So this may be another OOC Caroline, but whatever I don't care. My birthday is on Friday so read and review and send me some love. xoxo my lovelies!

Someone holds me safe and warm
horses prance through a silver storm
Figures dancing gracefully
across my memory

Caroline was once again, was deserted on another major holiday. Her mother was working a double shift, and was not likely to return until after the holiday madness subsided in town. Elena and Jeremy left to visit friends of their parents out in Delaware and Bonny was visiting some distant relatives in Florida. In only a matter of hours Caroline had baked nearly six-dozen different types of cookies, made and decorated a gingerbread house and finished her Christmas shopping. Her house was decorated beautifully, with softly glowing lights all around and a beautifully decorated tree situated in the corner adorned with homemade decorations from her childhood.

Caroline huffed loudly, finally feeling the loneliness start to creep its way into her dead heart. After she had caught Tyler and Hayley together, their pretend "ruse" had finally given way to something real and Caroline gave up, for good. Grabbing her still warm cookies and a glass of milk, she settled herself on the couch hoping to pass the time with a corny Christmas movie or five. After watching "A Christmas Story" twice, as well as "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" she was about to give up and go to sleep when one of the images on the TV sparked something insider her. She flipped the channel back to see an achingly familiar scene played across the screen. It was the animated movie "Anastasia". It wasn't really a Christmas movie, but Caroline found herself not being able to tear her eyes away from the screen.

When she was a small girl she remembered begging her father to take her to see it at the local movie theater for her birthday. Though it was many years ago, Caroline remembered how her father had comforted her when Rasputin's minions frightened her on the large screen. Tears began to form on her eyelids as she tried to hastily brush them away before they could fall. She turned her head from the TV and looked outside, hoping that perhaps it had started to snow, but there was none. It was still too warm in Mystic Falls for the winter wonderland she always dreamed of around Christmas time. She glanced back to the screen to watch Anastasia trudge through the Russian snow singing merrily without a care and she felt jealous almost. She was disappointed for a moment about the snow, when a ludicrous idea popped into her head and an unwanted accented voice in her head cooed to her: I dare you.

Without wasting another second, she blurred up to her room and grabbed her largest suitcase from the closet before she started throw all of her warmest clothes into it, singing merrily to the theme song of the movie. She was flying around the house, gathering all necessary items and leaving a note for her mother. She was gathering her makeup and curling iron from her bathroom when a familiar figure in her room startled her and she immediately stopped singing.

"Going somewhere, love?" Klaus was sitting on her bed, sprawled out comfortably as if he ever right to lounge there. She ignored him and chose to hum instead while she continued to pack her suitcase, mentally checking things off her list. She had her passport, cash, and her identification. Still ignoring Klaus who eyes followed her as she darted around the room, she finally moved to closet to grab a change of warmer clothes and moved back to her bathroom. When she returned he was no longer there and she breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't have the energy to verbally spar with him tonight and she knew better than to tell him her crazy plan because she knew he would follow her.

She did a final check on the house, before locking it up. She loaded her suitcase in the trunk of her car and took off for the airport, grinning like a mad woman at her impulsive plan. She cranked up the radio to listen to the all the holiday music and found herself laughing out loud when Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" floated over her speakers. She would be damned that if her one Christmas wish wouldn't come true, then she would make it happen. Pulling into the airport, she deposited her car and booked her international flight out of Mystic Falls. For once in her life, Caroline was winging it. No plan, only impulse, and it felt spectacular.

As the airplane touched down in St. Petersburg, Caroline beamed with delight to see snowflakes gently falling from the sky. As she collected her bags, she managed to find an English-speaking taxi driver to take her to the Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria. When she arrived at the elegant hotel, she was overcome with what she had done. Picking up and leaving town without hardly telling anyone and getting away with it was an accomplishment for her. With slight guilt, she compelled the concierge to give her a top floor suite, as the pent house was occupied already. After she settled into her room, and ordered a lavish dinner Caroline decided to soak for a while in the large porcelain bath, that was large enough to be considered a small pool. A glass of red wine in one hand, and Anna Karenina in the other Caroline was truly in heaven. When the water finally lost its appeal, she changed into warm pajamas before sliding into her large bed, and instantly fell asleep amongst the Egyptian cotton sheets.

As she awoke the next morning, Caroline forgot where she was a moment and had a mini panic attack. Only after she realized that it wasn't a dream she laughed at herself for being such a spaz. After eating a quick breakfast and changing into her warmest clothes she set off to explore all the sites the city could offer. Guidebook in hand, Caroline decided on visiting the Hermitage as it was within walking distance. Once inside, Caroline was speechless at the priceless works of art in the galleries. As she walked through the different halls, a nagging thought kept nudging at her brain. Somewhere within these halls was a painting, a landscape to be specific that he had done. Not allowing herself to even think his name, she searched all the rooms in vain of finding it. Perhaps he had it under a different name, or perhaps it was no longer here. Defeated, she moved towards the exit when a large oil painting of a rocky shoreline during a storm caught her eye. It portrayed so much anger and sadness that she found herself staring at it for at least ten minutes.

"I see you found my painting at last."

Caroline audibly sighed. "How long have you been stalking me, Klaus?" She turned around to see the smirking hybrid standing a few feet behind her.

"Stalking has such connotations, love. I'm merely basking in your presence." She rolled her eyes and turned back to the painting. She tried to ignore his presence again, but he moved closer towards her until their arms were nearly touching.

"It's impressive." She glanced towards him. He smiled serenely at her, pleased with her approval, once again. They lingered there for a few more minutes before the silence became too much and Caroline had to break it.

"How did you find me?"

"I read your note." She blushed.

"Well, I should be going, more to see." She moved closer to the exit when his warm, callused hand grabbed hers gently. "Let me show you, sweetheart." Caroline felt her brain and her heart fighting over his words. Her brain knew better than to allow him dig into her life even more than he already had while her heart was wishing that she wouldn't spend the holiday allow, after all tomorrow was Christmas day. It wasn't an even fight.

"Okay."

Klaus's knowledge of the landmarks history in St. Petersburg never ceased to amaze her throughout the rest of the afternoon. He was able enlighten her with all these facts and stories that only a person living through the time could tell. When the approached the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, he quietly told her of the time he had spent with the Romanov family right before the revolution in 1918. Moving slowly and silently together they ventured into the magnificent cathedral. Caroline almost felt blasphemous in being in such a holy place, but when Klaus grabbed her hand and gave in a reassuring squeeze she knew he understood her doubts. When they reached the marble burial room for the Romanovs, Caroline couldn't help but cry silently at the terrible crime that had been committed nearly a century ago. After paying their respects, they decided to venture back slowly back the hotel, looking into small shops along the way.

Standing inside the lavish elevator, Caroline was amazed at the wonderful experience she had. The entire day she didn't think about all the problems back home, the drama that was always centering on Elena and the Salvatores. For once, she was the center of attention, and it felt nice. When the elevator dinged at her floor, Klaus being the eternal English gentleman walked her back to her suite. Card key in hand, Caroline turned to Klaus who was idling silently behind her. "Thank you for today." She had honestly enjoyed his company and it made her feel even more remorseful for her previous harsh treatment of him back in Mystic Falls. Perhaps it was the change of location and lack of certain company that allowed her to feel so relaxed around him.

"Your most welcome, Caroline." As he started to retreat back to the elevator, Caroline made another impulsive decision. She sped over to him as he had just stepped into the elevator, and without a word she pulled him into a hug. In his shock it took him a moment to respond, but soon he reciprocated and pulled her even closer, locking his arms around her waist. After what felt like a blissfully short time she pulled away before giving him a quick peck on the cheek before he could say anything to her actions. She shot him a dazzlingly bright smile, and then exited the elevator allowing him to continue back to his floor.

When she got back to her room, Caroline collapsed onto her bed in a fit of giggles. The look of shock of Klaus's face was priceless, but after spending the day with him he was deserving of such affection. A sudden knock at her door a few minutes disrupted her thoughts and she made her way to the door. When she opened it, the hallway was empty, save for a white envelope on top of a large white box at her feet. She picked the package up and brought it back into the room. Sitting on her bed, she opened the thick white envelope.

Join me for dinner at 8? –Klaus

She smiled and opened the large white box. The dress inside it was blood red satin dress. Gently, she pulled it out and laid it on the bed only to admire it even more. She had some primping to do as it was almost seven and she rushed into the large ensuite bathroom. She curled her hair into loose ringlets and did a light amount of makeup. Just as the clock turned to eight, there was a light knock on the door. Grabbing her black clutch, Caroline opened the door to see a formally dressed Klaus waiting for her.

"You look ravishing, love." He extended an arm and she took it as he led her down the hallway and into the elevator. The only traveled up one floor to the penthouse where Klaus was residing. She had yet to release herself from his firm grip, even after they entered his room. The view from the living room was absolutely breath taking as the city was even more dazzling at night. Klaus led to them to a small table set up near the blazing fireplace in the formal dining room. Their meal of consisted of a few Russian delicacies, followed by black cherry ice cream and hot tea. Their conversation ranged from the experiences of the day as well as more of Klaus's stories of his time spent in Russia. As the meal was cleared from the room by the wait staff, Klaus led her back into the main living room for a nightcap. As he poured them each a glass of bourbon, Caroline stood in front of the glass windows, watching the snowfall gently from the heavens.

A slow rendition of "White Christmas" filled the room, as Klaus had turned on the sound system. He appeared from behind her handing her glass. She took it and quickly downed it much to her surprise and his before setting the glass down on the table. She held out her hand, which he took gently and pulled her into his arms, swaying them slowly to the music. Caroline leaned her head against his chest as they moved around the room, enjoying each other's company.

"Thank you." She murmured against him. She felt him gently stroking her soft curls and relished at the soothing feeling. Soon, the combination of the day's events was causing Caroline to slowly be lulled into sleep. Klaus must have felt her drifting as he slowly pulled away from her only to scoop her into his arms. He carried her to his room, laying her gently on the bed. Once he had changed into his sleepwear and removed her shoes, Klaus laid a thick blanket over the two of them and together the drifted into sleep.

The next morning's rising sun awoke Caroline from her slumber. Forgetting her surroundings she panicked for a moment before she remembered the events of last night. Sighing she settled back into her pillow, as the figure next to her stirred by her movements.

"Merry Christmas, love." His voice was gruff as he woke up more.

"Merry Christmas." She moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest.

"You know what I was just thinking?"

His eyes were still closed, but a smile played across his lips.

"Hmm?"

"I bet Christmas in Paris would be even better, or Rome or Tokyo," she mentioned casually, glancing up at him. He opened his eyes and grinned boyishly at her.

"Then we have some packing to do, love."