"Quick Bite"

epic_sweetnes712 - Aw, I'm glad you liked it. I'm always a little self conscious about writing Tyler.
JaneA0202- Well, Rebekah is a bit vindictive. She may be wrong. But then again, Klaus is no gem either. We shall see... :)

I'm kind of a little bit fond of this chapter. It still shocks me that I can do this when I'm totally a Tyler/Caroline shipper. Teehee.

Chapter 6

Caroline followed Klaus into the sitting room of the mansion, cautiously. She spared a glance down the hall to where the ball room was, indulging in a moment of reminiscence. Twice now she had danced in there with him. She shook her head, forcing away her thoughts and, instead, focused on the situation at hand.

Klaus gestured for her to take a seat in the armchair Rebekah had previously inhabited. She looked at it, considerably, then shook her head.

"Not planning on staying that long."

"Fine."

Klaus settled back into the couch, legs stretched, feet crossed on top of the arm. He folded his hands over his chest, just below the V of his shirt – just below the triangle of bare chest that consistently taunted Caroline. He watched her eyes unconsciously follow.

"So what is it you wanted to tell me?"

She blinked and looked back up at him, a light heat crawling up her face. Klaus grinned, knowingly. Smooth, Caroline, she scolded herself. Real smooth.

"I came to decline your 'do-over date'," she said, disgruntled.

He looked stunned but played it off. "In person. How noble. And I'm guessing this has something to do with Tyler?"

"No. This is my choice. He actually wanted me to go," she blurted before she could stop herself. Damn. Why had she told him that?

Klaus sat up then, intrigued. "Perhaps I misjudged him." She rolled her eyes. "So, he told you 'go', yet here you are declining."

Caroline frowned. "'Hes my boyfriend, not my mother. It's my afterlife and I'm free to make any choice I want."

"No doubt," he stood, sauntering toward her. "You're very strong willed."

She watched him, carefully, as he drew nearer. Though her instincts were begging her to step back to regain personal space, she stayed, refusing to give Klaus the satisfaction. He was all about games. And ego. And she wasn't about to fuel the fire. He finally stopped, leaving mere inches between them. His eyes burned through her.

"It's one of the many things that...attracts me to you," he murmured, seductively.

Her heart skipped a beat. She blinked, keeping her eyes focused on his. Sure, on the exterior she was cool, calm and collected, but her head was swimming with dizzying thoughts. And he smelled so good. Please just let it be a cologne, she implored. If that was just how he smelled naturally, she was in so much trouble.

"Though I'm getting the feeling that it may be mutual," he grinned, noting her apparent reaction to his closeness.

Caroline scoffed. "You wish."

"Save your lies for someone younger, sweetheart." She opened her mouth to argue but he stopped her. "I can feel the change of pace in your heart anytime I draw near."

She blushed and pressed her lips together. "Maybe that's the fear."

"You're not afraid of me," he said quietly, his expression completely impassive.

She blinked again, too quickly. Not afraid? Yeah, right! After everything he'd done? Not to mention he was centuries old. He could kill her with little to no effort. Worse, though, he could probably seduce her just as well. If he wasn't, already. Yeah. She was afraid.

Sensing her unease, Klaus smiled and decided to end his toying with her. He walked a few steps away, clasping his hands together. Suddenly, she could breathe again.

"So what can I do to change your mind?" he asked.

"Nothing. I've already decided. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

"You'll find that I very rarely take 'no' for an answer."

"That doesn't surprise me," she rolled her eyes.

"Then answer the question." He raised a finger before she spoke and added teasingly, "Remember, no lying."

She shook her head, eyeing him suspiciously. "Why are you so insistent about this?"

"If you agree to the date, I'll tell you," he responded. He was gloating, knowingly.

She groaned. "You are so annoying."

He smiled, genuinely, dimples showing. "Keep telling yourself that, love."

"How about you tell me first and then I'll agree?" she suggested, stubbornly.

He let out a small huff, amused. "All right. Seeing as you're going to agree either way."

"Wow. Ego much?"

"Not really. I just generally tend to get what I want."

"That's only because you don't care what you do or who you hurt to get it."

His expression turned stoic. "I would never hurt you." She looked at him, skeptically. "I just want a fair chance at trying to win you over."

Caroline laughed in disbelief. "What? Like I'm some trophy or something?"

He grimaced. "That's not what I meant. At all."

"What makes you think you even deserve a chance?"

"Oh, I know I don't." The humor returned to his face. "But a hybrid can hope, right?"

"Depends on the hybrid," she replied, coolly.

His eyes narrowed. "You're making comparisons?"

"You're right. I couldn't compare you to Tyler if I wanted to."

"Possibly the biggest understatement of the century," he said, playfully.

She arched an eyebrow. "That must be something coming from such an ancient vampire."

"Ouch, ancient? Have a heart, sweetheart."

She tilted her head, slightly, suppressing a smile. "You think you're so charming."

"Get to know me," he grinned. "You'll see I'm so much more than that."

She stared at him wondering, What am I about to get myself into?

About twenty minutes later, Klaus was leading Caroline toward the front door. She had finally begrudgingly agreed to the 'do-over date', as he'd put it. Since he claimed to have held up his end of the bargain - which in her opinion was completely untrue - she had no choice. He said he'd wanted a fair chance. What kind of vague answer was that? He just couldn't leave her to live happily ever after with Tyler, as planned.

As if the fates were laughing in her face, when Klaus pulled open the door there was Tyler standing on the landing, eyes wide. He glanced back and forth between Klaus and Caroline.

"Tyler," Caroline greeted, eyebrows knit in confusion. She let out a short nervous laugh. "What are you doing here?"

"Rebekah told me you'd be here," he said, sullenly.

"Did she?" Klaus asked, suspiciously. "What else did she tell you?"

Caroline looked up at Klaus, then back to Tyler, waiting for his response. Tyler hung his head, dumbfounded. He looked back up at Caroline, eyes narrowed.

"I need to talk to you."

"Sure," she responded, still slightly confused.

She stepped out of the house, then stopped remembering Klaus. She huffed.

"What time should I be here tomorrow night?"

Tyler looked away, clearly irate. Klaus relished the moment.

"I'll come to you," he smirked.

"Fine. When should I expect you then?"

"Don't. The unexpected is much more exciting."

Unable to help herself, Caroline rolled her eyes and grinned. Next to her, Tyler shifted his weight to his other foot, growing impatient.

"Just tell me so I know when to be ready."

"You women and your primping," he said in mock annoyance.

"Klaus," she said, warningly.

"How about six?"

"Okay. Then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Looking forward to it."

Tyler was shaking his head, fed up. "Okay. You know what? Let's get one thing straight. This is my girlfriend that you're going on a date with. It's not okay, by any means."

Klaus stepped forward in Tyler's face. "Is this the part where you try to tell me to stay away from your girl?"

"I don't think I have to."

Klaus peered at him, considering. "Either you're very trusting or incredibly stupid."

Tyler angrily stepped forward, fists clenched. Caroline put a hand against his chest.

"Tyler, don't."

"Yes, Tyler," Klaus taunted. "Don't."

"You," Caroline glared at him. "Stop it before I change my mind."

Before it could get out of hand, she turned, slipping her arm in Tyler's, and pulled him away from the mansion. Klaus remained, staring daggers at Tyler's back as they walked away.