Inked & Marked

Chapter 4

She most definitely did not want to get up. The pillow under her head was soft, the covers comforting. There was a pleasant warmth that went from the tips of her toes to her cheeks and nose.

The smell of bacon made her open her eyes and sniff around. Who was cooking? It only took her a second to remember that Klaus had stayed the night.

She pushed the covers off and got up slowly, stretching her arms above her head and letting out a long yawn. She blinked a few times before throwing her feet over the side of the bed and padding over to the kitchen.

Sure enough, Klaus stood in her kitchen, moving from the stove to the fridge and the counter. He hadn't seemed to have heard her come in and only turned in her direction when she sat down on a bar stool.

"Good morning, love," he said with a smile.

She smiled back. "Morning, Klaus."

"How was your slumber?"

"Positively delightful," she replied, imitating his accent. He narrowed his eyes at her and smirked.

"Are you mocking me, Ms. Forbes?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, Mr. Mikaelson," she smiled and leaned forward on the counter. "What are you making?"

"As much of an English breakfast as I can," he said, gesturing towards the eggs, bacon, ham and potatoes he had made. "

"I've never had an English breakfast," Caroline mused as he placed her plate in front of her along with a glass of milk.

"Remind me to change that," he said before he could realize what he was saying. He focused on moving his own plate in front of her and getting them utensils so that he wouldn't have to look up at her face.

"Will do," she said. He tried to hide his surprise from her as he placed a fork and knife in front of her.

"Thank you," she said and started digging in to her breakfast. She went for the scrambled eggs first and then a bite of the potatoes. "Oh my god!" She moaned, her mouth still full. "What did you do to the potatoes?"

Klaus let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "It's all in the seasoning," he chuckled before having a bite himself. They were good.

She took a few bites of everything else before washing it down with a gulp of milk. "Well, you get full marks Mr. Mikaelson."

"I'm glad you like it."

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the meal as they both enjoyed the silence and the food. Klaus glanced up at Caroline a few times, admiring the way she looked in the morning.

Her hair was a mess. She had simply tucked the front strands behind her ears to keep it out of her face. There was no trace of make-up on her face and her skin looked even softer than it had the night before if that was even possible.

She looked rested and relaxed.

Caroline kept her eyes down on her plate as she ate. Everything was so good.

She tried not to scarf everything down and it proved to be a challenge. She was always really hungry in the mornings and having a whole feast laid out for her did not help her cause.

She looked up at Klaus twice- once when he went for his glass of milk and then again when he whipped his mouth with a napkin.

God, he was beautiful.

She had never wanted to kiss anyone as bad as she did then. His raspberry lips were insane.

And the stubble…

She wanted to run her fingers through that stubble. And through his curls. And over his broad shoulders, down to his ink covered forearms.

She shifted slightly in her seat, thoughts of Klaus sending heat straight to the area between her legs.

She reached for her glass and drank the last bit of milk left before letting out a sigh.

"That," she started. "Was delicious."

"I'm glad you liked it, sweetheart"

"I'll clear," Caroline said at the same time that Klaus said "I'll get the dishes."

Their eyes snapped up to each other at the same time and they were silent for a second before they both laughed.

"I'll wash, you dry?" Caroline proposed.

"Sure thing," Klaus said.

They stood side by side at the sink. Caroline would scrub the dishes, glasses, and pans that were used before handing them to Klaus who would rinse and dry them. They were done in no time. Klaus watched as Caroline whipped down the counters.

God, she had a glorious ass.

"So," she said, disposing of the paper towel she had been using.

"So," he replied in the same tone, leaning back against the counter and folding his arms over his chest.

"Oh, shit," she said under her breath, catching sight of the clock over his shoulder. "Don't you need to be at work by now?"

Klaus glanced behind him at the clock with displayed that it was a quarter past eleven.

He shrugged and looked back at Caroline's worried face. He swallowed when he saw that her bottom lip was secured tightly between her teeth. Fuck me.

"I called Rebekah and told her I would be a while. It's alright."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Well, I have to be at work in forty-five minutes." The confused look on Klaus's face prompted her to continue. "I work at a souvenir shop during the day, remember?"

"That's right," he nodded once.

"So, I'll just hop in the shower and change so I can head out. You can hang out if you want and we can head out together. I mean, if you want to. If you have to go now that's fine, too." She was babbling and she knew it but she couldn't stop.

"I'll hang out for a bit, maybe snoop around your flat," he said casually looking around.

She looked much more nervous than he had expected her to look but she played it off with a snort. "Alright, but whatever you do don't look under my bed," she winked before heading into the shower.

"Cheeky little thing," he mumbled to himself. He couldn't help but smile.

He couldn't help but reflect on their relationship as he dropped down on her couch with a sigh.

Of course they were only friends and he wished they could be more. But they couldn't. Not unless Caroline was totally okay with just having a physical relationship with him, which she probably wouldn't be.

Hell, he wouldn't be okay with just that.

But a real relationship? A serious one? That could never happen.

He was bound to fuck up. It had been tested and proven that he would fuck up.

And he couldn't do that with Caroline. He couldn't even think about them having a fall out and never getting to see her again.

They were in a safe zone right now, comfortable. And although not being able to touch her however he wanted or kiss her whenever he wanted hurt, not being around her would be worse.

Not being able to hear her voice or laugh with her. Not being able to catch the occasional whiff of her hair.

Peaches and cream.

God, she smelled delicious. Since the first day he had met her he had wanted to just bury his nose in her skin and stay there until he had his fill- which would be never.

She probably tasted just as good…

The door to the bathroom opened and he had to pick his jaw off the floor when Caroline stepped out. Wearing only a towel.

Was God testing his strength?

"Sorry," she muttered, flushing the most delicious shade of pink. It spread down her neck and over her chest and who knows where else. "I left my clothes in my room."

She excused herself and scurried into her room.

How could she have been so stupid?

Oh, that's right she had been totally distracted by Klaus that she had forgotten that she needed clothes after a shower. She could have worn her pajamas again but they were gross and slept in.

When she was safely behind the wall that covered her closet from the view of the rest of the apartment she waited a couple of seconds, catching her breath.

Then she quickly stripped down and got dressed at lightning speed, throwing on a white sun dress.

After applying BB cream and mascara she pinned back the front ends of her hair and grabbed a pair of wedges.

"Alright, I'm decent." She said coming around the corner. Klaus was still sitting on her couch, his hands folded and resting on his stomach.

"I'd say," he quipped and stood up.

"Shut up," Caroline mumbled and moved to slip her feet into her shoes. As she was getting the second one on Klaus came over and held her elbow to keep her balanced.

"Thanks," she smiled up at him as she successfully slipped on her second shoe before righting herself. "Let's go."

"Let's."

She grabbed her bag and keys from the table where she had left it the night before and soon she and Klaus were on the sidewalk in front of her building, walking towards Collins Avenue.

"This streets looks way less sketchy in the daylight," Klaus said looking around.

"Doesn't everything?" Caroline laughed.

"No, some things look horrendous in the daylight," he said seriously, his eyes focused front. Caroline looked up at him and he smirked a little so she knew it was meant to be a joke. She let out a short laugh.

They reached the corner in no time and they both stopped.

"Well," Caroline started. "I go this way," she pointed to the left with her thumb.

"And I go this way," Klaus motioned to the right with a jerk of the head.

"So, I'll see you tonight?" Why was she asking? Nothing had changed between them.

"Of course."

"Okay," she nodded and took a step to the left. "So you later, Klaus."

"'Till then, Caroline," he said, taking a step to the right.

With one last smile she turned and started walking towards her job, smiling as she went. Klaus watched after her for a couple of seconds, smiling, too.

"Okay," Rebekah said when Klaus had come up to collect his third tip of the day. "What is up with your face?"

"What?" He asked, looking down at her.

"You've been smiling literally all day- it's starting to freak us out."

"Us?" Klaus questioned.

"Yes- Kol, Damon, Stefan and I. You never smile."

"Yes I do," he was frowning now.

"No," she said, emphasizing the word. "You don't. You smirk and glare and smolder but you never smile. Up until recently, that is."

"Rebekah," he scoffed. "That's ridiculous."

"Wait," she held up a finger. "You weren't here this morning, you came in looking like you owned the world, you're smiling…" She tapped her manicure finger nail on her chin as she made each point. "Well, smack my ass! You got laid!"

"Ew, Bekah," he pulled a face.

"I've been spending too much time with Kol," she grumbled but then waved her hand, dismissing it. "But that's not the point. Who is she?"

"I didn't get laid, Bekah."

"Bullshit," she fired back.

"Take all my cards because I. Haven't. Slept. With. Anyone."

She glared at him but her eyes darted back and forth, searching his face and body language for any signs of a lie. "You're telling the truth."

"Thank you!" He threw his hands up.

"But don't think this is over, Niklaus. You're hiding something and I'm gonna find out what it is."

He let his hands fall to smack himself in the forehead. "Nothing is going on, Bekah," he said, keeping his voice neutral and annoyed.

"Mhm," she said, unconvinced. "Your next client will be here soon."

"What-the-fuck-ever," he said over his should and walked back to his station.

Tonight was a busy night, even busier than the night before. It probably had to do with the fact that it was Friday and there was a game on. Game nights were always the busiest.

"Caroline, get this to table six. But hurry back, there's a huge order for tables nine, ten and eleven."

Caroline looked through the small window that let them see out to the busy establishment. Tables nine, ten and eleven had been pushed together to accommodate a large group. She groaned and took table six their food before speed walking back to get the other order.

She was juggling four orders of nachos and two burgers and fries. And that wasn't even close to half of the order. After making various trips she was able to get everyone their food and drink.

As she walked away, one of the guys sitting at the table called out after her.

"Yes," she turned and smiled. The guy had one hand up, signaling that he was the one who had called her.

"Can I get another beer?" He slurred slightly. She could tell that he was on the brink of being drunk but he was still buzzed, enough to know what he was doing.

"Coming right up," she replied and went over to the bar to get one for him. "Here you go," she said, handing him the beer. He traded it for his full glass of water. The ice in it had melted already.

"Thanks, sweetness," he slurred. Caroline turned and the next thing she knew someone gave her left butt cheek a hard slap and a firm grab. She stopped, her eyes going wide.

She turned around to find the buzzed-but-not-drunk guy high fiving and knuckle touching the rest of his buds. When he looked up at her, she threw the glass of cold water in his face.

"What the fuck, bitch!" He screamed and got up from his chair so fast it flew back. He stepped up to her and got in her face but Caroline didn't back down. "Who the fuck do you think you are!?" He grabbed her arm, hard. Caroline reared her hand and slapped him. Hard.

"Whoa, whoa!" Logan, the owner of the bar, came running in and stepped between them. "What's going on here?"

"She just threw a glass of cold water at me!"

Logan looked at Caroline, waiting for an explanation.

"He grabbed my ass!"

"No I didn't!" Buzzed-but-not-drunk guy shot back. What the fuck?

A chorus of "Dude, he didn't" and "Man, nothing happened" came from the guys at the table. What the fuck times two.

"Yes, he did." Caroline didn't yell this time. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked Logan straight in the eye as she spoke.

Logan looked torn. His eyes kept moving back and forth from Caroline to the other guy and back. He huffed.

"Caroline," he said slowly. "I think you should leave."

"What?" She asked incredulously. "You're firing me?"

"Caroline," Logan said slowly. "Go. Now." He didn't actually say the words but Caroline knew she was fired.

Without another word she turned on her heal, pushing the door to the employee room open and grabbing her stuff from her locker. As she was walking out the back she took off her apron and shoved it in another employee's hand.

When she stepped out into the night, she suddenly hated that she was in Miami. Back in Mystic Falls at this time of the year it would be colder and the cool air would clear her thoughts.

The humid night made her antsy.

What would she do now?

She looked down at her small watch and realized that it was only ten o'clock.

She took a deep breath and then pushed it out her nose. She started walking in the direction of her apartment having nowhere else to go.

Suddenly she felt a little panicked. She would usually pass by Sired Tattoos at one in the morning, not at ten at night. Would Klaus even be there?

The thought of walking home alone scared her a little which was ridiculous because within the first few weeks of her job she walked home alone every night.

But she was used to having Klaus walk with her now. Not knowing whether he would be there made her feel extremely uneasy.

She crossed the street and reached the corner where she would usually turn and see Klaus. A small part of her was expecting to see him there, standing outside the shop and waiting for her.

But he wasn't. There was a lot of people on the side walk. Well, a lot compared to the amount of people on the streets at one in the morning.

She slowed down as she reached the tattoo parlor, her heart slamming against her chest, her breathing a little heavy. The adrenaline that had been pumping through her system during her little confrontation mixed with the anxiety of not seeing Klaus made her feel like she was about to have a heart attack.

The lights in the shop were on and when she tried the door she found it unlocked. As she walked in a female voice sounded through the room.

"We're closed!" The blonde from behind the desk called out.

Caroline stood at the door for a second. The girl peaked over the counter before standing up. "How may I help you?"

"Uh," Caroline started and then remembered that she had the ability to walk. "Is, uh- Klaus here?" Her voice was shaky and she was having slight issues breathing.

"Who's asking?" The blonde asked. By then Caroline had stepped up to the counter completely. "Oh! Hello, Caroline! What are you doing here?"

"Uh," Caroline started lamely, trying to remember the girl's name. Renee? No… Rebekah! "Hi, Rebekah. I was just looking for Klaus."

"Klaus!" Rebekah yelled towards the back of the store, causing Caroline to jump a little.

"What the hell do you want now, Rebekah Marie Mikaelson?" His voice boomed through the shop as he came around the corner from the back room. He looked extremely annoyed up until he caught sight of Caroline.

He crossed shop in only a few large strides before he was right next to her.

"Caroline, what are you doing here?"

"I- well. I was at work and then," she huffed, forcing her eyes closed for a second and running over the memory of the drunk guy. "Logan was such a dick and-"

She felt Klaus's hand slip in to hers and he pulled her towards the back of the shop. But he didn't stop there- he pushed the back door and led her to the alley behind the parlor.

Rebekah watched from her desk, smirking and feeling smug. "Not hiding anything, my ass."

"Caroline, tell me what happened."

"I got fired," she huffed, looking down at her feet.

"What? Why? What happened?"

"Nothing! I was just doing my job and this guy that I was serving, he just…" she trailed off and closed her eyes again, running her hand over her forehead. She was sweating.

"Tell me what happened, Caroline." Klaus prompted, squeezing her hand slightly.

"I, I brought him a beer and when I turned he-" she swallowed and scratched her temple frantically. "He slapped and grabbed my butt and then I threw a glass of water at him and then he-" she stopped, breathing becoming too hard. "Then he, he grabbed my arm."

"Caroline, look at me," Klaus's voice was calm and she did as he asked, letting her eyes open and settle on his. He was bent over slightly so that his eyes were level with hers. "Did you run here?"

She shook her head quickly. She still couldn't breathe. Her chest felt like it was collapsing in on itself and she was having trouble staying still.

"Caroline, focus on me," Klaus said softly, reaching up to take her other hand and settling it at her side. He moved his hands up so that they were resting on either side of her face, keeping her focused on him. "Breathe, baby."

Caroline took in a long ragged breath, trying desperately to fill her lungs which now felt way too small for her body. She exhaled a shaky breath. Her panicked state and the fact that he had just called her baby made it hard to breathe.

Klaus pulled her down, her back sliding against the brick wall until she reached the ground and sat on the concrete.

"Breathe," he repeated sitting down in between her legs. "Breathe and focus on my eyes. Tell me about them."

"Huh?" She said, letting out another uneasy breath.

"What color are they?"

"Blue," she said quickly.

"Breathe," he reminded her. "What else?"

"Blue like the sky." Inhale, exhale. "Like the ocean."

"Breathe, baby, breathe," he encouraged. "What else?"

"They're like- like sapphires." Inhale, exhale. "Azure."

"Good. Breathe, just like that." His thumbs made small circles over her cheeks as he let his forehead fall to hers, both of their eyes still focused on each other.

When she would breathe in, he would let out a breath and vice versa.

Caroline didn't know how long they stayed there. All she knew was that with each passing breath, her heartbeat slowed and her body calmed.

Her hands, which had been balled up into fists at her sides, slacked and she felt every muscle up her arms ache. She reached up and held on to Klaus's forearms, closing her eyes and letting out a deep breath.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Better," she breathed, opening her eyes again. He pulled away from her slightly, only enough to separate their foreheads. "What just happened?"

"You had a panic attack."

"What?" She asked, her voice raised.

"Shh," Klaus shushed her, one of his hands moving to the back of her neck. "Don't think about anything right now."

"How can I not?" She felt her chest tighten a little again and Klaus saw the anxiety creeping up in her eyes.

"Remember, focus on my eyes." She did. She breathed and focused. His eyes were so beautiful.

"I'm going to walk you home now, Caroline." He said but didn't move until she nodded. He stood up and then helped her to her feet.

The walk to her apartment was quiet and slow. Klaus kept his hand in hers and would run his thumb over her skin every once in a while.

When they reached her building and she opened the front door he accompanied her in and all the way to her apartment. He was going to leave her then but she held on to his hand so he followed her in.

"I'm going to shower," she said and he nodded.

She went into her room and grabbed her pajamas while he sat in her living room.

Ten minute later she was out, her hair damp. One look at her and he knew she was ready to go to bed.

He followed her into her room and helped her under the covers. He was about to wish her a good night when she spoke up.

"Stay," she croaked. Deja vu.

"Of course," he nodded. "I'll be on the couch if you need me."

"No," she shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. "Stay with me."

Klaus looked down at her completely dumbfounded for about five seconds before he began toeing off his boots. He removed his belt and hung it over the iron railing at the foot of her bed. He grabbed his Henley by the back of the neck and pulled it over his head, leaving that at the foot of her bed as well.

He had a white wife beater on.

He walked around her bed and climbed in under the covers. She turned to lay on her side facing him and he did the same.

He reached over and pushed her drying hair behind her ear.

"Good night, Klaus." She said, her eyes already closed. Her breathing had evened out and he knew she was already half asleep. He didn't blame her, she had had a trying day.

"Good night, Peaches," he said before he could think about what had come out of his mouth. Caroline didn't make any sign that she had heard him so he let out a sigh of relief.

Where had that come from?

He took in a deep breath, the smell of her pillow, her covers, her, danced around him.

Peaches and cream.

Oh...yeah.

Phew!

Hello, lovelies :) Happy New Year!

I can't believe it's 2015! Time flies when you're having fun :)

Anyways, not much to say except... do you feel a nickname coming on? I certainly do.

Oh wait! I wanted to just take a minute to thank you all for the comments on last chapter! They are seriously my favorite. Some of you guys gave me great ideas for to incorporate into this story in future chapters, some others were just flat out hilarious :)

Love y'all and see y'all next Saturday!

~M