Klaroline AU Week - Day 2 - Right Place, Right Time
Suspicious about their agent's loyalties during the Cold War, MI6 recruit his former CIA colleague and lover from Washington DC, Caroline Forbes to interrogate him, knowing if anyone is going to coax a confession from him it's her.
The Spy Who Loved Me
The Lamb and Flag - Covent Garden, London England -1953
My dearest Vivien
The winter months have been harsh in England but knowing that you are waiting for me faithfully in Paris is a source of warmth and comfort. I look forward to the day when we can be together again and...
"Niklaus Mikaelson writing love letters, I never thought I'd see the day," Caroline whistled, reading over his shoulder then taking a seat on the neighbouring bar stool.
"You know jealousy is so unbecoming on you, love," he smirked, taking in her immaculate appearance and inhaling the familiar floral scent of her perfume.
Caroline Forbes was always impeccably attired and today was no different with a stunning, belted dress in deep mulberry highlighting her tiny waist and the creamy tone of her soft skin, ever spare inch of which he knew so intimately. Klaus felt himself stir, knowing that no matter how long it had been and how far the distance she'd always have that effect on him.
"I'd have to like you to be jealous and you and I both know that's not the case."
"That's not what you said in Washington DC last year. In fact I seem to recall you enjoying yourself immensely in my company," he countered.
"Blame it on the temporary insanity and the numerous martinis you plied me with that night at La Salle Du Bois."
La Salle Du Bois - Washington DC, USA 1952
"I'm so glad you finally agreed to have dinner with me, love. I was starting to get a complex from all your rejections," Klaus said, swirling the amber liquid around his glass slowly.
"I figured you weren't giving up anytime soon and thought if I threw you a bone tonight you'd leave me alone for good." Klaus couldn't help but smile at her feisty response; it was one of the things that drove him crazy about her. Well, that and her delicious curves that were poured into the fitted, red dress she was wearing this evening.
"Are you always this abrasive, love?"
"I'm cautious, it comes with the job after all," she explained. "I mean you could be a Communist and I wouldn't even know it."
"I don't care for the colour red and last time I checked you were the one wearing it, not me," he smiled, deviously.
"A counter accusation that seems like a guilty man to me" she murmured, running her finger around the rim of her martini glass.
"Says the person that made the first accusation. Look, if MI6 can trust me I don't understand why you can't, love."
"I'll reserve my judgement until further notice. In the meantime, how about you tell me something about yourself," she asked.
"I don't like Brussel sprouts," he offered.
"Well, I'll be sure not to order any this evening," she shot back, rolling her eyes for added effect. "If I wanted to know your dietary habits I would have asked."
"You asked me to tell you something about myself and I hate those tasteless excuses for a green vegetable," he argued.
"How about family, friends?"
"I have those," he answered, vaguely. "You know love, I suggest you spend less time trying to interrogate me and more time holding the Soviets to account," Klaus baited, unable to help himself.
"You have an interesting background, I must admit."
"How so?"
"You spent a lot of time in a number of European countries before you were recruited by MI6."
"I was a foreign correspondent for numerous news publications; it's all part of the job."
"Your Russian is perfect I also understand."
"It comes in handy when you're spying on the Soviets, love," he answered. "For someone who's supposedly not interested in me, you sure have spent a lot of time researching my background."
"It's my job, Klaus," she replied. "I need to know just who I'm working with, I'm sure you feel the same way."
"I have to say finding out you were formally a dancer was a surprise."
"Why? Don't you think dancers can be in the CIA?"
"Not at all, I'm sure that physically helps with your work."
"Wouldn't you like to know," she replied, raising her eyebrows. "Sounds like I'm not the only one who's been doing their research."
"Like you said you have to know the people you're working with. I also heard from your work colleagues that you're a Gone with the Wind fan."
"And you're obviously not?"
"It's not my favourite but I think the ending was warranted. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."
"Nothing is ever as easy as it seems," she uttered and Klaus couldn't help but think it was from past experience. "Whatever you think, Vivien Leigh is one of the most interesting actresses yet. Although I have a feeling you don't want to talk about my favourite things."
"How about instead you take a chance Caroline and get to know me, I dare you."
"Fine, so what do you want to talk about?"
"I want to talk about you. Your hopes, your dreams, everything you want in life."
"Typical diversionary tactic, don't you know I can see straight through you, Klaus."
"How about you stop being so defensive and relax for a change."
"Given our current situation, it isn't always so easy to relax," she reiterated.
"Well, how abut we try, starting with dinner," he offered. She regarded him seriously, her eyes drinking in his appearance making Klaus a little curious about what she was going to say next.
"What if I told you I wasn't hungry, well for food that is...?" Five minutes later they were in the darkened alley behind the restaurant, Caroline's dress bunched up around her hips, his hands caressing her silky folds once he'd removed her lace, black panties while his lips explored her creamy neck.
"I'm not usually this kind of girl," she panted, while he continued his assault on her neck before dropping to her collar bone and then placing kisses along the swell of her breasts that were peeking out teasingly from her dress.
"That's why I like you, love."
"Flattery might get you everywhere."
"Glad to hear it."
The Lamb and Flag - Covent Garden, London England 1953
"So, who's your little girlfriend Vivien then?"
"No one you'd know, Caroline."
"Oh I see, she's one of your special, little friends from the Moulin Rouge?"
"While your obvious interest in my love affairs is quite entertaining, I have no desire to discuss my current lover with my former one. I'd actually like to talk more about pressing issues like what brings you to my little hometown of London?"
"Oh you know I just thought it was time for a much needed vacation," she sighed.
"And you chose dreary, old London in the midst of winter? I think you need to fire your travel agent, sweetheart."
"What can I say? I want to see Big Ben."
"But yet you're here with me instead, speaking of which how did you find me exactly?"
"Call it an occupational skill I've picked up over the years."
"You're doing that thing I don't like where you don't answer my questions directly, love."
"I may have blocked out the majority of your historical facts and figures but I did recall something about your obsession with Charles Dickens and how you liked to visit the Lamb and Flag because he drank here."
"You loved my history lessons and you know it but back to the matter at hand, why are you in London?" He asked pointedly, lowering his voice and glad that the pub was relatively empty this time of the day. "I'm assuming you're here on official business but I'm surprised no one told me."
"Let's just say I'm cleaning up a few loose ends for the Agency, can't trust you Brits to do anything right."
"Oh, is that so? Last time I checked I was posted to Washington to help manage your affairs because they were in a mess."
"Yet you left so prematurely."
"You know why," he replied, gruffly.
"Yes, I'm sure finding out your fellow agent has defected to the U.S.S.R would do that," she murmured.
"What exactly are you getting at?"
"Klaus, this has caused shockwaves around the world," she hissed. "He worked directly with us at the Agency in DC, who knows what he fed the Russians then and what he's saying to them now he's defected."
"I'm well aware of the gravity of the situation and the possible ramifications," he growled.
"We can't sit idly by and ignore the fact that there could be more moles in your organisation than we thought."
"I'd really just prefer you get to the point, Caroline."
"I'm just saying it's entirely possible that given his close relations with certain other agents..."
"You mean me," he spat. " You know it kind of hurts that you don't trust me."
"I'm only doing my job."
"At my expense," he scoffed. "I was questioned in Washington and when I returned to London and it was made quite clear to me that the matter was over. I have nothing further to add to my statements. I love serving my country and quite frankly you're wasting your time and mine by continuing with this wild goose chase. Suddenly, I'm not so thirsty anymore," he pushed his beer glass away and stood up quickly
"Klaus, it's protocol. You have to understand that," she said, biting her bottom lip as she did it. Something Klaus knew was one of her interrogation tactics.
"If that's what you want to call it," he muttered. "This discussion is over." Klaus stalked out the door and turned left, taking the cobbled path into the frosty night air.
Maison Dieu Guest House - Dover, England UK 1953
Klaus was standing at the window looking out impatiently. It was something he'd been doing for three days now. He'd left London immediately after their conversation, taking the next train to Dover and had been hiding out there ever since.
He head a low knocking at the door, and rushed over to the other side of the room to get it.
"Who is it?" He asked in a hushed voice.
"Vivien." He smiled knowingly, opening the door and gathering her in his arms. She always looked beautiful and today was no different in her casual pants, her blonde waves tucked under a stylish black beret, her cheeks pink from the cold Dover air.
"Could you have taken anymore time?" He asked teasingly, but you couldn't miss the apprehension in his voice.
"When you have as many pairs of shoes as me, it's bound to take some time to pack," she replied, sarcastically.
"I was just so worried, if anything happened to you, I would never forgive myself..."
"I'm fine," she smiled, cupping her hand over his face and tracing circles on his cheek with her thumb. "Anyway, you know I couldn't come straight away because it would have looked suspicious, not to mention the fact that I had to debrief with your handler."
"How did that go?"
"Well, they had the recording from the bug in my handbag where you so brilliantly and profusely denied any wrong doing."
"So, they bought it then?"
"They still have their suspicions but I think this has bought you just enough time to leave." He nodded, only just realising the enormity of the situation. He was really doing this and the love of his life was going to be right by his side.
"God, I've missed you, love. What you've done for me, it's just so..."
"Shhh," she whispered. "I want this, trust me Klaus I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in this cause and in us."
"But to agree to be part of their plan, I mean you could have gotten yourself killed."
"Yet, I didn't," she reassured him. "That would never have happened, I'm far to good an actor, after all.
"That you are."
"I'm still surprised they expected you to reveal all your dirty secrets to your former lover."
"They obviously don't know you or me very well."
"What are you trying to say?" She teased, poking him accusingly on the chest.
"We're the same, love," she was silent for a moment obviously processing what he'd said. "We both have our little secrets."
"That we do," she agreed. "So, when do we leave England?"
"The ferry will take us to Calais tomorrow morning and then we'll make our way by train into St Petersburg."
"This is really happening," she sighed.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Of course I do, wherever you go I go, right?"
"I love you, Vivien," he grinned, pulling her towards him and placing a long awaited kiss on her supple, pink lips. They'd only been together a few brief times given the precarious situation but Klaus knew that his desire and love for her knew no bounds and that they'd always be together, no matter what they faced in the uncertain future.
"I still can't believe you named your mystery Parisian lover, Vivien." In order to get messages to the KGB, Klaus had created a fake girlfriend and would send her cryptic letters that seemed so innocent but held many highly classified secrets. He figured Vivien was the perfect choice.
"You love Gone With the Wind so how could I resist making my fake lover the very own Vivien Leigh?"
"Well, she is beautiful so I don't blame you."
"I may be biased but you're far more beautiful than her."
"You just have a thing for blondes."
"Possibly, or maybe just blondes called Caroline Forbes."