Hello readers! This is going to be my attempt at a full blown Wild West storyline. Cowboys, Indians, railroad thieves, family strife, prisoners...the whole shebang. Thanks and praise and all kinds of feels go out to Angel (Klarolinefeels) for being so helpful with my first little blurb.

So hold on to your saddles, Folks, this is gonna be fun! Yeeeehaaaaaw!

Prologue

West of the Mississippi 1846

"Wait! I want to come!"

The little blonde child ran with all her might, her hands gripping her skirt and yanking it high to keep from tripping over the rocks and underbrush of the desert forest. Her blonde curls danced in the wind and her cheeks were pink with exhaustion. They didn't want her to come but she was persistent about joining in on the fun.

"Caroline, stay home," the eldest Mikealson boy said.

"No, please. I want to come with," she took advantage of their momentary pause to catch up with them.

"It's too dangerous, now go home and find Rebekah. I'm sure you girls can find something better to do." Kol chuckled and looked at his older brothers, waiting for their approval of his demeaning comment.

Caroline let go of her skirt and her hands balled in to little fists. Rebekah Mikaelson was no friend of hers. She was always too busy playing with her dolls and brushing her hair. She never got dirty. Never wanted to climb trees with her or start their own adventures together. Even at her young age she knew there would be plenty of time to grow up and do womanly things, but today was not that day. She stomped toward the boy and pushed him. "I am not like Rebekah."

Kol stumbled back and his feet came out from under him as he tripped on a log and landed firmly on his rear end. Caroline's hand covered her mouth in surprise, not realizing her own strength.

The rest of the boys hooted and hollered at their brother as Kol picked up his hat and dusted off his pants, clearly embarrassed. "She caught me off guard," he grumbled.

Caroline lifted her chin, proud of her accomplishment, when she felt a hand pat her on the shoulder. "I think she's proved herself. Come on Caroline, you can come with."

In that moment, Caroline was happy for the desert heat, as it masked the pink flush that ran up her neck and painted her cheeks. She turned to look at her supporter and smiled. She always wanted to play with the boys, jealous that they were allowed to climb trees, get dirty and fight and Klaus was the best at all three. One time he reached all the way to the top of the largest tree in town. She was so scared for him but in complete awe at how graceful he looked jumping from one branch to the next. That day she decided she would do whatever it took to gain his approval. If she knew that all it took was to best his brother Kol, then she would've pushed the obnoxious boy a long time ago.

That was the first day of many adventures she would have with the Mikealson boys. Her childhood from then on was filled with creek jumping, tree climbing, and her favorite, Cowboys and Indians. She didn't mind that they always made her the hostage. Kol or Elijah would capture her and Klaus would always rescue her. She liked being rescued by him.

She would call out for help and pretend to struggle against the ropes. Kol and Elijah would circle round her with their handmade tomahawks in the air. Dancing and bringing their hands to their mouths and chanting a familiar Indian chant. Klaus would fight them off and untie her from the tree. He would grasp her hand and they would run away together, narrowly escaping the hands of the savage Indians every time. Yes, she would be the hostage as many times as they would want her to be.

The last time they played Cowboys and Indians, Caroline was nearly 10, and Klaus was 11. Elijah rarely came to play anymore, his father making him take on more of the household responsibilities, and Caroline knew it was only a matter of time before he made Klaus do the same.

The boys rarely spoke of their father, but when they did they gave the impression that he was not a gentle man. They always made sure to leave promptly at dusk, gathering their things and scurrying home before dark. More than one time Klaus showed up with his brothers and a fresh bruise or scratch would be on his face. The first time it happened she looked at the boys and asked what happened. Obviously they had played a little too rough and Klaus got caught in the crossfire. When they remained silent and didn't look her in the eye, she had a feeling his brothers had nothing to do with it.

It wasn't only the family's peculiar reaction to her questions but she had heard things around town. Mr. Mikaelson was a wealthy man that owned most of the land in their small town, including some of the buildings, and when people spoke of him it was always in a hushed whisper, as if their silent conversation would some how drift through the wind and he would overhear. She had even heard her parents speak of him, whispering phrases like, "His demons will catch up to him." and "What a scoundrel!"

The first time she had seen him, however, was when she and her mother went to the local grocers to pick up their weekly supplies. Her mother was in mid conversation with Mr. Fell, when the bell at the front entrance dinged and the conversation halted immediately. He was there to collect Mr. Fell's monthly rent and with a small smile and an "Excuse me," he walked to the back of the counter to oblige. She watched the scene carefully, wanting to understand a little bit more about the man that scared her friends so much.

Mr. Fell's voice was shaky as he opened the small safe behind the counter. "It's all right here, Mr. Mikaelson. Ev- every last penny."

"Thank you, Logan." He reached out to grab the small coin purse that was being offered to him. "Now I shouldn't have to remind you that this can never happen again. If you're late on your rent again, there will be consequences." He said the words calm but there was a darkness in the way his voice rumbled through the small store. Caroline was frightened, and she grasped her mother's hand and hid her face when the man finally turned and tipped his hat at my mother, "Mrs. Forbes."

"Mr. Mikaelson," was all Caroline heard her mother say before she heard the bell chime again. She peeked from her mother's skirt to be certain he was gone before looking up at her mother who only smiled down at her. "Come Caroline, let's go home."

She knew from that moment on why the boys always did as they were told.

Caroline was suddenly yanked in a new direction. Klaus and her raced away from the Indian screams and hid in one of their many hiding spots behind a large boulder. They crouched down to their knees and waited for their captures to find them. When and if they did they would drag Caroline back to the tree to start the game over again. But, if they could find their way back to the village and steal the Chief's headdress, then they would win the game. She looked at Klaus and giggled, her hand went to her mouth to capture the sound and whispered, "They'll never find us here."

"Yeah. We haven't hid in this spot in a long time," Klaus said with excitement.

"Where should we go next if they happen upon us?"

Klaus looked around his shoulder and reached for a nearby branch. He brought the stick to the earth and began to draw a map of the area. "Well we're right here." He drew a large circle and two little exes to indicate their whereabouts. "The creek is here. The Indian village is here," squiggles and A-shaped tepees were now on the map. Caroline crouched down and studied it.

"They'll look here first," she said and pointed in the area their cave was. Klaus drew another circle.

"So if they go that way then we should go this way," he drew an arrow toward their escape, leaning forward as he did so. Caroline's eyes fluttered up and noticed him looking at her. He never looked at her that way before, he seemed nervous and a little sad.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"Nothin'," he said and dropped his eyes back down to the makeshift map.

Caroline eyed him suspiciously. She knew something was wrong. "Is it...is it your Father?"

He didn't have to answer, she knew that man had done something to him, but with no visible bruises she wasn't sure of what. "Did he hurt you again?" She gulped.

"No." He said quickly. She had never been so bold as to ask him directly about his relationship with his father. He just shook his head again, "I don't want to talk about it." He grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the prize.

The rest of that day was a blur to Caroline. They had bested Elijah and Kol and found the reward, she remembered that much, but she couldn't shake the fact that she knew something was bothering Klaus. When they had gathered their things and were walking back to town, she tried again, "Klaus, what's wrong?"

He stopped and turned to face her. He kept his eyes downcast and kicked the dirt in front of him, he said the next words so quickly that Caroline almost didn't register, "I can't play with you anymore!"

Caroline's head shot up and searched his face for any trace of amusement. He was joking. He always joked with her. When she didn't find what she was looking for she shook her head and tilted it in confusion. "Why?"

"I…I'm leaving." He cast his eyes down again and drew circles in the dirt with his foot.

"What do you mean, you're leaving?" Caroline's heart began to race with panic.

"I'm not sure. Pa just told us that we have to go to New York. I heard something about Boarding school," he said with a shrug. "Rebekah, Elijah and Kol have to come too."

Caroline shook her head as a single tear rolled down her cheek, leaving a white streak as it cleansed the dirt from her face. Klaus was always annoyed when Caroline cried so she hurried to wipe the tear away and put on a brave face. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

So soon, she thought but didn't say. She was at a loss for words. She and Klaus had been the best of friends, if it wasn't for him and his brothers, she never would've had the adventures she dreamed about having.

They walked in silence the rest of the way back to town, hands clasped together and the familiar sound of crickets echoing through the desert night. They reached the spot where they always said their goodbyes, and Caroline felt the tears prick at her eyes once more. "Here," Klaus said and shot his hand out in front of her. She opened her palm and he dropped a small silver bracelet in to it. "I found this and I want you to have it."

She glanced down at the small token and smiled. It wasn't anything fancy, just a simple silver string with a tiny clasp. She slipped it on her wrist and held it out for them both to admire it. "Th-thank you," she whimpered.

"I just wanted you to have something to remember me," he said shyly.

"It's really pretty." She didn't want to linger there any longer than she needed to, she didn't want him to see her cry. She quickly rose up on her tippy toes and brushed her lips lightly against his. "I'll miss you," she simply said and drew up her skirt and raced for home. It wasn't until she was at a safe distance that she finally let the tears flow freely.

Klaus watched her go. His hands came to his mouth and he smiled at the thought of her lips on his. He didn't know if he'll ever see her again, but he knew he would never forget her.

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