Chapter 2 - Out in the Open - Edited 10/12/2015
A/N You guys are too good and this writing exercise is a bit fun. Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last! :).
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Caroline POV - Three Days Later
"Last night was a mistake."
"Not for me."
I bite down hard on my lower lip, sitting in my first class ticket seat on the plane back to Virginia, trying not to cry again, reliving my last moments with Klaus over and over again in my mind.
"...You were the only one to make me believe I could be more than what I was. I would of never gone to that audition if it wasn't for your brutal honesty the day we met."
I feel the warm tears trickle down my cheeks anyway and I curse under my breath for failing to be strong, lifting my sunglasses just enough so I can wipe my eyes with a piece of tissue that is quickly becoming useless being so wet.
It doesn't matter, I tell myself again for the billionth time. He still didn't tell you about Tyler. Just because you slept with him that night doesn't mean anything has to change.
But it has.
Because I enjoyed it. Every second of it.
Isn't that the real problem Caroline? Why you ran so hard? Klaus not telling you about Tyler being a cheat was hurtful yes, but the real issue is that you finally let the bad boy ruffle your perfect little feathers and you loved it!
No! That isn't true! I argue with myself.
"You wanted me and I wanted you!" the memory of what Klaus said coming in as a retort.
I close my eyes, defeated.
I did. I've wanted him a long time. Even when I was with Tyler, there were times I thought about how it would be to be with Klaus Mikaelson.
Not just a friend, but MORE.
But I never dreamed it would actual HAPPEN!
This is Klaus Mikaelson okay! Maybe some weird fate stuff happened for us to cross paths, but for me to catch his eye? To think of him wanting me LIKE THAT when he's been married to supermodels like Tatia Petrova?
Yeah, no. That night was really a mistake. He totally was still hungover, high off his Oscar win, maybe even drunk still, I don't know, but I'm not Klaus' type, let's get real here. I'm a small town girl with a small town life and a widow, hardly A lister girlfriend material.
But what if you are his type? says my irritable mental voice in my head.
Out of my control, my mind is going back to that night.
The way it felt when he pulled me up from the bed to grasp me possessively against him, his head against my chest, his hot mouth raining hot kisses on my breasts reverently as I cocked my head back and screamed his name while he thrusted powerfully into me.
My stomach clenches at the image, eyes fluttering closed for different reasons now, wetness pooling between my thighs.
"Caroline..."
Just the memory of how he said my name...The husky baritone of his voice making his already alluring accent a powerful, sensual drug that even now sends shivers down my spine.
God.
I shift in the seat uncomfortable, pushing down my growing arousal by choosing to focus on the hard, painful facts for the billionth time in the last three days I spent mourning the lost of Klaus:
I'm done with him.
He said he was my friend but didn't bother to tell me my husband was cheating on me for a year.
There's no way he really cared.
If he hid something like that, who knows what else he's hiding. He can't be trusted.
What relationship can survive without trust?
None.
So it's better to forget. To go home. Try to move on from Tyler with some random nice guy.
Have 3.5 kids, a dog...
Easy.
Then why does it hurt so much? My eyes burning with tears again.
"Miss."
I snap my head to the voice, eyes opening, startled.
"Please put your seat beat on," says the blonde stewardess with a smile. "We're coming in for a landing."
I nod, swallowing a lump in my throat as I look back out the window.
Get it together Caroline! You're in public now. No more crying till you get home.
"Okay folks," says the pilot from the overhead speaker a few minutes later as the plane taxis around the runway. "We have arrived at Reagan. Please wait for the seat belt light to turn off and for the plane to come to a halt before reaching for your belongings. Thank you for riding American Airlines and have a great day!"
Yeah. Great day. Right. I haven't had a great day since Tyler died thanks.
Because that night did not happen. Nope.
I did not sleep with my best friend who seriously is a sex God for being the first man to make me see stars when I come, Tyler being so focused on getting himself off that my sexual needs went unrealized most of the time.
Heat flashes through me as I inadvertently remember my sex session with Klaus in his house, his hot mouth taking my nub between those sinfully amazing lips for a man and...
Stop thinking about it Caroline! Ugh. Damn it. I'm going to need to take the edge off with Enzo when I get home.
And no, I won't be reliving sexy times with he-who-must-not-be-named during this time.
I turn my phone on for the first time in three days, not being in a mood to talk to anyone since I left Klaus' place. I grab my bags when the seat belt light goes off and my phone comes to life.
Then it begins.
Missed calls, voicemails, and text message alerts flood the screen of my phone.
I had expected some but...
I unlock my phone.
"112 missed calls! Seriously..." I moan.
My stomach drops in dread as I play the first voicemail, just as I step off the plane and into the terminal where a horde of paparazzi is waiting.
What the hell?!
Cameras are flashing full force, questions are being thrown at me in rapid fire as I stand there shocked, phone forgotten in my hands.
A half second later, a hand has grabbed my arm in a vice grip, pulling me away hurriedly.
I glare at guy who grabbed me, fighting and twisting to no avail, having no choice but to run with him as he pulls me forward, away from the press.
"You jerk!" I shout in his face as he pushes me into the back of a black Cadillac limo and gets into the driver seat.
I move forward, just as the door locks and the vehicle moves.
I am so not getting kidnapped on top of all of this!
"Hey. HEY! Asshole! You don't know who you're messing with! I'm..."
"...The former wife of the late Mayor Lockwood, daughter of Councilman William and Sheriff Elizabeth Forbes."
I jump away from the deep male voice who said that behind me, hand over my heart, taking a deep breath to steady it.
"Oh my god. I can't," I say, closing my eyes. "Who the hell.." I start to say, opening my eyes and freezing at the familiar face I've only seen in pictures up till this point.
"Your savior it would seem," he says calmly in his impeccable Armani suit, rifling through a folder that seems to have my name on it.
"You're Elijah..." I say in awe. There was a point during my time with Klaus that I thought Elijah wasn't even real.
He looks up at me then, and I know I've caught his attention.
"Niklaus has spoken of me to you?" he says in surprise and I get the feeling he isn't a person in which that usually happens to.
"So you are Elijah. Wow," I say with attitude, folding my arms and turning away in disgust. "Nice of you to finally show your face."
"Pardon?" he says genuinely confused and the picture of innocence.
I roll my eyes. "I don't know why you're here but you can let me out before I do something I regret. Sitting in the same car as you is making me nauseous. Any man who could sleep with his brother's wife and disappear without a trace until years later disgusts me."
Elijah has the nerve to look amused, his lips aching to form a smile he suppresses, looking back down into the folder in his hands.
"What?" I finally snap, irritated. There really wasn't anything funny about what I said.
"I can see why he loves you," he says softly, not looking up.
I stop breathing, my mouth falling open.
I eventually recover. "Klaus doesn't love me," I say with certainty, almost laughing in his face.
He closes the folder, giving me his full attention. "Oh, he does. I assure you. He would never had called me to help you, and allowed himself to look weak if he didn't."
My eyes widen, acknowledging how monumental that very act must of been for him, if true.
Klaus hated Elijah. Swore to never forgive him for sleeping with Tatia. We had so many conversations about him needing to forgive and let go. Not because Elijah deserved it, but because he needed to for his own sanity, his own quality of life.
It is the one concession he wouldn't make. Through all the rehab, mourning over Henrick, his own insecurities about never being a better actor than he was...
Forgiving Elijah was something he would never do, he said.
But he had called him and Elijah was here.
For me?
"What is happening that Klaus would call you?" I ask, not sure I want the answer. "What's with the press?"
He grabs a nearby remote and turns on the TV that is installed in the car.
I watch for a moment, then groan when I see a picture of Klaus and I making out during the Oscar after party, not a inch of space between us.
Mortified, I hide my face behind my hands. "This is NOT happening right now," I mutter in my hands, wanting to disappear.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Forbes, it is. The press has been covering it for the past three days. Have you not turned on your television?"
No. Too busy crying my eyes out.
I look up at him, about to lose it. "I can't do this. I just want to go home. Forget this happened!" I cry shrilly.
"Forget Niklaus?"
I blink, lose for words, reading his soft expression before he goes on.
"I have the power to make this go away or make it better, but Niklaus has made it clear that the choice will need to be yours. A demand from him, truth be told, I would never have dreamed coming from his mouth, knowing how much he revels in control. Yet, for some reason, he yields it to you. Not even with Tatia was he capable of doing such a thing."
I break eye contact when he weighs me down with a penetrating stare as if by looking at me, he can get the answer to Klaus' actions. I try to stay cold toward his last statement about Klaus, but butterflies are fluttering in my stomach and my lips turn up into a small smile.
Not even with Tatia was he capable of doing such a thing.
Not even Tatia.
I'm feeling a sense of satisfaction at that, right when Elijah says abruptly:
"What exactly is your relationship with my brother?"
My smile falls, my face hardening and voice coming out harsh.
"I don't have a relationship with Klaus. Not anymore," I say, looking out the window, a fresh wave of anger coming over me. Still can't believe he didn't tell me about Tyler.
"So you did at one point? Of a romantic nature?"
I laugh, finally looking at him to catch the arch of his eyebrow towards my reaction. "Last night was an accident, and no. Not everyone is like you and would sleep with someone who belongs to someone else. Some of us do have morals we follow, not just talk about," I say a matter-of-factly.
I see a shadow go over his face, and the pain that rests there. I mentally face palm for being so blunt.
"Sorry," I say with a wince. The first time I said things about Tatia, I was being mean but this time..."I shouldn't have said that," I say in apology. "You were just asking a reasonable question..."
"No," he says, leaning back with a sigh. "You were being honest. I know you weren't being malicious this time. I won't deny it being difficult to hear, however. I am hypocrite," he says quietly, guilty.
"Yeah, but you can work on it," I say, not missing a beat.
His eyes widen in shock, and I get ready to apologize again for my lack of filter, knowing I should just shut up, but he starts to laugh.
Like, genuinely laugh, till the brown of his eyes twinkle, and he looks much younger, carefree.
I relax.
"You...You weren't supposed to agree aloud to my self assessment Ms. Forbes," he says, the laughter still resting on what I can now see is a very handsome face.
He should smile more, I can't help but think.
"I figured," I say, smiling back at him.
"How about this? I vow to work on my hypocrisy if you would be so kind to answer my questions about you and Niklaus."
I shrug, leaning back too.
"Shoot."
"If you and Niklaus are not romantically involved and that night between you was simply a drunken episode..."
"We're friends." I swallow back the emotion when I think about how things have changed for the worse. "We were friends. He was the best."
"Niklaus doesn't have friends," he says bluntly.
My smile returns, secretly liking I was special to Klaus. "Oh I know. He's an emotional cripple that one. He's violent, a control freak, suffers from paranoia, a drunk, biopolar, I swear he is even though he hasn't been diagnosed," I say, firmly standing by the last comment.
Elijah's eyes go alight with amusement as I continue.
"But..." I smile softly. "He's so loyal, viciously protective of those he loves, passionate about life and all things of genuine beauty," I say that trying to mimic his accent but knowing I failed.
Whatever.
"He's crazy talented, and a great friend," I add softly, getting choked up as my vision starts to get blurry. "Really he is when you get passed all the temper tantrums and drama queen stuff. He's..." I sigh with a helpless shrug, wiping my eyes quickly, "...Amazing and I'll miss him. I really will and...Damn I was doing so good with the no crying. Now I'm doing it all..."
A handkerchief comes into view, cutting my off. I smile weakly, taking it, dabbing my eyes under my sunglasses
"I am sorry," he says solemnly. "I did not mean to sadden you. It seems you care great deal about my brother."
I nod, haven't found my voice yet.
"Yet I still fail to understand how it is you two even met. Forgive me, but you do not seem like the type to circulate in the same social circles as Niklaus."
I smile at the memory of our meeting. So funny it was.
"Well," I sniff, my smile returning. "It's all Bekah's fault."
Now Elijah looks confused. "Rebekah?"
Yep.
Two Years Ago - Mystic Falls, Virginia
"Did you watch the last episode of Interview with the Original Hybrid? It's SO disgraceful. I had such high hopes..." grumbles Elena, looking like she might cry.
I sympathize.
"You're not the only one," I say, and Bonnie nods in agreement as she sips her milkshake during our weekly girls night out at the Mystic Grill.
"I mean there is a reason I don't watch it anymore," I add.
"I know, I know, but he's so cute and I can't help it!" whines Elena.
I let out a laugh at the mention of our long time fictional crush. "Oh my god Elena. Nikolas is gone. He died in his last season of The Vampire Memoirs, I'm telling you! His sucky doppelganger is on that show."
"I'm starting to think you're right," says Elena in defeat. "I think I need to stop watching."
"You know I was totally done when they staked Nikolas' brother in that kitchen," says Bonnie with an upset look on her face, sipping her milkshake a little too strongly.
"I KNOW!" I cry, the memory of Nikolas's brother Nate dying still making me want to cry. "He was like one of the best characters in TVM. We honestly should of stopped watching then. Saved ourselves a lot of heartache."
They all let a hum of agreement, and the silence after just gives me a chance to further ponder the fall of my former favorite TV show and the colossal disappointment that is the spin-off Interview with the Original Hybrid, good ole IWOH.
"I mean what were they thinking?" I say suddenly in exasperation, jolting both Elena and Bonnie from their meal.
"Huh?" they say in unison.
"Those writers! I mean, Nikolas was such an epically evil character and..."
"Here we go again. Caroline's IWOH tirade," says Elena with a smile.
"Order her a Cosmo from Matt," says Bon. "She's going to go on for awhile."
I blush furiously, embarrassed. "Shut up," I mumble, taking a bite of my burger. "Elena started it."
"True," say Bon, while Elena utters a "hey!" in mock betrayal. "We just know how passionate you get about all this. Matt!" shouts Bonnie.
Like good friends, they let me go on about my frustrations with the show, from the horrible plot, the writers, all the way to the actors.
Especially one in particular.
"It soooooo obvious he's incredibly talented," I say later on, walking up with them towards the Mystic Grill exit.
"If Klaus Mikaelson wants to make his money on a failing TV show, what is it to you? Are you still crushing on him?" says Elena with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"What? NO!" I cry out mortified. "That is SO high school! TVM Nikolas is my forever crush and maybe I still liked him till season 3 of IWOH, but the guy in real life? Klaus? Like, seriously? No. He is an ultra douchebag, drinking his life away during hiatuses, getting arrested multiple times. Yeah. No thanks."
Elena shrugs while Bonnie narrows her gaze at me.
"What?" I say, shifting uncomfortably under her persistent stare after awhile.
"Care. You trying to tell me, US, that if Klaus Mikaelson walked through that door," she says, pointing at the Grill entrance, "you wouldn't get even a little star struck? You, out of all us, has been the biggest fan for like a bajallion years. You really wouldn't be fazed at all?"
I roll my eyes, calling her out on what she is really getting at. "No Bon. I wouldn't. Besides, I'm married remember? Fantasizing about these hypothetical scenarios is pointless. I love Tyler," I end with a fond smile, thinking of my husband.
It's Bonnie's turn, the only single one out of us, to roll her eyes. "Yeah, but indulge me. Klaus Mikaelson is crazy hot and rich. Say he comes up to you with that crazy sexy British accent of his, and is like:
She stands up straight, and puffs out her chest before she talks, making Elena and I fall out laughing.
"Hello love," she says in the most horrible English accent ever.
Elena and I lean on a nearby bar for support, laughing harder.
"I couldn't help but overhear sweetheart. Mind repeating it all to my face?" she continues.
I'm still laughing when Elena speaks up, playing along in a high pitch valley girl voice that is supposed to be me.
"Oh no, Mr. Mikaelson! I'm like your biggest fan! I..." stifles a laugh. "I didn't mean it. Can I...What is that phrase he tends to say on the show? Oh yeah. "Can I acquit myself?"
"St...Stop..." I stutter between laughs.
"No worries love, I'm over it already" continues Bonnie as Klaus. "Can I offer you a drink?"
Elena pretends to faint, placing a backhand on her forehead and I push her playfully in response.
"Shut up. That wouldn't happen. I would never apologize for telling him the truth. I don't care who he is."
"Uh-huh," says Bonnie, sarcastically, wide smile on her face, looking at her phone. "You guys ready to go? I have to help Grams open up the Pharmacy in the morning."
"Totally. Damon's waiting for me. He's already texted me twice," says Elena with a worried glance to her phone.
"You two go. I'm just waiting for Matt to give me Tyler's takeout to bring home."
"Oh," Elena groans. "Why didn't I think of that?! Damon would definitely have liked a burger. Ugh. Can I still order?"
"I think the kitchen's closed 'Lena," says Bonnie before I can say anything. "It is after 11."
I nod at her regretfully.
Elena sighs in defeat. "Great. I'm the worst."
I give her a reassuring hug. "Don't worry. Damon loves you and won't kill you for not bringing food. Just make some cold cuts or hot cocoa or something and do adult things. He'll be alright."
"You're such a good wife Caroline," she mumbles in my shirt before pulling away to look into my eyes.
"I wanna be like you when I grow up," she jokes.
"Whatever. Get out of here," I say, nudging her away as Bonnie comes in with a goodbye hug.
"Next Friday?" she says to confirm our next girls night.
"Hell yeah. Bye!" I say with a wink, waving them goodbye as they leave. I eventually turn back to the bar and twiddling my fingers on the bar counter occasionally, waiting for my food.
I'm about to call Matt's name when ten minutes pass, but he appears from the back, looking apologetic.
"So sorry Care, I got caught up in the back."
"No problem. Tyler doesn't come in until late tonight so I got some time. Figured I'd get him his favorite meal from here when he gets home in case he's hungry."
Matt smiles fondly. "You really love that guy."
"Hey. We dated since high school and he's the first guy to choose me over Elena so yeah I do."
Matt looks momentarily embarrassed, being one of the guys in town in love with Elena for a time over me, and I feel guilty.
"Sorry Matt. I didn't mean..."
"It's cool Care. You're the most honest person I know and tells it how it is. Don't apologize," he says with a reassuring smile.
I kiss his cheek. "Thanks Matt. How much?"
"Well, you bought like three different meals..."
"They're his favorites!"
"But all three though?"
"He might be in the mood for one and not the other," I defend. "I got to be prepared."
"Yes. Caroline Forbes, the neurotic planner has made her appearance," jokes Matt. "$25.50."
My mouth drops. "Seriously?!"
"Sweet potato fries are extra."
"I thought we were friends!"
"Definitely. $25.50."
I throw him a glare, opening my purse to dig out some money.
"It's mortgage week isn't it?" I say, suddenly remembering he's less generous around that time.
"You got it."
I smile, shaking my head as I dig deeper into my purse, when I hear a bell chime from the door behind me, ushering someone's arrival.
"Sorry man. We're closed."
The guy Matt's talking to comes up beside me slightly out of breath, hands on the counter.
"I know, mate. I really hate to be a bother, but..."
I stiffen, nearly pissing my pants, keeping my eyes to the inside of my purse.
That voice. I'd know it anywhere. But it can't be. It just can't, I think as I slowly look up to take in...
Ohmygod.
Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!
"...I was wondering if there is a hotel or pharmacy nearby," says Klaus freaking Mikaelson standing right next to me in that mind bending accent of his that is even more sexy in real life than in TV, making my heart want to grow some wings and fly away. He's wearing sunglasses at the dead of night, a clear disguise to stop anyone from recognizing him.
Um. Fail there. Need a voice transplant for that to work on me buddy.
"My sister and I are passing through," he continues in a rush. "We don't know the area well so whatever help you can provide will be greatly appreciated."
Matt sighs. "Well. Hate to say it, but you're out of luck. Everything here pretty much closes by 11. The nearest hotel is in Richmond..."
"That's an hour away!" cries Klaus furious.
"I know man. Sorry. You can try the hospital if it's something medical related..."
"Out of the question," Klaus says swiftly, starting to pace. "Bekah hates hospitals."
"Then I don't know what to tell you man."
"How about you stop being bloody incompetent and help me?!" He snaps.
My eyes narrow at his attitude, the star struckness fading as quickly as it came.
"Listen," I butt in. "It's not Matt's fault that they're aren't any hotels around or things are closed, so maybe if you want people to help you, you might want to check the attitude at the door," I tell him sharply.
He takes off his sunglasses in his irritation, his gaze falling hotly on me and I have to make a herculean effort not to get caught up in the stormy blue of his eyes.
He's so hot...
And pissed.
At me.
Oh boy.
"I don't think I was even speaking to you," he says with a growl.
"You weren't," I say with a tilt of my head and a sugar sweet smile upon his approach, arms folded. "But you were disrespecting my friend and I'm not having that."
He's glaring at me, about to give me a piece of his mind, I can tell, but Matt speaks up, coming up beside me.
"Caroline. It's cool," he says, and I shrug, giving him his cash. He turns his attention to Klaus. "Listen, we're sorry about your sister, really, but if you aren't going to leave, I'm going to have to call the cops."
I laugh, taking my takeout, preparing to leave. "He'll be right at home there. He goes to jail on a regular basis this one. He's just not drunk this time," I say, cutting him a look.
I register the brief shock that saturates his face then and I make my exit, smug.
"Night Matt," I say with a backwards wave, not turning back, faintly hearing a "Good night Caroline," as the door shuts.
Sad. Klaus is so cute, but a jerk. Like I thought. Shame really. If I had even the faintest amount of attraction towards him still, it totally went out the window with that performance! Unbelievable that guy!
I faintly register a car honking behind me after I cross the street, so consumed I am with my thoughts. Then:
"Caroline!"
Oh HELL no. That isn't Matt.
I whirl at Klaus.
"Are you serious? Take a hint." I turn away, aggravated now, stomping off. "And don't use my name like we know each other. You totally don't get to do that just because you heard Matt say it."
"I'm sorry for my rudeness. Truly. Asking for..."
I glance at him.
"...help," he says with difficulty, wrinkling his nose in distaste. "Is not something I profess to excel in, but I'm in dire need of a woman's assistance..."
A woman's assistance?! My temper flares up and I spin to face him again, stopping. Of all the sexist, narcissistic...
"...For my sister," he finishes, coming in front of me, averting his gaze from mine with a sigh.
I wrinkle my eyebrows in confusion. He looks almost shy now, attitude gone. Why...
My eyes widen.
Wait.
Pharmacy.
Woman's assistance.
I guess my face betrays where my mind went.
"Yeah. Whatever you're thinking is exactly right love."
The world stops spinning, my heart break dancing in my chest.
Dead. So dead. Klaus Mikaelson just called me love.
My mind is still computing the endearment that came out of his mouth in reference to me, when he continues, running a hand through his head, uncomfortable, bashful even.
And it's almost adorable the concern for his sister.
Almost.
"She's been going on and on about these bloody cramps for an hour, and I haven't the faintest clue what to do for her with everything being closed. The hospital is not an option, as I said, and..."
I start walking off.
He grabs my arm, furious.
"Don't turn your back at me!"
"I should of turned my back on you and your sad excuse for a TV show ages ago!" I yell in his face, yanking my arm away from him and walking back to the grill.
"And if you would get out of your own way for two seconds..." I lift two fingers up to drive my point, turning to him and walking backwards.
"Maybe I could actually stick around and help you like I'm about to do now."
I watch a slow smile spread his features, making those dimples come out to play.
For the first time tonight, I smile back at him.
It's the only black SUV in the lot, sleek, smooth and expensive looking.
I open the back seat to find his sister bundled up in a blanket and curled into a ball. She looks up at me slowly, glowering.
"Who the bloody hell are you?" she croaks out.
I ignore the attitude, understanding it too well and hand her the heated rice sack I got Matt to prepare for us, wrapping it in a nearby shirt that I find next to her.
"Here. Put it on your stomach. The heat will tone down the cramping, trust me."
Her eyes narrow. "Trust you? I don't even know..."
"Do it Bekah," Klaus says behind me, strongly. "I'm done running around town. Put the damn thing on your stomach."
She glares at him, angrily taking the sack and following my advice.
Instantly, her face softens and looks at me as if she's seen God.
"That feels amazing..." she says with a soft smile that I return.
"Right? Good stuff. Here."
I take my back up emergency pain meds out of my purse and give her a bottle of water.
She gives it an apprehensive look.
I roll my eyes. "Seriously? It isn't poison."
"How do I know?" says Rebekah, sass back on.
"Guess you don't but then you can go to a hospital..."
"No," she interrupts petulantly.
"...Or lay here until the pharmacy opens which isn't until 9am," I finish with a shrug.
It's only 11:15 now.
She grabs the bottle and the pills, draining them in one go, keeping her rice sack like a life preserver against her.
"The rice sack is temporary until the medication kicks in."
"How long is that?" says Klaus in that accent of his, his breath falling on my ear, he's that close.
Think straight Care. Think straight!
"Half hour, forty minutes. Depends if she's eaten."
"We haven't ate for 6 hours," she says.
I whirl at him. "No way! Cramps ALWAYS get worse when you don't eat!" I tell him.
"I told Nik I was hungry but he said to wait till we got to set since they always have a spread and it's free," she says in quiet anger and with a glare.
Wow, Klaus. Wow. "How cheap can you be?! Aren't you rich or something?"
"Yes!" he responds back hotly in my face. "And I'd like to stay that way thank you very much! If I indulged Rebekah's every fancy, I'd be a poor sod, begging at a corner somewhere!"
"Stop being a drama queen Nik," she says, commanding our attention. "No wonder Tatia's never home. Even your wife can only deal with you in doses."
I ignore the drop in my stomach that happens when I hear the word wife. I stopped following Klaus on social media last year so I had no idea what happened in his personal life since.
Bonnie doesn't care about the show or anyone on it except Nikolas' brother Nate died on the show. Elena though...
Why didn't she tell me?
Anyways.
The two are at each other's throats, arguing like typical siblings.
Rebekah's cramps are obviously aren't bothering her that much, because she finds the energy to still go toe to toe with...
She suddenly winces in mid tirade, clutching her rice sack tighter.
Never mind.
"You okay?" I say to her, coming closer.
She bites her lip, curling back into her ball. "It hurts," she moans. "It freaking hurts."
Klaus instantly goes back to concerned brother.
He leans forward and she curls in his lap, his hand going up to stroke her head affectionately.
"Shh...Little Sister. Save your strength. We can fight later."
"Nik...I want to sleep in a bed and I'm hungry," she whines.
He sighs, clearly at a loss.
Then I'm talking again, moved by the sight before me.
"Well, we can go to my place..."
A few hours later, at my house, the Lockwood Mansion Tyler inherited from his dead parents, I've given Klaus and Bekah Tyler's food, silently happy that I did three orders of food instead of one. I silently hope that Tyler is too tired to care about eating. They clearly needed it more than him, eating most of it in minutes.
"You have beautiful home Caroline," says Bekah in between bites. "But you should invest in an interior decorator. It's so Gone with the Wind, unless that's your fancy."
I narrow my eyes at her, hands on my hip beating Klaus to saying anything. "Actually. It's called sophistication and propriety. If you're allergic to that, being a spoiled, entitled brat, you can go right back into the car. It's totally NOT Gone with the Wind in there," I say, with sarcastic smile.
Rebekah's mouth drops and turns to Klaus, waiting for him to say something.
When he simply takes a bite of his burger and glances at her deadly expression unfazed, she snaps.
"Did you just HEAR her?! The hick! Nik, she disrespected me!"
He puts down his food, irritated. "After you disrespected her first! She was kind enough to feed us, to allow us into her home, helping you with your female melodramatics and instead of a thank you, you criticize her home. Brilliant job Bekah," he ends disdainfully, giving her a disapproving look.
She gapes at him, flushing crimson. "I...I did not! I was making a helpful observation..."
"...And she was stating an opinion and a reality. If the decor bothers you, you can indeed return to the SUV."
She stands up, affronted.
"I will! I can't stand being in this one pony town one more second anyway!"
I shake my head, watching her storm off as I clean up.
"At least she's feeling better," I say with a chuckle.
He cleans up his mess before I can get to it.
"My apologies on her behalf. We Mikaelsons aren't good at expressing feelings."
"No worries," I say, throwing out the garbage and coming to lean on the island counter top between us.
"You two are leaving now?"
He sighs, standing up with his plate and bringing it to the sink. He goes for the dish washing soap, but I stop him.
"You can leave it. I'll take care..."
He's already squeezing it into the sponge, washing his plate.
"Weird you know how to do that being born with a silver spoon in your mouth," I say quietly, hand on my chin, unaware I'm staring a little too long at how his muscles flex under his henley.
But he heard me. "Weird that you don't have a cleaning staff," he retorts back at me.
"What makes you think that?"
He wipes his hands, smirking at the cleaning gloves, before putting the plate away, coming to me.
"I simply don't see a girl knowing about home remedies like that rice concoction you gave my sister, able to embrace everything about the rich life so easily."
Next thing I know, he's reaching out, tucking a stray curl behind my ear, his index finger brushing briefly under my chin before he brings his hand back to his side, my breath catching.
I swear I forgot my name.
"Plus, the fact you put cleaning materials like dish washing soap and cleaning gloves in an easily accessible place means you use it yourself, otherwise it would be in a storage place somewhere for the cleaning people to use when they come in. More simply," he steps more into my space, "you were going to say you can take care of the cleaning yourself before you stopped speaking."
I smile brightly at his correct reasoning, shaking off the effects of his brief touch.
"Guilty. I do some stress cleaning from time to time."
"And whatever would you have to be stressed about? Married life not what you thought?"
I get defensive at that, my eyes narrowing. "Is yours?"
He raises his hands in surrender. "Relax love. Retract the claws. I was simply making conversation."
"Right," I say, starting to walk away. "I think you can find your way out."
"Hey."
He grabs my arm gently, pulling me to him. My hand falls on his chest reflexively so I don't collide into him, my fingers brushing against his necklaces.
I suck in a breath at the contact, and look up into his eyes, only to find them filled with a gentleness and warmth I didn't expect.
"Thank you, for helping me. Us."
His eyes are really blue and grey at the same time...
"You're welcome Klaus," I say softly, silently falling in love with his dimples when they come out again.
His smile broadens. "So you do know who I am."
My eyes widen, recognizing my slip up. "Rebekah..." I start, trying to cover.
"Rebekah never calls me Klaus," he cuts me off, the playfulness in his gaze growing as I realize I'm caught.
He drives the point further home, however, his gaze turning serious.
"After you made that comment about me being very familiar with jails..."
I blush.
"You said outside the food establishment your friend owns that you, '...should of turned your back on me and my sad excuse for a TV show ages ago.' "
I was hoping he was going to forget that.
"What did you mean love?" he says softly.
Mystic Falls - Present
"And what did you say?" comes in Elijah's voice, pulling me out of memory lane.
I take in Elijah and answer him. "I told him the truth."
"Which was?"
"He can be so much greater than a failing TV show," I say, the limo coming into a stop.
I perk up, alert, noticing through the window where I am.
I move to get out, Elijah calling after me, just when the door to my house opens and I freeze, heart stopping.
"No..." I breathe, seeing Klaus.
"Caroline..."
How dare he!
"You told me you wouldn't come back here!" I shout at him. "I guess I can't believe anything you say anymore!"
I see his jaw flex, his hands clenching. "I wouldn't have had to come if you would of just picked up your damn phone!"
"Oh, now you want to act like you care?! You didn't care enough to tell me about my cheating dead husband!"
He storms down the stairs and I can see the dark circles under his eyes, clearly from lack of sleep, the longer stubble.
"Yes!" he shouts. "Please continue to hold that against me love! As if I'm the one who betrayed you!"
I can't even focus on staying angry anymore, taking in his rough state. My anger gives way to my concern for him, more instinct then rationality.
I reach out and touch him. He stiffens, still in attack mode.
"You look terrible," I say softly, studying his face.
His agitated state dissipates, his eyes softening when his hand comes up to cover mine.
"No one heard from you for three days sweetheart," he whispers in explanation, reaching out to touch me in return.
He leans his forehead into mine, sighing and we both close our eyes, taking in each other.
He squeezes the back of my neck gently and I hum contently.
"I went mad with worry. Never do that to me again Caroline. Please. No matter how angry you are with me," he implores me, his voice coming out tortured and pained.
My heart breaks for hurting him so much. "I'm sorry," I whisper back.
His eyes open in response, trying to see me properly. Not being able to do so because of the sunglasses, he slides them over my head.
"You've been crying," he quickly discovers, his face etched in disapproval.
"It happens when I lose my best friend and I'm not taking it well," I say without thinking.
His face hovers over mine at that, his lips dangerously close to mine.
"You haven't lost me Caroline. You never will."
He tilts my head towards his beautiful lips, and I hold back the moan that threatens to leave me at his intoxicating touch.
"Forgive me, Caroline," he mutters against my lips. "I can't bear to have you hate me. Not you."
My mind is fuzzy, riddled with rising need for him, his plea breaking me down.
"Klaus...I..."
"Caroline!"
I straighten up suddenly to see my mother, Elena and Bonnie come out of the house, staring in wonder at Klaus and I, still close.
Oh no...
My mother is the first to say something.
"Caroline Forbes. You have A LOT of explaining to do," she says, arms folded, glaring at me.
"Perhaps that can wait Sheriff," Elijah says suddenly, forcing us all to turn to him as he comes out the limo. His expression grave, holding his phone in his hand.
Klaus reads his face and he stiffens next to me.
"What is it Elijah?"
"A reliable source just informed me that the media followed us into town. Caroline's identity and her life will be public knowledge in the span of hours if we do not act."
Great. Just when I thought things could not get ANY worse.
A/N That's it! I think we have only one more chapter left guys. Please leave a review.
Answer to guest reviews:
Abby - I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. It's nice to missed :).
Guest - I enjoyed writing the last chapter and reread it myself so I'm glad you approve. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Guest 2 - Uh oh is right. Lots of drama going on in this fic!
Guest 3 - We all hope that Caroline gets to a place where she can overlook Klaus' mistake and can forgive him. She needs to remember the good times and realize he truly cares for her.
Guest 4 - Hope this update has come soon enough. Two weeks isn't too bad right?