This story is rated: M/MA Reader discretion is advised.

Please don't be discouraged if this chapter is a bit slower than the others, it will help move the plot to the next phase.

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Chapter VI

Caroline is one person who always does things her way and no one can tell her any different, not even Damon could stop that. She loved him deeply, in a completely platonic way. Damon was her savior and the one person who accepted her for who she was and how she came. If there were a song to describe their relationship it would be Nirvana's "Come as You Are". She even composed her own version of it to commemorate their familial bond.

Caroline believed that Bonnie could be the key to Damon's salvation. The porn king didn't even realize he needed to be saved. She was driven by his reaction and description of the fiery young woman. She knew her bestie to be capricious at times but once she walked into the Sweet n Low and saw said woman cleaning to Sia's "I'm in Here", Caroline was intrigued. She hates Elena, not as a person, but as a match for Damon. She brought out the worst in him and after feeling indebted to him and knowing the intensity of his affections, she knew girl like Elena would never be able to give him the life he deserved. If they stay together, he will forget himself in favor of satisfying her desires.

The caramel beauty has an earthy rasp to her melodious voice. Caroline was confident in her own vocal abilities but found that Bonnie could easily compliment her alto voice. The blonde was ready to approach Bonnie when Klaus intercepted their encounter, he wasn't about to let one of Damon's minions try and taint his girl. "Caroline Forbes… To what do I owe the pleasure?" Caroline's breath hitched. Klaus has always had an intoxicating presence. Though he was never part of the industry, the way women spoke of his sexual prowess would leave any woman weakened with curiosity.

"Klaus" she replied breathily. "I'm here to see Bonnie." Klaus's smirk faded at the revelation that Caroline did indeed intend to speak on her pseudo-brother's behalf. "Do you even know Bonnie?" Klaus sneered at the blonde.

Caroline took a deep breath. "Damon didn't mean any harm. You know him, he's a little rough around the edges but he means well and didn't realize what Bonnie has been through." Caroline explained. Klaus laughed lightly at her attempt. "How do you suppose I allow my Bonnie to engage in anything with your Damon? Isn't he married to the lovely Elena? Isn't she the woman my brother Elijah spent many time obsessed over?"

Caroline rolled her eyes. "Semantics. Elena and Damon have an understanding. If one thing you can trust my brother to do is be honest with Bonnie ever step of the way. He's not going to lead her on. He has a soul." Something clicked in Caroline's head causing her to scoff. "What do you mean your Bonnie? Is that the reason why you don't want anyone to come near her? And if that's the case, why on earth did you let Kai Parker of all people get so close to her?" Caroline couldn't stop herself. She was known to rant, once she has an idea in her head, she doesn't stop. "I get it. You let Kai get close to disillusion Bonnie. You wanted her to cleave to the warmth only her inner circle, which includes you, can provide. Kai just proves that outside of your circle, no one can be trusted. So, if she has hopes of being in a romantic relationship, she'd most likely turn to you." Caroline looked at Klaus disgusted but impressed.

"You are a fucking genius! I mean, most people do the manipulating themselves. You? No! Not at all! You have others manipulate for you. It's like being an evil doppelganger and hiding behind hero hair." Caroline took a breath readying herself to finish the tirade.

"Enough!" Klaus bellow thunderously.

"Bonnie is precious to me. Our relationship is pure which is more than I can say about your relationship with Damon. Let's not forget you two have been intimate off camera or am I wrong?" Klaus took the red hue that began to coat Caroline's porcelain skin as his response. "Just as I thought! Unlike sweet ole tainted you, Bonnie has people who look after her without profiting from her physical charms."

Caroline stomped over to Klaus. "Wait a minute. I choose to earn, there is nothing wrong with that and are you implying that having Bonnie behind the bar serving drinks when she could be doing some back-office accounting, or something is you not profiting from her charms?" She stabbed her pointing finger into his chest and seethed. "You are a fucking hypocrite and what you said about Damon and I was low. You have no idea what he and I have been through or how he quite literally saved my life." Caroline paused to collect herself. "I didn't come here to argue with you. I came because Damon is a good person and he fucked up. More than anything, I came to talk to Bonnie." Klaus's brow furrowed as Caroline explained.

"I have an idea of what she is going through and it's hard, even with loved ones around. I can help her. Maybe a talk, girl to girl will help." Klaus smirked at the audacious woman in front of him. "There are plenty of women for Bonnie to talk to. Shall I list them all? Vicky, Rebekah, and Davina. Those three are women Bonnie trust implicitly. What makes you think you are better equipped to help than they are?"

Caroline sighed. "I'm not saying that she'd be more likely to confide in me. I just want to help. If I can tell her my story, then maybe she'd be inclined to see my therapist. Her name is Camille O'Donnell. She has this way about her that just makes people feel at ease." The blonde porn star leaned against the distressed bamboo wood plants that covered the walls. "You have to know that one day you won't be around to help her. No matter what, one day she will have to be self-reliant. In order for her to do that successfully, she will have to put her demons to rest. Let me help her." She spoke in a small voice.

Klaus allowed her words to linger in his mind. There's validity in what she said. If it were up to him, Bonnie would never be alone but also didn't want to stunt Bonnie's growth. He remembers when scared young Bonnie barreled into his life. At first, he wanted nothing to do with her, but between her learning about art to properly comment on his personal collection, her cooking for his family and hers, her unyielding loyalty, and beautiful smile, he couldn't resist her. He wondered if the fear he felt in letting Bonnie go was out of protection or preservation. He doesn't want to lose her. Perhaps he is the one should see the therapist! For him, it's all about Bonnie. He has to put her needs before his wants which is why he relented.

"Very well, I will allow you to speak with Bonnie but mind your manners. I do not want another episode like the other day. Otherwise, I will be the least of your worries. I don't put my hands-on women, unless of course, they ask me to. If a woman needs to be dealt with, well I mentioned their names before! Am I understood?"

Caroline rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Yes. God, I can't believe I ever thought you were hot!" The blonde said as she walked into the bar area.

Klaus laughed. "Don't fret love, I have that effect on women."

Klaus hastened his steps reaching Bonnie before Caroline could. The caramel skinned bartender was hunched over the wood floor trying to remove scuff marks, lost in the music. Bonnie tends to focus on frivolous things as such when she's feeling pensive which is another reason why Klaus was hesitant to disturb her.

The blonde male rubbed his hand against her back soothingly in hopes of getting Bonnie's attention. She was mildly startled but collected herself with ease. Her deep malachite pools met Nik's soothing azure moons. She instantly felt at ease in his presence. "What's up Nik?"

Caroline's eyebrows rose to her hairline. Nik? Geez, these two are a lot closer than I thought. The boisterous blonde observed Klaus and Bonnie. There's a special type of intimacy in how Klaus would touch Bonnie, a comforting rasp when he speaks to her, and his eyes glow when he looks at her. She realized that his affections ran way deeper than even Bonnie was aware of. Bonnie looked at Nik with tenderness and trust, her body relaxed to his touch, and when she would respond to his words, her voice has a hint of mischief.

The blonde began to reconsider her visit. Perhaps the entire thing was a bit premature. She was ready to walk away until she thought of Damon. In Caroline's heart of hearts, she knew that Damon needs something different. Caroline vowed to repay Damon's kindness one day and being a devoted romantic, she thought What better way to repay Damon than seeing that he finds what he's been looking for.

She was lost in thought and didn't realize Klaus had told Bonnie, they had a visitor.

"Hello." An irritated feminine voice spoke.

Caroline blushed in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thoug…." The blonde got a good look at Bonnie's features.

"Get on with it!" Klaus encouraged.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Caroline regarded Bonnie scrutinizing her features.

Bonnie looked at the blonde woman trying to place her but came up blank. "I don't think so."

"Are you from Mystic Falls?" Bonnie went rigid at the mention of her family's hometown. She looked at Klaus. "I'm sorry Nik, who is this?"

Caroline answered for Nik. "I'm Caroline Forbes. I apologize for being intrusive. Damon always says I'm meddlesome." She laughed nervously. "I just… You just look like someone I knew when I was younger."

Bonnie stood up from her previously hunched position, wiped her hand on her jeans, and extended her hand towards the blonde woman. "Ahhh, one of Damon's friends." Caroline shook her hand whilst she prayed for hand sanitizer. "What's wrong? Damon can't do his own dirty work? Or is he afraid because my friends threatened him last time?" Bonnie taunted.

Caroline became defensive and Nik kept close without hovering just in case Bonnie needed him. "Damon didn't send me. I came of my volition. He felt really bad about what happened. It wasn't his intention to hurt you, he's just…" Caroline began to pace. "…intense! He can be crass but he's not a liar." Bonnie scoffed and grabbed two stools. She sat in one and motioned for Caroline to take the other. The wood scrapping against the wooden floor made Bonnie twitch slightly. She glared at the blonde woman.

"Why should I trust a married porn star who is trying to get into my pants? Thanks, but, no thanks!" Bonnie crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well you were seeing Kai, right?" Caroline's retort rubbed Bonnie the wrong way. She was getting sick of Damon and his little friends. The caramel skinned beauty hopped off the stool and kicked it to the side. The thump the stool made as it fell scared the blonde.

"What is with you people?" Klaus inched closer to Bonnie, but she held her hand up to halt his steps.

"You guys come to my place of employment and start shit every time. How would you feel if I did the same to you?" Bonnie walked closer to Caroline until they were breaths apart. "I had no idea Kai was married or that he was a porn star because he lied about everything. Did you really think bringing the first man I've ever trusted romantically up in defense for your … whatever Damon is to you… and expect to earn some points?"

Caroline tried her best to come up with a strategy. Instead of fixing things, she made them worst. "I get it, that was a low blow. I didn't mean it…"

"It seems like you guys never mean what you say, but you're supposed to be honest." Bonnie interrupted. "Why are you here?"

The blonde tried to muster up her most compelling warm gaze. "Look, I get that I put my foot in my mouth and so did Damon. I'm not here for either one of us, I'm here for you." Bonnie was about to interrupt but Caroline didn't allow her to. "He told me what happened. Damon, he triggered a bad memory, didn't he?" Bonnie opened her mouth. "You don't have to answer that. I know you don't know me and I haven't made the best impression, but there is a woman who can help you." Bonnie had enough of the presumptuous blonde in front of her.

"I think you need to leave." Bonnie began to walk away.

"She helped me." Caroline yelled causing Bonnie to stop.

"I was a lot like you and she helped me. Damon did as well, but Camille, she's an angel. You don't have to trust me. Just give her a shot." With tears brimming her vibrant blue eyes, Caroline handed Camille's business card to Klaus. "I'm truly sorry for the turmoil we have caused. If by some miracle you decide to give our friendship a chance, Matt has my number." Caroline was walking out when she heard Bonnie yell.

"I didn't know you were offering." Caroline turned before she made her exit and smiled at Bonnie.

"Well, now you know!"