Summary: Klaus and Caroline were childhood sweethearts; the most envied couple of Mystic Falls High. But at 17 years old, Klaus was kidnapped by Mikael and was presumed dead after years of searching. Having eventually moved on with her life, what will happen when Caroline and Klaus meet again? Why doesn't he have any memory of her whatsoever? Will love conquer all, even if Klaus has changed and become a cold-hearted killer? AH Klaroline

So I had this idea which just came to me (not in a dream or anything like that, as I was reading some other Klaroline fics – not that I've taken anybody's idea! (at least I hope I haven't) wow just realised double brackets (now triple)) and I had to write the first chapter to get it out…! I have this other mortal instruments story going on (which if you have read the books then check it out!) so I'm not sure how easy it'll be to update both regularly (I am new to this wonderful site in terms of actual story writing so yeah). Hopefully you enjoy it, and I will stop waffling on so you can actually get on to reading it!

Disclaimer: DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO PUT THIS AND IF SO HOW OFTEN?! Yeah so obviously don't own any of the characters, all from TVD…hence on fanfiction…under the heading 'Vampire Diaries'…I seriously doubt anyone who actually writes the material of which the fanfiction is based on posts stories about their characters on here when they could be making money with it, but who knows…SORRY STORY STARTS NOW

Chapter 1

Caroline and Klaus are 16

"Come here!" Klaus shouted angrily as he chased Caroline through the hallways of Mystic Falls High School. Caroline kept running, her long blonde hair loosely flowing behind her as she weaved amongst the students, giggling. "Give it back!" Running out of breath she sharply turned right and into the janitor's closet, shutting the door behind her and turning the light on. Now let's see what all of the fuss is about was the thought running through her mind as she eagerly scrambled to open the cover of the dusty old sketchbook Nik always had on him. The first page consisted of a beautiful landscape in watercolour, which Caroline had to admit blew her mind, the detail exquisitely captured on paper to produce a vivid picture. She had known that he did art, but had never even dreamed he had been this good. This makes me like him SO much more Caroline couldn't help giggling to herself as she hurriedly flicked the pages. The next one was of Rebecca sitting with Henrick on her lap, both of them eagerly smiling as if sharing a secret. Caroline smiled in return, amazed at the realistic sketch. However she was not prepared for the next drawing, or the next one following it. They were stunning sketches of a beautiful blonde haired girl, with large eyes looking very much in love with the person who drew the picture. They're of me, Caroline realised with a jolt, flickers of understanding beginning to sink in. The reason he had never let her see the sketchbook before, and had been so angry when she'd slipped it out of his bag and ran off with it. Caroline groaned as she recollected her light teasing a few days ago. "Bet they're really embarrassing, or you would let me see them. Why what are you hiding? Your secret obsession with me?" Her only thought had been how obvious she was being towards him, and that the reason he had blushed was because he now definitely knew she liked him. Hope began to swell within Caroline; maybe he really does like me too. These thoughts quickly evaporated from her mind when the door was flung open to reveal a fuming Klaus, who promptly ripped the leather-bound sketchbook from her hands and stormed away without a word.

Seven years later

Caroline sat in her kitchen and smiled at the memory, despite the insistent ache in her gut that accompanied it. The moment it all began, she sighed sadly, burying her head in her hands as a tear rolled down her face. Seven years on and she still missed him with the same intensity as from the day she found out he was gone. Everyone else had managed to move on with their lives, all except Caroline and the Mikaelson family who still mourned his loss. Elena had Damon, Rebecca had Matt, Stefan had Katherine, Bonnie had Jeremy and Caroline had Klaus. That was how it was supposed to be. They had all imagined their shared futures together in Mystic Falls, still best friends, with their children growing up together. That future was fast becoming a reality, what with Elena's newly announced pregnancy and Matt and Rebecca's marriage, but Caroline was no longer part of it. Still living with her Mother, Caroline had an unsatisfying relationship with Tyler Lockwood who she suspected was cheating on her, but couldn't face ending it because of the dreaded idea of being alone. It was when she was alone where thoughts of Nik clouded her every moment like an unwanted illness, a constant reminder of what she had lost.

Looking at her watch and seeing it was time to leave for work, she snapped out of her reverie and grabbed her car keys, heading out of the door. As she drove to the grill she tried to expel thoughts of Nik from her mind, at least for the immediate future. Arriving at the grill she took her place behind the bar and smiled at Matt who had just walked out of the kitchen

"Hey Care, you're looking pretty rough…are you alright?" his concerned voice said, a frown forming on his face. Caroline tried to shape some sort of reassuring smile to placate him, but settling with a grimace, replied

"Fine, just feeling a bit under the weather you know?"

"Caroline I can see straight through you, you were thinking about him again weren't you? Look I know it's still tough but-" He abruptly cut off when he saw Tyler enter, knowing that he wouldn't be happy if he knew how hung up she was over him still. He's a jerk for not noticing how sad she gets Matt shook his head angrily, noting the relieved look Caroline gave him.

"Hey babe" Tyler said as he sauntered over to the bar, leaning over and giving her a long kiss of greeting. Caroline stood motionless as she waited for it to end, out of the corner of her eye seeing Matt wander back into the kitchen. They made idle conversation until too many people came, meaning she had to actually work and take orders. Trying to sound upset enough about this Caroline attempted to smile apologetically as she went towards the other people.

As the hours passed Caroline found herself in a daze, working in a zombie-mode that enabled her to appear polite and friendly on the outside whilst switching off completely inside. The only thing that made her snap out of her daze was a hug from the owner, as well as one of her best friends.

"Heard you were feeling sad" came Rebecca's voice from behind her ear, "It's today isn't it? The anniversary of the day he went missing."

Caroline could only nod her confirmation as she tried to keep it together. Rebecca released her, only to turn her round to look into her eyes so she could gauge what state she was in.

"Take tonight off." Rebecca said firmly, with a face that meant business.

Caroline smiled gratefully before hugging her again, mentioning how she'd talk to her tomorrow. They had grown even closer in the years following Nik's disappearance, using each other for support when things got rough (which was often). It was because of this relationship that Caroline didn't need to say anything as she grabbed her things from under the bar and left, knowing that Rebecca understood that she couldn't deal with work tonight.

In her effort to get out she barely noticed the figure she whacked into before it was too late, falling over due to the vigour in which she had been putting into her walking.

"Sorry sweetheart, I didn't see you there." came the voice from the man standing above her which made her heart stop. Caroline forced her eyes closed as she attempted to calm down, this had happened before; she had imagined his presence on some random person, especially when she was this worked up. Despite this, the British accent was unfathomably similar to Klaus's, so much so that her breath hitched in her throat as she stared at the hand reached out to her. She knew that hand. Her eyes travelled up past the perfectly fitted jeans to meet the face of the person that she had completely embarrassed herself in front of, about to apologise when all words escaped her as she reached his head until only one was elicited from her. Looking at the face which was so familiar yet so different simultaneously, with stubble now grazing his cheeks and an amused yet cold glance fixed on hers Caroline uttered that word in disbelief.

"Klaus?"

Yay, so here is the first chapter. I hope you like it! Sorry for shortness… Please review with thoughts, to carry on yay or nay? The way it'll work if I do carry on with it is with multiple flashbacks from various times so Klaus's story since he's been away is revealed as well as the history of their relationship in high school. Thank you in advance if anyone DOES decide to review, I will be immensely grateful!