Thanks for all your nice reviews. It's good to see some of my former Never the Bride reviewers back, Kristine W, NikMik, Suzypyong, mycutehamlet, yourloved, helfabulousgirl, Ela marelica, Lara-Zivago and HelloCutePanda (I've missed you guys!) Plus all of my new reviewers including; Aishani 108, xxvampiresgreatestweaknessxx and arielmermaid (just to name a few.)
Collision Course: Chapter 7
"The least you could do is leave the toilet seat down." Caroline shouted pulling it down with a bang and storming out of the bathroom.
"Now why would I want to do that?" Klaus asked lazily looking up at the blonde from his seat on the couch.
"Oh I don't know Klaus maybe common courtesy? You know I am your guest in case you'd forgotten."
"No Caroline you're not my guest you are my wife and I must say you're doing an impressive impersonation of a nagging one right now." He replied rolling his eyes.
Caroline closed her eyes momentarily trying to calm herself hoping when she opened them again he and this whole situation would have magically disappeared. She opened them slowly to find him grinning at her.
"You can't get rid of me that easily love."
"You're telling me." She muttered walking off into his spacious white kitchen. They had been living together for a fortnight now and it had already been two weeks too long for Caroline. Klaus was constantly needling her no doubt to get a reaction. Even though she tried not to give him the satisfaction it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep quiet.
It wasn't just the annoying remarks either, Caroline found it increasingly impossible to predict his changing moods. Just last night she and Klaus had discovered a mutual love for the television show Friends sitting through a marathon of episodes together. Klaus had even ordered in Thai food which he knew was her favourite. She couldn't understand how he had gone from being perfectly friendly one moment to annoyingly irritating the next. Who exactly was she living with Dr Jekyll or My Hyde? Caroline had put it down to his sex withdrawals but she wasn't about to give in just to get some peace and quiet.
Caroline pulled out the orange juice container from the fridge and grabbed a glass from the cupboard. She poured the juice finding nothing but a trickle of liquid remaining.
"Klaus!" She hollered unable to stop herself.
"What?" He cried eventually sauntering into the kitchen to join her.
"Here's a little tip for you. When you finish something put it in the bin not back in the fridge."
"There was some left though Caroline." He objected childishly pointing at the minute amount in the glass. This guy really was unbelievable sometimes. She grabbed the carton and hurled it into the garbage before stalking out of the room. She really needed to get out of there before she killed him.
Deciding to head up to Runyon Canyon Park for a hike to relieve some of her stress Caroline changed into sweats and grabbed her keys from the hall table. Elena and Bonnie still had them on partial lockdown because of the sustained media interest but she figured a quick walk wouldn't matter too much.
Before she could leave the doorbell rang echoing throughout the house. Caroline wondered who'd be calling past this early on a Saturday morning. She cautiously checked the security monitor in the hallway a smile breaking out on her face at who was waiting on the other side of the door. The tall blonde was looking up at the camera with a goofy grin flipping the bird. Still as mature as ever she thought. Opening the heavy wooden door Caroline pounced on him the smell of Calvin Klein filling her nostrils.
"Matt Donovan, long time no see!" She cried excited to see her old friend.
"It's been way too long Care, god I've missed you." He replied picking her up and twirling her around on the spot. He put her down only to have her punch him forcefully in the stomach. "Ouch woman, what the hell was that for?"
"That Matthew Thomas Donovan was for standing me up after the AMA's, I've been saving up my strength for a few weeks now."
"Yeah well it certainly feels like it." He whined rubbing his stomach.
"Oh is Mr Quarterback getting a little soft in his old age, don't tell me you're scared of little old me." She replied batting her eyelashes in his direction.
"Oh I've always been scared of you Caroline. You may have told Oprah prom was a pity date but it was actually fear of what you'd do to me if I didn't take you." He laughed holding his hands up defensively in case she decided to strike again.
"What's with all the commotion out here?" Klaus asked walking out of the kitchen a mug of steaming coffee in his hand.
"Well if it isn't my best buddy, good to see you again Mikaelson." Matt said patting him on the back affectionately.
"You too man." Klaus said a big grin on his face. "What brings you to my humble abode?"
"I should have known a Brit wouldn't keep up with the NFL fixture." He said rolling his eyes at Caroline.
"There's actually another sport us Brits like to call football which is far superior to your little American sport." Klaus teased.
"Are we back to this again?" He chuckled. "This is how we met in the first place; Klaus couldn't help himself but take a swipe at our national game."
"I can't help it you American guys are so weak what with all your helmets and padding."
"Oh I'm pretty sure Matt could whip your arse Klaus, in fact I would pay to see that." Caroline said her eyes lighting up at the prospect.
"Oh he could not." Klaus gulped looking ominously at the wall of blonde muscle standing in front of him.
"Come on Klaus no need to act tough to impress Caroline after all I wouldn't want to show you up in front of your wife." He laughed. "Oh that reminds me belated congratulations by the way."
"Don't you start Matt." Caroline scolded.
"Well I think I deserve some credit for this marriage considering I introduced you two." He joked.
"Someone's enjoying themselves." Klaus muttered.
"Yeah that's for sure." Caroline said rolling her eyes. "As much as I'd love to sit around joking with you I was just about to head off for a hike."
"That sounds like a good idea it'll give me a chance to catch up with you Care. You can fill me in on all the wedding details, well the ones you can remember." He said laughing heartily.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"So what's it like being Mrs Klaus Mikaelson?" Matt asked as they walked out the front door together.
"It's everything I always dreamed." She replied a wry smile on her face.
"No because if that were true you'd be married to yours truly." Matt said puffing out his chest proudly.
"Are you still going to hold that over me? I mean come on we were seven years old and you still won't let me forget it." In second grade Caroline had the biggest crush on Matt and even asked him to marry her at one point.
"Nope that one will stay with me forever, I love being able to wheel it out just to annoy you." He laughed. "Seriously though Care how are you doing?"
"I'm holding up, just." She said weakly. "I guess this is my penance for doing something extremely stupid." Matt instinctively gathered her into his strong arms trying to comfort his good friend. She heard a snapping sound and looked over his shoulder noticing a stray photographer loitering behind a nearby tree.
"Oh no." She said her stomach dropping. Matt pulled back looking at her curiously. "Just you wait; tomorrow there'll probably be a story on the front page alleging we're having an affair." She said realising Elena wouldn't be very happy with this latest development.
"Screw them I say." He laughed squeezing her tighter making her laugh in the process. One thing Caroline could always count on was Matt cheering her up. He'd been doing it for years and she realised how well-timed his visit was today. They hopped into the car bound for Runyon Canyon.
"I've never seen the media this persistent before." Matt said his eyes wide. "I don't know how you stand it."
"Believe me in the beginning it was horrible but I'm almost used to my media friends following me everywhere I go now." She quipped. "Only five and half months to go now I suppose."
"Look I'm sure it will just fly past." He said attempting to make her feel better. "The media will lose interest and eventually leave you alone.
"The media aren't my main concern at the moment, I think I'd just prefer it if Klaus left me alone. It's only been a fortnight and I'm ready to kill him Matt." She whined.
"Oh come on Care he seems like a pretty cool guy, maybe you just need to give him a chance."
"He may be a cool guy Matt but he's hardly what you would call ideal husband material."
"Yeah well if anyone isn't suited for marriage it's Klaus. I mean I know that and we've only been out together once." He laughed. "I still can't believe you of all people got drunk and married in Vegas."
"Seriously Matt there's no need to rehash the past it already haunts me enough in my nightmares."
"To be honest I was a little worried about you especially after everything that happened with Tyler." He said his tone serious. "I know how much he hurt you Care."
"Yeah he's probably having a good old laugh at my expense right now." She muttered.
"Well if you'd let me kill him at the time that wouldn't be an issue now." He smiled trying to lighten the situation.
"After everything that happened with Tyler I sort of went into a trance and threw myself into work. If I'm being completely honest I don't think I've ever really dealt with it."
"No you decided to lash out and have a drunken Vegas wedding instead." Matt said and she laughed despite everything.
"Yeah and now I've managed to marry an even bigger womaniser."
"That must be your type." Caroline just shook her head in response. "So you're telling me he doesn't have any redeeming features at all?"
"Klaus sort of runs hot and cold, one minute he's being annoying and saying stupid things just to bait me but the next he can actually be quite generous and thoughtful. I can't keep up with his constant mood swings." She said her forehead creasing into a frown.
"Sounds like fun."
"You have no idea. He's got to be the most annoying roommate I've ever had, and I've lived with Katherine Gilbert!" Matt laughed remembering how Caroline and Katherine would fight constantly, Elena dutifully playing peacemaker.
"I really should catch up with the twins soon." He said. "We need to go out together like old times."
"Well Katherine is on a film shoot in Thailand at the moment and Elena is busy running my life down to the very last minute." She sighed dramatically.
"Isn't that what publicists are supposed to do?" He joked.
"I guess but sometimes I would like her to be my friend first although that's what I get for making my best friend my publicist I suppose. Elena is going to be absolutely livid if that photo turns up in the press." Caroline said already dreading that conversation.
"You don't think I'll be held responsible for this do you?" He asked feigning innocence a smile playing on his lips. "I mean I'm just a dumb jock what would I know?"
"Oh I knew it! Playing dumb is the reason why she goes so easy on you; maybe I should try that one next time."
"She'd see straight through it coming from you." He laughed. "Look Caroline you can't let it get to you. I think what matters at the end of the day is Elena only has your best interests at heart as your publicist and your friend."
"I suppose so, you know you're a very wise man Matt Donovan how is it that a gorgeous girl hasn't snapped you up already?"
"I'm so busy with my football not to mention I like having fun too much to settle down." He smirked. Matt hadn't changed at all she thought no wonder him and Klaus hit it off.
"I don't know why I even bother with you."
"Speaking of football though how would you and Klaus like to come to my game tonight in San Diego?"
"Well you'll have to check with my publicist first, she may not let me out of my cage." Caroline laughed.
"I couldn't think of a better publicity opportunity than this one especially if you have to hose down any speculation there's trouble in paradise."
"Well how about you call Elena, get her permission and while you're at it you may want to break the bad news about our secret love affair."
"Why is it that I always have to do your dirty work Forbes?"
"Because you're so good at it sweetie." She answered hitting him playfully.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Can you please remind me again why we decided to drive to San Diego?" Caroline asked.
"Well Caroline your publicist thought driving to the game would attract less media attention than flying." He snapped back.
"Well of course it would." Elena muttered next to Caroline.
"I know that Klaus but we've only been driving a half hour and not only is your taste in music terrible but you had to bring your annoying manager along for the ride." She pouted gesturing to the front seat.
"And here I was thinking you and I were beginning to bond." Damon said looking back at her pretending to be hurt. "Anyway what am I doing that's so wrong; it's your publicist here that won't stop whining."
"I do not whine." She cried. "Maybe if you could actually read a map we wouldn't have gotten lost back there."
"Hey I'm not the one driving this vehicle last time I checked." Damon scoffed looking over to Klaus for assistance.
"No I guess that would be me but it would help if I had a better navigator Damon." Klaus said through gritted teeth. Two hours didn't seem that long at first but Caroline was beginning to understand as far as road trips went this would have to be the worst. She thought her and Klaus fought a lot but she realised in the confined space of the car that Elena and Damon's incessant bickering far surpassed theirs.
After Matt invited them Elena suggested the publicists tag along to deal with any possible fallout but Bonnie couldn't make it and now they were stuck with Damon, something Caroline, Elena and even Klaus were probably regretting.
"Oh I can't wait to see the Eagles thrash the Chargers tonight." Damon said rubbing his hands together with glee choosing to ignore Klaus's earlier comment. "Matt Donovan is on an absolute hot streak at the moment."
"Yeah with football and women." Elena mumbled referring to their earlier photo which had just found its way onto the TMZ website with the caption, "Just friends?"
"Oh Elena I said I was sorry about that, I guess I just didn't think." She said dismissively.
"Obviously Caroline." She erupted. "It doesn't take a genius to realise while you're the subject of intense media scrutiny it's better to refrain from having personal contact with other males in public."
"I'm sorry I had the nerve to leave the house and get some fresh air with a friend without checking with my publicist first." She shot back, Elena starting to get on her last nerve.
"Okay you win Caroline I'll change the music if you two stop yelling at each other, it's doing my head in." Klaus growled from the front seat obviously attempting to ease the tension. The two girls stared at each other before turning around to look out their respective windows. The car descended into silence each of its occupants in quiet contemplation. After a few minutes Damon spoke.
"So how about this weather hey?"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Philadelphia was up 16-8 at the half-time break with Matt the lead scorer for the Eagles. Caroline had remained relatively quiet throughout remorseful about her fight with Elena. She realised how immature she'd been considering the photo incident today not to mention the whole mess was entirely her fault.
"I need a drink." Caroline said standing up from her seat and stretching her arms out in front. Damon was too busy teaching Klaus the finer points of the game to notice and Elena just sat there a stony look etched on her face. "Um Elena do you maybe want to come with?" She asked weakly.
Elena looked up obviously working out whether she was going to take the olive branch Caroline was extending. "Yeah okay." She replied quietly. The girls made their way out of the crowded bleachers and downstairs.
"Look Elena I'm sorry about before I didn't mean to jump down your throat." Caroline said quietly looking at her friend.
"Well you did and all I was trying to do was explain what you did wrong and why I was so mad."
"Well I would hardly call that explaining Elena; you scolded me like a naughty child."
"Well if I did I'm sorry but I get so frustrated sometimes. Do you think I want to be the bad guy who is constantly on your back? Trust me I don't take any joy in telling you what to do but it's my job."
"I know and there's nobody else I would rather be my publicist." She said looking closely at her friend. "I realise I haven't made it easy on you given my recent behaviour but every now and again I just want my best friend Elena back, not another lecture."
"Well you've certainly made it tough on me lately Caroline but that's exactly why I need you on my side so we can fix this situation together." She sighed.
"I really am sorry for everything, including dragging you into the mess that is my life at the moment. Look from now on I promise to do everything you say but could you just maybe just take it down a notch and lighten up a little?" She pleaded.
"Okay I'll try but sometimes you are just too damn stubborn for your own good and trust me one client like that is more than enough." She said a smile crossing her face. Caroline laughed knowing she was talking about Katherine.
"Yeah I can only imagine the pressure you're under having to look after us divas." She said dramatically.
"You're telling me! I have to admit though I'd be lost if I didn't have Bonnie and Stefan around to help out." She said gratefully.
"How about Damon, is he not being helpful?" Caroline asked arching her eyebrows.
"No he's too busy driving me crazy to be of any use. I mean have you ever met anyone so arrogant?"
"Yeah Klaus but I guess that explains why they're friends." She agreed. "Although I must say I've never seen you get so worked up about someone before, are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me?"
"Ew Caroline, as if!" She cried screwing up her nose. "I could think of nothing worse."
"The lady doth protest too much methinks!" Caroline said quoting Shakespeare, earning an eye roll from her friend.
"So you and Klaus seem to be playing nicely with each other lately." Elena said trying to change the subject.
"Well I wouldn't go that far I mean he's pretty much the roommate from hell most of the time."
"That's not what it looked like when I came over last week." Elena had called over unexpectedly with some documentation for Caroline to sign only to find them looking cosy, as she put it, while Klaus was having one of his Dr Jekyll moments.
Caroline had returned home stressed after a bad recording session indulging in a long bath only to find in the meantime that Klaus had not only cooked her dinner but sat through an entire episode of Gossip Girl even though she knew he hated it with a passion.
"Well if you ask Klaus about it he accidentally cooked too much spaghetti and Blake Lively is his ultimate celebrity fantasy."
"Oh please for an actor he's a pretty bad liar." Elena scoffed.
"I don't know Blake Lively is pretty hot, I mean I'd sleep with her." She laughed although she was thinking exactly the same thing about his poor excuse.
"Well Bonnie was pretty surprised when I told her about it and she's known Klaus for a long time." Elena exlained.
"Nice to see you and Bonnie talk about us behind our backs."
"Call it character study, you know it's a very important tool in the art of publicity."
"Now who's a bad liar?" Caroline smiled. "Anyway he may have done a few nice things but it doesn't really matter considering most of the time he's just moody and annoying."
"I don't know Caroline I think you've definitely had a positive effect on him, much more than either of you realise."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What no drink for me Elena?" Damon asked tilting his head slightly to the side. Elena rolled her eyes and sat down determined to not let him get to her. Caroline looked over at Klaus who was watching this all play out with great interest, a smile tugging at his lips. Caroline smiled at him knowing he was thinking the exact same thing as her.
"You know I think you'd look pretty good in one of those cheerleader outfits Elena." Damon said pointing out the scantily clad cheer squad on the field.
"No Damon slut is not really my style." She snapped. "Although it doesn't surprise me that it's something you would like."
"Well it certainly beats brunette publicists with sticks up their arses." He shot back. She inhaled deeply looked over at him her eyes wild. Caroline was slightly scared of what was going to happen next. The music started up briefly interrupting their spat, Caroline looked at the enormous jumbotron noticing it was Kiss Me Cam time. As the images of loved up couples flashed across the screen Elena proceeded to explode.
"Well that's fine by me considering I would never go there anyway." She cried not noticing the camera had zoomed in on her and Damon and their faces were plastered over the big screen. "I mean you are without doubt the most egotistical jackass I have ever met and trust me I've worked with a few of them in my time..." Without hesitating Damon lent forward and kissed a shocked Elena, the crowd around them erupting into cheers and whistles.
Caroline covered her mouth not quite sure where to look, Klaus nudged her in the side and she could feel him shaking with laughter. After a few seconds Damon pulled away a dazed Elena too shocked to speak.
"Now this is what I call a football game and its only half-time still." Klaus murmured smiling at Caroline.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I don't think Elena even realised the game had ended she was still in such a state." Caroline laughed as they walked in the front door.
"Don't you love how Damon kept trying to justify the kiss by saying he was only trying to shut her up." Klaus added. "I mean if that were the case I would have just poured my drink over her instead."
"Well that's hardly surprising." Caroline muttered. "I can't believe they had to ride the whole way home in the car together, it must have been excruciating. I just wish I had chance to speak to Elena about it alone."
"She likes him though, right?" Klaus asked following her into the kitchen.
"Oh yeah, I've never seen her so wound up over someone, I mean they argue constantly over completely petty things." She said opening the fridge hoping to find a midnight snack.
"Yeah but we fight all the time over petty things. Does that mean you have the hots for me too?" Klaus asked a wicked grin crossing his face.
"No we fight because we got drunk and married in Vegas and are now stuck in this sham of a marriage." She replied bluntly slamming the fridge door with a bang.
"Oh come on love admit it you want me, you have ever since we met." He said walking over and taking her by surprise so that she was trapped, her back up against the fridge door.
He lent in slowly placing his hands on either side of her face so that his mouth was within inches of hers. Caroline inhaled deeply his aftershave a mixture of spices and musk. She felt dizzy with him in such close proximity. It would be so easy to kiss him right now all she had to do was move forward an inch to feel his soft lips over hers.
Since their kiss at The Palms Caroline had been replaying it over and over in her mind secretly wanting to do it all again. She had never experienced such an earth-shattering kiss before and it just made her greedy for more. Most nights she found herself wide awake and unable to sleep reliving the way his lips caressed hers sending her into an absolute frenzy.
"Once I get under your skin it's pretty hard to get rid of me sweetheart." He whispered softly in her ear his hot breath tickling her earlobe. Caroline thought she was going to faint she felt so lightheaded.
"Just give in you know you want to." He urged. Caroline could feel the desire bubbling inside her desperate for release. "I mean all the girls do eventually, I'm just that good."
Caroline's eyes shot open breaking out of the trance he'd put her in. There was no way in hell she was giving in and losing the bet to this arrogant arse. She pushed him backwards her hands slightly shaking from the intensity, the look of surprise on his face was evident.
"Yeah you're like one of those awful diseases you can't get rid of no matter how much you try." She smirked. "Pity there's no medication I can take to make you disappear." Caroline walked off a triumphant smile on her face knowing she'd won this round although the battle was far from over.