I'm back! It's been a while, a combination of too much work and too many stories to update. Hope you're still reading and let me know what you think, I love your reviews.

Now for some shameless promotion I have to thank one of my all-time favourite writers livingdeadblondegirl, aka Miranda, who did an amazing review for the Klaroline Magazine (and also to Cassie for the great gifs).

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 25: I've Got You Under My Skin

January 30 2015 New York, New York 6:13am

Caroline couldn't sleep, thoughts of a certain guy were plaguing her thoughts. Not that she minded at all but she wished he was here in person and not thousands of miles away. At this stage she had no idea when he'd be back but at least she had her wicked thoughts. She smiled thinking back to their conversation a few days earlier.

When Caroline hadn't heard from him for five days she began to think that was it and the time they spent together was just one big dream.

She'd been this close to giving up when he messaged her. It was simple but at the same time nice to know she was still in his thoughts like he was in hers. She'd responded with a cheeky remark and the messages had flowed quickly until he'd gone AWOL again.

Caroline knew he was busy with work but it seemed strange that he stopped responding mid text conversation. She'd headed home with Katherine after a few drinks at the bar and submerged herself in the bath, something that brought her a lot of comfort.

She was so relaxed and fading in and out of sleep that she nearly missed her cell phone ringing. She'd jumped with a start and rifled around next to the bath noticing it was Klaus calling. She was almost tempted to let it go to voice mail after he made her wait so long but she'd really missed hearing his voice so connected.

"Well hello there stranger." She drawled.

"Yeah I deserved that." He chuckled down the phone making her shiver from his delicious accent.

"How's London?"

"Bloody cold. How's New York?"

"About the same."

"I wish I was there that's for sure." He said making her smile grow.

"Oh really? Is work that bad?"

"Yeah it's not going so well." He groaned. "I thought I'd have everything sorted by now but Gordon Rose isn't being so cooperative."

"Well did you expect that he would be after what happened?"

"No I guess not, but I did think we had a good working relationship and that might mean something to him after all this time, obviously I was wrong."

"That's got to be tough." She sympathised. "Anything I can do?"

"Exactly what you're doing now, listening to me vent." He said and she could tell he was smiling. "I probably should have called you sooner love."

"Yes you probably should have."

"So enough about my work issues, how is everything there?"

"Well I think Stefan is settling in at your place nicely."

"Don't tell me you're annoyed with me love, I was only being hospitable."

"Is that what you call it?"

"Yes, it's all part of my generous nature."

"And you didn't think about giving me a heads up or anything?"

"Where is the fun it that?" He teased. "Speaking of Stefan, do you know anything about my sister trying to get him arrested for breaking into my apartment?"

"When?" She gasped incredulously. "What happened?"

"Well that's what I was hoping you'd tell me. Lexi mentioned it on the phone earlier. Although for some strange reason it doesn't seem completely out of character for my little sister, she's always been a drama queen."

"Now I'm definitely going to have a chat with Stefan." She replied playing with the bubbles floating on the water.

"Where are you?"

"In the bath tub."

"Oh I know what you're doing…" Klaus trailed off.

"What exactly am I doing?"

"You're teasing me as punishment for not calling." He surmised.

"I'd love to say you're right and that this was all part of my devious revenge plan but I'm actually just in the bath with no motive whatsoever, well except to get clean."

"Mmmm wish I was in there with you right now." He said quietly and she could detect the huskiness in his voice.

"I thought we agreed after the Jacuzzi incident that we needed to take things slow?"

"I think slow is overrated."

"I'm sure you do." She chuckled loving that he was so aroused by the visual of her in the bath. "Maybe you just need to hurry up and come back so we can make some progress."

"I would be on the first flight if I could." He sighed and she could tell he was frustrated. "I have uh a few things to take care of here first."

"Yes and we both know how important this is to your career." She agreed. "Just get back when you can, even if it's just to talk to those brothers of yours."

"Oh no what have they done?"

"Well Elijah has Katherine this close to a nervous breakdown; I swear I almost saw steam shooting out of her ears tonight."

"Trust me I grew up with him and can contest to him having that effect on people." He said knowingly. "Isn't this case over yet? It seems to be dragging on."

"The judge adjourned proceedings again so the next hearing isn't for a week."

"I'd offer to talk to him but Elijah does what Elijah wants and unfortunately your friend has well and truly poked the bear in this case. There's no going back because there's nothing more my brother likes than winning a fight."

"And vice versa." She mused. "They're having a meeting on Friday so that should be interesting."

"As long as they don't kill each other. Hopefully I'll be back by then."

"I hope so too." She closed her eyes briefly thinking about their possible reunion.

"So what has Kol done then?"

"Not too sure but Bonnie is in complete denial if you ask me. She says they're not together but they always seem to be together."

"Ah yes just having no strings attached sex."

"Apparently."

"Yeah I believe it just as much as you. I was speaking to him earlier and trust me he's in denial just as much as her. You never know they might just work it out."

"Unlikely." She sighed. "Anyway I should probably let you go."

"Says the girl who was annoyed I didn't call."

"I never said I was annoyed." She replied defensively. "I'm turning into a prune if I stay in here much longer."

"Okay but next time I call we're doing it over face time or Skype."

"I'm sure you can visualise what I look like, you have seen it all before."

"And it was too damn long ago for my liking." Her growled making the heat spread through her body and she knew it wasn't due to the water temperature either.

Caroline came out of her trance hearing some persistent knocking at the door. She consulted her clock realising it wasn't even 6:30am yet. She pulled back the covers and threw on her fluffy robe before padding to the door.

Peeking through the peep hole her smile widened in excitement, even if her visitor had turned up so early. She flew open the door and launched herself at Matt's broad chest feeling his arms envelop her and lift her off the ground.

"Hey cuz!"

"What are you doing here?"

"Seeing my favourite cousin of course, what else would I be doing?" Matt grinned placing her on the floor and carrying his bag inside.

"Way to surprise me Matt and since you put it so nicely I won't tell you off for waking me so early." She said even though she knew she'd been wide awake thinking about Klaus.

"That's so kind of you Caroline, now where's that bossy friend of yours?" He yelled raising his voice on purpose. "Do I need to jump on someone's bed?"

"Do you have a death wish Donovan?" Katherine cried stomping into the living room her hair resembling a birds nest.

"I see you're just as sweet as usual Kat." Matt joked. "I'm sorry I disturbed your beauty sleep I know how much you need it and all."

"You really do have a death wish, unbelievable." She growled placing her hands on her hips.

"Oh come on don't I get a hug at least before you kill me?"

"First you wake me up then insult me and now you want a hug?" She replied incredulously.

"Yes." He said shrugging his shoulders and holding out his arms. She shook her head before a giggle escaped her lips as he flung his arms around her.

"Ah Matty Blue eyes, they get me every time." She chuckled warmly squeezing him tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"Why does everyone assume I'm here for something?" He baulked. "Maybe I just wanted to visit two of my favourite girls."

"Okay what do you want?" Katherine asked squinting her eyes in his direction.

"Well okay I was hoping I could maybe crash on your couch?" He pleaded sending them his best grin.

"Of course you can Matt, how long are you here for anyway?" Caroline asked curiously. Matt had only just been transferred to the Army base in Virginia so the fact he was on leave so soon seemed strange.

"Uh a couple of weeks tops I promise, plus I don't think I could handle your lumpy couch that long." She sensed something was wrong but decided to talk to him about it in private.

"I don't know Kat, do you think we could put up with him for that long?"

"Probably not but I'll do everything I can not to smother you in the middle of the night with my pillow." She joked. "So now you've woken us up what's news?"

"None from me I was hoping you'd have some for me." He said settling himself at the breakfast bar while Caroline turned on the coffee machine. "How's Klaus?"

"Oh Klaus is uh fine." Caroline stuttered. The question threw her off because it brought back the fact she'd lied to him. One thing she never thought about in their crazy plan were the ramifications. She didn't want to lie anymore but she didn't know what other choice she had at this stage. "He's actually in London for work at the moment."

"Really? You must miss him."

"Yeah I do." She replied truthfully.

"Ew get me a bucket." Katherine grumbled. "She's been like a love sick zombie Matt it's disgusting."

"I am not." She spluttered.

"Ah yeah you are. Well seeing as I'm wide awake I might as well get ready, it's going to be a busy day." Katherine raised her eyebrows at Matt before going to the bathroom.

"What's up with her or is she just always this grumpy in the morning?"

"She's having a few work issues you could say." Caroline said placing a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. "Including a big meeting this afternoon."

"Don't tell me Katherine is letting someone get to her, that's not like her at all."

"Except for the fact he's an extremely handsome, six foot tall, dark haired opposing counsel." She noticed the realisation sweep over his features.

"Ah I see. Our little Kitty Kat has a crush."

"I'm not too sure what it is, one minute she wants to kill him, the next…"

"Sounds like her perfect man." He laughed. "Katherine certainly needs the drama otherwise what's the point?"

"So true."

"So who's the lucky guy, and more importantly when do I get to interrogate him?"

"You might if she hasn't killed him by then. Actually it's Klaus' brother."

"Small world, or did they meet through you two?" He asked raising his eyebrows. Caroline suddenly felt bad for deceiving him and knew she wouldn't feel better until she had come clean.

"Ah there's uh actually something I need to tell you..."

"Oh really?" He asked cocking his left eyebrow.

"See the thing is Klaus and I aren't really a couple." She rambled quickly before continuing. "We were sort of pretending to be a couple just to make Tyler and Hayley jealous."

"That seems like a lot of trouble to go to just for revenge Caroline."

"Well I was seeing someone but he broke it off just before Christmas and as pathetic as it sounds I didn't want to turn up alone." She sighed.

"I know that must have been tough for you to see them together cuz after what they did to you." He said rubbing her arm reassuringly. "But wow I still can't believe you concocted something so extreme."

"Hey it didn't just benefit me, I went to his work dinner to help impress his boss too."

"So you and Klaus just came up with this elaborate plan before you left for Chicago?"

"Ah I sort of met him on the way."

"I'm sorry?" He baulked in disbelief.

"We were both stuck in Indiana together when our flight was grounded and then we sort of ended up driving to Chicago together."

"How exactly?"

"Now that's a long story."

"So let me get this straight you brought a complete stranger to Christmas dinner?"

"Not a complete stranger." She replied defensively. "He'd been annoying me for almost twenty-four hours at that point."

"I bet Aunt Liz would love to know that."

"You wouldn't dare."

"No but it is so tempting." He teased. "Well you wouldn't know you'd just met the guy, you both seemed comfortable kissing under the mistletoe."

"It was all an act." She spluttered.

"Yes because it looked like it Caroline." He shook his head. "So what was Katherine talking about then?"

"We've been sort of catching up since then, you know for his boss."

"Oh yeah just for his boss." Matt said suspiciously. "So what's happening; are you like a real couple now?"

"Kind of, maybe, look I don't know…" She squeaked.

"I haven't had nearly enough coffee to understand your bizarre love life Care."

"We're just trying to work out where we stand I suppose you could say."

"But he's in London."

"Yeah for work, I'm hoping he'll be back soon." She smiled. "He needs to meet his new room mate after all."

"Room mate?"

"Stefan of all people." She laughed. "He offered him a place to stay, without my knowledge of course."

"He must like you if he's willing to share his personal space with Stefan." Matt teased. "Maybe he could put me up too, it's got to be better than your couch."

"Hey if you insult my couch one more time I'm not letting you stay."

"He's still on about that?" Katherine asked towel drying her hair and helping herself to some coffee.

"So Kat you have a big meeting today I understand?" Matt grinned leaning forward making Caroline slap him.

"You told him?" She gasped in shock. "I leave you two alone for five seconds and you spill your guts Forbes."

"I've found out a lot more than I probably wanted to know this early in the morning." He drawled. "These Mikaelson men seem to have you two wrapped around their fingers. Do they have a cute sister by chance?"

"They do, although she's been busy trying to get Stefan arrested for trespassing." Caroline chuckled. After Klaus had told her she'd interrogated Stefan and according to him Rebekah was high strung and conceited and he was only trying to be hospitable but she didn't see it that way.

"Wow I don't see you for a few weeks and everything happens." He laughed. "How about we talk about it over breakfast. What are you cooking me Katherine?"

"Nothing, you woke me up remember. Anyway I have…"

"A big meeting yes, I think we've established that." He grinned making her groan in frustration.

"Can we revoke that offer to stay?" She asked Caroline narrowing her eyes in his direction.

"I have to get into work for an early meeting but how about lunch?" She asked her cousin. "I said I'd meet Bonnie anyway."

"Sounds good I haven't seen her in a while and it gives me time to take a long nap beforehand."

"Oh I'm glad someone gets a nap." Katherine said shaking her head.

"No need to be like that grouchy." Matt joked. "Why don't you have lunch with us Kat? I'll even pay for you if you're nice."

"No I've got…"

"A big meeting." Matt and Caroline finished her sentence before watching her storm back into the bathroom.

"Wow I never thought I'd say this but she really needs to get some."

"You're telling me."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So what do you know?"

"What do you know?"

"I know something but I'm not sure if it's what you know or not."

"Well what do you think I know?"

"Mature Kol, not sure why I even bother with you."

"Because you desperately want to know what I know Lexi, that and the fact you secretly have a thing for me." Kol drawled leaning back in his chair. "Also it seems like we're going for the world record of using the word know."

Lexi had called Kol as a last resort and they were having lunch at one of her favourite restaurants on East 47th Street. She hadn't heard anything from Klaus in a few days, even though she'd tried calling he seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.

She knew Klaus had called Kol as well so she was hoping he could shed some light on the Tatia situation. It was killing her she didn't know what the gold digging bitch was up to with her boss. She knew Klaus was over Tatia but she couldn't ignore the feeling in the pit of her stomach that there was unfinished business.

Once he called it off there wasn't much time to process what happened because in true Klaus fashion he threw himself into work and mindless flings, until Caroline that was. Even though she knew Caroline was different than Tatia, Lexi hoped this flash from the past wasn't going to remind Klaus how trying relationships could be.

"Yeah that's it Kol, I confess I am madly in love with you." She muttered stabbing her tuna salad with a fork.

"I'm glad to hear you are finally realising just how wonderful I am Lexi."

"I think you've just put me off my food." She snorted.

"Well I notice you didn't call Elijah."

"That's because he's like a bear with a sore head at the moment and I highly doubt he knows anything given he's so focused on this case."

"Yeah that's true." Kol acknowledged. "Although he's usually a bear with a sore head."

"Anyway, I wanted to find out what your brother is doing."

"Last time I checked you were his Executive Assistant and ran his diary not me love."

"I am." She growled in frustration thinking how annoying it was trying to work with children. "I just wanted to know if you knew anything about…"

"About?"

"You know what about, stop being so childish."

"Oh you mean about.."

"Yes Tatia damn it." She shot back her patience wearing thin.

"Look last thing I heard was they were catching up for some supposed work meeting." He said making quotation marks when he said the word supposed.

"A dinner actually at Coq D'Argent." She murmured.

"Now that I didn't know, those two sure have a lot of memories there."

"Tell me about it."

"Don't tell me you're worried?"

"How can I not be Kol?" She asked. "Tatia always had a lot of influence over Klaus."

"That was a long time ago before he found out she was an evil, money hungry..."

"Whore?"

"Nice." Kol laughed. "Anyway times have changed Lexi."

"Yes they have but this it doesn't change the fact that Tatia hinges on his success with Gordon Rose not to mention his future possibility for promotion."

"We all know how much he wants that Lexi but even my brother wouldn't sleep with the devil for that."

"I know I just wish he'd get back already and stop dodging my calls it's making me uneasy."

"There's nothing to worry about Lexi, Klaus will be back soon."

"We just have to make sure Caroline doesn't find out in the meantime…" Lexi murmured.

"Caroline doesn't find out about what?" The girl in question asked standing at the head of their table making them look up in shock.

"That uh she doesn't find out about the big present that Niklaus has gotten her, now you're ruined it Lexi." Kol rambled. Lexi made a mental note to buy Caroline something nice from Tiffany on Fifth Avenue.

"Well you didn't need to tell her that." She growled still shocked that Caroline of all people had to overhear their conversation. "What a surprise to see you here."

"Yeah you too, when is that boss of yours back in town? I spoke to him the other day and he mentioned he was pretty busy."

"He's uh still busy with work but hopefully not too much longer." She replied feebly. "Did he say anything else?"

"Not really." Caroline flushed briefly thinking she'd omit the part in the conversation about him wanting to hop in the bath with her.

"So what are you up to?

"I'm having lunch with my cousin actually." She smiled pointing to the attractive blonde who was approaching their table. "Hey Matt this is Lexi and Kol."

"Hi Matt." Lexi said sending her most dazzling smile to the cute blonde.

"Lexi works for Klaus and Kol is…"

"His brother, nice to meet you mate." Kol replied shaking his hand.

"Ah so you're the lawyer?" Matt asked the surprise washing over him.

"No that's my older brother Elijah." Kol replied scrunching up his nose obviously unimpressed. "Actually I should probably get back to Wall Street now the interrogation is over." He raised his eyebrows at Lexi before she hit his foot making him wail in pain.

"So do you guys want to join seeing as my lunch partner is leaving before I've even finished eating?" She gave him her best dirty look.

"Sorry I'm late." Bonnie rushed in obviously out of breath. She reeled back in shock nearly running into an escaping Kol. The tension was obvious as they held each other's gaze before Bonnie looked away quickly.

"So you're all having lunch?" Kol asked staring at Bonnie.

"What gave it away?" Lexi drawled.

"You're welcome to stay you know if you want Kol." Caroline smiled knowing what his answer would be.

"Yeah well I can't leave Lexi here to finish her lunch now can I?" He grinned at Bonnie making himself comfortable and patting the booth next to him. She sat down awkwardly her eyes cast downward.

"So where are you from Matt?" Lexi asked curiously.

"Well Chicago originally, I've been stationed over in the Middle East with the Army but now back in the US based in Virginia."

"Really so you're a soldier?" Lexi asked her interest well and truly peaked.

"A Lieutenant."

"Watch out mate her next question is going to be can she see you in uniform." Kol joked wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Don't mind him Matt. This is why we don't let him out very much, he has no social graces whatsoever." Lexi said dismissively.

"I have plenty of social graces don't I Bonnie?" He argued sub-consciously placing his arm around her. Caroline noticed Bonnie sink into the seat looking like she wanted to be anywhere but there at that moment.

"I think Bonnie's silence is confirmation I'm right." Lexi shot back triumphantly.

"Ah no I just don't want to get in the middle of this fight." She replied. Caroline had never known her sociable friend to be so uncomfortable.

"Oh so are you two together?" Matt deduced pointing between them.

"No we're not." Bonnie said rather forcefully and Caroline couldn't miss the flash of disappointment cross Kol's face. She actually felt sorry for the poor guy. Bonnie was loyal and loving with people she was close to but that was only a select few and Caroline knew more than most it was difficult to penetrate her protective shell.

"Yeah I don't like to be tied down." Kol blurted out recovering quickly but Caroline knew the damage had been done.

"Right sorry about that." Matt replied quickly. "I can't keep up with Caroline's love life let alone everyone else's."

"On that note I better be going, I think I'm done here." His double meaning wasn't missed on Caroline or Bonnie for that matter. He stood up quickly sent his trademark smirk in their direction and left not bothering to look back.

Bonnie's eyes followed him out of the restaurant and Caroline had to do all she could not to tell her to go after him. She knew they liked each other but they were just too stubborn to admit it.

"Yeah actually I have a shoot I need to set up for uptown so I might skip lunch, I'm not all that hungry anyway." Bonnie said consulting her watch. "Raincheck guys?"

"Sure thing." Caroline said rubbing her arm affectionately. "I'll give you a call later." They all watched her go in silence knowing exactly why she was leaving and it wasn't because of a photo shoot.

"So it's my first day in town and I've already offended two people?" Matt joked filling the silence.

"Nah it's not your fault those two just can't see what's right in front of them." Caroline offered.

"So let me get this straight, you and Klaus are possibly together, Katherine and Elijah supposedly hate each other but really want to rip each other's clothes off and Kol and Bonnie are pretending not to be interested in each other." Matt reeled off.

"Pretty much." Lexi chuckled. "It's like a regular soap opera, welcome to my world."

"Yeah and denial isn't just a river in Egypt."

"I love you cuz but I really don't miss your bad jokes." Caroline groaned elbowing him in the ribs.