A/N: I really wanted to get this up for Klonnie week! I'm working on a Klonnie one-shot (that I hope will be up in time), too. Reviews would be swell. Enjoy!

Lots of love,
Anneryn

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "True Colors" – Cyndi Lauper

~*.*~
'You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged.
Oh, I realize it's hard to take courage.
In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all and the darkness inside of you makes you feel so small.
But I see your true colors shining through…
I see your true colors and that's why I love you.'
~*.*~

Chapter Thirteen:

"If I knew that the baristas here were so beautiful, I would have come in here sooner." A voice jarred me from my thoughts. I looked up and saw an attractive, light-skinned man smiling at me. I blinked and stared at him. I tried to ignore the blush that was creeping into my cheeks. I hate when I get hit on. It makes me all kinds of uncomfortable.

"Do you need something?" I asked him, trying to ignore the fact that he was flirting with me. He didn't look deterred, despite the fact that I had ignored his compliment.

"How about a smile?" He tried again. I kept my face impassive.

"How about I don't and you stop bothering me." I told him, evenly. His smile just grew wider.

"How about some coffee, then?" He countered. I grabbed a clean mug and set it down in front of him and filled with Joe.

"I thought you were going to call me, when you arrived to town?" Klaus asked the man as he walked up to us. "Hello sweetheart, has he been giving you any trouble?" Klaus asked, clearly amused. Wait, so, they know each other?

"It must have slipped my mind. You know that you're like a brother to me, but I had hoped that I'd get to see another Mikaelson first. She's a little prettier than you are."

"Does Rebekah know that you're still pining after her, Marcellus?" Klaus mused. The man winced at the use of his full name. "Don't pretend that you're immune to the fact that I'm dashing." Klaus teased him.

"You know I hate when you call me that, Klaus." He grimaced, giving him a pointed stare. "She knows. She's still broken up about the last time. She didn't like that you tried to make me choose between being friends with you and dating her. I'm here to make sure that you've gotten over whatever it is you needed to get over. I love her, Klaus. I can't let her get away from me, again. There hasn't been anyone else for me, since I laid eyes on her. We both know that."

"If you're serious about her, then you have my blessing. She and I have both changed since the two of you were last together. I only want to see her happy. It's her choice. If she wants nothing to do with you, then you need to respect that. Do we understand each other, Marcel?" Klaus asked him. His voice sounded sincere, but he made the underlying threat sound like an dangerous promise. Marcel nodded and smiled. Klaus gave him one in return and turned his attention to me. "How about my usual, love?" He asked me. I nodded and got his drink ready. He leaned forward and watched me. My hands trembled, despite the fact that I was trying not to show just how nervous he still makes me. I handed him his drink and he placed his hands on the outside of mine. "You look lovely today." He told me, quietly. I gave him a small smile and bit my lip. He leaned forward and kissed the corner of my mouth. I turned my head and gave him a chaste kiss in return.

"Thank you." I whispered. He pulled away and took a drink of his latte. Marcel smirked at us, knowingly.

"So, this is why you were so cold? You're Klaus' old lady." Marcel teased.

"I'm no one's property." I corrected him, before picking up a coffee pot and walking around the coffeehouse to offer refills. I know that he didn't mean it to be degrading, but I'd be lying if I said that his words didn't rub me the wrong way.

"Can you top me off, chère?" Steven asked me. I nodded and offered him a tentative smile. "No one is givin' you any trouble? Are they?" I knew that he was talking about Stefan. I shook my head. I was hoping that everyone here would forget about that, so that maybe I could, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

"Things have been quiet on that front." I assured him, honestly. I worded it carefully. He's such a kind soul and I don't think that I could stomach lying to him. He smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a gentle squeeze. I did my best not to jump, because of the sudden physical contact. His touch was warm and fatherly. I didn't mind it, really.

"Good. I worry about you, chère. Mr. Klaus is treatin' ya right – isn't he?"

"He really is, Steven. He's a good man."

"You deserve nothin' less." He smiled, before walking off with his coffee I hand. I never really considered that any place would really feel like home after Mystic Falls, but New Orleans really does. I love it here. There's so much culture and the energy isn't like any other. It's inviting and I know that life-willing, I could see myself having a future here.

"My ears were burning, sweetheart." Klaus said, as he walked over to me. I smiled at him and shrugged.

"He just wanted to make sure that no one was giving me any trouble and you were treating me right." I reiterated Steven's words for him. Klaus' gaze softened. He touched the side of my face and I saw the smile that he reserves just for me.

"I'm pleased that you're making friends, Bonnie." He breathed. I locked eyes with his and felt reassured by his sincerity. It's one of my favorite things about him. When he looks at me, it's not cold or possessive. It's so much different than what I saw with Damon. I love it.

Someone touched my arm and I gasped and spilled coffee all over my feet. I jumped and spun to see who it was. It was Klaus' friend. I ignored the burning sensation in my feet to glare at him.

"I'm so sorry." He apologized. He seemed to mean it.

"I don't like being touched." I told him quietly, before setting what little coffee was left in the pot on the counter and going to the back. I passed the kitchen and grabbed a clean towel. I kicked off my flats and I started wiping off what I could. Luckily, my shoes are black and won't stain. Of course, I had to choose today to wear light blue jeans. Go figure. I sighed and looked at the damage. It splashed down my entire leg and the bottom of the other. I didn't even feel that. I don't have any extra clothes here, so I'll have to wear this until my shift is over.

I grabbed the mop and put my shoes back on. I went back to the front and started to clean up the mess. Klaus was talking to Marcel at the counter and he kept shooting me apologetic glances.

I didn't say much to anyone for the next couple of hours. It's not that I'm mad, because I'm not. I just hate feeling this way. When is it going to stop? I don't want to spend the rest of my life jumping, just because someone touches my arm. I should be able to handle that without blowing a gasket. I don't get it. I hate it.

"Hey, I just wanted to apologize. I feel terrible." Marcel apologized. I didn't even realize that he and Klaus were still here. I've been so stuck in my own head.

"It's not your fault that I'm obnoxiously jumpy." I brushed off his apology.

"Klaus leveled with me a little and don't worry. I'll make sure that I give you space." He smiled, really laying on the charm. I looked at him, skeptically.

"So you and Beks, huh?" I changed the subject. He nodded. "Does she know that you're here?" I asked him. He shook his head. "She hates surprises."

"She didn't use to." He argued. I sighed.

"When was that?" I asked him, more out of curiosity than anything else.

"Five years ago, give or take some," he replied. Does he even know what happened to her and what she's been through?

"She's a different woman now. You should get to know her, again, before you profess your love." I cautioned him. I don't know him, but I can't help trying to look out for Rebekah. We've gotten so close and she's done the same for me. I don't want her to get hurt, if I can help it. She's like the sister that I never had, save for Caroline.

"I think I know her enough." He argued, getting defensive. I took a small step back. I can tell that he's taking what I'm trying to say wrong.

"Klaus was right. They've both changed. I'm just saying that you should take that into consideration, before you go see and expect her to welcome you with open arms. I'm not trying to insult you." I tried and failed to explain myself. He looked a little less pissed.

"Thanks, but I think that I can handle it from here."

"Okay."

"You've known her for a few months and you think that you know her better than I do?" He accused me. I saw Klaus walking over to us out of the corner of my eye.

"I think that I know the woman she is now, better than you do." I corrected him. "Ignorance is bliss, right?" I quipped, before walking away. Klaus was smirking. If he wants to act like an idiot, then I don't mind treating him like one.

"I see why you like her." I heard Marcel tell Klaus. I started cleaning up, so I could leave. I'm ready to be home. I hate confrontation and I've had enough of it for today. I can't get a solid read on Marcel, but I don't think that he's a bad guy… Maybe he just has an off-putting personality? Not that I'm one to talk. Am I wrong for being wary? Maybe.

A soft knock sounded on my bedroom door. I glanced over and saw Rebekah peek her head through. She gestured to my bed and I nodded. She came in and locked the door behind her.

"I just wanted to thank you." She told me, softly. My eyebrows rose and I blinked at her. "Nik told me what you said to Marcel. He can be a bit thick sometimes; can't he? I don't think that he wanted to believe that I wasn't the same girl that he left all those years ago." She sighed. She kicked off her shoes and laid down next to me. "I still care for him, but I can't just pick up where we left off. You know? We're both different people and so much has changed."

"Then don't." I told her, simply. I didn't know what else to say. She nodded and curled up next to me.

"He didn't take it as well as I had hoped, but he'll either get over it, or he'll get over me."

"What do you want?"

"I'm not sure yet." She admitted. "Can we just stay here tonight and watch Mean Girls and forget about the rest?"

"Of course," I agreed. "Ice cream?"

"You read my mind." She smiled. Someone knocked on my door and I gave her a gentle hug, before getting up and walking over to the door. I opened the door to see Klaus.

"Can I talk to you for a moment, sweetheart?" He asked me. I nodded. I stepped into the hallway and shut the door behind me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked him. He looked at me thoughtfully.

"Are you alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I deflected. He gave me a look, like he knew exactly what I was doing, by evading his question and responding with one of my own.

"Earlier," was the only response that I received from him.

"It just caught me off guard. That's all."

"I'm sorry about Marcel. He means well, but he doesn't always think before he speaks." He apologized. My expression soured.

"You don't need to apologize for him. I'm not sorry for what I said to him." I replied. I don't know what it is about this entire situation that is just rubbing me the wrong way. Maybe it's because it just seems like he just blatantly didn't care about Rebekah's best interests, whether he meant to come off that way or not. It just hits too close to home. I don't know the guy and I really don't care about what he wants. What I care about is that my friend is okay and that this doesn't drag up a bunch of things that she's been trying so hard to get over. If he's not even going to put in the effort getting to know her now, then he shouldn't be here. Beks doesn't say it, but she wears her heart on her sleeve and I don't want to see her get hurt again. I know that it's ridiculous, because she can take care of herself, but I can't help it. I just want her to be okay.

"I didn't say that you needed to be, love. He'll come around, or 'Bekah will tell him to leave. I'll see to it that he respects her wishes." He promised, stroking the side of my face.

"He should respect her, anyway." I countered. He smirked as he watched me.

"Who knew that you had so much fire, sweetheart?" He mused. "He does respect her. He probably just needed to be reminded of that fact and you kindly did that for him." He's amused by all of this. I wish that I was, too. "It's nice to see you so passionate about something, even if that something is my sister." He breathed.

"I lo–" I cleared my throat. "I care about her, just like I care about all of you. I don't want to her hurt." I corrected myself and avoided his gaze. He tilted my chin, so I had to look him in the eye. He looked at me like he could see everything that was going on in my head. It's times like these that I feel naked in front of him, like he can see into the corners of my soul that not even I am ready to see.

"We all care about you, too." I don't think that he's talking about everyone else, anymore. I took a shaky breath and tried not to read in between the lines. It's my fault that this can of worms is open in the first place. "I'm sure that Rebekah appreciates just how much you care for her." He told me softly, as he leaned closer into me. I nodded, weakly. "Marcel will apologize, when he realizes what an ass he's been. I'll make sure of it." He promised. I was too distracted to argue with him.

His lips touched mine and I clung to him. His arms went around me and I leaned on my tiptoes and kissed him back harder. He ran his tongue along my bottom lip. I gasped against him and he took it as an invitation to slip it into my mouth. I groaned at the added contact. He tangled his hand into my hair, bringing me even closer to him. I pressed myself against him and tried to keep up with is demanding mouth. I touched the side of his face and he backed me into the wall. My eyes opened and I pulled away, panting. He watched me and his expression was unreadable.

"Klaus," I breathed, my voice hoarse from making out with him.

"Yes, sweetheart?" His voice was huskier than I've ever heard it. I tried to ignore the way that it was affecting me.

"What, um, what… What are we?" I asked him, needing the clarification. "I mean, are we, you know, together?"

"I would like us to be."

"So would I," I agreed, not ballsy enough to meet his eyes.

"Will you be mine?"

"Yes." I breathed. Always. He's slowly ruining me for anyone else. He's the only man I think about and the one who I want to think about. I'm just not ready to tell him that I wanted him to be my always.

~*.*~
'So, don't be afraid to let them show.
Your true colors, true colors, are beautiful, like a rainbow.
Show me a smile, then don't be unhappy.
Can't remember when I last saw you laughing.
If this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear, just call me up and you know I'll be there.'
~*.*~