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Caroline's temper was something to be feared, or at least the short, scrawny man, standing in the office a week after the Fourth of July celebration, thought.

His attitude the moment he entered was rude and full of contempt for the blonde woman sitting at the desk. His comment about being a bombshell caused Caroline's eyes to flare, and in that instant, he realized his mistake. All his money and superiority couldn't have prepared him for the onslaught he was about to endure. His mouth opened, and his hands raised the moment she stood with her hands gripping the edge of the desk.

If she could produce fire, he was certain she would have at that moment. "Lady," he began, but it was fruitless.

"You have five seconds to either get out of this office or tell me who you want before I pour hot coffee over that silk suit," she remarked, holding up her hand with five fingers straight and ready. One dropped, and he gulped before stepping back.

"I need to see Klaus Mikaelson and his brother. It's a matter of urgency," he strangled to say just before the third finger dropped.

Caroline reached for the phone on her desk and punched a key. "Come out here," she responded with ice in her tone.

The second Klaus' door opened, he took one look at the panicked man and the furious Caroline and guessed the rest. His shoulders dropped, and he hid the smirk on his face as he approached the man.

"Mr. Henrich, you wanted to see me."

The man nodded and spared a glance at Klaus before focusing on Caroline. "It's about the factory settlement," he responded, roughly. "I need you and Kol to look over the documents before we file."

Klaus bowed his head. "Wait in my office, if you please, and I'll get my brother." No sooner were the words out, did the man jump and run into the office away from Caroline.

Klaus turned and approached her with careful steps as her thumb slowly lowered along with her hand. "Caroline, love," he whispered, reaching the edge of her desk.

Her eyes flickered to his, and her entire stance softened. "He called me a bombshell and implied that I was a dumb harlot."

Klaus clenched his jaw. "I take it you set him straight."

"I didn't have to," she responded, with a cold look of satisfaction on her face. "The moment he saw my temper, he started backing up. Of course, I did threaten to pour hot coffee on him."

His hand caressed her cheek, and he smiled with a devilish gleam in his eyes. "My hot-tempered lady," he remarked.

"Are you going to let me pour it on him now?"

He sighed. "Afraid not, love," he answered. "He's an old friend of the family. Particularly, my mother's acquaintance. It would not do to anger him, at least until we get the factory deal closed," he added with a whisper.

She smiled, lowering her head until their foreheads were touching. "He doesn't know that, does he?" she asked, conspiring.

He chuckled, threading his fingers through her hair. "No, and I won't tell him that you can't."

She laughed, pulling back with a sparkle in her eyes that made him smile with warm affection. "You better go in and see him," she remarked. "I'll call Kol in."

"Thank you, love," he responded, kissing her lightly before entering his office.

Caroline sighed with a smile and quickly notified Kol that he was needed in Klaus' office. After greeting Kol, and watching as he disappeared into the office, she leaned back in her chair. Over the course of the last week, she learned of the factory situation from both Klaus and Esther. The factory had been in Esther's family for generations and was one of the reasons behind her move to the states after her marriage.

As part of the marriage, Mikael had been given partial control, but not enough to completely take it away from Esther's hands. During their tumultuous marriage, Mikael managed to swindle the profits and the factory nearly had to face closure. Elijah gained control during that time, as per his mother's request, and managed to save it, much to Mikael's dismay.

It was shortly afterward; Mikael was served with divorce papers and a restraining order. Unfortunately, before anything could be done, Mikael died. How they never fully revealed, but Caroline wondered at the secrecy.

The settlement at the factory was the last ghost of Mikael. During Elijah's tenure as manager, he discovered how the workers were treated, and the insurance had lapsed because Mikael had refused to pay them. Many of the workers were threatening to sue until Elijah took over, and after a while, they revealed the conditions. The settlement for the workers was to bring about fair pay, medical help, and holiday time pay. It would take time for the workers' pay to come up like it was, but with the settlement, it would work. It only needed Klaus and Kol's stamp of approval, which was what the little weasel was there for.

She rubbed her chest with her right hand and thought of the week before at the Mikaelson's. After the confessions between her and Klaus, she decided to stay. The rest of the week was uneventful apart from a few laughs and bonding between her and the family. Richard had been banished from working on the Mikaelson account and put under surveillance. His connection with Timothy made him a target, and after an anonymous tip, a lead to Timothy.

It eased her mind, knowing Richard was having no contact with Timothy without their knowledge, but still, anything could happen.

The one thing about the week that seemed to lighten the mood around her was Klaus' love. His confession was warm and filled with such hope that it only strengthened their relationship, and reaffirmed her affection for him.

Entering the kitchen, she began to brew a pot of coffee, and just as it was finished and she was pouring a cup, the door to Klaus' office opened and the little man exited with Klaus and Kol on his heels. They were shaking hands when he glanced in her direction and visibly swallowed.

"I'll, uh, contact your mother about the deal," Mr. Henrich stammered. "Good day, gentlemen, Ms. Forbes," he added, nodding before quickly leaving the office.

Caroline bit her bottom lip as she walked towards Klaus and lifted the cup towards him. He accepted it with a smile, and she could see the laughter in his eyes. Kol, not understanding the predicament, tilted his head.

"Caroline had a few words with Mr. Henrich before I came out of the office earlier," Klaus revealed, taking a sip of the perfectly brewed coffee.

Kol glanced at her and lifted his brow. "You threatened him?"

Caroline shrugged. "He called me a few choice words. He was being a smartass, so I threatened him with coffee."

Kol dropped his face in his hand and rubbed his face. "Caroline," he began but stopped when his brother bumped his arm. "Never mind," he added, clearing his throat, and headed to his office. "Carry on."

Caroline giggled and stepped closer to Klaus. "I'm sorry I threatened your mother's lawyer."

Klaus shrugged. "He needed to be taken down a notch or two," he remarked, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I had a thought," he began, leaning closer to her ear.

She shivered and placed her hand on his chest. "That can't be good," she teased.

"Oh, it is," he returned, kissing her ear, loving her quiet moan. "How about this Friday we go to the cabin and spend the weekend? We'll be back by Sunday night for your movie night with Bonnie," he added, quickly.

Warm tingles ran through her, and she smiled. How could she ever have thought of him as being a beast? "When do we leave?" she whispered.

"We could leave after lunch on Friday."

His nose brushed over her cheek, and she bowed her head, biting back a moan. "I'll be ready," she agreed.

"I better finish up in there, but I can't seem to let you go," he groaned, kissing her jaw, and tightening his hold.

She laughed, turning until she was facing him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I've been thinking also," she revealed with a teasing light in her eyes. "Maybe I should find another job."

He growled, pulling her tighter, careful of the half-filled coffee mug. "You do, and I'll give a horrible reference."

She raised her brow and tilted her head. "Is that all?"

He searched her eyes. "I would say I could tie you up, but we both know how you feel about that," he answered, gently.

She smiled, touching his face. "Tell you what," she began, sobering up. "Give me time, and I might let you later," she whispered, brightening at the shocked expression on his face. She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his, before settling in his embrace.

"You continue to surprise, darling," he whispered, bending his head to kiss the bare spot on her shoulder.

She hummed, loving the name he used. He only called her darling when they were alone and content. It was his way of showing how much joy he felt in her presence and how much she meant to him. "I'm surprising myself with you," she responded, quietly, but he still heard.

Holding her, he thought of how far she had come in almost six months. With patience and understanding, the woman in his arms was full of life, love, and passion. She was his equal, and he was so glad that he discovered it before it was too late. He was content he had found what he had been searching for and didn't know it at the time. He found love, and he found it with a woman who loved him back with the same force he did for her. It was a love he knew would last, and he hoped, someday soon, he would show her, in more ways than one.

~XXX~

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Caroline asked, rolling her suitcase to the door.

Bonnie groaned. "I'll be fine. Honestly," she remarked, placing her hands on her friend's arms. "Rebekah has invited me to go shopping tomorrow, and I have a date tomorrow night."

Caroline's eyes widened. "A date? Who with?"

Bonnie lowered her eyes. "No one of importance," she remarked, dropping her hands, and turning towards the kitchen.

Caroline's head shook as she charged toward her friend. "Is it Kol?"

Bonnie jerked, whirling around. "Why would you think…?" Her words drifted off as she caught sight of Caroline's expression. "It could be someone different."

"Not the way he's been after you since the ball."

"It's nothing. Besides, he has a girlfriend."

Caroline's eyes widened. "Says who?"

"He did. Last week at the Fourth of July party."

"Oh, Bonnie, I'm sorry," Caroline responded, knowing her friend's feelings.

"It's not a problem," Bonnie remarked, bowing her head as she slid on the stool. "He's my lawyer and it wasn't meant to be."

"Bon," Caroline began, clasping her friend's hands. "Let me call Klaus and ask if we can leave later."

"No," Bonnie injected, firmly. "You need this." She smiled. "I'll be fine. Rebekah and I will have a shopping spree and then I'll get ready for my date with Damon."

"Damon?" Caroline asked, her brows lifting. "Stefan's brother?"

Bonnie blushed and dipped her head. "We met last week at the party after Richard left. He's nice and Stefan said that Damon was trustworthy."

"He seemed a bit arrogant to me," Caroline stated, rolling her eyes with a smile.

Bonnie laughed. "Perhaps, but he seemed like a good man, even Kol liked him."

"Oh, well, that settles it then." Caroline threw her hands in the air with a laugh. "The man you have feelings for approves of a man you just met."

"Care, it's not like that."

"However, it's like. I just hope you're happy." Caroline smiled, simply.

Bonnie smiled, reaching for Caroline's hands. "I hope you are too."

Caroline nodded. "Klaus makes me happy, and he challenges me."

"He's perfect for you. That's all that I need to know."

"I'll be back Sunday unless something comes up, and then, we'll talk about this Damon," Caroline remarked, pointing at her friend as she backed away.

Bonnie laughed and shooed her friend out the door. "Have fun!"

Caroline threw her hand up and closed the door, knowing she would have to ask Rebekah about Damon and if he was good enough for her.

But first, she would have to talk to Kol.

~XXX~

"What do you mean Bonnie has a date?" Kol asked as Caroline was waiting on Klaus in the office.

"I mean, Bonnie has a date with Damon tomorrow night," she responded placing a few envelopes on the 'out' box on her desk.

"She doesn't even know him!" Kol exclaimed, throwing his arms out.

Caroline shrugged. "Rebekah said he was a good person and Stefan vouched for him. Bonnie even said you approve of him."

"I approve of him as a friend, not a damned boyfriend!" Kol shouted, eyes flaring. "Why is she going out with him anyway?"

Caroline straightened, seeing Klaus move a bit from the corner of her eye. "Because she got tired of waiting for someone to make a move, and also," she licked her lips, "you told her you have a girlfriend."

Kol's face paled as his eyes widened. "That didn't mean," he began, stuttering. "Oh hell," he whispered, running his fingers through his hair. "I was hoping she would go out with me."

"Kol," Caroline remarked, coldly. "Bonnie has had a hard life. She is emotional, but for the most part, she keeps her feelings to herself." She lowered her eyes. "She's been hurt more times than you can even imagine, almost as bad as me," she added, lowly.

"I don't have a girlfriend, Caroline," Kol revealed, after a minute. "I said that because I was hoping Bonnie would accept, but it came out wrong."

Caroline's eyes lifted and she smiled, faintly. "Then tell her, Kol." Her gaze turned to Klaus, who was leaning against the doorframe of his office. "It never does anyone good to keep feelings inside," she added, watching Kol bow his head.

"It's too late," he remarked, turning to go into his office. "I've lost her."

Caroline sighed and shook her head as the door closed behind her boss. Arms surrounded her, and she leaned into the warm body of the man she loved, accepting his comforting embrace. "Why do you Mikaelsons have to be so stubborn?"

He chuckled, kissing the side of her head. "I don't know, love. Maybe because we're waiting on the right woman to straighten us out."

She laughed, turning in his embrace, and placed her hands on his chest. "Really?"

His arms tightened around her waist, and he hummed. "I waited on you, and look what happened."

Her face warmed with a tender blush and she dipped her head forward until her forehead touched his lips and then she rested her head on his shoulder. She was content to rest there, and she sensed he was too for neither wanted to move too far away from the other and break the tender embrace.

"We should get going," Klaus whispered, after a few minutes.

Caroline raised her head and smiled. "Lead the way, darling."

He shivered, as warm tingles pushed through his body. She had never called him any other name before, and for reasons he couldn't understand, he loved it.

Her eyes widened as she caught what she said, and opened her mouth to take it back, sensing that it might have offended him. Klaus shook his head and crushed his lips on hers, kissing her with passion until they shook with it when he pulled back. He smiled, kissing her lightly once again.

"I liked it, love."

She smiled, pulling him close for a moment before they headed out the door. Glancing over her shoulder, she silently hoped Kol would come to his senses. She cared for her boss and for her best friend, and she didn't want them to become miserable for the rest of their lives because of stubbornness.

Klaus' hand threaded through hers, and she followed him out the door with a hopeful heart. This weekend was going to be magical. If nothing else, she was going to prove to herself and Klaus that she was in this relationship for the long haul.

No matter what.


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Until Next Time...