No special reason for updating today, guys, except that I wanted to. I've been loving every single one of your reviews, so keep them coming! :)

3x21 AU. The way I wanted it, because I thought the ending sucked.

Forbes House – After the Ordeal...

Caroline ran a hand through her hair as she walked into her bedroom upon arriving home. The horror that she had been through earlier still rang in her mind. What the hell had happened to Alaric that would make him do that to her? He was usually such a sweet, caring guy and for him to turn on her like that and treat her like a hostage was as scary as it was unexpected. It also brought back memories of earlier in the year, when her father, God not have mercy on his soul, tried to cure her of her vampirism.

She closed the door and went over to her vanity, looking at herself in the mirror. The scars from the vervain-soaked cloth were healing, which was good. Of course, that did nothing for the invisible scars that would linger for her supernatural life. Great, just another reminder that she was a baby vampire and as such, she was a target to anyone, including werewolves, other vampires, witches, and vampire hunters.

Sighing, Caroline then forced herself not to think about the trauma she experienced and to focus on something else. And that something else was a someone. However, that someone wasn't Elena, even though she had definitely saved her. No, that someone was Klaus. She remembered their encounter in the hall and what he had said to her:

"It's okay, it's me, you're safe. We'll save Elena. Go straight home. Stay inside, do you understand?" He turned her around and made her face him as he added, a bit more forcefully, "Do you understand me?"

Caroline nodded slowly and said softly, "Thank you."

Klaus looked at her for what seemed like an eternity and then vamp sped off to deal with Alaric, Caroline vamp speeding off in the opposite direction half a beat later.

As she thought about that, Caroline wondered what had happened after that. More importantly, she wondered what happened to Klaus. True, he was a strong, powerful hybrid, having been around a hell of a lot longer than she had, but for some reason, she couldn't help but wonder about him. Seeing the drawing that Tyler had thrown onto the floor, the one she had kept since the ball for reasons she couldn't fathom, she looked at it, reading the words that Klaus had written across the bottom, underneath the horse:

"Thank you for your honesty. Klaus."

As she continued to look at it, she was startled by a knock at her window. Scowling curiously, she went over to it, pulling up the blinds, and there, standing directly outside it, was Klaus. He was okay, thank God, which relieved her to no end.

Opening the window, she said, "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?"

Caroline didn't know why she was saying these words, or where they had come from, but there was truth to them. She was worried about him. Klaus said nothing, just smiled at her. Finally, after a few minutes, he cleared his throat.

"My apologies for worrying you, love. I was wondering if I could come in."

Caroline nodded and stepped back so that Klaus could climb in, closing the window behind him. This was the second time he had been in her room, the first time being her birthday, when he had healed her with his blood.

"I, uh, was tempted to follow you after you left me in the hall," she said. "I know that you're perfectly capable of handling the situation, but I thought in gratitude for what you did for me, I wanted to return the favor."

"As much as I appreciate the sentiment, love, the vervain Alaric subjected you to left you weak," said Klaus. "You wouldn't have been much use to me or anyone in your state." He took out a bag of blood. Not just any blood, her favorite type, B positive. "I stopped by the blood bank at the hospital and picked this up for you."

Caroline licked her lips and took the bag from him, opening it and drinking from it. She could feel her strength returning as she sipped. This was definitely what she needed after the hell she went through today. Taking her lips off the bag for a moment, she looked at Klaus, remembering what he had said to her at the 20s Decade Dance last night:

"I'm leaving town. I'd invite you come with me, but we both know you're not ready to accept my offer. Perhaps one day, in year, or even a century, you'll show up at my door and let me show you what the world has to offer."

He looked like he wanted to kiss her, but she scoffed at him. Then, sounding like a man rejected, he added, "You mark my words. Small town boy, small town life. It wouldn't be enough for you."

"Are...Are you still leaving town?"

Klaus bowed his head at her question. "Yes."

"Not without me, you're not," said Caroline. "I've been thinking about what you said at the dance, and you're right."

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "About what? You're going to have to be specific."

"You're right about this not being enough for me," said Caroline. "I need more than just a small town life. I want to go to the places you said you'd take me. It's true I have family and friends in Mystic Falls, but I'm not going to grow if I stay here."

"Does that mean you're ready to accept my offer?"

Caroline nodded. "Yes, it does. I don't give a shit where we go, as long as I get to be with you."

Klaus didn't know what to think about what she was telling him. He wanted to dismiss it as just some random ramblings, but it sounded like she really wanted to go with him and who was he to deny a lady of what she wanted?

"Very well," he replied. "But, we'll have to leave quickly."

"Quickly is fine," said Caroline. "And I won't take my clothes, since I know you'll buy me new ones."

Klaus smiled and approached her, kissing her softly before taking her hand and going over to the window, opening it, and climbing out, Caroline following half a beat later.

Note: Enjoy, lovelies, and remember to review, as always! :)