Hello, Klaroline fans! I am back and ready to continue writing this story. So much thanks to the amazing reader gennaac1 who inspired me to begin writing this story again. They personally PM'd me to start working on this story again, and the more I started working on this story again, once more I fell in love with the plot and ideas I had before. It flowed out of me word by word, until a for page document was on my screen. So here it is! Please read and enjoy, and review if you want. Thank you to all who have been loyal to this story for more than a year.

Love,

Elle

Caroline sat next to Klaus at the glass dining table, Rebekah and Matt seated across from them. They were still in their swimsuits, and Caroline still had the cup of bourbon in her hand. Silence was present, but it was soon to be broken by Klaus.

"My dear sister, I have come up with a compromise. You and your football player can stay in your own part of the Villa, and I and Caroline will have our own part. We will have limited interaction, and will not speak to each other unless needed. Is that agreeable?" Klaus said, looking at both Matt and Rebekah. Rebecca pondered the offer for a moment, and then spoke out.

"The problem brother is that Caroline's room is two doors down from mine. I was like to be away from both you and her. So unless you can find another solution, you are out of a deal." Rebekah said, and Klaus rolled his eyes. Caroline and Matt just looked at each other, and then looked away.

After thinking for a moment, Klaus came up with another idea. "What if Caroline and I stayed in the same room. I can move all her clothes and things into my bedroom. You and Matt can have your own section of the Villa where Caroline's and your rooms are. Is that a better offer?" Klaus said, and Rebekah nodded eagerly.

"Wait, what?" Caroline interrupted, and the bourbon in her glass in her hand sloshed onto the table. Klaus looked over at her, surprised by her abrupt interruption.

"You will be moving to my room so my sister and Matt can have their private place. Is that ok with you, Caroline? I don't want you to feel violated of your space." Klaus said, looking at Caroline with concern in her eyes. Caroline gave him a pleading look, by gave into the offer with a nod.

"Well, it's settled then. Caroline will move in with me, and you and Matt can have your space. Now if this matter has been completely agreed on, I have other issue to discuss with Caroline. Alone." Klaus said, sounding very businesslike in his way of speech. Rebekah and Matt rose to their feet in sync. Pushing in the heavy chairs, they left the room.

"What do you have to say now? I have had a crappy day and would just like to curl up on my bed and watch Glee on Netflix. So can you hurry it up?" Caroline moaned, and Klaus laughed at her annoyance. She rolled her eyes.

"My dear friend Kelso, the one that owns the vineyard, is hosting a masquerade ball for charity tonight. I happened to receive a personal invitation when we visited for our little picnic. It is formal, of course. I would think you would want to wear the dress you bought in New Orleans, so I ordered a matching masquerade mask. And I might have bought another surprise." Klaus said, and Caroline leaned toward in surprise.

"You want me to go a masquerade ball with you, and move into your room on the same night? Don't you think you are pushing the limits a little bit?" Caroline asked, and Klaus cocked his head in confusion.

"I thought you would want to join me at the ball, love. It is for charity. And I for sure thought that Caroline Forbes wouldn't turn down the opportunity to party." Klaus said his lips turned up into a half smile. Caroline rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything.

Instead, she placed her half-filled glass on the table and rose up from the table. Silently she pushed in her chair, and walked out the dining room. Klaus's eyes followed her as she left. Caroline padded down the hallway and into the Villa's foyer. She climbed the right side spiral staircase and took the hall that led to her soon not-to-be room. Opening the bedroom door quietly, Caroline slipped into the room. Walking towards the bathroom to take a shower, something on the bed sparkled in the corner of her eye. Turning around, she walked over to look at it.

The skin-hugging gown that she had gotten in New Orleans was spread across the bed, along with a pair of sparkling silver heels. The bracelet Klaus had given her was laid next to the dress, a custom made masquerade mask that Klaus had ordered, and a mystery box wrapped in a bow was at the tip of the arrangement. Caroline looked at everything and put her hands on her hips. He was trying so hard, and it was killing her. She loved Tyler, but Klaus was so much more of a better person in relationship dedication. Shaking her head in confusion, Caroline headed to the shower.

Turning the knob of the shower, Caroline let the water warm up. Stripping out of her bathing suit, she stepped into the steaming water, letting it rain down on her. She reached for the French vanilla and lavender body wash and her body sponge, and began scrubbing her skin. After she had washed her skin, Caroline began on her precious golden locks. Dousing her hair in the lavender shampoo, she lathered it from roots to tips, and followed with conditioner. As she washed and scrubbed she thought of Tyler, and of Klaus. Tyler was the one who had been there for her, but Klaus is the one who could protect her. Tyler was smart, but Klaus was cunning. They both were great, but she could only choose one.

After standing under the hot water for more than ten minutes, Caroline turned it off and stepped out of the shower. Wrapping a soft cotton towel around her body, Caroline walked to her closet in search of a robe. She pulled a silk one off the hanger and put it on, tying it in front. Walking back to bathroom, Caroline plugged in her blow dryer and began the tedious task of getting her hair dry.

When fifteen minutes of constant hot air had been blown on it, her hair was finally dry. Walking back into her room, Caroline went to her dresser. Shifting through her undergarments, she grabbed the strapless light blue lace bra and panty set. She put them on and then placed the robe back on. Finally she sat down at the vanity and began to work on her hair and makeup.

Brushing the tangles out of her hair, Caroline began curling them and letting them fall in a cascade down her back. When she had finished her whole head, she began to braid a headband and then bobby pinned it in place. Caroline braided three rows, creating a crown on top of her head. She slipped in rhinestone hairpins from her jewelry box across the braid. It sparkled like a tiara when she turned her head in the light.

For her makeup she did a light dusting of silver shadow across her lid, and a wing of silver eyeliner. The look made her eyes pop. Running a baby pink gloss across her lips, Caroline completed the innocent and natural look she was striving for. Rising up from the vanity, she walked over to the bed to put on her dress. But when she lifted the gown off the bed, a small sealed envelope fell from within the folds, surprising her. Picking it up, Caroline turned it over. She immediately recognized her named scrawled in Klaus's cursive. Tearing into the letter, Caroline was surprised at what she found. The letter read:

Dear Caroline,

I began trying to write this since the day I saw you at my family's ball. Back then I was selfish, and inconsiderate of others feelings and thoughts. But you made me realize something inside myself. I am a terrible man. Not just to others, but to you as well. I have been chasing you for so long, and you have never returned any of my feelings. I have decided to let you take your own course, and to stop pursuing something that is going to be impossible to achieve.

This masquerade tonight is the last thing I will ask you to, and the last time you will have to be by my side. For the rest of the time in Rome, you will not have to be with me for anything else. No dates or dinners required. You can choose to be with me or not. It is up to you, as your own choice. I will accept any one.

Sincerely,

Klaus

When Caroline read this, she immediately made a decision. Placing the note on her bedside table, she grabbed her phone next to it. Her fingers dialed the familiar number that she had dialed a million times before. But this time, she was dialing it for a new reason. After she dialed the last number, Caroline pressed the send button. The dial tone was long in her ear, and finally the voice picked up.

"Hey Care." Tyler's voice rang across the line, and Caroline took in a sharp breath. She didn't actually think he would pick up the phone. He hadn't for months.

"Hi." She said quietly, fingering the fabric of her robe. There was silence in the conversation.

"Where are you, Caroline? Your phone said that it was out of the country." Tyler asked, his voice sounded concerned. It was so familiar, and so warm, and yet so distant.

"I'm in Rome, Tyler." Caroline said, sitting down on the bed next to her dress. She heard Tyler breathing quietly on the other side of the phone.

"Care, why are you in Rome? Why aren't you in Mystic Falls with Elena and Bonnie?" He asked, and the concern in his voice was putting knot in her stomach. But she had to do this.

"I'm fine. I needed a break. But Tyler, there's something I need to tell you." Caroline said, and Tyler listened.

"We need to break up." She stuttered out, and before she could say another word, the call clicked off. But Caroline did not shed a single tear. Instead a smile broke out across her face.

Dropping her robe on the floor, she shimmed into the gown. It fit like a glove as it did before. The all over detailed glass bedding shimmered in the light. Swirls of crystal danced across the bodice, flowing down to the chiffon skirt. The sweetheart neckline was perfectly cut, and the light blue color was stunning. Caroline zipped up the back of the dress. She sat back down on the bed, and buckled on the silver heels onto her feet.

Caroline snapped Klaus's bracelet onto her arm. Then she turned for the box with the bow on it and began to unwrap it. It took two minutes, and when she opened the box, her jaw dropped. A diamond necklace and earring set sat nestled into velvet. Carefully removing them from the box, she placed the necklace around her neck, and slipped the earrings in her ears. They were weightless. Finally, Caroline rose from the bed, masquerade mask in her hand. Walking to her closet for the last time, Caroline took a silver crystal studded clutch. She put inside a few necessities, and sprayed a little jasmine scented perfume on.

With clutch and mask in hand, Caroline walked toward the door. Taking one last look at her bedroom, she closed the door behind her. Gliding down the hall, Caroline stopped by the edge of the stairs and put on the light blue, diamond studded mask. Tying the white strings behind her head, she was ready. Taking one last look at herself in the hall mirror, she smiled. Carefully, she put one foot down on the stairs, glided down the rest.

Klaus waited for her in the foyer, and when he saw her, his eyes popped out of his head. Caroline smiled, and he smiled back immediately. And when she reached the end of the stairwell, his hand extended to hers and she took it.

"You look stunning, sweetheart." Klaus said, and before he could say anything else, Caroline had pecked him on the lips. It took him by shock.

"You don't look to bad yourself." She nodded towards his tux. He smiled at her, and then pulled something out from behind his back. It was his masquerade mask. It was black and outlined with blue, and was designed after a raven, sly cut eyes and pinched nose. Caroline's was shaped like a butterfly, with sides that curved outwards like wings.

"Well, love, are you ready to attend the ball?" Klaus asked, extending his arm to her. She blushed and took it, a smile on her face. Klaus opened up the front door and lead them out to an awaiting limo. Helping Caroline into the car, Klaus slid himself into the seat next to her. He closed the car door behind him, and off they went.

I hope this was satisfying enough for a much needed update. I CANNOT WAIT until read what happens next. Who's happy Tyler is out of the way? I hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading. Please review any ideas or questions, or feel free to PM me if they are urgent.

Love,

Elle