2 months later…

Caroline's POV

I felt a little squeal escape me as I parked my car and began to make my way into the office; it had been two months, two very very long months since Klaus had proposed we started working together, and now here we were. I was ready for my very first day as my own boss, and co-owner of 'Forbes and Mikaelson LTD'.

Things between Klaus and I were still pretty weird; I think it's safe to say that I had forgiven him for everything that had happened in the past, I knew he couldn't help the addiction, drugs were a powerful thing and yet he'd still managed to get clean. However, despite the fact I'd forgiven him I was still finding it hard to trust him – therefore us going into business together was a perfect opportunity to build some trust between the two of us.

I think it was safe to say that he had forgiven me for how I'd judged him and treated him in the past; seeing as he was very eager for us to start a company. Klaus had gone as far as to completely fund the new works himself; well the Mikaelson family did anyway. At first I didn't like the idea, but we came to an agreement that he would take 20% of my total earnings for the first two years, in order for me to pay towards the construction of our company.

I straightened out my appearance and got ready to enter my very own company for the first time; it was only 6:30am, Klaus wanted to show me around before our employees arrived – we were going to have a meeting to see how we wanted to deal with our new positions working together, I imagined we would both just agree with one another. After-all hiring staff had been pretty simple; we both decided we would hire half of our total staff each, a very diplomatic way of doing things if I say so myself.

"Caroline love; it's great to see you!" Klaus exclaimed as he approached the entrance door and held it open for me. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Are you ready to do business together?" He asked with a smug smile, as he placed one arm around my waist and led us inside.

"Definitly." I replied with a smile similar to his; and I couldn't resist the quick look I had at the sign that decorated the wall in reception.

"Forbes and Mikaelson LTD." I muttered in amazement; and Klaus smirked at me.

"What? I never thought something like this would ever happen to me!" I exclaimed, before giving him a playful shove.

"You should see your face sweetheart; it's more excited than a Childs' on Christmas morning!" He continued to laugh.

"Good morning Miss Forbes, Mr Mikaelson." The receptionist said smiling at us, I could detect the nervousness beneath her calm exterior. I wracked my brains for her name, but just couldn't think; it seemed I wasn't going to be the best boss after-all. Luckily, it was Klaus that saved us.

"Morning April, thank you for coming in so early, it shows just how dedicated you are." Klaus replied seriously, his words bringing a blush to April's cheeks and she looked down embarrassed.

I couldn't help the jealousy that sparked within me; he'd better not try and charm everyone in the office, or things were going to get nasty…

"Yes, thank you very much April." I said quickly, before grabbing Klaus's arm and leading him in the direction of the elevator. It arrived in moments and we stepped in.

"Did you seriously have to flirt with her!?" I exclaimed; unable to resist a quick nag at him.

"Sorry sweetheart, I can't help myself. She seems interested, it must be my addictive personality." He replied with a knowing smile; I rolled my eyes at his use of the word 'addictive', it seems he just couldn't resist a subtle reference to his past.

"Well, seeing as you're a boss now I recommend you don't mix business with pleasure." I replied, internally cringing as I heard how bitchy and jealous I sounded. I'd turned him down after-all, I wasn't allowed to be jealous.

"Oh really sweetheart? Well if that's the case we definitely shouldn't be going into business together, because looking at you across the office is going to be the greatest pleasure of my day love." Klaus said smiling, closing the gap between us in the elevator till there was less than a centimeter left between us. He knelt closer and my brain seemed to practically stop functioning. I was left with the shell of my senses, admiring the way his muscles were defined beneath his shirt, the way the hair curled slightly at his neck, the way his breath felt heavenly against my cheek and the way he smelled…amazing…

Luckily, I was saved by the elevator; we reached our floor and the doors opened. Klaus pulled away from me and stepped out, as if nothing had ever happened. I knew what was happening, he was baiting me, showing me what I'd turned down. We walked the long expanse of the office until we came to the end, there were two adjoining glass walled offices, I imagined they were ours.

"Here's your office love; see what I mean about business and pleasure?" He inquired with a cheeky smile. I shook my head in exasperation and opened the door.

"I'll leave you to get settled in, meet you in my office in about ten minutes?" He continued, I nodded and turned away. I walked in slowly, not believing my eyes – I sat down at the brand new chair behind the desk and stared around in amazement.

This was all mine.

I took in the smell of the freshly painted walls, the smell of new furniture; the glossy varnish of the desk and the general feel that I was boss now.

I glanced over to see Klaus working at his office next door, he like me had sat down at his desk and was typing away, already, on his computer; he must have set things up in his office a while back, whereas he wouldn't let me in until everything had been completed.

I gave a smile as I observed his face of concentration and the slight frown that furrowed his brow as he worked. This Klaus was so different from the man that I'd met on the bridge that day; the completely and utterly broken man who believed he had no options left. This man was worlds away from the man who relied on drugs to keep up appearances.

The broken man I'd once known, really had disappeared.

I admired the smart and handsome suit he wore today, and couldn't help the laugh that escaped me as I thought back to when he was living with me and having to borrow Tyler's clothes that were slightly too small; he'd looked ridiculous! Obviously, I hadn't told him that though.

I couldn't help but think how much he reminded me of his brother Elijah now; man, we all knew that Elijah could rock a suit better than any man on the planet – I had to admit though, I think Klaus was competing with his brother for that title. Rebecca was cooking dinner at her place for the Mikaelson family and myself tomorrow night; it was a small celebration for Klaus and I finally getting the business going, it was also a thank you to me for the designs I'd done for their home refurbishment. I was looking forward to it, seeing as it had really only been my mum and myself in the family after dads death, I couldn't wait to be part of a large family for once.

I rose from my chair once I'd finished arranging my things and made my way through to Klaus's office.

Klaus's POV

A smile formed quickly on my features as Caroline entered the room, as usual she looked beautiful; she had a light in her eyes that literally screamed for excitement. After-all her dreams were coming true. I knew that I'd done the right thing getting glassed walled offices, it meant whenever I felt down during the day I could easily glance over at Caroline's busy working figure and be immediately cheered up.

"Okay then Mikaelson; let's talk business." She exclaimed as she sat down in the chair on the opposite side of the desk, her knee knocked gently against mine and I felt like I'd been burned.

In the last two months I'd tried my best to convince myself that I was over this woman; that whatever we had in the past was over. Sometimes, things got so bloody messed up there was no way of going back. However, I knew that I could kid myself no longer; this woman had quite literally saved my life, she'd been my motivation to finally give up the drugs and obviously she was intelligent and beautiful, which definitely helped. This morning, before making my way to the office I'd resigned myself to the fact that Caroline Forbes and I could be nothing but friends and business partners. But this morning, when she'd chastised me for flirting with April, I'd detected a hint of jealousy in her tone. That at least had given me a glimmer of hope that somehow, someday maybe we could start afresh.

Talking to Caroline about our newly formed business really was a joy; it was very obvious how passionate she was about her work, and her designs were truly wonderful, not only that but I couldn't think of a more attractive or amusing business partner to have.

"Caroline love, that is no way to do business; we cannot do that?" I exclaimed, as I listened to her very first proposal.

"Klaus, I told you we've got to play it cool." She responded indignantly.

"When you say 'play it cool' sweetheart, it sounds like acting like sloppy bosses with absolutely no authority."

"Seriously? You met my old boss Katherine and she was a total hard-ass; and because of that no one liked her. There is no way in hell you and I are going to be like that Klaus, we are going to have a relaxed office environment where people can look forward to coming to work, therefore the quality of their work will be better!" She continued, her eyes lighting up as she spoke.

"Hmm…" Was all I could reply, not thoroughly convinced by her declaration?

"Okay, how about this Klaus; we play this my way for the next month, if things don't work about we'll resort to your method full of authority and plenty of displays of 'I'm the alpha male' Does that sound all right to you?"" She responded diplomatically.

"Fine sweetheart; seeing as how this is a fifty-fifty business we'll play it your way for the moment, but I'm going to be keeping a close eye on things."

"Fine." Caroline replied seriously, but I detected how her lips curled at the edges portraying a small smile of satisfaction; knowing full well she'd won this.

Little did I know there would be many more of these moments to come.

"So, staff should be arriving in about an hour, do you have any plans before then?" I inquired whilst loving the emptiness of the office and enjoying her company to myself. These days I had to share Caroline with far too many people; often I felt possessive of her, I just couldn't help myself – after all I had met her first.

Well, she saved me first.

Now however, she was best friends with Rebecca, loved joking around with Kol; wanted nothing more than Elijah's approval and looked up to Esther as a second mother. So, I had that jealously within me on pretty good authority; I couldn't stand the thought of Caroline Forbes wanting to surround herself with my families company rather than my own.

"I was thinking we could grab a quick coffee in the café down the street; have a bit of down time before we start business?" She answered me slowly, I detected some hesitation in her tone; I could tell she was anxious to spend time with me on matters other than business and I couldn't help the anger that rose within me.

Was she scared to spend time with me?

"Sure love, that sounds wonderful." I replied quickly, pushing down the anger.

Caroline's POV

Klaus and I made our way out of the office and I'm sure he said goodbye to April in a far more friendly way than was necessary. I couldn't help myself, she'd only been my employee for about an hour and already I hated her; when it came to Niklaus I was jealous, and he smiled just that bit too much at her.

As we walked down the street in silence, I felt our shoulders bump occasionally against one another's, I couldn't help but notice the spark I felt travel through me as I made contact with him. I couldn't deny what I felt and I knew it; all that time ago, the man I'd met on that bridge had completely and utterly changed my life. I'd saved his life and little did I know that he'd saved mine; but now I knew I stood absolutely no chance, I'd turned him down one too many times, he was handsome, intelligent, and well…British – girls threw themselves at him from all directions; he wanted me once, but now I knew there was no hope in hell for me to end up with the only man I could ever really picture myself with. That's why I spent so much time with his family; to compensate, that combined with the fact they were truly wonderful people, and the more time I spent with them the closer I felt to him.

We made our way into the café and Klaus pulled out a chair for me, inviting me to sit down; I nodded graciously before sitting.

"What can I get you love?" He inquired as he smiled down at me; I couldn't help but admire the way in which his lips curved and the skin around his eyes crinkled just slightly.

"Just a black coffee for me please." I responded, smiling back at him.

"As you wish sweetheart." He said nodding, before turning and pacing over to the counter. I stared around the small café; attempting to take in every part of it – I figured this would be our local coffee stop seeing as it was basically right next door to our offices. As it was so early in the morning I noted that it was reasonably deserted, as I looked around there were only a few business men and women seated at the other tables.

However, one particular person caught my eye. I stared for a moment too long, attempting to figure out who it was from this distance; and then I realized.

Shit.

It was Tyler.

I sank down lower in my chair and tried to avoid his gaze; it was safe to say that things between us had not ended well; and the last thing I wanted was to run into him, let alone run into him whilst I was here with Klaus.

"Here you go love." Klaus exclaimed as he placed the mug down loudly on the table, I cringed as he drew so much unwanted attention to us.

"Shhh…Klaus!" I whispered angrily at him; the poor guy looked very confused, but it was too late and no use.

Tyler had seen us.

"Caroline?!" He exclaimed from across the café.

"Um… yeah…hi Tyler." I stuttered out, I could feel my face turning the color of a beetroot and I squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. His eyes slipped away from mine, his eyes widening and his face beginning to color as he noticed who I was here with.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" He roared.

He stood rapidly from his chair and strode rapidly towards us.

"So you dumped me so you could date this pathetic junky did you Care? God damn, you honestly have to be the thickest woman I know; he may be look good in a suit and he may talk the talk, but he will never be anything other than a pathetic drug addict who tried to kill himself!" Tyler shouted furiously, his glare alternating between both myself and Klaus. The café had been quiet to start with, but now it fell even more silent; all eyes in the café now on us.

"How dare you-" Klaus began to say, putting his mug down and rising to his feet; luckily I cut him off quickly.

"NO Niklaus; he's not worth your time, and this is certainly not your fight." I said rapidly, surprisingly Klaus did as I asked and sat back down; however he gripped his mug so tightly I feared it would break.

"Tyler, you honestly have no idea what you are talking about. Klaus and I are not together, we're now business partners; we've bought the offices down the street and plan on creating a very successful business together. And as for your claims to his drug riddled past you know nothing, once upon a time Niklaus may have turned to drugs to deal with his life, but you know nothing about him or any of the hardships he suffered. You of all people know nothing about a hard life Tyler; with your rich and wealthy parents who funded your doomed sporting career because of your severe lack of skill and ability. So no, Klaus here happens to be very intelligent, kind and one of the best people I've ever met. So, it seems the only pathetic drug addict here is you – after all, I know how much pot you smoked in high school; I guess it explains your serious lack of brain cells." I replied cuttingly; shocking not only Tyler but myself with my bitchy words, never in our relationship had I spoken to him like that, not even when we broke up.

I had changed, and I loved it.

"But…what…But…" Tyler stuttered in shock.

"What is it Tyler? Either hurry up and spit it out, or leave so we can finally be rid of your unpleasant presence." I continued, and couldn't help the evil smile that broke across my features.

It seemed he could find nothing to say, as he rapidly strode away from our table and out of the door, slamming it loudly behind him.

"I have to say sweetheart; that was very very impressive – would you judge me if I said that little display there has seriously made me fancy you." Klaus said with a mocking smile. I hit him playfully with the newspaper that lay on the table before taking a well-deserved sip from my coffee – finally I had laid down the law and I'd never felt better.

"I think it's time we got to work love; after-all we can't have the employees arriving before the boss." He said with a laugh.

I drained the rest of the coffee in my mug before following him out.

Klaus's POV

The day travelled like a blur; everything had gone so fast, we'd met our new employees and they'd melded together making the perfect team, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I had to admit that I'd been distracted from the vast majority of the day; I couldn't help but keep playing over Caroline's words from this morning over in my mind: 'Klaus here happens to be very intelligent, kind and one of the best people I've ever met.'

Did this mean I still had a chance with her?

Had Caroline Forbes put our past behind her; could she, after everything, see a future with me?

I looked up as I heard a knock on the door, and smiled as I saw that it was Caroline.

"Sorry to disturb you but I've finished up with all my paper work – the million dollar clients want to work with us; so do you fancy a celebratory drink?" She inquired, I knew that I couldn't resist an offer like this from her. For me however, a celebratory drink meant a glass of coke or lemonade seeing as how I was now completely sober.

"Sounds great love, I'll just finish this up." I responded with a smile.

"Okay, me and some of the others will be waiting out the front."

Caroline's POV

I called up Bonnie, Elena and some other friends to join us at the next club; my head was buzzing and it was pretty safe to say I had definitely had one too many. We'd started at the local pub, travelled to at least three more, then wound up at this night club. The new employees from work were so much fun, and they were all up for partying with their bosses after their first day at work. Well, partying with at least one of their bosses anyway; seeing as Klaus was nowhere to be seen.

I stared around, trying to avoid the glare of the strobe light and lights in the club. Finally I caught sight of him in the corner; I downed my two shots of tequila before abandoning my glasses at the bar and making my way towards him; I wobbled on my heels as I made my way towards him, I'd never really been good with alcohol and I'd drank more tonight that I had in a long, long time.

"Klaus! What are you doing hiding in this corner!" I exclaimed with a laugh and took in his appearance. He'd abandoned his suit jacket somewhere and he'd rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. There was a thin layer of sweat upon his forehead and a conflicted expression on his face.

I approached him slowly.

"Klaus what's the matter?" I asked quietly, my concern exaggerated by my drunkenness.

"Nothing love, I just; it's hard to be around all this you know. The temptation." He muttered, his voice tight and strained.

I couldn't help myself, the pained expression on his face was too much; pair that with the fact that my judgment was completely impaired right now.

I pushed him hard against the wall and stared intently into his eyes, deciding on my next move.

"Caroline, what the bloody hell was that for?" He exclaimed raising his arm to the back of his head, I guess I'd shoved him harder than I intended.

Before my thoughts could catch up with me, I leant upwards and covered his mouth with mine, for a moment he was unresponsive but then slowly I felt his mouth move against mine. My tongue made contact with his and it felt amazing. The kiss deepened and became more and more enthusiastic I looped my arms around his neck, leaning closer until there was no space between our bodies.

"What, no – we can't do this…" Klaus pushed me away from, breaking the kiss.

"I'm sorry Caroline." He muttered quickly before turning and rapidly pacing away from me. I was such a moron; he didn't want me, of course he didn't want me. He was Niklaus Mikaelson, handsome, kind, intelligent and rich; of course he wasn't interested in me I was just Caroline Forbes, just his business partner and some girl he'd had a brief history with.

I slumped down in the corner and felt tears forming in my eyes, I wiped them away but they kept on flowing.

"Caroline, are you okay?" I heard a voice above me inquire. I looked up to see Vaughn hovering over me looking concerned.

"No. No I'm not." I muttered, tears flowing faster now.

"Come with me Darling; you definitely need another drink." He said gently, before grasping my hand within his and pulling me to my feet.

Klaus's POV

I'd been stupid going to that club; I'd been stupid going to those pubs too. I thought I'd had it all under control, and I had, for such a long time. Since giving up the drugs I'd been tempted to begin drinking again; but I knew I was bad with control.

I'd put myself in an environment with so many temptations and I'd ruined everything; no I hadn't had a drink, I didn't take in drugs; but I'm pretty sure I just destroyed every hope I may have had left with Caroline.

The atmosphere in the club had been the worst; I'd been on edge anyway, I could smell the drugs and alcohol radiating from the bodies of the various people in the club, but when Caroline kissed me I could taste the alcohol on her tongue, it had been too much. The temptation was too much, I had to remove myself from that situation or else risk my sobriety.

I knew there was only one thing for it when I got myself into situations such as this.

I had to work; place all my concentration on one design, one goal.

Caroline's POV

I downed another shot that Vaughn passed to me and smiled in his direction. I wanted this night to end with a bang; quite literally.

I'd wanted Klaus for so long, but he'd made his opinions very clear to me earlier and I knew I couldn't live life like a nun just waiting for him.

"I want you." I whispered into Vaughn's ear and I felt his whole body tense.

"My place or yours?" He inquired.

"Oh don't worry about that; I know a place much closer."

I grabbed his hand within mine and pulled him toward the exit; then we began running down the street.

Klaus's POV

I finally reached the office, I'd taken a nice slow walk here giving me enough time to think; I loved the night, it was so silent and provided perfect opportunity for me to collect my thoughts.

"What?" I muttered out loud to myself as I stared up at our offices. I saw that the lights were on and the entrance door was slightly ajar; I swore that I'd turned off the lights and locked up earlier?

I shrugged off the thought and just put it down to me being a bloody idiot. Pushing open the door I paced into the lobby and called the elevator.

As the lift ascended I couldn't prevent my mind from drifting to thoughts of Caroline; I'd really enjoyed earlier; but the tantalizing taste of alcohol mixed with her scent had overwhelmed me. I'd try and make it up to her in the morning; I could buy her coffee, maybe chocolate and flowers too – every woman liked receiving flowers right?

The elevator indicated we'd reached the floor. I made my way into the office and frowned as I stared across the office and saw that Caroline had left her office light on.

Wait; was there someone in there?"

As I approached her office the truth finally dawned on me; the blood in my veins began to boil, my face turning a violent shade of red and my knuckles clenched in anger.

It was that guy from the ball, Vaughn or whatever his name was, he was in there with Caroline. They were bent over her desk kissing enthusiastically, her shirt was removed and his hands we all over her. I was furious; I threw open the office door and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck before pulling him off Caroline and throwing him to the floor.

"What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?!" I roared at him, the smug bastard just smiled back at me looking completely unconcerned; he rose to his feet.

"What does it look like I'm doing; she's totally begging for it!" He exclaimed in response, the smug grin returning to his features once more.

I couldn't help myself, I raised my fist and struck him hard around the face; he fell to the floor once more and blood began to trickle from his nose.

"Does that look like a woman who knows what she's doing or what she wants?!" I exclaimed once more as I gestured at Caroline who was slumped back in her desk chair practically unconscious.

Vaughn moaned from the floor as I paced towards her and checked her over; I saw her pupils were massively dilated.

"You disgusting piece of shit! You drugged her!" I exclaimed, kicking him hard in the side as I recognized the symptoms she was displaying.

"What? No. Never." He replied gasping for air.

"Yes. Yes you did; now get the hell out of here and stay away from Caroline Forbes. If you ever come near her again you'll be dealing with more than a broken nose and a few bruised ribs. Are we clear?" I added, giving him one last kick in the ribs for good measure before throwing him out the office door.

I then turned and saw Caroline, only semi-conscious slumped in the chair.

"Oh love; I think we'd better get you home." I muttered as I placed one arm around her waist and pulled her into my arms.

"Wait, no…don't…I'm going to…"

Unfortunately for me Caroline didn't get a chance to finish her sentence as she promptly vomited over both herself, the carpet and me.

"Okay, sweetheart, we're going home…"

Hi guys!
I'm so sorry I know that it's been forever since I updated, but unfortunately so many things have been getting in the way and also massive writers block didn't help much either!
I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter, and it would be really great if you could leave a review if you have time as I can decide whether it is worth me continuing with this story.
Thanks
-Louann97