Chapter 4:

A/N: On the last chapter, someone asked if Klaus knew Caroline was a vampire. No, he doesn't, neither does Caroline know he is (obviously). And yes, it is a Vampire fic, so fasten your seatbelts ;)

The New Acquaintances

Caroline woke up with the distinct feeling she was floating in a sea of cotton buds. She imagined if clouds were actually, you know… more than condensed water in the atmosphere they'd probably feel like the bed where she now slept.

She opened her eyes and a smile came to her face as the light filtered through the balcony of her room and a high ceiling window just above her head which came right to her feet. Caroline thanked Bonnie for her ring yet again. She loved the warmth of the sun, even if, technically, she was supposed to be a creature of the night. As it was, the soft light ticked the expanse of exposed skin as her comforter had been twisted between her legs sometime in the night.

Caroline stretched in the (huge) bed and let out a little gasp as her muscles rearranged and she breathed to her heart's content all the while. It all came to an abrupt halt, however, when her stomach started growling. She remembered then she hadn't really had anything to eat for three days and she'd have to do something about it before she went on a killing rampage or worse, she bit Klaus. Never once did she stop to analyze the order of her priorities.

She put the covers to the side and jumped to the warm beige rug in the floor by the bed. It was spotless, as expected and it was also so fluffy, she knew she could sleep on it if she didn't already have a very comfortable bed on her big, beautiful, illuminated room. Caroline sighed contently and did a little dance in her underwear and undershirt (she allowed herself a little freedom when she slept) before putting her hair in a sloppy ponytail and leaving the room to brush her teeth. She knew for a fact no one was in the house, as she couldn't hear or smell them, so there was not a chance to run into Klaus anytime soon. She did, however, run straight into an old guy wearing a tuxedo inside of the house. And she was parading her heart-patterned underwear right in front of him. It took her less than two seconds to run back in the room and slam the door behind her, but she was sure he saw it all. Ugh... She really hoped Klaus never heard about that, he'd probably take her for another wild careless American freak.

Just as she fumbled to find some pants to wear over her underwear, she heard a knock on the door.

"Caroline?"- Oh great! Now Klaus is here. Damn her luck.

"Just a second!"- She squealed through the door and put the first set of pants she came across with. Some really ugly pink pair her father had once given to her which she had packed for the sole purpose of having something that reminded her of home. She was starting to regret her small sentimentality as she was now standing in front of the hottest man she'd met in a while with something that surely made her look a lot more brainless than she usually felt. That was actually the reason she never wore those (other than the hideous color). It was enough that Damon called her a Barbie. She didn't need to look the part too.

"I see you've already met Mr. Jones here".

"Who?"- then she looked to Klaus's right where his head leaned casually in the direction of the old man she'd ran into mere minutes before. She tried not to avert her eyes when she felt all the blood rushing to her cheeks. She suddenly felt unreasonably hot.

"He will be staying here to run the house when I'm not present, I thought it would be proper to do the introductions, although it seems you've already made quite an impression"- she felt her blush intensify and when she raised her eyes to meet Klaus's she had the impression he was rather enjoying her embarrassment, but at least she could pretend running around in one's underwear was the normal in America. Mr. Jones looked a bit more mortified and she was just a little glad when she looked at him he seemed even more embarrassed than she felt (and that was saying something). She took the momentary silence to stretch her hand for Mr. Jones to shake. He did so reluctantly.

"So, now that that's taken care of, I must leave you. We'll meet later to make the necessary arrangements"- he told Mr. Jones- "Have a nice day Caroline"-

She could have sworn his eyes tinkled.

Before she had a chance to do much of anything, Klaus had disappeared down the hall and when she finally turned her attention back to Mr. Jones, he'd vanished from thin air. The man barely even smelt.

Then again, maybe her senses were getting numb with all the rain, because she could have sworn Klaus had not been in the house just seconds before.

By the time Caroline had finally decided what to wear for the first day of school it had already passed an Hour and a half and it seemed she was alone yet again. She closed the door quietly behind her and contemplated running to the center of Oxford. It was just too convenient the bus showed up right at that moment. It was better this way, she reasoned. The other way, she'd probably get mud all over her shoes and she was not having that on the first day of school. What if she met a cute guy there? Would she greet them with dirty shoes? No. She would definitely not.

She got on the bus then and sat on one of the many seats available. Apparently that route wasn't too popular.

All in all, it took her 20 minutes to get to civilization, so she took the time to study her map and the best way to get to the school from the bus stop. It turned out by the time she got to Oxford (center of Oxford) it had started raining again so her shoes fell into third place after her hair and her white shirt.

The day was slowly turning out to be disastrous, but nevertheless she entered the School as proudly as only she knew how to do it and marched through the long deserted halls of her new school. The secretary wasn't that forthcoming, that, she found, wasn't much different from mystic falls, where she'd had to compel the lady at least three times to get her to quit her bitching over her tardiness, the height of her skirt or the student body. She smiled all the same and pretended not to notice the sour look the old woman directed her way. Yep, feels like home already. Next thing she knew, she would be making friends with a girl who just couldn't make up her mind about the two men in her life. If she was lucky enough, she'd even get the judgmental best friend in the combo. Caroline wouldn't be crossing her fingers on that one. Enough drama back home to bring it to Europe, plus, that's what this was all about, right?

So, when she finally got to the main hall again, this time filled with people coming from all sides, she studied the crowd briefly looking for someone who she would most likely never had befriended back at mystic falls. She decided on a shy looking tartan-skirt wearing girl not 10 feet away from her. Those glasses were the first thing Caroline thought. If she only got rid of those glasses. Then of course came the obvious assessment of her shoes (something she must have surely burrowed from her grandmother's closet) and the pink and green socks which reached right below her knees, a definite no-no in Caroline's book. Especially with that skirt.

The girl barely lifted her gaze when she approached her. She simply flashed her a timid smile and before Caroline could utter a word, she closed her locker and disappeared in the crowd. Well there goes her vict-err…friend attempt.

"Are you lost Barbie?"- Ah no… hell no She'd been there less than a week, she would not let anyone call her anything other than Caroline. And then, she could also allow the lovely endearments Klaus used with her. Whether she would feel comfortable hearing them from anybody other than him… well… She would cross that bridge as soon as it came in front of her.

Caroline turned her head in the direction of the new voice, until she came face to face with a skinny, tall girl. Caroline almost cringed at how white she was. Then again, she guessed the black hair against paler than thou skin wasn't really helping, nor was the fact that she was dressed from head to toe in black and had some dark shade of red in her lips. But really, none of that seemed too important compared to the fact that her eye-makeup obscured the best part of her glowing green eyes. Such a pity, she was rather pretty. Even with all the overdone makeup and bitch attitude.

"No more than you, I assure you. I don't recall having seen a circus in Oxford".

"It's actually coming and going every now and then"

"You don't say!"- She replied with the same cold contempt Damon often used on her. She knew for a fact it had the worst effect on people- wonders never cease.

"Hmm... you have an edge, I like it"- Said the girl just before she extended her hand in front of her and her face contorted around a (mostly genuine) smile- "I'm Kyle, by the way".

"Kyle"- Caroline tested the name, deciding it fit perfectly the strange girl In front of her- Is this how you usually make friends?

"Just the American ones, have to see what you're made of"

"How has that worked out for you?"

"You tell me"- Caroline sighed, before coming to the conclusion that weird friend was better than no friend at all. Barbie comment aside, at least she hadn't judged her based on her looks

"I'm Caroline"

"Do you need a guide to help you get around?"

"Are you going to call me by my name"

"It depends on how worthy you prove yourself"- Said Kyle, raising one eyebrow in a silent challenge

"Fair enough"- She said while she took a long suffering breath and rearranged her brown leather bag over her shoulder- "Shall we go?"

Caroline sighed after she finally got out of the bus that afternoon. Kyle, it turned out, was exactly the opposite of her friends back at mystic falls; she was disturbingly serious and energic all at the same time. The first few hours of the day had been spent either on verbal sparring with the girl or some other form of challenge that had her exhausted in no amount of time. That was saying something, considering all her experience.

By the time lunch break came around, she realized this was Kyle's way of getting to know people. She had said she liked her spunk, after all. That didn't make her feel any less relieved when she finally got to the last period only to realize Kyle would not be there. She'd apparently chosen some sort of expression course while she personally couldn't draw a stick figure to save her life, so instead she had chosen a history of Europe course which mainly focused on the cultural aspects of history. All in all, it wasn't terribly boring, but she did find she liked best the way Klaus told stories, they seemed a lot more personal and entertaining in a way that somehow reminded her of those tales Stefan told her when she'd been transitioning into a vampire.

Huh. That reminded her, she hadn't really spoken to any of her friends since she'd gotten to Europe. It had almost been a week and despite everything that had led her away from mystic falls, she did miss them (just a bit though).

While she made her way to the front door of the mansi-err- house, she took her phone out of her purse and started dialing the numbers to Elena's phone. If she knew her like she thought she did, she'd probably be at the Salvatore's at that moment, with a little bit of luck Bonnie would be there too, so she wouldn't have to make more than one phone call.

Mind made up, she marched distractedly to the front door, only to stop short as her foot fell knee deep on a hole in the ground, filling her entire stockings in what she could only hope was mud. So far, she hadn't seen ay animals around the house, but it would be just her luck if there were. Ugh…

"Damn it!"- She cursed under her breath as she struggled to free her foot from the hole she was sure hadn't been there that morning when she left the house. Caroline ceased her struggling and with a quick look around her, she decided it was time for her Vampire agility to come in handy. It was just her luck that at that moment the front door opened and she had to pretend her epic jump was actually a miscalculated step that sent her straight to the mud she heard the crack of a bone as her leg twisted in an unnatural angle. It never occurred to her she could have just made whoever had come to her aid forget anything they'd seen.

"Are you ok miss Caroline?"- came the overly polite voice from the front door. She had to force a small smile even though her leg was killing her in the position she was in at the moment

"Ah! Mr. Jones! Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking"

"Do you need any help miss?"

"No!"- She almost yelled! - "err, I mean… I'm ok"- She almost cursed her stupidity when Mr. Jones looked down on her with a very unimpressed look- "you know what? I think I will need your help after all"- She smiled in a not-at-all-convincing way, but Mr. Jones didn't seem to notice, and next think she knew, he was howling her up from her right arm with surprising strength for someone who looked to be in his middle 60's. He arched a suspicious eyebrow when her leg popped back into place with a loud crack and she faked a cough fit to drown whatever question he might have thought to ask.

"Come along Miss Forbes, it you stay like this too long there's saying how long you'll last with a cold"- He didn't let her argue and instead pulled on her arm vigorously to the front door. Just then, Klaus showed up on the receiving hall in a perfectly clean white sweater and black slacks that looked like they were made specifically for him.

"Caroline, you're home!"

"Klaus!"- Well now she was embarrassed- "I...uh... didn't know you would be here"- and now she was talking nonsense. Why wouldn't he be there?

Mr. Jones pulled insistently on her forearm and her attention snapped for a moment from the (marvelous) man in front of her. It wasn't Mr. Jones's pull what had put her out of her (mostly normal) trance though, but rather the fact that she couldn't cross the door.

Caroline pulled away from Mr. Jones grip as if his hands were on fire. He shot her a very confused look, but she didn't spare any time in making up an excuse

"I...uh…left my phone on the mud, I need to go back"- She yelled over her shoulder as she expertly released herself from the man's grip and ran back to the front yard where she'd dropped her phone, her every brain cell trying to work out some way to make Klaus invite her in without having to compel him- strange as it seemed that just the day before, she'd been able to get in without much of a trouble

"Are you ok there, sweetheart?"- Damn. She needed time to think. This wasn't good, not good at all.

"I'm… yes…just, I can't find my keys"- she said, as she tightened her right hand over the metal weight on her pants pocket.

"It's not that important love, we're here, so you can come in and look for them afterwards"- Bingo!

"Are you sure?"

"Sure, It's not that big of a deal, plus you're going to freeze out there"-

She smiled a conceding smile and marched over to the door, still not completely convinced but a lot more satisfied now that she was sure Klaus had invited her in to the house.

She looked down on her feet then and realized she really was missing something; on her left foot, were there was once a ballerina flat, now stood a knot of muddy grass between her first and second thumb, which was really disgusting, but overall, she was most interested in getting her shoe back. She really did like those, even though by now they were most likely ruined beyond repair. Then it started raining.

"Miss Caroline, you're not thinking of going back, surely?"- Mr. Jones tone sounded a bit more scandalized than she thought strictly polite, but she ignored it and proceeded to explain her missing shoe

"They're my favorite"- she concluded, as it that was obvious enough. Mr. Jones let out an exasperated sigh as he gestured with his white gloved hands for her- "Do come inside miss, I'll take care of your missing shoe"- She chanced a look at Klaus and he nodded in assent.

She had no choice then. She really hoped it was Klaus and not his father (or any other rich person) the owner of the house, so she could come in quietly- he had said he owned the house, hadn't he?

She crossed the door carefully under the expectant gaze of both Klaus and Mr. Jones. Afterwards, she could pretend it was because she was afraid to get the floor dirty or something. Not that they would ask.

As her head came through the front door she let out an inaudible sigh of relief as she passed the home barrier without any fuss. At least- she thought- one of us isn't lying.

A month passed in a blur, but might as she tried, she couldn't bring herself to talk to anyone. She wasn't sure she had anything to say. That was until that day. Caroline sat in front of the computer for the 3rd time that day, cursing all kinds of ways in which she would like to see Tyler drown and suffer.

When she got home that day she'd been surprised to see a mail from her…maybe-boyfriend (they hadn't really spoke about it) only to find out that Tyler had in fact made the decision for her. Rather quickly as well. Apparently some girl he met in one of his find-myself travels who he'd never ever before considered dating. It was only too convenient how he realized his feelings for said girl in the time it took her to get out of the country. She felt betrayed. It had only been a month for god's sake! Was she really that easy to forget?

Obviously she had reacted. Tyler had a werewolf gene. Needless to say, it was getting ugly. He told her all the times she'd smothered him with her control-freak tendencies, that he needed some space. He had the nerve to say she was taking away his freedom. Really?

You sure as hell didn't complain about my control-freak tendencies when I helped you through your stupid transformations. I hope next time the full moon comes; your new plaything is there to help you.

He didn't take too well to her talking about (Penny? Hally? Whatever-her-name-was) in that way. She was a wonderful girl and if she wasn't so judgmental she would see that and be happy for him. He hadn't been the one who decided to leave his life behind for a year of fun. What about all those times you just left without a single word? You don't like it when it's being done to you? I'm sorry; I thought you wouldn't care since you value so much your freedom. Don't let me keep you from your next conquest. Hell knows she won't be the last.

She taped the words a little more forcefully than strictly necessary and resisted the urge to toss the laptop out the window when she realized she'd knocked the key off. Great. Now she was breaking her stuff over Tyler. They'd been sending each other messages all day (or night, it didn't really make a difference with the time-zones) and she was only getting more and more worked up over the whole thing. She turned up the volume of her music and started writing her first report for the European history class. She was still waiting for Tyler's response.

The sky was dark outside when Caroline heard a tap on her door. Three in fact; short but firm, jumping to the edges of her conscience, she got a notification and she opened the last message on the inbox; in a single line, it read. She's not that easy to replace. She gripped the edged of the computer until her knuckles turned white. How dare he? How..?! She snapped back to reality as she heard the knocking again, this time a little louder.

It seemed something (or rather someone) required her attention. She tossed the computer on the bed and made her way to the door kicking everything out of the way and hoping Tyler (or his new girlfriend) could feel it all the way to mystic falls.

The swung the door open, barely noticing the way it almost came off its hinges from the pure force of it.

"What?!"- She snapped. Then she immediately regretted it.

There at her door stood Klaus, (which should not have been that surprising considering it was only the two of them living in the house- Mr. Jones didn't count) What was in fact rather surprising, in a very pleasing way, was to see him in a pair of black slacks, dark grey dress shirt and a matching dress Jacket. Not quite a tuxedo, but still, it seemed to be tailored for every shape and angle of his fit frame. She suddenly felt very much like a housemaid standing in front of him, especially when she was sporting her brand study-dork messy bun on top on her head and he smelled like he could make a perfume maker jealous any day of the week

"I... I'm sorry I seem to be disturbing you sweetheart, please forgive my intrusion"- He apologized and without even waiting for an answer, he turned to walk down the hall-

"Huh?" – Caroline barely had time to think what she was doing before she dashed after him, grabbing him by the wrist before he could take the stairs- "wait!"- She called rather desperately as he turned around to look at her. The look in his face almost made her release his hand instantly. He looked about ready to cry…or strangle her. She truly couldn't say she knew how to interpret that particular look. He eyes travelled slowly from her hand on his wrist to her face and she decided that was her cue to explain herself- I'm sorry I snapped to you like that, I've got a lot going on in my mind. You didn't deserve that.

She waited for a full 10 seconds for his answer, but instead, his face broke into a disarming smile which had her knees shaking like she'd had the longest run of her life mere seconds before.

"It's ok love, I just thought maybe you needed some space"- Great. Now he thought she had some kind of Tyler-complex

"Not at all!"- She responded a little too quickly. Then she corrected- that is, we can talk if you want, it's not a problem for me.

"Aren't you too busy to hang out with silly old me?"- Did he just refer to himself as old? Was he serious? Did he not see how hot he was? He could be 90 and she wouldn't care! Seriously though, It was not fair how absolutely stunning he was (and really, who could blame her for checking him out? The guy was practically a model) and so adorable too; especially when he tilted his head to the side, like he was doing at the moment. Did he say anything?

-"are you ok Caroline? You seem a little spaced out"- damn it!

- "I... err… yeah! Totally"- She'd been daydreaming again. At this point, it was a miracle he wasn't used to her ogling, it had already been a month since she moved in with him and still he had a very intoxicating effect on her she couldn't quite explain- "I'm sorry, was there anything you wanted?"- She asked finally. He regarded her as if weighting his options. She hurried to reassure him.

- "I have time for you"- Then she realized what she said and how it must have sounded- "that is, I can make time"- his eyebrows raised to his hairline and she blushed furiously when she realized what she'd just said didn't really make anything any better- "I can spare some, I mean… Only if you want though, I don't even know yet why you knocked on my door but I'm guessing-"

-"would you like to have dinner with me Caroline?"- He asked at last, interrupting her ranting effectively.

-"what?"- She spilled out before she could even think about it

He took a quick shallow breath and lowered his head as he started shooting all kinds of incoherent thoughts from his mouth that she wouldn't have been able to hear if she were not a vampire- "Bloody hell, Of course she doesn't you creeper, she's your roommate, now you scared her for good, and you have no one to blame but yourself. Brilliant, just brilliant Nicklaus"

What the hell was he talking about? She fought hard not to let out the laugh that suddenly started bubbling in her chest and just like that, all her anger and the argument she'd just had with Tyler were forgotten. Instead let out a breathy "I'd love to" by way of confirmation. He stopped berating himself instantly and that heartbreaking smile of his adorned his face once more. He had dimples!

"Wonderful"- He replied, adverting his eyes in a shy-boy fashion- "Dinner will be served in 20 minutes, see you downstairs".

"Ok"- she replied. As soon as the descended the stairs she rushed to her room in a frenzy. Twenty minutes? She only had twenty minutes to look presentable in front of Mr. Perfect? Gosh, she needed to hurry!

Unfortunately, no matter how fast she was at vampire speed, her curls always took a good 15 minutes to look good. She'd have to hurry the bath routine then.

When she got downstairs, she was already 10 minutes late. Klaus was already seated at the head of the table and he immediately got up when she entered the room. She could have sworn she heard him swallow when he saw her.

She didn't have too many fancy clothes with her (in fact, she'd only bought her little black dress in case she went to party. You never knew when you needed to go out partying) but Caroline had always prided herself in making the best of what she had. And she did know how to do that. He hurried to her side (nearly tripping the chair over) and guided her to her seat, right beside him.

She noticed they where currently in the dining room and couldn't help but wonder on the change of settling.

"I thought it wouldn't hurt to use it once in a while"- he explained, as if reading her thoughts. She nodded in agreement

"So what's the special occasion?"

"I got some great news from one of my associates and I felt it was only proper to celebrate"

"Good for you! What is it? Got a new investment?"- She really didn't know much about what Klaus did for a living. Obviously, it worked for him.

"Something like that, but let us talk about other subject love, like how stunning you look in that dress. I tell you, If you weren't a minor, I wouldn't mind chasing after you"- Ouch. What a way to unknowingly remind her she'd always be a little girl in any man's eyes

"I'll have you know I'm actually 18 and a half. So no, I'm not a minor"- She said, trying to play it off as a side comment. Now he was looking at her genuinely interested.

"You don't say! I think you're in danger now, Miss Forbes"

"Am I?"- She replied playfully. He always brought out that side of her. The one that wanted to be noticed. It was just too bad he also made her horribly insecure, what with his perfect Adonis-like features.

Before he could reply, a pair of maids appeared before them, setting two identical sets or plates in front of them. Her mouth automatically watered at the delicious smelling food in front of her. Had it been that long since she'd had a real nice dinner? The answer was obviously yes. Her mother had never been much of a chef and as soon as she found out Caroline was a vampire she stopped trying all together. When Liz Forbes cooked (if she did) the food came from a can or a box. That was the only explainable reason why she suddenly felt like she was actually hungry. And she meant food-hungry, not…uh...yeah.

Klaus smiled sheepishly in her direction and reached for the bottle of champagne which had somehow appeared before them.

"I hope you don't mind, they didn't have too much variety at the store in Oxford. This was the best I could find".

She smiled reassuringly, mostly because the bottle looked very expensive, but also because to her, there was really no difference. She didn't know much about champagne after all.

He poured them both a glass of the sparkling liquid and raised his glass for a toast.

"To future plans"- He toasted. She smiled and raised the glass to her mouth- "and to you, Caroline, thank you for your lovely company"- She blushed furiously under his gaze, but clanged her glass against his and they both drank to their heart's content.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly. The food was (predictably) delicious and Caroline almost felt bad her stomach got full so quickly. After dinner they served the dessert. (Apricot crème brûlée; 'cause even though Klaus was a proud Englishman, no one made desserts like the French)

And soon they were talking and laughing over the rest of the champagne (well, he was doing most of the talking, and she was the one laughing)

Neither of them seemed to notice when the bottle became empty to be replaced by another one and then another two. Maybe Klaus was too drunk to notice she had an abnormal alcohol tolerance? His eyes were twinkling and she tucked a loose curl behind her ear. Who cares?

-.-

Hope it was worth the wait :) let me know what you think