Hello there! I apologize for not posting last week but I took a break from writing because I was on family vacation.

Thank you so so much for all the reviews! I really am blown away by the comments and all the follows/favorites. Seriously you guys are awesome. There are so many fantastic writers and wonderful stories on this site so it's really cool to know that my story is just as enjoyable.

So to make up for last week's absence, this chapter is twice as long than the other's I've posted.

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to TVD or the OGs.

"This beautiful woman, Marcel, is Caroline. My fiancé."

Caroline froze at her introduction. She thought she was prepared for whatever Klaus would say to Marcel but being claimed as his fiancé was the last thing she thought she would ever have to go along with. She knew this moment was extremely important too, and it wasn't because they were now apparently engaged but because they had to make Marcel believe it was the truth.

Still, Caroline couldn't move. It was like she was fully aware of what was happening around her, she knew she couldn't afford the shocked looked on her face, but she was frozen in place. Holy fuck.

In the span of three seconds, Klaus watched Caroline's surprised expression and then chuckled, carrying on with his act. He raised his hand and massaged the back of her neck and then kissed her soundly in front of a grinning Marcel.

When Caroline felt his lips on hers she felt a bit of her worry melt away but that still didn't change the fact that she was undeniably furious with him. When he pulled away the look in his eyes told her he knew she was upset.

"I'm sorry, love. I know you didn't want to tell anyone for a few more months but I couldn't resist," he improvised cleverly.

It was all she needed to hear to put on an act with him. "Well it's a good thing there are several spare bedrooms in our house you can choose from." She smiled at him sweetly, the only way a woman would smile when pissed off.

Marcel burst into laughter, obviously entertained by her response. "Oh my," he sang and then pressed his knuckles to his mouth, trying to hide his amusement, "She obviously isn't afraid you," he said while he glanced at Klaus.

"Not in the least," Klaus confirmed.

Marcel extended his arm and the three of them walked further into the bar until they were seated with drinks in front of them.

"So tell me, beautiful," Marcel leaned a little toward Caroline. "How did you two meet?"

"Well it's really a funny story—"

"He tried to kill me," Caroline answered nonchalantly, effectively cutting Klaus off.

Marcel furrowed his eyebrow and then again pressed his knuckles to his mouth, his elbows now on the table. He stared at Klaus and then back at Caroline.

Klaus took a slow sip from his beer without ever looking away from Marcel.

"I must admit, I am curious."

"Caroline is very forgiving," Klaus explained, a gentle, yet secretive, smile still dancing on his handsome face.

"Within reason," Caroline bit back. She glared at Klaus and then chugged half of her beer.

"Oh dear, it seems you really screwed up by giving away the fiancé status, Klaus. What on earth will you do?" Marcel mocked at him.

"I'll think of something." Klaus looked at Caroline and he knew that her anger wasn't at all an act. However, her anger was something he planned.

"So, you must be very forgiving if you agreed to become a fiancé to a man, well an Original, who tried to kill you. How long have you known each other?"

"Well not long enough for him to know how important keeping our engagement a secret is to me."

Marcel laughed again at her witty response. "Hmm well now that the cat's out of the bag, can I ask what you two plan on doing now?"

"We're sightseeing. For the location of the wedding of course—"

"Which has no set date," Caroline added for her own benefit. "But I really do like it here, and I was thinking about college. Remember?" she said, turning to face Klaus.

Klaus regarded her with clear annoyance. "Yes of course, sweetheart." He then turned his attention back onto Marcel who was watching them closely, still amused. "Anyway, as I was saying, we're sightseeing and we're obviously in no rush. I'm showing Caroline the Quarter, which I now hear you're the king of."

Marcel chuckled but this time it was as if he knew a secret. "Well you left, someone had to fill the position."

Klaus's smile turned into a smirk and he chuckled without humor. "No worries, mate. I couldn't have left it in better hands," he lied.

At the change of topic Caroline took it as an opportunity to excuse herself. "Well I'll let you boys catch up. Marcel it was nice to meet you, I'm sure I'll see you again."

"Oh I do hope so, Caroline. You know how to brighten a man's day." He took her hand in his before she could blink and gave it a gentle squeeze.

The smile he gave her made her sick because even though he appeared to be charming and lighthearted she knew his secrets. She stood up and made her way around the table but then Klaus caught her elbow.

"Do you want me to call someone to take you home, love?" She could tell by the look in his eyes that he was no longer acting. He ran his thumb over her skin and she could feel warmth in the gesture.

"No it's fine. I want to walk." She bent down and kissed him chastely on his cheek and then without a moment's hesitation she walked out of the bar, already feeling a freer person.

:

Caroline hugged herself as she made her way through the Quarter. She became lost in her thoughts as she weaved through the nighttime tourists and shook her head at the events that took place during the day. Fiancé.

What was he thinking? Fiancé? Ugh! I could kill him. Thanks for the heads up, buddy!

"Ms. Forbes?"

Caroline stopped walking and turned to the older gentleman she recognized from the estate.

"I was asked to take you back to Belle Nuit," he explained politely.

Unbelievable. She simply nodded and then followed after him until he opened the door to a completely restored classic Rolls Royce. She scooted into the seat with a huff and wasn't surprised when she found herself in the company of the eldest Mikaelson.

"Hello again, Caroline," Elijah greeted with an expression she deemed as friendly.

"Hey," was all she said in response because honestly she was still reeling from what happened earlier.

Elijah stared at her for a time and wasn't oblivious to her frustration. He took note of her body language, arms crossed, a small V between her eyebrows. He knew his brother didn't consciously choose a simple-minded woman to be at his side.

Still, even after all the visits he paid to Mystic Falls, he never got to know the beautiful blonde that now sat in the car with him. All he knew was that she had somehow thawed Niklaus's cold heart and unleashed a flood of emotions he hadn't seen in his brother in centuries.

"May I inquire about what just happened?" he finally asked. It would be a few more minutes until they would be at Belle Nuit and if she was like any other angered female, he knew she would immediately find solitary or call one of her friends to talk to.

Caroline's thoughts were the very same. She was already planning on calling Stefan the second she got back but the anger she felt at the moment was too much to contain any longer. "Actually yes," she accepted. She smoothed out her dress out of habit and glanced at him. "Would you do me a favor and not judge me though? I just need to rant."

"Be my guest."

"You see, the thing is, it's only been a little over three weeks since Klaus and I," she blushed at the memory of their first night together, "since we became a couple, and since then he's been extremely possessive." It was the only way she could describe him and she bit her cheek while she waited for Elijah to respond.

From what Elena told her, Elijah was some sort of Original Gentleman. Even so, she also knew that he had a reputation that was just as terrifying as Klaus's. It was only the personal things she didn't know. Did he have a temper to match his brother? Did they think alike and therefore now he would disagree with what she just said?

For a while Elijah allowed the sound of the car running over cracked pavement fill the atmosphere. He wasn't at all surprised what Caroline just told him about his brother. He could easily guess she wasn't only upset but she was obviously scared, and that was something he did not wish for her.

The car began to slow and then the door was being opened for both Caroline and Elijah. Silently they walked up the steps of the estate's entrance. The hot humid air made her clothes stick to her body but all she felt was a chill. Belle Nuit did not feel like home to her.

"Niklaus is a very complicated man, Caroline." Elijah finally spoke, stopping Caroline from her ascent on the staircase, "I've watched him pursue many things over the centuries and he has attained his heart's desire ruthlessly. He is indeed a possessive man and it does not surprise me that he would want to possess you, to claim you."

Caroline swallowed and gripped the stair banister.

"But his actions towards you are only the result of his love for you." Finally Elijah's expression softened and for a split second she could see the humanity within him. She could see the concerned older brother that he was. "He truly loves you, Caroline."

"I love him." She wasn't sure why she felt like she needed to tell Elijah that but the moment she did, some of her angry diminished.

He smiled at her. "I'm glad to hear it. Sincerely." He cleared his throat and began to walk down the hallway before telling her, "You and I do not know much about each other but I hope, since you are in love with my brother, I will gain your trust as well."

:

Klaus slowly approached his estate as he came out of the cemetery's darkness and onto the grounds of Belle Nuit's gardens. Looking up he could see the that the light from his bedroom windows was still on but Caroline's were out. Either she was waiting with a tapping foot in his room or she had already shut him out by sleeping in hers.

He admitted to himself that announcing her as his fiancé was a last minute plan but in the end it worked gloriously. Marcel believed every word of it and it allowed the atmosphere between them to be free of suspicion.

Still, he knew that Caroline was furious with him and most likely, even if she didn't realize it, scared.

"Rough day?"

Klaus turned to his side and watched as Valentina jumped off of one the garden walls. "So now you wish to acknowledge me?" He glared at her as she sauntered toward him.

"Did my ignoring you hurt your feelings Niklaus?" she asked teasingly as she circled him.

He sighed out of aggravation. "What is it you want?"

At his question she stopped directly in front of him and crossed her arms. "An apology."

"What?" he bit out.

"You heard me. I want an apology for what you did to me."

Klaus scoffed. "And what pray tell did I do to you?"

"Don't play dumb, Niklaus. The only reason I've agreed to help you take down Marcel is because Elijah was the one to ask me. But you," she jabbed a finger to his chest, "right now you don't deserve my help, that is until you apologize to me."

"Valentina that was nearly five hundred years ago."

At his uncaring tone she hissed and veins formed around her eyes. "You knew we loved each other," she now yelled. "You knew that I asked Kol to turn me and then you decided to give me your blood too, and for six hundred years I did not know who was my sire was until I learned Kol was killed." She choked at mentioning Kol's death. "And would you like to know why I loathe that you are my sire? Because you are the person that denied me of love. You compelled me," she gritted out through her teeth and fangs. "You compelled to turn my love for him into bloodlust. What was it you said? That whenever you feel the urge to show him how much you care for him, whenever you wish to make love with him, to be happy with him, you will turn your desire for him into desire for blood instead," she quoted. "You made me into a monster. Because of you I will never know what it would be like to be with him. To love him freely." Slowly her vampire features disappeared and the overwhelming pain in her eyes became even more evident.

Klaus remained silent as he continued to glare at her.

"Aren't you the least bit sorry, Niklaus?"

At her mention of Kol an overwhelming flood of guilt came rushing through him and yet he forced himself to push down those emotions.

"Did you even love him?"

He watched as she fought back her tears and for that he decided to give her a small acknowledgement because even he knew he wasn't completely heartless. How could he be without a heart if he was heartbroken?

"Yes." He answered her barely above a whisper and then turned and walked away.

:

Caroline stirred from her sleep when she felt Klaus's arms slip around her back and under her legs. Gently he gathered her in his arms and lifted her from her bed.

In her tired state she wiggled against him only for him to hold her tighter to his chest.

"I'm still mad at you," she mumbled, peeking up at him as he carried her across their ensuite bathroom and into his now lightless bedroom.

"I know." His own exhaustion from the long day's events leaked into his voice. Their day together had started out so differently and now his mind was filled with the threat of Marcel and now the guilt of Valentina. He laid her down and briefly stepped away to strip off his shirt and boots. "I know you're angry with me, love, but right now I need to hold you." He positioned them so that her back was against his chest and he wrapped his arms around, holding her hands in his.

The darkness of the room made it easy for Caroline to start drifting back into sleep but then she felt his hot breath and the ghost of a kiss on the back of her neck. He sighed long and deep and held her tighter to him. "Are you okay?" she asked, breaking the silence of the night.

For a second she thought he was going to ignore her but then he spoke against the skin of her shoulder. "Do you honestly loathe the idea of being my fiancé?"

Surprised by his question, Caroline moved to the side of the bed and switched on the night table lamp. When she turned to look at him she was met with his intense gaze and her heart stuttered. She closed her eyes, sighing and put her fingers to her temple. "It's not that I loathe the idea, Klaus." She opened her eyes to find him sitting up while he continued to watch her. He looked so inviting with his shirt off and she wanted so badly to run her hands over his warm skin but she knew she had to keep her distance if she wanted to think straight. "I know us being engaged right now is a ruse but it still makes me feel like we're moving too fast. Don't you agree?"

"Perhaps, but it is inevitable, Caroline," he said to her seriously.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that one day you will indeed be my wife." She looked at him stunned and he saw a sort of fear in her eyes. "Sweetheart, I'm not suggesting that we wed tomorrow," he reaffirmed, trying to soothe her.

Caroline slid out of the bed and paced for a beat. "Klaus, you can't say those things to me."

"And why not?"

"Because I'm not ready to even hear those things!"

"Caroline—"

"No! You don't get it. I'm trying to tell you you're moving too fast for me but you keep saying things that mean Forever and it's only been three and a half weeks. Ever since I got here I feel like you've been trying to stake some claim over me and now in the form of your fiancé!"

"I did that for your protection, sweetheart."

"How is that protecting me?" she exclaimed. "You did that because I'm not sired to you, I'm not a hybrid, I can't be stashed away in a coffin temporarily." She was on a roll now and with every word she said she grew more frantic and he grew angrier. "You did that because you have some ulterior motive, like to prove that you have some sort of control or something," she guessed, "like making me your fiancé would somehow chain me to you." There she had said it. She heaved out anxious breaths and waited for him to respond.

Calmly, Klaus began to stalk towards her. "My reputation, Caroline, stands as a warning to anyone who dares to make a move against. Anyone who has heard of me understands that to touch, to harm what is mine, will answer to me and it will not be a painless confrontation. The vampires in this town answer to Marcel and he will no doubt tell them what he has learned today." He stopped his approach and only a few steps served as a distance between them. "By tomorrow, the vampires of this town will know that you belong to me thus ensuring your safety."

Her fists clenched, Caroline kept her chin up and glared back at him. He took a step forward and she felt like the walls of his bedroom were closing in on her.

"Caroline," he glanced up as if looking for divine help, "there is no going back. I know now what it's like to bask in your warmth, to live in your light." He slid his hands up her arms. "My love, do you honestly think I'll let you go?"

The walls came crushing in around her and the floodgate that held back her tears was pierced. Caroline let out a loud strangled sob and hid her face in her hands.

The sight of her crying so heavily shook Klaus out of his tyrannical disposition. He immediately went to comfort her but the second he touched her again she jumped and let out a sharp cry as if in pain and then she clutched her shirt at her chest. She looked around wide-eyed and then at him. "I feel like I can't breathe, I can't breathe, I can't breathe," she stuttered.

Klaus's heart clenched for her, his face contorting from worry. He grabbed her hand and flashed them out of the estate, across the gardens and then deep into woods.

The moon hung high above them, bathing them in a blue light. The change of atmosphere allowed her to take in deep comforting breaths. Klaus gently pushed her down to her knees and she instantly placed her hands flat over the cool earth.

"Look over there, sweetheart," he pointed over her shoulder from where he was crouched behind her. "Just over there and around the corner are the Falls." Caroline squinted and could see familiar patterns of a path that would be in the Mystic Fall's woods. "And over there, love," he pointed again, "in that direction would be the Caves."

Klaus continued to point in directions, naming certain places of Mystic Falls. Her high school, her home, the Salvatore boarding house, his mansion, the hospital, the Town Square, he even mentioned the Lockwood estate. With every direction he pointed Caroline's eyes followed and her breathing began to even out and then finally she was calm.

By now, Klaus stood from a distance behind her in the shadows and he watched her sit on her hip, her head hung low in silence. He knew that he had made her feel suffocated and he vowed to himself that he never wanted her to feel that way again.

Caroline curled her fingers and let the cool soil press into her palms. From where she sat she felt like she was back in her hometown. The feelings transferred into something more. In her mind, she could remember the smell, the crispness of the Mystic Falls' woods, she could remember the warmth the air carried in the winds. Memories of home blanketed her but she was also reminded of why she had chosen to leave.

She could sense Klaus was a distance behind her and, now that she could finally breathe, she wanted him to hold her. Mystic Falls held so many memories for her but the latest were those of Klaus. The moments they shared, the times he had saved her life, the way he spoke about life, his all-infinite wisdom of the world, the intense love he expressed to her when she finally gave herself to him, all of it were the reasons why she fell for him. It wasn't exactly the fact that he wanted to show her the world. She was attracted to his passion behind it and she wanted so badly to bask in it like he did in her light. Slowly she stood up and walked over to him.

Klaus remained motionless with his arms at his sides completely at loss what to do. He couldn't bring himself to look at her because he felt ashamed, angry with himself for making her feel so powerless.

Caroline ducked her head so he would look at her and she smiled softly. "You know, I was serious about wanting to go to school."

Klaus let out a breath of relief and gathered her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest as he began to stroke her hair. "Anything you want Caroline, it's yours."

**Well that's it for this chapter. I know it was quite angsty but I hope it was still enjoyable. The next chapter will be a sort of time jump and I promise our couple will be in a blissful state.

Please let me know your thoughts! Your reviews and follows give me the confidence and the drive to keep writing and to post faster. :]