Written for @cruelbabydoll for the Klaroline Vacay Giftexchange 2017) (Thank you for letting me write this for you dear)

Prompt: AU/AH Caroline works at the police station with her mom during summer break from college and Kol Mikaelson is always getting himself into trouble. Caroline calls Klaus to pick up his rowdy sibling at the station and they start a summer flirt.  .

Warning SMUT!!!

“Come on Henrik! I expect this behaviour from Kol but you know so much better than this.” Caroline sighed handing him a glass of water.

“I’m sorry Caroline.” The boy said staring at his feet, he really did feel bad about all this trouble he had caused her.

“You’re from the richest family in town…why on earth would you steal something as trivial as a Milky Way bar?” Caroline asked again gently, feeling really sorry for the boy.

“Kol dared me.” Henrik admitted with a grumble, hating to give his brother up but not wanting Caroline to be more disappointed in him than she already was.

Caroline sighed running her hand through her hair. Never was there a trouble, and frankly, more annoying one than the one named Kol Mikaelson. “Well, I persuaded the store not to press charges,” She watched his eyes light up before his face fell at her next words, “but I called your older brother...he’s coming to pick you up...you stay here.” Feeling sorry for him she added over her shoulder, “And eat the damn Milky Way cause I paid for it now.”

“Thanks Caroline!” Henrik smiled grabbing the bar from her desk, munching on it happily.

Next stop, Kol Mikaelson.

Caroline had put him in a cell because frankly he was getting on her last nerves. He seemed to always stir up trouble no matter where he went. This summer alone he had been caught drinking 9 times, graffiti 3 times and this was at least the 5th theft charge. The only reason that boy wasn’t in Juvie was because his father paid a great deal to keep him away from there. Caroline, along with the actually police force, would have loved to see him sent there for at least a month or two.

Little Henrik was a different story though. He had just turned 12 this summer, being the youngest of the Mikaelsons, he still held his innocence. When she left for College two years ago, he had been such a sweet little boy and, in a way he still was, but he had no positive influences left in his life anymore. His parents were always somewhere on business and aside from Kol now, all his older brothers were off to college or working around the world for the Mikaelson family business. And this summer they seemed to be getting into a lot of trouble. She felt bad for the little boy because she knew he meant well. He just wanted to be like his bigger brother.

Caroline made her way through the halls, ever since she started college she would come back home to Mystic Falls for the summer and work with her mom at the station. A lot of the other officers would go on holidays with their families, so her mom could use the help. And she could use the money for a new back to school wardrobe.

“Alright Kol, I have a question for you.” Caroline said leaning against the bar of his cell, her eye glaring at him from beneath her frowning brow.

“Anything for you Caroline...all you have to do is ask, and I mean really, just ask.” Kol winked at her suggestively.

“Yeah unless you want me to keep you overnight for sexual harassment you might want to rephrase that.” Caroline warned him.

“Caroline, Caroline. We’ve been through this game before.” He waved his hand nonchalantly,  “They lock me in here for a few hours, and then Elijah or Finn comes to pick me up. Then I’ll see you again here tomorrow same time, same place.” Kol laughed making Caroline scowl, he had obviously been drinking again.

“Yes well, keep pulling your little brother into your mess and I will make sure you’re not getting out for a while. Besides, neither Elijah nor Finn were home...Klaus is picking you up today.” Caroline explained opening the door to leave the holding area, “For the love of god, stay out of trouble Kol.” She sighed deeply.

Caroline had been taken aback a little when Klaus had picked up the home line. She hadn’t expected him to be home. Ever since Klaus Mikaelson left for art college 4 years ago he hadn’t been home once for the holidays. Caroline suspected he didn’t get along well with his father and that was what kept him away. She always tried to call one of the siblings to pick up the younger ones when they got in trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Mikaelson were never really home and from the one domestic violence charge in the computer history, she suspected Mr. Mikaelson had a temper problem.

When she was a freshmen in highschool Klaus Mikaelson had been a senior. He had been very different from the other Mikaelson siblings, almost polar opposites. All the ones before him had been great athletes or senior class president. Even his bitchy little sister had been co-captain of the cheer squad alongside Caroline. But Klaus seemed to be the forgotten Mikaelson. He spend most of him time in the art room and never really spoke to anybody aside from his siblings. The only person he was ever seen with was that crazy-ass, fake redhead Aurora, who was rumoured to have a thing with her brother on the side…all very creepy. Whenever he did talk to other people, Caroline found him to be rude and arrogant. It wasn’t that he didn’t have any friends. It just came off as if he just didn’t care about those things.

It had been a huge gossip when it had leaked he would not be joining in his brothers footsteps of going to Yale or Harvard or any other Ivy league school and would be attending art school instead. But he had left the small town of Mystic Falls Virginia without a care and never looked back.

Caroline had been playing a game of checkers with Henrik when he had walked in. At first she hadn’t recognized him, he had changed so much. And gotten ridiculously handsome. His skin tanned and his blond curls sunkissed by the Louisiana sun. She had heard he had gotten accepted to a prestigious art school in New Orleans and it had done him good. The way his body moved and his muscles bunched, Caroline could feel a stir in her loins as he casually pushed the glass doors open.

Klaus had been very annoyed when he had gotten the phone call from the police station. Apparently his younger brother Kol had gotten himself into trouble AGAIN and had found it amusing to drag their baby brother with him. He had been lucky father wasn’t around for any of this. Although he figured Mikael would find a way to blame him for it. As he walked into the police station he saw a beautiful blonde woman laughing with Henrik as they played a boardgame and Klaus couldn’t have been more pleased that the woman was taking such good care of him.

“Excuse me...” he coughed.

When she stood up from her chair Klaus’ breath was instantly taken away. She was an angel that had landed on this earth. Her eyes as blue as the sky in spring and a wave of blonde curls cascading down her back. She had been laughing and it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. How could he not have seen her before in this dreary little town?

“Niklaus Mikaelson?” Caroline asked as she walked up to Klaus.

“The one and only love,” Klaus said instantly turning on his British charm. “And you are?”

Caroline felt a little stab in her ego when he didn’t recognize her. True, it had been a couple of years but she and his sister had been arch nemesis through all of high school, she had hoped he would recognize her at least a little, that she had at least made some form of impression on him.

“Caroline Forbes…We actually went to high school together.” Caroline tried to sound casual about it as she shook his hand.

“Impossible love, I think I would remember you.” Klaus chuckled looking at her from top to bottom.

“Maybe you were too busy being a lapdog to bitchy redheads from a bottle to notice anything else.” Caroline fired back a little too sassy.

Klaus had a laugh at that. She was very feisty. He liked a girl who defied him a bit.

“Are you guys flirting?” The voice of Henrik asked looking over at them.

Caroline could feel her face flushing bright red at the comment “No we are not!” she scolded him giving the little boy a death-glare.

“So what did the two knuckleheads do this time?” Klaus asked leaning over Caroline’s desk slightly.

The musky scent filled Caroline’s nostrils awakening something inside her. He smelled incredible. Her heart skipped a beat and she had to take in a shaky breath to calm her hormones.

“Kol apparently dared Henrik to steal something at the Mystic market.” Caroline said taking out a piece of paper from the printer. “I convinced the store not to press charges so both of them are free to go…but you need to sign here.”

Klaus took the pen that hung on off the desk by a metal chain and signed on the dotted line.

“Is there any fee to pay?” He asked Caroline as he almost got out his wallet.

“No, there’s no charges so no bail.” Caroline nodded.

“How much to keep Kol in here?” Klaus joked, giving her a boyish grin.

“Even your family doesn’t have that kind of money.” Caroline joked back with a flirty giggle. “I’ll go get him.”

Klaus watched her as she left to go get Kol, her body swaying hypnotically with every step she took.

“She’s pretty huh!” Henrik smirked at his older brother.

“Did you put in a good word for me at least? Or are you keeping her all to yourself.” Klaus joked back at his little brother.

“Nope sorry, you’re on your own and may the best man win!” Henrik shook Klaus’ hand dramatically.

“Niklaus! Always good to see you!” Kol smiled happily as Caroline brought him out to the front desk. “Caroline as always it’s been a pleasure.” he curtseyed and kissed Caroline’s hand before walking towards the door.

Caroline could see Klaus smacking Kol over the head and giving him a proper scolding, causing her to giggle. She couldn’t quite make out what it was he was saying but understood the word dumbass which was all she needed to know.

In the weeks that followed Klaus would be over at the police station every couple of days to pick up Kol or Rebekah for whatever mishap that had gotten into that time. And every time he would put on that British sexy charm and flirt with the beautiful blonde behind the desk. And every time the sexual tension between them would grow making Klaus realised he was almost looking forward to his siblings getting into trouble.

Every time he passed by Caroline would feel the flush in her face and the stirring in her loins. She would try to keep herself together by sassing him off or scolding him for not looking after his siblings better while trying not to let his good looks and flirting get to her.

As summer came to an end, Caroline found herself looking forward to the new fall semester. She would be sharing a dorm with her friend Bonnie this year and was really excited to go back. It was her last day at the office and she was just about to close off when the door opened and she saw Klaus walking in again. It had been the second time that day he had walked through the doors as Kol had gotten himself into trouble again earlier when he had gotten drunk and on a wager had run around the square naked.

“If you’re looking for Kol he’s not here.” Caroline said as she turned off the computer. “This time”

“I know. He believes he forgot his phone in his drunken haze.” Klaus chuckled at her annoyance.

“Oh, right. I didn’t give it back to him sorry.” Caroline remembered as she opened the vault where they put the stuff they would take from people brought in.

She bent over slightly trying to reach it and Klaus took the opportunity to stare at that perfectly shaped ass and the way those tight jeans fell over them. He could feel his erection growing. This girl was driving him insane and giving him cause to think she was doing this on purpose.

As she got back up he pretended to be looking in another direction but Caroline suspected he was staring at her ass and debated if she should call him out on it or just let it slide.

“Here you go” she said giving it to him.”You need to sign a paper that you received it though.” Caroline explained bummed that she had to turn on the computer again.

There was an awkward silence as they waited for it to start listening to the start up sound it made.

“I’m sorry for the trouble they gave you these last months.” He sighed, struggling to explain without giving too much away, “They’re good kids, father just keeps them on a tight leash.” Klaus said giving her a sympathetic smile.

Caroline nodded, surprised by the sudden sense of honesty and vulnerability he had shown all of a sudden. “It’s ok, I know what it’s like to grow up with a parent who expects perfection.” She brushed off his comment. “Besides, after today it’s not my problem anymore.” she went on.

“Are you leaving?” Klaus asked feeling strangely panicked, taking a step closer to her.

“Yeah, I’m going back to college tomorrow to get my dorm ready for the new semester.” Caroline breathed casually trying not to let his scent overwhelm her.

Klaus realised that this would probably be his last chance if he ever wanted to make a move on her. She had show interest in, him he was sure of it. The way she got uncomfortable around him, the way her face would flush and the way he could almost smell her arousal on her.

“That’s too bad, I really enjoyed our special moments together.” he chuckled taking another step closer.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Caroline said in a hushed whisper, her legs trembling as she held onto the edge of the desk.

“Don’t you Caroline? You’ve been teasing me all summer love…” he breathed against her skin.

Caroline let out a shaky breath as his body came all but a few inches from hers. All thoughts of sanity and what his purpose for being there leaving her with every step he took towards her. Had she really been teasing him? Had she really been wearing extra tights outfits since the first time he came. Had she really been spraying a hint of perfume on her body every time she had called him to pick his brother or sister up. Had she really spent nights touching herself to the idea of him?

She could feel his hand over her thigh, grazing softly through the fabric sending goosebumps and shivers down her body. Those dimples…that accent. If she was honest with herself she wanted him from the moment he had walked through those doors weeks ago.

“But hey, if I misread the situation...” Klaus whispered before pulling back from her and turning around to walk out the door.

Caroline moaned in agony when he pulled away from her; her body already acting before she could think. She pulled him back on by his sleeve making his body crash into hers as she smashed her lips onto his. He tasted even better than she could imagine, she thought with a moan. Those thick luscious lips moving against hers so passionately, his muscled chest pressing against hers as she opened her mouth, letting her tongue meet his in the process. His hands explored her waist, tugging at the hem of her shirt as she pulled his leather jacket off of him. The office was empty and she couldn’t be bothered to wait until the got to a more private place. She wanted him now!

Klaus’ hands ran under her shirt, massaging her breasts through the cups of her bra before pulling the shirt over her head and throwing it in some corner of the room. His lips went down her neck, kissing every inch of skin he could reach down to her chest, drawing hot puffy moans from her lips. He grinned against her skin as she jumped up the desk taking a seat upon it and opening her legs to draw him closer. She could feel his erection through his pants grinding against her eagerly, awaiting freedom. She pulled his shirt over his head breaking the contact from his lips on her skin only for a second. Her hands lingering in his soft blond curls as he pulled down her bra taking an aroused and swollen nipple in his mouth. She panted his name upon the contact feeling herself grow wetter with every second. Her hands scratching the bare skin on his back before lowering to grab his ass. She had been longing to do that.

“I am going to make you scream Caroline.” Klaus whispered hotly in her ear as he released her nipple from his mouth, letting his fingertips rub over them.

“Don’t talk about it...do it” She replied with a gasp as her hand went from his ass to his front, fidgeting with the buckle of his belt.

As soon as his pants dropped her hand slid into his boxers, caressing the rock hard erection hidden inside of them. His body shivered upon her touch as he thrusted into her hand, kissing her neck, biting into the sensitive spot just below her ear before grazing his teeth over it.

Needing to feel more of her, Klaus undid the button of her jeans lifting her up for only a second to pull them down along with her panties. His hand slithered down her stomach, reaching for her warm wet slit as a single finger teased its way over her core. Caroline arched her back trying to create a harder friction between them as he rubbed her softly. Her hand closing in a tighter grasp on his cock as if to push him to touch her just as roughly. Caroline pulled down his boxers releasing him from his confines her hand still rubbing up and down his tip.

Catching onto her game, Klaus batted her hand away as he lowered himself upon his knees a wicked gleam twinkling in his eyes as he took place before her dripping core. His hands placed firmly on her upper legs as he took in her sweet scent, his warm breath caressing her insides as he very slowly removed his fingers and came in for a taste. His tongue dwelling over her lips teasing every piece of swollen skin. Caroline grabbed his head guiding him closer in as she let out a moan.

“Don’t tease.” she begged as her fingers ravished his hair tugging at it.

Hearing her pleading cries for him, Klaus chuckled softly against her thighs before letting his tongue flick against her clit, twirling circles around it and sucking softly. Tasting her arousal on his lips. Hearing her whimper as she pushed her abdomen closer to him. He focused the attention of his tongue on her clit while a finger pressed against her opening, twirling around in slow circles before dipping inside, making a loud gasp escape her beautiful rose lips.

Caroline could feel her body tremble under his touch. This was why girls her age experimented with slightly older men. He was so much more experienced than those silly college frat boys. The way his fingers moved inside of her and his tongue twirling around her clit she could feel her insides nearly exploding with the pleasure he brought. Her body tensed as she grabbed one of her breasts squeezing it lightly. She didn’t know how much longer she could take this.

“Klaus please!” She asked him in a soft hoarse whisper.

Klaus looked up from between her legs licking his lips and enjoying the sound she made under him.

“Please what love?” He grinned his fingers still moving slowly inside of her.

“I need you inside of me…” She moaned pulling him up roughly by his shoulders.

“With pleasure.” Klaus growled breathlessly, grabbing his cock by the shaft and aiming it at her core.

He waited only for a split second, just long enough to hear the pleading cry escaping her lips again, begging for him to be inside her, before thrusting inside her hard.

Caroline cried out in pleasure as he entered her. His hardness filling her insides, stretching her walls in the most delicious way. The desk under her squeaked loudly, nearly caving under the force of their movements. She crashed her lip on his again eagerly, her lips still puffy and swollen from his kisses. Sweat trickling in tiny drops from their bodies. Finally giving in to the build up and the sexual tension between them surpassing even her wildest dreams and fantasies.

Klaus enjoyed her warmth around his cock, groaning at the feel of her surrounding him, thrusting into her slick core harder and harder with each one. His hand slowly made its way to her clit, rubbing it vicariously as he felt her body tensing more and more around him. She was close to her orgasm now and, just like he had promised, she screamed his name in pure lust. Her body was shaking as she reached her peak moaning loudly and panting hard. He released her sensitive clit from his touch giving her time to catch her breath only for a second as he removed himself almost fully from her before slamming back in, the table giving another groan from the power behind his thrust. His jaw clenched, his body beginning to tremble as he could feel his own high growing closer. A couple more long thrusts and another whimper of his name as her lips caressed the skin around his jawline made him shiver before spilling his release inside of her with a roar. The pair kissed again, clutched together in a lovers embrace as they both panted out of breath, their bodies still sensitive from the rigorous lovemaking. Klaus watched the blonde goddess succumb to the exhaustion as their lips met for the final time.

A few days later Caroline was at her dorm, trying hard to forget about her one night stand with Klaus Mikaelson. After they had gotten dressed they had said their goodbye’s, Caroline had figured it would be the last she saw of him. It had been epic, and by far the best sex she had ever had. But it was over now. And she didn’t know why she had been so bummed out about it. After all, it had just been lust right? She hadn’t developed actual feelings for the guy. Tired from her initiation day she dropped her backpack on the bed falling next to it.

“Hey Care!” The voice of Bonnie alerted her she was not alone in the room.

“Hi Bon.” Caroline smiled recognizing the presence of her best friend. “How was your first day?”

“Not bad? Yours? “The dark haired girl asked.

“It was ok.” Caroline nodded, secretly she had been thinking about her encounter with Klaus Mikaelson all day, as she had done every day since and it had left her all hot and bothered. But for some reason after him these silly college boys didn’t interest her anymore.

“By the way Care a package came for you today.” Bonnie said pointing to her desk.

Caroline got up again walking over to the desk to find a pure white silk paper envelope. She wondered if her mother had already scent her something, but she usually didn’t use this expensive paper. She carefully opened it to find a brochure of the New Orleans Academy of fine arts. Circled with a thick marker line was their drama and stage department, and inside there was a tiny note.

Perhaps one day you’ll let me show you what the world has to offer… Fondly K

Caroline smiled as she pressed the brochure to her chest a blush coloring her cheeks. He hadn’t forgotten about her either.

“What was it?” Bonnie asked noticing the sudden change in Caroline’s behavior.

“Oh nothing” Caroline lied trying to suppress the ever growing smile on her face. “Just this brochure I ordered…I’ve been thinking about transferring lately.”

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Vampire Diaries (TV), The Originals (TV) Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Caroline Forbes/Klaus Mikaelson Characters: Caroline Forbes, Klaus Mikaelson, Elijah Mikaelson, Hayley Marshall, Kol Mikaelson, Rebekah Mikaelson, Freya Mikaelson Summary:

This is my drabble for the Klaroline Mashup Event day two: Object prompt: A belt, A coffeemug and a notebook. (highlighted in the fic)  Set after TVD Season finale but not following TO finale.  Smut below!!! Hint: Listen to Regina Spektors  Braille

Caroline sighed deeply as she rubbed her temples putting away the papers. Magical kids were the cutest thing ever. Their parent’s were not!. She could categorize them in three different types. One: The ones who mean well but have absolutely no idea how to handle a magical child. And therefore didn’t get how much work Caroline put in their education Two: The ones who dump their kid in the boarding school because magic needs to be hidden and concealed. She liked those the least. And lastly the very few percent who actually understood what was happening to their child and who were supportive and caring towards them. It made Caroline all the more grateful for everything her mother had done for her in her time. Only when realising how much work parenting actually was, did she truly understand her mother’s sacrifices.

Today had been parent-teacher day at the school. So basically that meant Caroline was having parents over all day talking to them one on one about their child’s progress. She didn’t like having to talk to the parents in all together in group. In a school like this every child was so different it was just easier to plan the meetings per parent one after another. She had met with them all day and she was now starving. Before the last parents came she figured she should have a blood bag and unwind for a second. If the parents were human and she was hungry and they were assholes, things could get really awkward. She checked her watch 9p.m. . Most kids would be either home for summer or asleep. If she hurried she might catch Josie and Lizzie before they fell asleep. Silently she sneaked upstairs opening the door just a little to check if the girls were sleeping. She heard a lot of noise and opened the door more firmly finding her girls jumping up and down the bed laughing hard waving their little plastic magic wands they had held onto for dear life over the last year or so.

‘HI MOMMY!!” Josie exclaimed waving her hand very hard.

“Why aren’t you two in your pyjamas and sleeping yet? Where is your father?” Caroline asked surprised.

Both girls started giggling hard looking at the corner of  the room. Caroline went to see what they were laughing about only to find Alaric magically tied to a chair with a pink bow on his head and red lipstick on his face. Caroline tried very hard to not burst out in laughter when she saw him, trying to keep a strict composure for her daughters. But it was very hard.

“Girls how many times do I have to tell you! No magically tying up your father and putting makeup on him!” Caroline scolded the girls while untying Alaric.

The girls just laughed as Alaric went to wash his face in the girls’ ensuite bathroom. When he came back out he swept them off their feet lifting them up in the air.

“Ok you little rascals, get your pajamas on and say goodnight to mommy’ he said laughing as he already forgave his daughters and brought them over to Caroline.

“Goodnight Mommy, we love you” The girls said in sync with faces as innocent as angels. It was very hard to believe they could be such little devils when they looked so angelic.

“Goodnight girls” Caroline said kissing them both on their foreheads. “ I love you too”

“Will you read us a story mommy?” Lizzie asked hopping into her pyjamas.

“I wish I could babygirl, but mommy has more meetings, i’ll read you a story tomorrow night ok?” Caroline smiled.

“And sing us a song?” Josie asked.

“A story and a song! Got it” Caroline sitting down to get on their level as she buttoned up Josie’s onesie.

“You promise?” Josie asked again giving her mom the serious look.

“I Pinky promise!” Caroline said with an equally serious look.

“Ok triple pinky promise” Lizzie said holding up her pinky between Caroline and her sister.

The three girls all hooked their pinkies into each other and shook them like a secret handshake.

“I triple pinky promise”’ Caroline vowed. “But now I really do have to go… Sweet dreams girls” She smiled before closing the door and heading back downstairs.

Caroline headed back to her room and took a blood bag from the secret vault inside. There was nothing like a little B-Positive to lift up her spirits! It really was the best of blood groups and she thoroughly enjoyed the wordplay on it. She poured the blood in a coffee mug and threw the empty bag in her private garbage bin. She had gotten into the habit of keeping her garbage separated from the rest of the school, even though everybody knew she was a vampire she still was pretty discreet about her feeding towards the school and staff.  She checked her hair re-doing it in the professional ponytail it was in before and touched up her make up. She had debated putting on glasses to come off more professional but seeing as how everybody knew vampires didn’t need glasses it would pretty much deduct from the purpose anyways. A little spray of her new perfume would definitely mask the last lingering blood smell on her lips and then she was on her way back to her office downstairs.

She settled in looking through the different files wondering who was the last parent to show. It had been a last minute addition on the list so she didn’t yet get a name from whose child it was. Not that she needed that much prep. Over the course of the last two years the school had gained close to a hundred different students and Caroline knew every one of them by heart, name and progress , she didn’t need to read anything of off a piece of paper she could just talk freely because she was involved in every child's education personally.

The clock past to 9.30 pm exactly and there was a knocking on her door.

“Come in” Caroline said sweetly closing her laptop.

“Miss Caroline, the last parent is here to see you” Beth her assistant said.

Beth had been such a life saver. She was as much of a control freak as Caroline was. An expert in planning and she work very hard. She was a witch by trade but had had a full education within her family. In many ways she was a very good asset to the school. She knew that not every child born in a witch clan was as lucky as she had been and so she devoted her life just like Caroline to making sure as many children whatever supernatural background they had, were helped.

“Thank you Beth, send them in” Caroline smiled.

“It’s just the father...oh and FYI...he’s gorgeous..” Beth grinned.

“BETHANY!” Caroline laughed at her assistant. “We are professionals! We can’t talk about the parents of our children like that!..........Wait till they leave then we can gossip over who has a hot dad ok!”

“Got it Miss Caroline” Beth laughed back holding onto the map of papers she was carrying.

“Can you just start calling me Caroline, the whole Miss thing makes me feel very uncomfortable. Who’s the parent? My notebook doesn’t show the name of the last appointment”

“It”s Hope Mikaelson’s father, Klaus Mikaelson” Beth said casually.

Caroline closed the drawer where she put her laptop in rather harshly crushing her fingers in between it as she went from pure shock.She nearly choked on herself and started coughing.

“Fuck!” She cursed waving her fingers up and down as they went from healthy pink to black and blue and then pink again after a few seconds. Thank god for vampire healing.

“Now that’s no way of speech around the children, love” A husky voice said from behind the door.

“Klaus” Caroline breathed his name her eyes finding it hard to believe he was actually standing there before her.

“You two know each other?” Beth asked suddenly very interested.

“You can say that, yes” Klaus shot his signature bad boy grin and winked. Beth nearly fainted then and there.

“Thank you Beth you can go now” Caroline urged her protesting assistent out of the door.

There was a long silence between them where they stared at each other. He looked really good. Better than she remembered. His hair was shorter on the sides and longer on top now thick curly and waving and golden from the New Orleans sun. His eyes glittered with a boyish gleam, sparkling on her. His lips looked rosy and plump ready to be kissed. Caroline felt herself focussing on them, reminiscing about their taste. She felt a flutter inside her. She had to stop this now!

“What are you doing here?” Caroline asked trying not to meet his gaze as she sat back behind her desk.

“Well I was under the impression it was a parent teacher conference night sweetheart, I’m a parent, you’re the teacher..” Klaus grinned

“Oh...right… You want to talk about Hope ofcourse” Caroline said feeling silly for thinking he was here to see her. “ Well she’s actually doing really good, which is why I didn’t expect you or Hayley… I mean she misses you guys but she’s made friends here and she’s very intelligent, picks up really fast. She’s in the advanced class for wiccan reading actually I think i have some of the homework she made the other day right here hold on” Caroline spoke fast without taking a breath still organising papers that were already perfectly fine. She needed to do something to keep herself busy and not come across as clumsy as she was feeling.

“Darling stop rambling and take a breath” Klaus smiled sitting relaxed in front of her.

“Stop making me nervous so I can take a breath” Caroline snapped back and stopped fidgeting with her papers.

“Am I make you nervous?”  Klaus leaned in his smile making his cheeks dimple in that irresistible way.

“That’s not what I meant...Look let’s just stay professional here ok, we’re here to talk about your daughter's progress” Caroline said taking a breath and rolling her chair back a little creating space between them.

“Alright Caroline,fine let’s be professional” Klaus said said slightly licking his lips at her.

His smell overwhelmed her and she breathed it in deeply. God she really had gone too long without getting laid and being a vampire after awhile she just got horny as hell. The way he whispered her name gave her goosebumps. Her body reacting to his much more than it should. Because he was doing it on purpose, she realised suddenly.

“Klaus stop” Caroline said firmly trying to keep the blush from her cheek.

“Stop what love?”  Klaus asked chuckling.

“This...i’m not doing this with you, we are here to discuss your daughter” Caroline gestured her hands between the two of them and looked him straight in the eye hoping he would take her seriously.

“Sweetheart I know she’s doing perfectly fine here she tells me in every phone call and letter she writes and she comes home in the weekends to talk our ears off” Klaus smiled trying to relax her. He backed away again giving her some air to breath.

“Then what are you doing here Klaus” Caroline asked. But it was not a mean question. Caroline was just tired and didn’t feel like playing the games the two of them usually played.

“Well I sort of expected to hear something from you after my last letter” Klaus said talking about the letter he said and the money that came along with it. “Aside from the “The children thank you” card I mean.” He quickly added.

Caroline just fell silent. She had thought many times about calling him, or driving to New Orleans in person. She had even wrote him a letter, but after more than a year it was still resting firmly in her desk the fear of sending it to him was just too great.

“I’m sorry… i’ve been busy” Caroline whispered looking for an excuse.

“How have you been Caroline” Klaus asked placing his hand so closely against hers his thumb against her pinky.

“Like I said busy” Caroline pulled her hand away.

A hint of hurt flashed through his eyes as she pulled away from his touch. Caroline felt bad for him. She wasn’t trying to be mean. But it only had been little over a year since Stefan and though she knew she would be ready to love again at some point. She didn’t know if NOW was the right time. Maybe it was too soon.

“How are the girls? I loved meeting them last year, they are so much like you...full of light” Klaus smiled trying to change the subject.

“They really liked meeting you too...thank you for keeping them safe in New Orleans” Caroline nodded realising she hadn’t officially thanked him for that.

“Ofcourse love…now how about we get you out of this stuffy office and go get a drink...is that bar your friend Bonnie blew up rebuilt yet?” Klaus suggested getting up from his seat.

“It isn’t, and no Klaus it would be extremely unprofessional of me to go out with a parent, we can’t start this up again. I’m not ready and even if I was me dating a parent like a said is unprofessional” Caroline refused with every last bit of strength she had.

“Who said anything about a date love? As I remember you were the first friend I ever made, so i’d like to buy my first and therefor oldest friend a drink, not that i’m calling you old or anything love” Klaus explained handing her the jacket that was hanging from the hanger at the door.

Caroline felt stupid again for assuming he was already chasing her again. It had been years since they had seen each other, obviously he was over his infatuation with her maybe even met somebody else. For her to assume he was here out of a love interest for her almost felt arrogant now. “You’re right...sorry..but i’m buying the drinks then!” She smiled taking her jacket.

“Sounds fine by me ,two old friends having a drink and if we just happen to have killer hot hybrid sex afterwards it’s only a bonus” Klaus joked.

Caroline punched his shoulder as they both laughed at the memory of what she had once asked from him so many years ago in the woods when he was in Tyler’s body.

They ended up in a shady dive bar on the side of the road which looked like nothing a respected mother of twins and headmistress of a boarding school would ever be seen. Nevertheless Klaus promised her it was a fun place and reminded her not to judge something by it’s look. The bar seemed empty. Aside from a few local drunks hanging at the bar. As they walked in Caroline smelled something familiar. A smell she had only recently gotten familiar with, burned Angelica root. Used for enhancing psychic powers and strength to a woman. Either the bar had a very strange odour, or there was a witch around. Her questions were quickly answered when they walked up to the bar.

“Well if it isn’t the Original asshole himself” The bartender said hopping over the bar with ease.

The girl was the spitting image of what a witch should look like according to textbooks. She had a very pale complexion and deep grey eyes. Her hair was raven black - although Caroline suspected a dye job - curling big and poofy till her shoulders and she wore bright red lipstick forming the curves of her lip shape. In a dark almost goth way she was extremely beautiful. The tight black ripped jeans she wore that were cut off all the way till her thighs. And on top of that a black band top. She looked in her early twenties and when Klaus kissed her hand Caroline felt a stab of jealousy.

“Always a pleasure Orphelia, you look gorgeous as always” Klaus smirked releasing her hand.

“Who’s the babe” The girl named Orphelia asked nodding to Caroline.

“Keep it in your pants will you, she doesn’t swing your way” Klaus chuckled as Orphelia was checking out Caroline.“Caroline this is Orphelia, a erhm… friend of Freya’s she owns this bar. And watch out she has a thing for blondes”  

“So you’re the famous Caroline Forbes, really nice to finally meet you” Orphelia said extending her hand to Caroline with a friendly smile.

“Yeah, nice to meet you too...how do you know me?” Caroline asked confused shaking Orphelia’s hand.

“This one told me about the school you’re running, that’s really cool, we could use a community like that where all the species get along” Orphelia released Caroline's hand again.

Caroline suddenly liked her more when finding out she was more interested in the lady Mikaelsons then the men.

“What do you guys want” Orphelia asked looking at Klaus hopping back over the bar.

“Just bring us a bottle of the usual”Klaus nodded as he guided Caroline to a booth.

“She seems nice” Caroline smiled trying to make conversation.

“She’s a good ally, back when she was still dating Freya she was a huge help in  trying to discover Hope’s powers and controlling them” Klaus explained more matter of fact than anything else.

“So you’re sister is gay?” Caroline asked finding it it very modern for the oldest person on the planet to be this open about the subject.

“Statistically one out of the seven of us had to be...personally my money was on Elijah” Klaus joked with a light chuckle.

Caroline loved that careless chuckle he let out once in awhile. It was so damn sexy. She really had to stop thinking about how sexy he was...or smelled. Or the memory of his touch that  they in the wood… Snap out of it forbes Caroline thought to herself as she was ripped out of her thoughts by Orphelia bringing them a bottle of what looked like very expensive bourbon. Very uncharacteristic for a dive bar to have this expensive brand.

“Orphelia keeps it some place safe for when we come by” Klaus explained pouring both Caroline and him a glass.

“So anyway next thing I know Kol’s eyebrows are on fire, Rebekah is running around with a fire extinguisher and Elijah is telling us we are grounded for the next century” Klaus explained the clou to his anekdote.

Caroline laughed loudly en genuinely holding onto her stomach. They had been talking for hours, sharing stories about the last years of their lives, their children, their cities. It has been so easy to talk to him. The bar had gotten more crowded as the night came. Caroline had noticed how there were a lot of supernaturals in the bar. But surprisingly they all seemed to leave each other in peace. Though she and Kol had only met a few times, the bar seemed like a very Kol place to hang out. It had it’s charm. Although considering the relaxed vibe she figured not a lot of the people realised they were in the presence of the most dangerous original hybrid in the world. There was music playing loudly now, Caroline was thankful for her vampire hearing otherwise it would start to be difficult to understand each other over the music.

“So how are you dealing with...you know...since he’s gone” Klaus finally asked touching the subject they had been avoiding all night.

“It’s been a tough few months, but i’m glad to have had to school, it helps” Caroline smiles.

“It’s been almost two years Caroline...you can’t close yourself off” Klaus said trying to meet her gaze again.

“I”m not….I just need more time... I just can’t have my heart broken again” Caroline explained ripping little corners from her paper napkin and staring at it so she wouldn’t have to look in his dark blue eyes as they watched her with pity. She hated the pitiful look people would give her. It somehow made her feel even worse.

“I would never break your heart Caroline...I promise you” Klaus whispered grabbing her hand on the table forcing her to look at him.

Caroline pulled her hand away rather roughly. The warmth that developed inside of her when he touched her was not something she could handle right now. “Don’t” she muttered looking away.

“Don’t what Caroline, i’m serious” Klaus snapped.

“You can’t just swoop in my life after years and tell me crap like that...you’re not allowed to come in and try to romantically sweep me off my feet I’m not ready Klaus!” Caroline nearly yelled. Luckily the music was still pretty loud so she doubted anyone had heard her yelling in their back corner booth.

The slightly alternative rock/country music changed into a song Caroline remembered from when she was younger. Braille by Regina Spektor. It was a song she had wasted many years on but at the same had so many love and happiness filled memories too. It was definitely one of her favorites.

“I love this song” Caroline whispered smiling as she closed her eyes to take the song in.

Klaus stood up from their booth extending his hand to her “Dance with me..” He whispered looking at her intently.

“What? Klaus no…” Caroline moaned, she had a hard enough time resisting his charms, dancing to a bittersweet romantic song with him just seem too fast to soon.

“Oh come on Caroline, don’t be a wuss……” Klaus tried to pressure. “Come on … I dare you” Klaus chuckled. He loved teasing her by bringing up his old quotes.

“Fine, just this one song” Caroline eventually caved grabbing his hand.

Klaus pulled Caroline close towards him staring deeply into her eyes, placing one of his arms arms around her waist and grabbed her hand with his other entwining their fingers together as he pulled her hand up to about their shoulder.

Caroline tried to keep a small distance between their two bodies but felt her body being slight pressed up against his. The way he smelled, the melancholy of the song and the comforting strength he exhumed eventually made her cave as she pressed the side of her head against his, her chin resting on his shoulder ever so lightly. Caroline closed her eyes and let him sway her to the music falling back into a world where there was just the two of them.

After the song was done Klaus brought his hand up to her face cupping Caroline’s cheek and rubbing his thumb over her cheekbone staring into her eyes. Their lips only a few inches parted. Caroline realised how easy it would be for her to just lean in right now and kiss him. She could feel his breath on her. A deep shaky breath escaped her as she pressed her forehead against his.

“I’m sorry...i’m not ready yet’

“That’s alright love, I have all the time in the world” Klaus smiled breaking the connection between them. Though he never let go of her hand as he guided her back to the booth.

The rest of the night they spend talking, laughing and reminiscing about the old days and plots and schemes and how silly they all seemed to be now. Around 2 A.M. Orphelia walked over to them again holding a set of keys.

“Hey listen i’m gonna go home, close up when you leave ok, just drop the keys in my mailbox” She muttered as she put her hair up in a high ponytails and threw Klaus the keys.

“You trust him with your keys?” Caroline asked raising her eyebrows as the young bartender girl.

“It can’t be any worse then that time I gave them to Kol….god that was a horrible morning after” Orphelia snickered. “Goodnight guys’

“Goodnight’ Caroline greeted the girl goodbye. “I should probably go as well, any respectable mom is in her bed by now” she got out of the booth.

“Don’t be ridiculous love, you’re not …...a typical mom...live a little...you spend all your time around young children, and that is very noble of you but have to have some adult time” Klaus winked.

“Were you going to say I’m not a respectable mother?” Caroline joked pretending to be mad placing her hands in her thighs and tapping her foot.

“I wouldn’t dream of it sweetheart” Klaus chuckled getting up from the booth as well “I’m merely suggesting that maybe you let me ruffle those perfect feathers you look like you need it”

He was close again, the proximity of him giving her goosebumps. Being so close to him reminded her of that time they were truly close. The ways his fingers exploited a shiver from her as he ran the tips of them along her thighs The hungry kisses he had pressed in every crease of her body.

Caroline sighed deeply and walked over to the bar grabbing a bottle of tequila from it and a couple of shot glasses pouring the translucent liquid in them.

“Caroline what are you doing?” Klaus asked her following her movements like a cat stalking its pray.

“If you’re going to be like this I need to drink more” Caroline sighed giving up on scolding him for his arousing behaviour. Did he even realise how much he was turning her on when he acted like this?

“Be like what love?” Klaus asked her laughing as she grabbed salt from under the bar.

“Flirty!’ Caroline shouted throwing her hands up in the air as she put some salt on her hand licked it off and then drank the shoot.

“And you think tequilashots are going to help the matter?” Klaus tried to remain serious.

“Well Tequilashots and Pool” Caroline stated matter of fact grabbing a cue from the wall. “You do know how to play right?”

“Caroline i’ve been hustling people with pool since way before you were born” Klaus grinned smugly.

“Perfect then we can make things interesting” Caroline said putting the balls in the triangle shape.

“How interesting?” Klaus asked marking his own cue with the little blue crayon slightly looking at that amazing ass as she bend over to put the triangle back.

“For every ball I get in the pocket you take a shot, and I get to ask you a question about New Orleans” Caroline suggested handing him a shotglass.

“And when I get a ball in a pocket?” Klaus asked.

“Same rules, you get to ask me a question and i’ll take a shot” Caroline shrugged.

“Deal” Klaus shook her hand in agreement. “Ladies hit first” He gestured to her.

Caroline hit the white ball hard breakin the formation of the billiard balls, the full green one rolling into the pocket “I’m on fulls”

“Then i’ll take striped” Klaus nodded filling his shotglass with tequila and chugging it down “Alright love what do you want to know?” He asked.

“What the hell happened between you and Hayley Marshall?” Caroline blurted out as she took her second shot missing the pocket just slightly. She hated to admit that she was bothered by him having had sex with her.

“That’s pretty simple love” Klaus positioned himself over the pool table. “I was mad at you, my ego was bruised after yet another rejection and she was there….” he made the shot the striped red ball rolling to the pocket easily. “Id say I regret it, but despite our differences she gave me the best thing that has ever happened to me, my daughter” he made the second shot also straight in the pocket. “That’s two shots for you love drink up” Klaus smirked.

After about half an hour and alot more shots the game was pretty neck in neck although Caroline suspected Klaus to let her win a shot every once in a while. She was very much enjoying herself realising that even though she was a mother and running a boarding school she really had needed a night out and Klaus had proven himself to be good company. They had laughed and had fun.

He had just made his last pocket asking her about the situation between her and Alaric and if things had turned out romantic. He was very relieved to learn that they hadn’t. He was down to the black ball now and it was his shot.

“You’ll never make it” Caroline heckled him as the black ball was in a near impossible position.

“That’s sounds like a challenge love” Klaus smiled at her amusement.

“Meaning?” Caroline asked him knowing the direction he was heading in.

“If I make this one the next shot i do…. Is off of you” His eyes twinkled mischievously.

“Go for it Hybridpants” Caroline grinned back sitting herself on a barstool. It was an impossible shot after all.

Turns out he had been the one hustling her because once she had agreed to his terms he leaned over the pool table with casually shooting the 8-ball easily to the side and then straight into the pocket. Without ever taking his eyes off her. Caroline looked at him in shock with an open mouth.

“I win” He said arrogantly walking up to her slowly.

“Fine” Caroline whispered grabbing the salt for the bar and applying a few grains on her neck.

In a second klaus had flashed to her side his eyes widening at her brutality. He had to keep himself from not drooling looking at his stunningly beautiful and increadibly sexy baby vampire.

He placed one hand on the back of her neck looking into her eyes deeply before bringing his lips to the salt on her neck.

Softly he let his tongue dwell on the the crease of her neck tasting the combination of salt and the natural sweet flavour of her skin. He could feel the goosebumps forming on her body as he kept planting hot wet kisses in her neck, her scent taking him over completely. She didn’t move away from him arching her back slightly into his body the heat of their bodies warming each other. He could hear an aroused moan escaping her glorious lips as he kissed his way up to her earlobe letting his teeth slightly scrape the delicate skin he found on the way there. Sucking on her earlobe his hands ran through her hair pulling the curls loose from her high ponytail and pulling on them hard to give him more access to her neck. Her knees parted slightly allowing him to come closer into her body.

“Hey!” She scolded him slightly out of breath “Do the shot!” She reminded him of their agreement.

Klaus grunted slightly annoyed at having to release his lips from her neck and grabbed the shot glass from behind her swallowing it in one go and immediately crashing her lips onto hers again. They were done playing games now.  

She grinned against his kiss. He tasted like Tequila and a taste she could only call Klaus which was pretty darn good combination. His hands were holding her face firmly into place. He kissed the side of her mouth sucking eagerly on her lower lip he had waited years to be with her again, all this time she never left his mind, or his heart for that matter.

Caroline’s hands pushed his jacket off of him pressing her nails into the skin of his shoulders. Her lips thick and swollen from his kisses. She could feel him making his way back to her neck and collarbone not leaving a spot of her sensitive skin uncovered. She needed to feel his body against hers again, the electric sensation of his bare skin. Her hands glided over his back scratching through his shirt slightly until she reached the seams. With a swift and determined move she pulled his shirt over his head revealing his lean and muscular chest. Her fingertips explored the familiar feel of his body. Surprised at how well she remembered what his sensitive spots where. Caroline felt him hardening against her through the fabric of his jeans his hips slightly rolling against her creating friction between the two of them. She hopped off her barstool turning the both of them around with vampire speed and pushing him a little too harshly against the bar with his bare back. Her eyes gleamed with an evil twinkle as she placed her lips against his neck trailing her way down his chest with hot wet kisses slowly falling to her knees.

Klaus’ eyes widened as he realised what she had in mind. He swallowed loudly and his breathing became rapid as he felt her undoing the buckle of his belt. Her soft teasing kisses just above the button of his jeans making him groan in frustration. Caroline giggled at his Impatience for her as she unbuttoned his jeans pulling them down. She rubbed him slightly through the fabric of his boxers before hitching her thumbs at the hems and pulling down those as well releasing his rock hard cock from it’s confinement.

Klaus gasped at the relief of freedom for his hardness his hands clenching on to the side of the bar to try and keep his knees from giving out on him as he felt her soft lips brush against his tip. Caroline grabbed onto his shaft firmly rubbing it a couple of times up and down before bringing it to her mouth again. She brought her tongue to the base of his cock trailing her way to the tip slowly and agonisingly slow. He uttered her name in a begged whisper his hands slowly on the back of her hair rustling through her hair and guiding her back to him.

Pleased with herself at the way he was at her mercy Caroline took him into her mouth hollowing her cheeks and sucking on him slowly letting her hand rub him up and down. Her tongue swirling expertly drawing a moan out of him with every flick of it. Taking him in further in her mouth her head bobbed up and down as she put more speed behind her actions. One hand on his bare hip the other reaching out to his balls. He slowly thrusted into her mouth hips rolling to meet her. When she felt his muscles tensing she released his cock from her mouth with a soft pop grinning up at him wickedly.

Klaus pulled her op by her arms crashing his lips onto her again. His hands roamed from her arms to her sides caressing them before running up to cup her breasts through the white shirt she was wearing massaging them through the fabric. His fingers hinged in between buttons ripping them aside to reveal her chest buttons flying all over the empty bar.

“Must you always ruin my clothes” Caroline whispered into his kiss with a smile.

Klaus chuckled at the recollection on the last time he had pulled one of her tops to shreds in the same manner his lips moving from her mouth back down her neck all the way to the cleavage between her full breasts. Some quick handywork from his fingers unhooked the clasps of her bra as she shimmied out her her pants. Klaus lifted her up from the ground feeling her hook her legs around his waist and carried her towards the pooltable their groins now only separated by the silky fabric of her panties. He laid her down on the green of the table pulling down her deep blue panties to reveal her core. He could smell her arousal on her and let it fill his nostrils. She puffed hotly as he opened her knees at the edge of the table where her legs hung over. Now it was his turn. He blew slightly on her heat sending a shiver down her spine running a finger through her crease and over her swollen clit letting the tip of his finger brush up against it lightly.

Caroline bucked her hips up trying to get him to touch her more. She hadn’t had another lover since Stefan and she was ready for him to fuck her brains out now her arousal nearly dripping down her legs. Klaus pressed the tip of his finger inside of her slowly entering her. Her insides felt like they were on fire with lust and longing. She sucked in air biting her lip hard as he flicked his tongue over her clit.

Klaus savoured her taste letting his tongue circle around her clit as he inserted another finger into her. Her back was arching and her body shaking with an overdose of arousal and he had to place on hand on her abdomen to keep her in place. He started sucking on her clit as he trusted his fingers in and out of her more rapidly.

Caroline moaned loudly her hands tugging at his soft curls pushing his face more in between her legs.

“Klaus…” She pleaded beggingly as he hit a particular sweet spot inside her.

Klaus let his free hand dwell to her thighs pressing his nails into the soft and delicate skin Squeezing slightly.

“Hm?” He breathed from in between her legs.

“Klaus please….” Caroline cried out her nails digging into the green rug of the pooltable.

“Please what love?” Klaus teased her removing his fingers from her.

“Fuck me damn it!” Caroline yelled out frustrated pulling his face up to her kissing him as he bend over her.

Klaus kissed her deeply satisfied by her pleads. With one hand he took a hold of his shaft rubbing the top up and down the crease of her core teasing her one last. He grabbed a hold of her hips as she hinged one leg around his waist urging him closer. He places one last kiss on her stomach before he slammed into her.

Caroline gasped loudly her body shooting up as he was inside her. She brought her lips to his again her arms around his neck her nails digging hard into the skin of his shoulders leaving scratch marks on them. He trusted into her hard again and Caroline could feel the pooltable cracking and crumbling under her it’s legs giving in under the vampire force of their love making.

Klaus lifted her up again before the table gave in and broke down under her vampire speeding her against the wall his hips rolling creating friction against her clit. He lowered his head to her breasts kissing them feverishly before taking a swollen nipple into his mouth. Caroline breathed loudly moaning under the feeling of her breasts being spoiled. With his free hand Klaus took  the other nipple between his fingers twisting it slightly. God he had missed the turned on sounds her body could make under his expertise. He started picking up the pace of his thrust inside her as he felt her walls contracting around him. She was close.

Caroline begged, pleaded for more under his touch. Beside herself with lust trying to push herself down on him harder. He slightly bit down onto her nipple thrusting inside her again sending her over the edge. She screamed profanities as her orgasm took over her body shaking on him.

Klaus chuckled at the intensity of her orgasm carrying her away from the wall leading the both of them to a bench of one of the booths and lowering her down to the ground. Caroline licked her lips pushing him on the bench crawling over him placing herself on top of him her knees on either side of his lap. She caressed his cock still moist with her juice softly before guiding him back inside her.  

He liked her this way, hovering above him he could watch her in all her glory. And she was so beautiful. Caroline rocked her hips moving on top of him while sucking slightly on that sweet spot in his neck where his pulse was that she knew drove him mad. Her hands pushing slightly on his chest. She could feel his cock pulsing inside her. Klaus let his hands dwell over her back holding her as close as he possibly could whimpering her name as his orgasm build up. He bucked his hips up one last time thrusting into her hard and when he hit that sweet spot inside her that caused her second orgasm making her tight walls clench around him again he cried out spilling his release inside of her. Both of them panting hard as their foreheads were pressed against each other their lips meeting for one last kiss.

The sun was nearly rising and Caroline lay with her head on Klaus’ chest her leg hinged over his hip in between his tracing the outlines of his chest with her fingers. His arms were wrapped around her and he places light kisses on her hair. The last time they had been together she had left quite rapidly after they were done so he was taking advantage of the fact that she stayed this time holding her close to him. There were lost in an post sex haze enjoying the prickling of their sensitive skins against each other when a beeping sound awoke them from their little escape of reality.

With a disappointed sigh Caroline turned slightly grabbing her phone from her bag to read the incoming text she had received.

[From Ric:] 05:47 A.M.

You never came home… Everything ok?

[To Ric:] 05:48 A.M.

Had drinks with Klaus lost track off time,  everything fine!

She had made it a principle thing not to lie to Ric. They may not be romantically involved but she loved him as the father of her children and that was just as important. Her phone beeped again.

[From Ric:] 05:50 A.M.

Klaus?! Do I need to send a rescue party?

[To Ric:] 05:51 A.M.

No it’s fine i’ll be home in about half an hour…

Caroline tossed her phone back into her bag rolling back into her place in Klaus’ arms. She lifted her head up placing on hand on his chest and bringing her lips to his for a soft loving warm kiss. “I need to go home” She whispered letting her fingertips caress the light scruff on his cheek.

“5 more minutes’ Klaus pleaded stroking a lock of hair out her face and kissing her again. He didn’t want to let go of her. Ever.He held on to her tightly, realising this was the only place she should be.

“Come to New Orleans with me”

The question didn’t really surprise Caroline she had felt in lingering in the air the moment he kissed her; She pressed her nose against his brushing her lips over his letting out a soft moan. “Don’t” she told him kissing his cheek hiding her face in his neck.

“I”m serious Caroline, my feelings towards you haven’t changed you know this… be by my side in New Orleans” Klaus asked her his eyes pleading like those of a puppy.

Caroline knew he was being serious “You know I can’t” she whispered nuzzling in his neck she had missed this form of intimacy and was honestly maybe a little surprised the hybrid was capable of it.

“Why not Caroline, we could be together…”

“What about my girls Klaus? I can’t leave them” Caroline explained he of all people should understand daughters always come first.

“Bring them along, they’re always welcome in my home, Hope would love having them as well” Klaus offered.

Caroline was endeared by his honesty. He would love those girls because of his love for her. She placed another kiss on his lips and smiled up at him.

“I can’t pull them away from their father,” She responded trying to reason with him.

“Bring him along too then! I’ll find him some dungeon room to stay in” Klaus chuckled half jokingly half serious caressing her back.

Caroline laughed at his solution “I can’t leave the school Klaus” she ended the discussion.

“Find somebody to replace you, Caroline i’m being serious i’d be good to you!” Klaus tried for the last time.

“I know you would be” Caroline kissed him one last time before rolling onto her back. “The timing just isn’t right, maybe in a few years….but until that day there’s always parent teacher conferences” she grinned wickedly raising her eyebrows up and down.

Klaus was about to make a witty remark when the door of the bar opened and they heard footsteps walking in.

“SERIOUSLY ON MY POOLTABLE!!!!” The voice of Orphelia the owner of the bar shouted.

Caroline hurried to put her clothes back on embarrassed that they had been caught.

“To be fair on the pooltable, on top of the bar and in the booths’ Klaus said smugly pulling his pants back up.

“KLAUS!!!!” Caroline scolded him her face flushing in shame.

“You’re buying me a new pool table!” Orphelia said annoyed as Klaus threw the keys back at her.

Klaus nodded to her muttering a “sure” under his breath as he followed Caroline out of the bar still feeling pretty good about himself.

“It was nice meeting you Caroline” Orphelia yelled after her.

“You too!” Caroline said waving her hand over her head but not looking back. She thought she was gonna die of shame and raced back into the car.

Klaus drove her back to the boarding house parking just before the entrance. They had been quiet all the way back. After the embarrassment of being walked in on had died a little his question had remained in the air causing a slight tension between them. As klaus shut down the engine she looked at him with pitiful eyes.

“I’m not ready” Caroline whispered hoarsely trying to hold back her emotions. Last thing she needed was to cry now.

“I know, it’s ok love” Klaus smiled understandingly letting his thumb rub over her cheek.

“Maybe in a few years, when the girls are older we might have a shot Klaus” Caroline nodded maybe more to herself then to him. “But for now I can’t…”

‘ I understand”

“Sorry i’m making you wait” Caroline smiled apologetically.

“However long it takes right…” Klaus told her cupping her cheek and bringing her face to his again kissing her lips soft and lovingly.

“Right….. Goodnight Klaus” Caroline whispered pushing open the car door setting her feet to the ground.

“Goodnight sweetheart” Klaus whispered back as she walked through the door and out of sight.

“Are you taking his side against me?” Klaus shouted angrily throwing his glass against the wall shattering into hundreds of pieces.

“Ofcourse I’m not i’m simply suggesting that maybe you don’t solve every dispute with violence Klaus!” Caroline screamed back at him gesturing to the broken shards of glass.

‘I have run this city with an iron  hand years before you came into it love, if I don’t retaliate hard they will see me and our family as weak!” Klaus tried to explain to her through his frustration.

“Yes and it nearly killed you in the process, If I hadn’t found you in time you would still be chained up downstairs in the cellars or did you forget about that!” Caroline reminded him.

“How could I possibly forget that Caroline you remind me of my mistakes every chance you get you knew who I was when you married me sweetheart, so stop trying to change me because you’re only now realising i’m not up to your standards!” Klaus spat at her.

“That’s not what I said Klaus!” Caroline rolled her eyes at him, how could somebody so powerful be this insecure.

“It what you meant!” Klaus said stubbornly folding his arms like a pubescent teenager.

“Ugh you’re impossible I am just trying to help you!” Caroline threw her hands in the air in frustration and storming out of the room.

“Where are you going?! We are not done talking about this!” Klaus stalked after her.

Caroline turned around on her heels her eyes shooting deadly fire at him as he walked up to her in that typical intimidating hybrid manner. The days that this facade worked on her had long passed. Taking on just as much of an intimidating posture she pointed out her hand, poking her finger in his chest.

“I’m going to shower and get changed! Because any moment now your daughter is going to walk through that door home from college for the holidays and the last thing she needs is us fighting. SO.BACK.OFF” Caroline scolded him before slamming the door of the bathroom shut and locking it.

It was more a statement then for the actual privacy because if Klaus wanted to come after her he would very easily be able to pull it off it’s hinges. Lock or no lock. Luckily he seemed to get the message and she could hear him storm out of their bedroom to his art room. She sighed a tired breath as she pulled her dress over her head and turned on the hot water. They had been fighting alot lately. On more than one occasion Caroline had spend the night in the loft across the street just to be alone with her thoughts and some solitude. They had been together for the better part of the last two decades and they had been fine they squabled their usual banter but never fought. Even when they had finally gotten married 7 years ago Caroline was sure of the fact that he was to be her last love. But lately she had started to doubt the idea of always and forever . Her friends had warned her about the seven year itch, promising her it would pass. But somehow to Caroline it felt like more than that. She removed her underwear and pulled her hair from the tight bun she had worn for the faction meeting earlier that day and stepped into the shower letting the warm water relax her tense muscles. She reminisced over the path they had walked over the last years.

She had found him again 17 years ago, 3 years after she had confessed to their connection but asked him to stay away and not come back. Through whispered rumors she had heard he had gone missing and she had started to worry. A little nosying and a lot of perseverance had led her to New Orleans.  She had quickly ran into Hayley there and had met Hope in the process. When the two women were not constantly at each others throat over Tyler Lockwood they had found they worked pretty well together. They would never be best friends but there was an understanding between the two of them and they had each other's backs. After about a year of working together they had found a cure for all Mikaelsons, including the long lost sister Caroline had been shocked to learn about. But freeing Klaus from the clutches of Marcel Gerard had proven a lot more difficult. In the end Caroline had been the one to find him and free him by doing what she did best. Being a distraction towards the villain. They had been able to rescue Klaus, kill Marcel and take control over the city . Unfortunately they had lost Hayley in the battle leaving a sweet little 3 year old girl without a mother and Klaus a single father. The first months Caroline had stayed to help him out but living in such close quarters of each other she had fairly quickly given into his charms and they had ended up rekindling their romance and this time nothing had been standing in their way. After a decade or so Klaus had proposed to her and they had gotten married. They had ruled the city of New Orleans together and Caroline had found herself liking being in control and they made a good pair. He was the hard ruler and she was his softer side. It had worked perfectly, until now.  She loved Klaus, more than she had ever loved anyone before in her life and she knew he still loved her very much as well. Worshipped her even. But they could drive each other insane as well, and lately the latter had been happening a lot!

When she had finally calmed down a bit from their argument  Caroline turned off the faucet wrapping a towel around her body and making a turban around her head for her hair. It was already a little passed 4 in the afternoon and Hope would be home from college soon and she was very excited to see her “stepdaughter” again after all these months. The two of them shared an incredible bond. Caroline had suggested picking her up from the airport but the girl had insisted she would drive home herself. Something about a surprise. Caroline knew better than to argue on such matters with a Mikaelson. She grabbed the grey jeans from the closet that shaped her ass perfectly and the blue satin top that showed just the right amount of cleavage she knew Klaus loved her in. She was still a little mad at him so it didn’t do any harm to show him what he would be missing tonight. Afterwards she quickly dried and re-curled her hair applying a little bit of make up and decided to start set up for the home coming party and avoid Klaus in the process.

“You know we can still turn back around and just celebrate the holidays in the dorm just the two of us” Rys said nervously tapping his fingers to the side of the car.

“Don’t be a wimp you promised to meet the family for the holidays and you’re going to keep your promise’ Hope told him for the hundredth time since they landed. “I met your family over summer!”

“Yes well my father isn’t the original 1000 year old hybrid with a very bad reputation” Rys tried to reason with her.

“Dads been perfectly nice when I brought home friends before…” Hope tried to reassure him letting her hand squeeze his knee slightly keeping the other on the steering wheel.

“Were you sleeping with any of those friends?” Rys asked her with raised eyebrows.

That took Hope off guard for a moment “Yeah I wouldn’t mention that in a conversation” she snickered at the idea of how her father would react to news like that.

“See! I’m gonna die this weekend!” Rys said dramatically.

Hope pulled up at the compound and shut off the engine taking the keys out of the ignition before turning to her boyfriend. “You’ll be fine I promise, but if you get nervous just talk to Caroline, she’s really sweet” she kissed her boyfriend on the cheek softly giving him a smile. “Ready?”

Rys looked at Hope, he still couldn’t quite believe his luck that she was his girlfriend. She was beyond beautiful her copper curly hair and bright blue eyes turned a lot of heads back on campus. She could’ve had any guy she wanted but instead she had chosen him. Even though he was tall sluggish with thick black glasses and he had to admit a little nerdy. When they were starting their first week in college months ago and Hope had caught him experimenting with some magic and when he had vigorously tried to deny his powers she had shown him hers. They had been best friends ever since and Rys had harbored the biggest crush on her. He had never thought she would like him back until one day she stomped up to him obviously upset and had asked him when the hell he was going to ask her out because she was done waiting around for him. He had pulled together every bit of courage he had and had kissed her right then and there on the spot. They had been together ever since. And now almost half a year later they had decided it was time to meet each other's families. Meeting his family was easy. Hope was famous in his coven and they had all been very anxious to meet her. They got along great and it had been a fun weekend last month. But now it was his turn to meet the Mikaelsons, Rys had tried to put it off as long as he could but Hope had finally put her foot down and dragged him to New Orleans for the holidays.

“You coming?” Hope asked him as she got her bags from the trunk.

Apparently he had been so lost in thoughts he hadn’t even noticed she had gotten out of the car.

“Here goes nothing…” He finally encouraged himself as he grabbed his bag from the backseat and walked behind Hope into the Mikaelson family home.

“DAD?! MOM!! I’M HOME!!!” Hope shouted as she dropped her bag into the sofa and kicked off her shoes.

She had gotten into the habit of calling Caroline mom from time to time -often when she wanted something or needed to butter her up-  after all Caroline did raise her. And it didn’t mean she loved her birth mother any less or didn’t acknowledge her. She just had room enough in her heart for two mothers. The one who gave birth to her and gave her life for her, and the one who had loved and raised her. She loved both equally and completely differently.

There wasn’t an immediate response from inside the house.

“Nobody home? Ah well better luck next time” Rys stuttered. He wanted to turn back to the door and walk out but ran into an obstacle on the way. He looked up to see what he ran into and was met by the yellow hybrid eyes of Klaus Mikaelson

“Daughter! Welcome home, I see you brought lunch!” Klaus grinned.

“I-I’m not- I I’m here with” Rys tripped over his own words nerves getting the best of him.

“And so articulate as well… “ Klaus teased along.

“Dad!” Hope rolled her eyes at him giving him a warning look before kissing his cheek. “Play nice!”

“I am always nice!”Klaus said mock offended.

“Where’s Caroline?” Hope asked looking around the room, it was strange not saying her attached to her dad's hip her father rarely let Caroline out of his sight. She wondered if they were fighting she had sensed something off in the air the moment she set foot in the house.

“Honey you’re home!” Caroline ran to Hope hugging her tightly. They had called almost every single day while Hope was in New York in College but she had still missed her terribly. “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too….” Hope hugged Caroline back smiling. ‘I’m glad you’re both here cause I want you guys to meet somebody…” Hope let go of Caroline and stepped back standing next to Rys.

“ Rys these are my parents Klaus and Caroline Mikaelson. Dad, Caroline this is Emerys Ryan….My boyfriend” Hope gestured as she slipped her hand into Rys’

There was a deafening silence after her announcements both of her parents staring at her with disbelief. Finally it was Klaus who broke the silence.

“I’m sorry I must be hallucinating because I just thought you said boyfriend” He said arrogantly growling at Rys who made a little jump.

“Honey” Caroline said nervously. “The entire family is coming over for dinner do you think with our erhm…..special needs that this is a good idea?” She asked implying the risk of exposure having a human at the dinner table.

“Oh don’t worry about that Rys is a witch too he knows all about us” Hope smiled .

“Oh!” Caroline smiled as her worries ebbed away. “Well then it’s lovely to meet you Emerys” Caroline extended her hand to the boy.

“You too Mrs. Mikaelson” Emerys shook her hand slightly relieved that she really seemed every bit as nice as Hope said she would be.

“Caroline, please!” Caroline smiled as she waved her hand indicating there was no need to be calling her Mrs anything. ‘Ahem!” She coughed looking from Klaus to Rys.

“You’re not a New Orleans witch, I never heard of a Riley coven here...where are you from?” Klaus barked at the boy.

“Ireland sir” Rys stuttered again, he really was incredibly intimidated by the Hybrid.

“Where exactly in Ireland?” Klaus continued his questioning.

“DAD NO!!” Hope yelled at her father getting in between him and Rys. “You are not sending your minions to Rys’ coven to spy on them!”

“Just routine investigation Sweetheart, making sure they don’t have an ulterior motive or something like that because if some witches are stupid enough to go through my daughter to get to me well let’s just say I’d show them the true meaning of hell” Klaus looked over at Rys his eyes turning deep golden again.

“This is ridiculous stop trying to scare my boyfriend!” Hope warned him having a staring contest with her father.

“It’s working!” Rys peeped slightly from behind Hope!

“Perfect!” Klaus said cheerfully looking up from his staring competition.

“Ugh Come on Rys let’s go to my room!” Hope  took him by his hand and guided him up to the stairs.

Klaus flashed in front of them with vampire speed blocking the stair for them. “Absolutely not! If you insist on letting the boy stay here he will be sleepin on the other side of the compound...WAAAAY on the other side” Klaus warned his daughter.

“Urgh!!!” Hope grunted annoyed leading Rys up to the other staircase to find him a room.

Caroline turned to Klaus as soon as there were out of sight “You scared the living life out of that poor boy”

“I should hope so…” Klaus muttered taking another glass of bourbon from the pitcher.

“You realise she’s never going to bring a boyfriend home anymore if you’re always going to act like this” Caroline told him annoyed that he was drinking again.

“Perfect!” Klaus said cheerfully pouring himself a second drink.

“And then she’s just going to sneak around behind our backs and pull further and further away from us” Caroline took the glass from him giving him the enough look.

“Or I could just compel every boy who comes near her to throw himself off  a bridge, what do you think the chances are she got the little warlock on vervain” Klaus chuckled.

“That’s a way to deal with your daughter Klaus congratulations…” Caroline sarcastically clapped her hands.

“Caroline if you’re just going to ride me again I’m leaving” Klaus sighed grabbing his jacket from the closet.

“Yeah run away from the conversation Klaus that’s just great” Caroline muttered.

“I’m not! I’m running away from you!” Klaus shouted.

With a slam of the door Klaus left the compound Caroline could hear his tires screeching as he drove off to a random bar. Leaving Caroline alone in the courtyard biting her lip because she was too proud to cry.

“Hey Caroline can I borrow some sheets for - Mom are you crying?” Hope asked as she walked back down the stairs.

“No, No sweetheart I’m fine” Caroline smiled bravely wiping an escaping tear from her cheek.

“ You’ve always been a horrible liar.Are you and dad fighting?” Hope pulled Caroline next to her on the sofa looking at her with worry.

“Really Hope it’s nothing for you to worry about it’s nothing I promise”

“Mom please I could sense dad’s mood the second I came in’ Hope pressed the matter.

“I’m sorry about how he reacted to your news, Emerys seems like a lovely boy” Caroline whispered squeezing Hope’s hand “I’m really happy for you”

“Thanks that means alot to me” Hope beamed relieved that at least one of her parents seemed to be open minded and supportive about it.

“Just promise me you guys are being safe because I wouldn’t know how to start explaining accidents to your father” Caroline chuckled through the last of her tears.

“Ok I really don’t want to have this talk with you again! It was awkward the first time and it isn’t better now!” Hope quickly replied trying not to go down that road again.

“Alright dear, now let’s go get you those sheets” Caroline laughed back standing up from the sofa.

Dinner had gone fairly well. Though Rys had been teased and questioned thoroughly by the rest of the family - Kol had had a field day with the boyfriend matter- they all seemed to take well to the idea and were even relatively nice to him. In the end Hope hadn’t dared to hope for it to go better. Her dad had come back home after most of the family had arrived so she hadn’t been able to scold him about fighting with Caroline or being a jerk to Rys yet and after dinner had ended, long after midnight she had been too tired from traveling and catching up with the rest of the family to talk with him. She decided it would be better to do so in the morning. She was lying in her old bedroom trying to relax with some sketching. The compound seemed to have died down as everybody was getting ready for the night when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in” Hope said to the closed door as she sat up straight.

“Hey, can I stay here with your for a while you’re uncle Kol is really freaking me out’ Rys smiled standing in the doorframe.

“What did he do now” How said half frustrated half amused as she threw her sketchbook down.

“ He might have been explaining all the different ways he and your father used to torture people and how it would be nothing compared to what they’d do to me should I should ever hurt you” Rys chuckled humorlessly.

“You want me to go talk to him?” Hope asked looking at him with a guilty smile. She knew it was a bad idea to put Rys next to Kol’s room.

“Nah it’s fine just wanted to come and say goodnight” Rys smiled back.

“Come here” Hope patted the side of her bed.

It was ridiculous how much she loved him. It was the kind of love she had seen between her father and Caroline when she was growing up. She loved everything about him. The way his dark brown hair stood in every witch way even after combing through it a million times. Or his blue eyes that always looked at her in wonder. She knew he worshipped the ground she walked on. The way his glasses just didn’t fit perfectly right and he would always fidget adjusting them back on his nose.

“You’re doing great, and Caroline seems to really like you” Hope said planting a soft kiss on his lips.

“She’s really nice...although it’s still kinda weird when you call her mom and she looks the same age as you do” Rys explained.

“After a while you don’t notice anymore and it starts to make sense I promise” Hope started kissing his neck.

“What are you doing?”Rys asked nervously creating some distance between him and hope as he scooched further up the bed.

“What do you think?” Hope grinned wickedly as she crawled into his lap. She wasn’t that tiny perse but Rys was so tall it was easy to crawl into his warm embrace.

“Hope we can’t your father is across the hall” Rys whispered as he felt her tugging at his shirt.

“Sleeping...we’ll be fine” Hope whispered pushing him playfully on the bed.

“I really think you should go apologize to your daughter about the way you acted…” Caroline said as she sat on the side of the bed rubbing moisturizer on her hands. Her skin was going to have to last her an eternity so she figured she should take good care of it.

“I’m her father, it’s my job to scare potential suitors away” Klaus said stubbornly.

“Well if you ever hope to suit me again you will go and apologize!” Caroline said sternly. They still hadn’t really gotten over their fight from earlier.

“Fine” Klaus threw his hands up in defeat not in the mood for yet another fight.

He walked across the hall to the mahogany door of Hope’s bedroom and opened it without knocking “Sweetheart Caroline seems to think I owe you an ap- WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!!!!”

“OH MY GOD DAD DON’T YOU KNOCK!!!” Hope screamed as she got off from Rys. Thank god they were only making out although from the look on her father's face it didn’t matter much, he looked just as murderous. Quicker than she could think she ran up to the doorframe holding her father back with as much strength as she could.

“Hope! Move away from the door and let me at him”! Klaus screamed as his eyes turned vibrant yellow and his fangs came out.

‘What is going on here?” Caroline stormed out the door in her satin robe towards all the yelling.

“That little witch is befouling my daughter that’s what’s going on!” Klaus yelled still trying to get passed Hope.

“I promise sir we were just kissing!” Rys tried to reason with Klaus shaking on his feet while trying to get his shirt back on.

“Get out of my house right now before I rip your throat out boy!” Klaus tried to control his anger and not kill him right away.

Not taking any chances Rys ran passed Hope out the door as Klaus growled at him. ‘I think i’m gonna go Hope”

“No Rys stay!” Hope yelled back at him.

“Sorry he scares me more than you do” Rys stuttered “i’ll see you back in the dorms” he said before running out of the door.

If you could say anything about the Mikaelsons it was that they knew how to throw a fit. And Hope wasn’t an exception.

“Thanks alot dad! You chased him out the door!” Hope yelled at her father, her face red with anger.

“After what he was doing he’s lucky that’s all i did” Klaus yelled back. Caroline knew he was really mad now because he was trembling.

“I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t break up with me after this” Hope blamed her father.

“All the better! He’s nowhere near good enough for you!” Klaus fired back.

“UGH Why must you always try and ruin good things going on in my life… I HATE YOU!” Hope slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Klaus was about to force open the door again to continue arguing when Caroline stopped him.

“Let her be Klaus, you both need to cool down a bit come on” Caroline pulled Klaus back into their own room by his arm.

“I don’t need to do anything Caroline aside from making sure that boy never goes near my daughter again” Klaus fumed pacing through the room.

“Klaus that’s not gonna do any good, look I know it must be hard for you but she’s growing up and if you forbid her from seeing him now she’s only going to pull away from us and i know that’s not what you want!” Caroline tried to calm him down rubbing his arm to soothe him.

“I’m just happy I walked in before they were….She should keep her innocence for at least a while longer”Klaus still paced barely listening to what Caroline was saying.

“What and you think just because you walked in they won't anymore?” Caroline laughed a little. “Look she promised me they were being safe and I trust her”

“YOU KNEW?!” Klaus screamed at her this time he did listen.

“Well yeah ofcourse, she’s an adult and in college I know what I was like at that age” Caroline tried the explain.

“You should’ve told me…” Klaus walked up to her.

“She confided in me! It’s a mother daughter thing i’m not going to sell her out to you like that!” Caroline said slightly annoyed.

“Except that you are not her mother Caroline! However much you’re trying to be...” Klaus screamed throwing a lamp against the wall just inches from her, making her flinch, in a fit of blind rage by her betrayal.” YOU ARE NOT HER MOTHER’ He screamed again, instantly regretted it.

The look in Caroline’s eyes was heartbroken. He could literally see the second he had gone to far and broke her heart. They had fought before but she had never looked at him like this, so dissapointed.

He had half expected her to scream at him, to tell him he was the worst person in the world and that she had never been this angry with him. But instead she just turned around on her heels and walked over to the walk in closet door grabbing an overnight bag and stuffing it with a few necessities. Klaus hated when she went to spend the night across the street. The bed was so much colder without her in it , he never actually was able to sleep when she wasn’t next to him.

‘Caroline i’m sorry….please don’t go to the loft”Klaus whispered softly walking up behind her.

“I”m not…” Caroline said coldly walking to the bathroom for her toothbrush and some other products.

“Then why are you packing?” Klaus asked following her around.

“I’m going home for a while I need to think” Caroline explained as she zipped up the bag and threw it over her shoulder.

“Sweetheart you are home” Klaus asked confused.

“No Klaus, Mystic Falls home. I can’t do this anymore” Caroline said as she walked to the door.

“Caroline I told you I was sorry I didn’t mean- You know how my temper gets the best of me love” Klaus tried to explain as he grabbed her hand.

She pulled her hand from his looking up at him,  no tears no anger just hurt and disappointment in him.

“It’s not just this Klaus we haven’t been happy in months… I need a break figure out what I want and you should do the same.. Either you want to be with me or you don’t” She said.

“You know I do…I love you” Klaus tried.

“I love you too, but i’m starting to think maybe love isn’t enough. Maybe we’re still just too different” Caroline took one more shaky breath before walking out the door.

Klaus sat by the window in his art room as he watched her put her bag into the car and drive off. He kept on staring after her even long after she was out of sight. Completely defeated. It had finally happened, he knew in the back of his mind that one day he would mess it up. And now one day was here and his light had left him. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon from his cabinet not bothering with a glass drinking straight from the bottle. He had a paintbrush in his hand and an empty canvas in front of him. He stared at it for hours only breaking his composure to drink. The only thing he could think of painting was the dark abyss in his heart.

It was near morning when there was a knocking on his door. Klaus barely heard it but was annoyed when the intruder barged in without waiting for an answer.

“So Rys decided to go back home for the rest of holiday break I hope you’re pleased’ Hope said taking a seat next to her father. She looked at the dark painting confused and then to the half empty bottle in his hand as he still stared at the painting.

“Utterly” He muttered darkly.

“Are you drunk?” Hope asked as she noticed the second and third bottle lying around.   

“I’m the original Hybrid sweetheart, I have high tolerance” Klaus said annoyed.

Hope took the bottle out of his hands taking a serious sip from it and earning a disapproving look from her father.

“I’m in college, I know what alcohol is dad” She sighed rolling her eyes at him. “I know why i’m in a mood but why are you?”

Klaus didn’t respond to that question. He was slightly relieved that she wasn’t as mad at him anymore as last night. Much like him she had a terrible temper and would lash out at him and then forget about it later.

“Where’s Caroline?” Hope asked suddenly realising she didn’t sense a second presence in the house.

Another silence.

Hope’s heart dropped as she put the pieces together.

“Dad?” She asked again gently touching his shoulder.

“She left me…” Klaus eventually whispered trying to hide the single forming tear in his eyes.

“She what?!” Hope asked in shock. She knew they were going through a rough patch but this she hadn’t seen coming. Every marriage had theirs ups and downs but to actually leave her father seemed a bit harsh. Unles….. . “What did you do!”

“Look sweetheart I really don’t want to discuss this with you” Klaus sighed tiredly, maybe he was starting to be a little hung over.

“You were a dick to her weren’t you?!” Hope said a little too loudly for his liking.

‘Hey I’m still your father you don’t get to talk to me like that’ Klaus said warningly.

Hope took another sip from the bottle handing it back to him. “Yup you were definitely a dick to her” she said watching him take a drink before putting the bottle aside.

“I might have told her she’s not your real mother” He finally admitted rubbing his temples.

“YOU IDIOT!” Hope yelled at him getting a warning look from Klaus. ‘I’m sorry but you are!”

“I know” Klaus agreed softly.

“Where is she now?” Hope asked feeling slight pity for her father now.She knew like no other what his temper could do to him. After all she did inherit it.

“She went back to Mystic Falls” Klaus looked up at his daughter.

“Well then what the hell are you doing here! Go get my mom back… like right now or I will never forgive and i’m serious this time dad I love you but you’re at your best when she’s around! And she may not have given birth to me but she raised me and she’s the only mom I have left so suck it up and go apologize to her RIGHT NOW’ Hope scolded her father.

Klaus smiled as he watched his daughter rant to him. She was much like him indeed but the way she was putting him in his place right now she reminded him so much of Caroline. Righteous and fearless. She was just as fierce and full of light. And she was right. He stood up from his chair placing a hand on his daughter's cheek to calm her down.

“I’ll find her and bring her home, i promise” He said with a smile kissing her cheek softly.

With new determination he jumped into his car racing through the streets out of New Orleans.

Time to get his wife back.

After dropping off her stuff with a very confused Stefan at the boarding house Caroline needed to clear her head. She wasn’t ready to face all the questions that came with showing up at your best friends house with an overnight bag and red swollen eyes from crying. Luckily Stefan knew how to handle her distress like only a best friend could and had allowed her this time to herself. She hadn’t been in Mystic Falls for years still she knew these forests like she had never left. The mindlessly wandering without any specific direction gave her the time to think about everything that happened and the choices she had made in the last two decades. She had discovered love in a completely new way with Klaus.  And the idea of starting her life over without him was like learning to function after losing one of her limbs. It was possible but her life would never be the same again. And deep down she would always feel a sort of phantom pain in the place he held in her heart. The world just seemed a little less bright being apart from him. Like she was living her life with noise cancelling headphones on. Everything was just slightly number and she felt like she was slightly less aware of her surroundings.

These were all traits of life without her last love. Because even if they were to part their ways he would still be her last love, always and forever. She would never love another like she had loved him. And this wasn’t just her broken heart talking she knew it for a fact that once you had your taste of epic love all other loves would simply be sufficient but nothing more. But with this kind of love came the heartache of being hurt by someone who was just as passionate about you as you were about them. And she honestly didn’t know how much more heartache she could bare without falling apart. She loved him, but she loved herself as well.

She hadn’t realised how long she had been dwelling through the woods with her thoughts until the sun was setting. She was about to turn back when she saw a shadow facing her.

“What are you doing here…” Caroline sighed, she didn’t need to see the face to know who it belonged too. She could sense when he was near.

“I’m not letting you go” Klaus said walking out of his hiding.

“How did you know I was here?” Caroline asked him mentally already kicking Stefan for being a blabbermouth.

“I didn’t I just hoped you’d be….This is our spot love” Klaus smiled “I figured if you were here I may not have messed things up forever we may still have a chance!”

Only now did Caroline notice her exact surroundings. “I didn’t even realise I ended up here…”

“This is where you finally confessed to the connection between us, where you kissed me for the first time…..where I proposed to you years later….Aside from the birth of my daughter this place holds my most treasured memories”

“I can’t believe you remember….Look Klaus this is very sweet but I told you I need ti-” Caroline started before Klaus interrupted her.

“I know, but I need you to listen to me first Caroline. I need you to know you are still my souls only desire. And how truly sorry I am for being a grade A prick. I need you home and so does OUR daughter. “

“Klaus I-”

“I’m not done love, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you are what keeps me sane in the madness of our lives. And if I have been taking you for granted I will consider that my worst crime yet and promise you it will not happen again” Klaus professed “Ok now i’m done’’

“For what it’s worth, i’m sorry too…I realised I’ve been on your case a lot lately , and it’s not fair to you” Caroline smiled a little.

“So come home sweetheart,” Klaus said extending his hand to her.

“Klaus I love you, but how do I know that if we just go home now things won’t just go back to how they are now” Caroline asked hesitantly.

“Let’s go away for a while, travel a bit, focus on just us…… We could go to the villa in the Italian riviera you love” Klaus suggested.

Caroline chuckled slightly “ A second honeymoon….you do know how to sweep a girl of her feet i’ll give you that”

“Is that a yes then?” Klaus grinned widely.

“Yes….” Caroline nodded as she came up closer him wrapping her hands around his neck.

Klaus kissed her softly relieved that they had found a way to work on their problems and that he was given another chance. He could feel the kiss deepen as they both seemed less on edge. What was it about this exact spot. His hands crept up under her shirt and he felt her grin against his kiss.

“Klaus…. Were outside” She mouthed breathlessly.

“Sweetheart this is our spot, it needs us to ….consummate” he grinned wickedly.

Caroline smiled again her hand softly caressing the stubble on his cheek just like she had done all those years ago before looking deep into his eyes and licking her lips. She kissed him again this time more firmly and passionately and in vampire speed she felt herself being pushed up against a strangely familiar tree. She pushed his jacket off his shoulder tugging at the hem of his shirt as he ripped her top open and buttons flew everywhere. Taking a trip down memory lane.

So 3 day event 3 drabbles yay me! This is for day 3 of the Klaroline Mash up event: Magic & Bedsharing! And because it’s my birthday it’s extra long! Enjoy! Set after TVD season 4 finale no magical babies! I don’t own TVD or TO

Caroline tried to drive through the crowds of the New Orleans nightlife. But her head was getting very dizzy and the sweat made her hands slippery on the wheel. Her sight was getting hazy as well and she prayed that she would find the address soon because she didn’t know how much longer she would be able to drive safely without being a danger to herself or others. She bit her teeth hard as another burning pain shot up and down her body her muscles tensing painfully. Only for a second the world went black.And in that second she heard the crash and felt the shock of her car coming to an abrupt halt. She had never had an accident before - or at least not one that she caused - but now she had crashed right into a concrete roadblock. Thankfully not another person she managed to think to herself. The hood of her car was dented and there was smoke coming out of it. Worried and curious people were gathering around her car. With the little strength she could master she kicked the door open hard nearly breaking it off it’s hinges people staring at her wide eyed.

“Are you ok lady?” A half drunken frat boy walked up to her.

Caroline could hear his blood pulsing through his arteries. She was so thirsty and so weak.And he smelled so delicious...She needed to get out of here fast! It couldn’t be far now. She pushed herself through the crowd hoping that in the middle of the drunkenness of whatever party was going on in the city here she wouldn’t be noticed. Looking up she saw she had the right street now and in the middle of it was the house the lady in the bar had described.She stumbled to the door trying to stay up straight by holding .on to the doorframe with one hand, and holding on to her stomach with the other. She felt like her body was splitting in two pieces. She knocked on the door hard hoping SOMEBODY would be home.

She was relieved when she saw a vampire opening the door. He was large and mean looking but at least she was probably at the right spot.

“What do you want?” the vampire asked rather rude.

“I’m looking for Klaus Mikaelson!” Caroline breathed through her pain.

“He’s in a meeting , no visitors today” The vampire wanted to close the door again.

Caroline tried to put her foot in the door to keep it from closing completely.

“No you don’t understand it’s urgent…. My name is Caroline Forbes, please just tell him i’m here” Caroline begged the man shaking like she was in heroin withdrawal.

“Look lady!” The vampire started to raise his voice “I don’t care what your name is, he said not to disturb him so get lost before I rip your head off”

“Ronald what seems to be the issue here?” A familiar deep voice emerged from the back.

“Elijah!” Caroline gasped relieved before she fell on her knees letting out a painful scream as she clutched to her head.

“Miss Forbes!!” Elijah pulled her up again supporting her under her shoulder.”Go get Niklaus” He barked at the vampire named Ronald.

“But he said not to disturb him….” Ronald whimpered.

Caroline was annoyed by how scared he sounded for somebody so intimidatingly looking.

“I don’t care go upstairs tell him Caroline Forbes is here and she’s hurt… GO!” Elijah shouted as he placed Caroline on the sofa.

With vampire speed Ronald was all the way on the other side of the compound, the smell of sage hitting his nostrils. He couldn’t hear any voices coming from the meeting area but he knew they were there. Gently and politely he knocked on the door 3 times.

“Enter!” Klaus’ voice bellowed through the door.

Ronald swallowed hard before he walked into the room. At a long table the most powerful supernatural beings of New Orleans were joined discussing territory and power.

“I thought I said I did not wanted to be disturbed” Klaus growled deeply.

“I know sir...I- I’m sorry but your brother send me….he said it’s urgent” Ronald tried to explain.

“And what could possibly be so urgent that he said to disturb me during a faction meeting” Klaus asked him contempt filling his voice.

“A girl named Caroline Forbes just arrived sir, she seems to be hurt” Ronald said in one breath hoping Klaus wouldn’t rip his heart out.

Klaus’ eyes widened only for a second before he regained his composure.

“Meeting is adjourned!” He said calmly waving his hand towards the door.

Warning! Smutty goodness ahead!!

His hands caressed her thighs to her slender waist and all the way up to the luscious curves of her breasts. Salty sweat glistened from her soft, supple skin. Her lips let out a heated sigh as he kissed her abdomen leaving a warm trail of them back up to her neck. The way her body reacted to his loving touch was almost sinful. Her eyes were clenched shut and she bit her lip hard as he positioned himself in between her legs. His arms placed on either side of her beautifully flushed face, he leaned in and kissed her neck, inhaling her sweet scent.

 Antagonising slow he entered her, the warmth of her walls around him drew a gasp near her ear. She let out a pleading moan digging her nails harshly into his back as the length of him filled her.

 “Look at me.” He whispered smoothly as he gently placed a few fingers under her chin and pulled her face towards him.

 Her eyes opened revealing the piercing blue staring back at him, a wicked smile gracing his features before kissing her soft rosy lips again. As their lips moved against each other he thrusted inside of her with long, slow movements, nearly removing himself fully before thrusting back in. She whispered his name over and over, begged him for more, more, more, sending an aroused chill throughout his body.

 She was a goddess on this earth.

 He grabbed a hold of her tightly turning the both of them around while staying inside of her heat. Now that she was on top of him, she was free to move and control their pace with her hips. He sat up letting his hands fall from her back down to her perfectly round ass, squeezing it softly. His mouth travelled from her neck to her breasts and he greedily took a swollen nipple in between his lips and sucked on it. She gasped his name again and pressed her hips down on him harder creating a friction to her clit, moaning at the new pleasure.

 He roamed his hands to her hips, steadying her while helping her slam down on him harder as they both reached their high. He could feel her tight walls clenching around him as she found her release, her orgasm shook her body, and soul, in his lap as she threw her head backwards, arching into him as her hands tugged at his soft curls. He silenced her moans with a passionate, hot, kiss as he spilled his release inside of her.

 The pair sat in a lovers embrace, forehead to forehead, panting heavily from their throes of passion.

 A month earlier

 “There it is boys.” Mikael said with a sense of pride. “The shores of Tiryns. From here it is only a day's ride to the city of Mycenae and King Teleamenes.”

 Mikeal prided himself on the friendship he had with the mighty king. Though he was a king himself, the island of Thera paled in comparison to the mighty realm of King Teleamenes, and Mikeal was no fool, he was no match for Mycenae's army so he made sure to remain on good terms and in an allegiance with the city and its outskirts.

 It was that, that caused King Mikeal, together with his three sons and daughter; Prince Elijah, Prince Niklaus, Prince Kol and Princess Rebekah, were on their way to the celebration of King Teleamenes wedding. His eldest son, Prince Finn, had stayed behind together with his wife, to hold down the kingdom. Finn was future heir to the throne and was needed to take charge of matters while the King was away and his wife, Sage, was so close to childbirth. The Queen, Esther, stayed patiently awaiting for news of her first grandchild.

 “I heard the old man took a wife only a third his age.” Kol joked looking over the shimmering, blue waters.

 “It is true, Queen Caroline is only barely of age. He believes the girl’s young age will grant him a son quicker.” Elijah responded “Rumoured to be gifted her beauty by Aphrodite herself.”

 “That sounds like a challenge eh!” Kol laughed, nudging Klaus in the ribs with his elbow.

 “Do not even think about it boy or I will send you to the depths of Poseidon myself!” Mikael screamed at his son’s shaking his fist in anger. “Ready the ship for anchoring!”

 “Yes father!” Klaus responded hurrying himself to the deck.

 They had been sailing for days now and Klaus was glad to get off of the ship soon. Back home he could quite easily avoid his father’s temper, riding his horse to the outskirts of the island of Thera and enjoying the perks of being a prince among the commoners, but here in close confinement there was no escaping Mikael's wrath, and as always he had it out for Klaus more than towards his siblings.

 As soon as they gotten off the ship there were guards waiting for them at the shore, a welcome committee sent by King Talaemenes that provided them with horses for the ride to Mycenae. The land here was far more dangerous than back home, the rough terrain made it near impossible to walk by foot. After leaving the pearly white beaches of Thyrins, they rode inland towards the river and into the forests. It also didn’t help Klaus that his horse was uneasy and nervous. Back home he had loved riding owning several horses he bought and trained himself to perfection, but like people every horse had their own personality and this particular horse seemed very stubborn, it was making him fall behind.

 “Keep up boy!” His father yelled at him.

 Klaus tugged the reins but it was no use, the horse wasn’t going to settle down. As much as he tried to calm it or show it he was master, the horse had a rebellious streak of it’s own and just as soon as he pulled the reins again, the horse staggered, throwing Klaus off of it’s back before making a run for it. The guards quickly came to a halt ready to ride after the disobedient horse when Mikael stopped them.

 “The boy will find the horse himself and ride along alone.” He said strictly.

 “Father no!” Rebekah tried to stick up for her brother.

 “Hold your tongue Rebekah! If Niklaus is half the man he thinks he is, he will get the horse and find his own way! Not get pampered like a spoiled little prince.” He spat not bothering to help Klaus up from his fall.

 Klaus rubbed the back of his head, thankful he wasn’t bleeding, his father would have a field day with that. Not giving his father the satisfaction of thinking he was hurt, Klaus jumped up trying to ignore the dizzying headache he had gotten from falling head first to the rocks and made his way into the direction the horse ran. He could nearly hear the condescending smirk form on his father’s face.

 Mikeal egged on his horse and rode off in the opposite direction. His siblings giving him a pitiful glance before following their father out of sight.

 Cursing under his breath, Klaus walked following the trail of hoof prints in the mud. He hoped the horse had calmed down quickly and had not strayed off to far. Spending the night in an unknown forest was not something he was looking forward too.

 He had not been used to the woods as Thera had little to no woods on the island. The beautiful greenery did have quite the charm to it! Leaves were shielding him from the burning sun and letting a cool breeze kiss his skin. It would be very relaxing if the situation hadn’t been so serious.

 The prints in the mud were still quite fresh and the further he tracked them the wetter they got indicating he must be nearing a pond or river soon. He wished the horse had grown tired and maybe stopped for a drink nearby.

 Finally, he passed a few tree’s leading to a small stream in and open meadow and sure enough, a little further along he saw the horse standing by it. However it was not alone. A hooded figure was standing next to the creature, petting it’s head kindly.

 Thinking it was a horse thief Klaus pulled his sword half out of it sheath, preparing himself for a fight, before walking up to the thief. “That’s my horse.” He said as sternly as he could, almost threateningly.

 When the person removed their cloak, Klaus was taken aback, staring in awe. It was a young woman of incredible beauty. Her golden, blonde hair, cascaded down her shoulders halfway to her back in long luscious curls. Her eyes were the blue of the ocean with long golden lashes to finish them off. Though she was young, her facial features marked those of a woman, a goddess in all her glory.

 “Then what is it doing here all by himself.” She whispered back at him, giving him a firm judging look. “Now put that thing away before you hurt yourself.” She turned back to the horse granting it a smile Klaus would’ve much preferred to be directed to him.

 “My apologies My lady, I feared you to be a horse thief.” Klaus uttered stowing his sword back.

 “And because I am a woman, I automatically cannot be one?” The girl responded, not giving him a look.

 Under her cloak that fell open from the shoulders he could now see the soft, blush pink, of her silk dress. She must have been a girl from standing to be able to afford a dress this beautiful. Yet it still did not do her natural beauty justice.

 “Are you?” Klaus grinned at her sass.

 “I did not say that.” The girl responded looking back at him annoyed. “I simply stated that you exclude the possibility solely based on the fact I am a woman.”

 Klaus slowly walked up to her taking the reins of his horse out of her hands.

 “A thing of such beauty should not be left by itself.” She whispered handing the reins over to him.

 “I was just pondering the same thought love, this is no place for a woman alone.” He responded giving her his signature boyish smile.

 “I can take care of myself.” The girl shot back pulling her cloak aside to reveal the dagger hidden in it.

 “That is no weapon for a woman love.” He said slightly shocked by her revelation.

 “And how do you propose I protect myself?” She asked him, closing her cloak again.

 “A woman of your beauty should have a man by her side, always to protect her.” Klaus suggested meaning himself.

 He had always had a way with women, bedding princesses, priestesses and even slavegirls on their travels. His mother had urged him to marry, find himself a good obedient and faithful wife in hopes it would keep him from his ways. But Klaus had no interest in marrying.

 Ever.

 He quite enjoyed his current lifestyle, and this one was now first on his conquest list.

 “By Zeus, does that line work on any woman?” The girl asked, annoyed, rolling her eyes at him. “You’d be surprised sweetheart.” Klaus tilted his head in a wicked grin.

 “Yes, well I am too smart to be seduced by some romantic words and boyish smiles.” She said not impressed walking passed him.

 “Give me your name so I know what to call your beauty.” Klaus tried again getting in front of her to block her path.

 “Now why should I give you my name when you have done nothing to earn it? What would you do with my name should I choose to give it to you.”

 “Because love, I would treasure it, I shall hang it from Selene* just for the gods to see.” Klaus told her a little too excited a wide smile on his face.

 The girl walk passed him but couldn’t help and chuckle at his enthusiasm. His proclamations were endearing if anything.

 “Was that a smile gracing your lips love?” Klaus followed her as she walked away from him again.

 “Maybe….” she tried to hide her laugh.

 “Where are you going?” Klaus tried to keep up with her as she made her way.

 “Home…” She turned to him and put her hand in his chest to stop him in his pursuit of her.

 As soon as they touched the air changed.

 “Can I see you again?” Klaus asked in a whisper, feeling her hand on his his beating heart. He could’ve sworn it missed a beat.

 “I do not see any reason why, my lord. After all what is it I have to offer you aside from beauty?” The girl said. “Is it not all you believe a woman can give a man? Beauty.”

 “You speak with the brutality of a man. It amuses me.” Klaus grinned, placing a hand on top of hers on his chest, keeping a firm hold.

 “I’m sure you will find plenty of other women who are more than willing to amuse you, my lord.” The girl pulled away from him and started walking.

 Klaus knew it was no use to continue following her.

 “I shall wait for you here tomorrow morning.” Klaus yelled after her.

 She did not respond but her step slowed slightly.

 “Is that a yes then?” He asked in regard to her silence.

 “No.” She said her back still facing him.

 “Is it a no then?” He asked her again.

 “Maybe.” and she disappeared through the trees.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------

 Completely cloaked and unrecognisable Caroline hurried through the back entrance of the palace praying to the gods nobody would see her. She knew that if her husband was to find her missing from her chambers there would be hell to pay. In the few weeks of her new marriage Caroline had found King Talaemenes to be a cruel and possessive man. A drunken brute whose main interest was war. He did not care for her, only desiring a son from her womb. His first wife had not been able to bare children and had died just months ago.

 Caroline had a feeling that if she did not grant him a son soon, she would also mysteriously come to her end. There were rumors about the king. Not at the least -and this Caroline knew to be the truth- was his jealous and paranoid nature. Within the first fortnight of their marriage he had already accused her of having a lover, simply because she had refused to bed him in his drunken state. She knew better than to have a lover when married to him. It would cost her her head, and her lovers.

 She was trying very hard to live her life as she would back home in these new circumstances, but her defiant nature did not bode well with his need for a silent and obedient wife. Caroline just could not see why she was not allowed a lover yet her husband bedded girls from the entire city, one even younger than the other. Not that she wanted a lover, men were after all vile and brutal, they spend their time playing war games and fighting. They did not appreciate the arts or science like a woman could. She was one of those very few women who were granted an education, she had learned to write and how to read constellations. A trait that came in handy when she sneaked out of the palace early before Helios shone his light upon the earth.

 Once she reached the halls of her confides Caroline took off her cloak, hiding it in a nearby chest. It was getting late and her husband would be requesting her presence for dinner soon. The man she had met at the river really had kept her too long. Visitors would be arriving any moment now at the castle, and she would have an audience with them after dinner, being introduced as the new queen of Mycenae. She thought it to be a way of Talaemenes to show her off like a hunting trophy. Nevertheless she would go to her chambers and look her best, with some luck the king would be drunk off his arse before the moon's highpoint and she could retreat to her chambers unnoticed.  

When she entered her chambers she let out a relieved sigh, she had made it back in time without being caught. She now just had to change her dress and brush her hair quickly before the dinner audience had started.

 “Your majesty!” A voice bellowed from the corner.

 Caroline nearly screamed in surprise “Pheidon! You scared me”

 Pheidon had been Caroline oldest and dearest friend. The only one she had left from back home. He had been her tutor when she was a little girl. Teaching her his wisdom and he did not belittle her just because she was a woman. Over the years she had grown to love him as a father figure. Her own father being away at war far more often than being home.

 “Your highness the king came looking for you” Pheidon said nervously, he always hated when Caroline escaped the castle, he was a horrible liar.

 “What did he want” Caroline asked as she started brushing her hair.

 “He brought you the dress for the evening your highness” Pheidon gestured to the beautiful pearl white chiffon dress with gold embellishments. Another beautifully expensive piece.

 “Oh how the king spoils me” Caroline rolled her eyes annoyed getting behind her dressing screen.

 “I had to lie for you your majesty” Pheidon went on annoyed by both the fact that he had to lie and that she was changing in the same room as he was, it was highly inappropriate.

 “Pheidon it is just the two of us will you please just call me Caroline, I am still the same person I always was since i’ve married” her head popped out from behind the screen. “Now hand me the dress please”

 Even more annoyed Pheidon took the dress from the bed stumbling with his eyes closed to not see the queen indecent, before handing the dress too her.

 “Caroline” He sighed “there are such lovely gardens surrounding the palace why must you always run off to the woods”

 “A cage however beautiful is still a cage Pheidon, in those woods I am free” Caroline walked from behind the screen in her new dress.

 It fit her perfectly  the white fabric falling from her shoulders held together by golden decorations, to her chest where it went in a very slight v-shape just enough to be sexy but still appropriate for her status. Fitting her small waist tightly and again held together by a golden belt. It resembled Hera’s signature white dress.

 “My child you look beautiful, your mother and father would be so proud of you” Pheidon took Caroline’s hands in his own.

 “If they truly felt pride of love for me Pheidon, they would have never sent me here” Caroline looked down sadly.

 “I know you feel uneasy here now, but i’m sure in time you will come to love your life here, and maybe even the king?” Pheidon tried to comfort her holding her chin back up.

 “I could never love that drunken old man….” Caroline shrugged.”But enough about such matters Pheidon, tell me who it is we are meeting tonight”

 She started combing her hair again putting her curls up and pinning them with beautiful golden leaves and pearls to complement her dress.

 “King Mikael of the Island of Thera, he is an old and trusted ally of the King, he brings three out of his 5 sons and his daughter, she’s about your age. Princes Elijah, Niklaus, Kol and Princess Rebekah”

 “What about the queen?” Caroline asked. Usually the wives came along in such matters and Caroline found they were usually nice women that formed a good distraction.

 “Queen Esther has decided to stay in Thera, she is still mourning the loss of her youngest son Henrik, the little boy unfortunately had recently died in a tragic accident.”

 “How sad” Caroline whispered, she couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose a child.

 “King Mikael you will not find a pleasant man, he is in many ways just like the King, but please Caroline i cannot urge you enough how important it is for you to not speak out to him...these ally’s are important to the land, if you will not behave yourself for the king then at least do it for your subjects”

 It was a low shot, Pheidon knew that Caroline would do anything for her people, as a good queen should. She was very loved by the commoners for her compassion and grace. She took out her golden bracelets from her little treasure chest and and amulet for around her neck.

 “Yes yes pheidon, I will behave and act like the obedient wife, now leave me I wish to be alone before all the mayhem starts”  She dismissed her confidant quite rudely.

 “Yes your highness” pheidon nodded before walking out the door.

 Caroline sighed looking at her reflection. If she was honest with herself she looked breathtaking and should be pleased with herself. But the truth was she was too sad, every night she prayed to the gods for courage and strength to make it to the next morning.

 “Ah Niklaus you finally decided to grace us with your presence then” Mikael spat at his son as Klaus rode in on his horse.

 “ Yes well one would be inclined to get here faster if one had any idea where to go father” Klaus said annoyed.

 Mikael took a few threatening steps towards his son grabbing him by the fabric of his tunic“You’d do well not to defy me here boy, or I will have you impaled by the edge of my sword do you understand me!”

 “Yes father” Klaus responded under his breath realising this wasn’t the best place to pick a fight.

 “Ahem” the soft cough of the maid alerted them to her presence. “The feast is this way mylords” she whispered guiding the guests to the dining room of the palace.

 This palace was nothing at all like the palace they had in Thera, compared to this their palace was a small dark place. The dining area was open with several white and blue pillars creating and overcapped area that still felt like it was outdoors. In between the pillars fabric was hung that waved in with the slight breeze. There were multiple tables set up in a U-shape ready for the other guests that were also coming to greet the new queen. All tables had white silk and silver plates set up, with chalices embedded with lions on them, a symbol for King Talaemenes who was rumored to descend from the mighty king Hercules.

 Several guests had arrived filling up the many seats around the tables. The king and queen were going to be seated at the head of the u-shaped tables. Then the different kings and queens on either sides left and right. Klaus and his siblings were seated somewhere in the middle on the left side. Which gave them a good view of the area that would be used for dancing later on the evening. Silently they took their places before Mikael turned towards his children.

 “When we walk up to the head table to greet King Talaemenes and Queen Caroline you will bow and be silent, do not speak unless spoken too. If one of you steps a toe out of line Hades will be the least of your worries….I’m looking at you Niklaus do you understand me!”

 “Yes father” All four of them nodded in sync.

 As soon as Mikael uttered his warning the doors to the to the halls opened again.

 A shirtless slave hit a drum announcing the King and Queen’s arrival. King Talaemenes was an old heavy man. His grey hair bound together at the back of his head. He had a puffy face and no neck it seemed, only multiple chins. He was a typical washed up war lord. Back in his day decades ago he had once been a brutal fighter, big and wide and strong. But now it was all yesterday’s glory and all that remained were the many scars on his face. Klaus felt sorry for the poor young girl who was forced into marriage with this man. Aside from his war victories the man was also known for his many indiscretions with his slaves both male and female. He had many mistresses that were the empire’s worst kept secret. Klaus always told himself he would never marry, but if his father forced him no matter who she was he would be faithful, as a good husband in his eyes should be.

 Behind the King he could now see the slender figure of a woman following in his footsteps. Different silks of white and gold waving in the wind. Gold that was nearly the same color as the queen’s hair that fell like a waterfall down her back. She was looking down at the ground clearly uncomfortable with everybody staring at her in curiosity. Everybody stretched out their necks to get a good view of the young girl and when she finally looked up from the ground Klaus spit out the wine he was just drinking all over the table, getting a glaring look from his father. He wiped his chin and stared at her with open mouth.

 It was her! The girl from the forest this morning.

 The woman he had so shamelessly been flirting with and if he was honest with himself, the girl that had danced through his mind all day was none other than Queen Caroline.

 --------------

The feast had been marvelous but Caroline found no joy in it. Her husband had been showing her off like a hunting trophy again, groping and kissing her very every chance he got much to the amusements of the other kings. There were very little woman at the feast and the ones that were she could see them gossiping about her. After the main course had been served it was time for all the guests to come and greet the royal couple. One by one families of great wealth or royalty came to courtesy in front of their table baring gifts to her and the king. It was only the men that came to greet them as women were not allowed to approach the royal table, being inferior and all that.

 She could feel the men ogling her and she had been very tempted to drink a lot of wine to get through the experience. But the last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself. If she wanted to survive this marriage she would have to be in control all the time. She was slightly losing interest and going through the motions of it all not really paying any attention to the people in front of her when the bellman announced the next guests.

 “His majesty King Mikael of Thera and his sons Princess Elijah, Niklaus and Kol”

 “Mikael!” King Talaemenes greeted Mikael and got up from his chair to hug him. He never called other royal members by their title or addressed them by anything other than their name. HE felt the king of kings but did demand the courtesy of others.

 “Your majesty” Mikael bowed after the hug he then gestured to the other three men“My sons, Elijah, Niklaus and Kol”

 All three of them greeted the king politely. When Caroline heard the velvet smooth voice her head shot up and eyes widened. It was the man from this morning. She should’ve known he would be traveling towards the palace, and she was mentally kicking herself. If he told on her she would be locked up in her chambers for the rest of her life for sure.

 “May I introduce you to my wife Queen Caroline” Teleamenes gestured back to Caroline.

 Klaus was about to open his mouth when Caroline cut him off.

 “It is so nice to meet all of you, my husband speaks so highly of you your majesty” She whispered walking passed Klaus up to Mikael. He already smelled like wine.

 “It is an honor to meet you as well milady and may I say, the stories of your beauty do not do you justice” Mikael kissed Caroline’s hand.

 “You are too kind mylord, I also wish to say how sorry I was to hear about your youngest son, a parent should never bury his child” Caroline smiled sweetly.

 “Do not speak of such matters Caroline!” Telaemenes snapped at her.

 “Your compassion is greatly appreciated your highness” Mikael simply smiled.

 Caroline eyed Klaus as the group went back to their seats not paying attention to her husband’s silent scolding.  

 As the night progressed she could feel Klaus his eyes on her, and she watched him intently as well, both of them waiting for the other one to show some sign of recognition. Both of them to stubborn, or to scared to do so. Caroline had tried to distract herself by watching the other guests dance but her mind was too full with a certain young prince to really get into it.  The more the moon rose into the sky the more drink everybody was getting and when it got to its highest point Caroline watched her husband drape himself over every woman he came across.

 It was humiliating to see him groping into women's dresses in his drunken state while she was sitting right next to him. Eventually she figured she had spend enough time at this feast and got up to leave the feast.

 Klaus had stayed in his seat during the feast watching her every move, the way she seemed nervous at first when he came to greet her to the frustrated and unhappy way she looked when that dumb old king started embarrassing himself. He felt sorry for her, which struck him as odd because why would he care about how she was feeling, they had just met that morning. There was just something about her, the light she carried in her eyes and the way she spoke fearlessly and truthfully that moved him.

 When she finally got up from her table and seemed to be excusing herself back to her chambers he got up as well trying not to be seen as he followed her. When he walked into the hallway he saw her just turn the corner to what must be her private wing and he hurried his step.

 “So you are the queen that stole Aphrodite’s beauty” He whispered as he caught up with her.

 “I did not steal anything Mylord, they are silly rumors made up by silly men” She stopped in her tracks but did not face him.

 “Is this why you would not give my your name, you feared i would lose my interest if I found out you were old Telaemenes’ bride” Klaus said smugly a grin on his face.

 “By zeus are you really that full of yourself? I could not care less about your interest in me mylord, and for that matter you did not give me your name either. Shall I presume you also feared my reaction as well then” Caroline turned around with an angry look on her face. Why did he get under her skin so much.

 “You never asked for my name love, I would have gladly given it to you, to hear it come from your soft lips , there would be no greater gift” Klaus told her smoothly his dimples showing.

 Caroline rolled her eyes at the young prince, did anybody ever actually fall for that? She wondered. “Well, you know now that I am married , and I am an obedient wife, i’m sure you can find one of the chambermaids to entertain you”

 “Is that why you were out by yourself this morning? As an obedient wife?” Klaus teased her.

 Caroline lost her temper taking firm steps towards him. “You shall not speak of this, it is the only escape i have”

 She was taken aback by her own words, being too forward again like she so often was. “I think you should leave me be”

 “Will you be by the river in the morning?” Klaus asked still wanted to see her again.

 “Goodnight mylord” Caroline courtesy to him before entering her chambers.

 Klaus smiled at himself, he liked a challenge, and she was different, feisty and intelligent. She might even make it difficult for him. With a grin from ear to ear he walked through the halls, slipping back into the dining hall unnoticed.

WARNING ABUSE TRIGGERS 

Caroline had been tossing and turning for the better part of the night, the men at the feast had started to get very drunk from the wine and were making a lot of noise. But now it had finally seemed to die down. Her mind was still with the young prince Niklaus. She didn’t know why but there was something about him that made it hard for her to shake him. The way he had told her she amused him. It seemed like he saw there was more to her then just a pretty face. Yet he was so smug, and arrogant..and annoying and very good looking.

 There was noise coming from outside her door, a stumbling that made Caroline feel like somebody squeezed her heart tightly. She got up from her soft bed and stood up just as the door opened.

 “WIFE!” King Talaemenes shouted walking towards her trying not to fall over in his drunken state.

 “I am right here, there is no need to shout” Caroline sighed annoyed. She hated him always, but even more when he was drunk.

 He grabbed her by her upper arms and pressed his lips forcefully onto hers, his beard and mustache irritating her skin. He smelled horrible and he tasted of wine and gods forbid even vomit.

 “You are so beautiful Caroline, but you need to learn to not speak out of turn, now why don’t you put that mouth to good use” He laughed trying to push her down on her knees.

 Caroline thought she was going to gag right then and there. “You are drunk Talameanes, go to bed” she said turning her back on him.

 “YOU ARE MY WIFE AND I WILL BED YOU WOMAN!” Talaemenes shouted pulling her back now with more strength.

 “Do you even know how to?” Caroline laughed at his pathetic drunken state.

 “Mark my words woman, you will love and respect me, and you will bare my son or I will send you to the depths of Hades by the edge of my sword!” Talaemenes threatened squeezing her arms so tightly he was leaving hand shaped bruises.

 “I will never love you! You are a horrible drunken old man and I hope the god's never give us a child! I would rather be impaled by a thousand swords then to bed you ever again!” Caroline screamed at him.

 With a swing of his arm he slapped her with the back of his hand across the face, his ring leaving a cut along her cheekbone and making her fall backwards on the bed. Her head was dizzy from the impact as he climbed on top of her. She tried with all her might to push him off of her but he was so heavy she couldn’t breath under his weight. His hands crept up her leg pushing up her nightgown. His horrible smell filling her nostrils.

 “I paid your dowry, I own you now,” he whispered in her ear. “You are forever mine and you will never leave this place, you will bare my son, and I will raise him to be as glorious as I am. And if I want to I will bed you every night until you bore me”

 Tears rolled down her eyes as he entered her, and she prayed to the gods for the sweet relief of death.

 As soon as he was done he left her lying in the bed silently sobbing as he retreated to his own chambers on the other side of the palace. He had been right. As long as she was here, he would own her. And the hope she had for a son or a daughter to distract her from her horrible husband had now also been shattered. She realised that if she bared his son , he would be raised to be as much of a brute as his father. She wondered then if she would dislike her son as much as she hated Talaemenes, how painful it must be to see her child grow up like that. Yet if she bore a daughter, as soon as she would come of age she would be condemned to the same faith as herself. Married off to some old drunken war hero as a trophy. She could never do that to her daughter.

 At first she felt numb, her body and mind emptied by his actions. She could feel herself being drained and was left with nothing but all consuming darkness inside of her. Voices in her head whispering she would forever be bound to this life.

 Panic started to overcome her, she wanted nothing more than to run from this place, but Talaemenes would scour the earth for her. She would be constantly on the run and never truly free from him. Not unless…

 Caroline looked out of her window. It was still the middle of the night, if she left now she knew how to get around the guards. She wiped her tears and pulled a cloak from her chest covering it over her nightdress. Silent as the wind she walked through the halls careful to avoid the marching guards and ducking behind corners to avoid them. Her legs trembled as she walked up the many stairs of the palace.

 The wind hit her face hard as she arrived at the open space on top of the castle.It was cold and sending shivers over her skin. Still she dropped the cloak she was wearing to the ground looking over the city limits in her beautiful blue night dress. Her lip was trembling. She was frightened but knew this would be the best option. Anything else would be unbearable. Spending her life with him would destroy her anyways. Her hair flew sideways as she reached the edge. She looked around once more to see if anybody was around. She was all alone. Carfully she stepped onto the stone borders and looked down. It was a long fall down, she had chosen the river side hoping her body would float away into poseidon. But either way the impact would deffinatly kill her instantly.

 Her thoughts raced at a million miles an hour. The aching pain in her heart making her breath heavily. She had no other choice. She kept telling herself this was the only way out. He had told her so. Tears rolling from her cheeks again her mind becoming a dull black haze. Carefully she shuffled over the edge when somebody called out to her.

 “Your highness!”

 She nearly jumped when somebody called out to her almost losing her balance as she looked back to see who was behind her. It was him again, Prince Niklaus.

 “Stay away from me!” Caroline said holding out her hands to him to maintain a distance.

 Her heart was pounding in her chest, fear making her body tremble. She couldn’t think straight anymore, all that mattered was that he stay away from her. He would not save her. She would not let him! She started hyperventilating now.

 “You don’t want to do this ” Klaus whispered taking a tentative step towards her.

 “I SAID STAY BACK!!!” Caroline screamed at him sobbing.

 “Take my hand, your majesty please take my hand…” Klaus carefully stretched out his hand to her.

 “NO!!! I will never be free of him in this life!! He will always control me! And my children, I can’t bare it! I’d rather see the depths of hades….” She took another step back nearly falling backwards letting out a small squeal.

 Klaus wanted to run to grab her but she maintained her balance at the last second and fended him off again. He had known she was unhappy, but enough to take her own life baffled him. He felt the need to protect her from this pain she must be feeling, and realised if he wanted to have some kind of impact on her he would have to treat her like the person she wanted to be, not the queen she was.

 “Caroline….I’m going to take your hand now….” He reached out to her.

 Caroline shook her head vigorously but let him come closer to her. His eyes looking into hers intently , she noticed a similar fear in his eyes as the one she felt inside her heart. And when he eventually grabbed her hand she let him pull her into his arms as she started to cry and sob uncontrollably. His hands caressing her back and the back of her head as he placed a soft kiss into her hair.

 “It”s ok sweetheart…. I’ve got you now”

 He held her to his chest until her breathing calmed down, letting her tears stain his tunic and hoping that nobody would catch them in this compromising embrace. The last thing she needed was being accused of adultery now. In the back of his mind he wondered what would have happened if he hadn’t seen her walking up those stairs earlier. Her eyes so filled with numb sadness that she didn’t even see him when she passed him. When she finally did stop crying she went back to that numb state. Klaus gently took a step back cupping her chin between his fingers and pulling her face up slightly turning it to the right to look at the cut on her left cheek. It wasn’t bleeding anymore but slightly swollen and bruised and little crusts of dried up blood smudged her cheek.

 “What happened here?” He asked although he could guess the answer.

 She remained silent only shrugging her shoulders trying to avoid his gaze.

 “A man who lays a hand on a woman is nothing more than a coward” Klaus whispered maybe more to himself then to her. “Let’s get you cleaned up then”

 Klaus guided her down the steps silently again and through the hallways of where he had seen her sneak off earlier that night. He took her to the kitchens he had found earlier that night when exploring the palace. They were empty now as the city was fast asleep. He grabbed a cloth and some water in a bowl moistening the cloth before dabbing it softly on her cheek to clean off the dried up blood.

 She hissed painfully breathing in air as the cold touched her cheek. She pulled her face away rather harshly somehow annoyed by his kind gesture.

 “I’m fine, you do not need to belittle me like I am a child with a scraped knee” She whispered in a monotone voice.

 “Yes well, forgive me your majesty but without proper cleaning that ...that might scar” He tried to reason with her.

 “Good, I hope it does” she bit back at him.

 “Why are you so keen to besmirch your own beauty, many women would love making a deal with Pheme for it” Klaus asked her trying to put the cloth back to her face.

 “Yes well look where it got me…trapped in an ivory cage by an abusive husband” Caroline pushed his hand away.

 “You desire freedom your majesty?” Klaus asked again bringing up the cloth, he was just as stubborn as she was. “Is that what you were doing at the river yesterday morning?”

 “I wasn’t running if that is what you are asking, sometimes I just need a break…..When I was a child and I needed a break I would run to this nearby river and my friends and I would laugh and swim, we would pick flowers until dusk… we were young and carefree” Caroline let him gently wipe her cheek as she was lost in her story. “Then one day it was just all over, I was to be married off. Goodbye to my friends, my family my home all because of a big enough dowry…. I never felt so betrayed in my life...Or so forsaken for that matter….So when life in the palace suffocates me i go to the river hoping to find that carefree feeling again”

 “And have you?” Klaus was so into her story, the way the words fell over her lips he looked at them completely mesmerized. Yes she was beautiful. But she was also strong and fierce, and maybe even the most gentle soul he had come across.

 “Not quite yet, i’m still looking for whatever will bring me peace” Caroline turned her head up again and looked him straight in the eyes.

 The air was thick between them as his hand rested on her cheek giving a sending a warm glow through her chilled body. She breathed heavily and shallow again but this time there was a completely different emotion causing it. His eyes were the blue of a thunderstorm, there was something wild and untamable in them,  Yes something remarkably beautiful. The blond curls that only just didn’t touch his shoulders. And those ridiculously charming dimples in the way he would smile at her. Her eyes finally landed on his lips and she could feel her mouth getting dry. What was this feeling that was rumbling in her stomach to her core. She licked her lips slightly so she was able to speak.

 “But i’m getting closer I think” She whispered as her face moved closer to his, their lips just inches from each other.

 She closed her eyes ignoring every alarm bell that was going off in the rational part of her head. She had just met this man yesterday, and she was married! But he had saved her, and comforted her. He had let her speak of her fears and listened, nurtured her. She was drawn to him for some reason. She could nearly taste him now feeling his hot breath on her when a loud crash startled both of them.

 Caroline quickly looked around to see if they had been caught but noticed she had accidentally pushed the wooden bowl of water to the ground. Nevertheless the moment was gone and they had created a distance between each other again. Which was probably for the best.

 “I should get back to my chambers” She whispered coldly again and scraped her throat. “I bid you a goodnight mylord”

 Klaus blinked trying to process what had just happened and getting the thoughts in his mind back in order he simply watched her as she walked to the door.

 “Goodnight your majesty” he bowed slightly to her before she disappeared from sight.