A/N Thank you all for reviewing!


"So, you're an Original and been around since forever but you can't fix a car?"

Cherie popped her head out of the window, chin resting on the heel of her hand, watching Klaus paced back and forth beside the car as he awaited for his hybrid to fix their problem, barking orders at their chauffeur. Honestly, she'd pondered if the world was working against them and trying to send her a message concerning her rendezvous with the Original.

She wouldn't pass up the thought of her sister conspiring with Bonnie.

"I thought you were a hands on villain."

Eyebrows raising in dry amusement, Klaus lingered beside Cherie.

"Us black hats usually have hired help to do these humdrum tasks."Klaus lazily replied, motioning to his hybrid and slowing his pace, brow slightly furrowed in annoyance."I haven't taken part in these things since carriages become out of style. I'm more of a horse person, myself."

"You're old. Wise. Well travelled. I get it."

"Becoming restless, love?"Klaus straightened from where he was slightly leaning down and speaking with their chauffeur through the driver window."I could easily order my friend here to go fetch-"

"He's already working for you, he's done enough fetching."Cherie cut in with a shake her head, sending the driver a small smile before adding."No pun intended."

The Original looked tempted to roll his eyes but he tutted instead, sending his driver a warning glare when he smiled back at Cherie. The driver instantly looked away, attention returning to his task which was trying to fix the problem with the car.

"There is your pesky little sister."

The human sent him a bemused look, as if expecting the punchline to the joke he'd started. He frowned, seemingly puzzled at the scolding glare she sent his way.

"And have her say that this is your karma and then scold me for ruining her date with Tyler?"Cherie gave a false, cheery laugh before giving Klaus a look that told him she was serious."Nope."

"And she's not pesky."The Forbes sister turned her attention back to her phone as she keenly defended her sister."She's passionate."

Despite fighting the urge to roll his eyes once more, Klaus' smile widened as Cherie quickly verbally fortified her sister. He gave a short nod of approval, respecting her loyalty despite his strong dislike of Caroline. The blonde vampire irked him with her insolence but he bit his tongue instead of voicing his thoughts.

Rebekah's advice repeated in his mind, his sister's voice telling him when to keep his mouth shut.

He'd given his word.

But, still, the Original couldn't stop himself from thinking. Pondering.

I suppose if one of my hybrids just happened to trip, fall and bite her it wouldn't be my-

"Klaus?"

The Original snapped out of his thoughts at Cherie's huff and he offered her a lopsided smile when she sent him a curious glance, wondering what he'd been thinking so hard about.

"Then i've got no choice."Klaus sighed as he pulled out his phone, brow furrowing in reluctance."Rebekah is already envious that she has no plans so even a slight obstacle in mine will give her so much pleasure."

The Original tutted as he typed, sending Cherie a small smile."And people say I don't do my own dirty work."

Cherie gave a scoff, her eye roll making Klaus smile as he sent his sister a text, telling her where they were and to come for them. He then pocketed his phone, eyebrow raising when he heard Cherie mumbling to herself. He watched her as she toyed with the music before she gave a happy laugh.

Crossing his arms over his chest, the hybrid observed Cherie as she hummed to herself.

As she happily smiled to herself, Cherie noticed the Original studying her and frowned."Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing important."Klaus' mouth downturned and he shrugged, fighting a smile."Just trying to come up with a reason to prove you haven't gone completely barmy."

Cherie's face scrunched up in confusion, completely at a loss.

"Huh?"She gave Klaus a puzzled look, lip curled up slightly."Who's Barney?"

The human narrowed her eyes as Klaus loudly laughed, the sound echoing throughout the darkness, making her expression soften. She stared at him for a moment, puzzlement fading before she shrugged.

Cherie toyed with the volume before, after placing the device on the dashboard, she got out of the car, smoothing down her dress. She shut the door behind her, a skip in step as if she were high on sugar as she came to stand in front of Klaus.

Her cocky, chipper smile made him linger for a moment as he observed her before he realized she was looking at him almost expectantly.

"Yes, love?"

"It's your birthday."

The Original gave a slow nod, sending her a confused look."I know that."

"And we're stuck here until your sister comes There's music and moonlight. Everything you need for a corny eighties movie music moment."

Cherie gave a bright smile as she held out her hand."You know what I want..."

"Oh, bloody hell."Klaus muttered as he figured out Cherie's idea, crossing his arms as he shook his head."My answer is a firm no."

"Don't be a buzzkill."Cherie playfully remarked as she walked backwards away from Klaus."I thought you didn't fear anything."

The hybrid gave a laugh, shaking his head, shifting to get more comfortable as he continued to rest against the car. He laughed for a moment, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face as he turned to look over at Cherie again.

"You shouldn't have to think it, love, it's a fact."

"Then what's stopping you from coming over here?"Cherie's tone turned challenging as she took one step closer, not even close to closing the gap between them, with her hands on her hips."Don't tell me the almighty Klaus Mikaelson has stage fright?"

The Original cocked his head as he attempted not to take the bait. The human quirked her eyebrow at him, holding her arms out in an almost taunting manner. A smile grew on her face as he raised his own eyebrows, blowing hair out of her face as a light gush of wind hit her.

"Nu-uh, you picked tonight because it's your birthday. You wanted it to be meaningful."Cherie held out her hand again, beckoning her fingers invitingly."You wanted something memorable, right?"

He offered up no verbal response but tilted his head curiously, trying to decipher her intentions.

Did she seek to humiliate him with this performance?

"Let's give you something memorable. You can remember it in a hundred years when i'm dead and gone. I even put on old people music."The human gave a warm smile, beckoning him with her fingers a second time."Come on."

Klaus stared at the human with somewhat clouded eyes, gaze lingering on her welcoming hand. For a moment, a brief second, she saw a glimmer of rage in his eyes. For what reason she couldn't figure out but she chose to ignore it.

As he shifted his gaze to Cherie, one song ended and another began, seemingly drowning out the rush of car engines.

The Original's false smile faded as her words reminded him of their earlier conversation. Klaus was old, some thought of him as ancient and he wore that title proudly. But he had lost track of his age after hitting a thousand.

He had forgotten about his birthday a long time ago until Rebekah, centuries ago, had conjured up a new way to make him feel. She'd set him a birth date and forced him to celebrate it and Klaus was unable to deny her.

"Heaven, I'm in heaven..."

Since then he'd only celebrate it a few times. Becoming king of New Orleans, taking in Marcellus, building a home for his family, breaking his curseand perhaps discovering something new. Someone new. He'd thought celebrating it tedious, pitifully weak, but his sister could always persuade him.

"Klaus?"

The Original's eyes widened, turning to look over to Cherie once again. He felt a sudden rush of anger soar through him. Angry at her for making him want to celebrate it with her, angry at himself for wanting to. The feeling soon subsided when Cherie imitated his unamused smile.

"I've got six hours 'till midnight and a whole lotta free time, Klaus."She sing songed after a glance at her watch, jutting out her bottom lip when she noticed his petulant expression."Besides, you think i'd pass up a chance to dance with the devil? Nope."

Frown lifting somewhat but not turning into a smile, Klaus merely quietly chuckled.

"While I am thankful for the compliment, don't you think it is a tad bit-"

"Cheesy? Yeah, that's, like, twenty percent of why i'm doing it. To see if you'd refuse such a'mawkish' display. Come on, we'll look cheesy together, it'll be fun."Cherie shrugged, wiggling her fingers in an inciting manner, nodding when the Original narrowed his eyes at her."I dare you."

"And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak and I seem to find the happiness I seek when we're out together dancing cheek to cheek."

Klaus looked tempted to roll his eyes once more but his smile remained and he nodded, making her pout disappear as he straightened, pushing away away from the car.

"It looks like you've figured out my one weakness."Klaus drawled as he slowly started to amble over to her, looking over at Cherie through hooded eyes, hiding a smirk when she curiously narrowed her eyes."I never can turn down a pretty girl."

He made a spectacle of rolling his eyes, brushing invisible dust from his clothing, drawing out the moment as she continued to wait for him.

"Nor a challenge."

It was Cherie's turn to roll her blue orbs as she waited for Klaus, her smile widening as the Original stopped in front of her. She raised her head as he stood over her, larger hand taking her own in his, eyes growing vibrant and a grin appearing as their palms met, fingers lining up against each other's.

"...but I don't enjoy it half as much as dancing cheek to cheek."

A series of exciting tingles skyrocketed through his body and, though he'd never admit it, the Original's mind went blank for a moment.

"Come on and dance with me, i want my arms about you,"

Cherie valiantly grabbed his hand and placed it on her hip before, attention shifting to their hands, she entwined their fingers. She then unabashedly smiled as Klaus gave a startled look, as if he'd never been tenderly touched before, and started to sway from foot to foot in time with the music.

"Heaven, I'm in heaven..."The pair met eyes, the human's lips curving up once more as she relaxed into the Original when he began to sway with her, grip on her hip gently tightening as he garnered more self assurance."And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak..."

"Oh, God, seriously? Can you be more of a cliche?"

Recognising the blunt tone, Cherie quickly stepped away from Klaus, spinning on her heels to face the source of it. The hybrid's fingers instantly unlocked form hers, and he swiftly released her, hands hiding behind his back as he quickly collected himself, donning his wonted intimidating stance once more.

"Caroline?"

Greeting her sister with a half, quick smile from where she stood beside the car, she greeted Cherie with an enquiring glance, hand motioning to the scene before her, hands clamped down on her hips.

"Car-oli-ne."Klaus drew out the name through clenched teeth, sounding eerily calm as he forced himself to don a welcoming smile."To what do we owe this intrusion?"

Caroline simply glanced at Klaus with an unimpressed headshake, stepping forward in the direction of her sister.

"And you think Tyler and I are cheesy?"Caroline arched an eyebrow at her sister as she crossed her arms over her chest."If it were anyone else, I guess it would almost be cute but..."

"Caroline."

"He isn't anyone else."Caroline stressed her words with a pointed look at Klaus, scanning him from head to toe with a glare."Which means that the side of a road in the middle of nowhere far away from anyone that could see means nothing good."

As her sister's voice rose, as her glare clouded, Cherie found herself frowning instead of scolding her because there was no heat behind Caroline's words. She meant them, Cherie knew that, but there was no reason for her to voice them unless she felt obligated to. Just as there was no reason for her to hunt Cherie down when she knew full well her sister was to be home by midnight, the pair had gone over it many times before she'd left the house.

There was no reason behind it.

If you're not home by ten past—quarter at the latest—then i'm in my full right to come looking. 'Kay?

Okay. It's a deal, Caroline.

Her sister wasn't impulsive a great deal of the time; she wasn't one to jump the gun unless the need called for it, she was, in her own words, a control freak. She kept to a plan she'd thought out carefully and she abided by them unless she wasn't able to.

However, most importantly, Caroline wasn't one to break her word unless she had no choice.

"Caroline."Cherie sharply cut in to garner her sister's attention, voice instantly softening when her sister turned to look at her."What are you doing here? What's wrong?"

Drawing in a sharp breath, Caroline looked almost relieved by her sister's words, relieved that she'd been that transparent.

"I know I said I would stay out of it and I swear that I meant to. I promised."Caroline's tone was gentle as she shifted from foot to foot almost timidly, glare faltering and teeth nervously chewing on her bottom lip before she added."I had no choice."

"And that's my cue."Echoed in the night air before a gust of wind hit the pair, followed by the sound of an unimpressed scoff."Broken down car? Dance in the moonlight? It is kind of hackneyed."

"Enough!"Klaus' bellowed, eyes flitting around as his attention zeroed in on the strong rushes of wind before his hand suddenly shot out and, with a complacent tilt of his head, he smoothly drawled."Damon."

There was a series of strangled chokes after the cold greeting, followed by a scuffling of feet and a snarl from a now enraged Klaus. Cherie's brows knitted together at the name, eyes shifting from her sister and narrowing when they landed on the Salvatore brother himself.

Doing his best to mask the pain and how difficult it was to breathe as Klaus' fingers flexed against his windpipe, Damon raised his eyebrows at Klaus' amber eyes.

"Toto."

With a breathy chuckle, Damon forced a cheery smile as he turned as much as he could to look at Cherie, raising a hand and wiggling his fingers in greeting.

"Sunshine."


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I hope you liked the new chapter and let me know if you did.