Title: In Another World
Author: mystic_blue17
Summary: AU AH Caroline is looking for an artist, specifically one whose style is along post modernism art and was born in Mystic Falls.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or plots nor do I plan on receiving any profit from writing about them.
A/N: The muse took me here. I changed some things so I guess you are just going to have to go with it. I swear I am working on my other fics. It's totally going to happen soon.
She took a deep breath trying to relax her frazzled nerves and straightened her royal blue blazer. Caroline rang the doorbell and plastered on a chipper smile.
The door opened a crack. Caroline peered through to look at who opened the door. When she saw no one at eye level, she was confused. A throat cleared and she jerked her eyes downward to a young boy around 7 if she had to guess.
"Are you selling cookies?" He asked. Caroline could just make out his smile. "I really like cookies."
Caroline hunched down to look him in the face. She had always hated when adults had talked down to her as a child. "Sorry buddy. I'm afraid I'm too old to be selling cookies."
The little boy opened mouth to respond no doubt in disappointment when a deep male voice interrupted. "Henrik! I have told you a million times don't open the door to strangers."
"She looked nice." the boy, she now knew was named Henrik, defended.
Caroline heard footsteps approaching the door and a sigh. "Everyone looks nice to you. Run along I will deal with this."
Caroline straightened up as the door opened further to reveal the man who appeared to be Henrik's caregiver. She had come to the house to see Elijah about an artist he represented. She took in the man's scruffy facial hair, plain clothes and general demeanor. He didn't seem to quite fit in the high class Mikaelson manor.
"Sorry about that." He started easily, his focus still on the young boy that just left. He barely spared her a glance. "Listen I'm not sure what he told you but we don't need whatever you are selling."
He started to close the ornate door. She felt panic starting to creep in. She didn't come here to let the manny shut the door on her. Her hand shot out quickly stopping the door in it's place.
"I'm not selling anything!" She exclaimed quickly. "I'm here to see Elijah."
The man really looked at her for the first time. He opened the door fully to scan her golden polished looks yet passionate eyes and asked "Are you pregnant?"
She sputtered. "What? NO!"
"No offense love." He said simply.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder in agitation. He smiled at her girly little move.
"Well offense!" She responded. "Can I come in now that you have insulted me?"
His smile twitched at her fire and conceded to let her in. He scanned her form quickly before he led her into the sitting room. He noted the demure neckline of the dress she worn beneath her blazer, the refreshing light smell of lemons that she choose and her gait that was sure and confident. He gestured that she should take a seat on a luxurious sofa. He took a spot on the matching love seat leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees.
"You don't look like any of Elijah's business associates that I have seen."
"What does my appearance have to do with anything?"
"Well I think you wouldn't have such a snooty disposition right now if I didn't think you were one of his lovers."
She shot him a death glare. His amusement rose at her attitude. "So what are you meeting Elijah about?" he asked.
"Not that it's any of your business but I represent the Mystic Falls Historical Society and we are interested in commissioning a piece from one of his artists."
"Really? Which artist are you interested in?"
She quirked an eyebrow at him, seriously doubting his knowledge of the art world. "An artist that goes by MK. He or she has done a few exhibits in Elijah's gallery."
A contemplative look covered his face. "Can't say I have heard of them."
She snorted and nodded over his shoulder to the painting on the wall. "That's one of his pieces right there." She said point blank.
He got up to 'study' the piece in question. "The snowflake?"
She cringed at his simplistic approach to the art. "There is more to it than a snowflake." She informed him, coming up beside him to inspect the piece closer.
He turned his head to look at her. "What do you see when you look at it then?"
She kept her eyes focussed solely on the painting. "I see the almost careless brush work which makes me think that MK experimenting or was working on a deadline.I see the dynamic contrast between light and dark. There is something lonely about it."
He took a step back, stunned by her observations. She glanced at him at his movement. She looked at him with the lingering excitement of the art. He felt a tug in his gut. "So aren't you a bit young to be one of those type of ladies?"
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Argh. You aren't one for social graces are you?"
"Look around love." He gestured to the opulent room "I think it's fair to say that I have my fill of social niceties."
"Not that it is any of your business, but my probable mother-in-law/mayor asked me to be part of the project."
He glanced down for her ring. He was surprised, pleasantly so, when he found her finger bare. "Too cheap for a ring?" He asked flippantly.
Caroline blushed. "He hasn't asked me yet."
The sound of the door opening cut into their conversation. Elijah called out "Hello? Is anyone home? I had a flat tire. I hope you didn't scare my meeting away."
"No. She has taken upon herself to give me a little art lesson." he said with a wink to her.
Elijah came into the room with a gracious smile on his face. "I apologize for the wait Miss Forbes. Today did not go as planned."
"Caroline please." She said taking Elijah's hand for a quick shake. "It's no problem. I would have happily met you at the gallery."
Elijah smoothed his wrinkled suit from the surprising manual labour. "Then please call me Elijah. It was my error. I was supposed to be working from home today but something came up that demanded my personal attention."
"Completely understandable you are a busy man." she said sweetly.
"Where are our manners? Would you like a drink Caroline? Klaus you didn't offer our guest some refreshments." He said turning to the other man in the room.
"I'm afraid we didn't get to that part yet."
"Forgive my brother Caroline. I swear our mother taught us all manners."
Caroline gasped. "Klaus Mikaelson. So your initials are KM like MK the artist?"
Klaus let out a bark of laughter. "Well look at this. You are so much more than just a pretty face."
She felt her face burn in embarrassment. "That is your work?!"
"Guilty." Klaus said smugly.
"What was with that whole ruse? Why did you pretend you didn't know who MK was." she asked incredulously.
"I enjoyed it, you. It was fun." He answered simply.
Caroline could practically feel the steam coming out her ears. She was nervous enough without this guy messing with her head.
"Stop antagonizing Caroline, Klaus." Elijah reprimanded him. "She is interested having you do a piece for Mystic Falls."
"So I hear."
"Yes the historical society wants a piece for the unveiling of the new city hall. They have decided to highlight local artists. Caroline has contacted me in hopes that you would oblige them. So what do you think?"
"I assume you negotiated my fee?" Klaus questioned.
"Yes. I believe it is quite fair." Elijah answered diplomatically, his eyes darting between Caroline and Klaus.
"Guidelines?" Klaus asked Caroline.
"No vulgarities. It will be in a government building."
"No dismembered bodies, got it. That's it?"
"Yes. It is not the intention to stifle creativity." Caroline said.
"And deadline for your what did you call her? Probable mother-in-law's new office?"
"Five weeks."
"Well then I will be seeing you then sweetheart. I have work to do." Klaus mockingly saluted the pair of them.
Elijah shook his head at his brother's lack of manners. "So Caroline I believe that leaves us to the business side of things."
Three weeks later, the sleepy town of Mystic Falls was surprised by the rumbling of vehicles. It seemed that the Mikaelsons were coming back to town for the summer. At least that is what Elijah told the cashier at the gas station who told his wife who told the Mayor who then told Caroline when she came in to decorate and furnish the newly renovated city hall.
Caroline was surprised by the turn of events. When she last talked to Elijah approximately three weeks into the project, he had told her that Klaus was working very diligently on the project and expected to have a finished project shortly. There was no mention of coming town. She was under the impression that they would just use Fedex or something like that.
"Now how did I know I would find you at the helm of this ship?" Klaus said announcing his presence to her.
"Mr. Mikaelson." Caroline answered as her eyes moved quickly from her clipboard to his face and back again. She methodically checked off her to do list.
"If you can call Elijah by his first name then surely you can call me Klaus." He said.
"I suppose. I mean if you insist." Caroline responded hesitantly.
"I do."Klaus reassured.
"Alright Klaus. Is there something I can help you with? I am a little busy here." She said gesturing to the half finished exterior of the city hall, hoping to move the conversation further.
"Didn't mean to interrupt." He said innocently. "It's just I don't know anyone in town and I was hoping that we could get something to eat. Tonight if you don't have plans."
"Tonight? You want to eat dinner with me tonight?" She was flabbergasted.
"Yes you know food, insert in mouth, chew, swallow, drink, repeat." He explained unnecessarily.
"Thanks." she said sarcastically.
"So do you have plans?" Klaus prodded.
"Tonight? I was going to eat some leftovers at home." Caroline answered honestly.
"Excellent then I can save you from the microwave. I'll pick you up at 8." He said and turned unwilling to give her the opportunity to turn him down.
"Hey! Hey! You know I am in a long term committed relationship."
"Well that was a bit presumptuous Caroline." He said slyly "I only ever asked for your company tonight."
She blushed. Maybe she was just overthinking his invitation.
"Don't you have to eat?"
She nodded.
"Are you looking forward to eating last night's dinner again?"
She shook her head.
"Alright then that settles it then. I'll see you at 8." He finished confidently.
"Fine!" She threw her hands up in the air. "8 at the Grill. Don't be late. I'll bring my friends, you bring Elijah and whoever else. Final offer."
"Deal. Pleasure doing business with you Caroline."
"Don't be late." She repeated.
It ended up being a pretty decent night. Caroline brought the usual suspects. Unfortunately, Tyler was out of town visiting his father's side of the family.
Klaus was actually early. He brought Elijah of course and his other younger brother Kol. Klaus seemed to bond with Stefan over a love of old books that Caroline had no knowledge of. Kol seemed to be having a good time being out in a new town. He exclaimed loudly over the 'new prospects'. Caroline didn't dare delve deeper into that. Elijah seemed enthralled by Elena's gentle demeanour but Caroline could see his eyes flicker to the other half of the Gilbert twins, Katherine. It made for a very interesting night.
Klaus fell into step with her as she left the bar early, despite her protests that he didn't need to walk her to her car. She had to be on site early the next morning.
"I like your friends." He said casually.
"It seems it is mutual."
"What about you? Do you like me?" He asked slyly.
She shook her head at his antics. She just knew he was teasing her about her assumption earlier. "Too soon to tell."
"I'll take that as a challenge."
She pushed him away, fighting a smile on her face. "So what's with the surprise appearance? I believe I signed a contract that the painting would be delivered to us."
"I guess you didn't hear that we are rather full service at the Mikaelson gallery." He joked."Honestly?"
She nodded.
"Elijah told our mother that I was doing this piece and she got surprisingly nostalgic and decided she wanted to see it, us and the town. So here we are."
"Wow must be nice. Take your family places on a whim."
He shook his head and shrugged. "You are making assumptions."
"Am I?"
"Yes. No one denies my mother. When Esther Carter-Thomas-Anderson nee Mikaelson calls, people are expected to fall in line. "
"That's quite a mouthful. She is coming for the unveiling?"
"She should be here in a week and half from Greece or Italy."
"You don't know where your mother is right now?" She asked incredulously.
"I love my mother but she is her own person who is capable of taking care of herself." Klaus answered with conviction. "Plus it's her first vacation without Rebekah and Henrik."
"Jeez. How many of them are you?"
He let out a laugh. "Finn, Elijah, me, Kol and lastly the twins Rebekah and Henrik." he said ticking off the fingers.
"That's a lot of kids. Your mom must have ruled with an iron fist."
"Rules, present tense. Yea we were quite a handful. That's why we were surprised when she and her husband announced that they were expecting. But she always wanted a girl so I suppose she just had to try one more time."
"She sounds great."
"I'm sure you will meet her at some point."
"I suppose I will. Goodnight Klaus."
"I'll see you tomorrow Caroline."
She waved at him as she drove away.
True to his word, the next day she attended a meeting at the Mikaelson's house although it was hosted by Elijah, not Klaus. Kol answered the door with a little blonde girl curled in his arms. Rebekah she assumed.
"Hello Caroline. Lovely to see you again." Kol greeted.
"Hi Kol."
"Rebekah, can you say hi to Caroline?" Kol asked his little sister. In response, she waved her little hand while burrowing her head deeper into his brother's shoulder.
"Sorry she is just a little shy right now. It doesn't help that her favourite brother is busy working today." Kol explained.
"I never said that Nik was my favourite brother!" Little Rebekah interjected.
Kol hitched her higher on his arm, tickling her just a bit. "Caught you my sweet. I never said Nik either." He said triumphantly.
A look of puzzlement crossed her face. She looked to Caroline for understanding. Rebekah looked at her for the first time and said in a straightforward manner "You have pretty hair."
Caroline let out a laugh, completely charmed by the small girl. "Thank you. I like your braids." She said complimenting her pigtails.
"Mum does them the best of course. But Elijah does ok... for a boy." Caroline smiled at the mental picture of proper Elijah sitting in his little sister's room patiently braiding her hair.
"Hey now! What am I, chopped liver?" Kol interjected.
"Yours are always crooked." She said tapping his nose. Rebekah then started to squirm to be let down so she could join her twin playing in the backyard.
Kol led Caroline to the meeting which was uneventful for the most part. She caught a glimpse of Klaus as he headed to the kitchen. He was wearing a ratty grey T-shirt smeared with paint. He winked at her. She rolled her eyes at him.
But the highlight of the meeting was Rebekah barging into the meeting with half her hair streaming behind her, demanding that Elijah do her braids again immediately. Elijah proved his competency with the first braid and after examining his handiwork, redid the other braid to match. All the while, Rebekah chatted with the ladies, handily informing them that the family was staying for the summer, her mother would be coming shortly, her favourite colour was red because cherry tastes the best and her brother Henrik was rotten for messing up her hair. Suffice to say the ladies of the historical society were completely charmed by the interaction.
It quickly became routine to head out to the Mikaelson house at the end of the day. Her friends had become their friends. Rebekah and Henrik were brats in the most loveable ways. The house was alive with energy. There always seemed going on. Once it was swimming lessons in the pool. Another it was gymnastics in the yard, which Rebekah excelled at. Caroline did her hair that day so she had far more practice than Elijah or any of the Mikaelson boys. This time it was horseback riding.
Caroline stood admiring the horse.
Klaus came up behind her. "You like horses?"
"I do but I also like people. Hi." She said turning to him, giving him her full attention. "Haven't seen you in a bit."
He shrugged. "I have been rather inspired here. Tell me does the mayor put something in the water?"
She playfully nudged his shoulder. "Shhhh. It's a secret."
He looked at her fondly. His artistic eye could not help but appreciate the way the afternoon sun hit her. Caroline seemed to realize that their close proximity pulled at their inexplicable chemistry. She quickly changed the subject. "So do you ride?"
"My father taught me when I was a boy. Do you?"
"No. I always wanted to but ummm it wasn't something we could afford." she admitted bashfully.
"I'll teach you." He offered easily.
"No it's ok. You are inspired. I don't want to take you away from your work." She said putting her hands in the air.
"I have learned over the years that saying yes to an experience is far better than saying no and sitting on the sidelines. Come on Caroline. Take a chance with me."
She looked at him through the fringe of her eyelashes. He looked so earnest. "Fine. One lesson."
He clapped his hands together and said "Excellent."
It quickly became more than one lesson as Caroline proved to quite the student.
She was surprised when she came to the house and an unfamiliar face opened the door. "Um. Hello." She greeted awkwardly.
"Hi there." the stranger, a older woman said kindly. "Can I help you with something?"
"I'm Caroline. I ..umm...was supposed to see Klaus today."
"Oh Caroline, of course." Recognition dawned on her face. "I'm Esther. The mother to this lot." She said reaching out for Caroline's hand, bringing her into the house. "I have heard so much about you. I think my son has quite a crush on you." She said in a matter-of-fact way.
Caroline sucked in a brath. She couldn't deny that there were times that she felt a pull towards Nik. There was definitely an attaction there. He was rather good looking. And there was something in the way that he looked at her that let her know that it wasn't one sided. It wasn't like he would offer horseback riding lessons to just anyone. But just as quickly as those thoughts raced in her mind, she remembered Tyler who she hasn't broken up with, who she had a long term, stable relationship with.
She mumbled back "I have a boyfriend."
Esther laughed "That's alright dear. Henrik is hardly in a position to offer you more than mud pies at the moment. He told me the story of you bringing him cookies. It seems I have been dethroned as his favourite woman with that move."
Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. Wrong brother.
"The kids are playing in the back." Esther offered. The sight of the family and a few of her friends running around the backyard playing what looked like a makeshift game of football with Henrik as the ball.
"Thanks." Caroline started to make her way to the back door.
"Caroline?" Esther called. She turned back. "Based on what I have heard about you, I wouldn't surprise me if one of my other boys happened to have feelings for you"
A/N: Oh my. This is long. It was my intention to do a oneshot to just get this thing out there. But I have been writing this for like a whole day basically uninterrupted. I kept getting inspiration for other scenes which is dangerous because we are at the end of part 1 and I haven't even really scratched the surface of Klaroline. It was getting too long and if you are still with me you might need a bathroom break or some water so I decided to stop it here. So I guess we have another miniseries. I am aiming for a two shot actually. I'm pretty much going to post this, take a nap, exercise then probably start writing the next part. So hopefully I will have something by the end of the week if not sooner. My muse is rather involved with this fic. I hope you guys like it. I have one fun idea then another more angst idea for oneshots so if you like it let me know and we can go from there. Please review. You know I love reading them.
