"You can't do that!" Caroline laughs as she shoves the card back toward him "thats cheating."

"I'm fairly certain its allowed sweetheart, it's a pair." Klaus argues. "You did it with sevens"

"Yes because you're allowed to do it with sevens, a seven is basically like giving you another turn, then you can put something else down on top of it" She explains for the tenth time. By this point Klaus is only doing it to wind her up. "Its not that difficult a concept Klaus, sevens can be put down it pairs, any other card can't" She says getting more annoyed with him. He smiles internally at the little v that appears in the middle of her eyebrows.

"Thats ridiculous, I could have won a thousand times over by now, if we were playing by my rules"

"The rules you're making up as you go along? Im sure you could win" Caroline laughs. Shes beautiful when she laughs, her eyes alight with mischief.

Its been over a week since Klaus came to Chicago and playing different card games has become a sort of tradition once Caroline finishes work. Klaus spends his days cooped up in the apartment, mostly sketching or talking to Elena or one of his siblings over skype. He's ventured down into the store once or twice but only when he's sure the coast is completely clear and never without a cap to hide his face.

It's saturday night and they've already been playing cards for over an hour, it gets boring when you lose all the time so Klaus has just about had enough. They've shared a pizza and talked a little and Klaus had tried to persuade her to accept the invite Bonnie had extended to go clubbing tonight but she insisted she was fine staying in. Klaus feels awful for being the reason shes staying in, he likes spending time with Caroline but hes perfectly capable of looking after himself.

"How about something simpler? Highest card wins?"

You cant get much more simple than what theyve already been playing but she splits the deck and pulls out a card, placing it face down on the table. Klaus does the same and hes about to turn it over when Caroline stops him, placing her hand over his.

The moment their skin touches she pulls away, an intense shock shoots up his arm and his eyes snap up to meet hers. Her bright blue eyes penetrate his and for a second his breath catches in his troat. He wonders if she felt it too or if it was just his over active imagination sending stupid signals to his brain and other southern regions of his body.

"Um... Sorry, I was just going to ask what the terms were?"

"Terms?" He asks getting back on track. "Right. Terms. If I win, I want you to be my slave for twenty four hours" Klaus bargains. Its Predictable but right now he cant think of anything else he wants. He cant think full stop.

"Fine, but no kinky stuff" She warns playfully. "When I win, you have to come out with me"

"Out with you, where?" He asks skeptical. Hes been cooped up, staring at the same sights for over a week and he really would like to get out of the house for a bit but he cant risk people seing him. Especially with another woman, that definitely wouldn't look good. Elena would have his balls.

"You'll have to trust me"

"I do trust you" He replies automatically because its true. He does. Shes done a good job keeping everything on the down low so far. He has no reason not to trust her. "And I like your use of the word when, its very confident" he smirks.

Caroline laughs "I will win" She says with finality "and when I do, I'm taking you out of here."

"Fine but no kinky stuff" He repeats her words back to her.

She nods in agreement as she turns her card over with a cocky smile, his confidence faulters when he sees shes got a ten. Thats pretty hard to beat. "Suck it up Klaus."

"Don't get to excited Love" Klaus flips his card over and her jaw drops as she takes in his queen. Klaus laughs at the complete and utter shock on her face "Well well, What are the odds?" It gives him little satisfaction that the game is based purely on luck and requires no skill whatsoever but hes still going to rub it in her face that she lost.

Carolines eyes narrow at him and it just makes him laugh harder. The little v makes an appearence again. "Roughly 0.28 percent if you want to get technical" Caroline frowns.

"You were a nerd in school weren't you?" Klaus teases her and she laughs.

"Actually I was cheer captain, and head of the prom commitee. I won Miss Mystic Falls and homecomig queen" She informed him proudly "But yes, I loved school, I was top of all my classes."

"Why doesn't that suprise me?" Klaus asks "We didn't have proms in England, even if we did I dont think I would have attended. I wasn't always such a looker, you know" He jokes.

Caroline rolls her eyes "Could your ego inflate any bigger?"

"I'm sure we'll put that to the test when you start your duties as my slave" He grins wickedly and he can tell shes trying desperately not to laugh but it slips out anyway.

"What can I get you your highness?" Caroline stands and mock curtseys in his direcrion. Hes going to milk this twenty four hours for everything he can get.

"Just a beer for now, and you may call me king from here on out"

Caroline scoffs. "Yeah, thats not going to happen"

"Beer, now. Peasant" Klaus orders and Caroline laughs.

"You're far too comfortable in this role" She says rolling her eyes as she gets the beer hes requested. "I'm totally jealous if you haven't noticed"

"Maybe someday I'll return the favour"

"Doubtful"

"You're making assumptions"

"Am I?" Caroline asks, its a light hearted comment so he doesn't take offence.

So, he'll agree most celebrities, have assisstants and personal shoppers, but he did almost everything himself. He considers himself normal, whatever that means. Sure, there are advantages to being famous but he wouldn't send someone to do a job he could easily do himself.

Klaus is amused, entertained even. "I have someone to arrange my schedule but thats it, Everything else I do myself"

"Everything?" She asks and he nods. "Cooking?" He nods. "Cleaning?" He nods again. "Laundry?" Klaus stays imobile then and she bursts out into laughter "So you don't, in fact, do everything"

"Tatia does the laundry, only because I can't" He explains. He notices Caroline tense slightly at the mention of his wife. He wonders whats bothering her. Maybe its the fact he's never willigly mentioned Tatia in a domesticated role before. Sure, hes called her a few times but thats about it. "I did attempt it on a few occassions, but I couldn't get the hang of the colours and whites situation" He attempts to shove his thoughts to the side. He'll come back to it later.

Caroline laughs "Are you sure you didn't just do that on purpose so you didn't have to do the laundry?" She asks.

Klaus raises his hands in surrender "you caught me, don't tell my wife that though" he jokes. Caroline stiffens again and he frowns, utterly confused. "Why is it that everytime I mention Tatia, you tense up?"

"What? No I don't"

"Yes you do." He argues. Shes done it twice in the past thirty seconds. Theres no way someone couldn't notice it. "Do you fancy me?" He asks and it completely catches her off guard. Its meant as a joke but now shes blushing and he can't help but think that maybe his assumption is correct. "Is that why?"

"Of course I don't" She responds without a beat as if she had prepared an answer. "I think you've been stuck in here to long, the solitude is frying your brain"

"My brain is working perfectly love, as is that blush on your cheeks, its a beautiful shade of red" He loves watching her squirm and her cheeks turn a deeper shade of red.

"You're delusional"

"You're in denial" he counters "Admit that you fancy me, its nothing to be ashamed of love"

"Why does it bruise your ego so much that one woman in the whole entire female population might not like you? I mean Im sure theres plenty of guys that like you too. You still have thousands of admirers"

"And you are one of them" He adds.

"In your dreams" She scoffs as if shes truly offended. It amuses Klaus to no end. He knows well enough by now when someones interested and Caroline Forbes definitely has that vibe about her.

They banter back and forth for a good twenty minutes before Klaus gives in. He requests another beer and left over pizza before he orders her to turn on the shower and get his towels ready. Caroline obliges but rolls her eyes the entire time. Its ridiculous but it pleases him watching her get more and more pissed off. He has no doubt in his mind that she'll come up with suitable punishment to get back at him.

Klaus is about to suggest they watch a movie when theres a knock at the door. Its just after nine and hes confused as to who it could be. Klaus goes into hiding in his room and waits for Carolines indicator that its safe for him to come out.


Caroline opens the door and sees Bonnie and Enzo on the otherside. Shes wondering if something is wrong until Bonnie beams at her. "I thought since you didn't want to come out tonight, I would bring the party to you"

"And this is the party?" Caroline indicates to the couple.

"Not me gorgeous" Enzo clarifies "I'm just dropping her off." He kisses Bonnie lightly on the temple before walking away and out the back exit.

"I thought we could slumber it" Bonnie says entering the apartment without an invite. Caroline doesn't mind because it's what they've always done but she's a little worried about the lurking famous man in her guest bedroom. "Everything okay?" Bonnie asks when Caroline doesn't move from the door. Suddenly Boonie looks completely apologetic. "I am so sorry Care, I just assumed you would be alone, hot back guy is back isn't he? I'm so sorry. I'll go. Leave you to it."

Caroline laughs at Bonnies rambling "There is no it, we're not actually doing anything but yes. Hes here."

"Okay. I'll go"

"No. Don't go Bon. I just... just... Um, I need to talk to him. Can you give me a minute?" Caroline really wants her to stay now she's here. It's been forever since their last sleepover and Caroline has missed it. They used to slumber at least wants a month but since the store opened and Enzo came along they've both been pretty busy.

"Yeah, sure. If you wan't me to leave just say so Caroline, don't tell me you want me to stay just to spare my feelings. I promise I won't be offended."

"I want you here Bonnie" Caroline reassures her "Just give me a couple of minutes and I'll be right with you" Caroline rushes off without another word and goes into Klaus' room.

Hes sitting on the bed and he looks up at her with a smile "She's not leaving is she?" He asks but shes sure he already knows the answer. "Its fine love. Just because I'm here your life shouldn't stop. I'll keep out of your way"

"Actually I was going to suggest we tell her?" Caroline offers and Klaus eyebrows raise in suprise. "I trust Bonnie with my life. She won't tell anybody you're here" Klaus looks unconvinced for a moment and she can almost hear the cogs turning in his mind. "Penny for your thoughts"

"Tell her if you wish. You've done an exceptional job of keeping me secret so far, I trust you."

Caroline beams at him. Shes happy he trusts her because even in the short time shes known him, hes became not only a house guest but more of a friend. "Seriously?"

"Did anybody ever tell you, you say that far too often?"

"Yes, a few times actually" She gives him a cheeky smile.

"Don't expect me to come out there and parade around like a performing monkey" He grumbles. "I'll come out later for some beer and food, and don't expect me to socialise either. Stefan I can handle. I like him, everytime I think of Bonnie now I get visions of her breaking my feet with a sledgehammer"

"You're ridiculous" Caroline scoffs. "Fine, don't come out. Whatever. But I'm making cherry pie" Caroline teases him knowing he won't be able to resist leaving for pie.

Caroline leaves Klaus and joins Bonnie in the living room again "Sorry about that."

"No, I'ts fine. I feel stupid. I should have called you." Bonnie says.

"Don't be silly" Caroline says "Look I need to tell you something but I need you to swear to secrecy."

Bonnies face shows confusion and a little panic. "Whats going on? Are you okay?"

"Im fine Bonnie, I swear" She reassures her best friend. "How about we get our pjs on, I'll get the duvet and the wine out and I'll tell you all about it?"

Bonnie nods with a small smile.


Caroline and Bonnie had sat on the sofa eating ice cream snuggled up under the duvet and Caroline had told her best friend everything. From Elenas first phone call to the reason Klaus was here. They had talked for over an hour before moving into the kitchen where Caroline had started making the cherry pie.

They were one and a half bottles of wine down and Caroline took another swig straight from the bottle before rolling out her home made pie crust. "You know what I'm confused about? why did you even agree? I mean Elena hurt you and still you're doing this huge favour for her"

"I just couldn't say no, yeah Elena and i will never get back to the way we were and I understand the fact that she only called me because she needed something but... I just-"

"You miss her" Bonnie finished quietly.

"Yeah" Caroline agrees. "We'll never be Caroline and Elena again, the way we were back then, we were inseperable but Its just good to know that I'm helping her, I feel good about this. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't fell one hundred percent comfortable with it"

Bonnie seems to think for a while as she takes another sip of her wine. "On to more important subjects then, like why in the hell didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I'm sorry Bon. I was sworn to secrecy myself. You don't know how hard it's been keeping this from you" Caroline felt guilty. Bonnie shared every single tiny secret with her and she couldn't tell her this big, huge one.

"You know whats really wierd? I've seen Klaus Mikaelsons ass"

Caroline laughs "Not many girls can say that Bon, think yourself lucky"

"I don't know, if the magazines and papers are anything to go by then i'm a tiny grain of sand on a beach full of people, that have seen his ass"

"You shouldn't believe what you read in the papers love" Klaus strong british accent replies as he makes himself known.

"Lurker much?" Caroline admonishes him but he simply shrugs as he leans against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "How long have you been there? Have you been creeping on us?"

"Would I ever?" Klaus asks in mock offence placing a hand over his chest. Maybe its the wine, but he looks extra muscular and manly right now and Caroline almost swoons. "Klaus Mikaelson, Actor, sometimes singer and all around people person" he introduces himself to Bonnie.

Caroline scoffs at his description.

People person my ass.

"Bonnie Bennett, best friend to Caroline, terrible singer and baked goods are my speciality"

"Nice to meet y-"

"Cut the crap Klaus" Caroline cuts in before he can finish his sentence "Stop pretending you're a gentleman. We all know you're not. You only came out for food"

"Well you can't expect me to starve in there, some host you are" He scoffs. "She beats me too, if I don't line the towels up perfectly on the towel rail, she throws whatevers closest at me"

Caroline picks up a spatula and aims it at him. "Do you wan't that little scenario of yours to become a reality? Because I can help you with that" She offers and he laughs.

"No thankyou love, but I am starving and since youre still my slave for the next twenty hours and twelve minutes. I would like some food."

"Theres cookies in the cupboard, you'll have to make do with them until the pie is done"

"You're his slave? She's your slave?" Bonnie asks, her eyes alight with amusement as she looks between the two.

Caroline smirks "Just for the next twenty hours and eleven minutes" She'll come up with some sort of pay back, shes not sure what just yet but she will.

Klaus smiles at her and suddenly shes lost in him. Whenever he looks at her, its like shes being seen for the first time. His eyes are so blue and intense. She wants to look away but she can't, something is keeping her still and she holds his gaze. Its strange the effect he has on her.

Bonnie pulls them both out of their reverie clearing her throat loudly. Caroline whips her head toward her friend whos grinning like a cheshire cat. "Maybe you should put that in the oven?" She suggests with a smile.

Carolines flustered, all hot and bothered and she refuses to look at Klaus again. If his quick exit is anything to go by, he feels the same. "I'll leave you girls to it. Call me when the pie is done" Caroline doesn't respond verbally, shes not even sure any noise would come out if she tried.

Once she hears the click of his bedroom door she sighs with relief before turning to Bonnie who is still smiling like an idiot. "Don't even start"

"What in the hell was that?" Bonnie says excitedly "Klaus Mikaelson totally has the hots for you"

Caroline rolls her eyes because thats the most ridiculous thing shes ever heard in her life. "He does not" She denies placing the pie in the double oven.

"He so does" Bonnie argues. "Did you see the way he was looking at you?"

"We're living together Bonnie, I'm pretty much the only person hes had any real contact with in over a week." Carolines excuse is feeble and she knows it but she has to try something "If he feels anything, which I doubt he does, its a complete and utter misconception"

"Are you blind? He was totally drooling all over you and your cherry pie" Bonnie wiggles her eyebrows. "Its okay to like him Care, hes hot and single, you're hot and single. Whats the problem?"

"There is no problem" Caroline snaps harshly. She realises just how rude she is and takes a deep breath "Sorry, its just yeah hes hot and damn that accent"

"And you wonder why I love Enzo" Bonnie smiled.

Carolines eyes snap up to meet Bonnies hazel ones. Shes unsure if even Bonnie realises what she said. "You love him?"

"Well, yeah. I thought that was obvious"

"It was. I just didnt realise you had said it to him yet"

"I haven't" Bonnie shrugs "I know I will eventually, because its true. I love Enzo" She says softly as if its the first time shes said it out loud.

Caroline beams at her. "Youre so loved up, its kind of creepy"

"Shut up, in no time at all, you'll be exactly where I am, with your own british-"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence Bonnie Bennett" Caroline warns her with a pointed finger. "And could you possibly quiet down a little? He can probably hear everything we're saying"

Bonnie makes a gesture of zipping her mouth clised and throwing away the key. "Not another word"

"Good" Caroline states. Today has been confusing enough as it is, never mind with Bonnies witty commentary added into the mix.


"Tatia Petrova has been spotted sunning it up by a pool in the luxurious resort of monte Carlo" The E! News reporter says on the T.V "The twenty five year old beauty jetted out of the country with her husband of three years Klaus Mikaelson last Tuesday and a friend of the Victoria Secret model has given us the scoop"

"Some friend" Klaus grumbles "Bloody Parasites everywhere"

Caroline smiles at his little ramble before turning her attention back to the T.V.

"Our sources say and I quote, 'Klaus and Tatia needed a bit of time away together, with Klaus being away so much this year filming his latest movie, they've hardly seen eachother, they're still madly in love and want to spend every spare minute they have together'"

"Told you not to believe everything" Klaus gloats and Caroline throws the vest top shes folding at his head. He dodges it with a laugh. "Just saying"

"If thats the case, then why hasn't anyone seen Klaus?" Klaus' head snaps back to the T.V as the reporter goes on. "Witnesses have confirmed theres no sight of the twenty eight year old actor and after a new photograph emerged on Instagram of Tatia without her wedding ring on, we're guessing not all is well in the Mikaelson household"

"With rumours of an alledged mini Klaus circling around, and Tatia vacating alone, it looks to us like the Hollywood couple have split"

"Fucking hell!Things just get worse and worse by the bloody minute!" Klaus growls at the T.V, stabbing the remote and turning it off. Caroline feels sorry for him, she wants to help but she doesn't know how.

He could really do with a little freedom.

Maybe a call to Elena is in order.