Edited by myladyelise.
Re-edited August 2015
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Caroline studied her image in the mirror on her dresser. With a frown, she ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to bring order to the loose blonde curls that fell over her shoulders. Her primping only made things worse. She focused a critical eye on her makeup. To her satisfaction, her eyeliner and mascara were perfectly applied and her lips glimmered with only a hint of gloss. While tempted not to wear any makeup up at all just to make it clear to Klaus how little this date meant to her, she couldn't do it. Her entire being bristled at the idea of not looking her best. Looking pretty, desirable even, was to her almost the equivalent of donning armor before a battle. It gave her a certain confidence. Something she desperately needed when dealing with Klaus. With a final frown at her hair, she gave up and flopped unto her bed.
The whole room was thrust into her focus, forcing her to recognize how much danger she was in. Surrounding her on every available surface were huge bouquets of roses and lilies, their perfume heavy and rich in the air. Lying on her bed, she was entombed, his floral offerings her burial shroud. Like most girls, she normally loved receiving gifts of flowers from admirers, but this was no mere present. Klaus once more violated the sanctity of her bedroom, a place where she should feel safe, in order to deliver a message. He had access to her whenever he pleased and she had no way to keep him out. She didn't even wake from her sleep when he invaded her room. Bonnie would do a spell to revoke his entry into her house if she asked, but she worried he would retaliate. She did not fear for herself. It was her friends and family she worried would face his wrath.
Along with flowers he left directions. Written in his bold handwriting on a piece of fine linen stationary was - Dress casual, Klaus. As if she was going to dress up for him! She hated in the end she heeded his orders, wearing a pair of worn blue jeans and a white silk camisole with a thin light blue shirt over it.
She glanced at her alarm clock. 7:56. With minutes of precious freedom left, she closed her eyes and willed Tyler's face to appear before her. She tried to picture his smile, the way his eyes would soften just before he leaned in for a kiss - only to have Klaus appear.
"Seriously?" She thrust her pillow over her head.
The door bell rang and she groaned. Of course, Klaus would be right on time. Grabbing her matching dark blue leather purse and shoes she ran downstairs. She didn't bother to leave a note. She already told her mother that she was at Elena's tonight. Her friend would cover for her until she found out she was spending time with Klaus. Caroline wanted to broach the subject with her, but Elena was so caught up with her own Salvatore drama that she hesitated to add to her friend's worries. It really was better that she dealt with the whole Klaus situation on her own anyway. The last thing she needed was for Elena to involve herself in this mess.
"I'm coming!" she shouted at Klaus when he rang the doorbell once more.
At the door, she paused with her hand on the handle. Panic burst in her chest, igniting her body's natural instinct to run when faced with danger. She wasn't sure what she feared more, the vampire hybrid that stood behind the door or his effect on her. Either way, it left her paralyzed.
"I can hear you, love."
Caroline clenched her fingers tighter around the door handle. She couldn't seem to make them work. If only she could run, find a place where sociopathic hybrids wouldn't find her. Somewhere she would be safe. Except she couldn't leave. Too much held her here. She opened the door, letting the monster in.
The setting sun framing Klaus in shadows. She expected he would be irritated at the long wait. Catching his gaze, she searched his eyes, the barometer to his moods. She relaxed at their calm blue color, the faint smile that tugged at his lips.
Caroline stared at him, unable to look away. For some reason, every time they met she needed to memorize him as if this might be the last time she ever saw him again. He wore a gray colored henley covered by a black wool jacket with military buttons and dark jeans that hugged his hips and muscular thighs. At his slightly mussed hair she was horrified to find she wanted to run her fingers through it, smooth some order to the curls.
Klaus chuckled, a deep throat purr and heat surged into Caroline's face. Did he know what she was thinking about?
"I need to lock the door," Caroline said lamely, turning around eagerly, shutting him out of her mind for a moment. Throwing a last look at the inside of her home, she mourned that the place was no longer her shelter or her safety net. No longer a haven, it was the place her dad breathed his last. Somewhere she went through the motions of life, pretending for her mother that she was still an average teenager. Locking the door behind her, Caroline turned to see Klaus staring at her intently.
"You're upset about something," he accused.
She forced a smile. "Not at all."
Klaus caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I always know when you are lying."
Chills sprinted up her spine and she held back a shiver. "Is that some hybrid power of yours? Reading minds?" she asked, annoyed. "Because I am not upset. I only want to get this date over so I can enjoy the rest of my evening."
Klaus stiffened, his eyes dark flint. "Tread carefully, Caroline. Since I know you are hurting I am willing to overlook your rudeness."
"I am not hurting." She didn't even bother to hide her hostility.
"Then, if you are perfectly fine, lets continue this date so you can enjoy the rest of your evening without me," he practically spat.
Caroline inhaled deeply. It was easy to forget he had feelings and she was acting awful towards him. It pricked at her, played on her guilt. She forced a smile, determined make the best of this horrible date. "So where are you taking me?"
He relaxed at her conciliatory tone. "It is a surprise."
"A surprise?" Caroline's stomach sank. The last thing she liked anymore were surprises.
"A good one," Klaus assured her. "I promise."
He stepped aside then and she caught sight of his car. Silver and sleek it looked like something out of a movie. She had never seen anything like it.
"It's a 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom."
"Who even drives a car like that?" The answer hit her swiftly. A thousand year old vampire hybrid with more money then God at his disposal.
Klaus hand touched her lower back lightly, propelling her forward. "Anyone with taste."
He held the door open for her. One thing in Klaus' favor. Not like the high school boys, he acted the gentleman. Sliding into the Rolls, the luxury of it overwhelmed her. She sank into the buttery soft leather seats, facing a dash made out of some rare wood. Looking outside, half the neighborhood peered out their windows at them. A car like this was rarely seen, let alone one parked at the sheriff's house. While Tyler had a nice car, it was nothing compared to this.
Klaus started the car and the soft elegant hum surprised her. "She goes from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds."
Caroline smiled at his proud tone, no different than any other teen boy she knew showing off his toys "She? How do you know it is a girl?"
"Anything this beautiful, this exquisite, has to be a girl," Klaus stated matter-of-factly. "She has seen a lot over the years and still runs perfectly as the day I purchased her. Rebekah and I used to have a lot of fun taking her out in the evenings to the clubs. I even taught her to drive in this car. She was a surprisingly good driver."
Klaus teaching his sister to drive was strangely endearing and Caroline's her heart melted a little at this confidence. How nice to be taught to drive by family. Unlike her experience with one of her mother's patrol cops. It embarrassed her to even think about now. When they drove out of Mystic Falls and flew onto the interstate, her heart jolted. Was it possible Klaus was taking her to some remote area to kill and dump her? Make sure no one would ever find her?
"You couldn't give me a hint as to where we're going?"
"Let's say it's a place where we can be totally and completely alone."
His answer did little to inspire confidence. Caroline wanted to tell him to turn the car around and take her someplace public. Spending time with alone with him brought to mind a cobra toying with its meal. Which made her wonder what was wrong with her that there was a small, dark part of her that was exhilarated at this flirtation with death. This thrill of adrenaline, must be a vampire thing, she finally conceded. Something she would have to learn to control and overcome.
"Did you enjoy your flowers? You have yet to thank me."
Caroline thought for a minute before answering. How could she tell him that the flowers reminded her of funerals and the death of her current life?" They are very lovely," she said at last, her tone cautious.
He smiled with satisfaction. "They are just a fraction of what I wish to bestow on you. You should appreciate my restraint."
Dead bodies and more stolen goods flitted through her mind and it made her very thankful for only the flowers so far.
"I do," she rushed to assure him. "Maybe you could consider delivering them in person during the day when I am awake?"
"Would you welcome my presence? Allow me to openly court you in your home?"
The idea of Klaus casually stopping by to spend time with her, watch a movie, eat junk food or do homework like she did with Tyler made her sick to her stomach. That kind of open access to her would have her mother running to the Salvatores for help and she didn't even want to contemplate their reactions. The situation between all of them was already a powder keg waiting for a match.
"That's what I thought." His hands tightened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenching. "I am to be your dirty little secret."
Was that hurt she heard in his voice? How could he be hurt? He was the one forcing her to spend time with him. With nothing for her to say that wouldn't make things worse between them she held her tongue and stared out the window. The landscape changed to rural countryside the further the went away from her home. After what seemed like hours, Klaus exited the interstate and drove unto a bridge that stretched forever. The setting sun reflected bright red and orange in the water beneath them, nearly blinding Caroline. At the end of the bridge there was a huge wrought iron gate and a large yellow sign with black lettering proclaiming they were on private property and no trespassing was allowed. The sign was ridiculous considering that there was no way for a human to get past the gated entry.
"Um…I think we need to turn around." Caroline took a hasty look around them. "I really don't want to get in trouble for breaking and entering. Not that I haven't broken the law before," she paused in her confession, "I know I seem like a total goody two shoes, but I have this whole dark vampire thing going on now which gets me in trouble and I can't get in anymore or my mom will be so mad. I almost always get caught and then I make her look bad with her being the sheriff and all." She really hoped she was getting through to Klaus. Nervousness tingled in her stomach at what could happen if whoever lived past this gate called the cops. Klaus would kill them and the whole evening would be a massacre.
Klaus turned to look at her, his eyes bright with amusement. "I promise we aren't breaking any laws." He flipped down the visor to reveal a remote. With a click of the button the gate slid open, without a clank of rust. "I own this place."
"Wait…Is this an island?"
"It is called Chopawamsic and yes, it is an island."
"Seriously? You own your own island?" Caroline continued, not even waiting for him to answer, "Of course, you do. You own a car from when my grandparents were kids and a 200-year-old mansion with a ballroom in the middle of Mystic Falls. So really, why not an island?"
Klaus chuckled and drove through the gate into the forest of trees that threatened to choke out the driveway. The sun disappeared under the foliage and Caroline craned her neck trying to get a good view in the shadowy shades of green. At last they pulled through the woods, the driveway ending in a circle right in front of an old, white Victorian gingerbread house. On the other side was a large that faced a sandy expanse of beach. Klaus put the car in park, shutting off the engine. Taking in the view she practically startled when he opened the door for her.
Stepping out of the Rolls Royce the already cooling, damp evening air and the smells of forest, sand and water embraced her. Except for the muted calls of a few birds, the chirping of crickets and the gentle lapping of water, it was eerily quiet. The whole civilized world had disappeared, leaving only her and Klaus.
"It's peaceful, isn't it?" He asked, his voice jarring against nature's music. "I like to come here to think. For some reason this place always manages to soothe me no matter how frustrated or angry I am."
"It's beautiful." Caroline tried not to think of the anger and frustrations that brought him here.
Klaus gazed up at the stars now appearing in the sky. "In over a thousand years hardly anything has changed here. There is comfort to be found in such constancy." Klaus captured her gaze. "Do you have a place like this?"
"An island, with a gate to keep everyone out?" Caroline teased. "No."
"Where do you go to find peace?"
Did she have a place to go? The old Caroline would have said her house, but too much happened in her home to find any comfort there. Maybe Elena's place? No, her friends house was tainted with death as well. At one time, when she was transitioning the Salvatore's soothed her. With Stefan's help she found a fleeting peace there, but it hadn't lasted. Maybe there was nowhere left for her anymore. No place she could feel at home and comforted. Sadness wormed its way into her heart and tears balled up in her throat. No. She would not have a pity party and cry right here in front of Klaus.
His hand brushed hers and when he twined his fingers in hers she let him.
"This could be your place too," he offered quietly. "I could get you a key to the gate and you could come whenever you pleased, when you needed to be alone. I wouldn't interfere."
Caroline stared at him in surprise. She understood the enormity of what he offered and what it would mean if she accepted. It would create a connection; a relationship of sorts between them and that couldn't be allowed to happen. She tore her hand from his and the loss of his warmth against her skin chilled her. "No. You can keep your private island all to yourself along with the bracelet, flowers and drawings. You need to stop trying to give me things. When will you get it that I don't want anything from you?"
Klaus raked his hands through his hair. "But you do, love," he argued, a cruel twist to his lips. "You want me to leave your precious friends alone and because of that I hold all the cards. The only thing you have to bargain with is my very misguided attraction and interest in you and even that is starting to wane."
She wanted to retort with something angry and smart, something that would take him down a notch. Only he was right and she had handled this all wrong. For better or worse, he was obsessed with her and she would be foolish not to try to use it to her advantage. What she barely acknowledged, what she could never tell him, was how dangerously exciting it was for her to be near him.
"Can we start over?" Caroline asked, flashing Klaus her most beguiling look. The one she used with great effect on the boys at school. "Klaus, I would love it if you would show me your island."
He stared at her, his eyes matching the darkening sky.
Caroline took several steps towards the Victorian house. "Did you ever live here? I always wanted to live in an old house like that." She turned to look back at him. Still as a stone statue, he scared her. Had she gone too far at last with him? Lost him?
"Please, Klaus." She shivered, her voice betraying her fear.
A slow smile spread across his face, until it reached his eyes. "How could I ever refuse you?"
With a single stride he reached her side, his hand lightly touching the small of her back while he guided her towards the house.
"No, I never lived here. I had the house built to host parties before the bridge existed, back when you had to get here by boat. We hosted a few gatherings back in the 20's, but Rebekah never cared much for the place. It is too isolated for her and it reminded her too much of the past."
The house needed a new coat of white paint. While it hadn't fallen into disrepair, it needed some attention.
"I can't imagine building a house to never live in. It must be so sad and lonely."
At her wistful tone, Klaus stopped to look at her strangely.
"For the house," she attempted to clarify. "I know it is crazy, but sometimes houses seem like people, full of dreams. When this one was being built it must have been so proud and happy to be so beautiful. It probably imagined happy times with families, parties and children and instead it has been left to slowly decay." Caroline looked down at her feet completely embarrassed at the crazy thoughts she just shared. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It was silly."
Klaus tipped her chin up with a finger so he could look into her eyes. "Don't ever apologize for sharing your thoughts, love, no matter how silly. I want to know everything about you and that includes your theories on the emotions of houses," he chuckled. "Although, I do think there is something to be said for your insight. The house is lonely. Maybe it needs a party, a chance to be seen in its glory."
Caroline looked at the dark, shuttered windows and pictured them full of light, the rooms of the house filled with laughter and life. "Yes, I think the house would be very happy then."
"Then I will have a party and you will be my first guest."
"Klaus—."
He touched a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Don't think about it now. I still have so much to show you."
Night was almost upon them when they reached the the back of the house connected to the beach. A large white canvas tent had been set up in the sand. Within was a table set for two with fine china and crystal. Hundreds of glowing candles, lit the night, their light beckoning them forward. It looked like the setting from one of the romantic movies she so adored and she couldn't help but be touched.
"You like it?" Klaus asked and the naked vulnerability his voice left her only one answer.
"It's perfect."
He met her gaze, a shy smile upon his face. "That isn't your only surprise."
Instead of taking her down to the tent on the beach he led her to the far left side of the house where there was a small outbuilding, possibly a garage. When they walked closer she heard the soft nickering of a horse.
"There are horses here?" Caroline asked, turning to look at him in surprise.
"Just for tonight. I had them brought over for you."
"Them?"
Klaus entered the small building that Caroline now knew was a stable. There were four stalls and fresh, sweet smelling hay littered the floor. Peering through two of the wooden gated stalls were two beautiful thoroughbred horses, one black the other brown, their velvet noses reaching out to be petted.
"Caroline meet Napoléon and Joséphine."
Only Klaus would have named his horses after a deposed French Emperor and his mistress turned wife. Caroline hesitantly touched the black one with a silver star on its forehead. "They are gorgeous. Which one is this?"
"That would be Joséphine. She is very sweet and gentle. Very much like her namesake."
Caroline nodded over at the sleek brown horse, Klaus currently stroked. "And Napoléon?"
"He very much would like to think he rules the world."
Joséphine lowered her head and Caroline petted the horse's silky ears. "They are such beautiful creatures. When I was a little girl I used to dream of riding horses, but a hobby like that was too expensive for my parents. It broke my heart when Elena got to go to riding camp and I didn't."
Klaus opened Joséphine's stall, handing Caroline the reins. "Tonight, love, is about making your dreams come true. You are going to ride Joséphine."
The leather reins slipped between her fingers, forcing her to grasp them tight. "I can't do that."
"You can and you will. Just lead her out of the stable and I will help you."
Caroline swallowed, her heart fluttering but she did as told. When the cool night air touched Joséphine she snuffed with pleasure and Caroline started to wonder if she dreamed. The whole night, with every passing minute, was becoming more and more surreal.
"I am going to help you mount by lifting you up and into the saddle," Klaus said, standing behind her. "All I need you to do is put your right foot in the stirrup."
His hands encircled her waist, preparing to lift her. Her heart sped from fluttering to frantic pounding, her breath sticking in her chest. "Klaus, I can't. I don't know how to ride."
"You will remember, you can't have forgotten that," he murmured, his voice so soft she barely heard him.
"How can I remember something I have never done?" She had no choice, Klaus was going to make her ride Joséphine whether she wanted to or not. Caroline put her right foot into the stirrup. She fully expected the poor horse to bolt, but Joséphine stood patiently for her as Klaus lifted her into the saddle. To her surprise her thighs moved to straddle the horse like she had done this a hundred times before. With both of her feet firmly in the stirrups she looked down to find Klaus grinning up at her.
"You look magnificent."
Caroline's vision wavered, the ground and Klaus looked very far away. "I have no idea what I am doing."
"You will figure it out."
Klaus answered headed back to the stable, reappearing with Napoléon. In a blur of movement he was firmly ensconced on the horse's back. Klaus made a clicking sound and Napoléon surged forward.
"He wishes to run. Give Joséphine the lead and follow me," he called over his shoulder, heading towards the water.
Caroline had no idea what to do, but her body seemed to understand what her mind did not. She flicked the reins for Joséphine to follow. To her surprise, it took only minutes for her body to feel at one with the horse. She moved with the animal, finding a comfortable rhythm that seemed natural, second nature. Like she rode a bike. Her hair flew wildly in the wind, the air slashing against her face and she discovered a new sense of freedom she never knew before. She was all-powerful, everything she could wish for in her grasp. Urging Joséphine to move faster, she caught up with Klaus.
He turned to smile at her and the happiness in his face stole its way into her heart, slipping past the shields she erected to keep him out. She tried to memorize the way he looked in this moment, how his eyes crinkled in the corners, the soft curve of his lips. She wanted this memory forever imprinted in her mind to be remembered when he was long gone from her world.
They rode together along the shore, the water occasionally splashing up from the horses flying hooves to spray them. Caroline couldn't remember the last time she knew such carefree pleasure. She outraced her troubles, leaving them behind her in the sand. They circled the island, returning to the house and Klaus pulled his reins in, signaling her to do the same.
Excitement sparkled in his eyes, a grin lighting up his face. "I knew you would ride as if you were born to it."
Caroline reached down to pat the side of the horses head. "It isn't me. It must be Joséphine."
Klaus dismounted and walked over to her. "No, love. It is all you."
He held out his hand, reaching for her and she knew exactly what to do. Swinging her leg over the side of her horse she jumped right into his waiting arms. He held her above him, his hands splayed around her waist as he slowly lowered her to the ground. The graceful, sensual movement seemed so familiar she wondered if she foreshadowed this exact moment in a dream. Bonnie would have called it some kind of déjà vu.
Caught in his embrace, it was like she revisited an old, beloved memory. Looking into his face, she realized how close they were. She only needed to lean in the slightest and she would be kissing undead heart pulsed in her chest, her whole body thrumming with the reverberations. The sinful temptation to kiss him assaulted her. Heat poured into her at how near she was to succumbing to him. She turned her head away.
Klaus sighed, the sound heavy in the air between them. Gentle as if she were made of the finest porcelain he released her.
"Thank you. That was amazing," Caroline somehow managed to speak.
"I am pleased you enjoyed my surprise." His low, throaty purr slid over her like velvet.
Caroline tipped her head up to look at him, yearning for the kiss she knew she shouldn't have. "I have never had a nicer one."
Napoléon whinnied, stamping the ground with his hoof and breaking the moment between them.
"Unlike me, Napoléon has yet to learn patience," Klaus said sardonically. "He is anxious for his dinner." Gathering Joséphine and Napoléon's reins lead them towards the stables. "I am going to go get them settled and then I will be right back."
Caroline smiled at Klaus and the retreating horses. Riding Joséphine was the most exhilarating experience of her life and she owed it all to Klaus. How did he know she would take to riding the way she did? Maybe it had something to do with her vampire abilities. She still couldn't believe he arranged the whole thing because he caught her admiring a horse the other day. How could he know how much she dreamed of riding a horse like this? What she expected to be a horrible evening was instead turning out to be one of the best, most wonderful dates she ever had. This made it all the more imperative that she remain on her guard, forcibly suppressing all the emotions and passion he aroused in her. She needed to remember the evil this man wrought, how Elena and the Salvatores were trying to find a way to kill him. He couldn't be allowed to live and she couldn't allow herself to come to care for him.
The cooling night air slid over her and she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. Since their ride the clouds rolled in. They blanketed the light from the silvery moon and stars. A hint of rain scented the air. Was their evening about to be ruined by storms? She could only hope. It would make everything so much easier. Air whispered against her back and Klaus stood behind her. She didn't turn around; choosing instead to gaze at the open water.
"Are you cold?"
Caroline shook her head.
"Then let me show you what I have prepared for you before it starts to rain."
They walked together towards the tent, the flickering candles inside a beacon in the dark night. Caroline's feet struggled in the heavy sand. Sinking deeper and deeper with every footstep, she stumbled. Klaus grabbed her, his arm wrapping around her waist to steady her. She considered complaining when the arm stayed around her, but she didn't. Enjoying the touch, she worked at convincing herself how little it meant when compared to the many other greater sins she could indulge in with him.
Stepping under the shelter of the tent, Caroline was amazed at her surroundings. Inside it appeared they walked into a formal dining room, only one that opened to the night air on all sides. A carpet covered the sand and a huge mahogany sideboard with silver domed platters sat on top of plate warmers. The table was set for two and Caroline was struck by the beauty of the china and crystal. The whole set-up was like stepping into a fancy piece of art. Never before had dined so fancily. Not even at the Lockwoods. Klaus pulled out one of the chairs for her to sit on and she noticed how even elegant that was. All delicate carved wood with what looked like a hand embroidered silk cushioned seat.
"You never do anything by halves, do you?" Caroline laughed. "You can't even do an outdoor picnic like everyone else."
"Where is the joy in that?"
Klaus picked up a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver ice bucket on the sideboard. Moisture dripped from the bottle landing on the carpet. Caroline hated to think how expensive the rug must be and how impossible it was going to be to clean the sand from it.
"Just so you know, this doesn't impress me. You could have given me beer and pizza on a blanket in the sand and I would have been happy."
Klaus looked up from the champagne bottle's label he was studying. "That is because you have never experienced the luxuries and finer things in life. You have forced yourself to become content and complacent with the mediocre life that Mystic Falls offers."
"Mystic Falls is not mediocre," Caroline threw back at him.
Klaus popped the bottle open, expertly pulling out the cork. "It is when you have been to Paris, Rome, Tokyo, London, St. Petersburg, Edinburgh…shall I continue?" He poured champagne into two crystal flutes.
"My family and friends are here. Which makes this place more important and precious to me than any of those cities."
"For how long, love?" Klaus handed her one of the glasses of champagne. "I know it seems like life begins and ends here now, but you have an existence that will span hundreds of lifetimes. Do you really think that you will be content to stay here and watch while your friends and family grow old and die?"
Caroline clutched the crystal champagne flute tightly in her hand. This was the one subject she refused to ever think about. What would happen when Elena, Bonnie and Matt started to age and she did not? When her mother's heart at last stopped beating? What would be left for her then?
"I will stay here as long as I can. As long as I am needed."
"Always so loyal," Klaus said sardonically, lifting his glass to toast her. "Then if you won't leave, I shall have to bring the world to you."
"You could go," Caroline urged, hoping to convince him. "Leave Mystic Falls and go back to those other cities with your hybrid minions. I am sure Elena would be happy to supply you blood from a distance." This was the perfect answer to everyone's problem. Elena, the Salvatores and her friends would be safe. Even Klaus.
He gave her a pitying look. "If only I could make it that easy for you. No. I go nowhere without you and my doppelgänger."
"Damon and Stefan will never let her leave and I won't go with you."
"Then I stay here and we will all have to learn to all get along then. If not, the Salvatores are easily taken care of. I have champagne older than them. Like this one for example." He flashed Caroline a wolfish smile before taking another sip of his drink. "This one dates from 1840 and is quite exceptional."
Caroline stared at the bubbly liquid in her glass. To think that this was as old as Damon and Stefan overwhelmed her. It put everything sharply in perspective. She sometimes forgot how ancient Klaus was. How much he had seen and how little of a chance they had against him. She gazed up at him, finding him staring at her intently.
"Drink, Caroline."
It was not a request.
Lifting the glass to her lips, the bubbles danced on her tongue before she tasted them. The frothy liquid filled her mouth and she savored the sharp almost bitter taste with just a trace of sweet. It tasted like nothing she ever drank before. The alcohol content swirled through her, its affect dizzyingly instant.
"A toast then." Klaus lifted his glass. "To Rome, Paris and Tokyo and our journey to get there."
She wanted to change the toast. There would be no journey for them. She had no chance. He waited patiently for her to raise her champagne flute for him and when she did he clinked his against hers. Together they drained their glasses.
"I was going to prepare a culinary taste of France for you, but as you can see there is not a proper kitchen here." Klaus swept a silver domed platter from the sideboard to lay in front of her. "So I decided to stick with something safe." With a flourish he lifted the lid to uncover a plate of still steaming waffles.
Caroline's mouth watered. Even after sitting on plate warmers this whole time they still looked flaky and soft in the middle with a crisp brown edge. They were prepared exactly the way she liked. "How did you know?"
"I questioned the waitresses around town as to what you normally ordered. I must say I do find it odd how often you order breakfast food at night," Klaus said, clearly pleased with himself.
She looked at her plate, her throat thickening with tears.
Klaus used a large ornate silver fork to spear several waffles and put them on her plate.
"It is because of my dad," Caroline forced out. My mom often worked nights and one of the few things he could cook was waffles. They were simple and quick to make. I order them because eating them makes me think of my dad."
"I'm sorry about your father. We'll eat something else."
Klaus rushed to remove the plate of waffles from the table. Caroline stopped caught his wrist.
"No. I enjoy honoring his memory this way."
Klaus let go of the plate. "Even after what he did to you? The torture he put you through?"
"He was still my dad." She ignored the crack in her voice, continuing, "He thought he helped me."
"My father wished me dead most of my life." Klaus eyes flashed gold. "His idea of helping me was to rid the world of me and my siblings."
Caroline gazed up at Klaus, sensing his anger to the pain that lay beneath. "Do you have any happy memories of him?"
"No."
"Not even when you were growing up?"
Klaus cocked his head to one side, regarding her thoughtfully. "Do you really wish to know?"
She touched her hand to his. "Yes. I do."
"When I turned 16, for my birthday my father made me a sword of fine metal. It was the first thing he ever gave me and since it was made with his own hands it was all the more special. My whole life I thought that my father hated me so I rejoiced that at last I had proof of his care. That night there was an attack on our village by werewolves and the next day he took my brothers and me on a hunt to find. We we're going to kill some of them in retaliation. They ambushed in the woods and one of the warriors took me on, shielding himself behind a tree. I swiped at him with my sword and it clashed against the wood and shattered. Do you understand what that means?"
She shook her head.
"My father made me a faulty sword on purpose. He wished me to go to battle and have my weapon break. It ensured my death at the hands of another. He didn't want to be held accountable by killing me directly. When my sword broke in two I looked into his face and I will always remember the look of hatred in his eyes. His anger that his plan didn't work. Of course, later on he had no problem trying to kill me with his own hands."
Klaus' voice, the cold flat tone of it struck an arrow into Caroline's heart.
"I'm sorry." She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. She should have never asked about his childhood or his father. It humanized even more the monster before her.
"I won't have your pity," he snarled.
"No. No pity, just my empathy."
He shook his head, the anger that simmered in him dissipating with the action. "You must be hungry. I had my chef whip up fresh cream for you. No syrup. Just the way you like to eat your waffles."
Klaus' transformation from angry hybrid to patient waiter fascinated Caroline. He placed a crystal bowl of thick whipped cream in front of her along with a platter of fresh blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Then he refilled her champagne glass and taking some waffles for himself he sat down across from her.
Now starving, she dribbled cream over her waffles, covering them artfully with the colored berries. He waited for her to begin eating, an anxious look on his face. It endeared him to her that he cared so much for her approval. Taking a bite, she moaned in pleasure. The taste was heavenly.
Satisfied at her reaction, he started to eat. Like everything else he did, he even ate gracefully. Not like Matt or Tyler, both who tore into their food like it was the last meal they ever ate. No, Klaus was methodical as he sliced through the waffles, elegantly lifting them to his mouth.
Caroline drained her champagne, awkward at watching him eat and turned to her own food. Picking up a ripe and tender strawberry, she swiped her tongue over the tip of it, catching the juices when they fell from the fruit before at last taking a bite.
Klaus made a strange, strangled noise and she looked at him. He watched her, a predatory look in his eyes. Her face heated at how her eating might have looked to Klaus.
"Everything is delicious," she said, turning her gaze back to her plate. She hoped he didn't notice how embarrassed she was.
"I am pleased, love."
A flash of lighting whitened the sky and thunder crashed. Rain streamed from the heavens, coming down fast and furious, battening at the tent's roof.
"It seems the weather has cursed our evening," Klaus shouted to drown out the rumbles of thunder.
The cold rain started to blow in the sides of the tent and Caroline shivered. The wind kicked up and their shelter began to shimmy and shake. Klaus pushed his chair back and she stood.
"We will need to make a run for it," Klaus yelled, joining her side.
"What about your things? They are going to get ruined in this weather."
Klaus looked at her like a parent does a child when they have said something ridiculous. "They are things." He took her hand. "Let's go before it gets worse."
She had no choice but to follow at his side. He pulled her from the shelter of the tent and into the raging storm. While she knew she could run fast, he was so much more powerful than her. He was forced to slow down so she could keep up to him. Arriving at the house, they were completely soaked.
"We'll go inside to dry off. The storm will pass soon," Klaus said.
He opened the door to the house and it slid open at his touch. Dark inside, the only light came from the streaks of lighting that lit the sky. Fumbling a little, Klaus at last found the light switch against the wall, flipping it. The house remained dark.
"The storm must have taken the electricity out. If I remember right, there should be candles and matches in the pantry. Stay here."
Caroline did as she was bid, taking in the room. They were in some kind of parlor or living room. It was large with a rounded turret filled with windows in one corner and in the other a large fireplace. Covered in large white sheets appeared to be a sofa, love seat and several chairs. A grand piano, its lid open and ready to be played, stood in the middle of the room. Light flickered and glowed from the hallway. It cast the room in shadows, creating ghosts of the white-sheeted furniture.
"This should work." Klaus lit a path into the room with a silver candelabra. He yanked the sheets off the furniture and clouds of dust filled the air. Uncovering a small side table he set the candelabra down. "I can't believe how long it has been since I've been here."
Shivers racked Caroline's body, the cold at last hitting her. Her clothing was soaked and clung to her like a second skin, her hair hanging like a wet curtain around her face.
"Are you cold? Let me see if I can start a fire. There should be some dry wood." Klaus knelt in front of the fireplace and striking several matches he threw them at a pile of kindling. He coaxed a flame to life. Turning around he gestured for her to join him in front of the fire.
Caroline stepped next to him, lifting her hands to the meager warmth coming from the fireplace. "Do you always keep your houses equipped like this in case of emergencies?"
"Always. I have many enemies and I never know when I am going to need a safe haven."
Were his enemies the families of his victims seeking retribution? Or were they like her and her friends, just trying to stop him from further staining the world with death and violence? Caroline shivered again.
Klaus rubbed her arms in an attempt to warm her. "We should get you out of these wet clothes."
"You're crazy if you think I am going to take my clothes off," she retorted, moving abruptly away from him and the warmth of the fire. "And don't bother to use the excuse of my catching pneumonia as a ploy to see me naked. I'm a vampire. It won't hurt me to be cold and wet."
"Do you think I need an excuse to get you naked," he asked, his voice deepening to silk. "If I wished I could have you out of your clothes in seconds, moaning with pleasure beneath me on the floor."
Caroline swallowed thickly, trying not to stare at him. His shirt clung to him beneath his jacket, outlining the hard muscles in his chest. What would it feel like to be pressed against him? Shameful heat stirred her blood, shooting it faster though her veins. "I wouldn't count on it," she retorted.
He flashed his dimples mischievously like he knew what she thought. "There should be some old clothes of Rebekah's upstairs. Take the candles and go find something warm to put on."
"I am not going to wear Rebekah's clothes. I'm just fine." Violent shivers racked her body.
"Go put something else on or I will do it myself," Klaus commanded, his voice flat and cool. "It's the first bedroom on the left."
Caroline didn't argue. She headed up the stairs, candelabra in hand.
The door was open. Caroline cautiously entered Rebekah's room. Even here everything was shrouded in white sheets. Setting down the candelabra on a tall, cherry bureau she opened the closet. Row after row of evening gowns hung before her. She ran her fingers over the luxurious fabrics, indulging in the feel of silk, satin and chiffon. Pulling some from the closet, the dresses seemed to be mostly from the turn of the century through the twenties. Even though they were old, they had aged beautifully. The tags belonged to many of the Parisian house designers she had read about. One of these dresses alone was worth a fortune.
Jealousy shaded her heart at Rebekah being able to wear them as she pleased. It wasn't fair such beauty belonged to her enemy. She slammed the closet door shut, refusing to dwell on the subject. Pulling out the drawers of the bureau, she searched for something more comfortable and plain to wear. All she found were handkerchiefs, gloves and frilly delicate underthings.
"You're not dressed yet."
Caroline startled at Klaus' accusation. "There are only evening gowns to wear."
"So wear one." Klaus threw back the closet door, walking through the dresses with his fingertips until he found one pleased him. He held it out to her. "Rebekah never wore this."
Taking the dress, Caroline moved to stand in front of the full-length beveled mirror standing in the corner of the room. She held the gown up to her reflection judging the size and how it would fit her. The gown heralded from the twenties. Floor length, sleeveless, form fitting and made of filmy, white silk it looked like it would fit. From the mirror she saw Klaus gazed at her.
"Turn around," she demanded.
Klaus chuckled, but he turned around.
Caroline slipped out of her soaking clothes. She left on her shoes to keep her feet warm and her bra and underwear. It pleased her that the white satin pair embroidered with green bows wouldn't clash with the dress. The silk slid over her skin with a whisper. She shivered in decadent delight at the touch of the fabric. Reaching for the back of the dress she tackled the tiny silk buttons. She managed two or three before she was forced to give up.
Hot air rushed behind her, warm fingers brushing against the sensitive skin of her back. With butterfly wing touches, Klaus's captured each button, putting them in their prison. Caroline stood still, heat charging into her belly, her whole body melting as the simple exercise of dressing turned into an erotically charged act.
Klaus put his hands on her shoulders, leaning in to murmur in her ear, "You look beautiful."
Caroline stared at the woman in the mirror, Her hair fell wildly around her shoulders, her lips were parted and her eyes blazed with desire. She didn't recognize her. This wanton looking back at her couldn't possibly be Caroline Forbes head cheerleader, best friend and dutiful daughter.
"We need to get back downstairs," she breathed, closing her eyes to shut out the mirror image.
Klaus pressed a searing kiss to her shoulder.
Carolin nearly gasped. Every nerve ending in her body tingled.
He caught her gaze in the mirror and the raw hunger in his eyes left her in turmoil. To be the object of such desire exhilarated and terrified her all at once.
"You teach me patience," he growled, stepping aside.
Caroline grabbed her clothes from the floor, rushing from the room. Her feet flew down the stairs until she was in front of the fireplace once more. It was safer here than the bedroom. She laid her jeans, shirt and camisole on the hearth to dry.
Klaus entered the room, tossing aside sheets like he searched for something.
"Fancy some music?" he asked, uncovering an old phonograph with a crank, sitting on a table against the wall.
"Sure." Anything was better than this silence. It gave her space in which to think and tangle her emotions up further.
Pulling some records from a built in bookshelf, he found on he liked. He placed it in the phonograph, wound the crank and set the needle. Slow, moody jazz music with a female sweetly crooning filled the air. The needle scratched the record, evoking images of smoky nightclubs, bootlegged bottles of champagne and couples slowly dancing cheek to cheek. It was romantic, sensual and completely wrong for the distance Caroline wished to create between them.
Klaus took of his wool jacket, tossing it on the back of sofa. "Dance with me, love?"
She should refuse. Should ignore the space between them cracking with lust, life and desire. Only like a moth to a flame, the tides to the moon, she was drawn to him. How could she ignore his call? It was just one dance, her traitorous heart told her brain.
In a trance, she moved towards him, her dress floating around her ankles. He held out his arms for her, clasping her right hand with his left, his other hand skimming her lower back. In his embrace, he pressed her tightly against his lean, muscular form and she liquified. Klaus led and they moved together seamlessly as one.
They danced amongst the flickering light, creating swirling shadows on the walls. Their footsteps made intricate patterns in the dust covered wood floor and Caroline tried to forget she was dancing with evil. Forget that she feared him and the things he made her feel, made her want.
"Look at me, Caroline," Klaus rasped.
She lifted her gaze to his, terrified of what he would read in her face. Caroline stared into his dark, blue eyes, mesmerized by the feral gold flecks illuminated in the firelight. She was drowning, falling into him. Klaus leaned in, his mouth a breath away, tempting and waiting for her. Caroline was reminded of Eve enticed by the forbidden fruit. Already losing the battle, she lifted her lips to his and fell.
Klaus' mouth swooped down, his lips moving silkily over hers with little languid brushes. It was beguiling, lulling and her mouth parted with a soft sigh. Klaus deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping over hers. She clutched at his shirt and drew him even closer. Their bodies brushed together and white-hot flames, blazed between them. Now his mouth no longer coaxed, it demanded. She succumbed, falling deeper and deeper into his web of seduction. Frenzied, hard - it was like she spent an eternity waiting for this.
Hands caressed her back and through the silk of her gown her skin, her skin scorched her. He pulled his mouth from hers, trailing kisses down the side of her neck. He nipped lightly at the spot where her pulse once beat a steady tattoo and her blood exploded with want. Caroline was losing herself to him with every passing moment. So close to the brink, Caroline forced herself to think of her friends, her mother and, last of all, Tyler. How could she betray them and everything they stood for? This was insanity and it must be stopped before it destroyed her. Gathering all her strength, all her will power she pushed herself from him. Stepping away from him her body's traitorous yearning to once more be in his arms nearly consumed her.
"You can't do this! You can't give me the most magical evening of my life and then kiss me," Caroline threw at him, her hand clutching her heaving chest.
"Why not?"
"Because it's not fair. You need to make with the evil, do some torturing and killing."
"Is that would you would prefer?" Klaus flashed her his dimples, his lips twitching with laughter. "It is rather last minute, but I am sure I could arrange something."
Caroline wanted to scream with frustration. Her emotions were so tangled in knots she worried she would never be able to straighten them out. "I am sure you could and that is why this," she paused to point at him and then back at herself, "this will never work."
"Even though I gave you the most magical evening of your life?" Klaus took a step towards her. "Because this is just the beginning. A taste of what I have in store for you."
"Well, you have to stop."
"Why?"
"Because no matter how amazing your gifts are or how incredible all this is you are still the villain and — and I hate you," Caroline snapped, hoping to provoke his anger and get him to say or do something that would ruin the entire evening.
Klaus smiled, his gaze tender on her.
Caroline wanted to slap that look off his face, but she didn't dare. "I want to go home. Now."
"Your clothes aren't dry yet."
Stalking over to her clothes she picked them up realizing with anger he was right. "I don't care."
Klaus pulled the garments from her hands. "I'll take you home. But I don't want you putting these wet clothes back on. You will be miserable wearing them."
"Fine." Without a backwards glance at Klaus she strode out the door. The storm outside was over except in her heart and mind it still raged. With barely controlled impatience she waited for Klaus to open the car door for her. Slipping in the seat, she stared straight ahead at the road the whole way back to Mystic Falls. This night, Klaus forced her to recognize how much she enjoyed his company, desired him even. The revelation threw her whole world into imbalance. So near her breaking point, she was relieved he focused on his driving instead of her.
After three in the morning when they pulled up in front of her house, she was glad her mother wasn't home. Caroline glared at him when he opened the car door for her.
"You don't have to walk me to the door. You can just go," she forced out, her tone bordering on rude.
"Our date isn't over until I see you safely back in your house." He smirked, not at all taken aback by her attitude
Caroline pulled her key out of her purse and worked it into the lock, grateful when it didn't stick like normal. Opening the door she, she startled when Klaus slammed it shut.
"I am not going to kiss you goodnight," Caroline snapped, giving him her coldest stare.
"No, love. I think you already did that. Quite nicely I might add."
The pleased note of satisfaction in his voice had her hand itching to slap him. "I can guarantee it won't ever happen again."
Klaus leaned in and her heart leapt into her throat. Was he going to attempt attempt to kiss her?
He skimmed the side of her cheek with his hand, the slight touch roaring through her blood, inciting her desire for him again.
"Pretend to hate me if it makes you feel better, Caroline, but we both know the truth. I am in your head and soon I will be in your heart."
Klaus turned and left her on the doorstep. When he drove away, she bit her lip to keep from weeping.