Thanks again guys. Just a few notes regarding my story most of the usual characters will appear but in this particular story Damon and Stefan aren't brothers. I wanted to let you know in case it was a little confusing because I couldn't make it work with what I wanted to do.

Another quick note I'm going away on holidays and won't have chance to update for about a month, sorry! Please keep sending me through your reviews though, I like getting your feedback.

Chapter Four: Collision Course

"Okay what we need to do is issue a joint statement apologising for your indiscretion and get our lawyers to start working on an annulment STAT." Bonnie said pacing up and down while the other three looked on.

She stopped and looked at them for their thoughts, Klaus nodded lazily his eyes glazing over while Caroline just looked at her in shock.

"Hang on a minute Bonnie your little solution here only benefits your client without any consideration towards mine." Elena argued.

"Okay fine Elena, what do you suggest?" Bonnie asked raising her eyebrows.

"Well..." She started, madly wracking her brain for an alternative solution.

"I knew it; you don't have another solution because there is none."

"Before you rudely interrupted me I did have an idea." She objected. Caroline and Klaus looked back and forth watching their publicists spar like they were at a tennis match.

"Oh really, well enlighten us then?"

"How about they just stay married?" Elena suggested looking directly at Caroline for her reaction.

"We what now?" Klaus asked the comment breaking him out of his daze.

"You can't be serious?" Bonnie said shaking her head.

"Yeah as much as I love you Elena I'm not really sure where you're going with this." Caroline added.

"Just hear me out." She said rubbing her hands together in contemplation. "We tell the media you have been secretly seeing each other for a while and even though this wasn't your first choice of a wedding you'd actually discussed marrying at some point anyway."

"This is just pure lunacy!" Klaus yelled unable to believe what he was hearing. "Are you really committing me to a life-long arranged marriage purely for the sake of our reputations?"

"Yeah it is pretty far-fetched Elena, not to mention the press would see straight through that." Bonnie scoffed.

"Look the press already know last night wasn't real, it was fairly evident to everyone they were both drunk and not in control of their actions but if we can build a back story that they were already together then it at least saves some face."

"Elena as much as I know you are trying to salvage my reputation this just would never work." Caroline said sadly. "Look I made a stupid mistake last night and am prepared to accept the consequences whatever they might be."

"So what exactly would this fake marriage entail?" Bonnie asked suddenly interested. Klaus shot his head up not quite believing she was buying into this farce.

"Well unlike Klaus was inferring it wouldn't be long-term but just enough time so they can both repair their reputations. Then we'll announce their decision to divorce after that time."

"Let me guess, irreconcilable differences?" Klaus sneered, the idea not sitting well with him at all. They heard a knock on the door briefly interrupting their increasingly heated argument.

"If that is someone claiming to be room service again." Caroline muttered her stomach rumbling loudly.

"I'll go." Bonnie said. "I think I have an idea who it might be, I made a call earlier."

"You didn't?" Klaus asked realising who was most probably on the other side of the door.

"Oi let me in!" A loud male voice yelled impatiently.

"Well I had to Klaus, you were ignoring his calls and he is your manager after all." Bonnie said rolling her eyes at his immaturity. She opened the door tentatively. A handsome dark haired male walked through the door making individual contact with everyone gathered in the room.

"Bonnie, Blondie, Dickhead." He nodded at them in turn. "Oh who do we have here, Katherine Gilbert?" He asked curiously.

"No Damon that's her sister Elena and Caroline's publicist, apparently she has a twin." Believe it or not Klaus and Damon had been really good friends for years, but he had a habit of making Klaus feel like a naughty child whenever he did something wrong, which with him was quite a common occurrence!

"Well it's a pleasure Elena, if only we had met under less stressful circumstances." He said gazing deeply into her eyes. Elena just rolled her eyes, who did this guy think he was?

"So fill me in, what have I missed?" He asked. "Oh and you can skip the part about the two of you being blind drunk and getting married in Vegas for the whole world to see because I've already seen it all in great detail on national television."

Klaus just rolled his eyes at Damon. "We're getting an annulment." He said shortly not letting anyone else share their crazy ideas.

"Well yes that's what I was expecting."

"Although Elena did have an idea; something that I think deserves further exploration." Bonnie said.

"Well I'm all for ideas, what did you have in mind Elena?" He asked his piercing green eyes penetrating her brown ones. Elena tore her eyes away and cleared her throat nervously.

"Well I think these two should stay married, just for now, so we can try and minimise the damage." She said. "I think long-term it's the best thing for both their careers."

"Interesting." Damon said taking in the information. Klaus realised Damon was letting his obvious attraction to the brunette cloud his judgement.

"Interesting?" He cried. "That's not interesting it's just plain stupid!" Elena glared at him obviously offended by his insult. "People expect this from me; it will all be old news tomorrow."

"Speak for yourself Klaus." Caroline said quietly.

"I say it's interesting Klaus because I had a call from James Cameron on the way over." Damon said.

"Really? Is he thinking of considering me for a part in his upcoming movie?" He asked excitedly, his drunken marriage briefly forgotten.

"No in fact he called to say the opposite. Something along the lines of he would never consider you for any role if you continued to act like a childish brat." Damon said shaking his head.

"Great, this is just great!" He yelled jumping up from the bed. "This is turning out to be the absolute worst day of my life so far!" He ranted.

"Well it's certainly no picnic for me either Klaus." Caroline cried.

"Look Klaus obviously Cameron wants to see you take some responsibility and grow up, maybe this is your perfect opportunity." Bonnie said her voice softening sensing her client's frustration.

"It doesn't seem like I have much of a choice anyway seeing as you all think it's such a wonderful idea."

"Of course you have a choice Klaus no one is forcing you to do anything." Caroline said her heart briefly going out to him. He looked at her, his blue eyes staring deeply into hers.

"Well what do you think about having a fake marriage?" He asked earnestly.

"Look it doesn't sit well with me at all." She said awkwardly. "I sure as hell don't want to do this but there doesn't seem like any other option."

"So how long are we talking exactly?" He asked looking at Elena.

"I don't know, maybe six months?" Elena suggested looking at Damon and Bonnie for their opinion.

"Yeah anything less is too short and we know any longer will probably be too difficult to keep up, not to mention the obvious strain it would put on the both of you." Bonnie said.

"Six months?" Caroline asked her forehead creasing anxiously. "Surely they'd just see straight through that?"

"Six months in Hollywood is like an eternity, I say it's worth a shot." Damon said shrugging his shoulders.

"Look six months will fly, you go about your business Caroline and I'll do the same thing." Klaus said nonchalantly.

"No Klaus I don't think you understand, the world needs to see a real marriage." Elena said.

"Well seeing that I've never been married before you'll have to be more explicit on what's expected." He replied sarcastically.

"You will both have to do everything together including shared living arrangements." Elena explained. "And no other women Klaus." She added just for his benefit. He looked at her his mouth agape how the hell would he survive that?

"You can't be serious, I'm almost ready to kill him and we've only been together since yesterday." Caroline whined liked a little child.

"Oh you're ready to kill me, trust me sweetheart the feeling is mutual." Klaus said shaking his head.

"Look Caroline if you're stupid enough to get drunk and married in Vegas you are just going to have to suck it up princess." Damon shot back.

"Hey, watch how you're talking to my client." Elena said giving him a dirty look. Choosing to ignore their petty argument Bonnie continued.

"Look if you want the media to believe it you have to Caroline. We'll also need to organise some of our own media and the sooner we do that the better." She said making notes on her iPad. "I'll give Oprah's people a call; she still does interviews every now and again and manages to pull damn good ratings."

"What right now?" Klaus cried in complete shock. "Surely we need to sit down and discuss this properly."

"There's no time Klaus, we've already taken too long putting out a statement as it is." Elena said starting to make her own notes. "I'll get onto that now." She said turning on her laptop.

"Seriously guys just stop." Caroline pleaded. "I haven't even been able to get my head around this, I mean how did we meet, how long have we been together, how were we able to keep it such a big secret?" She rambled the shock of the situation sending her into a spin.

"That's okay Caroline leave it to us, that's our job after all." Bonnie said reassuringly. "You guys are going to have to make your first public appearance as a married couple soon anyway. I'm thinking tonight so it will all have to be organised by then anyway."

"Tonight, as in what about five hours?" Klaus murmured looking at his watch, his head a complete blur. As selfish as it was Klaus couldn't believe he was having to give up everything to live a complete lie. He shivered thinking how much this situation was mirroring his parents sham marriage when he was younger.

Caroline gave him a slight smile knowing exactly how he was feeling. "It's okay you are an actor after all how hard can it be?" She said putting her hand on his leg trying to reassure him. Klaus shook his head trying to remove all the emotions the situation had stirred up, he refused to be that weak and pathetic guy.

"Oh no I wasn't worried; I can do that it in my sleep." He said his cockiness returning with a vengeance. "I had a hot date with a Victoria's Secret model tonight and can't believe I have to cancel."

"Unbelievable." Caroline muttered removing her hand from his leg.

"You really are quite the catch aren't you?" Elena asked narrowing her eyes in his direction.

"Now who's being rude to my client?" Damon piped up looking at Elena.

"No I'm not being rude; I'm just stating a fact Damon." She snapped back. Bonnie looked at the two and rolled her eyes.

"Now the press are going to be especially tough on your close friends and family when this breaks, you'll need to give them a heads up." She instructed. "Klaus that means Rebekah, god knows what she'll tell the media if she's provoked."

"Oh no I forgot about my dear sister." He said not looking at all forward to that call. Rebekah Mikaelson was his younger sister and also a top fashion model. She had modelled for all the reputable publications including Elle and Vogue and was a regular on the catwalk at New York and Paris Fashion Week. She was also domineering, opinionated and completely conceited; she made Naomi Campbell look like an angel.

"You'll have to make sure you give your mum a call Caroline." Elena said. Klaus noticed Caroline freeze almost like she hadn't considered the effect this would have on her family.

"Look as much as I love sitting around here and talking shop I really would love a change of clothes from my room if you're going to continue to hold me hostage." Caroline cried standing up, the stress of the situation obviously becoming too much to bear. Elena jumped up to comfort her friend.

"Its okay honey I'll go and get you some clothes now." She soothed patting her back affectionately.

"And food, I need food now god damn it!" She yelled tears springing to her eyes.

"Wow someone is getting all worked up." Damon commented rolling his eyes.

"Hey you'd be hungry too if you hadn't eaten in forever." She said pointing her finger at him accusingly. "I have a mind to complain about the poor service at this establishment, what the hell happened to my cheeseburger?"

"Yep she's definitely losing it." Damon said unable to contain himself.

"Oh would you just shut-up!" Elena cried poking him in the chest. "You would be losing it too if you'd woken up married to him after a drunken night in Las Vegas." Damon shook his head taken aback by the brunette's fiery response.

"Fine. How about I go and see about your room service order, can't have you chewing through the furniture in a crazed fit." Damon replied walking out the door, Elena followed to collect Caroline's clothes. Bonnie had long distanced herself from the conversation and was currently talking away, her phone attached to her ear. Klaus looked at Caroline who was trying not to hyperventilate.

"So..." He said.

"So..." She replied finding the ground very interesting all of a sudden.

"We're probably going to have to find something to talk about if people are going to buy the married bit." He said jokingly.

"And here I was thinking the lame jokes had finally stopped." She said a slight smile playing on her lips.

"I just can't help myself." He laughed. "So this isn't half awkward is it?"

"No not at all considering you and I are going to be husband and wife for the next six months." She said shaking her head in disbelief.

"Well you better not snore and I don't take too kindly to people talking in their sleep either." He said a grin on his face. "Unless it's about me of course."

"You wish. By the way the closest you are going to get to me is at least half a house buddy." She said whacking him on the arm.

"Oh come on you heard our advisers we have to do everything together." He said stressing the last word.

"I'm pretty sure the media can't see into the bedroom Klaus." She replied rolling her eyes at him.

"I don't know Caroline with the technology they have these days and all those fancy camera lenses I wouldn't be surprised."

"Mmmm yeah I'm not buying it." She said. "I'm just not sure how you of all people is going to last without any women."

"Hey I'll be fine. I mean six months is nothing right?" Klaus said unconvincingly.

"Oh really? Well what's the longest you've gone without sex?" She asked him arching her eyebrows.

"Well most probably um, um, oh no I'm screwed aren't I?" He cried dramatically putting his head in his hands.

"Well unfortunately not literally screwed because if you were you wouldn't be so upset." She laughed.

"Now's who's making lame jokes?" he asked shaking his head.

"Yeah I've obviously been cooped up in here too long with you." The smiled at each other the earlier tension easing somewhat. His phone rang interrupting the moment.

"Oh if it isn't the she-devil herself." He muttered looking at the caller ID flashing up on his screen. He connected the call begrudgingly.

"Little sister so good to hear from you, it's been far too long." He said through gritted teeth.

"Oh please Niklaus enough with the fake pleasantries." He could almost see her rolling her blue eyes at him. "Just when I think you can't do anything more idiotic you go and prove me wrong."

"Well I'm so sorry I let you down Rebekah."

"Yes well it isn't like it's the first time. When I spoke to Kol and Elijah they actually weren't that surprised by this latest stunt."

"You spoke to our brothers, what did they say?" He asked interested although not entirely sure he wanted to hear her response. He had been screening his calls and noticed he had a few missed ones from them both.

"Well Elijah was disapproving but that's hardly unusual." Klaus rolled his eyes it really was what he'd expected from his oldest and fairly uptight brother. "Kol on the other hand was majorly impressed said something along the lines of 'way to go big brother' which again is hardly unusual." Klaus laughed he could always count on his youngest brother Kol to be on his side.

"You haven't said anything to the media have you?" He asked slightly worried about his sister's ability to say exactly what she thought.

"I don't think I've ever heard you this worried brother." She said pausing briefly to increase his discomfort. "Don't worry I've been on a flight the majority of the time and will keep my mouth shut, for now anyway." She threatened. He released a breath he didn't even know he was holding.

"Thanks Rebekah." He said almost sincerely. "Our publicists are working on a joint statement now and then..."

"So when do I get to meet my new sister-in-law?" She interrupted her short attention span kicking in.

"Well, well I didn't know you were such a fan of her music Rebekah." He said surprised.

"No that sort of music does nothing for me, I just wanted to meet her and tell her what an absolute idiot she is for marrying you."

"Well she's here with me now if you want to tell her yourself." He muttered. She really was unbelievable sometimes.

"The phone just seems far too impersonal for an intricate conversation like that Nik."

"Of course it is, well what a shame you're miles away and can't be here to do that in person." He said relieved at the distance between them.

"Oh no I've come to Las Vegas to comfort my big brother in his time of need." She laughed. "I've actually just landed."

"Oh god!" He uttered not realising he'd said it aloud. Caroline looked at him trying to work out what had happened to get him so upset.

"Oh and here I was thinking you'd be happy to see me Niklaus." She drawled. "Look I'll be at The Wynn call me when you've worked out your little statement." She said disconnecting abruptly.

"Great!" He moaned throwing his phone on the bed. He looked up hearing the door open. Damon and Elena had returned bickering away; they seemed to be quite good at that he thought.

"You'll be happy to know your food will be up shortly Caroline." Damon said smiling at the look of relief on her face. Elena handed her some clothes and she smiled at her gratefully going into the bathroom to change.

"So what did Rebekah have to say?" Bonnie asked finally connecting her call.

"Oh no you had the she-devil on the phone?" Damon asked looking sympathetically at Klaus.

"Well little sister has decided to come to Vegas and comfort me in my time of need." He muttered. "Don't worry she hasn't said anything, I'm going to call her once the statement is ready."

"You know this could be a good thing." Elena said thoughtfully.

"Okay obviously Elena here hasn't had the pleasure of meeting dear Rebekah." Damon said rolling his eyes at Klaus.

"Well I don't think you need to meet Rebekah Mikaelson to know she can be a little difficult." Elena said tactfully. "Anyway we can have you go out with her tonight, you know the newly married couple bonding with the family."

"Well I'm not sure how much bonding you can do with Rebekah, but I see your point." Damon conceded.

"Yeah she's right a nice happy family dinner to start the marriage, pity Kol and Elijah can't get here straight away from London to join the party." Bonnie said.

"No I think Klaus has been through enough the last twenty-four hours without having to subject him to lectures from both Elijah and Rebekah." Damon said. Caroline walked out freshly changed in a pair of skinny denim jeans and a deep blue shirt. Klaus paused to take in her appearance. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked, the colour of the shirt bringing out her big blue eyes.

"So what did I miss?" She asked curiously.

"You two are going to have dinner with Rebekah Mikaelson tonight, she's just dropped into town unexpectedly." Elena said.

"Really, do I have to Elena?" She complained. "Truthfully Klaus your sister kind of scares me and we've never even met."

"Yes Rebekah has that effect on most people, her reputation has a habit of preceding her." Damon said raising his eyebrows. "Look how about we all go probably doesn't hurt to have a few publicists on hand, not to mention me." He said confidently. Elena just rolled her eyes at his burgeoning ego.

"Stefan is on his way and I'll invite Katherine too; I said I'd call her back anyway." Caroline said wondering how the two girls would get along given their strong personalities.

"Hey maybe they'll get into a catfight and your little drunken marriage will be long forgotten." Damon said laughing at the image in his mind.

"Well we can only hope." Bonnie said shaking her head at Damon's comment. "Now Oprah's people are definitely interested, I've promised them an exclusive television interview but only if we have complete control over the questions."

"So when would that happen?" Damon asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon, you'll have to fly to LA for the taping." Bonnie said. "Now if you two are going to be seen by millions of people tonight we need some make-up and hair people here now." She said taking in their rough appearances. "I'll see if the hotel has anyone qualified enough to fix this mess." Klaus and Caroline looked at each other offended by her obvious insult.

"Well I'll get onto that statement then." Elena said determinedly. "Then it's show time." She exhaled deeply hoping her gamble would pay off.