A/N: This was written at the end of Season 4 of The Vampire Diaries and before any showing of The Originals. So this will obviously not follow any storyline set following that timeframe.

Disclaimer: L.J. Smith is the creator of the characters and I own nothing.

CHAPTER 1

Caroline Forbes had been driving for the past 7 hours before she finally breathed a sigh of relief as she crossed the border into Louisiana. That was a close call, she thought to herself as she started to see signs of entering the city. Over the years she has become adapt at leaving places quickly, but this time she was caught unawares. And Caroline wasn't a fan of that kind of surprise.

She shortly pulled onto Rue Chartres parked and walked into the hotel lobby carrying her one small bag. She smirked and caught herself thinking, Times have changed, who would have thought I could be a light packer. She made her way to the hotel reception desk where a man in a nicely tailored suit greeted her.

"Good evening, are you checking in with us?"

Caroline leaned in and looked directly into his eyes, and her pupils slowly contracted. "I believe you have a guest room for me, under the name Liz Michaels."

The concierge registered what she had just said and calmly smiled and repeated her words, "I believe we have a room for you, Ms Michaels. Ah yes, a lovely petite suite with balcony. May I ask how long you will be staying with us?"

She smiled graciously as she took the key he offered her, "Unsure as of yet. But I will keep you posted."

The man nodded, "Welcome you to New Orleans, I hope you enjoy your stay."

Caroline turned and answered as she walked away, "I have every intention to." And then headed to her room, which was modest but clean. The location near the French Quarter was ideal for her needs. She dropped her bag on the floor, sat down on the sofa and closed her eyes. She then realized she was hungry, and questioned when was the last time she fed. She had left Atlanta too quickly to have planned things as she would have liked.

Quickly washing her face and changing into something a little cooler. Caroline walked outside into the streets. She would have to find something to satisfy her hunger quickly. She didn't want to be noticed just yet, at least not until she was able to fully think out her plan.

As she followed a middle-aged women down a quiet street she thought to herself, fifty years have passed. Would he still remember me? Would he care enough to help now?

—

Decades have passed but the essence of New Orleans had not changed much with the passage of time. Klaus was now king of the city, his family had regained control years ago. His reign has been as he imagined it. He may not have enjoyed playing politics between all the supernatural beings there, but he maintained a relative calm in the city. His family, Elijah and Rebekah, helped him establish control and maintain it. Now he too had a small inner circle of those he trusted, but never completely, as they were not family. But make no mistake, it was his city, and he liked playing king.

—

After a nights rest and a quick tour of her surroundings she made her way outside to find out what she could about the city. She quickly noticed that New Orleans had a fair number of the supernatural walking around, witches, vampires and hybrids. More then she normally felt comfortable surrounding herself with. She kept to herself and maintained a low profile. Over the past years she learned the art of observation. She didn't know what to expect here. So she listened and kept her ears open as she wandered the streets and quiet corners of bars. It didn't take long before she heard his name whispered by a pair of vampires sitting at the bar.

Caroline counted on the fact that he would also have his own eyes and ears in the city and that he would eventually find her. But she wanted to make the first move, so she realized she had to move quickly. She was hoping to find him unawares, but that would only work if he remembered. She thought back on one of their last conversations, "He was your first love. I intend to be your last. However long it takes." She hadn't forgotten, she was counting on it.

Caroline focused her hearing in on the two young vampires at the bar and soon learned about a ball being held at the Mikaelson compound later that week. This was her opening. This is where she would find him.