A/N: Hi all. A big thank you again to all my reviewer and for the +alerts :) Love you all. Just a note: to people who think that Elena isn't going to be in the story any longer, well, you're mistaken. She isn't out of the game, the game has just begun! Also, I know that people probably don't appreciate the fact that Klaus has been violent and that he is 'up and down' as the saying goes. He will eventually get out of that, its just he has been like that for a very long time and with Caroline around it makes his emotions even more erratic as she is slowly causing him to feel again. He will always be cold and a bit bitter, but it won't always be that way. But I can't promise it will change straight away, because in real life, that doesn't happen. Its unrealistic for people to just change overnight. Another thing, Caroline isn't going to fall in love with him straight away, her heart is willing to accept him more but she is certainly not going to instantly love him, and its the same with Elena and Elijah. Elena is drawn to Elijah. Caroline and Elena have heard stories of the Mikaelsons and so their beliefs about them have been nothing good. But because Elena has seen a different side to Elijah, I suppose her views are changing. Besides, it may be some time until they see each other again, but you will see. Anyway, on with the story. Enjoy.

PS: Attraction is very different to love. People usually get attracted to others straight away, that's how you know you're interested in them. So please don't find Caroline's attraction a bit off, because of course she would have to be attracted to him to begin to develop feelings for Klaus.

The Seven Seas

Chapter 9

"Here we lay to rest the young Bonnie Bennett. The Lord took her away before she had learnt to live but the Lord has a plan, so may we always know that she will be in Heaven, watching down on us."

Caroline held Elena's hand as the priest in front of her began his recital, but Elena was so shattered she began to sob. Her mother was of course next to her but Elena turned and threw her arms around Caroline's chest.

Caroline could feel a wet substance begin to soak the front of her black sun dress, but she didn't care. She placed a hand on the top of Elena's head and her other arm soothingly rubbed circles on her back.

"Shh, its okay," whispered Caroline in Elena's ear, not expecting a response from her incoherant friend.

Her tear filled emerald orbs looked toward the coffin which was now being lowered into the ground by four large men. One of them was Bonnie's father, another her half brother and two others she had seen around the town. They must have been people who knew the Bennett's, she wasn't sure. All she knew was that their best friend had been taken away from them too soon.

They were only thirteen for God's sake, why did this have to happen to them? To her?

Caroline wanted to sob and cry as Elena was, but she couldn't. She was supposed to be the strong one now.

Elena is the leader, Caroline is the organiser - the one with the ideas and Bonnie is the strong one. Was.

But now she had to be the strong one, because Elena was too emotional when stressed...she was kind and thoughtful, but just too damn emotional to be strong. Caroline had to take care of her or she would fall apart.

And so she comforted Elena; her feelings were forfeit.

The ceremony ended and suddenly they found themselves in the backyard of Bonnie's house. Her parent's had organised the wake to occur there.

Elena and Caroline were now in the backyard an hour after they arrived since all the adults inside made them feel cramped. They sat on the grass and began to make daisy chains, as they had always done with Bonnie.

Bonnie always made the best ones - the most beautiful.

"I-I can't Care," sobbed Elena as she threw her partial daisy chain away in anger. "Why? It was meant to be us against the world remember? The three of us!"

Caroline shook her head and grabbed Elena's wrists firmly, causing Elena to look directly into Caroline's eyes.

"Don't Elena-"

"No Care I can't! How did he get her? I don't understand..."

Caroline remained silent and looked away and Elena's eyes widened in realisation.

"You know something, tell me! Did you hear the adults say something?" asked Elena desperately as she shook away Caroline's hold and grabbed her shoulder's; shaking her in desperation.

Caroline merely just took it and shook her head. "You don't want to hear it-"

"Tell me or I swear I will disown you as my friend, I will!" exclaimed Elena as tears ran down her cheeks, knowing that she never could.

"I heard my mother talking to Bonnie's mother in the sun room this morning before the service. Bonnie was playing on the swings at the waterhole, you know the place, we always go there in summer where they have the rope swing. But she was alone, I think her mother scolded her or something so she ran there to get away. Someone took her," explained Caroline, her voice breaking at the end in devastation.

Elena gasped as she let go of Caroline to hold a hand to her mouth in utter shock.

"I heard my father say once that there was a murderer about and how he wished he were around more to investigate such matters, but that was a month ago. I never thought that-" began Caroline but stopped for a moment to compose herself.

She wouldn't break down and cry in front of Elena, she refused.

"-that it would happen to her."

Elena began to sob again, wondering how the world had begun to get so cruel. She looked up at Caroline almost desperately.

"Promise me something Caroline. Promise you won't leave me," pleaded Elena as her voice began to break from crying so much.

"I promise," said Caroline as tears fell down her cheeks, but she didn't sob. Her eyes looked at Elena with determination. "I promise from this time henceforth, it will be us against the world, always and forever."

Caroline held her hand across her heart. "Your turn."

Elena smiled for the first time that day and nodded holding her hand across her heart.

"I promise from this time henceforth, it will be us against the world, always and forever."

Caroline nodded.

"I'll always protect you Elena. Even if you marry and have children, I will always be with you with my own husband and children," laughed Caroline and Elena began to giggle.

Caroline's laughter began to die out and she held a serious expression on her face as she grabbed Elena's hand and squeezed it to ensure she would never leave.

"I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

Caroline stared at the wall with nostalgia at remembering a painful moment in her life. It was the time when she grew up and vowed to never let anything happen to Elena like what had happened to their third wheel to their close friendship triangle. She hadn't thought of Bonnie for a long time.

And she had succeeded today. Elena was with Tyler, she was safe. That's what mattered, nothing else. If they had any sense, they wouldn't come back for her.

Tyler will do the right thing, she thought, but it was merely a hope.

Her cheek throbbed painfully as did her head. The last thing she remembered was Klaus' angry demeanor and then he hit her; again. She deserved it, she supposed since it put a wrench in Klaus' revenge plan, but it was well worth the pain.

Caroline understood Klaus' need to avenge his family and she surmised if she were in his position, she would probably be angry too. But she didn't think she could risk innocent lives because of it, no. Surely there had to be another way but he didn't seem to think there was.

She had been lying in the bed for hours, just thinking. Part of her regretted that Elena was gone as she didn't really have anyone to talk to now, girl to girl. Well there was Rebekah, but Rebekah apparently still dispised her. So what was she to do?

And there was the issue of Klaus. He had hit her, yet again in anger, but she remembered him apologising to her in her dreams and regretting his actions. She hated that she didn't hate him for what he had done, because she didn't. And it scared her.

Finally she decided it was time to get up; trying to push thoughts of Klaus to the back of her mind. Perhaps she could help Rebekah with something.

"We have to go back Tyler!" screamed Elena with tears in her eyes.

Tyler shook his head, hating that he had to be responsible; wishing he could just turn around and kill that son of a gun who took Caroline, whom was still keeping her there.

But he had his crew to think of and the state of his ship was not something he could over look.

"I can't Elena," he said as he looked away from her in shame, knowing that he had dropped his customary 'Lady Gilbert' as that is how he always had spoken to her in the past. He supposed he was just resentful that Elena had been saved and not the one he had truly journeyed here to retrieve.

He had lost, he knew that. He remembered back to that moment when he had touched her finger tips. Caroline had been so close to making it but Niklaus Mikaelson just took her away from him...again. And then he had gloated. That damned pirate had looked at him, knowing that he had taken something precious from him and had put his disgusting arm around her as if she belonged to him! He couldn't see his face from the distance they had been at, but he could tell he would have been smirking.

Well Klaus, I have something that belongs to you too, he thought as he glanced at Elena. I'll do what ever it takes to get her back, even if that means a trade.

Tyler knew it was wrong, but it was just him now. No Stefan or Damon to be his voice of reason. He would feel guilt later, but at least Caroline would be at his side. Well, he sort of felt guilty now since he knew that Stefan and Damon probably weren't going to succeed and now they were on the Cursed Hybrid as well.

How did it turn out so wrong? I'm so sorry Damon...Stefan...but I'll come back for you, he thought.

"The ship needs repairing, there is no way we can take on the Cursed Hybrid now in this state," explained Tyler as he pointed toward a few huge gaping holes in his ship and a broken mast.

Elena looked over from where they stood at the helm and her expression saddened.

"I understand that but surely there must be something we can do! She's right there Tyler!" she exclaimed, pointing behind them at the distant dot in the sea which was the pirate ship she had just escaped from.

Tyler clenched his fists.

"I know Elena okay?! I know! I am truly sorry for what you have been through thus far, but you must understand that I have a crew to also think of. They wouldn't stand a chance against them now," explained Tyler angrily. The anger wasn't necessarily directed at her, more at the fact that he knew she was right.

They were right there.

Elena was taken aback and she knew that Tyler's reasons were sound. She just hated that she was away from Caroline. She wouldn't have cared if she were still on that pirate ship still as long as Caroline was at her side.

And there was a sick feeling in her stomach and she knew where that was coming from. She would probably never see Elijah again and she never got a chance to say what she had wanted to say to him; to thank him for being tolerable and gentlemanly like. That was all.

Caroline would know what to do in this situation, she was always the strong one - the one who had ideas and plans. But her? She was weak and emotional, but she wasn't to know that she was in fact, the opposite. Not yet.

You promised me Caroline! You promised we would always be together! thought Elena bitterly but then instantly felt guilty for even a little blame being put on the person who had carried her through the worst times in her life. Elena just hated the fact that Caroline was still in the clutches of that man.

Elijah, Caroline and Elena would see each other again, it was just unfortunate it would be under dire circumstances.

"Stefan, Stefan, Stefan, wakey wakey mate!" said Klaus menacingly as he threw a bucket of water over his head.

Stefan shook himself awake with a small gasp at the coldness of the water. His eyes frantically scanned the room to find four men staring at him and straight away he recognised them. Finn, Kol, Elijah and Klaus. Then he noticed his wrists were incredibly sore since they had been shackled. He was in a prison cell and his abdomen was bandaged; the pain was incredible! He was lying in a pool of, well, he shuddered to think of what it was. He slowly used his stomach muscles to lift himself up without the help of his hands as they were behind him. Finally when he was in a sitting position with his legs spread out in front of him and his back against the wall, he looked next to him to find Damon was in the next cell but was still knocked out. He looked up at Klaus and began to glare at him.

"Klaus," he drawled. "What a pleasant surprise."

The men hovering around him eyed him with smirks upon their faces. It seemed to be a trademark the Mikaelson's were reknown for.

"I would get into pleasantries such as 'hello mate, how are you doing, what have you been up to since you bedded my sister and ran away' but I think we'll skip all that and get straight onto how you know Katerina's sister," said Klaus, his comments starting out with sarcasm and ending with venom.

"Yes, it is quite the odd coincidence, wouldn't you say brother?" piped up Kol with a dangerous yet playful glint in his eye.

"I'd say so. Its very strange indeed how your path would cross ours," said Elijah with a glare down at Stefan.

"However, I must say that seeing you lying in that pool of piss gives all of us much amusement," smirked Finn, wanting to put his bobs worth in too.

Klaus chuckled and looked to Finn. "Now, now brother you're not making him feel welcome," he said in a mock scolding tone. "Kol, how about you welcome him properly."

"My pleasure, brother," said Kol as he smiled sadistically, clenching a fist together, raising it up and punching Stefan in the jaw. Stefan jolted backwards but turned his head back with narrowed eyes as blood formed at his lip.

"Wow. I think a girl has more force in a punch than you Kol," mocked Stefan; smiling as his teeth tinted with red from his split lip, however acting as if it were nothing at all.

Kol narrowed his eyes in anger and went to punch him again but Klaus stopped him. "Ah Kol, we want him alive...for now. Tell me Stefan, what brought you to the small back water town of Mystic Falls?"

Stefan spat a bit of blood on the ground in front of Klaus and didn't say a word.

"Stefan, please. You're making this hard on yourself," said Elijah with a small sigh.

"Me? You're all making it hard on yourselves, you always have. This vendetta you're on, its madness!" exclaimed Stefan, breaking his silence.

"No Stefan. Its closure," said Elijah. "You could never understand, so please stop wasting our time. Niklaus would like answers, as do all of us."

"Tell me why you were there, why you came on that ship with that idiotic Captain," snarled Klaus who seemed to be running out of patience.

Stefan shook his head. "I like her," said Stefan with a shrug. "Elena."

Elijah narrowed his eyes. "You expect us to believe such a lie Stefan?" exclaimed Elijah in anger, but his anger was not because he was lying.

Stefan raised an eyebrow. "Why would I lie? I've moved on."

Kol sighed boredly. "I'm over this, its no fun. I'll see you up on the deck," said Kol as he made his way back upstairs.

Three brother's remained, not caring if their youngest sibling had left.

"Its a lie because a man like you wouldn't risk us seeing you again for a girl you simply like. You have an ulterior motive," said Klaus, his eyes observing Stefan skeptically.

"Fine. I really like her," said Stefan unconvincingly.

Finn looked into Stefan's eyes and could see clearly that he was lying. He had not a care for this woman at all, but he would keep that bit of information up his sleeve and would pay a visit to the youngest Salvator brother when he was alone.

Elijah clenched his fists. Finn noticed that too, it would seem their oldest sibling was more attached to the escaped prisoner than he had previously led on. He kept it hidden well though and Finn admired that. For he was being the most deceptive of all.

"Why risk your life for a mere woman?" asked Klaus, unable to fathom such an action even though he had done the exact same thing.

"You wouldn't understand, Klaus. How could you?" said Stefan bitterly as he glared up at Klaus.

Klaus began to pace in front of Stefan, trying to see if he could work out why Stefan had come other than what he had just told them. "Fine, let us diverge for a moment. Who was this Tyler? What is his involvement with Caroline?"

Stefan frowned. Why the hell was he asking about the blonde? Why did he care?

"I-I think he wanted to ask her hand in marriage, but hadn't had the courage to do it for a long time. At least, that is what Elena had told me," said Stefan with a frown. "Why are you asking about that?"

Klaus snapped his gaze at Stefan and stopped his pacing to narrow his eyes at him angrily. "Just shut it Stefan, I'm the one asking the questions."

Klaus turned toward Elijah. "I think its time for the fun part," he said with a smirk and Elijah nodded as he pulled a bundle wrapped in leather from behind his back. He walked out the cell door and brought in a small wooden table.

He placed it in front of Stefan and untied the bundle; rolling it out on the table to reveal several metal 'utensils'. Stefan eyed them from where he was sitting. He wasn't a fool, he knew what they were.

He was going to be tortured.

"I've told you everything I know," said Stefan as the pitch of his voice began to rise slightly.

Finn noticed it was a sign of panic. He smirked. Yes, this would be interesting.

"Perhaps, but I want you to know that I really don't care whether you're telling me the truth or not. We'll have Elena back very soon, in fact, our ship is being repaired as we speak until we reach our next destination and we have enough firepower left to dessimate that pathetic military ship and that idiotic boy who captains it. But I know you're lying about something, I just don't know what yet. And you know me, I do love a bit of torture to finish my day," smiled Klaus as he nodded to Elijah.

"Just speak the truth, Stefan. I do hate ruining my shirts with the stains of blood," said Elijah as he pulled out a knife from the set in front of him. But then again, he would be lying if he said he wouldn't enjoy causing him pain.

"Sir," bowed a man before him, holding up a rolled up piece of parchment in his hand above his head.

"From Phillip I presume," said Michael as he reached out and grabbed the piece of parchment from the servant's hand.

The servant nodded before turning to take his leave.

Michael unravelled the parchment and sat behind his desk.

Dear Lord Michael,

I have news from your son Finn. It seems Klaus found the long lost Petrova sister and will be sailing toward her island of Curacao where she resides with her husband the Venezuelan prince. We tried to intercept the witness and we killed a man whom we believed to be him however it appears someone still showed up to the meeting. I fear Katerina suspects Finn. We cannot let them reach Curacao for fear of Niklaus finding out about Finn's deceptions.

On another note, Niklaus seems to have taken an interest in a certain woman he has captured named Caroline Forbes. Finn wishes to use the girl to break Niklaus' spirit. We tested out Finn's theory by jeapardizing her life and Finn's observations were true. He cares for her.

Your loyal servant,

Phillip

Michael frowned when he read over the last paragraph detailing his son's new attachment. It was so unlike Niklaus to become invested in a woman. But if it was true, he would have to take advantage of that.

Caroline Forbes, he thought and then his eyes widened.

Michael jumped up from his chair, pulled open his door and sped down the hall. Finally he reached some stairs and jumped down them two at a time. He reached a wooden door and pulled it open.

"Sir!" exclaimed a man with an eyepatch.

"How is our prisoner today?" asked Michael with a dangerous scowl.

"H-He's still alive Cap'n," said the pirate, his voice shaking from fear.

But Michael liked that people feared him; he liked it a lot. It meant he gained loyalty at all costs.

He turned his icy blue orbs toward the cell in front of him where a man was hunched in the corner with shackles around his ankles and wrists. He wore what was left of his military uniform, the blues and reds and whites were unmistakable. A pair of shattered spectacles lay dormant beside him, clearly unwearable now.

"What is your name, prisoner?" asked Michael as he stared at the shadow of a man in front of him.

He looked up, his emerald orbs narrowed in hatred.

"I'll tell you nothing!" said the man. A few weeks ago he would have yelled and screamed with determination but it seemed his spirit was slowly dying for every moment he remained here.

Michael chuckled and it made him shiver at how evil the laugh truly sounded. It was a laugh that could shatter your very soul, because the owner of the laugh had no soul.

Everything that had happened so far that he had seen with his very own eyes really made him realise what sort of man Michael was.

Of course he had heard stories of the most blood thirsty pirate of the seven seas, Niklaus Michaelson, but it seemed many people had forgotten about his father, thinking him to be an 'explorer' - how wrong they were. Back in the day, there was a pirate so merciless...so evil that no one could bare to utter his name for fear that it would jinx them.

His name was Michael Michaelson, the Captain of the Black Oblivion.

But he remembered. After all, piracy was why he had joined the military long ago and Michael had been one of the first pirates to be reknown across the land. He was an original pirate.

Michael glared at the man and then he took in his features. His eyes widened slightly in recognition but then narrowed.

"I know your name, but I want to hear you say it," said Michael as an evil smirk played upon his lips.

"William. William Forbes, Captain of the Mystic II warship," he spat.

Michael smiled knowingly.

"I know you remember me, Bill," said Michael. "But alas I'm not here to talk about the past. Your daughter has got herself into quite the situation."

His eyes widened. "Caroline..."

"Yes! Dear sweet Caroline. But you can't change her fate now, Bill. She is doomed to fall in love with my son...well not really my son but you understand that don't you?Unfortunately for you, she is also doomed to die. It's fate, William," said Michael as he paced the outside of the cell.

His eyes, however, never left the prisoner.

"N-no...this can't be! How-"

"It matters not Bill. You're missing the whole picture. It was destiny who wrote that our two families would forever be intertwined and that there would be a bloody end for those involved," said Michael.

William's hands clenched into fists.

"Why am I here Michael?" he asked as he clenched his jaw in anger.

"Because when opportunities arise, I don't turn them away," smiled Michael wickedly.

Caroline mixed the eggs with a whisk and then added some spices.

"Good, add a bit more dill," instructed Rebekah as she observed the other blonde girl carefully.

Rebekah frowned as her blue eyes stopped at Caroline's cheek. It was an ugly purple colour and some parts were beginning to turn blue. She walked over to Caroline whom was leaning against the kitchen table in the middle of the galley and placed a hand on her cheek, causing Caroline to turn to her with a questioning look.

Rebekah placed her finger tips to the surface of the bruised area and then her eyes narrowed when they met Caroline's.

"He did this, didn't he?" she said accusingly.

Caroline pulled away and stepped back a bit, setting the large wooden bowl down upon the table.

"Yes. But please let us not speak of such things-"

"Nonsense! This is unacceptable!" screeched Rebekah angrily. "I mean, I can't really stand you and you are a bit light in the mind, but I don't go around hitting you because of it!"

"Well thank you, Rebekah. Your words bring great encouragement," said Caroline sourly as she picked up the bowl again and continued whisking.

"I will have a word to Nik about it," said Rebekah, ignoring Caroline's sarcasm since it is unbefitting of a lady to speak such a way.

"Please don't. He is already angry at me. I fear he may never speak to me again," said Caroline but her eyes widened before realising she had already spoken the words she had wished to keep concealed.

Rebekah opened her mouth to protest when she realised what the other woman had said. She frowned and then smiled. "Oh Caroline. I wouldn't worry about that. Now chop chop, we have but an hour to complete tonight's dinner!"

Caroline sat at the table, picking at her food. She couldn't help but notice how there was a big empty space next to her and that Elijah sat brooding in the other corner next to Klaus. Her eyes had captured Klaus' for a moment before she turned away with a slight blush, although no one would have noticed through her bruises.

She placed the fork in her mouth which held a tiny bit of scrambled egg, but she found that she wasn't even hungry.

Why couldn't her life be simple? Why did he haunt her every thought?

"Caroline," said a voice from opposite her. It was Kol and he was smiling at her. "It is my birthday today and my brother's and sister will be having a small celebration upstairs, will you join us?"

Caroline smiled weakly, about to decline when Klaus' cold voice interrupted her attempt at a reply.

"No Kol. She will not," he said coldly, causing the whole table to become silent.

Caroline narrowed her eyes at him and he stared challengingly back.

Damn this man! she thought defiantly. Well, I will not succumb to his whims any longer.

"Yes Kol. I will be joining you for a short while," she said sweetly with a small smile as her eyes darted to Klaus' livid expression. He held his cutlery tightly and his knuckles began to turn white from the pressure.

"Oh good!" said Kol with a wicked smile, totally ignoring Klaus' response. "There will be alcohol, I'm sure Nik will allow you a few hours, surely."

Kol could feel the air around him begin to get awkward, so decided to start another conversation with Rebekah.

Caroline excused herself and took the plates as she left for the galley. She placed them in the sink and began to leave as Rebekah said that she could have a break from washing up tonight. Caroline suspected the cold blonde felt a bit sorry for her and hated the feeling of pity being felt toward her.

"Caroline," said his stern voice from behind her, but she ignored it.

She continued to his room, opened the door and sat on the bed. She pulled off her boots and watched as Klaus entered the room.

"I know you're angry, but you can't keep me locked in here forever!" she exclaimed as her hand gestured around the room to make her point.

Klaus narrowed his eyes and strode toward her until he was but a metre from the bed. He towered over her, trying to intimidate her but it didn't work. She simply looked up at him as she relaxed and placed her lower arms on the bed behind her, holding her up as she leaned on them.

"I can if I want to-"

"And if you do, I shall never speak to you again," she said defiantly, causing him to shake slightly in anger.

"Fine! Do as you please, sweetheart, clearly I am not your captor, what does my word mean anyway?!" he exclaimed in frustration. "It seems Kol has more effect on you than I."

Caroline was about to retort and then realised she had his anger misplaced.

"Don't be jealous, its unbecoming of a pirate captain, especially the blood thirsty pirate Niklaus," chided Caroline with a half smile.

Klaus narrowed his eyes angrily. "Excuse me?! I am not jealous. I do not feel so therefore, I cannot become jealous!" he yelled as he walked further toward her, causing her to back up more. "In fact, there is nothing to be jealous of!"

He leaned toward her with his hands resting on the bed either side her hips, so that their faces were almost touching, his lips hovering above her own but they did not move closer.

"You think you know me, Caroline, but you know nothing," he whispered, his eyes piercing into her own.

She stared at him cautiously; intensely, wishing that he would cover the distance left between their lips but at the same time wishing he would just leave her be. They could never be, ever. She knew that and yet then why didn't she hate him for what he has done to her? To Elena?

Finally he leaned back and placed his hands behind his back.

"Fine. Go, I don't care," he said as his eyes glanced at her cheek and it was then that he felt something pull at his heart the way she always made him feel. Guilt.

And he hated it. He left the room quickly, not glancing back once.

Caroline's chest rose and fell rapidly and her heart was still racing. Why was fate doing this to her?

She knew what was happening to her now. She was attracted to the worst man possible. She was attracted to Klaus. But she would fight it. She would fight it - she had to!

Caroline walked up toward the deck when she felt a soft hand around her upper arm. She turned to see Rebekah smiling.

"You clean up okay for a captive," said Rebekah. "Did you get that dress at the market?"

Caroline nodded and looked at Rebekah whom also wore a casual long dress. It was a new fashion it seemed. Caroline's was light blue, tight along the top around her breasts and then flowed down to her feet, bringing out emphasis on her breasts and showing her thin figure. Her hair she had managed to put up in a loose bun with a few curls shaping her face.

Rebekah's was red, much the same style however except hers had a corset underneath instead.

"There isn't much point us wearing these since we are going to be among pirates and my brothers, but it is nice to sometimes dress up for the sake of feeling pretty," said Rebekah. "Not that I'm saying you're pretty...but you're not dull either."

Rebekah took one last glance at Caroline before dodging around her and to the door that lead to the deck. She hated to admit, but Caroline had to be the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Apart from her of course.

Perhaps it wasn't a good idea that she go to Kol's little celebration.

Rebekah chuckled as she ascended the stairs to the navigation room. No. It would be very interesting.

Caroline followed the girl and walked up the stairs to the navigation room. She noticed that there was music being played by a pirate below. It seemed he played the accordian and someone had a harmonica whom also went along with the accordian's tune. Mostly everyone had a pint in their hands, full of liquor she presumed, and they were all dancing and singing.

Even the pirates, Klaus' hired men, were having fun. As she reached the deck outside of the nagivation room, she noticed Rebekah's brothers were drinking as well outside. Finn and Elijah were in conversation in the corner near the door and Kol was dancing in the middle of the deck with a pint in his hand, however the deck floor seemed to be drinking most of his ale. And Klaus was standing in the opposite corner and as soon as he had spotted Caroline, his eyes hadn't left her form.

Caroline hadn't noticed Klaus and she went over to stand by Rebekah whom was leaning on the railing facing the deck.

"Caroline! You made it, you sly devil!" exclaimed Kol as his head landed in between the two blonde women with his arms around them both. His pint of ale long forgotten on the floor, it probably needed filling up anyway.

"Happy Birthday Kol," smiled Caroline.

Kol smiled brightly and placed a quick kiss on her cheek and then he placed a kiss on Rebekah's cheek.

"Yes...it is!" he exclaimed as he moved away downstairs.

"He's as drunk as a sailor," laughed Rebekah who then began to giggle at her pun. "If you know what I mean."

Caroline couldn't help but laugh. She looked down at the deck and sighed.

"Shall we get a drink Caroline?" asked Rebekah.

Caroline nodded. As she turned, she noticed him in the corner staring at her.

"Klaus," she said as she went to follow Rebekah down the stairs, but he grabbed her elbow at pulled her back toward him a bit.

"When I said you could be up here, I didn't mean to dress like...that," he said quietly as he eyed her up and down.

Caroline frowned at his insinuation. "What are you saying? That I should wear men's clothes for the rest of my life? I am a woman, Klaus, if you haven't noticed," she said haughtily as she pulled herself free from his grasp and joined Rebekah whom was waiting for her at the stairs.

Klaus narrowed his eyes and watched her go. He skulled the rest of his drink and walked over to Finn and Elijah. He would ignore her, yes, that is what he would do.

Unfortunately for him, that wasn't possible.

"Come Caroline. This is our selection! Ale...or...Ale," said Rebekah.

Caroline pursed her lips and put an index finger and thumb to her chin as if making a hard decision.

"Well, I suppose I will settle with Ale," she said seriously and then burst into a laugh.

Rebekah rolled her eyes and handed her a pint and then poured herself one from the barrel which some of the pirates had obviously carried upstairs onto the deck.

"Let us go dance!" smiled Rebekah, grabbing Caroline's hand as she went.

"Care looks v'y fine ton'it, brother," said Kol, clearly sloshed beyond belief. He was dancing to nothing in particular since the music had just ended as they were deciding on another song to play.

Klaus stopped his conversation with Elijah to turn to Kol with a menacing look upon his face.

"Touch her and die horribly, Kol," growled Klaus as he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword at his side.

Kol held his hands up in defense. "I'm su'prased ya h'vnt-"

"Finish that sentence and you'll regret it. Birthday or not," said Klaus dangerously as he went to go over to where Kol was standing but Elijah's hand stopped him.

"Come now, Niklaus. He is just drunk off the ale," said Elijah with a sigh.

Klaus looked away and back to Elijah, trying not to go over there and punch the living daylights out of his younger brother.

"W-wow," said Kol as he stared down at the deck. The music had started up again and the girls were dancing.

Klaus was about to yell at Kol to warn him not to say something he would regret when he noticed it too. He watched as Caroline below, swung her hips and danced with Rebekah as they swung underneath each others arms.

How could one woman be so beautiful? He had a mind to go down there, pick her up and take her to bed right now, but he didn't. Instead he turned back to Elijah to continue his conversation.

"W-what is this again Bekah?" slurred Caroline as she held up her pint cup.

Rebekah frowned. "No idea! You know, I like you. I know I'm always hateful toward you and strict but I do!" exclaimed Rebekah, tipsy as hell. "I know its not lady like of us to dance around and drink but what else are we to do?!"

Caroline laughed as she swung around to the music.

"I like you too. I shouldn't, but I do. I feel like I'm betraying the people I left behind and Elena, but I can't help but feel this way," exclaimed Caroline. "But if the world gives you apples..."

"You eat them," said Rebekah which caused Caroline to stop mid dance and stare at her since that was not the saying at all. Then she broke out in fits of laughter with Rebekah joining her.

Another hour passed and Caroline and Rebekah could no longer form full sentences. Their laughter outweighed the music and it seemed they were capturing a lot of attention.

Suddenly Kol was in the middle of them, spinning around like an idiiot and making his own words up to fit the song. Not that you could tell what he was saying.

He grabbed Caroline's hips and pulled her toward him tightly. "Ya sm'll real gd."

Rebekah giggled. "Kol, en'aff! Nik will k'll ya!"

Suddenly Caroline was pulled out of his grasp, leaving Kol with a sour look on his face. Suddenly he pulled out his sword, pointing it at them.

"Unh'nd her devil!" he slurred, not even knowing who pulled her away from him.

Icy blue orbs narrowed at his idiot brother.

"Its me you imbecile. Niklaus, and I'm taking her to bed," said Klaus when Caroline pushed him away.

He was shocked as she pointed her finger at him.

"Do n't t'ach me you scandaal! I h've fists n I uuuse them!" she exclaimed, pulling up her dukes in a combat position.

Klaus raised an eyebrow. He didn't expect this at all and to say he didn't find her amusing right now would be a lie too. His mouth formed a half smile at her antics. He couldn't remember the last time he had found something genuinely funny.

"Caroline, don't hurt yourself," he said as he moved toward her, dodging one of her small fists by moving his head to the side and grabbing it easily.

She lost her balance but he caught her and lifted her into his arms.

"Elijah!" he yelled, looking up at the navigation room.

Elijah poked his head over the railing. "Yes Niklaus?"

"Take Kol and Rebekah to bed."

Elijah nodded as he placed his pint cup down and descended the stairs. Klaus carried Caroline downstairs and to his room.

She grasped onto the back of his neck with her arm and the other attached itself onto his shoulder and she looked into his eyes. He turned and looked at her as he walked with a frown.

"You h've pretty eyees," she said softly, but her face was serious.

Klaus decided to ignore the comment, finding it too odd to answer or comment about. Finally he reached the door and used the hand underneath her legs to open it awkwardly. He kicked the door open and strided over to the bed, laying her down in it softly.

She sprawled herself upon it. Her bun had long since come out so her hair sprawled out beautifully around her head and her dress had come down slightly, allowing her cleavage to be clearly shown. She looked up at him silently as he looked upon her without even hiding the fact that he was.

"Why did you wear that, Caroline?" he asked softly wishing he could just take her right now. God he wanted to. The fact that there was a small flimsy dress that kept him from the creamy skin underneath, was causing him havoc.

Caroline shrugged with a smile, but still her eyes never left his face. "Why arre ya loookin' at ma l'ke that, Klussy?" she slurred, her eyes blurry as she tried to focus in on his face.

But he didn't hear her, he only saw the beauty in front of him.

Suddenly she patted to the spot next to her, urging him to lie down. He eyed the spot and then looked back at her. She was smiling and it irked him. Was that an invitation to have sex with her? Or to simply sleep with her? He wasn't sure.

He undid his belt and his sword fell to the floor with a 'klang'. He pulled off his boots and then his shirt and laid down beside her, placing his arm around the back of her head as she leant on his chest.

Klaus looked down at her and she turned her head to look up at him. He wanted to kiss her senseless, he really did. And since when did he ever ask permission? He had never needed to because they usually just gave into him. He had never gone to this much trouble for a woman and he had never cared about their feelings. So why did he care now?

He leant down and placed his lips on hers. She started to respond when he pulled away.

No. He would wait until she was sober. Why on earth he decided now to have a conscience, but he did. And it was because of her. The damned wench! he thought broodily.

Caroline sighed and glared at him, which caused him to smirk at her.

"You probably won't remember this tomorrow, just sleep love," he said, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

She closed her eyes and was out like a light. Klaus placed his fingertips to his mouth, remembering the way her lips felt as he closed his eyes. They were so soft and plump and he swore to himself that he would feel them again and soon. He had to because it was like heaven.

And then he knew why this woman was different, because she was different. She was absurdly beautiful, full of light, temperamental, arguementative, defying, kind and caring. And lets not forget that she tried to escape twice.

But he would have her eventually. He did not care of her feelings for him for he would take her because its what he wanted. That's all it has ever been for him. He wanted to bed her and keep on doing it. Caroline was his possession and she would remain that way, without feelings, knowing that she could never love him and vice versa.

However, she would. Eventually. And he would hate her for it.

A/N: That's it people! Sorry for the wait, again! Please read and review. There was a bit of the 'softer' side to things in this chapter, but don't get the wrong idea. It is not always going to be like this, but for a celebration such as a birthday, usually peoples moods are on a higher note. I just thought you guys deserved a bit of sort of happiness after all the angst and sadness :S Thanks again for the reviews and alters, please do so again!

Bullet2tm