The last few weeks at the academy had passed without much drama. Caroline had kept up with all her course work. She'd been the distraction in two Kai and Kol pranks. She'd almost become Sophie's second in command during cheerleading practice. She and Rebekah pretended they hated each other whenever anyone else was around, but had actually become quite good friends and both enjoyed their time practicing all the new routines together. Klaus had been the only one causing trouble. He had reverted back to jackass mode after only a few days, and it annoyed Caroline. Couldn't he just decide whether he was going to be an arse or not?

Caroline woke abruptly that Wednesday morning in early October, when Katherine dropped the entire contents of her school bad on the floor.

"Sorry, not sorry," Katherine called over her shoulder as she entered their bathroom.

Caroline stretched out on her bed, and smiled slightly at the ceiling. For obvious reasons, she'd been down for a long time. But she was going to make the best of this week. Caroline rolled over and shut her eyes, still smiling.

Katherine exited the bathroom looking perfect and ready for school fifteen minutes later.

"Jesus, Caroline! We have to be at breakfast in, like, seven minutes! You gotta get out of bed!" Caroline just ignored her smiling a little more. "What are you smiling about?"

Caroline opened her eyes and looked at Katherine cheekily, "Birthday Week."

"What?" Katherine asked, confused.

"It's Birthday Week!"

Birthday Week was birthday tradition Liz had initiated when Caroline was nine after she realised, now she was a single parent, she may be too busy to spoil Caroline adequately on her actual birthday. The week provided extra opportunities to treat her daughter on her birthday, and in turn, be pampered by her daughter on her birthday. Birthday Week took place three days before your birthday, the day of your birthday and the three days after your birthday.

"I'm going to skip class this morning. It's Birthday Week, Katherine! That's what it was invented for. Plus, I will only miss Stephen's class and it's not like I'm behind," Caroline smirked, "Can you cover for me though? If anyone asks? Just be like 'she's not feeling well today.' All the teachers know about my mom, and will just put it down to that."

"Yeah sure. I should get to breakfast. When will I see you?"

"I'm not sure, probably fourth period?"

"Okay, Care. Have a good morning."

"Oh, I will!"

"Bye."

As Katherine left the room, Caroline had a surge of affection for the other girl. There was so much to Katherine behind her brash personality. But Caroline knew she would always be able to rely on Katherine. So long as she didn't betray her.

Caroline set her alarm for later in the morning, and rolled over, snuggling into her bed. She knew it wouldn't be the same this year, without her mom, but oh how she loved Birthday Week.

xxx

Stephen surveyed his juniors as they filed into class. He immediately noticed that his favourite blonde wasn't sitting next to his favourite brunette.

"Miss Pierce, do you know the whereabouts of Miss Forbes?" Stephen asked Katherine.

"She's not feeling very well this morning." Katherine replied.

The rest of the class didn't seem to notice the exchange, none except a certain British student in the back row. Stephen's brow wrinkled with worry. He made a mental note to check on her that afternoon.

"That's no good. Well everyone!" he said as the last class member had taken his seat, "How are we this beautiful Wednesday morning!" Then it clicked. It was the second week of October. "Let's get cracking! There are joys of our language to immerse ourselves in!"

The class went on, Klaus found himself unable to concentrate. Begrudgingly, he had gotten used to Caroline being three rows in front of him. After the whole Enzo debacle, Klaus had gone back to nasty mean to Caroline, rather than playful mean. But he enjoyed listening to her opinions, which he often found actually insightful. Katherine had said she wasn't feeling well. In spite of himself, Klaus found he was hoping she was okay. Urgh, what was that blonde doing to him?

The bell rang, "Katherine, would you just stay behind for just a sec," Stephen requested.

"Sure," Katherine said suspiciously.

"She's wagging because of Birthday Week, isn't she?"

"What? No!"

Dammit, thought Katherine, rumbled.

"I bet she said something like 'it's just Stephen' and 'I'm not behind anyway'."

"Umm…"

"It's okay, Katherine. I'm not going to turn either of you in. I just would rather that, than her upset."

"In that case, yes."

"That's my Care. Thanks Kat, you can go now."

"Whatever, Forbes!"

xxx

Klaus sighed after taking his seat. She wasn't in this class either. Klaus hated worrying about other people, least of all girls who infuriated, and embarrassed him.

"Excuse me, Miss Parker."

"Yes, Klaus," Miss Parker replied.

"I'm not feeling well. May I please go to the nurse?" Klaus didn't know what he was doing.

"Klaus, you know you can't just skip class."

"I'm not, I was sick through the night as well, ask Marcel." Klaus almost wanted to bash his head into a wall at his own stupidity. Klaus knew that Marcel would have his back in the deception, but what was he doing? He could get in serious trouble for this lie, especially because Miss Parker had it in for him.

"Fine, Klaus, just go. I don't want you vomiting in my class." She put her hand out with a hall pass in it for Klaus to take.

"Thank you."

As Klaus left, he wondered again what he was doing. Caroline hardly even liked him and she most certainly wouldn't want him visiting her when she was unwell. He battled with himself about what to do before deciding.

Klaus walked to the kitchenette on Caroline's floor of the boarding house, in search of food. What was happening to him? He was being thoughtful! Klaus didn't do thoughtful! He groaned at himself. He'd come this far, may as well commit.

xxx

Knock knock.

For the second time that morning, Caroline was woken abruptly.

Knock knock.

She shook the sleep from her face and pulled a knitted sweater over her head to fend off the chill. Oh god, she was going to be in so much trouble.

Knock knock.

When she finally made it to the door, the sight that met her was completely at odds with what she had expected.

Standing there was a very sheepish looking Klaus, in his hands a tray carrying what appeared to be a mug of tea, a bottle of water, some fruit, toast, and, was that a flower?

"Hello, hey, umm… Caroline," Klaus started, sounding just as sheepish as he looked.

"Hi Klaus," Caroline replied inquisitively.

"I, umm, heard you weren't feeling your best this morning and I thought, how can one recover from not feeling well without ample sustenance. So I brought you some food. And tea. You know, soul food." God, what was he doing? Klaus Mikaelson didn't stutter and had he really just said 'umm'?

Caroline's eyes widened. This was possibly the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her, including the time Stefan had brought her a cake he'd baked himself after she fell off her bike when they were 11.

Klaus waited anxiously awaiting her reaction. He saw her eyes widen before her face broke into a wide smile, lighting up the entire hallway.

"Come in," she said, gesturing to her bedroom.

"Pardon me?" Klaus asked, slightly taken aback.

"I said come in, Mikaelson. Both of us are supposed to be in class, do you really want to be caught, because we're both just standing in the hallway?"

Caroline turned on her heel and Klaus followed her into the room, noticing all too well that she had very small sleep shorts on. This was the second time he was confronted with how amazing she looked in her pyjamas.

When she turned back around Klaus almost gasped, there was no bra on under that sweater and he could spot two little pebbles that he was just dying to put his mouth on. He felt his pants tighten significantly as he surveyed the magnificent creature standing before him. Klaus appreciatively noticed Caroline's cheeks reddened somewhat as he gazed at her. He cleared his throat and found his usual smug self.

"You don't look very sick," he smirked at her.

She smiled again, and it took Klaus' breath away. He realised in the time he'd known her, he'd never seen her smile with such inhibition. Previously her smile had been wry, or sarcastic, or one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Does this mean we're back to nice-Klaus."

"I'm sorry?"

"I've had nice-Klaus, arse-Klaus, then nice-Klaus, then arse-Klaus again. So we're back to nice?"

"I guess so," he said, as he rubbed the back of his neck. Klaus looked a little ashamed. He knew he was treating Caroline badly, but he couldn't help himself.

"Thank you for the food," she said softly, taking pity of him. She smiled at him again and Klaus was gripped with a feeling inside him. He wanted to be the one to make her smile properly all the time. He wanted her to laugh at jokes he'd told; he wanted her to look at him the same way she was now. He remembered he'd already felt this feeling, the day he met her.

"No worries, love. But as I said, Pierce said you were unwell, and you don't look very unwell."

"That's because I'm fine," Caroline said, plopping herself down on her bed and picking up her toast.

"So you're skipping class?" Klaus never would have believed it.

"Yep. It's Birthday Week."

"It's what?"

"Birthday Week! My mom started a tradition of celebrating your birthday for a week, rather than only a day. Just because I'm here doesn't mean I'm not going to indulge. And, this year, the first order of Birthday Week was to sleep in!"

"I see," Klaus replied. Caroline snuggled under the covers again with the tray on her lap. Klaus had never seen a cuter sight in his life.

"I even get breakfast in bed today! Perfect way to start Birthday Week. Thank you, Klaus." Caroline grinned at him again, and Klaus felt his heart beat a little faster.

"You're very welcome, Caroline," Klaus said as he made his way to the door.

"Umm, where do you think you're going?" Caroline demanded.

"I was going to leave you in peace."

"Uh-uh, no you weren't, you were going to sit your butt down on the chair over there and join me for breakfast. Second order of Birthday Week is to not be lonely while I eat."

Klaus smiled at her, and Caroline was struck, again, by how handsome he was.

The two of them talked amicably about anything and everything while Caroline ate. She couldn't remember why he had annoyed her so, and he couldn't remember every being more entranced by anyone.

As she finished up, she quickly got dressed, Klaus desperately trying not to think about Caroline's naked body on the other side of the wall, and Caroline desperately ignoring the voice in her head telling her it was okay to kiss the beautiful boy sitting on the other side of the wall. It was Birthday Week after all.

The two went back to class, together and went about the day as they normally would. Klaus made fun of Caroline. Caroline scowled at Klaus. But both were secretly glowing after the special morning they'd shared, and neither could wait to do it again.

xxx

The perfect start to birthday week didn't extend to Wednesday afternoon however. Bill had just phoned to tell her that his work had sent him to Phoenix the coming weekend so he wouldn't be able to go through with their birthday dinner plans. Caroline was upset to say the least. In the nearly six weeks she'd been at the academy, Caroline had only seen her Dad once, and that was when he stopped by before taking Stephen on his 'surprise birthday dinner'. She'd seen him once, and he'd cancelled five times.

She slumped in her desk chair after the phone call, trying to focus on her study and the lovely day she'd had so far. Stephen gets a surprise birthday dinner, she thought bitterly, and I get a phone call three days before saying he won't be coming. Typical. This was Caroline's first birthday (and Birthday Week) without her mother, and it had already been a grim prospect. But she'd try to remain optimistic, like she always had. The frustration at her father suddenly came to the forefront of her mind and she slammed her books shut angrily, just as Kat walked into their room.

"God, Care, what did that book ever do to you?" Kat said smirking.

"Nothing, Kat. I'm going for a walk," Caroline replied shortly.

Caroline stormed out just as Stephen was on his way to check in on her. Stephen had being doing a remarkably good job being there for Caroline, more than her father had, and she was grateful. But right now, she just wanted to be alone. She didn't want to even look at Stephen.

She knew it wasn't his fault, but all the insecurities and envies Caroline nursed towards Stephen when she was young were still buried deep down, because Caroline knew her dad loved Stephen more than her. So she ignored him, and brushed past. Stephen looked slightly guilty as he walked into Caroline's room.

"I take it she just got off the phone to her Dad?" he said to Katherine awkwardly.

"Beats me, Forbes. I came in just now and found her assaulting her textbooks," Kat shrugged. Stephen looked even guiltier, before perking up a bit.

"What are you doing this weekend, Katherine?" Stephen asked suddenly.

"Mr Forbes! I knew you wanted to date me!"

"Oh Kitty-Kat, you're so not my type. But I'm being serious."

"Fine, jeez, you Forbes' can't seem to take a joke today. To answer your question, nothing, I will be stuck in this prison of a school and will be thinking about my past."

"Good. Okay, so did you know it is Caroline's birthday this Saturday?" Stephen asked.

"Well, I knew it was Birthday Week, whatever that is."

"Those Forbes' women and their Birthday Week. Care's actual birthday is this Saturday. Her Dad just called and told her he's working, that's why she's so upset. It's not a big surprise, but he did make the effort to come see me for my birthday. So to her, you know, that's just another time Stephen won out over Caroline." Stephen said, looking guilty again.

"Anyway, I was wondering if you and Caroline wanted to stay at my place this weekend? You know, by the beach, eat ice cream, admire celebrities, girl things. You'd go there after school Friday, have the house to yourselves until Saturday lunch, because I'm going to visit some distant unimportant uncle in San Francisco. And then Saturday night you could maybe have a little gathering if you wanted, or it could be just the two of you. And then you two can go back to the boarding house on Sunday afternoon."

Katherine looked tempted as Stephen finished his plan. "That sounds like it could work. And god knows I could use being away from here."

"I was going to ask Caroline straight, but maybe it could be a surprise, or something? I'm not very happy with Bill for cancelling on Caroline for her birthday. It'll be hard for her, you know with… everything…" Stephen trailed off. He wasn't sure whether Katherine knew about Liz, and he didn't want to be the one to bring it up if she hadn't.

"I'll do it," Kat said quickly. She knew how hard it must be for Caroline, her mom gone, and her dad too busy, as well as always trying to act as though nothing was wrong. "I don't know what. But something, and it most probably will be just me and her."

"Thanks Kat, it will mean a lot to her."

"Caroline is already the best friend I've had here."

"Look, I don't know the specifics of what transpired between your sister and the Mikaelsons, but you should open up to her, Katherine. It might make you feel better about everything. Talking really does help."

"Thanks Mr Forbes. I'll come see you Friday morning with a plan."

"Okay. Night Kat!"

xxx

Caroline was fuming.

Her stupid father.

Her stupid, exasperating, selfish father.

"Move to California, he said. This place is lovely, he said. It's important to be with your family, he said," Caroline muttered bitterly to herself.

"I'll come and we can have dinner on your birthday, HE SAID." She was striding furiously out of the boarding house.

"Stephen gets surprise party, I get a cancelled through a phone call," she continued muttering under her breath, totally oblivious to where she was going.

"Caroline," a voice called from behind her.

"Good going, Bill. Father of the year! Just like old times." She laughed sarcastically at her little joke.

"Caroline, I was just wondering…" The person was chasing after her down the stairs, but Caroline was still barely aware of someone calling after her.

"I can't believe I even got my hopes up. How many times did that happen to me over the years?"

"… Whether you'd be…" She heard this time, but decided it would be better to just ignore, Caroline was in no mood to chit-chat.

"Eight years. Jesus Christ, Bill. Not even my mom dying can make him be a father."

"Caroline?"

"Oh my god! WHAT do you WANT?" Caroline finally snapped, spinning on her heel. There was an almost manic look in her eye as she rounded on a very startled looking Klaus.

"Sorry, love," Klaus said coolly, "I just wanted to see whether you'd quiz me on chemistry, Birthday Week loneliness and all."

"Yeah well, I can't talk right now. I'm busy." She said shortly trying to stalk off.

"Doing what?" Klaus inquired.

"Fuming. Now if you'll excuse me." Caroline made to turn around again, but Klaus grabbed her arm.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's go get some fresh air." Klaus had seen more facets of Caroline today than in any of the other days previously, and this one intrigued him just as much as all the others.

"Look, Klaus, I just want to to wallow in my anger. By myself. Alone. Okay? Please let go of me and let me do that."

"Love, people as beautiful as you should not have to wallow alone. Especially not on Birthday Week."

"Wait, did you just call me beautiful," Caroline's eye lost the furious look and widened as she asked the question. Klaus felt his neck flush and hoped she wouldn't notice.

"Did I? I'm not sure," Klaus smirked, trying to act cool, but screaming internally at his total lack of game when it came to Caroline.

"You think I'm beautiful?"

She'd never been called beautiful by anyone but her mom before. She'd always been 'gross' to Stefan and Damon. Matt thought she was 'cute'. Tyler had called her 'sexy' and 'hot'. Even Enzo had only called her 'gorgeous'. But Klaus called her beautiful.

"Now, sweetheart, can you blame me?" Klaus wasn't sure how to get out of answering her straight, so he decided to just play it cool and be really cocky. Caroline just looked blankly at him, so he took his opportunity to change the subject.

"Now tell me why you're fuming. Do I need to bring you breakfast again tomorrow morning?" He asked, before adding hopefully, "Or can I punch Whitmore again?"

Caroline internally shook herself (did he really think she was beautiful?).

"Umm, no, my Dad just cancelled our birthday dinner plans. I mean I know he has to work, and everything. But after everything that's happened, I thought maybe he'd finally be there for me. But apparently not."

Klaus knew his way around terrible fathers, but he couldn't for the life of him understand why anyone would not want to spend as much time as possible with Caroline.

"What do you mean 'after everything that's happened'?" Klaus asked. Was there even more he was to discover about the enigma that was Caroline Forbes?

"Oh nothing it doesn't matter," Caroline said quickly before changing the subject, "I've sufficiently calmed down. Do you still want me to quiz you? I do love being a good quizmaster."

"That sounds lovely, thank you." Klaus decided not to push it. They'd only just formed a tentative friendship, and he didn't want to ruin it by pushing his boundaries too far.

The two wiled away the rest of the evening quizzing each other. Caroline laughed and smiled and Klaus joked and purposely made mistakes just to hear her voice correct him.

As they finished up and made their way to leave Klaus said, "You know, Caroline, you're going to have a wonderful Birthday Week, despite your father."

I'll make sure of it, Klaus added in his head.

"Thanks Klaus, if I do it'll likely be thanks to Kat." Caroline looked him in the eyes then, her ever-changing ones meeting his stormy blue grey ones, "and thanks to you."

With that, Caroline tentatively put her arms around him and hugged him.

Klaus wasn't sure what to do. He'd never been hugged by anyone outside his family before. It was an entirely knew experience for him. But, oh, was it a beautiful one. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her beautiful scent. He really didn't know what she was doing to him, but Klaus found himself beginning not to care. If he would feel like this every time he was with her, then he didn't mind being nice-Klaus, rather than bad boy Klaus.

The two broke apart, and Caroline smiled again at him saying, "Goodnight, Klaus," before turning on her heel and walking back towards her room.

For one shining moment, as Klaus gazed after her, he believed he was actually worthy of love. His father's voice in his head stopped it's constant put downs, his demons were a little further away, the dark cloud that had hovered over him for a long time was slightly lighter and Klaus held his head a little higher. All because of Caroline Forbes.


WELLL, I wasn't a fan of the last chapter, but this is one of my faves, so I thought double update, will make up for it. Plus I may not be able to update for a couple of days, so balances out.

In other news, Birthday Week is actually a thing in my house. But it didn't start out because my mum's a single cop, it just started out because one day I was like 'it's birthday week' and my family just validated it, and now it's a thing. It's super fun, you can be like 'umm no... it's birthday week,' or 'I'm going to get two milkshakes because it's birthday week.' It's also good for those around you, because then they get to do more fun stuff too! I love Birthday Week :D

ANYHEY, bye for now not forever people!