Here we go! Enjoy reading! Thank you so much for all the great reviews, they really do push me to write when I have a spare minute.
Especially thanks to hurricanebridgette, A True Dreamer, lily94, QueenOfTheEyesores and UrieNanashi! Your input is totally appreciated! Also thanks to people who are still favouriting and alerting.
The next morning, a loud knock woke her suddenly and she bolted awake.
"Housekeeping." a bored voice called from beyond the door. Caroline stayed quiet, and watched the door. Listening carefully she heard the woman shuffle on down the hall.
She looked around the room. Nondescript and run down, it was exactly the kind of place you see desperate people hiding in, in movies. The orange bedspread clashed horribly with the brown curtains and it smelled of smokers. Her stomach let out a loud growl suddenly, and she remembered she hadn't eaten dinner before being attacked. Her unlikely hero was nowhere to be seen, and there was barely a trace that she wasn't there alone, for a second she started to doubt if last night had really happened, until she glanced down at the shirt. Too big, it hung off her and she wondered idly what he was wearing if she had this.
He finally glimpsed the motel and was relived. He hadn't planned on leaving her alone for long at all, then had had to make the rounds trying to find a blood bank or hospital he could liberate a few days food for them from. Parking in front of the motel, he checked around for any danger. Seeing nothing he grabbed the new cool box and it's precious contents and reached the door of their room. Listening carefully, it sounded like she was awake. She was moving around in there, and he decided to knock so not to startle her too much. A few raps, then he unlocked the door and pushed it open slowly with his foot.
"Caroline" he called, stepping inside and looking around.
"Yes" the answer came from directly behind him, and he turned to see her standing behind the door. Still wearing his shirt, her hair tousled from sleep she looked utterly gorgeous... and scared. Holding up the cooler he smiled,
"Hungry?" he asked, before moving to the table and setting it down. He could felt her nervousness and deliberately sat with his back to her, placing one of the bags on the edge of the table, he went back to watching the parking lot.
Hunger gnawed at her stomach as she saw the glistening bag of shiny black blood, and moving round him, she grabbed it from the table before disappearing into the bathroom to change. Washing her face in cold water, she thought about what to do next. Looking down at her hand, she imagined she could still feel his grip, and it was strangely comforting, even if this morning felt a little awkward and they were both grappling to establish where they stood. Drinking her breakfast she pulled her clothes on, folding his shirt carefully, she ran her hand over the soft cotton. Looking in the mirror she drew a deep breath and gathered her courage. Stepping out into the room, she saw he was gathering their meager possessions, and looked like he was getting ready to leave.
"What are we going to do now?" she asked, her fingers pulling nervously at her shirt.
"Get as far from Mystic Falls as we can in one day. I have a place about a days drive from here. Not in my name of course. It should be safe enough for now." he started for the door and she followed him, pausing on the threshold, she asked,
"Just the two of us?"
"Would you prefer we invited a chaperon?" he asked sarcastically, scanning a last time before starting for the car.
"No..." she muttered as she got into the car and slammed the door shut. Putting the car in gear, he pulled out into morning traffic. She yawned and stretched against the leather seat. This was going to be a long day, she thought sourly, there was not going to be any way to avoid speaking. There was a paper bag on the floor, and she rooted through it, finding blood, some snacks and Anna Karenina. Pulling it out she turned to him.
"Where did this come from?" she asked
"I saw it in a shop this morning. I saw you were reading it, it's a good book. You should finish it." he said, his eyes focused on the rush hour movements ahead.
"You've read it? Can you just tell me what happens?" she joked, he gave her a sideways glance and smiled.
"Afraid not sweetheart. There's only one way to understand Anna, and that's to read it yourself."
"Understand her? In what way?"
"To understand the path she goes down, the decisions she makes. She is a character which lets us explore the darkest parts of ourselves, we have to take that journey with her. The book shows us the very essence of what it means to be human. The hope... the tragedy."
"I thought you didn't care about maintaining your human side." she stated.
"Well, let's say for academic purposes, I find it interesting." he mused, still focused on the road.
He was so detached, so determined to put distance between them, she found herself wanting to close that distance, to shake him out of his reserve.
"Whatever, we both know it's not just out of interest. You are not nearly as inhuman as you want people to think." she said, lightly, goading him. He glanced at her, a little surprised.
"What would give you that impression love? I haven't treated you and your little friends badly enough?"
"Don't get me wrong, you've been a monster, but you also had motivations that were entirely human." she watched him struggling with her answer, fighting the urge to turn to her and argue, instead he gestured for her to go on,
"Such as..."
"Protecting your family. Yes, you are a total control freak, but the motivation wasn't so crazy. Even all this hybrid drama. You don't want to be alone." she said it, and instantly regretted it, feeling silence fill the car. His hands gripped the wheel slightly. She risked a look at his face. It looked so open and raw, in that second, there was something so boyish and lost, she felt a rush of compassion for him.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It's just that I... I feel lonely too sometimes, so I guess I see it in you, and I understand it. But... it doesn't excuse the stuff you've done because of it."
"Well, again, purely for academic motivations... what would?" he slanted a look her way and broke the tension. She sat back and crossed her arms, considering what to say.
"I honestly don't know. Some sort of sacrifice maybe, selflessness, kindness... not being such a bad guy at every opportunity, not being so scary all the time" she trailed off, realising that he had probably no intentions of being described that way.
"So... I've behaved abominably. I'll give you that, but, tell me truthfully... are you really afraid of me?" he looked at her and their eyes met, she couldn't lie about it, he'd know. Dropping his gaze, she sighed.
"I used to be."
"But you're not anymore..." he encouraged, seemed cheered by the admission.
"Since we are sharing, may I ask, what about your boyfriend, or should I say ex-boyfriend. You wanted him to be free of his sire bond, now he is, what's the problem?"
"That's really none of your business."Caroline said, annoyed that he would mention Tyler.
"Touchy subject love? Did he do the dumping then?" he raised an eyebrow at her and grinned.
"Why are you asking? Thinking of making another pathetic attempt to hit on me? Go ahead, embarrass yourself." she said cuttingly, and instantly felt horrible. She was scared to talk about the breakup with him, scared to start pulling that thread that could unravel everything. Klaus looked away, the smile falling from his face, he looked stung and she tried to ignore the desire to return to their light banter of moments ago.
Feeling like the conversation was heading into dangerous territory, she pulled the book from the bag and opened it. The road stretched out before them, and Klaus drove fast and capably, her mind wandered and she thought back to last night, his hand on hers. There was something there, she couldn't deny it. Even knowing everything he'd done, it was hard to ignore her feelings for him.
She pushed herself to focus on the book, and could almost feel the wall between them going back up. It upset her more than she expected, and that fact in itself upset her more than she'd ever imagined. Confused and upset, she followed Anna into a snowy Russian winter and tried to forget the enigmatic man brooding beside her.
They finally came off the highway and went deeper into the country, winding along small roads in the dark. Klaus made every turn without hesitation. Passing an old gate at one point they seemed to enter an estate, and started driving along a neglected track, which she supposed served as a drive. They came into a clearing, and she saw a decaying old manor home in front of them. It looked like a place with a lot of secrets, and it's dark windows seemed to watch them as he got out the car and pulled bags from the back. Striding ahead without a word he went to the door, and was inside moments later. Slowly stepping from the car, she made her way after him, the tall grass of the yard coming to her knees. As she went up the stairs she saw candles gradually coming on one by one, room by room. Pausing on the threshold she peered inside. It was nothing like his luxurious home in Mystic Falls. This place was old, and it felt heavy with the things it had seen, the years it had witnessed. The furniture was covered mostly by sheets, and dust floated as he pulled a couple of them off. Uncovering a long table, deep, polished mahogany, it reflected the candles he set on it. The house was grand inside, aging, cobwebbed but majestic.
Klaus was moving purposefully around and she felt the awkwardness between them acutely. She hovered near him,
"Can I help?" she asked, breaking the silence that had held for the last 6 hours. He barely glanced at her as he said,
"Why don't you go fix yourself a room upstairs. You must be tired. I'll see you in the morning." he was as cold as ice again, and she knew that little moment where she'd seen him, really seen him, where he had let her, was long gone, and not likely to be repeated again.
"Klaus... I..." she trailed off as he stopped moving, facing away from her, she saw his hand clenching. She felt overwhelmingly alone then, not realising how much she had been depending on his support until now, when it was gone.
"What Caroline? I think we've spoken for long enough today. I'm the villain... I'll always be the villain. My attempts to win you over are an embarrassment to you. Message received. Now, if there's nothing else..." he said pointedly, before stalking off down the hall into the darkness beyond.
Grimacing she picking up her bags and started up the stairs, taking a candle with her. It seemed like she might have really hurt his feelings, but how was she supposed to know he actually had any. The stairs creaked under her feet and she found her way to the top floor. Opening a random door, she found a four poster bed, sitting in the window, surrounded by old fashioned heavy curtains. A bit spooked by the house generally she decided not to explore further and set her things down. Lighting more candles, she drew back the bed curtains and looked inside. The bed was plush, stuffed with plump, feather filled pillows and soft blankets. Sitting on the edge, she opened the bag he'd given her and pulled out some clothes. He must have bought these in the morning, or stolen them or something she thought as she looked through them, mildly surprised he would go to the trouble. Another pair of trousers, a couple of tops and a soft, cashmere belted cardigan. There was also a pairs of pajamas, which drew a laugh from her. They were satin and sinfully silky, ivory coloured and extremely conservative. The trousers were full length and loose, and the top was long sleeved, with buttons up the middle and a high neck. She had never owned something so prim, yet so delicate and luxurious. As she touched the lapels, her fingers lingering on the softness, she felt rather than heard him come to the door of the room. Turning she saw him outlined in darkness, his face glowing in the candlelight. It was impassive and carefully blank.
"You shouldn't use your phone, it might not be safe. Take the battery out." he advised shortly, watching as she hastily dropped the new clothes on the bed and cast around for her phone. Remembering that she shoved it in her pocket, she dropped her hand and forced it into the tight fabric.
Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she felt it catch on something. Pulling harder, she dropped both the items on the floor with a clatter. She saw Klaus's eyes hone in on the ground at her feet. His eyes narrowed slightly, and head cocked to the side.
"What?" she asked nervously, feeling nerves start to gather in the pit of her stomach. He raised an eyebrow and kept looking at the floor. Slowly she lowered her head, dreading her suspicions being confirmed. Yep, there it was. Glittering in the light, the vervain bottle, shoved carelessly in her pocket and forgotten.
"Well, isn't that interesting..." he said slowly. She felt a sort of panic start to come over her. He finally looked up, and his eyes were burning. She started to back up warily, as he slowly began to advance towards her.
"Caroline..." he said, his voice low, almost purring.
"What? I don't know anything about that bottle. I just thought it was pretty, that's all." her voice sounded so sincere, in her terror, that it stopped him. He bent slowly to the bottle, picked it up. He stared at it for a couple of beats, seeming to weigh something, turning it over in his mind, before he looked at her again. His eyes holding hers, focused and intent, he started to turn the stopper of the bottle.
"Don't!" she said, stalling, holding her hands up in front of her. He paused, before continuing, a slight smile touching his lips. The bottle open, he raised it to his nose, and inhaled. Closing his eyes, he breathed in again, the smile growing wider. Opening his eyes, they found hers, and had turned a deep, almost golden brown colour, like fires burning in the night. He let the bottle slip from his hand and onto the floor as he resumed his slow advance on her.
"Caroline..." he said again, this time holding a wicked tone. She started backing up again, edging around the bed, trying to put it between them. He patiently continued after her, very much resembling the wolf he was, stalking his prey. They stared at each other over the bed. Stalemate.
"Caroline" he said again, a taunting tone to his voice.
"What?" she cried. He leaned forward and rested his hands on the four poster frame, his eyes still trained on hers.
"We need to talk love." he said, and smiled.
"No! We don't... it... it doesn't change anything between us." she whispered. He glowered at her for a few seconds. Suddenly she felt a cold wind brush past her face, and she felt like she was flying. She found her back pressing against the wall, and he was there in front of her. Arms braced on either side of her, his body was close to hers. She felt her heart beating like crazy. There was no body contact between them, yet she felt like the space between them was vibrating. His face filled her vision, and the fire in his eyes scorched her. He lowered his face until it was mere inches from hers, it stayed intense and unsmiling.
She felt fear shoot through her. He was so close and so... so intense. He knew that she remembered falling for him, remembered all their time together. He knew that she had wanted to remember him. Her breath caught, and it made him see her fear. He looked into her eyes, and his softened. Taking a deep breath, he ran his gaze over her face. Leaning back a little, he relaxed his arms, and brought one to under her chin, running his thumb along her jaw. The simplicity of the movement triggered a flood of memories.
A small smile broke over his features, and he looked at her almost tenderly,
"On the contrary sweetheart, it changes everything." he whispered, his fingers sweeping her hair back over her ear.
A fizz of nerves flared in her stomach, mixed with something sweeter, and infinitely more terrifying... anticipation. Her eyes couldn't seem to break away from his, and she swore they were getting closer to hers.
His face lowered towards hers, and she knew he was going to kiss her. She was horrified and exhilarated at the prospect at the same time. She'd missed him looking at her like that. Missed him touching her, charming her, challenging her, daring her to see the world in another way. His face continued relentlessly towards hers, and she dragged her self control to the surface and managed to murmur,
"Don't..." soft as a heartbeat, but he heard it, stopping, his mouth so close to hers, she felt his soft breath on her lips and she struggled to shake off her body's betrayal and put her hand against his chest, trying to keep a little distance. They held that pose for a few beats.
"It's your call." he murmured, their eyes held, and, finally, realising what it meant, she slowly dropped her hand from between them. He watched it fall, and when he met her eyes again, the need in them took her breath away. He cupped her face tenderly, his thumbs running across her cheeks, his face closed the gap.
As she braced herself for the kiss, everything started to move too fast. So fast, she couldn't process it all. She was suddenly falling to the ground, and Klaus was gone. Shouting and sounds of fighting filled the room, then breaking glass, standing, she ran towards the sounds. Reaching the stairs, just in time to see Klaus going over the banister, grappling with someone. They hit the lower banister and the wood splintered, sticking up in sharp spikes. They both lay motionless for a second, before Klaus cleared the debris off and stood. Caroline gasped as she saw a huge length of wood sticking from his chest, and dark blood staining his white shirt. Walking slowly over to the other figure on the floor, who was backing up, looking terrified and disbelieving at a vampire who should be dead, he carelessly pulled the huge stake from his chest one handed.
"What are you?" the man asked, sounding petrified as Klaus crouched down beside him.
"I'm her protector. If you come after her again, I'll be there. Where ever she is... I'll be there. You would do well to remember it. Though, sadly, you won't have that opportunity now." Caroline turned her face away as Klaus finished the werewolf off and the man's screams echoed around the old house. Sliding down the wall, she sat, shock setting in. She heard his footsteps coming up the stairs, then he was before her, his shirt stained, and his hands black with the werewolf's blood.
"Caroline. Are you OK?" he asked, settling beside her, his back to the wall, they both stared ahead at the splintered spikes of wood standing up in the air.
"Are you?" she asked back quietly.
"Of course. They must be using magic to track us. I'm sure we weren't followed."
"So... what do we do now?"
"Well, they might not know he failed yet, we have some time. I suggest we lay low, and wait to hear from Rebekah and Elijah, see what they've found out. Let's get your witch friend to jam our location."
"Right" she said, tears threatening again. She was so tired of being in danger, of being scared.
"Caroline." he spoke gently and she turned her face away to hide her tears. She felt his fingers on her hand again.
"No one is ever going to hurt you again. I won't let them." slowly, she drew her hand away and stood up.
"I never forgot caring about you, but that means I also remember how you lied to me and tricked me. I can't be with you because I'm scared and I need you to keep me safe. It's not fair to either of us. It's not... right." stepping away from him slightly, she crossed her arms over her chest, and didn't meet his eyes.
"Thank you, for saving my life again." she said and turned, walking quickly towards the bedroom, and heard him standing up behind her. Suddenly he was on front of her, blocking the entry to the room.
"What?" she asked softly, still not meeting his eyes. He didn't move, just waited for her to look up. When she finally found the courage to meet his eyes, they were dark and intent. He looked like he was going to say something, then changed his mind. Instead his eyes turned calculating.
"How thankful are you? I mean, I'm racking up quite a tally here, saving you..."
"Meaning?" she demanded, watching a mischievous smile appear on his face.
"It means that you owe me sweetheart, and I'm keeping score. I want my first pay back tonight..." her breath caught with nerves at what he might be suggesting and watching her eyes widen, he chuckled.
"No, not that sweetheart, all in good time. I'd simply like your presence at dinner. There is dinner attire in your room, I will take care of everything else." she hesitated, thinking of a whole evening together and wondering if she'd manage to keep her head. Seeing her conflicted, he gently took her hand and brought it to his mouth,
"Humour me..." he whispered, then instead of kissing the back, he turned it over and pressed a kiss into her soft palm, her fingers curled instinctively around it, as he watched her. Taking her silence for assent, he turned and set off downstairs, and she watched him go, heart in her mouth, her palm on fire.