"Camilla!"

She turned around to find one of the guests waving at her from the dance floor. She could tell that it Matthew, a friend of her family's, even though he was wearing a midnight-black mask. She adjusted her own emerald-green mask before sauntering over to Matthew, her ball gown touching the floor lightly with every step. He bowed and held out his hand, gesturing for a dance. She curtseyed politely before taking his hand, not planning on dancing for too long.

One song later, Camilla excused herself and sauntered over to the side to take in the view of her family's ball. It was thrown once a year and the biggest families in England were invited. Unfortunately – or fortunately – this meant that the Mikaelsons were also invited. She glanced around warily, keeping an eye out for the man she was trying to avoid. Camilla knew that staying out in the open would prevent her from doing anything rash like she had at the Mikaelsons' ball.

"Camilla, darling, your father would like to have a word with you," called her mother from a few feet away, gesturing towards the entrance to the foyer. Camilla frowned – what would her father want with her in the middle of the party? She headed for the door nonetheless, casting one last glance around to make sure she wasn't being followed.

She did a double-take when she walked outside to find that the foyer was completely empty. "Father?"

The moment she heard the empty echo of her voice, Camilla knew that something was wrong. She whirled around and grabbed the door handle to yank it open, but another hand closed over hers. She squeezed her eyes shut, praying that it wasn't who she thought it was.

"Going somewhere, love?"

She let out a shaky breath as his seductive voice rolled over her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "Yes. I have a ball to attend."

Camilla inhaled sharply as Niklaus's lips brushed against her neck, his arms snaking around her waist. She instinctively clasped her hands around his wrists, ignoring his soft laughter. He spun her around, pulling her closer to him. "Why are you trying to avoid me?"

Camilla looked down, thankful that Niklaus was tall enough that he couldn't see her expression. She was deathly embarrassed of how she seemed to lose control around this man. He seemed to know her like no one else, and he used it to his advantage. She wasn't one hundred percent sure if he meant well, and she didn't want to risk getting hurt. After the night he appeared in her bedroom, she had been avoiding him as if he was the plague.

"Love?"

Camilla glanced up to find Niklaus gazing into her eyes worriedly, melting her heart a bit. She shook her head and pulled away from him, vowing not to give in. "I have to get back inside."

"Wait," Niklaus reached out and grabbed her wrist, holding her back. "Answer my question first. Why are you avoiding me?"

"Because I don't like you," Camilla snapped, pulling her wrist back. His mouth curved into a smirk that sent chills down her spine. He took a step closer to her, and she stepped back instinctively.

"Is that why you keep backing away?" asked Niklaus teasingly, his eyes twinkling. Camilla bit her lower lip; he knew. She turned around and tried to walk away, but he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her around again. Before she had a chance to yell, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

Camilla whimpered against his lips as he kissed her passionately, his hands trailing down to wrap around her waist. She could feel him smirking as he played all his cards, turning her into jelly in his hands. She exhaled dejectedly before wrapping her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. As much as she tried, she knew deep down that there was no way she'd ever be able to push him away.

Caroline woke up with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked around to find that she was sandwiched between Elena and Bonnie, who had stayed the night. Caroline had been trying not to fall asleep because she was afraid of dreaming of Klaus and falling for him all over again. Too late.

She climbed out of bed, careful not to wake her friends. She tiptoed into her bathroom and glanced fleetingly at her disheveled reflection before washing her face and brushing her teeth. Caroline paused for a moment, eyeing the door. If there was one thing she needed, it was fresh air. Nodding determinedly, she exited the bathroom and grabbed her running shoes on her way out.

Caroline pounded at the pavement as she tore through the sidewalks of Mystic Falls, keeping a somewhat human speed. She tried to keep flashes of the dream out of her head, but it was useless. All she could see was Klaus's irresistible smirk, and she swore she could still feel his breath on the back of her neck. Caroline shook her head as soon as the thought formed in her head.

She came to a screeching stop when she realized how far she had come. She was now only about a minute away from the Mikaelson mansion, the one place she had been trying to avoid. Caroline turned on her heel and began to run back to her house. She stopped in her tracks, however, when she locked eyes with the last person she had expected.

"Well, hello there."

Caroline glared back at Kol, hating herself for feeling a little scared of him. She tried to step around him, but he blocked her way. She glowered up at him, baring her growing fangs. "Go away."

"Ooh, a feisty one," said Kol, almost nastily. "No wonder Niklaus fancies you."

Caroline felt her heart clench at the mention of his name. Casting her gaze to the ground, she tried to step around Kol again, but he reached out and grabbed her shoulders. Before she had a chance to throw him off, a blur of air whizzed by and tore Kol off her.

Caroline stared, wide-eyed, at the sight of Elijah growling at Kol a few feet away. "So, is the whole clan back in town, or…"

"Except for Finn," Kol snapped, his eyes narrowing. "I wonder why?"

He took another step towards Caroline, but Elijah grabbed his elbow again, pulling him back. Elijah started walking towards her, giving Kol a look. "I'm sorry about my brother."

"Which one?" Caroline snapped, shooting a look at Kol when he snickered. Elijah sighed, folding his arms across his chest.

"As relentless as he can be, Niklaus has real feelings for you," said Elijah sincerely. Caroline scoffed and rolled her eyes, making Elijah's eyebrows shoot up towards his hairline. "Do you really believe that he would waste a century-old spell on you if he didn't care?"

Caroline frowned; she had never thought of it in that way. Kol rolled his eyes. "This just got boring."

He turned promptly on his heel and walked away, leaving the two of them on the sidewalk. Elijah looked up at Caroline. "Everyone deserves a second chance, Ms. Forbes. Even Niklaus."

With one last nod, Elijah turned around and walked away after Kol, leaving Caroline to stare after him. As soon as the brothers disappeared around the corner, Caroline sprinted home, double-locking the door after herself as soon as she was in.

"Caroline!"

Caroline whirled around to find Elena and Bonnie standing in the hallway, their cellphones out and their expressions frantic. Bonnie took a step forward, worry etched on her face. "Where were you?"

Elena shot forward and pulled Caroline into a hug. "Oh my gosh, we were so worried."

Caroline pulled away from Elena, her gaze flitting between her two friends. "Elijah and Kol are back in town."

"What's shaking, bro?"

Klaus squeezed his eyes shut at Kol's new vocabulary choices, trying not to let it disrupt his painting. Elijah stormed into the room, making Klaus throw his hands up in the air and toss his paintbrush back onto the table.

"What was that, Kol?" Elijah growled, pushing Kol backwards. Kol held his hands up in defense, a stupid smirk on his face.

"What was what?" Kol grinned. "It was just a bit of fun. Besides, she's being much too harsh on Niklaus."

Klaus looked up, his attention averted. "Caroline? What did you do to her?"

"Oh, nothing."

Klaus pushed Kol into the wall, his hand closing around Kol's throat. "What," Klaus squeezed harder, growling as Kol's eyes began to pop. "Did you do to her?"

Elijah flashed over to his brothers and tore Klaus off Kol, standing between them. "He didn't do anything."

Kol dusted himself off, trying to appear unscathed. "I wasn't going to, either. I just wanted to try and convince the girl to give my dear brother a chance, but it looks like Elijah did a better job."

Klaus glanced at Elijah, who didn't meet his gaze. Kol walked over to his brothers, putting his arms around their shoulders joyously. "Look at us, all brotherly and shit. I say we go for a drink."

Caroline threw herself down into the sofa, exhausted. She finally had a moment to herself after a tiring day. Damon and Stefan came to join the party as soon as Elena told them that the Mikaelsons were back in town, and they spent a good two hours trying to figure out Elijah and Kol's motives but came up blank. Elena finally had the decency to pull everyone out of Caroline's house after catching the expression on her face.

Caroline now sat in front of the television watching the news because it was the only thing she could find that wasn't romantic. She couldn't help but miss what she had with Klaus; he was loyal, spontaneous, and downright charming. He was everything she had always wanted and now everything was ruined.

Suddenly, the sound of someone banging on the front door startled Caroline. She shut the TV off and looked up, her eyes wide. Was it Damon? What had she done this time? Did he find out that she slept with Klaus? Her heart started to beat faster, and she glanced around for a weapon.

Then she heard it. "Caroline! C-Caroline, open the damn door!"

She got up off the sofa and walked into the main hall, frowning. Her mouth dropped open when she saw Klaus leaning against the wall outside her door. She yanked the door open, not believing her eyes, and he looked up at her through his eyelashes. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you drunk?"

He held up his index finger and thumb, leaving about an inch of space between them. "Just a bit."

Caroline had to fight the urge to laugh aloud. "Why are you here when you're so drunk?"

"Because I won't have to courage to do this when I'm sober."

"Do what?"

Before Caroline could move, he stepped into her house and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a bear hug. She was so surprised that she froze for a few seconds.

"Klaus," Caroline tried to pry herself out of his grip, but it was impossible. "What're you doing?"

"I'm sorry," Klaus mumbled into her hair, his arms tightening around her. She felt her heart jerk; he sounded like a little boy. She could feel herself wanting to hug him right back, but she didn't.

"I know," she sighed, pressing her lips together. Klaus buried his face deeper into her hair, and she felt her heart clench again.

"Do you forgive me?"

Caroline frowned. She was actually somewhat sure that she had forgiven him, but she wasn't letting him off the hook so easily. "No."

She let out a gasp as he hugged her tighter, as though she was a teddy bear. "Please?" Caroline swore under her breath, knowing that she was seconds from giving in. "Please, Caroline? I swear I'll never use witchy magic on you ever again. Scout's honor."

Caroline let out a groan and wrapped her arms around the man-child, hugging him back. She felt him exhale in relief and she couldn't help but smile. She buried her face in his neck and wrinkled her nose as she smelled the bourbon on him. "God, you're so drunk."

"Iknow," he slurred, laughing a bit. Rolling her eyes, Caroline started to pull him towards the living room. Before she could drag him to the sofa, however, he dropped onto the carpet, pulling her down with him. She landed on top of him and felt the tears rise in her eyes as she laughed uncontrollably. Klaus rolled over onto his side, facing her with puppy eyes.

"I love you," he said earnestly, taking her hands in his. Caroline felt another tear escape her eyes as she looked back at him, realization sinking in.

"I love you, too."

So sorry about the delay, guys, exams were pretty rough :S.

Huge thanks to storylover3, KahlanDarcy, Lazerlicious, PsychVamp, MysteryDream3, obsessedfaerie, chickentikka99, Lily94, Hazel21, Jofrench22, Damonsexybeast, , EmilyRose09, meagainpauline, Kelly-Starfly, xloveTVDx, babyvfan and bluestrdrmr for their amazing reviews!

Till next time! :)