Klaus' eyes raked over Caroline, waiting for her to speak, to say anything. The intensity in his gaze was unnerving; she didn't think she would ever get used to it. The sun was setting now, casting a dim, flattering light stretching over Mystic Falls. Klaus' mind could not rest; he needed her to say how she felt, to hear the words. He knew how he felt, and it consumed him. He could not keep it to himself; he wanted to share it with her, to revel in these newfound feelings. Kissing Caroline was incredible, sweeter than the sweetest blood he had ever tasted. The softness of her rosy lips against his was like the gentle petals of a rose caressing him. She might be a vampire, but he still thought of her as fragile.

"You look worried, love." Klaus' voice finally echoed; his eagerness for conversation urgent.

"I am. You wouldn't understand." She murmured sadly, shaking her head.

His eyebrows furrowed, knitting together. Caroline had told him that he didn't try to understand people's problems; that he couldn't empathise. Maybe this was his time to try.

"Try me, you could be surprised." He sent a charming smile in her direction.

Caroline stared at him in disbelief. "You want to hear about my problems?"

"I want to hear you speak. I want to talk about you." He answered simply. Caroline laughed heartily, how he loved to hear that laugh. It resembled a set of the most beautifully pitched bells. He did not laugh, but continued to gaze at her, willing her to confide in him.

"Okay, here goes. I'm worried about how to keep this thing that's going on between us from my friends. They won't exactly be… welcoming of you." She frowned, perplexed.

"They don't need to be, as long as you are." He bared his pearly white teeth, smiling at her.

"Klaus, I've risked everything for these moments with you. Don't ask me why, because I'm not even sure why, or what this means. All I know is that I love being with you." She diverted her eyes from his face and glanced around coyly.

"Don't be embarrassed, love." He chuckled, in attempt to put her at ease. Inside his chest, his dead heart seemed to warm. He couldn't remember the last time anybody had associated the word "love" with himself. The sky around them was darkening, but Caroline still shone through it like the brightest of stars. He wanted her, as his and his alone. He desired her in ways that he thought were dead to him. It was only now that he realised the love and emotion in his heart had not disappeared with his transformation, but had simply been neglected and un-nurtured. Caroline had appeared like a comet, lighting up his life and soul, igniting things inside him that he thought were lost. He couldn't remember what love felt like, and yet he knew that he was in love with Caroline. He knew his caring and love could result in both him and her being killed, but he didn't care. If he was going to die, he could think of no better reason to. Love really had altered him.

He took Caroline's hand spontaneously, and gently tugged her along with him. Excitement flowed through his veins, causing him to feel energised for the first time in years. There was a lake nearby, and rowing boats, too. It seemed the exact kind of thing that Caroline would enjoy, and their evening was almost coming to an end. It was truly a beautiful lake, hidden by trees and shrubbery. Once gliding across the calmness of the lake, beautiful views of flower gardens and wildflowers surrounded, isolating anyone who rode it from what seemed like the entire world.

"Where are we going?" Caroline asked nervously, shocking him out of his reverie.

"Wait and see" he smiled, struck with a sudden idea. Stopping sharply, he turned so he was right behind her. He wrapped his arms slowly around her waist, cradling her in his strong, protective arms. Her body seemed rigid at first, rejecting his touch. Leaning into her ear, he whispered; "close your eyes, sweetheart." She did so, and leant back against him. He was certain that they could have stayed, stuck in that moment and that position for ever, undisturbed and isolated in their own perfect euphoria. The moon glowed down upon them now, huge and bright in the blackening night sky. Klaus breathed in the fresh, fruity scent of her, it was as necessary as blood to his life source now.

Reluctantly, too soon, Klaus severed their touch. Spinning her around to his side; he grasped her hand once more, leading her through a human sized gap in the hedge.
"Keep them closed." He warned.
Emerging on the other side of the hedge, Klaus whisked her up in his arms with ease. Caroline gasped, not expecting the spontaneity of the motion. He led her to a wooden structured rowing boat, gently lowering her into one of the seats. She must sense where they were by this point, he thought. The dark lake bubbled and flowed loudly, even a human could hear it. Still, Caroline kept quiet and secured her eyes closed. The truth was, she was so content in that moment that she never wanted it to end. She could sense Klaus' presence all around her, and it sent electric waving through her body like wildfire.

Once Klaus had severed the rope between the bank and the boat, he sped into the boat like a magnet, not relaxing until he was sat opposite her. He gazed at her for a moment. Her eyes were still closed, and she sat erectly. She was putting her trust in him, and once again he felt warmth spread from his heart through his body. He began rowing with ease, his immense strength making it as simple as raising a finger. He rowed until they reached the middle of the lake, glancing around before he showed it to her. He was nothing if not a perfectionist.

Suddenly, unexpectedly, Caroline felt Klaus' hot breath against her ear as he whispered gently; "Open your eyes, Caroline."

This chapter is quite a short one, but the next one will be much longer and up in a few days :)