Hi! I know I have been spoiling ya'll with the fast updates. I can't promise that they'll continue like this, because I do go to school five days a week and I do work. But as long as I can update this fast, I will! As I promised, we do get our first klaroline interaction in this chapter! It was a lot of fun to write and I really hope ya'll like the way they meet. The next chapter will most likely be the chapter where we start to see more into Caroline's past (I know, I've said that over and over again). Thank you for following this story and I hope you enjoy!

The sound of her alarm clock going off at 5:30 a.m. was definitely not what Caroline wanted to hear right now. It had been another restless night, of nightmares consisting of dead bodies and bloodcurdling screams. Turning over, she hit the snooze button and forced herself to get out of bed. She made her way to the kitchen, where the coffeemaker was currently calling her name. She poured herself a heavy amount and went over to her closet to pick out her outfit. After what felt like forever, she chose a pair of black dress pants, a black blazer, a light teal tank top with flounced ruching at the bottom, and her new Jimmy Choo boots. Putting her mug in the sink, she showered, put on some light makeup, and left her hair down in her natural curls.

"You've got this. No one can take this away from you. They chose you for reason and you're gonna show them why." Squaring her shoulders and fixing a few stray hairs, she let out a huge sigh and walked out the door.

Ever since Caroline had picked up her first edition of "Cosmopolitan" magazine, Caroline had fallen in love with journalism. Whether it was a gossip magazine or the New York Times, she would read and read until her mother or father took them away from her. In high school, the newspaper committee was one of the only things that got her through those hellish four years. After graduating, she was able to get a scholarship to Chicago State University. Not that she didn't love her hometown of Mystic Falls, Virginia, but she had needed a change of scenery after living there for eighteen years. Majoring in journalism, she interned at the Chicago Tribune her senior year. Her boss, Finn Mikaelson, was so impressed with her, a couple months after her internship was over, he offered the the open 'Ask Amy' section of the paper. She accepted immediately, packed her stuff, and moved to Chicago. Aunt Karen and Uncle Jack had been hesitant to let her go, but they knew this was what she wanted.

They really weren't kidding when they said Chicago was the windy city. As soon as Caroline got out of the cab, it felt like she had just stepped into her own personal tornado. Walking into the building, she flashed her i.d. to the guard security officer on guard and made her way over to the elevator. Pressing the up arrow, she waited for the doors to open.

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"Finn, I just don't understand why his story made the front page and mine didn't. I'm pretty sure more people care about the risks and benefits of Obamacare, than a crackhead, suffering from withdrawals, killing her husband." Klaus was livid that Kol had, yet again, made the front page over him. Hell, he was only an intern, for God's sake. Klaus had been working at the Tribune for over a year and still hadn't made the front page. He thought for sure with Obamacare being one of the top stories in the country, he would easily have the top headline. Once Klaus saw that he hadn't, and more importantly hid younger brother had, he immediately went to see Finn.

Finally turning around after ten minutes of his little brother's whining, and nearly making Klaus run into him, Finn, clearly irritated said "And I'm pretty sure you're right."

"Then what is the problem? Did I do something to upset you? Because if that's the case, I'll be damned if-"

"Niklaus!" Finn interrupted before he could go any farther. "This has nothing to do with us. It's about you and you're writing."

Surprised, Klaus took a step back, not understanding what Finn meant. "What about my writing?"

"A story is only as interesting as the person writing it makes it. When I hired you, I was constantly getting complaints that hiring you was strictly out of nepotism. The only reason I ignored all those complaints was because I knew they weren't true. You are an incredible write, Niklaus, but over the last few weeks..."

"Don't beat around the bush. Spit it out, Finn."

"You're writing has become mediocre. You've been leaving early, not coming in at all, and when you are here, you always seem distracted."

Klaus simply stared at him, dumbfounded. He knew he had been distant lately, but he didn't think it was a problem. He'd been getting his stories in by deadline and he thought they were perfectly fine. Obviously, he was wrong.

Noticing the hurt look on his face, Finn quickly said "don't take it personally, Niklaus. It's simply constructive criticism. Think of this as a wakeup call. I'm only trying to help."

Scoffing and nodding his head, Klaus simply answered "well, as long as you're trying to help." He turned around and stormed to the the elevators. Basically punching the number one, he waited for the elevator to take him to the lobby.

Maybe it was finally happening. Maybe he was finally losing his touch. He thought he would at least have had his first mid-life crisis before it happened. It wouldn't have bothered him so much of it wasn't his brother seemingly taking his spot at a job he worked so hard to get. And it also wouldn't have bothered him so much if he knew he shouldn't even be working here anyway. He should be working in the most prestigious galleries in the world. But Mikael had made sure, even in death, that Klaus would never have his dream.

He heard the ding that indicated he had reached the lobby. He stepped out and went to reach for his phone, realizing it wasn't there. Irritated, he remembered he had left it in the top drawer of his desk upstairs. He moved to get back in the elevator, but the doors were already closing. The one beside it, however, had just opened.

"Could you hold that, please?" He saw a hand stick out to stop the doors from closing, and jogged over to the elevator.

"Thank you so much, I really app-" He would have continued, but he suddenly caught sight of the owner of the hand that had stopped the doors from closing. To say she was beautiful would have been the understatement of the century. The woman in front of him didn't belong in this stuffy building, but rather on the cover of a magazine. Her blonde hair looked like it had been personally kissed by the sun, her body looked like that of a greek goddess, and those eyes-those eyes were as deep as the ocean and breathtaking as seeing the sunrise for the first time. And those eyes were currently staring straight at him.

"I really appreciate it" he finally finished, although slightly out of breath from looking at her.

Caroline blushed when she caught his stare and modestly looked down. "It-it's no problem. Um, what floor are you going to?"

"The twelfth. The Chicago Tribune."

Her had shot up instantly at his answer and asked "Do you work there?"

"I do" he answered."Along with my four siblings, although I deny them as much as I can. Why do you ask?"

"I'm taking over the 'Ask Amy' column. Today's my first day."

Giving her a cheshire smile, he said "Well, then. Welcome to the Chicago Tribune, Miss...?"

"Oh, Forbes. Um, Caroline Forbes." She felt that blush creep up on her cheeks again. God, could she sound anymore ditzy? Looks like she was really living up to her hair color this morning.

That rosy bush that he was starting to grow quite fond of made her all that more stunning. Caroline. Yes, the name definitely fit the gorgeous being in front of him.

Offering her his hand, he introduced himself. "Niklaus Mikaelson. But, please, call me Klaus." She slipped her hand into his and instantly felt an electric shock go up her arm and travel all the way through her body. She looked at him and became mesmerized by the intense stare he was giving her. The opening of the elevator doors broke them apart as people began filling up the elevator. They both walked out and awkwardly stood there, neither know what to say after what had just occurred.

Caroline, surprisingly enough, was the first to break the silence. "W-well, it was nice to meet you. I'm sure we'll see each other around."

Klaus smirked slightly before taking her hand and kissing the back of it gently, while saying "I'm counting on that." And with one final look, he turned from her, a huge grin plastered on his face. This should be fun.

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Caroline would be lying to herself of she said she didn't check him out as he walked away. Those eyes, those lips, that accent, and now even his walk; that man was the living definition of sex. And when their hands touched...it was like lightning. But it couldn't go any farther than that handshake. No, she wasn't going to let anyone else get hurt because of her.

Forgetting Klaus, she turned around and headed to the front desk, where the secretary was frantically taking numerous calls. "Chicago Tribune, please hold. Chicago Tribune, I'll transfer you" she heard her say over and over again. She walked up and stood there until the woman could deal with her. Looking around, she noticed that it wasn't just the receptionist being frantic, but everyone else was, too. This place looked more like a circus, rather than a news room. Sure, she'd had some experience with her college newspaper, but this was something completely different.

"Can I help you?"

Realizing it was her she was talking to, Caroline turned to the receptionist. "Oh, yes. I'm Caroline Forbes. I'm taking over the "Ask Amy' column."

"Of course. I'm Lexi Branson, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'll call Mr. Mikaleson down for you. You can take a seat over there, it'll be a moment."

Smiling and giving her a quick thank you, Caroline headed for one of the seats across the room. Well, so far, so good. No one had been a complete jerk to her yet. But it was still early, so hopefully she didn't jinx it.

"Miss. Forbes, it's a pleasure to see you again. I pray you have not been waiting too long" Finn asked, offering her his hand.

Caroline stood and shook his outstretched hand, answering "not at all, Mr. Mikaelson. And please, call me Caroline."

"I can do that, but only if you call me Finn." Caroline giggled, but nodded her head, nonetheless. "Good. Now that that's settled, let's get started, shall we?"

"We shall." Letting him lead the way, Caroline followed and listened as he took her on a tour, telling her which department was which, where the best coffee was, and even introducing her to a few people. Rounding the corner, she ran smack dab into a bundle of blonde curls.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I wasn't watch-"

"Easy, love. No harm, no foul."

Hearing that voice, her head shot up and she was met with those blue eyes she had seen only a couple of minutes ago. "Perfect timing! Caroline, allow me to introduce my brother, Niklaus. He covers front page stories. Niklaus, this is-"

"Caroline Forbes. Yes, we met earlier on the elevator. It's lovely to see you again, Ms. Forbes" Klaus said with a smirk. Caroline didn't look up but murmured a quick "you too". That only caused his smirk to grow larger. He knew the effect he was having on her and she was fighting it, tooth and nail. Why, he had no idea. She seemed so eager earlier.

Deciding to put her out of her misery- for now, at least- he looked at Finn and spoke "well, brother, I'll let you get back to your tour. My next entry will be on your desk tomorrow morning." Looking down, as to catch her eye, he spoke directly to Caroline. "Ms. Forbes, I look forward to seeing you again soon. And good luck on your first day."

Staring at him like a deer caught in headlights, she watched that man walk away from her for the second time that day.

"Oh, boy." What had she gotten herself into?

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He'd been through the plan over and over again. If anything went wrong, he knew he'd never get another chance. All he had to do now was wait. Connor owed him this. All that was left was for the guard to bring him his food and the plan would be set in motion. The plan that would hopefully lead him to Caroline.

Thank you all for reading! Let me know what you think! xoxo