AN: Sorry for such a long wait guys! It's my first semester of college and things have been pretty hectic! Luckily it looks like things are calming down so hopefully I'll be able to keep updating pretty quickly! Anyway I'd just like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of my readers/reviewers, this story broke 100 reviews! To some people that might not seem like a lot, but for me it's just awesome to hear that that many people are reading, and liking my story. I love reading your guys reviews they honestly inspire me to write so much. So without further ado here is Part 2 of the Fourth of July Party
Disclaimer: I don't own TVD
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July 4, 2013
Part 2
"And then there was this one time, when we were at a party, Care got so drunk she blew chunks all over the guy she was talking too, I think I have it on camera too!" Stefan chuckled, almost in tears, as Klaus burst out into hysterical laughter at the image.
Caroline had spent the last hour listening to her best friend tell Klaus all these embarrassing stories about her. She had tried to protest at first, but that obviously hadn't worked, so she turned to plan B. Vodka. And lots of it. Stefan was just about to launch into another tale when she decided she had finally had enough.
"Hey Stef, as amusing as these stories are you know what I think would be more entertaining? Hearing some stories about Klaus!" she said innocently, while subtly shooting Klaus a warning glare.
"Oh that's sweet love" Klaus said, "But I'm a pretty open book, you of all people should know that" he smirked suggestively.
Caroline immediately felt a small blush creep up her cheeks, as she looked away. She noticed Katherine looking at her with curious eyes, while Stefan was sitting there totally oblivious. She collected herself quickly before turning to Klaus,
"OK, Mr. Open Book," she mocked, "why don't we start on page 1, how exactly did Klaus Mikaelson become such a jackass?"
Klaus narrowed his eyes at her,
"Probably the same way little Ms. Perfect became such a neurotic tight ass."
At that Stefan burst out laughing, obviously pretty intoxicated. Caroline was about ready to strike back either verbally or physically when Katherine cut in.
"Ok then" Katherine stood up, "I have to go powder my nose, Caroline will you please join me?" she requested practically pulling Caroline out of her seat, and then with her all the way to the bathroom. When they got to the bathroom, Katherine shoved Caroline in before her. She quickly checked every stall in the room, while Caroline waited impatiently.
"Katherine, what the hell, you almost pulled my arm off back there?" Caroline complained, rubbing her arm as if it actually had almost been removed.
After checking the last stall, Katherine whipped around to look at her friend, then crossing her arms she said, "Are you sleeping with him?"
Caroline was glad she hadn't been drinking anything at the moment or she definitely would have spit it out. As it was, she could barely form any words for a good five seconds while the shock of the question settled in. Eventually she got out a response though,
"What? With Klaus? Are you joking?" she said exasperatedly
Katherine narrowed her eyes at her friend playfully, "You didn't answer the question."
"Oh my god, no!", she said looking around, even though she knew nobody could hear them, "I am not sleeping with Klaus, I have a boyfriend!" she whispered in a hushed tone.
But even as she said the words she could feel her face growing warm, she brushed this aside though as merely a side effect of all the alcohol she had consumed today. She always was a bit of a lightweight.
Katherine raised her eyebrows at Caroline's answer, "Oh so you're saying if you didn't have a boyfriend you would sleep with Klaus?"
She shook her head in a frustrated manner, "No Kat, trust me, he drives me crazy!"
"I can see that" Katherine smirked, her eyes glittering with amusement as she stared down her friend.
Caroline closed her eyes, agitated. She knew she would regret it, but she still had to ask,
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The brunette narrowed her eyes at her best friend, seeing right through her statement.
"Oh come on Caroline, you know exactly what I mean" Katherine laughed, "All the little innuendos! Not to mention the searing eye contact! I could have cut the sexual tension with a knife back there, what happened between you two?"
She shook her vehemently back and forth, as she avoided making eye contact with her friend,
"I don't know what you're talking about" she denied.
"Care, for someone who is a good actress, you always have been a terrible liar" Katherine said
Caroline looked up, finally making eye contact with her friend.
"Nothing actually happened" she said quietly. Katherine looked like she was about to begin another round of interrogation so Caroline quickly continued "BUT…something almost happened…"
She looked up expecting Katherine to bombard her with questions; instead she found her friend staring at her with her arms crossed, waiting patiently for an explanation, so Caroline gave her one. She told her all about the night at the hotel, and when she was done Katherine still hadn't said anything. Caroline was beginning to get nervous about what Katherine thought.
"Hello…earth to Katherine," she joked waving her hand in front of Katherine's face, "what do you think?"
Caroline's words seemed to have jolted Katherine out of some sort of trance, because her eyes snapped back up to her friend.
"I think…that you are in trouble." Katherine said in a cautionary voice.
Caroline looked at her with incredulous eyes. Was she joking? If so she certainly did not get the joke.
"I'm in trouble?" she questioned. "Kat come on I really don't think Tyler is going to be that mad when I tell him, it's not like anything actually happened" she rambled nervously.
"First of all, DO NOT tell Tyler about what happened, that will only make things worse" Katherine said causing Caroline to scrunch her eyebrows together in a look of doubt. "Second of all," Katherine continued, "the trouble I'm talking about has nothing to do with Tyler, I'm talking about Klaus" she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Klaus?" Caroline said curiously, "Why am I 'in trouble'?" she questioned mockingly, putting air quotes around the words "in trouble."
"Because you want him, duh" Katherine said, raising one eyebrow, as if to say "keep up Caroline."
Caroline's face got bright red at her friend's statement, "I do not, want him" she stammered, "I hate him" she said rather unconvincingly.
Katherine put a consoling hand on Caroline's shoulder as if she was breaking bad news, "Caroline sweetie, you really need to watch one of your own movies once and a while"
She glared at her friend, while she continued talking as she paced back and forth,
"Trust me when I say the best thing for you to do is to talk to Klaus about what happened,"
Caroline raised her eyebrows,
"Or didn't happen" Katherine corrected, "And just clear the air. Because if you keep all this sexual tension just bottled up it is going to eventually explode and you do not want to have to clean up that mess," she finished with a knowing look in her eyes, "trust me, once you talk about it all the tension will disappear and you can go on with just being costars."
She nodded her head reluctantly, "Ok, I guess you're right."
"Of course I'm right" she said, turning to look at herself in the mirror as she fixed her hair, "I'm Katherine Pierce."
Caroline smiled at her cocky friend, "I promise I'll talk to him, just whatever you do don't leave me alone with him today ok" Caroline pleaded, "I'm not ready to have that talk yet."
Katherine smiled, and nodded her head sympathetically, "Of course I understand."
The two friends smiled as they embraced each other. It really had been too long since they had last seen each other. Katherine might be a bitch, but she was Caroline's bitch and she missed her.
"We better get back to the table now" Katherine said pulling away, "who knows what embarrassing stories Stefan has been filling Klaus's mind with."
Caroline grimaced at the thought, and the two girls hurriedly left the bathroom.
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When they got back to the table, Caroline sat back in her seat feeling a lot better than before. However that feeling quickly slipped away when she noticed that Katherine wasn't sitting down.
"Stefan, could you come with me I think I forgot something in your car" Katherine said innocently.
Caroline narrowed her eyes at Katherine, silently begging her not to do this to her.
Stefan scrunched up his face in confusion,
"But, we didn't take my car…"
"Stefan," Katherine snapped, smiling a sickly sweet smile.
That was all the convincing Stefan needed, car or no car, you never wanted to be on Katherine Pierce's bad side. As the two of them walked away, Stefan mumbling something about crazy women, Caroline looked down at her drink, trying to ignore how awkward the situation had just become.
She took a sip of her drink, hoping that a little liquid courage might ease the awkwardness of the conversation about to be had. They sat in silence for a minute or two before both of them started talking at the same time,
"So listen" said Caroline, as Klaus simultaneously said "I just wanted to-."
Both of them stopped talking and looked at the other expectantly.
"Ladies first" Klaus grinned uneasily
Caroline smiled a little herself, if she didn't know any better she would think that Klaus looked nervous, and he wasn't the only one. For some reason, Caroline's stomach was in knots, and her heart was beating fast, nervous of how Klaus was going to respond to what she said.
She cleared her throat before starting, "I just wanted to talk about what happened the other night."
Klaus looked at her, his eyes searching hers for some sign of where she was going with this,
"I was under the impression that nothing happened" he said softly.
Caroline frowned guiltily at his words, the words she had spoken to him the previous day.
"Look Klaus, I would be lying if I denied what almost happened…that we almost…kissed" she said quietly, looking around partially to make sure no one was listening and partially because she couldn't meet his eyes, the eyes that were currently staring right at her.
"But whatever did, or didn't happen would have been a mistake" she continued, "because I have a boyfriend, and you…well you're my costar…and it just, well…" she was floundering for the right words to say when Klaus reached out and placed his hand on top of hers, making her look up into his blue eyes.
"I get it, love" he whispered quietly, making a shiver go up her spine, "you don't have to apologize, I overstepped, we were caught up in the moment, it won't happen again" he assured her with a small smile.
Caroline's heart clenched in her chest at his words, all too aware of the fact that his hand was still holding hers on top of the table. She slowly retracted her hand as she looked shyly up at him.
"Why do you do that?" she asked
"Do what?" he questioned genuinely
"You know, act like a first class douchebag most of the time, and then occasionally reveal yourself to be a half decent human being" she joked, nudging him with her elbow to show her she was kidding.
Klaus chuckled at her words, as he shook his head, "Force of habit" he offered with a smirk.
She smiled wider at his words before questioning him further,
"No really Mikaelson, what's the deal, afraid people will find out you're actually not that bad to be around and it will ruin your bad boy image?" she teased
He laughed again, before growing quiet and looking at her more seriously, "let's just say I haven't had the best luck with the people I surround myself with…I guess you could say it's a sort of defense mechanism," he said with uncertain eyes as he looked up at her.
Caroline looked into his eyes, eyes that for some reason always seemed to draw her in. She got a sense of déjà vu all of a sudden, and was reminded of their encounter the other night, and how he had seemed so different in that moment, much like how he was now. She looked down breaking their eye contact, and waited for him to continue.
"I guess you could say that it's my way of making sure no one gets too close to me until I decide whether or not I want them there" he spoke, looking down.
"So does this sudden change of attitude mean I'm one of those people you want to let in," she said jokingly again, only trying to lighten the mood. That plan backfired though when Klaus spoke his next word.
"Yes."
Caroline's head whipped up upon hearing that, her eyes meeting his instantly. His eyes were a combination of so many emotions that she didn't know if she could recognize all of them, but what she did think she saw in them was sadness, longing, and maybe a little bit of hope. She didn't know what to say to such an admission, but she opened her mouth to talk anyway.
"Klaus, I-
"Hey, babe sorry I'm late" she heard as she felt someone's hands wrap around her waist. She saw Klaus's face fall a little as she turned away from him to find herself now face to face with Tyler.
"Tyler" she said in what she hoped sounded like an excited voice.
Unfortunately, it didn't sound too authentic because Tyler narrowed his eyes at her in worry before he said,
"Is everything ok? You look a little frazzled?"
She shook her head quickly, as she tried to put a smile on her face,
"No, no, everything's great I'm just a little tired," she lied, "could you do me a favor and go get me a drink?"
Tyler smiled before kissing her on the cheek, "Sure thing babe, be right back."
After he walked away, Caroline turned back to Klaus, who was still standing there looking very uncomfortable.
"So, I was thinking, as fun as it is making fun of you all the time, it is pretty exhausting work…" she teased. This earned her a small smile from Klaus as his eyes peeked up to look at her a little.
"What do you say, friends?" she offered, sticking out her hand.
Klaus smiled back, sticking out his hand to shake hers, "Friends" he agreed.
Since they were friends now she had to try to ignore the electric jolt that went through her body when Klaus's hand met hers. They stayed like that, holding hands in a semblance of a handshake when Tyler returned with two drinks.
"What'd I miss?" he asked obliviously,
Caroline quickly pulled back her hand, and took her drink from Tyler, trying to fight the urge to run away from the entire situation. Instead she put on her big girl pants, pulled out her inner actress, and totally made the situation more awkward.
"Nothing" she spit out, way too quickly to be natural
Both Klaus and Tyler looked at her curiously, as she cursed herself mentally.
"Okayyy then," Tyler said looking at her strangely, "are you sure you're ok?"
"Totally fine," she said before taking a long sip from her drink.
Klaus watched her in amusement, before he decided she'd made enough of a fool of herself.
"She's probably just excited because Stefan and Katherine are here" he said, successfully changing the subject.
Caroline gave him a small smile and mouthed "Thank You" to which Klaus nodded and smiled back. Meanwhile, Tyler was looking around the room for the two aforementioned guests.
"Katherine is here," he said nervously
Klaus chuckled, "What's the matter mate, she doesn't bite."
Tyler looked back at the two of them warily, "No but she does slap…me…and often times in the face."
Caroline bit her lip to keep herself from laughing at the memory, and instead tried to transition to comforting girlfriend mode, "Tyler you know that was only a couple times, Katherine totally loves you now."
Tyler looked at Caroline, obviously not convinced,
"Yeah well if you don't mind, I'm going to go make myself not so noticeable, I'll catch up with you later babe," he said kissing her cheek, and with that he was once again gone.
Klaus looked at Caroline, his eyes twinkling with laughter, as a small smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth,
"Do I even want to know what that was about?"
Caroline laughed, taking another sip of her drink, "Let's just say Katherine isn't Tyler's biggest fan."
He nodded, accepting that as an answer, but Caroline kept going, for some reason she felt the need to give more of an explanation even though she didn't owe him any,
"When we first started going out, I was under the impression that we were exclusive, and Tyler…well Tyler wasn't" she said with a cold laugh, even though it happened a long time ago, it still hurt to think about.
Klaus watched her warily to see where she was going with this, afraid to say anything lest she change her mind about sharing something with him, even if it was about Tyler.
"Anyway, everything was fine in the long run, but Katherine did have a few choice words to say to Tyler, that may have rhymed with duck, and two," she laughed.
Klaus joined into her laughter. The mere sight of her laughing made him want to laugh too.
"Yeah, Katherine Pierce does not sound like someone whose bad side I want to get on" he joked, taking a swig of his drink.
"She's not," Stefan piped in, walking up with an aggravated look in his eye,
"It turns out Katherine did leave something in my car," Stefan said irritated, "Which I left at the hotel" he shouted over his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah," Katherine said, as she walked up behind Stefan, joining the conversation, "I get it I'm a crazy bitch, what else is new."
Caroline and Klaus both laughed as Stefan let out a small smile, still slightly irritated,
"I think I need a drink," he said, "Klaus want to join me?"
Klaus smiling, looked briefly at Caroline, and then back at Stefan, "Yeah, of course mate."
Stefan began walking towards the bar, and Klaus turned to address the two women,
"Ladies, if you'll excuse me" he said with a grin, bowing his head slightly as he walked away.
Caroline smiled, her eyes following him involuntarily over to the bar, as Katherine looked at her,
"So did you do it?" Katherine asked, as she popped the olive from her martini into her mouth.
She snapped out of her reverie and looked back at her friend,
"Do what?"
Kat rolled her eyes, "You know! Uncork the bottle, let out all the sexual tension, talk about how you two almost…"
"Katherine!" Caroline said, hushing her before she let the whole party know what they almost did.
"By the way, thanks for ditching me back there."
She shrugged her shoulders apologetically, "Sorry, but did it work?" she asked eagerly
Caroline let out a small smile at her friend's diabolical enthusiasm,
"Yes we talked, and everything's fine now, we've decided to be friends," Caroline said with a smile, as her eyes drifted back over to Klaus.
Katherine narrowed her eyes at her blonde friend; somehow this isn't how she envisioned her plan working out.
"Friends huh?" she questioned skeptically, "Friends with benefits…?"
Caroline snapped her gaze back to Katherine and scowled, "No, Katherine not friends with benefits" she whispered in a hushed tone.
The brunette raised her eyes at her friend, "Look Caroline I just don't want to see you get hurt that's all, I told you to uncork the bottle, and I'm afraid that judging by the way you're staring at Klaus right now, you just traded in your bottle for a bigger one."
Caroline turned and looked at her friend with raised eyebrows, an amused yet slightly annoyed look in her eyes,
"Okay first I'd like to say, enough with the bottle metaphor, like really you have pushed that one way past the limit, and secondly, you're overreacting."
Katherine opened her mouth to protest but Caroline cut her off,
"I did not get a bigger bottle, or whatever" she paused momentarily annoyed at her own use of the stupid metaphor, "And besides, you can never have too many friends right?" Caroline proclaimed innocently, as she shrugged her shoulders in a nonchalant manner.
Katherine narrowed her eyes at her friend, arms crossed, before relenting and shrugging,
"Fine Care, but if this bottle blows up in your face I get to say I told you so" she joked
"It won't…but thanks Kat" she smiled, glad for the support of her friend.
"Yeah, yeah, now where is that boyfriend of yours, it's been a while since I've dished out a good beating"
Caroline smiled at her friend's rough nature,
"He's hiding from you in the corner."
Her friend raised her eyes in question, asking for permission to go dish out said beating, to which Caroline shrugged, and rolled her eyes,
"Just don't leave a bruise."
Katherine ran off in glee to torment Tyler, as Caroline somehow found her gaze drift back over to Klaus. She didn't know how long she had been staring at him, when she noticed him staring back, a small smile on his face. Quickly Caroline looked down blushing, hoping he hadn't noticed her stare, when she looked back up he was still staring at her, a big grin on his face. He lifted a hand, and slowly waved. Caroline smiled in response, her stomach a pile of knots, before taking a big gulp of her drink. In a way Katherine was right, because right now, she did need a bigger bottle. Of Alcohol.
AN: Okay so what do you guys think? We got to see a lot of progression in KC's relationship! Do you like the direction it's going in? Next, Chapter we will get to see a lot more of that... Also if anyone knows a beta I am thinking about getting one for this story...so if anyone is interested just PM me! Thanks!
Read and Review!