Hey guys !

So the craziest thing happened to me last Sunday : I got bitten by a horse ! I had to go back to the hospital – again – to have my right thumb reattached to my hand since the horse bit it off ! I can laugh about it now, but I wasn't so brave when it happened.

So this means I can only use my left hand now, which is why this chapter will be so frustrating to write and why it's going to take its sweet time coming. But I'm on it !

Thanks for the lovely reviews, it's good to be back.

Caroline woke up around noon and found her bed – and the apartment – empty. Klaus had probably gone to the office, and Stefan was still with Rebekah. She yawned and stretched in bed, unwilling to get up. She still had the biggest smile on her face from last night and this morning, and she didn't feel like going back to the real world just yet. She stayed lying in her bed, watching the sun and the clouds through her windows, replaying the events of last night in her mind. She still couldn't stop grinning, thinking about Klaus' last words to her before she sank back into oblivion.

"I came alive the day you looked at me."

She squealed and blushed and hid her face in the pillow. She couldn't believe her luck, couldn't believe he was real. Sure, he wasn't perfect – the Camille incident still burnt in the back of her mind somewhere – but he seemed to like her, didn't he ?

Caroline was still beaming when her phone started ringing.

"Hello ?"

"Hey, Care."

Rebekah's voice on the other end of the line was hesitant.

"Oh. Hi." Caroline wasn't sure how to respond, since she knew she had over reacted the last time they met, but she also knew she hadn't liked the lying by omission. She was an honest person – well, her spontaneity and incapability of lying made her honest – and she didn't want to be friends with someone who hid things from her. On the other hand, she missed Rebekah. A lot.

"Stefan said I should call." Caroline heard protests in the background and chuckled.

"Frustrating how he's always right, isn't it ?"

A sigh on the other end of the phone. "Yeah."

"Welcome to my world."

There was a silence before both girls started talking simultaneously.

"I'm so sorry about the other night!"

"So, how are you ?"

They both chuckled, and Caroline took the opportunity to talk first.

"Do you fancy margaritas on the roof ?"

"Is that some sort of American thing I don't know about, 'margaritas on the roof'?"

"Well, it's like regular margaritas, but we drink them on the roof of my building, while tanning and gossiping."

"Oh. Okay, sounds fun. I'll be over soon, then."

"Tell your boyfriend he's not invited."

"Hey !" She heard Stefan protest in the background, making them both laugh.

"I'll see you soon, then ?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah, sure. Should I bring anything ?"

"Yeah, bring your fine ass and some sunglasses." Caroline waited to hear Bekah laugh before hanging up.

Now that she had something to do, she flew out of her covers and into the kitchen. She forced herself to have some toast so as not to drink on an empty stomach and prepared the drinks humming to herself. She was glad she and Rebekah would be speaking again after today: she had so many questions for her concerning her brother that it would have driven her crazy had she not been able to get answers.

Caroline had just changed into a light summer dress when Rebekah knocked on the door. She opened, a little hesitant, unsure of what to do. Should she be over-enthusiastic, or maybe calmer, more composed ? In the end, though, she seemed to have chosen painfully awkward since she was completely unable to get a word out, and just stood there looking over at her friend. How could she not have at least thought about her and Klaus being related ? Rebekah looked exactly like him. She was a female Klaus all the way, not only physically of course – blonde, tall, incredibly sexy -, but the mannerisms too.

On the doorstep, opposite her, Rebekah looked skeptical. "Should I leave ?"

"No !" Caroline exclaimed, then tempered her tone. "No. Sorry, I was silently hitting myself for not seeing the family resemblance. Come in, please."

For a few seconds after Bekah's entrance both girls stood there and looked at each other awkwardly before Caroline took Rebekah in her arms and hugged her tight.
"I'm sorry I over reacted." Caroline said, quite sadly.
"No, I should have told you I knew who Klaus was to me the minute you started talking about him."
"No, I mean yes, but I should have respected your right to privacy. But nevermind all of this now, it's done, it's over. Let's get drunk and share secrets, shall we ?"
Caroline grabbed the pitcher filled with margarita with one hand and her friend with the other. Bekah chuckled softly as she was lead to the roof.

"Stefan and Caroline's secret 'I am tired of everything' rendezvous point!" Caroline exclaimed gleefully, pointing at the two lawn chairs under a parasol, overlooking Brooklyn. They sat down, and Caroline filled both their glasses.

"To a new beginning ?" Bekah toasted hesitantly.

"And an amazing friendship." Caroline clinked her glass on Bekah's, smiling radiantly. "I'm glad you're here."

The two girls chatted lightly for a few minutes, sipping their cold drinks under the sun, avoiding touchy subjects. Caroline was the first to gather up the courage to ask.

"So", she started softly. "How are things with Stefan ?"
"Good, at least I think so."

Caroline frowned quizzically as Rebekah continued.

"He's .. different from the guys I usually date."

"How so ?"

"He's quieter. He's romantic, and kind, don't get me wrong; he's just .. more reserved."

"That's just how he is, but it doesn't mean he doesn't like you. Quite the contrary, actually."

Rebekah looked over, hopeful. "Yeah ?"

"Definitely. Stefan has been my friend for almost ten years now. I know him better than I know myself, and I've seen the way he looks at you, he likes you. Trust me."
"Thanks Caroline. I needed that. But ..."

"But, what ?" Caroline asked.

"Have you two ever -?"

"Have we ever – what ?"

Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Been, you know, together."

It took a second for Caroline to understand her meaning, at which point she scoffed. "No!"

Rebekah seemed relieved as her friend went on. "God, no. Stefan is my best friend, and my favourite person in the entire universe, but we've never – nope."

"That's a relief."

"Really ?" Caroline wondered in disbelief.

"Yeah ! Cause who wants to come after Caroline effin Forbes ?"

Caroline roared with laughter, and Rebekah followed promptly. They laughed together for a short while before calming down. Before long, Caroline was speaking again. "So, about Klaus."

"Oh, crap." Rebekah swallowed the rest of her glass in one gulp.

"Tell me about him. Tell me about your family."
"Oh, I thought you were gonna be gross." Rebekah sighed, relieved. "Well, like I told you, the Mikaelsons are old money, and addicted to control. We're five children, and I'm the only girl."

"Wow." Caroline's eyes widened in surprise. "Five ?"

"Yep. There's Finn, the older, the mama's boy. He used to rat us out every time we did something we shouldn't have." Rebekah chuckled. "I used to hate him so much. Sounds stupid now."

She sighed, shaking her head. "And then we have Elijah. Elijah's a big shot politician, from what I heard. We're not close. He was already ten when I was born, but mentally, he was already fifty."

"Klaus is the third one, I am number four, and the last one is Kol."

"I think I've spoken with him on the phone, once."
"Kol's the baby. He wants no responsibility, no obligations. He only wants to live in luxury wherever he goes. He's much younger than us, since my mother had him in her forties."

"Yeah ? And how old was she for Finn ?"

"Not even twenty, I think."

"Wow." Caroline was dumbfounded. "That's commitment to family."

Bekah chuckled. "Yes, she is like that, our mother. She'd give anything to see us all happy, but her definition of happy changes every so often. It used to be 'obey your father', or 'go to only the most prestigious of schools', things like that. She tries her best, though. No one can deny her that."

"What about your father, then ?"

A flash of pain and anger passed through Rebekah's face. "He's-" she started, clearly looking for the right words, and Caroline knew she had struck a painful chord. "He's not my least favourite person in the world, but he's not far from."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's okay. It's been seven years since I last saw him, but it still hurts, you know ?"

Caroline didn't know what to say to make her friend feel better, but Rebekah was determined to go on.

"He's a cruel, awful little man. I feel bad for speaking of my father in such a way, but it's the truth. He likes to have everyone under his thumb, and he was quick to remind us who was the boss."

"Doesn't sound like a happy childhood."

Rebekah shook her head once more. "We had everything we wanted. We had the finest education England had to offer. We were privileged, we had a roof over our heads and food in our plates. Besides, I was lucky."

"How so ?"

Rebekah turned toward Caroline and looked at her silently for a while, before responding. "I had Klaus. He used to be my Stefan."

At her words, Caroline felt like crying. It was devastating to see her friend hurt, and she took her hand, squeezing it softly.

"I'm sure he'd be happy to be your Stefan again. Call him."

"I know I should. I just can't find the strength."

"Well, you don't have to do it today. Let's just drink and lie in the sun, and talk about who's wearing what."
At the end of the afternoon, after Stefan came home and he and Rebekah cosied up on a chair, after Caroline kissed them both on the head and left them there, she was happy. She felt like she had her friend back. Like she was free somehow. Well more free than before, anyway. She was glad she could spend some time away from Klaus without missing him too much. Yes, she thought about him, of course she did, but the thought that she could still function like a normal human being was freeing, and reassuring, too. She wanted to be balanced, to stand on her own two feet. She wanted so much to become the person she knew she could be. To become this bad ass woman that she felt in her heart was her destiny. She knew she could become so much : a lawyer, of course – she already was, at least where diplomas were concerned -, but later, if she so wished, she wanted to have the opportunity to become a DA, or a judge, or maybe even move to politics. President Caroline Forbes, that would be a nice title to add to her list.

Being friends with Bekah felt like she could finally admit that to herself. That yes, she wanted Klaus, more than she could admit to yet, but she also wanted so much for herself. And she could not always be his PA/ secretary. And she would have to talk to him about that. But not today. Today is for her. For her new found certainty that she was going to go places.

When it became apparent to Caroline that she did not have to wait for Klaus to show up that night, but that she could go to him instead, she packed an overnight bag and headed for the office.

She found him deep in a conference call with London, and entered as softly as she could. He didn't take notice of her, not while he was talking. His face was a mask of blank emotion, and his answers were short and cold. Caroline frowned, wondering who he could be talking to, but stayed silent and sat on the sofa, fiddling with her phone. She concentrated on that task -once again stalking her old friends' instagrams- until she heard him sigh deeply. She looked up and found him, eyes closed, attempting to control his breathing.

"Are you okay ?" She hesitated, leaving her stuff on the sofa and standing up to go to him. She leaned on his desk, facing him, observing him.

"You should go." His jaw was clenched, his tone angry. "Please."

"Not until I know what's wrong." They were both silent for a second, Klaus unmoving. "Was that your dad ?"

As soon as Klaus looked up and at her, she knew she had made a mistake : he looked furious. She couldn't tell if it was with her or not, but the result was the same. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't pry."

"No, you shouldn't, Caroline. Look, I don't want to talk right now, and I think it would be best if you left."

"I'm not going anywhere."

Klaus glare at her for a second before getting up. In one quick movement, Caroline felt him jump to her, imprisoning her between his arms. She yelped as his mouth hungrily crashed against hers, but her body immediately responded: it threw itself on him, stomach to stomach, responding to their kiss with the same violence and trepidation. Her mind, though, her mind fought to stay awake, to stay in control, weakened by her erratic heartbeat, and Klaus' wandering hands already on her waist, pushing her hips to his. It was hot, this way he had to completely capture her, but it was also too much for Caroline. In a fit of lucidity, she pulled away from his kiss, her hands planted on his chest.

"Don't.", she stated, simply. His rage made her afraid, and sex was not the answer right at the moment. Klaus looked at her for a second before closing his eyes, his jaw tensing and clenching. He didn't let go of her, however, but sighed and put his forehead to hers.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"

"Shh. It's okay. You're okay." Caroline hugged him tight, one arm around his neck, the other around his waist. She kissed his eyelids softly, then his nose, his jaw. She calmed him with words and kisses, bringing him back from whatever dark place his father had sent him to.

Before long, he was leaving her embrace, standing up straight. It seemed a great weight was added on his shoulders as he hunched under it just enough for Caroline to see, and he kept a distance between them, both physically and emotionally.

"I'm sorry", he repeated. "You really should go."

"You don't want me here ?" Caroline was tough, but she started to feel a little hurt. And she knew that Klaus had seen it, since he kissed her forehead and whispered to her : "I do want you here, Caroline. But not while I'm feeling like this. The only thing we'd gain would be pain."

"You can't have the good without taking the bad, too. Maybe I want the pain." Caroline whispered back, looking at him under her lashes.

Her words made Klaus chuckle softly. "Give me time. Please ?"

Caroline nodded softly, before smiling at him. "I can do that, if you give me time, too."

"Time to do what ?" Klaus frowned.

"Time to do you." She smirked. "That kiss was really hot. You got me all turned on."

Klaus laughed, kissed Caroline on the forehead once more. "I can do that."

"Okay." Caroline smiled, grabbed something from his desk, and moved away from him to take her bag with her.

"Did you just take my keys ?" Klaus asked in disbelief and wonder.

"Yes, I did. You, me, and your wall have unfinished business."

She left him behind, laughing and rolling his eyes, as she exited his office.

Caroline was reading on the couch when he got home, and had taken off her make-up, heels, and put on her pj's. As he entered the room – she had heard the keys but decided not to move except to look up – and his gaze fell on her, his lips stretched into a gleeful smile.

"Hi."

"Well, you look chipper." Caroline joked, smiling too.

Klaus moved towards her, putting down his phone and briefcase on a nearby table. "Well, wouldn't you be in my situation ?"

"And what situation is that ?" Caroline let her book fall on the floor as she sat up, legs folded before her.

"Coming home to you." was all that Klaus said before sitting at her side, undoing his tie. Caroline quickly moved towards him, sitting on his lap facing him. Her fingers joined his in unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, and, as his moved down to her waist, hers stayed on his neck.

"You're not going to try and steal me from Stefan, are you ?"

"You know, I might just do that." Caroline was joking, but, even though Klaus smiled and spoke lightly, she could hear he could just as well be deadly serious.

"He's going to fight you on that."

"Or maybe he'll take the opportunity to do the same with Rebekah."

Caroline frowned, puzzled, and Klaus added : "She called."

"Good."

"You know, just before -"

"Oh." Caroline said as she realized he meant before his father had called. "Less good."

Klaus smiled sadly, casting his eyes down. Caroline scooted closer before speaking again. "Bekah told me a little about him. But let's not talk about it now, shall we ?" She gently put her hands on his neck and got him to look at her. "I was promised animalistic sex, and I'm not legging no one take that away from me."

Klaus chuckled in answer, amused, which was exactly what Caroline had been looking to do. Distract him. Make him forget. She left his skin to take her top off, tossing it aside carelessly. A jolt of electricity went through her when she heard his gasp, saw his eyes turn black in a moment.

"You are so beautiful." His voice was already hoarse, but she had already lost her own. She was already being taken away by her desire. Her fingers worked quickly at unbuttoning his shirt, trailing kisses on his skin as she did so. She felt him breathe under her lips, felt him unravel as she nibbled at him softly. She undressed him quickly, her mouth traveling up his torso to his neck, his jaw, and finally, his mouth. He captured hers passionately, their tongues exchanging hugs and dancing to a soft, slow rhythm. Caroline's hips, aided and followed by his hands, started rocking on Klaus' lap, and she heard him moan under her lips as she herself felt her lust rising, her pants wetting. Soon, she felt herself being lifted, her shorts and underwear tossed away. She helped him do the same to his own clothes, and held herself on his shoulders as he slid her down onto him. She threw her head back, shivering violently, eyes closed, and let herself be filled. "Oh my God", she moaned, and looked back at Klaus, finding him staring at her face.

They had sex like this, slowly, lazily; Caroline and Klaus locked in a tight and sweaty embrace, finding pleasure in their dance, in the sounds they let slip through open lips. They took their time, finding each other, waiting for one another and finally, reaching elation together. Caroline fell on her man, lost in her ecstasy, grinning.

"You're going to be the death of me, Mikaelson." she groggily joked.

She heard Klaus laugh. "Not if you kill me, first."

"Is that a competition ?"

Another laugh. "No. Let's try and keep each other around first, hum ?"

"Works for me."

Caroline woke up around six the next morning, just before her alarm went off. Klaus, laying behind her, shooed her until she turned it off.

Klaus had moved them to his bed a few minutes after they had found their spirits back. They had talked for hours, that night, and had sex a few more times, Klaus pinning her down on his bed, taking her to places she never knew existed before. Which meant neither of them was particularly happy to hear the alarm when it went off that morning. Caroline turned around to face Klaus, whose eyes were closed and features relaxed.

"Tell me how to deal with Mason Lockwood tonight." she bluntly asked.

Klaus groaned, and imprisoned her between her arms. "Don't think about another man while in my bed. I might get jealous."

"He's not a man, he's a client."

"You're bloody right that's all he is. And all he's ever going to be."

Caroline giggled, kissed his chin. "I like you." she whispered to him.

Klaus opened her eyes and stared at her for a second. "I like you, too."
"And I like our sex marathons."

Klaus laughed and kissed her shoulder. "I like that, too." He moved up her neck, trailing long, arduous kisses that made Caroline wriggle.
"In fact, I wouldn't object to us doing it again, sometime. Or rather, all the time. Now stop seducing me and start helping me instead. What do I do with Mason ?"
"I wouldn't mind doing it with you all the time."
"Klaus !" She hit him with the palm of her hand.
He held up his hands and backed away to show that he was done, and smiled, and helped her figure out what to do with her potential client. During their talk, even if they both behaved, Caroline couldn't stop glancing at his lips. And she saw that he thought about it, too. It made her want to smile and sing and dance, but she only nodded along to what he was saying. He liked her. And she liked him. She knew it couldn't last because he was her boss and everything, but for now, it was everything. He liked her.
"Will you be there when I'll be done ?"

"I will always be there, even if you are done."

Caroline rolled her eyes."Will you be serious for one second ? God."

"You're lucky we need to get to the office, or else I'd have you again right here and now."

"Maybe later when I'm not nervous about a certain date with a certain client."

"It's not a date."

"Focus !"