Hey Everyone! I'm so sorry for the wait. I know it's no excuse but I've been really busy with school and work this week. I would like to thank-you all for your wonderful reviews and PMs. I love reading your thoughts and guesses for the story. Also, there is some M content written in italics. Enjoy! :)

Stefan woke up early next morning. He sat on the log as he tried to collect his thoughts. He only had a couple hours of sleep the night before. He couldn't stop thinking about what kind of job he could do to earn an income. There was no guarantee when Ayana would get enough power and Mikael won't keep them in his house forever. Stefan thought about job choices. He always wanted to be a doctor. He even completed his undergrad but just couldn't do med school because of the blood. However, that wouldn't be of any use here. The witches were doing all the healing so doctors weren't required. He was good at writing, but this was Old Norse and they didn't really want any books written. They merely used it for record keeping purposes and they already had a scribe in the village. Stefan remembered that he had acquired a Masters of Architecture. It was his 'second' option; funny he thought, especially for someone who had lived for hundred and sixty-three years. He enjoyed the architecture, when he travelled through the countries. But he just couldn't start designing buildings here in a village where there was no one to buy his plans. Stefan was stressed.

"Morning, Mate." Nik said as he sat down beside him. Stefan hadn't noticed Klaus come.

"Hi." Stefan said.

"You look tired. Did you not rest well?" Nik said.

"No, I've been trying to figure out what kind of job I can do to earn." Stefan said.

"Well I'm free today, we can go look around the village and see if there is a job worthy of you." Nik said.

"Sure." Stefan said as they got up. He didn't want to wait for breakfast and wasn't really hungry anyway.

"Before we leave I need to ask you something." Nik said.

"Yes, go on." Stefan urged.

"I know I should have asked you earlier however, I would like to apologize for my indiscretion and ask you if I have your permission to court your sister." Nik said. Stefan looked at him for a moment.

"Nik, it is Caroline's decision whom she wants to be with and I will respect her choice. However, I only have one thing to ask from you if you would like my permission." Stefan said.

"Yes, anything." Nik said.

"I want a promise. A promise that you will never hurt her no matter what happens and always protect her." Stefan said.

"You have my word. I will never hurt Caroline no matter what and let no harm befall upon her." Nik said will all honesty. Stefan nodded. He wasn't Caroline's actual brother but they were best friends and he wouldn't stand it if Klaus hurt her, even here.

They walked through the village looking for work. Stefan pointed out a number of jobs as they passed but Nik refused saying that it would be worth nothing in Mikael's eyes. It was already afternoon but they had no luck finding a job. They walked home for lunch.

"I think I should take one of those jobs. I mean I am pretty good at building." Stefan said.

"If it came to that, I would say I'm good at carving, but Father would probably skin me alive if I even said it was an idea." Nik said.

"Then what should I do?" Stefan asked.

"Trust me, we'll find something for you. But after lunch meet me in the field after your chores are done." Nik said.

"Why?" Stefan asked confused.

"You will see. Just be there." Nik said as they reached the Mikaelson house.

After Stefan had finished lunch, he went with Kol to get fire wood and water. He wanted to get back as fast as possible so he could go see Klaus. He was curious why Klaus had called him to the field.

"You seem to be in a rush." Kol said.

"Yes, Nik asked me to meet him at the field after." Stefan said as he carried fire wood on his shoulder.

"Why?" Kol asked.

"I don't know." Stefan said.

"I am coming as well. I wonder what Nik has got planned." Kol said.

They quickly dropped the fire wood and water at home and were about to leave when they heard Caroline.

"Stefan! Kol! Wait for us!"

Stefan stopped and turned around to find Caroline and Rebekah running towards them.

"Where are you two going?" Rebekah asked.

"To the field, apparently Nik called Stefan there." Kol said.

"Why?" Caroline asked.

"Haven't got a clue." Kol said.

"We are coming too." Rebekah said.

"Rebekah…" Stefan said.

"Stefan, we are coming. I am afraid of why Nik has called you there." Rebekah said.

"Let's go." Kol said before someone else could protest. He knew fairly well that Caroline would've definitely stood up for Nik from the way she was glaring at Rebekah.

They all arrived at the field to find Klaus sitting on the grass waiting with two swords in his hands.

"Nice Mate, you have brought the whole entourage." Nik said.

"I could not have missed this entertainment. Why did you not tell me what you were planning, Brother?" Kol smirked.

"You have mistaken me Kol, these..." Nik said but before he could finish Rebekah started.

"Nik! How could you! You know what he means to me!" Rebekah yelled.

"Hold on Bekah." Nik turned towards Stefan. "Do you know how to wield a blade mate?"

"No. I mean I have never had to so far." Stefan said.

"Well you will have to learn now. You may impress my father by earning loads however, if you cannot wield a blade to protect your family, there is no way he will give you Rebekah's hand in marriage." Nik said.

"See! He was only trying to help Stefan!" Caroline said as she smiled at Klaus. He smiled back knowing she was there to support him.

"Well this is not the kind of entertainment I was hoping for." Kol said as he lied down on the grass watching them.

"Here you go mate." Nik handed Stefan a sword.

Klaus started to teach Stefan how to handle a sword. He showed him how to block in many different ways. Stefan was also a quick learner; he jumped when Klaus swiped the sword low. After what seemed like an hour he managed to block and attack with almost the same strength and skill as Klaus.

"Hooray Stefan!" Rebekah and Caroline called.

Stefan and Klaus continued to attack and defend until Klaus sliced Stefan's belt.

"Ohhhhh." Rebekah and Caroline groaned in defeat. Stefan was doing so well.

"Good job for your first time mate." Klaus said extending his hand to shake hands.

"Thank-you." Stefan said as he shook his hand.

"You are lucky mate to have Nik to teach you. He is the best at it." Kol said.

Kol left saying he was meeting someone. Everyone knew it was the new girl, Clarissa, he had asked to the festival dance. Then Klaus took the swords and left with Caroline.

"Would you like to take a walk with me?" Rebekah asked as she kissed Stefan on the lips. Stefan wrapped his hands around her waist bringing her closer to him. She put her hand around his neck and deepened the kiss. Slowly Stefan pulled away.

"Where would you like to go?" Stefan asked as he took her hand and started to walk towards the meadow. He knew she missed spending time together in the morning and meadow was the one place she would definitely want to go. They walked through the forest.

"So where did you and Nik go so early this morning?" Rebekah asked.

"We went to look for jobs." Stefan said.

"And?"

"We have not found one yet." Stefan said. He looked upset and stressed. Rebekah came and stepped in front of him placing both of her hands on either sides of his face.

"Do not give up love, I know you can do this and it was only your first day. Also, we have made one progress today, wielding a blade. In no time, you will be better than Nik." Rebekah said. Stefan nodded as he looked into her light blue eyes.

They had finally reached the meadow. A light breezed wafted their face as they lied down in the tall grass. Stefan caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers and leaned in to kiss her.

What started out slow, heated up rapidly. Soon their clothes were off, their bodies moved in sync with each other. Stefan crashed his lips against hers trailing down her neck. Rebekah let out a soft moan. Stefan brought his lips back to hers as they were about to reach their peak and a groan escaped from his throat as he released. He collapsed beside her and held her close.

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Nik quickly put away the swords and came back out of the small shack beside of the house. He took Caroline's hand and pulled her with him towards the woods.

"Nik, where are we going?" Caroline asked.

"Do you have to ask?" It was obvious that whenever they had the chance to be together they would go to the waterfall.

"Yes, just for fun." Caroline joked.

"Well I have some news." Nik said seriously.

"What kind of news?" Caroline was curious as to what Nik could be talking about so seriously. Stefan and Rebekah's news was already out and taken care of.

"I asked Stefan if I could court you." Nik said. Caroline looked at him with a shocked expression on her face.

He had asked Stefan. What if Stefan said 'no' he was always protective of his friends? Then again, he wouldn't go against her wishes. He knew that she had already agreed to go out with Klaus.

"Caroline." Nik said.

"Huh…"

"You seem to be lost in your thoughts, love. Care to share?" Nik asked. His brilliant blue eyes twinkled like they had a secret.

"Well I was just thinking what Stefan could have possibly said. I mean he always respected my choices." Caroline said still thinking. Nik smirked. "What did he say? Just tell me!" Caroline said.

"Fine…he has allowed me to court you." Nik said laughing.

"What! Then why did you sound so serious?" Caroline said as she playfully hit his arm. Nik laughed.

Caroline pulled him towards her, put her arms around his neck and crushed her lips against his. She sucked his bottom and lip and then top. Nik pushed her against the tree as he held her close to him. Her mouth parted giving his tongue access. She moaned as his arms moved down her curves. His touch always sent a current through her. She had never felt like this with anyone, not with Tyler or even Matt. He pulled away from her lips and kissed her neck; Caroline's fingers entwined in his hair. She pulled him back up to her lips when she heard a cough. Caroline peeked over Nik's shoulder to see who it was. Nik turned around.

"Elijah?" Nik said irritated that he had disturbed them.

"Hello Niklaus. Uh… sorry to disturb you… but I have someone here who would like to speak with the four of you. Kol told me I would be able to find you all at the field but there was no one there. Where are Stefan and Rebekah?" Elijah said.

"They went their own way." Nik said. Caroline came around and stood beside Nik, slightly red.

"Elijah." She greeted. Elijah nodded.

"What is it Elijah?" Nik said losing his patience.

"Niklaus, please hear me out before you say anything." Elijah said his dark brown eyes anxiously looked at both of them.

"Just say it." Nik said.

"I would like you to give Tatia a chance to apologize." He said looking behind him awkwardly. Nik caught on right away.

"She is here is she not?" Nik yelled. Tatia walked out from behind a tree and stood beside Elijah. "Elijah, tell her to leave." Nik said. Caroline stood beside him with her arms crossed and her green eyes glaring at Tatia.

"Please, all I ask of you is to allow her to apologize." Elijah said now looking at Caroline.

"Fine. Just this once." Caroline said. Nik looked at her shocked. How could she forgive her so easily?

"Caroline, sweetheart, what are you saying?" Nik said.

"Nik, she is with Elijah and will be around. We cannot avoid her all the time." Caroline said to Nik and then looked at Tatia. "I accept your apology however; this does not mean I have forgotten." Caroline said.

"Thank-you; that is all I ask for. I know what I have done is unforgiving but I would like to sincerely apologize. I got caught up with my envy and did the most horrific act. I cannot say how sorry I am for what I did." Tatia said.

"Okay Elijah, she has been forgiven. So now you may leave with her." Nik said annoyed.

"One more thing brother, Mother is calling us all home. There are some serious matters at hand that we need to discuss." Elijah said and left with Tatia.

Nik started to walk off. Caroline ran up to him and held onto his hand and turned him to face her.

"Caroline, how could you forgive her? I mean that day you were all too willing to hand her over to father and today you forgave her. Just like that?" Nik said. Caroline wrapped her arms around his neck and look directly into his blue eyes. Nik put his hands around her waist.

"I know you are angry that I forgave her. But think about it Nik, if we hold this against her forever, it would cause rift in our family. Even your parents would be able to tell that there is something going on. Sooner or later, Elijah will ask her to marry him. Then it would be all of us and Elijah on his own with her. I know how much you love your family I don't want there to be sides." Caroline said calmly.

She always seemed to amaze him. She was intelligent, compassionate and always found a way to make him see reason. He loved how warm she felt in his arms. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. He could tell she was smiling as she kissed him back. She pulled away and said.

"Come on, your parents will probably wonder what we are up to if we don't go home now."

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Caroline, Stefan and all the Mikaelsons sat around the fire as they waited for Ester. Mikael was getting irritated and complained how he was in the middle of an important conversation with one of the council members. Ester finally came out and sat down beside Mikael.

"What is the matter, love? You looked disturbed." Mikael said.

"There is going to be a great flood due to the heavy rainfall that will occur tonight." Ester said. Panic arose rapidly as everyone started to throw questions at Ester.

"SILENCE!" Mikael yelled. There was silence. "What should we do?" Mikael asked calmly determined to find a way.

"Well nothing much Mikael. I have put a spell around our village to keep the water out. So if it does reach the village, it will go around. However, I ask all of you to not go anywhere tonight or early morning tomorrow." Ester said.

Everyone agreed and started dinner.

"Mother, why is there going to be a flood? I mean there has not been a flood in all these years we have been here." Elijah said.

"It is because a witch is trying to gain a lot of power." Ester said. Caroline and Stefan looked at each other. They knew exactly what was going on.

"What? Who is trying to gain power?" Mikael asked.

"I do not know. It is not me and I do not think it is Ayana. I mean to say, she would tell me if she were." Ester said.

"Why would anyone want such power?" Kol asked.

"This kind of power is used to travel dimensions." Ester said.

"What kind of dimensions?" Kol asked.

"I do not know." Ester said.

"Enough questions. Just do what you are told. Do not go out." Mikael said to all of them.

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"Sir Mikael, sir Mikael!" Someone called. Everyone awoke and walked out of the house to see who it was.

"What is it John?" Mikael said as he walked out.

"The bridge! It has been washed away by the flood." John said.

"What?" Mikael said. He looked shocked.

"The council has called a village meeting. You and your family are to report immediately." John said and then ran to the next house.

The Mikaelson family immediately walked to the town meeting house. It was a large dark, vacant barn. There were cob-webs everywhere and it smelled moldy. Stefan looked up and found five men standing on a platform Mikael being one of them. A man with a thick grey mustache and round belly walked up front and spoke to the gathering.

"As you all know, there was a flood yesterday night. I am happy to say that our village was safe from this calamity." There was a cheer. "However, the bridge that provided us with fast transport to the other villages has been washed away. The village made most of their living from trading with those villages across the lake. Now that there is no more bridge, trading will take more time. I hope we all agree that building a bridge is our top most priority at this moment." He said.

There was a communal agreement among the village members.

"I guess we have agreed on this. We need to start building this bridge immediately. There is a signup on the side there. Please give your name to help." All the men started to lineup to give their names to the scribe.

Stefan walked up to the five men.

"Excuse me sir, but is there a plan on how we will be building this bridge?" Stefan asked.

"Plan?" One of the men said as he walked towards Stefan.

"Who are you boy?" The man who spoke to the villagers asked.

"This is Stefan Forbes. He is my guest." Mikael said.

"What do you know about building plans? I have heard of only one other man who knew how to do those. But he went back to the Old World." Another man said.

"Well as I travelled through the villages, there was this one village where I learned to make structural plans for buildings and bridges from this man. I can make a plan for this bridge and guarantee it will last through another flood if there was one." Stefan said.

The men looked at him for a moment. Mikael looked at him. They quietly talked amongst themselves. Until the man with the grey mustache said,

"Okay son, you have until tomorrow morning to make a plan and present it to us."

Stefan nodded and walked through the crowd towards the doors. His chance had finally come.

I hope you enjoyed it, please leave your reviews! Thank-you! :)