Okay, I got this idea for a random AU for "Eternal Flame" while in the shower. It was inspired by sweetandlow1012. Don't ask, just take it as it's written. Thank you for the reviews and don't give up on Klaroline!

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide

There was a worried look on Caroline's face as she sat in the waiting room of the hospital. She had brought her mother in a little while ago after finding her on the floor, the glass that once contained her water shattered next to her. The anxiety that she was feeling was overwhelming, not to mention the fact that she was smelling the blood of everyone around her, even though she had a bag of B positive just before she had checked on her mother.

"Are you all right, love?"

That familiar accented voice brought her out of her reverie and Caroline looked up to see Klaus standing before her. What the hell was he doing here? She didn't even remember calling him. "No, I'm not. I came home to find my mother passed out on the floor and I panicked, so I brought her to the hospital."

Klaus nodded. "How is she? Did they tell you?"

"No, they haven't told me anything," said Caroline. "I've been waiting for news for the past hour and a half, and nothing. I don't see why they wouldn't tell me. I mean, I'm her daughter for crying out loud."

Klaus nodded again and then decided to change the subject. "How about we get you a cup of coffee? Since it's going to be a while before they tell you anything about your mother, it's best that we don't stay where it's no doubt depressing."

Caroline wanted to protest, but knew that he was right. It wasn't going to do her any good to stay here and get depressed. She got up from where she was sitting and before they walked off, she said, "Wait, what if there's new while we're gone?"

"Then, they'll have to come and find you," said Klaus. "Come on, love, let's get that coffee."

Caroline nodded and took his arm, allowing him to lead her to the cafeteria, where he bought them both a cup of coffee and sat at a nearby table, which happened to be vacant. It was quiet for a while, both of them sipping coffee and not really saying anything to each other. That is, until Caroline couldn't take the silence anymore and decided to say something.

"I hope she's going to be okay. She's all I have left."

Klaus looked at her and gently placed his hand over hers. "I hope so too, but even if it isn't, I'll be here for you, Caroline. You deserve someone to be there for you in your time of need, and..."

"You don't have to explain," she replied, cutting him off. "I appreciate you being here, Klaus, even if I wasn't exactly expecting you to be. I mean, you're the most powerful being in the world, and I doubt that a small town sheriff would be worth your time."

"On the contrary, love, your mother is definitely worth my time," said Klaus. "In fact, you're worth my time as well."

Caroline didn't discourage him from what he said, mostly because she knew he was right. Then, not being able to stop herself, she leaned in and kissed him. Klaus returned her kiss and reached his hand to caress her cheek as he deepened the kiss. Although he knew that this was neither the time nor the place to be doing something like this, he also knew that neither of them gave a shit, mostly because they were basking in the glow of the comfort.

They were still kissing when Caroline's senses alerted her to another presence and she turned to see her mother's doctor standing there. Pulling away from Klaus for the moment, she got up from the table and looked the man straight in the face.

"How is she? How's my mom?"

The doctor sighed. "I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, Miss Forbes, but your mother suffered a heart attack that was brought on a blockage in one of the valves connected to her heart."

Caroline gasped and placed her hand by her mouth, removing it slowly and said, "Is...she..."

"I'm sorry," said the doctor. "We've done everything we could for her, but I'm afraid that the blockage is something that can't be fixed. She has less than twenty-four hours to live. You can go and see her if you want, and say your goodbyes."

Caroline couldn't find the words to say to him, while at the same time, she was also fighting the urge to smash this man's head in because she was so much stronger than him, and her anger would add fuel to the fire that was rapidly burning within her. Klaus sensed that she was getting angry and got up from the table, grabbing her and letting her know he was there, which seemed to calm her down somewhat.

Seeing that the blonde vampire was unable to speak at the moment, he said, "Where has Sheriff Forbes been taken? Can we see her?"

"She's in Hospice," said the doctor. "We wanted to make her comfortable until she passes. She's sedated, so Caroline can see her before the end."

When Caroline heard what they were talking about, she didn't give a shit if anyone saw her use her vampire speed and went up to where the Hospice area was, seeing her mother laying there. She tried not to let her tears fall (even though she was failing miserably) as she sat down and took her mother's hand.

Liz opened her eyes to see her daughter. "Caroline?"

"Yes, Mom, it's me," she replied, tears flowing down her face. "They told me what happened." She then got an idea. "You don't have to die, you know. I can give you my blood and..."

"Caroline, no," said Liz. "I appreciate what you want to do, but I don't want to be a vampire. I wouldn't be able to handle it. I want to die as I am. I know that you want to keep me around, and I love you, but you're going to have to let me go."

Caroline didn't answer. She wanted to argue, the way she usually did whenever she wanted something to go her way, but she knew it wouldn't do her any good. Liz was deciding to die as she was, and there was nothing she could do to change her mind. She was reminded of when she tried to do the same to her father, but he too refused to be turned. Of course, the main reason was because he was a hunter and didn't like vampires to begin with.

Finally, she said, "Okay, Mom, I won't turn you."

That was all Liz needed to hear and nodded slowly. "Thank you, Caroline. You always were a good daughter."

With those words being spoken, she closed her eyes for the last time and soon after, the heart monitor flat lined. Caroline then stepped out of the room, where Klaus standing with his back against the wall and his arms folded across his chest. Not knowing how long he had been standing there, but not giving a shit one way or the other, Caroline wrapped her arms around his waist, crying into his chest. Klaus then unfolded his arms and wrapped them around her in return, running his fingers through her hair and kissing the top of her head.

"That's right, love, let it all out," he whispered. "I'm right here."

Caroline didn't answer him, just continued to sob. She didn't need words to express how grateful she was that he was here with her. The only thing that she knew was he was a comforting glow for her and that was all that really mattered in the grand scheme of things.

Note: Thank you to sweetandlow1012 for inspiring me to do this one shot. You never cease to amaze me and give me prompts when I need it. Enjoy, my loves, and never lose faith in Klaroline! I know I never will!