I TOOK TOO LONG UPDATING, I KNOW! I HAVE NO EXCUSE. BUT MY INSPIRATION IS BACK! AND, AS ALWAYS, I DEEPLY HOPE THAT CAROLINE WILL WAKE UP TO DISCOVER A PASSIONATE LOVE FOR KLAUS AND THEY CAN GO ON AND BE ADORABLE TOGETHER

ENJOY AND REVIEW!

She didn't know where she was. Caroline awoke to discover hserself in a plush bed with mountains of pillows and in a room she had never before laid eyes on. In that moment between sleep and wakefullness, there had been a flash of fear that this place belonged to Lord Lockwood, as did she. She laid for some moments reassuring herself. When she put her finger to her neck, it was to find two small puncture in the smooth skin and blood smearing at her touch. A frown marred her pale brow.

Klaus appeared in the doorway, silent and watchful, awaiting the slightest cue from her. Her mind was slow to recapture recent memories of what had occurred, as if it were searching through a haze of fog. For once, no smirk was curlin the lips of the arrogant lord.

"You bit me." She breathed. No fear edged her voice, only a husky sort of awe and disbelief.

"It was unintentional, I assure you." He replied, his eyes solemn and his stance rigid.

"I don't understand." She kept her tones low, as if whispering would keep reality from hitting. Slowly, he made his way to the bed, crossing one long leg under him as he sat beside her.

"Caroline, love, are you familiar with the concept of a vampire?" She stared back with wide blue eyes.

"You mean beasts who hunt in the night, surviving off the blood of their kill?" A wry smile appeared on his face and she pulled back a bit.

"Well in the crudest form, I suppose. There is a certain elegance too, however." Cautiously, he clasped her hand between both of his. "We never age. We never fall victim to anything. The world is ours to explore, the beauty of a thousand cities. Can you imagine that, sweetheart?" He as leaning closer, crouching over her until she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

"Isn't forever painful?" Her insight seemed to catch him off guard, and the twinkle to his eyes dimmed slightly.

"There are quite a few ways to pass the time. We are really quite creative about it."

"We. You keep saying that. Who else-" Images of bloody dresses hidden away flashed through her mind. "Rebecca."

"Me sister and I remain together. For safety as well as company. My brothers drop by every once in a while. Rarely do we all gather in one place. It is too obvious and dangerous."

"I have never met your brothers." She mused, distracted still by the dreamy state her mind seemed content to maintain.

"They wil wish to meet you, I'm sure. I can't decide if I will allow them to, however."

"Allow?" She pulled herself into a sitting position, obliging him to either sit back or knock foreheards with her. "You're in no position to make decisions for me."

"A servant in my home is under my protection. You specifically are under my protection. What a rebellious lady's maid you are turning out to be." Abruptly, she blushed and looked away. Such independence would surely lead to suspicion over her apparent humble status. "Not at all my sister's preferred company."

"Yes, well, perhaps it is time for someone to challenge your overbearing ways, you...you scoundrel." She retorted sharply.

"Perhaps it is. Are you volunteering, love?"

"I am too smart for that." She crossed both arms over her chest, drawing his gaze down and his smile only widened.

Their discussion was interrupted by the resounding echo of Rebecca's voice, calling for Caroline. Undoubtably, she'd grown impatient waiting to hear back on the status of Leo the farm hand.

"I must go." She went to leave, keeping a hand over the holes in her neck.

"Wait." Klaus appeared in front of her, indecision in his eyes for the first time since she had met him. "My sister will know." He pulled her hand away form her neck. Unable to help himself, he lowered his face to the curve of her shoulder, inhaling the heady smell of human blood. She tried to back away, but he prevented her with a hand on her small waist. Quickly, he rights himself and bit into his own wrist with grotesque ease. "Drink." He ordered.

"Wha-" She had barely opened her mouth to refuse before he shoved the wound against her lips. She could feel the holes in her neck stitch back together as he let her swallow drops of his blood, all the while steadily petting her long blonde hair. When she was healed, he pulled his wrist away and wrapped both arms about her. She stood dazed in his embrace. "Am I going to become...like you?" She managed to ask though she could not yet bring herself to say the word outloud.

"A vampire?" He hugged her a little tighter. "No, love. You must be careful for a bit, however. Your system is a dangerous place for blood such as mine to be."

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"I'll protect you." He whispered, ignoring her question and then was gone as what had to be an inhuman speed, leaving a confused and slightly terrified Caroline Forbes.