A/N I finished this chapter early. Enjoy!

Caroline grumbled as the cab pulled up to the Lockwood property along south beach. After calling several of her reporters until almost one that afternoon she finally gave in to the fact that they were all busy. She called Mrs. Lockwood informing her she would be attending when she was told it was a black tie event and to wear a dress.

She thought she would never have to come back to this place again, but luck wasn't with her at the moment. She paid the cab driver before getting out. Caroline sighed as she got out of the cab wearing a white strapless just below the knee cocktail dress with a back silk bow tied to the side and black pumps, it was the nicest white dress she owned and it looked elegant enough for this type of event. She was carrying a clutch with her reporter notebook, voice recorder, cellphone, wallet and make up stuffed inside. It was going to be a diner before the event so she wanted to keep her purse small.

Caroline put her up in a bun with strands of curls hanging around her face and a thin silver chain necklace with a single diamond hanging around her neck. She took a deep breath before she walked up the steps following the other patrons as a butler pointed them in the right direction. Caroline was never a big fan of the Lockwood residence even when she was dating Tyler. She felt it was a bit much for her taste because she grew up in a house that actually felt like a home. Caroline walked through the doors and on their hardwood floors. Dinner was served in the courtyard where you could see the beach.

"Caroline I'm so glad you made it, what a beautiful dress" Carol smiled walking up to Caroline giving her a side hug. Caroline forced a smile as she hugged Carol. "I placed you at a table clost to the head table so you can interview people as you please."

"Thank you, I'll just do my job and leave," Caroline stated simply as she opened her clutch to get her reporter notebook and pen.

"Oh don't be ridiculous you have to stay for the entire event because it's really about the auction," Carol grabbed Caroline's arm and started leading her to her table.

Caroline rolled her eyes as she walked with Carol to her table listening to her trying to tell her how to do her job. "Mrs. Lockwood with all due respect," Caroline stopped her pulled her arm away from Carol's grip. "But I know how to do my job and I am here because the cause this charity is having this auction for, nothing else." Caroline lifted her eyebrows because the auction was being held for the all the women shelters in San Francisco, "Ok?"

Carol nodded, "Yes well enjoy your evening Caroline."

"Miss. Forbes," Caroline corrected her before she walked off. "We are in a professional setting after all." Caroline motioned around her before she took her seat not without noticing the narrowing eyes of Mrs. Lockwood, but all she could do was smiled because it felt good.

Caroline mingled with guests for the next half hour getting to know who was who so she could pick the most interesting people to interview. She just finished talking to a nice woman that represented one of the shelters that would be receiving a donation. Caroline thought it was a nice interview, her name was Meredith. She was a psychologist that worked with women within the shelter who have dealt with abuse. Caroline admired her dedication because she knew what it felt like to be a lost woman with no one to turn to and Meredith was helping these women.

After talking to Meredith it stirred up some unwanted memories from her past so she needed a glass of champagne, so she walked up to the bar.

"Champagne please," Caroline smiled at the bartender as he turned around and poured her glass of champagne.

"You look beautiful tonight."

Caroline's body stiffened she didn't want to turn around knowing very well who was standing behind her.

"Champagne for the young lady," the bartender places it in front of her. "Anything for you Mr. Lockwood?"

"No thank you Elliott," Tyler said as he stepped toward Caroline.

"Thank you," she said quickly to bartender before turning to walk toward her seat.

"What you're not going to even acknowledge I'm here," Tyler said as he stepped in front of her.

"I'm working and that is the only reason why I am here Tyler," Caroline said looking at Tyler as he stepped in front of her. "So if you'll excuse me," she pushed past him but felt his hand catch her arm.

"Care—" he didn't get to finished as she yanked her arm away.

"Don't touch me Tyler," she whispered harshly to him her eyes scanning the area because she didn't want to cause a scene before she continued to walk to her table.

Before Tyler could follow his mother grabbed his hand and lead him away.

Caroline sat down and quickly slammed half her glass of champagne with no one looking. She placed the glass on the table and started to go through her notes.

"Is this seat taken?"

Caroline looked up from her notes and smiled.

"I don't understand why I have to be here Elijah," Klaus said to his brother through the phone as he got out of the cab.

"Because it's a family business and they want a family representative, Katherine and I made other commitments. Rebekah still has bruising on her face and I am certainly not sending Kol," Elijah said to Klaus as he and Katherine got into their town car to head for Katherine's benefit dinner. "We were invited and our company can't refuse an event like this. So please Niklaus just make an appearance, buy something and then leave. Is that too much to ask?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, "Very well. I hope you know I intend on spending a lot of this families well earned money." Klaus hung up the phone.

Elijah chuckled as he placed his phone in his suit pocket.

"Everything work out," Katherine asked as sat in the back seat of the town car headed to dinner.

Elijah smiled, "Yes. Niklaus was a little unhappy with the situation but perked up when he realized he be spending family money rather than his own."

Katherine chuckled, "Good. I don't want anything interrupting tonight. It's very important for me and Tatiana." Katherine owns her own fashion line with her sister and was hosting a benefit dinner with her top clients tonight for her upcoming fall line. Katherine created the clothes but Tatia was the house model for their company but the sisters are the face of the company.

Elijah nodded, "I know everything will run smoothly." Elijah kissed Katherine hand before he held it in his lap. He gazed out the window and started drifting off in thought.

Even though his parents have been dead for years, the family business still had value and that was thanks to Elijah and his siblings. It was a marketing business Mikael started out in London, but when he died Elijah took over. Since Elijah moved to San Francisco to be close to Klaus and Bekah he took the family business with him, now he has a company based in London and San Francisco.

Elijah didn't take over the marketing business until he was 23 because that's when Mikael and his mother died. Elijah never intended on owning up to the family business because he was more worried about the people gunning for his family. Mikael was a dangerous businessman, constantly got in over his head with the wrong people just to earn some extra money. Mikael got a death threat every month of his life until one finally came true, his mother was collateral damage.

Those threats were what led Elijah to find a way to protect his family after his brother Finn bailed years before. He started looking for people who knew how to handle dangerous men when he was 17, and he found her Ayanna. Ayanna was the women in her mid-forties who trained Elijah she took him on as her protégé and him being so young still she was able to mold him nicely.

She taught him how to kill and kill well, but it wasn't just any type of killing. Ayanna lived by a standard in her type of business. She taught Elijah that it was easy to just kill but to kill with purpose was what made them different. She told him that if he was to take a life to make sure it was life worth taking because he would have to live with that blood on his hands forever. He took his first job after he turned 18 and was given Ayanna's business when he turned 22 because she wanted to live out the rest of her days away from blood.

Elijah accepted Ayanna's wishes but asked her to post pone her withdrawal because he wanted her to be the one to train Klaus. Elijah always felt guilty for leaving home when he was 17 because Klaus was only 12 at the time and it was a time in his life he needed Elijah the most.

Elijah always knew Klaus had darkness in him and much of it came from Mikael because Klaus would be the ones to step up to Mikael's beatings while Elijah was away if it meant his little brothers or sister wouldn't get hurt. Klaus almost fell to his darkness completely when he lost Henrik.

Ayanna told Elijah she would have to meet Klaus before she would decide to train him or not, if he was too far into the darkness she would never give him the ability to kill. Elijah introduced Klaus to Ayenna when he was 17, the same sage Elijah was when he met her.

Now over a decade later Elijah runs the hitting business with his siblings, expect Bekah she made it clear when she turned 18 she wanted nothing to do with it because she wanted a normal life. Kol on the other hand was more than happy to jump into training when he turned 18.

Kol now runs the company in London because he was to stubborn to leave so Elijah put in charge of the marketing firm and his London hitting cliental. Kol only being 24 makes it challenging because many of the clients don't see him as a serious business man, but that boy will make you a profit just as fast as he can draw his gun.

Elijah smiled to himself thinking of how far along their family has come. They've overcome many bourdons but have always stuck together. "That is us, the original family. We remain together, always and forever," he said to himself lightly as he looked out the window.

"Elijah," Katherine said a little louder.

Elijah tore his gaze from the window, "Hmm, yes."

"Are you alright I've been talking but you haven't been listening," Katherine turned toward her husband wondering what was on his mind.

"Oh it's nothing for you to worry about. I just got lost in thought," Elijah smiled squeezing Katherine's hand.

She nodded, "Alright well were almost there so fix your tie." Katherine pointed to his loose tie.

Elijah smiled and adjusted his tie as he leaned over and kissed his wife.

Klaus sighed placing his phone on the inside of his suit pocket; he was wearing a black suit with a white shirt, black vest and black bow tie. He walked up the steps into a mansion along the beach thanking the butler as he was pointed toward the back.

He walked outside to see the finest of the finest bumping elbows with their drinks in hand as they walked around the courtyard. He spotted the host of the event and decided to get his introduction over with.

He was already late for the event but from the looks of it they haven't really started. He remembers how these events don't serve dinner until after the guests mingle; he always thought it was because it started friendly competition among the bidders. It was a smart business move and it worked charms because if he knew people with money they always wanted to prove they had the most.

Klaus picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter as he made his way toward a woman in a black dress. Elijah informed him of the hosts for the evening and he looked them up on the drive over. He wondered if the family actually cared about the shelters they were raising money for or if it was just for show like most places.

"Good evening ma'am I'm Klaus Mikaelson and I thought I would come introduce myself to the lovely host," Klaus smiled as he held out his hand.

"Mikaelson, yes from Original's marketing," Carol Lockwood held out her hand. "I'm very pleased to know the Mikaelson family was able to make it. I'm Carol Lockwood."

Klaus smiled and kissed Carol's hand, "Of course it's for an important cause, and we wouldn't miss it."

Carol chuckled as she pulled her hand back, "Please let me show you to your seat."

"Thank you," Klaus held out his arm as Carol took it. They turned around and he paused for a moment and smiled when he caught sight of her at the bar.

"Something wrong," Carol asked as he held his arm.

"No, please lead the way," Klaus smiled at Carol. Klaus looked back toward the bar and saw Tyler Lockwood step up behind Caroline. Klaus tenses as Carol lead him toward a table next the head table.

Klaus smiled at her as she pointed to his seat, "Thank you Mrs. Lockwood."

"No problem, and if you need anything don't hesitate to ask myself or a member of the staff," Carol smiled sweetly but noticed Klaus gaze wasn't fixed on her. She followed it and saw Tyler reach for Caroline. She sighed, "Excuse me." Carol walked in Tyler's direction.

Klaus only nodded before he stood back up after he saw Tyler grab Caroline's arm he wanted nothing more than to beat that little twat. He started walking toward Caroline's table when he saw Tyler leave with Carol. He chuckled at her as she sat there going through her notes not acknowledging his presence as he stepped up behind her.

"Is this seat taken?"

Caroline smiled as she saw Klaus standing behind her, "Klaus what are you doing here?"

He smiled before taking a seat, "I could be asking you the same thing love. I mean I wouldn't take you for the kind of person to enjoy such an event." Klaus motioned around the courtyard.

Caroline chuckled, "Yeah well unfortunately I'm actually here working. What about you," she nudged him with her elbow. "Are you stocking me now Mr. Mikaelson? I mean it's hardly a coincidence to run into by accident twice in two days," she smirked lifting up her eyebrow.

Klaus chuckled, "Yes as a matter of fact I am stocking you, you caught me. Seeing you at my apartment building isn't enough." He placed his hand on his chest acting hurt.

Caroline laughed before smacking his shoulder, "Ha ha very funny. Seriously why are you here?"

Klaus smiled, "Well I am here representing the family business." He shrugged as he unbuttoned his suit jacket.

"Family business, you mean that advertising firm?" Caroline looked at him confused.

Klaus chuckled, "No that's just my job. I'm here in place of my brother for Original's Marketing."

Caroline sat up right, "Original's Marketing, the number one marketing firm in San Francisco. That is your family business. Do you have any idea how hard it is to even do a profile on the CEO Elijah and his wife Katherine? The fact that she is one of the top designers for this generation is a little weird that I have never seen her or her husband around San Francisco."

Klaus smiled at her amusement, "Yes, my dear brother can be a shod sometimes but he does like his privacy."

"Shut up, Elijah is your brother," Caroline turned toward him smiling like a fool. "You're lying."

Klaus laughed, "I'm afraid not sweetheart. Elijah, CEO of Original's Marketing is this poor lad's big brother."

"Wow," Caroline sat there absorbing the information as she rested her elbows on the table. "Wait. Why do you work for that advertising company if your brother owns the Original's?"

Klaus shrugged, "It's been a family business since I was a child. It was developed by my father, even though Elijah runs it now I swore to never work for that company."

Caroline nodded but couldn't stop the words from flying out of her mouth, "Why?" she put her hand over her mouth. "Sorry that just came out," she said behind her hand.

Klaus chuckled before grabbing her hand and pulling it away from her mouth, "Don't be sorry you're a reporter, curiosity is in your blood." He smiled as he let go of her hand.

Caroline smiled as she put her hands in her lap, "Ok well why didn't you want to work for your father?"

"Oh that's a story for another time love," Klaus smiled as he slide off his suit jacket and placed it one his chair. "Plus I believe it is almost time to eat," he pointed at Carol stepping up to the microphone.

"Good evening every one and thank you for coming tonight. If you could all please find your seat dinner is about to be served," Carol smiled to everyone as they applauded while she walked away from the mic.

Caroline sucked in a breath and flipped her reporter notebook to a new page and started fiddling with her pen as she watched everyone take their seats. She was trying to determine which bidders would more than likely place the highest bids. She found it easier to determine beforehand who she would interview.

"My money is on him," Klaus pointed to a middle ages man with greying hair and a gentlemen's haircut.

Caroline looked at him confused.

He chuckled, "you're scoping out the bidders aren't you?" he lifted is eyebrow posing his question.

Caroline chuckled shaking her head yes, "Why do you put your money one him?" she motioned with her pen toward the man taking a seat two tables away from them.

"For starters that is Ryan Winston," Klaus leaned in closer to Caroline. "He is the owner of Winston Diamonds the largest diamond disrupter on the west coast." Klaus smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, "And you see him," Klaus pointed to a man in his late 30's pulling out the chair for a women younger then Caroline.

Caroline nodded as she looked at Klaus their faces only inches apart, "Who is he?"

"Well," Klaus turned his head toward her, "He's Kenneth Richards he owns the second most profitable law firm in San Francisco."

Caroline nodded she knew Lockwood Law Firm was the first but she never really paid attention, she looked back at Klaus as his arm still rested on her waist, "How do you know them?"

Klaus looked at her smiling, "their money." He chuckled, "They've spent thousands of dollars on advertising so I know all about their businesses," he shrugged as he leaned back his chair removing his arm from Caroline. "Plus much of it is invested with the Original's."

Caroline nodded as she wrote their names down in her notebook to remind herself to interview them later, "I see, well aren't you handy to have around." She smiled glancing at Klaus to see him smirk.

"Are—"

"Excuse me young man I believe you're in my seat," an older gentlemen walked up to the table with his seat card.

Caroline chuckled as Klaus looked up at the man and smiled.

"Good evening sir I apologize for taking your seat," Klaus stood up. "But wouldn't you be more comfortable next to the main table. A fine gentleman like yourself shouldn't be seated so far away." Klaus smiled. "Let me show you to your seat." Klaus opened his hands and motioned toward his original seat.

As the old man turned around Klaus quickly leaned down, "be right back love."

Caroline laughed shaking her head up and looked down. She thought tonight was going to dreadful and it felt that way earlier with Tyler coming up to her. It was the first time she saw him since she wrecked her apartment and it took a lot of self-control to not scream at him when he grabbed her arm. Caroline turned back to her notebook and went through her interview with Meredith and started putting stars next to the quotes she would use.

She glanced up and saw Klaus seating the older gentlemen at the table next to the Lockwood's. She smiled not only at his gesture but just at the fact that he was here. She still felt warm from the way he wrapped his arm around her earlier and started pointing out high bidders. She smiled as she watched him interact with different people near that table as he slowly made his way back.

"What's he doing here?"

Caroline sighed when she heard him take a seat in Klaus' chair. She turned toward him, "Tyler my gesture earlier was pretty clear. Please leave I don't have anything to say to you."

Tyler leaned toward Caroline, "That doesn't answer my question. What is he doing here Caroline," he said with his voice raised. "Is he your date?"

Caroline shook her head and was thankful no one was sitting at their table yet, "I don't need to answer anything for you if you want to know why he's here go ask him yourself," she motioned toward Klaus who was talking with another guest a few tables away.

Caroline looked at Tyler and scuffed before standing up.

Tyler grabbed Caroline's arm before she could walk away and forced her to sit down, "I'm not done talking to you." He said harshly that's when Caroline caught a whiff of his scotch on his breath. Caroline looked at him and scuffed.

"Get your hand off me Tyler," she said through gritted teeth as she twitched a little in the pain that started to form from his grip.

Tyler shook his head, "Not until you listen to what I have to say."

"You're drunk. Now let go of my arm," Caroline raised her voice trying to get her arm away.

"Care just—"

"Take your hand off her mate or else will have a bigger problem than her just yelling at you," Klaus stated harshly as he stepped up behind Tyler.

Tyler glanced up at Klaus and scuffed, "this is none of your business now leave."

Klaus exhaled before he grabbed Tyler's hand and twisted it enough for him to release his grip on Caroline's arm. "I believe the lady didn't want you to touch her, so if you don't mind," he picked him up and pushed him away from her. "Back off."

Tyler recomposed himself before he stepped toe to toe with Klaus.

"Easy mate," Klaus stated firmly but calmly as he held up his hands. "I would hate to ruin a nice suit because the Lockwood's son was being stupid."

Caroline stood up, "Tyler you need to leave."

Tyler looked at her his body tense and fists clinched, "Now." She said pointing toward his mother's table.

Tyler looked between her and Klaus and scuffed before he walked off.

Caroline rolled her eyes and sat back down, "Unbelievable."

Klaus sat down and held Caroline's arm, "Did he hurt you?"

Caroline looked at her bicep, "Not that I can see."

Klaus exhaled shaking his head, "If he left marks he'll regret it." Klaus turned to look at Tyler who took his seat next to his parents. "What did he want anyway?"

Caroline smiled when she felt Klaus lightly rubbing her arm, "He wanted to know about you actually."

Klaus looked at her, "next time he touches you he'll know all he needs to know about me."

Caroline couldn't help but chuckle.

"What," Klaus looked at her to see her smiling at him, "I'm serious."

That only caused her to smile even more as she leaned forward and hugged him, "alright calm down tough guy, he's harmless." Caroline leaned back, "but thank you."

Klaus nodded as he squeezed her hand before grabbing his napkin and placing it in his lap.

They were seated at a table that sat five people so three other patrons of the party joined them for dinner. It was a three course meal with salad, dinner and dessert. After dinner they had a presentation by the shelters benefiting from the event as well as the charity itself. The last thing on the agenda for the evening was the auction and it contained over 30 items up for bidding, each minimum bid started at a five thousand dollars.

Caroline excused herself from the table during the bidding to get interviews in with the other shelter guests as well as the charity director. Klaus stayed at the table and debated what he wanted to spend the Original's money on. When they announce the final item he thought it was now or never. The item on deck was a donated 12th century china dynasty gold plate. He didn't care for it but Elijah did make it clear he needed to buy something; he chuckled to himself knowing that that something was going to be a plate.

The starting bid was $5000 and Klaus was about to put his paddle up when Ryan Winston yelled out his bid. Klaus smirked as he countered his bid with $6000. Their game went back and forth for the next twenty minutes when the bidding reached 75 grand he thought Winston would give in but the man was ruthless and for some reason really wanted that plate. Winston shouted 100 thousand dollars; Klaus simply smirked as he stood up and said 125 causing the bidding war to finally come to an end.

The room applauded Klaus' recent purchase to which he just nodded but smiled when he saw a cute blonde smiling at him clapping with her reporter book in one hand. He winked at her as he sat back down.

Caroline chuckled and couldn't believe Klaus just got into a bidding war with Ryan Winston.

Carol Lockwood stepped up to the mic, "Well that was exciting. Thank you everyone for participating in tonight auction and winning bidders please meet up with our auction director Mason Lockwood to claim your items. Everyone having a loving night and good night." Carol smiled as the crowd applauded, she stepped off the stage and headed straight for Caroline.

Caroline was talking to Kennth Richards who was the second highest bidder of the night, Klaus being the first. She was just finishing up her interview when Carol cut in.

"Mr. Richards thank you for you participation this evening," Carol shook his hand.

"Of course Mrs. Lockwood it was a lovely event," Mr. Richards smiled as he wrapped his arm around his date. "If you'll excuse me ladies I have a Egyptian rug to claim."

Caroline smiled, "Thank you for you comments Mr. Richards, I have your card if I have any other questions."

He smiled, "Yes Miss. Forbes please do not hesitate to call." He kissed her hand before walking off.

Caroline only smiled before she turned toward Carol. "Thank you for having me Mrs. Lockwood, but I am done for the evening. So if you'll excuse me." Caroline was about to walk off when Carol stepped in front of her.

"Not so fast Caroline," Carol stepped in front of her before narrowing her eyes at her. "Next time find a different reporter to cover my events, I do not appreciate my son's former girlfriend causing a scene because she decided to attend my event with her new lover." Carol nodded toward Klaus.

Caroline just shook her head, "For starters Carol, just remember the Chronicle doesn't have to be here if they don't want to be there are dozens of other charities just like this one that could use the coverage. The only reason why I am here is because of the little mishap that happened with my intern." Caroline took a step forward.

"Second you and your son have no say on my life anymore so I can be with whoever I want," Caroline straightened her posture taking a breath, "Now if you'll excuse me Mrs. Lockwood I have a bidder to interview because it seems he donated the most money with that win." She smirked as she stepped passed Carol heading toward Klaus leaving Carol with an open mouth.

Caroline stepped up to Klaus who was shaking Ryan Winston's hand.

"You are ruthless Mr. Mikaelson. I would hate to go up against you in the future," Mr. Winston smiled as he released Klaus hand.

"Have a good night Mr. Winston, it was a nice effort, "Klaus smiled as he waved good bye before turning his attention to Caroline.

Caroline smirked stepping closer to him with voice recorder in hand and hitting record, "Well Mr. Mikaelson how does it feel knowing you just left this charity with its highest donation of the night?" She points the recorder at him causing Klaus to chuckle.

"Well Miss. Forbes for a cause like this it doesn't matter who was the highest bidder of the night, the only thing that matters is that these women shelters get the help they need and deserve," Klaus smiled as took a step closer before putting his hand over her recorder. "Is that a good enough answer?"

Caroline smiled as she hit stop on her recorder nodding, "great answer."

Klaus smiled as he stepped beside Caroline and took her arm in his, "Well now that you are done for the evening and interviewed all these people, how about we catch a cab."

Caroline put her recorder back in her clutch before relaxing her arm in Klaus' grip, "Sounds like a plan." She smiled up at him as they walked toward the front door.

Klaus and Caroline walked off the elevator of their apartment building laughing.

"I still cannot believe you got into a bidding war with that diamond guy," Caroline smiled as they walked up to Klaus' apartment door. "What were you thinking over a 12 century plate, honestly what are you going to use it for."

Klaus laughed, "I actually think it will look quite lovely in my kitchen don't you?" Klaus smiled at her as he slide his key into his door.

"For over a 100 grand it better," Caroline laughed as Klaus stood in his door way. She calmed down to chuckle as she stood in front of him. "It was great running into you tonight Klaus this event turned out to be rather fun," she smiled as she held her clutch in front of her.

Klaus smiled as he watched her, "Yes it would've been rather dreadful, but don't go yet love would you care for a night cap?" Klaus motioned to his kitchen.

Caroline smiled as she glanced at her apartment and back at Klaus. She didn't want the night to end because it was nice just hanging out with him, they haven't done that in a while. "Sure I'd love one." Caroline walked past Klaus as her heels clicked against his hardwood floor.

Klaus smiled as he closed the door before walking into the kitchen with his arm on Caroline's lower back.

"What would you like to drink Caroline, wine or bourbon?" Klaus said as he had her lean against the counter before he started to unbutton his suit jacket and undo his bowtie across from her.

Caroline smiled as she placed her purse on the counter and reached for the pins holding up her bun, "a glass of wine sounds nice." She started to pull out the pins in her hair but her movements came to a stop.

"Alright," Klaus stepped forward and reached above Caroline to get the wine glasses, he looked down at her and smiled. "Sorry love but you are standing in front of where I keep my wine glasses."

Caroline laughed as she smacked his chest, "You could ask me to move you dork." She side stepped to give Klaus better access as she finished taking the pins out of her hair letting it fall on her shoulder. She ran her hands through it a few times just to loosen the hair.

Klaus smirked as he watched her take out her hair. He thought she was beautiful with her hair up but as soon as he saw it fall on her shoulders he knew which was better, "Where's the fun in that." He chuckled when Caroline rolled her eyes as he placed the glasses on the counter.

Klaus took off his suit jacket, bow tie and vest placing it at the end of the counter before he untucked his shirt and rolled up his sleeves, "Alright love what type of wine would you like, red or white?" he smiled at her before kneeling down to open his wine cooler by his knees.

Caroline chuckled as she kneeled down by him scooting him over, "well that depends on what you have Klaus." She smiled as she pushed the hair behind her ears before looking through his bottles of wine.

"Hmmm," Caroline took out a bottle and stood back up. "This sounds good," she smiled before looking down at Klaus and dangled the bottle.

Klaus couldn't stop the smirk that spread across his face as he closed the cooler and stood back up, "Yes Famiglia Anselma Barolo it's a very good red wine."

Caroline smiled, "Vino rosso Italiano, bello (Italian red wine, nice)."

"Sì, è la mia signora. (yes it is my lady)." Klaus still loved that she spoke Italian. He opened the wine and poured them a glass.

Caroline picked up her wine and smiled before closing her eyes and smelling it. "Hmmm," she exhaled and took a sip her lips turning into a small smile as Klaus was watching her.

"What, why are you staring at me," she lowered her glass.

"I just like the expressions you make when you're smelling wine. It's the same one you made when we first had dinner." He lightly shrugged, smiling as he brought the glass to his lips.

"I don't make a face," Caroline said leaning against Klaus' counter.

Klaus chuckled as he stood next to her, "Oh yes you do."

She rolled her eyes looking down at the glass in her hand lightly chuckling as pieces of her hair fell in front of her face, "well my sense of smell hasn't done me wrong yet. Everything that I ever smelled before I ate or drank it has tasted exactly like it smells," she shrugged, "so it's just become a habit."

"Wait you're telling me you make it habit to smell everything before you eat it or drink it," Klaus stood up from the counter and stepped in front her.

"Not everything, just things I've never tried before."

"And what if you don't like the way they smell," Klaus lifted his eyebrows looking at her.

Caroline chuckled, "Then I kind of don't eat or drink it."

Klaus' eyes widened in shock, "That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, not eating or drinking anything based on its smell." He shook his head chuckling, "Some things don't taste like they smell darling."

Caroline shrugged, "I beg a differ Mr. Mikaelson have you ever tried oysters. Slimy, chewy, fishy smelling things tasted exactly like it smelled and that wasn't very great," she scrunched her nose shaking her head.

Klaus couldn't contain his laugh, "Oh sweetheart I am going to make you dinner one night and have you try things you've never taste," he smiled at her, "without smelling them."

Caroline chuckled, "I don't know Mr. Mikaelson you may very well have to tie me to the chair."

Klaus stepped forward, "Oh that can be arranged." He smirked as he brushed the curl that rested on Caroline cheek out of the way.

Caroline smiled staring at Klaus as his fingers grazed her cheek, his eyes never breaking eye contact. "Sooo," she smiled as she brought the wine back up to her lips. "Where are you going to put your plate," she chuckled. "I think it'll look great in your living room." She smiled as she stepped away from Klaus and walked toward his living room.

Klaus just smiled as he followed her, "I don't think a plate is suitable for a living room."

"True but—" she went silent as she stopped in front of a large painting on the side wall of his living room. It stood next to the entertainment center, it was a new piece because she couldn't recall seeing it when she was in his apartment the first time and it was a beautiful, dark abstract piece. She looked at the use of colors and how they blended together as if seeking a purpose, she stared at it memorized running her fingers along the textured paint. "Is this new?" she broke her gaze from the painting to look at Klaus.

He nodded as he stepped forward to stand next to her, "I finished it after I returned from New York."

"It's one of yours," she ran her fingers along the painting to feel all the paint strokes as her eyes wondered across the yellow highlights. "What were you thinking about when you were painting this?"

Klaus shrugged as he took a sip from his wine glass, "I started working on that painting a year ago and I finally completed it."

"It's dark, yet the way you use the yellow to surround this dark abyss seems like a slither of hope," she let her hand fall to her side as she took a sip from her wine glass.

"Yes well," he turns to face Caroline. "One should never underestimate the allure of darkness, even the purest of hearts are drawn to it."

Caroline looked at Klaus, "is this, your darkness?"

He merely shrugs and steps closer to her, "what if it is? Does it scare you?" Klaus knew about the darkness inside of him, hell he was a hit man for crying out loud, he didn't shy away from it, he embraced it because if he didn't it would swallow him whole. That's the one thing his teacher taught him, how to embrace the darkness to help him be who he is now. That's why he painted, a lot of his paintings were dark but since he's met Caroline they've had a, what did she say a "slither of hope."

Her breathing was starting to catch as her eyes stayed locked with Klaus' "No because each of us carries around a little darkness. The only thing that matters is how we control it." She smiled as her and Klaus stood inches apart.

Klaus did nothing to contain the smiled that spread across his face as he leaned down and crashed his lips against Caroline's.

Caroline was shocked at his sudden contact but soon found her body started to lean into Klaus' kiss as her hands instinctively went around his neck still gripping her wine glass in one hand. His lips were soft but his kiss was deep and full of passion as if he has been kissing her for years.

Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer. He couldn't believe it took him this long to taste her, her lips tasted like honey laced with the red wine. He smiled a little when Caroline nibbled at his bottom lip causing him to run his tongue along her bottom lip asking for permission, and Caroline smiled as she opened her mouth a small moan escaping from her lips as his tongue slipped into her mouth.

Klaus' front door flew open, "Klaus! Elijah said he—"

Caroline broke the kiss bringing her hands down from his neck.

Kol stopped when he saw Klaus glaring at him holding a blushing Caroline. "Oh I didn't mean to intrude, please continue," he smirked as he leaned against the wall by the front door.

"Kol," Klaus growled.

Caroline shook her head and felt her cheeks flush, "I'm going to go." Caroline stepped out of Klaus grip.

Klaus sighed as he turned his attention back to Caroline, "I'm sorry love."

Caroline smiled, "don't worry about it. I'll talk to you later."

Klaus smiled, "I'd like that." Caroline looked up at Klaus and smiled before she leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh you don't have to be so modest just because I'm here," Kol smirked as Caroline stepped around Klaus.

Caroline chuckled as she walked toward the kitchen to get her purse. "Good night Kol," she shook her head as she walked out the front door and waved at Klaus.

"Night Caroline," Kol smiled as he closed the front door and just as he did Klaus pinned him against the door.

"What the bloody hell was so important that you had to barge into my apartment," Klaus held his forearm against Kol's chest only causing him to laugh. "Normally people knock."

"Easy brother she said she'll see you later."

Klaus scuffed as he let his brother go and walked to the kitchen to refill his wine glass. "What is it Kol?"

Kol walked into the kitchen smiling, "Well the reason I so rudely interrupted, even though I didn't know you and your neighbor were that close," Kol wiggles his eyes brows are Klaus.

"But Elijah called me about a job because you weren't answering your phone, and now we know why," Kol smirked as she picked up the bottle of wine refilling Caroline's glass.

"He said it's a job for me and you since I'm in town," Kol said holing up his glass to Klaus. "Looks like were headed to back to Chicago brother."

A/N Well what did you think? Let me know.