The Friday could not get any worse. Considering Klaus' actions, Caroline had most definitely ruined the chances of being civil with one another. Still, she felt it was necessary to do; if she had met with Tyler without telling him, the situation would have escalated to something far direr. It did not stop her from feeling like the worst person in the world, though.

After leaving his office in tears, she had done what she could to stifle the hurt pouring from her eyes as she passed the office cubicles on the way out. If anything, she thought, her crying would have given the staff something to gossip about in between their boring work duties. As a teenager, she would have been the first to start the speculation.

Having avoided bumping into a number people, she finally made it to the elevators, and her fingers felt limp as she pressed down on the button.

Caroline had then rushed back to her own office, restoring the flaws in her makeup during the taxi ride. Her time-pushing lunch break had clearly been something that April had taken notice of, as when she had entered through the doors, the dark-haired girl pursed her lips, unimpressed. She had noticed that the girl had taken the intern Rayna under her wing suddenly, scuttling off to the corner to imbue the young girl with the knowledge of Caroline's indiscretions.

Like that, Caroline had seen her very own lapdog of an assistant turn into a monster. She was now receiving serious Jawbreaker vibes, only it was not a murder that sent their working relationship into a spiral. Caroline wondered if this had been the plan all along; one slip up and Caroline was being thrown into the den of young wolves looking for fresh blood. To her credit, April had a lot of ambition and certainly had the nerve to strike when the iron was hot, not that Meredith would ever fall for those tricks – Caroline hoped at least.

Once the clock struck five, Caroline was out of there like her life had depended on it. Meredith had attempted to steal her for a couple minutes for some extra work but was distracted as April swooped in at the chance to make nice with her boss. She saw the uneasy smile that Meredith held while listening to the girl drone on. It was clear that the young girl intended to turn the office into her own court of terror. The blonde, however, could not be bothered with the scheming and games that were festering in that little brain of April's. She had other things on her mind.

Caroline had sighed profusely on her way home, her walk dragging on as she dragged her feet against the rough concrete pavement. As she made her way, dark clouds were brewing overhead, always on edge of raining down on her but never producing a single drop. Thankful as she was to not have to run home soaking wet, she felt that if it did rain, she would have just become a statue and accepted the storm as another addition to the mess that was currently her life.

Another sleepless night had passed and Caroline somehow felt more tired than she had the previous day. She had rolled about, whining to herself about how pathetic she was. Klaus' harsh words rang out in her mind, and she could not get them to leave her be. Why was it that others could sleep easily after acting so cruelly, yet she lost hours and hours to the words of others? Klaus had questioned whether she would ever stop thinking about what Elena thought, and he was right in doing so. However, the real question had appeared to her at five a.m.: when would she stop thinking about what anyone thought?

Soon again, she had knocked out and found herself uncomfortably positioned with a temporarily dead arm. She had been sweating anxiously throughout her sleep, too stressed to dream.

The day rolled on and Caroline was still asking herself the same questions over and over again. Most importantly, she could not decide on whether to attend the dinner she had been invited to, but eventually sat herself up in the bed of disarrayed sheets with her decision made.

She wanted to know what Klaus wanted.

If he said the word, she told herself, she would not go.

Caroline dangled her legs off of the edge of the mattress and took her phone with purpose. She groaned at the sight of the number three on the hour side. Staying in bed for that long had not been her intention. She unlocked the screen and quickly made the phone call.

The phone's speaker was silent for a moment but the ringing tone soon sounded. She tentatively grazed her uncut nails against her thighs anxiously. Her breathing quickened as she heard the low hum of the ring go on longer and longer.

"Please…" she muttered, her pupils bouncing side to side.

There was a crackle as the call was answered on the other end. Caroline opened her mouth to speak, but left it hanging as she listened to the sultry, female voice come through.

"Klaus' phone. What's your poison?"

The blonde's gaze froze on a single spot on her bedroom door's frame. A chunk of paint had chipped off. She wondered what that would have been from. Did she knock anything against it? She supposed it could have been there for days, maybe for weeks.

"Hm," she sounded out as she thought about the damaged paint.

"Uh? Hello?"

Caroline coughed herself out of her trance and with her eyes wide, hit her finger against the red circle glowing on the screen. She slowly moved her bottom jaw around in circles, her bottom teeth threatening to grind against their top counterparts.

Screw Klaus.

The dishevelled blonde had made her decision. Hell, he had made it for her. He had really meant it when he said they were done, and his actions followed similarly to those of the past. It was no surprise.

She released a puff of frustrated air and made a separate call.

"Tyler, hey."


The dark redhead lounged over the top of the sheets, her face set in an amused confusion over being hung up on. She brushed away a single hair that had been hanging loose apart from the rest of her hair, and gently tossed the phone to the side. Her eyes filled with a flame of flirtation when she saw a half-naked figure drifting into the room with an old-fashioned glass of scotch in hand.

"Niklaus," she greeted, fiddling with the buttons on the stolen suit shirt.

Klaus rolled his eyes, unimpressed, slumping into an arm chair at the side, "Please."

"Reserved for family, yes yes. Although, if Daddy Mikaelson were to leave your mother for me…"

"Aurora," his pupils settled near the tops of his eyelids in disdain, his spare hand raised slightly.

"You can call me mother if you wish. I promise to have a kinder hand in punishing you than your father," she laughed sardonically, leaning to the side to peruse through his side drawer.

Klaus sucked his top teeth angrily, and she simply laughed onwards.

"Calm down, big bad wolf," she muttered, pulling out a small notebook, a devilish smile on her lips.

He shook his head and sipped calmly on his drink in hand. The liquid burned gently against the back of his throat. He breathed heavily through his nose.

"Wow," Aurora exclaimed playfully, lying on her back with her legs up in the air as she flipped through the book, "Cute pictures, darling."

Klaus raised his eyes to see her carelessly flapping the pages aside one after the other.

"I would stop if I were you," he warned.

The redhead murmured, unstirred, turning yet another page. At the new drawing, her lips quickly spread like the Cheshire Cat, and she dangled the book playfully.

"Added another tart to the collection, I see," she mused, making eye contact.

His jaw clenched and he rose from his seat, setting his glass on the chest of drawers beside him.

"New lover?" she traced her tongue along her teeth, holding the notebook loosely.

"No. Not anymore," Klaus informed her bluntly.

"Oh, but there's always another chance," she replied, wagging her finger, "Unless…you did as you always do and threw a tantrum…"

The woman deduced that her guesses were correct, as he neither responded nor made eye contact.

"Aw, did you pull her pigtails?" Aurora suddenly suggested, "Shag someone else?"

The muscles in his jaw protruded through his stubbly skin; it was definitely a fresh wound that he harboured.

Her grin somehow managed to widen, "Avec Moi? Niklaus, I am most honoured."

"I believe you have overstayed your welcome."

"Oh dear," she said darkly, allowing herself to slink off of the bed and meet him chest to chest.

"Out," he commanded.

"As you wish," she smiled, brushing past him to collect her things, but not before speaking once more, "Someone named Caroline called, by the way."

Klaus' head turned instantly at the news. Aurora leaned against the bed, dressing herself in yesterday's clothing.

"The girl hung up without even saying goodbye…or hello for that matter; not much of a talker obviously. Perhaps, you could teach her some manners, darling?"

"Noted."


The radio emitted crackling and static as he changed stations.

"That dress is a lot better than the other one," he commented, "More appropriate for the restaurant."

"Yeah…"

"Do you still like your country music?" he inquired.

"Not really."

She looked down at her silver bodycon dress unhappily. He had come to her house earlier than expected and suggested that the dress hanging on the back of her door was not formal enough for the occasion. Though she had absolutely no idea of the reasoning for the dinner, she had to admit that the new restaurant named Rouge was glaringly sophisticated through the name alone. Still, sitting in the car, she wished that she was wearing the flowing skater dress that she had originally picked out.

Caroline leant her cheek against her hand, resting on the edge of the car window. Tyler had oddly sounded as if he were relieved when she had called to invite him out. It was surprising that he easily accepted the invitation, readily waiting for the details. In their time together, sprinkling even a smidge of spontaneity into the relationship was like pulling teeth and way too 'reckless' according him.

She pondered if that meant he was serious about trying again.

Now, they were sat in the car on their way to the restaurant. Caroline had assumed the dinner was a closed occasion as no one else had mentioned it to her aside from Elena herself. Though knowing that there had been tension between the pair, she thought it possible that others avoided mentioning it for that reason.

Tyler was dressed smartly, as usual. She was amused that he had managed to get his red tie on by himself correctly for once. He had made an effort to open the car door for her and spent the drive fiddling with the channels of the radio every ten seconds, looking at her for some approval.

"Alright," he replied with a muted frustration, taking his focus back to the road. In response, Caroline glanced out of the window at the people walking along the pavement on the square. One lady was stumbling as she made an effort to keep up with her neurotic-looking Pomeranian, causing Caroline to laugh quietly. The little thing was so ahead of her on the map in its mind, wishing to rip itself free from the blue, flowery collar keeping it at bay.

"What's so funny?" Tyler asked, amusement trickling into his expression.

"Nothing," she laughed, shaking her head, and looked at Tyler with a smile.

"Alright, day dreamer," he teased, pulling into the nearest available parking space.

Caroline glanced, turning her head as much as she could in an effort to see the cute animal once more. She frowned as she could not see the dog, but followed up with a small smile at the idea of the critter scampering off into the horizon happily.

Tyler clicked free his seatbelt once he had pulled his keys out of the ignition, and rushed around the car to open the door for her. She was broken out of her daze about cute pets and undid her belt with an awkward smile, stepping out.

"Thanks."

"Care!"

The blonde's loose hairs from her tied up French braid swung as she turned her head. Bonnie was there across the parking lot, making her way to them in a flared, orange jumpsuit.

"Bonnie?" Caroline squinted, stepping forward to meet the surprise of her friend's presence, "You…were invited…and you actually showed up?"

The dark-haired girl laughed and shook her head, resting her weight on one foot with her hand on her hip, "I could ask you the same thing…"

"We made up. You?"

Bonnie smiled knowingly, "Of course. Well, I got a call this morning asking if I was still coming. So, I'm either about to be assassinated or the girl has seriously lost her mind."

"Ladies?" Tyler called, standing behind.

"Uh, go in without us?" Caroline smiled uncomfortably at her date. He nodded, blank expression on his face as he made his way to the establishment.

The Bennett girl raised one eyebrow, surprised, "Tyler?"

"Don't ask," Caroline warned her, "Let's just go inside and drink until I can't feel my face?"

"Agreed," she groaned, linking arms with her now drinking partner.

They walked along the street silently for a moment before Bonnie could not hold it in, "…But Tyler?!"

The blonde sighed, "We're…taking a chance."

"And Klaus is…?"

"Don't worry, Bon; Klaus isn't a problem anymore."

Bonnie stopped in front of the large, black door entrance, her expression serious.

"And you want to be with Tyler after everything?"

Caroline sighed out of her nose, her gaze avoiding Bonnie's.

"Well, we'll see after tonight."

"I hope you're right," she sang quietly as they entered the restaurant.

They did not have to look hard for everyone else; they were sat in the dead centre of the small, candle lit place. Elena was the first person they noticed. She practically shot up from her seat, her red, body-hugging dress noticeable from any distance. They also noticed a very unimpressed Jeremy sat in a suit and tie between Damon and an empty seat.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," Bonnie said begrudgingly.

"Over here, guys!" Elena alerted them, waving her hand.

"Don't leave," Caroline winced, tightening her lock on the girl's arm.

They pushed forward even at the new development, slowly making their way to the table.

"I'll stay, but quick question: did they ever figure out how to get away with murder on that T.V. show? 'Cause I'm gonna need some tips," the Bennett girl spoke through gritted teeth.

Their uncomfortable facial expressions transformed into bright smiles when in clear eye-shot of their friend.

"Bonnie, sit here," Elena instructed amicably, pulling out the chair next to Jeremy.

Bonnie and Caroline shared a nervous glance, but Caroline let her slip away from her grasp, watching the girl sit next to the man she had broken up with only a week prior. She then naturally sat in the seat beside Elena and her own ex-boyfriend. The wheels were certainly turning tonight, even in regards to the seating plan.

"Is no one else coming?" Caroline posed a question, looking around.

"Nope!" Elena answered happily, squeezing her friend's shoulder as she sat down in her own seat.

She nodded slowly, looking around at the range of faces sat at the table: Bonnie looked as though she was about to take a dinner knife to her chest; Jeremy looked as though he would be happy to help her with that; Damon looked amused, and Tyler was absolutely clueless as to the events that had transpired the week before.

"Good evening, ladies and gentleman," a waistcoat wearing waiter appeared, beginning to pass out menus, "My name is Jesse and I will be your server for this evening. Take your time in deciding and I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes."

They all acknowledged the young man with 'um's and 'ah's, taking each menu to bury their heads in. He smiled warmly and nodded before leaving them to scan through for their meals.

"So, who wants to order a platter?" Elena suggested, scanning through the dramatically large, red menu.

"I'll order a drink of arsenic if I can," Bonnie mumbled.

"Hm?" Elena lowered her menu suddenly.

"Apple martini," the dark-haired girl clarified for her.

"Oh," the brunette laughed softly, refocusing on the menu.

"I think I'll get that too," Caroline pursed her lips in an effort to keep from laughing at the quip.

"Should we get a round?" Elena made another suggestion.

"Somehow, I don't think that'll be enough," Bonnie commented.

"Like hell, I'm getting a fruity drink," Damon spoke up, proudly insulting the choice.

"I'll have to agree," said Tyler, glancing at the Salvatore, whose response was an untrustworthy smile.

Another unwanted opinion.

Caroline rolled her eyes inconspicuously behind her menu, speaking in a blasé manner, "So, it'll be just for us girls. Is that okay with you?"

Her date looked at her in confusion. She smiled sweetly at him, her nose wrinkling as the corners of her lips pushed into her cheeks. First, he had his opinions on her dress, and now he was dropping into drink topics in order to seem appealing to Damon Salvatore of all people.


The evening went on with their food being brought out promptly once ordered, but small talk was made throughout their waiting that had seemed to last forever. Caroline was only content when her apple martini and the beef bourguignon she had chosen was placed before her.

"How is it, Care?" Tyler asked her quietly.

"Fine," she mumbled into her martini glass as she sipped.

"I would have chosen it but I don't think they would be able to do it justice."

She nodded, glancing at his meal.

"And yours?"

"Hm? Oh— It's pretty alright."

"Aw…"

The pair looked at Elena.

"You guys look so great together," she complimented them, resting her chin on the palm of her hand.

"Yeah. When did this happen, guys?" Bonnie piped up, content in bringing up the contentious topic.

"It didn't," Caroline answered with a deadpan expression, "We're testing the waters."

"Hm," Bonnie hummed sourly, "So, Tyler, make sure you get her all the way home tonight."

The table went silent. Caroline and Tyler exchanged quick, uncomfortable looks.

"As long as she doesn't cheat on him, I'm sure it'll be fine," Jeremy finally put his own two cents into a conversation.

Damon choked on his gin and tonic, spluttering as he attempted to hide his laugh. Bonnie looked scornfully at Jeremy to which he returned a spiteful smile.

"Anyway!" Elena clasped her hands together loudly, "There's a reason I wanted us to meet tonight!"

They all stopped their gun-toting stand-off to pay attention to Elena's 'magical' reveal.

"Damon and I…" she paused, grinning in anticipation, and took a relaxed Damon's hand, "…Are getting married! Surprise!"

Caroline's face dropped. The rest of them sat with their jaws dropped in both surprise and confusion. The girl had actually managed to get the elusive Damon Salvatore to stick a ring on her finger.

"And I want you girls to be my bridesmaids," she excitedly reached out to tap her hands against Bonnie and Caroline's. Her modest, diamond engagement ring now stood out on her ring finger.

With a brittle smile, Caroline said, "Wow… Congratulations…"

The others followed suit in giving their congratulations. Even Bonnie had given into a genuine smile, asking for details of the proposal.

Caroline phased out of the conversation, a napkin scrunched up in her hand as she watched them all talk.

"Are you alright?" Tyler whispered.

"Um, I don't feel so well. I think I just need some fresh air," she gave a reassuring smile and dropped the napkin on the table, abandoning the table for the exit.

"Sure…" he trailed off as he watched her pass through the double doors. He saw her through the windows and the lettering decoration pacing along the front of the restaurant.

"Where did Care go?" Elena asked, eyes wide.

"She said she's getting some fresh air," he replied suspiciously, "I'll go check on her."

"Oh okay," the brunette smiled and returned to indulging in conversation with the others.


Being outside was a good call. Caroline breathed in and out deeply, thinking about what had just occurred. She felt a drop of rain hit her shoulder but the clouds above were just floating by, only warning those below of the oncoming storm. At least if she got caught in the rain, she would have an excuse to go home.

"Care," a concerned Tyler pushed the doors of the entrance open, meeting her on the pavement, "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," she nodded unconfidently.

Stepping forward, Tyler spoke disappointedly, "I feel like we haven't really gotten to talk and really test this out tonight."

"I don't really care about that right now, Tyler," she told him bluntly, staring into space.

Caroline had seen the vulnerability in Elena when she had told her that she did not think she could have children. She knew that she was not wrong in thinking the girl was devastated about that fact. Elena had then refused to listen to Caroline's concerns about the relationship with Damon, going as far as to accept a proposal from him, someone who would not give her what she really desired. She just did not get it.

"I knew you might wanna protect your pride but Elena didn't tell me it was this bad," he thought aloud suddenly, looking off to the side.

The blonde looked at him sharply, "What?"

"You can drop the act, Care," he replied casually.

"What act?"

"You know. God, I only offered you a second chance because Elena said you were so desperate to get back together, but this is not worth it," he sighed through his words, loosening the red tie around his neck as he faced away from her.

"A second chance, I—? Elena? What?"

Nothing he had said was making sense to her.

He rolled his eyes and looked at her sideways, "Elena called me on Monday – made out like you were on the brink of insanity and needed me."

It had felt like her heart had fallen through to the bottom of her stomach.

"So, I threw her a bone and showed up at your house, but you're clearly deluding yourself with this uninterested act," he informed her further before muttering, "I can't be bothered with your neurotic self, anymore."

There it was. Her heart had fallen completely out of her.

She did not say a word for the longest moment. She could not say a word.

Well, she could eventually.

"Go fuck yourself, Tyler," she breathed out shakily.

He looked up both amused and annoyed, taking the cue to return to the inside of the restaurant.

Caroline did not have long to mull over the twist in events that had just occurred, as Elena bounded out of the doors with a bright smile.

"Care, you okay?" she spoke softly, "I wanted to speak to you privately anyway so I guess this is perfect."

The blonde's eyelashes fluttered as she looked at the girl she once called her friend.

"I would really love if you would be my maid of honour," she announced to her, her smile as wide as could be.

"Unbelievable."

"Sorry, what?" Elena feigned her smile.

That bitch. She could not help it. She could never fucking help it.

"Did you tell Tyler that I wanted him back?"

Elena was taken aback by the sudden question, but she shrugged calmly, "Yeah, he called me yesterday. I might have encouraged him a little."

"No," Caroline's speech darkened as she stared the girl in her eyes, "Did you tell him I was desperate to get back together so that he would come to my house to ask me to take him back?"

"Well—" the brunette began, but paused as she felt rain spitting down gently, "I think we should go inside and talk about this la—"

"Answer the damn question, Elena."

"Yes. Okay, Care? I may have…suggested that," she swallowed uncomfortably, avoiding Caroline's gaze, "Damon and I were getting engaged and you— well, I wanted you to have that too!"

"That's not for you to decide!" Caroline spoke in a burst of volume, her hands flailing, "And what the hell was that with Bonnie and Jeremy?!"

"I just wanted them to realise they were making a mistake breaking up!" she justified herself, attempting to match the volume but instantly wavering.

"So they can't decide that for themselves? And while we're on the subject, I tell you to rethink your relationship with Damon because he doesn't want kids, and you tell me to mind my own business, yet you feel the need to mastermind and control everyone else's decisions? We're just puppets to you, aren't we?!"

"No—"

She began to turn away but could not stop herself from spouting all that was on her mind.

"Oh my god! What is wrong with me?! All this time, I have been thinking, 'what would Elena think of this?' and choosing to ruin things…ruin relationships because of what you say, but you don't really care, do you?"

Caroline's hands were raised to her head, and disgust was written across her face.

Elena's voice shook as she stepped forward, "I do care! I don't do these things for nothing!"

"Then what for? For your own personal gain? So I would have a date to your wedding?" Caroline questioned, distancing herself before continuing her attack, "For a moment…I did think it was because you cared… I thought you really did care about me…so I cared about your opinions…but you don't."

The brunette could only scoff at these accusations.

"You think that if you match-make everyone to death, then we can be one happy, all-American dream? Well, newsflash, Elena: this isn't some magical Disney movie where we can all sit and talk about our perfect married lives all day!"

"You know I don't think that!"

"You don't? Could'a fooled me," Caroline finally spat, "I'm done listening to you…for good this time."

"What?" Elena stood there in her dress, her eyes widened and full of stressed tears, "We're best friends, Care."

Her reminders and tears were no use; Caroline's face was burning red in anger, her feeling unmoving.

"We haven't been friends, let alone best friends, for a long time, Elena," she managed to keep her words calm in the sea of shouts she had allowed to crash out of her mouth, "Have a happy marriage, and don't try to call me later; I won't answer."

Feeling that she had said all that she had needed to, Caroline slowly moved away and took steps in the opposite direction of the girl.

"Care—"

The blonde sucked in a harsh breath, scrunching her face up as she turned to face her one last time. She stormed up to Elena, her heels hitting against the concrete below.

"One more thing: I slept with Klaus. Multiple times. On the night you introduced us, in fact. So, looks like you were wrong about us."

She smiled at the girl before her in a fake sweetness that was laced with bitterness, before finally taking her exit down the streets, the spitting rain beginning to pour down relentlessly.


A/N: There it is, folks. I had the best time writing this chapter! The next chapter will be the last, plus the epilogue!

Thank you for 70+ followers on this story (ffnet)! I hope you're all enjoying it so far!

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for reviewing!

Follow/send me messages at klarolineagainnaturally

ALSO:

tuzin: Thank you for writing! I was the happiest when i saw the new chapter! I know you tell us the final is near but I wish you could go on or write a new story. I would read it! :)

Thank you so much! This made me smile omg! I have some news about what's next once this is done so keep an eye out for the announcement chapter after the epilogue!

BTW: I have added a few old drabbles from my AO3 to my drabble collection on here if you've never read them!