Here we go! Klaroline in the same house again)) A bit fluffy, but fun to write, hopefully fun to read too!

Enjoy.

I do not own The Vampire Diaries or any of it's characters, and this is only the product of a feverish imagination.

After checking that no sneaky council members were spying on them, the two girls hit the road on the way to the Mikaelson mansion. As they drew closer, Caroline felt nerves threaten to cut the blood supply from her heart, it felt frozen in place. Parking Caroline's car out of sight, Rebekah walked confidently in the door, Caroline tagged along behind her, her steps dragging. On the doorstep she peered inside at the luxurious and intimidating interior, and turned for a last look at the black night, she wished there was no one out there in the dark who wished her harm. It would be so much easier to forget her broken heart at home.

Finally, taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and shut the door firmly behind her. Rebekah was kicking off her shoes and called over her shoulder,

"Snack?" walking in the direction of the kitchen.

""Sure" Caroline said in a small voice, following her. Bizarrely Rebekah felt like an ally here, and she sorely needed one. Entering the kitchen she quickly realised they weren't alone in there. Elijah was pouring a glass of blood from a bag, and Klaus was leaning against the fridge with his arms crossed over his chest. His jumper was pushed up at the elbows and she had to drag her eyes away from his muscular forearms, and focus on his unreadable face.

"Caroline" Elijah said warmly, stepping forward,

"Welcome to our house. I hope you'll be comfortable. I know this must be a difficult time for you."

"Thanks" she said softly, accepting a glass of blood from Rebekah. As they drank in near silence, she contemplated Klaus. He was acting so strangely, she wasn't sure how to handle him. He'd never given her the silent treatment before.

"So, where shall we put her?" Rebekah asked brightly, turning to put the question to Klaus.

"How about Kol's room? It's nice" she suggested, Klaus gave her nothing but a blank stare back.

"Unfortunately that's not going to work, we've just had word he may be with us in a couple of days. I'm sure Caroline wishes to escape his attentions as much as possible." Elijah commented wryly.

"Well, the other rooms aren't finished yet" Rebekah complained.

Without a word, Klaus pushed himself off the wall and walked around to Caroline's side, bending he picked up her cases and walked out the door, they heard him making his way up the stairs.

"What's bothering him?" Rebekah asked tartly.

"I'm not exactly sure. He is being rather secretive, however I'm sure he'll make his feelings known soon enough."

Climbing the stairs he heard them still talking about him below. Kol's room, the one she'd seen him feeding in. His blood simmered at the thought of Caroline sleeping in Kol's bed, warm and soft, pliable in her sleep, then his arrogant brother returning home and assuming she was a present meant for him. She'd sleep in Kol's room over his dead body.

Using his foot, he pushed open the door to his room, depositing the case on a chair, he sat on the edge of the bed and cradled his head in his hands. She was really here, standing in his kitchen. Breathtakingly beautiful, so serene and quiet, maybe she was scared... of the council... or him. He didn't know.

It had been over a week, and any resistance he thought he'd built against her effect on him was laughingly pathetic, as the mere sight of her, sitting in the Salvatore's living room, had spread a warmth through his chest and made his heartbeat so loudly he had wondered how in a room full of vampires, no one had mentioned it.. Seeing her here in these halls, was so familiar to him, it was as though she was back where she belonged. But it was all new to her. She didn't remember her time here, and she hadn't wanted to.

"Emm, Rebekah said you'd tell me where I was sleeping." her voice broke through his thoughts and his breath evaporated at the sight of her standing at his door, looking uncertain. Standing he came over to her and gestured with his hand.

"Of course, here, this can be your room for the duration of your stay."

"This doesn't look like an empty room."she stated flatly, her eyes wandering around it.

"Trust me, no one really sleeps in this room." he smiled at her, trying to set her at ease. He watched as she seemed to struggle not to speak again. Watching him carefully she came into the room. She shrugged off her coat and laid it on the bed. He got the impression that she was like a wild horse just then, the slightest move from him and she'd bolt.

"Why are you so quiet?" she asked suddenly,

"Why are you?" he challenged back. She scrutinised him for a few seconds and then turned away.

"Sorry... for intruding in your home." she said, looking at the sketches on the wall, and he quietly made his way closer to her. Standing behind her, looking over her shoulder at the wall of pictures, he fought the urge to sweep the heavy curtain of flaxen hair over her shoulder, exposing her rounded, smooth shoulder and run his lips along her collar to her ear.

"No need to apologise. It's my pleasure." he said gently. She stiffened, feeling his breath on her hair. Suddenly feeling brave she turned around, making the distance between them mere inches. Her eyes were level with his lips, and his eyes locked into hers, she saw a look of genuine surprise that she hadn't moved further away. Her eyes searched his face, and she let them wander lower, lingering on his lips, she let her own part, a small breath escaping through them. She focused and she could actually hear his heartbeat speeding up, felt the heat radiating off him. His body seemed to be humming and he swayed closer to her. The temptation was there, and it was strong, but so was the need for revenge and self preservation. As the tension between them mounted, she abruptly turned, and walked lazily away from him.

Unzipping her case, she saw the pajama set on the top. Thanks Rebekah, she thought sarcastically, she pulled it out and dropped it on the bed. He hadn't moved, but was watching her through narrowed eyes, head to one side. As the flimsy material slipped from her fingers onto the bed, his eyes followed it, they seemed black instead of his usual blue. He suddenly seemed to collect himself, and strode towards the door, stopping briefly when he was parallel to her, he said formally,

"Goodnight Caroline."

"'G'night... sweet dreams." she said softly, meeting his eyes for a second.

In them she saw stark desire, and it terrified her as it lured her in. He wanted her. But it was her call, and the heady feeling of power that gave her was immensely satisfying. Clenching his hands at his side, he nodded and left the room, shutting the door, his footsteps echoed down the hall.

Breathing deeply, she sank onto the edge on the bed and fanned her face. Whether she could ever forgive him, trust him, or let herself love him was another issue. Whether he was redeemable, and worth saving had nothing to do with what she'd just done. No, she may be a totally tease who wanted him as much, if not more than he wanted her, but she also had her pride, which he had basically taken from her recently, and she wasn't going to stop, until she'd taken it back.

She felt a suddenly weight on the bed throw her awake the next morning. Sunlight streamed in the already open shutters, and she kept her eyes closed for a second, scared that Klaus had returned to continue where they left off the night before. More than that, she was worried she'd let him. Cracking them open, she saw instead Rebekah lounging across the lower end of the bed. Dressed in a red bikini with a matching wrap and designer sunglasses perched on her head she looked like a model who'd lost the runway.

"Morning! You're such a late sleeper. It's past 11 already, and I want to go swimming."

"So... go. I'm not in the mood." Caroline covered her face with a pillow. Grabbing the pillow Rebekah threw it across the room, where it promptly exploded over everything, downy feathers floated in the air.

"Oops, Nik is very attached to those pillows. Oh well. Let's go! Let's lounge at the pool and drink cocktails. You're our guest, you're supposed to entertain us."

Caroline looked at the demanding blond,

"What's the chances I'm going to get to go back to sleep?" she asked resignedly.

"Pretty slim, I'd say" Rebekah smiled, realising she'd won. Sliding off the bed she went to the door.

"Wait! I don't have swimming stuff." Caroline complained.

"Yes you do, I'm good at packing" Rebekah smiled, slipping into the hallway. Caroline groaned and pushed herself to the edge of the bed. Looks like Rebekah was going to be an extremely high maintenance friend. Making up for lost time she supposed. Standing, she rooted around in her bag. She located her white bikini. It was easily her most flattering but she kind of wished Rebekah had chosen a one piece or something. Of course, that wouldn't fit with her obvious plan to push her brother and her closer. She went through to the bathroom, and changed quickly. Her hair she decided to leave down, providing a little more coverage, however scant.

A gentle knock came from the door. Caroline jumped, was Rebekah back? But why would she knock... the knock came again, and hiding in the bathroom she called,

"Come in" she watched the door as it slowly opened, to reveal Klaus's face, his eyes downcast respectfully. Either that or he wanted to avoid seeing her in her pyjamas.

"May I?" he asked, waiting for her confirmation before stepping fully in to the room.

"Elijah and I have council business to attend to. I just need something a little more..." He trailed off, his eyes moving over the floor strewn with feathers. Suddenly realising how it looked, her automatic good manners kicked in and she stepped from the bathroom and bent down and started gathering them up.

"This wasn't me, it was your sister." She said as she struggled to get hold of the floating pieces, unfortunately, her efforts were only stirring them up more, so the air was filling with dancing feathers. Self-consciously, she realised she was not wearing very much, and now had feathers stuck in her hair, and she suddenly registered he had moved much closer to her, and she slowly rose to her feet, letting the feathers fall through her fingers.

She could feel the sunlight warming her back, outlining the swaying specks of white in the air, the silence in the room was heavy, and air seemed thick with unspoken thoughts, and she raised her eyes to his languidly. He was breathing hard, his eyes black, they bore holes through her as they dropped from her face and moved over her body. She thought she should feel self conscious, or embarrassed, but she didn't. He let her see the power she had over him, she saw herself through his eyes, and there was nothing to be embarrassed about. His eyes met hers, and the naked want in them was so strong, she felt a jolt of heat shoot through her stomach, desire laced with fear. Here before her was a man who always took what he wanted, willing or not.

"Caroline" his voice was low and commanding, "Come here". She wondered wildly if he was going to try and compel her. She'd had vervain, so it wouldn't work, but still, the thought that he may just decide to take what he wanted was horrifying. Stepping closer, she decided to let him try if that was his intention. Her confusing feelings would be much easier to forget if she could have solid proof of what a soulless monster he was.

Standing closer to him she didn't move her eyes from his face, and sensed his arm rising, his hand coming towards her face. She held her breath, thinking of that familiar gesture she had missed since she'd left. His hand continued up to her face, then suddenly rose and touched her hair, for just an instant. Bringing it back, his fingers held a soft clutch of feathers, he let them fall to the floor and they both watched them float gently down.

"There." he said a bit unsteadily.

Gathering herself, she forced a breezy smile,

"Thanks." she said, turned from him and grabbed a black towel from the bathroom shelf.

"Do you mind?" she asked, indicating the towel. With small smile he shook his head,

"Right now love, I don't think I'd mind if you staked me." his mouth turned upwards with chagrin.

"Don't tempt me" she said, raising an eyebrow at him, and walking past him to the door, she heard his soft laughter following her. Casting a glance backwards, her last glimpse of him was standing in amongst the floating feathers, his hair catching the sun and his face, filled with a look of intense longing. She schooled her features into a nonchalant expression and continued into the hall. Only when she was alone, making her way downstairs did she allow herself a little victory smile.

This was going to be more difficult than he'd expected he thought as he watched her walk out to the pool with Rebekah from the window. Hidden around the back of the house, he didn't really have a valid excuse to prevent them from using it, though he certainly wanted one. He didn't know how much of this he could stand. Last night, he'd thought she just didn't realise the effect she had on him. She was innocent and entirely beguiling.

The thought of her sleeping in his bed in that sorry excuse for pajamas had given him a sleepless night, tossing and turning on his study's couch. Someone needed to give that girl flannel pajamas for her Christmas. But this morning, surrounded by light, feathers floating around her, her hair aflame with sun, he could have been in the presence of an angel.

He scowled at the directions of his thoughts. He had never felt more like an ugly creature of the night, filled with darkness, with so much blood on his hands, they'd never be clean enough to touch her.

The rest of the day passed quietly enough. Klaus and Elijah went to town and were gone the whole day. It was a relief and Caroline started to feel a little more relaxed at the house, as imposing and grand as it was. It was also extremely comfortable, and she started to think maybe this time wouldn't be too awful. By the pool most of the day, she had swam and studied. As the light started to fade from the sky, they went inside to shower and change, and Caroline was glad to see that she had some normal clothes too.

Pulling on jeans and a loose T-shirt, she wandered downstairs and looked for a book to read. Finding Anna Karenina again, she curled up on a seat beside a window, overlooking the sunset on the garden. This book was actually required reading for her English exam she'd found out and was looking forward to tackling it. It was set in St. Petersburg, and the description of the beautiful city, snow swirling overhead, steamer boats chugging under raised bridges, and horse drawn sleighs slipping alongside winter palaces enchanted her. She remembered Klaus telling her one of his paintings hung in the Hermitage. She tried to imagine visiting a place like that, and couldn't.

Rebekah had told her dinner was at 8. And she wasn't sure what kind of dinner it was, but felt relieved when she saw Rebekah wearing much the same as her, wiling away the time until dinner with reality TV. They seemed to have a couple of live in hybrids, but other than two or three she wondered where the rest had gone.

When Elijah and Klaus arrived home, they went directly into Klaus's study to talk. By the time 8 rolled around she was starving, and went through to the dining room. Much more casually set, a couple of decanters of blood and some human food too, she sat down with Rebekah. Elijah entered, kissing his sister on the cheek, he sat across from her and smiled at Caroline.

"I hope you ladies have had an enjoyable day. More enjoyable than ours I'm sure." he finished, raising his eyes to follow his brother as he entered the room. Klaus smiled around at the company, and proceeded to sit directly opposite Caroline.

"Well, what happened? Did you find anything out?" Rebekah asked, waiting patiently as Elijah poured her blood. Elijah moved his hand toward Caroline's glass, until Klaus gently took it from him,

"Allow me" he murmured, smiling at her.

"Not exactly, in fact it may be more difficult than we had anticipated." Elijah said grimly.

"What about my uncle? Any news about him?" Caroline asked, watching the two brothers exchange looks. Klaus looked at her, and smiled reassuringly,

"Nothing yet, but don't worry love. We'll take care of him."

"You promised not to hurt anyone" she reminded him

"And I'm sure you won't let me forget it. At least give me a chance to redeem myself" Caroline shot a look at Rebekah, it sounded a little too familiar. Rebekah looked back at her innocently. Caroline shrugged and sipped her blood. Elijah watched the exchange with amusement, thinking perhaps he had figured out why his brother was acting strangely.

Following dinner, after Caroline had gone upstairs, his brother and him sat playing chess, and Rebekah watched TV. Elijah watched his brother's moves, and found him easy to counter,

"Your mind seems occupied this evening." he remarked lightly, capturing another piece.

"Well, enjoy it. It doesn't happen often." Klaus smiled.

"May I ask if our house guest has something to do with your preoccupation?"

""No, you may not." Klaus scowled, before knocking over one of Elijah's pieces.

"Rebekah tells me that you compelled her to forget her revelation over your survival."

"And what of it?" Klaus asked in low voice.

"Nothing, just that it seems to be you who are having the difficult time forgetting it." Klaus glowered at him, before turning his face to the fire, and Elijah saw how tormented he was over the whole thing. It was extraordinary. In a thousand years, he had never seen his brother so powerless over his emotions.

"Just give in Nik, tell her you love her and sweep her off her feet. Then she can come and live with us" Rebekah called from in front of the TV.

"I'm hardly going to subject her to your friendship forever, nobody deserves that." he said cuttingly.

"A tad touchy about the whole thing aren't you brother. I don't see why you don't just tell her how you feel. She's got a kind heart, she'll probably forgive you all your sins eventually." Rebekah continued, warily watching her brother come to stand over her.

"And that's why you shouldn't think. Keep your nose out of it." he warned, leaving the room.

"Well, sod off then" she muttered, before turning to look at Elijah

"What's his problem?"

"For the first time our dear brother wants something he can't buy, compel or force. He has to earn it, and that frightens him."

"So he's scared of a little hard work?" Rebekah snorted, thinking of the hours she'd put into getting Matt to give her a chance.

"No, he's scared there isn't enough goodness left inside him to earn her love."