Okay, I know. Three months is a long time, but I've had a hectic three months.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME!

Please remember to review at the end! :)


The rest of the day was interesting, to say the least. Being Sunday, Caroline opted to stay with Klaus.

It was strange for her to do so, but he seemed so different outside of the office and it intrigued her.

They finished their hotdogs and sat in complete silence underneath one of the trees in the park. It was a comfortable silence, one that did not seem to merit conversation, yet something still lingered between them. Words that needed to be said.

Caroline inhaled deeply before letting out a sigh of peace with a smile.

"How long have you lived here?"

His question snapped her out of her thoughts and she smiled, briefly towards him. "Three years,"

"Where did you live, previously?"

She swallowed and bowed her head. "Mystic Falls, Virginia. A small town."

"Why did you move?" He asked, innocently.

Her smile faded, and her eyes shifted to the side. Klaus picked up the motion and realized it was a secret she didn't want to share. Intrigued, yet not one to destroy the fragile relationship building between them, he nodded. "You don't have to tell me. It's none of my business."

The statement appeared to calm her and her shoulders sagged in relief.

Her eyes lowered to the drink in her hands and she fiddled with the straw. "I moved here because my best friend lives here." She stated, simply, not wanting to give much away. "She invited me, and I couldn't refuse."

"Friends do make moves bearable." He remarked, casually though it sounded stiff.

"Don't you have friends?" She asked, carefully.

He frowned and started not to answer, but he found he couldn't. "One,"

She leaned back her eyes displaying disbelief. "One?"

"I have only one friend, Caroline, and currently, he's out of town on business."

She opened her mouth. The words stuck in her throat and refused to form. She heard the pain in his voice and hated the loneliness. No matter if he was a beast at times, friends were all that made a difference in a less than stellar life. "Well," She began, softly, after a moment. "If this works out," She continued with a smile. "You'll have two."

He studied her and a small smile appeared on his face. It was a start.

~XXX~

One of the many aspects or interests he discovered about her was her love for animals.

Whenever they would be in the middle of a discussion or something during the course of the day, if she spotted a dog or any kind of animal, she would stop mid-sentence and awe. It was an action he began to enjoy as it brought a light in her eyes whenever she saw the furry beasts.

"Do you have any pets?"

She frowned and bowed her head. "I used to."

"What happened?"

She inhaled deeply and let out a quick breath. "I…uh…made a decision. I had to let him go."

Klaus stopped and his gaze turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry." He paused, observing the way she avoided eye contact. It must still be fresh for her reaction to be this way. "What was his name?"

She smiled and tilted her head back. "Hercules," She laughed through the faint tears in her eyes. "I love Greek mythology." She explained.

He smiled and bowed his head. "Was he old?"

She nodded. "He was a Siberian Husky." She answered, clearing her throat. "They're prone to hip dysplasia and other bone problems. The vet told me that he probably had cancer as well."

"Didn't they do tests?"

"It wouldn't have worked." She responded, casually. "It would have been expensive and he still would have suffered. I couldn't put him through that."

Klaus nodded and sighed. "I don't blame you." He turned his head. "Losing a dog or any pet is painful, but watching them suffer is far worse. You made the right choice."

She smiled and the words seemed to be what she needed to hear. "Thank you." Glancing at her watch, she groaned. "I should be heading back. Bonnie will be home soon and tonight's our movie night."

He smiled, showing off his dimples. "On a Sunday?"

She laughed, hearing the genuine curiosity in his tone. "Well, it's the first day of the week, and also the last day. It's our way of celebrating and welcoming the week."

He nodded and extended his hand to help her stand up from the ground. The touch was electric, but neither said a word as she lowered her hand, carefully to her side.

"What are you planning on watching?" He asked curiosity peaked.

She shrugged. "Not sure. We are at an impasse. She wants romance. I'm in the mood for an adventure. We may pick one that is both."

He chuckled. "Compromise always works." He paused and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "It's working for us."

She inhaled sharply at the simple touch. "So far."

He bowed his head forward. "So far."

Caroline nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Klaus."

He smiled and watched her walk away. "Tomorrow,"

~XXX~

"I can't explain it, Bonnie" Caroline explained, placing the bowl of popcorn on the table. "He was…approachable today. More so than usual."

Bonnie smiled. "Have you forgiven him?"

Caroline sank into the couch and sighed. "Not completely, but I see the good in him."

"It's a start, Caroline."

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah," She paused, her eyes fading.

"What is it?" Bonnie inquired, carefully, noticing her friend's hesitance.

"I almost told him the reason I moved here."

Bonnie inhaled sharply. "Caroline!"

"I know what you're going to say, but he asked why I moved and I…" Caroline paused lowering her eyes. "I told him that I came to be with you. I think he knows there is more to it than that."

"Klaus is not an idiot, Caroline, but he does respect privacy."

"He didn't push, Bon. He…said that I didn't have to tell that it wasn't his business."

"Are you going to tell him?" Bonnie asked, watching her friend. "Do you want to tell him?"

Caroline moved nervously in her seat and sighed. "I don't know. I barely know him, Bon."

Bonnie smiled and place a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "If you want my advice, wait before you tell him. He may be trustworthy, but get to know each other first, before you open that can of worms."

Caroline sighed and sagged further in her seat. "You're right, but there is more." She paused, glancing at the television with the menu to their movie onscreen. "I found out about Camille."

Bonnie lowered her eyes. "Did he tell you?"

"No, I researched it and found out." She paused, once more. "She used him to get a scope for her blog and wrote horrible things about him."

"So that's why he doesn't trust easily. He was burned by it before."

Caroline nodded. "Yeah,"

"Wait, you don't think that holding this secret about your past, is going to affect your relationship with Klaus because of what happened with Camille, do you?"

"I don't know what to think, Bonnie." She remarked, catching her friend's gaze. "If I don't tell him, and he finds out by other means…he could go back to hating me."

"Caroline, what happened to you was not your fault, and he will not blame you for it."

"I hope your right because right now, I would hate to lose his friendship."

Bonnie smiled. "I know I am. Now, are we going to watch this movie or not?"

Caroline laughed and scooted closer to her best friend and laid her head on her shoulder. "Hit play, maestro."

~XXX~

As Caroline exited the elevator the next morning, she couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face. The business suit she had acquired with Rebekah's help was form fitting and was looked perfect on her. The only downside was the cut of the shirt and jacket. It was almost too low for comfort.

The dress she wore Saturday night did not cut too low as the top ended around two inches from her neck.

Luckily, she had Bonnie help her pin the shirt close and with a great deal of effort, the style worked.

She left her hair hanging loose around her shoulders and with a sigh, she placed her purse and jacket on the stand behind her desk.

"Good morning, Caroline."

She smiled, brightly. "Good morning, Kol. How was your Sunday?" She asked, cheerfully.

He sighed. "Oh, as well as one could be with a hangover."

She shook her head and her finger. "You knew better than to drink that champagne."

"Forget the champagne, doll. It was the beauty of that Bonnie Bennet." He remarked, placing his hand over his heart. "She could make a drunk man sober by looking at her and a sober man drunk on her beauty." He paused, leaning forward. "But don't you dare tell her that."

She laughed and crossed her fingers over her chest. "I wouldn't dream of it."

He nodded. "Thank you." He sighed with relief. "I'm going to be in my office going over the depositions for the Adams case. Can you make sure that only the calls from Adams or the circuit clerk come through…the rest…I'll call them back."

She nodded with a salute. "Sure thing."

He smiled and turned before closing the door to his office. "Incidentally, love the outfit. It becomes you."

She smiled. "Thanks,"

He winked and closed the door.

"He is right. That outfit does become you."

She jumped slightly and turned with a smile as her right hand covered her chest. "Oh…" She paused with a laugh. "I didn't hear you come in."

Klaus shrugged and approached her desk. "Prerogative of being a boss, stealth mode."

She laughed and bowed her head. "Did you have a good weekend, Mr. Mikaelson?"

He smiled and let his eyes move over her body, observing the way the suit clung to her body in a way that was flattering, yet not too seductive. "I did, as a matter of fact. It, actually, improved Sunday."

"Oh?" She asked, becoming, slightly breathless.

He nodded. "I made another friend."

She blushed and nodded. "That you did."

He smiled and turned to go into his office. "Would you be so kind as to bring some coffee in, in say thirty minutes? I have a few calls to make and I have a feeling I'll need the caffeine."

She bowed her head. "Certainly,"

He smiled, showing off his dimples and closed the door behind him.

Caroline let out a breath and placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart pound against her palm. "So far, so good."

~XXX~

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Caroline rolled her eyes and groaned when the coffee pot sputtered and refused to process the coffee. "We just bought you. How could you not create that which we bought you for?!" She nearly hollered at the machine.

"Is there a problem, love?"

She turned and gestured to the coffee machine. "It's this damned machine." She stated, trying to breathe normally.

Klaus smirked and moved towards her and the machine. "What seems to be the issue?"

She growled and pushed the button. "It won't make the coffee."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Is it plugged in?"

She rolled her eyes and checked behind the pot. "Yes, it is."

"Okay, then…I haven't a bloody clue." He remarked, throwing his hands out before landing on his sides.

"I say we shoot it or at the least get Kol's bat and beat it to death." Caroline offered, glaring at the object.

He smiled, covering his mouth. "I think it's already dead, Caroline."

"Well, at the very least, it would make me feel better."

"Must you always resort to violence, love?"

She shifted her gaze to his and glared playfully. "Only when it is the last resort."

He chuckled and shook his head. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll give you the money, and you can run downstairs and get a couple of cups of coffee from the bakery."

She groaned. "What about the coffee pot?" She asked, shaking her head. "We can't just keep running downstairs for cups."

He pulled out his wallet and handed Caroline a couple of bills. "I'll take care of the coffee pot."

She threw her head back. "I hope this isn't coming out of my pay." She stated, turning to grab her purse and jacket.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Caroline."

"I'll be back in a few." She stated, placing the phone on hold. "If anyone calls, they'll leave a message."

He nodded and smiled as she walked out of the office. As the door closed, he laughed and glanced at his brother who had watched the interaction with a smile. "What?"

Kol shrugged. "I'm just glad to see you two working things out, and that you didn't let her get my baseball bat."

"Why not? It probably would have been interesting to watch." Klaus remarked, moving towards his office.

Kol shook his head. "Knowing Caroline, she probably would have broken my bat and a few other things."

Klaus laughed and moved to the office. "I would have bought you another one, little brother."

Kol's expression became speculative and he frowned. "You should take Caroline to the batting cages and watch her hit a few. You'll change your tune when you see her hit."

"That good?"

Kol nodded. "She was one of the best hitters in the state of Virginia, got a full softball scholarship to Virginia State. Took them to Nationals a few times."

Klaus swallowed and turned his gaze to the desk Caroline occupied. "She never said."

Kol sighed. "She doesn't talk about her past. Never has. The only reason I know is that her application listed the college and too, I watch girls' softball, knew the name was familiar. That is basically the only thing I know about her past."

Klaus frowned. It was suspicious for someone never to talk about their past, but then he never discussed his either. After yesterday, he knew Caroline had a wounded life, and somehow, he wondered if she would ever let him know.

"Caroline doesn't trust too many people. Bonnie is like her sister."

"Her roommate?"

Kol nodded and frowned. "Nik, I'm glad you're making an effort to make things easier for Caroline here, but please, be careful."

"You think, I'm using her?"

"I never know."

Klaus straightened his back and Kol saw his expression become dark. "I never make the same mistakes twice, Kol. I promised her that we would start over, and I never break a promise."

"I know you don't, but just be careful. For both of your sakes."

~XXX~

"Coffee black with no sugar or cream," Caroline announced entering the office, after making sure Klaus was not on the phone.

"Saved by the drink." Klaus murmured, taking the cup and sipping from it. "No offense, love, but your coffee is nothing compared to theirs."

She laughed and bowed her head. "I don't like it too strong, but when we get a new coffee pot, I'll be sure to make yours stronger."

"That's all I ask."

"Well, I better get back to my desk before lunch."

He nodded and watched her leave. He lowered his eyes to the mug on the desk and smiled, faintly.

On the border of the cup, she had written one simple word: Friend.

~XXX~

Caroline typed a few words on the keyboard and frowned when she heard something to the left of her desk. Standing up, she moved towards the sound with careful ease and her eyes widened when she saw the coffee pot bubbling and shaking.

Letting out a scream, she rushed and dived under the desk just as a loud pop filled the air. Her body shook as urgent footsteps could be heard behind the desk.

"Caroline!"

She slowly raised her head and climbed out from under the desk. She shook her head and was relieved when Klaus rushed over and helped her stand.

His hands were urgent and held her tight as he moved his eyes over her body, checking for any damage. "What happened?"

"The coffee pot…it exploded." She answered, shaking.

He moved her chair and checked the seat before helping her sit down and went towards the kitchen area with a frown. Moving to the wall, he carefully unplugged the pot and sighed before walking back towards her, taking note of the glass on the ground.

"Are you alright?"

His voice was tender and full of concern. She never heard that tone from him before and slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "Yeah, I suppose. It's just…I never thought…"

He nodded and squatted down to her level. "I forgot to unplug it. I didn't think. If you had gone any closer to it…"

She swallowed and bowed her head. "Well, at least, I didn't have to beat it with a bat."

He chuckled and pushed a few strands of hair from her face. "I'll call the janitor to come to clean the mess up."

"I can do that."

"Caroline…"

She shook her head. "I'm fine. It just shook me a little. That's all. Besides, it's my job."

"Alright, but after you've done that, I'm going to take you home."

"Why?" She asked, shaking her head, motioning to her desk. "There is work that needs to be done."

"Kol has gone to a preliminary hearing and will be gone for the rest of the day. I've done all I can today if someone needs me, they can call my cell. You need…"

"If you say rest…"

"No, I was going to say, you need to get that suit in the wash before the stains set in."

She frowned and glanced down at her suit. Splattered down the legs of her pants were coffee stains and she realized that perhaps it wasn't as safe under the desk as she had hoped. "Great,"

He nodded. "Call the janitor and then I'll drive you home."

She sighed and nodded. "Fine,"

~XXX~

"I swear, that coffee pot had it in for me."

"It heard you threatening it, so it retaliated, is that it?" Klaus asked, glancing at her.

She nodded, firmly. "Exactly. Inanimate objects know when you don't like them so they go out of their way to make your life a living hell."

He chuckled and shook his head. "You honestly, don't believe that, do you?"

"Yes!" She stated with a firmer tone. "How else can you explain the coffee pot going off just a few hours after I threaten it?"

"A mistake on my part when I forgot to unplug the damn thing."

She shook her head. "Nope, unacceptable. It didn't like me from the moment Kol brought it into the office. I knew it was too good to be true."

"What was?"

"The coffee pot. He brought it as a peace offering before you arrived to work with him. He had the best intentions, but still, the coffee pot hated me."

Klaus chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. "Why did Kol buy it?"

Caroline swallowed, nervously. "He, uh, made a mistake and tried to fix it."

"By buying you a coffee pot?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "He knew I loved coffee."

"What was the mistake?" Klaus asked, intrigued.

She glanced out of the passenger side window. "He…uh…made a comment about my clothes."

Klaus shifted in his seat, uncomfortably.

She noticed and felt the tension at the comment and sighed. "It was a year ago. Fences were mended."

"His fence was easier than mine, I suppose."

She heard the desperation in his words and lifted her left hand, hesitantly before letting it fall to her lap. "You said more than he did."

His jaw clenched and he turned the blinker on the car and pulled off the street in front of her apartment.

She bowed her head. "Thanks for the ride."

He nodded and she hated that a simple comment put a wall back up in his emotions.

She opened the door and started to climb out when she heard her name from his lips. She turned and caught his emotion ridden eyes.

"I'm trying."

She smiled, faintly and nodded. "I know." She started to turn before lifting her face back to his gaze. "And for what it's worth, your attempts are a lot better than Kol's."

As he watched her enter her building, he sighed and smiled faintly before pulling back out onto the street.

All the while, feeling her words reverberate through is core.

Progress. They were making progress.


Please be kind!

Emotionally, I'm still rocky because of loss and also finding out that Mamaw has cancer. (We found out a month after Papaw's death.) It's rough and writer's block has happened more times than I can process because of it.

I am so thankful for you all! You guys are so supportive and patient! I honestly don't know what I would have done without you guys!

I hope you like the way they are progressing. I wanted to show that they have made some progress and still, it's a little touchy in some areas between them. Caroline does have a past, but she is not yet ready to share with Klaus because she doesn't trust him yet, at least, not completely. I wonder how he would react? Next chapter will deal a little bit more into her past, and if you paid attention, you will have seen a hint in this chapter.

Next Chapter: Baseball

Until Next Time...