Caroline started to wonder if they were still in New Orleans. Out of all the interrogating she had done on Niklaus, all she managed to know was that they were not having dinner in the French Quarter. With such a fast car Caroline wondered why Klaus seemed to be taking his time driving, just keeping the speed limit.
"Klaus. It's not that you're going slow. What 'm trying to say is that, I'm sure you can pick up your speed every now and then. After all, that's what this car was made for."
Caroline looked at him inquisitively as he only smiled at her and kept his pace. She sighed, giving up at any attempts to shorten their road trip.
"You know it's rare that we're together like this. No spat. No clashing thoughts. No one to disturb. Besides love, I thought you'd be proactive in being an outstanding New Orleans citizen. Isn't following simple traffic rules a good start to that? And here I thought you'd compliment me for my good deeds." Klaus smirked at her and was pleased with the amused smile Caroline gave him, which escalated to a laugh.
The drive took almost 20 minutes, which seemed like almost forever for Caroline. She looked at the restaurant bar that had the same exterior touch as the buildings in the French Quarter, although the one in front of her was mostly white. Caroline was more impressed when she entered it. It was classy and yet the coziness of its aura remained. Klaus led her towards the stairs until they came to the Upstairs Balcony. It had a wonderful view of the park, and the evening stars made it look even more magnificent. There were only a few people around them and she was thankful for that. At least there was some sense of privacy.
When the menu came, Klaus refused to accept it and instead gave out his order.
"It'll be Crabmeat Ravigote Napoleon for the lady and a Crawfish Changua for me. Blueberries and Cream for her dessert."
Caroline raised her eyebrow at him and sipped on the wine that was immediately served. Klaus had requested for it, and she had to admit he had impeccable taste.
They had to wait a while for their meal. And Caroline couldn't stand the silence."So what are we gonna talk about?"
Klaus simply smiled at her as if he had something up his sleeve."I'd like to know what possessed you to strike a deal with me love. You of all people, or vampires rather. I know how determined you are in keeping your friends safe Caroline, but I also know your morals. And your... affinity for a certain mutt."
"The mutt has a name Klaus, which so happens to be Tyler." Caroline knew it would set off Klaus's temper, but she doesn't like how he degrades most people around him. And although she hated to admit it, Caroline gets excited whenever she'd feel Klaus's anger and tension in the air. She could feel the raw power being held back, and as much as she denied it, it turned her on.
Klaus growled at the mention of the mutt's name, but said nothing. He continued
to sip on his wine and went on with studying her features.
Caroline sighed,"I guess there's no use in saying it. Well... I was desperate. Stefan and Damon may not be too keen on helping me out since they discovered what happened between us, and I don't want anyone else to be involved in your schemes again. The last time Mystic Falls was infested with werewolf hybrids was when you were there, so i only thought it right that you fix the problems you left behind."
A frown marred Klaus's face as he studied Caroline." I think there's something more to it, love. What are you not telling me?"
Caroline avoided his intense gaze and focused on her wine. She didn't want him to emphasize the fact that Tyler never returned.
She was grateful when the food arrived before the tension became too much. All too eagerly she started eating, looking at everything besides Niklaus.
Niklaus on the other hand, took his time with his food and chuckled at Caroline's hastiness."You know you'll never really get satisfied with that, love."
"I know but it's delicious," she said wiping her mouth.
"Missed a spot love," and Niklaus leaned forward to wipe something off the corner of her lips.
Caroline felt the blood rise to her face and ears, she sipped more wine hoping it would calm her down. She wanted to put away the sensation of warmth in Klaus's fingertips that she felt, even through the napkin he had used to wipe her face.
"Wine, champagne, and other liquor. It's becoming a thing for us love," Klaus chuckled.
"Perhaps,"Caroline said curtly.
Niklaus raised his eyebrow at her remark. Caroline had actually admitted that there was something going on between them. That is, besides the fights and the never ending role as bait for him, there was indeed something more to them. And she had voiced it out. As coldly as she had put it, she had just signaled the start of something Niklaus had never thought possible.
Dinner ended uneventfully. They engaged in small talks every now and then, but it would either be about the weather, someplace Niklaus had visited, or culture and arts. They never even went near any topic that would be considered personal.
Caroline, not wanting to say anything that might make the situation any more awkward than it is, stared at the view of the park. It looked lovely in the evening. There was a haunting loneliness to it. The grass was so green and had no signs of any tramples that one might even suggest no one took notice of it anymore. She sighed. The night seemed to be going nowhere.
"C'mon love, let's get ourselves a drink. Establish our thing," Niklaus had his hand extended to her.
She gave him a deadly look before taking his hand." If it actually helps us with these awkward situations, then I guess it won't be so bad if it becomes our thing."
Niklaus chuckled and gave her a loving look that she missed, leading her downstairs to the bar.
After several bottles of scotch and tequila later, Caroline was barely holding up. Niklaus being of older age was only getting started. Caroline had been spouting various stories about her childhood, times with her friends, her mother, and much to Klaus's dismay she started to talk about all her past boyfriends.
"I'm not really interested in your past conquests love. I for one know that you were too good for them, and yet they had the nerve to just throw you away."
Caroline smirked at him,"And are you good enough?"
Klaus gave her a sad smile and said," No love, I don't deserve you. Not at all."
A frown marred her beautiful face,"Then why would you say that to the other guys I've been with when you don't even think you're fit for me? How would you know? You're not the one who spent time with them, who loved them in a different way than others. To be honest, I don't think you should judge yourself and say that you're not good enough for me. I'm the only one who can say if you are good enough for me. I am the only one who can determine if you deserve me. Because if, it's an if, we were in a relationship if I think I feel loved, if I feel special, if I feel safe, if I feel the need to say I love you all the time, and if I can't stand lasting a lifetime without you. Then I can judge if you deserve me."
Her words had come out the slightest bit slurred, but they were meaningful nonetheless. Niklaus' eyes were filled with wonder as she looked at Caroline who downed another shot of tequila. He chuckled and moved the bottle away from her.
"I think you've had enough love. We should retire."
Caroline only giggled before turning around to face him."Okay. But I want to dance first."
Klaus had raised his eyebrows at her request but conceded to it nonetheless. He guided Caroline off the barstool and requested a mellow song from the bartender, which was immediately granted since he was a patron.
Klaus savored each second that they swayed in rhythm, inhaling her sweet scent.
"God you're really like a wolf when you do that," Caroline's voice was muffled as she spoke against Klaus's chest. He loved the sensation of her mouth against his chest. Even with his clothes on, he could feel her warmth and relished in it.
He chuckled,"I wouldn't know if that was a compliment or an insult love."
Caroline moved away from him and pouted," Maybe it's both."
"Alright then, I'll take both." Klaus pulled her back to him and went back to dancing.
It had been past midnight when Klaus decided to call it quits and concerted to the job of nicely asking Caroline to get inside the car. She had insisted wanting to ride her own car, to which Klaus had easily reasoned that she was too drunk to drive. He'd insisted on following driving rules such as not driving drunk, only to have Caroline scoff at him.
"You worry about driving while drunk, but you kill mercilessly. Where's the point in that?"
Caroline reasoned but got in the passenger seat anyway.
Once they arrived home, Caroline had sobered up enough to get into her room without Klaus's help.
Niklaus went to the study to update on a few of his plans when Rebekah came in with a questioning look."What's with the drunk baby vampire?"
Niklaus shrugged,"We had a good time."
Rebekah was doubtful,"And that's how you're gonna end the evening Nik? Uneventful."
Niklaus gave her a smile she had not seen in centuries, it surprised her."Well dear sister, if uneventful is what you would call this evening, I think I'd want to make each night an uneventful one."
Rebekah had never seen him with such a wistful smile, she decided to let him go this time. It was about time that her brother should experience happiness. Being the one that spent the longest time with him, she knew how lonely he would get and never admit it. The time and torture combined had made him hard and damaged his soul. Rebekah was thankful that there was a way he could seek solace from it now. Even if it meant having to endure the unwanted presence of Caroline.
Caroline woke up at dawn, the liquor barely having an effect on her being a vampire. She went back to the details of the previous night. Their awkward dinner, the drunk chitchats, and their dance. She felt herself blush with humiliation as she recalled her short speech to Klaus about him deserving her, and her request for a dance was the last string that made her dash to the bathroom and relax herself with a cool bath. She stayed in there for an ample amount of time, thinking of how she could face Klaus after that night.
Niklaus had heard Caroline run a bath and started to worry since it had been more than an hour and she still hadn't emerged from her room. He began to wonder if it was regarding last night's events. Maybe Caroline hadn't wanted him to see that side of her. She hadn't managed to hold back anything last night, probably saying everything that comes to mind. At least that was his summation.
He knocked on the door of their connecting rooms."Caroline. You alright love?"
Caroline jerked in the tub, causing water to spill over."Shit"
"Caroline, what's happening?" Klaus was knocking more loudly now, panic in his voice.
"Ugh, it's nothing Klaus. Just go away," Caroline's brows were unconsciously furrowed as she wrapped herself in a towel.
Klaus was surprised by her sudden coldness, but decided to leave her in her own devices. Instead he decided to make a progress on a few plans he had been delaying.
Caroline heard Klaus leave, surprised that he hadn't insisted on his way this time. She left the bathroom with only a towel and started rummaging through her clothes. Her mind was half on Klaus's behavior, a fourth on Mystic Falls, and the remaining was on what she was going to wear.
She settled for a green top, shorts and boots. The heat in New Orleans had been new to her, and she had resorted to wearing breezy and short clothings, but she felt the weather had eased up a bit.
Taking a deep breath she stepped outside her room and went down the stairs, alert for any presence nearby. When she heard nothing coming from the kitchen she went there and decided to make something humane for brunch. Looking into the refrigerator she opted for a PB&J with a glass of B Positive. The stock of blood bags was unusual to her since she knew all the originals liked it fresh and warm.
She heard footsteps and her head snapped up to see Niklaus grinning at her.
"Glad to see you've made yourself at home love."
She only looked at him for a second before looking back at her sandwich as she chewed.
"I meant it positively love. I like seeing you comfortable instead of being cooped up in your room all day." Klaus walked towards her and stopped on the opposite side of the counter, facing her.
Caroline sighed. It was unavoidable."It's not that Klaus. I'm just thinking of last night. I may have sounded weird and all, but I would really appreciate it if you just let it go and forget it ever happened."
Niklaus was astonished. He liked the way thing went last night, and he certainly wouldn't want to forget it. He felt his anger rising, but it disappeared when he saw Caroline giving him puppy eyes and fluttered her eyelids every now and then. It struck him that she was probably embarrassed at how she had acted last night. Klaus only thought she had been herself, although more thoroughly frank. It made him chuckle.
"Caroline, I had a wonderful evening. Everything went perfectly well. And I must say, I rather enjoyed our dance."
Caroline was blushing, and Klaus took pride in it. It gave him happiness that he was able to evoke a different emotion from her besides anger.
"It was a disaster Klaus. Just work with me on this," Caroline's eyes were pleading.
"Love, I won't be able to forget it. But for your sake, I won't mention it," Klaus went around the counter to get near her and held her arms at both sides. Like a friend comforting another, he smiled at her with no malice and no mischief.
Caroline returned the smile to him,"Thanks Klaus."
Rebekah caught them like that, smiling at each other lovingly.
Caroline jumped in surprise and immediately released her arms from Niklaus hold. Only this time Niklaus didn't seem to be bothered by it, since the embarrassed blush on Caroline's face was present. He chuckled and urged Rebekah to come closer.
"What is it dear sister?"
"I discovered something." Rebekah was uneasy, knowing the information she brought was sure to ruin his good mood.
And she was right. Niklaus smile instantly turned into a scowl."Come, let's talk upstairs."
As both siblings ascended the stairs Caroline called out for Niklaus. When he turned to look at her, she raised an eyebrow at him as if saying he should know what to do. Niklaus was about to open his mouth to say no, but stopped when Caroline furrowed her eyebrows and pursed her lips in annoyance.
All he could do was sigh. "Come along, love."
