Hey Guys! Thank you for your continued support and patience! I just wanted to give a few shout outs to..

RedBudRose: Who's been reviewing this story since the first chapter, and has continually supported this fanfic even when I take months to update!

"Holy Man Batman" Guest: For first of all starting out with "Holy Man Batman" and also for giving my story a chance, and appreciating the Klaroline dynamic of the story!

TheFantasyTrain: For your detailed review of my story and also analyzing the relationship and characterization of the Klaus and Caroline and my writing style!

Guest: Who likes my other story "Flames of Love Burn the Most" better, expect a chapter coming soon! I didn't think anyone still cared about the story!

ALL of your reviews made me squeal and smile like a 12-year-old girl!

Really though they helped so much in planning the course of this fanfic

7 Years Later

"It's a love story."

"That's right Adam! It's considered one of the greatest love stories ever written. Even centuries after Shakespeare wrote the play, it's withstood the test of time. Do you think it's an epic love story though, or just archaic literature?"

A brunette girl raised her hand confidently. "Of course it is! It's so romantic how Romeo and Juliet chose death rather than live without each other." She sighed then smiled dreamily. "I want a love that powerful one day, Miss Forbes."

Caroline smiled. "Perhaps one day you will, Sarah. There's so much of the world to experience. Not just love, but cities, art, and culture. Plus, food. Can you imagine how many delicious things exist in the world?"

The class giggled.

"Oh, speaking of which," Caroline exclaimed glancing at the clock. "Our time is up! Have a great lunch, everyone!"

The students bid Caroline goodbye as she gathered her materials.

"Miss Forbes?"

"Oh, hi Adam!"

"I was just wondering...have you ever had an epic love?"

Caroline chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Oh, Adam I-"

"-Because if you ever need one, I could be an epic love." He was blushing furiously. "You know, just wait for me until I grow older. I...um well here's an apple!"

She knelt down and patted Adam affectionately.

"You're a sweetheart, Adam. But I'll be an old ugly hag by then, I'm sure when you come of age you'll meet a beautiful girl who'll steal your heart."

"It's ok Miss Forbes, I'll wait for you!" Adam stated, with his hand over his heart before sprinting out of the room, his face a bright shade of red.

"Well, well, well, I see we have a potential suitor in our midst."

"Katherine!"

Caroline laughed as she embraced her friend. "Come to join my class?"

Katherine wrinkled her nose. "Yeah...no books aren't my thing. Don't you remember what day it is!"

"Ummmm" Caroline pretended to think.

"You heathen."

"What?"

"Traitor!"

"Mean!"

"HOW COULD YOU FORGET THE DAY WE-"

"Katherine I'm kidding of course I remember!"

"Oh."

Katherine and Caroline sat against the Lone tree, a large maple tree that stood at the top of a tall hill. It was only a 15 minute walk outside the town, but villagers hardly bothered to venture out of the village itself.

The pair sipped wine as they stared at the setting sun.

"7 years," Katherine stated.

"7 years to the day." Caroline affirmed.

"Look at us. We started from the bottom and now you're the first female teacher in this village EVER and I'm a makeup artist about to leave town tomorrow to do makeup for a duchess! A Duchess, Caroline!"

"Do you have to go?" Caroline groaned.

"Relax, my child, I'll be back in time for you big day."

Caroline stuck her tongue out playfully before her eyes drifted to the sunset. "I still can't believe it's been 7 years."

Katherine chuckled. "You, Caroline, were a wreck."

Caroline sat up indignantly. "As if you weren't, hypocrite." She leaned back against the maple tree as her thoughts drifted to that day.

Caroline had been riding for a week. Emotions bombarded her stronger than the unforgiving rays of the sun. Her heart broke with the knowledge that with each step, she drew farther and farther away from...him. Every time she thought of him her heart filled with a sharp, wrenching pain. She had left a trail of tears in her midst. Tears of sadness for the hybrid, anger at their love, then dullness.

After a whole day of riding, she was numb. She enjoyed it, this pleasant state of nothingness. The ache was there. She wasn't sure the hole in her heart would ever be filled again but it wasn't as sharp as it was several hours ago.

Suddenly, Caroline stopped her horse. She looked around, as her heart began to beat faster.

Someone was here.

The Hybrid. He had caught up with her.

Part of herself wanted him to catch her. It was selfish, but she wanted to touch his face one more time and look at his stormy eyes, take in his scent. Maybe one glance.

She turned around. But Instead of meeting stormy blue eyes, she was met with brown eyes.

Through the numbness, Caroline felt surprised, and a little intrigued. This girl looked as broken as Caroline was.

This girl was in much worse condition thought. Her dress was torn up and cuts covered her slim arms.

They studied each other, a silent battle waging between them. Finally, the girl sighed.

"Caroline" She finally offered.

"Katherine" The girl said after some hesitation.

Caroline raised a brow. Even in her state, Katherine managed to remain haughty and aloof.

After talking to Katherine for a little while, Caroline realized that she had no destination. So she offered to take Katherine back to her village.

There was an unspoken agreement between them, that they would not talk about their past, and what they were running away from. This was good. Caroline needed to move on. They both did.

A friendship was born.

"Papa? I'm home!" Caroline called as she walked through the door to the cottage.

"Oh good! I was beginning to get worried."

"I was just out with Katherine. It's our friendaversary you know." She said with a wry smile.

"I will never understand that girl. Is it bad to admit that I'm slightly scared by her?"

Caroline chuckled as began to cut vegetables for their meal. "I think have the village is scared of her Papa. She just has a big personality, you know."

Bill Forbes shrugged. "Won't argue with you there."

After dinner, Caroline made her fire and sat in the front yard, listening to the music of crickets as lost herself in Romeo and Juliet.

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."

Caroline froze. She would know this voice anywhere. It had haunted her for years.

"No…" she whispered in shock. She looked up slowly, her heart beating furiously. She could feel a myriad of feelings resurfacing as her azure eyes met stormy blue ones.

Her book dropped to the ground, forgotten.

Niklaus Mikaelson. The man of her dreams and nightmares stood before her.

He smirked.

"Hello, love."

To Be Continued

So I know this isn't a long chapter but I needed this to set up what Caroline's life was like after Klaus.

Now we'll get to see Klaus and Caroline interact on a more even playing field. And Caroline's going to make Klaus work for it!

What do you think of Katherine as Caroline's friend?

What do you think SHE was running from?

What's Caroline's Big Day that Katherine was talking about?

Will Bill ever NOT be scared of Katherine?

What do you guys think?

XOXO, PassionElement181