Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story is mine.

Note: Previously, in "When You Least Expect It," Caroline runs into Klaus Mikaelson, the brother of the groom, at the reception and they share a dance, as well as a kiss, on the dance floor.

Hey, everyone! I got an idea for this chapter after I posted Chapter 2 (I know, that quick, huh?), and I thought I'd share. No spoilers, just sit back and enjoy!

Forbes & Bennett – 2 Weeks after the Wedding…

Caroline stared blankly at the computer screen, her mind on nothing in particular except the memory of what happened between her and Klaus at the reception. True, it was sweet of him to give her that rose and to ask her to dance, but honestly, why would he go out of his way to do something like that, and for a woman he barely knew?

I doubt he has an ulterior motive, but I can't help but think about why he did what he did. Maybe it was because it would've been rude of him not to? Or maybe…

"Caroline, are you okay? You seem like you're in another world over there."

Bonnie's words brought her out of her reverie and Caroline looked at the African-American woman, noticing the look of concern on her face. Shit, she was worrying her friend, and although it wasn't on purpose, she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about it.

"Sorry, Bonnie," she replied. "I guess I'm a bit distracted."

"Apparently," said Bonnie. "Mind telling me what's going on? You haven't spoken since we got back from Lexi and Kol's wedding." She raised a curious eyebrow. "Did something happen to you at the reception?"

Caroline bit her lip. Did she dare tell her friend about Klaus? If you keep it from her, she's only going to pressure you into telling her until you do. It's probably best to tell her the truth. After all, honesty is the best policy, especially in this situation.

"All right, I'll tell you." She gestured to the swivel chair across from her desk. "You might want to sit down, though."

Bonnie nodded and took a seat, even though she didn't know what the blonde was going to tell her. "Okay, I'm sitting. Now, tell me what happened."

"Remember when I was pissed at the wait staff because they couldn't bus the tables? Well, after I ended my conversation with you, this guy came up to me and gave me a rose, after which he asked me to dance with him."

Bonnie nodded again. "Who was it?"

"Klaus Mikaelson."

"The brother of the groom?"

"Yes," said Caroline. "We exchanged glances at the ceremony, but I didn't think anything of it until he introduced himself. Anyway, he told me that he wanted to get to know me, and even offered to take me out for coffee." She sighed. "Bonnie, what am I going to do?"

"Seems to me like this guy likes you, even though you just met," said Bonnie. "Care, if I were you, I wouldn't waste an opportunity like this. I know that you're hesitant, and I can understand why. I should know, I was the same way when I met Kai."

Caroline nodded. She was referring to Kai Parker, the veterinarian she had been dating for the past two months since they met on Valentine's Day. She knew that her friend was right, but she was still a bit guarded. Just before she and Bonnie opened up their business, she had been raped by her ex-boyfriend, Tyler Lockwood at a party. The incident had left her scarred and broken, and since then, she had been hesitant around men, afraid that she'd get hurt.

She was about to say something when the door opened and her mother, Liz, walked in. That was weird, why would her mother be here? That was when she remembered that they were supposed have their annual lunch together at the Mystic Grill.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I completely forgot about our lunch today."

The older blonde shook her head. "Caroline, relax, you don't have to apologize. I know that you were preoccupied with work. I would know, being the sheriff of this town hasn't exactly allowed me to have time to think about anything other work." She smiled. "We can still have our lunch. I wanted to talk to you about something anyway. Something that I think you'll be interested in."

Caroline nodded, even though she didn't know what her mother wanted to tell her. She got up from her chair and grabbed her purse, after which she said to Bonnie, "Hold down the fort until I get back, Bonnie."

"Take your time," the other woman replied. "I've got things covered here."

Caroline nodded again and joined her mother at the door, following her as they walked out together.

Mystic Grill – Later…

During the course of their lunch, Caroline noticed that her mother hadn't said much, which was unusual. Normally, Liz would be talking non-stop. For her to be suddenly quiet like this was a bit strange. Unable to take the silence anymore, Caroline decided to speak up.

"Okay, Mom, you said you wanted to talk to me. What's going on?"

Liz looked at her daughter, knowing that she shouldn't keep this a secret from her anymore. "First of all, I want you to know that everything is fine, both on the health front and at work. What I wanted to talk to you about is...well, you remember Victor O'Brien, don't you?"

Caroline nodded. Victor O'Brien had been her mother's boyfriend in high school. They broke up after graduation and Liz went on to college and then to the police academy. Victor, on the other hand, had a successful career as a contractor and was currently working on a new project in Atlanta. The two had lost contact with each other, especially after Liz married Caroline's father, Bill.

"You did mention him to me once or twice," she replied. "But, what does he have to do with this?"

Liz smiled. "Well, Victor called me about two months ago, and we started seeing each other. It was like I was in high school all over again. He made me so special, like he used to do." She showed her daughter her hand, which sported a beautiful diamond ring. "He proposed last week. I wanted to tell you, but you were busy with your friend's wedding."

Caroline gasped when she saw the ring. "Shit, that must've set him back a few thousand dollars easily." She gave her mother a quizzical look. "You did say yes, right?"

"Of course I said yes," said Liz. "Would I be wearing the ring if I said no? Anyway, I want you to help us plan the wedding. I know that I could've gone with someone else, but since you're the best in town, I figured that I'd ask my daughter."

"Mom, you don't have to ask me," said Caroline. "You know that I'd be honored to help you plan your wedding." She sighed. "Though, may I ask you one thing?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Does Victor make you happy?"

"Of course he does," said Liz. "He's the first man to make me smile since your father and I got divorced."

"That's all that matters." Caroline sighed again. "Now that you've told me what you wanted to tell me, there's something I want to tell you. Two weeks ago, while I was at Lexi and Kol's wedding, I met someone."

"You did? Who?"

"Kol's brother, Klaus," said Caroline. "I didn't expect anything to happen between us. I mean, we glanced at each other several times during the ceremony, and that was pretty much it. At the reception, he came up to me after I had yelled at the wait staff. He handed me a rose and then, he asked me to dance. Then, as we were dancing, he said he asked me out for coffee, saying that he wanted to get to know me."

"That doesn't sound bad to me," said Liz. "This Klaus sounds like he truly wants to get to know you, or he wouldn't have asked you."

"I guess," said Caroline. "But, should I really take a chance? You know that my...assault has made me hesitant around men, and..."

Liz placed her hand on her daughter's. "I know, honey, but maybe this will help you move on from that. Take Klaus up on his offer, and let him take you out. If he could charm you into dancing with him at his brother's wedding, there's no telling what might happen if you went out with him."

"He did more than ask me out, Mom," said Caroline. "He kissed me on the dance floor. I meant to mention that before, but I forgot until just now." She sighed. "Shit, this is so confusing."

"No one said being a woman is easy," said Liz. "Trust me, it's always confusing whenever something new falls onto our laps, whether it be a new relationship or a new career." She squeezed her daughter's hand. "But, I know that you'll do the right thing, Caroline."

Caroline smiled at her mother's words. Although she was still a bit confused, something told her that she'd know exactly what to do.

Note: I know, I know, evil cliffhanger. But, I will continue, I promise. Hope you enjoyed the twist with Liz. Don't ask where the thing about Caroline getting raped by Tyler came from, I just came up with it as I was typing and went with it. And though I don't really ship BonKai, I know there are those who do, so I put them together. Anyway, stay tuned!

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