Notes: Hey! And here's where we start the next section. Today is Quotes Day, of the 25DaysofKlaroline event. Sections of this one are usually informed by Klaroquotes, so I thought it was semi-fitting. I continue to be insanely appreciative of all the love this story gets (600 reviews?!) so thank you all for reading!

FEBRUARY – FRIDAY:

CAROLINE:

"…likely be last minute issues that pop up. It's inevitable, but I assure you that my team and I have plenty of experience in dealing with such eventualities and they will in no way affect the success of your event. Any questions?"

Caroline pauses, and glances over at her client ("Please, call me Jesse," he'd said, five minutes into their first meeting), who's surveying the partially decorated room, looking impressed.

He works for a record label, and they're throwing a lavish album release party to launch some kind of boy band. Caroline had only met the group briefly, and they'd made her feel very, very old with their fresh-faced adorableness and exuberance. One of them had attempted to hit on her, and she'd kind of wanted to pat him on the head, maybe offer to buy him a cookie. She'd managed to politely decline, and he'd immediately set his sights on a bartender at the restaurant they'd been meeting in.

Boys. So fickle.

Tonight's party is set to begin at nine, and things are running smoothly, so far. Caroline hopes it stays that way. Despite her assurances that she could deal with last minute disasters she'd really rather not.

"Everything looks incredible," Jesse says sincerely, an admiring look in his eyes, when he turns to face her. "You've done a great job."

Caroline's first instinct is to say, 'I know,' (because she does know that she's awesome at her job, thank you) but she curbs it, flashing him a smile instead, "Thank you. I've actually never done anything quite like this, so it was a nice change."

"I'll definitely be calling you again," Jesse replies, moving closer to get out of a worker's way. His tone lowers slightly, "In fact…"

Caroline glances up at him, curious about the mild apprehension flitting across his face, "In fact…" she prompts, when he's slow to speak. She's half afraid he's going to tack on some last minute request that will leave her scrambling.

She's not sure if she's relieved or not, when that turns out not to be the case.

"I was wondering if I could call you for more… personal reasons. I've enjoyed working with you, Caroline, and I'd like to get to know you better."

Caroline keeps her expression perfectly neutral, as her mind races at the offer. It's not something she'd expected. She and Jesse get along fine, and if she'd sometimes detected a hint of a flirt in him, she'd chalked it up to his natural charm, and not any romantic intentions.

A mistake that she's kind of kicking herself for.

"There's no obligation," Jesse rushes to add, watching her face carefully. "I'm not the kind of jerkoff who's never going to hire you again, if you say no. But I might have asked your assistant if you were seeing anyone, last time I was at your office, and she said, 'Caroline insists that she's not, but I have my doubts,' which was kind of weird, but I figured you'd know, better than anyone, if there was someone else, right?"

Yep, she's definitely going to need to kill Megan. Glancing over, to where she'd last seen the assistant, she notices Megan's head whipping away suspiciously.

Would it have killed Megan, to at least give Caroline a heads up?

"I'm not. Seeing anyone," Caroline says slowly. As she trails off, and gropes for the best way to turn Jesse down, she wonders why she's bothering. He's a good guy, very attractive, smart, and successful. She's sure tons of women would love to be in her shoes right now.

But not Caroline. Her gut had said no, and a few moments of deeper consideration tell her that she truly has no desire to go out with Jesse. None. At all. And the reason (the person) why is blindingly obvious. Even if he is, once again, across the country.

Crap.

This was so not the time for that Klaus-epiphany everyone was pushing for. She has to work tonight, so she can't even get drunk.

Jesse's watching her expectantly, waiting for an answer. Caroline grips her clipboard tightly, and takes a deep breath, "I'm not," she tells him, honestly. "But there's…"

"Someone else," Jesse finishes for her, knowingly.

"Kind of?" she answers. "He's a friend. And the brother of my other friends. And it's complicated. Partly because I've made it complicated. Kind of a bad habit of mine, but..." Caroline shakes herself, before she continues. Talking about her love life to a client was a terrible idea, even if said client had just asked her out.

And was probably glad he'd dodged a bullet, after hearing her ramble on.

But Jesse's face is sympathetic, "Ah, I see. Good old complicated," he teases gently.

Caroline lets out a short laugh, "I don't know about 'good.' But I'm going to have to put some serious thought into un-complicating it. Starting tomorrow."

Certain people, certain Mikaelsons were going to be insufferable, and Caroline was so not looking forward to that headache.

"Well, for what it's worth, I think he's a lucky guy."

Ugh, of course he'd be nice about it. She was clearly an idiot.

She'd been wishy washy for months, and it was entirely possible Klaus was completely over her. Maybe now that the mystery had worn off, he had no idea why he'd had feelings for her in the first place. Going out with Jesse would probably be the smart play.

But Caroline had been the one who was more invested in a relationship than another person. It was draining and anxiety producing, and really ramped up her tendency to second guess herself. It had sucked, basically, and Caroline wouldn't knowingly do it to someone else.

Caroline resisted the urge to fidget awkwardly, and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, sending Jesse a small smile, "Thanks. That's sweet and I appreciate it. But I should probably…"

Jesse stepped back, tilting his head to acknowledge the work going on around them, "Oh, right, of course. You've probably got a hundred things to do. I should check up on the boys, make sure no one's planning on wearing sweatpants tonight. Sometimes my job's a little like babysitting."

Caroline wrinkles her nose, her reply commiserating, "That sounds like fun."

A short sigh and an exasperated eye roll were Jesse's only answer, before he nodded politely in farewell, and left Caroline's sight.

She takes a minute to consider the interaction, decides that it really hadn't been that bad. He'd taken her 'no' well, and she believes what he'd said, about not holding it against him.

Resolved to get back on task, Caroline locks her eyes on the top sheet of her clipboard. But she doesn't really see it, the letters mingling together. She's half tempted to find a bathroom, for a little private freak out, but she feels like that could be time consuming, and she really doesn't have any time to spare.

Being a grownup was the worst sometimes.

Walking across the room, she pulls her phone out of her pocket. She's greeted by a text from Klaus, on the lock screen. And wasn't that just super great timing?

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 2:11 PM]

Am being dragged to some horrid nightclub with Marcel tonight. Apparently popular with reality stars. If I text you pictures, will you tell me who they are? Just so I don't offend anyone. I imagine such people don't take kindly to not being recognized.

Caroline presses her lips together to keep from smiling, typing a reply before she really thinks about it. She can picture him clearly, the little curl of distaste his mouth would make.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 2:53 PM]

I see how it is. You make fun of my love for trash television, but when it's of use to you, I'm your personal wikia? I don't think so. And since when do you care about offending people?

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 2:55 PM]

I don't really. I'd just rather not be subjected to boasting about the time they ate bug larvae or rappelled down a building in search of fame and fortune. Think of my brain, Caroline.

He really was a giant annoying snob sometimes.

And she still liked him.

She was in so much trouble.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 2:56 PM]

Working tonight, so I make no promises. But totally send me pictures. And text me if anything interesting happens. Ooh, maybe you'll be on TMZ!

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 2:57 PM]

I don't know what that is. You work tonight? I'm sorry, I thought that was Saturday.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 2:58 PM]

Next Saturday. The fancy Foundation for the Arts fundraiser I made you donate the autographed compendium for. Tonight it's the next big tween sensation's listening party thing.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 2:59 PM]

And I was worried about my ears. And my brain.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:01 PM]

They're not that bad! Say it with me, Klaus: pop music is not the root of all evil.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:01 PM]

Debatable. Highly debatable.

It's not a new argument, but Caroline gets ready to start it again, because one of these days she's going to win, damn it. But another message pops up on her screen.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:02 PM]

But I should let you go, I'm sure you've minions to direct. Sorry for disturbing you, love.

She nearly lets out a snort, at that. Because he had. Just not in the way he'd thought, and not for something he needed to apologize for.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:03 PM]

You didn't. Actually your timing is annoyingly perfect.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:03 PM]

But I should get back to setup. Lunch, when you get back on Sunday? Your plane gets in at 10, right?

And Caroline should hopefully have made the necessary lists, done the appropriate amount of agonizing, by then. Steeled herself, to actually make a move. Figured out what her move should be.

She was getting nervous just thinking about it.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:04 PM]

Ah, yes. That's a friendship requirement, or so you said.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:05 PM]

Yup. Plus, I want all the dirt on the casting. I totally think I should get a Violet-veto.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:06 PM]

I don't even get a veto.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:06 PM]

Really?! I would strenuously object, if I were you. You need a better lawyer, geez.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:07 PM]

Wait, don't tell Elijah I said that. I'm sure he's a great lawyer. Very intimidating. Can probably just stare people into submission.

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:08 PM]

Cross my heart, love. And he tries that tactic, often enough on us, so I don't doubt its effectiveness on weaker opponents.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:09 PM]

LOL. I thank you for you discretion. So, lunch? 1:00? Same place?

Klaus:

[FRIDAY 3:10 PM]

I'll be there.

Caroline senses eyes on her, so she glances up, sees a few people shooting her odd looks. Megan, who's assembling gift bags, speaks without turning away from her task, "You're doing the weird dreamy smiley thing again. It's freaking people out because you're usually in full fire breathing dragon mode when the clock's ticking."

"I am not that bad," Caroline protests.

"Tell that to the printer you made cry last week."

He hadn't cried, not really. And he'd completely messed up the colors on the logo. Twice.

"How's Klaus, by the way?" Megan asks, a sly smirk on her lips.

Caroline sends her a very dark glare, "We will have words later, you and I."

"Looking forward to it!" Megan chirps. "But seriously, when's Klaus back? He's pretty, and I miss looking at him."

Keeping the stern look is a struggle, but Caroline manages it, "Next week," she says, tone final. "Now, onto what we're all getting paid for, has the champagne arrived? And is the kitchen prepped? The caterers arrive at 4."

"Yes and yes."

"Great. I need to go check in with the sound guy. You're good here?"

Megan tosses Caroline a quick salute, barely pausing in her swift, practiced, motions.

Totally why Caroline put up with all her needling.

Caroline sends one last quick text, to Rebekah, before putting her phone away.

Caroline:

[FRIDAY 3:14 PM]

Emergency Margaritas. Tomorrow. 8'o clock.