Hi guys! :D I am soooo sorry for being away so long. I had exams and they just completely took over my life but I'm back now. I just have to say that the TVD finale was AMAZING! I was quite disappointed by most of Season 4 but the finale made it up for me :) It was funny and sweet and heartbreaking. Me and my best-friend were practically in tears! I cried over Lexi and Alaric and how adorable was Klaus! I swear, they pretty make Klaroline happen!

As for Damon and Elena... I used to be a massive Delena fan and I'm glad we finally get a Delena era after having Stelena for so long but tbh, I just find Elena whiny and annoying now. I wish Damon had a better love interest.

I am seriously excited for Season 5 especially with Silas and Stefan, Bonnie being dead, a human Katherine and Jeremy being alive (Yay!) and I really cannot wait for The Originals. Seriously, a whole show about Klaus! I'm in love haha.

Anyway, enjoy the chapter and let me know what you think :)

A big thank you to alwaysnnever, flazzy cullen, LucyRider17, Guest, Tvdlover87654, sweetdreams705, Mahtabi and Guest for reviewing xxx

Ps. sorry for any mistakes!

It was nearing the end of the work day and Lacey was exhausted. Her day had passed in a blur of filing papers, arranging meetings and running other random errands for Elijah. It was on busy days such as the one she had just lived through that she regretted her choice of footwear. Heels were the devil's torture device but damn, she just couldn't resist wearing them.

Shutting down her computer and happily contemplating the relaxing bath she was planning on sinking into once she finally returned home, Lacey grabbed her bag from the desk and walked past Elijah's office and down the hall to collect Klaus.

Pushing open the door to Klaus's relatively sizeable office, Lacey rolled her eyes when she found him with his feet up on his large, oak desk that was littered with his laptop and various office supplies, smirking at her.

Klaus let his eyes rake over the woman standing in front of him and he smiled appreciatively. Even the way she was glaring at him, with her arms crossed over her chest and her foot tapping impatiently on the floor, Klaus couldn't help but feel happy.

"Are you just going to sit there all night?"
"Hmmm… maybe." Klaus teased.
"Fine." Lacey said with a huff of breath. "I guess I'll just have to make my own way home. I suppose I can always ask that nice guy on reception if he'll take me."

Immediately, Klaus was out of his seat and standing; a scowl on his face. Lacey laughed to herself. It was so easy for her to manipulate her best-friend.

"No. I don't like the way he looks at you."
"Then stop pouting and take me home."
"Fine. No need to be so pushy." Klaus replied with a roll of his eyes and a smirk.
"One of these days, I'm going to push you off a cliff, Nik."

Grabbing his phone and now empty travel mug, Klaus locked the door to his office and grasped one of Lacey's hands in his own as they walked down the corridor towards the elevator.

"Whatever you say, Love. You know you'd miss me."

The heated water and scented bubbles were heaven to Lacey's aching muscles and with every second she spent laying in the bath, she felt the stress of the work day slowly slipping away.

Her peace, however, was rudely interrupted when the door to the bathroom opened and Klaus popped his head around the door.

"Nik! I'm the bath!"
"I can see that." he replied, grinning.
"Get out!"

Never in her life had Lacey been so grateful for the existence of bubbles. They were the only thing ensuring her modesty and dignity were kept intact as Klaus entered the bathroom fully and closed the door behind him.

"Please. Stay. Enjoy the show." Lacey remarked sarcastically, throwing her hands up in the air and back down again; causing a small splash of water to spill over the edge of the bathtub.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before, sweetheart."
"Perv."
"Tease."

Sighing, Lacey ignored Klaus's comment and waited for him explain to her why he felt the need to barge into the bathroom and interrupt her down-time.

Forcing himself to tear his eyes away from Lacey, acutely aware that underneath all of the bubbles she was completely stark naked, Klaus sat himself down on the tiled floored of the bathroom and leaned his back against the porcelain tub; granting his best-friend some privacy.

Knowing Lacey couldn't see his face from their current positions, Klaus allowed himself a sneaky smile as he memorised the sight of Lacey in the bath; her bent legs on show and glistening from the water and her chocolate brown hair slightly curled from the heat of the steam.

"Nik?"
"I have a favour to ask you."

His voice suddenly exuded a serious tone to it and the sudden change made Lacey feel uneasy.

"Okay. What is it?"
"Rebekah's having a birthday party on Friday… at my parents house…"

The words were forced. Klaus never wanted to step foot in his childhood home ever and he was successful in his endeavour most of the time. He only ever returned home when it was absolutely required of him. His relationship with his parents was strained and volatile at best and so, he stayed away as much as possible. But he loved his only sister and it was her birthday. He couldn't deny her request for him to attend her party.

Asking Lacey to attend with him was his only option. She was the only one who kept him grounded and the only one who could make him face going back to the house he grew up in. her strength gave him strength. Unlike his father, who bullied him and made him feel worthless and unwanted, Lacey made him feel loved. Her unwavering loyalty and kindness towards him made him want to be a better person. Her friendship was the light during his dark days.

"Niklaus Mikaelson, are you seriously asking me to go to Rebekah's party to you? Are you really as stupid as you seem? Of course I'll go. I wouldn't dare let you go to that house on your own."

Klaus turned his head to see Lacey gazing at him with a combination of love and protection. Having to depend of others always made him feel weak but where Lacey was concerned he did not mind. Their friendship was based on protection and it was something they did fiercely.

"Thank you." Klaus said, his words dripping with an enormous sense of gratitude.
"You're welcome… Now get out of here and leave me in peace." Lacey replied, sticking her tongue out at Klaus playfully as he stood and finally left.

Shutting the door behind him, Klaus smiled to himself happily and for the millionth time in his life, thanked the heavens above that Lacey had been brought into his life all those years before. Without her, he was certain that he wouldn't be the man he was. She had kept him out of trouble and loved him unconditionally. She truly was his best-friend. So why, lately, had he found himself meaning it differently when playfully flirted with her; when he told her she was the only woman for him; when he told her he loved her?

Fancy a bit of fun?

The text was sudden and unexpected and the beeping sound her phone made pulled Lacey from the conversation she was having with Klaus and Elijah, as they sat together having lunch in Elijah's office the next day.

Not with you.

Lacey typed her reply quickly and meant every word. Her last encounter with the guy had been a mistake and it was not one she intended on never repeating ever again. She was just thankful Klaus had never found out.

Another message came instantly.

Don't be like that. Come over. I'll make you forget all about him.

A deep frown formed on Lacey's beautiful features and her lips formed a tight line as she switched her phone off and threw it into her bag. She hated the way the guy was insinuating that she needed to forget. Like she could ever forget. Even when she was off having explicit, shame-filled sex with her texting buddy, she could never forget about Klaus. He was always in the back of her mind.

Her obvious agitation caught the attention of the two Mikaelson men and both stared at her curiously when she began to pick at her meal.

"Who was that?" demanded Klaus.
"Are you okay, Lacey? You seem a little upset." Elijah asked tenderly.
"I'm fine, Elijah."

She flashed him what she hoped was a reassuring smile.

"Who was that?" Klaus asked again.
"No-one."

Klaus hated it when Lacey lied to him. Especially when he knew that Lacey was aware that he knew she was lying to his face. Her lie only served to increase his curiosity further. In all the years they had been friends, the only time either one lied to the other when it involved a bed partner. Did Lacey have a boyfriend he didn't know about it?

The pain and jealousy that washed over him surprised Klaus. It was all consuming and extremely overwhelming.

"Fine."

He didn't push Lacey to provide him with an answer. He would find out himself.

It had just gone two in the morning when Lacey was awoken by Klaus, who had crept into her room and laid himself down in her bed next to her. Instinctively, she threw one of her arms over Klaus's well-defined, bare chest and placed her head on his shoulder.

"Did you have another nightmare?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.

Klaus didn't respond immediately. Instead, he twisted his body so he was lying on his side facing Lacey.

"Turn around." he whispered into her ear.

Groaning, Lacey did as she was told and turned so her back was to Klaus. She gave no thought to his request and snuggled further into her pillow in a bid to regain her previously sleeping state.

"Who was texting you today?"

Another groan escaped Lacey. She had honestly thought Klaus had forgotten about the afternoon's events. She should have known better. After all, Klaus was nothing if stubborn and determined.

"No-one."
"Lacey…" his hand was on her shoulder now. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Lacey shivered. Something was off. A nagging pit in the pit of her stomach told her as much but she ignored it.

"Go to sleep, Nik."
"Fine. The hard way it is."

Trailing small, gentle kisses up and down Lacey's shoulder and neck, Klaus waits for the familiar shivering that will alert him of the young woman's failing will. He only ever resorted to such underhand tactics when he knew there was no chance Lacey would tell him the truth willingly, and there had only ever been a handful of times Klaus had employed such methods.

The sensation of Klaus's lips on her skin made her body feel like it was on fire. All the other times he had done such things had never affected her quite so much, and she had always batted his body away from hers; given into his demands for information before it went any further and they ended up ruining their friendship.

The touched and kisses had never been anything sexual. Sure, they had, had an affect on Lacey's body but neither she nor Klaus had ever perceived each other in a sexual light, so to them no boundaries had been crossed.

"Sweetheart, come on now. Just tell me and I'll stop. Then you can go back to sleep."

Lacey did not offer up any kind of response and Klaus let out a small sigh at her stubbornness. Reaching the crook of her neck, Klaus bit down on it gently and was surprised when he heard Lacey release a loud gasp and grab his hand that was curled around her waist.

Klaus stilled for a moment. Never had he elicited such a sound from Lacey's mouth. It was unmistakeable. It had most definitely been a gasp of pleasure. A sense of pride and excitement surged through Klaus's body and before he knew what he was doing, he repeated his previous action only to receive the same response as before.

Panic set in for Lacey. Too far. It was going too far. There was an undeniable ache between her legs and she knew that if she let Klaus continue there would be serious consequences the following morning.

She wanted him. Despite her teasing and sarcastic remarks stating otherwise, she really did want Klaus but he was off-limits. Their friendship was too valuable to risk and she was almost sure that Klaus would never see her as anything other than his 'best-friend, Lacey', despite what his lips were doing on her neck.

"Nik… stop."
"You know what you have to do."
"Nik, if you don't stop you'll be going to that party on your own." Lacey threatened.

Her empty threat seemed to have the desired effect and Klaus removed his lips from her neck; rolling over onto his back whilst Lacey remained in her current position.

"Fine. Go to sleep." Klaus stated.

He stared up at the white, painted ceiling and listened as Lacey softly bid him goodnight. He cursed himself. He had been so stupid. He'd things get out of hand. His best-friend's gasps of pleasure had played on his romantic emotions for her and had intensified his longing for her.

Stupid, Klaus, he thought. He would never have a chance with the magnificent creature lying beside him. She just did not see him as anything more than a friend and now she was keeping secrets from him.

Praying that sleep would take him quickly, Klaus wondered what his life would be like if he had never fallen in love with his best-friend.