Cami walked into the compound which was shockingly empty. It was abnormally quiet. Where was everybody? Cami shook the thought from her head, she wasn't here for that. She had one thing on her mind.
As she crossed the courtyard and jogged up the stairs she considered yelling Klaus' name at the top of her lungs but decided against it. Why waste the energy? He knew she was there and he knew she was angry, after all he's the one who put her in this mood.
She found the object of her anger in his room pouring himself a drink. She smelled the chemicals of his paint and saw some discarded canvases with half-finished drawings.
"Hello Cami." He said without turning around.
"Where is everyone?" She asked and then scolded herself. The first thing she said she wouldn't ask and she did. She couldn't help herself. Klaus put her off balance.
He turned around to look at her. "Elijah is with Marcel and the other vampires. Rebekah is multitasking practicing magic with Davina, and babysitting Hope, and Jackson and Hayley have taken the wolves out to the bayou to practice their shifting. I think they also mentioned a wolf-run. But I'm guessing that's not why you're here."
"You know why I'm here."
"Official human faction business?" he gave her a small grin.
"Cut the crap Klaus. You compelled Richard."
"Yes, it appears I did."
"Klaus if you keep doing this I won't have anyone to marry!"
"Well that's the idea, love. Can't have anyone stealing my therapist away." He smiled the crooked grin Cami has learned to both hate and love. Love.
Pushing the latter word out of her mind Cami shook her head. "This is serious! You have to go to him and undo your compulsion. I can't have him speaking sonnets for the rest of his life."
Klaus chuckled as he remembered how he compelled Cami's fiancée. It hadn't even lasted a full day before Cami found out and ended up barging into the compound. "I was only trying to help him. One must become slightly more romantic when getting ready to embark on a life long adventure such as marriage."
"He came here to meet you, because I told him the truth about you. I wanted to come with him but he didn't want to wait for me to finish classes so he insisted he'd come alone." She folded her arms across her chest.
"That he did, and held onto his composure very well until I showed him my fangs." Klaus flashed them and his hybrid eyes. Which Cami looked unimpressed by. He shrugged and walked around her, catching a whiff of her perfume. She smelled lovely as always.
Cami rolled her eyes to the high heavens. "I knew I should have put him on vervain before letting him come over here." She wouldn't make that mistake again. She made him digest vervain as soon as she saw he had been compelled.
Klaus was curious as to why she didn't. "Why didn't you?"
"I thought you'd respect him –and me—enough to not harm him."
"I haven't harmed him!" Klaus said indignantly. He frowned, feeling the disappointment behind her words. He thought he restrained himself remarkably considering the first thought he had was to rip the mans arms out. Aloud he said, "Nothing wrong with speaking in rhyme."
She fixed her green eyes on his blue ones. "You're going to undo the compulsion."
Klaus sighed, upset that his fun was over. "Where is he now?"
"Back at my apartment, passed out on my bed. I think seeing your hybrid face hit him hard and he just needed some alone time. He should be up in a few hours."
Klaus' eyes narrowed at the thought of Richard sleeping anywhere near anything that was Cami's. They probably were sleeping together anyway. The thought made Klaus want to go over and cause dear Richard extreme pain before ending him. Covering up his murderous thoughts he spoke in what he hoped was a blasé tone, "Feel free to pass the time here. Nowadays it's rare for it to be quiet."
"Whose fault is that? You're the one who made this place the supernatural hotel of New Orleans."
Klaus gave her a wry smile and went back to working on his painting. Cami attempted to walk around and sneak a peek. "What is it you're—"
Before she knew it she was standing on the opposite end of the room. "What the-?" Cami bit back a curse. All of these months and she still was never ready when he used superspeed to move her. Klaus stood back in front of his easel like he never left. She glared at him.
"No peeking. I don't want you to see my unfinished work."
She rolled her eyes and eyed his book shelf. She ran her fingers across the spines of the volumes until she came across a large black binder. She smiled. Klaus' memroirs, they had finally finished them. It would have gone faster if Klaus didn't ramble on and on about his present day issues. It also would have gone faster if he let her use a laptop instead of a centuries' old typewriter but he refused to cave. Cami remembered countless nights of him coming over rereading everything and making sure it was in the proper order. He mocked Elijah but Klaus was every bit of a micromanager as his older brother.
She pulled the binder out and gasped at how heavy it was. A thousand years worth of history. She sat down on the couch and started reading. She was content until Klaus broke the easy silence.
"I didn't know you were so serious about Richard."
Cami looked up and saw Klaus mixing some paints together. "More than serious, we're getting married. I told you I thought he'd propose weeks ago."
"Must have slipped my mind." He said absently as his eyes never left the canvas.
Klaus never forgot anything but she ignored that and went back to reading. "So, what are you going to get me for my wedding present?" She was joking, all of her previous anger gone away. She knew compelling Richard to speak in rhyme wasn't the worst thing in the world. She was annoyed but that was quickly dissipating as well. She couldn't help it. Cami could never stay mad at Klaus no matter what he did.
On the other side of the room, Klaus' brush strokes were becoming more furious and deadly. He heard Cami's question but took his time in trying to answer it. She was kidding but her inquiry just forced him to face reality. He felt like he'd been stabbed with the white oak stake. He had no idea how far Cami's romance with Richard would go. They had been dating seriously for what, a few months? Weren't they moving fast? Time was different for humans, it all blurred together for Klaus. Mentally he chided himself, of course she'd find someone to settle down with eventually. How could she not? She was beautiful in mind, spirit, and body. The paintbrush faltered.
How often had he thought about holding her? Running his fingers through her hair? Feeling his lips on hers? How many times had he backed away? If he had gone through with kissing her just once would she be getting married now? Klaus tried to shake the thoughts from his head but he couldn't. This was real.
He started painting using his vamp speed, something he rarely did. He normally liked to take his time but this was serious.
Cami would be getting married and he'd lose her. No more stopping by her apartment at night, no more impromptu sessions. Her time would be taken up by another permanently. It'd be Richard who would protect her and comfort her when she was scared. As if he could properly guard the queen he'd be marrying. How could she do this? Is this how Elijah felt when he had to watch Jackson marry Hayley? Is this what he subjected his brother too? He felt a wave of guilt wash over him. How could he stand at Cami's wedding and watch her marry some commoner? Why hadn't he stopped their relationship sooner? How could he without making the brave bartender hate him for eternity? How could he know she'd fall for Richard? Had she fallen for him completely? Was there some small chance that she had feelings for him? No, how could she? But he never asked, he pushed his feelings back because there was always some threat to face, but now…now should he tell her how he really felt? Shouldn't she already know? He always used the term friend to describe their relationship but it was much more. How could she do this to him? The thought drove Klaus mad and the paintbrush ripped through the canvas.
The sound made Cami's eyes snap up to him with alarm. "What's going on over there?" She saw Klaus standing still with his eyes on the ground. He didn't answer. "Earth to you?" After he didn't answer a second time Cami tried humor not knowing that it'd make things infinitely worse. "Is the thought of spending money on my wedding present that horrible?" Still no movement.
She stood and started easing towards him slowly even though every fiber of her being screamed at her to tuck tail and run. Not that it'd do her a lot of good. She knew he could chase her down in no time. Seeing him so still made her nervous. Her heart rate sped up which he undoubtedly heard. It was times like these that made her remember that he was a thousand years old. She was taking her time making her way over to him, hoping he'd snap out of it and make some smart comment but no such luck. He still hadn't moved a muscle.
"Klaus whatever's come over you we can talk about it." Cami tried to keep her voice steady. She suddenly wished Elijah was there. Or Rebekah, Hayley, anybody. But they were alone in the compound. How convenient. Cami knew Klaus wouldn't hurt her, not in his right mind. But what if he wasn't in his right mind? What had come over him? Was it dark magic? She'd never seen him be so quiet and still for so long.
She was half way over to him. Why did it feel like a century had passed when it had only been minutes? "What's wrong?" No answer. "Klaus what's—"
"Do you love him?" his voice was so low Cami almost didn't hear it.
"What?" She said breathlessly not sure she heard. His question stopped her in her tracks.
"I asked you if you loved him." His voice cut clear across the room. Finally Klaus' eyes raised to meet hers and she was shocked at the vulnerability in them. His eyes held something she couldn't handle so she averted them before looking back at him.
"Of course I love him!" She laughed uneasily. Klaus' expression didn't change. "I wouldn't marry him if I didn't." Another uneasy laugh but Klaus wouldn't budge. His eyes stayed serious and Cami fidgeted nervously. Where was all of this coming from? "Why are you asking me this?"
"Because you deserve someone who will make you happy, who will treat you like the queen you are. Someone who would give their life for you. I won't put you in someone's care who won't be able to protect you."
"'Put me'? Klaus I'm a grown woman, I think I can decide who is good enough for me."
"He's not!" Klaus yelled causing her to jump. Seeing how he startled her he lowered his voice again. "He doesn't deserve you."
"Richard is a good man. He'll take care of me." Cami said firmly. She'd make Klaus see this.
Klaus snorted. "What's he going to do if you're attacked by a witch or vampire? Call the police?"
"You don't think he's good enough? Should I set my sights higher?"
"Yes!"
She repeated her earlier question. "Where is this coming from?"
"Cami—"
She held her hands up. "Klaus, Richard is fine, he's taken all of this—" she gestured around the compound and a couple of blood bags nearby "—pretty well. He's wants me even though he knows about my involvement in the supernatural community, he's fine with me being on the human faction, and he's okay with me having friends who are a thousand years old."
"I don't think—"
"I don't care what you think." Cami crossed her arms. They were back to square one in their relationship. "This is you trying to control me all over again."
"No, this is me trying to make sure you don't do something you'll regret."
"I'm not!"
"Do you love him?"
"I'm not answering that again."
"Why not?"
"Klaus—"
"Is it because you are unsure? Do you have any doubts? Is it because you love someone else?"
Cami's face burned at the last question. This conversation was heading someplace she didn't want to go. She didn't appreciate being interrogated and she was about to let him know that. "Klaus—"
Her facial reaction didn't go unnoticed by him. "You do don't you?"
Why did his voice sound almost hopeful? Why was she still here? She didn't have to answer him. But she couldn't move she was riveted by the way he stared at her. Cami took a deep breath and tried again. "Klaus, I love Richard."
"But you love someone else too."
"It doesn't matter!"
"Of course it does!"
"I don't love anyone else."
He laughed humorlessly. "Well now you're just lying."
"I think I preferred you being quiet like you were a minute ago."
"You don't have to marry him."
"Klaus—"
"If your heart belongs to someone else—"
"It doesn't! Klaus for the hundredth time I love Richard and only Richard! I think I'd know if I were in love with someone else!" Her eyes settled on him. She knew he saw right through that lie. She could see the next question in his eyes. One she wasn't sure he'd ask. One she wasn't sure she wanted to answer. Her heart sped up which she knew he heard. Damn his supernatural hearing. He stood before her in his standard black leather jacket staring at her with those baby blue eyes.
His eyes were so open, so vulnerable she wanted to wipe the tears that threatened to spill over them. The hundred dollar guy. The hot guy with a cute accent. Who nearly died trying to save her. Who every time she thought they'd had a moment ran off or pulled back. Who hadn't aged a day since she met him.
The immortal hybrid.
He wasn't hers.
She had mulled it over in her mind countless times convinced whatever she felt was one sided. What would be the point in having feelings for him? As soon as she got old enough he'd be through with her and move on to someone younger and prettier. She'd age but he'd still look the same another hundred years from now. He'd look the same way he had when he first entered Rousseaus and put that hundred dollar bill on the counter. Loving him would be pointless. She tried moving on, dating other people. Richard was a great guy and she cared for him, she knew she loved him. But her feelings for Klaus were on a different level. All of the feelings she thought she buried under the logic and reasoning came back to the surface.
She loved him. The thought brought tears to her eyes because she knew she could never have him, and she'd never stop loving him.
Klaus had a tentative, nervous look on his face as he saw the truth take over her features. It was as if she had said the words out loud. Willing or not, she had answered his question. It was maddening that he knew what she was thinking. He didn't even need to compel her. He could read her just as well as she could him.
Cami couldn't help it, she started crying. The tears just fell. She hated herself for crying. She tore her eyes away from his. This was overwhelming. She could never be with him. She couldn't do this. She couldn't meet his eyes again. She turned around to walk away.
In a flash he was right before her, wiping her tears away with his thumb like he had countless times before. His hands felt so comfortable on her face, the perfect fit.
"Klaus—" she tried to say something else but the words wouldn't come.
He touched his forehead to hers. After a moment he whispered softly yet desperately, "Don't marry him."
Cami didn't respond, if her heart beat any faster she'd have a heart attack. She smiled inwardly remembering the time he threatened to kill Davina if she caused her to drop dead of one. Why was she smiling at a memory of him threatening to kill her friend, even if he was joking? What was wrong with her? Why did she love him? He was always there, always protecting her. If they got involved how long would it last? She wanted to appeal with reason. Somehow she found her voice. "Klaus, I'm human you're not. One day I'll be 50 and you'll still look the same."
"I wouldn't care." He looked down into her eyes, their faces inches apart. "You are beautiful to me and you'd never stop being so."
"You say that now."
"I mean it. I will love you for the rest of my life."
Cami's smile was bittersweet. "I don't want you to love me for the rest of your life." Her eyes danced back and forth and watered again. "Just love me for the rest of mine."
Klaus closed the distance between them and kissed her. Softly and gently at first yet the longer they made contact, the more passionate the kiss became. He wrapped his arms around her. God she was perfect, her body was so supple and soft, so tempting. He tried to be gentle, hoping he wouldn't break her. He put his heart, his soul into kissing her. He wanted her to know he meant every word he'd spoken so she wouldn't have any doubts in her mind that he was the one for her. It was the best kiss he'd ever had. Others had been lust filled and heated. This one was different, Cami was different. He loved her, and he wanted her to know it.
Cami at first was shocked at having his mouth on hers but soon she responded with the same level of energy as him. She closed her eyes. Oh my god what a great kisser. Man have I been missing out she thought. He was invading all of her senses. She realized he had been wanting this just as much as she did, possibly more. It felt amazing to have his skin on hers, to have him so close. Just when she completely lost herself in the kiss he pulled away.
Her eyes were still closed as he whispered "I love you Camille O'Connell." She felt wind on her face like the time he bailed on their slow dance. When she opened her eyes he was gone.