On The Road to Happiness

Summary: Klaus took one of her petite hands into his, his eyes unable to meet hers. "My life was meaningless before I met you, and now… Now it scares me how everything has changed. You've put me on the road to happiness, and part of me wants to leave but my heart is telling me to stay." Piper smiled and rested her free hand on her growing bump. "Your heart is wise."

Exile

It was dark, cold and wet. The rain hammered against the ground and bounced up again. Klaus ploughed on unaffected by the weather. He gritted his teeth as he left Mystic Falls behind; there was nothing left there for him. Caroline had Tyler; Rebekah had her own infatuations and friends… Well there were none there. He needed a new start and new people, people who wouldn't make his life a living nightmare.

He stood in the train station gazing at the timetable with wonder. He could go anywhere he wanted; he had the power to do so. Klaus just wanted a place where no one knew his face, his name or his story. It would be a new beginning, a new chapter in his long and complicated story. "Seattle… Seattle…" he murmured under his breath. A small smile appeared on his face, it was just the place he needed. With a swift turn he bumped into a young woman with golden curls. He heard the sound of black coffee hit white tile. A small gasp escaped from the woman's lips.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise that someone was standing behind me." He watched her as she turned around, her white blouse stained.

"Well obviously not." She said calmly, taking a handkerchief from her pocket. She dabbed at the stain and sighed a little in frustration. She could feel his eyes burn into her. Slowly her eyes rose and met his. "Are you just going to watch me all day?" she smiled a little and shook her head, breaking the shy glance.

"I was just waiting for your forgiveness." Klaus chuckled and crossed his arms. It was the first time he enjoyed conversation with someone, even if the woman was a total stranger.

"You're forgiven. Go catch a train or something." Her words were quick as she looked up at him slowly, picking up the empty cup from the floor. As she walked past him she stared into his eyes. The feeling of being lost overcame her and she didn't know why. There was something mysterious about him and deep down she wanted to reveal it and learn his secrets.

Klaus couldn't stop the smirk from appearing on his face. To get into someone's mind made him happy and dulled the anger he felt inside. Although, she had done the same thing he did, she left a mark on his mind and he could feel it. He couldn't stop thinking about her. She reminded him of Caroline and the love he once had for her, but she was different and in a way more complex. Her eyes said one thing, but the tone in which she spoke gave a new meaning to her words. This young woman was like a trap, the more he thought about her, the deeper the nails dug into his memory.

The train stopped at the platform with a screech. People pushed past Klaus as the hurried onto the train. He stepped onto the carriage and clawed his way through the fussing people in search of a seat. Stepping over lying luggage was like an obstacle course. He glanced out the window quickly, taking a small step forward. Something caught his foot, a woman's bag. He tripped and held onto a small table by one of the seats.

"I am so sorry; I really should put that bag away." Klaus looked round at the young woman, ready to kill but softened at the sight of her. A pleased look crossed her face. "You know, when I said get a train, I didn't mean the same train as me."

Klaus sat on the free seat in front of her and kicked her bag under the table. "You know, I really should complain about you."

"I say one for one. You got me, and now I got you." She smiled and fiddled with a closed book that was rested in her hands.

"I see you changed your shirt." Klaus nodded towards her and raised an eyebrow.

"I couldn't walk around with a huge stain. People would think badly of me." She shook her head a little and rested her head against the window. Her eyes fell shut and she sighed contently. "I can't wait to get home."

"Were you here for any particular reason?"

"I was here for a job interview. I was ready to just pack up my life in Seattle and just move to Virginia for that one job." She peeked at him through one eye. "And I didn't even get it."

"Such a shame." He bit his lip a little and leaned in closer. "Why didn't you get it? No outstanding qualities?" he teased her with a smirk and watched her laugh to herself.

"I had plenty of qualities… But apparently not the right ones." She sat up straight again and outstretched her hand towards him. "Seen as we're going to get well acquainted on this train journey, my name's Piper."

He slowly shook her hand, his eyes lighting up at touch of her warm skin. "Klaus."

"It's a pleasure." She nodded once, keeping her hand in his for a moment.

"It most certainly is." He let go of her hand and looked around the train with slight discontent. "I've always hated the train." He stated with a displeased tone. "Nothing good ever happens on the train."

"I feel like I should be offended." She took out a pair of glasses from her bag and placed them on the bridge of her nose. He fingers flicked through the pages of the novel until she found her place.

"Maybe this time is the exception." He looked at her book, occasionally meeting her glance.

"I think it is, unless you happen to spill more coffee on me." She shook her head a little and screwed up her face. "Then it wouldn't be very nice."

"I don't think that'll happen again." He smiled and glanced out of the window as the train began to move out of the station.

The two talked for hours like gossiping school girls treading on the topic of anything and everything that came into their mind. He knew where she worked and where she stayed in Virginia, and she heard about his siblings and his complicated family drama. Klaus told her as much as he could without giving away his secret and it was hard. There was something about her that made him want to confess everything and bare his soul in front of her. When the train finally stopped he looked around in confusion.

"We're here already?" Klaus glanced at the standing passengers. Slowly Piper got onto her feet and grabbed her bag from under the table.

"Yeah, time passed really quickly, didn't it?" she seemed slightly displeased but smiled. "I enjoyed our little talk. You really lifted my spirits."

"And you to me" he scratched the back of his neck and walked behind her as they made their way to the exit. "Perhaps sometime we can meet for coffee. You're the only friend I have in Seattle."

"I don't think my boyfriend would be too happy about that." She glanced at him with a small smile and chewed on her lip as she thought. "But sometimes I like to get away from life and usually hide out at Café Lamont." She stepped onto the platform and turned to him. "But you didn't hear that from me."

He chuckled and shook his head, his hands finding place in his pockets. "I won't utter a word."

"I guess this is where we part ways." She glanced behind her and threw her bag over her shoulder. "Hopefully we run into each other again."

Klaus nodded in agreement. "I wish you the best." He watched her as she walked away, disappearing into the swarm of people. A smile appeared on his face and he couldn't help but look at the ground. This girl was truly special.