Sorry for the late update. Life was CRAZY. I'm a bit saddened by the numbers of reviews, but I love the ones I got. Thanks to those who reviewed, favorited and followed.

Hope you like it! Please remember English is not my first language and this was unbeta-ed.

Dinner was quiet and uneventful, spent in silence or listening to Kol rambling and mocking Elijah.

Klaus didn't show up.

After they had eaten their meal, Kol went outside, talking on the phone and Elijah approached Caroline, "May I speak with you for a moment Caroline?" he asked, ever the gentleman. She smiled upon heating her name, every single time overcome by a strange giddiness. "Sure" she nodded.

They walked into the salon and seated on one of the big white sofas, "The doctor is coming tomorrow to see you. He needs to take a sample of your blood to check for any anomaly, just routine exams" he assured her "And then, if you want to of course, he can visit you" he paused, looking at her straight in the eyes, his face deadly serious, "As in gynecological examination" ,he went on, "To see if you were raped or abused".

"Oh". She knew it was coming, and it was the right thing to do. She needed to know if she had any diseases, which was her blood type, if she had any allergies and things like that. But still…the idea of someone telling her she had been raped, even if she wouldn't remember it, made her stomach turn and her chest constrict.

He touched her shoulder, "I understand this is hard and you have to know that, even if it would be best for you, you don't have to do this. He can just take your blood and check you up and that would be it." He squeezed her shoulder, trying to show his support.

She nodded, "No it's okay. I need to know. I want to know." She said strongly. He nodded.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No thanks, I think I'll just go to bed".

They both stood up, "As you wish, I'll go catch up with some work", and then they went up the stairs together, Caroline stopping at the first floor and going to her bedroom.

It was midnight, and she was still wide awake. God, she was nervous. She shouldn't be, there was nothing to be nervous about. Okay, there was a lot to be nervous about, but she couldn't avoid it or do anything else other than wait for tomorrow (well, today), she couldn't actually do anything concrete so she should just relax and sleep. Easier said than done. She kept tossing and turning, sweating and breathing hard. She sat up in bed, put on a robe, more out of politeness than necessity as it was incredibly hot even if it was nighttime, and went in the hallway. Maybe a book would relax her? She walked toward the stairs to the upper level, the hallway was dark, the only lighting provided by the moon rays coming from the window at the her back, at the end of the hall, and from…a door? She halted in her steps, and squinted her eyes. Yes, there was a light coming from under a door at the opposite side of the hall. She walked up to it and stopped in front of the closed door. There were noises coming from the other side. She raised her hand, ready to knock. Maybe she shouldn't. Wouldn't want to bother whoever was in there. But then again, they were awake, right? There were noises and light coming from the inside. She knocked.

"Come in" said a voice, a very deep, velvety and absurdly sexy voice.

She opened the door, and there he was, sitting on the bed, arms crossed (his black Henley clutching to his biceps and chest), legs crossed, staring at the tv, the only source of light in the otherwise dark room.

He slowly looked at her, and when his eyes rested on her figure they widened almost comically and he shot up at alarming speed, making her jump.

"Oh, it's you", he said, fully standing now, still looking at her like a deer caught in the headlights, "I thought it was one of my brothers…sorry". Was his voice breathy? It certainly sounded like it.

She smiled, feeling out of place. Niklaus was the one she had less interaction with during the two days she had stayed there. He was always by himself, so silent and reserved, his demeanor telling everyone he wanted to be left alone. He kind of scared her a little. Yet, his obvious confidence, his piercing eyes and his smooth voice attracted her to him like a piece of metal to a magnet. He seemed so strong and sure of himself, and for someone that felt as lost and confused as Caroline felt, those were alluring qualities. "What for? I am the one who's sorry. You're busy" she looked at the tv screen "I didn't want to bother you. I just saw a light and was curious".

His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly "Why are you up so late?" he inquired, but then quickly added "I mean, how come you're not sleeping? Is something the matter?", his hands went into the pockets of his jeans.

"Nothing", she shrugged ,"Well…it is quite hot actually", she chuckled and noticed that her robe had fallen open, revealing her pajamas' shorts and tank top. Luckily they were loose enough to not reveal her figure.

"Oh really?" he said "Is the air conditioning in your room broken?" he asked.

Oh, right! She had totally forgotten about it. What a dumbass. "Uhm, no, no, it's just that…" Think of something, think of something! "It gives me headache". Seriously? That was the best she could come up with? Definitely not going to be an actress, or a criminal, or a poker player… or a lawyer. That was for sure.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. It is quite the inconvenience." he said.

"How can you not be sweating dressed with long sleeves and total black?" she asked smiling and pointing to his attire, registering than although the late hour, he still wasn't dressed for the night.

He smirked, and she noticed a dimple. Were dimples supposed to look this cute and adorable and hot at the same time on a grown man? "Well, what can I say? I have the greatest hypothalamus, my thermoregulation system is practically flawless". She heard his lisp again, and was that supposed to sound hot and alluring?

She should probably go. She knew that. She shouldn't impose. But she felt so lonely, and nervous and he looked so…safe. And he was awake, so it was convenient and it was not as if she was the one keeping him up.

He broke the silence, " Since we both can't seem to sleep, do you want to watch some tv with me?" he gestured to the screen.

"Yes thank you", she agreed instantly, climbing on the bed. Was it too much? Oh well, it wasn't as if there was somewhere else to sit on. Maybe the floor…

He settled next to her, careful to avoid any contact. "So what are you watching?" she asked.

"Savages, by Oliver Stone" he answered.

"What is it about?" she asked, turning to look at his profile. His nose was slightly feminine, oddly delicate for a man, but it suited him and actually looked manly on his face.

"I put it on just twenty minutes ago" he told her, looking at the screen and pausing using a controller she hadn't noticed before. "Anyway it talks about those two boys who grow marijuana and sell it, both involved in a threesome with a girl, and-"

"What?" she interrupted him. "What do you mean? Like…they're both in love and in a relationship with the same girl?", he nodded, "Knowingly? I mean, are they both aware that the other is sleeping with her and they're fine with it?", she was astonished.

"Yes, they are aware and they don't mind. They're more than best friends, it's as if they're brothers. They don't mind sharing", he explained.

"So you would be okay with sharing the woman you love with one of your brothers?" she asked provocatively.

He shrugged ,"I did once".

He eyes almost fell out of her sockets and he smirked. "You did?" she asked.

"Yes. Well I actually wasn't aware there was any sharing going on until much later, and I broke things off after finding out, but it wasn't so heartbreaking and I didn't resent my brother as much as I thought I would." He elaborated.

"Ah. Okay" she said. She wanted to know which brother he was talking about. Her mind started imagining a thousand different scenarios, picturing either Kol or Elijah kissing and pleasuring (she didn't imagine too vividly, it was all very classy and refined, mind you) a faceless woman. Oh she wanted, no needed, to know! But she knew that would be crossing a line. So, making a huge effort, she kept her mouth shut.

"So, as I was saying" he resumed "at one point one of the most powerful Mexican drug cartel comes in the picture and wants to take over their business, but they refuse and so…" he went on explaining the first twenty minutes of the movie, telling her which actor played which character and then resumed watching it. The movie was good, but maybe a tad too violent for her. She had to cover her eyes during some scenes, but other than that it was interesting and captivating.

"So", he spoke again after it was over, "Did you like it?" he asked her, looking at her.

"Yes. It was definitely intense", she said with a laugh, "But I liked it. And it was one of the most romantic things ever. But I don't remember other movies so maybe my opinion is not really the best or most accurate…I don't know, it shouldn't be taken into account", she waved her hand dismissively as if to brush off said opinion.

He cocked his head, his faced lightened just by the light coming from the screen "Why shouldn't it be taken into account?"

"Because well…I have nothing to compare it to, so, you know it's not really objective or consistent" she stammered, while he stared at her intensely.

"I don't think it has anything to do with that. Your opinion isn't any less valid than anyone else's just because you can't compare this movie to others. Your opinion is yours, and just because of that is worth considering. Never forget that" he told her decisively.

"Yes, sir!" she said mockingly and smiled.

He smiled too ,"I didn't mean to sound so despotic, even though my siblings often blame of being a tyrant. Excuse my rudeness, Caroline", he apologized teasingly, bowing slightly his head.

"Yeah, you are a bit despotic I suppose, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. And yes, you are excused".

"So," he continued "What were you saying about the movie?".

She pondered her answer for a moment, sorting her thoughts and emotions and then answered "I like it. As I was saying, it's definitely intense, and dark. There's a lot of action, and I love that the boss of the Mexican cartel is a woman. And she's smart and level headed, a caring mother and a ruthless executioner at the same time. And I think it was very romantic too".

He furrowed his brows "What was romantic?", he asked, his arms still crossed, his body tense.

" The dying scene, when O says she's cold and Chon, even though he's dying too and is weak and barely able to move, manages to scoot closer to her and throws an arm around her, in an attempt to warm her. I mean that's love! He truly loves her, unlike that other guy that I really don't like, and she doesn't realize it! I think she is fonder of that one than Chon, and that's so sad and…and unfair!" she gestured the tv screen, talking excitedly, her voice rising an octave.

His eyes were laughing as he looked at her, and she was the sweetest girl he had ever met. Wait, what? No. I mean, sure she's sort of pretty, but she's not really my type. I've never liked sweetness. Little girls are sweet and cute, and I like women, strong and confident women. But, still, she was so endearing as she talked animatedly about a movie as if it was something real, and a matter of the utmost importance furthermore. She noticed his stare, and she must have felt self-conscious because she stopped and asked nervously "What?".

He chuckled "Nothing love, just thinking", he shakes his head.

She fumbles with her robe, now closed to cover her pajamas, "About what?"

He shrugged, " Numerous things. Life isn't fair Caroline, and even more so love. How can you expect something that, even if it does indeed exists, is feeble at best, to be fair?".

"You don't think love exists?" she asked.

"I have my doubts. I don't think I've ever seen true love so, I guess I am at least skeptical. For me it's just something everyone talks about, looks for and says exists, but that I have yet to verify."

"Well that's…sad. I mean, what about you? Have you ever been in love?" she asked, angling her body to face him, her head supported by her arm, resting on a pillow. Klaus was still in the same position he was in when she first entered the room a couple of hours ago.

"No" he answers readily, his face emotionless "I have never been in love. I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't really exists, and if it does, not for me. And I'm perfectly content with that. I have never felt the desire to love or be loved".

"Well that's not true" she says.

He raises and eyebrow "You sound pretty sure of yourself, Caroline. What happened to your opinions not to be taken into account?"

"I learned they are worth listening to", she said proudly. "And yes, I'm sure. Everyone needs to be loved, and everyone wants to. It's a universal knowledge", she raised her chin.

"Debatable", he said simply, and she was afraid she had upset him. God, what was she thinking? She barely knew him, he had opened his home to her and she had to went and make crazy assumptions about such private matters? It was a miracle he hadn't yelled at her to get out of his room and not talk to him ever again.

They stayed in silence for a while. It was awkward, and she knew she should leave, but she felt strangely, in a twisted way, comfortable with him, just lying on the bed. Even if he was mad at her. Maybe the doctor would find out that is not her body the problem, but her mind. She must have some psychiatric problem, or else her comfort with silent and angry Klaus had no explanation.

The tv was off now, and she wished she could suggest another movie, but since it was his room he should be the one to. Maybe he wanted to sleep and would ask her to leave. She really didn't want to be alone. The mere thought had her chest constricting, her lungs obstructed by some invisible force.

Thankfully, he broke the silence, solving her dilemma, "Do you want to watch another movie?", he asked her. His voice was as calm and collected as ever and she was surprised to notice he wasn't angry or annoyed as he had seemed to be seconds ago. She had probably just misread his facial expression. She should read a book about non -verbal communication.

"Aren't you tired?", she asked him.

He shrugged grimacing, "Not really. I'm not much of a sleeper, my mind is way too overactive to allow me to have a good eight hours sleep" he smiled tightly, "And I'm still set on the London time zone" he concluded.

The mention of the English capital brought so many questions on the forefront of her mind about Klaus, his family, the U.K. and many other subjects, but the one she actually asked was, "Where are we?". She realized she had never actually asked (and no one had told her) where they were.

He looked at her slightly taken aback, surprised that his dutiful and meticulous brother had not covered the basic steps, "We're near Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates", he explained, sounding like a text book.

Her eyes went monstrously wide, "What?" she shrieked, jumping in a sitting position on the bed, her robe falling open once again.

He sat up straighter, and finally uncrossed his arms. His first instinct was to reach out to her, and his arm moved of his own accord to touch her back, meaning to stroke it comfortingly. He managed, however, to stop the offending and way too independent limb from reaching its goal and embarrass him. "What's wrong?", he asked.

She could feel the concern in his voice, but she couldn't dwell on it now, no matter how much her chest warmed hearing it, "What's wrong?! We're in the Emirates!", she looked around frantically, trying to remember exactly where the Emirates were. I mean, I have some sort of amnesia, right? Maybe I don't recall the correct position. Or maybe in the span of time I have removed from my mind, another Country was formed and took the same name? is it even possible to switch names?! She was panicking, her breaths coming short.

He got off the bed and walked to the edge, close to her, his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to have her look at him, gently shaking her "Caroline, calm down. Breathe" he ordered, breathing slowly and heavily, encouraging her to mimic him. She did, and her breathing returned regular, but it did nothing to calm her nerves and her internal breakdown. She felt better though, so much she even noticed that his hands were so big to circle her shoulders, and they were warm and strong, but somewhat soft. The simple touch sent a shiver down her back. Unluckily, he noticed too, because he removed them. Her shoulders sagged a little at the loss. "What is the problem, love?", he asked, once he was sure she could form a coherent sentence. Oh, did the word 'love' always sound so heavenly? Because he made it sound so soft and sweet. Although even the harshest word existing in the any of the used languages would probably sound smooth and enticing, if it was spoken with his voice and if it passed through those full and luscious lips…

"They're so far away!", she spoke, her voice high pitched, tears already forming in her eyes.

He looked at her, puzzled "Away from what, exactly?".

She got up and went to stand in front of him, "Well…from…" she looked around the room, her arms rising at her sides, blinking back tears "From everything!", her arms fell soundly against her body, hands slapping on her thighs. "What…what am I doing here? How the hell did I get here?", she almost shouted. She felt angry, so angry. She craved answers and she could not have her. She was completely alone, no one to turn to, no one able to answer her, no one to rely on. No family, no friends…nothing. And it made no sense because she knew, she just knew, she wasn't supposed to be there. Her vision was blurry with unshed tears, "It's just that…" she sighed raggedly, trying to steadying her voice unsuccessfully, "It's so far from home…wherever it is".

He looked at her, so small and scared as she bowed her head in a vain attempt to hide her wet cheeks, and he was positive he had never felt so useless, not even when Rebekah was a child and came to him with scraped knees, or when she was older and her wounds were ones of the heart. However he decided that the only possible course of action was the same one he used with his sister: hug her, caress her hair softly and gently lull her. Would it be appropriate? I don't really know her. What if she's the kind of person that doesn't want to be touched when upset? What if I upset her even more? And, even if my touch is welcomed, what can I say to comfort her? I don't have answers… , but then he remembered what Bekah once told him : 'You don't have to say anything Nik. Just hold me'. And that he did to Caroline. He stood in front of her and hugged her lithe form, trying very hard not to dwell on the feeling of her body pressed tightly against his, and hold her silently. At some point he found his lips brushing her hair, inhaling her sweet – was it vanilla, or maybe peaches?- scent, and hoped that she didn't feel that. No need to creep her out more than strictly necessary.

The two of them didn't know how long they stood there, but after a while Caroline felt her legs stiff and aching, and looked up at Klaus, her face pale except for her nose and lips, swollen and red as roses.

Klaus tried to not think about how kissable they looked.

"Uhm, I better go to sleep now. Or at least pretend to", she whispered with a small smile, disentangling herself form his arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked for the umpteenth time that night.

She hugged her torso and looked at her feet, "Oh nothing."

He stared at her, dumbfounded, an eyebrow raised. "Okay, I mean, there is something but…it's stupid" she waved it off.

His hands went to his pockets, "It's not stupid if it keeps you up at night. What is it?".

She breathed in deeply. "The doctor's coming over tomorrow. I mean, today" she said, still avoiding looking at him.

"Oh", so that is it. "And you can't sleep because…" he trailed off, wanting for her to answer freely, expressing with her own words exactly what she felt.

"Because I'm scared, Niklaus", she said, looking at him. "What if there's something wrong? What if he finds something horrible? I don't know if want to know what happened to me", she explained, "I don't know if I can handle it".

"Well, you can choose", he said.

"Choose?" she furrowed her brows in confusion.

He nodded, leaning on the small column of the four posted bed. "Yes, you can choose what you want to know. You can decide: either you'll learn the whole truth, or just part of it. But, I'm not going to lie to you, Caroline", he said quietly, looking at her straight in the eyes, nailing her on the spot ,"The truth is probably going to be ugly. We found you in the desert, who knows how long you had been out there, and I doubt you just got lost during a safari. It is highly probable that you were kidnapped, abused and maybe raped. But we don't know that for sure, and you don't remember any of it, which could be the best thing that ever happened to you, or the worst. Or," he went on, "You can choose to turn your head to the other side, and not face it. Face just some part of the truth, and live your life happily unaware of what you went through until, or should I say if, you remember again everything that happened. But it is your choice".

"What did you graduate in?" she asked.

He was taken aback by the question, "I majored in Business, with a minor in Art History" he answered nonetheless. "Why?", he was genuinely perplexed.

The corner of her lips turned down, the expression that universally said 'I don't know' on her face. "I thought you were a lawyer…or a philosopher".

She sighed, thinking about his words. They were true. She could choose to not know, and that would be it. The problem, though, was: could she handle knowing? Could she handle not knowing? She truly couldn't tell. She was at an impasse. Oh, impasses sucked!

She huffed, "I'll think about it. But I really don't know what to do…anyway, I'm going to sleep for real now" she smiled, "I'm tired. Thanks so much Niklaus, and sorry if I bothered you", she walked to the door.

He smiled a little, "You're more than welcome Caroline, and you didn't bother me at all. It was nice having company for a change", and then he added, "And you can call me Klaus".

She smiled, opening the door "Goodnight then, Klaus".

"Goodnight Caroline".

His voice resonated in her ears as she fell asleep soon after, in her bed.

The next day, the doctor came and visited Caroline thoroughly. It wasn't the pleasantest thing she ever experienced, but luckily it wasn't traumatic or uncomfortable. He took samples of her blood, tested her for allergies, asked her questions she couldn't answer to, told her she had probably suffered from dehydration and malnutrition, checked her for scars and injuries – it turned out she no longer had her appendix and her tonsils- and he then proceeded with a gynecological examination. Apparently, she wasn't a virgin anymore, and it was clear she didn't endure a C-section, so it was possible she didn't have any children, but he couldn't be one hundred percent sure. She had numerous scars, some apparently more recent than others, suggesting abuse.

After a lot of thinking, she decided on the moment, instinctively, that she wanted to know what happened to her –as far as the doctor could tell- and that, yes, she could handle the truth. The truth, wasn't something certain in her case, and she couldn't honestly say if it was something relieving or distressing. Now that she made her decision, she needed to know, she craved answers, but no one could gave them to her. She hadn't been raped recently, as she had no cuts or lacerations on her genital area, but he couldn't tell about the time before she was found. Having no memories of her life, particularly of the period of life when she got the scars, was a positive thing since she couldn't remember the horrible things that supposedly happened to her; but at the same time, it made her feel weirdly detached, as if in a dream, where she could understand rationally that she was the subject of those tortures, but couldn't really comprehend, couldn't really feel like they happened to her. They were just words, said by some doctor, about some girl, and she knew it was her, but she didn't really knew it was her. They happened to some unfortunate young woman she didn't know a thing about, just like she didn't know a thing about those tortures if not what the doctor could deduce. She felt sort of dizzy.

After promising to send the result of the lab tests as soon as possible, he left after talking briefly to Elijah, who came right away to see how she was. She was in one of the guest rooms in the same hall where her room was, and he knocked gently. "May I come in?", his head peeked into the room.

"Of course", she smiled, "You kind of are already".

He nodded and strode towards the bed, "How did it go?" he asked politely, respectful of her privacy.

"As expected, I think. I may have been tortured and raped, who knows", she shrugged, "nothing we didn't already suspect. Anyway," she sighed, "I'm glad I know about it. Who knows…maybe it will be useful someday".

"Yes, who knows." He nodded, staring at her pensively. "You're different Caroline. You are more…sure of yourself. You seem less scared", he noticed.

She smiled, "I am".

His eyes were two slits now, as he scrutinized her, "Is there a specific reason for this sudden, but very much appreciated, change?".

She shrugged, as a face that seemed more attractive than it did the previous days and a velvety voice flashed through her mind and ears, "No, no reason at all".

"What are you reading?", she asked suddenly. If she had scared him, he didn't show it, because he sat as still as a statue, the book in his hands, his gaze never wavering.

"An essay that compares the military strategies of Gaius Iulius Caesar, one of the most famous Roman emperors – even if the title is inappropriate- and Napoleon Bonaparte, the notorious French emperor", he said laconically.

She rested her hand on the seatback of the chair he was sitting in and looked up to the clear sky. It was so blue and thin, she felt the urge to plunge into it, as if it was an endless sea, limpid, cool and pure. They were in the garden, he was often in the garden, and that was the reason why she was there. After the brief talk with Elijah, she wanted to find Klaus and talk to him. She didn't have a definite topic in mind, she just wanted to talk to him and be in his presence, and she thought to see if he was in the garden after checking his empty room, and there he was, sitting on a white chair, seemingly not too eager to spend some time with her. Oh well, she thought, at least I'm going to enjoy the sun and the open air. She looked around and she spotted another white chair abandoned under a tree, she grabbed it and placed it next to the one Klaus was reading on, dressed in black as usual. She closed her eyes, threw her head back, sighed contently and enjoyed the sun.

After a while Klaus was not able to stay focused on that essay anymore. Caroline was wearing jean shorts and a white sleeveless shirt, knotted just above her shorts, not showing an inch of milky skin, he noticed darkly. She looked happy and content, and he was happy that the doctor appointment hadn't shaken or upset her. At least, she didn't look shaken or upset.

He closed the book, not bothering to mark the page he was reading, "So," he started, " you seem in a good mood. Did the visit with the doctor go…well?" he concluded the sentence lamely, not able to come up with better adjectives.

She kept her eyes closed, "Yes. Sort of. I mean, he couldn't give me sure answers or anything like that, but he has my same suspicions. Our suspicions", she corrected herself, "But, who knows… if I will ever get my memory back I'll know. If not…" she trailed off.

"That couldn't have been easy for you Caroline. You're very brave. I'm impressed", he said. And it was true. Klaus wasn't by any means a chauvinist or a sexist, but he couldn't say the name of more than two women that could inspire such respect and admiration in him as Caroline did in that moment. And those two names belonged to two members of his family.

"Yeah, sure." She waved him off, slightly embarrassed by his comment, not letting herself believe him.

"I'm serious", he said decisively and his tone had her open her eyes and straighten her head to look at him, "I'm impressed, and not many people have the ability to impress me".

"Should I feel honored?".

He shrugged, "You may feel as you wish about it. I was merely stating a fact".

The next hour was spent mostly in silence, Klaus pretending to read, Caroline pretending to sun bathe. They both felt at ease, comforted by the presence of the other, which in Caroline's situation was understandable. A therapist could have probably said that she was using Klaus as an anchor, a lifesaver, something to keep her grounded, the home base to return to when she needed to feel safe and nestled. A therapist would have had more trouble explaining the reason why Klaus felt comforted and pleased by her presence, since he didn't need comfort, and she didn't do anything physically pleasant with him. And physically pleasant activities were the main activities he performed with women, if they were not related to him, or shared his sexual preferences.

Just as Klaus was starting to reach a level or relax he hadn't felt in years, and just as he was contemplating how pretty Caroline was – even though she was so not his type, not at all- his cell phone, which had been blissfully silent for the past week, buzzed.

He read the text message, and he couldn't dwell on Caroline's blonde hair nor his muscles could persist in their lax state, as another intimately familiar face and a mane of brown hair flashed unwelcomely in his mind

Since you apparently have no intention to come back here for the time being, I'm coming there. I'll be there in two days. No need to pick me up. Hayley

He suppressed a groan, throwing his head back to look at the sky, blaming it.

Oh, shit!

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