Thank you all! I never really thank you individually but I wanted to this chapter, especially all the regulars (many that kindly review my other stories too) including; sandiw1875, kjsama, LoveDeb, Justanotherfiveminutes, tippy093, LaRon, SarahCullen4, kickassfu, au courant, jessnicole, Chelseab95, msredekop, fjolla, tinkerbell988, binga, mscyanide, meredith77 and my lovely fellow Aussie suzypyong! And also thanks to those below too. Hopefully that's everyone.
MsCindz my friend, you are such a sweetie and your reviews make me smile and yes please don't get used to regular updates! To NikMik I have to say you are one of my most amusing reviewers and make me laugh. I also want to thank Ellavm18 who is one of the most dedicated reviewers.
zvforever you noticed my Naley line! I have to admit I was re-watching the first season of OTH over the weekend and it gave me some inspiration (I love that scene).
Also to SingLikeThere'sNobodyListening when you said you're grinning from reading the story, that makes my day.
For Justanotherfiveminutes a skivvy is like a turtleneck sweater (covers the neck), I thought that was a universal term but obviously not!
Anyway here is chapter 4, hope you enjoy and please keep the reviews coming.
Keeping Up Appearances
Chapter 4: It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
December 24 2014 3:53pm: Hobart, Indiana
"Okay has anyone told you that you have the tiniest bladder?" Klaus asked incredulously as Caroline jumped out of the car at the gas station.
"We need gas anyway so just stop your complaining and fill up the tank." She groaned racing inside without a backwards glance. Klaus shook his head not quite believing he was being ordered around by some woman he'd just met.
He placed the pump into the tank and watched the dials tick over as it filled. He should have been at the Institute of Art right now but instead he was stuck in the middle of nowhere with a bossy blonde. He'd called to apologise and rescheduled for the day after Christmas. He'd hoped to be back in New York by then but all the delays had set him back, meaning he'd be in Chicago that little bit longer.
He'd never been there and he'd be lying if he wasn't interested in visiting some galleries during his visit, Chicago had a reputation as one of the most cultural cities in the States after all. Although that left him at a loose end for longer than he'd expected. Klaus wasn't really a fan of Christmas but being alone in a new city for so long over the holidays wasn't that appealing. At least if he was in New York he could go to the Guggenheim or take a walk through Central Park, even if it was snowing.
He had considered spending time with his family but Elijah was probably working, Kol was no doubt with one of his many women and Rebekah was just too annoying to contemplate. His phone buzzed again and he noticed her name flash up, it's like she could sense he was thinking about her.
"Sister dear to what do I owe the pleasure?" He sarcastically answered the phone.
"Oh so now you finally decide to answer my calls?" She shot back.
"Well I've sort of been stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception Rebekah."
"Wow your excuses are getting even more ridiculous." She snorted. "I thought you were supposed to be in Chicago?"
"Trust me I'm trying to get there but there's been a few, um, hiccups along the way."
"Oh yeah what's her name?" She drawled. "This has to involve some woman who you're using until you get bored then move on."
"I am not like that." He snapped.
"Yes you are Nik. I've never met anyone more allergic to commitment than you, well maybe with the exception of Kol."
"So I assume you didn't call just to analyse my personal life, is there a point to this little conversation Rebekah?"
"Ouch, someone certainly isn't in the Christmas spirit. Although come to think about it I'm not sure why I'm surprised by that." Klaus didn't like to admit his sister was ever right but she was on that.
"Probably why it's better you spend Christmas without me." He muttered. "What are you doing anyway?"
"I've managed to convince Kol and Elijah to have dinner tonight."
"How exactly did you manage that?"
"I might have lied to Elijah and threatened to blackmail Kol over some of his past indiscretions." Rebekah laughed evilly, now it was beginning to sound like a Mikaelson Christmas.
"Wow lies and blackmail sounds just like you little sister. Well send my love to the family, maybe we can all catch up when I get back to the city."
"Yeah I'll believe that when I see it." She growled into the phone. "But in the meantime, Merry Christmas big brother."
"You too little sister." He replied sincerely. Rebekah had been annoying him pretty much for the previous twenty-seven years but she was still his sister and she did mean well in her own unique way.
"I thought you were rushing me and here I find you chatting away on your phone." Caroline called out from behind just as he was about to disconnect.
"Ha! I just knew there was a girl involved Niklaus." Rebekah cried obviously overhearing Caroline's voice.
"Good bye Rebekah." He said disconnecting quickly.
"Rebekah hey?" She asked cocking her left eyebrow.
"That's what I said. What's it to you?"
"Nothing, I'm just returning the favour and eavesdropping like someone else was doing earlier today. You're just lucky I didn't get on the phone and tell this Rebekah girl exactly what she's getting herself into." He felt the pump click telling him the tank was full.
"So what exactly is she getting herself into Caroline, since you seem to know me so well." She was quiet for a moment obviously not expecting Klaus to call her bluff. He shook his head after a few moments and walked inside the gas station to pay.
"Well not listening when someone is talking to them for starters." She spluttered following him inside.
"Last time I checked you weren't talking love." He joked handing over his AMEX. Caroline took the opportunity to throw a packet of lollies and a chocolate bar onto the counter.
"Didn't you just devour a three course meal in the last town?"
"That was ages ago." She scoffed. "I think poor Rebekah also needs to know about your tendency to speak your mind."
"Trust me she already knows." He grinned thinking about their raging arguments over the years.
"And she's still interested, unbelievable." She muttered as he passed her the snacks and they returned to the car. Klaus liked this jealous side of Caroline so much he didn't want to ruin it by telling her Rebekah was actually his overbearing little sister.
"So do you think we can actually make it the rest of the way without stopping?" He asked Caroline as they drove onto the highway. She was silent her eyes trained on the road. "Oh so now you're ignoring me, that's really mature Caroline." She remained quiet making him wonder what happened in the last few minutes. "Oh you probably just need to concentrate; I know how hard it is for females to multitask."
Caroline pursed her lips and Klaus knew she'd taken the bait. "No that's males dumb arse."
"I should have known the real Caroline wasn't too far away." He smiled. "So what's wrong exactly?"
"What besides being stuck in a confined space with you?"
"Yes besides that." He mimicked back. "Any reason why you're so reluctant to get home?"
"I'm not." She sighed noticing his look of disbelief. "Look I think we already covered this last night, I'd really prefer not to revisit it again."
"The cheating ex." He confirmed. "Well if you ask me you're better off without him."
"Yeah that still doesn't make me feel better about seeing him; it's been the first time since..."
"You haven't seen him since the cheating?"
"Well do you blame me? Once I found out that he was cheating and it was with my cousin, I didn't really feel like having a chat."
"No I don't blame you." He sympathised. "That would be pretty tough. "
"That's an understatement." She admitted. "Look I'm sure once I get there it won't be anywhere near as bad as I've imagined it the past few months. I guess I thought having Sam there would somehow soften the blow."
"Yeah there's nothing better than a little revenge after someone has wronged you like that."
"Revenge I won't get to have unfortunately." She said quietly. "I know it sounds petty but it was the only thing that was making the trip home bearable."
"So you don't want to see your family?"
"Oh I do. Although my mum can be, let's just say, high strung during the holidays." Klaus smiled thinking like mother like daughter. "She just likes everything to go smoothly and no doubt she's a little apprehensive with Tyler attending and the possible ramifications."
Klaus nodded thinking how difficult her situation seemed to be and how unexpected it was. Caroline was obviously a beautiful and successful woman but she'd been hurt and Klaus could tell it had thrown her confidence. Before he could stop himself he was making a suggestion.
"Well how about if you had someone to take home for Christmas?" He asked softly Caroline taking her eyes off the road momentarily. "Woah love, watch where you're going." She looked back quickly her eyes wide in shock.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean how about I come with you." He said not quite sure why he was offering to help a complete stranger.
"Why would you do that for me?" She murmured making sure her eyes were still firmly fastened on the road ahead. Klaus wondered the same thing. What exactly had come over him? He immediately regretted his offer worried Caroline might read too much into it but then an idea came to him that would benefit them both.
"Well I thought we could help each other."
"How exactly?"
"Well I'll come to Christmas dinner and pretend to be your loving boyfriend and..."
"I do the same thing at your work dinner tomorrow night?" She asked predicting the end of his sentence.
"It sounds a little crazy but you never know it might just work." He said thinking how much his boss would like to see he had a steady girlfriend, something that might actually go in his favour when considering him for the CEO position.
"You're right, it is crazy." She agreed. "No we can't do this, it will never work."
"Well I don't know about you love but I'm an extremely good actor, but if you're not up to it I understand."
"There's that ego I love." She muttered. "Fine I'm game if you are, but there is to be absolutely no kissing."
"Well I can't promise that love I mean what if there's mistletoe?" Klaus smiled suggestively. "But I guess that means we'll have to get to know each other better."
"We'll have to do what now?" Caroline asked almost swerving the car in surprise.
"Calm down sweetheart, I meant likes and dislikes, turn-ons, turn-offs, that kind of thing. Why? What do you think I meant?"
"Oh exactly that." She said her face reddening slightly. "So um where exactly do we start?"
"Well I already know about your bird phobia and that your favourite colour is red, so we're covered on that." He snorted sarcastically.
"Well seeing as you're the expert what would you suggest?"
"How about your favourite sexual position." She inhaled sharply obviously not expecting that. "Or you favourite place to be kissed. Mine is right…."
"I don't think that's something my mum needs or frankly wants to know." She cried. "Why did I agree to this again? I should have known better than to trust a child."
"I prefer to refer to it as my boyish charm." He argued. "You agreed to this because deep down you find me irresistible and you couldn't bear us being apart."
"You tell yourself that if it's what you need to sleep at night." She shot back. "How about we stay out of the gutter just this once. Um, so what's your favourite food?"
"Really? All the interesting things we could cover and you're going for food? Although I probably shouldn't be surprised."
"Are you going to keep rubbishing my suggestions or actually help?"
"Fine. French would be my favourite cuisine, some duck l'orange or crème caramel. I suppose I don't need to ask yours given you seem to like everything and in large quantities." He said just as she bit into her chocolate bar.
"Hey I like food there's nothing wrong with that. Speaking of French though I definitely wouldn't mind some pain au chocolat or croque monsieur right now. The best part of my job is definitely Paris fashion week."
"I love France, I've studied and worked over there and try to get back as much as I can." He mused thinking it had already been too long.
"Do you get back to England as well to see your parents and family?"
"Uh my mother died when I was young. My father lives over there still but I guess you could say we're not very close." He said dismissively not really wanting to go into detail. "My siblings all live in New York though."
"That must be nice." She said skimming over his initial comment realising he didn't want to talk about it. "I don't have any brothers or sisters."
"Trust me you're not missing much." He muttered. "My older brother Elijah is a very serious workaholic and my younger brother Kol is the complete opposite."
"Life of the party hey?"
"That's an understatement. Then there's Rebekah…"
"Rebekah?" She asked curiously. "As in the girl on the phone Rebekah?"
"That would be the one; I can't believe you were jealous of my sister."
"I was not jealous. Wow I pity her even more now knowing she had to grow up with you."
"Trust me I'm the one you should feel sorry for." He groaned thinking about dictatorial Rebekah.
"So if you're in Chicago what are they doing for Christmas?"
"I think Rebekah may have lied and blackmailed my brothers into dinner tonight." She looked at him strangely. "That's how the Mikaelson family works unfortunately. To actually spend time with each other it usually involves something underhanded."
"Mmmm interesting." She said shaking her head. "Well my immediate family isn't that big, it's really just my grandma, my mother and me."
"So your father…"
"He um had cancer and died about ten years ago." She said and he could sense the sadness in her voice. He was about to speak the memories of his own mother coming back before she quickly changed the subject. "So yeah apart from that the Forbes family are fairly uneventful, well except for all the cheating drama this year."
"If you don't mind me asking who is this idiot you dated?"
"Tyler Lockwood. I thought he was the one. We met at Colombia and dated for about three years until he decided to stick his tongue down my cousin's throat right before Valentine's Day this year."
"Ouch. Sounds like a real stand-up guy. That has just made me so much more determined to annoy him."
"Good that's the spirit." She laughed. Her phone started to ring loudly interrupting their conversation. "Can you check that for me?."
He found her cell and looked at the screen. "Stefan?" She squealed excitedly upon hearing his name. Klaus suddenly felt a little upset by her reaction, who the hell was this guy and why was she so happy about him calling?
"Oh just let it go to voicemail, I'll call him back later when I have more time to talk." He put it back down his curiosity getting the best of him.
"So uh who's Stefan?"
"Now who's jealous?" She teased noticing his face fall. "Stefan is like my bestie."
"Your bestie?" He asked thinking how stupid that sounded. What girl had a guy for a best friend? That's why Klaus didn't have any female friends, there's no way he'd be able to keep it platonic.
"You know best friend."
"I know what you mean; I just thought Katherine was your best friend."
"She is but Stefan sort of filled in when she had to move away senior year and we've been close ever since. I haven't seen him for a while though."
"So he still lives in Chicago?"
"No he lives and works in San Francisco so you can understand why we don't get to see each other much."
"Is he going to be in Chicago for Christmas?"
"I wish. Last I heard he was spending the holidays with his girlfriend Tessa in Cabo. It definitely would have made things a lot easier, although he's very protective so he probably would have killed Tyler."
"I suppose there are worst things that could happen." He teased feeling a lot better that this supposed best friend was far, far away.
"Okay so let's see if I've got this right. Caroline Forbes is a fashion writer for Vogue, an only child with two best friends, hates birds but loves the colour red and food in general." She hit him on the arm. "Ouch you are strong for such a little thing! I think I'm all good."
"Oh and my mother is a police officer too so no whinging about parking tickets or speeding fines. She hates that."
"Now you tell me." Klaus growled. "So basically if I wrong you she'll shoot me?"
"Well she's managed to hold off on killing Tyler so I think you're safe for now." She joked. "The one you need to worry about is my nanna, my mum is a pussycat next to her." He gulped not really wanting to hear that.
"I'm not sure I want to ask."
"Let's just say she makes the Spanish Inquisition look like a walk in the park."
"Is it too late to back out?" He asked only half joking.
"Hey I'm sure you have some real doozies going to this work dinner tomorrow."
"Yeah you have a point." He said shaking his head and thinking about a few of the more difficult attendees. "But first things first, let's just focus on the Forbes interrogation."
"You make it sound so scary. Come on it's Christmas, you know the season of giving and goodwill."
"I suppose we'll wait and see." He mumbled wondering what he'd gotten himself into. Her phone rang again, the jaws theme sounding out this time.
"Oh what does my mother want now!"
"Should I be worried that you're comparing your mother to a killer shark?"
"Mainly just during the holidays. She has a tendency to get a little stressed about organising Christmas Eve dinner. Can you put her on speaker please; if I don't answer she'll probably hunt me down somehow."
"Caroline?"
"Hello to you too mum." She said shaking her head at the lack of a proper greeting.
"Where are you?"
"I'm on the way mum, I told you that. I'm just leaving Hobart in Indiana now so should be there in an hour at most."
"So you'll be passing through Gary then I assume?" She asked curiously. Caroline consulted the GPS for the nearest towns before answering.
"Yes that's what the map says, should be passing through there in about ten minutes actually. Why what's happening in Gary?"
"There's a Christmas tree farm in Gary." Klaus looked at her mouthing the words Christmas tree farm.
"Well that's festive I suppose but we already have a Christmas tree right? I mean you always get your tree early."
"Yes well I think that's part of the problem, it's kind of dying."
"How does something kind of die?"
"I'm not in the mood for jokes Caroline Elizabeth Forbes." Klaus had to stop himself from laughing. "Your grandmother has been staying with me the past week as you know and thought it would be a good idea to crank the heating up really high."
"Oh."
"Yes oh is right. The pine needles are browning; it's droopy and let's just say our tree doesn't look like what I'd envisaged for Christmas Eve."
"Isn't it kind of short notice given dinner is in a few hours mum? And anyway what tree farm is going to have any left at this late stage?"
"Well maybe you could be a good girl and find out for me. I mean isn't it the season for miracles?" She shot back obviously not impressed with her daughter's negativity.
"So assume I do find one how exactly am I going to strap it onto the car?" Klaus looked at Caroline thinking she must have been on a suicide mission arguing back with her stressed out mother.
"You're very resourceful when you want to be Caroline I'm sure you can work it out." She was about to object when Klaus sent her a look and mouthed.
"Don't poke the bear." Caroline covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
"Okay mum whatever you want."
"Oh that's wonderful, thanks sweetie." Her tone improved remarkably. "The Christmas tree farm in Gary is called Luers, I'll see you soon." She chirped disconnecting the call. Klaus couldn't believe her ambit of moods in that one short phone call.
"So looks like I know how to handle your mother better than you do."
"Yeah give her exactly what she wants." She rolled her eyes. "You realise it isn't that bad right? She's probably seen one brown pine needle and suddenly it's the biggest disaster since the Titanic."
"Oh come on where's your Christmas spirit?" He asked suddenly feeling quite content, it was nice to be part of something even if her mother sounded scary as hell. "This will be fun."
"Okay fun is not a word I would have used. You've obviously never done this before; my mum is a perfectionist, I mean talk about pressure."
"We'll work it out."
"Okay what have you done with the real Klaus?"
"I'm getting into supportive boyfriend mode." He laughed. "The Forbes family won't know what's hit them."