ETERNAL DANCE OF LOVE

by Recklessnesspersonified

She had been running from her misfortune all her life now she was in NOLA finding a way to realize her dreams until she met him who became the centrum of her thoughts The first time he saw her he was bewitched,the first time he saw her dance he wanted to possess her,the first time they danced together he felt a connection he couldn't deny.Will they find their way 2 each other?AU/AH

15. Here We Go Love

A/N :Hello guys Im back with a new chapter.

I hope you like it.

Warning : I have discussed postpartum depression in this chapter as a part of a sub-plot. I have tried to be as sensitive about this subject as possible even then if someone feels offended please know it was not done intentionally.

Thank you to everyone who is supporting my fic.

Svetlana : Thank you. I'm so happy you liked my story being a ballerina I hope you'll forgo any technical mistakes I make regarding the dance moves.

TwightlightHybrid : Thanks for your awesome review.

Klaroline1920: Your review was so good. Thank you.

Goldenhummingbird: I hope you like a few new parallels with real kc world that I incorporated.

Venus88: So nice of you. Means bundles.

SrRithe: A little more Kalijah and kennett for you.

Blackwingso7: Thanks so very much. Another mention ;)

CHAPTER 15

HERE WE GO

(FOUR YEARS AGO)

Rebekah heard her cell phone chime slinging back the arm of Mr Cuddler her hunky husband of four days she carefully got out of bed as to not disturb him. She leaned down to kiss his forehead just because she couldn't resist and brushed at the hair falling on his forehead before turning away and answering her phone.

"Hello?" came out more like a question because she didn't recognize the number.

"Hey Rebekah. It's me Caroline."

"Caroline!" Rebekah said in an excited half shriek half whisper , "Hey how are you?"

"I'm fine. I called to say Congratulations on getting married to the man of your dreams. I'm sorry i couldn't make it your wedding but you know I couldn't come."

"I know. You don't have to say sorry. I really appreciate you called."

"So how are your two H's?"

"H's?"

"Husband and honeymoon."

Rebekah laughed and replied, "Let me guess that's Katherine's idea."

"Yeah kind of. Actually she suggested three H's but I couldnt ask you about the third one."

"Ill give it another guess Enzo's hockey?"

"Close but she used the word hamroll."

Rebekah laughed again,"Katherine is ...Katherine after all."

"Yep. She's precious." Caroline agreed recognizing affection in Rebekah's voice, "So how's the honeymoon?"

"My honey has me over the moon. I mean we arrived in Bora Bora three days ago and we still haven't left the hotel room."

"You bitch!" Caroline replied faking jealousy,when Rebekah laughed again she added, "But seriously I'm genuinely happy for you and wish you a life full of every joy you wish for."

"Thanks Care. You have to know your call meant the world to me."

"I know."

"And i don't suppose you'll tell me where you live so maybe someday i can come and visit you."

"Uhh. Lets hope someday I'm strong enough to tell you."

"Of course I understand."

"Bye Rebekah."

"Bye Care and uhh…"

"Yeah?"

"Take very good care of yourself."

"Sure." Caroline replied and hung up the phone. When Rebekah hung up the phone two strong and sexy arms hugged her from behind to encircle her waist. Enzo bit her earlobe and asked, " Caroline?"

"Yeah." she replied and tilted her neck to one side to give him easier access when he began to nibble on it.

"She didn't tell you where she is this time either?"

"No." Rebekah replied feeling dejected which was instantly picked up by her husband who suggested, " We can track her call."

"It's no use she always calls me when she's out of country or on a gig."

"Mhmm. Do you know this tiny bit right her just below your ear and a little above this neck vein is particularly delicious? Tastes like honey." he remarked licking the said spot and making her shudder and moan.

"And I had a rather exhilarating dream with you and honey."

"Wh ..what?" she whimpered as he ran his hands under her shirt which she had quickly worn before answering the phone.

"We were having breakfast and there was this bottle of honey which I accidently spilled over you ,,,naked you. And you get furious a very fetching shade of blush on this ravishing ivory skin." He said and palmed her breasts and rubbed his thumbs over nipples making her breathless and ….. , "And before you get anymore mad I clean it all away with my …..tongue." Another moan escaped her pink lips and he felt lust rake his body at her unadulterated response, " And then you beg me to lick it off of you … here." he said cupping her core and turning her around in his arms. He then fastened his lips to hers and carried her to their bed.

Legs tangled lying in her husband's arms Rebekah flexed her body like a sated cat. A moment after the haze of desire cleared off of her brain she sat up with a start and said, "Honey don't freak out but you forgot to use protection this time."

Enzo rolled her on her back and looking down at his beloved and replied, " I know I forgot but Im not freaking out. I don't want to presume anything but if you want I wouldn't mind having a little girl with your fascinating green eyes and this little dimple right here over you cheek that tumbles my heart everytime it peaks out with your smile."

Rebekah had thought that she couldn't be anymore happier but she was wrong ,the joy she felt right now was unparalleled and absolute. She felt as if her heart glowed with his love. She cupped his face and kissed him. Running loving fingers along the line of his chiseled jaw she remarked, " I wouldn't mind having a little boy with your cheeky grin and your sensitive heart and I already know I'll love him because he'll be yours and mine."

"Though I'd want to have a little time with you alone before I have to worry about baby names and diapers but I'd never be afraid to love that's a part of both of us."

"You are absolutely beautiful."

Enzo nuzzled her neck and muttered , " You meant want to say hunky or sexy right?"

"Yeah." she laughed at him feeling offended at the word beautiful.

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After returning from Rebekah's wedding ceremony Bonnie and Kol entered their apartment and put their bags in their bedroom. Jumping on the bed face down Kol muttered," Rebekah sure knows how to plan a wedding. Damn I'm tuckered out ,I feel as if I'll fall asleep the next minute."

"Not so fast mister. You have to help me unpack" Bonnie said and sat next to Kol on the bed.

In a flash of a movement he had her under him and kissed her until she ran out of oxygen.

"I thought you were tuckered out."

"I suddenly feel very energized especially in some special anatomical regions." He ran a calloused palm under her shirt and felt satisfied at the tempting shiver that ran through her.

Winding her arms around his neck she replied , "Ahan?"

"Yep. Besides any man who feels tired lying on top of a sexy , sinewy woman should be sterilized."

"Really?"

"Yep." he replied and began kissing her in a trail of slow hot open mouthed kisses from her neck and slowly downwards.

She felt fire sizzle through her nerve endings and tugged him closer to intensify the pleasure. He peeled of her pants and as if suddenly lucid she called out, " Wait. Stop."

"Why?"

"I need to shower. I feel all grimy from all the traveling."

Kol got off ,took of his shirt and picked her up, "Good idea. I love shower sex with you."

"Hey i said shower not shower sex."

"Potatoe ..potaato.." he mumbled and took her to the bath.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

(THE NEXT DAY)

Bonnie entered her apartment she shared with Kol , her apartment which was more than just walls and roof it was their home. Since a year ago when she had decided to miss her flight and he had decided to move to New York with her they had made this apartment their home. This was a place where they had shared their successes and failures for the past one year. First few months had been really tough for both of them when Kol was still looking for a job , but they had overcome every adversity together and now Kol was a dance instructor at a very reputable dance company and she was prima ballerina her ultimate dream finally achieved.

She soundlessly entered the living room area and frowned at the empty apartment as usually Kol came in earlier than her. She put her bag in the closet on one side of the living room and proceeded towards the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and checked her messages thinking maybe Kol had left one for her. There were no messages from him. She drank the glass of water and thought about her future with him.

These days Bonnie often caught herself dreaming about the days when she and Kol will finally live in their home as married couple with kids. If anybody had asked Bonnie a few years ago if she wanted marriage and kids she wouldn't have known what to say but now she knew in her heart as sure as her heart beat that she wanted to be Kol's wife. She wanted that commitment , that tying the noose thing as Katherine had sarcastically put it.

She could clearly see herself sending her kids to school as he complained about having to attend their parent teacher meeting and her and Kol driving off their kids to school and him threatening the boys hovering around their daughter . Her fastening his tie as he left for office ,well she doubted if he would ever wear a tie considering his line of profession. On an after thought she decided she will persuade him to wear one tomorrow night at dinner they had with his collegue and his wife.

A faint sound coming from the bedroom had her jolting out of her day dreaming. Picking up the ladle from the kitchen counter she quietly walked towards the bedroom and opened the door.

The ladle fell out of her hands with a distinct clunk on the floor when she saw Kol dressed in a formal suit and tie and their bedroom illuminated only by dozen or more candles. There was a single red rose in one hand and his other hand behind his back. Her heart thudded in her chest at the evident. He bend down on one knee and she covered her mouth with her hand and realized that she was crying.

Handing her the rose he began,"Bonnie Bennett . I have loved you since the day I first saw you audition for Alaric. At that time I thought it was lust and I wasn't completely wrong because I still am in lust with you but since I said I wasn't completely wrong I'll tell you I didn't realize I had fallen for you that I was in love and in lust both but now that I have I don't want to just live with you I want you to share my name or for me to share yours whichever you want. I want us to be one of those corny couples that wear matching outfits at their kids soccer practise or embarrass their daughter by bugging her to take a photograph before she goes off to her first prom with some dickface who thinks who is good enough for our daughter ,well ill rap his ears before he hurts my baby girl but…"

"Kol.."

"Yeah I'm deviating okay so please say yes to be my wife , say yes so we can spend the rest of our lives together and fifty years from now be that adorable old married couple who still can't keep their hands off of each other. Please."

Tears streaming down her chocolate brown eyes she bend down hugged him and said , " Yes. Yes. Yes . A thousand times yes."

He put his ring on her finger and kissed her in candle light holding her with love looking forward to the rest of their lives together.

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Katherine entered the large suite of the hotel room Elijah had booked for their vacation. Elijah entered the room following her and saw her dump her luggage to one corner of the room and standing over to the windows she drew away the curtains to reveal a magnificent view.

Taking her sweet time she turned around and leisurely slid her jacket off of her shoulders. Elijah saw the fabric of her jacket slide off of one creamy shoulder and then the other and felt his breath clog in his lungs. All of a sudden everything felt really hot in the room. Katherine sauntered over to the bed and put one leg on it and unzipped her knee length boots, she had paired with a skirt that flowed around her knees and a top which had a low neckline that left very little to his very prolific imagination where Katherine was concerned. Taking off those sexy boots in a striptease that made him feel like a horny fifteen year old she lay on the bed in a very languorous and seductive move. Elijah had been quite the whole time and honestly he wouldn't have been able to utter a single word even if he wanted to because at the moment he felt as if his tongue was tied and his neurons had short circuited.

Why in the world had he made that no sex deal and how was he going to honor his end when Katherine was looking absolutely ravishing. She was now lying on her side her head lifted on her hand and her other hand lazily running down her leg which half bent at the knee.

Elijah wanted to replace that hand with his mouth and taste the smooth skin over that sexy leg. His desire for her a huge flame in his gut and he advanced slowly towards her. He took of his own suit jacket and saw surprise lighten up her chocolate eyes which a moment ago held a self satisfied expression with the awareness of her turning him on.

Without a word Elijah moved closer to her and in a defensive gesture Katherine lay on her back. He leaned down and half bent and half standing he caged her with hands on either side of her head. He saw her pupils dilate and the pulse at the side of her neck pulsate rapidly making him feel arrogant at the fact that he wasn't the only one whose hormones were turbulent at the moment.

"You said you wouldn't touch me until I said so." A breathless whisper from Katherine's luscious lips which he wanted to pummel with his own. Perhaps it was his own fantasy but he felt as if he heard a little hope in that whisper,hope that he might not honor the deal that was the moment the bane of his very precarious control.

"I'm not touching you." he replied deliberately looking at her lips and trailing his gaze down towards her cleavage.

Katherine felt as if she had just been caressed by his gaze. Her heart rabbiting in her throat and liquid heat shooting down between her thighs she felt herself losing her own resolve.

A few minutes alone with him and she was a quivering mess, perhaps it was anger or her own need to prove she was strong or maybe she wanted to teach him a lesson she trailed one nail from his shoulder down towards his navel and felt his muscles bunch under the fabric of his shirt.

"Don't." Elijah breathed out.

Gaining a wicked sense of pleasure she then leaned up to nuzzle her nose down the side his neck and trailed her hand lower.

"There wasn't any clause about me not touching you Elijah."

"It wouldn't be fair.." Elijah replied and her self satisfied smile fell at his next words, "It wouldn't be fair to you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Your touch feeds my desire Katerina and if I'm not allowed to touch you I can't pleasure you the way you are pleasuring me and I wouldn't want you be sexually frustrated." Elijah replied and with a cocky smile of his own he left her, lying on the bed with her mouth hanging open, through the connecting door between their suites.

Once the door was closed he took a deep breath but knew the only solution for his unfulfilled desire was a cold shower ,,, a very very arctic ice cold shower.

Katherine wanted to hit him on the head with her heeled boot but knew that would make him feel even more cocky hence she punched her pillow a few times and hurled it at the connecting door.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"He's an egocentric, egotistical ,egoistic toffee-nosed fancy pants." Katherine yelled on the phone.

"Who are you talking about and what happened? And how many ego words did you use by the way?"

"Elijah. He thinks he is so smart and clever. He is a pompous asshole."

"What happened?"

"You know our no sex deal and how he is not allowed to touch me right. So just because he is not allowed to touch me I thought I'll have my fun with him but he said I can touch him all I want cuz that would be me actually helping him with his desires and needs but it wouldn't be fair to me as he won't be able to do the same for me and he doesn't want me to feel sexually frustrated. What the hell does he…"

A loud sound of laughter emerged from the other end of the phone and Katherine asked, "Hey are you laughing at me? I'm your best friend you are supposed to be offended on my behalf not enjoy this."

"I'm sorry you are right he is an asshole…" Caroline said and started laughing again.

"Care I swear if you keep on laughing I am going to disown your ass."

"Sorry but you have to admit it is pretty funny. You kind of backed yourself into a corner with that deal."

"Ughhh. I so wanted him to suffer before I considered forgiving him but it has backfired on me. I need a new plan Caroline and currently I'm out of ideas."

"So stop touching him."

"Nooo. That's exactly what he wants."

"Kat i'm really bad at these kind of things and with the way things are between you two I guess you two enjoy outsmarting each other."

"Yeah. We used to play all these sex games and."

"Im gonna interrupt and say I'd like to skip the details but I can't imagine Elijah being into that kind of stuff."

"Nothing gross but games like these."

"Ookay. But as happy as I am that you called and shared this hilarious tidbit with me I don't know how to help. Maybe you can continue teasing him until he gives in if you think you can prevent yourself from jumping him in the meantime."

"Wait. I just got it. Care you are a genious. I have dinner with him in a few hours I'll talk to you later"

"Bye."

:::::::::::;;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

She purposefully dressed in the shortest dress she owned and paired it with the longest silver heels. Her dress was a electric blue mid thigh number which hugged every inch of her shapely figure and left her legs bare. Her hair left loose around her shoulders she painted her lips red.

A knock on her door and after fluffing her hair she opened it.

Elijah felt as if someone had punched him in his solar plexus. A sharp stab of lust coursed through him and he again cursed himself for agreeing to that blasted deal.

Katherine leaned forward and sensuously kissing his cheek murmured, "Hi."

Elijah continued to stare at her as her kiss was like a kindle to his desire. Clenching his fists and sucking a deep breath he tried to control his need. Biting through his teeth he forced himself to answer, "Hello Katerina."

Katherine had seen his reaction and was pleased with herself. It was a little payback for this morning however she had to clamp down her own reaction to him. In his navy blue suit he looked handsome and super sexy.

"So where are we going?"

"I recall that you were once fond of surprises."

"I still am."

"Then you would relish our night out."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Elijah drove them to a vineyard. He helped her out of the car and lead her to a small clearing in the middle of the field. There was wooden table and two benches on each side. The vine plants around them were decorated with dim yellow lights and the table held two glasses and a bottle of vine. The scenery was beauteous and Katherine felt warmth and tenderness seep through her heart.

"This place is divine." she murmured as she saw the sunset in a yellow-red horizon.

"It is now." he remarked as he looked at her.

At his overt compliment she blushed which reminded her it was further proof of her weakening resolve because it was only Elijah who made her blush with the intensity of his hot gaze which was currently devouring every inch of her and it was only his succinct yet sincere compliments that always took her breath away. Well aware she had fallen a step further down in her feelings for him she forced herself to look away and proceeded to sit at the bench.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

(PRESENT DAY)

"Hello Caroline." he called out and she took an eternity to turn and face him.

His annoying smirk and her bafflement turned to ire as in the next moment both of them found themselves drenched with water falling on them from above.

Their ire soon forgotten as both lost in each other's eyes felt entranced by the other stood staring as if a much desired dream came true and the world around them stopped.

Oblivious to the noise around him and unaware of every other soul except the one that had been a part of his own he moved a step closer. She was still the same Caroline , her eyes were the same cobalt blue and her hair though shorter than before were the same sunshine gold but still she looked even more gorgeous and hands itching to touch the feather soft skin of her cheek. He wanted to crush her in his arms and never let go. His pent up feelings and desires demanded from him to hold her, kiss her , take her and make her his forever….forever.

Caroline felt all her emotions and feelings rush back in a matter of seconds. All the moments of pleasure they had shared, the days and nights of passion, love and affection that were theirs and only theirs flashed in front of her eyes until the last moment that he had broken her heart and she had promised to leave his life forever. She saw him extend his hand and took a step back in a small defensive gesture when a large curtain fell between them.

Unknowingly he extended his hand wanting to caress her beautiful face when he saw her take a step back and felt his heart constrict painfully at the apparent rejection. The next instant a large curtain fell from above in front of him and separated her from him. He pushed away the curtain wanting to get to her, a sense of panic, at losing her again, surging through him but a few of the men asked him to get off the stage as the rehearsals before the main event were starting shortly. He didn't know when the water had stopped pouring on them and in a state of trance with an alarm at losing her once again Klaus got off the stage and asked a guy who was passing by about her. The man directed him towards her office and he all but ran towards it.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

She rushed outside and approached her car then she opened the door and sat in the drivers seat.

Taking the keys out from her bag she put them into ignition but instead of starting her car she rested her head on the steering wheel and took a deep breath.

Running away from him, from the handsome face, from the intoxicating man that he had been was her first instinct in a sense of self preservation. He looked the same, his mischievous intense eyes were the same yet he was much more striking than she remembered him, perhaps it was the suit he was wearing that made him look dignified but she couldn't deny that he had now grown into a graceful and suave man.

For five years she had been struggling to move forward, forget Klaus and her …..relationship with him. She had been struggling to forget the emotions he had awakened in her and she had believed that she had been successful in her struggles until now when he stood in front of her. Just looking at him reminded her of everything she had lost and how heartlessly he had hurt her and yet some sadistic part of her yearned for him, that same part had made her flee when she had found a chance because it scared her, her longing for him even after he had consciously and callously hurt her terrified her to her core.

Abruptly furious with herself when she realized that a sick part of her still twinged in an excited manner at the prospect of him being here she wrenched away from the wheel and in jerky angry movements she opened her bag and looked in the rearview mirror to put on a lipstick. Looking in the mirror she saw she had been crying and in similar incensed way she wiped her tears and painted her lips.

No she wasn't a vulnerable pitiful girl anymore, she didn't need him to slay her dragons for her anymore. She had come so far in her life, now she had built a life for herself, she was a strong independant woman who owned a freaking Academy and she would not let him take that away from her. This was her life, her Academy and her town and it was Klaus who was going to leave this time around. She would not let him ruin the opening ceremony of her dream project Caroline decided.

She then got out of her car locked it and headed into the building and went to look for the one person she had ran away from.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Academy was swarming with people some contestants, some staff members and many of the technicians who were setting up lights and decorations. All in all the building was packed up with people.

Klaus was heading towards her office with a mixture of anticipation,fear and the ever resident and potent love he had for her. Every step towards her office filled with him dread at being rejected. If she rejected him or had someone else in her life then he didn't know what he would do.

No he knew what he would do, he would do everything possible to get her back because he was done being selfless. His selflessness for her had cost them five years of their lives. Five years which with her by his side would have been a blessing instead had been an ugly torturing void without her. He was going to fight any entity and anyone in this universe that dared come between them. He won't let anyone take her away from him and he would go toe to toe with anyone even if it was Caroline herself.

He knocked on her office door twice and when no one replied he opened the door and entered the room. The interior of the office was an elegant affair suiting the woman she had grown into elegant and breath-stoppingly beautiful. Saddened at finding the room empty he turned to leave and came face to face with her. She had the most alluring smile on her face but too bad it wasn't real he knew this because it wasn't reaching her eyes and it wasn't the same smile she gifted him with when they were together. He wanted that smile back as opposed to this cold courteous gesture Klaus realized with a twinge of anguish. He didn't know what he expected her to do as he himself had forgotten all the well worded speeches he had prepared for this moment.

Caroline pasted an artificial smile on her face because she knew he didn't deserve her genuine smiles anymore however if she were to throw a tantrum and say exactly that to him it would mean admitting that the suffering and grief she had doled at his hands all those years ago was still a sting in her heart.

Hence taking a step towards him with one of her professional smiles she said, "Hello Klaus. I imagine you've come here for my Academy's opening. Since we were acquaintances a few years back and we studied at the same Academy I wouldn't hold it against you that you came here uninvited infact just because we were colleagues I'll arrange free tickets and passes of the event for you."

Before Klaus could respond she moved over to the telephone on her desk and called, "Hello Tony can you come to my office please?"

As if Tony was nearby he entered a second later and Caroline added, "Ah Tony. This is Mr Mikealson an old acquaintance of mine will you please arrange for tickets and passes for him for tonight's and main event."

"Sure Care. Ah Mr Mikealson will you please follow me?"

Klaus was paralyzed during the whole exchange from her extra cheerful greeting to the words "acquaintance" , "colleagues" and not the mention the most epic one "uninvited" everything rubbed him the wrong way transforming his anguish into rage. He was wrong she wasn't the same Caroline if five years ago she had the ability to break his heart now he could see she could crush it. Though she hadn't broken his heart it was the other way around but if back then she could hurt him now he saw she could devastate him.

"Tony right? I'll come with you but I'm more than capable of paying for the tickets and passes." Klaus replied and then moving closer to her not caring if that damned Tony was watching he added, "We may have been more than acquaintances heck Tony we were even lovers for sometime but it doesn't mean that I'll cash in on Caroline's generosity. And I have never been a cheapskate love." he whispered the last part completely aware that she had once asked him not to call her that and from the awareness in her eyes he realized she was reminiscing the same moment.

He knew it was petty on his part and he knew that she couldn't be rude to him in front of her assistant so shamelessly utilizing the opportunity he leaned forward and kissed her on her cheek. Caroline gripped the edge of the table behind her with both hands in a vain attempt to dampen her ire and something else she felt more than ire,something she would never admit to herself.

He lingered for more than a few seconds. To Tony it looked like a harmless kiss exchanged between two old colleagues but Klaus knew it was so much more. For him it was much more than a kiss on the cheek.

His anger diluted when he saw fire in her eyes. Content to get a reaction out of her contrary to the bland coldness and that fake smile that had ripped him to pieces earlier he moved back with an evil twinkle in his eyes and added, "I'll be back in a giffy love. Wait for me. We have a lot to catch up on."

Then he strode away with Tony. When he left and closed the door behind him Caroline heaved the paper weight at the closed door. She was incensed at his apparent frankness. Who the hell was he to ask her to wait for him. She damn well wasn't going to wait for that asshole. He knew she couldn't create a scene in front of Tony so he had taken an advantage of that. She paced inside her office fruitlessly trying to get rid of her fury. He had no right no fucking right to treat her like that. Act as if nothing had happened all those years back. She knew she had acted the same way pretending that his presence didn't affect her in the least but he wasn't supposed to act that way. She didn't know what she wanted from him but she sure as hell didn't want him to act all nonchalant.

She was still pacing and seething when Katherine burst through her door, "Omigod Care I have the biggest breaking news ever more like crashing news…"

"I know Klaus is here."

"What you know?" Katherine asked and moved to sit at one of the office chairs.

"Yeah that asshat is here. And freaking acted as if we had parted on the best of terms. And another notch in his asshole belt is that he had the audacity to kiss me. I swear I'm going to…"

"What? Wait rewind please. Tell me exactly what happened."

"I was checking the preps when he found me on stage and then apart from a stupid Hello he didn't say anything. The water pipe then burst and we got a little soaked and then before I could say anything the curtain off the stage fell between us and I skedaddled from there.I was about to drive off when I realized if I did that it would be like admitting to him that our break up still affects me so I decided I'd treat him like an old colleague and hence I came back and greeted him and even offered him free passes …"

"Free passes? That's diabolical." Katherine replied sarcastically.

"Shut up and listen. I tried very hard to be indifferent so I greeted him and said a few things along the lines of him being an acquaintance and just a colleague and also said that though he came uninvited I'll still give him free passes…"

"Ohhh now I get it that's super beyatch of you. I like feisty passive aggressive Caroline."

"But you know what he did? He all but announced that we were lovers and then he kissed me in front of Tony."

"Is he still a good kisser or does he now have breath issues cuz I hear a few years back he was having major alcohol problem."

"Kat!"

"What? Hey was there any tongue action?"

"Would you just focus?"

"On what Care? You are just freaking out for no reason. From what I heard you managed to diss him successfully and that pissed him off and led him to kiss you. Think about it if you hadn't acted all indifferent he wouldn't have done what he did."

"Maybe. But I'm so mad right now."

"Why?"

"Because he has no right to come here and he absolutely has no effing right to come here and try to sabotage this ..this Academy our Academy and our success."

"Is that what you think he is here for?"

"What else? We were once together and when he left me I had nothing and now when I have achieved everything maybe it grates on his pride that I've achieved all of this without his help. Back then I was all but dependant on him for my dance routines. I was a clingy needy little girl who followed him around and all but begged him to not break up with me and now that I've moved on. That I finally have something much more meaningful than what I had with him it bruises his inflated ego. But you know what I'm not going to let him wreck any of this and I will bloody well make sure he understands that." Caroline confessed her insecurities. She hated admitting it because it still hurt her.

"Care. Hey. Maybe he is here for all these reasons but you were never a clingy and needy little girl. You were the bravest girl I knew and still are. Just because he said it all those years back doesn't mean it's true."

"I know. But I did beg him and i did ask him for favors and help all the time. The point is I'm not that person anymore and I refuse to let him reduce me to that."

Katherine got up from her and came to stand in front of her friend.

"Well good and I'm here for you."

"I know. He said he'll be back in a giffy. How in the world did he find out where we were living?"

"I didn't tell Elijah."

"I know I didn't imply that you did."

"Maybe you should ask him."

"I'm not going to ask him that. But I'm definitely going to ask him why the heck is he here."

"Hey Im off topic here but I like your usage of asshole belt. Sounds kinky. I wonder if there is actually such a thing and if can convince Elijah…" Katherine added trying to lighten the mood.

"Staaap. Please I don't need that visual."

"No I'm serious."

"So am I." Caroline replied but both started laughing before long.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Klaus hadn't meant to eavesdrop. But as soon as he heard Caroline talking about him with Katherine he couldn't leave. He hadn't heard the whole conversation but he had arrived at her office when Caroline was discussing the motive of his return and to find out that she thought that he had returned because he wanted to sabotage her success and that he was doing so because it bruised his ego, devastated him. He was right she could devastate him.

He had never believed that she considered him to be a small and petty man. He had prepared himself for her anger and her hate but when he was finally subjected to the doubts he heard her voice about him his pain was more acute and intense than he had imagined. However much more acute was the spasm of torment when he heard her confess how heartlessly he had treated her and as a consequence made her doubt herself.

She was wrong in thinking that she was ever a clingy or a smothering presence or that he had ever thought such of her but he knew he was to blame for her belief. This knowing landed a shard of distress and tortured him even more.

However he wasn't going to give up. He hadn't been looking for her for five long lonely years just to finally find her and throw in the towel now.

He would prove to her that he wanted her to be successful as much as she herself wanted. He was going to make her see that he was still completely passionately and irrevocably in love with her and for her to enlighten to this fact he was ready to go to any lengths, even beg if necessary. And to accomplish that he knew words would mean lesser than his actions. So instead of advancing towards her office he turned back and headed towards the hotel where he was staying.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"The rehearsals were perfect. It was a good day."

Katherine said as she unlocked the main door of the house she shared with Caroline after returning from the Academy.

"Yeah. I just hope the main event the day after tomorrow goes off without any hitch." Caroline entered her living room and dumping her bag on the side table sat on the couch and folded her legs beneath her.

"Well we first have to worry about the opening performances tomorrow." Katherine joined her at the couch.

"I know but tomorrow is just the opening ceremony. Our students are allowed to make mistakes but the day after there'll be famous big league choreographers present and not to mention media coverage. If one of our kids gets offered a sponsorship it'll be huge deal for us."

"Hmmm. And I get why it matters to you that we succeed."

Caroline looked at her and raised her brow.

"I'm talking about the proceeds from the event that'll be donated for the rehabilitation of young kids who have been victims of assault. Sometimes I'm so proud of you Care. I still remember when we got our first big check from our dance tuition and you decided to run an anonymous foundation for such children with your half of the check that was day that had me speechless at your ability to love and give."

"Kat. You're getting a little melodramatic. I just wanted to help and that's what I did. And you gave your half too so I guess you're as generous as me."

"Are you kidding me? It was your idea. You really put me to shame sometimes."

"Well good. Someone has to with your inherent tendencies for perversion."

In an answer Kat stuck out her tongue at her best friend.

"So did he come back?"

Caroline just shook her head at Kat's inquiry regarding Klaus.

"Wow. I think you scared him off."

Caroline rolled her eyes and headed towards the kitchen. Taking out water from the fridge she poured herself a glass.

Katherine followed her and added, "Why do you think he didn't show up?"

"I don't know Kat." Caroline then drank the water and added, "And honestly it's good he didn't. I just want him to lea…." Doorbell rang and interrupted Caroline.

"I'll see who that is." Katherine went to open the door and came back with literally two arms full of yellow tulips interspersed with bells of ireland.

She placed the giant bouquet on the table and took out the card and read, "I wish you best of the best lucks for your courageous endeavour. It takes great valor and a wonderful heart to move forward in the face of hardships. Your courage inspires me and your light is a beacon for all the stray dark souls out there. May you succeed, prosper and continue to blossom like a nascent bud unfurling into a magnificent flower and shine like the brightest ray of sun.

Fondly Klaus."

"Well there goes your theory of him wanting you to fail because apparently he wants your beacon to shine his darkness and wants you to unfurl your flower for him." Katherine dramatically stated putting one hand on her chest.

Caroline threw water at Katherine, "Shut up you filthy mind. Just because he sent a few flowers.."

"They are more than three dozen here.."

"Fine just because he sent a lot of flowers does not mean that he doesn't have some sort of hidden agenda."

"Of course he has an agenda didn't you get it he wants to put his darkness in your beacon and see your bud blossom into a flower."

Caroline threw water at her again.

"Hey. I like to take baths without clothes well without clothes and with a certain Mikealson but I won't go into details and hurt your prudish sensitivities."

"Thank you very much. Im indebted to you mam. But seriously this is just a classic attempt to throw me off. He thinks I'll be fooled by these stupid flowers but he is wrong I don't care about these stupid stupid flowers. And this card give it to me I'll throw it away." Caroline snatched the card and put it in her jeans pocket.

Katherine noticed it and she added, " I'll throw this in the trash can in my room."

"Of Course you will Care." Katherine replied sweetly.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Oh and if you don't like these stupid stupid stupid flowers can I take them ."

"Kat. How could you?"

"Come on I mean it's not the flowers fault that the man is an asshole with an asshole belt."

"I guess you're right. Let's put these flowers in water then."

"Let's." Katherine added and smothered her laugh behind Caroline's back.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Caroline kept telling herself what Katherine had said last night that she had kept the flowers because it wasn't their fault that Klaus was an asshole.

However she had also kept the card, well she had only kept it so she could confront him with it if he showed his face again at the Academy today. Her keeping the card had nothing to do with the fact that she had felt something. No she did not feel anything for him or even if she were to admit that she felt anything it was just her

residual feelings because let's face it they never had any closure at least she didn't. So if she felt some teeny bit of emotions it was just the remnants of her past feelings and nothing more.

Caroline entered her office and put her bag there. Then she proceeded to the main stage area and supervised the dress rehearsals. She was coaching the last one of her contestants when her eyes landed on his face. He was sitting in the third last row. As soon as his eyes clashed with hers he smiled and waved. Caroline didn't return his smile instead turned around as if she hadn't seen him.

She saw right past him silently rejecting him again and he felt a throbbing anguish slice through him. He knew a bunch of flowers weren't enough to mend broken fences but he had hoped that they would at least soften her up.

After the rehearsals ended and main event started Klaus got up and went to look for her. He found her backstage prepping up a fourteen year old for his solo performance.

"Look at me Carter. You have to show them that you are best hip hop dancer out there."

"You think I'm the best?"

"Of course you're the best hip hop dancer of our Academy and you have to make them see that." "Okay."

He nodded and before going on the stage he hugged her. Feeling very jealous of the fourteen year old he advanced towards her. He called out her name and she turned, the smile she had on her face vanished the moment her eyes landed on him.

"Caroline. I came to wish you luck."

"Thank you." she remarked and turned back around facing the stage letting him know that she did not wish to speak to him anymore.

"Your welcome love." he replied and stood exactly behind her just a few torturous inches apart. He just had to lean a little and his lips would be on her delicious neck. He wanted to touch the soft sweet skin and inhale her scent. Unconsciously he leaned a little closer her scent teasing him, beckoning him urged him to take more.

Caroline felt the heat of his body singe every pore of hers. He mutely stood behind her not touching her but somehow she felt stroked, caressed even. Finding hard to breathe she whispered, "I can't do this here." , she herself clueless to which she meant to say.

Klaus however heard her and understood what she meant. Turning away from his own heart who stood just mere inches away from him he sighed , "I understand." , he left.

Caroline exhaled when she felt him leave and turned around to see his retreating back through wet eyes. She wiped away her tears and turned back hence didn't notice when he halted and turned to glance at her one last time before leaving.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"What do you want?" Katherine cornered Klaus near his car in the parking lot of the Academy.

"I don't believe it's any of your business Katherine." Klaus responded fully comprehending her line of questioning.

"No it is my business because she is more than a friend to me she is my sister."

"That may be accurate but whatever I share with Caroline it's between me and her and that I'll repeat has nothing to do you with you."

She snickered and replied, "I don't see anything between you two anymore."

"And yet you are here, running what I would say an unsuccessful interrogation."

"I am here to tell you that if you hurt her again I'm going to make your life a living hell."

Klaus still had anger management issues however he now had gained better control over his temperament but still his temper ran close to the surface which he found was bristling at the moment. " And how do you plan to achieve that?"

"Well I have my means. It's been almost four years now that I have been dating your brother and people sometimes share things without meaning to gossip you know. She still doesn't know the most gruesome details of your past, things you think will make her hate you even more and never forgive you."

Klaus badly wanted to punch something. "Are you threatening me?"

"You bet I am."

"Well unfortunately I couldn't care less about your threats. You can tell her what you want." then he moved closer to her with a dangerous promise in his eyes, "No one can stop me from having what I want not even Caroline herself."

Katherine was a little shaken by his fierceness and determination and remained silent when he stepped away and drove off.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"So this is your formal invitation card for the main event. Although I'm still a little pissed that you didn't attend last nights event." Caroline handed Elena her invitation card as she sat on a stool in front of the kitchen island in Elena's and Damon's house.

"Thanks." Elena responded.

"Honestly I am a little relieved she didn't show up with her band wagon of three little hooligans and her dart of a husband." Katherine remarked snatching a carrot from Elena's hand who was chopping off vegetables.

When Elena glared at Katherine she added, "I love you but it's your husband. I'm afraid I can never tolerate his moronic presence and your kids, he is turning them into mini demon creatures who inhabit the dregs of Hell."

"It wasn't my husband who got them hopped up on sugar the last time you babysat them."

"Hey you all but ordered in that manly tone you get in your voice when you are angry that I had to get them to eat their vegetables."

"Yeah I said vegetables not candies." Elena replied with exasperation expertly chopping another carrot.

"You said vegetables but you didn't say I couldnt give them candy. With kids you have to improvise you know. So to get them to eat their greens I said for every morsel I'll give them a candy and they ate all of it. There wasn't a single bite left."

"Ughh. It's pointless to argue with you Katherine Mary Petrova."

"Amen." Caroline muttered from her position.

"You're getting that manly voice again." Kat added, "And I listen to reason."

Both Elena and Caroline snickered.

"There is nothing manly in my beautiful sexy wife." Damon remarked and came over to kiss his wife. He deepened the kiss and cupped her buttocks over the denim and Caroline and Katherine both started making gagging noises.

"Seriously pudding-head Eww. That's my sister."

"Seriously gorgonzola. She's my wife."

"Ah Damon I think you meant gorgon. Gorgonzola is a kind of a cheese." Caroline interrupted twitching her nose.

"Wait. It's not those Greek she devils?" he asked taking Elena in his arms and nuzzling her neck from behind.

"Nope. Those are gorgons." Caroline added.

"See he is a pudding-head. Don't you regret marrying him Elena? You have to have some remorse over making such a huge mistake." Katherine added sitting in a chair.

"Whatever everyone got what I meant." Damon kissed his wife's neck.

"Nope no regrets. Just because my gorgeous husband can't tell a difference between a she demon and a cheese doesn't make it a deal breaker." Elena replied and kissed him again.

"Sorry Gorgon-rova you got burned, marriage rules I guess."

"You did not just say he is gorgeous. Have you looked at his ugly mug?" Kat asked.

"Kat!" Elena warned.

"What? I asked a legit question. Caroline agrees with me don't you Care."

"Sorry I fear the wrath of Elena so I'll stay out of this."

"Coward." Kat added.

"Elena. Where are the kids?" Damon asked.

"The kids are at Sampson's for their son Kyle's birthday party. Which reminds its time you should go pick them up."

"Sure babe." Damon replied and with one last satisfying kiss left.

Caroline saw Damon nod at Elena before leaving which was an unsaid signal between the husband wife whenever they wanted either of Caroline and Katherine to babysit and immediately said, "I call Miranda."

"What? Shit I missed the nod. No Elena I'm so not babysitting Guiseppe the hellion and that pistol Lily. Care it's not fair."

"It totally is. Last time I baby sat the two of them. This time I get Miranda. Plus I called dibs on her first." Caroline replied talking about Elena's son and her twin daughter's Miranda and Lily.

"Fuck. It's not fair. Elena you need to produce another kid so it becomes an even division among us."

"Sure why don't I get on with it first and do the cooking later. Anything else you might like to order Kat? But on a serious note the kids are going to be back any moment you can't use that kind of language in front of them. I still haven't forgiven you for last time."

"What did she do now? What did I miss?" Caroline asked.

"Oh please Elena you are just being a prude."

"No I'm being a responsible mom who doesn't want her sister telling her kids that their fathers balls are shrivelled and microscopic. Do you know Guiseppe used that sentence in his essay his teacher asked him to write on his father?"

"No! You didn't tell me that earlier. This is super epic. Now everyone knows the true state of Damon's balls." Kat replied laughing so hard.

Caroline laughed too.

"Both of you this is not funny. And I'll have you know that his balls are perfect." Elena said pointing at them with a knife and dumped the carrots in boiling water.

"Says the woman who thinks that he is gorgeous"

"But Kat they are kids you shouldn't have said that in front of them it's inappropriate." Caroline admonished still laughing.

"But I didn't. Giuseppe overheard me talking to her on the phone the other day."

"Whatever I'm still angry at you." Elena replied adding condiments and stirring the pot.

Kat moved over and hugged her elder sister and said, "I said sorry earlier and I'll apologize again."

Elena melted and with a sigh added, " Fine. But you know we got called to the principal's office and soon Miranda and Lily will start preschool so you'll have to be extra careful."

"I promise. What are you cooking?"

"Vegetable soup."

"Meh."

"No meh. I have been slaving in front of the stove you don't get to say meh."

"Okay mom." Katherine teased.

"So when do you need us to babysit the kids and where is Damon taking you for your anniversary?" Caroline asked.

"This weekend. He says it's a surprise we will be only gone for a day and a half."

"Good. I hope you guys have fun." Caroline added.

"Gosh I still can't believe it's been eight years that you've been married to him." Katherine said a little enviously but she only wanted happiness and joy for her sister.

"I was twenty when I married him and you came to live with us. I'm still in love with him even more everyday. I don't think there will ever be time when i won't be." Elena confessed.

Caroline felt a pinch of envy in her heart but she didn't resent Elena infact wanted the best for her cousin.

Katherine's phone rang and she went outside the kitchen to answer it.

"So you okay?" Elena asked Caroline.

"Ah yeah. Why?"

"Kat told me Klaus is here. Knowing your history with him I just wanted to make sure if you were okay?"

"I am."

"Sure?"

"Elena Im fine. Trust me."

"Okay. But you know you can talk to me."

"Of course." Caroline's phone beeped and she replied to the text she received then commented, "Bonnie is gonna be here in an hour."

"Bonnie your friend from the Academy?" Elena asked and the same time Katherine entered the kitchen.

"Yep she was the third muskateer. Bonnie here already?" she asked catching onto the thread of the conversation.

"No. She is gonna be here in an hour.I'm so excited to meet our niece Abby." Caroline replied.

"It really was a huge surprise for me when Bonnie and Kol eloped. I figured she wanted a big traditional wedding." Katherine added.

"Hmm. And we finally get meet their toddler. How old do you suppose Abby is?

"She is five months old and such a cute little cupcake already."Katherine replied.

"I know. And I kind of invited Rebekah."

"Here?"Katherine asked and Elena added, "Isn't Rebekah Klaus's sister?"

"Yeah she since Klaus is already here so I invited her too. After my break up with Klaus me and Bekah had this understanding that she would never ask me where I was but now it's kind of a moot point."

"I guess the whole Mikealson clan's gonna here then. Elijah's a bit busy but he's gonna come this weekend."

"Why do I get the feeling that you are not happy about him coming here?" Elena asked seeing the expression on her sister's face.

"No it's not that. It's just he proposed the last time I went on our annual slash biannual vacation."

"But that's nothing new Kat. He proposes everytime you go on a vacation trip with him and you being the cruel bitchy tease you are, dismiss his feelings."

"It's not that I did any of it just to get back at him. I just wasn't sure and it wouldn't be fair to him if I said yes when I was unsure. Marriage is a huge commitment and I love him that's why I was honest to him about not being sure."

At seeing twin expressions of uncertainty on Elena and Caroline's face she added, " You guys don't get it. We meet every once or twice a year in some exotic city in a perfectly beautiful scenario where there are no issues of real life. That shouldn't be basis of this kind of commitment. And the first time I said no it really pained me to see him hurt. But apparently he has got this ridiculous thing in his ironhead that if he keeps on asking I'll say yes sooner or later."

"Then tell him the real reason. Talk to him that you want to be with him in an imperfect non ideal and ordinary world to see if you guys are perfect together before you say yes." Elena suggested.

"It's the mature approach Kat rather than continue rejecting him and seem heartless." Caroline added.

"I've tried but I chicken out. I don't want to lose what we already have and what we have is just so ….. right and felicitous. He once used the word felicitous in context to our relationship and I loved it."

"But if you don't talk to him you will lose him." Elena said taking the pot off of the stove.

"What if I lose him if I talk to him?"

"The guy wants marriage I guess he knows what he is talking about. Plus I think Elena is right you might lose him if you continue to avoid the issue." Caroline got up and started helping Elena set up the table for dinner.

"Fine I will talk to him."

"Good ,stop fretting now and come have this vegetable soup I know you love ." Elena teased and Katherine made a face at her.

"Since we're on the topic remind me the rest of story of what happened in Venice?" Caroline asked trying to dig out the one trip Kat never told her about.

"Nice try buster. I didn't tell you four years back I'm not about to tell it to you now. It'll be a secret I'll take to my grave." Kat joshed and with a haughty twist of her eyebrows went to sit at the dinner table when the bell rang followed by sounds of three very naughty kids rushing in to greet their favorite aunts.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Bonnie entered the hotel room with her six month sleeping daughter in her arms with Kol behind her with their luggage in his.

She carefully lay her daughter on the bed and arranged the pillows around her so she would not fall off the bed.

Kol careful not to make a noise that might wake his little angel set the bags on one side of the room and leaned over to kiss his daughter's pretty chubby cheeks.

Abby had gotten the best traits from both her parents. Her caramel skin an alluring blend of her parents complexion, her curly black hair from her mother's side and her big doe leafy green eyes and a little pointed nose from her father's.

He glanced at his wife who had started taking out their night clothes from their bags.

In a slight whisper he said, "Bon." when she turned to look at him he wished he could close the distance that had slowly crept between their relationship since Abby was born.

He loved his wife and his daughter more than anything in the universe and would happily lay his life for either of them but he didn't know how he could love one without hurting the other.

The doctors had said it was post-partum depression, which meant that her wife was suffering from a kind of clinical depression that could affect either of the parents after the childbirth.

The first few months had been the worst with Abby still a tiny babe and Bonnie withdrawn with occasional outbursts of crying and anxiety. But his wife was a strong woman she had known that she needed to get better for herself and her baby. The treatment was making her better, in fact had made her considerably much better seeing that she took care of Abby much more efficiently as opposed to the second month when she hadn't been in a state of caring for the precious miracle they had made together and had constantly beat herself up for that.

Things had vastly improved where Abby was concerned however them, he and Bonnie, not so much. She still kept him at arm's length, did not share her predicament with him which made him feel stonewalled and impotent and whenever he spent a little time with Abby she would close up. He didn't know if this was a part of her disease or if she just blamed him for her quandary. The doctor had said it was a bit unusual but since she had started caring for Abby she would eventually get better and he like a desperate man was hopelessly clinging to this hope.

She was his world. If she hadn't been in his life there wouldn't have been Abby, so he couldn't even envision either of them not being in his life.

He cautiously moved closer knowing that it wouldn't close the wide gap between them , he said , "Um you can take this bed with Abby. I'll sleep in the next room."

She just nodded. Swallowing past his emotions he sighed, "If Abby wakes up and you feel tired you can wake me up."

"I can take of her Kol. Don't worry I'm not going to hurt her."

"That's not what I meant. Of course I know you wouldn't hurt her. I meant you must be tired from the flight."

"Yeah and you think since I'm sick and fragile I can't take of it myself."

She did that whenever he even so much as tried to care of her she immediately went on the offense and that made him loathe himself even more thinking that somehow he fueled her doubts and insecurities which he would die before consciously doing so. Hence he backed away with a stone on his heart he turned away from the sunshine of his life.

"I know you can perfectly take care of yourself and of Abby. I'm going to go sleep. Good night." he said and turned to the connecting door of their suite without another word he picked up his clothes and left.

Bonnie saw him leave and tears threatened her brown eyes. Letting them fall she quietly changed into her night clothes. Lying on the bed beside her adorable baby she brushed of two stubborn little black curls of her forehead and kissed her.

She sometimes felt embittered for treating Kol like that. He had all but coerced her into coming here for Caroline and Katherine's Academy's Opening in the hopes that she might become okay again if she spent some time with her friends.

What he did not comprehend that he couldn't fix her. Sometimes she herself didn't feel anything. She hated him for not giving up on her and then abhorred herself for hating him. She was a mess she didn't know if she wanted him to give up on her but his constant unconditional love and his perseverance ate at her. They hadn't slept together in months but he never complained patiently waited for her and that made her even more guilty. She wanted to become that person again the young impressionable ballerina he fell for and married but she felt as if that girl had got lost somewhere.

Unable to sleep she got up and entered his room. Every night like a compulsion she would go to him after he fell asleep and kiss his forehead making sure he was still there with her. Some very strong stubborn part of her urged her to do so and maybe it was that same part in him that halted her from abandoning her.

Brushing a chaste kiss on his forehead she left with one backward glance at him.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"So another bouquet of flowers. I counted them they are almost four dozen this time."

Katherine remarked as she brought a lovely arrangement of red and pink camellia flowers, with a card tucked in the bouquet , in the living room as they were ready to leave for the main event.

This time Caroline took out the card but didn't read it outloud.

"They say flowers have a language of their own and have for years been employed to say what words sometimes fail to convey. Each flower has its unique meaning, its own exquisite translation and these translate the state of my heart. But translations aside I hope they brighten your day. With Love, Klaus."

Caroline swallowed the sudden choke hold of emotions. She did not know what these damned pink and red Camellia flowers meant but she knew she was feeling warmth in the pit of her stomach and his symbolic flowery writing was chipping into the ice wall she had created around the part of heart where he had once had a very special place.

Steeling herself and refusing to let that ice break away anymore she picked up the bouquet and went to throw them in the trash can in the living room when she realized she couldn't and turning away to look at a very quite Katherine she sighed, "If you want you can put them in your room."

"What did the card say?" Katherine asked witnessing the despair on her friends face.

"Nothing the way Bonnie called she is going to be there tonight." Caroline said trying to avert the topic at hand.

"Great." Katherine said as she grabbed her bag and followed Caroline to the garage where her car was parked.

She got into the driver's seat and Caroline sat in the passenger seat.

"But you know she kind of sounded different on the phone."

"Different how?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe she is different. Maybe marriage changes people." Kat reversed the car and before driving off shut down the garage door.

"Don't try to project your apprehensions onto her."

"If I don't get to do that, then you don't get to avoid this Klaus situation."

"There is no Klaus situation."

"There is. You're just doing that head and sand thing."

"I am not burying my head in the sand. In fact Ive decided to confront him."

"Thats gotta be fun. Can I come watch?" Katherine piped.

"No you may not. And focus on the road ahead i don't wanna die before our Event tonight."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;

The Opening Event was a success. A total of ten solo teenage dancers and five groups ranging from ballet ,jazz,hip hop had showcased their talents with utmost of their capabilities combined with Katherine and Caroline's expertise.

Many of the celebrated choreographers personally came to congratulate them and the media was also singing praises of the successful launch of the Flourish Academy co owned by two renowned virtuoso's of the dance world.

Caroline was dressed in a light pink strapless gown with a plain bodice and was fit at the hip and swirled at her knees flowing all the way down to her ankles Her hair was loose styled in messy curls and ran past her shoulders. She looked ethereal , a wood nymph. Her smile radiant and her eyes lit with joy. Klaus tethered his lust as he saw her laugh at something one of the journalists said.

He saw her excuse herself and go greet her friend and his sister-in-law Bonnie. His brother had called last night to let him know he was in Mystic Falls, seeing him enter alongside his wife and their cute little daughter Klaus moved from his position beside the stall where they were serving the drinks and went over to greet them.

"Bonnie I am so excited that you are here." Caroline said and hugged Bonnie.

Bonnie responded with a tight smile and she saw Caroline immediately begin to play with Abby playfully tugging her cheeks as her little angel made cute excited baby noises laughing as she was settled in her father's arms.

"Its great to see you too Kol. I hope you guys enjoyed the Event."

"Its was spectacular." Kol responded combing Abby's hair in an adorable fatherly gesture.

"Bon. Come we'll go find Kat."

"I think I need something to drink first. I'll meet her in a bit."

Caroline felt a little odd but let it pass thinking perhaps she was thirsty.

"Sure. There's the bar. I know we have teenagers here too so we are very strictly regulating this after party of sorts." Caroline replied pointing towards the bar.

She saw Bonnie leave and was about to talk to Kol all the while playing with Abby when they were joined by Klaus.

"Hello brother. And how is my princess doing?" Klaus asked talking in an unexpectedly sweet baby voice. As if Abby instantly recognised him she started leaning towards him babbling something in her pretty voice like asking him to pick her up. Kol expertly shifted his daughter in Klaus's arms and Caroline was pleasantly surprised how well Klaus handled her. There was something really attractive about a handsome virile guy with a delicate baby in his arms.

She shoved the thoughts of finding Klaus attractive to the far deep end of her mind and excused herself.

"Still icing you out?" Kol asked.

"Yeah it's more like a blizzard from Arctic."

"Since when do you get discouraged by a little frostbite?"

"I don't. I've got my flamethrower ready."

"Blow 'em away." Kol responded adjusting Abby's frock.

Klaus smiled pressing a sweet kiss on her head when she started poking little chubby fingers in his dimples.

"She's still crazy about your dimples." Bonnie said after walking over and plucking her daughter from his arms.

"Most girls are but only my princess is allowed to touch them."

Bonnie smiled. Initially she had a little reservations about Klaus being around Abby but surprisingly he was very good with her and Abby seemed to have taken to her uncle in a matter of weeks after she was born.

"Bonnie you look good." Klaus remarked.

"For a psycho case?" she responded but with a smile.

"No for a new mother of a beautiful baby." Klaus answered easily however he noticed how Kol had abruptly gone tense. Klaus had guessed they were having some issues but every time he had tried talking to Kol he always shut him down.

She laughed at his response and asked , "How do you suppose new mothers look like? Are we supposed to grow horns?"

"No. I meant it must be difficult with all the sleepless nights and that diaper changing stuff. Abby's still a toddler. I sincerely say hats off to moms all around the world."

"Since when did you become such a sap?" she asked and rocked Abby as she got a little impatient.

"I don't know. I guess you tend to appreciate every little priceless thing when you lose something invaluable." Klaus remarked thinking about a certain blonde nymph in pink.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Klaus watched her smile at yet another stranger and felt jealousy twist his insides, it was like she had a charming smile for everyone except him. Throughout the night he had observed her laugh and smile at other peoples joke's and he couldn't help but wish it was him who made her laugh and smile like that. His eyes were glued to her lovely form and followed her wherever she went. He couldn't look away he drank in her appearance. Leaning against a pillar he saw she was the soul of the party beautiful and engaging with that damned easy smile that simmered his passion and love.

He found he didn't quite relish to stay at the sidelines where she was concerned especially when one of the choreographers was being much too handsy for Klaus's taste. That ugly son of a bitch kept touching her, her satin shoulders, her arm and now he was extending his hand. He probably was asking her to dance taking advantage of the fact that some of the couples had begun dancing. Advancing upon them in a few seconds Klaus intercepted that choreographers unwanted advances and proceeded with his own, well he knew and didn't want to believe his advances were unwelcomed by Caroline because twice now he had seen the very known flicker of desire in her eyes whether she cared to admit or not as compared to asshole choreographer whom she was politely trying to turn down.

"I believe Miss Forbes and I have a few things to discuss Mr..?"

"Wesley Maxfield." the guy replied in an overly courteous voice with an unnecessary smile he was still directing at Caroline and made Klaus want to break his teeth.

"Mr Wesley." Klaus finished to which the guy with horse's teeth said ," Very well then I'll collect my dance later Miss Forbes." and again with that smile that was practically an ad for a toothpaste commercial he left.

Caroline mumbled a thank you, it was the right thing to do after he had rescued him from Wesley.

However being obstinate refused to turn and look at him not that he was in any way not looking dashing it was because he was really really looking magnificent in his perfect tux with a white shirt he looked deliciously edible and now that she had witnessed him with baby Abby her heart couldn't stop doing somersaults which she hated herself for. When had she become so weak? Maybe she had always been so anent him but she would never confess it to him. Whatever they were it was the stuff of past and she planned to keep it that way but cognizant to the fact that to continue avoiding him was rude she turned and aimed a smile at him and asked, "So are you enjoying the party Mr Mikealson?"

There was that fake smile again that grated on his nerves like sandpaper.

"Yes. I find it rather exhilarating."

Again that mockery of a smile which he was beginning to believe was now reserved especially for him. He was about to voice his reservation when a few media goons interrupted them.

"Mr Mikealson Miss Forbes we that you are here. Does that mean that we will get to witness one of those phenomenal performances by the ever famous "Klaroline"?"

"Yeah is this hint that we might see Klaroline in future and a little fanciful wishing on my part maybe tonight too?"

"Is there going to be an epic Klaroline performance again soon?"

"Guys I believe I can only answer one of you at a time." Caroline interrupted with a smile when they started getting bombarded with questions from all around.

They quieted down and began asking their questions all one by one.

"So please say there is a bright future for you two."

Caroline was still contemplating when both of them were joined by Katherine, she was wearing a golden ankle length shimmery gown with half of her hair pinned up and the rest loose hanging down her back and was looking stunning.

"Guys I think it's a little premature to say anything but you never know the night's still young and we may have a surprise or a two left for you. Now can I borrow my partner for a bit? Thanks we really appreciate your support." she neatly answered their question all the while hinting that there might be "Klaroline" performance.

"What was that?" Caroline asked as Kat ushered her to a side away from the earshot of the media and Klaus.

" You wont believe but there is like this whole following of you both in the dance world who call themselves Klaroliners. They are like your fans. You guys were a sensation back at MBDA and an instant hit with AADC so teenagers began to idolize you. There is a whole fan page at MBDA and AADC teenage online magazine about you and Klaus. So when the media saw you and Klaus here together yesterday they started teasing that there might be a reunion of sorts between you two."

"Kat what the hell are you saying?"

"I'm not making this up. Klaroline is really a thing . You should really have a look at some of the stuff kids post online."

"I knew we had a mashup name and that photo of the Selection event you showed years ago but…."

"But you guys are still a huge success. I kind of screamed when I found out about me and Elijah too, were Kalijah by the way however Klaroline is much more popular and has a much more devoted fanbase because they say Caroline is such a cute little cupcake who made the big bad alpha wolf turn into an adorable little puppy." Katherine remarked with a cute pout.

"Really?" Caroline asked feeling overwhelmed.

"Yep."

"And now the media wants to use that so more people buy their magazines. Which gave me an idea of my own but only if you are comfortable with it."

"Let me guess you want me to dance with him?"

"Is it too much to ask?" Katherine said baring her teeth like a kid.

"I don't know Kat."

"Trust me I know how difficult it is for you. But it'll get some of the stingy rich to loosen their pockets and actually use their money for something good for once. I mean we'll get more donations for our foundation and it'll be good press for our kids."

Caroline blew out a breath. Katherine was right but dancing with him again after all these years would mean that she'll be in his arms again and she didn't know if she could brave it.

"Hey Elena and Damon are here. Come let's go greet them and worry about this later." Caroline said.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Wow. So it's like one of those tv couples people ship?" Elena asked.

"Yep. And I'm part of Kalijah." Katherine said exuberantly threading her arms through her sisters.

"This girl talk is making me a little nauseous." Damon remarked.

"You're just jealous."

"Of what? Kalijah sounds like a hungarian word for rat infestation."

Katherine let out a very dramatic gasp and said, "And Damon is actually a kind of an ancient sloth whose head is up his ass." Kat remarked and Caroline smothered her laugh.

"Not here guys." Elena chided.

"You're right. Im here to have fun with the love of my life and not engage in Katherine's juvenile tantrums. So I'm going to ask my love to dance with me. Please my lady would do me the honors?" Damon asked extending his hand.

"Of course my lord."

Elena took his hand and he led her to the dance floor and as if on cue a romantic number began playing.

"They are perfect." Caroline muttered.

"Nauseatingly so." Kat added , " What's surprising is even after eight years of marriage they still go at each other like a couple of rabbits. You won't believe the stories she's told me about the weird places they've made love with each other."

Caroline chuckled , "Everlasting passion stems from true love."

"I know." Kat replied and tucked her arm in Caroline's.

"So Caroline the party is in the wee bit of its hours. I believe we were teased about a Klaroline dance." Lexi Branson the editor for entertainment weekly Virginia asked approaching the two friends who were watching couples dancing on the dance floor.

"Yes and you are going get it as soon as you excuse Caroline. Lexi is it? Klaus Mikealson."

Klaus chimed coming to stand beside them.

"Mr Mikealson. It is an honor. And please by all means, we all would love to see you two perform together."

Then Klaus extended his hand for Caroline to take and she looked at Katherine who squeezed her arm mutely letting her know she could do it.

She gingerly put her hand in his and realized it was a huge mistake because as soon as his palm came in contact with hers it shot delicious yet unwanted tingles through her. She could gauge he was aware of his reaction in fact their reaction to each other's touch.

He glided her on stage and instead of putting her arms around her he swiftly twirled her in his arms. Caroline felt encased in the solid wall of his arms and felt the intensity of those piercing blue eyes sear through her.

Then he put one hand dangerously low on her back and with the other held hers. He couldn't look away did not want to look away. Having her in his arms was torment he cherished. Her eyes captivating him, enslaving him. The song was a slow sensuous melody complementing the sensual temptress in his arms. The world around them fading their eyes locked on each other they began to sway with the melody. He twirled her away and then again in his arms. She collided with his chest her soft breasts fitting the planes of his upper body sent his lust into hyperdrive. Then he pulled her closer and felt her breath caress his cheek he wanted groan, taste that breath with his own. She was drugging his senses soft and pliant in his arms.

Caroline felt a cascade of treacherous emotions race through her. Desire a hot ball in her gut trailing tendrils of liquid fire between her thighs. She clamped her response and whispered, "Please stop."

It killed him to let her go, his need for her becoming a sharp ache through certain questionable parts of his body.

She let go of him and with an aching expression on her face left.

Klaus sucked in a deep breath and followed her oblivious to the applause that began when they halted.

Katherine wanted to go after her friend but Elena stopped her.

"Let her go. It's time she deal with it."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

She was standing in an open corridor that faced the garden at the rear end of the building.

She heard his footsteps and turned. "Please I don't want to do this here. Thank you for what you did.", then she started to walk past him when he blocked her path and sighed, "It was all for you Caroline. I truly want you to be successful and prosper. I couldn't even imagine to ruin this for you."

"So you were eavesdropping the other day?" Finding an excuse to get cheesed off at him to curb her desire for him.

"Yes you can say that. But I want to clarify that I'm not here sabotage this for you love. That's not who I am where you're concerned. I am here…"

"I don't care why you are here. I had thought that I'd ask you but frankly it's not even worth the calories I burn talking you." her voice gaining an octave because it was becoming really tough for her to condition the feelings that were threatening to overflow.

Klaus's torment amplified with each word but patiently he responded , "It maybe not worth it to you but it's priceless for me. You are priceless for me…"

"Shut up just shut up you have no right to say these things certainly have no right to justify yourself. Infact you have no rights where I am anymore." she tried to walk away again but he grasped her elbow to prevent her from leaving.

"Let go of my arm."she bit out.

"Not until you let me explain." Klaus pulled her in his arms and rested his forehead against hers for a slight second when she harshly twisted away and but his hand still held her elbow.

"Klaus let me go."

"Please.."

"Well it's certainly not the first time that man tried to force himself on me." she yelled.

The moment she said it he visibly blanched and let her go as if he had burned her.

She swallowed inaudibly and seeing pure anguish on his face she turned away choking back tears.

"I ...I'm sorry." he mumbled and walked away.

She heard him walk away and rubbed her hand over her mouth. Her heart thudding at the unexpected hurt she felt. She turned to look at him unaware what she wanted to say but he was already gone.

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She entered the party area after a few minutes after calming herself down. She surveyed the entire hall but he was nowhere to be seen. She was looking for him with the intention to apologize. Though he had grievously hurt her but he had never forced her physically in fact he had always been tender and generous. She felt lousy for insinuating otherwise. She knew why she had accused of such a heinous offense it was because she still felt intense passion for him. And passion was accompanied with tenderness that had started blossoming since the day he had started sending flowers, flowers he had said each had its unique definition and against her better reasoning she had searched for their meaning. Yellow Tulips that said he saw sunshine in her smile and bells of ireland a flower for forgiveness. The red and pink camellia flowers saying that he still longed for her and was a light in his heart. Her emotions and feelings had rushed back inside her when she had first seen him standing in front of her but learning the meaning beneath those flowers she felt that rush of feelings wasn't subsiding infact it was growing. A few days in his company and she felt deluged under the swamp of her emotions for him. It was perhaps an indication of her weakness but she wasn't going to succumb to it. Infact she will fight it because she didn't trust him or his motives. However it didn't give her the reprieve to call him a saboteur and a debaucher because he was none of those things. She knew it was her own irascibility towards her emotions that led her to accuse him of both offences thinking it might help her rid of them. But it didn't and she understood it was irrational to blame him for misdeeds other than those he didn't commit.

She went over to drink something her throat felt parched when Rebekah called her name. "Caroline!"

"Rebekah I am so glad you came." she hugged her cautious of the baby bump she was sporting under her white flowing frock. Her hair styled in loose braid on one side.

"Well I see congratulations are in order. You didn't tell me the last time we talked."

"The last time we talked I was three months pregnant and I myself was unaware of the peanut size baby growing inside me. And up until now I didn't know where to reach you."

Soon Enzo joined them and he slipped his arms around his waist.

"Hello Caroline. Congratulations." he said.

"Congratulations to you too."

"Thank you." then he tucked a loose curl of his wife's hair behind her ear and said, "You need to sit down gorgeous."

"Enzo stop fussing I'm fine." she replied placing one hand over her abdomen.

"Caroline I'm afraid we can't stay long we will be leaving in a bit this one right here with another one inside her needs rest."

"Enzo."

"What she came here straight from the airport stopping at the hotel only to dress."

"Rebekah you should have rested in this condition it's not healthy to overexert."

"Fine gang up on me why don't you."

"I'm so glad you came but your and your baby's health comes first."

"Ughh okay i'll leave."

"I'll start the car." Enzo remarked immediately ready to get his wife out of there so she could rest and sauntered away.

"It's not his fault we were trying to have a baby for three years until five months ago I found out i was three months pregnant."

"I think he would still have fussed even if you guys hadn't been trying for three years because he loves you more than anything."

Rebekah smiled, she looked gorgeous with that pregnancy glow thing going on for her.

"I guess you're right. Now Id better leave before he comes inside and personally cart me off."

"Thanks for coming." Caroline hugged her , "Anytime" Rebekah replied as she returned the hug.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Klaus was now nursing a temper,rage a burning lava running beneath his skin. He wanted to pummel something. Last night her accusations had left him feeling wretched ,enraged and splenetic. Her words were like acid on his already tormented heart. She had compared him to rabid sewer dweller of a man who had forced himself on her. Hurt and fury an vicious blend coursing through his veins.

A knock on his door had him yanking the door open but astonishment couldn't make any room between anger and anguish. Caroline was standing on the other end of the door.

With a cautious expression she asked, " Hi can I come in?"

He didn't trust himself to say something which wasn't brash so he moved aside for her to come in.

"I came to apologize. Last night that was totally uncalled for. No matter what our history I shouldn't have said that."

"Are you done, love?" a menacing whisper raised goosebumps over her skin.

She fumbled, "Ah..yea...yes."

"You're forgiven."

Still feeling distraught and disappointed she just nodded and turned to leave when he blocked her path again in an imitation of last night.

"You're done but I'm not. You don't get to leave until I've made myself clear."

"Klaus I don't want to repeat myself. I don't care what you have to say I just came to apologize for the ugly words and nothing else."

"Thats unfortunate because you'll have to stay until I say my piece." he moved closer and she stepped back. He kept stalking her until her back hit the wall beside the bed in his suite.

"You have no right to …"

"By all means please add into the list of rights I don't have that you dictated yesterday." he all but hollered.

Her tone and volume matched his when she said,"I will because this is my life and this time around it will be my choice. And choose to not listen to your lies and false justifications."

"I'm not taking your choices away. You are just afraid." He moved another step closer and was almost flush against her.

He was perilously close to losing sense. He now stood within her breathing space too close for her comfort.

She was hyperventilating because of anger ,just anger and nothing else ….nothing that made her want to yank his angry mouth down and bite on it.

Her breasts a temptation for him he wanted to rip away that T-shirt she was wearing and feast on her soft flesh. Ire and lust a lethal combination making them both edgy.

"I'm not afraid of the likes of you. The only thing I feel for you is undiluted hate. I hate you so much right now." she ranted.

"Well I'm not feeling very gracious at the moment love."

"Good. Cuz I dont care."

"Fantastic."

Their chests heaving with anger their hands shaking with unfulfilled passion. They didn't know who lunged at whom but one minute they were angrily spouting off words and the next they were tearing off each others clothes. Klaus's mouth descended on hers like a fever and his hand crushed her breasts. He swallowed her moan and shredded off her shirt uncovering the satin below.

She fisted her hands in his hair and mumbled , "Oh...god."when he took off her pants and hooked her up around his waist.

His shirt gone she ran her hands over his chiseled chest and he groaned again. She bit his lower lip and he felt fire crackle through his veins.

He kept kissing her her pouty mouth her slender neck and her delicate shoulders. Sometime later she found herself on the bed with him looming over her. He cupped her core and fingered her clit making her undulate beneath him. She grazed her nails over his back and whimpered, "I hate….you …."

Shoving off her bra, sensuous red number over with one hand while his other hand was rubbing her clit he breathed , "Keep ...hating..me ..for awhile."

Lust now more potent than ever he suckled on her nipple and she arched again. Wanting to feel the friction of skin against skin he got rid of his jeans and gripping her thighs rammed inside her in one swift move. Her velvety muscles clenched around him and kissed her tenderly this time. Letting his tongue kiss the sweetness of her mouth he got drunk on her taste. Pistoning inside her with an unparalleled fervor he kept lavishing her mouth her breasts taking and giving in equal measures. Her body was his kryptonite her touch an aphrodisiac. Five years he had waited for this to have and to hold her, to taste and take.

Caroline bucked under his hands their rough texture and their tender touch sending her over the edge. Her hands bit into his back and her legs cuffed around his buttocks taking him deeper in her wet heat. Combusting from the inferno he blazed inside her she went wild.

He kept moving inside her and she matched his pace. In one move he pulled her into a sitting position with her on her lap the sudden shift in position had her snaking her arms around his neck for balance.

He then took her mouth in a deep sensual kiss, she slid her tongue over his and made him go insane. Then letting his desire run unchecked he took one pebbled peak into his mouth. She screamed his name and it was music to his ears. He let her ride him cupping her buttocks and squeezing that soft flesh.

Her lashes fluttered down. He was doing magical things to her thirsty body. A whirlpool of passion swirled her senses and she let him take her to the peak of ecstasy.

His love and need for her a giant flame inside him. She fisted her hands on the sheet her back arching he knew they were both close to the pinnacle of desire.

He combed one hand with his on the sheet and with the other he cupped her face and groaned, "Love ...open ..your .eyes."

In a heady haze of pleasure she obeyed and saw his eyes saturated with need he had for her. The arm that was cupping her face branded around her waist crushing her breasts against the stone wall of his chest intensifying their hunger. He kissed her with her eyes open and they rode each other till they crashed in each other like two violent waves of the ocean.

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