Thanks for your reviews for the last chapter. I am doing a flashback in this chapter (in italics as usual) so have included dates and places etc. Given they'll be moving around a bit in this story I think its best I just keep doing that so as not to confuse anyone! Also apologies for any grammatical/spelling errors I try my best but sometimes miss stuff. Okay onto chapter 8.
Chapter 8: Collision Course
7 June, New York City
"Surprise!" Klaus stepped back in fright almost falling over in the process. As the lights flickered on he adjusted his eyes taking in the sight before him. The room was decorated festively with black and white touches. Guests emerged from behind pieces of furniture dotted throughout the room with broad grins on their faces.
Klaus felt his stomach sink, he couldn't think of a worse way to celebrate his birthday. The actor in him plastered on a fake smile and thanked everyone for their wishes wanting to be anywhere but there.
28 May (ten days earlier), Los Angeles
"Caroline has a video shoot scheduled in New York next week so I've organised for you to do those publicity shots for your new movie while you're there. Then you'll both travel down to Mystic Falls from New York." Bonnie said consulting her notes looking up when she heard a loud zapping noise from the television.
"Gotcha!" Klaus shouted as an alien exploded into dust only to be replaced with another.
"Klaus are you listening to me?"
"Of course I am Bonnie you know it isn't just females that can multi-task." He said wishing the alien on screen would hurry up and die so he could move on to the next level. Bonnie stood up impatiently and walked over to the television blocking the screen.
"Bonnie!" He whined like a child.
"So if you were in fact multi-tasking what did I say?" She demanded hands on hips. Klaus wracked his brain madly trying to remember exactly what she had been rambling on about but drew a blank.
"Um, you said I am the most handsome guy you've ever met." He said flashing his sexiest grin.
"You could have at least made up something believable." Bonnie said rolling her eyes at her client. "You and Caroline, New York, next week. Got it?"
"I've got it." He replied knowing not to mess with his publicist when she was in one of her moods. He was also hoping she would move out of his way so he could resume his game.
"Good boy." Bonnie said like she was talking to her pet dog. Klaus waited a moment noticing she was still obstructing his view. "Now we haven't had chance to discuss your birthday next week yet."
"What do you mean discuss my birthday?" He baulked. "There's nothing to talk about." Klaus hated birthdays, especially his own. Every year people felt the need to try and celebrate but every year he spent the day alone, just the way he liked it. Klaus had found that the less people who knew his date of birth the better.
"Yes Klaus I know how you feel but I thought given recent events you might want to do something to celebrate." She suggested.
"So in publicist speak what you're telling me is that you need yet another reason to promote my marriage and thought my birthday would be the perfect opportunity." He growled wondering when this would all stop.
"No Klaus of course not." She said sincerely. Bonnie had known Klaus for about five years and had come to think of him like an annoying brother considering she had no siblings of her own. She found it almost sad that someone chose to spend their birthday all alone.
"I'm not about to start acknowledging my birthday now, but nice try Bonnie."
"I was actually thinking more along the lines of a dinner with Caroline, I could recommend some nice restaurants in the city." She smiled sweetly trying to convince him to change his mind.
"What makes you think I'd suddenly want to spend my birthday with someone else, my supposed wife of all people?" He scoffed. Bonnie studied his face knowing that it was all bluster for her benefit. She had never seen Klaus get so worked up over a woman and that usually meant only one thing.
"Well you two seem to be getting along much better now."
"I would hardly call it getting along Bonnie; we tolerate each other nothing more." He said dismissively. She looked at him her disappointment obvious and Klaus immediately felt bad. "It's nice of you to try but I'd prefer you left it alone. I'd also appreciate it if you didn't mention my birthday to Caroline and you can pass that instruction onto Damon as well." He warned.
"Fine, as you wish master." She replied sarcastically hoping he might still change his mind. She cleared her throat and stepped away from the TV. "Now I'm going to get back to my grown-up job and I'll leave you here to kill some more aliens."
Klaus rolled his eyes at her obvious dig, if there was a job killing aliens he'd be damn good at it.
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4 June (One week later), New York City
"So explain to me why New York is so much better than Los Angeles?" Klaus asked as he and Caroline powered down West 13th Street. "And having yellow cabs doesn't count."
"Just look around you." She sighed happily obviously pleased to be home again.
"What am I looking at?" He asked wondering what he was missing.
"The people, the atmosphere, the excitement." She smiled looking around at the surrounding buildings and the street bustling with people going about their day. "This is the city that never sleeps Klaus."
"And?"
"Oh you're so frustrating." She snapped. "The beauty of New York is that there's always something to do anytime of the day or night. I mean you've got world class museums and art galleries, fantastic shopping, great food, not to mention Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building." She rambled.
"If I wanted a tour guide Caroline I would have asked for one." He grumbled. "I can't believe I have to stay here a whole week."
"Oh quit complaining, I had to stay in LA for much longer than that." She snapped. "Seriously what's gotten into you Oscar the Grouch? I mean you're usually grumpy but the last few days you've been like a bear with a sore head."
Klaus scowled knowing Caroline was right but he wasn't about to admit that to her. It was hardly surprising though, every time his birthday came around it was the same. She didn't know that of course and that was the way he wanted to keep it.
"Am not." He replied childishly poking out his tongue.
"That's real mature." She said shaking her head. "I'll probably live to regret this but how about I take you out tonight and show you the town."
"Why would you do that?" He asked surprised by the invitation.
"For my own sanity I'm willing to try anything to get you out of this funk."
"Have you checked with our gatekeepers?" He asked using their nickname for Bonnie and Elena. "You know how crazy they get when we change plans on them."
"Is someone scared of a few girls?" She teased.
"Oh yeah, Elena is extremely loud not to mention bossy as hell and Bonnie is just plain scary, especially when she gets that crazy 'don't mess with me' look in her eyes." Caroline laughed thinking how spot-on his observations were.
"It isn't necessary anyway this doesn't involve going out in public."
"Oh I understand now you're finally going to succumb to my charms tonight aren't you?" He said his eyes bright with excitement. "Just so you know I prefer red lingerie."
"No but good try." She replied sarcastically.
"Well if it isn't my favourite married couple!" Katherine exclaimed as they approached the table at Pastis, a French bistro in the Meat Packing District that served the best brunch in town according to Caroline. Klaus looked over nodding at Stefan by way of a greeting.
"I think we're the only married couple you know Katherine." Caroline said giving her friend a big hug.
"That's exactly why you're my favourite." She chuckled. "It's so good to be back in civilisation again but I must say the tan was an added bonus." She said inspecting her olive skin which was about two shades darker.
"Yes because last time I checked Thailand is in the middle of nowhere." Klaus remarked not missing a beat.
"Although a tan definitely makes up for being stuck in the wilds of Bangkok don't you think Klaus?" Stefan joked earning a whack from Katherine.
"So what have I missed since I've been gone?" Katherine asked excitedly obviously desperate for some gossip.
"Oh nothing much, except Matt and I are having a secret affair. Klaus is absolutely livid, aren't you darling?" Caroline said dramatically looking over at him.
"Heartbroken if you must know." He teased smiling back at her. "I'd challenge him to a duel but I'm slightly scared of the public humiliation that would follow after he whips my arse." Katherine looked at the pair laughing and exchanging witty repartee with great interest. This certainly wasn't the quarrelling couple she left all those weeks ago in Las Vegas. Maybe she had missed more than she thought.
"I bet Matt enjoyed that." She shrieked knowing how much he loved being the centre of attention.
"Oh yeah he even blew Caroline a kiss from the field after the game, he just couldn't help himself." Stefan said.
"Elena would have loved that."
"Oh well I think Elena had her hands full didn't she Caroline?" Klaus asked a mischievous twinkle in his eyes making Stefan laugh.
"Okay what is that supposed to mean?" Katherine asked her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Well she and Damon ending up kissing at the game." Caroline laughed.
"No! How did I miss that one?" She cried in astonishment.
"Well it was actually during the Kiss Me Cam segment so there was definitely some added pressure." Klaus explained filling in the details about their fight and the resulting kiss.
"Wow go big sister! So are she and Damon all hot and heavy now?" She asked wiggling her eyebrows.
"No Elena is currently in the denial phase." Caroline said. No matter how many times she had tried to raise it with Elena she had banned all conversation on the topic, not to mention keeping her distance from Damon.
"Yeah except it's pretty hard to deny something that happened so publicly." Klaus said. Damon had taken the opposite approach confiding in anyone who would listen to his constant whining. "I swear if Damon asks me for love advice one more time I might just kill him."
"Oh you're telling me." Stefan agreed. "We were having a working teleconference the other day and out of the blue he asks me what I think women want."
"So what is it that women want Stefan?" Katherine asked leaning forward, her interest suddenly peaked.
"How the hell should I know?" He said shrugging his shoulders. "If I knew that maybe I'd have a girlfriend."
"And here I was thinking the answer might be phenomenal sex." Klaus laughed earning a dirty look from his wife.
"Well that certainly rates high on my list." Katherine said, Klaus giving Caroline a look of vindication. "So kids what's the plan for New York this week?"
"I have a video shoot, Klaus is doing some publicity shots for his new movie and we're attending a benefit for the children's hospital at the Lincoln Centre." Klaus yawned animatedly for effect.
"Oh yes how boring indeed." She agreed. "Don't you do anything fun anymore Caroline?"
"Well tomorrow night happens to be a Wednesday so how about we get together for some quality time sweetie."
"That's more like it I have a few adventures of my own I wanted to tell you about anyway." She said raising her eyebrows suggestively. "And no husbands allowed buddy." She said arching her eyebrows in his direction.
"I love how you've really welcomed me into the family Katherine." He replied sarcastically. "So how about that boys' night Stefan?"
"As long as you didn't bring Damon along I'm in, I couldn't handle any more whining."
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"So where are we going?" Klaus asked Caroline unable to hide the excitement in his voice. He couldn't help it, ever since she had suggested taking him out Klaus couldn't wipe the smile off his face. If this outing was supposed to cheer him up it was definitely having the desired effect.
He had been quite curious about where they would be going that wasn't public. Obviously he hoped their destination would be her bedroom but unfortunately his wife wasn't that easy much to his dismay.
LA had been excruciating for him knowing that Caroline was so close only to realise he couldn't have her. Klaus was certain it had nothing to do with Caroline herself, he couldn't have any woman at the moment and it was driving him crazy. This was by far the longest he'd ever gone without sex and he couldn't take any more cold showers.
He knew he'd been quite moody, he imagined sex withdrawals would do that to you but there was more to it. Caroline had a way of pushing his buttons and that scared him more than anything else. One woman had never made him feel such a gamut of emotions all at once. One minute she was irritating him the next minute turning him on and then there was this weird overwhelming need to comfort her when she was upset. It didn't help that Elijah's words were still bouncing around his head either. His elder brother always had a way of getting to him without having to be there.
Klaus was determined not to let his thoughts ruin the night. They stepped into the elevator, Caroline pressed the R Button and the doors closed.
"So R for riveting hey?" He joked. "What's in there?" He asked trying to open the basket she was holding.
"It's a surprise Klaus; seriously you're worse than a little kid on Christmas morning." She said slapping his hand away. The elevator pinged, they'd reached their destination. The doors opened and Klaus inhaled sharply totally overcome by the stunning view.
"You asked what was so good about New York, how about that skyline?" She said gesturing to the brightly lit buildings before them. Klaus walked out breathing in deeply and taking in the atmosphere.
"This is incredible I can't believe you have your own rooftop garden." He said in awe.
"Yeah it was the main reason I bought an apartment in this building." She smiled. "It's nice to just come out here and think sometimes.
"Well I can certainly see why, is that the Chrysler building?"
"Yep. So what do you think about New York now?' She grinned already knowing what his answer would be.
"Pretty effing amazing." He laughed looking around at the garden for the first time. "Wow you even have an outdoor kitchen and bar up here too, not to mention this big flat screen TV, when can I move in?"
"Yeah I've had some great parties up here in the past, the Super Bowl goes off."
"I'll bet." He smiled. "But you never answered my question before, what's in the bag love?" Caroline opened the wicker basket pulling out a tartan rug and throwing it at Klaus.
"Make yourself useful." Klaus laid out the blanket and sat down while Caroline pulled out a large white pizza box and a six pack of Coronas.
"I thought something smelled good in the lift."
"Well you can't come to New York without tasting the best pizza in the world." She boasted placing the box on the rug and handing him a beer.
"What no plates?" He asked smugly earning a look of disdain from Caroline. "Joking." She hit him forcefully on the arm. "You really need to see to that temper of yours love; I don't think I've ever been this bruised in my life."
"If only you ego bruised as easily as your skin." She teased. "So what should we drink to?" Caroline asked raising her beer.
"Mmmmm let's see...how about we toast to our one month anniversary?" The surprise on her face was obvious."You had no idea did you?"
"Well I knew it was around a month but not the exact date." She explained feebly.
"Isn't it usually the guy who gets given a hard time for forgetting the anniversary?" He teased clearly having fun at her expense. "Lucky you have such a considerate husband who remembers the important dates." Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Wow one month down, that means only five left to go." She said shaking her head incredulously. "Well I guess there's no better reason to toast than that." She said chinking her bottle with his. Klaus smiled weakly, for some reason the idea not sitting as well with him as it should. An uncomfortable silence descended over them each unsure of what to say next.
"Yeah one whole month and I haven't killed you yet that must be a record." He said attempting to ease the tension.
"Well don't worry the feeling is mutual." She said not wanting him to get the last word. Caroline pushed over the pizza box and he picked up a piece glad to have something to do.
"Mmmmm you were so right about this pizza." He mumbled pulling on a long strand of cheese.
"Damn straight I was right." She giggled watching the cheese sticking to his chin. "When Elena, Katherine and I moved here we were so broke that pizza became our staple food. We were lucky that something so cheap also tasted so good."
"And look at you all now." He mused. Caroline smiled thinking just how far the three Mystic Falls' girls had come since then.
"How about you?"
"How about me what?" He asked wiping the grease from his hands and taking a swig of his beer.
"What was life like for you before all this?" She asked. Klaus looked down suddenly feeling very self conscious, he didn't really like talking about his past and avoided it at all costs.
"Oh you know the usual." He mumbled. Caroline gave him a look that clearly said his answer was inadequate. "Um I guess I was pretty lucky growing up, we lived in a big estate in the English countryside. I attended Eton College and then went onto Oxford for University. Truthfully I was pretty happy to leave home and make something of myself."
"Do you get back there much?"
"Yeah I try to visit Kol and Elijah every now and again but they travel to the US a lot for work so I haven't been back there in a while."
"So your brothers are the only family you have in the UK?" She asked taking another bite of her pizza.
"Pretty much." Klaus said dismissively not wanting to go into further detail. "So I notice you still have some things in your little bag of tricks." He said peering into the basket hoping to change the subject.
"Oh that's right." She said pulling out a stack of DVDs. Klaus looked at them with great interest. "I figured if the skyline didn't work on you I could show you the very best of New York City on film."
"Are these yours?" He asked inspecting the collection and she nodded. "Caroline Forbes likes The Godfather?" He asked in disbelief.
"It's a classic, why don't you?" She joked.
"Of course I do. It happens to be one of my all time favourites, not to mention Taxi Driver, Wall Street and Ghostbusters." He said holding them up one by one. "I guess I'm just surprised that's all."
"Why? Are you seriously misjudging me again, I thought we got past this."
"I'm sorry I thought if we were talking famous New York City films you'd be more of a Sleepless in Seattle fan."
"Okay I'm officially offended now Meg Ryan just does my head in."
"Another thing we seem to have in common." He laughed nodding in agreement. Klaus looked down noticing another movie on the pile his face lighting up. "Big, are you kidding me? I love that scene in FAO Schwarz." He laughed thinking about Tom Hanks jumping around on the giant keyboard.
"Now why doesn't that surprise me? Let me guess you can relate to it because you're such a big child yourself." She joked.
"How did you know? Look as far as I'm concerned there's way too many sad things in life so it's important to have as much fun as you can, even if that means acting like a child sometimes."
"Maybe you've got a point. Okay let's watch this one." She grinned.
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Klaus woke with a start the sound of his phone interrupting him from the most amazing dream starring a particular blonde singer. He rolled over and picked it up pressing the ignore button and slamming it back down. He turned over determined to get back to where he left off but it began to ring again.
Klaus groaned realising he would never get to see Caroline remove her lacy black bra. He sat up and grabbed his phone not even bothering to look at the caller ID before answering.
"What." He snapped.
"Lovely Niklaus." Rebekah drawled. Klaus scowled annoyed that it was his sister of all people. "And here I was thinking marriage might make you less irritable."
"Can we just cut the small-talk Rebekah I'm not in the mood."
"Sounds like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." She chirped.
"No I haven't actually had the chance to get out of bed yet because you woke me up." He snarled still upset about his interrupted dream.
"Well I guess my work here is done then." She laughed. "Seriously Nik it's already 10am in New York I'm surprised you're still sleeping."
"Does this conversation have a purpose Rebekah?" He asked hoping she wasn't about to spring another surprise visit on him. Klaus could be anywhere in the world and she seemed to know exactly where he was. He wouldn't be surprised if she had planted a GPS device on him at some point and was tracking his every move.
"Well brother I'm actually calling to wish you a happy birthday for Friday. I'll be travelling around the next few days so thought I'd get in early." He could sense the hurt in her voice and he felt slightly bad for snapping at her.
"Thanks Rebekah that was a nice thought." Klaus said almost sincerely.
"Yes it was nice of me wasn't it?" She replied and Klaus rolled his eyes at her usual lack of modesty. "So what are you and the wife up to for your birthday?"
"We aren't up to anything Rebekah; you know how much I hate celebrating my birthday so it will be very low-key."
"I've never understood that at all, I mean how can you not love a day where you're the centre of attention?"
"Well some of us don't like a fuss."
"How is it that you and I are related?" Rebekah asked in disbelief.
"Just lucky I guess." He said his voice laced with sarcasm.
"Well as much as I've enjoyed bonding with you I must get going, try not to have too much fun on your birthday." She said tartly disconnecting the phone.
"Well that was definitely worth waking up for." He muttered.
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"So how are you enjoying New York City man?" Stefan asked taking a sip of his drink. "Caroline told me you had your doubts."
Klaus laughed thinking back to their conversation the previous day and how negative he'd been. It wasn't until last night when Caroline had opened his eyes to the city that he was starting to rethink his views.
That wasn't the only thing she had opened his eyes to. Klaus was starting to realise that he actually enjoyed spending time with Caroline which was definitely a first for him. Klaus had previously found that most girls had a used by date but surprisingly Caroline hadn't reached hers yet.
"I'm definitely revisiting some of my earlier prejudices." He laughed looking around the small, quaint bar. Stefan had suggested a place called Whiskey Blue on Lexington and like its name suggested had a vast array of his favourite drink.
"I was like that too Klaus, I mean I'm a Chicago boy originally but there's definitely something about New York City."
"So how did you and Caroline meet then?" Klaus asked realising he didn't know much about their past.
"Well let's just say I was a broke talent manager new to the city and in desperate need of a client and she was an out of work singer desperate for representation."
"So really it was a match made in heaven." Klaus said and Stefan laughed.
"I guess so. Although I have to admit when I first heard her sing I was completely blown away." He recalled. "I knew straight away she was going to make it big I was just lucky that she chose to take a chance on me."
"She must really be good."
"What? How is it that you haven't heard Caroline sing?" He asked shocked by his comment. "Have you been living under a rock or something?"
"Sorry I should rephrase that. I've heard Caroline sing on the radio but never heard her sing live." Klaus said slightly ashamed by his admission.
"Well if you're going to be married to Caroline you might want to hear her sing sometime."
"Yeah you're probably right." He said finishing his drink and Stefan signalled to the bar tender for refills.
"So you guys are heading off to Mystic Falls next week, all ready to meet the family?"
"Is anyone ever really ready to meet the family?" Klaus asked secretly terrified about having to do something that was so foreign to him. "So um what's Caroline's mum like?" He stuttered.
"Oh it looks like someone's scared about meeting the mother-in-law." He joked.
"Damn right I'm scared Stefan, if she's anything like Caroline I can just feel a lecture coming on."
"Yeah well that's exactly what you'll get and more. You know what she does for a living right?" Klaus shook his head.
"She's the town Sheriff." Klaus immediately put his drink down processing the information, his mouth agape.
"She's going to kill me isn't she?" He asked his mouth suddenly dry.
"Probably she does carry a loaded weapon after all." He said. "I mean I was just joking about killing you but her mum might actually go through with it."
"Great as if meeting the mother in law wasn't bad enough now I have to find out she's a cop."
"Well you certainly know how to pick them."
"Tell me about it." He muttered downing the rest of his drink in one gulp.
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To be continued...