Her relationship with Peter Barlow was - well, the word complicated just didn't seem fitting enough. Ever since his return from the Navy, the two became good friends, though Peter had made it known on more than one occasion that he wanted more. And while the blonde was attracted to Peter, she didn't want to be a one-night stand that he forgot about during a rough patch in his life. So she became a friend, someone he confided in and sought advice from regularly.

Their first kiss happened when he was walking her home from the Rovers. He had entered to find Caroline leaving and offered to walk with her before he returned and had a drink. The two talked about work, family, and as they approached her house, Caroline realized it had been nearly a year since he had arrived on the cobbles.

"Times flew by. Some of it anyhow." He said.

"I know you don't always like it here but, well, I'm glad you are."

"You'd be the only one."

"Oh, come on, you know that's not true."

"Isn't it?"

She shook her head, knowing he was referring to his father and the residents in Weatherfield who he often found himself at odds with. Caroline was the one person who stood by him through thick and thin. And even when he turned up at her door, waking her up in the early hours of the morning after being out drinking, she never turned him away. She let him sleep on her sofa and took care of him in the morning when he was hungover.

And Peter didn't know what he would do without the blonde - the one good thing worth staying for in Weatherfield.

Caroline turned, feeling his hand on your arm as she spoke, unlocking her door, and turned to him, feeling his lips on hers seconds later. Peter would be lying if he said he didn't expect her to push him away, telling him what she always did whenever he tried to test the waters. But to his surprise, Caroline didn't and that night marked the beginning of their relationship.

However, as most things in his life were, their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing and for the next ten years they were on and off. And even when they weren't dating, they remained friends although Caroline knew Peter wanted to get back together, but when begging and pleading didn't work, he settled for trying to return to being friends.

The couple dated for three years before their first break up, then several weeks later they got back together. But the happy times didn't last for long and when she found out he had cheated on her, she ended things and moved out. And for the first time Caroline turned him away, refusing to be anywhere near him.

But Peter never gave up easily.

Caroline went to the Rovers for a drink with friends and Peter had already had more than a few. When warned to give her space, he lashed out and to keep him from hurting anyone, the blonde took him home, getting him to agree to sleep it off with the promise of talking in the morning.

Caroline kept her promise and when he knocked on her door, she let him in. And that day she believed he would never hurt her again when he promised he wouldn't. But Peter's life was falling apart, his destructive nature taking it's toll and seven months later she found out he kissed someone after having a few drinks.

But this time she didn't shun him. And when Peter tried to get her to change your mind, he listened when she broke down and cried, saying that she couldn't do it anymore. And he could see the pain he had caused and agreed to her terms that they keep things amicable. At first he thought it was a blessing but it turned out to be a curse. During those years they got married, had a daughter that always brought them together although Caroline kept her sheltered from Peter's outbursts.

She was eight years old when Caroline started dating again. And from her, Peter learned that the blonde was going on a date, that she had been seeing someone new for three weeks. After their third breakup, his second cheating scandal, Caroline filed for divorce and instead of fighting her, Peter decided to do what she wanted, what she needed then, in the hopes that one day they could patch things up.

When he heard about her date, the idea seemed impossible.

The blonde was making dinner when he knocked on her door, and when she opened it, he walked inside without letting her invite him in. "Peter!" She closed the door, following him into the living room.

"When were you planning on telling me?" He asked, turning around to confront her. "And don't act innocent, Cass, let it slip that you're going on a date. That you've been seeing someone. How could you introduce him without consulting me first?"

"What I do is my business. Not yours. Not anymore. If you've came here for a screaming match you can just go. I'm not interested." Caroline walked into the kitchen and Peter sighed as he followed.

"Were you ever gonna tell me?"

"Why so you can rough him up?" She replied, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips as she cooked on the stove. "It's early days. We've only been on three dates. My mum was babysitting and brought Cass over just as he was leaving."

"Leaving? What was he doing? Don't tell me you've slept with him already."

The blonde turned around to glare at him, "No, I haven't. And If I had it would have been none of your business. What do you take me for anyway?" Peter opened his mouth to apologize, eyes closing as he knew his temper had only made matters worse. "You know what, just go."

"Look, I'm sorry," He sighed, turning around, and resting his arm on the doorway. "It's just -"

She noticed that he looked particularly defeated then and couldn't help but wonder what was on his mind. "What?"

"I thought it was temporary." He said, turning around to meet her gaze. "I thought if I signed the papers, granting you the divorce, that we could work through it one more time."

"Peter -" Caroline swallowed thickly, lips parting slightly at the intensity in his gaze.

"I've really made a mess of things, haven't I?" His smile was brief, tense and held heavy sadness that made her want to reach out and comfort him. After all this time and everything he had done she could never stop caring about him. "I'll see myself out."

Caroline sighed as he turned to walk away, moving to stand in the doorway as he entered the living room, turning to look at her. "I know I never deserved it. You. Your friendship or your forgiveness. I let you down and I'm sorry. If I could take it all back I would."

"Peter..." She trailed off softly, feeling tears pricking her eyes.

"I'm sorry for...well, everything." He continued. "I never stopped loving you. Even for a second."

She felt a tear fall down her cheek as he walked to the hallway and wiped it away before making a split second decision. Peter turned when she called out to him, surprised to find she had crossed the room, though all thoughts ceased when she kissed him.

His hands rose to her cheeks as he brought her closer, deepening the kiss. After a few moments they parted for air and she met his gaze with teary eyes. "I love you too." Caroline admitted. "God knows I've tried hating you, I wanted to hate you so badly, but I couldn't and -" She was cut off by another kiss and leaned into him.

"Let me get it right this time." He said as he pulled away. "I won't let you down." Before she could answer, he added, "And I know I've said that before but I really mean it. We can take it as slow as you want. I'll do anything."

"Okay."

"And - Okay?"

Caroline nodded, smiling softly. "But," She placed her hands on his chest, "for now let's keep it between us, okay? I don't want to tell Cass straight away and get her hopes up."

Peter nodded in agreement. "Okay."

Caroline remembered the dinner cooking in the kitchen and Peter chuckled softly when the blonde darted into the kitchen. He shook his head as he followed her, leaning against the doorway as she bustled about.

She had given him many chances over the years, as friends, and as a couple, but this time Peter was determined to get it right.