Chapter 29

Lost in you

San Francisco 1988, New Year's Eve

We're no strangers to love. You know the rules and so do I. A full commitment's what's I'm thinking of. You wouldn't get this from any other guy. I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling. Gotta make you understand. Never gonna give you up. Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you. Never gonna make you cry. Never gonna say goodbye. Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you…

"I can't believe you talked me into this", Claire said rolling her eyes.

"Oh, come on, don't tell me this isn't more fun than sitting in home", Lucilla replied. "It's New Year's Eve! Time to celebrate!"

Claire sighed.

"I don't know Cilla, I really don't feel like celebrating."

They were sitting in a bar full of people. Everyone seemed to be in a party mood. Everyone except Claire. She and Lucilla had both dressed up for tonight, mainly because Lucilla had insisted on it. They had backcombed their hair and Claire was wearing a pink miniskirt made of leather, big earrings, a very tight white top and high heels. Lucilla had called it "Madonna look". She was wearing a pink leggings and a black oversized top with a belt.

"Come on Claire, things aren't so bad!"

"It's easy for you to say, you're not the one who are expected to breed with someone you don't even like."

"I'm telling you Claire, that's wrong. It's the 80's for heavens sake; no one should be forced into marriage anymore!"

"You know what's it like in our community, all pureblooded females are expected to have children, with a pureblooded male. I just really hope it wouldn't have to be with Dax. He's just so… immature."

Claire felt depressed when she even thought about it. She didn't want it but there was no way out without being banished from the pack and that was something no werewolf wanted. Dax wasn't a bad guy and Claire was sure that he would be a good husband and a father but she didn't love him. She wanted to make her own choices. Lucilla took her hand.

"Hey, you know what I think, next year we both are going to find a true love."

Claire smiled.

"Oh really? Is that another one of your visions?"

"No, just call it a hunch."

"Sure Cilla, if you say so. But I think I need another drink. You want one too?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Claire stood up and headed to the counter. It was so crowded here. She felt that she needed some air. Claire looked at their table and saw Lucilla talking with some guy. She probably wouldn't mind to wait for that drink a little longer. Claire went outside and enjoyed the chilly night air. She didn't have her coat but she wasn't cold. She never was. She decided to walk a little but when she took the first step her heel broke and she was about to fall down when someone took her hand. Damn heels, she had never liked wearing them anyway.

"Thank you so much", she said and raised her head. Then she saw him. This man was standing right in front of her looking at her with strange amber eyes. His hair was dark and all his clothes were black. He was the most handsome man Claire had ever seen. For a while they just stared at each other. Finally the man cleared his throat.

"Are you alright miss?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks to you. I could swear these things had been invented for torturing women."

The man smiled.

"Actually those kinds of shoes were originally worn by men."

"Really? Well they could have kept them."

"I don't think high heels would look good on me", the man said still smiling.

"Oh I don't know, I think you could pull that look off."

They were both smiling. He was still holding her hand.

"I'm Claire."

"Josef."

...

California 2010

Zora was looking at Klaus insecurely. They were in his bedroom, or their bedroom. She just wasn't sure did she want to stay there. It had been a long day and part of her wanted to be close to him but other part told her to leave. She was grateful that Klaus wasn't pressuring her. Finally she made her decision.

"Is it ok if I sleep here?" she asked. "I mean only sleeping."

Klaus smiled.

"Of course love, you don't have to ask that. This is your room too."

He sat on the bed looking at her expectantly. Zora got quickly under the cover. She was tired. That whole thing with that bird was still bothering her. Klaus lied down beside her. She took his hand. She just needed to feel him close to her. It was a strange thought that there was no one like two of them in the whole world. She had considered herself as a freak for so long that it felt strange to feel connection with someone.

"I never had any friends", she said quietly.

Klaus turned to her.

"What?"

"When I was a child, I never had any friends. I sometimes wondered what was wrong with me, you know. All those other kids said so much mean things and I figured they must be right."

Klaus was quiet for a while.

"I can hunt those people down and kill them if you want."

Zora couldn't help but smile.

"That's not necessary, but thanks for the offer."

She leaned her head to his chest.

"Have you ever had that kind of problems?" she asked.

"You mean not fitting in? Sure but let me tell you something, you and I are special, we don't have to fit in. Everyone can think and say what ever they want. But if anyone says something mean about you again, I'll rip their tongue out."

"That's sweet…I think."

Zora liked just laying there with him. She wasn't mad at him anymore. She couldn't be when their connection was so strong. She touched his cheek very carefully and kissed him. He seemed surprised but didn't say anything. He just let her explore his body. He helped her to take his shirt off. She needed to be in control. She was curious to see how his body was reacting to her touch.

"God, Zora…" he groaned.

She kissed him and took her nightgown off. He couldn't control himself any longer. She could felt his arousal.

"Klaus…"

This felt right. She needed him closer. She barely noticed that the whole room was shaking. No, the whole house was shaking. It was an earthquake that she later heard was a magnitude of 4,2. In that moment they only saw each other. She enjoyed every second. They were both out of breath when he pulled out. The room had stopped shaking.

"Klaus", Zora said when he was holding her and stroking her hair.

"Hmm?"

"That wasn't too bad, was it?"

He laughed.

"No love, it really wasn't."