THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! IT MEANS ALOT!
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Friday morning rolled around with the days becoming filled with a friendly comradery between Klaus and Caroline. Every morning would begin with a light joke, a cup of coffee, and charming statements. Every afternoon would end with Caroline smiling with a glow surrounding her. And the weekends…Every Sunday morning was greeted with a short, but meaningful, walk in the park. The glow surrounding her always seemed to follow her on Sunday mornings, and he was like a moth to it. Drawn to the simple light generated by her smile. Her essence. Her being. He couldn't help it. He loved it.
It was the memory of the glow which stunned him when he arrived that morning before she showed up. He dropped his coat on the stand and slowly sat on the edge of his desk. His mind flashed over the past week. Her light, her laughter, her smile. All of it warmed him through to his soul.
It was strange. He never imagined he could or even would feel like this. She brightened his days. Even more so since their truce and blossoming friendship. His vision unfocused with his face freezing in a contemplative expression.
Could it be that he cared about her? He couldn't fathom it. It was too soon. Their fragile friendship was only a few weeks old, but it honestly didn't seem so fragile anymore. It was gaining strength every day and it helped when he curbed his tongue.
So lost in his thoughts, he never heard the door open or even smelled the aroma of coffee. At least, not until he inhaled the steam from under his nose.
With a snap of his head, his eyes focused on a gleaming face and he couldn't help but smirk in return.
"Good morning, Mr. Mikaelson," Caroline chirped, handing him the cup.
"Good morning, Ms. Forbes," he returned, saluting her with the coffee.
She hummed, tilting her head to the side. "What had your thoughts so focused this morning?" She folded her arms over her chest, watching him with eyes that saw everything. "A case?"
He lowered the cup, after taking a sip, and licked his lips. "No," he answered, clearing his throat. "I was thinking about the upcoming ball game tomorrow."
She swallowed and he saw a light flash in her eyes. "What about it?"
"Well, I have tickets to go, but Kol has to be out of town, and there is nobody else who is even remotely interested in baseball," he explained, taking another sip of coffee.
"Why don't you go by yourself?"
"It's not as fun," he answered, lowering his eyes.
She studied his profile and wanted to bite her tongue, but his expression was pitiful. He had a way of flashing those deep blue eyes into puppy mode. That was the mode that usually got women to confess on the stand or when giving depositions. She never understood the effect, until now. He truly was pitiful, but she did love baseball. He wasn't trying to get her to go with him. She knew that, but still, he looked like a pathetic animal. One who needed companionship.
"What time is the game?"
He sighed. "Four."
"Pick me up around one," she stated, firmly. "It takes a while to get there and parking is horrendous at the stadium."
His eyebrows lifted with stunning movement. "You…"
"You got a problem with me going?" she asked, her eyes fading only slightly.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I don't, but I wasn't expecting you to offer."
She relaxed and shrugged her shoulders. "That's what friends do; besides, I haven't been to a game in years," she added, turning quickly before he could see the sadness flash across her face.
But she wasn't quick enough. He saw it, but knowing her as he did, he didn't question it. He would find out when she wanted him to.
"Alright, one then," he remarked before she left his office.
She glanced over her shoulder and smiled, though he could tell it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll be at my desk."
He nodded as the door closed behind her and in the silence, he wondered, just what would cause the light to leave her eyes if only for a brief moment.
~XXX~
Caroline sagged in the chair and glanced towards his office door. It had been three hours and she still couldn't believe she did it.
She offered to go with him to a ballgame. Sliding her cell towards her, she sent a quick message, waiting only a few seconds before a response buzzed.
What?! That's great, Care!
She smiled and shook her head. I don't know, Bon. Maybe, I overstepped.
Nonsense! He needed someone to go or else he would never have said anything.
I haven't been to a game in years. Not since you took me my first year here. And you know what a disaster that was.
It was not a complete disaster. At least not until the third inning.
Caroline frowned and lowered her phone. Bonnie was right. Caroline had made it through to the third inning until the popping sound of one of the bats breaking caused her to panic.
If you don't think you can handle it. Tell him.
She groaned to herself. It wasn't something she was ready for. I can't.
No, you don't think you can. There's a difference, Care.
"Oh, Bonnie," she whispered, shaking her head. Bonnie was right. Klaus had to know what he was getting into, just in case she panicked again. Another buzz drew her back.
If you don't think you can tell him everything, just tell him part of it. At least then he would be prepared and you too.
Ok, lunch is in an hour. I'll tell him then.
I'll be here if you need me.
Thanks, Bon.
Anytime.
Caroline leaned back and glanced towards Klaus' office door. Nodding, she stood and walked towards it. After hearing his acceptance, she entered, praying silently that he would understand.
~XXX~
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Klaus' question drifted to her ears and her body resisted the urge to shake. After asking if he would mind taking a longer lunch so they could talk, he had agreed, letting her know that he had only to finish up one of his debriefs before they could.
Kol left for the out of town business just when they were readying for lunch and it gave Caroline a sense of peace to know they had a little extra time to themselves.
"Caroline."
She inhaled and stopped at the table in the small kitchenette of the office. They elected to stay in the office but locked the door just in case. "I…uh…" Her voice shook with a nervous tick. She had to get through it. She had to let him know.
Klaus waited, knowing, understanding that Caroline needed to let something out. All he had to do was be patient. Watching her hands shake, he reached across and grasped them. "I'm right here."
She smiled, shakily, and nodded. "Kol told you, didn't he?" She observed his confusion and continued. "About my connection to baseball," she clarified, lowering her eyes.
"Only that you played in college."
She sighed, relief flooding her, but also worry. How could she tell him? Would he understand? "It used to be my life," she stated, absently.
"And now?"
She shrugged. "Now, it's just something I enjoy on occasion or try to."
"What happened, Caroline?"
Her eyes raised to his and pain radiated through her orbs. Her lips disappeared in her mouth and he let go of her hands when she moved to stand.
"You don't have to tell me."
"You said that before," she whispered, turning away from him. "I can't…tell you…all of it…not now, but," she paused, her head bowing with her hair falling in front of her face.
Hands caressed her upper arms, sending her comfort. Something she needed. How odd that he seemed to know.
"Just tell me what you can," he encouraged, gently.
Her eyes raised to his and she searched them for what seemed like eons. She saw the truth. The compassion. The man beneath the beast of months before. This was the friend she needed. The friend she had hoped to find in him. The man she had fallen in love with before he nearly broke her heart weeks earlier.
"A few years ago, after I first moved here, Bonnie took me to a game," she began, moving back to sit in a chair. "I was fine for a few innings. I was enjoying the smell of the field. The rush of adrenaline from the players and the crowds. The smell of cheap food," she laughed at the last sentence, which made him smile. "I was loving it." She cleared her throat. "Until the third inning," she paused, pushing her hair back with her hands.
"What happened?"
"The bat broke," she stated, her eyes becoming distant. "It was a loud popping sound. The moment the ball hit the bat. The force just…broke it. I would have been fine if the sound didn't…" she panted, her hand unconsciously coming up to rub her chest. Not realizing the action was being observed by Klaus.
"I…panicked that day," she concluded, lowering her hand and raised her eyes. "Bonnie had to take me home. I couldn't sleep for two days."
He nodded, kneeling to her level and grasped her hands. "And you think it might happen tomorrow."
"I can't be sure, Klaus," she explained, shaking her head. "I want to go, and I'm willing to try, but you deserve to know what might happen."
"Caroline," he began, holding her eyes. "I don't want to force you to go if you think it might upset you. That's the last thing in the world I would want."
She smiled at the sincerity in his tone. "I know, but I want to go. It's been years since I've been and I miss it, but I just wanted you to be aware. Just in case," she explained, softly.
He nodded. "At the first sign of trouble, I will get you out of there," he promised.
"I'll try not to ruin your day."
"I don't think you could."
Her mouth opened and closed with a tinge of red touching her cheeks. "I'm sorry I can't tell you why," she whispered after a moment.
He shrugged. "It's alright. You will, maybe, when you're ready."
She smiled and tilted her head to the side. "You remember when I called you a beast with a cold heart?"
He swallowed, nodding.
"You still are a beast, at times, but your heart is anything but cold," she whispered, leaning forward to brush her lips across his cheek. "Thank you."
~XXX~
"So, what did you tell him?"
Caroline sighed, placing the fresh milk in the fridge and closed the door. "I told him about going with you a few years ago."
Bonnie nodded, watching her friend closely. "You didn't tell him why you panicked?"
Caroline's head jerked. "No, just that the sound disturbed me."
"And he understood?"
"Yeah, he said the same thing he said before," Caroline answered, leaning her hands on the island in the kitchen. "That he would listen when I'm ready to tell him."
Bonnie smiled, tenderly. After growing up with Caroline and seeing what had happened to her first hand, she knew the walls around her best friend were cement. Fortunately, there was always a weakness, a crack that someone could penetrate if they had the patience to do so. Klaus, for all his faults, could be that person. Bonnie witnessed the affection he had for her friend through the weeks. The tenderness he showed. The openness. Honesty. He cared for Caroline, that Bonnie was certain. Also, Caroline cared for him.
"I told you he would understand," Bonnie remarked, gently.
Caroline smiled as her shoulders sagged a fraction. "You did."
"So, what time is he coming tomorrow?"
"He'll be here around one. I said it would be easier to leave early and find parking."
Bonnie chuckled, bowing her head. "You do realize that the game doesn't start until a few hours later," she stated.
"I know," Caroline returned, lowering her eyes.
"Who exactly are you trying to fool, Care?"
Caroline's cheeks burned. Her statement was true. She did want to leave early, but the implication behind Bonnie's question was also true.
"You want to spend more time with him."
Caroline groaned, and her head fell to the counter.
Bonnie laughed and circled to wrap her arms around her friend. "It's okay to admit it."
Caroline grunted, moving with Bonnie to the living room. "I probably shouldn't, but the past few weeks," she trailed off, dropping on the sofa.
Bonnie nodded. "I know. I've seen a remarkable change in him," she paused, watching her friend. "Does this mean you've forgiven him?"
Caroline's bottom lip tucked between her teeth before she answered. "I'm still a little hurt, but it's not burning as it did weeks ago. I guess I'm still on my guard."
"You don't want him to hurt you again."
Caroline's head bobbed in answer. Her hands clutched together, tightly. No, she didn't want him to hurt her again. Now, more than ever, she should be on her guard. She did want to spend more time with him. She enjoyed the past few weeks, getting to know him. Learning his sense of humor. Seeing his tenderness. His caution. It was a side, she suspected he had but never thought he would show her. But now, she was in danger of a bigger hurt than ever.
"I know you care for him, Care, but is it something more?"
Bonnie's question made her want to shout it. She needed to express it. She needed to say it aloud. Who better than her best friend? "I love him, Bonnie."
Bonnie's face melted into a tender expression, one that showed joy and caution. Her whole expression gave Caroline a curious thought.
"You knew I did, didn't you?"
Bonnie shrugged. "I knew you felt something stronger than respect or friendship when his words cut you so deep. It wouldn't have hurt you as bad if you didn't care or love him."
"I don't even know when it started," Caroline whispered, her eyes studying her fingers. "I shouldn't love him, not this soon."
"Caroline," Bonnie interrupted with a soft touch. "You've known him for about a year now. It's not sudden when you've been in love for months."
"How did you know it was months?"
Bonnie smiled. "Well, the arguing kind of tipped me off," she responded, laughing. "You guys have that unbeatable attraction and a way of fighting your feelings. I saw the night of the gala."
Caroline smiled, her heart pounding in her ears. "He can't know."
"He's not blind, Caroline," Bonnie paused, holding up her hands. "Okay, maybe he is, but he is not dumb. He will guess it. Eventually."
"Do you think I should tell him everything?"
Bonnie's smile faded and her head moved to the side. "Not yet," she answered, carefully. "At least until you know for sure."
"How will I know?" Caroline asked, her eyes conveying the sadness and distress. "I don't want to treat him like Camille did."
"And you won't," Bonnie countered, laying her hand on top of Caroline's. "You'll know when the time is right because you won't have to ask if you should. You'll know because you want to tell him without any shred of doubt." Bonnie swallowed, holding Caroline's eyes with her stern gaze. "Camille betrayed Klaus. You won't because this secret you carry is not a betrayal. It's an understanding. When you finally tell him everything, he will understand you better than you could ever imagine."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I've been there. I know you. I know the pain you went through. The fear. Everything. And without a shadow of a doubt, Klaus will too," Bonnie answered, firmly.
"Oh, Bonnie, I love you," Caroline admitted, leaning forward to wrap her arms around her best friend.
"I love you too, Care," Bonnie returned with a firm hug, knowing she had calmed her friend's uncertainties for the moment.
~XXX~
Klaus hesitated at the door. It was strange. He shouldn't be nervous. He really shouldn't be. He was just a friend picking up a friend. Nothing more. Nothing less. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell that to his heart or the skin on his cheek, which still burned from the touch of her lips the day before.
He never thought a kiss would affect him that way. Strange was hardly the word he could use for the moment.
The door opened and he smiled in greeting, waiting for the invitation. "Morning, Bonnie."
Bonnie nodded. "Morning, Klaus," she returned, standing aside. "Caroline is just finishing up."
"No rush," he stated, following her into the kitchen.
Bonnie hummed, taking a bottle of water from the fridge. "Would you like one?"
"No, thank you."
Bonnie faced him with a look of concern crossing her face. "Before Caroline comes out, I wanted to be sure you understood what may happen, which I hope it doesn't, but still," she began, lowering her voice.
Klaus' expression told her all she needed as the lines around his eyes grew more pronounced. "She told me of her panic attacks."
"I know, and she didn't tell you why," Bonnie remarked, glancing towards the hallway, hoping Caroline would take a bit longer.
"I know enough," Klaus countered.
"I'm sure, but not all," she revealed, lowering her eyes. "I know it's Caroline's story, but you should know that any kind of popping noise could send her into hysterics. She's not easy to handle when it happens."
He hummed and bowed his head. "A few weeks ago, a coffee pot exploded in our office," he began, glancing up to see Bonnie's expression of worry. "Shards went everywhere, but Caroline didn't panic. She was in shock, but I noticed how shaky she had become. I saw the fear in her eyes," he continued, glancing over his shoulder. "I'm not blind, Bonnie. I know something happened to her."
"You could have done a background check," Bonnie suggested, watching him.
"I could have, but when I thought about it, I also thought about the friendship we've established over the past few weeks," he paused, sighing. "I don't want to invade her privacy, even though I'm within my rights as her employer or part employer, but still, I want to gain her trust, and if that means waiting for her, then I will."
A grin appeared on Bonnie's face as she took in his meaning. "You trust her," she observed.
He sighed with a groan. "Against my previous judgment, yes, I do trust her," he admitted, shaking his head. "I've never really known a woman like her before. She's honest and kind, yet her temper matches my own."
"You haven't seen her temper until you see her at the game," Bonnie laughed, shaking her head. "If all goes well, you'll see a side of her that will probably have you questioning if she is the same woman who has been working in your office."
He laughed, loudly, shaking his head. "I am looking forward to it."
"Looking forward to what?"
He turned and smiled with approval at Caroline's tight-fitted jeans, semi-loose baseball shirt, cap, and sneakers. A perfect blend to his outfit, which was remarkably similar. "Seeing your reaction at the game," he answered, truthfully.
Caroline blushed and dipped her head. "Well, we should get going," she remarked, motioning to the door.
Klaus nodded and after thanking Bonnie for the company, he escorted Caroline out the door. Bonnie sighed as the door closed behind them and bowed her head in silent prayer, hoping that no incidents happened today.
~XXX~
To say that Klaus was prepared for Caroline's reaction would be lying. In truth, no amount of preparedness could have even prepared him for her actions at the game.
A smile, honestly, never left his face. For any other person, or even a lesser man, would have been embarrassed by the words Caroline used, but he smiled in wonder and affection at her colorful usage.
She yelled when the other team bunted the ball to give the others on base a chance to run home. She yelled at the umpire who called a strike when it was a ball. She screamed with delight when her team hit a home run and even when they stopped the runners from making to first or even second base. She cheered and hugged Klaus on special moments and threatened to shove her hot dog down the other coach's throat or some other orifice.
Even the umpire wasn't left out of that threat.
All nine innings ended up in an adventure. During each one, Klaus learned more about Caroline than he had ever imagined he would.
Bonnie had been right. Caroline's temper about baseball was nothing he had ever imagined. She would probably surpass him on the Richter scale when it came to rage.
No other incident occurred during the game, for that Caroline was grateful. Though at one moment, when the strongest batter came out of the dugout for his turn at bat, she hesitated. Klaus, sensing her mild distress, reached over and grasped her hand with his.
Her attention focused on him and for a moment, the game was forgotten as their eyes searched each other. It was only until the cheering from the crowd did Caroline realize how distracting and helpful Klaus had been. The batter had hit a home run, sending the three men home, taking the lead on the scoreboard.
In the end, her team won by three points and as Klaus led her to the car, she smiled, grateful for the miss of a panic attack.
"Thank you for today, Klaus," she remarked, standing at the passenger door, leaning back.
He smiled and bowed his head. "It was my pleasure, Caroline, though I should thank you for making it enjoyable. I honestly never enjoyed a game quite as much, even with Kol."
She blushed with a laugh. "I haven't enjoyed a game this much either, not in years," she admitted, adjusting her cap, nervously. "I'm glad I told you about the…" she trailed off, knowing he understood. "You…saved me today."
Knowing she meant the incident with the batter; he bowed his head like a gentleman. "Glad to be of service," he responded with a gentle tone.
She laughed and rolled her eyes, lightly punching him before turning to open the car door. Klaus smiled as he closed the door behind her and walked around to the driver's side.
All the while both were thinking the same thing.
How their hearts were pounding just remembering that moment, and how they enjoyed it.
Please be kind!
I know I've been absent from this story, but recent events have suddenly made it semi-possible for me to start writing full time. (i.e. the COVID-19). Also, I figured with the stay-at-home and social distancing, we all need a little cheer in the form of fanfiction.
I'm working on updating and completing all the stories I have open, so you all can have something to do while quarantined. I wish you all well and hope you are all staying safe and know my thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Next Chapter: Unexpected
Sneak Peek:
"You could ask him."
Caroline's mouth hung open, but the expression told Bonnie another story. "Bon! That's..."
"Caroline, I know you want to and you know you want to. Besides, I know how you get when you're alone. Maybe with Klaus here, you won't be as afraid."
"Bonnie...I...what will he thing?"
"That you are a friend in need, Caroline. Isn't that what you guys are? Friends?" Bonnie smiled and leaned forward. "For now."
Caroline groaned and her face fell in her hand. "Bonnie."
Until Next Time...
