Notes: The struggle continues with this section! I am allergic to angst, you guys. Even a little kills me. Thanks so much for the reviews and alerts on the last chapter! I love hearing your thoughts. We delve a little more into Caroline's feelings in this chapter (and that will continue in the next two sections). Also, if anyone out there makes covers I would love to have one for this story (and my others!). I'm sick of the weird gray face and I'll happily trade writing for something pretty. On with the story!

DECEMBER – FRIDAY

CAROLINE:

1:30 PM on a Friday and Caroline is one part exhausted and three parts annoyed.

The annoyed is courtesy of work.

One of her current clients (whose teacup Yorkie wore diamonds and cashmere!) kept adding things that she absolutely had to have at her party. Fire dancers. Ice sculptures that poured top-shelf vodka. Out of season, and hard to find, stargazer lilies. And if she wasn't tacking on new requests then she was changing her mind about things long since decided on. 'Cupcakes are over, Caroline. Let's do doughnuts,' she'd said just that morning. The woman seemed to have no idea that things, and these changes, cost actual, real life, money. Caroline's contingency funds had already been eaten up and the party was still weeks away. Looking at columns of numbers, trying to wrangle the budget, is giving Caroline a headache.

She's grateful for the distraction the ping of the interoffice memo system provides.

Until the message box pops up.

Megan Crewe (Assistant Planner):

Dimples McAccent is on his way back. I'm swamped up here so he's got your lunch.

Caroline's initial reaction, after the meaning sinks in: panic.

The exhaustion she's fighting, that the copious amounts of caffeine she's ingested, is barely managing to keep at bay? The product of a restless night brought on, in large part, by the man who'd apparently just shown up at reception.

She'd refused to cough up Klaus' name, despite constant badgering from Megan and a few of her other coworkers (none of whom would hesitate to stalk his social media accounts), but the silly nickname leaves no doubt of just whose arrival in imminent.

And Caroline's not entirely sure how to feel about it.

Her way of dealing with The Klaus Situation (as she's dubbed it in her head) these last two weeks has been: avoid, avoid, avoid. Productive? Nope. Mature? Not really that either. She might be mild to moderately abashed at her own behavior, head in the sand wasn't really her style, but no one needs to know that.

Her friend's reactions have been a mixed bag. Stefan had flat out stated that he wasn't getting in the middle. Enzo's mostly been humoring her refusal to talk about it. Rebekah's brought it up Klaus at every opportunity, but Caroline's been deflecting and redirecting like a pro (save that one tequila fueled night Caroline's pretending to have no recollection of), and Bekah usually got exasperated enough to either accept a change in subject or, more frequently, storm off in a huff. She's so going to have to do something to make it up to Bekah at some point.

Caroline's been avoiding Kol as much as she possibly can, given that they share an address, since he's not the type to back off of a touchy subject. Kol lived for touchy subjects.

But her luck with Kol had run out this week. First, walking in on that delightful scene on Wednesday (the whole apartment still smelled of those artificial forest smells cleaning products were so fond of) and then again last night. Kol had come home earlier than she'd expected him (and in a ridiculously good, nearly giddy, state that had left Caroline highly suspicious) and had brought up Klaus immediately, and often, until Caroline had retreated to her room. But not without bonus witty commentary on her cowardly exit.

But, after Kol's poking and prodding, The Klaus Situation had been all that she could think about. Even when she wanted, and later needed, to go to sleep. Caroline would never, ever, admit to Kol that he was right, but it was probably unfair of her to be annoyed at Klaus for being absent the last few weeks, when he really was just doing what she asked him to.

The irritation had stemmed from another realization: Caroline missed Klaus.

She'd gotten used to his presence, in her space and in her life, his snarky commentary and blunt opinions. It had been just about eight weeks since Kol had moved in, and she'd seen more of Klaus in those first six than she had in all of the previous years since she'd met Rebekah. He came over for dinner often, and he and Kol (and occasionally Elijah) sometimes joined her and Rebekah and Stefan for movie nights or drinks. They'd even gone bowling as a group (never again, Rebekah had vowed, as both Klaus and Kol were nearly as competitive as Caroline was and things had gotten a tad heated…)

The simple fact was that Caroline enjoyed Klaus' company, maybe more than she'd been aware of, until it had been absent. Klaus listened to her ramble (and sometimes rant) about her work, her mom's inability to take a vacation, and the fact that playing Christmas music in early November was a crime against humanity. He made her laugh and he was an expert at subtly pushing Kol's buttons (Bekah's too, though he did it less often) which was always fun to watch (and Kol totally deserved it). Caroline had come to consider Klaus something of a friend. Reading his graphic novel had been a blow to the way she'd seen him, and her perception of their burgeoning friendship. And then the revelations at his apartment had come and she'd been surprised (and everyone knew that Caroline and surprises did not get along) and so angry. The lingering hurt she'd felt every time Klaus had snubbed her over the years had bubbled to the surface. She'd had to get away from it, and from him.

But storming out probably hadn't been the greatest move. Mostly because she still had questions. Like, exactly how many people read The Originals? She'd done some Googling once it became clear that sleep wasn't happening. Recent articles reported that new issues were selling close to two hundred thousand copies. Which had been something of a relief since, in the grand scheme of things, that wasn't all that many people. Caroline could probably stop being paranoid that people were staring at her.

She still couldn't quite let go of him using her face without asking, without even bothering to let her know.

And then there was the whole can of worms that was the 'fancy' thing. That had required more research. Sure, it sounded super charming and adorable in its Britishness, but what did it even mean? The consensus seemed to be that it indicated a casual interest. Also a relief. Caroline could deal with casual. As a teenager, she might have sighed over the idea of a cute boy writing songs about her, harboring intense, unrequited feelings. As an adult that sounded like an awful lot of pressure.

There's a tentative knocking at her office door, and Caroline straightens in her seat, pulling down the sleeves of her cardigan nervously, before calling out, "Come in!"

Klaus pokes his head in, looking hesitant, "I hope I'm not bothering you?"

"No. Come on in. You're actually saving me from throwing this laptop out the window, so…"

Klaus smiles gently, and lets himself in, placing a paper bag in front of her, "The woman at the front desk told me to give this to you. And told me that I am to ensure that you eat at least half of it. She says you sometimes get busy, and forget, and to remind you that fainting's no longer trendy."

"Sorry about that. Megan's a little bit of a worrier. And also likes to remind us that she minored in English Lit," Caroline busies herself with unpacking her salad. She pays more attention to adding dressing than she really needs to, before looking up at Klaus. He's settled himself into the chair across from her, and is watching her warily, "So… how are you?" she asks, unable to help how stilted and formal it comes out.

"Fine, love. You?"

"Good. I'm good."

An awkward silence fell over them. Caroline takes another bite of her salad. Is horrified by how loud her chewing seems. Swallowing and letting out a sigh, she drops her fork, "This is awkward, right?"

"A bit. I'm…"

"No, no. Don't apologize. It's not all you."

Klaus clears his throat, "It's been brought to my attention that I've handled a number of things badly."

"Okay, look. You shouldn't have used me in the comic book without asking. And you definitely should have told me once Violet became popular. I get that it was probably hard for you but still. I feel…" Caroline struggles to articulate her confused thoughts, "not used, exactly. But like my privacy's been invaded somehow. I know she's not exactly me, but you still used bits of my life in there. I don't really know how to deal with that. You've already apologized. And I accept that I just…"

"It's only been two weeks for you, Caroline. I understand if you've not forgiven and forgotten."

"Ugh. Must you be so reasonable?" Caroline complains, only half-joking. "Makes me feel like I'm taking crazy pills."

Klaus shrugs, "I believe very few people would describe me as such. I am sorry. But I understand if it takes time. I even understand if you never do manage to forgive me."

"Never's a really long time."

"It is," Klaus agrees. "But I was actually speaking of these last two weeks. I assumed that you meant you had no desire to see me when you requested space. Rebekah informs me that I was perhaps wrong?"

Caroline can't help but shift uncomfortably, "Kind of? I mean, at the time, you weren't. But then later, you kind of were?"

"I don't follow."

Caroline can't help the short, rueful, laugh that erupts. That avoidance tactic is kind of kicking her ass now, isn't it? "You and me both. I'm kind of a mess, I think. It's probably my turn to be sorry. It's just… I got used to you. And then when you weren't there…" she trails off, because saying 'I missed you' seems like too big a confession.

But Klaus looks like he hears the unspoken words anyway. And he reads her well enough to know that the admission makes her uncomfortable, "Well," he drawls, leaning back in his seat, "I have quite missed Kol's dinners. I've had an awful lot of take away Thai food these last few weeks. Probably not good for me. I suppose I can grace you with my company occasionally."

Caroline rolls her eyes, recognizing that he's trying to lighten the mood, and slips back into banter mode, "Grace? I think you mean subject."

"Speaking of," Klaus produces a dark blue envelope. "An invitation. To the fiftieth issue party. I know Marcel mentioned that you'd be welcome, but I thought I'd make sure you knew. I'd like it if you came."

Caroline takes it from him, lays it carefully on her desk, "Do people know? That Violet's based on a real person?"

"I'm not really sure, actually. I've never confirmed it. Most people know I've taken inspiration from my life. Elijah's my lawyer so he's been credited. I assume people can see the resemblance if they really look. And a fan once snapped a picture of Rebekah and I eating lunch and posted it in a forum. They took it down when I asked but I imagine it circulated a bit."

"So if I go to this…"

"No one should bother you," he quickly assures her, "It's a small party. Mostly people who work for the publisher and the printing company. A few people who are involved in the TV show, a few friends of mine and Marcel's. My family. I'll not allow anyone to make you uncomfortable, I promise."

Caroline considers it. Complete avoidance of The Klaus Situation hadn't been working out so well. Maybe a little exposure would clear things up.

"And," Klaus continues, "to sweeten the deal, it's being catered by the same people who did Elijah's birthday. I seem to remember you being quite enamored with the food tables that evening."

"First, I'm pretty sure it's rude to comment on a lady's eating habits. Second, those potatoes were tiny bites of heaven. Third, does Kol know that?"

Klaus' brow furrows, "I don't think so? Did he not like the food? I also thought it was good but his standards are far more exacting than mine."

"Uh, he liked the girl who made the food," Caroline confides, "I caught her walk of shaming it out of his bedroom the next morning. She's been dodging him ever since."

"Fascinating," Klaus proclaims, a calculating look entering his eyes.

"Uh-oh. That's the sort of expression that makes me glad I'm an only child."

"Today is one of those days that I wish I knew what that state of bliss was like. Rebekah decided to exact a little revenge for my use of your likeness, as well as Stefan's. Kol assisted, and I'm betting made his own additions."

Caroline finds she's fighting a smile, "That explains Kol's mood last night. What did they do?"

The look Klaus shoots her is long suffering, "Several things. My next stop will be the drugstore, to replace every single product in my bathroom. They've not all been tampered with, but better safe than sorry. And I also need to replace the contents of my underwear drawer, which I found filled with nothing but neon colored, polyester g-strings this morning."

The laugh she's helpless to stop is a strangled half-snort of a thing that Caroline should be embarrassed about. Once it passes she forces her face into a neutral expression, "Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it. Thongs are weird at first but they have their uses. You'll never have to worry about panty lines again."

"I'll pass, thanks," Klaus says dryly.

He rises from the chair and Caroline tells herself not to look at his crotch. It's so not the time, considering that nothing's really been resolved, but come on. He'd basically just told her he was going commando. Of course she wants to look. Finding Klaus attractive had never been the problem.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" he asks, seemingly hopeful, meeting her eyes squarely.

Caroline chews on her lip, still indecisive. But she'd missed Klaus, and she'll never know if that little kernel of friendship they'd started can be saved if she doesn't try, right? "Sure," she answers finally, "Why not?"

The smile Klaus gives her in reply in far less reserved than any of those he's offered her today, like he's genuinely happy she's agreed, "Good. That's good."

And Caroline finds that she can't help but smile back.