Most of the car ride was made in silence. Stefan was focused on his driving while Caroline fretted over her outfit predicament. Her clothes were slightly wrinkled, and to be honest, they weren't the sort of thing she envisioned herself in when meeting up with Klaus again. Not that she'd ever thought about meeting him again. A lot. In vivid detail. Over and over. Caroline sighed. Sometimes being a control freak really grated on her nerves. Often Caroline envisioned what it would be like meeting up with Klaus years down the road, dressed edgier, darker, than he remembered. She wanted to seem older and different. Well, hadn't she been through quite a lot in the last year? I
t was around 10am when they found themselves entering the city of New Orleans. Adrenaline poured through Caroline at the sight of the city. Although it was a Tuesday afternoon, the streets were jam-packed with people, musicians playing on the street corners, shops open on the sidewalks, cafe tables and chairs taking up space along the sidewalk as well. The city looked as if it had once been in the middle of France. It was riveting and somehow majestic. Caroline immediately understood the allure Klaus had with the place. It was breathtaking.
"Oh wow, Stefan. This place is great!" Caroline sat up straighter, practically squealing with delight. "I get why they call it the French Quarter." Narrowing her eyes, Caroline grabbed her purse and hopped out of the Jeep once it came to a stop at a red light. "Park the car somewhere Stefan, I need to grab a change of clothes!" With that, Caroline hustled across the packed street, ignoring some of the whistles being thrown her way, even some of the cars that honked at her. Men were whistling at her in that outfit? As if.
She made her way to a boutique located on the corner. Most of the clothing looked designer and she was pleased to see it was expensive. Good. She didn't want to look frumpy when coming to practically seduce Klaus. Of whatever it was she planned to do T.o be frank, Caroline felt more bold/confident/powerful when she had the proper attire. What woman didn't? Walking inside, Caroline barely noticed the pinging noise as she entered the shop. Making her way over to a rack on the right side of the shop, Caroline searched around for a pair of jeggings. Black, to show off her curves. Grinning when she found the right size, Caroline snatched them up, along with a skintight black v-neck top. She grabbed a pair of black ankle boots, grinning as she spotted a tight leather jacket hanging on one of the walls. Nearly to her destination, Caroline almost growled when a young girl stepped in her way.
"Would you like me to take the clothes you've got and put them in a dressing room for you?" The girl looked to be about 16 years old, long brown hair nearly reaching her butt. She had plump cheeks and even plumper lips, and her eyes were a deep chocolate brown. She was quite beautiful.
"Yeah, thanks." Caroline handed over her clothes. "Shouldn't you be in school or something?"
"I'm homeschooled, really. Plus it's supposed to be winter vacation or something or another. Anyways, I'm just here working instead." The girl glanced behind Caroline, rolling her eyes as another customer entered the store. "Marcel, what are you doing here?"
"Now, now. Don't go rolling your eyes, Davina. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." The tall, muscular black man strode into the boutique like he owned it, and maybe he did. He moved until he was standing in front of the small girl, his large frame practically devouring her small one. That Marcel seemed overly protective of Davina, almost as if he were afraid someone or something would rip her away from him in a matter of minutes if he wasn't ever vigilant.
"You know I'm fine, Marcel. Stop worrying so much about me, okay?"
Backing away from the conversation, Caroline reached up for the leather jacket hanging on the right side wall, disappointed when she couldn't reach it. Suddenly, the man Marcel was next to her, reaching up and grabbing the article of clothing before smiling down at her.
"There you are."
"Thanks," Caroline smiled back at him. She grabbed the jacket, becoming wary when he wouldn't hand it over. Caroline looked up, making eye contact with Marcel.
"It's not often a vampire dares to enter the French Quarter without the proper invitation." His eyes remained calm even as his voice lowered dramatically, eyes turning black as his fangs lowered. Was he trying to frighten her? She'd been pursued by the baddest vamp/wolf on the planet, Marcel didn't scare her in the slightest.
"I'm sorry, I was unaware that New Orleans decided to segregate from the United States of America. Guess I didn't get the memo." Caroline dropped the jacket, deciding to leave, even if she wanted those clothes. No point in starting trouble on her first day here. Klaus would probably cause a ruckus about it, no doubt.
Marcel was in front of her exit, jacket tossed to the floor. She glared at the article of clothing, pissed he'd just tossed it on the ground. She was in love with that jacket! "Care to explain what you're doing in my city?"
"Your city?" Davina scoffed from behind Caroline. "This isn't your city anymore, Marcel. You should be nicer to her."
"Let me guess," Caroline said slowly. "Klaus Mikaelson is running the place, right?" Marcel's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Considering I'm here to see him, I wouldn't get all high and mighty with me, alright? I just wanted to buy some new clothes before I met up with him, is that a crime?" Marcel remained silent. "Yeah, I didn't think so. Can you please hand me that jacket now? I have an ensemble to create."
Caroline, with her hand outstretched, waited for him to hand her the jacket off the ground, but he just stood there, completely immobile.
"No? Fine, I'll get it myself."
As soon as Caroline made a move for her jacket, Marcel was on her, vampire speed helping him pin her to a wall, his hand wrapped tightly around her throat as he hissed down at her, black eyes showing her how close he was to tearing out her throat.
"Funny, Klaus didn't mention anyone coming to see him."
"Well, Klaus isn't the chatty type." Caroline eyed him angrily. "But I'll have you know I was coming here as a surprise, jackass." Caroline ripped Marcel's hand away from her throat, kicking him as hard as she could in the stomach. He flew across the store, knocking into a few clothing racks as he fell down. "Sorry about that," Caroline said to the Davina girl who was standing casually behind the store front counter.
"It's alright. The men around here need some sense knocked into them." Davina nodded towards Marcel who was standing up. "Marcel, please stop. You just gave me this store and you're already making a mess of it." She pouted at the man who seemed to stop at her words and consider what she'd been saying.
"You said you're a friend of Klaus?" He looked at Caroline, keeping a respectable distance.
"Well, I don't know if Klaus has 'friends', but we go back a bit."
"Mystic Falls?" Marcel asked casually, staring at Caroline intently. The town name made Caroline's face heat with memories of the woods and steamy hybrid sex.
"How'd you know?"
Marcel's entire demeanor changed as his face broke into a wide smile. Coming forward at a normal pace, Marcel picked Caroline up and spun her around while he laughed.
"Welcome home, darling. I have to say, my sire Klaus has definitely been talking about you lately."
"Really?" Caroline stared in disbelief.
"Well, since about 6 o'clock this morning I would say. I'm pretty sure you're the first person to ever send him a text message before."
"I hadn't thought about that," Caroline laughed thinking about Klaus, a 1000 year old hybrid staring dumbly at his cell phone, uncomprehending of how to send a text message. She was sure that wasn't the case, but the image was something wonderful to hold on to.
Marcel set her down and picked up the fallen jacket. "Anything you want in here is yours. My apologies, Ms. Forbes. I'm rather protective of this city and its inhabitants." Caroline smiled back, accepting the jacket with gratitude.
"Thanks Marcel. Could you do me a favor?" Marcel raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Klaus doesn't know I'm here, so could we keep that between us for a few hours until I see him? I just wanted to get ready. You know, have something a bit more 'wow' on before I meet up with him."
"Why certainly, Caroline. It would be my pleasure."
"I won't say anything either," Davina piped up from the counter. "Oh and your clothes are in the dressing room." Davina pointed to a row of dressing rooms towards the back of the small shop.
"Ladies, it's been a pleasure." Marcel turned to leave.
"Hey! Pick up those clothes you knocked over. You promised, Marcel." Davina pouted again, smiling happily when he obliged before leaving.
"Wow," Caroline mused. "You've got him wrapped around your little finger." Davina grinned at Caroline as she came to stand next to the blond vampire.
"Well, dying and coming back to life a few weeks later will do that to a person." Davina shrugged her shoulder.
"You're a witch aren't you?"
"Yep. Not much of one now, but yes." Davina came around the counter, perusing some of the racks for a moment. She picked out a nude strapless bra, skin tight leather pants that matched her jacket and a thin black laced long sleeved top. "You're wanting to looking hot for Klaus, right?" Caroline blushed slightly, feeling like an idiot. Why did she have to keep blushing? It was pathetic.
"Well, we haven't seen each other in awhile. So yeah, I guess hot would be the word for it."
"Alright I have no idea why someone would want to attract him, but go try these on."
Caroline stared at herself in the mirror, stunned by her outfit selection. She couldn't remember a time she wore anything completely black. Or leather. Or exposing. The black leather pants clung to her body, showing off every curve and were tucked into a pair of black high heeled boots that came up mid calf. The lace see through long sleeved shirt left little to the imagination, but was just layered enough to hide any evidence of her nude colored bra. She looked naked from the waist up. Her blond hair hung naturally around her, framing her face perfectly. She had to admit, she looked hot. And dangerous.
Grabbing the black leather jacket, Caroline slid it on, sighing lightly when the cool leather hit her skin. Zipping up the black biker jacket, Caroline smiled even more. It clung to her body just like the pants did, leaving little to the imagination.
The door opening and closing had Caroline listening in to Davina's conversation with Stefan. Without waiting another second, Caroline stepped out of the room dramatically, hands on her hips, leather jacket unzipped to show a preview of what was inside.
"How do I look?" Flipping her hair seductively, Caroline smiled innocently at both people.
"Wow. Caroline, you look..." Stefan stared, his sentence trailing off.
"Hot." Davina finished for Stefan, giving Caroline a thumbs up.
"Good." There was nothing Caroline enjoyed more than leaving a man speechless. Now, she just needed to do that to the right man.
"I don't think you should be leaving the compound today, Klaus." Marcel stood next to the entrance, hands up at Klaus's chest level. Klaus cast a curious glance at Marcel.
"Have you already started another celebratory round of drinking without me, Marcellus?" Klaus asked with a slight smirk. "I have business in the quarter. Now out of my way," Klaus moved to leave the building yet again.
"Klaus wait. You've got a surprise coming to you, alright? I don't want you to miss it when it first gets here." Marcel smiled at Klaus.
"Nonsense. I'm not fond of surprises. Now move."
"No. Trust me, you'll enjoy this one."
Klaus cast an irate glance at Marcel before turning on his heel for another exit. "I fear I'm not in the mood for one of your little games, Marcellus. Whatever game you've thought up will have to wait."
Klaus wasn't in the mood for any funny business. He'd been hoping to hear back from Caroline after he had practically told her he'd been missing her since the last time he'd seen her, and she hadn't responded. Nothing. Klaus had half a mind to break his promise, fly to Mystic Falls and demand to know why Caroline had felt the need to end their conversation. Clearly the vixen had been thinking about him, so why didn't she dare answer his message? Klaus wanted to smack himself upside the head. He was acting like a lovesick teenager. Here he was, the hybrid who knew nothing of love, depressed because his woman hadn't responded back in a text message. A text message. This generation really was out of romantic ideals and notions. It was pathetic.
Marcel was again in front of Klaus, making sure he wouldn't leave just yet.
"Come now, Marcel. What is so important that this can't wait a few hours? I'll only be consorting with the last few remaining witches on a few matters and then I'll come right back, so whatever surprise you've thought up can wait." Klaus walked to the end of the courtyard, uncaring of Marcel's needs and wants at the moment. Elijah had left his phone off when he and Hayley had left the night before to go on some exotic couples outing and Klaus needed their location.
The main large door to the courtyard opened slightly, revealing the setting sun as two figures entered.
Klaus easily made out Stefan Salvatore, it was hard to ignore that huge head of hair, even with the sun setting behind it. The second person was shorter and hiding slightly behind the Salvatore.
"Is this my surprise? A Salvatore?" Disgust rang true in his tone. That wasn't the person he wanted to see from Mystic Falls.
Klaus nearly turned away to leave when he noticed a slight scent in the air. It was part arousal/fear/perfume that a certain baby vampire usually smelled like when he was near.
"I thought I'd make a better surprise, actually."
The young woman stepped out of the shadows, and did she look ravishing. Klaus had never seen her look so dangerous, so alluring. In fact, he might have never seen anything nearly as alluring in his 1000 years of life. She was breathtaking.
Caroline stepped out of the shadows nervously, hoping she wouldn't catch Klaus at a bad time. She didn't want to walk in on him while he was in a snit. It would just put her on edge.
"Is this my surprise? A Salvatore?" She saw Klaus look at Marcel with a mocking glare, clearly not happy. Deciding to save the poor vampire another heated look from Klaus, Caroline stepped out of the shadows, hoping bravery showed on her face, even when she wasn't feeling it.
"I thought I'd make a better surprise, actually." The words were out of her mouth before she knew it, taking her by surprise, but more importantly, Klaus.
The hybrid could only stare, his mouth partially open in surprise as Caroline stepped forward, leaving Stefan behind as she made her way to Klaus. The way Klaus's eyes lingered on her body indicated that Caroline had done a great job of picking out her outfit.
Marcel whistled lowly, clearly appreciating the view.
Klaus grabbed Marcel by the throat, staring into his eyes. "Whistle at her again and I'll pull out your liver." His eyes wandered back to Caroline, who was now standing a few feet away from him.
"I figured since you were missing me I might stop by for a visit." Caroline said smugly, more than reassured by his wandering eyes.
"Well, love, isn't this a pleasant surprise." Klaus reached out, his thumb caressing her cheek provocatively. Caroline smirked, causing Klaus to break out into a large grin.
"I haven't seen you smile like that since..." Her voice trailed off as she blushed.
"I can assure you, my smiles are reserved only for you, love." Klaus pulled Caroline away from the other two vampires, leading her down a corridor that was secluded from view.
Caroline didn't have a chance to enquire as to why they were there. In the next instant Klaus had her back pressed into a support beam while his hands cupped her waist, his body pressing dangerously into hers.
"Remind you of anything, love?" His signature smirk came out.
Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Are you going to kiss me or what?"
"Bold little thing, aren't you?" Klaus leaned in, his lips lightly brushing over Caroline's. Once. Twice. Caroline wanted to groan with frustration. Instead, she planted her lips firmly on his, enjoying the heat and passion that immediately formed. Klaus moaned appreciatively when Caroline wrapped a hand into his hair, dragging him closer as their mouths opened, tongues dueling one another.
It felt so right, so delicious, Caroline had to have more. Reaching down, she placed her hands under his shirt, feeling the hard muscles of his chest and stomach. God she'd missed this. Klaus moved his mouth to the side of her neck, nipping at her sensitive flesh.
"God, I've missed this."
Klaus's hands ran down her body, feeling the soft leather of her pants.
"Well, isn't this lovely." A female voice sounded a few feet from there. "Look what the cat dragged in."
Klaus didn't bother to glance away from Caroline, still mystified that she was there. "Hello, Rebekah."
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! MAKES ME HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY ENJOYING THE STORY! PLEASE LEAVE ME SOME REVIEWS FOR CHAPTER 2 IF YOU CAN, JUST TO LET ME KNOW HOW I'M DOING :)
