Hi guys! I know this one is short and I'm sorry, but that only means that the next bit will come out sooner!

I know A LOT of you were really confused about all the time travel-y stuff and the memories in the last chapter. I tried to answer questions as best I could on my tumblr, but if you're still confused, my advice is to go back and reread and slow down a bit. I know we get excited sometimes over fic updates and tend to speed read through them :)

Enjoy!

Sunset was only an hour away. Klaus could feel the energy vibrating through his bones as he walked around the courtyard. He could feel the wolf in him fighting to break free. Soon enough, the beast would have its chance. Soon enough. Earlier that day, Klaus had received word that The Destroyer, Mikael, would arrive in London in the next day or two. He smiled to himself. The old man would be too late. Klaus would rip him to shreds the moment his father dared to step a single toe past his doorstep. All the years of running would finally be at an end.

Just then one of the human servant girls came rushing up to him.

"Milord," the girl said, "I have a message for you from Lady Caroline."

Odd, Caroline never sent messengers. "What is it?"

"She told me to tell you that it was time for her to go. But that she wanted to say goodbye first."

"What does that mean?"

The girl quivered under his scrutiny. "She said you would know. She also said that if you want to see her that she's in the place only you can see."

The girl recited the words as if she were under compulsion. Klaus looked up at the sky. It was growing dark. His hand went to Caroline's necklace which had been replaced around his neck. It was time for her to go. This could be it. He wouldn't see her again for another six centuries. If he didn't go to her now, then these would be her final words to him, spoken through the lips of a servant girl.

"Be gone," he growled. The girl ran away quickly, escaping his anger.

Klaus spun on his heels and headed through the main corridor and out the front door, making his way toward the forest. He tried his best to shut off his thoughts I he ran through the trees. Gretchen would have everything prepared for the sacrifice, Elijah would protect Katerina, Klaus could afford to see Caroline this one last time.

He stopped, just before he reached the ruins. They looked the same as ever. The old, stony columns and dilapidated walls calling out to him like an old forgotten friend. He walked through the threshold, feeling the magic that kept the place hidden wash over him. As he walked to the center of the ruins, he remembered the last time he was here, with Caroline. She was still the only person he had ever brought here. He had pretended to show it to the doppelganger, just to get a rise out of Caroline, and it had worked.

Caroline stepped from around the fountain. She was wearing a simple, light blue gown, her long hair billowing down her shoulders and around her waist. She smiled tentatively at him and Klaus knew he had made the right choice. He rushed toward her and scooped her up in his arms, squeezing her body tight against his.

It had been nearly a day since he had spoken to her and he had hated every minute of it. His pride wouldn't let him give up the grudge he held against her for her secrets, but one look from her and he forgot how angry he felt. He didn't know how he would last centuries without her when he had barely lasted a day.

"I'm glad you came. I thought you were mad at me," she spoke against his chest.

"I was," he replied pulling away and looking into her eyes. He could see tears beginning to form.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I had to know if I was right. After I saw the memory I had to talk to Gretchen and find out if I was right about some things. Before I told you."

"And are you going to tell me what you saw?"

"Yes. The whole truth this time. No more lies," she said, determination lacing her voice. Klaus gave her a small smile. Finally, he would have answers. Finally there would be no more secrets between them. "You spoke to me in the future, as if you already knew me, and then compelled me to forget. But you told me how I get back home."

"How is that?"

"The hybrid curse. Once you break it, I'm free, and I return home. Gretchen said I had a task to complete and that was it. Protecting the doppelganger and helping make sure she made it to the full moon."

Klaus sighed. "So I break the curse and lose you. Life can be so cruel."

She smiled reluctantly. "You're not losing me. It won't be forever, we'll see each other again."

The sun was nearly set. The moon was beginning to glow overhead, shining down on Caroline's face, reminding him of where he needed to be at that moment.

"You'll stay here then? Before you go?"

"I thought it was a good choice. It's safe, no one will know I'm here or be able to find me while you're breaking your curse," she said, "and there are good memories here."

Klaus chuckled, thinking of when they had been there together before. It really did seem like ages ago. Time was funny like that. He could only hope that it would pass quickly again and return her to him, like the blink of an eye.

"We have some time love," Klaus said, "to make one more memory."

He dipped his head down and captured her lips. Klaus explored her mouth slowly, taking in every taste, every texture, committing her to memory so he could hold onto her for the next six hundred years. He ran his tongue between her lips and then moved to her face, kissing her gently over her cheeks, her eyes, her jaw. He tasted the silent salt tears that ran down her cheeks.

Slowly he walked her over to the fountain and laid her down on the ground next to it. There wasn't time for this, other things were calling for his attention, but he had never been able to control his impulses around this girl. They kissed one another, their passion increasing, their lips becoming more urgent. Hands flew to laces and ties as clothing was removed until they lay there together, completely bare, skin against skin.

Klaus trailed his fingers down the sides of Caroline's body, watching her shiver underneath his touch. She cupped his face in her hands, letting her thumbs brush over his stubble. Her eyes flicked around his face.

"You're so not who I thought you were," she whispered to him.

He leaned down and captured her mouth once again, her kiss like a sweet wine. Klaus shifted his weight and Caroline opened her legs to him. He positioned himself and entered her slowly, filling her inch by inch. Caroline closed her eyes and arched back as her walls welcomed him in, as if she were made for only him. He began rocking slowly against her. They gasped against each other, Caroline's body thrumming with desire with each thrust.

Her fingers dug into his back urging him on. He could feel her tightening around him, the sound of her breath increasing. Klaus kissed her roughly, increasing his pace. He had wanted to savor the moment as long as he could, but he was unable to hold back anymore. But he could feel some hesitation in Caroline. He pulled back and could see it in her eyes, as another tear slid down her cheek.

"Come darling, let go," he told her. She pulled his head down for another kiss and a moment later, she gasped into his mouth as the orgasm rushed over her. A couple more thrusts and Klaus groaned against her lips, releasing into her and collapsing.

He laid there on top of her as she cradle him with her body, in their bed of leaves and grass. Caroline's breathing slowed as she ran her fingers through his hair, her nails scraping against his skin. He could feel himself growing hard for her again and knew he needed to pull away. There was no more time for them anymore. The sun was gone, the moon had arrived, and the clock had run out.

They both stood and dressed silently.

"I have to go," Klaus said.

"I know," Caroline replied.

They stood close together, not touching. Klaus had taken what he could for the time being. If he touched her now, he might never let her go.

"Klaus I—" Caroline stopped herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I hope you can understand one day. Why I had to do this."

He looked into her eyes. It was just as painful for her as it was for him. He didn't understand why she was doing this, leaving him. If it hurt so much, then why did she have to go? His hand lifted, but then he let it fall back to his side again. No touching, he told himself.

"Goodbye Caroline," he said and then he flashed away into the night.

Klaus rushed up the steps toward his room, his rage flaring. He felt like killing something; making someone feel extreme pain. His eyes and throat burned with unshed tears. Lucky for him there was a doppelganger at the top of the stairs, ready and primed for his savage indulgence. He tore into Katerina's room, but she wasn't there. He checked his other rooms, but she was nowhere to be found. She was gone.

Klaus roared and sped toward Elijah's study. Elijah sat in a chair, calmly reading by candlelight.

"What have you done?" He demanded.

"I don't understand," Elijah replied.

"Katerina is gone, she has fled."

Elijah stood slowly, his eyes wide with surprise. "No."

But Klaus couldn't be fooled. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her nothing."

Klaus grabbed him then by the throat and shoved him up against the wall.

"Do not lie to me!" He thundered, the veins pulsing on his cheeks.

"I will find her," Elijah promised, his jaw ticking in annoyance, "you have my word."

"If you do not, I give you my word, you will be dead." Klaus tossed his brother away and Elijah gave him one last glare before speeding from the room.

Klaus took a deep breath. This could not be happening now. He needed to get to the forest, to Gretchen, and warn her of the doppelganger's escape. Perhaps she could do a locator spell and find the doppelganger before she could get away.

Gretchen already had the sacrifice prepared and waiting for him. A strong fire glow orange in the middle of the forest clearing. There was his wolf that he had been keeping in the dungeons, rendered unconscious. To the left was a vampire he had created a few days ago for the sole purpose of being sacrificed.

"Gretchen, the doppelganger has escaped," Klaus informed her.

"How long ago?" Gretchen asked, already switching focus to prepare a locater spell.

"I'm not sure," he replied, "I was with Caroline. Elijah must have taken her to safety while I was gone."

"Elijah?"

Klaus nodded. "I know he helped her escape and when I find them, I will make them suffer."

Gretchen shook her head. "It couldn't have been Elijah," she said, "he wouldn't betray you like that."

"It doesn't matter," Klaus says, "we must find her before Mikael or the wolves catch her and kill her."

He watched Gretchen work her magic, trying to locate the whereabouts of the doppelganger. Surely she couldn't have gotten far. Either Elijah would find her or Gretchen would. His thoughts quickly shifted to Caroline. She would still be at the ruins, waiting to for the spell to be broken. She would probably be wondering what was taking so long but at least she would be safe.

"It's not working," Gretchen said.

"Try again!" Klaus demanded.

"I've tried twice," she replied, "there's only one explanation for why the spell isn't working. She's already dead."

So I used another scene from TVD. Hope it isn't annoying. I've already told you guys I feel a little lame about it, but I think it helps keep things in perspective.

Reviews are gorgeous! And they make me smile :)

xoxo

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