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Chapter 14:

Mari worked tirelessly behind the bar. It was her first night there, and she was eager to impress. She had spent all day training with one of the older bartenders, Michelle. She was kind, and Mari was a quick learner.

She put all her new skills to work as a crowd of people entered all at once. She wasn't the fastest, but all of the drinks she made came out right. Michelle was at the other end of the bar, making the drinks. Mari had a list she was responsible for, and the rest Michelle planned to make. Despite the large number of people, Mari managed to keep up.

More than anything, she was thrilled to have a job that didn't include being a blood donor. She would make money, and without rent to pay, she could save up the majority of each check to put towards moving into her own place. Her brother would be eighteen soon. She needed two bedrooms, so he could join her in a couple months.

Finally, the crowd began to thin. As the night turned into morning, only the dedicated patrons and sloppy alcoholics were left. Things were winding down, and at two in the morning, she'd be allowed to leave. Michelle thanked Mari and complimented her on her hard work. Mari nodded her appreciation, then began sweeping behind the bar.

"I never expected them to let you out of the compound," came an all too familiar voice. Mari's head snapped up, and her heart paused for a moment when she saw Marcel grinning at her from across the counter. "Don't be scared. I'm not here to cause trouble."

"What are you here for?" She asked, her fingers curling around the handle of the broom tightly. Marcel took a seat and leaned against the counter on his elbows.

"I wanted to thank you," he shrugged. "You may have saved my life the other night. After everything I did and said, I was surprised."

"You didn't hurt me," she softly reminded him, looking around nervously.

"I threatened you."

"Words shouldn't condemn a man to death," she shook her head. "They're just words." She was afraid of Marcel, at least when they first met. However, now, after rescuing him, his intentions felt so much different than before. It calmed the fear in her chest.

"Either way," he sighed. "I wanted to say thank you. At the very least."

"It's okay. You don't have to thank me." Her grip on the broom relaxed as she started to as well. "Just promise not to come after me anymore."

"I promise," he chuckled. Marcel had a friendly smile. It was hard to deny it. When he wasn't so intense, his presence was almost enjoyable. "Well," he tapped his hand on the top of the bar and stood, straightening his brown leather jacket. "I'll let you finish up. Good luck with the new job. I'll keep an eye out."

"Okay, thank you," she said, offering a small wave as he retreated towards the door. She didnt know what he meant by his last statement, but she didn't want to pry. All she wanted was to finish up and get home so she could sleep.

The compound seemed empty and quiet when she got back. Everyone must have been asleep, or at the very least, retreated to their rooms for the evening.

She walked upstairs quietly, pushing through her bedroom door. After closing it behind her, she shed her work shirt, folding it neatly and setting it to the side for the next afternoon. Once she was done, she went into the bathroom to shower.

Fifteen minutes later, she finished up in the bathroom, threw on a large tee shirt over a pair of black boy shorts, then shut off the light. As she stepped outside of the bathroom, she was startled when she saw Kol sitting there on the edge of her bed. She let out a sigh of relief.

"You scared me."

"Sorry, love," he said softly. "I was just wondering how it went." Kol had helped her to get the job. Mari wasn't entirely sure if compulsion was involved or not, but either way, she would work hard to make sure she deserved the job. Just in case the owner didnt have a choice to begin with.

"It went fine," Mari told him, tugging down the tee shirt to cover as much as possible. "Michelle is really sweet, and I think I did okay." Kol smiled a little,

"I knew you would." He leaned back against the bed, his ankles crossed over one another and legs stretched out in front of him. "Anything interesting happen?"

"Um," she cleared her throat, hesitating. "Marcel came by... to thank me." Kol raised an eyebrow at that, an expected reaction. "He only stayed for a second. Didnt order anything. He promised to leave me alone now."

"He swore your safety?"

"Even said he'd keep an eye out for me," she reassured him. "I'm not sure what he means by it, but I'm safe from him at least. From anyone involved with him."

"Seems rescuing him was a good decision for you," Kol smirked at her. "Our little heroine. How adorable."

"It's not like that," she shook her head. "I just... Ive never seen anyone die before. I didn't want it to be that moment... because of Klaus..." Her heart held a lingering hope that Klaus would forgive her, and maybe even apologize. She would have been happier having him try to woo her into his bed rather than shooting glares her way each time they passed one another.

"Come here," Kol said suddenly, catching her off guard. Her eyes lifted to his, widening a little.

"What?"

"I said come here, love," he repeated himself, a little louder and clearer this time, though that smirk never faded. Mari swallowed, but took a few steps towards him. He reached out to take her hand, pulling her closer to him. Kol rest his hands on her hips, head tilted up to look at her with that devilish grin. "Mind if I have a drink, love?"

"I-I don't know, Kol." She remembered how he compelled her before to enjoy b his bites. She didn't want to feel herself slipping again. He lifted her hand to his lips, turning it over and placing a soft brief kiss on her wrist. Her blood pulsed just under the skin, and he craved it desperately. However, he released her arm and sat back.

"Another time, then, darling. I suppose I should leave you alone for the evening." Kol pushed himself to his feet, brushing past her. "Get some rest, Mari, love. I'll see you in the morning."

"Wait," she stopped him before he could leave. "You can... you can have some..." Mari knew he wasn't feeding from anyone else. Kol must have been hungry. She knew that much as least. Mari reached up to pull her hair back from her shoulder, holding it out of the way for him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," she nodded. Kol walked back to her, taking her hips in his large hands and leaning down to bite into her throat. He was as gentle as he could be, and he drank slowly knowing how uncomfortable it could feel if he drank too much too fast.

Mari squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to think about it too much, or to focus on the way it excited her when his fangs pierced her skin. It was part of the compulsion. She was sure of it. She bit down on her lip to keep from letting out a sigh or a breath that might have given away how pleasant it actually was for her.

He pulled back after a moment, licking a smear of blood from his lips. He pierced his thumb with his fang and wiped it over the puncture marks. They healed quickly, as he hoped for. Mari offered a small smile, reaching up to touch where his lips had been moments ago.

"Goodnight, Kol."

"Goodnight, Mari."

She had been in a relatively good mood the next afternoon before she went in for another night shift at the bar. Mari slid on a pair of black shorts with her work shirt. Her hair was extra curly after falling asleep with it wet, but after brushing through it several times, she smoothed it out enough to be happy with it.

An hour before she had to leave, Mari was stunned to see Klaus walk through her door. He didn't knock, and while it bothered her a little, she was more afraid of what he might have to say after everything that happened. She leaned back against the end of the bed.

Klaus closed the door behind him, then stood in front of it with his arms folded over his chest. There was a long silence, and Mari dropped her gaze from his to avoid his piercing, dangerous eyes. They intimidated her if nothing else.

"You've been avoiding me, Mari," Klaus noted after a painfully long silence. "Even now, you can't look me in the eyes. What right do you have to be upset with me?"

"I'm not upset with you," she said softly, her hands wringing together in her lap. There was another small pause in conversation.

"Then why avoid me?"

"Because you're upset with me." She glanced up at him for just a moment, then dropped her gaze again. "I'm not... good at handling things like this."

"Why did you decide to stay?" He asked suddenly, his hands falling to his sides. "What made you change your mind if you're so frightened by the thought of handling me?" She wanted to tell him that's not what she meant, but there was no point.

"Kol convinced me to stay until I had another place outside of New Orleans lined up. I needed money to do that, so I got my job." Mari lifted her gaze to his again, holding steady this time. "I stayed so I can get my brother away from my family."

"I could remove your brother whenever you please."

"Not legally, Klaus. Please just let me do this myself." Mari took a deep breath. Talking to Klaus had always been difficult for one reason or another. The main reason was that her heart was restless whenever he was near. It hurt and danced with excitement all at once.

"Does your heart feel nothing for me anymore?" He asked, catching her off guard. Mari turned to him, eyes widening slightly.

The truth was that Klaus had felt better since Mari's arrival. He had been distracted from his loss, entertained enough to stop him from grieving. It wasnt just Kol that her presence helped. For a little while, Klaus thought maybe he could return to normal again.

"Klaus, that's not fair."

"It's a question, love. There's no fair or unfair in a question." He watched her expression carefully, listening in on the rapid thumping of her heart. He unnerved her. He excited her. Her body gave him the answer he needed. He stepped up to her, running a hand over her shoulder, down her arm. Goosebumps on her skin followed his touch.

"Please," she quietly begged for him to be kinder, to stop his teasinf. Her hand pressed into his chest, and she thought about briefly that such a touch may have been how this all started. Mari's eyes closed. "Don't do this to me."

"I need you, Mari. You must understand I do not wish to go back to the way we were before you. I brought you here to help Kol heal, but you've worked your wonders with me as well." He lifted his hand to brush back some of her golden curls. Klaus leaned forward, placing a soft, gentle kiss against her throat that drew a soft sigh from her.

"Don't lie to me."

"I will not lie to you. I have not. I will not." He brought his face back to hers, resting his fingers along her jaw. Klaus leaned in for a kiss, but Mari turned her head, letting her gaze fall.

"I have to leave, Klaus. For my brother." She took a deep breath. "For myself." Klaus took a few steps back, his jaw tight and his eyes full of hurt and frustration.

"Then do what you must." He disappeared in a flash, and Mari felt her heart sink into the deepest pit of her stomach. Nausea hit her, then faded just as quick. This was all too much for Mari to handle. She knew, in her soul and heart, that these two men would be the things that broke her. She would leave this place in pain. There was no way to avoid it. But who, she wondered, would cause the most damage.