A/N: Hey everyone! It's a new chapter! I hope you like it, we get some Klaroline development in this one as well as other things! Enjoy!
/
"Now, how did I know I would find you cooped up in here with a stack of paperwork?" Elijah said as he entered Caroline's office. The blonde was slumped at her desk with her hair messily tied up as she sifted through the papers in front of her. She offered Elijah a wary smile as she saw him, her eyes moving back down to her papers as she heard Elijah close the door, walking further into the room.
"I thought I would get a head start," Caroline explained absentmindedly, shuffling through her paperwork, "I still have to go over everything for next week's trial and make sure the defendant is happy with everything."
She was avoiding the real topic on both their minds and Elijah knew it, "Talk to me." He asked with narrow eyes, looking at her sceptically.
"I am, aren't you listening." She laughed, "I think you need to grab a coffee, Elijah. It's all systems go today, especially with the charity event coming up. I need to get Rebekah to help pick out a dress."
"Caroline," He pressed, taking the papers from her hands so the blonde was forced to look at him, "Am I to believe that your current state and the amount of time you have been locked in your office these last few days doesn't have anything to do with Marcel and Niklaus' injuries?"
Caroline sighed, "I don't get what's wrong with me, Elijah."
"I don't follow." He replied, confusion etched into his features.
"I'm used to seeing Klaus like that, it's not the first time he has arrived home in a bad way. I patch him up, and I guess I found a way to deal with it, you know?" Caroline said, "But when he came home the other day… I was scared, Elijah. Marcel's guys cracked his rib and I know Klaus can handle himself but…"
Elijah nodded, "You don't want to lose him."
"I shouldn't be feeling like that, though. We aren't together anymore, I said I was done, I put it behind me." Caroline replied, her outburst making her voice louder, "I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. I see Klaus and every defence I have collapses."
"You love him, Caroline. As much as he loves you."
She gave out a short laugh, "So everyone keeps telling me."
"You don't agree?" Elijah questioned.
"I… I'll always love him, Elijah. I'm just not sure I can do that anymore, it's messy and complicated."
"That doesn't mean it's wrong." Elijah reasoned, "I've seen you together and apart, Caroline. You need each other, and I honestly can't believe you are throwing away the chance to get everything you wanted."
She was silent for a moment, contemplating Elijah's words, "I did have everything I want, and Klaus threw that away, not me."
"He did it out of love. He thought he was protecting you. That was the most selfless thing he has ever done. Mikael always told him he wasn't capable of love, he didn't deserve it. Our father was a man in love with his job rather than his family and Niklaus got the brunt of that."
"What do I do?"
"Tell him everything, lay it all out on the table and see what happens. What have you got to lose that isn't already at risk?"
/
It was late when Klaus heard small footsteps from behind him, his eyes moved from the mindless action film he was pretending to watch. Every time he tried to focus on the film a certain blonde crept into his thoughts, consuming every part of his mind.
Liam was standing in the doorway of the living room, one hand rubbing his eyes tiredly as he yawned. His hair was messy from sleep, his pyjamas wrinkled. Klaus gave him a friendly smile as he muted the film and turned his attention to his son.
"Hey, mate. What are you doing up?" He asked softly, watching as Liam shuffled closer to the couch.
The boy shrugged, "I couldn't sleep." He replied simply before climbing sluggishly onto the couch, snuggling into Klaus' side.
Klaus could tell Liam hadn't been awake long, the boy was drowsy and Klaus knew he would probably be asleep again in a few minutes.
"I guess I can let you stay up for a little while." Klaus smiled, grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch to wrap around Liam.
"Mom does too, she makes warm milk." Liam replied, his eyes drooping.
Klaus chuckled softly, "Something tells me you will be asleep before the milk is ready."
Liam shook his head, "I'm not tired, dad." He protested weakly causing Klaus to chuckle.
"Of course not." He replied before leaning down to kiss Liam's head softly.
They were silent for a while, Liam's eyes dropping as he fought to keep them open. Klaus listened to the sound of his breathing, relishing in the life he and Caroline had created together.
"Do you love mom?" Liam asked eventually, his voice so small Klaus strained to hear it.
He paused for a second, "Of course I love your mom, Liam. With everything I have."
"She loves you too, Uncle 'Lijah and Aunt 'Bekah both say so." Liam replied, "Does that mean you guys will get your happy ending?"
Klaus smiled at his son's innocence, "I don't know." He replied honestly, "We have a long way to go."
"But you're not giving up, right?"
"I wouldn't dream of it, mate." Klaus vowed and the answer seemed to satisfy Liam as the boy fell silent once more.
It couldn't have been more than ten minutes later when Klaus heard Liam's breathing even out, soft snores coming from the boy curled up against him. He smiled softly, seeing Liam was asleep again before moving to boy into his arms gently, not wanting to wake up. Liam didn't even stir as Klaus scooped him up, his head against Klaus' shoulder as he took the boy back to his room.
Klaus set Liam down on his bed, making sure the boy's grey wolf was within reach if he needed it before pulling the covers over him. Liam shuffled on the bed, getting comfortable as Klaus tucked him in, placing a kiss on his forehead as one hand smoothed down his son's curls.
"You and your mom are the best things to ever happen to me." He whispered softly, knowing Liam couldn't hear him, "I promise you're going to have the happy life I never had, Liam."
Klaus left the room quietly, taking one last look at his sleeping son before closing the door behind him. He turned round to find Caroline standing in the hall, her hair mused from sleep wearing a simple pair of lacy pyjama shorts and a vest top. Klaus tried not to look at her smooth legs, remembering the feeling of them as he ran his hands up her thigh.
"Is everything okay?" She asked softly, more alert than Liam had been when he woke up.
Klaus nodded, "Yes, Liam couldn't sleep so he found me in the living room. I was just putting him back to bed."
"Did he tell you he wasn't tired?" Caroline smiled brightly and Klaus laughed.
"Protested it quite adamantly."
"He is definitely your son, Klaus. Just as stubborn."
Klaus smiled, "He tell me not to give up on you. He thinks you love me in spite of all I've done."
Caroline stilled for a moment, "I think he watches too much Disney."
"You're avoiding the statement, love." Klaus pointed out.
"I'm being rational." Caroline replied, her voice bristling slightly. She sighed at the flash of hurt on Klaus' face though he covered it quickly, "It's late, and we should get some rest."
"Don't do that. Don't cheapen what we mean to each other by running away every time I get close to you." Klaus said, his eyes pleading with her.
"You broke me." She whispered softly, unshed tears in her eyes.
Klaus nodded sadly, "I know. I'll build you back up to because I'm that much of a bastard. I cannot bear it if you walk away from me, Caroline. No matter how much I deserve it."
"I'm scared. You scare me." She replied, their noses brushing with each breath. She can't remember when they got that close but she didn't want to move. This was comforting, familiar. "The way I love you scares me."
"I've got you." He promised, his eyes searching hers for any sign of her running in the opposite direction. Caroline stood her ground, her lips parted as she watched him.
Klaus ducked his head down slowly, giving her time to back away if she wanted. It felt like years until his lips were touching hers, the kiss soft and hesitant. Caroline followed his lead, neither making a move to change the kiss. One of Klaus' hands came up to cup her face gently, like he was scared of breaking her. Caroline wrapped her arms around his middle, kissing him eagerly.
She broke the kiss first, Klaus resting his forehead against her own as they tried to control their breathing. They were both smiling at each other, wrapped up together in their own little world.
"I'm not asking for everything right now, sweetheart. Just time, give me time to prove to you I'm not going anywhere." Klaus whispered softly, his thumb gliding across her cheek.
Caroline nodded mutely, "I think I can do that."
/
Klaus sipped his black coffee as his eyes scanned the room of the little coffee shop he was sitting in. It was the same one he met Caroline in, his eyes drawn to the booth to his right where he first saw her, books everywhere and not a care in the world. Caroline wasn't the one he was meeting though, the coffee shop was acting as a mutual zone for him to meet up with his back-up against Marcel. An old favour from an old friend he hadn't spoken to in years. They had been friends once, close friends until they went their separate ways all thanks to Mikael.
He saw the flash of a red car, a classic, pull up outside from his seat and smiled. The reunion had begun.
Klaus watched with a smirk as the door opened, a man stepping inside wearing dark jeans, a grey V-neck top and a black jacket. His hair was the first thing to be seen though, styled and perfectly groomed, some things never change.
"Klaus," He greeted as he dropped into the seat next to him, "You better have a good reason for calling me to Chicago. Portland is lovely this time of year."
"Stefan." Klaus smirked, tipping his head slightly, "I apologise for the interruption, Ripper but I need your help."
"Last I heard, you were serving time for a job gone wrong." Stefan commented.
Klaus nodded, "Now, I'm out."
"And I'm here because you needed to relive the glory days?"
"Quite the opposite actually," Klaus laughed, "Marcellus wasn't happy when I told him I was done with our line of work."
Stefan nodded, "The great Hybrid goes into retirement. I didn't think you would ever give all that up."
"I have a family." Klaus explained, "A son and Caroline if she will forgive me."
"I remember her, nice girl. She was good for you." Stefan replied.
"Marcel threatened them, I need to finish this job with him and then I get to walk away."
Stefan frowned then, "Since when do you play by other people's rules?"
"I don't. Marcel is up to something, he has wanted me out the way for years and when he gets what he wants suddenly I'm needed to do one last job?" Klaus question.
"You don't trust him." Stefan concluded, "That's why you called me."
"I know we left things rather abrupt but I trust you to watch my back instead of stab me in it." Klaus nodded.
"Are you forgetting I am meant to be laying low?" Stefan questioned, "Your father and his lackeys are still looking for me, Klaus. The Ripper suddenly shows up in Chicago again and it's going to attract unwanted attention."
"I haven't seen my father in years, just before that last job. I don't even know if he is still in Chicago." Klaus explained, "I know what I'm asking, Stefan but it's my family at risk here."
Stefan sighed for a moment, "I'll help you, Klaus. You saved my life last time I was in town and I owe you for that."
"I appreciate that, mate."
"Yeah, just do me a favour and call someone else next time your protégé turns against you." Stefan replied, "And don't tell Damon I'm in town."
"You still haven't straightened that out?"
"He stole my girlfriend." Stefan pointed out.
Klaus nodded, "And defended you when you got arrested for killing that girl. The only reason you're not in jail is because of Damon."
"Why do you care? You don't even like Damon."
"I admit he isn't on my Christmas card list but I'm starting to realise just how important family is and what an idiot I was for almost destroying mine." Klaus admitted, his eyes glued to the black coffee in his mug.
Stefan let out a sigh and slapped a hand on his shoulder, "Who are you and what did you do with the ruthless, arrogant Hybrid I use to know?" He chuckled softly.
/
So what do you think? Stefan is going to help Klaus but he will be darker in this story, you'll learn more about that and his relationship with Damon in later chapters.
Favourite line/scene?
Please review! They put a smile on my face and really make my day! Thank you so much!
Next chapter we see the charity event, Klaroline getting closer and some more Kalijah!