I don't usually do authors notes, but I wanted to apologize for the amount of time it took me to upload a new chapter. I have been moving into college for my freshman year and starting school and I have not had a ton of time to write. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and hopefully I will be able to update more often now.

Chapter Nine

The next day, Caroline woke up as if nothing happened, and she spent the rest of the weekend with her father. Before she knew it though, it was Sunday afternoon and Elijah had to leave again.

"Caroline, I know that you have had a hard year, but I also know that you are stronger than you know. It will all turn out okay, call me if you need me. I love you." Elijah said as his daughter walked with him out to his car to say goodbye.

"I will. Love you too."

"Always and Forever?"

"Always and Forever." At Caroline's response he gave her a hug, placing a kiss on the top of her head before getting in his car and leaving. Caroline watched him pull away before she went inside. Elena had texted her asking if they could talk during lunch at school the next day. Caroline was nervous about meeting with her, but she was hopeful that they would make up. Caroline had been hanging out with Matt Donovan more, so she had a feeling that was what it was going to be about. Which meant that the weird vibe that had existed since Elena's parents' deaths wouldn't be dealt with.

The next day, Caroline met up with Elena while walking out of school for lunch, Elena had given her a necklace. Caroline could smell the vervain on it, but she knew she couldn't say anything.

"It's so pretty. Thank you, it will go with, like, everything. What's the occasion?"

"No occasion. Just a little friend gift."

"Lesbian friend necklace? Cause we're freaky like that?"

"Your friendship is important to me." Elena replied.

"Why are you being so mushy?"

"Because you've been avoiding me, and I wanted you to know that whatever is going on with you and Matt, it's ok."

"I was gonna talk to you about that. I was, but there is just not much to say. We've hung out a couple times. That's it, but… I just feel like we've peaked as friends. This is weird. I shouldn't be talking to you about this. It's weird. It's weird, right?"

"It's a little weird, but, if it's what you and Matt want, then it's not about me."

"But it's all about you. Matt's not over you, and we all know it." Caroline replied.

"I'm with Stefan now, Matt understands that. He knows he has to move on." Elena answered. Caroline only nodded. They fell into typical conversation for a while before Elena decided to deepen it again,

"I know that you and Matt have been hanging out, but I feel like you have been avoiding me for longer than that, is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing is wrong."

"Caroline…"

"I'm fine, Elena. Truly. You and Bonnie have gotten closer, and I just haven't. We are different from how we were a few years ago. I don't fit in with you two anymore, that's all it is."

"Caroline, that is so not true. You fit in fine. We want you to be with us."

"Right, because you totally don't remind me that I don't understand what you and Bonnie have been through on a regular basis, because I didn't lose a parent… Quick reminder my dad left just like Bonnie's mom. And besides, I never even got to meet my real mom…" Caroline quickly shut her mouth. She wasn't supposed to have said anything, her adoption wasn't talked about, her friends didn't even know.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. I've got to go." With that, Caroline walked off. Elena sat alone at the table, wondering just what Caroline had meant, and just how often she had told her friend she didn't understand when she actually did.

Caroline skipped the rest of her classes and ended the day in her bedroom. She had really messed up. When her phone rang with her father's number, she groaned. He always could tell when she was upset,

"Hey dad."

"Hello Caroline, how was school?" Elijah's voice was clear and calm, and she could hear the bustle of a city in the background.

"It was good, Elena and I talked, she gave me a necklace. It has vervain on it, I guess that means she knows about vampires and what not."

"She is dating one, I would assume it is somewhat hard to overlook that. Bonnie knows as well, her grandmother has begun to train her in witchcraft, in case you were wondering."

"How do you know more than I do?"

"I have had a thousand years to learn how to get information, Caroline. I am a pro. I have heard you are working on the same talent."

"Maybe I am. It's a good talent to have. I wish they would tell me, I feel like they are trying to hide so much from me. It sucks."

"I know it does, but you have to take into account that they probably think that they are protecting you." Elijah explained.

"I know. It just sucks that I know what is happening, but they won't tell me anything."

"I know it does. I wanted to let you know, though, It doesn't look like I will be able to see you again anytime soon. There are more and more stories surrounding Mystic Falls, and it has begun to draw the older doppelgänger to it. That will bring my brother, I am going to have to try and distract him. I also need to form a plan, both of those things need to happen as far away from you as possible. I know it will be hard for you, it will be hard for me too, but It will probably be a year or more before I get to see you in person again." His voice was saddened, with the words he spoke, he had discovered the truth once he left, and he knew he would hate every minute of the next year.

"I had a feeling that would be the case when Logan came back. I don't want to not see you, but I understand why you are doing this. Just…"

"Just what, Caroline?"

"Just promise me you will be careful, that you will make it back to me someday. I can't lose you."

"I will come back to you, I promise you." Elijah replied. He hated that he was making her go through this, but he didn't want his brother anywhere near her.

"I will miss you."

"I will miss you too, my dear daughter. I have to go, I will call again soon. I love you, Always and Forever."

"I love you too, dad. Beyond forever's end." With that, Caroline hung up the phone. Deep down, she had known this was coming. Vampires had made themselves known, and she knew that would draw attention. She just didn't want it to happen so soon.