What the Heart Wants

With Me

I want you to know,
With everything I won't let this go.
These words are my heart and soul.
I'll hold on to this moment, you know,
As I bleed my heart out to show,
And I won't let go.

xxx

A/N: Here's our next update, finally. We're terribly sorry that it's taken so long but living in different countries does have its disadvantages. Well, this is the next chapter, we hope you like it! If you see anything you recognise, it´s not ours.

xxx

Caroline had originally intended to head home and get dressed (because who goes to a burlesque club in their school uniform?) and then head to Victrola, when she received a text message from Stefan: 'Opening night party at Victrola tonight! Nik booked the club out. Be there at 6'. Great. She couldn't turn up early now, could she? Klaus would get the impression that she was desperate or eager to see him. And they all knew that he didn't need an ego boost. She sat down on her bed with a heavy sigh, replying to Stefan's text and ignoring the billion texts from Tyler. She really didn't have the energy to talk to her cheating ex right now. She groaned, pulling a pillow over her face. Why did everything have to become so complicated?

xxx

Stefan stepped into the elevator leading up to the Mikaelson's penthouse. The doormen at the hotel recognised him by now and let him go up without a word. He walked into the foyer, his eyes scanning the area for any of the Mikaelson brothers. As much as he liked his best friend, he really couldn´t face Klaus right now. Or Kol, for that matter. Not after what he'd done. He slowly headed towards the room that he knew was Rebekah's bedroom and knocked on the door, suppressing his discomfort when the blonde opened it. "Stefan," she greeted, surprise evident in her tone. She was still wearing her school uniform and her hair was pulled up into a messy bun. Stefan realised that it was the most relaxed he'd ever seen her.

"Rebekah. Hi. I was hoping that we could talk," Stefan murmured, fidgeting slightly. "About the events of last night."

Rebekah nodded slowly, looking out for any signs of her brothers before grabbing his jacket and pulling him into her bedroom. "Well then. Talk," she ordered.

"Right," Stefan said, glancing around the bedroom as he stalled this conversation. Although he knew it was best for them to talk about last night, he really didn't want to. "Well, we had sex. I've never done that with you before," he laughed awkwardly.

Rebekah sent him an unimpressed look. "I'm aware of that. But I don't see what there is to talk about. We used protection and we both agreed not to tell anyone about it. We both know how Nik would react."

"Yes. He'll castrate me," Stefan nodded. "And Kol would never stop teasing us about it."

"Exactly, so what's there left to talk about?" Rebekah raised a perfectly plucked blonde eyebrow.

"You don't have to be so crass about it," Stefan snapped, slightly irritated.

"Well you don't have to keep bringing it up," Rebekah snapped back, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I wouldn't have to keep bringing it up if you'd stop acting like a child and have a serious conversation with me about this."

"Why do we have to have a serious conversation about it? There's nothing to talk about."

"Oh, I don´t know," Stefan ground out, truly annoyed now. "Maybe because having sex with someone you know and care about is kind of a big deal?"

"How is it a big deal? It was just drunken sex because we both got broken up with."

"Oh, that's what you think?"

"Yeah, that's what I think," Rebekah scowled.

"Fine!" Stefan yelled.

"Fine!" Rebekah yelled right back just before Stefan turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. She heard the elevator doors open and then close and she slowly sat down on her bed, burying her face in her hands.

xxx

Caroline walked into the crowded club, her eyes scanning the crowd for anyone that she knew before she spotted Klaus and Stefan in the VIP section closest to the stage. Of course. Why would they be anywhere else? She walked over to them, tapping Stefan on the shoulder before hugging him. "Hello brother from another mother," she grinned, her smile fading when she spotted Klaus. "And you."

Klaus smiled roguishly. "Hello, Caroline. That's a gorgeous dress, it looks great on you. But it would look even better on my bedroom floor."

Caroline didn't even try to resist the urge to roll her eyes at him. "And it would look fabulous jammed into your windpipe," she retorted, feeling Stefan shake with laughter next to her. Klaus didn't look the slightest bit put off. In fact, he looked very amused, his signature smirk gracing his admittedly handsome face.

"Sharp tongue as always, love," he murmured. "But as refreshing as I find your company, I can see my favourite little sister over there so if you'll excuse me," he said before heading over to where Caroline could see Rebekah, her hair curled once more, dressed in a gorgeous red dress.

"I thought he was supposed to be charming. How is that charming?" Caroline turned to face Stefan, pausing when she spotted the odd look in his eyes. "Hello? Earth to Stefan?"

Stefan seemed to come out of whatever trance he was in. "What? Sorry, it's just been a weird couple of days. He is charming, actually. Very much so. Sometimes it even makes me willing to sleep with him," he joked. "He just uses those terrible pick up lines on you to piss you off."

Caroline stared at him suspiciously. "Yeah. Speaking of, what's been going on lately? You and Bekah have been acting weird and what happened between you and Elena?"

Stefan shrugged, obviously trying to avoid the subject. "I'm really just not ready to talk about it, okay? But I promise, when I am, you'll be the first that I'll go to," he smiled reassuringly, squeezing her hand.

"Touching," Kol drawled as he strode into the VIP section. "Sometimes I think you really are siblings that were just separated at birth. I don't understand those Gossip Girl readers that ship the two of you. It's borderline incest."

Caroline grimaced. "Wonderful, Kol. Thank you for putting that image in my head."

"Not a single problem, darling," Kol smirked. "But if you had to choose, would you rather sleep with Stefan or... Nik?"

"Gross!" Caroline groaned. "You're the devil, Kol Mikaelson."

"That's not an answer to my question," Kol wagged his finger at her. "You have to answer."

"Fine," Caroline grumbled. "Klaus. But only because sleeping with Stefan would be like sleeping with my brother."

"Oh, I'm flattered, Caroline. I knew you always had a soft spot for me," a familiar accented voice said behind her and Caroline whirled around, glad that the lighting hid the bright red blush on her face.

"You wish," she glared at Klaus.

"Oh yes, vividly. Every night," he taunted, amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Enough, you two," Stefan and Rebekah said at the same time, sending each other odd looks as they did.

Caroline resisted the urge to scream with frustration at their secrecy and channelled her anger instead into glaring at Klaus. "Let's head over to the sofas, shall we?" Kol asked, sensing the odd energy. "Much more comfortable."

Caroline turned to follow Kol, Rebekah and Stefan when Klaus grabbed her hand and she turned to shoot him an annoyed look. "I'm sorry about Tyler. He's an idiot for having hurt you."

Caroline didn't reply; she merely pulled her hand out of Klaus' grip and sat down next to Stefan, not willing to face the fact that Klaus Mikaelson may actually have a heart.

xxx

It wasn't long before the group of friends was joined by Elijah Mikaelson, dressed in a formal business suit. He looked rather uncomfortable as his eyes scanned the club. "Hello, big brother," Klaus greeted cheerfully. "Just come from a business meeting, have you?"

Caroline carefully studied Elijah Mikaelson´s face. She hadn't really had the chance to study him properly during the party. She could now see that he had the closest resemblance to Kol out of all the siblings; they had the same dark hair and dark eyes whereas Klaus and Rebekah both had blue eyes and lighter hair. "Yes. Father seemed to think that if he had to die of boredom, he was going to take me down with him," Elijah replied, taking a seat on the chair closest to Kol, who sniggered.

"Please. If father were to attempt to kill any of his children, we all know it wouldn't be you, Lijah," Klaus drawled. "You're the golden son," Caroline thought that she heard a tinge of bitterness in Klaus' voice.

"Stop this talk of father and his business deals," Rebekah sighed. "We can be regaled with that wondrous tale tomorrow morning. I have no doubt he'll tell us all about it."

"Who will tell you all about what?" Katherine asked as she arrived, dressed in a tight black dress with her hair curled in her usual ringlets.

"Kat!" Caroline squealed, getting up to hug her best friend. "And Elena. Hi! It's been a long time," she said, hugging the younger of the Gilbert twins. "And I see you guys brought Jeremy too. Isn't he a big young for this?"

"Relax, Queen C," Katherine shrugged. "We've already told him that he's not allowed any alcoholic drinks," her eyes lit up when she spotted Elijah. "Elijah, it's good to see you again," she murmured, striding towards him, taking the seat next to him, subtly moving her chair closer to his so that their shoulders were pressed together.

Caroline rolled her eyes at her best friend´s antics, watching as Elena slowly took a seat on one of the chairs, looking extremely uncomfortable. In the year that Elena had been away, things had changed. In a way, she was no longer a part of the inner circle. Caroline watched in amusement as Jeremy Gilbert's eyes lit up as Bonnie Bennett arrived, looking out of breath. "Sorry, there was traffic," she apologised, dropping into the final seat available, just as the show started.

xxx

Rebekah stood by the bar, tapping her foot impatiently on the floor. Shouldn't the fact that her father owned this establishment mean something to these people? She felt someone move to stand beside her and she turned to see a familiar profile. "Stefan," she greeted stiffly, remembering their argument from that afternoon.

"Rebekah," Stefan replied coolly. "You look great."

"Thank you," Rebekah said, touching the hem of her dress. She sighed in relief when her drink finally arrived, picking it up. "If you'll excuse me," she said, stepping to the side. Unfortunately, just as she stepped to the side, so did Stefan and the two collided, causing Rebekah's drink to spill down the front of her dress. "Stefan!" She yelled.

"I'm sorry," he apologised, looking regretful. "But it's not like it's a big deal. You're never going to wear that thing ever again anyway."

Rebekah looked livid. "I don't care about that, you ruined my dress."

"I don't get what your problem is. You can just buy a new one."

"Go to hell, Stefan Salvatore!" Rebekah practically screeched before storming out of the club. Stefan hesitated for a moment before running after her.

"Rebekah, wait!" He called, sighing in relief when she came to a stop. "I'm sorry, I was being rude. Look... Here," he shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "The drink is kind of making the dress stick to you a little."

Rebekah scowled at him. "I don't need your pity. I'm not some lost little princess and you're not the white knight that saves me."

"Well forgive me for trying to help. I don't know why. You're too spoiled to care about anything," Stefan snapped.

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Rebekah grabbed the front of Stefan's shirt before tugging him closer to her height, crashing their mouths together.

"So..." Stefan murmured when they parted. "Do you want to get coffee sometime?"

xxx

Caroline barely noticed as the group started to trickle away. Her gaze was transfixed on the show. "Caroline?" Katherine asked, tapping her best friend on the shoulder. "Elijah's offered me a ride home. Do you want one too?" Caroline shook her head.

"I'm fine." Katherine nodded slowly.

"Okay, sweetie. Just get home safe," Caroline nodded.

"Will do," she murmured, turning her attention back to the stage. She continued watching for what felt like an eternity before she felt the sofa next to her dip as someone sat down.

"I must admit I'm surprised to see you still here, love," Klaus commented.

"Don't sound so full of yourself. I'm not staying here because of you," Caroline snapped, irked.

"I never said that you were. Enjoying the show?" He asked.

"I'll admit that it's much more fun than I originally thought it would be," she admitted reluctantly.

There were a few moments of silence before Caroline spoke again. "You know... I've got moves."

"Really?" Klaus smirked. "Then why don't you get up there?"

Caroline rolled her eyes. "I know what you're doing, Mikaelson and it's not gonna work. I'm just saying. I've got moves," she paused, glancing over at him. "You really don't think that I'll go up there, do you?"

"I know you won't," Klaus replied smugly.

Caroline made a split second decision. "Guard my drink," she said before getting up and heading onto the stage, resulting in cheering from the others at the club. She slowly pulled the headband out of her hair, throwing it out into the screaming crowd. She twirled around in a circle before unzipping her dress, letting it pool around her feet on the floor of the stage, leaving her in only her slip. She slowly trailed her hand up her corresponding arm, shooting a cheeky grin over her shoulder, her golden curls spilling over her shoulders and down her back. Klaus slowly got to his feet, an enthralled look on his face as Caroline turned her back to the audience, raising her arms over her head as she swayed in time with the music.

"Who's that girl?" A transvestite asked Klaus, who just slowly shook his head.

"I have... no idea," he murmured, his eyes fixed on Caroline.

"You go baby vamp!"

xxx

"Thanks for giving me a ride home," Caroline murmured for her position in the back of Klaus' limo, still dressed only in her slip with her silver cross necklace hanging around her neck.

"You were... amazing up there," Klaus murmured softly, glancing over at her.

Caroline seemed to think for a moment before moving closer to him, tilting her head up to slot her mouth over his. Klaus pulled back after a moment, pressing their foreheads together. "Are you sure?" He murmured.

Caroline didn't answer; she merely repositioned herself, placing a hand on his cheek before kissing him again. He immediately kissed her back, his hand moving to grip her thigh, his fingertips digging into her bare skin as he sucked on her bottom lip, his other hand moving to wrap around her waist and pull her closer.

Caroline made a small, breathless noise of pleasure as he slowly slid the strap of her slip down her shoulder, her hands moving into his hair to get as close to him as possible.

xxx

Hey readers, Gossip Girl here. Seems like S and R are hiding something but don't they know that secrets don't last long in this town? And what's up with Queen C? We all thought she knew better than to tumble into bed with King K... or the back of a limo. Guess our good girl isn't as good as she seems.

You know you love me,

XOXO,

Gossip Girl.

xxx

A/N: Well that's the latest chapter, let us know what you think. Just to be clear, unless the characters are reading a specific GG post, then whatever she says at the end of each chapter isn't something that's on her website but instead just a narrative.

Thanks for reading!