Apologies for the mix up with this chapter posting, hope this update makes up for it. If you're wondering the accompanying songs all come from the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack from the 1996 movie. So happy to have my fantastic regulars on board, as well as some lovely new readers. NikMik the Highway bar is just out of town and considered neutral territory, which is why Caroline admitted they dated there.
Thanks for being the best beta a girl could ask for Sophie!
Family Ties
"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." (WS)
Act 3: Angel
"Angel... hold on to me, love is all around me… Its paradise, you take me to 'cause my love for you will always be." (Gavin Friday)
June 12 2016, Mystic Falls Virginia
"Don't shoot! I come in peace," Stefan joked as he walked into the Mikaelson kitchen his hands up defensively, earning a dirty look from his best friend.
"I haven't missed your poor sense of humor, that's for sure."
"I heard you were particularly grouchy so I was wondering whether to brave a visit."
"Did I happen to mention how annoying it is that thanks to your marrying my sister you seem to know everything going on around here?"
"It wasn't Rebekah," he replied, "it was Kol."
"Even better," he groaned. "I definitely don't miss the Mystic Falls gossip mill."
"Kol just said you were being a grumpy bastard so he had to leave the house for his own safety," Stefan said. "So what's wrong Mikaelson?"
"I haven't seen you in almost a year and you're trying to psycho analyse me? I'm not a teenager anymore, it won't work."
"Well all I know is you were fine yesterday afternoon when we spoke on the phone, albeit annoyed about having to come back to town for my bloody wedding as you put it, but suddenly you're back to classic Klaus."
"Classic Klaus?"
"You know broody, irritable and generally pissed off with the world."
"If you're trying to get me to open up this is not the way to go about it," he growled. "So I notice Rebekah has basically remodeled the whole house for the big day?"
"I'm staying right out of it," Stefan said. "The less I know, the less I have to do. I'm quite happy to leave it to your mother and sister."
"You are so whipped mate," he chuckled. "So what's been happening here besides the wedding of the decade?"
"Same old, same old. The Mikaelsons hate the Forbes and vice versa; you know nothing ever changes in Mystic Falls."
"How can one town be so stuck in the past?"
"The one thing you can give the residents here is their ability to hold a grudge." Stefan quipped. "Although I've heard they might be planning something at the wedding."
"Really? They'd risk their reputations doing something so publicly?"
"The rivalry sort of died down for a while there but Tyler Lockwood is back and has a vendetta. If you ask me he must have rocks in his head to mess with Rebekah like that."
"No one ruins her wedding day and gets away with it," he murmured. "Glad some things never change. How did you find that out?"
"I have my sources," he replied mysteriously. "We've got an army of security organised so it would be hard to penetrate the house. Anyway I'm just monitoring the situation; don't want to worry the bride just yet if it's nothing."
"I hope for your sake it's nothing," Klaus said. "I'd hate to be on the end of Rebekah's temper."
"I hear you," he agreed. "Anyway enough about that, what's been happening in Boston? Who is your latest conquest, or should I say conquests?"
"No one worth mentioning," he muttered, thoughts of a gorgeous blonde invading his thoughts yet again. Klaus couldn't believe the first person he had run into was Caroline. It was like the universe was trying to throw them together, but Klaus had no intention of ever seeing her again.
Klaus knew he couldn't be trusted around her, and was worried about the consequences if he gave in to his feelings. He was tempted, that was for sure, but given the obvious family tension, not to mention her immense hatred towards him Klaus thought it was best to stay away. Klaus knew he had no right to expect anything from Caroline.
His explanations for their break-up had been hurried and vague. It was better that way given all that had transpired, it was more for her safety than anything else. The hardest thing he'd ever had to do was break her heart, and her tear stained face would be forever emblazoned on his brain.
Seeing her again after so long had evoked so many familiar emotions and Klaus knew he had to push them out of his mind, get through this wedding and leave Mystic Falls as soon as possible.
"Uh I should probably mention that Caroline is in town," Stefan murmured, almost like he was reading his mind. "Apparently it's the old man's 50th."
"I told you five years ago that I didn't want to know anything about her Stefan."
"And as you requested I've never mentioned her, but I thought it might be awkward if you ran into each other."
"Too late for that," he mumbled.
"You've seen each other? Now this mood of yours is starting to make sense."
"I'm not in a mood."
"Ah yes you are," he contradicted. "What exactly happened?"
"I stopped off at the Highway on my way into town; I needed a stiff drink to deal with being back here."
"And?'
"She was playing pool."
"Oh come on you're going to have to give me more than that."
"And we might have had some words," Klaus admitted not wanting to go into further detail in case he gave away his feelings.
"Why doesn't that sound like a good thing?"
"It was fine, but she was half-dressed and there was some guys giving her a little too much attention."
"And let me guess jealous Klaus emerged?"
"I was not jealous; I was merely worried for her safety."
"Really? You were worried for your ex-girlfriend's safety after five years?"
"What can I say? I'm a gentleman."
"That is the last word I would use to describe you Mikaelson, although thinking back you always were unusually protective of Caroline."
"I wasn't protective," he shot back defensively. "Anyway we broke up, end of story."
"So what happened?"
"You're not going to give up on this are you?"
"No."
"Well she was being her usual stubborn self and, long story short, I had to carry her out of there."
"Well that seems like the entirely normal thing to do," he said sarcastically. "Knowing Caroline I'm sure she would have loved that."
"That was the general vibe I was getting from the ensuing tantrum, and the fact she wasn't grateful enough to say thank you after I dropped her home."
"How in the hell did you get her on your bike?"
"I may have threatened to call Matt and tell him what she'd been up to and with whom."
"I'm hoping you were just bluffing? Matt doesn't seem like much of a threat but you don't know him since he's become Sheriff."
"I've heard stories from Kol," Klaus said shrugging his shoulders. "He was the only Forbes I could actually stand, back in the day."
"Well things have changed, he has a very low tolerance for the family rivalry now he's in charge of keeping the peace. I wouldn't expect a warm welcome."
"Trust me the one thing I don't expect is anything warm from the Forbes side, Caroline is case in point."
"So you dropped her out the front of the Forbes Mansion just like that? Do you have a death wish or something or have you just been away too long and forgotten?"
"No dad," he grumbled. "Around the corner, just like old times."
It had felt strangely familiar as he dropped her at the usual grassy corner down the street. Only this time there was no searing kiss or making plans for their next rendezvous. When he said good night the best she could muster was an unappreciative grunt.
As he had watched her scampering off up the street, her dress riding dangerously high arousing him all over again, Klaus couldn't help but think how incomplete he felt without her arms wrapped around his waist. During the ride everything he had missed about Caroline came back with a vengeance. Her touch felt just as tender as ever, her smell just as intoxicating.
"So you're not friends again I take it?"
"Far from it," he muttered. "Anyway, it's all ancient history."
"Is it?" He asked earnestly. "You were in love and it was all so sudden when you broke things off."
"Sometimes things just don't work out, Stefan," Klaus bit out, wishing he'd never let his best friend in on their secret relationship all those years ago. It had become all too hard to keep it from him in the end and he had known Stefan would never say anything. During their time together Stefan and Caroline had become quite good friends too, probably another reason he was trying to dredge up the past.
"I don't know, I mean call me a hopeless romantic but I always thought you two would eventually end up together."
"What has my sister done to you?" he asked desperate to change the subject.
"More than you know," he groaned jokingly. "Stop changing the subject."
"The conversation is closed."
"But…"
"You are this close to a black eye and I know Rebekah won't appreciate that ahead of the wedding."
"There's that Klaus Mikaelson charm I've missed so much," Stefan replied his voice thick with sarcasm. "Let's go get a drink."
"Now that's the best thing you've said all day."
November 20 2010, Mystic Falls Virginia
Klaus was angry. On second thought he was pissed off. Girls would fall over themselves to speak to him, let alone date him. All except the blonde angel he couldn't get off his mind.
It was an unusual move for him because Klaus didn't care enough to chase anyone, but three weeks ago he had left his cell number and he'd heard nothing. Complete radio silence.
He'd decided she wasn't worth it and that he needed to move on, but something wasn't allowing him to do that. That something was his pride, and Klaus wasn't going to let her get away with it. He'd searched for her at school but it wasn't the easiest thing to do without being too obvious. Given she'd rejected him; Klaus didn't want to draw too much attention to his behaviour.
When Klaus told Caroline she'd captured his attention cheering at that football match he was telling the truth, what he didn't elaborate on was how transfixed he'd been by her ever since. When Klaus saw her in the halls at school he was immediately drawn to her, it was a gravitational pull he couldn't quite explain.
Word around school was she was a sweet and innocent virgin that every guy was lining up to screw. Klaus loved nothing more than a challenge and he had to admit it was tempting, not only because of her sexual status but also because she was a Forbes. The fact she was so unobtainable made her even more attractive in his eyes.
He'd overheard Kol talking to Bonnie about the Halloween Party the day before and thought it was his opportunity to finally get closer to Caroline.
Klaus had to admit when he ascended her staircase his intentions weren't entirely honourable. He didn't do relationships and was just looking for some fun. He didn't expect that her appearance would have such an effect, but seeing her gazing into the mirror had taken his breath away.
She was even more beautiful close up but that wasn't what floored him. It was the sadness he saw in her eyes and Klaus felt like he could relate. To the outsider his life was perfect but it had been tumultuous, not to mention extremely lonely.
Mikael Mikaelson was a tyrant and a bully, who continually berated him for his lack of direction and apparent failures in life. His favourite child Elijah had gone away to college and Klaus had found himself the constant subject of his abuse. It didn't help that his mother Esther allowed it to happen either. This stupid rivalry between their families was just an added drama that he didn't need. Mikael had been vague about its origins, which was hardly surprising for his secretive father, but whatever it was Klaus knew it wasn't going away.
Leaving his number for Caroline had been a big step for Klaus but his interest was piqued, and for some reason he felt like she was worth the effort, even though he didn't know her well. Hearing nothing had been crushing to his ego and Klaus felt more insecure than ever, and he hated that feeling.
"Someone's angry," Kol joked watching as he hammered the punching bag incessantly. They were at the local gym where Klaus liked to exercise and Kol liked to hang around to check out the scantily dressed girls.
"I'm just working out."
"No that's anger, or should I say sexual frustration?"
"I think you should just shut up," he bit out, sick of his brother's running commentary.
"I'm just concerned you haven't gotten any of late."
"Are you seriously monitoring my sex life?" He asked incredulously.
"Don't you mean lack of sex life?" Kol quipped. "To be honest your mood gave it away, but thanks for confirming it."
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"No not really, I'd much prefer to stand here and find out why you didn't take Hayley up on her proposition the other night?"
"Is there anything you don't know?"
"Not really," he replied shrugging his shoulders. "Anyway she was all over you at Marcel's party, everybody noticed. I still can't believe Niklaus Mikaelson went home alone."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked taking a break, realising his brother wasn't going anywhere, and taking a long sip from his water bottle.
"You've bedded most of the girls in school; I think the only ones left are tightly controlled by the Forbes clan."
"I could get all of those too if I could be bothered," he shot back defensively, Caroline's rebuff still very raw in his mind.
"Not all of them," Kol muttered. "Caroline Forbes has always been unobtainable, although after the other night I think she's just too angry and uptight to have any fun."
Just hearing her name out loud made Klaus start attacking the punching bag again in short and sharp jabs. He had no intention of talking about her, least of all with his irritating brother.
"Oh come on don't tell me you haven't noticed her," Kol prodded. "I've seen you checking her out like most of the male population at school."
"She's hot and I am only human," he clarified thinking he needed to tone down his interest if Kol of all people had noticed. The last thing he wanted was his brother gossiping.
"Well you seemed extremely excited about going to her house for the Halloween party."
"I would hardly say excited. I had nothing else on and the thought of going into the lion's den held some appeal."
"Then you only stayed five minutes, once I came back downstairs you'd vanished."
"It was boring," he shrugged his shoulders trying to come across indifferent. "There was no talent, so I left."
"You're a Mikaelson, what did you expect?" Kol asked. "For some girls it's an aphrodisiac and for others, unbelievably, it's a complete turn-off."
"Yet you somehow, against all forces of nature, managed to snare Bonnie Bennett."
"She's friends with Caroline's family yes, but you have to remember she's only lived here a couple of years," he explained. "She's yet to be completely brain washed, unlike Caroline."
"So you think it's the Mikaelson effect?" He asked against his better judgment, determined to get inside her head.
"Definitely," he agreed. "Don't worry I still think you're very pretty Niklaus."
"You realise I have boxing gloves on right now and could beat you up?"
"And ruin this handsome face?"
"Well that's debatable," he muttered giving the punching bag an extra hard hit.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Klaus walked into the Highway a few hours later. Although Alaric was technically in the Forbes camp, he liked to keep his patrons happy and didn't publicly take sides, so Klaus considered him harmless. The Highway was one place where he felt he could escape all the pathetic rivalry and just be himself.
"Back so soon?" Alaric greeted him as he sat on a bar stool, Klaus had been there the last few nights straight.
"I thought bar owners generally liked business?" Klaus joked. "Whiskey straight and keep them coming."
"She must have done a number on you," Alaric commented placing his drink on the bar.
"Who?"
"The girl that has you parked at my bar every night, I should charge you rent," he teased. "So what did she do exactly?"
"Let's just say she's sending me mixed signals," he explained.
"Typical women," Alaric agreed. "One minute they're hot and the next…"
"They're not," Klaus growled thinking about her silence.
"I suppose you need to work out whether she's worth it or not." Klaus looked at Alaric curiously. He barely knew the girl but after the other night he felt like they'd shared something, he just couldn't put his finger on what that was exactly.
"I think she definitely is," Klaus murmured.
"So what are you doing here then?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"You're my best customer," Alaric said. "It's probably really stupid on my part but anything for young love."
"I'd hardly call it love," he mumbled growing increasingly uncomfortable with the turn the conversation had taken. Klaus didn't do love.
"Well, well look who has decided to grace us with her presence," Alaric grinned looking past Klaus to the entrance. "If I'm correct it must be family dinner night."
"Yes, exactly why I need a vodka right now Ric," a familiar voice called out and Klaus felt his whole body tingle. He swiveled around slightly catching a glimpse of her from the corner of his eye.
Klaus gulped trying to ignore the raw desire pulsing through his body but every swagger of her hips was rendering him completely useless. Her blonde waves were fanned out across her chest, her red dress was hugging every curve and Klaus was struggling to breathe.
"How about a please?" He teased pouring the drink. "Didn't your parents teach you manners?"
"They taught me things but I'm not sure manners were one of those." She laughed walking up to the bar and sitting down next to Klaus, still oblivious to his presence.
"One vodka for the lady," Alaric smiled placing it in front of her. She greedily took a sip before finally turning around to face him, her shocked face a dead giveaway.
"You."
"You're right about those manners," he quipped. "Is that how you greet everyone princess?"
"I just wasn't expecting to see you here," she stumbled.
"Well it's your lucky night then."
"Oh p-uh-lease," she groaned. "Another line?"
"I thought I told you I didn't need lines," Klaus reiterated.
"Yes well you told me a lot of things and excuse me if I didn't believe them," Caroline replied rolling her eyes.
"Do I need to separate you two?" Alaric asked obviously amused by their banter. "Because if anyone knew I had an original Forbes and Mikaelson sitting this close together it might start World War Three."
"Don't" They both replied in unison before looking at each other. Klaus couldn't miss the blush that had taken over her usually creamy cheeks.
"I wouldn't dream of it, especially if you keep ordering drinks," Alaric joked before walking away. "I've seen absolutely nothing."
"I know all about family dinners," Klaus began attempting to alleviate the awkwardness. "It's just a shame that alcohol isn't served."
"Tell me about it," she agreed taking a big sip from her drink. "I've taken to blocking them out and just using one word answers, mainly because the word yes suffices their every need."
"I hear you," he said thinking how similar their experiences were. "I've also found that whatever you want works well too."
"I'll have to remember that for next time," she laughed. Klaus didn't think he'd ever heard anything so melodic or beautiful in his life.
"So have you been busy the past few weeks?" She looked at him intently before tearing away her gaze, no doubt because she felt guilty.
"Just the usual."
"So do you make it a habit of ignoring guys that draw you sketches and leave their cell number?"
"To be honest it's never happened to me before." Klaus cocked his left eyebrow curiously.
"You're telling me guys don't give you their numbers on a regular basis?"
"Well yes, I meant more about the sketch," she murmured. "It was uh beautiful."
"I'm glad you liked it, but that doesn't really answer my question."
"Which was?" She asked a mischievous grin taking over her face.
"I can see you're not going to make this easy on a guy," he chuckled. "How about a bet then?"
"Bet?"
"If I win you have to answer my question."
"Win what?" His eyes darted over to the pool table and it suddenly came to him.
"A game of pool," he gestured over to the corner of the bar. She looked over obviously weighing up her options.
"And if I win?" Klaus had to stop himself from laughing, he knew he was that good.
"Whatever you want love."
"I want another sketch," she replied boldly. Klaus was finding it difficult not to break out into the biggest grin.
"You've got yourself a deal," he smiled. "Shall we?"
To say she couldn't play was an understatement, Klaus almost felt sorry for her but this was a bet after all and he always played to win, no matter the opponent. He did falter a few times mainly because her dress would ride up exposing the length of her exquisite legs.
Klaus was finding it increasingly hard to concentrate because all he wanted to do was lay her across the pool table and trail kisses from her soft, pink lips to the creamy swell of her breasts, while his hands explored every curve of her body.
"Hello, it's your turn," she said interrupting his fantasy. Klaus shook his head determined to finish the match and claim his reward. The one thing he was desperate to know was why she hadn't called.
She was struggling with one particular shot and Klaus finally couldn't help himself. "Your stance is all wrong," he offered. "That's why you keep missing shots."
"Well thank you Mr Expert," she muttered attempting to realign her pool cue and failing badly.
"Here let me help," he murmured.
"Why would you help your competition?" Klaus had to bite his tongue before he said something about the fact he didn't consider her the slightest threat.
"That's just the kind of guy I am," he replied. "Now this is what you should be doing."
Klaus stepped forward and leant over her slowly, his chest moulding perfectly against her back. As he bent down lower to reach her height he nuzzled his face into her blonde waves smelling a heady mixture of strawberries and vanilla.
He felt her body tense slightly and knew he was having an effect on her just as she was on him. He ran a hand slowly along one arm and the other down her side finding the cue in her grip. He could feel his heart beat increase wondering if hers was racing just as fast.
"Your fingers need to be like this," he instructed moving them as he whispered into her ear. "And remember, never take your eyes off the ball." He pushed her forward to make the shot, trying to ignore the heat reverberating through his groin from their intimate contact.
They stood that way for what seemed like ages before she coughed nervously and stood up moving away shakily. Klaus suddenly felt cold without her in his arms. "See you got one in."
"Do you do this with all the girls?" She asked dubiously.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean do you coach them then let them win so you can get in their pants?"
"Sweetheart I'm too competitive to ever let anyone win," he scoffed. "I was just trying to give you some pointers because you desperately need them."
"Gee thanks," she shot back. "Your turn Romeo." Klaus shook his head and took his shot potting the number three ball leaving him with only the eight to go.
"You might as well give up now love." She gave him a frustrated glare before taking her turn and missing everything. Klaus pounced potting the eight in one shot and sending her a triumphant smile. "I told you I don't like to lose."
"I'm getting that," she noted.
"So now I've won the bet, why didn't you call?" She suddenly became quiet and Klaus wasn't sure how to take that response. "Oh come on love it's okay, I can take rejection."
"Oh really?" He frowned self consciously, thinking that calling her bluff didn't seem to be working for him.
"Well I have to admit it's a little tougher coming from you," he admitted wondering what kind of a spell she was casting on him to make him act like an insecure idiot.
"I was overwhelmed," she said slowly.
"By what?"
"Well not only are you a Mikaelson, you also left me this amazing sketch," she murmured. "Talk about pressure."
"I had no idea," he mumbled, not expecting that response at all. "If I take everything back will you agree to maybe go out with me sometime?"
"I don't want you to take it back," she whispered.
Klaus felt himself drawn to her and stepped forward closing the gap between them. He reached up combing one hand through her hair and snaking the other around her waist, so he could pull her flush against him. He leaned in, desperate to taste her.
Klaus knew he was a goner when he felt her smooth lips press up against his. He deepened the kiss, his tongue finding its way into her hot and waiting mouth. She tasted like vodka and lime and he couldn't get enough. Klaus could feel every cell in his body come alive as she whimpered against his lips. He had kissed a lot of girls but he'd never experienced anything so devastatingly innocent, or so completely arousing at the same time.
"Uh hem," Alaric coughed making them separate, albeit reluctantly. "Sorry to interrupt but thought you might like to know, I just saw Matt outside."
"My cousin Matt?" Caroline gasped moving out of his embrace at lightning speed. "He never comes here."
"The very one," Alaric confirmed. "You might want to get out of here right now."
"He'll see me if I go out the front."
"Can she use the back entrance?" Klaus asked thinking about how he'd used it a few times for a quick getaway in the past.
"Of course, but you'd better get going," he warned.
"Night, Ric, Bruce." Caroline gave him a small smile before bolting towards the back of the room.
"Bruce?"
"That's a long story."
"I think you can safely rule out those mixed signals now," Alaric teased knowingly as they watched her leave. Klaus smiled thinking he was right. All he knew was that in one heated moment Caroline Forbes had irrevocably changed him.
He decided all he wanted to do right now was go home and do that sketch. Sure, she hadn't won the bet but she had, in the best possible way, completely won him over.
