Chapter Twelve – We Might Fall

We should go to sleep now, you should stay the night
I'll be up to watch the world around us live and die
Lying on the grass now, dancing for the stars
Maybe one will look on down and tell us who we are
We might fall

"So dinner? With Caroline?" Elijah asked again, eyeing his younger brother suspiciously.

"Actually, I had intentions of taking her to The Phillips Collection to see the show that just opened, but dinner would perhaps be on the agenda as well. That was her original question after all," Klaus said, flipping through the stack of files on his desk as he searched for one in particular.

"And this is about your child?" Elijah asked, raising an eyebrow.

Klaus looked up at the older man, a smirk forming on his lips as he took in his worried expression. He understood Elijah's concern, but that did not mean it didn't amuse him, "It's a date, Elijah. I am capable of having social interactions that do not revolve around business or sexual gratification."

"I'm aware. I would like to think the faith I have in you is not misguided, brother," Elijah said, "I just want you to be careful with her. This isn't simply a girl that tickled your fancy. She's the mother of your child. You can't act like you normally do with women," he lectured.

"I'm aware," he mocked, setting the folders back on his desk in a separate pile. He folded his fingers together, sitting them on the desk as he looked up at Elijah. "I know that Caroline is not something to be played with. I also know that I have no intention of playing with her. The situation is delicate."

"Exactly. It's delicate. You are finally at a place in your relationship with Caroline where you two can co-exist peacefully. You are both interested in what's best for your child. You are both being proactive to get along and make the best environment for your child. I am completely on board with the two of you trying to make things work, especially considering you have not given it a chance yet."

"But.." Klaus spoke, attempting to speed up his brother's speech.

"But I know you and how you operate. You have not had a solid relationship in nearly three years and quite frankly, I like Caroline, as do Rebekah and Henrik and Kol. Everyone wants to be involved in this child's life. No one wants to be shut out," Elijah said.

"Why don't you let me handle my own relationships and worry about your own, Elijah? When was the last time you brought anyone home to our family?" Klaus questioned, looking up at his brother. He stood from his desk and paced around it, extending the file to Elijah. "I believe this is what you asked for."

Elijah sighed, taking the file from him before he looked at his younger brother, "I just want you to be careful with her."

"I am," Klaus agreed. "Now, If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work. I have a lot to finish before the end of the day. Finn barges in here like he owns the place when all of the paperwork is not filed properly. While I love going toe to toe with our older brother, I have better things to do this evening. It's bad enough when you lecture me, I cannot sit through two in one day." He pinched the bridge of his nose, making his way back over to his desk.

| Oh What A Night |

"Alright, I've finished the inventory, slave driver," Katherine said, dropping Caroline's beloved clipboard on the kitchen counter, making the blonde cringe at the sound.

"I am not a slave driver. I just need to get inventory done so I can get the order in before the next quarter starts. I know you know the bar industry well, but spring is HUGE for the baking business. For some reason when those flowers bloom, things go a little cuckoo around here. People want cupcakes and cookies and cakes by the truck load, I didn't get a day off in two months last year. That's why we're going to be prepared this year. Extra help, extra hours, and a fully stocked backroom. I am not going to get buried in orders again," Caroline said, shaking her head as she looked over the list that Katherine had dropped on the counter.

"You make it sound like a war," Katherine said. She sat down on one of the stools in the kitchen, swinging one boot-clad leg over the other as she watched Caroline swirl around the kitchen. It was amusing to say the least. Like watching a chicken with it's head chopped off. Caroline was running around in a particularly crazed fashion at the moment. She was used to the sight, Caroline often did this, but this was more running around than Katherine was used to.

"There's a reason they call it Cupcake Wars," Caroline said with complete seriousness as she pointed her pen at Katherine.

"Alright, Bobbie Flay, why don't you calm it down a few notches?" Katherine said, shaking her head. "What is going on with you anyway? You are running around here like you've been taking bath salts. Or snorting bath salts? I'm not entirely sure how that works."

"Alright, Elena."

"Ouch."

"I'm just trying to get everything ready for tonight since I'm not going to be here. This is the first Friday I've taken off in months and I want to make sure everything runs smoothly in my absence. I'm nervous, I can't help it," she said, setting the clipboard down on the counter.

"I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm here and Kasey and the other counter girl-"

"Bailey. And do not under any circumstances leave her alone with Damon. She's the only one we have who has not slept with him and I do not intend on letting that change now."

"The only one?" Katherine asked raising an eyebrow.

"The only one of the counter girls. I love Damon, but I wouldn't touch that with a twenty foot pole. I don't know where he's been and I'm pretty sure Elena has the same opinion that I do," Caroline said, shaking her head.

"Regardless, the four of us can handle it. I'm not worried," she said, looking over at her. "Just relax, enjoy your date. Get laid. God knows you need it."

"I am not having sex with Klaus," Caroline said, shaking her head.

"Why? What's the worst that could happen? It's not like he can get you pregnant again?" Katherine said, dipping her pinkie into the frosting Caroline was whipping up and bringing it to her lips.

"Because despite the fact that my hormones are out of control crazy and I'm so turned on all the freaking time, I am not the kind of person who has sex on the first date or the second. And I know that seems completely ludicrous considering I got pregnant the night I met him, but still. It's a new start, a fresh one. It doesn't matter how much we already know each other. This is a first date and I'm going to treat it like one. It isn't a game," Caroline shook her head. "It doesn't matter how hard up I am."

"Or how hard up I am apparently," Katherine huffed crossing her arms, "I was going to live vicariously through you."

Caroline gave her a look, "You are the one who is both single and not with child. You could have anyone you want. Just go sleep with someone, preferably not while you are working. I do not have time to bring in a cleaning crew to scrub down whatever surface you choose for your bidding. Just do it at Jeremy's."

"It's been a while, I'm not exactly on the prowl at the moment," Katherine said, straightening her jacket.

"And you think I would fare better?" Caroline asked, raising an eyebrow. "Let me tell you, the extra curve does nothing to pull the men in." She shook her head.

"Yes, but you have a baby daddy. He's practically legally required to see to your needs while you are incubating his kid."

"I'm still not having sex with him. I don't care how bad you want me too," she laughed, taking the frosting off the mixer and beginning to put it into a piping bag. "So how long has it been for you? If you are this desperate to live vicariously through me then it's been a minute," Caroline asked, tightening the open end of the bag.

"I haven't since I left New York. This whole mess with Trevor has left me a little out of it."

"It really hit you hard didn't it?" The Blonde asked, setting her piping back down. "What exactly happened?"

Katherine sighed, leaning against the counter. "We just drifted apart. I don't know how else to explain it. We stopped talking and started sleeping with other people and not telling each other. There was no passion so we both looked elsewhere. Simple as that." She uncrossed her legs and stood up, a clear sign she was done with the conversation. Caroline knew that much. Katherine had never really been one for words, it surprised her that she had been this forthcoming with details to begin with. The last thing she wanted to do was push her to talk about something that was that painful. "I think I should get back out to the bar. Let me know if you need any more inventory done. Or don't let me know. I think I would prefer that actually." She smirked before seeing herself out of the kitchen.

Once the cupcakes were frosted and placed out in the front counter for the afternoon rush, Caroline finally retreated up to her apartment. It all would have been much easier if she did not have to work around the bump, but she found herself thankful that Rebekah had insisted on getting maternity dresses when they were out shopping a few weeks prior. Choosing one wasn't as simple as she had hoped it would be.

"Care, Klaus is here," Katherine spoke into the intercom, causing Caroline to scramble over to it in her bathrobe and curlers.

"Five minutes," she said before frantically making her way over to the closet and hastily choosing a dark purple bohemian style dress and fitting a black blazer over it. It was comical really. The blazer wouldn't even entertain the idea of sitting around her bump, but Rebekah had insisted it looked cute and Caroline didn't have much of a choice. She pulled the curlers from her hair and ran her fingers through it, brushing on a touch of mascara and eye liner. She stepped into a pair of black heels before making her way downstairs, noticing Klaus sitting at the bar being grilled by Katherine and Damon.

"Bring her home in one piece," Katherine said.

"And preferably not pregnant with another kid. It's bad enough we have one take care of," Damon added.

"But do try to scratch that itch, it's been a while for her," Katherine added with a whisper.

"And on that note," Caroline said loudly. It drew all of their attention back to her. "Hi, I'm ready," she said, looking at Klaus.

"I can see that. You look lovely, Caroline," Klaus said, sliding off of the bar stool.

"Thank you." She smiled before looking past him, "And you two. Seriously?" she asked, crossing her arms, "I can't leave you alone for five minutes. This place better be standing when I get back," she threatened.

"Okay, Mom."

"Bye," she said, looking back at the two of them as she took Klaus's arm and headed out of the door. "Sorry, they are a spirited bunch."

"That wasn't your friend Elena was it? She seemed different," Klaus asked as the driver opened the door for them.

"No, that would be Elena's twin sister Katherine. They couldn't be more different if they tried," she explained, sliding carefully into the backseat of the car before shooting over so Klaus could join her. The task was easier said than done with the bump getting in her way at each and every turn. "So where are we going?" she asked curiously as the door closed behind him.

"There's a new exhibit at The Phillips Collection. Pollock and Ossorio. A few others. It hasn't opened yet, but I know someone. I thought you might enjoy some art," he explained, resting his arm on the back of Caroline's seat.

"That sounds perfect. I've been wanting to see that since I heard about it. I just thought I'd have to wait until the hype died down. I suppose being the ambassador's step son has some perks, huh?"

"Not exactly," he said with a smirk.

The drive to the museum was quick, it was practically around the corner from Caroline's building. The car stopped out front and Klaus extended his hand to help her from the vehicle. Once inside, they were escorted into a small backroom where they were promptly left alone with the paintings.

"What is the exhibit called?" Caroline asked as she gravitated towards an untitled Alfonso Ossorio piece. She tilted her head to the side, studying the red and black brush strokes and the loosely etched figures. She glanced back at him, taking in his smirk.

"Angels, Demons, and Savages," he said, walking behind her to study the piece that she was staring at so intently.

"Fitting," she said, her own smirk gracing her lips.

"This is not my favorite piece in the collection." His hand ghosted down her arm before taking her hand at the finger tips. He pursed his lips as he glanced around the rudimentary room and the extraordinary paintings it held. "This one," he said, gently moving her towards a staunchly red and black piece by the same artist. Caroline leaned over to read the plate at the bottom of the frame, Red Family.

She studied it for a moment. There was three, maybe four figures depending on which way she tilted her head. They were lost, struggling amongst a sea of black and dark. There was something sad about it, and also happy and Caroline couldn't explain it in words, just a feeling. She had taken a basic art history course in college, part of her undergrad, but it didn't prepare her for this. All of the art she had seen was a challenge, something that took patience and talent and was laid out, perfectly crafted and this was not that. It was messy and visceral. Emotional. Something she had never felt looking at art before.

"There's something about it…" she stopped when she realized she didn't know how to finish the sentence.

"I know. No one word comes to mind but Litost," he said, causing Caroline to turn around.

"Litost?" Caroline questioned with a confused expression.

"Litost," he pronounced it correctly for her. "It's Czech."

"My Czech is a little rusty," she smirked, teasing him.

"The word doesn't exist in English. It means a state of torment created by the sudden sight of one's own misery. I think it fits this painting well. There's something about it that tears at your insides. It's almost as if everything you've ever felt floods your senses at once."

"No, no I get it. You can kind of feel the pain just looking at it."

"It's like a black hole. It doesn't hit you all at once, it kind of creeps in and takes hold of you," he said, taking her shoulders and gently pulling her away from painting. "The key is not to look at it for too long. Otherwise you become severely engrossed," he whispered, moving onto the next painting and allowing Caroline to wander throughout the room.

"Mr. Mikaelson, would you like to see where we've moved your painting?" the curator asked after peeking his head in the door.

"That won't be necessary."

"Your piece? Are you saying that you have a piece in this museum?" Caroline asked, raising her eyebrow. She looked to Klaus before looking at the curator. "I would love to see it."

"Right this way." He motioned for them to follow him up the stairs and out of the basement storage. "We've placed it in the lower floor East Gallery, better lighting to showcase your piece." He showed them into the room and Caroline gravitated to the abstract painting, reminiscent of a snowflake.

"You know I figured you painted after your turpentine comment the other day, and the smell of course, but you are really something," Caroline said. Her eyes moved over the painting, following the brush strokes. She glanced back at him. "It's beautiful, kind of a sad kind of beauty. I really like it."

"This is what I do when I'm not selling my soul at the embassy," he spoke, looking down at her. It was the first time she had seen anything even resembling modesty coming from him. "How about dessert? I'd normally take you for drinks, but I don't think that's allowed in your condition."

"Dessert sounds perfect. I know just the place," Caroline said with a smile. She led him out of the museum and the two of them dropped into the subway.

"Where are you taking me?" Klaus asked, holding the bar on the subway so Caroline could take the open seat.

"When I'm not at my own place, there's an ice cream shop. So good. It's actually in your neck of the woods. It's right by the National Archives," she explained as they changed trains to make it on the right line.

"You are aware it's fifty degrees outside," Klaus asked, raising an eyebrow as he sat next to Caroline on the next train.

"It's never too cold for ice cream. It's practically a law," she told him, leaning into him as the train took off to steady herself.

"If you say so." He shook his head, looking at her. Once the train stopped the two of them stepped off and headed up to the ground. "So where is this place?" Klaus asked, glancing at Caroline. He noticed the sour look on her face almost instantly. "Are you alright, Caroline?" he asked, one of his hands wrapping around her middle to support her.

"Just kind of dizzy all of the sudden. Probably the train," she said, leaning against him. Her hand gripped his shoulder as his grip on her waist tightened, holding her up.

"Well as appealing as ice cream in the middle of winter sounds, I think you had better sit down and rest," he said, holding her up. "My place is right over there." He led her back to the building, moving slowly so he didn't make her dizziness worse, making his way up to the penthouse. "Here, sit," he set her down on the couch. "Should I call a doctor?"

She eased back into the house before shaking her head, "No, it happens sometimes. Just dizzy. It's just one of the oh so lovely parts of pregnancy." Her hands rested on her bump as she looked back at him. "So this is what this place looks like with the lights on, huh?" she asked, glancing around.

"I believe the lights were on for at least part of our evening," he smirked, pulling a water bottle from the fridge and handing it to her before sitting down next to her on the couch.

"I think you may be right," she laughed, taking a drink from the water bottle and leaning her head back against the leather couch. "I take it your place does not spell like turpentine all of the time. That is a good thing to know."

"Only when I'm painting," he said, looking over at her. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better. It'll go away soon," she said, before her hand slid over her bump, both moving to one location on her side.

"What is it?" Klaus asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

"It's kicking," she said, taking his hand and moving it to the spot on her bump where the child seemed to be doing the most kicking. "Do you feel it?" She looked up at him expectantly.

"Does that hurt?" he asked, looking up at her with a smile forming on his lips.

"No, it feels strange, but it doesn't hurt." She looked down at her bump, the place where his fingers intertwined with her over the kicking. "I've felt the baby move before, but just little flutters, I never know if it's the baby or indigestion, but it's really in there."

"It really is, isn't it?" Klaus nodded.

"It's kind of amazing," she said, shifting against the couch so she could get into a more comfortable position.

Klaus didn't say anything. He simply nodded, his hand never leaving the spot on her bump where the baby had kicked. He could still feel it. It wasn't regular or steady, but every so often he would get a kick. He found that if he brushed his fingers against Caroline's skin he could coax a kick out of the small bump. He wasn't sure how long he sat like that, feeling his child kick his hand.

"Is it-" he began to ask before realizing that Caroline had drifted off. He knew that being pregnant was exhausting, recalling Sage complaining about it from time to time. His hands slipped under her gently, lifting her from the couch and carrying her into the master bedroom. He pulled back the covers before setting her down in the middle, pulling the covers back over her. The least he could do was get her a bed to sleep in. He tucked a curl behind her ear before moving to the chaise lounge in the corner of the room.