Chapter One

Chicago 1920s

Caroline ran, maneuvering easily through the nooks and crannies of the alleyways. The harbor was almost in sight as she sped up ignoring the pain coursing through her lungs and throat. Her long blonde hair was tied and tucked neatly into a short brown wig, and her face was plastered with a layer of grime and dirt. All signs of her wealth and affluence were carefully hidden; for now she was simply Robert, another impoverished boy from the slums.

"Come on guys! If you run any slower you'll miss it" she shouted at her friends trailing slowly behind. She was eager to reach the harbor before the sun sets, it had been a tradition of theirs to watch the sun descend, dying the sky a deep melancholic red. Tyler and Matt had taken her under their wing and they have since become the best of friends. Her heart clenched as she thought about how she had lied to them, no more like how she was lying to them. She wanted to tell them the truth about her true gender, who she was, her parents, her life but all she could imagine was the disappointed expressions on their faces. She didn't want to lose them.

"For a small boy you sure run fast!" Tyler said between breaths

"I am not short!" Caroline replied her tone firm warning her friend not to delve further into the subject. At five and a half feet she was in no way short for a girl, but her friends did not need to know that at least for now. Caroline dreaded her life at home, stuck in uncomfortable dresses and balls. It wasn't that Caroline did not appreciate the comfort and convenience that came with her status; however she could not find it in her to live in such a small confined world.

"But …" Matt said before receiving a nasty glare from his friend and proceeded quickly to change the subject and began ranting excitedly about the recent escapades of the infamous Klaus Mikaelson.

Caroline couldn't help but laugh at the way Matt was reduced to a pathetic little fan boy when talking about his hero. Honestly she did not understand Matt's fascination with the criminal. Sure he helped the poor, getting rid of corrupt politicians, but everyone seemed to forget he was a crook, a murderer and in no way a hero. All his actions, his supposed great deeds, were not to help others but rather to benefit himself.

He is a vile man, he stabbed a man multiple times, they couldn't even recognize him" Tyler seethed, his voice raw and filled with rage. "He is nothing but a murderer not a hero or a vigilante!"

Caroline took a step back, she was shocked at her friend's outburst she had never seen him so furious, so volatile before. Sure they knew their friend was no fan of Klaus, but where was this anger coming from. He had never been this way before. The air was filled with tension as Tyler glared at Matt, while Matt just stared at the ground afraid to meet his friend's eyes.

"Oh come on guys, it's just a small difference in opinion. Matt has a crush on Klaus, and Tyler's just jealous" she joked hoping to relief the tension that was slowly building. She was sure Tyler was about to beat Matt up.

"More like Matt has a crush on you, girly boy" Tyler retorted. The ghost of a smile etched on his face. Caroline immediately breathed a sigh of relief at least now they could go back to being the goofy kids that they were.

" Oops, you caught me Tyler, I dream of you all night Robert, just ask Tyler he has the same dreams" Matt said as he turned to his friend, their expressions mirroring each others before turning towards Caroline. Caroline quickly took a step back as her friends approached her, their faces filled with mirth and mischief.

"Guys, guys, guys I was just joking about that" she said apprehensively, as she looked around trying to find an escape route. Caroline didn't know what the two boys were up to and she wasn't about to stay to find out. Finally spotting her opening she made a dash towards it. Turning around she spotted her friends shocked expressions and laughter filled the air as she stuck her tongue out at them.

Caroline finally slowed down, hiding behind the large crates as she was sure Tyler and Matt would never spot her from where they were. She placed her hand over her mouth as she saw her friends searching for her to no avail.

"What are you doing here boy" his voice cold and hard, distracting her from her thoughts. She turned around ready to counter the rude man, but was stopped short as Caroline spotted the gun that was aimed directly at her.

For the first time in her life, Caroline was lost for words, she surveyed her surroundings there was no escape. Slowly her heart rate started speeding up as she spotted group of men hovering around large crates, squinting she managed the see that these crates contained stacks of bottles. Then it dawned on her, it was wine. Shit she was in more trouble than thought she was these were the mafia they were smuggling alcohol to speakeasies and she had managed to stumble onto one of their operations. Curse her luck she was as good as dead

"Come on boy, who are you and what are you doing here." She stared at the man if he wasn't pointing a gun at her Caroline would've probably found him attractive. He had short blonde hair, eyes that reflected the blue of the sea and sharp distinct features able to make any girl swoon.

"Don't you know who I am and who your pointing your gun at" Caroline replied, her voice brimming with confidence, showing no indication of how truly afraid she was.

"Oh, I'm sorry who are you then?" the man replied his voice was filled with mischief his tone clearly mocking her.

"I am the Niklaus Mikaelson, the wolf the most dangerous and feared gangster in Chicago" she replied, her voice calm careful not to give away her obvious lie

The man burst into laughter as he stared at her. "You expect me to believe, that you little boy are the Klaus, you could barely hold yourself in a fight."

She felt anger surged through her body, she maybe a women but she sure as hell can fight. How dare this man look down on her! Caroline quickly grabbed a metal pipe, swinging it skilfully taking down several of his men while knocking the gun out of his hand. "Who do you think is a little boy now!" she said smirking at the man before lunging towards him.

The man dodged the attack easily, and grabbed her hands as his expression became hard and cruel once again. He quickly disarmed her, pushing her towards the wall, as he arms gripped around her neck. "Do not do that again boy! You may be able to fight but you're still no Klaus Mikaelson" he said as he bent down picking up his gun.

Caroline gulped as he pointed the gun at her temple, she was going to die, what would her parents think, how embarrassed they would be. Their little girl running around with commoners getting herself her killed.

Her heart palpitated. She was afraid terrified even, but she could not give him the satisfaction. Gathering all her courage she stared directly into her attacker's eyes. "What makes you so sure?" she said her voice calm and her gaze unwavering. Caroline felt his grip on her throat slackened, using this opportunity she quickly tried to run, but he was too fast, shoving her back onto the wall. This time his face was relaxed, his expression amused. "Love, I am Klaus"

HI this is my first fanfic hopefully i did a good job. Review! :)