Role Reversal
This takes place between Seasons 1 and 2
Teaser
The beast inside him had finally calmed enough for him to fall asleep. Cami lay next to Klaus, exhausted. She watched him take his extended breaths for a moment and marveled at the exquisite lines on his attractive face. Propping herself up, she gently leaned over and placed a tender kiss on his forehead. After watching him suffer for the past several hours, even someone like Klaus deserved a peaceful rest, in Cami's opinion. As fatigued as she was, it was hard to tear her gaze off the handsome man who was dangerously close to stealing her heart. "Please don't make me fall in love with you. I will die if I do…" She closed her eyes and settled next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. At that moment, Klaus shifted and turned to face her. Both opened their eyes and he quickly placed his lips on hers…
Chapter 1: Cousin Charlie
Camille O'Connell sat at her computer, scrolling through her e-mails, amazed at how many expressions of sympathy were so lovingly sent her way upon her Uncle Kieran's passing. It had been weeks since his funeral, but Cami felt as if this was the first time she had a calm moment to truly appreciate the words in each e-mail. In an attempt to distract her from her loneliness, she had invited Marcel over the night before and the empty wine glasses they drank from still sat on her coffee table in front of the TV. Although she was open to the idea of having him stay the night with her, he had to leave abruptly when he received an urgent phone call from one of his vampire minions. She found him attractive and appreciated his strong physique and dark brown eyes, but the constant warring between him and Klaus became tiresome. Klaus. The most complicated person Cami had ever met, Niklaus Mikaelson had found his way into her thoughts once again. He had told her to stay away and they could not be friends, but she found herself missing his company. Yes, he was attractive to her as well, with his slender yet strong features and seductive accent, but he was extremely dangerous. She appreciated his willingness to keep her safe and found that noble quality another reason she couldn't stop thinking about him. However, every time she thought of how he used her in the beginning, it made her angry. Then, she would think about the poor child that he lost and how much it hurt him. She cared for him, no matter what he had done. The amazing part was that he cared for her. The one human, as far as she knew, that he would protect. The pain in his eyes when he sent her away made Cami well up with tears. She wanted so badly to take him in her arms and share the burden of his loss. Even Klaus did not deserve to lose his child in such a manner. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she re-focused on her e-mails. A new one appeared from her cousin Charlie. However, it was dated a week ago. She began to read:
Dear Cami,
Sorry to hear about Uncle Kieran. I'm still in Tunisia, but I need your help. I have discovered an artifact that has brought me unbelievable luck. This archaeological dig has proven most valuable to my entire team. I can't carry it with me on the plane, so I am shipping it to you for safe keeping until I get back. I hope it brings you luck, too. Thanks, Cousin!
Love, Charlie
"How did I miss this e-mail?" she asked herself. Then, a text notification came across her phone, stating that she had a package to pick up from UPS. Looking at the clock, she realized that she had just enough time to go to the UPS office before it closed. The office was thankfully within walking distance.
Once she obtained the mysterious box from Cousin Charlie, she examined it briefly before tucking it under her arm and walking towards her apartment. She expected it to be heavy, but it wasn't. However, she had begun working out again and felt much stronger as a result. Workouts were a great way to de-stress from all the grief that surrounded her. As her heels clicked on the pavement, the feeling of being watched made the hairs on her arms stand on end. She quickly looked around, but saw no one. In the seconds it took to reach down and grab her keys out of her pocket, a werewolf appeared and stood in her way, forcing her to stop in her tracks. "What do you want?" she demanded as forcefully as she could muster.
The male werewolf, a young man in his late twenties, gave her a cold smile. "Francesca told me to keep an eye on you. You still haven't given her what she wants."
"And she'll never get it. I told her I don't have it."
"She doesn't believe you."
"Well, that's her problem, isn't it?" She tried to shove him aside, but he grabbed her by the throat and shoved her into the wall, causing the box to drop out of her hold. In a flash, the werewolf was suddenly gone, then reappeared next to her against the brick wall with a hand wrapped around his neck. Cami rubbed her neck and let out a few coughs as she stared at her rescuer. A warm feeling came over her and she couldn't help but feel relieved.
"I don't recognize you, Mate. What are you doing in my city?" Niklaus Mikaelson's intimidating form hovered close to the werewolf, limiting his movements with his ancient, immortal strength.
"Francesca…she sent me to scare her. That's it," he stammered.
"You tell Francesca that Camille is off limits. Is that clear?"
He nodded.
"The next time I see you, Francesca will get a different sort of message from me and you won't be alive to speak it. Now go."
The werewolf scurried into the night and Cami, suddenly feeling self-conscious, straightened her clothes, smoothed her hair, and retrieved her package. Tears threatened to break through, but she took a few deep breaths instead. She looked at Klaus, who watched her with fascination and a hint of a smile as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Clearing her throat, she spoke firmly. "Thank you for that. I better get home now." She began to walk away, fighting every fiber in her being that wanted to stay and talk with the most fascinating immortal she knew.
"Camille." His voice caused her to stop and turn to look at him. His eyes carried such a loneliness that made her heart feel as if it would break for him.
"Yes?"
"I want to ensure that you make it home safely."
"If you're asking permission to walk me home, then you have it," she replied as business-like as she could muster. He took a few steps to meet her pace and they walked in silence to her front door. She shifted the box so she could get to her key, but it began to wobble until Klaus took hold of it.
"Allow me."
She looked over at him and managed a grateful smile. The door unlocked and she pushed it open. Turning to face him, she extended her hands, waiting for the box. A fleeting expression of disappointment crossed his face as he handed it over.
"Do you expect to see Marcel anytime soon?"
"Why?" she responded suspiciously.
"I think he should be around in case you receive another visit from a werewolf."
"I have a fresh supply of wolf's bane in every room of my apartment. I'll be fine."
"Well, then, I will take my leave of you. Good night, Cami," he nodded in a gentleman-like manner.
The sudden urge to keep him from leaving took Cami by surprise and the request came tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop it. "Would you have a drink with me before you go?" She tried her best not to sound desperate, but the thought of her empty apartment and the threat of a retaliatory visit from one of Francesca's goons made her feel insecure, to say the least.
Klaus stared at her, seemingly contemplating his options. He stepped closer to her. In a soft voice barely above a whisper, he asked, "Are you asking me only because Marcel is unavailable this evening?"
Cami swallowed hard. She wished he didn't have such an effect on her. The resentment began to rise and she couldn't hold her tongue. "What are you trying to insinuate? Now that my immediate family is dead, I can't stand to be alone, so I have to entertain a supernatural being in my apartment every night? I can't take care of myself?"
Klaus calmly replied, "No, Love, you are more than capable of handling yourself. I will not be used as a substitute for Marcel."
"Well, Klaus, if that was what I was doing, it would serve you right if I used you like you used me in the beginning! Or, have you forgotten all that?"
A brief flinch crossed his features, as if her words slapped him in the face. "Go ahead, if you have more to say. Let me have it."
She suddenly remembered their last meeting on the balcony when he let her go. He more than made up for what he did to her in that moment. Taking a deep breath, Cami softened her words and said, "I am going to be totally honest with you. I was hurt when you said we couldn't be friends, but I understand and I respect you for what you are trying to do. I miss…talking to you. Inviting you in to have a drink with me had nothing to do with Marcel. I just want your company. Even if it's only for a few minutes. I guess I'm still on edge from earlier." She let out a nervous laugh. Looking down at her shaking hand, she added, "Can you believe this? Look what one little werewolf does to the brave bartender."
Klaus took her trembling hand in his. "I will stay as long as you want me to."
