Hi everyone!

I'm so sorry for the delay about this chapter. I had busy holidays and then my beta has been very busy herself.

To make it up for the wait I have decided to write a third part to the story instead of the two parts initially planned and the third one will be smut!

Am I forgiven? :-)

Thanks to Matt-on-Matt for betaing.

Day 1: Kingston, Jamaica

Caroline looked all around her and smiled in contentment. She already knew that she was going to love the Caribbean. The sun, the sea, the people, the food…everything seemed so perfect! Caroline walked towards the nearest beach and set her towel onto the sand, relishing the feeling of the sun on her skin. She couldn't believe that only yesterday she was still in Mystic Falls. For once in her life, Caroline had done exactly what she wanted to do. She had waited for the Silas problem to be taken care of and she had taken the first plane that was leaving Mystic Falls without even looking at the destination. The plane had landed in Jamaica and Caroline had wasted no time in taking a huge bikini shopping spree and heading for the beach. With a small smile, Caroline took her phone from her bag and composed a quick message.

Jamaica. Suggestions?

She didn't have to wait long for an answer.

Nice spot for a first travel! I would suggest the Blue Mountains, the Reach Falls, the Black River, the Cockpit Country, the Rio Grande and the Spanish town. Don't forget to drink some Tia Maria and to eat a jerk chicken. Have fun, sweetheart!

Caroline smiled and lay down on her towel again. Who needed a tour guide when they had a thousand years hybrid to advise them?

Day 20: Prague, Czech Republic

I just fell in love with the astronomical clock.

One of my favorite clocks in the world. Did you see the castle and the old town?

Not yet. I'm on my way for on a cruise on the Vltava.

Enjoy the view, sweetheart, it's beautiful.

Caroline put her phone in her pocket and decided that she really enjoyed this new way of communication with Klaus.

Day 44: Monaco, France

I'm visiting the Grimaldi palace and I feel like a princess. I'm so jealous of Grace de Monaco right now!

I will give you a castle if you want, love. You just have to ask.

Caroline chuckled at the screen of her phone. Who would have thought that a simple message from Klaus could make her grin like a fool?

Day 69: St Petersburg, Russia

Oh my God, you didn't lie; you really have a painting at the hermitage. I'm impressed!

When have I ever lied to you, love? Do you like it?

Caroline hesitated for a couple of seconds but she decided for an honest answer.

I like everything that you paint.

She quickly pressed the send button to avoid thinking about her answer. Until now, her exchange of messages with Klaus had been strictly about the countries she was visiting, and advice about places she should see or food she should try. They had not shared anything really personal yet. Caroline had implicitly set the rules of the communication between them, choosing texting over calling and keeping her messages light and fun. She never told Klaus about the way she felt, and he was very careful not to cross this line.

Caroline had expressly asked for time and space, and he didn't want to push his luck. Klaus was never the one to initiate the texting, leaving the initiative to Caroline, and doing his best to refrain from asking how she was really doing. This message was actually the first personal thing that Caroline wrote to him, and Klaus couldn't help the huge smile that was spreading on his face. His answer was quick and he hoped that it carried the feeling of happiness that he felt right now.

This is the most touching thing you have ever said to me…

Caroline smiled as she pictured the content look that she was positive was on Klaus' face right now. Knowing that she was the one responsible for that look suddenly made her happy.

After St Petersburg, Caroline gradually started to open up a little bit more to Klaus. She told him about her moods, her thoughts, the way some places made her feel. She also asked more about him. She knew he was dealing with some trouble in New Orleans, and she regularly asked him how things were going. To say that Klaus was happy with that evolution in their relationship was an understatement. His phone was never out of sight and he was constantly waiting for a new message. One day, when Caroline had been particularly cheerful and communicative in her messages, Klaus decided to push his luck.

May I ask how are you really doing, love? Is this traveling thing giving you what you were looking for?

Caroline bit her lips and stared at her phone for a long time. It was the very first time that Klaus was pressing a personal issue and it unsettled her a little. He had always been so careful with his questions that Caroline felt uneasy at his bluntness. But after all, why not? She had asked him a lot of things during the past weeks, and it was unfair not to allow him to reciprocate. Making her decision, Caroline quickly wrote her answer.

I'm fine and I'm enjoying myself. It feels good to do what I want; but to be honest, it's a little scary to be on my own for the first time.

Caroline sent the message without re reading it and after a slight hesitation she wrote another one.

It helps me a lot to talk to you every day. It makes me feel safe. Thank you for being there every time I need you.

Caroline pressed the send button with a little lump in her throat and when her phone buzzed less than 5 seconds later, her heart abruptly picked up its rhythm. Klaus' answer was extremely short but Caroline smiled all day after reading it.

Anything for you.

Day 102: London, England

You win. I'm in London. You never told me how dirty the Thames is!

Be careful, love. One bad word about England could make me very mad.

Caroline burst into laughter when she read Klaus' answer. He had been talking her into visiting England ever since she had left Mystic Falls but she had resisting until now. The curiosity finally got the best of her, and she didn't regret it as she was wandering through Regent's Park. After a couple of weeks in the capital, Caroline gave in.

I admit it. You were right. I am madly in love with London.

I'm always right, Caroline. You should know that by now.

Caroline laughed and she realized that she was doing that more and more at each new message from Klaus.

Day 148: Cairo, Egypt

I have decided to live here. How can a country be so beautiful?!

May I point out that you said the same thing about the last five countries you visited?

Is it my fault if everyplace I visit is beautiful? By the way, what is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

The answer was extremely quick to come.

You.

Caroline didn't answer to the message but she read it over and over again during the next days. And every time, it made her smile.

Day 221: Brussels, Belgium

Do you think I can still get fat even though I'm a vampire? Because I just can't stop eating French fries and waffles!

I think that as long as you are happy, you will always be beautiful whatever your weight is.

Do you know you are becoming cheesy?

Yes. And I don't care.

Caroline chuckled and noticed that she was suddenly happy.

Day 302: Nairobi, Kenya

Do you think I can adopt a lion or an elephant?

No problem. I'm building a zoo for you right now.

Caroline grinned at the screen of her phone and she pressed the device against her heart. It may have been ridiculous, but her phone had become one of her most important possessions lately. And it was not because it was matching her new purse. It was because she couldn't help but wait for the little ring announcing that she had a new message. It was because she couldn't help but hope that the new message would be from Klaus. And it was because she couldn't help but think that she was missing him.

Day 365: ?

Klaus was getting worried. Caroline hadn't texted him since almost a week and he had no idea where she was. It was the first time since she had left that she had gone so long without talking to him. Klaus knew that Caroline didn't want to be pushed but he was too worried. He sent her three messages in a row to urge her to tell him that she was fine. To his greatest surprise, the screen of his phone lit up after the third message, but it wasn't a new message. It was a call. From Caroline. Klaus' throat suddenly became dry and he almost broke his phone in his eagerness to pick up the call.

"Caroline?"

There was a couple of second of silence and finally, finally, after a year of deprivation, he heard her voice.

"Hello, Klaus."

Klaus closed his eyes and he noticed that his hands were shaking. He would have never thought that hearing her voice could affect him so much.

"Are you okay, sweetheart? I was worried," he asked slowly.

Caroline inhaled deeply.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you worried. I needed a little time to think about my next destination and I got lost. I needed to know which way to go."

Caroline's voice seemed anxious and Klaus frowned.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" he demanded more firmly.

Before Caroline could answer, the bell to his apartment rung and Klaus swore between his teeth, making Caroline chuckle.

"Go answer the door, Klaus. It could be important."

"Just give me a couple of seconds to get rid of whoever is here and I'll be back."

Klaus dashed to the door, determined to exterminate whoever dared to interrupt his first talk with Caroline in a year but his roar got caught in his throat when he opened the door.

Caroline.

On his threshold.

Clutching her phone on her shaking hand.

Looking at him with uncertainty.

Caroline swallowed hard and made two attempts before succeeding in talking.

"Sorry for coming unannounced," she whispered shakily. "I was in Mystic Falls to see my mum and I knew you were in New Orleans and I couldn't stop thinking about you and I didn't know how to tell you that I wanted to see you so I took a plane and here I am," Caroline rambled pretty erratically as she was waiting for Klaus to say something.

But Klaus was paralyzed. Unable to move or utter a word. He hadn't seen Caroline in a year and all of the sudden, she was there. Right in front of him. So close that he could touch her if he stretched his arms. Klaus' eyes raked over her, hungrily taking in her beautiful form. Her long blond hair was perfectly curled and brushed her tanned shoulders. Her blue eyes were soft and bright while looking at him. Her lips were plump and slightly parted, revealing the pearl of her teeth. The soft curves of her body were disclosed by a sun dress. She was ravishing. Even more than Klaus could remember. He couldn't stop devouring her with his eyes, desperately trying to make up for the whole year he hadn't seen her.

Klaus was so taken by the apparition of Caroline in front of him that it took him a few minutes to notice how nervous she was. Her face was contorted in anxiety and she was frantically twisting her fingers. She looked at him with such apprehension that Klaus frowned before the realization suddenly dawn on him. Caroline was terrified of the way he was going to welcome her. They hadn't seen each other over a year and she wasn't sure if he still wanted her.

Abruptly getting out of his trance, Klaus cradled her face in his hands and crushed his lips against hers. He acted so fast that Caroline didn't see him move and she gasped in surprise. Klaus immediately took advantage of her gasp to deepen the kiss and Caroline's gasp turned into a moan. She desperately gripped Klaus' shoulders to support her and Klaus slid his hands along her sides to wrap his arms around her waist. Crushing her against him, Klaus hungrily devoured her mouth, plunging and delving fervently into the wet heat. For a very long moment, there was no talking, no thoughts, no questions, no interrogations, no nothing. Only two people, passionately kissing each other and trying to pour a year of absence, missing, and frustration into this kiss. When Klaus finally released Caroline's mouth, they were both out of breath and Caroline leant her head on his chest to calm her thundering heart.

"I wouldn't have been so worried to see you again if I had known you would welcome me this way," she whispered breathlessly.

Klaus smiled and slid an arm under her knees to lift her from the ground. He closed the door with his foot and carried Caroline to the couch where he sat with Caroline in his arms. She settled onto his lap and snuggled into him, burying her face in the crook of his neck with a happy sigh.

"I've missed you, Klaus," she whispered against his skin. "I needed this time alone, I needed to know that I could handle myself but I have missed you so much. The more time passed, the more I grew impatient for your messages. And yesterday it was just too much. Messages were not enough anymore, Klaus. I needed to see you. I needed to touch you. I need you. I know what I want now, and it's you."

Caroline lifted her head to look at Klaus and he didn't miss the anxiety in her eyes.

"Please tell me I'm not too late," she murmured almost pleadingly. "Please tell me that you still want to be with me."

Klaus chuckled incredulously. How could she doubt for a second the way he felt about her?

"Caroline, I have never missed anybody like I have missed you. This year, without seeing you, has been unbearable. You have no idea how many times I have been close to breaking my word to you and taking a plane to join you wherever you were."

Caroline smiled softly at him, finally allowing the relief to wash over her. Leaning against Klaus, she pressed her lips to his and sighed in delight when she felt him kissing her back. Caroline let Klaus take the lead, relishing the way he was making her shiver. Klaus kissed her tenderly and slowly. He took his time, burying his hands in her curls and massaging her scalp while softly nibbling on her lips. Caroline leant further into his touch, slightly parting her lips and silently begging him to deepen the kiss. Klaus complied unhurriedly, caressing her tongue with his and Caroline moaned as she clutched to the nape of his neck. Klaus kept exploring her mouth without hurry, taking the time to tame every inch on his way. Excruciatingly slowly, he stroked, nibbled, sucked and licked every part of Caroline's mouth, until she was writhing in his arms. She had never been kissed like this. Never. She had never known those slow, languid and langurous kisses that were provoking jolts of electricity throughout her whole body, that were making her desperate for more.

"I want you, Klaus," Caroline whispered shakily.

Klaus pressed one more lingering kiss on her swollen lips and cradled her face in his hands.

"Are you sure?" he asked a little breathlessly. "Think about it, Caroline. There is no going back after this."

Caroline swallowed, but she nodded frantically. "I'm sure. I want you. Make love to me, Klaus."

Thank you for reading. Please let me know what you think. :-)