Hi guys! Here we go with a new story. This is just a little drabble I was writing that sort of evolved into a one shot, that will eventually be a two shot, that will maybe become a three shot...we'll see.

Thanks to my Beta Babes (livingdeadblondequeen and hybridlovelies) for taking time to read. And congratulations to all of the winners in the Klaroline Awards!

Enjoy!

Caroline sat down, her hands extended and splayed across the oak desk that was finally hers. She reached into her purse and pulled out a photo of her and her two closest girlfriends. Bonnie and Elena smiled up at her, as she placed them next to her computer. The photo was a gift for her first day, along with the brand new leather briefcase that just screamed 'I'm important'.

It had been a long time coming but she finally made it to the top floor. After years of working in the trenches, a small cubicle where she droned away reviewing file after file, just like the hundred other people in the room, an opportunity presented itself that she didn't want to miss.

She didn't hate her current job, processing loans was boring but it wasn't all bad. She made a decent wage and the bonuses were sometimes extravagant but she wanted more and so she set her sight for the top.

When she heard of the unexpected departure of the CEOs personal assistant, her plan was set in motion. She had the experience. She had the drive and she had been slugging away with Mikaelson Financial since her first intern position during college.

It was a stretch of the imagination for her friends and family when thinking of Caroline Forbes in the financial industry, since she was always the party planner extraordinaire but the company did more than just loan money and make money. Mikaelson Financial was also Mikaelson Enterprises, their presence in New Orleans stretched far beyond the confines of the city.

The Personal Assistant role was more than a coffee maker and pretty face for the VIPs to see each morning, but was held in high esteem as the premier coordinator for all the events the Mikaelsons held. It was a job that she could finally showcase her business efficiency, as well as her creative side.

The interview process was a nightmare, and had her up at night rethinking every question she answered, hoping it was the right response. She interviewed with the eldest, Elijah, first and that seemed to go well. He was kind and thoughtful, but asked the important questions of her knowledge of the business, her experiences in the past and what she felt she could bring to the table that the other applicants could not. Whatever she said deemed her worthy for the second interview and the following week she was ushered into a small conference room with Esther Mikaelson herself.

She recalled her attempt at keeping her head held high, to fit in with this luxurious world that the top floor had to offer. She wore a tweed, cream-colored suit with a soft pink blouse underneath it. Her hair was in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, allowing some soft curls to fall and frame her face. Her make-up was light, with a touch of pink lipstick, and she made sure to have her nails looking polished and clean.

The highlight of her ensemble was of course her Louboutin pumps, with their sleek tan look and bright red bottoms. They were her power shoes, that she only brought out of the box for these specific kinds of occasions.

She strode across the conference room and Esther stood to shake her hand. She offered a small smile, admiring Caroline's choice in attire.

"Caroline, pleasure to meet you," Esther said in her posh English accent.

"Thank you for the opportunity," Caroline said in return.

Esther gestured for Caroline to take a seat, and she did, crossing her feet and tucking them underneath the chair. She placed her briefcase on the ground and folded her hands in her lap, preparing for the onslaught of questions to come.

It was an easier conversation than she had expected. The answers flowing freely from her with confidence. She spoke of her experience as a party planner for major events in her sorority, as well as the number of weddings and parties she had planned for friends and family. Her degree in event coordination seemed to pique the woman's interest, as well as her many years working for the company.

At the end of it all, Esther shook her hand again and told her that they would be in touch, and Caroline made her descent back to the loan processing floor.

When she received the call the following week with the offer for the position, she was amazed and a bit at a loss for words. The current PA spoke with her briefly, telling her when they expected her to begin, and that she would need to complete the paperwork that would be emailed to her shortly.

The rest of the week flew by, as she prepared for her next step in her career. She spent too much money on a number of suits and business attire, that would match the standards of her new level of employment. Her credit cards took the hit but she didn't mind, knowing that her professional look was a must and her new salary would quickly pay them off.

This was her first official day, and she sat at her new desk, earlier than she probably needed to be there but the butterflies in her stomach had her up and out the door and eager to begin her day.

She adjusted her photo of her friends and booted her computer, when the ding of the elevator snapped her attention to the opening doors. She stood, pressing her skirt down with her palms and stepped around her desk. She was ready to greet Esther with a smile, but she faltered when it wasn't Esther who stepped out but her son, Klaus.

Klaus Mikaelson was a name only, an enigma really, compared to the rest of his family. He lived in England and ran the family's foreign assets all throughout Europe. Everyone knew what he looked like, he wasn't so far out of the limelight that the paparazzi wasn't able to snap a few photos of him here and there. Every once in awhile his musings in England would find their way to the American gossip magazines, or his sharp business sense would garner him attention from the plethora of financial newspapers. He was certainly something to behold, and she had even caught herself swooning over his chiseled features, bright blue eyes, and stubbled jaw from time to time.

The magazines hardly did him justice, when presented with the real thing, and she felt her stomach drop when those blazing blue eyes met hers and a dimpled smile spread across his face. She heard him say hello, but found that articulation wasn't her strong suit in the moment.

When he stepped toward her, she finally found her composure, and closed her dropped jaw that she hoped he hadn't noticed.

"Hello," he said again and this time she responded.

"Hello, Klaus Mikaelson," she said hastily and mentally slapped herself for being so informal. She tried again, "Hello, Mr. Mikaelson."

He didn't seem to care about her faltered greeting, and reached out his hand to formally introduce himself.

"Klaus," he told her and took her hand. "You can call me Klaus." He winked and she blushed, turning an uncomfortable situation to one of light banter.

"Caroline Forbes," she responded, 'but you can call me Ms. Forbes."

He chuckled and she relaxed, grateful that her little joke seemed to amuse him. He dropped his hand from her grip and motioned toward the office behind them. "Shall we, Ms. Forbes?" he inquired and she nodded, picking up a pen and legal pad and followed behind him.

"Do you-" she started and he opened the door for her, "oh thank you." She stepped through and continued her question, "Do you know when Mrs. Mikaelson typically arrives for work?"

He sauntered across the large office, Caroline's eyes following him until landing on the breathtaking view behind him. The large floor to ceiling windows showcased New Orleans in a way she'd never seen before. The Mississippi river gleamed with the early morning sun, and the view was more than she could've imagined even from the lower leveled floors.

Klaus walked around the desk and sat in the large leather chair. He kicked his feet up and linked his hands across his stomach.

He spoke, "Mrs. Mikaelson I'm sure is already in the office, considering England is 5 hours ahead of us."

Her confused expression didn't go unnoticed and he chuckled softly again and brought his feet back to the ground. He leaned forward on the desk and told her, "My mother has decided to move back to the motherland."

"Oh," she said and swallowed, a fear rising in her that the position was no longer needed, and that her credit card debt was all for nothing. "Well, I suppose there are other PA positions in New Orleans. Thank you for taking the time to come by and tell me."

"Tell you what?" he asked sincerely.

"That you no longer need me," she said, trying to keep her head high.

"Ms. Forbes, with my mother's absence, who do you think is replacing her?"

"I-well...I-" she opened her mouth a few more times trying to process the conversation.

"My mother and I merely switched our stations. I will be running Mikaelson Financial, and Esther will be overseeing the European matters."

"So I still have a job?" she asked brightly, her eyebrows lifting and her stomach with them.

"Yes, my mother spoke very highly of you," he said cordially, "you still have a job, Ms. Forbes, if you still want it."

She nodded her head and smiled. "I would like that very much."

A moment passed between them, where their eyes danced across each other's faces and her heart thrummed inside her chest. He really was beautiful, and she could sense that he was maybe thinking the same of her. He broke their momentary trance by clearing his throat and saying, "Good...good to hear. Now if you wouldn't mind getting me a cup of coffee, we can begin our day."

She was taken aback by the abrupt change in correspondence, but she nodded her head and obliged. She turned around and headed out the door, shutting it behind her. When she was alone her head fell back and she gazed up at the ceiling. She was relieved to still have her job, but not so thrilled with her first act as the new Personal Assistant to the new Mikaelson Financial CEO.

So much for being more than a barista and a pretty face, she thought to herself and left in search of Klaus' coffee.

(****)

After four months of answering phone calls, taking meeting minutes, and yes, bringing Klaus his coffee (black with one sugar), she finally found her rhythm. It wasn't what she expected and she was certain that Esther would have given her more responsibilities by now, but the pay was still the same and seeing Klaus every day didn't hurt either.

He really was proficient at his job. He demanded the attention of those around him, asserting himself as a suitable leader for the multi-billion dollar company. The brief moment of connection, that happened on their first meeting, never strayed too far from their interactions. He was all business, but there was always a hint of affection when he thanked her for bringing him his coffee, or when she peeked her head in to say goodnight at the end of the day.

It was probably her imagination, but on occasion he would find one final task for her before she could leave, and she couldn't help but feel it was only because he wasn't ready to say goodnight. More often than not it centered around her proofreading something over his shoulder, or just answering a few questions she was sure he already knew the answer to.

"Caroline?" she heard him call to her as she was putting on her coat and getting ready to leave one evening.

She stepped into his office and replied, "Yes?"

"Would you mind grabbing me a cup of coffee before you leave?"

Her weight shifted to one foot and her head cocked, bird-like, to the side, "Am I going to find you sleeping in your office again tomorrow morning?" she asked but knew the answer, there weren't many nights that he left on time these days.

"I don't think I have a choice," he smiled at her and gestured toward the piles of paperwork scattered across his desk.

"Anything I can do to help?" She hoped he could hear the sincerity in her tone.

"Just the coffee, Ms. Forbes, you've had a long night yourself," he told her and she felt a pang of disappointment stir within her, and she wasn't sure if it was from the lack of assistance or just the lack of his presence when she would finally leave.

It was true, however, she had put in her time at the office and then some. Since starting she had planned a few events, nothing too spectacular, usually just small cocktail parties to welcome new clients but the 21st Annual Company Gala was fast approaching and this was the first time that he had given her the go ahead to really shine in her field of excellence. She told herself she was staying late to make the event all that it could possibly be, but she knew that part of it was just to stay near him. It was like their own personal hideaway, both staying late, ordering take out and working well past midnight.

"I don't mind helping," she reassured him but he just shook his head.

"Just the coffee and then I expect you to go home and get some rest." He said it playfully, all that was missing was a wagging finger and a 'young lady' at the end of his sentence.

She turned to retrieve the caffeinated beverage and returned momentarily only to find him gazing out the darkened New Orleans sky a heavy look reflecting back at her in the glass.

"Here you go," she said, intruding his deep thought.

He turned to face her and reached for the cup. Their hands touched briefly, but just long enough for her basic motor skills to fly out the window. She lost focus, dropping the cup before he had a gip.

"Oh, shit," she cursed as the glass mug hit the carpet and the coffee spilled out of it. She raced to the small kitchenette on the other side of the office, grabbing a fistful of paper towels and running back. She dropped to her hands and knees, barely hearing Klaus' reassurances.

"It's fine, Caroline," he told her but she placed the towels and pressed with her hands to soak up the mess.

"I'm so clumsy," she said, her tone filled with embarrassment.

It wasn't until she felt his hand on hers that she noticed he had crouched down beside her. He lifted her hand off of the towels and guided her back to her feet.

"No...but, it's going to stain," she fought him.

"I'll take care of it," he told her.

She scrunched her face into a sorry expression, placing a hand over one eye in an attempt to shield herself from the embarrassment. "But you're beautiful rug."

He laughed, "It's replaceable, and it's just coffee."

"Should I get you another?" she started to walk away in a haste but he pulled her back, Caroline only then realizing that he hadn't let go of her hand. She looked down at their locked fingers and then up to his face. He looked stoic and beautiful, as his eyes dropped to her lips, and she wanted him to do it. She wanted him to pull her into him and crush his mouth to hers.

But he didn't. He shook his head and let go of her hand. The loss of contact, dimmed the tension between them and he seemed to phase back to his old self.

"No worries, love," he told her. "I probably shouldn't have anymore caffeine tonight, or I'll never get to sleep."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." He walked back to his desk and sat down, keeping his gaze planted in front of him and away from her. "Goodnight, Caroline."

She opened her mouth but closed it quickly, not sure of what else to say, so she excused herself, giving him a curt "Goodnight," before grabbing her purse and leaving. She stepped into the elevator and as the doors closed she saw him look up at her. Their eyes stayed trained on each other until the final moment when the doors shut.

After that she mostly stayed out of sight, working from her desk and learning all she could about the goings on of the company, and trying to leave on time even with all the work there still was to do on the event. She didn't want to read too much into their exchange and wasn't willing to sacrifice her job, on the off chance that the feelings were one sided. Occasionally the other Mikaelson family members would grace them with their presence, giving her a much needed reprieve from the everyday dronings of her work load.

Elijah managed the public affairs of the company. He was rarely around, always schmoozing and entertaining their top clients. Flying them here and there and eating at the most expensive places in the city. He seemed fit for the position, his poised stature and handsome face, winning over everyone he met, including Caroline.

"Keep that brother of mine in line, Ms. Forbes," he would tell her.

And she would always respond, "You know I do."

Rebekah and Kol were the notorious younger siblings. They stayed far away from the dealings of the business but stayed in close proximity with the family's fortune. Both of their faces were splattered in magazines on a weekly basis. Rebekah and her new beau of the month, with captions always reading something along the lines of: "She finally found the one!" in big bold letters. Kol's rogish features and his bad boy image, was never pictured with the same girl twice, keeping things interesting for the family with his wild antics.

They each greeted her with warm smiles and friendly chatter, Kol's chatter a little too friendly for her taste. He would sit on her desk and lean in, complimenting her on her choice of outfit, smiling and winking and offering gratuitous flirtations. More often than not she would just roll her eyes and wave his attempts off with a flick of her wrist. He seemed to love that, and she got the distinct feeling that Kol Mikaelson was always up for a challenge.

"Well aren't you awfully pretty in pink," he told her on one occasion, giving kudos to her choice in a light pink suit and matching pumps.

It was always harmless, and she knew it. In a weird way, Kol made her feel like part of their family, and she eventually gained the boldness to put him in his place from time to time.

"I don't know how my brother sees you everyday and doesn't do something about it."

This was not one of those times.

Her cheeks flushed and she said his name with playful derision, an undertone of embarrassment.

"I'm serious, Caroline," he cooed, "I don't know why he wastes his time with all those other girls when he has such a tasty little thing right here in his office."

She giggled, even though his words threw her off her game.

What other women?

The door to Klaus' office opened in that moment and Klaus looked at the pair of them. He rolled his eyes and scolded his younger brother, "Kol leave Caroline alone." He didn't need to know what was transpired between them, he already knew that it was one hundred percent inappropriate behavior.

"What? I was just telling Caroline that she's a tasty little'-"

His words were cut off and Klaus grabbed him by his head, pulling him in a headlock and dragging him toward the elevator. "Say another word, brother, and I'll tear out your liver." He pushed the elevator button and when the doors opened, tossed Kol inside. Kol faltered back into the mechanical box and as the doors closed, he glanced at Caroline and smiled, twirling his fingers in a "so long" gesture.

She rolled her eyes but waved back, "Stay out of trouble!" she hollered at him.

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said, just as the doors slid to a close. When Klaus turned back around, she could tell that he wasn't amused.

"I'm so sorry, Klaus," she apologized, even though she had nothing to do with it. "You know Kol, always pushing buttons."

"No, I'm sorry, Caroline. He really is a little twat."

Caroline stifled a laugh and threw her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her amusement from his choice words. She grinned and nodded though, agreeing with his accurate description.

"Yeah, he kind of is," she said and this made Klaus laugh as well.

"I don't know where he gets it."

"Well, according to him, you Mikaelson boys all seem to have your own unique way with the ladies."

"Is that so?" he asked, playing along.

"Mm-hmm, apparently you're quite the ladies' man."

"Is that what you think?" he asked her and when she looked up into his eyes she saw the sincerity in his question.

She decided to answer honestly. "I- I don't know," she stammered. "I mean, well Kol had mentioned that there are a lot of girls in your life, and I guess...well, I guess-"

"A lot of girls?" He threw his head back and let out a melonious laugh, breaking the tension but confusing Caroline all the same. "Right," he said through chuckles, "all those women that I never have time to see."

He was right, when would he have the time? He was always in the office, working late and usually eating take-out with her before passing out on his sofa where she'd find him in the morning. She suddenly felt silly even bringing it up, but her curiosity got the better of her.

"Why the sudden interest in my love life, Caroline?"

Her head snapped up and she tried to wave it off, as if she were just having a normal conversation with him. "I have no interest in your life," she blurted.

"Oh," he said, as if that was not the answer he was hoping for.

"I mean, your love life," she told him. "I obviously care about your life, I just...well your love life is none of my business, but I like you, I mean...we're friends. So as your friend I care about you...and your...um, life?" She was rambling, not making sense, and overall probably making things worse.

"You like me?"

That's what he got from that?

She swallowed hard and he took a step closer to her, and she fidgeted and fretted, trying to think of anything to say. Yes I like you, she thought. I like you so much it hurts.

"Yeah...I mean, I like you. You're...nice."

"Nice?" he repeated her not so well thought out adjective.

She just nodded her head, deciding that it might be best to just not say anything at all. He took another step closer and then another, until he was inches away from her. She subconsciously licked her lips and felt her breath hitch, when he boldly touched the side of her face, his fingers twirling down one of her curls. He searched her eyes and she searched his back, looking for any other meaning behind his action, but his intentions were loud and clear.

His face inched closer to hers, and she felt his hot breath against her lips. He cupped her face, and all she had time to do was release a breathless, "Klaus-" before his lips collided with hers.

There was nothing "nice" about that kiss. A nice kiss would've been a peck on the cheek or maybe a chaste pucker against her lips, but this was so much more.

This was not nice, it was intoxicating. It was explosive and far better than she'd imagined it could ever be. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her closer, hugging her tight and kissing her hard, their mouths moving in a natural rhythm. His tongue darted forward and she greeted it with her own, and as the kiss deepened she felt security knowing that, after all these months, Klaus did reciprocate her feelings.

They stumbled back, and she felt the cool glass of his office door against her back, keeping her in place. He pressed his body against her and she softly hummed into the kiss. His hand reached down, grabbing the nook of her knee and pulling her leg up around his waist. His hand slid up her thigh, fingers dancing under the hem of her skirt. She felt him growing hard through his slacks and her hips began to buck. There was an ache stirring between her legs, as his hand slid further up and his fingers dragged across her ass. He kissed her neck and she held onto the back of his head, her eyes shut tight and her head rolling back against the glass. She wanted it and knew he wanted it too, so it came as a shock when, without warning… he stopped.

Klaus' sudden distance was like that cool morning air that hits you when you first wake up. The blankets stripped away, and your heat and comfort along with it. Her eyes shot open and watched him take a step back, sitting on the edge of her desk and keeping his eyes focused on the floor.

"I- is there something...did I do something wrong?" she asked him, feeling confused and slightly insecure.

"No." He said and snapped his head up to look at her. It was a look that was telling her that it had nothing to do with her, but after years of bad relationships, with not so great guys, the insecurity still stirred within her.

"Sort of feels that way."

"Caroline," he said her name softly, "I'm so sorry."

This was not how she thought the night would end. "Why are you apologizing?" She took a step toward him.

"Because I shouldn't have taken advantage of you like that," he told her and she could tell that he meant it.

There was something else there too, something starting to darken him. It was the same look that she saw reflected in the window the night she spilled his coffee. She slowly stepped toward him and hesitantly placed a hand on his cheek, he rolled his head into her palm and she lifted his gaze up to hers.

"You didn't take advantage of me, Klaus," she reassured him. "Trust me, I've wanted you to kiss me for a long time now."

"And, I wanted to kiss you."

"Then kiss me again."

"I shouldn't." He looked away from her, his blue eyes so cold and distant.

"You should, or I'll have to kiss you."

He tried to keep a straight face, but her playfulness had a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. When she leaned against his thighs, she took his arms and wrapped them around her waist and he looked up at her. He tilted his head and ran a finger through one of her curls again. "You don't understand, Caroline."

"What don't I understand?" She whispered. "Tell me or I'm going to have to kiss you again." She leaned in, following through with her warning, and kissed him on his neck. She dragged her lips across his stubbled jaw and watched as his eyes closed. She cupped his face and placed a soft kiss to his mouth, and he parted his lips and kissed her back. The kiss was brief, his hands wrapping gently around her wrists, halting her from continuing. He took a deep breath and spoke before she could protest.

"I'm leaving, Caroline."

She pushed back off his shoulders and cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

"My nomad for a mother, has decided she would like to come back to New Orleans." Caroline could see the annoyance in his face, this was clearly unexpected news. She had believed he would always be here, that this was his company now and she would always be his assistant. She never dreamed that Esther would want to regain her throne.

"Oh." She lifted off of him and stepped back, gripping the hem of her skirt and pulling it back down. "When...when do you leave?"

"After the gala."

"Oh," she said again, her vocabulary failing her as she tried to process what he was saying. The gala was less than a month away. She felt the tears start to prickle, but blinked them away, not wanting to look pathetic and weak.

"I care about you, Caroline. I have for a long time," he told her and rose to his feet. "But it wouldn't be fair to start something that we can't finish."

"No, I get it," she nodded and gave him a tight lipped smile. She stepped forward and reached around him, grabbing her jacket and purse. "Strictly professional from now on."

"Caroline," he said her name with endearment when she waltzed passed him and to the elevators.

"It's okay, Klaus," she said and pushed the down button. "I'm glad that you told me."

"I should've told you sooner," he said.

"Probably," she said coolly. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. She stepped inside and pushed the button for the lobby. He stood on the other side, his hands in his pockets, watching her sympathetically. The doors slid closed and when he was out of sight, she bit her lip in consternation, biting back the tears threatening to fall once more. It was no use, however, and her hand went to her mouth. The euphoric feeling of his lips on hers still remained, along with the heartbreaking news that followed.

How was she supposed to go on like nothing happened?

When the elevator stopped and she saw the L across the screen, she stiffened her lip and lifted her chin. The doors opened and she stepped into the mass of other people leaving for the day.

Three weeks, Caroline. Just three weeks before the gala and then he'll be gone, she told herself. He'll be gone and Esther will be back, and her career can get back on track.

Oh nooo, Klaus why you gotta do Caroline that way? Whyyyyy? And right when it was getting so hot! I mean...who wrote this? Ugh. Frustrating.

Oh, yeah...I did. Muahahahaha! Don't worry there's more to come.

If you'd like to find me on Tumblr you can at the url jomosfamilyjewels!

Let me know what you thought though in the little box below...I love your reviews!