Beauty and The Beast

Part V

A/N: Not beta'd, please excuse the mistakes. I had actually planned on finishing Weak and editing the previous chapters before posting another chapter, but I received a review begging me to finish BaTB, and I hadn't realized it had been two months since I updated. :\ Sorry!

I didn't mean to put this on the backburner, but we all know how hectic life can be around the holidays.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful New Year! I have some exciting news that I'm going to share at the bottom!

On to the next chapter!

After she'd returned from her heartwarming visit with her mother, she had found her husband clutching a full tumbler of spirits with whitened knuckles.

Klaus wouldn't even meet her eyes. He just grunted about having some business to take care of and said he didn't know when he'd return.

Then he had swooped out of the room like he couldn't wait to put as much distance between them as possible.

After spending the rest of the afternoon somewhere between worry -that she'd done something wrong- and anger -that he'd just abandon her here with no notice- she woke the next day determined to forget all about him and enjoy herself.

Klaus had told her mother she was free to visit her friends and family, but she learned from Elijah that he later amended his statement, saying she was free to visit with a chaperone. Which meant she was still a prisoner.

A prisoner with free rein of Castle Black and its grounds, as long as she stayed clear of the now working barrier. Bonnie had improved the spell -it was no longer tied to her and would work even if she died.

Caroline was a song bird in a gilded cage.

Two days later, Caroline walked with purpose down the halls. She'd explored Castle Black from top to bottom and was feeling a little lonely. Both days, she'd taken her meals in her room and retired early –not seeing Klaus' siblings but once or twice a day.

She needed to speak to Rebekah and found the imposing woman in her drawing room with Kol.

When neither looked up from their tasks, Caroline managed a tiny, "Hello?"

Kol noticed her and smiled warmly. "Come in, dove! Forgive us, we didn't hear you enter."

Rebekah scoffed. "I heard her."

"Yes, ah, please excuse Bekah again. I'd say her demeanor improved with time but that would be a lie."

"Kol!"

"It's fine!" Caroline blurted. The siblings stopped and looked at her. "I actually need to speak to Rebekah."

The woman in question smirked at her brother, but told Caroline flatly, "You can speak freely with Kol present. He'd find out anyway –a bit of a peeping Tom, he is."

Caroline faltered. "Oh."

"Come sit, please." Kol gestured for her to sit on the lounge he was occupying. Caroline took it with a smile and turned to face the other woman.

"Did Klaus mention when he'd return?" She asked.

"Missing him, already?" Kol teased.

The baby vampire blushed and vehemently denied it, "Not at all! I was merely curious."

Rebekah studied her closely. "Nik didn't even tell us where he was going, just some urgent business and to keep a close eye on his mischievous wife."

"I see." Caroline sighed with disappointment, she couldn't even bring herself to feel outraged that he'd called her mischievous.

"Something else you want to discuss?"

"A personal favor, really."

The piqued Rebekah's attention, she gestured for Caroline to continue.

A rosy hue spread on Caroline's cheeks again. "Well, it's been rather lonely and frightening in my chambers at night-"

Kol cleared his throat and leered at her. "Dove, if you're looking for a bedmate to keep you warm, look no farther."

His handsome face jerked to the side suddenly and a pink welt raised in the shape of a hand print before her eyes. Caroline covered her mouth to disguise her amusement.

Rebekah looked positively unrepentant with her chin in the air, daring him to challenger her.

Caroline hadn't even seen her move! She was still baffled by the abilities of vampires sometimes. The mark faded and he shot his sister a dark glower.

"As I was saying, Castle Black is still new to me and I find it difficult to stay by myself. Would you please stay with me tonight? You can have the bed and I'll take the larger chaise."

Kol opened his mouth, but one look from Rebekah silenced him.

"Caroline," Rebekah said, "You do realize you are the top of the food-chain, right? There is no reason to be afraid." She waved her hand dismissively. "Besides, my brothers and I would hear if something got into the castle."

Caroline wanted to remind her that her and Kol hadn't heard her just enter the room, but said, "You're right. I don't know what I was thinking." The thought of another lonely night in her huge bed made her feel desolate.

She excused herself and went to the door.

Kol silently glared at his sister and jerked his head in Caroline's direction. Rebekah shook her head, but relented when he continued to shoot her hateful looks.

"It has been rather brisk at nighttime lately." Rebekah called. Caroline peeked back around, a hopeful look on her face. "Why don't we just share your bed until Nik returns?"

The baby vampire sighed with relief. "Thank you."

Caroline woke the next morning, feeling Rebekah clutching her entirely too close to be appropriate, but she felt amazing after last night's sleep. She turned to wake her sister-in-law, but instead found the Beast snoring behind her.

"Klaus!" She shrieked, jumping out of bed. And he'd had the nerve to call her mischievous!

Her husband lazily cracked on eye open -looking utterly unimpressed with her- and said, "Come back to bed, love. You've taken all the warmth with you."

"You just can't get in my bed whenever you want!"

"Can't I? We're married and this is my bed."

"Exactly, it is now mine and I say, get out!"

Instead of the anger she expected, Klaus only shrugged. He stood up and stretched –completely naked, of course- and smirked at her before donning his robe. Caroline congratulated herself on not looking below his waist, but did sneak a peek when he'd turned for a second. A man had no business with a butt that fine.

Before he exited the room, he called out, "Breakfast in a half hour!"

Caroline exhaled, but felt something unexpected blooming inside her.

Excitement.

"Was everything alright with your business?"

Caroline watched him carefully at the dining table, trying to spy something that would reveal if he was being untruthful, but he sat his letter down and looked her in her eyes.

"Yes, it was unremarkable at best, but I felt it was necessary."

He was either an excellent liar or telling the truth. She feared it was the first one.

"Some notice would be appreciated," she replied, "I'd prefer to stay with my mom the next time you plan to be gone."

"No." He told her. "You will stay at Castle Black as per the agreement when you married me."

She shot up from her seat so fast her chair tumbled over behind her. "Why show the mirror to me then!?"

He flashed to her and gripped her arm –their faces were inches apart. "You will obey me as your husband and stay here!"

"Husband?" She hissed back, "You are my keeper in this prison!"

Klaus released her at her hateful words and turned his back, crossing over to the window. "It's for your protection." He supplied quietly, sounding weary.

Caroline felt her anger slipping away. He may not say it, but he also didn't want her to leave him. "You have to trust that I will return, Klaus. If you can do that, I will stay with you here. Please."

When he didn't reply, she huffed and left the room. She wasn't hungry anyway.

Klaus found her in the library, trying to decipher the words in a book. He sat down silently with parchment and a quill. He wrote a word Caroline recognized as her name and passed her the paper.

She met his eyes as she took the paper. "Thank you."

Caroline felt his eyes on her as she tried to recreate the letters. She kept thinking he was going to say something about their argument this morning but he kept silent, only correcting her mistakes and explaining her work.

"Where are we going?"

Caroline walked forward with her eyes closed, depending on Klaus' hand to steer her in the right direction.

"As I've already stated, it's a surprise, love."

He lifted her in his arms anytime they descended stairs, but let her walk on her own the rest of the way. She supposed if he was trusting her not to peek, she could trust him to not let her fall off a cliff.

Baby steps.

They walked outside and the sudden heat was a little shocking. It was a higher temperature than it looked. "It's warm." Caroline murmured, now feeling a cobblestone walkway beneath her slippers.

"Yes, though I don't expect it to get much hotter before it begins snowing."

"I love this time of year, but I think there something beautiful about snow. It's so bright and white in the sunlight."

"Beautiful light, yes." He commented under his breath. "Here." Klaus took her hand and helped her step over a threshold. Caroline felt the warm sunshine disappear and was replaced by a dark, cooling shade –they must be indoors.

As the sound of different animals reached her ears and the scent of fur, hay, and animal feces, Caroline realized she must be in the barn. Klaus lead her a little further and turned her to the left.

"Open your eyes, Caroline."

Caroline did as he bade -excitement buzzing in her veins- and saw a handsome black and white horse with more hair than she could ever imagine looking back at her curiously.

She cupped her face and ran her hands through her hair excitedly. "A horse!" She breathed, turning to look at her husband with a bright smile. "I love horses!"

The pure sincerity of her expression directed at him caused his heart to constrict. If he didn't know any better, he would call it was a tender feeling. Actually, that's exactly what it was. While he'd been unaware, Caroline had inched her way under his skin and into his heart –past all of his many defenses.

Possess. Claim. Connect.

His mind whispered these things to him. He found his eyes itching and his gums aching so he closed his eyes to fight the loss of control, else he'd enact all those things onto Caroline at this exact moment.

And she just wasn't ready.

Klaus took a lead rope and gestured for her to stand back. He tied the rope to the smaller rope halter on the horse's head and lead it out of its stall to greet her.

Caroline let the horse smell her hand, it's soft muzzle nudged her hand and she began petting his gorgeous mane. It was a foot taller than her and looked to be made of pure muscle, like the draft horses in the village that plowed the fields. "I've always wanted a horse, but we couldn't afford it."

"He's yours now." Klaus told her. He exhaled. "I would like to apologize to you about leaving so abruptly. The truth is...I needed time to reevaluate myself and I thought a gift would soften you towards me."

"Oh, Klaus. That's all you had to say. Just tell to me next time, okay?" Caroline reached out and touched his hand, smiling shyly, "And presents never hurt, either."

"Duly noted, wife. Now, come close and I'll tell you his name."

As soon as Caroline leaned toward him, he grabbed her nape and pulled her into him –causing her to yelp and scare the horse- before quieting her indignant protests with his mouth. She melted into the kiss instantly, just then realizing how much she had missed him.

"You're coming along nicely." Murmured Klaus the next morning, leaning over Caroline as she penned a practice letter to the village seamstress. Her script could use a little more refining, but she was now writing as well as him. "I knew you were brilliant, sweetheart."

Caroline tried to fight down the flush she knew was coloring her face and chest. The heat from her husband's body felt so amazing when he leaned down to check her wording and penmanship. The smell that was solely Klaus –fresh rain, dry cedar, and lavender- filled her head until all she could think about was his lips.

And he always seemed to know when she was aching for a kiss.

He rasped, "Caroline...", and pinched her chin, bringing their lips together.

She couldn't even bring herself to feel guilty that she wanted his kiss more than anything else.

Caroline stumbled into the adjoining room that held the bathing area and clumsily tried to untie her front-laced bodice. She grunted in irritation when she failed repeatedly. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to try to find her limit with the blood-mead at dinner. Klaus had good-naturedly matched her goblet to goblet and Kol had laughed merrily along with her when it began to go to her head. Rebekah even bet her that she couldn't drink more the five cups before succumbing and of course, Caroline accepted her challenge with a competitive grin. Elijah watched on with a knowing expression, even smiling a few times.

Bonnie had been absent, but Klaus explained she preferred to eat in her room – apparently, most witches didn't care for vampires. Caroline had only seen her in passing and she was always hustling by, looking anywhere but at her. She could take a hint, but it saddened her that the witch would judge her just because of what she was.

She hadn't chosen to become a monster.

Klaus appeared in the doorway, leaning against the wall. "Need help, love?" His eye's gleamed with that possessive look he always gave her when he thought she didn't notice.

"No." She replied contritely, smirking at him playfully. The blood-mead made her feel brazen and fearless with her new husband. Even Klaus' dimpled cheeks shown a hint of rosiness.

He was behind her instantly and Caroline gasped at his sudden closeness. He reached around her and expertly unlaced her dress while she forgot how to breathe. When it fell to the floor in a hemp, he crushed her body to his and nuzzled her neck.

"Klaus..." She moaned, going completely boneless. Her head fell back on his shoulder and his hot breath puffed in her ear as he chuckled.

He growled as he cupped her chemise-covered breasts. They were full and round; not too big or small, and filled his palms completely. Caroline hissed out an incoherent curse, but didn't encourage or make him desist his kneading.

They hadn't coupled since that evening in the woods and Klaus had decided he'd wait for her to come to him. To his dismay, they also hadn't shared any blood with each other since her first visit to her home. He missed the connection with her more than the sex. Sure, it had been mind-blowing; he'd never came so hard in his life but with the blood-sharing, he felt like someone could finally see the real him –Klaus and not The Beast.

He couldn't wait to see what doing them simultaneously would be like. Klaus imagined her sitting in his lap -like their first coupling- and wrenching her down so hard on his cock that she would never crave anyone else. He'd give her his seed and she'd relent her blood –an even trade.

"If you knew what was going through my mind right now," Klaus heatedly murmured to Caroline, "You'd flee from me again." To prove his point, he ground his erection against her lower cheeks.

He hadn't forgotten his vow; she would have to initiate their next coupling, but teasing her was also delicious torture for himself.

She sighed sleepily. "One such as yourself would enjoy it entirely too much." He could hear the smile in her voice.

Klaus planned to decree that she would have to ingest at least five blood-mead goblets at dinner every night. "I only wish you'd run from me."

Caroline shivered at his husky tone. Add that to the list of things 'never to do'. Inward shake. She untangled herself from her husband and faced him -as serious as a drunk baby vampire could ever be- and gave him her best queenly expression. "You may join me in your bed tonight."

Brows raised. "That so? In my bed?" He'd been sleeping in the guest room down the hall. Baby steps, and all that.

She disappeared into their main chamber room and he heard her call out. "Sleep only, peasant!"

He was either completely drunk or completely besotted, but he grinned and joined his lovely little wife in their bed, pulling her close and loosing himself in the scent of her golden curls.

Klaus found that both states weren't mutually exclusive –and he liked it.

Caroline woke in the middle of the night, heart racing and eyes darting around wildly. She tensed at the hand draped around her waist, but quickly remembered she'd invited Klaus back to his bed.

She exhaled. "It was just a dream."

The warm hand lightly pressed her back down into the mattress. Klaus stroked her hair and murmured, "Sleep, love. You're safe with me."

Before sleep dragged her back under, she realized Klaus was right. She did feel completely safe with him.

When had that happened?

"Caroline."

Caroline looked up from her perch on the window seal. Klaus held out a book for her. "Another gift?"

"All the books in the library are yours to do as you please, but I wanted this to be the first. A kind a reward for all your hard work."

She studied the cover. "Romeo and Juliet."

"I think you'll find Shakespear very enlightening." His lips quirked with amusement for a moment. "If you need assistance, please let me know."

The blonde jumped from her seat. "Thank you!" She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and pulled back abruptly, like she hadn't meant to do that. She blushed a bright pink and glanced at him from under her lashes.

"I mean it, thank you, Klaus."

He smirked, saying, "Hurry and read it, love. I'll be sure to gift you with a new one every day."

Caroline scoffed and sat again, flipping the book open. As soon as he left, she smiled softly to herself and brushed her fingers over her lips.

Rebekah and Kol watched from the large bay windows as Klaus and Caroline frolicked in the garden like children on a particularly mild afternoon. Elijah sat at a mahogany table by the fire, writing in his journal.

The blonde vampire curled her lip in distaste. "A five-hundred-year-old immortal playing hide-and-seek. Pathetic."

Kol snickered. "Jealously is a terrible color on you, Bekah." It was no secret whom their baby sister's favorite brother was. She was especially cruel anytime Klaus took a new bride and couldn't seem to decide if Caroline was worth her friendship. She preferred not to befriend his wives, it was just too messy when he inevitably killed them, but there was something about the way Klaus acted with Caroline that had her pausing.

She scoffed and stalked from the room, slamming the oak doors behind her. The room vibrated from her strength; paintings fell off their pegs and two crystal glasses tumbled to the floor –shattering on impact.

For the past few weeks, the two newlyweds rarely separated, spending all their time together. Some days, they would disappear into Klaus' trophy room –where he kept all his precious collections- and not return for days.

If they'd been hopeful before, they were almost certain Caroline would break Klaus' curse now. Elijah had told Kol that half of the curse had already been fulfilled; he –and anyone else, for that matter- could see Niklaus was in love. The hybrid was hopelessly in love with his baby vampire wife.

Elena Salvatore was picking through the fruit in the marketplace when Elizabeth Forbes approached her. "Elena, dear, how are you?"

She smiled and patted her flat stomach. "I'm bursting with a secret. We've told no one yet, but I know I can trust you... I'm pregnant!"

Elizabeth gathered the young woman in her arms. "I'm so happy for you, Elena. Isobel and John would be so proud of the lovely young woman you've become."

Elena pulled away with a confused smile. "You mean Miranda and Grayson? Who's John and Isobel?"

Something is Elizabeth's eyes flashed. "Oh, that's right. I don't know where that came from." She smiled warmly. "I've still have Caroline's old crib, can you come by later? Caroline would want you to have it."

Elena replied, "I'll be there as soon as I get done shopping. Thank you!"

The older woman's face blanked and she walked off without a goodbye. Elena watched with a crinkled brow, but chalked it up to the loneliness since her daughter left.

"Are you going to tell Nik or should I?"

Caroline started and placed a hand on her heart, glaring at Rebekah. She sat down the comb she was using to brush Thor's mane and stepped out of the stall. "What are you talking about?"

Rebekah answered, "How you came to be with us."

"What does that matter?"

"Don't you think he should know that you weren't the initial bride?"

"Again. Why does that matter?"

Rebekah narrowed her eyes. "He deserves to know that you volunteered to be his bride. There has never been a volunteer. You could be a vampire-hunter for all we know!"

Klaus appeared beside his sister with a menacing look. He must have heard them. "I think I'd like a word with Caroline, sister dear."

The blonde shot her a triumphant smirk and flashed away. Caroline inhaled for patience and crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you here to accuse me of nefarious purposes too?"

Klaus paced in front of her. "Yes...no. I don't know. Are you a vampire-hunter?"

She deadpanned. "Yes, Klaus, I'm here under an elaborate scheme to murder you and your siblings."

"If that's all then." He smiled at her and Caroline stared in amazement at how beautiful he was. She was truly in over her head. "I see Thor has taken a liking to you as well." She'd decided to name her steed 'Thor' after reading about the Viking God of Lightening one evening.

The baby vampire shrugged, but didn't take her eyes off him. She wouldn't admit it, but she had woken several times this last few weeks after having the most erotic dreams about her husband. Even though they'd been sleeping together, Klaus never mentioned it. He just kissed her in the morning and left to get dressed.

There was a certain dream that she was particularly interested in.

"What are you thinking of?" His voice was deep and gravelly. Caroline came to recognize it as a warning that he was going to kiss her.

And amazingly, she felt no fear-just a titillating thrill. She wanted his kisses –all of them, forever.

Just the thought of him ever taking another bride caused her hackles to raise.

Klaus demanded gruffly, "Answer me, wife."

"Will you take another bride?"

"Why would I?"

"The agreement for your protection."

"If I have to." If you won't love me.

Caroline pursued her lips. "I see." She didn't know how she felt about that, but she was leaning toward lots of negativity.

"I came here to tell you something as well." He told her, hoping to change the subject. "I've ordered the cook to prepare your favorite meal tonight and I thought we could dine alone –together."

"Oh?"

"Dinner is at dusk. I'll send Rebekah to help you dress."

Before she could protest that she didn't need help, Klaus disappeared. Thor nickered at her, seeming to ask what happened.

Caroline exhaled wearily. "I have no idea. Now, we need to work on those fetlocks."

"Elena!"

Damon Salvatore ran through the village streets, desperately searching for his young bride. "Elena!"

It was dusk in the village -the orange sun giving away to purple night skies- when Damon return from his bar-keep to an empty home.

The other villagers peeked out doors and windows, curious about the commotion. They began to gather when they heard the fear in Damon's voice as he called for Elena.

"Damon!"

He stopped and saw his younger brother rushing toward him through the growing crowd. "Did you find her?"

Stefan Salvatore shook his head sadly.

Elena's brother, Jeremy, appeared, holding a torch and pulling a reluctant brunette with him. "Vicky saw her this morning!"

Vicky was the daughter of a merchant in the village and always acted very shifty. Probably because she constantly was caught stealing. She struggled to free herself from Jeremy but he held her tight. "Tell them what you told me."

"I don't know where she is!" Vicky snapped. "She bought some strawberries from me this morning and left."

Murmurs tore through the crowd. More torches were lit as the darkness descended. Damon stalked up to the woman, whom shrank back in fear. "Did she talk to anyone?"

Vicky nodded.

"Who?!" He barked back at her.

"Elizabeth Forbes!" She cried, "But I couldn't hear what they were saying. That's all I know, please."

"Liz?" Stefan frowned, looking for her in the crowd. "Has anyone seen Liz or Elena since this morning?" He called out.

Damon pursued his lips, trying to meet the eyes of everyone present –looking for any sing of guilt. When no one came forward, Damon took a torch, Jeremy's sword and began walking in the direction of The Forbes household.

Stefen ordered the crowd, "Grab your weapons and follow us!"

Jeremy released Vicky to fall to the ground whom bit out a vile curse, running off into the night without a backward glance. He looked back at the shadows with a touch of melancholy before running after his brother-in-law to find his sister.

:D Let me know how you liked it! A bit shorter than last chapter. It took all week to write this bit.

Tiffy-wa~