Disclaimer: nothing owned by me.

A/N: Inspired by a photo of Klaroline from Dangerous Liaisons (episode 3x14). Explores the complicated relationship between Klaus and Caroline (and Tyler). Most likely won't be as long as Believe the Unexpected. Please R&R and make my day.

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Chapter 1

She took out the bracelet and stared at it for several moments. It glittered in the sunlight and made Tyler's birthday gift on her wrist look unimportant. She undid its latch and lay it on her mattress and as she had done several times before, she tried on Klaus' gift - admiring its affect; it was beautiful and expensive by the looks of it. Tyler's might not be as diamondy but it meant more to her, didn't it? It stood for hope. But he was a Hybrid now, and he was Klaus' property. Klaus' first ever Hybrid, so Tyler's loyalties didn't belong to her, they belonged to Klaus - the man he was sired to! And she had to be honest to him and herself. She couldn't trust him.

So they broke up.

It was a new day. Her birthday had come and gone and she was alive; able to choose what was best for her; what she needed in her life and who she allowed in it. What she and Tyler had, meant everything to her - but she wasn't about to grieve or mope around for him, especially after what had happened - why should she?

Caroline remembered the night in question. It had been her Dad's idea - the only way he would allow Tyler around her, but Caroline was anxious. What her Father had in mind was insane. Forcing the werewolf inside the Hybrid was a dangerous affair. Caroline had seen what damage turning did first hand - she'd been there the first time Tyler changed and risked her life in the process. But this time, things were different. There was so much uncertainty between them; bottled up emotions; hate; frustration; loss; tension. Bill was pushing him to turn at will. It was the only way he could escape Klaus' siring - the only way he could become free of the curse, free to make his own choices. Caroline shot her dad an agonising look as Tyler's scared eyes locked on her soul and the chains that held his writhing body rattled.

"No! It's too much for him. You can't expect him to do this! It took hours last time!"

"He has to do this." Bill shot back and Caroline ignored him, aiming to hold him, but just as she moved closer to him, Tyler snapped. "Just go Caroline!" She stared at him. No! He didn't mean it. She didn't move. Caroline could hear his bones breaking, see sweat dripping off his ever changing muscles, his eyes were glowing yellow and fierce and the chains were choking his ankles and wrists. "He'll be fine with me." Bill persuaded her, gently. Caroline doubted it, gritting her teeth, she stomped away, leaving the howls of frustration and her Dad's forceful technique behind.

She wiped her blond hair from her face and sped home where she could blast the music, eat ice-cream and drink vodka - all to calm her nerves and ease her anger. She didn't know why she put up with it. She was there when Tyler had transformed for the first time and now he wanted to break his bond to Klaus without her help?

He had to understand how that made her feel?

It hurt more than when he'd kissed her and bit her!

More than when he said 'he would never hurt her' and broke his promise.

Or when he kept defending Klaus despite all the terrible things the Original Vampire had done to Elena, to Bonnie and to Stefan.

Of course she knew he was doing this for her, and she knew trying to break his sired bond to Klaus would put him in danger, but why did he tell her to leave?

She'd seen him tortured and on the verge of death - they had been friends and lovers and they'd connected hadn't they? She couldn't help but feel like Tyler was punishing her for breaking up with him. Like she had no business being there, because she had said no. But the more she analysed it the more the answer glared at her in the face - their relationship was doomed from the start: vampires and werewolves were enemies - never lovers! Like Romeo and Juliet - what fate awaited her?

Tyler Lockwood was now desperate, egotistical, challenging and moody. Their relationship had survived so many obstacles, but since he'd almost killed her - everything between them had become worse. She didn't trust him and they'd grown apart.

What was wrong with her? Why did she feel so horrible, like she didn't matter, like nobody cared about her? Her funeral was supposed to let her move on with her life, but instead, she just felt as miserable as she had when she was dying. Perhaps everything just seemed worse because Tyler had confessed he still loved her and then ruined everything by biting her? And why would Klaus want her dead, only to then feel guilty and save her? Even in her head it sounded messed up.

She stared at the black velvet box that still lay there, hoping to be worn and her thoughts got even more complicated when she wondered what Klaus meant by giving it to her. She unclipped Tyler's bracelet. She didn't want to wear it anymore. There was no hope anymore. She and Tyler were over, for good, and even she didn't know if their friendship could be mended. Caroline opened the box that Klaus had given her, succumbing to curiosity and she ran her eager fingers over the diamonds. It was the best birthday gift ever.

Distracting her briefly, her phone beeped and she'd received a text from Elena.

Where are you? Matt, Bonnie and I are already at the Grill.

Caroline wiped her eyes and sniffed back tears, trying to compose herself, pretending everything was fine, like she used to do. She still felt bad for being so ungrateful when Elena, Bonnie and Matt had planned her a surprise birthday, so she left her depressing room - turning off her loud music, hiding the ice-cream and taking the bottle of vodka with her.

Unfortunately, she forgot one vital thing.

0o0o

Caroline entered the Grill looking flustered and as she spotted Bonnie, Matt and Elena talking at their table as though they had nothing to worry about, she couldn't help but notice Klaus was sitting, laid back in the stool at the bar, drinking a scotch, and she overheard his conversation with his friend. She hitched her bag on her shoulder and walked passed calmly, her lips thinned and she realised she was still wearing Klaus' gift. Her heart stopped as she panicked: oh god - everyone's going to think she had a secret admirer - or worse - Klaus would get cocky when he realised she liked his gift. She tried to hide it beneath her jacket and she saw Bonnie catch her warning glance, and then Elena waved at her with a smile and Matt looked uncertain, "I just want my family back." Klaus was saying in a hushed whisper. "If it's a war Stefan wants, then he'll get it. After all these years, he's forgotten how I get when something I care about is threatened. I think it's time for us to remind him who he's messing with." Caroline had stopped in her tracks and suddenly Klaus was standing beside her. Matt was on his feet in seconds and Bonnie and Elena joined him, looking startled.

Klaus smiled calmly and whispered in Caroline ear, "Excuse me, Caroline, but listening in on other people's conversations is rather rude. I think you should mind your own business." Caroline's lips parted slightly and he glanced down at her concealed wrist and his charming smirk appeared, "I'm glad you're feeling better." And with that he returned to the bar, giving Bonnie a look as if to say, 'see, I'm not all bad'. And Bonnie let him go, not wanting to cause a scene.

"What was that about?" Elena demanded as Caroline took her seat next to Matt. Caroline could barely form the words in her mouth. Yes, what had that been about? Klaus knew she was eavesdropping, but when he'd appeared behind her, her heart had not only stopped but she had felt more alive than she had been when she were human.

"He wanted to know where Stefan was." Caroline lied.

"Why ask you?" Bonnie contemplated.

"Guess, he was too scared to come too close to you." Caroline answered and she glanced at Klaus in the process. He smirked at her. Caroline stared at him. What was going on? Was he trying to lure her into his web of lies, or was he merely trying to win her friendship or more? Did he really like birthdays or did he regret what he'd done? Was it possible for Klaus to actually care about someone?

"Caroline, are you ok?" Matt pressed after a minute, as the waiter came over to ask if they were ready to order. Caroline blinked, she'd been tapping her fingers on the table, irritably, thinking how strange things had turned out and how she could be having lunch with Matt (as friends) when the past year had been so complicated between him and Tyler. How Elena had Damon compel Jeremy into leaving Mystic Falls when she knew her best friend was in love with him. She found it even stranger that Matt and Elena had dated not that long ago and yet there were no issues between any of them now. The issues that faced them were so beyond their control it wasn't funny.

"I'm fine. Tyler and I aren't doing so well." Caroline admitted, staring at the menu in front of her.

"We'd figured as much." Matt answered quietly.

"I don't really want to talk about it." Caroline added, and it was true, she'd come to catch up with her friends and try to have a normal day out for once, without chasing vampires or killing Hybrids or trying to save each other's lives. She just wanted to eat a cheese burger, drink shots and revel in the splendours of a chocolate mousse.

After they'd ordered, and the waiter had left them be. Caroline poured them glasses of vodka and her eyes wandered over to Klaus' chair again. He raised his glass of half-empty scotch and winked, and she looked away quickly.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Elena asked, suspiciously.

"I will be after one or five of these." Caroline said and despite what she had said earlier, she decided in the end, to drown her sorrows - it was easier that way.

"Whoa! Slow down!" Matt said, taking hold of Caroline's hand as she gulped down her wine glass of vodka, it burning the back of her throat on the way down. "People are watching!"

"I don't care." Caroline hissed, as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Caroline, what happened? This isn't you." Elena said, and Caroline chuckled to herself. It was funny how Elena still didn't see who she was. Why couldn't see that this vampire guzzling down vodka was exactly Caroline Forbes -in all her glory - trying to forget those words Tyler had snapped at her, and trying to let go of all the anger, fear and suffocation she had been bottling up for months now. She caught Klaus' gaze and wondered if he could read minds too. She blushed even more when she realised she was enjoying his attention.

Caroline raised her half empty wine-glass and said, "If I recall this is me. Why don't you all try it? We're only eighteen! Who needs all this responsibility! Besides I want to celebrate my funeral in style."

"Caroline shut up!" Matt hissed, looking disturbed as Caroline laughed out loud and threw her glass to her lips. Klaus finished his scotch with a smile and as his friend got up to leave, Klaus shook his hand and refused his offer, saying he'd rather stay for another drink. Caroline didn't care she was making a fool of herself in his eyes. She wanted to let go of everything that was holding her back. She wanted to live - she wanted to remember what it was like to be a teenager.

It seemed easier to forget her issues when she focussed on other's and when the words flooded out her mouth before she could think of the repercussions - she was reminded of who she used to be, and how bitchy she could be - but it was too late. "Oh look Elena, Damon's here - why don't you go make out with him again - you know you liked it. Why don't you just admit it! You're in love with him, we all know it."

Matt's neck whipped around so fast it gave Caroline the giggles. "You kissed Damon Salvatore!"

Elena glared at Caroline, "I told you that in confidence!" Damon turned to where they were sitting, looking concerned. Bonnie told them to be quiet, people were staring. Caroline rolled her eyes.

"Everyone knows but you. Just admit it! Stefan doesn't love you! So move on!" Caroline said bitterly.

"Tyler does love you. He told me." Matt said, feeling awkward, but stepping right into the fray.

"How do you feel Matt, now that you're all alone? I mean it's got to be hard on you when Bonnie said you couldn't even trust your own sister and she had to go! I mean why her and not Anna? I think it was all Elena's fault -I meant she persuaded Stefan to take her in and feed on that bunny diet - and for new vampires it's a long shot - so really her death was inevitable."

"That's enough Caroline!" Bonnie said, taking the bottle from her quickly as her words sank into Matt's soul. He was gritting his teeth, like he was ready to burst. She knew Matt had never been ok with what had happened to Vicki. Everyone had been so naive back then. Tyler had been a different person. "Stop taking what you're feeling on us."

Damon had spotted Klaus at the bar and went to talk to him, so Elena looked on with worried eyes and Caroline saw another opportunity to create havoc. She couldn't stop saying those nasty things, but the more she said them, the less she felt afraid, or scared, or lonely - she might have her issues - but her friends' sounded far worse once she said them aloud.

Caroline smiled wryly, "Why don't you tell Elena what you really thought of her sending Jeremy away? Didn't you call her a 'selfish, spoilt bitch' or something?" Caroline stole the bottle back and offered Matt some, when he declined she muttered, 'typical' and as things got out of hand and their so-called 'normal' lunch grew into a massive fight, with all of them leaving one by one - Elena first (where she was intercepted by Damon and they left together), then Bonnie (who glared at Klaus like she knew his secret) and then Matt (who looked at her like everything was her fault) and Caroline was left to finish the rest of the bottle, alone.

"What are you looking at?" Caroline said, poking her tongue out at a young boy opposite of her, who like the rest of the guests at The Grill was staring at her like she'd lost her mind, and who had probably overheard parts of her stabs. She took a long gulp of vodka from her half empty bottle, and her meal arrived. The waiter looked alarmed, when Caroline, told him her friends have left her and she suggested he leave the other three plates for her to eat, because she was starving. He seemed to think this was an excuse for him to call the police and so she laughed her head off at the idea and yelled at him in a shrill voice - I'm not afraid of my mother! But you should be!

Caroline picked at her burger and the after effects and shock at what she had said and done, hit her.

What was wrong with her?

"I enjoyed that performance, but maybe you should let me take you home."

Caroline snorted at the idea, and looked up to see Klaus leaning over the table with an ominous grin on his handsome face - did she just say handsome?- Caroline stared at him, like he'd said something remotely unfunny and he sighed, "Come with me." He pushed back the chair, wrapped the burger in a napkin, left a few bills on the table and offered her his hand. "Trust me."

Caroline was pretty sure she would have chosen differently if she hadn't have drowned her sorrows with half a bottle of vodka, but instead she grew curious. Here was Klaus, standing in front of her, tempting her like he had when he'd told her that there were so many things to explore as a vampire. That art, music and theatre through the centuries were worth living forever for. Maybe because his voice was so convincing, or because there was something charming hidden beneath his terrifying exterior, or perhaps because her mother would kill her - Caroline felt a little adventurous and so she took his hand, intrigued.

A/N: I like cliff-hangers. They almost always prompt reviews. Make sure you do. I love Klaroline. No idea if this will have a happy or sad ending - stay tuned to find out.