Hey guys thanks again. Klaroline are headed to Europe now so things will start heating up you'll be happy to know! Okay onto chapter 12…
Collision Course: Chapter 12
20 June Madrid, Spain
"Klaus!" Caroline whined like a little child. "Why did you have to drag me here?"
"You know it wouldn't hurt to get a bit of culture into your life Caroline." He said looking around the expansive rooms and beautiful hanging art in the Prado Museum.
"I have plenty of culture thank you." She replied curtly. "I would just much prefer to have some sangria and a massive pile of paella in my stomach right now."
"Do you ever think of anything but food?" He asked raising his eyebrows at her.
"Not really, hey I can't help that I have a healthy appetite." She replied defensively.
Klaus shook his head, after spending about six weeks with the blonde he was discovering all her little habits, including her love of food. Not that he minded he couldn't stand those girls who ate like sparrows and only lived on salad and not much else.
"Okay how about we finish up here and head to the Mercado San Miguel and get you some tapas, can't have you starving to death love." He smiled.
"Sounds good, then maybe we could go past the Royal Palace on our way back to the hotel."
"You realise the Royal family don't actually live there right?"
"Yes Klaus but I still want to see it. Unfortunately we can't all be British and have lots of fancy castles around the place not to mention our very own Royal Family."
"No I guess not." He laughed. "Look how about when we're in England I'll take you to Kensington Palace, maybe we can get a peek at Prince George if we're lucky." She smiled excitedly; all everyone had been talking about was the birth of the new Prince of Cambridge.
Klaus could barely remember life before Caroline; he had become so accustomed to living, travelling and spending time with her memories of his past had just faded away. He thought he'd miss being able to go out and sleep with multiple women but he was strangely content with their arrangement, albeit quite sexually frustrated.
They had left Mystic Falls at the beginning of the week and were in Madrid for Caroline's performance at the European Music Awards the next night. He had never been to a music awards event and was looking forward to it. If Caroline's singing was anything like her impromptu performance at the Grill the previous week he was excited.
He knew she was a good singer but it was only when he heard her singing live that he realised just how amazing she was. Caroline had grabbed his attention the minute she started singing and he was almost disappointed when the song ended. He'd asked her to sing for him since then but she seemed embarrassed for whatever reason.
Klaus couldn't understand why seeing as he should have been the one that was embarrassed after his meltdown in Mystic Falls. He was usually the strong, emotionless guy that didn't show weakness and he'd done exactly that. Caroline had been so caring and surprisingly he felt relieved after he'd told her everything, almost like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
His phone rang interrupting his thoughts. He looked at the caller ID and connected a big grin on his face.
"No thanks are necessary little brother I was more than happy to get Katherine Gilbert to star in your new film."
"Well its good I'm not calling to thank you, if you remember our conversation that was a favour you owed me considering the exorbitant amount of money I'm paying to have you in my film." Kol scoffed.
"Well I'm worth every penny." He laughed. "So if you're not calling to thank your amazing brother what's going on?"
"Well I happen to be heading to Madrid as we speak and thought it might be a good chance for us to catch up."
"Surely you haven't come all the way to Madrid just for me." He laughed.
"Of course not Niklaus I have a business meeting with some investors and thought I'd check out some of the talent at the EMAs while I was in town. Not to mention meeting the old ball and chain for myself."
"Sounds good Kol, although just so you know she hates that term." Caroline looked at him strangely obviously trying to work out what he was talking about.
"It's not like you to be so considerate Niklaus." He laughed. "Where are you staying, I'm at the Westin Palace."
"We're at the Ritz. They have a great restaurant called Goya so how about we meet you there around 9pm tonight?"
"See you then. Oh and say hi to the old ball and chain for me." He said laughing as he disconnected the call. Klaus shook his head, if he tried that in front of Caroline she'd probably kill him.
"Who are we meeting?" She asked suddenly interested.
"Oh sorry hope you don't mind, Kol is coming to town and wants to catch up."
"Not at all I'm looking forward to meeting him after everything you've told me. As long as he's nothing like Rebekah that's fine."
"No he's not, although they are both probably the vainest of the Mikaleson clan." He laughed.
"Great, something to look forward to then." She said the sarcasm thick in her voice. "Well If I'm going to have to put up with that I definitely need some of that food you promised." He rolled his eyes realising the conversation had come back to food yet again.
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"Just as beautiful as in your pictures." Kol said kissing Caroline's hand. She just looked at Klaus as if to say 'is he serious?' Klaus laughed not at all surprised by his brother's gesture.
"Well um thanks Kol, it's nice to finally meet you too." Caroline replied. The three of them were seated on the Ritz Hotel's terrace drinking sangria and soaking up the balmy weather before dinner.
"So Caroline I know you have no sisters but how about any cute friends or cousins?"
"And here I was thinking your next question might be how are you or what's your favourite colour." Klaus said sarcastically. Kol just rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Actually that was just small talk Niklaus. My first question to your lovely wife is what on earth possessed you to marry my idiotic brother."
"Well I was completely off my head drunk to answer your first question." She laughed. "Oh and in relation to the small talk no one I'd introduce you to."
"Ouch Caroline hit a guy where it hurts why don't you." He replied knocking his chest and pretending to be offended. "You just met me and you're already making assumptions like I'm some sort of a womaniser."
"Well aren't you?" She shot back a cheeky grin etched on her face.
"Okay point taken." He acknowledged. Klaus smiled watching his brother and Caroline joking around thinking how well she fit in with his family.
"So how is the film progressing?" Klaus asked taking a sip of his drink.
"Great. Casting is complete now and we've found the perfect film location in Scotland. I'll have to take you there when you two are over next month."
"Scotland should suit Katherine nicely." Caroline chuckled imagining her friend frolicking around with men in kilts.
"Your friend's quite a woman Caroline, pity we're working together otherwise who knows what might have happened." Kol said knowingly.
"Someone's pretty sure of themselves." Klaus snorted.
"Damn straight I am." He baulked. "Caroline surely you agree your friend would find me immensely attractive." Caroline looked at him unsure of how to break the bad news.
"Sorry Kol but I think the best you'd get out of Katherine would be cute, she's not a fan of younger men." Caroline said watching his face fall. "Plus I'm not sure having the last name Mikaelson is really in your favour anyway."
"Really? What did you do to piss her off Niklaus?" Kol asked interested.
"Me, nothing!" He replied defensively. "Well actually I guess there was that time I got really drunk and married her best friend in Las Vegas." He smirked.
"Yeah well there was that, then your sister, enough said, but I think it was your older brother who really tipped her over the edge." Caroline said thinking back to their altercation at his surprise party in New York.
"Elijah?" Kol said his surprise evident. "What the hell did he do to get her so annoyed?"
"Well where do I start." She said. "Elijah did the two things you never do to Katherine Gilbert; he rebuffed her advances and then on top of that had the nerve to not recognise her."
"Yeah Elijah did always have a way with the ladies." Klaus laughed.
"I don't think I've seen anyone speak to her like that and live to tell the tale." Caroline said her eyes wide.
"Just when I think I have him figured out he does something like that and surprises me yet again." Kol said shaking his head.
"So how is our dear brother Kol?"
"You know the same; all he ever does is work."
"So there's no woman in his life?" Caroline asked.
"You're talking about Elijah here." Kol said. "He is married to his job, women just get in the way apparently."
"So how is it that you are both related to him?"
"We've been asking ourselves the same thing for years." Klaus said.
"Rebekah too. I'm not too sure where the she-devil came from either." Kol said shaking his head.
"Have you seen our sister lately?"
"No and I'm hoping it continues that way although I'm aware Paris Fashion Week is fast approaching." Kol shivered for added effect.
"I would have thought Rebekah would have been a good way for you to pick up hot models?" Caroline said looking at Kol.
"Exactly what I thought but she delights in telling them stories about me, all of which aren't true of course." He clarified quickly.
"So the one about you peeing your pants when we were younger wasn't true at all?" Klaus asked smiling.
"Oh shut it Niklaus!" He pouted. "I'm sure Caroline would love to hear some stories about you."
"You wouldn't dare." Klaus cried realising he'd pushed his brother too far.
"Oh yes please." Caroline said rubbing her hands together gleefully.
"Well there was Mr Hugsy."
"Ohhh who's that?"
"No one you need to know about Caroline." Klaus said dismissively.
"His teddy bear. They were practically inseparable growing up; Niklaus took him everywhere he went." Kol laughed.
"So where is Mr Hugsy now then?" She asked looking at Klaus. "Will I get to meet him when we're in England?"
"I'm surprised you haven't seen him already Caroline considering he made the trip over to the States with Nik."
"No!" She cried, covering her mouth to try and stifle the giggles. "Well I think I'm definitely going to have to meet this Mr Hugsy when we get back home."
"You are both hilarious." He growled. "I knew it wasn't a good idea introducing you to each other."
"Oh really Niklaus? I think it's going remarkably well." Kol laughed looking at his sister-in-law mischievously.
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21 June, Madrid Spain
"Klaus!" Caroline screamed from the other end of their lavish suite.
"What?" He yelled back far too interested in the video game he was playing.
"Come here!" She cried.
"Why?" He shouted reluctant to leave his game which he happened to be winning.
"Get your butt here Niklaus Mikaelson or you'll be sorry!" She hollered. Klaus sighed and stood up knowing that the use of his full name wasn't a good sign. Life really was much simpler before he had a demanding woman around twenty-four seven. He walked through the living area and into the back bedroom spying her through the crack in the bathroom door.
"What are you screaming about woman?" He said frustrated. "And please don't ever call me Niklaus again it's kind of creepy coming from you." He said sitting on the bed and adjusting his uncomfortable black tie. Caroline had been holed up all afternoon with various hair and make-up people so he hadn't seen the finished product yet.
He heard the sound of high-heels on the bathroom tiles and watched as she slowly emerged. Just when he thought she couldn't get any more beautiful she went and surprised him again. Caroline was only half dressed which was making her even more stunning in his eyes. Klaus could feel himself becoming aroused unable to hide the excitement stirring inside.
Caroline looked at him reading his thoughts causing a blush to spread across her flawless cheeks. She cleared her throat nervously.
"Um could you maybe give me a hand and zip me up?" She asked quietly.
"Are you sure you're asking the right person? As amazing as you look I'd much prefer your dress off than on love." He said huskily. Caroline shook her head and closed her eyes momentarily, obviously trying to keep calm.
"Well considering you're the only one here and I don't think you want me to go partially dressed to these awards you're my only option." She mumbled slowly opening her eyes to find him walking towards her licking his crimson lips like a wild animal hunting its prey.
Klaus realised this had been going on for far too long and he couldn't last another moment without having her. He walked over to her gently placing his hands on her creamy shoulders and staring deeply into her eyes. She stared back at him unable to look away he had her in such a trance. He lifted his hand slowly and brushed her cheek affectionately preparing himself for the long awaited moment he'd imagined since meeting her.
Caroline surprised him leaning further forward so that her lips were within inches of his. He closed his eyes briefly drinking in her heavenly scent a mixture of jasmine and strawberries. He opened his eyes again drawing invisible circles on cheek with his thumb and pulling her closer, his lips almost touching hers.
"Well I think it's going to be an interesting evening at the European Music Awards tonight Nancy, we've had confirmation not only Caroline Forbes will be there with her new husband actor Klaus Mikaleson but that her ex-boyfriend Tyler Lockwood will be attending also." Entertainment Tonight blared from the TV breaking Caroline from her daze.
Klaus felt her pull away suddenly, the hurt visible on his face. He looked at Caroline closely noticing she was obviously affected by what she'd heard.
"What's wrong Caroline?" He asked earnestly.
"Oh nothing." She replied obviously flustered. "I think its best we get going, don't want to be late do we?" He looked at her surprised by her sudden change in demeanour. It obviously had something to do with Lockwood but he wasn't sure exactly what.
When they'd split up Klaus had read in the tabloids that it was a mutual decision due to conflicting schedules. Even Klaus knew that was just usual publicist jargon but he wasn't aware what actually happened.
"Is it Tyler; are you worried about seeing him again?" He asked trying to find out what was wrong. Klaus noticed a dark shadow cross her face realising there was much more to this than he thought. "Caroline?"
"Um well yeah it's always a little awkward seeing your ex-boyfriend I guess but hopefully we'll be on opposite ends of the red carpet." She rambled turning around so that he could zip up her gown. Klaus fastened her dress begrudgingly losing hope of getting a straight answer out of Caroline.
They had been so close and yet another barrier had gone up in the form of Tyler Lockwood. Klaus realised that he must have ended it with Caroline and she was still in love with him, it was the only possible explanation for her strange behaviour.
His whole body went cold. If Caroline really loved Tyler what had Klaus been to her this whole time, some sort of a distraction? Klaus cleared his throat and moved towards the door unable to be in the same room as her.
"Yeah you're probably right we should really get going." He muttered as he walked off down the hallway.
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The EMA's were a spectacle that was for sure. Klaus had been to the Oscars and Golden Globes and although they were crazy this seemed to have an almost festive atmosphere to it. Camera flashes illuminated the red carpet, Klaus dutifully held onto his wife's arm for support.
If he could be anywhere else right now he would. Klaus kept his eye out for any sightings of Tyler Lockwood. He was hoping they wouldn't cross paths worried about what he might do if he was within close proximity of the guy. He had no idea how Caroline could want a guy like that, Tyler was far too in love with himself to love anyone else.
After speaking with the local MTV contingent they moved down the red carpet only to come face to face with Tyler Lockwood. Klaus swore under his breath trying to keep his cool in front of the swarming media. Caroline froze unable to function momentarily.
Tyler smiled brightly moving in to embrace Caroline with a kiss on her cheek. Klaus couldn't believe the nerve of this guy. She moved back a fake smile plastered on her face.
"It's so good to see you Caroline, you look amazing." He smirked playing up to the interested media, his eyes roaming over her body.
"Yeah you too Tyler." She smiled looking briefly at his date. Klaus stiffened not sure what to do for once in his life, he was torn between punching him or shaking his hand purely for the media's benefit. "This is my husband Klaus Mikaelson." She said holding onto his arm firmly sensing his discomfort.
"Nice to meet you Klaus." He said through gritted teeth. "I guess congratulations are in order."
"Why thank you Taylor." Klaus said mispronouncing his name on purpose. Unable to continue with this farce he pulled Caroline away towards a waiting reporter. He noticed Caroline looking back at her ex-boyfriend momentarily feeling like a knife had been plunged through his heart.
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"So you think she's in love with this Tyler guy?" Kol asked as they walked around the after-party at Disco Pacha, barely able to hear themselves the music was so loud.
"It's the only explanation, she got really weird after she found out he was going to be there."
"Okay well even so why should you care, it's not like she's your real wife Niklaus." Kol said drinking his whiskey and scouting for female talent around the room.
"I don't Kol." He said unconvincingly. "It would just be nice to know because I'm the one who has to pretend to be her husband."
"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were jealous brother."
"Don't be stupid." He growled. "I'm just looking out for Caroline; it's what friends do after all."
"Yes friends that also happen to be married." He said raising his eyebrows. "And since when did Niklaus Mikaelson have female friends?"
"Well we have to spend all this time together so it's no surprise that we have formed a friendship of sorts." He stuttered.
"Well this is a change usually girls were for nothing more than a bit of fun but it seems like you've grown up Niklaus." He laughed.
"Shut up Kol." He said shaking his head at his younger brother. "So any promising talent tonight?" He said desperately hoping to change the subject.
"Well I thought you'd already know but considering you've been preoccupied with your wife's love life you've been no help to me at all."
"I have not been preoccupied." He snapped thinking a drink or five would be nice right about now.
"Okay fine have a look around and find me a nice girl." He said motioning around the room. Klaus looked up overwhelmed by the sea of women in the room. How had he missed that? Klaus realised he was losing his touch all thanks to a certain blonde.
"Um… her." He said absently pointing towards a girl at the bar he'd barely set eyes on.
"Remind me never to ask you for advice on women again." Kol said eyeing up the woman in question who looked suspiciously masculine in places. "Now that's more my speed." He said excitedly spotting a red head in the corner. "If you'll excuse me I have to get laid tonight and I can only take so much of your sulking." Kol laughed walking off.
Klaus scowled at his brother's retreating back annoyed Kol was right as usual. Ever since he'd heard about Tyler he'd been in a foul mood and after their strained conversation on the red carpet he'd moved from being annoyed to livid. What gave Lockwood the right to just come in and kiss his wife right in front of him? Caroline wasn't much better though giving him the time of day.
He walked over to the other side of the room where he'd left Caroline chatting with Kelly Clarkson about her upcoming wedding. Kelly had since left but in her place was none other than Tyler Lockwood.
They were both leaned in obviously trying to hear each other over the music but Klaus couldn't mistake his hand placed strategically on her shoulder making for an intimate picture. Klaus balled his hands up into fists, his anger threatening to boil over. He realised he needed to move away before all hell broke loose.
Klaus stalked over to the bar; securing a bottle of whiskey from the barman he walked outside onto the balcony. If he couldn't have a woman right now he sure as hell needed to get drunk.
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Klaus sat there for what seemed like hours drowning himself in whiskey. Numerous girls had tried to crack onto him but he was oblivious to their attempts. There was only one girl on his mind and she was busy doing god knows what with her ex-boyfriend. It wasn't like Klaus thought she'd do anything physical considering their arrangement but even just the thought of them talking made him furious.
"Klaus?" Caroline said coming up behind him. "I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Oh really I thought you were too busy talking to your ex-boyfriend to notice where I was." He spat.
"You saw us?" She asked quietly looking down at the ground.
"Yes I did Caroline."
"We were just talking Klaus." She murmured.
"Fine Caroline but the least you could do is wait until our little arrangement is over before you jump back into bed with your ex."
"Excuse me?" She cried incredulously.
"I know you still have the hots for Tyler Caroline, it's so obvious. Once you knew he was coming tonight you deliberately avoided the subject and you've been acting strange ever since."
"That's what you think?"
"Well there's no other explanation and considering you haven't been forthcoming with one what the hell else am I supposed to think?" He cried noticing a few tears gathering in her eyes. She paused briefly trying to articulate what she wanted to say.
"Tyler cheated on me Klaus." She said quietly, her voice breaking slightly. Klaus was shocked it was certainly not the answer he was expecting.
"What?" He whispered thinking why anyone would want to cheat on Caroline.
"Yeah I came home one day to find him in bed with some wannabe television star." She said angrily her gaze downward. Klaus automatically placed his arms around her hating to see her so upset
"What a bastard!" He cried. "I'm going to kill him." She pulled out of his embrace her eyes meeting his pleading with Klaus to calm down.
"That won't help anyone. Look no one knows that's the reason we broke up and I'd like to keep it that way to be honest." She said obviously still deeply humiliated.
"So if you don't mind me asking what happened, well besides the cheating part?"
"Well I caught him then proceeded to scream my head off and then escaped to Katherine's for the week eating ice cream and watching soppy chick flicks." She laughed in despite of everything.
"So he didn't even try and explain himself or make it up to you?" He asked trying not to explode.
"He never actually apologised. He told me we'd grown apart but we could still use our relationship to our benefit professionally."
"What so he wanted to pretend everything was normal but have affairs on the side?" He asked not quite believing what he was saying.
"Yep that's about it. That's when we got the publicists in and made the announcement about our conflicting schedules." She said dramatically.
"What an arsehole!"
"I used a few more colourful expressions than that but yeah that pretty much sums him up." She said shaking her head.
"So what was he trying to talk to you about tonight?"
"Apparently he's changed his ways and realises what a big mistake he made letting me go."
"What do you think about that?" Klaus asked nervously.
"What do you think I think about that?" She answered rolling her eyes. "I told him where he could shove it and then said I was a happily married woman." Klaus smiled hearing her words.
"Good." He beamed. "The nerve of him though trying to proposition you when you're here with me."
"Don't worry about it Klaus." She soothed. "Let's head-off I'm beat." He nodded realising it was exactly how he felt. He was also worried he might kill Tyler Lockwood if he had to be in the same place with him much longer. "Where's Kol?" She asked looking around.
"Oh little brother is fine he found himself a nice redhead so I don't think we'll be seeing him again tonight." Klaus laughed.
They walked in from the balcony and weaved their way through tables of drunken revellers. Caroline waved and smiled at a few people. Spying Avril Lavigne, Caroline took a quick detour to congratulate her on her recent wedding. Klaus waited dutifully by the table watching the girls gossip animatedly.
"I was surprised to hear Caroline chose to be with you, I mean you know what they say about the British." Tyler slurred coming up beside Klaus.
"Oh really and what is they say?" He shot back a look of pure venom on his face.
"That you're so uptight." He smirked. "I mean I can't imagine how you can really satisfy Caroline when you're that wound up all the time."
"Oh you'd be surprised Lockwood." He seethed unable to contain his anger. "I mean she married me I think that says it all."
"Oh please she would have married me if she had the chance."
"Well lucky for both her and I you didn't get that opportunity. Now I suggest you go away before Caroline comes back, don't want to make a scene now do we?"
"F**k that. You can't tell me what to do Niklaus." He sneered. Klaus wanted to behave for Caroline's sake but this idiot was asking for it. Without thinking he punched him square on the jawline sending him reeling backwards in complete shock.
People crowded around wanting to see what was happening, Klaus saw a number of camera flashes dreading how this was going to play out in tomorrow's papers. Caroline ran over to see what the commotion was about.
"Klaus." She hissed. "What are you doing?"
"He was asking for it Caroline, he actually had the nerve to question my sexual ability."
"Of course he did I should have known." She said shaking her head at their lack of maturity. "Well come on let's go before this really gets out of hand."
"But I was just starting to have fun." He whined like a child. They moved to leave but not before Tyler got back up standing within inches of Caroline's face, his hand placed on her arm.
"Come on Caroline you know you want me not him." He said indicating a very red faced Klaus.
"No I really don't Tyler; if I were you I'd walk away otherwise you'll regret this in the morning." She said discreetly not wanting to attract more media attention.
"I suggest you take your hands off my wife." Klaus growled.
"Oh really what are you going to do big man, hit me again?" He threatened. "I'll slap you with an assault charge so fast your head will spin."
"Seriously it would be worth it just to see you with black eyes and a broken nose."
"Come on Caroline baby I know you still love me." He teased moving closer to the blonde causing Klaus to become increasingly agitated.
"No Tyler that's where you're wrong I love my husband very much." She cried grabbing Klaus by his shirt collar and pulling him in for a searing kiss. Klaus barely had time to react before her soft lips were on his. He moaned the feeling of her tongue penetrating his mouth sending him into overdrive. Klaus fastened his grip on her and felt Caroline arch her back to get as close as possible. The longing and desire he'd been holding onto for weeks was releasing itself little by little causing his head to spin. After what seemed like minutes Klaus heard a loud cough and paused only to notice his brother standing by watching them with great interest.
They pulled apart reluctantly both panting, obviously heavily affected by their mind-blowing kiss. Tyler was nowhere to be found there were just dozens of photographers snapping away.
"Yes I kiss my friends like that all the time." Kol whispered smirking at his brother.