Disclaimer: I do not own the characters used in this story

Chapter Three

"What do you mean by you don't know where she is?" Bill Forbes said his voice was polite but he failed to hide his obvious anger, his precious daughter had gone missing. "Where is she Donovan!" he shouted, he regretted sending this incompetent fool to guard her, he should've put an end to her daily escapades when he found out about them. Now Caroline was gone and he couldn't do a single thing about it. Frustrated, he slammed his fist onto the table as he stared no glared at the boy he deemed responsible for his daughter's disappearance.

"Get lost! Before I do something I'll regret" he said, his voice brimming with fury and resentment. He had thought he was doing the right thing; not wanting to force his daughter into doing things she clearly did not enjoy at all. Now he regrets it all, he regrets paying the useless boy, he regrets spoiling her, and most of all he regretted not doing more to protect his little girl.

It was only the sound of the door opening that distracted Bill from his thoughts. "Great, you're here" he said. Relief washed over his face, maybe there was hope that he'll find his daughter after all.

Matt scurried out of the office as quickly as possible, eager to leave. He had never seen the gentle, docile man so furious before. He remembered their first meeting; Bill Forbes had pulled him off the streets, promising him money in exchange for protecting his daughter. At first he thought it was too good to be true, the money he made could support him and his sister for at least another year. Their parents had died and Victoria was all he had left, he would do almost anything to keep her from suffering.

He had followed Caroline for weeks, forming a tentative friendship, however as he began spending more time with the girl it became clear that Matt enjoyed her company and they had grown to be close friends. He had never felt so free, so content after the deaths of his parents and Caroline she helped him, even if she was not aware of it. She was bright, lively and her presence allowed him forgets about all the terrible things that had happened.

"Watch where you're going kid" he heard a man say. He had been so immersed in his thoughts he barely noticed the man standing in front of him, almost walking into him. Matt turned around ready to apologize, however before the words could leave his mouth, the man was already walking away from him towards Bill's office. He didn't know why but he was sure he'd seen the man before he just couldn't remember where. He dismissed the thought and quickly continued walking towards the exit. However just as he was about to leave, he observed something unsettling, causing his face to turn a deep shade of purple as his anger slowly brewed. "Vicky" he mumbled to himself what was she doing here with Damon Salvatore no less.

"What are you doing here Trevor? Get back to work, I did not pay you to sit around and idle" Kol said dismissing his worker as he shoved Caroline into the empty changing room while throwing her a wig and a dress that he picked out from the racks. She took in her surroundings, if she hadn't known better she would've thought that she had left the saloon and entered a different place. She stared with disgust at the dark and dreary room, the exuberance of the club gone as clothes were strewn haphazardly on the floor, and the ground was coated with a layer of dust.

"Come on change already, we don't got all day" Kol said impatiently, his feet tapping against the ground.

"Well I can't change with you in the room can I" she retorted defiantly, but even she could hear the trace of fear and trepidation in her voice.

"There's no need for modesty, we are all men here" Kol replied amused, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Not bothering to argue with him further Caroline pushed Kol out of the room, flashing him a nasty glare before proceeding to slam the door in his face.

She observed the dress that he had thrown at her earlier. It was a vibrant red with material so smooth it glided gently over her fingertips and flowed fluidly down her body as she pulled the dress over her head. She looked at her reflection in the mirror; the dress was certainly beautiful yet not too revealing or tight, covering all the essential parts of her body. She smiled hesitantly as it sunk in, she might be able to get away with this. If she was careful enough, she could convince them to believe that she just looked like a women and wasn't actually one.

Nevertheless as she stared longer at the mirror her previously confidence had faded, she sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair, feeling it for the first time in days. There was no way she could pull it off, her heart beat rapidly against her chest as she heard Kol knocking at the wooden door. Thinking fast, she hid her wig swiftly, escaping through the small opening in the window.

Kol stood outside the door, momentarily shocked as he entered the empty room. He grinned, snickering to himself as he noticed a figure leaving via the side window. "Well isn't this interesting?" he said to no one in particular, his smile growing larger and larger by the minute.

Her nose cringed as she took in the thick musty scent of the alleyway, the smell of smoke wafting in an out of her nose, as she crouched behind a pillar, careful to remain hidden. Her heart sped when she spotted Kol, peering out of the window. Caroline felt her body tense and she leaned further into the wall, wishing that she could disappear into it. Her attentions so focused on the man by the window that she did not notice the man behind her.

"What are you doing here?" he said, his voice deep and intimidating. Caroline struggled, panicking as she felt his hands tightened, his fingers bruising the delicate skin around her neck, leaving unsightly marks on it. She took in a deep breath to calm herself as she recalled the moves she had learned from Klaus. Almost immediately she grabbed her assailant's arm, twisting it as she lifted her knee ramming it into his stomach and threw him onto the floor. She raised her legs prepared to deliver the finishing blow, but was stopped dead in her tracks when the light from a nearby street lamp revealed her attacker's identity.

"Klaus?" Caroline said as she watched as his expressions gradually transformed from one of confusion to recognition. "Robert?" he responded, his voice breaking revealing his astonishment.

Klaus stood flabbergasted gawking at the beauty before him, His eyes lingering as he took in her soft delicate curls, and her long slender legs. He rubbed his eyes, convinced that the light was playing tricks on him. Sure, he was aware of his pupil's feminine features, but he was taken aback when he found out that the women he had apprehended was in fact Robert. His eyes remained on her as he remembered the feeling of her smooth delicate skin on his fingertips, it was only when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching did he snap out of his thoughts, averting his gaze. Blood rushed towards his face, as realization set in. Robert was a man, and Klaus was definitely not attracted to him, no matter how stunning he looked in the dress.

"There you are! I almost thought you had escaped" Kol said hooking his arm around Caroline, while dragging her to the car. Klaus followed closely behind them, not saying a single word. "Hope I wasn't intruding on anything" he added, flashing a wink at the both of them trying to relieve the obvious tension brewing. Klaus growled at his brother, but Kol could not help but detect the slight tint of red on his brother's face.

Kol tried his best to control his laughter as he witnessed the sight before him. The Klaus Mikaelson, the most ruthless gangster that roamed Chicago, reduced to a love-sick child. He could almost imagine how horrified his brother must've felt, thinking that he was attracted to a male, or at least Klaus thought he was a man. She was clever, hiding her feminine features behind a layer of filth. One look at the boy and no one would have noticed her true gender. But Kol wasn't fooled by her disguise, he saw through it almost immediately. Kol had discerned the evident signs; the way she would slip into her natural voice and the manner by which she swayed her hips ever so slightly as she moved, by the end of it all, he was convinced that Robert was indeed a woman.

When they finally reached the Gilbert manor, Caroline was eager to get out of the car to escape the stifling atmosphere. Klaus had continued ignoring her while Kol driveled on and on about the meeting, and what she had to do later. Honestly she did not understand her purpose in the plan, so what if Jonathan Gilbert was a lecherous pervert with a fascination for blondes, it wasn't like her presence would make much of a difference. Caroline groaned, Kol's words flowing in and out of her ears, her mind not registering a single one.

"Are you even listening to me?" Kol said as he noticed the glazed look around her eyes, and her head nodding apathetically.

"No" she said looking around trying to find Klaus. They had parted ways after they exited the car and Caroline was curious as to where the man could have wandered off to.

"You might want to be more discreet if you want to hide the fact that you're attracted to my brother" Kol retorted rolling his eyes as he noted the conspicuous blush on her cheeks.

"Wh...what are you talking about?" she stuttered.

Kol took in a deep breath and heaved a sigh wondering if this was the appropriate time to confront her on her deception. "What is your name?" he said as his expression turned passive and stoic.

"Are you out of your mind Kol I just told introduced myself a few hours ago" Caroline replied confused as she shrank under his intense gaze.

"You misunderstand me sweetheart, what is your actual name?" Kol said, watching as the girl's face turned white, her expression horrified, mouth agape finding it difficult to talk much less form a sentence. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone" he added, running his finger through his hair as his gaze softened when it became apparent that she wouldn't be answering his query anytime soon. His eyes were sympathetic almost as if he pitied her.

"Come on, let's go", Kol said, shaking his head when Caroline remained stunned not responding to him. He took her arm as they walked hand in hand towards the Gilbert manor.

As soon as they entered the manor, Caroline extended her hand towards Jonathan Gilbert as she smiled warmly at the man. She tried her best to compose herself, she didn't know how Kol could've figured out her identity, but that was a problem that she could handle later, for now she had to focus on the task at hand. Caroline shuddered under the man's gaze, abhorrence running through her veins as she felt his eyes raking her body as squeezed her hand reluctant to let go. "Kol, I had not expected you to visit so soon, and what pleasant company you have brought" he said his eyes never leaving hers.

Caroline felt Kol wrap his hands around hers, holding it gently as if to comfort her. She felt her impression of the boy changing; her gaze relaxed and appreciative as she squeezed his hand, assuring him that she was fine. Maybes she could really trust Kol with her secret after all.

"These are my daughters, Elena and Katherine" John said waving towards the two brunettes that were approaching them. They looked identical in almost every aspect, both were equally beautiful, with their sharp distinct features, and eyes a vibrant shade of green. But while Elena was demure and composed, carrying herself with dignity and respect, Katherine did not seem to conduct herself in the same manner. Her curls were untamable, as if to reflect her wild more tough personality. Her stance was cold and aggressive as she stared warily at Caroline her eyes filled with suspicion.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Caroline" she introduce herself politely as she shook Elena's hand, grateful that at least one of the twins was amicable to her. Her statement however was not meant for the Gilberts but rather it was directed towards Kol. She observed as his eyes widened with understanding, a hint of a smile gracing his face.

Caroline tuned out for the rest of the conversation, looking around the living room, admiring the intricate designs on the tapestry as she tried to keep her mind off Klaus. She could not help but shiver, every time she remembered her back against on his cold taut chest, his rough calloused fingers touching the delicate soft skin round her neck.

It was only as she felt Kol's touch on her shoulder did she snap out of her thoughts, her heart dropped from the sudden pressure as she stared puzzled at him. "Wait here, I'll be right back after I settle some business" Kol whispered into her ear, as Caroline watched him saunter away.

"Well Caroline, what do you think about the mansion?" Elena said trying to strike up a conversation.

"Why are you even bothering Lena, she's just another whore trying to bed our father for contracts" Katherine retorted sneering at her before proceeding to leave the room. Katherine had obviously dispensed with formalities when her father left the room, finding no meaning in engaging in small-talk with Caroline

"I'm so sorry I'll find her, and I'll make sure he apologizes" Elena said, her smile sheepish, her face as bright as a tomato she was clearly embarrassed by her sister's sudden outburst.

Caroline watched as the second of the brunettes left the room as she found herself standing alone in the large living room. She couldn't really blame the girl for her hostile attitude, after all that was what she was here to do, not to sleep with her father of course, but she was here to ensure that Kol secured that deal no matter the cost. The awkwardness of the silence sunk in, and she found her hands playing with the hem of her dress as she walked in circles around the room carefully contemplating Katherine's words. Minutes passed and Elena had still not returned, making full use of this moment of peace, Caroline took the opportunity to rest taking a seat as she stared blankly at the wall. Her thoughts turning to naught as she took the time to soothe and rest her mind.

She closed her eyes thoroughly exhausted; her day had anything but peaceful. Her eyelids became progressively heavier, as she found herself drifting in and out of consciousness, yet just when she was about to fall asleep she was interrupted as she felt a tight grip on her shoulder. Thinking it was Kol, she turned around, ready to elbow him for disrupting her once again. However when spun around, she gasped as she recognized the familiar boy.

"Matt?'

Chapter Three! :))) Firstly I apologize for the slightly long break, I was just being my usual lazy self and was distracted watching random videos on the internet. (btw Danisnotonfire & Emmablackberry are hilarious)

Secondly I've had people say that Caroline is too feminine to look like a boy, and i agree with you completely Candice Accola is seriously pretty. All i can say is that this is fiction so... anything can happen :D

Thirdly, I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to review, follow and favorite my story. I really appreciate them and hopefully with your help i can improve my writing in the future.

Lastly, my term has started and its time for me to hit the books again. So i apologize in advance if my updating is irregular.

Oh and last but not least please REVIEW! :)