My apologies for not updating for so long. It's been a busy couple of weeks, but to make up for it here's this super duper long chapter :D Hope you guys enjoy it, and once again thanks to everyone who left reviews. Honestly every single one of them serves as my motivation to continue this, and I was blown away by your reactions to the last chapter xD Glad you all liked the Julius Plec thing. Sorry for any typos... I'm not a pro writer, but I try my best.

Chapter 6

Caroline woke up in her new accommodations feeling completely rejuvenated. She'd finally had her first proper night's sleep since her arrival on the ship. After dinner, Klaus had once again offered to let her stay in his cabin. The nights she spent on the brig convinced her to finally take him up on that offer, and so he escorted her to one of his many guest rooms before retreating to his own quarters.

The room wasn't very spacious, but it had just enough room for a wardrobe, vanity, and a simple canopy bed which Caroline had immediately collapsed onto once she was left alone. She didn't even bother taking off her dress. As soon as she made contact with the soft, comfortable mattress, the previous sleepless nights finally caught up to her and she dozed off within a few minutes.

Now fully awake, she was able to process the previous night's events; her dinner with Klaus, the brief glimpse behind the mask he wore. A glimpse of a man deprived of genuine compassion, a man who had been severely corrupted by the world, but surely not to the point where he couldn't be saved.

"Wow Caroline," she muttered to herself. "This is so like you. Always trying to find good in people, even when there is none to be found." Klaus and his charming words and kind gestures were beginning to get under Caroline's skin, making her forget the real reason she was here in the first place. She was his prisoner, his ticket to freedom and nothing more.

And then she remembered their conversation about their destination. Atlantis…the mythological sunken city of untold riches. At first, Caroline thought he was joking, but as he went more in depth about how the moonstone would serve as a key to opening the gates to the lost city, Caroline realized that he was dead serious. She was beginning to think that the constant exposure to the sun was taking its toll on the men of this ship. All this talk of superstition, stones that possessed magical properties and nonexistent treasures was beginning to give her a headache.

Caroline hauled herself out of bed, making her way towards the wardrobe, hoping that there might be something more comfortable to wear than the gown she was wearing. She opened the wardrobe only to find what she had expected… men's clothing. Nothing too fancy, just what was convenient for the sea-sailing lifestyle. There were different pairs of boots, breeches, linen shirts, slops, stockings, waist coats, belts, and other pirate accessories. Caroline contemplated just wearing the gown, but thought better of it. She grabbed a linen shirt that was the closest to her size and held it before her in front of the mirror.

"Oh dear," she breathed.

Later in the afternoon, Caroline finally stepped out of the cabin and was welcomed with the bustling sight of the crew as they followed the orders being barked at them from Klaus. She was extremely self conscious in her tight fitted attire, and was trying to avoid being seen all day, but Caroline couldn't stay cooped up for long. She figured that tightly fitted clothing was a necessity for pirates due too the fact that loose clothing would prove to be too dangerous when performing tasks such as climbing the riggings. It was convenient for them, but certainly not for her.

"All hands to stations! Luff the sails and lay her in the irons," Klaus shouted as he made his way along the deck towards Caroline. He inspected each man's work carefully and then stopped in front of a man tying ropes to the mast. "Mr. Fell, can you please explain to me what the meaning of this is?"

"I-I don't know what you mean Cap'n," the poor man was cowering beneath Klaus like a cornered dog.

"Your roping is absolutely preposterous; it will have to be done again, perfectly. I can assure that you'll deeply regret disappointing me, mate. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Cap'n" he replied, barely audible.

"Is that understood!" Klaus roared.

"Aye Aye Cap'n" the man shouted back, his voice trembling. Klaus smiled in contentment, and proceeded back towards Caroline's direction, who was now looking at him disapprovingly. Matty's words about Klaus taking every opportunity to exercise his power resurfaced to the forefront of her mind.

"Why do you always have to prove you're the alpha male?" she fumed, her bright blue eyes narrowed and condemning.

"I don't have to prove anything, love. I am the alpha male." Klaus stood before her, looking her up and down with an amused smirk. She wore a white linen shirt tucked into men's breeches which hugged her long slender legs wonderfully. "My, my Miss Forbes. Leave it to you to make pirate apparel… pleasing to the eye," he hummed. Caroline rolled her eyes.

"Please, save the petty compliments for someone who cares." Klaus let out a hearty laugh. Clearly he'd have to put a little more effort in thawing out Caroline's coldness towards him. This young beauty would surely be a challenge, but oh how he enjoyed the challenge. She never seized to amazing him with her strength, and confidence.

"Land ho!" the man in the crow's nest shouted, and Klaus made his way up the steps to the helm.

"Prepare to drop anchor, gentlemen, and make way for Tortuga!" Klaus shouted. The entire crew started to cheer, some throwing their hats in the air in excitement. Caroline couldn't help but feel a little anxious. She'd heard stories about places like Tortuga; territories that were dominated by pirates, and had no form of government enforcement what so ever. She could only imagine what sort of ruckus she was about to face, and yet a part of her felt something just short of excitement.

The sun was beginning to set once they finally reached port. Half of the men stayed on board to resupply, and Stefan, whom Caroline later learned was Klaus's first mate, stayed to supervise as Klaus and a few of his men set out to look for a man named Jamie. Caroline had been forced to tag along, for Klaus didn't want her out of his sight. He knew how clever she was, and didn't trust anyone with her. If left in the hands of Stefan she would no doubt find a way to escape. He knew that it was unlikely, but still. At least if she was away from the docks, she'd have no way to escape, nor any incentive to. She'd be in the middle a pirate town filled with men willing to do unspeakable things to her, and if she knew what was good for her she'd know that staying by Klaus's side would be the safest option.

Klaus, Caroline, Matty, Logan Fell, and a few other crew men, made their way through the filthy narrowed streets. Occasionally Klaus would stop to ask a passerby for the man Jamie's whereabouts, until finally they were sent to a small little black smith's shop. Caroline noticed how men and women tended to stray away once they saw Klaus and his crew approaching; they'd take a detour to another street, or just turn back all together. She was surprised that the streets were so calm and empty, but then figured that the pirates came out to play long after the sun went down.

The ringing sound of metal hitting metal indicated that they were at the right place. Klaus stopped just in front of the shop before turning to look at Caroline and Matty.

"Matty, you'll watch over Miss Forbes. Best she stays out here… incase things get a little messy." The coldness of his tone sent shivers down Caroline's spine, and as Klaus and a few of his men made their way into the shop, she fought the urge to follow after them and stop Klaus from whatever he was about to do to the poor unsuspecting black smith.

"What are they going to do to him?" Caroline asked wearily. She could see from the way Matty's face twisted that he wasn't comfortable answering her question. "Perhaps it is best I don't ask?" Matty nodded apologetically.

"James Bennett… my, my it has been too long my friend," Klaus smirked as he curiously wandered about the shop, some of his crewmen blocking the exits while others circled around Jamie, who had a red hot blade, and hammer still in his hand. He contemplated using it, but his efforts would have gone to waste. He was thoroughly outnumbered.

"Niklaus…" he greeted. "What is it you want from me?" Klaus balanced one of Jamie's crafted blades in his hand.

"I want some information about your sister," Jamie tightened his jaw at the mention of his sister. "What hole does she hide herself in these days?"

"I'm not telling you anything," Jamie spat, and as if on cue, the men encircling him all had pistols aimed at his head. Klaus took his attention away from the blade in his hand, and fixed his deadly gaze on Jamie.

"Oh I think you will, mate. See, 'cause if you don't my men will be left with no choice but to blow your brains out… and then who will be left to take care of your little old mummy, eh?" Jamie dropped his gaze to the ground realizing that Klaus had left him with no choice. "I can find your sister's whereabouts one way or another, but it'd be much easier for both of us if you just cooperate. So… let's try this again shall we?" Klaus suggested with fake enthusiasm. "Where's Bonnie?"

Jamie remained silent for a few moments; reluctant to give away his sister's location, but knowing that if he didn't he'd leave his mother with nothing. His job as a black smith was barely enough to provide for the both of them, but he was his mother's only source of income. Without him, she'd have no one to let her in, and would be left for dead.

Klaus stared at him expectantly, his patience clearly growing thin, and Jamie finally spoke up. "Last I heard of her she was in Barbados. Goes by the name of Quetsia," he mumbled. "That's all I know."

"That's all we needed to know," Klaus grinned and motioned for his men to drop back. Klaus followed after the crewmen, taking Jamie's blade with him. "Send my regards to Mrs. Bennett."

Caroline was relieved when Klaus finally came out of the shop. She heard no screams which meant that his encounter with the black smith turned out to be a cooperative one.

"Did it all go well with the black smith Cap'n?" Matty asked curiously.

"Indeed. Tomorrow we set sail for Barbados… Tonight we enjoy what Tortuga has to offer." All the men, including Matty, cheered, pushing and shoving each other like madmen. Klaus noticed Caroline's weariness and made his way towards her as the men made a beeline towards the bars, leaving the two trailing behind.

"You're with us now Miss Forbes," Klaus walked alongside Caroline, his hands behind his back. "It's alright to let yourself have a bit of fun… there's no one here to judge you for any indecencies," he teased. Caroline spared him a sideways glance, not feeling too keen towards Klaus's presence. She wanted to have as much distance between each other as possible. She didn't like the uneasiness that settled inside her whenever she was around him.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you're trying to corrupt me, Captain," she crossed her arms. Klaus gave her a wide grin.

"I'm afraid your fire is too bright to extinguish, love. Your will is too strong to be corrupted," his voice softened. "I'm simply saying that you don't have to pretend anymore. There's no need to hold up your façade of properness here… you're free." Caroline raised a brow at him. "Figuratively speaking of course," he smirked.

The bar was nothing like anything Caroline had ever seen. Even the wildest of parties Caroline had attended were nothing compared to this recreational chaos. The bar was dim lit, stuffed with men and women alike, laughing, drinking, gambling, dancing, singing, and scuffling. There were two drunken men shoving each other, and one was sent flying across the room almost knocking Caroline down if it weren't for Klaus pulling her out of the way.

"Matty," he called, still gripping Caroline's elbow. Matty rushed his way towards his Captain. "You're on babysitting duty, mate. Make sure she doesn't get herself killed."

"Aye-aye Captain," Matty grumbled. Klaus was gone before Caroline could manage to protest.

"I'm sorry," Caroline sighed. "I'm sure you don't get that many nights of leisure, and I hate to be a burden." Matty smiled slightly, and shrugged.

"No need for apologies Miss. The night isn't over yet, and I'm sure we can still manage to have some fun." Caroline smirked, and Matty realized how his choice of words could have a double meaning. "I… tha-that's not what I meant," he stammered.

"No need for apologies," Caroline smiled.

A young woman with long curly brown hair, tanned skin, and hazel eyes walked up behind Matty. "Who's this?" she asked, with the same Irish accent as Matty. She eyed Caroline with distaste, and she suddenly felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb among all the women in the bar. They all had tight fitted dresses with plunging necklines, while Caroline was dressed in men's clothing.

"Oh, uh, Vicki this is Caroline, Caroline this is my sister Vicki."

"Charmed, I'm sure," Caroline gave Vicki a tight lipped smile.

"The governor's daughter… I'm surprised Klaus let's his captives out and about. He should know better." Caroline glared, remembering how Matty got in a fight with Damon over this wench. She couldn't believe the two were even remotely related, let alone brother and sister.

"Victoria," Matty chided. "Please…" Vicki rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure the two of you don't plan on just standing here all night. Come on," Vicki motioned for them to follow, and the three of them made their way across the bar to a small table in the corner.

"Three cold ones, dearie?" Matty asked the barmaid in a flirtatious manner.

"You drink?" Caroline gave Vicki a long hard look. "My mistake. I forgot, you rich English folk are too good to have any form of fun." Klaus's words came flooding back from Caroline's memory. It's alright to let yourself have a bit of fun… there's no one here to judge you for any indecencies. The barmaid came back with three large mugs of cold beer.

"Drink up, love." Matty urged, pushing one of the mugs towards Caroline. What would your father say if he saw you now, Caroline, her conscious whispered. Caroline tightened her jaw, gripped the glass, brought it up to her lips, and started chugging. The fluid tasted bitter, and it was mighty cold, but Caroline kept downing it until there wasn't a single drop left. Vicki and Matty stared at her in bewilderment.

"Well dye a duckling blue, I didn't know you had it in ya, darling!" Matty chuckled, taking a long gulp of his beer.

Caroline slammed the mug down on the table, a smug smile plastered on her face. She looked straight across the room and saw a couple of men at a gambling table. She spotted Klaus, enjoying himself as he robbed his fellow players of all their loot. Surely he must be cheating, she thought. Caroline caught her breath once Klaus's eyes locked with hers, a hint of interest lingering beneath them as he noted Caroline's emptied mug. He smirked and held up his glass, saluting her.

"Another?" Matty's voice brought Caroline back to the table, and she tore her gaze away from Klaus's.

"I supposed one more couldn't hurt," she said sheepishly.

Hours passed and one more glass turned into four or five more glasses. Vicki had gone off to dance with some bloke, and left Caroline and Matty alone, both too drunk to function. Caroline had been creepily watching Klaus from a distance for the past hour, trying to sort out her thoughts. She wanted more than anything to believe that Klaus was a vile man with not a drop of humanity in him, but she knew that wasn't the case. Perhaps it's time you stop holding up your own façade, Klaus…

"You've been staring at the Captain for quite some time there miss," Matty observed. "No need to worry about him, he may be the big bad wolf, but he won't hurt you… not here at least."

"I'm not… afraid of him," Caroline admitted. "Just… trying to understand, how you all live like this… with him? I stepped on that ship not even five minutes, and he already murdered a man right before my eyes. He threatens an innocent man for information, he kidnaps me from my family, and I don't think it ends there. I can only imagine what things he's done before I came on board."

"It sounds to me like you're trying to justify… not understand," Matty looked at Caroline with glassy eyes. He was drunk but he wasn't stupid. "It sounds to me like you fancy the Captain, and you're trying to justify all the reasons why you shouldn't."

"Don't be absurd. I don't fancy him," Caroline snapped. How could she develop feelings for a pirate; the same pirate who had kidnapped her no less. If Caroline felt anything at all for Klaus, it was sympathy. "A part of me feels like the boy I saved all those years ago, is still in there somewhere. I've seen him appear once or twice, but I'm afraid Klaus has buried him far too deep to turn back now, and it saddens me… that is all."

Matty raised a brow at her sluggishly. "Captain Niklaus is still the same boy you met all those years ago, Miss Forbes. The source of his darkness goes back long before either of us met him," he looked over at Klaus's direction then back at Caroline's.

"What do you know about his past…" Caroline asked curiously.

"All I know is that, he ran off as a kid. Left everything behind, and it wasn't much I can tell you that. Us pirates we don't live this life by choice… life deals us cards, and we play them the best way we can." Caroline stared at the glass before her lost in thought. "You're right to bite back your feelings for him, darlin'. Even if they haven't fully developed it's best to turn back now before you're too far gone. Pretty soon we'll be done with our expedition, and you'll be returned to your father, Klaus will take his ransom and freedom and you'll never see him again."

Matty was right. Soon Caroline would be traded back to her father, and she'd never have to see Klaus again. He'd disappear and soon enough she'd forget about him and he'd forget about her.

"I... I'm feeling a little sick. I'm going to get some fresh air, and see if it passes," Caroline got up from the table, which turned to be more of a chore than she had expected.

"I'll go with yo—"

"No, it's fine. I wouldn't want you to see me vomit. You may never look at me the same," she laughed and made her way towards the back exit of the bar, stumbling about. She finally made her way outside, immediately spotting Klaus and Vicki entangled together; Vicki's legs wrapped around his waist, and Klaus's lips pressed against her neck; the two were still clothed for the most part.

Caroline gasped and covered her eyes. "Sorry… I…" she turned back around and went back into the bar, bumping into a few people on the way towards Matty.

Klaus spotted Caroline, and cursed himself. "Bloody hell…" He pushed Vicki away a bit roughly, and fixed his breeches. Of all people that could've walked in on them it had to be Caroline.

"Hey, you feelin' better there darlin'?" Matty asked once Caroline sat down at the table. She nodded quickly, still in shock with what she had just seen. Turned out Vicki really was a harlot, but who was she to judge Klaus's taste in women. It wasn't her business. Matty looked around the room, noticing his sister was no where to be found.

"I wonder where Vicki went off too…"

"I-I don't know…" Caroline said nervously. She couldn't bring herself to tell Matty his Captain was sleeping with his sister. Matty eyed Caroline suspiciously for a moment, and Caroline looked away fearing her eyes would betray her.

"She's probably headed home," Matty shrugged and watched as an attractive red headed barmaid made her way over. "Avast, me beauty… wanna know why my roger is so jolly?" The red headed woman shot Matty a cold glare and stormed past him. Caroline tried, to no avail, not to laugh at Matty's attempts at seducing women.

"Is that really the best you got, mate?" Klaus scoffed, and sat beside Caroline who was forcing her cheeks not to redden. He took a gulp of Matty's half filled mug, and spotted another barmaid making her way past. Klaus grabbed her hand, gently pulling her back. "Hello, love. What's your name?"

"Abigail," she answered with a small smile, clearly not bothered with Klaus's touch.

"Well, Abigail… I'd love to drop anchor in your lagoon," he winked. Abigail giggled quietly, and pulled her hand away.

"You're more than welcome too, Captain Mikaelson. Perhaps after I'm finished working." Klaus nodded and Abigail returned to work.

"And that's how it's done," Klaus grinned deviously at Matty, who was nodding in approval.

"I don't know how you do it… must be the accent." Caroline's nerves were off the roof, and she attempted to drown them out with another sip of her beer. Klaus's attention averted back to the blonde beauty.

"Miss Forbes, you seem a little uncomfortable. Has Tortuga proven to be too much for you to handle?" he teased. Caroline knew exactly what the meaning behind his words was, and she wasn't going to let Klaus embarrass her for the sake of his own amusement. She turned and looked at him straight in the eyes. Her face inches away from his. Perhaps it was the booze that had pushed her over the edge, otherwise she would have just dropped the subject, and let Klaus have his fun.

"Well it certainly hasn't proved to be anything I wasn't expecting. A little mediocre if you ask me…" Caroline smiled mockingly before adding, "for a pirate town, of course."

Klaus smiled at Caroline in fascination. Her fiery spirit was refreshing, and looking at her, her lips inches away from his, he was losing his mind with want. Perhaps it was the booze that had clouded his judgment at that moment. What was the worst she could do? Slap him?

Just as he was set on leaning in to close the space between their lips, the music had changed tempo and Matty interrupted.

"Irish music!" he stated joyfully. Caroline pulled away from Klaus Matty got up and made his way to the center of the bar, to join in on the dancing. Vicki had resurfaced, and the two of them danced away, reliving the memories from their old homeland.

Caroline stared down at her mug, feeling Klaus's burning gaze on her. She tightened her jaw, "Can we please forget about the indiscretion that just happened… I would highly appreciate it."

"Fair enough. We can talk about something else if you so wish. Like… your prospects for the future, things you enjoy."

"Actually, I'd prefer if we not talk at all," she muttered "And I'd also appreciate it if you stopped with the charades. We both no you're not one for chit chat unless there's something in it for you."

"Someone once told me that not every act has to have a motive," he repeated her words. Caroline turned to look at his dark blue eyes, her brow furrowed. "Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps I just want your company because I find you intriguing?" He spoke low, and intimate. She searched his expression for any deception, but his sincerity was evident.

"You're drunk."

"And you're beautiful," he countered. Klaus watched her reaction, a small part of him hoping to see some sort of credibility. He meant what he was saying, and he wanted her to know that.

His words almost shook her, but the image of him and Vicki returned, and she was brought back to reality. Klaus was disappointed to see Caroline's expression turn cold again.

"Just so we're clear… Unlike the dirty wenches you're so used to having at our disposal, I'm too smart to be seduced by you," she narrowed her eyes.

"That's why I like you…" Klaus couldn't believe the words escaped his mouth. He didn't really believe that statement until he said it out loud. Miss Forbes had grown on him, that much was certain, but he couldn't afford to start feeling sentimental. She was his captive, and his means to freedom. He couldn't complicate things by letting himself care for her.

"I…" Caroline got up, wanting to get as far away from Klaus as she could. She needed to clear her mind. She didn't know why she was so taken by his words. It wasn't like he had declared his love for her, he just affirmed that he was capable of caring, which made it that much harder for her to peg him as the devil in human form. "I need some air."

"I don't think that's a good idea," he protested. Couldn't she have five minutes to herself without having someone nagging her about it?

"I'm not a child Klaus, I can take care of myself for a few minutes." She rushed towards the front exit, pushing through the doors of the bar. There wasn't anyone in sight, except for a few horses stationed in front of the bar. Caroline shuffled over to one of the horses, stroking its mane endearingly.

"Why does he have to make everything so hard?" she whispered. She wished with all her might that she could hate him, that she could believe there was no good in him. Why did it even matter to her? Why did he even matter to her?

"Because he accepts you…" she spoke to herself. All her life she was told what to do, what to dress, how to act. She was a puppet to those closest to her. They all molded her into what they wanted her to be. You don't have to pretend anymore. There's no need to hold up your façade of properness here… you're free. Klaus was the first person who let her be who she was.

Caroline was so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed the man coming up behind her, with a large rock raised up in the air. She suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, and then darkness. All she saw was darkness as her vision quickly started to blacken, and she was carried off into the depths of Tortuga.

And so the action begins :D Super excited to write the next couple of chapters. Don't wanna be a spoiler, but things will get pretty juicy, and we might possibly have new characters introduced. Not sure when the next update will be, but I hope I can get it out this week. Leave reviews with your thoughts!