Hello readers :) This is an AU between Caroline and Klaus inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm not following that plot but you might see some similarities, especially on this chapter. I've got the next couple of chapters ready and I have everything mapped out, but I just wanted to see everyone's reaction to this one first, so leave a review letting me know what you think and if I should post the next chapters. First chapter starts out with Caroline being a 12 year old girl.


Chapter 1

London, Colonial Times

"Caroline!" her mother, Elizabeth Forbes, called from down stairs. "Darling are you ready? The Lockwoods have arrived. We mustn't keep them waiting."

The Lockwoods had just arrived to London from Port Royal, a British settlement in Jamaica. Governor Richard Lockwood had come to visit her father, William Forbes, to discuss some proposal that Caroline didn't really care for. She had overheard her parent's conversation concerning the Lockwoods' visit to London, which meant that she'd see Tyler, and that's all she really cared about. She didn't stick around to hear what it was Governor Lockwood wanted from her father.

"Coming mother!" Caroline called back. She checked herself in the mirror one more time, tugging on her uncomfortably tight dress. She gazed back at the bright blue eyes associated with the Forbes family, and took in her appearance. Her silky blonde locks of hair draped the side of her youthful face, and her pale pink dress complimented her fair complexion very nicely.

Caroline's mother had insisted that Caroline dressed more ladylike and acted proper to how a young lady would now that she was twelve. Of course, Caroline had always been looking forward to when she would finally be considered a Lady and not a child in her parents eyes. That way she wouldn't have to eavesdrop anymore; she'd always be filled in on family matters.

Caroline gathered her skirts and scurried down the massive staircase of her colossal home to where her mother was awaiting her. Caroline's family was very wealthy, and well known in London. Her father was a prestigious politician, and at one point in time held a position in the King's courts.

"Come dear," Elizabeth held out a delicate hand to Caroline with a warming smile, "your father is waiting for us in the carriages. My Caroline, look at you. You look beautiful, just as a proper young lady should."

"Thank you, mother," Caroline returned her smile, and followed her mother to the carriages that were waiting just outside their grand estate.


"Bill! Liz!" Richard shouted joyously as he descended from his ship, the HMS Dauntless, one of the finest vessels to tread the ocean's waters. Caroline stood alongside her mother, standing tall and presentable. Richard gathered her father into a big embrace as they exchanged their greetings, and then proceeded to kiss her mother's hand politely before standing before Caroline.

"Hello Governor Lockwood," Caroline gave him a simple curtsy, reciting the words her mother had forced her to remember countless times. "It is wonderful to see you again." Governor Lockwood bowed politely, impressed by the little girl's charm. Caroline peered past Governor Lockwood, spotting Carol Lockwood and a little boy, dressed impeccably, standing alongside her with tousled brown hair, and those familiar warm brown eyes Caroline had grown to love.

"Tyler!" Caroline squealed, excited to finally see her best friend after so long. Tyler descended the ship, greeting Caroline with a dazzling grin.

"Hello Caroline. It's been far too long… what on earth are you wearing," he teased.

"I could say the same to you," she giggled, "Who would have thought that Tyler Lockwood could actually look like a gentleman."

"Well Rich, I am sure you have had quite a long journey, and I would love nothing more than to hear news from Port Royal," Bill interjected. "Come, let us talk over our business with some tea, shall we?"


"Caroline, I do not think this is a good idea," Tyler whispered behind Caroline, who was peering into her father's study trying to over hear the conversation between their fathers.

"Shhh Tyler, I am trying to listen."

"But what if we get caught?" he said worriedly.

"If you keep talking, we will get caught," she chided. "I can barely hear them speak from here, so I would appreciate it if you remained silent." Caroline knew she wasn't being very ladylike when she spoke to the Governor's son, but she didn't really care. This was Tyler, her childhood friend, he knew how curious Caroline had always been.

"Yes, m'am." Tyler couldn't help, but smile at Caroline. She was always so fearless, and relished in the thrill of getting in trouble. It was something Tyler really admired about her. She wasn't like all the other girls, he had come to know.

"Richard, I am very pleased with your visit, but you and I both know you are not here for recreational purposes," Bill poured some tea for Richard and himself, before reclining in his chair.

"I'm afraid you're right, Bill. I'm here to make you a proposal," Governor Lockwood admitted.

"What proposal is this, may I ask?" Bill took a sip of his tea, and Caroline strained to listen.

"As you know, I am currently Governor of Port Royal, however my term will be coming to a close soon, yet there are still so many things to take care of, Bill. I know that no one will be competent enough to get things done after I step down, no one who shares my visions of a brighter future for Port Royal. No one except for you, Bill."

Bill Forbes processed his friend's words for a moment, pondering the thought. "You want me to take up your position as governor after your term is over…"

"Precisely," Governor Lockwood confirmed with a bright smile. "So what say you, Bill? Will you come back to Port Royal with me?" Caroline's eyes widened.

"What? What are they saying?" Tyler whispered. Caroline looked back at Tyler, with a look of both excitement and fear in her eyes.

"Your father wants my father to take his place as governor once his term is finished. I believe this means we're going to be neighbors, Tyler."


The unnatural amount of fog that engulfed the atmosphere was unnerving, but listening to the waves crash into the HMS Dauntless as it swayed side to side calmed Caroline. She took in a deep breath of the sea breeze. She never had the chance to sail before, and their journey to Port Royal was an extremely long one, but Caroline didn't mind. She loved every moment of it; the bustling life of the crew on a day to day basis, the erratic behaviors of the waves, the vastness of the ocean. It was all so liberating.

"We're almost there, Caroline," Tyler assured her as he approached her. He gazed over the edge of the ship at the rough waves below, and gulped.

"Does traveling by ship make you feel unease Tyler?" Caroline mused.

"No, of course not," he lied trying to maintain face.

"Tyler," Carol Lockwood called. "We've got your bath ready, in the Captain's cabin. I put in lavender bath salts just how you like it."

Tyler's face started to redden in embarrassment. "Mother! You're embarrassing me," he turned towards Caroline and bowed politely before muttering. "Excuse me, I must leave you now." Caroline tried to suppress a laugh, as he stomped off towards the Captain's cabin.

Once again she was left alone, gazing at the open sea. The sun had gone down, and the darkness mixed with fog gave everything an eerie feeling to it. The night breeze gave Caroline chills, and just as she was about to head back into her cabin, she spotted something in the water. "What in heaven's name…" she leaned over the ships edge trying to get a better view, but the fog was too thick to make out anything. Once the ship grew nearer Caroline realized what it was. It was a boy, floating unconscious on a piece of driftwood.

"Help!" she screamed. "There's a boy! A boy in the water!" Caroline caught the attention of the crew immediately. Lieutenant Julius Plec, the captain of the ship, looked into the water and spotted the boy.

"Man Overboard! Man overboard!" he barked orders at his men, and Caroline watched as they hauled the boy onto the ship.

"Captain," the boy in the crows nest shouted. "Up ahead! There appears to be a ship wreck!" Lieutenant Plec spotted a glowing light through the fog, straining to make out what it was. Once the ship was close enough, the bright flames that engulfed a wrecked merchant ship were clear as day.

"Good god," Bill Forbes exclaimed. The ships crew once again broke into a frenzy as they tried to search for any survivors on the wrecked ship, leaving the rescued boy uncared for. "Caroline," her father called, "I need you to care for the boy. I'm putting him on your charge."

"Yes father." Caroline answered, making her way towards the unconscious boy. Her heart was beating fast inside her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She'd seen more action in this one day than she had in her whole life. She'd never so much as cared for a pet bird, and here she was in charge of a boy's life.

His chest rose and fell, which indicated that he was alive. That was a relief. Caroline knelt down and got a better look at the boy before her. He seemed to be a little older than she was. His clothes were soaked and ragged; clearly he wasn't of any noble family. His facial features were sharp, and chiseled to perfection. He had curly dirty blonde hair, prominent cheek bones, and full ruby lips. He was quite beautiful, and looked even more so in his peaceful sleep like state.

Caroline couldn't help but reach her fingers towards his flesh, confirming that he was in fact real. Just as her fingertips brushed his cheeks, his dark blue eyes flew open, and he grabbed onto the girl's wrist tightly. Caroline gasped, and the boy began to process what was happening. He let go of the Caroline's wrist, and relaxed. His consciousness was beginning to slip away again.

"W-who are you?" Caroline croaked. The boy's eyes met hers, and she could tell that he was weak and disoriented.

"Klaus," he managed, and regretted it immediately. If he was in his right mind he would have known better than to give away his name, but he wasn't in his right mind. Looking at the girl, he could swear that she was surrounded by a bright white light, like a beautiful angel. But he knew that he probably hit his head too hard, and was just seeing things. The edges of his vision began to blacken, and everything was becoming a blur.

"Don't worry, Klaus. I'm watching over you," she smiled reassuringly, and with that he slipped back to unconsciousness. Caroline spotted a broken chain around the Klaus's neck that held a stone pendant. She held it in her hand, curiously observing it. It was a milky white color, and encrusted on it was a skull and crossbones symbol which Caroline knew could only mean one thing. Her eyes widened as she looked back at the boy. "You're a… pirate."

"Has he said anything?" Lieutenant Plec asked. Taken by surprise, Caroline quickly turned around to face him, hiding the necklace behind her back. Caroline knew how Julius Plec felt about pirates and that if he saw the necklace and found out about the boy's secret, he'd surely have him jailed. Or worse… killed. Caroline couldn't have that, she promised the boy she'd watch over him and that's exactly what she intended on doing.

"Uh, nothing. He said nothing, sir. He woke up, and before I knew it he passed out again." Lieutenant Plec eyed Caroline suspiciously.

"Very well. Take him below," he ordered. Caroline watched as the crewman carried Klaus's body below decks.