Disclaimer: All the Vampire Diaries related characters, places and themes do not belong to me.

Chapter One || In My Place

How long must you wait for it? How long must you pay for it? I was scared, tired and under-prepared, but I'll wait for it.

- Part I : Her Affection

And thou shalt know of things unknown,
If thou wilt let me rest between
The veiny lids, whose fringe is thrown
Over thine eyes so dark and sheen:
And half in hope, and half in fright,
The Lady closed her eyes so bright.

"What are you staring at?" A young girl's voice sounded from the back of the blonde all of a sudden, causing a shiver running down her spine.

"For God's sake, Bekah. Would you stop doing such thing again?" Caroline shot a rather mild glare at the other girl, heaved a quite frustrated sigh. She had been standing here inside her cottage for a while now, secretly peeking at the one boy she had admired ever since the first time he came into sight. And just when she thought no one would ever find out about this, her best friend had to catch her right on time.

"What is it?" Rebekah followed her gaze only to see a few village boys were cutting firewood with their robes off, and among those random neighbours, there was her elder brother Niklaus as well. "What is it you are looking at, Care?" The girl seemed quite determined to have her curiosity satisfied. "Is there something wrong with those boys?"

But Caroline only shook her head slightly before putting on a fake smile. She was not ready to tell anyone about this yet, and by anyone obviously included her best friend as well.

"Is this about Nik?" Rebekah broke the silence since the other blonde wouldn't share that little secret with her. Noticing the utterly shocked look in those bright green eyes of Caroline's, the girl shot a quick glance at her brother through the open door, then rest her gaze back on her girl friend again. "Are you seriously planning to keep this all to yourself? You couldn't even tell me?" She had tried her best not to sound disappointed or hurt, but that would take much more efforts than she could ever manage. Rebekah reached out for the other blonde's hand, her voice became softer as she spoke again. "I'm not blind, Care. We've spent every single day together for almost five years now. You honestly think I couldn't tell how much you fancy him?"

Caroline's lips parted for a moment, but nothing escaped her mouth. She had so many things she wanted to say, yet there was not a clue where to start. Could she tell her she had a crush on her brother even before they became friends? Could she tell her that six out of ten times that she dragged her out for a meaningless walk was actually because she wanted her brother's attention? Or, could she even say that deep down she had planned a whole future being her brother's wife? That would only sound utterly ridiculous. Even her own inner self would mock at her for it. What if the truth would only cost her a dear friend?

"Fine. I understand." Rebekah faked a wry smile as she let go the other girl's hand without a scratch. She wouldn't say she was angry at such response, but surely, disappointment would find its right place inside her fragile heart. "Everyone shall have her own secret. It's utterly understandable."

"No, Bekah, I was not… I just…" Caroline panicked seeing the hurt look in the other girl's eyes. She never wanted this; her intention was never to hurt anyone's feelings, especially when that certain someone meant the whole world to her. As a matter of fact, she was a few months older than Rebekah, even though that seemed to be nothing important, Caroline had sworn to herself that she would always be there to support and protect the younger blonde as her little sister, no one would ever have the chance to make the girl upset. No one.

She put her hands back on the younger girl's once again, both of them looked deeply into each other's eyes. "I wasn't sure how to put those words. You might find them quite intimidating or stupid or… anything negative, and then you might consider me as a freak and leave."

"A freak?" Rebekah repeated her exact words in disbelief and amusement. "How could love ever be considered as a disadvantage?" She let out a rather amused chuckle while shaking her head slightly. "Is that what you've been worrying about this whole time? That I would judge you for your true feelings?" Rebekah bit her lower lips so bloody hard that it almost bled, yet she still could barely keep the smile off of her face. "Honestly, Care? You honestly think that low of me?"

"It's not that simple –" Protested the elder blonde.

"It surely is. You are my best friend, and you fancy my brother. Simple as that." Rebekah turned her smile into a rather warm one. "I don't quite see the contradiction here, Care."

As Caroline took a moment to consider those words, she only realized how true her friend was. Despite every possible feeling she had for that boy, it wouldn't affect her friendship with his sister the least, if they both agreed to be rational. How come she never thought of it herself before?

Caroline stared at the girl in front, her mind wandering back to the first time she was brought to this village. Life had been so hard on her, since her father was always away fighting wars out of some reasons she never understood, and her mother, her mother was independent and strong, perhaps the only reason why she had lived a rather blissful childhood. But everything changed tremendously when a bunch of barbarians came to their village and slaughtered almost everyone. She was lucky to be away in the woods washing their clothes by the river. And by the time she came back, everything and everyone was in ruins. Both her parents were no exception.

Fortunately for her, Mikael, the man that had been fighting shoulder to shoulder with her father, was willing to take responsibility for her in a reliable manner. She had nowhere else to go; no one else to turn to; life did not leave her much of a choice. As Caroline started on her journey along with the grumpy elder, she couldn't help but feel a little uncertain and anxious about what would be waiting for her. Back then, she had never thought that simple decision would entirely change her normal life years later.

Niklaus was the first one that came into her sight when she stepped out of the carriage. Not that he had come up to meet her; he was just the most conspicuous boy among the large crowd. At least to her, he was.

Yet he never even looked in her direction, for the last five whole years. All he would care about was a certain lady with the most beautiful name and most elegant figure.

Tatiana Petrova.

- Part II : His Frustration

There is regret, almost remorse,
For Time long past.
'Tis like a child's beloved corse
A father watches, till at last
Beauty is like remembrance, cast
From Time long past.

Niklaus wiped the sweat away and heaved a sigh. It had been another day of hard work, yet there was no chance for him to take a break.

Every morning, he had to get up before sunrise, walking all the way into the deep forest. That's when the grass was wet with dew, and he had to collect it before it's evaporated by the sun. It was after that that his main work for the day officially started. Being one of the strongest young men in the village, Niklaus could not edge away from his duty of chopping down trees to provide people firewood. Just like Elijah always liked to say: with great power, comes great responsibility.

He woke up even earlier than usual this morning, because his big plan was finally beginning to take shape, even though there were still a few details needed to be perfect.

The young boy gently pushed the door open and walked outside. The morning air was infused with something very nice, something quite fresh, something that was able to put a smile on his face. Although the sun still hadn't shown itself yet, he took a deep breath then headed to the forest in the dusky light, with all the tools that would come in handy.

When he almost entered the woods, Mikael suddenly made his appearance from aside. The young boy came to a halt at the sight of the elder man, only to see his father walk past him as if he was not there. Wonderful. Gradually a wry smile settled on his face as he continued on his way. What else could he expect? Mikael had been such cold and distant ever since Niklaus could remember. At first, he thought that was just what his father was like, everyone deserved to have his own personality and attitude, and he was supposed to understand that. But as time went on, as he had grown into a quite mature young man, he finally realized there was something more, or to be more exact, something wrong. Of all the people in their lives, family or simply neighbours, Mikael's attitude appeared to have been designed only for him. Nothing he ever did could impress the strict father, no matter how hard he tried and what success he achieved.

Perhaps Mikael deliberately taught him a lesson, that not everything in this world could be achievable.

Niklaus went on his daily work following the basic routines. Despite how frustrated he had been feeling all these years, he always knew that one day, he would be a man so strong that no one would ever underestimate him, especially his father. He would stand right before the elder man with a conceited smirk, watching the shameful look on his face before generously offered him forgiveness.

Try to think about something more delightful, Niklaus. The young boy told himself murmuring. Something like your big plan. Yes, the big plan. It would become a major success with no doubt. A bright smile crept into his eyes at the thought of a certain girl. His lady. As long as she was there waiting for him, nothing else could manage to ruin his day. He simply wouldn't allow it.

"Where is Kol?" Niklaus asked his elder brother Finn as he went back to their village with newly cut firewood. That reckless boy was supposed to be here cutting them into pieces, but obviously he was nowhere to be seen.

The silent elder young man only slightly shook his head, indicating that he had no idea about it.

Niklaus sighed heavily before nodding, took the axe from aside while untying his already stained robe, then started to do the work he was not supposed to do. That boy would pay him back for this. He cursed at his bad luck on this particular morning. It appeared everyone was in the mood to give him a hard time, yet he had no alternative choice but to obey the rules.

Because he was not qualified enough to fight his own fate, yet.

- Part III : Their Awkwardness

As a lizard with the shade
Of a trembling leaf,
Thou with sorrow art dismayed;
Even the sighs of grief
Reproach thee, that thou art not near,
And reproach thou wilt not hear.

"Actually, Care. You should be relieved." Rebekah cracked a meaningful smile at the other girl, shot another glance at her elder brother. Noticing the quite confused look on Caroline's face, she simply shook her head with a slight exasperated look. "Now that I've known what you are up to, I may be of great help being his beloved little sister, don't you think?"

"No, Bekah! What do you mean by what I'm up to? I'm up to absolutely nothing!" The blonde snapped. Intrigued by that boy as she was, she never wanted them to actually become something. Just standing afar, admiring his charming figure from a distance seemed to be already enough for her. Besides, he already had his girl, and it was not her. "That's exactly why I have not told you about this! I knew you would offer me help but that's actually the least thing I want!"

"But why?" Rebekah was bewildered. "I thought you fancy him."

"I do. I just…" Caroline emitted a frustrated sigh as she placed both her hands upon her blonde hair. "I am not Tatiana Petrova."

The whole room went quiet as that name slipped her lips unconsciously. She had no idea why she just said it out loud. It was not supposed to be like this. It only made her sound like a jealous mean girl who hadn't got her way.

"You see, Bekah. I…" Caroline tried to explain herself, but her words were instantly interrupted by the other blonde.

"I understand."

The two of them stared at each other silently, knowing that they were thinking about the same thing even if neither had said anything. Both Niklaus and Elijah fell for that girl almost as soon as she came to their village. Rebekah never understood why she had such a magical charm, but obviously the two brothers didn't even care about the fact that she had a child with her. A child, she had with someone else, outside wedlock, was like a deadly sin to a woman. But no one ever judged her for it, since she appeared to be quite the elegant lady.

"Well, look at the good side, would you? At least we get to have some fun at the moment." Rebekah winked wickedly.

Caroline only looked back at her with furrowed eyebrows. "Why do you mean?"

But she never got her answer. The younger girl put her forefinger before her red lips, gestured for her friend to be silent, then walked out of the cottage with a stiletto in hand. Caroline instantly followed her outside.

The two of them headed towards the direction of the mountains beneath their village. As they were walking past the topless boys, Caroline couldn't help but notice that Klaus had already finished what he was doing. She could see rivulets of sweat streaming down his cheeks; beading down his magnificent rippling muscles then vanished into his skin. She wondered what it felt like if she ever got to lay her hands there. His chest heaved with every breath, blue veins stood out on his temples out of hard work, and she could hardly manage not to think about what she already had in mind. This was no good, Caroline. You should not be thinking about this. It's not quite lady-like. The girl shifted her gaze from that pleasing image, hurried her pace to catch up with her friend.

"Bekah?" The two girls came to a halt as Niklaus' voice sounded from behind. "What are you doing with a knife?"

As Caroline slowly turned around, her eyes widened only to find out how close he was to her all of a sudden. The distance between them was merely a few steps; she could even hear the sound of him breathing if she paid enough attention. It was so relaxing, so… seductive.

"I'm not doing anything bad." His little sister foolishly made a clumsy denial, which only led to obvious self-exposure. Damn it! Rebekah cursed herself silently as her brother gave her a helpless smile. "Fine. We are heading to the caves. Caroline and I." She quickly peeked at her friend, then back at the boy with a gloating smirk. "Do you want to come?"

The other blonde turned around so quick as a reaction to those words that she almost snapped her own neck. How could she offer such invitation? Caroline shook her head within almost invisible extent, but the mischievous girl simply ignored her. "Come on, Nik! You can keep an eye on me if you are such concerned about whether I would behave or not." She pulled him closer by the hem of his robe, pouted her lips.

As the three of them were walking down the hills together, none of them made an effort to break the silence. Rebekah was simply gloating, seeing how awkward Caroline was and how careless her brother was proved to be quite the entertaining scene. And Caroline, she could barely keep breathing with the boy she fell for only steps away, surely it would be rather impossible for her to speak. As for Klaus, it didn't even come to his realize that there should be a conversation. He was just being a good brother, escorting his little sister and another girl to the caves, out of both protection and observation.

The cave was right before their eyes, as long as they walked their way down this heavy gradient. Caroline hesitated, not willing to take the first step since there would be a great chance she might trip herself over in front of the boy she had fallen head over heels. That would not be quite lady-like either.

"Come, sweetheart. Give me your hand." Her eyes widened and her breath shortened once again as her dream lover reached out his hand to her. While the girl was still dumbfounded in shock, Niklaus cracked a rather amused smile looking up at her from the downhill. "Trust me. I will not let you fall."

Author's Note: Perhaps you've been wondering why I have re-wrote this fic and re-posted it, that is, if you have already read it before. Well, the not-so-dramatic thing is, I forgot which E-mail I used to sign up that old account, which means I would not get to update it. Since I have to sign up a new account, and since the original fic is just awfully awful, I think it's better to just give it a new look. Anyway, if you've found any mistakes, say spelling or grammar, do let me know so I can right my wrongs! That would be highly appreciated. Last but not least, you fellow readers always seemed to complain about the length of the chapters, do I have a progress on that department already? XD