Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing.

Note: Previously, in "Heart of the Ocean," Klaus and Elijah meet Caroline and Katherine.

No spoilers, just follow along. I apologize for being behind with the updates. Other things were demanding my attention.

Later that Night...

Caroline tried not to blush as Klaus escorted her back to her stateroom. They had spent almost half the night together up on the deck of the ship, talking about anything they could think of. Truth was, neither of them wanted the night to end because Klaus enjoyed Caroline's company just as much as Caroline enjoyed his. For some reason, she couldn't help but get the feeling that she was meant to go up on deck tonight. Up until now, Caroline wasn't exactly a believer in fate, but perhaps after being with Klaus tonight made her change her mind.

"You're awfully quiet, Caroline. Is something the matter?"

Klaus' voice brought her out of her reverie and she looked at him. "Well, no, but I can't help but get the feeling that I was supposed to go up on deck tonight. I mean, I know that this sounds ridiculous and I'm sure you think so too, but it was though fate had instructed me to forgo dinner with Katherine to go up on deck. If it didn't, we probably wouldn't have met."

"It's not ridiculous, love," said Klaus. "I'm thinking the exact same thing."

Caroline gave him a quizzical look. "Really? You're not just saying that to humor me?"

"No, I mean it," said Klaus. "I feel the same way. Fate brought us together tonight, Caroline, and I have a strong feeling that somehow, we were meant to be on the same ship, even if our reasons aren't the same."

Caroline nodded. She couldn't think of anything else to say at that moment, because, in all honesty, what else could she say? She wanted to think that it was because just looking at Klaus made words fail, even though she tried to tell herself that it was something else entirely. Still, there was something about him that was just compelling her to want to stay with him and not go back to her stateroom, despite the late hour.

It was long before they arrived at the door leading to her stateroom. Caroline fumbled for the key, dropping it onto the floor. "Damn it, I'm such a klutz!"

Klaus saw her bend down to get it. "No, love, let me get it for you."

"No, Klaus, it's my key," she replied. "I dropped it, so I should get it."

However, Klaus ignored and bent knelt down anyway. Caroline went to reach for the key at the same time that he did and their fingers touched, the impact of which resulted in a furious blush on Caroline's face. Damn it, could this moment be any more awkward? His eyes on hers, Klaus picked up the key and handed it to her. Caroline snatched it back from and stood up, turning toward the door to open it. However, she never got that far, because Klaus gently grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him, after which he framed her face with his hands, capturing her lips with his in a soft kiss. After the initial shock wore off, Caroline returned the kiss, placing her hands on top of his.

I certainly wasn't expecting him to kiss me this soon, she thought. But, I'll admit that it feels really good to be kissed by him, and to kiss him.

Caroline then stepped back, reluctantly breaking the kiss and looked into Klaus' greenish blue eyes with her blue ones. She felt a heat running through her, a heat that she enjoyed against her will. Shit, she wanted more, and it felt wrong to want more. However, she was somewhat relieved that Klaus didn't take it any further. After all, they didn't know each other well enough yet to take things to the next level.

There was a bit of a long silence before she said, "Good night, Klaus."

She kissed him one more time before using her key to open her stateroom door and walked in. Klaus watched her as she went in just to make sure that she was safe. Once she was safely inside, he turned and went to his own stateroom, using his key to enter. When he walked in, he saw Elijah on the private promenade deck. A closer look told him that he was with a woman, a brunette, and they were kissing, just like he and Caroline had been just a short while ago. Could it be that Elijah had finally found someone? Such a thought brought a smile to the hybrid's face. He had been wondering when his brother was going to find happiness again.

He was still standing there when Elijah came into the sitting room, followed by the woman he had been kissing. When he saw Klaus standing there, he was a bit startled. "Niklaus, how long have you been watching?"

"Long enough to see that you've found happiness at last, brother," he replied. "Am I to be introduced to the fair lady or are you going to deny me that privilege?"

Elijah cleared his throat. "Oh, forgive me." He turned to the brunette. "Katherine Pierce, this is my brother, Niklaus, the one I told you about at dinner. Niklaus, this is Katherine."

Katherine smiled politely. "It's nice to finally meet you, Niklaus. Elijah has told me quite a bit about you."

"Has he really?" said Klaus. "Well, I wouldn't imagine my brother providing that much information on the first date." He maintained his smile and took her hand, bringing it to his lips and planting a chaste kiss on her knuckles. "In any case, it is good to finally meet you as well, Katherine. And, please, call me Klaus, or Nik if you are so bold." Though, I would prefer her not to, since Caroline said she'd call me Nik.

"No, I think I'll call you Klaus," said Katherine. "It sounds more mature." She smiled again. "By any chance, have you seen Caroline?"

"I have," said Klaus. "As a matter of fact, I just spent the evening with her up on deck. And, just a short while ago, I escorted back to her stateroom."

Katherine nodded. "Well, I appreciate the fact that you saw to it that she was safe. I would hate to have anything happen to her. We're practically sisters, she and I, and we look out for each other, just like you and Elijah." She sighed and looked toward the clock on the table, seeing what time it was. "Well, I suppose I should be heading back to my stateroom as well." She turned to Elijah after Klaus released her hand. "It was lovely meeting you, Elijah, and I do hope that all four of us can get together soon. I would like it if Caroline met you."

Elijah nodded. "I would like that as well. Would tomorrow evening be too soon? You and Caroline can join my brother and I for dinner."

"That would be delightful," said Katherine. "When I see Caroline, I'll be sure to extend that invitation."

That being said, she kissed Elijah one time and headed toward the door, letting herself out. Klaus watched her leave and then turned back to his brother, seeing the smile on his face. "It would seem that both of us have been fortunate this evening. I met the lovely Caroline, and you the lovely Katherine. They're a delightful pair of young ladies, wouldn't you say?"

Elijah nodded. "Indeed they are. I don't believe I've ever met a more remarkable woman than Katerina in my existence."

"Ah, so it's Katerina now?"

"That's her real name," said Elijah. "She told me when we were at dinner." He reached into his pocket. "Of course, that's not the only thing that happened at dinner. One of the stewards gave this to me. It's a letter from Finn."

"Oh, really?" said Klaus. "What does our exalted older brother have to say?"

Elijah unfolded the paper and looked at the words. "He says that he's currently in Ireland, but he looks forward to seeing us. He even says that he's bringing a guest with him, a lady vampire by the name of Sage. According to him, she is 'more beautiful than all angels in Heaven.'"

"In other words, he fancies her," said Klaus. "I'll say this for Finn, he's certainly a romantic."

Elijah raised an eyebrow. "He's not the only one, apparently. I sense that you are glowing, Niklaus. Am I wrong in guessing that you and Caroline did more than just talk during your time together on deck?"

"A gentleman never kisses and tells, brother."

"Which essentially means I'm not wrong."

Klaus sighed. "So what if we did? We couldn't help what happened, just like you couldn't help what happened between you and Katerina on the promenade deck."

Before Elijah could answer him, Klaus turned on his heel and walked toward the bedroom to get ready for bed. Of course, after the no doubt wonderful evening he had with Caroline, he probably wouldn't be able to get much sleep, especially since the kiss they shared would be haunting his dreams.

Note: I think I'll end Chapter 3 here, since I can't think of anything else to add. And there will be more than kissing eventually. Stay tuned!

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