Thank you again for all your kind words! It makes me so happy to know you enjoy my story. Please bear with me the next couple chapters, I'm trying to anticipate/think out the build-up of the plot line and it'll take me time to work through it. In the meantime... Enjoy! And please review!

Chapter 7

The next week passed without any more Marcel run ins, but Caroline couldn't help but feel that Marcel was somehow keeping a close eye her. She didn't see the self-declared king himself, but she noticed two of his lackeys stopping by Deveraux's more frequently. Thankfully, Rebekah had taken to coming in on an almost daily basis. "It's not like I've got anything better to do. And besides, Sophie's go the best gumbo in the French Quarter."

Caroline looked at Rebekah pointedly. Not that she didn't enjoy the company on a daily basis, but she didn't want Rebekah (or Klaus) thinking she needed a bodyguard. "I swear Nik didn't put me up to it!" she said defensively, with her hands in the air. "You're one of the first girlfriends I've had in a long time. Which reminds me, girls night. Wednesday. It's time we introduce you to New Orleans nightlife. Cami, you in?"

Camille looked up from the other end of the bar where she was wiping down glasses. "Yes, and Bekah's right. New Orleans has a flair of it's own."

Rebekah smiled at Caroline. "It's decided. Wednesday. Tell Therese she's invited as well."

Caroline resigned herself to the fact that she was going along with Rebekah's planned "girls' night". She was happy that she and the female Original were getting along though. They'd never seen eye to eye back in Mystic Falls, mostly because Rebekah had been jealous of Caroline's popularity. In a million years, Caroline would never have predicted that she and Rebekah would be remotely close friends, but when your options were limited, you took what was there. And Caroline was grateful for Rebekah's companionship. She liked Camille and Therese well enough, but both of them were human and Therese had no idea of the supernatural world around her. With Rebekah, she had someone to relate to on more than just a girl level.

Klaus came by the next day to see Caroline during the break between lunch and dinner. "I hear my little sister has once again stolen your affections from me."

"That's unlikely," Caroline laughed, "More like she's demanded and issued orders for a girls' night tomorrow evening. I can't say no."

"And if I happen to meet up with you at the end of the evening?"

"I'm not getting myself involved."

Caroline smiled at Klaus and moved to the waitresses' station to start organizing the silverware and napkins for use later that night. Suddenly, Caroline's back was pressed up against the counter and Klaus was standing directly in front of her, his arms circled around her lower waist. His smirk was on his face and he looked quite pleased with himself for catching Caroline off guard. She rolled her eyes and placed her hands on his chest to push him off, but that only made Klaus tighten his hold on her. She laughed as she continued to push against him.

"You're distracting me. How am I supposed to get this place ready if you're going to be like this?"

"And I want more of you." Klaus's eyes darkened with his words.

"Whatever happened to slow?"

"I'm entranced by you. You've held my attention for longer than five years almost and now that I have you to myself, I can't seem to get enough."

Caroline stopped struggling. She moved her arms up to wrap around Klaus's neck. She leaned up, tilted her head, and was a breath away from Klaus's lips when she whispered, "Slow."

And sank back to her heels.

Klaus growled and yanked her up against him. His lips came swiftly down on her and Caroline had flash of annoyance before thinking, Oh, what the hell. She couldn't deny that she enjoyed kissing Klaus immensely. It sang to her soul and she was addicted to the emotions that Klaus stirred in her. Just as they were about to lose themselves completely to the kiss, they heard a crash in the dining room. They broke apart abruptly to find Camille standing in the middle of the room, the contents of her purse scattered across the floor. She looked as though someone had punched her in the stomach.

"I didn't know you two knew each other," she said rather coldly.

"I've known Caroline a long time." Klaus said simply.

"Oh, I see."

Caroline was mortified. She knew from Sophie that Camille harbored feelings for Klaus and she had hoped they could avoid a confrontation like this. Caroline remembered how it felt in high school to be passed over by the guy you liked. She groaned to herself at the thought of the awkward tension between the two of them at work. "I think I'd better leave."

Caroline had almost forgotten Klaus was there. She nodded her head and watched him walk out of the room. After he left, she turned to Camille, who was looking pointedly at a spot on the wall above the bar. Caroline hated drama of any kind; she'd dealt with enough of it through high school and college. But, it was inevitable in situations like this.

"Camille?"

The bartender finally looked down from the wall.

"Look, I'm not mad at you for being with Klaus. Well, yes I am, but that's not the point." Camille took a deep breath, as though to steady herself before continuing, "I know what Klaus and you are, along with Marcel and his minions. You can't have hung around the French Quarter for as long as I have and not know what's going on. I know Sophie's a witch, not a fake one like many claim to be in this city, but a real one. And I know that Hayley is also involved in this somehow as well, but I haven't seen her around in a few years.

"I'm a psychology major, Caroline. I've been studying how to read and understand people for almost five years. Yes, I'm interested in Klaus, but that doesn't mean I can't tell when a guy isn't reciprocating. I could also sense there was someone else. I held out hope that whoever Klaus was waiting for would never come and he would one day come around to me. Even when I found out what he was I still had hope. I knew I would continue to age, but that didn't bother me. But I can see how that's futile. In the past three weeks you've been here, he's been different. And I'd wondered why, but now I know. How old are you really?"

"Seventeen."

Camille's face fell a little more. "And that's how you'll remain forever. Back to my point, though. I'm not angry about the two of you, I'm angry at being duped. You, Rebekah, Klaus, and I'm assuming Elijah, all clearly have known one another for some time. And I'm fairly certain Sophie's in on the secret too. This charade you and Rebekah have been playing? You can stop that now."

"Camille, there was a reason for it. Sophie felt it would be better for me if it looked like no one knew me." Caroline hoped Camille could see the reason in this.

"I've worked here for five years, Caroline. Sophie knows me better than most and I thought Rebekah and I were friends too. I don't like Marcel any more than the rest of you, if he's the reason you've put up this charade, and I certainly have never given anyone reason not to trust me. So forgive me if I can't accept your excuse. Do you know how it feels to be duped by the people you trust?"

Caroline's face fell at that. "Yes, I do. When the vampires first came back to Mystic Falls, I was compelled to basically be a blood bag for a person I liked a lot and thought I could trust. Not so much. After I became a vampire, my father tortured me because of what I was. I thought I could trust him with my secret. He pretended to accept me, only to turn around and try to "take the vampire out of me", so to speak. He took off my daylight ring, exposed me to sunlight, forced vervain on me, and starved me. My own father. So yes, Camille, I know how you feel. And I'm sorry this had to happen this way."

Camille's eyes were wide as she tried to process Caroline's story. Then, her eyes narrowed again, "That still doesn't excuse…."

"Enough!"

Camille and Caroline spun around at the sound of Sophie's voice. The witch was standing in the door frame separating dining room from kitchen, with her arms crossed over chests and a look to send most people running. "Camille, if you want to be angry at anyone, be angry with me. It was my choice not to tell you, not because I didn't trust you, but because I was trying to protect you. You know I never wanted you involved in all this."

"Sophie, it's impossible not to be!"

"I know that. And when you became involved I resolved myself to protect you more. You're human, Camille, and have little protection against Marcel other than what I can give you and ignorance. The less people know about Caroline's connection to the Mikaelson family, the less Marcel can use that information against us. You know the tension between Marcel and Klaus right now. You know Marcel will use anything at his disposal if he thinks it will give him the slightest advantage. I know you're hurt, but believe me when I say I was only protecting you by keeping this from you. The less information you had, the less likely Marcel will seek you out."

Sophie went over to Camille at this and put her arms around her. "No one else needs to die in this fight."

Camille slowly nodded her head and wrapped her arms around Sophie too. Neither said a word as they embraced and they came apart after a few moments. Sophie held Camille's hands in her own and smiled at her. "Now, we have lots to do before dinner tonight."

Camille smiled and nodded and went to put her things in the back room. Sophie sighed heavily and turned to Caroline, "I'm sorry you had to deal with that. She'll be ok. She just sometimes doesn't understand what she's dealing with still."

"I know. I remember being human around vampires. You think you know, but it's nothing you ever expected."

Sophie nodded and touched Caroline's arm briefly before heading back into the kitchen. The rest of the night passed without issue and before Camille left for the night, she pulled Caroline aside. "I'm sorry. It was a stupid way to react. I was just hurt and being left out of the know."

"I get it. Really. I would have felt the same. And there's nothing to be sorry for."

Camille smiled, "I want us to be friends. I really like you and I'm glad you're here. And I'm glad Klaus has someone like you. He needs you. And I'll keep your secret. So you don't have to pretend around me anymore."

Caroline hugged Camille and the girls parted for the night as friends. She made her way upstairs to her room, ready to pass out for the night. She opened her door and jumped back in surprise. Klaus was standing at her window, one arm pressed on the sill to balance himself, as he looked out, presumably deep in thought. "I don't recall extending an invitation to you this evening."

Klaus turned around, a smile on his face, at the sound of her voice. "I wanted to make sure you and Camille survived the night in one piece, love. It seems I had nothing to worry about. You're whole and hearty."

"Yes, Sophie intervened and smoothed everything over. She knows everything and is accepting of it. We're still on friendly terms with each other."

"Lovely. So that means I don't have to worry about Camille mooning over me for the rest of time?"

"Klaus!"

He smiled and walked over to stand in front of her. He wrapped his arms around her and dropped a small kiss on her lips. "You're enchanting when you feign annoyance with me. You try so hard to keep a straight face, but I can see a smile threatening to burst."

Caroline laughed. She wrapped her arms around Klaus and pressed her lips up to his. "Your comment about Camille wasn't necessary, but I'll let it slide. Now, I need to go to sleep."

"Ah, but if I recall you have the morning off tomorrow."

"Yes, but I was hoping to run some errands before I had to come in for the dinner shift."

"Which I can help you with. Now, that's settled."

Klaus swung her up on his shoulder and turned around the deposit her on the bed. He moved so quickly, Caroline barely had a chance to catch her breath before Klaus was on top of her and he was kissing her as though his life depended on it. She sighed into the kiss and let the inevitable happen. Oh, she wasn't about to let Klaus completely have his way with her, but she could allow herself some excitement tonight. Besides, who was she to argue when Klaus was turning her stomach into wonderful little knots as his lips moved over hers and his hands ran up and down her sides and arms. Caroline lifted her hand to Klaus's face and pulled him deeper into their kiss. She lost herself for a few minutes, before turning her head to the side. Klaus didn't stop kissing her and only moved his attentions to Caroline's neck. She barely suppressed a shiver as he found a sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulders.

"I'm completely nuts to allow this, but you can stay here tonight. As long as no funny business happens!"

Klaus lifted his head from his pursuit of Caroline's neck and looked at her. "Are you sure?"

Caroline shrugged as best she could, "Why not? How did you get up here anyways?"

"I snuck in while you were cleaning. I am fairly certain Sophie saw me, but she didn't kick me out when she came up."

"Good to know I have an open invitation for sleepovers from Sophie."

"As long as said invitations are only extended to me."

"Really, Klaus. As if you'd let me meet anyone else. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to get ready for bed."

Klaus rolled over to let Caroline move up from the bed and grab her PJ's from the chair next to the dresser. She went into the bathroom and went through her nightly routine of washing her face and brushing her teeth. She wasn't entirely sure if brushing her teeth was necessary anymore, but old habits die hard. Caroline's heart was racing at the prospect of Klaus sleeping over, but she also felt safer at the thought of him next to her all night. She quietly laughed at the thought of Klaus sleeping; it never occurred to her that the Original big bad needed sleep and rest like the rest of them. She quickly finished and changed into her PJ's, an old Mystic Falls High Cheer t-shirt and cotton shorts. Suddenly self-conscious of the fact she was in her ratty sleeping clothes, Caroline took a deep breath before heading back to her room.

Klaus had made himself comfortable in the time Caroline was in the bathroom. His clothes hung on the chair where Caroline's PJ's had previously been and he was underneath the covers of the bed. Caroline raised an eyebrow at his prone position on the bed. "You certainly didn't waste time making yourself at home."

Klaus smirked, "Well, if I am going to stay here I might as well be comfortable. You know, my house certainly lends more to the atmosphere."

"And what atmosphere is that?" Caroline laughed, "Nothing's happening and I'm going to sleep. No funny business remember?"

He laughed and showed his acceptance by lifting the covers, effectively showing Caroline he'd kept his boxers on. She shook her head, smiled, and crawled into bed. After settling the covers around her, she scooted over to Klaus and laid her head on his chest. He in turn wrapped his arms around her and settled himself in her bed. Caroline lifted her head and moved herself just enough to give Klaus a soft kiss, "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."