5. Viva Las Vegas

Caroline Forbes stepped out of the limo onto the red carpet. She tried to look up and look confident as she was posing for the photographers. It was all part of the job, she was repeating to herself. She twisted and turned like a puppet on a string so that the photographers could shoot her in every possible angle. And although she knew they would probably pick the worst photograph and write something nasty she actually felt good about herself. She was enjoying in the fact that last week she had Bonnie all to herself. And the brilliant Bonnie helped her pick out this fabulous red McQueen gown that showed just enough skin to be sexy, but no too vulgar. She put her hair into a slick ponytail, and wore her favourite diamond earrings, the ones her father bought her for her 20-ith birthday. She looked alright. She hoped alright enough for the nation to stop having a pity party over her.

" But do I look as hot and as perfect as Hayley?" a horrible voice started humming in her ear.

" No, stop it", she said to herself, she hated being the insecure, neurotic Caroline. She had so many things to be grateful for, her wonderful friends, although she was a bit pissed Bonnie stood her up tonight, but Jeremy got back from Europe yesterday and she knew the love birds wanted some privacy. Truth to be told she didn't want to go to this benefit either. Strolling down the red carpet was never her thing, but she bought the tickets for it months ago and she HAD to attend, or so her father claimed.

" I seriously don't understand why I have to go." she said to him.

" I already paid for the tickets, and I'll donate money anyways. So why do I have to show up?"

"Because your appearance is expected Caroline. Stop hiding …"

" I'm not hiding, I would just rather spent my night sitting in front of the tv and pigging out than having to doll up, wear a tight dress and socialize with people I don't like."

"Well that's life for you … We don't always get to do what we want." he said with a strict tone in his voice.

God, sometimes she just wanted scream how much she just needed a father, and not a manager.

"Your film will be released in two months or so and you need this …"

"Please, like they'll ever ask me about my projects … They'll just ask me about Tyler and Hayley, and …" she wanted to say Klaus but stopped in time.

Her father despised Klaus even more than her. He wasn't stupid, although he never mentioned a word about it to her, he knew about her stupid crush, and he knew he was trouble, so he did everything possible to keep her away. Luckily as already mentioned Klaus never paid any attention to her anyways so his job wasn't very demanding. So you can safely assume he went ballistic when he saw their pictures in the press. Right away demanded an explanation why was she even seen with him and started giving her the speech how that is not good publicity for her. She sometimes felt like a 15 year old around him when he started to talk to her like that, and hated him for it. Not her manager, but she hated her father. Too bad those two were so intertwined she couldn't tell anymore which one was which. So this was pretty much the only reason why she finally agreed to come here tonight. To get him off her back.

So she posed some more on the Red Carpet while the light of Vegas were shining on her, and while the reporters were asking questions like: "No one at your arm tonight? Where is Klaus? Is there something going on there? Is there Caroline? Reunion in more than one sense?"

She was just smiling mysteriously and not answering any questions. God, at least she hoped it was mysterious smiling and not just dumb. That's why she disliked those things … Too much stress, she used to handle it without a glitch, but she had to admit to herself, Tyler was always the one in the centre of attention on the red carpet, and she was kind of always ducking behind him. No one to duck behind now, she thought, while entering the restaurant where the benefit was taking place. And a thought of Klaus suddenly crept its way inside her brain. The way he handled the paparazzi more than a week ago. He was a natural at it; although he was a dirty bum, he was still as charming as hell. She wondered where was he now … No, wait, what?

Why would she be wondering that? She didn't give a shit about him and his whereabouts … She was obviously just lacking some food, so she sat at her table and waited for the dinner to be served. She was making polite small talk to everyone but she didn't see anyone she'd particularly want to hold a conversation with. Everyone just wanted to know if she was ok, the poor thing being screwed over like that, and it made her so sick she couldn't even eat properly. She needed a drink, so she headed to the bar.

" Omg, Caroline, is that you?" she heard a familiar voice behind her but she just couldn't place to whom it belonged to.

She turned around and saw a petite yet gorgeous black- haired girl standing in front of her.

"Anna?" she asked hoping she got it right. It's been so long …

"Yeah, it's me. Come here you." She said and the two women hugged.

"My God how long has it been? Five years? Or six?"

" If not more … Right after the show got cancelled I went to Europe to work as a photo model. I lived in London, then Paris, short time in Madrid and Milan … I didn't visit the US much, maybe once or twice a year. But I'm back for good now." Anna said and flashed her with a big rock.

" Omg, congratulations. I had no idea."

"Well no … He's not a celebrity … Just a normal guy so … We try to keep our lives out of the press."

"Lucky you." Caroline said with a sigh.

" Oh yeah …" Anna said and looked down feeling a bit embarrassed.

" I read, I'm, a … Sorry about your marriage and all."

"Don't mention it. Please, don't …"

"You're right. Let us not talk about glum subjects. Hey, you want to get out of here and have a decent drink with me? This is totally not my scene, just had to make an appearance since I'm "the face" of one of the sponsors of this shindig."

" So much, let's get out of here, a decent drink always sounds like a good plan."

"Great, let's get our coats and go, we have a lot of catching up to do."

" So where do you want to go?" Anna asked.

"Well I'm staying at The Palazzo so we could go to a bar there; it's only a few blocks away and we'll have our privacy since the press are not allowed inside."

"Awesome, let's go then."

So they sat at the bar and ordered a couple of Cosmopolitan's. Anna told her all about her international career and how she met her hubby, a chef from France, while Caroline remained pretty secretive. Yes, she did tell her about Tyler and how they met, fell in love, and got married, but she didn't go into detail. She also spoke of her career, trying to hide the fact she wasn't too happy being known as only queen of romantic comedy these days, and of course Scooter Brown, a character she apparently just couldn't get away from.

" What about Klaus and you?" Anna suddenly asked.

" What about us?" Caroline said showing more interest to her second cocktail than to Anna's question.

" Oh please, don't give me that, "what about us" bull. You can sell it to someone who wasn't there Care, not to me. I was there from the very started, playing Skip's younger sister. I know you were head over heals for him."

"That was million years ago." Caroline said and looked away.

" Did, did everyone know?" she asked with a tremble in her voice.

" Pretty much." Anna said without blinking, like it wasn't a big deal at all she was making a fool out of herself for some asshole that didn't care for anyone but himself. And that did not change, Caroline thought bitterly.

But Anna noticed Caroline's expression so she toned it down a bit.

" Hey, but it's not a big deal. We all had are foolish crushes. Unless yours is more than a crush these days? I always thought you had incredible chemistry on screen. Always wondered if there was something there …"

" No, no and noooo … I wouldn't be with the likes of Niklaus Mikaelson even if he was the last man standing."

" Wow, someone's being pretty feisty about it … Maybe that's …" Anna stopped in the middle of sentence and looked dumbstruck.

" Speak of the devil. Don't look now but the devil is here. Unbelievable …"

But Caroline couldn't help but to turn her head, and see Klaus entering the bar. Alone, surprisingly enough. God, she hoped he wouldn't spot them but knew the chances of that were pretty slim.

" Annie!" he screamed across the room and started approaching him. Him and Anna hugged and kissed, while he was completely ignoring her. And she saw Anna checking them out thoroughly, waiting for a reaction, but Caroline was also playing the ignoring game.

"I haven't seen you in ages. You look soo good, not little Tony anymore I see." Klaus told her and winked and Caroline felt a sting of jealously creeping down her spine. It was ridiculous, but she hated how Klaus was even semi- nice to everyone else on the set all those years ago, but to her he always was, well, you know the story …

"She's married … And so out of your league …" she finally spoke.

"Well, congratulations on getting hitched. I personally don't believe in marriage, but he's one lucky fellow."

"Like anyone would even let you get married and let alone marry you." Caroline mumbled under her breath but he caught that and finally acknowledged her presence.

"Giving marriage tips are we Miss Forbes?" he said ironically hitting her where it hurt the most. Anna was very much amused with this. It was like the good all times all over again, well to some … And then Anna opened up her purse and took out her Iphone. "

I'm sorry you guys, but we'll have to shorten this little reunion, hubby's texting and waiting for me. It was very nice to see you, and Care you have my number, call me when you have time and we'll to this again. She leaned in it to kiss her, and than she leaned to kiss Klaus while she whispered: "Go easy on her. Don't always have to prove you're the alpha of asses." And left before either of them had to chance to say something to that. And so they were left alone, again …

Right after she left Caroline turned to Klaus and gave him an angry look.

"Are you stalking me now or something?"

"Wow, someone has a high opinion about herself." He sat next to her and ordered scotch.

"Well I doubt it's an accident we'd just bump into each other in Vegas of all places. In this hotel of all places …"

"Well it is, I was at a corporate shindig. I got 30 000 bucks just to spend an hour with some suits."

" And you're pathetic enough to admit it."

" Hey, a job is a job …"

"And someone has to pay the dealer …" she wasn't even trying to hide her disgust towards him.

" I'd say it was a pleasure, but we both know I wouldn't mean it, so …" She took her purse and went towards the elevators. They were attracting enough attention as it was. She could notice that every head in the bar turned towards them, she even thought she heard snapshots from a mobile phone being taken. She had to get out of there and to her hotel room, where she wouldn't be bothered, not by him or anyone. She really didn't expect of him to follow her, but right before she could turn around he was in the elevator with her.

"What the hell do you want from me?"

" I'm bored."

" And? How is that my problem? I'm not your entertainment." Caroline yelled at him annoyed.

" I'm sure there are plenty of desperate women in this town that would lower there standards and have there way with you. Maybe you should go back to that corporate thing of yours, I'm sure plenty of women there would even pay, and we all know you're short on cash so it would be a win- win. "She was throwing all of her most poisonous darts just trying to build as tall as wall as she could around herself to keep him away. He said nothing and just pressed the button for the last floor, the royal suite.

" So I was right, you are going to some mogul's wife room."

" Want to tag along? Imagine how much money I would earn for brining you for a threesome, I'll even give you, let's say 30 percent?"

" Aww, always a gentleman Klaus. But unlike you I'm still filthy rich, and don't have to sell myself."

" Oh really? I saw you in the remake of Dangerous Liaisons. If that wasn't a sell out …"

That shut her up instantly, because he was actually right. She tried to tell her father that movie was just wrong for her from the very start but he refused to listen. And although her remark about being filthy rich was true, her box office flops did start to have an effect on her.

Maybe not financially, but mentally and emotionally. Her heart just wasn't in acting anymore.

" The costumes in that movie were just … " he started laughing and she wanted to put her hands around his neck and just … choke him to death …

"They should have focused on your legs not your bust."

"Could you just refrain from commenting my look, nobody cares what you think." she said while her heart was pounding like crazy, she hated to admit it to herself, but she still cared.

" So I can't even say that you look really nice tonight? Because you do … Bonnie's doing?"

" Jeremy and I go way back …" he added explaining why he knew more about her life than she wanted him to.

They finally reached the final floor and she could finally say bye bye to him and return to her own floor just two storey's down. But before she could grasp what was happening her took her hand and pulled her out.

" What the hell are you doing? Leave me alone …" she said and ripped her hand out his again feeling that strange fire burning through her veins.

" Oh come on. For once don't be such a bore. There's a party going on here."

" Not interested …"

"You know what Caroline Forbes, you're all shine on the outside but there's no treat on the inside. Do you even remember to take your clothes off during sex?"

" Fuck you." she just greeted through her teeth and opened the door of the first suit to see the place swarming with people drinking and dancing and making out and … There were basketball players, rap stars in the raising and starlets of all hair and age. Well, you get the picture. But she stepped inside just to get away from him.

" It's Scooter everyone." Someone screamed.

" I loved you so much. I practically grew up watching the show. Come have drinks with us." And so she did, and she was actually having a semi-decent time before he again turned next to her.

"Found someone desperate enough yet?" she said although she was very much aware 90 percent of women in that room would give their left kidney to be with him. Luckily she was falling in the category of the other ten called: "not a chance in hell".

" Nah, I just thought of using you instead."

" Oh yeah? And how do you plan on doing that? Giving me a fast lobotomy?"

" Well, I am the keeper of your dirty little secret, on the search for the new mister Forbes and all … "

"So what, you'll blackmail me to sleep with you?" she said and started laughing, but something twisted inside of her stomach. Just a small part of her was curious how would it feel, the second time around. Ok, maybe it was more than just a small part, as she was standing this close to him and she could feel his scent. But she would never ever actually do something about it, it would be a mistake not worth making twice, the first time around was heartbreaking enough.

" Nah, I'm just messing with you, you're just uptight for me anyway."

"And you're too unattractive for me." like he'd ever believe that, but as the night was progressing she was tiered and her poisonous darts were losing its poison.

"Let's toast to that then" Klaus said and took two drinks from a blonde that was trying to get his attention for ages now. She looked so disappointed that Caroline would have felt sorry for her if she wasn't so pushy. She should have said no, she didn't feel like drinking anymore, but one more drink wouldn't kill her, after this one she was definitely going back to her room and leaving Klaus to do whatever with whomever.

"To us, never happening." he said and touched her martini glass.

" Hear hear to that." she sipped her martini, that felt oddly strong but kind of nice.

What was she saying again? Oh yes, she wanted to go to her room. But as the time passed the room started turning more and more, and she wasn't going anywhere. And then there was Klaus, standing next to her, looking so hot, with his boyish grin and those dimples, she suddenly felt the urge to touch his dimples. She suddenly had the urge to touch him, everywhere she could get her hands on … He approached her and she hugged him and whispered in his ear: "I don't hate you anymore."

He hugged her tighter and started doing circles on her back; she almost melted then and there.

" I don't hate you either." He repeated her words while nibbling on her earlobe.

And then for no apparent reason he pulled back and went in the direction of the blonde from earlier, he seemed angry and she didn't understand way, everything was sooo peeerfect tonight she could just sing and dance, and sing … Hey, maybe she could … She was just about to climb on top of the bar and start singing when someone yanked her away. It was Klaus of course. And for once she was happy it was him, she wanted to be near him, he wanted for him to take her to his or her room, it didn't matter really, and make love to her till morning. No … She didn't want him to make love to her, no love, she wanted sex. Hot, steamy, animalistic, don't care about your name the next morning sex… She was just about to say that to him when he beat her to it and said:"We need to get out of here and now." he said it in a serious tone, but his eyes were still blurry as hell. His gorgeous blue eyes … His eyes … It was the last thing she remembered before waking up the next morning …

First of all, a biiiig biiig shout out to all of you, I LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH ... Seriously you've been the best with your reviews and kind words. I'm am beyond happy so many people are starting to like this ...

So ... This is a fun chapter, or at least I hope it is ... Klaus and Caroline are still at it, playing their little roles, but the stakes will be risen higher than they might expect ;) ... I'll try to update as soon as possible, but can't promise anything since their is a chance sth. big might me happening in my own life. Anyways THANK YOU once more and pretty please review to keep me this haaapy ;)