A/N: Hello again! 1st of all thanks to the followers and reviewers: this is 4 u :-* Also, thanks to lana- 445 who pointed out that I didn't translate what Klaus' said in French in the last ch. He was basically asking the lady to let him in :) I'll keep that in mind for following chapters!

XoXo, WordaholiC


CHAPTER III. Dirty Thoughts

Caroline couldn't believe what had just happened. She was on the backseat of the taxi and it went at a steady pace through the streets of Paris. She told the driver her address and lay back on the seat, going over the events of the day. When she woke up that morning, she would have never guessed her day would end up with Klaus kissing her cheeks. Her mind drifted back to Klaus' thick lips brushing her face. That man, what was it about that man that threw her off her game like that? After all these years, all he had to do was hold her hand again and kiss her…

Get it together, Caroline! She sunk her head and covered her face with her hands while her thoughts went back and forth. He's still a monster. He… He's Klaus! She remembered his hair; it was a bit longer now than last time. Still dark blonde, still slightly curly, still inviting her to run her hands through it. No! Ahrg! What's the matter with you!?

- Mademoiselle? - The driver was trying to get her attention.

- Huh? - Caroline uncovered her face and lifted her head. The driver pointed out the window to his right. They were in front of Caroline's building.

- Ah, pardon, - she excused herself. She paid the driver and got off.

Caroline's two-bedroom loft was on the seventh floor of a modern building. It wasn't extravagant but it was very elegant and classy, like her. After all, she'd decorated the place. It was actually one large floor-boarded space that functioned as living room/kitchen/office. It held a big off-white sofa and two bright colored bean bags to the right surrounding a low mahogany coffee table, and to the left an open kitchen with a centre island and a breakfast counter that separated it from Caroline's work space. Behind the couch, there was a small white piano. The wall at the far end of the loft opened out to a balcony guarded by a delicate black iron fence.

Caroline turned the lights on as she went in and threw her purse on the sofa in the living room. She headed straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge; she needed another glass of wine. She took her drink to the balcony and leaned back on the fence. The cool breeze and the white noise from the city were clearing her head. That's it, relax Caroline… She tried to recapitulate what had happened that day to find some logic as to how it had ended.

That day had started out as any other. In was in the afternoon when everything began to get… exciting. She was working at her office when her phone rang.

- Allô? – She'd got used to answering it in French.

- Good afternoon, madame. Do you speak English by any chance? – The voice of the man on the other side of the line was controlled, extremely polite. It sounded confident, and a little bit hypnotizing. Caroline thought it sounded familiar somehow.

- Yes, I do. Who's this? – she asked, intrigued.

- I am… someone interested in hiring your services, Miss. Morgan.

Mysterious much? Caroline was getting a weird feeling, but she'd dealt with many eccentric characters over the years so she figured it was best to play along. After all, a client is a client.

- All right, why don't you come down by the office and we'll discuss what you want, - she said.

- I'm afraid that won't be possible. You see, I… I prefer to deal only with you for this project. And I'd rather we did it in a place that wasn't filled with so many… especially powerful ears.

Powerful ears? He knows I'm a vampire! Caroline thought. That wasn't exactly a red alert in itself, but the vampire community was tight in Paris. If it was another vampire then she didn't understand why the need for all this secrecy. Maybe he's famous, she thought. Many vampires were in show business, which Caroline thought was a bit stupid: too much risk of exposure.

- Well, tell me where and I'll meet you.

- I'll pick you up in fifteen minutes outside your office. Black SUV.

What? Caroline was getting a little scared. And where the hell have I heard him before!? She could feel the answer forcing its way to the surface of her brain, but it kept being pushed down. She hesitated for a moment but the impulse to please her curiosity got the best of her. Besides, she was a strong woman and a strong vampire. She'd been through a lot already, what was one more psychopath going to do to her?

- See you in fifteen minutes then, - she said and hung up.

Caroline touched the screen on her computer and video-called her assistant to make sure there was nothing too important left on her agenda. She gathered her things from the desk and reached under it for her shoes. She always took them off when she was in her office. She may have a high threshold of pain, but heels were heels. She grabbed her coat from the rack and headed out.

She was standing on the steps outside her office building when she got an idea. She quickly pulled out her phone from her purse and texted her friend Cameron. Cameron Riley was a vampire girl she'd met back in the US about ten years before and they were now business partners and really close friends. Caroline thought it was best to tell someone what she was going to do, just in case.

"Meeting someone. If I don't report in 1h, do something! – C. "

Just as she hit send, she saw a car pull over in front of her with the corner of her eye. She lifted her head; it was a black SUV with very dark windows. She put her phone back in her purse and waited. No one came out of the car, but the window in the back seat rolled down just a little and then rolled back up. Caroline took that as her sign and approached the car's back door. All right, Mr. Fancy, let's see what you want. She opened the door and got in.

- Well, I'm here, - she said, still settling down on the car seat. She turned to greet the person sitting next to her. – Caroline Morg… - Her words where caught half way out and she gawked. – Elijah!

The blonde vampire couldn't believe it. Elijah Mikaelson was sitting right there in all his Original Vampire glory. Caroline's mind went quickly to the next logical thought… Does this mean Klaus is here too? She looked anxiously to the front of the car but the driver was just some dark haired guy unknown to her. It wasn't Klaus. Good, she told herself.

- Well, this is a surprise. Miss Caroline, I haven't seen you in a long time, - Elijah said, in his characteristic tone. Caroline felt stupid. How hadn't she recognized his voice right away?

- Same here, - she said. – What are you doing here? Want do you want with me?

- Like I said over the phone, I'm a client. I didn't know you were… well, you. – He did a flourish with his hand and pointed at Caroline.

- Soooo… you just want me to decorate something?

- Well, yes, Caroline. That is what you do, isn't it?

- Right. So, what's with all the mystery? Why couldn't you just come up to the office if that's all you want?

- It may come as a shock to you since our paths have crossed so much in the past, but my family and I are very private, Caroline. We don't exactly publicize our business to the world. I received very good reference of you and your company, which is why I chose you. Besides, I thought it would be a good way of knowing who is who in this city, given your wide connections with the vampire community. However, I must warn you that I expect the strictest discretion from you.

She felt flattered and a little bit intimidated by his words. Was she supposed to become Elijah's ally or something? Just what I always wanted, she thought sarcastically.

- Ok, let's say for a moment I believe you, Elijah. What is this project you want me to take care of?

- Very simple, I want you to work with Niklaus in the renovation of our new home here in Paris.

Caroline felt her stomach cringe. Of course she would meet Klaus eventually if she was working for Elijah, but work with Klaus? No way, that was not going to happen.

- I don't think that's a good idea, - she said, looking down at her hands on her lap.

- I thought I was dealing with a professional here, – Elijah said, raising an eyebrow. He was testing Caroline. Judging by her look, she'd matured a lot in the last half century. She had accomplished something for herself. She must be proud of it, of what she's become, he thought. Elijah figured that if he questioned her self control, then she would agree to meet with Klaus just to prove him wrong. - I don't see why your personal history with my brother must interfere with our current business relationship, - he added.

Caroline looked up at him, raising her chin offended.

- Fine, I'll do it, - she said. – And just to be clear, I don't have any "personal history" with your brother.

Aha! It worked, he thought and a smirk took over his features. He raised a hand apologetically. – My mistake, then. Johnson, take us to the house please, - he said to the driver, and the car joined the traffic smoothly.

Caroline turned to look out the window, just to avoid Elijah's scrutinizing gaze. Why should she hide from Klaus? It's not like she was afraid of him, right? In fact, she didn't feel anything for him. He was nothing to her. It's just been a long time, that's all...

Meanwhile Elijah was looking at her, still smirking. What Caroline didn't know was that back in Mystic Falls, Elijah had found Niklaus' infatuation with her very intriguing. His brother wasn't celibate, far from it in fact. Elijah had seen countless girls come and go over the years, including that obnoxious werewolf girl Hayley that followed them to New Orléans. He knew the hybrid had formed the habit of "fooling around" with her every once in a while, but there was something different about the way he'd pursued Caroline. Even about the way he had let her go.

Niklaus was usually like a dog with a bone when it came to women, and he would get them even if he had to compel them for it. But not this girlWhy? She was pretty, yes, beautiful even, but that hadn't been enough to lure Niklaus like that in the past. Elijah was determined to see where this led. If there was still some humanity to be salvaged in his brother, it was worth the try.

The car stopped in front of an old townhouse. Caroline thought it was beautiful, full of charm despite its jaded look. Johnson got out and opened Caroline's door for her. When she stepped down, Elijah was already in front of her leading the way. She followed him up the front stoop and inside the house. It was dusty and a bit darkened, but it had tremendous potential. She wandered into the living room to look more closely at the moldings in the ceilings. There were little cherubs looking down at her from the corners of the room. Elijah was saying something about the study and he offered her a drink. She nodded absentmindedly without taking her eyes from the ceiling and heard him start walking away. Then he started talking again.

-…I believe you know her, Niklaus.

Oh no. Klaus was there. She crossed her arms in front of her reassuringly. Why had she agreed to do this? It was a mistake. Why would she get involved with Klaus again? Calm down, Caroline. She heard Elijah clear his throat; she had to turn around. Ok, just breeeathe. She took a quick deep breath and let it out before turning around to face them.

"Hello, Klaus" was all she had managed to say then. Standing in her balcony now, Caroline let out a chuckle and shook her head in disbelief. That stupid man with his silly little accent. Yes! that was it… his voice. She'd kept herself together not faltering one inch, not even when he took her hand to help her up the stairs, but then he had to go and speak!

"After you, love"… His words resounded in her head. Hearing him call her that way again had brought back memories. Memories of her fighting against forbidden feelings. "All the dirty thoughts you have about Klaus" is what Elena had called them. Not again Caroline! It wasn't right back then, and it isn't right today.

His voice, his damn voice whispering in her ear… "Scared?" he'd said. The bastard! But, she got him for it all right. She pinned him to the ground to show him she wasn't a scared little girl. She was a vampire, she was a woman, and she was powerful and confident.

Then again, that hadn't gone exactly as planned either. Why did she have to get so close to him!? Those lips, thick, rosy, pouted… They looked… tasty.

She was pressing the edge of her wine glass against her own lips, rolling it back and forth, and her sight was lost inside her memories and her imagination. Suddenly, she heard her phone vibrate from inside her purse all the way across her loft. She ran to the couch and took the phone out. It was Cameron.

- Hey, Cam.

- Caroline! Thank God… WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!? – the girl screamed over the phone.

Caroline was startled. – I'm at the loft! Why? What's going on? – she asked worried.

- What do you mean "what's going on"!? You leave me this cryptic telegram of a message and then disappear. "Meeting someone STOP If I don't report in one hour do something STOP" – she said mechanically, mimicking the old telegram operators. – I've called you like twenty times and all I get is sent straight to voice mail. I texted you and you didn't text me back. I was about to call the police or something, except I didn't know what to tell them: "Umm, sir, I'm sorry but could you please go look for my missing friend? She's a blonde vampire about 5, 4 and I have no idea where she went or who she was with!"

She ended her ranting and Caroline chimed in. – I'm sorry Cam, - she said, embarrassed. – I must have spaced out. I didn't check my phone all afternoon and I forgot to text you.

- Are you okay at least? – Cameron said, now sounding a lot more calmed.

- Yes, completely fine. I'm really sorry Cam.

She heard her friend sigh. – It's okay. I'm just glad nothing bad happened to you. Where were you anyway?

- I… I was meeting a private client.

Caroline wondered if she should tell Cameron about her meeting. Elijah had asked for her discretion, not for her silence, and Cameron was trustworthy. Besides, maybe she'd come out of it relatively harm free this time, but she knew that wasn't always the case when it came to the Mikaelson family. It was best to have someone on the loop. Again, just in case.

- I was meeting Elijah Mikaelson, - she said.

- Elijah Mik… Wait a minute, Caroline… Mikaelson as in "Elijah Mikaelson, the Original"?

- Yes, do you know him? – Caroline was a bit surprised. Cameron had never told her she knew Elijah.

- I don't know him, but I know of him. Everyone does, he's like a legend or something.

- Well, anyway, he wants me to work with his brother Klaus in this project and…

She was cut off by her friend squealing like a fangirl over the phone. – You met Klaus Mikaelson!? Oh my God, Caroline!

Seriously?

- I didn't meet him, I knew him already. We used to be… - What were we exactly? Caroline couldn't find the words to answer that. – I… I met him a while ago, - was all she said.

- You knew Klaus Mikaelson and you never told me. You're so mean, Care! But that's it, tomorrow we're having lunch and you're spilling the beans.

- There are no beans to spill Cameron.

- Tut, tut, tut, - she clicked her tongue in disapproval. – There's no getting out of this one, Care. Lunch tomorrow, one o'clock. You're telling me everything. – Cameron let the word roll out her tongue slowly.

- But, I… - Caroline began to protest.

- I'll pick you up at your deeesk… - she sang and the call ended.

Caroline stood there bewildered. She looked at her phone: seven texts and eleven missed calls. She couldn't believe she hadn't checked her phone since earlier that day. That phone was her virtual assistant; she never went more than fifteen minutes without taking a glance at it.

- That man and his silly voice, - she mumbled and threw the phone back on the sofa.

She headed to the hallway where her bedroom was. She then proceeded to fight with her pillow for about two hours before actually falling asleep. Silly little man, she kept dreaming.


The next day, Cameron and Caroline were sitting across from each in a tiny table at a sidewalk restaurant near their office. Cameron had been giving Caroline the third degree for half an hour.

- Ok, so you met Klaus Mikaelson… fifty years ago? – she asked for confirmation.

Caroline just nodded. We've been over this already...

- All right, and you say you know all the Mikaelsons… - She stopped again waiting for Caroline to confirm, and when she did, Cameron continued. – And now Elijah and Klaus are both here and you saw them yesterday, right? - Another pause. - Sooo… where's the girl?

- The girl? – Caroline was lost. – Oh! You mean Rebekah? I don't know exactly. I think she's coming too in a few days… with another friend of mine, Stefan Salvatore. – Caroline's mouth twisted with repulsion. She still couldn't believe Stefan had fallen in Rebekah's web.

- You know one of the Salvatore brothers!? – Cameron's green eyes were wide with admiration. – My God, Care, you know everyone, don't you? I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity here.

- No! I don't know one, I know both of them. Stefan… he used to be one of my best friends, and Damon… well, Damon is just Damon. But how do you know so much about them anyway? I can understand the whole thing with the Originals – not really, but anyways…- but what's so special about Stefan and Damon?

- Well, sure, they're not legend like the Mikaelsons, - Cameron explained. – They're more… contemporary vampire history. The whole doppelganger business, falling for the same girl… twice! – Caroline turned her head away pretending to watch the cars drive by. She was uncomfortable talking about this. Cameron just went on with her babbling. – …killing half of the Original family in the process… It's all so… Shakesperian! – she said with a look of wonder on her face.

If only you knew, Caroline thought. She decided it was best not to tell Cameron that one of said doppelgangers had turned her into a vampire and the other one used to be her best friend.

- Is it true he's a hybrid? – Cameron asked in a whisper, leaning in closer to Caroline over the table.

- Who? – Caroline turned back to look at her.

- Klaus! Who else?

- Oh… ahm… Yes, he is.

- Oh my God… I thought they were just messing with me! – Caroline wasn't following this. Cameron decided to get more information. – Is it… Is it true he's gorgeous?

- What!?

- They say he's… irresistible, - she said, getting closer to Caroline and lowering her voice even more. She had a look etched with female curiosity.

- Well, I wouldn't say that… - Caroline avoided Cameron's eyes. – He's… okay, I guess.

- Just "okay"? – She said, lifting herself from the table, slightly disappointed. – But everyone says he's supposed to be this dangerously handsome sort of guy and…

- All right! He's gorgeous, ok!?– Caroline snapped, stomping her hand on the table.

The people on the tables around them turned to glower at Caroline and she found the traffic very interesting again. Cameron remained unblinking from shock for a moment. Then, realization hit her and her expression morphed into a knowing smirk.

- You like him, - she said matter-of-factly.

- Ok, now you've lost it. He's a heartless killing machine, Cameron. I was just… answering your question, that's all.

- Sure, - Cameron said condescendingly. She decided to leave this be for now but have some fun with it later. Her friend hooking up with the Original hybrid… This should be interesting, she thought.

- I'm serious! – Caroline blushed. I shouldn't have done that, she scolded herself. – It's not like that at all. He just gets on my nerves sometimes, - she admitted.

- I'm not saying the opposite, Care. – Cameron leaned back on the chair. – So, can I meet him? – She asked, and then smiled. – No, you know what? I better not. I hear he has a temper. I'm too beautiful to die, - she said, flipping her long and lustrous black hair dramatically. She looked at Caroline and they both laughed.

- Now, seriously Caroline, be careful, - she warned her with a straight face. - When are you meeting him again?

- Tomorrow, - Caroline said, also serious. – We're supposed to go over my ideas for the renovation. Listen, Cam, you can't tell anyone about this, ok? They are dangerous people. The only reason I told you this much is because I thought someone should know what I was doing. You can help me cover up at the office when I need it. I don't think they'll do anything to me, - she said truthfully, – but you can't be too careful when it comes to Klaus and his family. Don't even mention they are here, Cam, to anyone.

- Don't worry, Care, I won't. But hey! Take a picture of him for me, - she said, suddenly turning playful.

- Are you kidding me? How am I going to take a picture of Klaus? – Caroline was astonished at Cameron's lack of sense.

- I don't know, you're a woman Caroline, figure it out! – she said.

- You're crazy, - the blonde said, shaking her head.

- I know I am, sweety, and you love me for it, - the brunette answered and she blew a small kiss at Caroline making her laugh.

The two friends went on to lighter subjects for the rest of their lunch, but all the while Caroline's heart was racing with anticipation. She was going to see him again... tomorrow.


A/N: Ok! As u can see this 1's a little on the short side. I'll start working on the next one :) BTW today's is TVDThursday! Be sure to tune in for prom night :) I hope u guys r enjoying the story so far. Writing 4 u is just too much fun xD Till next time! Please, leave your comments, they're my fuel of inspiration!

P.S.: justine, love complications r to come, don't worry ;)