(Mystic Grill)

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Your face says something entirely different, blondie."

Caroline glared at Damon as he walked over to the bar.

"Honestly, you're the last person I want to talk to about this."

Damon closed his eyes as he sighed and sat next to her.

Caroline frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Chatting you up."

"Stop. Go away."

"Come on, care bear, I'm just being friendly here. Tell me all about your psycho boyfriend's plans please?"

Caroline turned to glare at him again. Damon tilted his head, pouting.

"I said I didn't want to talk about him."

"No, you said you didn't want to talk about 'it', which by the way, now I know that meant Klaus. So... spill it."

Caroline sighed. "You really don't know what 'no' means, do you?"

Damon raised an eyebrow at the sad tone of her voice.

"That's what I've been told."

"I am exhausted." Caroline said as she looked away, she was speaking more to herself than him. "It's just... You know, we didn't plan any of this... So how am I supposed to know what to do? How to convince people? How to convince Klaus? How to convince myself?"

Damon frowned. "What are we talking about exactly?"

"Us." Caroline looked at him. "Klaus and me."

"Yeah. That is a thing." Damon nodded.

"Yeah. That is a thing." Caroline nodded back.

Two hours later

"So... what is he planning to do with Elena?"

"I have no idea. He says nothing. He just thinks she's hiding something and that bothers him. But he won't hurt her."

"No?" Damon looked at her.

"No. He wouldn't." Caroline rested her face on her elbow. "He won't. He only cares about me."

Damon looked sympathetic for a second. "Let's hope so." He started to turn but then he stopped.

"You know what, I don't know how you managed to talk to me about your relationship with vampire Ken for two hours straight but... if you really believe him... then don't push him away. If he's serious about this, you'll do best to stay by his side to remind him what's more important."

Caroline looked at him with surprise and said nothing as he walked away.

Caroline felt the breeze on her face as she walked out of the Grill, it was dark and she remembered there was a party somewhere she needed to go to, though she didn't feel like going.

"Are you done, love?"

Caroline turned to the voice greeting her in the dark.

"Klaus?"

"You seem to be a little intoxicated."

"A little?" Caroline laughed. "That is so nice of you to notice."

Klaus walked over slowly as she looked everywhere but him.

"Are you alright?" His voice was soft, tentative.

Caroline nodded and swallowed a hollow lump in her throat.

Klaus slowly reached for her and she raised her eyes to meet his. He took her in his arms, buried his face in her neck and softly inhaled. She closed her eyes and let him pull her closer.

"Aren't we late to the party?" She whispered when she could find her voice. As he pulled back to look at him she felt herself shiver under his touch. Klaus' eyes darkened to her reaction. "We can choose not to go," he offered.

Caroline needed to hear that. She considered for a moment. Then she reached for him and gently kissed him. Klaus sighed and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and deepening the kiss. He sucked on her lower lip, making her moan and her knees tremble.

She swallowed and put her hands on his chest. "We should go."

Klaus licked his lips and pulled back, looking around. "Yes." The moment of silence between them reassured her that he also felt as wounded and comforted at the same time as she was. They stood there for a second, deciding what to do.

Then Klaus turned to her and reached for her hand. "I think... it was a mistake to come here."

Caroline's eyes widened, 'No' she thought with panic but she was too stunned to speak. After a moment she collected herself and asked, "What?"

Klaus gently patted her hands as he warmed them in his. "It was a mistake coming here, Caroline. I should have just taken you away when I had the chance and never let us return to this place."

Caroline sighed with relief. And after a moment she pushed him with frustration. "God damn you!You almost gave me a heart attack and I am already dead!"

Klaus raised his eyebrows and then laughed. "What? You thought I meant coming here with you? No chance, sweetheart. I am talking about what being here is doing to us."

Caroline felt herself nodding even though she had complicated feelings about it.

"I know," she said softly. "But it's about our choices." She said looking at him pointedly. "It's about what you choose to do."

Klaus looked into her eyes and he swallowed silently. "You might be right." He said. "I know. That's why I am suggesting to leave."

"You mean you can't control yourself with Elena?"

Klaus frowned. "What I mean, my love..." he looked at her. "I have different urges when I am around people," he said matter of factly. "I need to control them. You know that. I am the alpha. I can't help it."

"That's not true." Caroline said, taking his face in her hands. "You can't say it's out of your control, just leave it behind. Let it go. Forget about the curse, forget about hybrids, forget about Elena. And we don't have to leave."

Klaus seemed to be struggling with himself.

"Caroline, as long as we are here, it will bother me. Knowing they were hiding something from me, knowing there is a way for me to make hybrids, not to be alone-"

"You're not alone though." Caroline blurted out.

"Not forever." Klaus said, fear showing in his eyes.

Caroline closed her eyes and shook her head incredulously, "Seriously? Nothing is forever, Klaus. You want me to tell you there is no way something bad will happen or that we'll never fall apart? I have no intention to be away from you, but I can't see the future, I can't. I am not indestructible like you. But the same thing goes for your hybrids. If you are so afraid of being alone, you should be worried about your relationship with your brother first."

Klaus looked at her, saying nothing.

"Now are we gonna go to that stupid ball or party or whatever the hell it is?"

"Well it will be quite awkward." Klaus pointed out.

Caroline rolled her eyes.

"What isn't? If it makes you miserable... we can run away again. Because a part of me agrees that it would be easier. But not really my style. Or yours, for that matter."

"True." Klaus nodded. "But my pride isn't worth more to me than you."

"Then you'll have no problem controlling yourself." Caroline smiled sweetly. Klaus smirked. "Are you blackmailing me?"

"I am just saying-"

Klaus narrowed his eyes. "Let's make a deal then, shall we?"

"What?" Caroline took a step back, folding her arms.

Klaus smirked, taking a step closer as she beamed at him playfully.

"I'll promise not to bother Elena."

Caroline frowned. "And?"

"And nothing. I won't bother her. But-"

"Oh here it comes..." Caroline nodded knowingly.

"I need to know the truth." Klaus said.

"And how will you do that even if there is a truth to speak of?" Caroline asked shaking her head.

Klaus simply stared at her.

"No." Caroline shook her head again. "No. no and no."

"I swear to you, Caroline."

"Then what is the point?"

"I have to."

"You don't have to do anything, and I won't help you get that kind of information when my friend fears for her life. I will never betray her."

Klaus looked away. "Then I'll have to find out by myself."

"WHY ARE YOU SO OBSESSED WITH THIS?" Caroline yelled despite herself. "What if you have to kill her or - or do something completely horrible to get what you want? What if there is a way to make hybrids but it costs her life again? What will you do then?"

"Nothing. I made you a promise."

Caroline shrugged. "Then I simply see no reason to betray my best friend's trust. And even if there is a way, she wouldn't tell me. Even if she would, I wouldn't tell you."

Klaus nodded. "Great, then we're back to where we started. Should we leave town tonight? Tomorrow?"

"We are not going anywhere. If you hurt her, this is over."

"Don't say that."

"You just promised me!"

"Okay." Klaus took a step back, calming himself. He let out a heavy breath and slowly said the words. "I am letting this go. Happy now?"

"Seriously?" Caroline raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." Klaus nodded. "Seriously." He said, imitating her tone.

Caroline took a step closer. "So it's over? No hybrid talk? No conspiracy theories? No stalking Elena?"

Klaus seemed to consider all of the conditions as he sucked in his lower lip and nodded slowly. "Yes. Until we leave this town, I shall manage."

"You're serious." Caroline smiled a little.

"Well, I'd like to think so." Klaus said smiling back with a tilt of his head.

Caroline licked her lips as she tried to hold back her laugh and looked away. "Okay. Good to know. But I'll be watching you."

Klaus smirked. "I'll take your word for it, love."

(The Mikealson Mansion)

Elijah opened the door and smiled warmly to Stefan who glared at him in return.

"Welcome, Stefan." He turned to see Damon. "And Damon, of course."

"Yeah, you look real happy to see us." Damon faked a smile as he stepped inside.

"Are we late? Is everyone gone already?"

There were several people inside but not the ones they expected to see.

"Where is your creepy brother?" Damon smiled sweetly.

Elijah looked at him with amusement, "He hasn't arrived yet. Come on in, get yourself a drink. You too, Stefan. We'll have more time to talk later."

"I am sure of that." Stefan's eyes searched for Elena.

"She won't be coming, not that I know of."

"Oh, and you would know." Damon said with a piercing glare. Stefan was also silently shooting daggers.

Elijah didn't react. "Enjoy yourselves," he said before slowly walking away.

(Caroline's Room)

"Oh god," Caroline moaned as Klaus playfully bit her earlobe. "Aren't we late?"

They were lying on her bed with Klaus on top of her. He made a dismissive sound and ran his hands over her breasts, over her dress. "I'm sure they'll understand," he whispered.

Caroline grabbed his hair and pulled his face to hers. "Kiss me."

Klaus obeyed with a smirk. He covered her mouth with his, sucking her bottom lip and his tongue entering inside.

Caroline whimpered and started to pull at his shirt. "Take this off. I need to touch you... Be quick."

Klaus pulled back to look at her. "How quick are we talking about here?"

Caroline snorted. "You have 20 minutes. Starting... now."

"Come here," he brought her back to him, meeting her lips hungrily. Her fingers went to unbotton his shirt, she looked down at his body.

Klaus swallowed, his intense stare getting darker.

"We should probably renegotiate the 20 minutes thing," he said solemnly.

Caroline giggled. "I have faith in you," she said.

Caroline felt like weeping at the bliss that was taking over her body. Their bodies kept colliding, burning, melting into each other. The perfect sweetness shook her madly. She felt it break her into pieces.

And silence. Her whole body was stuck in somewhere with no sound, no sight. She was lost in that perfect nonexistence for a moment before she heard her own voice chuckling.

"I hope that means you're satisfied," Klaus said, still shaking slightly.

Caroline nodded with a smile. "That was amazing."

Klaus caught her lips between his, kissing her deeply. "You're perfect," he whispered.

Caroline looked at him as he closed his eyes and pressed his face against her cheek.

This was the best make-up sex ever. She was truly glad they decided to come home before they went to -

She gasped. "Shit! We forgot about the party!"

Klaus snorted. "I don't mind it too much, to be honest."

Caroline made a disapproving sound. "Elijah won't think so. It will be disrespectful to him."

Klaus sighed. "Alright. Let's agree to disagree."

Caroline slapped his shoulder playfully and tried to frown but a smile was pulling at her lips.

He grinned and leaned in to kiss her passionately.

"Ooh we have-t-ohh-" she panted, breaking away, "we have to go! Come on."

Klaus leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. "Mmm... give me a moment."

Caroline laughed. "Let's just go and tell everyone they don't need a reason to be afraid of you anymore."

Klaus suddenly pulled away. "That's not quite true, love."

She rolled her eyes.

"Alright." Klaus said looking at her intensely. "I get it."

"You do?" Caroline asked with a smile.

"Yes." Klaus licked his lips. "I will do whatever it takes for you to feel better about all this. No tension."

Caroline sighed with relief. "That's good to hear."

She slowly pulled away from his arms, Klaus pulled her back, making her giggle. He kissed her again and then slowly let her leave the bed, his fingers reluctantly leaving hers.

He wondered if he could keep that promise. For once, he could try. He could be patient enough not to ruin this for her. Then they could take off and he'd have no reason to worry about the rest. He just had to remain calm until Caroline made peace with herself and the people she was going to leave behind. He just had to ignore the thoughts that tormented him. His brother betraying him, finding a way to make hybrids. His mind was dangerous. He was dangerous. Caroline wanted him to act like it didn't matter. Hell, even he wanted to pretend it didn't, compared to her, nothing really did.

'Letting go' he thought, stuck between that lovely, soft glow of Caroline–who was now getting dressed in front of the mirror, so golden and perfect– and the shadow of his own mind lurking, gnawing at him, telling him he couldn't deny his own needs to keep her content.

How could he risk it?

It could all be over tonight, and Caroline wouldn't have to know.

'I made a promise,' he thought. Maybe that wasn't smart or was a bit reckless but he would keep his promise. He watched her smile to herself as she brushed her hair; her cheeks were flushed, and she had that glint in her eyes that always distracted him.

He swallowed, his jaw tense and he leaned back on his elbows on the bed.

"You need to get ready too, you know?" Caroline teased as she walked over and grabbed her necklace from the dresser.

Klaus stared at her absentmindedly, then nodded with a smile, hoping he would be able to get through the night without breaking any promises.