Caroline Forbes did one last check of the dorm room to make sure she had everything. When she was finally convinced she had everything she locked the door and made her way down to her car where her best friend Elena Gilbert was waiting for her.

"Are we finally leaving?" Elena asked as Caroline sunk into the driver seat and fastened her seatbelt.

"I just wanted to make sure we weren't forgetting anything."

"We'll only be gone for a couple of weeks and it's only a few hours away. Come on care aren't you excited to go home for a bit? I know your mom will be happy to see you." Elena said when she saw the anxiety on Caroline's face.

"You know what you're right. Everything will still be here when we get back in January. I can't wait to spend the holidays with my friends."

That was enough to end the subject of going home. The rest of the way to Mystic Falls was filled with radio sing a longs and college gossip. Caroline tried to let any feelings of doubt about this holiday break dissolved into the back of her mind but it still crept up on her from time to time. While at college it was almost as if she was in a bubble. She had thrown herself into several clubs and organizations, two of which she was already made president of. She passed all of her classes with flying colors. She even formed a friendship with Jesse.

After Jesse had stop coming on to her a strong friendship quickly fell into place. Elena told her she was out of her mind for not giving him a chance. That that was what college was for. She got it though. Jesse was hot and smart and funny and everything Caroline was attracted to but she wasn't ready to take that step yet. It had been two months since Tyler more or less dumped her through voicemail. She isn't sure what she was waiting on. Maybe for Tyler to just show up at her dorm room and apologize for keeping her waiting, grab her around the waist and engulf her in a passionate fiery kiss, and say he'll never leave her again.

That was not going to happen. She knew that. And now she and Elena were back on the way to Mystic Falls. But what was really waiting for them there? Bonnie had more or less disappeared, her mom and Matt were constantly working, and Elena would be joined at the hip to Damon. She knew Stefan had been in Mystic Falls while they were off to college but would be leaving shortly after they got there. It was still too hard for him to be around Elena and Damon. Caroline understood. She had to try very hard to keep from barfing everything they started with the lovey dovey crap.

So she was going to be by herself which was not good thing of late. But to keep up the rue for the sake of her friend Elena she would put on a happy face. Just because she had been through a lot lately didn't mean she had to drag Elena down with her. Elena's life was finally looking up. For once there was no one trying to kill her, her brother was alive again, and she had finally made a choice between the Salvatore brothers, albeit the wrong one but still a choice.

Welcome to Mystic Falls

The sign told them they were back home. As they drove through the town, a flood of relief washed over Caroline. It was still the same. Even though so much had happened last time she was here, it was still home. Yes it was missing a few people but it was home.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in for a bit?" Elena asked as she got her bag out of the trunk.

"And watch Damon jump all of you? I'll pass." Caroline teased her. She hugged her friend and watched her go into the massive boarding house.

She turned to get in her car when she felt a breeze rush past her.

"Hello." She called out.

She scanned the area but saw nothing. She fumbled with her key and inched back towards her car as she continued to look around. She turned to open her car door when she was gathered up into a bear hug.

"I can't breathe Stefan." She giggled as the strong arms released her and she was face to face with her friend Stefan Salvatore.

"I haven't seen you in two months, I couldn't help myself." Stefan reached over and opened the car door for her. "Care to join me for lunch Caroline?"

She smile and stepped into the car. They drove down to the grill and got a table for two. They spent the majority of lunch talking about college, Caroline's new experiences and the many past college experiences Stefan has had. Stefan teased her about her new friendships. Figures you would go off and replace me, he'd say.

"So how have you been?" Caroline asked.

Stefan sighed. He knew the one person who could see right through him was Caroline. It was only a matter of time.

"I'm getting through it. Damon is my brother and he deserves to be happy. I just have to come to terms with the fact Elena isn't the one." Stefan tried to keep the resolve in his voice. The look on his face told Caroline otherwise.

Caroline smiled at his attempt to fool her."Elena loves you. She may be the one just not the one right now. But on the brightside all a vampire has is time. Maybe until then it is a smart idea to get out there and have some fun."

"Fun?" questioned Stefan.

"Yes wild crazy nights, breakfast at a French café, a Journey concert, anything but broody depressed Stefan."

Stefan let out a loud laugh. "And what about you? It's been two months since Tyler and you've shut down Jesse. What are you waiting for?"

Caroline didn't have an answer. Stefan reached over and grabbed her hand. "Tyler is an idiot. You deserve someone who will make you happy."

Caroline couldn't help but smile. "What would I do without you, Stef. I will try to get back out there as well. It will be our pack to each other. We will learn from the past and always keep moving forward."

They shook on it.

"So what are your plans while you're in town?" Stefan asked.

"None. Bonnie's gone. Matt and my mom are constantly working, and I'm allergic to Damon and Elena. I can't help but get the urge to vomit when they're around."

"You could always join me on a road trip…through Europe. Wake up and have breakfast in a French café." Stefan teased her.

"I'd highly recommend La Mer à Boire." Said a voice from behind them.

Stefan and Caroline looked up to find Matt walking up from behind them. Caroline jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Matt. Caroline pulled away from him and looked Matt up and down. Something was different about him. Happier maybe? Then it clicked.

"How do you know about a café in France?" she questioned.

All he could do was smirk. Caroline playfully hit his arm. "Someone went on a trip with an original vampire."

Matt held his hands up. "I'm not saying anything."

"You went around the world and I don't even get to hear about it? College seems so small now." She pouted. "Why would you even come back to this place?"

"Well I do have a life here still, and plus Behak had something come up in New Orleans, I think I heard her say."

Caroline's heart skipped a beat. She tried her hardest not to think of Klaus these past couple of months. She knew he must still be in New Orleans if that was where Rebekah went.

"Did she say what she was doing there?"

Stefan gave her a look.

"No." Matt answered. "But hey I'm about to start my lunch shift. I'll call later so we can hang out." He hugged her and told Stefan bye, and walked off.

"I guess you haven't kept in touch with Klaus." Stefan prodded.

Caroline scoffed at him. "Why would I?"

"Denial is not just a river in Africa, Caroline. The guy was in love with you. And as much as I hated him a year ago, I have to say he really came through for us at graduation." said Stefan.

Caroline replayed his words over in her head. Tyler maybe your first love, but I intend to be your last. She sighed. Why do the worst guys always know the right things to say?

"Klaus is… just Klaus. What am I suppose to do go show up on his door step and ask him out for a cup of coffee?"

When Stefan didn't say anything Caroline stared at him. "That was a joke, Stefan."

"Well you did say you had nothing to do here in Mystic Falls." He countered.

"I can't believe you would suggest that."

"I didn't. You did."

Caroline quickly changed the subject after that. They went on for what seemed like hours until they finally got up to leave.

"So where are you going after this?" Caroline asked.

Stefan shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe spend the winter in a cabin in Colorado. Hit the slopes some; chop some fire wood, the usual."

"I miss you Stefan. Don't forget our deal. I want updates you have my number."

They hugged and Caroline got into her car and drove home.

She got home and carried her bag up to her room. She had intended to unpack and settle in but found herself pacing around the room, looking at all of her knickknacks from high school and childhood. She let the memories come back to her as she held each one.

She walked over to her dresser and looked at all the pictures of her and her friends. God she missed Bonnie. Her hand moved over to her jewelry box and felt a piece of rolled up paper beside it. She carefully picked it up and unrolled it. It was a picture of her standing beside a horse. It was beautiful. At the bottom it read, Thank you for your honesty, Klaus. She held the picture and just stared at the detail for several minutes.

She took a deep breath. She grabbed her unpacked bag and raced down stairs. She wrote out a note telling her mom she'd be back in a few days and ran out of the house to her car.

She moved as quickly as she could to her car and set the GPS. If she stopped for a moment she'd chicken out and turn around.

New Orleans, 940 miles the GPS rang out.

Caroline took one last breath as she hit the gas pedal. It was only a cup of coffee right?