This is the last part of my drabble, hope you enjoy. There's going to be a time jump and POV's will change. Part one is chapter 31 and Part two chapter 35.

Synopsis: One Summer, three friends a fortune teller and an unexpected arrival

I Can See Clearly Now (Part 3)

Bright, bright sunshiny day

Kappa Delta House, Brown University: Rhode Island - 17 months later...

"Great party, roomie," Lexi grinned, throwing her arms around Caroline. "I have a feeling you've done this before." She looked around the room happily, taking in their crowded sorority Kappa Delta in all its decorated glory. It hadn't been easy to surprise Lexi for her birthday given her avid curiosity and propensity to snoop.

They'd met at orientation and had immediately bonded over their similar schedules. Caroline had been missing Bonnie and Kat madly, even if they'd only been separated a few weeks at that point. So it was nice to have someone to take her mind off them. As Madame Ophelia had predicted, Katherine was in Boston and Bonnie, California. They were all following their dreams, so at least their separation was somewhat worth it. They'd planned to meet up in Mystic Falls for Christmas and Caroline was looking forward to it.

"Well, not to brag or anything but I was the best party planner in Mystic Falls."

"Now, that certainly sounds like bragging to me love," a familiar voice interrupted the conversation. Caroline closed her eyes momentarily, remembering the last time she'd heard him. It was July 4 and they'd been sitting on the Lockwood Mansion bench overlooking the lake and watching the fireworks in relative silence.

Caroline wasn't sure where he'd gone to or why she even cared given her hostility but it had been for the best. Last thing she needed was any distractions from her future. Madame Ophelia may have been right about one thing but not about any crimson lipped soulmate. The question was, what was he doing at her perfectly planned party?

"Klaus," Lexi squealed, embracing him warmly. "What a surprise."

"Well, Matt told me about the secret party and how could I refuse?" He grinned, his blue eyes focusing squarely on Caroline now. When Caroline had invited Lexi's brother she didn't expect him to bring the cocky Englishman along. She'd have to reprimand him later about messing with guest lists. "Fancy seeing you here."

"You two know each other?"

"I spent some time in Mystery Falls the summer before last. I thought you knew that?"

"Except Caroline comes from Mystic Falls," Lexi uttered.

"It's our private joke, isn't it, Caroline?"

"Ah no, that's all yours," she drawled. Not only had Klaus shown up at her party he was trying to make annoying jokes as well. "If you'll excuse me, I have other places to be."

"Oh?" Lexi asked. "Where?"

"Anywhere but here," she muttered, sending him a glare before spinning on her heel. She definitely needed a drink to deal with this sudden appearance. Maybe Madame Ophelia wasn't completely wrong.

"I kind of thought you might have lost some of that hostility during our time apart," he commented. Caroline merely rolled her eyes before resuming her cleaning duties. One of the idiot frat guys had decided to leave his dinner on the carpet. "And I must say it's nice to see that wonderful backside again after all this time."

"Seriously?" She drawled.

"What do you expect crouched on the floor like that in such a little, black dress?"

"Oh, how I've missed our conversations," Caroline growled, pulling her dress down a few inches and getting off the ground. "Do you always crash parties?"

"I didn't crash, I was invited," he baulked. "Unlike you, Lexi actually likes me given her brother's my best friend at Yale."

"Yes, the brother who didn't feel the need to tell me he was bringing an unwanted guest."

"You like to be in control," he smiled, sounding exactly like Madame Ophelia and pulling her closer, his hand snaking its way around her tiny waist. Caroline shivered involuntarily, he'd never touched her and now she was realising why she'd rejected his advances.

"Of course I do," she murmured. "So, I suggest you get your hands off me, Mikaelson."

"Sorry love, my mistake," he apologised, pulling away. Suddenly she felt cold without his touch. "I won't make it again."

"Why did you leave Mystic Falls so suddenly?" Caroline asked, against her better judgement. She wanted Klaus to think she didn't care but it had been something weighing on her mind ever since July 5th. She'd been angry and hostile, yes, but the fact he'd just left hurt. Especially given her father had done the same thing five years earlier. If he was supposedly her soulmate as Madame Ophelia said, why would he leave? His usually smug demeanour seemed to fall away as he searched for an answer.

"I, uh, had to get back to university," he mumbled, his gaze now downcast. "I had a few things to do."

"Which is exactly what I need to do right now, if you'll excuse me," Caroline brushed past him not waiting for a feeble response. Madame Ophelia certainly misjudged her taste in men.

3 years later...

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Klaus passed the familiar 'welcome to Mystic Falls' sign in his car. If you'd asked him years ago about coming back to this town he would have refused point blank. There were too many memories, mostly concerning the blonde he couldn't get out of his head.

When she'd asked him why he left that Summer, Klaus had lied. Esther had insisted he ride out their happy family vacation but Klaus needed to leave before he felt too much. His feelings for Caroline had been sudden and intense and after sitting beside her in silence on that bench as the sky exploded into colours Klaus knew he was in big trouble. He didn't do love.

Unfortunately, she'd followed him back to Connecticut, to Rhode Island for Lexi's birthday, to New York for his new job and now back to Mystic Falls. Her hometown and the place where it all began. He was pretty certain she wouldn't be happy to see him but he had to know either way so he could move on with his life. Although the thought of being without Caroline killed him.

The Bennett residence was lit up festively from the street as he approached. Klaus was probably one of the few people who knew what was about to happen but he'd been sworn to secrecy. He gathered his bags and walked towards the porch, taking in a few deep breaths as he did. "Niklaus!"

"Someone's in the holiday spirit," he murmured. It was so unusual to see his youngest brother so jovial.

"I have a proposal to make so are you surprised?"

"I suppose not," he replied. "Who knew Kol Mikaelson would actually settle down with someone?"

"I'm a lucky bastard," he grinned. "Who knew we'd wind up in the same state after that summer in this tiny town."

"Who knew," Kol muttered. "Now, any chance I can get inside before the frostbite settles in." Kol only smiled, letting him pass. Klaus was already dreading the next few days and his out of control feelings for Caroline.

The guests arrived for Christmas Eve dinner in groups, Klaus was trying to entertain the Christmas spirit but was madly watching the door for her arrival. Every time the blonde didn't appear, Klaus became more despondent. He was standing by the fire impatiently when his eldest brother entered a familiar brunette by his side. Looks like they'd settled that car accident.

"Niklaus," Elijah said, his brown eyes glowing with something resembling happiness. "You remember Katherine Pierce."

"Right, the one who crashed into us all those years ago, talk about memories."

"My driving has improved," she snapped self consciously. "Let's just hope your manners have with Caroline."

Before Klaus could ask about her friend she appeared, even more beautiful than ever. Her blonde waves were fanned out over her grey sweater and her usually creamy cheeks were tinged pink. Klaus inhaled sharply knowing that his feelings for Caroline were even stronger than that fateful day they met. She met his gaze, light blue eyes on dark. It was as if time stood still. She was the love of his life, his soulmate. He'd just been too stubborn to see that years ago.

"Dinner will be ready in a half hour," Bonnie's dad announced. "In the meantime please sit around the fire and enjoy some eggnog and the atmosphere." Klaus knew at that very moment he couldn't wait any longer. He advanced towards the beautiful blonde flanked by her best friends who coincidentally enough were now dating his brothers. How those two had gotten their shit together before him was disturbing.

"If it isn't the black sheep," Katherine joked. He made a note to discuss that observation with Elijah afterwards.

"Can we talk?"

"I'm not sure there's anything left to say," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze on purpose.

"Well, there is," he responded. "Something I should have said three years ago. Please?" Caroline nodded at her friends before leading him outside. It was cold but Klaus knew this was part of his punishment.

"You left Mystic Falls so suddenly only to show up at Brown," she accused. "Hardly a coincidence given you knew I was going there because I told you." Klaus bowed his head meekly. Usually he would have argued but Klaus was sick of running. He wanted her and that was all that mattered right now.

"I hoped I would see you," he conceded, taking a seat on the porch swing. "I only left here all those years ago because I was scared."

"Scared of what?" She murmured, now sitting beside him.

"Of my feelings," he inhaled deeply. "I'd never met anyone like you and I had no idea how to react."

"Obviously," she shot back.

"I might be taking my life into my own my own hands but you seemed to have a moment too," Klaus implored. "I saw it, that night at the Lockwood Mansion." She paused momentarily, her shock turning into realisation.

"You did?" He turned to face her, his dimples making an unexpected appearance.

"I love you Caroline, have since that moment we met on the road," he uttered. "Maybe I'm making a fool of myself but I don't care anymore. It's like we were meant to be, sweetheart." Caroline took a moment to consult the stars above and made a mental note to thank Madame Ophelia for her insightful advice.

"To many more Christmases together, love," Caroline smiled, cupping his cheek with her hand and planting a chaste kiss on his lips. He'd be lying if it hadn't caused some electricity to pulse between them. When she pulled away, Klaus suddenly felt needy without her touch. "Thank you Madame Ophelia."

"Madame who?"

"Just shut up and kiss me."