Chapter 3 (Part 1)

Klaus walked back into his family home feeling lighter than he had in a while; a fun summer mixed with news from his family had left him thinking things might be turning around for all of them. He had decided to take a semester off of college to focus on his art since he had enjoyed enhancing it with the cultures of New Orleans; ready to find other settings to better his art in other cities or countries. He may even take a full year off if it worked more in his favor. He had heard from Rebekah that she had been able to finally find her escape from Elena's clutches as she passed her on the totem pole of high school with the latest scandal; Elena had recently found out she was knocked up and couldn't pin point who the father was because of her strumpet ways. Apparently the unlucky fools were both Salvatore brothers, Tyler Lockwood, Matt Donovan, nerdy Chad (which had left a devastated girlfriend), Tyler's cousin Mason, the Salvatore brothers' cousin Tom Avery, and Elena's summer tutor Liam from the college tutor program; probably more, but he didn't care since he wasn't on that list.

Kol had been disgruntled since he had missed another chance with Bonnie after her and Luka had broken up; she dating a new guy named Jaime now. Klaus couldn't help but smile at how lost his brother was when it came to little Bonnie Bennett, but then he frowned thinking he was in the same boat, or worse, with Caroline since he had heard that her and Jesse had not broken up and were claimed to be doing better than ever; a perfect match in Kol's words. Klaus, himself, had spent his summer jumping from bed to bed of several women but he had made sure he had done so safely; even if some he considered to be completely mental and he to make an escape.

What he was worried about now was Rebekah's mention of being able to try and get her friends back; mainly Caroline and Bonnie. If she was successful then he would see more of Caroline and he had mixed feelings about it; he wanted to see her, but he didn't know if she would accept and apology from him. He wouldn't ask for forgiveness because he didn't think he deserved it, but he knew she deserved an apology and he intended to give her one; even if it was way past being too late to give one. At this point he figured he should count his losses and expect to never be friends with her again; he hadn't earned her forgiveness or friendship and he wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell at gaining either of them. Pushing his thoughts out of his mind he checked his phone to see if he and his family were still meeting at the Grille later, and decided to get his shower and get ready.

Caroline POV…

Caroline was both nervous and excited as she was dressing herself for her date with Jesse later; tonight would be the first date they would have in Mystic Falls, and it was a double with Bonnie and Jaime. She knew Elena would be gunning for Caroline and grasping at any opportunity since Elena had recently found out she was pregnant and she wanted to take as many people down with her as she could. She trusted Jesse and knew she had went against her own wishes and could honestly say she loved him; but she hadn't told him that yet. She had already talked to Steven and her bandmates about telling Jesse about the band, so they were all anxiously waiting on him to break down Caroline's wall of insecurity so he could be included. It added to her nervousness since she worried he might be mad at her for keeping it a secret, but he hadn't been mad at her for anything else so it gave her hope too. Bonnie pulled her from her thoughts when she came into her room, ready to go and Caroline's eyes widened in surprise; Bonnie was dressed so outgoing when she hadn't been since Gram's death. Caroline rushed through finishing up her make up before they left for the Grille.

Caroline and Bonnie found a booth for them to occupy as they waited on Jesse and Jaime to show up; both of them deciding to ride together for their first trip to Mystic Falls as part of a double date. When they walked in and the girls spotted them, they didn't wave since they noticed Elena was in between the two halves of a double date, and the girls didn't want to draw attention to the boys. Caroline saw Elena notice the looks between the girls and boys before she sauntered over to the boys. Caroline felt herself hold her breath as most of the Grille quieted down to watch the display; she wasn't sure she was ready to watch this as she had thought she had been. She strained her ears to hear across the booths at the conversation between Elena and the guys, which wasn't hard with the quieted diner.

"Well don't you 2 men look handsome… are you lost?" Elena asked as she stuck her chest out and placed a hand on her hip.

"Nope." Jesse had answered and tried to walk around her.

"Oh come on hot stuff… what's the rush? I'm sure I can keep you both REAL GOOD company." Elena literally purred at the two of them and Caroline felt her fists clench and looked at Bonnie; seeing the same reaction from her friend she turned back.

"Not interested." Jesse responded and Caroline was glad she could see the traces of disgust on his face; she knew he didn't like when a girl threw themselves at him.

"Same here." Jaime stated as they both tried to walk around again, but Elena extended her arms and blocked them again; both men recoiling quickly so she couldn't grab either of them.

"Don't be shy guys… we could party it up; I even have some friends that could join the fun." She continued as Vicki and Hayley walked up next to her and tried to flirt with them as well.

"And why would we be interested in any party that is thrown by a trio of sluts?" Jesse asked and Jaime laughed with him as all 3 of the girls' jaws dropped. "We're here to see our GIRLFRIENDS… and no one else." Jesse finished and Jaime nodded in agreement before they took a longer route around the girls. Elena didn't give up and walked quickly over to Jesse and grabbed his arm as she tried to pull him back.

"Don't leave… we were just getting to know each other…" Elena said as she kept pulling his arm, but he jerked his arm out of her grip.

"Don't touch me… I know what girls like you are… and I'm not stupid enough to give up one of the best things that have ever happened to me for a roll in STDs." Jesse spat at her and she froze in shock. Everyone could see her face twist up in anger, but she wasn't prepared for everything else to follow. Rebekah came up out of nowhere with her new friends and tapped on her shoulder as everyone saw Vicki and Hayley try to slip out of the Grille unnoticed.

"Aren't you already pregnant from how desperate you are? Don't you think you should be worried about who your baby daddy is instead of finding a dick to jump?" Rebekah questioned her loudly and Jaime started rolling in laughter.

"That's priceless… good call bro… she really is a slut… the QUEEN of SLUTS." Jaime said around his laughter and Jesse huffed out a laugh as he shook his head and they continued on their way over to the booth with Caroline and Bonnie; Jesse wrapping an arm around a still-shocked and dazed Caroline as she continued watching the spat between Rebekah and Elena.

"I will ruin you…" Elena threatened, but Rebekah cut her off.

"You won't do shit… you've already ruined yourself and I refuse to let you control me any longer." Rebekah spoke back and shut Elena up. When Rebekah turned to walk away she gave a small wink and smile at Caroline and Bonnie and they gave a small smile in return; Caroline felt it was finally going to turn around into their favors.

"I meant it when I said I was serious about us… I know you have a hard time trusting people, and it might take a while longer before you trust me fully, but I was 100% honest when I said you were one of the best things to ever happen to me." Jesse told Caroline loud enough for everyone in their booth to hear; probably loud enough for the surrounding booths as well, but she didn't care. She didn't take her eyes off of him and leaned to give him a slow kiss on his cheek before whispering in his ear.

"Trust and honesty was all I asked for… but you're beyond perfect to me." She whispered to him and she heard him speak in return.

"As you are to me." He spoke and she pulled back with a smile that was hard to keep when he pulled her face to his; she felt a rush she hadn't felt when kissing before and she knew she could get addicted to kissing him. They were broke apart by Bonnie and Jaime so the date could continue and Caroline felt her cheeks turning red; she hadn't gotten carried away like that before. They hadn't ordered yet so they talked about what they wanted to eat and the guys decided to go get the food together so the girls wouldn't have to move. Once they went to the counter the girls released quiet little squeals in unison at how elated they were with their current partners.

Klaus POV…

Klaus had kept his eye on Caroline since he saw her come into the Grille, much like his brother had Bonnie, but watching the girls keep their focus on the door had him wondering what was going on. Seeing 2 unknown guys walk in and the smiles spread over the girls' faces at them gave him that sinking feeling in his gut; one of them was Jesse and they were doing a double-date with Bonnie and the other he remembered as Jaime. He didn't know which was which, but he froze when he saw Elena approach them; glancing at Caroline repeatedly to see her reactions. He was worried that she was about to be crushed again, but he was surprised when Elena was the one left humiliated and insulted this time; like she should be. He was even more satisfied when he saw his little sister finally stand up against Elena and put her in her place.

Caroline's face was still in shock when he looked back at her; she obviously expected Jesse to fall into Elena's trap like everyone else. Klaus was relieved that Jesse hadn't crushed her like he had himself almost 2 years before. Rebekah kept telling him and Kol to stop staring at the couples, but Klaus couldn't look away until he saw Caroline and Jesse start kissing; it hurt more than he thought it would to see her happy with someone else. He quickly excused himself to go to the restroom and splashed water in his face to distract himself; he wanted her happy, but he wanted to be the one making her happy, so it left him conflicted. He decided to go ahead and order something, but stopped himself from going to the counter when he saw Jesse and Jaime at the register; instead sitting at the bar close enough to listen in on them.

"This place seems cozy… I can see the appeal of this town; except for some of the locals." Jamie stated and Jesse nodded in return. "Hey… I forgot to thank you for setting me up with Bonnie… she's awesome."

"Just don't mess around with her… she's Caroline's best friend and pretty much her sister since Liz adopted her; I'd strangle you myself." Jesse warned and Jaime chuckled in return.

"You're really starting to fall for Caroline… I think it's a good thing." Jaime stated seriously and Jesse smiled with a nod. "I still don't understand what she sees in you, but… I'm glad she does." Jaime continued.

"We both know what it feels like to be hurt and how hard it is to trust others." Jesse gave a short explanation, before holding his hand up and stepping closer to Jaime. "It took me over a year to work up the nerve to ask her out… and every time I would get enough to ask she would be dating someone else; I knew not to wait the last time." He elaborated and Jaime shook his head.

"Well that explains why you were always moping around… I'm glad it was over Caroline instead of your ex though man; Tanya wasn't worth all the trouble she caused you." Jamie stated and clapped him on the back.

"Honestly… what I feel for Caroline is more than I felt for Tanya… and I'm just happy that she's giving me a chance." Jesse said and Klaus didn't miss the look of surprise on Jaime's face, but the food and drinks were soon handed to them so they walked away from the counter and Klaus moved over to place his own order. He let his thoughts get away from him as he remembered the honesty Jesse was showing in his eyes and voice; Jesse's feelings for Caroline were genuine and he was in no way playing games with her.

Klaus took his food back to the table where his brother was looking longingly at Bonnie and sat in front of him to break his gaze; they both needed to give the girls privacy and not intrude on their date. They began talking about their plans for the fall since Klaus knew Kol would be going off for his first year of college whenever he narrowed down which school he chose to go to; Kol surprising him when he said he would be taking a year off between high school and college. Klaus thought it was wise of his little brother so he could use that year to decide what he wanted as a career and which college would help him with that choice the most. He offered for Kol to go with him, but Kol said he could do all of his thinking and planning in Mystic Falls; maybe going once or twice to keep from getting bored. Conversation was working well as a distraction until the double-daters came into their views as they moved their night over to the pool table and dart boards.

Caroline POV…

Caroline felt like she was on a cloud the whole time they had been eating, but the boys wanted to play pool and go against each other in darts; much like Bonnie and her normally did. They made their way over to the pool tables and dart boards and starting racking up the balls since they would play pool first. Caroline and Bonnie stood by the rack of cues while the guys set the table up and neither one could really help ogling when their guy would bend over the table; laughing quietly with each other so they weren't caught. Jesse came back over to her and pulled her to him as he declared it was going to be couple against couple. She didn't think her night could get better, but every time she would sink a ball Jesse would give her a kiss; he called it motivation to keep them beating Bonnie and Jaime. It became neck to neck for a while until Bonnie was able to climb through and sink the 8 ball. Caroline explained that Bonnie had been able to practice more lately because she had been gone for charity and work all summer, so for all of them to move on to darts; knowing secretly she still had time to practice those while she was gone with her bandmates.

They all took their turns and Jesse kept pulling Caroline back against him before she would throw, but she still kept hitting the center. The guys graciously lost to the girls with Caroline leading and Jaime coming in last; which is how Caroline expected the darts to go. Jaime and Bonnie decided to go take a walk around town square while Caroline and Jesse decided to play some music from the jukebox. Jesse unknowingly picked one of Caroline's songs before pulling her back into his arms and beginning to sway them back and forth. Caroline hummed along to the song as she let her head rest on Jesse's shoulder and he led them in the small little dance with an occasional dip and twirl. She found the motions soothing, especially with his hand on her lower back and his head leaned on hers, and never wanted the moment to end. They continued being the only people in the Grille dancing for a few more songs until Caroline's alarm went off on her phone signaling it was time for her mother to take her medicine. They broke apart long enough for her to send her mom a text to remind her and then she took Jesse's outreached hand and followed him outside.

The air was pleasantly cool, which surprised them since it was August already, but they didn't mind; just strolled together until they reached the first bench that wasn't already occupied. They were quiet as she leaned against him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and played with her hair. They could both see Bonnie and Jaime across the square sitting on another bench, but they didn't comment on it. She was so caught up in Jesse invading her senses that she missed what he was saying to her until he felt her pull back and she looked at him in confusion.

"What did you say?" She asked and he gave her a nervous smile.

"I said… I love you." He returned and she felt like everything froze; her breathing, her heart, and even the breeze around them. He started fidgeting and she knew her hesitance was probably getting to him, so she asked the first question that came to mind.

"Are you sure?" She asked and then shook her head and continued. "I mean… I know we said slow… and I trust you, but I just… want to make sure…" She rambled and he shut her up by placing his lips on hers. She almost got lost in kissing him until she forced herself to break their kiss and moved to sit on his lap with her arms around hick neck.

"I'm sure." He said needlessly and she smiled brightly at him.

"I was kind of waiting to say this a little longer, but… I love you too." Caroline spoke quietly, but with conviction; letting out a yelp when he stood with her still in his arms and spun them around so fast she worried he might fall and bring them both down. When he stopped spinning he set her down and pulled her in to him again. She couldn't believe how her night was turning out and she couldn't see any date topping this one; it made her want to do more and tell him everything, but she would take her time and move one step at a time. All too soon it came time for the date to end as Jesse walked her back to her car, where Bonnie and Jaime were already waiting on them, as they confirmed their next date's time and location.

1st week of October…

Caroline was watching her mother speak with the doctor through the window until she felt arms around her waist. She turned her head to see Jesse and gave him a sad smile before turning back to watch the interaction in the next room. She had panicked and called him to come meet her at the hospital when they had been out shopping for her upcoming birthday and to pep them up before they visited the specialist at Duke regarding her mother's cancer. Caroline felt the world spinning against her when she saw her mother nod or shake her head without expression; it couldn't be good if her mother kept up a blank face. She knew Bonnie was at Jamie's since it was the weekend and they had planned to go camping before the weather turned too cold later that month. She had panicked when she was told to wait outside while all of the tests were run and the doctor gave her diagnosis consultation, so she called Jesse; she trusted him and needed the comfort she found in him. She got her mother's attention and signaled she was going to go speak with Jesse; getting a nod from her mother she grabbed Jesse's hand and led him through the corridors until she found an empty room towards the basement.

"Is everything alright? What's going on?" Jesse asked and she held back tears as she shook her head. She knew it was time to tell him everything she had kept from him; she only hoped he wouldn't push her away when he heard it all.

"Mom was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago… she fought it and we thought she won, but it came back." Caroline spoke as she let her tears leak out and she felt Jesse wrap her up in a hug; she felt comforted almost immediately, until she remembered she needed to keep going and withdrew. "When we first found out… I looked around for a job to try to help her and I found one. You know that I work with Steven and that he was my Dad's life partner… but he actually works for me."

"What do you mean?" Jesse asked and she could see the confusion and hesitance in his face.

"He's my manager… along with Enzo, Maggie, Rose, Trevor, and Galen… we formed a band and I thought it would be a great way to help with mom's medical bills and getting college paid for… and it worked; we're Masked Atlantis." She admitted and she could see Jesse quiet in shock. "I wanted to tell you sooner, but mom didn't want anyone to know about her cancer and I was afraid you'd hate me for keeping it all from you… ask me anything and I'll tell you… I'm not keeping anything else from you." She continued when he didn't say anything further. When he finally looked at her she couldn't help but hold her breath; she was terrified he'd leave since she hadn't told him until now.

"Care… I'm not mad at you… I understand why you didn't tell me… and I can't tell you how happy I am that you trust and love me enough to tell me now. I'm not going anywhere." He stated and she felt the air finally release from her lungs before she dashed forward and threw her arms around him. "It's hard to believe and it might take a while to adjust… especially when I know my girlfriend is actually in a famous band… but I believe you and I'm not going anywhere." He continued as she felt herself calm down enough to pull out of his embrace.

"Mom's cancer is back… and I'm terrified it's going to be worse… or it'll keep coming back. She's a fighter… but it took so much out of her last time and I just have a feeling that it's going to be too much for her… I can't lose her… I just can't." Caroline ranted and couldn't believe how much lighter she felt now that Jesse knew what was going on; it had taken so much energy to keep him from finding out about her mother and about the band that she had been worried her busy schedule would drive them apart.

"You've got to believe in your mom Care… you said it yourself; she's a fighter. She's one of the strongest people I know and so are you; look at everything you've done and are doing for her... you're amazingly perfect." Jesse returned and she gave in to her tears again and let him pull her into another comforting embrace. They didn't linger too long in the room and went back to see Liz grabbing her jacket and all of the paperwork the doctor had given her.

They all decided to ride back with Jesse since Caroline and Liz had rode up with one of her mom's deputies that was visiting family nearby; quickly letting the fellow officer know that he didn't need to worry about picking them back up. On the way back Caroline let her mother know that Jesse knew everything and Liz informed them both that the doctor confirmed another tumor; one that could be treated but not operated on until it was successfully shrunken. Jesse decided that he would come visit in Mystic Falls more often so Caroline wouldn't have to spend more time away from her mother than necessary; Caroline also throwing in that he could sit in on studio sessions too since her mother usually went to those unless she had to work. Caroline felt more comfortable with a plan that would work with her mother's treatments and she loved how understanding and patient Jesse was being; Jesse caring and looking out for her mother's well-being the same as if she was his mother.

By the time they made it back to Mystic Falls all of them were tired so they went inside to rest for a while with plans to eat dinner later before Jesse had to go back. Once they rested Jesse called his dad and brother so they could arrange a get together for both families because he wanted to introduce Caroline to them officially. Bonnie called to check in with them and right afterwards Liz got a call to come into work, so Caroline agreed with her mother that Jesse would leave by 8 that evening so he wasn't on the road late with both of them having school the next day; her mind already coming up with a plan for the rest of their evening. Once her mother was gone she told Jesse that she wanted him to take her somewhere so they left in his car again and she directed him to her father's old cabin; having to use a generator to light the place since she hadn't been there in a while.

Caroline gave him a quick tour of the place and cringed every time he found a picture of her as a child; she never really liked how goofy she always looked. She cringed even worse when they passed by the main wall of frames from all their summer trips to the cabin; some of the pictures including her old friends that she no longer talked to. She still talked to Kol from time to time, and had just recently began speaking to Rebekah again, but the other Mikaelsons, the Salvatore brothers, the Donovans, the Gilberts, and the Lockwoods she no longer spoke to at all; she really needed to redecorate in her opinion. She pulled him along until she got to her room of the cabin and pulled the dust-protector sheet away from the bed with her nerves climbing higher and higher.

Jesse seemed to read her mind and reassured her that she didn't have to do anything with him and he could wait until she was sure she was ready, but she had already found herself wanting to add more to their relationship before today; having brought protection just in case she didn't lose her nerve. She was adamant in letting him know she was ready and wanted to be with him more. She managed to take her jacket off before he came out of his shocked state and took over stripping her down; she in turn started taking his clothes off. It took them a few minutes to get all of the clothes off since they had also taken to melding their lips together in between articles of clothing. Before she could react he picked her up and positioned her in the bed and climbing over her to settle between her legs.

Caroline hadn't felt this nervous since her first time on stage or her mother's first chemotherapy treatment, but unlike those times she didn't second-guess herself or the situation. Her body heated up fast, but Jesse seemed content to take his time; her patience ran out before his. She had almost resorted to begging when he leaned up and reached for the condom she had placed on the nightstand and starting putting it on; taking his former position faster than she expected. All the touches, nips, and kisses were driving her crazy with their teasing and she finally broke down and said please. She felt him at her entrance, sliding around and barely going inside before teasing her again; making her realize that he was using her arousal to coat him so it wouldn't hurt as bad.

Pain registered quickly when he had stopped his barely-there intrusions and thrusted in quickly; her breath catching after releasing a small yelp. He didn't move as he waited on her to adjust except to kiss her and bring her focus off of their lower halves. She nodded her head when she thought she was ready and she felt him pull out before thrusting back in; yelping again when she realized his first thrust hadn't put him all the way inside and she would need a minute to adjust again. Jesse seemed to understand and she could see the strain on his face; likely a mixture between restraint and the fact that he didn't like her being in pain. She pulled him back to her and kissed him with as much passion as she could muster, not reacting when he thrusted again so he wouldn't stop again. He set their pace slow but after a few more minutes she couldn't help but tell him to move faster; which he listened and sped up before increasing the power behind his thrusts as well.

Caroline became a moaning mess but it didn't bother her since Jesse wasn't exactly quiet either. She could feel an orgasm coming on and was thankful she hadn't been ashamed to let her hands wander before since it let her know what her body wanted now. She lost what was left of her control when she felt his fingers rub over her clit and her orgasm crashed through her, bringing Jesse over with her. He moved over to lie next to her after he disposed of the condom and she didn't hesitate to cuddle into his waiting arms and exchange "I love you" with him. She wished they could stay there all night, but they had promised her mom that he would leave by 8 to get home and it was almost 7 now, so after she got the ability to move without difficulty they dressed each other and cleaned the room back up; turning off the generator and driving back to her house. He still had about 20 minutes before he had to leave once they got back to her house so she made them a quick snack; waiting until he left to take a bath and relax her muscles.