A/N : Hi guyssss! I'm back with a new chapter… i know it's literally been months I'm sorry but here I am….

Anyway finally SOME POSITIVE KC NEWS! I AM CRYING WHO'S WITH ME?

Coming back to the update things are going to pick up after this update. (Fingers crossed)

Thanks to those who followed, faved and reviewed.

Conflicts and Concord

So? You have any idea how to do this?" Klaus enquired as he held Caroline's hand in one of his own and slipped the other around her waist. The movement drew her closer. Her eyes found his. Both suddenly very conscious of the magnetism between them.

His longing for her became stronger, holding her close he felt everything all at once. Peace, turmoil, excitement, pain, everything. He desired to hold her and not let go but desires often remained only desires, never coming true. As if aware of his traitorous thoughts she put some distance between them, his gut coiled into knots.

"No. I don't." she answered as she stepped back but still remained in his arms. His eyes were swallowing her whole like she was the most coveted thing in the world, it aroused her, thrilled her and devastated her all at once.

Klaus nodded. With a smile he remarked, "Don't worry we are here to learn."

"Ahem..yeah. yes."

"So how was your trip to Chicago? Were you able to book Marina?" when she squinted her eyes at him he quickly added, "Those after parties are actually an excuse to gossip about people. Someone mentioned that you were there to meet Marina. And Marina she is a friend of sorts."

"You know Marina?" Caroline questioned. Something the way he asked about Marina bothered her but before she could say anything they were interrupted.

"Hey, you! Is she a crab? Is she scratching you with her tentacles?" The middle aged flamboyant woman named La Rue yelled in Klaus's ears from behind as he twirled Caroline under his arm. He jerked a bit and Caroline smothered her laugh because Klaus looked like an adorable child admonished by his teacher.

"Ahhh. No?"

"Then grab her closer and dance like you breathe the first wave of fresh morning air." La Rue waved her arms as she stood beside them and then pushed Caroline closer in Klaus's arms.

Klaus gave Caroline a puzzled expression when La Rue said dancing was like breathing.

A little confused he asked, "Does it involve inhaling or exhaling?"

The earnestness on his face made Caroline laugh out loud this time.

The sound so pleasing to him that it brought an inadvertent smile on his face.

"Me amor. It means for you dancing with her should be as important as breathing. Hold her like she is the world's most precious being. Like if you don't hold her today you might miss the chance to hold her ever again. Dance with her like you were born to do nothing else." La Rue's words created a spell over them.

His hands circled her waist. He brought her flush against his chest. Her lips parted and her eyes dilated recognizing the desire that encompassed them. He twirled her around, closer, nearer, lost in the feel of her delicious softness. They danced with their gazes locked and their bodies molding each other.

What was it about her that paralyzed his senses? Her proximity was clouding his consciousness. He felt submerged in her essence, drowning but welcoming it. The pleasure it brought him was astounding.

The awareness returned, stronger and much hotter than before. Had she thought she had gotten over him? His eyes, they bespelled her. His hands made her want to arch her body into his touch. The closer he brought her the more pleasure it gave her. Forgetting right and wrong a voice whispered this is where she belonged. Unmindful she leaned her cheek against his. Closing her eyes she stole this treacherous moment for her treacherous heart.

It was pleasure, joy and contentment. The feel of her in his arms, the softness of her cheek, the innocence in her eyes everything about her brought him solace.

Mesmerised they leaned closer, lips just a breath apart. Her hand caressed his jaw, his circled around her waist. The song ended and so did the trance they were ensconced in. Horrified she pushed Klaus away and ran out of the building onto the sidewalk. Klaus followed her.

"Caroline wait."

She was taking deep breaths and with both hands in her hair was pacing fitfully.

He sat her down on a bench on the sidewalk.

"Are you okay?" she didn't answer his question, "Caroline, love are you okay?" He asked again.

His endearment shot something pleasurable inside her so viciously she shrugged his hands away and instantly got up. "Don't. Stop okay. Just stop."

"Caroline?"

"Why are you doing this?" she asked getting irate at herself and him for feeling attracted to him.

"I don't understand."

"Oh my god." she gasped belatedly realizing how she had so easily booked Marina. "Really? So you don't understand. You asked Marina to sign up with our Company didn't you? I was so happy that I had done it on my own that I had been successful in landing one of the high profile designers. Someone who wouldn't give her time to anyone else. But you, you had to come in and try to be a hero. What did you hope to gain from it? If you thought that after I learned what you did for my company I would let you…"

"Don't go there?" he bit out. "Do not insult me or yourself like that? I may have mentioned to Marina that you were a friend but I didn't mention a word about your Company or why you were there. She immediately searched up your Company and was impressed. So the fact that you think that she chose your Company for any other reason shows how little you think of yourself and what you have achieved."

"Don't you dare tell me what I think?" her voice getting louder.

"Look. I was just trying to help so don't turn this into something disgusting when it's not." Klaus sighed trying to explain.

"You were just trying to help." she mocked, "Okay fine then why did you come back if you didn't have any questionable intentions? Han? Why?"

Klaus gritted his teeth, now he was really getting pissed, "I came here on business. I had no intention of running into you or Tyler for that matter. And…"

"And what?" she interrupted him, "How convenient that you show up exactly at a time when Tyler is busy with his father's campaign. Then you run into him and he just requests you to do us a favor. And now you are here doing this. I do not get what games you are playing or what kick you get out of all of this but I am not going to fall for these tricks okay. I love Tyler and we are gonna get married and you coming here, putting moves on me would only be your loss. I feel nothing, absolutely nothing for you so you better reevaluate your behavior and just quit all of this before…"

"Before what?" he grabbed her by her forearms, a muscle ticked in his jaw and his eyes full of anger. "Before what Caroline? I am not trying to put moves on you or manipulate you. What I did in Chicago was because I considered you a friend and I am just here now as a favor to Tyler whom I owe so much. You say you don't feel a thing for me and yet you are the one who keeps on lashing out without provocation. You purposely keep mistaking my intentions because you don't want to deal with what you feel. If you don't feel anything then why act so curtly towards me? Why? Ever since our night you have acted out. You were rude to me in Chicago and now here, why don't you ask yourself why you feel the need to say it again and again, say that you have no feelings for me before you accuse me of playing games with you.You need to analyze your behavior because I've got news for you. My world doesn't revolve around you Caroline Forbes and I only came here today for Tyler not for you. I am done here."

Klaus let go of her arms and walked away. His stride fast as if he couldn't bear to be close to her anymore. Her eyes filled and tears fell. A storm of some known and some unknown emotions swirled inside her. Hurt and anger at Klaus she knew, passion and tenderness for him she didn't understand.

His parting words should have relieved her but they made her heart ache.

"I have got news for you that my world doesn't revolve around you Caroline Forbes and I came here today for Tyler not for you. I am done here."

She wiped her tears, closed her eyes for a bit to utter a shuddering breath and walked away.

:::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"Oh my god. You're telling me about this now?" Katherine asked taking a sip from her coffee. She and Caroline were having lunch at a restaurant close to their office.

"I was afraid that saying it outloud would show how stupid I have been." Caroline stabbed a fork in her salad swirled the lettuce around it and took a bite.

"It's not stupid. It's human. We sometimes lash out at things we can't figure out." Katherine empathised.

"I'm so clueless Kat. I told you this because I was so out of line yesterday and I need someone to help me sort it out. You know I think if it weren't him I wouldn't have accused him of trying to manipulate me."

"Why do you think you did that?"

"I just can't deal with him being nice. What he did by helping us book Marina was so considerate of him. I can't have him be caring especially not when there is something weird going on between us. I guess that's why I questioned his motives. I can't have this chemistry between us and him be this nice person not when Tyler is emotionally and physically I don't even have the slightest idea what I should do about or what this twisted thing between me and Klaus is."

"How did Klaus react when you accused him?"

"He told me I needed to reevaluate my behavior. Because I am the only one who has been acting out ever since that night. I was so harsh to him in Chicago and now this. I feel like he is right. It was a courteous gesture on his part and I totally contorted it so I could persuade myself to hate it. I don't know what is happening to me."

"Well find it out then." Katherine suggested with a wink.

"What? Kat I am engaged." Caroline ran jittery hands through her curls.

"I know, to Tyler." Kat rolled her big brown eyes and took a bite from Caroline's salad.

"I know you don't like him but asking me to cheat on him." Caroline shook her head.

"I didn't say that."

"Then what?"

"Just talk to him. Clear things up."

"And say what exactly. That I get horny when you're around me. Please elaborate your thoughts on my dilemma." Caroline sarcastically remarked.

"Hmm horny interesting." Kat put a finger over lips as if contemplating Caroline's earlier response then continued, "It sounds like you're asking him to write an essay. Anyway how good was he? Like a ten on ten on your orgasm scale or did he just break the marker."

"I refuse to dignify that with a response."

"Oooooo broken scale go Brit. So how's sex with Tyler now?"

"Katherine I didn't tell you this so you can ask me to score them on their sexual prowess."

"Look my advice is to sort this out before you actually get married to Tyler. If you have feelings for Klaus it would mess up your marriage. Maybe get to know Klaus a little."

"Why?" Caroline pushed her plate away and wiped her hands with a napkin.

"So you can actually decide what this "twisted thing is"...Uh..What if it's love?" Katherine widened her eyes at the last part.

"Bullcrock. How can I love a guy I've met just a handful of times?" Caroline denied but a fist closed over heart when she thought about her and Klaus's encounters.

"I don't know much but they make movies on love at first meeting is it?" Kat took a sip of water.

"Love at first sight."

"Yeah. That. " She put the glass down and added, "And I'm not saying that, that is what happened in your case. We'll call passion at first night. But these love and feelings kind of things sometimes happen in weird ways."

"Perhaps. But I'm happy with Tyler."

"Happy or okay? Like resigned?"

"Happy." Caroline insisted, but doubt reared its ugly head.

"Well then you don't have anything to think about then. And you certainly don't have to twist yourself into knots over "What is this between me and Klaus." Katherine made air quotes over the last part and mimicked Caroline.

"I sound nothing like that. But I know that I have to apologize to Klaus." she sighed.

"Hmm. That would be the decent thing to do since he has been so helpful to you and Tyler. Hon you need to take control of this." Kat murmured and Caroline nodded. Then they paid their bill and exited the restaurant.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Hey." Tyler called out when he entered the kitchen with his coat slung over his shoulder. Caroline turned around with a mixing bowl in her hands and a spatula.

"Hey Baby! How was your day?" she put the bowl on the counter and leaned over to kiss to him.

"Tiring. With dad's campaign and the hours at court I'm exhausted. What are you cooking?"

"I made your favorite white steak with green salad." she gave him a sweet smile.

"Oh babe! Did I tell you I loved you more than anything." he put his coat on a chair and took Caroline in his arms and kissed her.

"No not today you didn't." she hugged him back with little enthusiasm.

"Everything okay?" Tyler asked realizing she seemed a little down.

"Yeah. It's just all these wedding preps. Tyler you need to be there with me. Our wedding is just five months away now and I feel like I am doing this alone." she replied moving away and mixing the salad.

"Caroline you know how busy things have been for me. Besides I only missed the dance class appointment." taking a beer out of the refrigerator he took a sip.

"And the appointment with the baker for our wedding cake." She answered on a sigh.

"Shoot. It was today?" he sat on a stool beside her. Caroline took out the plates and served the steak.

"Yes. I cancelled it." she turned towards him.

Tyler gave a smile. "Wait I missed the appointment to the baker and you made me a steak? Are we in an alternate universe or something?"

"Are you saying that I am a crazy unreasonable person?"

"No. No. I was just kidding." he grabbed her arms and pulled her in his lap. "I'm so sorry. It won't happen again."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Tyler I don't want to have to remind everything to you. Our wedding should be as important to you as it is to me."

"Of course it is. You know with dad's …"

"I know Tyler and I understand how hard you have been working that's why I rewarded you with a steak but I don't want us to fight over that. I am trying to be accommodating here. I know how hectic things are for you. But I need your input and your presence and your honesty. And I don't think it's too much to ask."

"I know babe. " he kissed her knuckles.

"So are you gonna be there for the baker's appointment tomorrow evening?" she asked looping her arms around his neck.

He scrunched his face. "I'm sorry."

"Tyler.." she got up from his lap.

"Babe. Hey. Look. It's just for two weeks. I promise you after that I would accompany you to hell if you asked me." he kissed her cheek hugging her side.

Caroline knew how hard he had been working trying to juggle his own practice and his father's random emergency errands. Tyler's father had been calling him at ungodly hours with bogus excuses of needing Tyler's help and she suspected it was probably Carol's idea. Carol Lockwood was trying to derail Caroline's wedding plans after Caroline and Tyler had alienated her from the said plans. But she knew Tyler wouldn't understand if she told him. She acquiesced, "You know you are supposed to accompany me to hell anyway."

"Oh. Am I?"

"Yes." she giggled.

"Mmmhmm." he asked lifting her in his lap and headed for the bedroom.

"Hey our steak will get cold."

"We will re-warm it later."

:::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Late that night she lay awake feeling conflicted and unsure. Tyler was asleep by her side. Sex with him had never felt so empty and unsatisfying before.

Her mind wandered back to that night, and to all the times she had met Klaus, to the last time he had held her, "Before what?"

"Before what Caroline? I am not trying to put moves on you or manipulate you. What I did in Chicago was because I considered you a friend and I am just here now as a favor to Tyler whom I owe so much. You say you don't feel a thing for me and yet you are the one who keeps on lashing out without provocation. You purposely keep mistaking my intentions because you don't want to deal with what you feel. If you don't feel anything then why act so curtly towards me? Why?"

His blue eyes had turned cobalt with the anger flashing in them but he had held her so tenderly. It was a torment her heart welcomed, his arms around her. She closed her eyes trying to forget the regret that surfaced when she thought about how she had accused him of trying to maneuver her.

Katherine's question came back to taunt her, "So how's sex with Tyler now?"

Caroline rolled on her side and faced Tyler. A pang rose and she grasped Tyler's hand and rested her head on his shoulder even when she realized what she felt for Klaus was more than just attraction. But she remained stubborn and strongly held onto Tyler's hand, combing her fingers through his unconsciously not wanting to let go of Tyler.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Caroline picked up the phone, stared at it for a few seconds and then put it back. She picked it twice again before putting it back. Sitting in her office since eight am this morning she had decided that she had procrastinated enough, it was about time that she call Klaus and apologize for her behavior. She still felt horrible for treating him so harshly. She reached for the phone again when it rang. Caroline jolted then picked up the phone.

"Caroline?"

"Ah yes April?"

"Tyler is here."

"Send him in." she put the phone down and a moment later Tyler strolled in.

She hurried on to hug him.

"Hey. Nice surprise."

Tyler sat on the sofa in Caroline's office and she sat beside him. "You won't think so in a minute." he let out a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Caroline asked.

"Matt thinks that he needs to find his equilibrium in the Alps of Europe so guess what he won't be here for our wedding and won't be my best man."

"What? Oh no. This is a disaster." Caroline rubbed at hand over her forehead then added, "What about your other friends?"

"My other friends. Uh let's see Travis is the one who met this guru who told him and Matt that their chakras were in the Venus and that they need to find peace in the Alps of Europe."

"Wh...what does that even mean?" she whispered.

"Yeah. As far as Jason is concerned he left for an eight month tour to the Middle East. And I don't want to ask Jeremy because I know Bonnie won't be comfortable around him." his consideration for Bonnie touched her heart.

"Uh. What about your Uncle Mason?"

"Ahhhhhh." he looked away.

"What?"

"He won't do it."

"Why?"

"Because Mom is still mad at me and she went all heavy duty emotional blackmail on him."

"Uhhhhhh. Shit. What do we do now?"

"Hey did you say something to Klaus?"

"No!... Ah….Hmm" Caroline cleared her throat feeling a little anxious she got up, "Why? Did he say something?"

"No he didn't. I just asked him to be my best man but he flat out refused."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "You want Klaus to be your best man?" Caroline's tone a little edgy.

"Yeah. What other sane option do I have? I told you all my other friends are otherwise occupied." Tyler got up too and rubbed a hand on the back of his neck.

"Yeah maybe. But he refused right?" Caroline's heartbeat a drum in her ears, just hearing Tyler mention Klaus made her nervous.

"I think I can convince him. He is gonna stay in US till November because he and his brother took over this Tech Company. He is here to get it up and running till his brother can come back from France. Lucky for us our wedding is in the first week of November." Tyler smiled.

Logically Caroline knew it was a good option but she was scared of what having Klaus close for a period of next five months would do to her. She felt the familiar stirrings of doubts and yearning rise. She had to get over this insane infatuation with Klaus and Kat was right she needed to take control of the situation. Perhaps once she got to really know him she would get over this haze of fascination.

"Care? Care?" Tyler snapped two fingers in front of her face when she appeared lost in thought.

"What?" she jolted back to reality.

"Where did you go?" he asked.

"Nowhere. I'm here."

"I'll talk to Klaus again. Are you going to be okay with him being my bestman?"

She swallowed over the thickness in her throat. "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" then gave a halfhearted smile.

"Well great." Tyler hugged her. Her thoughts drifted back to Klaus. She hoped that this matter between him and her would resolve without further complications.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

It had been three darned days that he had left Caroline Forbes standing on the sidewalk and walked away from her feeling angry and nasty. She had accused him of trying to toy with her when all he had been doing was try to help her and Tyler. He swore viciously while the stroke of his brush painted a rather contrary peaceful scenery of a hillside. It looked serene but far deeper in the forest of the hillside a storm was brewing. A storm mirroring his own turbulence. His brushstrokes got violent. Why couldn't he just get her out of his mind? Why was he obsessed with her? Every time he was within an inch of her he forgot himself. He forgot everything except the thought of possessing her again, losing himself in her. Her eyes plagued his nights. Her smile tormented his days.

Some random sports channel was running on the screen behind him in the living room but he didn't care.

She had doubted his motives. True he felt a burning attraction for her and some major twisted part of him went to the Dance class for her. To be close to her but he had never consciously tried to exploit her and the sexual draw between them.

The doorbell rang, another oath tore from his mouth. He put the brush and palette down to answer the door.

He opened the door and was positively flabbergasted to see the one person he had never in his wildest dreams thought would end up on his doorstep. Caroline Forbes, the current root of his ire and frustration, stood there looking absolutely stunning in her purple silk top and white pants. A charming smile on her face thawed his foul mood but he tried hard to hold onto his indignation.

"Hi. Can we talk?" she greeted him. He didn't answer just kept staring at her with his impassioned blue eyes. He looked handsome in a grey henley and black jeans but the sombre expression on his face made him seem dangerous and even more sexy she reluctantly admitted. So he was still nursing a temper? Fantastic, she had no idea how to deal with him in a such a mood. She had no idea how to deal with him period, because she didn't know him.

At length he responded, "What is it that you want to talk about?"

"Umm. I came here to apologize." her words surprised him even more.

He moved back a little to let her in. She muttered a thank you.

"For what exactly?"

"For my uncalled and inappropriate behavior. I am genuinely sorry. You did us a favor without expecting anything. I apologize."

He stared at her again as if judging her actual motives for her apology. "Are you here because I refused to be Tyler's best man?" He knew it probably was impolite but he wasn't bothered he wanted to know the real reason she was standing inside his house apologizing.

"No. And I know with my past …..aggressiveness towards you it may seem like it but no. I am here because I feel guilty for accusing you and hurting you. You don't want to be Tyler's best man that's your choice and that has nothing to do with this."

The sincerity in her eyes was so refreshing. He stayed silent for a few seconds then gave a smile.

"I am a cynical asshole. I feel like this is some reverse psychology thing." he teased and his sexy dimples made an appearance in his handsome face.

"Damn why didn't I think of this before?" she chuckled. "But seriously I …."

"Don't apologize. Would you like a drink?" he walked into the living room and she followed. His space was all dark browns and mahoganys. Classic wooden furniture and muted tones of the walls made the place very appealing and masculine, and it suited him perfectly.

A easel with a beautiful painting on one side.

"No thank you." then studying the painting she added, "Wow this is amazing. You paint?" she remarked

"Thank you. I dabble sometimes."

She tilted her head and twitched her nose, he wanted to kiss it. "If this is called dabbling then what do you call painting?"

He smiled, "I will do it if you are okay with me being his bestman." He came closer to where she stood, his proximity made her nervous.

"Of course I am okay with it."

This time he tilted his head, "You sure?"

"Yes. Yes I am. So since you are going to be an integral part of my wedding let's be friends." Caroline extended her hand.

"Friends? You want to be friends?"

"Why not?"

"Okay why not?"

"Fine. Why not?" he clasped her hand in a firm shake.

"In fact I will be a good friend and invite you to a game of basketball that me and Tyler are going to tonight…." she gestured at the screen, "Since you appear to be a fan of the game."

"What? This? I was just flipping through channels I don't even know what basketball is about." he took the remote and switched the game off.

"Well you are invited anyway and me and Tyler can teach you the game. It'll be fun." her sudden excitement was so adorable.

"I bet." he smirked.

"Stop being a cynical asshole will you?" she remarked playfully and they both laughed.

::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

(THE NEXT MORNING)

Tyler hopped into the kitchen dressed for work and came to a stop when he saw Caroline sitting on the stool with a pained expression on her face.

"Tyler?"

"Yes."

"Tyler…. Last night...Something happened between me and Klaus."

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