"Caroline, it's time to go." Freddy, her most trusted personal assistant told her as she was writing her autographs to a hoard of fans who had known when and where to be if they wanted to see her and get her autographs, maybe even a picture with her.

They were currently behind the arena in New Orleans where she just gave a huge stadium concert. The papers kept calling her the American Sweetheart, she was compered to celebrities like Grace Kelly, Britney Spears and even Taylor Swift and she loved the adoration of her fans, the performing and even the after-parties she was just headed to. It was just that lately she was feeling so empty inside. And she knew what it was. She was still so young, 19 years old and had never really loved or been loved before. Her last relationship with the actor Tyler Lockwood had been all about sex. And although she missed that too, her life was a constant performing. Performing to fans or the media. It was always something, everyone wanted to talk to her but no one really knew her, not even her friends, not Freddy and definitely not her mom, the over worked sheriff of her home-town Mystic Falls.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Freddy, who called her again, "Caroline, we have to go. You are expected at the club."

"I'm coming, I'm coming." She wrote the last autograph to a handsome guy with cute dimples. He stood out in a hoard of teenagers around him. And she quickly posed for a photo with a girl next to him. They wanted to do a selfie but he offered to take it instead.

After that she quickly ran to the limo and although she was protected by four bouncer type bodyguards who were always with her, by her side, it was no help. Before she reached the car, 7 consecutive shots were heard, taking out the four bodyguards, the driver and 2 of her assistants. The fans all ran and so did all of her team who all probably thought about their life most of all and she couldn't really resent them for that. Suddenly, she was alone by the limo, the doors were locked, she couldn't hide in the car and she just looked around, waiting for her death.

Suddenly when shots were fired, a man came literally out of nowhere and jumped in front of her. Five shots were heard and she saw that he took them all. In shock, that someone she hasn't even hired for the job, had given his life for hers, she suddenly felt everything go dark and her last thought was that one of the bullets must have hit her too and she was a goner now.

Now she was running in a dark corridor and there was a light at the end of it. When she got there the light blinded her and then she saw a girl she didn't recognize turn around towards her. She seemed as old as her and she vaguely told her, "You have got to trust him, he's all you need."

And then he gasped as she woke up and she found herself in her suite, in her hotel and people, her team instantly stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to her.

"Freddy?"

"Yes, honey, I'm here. I'm sorry that I ran, I just hoped that the bodyguards would have been able to protect you. I was wrong."

"What happened?"

"It was a shooter somewhere close, the police has been investigating, soon they want to talk to you but for now, all we know is that some stranger took you in the closest hospital and left. We have no idea, how you survived this assassination attempt. Like I said, the police is investigating."

"The Police in this town is utterly useless, mate," came a voice at the door.

A man in his early twenties had walked in like there was no security at the door which she knew wasn't true.

"Hey, you are not allowed to be here. How did you get in? If you are a fan-" Freddy asked the stranger.

"I am, but that's not why I'm here."

"Why are you here then?" Freddy continued to pry.

"Me and my brother, actually not just me and my brother, all my siblings, we are here to apply for the job, of course."

"What job?" Caroline asked groggily, putting her feet on the floor and trying to stand up.

But her face was about to meet the floor. She tried to take a hold of the bed but it was futile. Still, the inevitable didn't happen. Someone caught her and when she looked up to see who it was, it was someone who looked familiar. She just couldn't place him yet.

"I think you have the answer right in front of you, love," the man said with the sexiest British accent.

"Yeah, it's not normal that my brother has to save you twice in a row like that." The younger one who was walking around the suite like he owned the place, explained.

"Wait, you're here to be my bodyguards?" Caroline asked in confusion while the stranger helped her sit back down on the bed.

"Simply put, yes, but we would be much more than just bodyguards." The older one replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Look, Caroline, can I call you Caroline?" He asked.

Caroline just nodded, thinking that she must still be dreaming. The whole situation seemed so strange.

"If you agree, we'd like to take over for your whole team. With us, you don't need no personal assistants and all that crap, who just ditch you the second things get heavy. Me and my siblings, we can take care of you and see to your every need."

At the last part, his younger brother let out a laugh. Probably at the double innuendo.

"Kol, please!"

"Okay, Prince Charming, continue."

"We don't want your money, we just need you to say yes and then we'll take care of the rest."

"Why would you willing to work for me for free. To risk your life for mine?"

The older one was at the loss of his words.

"My brother fancies you, has been ever since he first saw you perform."

Caroline turned her eyes from the younger brother back to the older one who just blushed and still couldn't say anything.

"Okay, where are the cameras?"

Kol and the older brother or whoever he was just exchanged looks.

"What cameras?" the older one asked.

"The hidden cameras, because this most definitely is some kind of a comedy show. Who hired you? Freddy is that you?"

Freddy raised his hands, indicating that he didn't know anything about it.

"Caroline, my name is Klaus Mikaelson and this is Kol Mikaelson."

"Mikaelson? As in the Mikaelsons?" The Mikaelsons were a powerful and influential family in America. They were very rich, billionaires.

"And what do you want with a pop star like her?" Feddy asked them.

"I believe my brother just explained."

"There's a lot of secrecy around your family," Caroline said.

"That's because we can't let people know that we are vampires and some of us are even hybrids." Kol explained.

"What did you just say?"

"Caroline, relax, otherwise you are going to faint again." Klaus tried to calm her but she wasn't having any of it.

"I've had it with this circus. It's late, please leave my suite."

"Caroline-"

"Kol, it's fine, let's go. But Caroline, sleep on it. We'll be back tomorrow morning and then we want an answer."

After she had hired more security to feel safe and everyone had gone to their rooms in the hotel, even Freddy, she was finally all alone with her thoughts and all she could think about was the conversation with the alleged Mikaelsons. Then she took the phone and searched for the Mikaelsons and pretty quickly she found Klaus' and Kol's paparazzi photos. At least they were who they said they were but still…Vampires and hybrids (and hybrids of what exactly) it was all very overwhelming.

Suddenly she remembered where she had seen the older one. She was behind the arena, with her teenage fans, the guy with the cute dimples. Oh my god, he really was a fan. Maybe he was connected to the shooting and now offering to protect her, it was like a mafia thing!

She was so upset now, thinking that they came to own her and tears stung to her eyes, she looked around the room and only now she discovered a piece of paper on her night stand. It read

Caroline, if you have any questions, please call the number: 560358329

She quickly took her phone and entered the number and hit the calling button.

"Caroline?"

"You know my number!?"

"I know pretty much everything there is to now about your young life."

"I have questions, Mr Mikaelson."

"Klaus."

"Did you orchestrate the whole thing today, the shooting and everything else? Is it like a mafia thing?"

She heard him let out a laugh.

"No, Caroline, I didn't, we didn't orchestrate the shooting. We are investigating it as we speak but haven't found anything useful."

She heard him let out a sigh of frustration.

"Would you come here and explain everything to me again, please. But let me set up a meeting in one of the conference rooms?"

"Of course, I will come. For you always."

Caroline felt herself blush a little.

"Okay, then in half an hour?"

"I'll be there."

Caroline quickly called the manager downstairs and asked for a conference room . It was, of course provided for her and then she quickly showered, dressed in a jumpsuit that gave out official vibes. She deemed that meeting to be a negotiation about hiring them so she needed to be properly dressed. The she put on a little make up and dried and fixed her hair and then the half an hour was pretty much over.

She took her phone and her notebook and went out. The security took her to the nearest conference room and he was already there.

"Caroline." He simply said, acknowledging her presence.

"Klaus, so good of you to come."

"Of course I came."

"So let's discuss your proposition. You said you were not human, your brother indicated that you were a hybrid. Hybrid of what exactly?"

"A hybrid of a vampire and a werewolf."

Caroline rubbed her face with her fingers and sighed and laughed a little, "Werewolves, vampires…can you even prove all that."

"Yes, I can show you, but you have to remain calm."

"I'm very calm."

"Okay." Klaus who was still standing, sat down close to her and looking her he changed his face to his hybrid face and Caroline almost screamed at the sight. But then he quickly changed back and looked at her with a school boy look of asking for forgiveness.

"Okay, telling me all your secrets, you must really think I won't tell anyone anything."

Klaus shrugged, "Partly yes, but I can diffuse anything you might do against us."

"I see. Klaus, you are making an ultimatum and leaving me no choice."

Klaus leaned closer to her and cupped her cheek gently, "Caroline, you are all I care about and tonight you almost died, in my city. I can't let that happen again. I feel very protective of you. Let me take care of you, that's all I want".

"You are leaving me no choice, Klaus." She whispered.

"I know. I am sorry." Klaus whispered back.

Now their faces almost touched when Caroline suddenly stood up and ended whatever was just transpiring between them.

"Then you are hired. Make whatever changes you want, but Freddy stays on. I need him."

"Caroline-"

"It's a dealbreaker, Klaus."

Klaus huffed, but agreed, "Fine, you can have your boytoy but get used to my face and my presence, because now it's me who's going to be with you all the time. My people will take care of the scheduling and all that trivial stuff. Your Freddy can stay as your friend but he will not be with you all the time anymore, I will. I will take care of protecting you and everything else you may need."

Caroline walked around the room nervously. She had hoped, she could have Freddy by her side like before, but now Klaus wanted to take over and she couldn't imagine working a nd being so close to someone…she liked. No someone that made her blush because she was feeling the heat between her legs and the butterflies in her stomach and million thoughts were running around her head about what she would like to do with him.

"Caroline?"

"I don't know If it's going to work, but I agree with your terms. Just let me be alone tonight, I want to be alone tonight."

"Of course. I'll see you first thing in the morning."

Caroline looked at him for a second and then left the room, without saying anything. What was there left to say besides, "I think I like you more then I should."

But she didn't say it, she didn't want him to know. It was too soon.

She went to her room, changed clothes, put her PJ-s and went to sleep without taking off her make up. She was just so tired. She thought she closed the eyes for only a minute when his voice woke her.

She opened her eyes to see His ace looking straight at her while sitting on her bed.

"You are still here?"

"It's morning now, sweetheart."

'Please don't say things like that'

She only now realised that there was someone else, a woman in the room opening the curtains and letting the sunshine in.

"That's Jessica. She's going to take care of the everyday stuff. Either you tell yourself what you need or me when I'm not there for some reason."

"Fine. What's my schedule today?"

"I sent it to you, on your phone. You can rest a lot, but-"

"I have a concert here tonight and tomorrow. I can't miss them."

"Yes, you'll rest during the day and tonight you'll have that gig. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how you you kill people?"

"Only when there's no other choice."

"And will you kill people that make the simplest of mistakes. Like dropping my Mimosas or flirting with me innocently."

"If it's innocent, then no."

"Klaus, I'm serious."

"No killing, besides the ones to breach security with the intention to kill you. Okay?"

Caroline slowly breathed in and out and suddenly she ran to the bathroom and locked the door.

"Caroline, love, what's wrong?"

"I can't be with you. I'm sorry?"

"Be with me?"

"I know that you want more than to work for me, you want to be closer than that, but I'm so young, I'm focused on my career and I don't have time for the rest. Not even with my hot bodyguards."

She heard him chuckle.

"Caroline, please, unlock the door, I can't talk to you like that."

Caroline thought she feeling everything all at once. She was scared, everything was new to her and she thought she couldn't take it. But the only one who could calm her down, stood at the other side of the door. She went and unlocked the door and then quickly sat down on the toilet seat.

Klaus opened the door, to find her sitting on the toilet and looking away from him.

She was just a fragile human. He usually didn't want to get involved with humans unless he planned to turn them. But she had to stay human, she had a life and he didn't want to take it away from her. Besides, he wanted her to want it.

But still, she needed a lot of protection, especially now that she was being targeted. He had to convince her that she needed him and he would be with her in whatever capacity she wanted.

So he kneeled down on the floor in front of her and pleaded her to look at him.

When she did, he saw that she was beginning to cry.

"You're scared. Scared of what? Me?"

"No. Just overall change. I had everything worked out before. Life was relatively easy, And then you come and turn everything upside down."'

"Sweetheart," He took a little bit of toiler paper and handed it to her, "What you had worked out, wasn't working. You saw yourself how easy it was to kill you."

"Still, I can't be with you."

Klaus took her face in his hands and looked her deep in the eyes to drive his point hope onve and for all.

Kl

"Caroline, love, if and when something happens between us, is up to you. Right now I just want to protect you and you can confide in me, tell me whatever you need, I will make happen one way or the other.

"But no maiming and killing."

"Absolutely not."

The she wiped away her tears, stood up and walked out of the bathroom. But not before saying.

"Okay, let's do this."'

"Klaus, followed her to the room where there was a table with breakfast foods ready that had apparently arrived while they talked things out.

She was sitting down and motioned him to join her.

They sat in silence mostly, sometimes they talked the day's plans over and that was it. Klaus wanted to say so much to her, but it had to wait, she was scared as it was.

But for some reason silence was okay with her. There was no need to talk. The silence was comfortable

Then the rest of the day for her was the usual. Give an interview or two, show herself in public so they would know that she was okay.. She also talked to the police, that she had no idea who jumped in fron of her to take the bulletls.

When they walked side by side to her next meeting, Klaus whispered in her ear, "I forgot to tell you that it was me who took those bullets for you."

"What?" She asked and wanted to stop walking, but he urged he to continue walking and not to make a scene. So she did and whispered, "Bullets don't hurt you?"

"Oh, they hurt but regular bullets don't kill me, that's true."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. You saved my life."

"We'll talk about this later, now go and give that interview."

And she did as he stayed backstage. It was some talk show and she was the main guest, she also had to sing. Well, not actually sing, but perform her song.

When she was finished, she started to go out and like magic he was beside her and walked with her to the car and then to the hotel.

When they got to her suite and they were alone.

"How can I thank you?"

"With a date."

"Klaus. I'm serious."

"So am I. Besides being with you, there's nothing else I could possibly want from you.

Caroline sighed in defeat, "Okay, one date that is all about getting to know each other, not getting romantically involved."

"Deal," He said smiling and she also smiled at him.