Thanks guys, for all the awesome reviews. Seriously...it's so great knowing that my silly little fic was liked by so many of you. I was inspired and couldn't wait to write and update.
Thank you my dearest Becky, my sweet Alex, the lovely Miranda and miraculous Christine for taking a peek and helping with some of my inspiration.
Remember to not take this fic too seriously. It's the absolute definition of fluff, with hopefully a bit of comedy. HA!
Up! Up! and Away!
\-[0]-[0]-/
After staying up all night to perfect it, Caroline scans her shop to be certain everything is in it's rightful place. A year of planning, finding just the right space, going to a dozen fashion shows and collecting each individual piece that she is going to sell, she needs everything to be perfect for her opening.
Just off of Main street, across from many vintage inspired and unique shops, the ivy covered entrance stood out to her the moment she saw it. It was used as an office space for many years, but she always felt it was being highly under utilized for its potential. The day she saw the For Lease sign, her mind went into overdrive and she picked up the phone to call the number. After only two days of the space being empty, Caroline quickly became the proprietor of her very own boutique; a lifelong dream finally coming into fruition.
The faded white brick walls give it a vintage look without all the extra labor, and with the crystal chandeliers she had installed and the worn oak floors, the space is bright and inviting. She always felt the less crowded the better, so the items are sparse and divided into three main sections. Camisoles and sleepwear, bras and panties, and of course, teddies and a colorful array of bustiers. There are also a few pairs of shoes, garter belts, stockings, and a collection of perfumes to choose from. Although a woman prancing around in tiny silk undergarments seems to do the trick the majority of the time, she will never underestimate the combination of a great pair of heels and a scented decolletage to go with it.
Everything is color coordinated and perfectly placed. She spent a good two hours arranging and rearranging the front table of panties; trying to make them perfect. If she wasn't a little OCD, she wouldn't be very good at this job.
The display tables are donned with antique bird cages and the walls have Parisian inspired sketches of dresses and purses, not to mention portraits of breathtaking landscapes. She wanted the shop to reflect the sophistication of Paris but also the lush and dramatic beauty of the countryside.
The front counter is a glass case and in it is the most expensive pieces that she has in the shop. Custom made jewelry that she special ordered from Paris, costing her a pretty penny. But with the clientele she expects to attract and the 75% mark-up on each item, they were certain to pay off in the end. Just one sale and she could pay her monthly rental of the space.
There's a small knock on the front door and Caroline walks around the counter to see who it is. When she sees the annoyed expression of her friend, obviously perturbed that the door isn't open and waiting for her grand entrance, she gives her a half smile and unlocks it to let her in.
"Can I get a key already?" Katherine exclaims.
"Yes," she chuckles and rolls her eyes playfully at her friend. "I have one in the cash register for you." Caroline moves back to the counter and steps around, hitting the tend button of the antique cash register. She extracts the simple key with a soft pink ribbon attached and hands it over to Kat.
"Holy cow, Care, this place looks amazing!" Katherine says, and places her purse on the counter. "Seriously, you've completely outdone yourself."
Caroline jumps in place and claps her hands, "It's so exciting; I never thought this day would come."
"Yay!" Kat joins her on the other side of the counter and grabs her hands, the two of them jumping in place, giggling as if they were still the two overly enthusiastic cheerleaders from high school.
The fun comes to an abrupt stop when one of her pictures comes crashing to the floor. "Oh crap," Caroline lets go of Katherine's hands and picks it up. "I guess that nail isn't going to hold."
"Do you have something a little sturdier?" Kat laughs, obviously Caroline should have had the pictures installed professionally with the chandeliers.
"No, all I have are these nails."
"Well, I can go to the hardware store if you want," she offers Caroline.
Caroline looks at Kat as though she is a leprechaun in a tutu. "Right, you in a hardware store."
"What? I can find what we're looking for."
"Yes, but I'm afraid what you're looking for would be in the form of one of the handymen that works there," Caroline looks at Kat as if she's daring her to disagree.
Katherine just shrugs and purses her lips, "Well at least we would have someone to install it for us."
"Yes, way to think outside the box, Kat," Caroline says flatly. She glances at her watch to be certain of the time and heads for the door. "I think I'll just pop in next door to see if Klaus has anything that would work."
"Klaus?"
"Uh, yeah...he's the owner of the comic book shop next door."
"Oh, I bet he's a winner," she says sarcastically.
"Actually, he kinda is," Caroline shrugs.
"Hmm," Kat eyes Caroline suspiciously, "I know that look: you like this guy."
"What? No- he's just this guy and- he's nice and well- I don't know." Caroline searches for the right words. "Just, stay here, I'll be right back," she finally says in a huff.
"Not on your life!" Kat exclaims. "I am so coming with you!"
\-[0]-[0]-/
"I told you, I need it for my Robin collection."
"Well I need it for my Batman collection."
Kol and Elijah have been vying for the same comic for the better part of twenty minutes. You would think that a comic book store would keep more than one copy of a book in stock. In most cases, this is true, but on the rare occasion Klaus comes across a gem, a piece of history that he can't help but trade or buy, which means - only one.
Although this particular comic is not in the best condition, it doesn't matter, both brothers are adamant that they grabbed it first.
"Klaus, tell Elijah to back the fuck off!"
"I don't appreciate your vulgar language, brother, and I will not relent, if that's what you're implying."
"Ugh, you're so annoying," Kol whines. "We need a ruling, Klaus!"
"Here's an idea, maybe you guys can leave some comics for the people that actually buy them?"
"What would be the point of owning a comic book store if you don't get the perks of first come...first serve," he adds and throws a sharp look at Elijah.
Klaus just rolls his eyes, he really needs to find a way to give the customers the first crack at the comics before his brothers. Luckily the chiming of the doorbell announces someone new and draws his attention to the front entrance, leaving the bickering brothers to their squabble. For the second day in a week he is surprised to see a certain blonde gracing the threshold. He turns to greet her with a warm smile and a shy wave.
"Caroline, hey, welcome back."
"Um, thanks," she tucks her hair behind her ear and glances to the ground. What is wrong with her? She's dated cocky musicians, a number of wealthy businessmen, and not to mention her short lived stint with the charming and aloof male model, Matthew Donovan. But none of them seemed to have the effect on her that Klaus does. So what is it about this guy that makes her act like a silly schoolgirl? She glances back up at him when he steps closer, his deep dimples wink at her, and he runs his hands through his messy blonde curls before adjusting his black framed glasses. Oh yeah, she thinks, that's what it is.
"Well, hello there, Klaus is it?" another female voice pipes up. The other girl leans in between them, extending her hand to Klaus. He didn't even notice her come in with Caroline. "Cute little shop you got here."
Cute?
"This is Katherine," Caroline says with exasperation.
"Nice to meet you, Katherine."
"Oh, now I see what all the fuss is about!" she says oh so not subtly. "And a Brit." Katherine coos, laying on her Petrova charm a little too thick.
"Yes. Well," Klaus clears his throat and withdraws from her lingering hand shake. He can't deny that she is gorgeous, but something about her gives off a Catwoman vibe with her sultry smile and tempting eyes. He's certain she's more than any man can truly handle and feels a slight twinge of pity for the poor sap that falls for it.
"Well, well, who do we have here?"
Speaking of poor saps.
Kol leans in, resting his arm on the nearby counter and tucking his hand under his chin. He waggles his eyebrows at the brunette before noticing Caroline standing there as well. "This must be my lucky day. Two beautiful women," he leers and extends his hand toward Caroline.
"This is my brother, Kol," Klaus hesitantly introduces the cretonne.
"Enchante, Mademoiselle," he purrs and leans down and kisses Caroline's hand.
Caroline musters as much strength as she can to keep the sneer from forming on her face. Be polite, she tells herself. "Um, hi, it's...nice to meet you."
She thinks.
"And you as well," he continues with his abrasive charm and moves on to give Kat the same attention. When he reaches for her hand she just stands there and cocks her head at him and folds her arms, looking at him as though he's crazy for even trying.
Yep. Catwoman.
"Feisty. I like that!"
"Don't you have a comic book to wrestle away from Elijah?" Klaus says a bit too forcefully, hoping Kol gets the hint and leaves.
"Oh, he mumbled something about me being defeated by my own prurient interests. Whatever that means."
"You got distracted and he took it from you?" He could never resist the sight of a pretty girl.
Klaus shakes his head and snickers while Kol shrugs with a smirk and continues to wiggle his eyebrows at the two young ladies. He'll say this much about his brother, at least his interests go beyond the fantasy women in his comic books. Confidence, whether feigned or not, has never been an issue with Kol.
"Kol, someone needs to be rung up," he nods toward the direction of the register where a skinny guy in sweatpants and a tucked in green lantern t-shirt waits.
"I'll be right over there, ladies, if you need me," he adds and slowly walks to the front counter.
"Unlikely," Katherine giggles.
"Kat!" Caroline jabs her friend with her elbow.
"It's alright, he's a bit..." What's the word? "much." Klaus decides on.
Caroline eyes Katherine, after a moment of lingering silence, signaling for the other girl to give her a minute with Klaus.
"Alright," she finally catches on. "I can take a hint. I guess I'll have a look around. Ooh, who's the guy in the Armani?" Selina Kyle slinks away toward her next prey (poor Elijah) leaving Klaus and Caroline alone at last.
"Sorry about her, she doesn't really have a filter."
"Yes, and Kol, we're pretty sure he's adopted."
Caroline glances toward the counter where Kol still lingers, he's looking at her and isn't even phased by the fact that she caught him staring. He twiddles his fingers at her and gives her a wink. Manners be damned...she rolls her eyes at him.
When she brings her attention back to Klaus, she finds him staring at her too. However, his stares cause butterflies to flutter in her stomach. Not really knowing what to do with herself, she turns to her own nervous habit.
Rambling.
"So, I've almost got my shop up and running, we're opening tomorrow, I'm really excited. Anyway Kat and I got a little too excited...you know, jumping up and down...and one of my pictures fell, which is just totally annoying because I worked super hard at putting all of them up, in the perfect spot. It's one of my favorites too-"
Klaus watches Caroline continue to ramble, her hands waving in the air, so animated in her storytelling. He isn't quite sure what the point is to her story but he's certainly amused by watching her tell it.
"-and it was one of a kind, and-"
"Um, Caroline?" he reluctantly interrupts.
"Hm- what?" she stammers.
"Is there something that you need?"
"Oh, right, well...yes, as much as I would love to consider myself a strong and independent woman, there are just some things that a woman needs a man for."
Oh my God, did she just say that?
"What I mean to say is a guy is better equipped for some things."
Jesus, Caroline. Equipped? Seriously?
"I mean...I could use your help. If you have a second." She feels the heat begin to creep up her neck and touch her cheeks. The innuendos are not lost on her, and by the look on his face they aren't on him either.
He shifts in place, one foot to the other and back again, and gulps. The images that are racing through his mind need to stay away. So how does he respond?
Okay Klaus, think. What would Tony Stark say? He would probably hand her a drink and make some suave comment like, "I'm sure I can help you find the right equipment that you're looking for." But seeing as she's probably had her fill of creepy Mikaelsons, (thank you Kol) there's no need to completely scare her off.
"Sure," he says instead. "Lead the way."
"Great, thank you." Caroline turns around and sighs with relief.
Wow, I could use a drink, she thinks.
\-[0]-[0]-/
Caroline fumbles with the keys in her hand, looking over her shoulder and smiling at Klaus. "Thanks again," she says.
"Not a problem. I think I can leave the brothers in charge for a little while."
She turns the key and slides inside, the din of her storefront bell mirroring the comic book store's, and walks toward the counter to retrieve the fallen picture.
Klaus stands at the threshold and stares inside, his feet not able to propel him forward. He has to blink a few times and adjust his glasses to be certain he's seeing what he's seeing. A plethora of lace, satin and silk has accosted his senses causing them to jump into overdrive and linger somewhere...um...private.
He's not sure why, but he suddenly feels as though he's intruding in Caroline's underwear drawer. He doesn't know where to look, so he just glances at the door frame as if he's inspecting its structure.
"So this is it," Caroline says and sets it on the counter. "Klaus?"
"Hm- what?" He drops his hand from the doorway.
"You can come in, you know?"
"Right. I was just inspecting the...um...thing here," he says and points at nothing in particular. He takes a hesitant step inside and with his eye line never leaving hers he walks briskly to her side; flashes of pink and satin setting fire to his peripheral.
"I was only using a single nail, now I'm thinking it needs to be drilled into the wall." Caroline holds the framed picture and stares at the blank wall behind the counter.
I can think of something else that needs to be drilled, Tony Stark thinks to himself.
Klaus is relieved to have something else to focus on besides the inappropriate images of Caroline's boudoir dancing in his head. "May I?" he asks and holds his hands out for the picture.
Caroline hands it to him and watches as he inspects it. He adjusts his glasses and she smiles at him, she's pretty sure he has no idea how cute he is.
"Okay, so I think I have something that could work back at the store." He sets the picture back down on the counter. "You see this right here," he asks and leans in and points at a small hole in the back of the frame.
Caroline scoots closer and lowers her head next to Klaus'. "Yes, I see it."
"The manufacturer puts those there as a guideline. They expect you to use it as a starter to secure the brackets."
"Oh that makes sense," she laughs and glances over at him. It's at this time she realizes how close they actually are. She takes advantage of their closeness to scan his face and to get a clearer view of his blue green eyes hiding behind those thick framed glasses. He notices her staring and for a moment they are equally mesmerized by each other; neither one daring to look away.
His eyes flick to her mouth, and she reciprocates his stares by darting her tongue out and biting her bottom lip. They make eye contact once more; an unspoken dialogue being channeled between them.
Klaus' nerves are getting the better of him now and he is uncertain of where to go from here. He knows what Tony would do, that's for sure, but he's afraid he doesn't have the same allure as Mr. Stark. However it doesn't matter, because the moment is ruined by the interrupting chime of the doorbell and the indignant screeching of Katherine Petrova.
"OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU LEFT ME ALONE IN THERE!"
Haha! Katherine the cockblocker!
Once again...thanks for reading. Love your reviews...so pretty please with Jomo on top send them my way.
Until next time...