Authors note: An old one shot I wrote on Tumblr based on 3x14

Caroline stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her hands fumbling to put in her earrings as she heard the soft creak of the door. She took a deep breath and grabbed her gloves off the dresser and her lips curved up in a gentle smile as she slipped them on. Before she could turn to face him his hand was settled on her shoulder.

She felt the breath of his rough low voice on her neck, tickling her skin. "Hello, love." he said softly as she turned to face him. She lifted her blue eyes to meet his. Klaus stood there, a grin spreading across his lips as he took in the sight of her.

He took her gloved hand in his and lifted it to his mouth, pressing a small kiss to the back of her hand. Though it was a simple gesture, it made her nervous and she turned from him quickly to face the mirror again. As his eyes followed her movements she smoothed the corset of her fine dress. He gave a short chuckle at her bashfulness as she snapped the clip of his bracelet around her wrist.

"Simply ravishing," he commented softly. "but there is something missing." He snapped his fingers together and a tall dark haired man, surely another of his hybrids, entered the room. He held out a small box which Klaus opened to reveal a small round diamond, surrounded by an intricate design of sapphires, on a long silver chain. She turned to look as the sparkle of the gems caught her eye. She reached out a hand to trace the delicately sculpted jewels before she quickly withdrew her hand. "Its… beautiful." she said quietly before turning towards the bed to retrieve her silver wrap which she had laid there. "But I don't want it."

"Don't be silly, Caroline. Put it on." he said in a casually dismissive tone.

"I won't wear it. I don't want it." she repeated firmly as she threw the wrap around her arms and held it tightly to her slender form.

"Caroline-"

"I said I'd allow you to escort me, but you're not my date. I will not accept your gifts." she stated, her firm voice trying to convince herself not to take it more than to convince him that she wouldn't. Her eyes met his again as he waved his hand and dismissed the hybrid who backed out of the room without a word.

"Caroline, it is rude to refuse my gifts." he said quietly, his voice steady and demanding.

"It's rude to assume I'll take them." she rolled her eyes away from him and gave a sigh. "I cannot be bought and bribed. Do you really think I'm so petty?"

"Of course not." he responded, uncertain how to respond as he watched her turn from him again. "But I.." he stopped himself from continuing, knowing that his efforts would be to know avail. He let out an agitated growl before he spoke again. "I will be waiting downstairs." he said before he turned and stomped out of the room.

Caroline's fingers fiddled with the bracelet clasped on her wrist as he stormed from the room. "What have I gotten myself into?" she breathed quietly to herself, he eyes closed as she took a breath. She slipped her feet into her heels and gave herself one last look over before following him out the door.