Post 4x07 AU For Valentine's Day, my lovelies. Fluffy enough that it might make you sick. Caroline is probably way too OOC but I don't care.

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me, heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose

Caroline felt equal pleasure and pain as each footfall pounded onto the cold pavement of the street. Each step echoed in her mind a new word to express her bitter anger. Cheater. Liar. Betrayed. Her breaths were ragged, almost panting as she ran through the familiar back streets of quiet Mystic Falls. It had become a new habit since she had broken up with Tyler. His need for revenge against Klaus had finally pushed them apart and drove him into the arms of Hayley right under her nose at the same time. That night she discovered them after the pageant in his room she ran across two state lines before stopping from shear exhaustion. Ever since that night it became a ritual. It wasn't like she needed the exercise, but she still felt the rush of adrenaline every time she hauled herself out of bed for these excursions that could last for hours if she was feeling inclined. She always changed her routes for fear of being tracked by any stray council members or hunters, but somehow she always ended up in the woods near a certain Original hybrid's mansion when she came back into Mystic Falls. It was the beautiful nature that attracted her to this spot she kept telling herself and it was just merely a coincidence.

It wasn't until she looked up at the inky night sky and saw the full moon rising over the tree line that she realized her terrible error. She needed to get out of the woods immediately. The werewolf population had spiked over the past few months for an unknown reason and Caroline was smack in the middle of their known territory. She kept moving back to town limits when she heard a baying howl cut through the night air. The joining chorus of howls caused her blood to freeze instantly in her veins. She pushed herself to move faster when a massive blur of black fur launched itself from her right side. The wolf collided with her body in a painful twist of limbs. Caroline immediately righted herself after she hit the ground, getting back on her feet. She was trying to outmaneuver the wolf that was now starting to circle her. She glanced up at the trees, wondering if she should just hide in one of them for the night like Katniss, but as soon as her eyes left the creature it took advantage of her distraction. It attacked with no hesitation. She had never screamed with such fear in her life.

Sharp, stinging pain radiated through Caroline's arm as she threw it up to block her neck from the wolf's sharp teeth that no doubt had the power to rip her throat out. She cried out as the venom hit her bloodstream moments later. Summoning what strength she still had, she aimed a kick at the wolf, throwing it yards backwards into a tree. It stunned the creature, before it got up, easily shaking off the attack. Caroline's mind raced as she watched the creature eye her with what looked like victory. She was now the prey and her life would end tonight because of her own stupidity. She waited for the attack as the wolf drew closer at an alarming rate, but then from behind her another wolf snarled. Caroline looked back at the wolf that was larger than the one that was ready to finish her off. The new male had fur the color of summer wheat and eyes a piercing shade of sky blue. A flood of recognition hit her. It was Klaus. It had to be him.

A growl ripped through the air as the larger wolf came to stand moved closer towards her and stood protectively over her huddled figure. When the other wolf refused to back down to Klaus's alpha status, he attacked. Caroline closed her eyes as sounds of ripping, yelping, and whimpers echoed around her. What seemed like minutes was only seconds as she felt a cold nose gently nuzzle her cheek. Caroline opened her eyes, seeing Klaus, who was clearly the victor and once again her savior. He whimpered at her nudging her bitten arm, and she understood. With his support and help, she was able to stand. Garnering all the remaining strength she had left, she followed Klaus at the quickest pace she could manage. He kept moving all around her as she stumbled through the trees, in a fast paced circling pattern, eyes and ears open waiting for another attack.

As they reached the edge of the woods and his mansion came into view, Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. She pushed herself to keep moving forward as she made it up the stairs and inside to the foyer before finally collapsing on the cold hard marble floor. Klaus whined in distress and shot up the stairs like bullet only to return as his human form half dressed in a pair of dark washed jeans moments later. Caroline felt him pull her into his lap before he offered his wrist to her to drink from. For the second time, she relished the taste of his spicy blood as is flowed into her mouth. She stopped after she knew she had taken more than her fill and she let Klaus carry her exhausted body upstairs.

She was somewhat coherent as he laid her on a soft golden duvet in a dimly lit room that was adorned with paintings on every wall. She felt him strip her of her running shoes and place a soft fleece blanket over her nearly dormant figure. Through all of this he never spoke a word aloud, but when she finally looked him in the eyes she saw everything he felt. His pale blue eyes were raw with fear, relief, anger, and compassion. A grim look settled itself permanently on his face. She felt his warm hand brush her bangs off of her face before his hand stoked her cheek with tenderness. She turned into the gesture, reeling in the feeling of his weathered fingers, no doubt a consequence of his centuries of painting. She saw him turn to leave after giving her a slight nod and half a smile when she finally called out.

"Stay," she pleaded helplessly. She didn't want to be alone tonight. He froze instantly, nearly at the door and turned back to face her. His eyes were wary, but filled with dim hope.

"Please," she said even more quietly. He moved towards her and with slow motions joined her on the other side of the bed. His movements were unnaturally stiff, as he lay back on the pillows, nothing like his usual refined demeanor. She shifted closer and he met her in the middle of the bed, wordlessly understanding her need for comfort. She rested her head on him cautiously, in fear that he would reject her. When he did not deny her, she was soothed by the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest that was taking unnecessary breaths.

"Thank you," she breathed. Again, he said nothing, but she could feel his answer as he tucked his arm around her, pulling her even closer to his form, curling her into him. Soon, the calming motion of his breaths combined with her feelings of security allowed her to drift off to a dreamless state.

When she awoke the next morning, Caroline felt an overwhelming hunger coupled with confusion as to her surroundings. The warm body underneath her was a clear indication that last night was no mere fantasy or dream. Klaus in his sleep was an appealing visual. His face was incredibly relaxed and almost boyish with no harsh lines marring his features. Caroline settled her head back on his chest, deciding that leaving was a less appealing option over staying. She had never been held like this before, like she was something to be treasured, something precious. Later, when she felt a hand combing through her hair, she realized that she must have fallen back asleep. She opened her eyes again, blue meeting blue, and blushed. She turned away from his piercing gaze and cuddled back into his chest, like a lazy cat.

"Morning," she mumbled, closing her eyes again trying to hide her embarrassment. His juvenile laugher filled the air, "More like afternoon, sweetheart. You've slept the day away." His tone was teasing, playful. She had missed this Klaus. The one who teased her over her Miss Mystic Falls application and her words ending in "spire".

"Girl needs her beauty sleep," she said, eyes still closed shut. He continued to run his fingers through her hair and she gave him no discouragement, it was a lovely feeling that she had missed out on when dating Matt and Tyler. Neither treated her with such affection and care.

"You're already beautiful, Caroline." She opened her eyes to see the sincerity in his.

"Charmer," she said as she moved to stretch. She looked at her arm, noticing the unmarred skin where the painful bite had been hours before. She looked back at him and smiled, "Thanks for the rescue last night."

His face was troubled for a moment before he took on an air of casualness. "You were lucky I was out running in the woods."

"Why?" She was curious now as she sat up taking in his bed-rumpled figure. She knew by breaking the hybrid curse that he didn't have to transition if he didn't want to, so why put himself through that pain.

"The moon was calling," he said vaguely. She nodded, not really understanding. It must be a wolf thing.

"What were you doing out in the woods on a full moon, love?" His voice was clearly laced with displeasure at her reckless actions.

"I honestly forgot. I've been going for these long runs every night and I wasn't thinking about the lunar cycle," she confessed absent-mindedly tugging at her long sleeves. She was now sitting Indian style on his bed while he was still laid back, watching her every movement.

"Please try to be more careful Caroline, I won't always be around to save you," he said offhandedly.

Her eyes shot back up at him. "Are you leaving?" She asked in disbelief. She had gotten so accustomed to his presence in her life, that his absence would be felt painfully.

"I've been planning on leaving for many weeks now." His words were so casual and yet they cut her so deeply as if he had shouted it at her.

"Oh," she mumbled, tearing her eyes away from him and looking out the large bay window in his room. It was pouring rain outside as torrents were streaming down the large glass panes. How fitting, she thought because she felt like crying now. She untangled her legs and slid off the bed with as much dignity as she could maintain.

"I should be going, my mom's probably got a search party out looking for me," she babbled with no conviction behind her words. No one would notice if she went missing for three days let alone twelve hours. In a flash she was out of his room and outside trudging through the growing storm. She hadn't made it two feet off of his property when she felt hands grab her from behind.

"What the hell are you doing, Caroline?" He hissed, now drenched as well as he started pulling her in the opposite direction, back towards his house. He got her to the marble steps outside the front door before she was able to break his grip on her.

"I'm trying to go home," she growled. He scoffed and pulled her back inside and upstairs to the large ensuite bathroom in his room. Gone in a flash, he returned to place a grey cotton t-shirt and a pair of black sweatpants on the counter.

"You're shaking, love. Get warmed up and then come find me. It's too violent out there for you to go home just yet," he commanded before giving her a once over and then shut the door behind him.

Just as he obeyed, Caroline re-emerged from the bathroom, clean and dry thanks to a hair dryer she had found while poking around. She had never been so underdressed with Klaus around. It unnerved her, as she felt more secure in her heels and dresses. She climbed down the stairs and after looking in a few room, she found him sitting in what she dubbed their "room." She glanced at the stolen Monet on the wall as she moved closer to his position by the roaring fireplace. There was soft French music drifting through the room, but it escaped her notice as she curled onto the couch. He turned from his spot by the fireplace, and approached her warily as if he thought she would run again. He held out his hand, and understanding his request, she took it. He pulled her to a standing position and then closer towards him until they were in a dancer's embrace.

She always regretted never dancing with him at the pageant when she could have had the chance. But now, clad in his clothes with the music, the dim lighting, and the lack of any interlopers she decided this was better. And if he was leaving, it could be their last dance for a long time.

"Why were you so upset when I said I was leaving?" He asked, no preamble, just directly going into an interrogation. She considered lying, but he would see through that no doubt, so she countered him with the same bluntness.

"I'm not ready for you to not be here." He stopped and moved the arm that was wrapped around her waist to cup her cheek. He stroked her face and sighed a little, almost as if exasperated.

"I never said I wanted to go alone." Her heart stopped at his confession. If he was suggesting what she thought he was, she was feeling reckless enough to accept.

"Is that an invitation?"

"I've already asked you."

"Rome, Paris, Tokyo," she repeated back. He smiled brightly. She looked over his shoulder at the rain that was continuing to poor down.

"I miss the sun. Can we go somewhere warm, with white sandy beaches?" She half asked and half stated.

"I have a small home in Bali," he offered. "I told you before, anywhere you want. I'd do anything to make you happy, Caroline."

She bit her lip, as all the scenarios surrounding her sudden departure with him flooded her mind. She knew how it would affect everyone in Mystic Falls. She chose herself and her happiness for once.

"Take me away from here."

Totes called Jeremy dying in tonight's episode. Klaus speaking foreign languages kills me. JoMo speaking french is even sexier, YouTube it. Review my lovelies, xoxo