The dinner party

A week has past. A blissful week of … Well, nothing actually … It's one of those surprises, you could even say miracles, of life. The media hype died down a bit, and Klaus and she were laying it low. Staying in, ordering dinner, watching movies together, having mind-blowing sex afterwards … They were almost acting like an old married couple, except … She still returned to her own bedroom after their little " rumpling the sheets" games. It didn't occur to her to stay the night, nor did he ever ask her. That would be too intimate, too close, it would make them lovers. This … This just made them two people taking advantage of a strange situation in the best way they possibly could. And Caroline didn't regret it, she was having the time of her life … With Tyler she had to be the perfect sex kitten, with Klaus … She could be herself, she wasn't afraid to say loud and clear what she wanted, and he delivered, he delivered alright. She had to admit … He wasn't the same boy that took her virginity all those years ago; he wasn't quick, or selfish or thinking only of himself and his pleasure. He took a deep enjoyment of torturing her, making her squirm, making her beg and scream for it, before giving her one of those mind-blowing releases. He took care of her with so much passion, worshiping every little part of her, like she was actually, special … But she had to keep it only physical, or she would sooner or later go insane, over him … And that would end in a catastrophe even greater than Tyler Lockwood. She had to keep it physical, and she was trying to keep it professional, to help him with his project, as she promised, but Klaus was not making it easy on her. How to put it simply? He was being a douche. She begged him like million times already to let her read the script but he was hiding it like it was the top world secret. She was just thinking that she could go back into her "burglar phase" and break into his office once more, try to pick a lock on his safe or something, when her phone began ringing. The call was coming from the house … Wow; this was like in one of those horror movies, she only had a small part in Stab 2, and just because the director was a personal friend of hers. Never again, it took her hours to wash the fake blood of her hair.

" Yes?"

" I want you in my office in ten minutes."

" And you couldn't have walked those few steps to the living room and tell me that? Besides … I'm not in the mood for sex, I'm doing my nails …" Caroline was trying to seem disinterested, he didn't have to know she never had enough of his strong, lean body pressing her onto every surface in this house. The wall, the table, the kitchen table, the stairs …

" Get you mind out of the gutter Forbes. It's not all about sex … God, you make a guy feel so cheap. Now get your sexy ass, clothes optional, into my office in ten minutes. Unless you're not interested in reading the script?" he said and hung up on her. The bastard … Just for that she made him wait ten minutes longer, actually doing her nails.

She walked into the office wearing a sexy as hell short jeans and a lemon knit top with a bear back, it wasn't naked, but as she came in and sat in one of those chairs stretching her legs, she knew she got the affect she wanted. She looked at one of the posters, the one of Humphrey Bogart and sighed.

" I bet he was a real man. A man that could make a woman feel safe …"

" I thought you feminists these days were perfectly capable of taking care of yourselves."

" We are, but that's not the point. I think every woman out there wants someone that can make her feel that way … Like she has a place she can always come back to, where someone will greet her with a smile and open arms. A broad shoulder to lean on…"

" I wouldn't bet on it. For example, Meredith Fell … I doubt she has such fantasies."

"You might me surprised Klaus. A woman's heart is an ocean of secretes. Who knows what's she's like deep down?"

" I know … She's a piranha, that chews her victims and spits them out while still alive, bleeding, begging for mercy."

" You are horrible, you know that? Just because she's not your biggest fan …"

"Well, this is where you come in handy my dear, beautiful, only wife. You need to convince her I'm the Husband of the Year. She loves the "Tree House", she loves everything about it, except …"

"You?"

" Thanks for pointing that out."

" You can't blame her. Your reputation … "

" That is why I need the Husband of the year award honey."

" And I need to see the script … So just hand it over finally, and we'll see where we will go from there."

Klaus looked at her for a moment, and Caroline was sure he was having second thoughts. He might be a selfish screw-up, but it wasn't hard to see this project meant everything to him and it wasn't easy for him to share it with anyone, let alone her. He finally opened one of the drawers and took something out it. A yellow envelope, containing his little treasure. He was just about to give it to her, when he snatched it away.

" Hey … You're mean."

" I'm just thinking … You don't have the best judgments when it comes to scripts. Remember "Pretty People"? And omg, my all time favourite " Winter in Texas". Really Carebear? What were you thinking?"

" Oh, shut it Klaus. Don't think I haven't seen your guest role on that daytime soap opera. Please, that's as low as it gets, so don't you dare make fun of my movie choices. So, I had a few stinkers, who hasn't? That's all in the past. You're looking at a brand new Caroline Forbes now. So hand me that script before a have to beat it out of you. "

"You've turned tough my little one."

"You ain't seen nothing yet little one." she snatched the script out of his hand, and started to leave the room to read it in peace.

"Don't burn it or something …"

"Making the fire as we speak hubby …"

She went into her room and read, for hours and hours … She couldn't stop, she couldn't put it down, it was … Breathtaking, amazing, life changing … As good as the book, if not better … This film had to be made. She would make sure it was made.

She almost ran down the stairs, stumbling on a very confused Katherine, just yelling that she'd catch up with her later, and ran into his office. He was still sitting there, doing something on his laptop. Porn, would be her obvious choice before … Now, this script was porn to her heart, and she wanted to …

" I want to play Hannah." she almost yelled before even having time to catch her breath from all the running. Damn, she really did need to go back to her exercise programme.

" Good luck with that." he just said and went back to his laptop.

" Oh Klaus, the script is brilliant and beyond. It's so … So row … Bone chilling and crazy. And Hannah? She's so cold and ambitious and deep and dark and hard to understand, but yet so easy if you look at it …" she was rambling, but she was just a basket case of emotions after reading this.

" I need to play her. I mean it."

" In case you haven't been paying attention Blondie, I'm having just a tiny problem getting the movie financed. Hannah is the last thing on my mind right now."

" But if you get the green light … The only reason no one ever things of me as a serious actress is because no one ever gave me a real break. But I can do it, I know I can."

" Sorry Care, but even if I do get the film made … This movie needs a killer actress to carry the film next to the leading man … "

" So you think I can't play a complicated character? You can do it, but I can't? You're wrong. And I'll prove it to you …"

" Caroline don't be like that … I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm just being realistic."

"You, being the realistic one? And I, what? The crazy one? The delusional one? Has the world really come to that? I'll help you make this movie, I'll convince Meredith Fell or however in Hollywood I need, to make this happen. And then … Then I'll audition for Hannah, and kick ass and get this part, just to show how wrong you are. Now, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to take your pants off and have sex with me?"

She had never seen Klaus so shocked in her life. Honestly, she was a little shocked with herself as well, but it was a line she saw in a movie once, and always wanted to try it.

"What?" he just said, still lost.

"I'm angry at you, you jerk. So I either have sex with you, or I hit you. And I just did my nails so that would be a freaking waste. So take of your pants, put me on this table, and fuck me. Do I need to draw you a picture?"

Before she could say another word he grabbed her by the ass and lifted her up, putting her on the table. She threw some papers on the floor just for the fun of it. She saw that in numerous movies, and aaalways wanted to try it.

He was still squeezing her ass while applying butterfly kisses down her neck line. A trick that never gets old …

"You know, you're cute when you're angry. I like you angry."

" You know … I like me when I'm angry too … Now why are these pants still on?" she started playing with his belt and zipper while he was taking her shirt off.

" You have such nice back Carebear. I couldn't wait to slide this off and do this …" He kissed every delicate spot on her back … "And this …" he was sucking on her nipples over her yellow bra. She moaned his named, although she tried not to. It made him suck even harder. He laid her on the table and started taking off her shorts.

"I don't think this table has ever been christened before. Let's mix some business and pleasure, shall we? I can't wait to be inside of you. To fill you, to stretch you, to feel you closing in on me. Do you want it? Do you want me Caroline? "

" Yes …" Caroline said quietly completely lost in his words.

" He started taking off his pants as well, when suddenly …

" Oh fuck … Oooooh fuuuck …" she heard the door close behind them. She never heard them open, but she recognized Bekah's voice.

" Bex, havent'you heard of knocking?" she heard Klaus ask in an angry tone.

" My eyes … They're burning … I think they're melting … Meeelting … I'm blind!" Rebekah was going around the house screaming like a crazy person, and it made Caroline, laugh … She was lying on a table, half naked, in nothing but her bra and panties, and she was laughing her lungs off. You just have to love moments like these.

Klaus just sat on the chair and said: "I liked it more when I was the only child."

But this little almost sex thing on his office desk didn't discourage Caroline from going all in into making this movie made. She sat in the living room, took out her notebook, and started writing something. Rebekah walked in on her again. But before Caroline said anything, she turned around and said: "Before I turn back, tell me you're decent. My poor brain couldn't handle more pornography today."

" Bekah, stop with the teasing. We weren't even naked."

" That's a technicality … Nice panties btw; new Victoria Secret collection?"

" Stella McCartney actually. And come sit, I want to ask you something."

" If it's to join some strange threesome …"

" What's with your family obsession with threesomes? I just wanted to ask how you and Matt were doing. He never tells me anything, since I'm his boss and all, and he often forgets that I'm also his friend … I'm having a small get together on Friday, so I was thinking of putting him on my short list of people to invite. But I wanted to check with you, if that's ok."

" It's fine." Rebekah just shrugged her shoulders.

" Is everything ok? Did you two have a fight or something?"

" No, how could we? I mean, Matt is sooo perfect. He doesn't fight, he doesn't argue. He just always does what he is told."

" It's frustrating, right? I know … But if you want my honest opinion, I think that's just his outside persona, on the inside? Well, you have to try really hard to get to that, but I think it's worth it; Matt is a really amazing guy. And you are not a quitter; I know you'll crack him eventually, in a good way of course."

" Like you cracked my brother?"

" Who? Me? I don't think that goes under the same situation, not even close … Klaus and Matt are too very different people …"

" Really? You so sure sister-in-law? You give good tips; maybe you should listen to one of them." Caroline just looked at Bekah confused, not sure what the feisty blonde that hated her at first, was trying to tell her. That she could in some way fix Klaus? Help him become a better person? That she could make him, what exactly? Truly care for her? It was nice that she believed in her brother so much, for some reason it made Caroline happy to see Klaus had someone in his life that loved him so much, but for the other part … She was just plain delusional. Her and Klaus … It could never work … Speak of the devil …

"Oh, dear sister … I'm putting locks on my door as we speak, and an alarm to notify your pesky presence. I'm also thinking about a guard, or a dog …One of those that bite."

" Oh Nik, don't be grumpy because you didn't get any. I'm going out with Matt, he's picking me up in ten minutes, and then you can go back to your frolicking. Bye children. Be good, and remember, always use protection."

" Bekah!" they both yelled at her, as she walked away giggling.

" She's right you know … We didn't finish what we started. And I have all this pent up energy …"

" So do some push ups pent up boy. I'm busy. I have a guest list to make, and a dinner to organize, and only three days to do it." She was sounding like her old neurotic self again, but that Caroline had things done, so it wasn't bad to be a bit of a control freak sometimes.

" What dinner party?"

"Oh, just the one I'm inviting Meredith Fell to. Hope she'll accept, she will … I'll persuade her. And you'll have your chance to show her you're not the biggest asshole in the face of the Earth anymore. That you're serious about this project, and someone she could count on. In other words, you're going to act your ass out and charm the shit out of her. Got it?"

" But what's with the guest list? Wouldn't it be better for just the three of us to go somewhere and have dinner together?"

"You men are so clueless sometimes. We don't want her to feel cornered, do we? Ambushed? Brought to the slaughter? No … We want to create a nice, homey atmosphere where people feel relaxed and can be themselves, we'll mingle. "

" I like the way your evil mastermind is thinking Forbes."

" It's not evil, it's just smart thinking. It's just what we women do, and that is why we rule the world Pinkie."

" If you say so Brain. Now, who's on that list?"

" Just a few of our closest friends and family. Me, you, Bekah and Matt. Katherine of course…"

" Of course." Klaus grumbled.

" Hey, she's my best friend. And she's practically staying here, you let her …"

" Just because you said you'd never have sex with me again if I kicked her out."

" Men … So easy …"

" Moving on … Bonnie and Lexi are out of town … But I spoke to Stefan a few minutes ago, he's back tomorrow from his shot, so he'll probably be able to make it. Can't wait to see him again."

" Yeah, I missed the old boy as well. He probably missed me as well." Klaus batted his eyelashes at her, and she couldn't help but laugh.

" I'm so not getting into your semi gay relationship."

" So you could picture yourself sharing me?"

" With Stefan?"

" With anyone sweetheart …"

Caroline had to stop and think about it. The obvious answer would be yes, I mean they shared only their bodies; it wasn't emotional what they had. But somehow … The thought of him with another woman made her not just jealous, but also a bit sad. It made her sad to know that in a few months they will go their separate ways, and only see themselves on location if she manages to get the role and if he manages to make the movie. They'll say hi to each other, maybe even fight and bicker like in the old days, but it will never be like in the old days, not really. Because she had the chance to get to know a different side of him now, and she could never look at him the same. It made her sad, because it felt, and I know this will sound bizarre, like in a few months she'd be losing a friend. But she could never admit any of those things to him.

"Don't try to make me jealous Klaus. You're just my hired help, remember? Now, going back to the list. Meredith of course, our guest of honour … And I was thinking of inviting my dad, but not sure if that's a good idea, since I fired him and all, not sure how he's handling it all."

"Wait? Back up a bit sweetheart … I don't think I heard you well. You fired Bill?"

"You heard me well. It's not a big deal; it was just time for us to go our separate ways, professionally speaking." Caroline started sketching in her notebook, hoping this conversation was over, she didn't want to hear from him how she was daddy's little girl for so long, and how she let someone else control her life. But Klaus did something that shocked her completely. He moved in closer and kissed her forehead with such gentleness she thought she was going to melt. How could a man so cruel at times, be so caring and sweet?

"I'm proud of you Carebear. You're a whole other woman now."

For a second she just leaned into him as well, and said nothing. The silence spoke for them.

Klaus woke up in his bed. Alone. He remembered having a really heated sex massage turning into a really heated sex with Caroline last night. But after that she, as always, rolled out of his bed as fast as she possibly could, and went back into the guest room, or her room. She was staying her for a month and a half now, so it could be called her room. They were married, a month and a half, and they still haven't killed each other, he was … Well he was actually enjoying her company, inside and outside the bedroom. She was definitely not the same person as before, or maybe she was exactly the same person, but he was too much of an asshole to give her a chance to show him what an extraordinary person she truly was. So, her sneaking out of his room and keeping distance between them was the best possible thing. Because Caroline Forbes deserved so much better than him. Did he grow up? Well, mostly yes. Did he become serious? Well, in some things … But was he still a selfish man incapable of love? He didn't think no one could ever chance that. But despite of that, he would be blind not to recognize how much Caroline began to mean to him, he felt the need to protect her and to take care of her, to be her friend. Not something he felt towards a lot of women, except his sister Bex. But she just blended into his life so naturally … He couldn't imagine how it would feel in a few months. He didn't think she would get the role of Hannah, but not because he didn't think she wasn't talented enough, but because he knew what kind of an actress the studio wanted for the role. But he was hoping that he was wrong this time. It was Friday. The day of their big dinner party and him charming the shit out of Meredith Fell, as Caroline nicely put it. Caroline invited Meredith, and she said yes. I guess she genuinely liked Caroline, equally how much she disliked him. So he didn't have an easy task in front of him. But Caroline thought he could do it. No, that they could do it, together as a team. She had faith in him, and although he tried not to get caught up in her infectious optimism, eventually it rubbed on him as well. He hated having hope towards anything, because the disappointments that followed were just too painful to handle, and so it just became easier with time to shut those emotions out, but having Caroline in his life, it was becoming harder and harder to shut anything out, even her. Her optimism, the way she smiled when she was trying to be mean to him, the way she smiled when she was being honestly happy, the way she smiled when he kissed her … Caroline Forbes had a smile for every occasion, and he loved watching them, and being the cause of them, and learning each smile by heart. He was trying to keep that distance between them, he really was, but when she was near he couldn't not breathe her in, everything she was and everything she represented. Her optimism, her smiles, her goodness and her sweet heart where swimming in his veins, like poison penetrating into every pore of his body.

He needed to keep distance … So he went to the gym and tortured himself for a good hour and a half, trying not to think of her face. Trying not to think of her … But it was hard, since she was everywhere. When he got down she was already in the kitchen, making lists and giving out orders.

" Oh good, you're here. I need you to run down the store and get these things for me." She shoved him a list and pointed towards the door.

" Good morning to you too sweetheart. Don't I even get a good morning kiss?"

" No, because we're on a tight schedule. The dinner starts at 5. It's 10 o'clock now. It's all written hear, see? THE SCHEDULE. We have no time for activities that are not on the schedule."

" Niiik, you married a total lunatic." Rebekah came from the pantry carrying a million things.

" A freak. You're a millionaire; you do know that, right? And what do rich people do? They hire a freaking caterer. They don't host a party and then cook themselves. That's not natural."

" It's not a party Bekah. It's a small dinner for friends and family. And when it's for family and friends, the nice thing to do is to make an effort and prepare things, yourself. I can't wait to start cooking … I haven't cooked for so long."

" Fine, but why do we have to help out? Nik, she's practically running a slave factory over here." Rebekah was whining.

" It's true." Kat came carrying another loud of things. Whoa, who were they having for dinner? The Pope?

" I came here to drink and eat free of charge. If someone mentioned work …"

" Oh come on girls, don't spoil my fun. This is fuuun! We'll cook, and talk, and bond …"

" Nik just add a gun to that list that she gave you, so I can shot myself."

" Klaus, just go to the store. You have to be back till two. The meat has to be in the oven till two. And I said to Stefan to come around early and keep you company."

" In other words, you're not letting me anywhere near the kitchen today, and you call yourself a feminist, that's so sexist of you Caroline Forbes.

She came up to him and gave him a hug, whispering in his ear so that Rebakah and Katherine couldn't hear.

" I'm leaving you an open path so you can talk to Meredith. I told her to come around 4, so you'll have time to play the role of the perfect host and mention the movie, nonchalantly as possible of course."

" Hey you lovebirds over there, has no one thought you it's impolite to whisper in public?" Kat of all people was scolding them.

" I apologise from the bottom of my heart Katherine. I was just telling my wife here how she rocked my world in bed yesterday. Care for more details love?"

" Sure. I always like a good sex tale." Kat wasn't backing down, but luckily Bekah was in no mood to hear about her brother's love life.

"Please don't … I just had my breakfast, and I already feel it in my throat."

" Just go …" Caroline pushed him gently.

" Okay, but not before I get my good morning kiss."

" The schedule …"

" Screw the schedule." He took her in his arms for one of those movie kisses. He tilted her back and was the Clark Gable to her Vivien Leigh, while Kat was cheering them on and Bekah was making gag noises.

"There. Have a nice morning ladies. I'll be back as fast as I can."

" So, you two are looking hot and heavy. Is there anything I need to know? Any new development?" Kat gave her a curious look.

" No. Not really. Now let's cook. We should start with the pie …No, where did I put those cranberries?"

" Are you avoiding the question Caroline Marie Forbes?"

" Would you stop calling me by my full name? And would you stop giving me the third degree … We never talk about your love life, or Damon for example. Or Matt …" she looked at Rebekah.

" For some reason we just always have to talk about me. Well, I'm sick of it. Today I just want to cook and listen to you guys. No Tyler, and no Klaus … Okay?"

" Matt and I haven't slept together yet." Bekah blurted out.

" What?" both girls turned towards her.

" I know, right? We've been on 6 dates so far. And it's been fun, and he's such a good kisser, the only reason why I'm still having high hopes that he's good at other things as well. But … Come on … Enough's is enough."

" Well, have you shown him that you, you know… Want to?"

"Shown him? I practically threw myself at him a few times. So humiliating. If it was any other guy I'd dump him without thinking a long time ago, but he's so nice and caring, and he makes me laugh, and he encourages me and makes me feel smart, I don't know … Maybe he's just not attracted to me physically."

" Are you kidding me? You're a freaking super model. Every girl would want to be you, and every guy dreams of having someone like you by his side. You're the ultimate fantasy. Tell her Kat."

" I have to agree with Caroline on this one. If I was a guy, or a lesbian, I'd do you in a heart beat."

"Yeah, me too."

" Well thank you. It's nice to know you both have lesbian fantasies about me, I'll make sure to lock my door from now on, but Matt …"

" Is just shy, or maybe scared shitless because he wants you so badly, and is afraid of blowing it. Gorgeous girls can be a bit intimidating sometimes. Look, I've known him for a while now, and I see the way he looks at you. He's got it bad, he just needs to shut down that large brain of his and …"

" Use something else large of his?" Kat added

" Katherine … Let's just start the pie so it has time to cool of before dinner, it's nice when it's served with vanilla ice-cream. Now, hand me a cup of flour …"

Two hours later while the kitchen looked like a battlefield of pans and casseroles and spoons and jars Klaus walked in carrying more groceries. And a guy followed him.

" Look what the cat finally dragged in." he pointed at Stefan.

" Stefan!" all the three girls rushed to him to hug him and kiss him. Funny, gay as they come, and girls worshiped and adored him.

"Not fair … I've spent two hours looking for avocadoes and mangoes that are just perfectly ripe, whatever that means, and no one's even paying attention to me." Klaus was pretending to sulk.

"Even my own wife is kissing another guy before coming to kiss her husband."

" Well this other guy is her best friend, and she's missed him a lot." Caroline said and wrapped her arms around Stefan.

" We have sooo much catching up to do. Grab an apron and join us girls."

" Oooh, no you don't." Klaus was pulling his one arm, while Caroline was pulling the other one.

" Now guys … There's no need to fight over little old me, there's plenty to go around."

" But if you had to chose?" Klaus winked at him.

"Stop using your sex charms on him Mr. Mikaelson."

" Yes, stop using your sex charms on me Klaus. It's not fair to taunt me like that, when you're so stupidly heterosexual."

" Just go … You're distracting my schedule …" Caroline sent them off.

" Let me just grab a bottle of my finest … "

Caroline grabbed him by the hand. " Be careful about your drinking. I know it's a habit of yours, but don't let Meredith see how much you drink."

" Fine mom, I won't." Klaus looked at her with irritation, grabbed the bottle and left the kitchen. He was pissed. He purposely didn't tell her the drink was for Stefan, and that he had no intention of drinking tonight. He already thought the worst of him, right? So he'd just let her think that. He was so mad it almost made him actually pour himself a drink, but he restrained himself in the last minute. He walked into the living room, and pissed was written all over his place.

" Lover's spat?" Stefan asked.

"She's so annoying sometimes. Such a control freak. She thinks she knows everything, doesn't she? She thinks she's soo smart, and adorable, and cute to get away with it?"

He waited for Stefan to jump into her defence, but he just started laughing.

" What? Why are you laughing at mate?"

" You really don't know? You got it bad my friend."

" Got what bad?"

" The case of the love bug."

" Don't be crazy. I told you already what happened in Vegas, and why we decided to stay married. You know damn well we can't stand each other, we fight like cats and dogs, and we're as different as they came."

" I'm just mad at myself actually. For not spotting it sooner. Al those years … The two of you talking against each other, hating each other … Of course … It couldn't end in any way but this."

" The heat in Morocco has fried your brain my friend, because you're not making any sense. Nothing has ended in any way, nor will it. After this is over, we'll go our separate ways, like it never happened."

"Are you sure mate?" Stefan was mimicking his voice.

" Are you making fun of me Stefan?"

" I'm just saying … Open your eyes before it's too late friend. Sometimes we don't have to know the reason why something happened, we should just be grateful it did."

Stefan finally poured himself a drink and took a large sip.

" Oh yes, and just in case you don't come to your senses and see what's right in front of your eyes. If you hurt Caroline in any way possible, my foot will be so up your ass even the whole fire brigade won't be able to take it out. Are we clear?" Stefan meant business.

" No one is going to get hurt here. We have an agreement, and we're adults."

" And clueless …" Stefan said before taking another sip of the drink and rolling his eyes. Sooo clueless …

Caroline was just about to put the meat into the oven, when she heard knocking on the kitchen door.

" Meredith, what are you doing here?"

Meredith coughed awkwardly.

" You invited me remember?"

" I know silly. But why didn't you come in on the front door?"

" Well, I was just finished with my meetings for today. So I got home and took a shower, and then I remembered you telling me it's going to be a home cooked meal, so I thought I'd stop by and see if you needed any help."

"Oh gosh, that's so kind of you Meredith. Come in. But you don't need to stay here with my little slaves, as they like to call themselves, we have everything under control. You're a guest. Go into the living room, Stefan and Klaus are there, let them fix you a drink and pamper you after a long day at the office."

"I'd rather help out if you don't mind. I like feeling useful. So … What's my task?"

Crap, how was Caroline supposed to push her into the living room without making it look too suspicious?

" An apron for a sex story. We where just talking about our first time experiences." Kat was being open as ever, even around perfect strangers to her.

" Kat, I'm sure Meredith doesn't feel like sharing such an intimate story with people she barely knows.

" It was at summer camp, I was 15, his name was Paul and he was a good kisser, but bad at everything else, it hurt and it lasted like 20 seconds. Now, did I earn my apron?"

" Fair and square sister." Kat tossed her the apron and pointed her towards the chopper.

This was not going as planned. This was not part of the schedule. Klaus was probably getting himself hammered with Stefan, Meredith was chopping vegetables instead of talking to Klaus, and her father … Still didn't reply if he was going to show up …

"You guys, I'm just going to stop for … The … salt … We need some salt …"

She walked into the pantry and closed the door behind her. She sat on the floor and just sat there. What was she thinking? Playing this new Caroline that was going to fix things, make things happen? She couldn't even fix herself most of the time … This dinner was going to turn into a disaster … The movie won't be made, she'd never get to play Hannah and …

" Has the game part of the dinner began already?" Klaus stood at the door of the pantry looking at her sitting on the floor clutching her knees.

" I just needed a second to breathe."

" And here I thought you were playing hide and seek. Scoot over Blondie." He closed the door behind him and sat next to her on the floor.

" Meredith is here, in the kitchen, chopping carrots."

" I know, I saw her, said hi."

" I tried to tell her to go into he living room and hang out with you and Stefan but she … "

"Hey, it's ok. The dinner hasn't even begun yet. I have plenty of time to charm her, no woman can resist me, remember?"

" I don't think he's coming …"

"Your dad?"

"Maybe I shouldn't have fired him so out of the blue. Maybe he took it even worse than I thought. Maybe he really won't want to have anything to do with me anymore. I know I'm stupid, you'll just say I'm daddies little girl …"

"You're not stupid. You just want your father to be in your life. If nothing, that makes you brave."

"You think I'm brave?"

"Giving others a chance to hurt you, but still trusting them they won't, that's brave …"

"Oh … "was the only think she could say while they were sitting there on the floor staring into each others eyes. A strange wave of electricity passed through them.

"I'm not really good at comforting people …"

" Oh no … I mean …"

" But I am good at this."

He gently touched her lips with his. It wasn't a passionate kiss, it was the comforting one, the one saying – I'm here for you, I understand you. It was intimate, too intimate, but Caroline didn't have the strength to stop it. Whatever was going on between them …

" There you are. My God, you really are behaving like horny teenagers." Kat opened the door to the pantry and saw them making out on the floor, and of course came to her own conclusions.

" Sorry to interrupt, but Caroline … But you have a guest … "

" My dad is here?"

" No, it's not Bill. It's … Well, let's just say you need to come and see this for yourself."

Caroline got up and walked behind Katherine into the corridor.

" For the record, I told him he couldn't come in."

She stopped halfway, when she saw a man standing at the door.

" Tyler?"

Whoa, another huuuge chapter ... And I'm even publishing it sooner than I thought. Well my boyfriend is coming to visit and I don't know how long he'll be staying, but I won't be able to write when he's here ... So I don't know when I'll be able to update, but don't think that means I've given up this story. I've grown to love it so much, and I love every review I get, they truly keep me writing. So thank you so much for all your support and love for this story so far ... Hope you keep it up, because it makes me keep it up ;).

I really love this chapter, it's a bit messy, but it's exactly how I pictured it in my head ... So, I'm more than ever curious to here your thoughts ... On them bonding? Actually liking each other's presence in their lives? On Tyler? What was your favorite part of this chapter? Did you like the ending? The next chapter should be a lot of fun, when I manage to write it ... SO REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW ... LOVE YOU GUYS ;)))