AN: Thank you for all the reviews, favs and follows! It really motivates me to write more and you guys are amazing.

Hope ya'll enjoy:)

Chapter 1

'Once something is a passion, the motivation is there.'

Michael Schumacher

November, 2014

Caroline massaged her temples, trying to counteract the migraine that had been already in the making, with all the pointless yelling and insults flying across the conference room in Forbes Motors Ltd. They had been at it all morning and as the time passed, they didn't seem to be any closer to even remotely reasonable conclusion, really, courtesy of her father, William Forbes, who had finally caved to her urgings and appointed her to be the next team principal in Forbes Racing Team. What he clearly had forgotten to do, however, was to consult this decision with the board of Forbes Motors. Hence, the endless yelling.

Motorsports were a true passion for William Forbes and that was a passion he shared with his daughter since she was old enough to get into the driver's seat of a racing car. Which was at the age of eight. Fortunately, she was found before she could figure out how to start the engine.

Forbes Motors was one of the leading manufacturers of engines and cars, however, that only satisfied her father for so long. He got into racing business first forming a team to race in American IndyCar series and then slowly progressed to European markets with his Formula 1 racing team.

It was his dream come true.

Theirs, really.

The moment her farther announced she would be replacing him as the team principal in Forbes Racing Team was one of the happiest in Caroline's life. She was only 24 but it was a role William had been grooming her for since her childhood. However, board members were quite adamant in their belief that she was the last person suitable for the job. Which was ridiculous, really. Why? Because she was young? A woman? She knew more of motorsport than all of them combined. However, if she were to be unsuccessful in appeasing them and leading the team to victory once more, there would be no special treatment to benefit her. She would be out faster than she's be able to say 'That was not my fault' and honestly, she was a team principal – if anything went wrong, it would be her fault, no excuses.

The team had won both driver's and constructor's championship this season so she had to make sure they would repeat this success next year as well or be as close to it as possible. Which was easier said than done, considering the fact their best driver, Mason Lockwood, decided to retire from sport after having won his third champion title just this year.

Mason was a legend among the drivers, his determination and dedication to the sport earning him a mass of fans, not to mention the position of somewhat of a mentor among the younger drivers. Many thought the decision to retire had come way too early, given Lockwood was only 36 – it was a suitable age to retire but there were drivers who had been competing even till their mid-forties and, when taking into account many times Mason had stressed racing was his life, the press and fans were left baffled by retirement.

Caroline had known Mason since he had started driving for the team and quite frankly, understood his decision perfectly, even though it left her with a troublesome task of finding a capable replacement for the next season, just as she came into her new position, no less.

Which lead to her sitting at this dreadful meeting, trying to convince the board of her choice.

Glancing sideways at Alaric, team's technical director and aerodynamics guru, Caroline caught his attention and rolled her eyes, conveying her frustration. Raising his eyebrows, Saltzman molded his face in an expression that could be translated loosely into Please rescue me from these morons, the sentiment Caroline shared with him, then he whispered, "Do something."

Yes, it was high time she'd said something.

"Listen!" with all the confidence she could gather, Caroline looked at the men in the room as they stared at her expectantly.

"While I realize the decision my father has made may not sit well with you, he is the team's boss and it was his decision to make. Perhaps I am too young but at the same time, I have more experience in the paddock than any of your candidates. My mind is already set on who's going to fill Mason's spot on the team. Something I would have told you the moment this meeting started if it hadn't been for your incessant complaints. I've already contacted his manager and he said yes so all is set in motion. Klaus Mikaelson will join Forbes Racing Team as of next year and Enzo Augustine will stay as well, I've extended his contract for the next two years."

The conference room had gone silent for the time of her monologue but now angry mutterings revived in force.

"Caroline, you cannot be serious…"

"Honey, you don't know what you're doing…"

"You're going to sink this team with how…"

"Enough," she said with all her might, "I understand this may not be the most popular decision. Who would you prefer? Marcel? He will never leave Ferrari. Some rookie? It may be a strategic move for the future but we already have a talented young test driver, we don't need another one in the main seat…"

"But Mikaelson? Caroline…" started one of the board members, Mr. Renwick.

"I realize he's known as a loose cannon. But he's damn fast. And determined. He's been in an average team for the last two years, he's just waiting for someone to discover his true potential. We'll draft him and he'll race his heart out for us, this year he had a shitty car and yet he was able to put up a fight with Mason and Marcel. He wants to be a champion. He yearns for it, you can see it. It's a perfect match for the team."

"For the team or for you?" came voice from the back of the room.

Reigning in her fury at the comment, Caroline replied as calmly as she could, "I assure you, Mr. Braddock, I do not base professional decisions on my personal opinions. Given I don't even know Mr. Mikaelson personally, your comment was most inconsiderate and misplaced. And to put your worries over the welfare of this company as well as your own pockets, to rest – if I don't produce the desired results next season, be sure to know my father will fire my ass immediately. You all know him, he doesn't tolerate incompetence whatever direction it comes from."

There were a few affirmative nods among the board members and the issue was closed, at least for now. After finishing the meeting's agenda, Caroline left the conference room with Alaric in tow, desperate for something to cure her now raging headache.

"That was quite impressive, Caroline. I believe choosing Mikaelson was a good decision. How long did you sign him for?" came the question Caroline dreaded.

"Yeah, that's the thing, Ric," she looked at the older man sheepishly.

"Caroline."

"It's not my fault. I contacted his agent and he agreed on the spot. He was getting desperate to get Mikaelson out to the bigger leagues but everyone's apprehensive about Mr. I'll overtake you or drive myself to the wall. We were going to sign this week but apparently the wonder boy had gone off the grid after the final race. My assistant is tracking him down, as soon as she gets the location, I'm there with pen and paper," she explained as they entered the elevator.

Alaric sighed and looked at her seriously, putting his hands on her shoulders, "Are you sure about this, Caroline? He's talented, no doubts about it but is it worth it?"

"Yes, Ric. I've never been so sure in my life."

Few days later, some club in London

The beat of music resonated through the crowd, alcohol poured in streams and sweaty bodies mashed together in the latest hype club to be in London - Blaze. Klaus Mikaelson was sitting in the VIP lounge, his female fans almost climbing into his lap, they were that desperate to get close to him. And probably one of them would be the lucky one he'd take to his apartment later tonight, after he had drowned himself in enough alcohol. He was young and attractive, he was famous and everybody wanted a piece of him – he just loved this feeling. In the moments like this one, he could almost forget that he drove for the average team, had no other driving options for the next season so far and had finished the season on the mediocre 6th place in the driver's championship. He might as well keep repeating to himself that had he driven a different car, everything would be different. It didn't change the fact that Marcel was second, right behind Mason Lockwood and it stung.

These women, none of them cared whether he was first or sixth, whether he was fulfilled, what his goals were…The only thing that mattered for them was that he was a Formula 1 driver and he looked damn good, in jumpsuit and out of it.

Reaching the first important decision of the night, he was about to ask the brunette sitting on his left to accompany him to his place when he saw her. The blond strutting decisively in his direction, clad in a low-cut red dress that clung to her perfect body, hips swaying subtly, unlike those that were parading in front of him, thinking being obvious would tempt him.

Well…normally it would, he wasn't in the mood to be picky but this girl?

She was simply gorgeous.

As she approached, he was surprised to recognize her as Caroline Forbes.

Daughter of the billionaire, William Forbes, owner of the whole motorsport empire. He had seen her around the paddock from time to time, always immersed in action, though from what he knew, she wasn't officially part of the team. If he was honest with himself, she did peak his interest, you could even say he admired her from afar but the most important thing in his life was racing and he couldn't afford the distraction. When drivers got distracted, they crashed. Their results plummeted. Besides, getting it on with daughter of the man who yielded enough power not only to destroy his career but also order a hitman to kill him and make it look like an accident – not such a great idea.

However, Klaus was never one to say no to a little play with fire.

That was going to be interesting.

"Hello, sweetheart. What can I do for you? Usually there's a line to get to me but you look so ravishing, I may just make an exception for you," he drawled, raking over her body openly.

"Cut the crap, Mikaelson. You know very well who I am," she bit out unfazed by his words and Klaus had to admit – she had spunk.

"Caroline Forbes," the name left his lips smoothly, he liked the way it sounded. Caroline, he could repeat that over and over. Preferably with their clothes off.

"Look, I need to discuss something important with you."

"Now?"

"Yes, now! You'll regret it if you don't talk to me, so get your ass up and let's go," she let out impatiently, her determined gaze fixed on him.

Klaus stood up with a loud sigh, not sparing a glance on the brunette he had intended to take home, and followed Caroline to the stuff exit and the back alley behind the club.

"Is that where you're planning on killing me, love? Or maybe you want to take advantage of me? Because I'm all for option number two," he said with a sly smirk. She just rolled her eyes at that and bored her eyes into him as if she wanted to kill him with her sight.

She probably very much wanted to do that.

"Quit it and be serious for a moment. Can you do that?"

When he fell silent at that, only sending her another half-smirk, she continued in this tenacious tone that was apparently her default setting.

"I've been appointed team principal for FRT last week. My first executive decision was to hire you as our new driver. Your manager approved it but he had no luck in contacting you. Luckily for you, my assistant is far more competent in locating people and now you can sign the contract I've negotiated with your manager," having said this, she drew out an enormous stack of papers clipped together from her purse and shoved them into his chest.

"Well, well, would you look at this. Princess of motorsport is taking manager position now. God for you, sweetheart. And why would I sign this? You're expecting me to read through fifty-something pages of legal nonsense right now?" he chuckled.

Klaus had no idea why he insisted on behaving like a jerk towards her. It may have been partially due to his inebriated state but that was not the heart of the matter. He'd admit he had grown bitter over the course of the last season, not being able to achieve the results he expected of himself. And here she was, all demands and determination, at least a couple years younger than him but already a team principal because she had a rich daddy who liked to spoil his little girl. While he was 26 already, his prime years being wasted by driving for a team that couldn't even afford decent transportation from one location to another and even this, he struggled to get there from the age of 17.

"Why? Maybe because I'm giving you a chance when no one else seems eager to do so? Call me princess all you want, it doesn't change the fact that you will sign with us."

"You seem awfully sure of yourself, love. Looking at you, I cannot really blame you but this is business," he said, leaning towards her and focusing on her ruby lips.

"Please. Don't waste your time charming me, my mother's British, I'm impervious to your accent, loves and sweethearts, " she scoffed at his tactics, "This is important to me. My father trusted me with one of the most precious things in his life and I can't screw this up. So why will you sign? Because I can guarantee you that I need a win just as much as you do. You need to beat them all and be a champion? That's the same for me. You've been waiting for an opportunity like this for years and now I'm giving it to you. Take it."

Klaus pondered over her words for a moment, saw the tension Caroline was trying to hide from him. He knew she was right. Forbes Racing Team was ahead of its competitors for the better half of the season, partly because of Alaric's genius and partly because of Mason's skills and talent. Now with him gone, the team was in a bit of a dire situation but they had their pick of the candidates and chose to go with him. With a car designed by Saltzman, plus all the support and money at the dispense of Forbes Motors, Klaus could finally get a shot at competing with the rest of the grid. He would be in the front lines with the rest of them. Salvatore. Augustine. Marcel.

Reaching a decision, which he knew deep down was a right one, he grabbed a pen Caroline was patiently holding out for him with a knowing smile on her face, got to the last page of the contract and signed. However reluctant his manager was to locate him when he was off, busy unwinding after the season, Klaus was aware he wouldn't have accepted Caroline's conditions if they weren't favorable to him.

"There you have it, sweetheart. All done," he said smugly, giving her back the signed contract.

"Nothing's done," she said adamantly, pushing the papers back into her purse.

"So stop horsing around and focus on your job. We start trial runs in December. We'll provide you with the best car available but you need to do one crucial thing here," Caroline added, taking few step backwards to get out of the alley.

"And what exactly is that, love?" he prodded, observing her retreating figure.

Her answer came in a taunting voice, she quirked her eyebrow and let out, "Bring it on," then turned and walked away, leaving Klaus intrigued for what was to come, instead of a frustrated mess he was just half an hour ago.

AN2: Thank you for reading! So what did you think of the first KC meeting? Of Caroline and Klaus individually? Any questions? Share your thoughts!

Till next time,

MrsAgentCooper.