, how about that?"

Caroline smiled but stood up and started pacing across the room. Klaus was looking at her, not sure if he was supposed to be worried or amused.

"No, you can't … Because … Every time you're close to me I get a bit confused and can't think straight …"

"Well, that just makes the two of us then love." Klaus admitted without hesitating.

"Ok, but I need to tell you some things … Like right away … Before this gets any further …"

He put his glass down and looked at her giving her his full attention. "Ok love, I'm all ears. What do you want to tell me?"

He saw she was looking at him and didn't know where to start. He also saw how she took a deep breath to calm herself. He thought it was precious. She was precious.

" I just … I want you to know I'm really bad in relationships. I hate sleeping with somebody, I mean I know you already saw why … Every once and a while I have this horrible nightmares and I don't want anyone knowing about it. I act all though, all the time, that's just have I am, that's just the way I survive. I'm really bad in showing my emotions, until you came along I wasn't even sure if I had any … I didn't think I would ever fall in love, especially not this hard, so I'm new at this … And all of this is just freaking the hell out of me." Caroline said all of this without evening catching a breath. And he saw she was practically hyperventilating.

So he got up, approached her and took her hand while looking into her eyes.

"Caroline … I'm freaked out too, as you like to call it. This is also new to me. But I'm not afraid, I refuse to be afraid, as long as you stand by me we can do anything. And I promise I'll always stand by you. Forever if you'll have me."

She looked a bit calmer, but was still freaking out.

"But, there are so many things you don't know about me …"

"And I can't wait to find out every one of them."

"Even if I tell you I … leave the dishes lying around for days? Or that I love eating in bed and there are crumbs everywhere? If I tell you I'm a huge fan of "Dancing with the Stars" and watch YouTube clips for hours?"

He wasn't sure if she was just teasing him or actually being serious but he was sure of one thing. He never loved her more than in this moment.

"You're beautiful, strong and full of light. I will always adore you. As a matter of fact, I don't mind a bit of the "Dancing with the Stars" myself."

"Now you're just teasing" she said but leaned on him and he took her in his embrace once more.

"I don't know what the future has to hold Caroline … But you coming here tonight; I think it's more than anyone has ever done for me. And I am not afraid for us. I don't doubt we'll fight, even throw furniture around, I don't doubt you'll sulk, a lot, and that I'll let you down here an now. But I can promise I will try to do my best to be the man you deserve."

She looked at him and kissed him lightly. Their lips barely touched but he was already in a trance. He wanted to taste those lips one more time from the moment they parted.

"Just be the man you are, that's the man I fell for."

He grabbed her in his arms and started carrying her up the stairs.

"Klaus, what are you doing?"

"I'm being the man you fell for. And the men you fell for seriously can't stand anymore to have you near and not to touch every little beautiful part of you. We have a lifetime to talk, now I just want to be with you."

He carried her in his bedroom.

"The scene of the crime, ha?" she just said

"It was the most beautiful night of my life." he admitted to her.

"Nothing even compares …" she said

"Oh really, you think? Maybe we should try anyways …"

"Weell, I guess I could be persuaded into it."

Klaus woke up first the morning after. Caroline was in his arms. And no, it was no dream; it was the reality in its best form. He played with her hair as she was sleeping. "I will never let you go, nothing and no one can separate us now." he thought to himself and kissed her lightly on the ear.

"Wow, this is a nice wake up call. I can't believe I slept all night in your arms. No nightmares, no nothing … I guess you do me good."

"Maybe I just exhausted you too much last night." Klaus was teasing while putting small kisses on her neck.

"You really are shameless Mr. Mikaelson."

"Only when it comes to you Mrs. Salvatore."

They started kissing again and he was touching her breast when her phone started ringing.

She pushed him away to grab it.

"It's Elena." Caroline said but didn't answer it. And he knew they would have to have this conversation sooner or later, but still hoped it would be later. The big bad hybrid was actually afraid … of losing her … Klaus was never afraid of anything, but this was because in reality he never had anything before. Right now … He had everything he ever needed. And he would fight for it and stand by it with his last breath.

"Have you told anyone where you went?"

"I left a note for Elena and Katherine. I just said I had some business to attend to out of town. I presume they know what business, since I told them about you but … I don't think they told Joseph or Damon or Stefan, since the FBI hasn't dropped by yet, but they probably are worried. They are not good liars, especially Elena. So if Stefan asks her … "

"Get dressed …" Klaus just said without any emotion in his voice.

"What?" Caroline was more than just a little confused.

But Klaus came back to bed and kissed her gently. "I want to be with you Caroline. I'm a thousand years old and I'm not going to hide around like a school boy. And I know you would hate that too … So get dressed, because we're catching the first flight to Mystic Falls. I need to speak to your father."

"Are, are you sure about that? Are you sure that's a good idea?" Caroline was trembling and not just because she was still naked under the sheet.

"I'm sure I'll always stand by you Caroline love, no matter what. Now … Will you stand by me?"

"I'll stand by you." she had said to Klaus that morning in Chicago, and she had meant it from the bottom of her heart. She didn't know what the future had to bring but she knew she would never be complete without him by her side. What were the odds? For a Mikaelson and Salvatore to fall in love? But it happened despite all the odds, and it was up to them to keep their love alive. But she had to admit … As they were standing in front of the "Salvatore towers" in Mystic Falls … She was scared … No, not scared but petrified … Because Caroline didn't know if she could have it all, she was petrified she couldn't. She didn't know if she would be Caroline Salvatore anymore. She didn't know if here family and Joseph were going to accept her decision or if they would see it as treason and never forgive her. It would break her heart … But as she looked at Klaus's face she knew she was ready … For anything, and everything …

"Sweetheart, don't look so scared, it will all work out. I promise."

"You can't promise that … Because you don't know …"

"But I do, I promise you we'll make this work. Unless you have second thought …"

She saw the fear in his eyes. He was still the big bad hybrid she fell for, but he couldn't hide it would devastate him to lose her. As it would devastate her …

"Look at me. Never. I'll stand by you."

"Let's go inside then. I have a conversation with my name on it."

"Just don't be harsh and don't fight …"

"Sweetheart, are you calling me difficult?" she couldn't believe he was calm enough to kid in a moment like this.

"Yes." she just said but smiled at him to ease it up a bit.

"You how no idea how charming I can be when I want to." he whispered in her ear and it made her shiver. She still couldn't believe how much she wanted him. All the time. It was like a frenzy, but an amazing frenzy.

"Oh I know how charming you can be, but my father isn't as easy as I was."

"Love, you think you were easy? You were a pain the ass, pardon my French. Joseph will be a picnic after you. Just don't worry." he kissed her one last time before they actually entered the building.

"Hey Tania, is Joseph in his office?"

"Oh hey Caroline, we got worried when you didn't show up for work this morning. But Elena told us you went on a shopping spree. Joseph? Yes, I think he is."

"Ok, I … we … need to speak with him." Tania was observing the unknown male figure beside her but said nothing.

"Ok, go right in. You know you never have to announce yourself to him."

Caroline wondered if that was about to change.

She knocked on the door.

"Come in …"

"Hey daddy, busy? I kind of really need to talk to you …"

" You know I always have time for you …"

"Ok, but there's someone else here who wants to talk to you as well."

And then Klaus entered the room. And she saw how his eyes went dark in anger.

"What the hell do you want Mikaelson? I thought the deal was you staying the hell away from my family." Caroline couldn't believe Joseph could be this harsh; he was usually never like this.

"I know I said that Sir …" omg Klaus, who was older than Joseph, just called him Sir. Omg, he really did love her. It make her shine from the inside. Shine in the most beautiful colors, so this is how it feels to be loved … Well, not bad … Brilliant actually …

" … I'm sorry but I can't keep my promise, I can't stay away from your family …"

Joseph didn't let Klaus finish but attacked him instantly.

"I knew from the start I couldn't trust your vulgar promises. You Mikaelson's never change; it's always blood with you …"

"You are mistaken. We do change … I changed because I love your daughter. Because I love Caroline."

Everybody in the room stopped talking; moving, even breathing, if they needed to breathe that is … He loved her, she knew that … But this was the first time he said it at loud, and it was like music to her ears.

And she didn't realize she was saying it out loud when she answered: "I love you too."

"Caroline?" her father looked at her with surprise.

"Please don't hate me daddy. I couldn't stand it, but it's true. I love him."

"Did you compel her? You did, didn't you … You son of a bitch!"

And before she could even blink Joseph pinned Klaus to the wall and hit him with his fist. Klaus could have killed him for that but he didn't do anything.

"Dad …" Caroline ran to them and tried to push Joseph off of Klaus.

"Stop it. Look at me. He didn't compel me. I'm so sorry but … I fell in love with him …"

Joseph finally released Klaus and just stared at Caroline.

"But why? Him?"

"Daddy …" Caroline took his hands and looked into his eyes.

"How can I explain why? You can't explain love. I just now I fought it so hard, I swear I did. I wanted to be worthy of the name Salvatore. Because I love you more than any word could ever describe … And it will break my heart if you disown me but … He has put the light in my heart, a heart that's been broken ever since my mom died… Maybe even before, when he, you know who, left … And now that the light is there, now that I know what it means to truly love, I don't think I could live without it anymore."

"He doesn't deserve you." was the only thing Joseph whispered.

" I know that …" Klaus finally spoke.

"I know I don't deserve someone so beautiful, and strong and full of light. But if you let me I'll make you another promise. And this one I'll keep as long as she'll have me. And hopefully that would be for a very long time. If you let me I'll promise I'll always put her first and do everything in my power to be half the person she is and everything to be the man she deserves. I will always stand by her side."

"If you make her cry just one tear …"

Before Klaus could say anything Caroline threw herself into Joseph arms.

"Thank you, thank you … I love you so much."

"Love you too Care. And I want you to know, you'll always be my daughter and a Salvatore. No matter what, nothing could ever break that or take you away from me and this family." Joseph told her while still giving Klaus a menacing look saying – I'll be watching you pal and waiting for your first foul move.

But Klaus wasn't worried. And neither was Caroline.

They made a promise to stand by each other no matter what. And vampires and hybrids take their promises very seriously. Especially vampires and hybrids in love. And these were two star crossed lovers that had finally found their way to each other's hearts.

Maybe there was still hope for the Mikaelson/ Salvatore reunion …

Guys, so sorry it took me so long to update. I have two reasons for that. First one - college things ... And second, I was so sad all this week because of all the horrible things Candice said in her interviews about Klaroline that I'm slowly stopping to believe in them(still love the wonderful Klaus and JoMo from the bottom of my heart though) I even thought of not writing this anymore but it wouldn't be fair to all of you AMAZING PEOPLE reading and reviewing this ... So hope you like this chapter nevertheless, I did try to make it as good as the others ;) ...

Ok, so one more chapter to go ;) ... You'll see what it is ;) ... And please REVIEW if you feel like it :))) ... I still adore you guys for all your lovely comments concerning my, not so little story :p ...