Hi guys (Head hung in shame)

I'm so so sorry about this long pause, I had some major stuff going on at home, and I wasn't really in the place to write, but thank you so much for continuing to stick with me and write me reviews, it made me keep working on it even when I was struggling for anything happy to say!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries or it's characters.

His desire was so strong, that he almost missed it. He was so close to getting what he wanted, he nearly didn't see that lone tear sliding down her cheek, or the way her hands were trembling slightly. Snapping to his senses he wrenched his thoughts from himself, and reached out to her in concern.

"Caroline. Are you alright?" he asked watching as she bit her lip and nodded, unconvincingly. Her shoulders began to shake and he watched her for a second, before standing up. She looked at him surprised. This time he could help.

"Follow me sweetheart." and taking her hand, he carefully pulled her towards the hallway. She walked along behind him slowly, dragging her feet, stifling sobs the whole way. As they came down the dark hall he positioned her outside the bathroom,

"Stay right here." and he slipped inside the room. Caroline sank on to the floor, sliding down the wall and wrapped her arms around her knees. She felt emotionally wrecked and barren. She heard the sound of metallic banging and rumbling noises, a muted curse then the gush of water. Resting her forehead on her knees, she fought the urge to cry again. Klaus would think that was all she ever did, and after he'd just rescued her... again, it seemed ungrateful. She thought off his expression, seeing her memories. He had been horrified, hurt and genuinely upset at seeing her in those situations. It was odd, but his presence had made it bearable. She hadn't cared what he thought about her, what she looked like... none of that had seemed to matter. He wouldn't leave her, she'd felt it in her bones. And the kiss... she felt her blood run a bit hotter just thinking of it. It must have had something to do with the heightened emotions of the whole thing, but the world had pretty much stopped turning for a second.

The bathroom door opened suddenly, making her look up. A hot waft of steamy air created a halo around Klaus's head as he poked it out the door.

"Your surprise awaits." he grinned and bent down and physically lifted her to her feet.

"Ooff! You hardly need to do that, I was just dreaming." she reminded him, punching him on the arm to be put down.

"Sweetheart, with those kind of dreams it's a wonder you function at all." he said solemnly. He stepped aside and ushered her into the room. The whole room was aglow with warm candle light. Steam rose lazily of the full claw-footed tub, the air smelled like lavender and incense and she could see the water was perfumed with oils and dried petals. She looked around, speechless for a full minute. Turning back to him, he was lounging in the doorway and he looked so proud of himself, she had to smile back.

"It's for you... no ulterior motives I promise" he held his hands up, his face the picture of innocence. She looked down at the hot water, and imagined how good it would feel after the dream ordeal. Her whole body ached with phantom pain and she felt dirty.

"But... what about?" she gestured at them, and watched him chuckle at her suspicious look.

Tapping the door he said,

"3.5 meters, we are in the clear. I'll wait for you." he smiled a last time, then stepped back and murmured softly

"Enjoy" his voice low and silky, he smiled wolfishly and shut the door, and she could hear him sitting down against the wall on the other side. She stood, indecisive for a moment. Then gave in, stepping over to the door, she looked at the lock on the door, and wavered on whether or not to lock it. It would be completely useless against him, and seemed oddly distrustful after his kind gesture. Going back to the bath she slipped the pyjamas off and got into the water. It was perfectly warm and comforting.

"So, do you like, feel sorry for me now?" she asked, speaking at a normal tone, knowing he could hear her, knowing he was listening.

"In what way?" his voice came from beyond the door.

"Now you know all my deepest, darkest secrets?" she asked mildly, masking the panicked feeling it gave her.

"Love, the thought never even crossed my mind. Respect, yes, admiration... but never pity. You deal with experiences that would shake others to their very core, yet you... you do not falter... you're... There are no words to exactly pinpoint who you are and what I think of you, you are indescribable."

She considered that as she slipped down until her head went under and she lay there, completely submerged, her mind flashing over all those painful memories that she had tried her best to push down and forget. Surfacing, she lay her head back and felt the hot steam caress her face.

"My father wasn't a bad person" she stated suddenly, breaking the silence. She heard him shifting on the other side,

"No judgement from me sweetheart when it comes to parental relationships." he said gently, leaving the conversation open if she wished to continue it.

"I mean, yes, what he did was wrong, but he thought he was helping me."

"Of course, love is love, even if it is misguided sometimes." he supported. She swirled her hands through the hot water. His voice drew her back from her musings,

"Now, Damon Salvatore, that's a different matter." she heard his voice harden as he said Damon's name.

"Damon is my friend now. I've forgiven him and it's OK..." she trailed off as she recalled the feeling of worthlessness and utter emptiness he had inspired in her that afternoon in her room, through their whole relationship really.

"How could it possibly be? I don't want to sound disagreeable, I'm genuinely interested, how someone could have to capacity to forgive that?" he asked and she took her time thinking of her answer.

"Because, everyone has something good in them if you let yourself see it. He is in my life, he is important to Elena. To forgive, it's the most powerful and strongest thing you can do... it heals you. I have to keep believing in the good in people, even Damon." silence greeted that and she suddenly realised how he must be wondering if it applied to him. Taking a breath, she made a snap decision and whispered,

"Even you..." with those two words she felt the strangest feeling of elation, quickly followed by panic. She slid back under the water and blocked out any possible response he could give.

Minutes later, surfacing, she maintained the silence, and drifted on the edges of sleep. She was exhausted from the nightmares, she felt the fear start to recede, it seemed like it would be OK to go to sleep again. Standing up quickly, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it tightly around her. Walking over to the mirror, she wiped it and looked at herself. She was OK, intact. She thought of the man sitting outside the door, on the floor, waiting for her and her heart turned over. He had saved her time and time again, and it seemed like time she stopped ignoring her feelings for him. He had shown her he could be good to her, and maybe all he needed was someone to give him a chance to be better.

Ignoring the sweet feeling of anticipation at seeing him again, she put her silky nightwear and opening the door. He was sitting with his back to the wall, legs stretched out, ankles crossed and when she stepped out he stood up quickly, smiling at her uncertainly,

"How are you feeling?" he looked concerned and she felt a small smile form.

"I'm OK, tired... and a little scared of going to sleep again." she smiled at him and raised an eyebrow,

"I'm not sure your solution will work again, you might need to think of something else we've never done to wake me up again." turning from him she walked toward the bedroom, sensing him standing, dazed by her cheeky insinuation, not quite believing that she would be joking with him. Standing on the threshold she turned and looked at him,

"Coming?" and went in, climbing on to the cozy bed and arranging herself comfortably, inwardly amused at how easy it was to throw him off. Clearly he wasn't used to someone flirting with him of their own volition, not somebody who knew who he really was anyway. He appeared at the door, smiled at her, making his way around the bed, getting on top of the covers, and drawing the curtains closed.

"Do you want me to leave the candle on?" he asked and she shook her head silently, marvelling at how he was treating her like spun glass. He blew it out, and the darkness was intense. She felt a second of fear, before she felt him lying at her side, and she relaxed.

"Thank you for making me feel safe." he turned to her, and leant down on one arm, bringing his face close to hers and smiled,

"You'll aways be safe with me. I won't let anything bad happen to you." he said solemnly and she smiled a little back replying,

"Didn't it already? I met you..." she teased gently, but saw his eyes look a little wounded, and he looked away a moment before looked back, with a sad smile.

"I deserve that. I deserve it and a whole lot more. I do know that Caroline. I know I'm practically unforgivable." she didn't know how to reply to that, so she changed the subject and hoped that he would respond, in the spirit of intimacy that had somehow been created that night.

"Tell me something about you. You know so much about me now, please... Tell me something true, something others don't know." and she held her breath and waited to see if he would let her in. He hesitated, really seemed to struggle with it, then slanted a look at her, he shifted closer, and reached out toward her face with his fingertips,

"May I?" she nodded and his fingers touch her.

She gasped as she suddenly found herself transported. The scene around her was rural, rolling, lush green hills, birdsong and a small structure in the distance, it looked like a farm. Starting towards it she realised it was a stable, and she saw that this was indeed a memory, as Klaus suddenly walked past her into the stable, whistling to the horses, drawing nickering in response. He was dressed in old fashioned clothes, his hair was longer, but his face was the same. Following him, she found him at a stall, stroking the nose of a beautiful white horse. It was tall and graceful, and it was nuzzling Klaus's hands lovingly. Suddenly he startled her by turning to her, and smiling. This smile was uncomplicated and unreserved.

"This is Artemis." He took one of Caroline's hands and lead her closer to the horse. She held back a little, then laughed with delight as the horse playfully nudged her hand.

"What does she want?" Caroline asked laughing, as the horse continued to prompt her with tiny nudges and nickers.

"She wants to go for a ride." stepping around her, he opened the stall gate and led the horse out with a simple touch to her mane. Sliding on a simple bridle and saddle he suddenly jumped up on the back of the magnificent horse. Caroline had to admit she'd never seen him so affectionate and gentle before. He stroked the horse, whispered to it, running his hands through it's mane and Artemis lapped it up. Now sitting atop the beautiful creature, he turned to her and offered his hand.

"Coming?" he echoed her earlier smile and waited as she came cautiously closer.

"I'm not sure. I've never actually ridden before." she said nervously, coming in to his hand's reach.

"Don't worry, first of all, this isn't real. Even if you fall, it won't hurt. Secondly, you're a vampire and practically indestructible."

His hand grasped hers as it tentatively reached out and he pulled her firmly in front of him. The height was more than she'd imagined, and the sudden proximity to him was more unsettling than anything. Snug between his thighs, there really was nothing else to do but lean back against his chest, as his arms enclosed her, taking the reigns and the horse started to move.

"And third?" she asked shakily, trying to relax, she felt his mouth move to her ear, as he gently cleared her hair away from his face and to one side with one hand.

"I won't let you fall." he said before urging the horse on into a canter and then a gallop. Caroline squealed, but it was out of adrenaline and pleasure. She felt her hair streaming out behind her, Klaus's hard chest against her back and the wind flying against her face. The countryside was beautiful and she was full of questions when they finally stopped.

"So where are we?"she asked as she cautiously shifted round in her seat, glancing up at him.

"We are in a small hamlet in Devon, England. I've spent a lot of time here. I haven't been back in a very long time, but I often find myself thinking about it."

"It's your happy place." she supplied with a smile and he responded,

"I guess you could call it that. And now it is even more special."

"Why is that?"

"Because you're here." she felt him smile against her hair as he said it and his arms tightening around her for a second before they were riding against, the speed tearing a laugh from her chest. As they rode, they came to a beautiful tree, standing on a riverbank. It was huge, and seemed upside down, with it's branched falling to the ground instead of reaching into the air. As they approached, Klaus fell quiet and the whole valley seemed to still. She could see beside the tree a pile of stones, carefully placed to create a tower of them.

"What's that?" she asked as he drew the horse to a stop.

"It's a weeping willow" he answered and wandered off a little to the side. She started to slide down, dreading falling flat on her face. As she reached the tricky point, she felt his warm hands encircle her waist and she was slowly lowered to the ground. Turning slowly, knowing it would put them in full body contact, unless he stepped back, she raised her eyes to his.

"Thanks" she whispered, and he quirked his lips in acknowledgment before turning away, towards the stones. She watched him go to them and kneel in front of them. He carefully placed another stone, and a small bunch of wildflowers on it. She moved closer to him and crouched down beside him.

"What is it?" she repeated, gently this time, urging him to trust her with his pain.

"It's a grave." he said dully, casting his eyes behind them. She shaded her eyes from the sun and twisted around to see what he was looking at. Artemis was gone. Suddenly she remembered him telling her about his father's plot to capture him by killing his favourite horse.

"You buried her?" she asked, watching him fighting down his emotions.

"Of course, once I found... all of her." his voice had fallen to a whisper, his eyes glazed with memory of that day, hundreds of year ago. His strong fists were clenched and she could see how upset and angry it made him still. Keeping her eyes on the cairn she slowly reaching her hand out, and pressed it into the hardened back of his. It was almost unnoticeable, but a tiny jerk showed her how unexpected the movement had been for him. The hands pressed together, for a long moment. Suddenly he turned his over and interlaced his fingers with hers, their palms tight together.

A time passed with Klaus lost in thought and Caroline musing, their thoughts separating them. But their hands continued to hold on, tight as ever. After a while, Klaus made to stand, Caroline deliberated moment, uncertain whether she should take the opportunity to let go, but before she knew it she was standing in front of him, and her hand was still in his. Slowly he raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the back gently,

"I think it's time to get back." she nodded and the next thing she knew, she was opening her eyes in the dark bedroom of the old manor, tree branched scratching the window and a handsome face, with a curving smile and tousled hair was smiling at her mere inches away from hers.

"Thanks" she whispered, watching as his eyes moved round her face, down to her neck, back to her lips and felt nerves spring to life in her stomach.

"My pleasure love." he murmured, moving infinitesimally closer. She felt panic flare in her gut. Was this really going to happen?

"Wait" she said, again placing a hand on his chest to keep him back. He lowered his eyebrows at her, continued moving forward.

"Caroline. There's no convenient distraction coming along to save you this time. Let's stop denying the inevitable." he continued pressing forward.

"I can't!" she cried, feeling his breath on her face, his eyes intent on hers.

"And why is that?" he asked

"Because... you're Klaus! You're the bad guy." she trailed off apologetically, watching as he struggled to control his patience.

"This is not news. I thought we'd moved past it." he said.

"Moved past it? Like I've just forgiven all the awful things you've done, without any guarantee that you won't go right back to hurting people I care about whenever it suits you? No, I don't think we've moved past that"

"Well, what do you want from me?" he asked, leaning away from her, scrutinising her, instantly distant, she felt like a wall had been thrown up between them.

"I want... I need... I don't know. I just know what I don't want." she said sadly, playing with her fingers in her lap.

"And that's me?" he asked so nonchalantly that she almost believed he didn't care.

"No. It's not you. It's the guy who came to Mystic Falls and hurt everyone I love. Who killed and tormented and destroyed so many people, and didn't care for one second. I don't want him." her voice faded away, and silence descended.

He threw himself off the bed and started to pace in front of it. She could feel the frustration coming off him in waves. Stopped before her, he folded his arms over his chest and regarded her blankly.

"I can't be the man you want me to be." he stated matter of factly, his expression impassive.

"How do you know if you don't even try?" she asked softly, watching his eyes fix on the wall.

"You once asked me what you could do to deserve a second chance... I have an answer for you now. You just have to try..." she said watching his jaw clench, a muscle ticking in his jaw. She waited in silence and finally he fixed his eyes on her,

"You don't know what you're asking." he said cryptically, resuming his pacing.

"Yes I do... but you don't know what I'm offering in return..." she trailed off, feeling nerves spring up, wondering if she was really going to say what she wanted. He stopped in front of her, his eyes dark and intense, he focused on her with all his attention and she felt like the air had all left the room.

"And what would that be?" his low voice was hypnotic and she felt like prey that had been spotted by a hawk.

"Me" she announced, meeting his eyes full on, her face open and honest, she decided to put all her cards on the table. His impassive expression thawed a little at that, and his eyes warmed, running over her like melted chocolate. He walked slowly toward her, smiling,

"That's awfully selfless of you love, willing to do what needs to be done for the greater good? Your friends can't neutralise me any other way, so you're sacrificing yourself?"

"No!" Caroline cried indignantly, rising from the bed.

"They've got nothing to do with this! This is about you and me..." she realised that he was smiling, clearly just teasing her and scowled at him.

He came to the bed and sat on the edge, so they were sitting side by side. He was quiet, lost in thought, then surprising her he turned to her and took her hand in his. He looked at it, held it like it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Stroked the skin on the back, he then faced her, holding her hand in between them with both of his, and she saw the vulnerability in his eyes. He was letting her in, and she was going to do her best not to ruin it this time.

"Caroline, I wish I could undo some of the things that I've done to you and your friends. But I can't. And to be honest, at the time, I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Kill or be killed, that's life." he broke off, musing and lost in thought.

"And now?" she prompted, watching the emotions play across his face.

"And now... I don't know. I'd probably do it all over again. But, I might actually feel bad about it, this time." seeing her raise an eyebrow at him, he looked at her somewhat sadly and said,

"Don't expect me to change Caroline. I'm never going to wake up one morning and be Stefan, subsisting on animal blood and torturing myself about my hideous past. We can only play the cards we've been dealt in this life, it's too late for me."

"That's such an excuse... I had a hard upbringing, so it excuses everything I do from then on. You could change if you wanted to, it's just easier to stay the same." Caroline insisted.

"You're right. But I don't want to lie to you. I can't seem to lie to you... I not sure I can be better, I might not have it in me." he finished, sardonically, his lips twisting with a bittersweet smile.

"I wouldn't be here with you if you didn't" Caroline stated stubbornly. He shook his head ruefully and looked down at her hand again.

"You know. If I really was a better person, I'd stay away from you." he mused, shifting closer to her on the bed, sliding his hand up her arm, she felt heat bloom after his fingers.

"So..." she whispered as his hands reached her neck and he cupped her face, moving closer, positioning himself so he could take both sides of her face in his hands.

"So..." he echoed, as he gazed into her eyes. She was so beautiful and pure, sitting there, after stating her terms, with no idea how much it cost him, staring back at him with those shining eyes.

"I'll never be that good" he murmured as he lowered his face toward hers. Her breath caught in her chest and she felt like the air she was inhaling was made up of fizzing bubbles, she was aware of every part of her body, every place his skin touched hers, the angle of her legs, the smooth fabric of her clothes.

He stopped with his face a mere heartbeat from her's, again waiting, letting her make the decision. She was aware that it wouldn't be a small decision, like kissing a boy at a party. No, this was a commitment, and he was waiting to see if she was willing to make it. If she was going to give him a chance.

All the reasons why it was a terrible idea, what her friends would say, her mother, all the awful history they'd had, it all screamed at her to stop. But her heart, her heart knew there was only one answer, and it had been decided long ago. Taking her heart in her hands, she tentatively put her hands on his shoulders, and closed the gap.

Please review and let me know what you think! If you're still with me after this little pause, thank you so much and let me know it you liked it))

I hope it was worth the wait. I know that Klaus was on super good behaviour tonight,but trust me, bad Klaus isn't gone forever, he's not had a personality transplant, but spending time with Caroline has started to affect him.

A little fluff, some relationship progress, and a last chance for a little rest before... no spoilers!