I'm sorry for keeping you hanging for a while, but I wanted to wrap up a few stories, and college is taking up some of my time. Anyway, this is a longer chapter than usual, so I hope you enjoy!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT! I WOULDN'T HAVE WRITTEN THIS WITHOUT YOU!
Please remember to review at the end! :)
If there was one thing Katherine Pierce prided herself on, it was discretion. One of the reasons she was excellent at moving merchandise, was because she dealt as few people as possible, and she trusted no one, well, almost no one. She trusted Caroline.
That was it.
Caroline was Katherine's only friend, and even though she was a Marshal, she was a good friend.
Katherine jammed her hands in the pockets of her black leather jacket, as she leaned against the truck in the middle of nowhere near a private shore in France. She watched with dark eyes as the men below unloaded the said merchandise, and she shook her head.
A smile graced her features as she crossed her jean clad legs over the other, looking very relaxed and casual.
As the men loaded the merchandise, she pulled out her cell phone, and texted Caroline. They're here. Going to meet them. She hit send, and lifted her gaze to the truck.
Her phone beeped and she smiled. Be careful, Kat.
When am I ever?
Don't get cute.
Katherine smiled, and shook her head. That's my line, Caroline.
She placed her phone back in her jacket pocket, and pushed away from the truck. "Allons!" She shouted to the driver, and climbed into the passenger seat.
"Conduire a la rencontre." She instructed, pointing down to the private dock below. (Drive down to the meet.)
The driver nodded, and did as he was told. They made it to the dock, and Katherine climbed out of the truck, and closed the door. She straightened her black jacket, and ran her fingers through her long brown hair before approaching the men before her.
"Bonjour." She called out, with a pleasant, dangerous smile.
Elijah stared at her, and his eyes widened. "Katerina." He whispered, watching her halt in her tracks.
"Elijah." She whispered, controlling her features.
"You're Caroline Dobbs' contact?" He asked, stepping forward.
Katherine nodded, and placed her hands in her jacket. "I am." She replied, her warm voice gone, and now replaced with a cold tone.
He swallowed, and nodded. "I see." He replied, turning to the man behind him. "Let's get the merchandise unloaded and into her truck." He ordered, firmly.
Katherine scoffed. "I thought you didn't like to get your hands dirty." She replied, harshly.
Elijah turned to her. "A lot's changed in five years." He replied, stepping closer, lowering his voice.
Katherine nodded. "Yeah, a lot." She whispered, stepping back, and headed towards the truck. "Obtenez la merchandise dans le camion!" She shouted at the men in the truck. (Move or get the merchandise into the truck.)
Elijah watched her with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Oh, Katerina." He whispered, turning away, to instruct the men where to put the merchandise.
Katherine glanced over her shoulder, and scowled only for a moment, before softening her gaze. If Caroline was working with the Mikaelson's then she definitely needed to go to New Orleans.
"Oh, Caroline, what have you gotten yourself into?" She whispered, quietly, shaking her head.
~XXX~
Caroline stared at the screen on her phone, and sighed. You didn't tell me it was the Mikaelson family. BE DAMNED CAREFUL!
She lowered the phone, and closed her eyes as she leaned back in the chair while she sat in a park. She hadn't thought of Katherine knowing the Mikaelsons. She frowned at the thought that Katherine would tell them who she was.
She shook her head. No, Katherine would never do that. Katherine was her best friend. Granted, she was a criminal, but she saved Caroline's life in more ways than one. She was the one who got Caroline into the Marshal Service. 'Secret contacts' is what she said, and Caroline never questioned it. She wanted to do anything, anything to get out of the predicament she had been in.
She stood up from the bench, and began to move through the park. It was a quiet, breezy day, and for some reason, it was exactly what she needed. She fingered her locket, and walked quickly through the park.
She rounded a tree, and sighed. Her mind filled with memories and she leaned against the tree. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.
"Do you make it a habit to walk alone?"
She opened her eyes, and turned her head to see Klaus walking towards her. She rolled her eyes. "Do you make it a habit to stalk?" She returned, crossing her arms over her chest.
He smirked at her comment, and dipped his head. "I wasn't stalking, love." He began, stopping a few feet from her. "On the contrary, I saw you from across the park, and I decided to come and see if you are alright." He replied, watching her smile lightly.
She nodded. "That sounds a little stalkerish to me." She replied, moving her hands around before moving them back to a fold over her chest.
He chuckled, and shook his head. "I assure you that was not my intention." He replied, catching her eyes.
She nodded, and turned her gaze away. She knew exactly what his gaze would do to her, and she wasn't ready for the sensations he gave her, not today. "I, uh, heard from my friend. She, uh," She paused, and cleared her throat. "She told me that everything went off without a hitch." She concluded, finally gazing at him.
Klaus pursed his lips, and she could see the light in his eyes. "Yes, I know. I just received word, as well." He replied, nodding.
She turned her head, and then lowered her head. "Well, then…" She whispered, moving her head up. "What else do you need?" She asked, shrugging her shoulders.
He shrugged. "Just the pleasure of your company." He answered, smiling.
She scoffed, but bit her bottom lip. The last thing she needed was to spend another day with a man, who was starting to make her feel things she never thought she would.
Klaus watched her controversy flash over her face, and smiled once more. "Come on, Caroline." He replied, watching her turn her head to look at him. "I dare you." He added, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
She smiled, and let out a silent laugh. "You dare me?" She asked, tilting her head forward.
He smiled, and nodded. "I do." He returned, huskily.
She swallowed, and cleared her throat. "Why?" She asked, lowly.
He stepped closer to her, but kept a fair amount of distance away. "Because, Caroline, there is still so much more that I want to know about you, and not just on a professional level." He whispered, his accent hitting the low octaves.
She lifted her gaze to his eyes, and searched them. "I'm not looking for a personal relationship, Klaus." She whispered, shaking her head.
He lowered his eyes for a moment, before lifting them up to hers once more. "Are you sure?"
She swallowed, and stepped back from him. "Very." She answered, though her voice was weak and shaky.
He smirked, and nodded. "We'll see." He whispered, making her shiver.
She cursed herself in her mind. How dare she allow him to make her shiver? How dare she allow him to get under her skin? She was a United States Marshal, not some weak-kneed little girl. She was there to do a job, not fall for the man she was investigating.
Still, something in his eyes begged for her to open up, and trust him. She didn't know what, but she didn't like it.
She searched his eyes, and felt her heart beat faster, and her blood run hot. She realized that no matter what she told her body or her heart, she couldn't stop whatever reaction he was eliciting.
She sighed, and moved away from him a little ways, and noticed that he was still standing by the tree behind her. She paused, and turned her head back to him.
"Are you just going to stand there or do you want my company?" She called back, watching him not and smirk back at her.
He moved towards her, and she felt her heart race. Get a grip, Caroline. She scolded herself, turning away from him to close her eyes and control her reactions.
"What would you like to do?" Klaus asked when he stopped beside her.
She sighed, and bowed her head. She smiled to herself. "Do you like picnics?" She asked, turning her head to him.
He widened his eyes, for only a moment, before smiling brightly and nodding. "I do." He answered, leaning towards her. "Especially when I'm with a beautiful woman." He added, in a whisper.
Caroline shivered at the words, and let out a nervous laugh. "Don't get ahead of yourself." She scolded, glancing his way. "I was merely suggesting that since I haven't had lunch yet, that you would like to join me." She stated, thinking of the answer on the spot.
Klaus smiled, and nodded. "I would be honored, Caroline." He whispered, bowing his head.
She rolled her eyes, and continued on her trek. This was going to be a long day.
~XXX~
Bonnie raised her hand and knocked on the door. If ever she needed a friend, it was now.
The door quickly opened, and she smiled weakly at the person on the other side.
Rebekah's gaze softened as she looked at her friend carefully. "Bonnie, what's the matter?" She asked, motioning for her to come in.
Bonnie shook her head. "I need to talk to someone." She answered, entered the home.
Rebekah closed the door, and led her friend into her private study. "No one's home, so we can talk in here." She replied, closing the door to the study.
Bonnie nodded, and sat down on the small brown leather sofa in the center, and placed her arms over her legs. "I don't know what to do." She whispered, shaking her head.
Rebekah nodded, and poured her friend a glass of whiskey. "Let me guess, my brother has again pushed you away." She replied, turning back to her, handing her the glass.
Bonnie accepted the shot, and nodded. "I don't understand him, Bekah." She whispered, drinking the entire shot.
Rebekah sighed, and sat down on the small coffee table in front of the sofa. She pushed her blonde hair behind her shoulders, and studied the girl in front of her. Bonnie's brown eyes were red from crying, and her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. She wasn't wearing any makeup, and her clothes looked as if she had slept in them.
"Kol has always guarded his heart, Bonnie. You know that." She replied, touching her friend's hands comfortably.
Bonnie nodded. "I love him, Bekah, and yet I hate him for making my life miserable." She stated, standing up from the couch.
Rebekah sighed. "It's this damn business." She replied, watching Bonnie pace around the room. "It's ruining our lives." She replied, sadly.
Bonnie turned to her, and nodded. "It is, but…" She sighed, running her hands over her face, before folding her arms over her chest. "I'm not asking him to change what he does, Bekah. In fact, I love him for it. I just want him to realize that I want to be in his life, despite the danger." She stated, lowering her head.
Rebekah sighed, sadly. "Kol may not see it that way." She replied, softly. "He probably wants you to be safe, and to have a life free of this." She added, understandingly.
Bonnie shook her head. "I don't want to be free of this, Bekah, not all of it, anyway." She whispered, brokenly. "Would you change what you do if it meant that you would never be completely happy?" She asked, turning to her friend.
Rebekah closed her eyes, and shook her head. "No, I wouldn't, Bonnie." She answered, standing up. "I've seen the other competitions out there, and they are far worse than my family." She replied, throwing her arms outward.
Bonnie nodded, and paused for a moment. "Marcel came into the restaurant today." She whispered, lifting her gaze. She saw Rebekah stiffen. "He said that he was close to one of the Hybrid's people, and that she was going to tell him all about the Hybrid's organization." She replied, firmly.
Rebekah closed her eyes. "That damn man." She whispered, opening her eyes again.
"Do you care for him, Bekah?" Bonnie asked, changing her tone.
Rebekah shook her head. "No, he's just a dealer that Nik wants to put down." She replied, walking over to the liquor cabinet and poured herself another drink. "Was Kol there?" She asked, absently.
Bonnie shook her head. "No, he left early two mornings ago." She answered, smiling weakly as Rebekah turned around. She shrugged innocently. "I weakened again."
Rebekah shook her head. "It sounds like Kol weakened, Bonnie, which he seems to do around you." She replied with a small smile.
Bonnie sighed. "What about Marcel?" She asked, changing the subject again.
Rebekah sighed. "He's wanted to know about Nik's moves and his shipments. I've given him the locations Nik wanted me to give him, and so far that's been enough. Now," She sighed, sipping her whiskey. "Now, he wants me to give him dates in which Nik and my brothers will be there." She stated, narrowing her eyes.
Bonnie shook her head. "Does Klaus know?" She asked, stepping forward.
Rebekah nodded. "I told him two days ago." She sighed. "He didn't take the news very well, but wherever he went afterwards did him some good." She began, sipping her whiskey. "He came back in a much better mood. I think he went to go meet that new contact or something." She surmised, watching Bonnie smile, knowingly. "What?"
Bonnie smiled. "You haven't met her then?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest.
Rebekah straightened. "Met who?" She asked, watching Bonnie's eyes soften.
"Caroline Dobbs, the new arms dealer in town, the one Klaus is fancying." She answered, watching Rebekah tilt her head to the side.
"Nik fancying someone?" She asked, softly in a mischievous tone. "Well, now, this I've got to see." She replied, finishing off her whiskey.
Bonnie smiled and dipped her head. "I thought you would." She replied, softly.
Rebekah smiled. "I know I do." She remarked, though her eyes darkened. "Though, if she turns out to be like that other bitch, she'll have to answer to me." She stated, darkly.
Bonnie shook her head. "You don't have to worry on that count, Bekah." She began, holding up her hands, before jamming them into the back pockets of her jeans. "I have a feeling she fancies Klaus as well, but she's too scared to admit it." She added, remembering the look in Caroline's eyes and the way she cringed away slightly from Klaus' touch.
Rebekah picked up on the subtle hints Bonnie gave her, and nodded slowly. "Well, at the very least, I should meet her." She stated, placing the shot glass back on the table.
Bonnie nodded. "I think you should." She replied, giving a curt nod at the agreement.
Rebekah smiled, and nodded. "Now, let's discuss my brother, and the way you will win his heart." She replied after a moment, taking her friend by the shoulders and leading her to the sofa.
Bonnie groaned. "Now, that is a hopeless cause." She said, sitting down.
Rebekah glared down at her. "Bonnie, don't you know me at all?" She asked, playfully. "Nothing is hopeless with a Mikaelson. You just have to press a little harder." She added with a whisper, causing them both to laugh.
~XXX~
Klaus spread the blanket on the ground of the beach, and smiled as Caroline sat down. They had stopped at a small restaurant and had bought some food, before walking to the banks of the Mississippi to make their picnic.
He watched as the wind blew her blonde hair behind her, and smiled as the thought of running his fingers through her hair ran through his mind.
She sighed, and turned to the boxes, which held their food. "I'm starving." She replied, reaching for the same box as Klaus.
She stiffened as his hand touched hers, but she relaxed quickly, quicker than she had ever relaxed before.
She lifted her gaze, and found him staring at her with a soft, yet penetrating gaze. They had touched hands before, and even shook hands when they first met, but that was a formality, which Caroline had practiced to herself, but this touch was different. It was accidental, and yet it was inviting.
She noticed his hand was rough and calloused, and yet soft as it turned slowly, as not to startle her, and grasped her hand gently in hers.
She gasped, and stiffened, but his gaze seemed to relax her. She knew he could read her mind or at least her eyes as they held slight fear.
"I won't hurt you, Caroline." He whispered, truly reading her mind.
She swallowed. "I've heard that before." She returned, her gaze never leaving his.
He stroked her hand with his thumb, and she found it oddly relaxing. "Give me a chance to prove it." He whispered, heartily.
Caroline felt her heart skip a beat, and she desperately wanted to believe it could be possible, but with her past, she couldn't be too sure.
Keep the cover, Caroline. Her Marshal voice told her. She closed her eyes, and bowed her head. This was not part of the cover. Feelings are not part of the job. She told herself, but she wished her heart would listen.
"Just two days ago," She began, lifting her head, and looking away. "You told me that the Hybrid doesn't take kindly to betrayal, and yet here you are trying to seduce me." She finished with a half laugh.
He smiled. "I'm not trying to seduce you, Caroline." He began, causing her to look at him. "I'm trying to understand you, and as for the Hybrid…" He paused, his eyes turning dark for a moment. "What he does is not relevant to right now." He finished after a moment.
She swallowed, and slowly lowered her eyes to her left hand still in his right hand. She should remove it from his grasp, but how could she when it felt so right.
Klaus watched her eyes, and read her slight uneasiness, and with a small smile, he released her hand.
She let out a sigh, and lifted her gaze to his. "Is this personal or business?" She asked, searching his eyes.
He chuckled lightly. "I thought you didn't want a personal relationship." He remarked, causing her blush slightly, much to her dismay.
She turned her head, and lifted her knees to her chest. Resting her chin on her knees, she gazed out into the Mississippi. If only her life was as simple as the river at the moment, steady and calm, but it wasn't. It was hurried, and full of twists and turns and waves.
She had only been on her assignment for a week, correction, a week and a half, and already she was starting to weaken.
"You should eat before your food gets cold, love." Klaus remarked, watching her turn her head to the food on the blanket.
She grasped a box, and opened the carton. They ate in silence, only pausing to glance at each other when the other wasn't looking.
As the sun set over the river, Caroline knew she had to return to the hotel. She stood up, and helped Klaus clean up the finished meal with an occasional comment. He noticed how she avoided his touch with each helpful move, and shook his head.
"You know, you will have to trust someone sometime." He remarked absently.
Caroline paused, as she folded the blanket, and he walked back from tossing the garbage in a garbage can. She shook her head. "I do trust people." She replied, wiping some sand off the blanket. "I just don't trust their intentions." She amended, handing him the blanket.
He shook his head. "Is that why you are in the marketing business?" He asked, looking at her.
She sighed, and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm in this business, because I'm good at what I do." She stated, with slight irritation. "I thought we've already covered this."
He shrugged. "I just want to make sure you have consistent answers, love." He remarked, stepping towards her. "I know the little transaction was a success, but the Hybrid and I have doubts about your intentions." He stated, honestly.
Caroline swallowed, and clenched her teeth. "Is that why you have been following me?" She asked, watching him laugh.
He shook his head. "You are the one who invited me to dine with you." He replied, pointing to where they had been seated before.
She shook her head. "But before that, you were following me." She stated in a slight loud voice.
He started to shake his head, but she pointed her finger at him. "Admit it!" She shouted, loudly.
He narrowed his eyes. "Fine, I admit it!" He shouted in her face. "I followed you to the park." He continued, in a calmer tone. "I was curious about you, and I wanted to know more about you. Damned if I know why." He replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Something about you is different from the other dealers I've dealt with, and yet I don't care." He whispered, searching her eyes.
Caroline swallowed. She didn't like where this conversation was heading. She wanted to leave now, because what she was feeling at that moment from the look on his face was something she didn't want to explore. Or did she?
As he stepped closer, she froze in her place. Her rational mind told her to run, and to hell with her job, but her irrational mind told her to go for it. This was the first man she truly didn't cringe away from when he approached, and by golly she wanted to know why and a part of her wanted to explore it.
"What is it about you that drives me mad, Caroline?" He asked, in a low husky tone. "What is it about you that makes me think about you with every waking moment?" He asked, more to himself than to her.
She opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn't. Her words were stuck in her throat, and she didn't know whether that was good or not.
Her eyes drifted to his mouth, and she realized how plump and succulent they were. They were seductive and knee weakening. She felt her body lean forward, and for once she didn't care.
Klaus wasn't sure if he should do this, but she was so beautiful in the sunset light, and she was literally driving him mad. He had been patient, more patient than he had ever been. Granted it had only been a week since they had met, but usually, he would have bed a woman in that time. With Caroline, it was different. He found himself wanting to get to know her. Taking time with her. Learning about her. Everything a man should know about a woman.
His dark business mind told him this was dangerous, and he agreed, but as his lips came closer to hers, he threw the dangerous bit out. He wanted this. He wanted to be dangerous. He wanted to know the feel of her soft, pink lips on his.
Electricity shot between them as their lips came within a millimeter of each other. Klaus paused, knowing how much Caroline hated to be touched, he waited for her to make the final move.
Caroline didn't hesitate. In her scarred mind, she realized then that if there was a man who could help her overcome her fear, it would be a man like Klaus.
Closing the distance between them, Caroline placed her lips on Klaus', and felt her heart pick up the pace. She heard the blanket fall to the sandy ground, but she didn't care. Nor did she care that Klaus' arms were winding around her waist.
All she cared about at that moment was his lips on hers, and how right this felt.
As her mouth opened on his, her hands clutched his shirt, and a moan rang through her throat.
Suddenly her rational, scared mind began to break through, and her eyes opened widely.
With a small cry, she pushed back from Klaus, and was surprised to find he let go. She placed her hands over her mouth, and noted the tingly feeling from his kiss.
She shook her head, and turned to run away from him. She had to get away. She had to. She was so dazed, she didn't even hear Klaus calling her name, nor hear him running after her.
PLEASE NO HARSH COMMENTS!
So I was so pleased at how many of you loved the appearance of Katherine! She is so much fun to write! I hope you enjoyed the Rebekah and Bonnie scene, I was a little iffy on it, but I hope it turned out okay. Also, Klaus and Caroline KISSED! I was a little unsure about it, but having her run away after it, seemed to fit.
Anyway, the next chapter will be a present chapter! It will be up in a few days, considering that I have a trigonometry test this week, and I have to study for it.
Also, this was the first time me writing in French, so please be kind about those phrases. I'm not fluent in it, but I do my best.
Until Next Time...