Hi Everyone! Thanks to thexlittlexlisa for your feedback about Bonnie, you're so right about those pairings. Stay tuned to see what I've decided. If you guys have read my other story you'll know that I like a bit of drama/angst and things don't get resolved really quickly, but please stick with me!

Chapter 10: Collision Course

10 June, Richmond Virginia

"So how about this rain?" Klaus said his lame attempt at making conversation. Caroline was at the steering wheel her eyes firmly on the road; she remained silent not bothering to acknowledge his comment.

Klaus looked out the window at the dark grey clouds and pouring rain thinking how fitting the weather was for their current situation. They had flown into Richmond that morning and were driving the three hours to Mystic Falls.

After their argument on the roof things had gone from bad to worse. Waking up the morning after and nursing one hell of a hangover Klaus realised he'd gone too far. He couldn't believe he'd taken out all his issues on poor Caroline.

He'd tried to apologise numerous times but she was unmoved, not that he blamed her. Klaus had been an absolute idiot.

"Caroline please, I said I was sorry." She didn't respond her attention focused on the drive. Klaus was going to go crazy if he had to sit there, the only noise coming from the radio. He leaned across to adjust the dial; if he was going to be stuck in the car he was at least going to have some good music.

"Touch that and you're dead." She snapped looking at him briefly her eyes flashing with anger. Klaus retracted his arm slowly; scared she might actually carry out her threat.

"So all I had to do was mess with the radio to get you to talk to me?" He asked hoping this was the start of an actual conversation. Caroline continued to ignore him, taking her sunglasses from her head and placing them on her face putting yet another barrier between them. Klaus shook his head realising he's hoped for too much.

"You realise once we reach Mystic Falls you're going to have to talk to me Caroline." She cleared her throat and finally spoke.

"Don't worry Klaus I'll be the perfect wife when everyone is watching. Right now I don't owe you anything, we're not friends remember?"

"Look I was angry and stupid when I said those things not to mention drunk, I didn't mean it." He cried his frustration clear.

"Well that just makes me feel so much better." She muttered. "Look I'd really just like some peace and quiet before the Mystic Falls circus begins." She pleaded. Klaus nodded slightly acknowledging her request, the least he could do was shut up considering how mean he'd been to her the other night.

Klaus looked outside, the rain drops streaming down the windscreen partially obscuring his view of the green countryside. He breathed in deeply trying to ease his persistent stomach ache. It had begun the morning after his birthday, Klaus thought it was the result of his hangover but two days on it was still tied up in knots.

He thought back to his earlier conversation with his little brother who had suggested another reason for his aching stomach.

June 9, New York City/London

"You realise you robbed me of a bachelor party don't you?" Kol asked as soon as Klaus connected the call.

"You call that a greeting?" Klaus smiled thinking how his brother never changed.

"What don't tell me you'd prefer Happy Birthday?" He said knowing full well he wouldn't. "Since our last chat I realised the down side to this drunken wedding fiasco was the lack of a kick-ass bachelor party."

"Well when you get married I'll make it up to you." He promised. "So who's the lucky girl this week, Hannah, Jasmine or was it Sarah?"

"Funny Niklaus. Hannah was like months ago, Jasmine lasted a week and Sarah was just clingy." He shuddered for added effect. "I guess that's not something you need to worry about these days."

"You have no idea how much I'd love to have your problems Kol." He said thinking back to the good old days when life was simple.

"Don't tell me marriage and commitment is getting you down?" Kol cried his voice laced with sarcasm.

"Now who's the comedian little brother."

"I heard about Rebekah's little surprise party, is that what's got you in this great mood?" Kol joked.

"Yeah that was definitely the highlight of my week."

"Rebekah has a death wish if you ask me, even I know not to go anywhere near you on your birthday."

"Mmmm this hangover really isn't helping matter either." He growled. "I have the worst stomach ache."

"Surely you're not still hung over Nik?" He asked in disbelief. "You must be an absolute delight to live with at the moment."

"I'm not that bad." He barked defensively.

"You forget that we used to live together." Kol laughed. "So from what Elijah tells me Caroline is quite a woman."

"Yeah she lectures me almost as much as he does, no wonder he likes her so much." He said rolling his eyes at the phone.

"And she looks so sweet and innocent on television." He joked. "Trust you to find such a nagging wife." Klaus immediately felt bad for giving Kol the wrong impression.

"Oh she's not really that bad." He mumbled. "I probably deserved most of those lectures anyway."

"It's not like you to admit you're wrong brother. I like this girl already and I've never even met her."

"Ha ha." He replied dryly not appreciating his brother's further attempts at humour. "If you must know I sort of took out my anger about the surprise party on her."

"And she's still talking to you?"

"Not really, which makes acting like a married couple that much more difficult. I've apologised so many times, I'm not sure what else I can do."

"Ah I see what's happening here; I think Niklaus Mikaelson actually feels guilty. At least that would explain your mystery stomach ache." Klaus inhaled sharply realising his brother might have a point, not that he'd ever admit that to him.

"Highly unlikely Kol you know I don't care what people think of me."

"Maybe Caroline isn't like most people." No she wasn't Klaus thought a smile crossing his face.

"Anyway how's the financing going for the film?" He asked deliberately changing the subject.

"Great segue Niklaus, and not at all suspicious." He teased. "It's all done now so the real fun can start, beginning with casting."

"Look I'm happy to do it Kol but you need to go through Damon, you know how precious he gets when he's left out."

"I did Niklaus but your manager is trying to rip me off." He whined. "You practically did my first film for free."

"I did that as a favour for a young and struggling director but times have changed and now I'm a big movie star you're going to have to cough up the big bucks."

"Fine Niklaus. Maybe you could do your younger brother a favour then at least." Klaus didn't like the sound of that. "I want Katherine Gilbert for the female lead and since your new wife is her very best friend maybe you could pull some strings for me?"

"Well if my wife decides to forgive me anytime soon I'll see what I can do." He promised.

"Aren't you meeting the family? Just get in good with her mother that should help to smooth things over."

"You realise she's a cop right?"

"Damn Niklaus you're a dead man!"

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10 June, Mystic Falls Virginia

"So is Blondie still pissed at you?" Damon asked looking at his friend.

"Well if you consider completely ignoring me pissed, then yeah she is." He replied sarcastically.

"I know your birthday is a touchy subject Klaus and Rebekah is completely evil but these little outbursts aren't really conducive to a happy marriage."

"Well considering it isn't a real marriage I suppose it doesn't matter that much." He snapped.

"Maybe not to you but it is to the rest of the world." He reiterated. "You need to think about these things from a public relations standpoint."

"Since when did you care about that?" Klaus scoffed. "It doesn't have anything to do with a feisty publicist by any chance?"

"Of course not, although Elena did stress how important this home visit is going to be in the grand scheme of things."

"Oh so she's talking to you now?"

"Well sort of, apparently we need to be more professional in the best interests of our clients." Damon replied rolling his eyes.

"Yeah that sounds like Elena, one thing I can say is she's certainly committed to her job."

"Yeah so dedicated that you will have two very committed advisers by your side this week watching your every move." He laughed.

"Great something to look forward to then." He replied sarcastically. Klaus looked around the Mystic Falls Grill thinking how modern and classy it looked with its dark wood and muted tones, something he didn't expect from such a small town.

Damon had arrived the night before and raved about the local bar so they had ventured out for a well-needed drink. Caroline had barely flinched when he mentioned going out, no doubt she was happy to have him as far away as possible.

"Can I get you guys another drink?" A tall brunette with a warm smile asked walking over towards them.

"Why not?" Klaus said and Damon nodded eagerly. He poured their spirits, Klaus getting out his wallet to pay.

"No it's on the house man, we don't usually get too many celebrities in here and you've already increased business tenfold." He said pointing to the number of women who were making their way into the bar.

"See this is one of the perks of being with you Klaus I get free drinks." Damon laughed.

"Oh his is free but you're going to have to pay for yours." The bartender said in a serious tone. Damon's face fell; the bartender started laughing unable to hold it in. "Nah man just joking."

"Nice one." Klaus chuckled. "This is a great looking bar I have to say; the whiskey selection is fairly impressive too."

"Yeah well I try to cater to what the patrons want."

"So this is your place?" He asked surprised their bartender was also the owner.

"Yeah I've had the bar for three years now." He said looking around proudly. "I think this week might be my busiest yet what with all the commotion in town."

"I'd say sorry for the media circus but I'm pretty certain you're not complaining."

"Yeah you're right about that. So when's that wife of yours going to make an appearance and further increase my business?"

"We just arrived so she's settling in at home but I'm sure it won't be too much longer." He said pasting a fake smile on his face.

"Care was an amazing singer all through school I think everyone always knew she'd make it big." He smiled his dimples accentuated.

"You know Caroline?" Klaus asked.

"Yeah she was a year older at school but we're family friends, it's been way too long since I saw her last though."

"Oh so that must mean you know Katherine and Elena Gilbert as well?" Damon asked his interest suddenly peaked.

"Yeah I guess you could say I know them." He grinned.

"Was Elena always as uptight as she is now?" Damon asked unable to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Pretty much." He said shrugging his shoulders. "So you know Elena then too?"

"Oh yeah she likes to boss us around regularly, doesn't she Klaus?" He said taking a swig of his drink.

"Don't listen to him; Damon is just bitter because he has such a big thing for her." Klaus said, Damon shooting him a death stare.

"Oh really and what does she think about you?"

"Jeremy Gilbert! Man it's so good to see a familiar face." A male voice yelled at the top of his lungs, the entire Grill descending into silence at the sudden interruption.

"Matt Donovan! Wow the circus has definitely come to town." He cried his face breaking out into a huge grin.

"Did he just say Gilbert?" Damon asked Klaus quietly, his face ashen. Klaus nodded the realisation sweeping over him.

"Yeah he did, sorry I didn't introduce myself. I'm Jeremy Gilbert the twin's brother." He smirked Damon knocked his head on the bar unable to hide his obvious embarrassment.

"I really should have known given how freaking small this town is." He moaned.

"Fellas!" Matt cried putting his arms around Damon and Klaus affectionately and nodding at a bemused Jeremy.

"What are you doing here Donovan?" Klaus asked happy to see his friend. "You know those rumours about you and Caroline are never going to die down if you keep following us around the country."

"Well I do love the attention I'll admit but if you bothered to check you'd know the Eagles are playing the Redskins this weekend in DC. I thought I'd come home for a bit of R&R before the big game and get in good with the parents."

"It's good to see you man even if you play for an average team." Jeremy laughed.

"Well I was going to say it was good to see you too but I'm not so sure now." He joked. "Young Jeremy here follows the Giants for some reason."

"Well they're doing better than your team is at the moment." He teased.

"Maybe so but it's still early in the season. So any chance your sisters are around the place?"

"Well Elena got in this morning." Jeremy said smiling in Damon's direction. "And who knows with Katherine, she has a tendency to just show up unannounced. I think it's because she likes to make a dramatic entrance kind of like a certain footballer I know." He said smiling at Matt.

"Sounds like it's going to be a good week." Matt said a mischievous smile on his face.

"Speak for yourself Donovan; you don't have to meet the dreaded mother-in-law." Klaus said rolling his eyes at the quarterback.

"Klaus is meeting the Sheriff; now that is something I would pay to see!"

"Okay that does not instil any confidence in me whatsoever Matt." Klaus said nervously.

"Sheriff Forbes is okay just make sure you don't ask to see her gun, I made the mistake of doing that freshman year and got an hour-long lecture on the importance of gun safety."

"Yeah I had the nerve to steal some gum from the shop and she berated me the whole way home, I mean I was only eight." Jeremy said.

"Okay so no shoplifting or gun remarks of any kind, I think I can handle that." Klaus repeated slowly.

"There's just the little matter of you getting drunk and marrying her only daughter in Vegas but that should be no problem." Damon said raising his eyebrows earning a dirty look from his client.

"Thanks Damon." He scowled. "I think I need another drink to deal with all of this." He said looking to Jeremy.

"Okay Klaus I'm thinking turning up drunk to the Sheriff's house is not going to look all that good." Matt said.

"Yeah I'm cutting you off man; I wouldn't want you to have to bear the wrath of Sheriff Forbes." Jeremy said. "Or Caroline for that matter, she's scary when she's mad."

"Tell me about it." Klaus muttered wondering how the hell he was going to get through the night.

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"It's all going to be okay Caroline." Klaus said trying to soothe her nerves. She had been agitated the whole way over in the car, not that he could talk he was petrified, definitely a first for him.

"I'm fine Klaus." She snapped, obviously anything but fine. Klaus looked at the blonde shaking like a leaf, a terrified look etched on her face. She knocked softly and they heard loud footsteps coming up the hall.

"Well if it isn't the happy couple." Liz Forbes remarked dryly as she answered the front door. Klaus swallowed nervously realising his hopes for a happy evening were fading fast.

"Hi mum, it's good to see you." Caroline whispered choosing to ignore her earlier comment. She stepped over the threshold and reached forward hugging her mother. Klaus winced slightly at how awkward it all seemed. "So this is Klaus." He put his hand out to shake hers but she was not forthcoming.

"Klaus Mikaelson." She said studying him carefully. "So this is your first drunken marriage I assume, there's no other wives running around the place."

"Not that I know of." He said attempting a joke; Caroline shot him a look that said to behave. "No other wives." He clarified quickly.

"Well at least that's something." She muttered. "Well come in, its cold out." She said ushering them into the living room.

"Wow mum the place looks good since I was last here." She said looking around the room. Klaus looked over at the far wall, pictures of Caroline filling most of it from when she was a baby right up until now. He smiled at how cute she looked with her blonde pigtails and big blue eyes.

"Yeah I did some redecorating." She replied looking around the room. "If you came back here more often you'd know that." She said a hint of sadness in her voice, Caroline looked at her mum a few tears springing to her eyes.

"I do try mum, it's just been difficult what with touring and recording my latest album." She explained.

"Oh and getting drunk and married in Vegas." She shot back obviously still angry with her daughter.

"Look Mrs Forbes I understand you're upset about everything that happened." Klaus said attempting to explain himself.

"It's Sheriff Forbes to you." She said sending him a steely glare.

"Sorry Sheriff Forbes." He said correcting himself. "I understand you're upset but you have to know we both feel so bad about this. I mean if we could take it all back of course we would."

"Is that supposed to make it all better?"

"Mum don't be mean, Klaus is just trying to explain." Caroline argued.

"Well he's not doing a very good job of it; I just hope he's a better husband than he is a communicator."

"That's not fair mum, you don't even know Klaus." Caroline cried jumping to his defence. "Obviously this isn't the way we wanted things to turn out but unfortunately this is how it's going to have to be for the next five months."

"And I'm supposed to just go along with this marriage farce pretending to be the happy mother-in-law?" She cried. "It's not fair to expect me to do this Caroline."

"I know mum and I'm so sorry but please can you just do this for me, for us." She added looking at Klaus her blue eyes filled with sadness. His heart immediately went out to her and he felt the overwhelming urge to put his arms around her and make it all better.

"Of course I'll do it Caroline but it doesn't mean I condone any of this. I mean this isn't the daughter I raised."

"Sheriff Forbes Caroline is still the wonderful person you raised she just made a mistake, we both did."

"She was until you came along Klaus. Caroline would have never done something like this but obviously you've corrupted her in some way." She shouted jumping up from the couch her eyes wild.

"Mum no one corrupted me. Klaus is a good person, but unfortunately we did something stupid. Don't you think we're paying for this enough without you making me feel worse?" She cried tears streaming down her cheeks now. Liz's face softened slightly, obviously affected by seeing her daughter so upset. She turned her back on them looking towards the wall of photographs when her daughter was happy.

"Look I'm happy to do whatever you need but I can't pretend to be okay with this ridiculous marriage." She said quietly bowing her head.

"Fine." Caroline cried. "I think its best we leave then." She stood up from the couch and stalked towards the door without even a backwards glance to her mother. Klaus slowly got up walking over towards her mother hoping to smooth things over. He noticed the tears running down her face for the first time.

"Klaus!" Caroline screamed from the front door. He gave Liz one last imploring look and walked out of the house.

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"Caroline talk to me." He said looking over at her tear stained cheeks. They were in the car on their way back to her place.

"No that's about the last thing I want to do right now Klaus." She shouted. "God I just want to go back."

"What do you mean go back home?" He asked slightly confused.

"No I want to go back to my life before this when everything was so much easier."

"Yeah a time machine wouldn't go astray at the moment." He said trying to lighten the situation; she just gave him a blank stare. "Sorry you know situations like this bring out my bad jokes."

"At least back then I was happy, I mean I had my career and my friends but now all I have is a bloody mess." She sniffed.

"She'll come around Caroline you know she just needs more time."

"How much longer does she need Klaus, my mum has already had a month. You heard her back there she's never going to forgive me." She said. "Honestly if she's going to be like that maybe I'm better off without her."

"You don't mean that Caroline."

"You know actually I do, she is so infuriating. All she's ever done is give me a hard time. I worked so hard in school even though I knew all I ever wanted to be was a singer. Everything I've done has always been for her."

"She's so proud of you though. I mean look at that wall of photos in the living room, it's practically a shrine to you."

"I'm surprised it was still there to be honest considering she's so disgusted with me at the moment." She spat. "I think we should leave tomorrow. I'm not putting up with her anymore, I don't care what Elena says."

"No we're staying here Caroline." He said firmly. She looked at him in disbelief. "You need to sort this out with her; you can't leave it like this."

"Oh since when did you become my counsellor?" She said rolling her eyes in his direction.

"Since you only have one mother." He cried the emotion thick in his voice. "No matter how much she's upset you Caroline you need to sort this out because one day she may not be around anymore." She looked at the grave expression on his face obviously processing what he'd said.

"I suppose you're right." She murmured reluctantly. "She's just made me feel so completely alone in all of this."

"Well you have me, even if I have a funny way of showing it sometimes." He said quietly. "If anyone knows what you're going through right now it's me."

"If that's your sneaky way of trying to apologise again it's not working." She joked wiping the residual tears from her eyes. "Although you may have slightly redeemed yourself with that comment about me being wonderful." Klaus smiled thinking back to their conversation with her mother.

"Yeah well for someone that apparently hates me you did a pretty good job of defending me to your mother back there too." He smiled slightly the pain in his stomach finally beginning to ease.

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11 June, Mystic Falls Virginia

Klaus walked up to the house feeling slightly nervous but knowing it was what he needed to do. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door. She approached sending him an unimpressed glare through the glass.

"Twice in two days Klaus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Liz Forbes asked her eyebrows raised disapprovingly.

"I wanted to speak with you if I can?" He asked hopefully, she paused momentarily then shrugged her shoulders and moved aside so he could enter.

"I don't really know what else there is to say after last night."

"I know things got out of hand and for my part in that I'm sorry." He said sincerely. "I just wanted you to know how much your daughter loves you and how horrible she feels about letting you down."

"Klaus."

"No please let me finish. We did something irresponsible and completely careless, something we can't change unfortunately."

"Well that's hardly news to me Klaus."

"Caroline is still a good person and it was completely out of character for her."

"You can say that again." She muttered.

"So you'll understand how upset she is about all of this, trust me Sheriff Forbes she has been berating herself ever since it happened. "

"I understand that Klaus. Look it doesn't take a genius to see how bad she feels but why does she need to go through with this fake marriage? I certainly didn't raise my daughter to be a liar."

"Look it's hard to understand the way Hollywood and the media work but once a person makes one mistake they will crucify you, it's like survival of the fittest."

"It sounds like an absolute jungle." She said a look of disdain on her face.

"It's much worse trust me." He said shaking his head. "She doesn't want to do this but her career depends on it and you know how important that is to Caroline. It's pretty much her whole life."

"I'll never understand why either of you kids want to be caught up in something so crazy."

"Yeah I know what you mean. I guess we love what we do so we put up with all the rubbish that goes with it."

"Well I have to say Klaus you don't seem nearly as bad as I imagined all this time."

"I guess I'll take that as a compliment." He chuckled.

"No you've really surprised me. Here I was thinking you were just a vain, arrogant and immature actor who corrupted my precious daughter."

"Well I'm glad I could set you straight on that."

"Your mother must have raised you correctly." She smiled. "Maybe we need to get together and compare notes about our children's drunken wedding sometime."

"Unfortunately that won't be possible, my mother died about ten years ago." He said sadly, his voice breaking slightly. "Although I guess I was lucky she taught me some manners from a young age." Liz looked over at him and Klaus recognised the familiar look of pity crossing her face. This is why he didn't tell many people about his mother he hated them feeling sorry for him.

"I'm so sorry Klaus." She said sincerely. Klaus nodded trying to keep his composure. "Well I have a feeling she'd be pretty proud of the way you've turned out."

Klaus smiled slightly hoping it was true.