Thank you thank you for all the love and reviews and follows after the first couple of chapters. Good to know I have most of you hooked already. Speaking of...how are you all feeling about the longer chapters? Usually I post chapters between 2500-3500 words but for this I've been hitting at least 5000 per chapter. Too long or are you guys good?

Well anyways, hope you enjoy :)

And to Vanja, one of the guest reviewers...yes that line was totally from Crual Intentions! I had been watching it earlier that day when I wrote that scene haha Good catch ;)

Early the next morning, the group headed off to Prague. Caroline had purchased yet another guidebook, reading up on the Czech Republic during the trip. She never realized how enclosed she was within the limits of Mystic Falls. Either she paid even less attention in school than she thought she had or the public school system had seriously failed her.

They arrived around noon, settling in to yet another hotel. All of them were starting to look the same. Light and airy with nice big beds and beautiful views. Luxurious showers with twelve different massage settings. But it was all still a novelty to Caroline. She was enjoying every second of how the other half lived.

She had her own room yet again, even though it was a bit smaller this time, it was still bigger than her bedroom back home. Klaus and Elijah were a few floors above them. Caroline sent up a little thank you prayer to the universe for that one.

She'd felt a little uneasy around Klaus since the day before. In truth, she felt a little bad. The more she thought about it the more she realized she didn't need to be so harsh to him about his interest in her. She was no stranger to rejection. But at the same time he did need to get it through his head that she wasn't going to go for him. She liked him, against her better judgment, but she had a boyfriend. Not to mention he was technically dating her best friend, even if it was a fake relationship.

There was a knock at her room door and she walked over to open it. Elena was standing on the other side and Caroline felt a slight twinge of disappointment, but she quickly shook that off.

"Feel like doing some shopping?"

Caroline tilted her hear sideways. "Have you met me? I always feel like doing some shopping."

Elena giggled and Caroline grabbed her purse, slipping into some pink flats that matched her floral sundress. Once her door was locked, she followed Elena to the elevator. Jenna was just stepping out of the elevator as they walked up.

"Where are you girls off to?"

"Shopping," Elena smiled.

"Ok," Jenna said, "but can you take Alaric with you?"

"Alaric's here?"

"Yeah," Jenna replied. Caroline didn't miss the dreamy smile that flashed across Jenna's face. "He flew in yesterday. He's gonna stay with us for the rest of the tour."

Elena gave Jenna a teasing nudge, agreeing to take Alaric, and she and Caroline got into the elevator.

"So who is Alaric?" Caroline asked.

"He worked as a body guard for me the last time I was in Europe. Jenna fell head over heels," Elena explained as she texted Alaric to meet them downstairs, "I guess she arranged for him to work with us again."

"Work with us or work with her?" Caroline's eyebrows waggled. "Why do we even need a body guard anyway? Do you think someone might try to assassinate you?"

Elena giggled at Caroline's over-dramatic expression. "No. It's not for that. They're just good to have around. If fans get to crazy, usually you can get the body guard to step in and be the bad guy so they'll leave you alone."

They stepped off the elevator and a couple minutes later Alaric, or Ric as he told Caroline to call him, met them in the lobby. He was tall and a bit scruffy looking, but handsome.

"He doesn't look like how I would think a body guard would look," Caroline whispered to Elena. When Jenna and Elena said bodyguard, she was expecting a giant man with huge, rippling muscles, black sunglasses, and an angry scowl. Alaric had a warm smile and seemed quite laid back. He chatted a bit with them but let them have their space to stroll and shop.

"I know right," Elena agreed, "he's a really nerdy history buff though. He moved from America to Europe to work on his master's degree and is doing the bodyguard thing to pay the bills. But trust me, he's really badass. He has a black belt and can take down guys twice his size."

Elena decided they should go to the Palladium, a huge shopping mall right in the center of the city. Caroline felt like she had been transported back to the States. The mall was huge and she recognized most of the stores as popular brands back home. After walking around and browsing through a few stores, a crowd started to gather. Word seemed to be spreading that there was a celebrity sighting at the Palladium and tourists and citizens alike were coming around to catch a glimpse. A few Czech fans who recognized Elena began approaching her, asking for pictures and autographs. Elena was gracious once again and allowed a few people to snap a few photos. Ric made sure to keep a safe distance, watching over the two of them.

But then more and more fans started to approach. The crowd was growing bigger and bigger. Caroline was being shoved and elbowed by people trying to get to Elena.

"I think we should probably make our exit," Ric said to Elena. She nodded and glanced at Caroline, who shook her head as well.

Ric took Elena's arm and proceeded to ask the crowd to step back and make way for them. He kept repeating it over and over in English as well as Czech, holding out his arm to create a path. Caroline followed close behind, keeping her hand on Elena's back as they shoved their way through the growing crowd. She could her Ric, with his cell phone to his ear, calling for a driver from the hotel to come pick them up.

The situation only seemed to get worse as they made it outside. It was as if the fans realized that the object of their attention was trying to escape and they needed to act fast. People were yelling and screaming Elena's name, paparazzi had landed and started snapping photographs. Caroline's head went back and forth as she tried to keep up with Elena and Alaric and fight off the mob.

Someone knocked into her and she tripped over her heels. She tried to recover but then she was bumped from the other direction and her shopping bag was knocked out of her hand. She watched as her bag was trampled and she was pulled along in the crowd. She turned and saw that she had lost Elena and Alaric. They were far ahead of her now.

"Elena!" She called out, "Elena!"

But she couldn't get their attention. It wasn't much use. Everyone was calling Elena's name, her shouting wouldn't be distinguishable over the rest of the crowd's. Someone grabbed her by the arm. She started and jerked around to be met by a pair of familiar blue eyes.

"Klaus," she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come on," he replied yanking her to the side and pushing his way through the crowd. He kept a firm grip on her arm, almost yanking it out of the socket. Caroline would have complained but she was too grateful that he was leading her away from the mob of fans. It wasn't like their encounters back in New York. This time it was much scarier.

Klaus pulled her away from the crowd and down a side street. He pulled out his phone and put it to his ear.

"Can you let Elena know I've got Caroline, I don't have her number…little fan incident out near the Palladium…ok."

He hung up. A few seconds later his phone buzzed with a text. He slid it open and read it.

"Elena and her bodyguard grabbed a car and are on their way back to the hotel," he told her. He bent down to meet her eyes, looking over her with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "except for my trampled bags, I'm good."

Klaus gave her a half grin, satisfied that she seemed to be unscathed and held out with arm. "Shall we?"

Caroline looked out at the people on the street. The crowd was thinning out, now that Elena was gone. She hesitated though, glancing back to Klaus.

"Are you sure? Won't they recognize you and just mob us again?"

Klaus chuckled. "I know how to keep a low profile," he said slipping on a pair of aviators, "and I don't have a large fan base in the Czech Republic."

He nodded his head in the direction of the street and started walking. Caroline followed. She relaxed once she caught her breath and realized all of the crazed fans had dispersed.

"Where'd you come from anyway?"

"Elijah spoke to Jenna and said that you two were out shopping, he insisted I tag along," Klaus explained, sounding like he wasn't too sorry that the shopping trip had been ruined before he arrived.

"Oh, so you weren't just stalking us."

Klaus laughed. "No guidebooks today?"

"Nope. Shopping instead," she replied.

"You can shop back in the States. Don't you want to see things? Experience the culture?"

Caroline shrugged. "I thought so. But I don't know. I didn't really like the museums," Caroline laughed at Klaus's horrified expression, "I'm sorry. I'm just not arty."

"I remember my first trip to Prague. I wasn't really into any of it either," his judgmental look faded, as he seemed to slip back in time to some distant and amusing memory.

"When was that?"

"I was just a boy. Seven or eight. My mother brought me here on a trip. She was an artist."

"Was?"

"She died," he said without feeling.

"Oh," Caroline returned lamely, "what kind of artist?"

"Painter, photography, she dabbled in a bit of everything," Klaus replied, "she was working on a project here and hoped to help me cultivate an affinity for the arts at an early age."

"I'm guessing that worked. Elijah mentioned that you studied art here."

"That was a long time ago. I studied painting mostly and some history."

"How did your mom die?"

"Cancer," he replied again with the same emotionless tone. Caroline nodded. She felt rude. Intrusive. "How about some coffees?"

Caroline smiled, accepting his diversion, and followed Klaus to a small outdoor café. They sat at a quaint, iron table, draped with a wispy white tablecloth. In the center of the table was a vase with purple flowers. The chairs were arranged next to one another rather than on opposite sides, so that they could look out at the view as they dined. Klaus ordered in Czech for the both of them.

"So do you still make art?" Caroline asked. It seemed like a less intrusive question than asking about his dead mother. But judging by his facial reaction, she was wrong.

"No. I don't have the time."

The waitress brought them their drinks, in small blue cups with saucers. She also sat down a plate of biscotti. It was different than the crappy diner coffees she was used to serve in thick white cups. Caroline took a tentative sip of her drink, realizing that Klaus had ordered straight espresso. She coughed slightly at the bitter taste.

"I think I might need a bit of milk," she admitted.

"Just sip slowly," Klaus instructed, passing her a piece of biscotti. "I'm sorry that you lost your bags in the chaos."

"Oh no big deal," Caroline said, with a bite of cookie in her mouth, "it was just a present for Tyler. I'm sure I can get him something else."

"Tyler," Klaus said, pursing his lips, "so how long have you two been together?"

"Three years. But it feels like longer."

"Why is that?"

"We've known each other forever. Grew up in the same town. We've been friends all our lives and then started dating after high school."

"Such a romantic story," Klaus said, scooting closer to Caroline. He slipped his arm around the back of her chair, once again invading her space. "Do you think you'll marry this boy?"

Caroline shifted in her chair a bit, trying to put some space between them. "I don't know, probably," she said bringing her cup to her lips and taking a sip. She tried to fight the urge to turn her head and look at Klaus, opting to ignore the fact that he was so close to her. He was making it quite difficult though.

His hand went to her hair, and he twirled a piece of it in his fingers as he purred in her ear. "Come on Caroline, small town boy, small town life…it won't be enough for you. You want excitement…romance."

She leaned away from him then, so she could face him. Her brows furrowed into an annoyed 'v'.

"Are you saying I'd be happier with someone like you?" Caroline huffed. "You know Tyler may not be the most romantic guy in the world, but at least he has his life together. I can trust him and he cares about me. He's not some sleazy guy who think he's hot shit and can get whatever he wants just because he famous."

"I never meant to suggest you weren't happy, you brought that up love. Perhaps your relationship isn't all you think it is."

That was it. Caroline had had it. The cocky looks and derogatory remarks about her relationship told her he wasn't even listening to anything she said. All he cared about was hitting on her and trying to get into her pants. She had tried to give him a second chance but it was clear to her that it was just a waste of time. She stood up, pulling a few bills from her wallet and tossing them onto the table. She didn't know if it what kind of currency it was or how much, she was too irritated to bother checking.

"You know what. You just don't get it. Because you have absolutely no idea what it's like to be with another person. It's obvious. You don't understand the first thing about love or even connecting with another person. I told you we could be friends but you just don't listen, so I hope you hear this loud and clear. Leave me alone."

Caroline spun away from him then, not bothering to look back, just trying to get away as fast as possible. She would find her own way back to the hotel.

Klaus scowled at her retreating figure, watching her curls bob in a haughty way as she retreated. His hand shot out and he hit the cup and saucer she had been drinking from off the table. It shattered into a bunch of tiny blue flecks on the concrete. The waitress yelled at him about breaking the dish and he tossed some money on the table, leaving the mess behind. He headed in the opposite direction Caroline had taken. At this point, he needed a stronger drink than espresso.

The fucking nerve of that girl. She was making assumptions about him and his life when she had no idea who the hell he was. She was like all the rest, just assuming that the person the media portrayed him as was his true self. But that was his fault wasn't it? He had told Elijah that it was all part of his image. It was the reputation he had cultivated for himself a long time ago.

Klaus walked into the nearest shop and bought a bottle of bourbon. He was opting to go into his room to drink and sulk as opposed to hanging around a local pub. Considering his temper was already on edge, the evening would no doubt end in a fight if someone so much as looked at him the wrong way. So he would lock himself away from the rest of the civilized world. There was his good deed done for the day. He was becoming almost as philanthropic as Elena Gilbert.

As he walked into his hotel room and drew the shades, he couldn't figure out why he was worried about the opinions of one girl. Yes she was beautiful and intriguing, but so were thousands of other women. Hell, he could probably fall out the door and have his pick. But no, he had been wasting his time trying to impress Caroline. It was probably just ego, he thought. The fact that she was rejecting him. Even though she wasn't really. She had a boyfriend and she was much too good of a girl to step outside the lines of trust. Klaus should have known. Caroline was friends with Elena after all. Elena was stuck up and boring and clearly so was Caroline.

He walked over to where he had laid his carry on bag and hoisted it onto his bed, pulling out a brown Moleskin journal and a pencil. He set them on the desk by the wall and grabbed one of the complimentary room glasses. Pouring himself a double of bourbon, he took a generous sip and cracked open the blank, creamy pages of the journal. His pencil took over as he let his mind wander and his hands sketch freely. Sketching had always calmed him down. He didn't need his brain to do it, he just let his hands go whatever they wanted. He never knew what would come out when he sketched like this, but it always allowed his brain to focus.

You don't understand the first thing about love.

She didn't know what she was talking about. Even if there was some truth to the matter. No he had never been in love. But he didn't care to ever be in love. Literature, art, music, all spoke of what a wonderful emotion love could be and how happy people were to feel it and be involved in it. But for every happy mention of love, there were ten times that about the pain of it all. That he understood. He had seen it first hand, many times.

What was the point of connecting with anyone when they would only hurt you in the end?

Klaus stopped sketching a looked down at the page. He sighed, taking another sip of bourbon. He had drawn faces. One face rather, many times over. The same soft features, luscious lips, and fine cheekbones framed by curling locks.

He immediately tore out the page, ripping it up and tossing its remains into the wastebasket. No more. If she wanted him to leave her alone then he would. She wasn't anything special. He could easily find someone else to seduce and give him a break from his boring, contrived relationship.

Caroline woke up early the next day. After her fight with Klaus, she had retreated to her hotel bed for room service and bad TV. The problem was, she didn't understand anything on the channels. Instead she had opted to go to sleep early out of boredom. Now she was awake early and still bored. She threw back the covers and put on her robe. Maybe she would sneak across the hallway and see if Elena was awake yet. She had always been a morning person.

She stopped however, when she reached the door and noticed a slip of paper at her feet. She crouched down to pick it up off the floor. It seemed that someone had slipped something under her door in the middle of the night.

The paper was a creamy, off white color, like from a sketchbook, folded in half. She opened the paper up and gasped at what was inside. It was a drawing in brown pencil. A portrait of her. Her eyes scanned the paper, taking in the details. The artist had gotten every single bit of her right, from the shape of her eyes to the curve of her nose, and even a few things she didn't realize were there. It was beautiful. Surely she didn't look like that in real life? At the bottom was a small note.

"Thank you for your honesty."

-Klaus

A small smile played at the corner of her lips as she studied the drawing and the words below it. No one had ever done anything like this for her before. A knock at the door interrupted her admiration of the drawing. She started, looking down at herself in her pajamas and robe. Oh god, she must look awful, she thought. She dashed to the mirror and fluffed her hair, groaning at the fact that she wasn't wearing any makeup.

There was a second round of knocks and Caroline whipped the door open. Once again she found Elena on the other side.

"Hey I wasn't sure if you would be up," Elena greeted, "wanna have breakfast?"

"Sure," Caroline replied, "I just need to wake up a bit."

"No problem," Elena said, "what's that?"

Elena pointed at the piece of paper in Caroline's hand. Caroline looked down and quickly folded it back in half, shifting it behind her back so Elena wouldn't see the drawing.

"Nothing just some stupid prank," she laughed nervously. "Give me fifteen minutes?"

"Okay," Elena said, throwing her a confused look before heading back to her own room.

Caroline shut the door and leaned back against it, her head hitting the back of it with a slight thump. She opened the drawing and looked at it again, the smile returning to her lips.

Jenna caught up with them after breakfast. They decided to try shopping again, this time in a less populated area of the city. Alaric was there with her. Caroline smiled. They were holding hands as they walked up, but he released her when they got closer, going straight into professional mode.

"So cancel your plans for tonight," Jenna announced, "you are going to a party."

Jenna handed Elena a fancy envelope with her name on it. Elena opened it to reveal an invitation to a party.

"It's a birthday for Milos Tesar," Elena read.

"Who is Milos Tesar," Caroline asked.

"He's a designer I met at fashion week back in the spring," Elena said, "his clothes were amazing, but he's not super well known yet. He's so nice though and throws great parties. We should definitely go. I have a plus one!"

Caroline's let out of a squeal of excitement before she realized something. "Won't you have to take your boyfriend?"

"Actually," Jenna said, "Klaus received his own invite. Turns out Milos is a fan. So you each have your own plus ones."

"Great," Elena beamed, turning back to Caroline. "Caroline will you be my plus one?"

Elena held out her hand. Caroline laughed and took it, giving her a fake curtsey.

"I will."

The shopping trip round two was much more successful than round one. Both girls found new party dresses for that evening. The party was taking place at a night club called, Noc. According to Jenna, it was a private event, which meant no cameras or paparazzi.

"Thank god, now I won't have to spend the entire evening with Klaus," Elena said as they walked back to the hotel. "I've been avoiding him pretty well for the most part. Jenna and Elijah have done a good job of building up our relationship in the press."

Caroline nodded and smiled as she listened to Elena vent. Elena should probably be thanking her, Caroline thought. Klaus wasn't around much because he was too busy getting on her nerves. Not that he got on her nerves. Well he did, but he had his moments, even when he was being an annoying know-it-all. Like yesterday, before they had gotten into their little spat, Klaus was actually being normal. Caroline liked him best when he wasn't trying to impress her or hit on her. It was like he put up this huge bad boy front to everyone, but he'd let it go for a short time yesterday. When he talked about art or his mother or was drawing her pictures.

"He's not so bad," Caroline heard herself saying.

Elena shrugged. "Whatever. As long as he keeps up his end of the deal. At least he hasn't embarrassed me yet."

Once she was in her room, Caroline pulled out the dress she bought earlier that day. It was a hot, silky peplum dress. Caroline usually didn't buy anything this provocative, but she thought a swanky club party in a foreign country definitely called for vamping up her look. The dress was a rich wine color, the material draping over her body perfectly. The thin straps twisted over her shoulders and met in a delicate knot at the middle of her back. Her makeup was dramatic and she waved her hair into an artful mess of curls, adding a pair of black strappy heels she had brought with her from home. She looked hot and she knew it. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, she was struck with a new wave of excitement for the evening. She gave her hair one final fluff in the mirror and checked her lipstick before heading over to Elena's room.

The two of them walked downstairs to meet Klaus. Elena told her that Elijah was going to be his plus one. Caroline felt like it was probably going to end up being a repeat of the night they all first met, when they had gone out to dinner. Elijah would stick Klaus and Elena together and then Caroline would end up hanging out with him all night. She felt bad thinking it, but as nice as Elijah was, she wasn't really in the mood to sit and small talk with him. Elijah's disposition screamed mature and wholesome and Caroline wanted to party.

As she had gotten ready, she had danced around her room, listening to a club mix radio station on her phone. The music got her amped. She was ready to cut loose that night. After a few days of museums and culture, she wanted to let her hair down and get a little crazy. It was her vacation after all.

The men were downstairs waiting for them when they arrived. Caroline was surprised to see Elijah dressed in a suit, but without a tie, instead going for the open collared look. It was still dressed up though compared to Klaus, who donned a black V-neck t-shirt and a pair of faded jeans, his usual array of necklaces around his neck. Caroline had always been jealous of guys who could go out wearing jeans and t-shirts. As much as she liked dressing up, she wished she could do that from time to time.

Klaus gave Caroline the once over when she wasn't looking. He didn't want her to see him checking her out. He didn't want to give her the satisfaction. He had been more drunk than he realized when he had slipped that little apology drawing under her door. That morning, when he was sobered up, he had tried to think of a way to break into her room and steal it back. But of course, there was no possible way for him to do that.

Caroline smiled at him as they walked out to grab a taxi. He didn't quite know what that meant. Elijah was conversing with Elena about some humanitarian project, so Klaus took the opportunity to step next to Caroline.

"So thanks for the drawing," Caroline said, her teeth catching her lip.

"I'm glad you liked it," he coughed.

Caroline smirked. "I mean, you kind of messed up my nose, but I can forgive it."

Klaus chuckled, his body relaxing a bit. "Well I'll just have to try harder the next time I make you angry."

"Yes you will," she smiled.

The cab pulled up then and Klaus opened the door for her, grinning to himself as she climbed in.

They pulled up outside of Noc, the club that was hosting the party. The streets outside shined under the orange lamps from the bit of rain that washed through the city earlier that evening. But now the night was dry and full of possibility. They walked up to the doorman, who recognized Elena and immediately let the four of them past the velvet rope. The bar was underground, down a rather long spiral flight of stairs. Inside, everything was black, the walls, the tables, the chairs, everything. The walls had tiny holes in them, letting a bright white light shine through, the patterns arranged like constellations. Blue neon lights mixed with the soft glow of round paper lanterns. People were dressed in muted colors, blacks, silvers, and blues, Caroline suddenly felt like she stood out in her red party dress.

As they walked further into the club, they were greeted by the birthday boy himself.

"Elena, so happy you could come," Milos said with a thick accent. It sounded Italian to Caroline's ears.

He was a short man, wearing grey dress pants and a slightly-too-tight navy open collared shirt. There was a silver stud through his chin, right above a dark goatee.

"It's great to see you again Milos. Happy Birthday," Elena said as she leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. "This is my friend Caroline. You know Klaus. And his brother Elijah."

Milos took Caroline's hand in both of his own and shook it warmly.

"Caroline, lovely to meet you, you gorgeous creature," he beamed. Milos talked a mile a minute. "Elena are all your friends this beautiful? What a fierce little dress. You are just gorgeous."

Caroline couldn't help but giggle at the compliment, feeling a little less self-conscious now. Milos nodded at the boys, giving Klaus a warm greeting and telling how much he loved his music. Klaus thanked him and Caroline was rather surprised that at he seemed almost humbled by the compliment. Milos shouted over to another guest arriving and then excused himself to go continue playing host.

"I have to give everyone a chance to wish me happy birthday," he said, "but go, enjoy yourselves. Drink and dance."

He gestured in the direction of some private tables and fluttered off. Elena smiled and led their group to the VIP section of the club.

"Beautiful? I believe ravishing is the word I would have used," Klaus breathed into Caroline's ear.

Caroline swatted his chest, feeling her body flush. Laughter rumbled in his throat as they took their seats at one of the low tables. A few moments later a girl with a tray of shots came around to their table.

"From the birthday boy," the girl in a slinky black cocktail dress purred. Each of them took a small glass of the red liquid and the waitress walked away. Elijah immediately set his down on the table.

"Oh come on Elijah, we're at a party," Klaus goaded.

"Treacherous alcoholic drinks are not my forte," he replied with a grin.

"I know what you mean," Elena agreed, "but one won't hurt right?"

She nudged Elijah, who gave in and picked the drink back up. "I suppose."

The four of them clinked their glasses together and toasted to the night.

Elena had been right. One shot hadn't done much harm. After three or four though, Caroline was feeling light and restless. Even Elena loosened up a little, though she still had only had just the one. Once the music turned into dance-y club songs, Caroline grabbed her from her seat and dragged her to the dance floor. The two of them shimmied in the crowd of dancers. The laughed and danced. Caroline missed this. She missed her girlfriends. Elena was always travelling and Bonnie was always so busy with studying, they barely ever had time to go out and have girl nights. As they danced, Caroline couldn't help noticing all the cute foreign boys surrounding them.

"You should dance with someone," Caroline shouted into Elena's ear.

"I have a boyfriend remember?" Elena yelled back.

Caroline rolled her eyes. Thinking about Klaus and his flirting. Not to mention the other women he was most likely spending his time with while they toured. "Not that he takes it half as seriously as you do."

"What?" Elena said but Caroline just shrugged, instead of repeating herself. "I'm gonna go sit."

Caroline nodded, indicating that she would follow her, and they pushed their way through the dancing bodies and back to the table. Elijah and Klaus were still sitting there, not speaking to one another. There were a couple more empty glasses on the table in front of Klaus. He had been indulging himself while they were out dancing. The music wasn't as loud over by their table so they were able to hear each other better.

"Having a good time love?" Klaus leaned over to Caroline. She felt his fingers touch her back lightly and saw the glassy, drunk look in his eyes. If she wasn't mirroring that glassy eyed look back at him, she may have remembered to be offended.

"Yeah," she smiled and nodded. The waitress brought over more drinks, this time some kind of pomegranate flavor concoction, and Caroline accepted eagerly. All the dancing was making her thirsty.

Caroline was drunk. Klaus could tell. They always say you can't take the small town out of the girl, but put a few shots in her and the small town girl became quite the party animal. He had been watching her as she danced with Elena. She was free and loose, unlike her friend who had just been shifting nervously from side to side. It was ironic to him that the girl who wasn't an actress seemed to command the most attention.

"I think I'm ready to go," Elena said, "we've been hear for almost two hours, Milos won't be too upset."

Caroline sulked. "No! But we're having so much fun!"

"I could stay with Caroline," Klaus suggested to Elijah, "if you want to escort Elena back to the hotel."

Elijah nodded, he was easy enough to convince. Klaus knew he hated being at the club. Klaus hated it too, but Caroline was having a good time. He imagined that there probably weren't very many experiences like these to be had in rural Virginia. And he wouldn't mind getting some alone time with the tipsy blonde.

"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Klaus heard Elena ask Caroline.

"Yeah although I wish you were staying."

Klaus was glad that she wasn't. Elena and Elijah said their goodbyes and left Caroline and Klaus alone at the table.

"You know," Caroline said, "that wasn't very gentlemanly. You should have escorted your girlfriend home."

Her speech was a bit slurred, but Klaus found it quite endearing.

"Well we can always pretend that I left with my pretend girlfriend," he replied, quickly shifting gears to avoid an argument. "I take it there aren't a lot of nightclubs in Mystic Falls?"

"There are exactly zero nightclubs in Mystic Falls. You have to drive over an hour to do anything remotely fun, and even then it isn't really worth it," she said sipping her drink. "Then why do you stay there?" He asked, "you're 23-24 years old. You could do anything you wanted."

Caroline stared at him. The seriousness of her gaze shook him a bit. He could tell he hit a nerve. He assumed it was the same nerve he had breached when he mentioned her relationship and its possible flaws. She had unconsciously leaned in while he had been speaking to her. The song changed and Caroline blinked a couple of times, pulling back.

"I'm going to dance," she announced, ignoring his question. Before he could stop her she shot up and rushed back to the dance floor, letting herself get lost in the sea of bodies once again.

The music was slower now, trance like. A deep, electronic male voice speaking in a language she didn't know. Everyone had their eyes closed and their arms up as their bodies rolled to the beat. Caroline felt a hand slide around her waist and she spun to face whoever was touching her. It was Klaus. Of course it was Klaus. But at that moment she didn't seem to mind. He rested his other hand on her hip, pulling her closer, those deep eyes boring right into hers. They began swaying back and forth. She felt warm and anxious and it wasn't from the dancing.

Klaus's gaze slide to her lips, that were slightly more pink than usual from the drinks she had been sipping. He watched her teeth, bite down softly on her lower lip and he glanced up at her eyes. She was staring at him too. She wasn't moving away. Klaus could feel her softness under his hands and he wanted nothing more than to tear her from the dance floor and ravage her in the nearest space they could find.

He leaned his head down, his lips hovering over hers. Caroline's breath caught. He was going to kiss her. She couldn't move, not because his hold on her was too tight, but because her body wouldn't let her. Her brain was shouting things at her, but her body was blocking them all out. All she could think about was how much she wanted to be kissed. That nothing else mattered right that second.

Someone knocked into her shoulder then and she stumbled slightly, breaking the trance that she was in. Klaus grabbed onto her arms to steady her, but she shook him off. Her brain finally winning the argument.

"I think I changed my mind," she said. "I am tired after all."

Klaus couldn't hear what she said, but he got the gist of it. The moment had been lost. He pulled back and nodded, dropping his hands from her sides. He turned away and walked off the dance floor, with Caroline following behind.

So any Prague readers out there? Again, I've never been to Europe so Google has been my travel research guide. Apologies for any weirdness.

Hope you guys are feeling the chemistry between Caroline and Klaus. Klaus is still being a bit of a dick, but he's coming around. And so is Caroline, whether she likes it or not ;)

Reviews are amazing. Always love to hear your thoughts!

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