This chapter is not one of favorites, but it is what it is. I hope you enjoy it anyway.
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~One Year Earlier~
They walked in silence, as the sounds of the city drifted to their ears. The restaurant Klaus had taken her was a small establishment, owned by an older lady who apparently had ties to the family, judging by the familiar way she greeted Klaus.
While they were waiting for their food, they had decided to walk along the pier just below the restaurant.
Caroline smiled as she felt the salty breeze blow in her face. She had never seen the river of the Mississippi nor the ocean, well this particular ocean.
"First time?" Klaus asked, watching her carefully.
She blushed, and dipped her head. "I never had the chance to see the Mississippi, except on planes." She replied, honestly.
He nodded, and smiled. "Well, then, what do you think of it?" He asked, watching her face light up.
"It's beautiful." She whispered with her eyes scanning the water.
Klaus studied her for a moment, and watched the wind blow her hair to the right side of her face. His eyes narrowed when he noticed a long white jagged line on the left side of her neck. He turned his body to get a better view of the line, when she noticed his interest, and shifted her body, while pulling her hair back over her neck.
"What happened?" He asked, softly.
She shrugged, and folded her arms over her chest. "It's nothing." She replied, in avoidance. "Shouldn't the food be ready?" She asked, turning around to head up the pier.
He shook his head, and reached forward to grasp her right hand in his. He knew she didn't like to be touched, but he wanted answers.
She felt currents run through her skin at his touch, and she resisted the urge to hit, though her body stiffened.
He let go of her hand, and caught her eyes with his. "Caroline…" He began, watching her eyes fill with slight fear for only a moment, and then closed up.
"It happened in the past." She began, not wanting to open the door. "And it's best left unsaid." She added turning away from him, and quickly ran up the pier.
She made it inside the restaurant, and headed to where she saw the ladies room sign. She opened the bathroom door, and was grateful no one was in there. She locked the door, and ran to the sink. She should have remembered to put makeup on her neck.
She grasped the sink with her hands, and kept her head bowed as her body began to shake. She remembered her instructor at the academy telling her to take deep breathes. They all knew about her past, and knew of her aversion to touching, though she never spoke of it. She didn't have too.
They all knew him.
She took deep breathes, while trying to push her memories to the back of her mind. She was a Marshal, for crying out loud. She needed to control herself. She lifted her head, and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were weary, and full of fear.
She knew Klaus didn't mean any harm, even though she knew what he was capable of, she saw his concern flashing in his eyes when he chased after her.
She never told a soul about what happened, not even to the psychiatrist she was sent to. She learned long ago, to keep those memories and feelings buried deep within her, and she wasn't about to change her mind.
She heard a knock on the door, and she stiffened slightly until she heard his voice.
"Caroline, I'm…sorry." He replied, tenderly, and she smiled at his hesitance. "Sheila says the food's done, if you're ready." He added, after a moment.
She nodded, and turned the facet on for a moment and grabbed a paper towel from the dispenser. "I'll be right there." She called out, wetting the rag, and pressing it to her neck.
She could do this. She could do this.
Tossing the towel in the trash, she unlocked the door, and sighed when she saw him standing at the door.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted, just now." She replied with sincerity.
He shrugged, but saw the pain in her eyes. "Are you okay?" He asked, softly.
She nodded, but with the stare of his eyes, she wanted to shake her head. "Let's go get that food." She replied with false bravado.
He nodded, knowing it was going to take baby steps for her to open up, and he was startled to know he wanted her to.
They ate in silence, and he noticed how she seemed to drift off.
"Something on your mind?" He asked, taking a bite of the jambalaya.
She jerked her head, and smiled as she shook her head. "No, I was just looking at the water through the window. It's so peaceful out there." She replied, absently.
He nodded. "Until a storm disrupts it." He remarked, moving his fork around his food.
"Even with it being peaceful, you have no idea when it's going to turn violent." She replied in small agreement, lowering her eyes to her food.
"Speaking from personal experience, love?" He asked, trying not to press.
She sighed, and closed her eyes. "Have you talked to Hybrid?" She asked, changing the subject.
He sighed, and lowered his fork to his plate. He lifted his gaze to hers, and nodded. "I have." He replied, professionally.
"And?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders.
He smirked, and shook his head. "He doesn't know yet. He's still trying to figure you out." He replied, truthfully.
She shook her head. "How can he figure me out when he hasn't even met me?" She asked, watching him smile, knowingly.
"Trust me, he has his ways." Klaus answered, nodding.
She shook her head once more, and continued to eat her food. "So, where are we going after this?" She asked, taking a bite of her food.
Klaus smiled, and dipped his head. "What is with you and surprises, love?" He asked, watching her smile.
"Surprises are great, when you know what they are." She replied, with a light smile.
He shook his head. "If you know what they are, then they are not surprises." He replied, pointing his fork to her.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, if you know what they are then you can be prepared for them." She remarked with a faint tone in her voice.
He became solemn at her words. "How did you get into this business, Caroline?" He asked, leaning back in his chair. "You said on the plane, that you fell into it. How?" he asked, watching her sigh.
She dropped her fork, and leaned back against her chair. "I learned at a very young age, that if I wanted anything I had to fight to get it." She began, her eyes lowering for a second. "I wanted the perfect life, and I wasn't going to get it the old fashioned way." She added, knowing it was partly true. "So I fought from the ground up, to get to where I am, and I don't regret a single moment of it." She stated, firmly.
He seemed satisfied with her answer, and she was relieved by that. "What about you?" She asked, watching him smirk.
"What about me?" He asked, cocking a brow.
"How did you get into the business?" She asked, pushing her plate away.
He shook his head. "Just like you." He began, pointing at her. "I wanted a better life than I had, and so I worked hard until I found something I'm excellent at, and here I am." He replied, elaborating slightly.
She nodded in understanding. "Do you regret the choice you made?" She asked, softly.
He scowled, and she had her answer. "No, I don't. That decision helped my family, and I wouldn't change that for anything." He stated, a little harshly.
She bowed her head in understanding. Was it possible to feel sorry for the enemy? She didn't know, but she was feeling something and it wasn't repulsion.
He turned his head, and stood up. "Come on." He stated, leaving the table.
She sighed as she watched him leave the restaurant in a hurry. She smiled at the hostess, who returned the smile in understanding, and quickly followed him down the pier to the edge of the river.
"Hey, look I'm sorry, if I said something to upset you." She practically shouted, causing him to stop on the pier.
"Why are you really here?" He demanded, watching her take a step back from the fire in his eyes.
She inhaled deeply, and sighed. "You know why." She answered, bravely.
He shook his head. "No, a woman like you doesn't belong in this kind of business." He stated, walking towards her.
She glared at him. "And what kind am I?" She asked, staring at him.
He moved his eyes over her body, and smirked coldly. "A decent one," He whispered, finally. "A woman so full of light and life, a woman so wrong for this kind of work." He added, watching her face melt into confusion.
She opened her mouth for a moment. She hadn't expected that. She stared into his eyes, and saw that he was telling the truth. She also noticed how he seemed to be leaning towards her.
She wanted to move, but she couldn't. Her nerve endings were on fire with the intensity of his gaze, and she wanted to know why. She leaned forward, and waited until they were an inch apart, when he pulled back.
She took a deep breathe, and turned away from him, when she heard him curse and pick up his phone.
"What?" He stated in the receiver.
She felt a cold chill run through her at his tone.
"I'll be there in two hours." He stated after a moment, and cursed once more. "I'm sorry, Caroline, but I have an urgent matter to take care of." He replied, watching her nod her head, though her back was to him.
He approached her, and wanted to touch her. "Caroline, I meant what I said before." He whispered.
She bit her bottom lip, and nodded. Her mind was replaying what had just happened. "I know." She remarked, turning to face him. "And you're right. I don't seem to fit in this world, but I do, and nothing you say or do is going to get me out of it." She stated, brushing past him, heading up the pier.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of telling you what to do, love." He shouted, with a smirk on his face.
She stopped in her tracks, and wheeled around. "Are you mocking me?" She asked, folding her arms around her chest.
He smirked, and closed the distance between them, only to watch her stiffen, but not much. "Now, why would I do that, love?" He asked, lifting his arms out.
"You don't think I can do my job." She stated, glaring at him.
He smiled, and shook his head. "I didn't say you couldn't." He stated, watching her lower her gaze. "I only said you don't seem like the type of person who does this kind of work." He replied, reiterating his words from before.
She sighed, and averted her gaze. "Then why did you bring me here?" She asked, finally looking at him. "Because I can tell you, I won't be seduced into telling you my secrets." She stated, firmly, holding her head up high. "I came here to do a job, and that's exactly what I intend to do." She added, watching him walk towards her.
"I have no intention of seducing you, Caroline. I merely brought you here to learn more about you, and what I've seen has only proved my point." He stated, gazing in her eyes.
"And what point is that?" She asked, feeling her heart beat faster at his gaze.
"You are not the type for this job, which makes me wonder why you even try." He whispered, stopping within a few inches from her.
"And what exactly have you seen?" She asked, frozen in her spot.
He smirked for only a second before his face fell. "I see a woman who has had a tragic past." He began.
"How…?" She began when he lifted his right hand to the left side of her neck, but didn't touch.
"The scar on your neck, Caroline, I've seen enough to know that someone hurt you, which is why you hate being touched, preferably by a man." He replied, softly.
She stiffened at his words, and lowered her gaze.
"Who was it?" He asked tenderly, but inquiringly.
She lifted her gaze and glared at him. "Why do you even care?!" She shouted. "You only met me yesterday, and you expect me to tell you all about my past just because you believe we might work together!" She continued, her eyes flashing.
Klaus scowled, and nodded. "Is your job the only thing that's important to you?" He asked, after a moment, watching her face turn to slight surprise.
"Yes." She stated, after a moment.
He nodded slowly at her answer, but she could see the slight pain in his eyes. "You have a lot to learn then, Caroline." He whispered, taking a small step towards her. "One day, you will wake up, and realize that a job is just a job, and then you will feel an emptiness you can't control, and will never be able to fill." He whispered, with a hint of seduction.
Caroline's eyes searched his, and she swallowed. "You sound like you speak from experience." She whispered, though her voice sounded shaky.
Klaus smirked, and lowered his gaze to her mouth, before he stepped back. "You have no idea, love." He whispered, tilting his head slightly to the right.
Caroline released her breath, and lowered her gaze.
"I'll walk you back to your hotel." He stated, with a touch of cold in his voice.
She sighed, and lifted her eyes to the blue sky. She had been so close, so close to telling him everything. Why did she suddenly want to tell a stranger everything? She turned her body, when he walked past her, and she watched him walk up the steps to the restaurant. She followed him with sadness in her heart. Something in his voice made her want to hold him, and that was new for her.
She paused, when a dark skinned young woman, about her age, walked out with a bag in her hand.
"Klaus." She replied, in a slight southern drawl.
Klaus paused, and Caroline noticed his face soften slightly. Her eyes followed his to the woman. The woman had a sense of warmth in her tone and eyes, but her body was slightly stiff.
"Kol called, and ordered this." She stated with a hint of annoyance.
Klaus shook his head. "Bonnie, when are you going to give in, and put him out of our misery?" He asked, taking the bag from her.
Bonnie shook her head, and smiled. "When he comes to his senses." She stated, with a smile, and turned to Caroline. "Bonnie Bennett." She replied, holding out her hand.
Caroline nodded, and returned her shake. "Caroline Dobbs." She replied with ease.
Bonnie smiled. "I hope Klaus is treating you with respect." She replied with a wink at Klaus.
Klaus shook his head. "I'll send Kol your wishes." He replied, walked past her.
Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Send him my condolences." She stated, watching Klaus turn his head back to her. "For the next time I see him, I'll kill him." She stated with a light tone.
Klaus chuckled, and shook his head as he headed to the door.
Caroline sighed, and moved to follow Klaus, when she felt Bonnie grasp her upper arm.
"I'll be careful if I were you. Klaus has his good points, but once someone crosses him. He becomes a wolf that won't stop." Bonnie replied, with a serious tone.
Caroline tilted her head and studied her. She didn't say a word as she nodded, and moved away from the woman.
Bonnie watched her go, and she couldn't stop a smile from forming on her lips. Caroline was something special and maybe she was the one for Klaus.
Klaus escorted Caroline up to her hotel room, and waited until she opened the door. He nodded, and turned to leave when she called his name.
He turned around, and saw pain reflecting in her eyes. "Thank you for today." She whispered, in defeat.
Klaus smiled faintly, but only nodded. "Maybe someday I'll show you the rest of the city." He replied, seriously.
Caroline nodded. "Maybe, and maybe I'll…" She trailed off, bowing her head.
Klaus smiled and walked up to her. "I look forward to that day, Caroline." He whispered, leaning forward.
Caroline held her breathe, but remained very still as his lips touched her cheek in a soft caress. She felt her stomach flutter at the touch, and lifted her gaze when he pulled back.
"Caroline…" He began, searching her eyes for a moment.
Her heart began to beat faster as the gaze became intense; suddenly he stepped back, and headed to the elevator.
She stood in her doorway, and watched him glance back at her with a smile before he entered the elevator and disappeared for the rest of the day.
~X~
Klaus entered his home, and headed for the kitchen. He found Kol sitting in front of the small marble island with a sullen look on his face.
Klaus dropped the bag on the island, and smiled when Kol glanced at the bag longingly.
"You should call her, Kol." Klaus remarked, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water.
Kol shook his head. "Why would I get involved with a woman with the work I do?" He asked, turning his gaze to his hands on the island.
Klaus sighed and shook his head. "There are not many women in the world who would understand this work. Bonnie does, and she still cares, Kol." He replied, firmly.
Kol lifted his gaze, and frowned. "I can't risk it, Nik." He replied, shaking his head. His face transformed after a moment, and he smiled. "By the way, why do you want me to call a woman? You aren't one to push romance, Nik." He asked, with a sigh.
Klaus sighed, and sipped his water. "I'm not pushing it. You're just bloody irritating without her." He stated, in a low tone.
Kol shook his head, and kept silent for a moment. "How is the little tasty morsel from last night?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
Klaus frowned, and glared at his brother. "Say another word about her and I'll cut out your liver." He stated, harshly.
Kol shrugged, and smiled. "She's gotten under skin, brother." He replied, watching Klaus squirm slightly.
"I haven't known her long enough." Klaus stated, stiffly.
Kol shrugged, and grabbed the bag, as he slid off the stool. "Sometimes it only takes a day, Nik." He replied, with knowledge.
Klaus shook his head, and watched his little brother walk to the doorway. "How did the trade go?" He asked, professionally.
Kol paused, and turned his head. A dark glint appeared in his eyes. "Taken care of," He stated, darkly.
Klaus nodded, and smiled. "Marcel?" He asked.
Kol chuckled. "In the dark," He replied.
Klaus nodded, and smirked. "Good." He stated, setting the bottle on the counter. "Very good." He whispered with certainty and a dangerous smile.
What did you think? PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!
I'm very excited that the experimental chapter was such a success. The present chapters will come about every other fifth chapter, so hopefully there won't be any confusion.
And like I said, this chapter is not one of my favorites, but I hope you will enjoyed it anyway.
Coming Soon: Why does Caroline avoid touching? And yet why did she allow Klaus' touch? How will Klaus discover the truth about Caroline's job? How will he react? What is Kol and Bonnie's story? Find out as we continue...
Until Next Time...