#enzo urging them all to go back home during that argument

[lilacerull0]

most of the time i am deeply freaked out by these books, but then i remember the ultimate message is that they're called MY BRILLIANT FRIEND!!!!!! elena really said the most historical and the most unshakable truth about your life is that i loved you. elena's history book as an antithesis to all history books.(this is why it is the best one)

[bellemorte180]

Wanderlust Chapter Four

It was a quarter past twelve in the afternoon when Klaus pulled up outside Caroline’s small house. When he stepped out of his temporary vehicle, he took in the sight of the house. When he was there the other day to evaluate her kidnapping, he never took the chance to really admire the home. It was small but it fit Caroline’s personality. It was only one story, had white siding with big windows and a black door that he knew lead into the home’s open floor plan. While small, he could tell that it was not exactly inexpensive. Then again, Caroline was frugal and due to her successful job, it was not surprising that she would have splurged on a nice home. He could see Caroline living her day to day life in that house, cooking, cleaning and playing with Enzo. Mentally, he calculated the distance between Mystic Falls to Washington D.C. but scolded himself.

Klaus was not there to pursue anything with her; even if the drive between them was only an hour and a half.

Caroline had called asking if he could come by that afternoon. Her message was vague and did not say why she wanted to him to come over. There was no urgency in her voice nor was there any fear to make Klaus concerned for her safety. He knew that over the last three days, both Liz and Bonnie slept at her house, ensuring that she was not alone. The few times he spoke with Caroline told him she was both thankful and annoyed at them both.

Typically, Klaus never got attached to victims during investigations; mainly because by the time he got involved, all the victims had been murdered. Although, during the few times that he dealt with living victims, he did what he could to be sympathetic and meet their needs, but he kept them at arm’s length.

But there was something different about Caroline. Perhaps it was her strength or the light that she seemed to have within her; despite the darkness that had touched her soul. Maybe it was the darkness; a darkness that only few could truly understand. While the thought of her being harmed in anyway, drove him into a frenzy; knowing that she would be able to understand his own darkness was appealing, and he hated himself for the thought.

Shaking himself from his feelings, he strolled up the brick walkway and onto her small porch. He raised his hand to rap his knuckles against the wooden door. Through the windows on the door, he could see a hazy view of her living room but could see nothing clearly. It was only seconds before the door opened but it was not Caroline on the other side.

“Good afternoon Ms. Bennet.” Bonnie smiled at him, unsurprised by his presence. She stepped aside slightly, allowing him to enter. Enzo quickly padded over to him, his tail wagging as he did so. Klaus bent down to pet the dog behind the ears. Enzo rolled over, exposing his belly to Klaus and the former couldn’t help but reach out and rub it. He laughed at the dog’s antics before gazing at Bonnie. “Where is Caroline?”

“Dr. Fell stopped by. They should be done shortly.” Bonnie replied, pointing at the closed bedroom door; before sitting down on one of the bar stools that was pushed into the kitchen island. Klaus nodded, taking in the other woman’s appearance. She appeared tired; the bags under her eyes told him that she had slept very little. Her short hair fell flat around her chin and due to its damp nature and the sofa’s apparent disarray, he assumed that Bonnie had stayed the night again. “Caroline mentioned she called you and asked that I wait in case you came.”

“Of course.” Klaus replied nodding, still rubbing Enzo’s stomach. Enzo scampered off and grabbed a toy dragon, bringing it back to Klaus. The agent chuckled, grabbed the toy and gently tossed it across the room. Enzo took off after it; only to bring the blue dragon back to Klaus, urging him to play. “How is she?”

“She is being the same old, Caroline. Putting on a brave face but I think it is bothering her more than she is letting on.” Bonnie replied, watching Klaus play with Enzo. Bonnie typically was not one to betray her friend’s confidence and Klaus knew not to pry more. The last thing he wanted was for Caroline to lose trust in another friend. “He likes you.”

“Enzo?” Bonnie nodded and Klaus smiled. Klaus sat down on the ground and started playing tug-of-war with Enzo, never breaking eye contact with the playful dog. “Perhaps I’m just likable. That and dogs can sense things that most people cannot. He knows that I am here to help. Plus, I like dogs more than most people.”

“I suppose in your line of work that makes sense.” Bonnie muttered. Klaus wanted to agree but Caroline’s bedroom door opened. Caroline and Dr. Fell stepped out and by the annoyed look on both their faces told Klaus that the appointment did not go well.

“At least get them filled, Caroline. That way you have them in case you need them.” Dr. Fell asked, trying to hand her a piece of paper that Klaus assumed was a prescription. Caroline shook her head and crossed her arms.

“I don’t need them. I’m fine.”

“No. You’re not.” Dr. Fell’s tone held both equal measures of harshness and compassion. “You’re not sleeping. Given what you’ve been through, I think you should still be in the hospital, but I know you’re going to fight me on that. If Ms. Bennet did not call me this morning, I would not have known that something was wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong. The shakes and chills have stopped. My feet feel fine and once I get this cast off, I’ll be good as new.” Caroline replied and yet not a single person in the room believed her. Klaus could see Bonnie roll her eyes. She hopped off the stool and walked over to the doctor and Caroline. She took the paper from Dr. Fell’s hand and gave Caroline a wide smile.

“I’ll make sure this gets filled.”

“Thank you, Bonnie.” Dr. Fell turned back to Caroline. “Take them. They will help you sleep. Call me if you need anything or you feel that something is off. Okay?” Dr. Fell pressed and Caroline nodded. She turned to leave the house and nodded her head towards Klaus in greeting. “Agent Mikaelson.”

“Dr. Fell.” Klaus watched as Dr. Fell left the house, shutting the door tightly behind her. Enzo was still nudging Klaus with the dragon, hoping that he would toss it across the room again. Instead, he just started petting Enzo; his gaze focusing on Caroline.

Much like Bonnie, she looked as though she had a rough night. While he saw no bags under her eyes like Bonnie, he could tell that she looked exhausted. She wore a pair of tight-fitting jeans and a floral tank top. The bruises on her arms seemed to have healed slightly; only leaving a few yellow patches where he knew the needle marks would have been. She wore no shoes and had no problem walking around her kitchen counter, telling Klaus that her feet have healed enough for her to walk comfortably; that and seeing that she was able to run out of the police station the other day.

“I’m mad at you.” Caroline muttered to Bonnie, pointing her finger at her with narrowed eyes. The latter just snorted; not caring about Caroline’s anger. Caroline turned to Klaus, who pulled himself from the floor and patted Enzo on the head. “Thank you for coming Klaus. I am making a cup of coffee; can I get you anything?”

“Coffee with be fine, thank you. Black.”

“Are you taking off?” Caroline asked, directing her question to Bonnie; who had grabbed her purse. Klaus noticed she put Caroline’s prescription into it before slinging it over her shoulder. While Klaus felt more comfortable with someone being with Caroline constantly, he understood that the rest of the world needed to continue on with their lives. Out of curiosity, Klaus peaked out the window to ensure that a police cruiser was still stationed across the street.

“Yes. I am going to stop by the shop and make sure Anna is able to fill the orders.” Caroline smirked at that and a look passed between the friends. Klaus was unsure who Anna was but whomever she was seemed to be a running joke between the two friends. “I will get your prescription filled and Liz mentioned something about cooking some pasta dish or something.”

“Spaghetti. That’s all she knows how to cook.” Bonnie snorted and Klaus chuckled. After spending a good portion of his days in the sheriff’s presence, that bit of information did not surprise in him the slightest. “You don’t have to stay over.”

“Yes, I do. Now, no more arguments.” She walked over to the front door and turned before letting herself out. She pointed between Caroline and Klaus. “Let me know when you’re done. Okay?” Caroline nodded in agreement as Bonnie left the house; closing the door behind her. Klaus turned to Caroline, raising his eyebrow at her in question.

“I’d ask how you are faring, but I think I’ll just receive the answer of ‘fine’ and we both know that is a lie.” Klaus could not help at the scowl that took over her lips. He sat down at the island while he watched Caroline pull two mugs while the coffee brewed. “I take it that neither Dr. Fell nor Ms. Bennet believe you, either? Do you need help?”

“No, I got it. And no, they don’t.” Caroline replied with a heavy sigh. She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a container of Fat Free French Vanilla coffee creamer. “I mean, I get it. They are worried and just want to show they care; but I’m not a child. I don’t need constant supervision or to have my hand held. I just feel a bit suffocated, that’s all.”

“You nearly died Caroline. Them being here, taking care of you, is just their way of ensuring themselves that you’re okay.” Klaus thought back to all the times during his teenage years when he felt hoovered over and smothered. At the time he hated it at the time and knew that as an adult, he still would. However, he could understand the sentiments. “I do understand where you are coming from. When I was fifteen, I nearly died. My family hoovered over me constantly and I wanted to throttle each and every one of my siblings.”

“I’m sorry.” Caroline whispered. Klaus could tell that she wanted to ask what happened to him, but she wouldn’t. She was curious but Klaus was able to tell that she was not one to press him; at least not right now. “I know they mean well and don’t get me wrong, Bonnie has been my rock these last few days. Without her, I probably would have gone insane.”

“She seems like a good friend.”

“She is.” Caroline replied as the timer on the coffee maker went off. She pulled the coffee pot from the warmer and poured the two mugs full of Klaus’s favorite liquid. She handed him his coffee before adding the creamer to hers. “Especially since Elena clearly is not.”

“Ah. Yes. That.” Klaus brought his cup to his lips, hoping to hide the amused smirk that was crossing his lips. As a bystander, watching the small-town drama of Elena and the Salvatore brothers unfold was amusing, although he would never tell Caroline that. Not to mention it distracted everyone temporarily from Caroline and gave her some space. “I hear the younger one, Stefan, kicked Elena out of their apartment?”

“And called off the wedding. She moved back in with her aunt and uncle for the time being. Bonnie said that she felt that moving in with Damon would not be a wise idea.” Caroline said in a tight voice while Klaus just tossed her a questioning look. “Elena has been blowing up my phone, but Bonnie has been intercepting the calls; because I don’t feel like talking to her and apparently that makes me the bad guy.”

“She slept with her fiancé’s brother, who is also your ex and your abuser.” Klaus told her in a calm tone. “Sweetheart, if anyone is the bad guy in this situation. It is her. Not you.”

“Thank you!” Caroline exclaimed. “She just doesn’t seem to understand why I’m upset or irritated with her. She just keeps saying that this has nothing to do with me. Like, I’m sorry but I just kind of went through a traumatic experience and to find out that one of my best friends has been sleeping with the man who, once upon a time, used me as a punching bag feels like rubbing salt into a very open wound.” Caroline scowled and ran her uninjured hand through her hair. “Anyway, I didn’t call you over here so you can listen to me rant about Elena and her never ending drama.”

“Even if you did, I wouldn’t mind.” Klaus’s tone was low, and it caused Caroline’s face to flush. While it was completely unprofessional, and he knew that, Klaus could not help but enjoy seeing her be affected by his voice. She bit her lip and looked at him through hooded lashes. “Why did you call me?”

At first, Caroline did not respond, and Klaus was not about to push her. He slowly drank his coffee and patted Enzo’s head absentmindedly, while he waited for Caroline to sort through her thoughts. He had all day if Caroline needed it. On a normal case, Klaus would not spend so much time with a victim, but he could not help but make an exception for Caroline. He had a drive to find who did this to her, but he also wanted nothing more than to ensure she was healing.

“I’m having nightmares.” Caroline whispered and Klaus nodded. It was not unexpected and when Dr. Fell mentioned that she was not sleeping, he suspected as much. Caroline gave another heavy sigh and walked around her counter; sitting on the stool next to Klaus. “Most of the time I’m back in that cellar, being held by him or worse.” She looked down at her hand that was covered by a cast. Klaus reached out and took her other hand; squeezing gently. Caroline laced their finger’s together, terrified that if she let go, he would vanish. “But last night was different. I was running through the wood and I was being chased.

“By who?”

“I don’t know. I kept going over and over the dream this morning and I remembered something.” Klaus sat up straighter, his eyes widening and completely focused on Caroline. “I’m a runner. Always have been. In high school I would run through the woods. I know those woods like the back of hand. I know where I was being held.”

“Where?”

“It’s hard to explain but I can show you. If you’re up for a hike?” Klaus nodded and all but jumped from the stool and pulled out his phone. If Caroline could lead them to where she was held captive, it could lead to a breakthrough. He dialed Marcel quickly and re-laid the message when he answered. He turned to Caroline, asking for a location for them to meet. “Um, about two miles down route 30. Just outside the town boarders, near the Mystic Falls welcome sign.”

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Klaus asked as he hung up with Marcel. She nodded and pulled herself from the stool. He watched her enter her bedroom and return with a pair of socks, boots and a light jacket. After she slipped on her boots and jacket, they left. The drive took about fifteen minutes and for the most part, the drive was silent. Caroline found herself lost in thought as she watched the scenery fly past them. Klaus wondered what was going on in her thoughts but did not want to push her. Instead, he left her alone to her thoughts, not wanting her to feel as though he was also smothering her.

She was pulled from her musings when the car started to slow and pull up beside another black SUV that was parked on the side of the road. She looked over her shoulder and she could see the sign welcoming her to her hometown. Klaus reached across her and opened the glove box; pulling out his government issued handgun. Klaus watched Caroline take a deep breath, before opening the car door. They both stepped out in time to see Marcel exiting his own SUV.

“Caroline, this is Special Agent Marcel Gerard.” Marcel held out his hand for Caroline to take. She took it with her good hand and smiled politely at him. “Marcel, this is Caroline Forbes.”

“Good afternoon Ms. Forbes. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.” Caroline nodded in agreement; her eyes looked around at the trees. Route 30 ran directly in the middle of the forest that surrounded Mystic Falls. Klaus could see her unease and he placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze. “Is this the right place?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath and began to focus. “I remember stopping for a second once I hit the road. I remember looking at the sign. I never was so happy to see that sign in my life because I knew if I ran through there.” Caroline pointed to the trees on the other side of the road. “I would come out near the police station. I knew my mom would be there, waiting for me.”

“She was. She refused to leave. She had faith that you would make it.” Klaus whispered to her and she couldn’t help the tears that began to slide down her cheeks. She takes a moment and then shakes her head. She takes a few deep breaths and wipes the tears away from her cheeks.

“Let’s go through here. It will take a bit to get there and unfortunately cars do not exactly fit.” Caroline whispered and headed into the woods; Marcel and Klaus following behind her. They were silent for the first twenty minutes, simply following her as she retraced her steps; waiting to see if something new came to her. Klaus could not help but imagine Caroline running through these woods, barefoot and terrified. It made his blood boil and he wanted nothing more than to take his frustrations out on something. As though, she could sense his anger, Caroline ended the silence in a chipper voice that none of them believed. “So, partners huh? How long have you guys worked together?”

“I transferred into the unit three years ago.” Marcel replied and threw Klaus a cheeky smirk, hoping that lightening the mood would ease Caroline’s tensions. Caroline looked between the two of them, wearing an amused look on her face. They continued forward, listening to the leaves crunch beneath their feet. “I was trained by the Queen himself.”

“Yes. Well, someone had to teach you some manners, you bloody colonial.” Klaus tossed back, stepping over a stump. His smirk was wide, and his dimples pronounced; his mood completely shifting from anger to amusement. “Seeing that I’m still stuck with you, obviously they are not sticking.”

“It is more likely because no one else can deal with your temper tantrums and therefore upper management refusing to give me a new partner.” Marcel replied in a sing song voice and Klaus just rolled his eyes at him. Caroline’s eyes bounced between the two of them. She could see the obvious friendship that developed over the years between them.

“How long have you been with the FBI?” Caroline asked, turning to Klaus. The smile that he was wearing slipped ever so slightly and took a deep breath. Caroline wanted to back pedal, realizing that she touched a nerve, but Klaus spoke before she could retrack her question.

“I joined the Bureau directly after graduating uni. Recruited actually. I worked in human trafficking for a while before transferring to the Behavioral Analysis Unit six years ago.” There was a shadow in his eyes when he spoke of his job. It was not that he hated his job, there was just only so much death and destruction one could deal with in a lifetime.

“Recruited? Wait. How did a British citizen join the FBI?”

“I went to college in the States. NYU actually. I worked out of the New York field office at first.” Klaus replied but said nothing more on the subject of his work experience. “In truth, I choose to study in the United States because it was far away from my siblings.”

“There are a lot of you Mikaelson’s running around.” Marcel muttered. He tilted his head down to Caroline and whispered to her loudly; holding out his hand in order to help her step over a tree that appeared to have recently falling “Can you believe he is one of five? Let me tell you, I’ve met almost all of his siblings and they are a bit much to handle. I would have fled the country if I was him too.”

“You have four siblings!” Caroline’s eyes went wide. She “And they all still live in England?”

“Yes. I do and for the most part. My younger siblings have a tendency to be a bit nomadic.” Klaus shook his head at Marcel. He narrowed his eyes mockingly at Marcel. “And don’t let his descriptions fool you. He is only stating that my siblings are too much to handle because he had a thing for my sister Rebekah, and she broke his heart.”

“Your sister is a brat.”

“Which I told you before you started dating her.” Klaus shot back, not really angry over the failed relationship between Marcel and his sister. The banter would have continued to go on, but Caroline stopped abruptly, causing Klaus to almost run into her. His eyes darted up and down Caroline’s figure, searching for injury. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” By the tone of her whisper, Klaus doubted her sincerity. Her eyes were trained in front of them, looking at a pile of rocks that seemed almost man made. She lifted her good hand and pointed. “Up ahead. Those rocks. There is an old tunnel underneath. I was held there. I’m certain of it.”

“Can you do this?” Klaus gazed down at her, worry evident in his features. Caroline shook her head but reached for his arm. She linked her good arm with his and dug her nails into his skin. He did not even flinch but instead, was willing to let her reach for him; giving her comfort. Slowly, the three of them made their way towards the rubble and once they reached it, Klaus could not help but inspect it. “This appears to be man-made?”

“Yes.” Caroline could not tear her eyes away from the stone. The stones surrounding it were small and a set of stairs could be seen, descending into the ground. The entryway was tiny and appeared to be covered in dirt and leaves. “These are the old Lockwood tunnels. They were used during the civil war to funnel slaves to and from places. Overtime, the tunnels were closed up and buried. Whoever did this, had to of opened it up.”

“Do many people know about these?”

“No.” Caroline replied in a monotone voice, still unable to look away from the stairway. “Most people don’t. If Tyler never told me about them, I wouldn’t have known. Like I said, they are typically covered by dirt and grass. Whoever did this, he knew about them, and uncovered it; only to bury it back underground once I was inside. I had to dig myself out.”

“Caroline?”

“I can’t go down there!” She started shaking her head and backed away. Her eyes grew wide and her breathing began to pick up. She could feel her chest constricting as she tumbled backwards. Klaus caught her easily and pulled her against his chest. “Don’t make me go down there. I can’t! I thought I could but can’t. Please don’t make me go down there. Please. Please.”

“You don’t have to go down there.” Klaus whispered. He placed his hands on the side of her face. He turned her head gently enough in order for her to look away from her the place that was once her prison and into his eyes. “Caroline, look at me. You never have to go down there again. I promise you. If you do not want to do down there, you don’t. Okay?”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Klaus whispered back to her. “Now, take a deep breath. Breathe in and out. Slowly. There you go. Keep breathing. Focus on me.” Klaus’s voice brought Caroline back to the living. He could hear her breathing begin to slow and her trembling stop. Klaus pulled her close, minding her cast, and just held her. “I will find him, and he will never hurt you again. I promise that I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

“Thank you.” Caroline’s voice was just a whisper and Klaus had to strain to hear her. He just held her close for a moment, looking over her head towards Marcel. He was taking photos with his phone but sneaking looks at them. Klaus could see the questions burning in Marcel’s eyes. He was going to hear about this later but feeling Caroline in his arms, even in though she was completely terrified, was worth whatever lecture he was deemed to get from his partner.

“Feeling better?” Klaus asked as she pulled away. She nodded but refused to look at the rubble again. Instead she turned her back and looked into the woods; feeling the afternoon breeze on her skin. Klaus kept a hand on her shoulder, rubbing small circles hoping to bring her some sort of comfort.

“Caroline?” Marcel walked around Klaus in order to stand directly in front of her. He noticed something; something Klaus missed. His eyes were gentle, and Klaus knew he had a question that he needed an answer to. Klaus was torn, part of him wanted Marcel to back off and give Caroline space while the other part, wanted to push this investigation forward in order to find the bastard who hurt her. “Did you say that the these were Lockwood tunnels?”

“Yes.”

“Is this Lockwood property?”

“Yeah. I think so.” Marcel sighed and looked at Klaus. They both knew what that meant. If this was Lockwood property, then technically they could not go down there without permission or a warrant. While an argument of probable cause could be warranted, neither Klaus nor Marcel could guarantee it would hold up in court. “Why?”

“To go down there, we would need a warrant.” Klaus replied gently. Marcel nodded, still eyeing the interaction between Klaus and Caroline; especially how Klaus still was touching her back. Caroline leaned into him again, resting her head against his chest. “Why don’t we head back, and we will call one in once we get to the car.”

The three of them headed back through the woods. Unlike the time before, Caroline found no reason to disrupt the silence. The walk lasted about a half hour. Neither wanted to push her or make her uncomfortable but Marcel kept looking down at their locked hands; Caroline refusing to let go and Klaus wanting to hold on as tightly as he could.

When they reached the two black SUV’s that were still waiting patiently on the side of the road, Marcel immediately pulled out his phone. Caroline let go of Klaus’s hand and followed suit, pulling out her phone in order to send a one-handed text. Klaus, giving her privacy leaned against the car, listening to Marcel speak to one of the two judges in Mystic Falls. When he was finished, he hung up and turned towards Klaus.

“The warrant will be ready first thing in the morning. He said we could go down now, but I figure it would be best to get a forensic team down there too.” Klaus nodded in agreement. “I’ll call Vincent and have him send a team over.” Marcel’s eyes flickered over to Caroline, who was still looking at her phone but appeared to not really see what was in front of her. “Why don’t I take Caroline home. You pick up something from the Grill and meet me back at the motel.”

“Marcel.” Klaus narrowed his eyes and all but hissed through his teeth. Marcel held up his hands. “She is comfortable with me. I’ll take her home.”

“Fine.” Marcel replied, knowing full well that this was an argument he would not win; and it would not be wise to have it in front of the woman in question. “I’ll grab dinner from the Grill. Meet you back at the motel. We’ll get a game plan for tomorrow. It’s going to be a long day.”

Klaus nodded in agreement, watching Marcel walk around his SUV and climb into the car. He walked over to Caroline as Marcel drove off. He could already hear the speech he was bound to get once he reached the motel. Not wanting to dwell on that fact, he focused on Caroline who was indeed staring at her phone that had gone into sleep mode.

“Caroline?”

“I heard them.” Caroline whispered and Klaus looked at her confused. “My mom told me that when she found the bodies, they were doing a late-night search party for me. She couldn’t wait till the next morning.” Klaus could see her begin to tremble, he opened the passenger side door and helped her sit on the seat. “I was handcuffed to a cell door that was falling apart. I was hazy and out of it, but I heard them yelling my name. I screamed. I screamed so loud and they didn’t hear me. But I knew that they were looking for me and that gave me strength.”

“I know I’ve said this to you before, but you are strong Caroline. You walked into those woods knowing what you would find.” He leaned in closer, his nose inches away from hers. “It takes a special kind of person to be able to stand on two feet after everything you went through. In a year or two from now, you will look back and wonder how you survived this. You will realize how resilient you are.”

“And in a year or two, you’ll still be out there; looking into the worst of humanity, solving their mysteries?”

“No.” Klaus shook his head and Caroline gave him a quizzical look. He hadn’t said this out loud to anyone, not even Marcel or his superiors. The only person who knew the truth was his brother Elijah; who had been trying to convince him for years to follow through. “This is my last case. After this. I’m done. I can’t do it anymore.”

“It eats at you.” Caroline reached up and placed her hand on the side of his face, tracing her thumb across his cheekbones. The way she looked at him made him feel as though she could see inside his soul. Her touch made him melt; his shoulder’s sagging in relief that he did not realize he needed. “I’m so sorry. For whatever happened to you, I’m sorry.”

Klaus leaned in and rested his head against her forehead. Their eyelashes fluttered, neither willing to break eye contact. Their noses touched and their breath mingled together. Klaus tilted his head and Caroline leaned forward; bringing them closer together. Their lips graced each other ever so slightly until…. a faint buzzing of Caroline’s phone in her lap pulled them apart quickly.

Klaus jumped back while Caroline quickly grabbed her phone. Her skin was flushed; redness covering every inch of her face. He coughed lightly, running his fingers through his sandy blonde hair and thinking on how their lips touched for a second before her phone buzzed in her lap. He shouldn’t have almost kissed her, but he could not bring himself to regret it either.

“It’s, um Bonnie.” Caroline said in a hoarse voice, still looking at her phone. She peaked at Klaus slightly before returning to her phone. “I sent her a message that we were finishing up here and that I would be heading back to the house. She said she would meet me there.”

“Good.” Klaus agreed, nodding his head. “Then we should get going.” Caroline bit her lip and turned so she was facing forward in the seat. Klaus shut the door and he walked around the front. He climbed into the driver’s side and out of the corner of his eye, he could see a small genuine smile on Caroline’s lip. Knowing that he put that smile there, Klaus could not help the grin that spread across his face.

The drive passed in relative silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The silence wasn’t filled with tension and the air did not hold lingering depression. If anything, it was a mutual understanding that passed between them. Knowledge that there were parts of themselves locked away; built behind solid walls waiting for the other to chip away at. Klaus could see himself allowing her behind the solid stone that he encrusted around his heart. Caroline was the light in the darkness that he had been searching for yet never finding. His only regret was meeting how they did.

Klaus pulled up to her house and parked on the curb; directly across from a police cruiser that had a deputy whose name Klaus did not know sitting inside. He made a mental note to learn all the officer’s names that would be guarding her home. Bonnie was out in the front yard, playing with Enzo. The dog in question lost his mind and started barking insanely when he realized that Caroline was inside the car.

“Can I ask you something?” Caroline turned to Klaus, her hand on the door handle. Klaus nodded and looked directly at him. There would be no almost kiss or promises to see each other soon. Caroline’s eyes, that once held desire to feel his lips against hers was replaced with concern. “This job tears you up inside. I can see that, and I understand why. But, if you hate it that much, why have you continued doing it for so long? Six years. That’s an eternity when all you deal with is death.”

“I don’t know.” Klaus’s reply was unbelievable and they both knew it. Caroline said nothing but just tilted her head and gave him a withering look. “I guess, I was punishing myself. Or I don’t know. Trying to find answers to something that will never be answered.”

“Whatever it is Klaus, whatever you feel is your fault or whatever answers you’re seeking, you can’t continue to punish yourself for it.” Caroline leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. The light touch of her lips caused him to give her a sad smile in return. “All that being said, I’m really glad you’re here.”

Caroline turned away and opened the door, sliding from the car. Enzo’s barking awoke Klaus from his stupor and watched as Caroline greeted her dog most enthusiastically. She picked up the toy he had been playing with and tossed it towards the house. Klaus glanced at Bonnie who was staring at Caroline with a slacked jaw. Her arms were crossed, and she was pointing towards the car that Klaus still sat in; ignoring Klaus completely. Bonnie said something and all Caroline did was shrug in reply. Caroline headed inside and Klaus could see Bonnie yelling after her.

At least he was not the only who would be grilled.

Klaus drove through town, having learned the streets well enough to not need his GPS. He pulled into the only motel that was on the outskirts of town. It was cheap, run down, and made Klaus want to shower every time he slipped between the sheets. The government was paying and therefore they were not about to splurge on expensive accommodations.

He ran up the metal stairway and passed the doors that knew were being used for people to get high in. Even small towns had their secrets. Klaus would not be in Mystic Falls if they didn’t. He reached the hotel room that he was sharing with Marcel and let himself in. Two takeout boxes sat on the small table by the air conditioner. By the steam that fogged up the mirrors and the fact that Marcel was already in his pajamas told Klaus that it was going to be an early night. Something he anticipated, since they were going to be spending the early morning hiking through the woods.

“Thanks.” Klaus stated as he sat down at the table. He grabbed one of the takeout boxes and picked up a file that was stationed beside it. Marcel sat down across from him, grabbing his own box. Neither spoke while Klaus looked at the pages in the file that both knew he was not reading. Klaus picked at his fries while feeling Marcel’s eyes on him.

“Okay look. I will only say this once.” Marcel sighed and placed his elbows on the table; linking his fingers together. “What I saw today between you and Caroline is…. concerning.” Klaus moved to interrupt him, but he held up his hand. “No. Listen. I get it. I get why you would be drawn to her. She is beautiful, lively and is probably stronger than most men who have completed the academy.”

“You’re point?”

“My point is that she just suffered what will be the worst experience of her life. I hope anyway.” Marcel muttered. “She is vulnerable and latching onto anything that would bring her comfort. And, she is a witness. If you get involved with her, it could jeopardize this case once it goes to trial. A good defense lawyer would pick apart any relationship you tried to build. And it could also affect your career.”

“Marcel, I know what I’m doing.” Klaus replied and they both knew that was a lie. Klaus was lost at sea when it came to Caroline. There was not a single precedent he cared for and the entire rule book was flown out the window when he looked at her. “I can’t explain it but there is something about her. I look at her and I just lose all…she makes me feel like a better person.”

“Christ. You have it bad.” He shook his head and ran his hands over his face. “Okay, I won’t say anything but for Christ sake, keep it in your pants until this is all done and over with. Okay? Focus on catching the bastard that did this to her and then romance her. Sound like a plan?”

“I’ll do my best.”