Okay, guys, I got a request from AssassinsVow2012, one of my esteemed readers, to do a one shot based on this week's TO, having forced myself to watch it (I had taped it and was reluctant to watch it). Anyway, I'm going to fulfill her request. Thank you for the reviews and don't give up hope for Klaroline!

TO 1x17 AU.

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?
Ooh heaven is a place on earth
They say in heaven love comes first
We'll make heaven a place on earth
Ooh heaven is a place on earth

The atmosphere was definitely right for a party as Klaus looked out at the people gathered in the courtyard of the compound. It was a mixed crowd tonight: witches, werewolves, vampires, and humans, and they were all gathered for one purpose: signing a treaty that would bring about peace and prosperity for all the citizens of New Orleans. All that became trivial once he caught sight of the one person that he had been wanting to see all day, the beautiful blonde vampire that seemed to know him better than he knew himself. Caroline looked simply stunning in the black off-the-shoulder dress she wore, no doubt making her the most desirable person in the place.

Caroline sensed that she was being watched and looked up at the balcony, seeing Klaus looking down at her, a smile on his face. She returned his smile and, wasting not even a moment, went upstairs to join him where he was standing, the smile still on her face.

"This is quite a party you've got set up here."

"Yes, and I'm pleased to say that Elijah followed my advice to the letter."

Caroline nodded, knowing what advice he was referring to without even asking. Of course, the party itself wasn't the reason she was here. No, the reason she was here was standing right in front of her, dressed in that unbelievably gorgeous black suit. She got closer and kissed him, moaning as she felt him returning her kiss moments later.

"You're definitely in a good mood tonight," she remarked. "Could it have something to do with the fact that I'm here?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," said Klaus. "Your presence makes anything better."

Caroline nodded. "I know that things haven't exactly been good for you since Rebekah left, but..."

Klaus placed his index finger on her lips, preventing her from completing her sentence. "There will be no talk of that tonight, love. Tonight, I intend to spend a well-deserved night with the one woman who understands me better than anyone."

Caroline smiled, knowing that he meant her when he said that. Clearing her throat, she said, "Why don't we go downstairs and join the fun, huh? We haven't danced together in a long time and I think that an occasion such as this deserves one."

"You know, I was just about to suggest that."

"Well, it's a good thing I knew what you were thinking," said Caroline. "Now, let's say we show these people how we party, hmm?"

Klaus then offered her his arm and they walked down the stairs together, Caroline holding the hem of her dress up with her free hand so that she didn't trip, and when they reached the bottom, they walked out onto the dance floor together and held each other close as they danced to the song that the band was playing. In that moment, everything that had happened previously seemed to take a back seat to what was happening here on the dance floor. In fact, Klaus seemed to forget about Rebekah leaving, even if he didn't want to discuss it.

Caroline rested her head against his chest as they danced, enjoying what was happening around them. "This is great, being out here on the floor with the mighty Klaus Mikaelson. It kind of makes everything else seem trivial."

"Thank you, Caroline, for being here," said Klaus. "I know I might be repeating myself, but I truly do thank you."

"You don't have to keep thanking me," said Caroline. "I'm just happy to help you. I helped bring you back when you thought Silas was torturing you, so consider this another crisis that I've helped you get past, even if you still feel the sting of it."

Klaus nodded. She does have a point, he thought. Rebekah's departure has definitely been weighing on me, body, mind, and spirit. Thankfully, though, I have respite in the arms of the lady vampire that has come to mean the world to me.

Then, he lifted her chin and kissed her, stopping in the middle of the dance floor and not giving a shit if everyone else was looking. Somehow, something told him that their earlier kiss on the kiss on the second floor wasn't enough. Somehow, this definitely warranted another kiss. Caroline returned his kiss immediately, moaning against his mouth and wrapping her arms around his neck and running her fingers through his hair.

A few minutes passed before they broke the kiss, looking into each others' eyes, not saying a word. Of course, what was there to say in that moment? Everything just seemed so perfect without either of them saying anything. The only thing that really mattered in that moment was the fact that they had each other, which was saying a lot, considering the bullshit they had both gone through.

As they continued to look at each other, they resumed their dancing, during which Klaus then twirled her around and then brought her back toward him, dipping her and kissing her before standing her back up again. Caroline felt a bit dizzy as he did this, but she didn't notice or care.

When the song ended, they walked off the floor, hand in hand, smiling and laughing. To them, this was definitely the best time they ever had, second only to their date at the Miss Mystic Falls pageant, where he had told her of the one time he had wanted to be human, and they knew in the back of their minds that things were only going to get better from here.

Note: Yeah, I struggled with this a bit, since it was hard to really choose a part in the episode to "Klaroline-ify." Anyway, I have completed AssassinsVow2012's request. Enjoy, my friend, and never give up hope! Our OTP will be together again. :)