Chapter 9

In the grey mist of the morning, Klaus was standing on the docks, cigarette at his lips as he looked on to the men working there. Recently he'd taken to come out there, not for a need to supervise exactly, but to see things going smoothly, moving forward. If people said he'd taken to stalking his territory it wouldn't be wrong, and people seeing him, a reminder of who was their protector, or could be their enemy, was good in his books too.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw an unknown man walking in his direction. His eyes narrowed. He didn't move from where he was standing despite readying himself to anything. However the man didn't strike him as a gangster, his clothing too neat for that and his straight posture more akin to the men in the good part of town, but he did not think he was someone from there having lost his way after having visited a brothel like you could sometimes see. No that particular man was walking with purpose, toward him. Still, Klaus didn't believe him to be a hired gun either since none should be stupid enough to try killing him in the daylight before witnesses when he would have to run afterward. That left the possibility of a messenger.

"Klaus Mikaelson." The man stopped a distance away from him, just close enough to be heard without raising their voice.

"It seems you've heard of me, and who am I talking to ?" He smiled turning toward the other man.

"Inspector Steven Coleman, I thought I would come and introduce myself."

"My, my... The new Inspector everyone's talking about. Though I'm not sure why someone like you would feel the need to meet a simple businessman like me."

"Let's not beat around the bush, we both know the truth of who you are, you and your family being criminals is an open secret known by all of Chicago."

"I should hope the police do not blindly follow rumors, if my family is to be accused of such I'd like you to provide evidence to it. See, that's the difference between allegations and truth. My brother is a lawyer, so I'm a bit knowledgeable on such things." Klaus tone stayed lightly polite, hardly ruffled by the police Inspector's words.

"Oh, I will find the proof needed, and then I'll dismantle your organisation and put you and the rest of your criminal family in jail where scums like you belong."

Klaus fist tightened in his pocket. Threatening his family was not something he tolerated.

"Tell me Inspector, since you seem so hell bend to introduce yourself to gangsters, have you met with the Salvatores yet ? Surely they would be first on your list of dangerous criminals. I can hardly be at the top of the list, if so, truly I'm flattered, but you are wasting your time."

"I disagree. A man like you, not even the eldest of his family, taking the reins of the family business and making it flourish enough in four years to be a threat, make you the most dangerous man to keep an eye on. But do not let your ego blind you, I've seen a lot of men like you in my carrier, they all died sooner rather than later. Your ambition will be your downfall Mikaelson." Coleman looked him straight in the eyes during his tirade, but Klaus did not react, the Inspector knew nothing of him.

"A body washed up on the shore of Lake Michigan, a man with a disfigured face and 'RAT' cut across his forehead. Do you happen to know anything about it ?"

It seems that Kol had been inspired by Klaus flesh carving, the older Mikaelson internally remarked with amusement. His face betraying nothing he answered the Inspector.

"No, not at all. Maybe you should ask Salvatore when you meet him."

Coleman stared hard at him for a minute longer before turning heels and leaving.

Klaus stomped his cigarette butt on the floor with his shoe and left in the other direction, this conversation had given him a new insight into things, he had plans to make and needed to talk to Elijah.

-O-

Even though it was only morning, Caroline was already at the Mystic. Gloria was still recovering from her cold and had asked her to assure this morning delivery. Caroline was glad that she was trusted enough to be given this responsibility. Normally Matt should have been the one to do it, but he had made the closure that night, and Sylvia while a great barmaid wasn't good at keeping the books, so Caroline had jumped at the opportunity by volunteering and Gloria hadn't hesitated in agreeing.

So that's why Caroline was now here early, finishing organizing and restocking, when she heard the door open.

"We're closed !" She called out without looking up from what she was doing.

She didn't hear the door again, instead she heard steps coming closer. She was sure it wasn't Matt or Gloria or they would have already said something. Raising her head to tell whomever it was to go get a drink elsewhere because they weren't open yet, the words died on her tongue.

Because it was Klaus Mikaelson who was walking toward the bar, toward her, with a broody expression on his face. Her heartbeat picked up a pace.

Reaching the bar, he sat down on a stool just across from Caroline position on the other side of the counter, his eyes finding hers.

"Give me a Bourbon love."

It was an order. One who brooked no rebuttal.

Caroline chose a Bourbon who was neither the most expensive nor the cheapest and poured a glass she put down before him. All the while his eyes hadn't left her. She ignored it, even though she felt like his gaze was burning a hole in her skin, and went back to filling her books.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see him take a slow sip of his drink.

"Where's Gloria ?" He asked after a tense minute of silence.

"She wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I'm filling in for her for this morning's delivery."

"Aren't you new ?" He looked at her speculatively.

"I've been working here for six weeks." She said in lieu of an answer.

"Still new to these parts then." It was an affirmation. Klaus Mikaelson seemed pretty confident in making assumptions.

"I only said I've been working here for this long, I never said I wasn't from around."

She thought she saw a flash of amusement pass in his eyes as he looked at her.

"But you aren't, from around here. Probably not even from Chicago, you look too clean."

There was that word, 'clean', what did that even mean ? Did she somehow have 'country bumpkin' stuck on her face ? She wrinkled her brows, but quickly tried to smooth them out.

"I'm just a small town girl who came to the big city to work. Pretty common story I'm sure." She shrugged nonchalantly.

"And does this particular common story have a name ?"

She once again raised her eyes to his, and felt them pierce through her as they locked gaze.

"Caroline." She swallowed to dispel the dryness in her mouth.

"Would you be so kind as to get me refill Caroline."

She fought against the shiver traveling her spine as she heard him say her name. Without a word she went to pour him a new drink, and for good measure left both the glass and the bottle before him this time. He shot her an appreciative glance, his lips curling slightly, before taking another sip.

"Most girls go to the big city to marry not work. What about you ?"

"Paying my bills is my first priority." She cautiously answered, not sure where he was going with this. She never thought she'd ever have a one-on-one discussion with Klaus Mikaelson, otherwise she certainly wouldn't feel so unprepared and out of her depth.

"I see."

She barely had the time to wonder what he thought he saw, before he was talking again.

"Do you want to earn a bit of extra money ?"

"Doing what ?" She asked, looking straight at him on full alert, when a crime boss asked you this kind of question, nine times out of ten it couldn't end well.

"I'm invited to a banquet type of thing in a few days and in need of a plus one. Interested ?" He smiled charmingly before taking another sip while awaiting her answer.

Caroline had no idea what to answer. It didn't sound too dangerous, but it was Klaus Mikaelson we were talking about. If she refuses, he probably would not hold it against her, leave and they'd never talk again, she could then go back to spying at a distance. But she'd never have a better chance to be closer to the target of her mission if she didn't agree. She had never faced much danger during her last assignment, but wasn't putting criminal in jail warranting of some risks ? And she wanted to talk more with Klaus, a small voice whispered deep inside her.

"I just need to accompany you ?"

"Just that." He swirled the golden liquid in his glass.

"Alright, but if it's a fancy affair, I don't think I have anything to wear for it." She warned and Klaus seemed to get the hint. He smiled before downing the rest of his drink in one go, then he pulled a wad of cash from his pocket. Caroline widened her eyes at seeing him pull that much money out casually. He put most of it on the bar surface and pocketed back the rest.

"For the drinks and the dress. That should cover it. Buy a red dress." Were the only words he left behind before walking out.

Caroline, still reeling from trying to digest what just happened, felt the need to sit down as her legs trembled. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.

She had just talked with Klaus Mikaelson, the most feared man in Chicago. And she would see him again soon.

"Caroline ?"

Dragged out of her thoughts, she opened her eyes to see Matt entering the Mystic.

"Hey Matt, what are you doing here ?"

"It's nearly lunch time. Sylvia will open this afternoon, but since it's your first solo delivery, I came to see if everything alright." He said his eyes taking in the bottle of bourbon and glass on the counter, as well as Caroline dazed look.

"I swear I wasn't the one drinking, you can smell my breath if you don't believe me !"

Matt looked surprised at her outburst at first, then smiled at her.

"I believe you."

A bit embarrassed about her lack of composure, she took a breath before explaining.

"Klaus Mikaelson came asking for a drink, so I served him one since I didn't think I should refuse even if we're closed. I mean I would say no to most others, but since the Mikaelsons are supposed to own a part of the Mystic, you know..." She shrugged.

"You did the right thing. They do that sometimes, open hours don't mean much to the Mikaelsons. Are you alright ?" He asked seriously noticing her paleness.

"Yeah. Of course. I was just taken by surprise a bit, but he was a perfect gentleman the whole time. See he even paid." She joked to dispel the seriousness in the air.

"How many drinks did he have ?" Matt eyebrow rose incredulously taking in the wad of cash.

"Actually, only some of it is for the drinks. So... Do you know if Bonnie knows a good dress shop?"

It only took nine chapters, but finaly here is Klaroline!

Also, I wonder if anyone as noticed that the Inspector is actually a character from TVD? He was never portrayed on screen, but he was mentioned a few times.

Do leave a comment on what you think of the story so far!