#sorrority

Two years earlier...

"Any chance you could give me some directions? I'm kind of lost, that's all," a crisp, English accent asked, breaking Caroline from her reading. She was sitting under her favourite oak tree in the University quad immersed in her favourite Jane Austen novel. Sure she'd read Pride and Prejudice too many times to count but she was an English major and had a huge crush on Mr Darcy, even if he was romantically inept most of the time.

"I suppose I could do that," she offfered, standing up and brushing the grass off her jeans as she did it. "Where exactly are you going?"

"Uh, building 5A apparently," he said studying his schedule intently. Caroline had to admit he looked kind of cute with his brow furrowed deep in concentration.

"Science student?"

"Engineering," he answered, following her as she lead him in that direction. "I just transferred from England, hence my confusion."

"Why would you want to do that for?" Caroline asked, thinking just how much more romantic that sounded than Texas, where she'd lived all her life.

"Well, to get away from that horrible, cold weather for starters."

"And into the sweltering heat," she joked. "I hope you're prepared for eight months of summer a year."

"My pale, English skin can't wait," he drawled, sarcastically. "I actually came here for the barbecue."

"Excuse me? You chose your college based on ribs?"

"Well, that and the engineering program. You're not doing a good job of selling this place to me, love," he murmured. She looked over at him, swearing she could see a rogue dimple flashing in her direction although it was gone before she could confirm its existence.

"I guess it's because I've lived here my whole life, that means a hell of a lot of barbecue as you'd imagine," she shared.

"Well, maybe you'll have to show me where I can find some good ribs then."

"Smooth..."

"Klaus," he replied. "You know my name in case you were wondering."

"Well, I wasn't, but thanks for letting me know. Here you go," she gestured towards the grey building ahead. "Enjoy your class, Klaus." She was gone before he could respond. Caroline knew enough of his kind not to engage further. It wasn't the first time she'd been asked about Texas barbecue and it most probably wouldn't be the last.

It was a few days later, Caroline and her friends had headed to Sixth Street for a few drinks, only to run into him again. He'd been charming as usual but it was only when he entered into a lively debate with her about the significance of Pride and Prejudice in contemporary society that it piqued her attention. Although she disagreed (and secretly thought he was a modern day reincarnation of Mr Darcy), she'd broken her usual rules and given him her cell number. Something she came to regret.

She found out the next day that his acquisition of her much sought after cell number had gained him access into the exclusive Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He'd left a message on her phone apologising profusely for what happened and saying that he genuinely wanted to get to know her. She'd deleted it immediately. He'd used her and Caroline wasn't going to let him or anyone else do that ever again.

Saturday

It was dark and 'Operation Underwear' was officially underway. The girls filed out from their rooms and towards the Delta Sigma Phi house, dressed in black as requested by their fearless leader. Katherine and Bonnie had told her privately just over the top it all was but the last time Caroline checked she was the head of this Sorority and not them. Their house was shrouded in darkness and Caroline knew it was just about time to make their move.

"Are you sure about this?" Katherine hissed, as they looked on from the bushes.

"If anyone was going to love this challenge, I assumed it would be you, Katherine," she whispered.

"Oh please, I can steal a guy's underwear when he's wearing it. It doesn't take much effort at all given how predictable the male species is when a woman is around," she scoffed.

"What she means, and is failing to articulate is," Bonnie said, interrupting their conversation. "Aren't you getting sick of all this Fraternity/Sorority warfare?"

"I'm just getting them back for everything they've done to us," she replied, defensively.

"You mean you, roomie," Katherine murmured.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Yes you do," she pressed. "I know you were hurt when Klaus..."

"This discussion is closed. I have no intention of letting some egotistical jerk get away with making Kappa Kappa Gamma a laughing stock," she growled. "Now, let's go ladies." She gestured to them and they made their way across the street, splitting up into their nominated groups. Caroline broke off by herself, eyeing the prized bedroom window above. Klaus Mikaelson was hers and hers alone.

Entry wasn't difficult at all given they'd fed the boy's beloved pooch with dog treats and crispy bacon they'd fried especially in their kitchen earlier. Brutus liked to act tough but the way to nullify him was definitely with food. They went their separate ways, Caroline making her way up the staircase and into the bedroom in question. She'd never been there, unlike every other girl on campus, but that didn't mean she was unaware of its location.

Caroline opened the door slowly, her curiosity rising at what she'd find. She always imagined that it would be messy and strewn with empty beer bottles, the walls full of supermodel posters. From the hallway light she could make out the shelf packed full with leather bound books and the text books ordered neatly on the desk overlooking the window. She knew her mission but she couldn't help but want to run her hand along the shelves and find out what Klaus Mikaelson was reading.

"If it helps you can turn the light on," a familiar voice said into the darkness. Caroline jumped in fright, not expecting him to be there especially since the rest of the house seemed empty. "I have nothing to hide."

"Well, aren't I lucky," she bit back, his spicy aftershave infiltrating her nostrils.

"If you're going to outsmart me then you're going to have to be better than this, love," he suggested and Caroline could tell that even in the dark he was smirking.

"Oh you mean the time we dyed your pool water bright pink and filled it with jello crystals?" She could hear him growl, knowing that it had hit a nerve. Caroline had to admit it was probably their best prank yet.

"Not sure that compares with chickens, do you?" He asked, leaving the horrible memory to sit in her mind. Bastard. "So, my question is, what exactly are you here for, love?" She paused momentarily, wondering what to say next. After all, she didn't want to give their mission away.

"I couldn't help myself, the desire I felt was all too much and I had to come and make love to you right away."

"Liar," he quipped, turning on a bedside lamp and suddenly illuminating the room. "The least you could do is improve your acting skills, Caroline."

"My acting is fine but when it comes to you it's difficult to pretend that I like you," she scowled, finally turning to face Klaus who was perched on his bed, an old copy of Pride and Prejudice by his side of all things.

"Oh come on," he offered. "You know you love me."

"Not if we were the last two people on earth, Mikaelson." She expected a snappy retort as usual but here in the intimate confines of his room it was obvious the game had changed considerably. For both of them. He took in her all black appearance as she did the same, why did his navy polo shirt have to match his eyes so perfectly? They stood there in extended silence, readying themselves for what was coming.

Klaus made the first move, standing up and coming towards her. She couldn't mistake that inquisitive smile exactly like the first time she met him or maybe she was too affected by his close proximity. She shook her head refusing to be another one of his little groupies. She was too good for that, after all.

"I'm sorry," he offered. She was confused given his admission could apply to many things they'd done to each other over the years.

"For what?"

"That first day I met you, all I wanted was to get to know you but before I could respond you'd disappeared," he murmured. "When I saw you a few days later I knew it was my chance to make you realise that I wasn't just like every other guy."

"And yet that's exactly what you did," she groaned, remembering the humiliation all too well.

"I wanted to fit in, I wanted all the Americans here to like me," he shared. "I was stupid. All I ever wanted was..."

"No," she shot back. "I'm not going to fall for your tricks again."

"I don't blame you," he conceded. "What can I do to make you realise that I mean it this time?" She searched his face hoping that he was sincere about what he was saying.

"Fine. I want your underwear," she demanded, her blue eyes never leaving his. Caroline needed to see some sign to know she was doing the right thing and not falling for yet another trap. It was the least she deserved. His surprise at her request was evident.

"What? The ones I'm wearing right now?"

"That's your choice," she teased, dropping her gaze to his impressive bulge, unable to help herself.

"You're more than welcome but those you are going to have to get yourself," he smirked. She held his gaze for a while longer, weighing up her options. It would be fun to take the ones he was wearing for sure but did he really deserve it? Caroline figured he didn't, well not yet anyway.

"That's fine, I'm sure I can find something in your drawers instead," she sighed, moving away and rifling through his clothes in the dresser. He didn't say anything just watched her intently, obviously trying to compute exactly what was happening. "Ah ha," she grinned, pulling out a pair triumphantly.

"Oh no, you wouldn't," he warned.

"Why not?" She asked, holding up his Superman branded knickers. "I never knew you had it in you." She half expected Klaus to lunge forward and try to pry them from her hands but he was perfectly still, his serious expression telling Caroline he was attempting to contain his temper.

"Well, he's my favourite superhero," he offered. "What exactly are you planning?"

"Let's just say, the sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma are planning a little art exhibition," she laughed. "These will definitely take pride of place, Mikaelson."

"Have your fun now love, but I bet there's some Wonder Woman knickers hiding in your drawer."

"You'll never know," she chuckled.

"Oh I will," he promised. "I may have let you and your sisters ransack our house this time and get away with it in a sign of good faith but that doesn't mean my revenge isn't going to be sweet. I'm extremely looking forward to stealing your knickers for my own pleasure, love." Caroline had to ignore the invading sensations that were reverberating through her body. She'd have to remember to get rid of those Little Mermaid pants she'd kept for far too long.

"Bring it on," she challenged. She attempted to leave the room, finding herself wedged between him and the bedroom door, those smirking lips teasing her mercilessly. Why did they have to look so damn kissable all the time?

"At the end of the day, these stupid pranks don't mean anything," he murmured.

"Oh really?"

"Really," he replied. "I am crazy in love with you Forbes and I have every intention of making your stubborn ass realise that." Before she could reply, his lips were on hers massaging them slowly, his tongue dipping into her warmth. Caroline groaned against him, every shred of willpower falling away as his arms snaked their way around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

"I'm not interested in any games," Caroline panted, pushing him away shakily.

"Funnily enough, neither am I, love," he smiled. "Feel free to take as many pairs of knickers as you like."

"I think Superman is more than enough," she joked, walking through his door.

"Until next time, love," Caroline walked down the hallway trying to ignore the residual heat between her legs and his unexpected declaration of love.