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Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Diaries.

Chapter Two

Maybe it was wrong of me to think I could keep you,
and maybe it's the last few drinks.

"May I ask what brings a lone baby vampire into our midst? Surely you knew of the danger it posed to your well-being," Klaus said with a tilt of his head as they danced. It was a slow waltz, the music overhead echoing through the room as a pleasant background song. "Whoever made you a vampire should have known better."

Caroline blinked, wondering if she should have known more about this. Of course, there was a good explanation for her not knowing; her creator had ditched her right after feeding her the first human she'd ever gorged on. "Actually, I don't know who did it. I was in an accident, they fed me their blood, killed me, then offered me a snack. When I looked up, they were gone."

His brow furrowed at this, blue eyes flashing with confusion. "They left you? May I ask if it was a man or woman?"

She shrugged, not liking the line of questions. "It was a woman. I don't really remember much about her, but I really wasn't that focused on her to begin with." Looking away from him, she caught sight of the Originals, still standing on the staircase. "Can I ask why your family is called 'the Originals'?" Anything to take the subject off herself.

Chuckling lightly, he answered, "Of course. It's because they are the original vampires. Every vampire can trace their lineage back to one of them."

Her eyes swung back to his face. "What do you mean? Aren't you one of them?"

"Sweetheart, I'm the Original Hybrid. Seems Mummy Dearest had an affair with a werewolf to create me. When she changed us into vampires, I became the only Hybrid."

She froze immediately. If there was one thing that she had learned in her short life, it was the deadliness of a werewolf bite. She'd seen several vampires throughout the city already, going mad from the dementia a single nick of a werewolf's teeth could cause.

Smiling, he murmured in her ear, "Oh, love, you have nothing to worry about. If I wanted to bite you, I wouldn't have taken responsibility for you when Rebekah was about to kill you." His words were so easy. Did the Originals really think so little of killing? All vampires were murderers, she knew, but not everyone could be so nonchalant about killing, could they? If so, she definitely wasn't going to fit in any more as a vampire than she had as a human in high school.

"Why?" she demanded, gaining some of her previous fire. "Why do I have to die because some vampire changed me against my will and ditched me?"

He was obviously taken aback for a brief moment, as if he couldn't imagine her ever speaking to him as an equal. "Feisty, aren't we?" he laughed, a genuine smile breaking across his face. It quickly vanished, replaced by a seriousness she wouldn't have imagined a few moments earlier. "Young vampires are notorious for being...conspicuous. There is an unspoken law within the vampire community that says you will not turn someone and then 'ditch' them, as you call it. They will teach you control over the new changes in your body that you don't understand."

Under her breath, she mumbled, "Sounds like puberty."

His laughter was loud, shocking not only her but those around them. They looked at her like she was some mysterious creature they had never seen before and she could hear a few whispering, "She got Lord Niklaus to laugh. I don't know whether to be afraid for her life or grateful for her presence." Was he really such a terrifying man?

"Ah, I knew there was a reason I was drawn to you. Other than boredom mixing with alcohol," he added with a charming grin.

"That's another of my questions," she said immediately, feeling a little more comfortable with him. "I want to know why you saved me if your 'law' tells you to kill me because I could cause problems." She noted that the music changed to a slower dance, no longer meant for a waltz, but for close dancing. Pulling away slightly, she was surprised when he pulled her closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as his went around her waist.

He was staring down into her eyes, that smile twinkling across his mouth. "I saw that you were lost, love. I knew that you needed help. And, as I said, I was drawn to you the moment you walked in the door. I watched those first hesitant steps and decided to go after you if you walked out like you were originally planning to."

"How did you—"

"Love, I've lived more than a thousand years. I know how to read people." He moved with the music perfectly, drawing her after him as she found them making their way to a darkened space in the ballroom. It was as if he were trying to lead her into the hallway, away from all the others. His head leaning closer, Klaus said quietly, as if to himself, "You smell wonderful."

Blushing brightly, she sputtered, "Wh-what are you saying? Why are you sniffing me?"

He chuckled softly, watching her with those strange blue-green eyes. "Oh, Caroline," he breathed. How was it that it sounded like magic coming from him? There was something oddly beautiful about the way he said her name, his British lilt sending a shiver up her spine that she knew he noticed. "How could I resist something so...mesmerizing?"

Her blush brightened at his words, but she lifted her head, not allowing his words to get to her. She was Caroline Forbes, damnit; she didn't blush.

His movements towards that hallway didn't pause; instead, they quickened. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest, making her falter just a bit. She knew she was being drawn in by his smile, a smile that made it seem like he was actually interested in her. She couldn't remember the last time anyone was interested in her; since she'd become a vampire, it was as if they could sense that she was dangerous.

But Klaus was watching her face like he couldn't take his eyes off her. His hands brought her ever closer until their bodies were brushing at the hips. She tried to move away, afraid of what this could mean. But he kept her close, easily overpowering her.

"Come on, love. Take a chance. Get to know me." He leaned down to murmur in her ear, "I dare you."

It was like he knew exactly what button to push with her, exactly what to say to get her to do as he wanted her to. Should she have allowed him that power? No. But Caroline Forbes never backed down from a dare.

Smiling in her trademark, femme fatale way, she replied, "Let's go somewhere to talk then." If she was going to be making friends in high places, she had better go for one of the strongest out there. She had no doubt that she could twist this Hybrid around her finger, even if she wasn't sure of herself.

With a smirk, he danced them into the shadows, letting her go only when they were out of sight of the other party-goers. He held out his hand, beckoning her to come with. "This is your last chance to back out, love. If you want to go, I won't blame you."

She looked at his outstretched fingers, wondering if she should take the bait or turn and run. Somehow, she knew that this wouldn't be the last time that he propositioned her this way, that if she didn't take this chance, it wouldn't be the last. Of course, she wasn't completely sure that he wouldn't just drag her off anyways. Why she was even considering going with him? She didn't know him at all!

Still, her hand reached out, taking his, allowing him to bring her deeper into the shadows.

I hope you all liked this second chapter!