Sorry this has been a long time coming. I've had some writer's block and been a little distracted with my new story Southern Comfort. If you get chance check it out (and nfinneman's great cover art on tumblr) and let me know what you think.

Okay time for chapter 24 in London.

Keeping Up Appearances

Chapter 24: London Calling

January 26 2015 London England: 5:13pm

Klaus was tired and irritable, the only thing making him smile was the response to his text from Caroline. He read it again the smile never leaving his face, he'd missed her so much and her reply was a much needed distraction.

You bet your arse no one is as good as me, you included Mikaelson, C

He wasn't sure whether she'd respond given he'd taken five days to contact her. Klaus wanted to call her but every time he went to call he'd chicken out not knowing what to say given they'd left things so awkwardly at the airport. Asking her about the weather or how she was really wasn't acceptable.

He grinned typing away madly desperate to keep the channels of communication open with her after such a long break. He was at one of his favourite underground bars in Mayfair called Dirty Martini waiting for his late five pm meeting to arrive so he had some time to spare.

Sorry remind me who won that snowman completion in Vail?

I seem to recall it was a tie.

Stefan would have voted for mine though.

Nice to see the new roomies are siding together already.

Klaus could tell she was rolling her eyes as she wrote it. He grinned happily thinking there was no excuse for him to not see her now.

When she'd mentioned Stefan's move to New York Klaus knew exactly what to do. The only problem he had was getting Stefan's number without letting Caroline know. Given she was apparently already aware of their little act Klaus decided to call nanna at her retirement village, luckily he remembered its name.

He certainly wouldn't forget that call in a hurry he thought chuckling at the memory realising just how much he missed nanna.

"Who did you say is calling?" She asked through the phone. Klaus stopped for a minute worried that she'd forgotten him already. Was she suffering from some kind of Alzheimer's and Caroline hadn't told him? This was awkward he thought madly trying to think about what to say next.

"Uh it's Klaus, Klaus Mikaelson you know from Christmas with Caroline…." He stuttered.

"Of course I know who you are." She cackled. "I just like to keep people on their toes and give them a bit of a fright."

"I should have known. How are you?"

"Bored, the old fogeys in here are no fun. All they do is play Bingo and talk about the war."

"I can imagine how difficult it must be for you." He grinned. "Surely you can make your own fun though."

"I tried to start up a Friday night rave but everyone was asleep by 6. Then I actually managed to organise a poker match but turns out they didn't take too kindly to stripping." Klaus shook his head trying not to imagine the disturbing visual of a bunch of old naked people.

"Actually the reason…"

"Have you and my granddaughter got your acts together yet?"

"Well not through lack of trying nanna trust me."

"I know Caroline can be high maintenance but you've got to keep at it young man."

"That's what I'm planning to do." He said assertively. "In fact I was hoping you could help me with something?"

"Anything if it means you two will get together."

"Do you happen to have Stefan's number?"

"Oh please don't tell me you're looking to him for love advice?" She drawled. "He can't keep a girlfriend for more than five minutes poor dear. I think it's his drinking habit, did you see how much he drank at Christmas." Obviously nanna had conveniently forgotten how smashed she was too.

"Uh no but he's moving to New York and I thought I could…."

"Offer him somewhere to stay?"

"How did you know that?" He asked curiously.

"Only because it was my idea, I suggested that to him and Caroline in the car to the airport."

"You're a devious one nanna, great minds must think alike."

"It must be your lucky day I have his number right here…"

After he hung up Klaus called Stefan to ask him to move in and it didn't take much convincing on his part. He genuinely liked Stefan so was quite happy to have him stay but the benefits of living with Caroline's best friend were enormous to their budding relationship, or whatever you called it they were doing.

He'd been so excited about it on his way over to London but the past few days had escaped him and Klaus wished more than anything he was back in New York with Caroline. They had so many unresolved issues and all he wanted to do was go home and sort them out once and for all.

Klaus hadn't planned on what would happen when he touched down in London though. The Christies Office were in damage control hoping the story wouldn't leak but so far Gordon Rose had been silent, something which was puzzling Klaus. He hoped his silence was because their professional bond was strong but Klaus feared there was more to it and the sooner he got to the bottom of this the better. Klaus dropped his belongings at his apartment in Chelsea and went straight into the offices in Knightsbridge to find out what was happening.

They were apologetic but Klaus wasn't in the mood for sympathy, this was a major mistake and it should have never happened. They walked him through every decision and every moment leading up to the auction making him wince in embarrassment, one thing was for sure this would never have happened if he was running the place.

He decided to bite the bullet and set up a meeting with Gordon straight away so he could convey his apologies and try to undo some of the damage. Trying to get through was another issue, usually he was easily contactable but he couldn't get him or even his secretary on the phone.

After leaving about a dozen messages his secretary finally returned his calls two days later telling him Mr Rose was out of town and unavailable to meet. Klaus figured that would explain his silence.

She suggested a meeting with his publicist instead. Klaus wasn't sure who his publicist was or why he needed to speak with her but he was willing to do just about anything to preserve the Christies' reputation. She was supposed to meet him at five, he looked at his watch noting that it was now twenty-seven minutes past.

Klaus really hated having to grovel especially given it wasn't his fault. He'd give her exactly three more minutes then he was leaving. He consulted his phone thinking about what he was going to reply to Caroline when he heard someone clear their throat announcing their presence. He looked into her big brown eyes in shock not expecting to see her ever again.

"Tatia?"

"Well nice to see you remember my name after all this time." She drawled sitting across the table from him and signalling to the bartender for a drink.

"Um I'm actually meeting someone."

"I know." She replied shortly holding out her hand by way of greeting. "I'm Tatia Petrova, publicist to Mr Gordon Rose."

"You're his publicist?" He baulked wishing this wasn't happening. Klaus had only ever had one serious relationship and she was it. They'd met almost five years ago and over their two year relationship he'd fallen hard for her, he'd even considered marriage he was that smitten. She was beautiful and charming and completely disarming.

Klaus never got around to proposing because he found out just how vindictive and calculating she was. He was annoyed he didn't see it coming she had that much of a spell over him. She came from a poor family and had a colourful past but that never mattered to Klaus until he realised she was using him for his status and his money.

Lexi had been the one to finally open his eyes to the gold digger she was and Klaus was forever grateful to her, another reason they were so close.

"What? You don't think I'm good enough to be his publicist?" She accused.

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to it's hardly surprising given you broke up with me for being a poor nobody."

"I'm not that shallow and you know it. I didn't break up with you for that Tatia." He countered. "It was you that was using me for my money I seem to recall."

"Well that's your opinion."

"It isn't just my opinion." He spat the memories flooding back. "You used to max out my credit cards on shopping trips, go away with your friends on weekends at my expense and not to mention flirt with my wealthy clients and colleagues, Gordon Rose included." He said realising why she was probably his publicist. "I can't believe I was blind to it for so long."

"Until little Lexi butted in." She muttered. "How is the relationship wrecker?"

"Great, she works for me in the States. I'd say she sends her love but I'd be lying." He said throwing a wad of pounds on the table and getting up. He didn't feel much like rehashing their relationship.

"Where are you going? Last time I checked we had a meeting." He looked at her weighing up his options carefully. His career was important but given her bitterness Klaus was pretty sure how this was going to turn out.

"I don't think there's anything more to discuss."

"Well I think there's a lot more, starting with that fake Manet your company auctioned. Mr Rose is not happy." Klaus sat back down knowing as much as he wanted to leave he had to stay put for now.

"And I have been trying to call him to set up a meeting and apologise." He implored. "Gordon and I have always had a good working relationship."

"Until now."

"Look I'm the first to admit this wasn't handled well and I've reprimanded the London office. This won't happen again and I'm more than happy to see what I can do to make it up to Gordon."

"Well he's out of town at the moment."

"I heard that when will he be back?"

"Later in the week." She said a devious smile spreading across her face. "I can possibly get you a meeting then."

"What's the catch Tatia?" He knew her too well.

"Why does there have to be a catch?" She asked her eyes wide feigning innocence.

"Tatia please just tell me what it is." He growled trying not to lose his temper and storm out of there and not look back.

"Well I thought we could catch up in the meantime, maybe have some dinner or something?"

"Are you really that delusional?" He cried unable to control himself. "We broke up, it's over, there's nothing left to discuss except maybe business."

"Well let's discuss business." She said placing her hands on the table and leaning in closer. "I'll speak to Gordon later and we'll discuss all the details tomorrow night." Klaus closed his eyes momentarily trying to calm his anger.

He didn't want to go to dinner with her, he didn't even want to see her ever again but he knew this was an important step to getting his promotion. After all he told Ben he was going to sort this out so now he had to do just that.

"Okay." He said begrudgingly standing up desperate to leave the bar and get some fresh air.

"I'll need your number." She replied batting her eyelashes. Klaus recited his number reluctantly wondering what he'd gotten himself into.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"You're kidding me?" Kol cried into the phone.

"Do I sound like I'm kidding?" He drawled walking through the drizzle in Covent Garden.

"So why exactly are you having dinner tonight?"

"The only way I can get to Gordon Rose is through Tatia unfortunately." He groaned. "I have to do everything I can."

"Well you're a bigger man than I could ever be." He whistled appreciatively. "Surely this is just her way to try and get back into your bed."

"That's never going to happen Kol." He said shaking his head. "She can try all she likes but I've moved on from our disaster of a relationship."

"I've never heard you say that before."

"Say what?" He asked perplexed.

"That you've moved on."

"We broke up three years ago, of course I've moved on with my life." Klaus spluttered.

"How convenient that you're saying this just after meeting a certain blonde." He blushed immediately glad Kol couldn't see his face. His brother had a point not that he was willing to admit that when everything was so up in the air with them.

"I think someone is getting carried away, let me guess this has something to do with Bonnie?"

"We're just having sex Niklaus why can't you all get your heads around that?"

"Probably because none of us really want to visualise you having sex with anyone." Klaus teased glad he'd been able to turn the conversation back to him.

"It's just a bit of…"

"Fun yes I know, but does she know that?"

"Yes we both know where we stand." He said but something in his tone wasn't lost on Klaus who knew him so well.

"But you want more?"

"Don't be crazy." He shot back defensively.

"Well why are you still sleeping together? It's way past your expiry date for a fling."

"What can I say the sex is too good to stop just yet."

"You realise there's nothing wrong with liking the girl right? You don't need to hide behind the cover of no strings attached sex."

"How did we manage to get onto this?" He sighed. "Last time I checked we were discussing catching up with your ex girlfriend. Does Caroline know about this?"

"It's business, there's nothing more to it. Anyway it's not like I need her permission, we aren't dating or anything."

"Well according to Ben Taylor you are."

"Yes well that's all for show."

"Have you at least called her?"

"Why do you ask?" He said suddenly feeling uncomfortable because he knew he hadn't or responded to her latest text. He'd meant to call earlier and to text back last night but Tatia's reappearance had thrown him.

After he left the bar he'd walked the streets his thoughts completely consumed by his ex girlfriend and the bad memories she'd evoked. After they broke up he'd gone into workaholic mode, throwing himself into his job and not really dealing with what happened.

He was upset not only that he thought he loved her but that she'd made a fool of him in front of everyone. It was easier to slave away at work than risk running into anyone and the pathetic pitying expression on their faces.

Getting the job in the United States had been exactly what he needed to move on and he hadn't really thought about her since. Klaus had started to casually date and was actually starting to feel human again. Meeting Caroline and having such strong feelings so soon had thrown him but he was starting to embrace them, looking forward to what the future held.

He'd be lying if seeing Tatia hadn't dredged up his insecurities about getting so close to someone again. I mean look how well it turned out last time?

"Well last time I saw Bonnie you hadn't called Caroline and that was five days after you left Vail."

"Do you all sit around gossiping about us?"

"Pretty much, call it a common interest."

"Well I'm glad I could provide you two with conversational topics."

"Stop changing the subject again, have you actually called the girl?"

"I sent her a text." He replied feebly.

"Wow and you think I'm unromantic." He chuckled. "One text Niklaus, even I think that's pathetic. I mean she is pretending to be your girlfriend, you could at least make more of an effort."

"There might have been three texts in total." He said trying to make it sound a little better than it was. Klaus knew it didn't look good and the fact that Kol was calling him on it spoke volumes. "I'll call her later."

"I think that might be a good idea, I'm going to get off and free the phone line." He disconnected before Klaus could come up with another excuse.

Yes he did want to call her but he didn't know what to say. It didn't help that nearly six days had passed making things decidedly more awkward. Throw in a nasty ex girlfriend that was making him scared to commit and an unwanted work drama and he was now sure he didn't want to make that call.

His phone rang again and he was almost glad to have another distraction. Lexi's name appeared and he connected.

"Oh so they do have working phones in England?" She asked sarcastically.

"Don't you start Lexi, I've just had Kol giving me grief."

"Wow maybe baby brother is finally growing up, I might have to send Bonnie my thanks."

"Did you want something?"

"Yep back to where we always start. Well Caroline for starters…"

"Didn't I just say I didn't want to talk about it." He growled wishing he hadn't answered the phone now.

"Fine I just wanted it on the record that I'd nagged you. I wouldn't be a very good personal assistant if I didn't."

"No that's true, your nagging skills are second to none." He said waiting a moment before continuing. "Just because I'm on the phone doesn't mean I don't know you're poking out your tongue."

"The reason I called besides that other issue is Gordon Rose's secretary was confirming dinner tonight with his publicist at 8:00pm at Coq d'Argent." Klaus winced in pain thinking about all the memories they'd made there in the past.

"Okay thanks." He said quickly not wanting to go into more detail with Lexi given her aversion to his ex.

"I was sitting here thinking about why that particular restaurant was chosen. Is there anything you want to tell me Niklaus?" She always meant business when she used his full name.

"Turns out his publicist is none other than Tatia." He murmured dreading her response.

"The lying, gold digging skank? You mean that Tatia?" She squawked her voice rising in pitch.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you Lexi, you get so worked up."

"Do you blame me? Why are you even giving her the time of day after everything she put you through?"

"This is business Lexi, I told Ben Taylor I'd sort out this situation and I can't go back on that now things have become a little too personal."

"Nothing is ever just business with her. This is just another one of her pathetic attempts to try and woo you back."

"Do you really think I'd fall for that again?"

"I hope not." She murmured. "She's just so vindictive and manipulative. Are you sure you don't want me to fly over there and sort her out?"

"Wow I never knew protector was part of your job description."

"You bet your arse it is, that and the fact that I've always wanted to show her exactly how I feel about what she did to you." She rambled before adding. "Does this little run in with Tatia have anything to do with not calling Caroline?"

"I texted her." He spluttered.

"Wow do you want a medal?"

"I've really missed this banter between us Lexi."

"Don't change the subject mister. You realise that Caroline is nothing like spiteful Tatia and you'd be an idiot to mess this up because she's the best thing to happen to you since like ever."

"So relationship counsellor falls into your duties too?" He teased glad to have such an amazing friend in his life.

"Just remember that when you're considering my next pay rise boss. Good luck with the she devil tonight, I think you're going to need it." She warned. "Oh and one other small thing Rebekah nearly had Stefan arrested for breaking into your apartment."

"She did what now?"

"Don't worry I handled it like I do everything else." She giggled before disconnecting. That was definitely something he was going to have to get to the bottom of when he returned.

Klaus decided to stop at his favourite bar in Covent Garden. The Lamb and Flag was one of the oldest pubs in London, in operation since 1772. One of his favourite authors Charles Dickens was a regular there back in the day. He ordered a beer and sat at the bar lost in thought. Lexi was right as usual, he had to stop the bad memories of Tatia from getting in the way of his feelings for Caroline.

"Is this seat taken?" An American voice said pulling up beside him.

"Go for it." He looked at the stranger with the sad smile then went back to staring into his beer.

"You look as good as I feel." He observed. "Women trouble?"

"How did you know?"

"I know that look all too well, had it myself a few times. I'm Alaric by the way."

"Klaus." He smiled shaking his hand. "Why what did she do to you?"

"What didn't she do to me?" He chuckled taking a sip of his Guinness. "Jenna and I met on a plane believe it or not. We were stuck on the tarmac in Glasgow on Christmas Eve ten years ago. She was tired and irritable, albeit so was I, and we started talking. No it was actually more like bickering over anything and everything."

"Now that sounds kind of familiar." Klaus had to laugh thinking how eerily similar their first meeting was to his and Caroline's. "So what happened?"

"We arrived in London, amazingly in one piece even though we'd teared a few strips off each other. She rushed off leaving her wallet behind in the seat pocket. The flight attendant chased after me thinking we were together."

"Let me guess you had that old married couple vibe going on?"

"We sure did. I called her and offered to deliver it to her parent's place that night. She tried to get rid of me but it turns out parents love me."

"You stayed there for Christmas?"

"Well I was only in London for work, I didn't have any family over here and it was nice to feel wanted in a strange city on Christmas."

"That's nice."

"Yeah her family were terrific."

"So where is she now?"

"She uh passed away last year." He murmured sadly making Klaus feel bad for asking that question.

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that."

"She had stage four cancer and there wasn't much the doctors could do." He added shrugging his shoulders. "I'm just really glad I met her all those years ago. We got married and had a few kids and never really looked back."

"Wow talk about a twist of fate."

"Yeah I didn't really believe in fate until I met Jenna, but I wouldn't take back any of it. So next time your girlfriend gives you a hard time you might want to remember that."

"You don't really know what you have until it's gone." He murmured thinking just how fateful it was running into Alaric at the bar at that moment.

"Exactly, so how did you meet this girl?"

"It's a funny story actually." He grinned recounting their similar encounters. As Klaus ran through all the events leading up to now he realised just how much he wanted to be with Caroline for real and stop playing pretend.

He wasn't going to let Tatia scare him off something that felt so right and after he finished his beer with Alaric he was going to tell Caroline that once and for all. Life was too short after all.