Author Note: Long overdue chapter! Thank you again for all the views/favs/follows. It is greatly appreciated! Enjoy!

~Your Heart is as Black as Night

Your eyes may be whole but the story I'm told is
Your heart is as black as night
Your lips may be sweet such that I can't compete
But your heart is as black as night

I don't know why you came along
At such a perfect time
But if I let you hang around
I'm bound to lose my mind

-Beth Hart

Ch 5

Inside the spacious gallery, there were a wide variety of pieces one could look it. In fact it took Caroline some time to make it through each room. Art was fascinating to her. The thought that someone could create beautiful pieces of art with their hands was amazing and awe-inspiring. Each piece had their own element of wonder. She saw a variety of medias, there was a particularly clever set of photographs about a little boy and his imagination. She loved how there were themes and colors that were so vibrant that she felt the outside world was too bland for her now, like she had been spoiled by the enticing colors. Some were more abstract than the others. Their brush strokes ranged in all sizes but she felt like they had the same elements. Anger, fear, joy, hope, and oddly enough she saw love in some of them. It was hard for her to explain how she knew, but that was it. She just knew that the pieces were trying to claim a specific emotion for their own.

Caroline was caught on a painting done by a senior titled "For My Lost Love", when she heard Moxie's voice call her over to another side of the gallery. Caroline made her way through the maze of people and to her friend standing by a doorway that lead to another room of the gallery. She was slightly surprised, and very nervous, at how many people were there. And they're all going to see you naked. The mortification was slowly setting in. Caroline, stop it. This isn't going to be the end of you, okay? You can pull through this, because you are confident and resilient. So get your big girl panties on and pull yourself off that sidewalk of regret and embarrassment. You've got this. With that pep talk thrown at herself she felt a bit better over the whole ordeal.

Completely unaware of her roommate's inner turmoil, Moxie started talking to Caroline, "I'm so happy you're here! This is so epic! You know, none of my other friends are here but they said they'd attempt to get here but who knows. Anyways, you look great! Glad to see that the dress fits you."

Caroline looked down at the black dress. It wasn't that dramatic or dynamic it was a simple black, short dress with a sweet heart neckline. It hugged her body though making her away of how she walked and moved in the dress. She paired it with some simple heels and a messy bun. "Thanks Mox, I don't think I'd be able to be here if you weren't." She smiled at her, the nerves kicking in once again.

Together they went into the next room. It seemed that most of Moxie's class' paintings were in that room. Each wall had 3-4 paintings on it. And each were good in their own way and style. She took her time to walk around the room, gaining her courage to look at her own portrait.

The room was heavily populated. Half of them were talking and discussing techniques, while the other half walked around the room one painting at a time till they left. The feeling of dread was so strong the need to flee was growing inside her. But she forced herself to take the steps to get from one painting to the next. Each were very different compared to the last. Some were more erratic with their use of paint and some were soft to look at, like they spent hours to get the paint to blend in just the right way to make their painting look dream like.

She was caught up in her observations that it was a delayed reaction when she saw hers. Actually, she didn't think it was her when she finally laid eyes on it. She looked different but the same as well. It was hard for her to pinpoint at first. Unlike the other paintings hers looked almost unfinished, most of the canvas wasn't painted leaving large areas of white around her. Her image looked like it was becoming one with all the empty pieces of the canvas, like she was going to stretch her arms out and take over the rest of the fabric. She tried to focus on what it was that made her look so different. The body looked relaxed, her hands were in between her legs, resting on the chair, which pushed her shoulders up. The breasts were cast in a shadow from her leaning over making them almost hidden from the viewer. The head was slightly leaning to one side, with an almost wild, golden yellow mane around it, framing her face. Suddenly she realized what it was that made her look so different. It was her face. It wasn't that her face looked strange or unfamiliar, Moxie had captured a spitting image of her. No, it was the look in her eyes and the way her face was set. In the painting she was biting part of her lip, her head leaning back-as well as slightly to one side, and her eyes were slightly glazed over and heavy lidded. Her painted self looked like she was in a hypnotic trance, and enjoying it. Caroline sucked in a tiny inaudible breath. The painting was beautiful. It appeared painted with such detail from further back but up close it was a series of small, definite brush strokes. She was the only thing on the canvas. And she looked like a goddess. Why couldn't she look like that all the time? Like she was female of power, grace, and confidence.

A sudden swell of pride hit her, she was so proud of her roommate. And proud that she could say she was involved in such an amazing piece of art.

She turned to find her roommate. No one in the room had pink hair. Leaning up on her tip toes, she looked around the crowd. Still no pink hair. She must be talking with a teacher, Caroline thought as she turned back to the painting. I wonder if she named it after me? Almost giddily she looked over to see what it said.

" 'Who are you thinking about?'

'Klaus.' "

Morrigan Gilvaeth

Oil on Canvas

Her heart rapidly lifted into her throat and then back down. That's the title? She had to call it that?! Suddenly she remembered what she was thinking about during their sessions and realized that what she was looking at was a painting of her thinking about Klaus. Oh God. Caroline wanted nothing more than to get out of there.

"Admiring my newest purchase, love? What do you think of it? I for one, am remarkably happy with it."

A sizzle of electricity raced up her spine. Her body started an unwarranted reaction to his voice. Like it was calling to him. The thought sent a shiver up her whole body. She was painfully aware of how close he was to her. His voice was certainly the first thing she noticed but the heat from his body and the smell of him was what had her turning her head to see him, there was no mistaking who it was. Niklaus Mikaelson stood just inches away from her, in that way he did that let everyone know who was in charge. In an unexpected manner he moved forward and placed his hand on her lower back. His hand sent waves of warmth throughout her back. Since when had his presence effected her this much? His eyes were on her now, a look of

A feeling she couldn't quite describe came over her. A series of them actually. She was able to classify a few: excitement, nervousness, dread, mortification, anger, surprise. But there was one that she was flat out confused about, it almost felt like she was content after a long and stressful day. Like she was finally able to relax. How odd...

With all of that running through her mind she decided she'd settle on their old ways. It was easy, less confusing too. She could always slip into the performance of her old self, the one that dwelled back in Mystic Falls. As if her brain realized it was forgetting something, it back peddled to what he actually said.

"Purchase?" Hold the fuck up! What did I miss here? "I think the New Orleans' air has gotten to your head. The artist has told me she wouldn't sell it without my permission." She realized a bit too late that she was talking to Klaus, he'd always get what he'd want in the end- what made her think she could stop him? Is that why I fight so hard against him? Calm down brain I don't need you to start confusing me with crazy thoughts like that. His presence was making it hard for her to focus. The overwhelming urge to run was getting stronger by the second. Or was it another sensation all together?

"The air is fine down there, love. In fact, you should visit some time. It would do you good to get out of Virginia once in a while." His cocky smile sent a thrill through her chest. Calm down, it's just the surprise of him being here. You haven't seen him since...well... since then.

Caroline could tell she was blushing, which only infuriated her, "Well some of us have things to do, don't you have witches to bother or hybrids to make?" She half turned to walk away but was stopped by his arm around her side. He had moved it so she was forced more into him than away from him like she had initially planned. Dammit, why was he so good at this cat and mouse shit! She sent him a feisty glare meaning for it as a 'back off' signal but he chuckled instead. "Klaus-"

He cut her off before she could finish another dismissal, "It was rather easy to acquire, actually. I offered the artist a sum of money she couldn't refuse. And now once this gallery is over, it will be locked away for my eyes only."

She could feel the air leaving her lungs. It had to be true. There was no other explanation for it. He was going to keep this naked painting of her and she wasn't going to be able to stop him. There was a small thrill that creeped it's way to her heart and chest, shocking her with the realization that she liked the thought. What was wrong with her? She didn't have much time to dwell on that thought before he whisked her away into a another conversation, "How have you faired in you classes? I would imagine you're on top of the food chain already."

"Don't switch the conversation to me when you just said you bought this!" She gave the painting a quick glance then forced her eyes back on the man that would forever make things difficult in her life.

"Very perceptive of you, love. But that's not really important right now."

"You're right, let's talk about that promise you made me. I think I remember you saying you wouldn't be coming back here." If another person broke a promise to her-she knew they'd be in for a world of never ending torment. No one goes back on their word when it's made to one Caroline Frobes and gets away with it.

"I have kept my promise, if you had noticed your college does not fall into the city limits of Mystic Falls."

She paused. Dammit, that sneaky bastard got her. "Of course you'd find that loophole." She shook her head, maneuvered herself out of his grasp, and walked out of the room. If she could just find Moxie, maybe she could say good bye and leave. Her departure was long overdue. A flash of pink caught her eye, the girl was on the other side of the room. Before Caroline could step further into the room Klaus had suddenly appeared to block her path. She rolled her eyes. She thought about lying but decided against it. "Klaus let me get by, I need to say good bye to a friend."

His smirk sent another thrill through her chest. "I'll let you say good bye but first I have a favor to ask."

Caroline looked at him with heavy skepticism, "Okay?" She asked it in a slow and cautious manner.

"Have breakfast with me tomorrow." There was something in his eyes, a mix between hopeful and playful...and fear?

She didn't know what to say. Was he attempting to ask her out on a date? She wasn't used to this...this almost openness he was exuding. She should tell him no. She should tell him that she had homework and a bunch of other things she should do. Okay, good, I'll just say no. "Fine." Wait, no, that was supposed to be a solid refusal not an approval! She could have smacked herself. Way to go. But what's the big deal? Nothing, that's what. It'll be just a casual thing.

His face appeared to light up, but it was so subtle and small that she almost felt like she had made it up. He grinned that all too brilliant smile. "Perfect." He was gone and out the door before she could take anything she had said back. God she needed a drink. The night had turned itself and Caroline on their heads. Caroline looked back into the room, her painting a sort of beacon set up across from her. She squinted her eyes at it, letting it know that it had been all its fault.