Caroline stopped at the hospital to do her usual checks on her patients before running to attend to another expecting mother. The halls bustled with people, but she walked in a daze, replaying her argument with Klaus in her mind while she still had time to dwell. He made her so angry sometimes that she thought she'd eventually blow a gasket, but she also knew the other side of him, that made her feel so loved and as if she was the most important person in his world. She wanted to skin him alive for making her feel that way sometimes and the night before was no different. His charming words ran through her mind, at odds with his past actions. The worst part was that she wanted to forgive him. He had done his time and she knew now that he'd spent it wallowing, as he was so good at. She just wished he'd learn how to get out of his own way of happiness. He tried, she knew that too. He'd conceded to Elijah's requests, tempered his pride and asked for help, given her space and hadn't pushed her. He was changing little by little into the man she always knew he could be. What would it take for her to invest in him again though? Should she?

Without looking where she was going, she bumped into James. James, she thought. Caring and safe James. Someone who she knew she could never feel half of the way she did for Klaus and that was one of the reasons she liked him. She didn't have to give her full self to him. It wasn't fair though, she thought as he greeted her with a kiss to her cheek. She smiled up at him as she always did, admiring the way his dark hair was always expertly coifed like Douglas Fairbanks. So handsome and smart. He was a catch and if she were anyone else, she would have thought she was the luckiest woman in the world to be noticed by him. But she was her, and sometimes she thought she must be the patron saint of the impossible cause.

"Are you free for dinner?" he asked kindly. "There's something I wanted to discuss."

Her heart squeezed in trepidation, but she nodded. And when she gave her hand a light kiss before walking off to see a new patient, she didn't feel any butterflies. She didn't feel the excitement she should have been feeling and absolutely knew then that she wasn't being fair. When did her life become such a mess? Klaus, she thought. Ever since his appearance she'd been in a state. Who was she kidding, ever since she'd met him, she'd been in a state.

She stomped down the hall, making her way to check on her patient who'd had a difficult birth. She took a deep steadying breath before pushing back her shoulders and putting all her worries into a box that she could examine later before entering the room, smiling at the sight of the new mother and baby.

ooOoo

"I've decided to blame you," Caroline stated as soon as Katherine opened the door to the townhome.

"May I ask what I did?"

"Ugh, Klaus! Everything about Klaus. I just had to come visit you." Katherine stood, indulgently leaning against the door as she ranted. "If I'd never come than I would have never met him. I wouldn't be so damn stuck on him!"

"And you'd instead be back in Mystic Falls, stuck in a loveless marriage with Tyler, working two or three jobs to make ends meet, you would have spent your time sitting at the falls and wondering what your life could have been." Caroline deflated, although she wanted to block out Katherine's words. "Instead, you worked you heiny off and proved a woman could be a doctor, you have a job you love, you have friends who care about you and even though he's not my ideal man, you have one that loves you and you love back. It sounds to me you have a pretty good life and should be thanking me."

She rolled her eyes. "That's not going to happen."

Katherine smirked. "So, I'm guessing dinner with Dr. Perfect didn't go as planned."

She was silent for a moment. "He asked me to marry him."

Katherine laughed this time. "Aren't you tired of being proposed to?"

Caroline ignored her friend. "I said no." She sat on the stoop and Katherine joined her after closing the front door. "I couldn't do that to him."

"At least you didn't run away from him like you did Tyler."

"I don't know what's wrong with me. James was perfect. Smart, funny, caring and handsome. He really was perfect."

"And boring." Katherine sighed. "You can't help who you love sometimes and you never loved him. Sometimes I think you tolerated him at best. You've always needed someone who challenges you and you can challenge right back. James was perfect, but not for you."

She sighed. "We were better friends," she admitted. "Klaus just aggravates me so much. Sometimes I just want to strangle him."

"He aggravates you because you're fighting your feelings." She sighed. "Care, I know he's made a lot of mistakes and I'm the very last person who would say this to you, but he's changing for the good."

"I know."

"When will you stop punishing each other? Holding yourself back is hurting you. I see the looks you give him when you think no one is watching. I saw you dance at my birthday. As much as I hate to admit it, you two are…epic. But the big question is, can you trust him again and move forward?"

She looked at her friend. "I still love him and a part of me has forgiven him already. I know he's trying to prove himself, but what if he falls right back into his old ways?"

Katherine shrugged. "You'll be there to kick his behind back on track. He worships you."

Her face reddened at the words. "Maybe we could take things slow."

Katherine smiled and patted her knee. "Good idea."

ooOoo

He'd been surprised, yet pleased when she'd asked him to come for dinner. He wished he'd had more money to treat her the way she should be treated, like a queen. He would have taken her to a romantic out of the way restaurant, somewhere they could have alone time and talk. He'd flirt with her, something that came naturally when she was around. He knew they had both grown, but he was sure he'd still be able to coax out the beautiful blush he remembered. But instead, he stood in front of her door, a meager bouquet of wildflowers he'd collected from Montrose Beach and tied with a simple ribbon Katherine had given him. A part of him felt ashamed giving her the flowers, but he knew Caroline. She'd never been impressed by his extravagant gifts. In fact, she'd often rebuked them.

After a moment to collect himself, he knocked on the door and his breath caught as he took her in. Even in a simple floral cotton dress, she exuded beauty and he knew he couldn't screw up this chance she was giving him. He had a feeling it would be his last.

Thankfully she allowed him in, taking the flowers with a warm smile, making the pressure in his chest lift a little. "I'm glad you like them."

"They're beautiful." He went to speak, but she cut him off. "Let me guess, not a beautiful as me?" she supplied with a teasing smile and he couldn't help the grin that took over his face.

"You know me too well."

Her laugh was like music to his ears as she turned and walked deeper into her home. "I hope you like stew."

Her house was immaculate, but he expected nothing less. Thin and frilly curtains hung around the window frames, allowing the setting sun to light the rooms. Pictures of friends and family lined the walls and had him glancing around. "Your home is lovely," he acknowledged as he followed her to a quaint living room, a glass of lemonade appearing in his hand.

"Thank you. I feel like I'm never here on account of work though."

"Sounds like you need a vacation."

She smiled and he found himself starting to count all the times it appeared. "Actually, I'm thinking of taking a trip to Mystic Falls to see my parents."

"It would be a nice train ride this time of year. I bet the foliage would be something to see." He almost cringed at their small talk, but as she quite often did, she surprised him with her next line of questioning.

"I've been curious, about your time away."

He could tell she couldn't bring herself to say the word prison, but he obliged her. He knew he had to open himself up to her if they were to move on and he found himself wanting to open up to her. He wanted to tell her everything about his life and he wanted to know every detail of hers since they'd been apart. He'd been truthful during their argument. All those years ago he'd wanted to marry her. He wondered if he would have broken down and spontaneously asked her the night of their first date. But he decided he had to stop thinking so much.

"It was…boring," he finally answered with a small smile. When she prodded him lightly, he continued. "I would sit and play cards in my cell most days. I tried to stay out of trouble as Elijah demanded, so I tried to separate myself from the others."

"A lone wolf," she commented. "You didn't make any friends?"

"I didn't want any. I guess I figured it would be better that way. I refused to see anyone when they visited." He looked at her with sad apologetic eyes. "It was a part of my self-imposed penance, I suppose."

"You said you tried to stay out of trouble?"

He sighed, setting his lemonade on the coffee table. "There was a scuffle or two. One landed me in the infirmary, but everything turned out fine."

She gasped, her eyebrows drawn in as she slipped onto the couch cushion beside him. "What happened? How'd they hurt you? Where did they hurt you?"

He shrugged off her worry, but she was adamant. "Everything is fine now. It was nothing serious." Just thinking of the gash made his side hurt again, but he changed the subject. "How's work with Alaric?" But she wouldn't be deterred.

"Show me," she demanded, her expression turning into one of professionalism.

He sighed at her insistence and untucked the side of his shirt, showing her the ugly raised scar that marked the area near his left kidney. Her gasp had him trying to cover it back up, but she stopped him.

"This isn't a scratch, Klaus. Who even sewed it up? A person off the street?"

"I would say, the doctor there wasn't too concerned with making it look nice."

She let out a frustrated huff. "What's his name? He should be reported to the medical board."

He took her hand from the skin she'd been absently stroking and brought it to his lips. "It's fine. It's healed."

"You could have died with a wound like this." He could tell she was getting herself worked up. "It's close to your kidney for God's sake. What if it had been nicked? Not to mention the doctor did a terrible job. They should be glad it didn't get infected."

It had, but he didn't want to tell her that. "It's in the past, Love. Although I'm flattered you care so much."

She gave him an angry look that he knew wasn't exactly directed at him. "You could have died," she murmured, her eyes glossing over.

His thumb caressed her cheek, bringing her eyes to his. "It's fine, Caroline. No other harm was done." Her hand came up, cupping his jaw lightly and he gave into the desire to lean his forehead against hers. "I promise you."

She let out a sigh and she leaned slightly away so their eyes could meet. "I would have never known."

He couldn't help himself as he glanced down at her pink lips. "I know. It's my fault."

"How do you make me so angry and yet, every time I…" she didn't finish her sentence, but he knew. Knew she still loved him as much as he did her. He'd felt it little by little every time they'd been around one another, but in that moment, he could feel her feelings were just as strong as his. There had never been any denial of their connection, even all those years ago. But he knew, all the emotions she'd hidden since she'd seen him again, were just that, hidden. She'd covered them with hostility, but now they were raw and out in the open for him to see.

Slowly and hesitantly, he brought his face closer to hers, glancing at her lips when her tongue swept out. He was practically salivating with the urge to bring his lips down to hers. "Caroline…"

"Kiss me already," she demanded lightly and brought their lips together, finally.

The kiss was slow as they explored, but had him breathing heavily and never wanting to come up for air. He always thought she'd been a marvelous kisser, but these kisses, after going so long without them, were extraordinary. He poured every repressed feeling he had into the kiss and he could feel the emotion that streamed from her. His hands ran down her spine, delighting him when she shivered. His lips demanded he move to her neck, but he wouldn't give up her lips, nor would he push her too far too soon. But she pulled away, his lips wanting so badly to chase her.

She stood and held out her hand. "Come with me," she whispered and he had no choice but to follow. It felt like his will was never his own. She controlled his heart since all those dreadful years ago.

Up the stairs she led him, gently leading him into her bedroom. He stopped as they got to the threshold. "Caroline, this isn't-" but was cut off as she rushed him, pulling his head down to crash her lips into his. It took him less than a millisecond to respond in kind. They weren't gentle with one another, as their couplings had been in the past. There had always been passion, but this passion had been built up for a decade and it was like a flood gate being opened. She pulled at his clothes as the buttons of her blouse dropped to the floor, but she didn't even notice as they none too gently sucked or scratched any piece of skin they could get to. Before Caroline's hands could reach his belt, he had her lifted and thrown on the floral bedspread, covering her a moment later with his needy body. He kissed his way down her chest as she laid back, her mind whirling and foggy from the lust that permeated the air. In a swift move he didn't see coming, he was suddenly on his back, Caroline kissing down his stomach and he couldn't do anything but breathe as his anticipation grew at her ferocity. His pants vanished before he could even blink, but as a warm tongue touched the hot flesh of him, his mind only knew pleasure. His hands fisted the soft sheets and his eyes closed as he concentrated on his breath and not the wet tongue that glided up and down his shaft mercilessly. But it was too much, a moment longer and he'd be spent. He hauled her up and twisted, pressing her into the mattress below him, a Cheshire grin painted on her face. He didn't bother with finesse as he ripped her panties, letting them float to the floor in a tattered heap. It was time for her to get a taste of her own medicine, he thought as his tongue swiped a quick taste of her inner heat. Her moan in response drove him deeper, kissing and gliding his tongue along her folds until he reached the place where he remembered her moans would become uninhibited shouts. Her groans and sighs drove him to lick faster and all too soon her legs clenched hard around his head, keeping him in place as her hot juices flowed across tongue. Once she lay limp, her chest rising and falling quickly he rose above her, his eyes cataloging every inch of her flushed body. He had so many plans and yet he didn't know where to begin. She made the decision for him as she pulled him down, her hand guiding him inside her soaked heat and all he could think was that he was home.

Sometime later, once they were both satiated and they lay in each other's arms, he couldn't help the tired satisfied smile that tilted his lips. To have her back in his arms was better than he could have imagined. He glanced down at her as she used his arm to pillow her head and caught her staring at him.

"What?" he asked in the quiet of the room, readying himself for her possible regret, but she gave him a small smile, turning in his arms to rest her chin on his chest.

She shook her head. "Nothing. Just admiring, I guess."

He let out a soft laugh, but sobered quickly. "There's a lot to say, I think."

She let out a sigh, but stayed where she was, content to stay connected to him. "There is," she agreed.

"I'm sorry, Caroline. There aren't enough words to tell you how sorry I am. I-" She cut him off with a kiss.

"It's…I don't know. I guess I just want to know why. You told me once my presence would always be welcome."

He sighed to himself. "I was stubborn and thought I was doing it to protect you, but instead I hurt you more. I hurt us both."

"You made the choice for me."

He nodded. "I know. I thought it would have been easier for you. I knew I'd pine for you for the rest of my miserable life, but I didn't want you to. I never intentionally meant to cause you pain. There's so much I'd take back if I could."

"And now that you've served your time and you have an honest job. What's next? What's your big plan?"

It took a moment of staring into her blue eyes and until he finally blurted, "Marry me."

Although her mouth didn't turn up, her eyes smiled at him. "Shouldn't we finish our first real date? Last time it was interrupted."

He sat up, hovering over her. "Marry me," he repeated and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Marry me today," he punctuated with a kiss to the hollow of her neck. "Marry me in a month." He kissed her collarbone. "Marry me in a year." He softly and reverently kissed her lips. "Marry me in a century, I'd wait."

"I don't think you'd have the patience for that," she spoke with a smile before it dropped. "Do you really want to? We were together so many years ago. I think I represented something for you back then. Something innocent. It reminded you of a part of yourself that you lost and wished you could get back. If we'd never met until now, I wonder if you'd even notice me."

"It'd be impossible not to notice you, Caroline. Your essence would hover around me, harangue me until I noticed you." He sobered in his playfulness before continuing. "I don't have much to offer you. Perhaps-"

She cut him off with another kiss, this one long and sensual, imprinting herself on his heart. "You know my answer," she whispered.

His smile was for the first time in a decade, joyful and victorious. The hope she gave him in just her simple words affected him like she'd never know or understand. He hadn't felt this way since the fateful night he'd gone to pick her up for their first date. He now knew with certainty that he would have boldly popped the question that night. He had been honest before. He'd known he would marry her, perhaps not the first time he'd laid eyes on her or the second. Truthfully, he didn't know when, but somehow, he just knew. There had been a shift in him and knew he wouldn't have ever stopped pursuing her and wondered if he would have ventured to Mystic Falls even. None of it mattered though. She was here in his arms, her lips on his, right where they should be. Right where they should have been all along. He counted himself lucky she would have him after everything he'd done to them. He knew he'd never stop trying to make it up to her, for allowing him to hold her heart once again and promised himself he'd be more careful with it this time. He'd cherish it until the day he left this earth and even maybe long after that as well. With her smiles and laughter, now he knew definitively that he was home and there was nowhere he'd rather be.