Chapter 24

Caroline woke up languidly, daylight filtering through the window spilling onto her lying figure. Her naked body was tangled in the sheets of her bed and she was half sprawled over another warm body. She didn't react outwardly to it, she remembered everything that happened the day before and who exactly was sharing her bed.

"Awake sweetheart ?" She'd never thought the sound of a voice could ever have such an effect on her.

She let her hand trail his chest as she raised her head to look into the grinning face of Klaus Mikaelson.

"Klaus." Her voice was hoarse with sleep and as he looked at her well sated form, how he wished he could sketch her right now. A thought to keep for later, now that he had her he intended to keep Caroline and for there to be many more days of waking up in each others arms.

Rolling her on her back, he leaned down to kiss her shoulder before speaking.

"I wish I could stay longer and maybe continue last night activities." He said and she lightly blushed making him smirk before turning back serious. "But I have to go."

"I know." She nodded, after the whole debacle yesterday there was no way things would be peaceful in the days to come.

Seeing the real understanding in her eyes, he once again felt how fortunate he was at having found her. His hidden gem. This time he leaned down to kiss her lips, Caroline slid her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened but too soon they had to separate.

"You belong at my side Caroline." He whispered, looking her straight in the eyes.

She couldn't respond to Klaus words because although she felt the truth of his sentence resonate in her bones, there were still too many things between them for her to be able to answer like she wished. So instead she brought her hand to caress the side of his face and the scruff of his jaw as she leaned up to press a kiss to his lips. She felt him smile against her mouth and then she released him and watched as he stood up and dressed. She didn't get up herself until he was leaving and closed the door behind him.

Things would be different from today onward. Caroline could just hope it was a good thing.

-O-

Hearing a knock on the door to his office, Inspector Coleman called to come in.

Officer O'Leery entered his superior office, but wasn't sure how to say what he wanted.

"Something the matter ?"

"It's about the informant you told me about."

"Did she make contact to report new information ?"

"No, sir. She was there during the shootout between Mikaelson and Salvatore. When we came in only her and Mikaelson were left standing, I don't know her part in the whole affair, but they looked real cozy together when we arrived. I just thought you should know." Reported Brady.

Steven didn't say anything for a moment and crossed his fingers over his desk.

"Thank you Brady, I understand." He nodded to the younger male. Although concerning, he was not alarmed yet, as long as she kept reporting information he did not care how she got it, however if she betrayed him...

Brady left the office and despite the Inspector not saying much, he promised himself to keep a closer eye on the lass, you could never trust that kind of whore.

-O-

When Klaus entered his office, Elijah was already there waiting for him, reading some report.

"Finally decided to leave Miss Forbes company Niklaus ?" Casually said the older Mikaelson raising his head to look at him.

"Aren't you unusually nosy today brother ?" He shot Elijah a look to not pursue the subject.

"Well then it seems both of us are being unusual recently. At least tell me one thing and I will not bring the subject up again. Are you serious about this girl ?" Elijah had never been one to give into his temperamental brother warning.

"I am. Now, how are people reacting about Silas Salvatore's death ? Was anything heard from the Italians side ?"

They spoke of the situation for a while before Klaus gave his orders.

"Old Salvatore won't let this go without retaliating, it's not his style. And now isn't the time to get rid of him just yet. Have Kol and Enzo pass the word out to not go anywhere alone to the men and stay away from the Italian territory for a bit. And to make sure the girls are safe in particular."

The girls of course referred to Freya and Rebekah, Davina was included too, not because Klaus cared about the little gypsy, but she still had her use and Kol would sulk and whine incessantly if something happened to his new toy.

"What about Marcel situation ?" He then asked.

"They can't keep him much longer. He'll be out soon. Probably by next week."

"Good."

"Does that mean you've forgiven his transgression ?" Elijah arched an eyebrow.

Klaus didn't say anything, however and he didn't insist this time.

"Speaking of next week. We were invited to a diner party by Mr Slater."

"You go." Klaus said disinterestedly.

"Very well." Elijah didn't object, after all the party organizer was a lawyer acquaintance.

-O-

When Davina married in the Mikaelson family she wasn't used to the change in environment yet and so she did not go out much unless accompanied. However, it was time for it to change. She wouldn't be one of those submissive wives waiting home for their husband to come back.

That wasn't her, Davina Claire.

She'd been to The Mystic a couple of times since her wedding, both times Kol had brought her. But tonight she had decided she'd go by herself. And so she had.

She was just going to get a drink and mostly listen to the music and soak in the lively ambiance, however, perhaps her first mistake had been to take a seat at the bar instead of going for the booth Kol had led her to before. Because as soon as words traveled that Kol Mikaelson's wife was here alone, a pack of young women set upon her, pulling her to their table in the name of a good chat and getting to know her.

She wasn't fooled by their smiles and flattering words, their attitude was just like Abigail and Cassie when looking for gossip. She avoided their inquiries, but didn't leave after all getting to know other people beside the Mikaelson should be a good thing. However, the girls surrounding her when they couldn't get anything out of her, instead began to tell her all the gossip about Kol without any encouragement on her part. Even when she grew uncomfortable as they spoke about a few of Kol previous conquest, they seemed oblivious to it. Finally, when she'd assured them they got along, they began telling her that she shouldn't let it get to her when Kol grew bored of her after all she still had the status of his wife, she just found an excuse and left.

However, their words followed her all the way back to the Mickaelson home.

Even as she prepared for bed, she couldn't help thinking about it. Although Kol and her were getting along, and the sex was amazing, they didn't love each other. It was an arranged marriage and they tried to make the best of it. But maybe Kol was only going along with it now, he wanted her body if nothing else, but once the novelty wore off would he grew bored ? Then what would happen to her ?

He might not do anything to her or hurt her physically, no matter all the rumors of his violent tendencies going around she didn't believe he would be abusive toward her. But if he grew bored with her he might find other women. And just the thought of it was enough to send her blood boiling, she hated the mere idea.

While her anger was growing, Kol entered the room. Despite not even looking tipsy the scent of liquor lingered around him. Thinking that he might have gone drinking while girls were wrapped around him, Davina's temper who hadn't surfaced in a while roared to the surface.

"I heard you went to the Mystic tonight Darling. Why'd you not tell me if you wanted to go, I'd have gone with you." He gave her an easy smile.

"I can go by myself. And can you stop ?" She glared at him as he raised an eyebrow in question.

"Stop what Darl... ?"

"Calling me 'darling' ! And being funny and... All of that." Davina looked at him in agitation.

"Most girls like this." He said approaching her. "But then, you're not like most girls are you ?"

If Davina had been less angry she would have noticed the compliment in his tone and the glint of his eyes, but as it was she was stuck on the 'most girls' part.

At this point Kol had noticed that she was different tonight, like something was bothering her, and apparently he was part of the problem.

"What happened ?" He asked because when he left this morning, he'd still managed to make her smile. Had something really happened when she went to the Mystic, or someone said something to her today ? If it was the case he'd take great pleasure in pulling out their tongue and feed it to the fishes.

"I just want you to stop messing around."

"What do you mean ?" Kol tilted his head frowning.

"I'm not a toy that you can use and throw whenever you want." She said, but the unspoken words in her mind were, Stop making me liking you if you're not serious.

"Where does that even come from ? I thought we were good you and I." Kol was beginning to be annoyed.

"Well, we aren't. It's just an arranged marriage anyway." Davina crossed her arms over her chest, unconsciously adopting a defensive posture. "I don't want to sleep here tonight."

Kol looked at his wife in silence for a moment before going to the door.

"Don't bother, I'll sleep elsewhere." He didn't look back as he left.

Davina felt drained as she sat on the bed. She closed her eyes, but no tears escaped, she hadn't cried since her parents death, she wouldn't cry tonight just because of one Kol Mikaelson either.

-O-

"Welcome Inspector." A man with a slight built but aristocratic air stood from a leather armchair to shake Coleman's hand.

The Inspector observed the luxurious room before sitting on the lavish sofa, focusing his gaze on his host.

"Mr De Martel, thank you for the invitation. Could I know for what purpose you called me here ?"

"Of course. As you know, I was the one to recommend your transfer to our wonderful city. As a councillor and a good citizen, I have always been saddened to see Chicago fall more and more in the hands of petty criminals." Tristan paused and the Inspector nodded for him to continue.

"Recently the Mikaelsons have become more and more unbridled, as evidenced by the recent affair with Silas Salvatore. Of course the death of such a heinous criminal is a relief, but I'm afraid of Klaus Mikaelson having ideas now."

"Yes. I share the same fears." Inspector Coleman agreed frowning.

"This is why I called you, although you might not have had much luck against the Mikaelsons yet, I believe in you and justice. I feel it is time to strike and remind Klaus he is not this city's King." Smiled Tristan.

"The problem is finding proof that can hold for Mikaelson to be arrested."

"Hmm. Sometimes striking close to the target can be more effective to draw them out."

"Do you have something in mind ?"