It's the last chapter! Your reviews have been really awesome, I'm very glad you felt that way about this fic! :)

(13)


Caroline is very happy. A vacation can definitely make any person, or even vampire, feel refreshed.

She and Stefan are now on their way back in Chicago, after a half year long of their cross country road trip adventure. The two of them traveled far, across the states in North America, and enjoyed the different exciting adventures that each town and state had offered them.

Caroline is really enjoying the perks of being a vampire. Thankfully, Stefan is present to have fun with her.

They went to the laid-back West Coast of California and had so much fun surfing, hiking and biking. The waves and the waters amazed Caroline so much and dancing with the waves as she tried surfing was exhilarating to her.

They also had wonderful exploits in the Mid-West where both of them took all the pleasure they can find in the cowboy country. In there, they also visited the astonishing National Parks. The two of them also went horse riding and camping.

They also went caving in Texas, enjoyed jazz music in Memphis, traveled the Mississippi River by steamboat, and even smoked peace pipes with the Navajo.

And now, they are driving back home to Chicago, where they are currently taking residence.

It's a nice, warm afternoon. Stefan, with his shades on, handsomely drives the top down car while Caroline enjoys the invigorating strong wind that beautifully animates her blonde hair.

"Do you want to drive?" Stefan asked her suddenly.

"But you just took the wheel an hour ago. And I'm really tired." Caroline said.

Stefan smiled. "Then maybe we could use some rest. I feel tired as well. Let's find some place in the next town."

Caroline straightened up from her seat and shifted towards Stefan. Her eyes are wide and teasing. "Seriously? But you practically slept for the whole five hours while I was driving before you"

Stefan only gave Caroline a chuckle.

Caroline began to grin. "It must be the age. You're really getting old Mr. Stefan Salvatore" She teased him.

Stefan raised his eyebrow yet his smile reflects amusement. He laughed a little. "Oh, you think so?"

Caroline laughed. "Oh yes, you remember when you tumbled down by the waves when we were surfing in Mavericks? I saw you coming up the shore and you're walking with your head bent and you're holding your lower back like you're some old man with arthritis!" Caroline is really laughing hard now. "Why were you even doing that? That was really funny!"

Caroline continued to tease Stefan. She sighed after a giggle. "Oh Stefan, Stefan, Stefan, how old are you again? Oh right, two hundred and fifty seven, you old man!" Caroline kept on laughing. She sure is having fun teasing Stefan.

Stefan only shook his head but his grin had gotten wider. "Oh, Caroline, tease me more and I'll show you my real strength. Just in case you've forgotten, vampires become stronger with age. Not the other way around. And by the way, I'm only two hundred and fifty six years old."

Caroline leaned back on her seat. "Right, but seriously, you don't really have to correct me. Saying your age like that doesn't really sound so cool." Caroline giggled. "Well anyway, let's do stop for a while. I'd love to sleep in bed too. Let's find a hotel somewhere, decent enough to spend the day sleeping."

A few minutes later, they entered a little town in a forested country, much like Mystic Falls several years ago. Stefan pulled over near a store and got out of the car. He asked the store owner for the nearest hotel. He got back in the car immediately and drove for a few minutes and then they arrived on a bed and breakfast.

It's a pretty, charming medium sized house. The landscape is beautifully made in the garden of the house outside and the trees are thick at the back. They went in and inquired for an available room. The house rents five rooms but there's only one room available at the time.

"We'll take it" Caroline told the concierge.

"Are you sure? We can try to find another hotel." Stefan asked her.

Caroline raised her eyebrows. "Seriously? We've been together now for like what, 90 years? And you're still playing shy? Aww, my old man Salvatore." Caroline laughed and shook her head.

Stefan smirked. He looked at the frowning receptionist who obviously didn't get any sense from what Caroline had just said. Stefan just smiled politely at the receptionist as she shyly gave him the keys after they paid for the room.

Stefan took the key and the two of them went into their room.

"Ahh, finally." Stefan threw his body on the bed and closed his eyes. Stefan really is tired. He heard a thud as Caroline threw herself on the bed as well, beside Stefan.

"This feels good huh."


Apparently, after Caroline finished her senior year several years back in Mystic Falls, she, together with her friends Bonnie and Elena had gone out of town for college. They had only gone back in town during school breaks but after a few years, they had to leave "for good" to avoid the townsfolk noticing how she and Elena didn't age. Stefan and Damon were also with them.

Matt had remained in town, had his own family, and had his own children and grandchildren. Tyler went abroad to study and had lived there for a while. They heard from Jeremy's grandchildren that Lockwood descendants still visit the town every once in a while. But now of course only the younger generation Donovans, Bennetts, Gilberts and Lockwoods, are there to remind Caroline of her dear old departed friends.

Mystic Falls still keeps its secrets. Vampires still secretly roam the town. And there's still a council, which performs well in keeping the town peaceful.

Lots of things have happened. Elena chose Damon and they are now living together, having the greatest times of their lives in every place they visit.

Caroline also made quite a fanciful vampire life of her own. She sometimes repeats her teenage years in different places and had so much fun each time. She also tried to work in different jobs and still had fun. She even had wonderful exploits in the love department with cute men she had met.

But all throughout the several years that had passed, Caroline had sticked with Stefan, who guided her, and who remained her dearest friend for so many decades. Caroline, in turn, helped Stefan move on from the hurt of Elena's decision. Stefan and Caroline are now living in an apartment in Chicago.

Some of the people who met the two of them had thought at one point in time that they had run away from home to live together. But of course, there wasn't any evidence of romance between the two, but only a rare and true form of friendship.

They decided that they should take a vacation, have fun, try other things, and enjoy the other places in the country; hence, the road trip.


There was silence between the two as they lay side by side on the bed.

With the view from the windows of the room and from what she had seen outside, Caroline had taken in the atmosphere of this town. And this town awfully reminded her of the town where she grew up. There's a pinch in her heart as she remembers her childhood and her times with her friends back in Mystic Falls.

"I miss home." She whispered silently.

Silence again. It's a kind of silence that had made the two of them feel sad.

Stefan responded with a low, gloomy sigh. "Yeah, me too." He whispered back.

As Caroline drifts to sleep, a ring sounded. It's Stefan's phone.

Stefan got up on bed and stared at the screen of his phone for an intriguing second before he answered it. He stood up, facing the window, as he spoke over the phone.

Caroline took up the whole space of the bed to go on with sleeping but she can't help but listen at the phone conversation.

After a few minutes, Stefan put down the phone and remained standing up.

"Damon called. We have a little Katherine problem. I need to get to them." Stefan told Caroline although she heard the conversation already.

"Elena will be there too. Do you want me to come with you?" Caroline asked.

Stefan smiled quietly. "It's okay. It'll be fine. Thanks Caroline."

Caroline gave him a kind smile. Of course she knew Stefan will be fine. "Send my love to Elena. Tell her I miss her. And I'll visit her as soon as I can. And oh, you won't bring my car, will you?"

Stefan smirked and walked out the door. "Nah, I'll just rent another. Bye."

"Alright see ya!" Caroline shouted as Stefan walked.


(Caroline POV)

I woke up late at night. I looked at my watch; it's already past 1 am. And I'm very hungry. I went down the house and walked outside.

It is very quiet, the night is dark and there was no moon. The air is so cold yet I find a little comfort as my body feels the air. It is really quiet. I can only hear low snores from the other occupants of the house, along with the rushing of leaves from the forest, and insect and animal sounds.

I walked towards the car and opened the trunk. From there, I took out the chest cooler. Aside from the darkness and the quietness of the night, there is only myself present. There isn't really anyone here so I decided I would just drink here, outside.

I walked on the porch and sat down in one of the comfy chairs. I put down the chest cooler on the floorboards and took out a blood bag. I filled myself with the blissful taste of blood. I leaned my head back and breathed in the cool midnight air.

I stared at the blackness of the night. I kept my eyes open, looking all over the dark night sky, with only my thoughts to accompany me.

Vampire life can really be so lonely, can't it? I've met so many people; I've made lots of friends.

But nothing can ever compare with the great people I've been with in the earlier years of my life.

I miss my mom… my dad… I miss my friends... I miss Matty, Bonnie, Tyler... I miss home… How I wish I could have gone with Stefan to see Elena and Damon.

I heaved a sigh. I wiped my eyes. I didn't really notice the tears.

It's been so long now. So long. And I still haven't seen him. I've been to many different places already. But I still haven't seen him. It's not like I'm really searching for him anyway. But every time I go to a different, new place, I can't help but hope that Klaus would show up.

But I haven't heard anything about them since that very very long time ago. I laughed at myself. They could have killed hundreds of people already. And here I am hoping to see the worst among them.

Screw this. When did I get so depressed? Here I go again. Something really heavy is weighing on my chest whenever I have these kinds of moments. I heaved another heavy sigh. I sipped empty the blood bag I have in my hand.

I stood up and took the chest cooler. Just as I was about to step inside, I looked up the house.

I felt strange. Somehow, the house kind of felt so familiar. I walked around the house silently and I saw the kitchen, the dining room. I went upstairs and headed to my room only to leave the chest cooler there. Then I explored a bit more into the house. The doors of the rooms were locked, obviously, but the other large rooms are open. And I saw them all.

"Seriously?" I shook my head. This is exactly the old house where Klaus and I had lived temporarily almost a century ago when we can't be anywhere near Mystic Falls. Of course it's much prettier and more sophisticated now than before. But the structure is the same. I shook my head one more time. "You gotta be kidding me." I laughed at the irony of these all.

I went back to my room. I realized this was the room Klaus used. I took a shower, changed into my sleeping garments, and laid on the bed.

I reached for my chest and got hold of the part of my shirt that's covering it. I squeezed it tightly as I exhaled sharply. I used to hold tightly and play with the rounded pendant that I once had on my chest. But now it's gone.

Some fifty years ago, an encounter with an angry werewolf had threatened our lives—Elena's, Damon's, Stefan's and mine. When it attacked, I shielded us all and let it bit me. That's when Damon shoved it away and we all went to safety. I only felt pain when the werewolf was biting me. But after that, I was fine. The necklace started turning into ashes and then it just got absorbed by my skin and then I was fine.

That necklace was my source of strength. I held on to it before whenever I feel lonely.

I tried to sleep again. But my thoughts kept me awake. Oh god, where in the world is Klaus?


Caroline headed down in the dining room for breakfast. She told the concierge that she will stay for another night. She saw couples leaving the house after they all had checked out. After breakfast, she continued her exploration around the house. She wanted to see the room she used before but it's still locked. It seems a client called to reserve the room for the night. Caroline heard the concierge made the arrangement over the phone.

She spent the day walking around town. Many things have changed but many have also remained the same. She had talked to some people, bought some stuff, read magazines, and enjoyed a cup of tea and some cake.

She and Elena chatted over the phone. During the times when she chats with Elena, she can't help but be very thankful that Elena did become a vampire.

The day was so fast and the sun went down to give way for the night. It also began to rain and it's pouring hard. Caroline stayed in her room. She thinks there's nothing more that she can do around town so she decided she would go back to Chicago tomorrow morning, rain or shine.

She felt her stomach growl; she still hadn't eaten her dinner. She called downstairs to ask if they can serve some dinner but no one is answering the phone, so she just went downstairs.

But there's no one there. Now that was weird.

Did the caretaker just left her alone? She couldn't remember anyone checking in the house for the night. She went all over the house and found no one. She listened carefully for any sign of human life. And there's none.

She remembered that there's this one room that has been reserved for the night. She's not sure though if the client came but she went to the room nonetheless to check.

She's already at the door. She noticed there's light coming from the inside. She knocked.

"Hello?" Caroline called after no one opened the door. She noticed that the door is already slightly opened, so she just went in.

She looked all over the room and it is indeed the one that she used before. The lights are turned on but there's no one there. The windows are closed and the rain kept pouring heavily outside.

"Is anybody here?"

Silence.

After a while, she heard a chuckle. She immediately turned around and her eyes widened at the sight of a man she had never seen for almost a century. The same man she had been thinking about every night before she sleeps.

Klaus looked the same as before, handsome and charming. He was leaning by the door with arms across his chest. His eyebrows are raised and his smile is secretive. But his eyes are sparkling gleefully.

Caroline was shocked to see him there. She didn't believe what she's seeing at first but after long seconds of exchanging an uninterrupted gaze with him, she knew he's real. She was speechless at first but she composed herself immediately after realizing he's really there.

Klaus put down his arms on his side and started walking towards Caroline. He stopped and stood just in front of her.

"Good evening" He said. His voice made Caroline breathless.

But Caroline only crossed her arms across her chest and raised her eyebrows.

Klaus grinned wider. Leave it to Caroline for showing such amusing gestures. Klaus gave out a little laugh. "Why, aren't you happy to see me?" He asked her.

"I thought you would wait for me to find you?" Caroline asked him, still not smiling. Inside, there's nothing she would want to do but to embrace him already. But she'd save that for later.

Klaus's smile slowly faded and he penetrated Caroline's eyes with his tender gaze.

"I am getting a little impatient love. Don't get me wrong though, I really meant it when I said I'm willing to wait a century for you." He said, pausing for a second. "But do you really intend to make me wait for that long?"

Caroline eyed him. She stayed silent; somehow she really can't believe she's seeing him now. And she really didn't expect this kind of reunion for the two of them. She's highly amused. She had missed him so much.

Klaus was waiting for her to speak but she's just looking at him.

"Sweetheart, don't you think you and Stefan are getting too close?" Klaus spoke again. "I mean, I didn't mind the news of you having romantic dates with other humans or vampires. But this news about being with Stefan all these years?" Klaus is really serious now.

Is he jealous with Stefan? Caroline thought. She's trying very hard to contain her laughter. Klaus is jealous.

Klaus looked down at the floor then he looked back at Caroline without moving his head.

"And then I heard about this trip." Klaus continued to speak. He sighed. "Caroline love, you're supposed to do that with me." He said.

Caroline didn't fail to see the glint of hurt from his eyes. She sighed. Klaus may be adorable when he's jealous but Caroline is at the moment too overwhelmed with her feelings that she can't show only amusement towards Klaus right now.

She walked towards him and she brought her hands up to cup his face. She looked at him straight in his eyes and she smiled. The tears welling up her eyes have fallen. She wanted to say so many things to Klaus like he shouldn't be jealous with Stefan, or that she's been waiting for the time that they see each other again, or that she's willing to go anywhere with him now, and many more things. But she couldn't seem to find the right, perfect words.

After her eyes flickered left and right to gaze deeply into his eyes, she was only able to say three words.

"I missed you." Caroline whispered as her tears continued to fall down her cheeks.

Klaus saw the pain of longing from Caroline's gaze. From those pretty pair of blue eyes, other strong emotions had also flooded.

And all emotions, all of what Klaus had seen from her beautiful eyes mirrored his own.

Klaus then gently grabbed the back of Caroline's head and pulled her in for a tight embrace. He smelled her hair. He kissed the top of her head. He kissed her temple and grabbed her body tighter against his own, not wanting any amount of air to separate them both.

Caroline's hands were tight around his back. She buried her crying face on Klaus' neck. She too doesn't want to separate herself from him.

"I don't have any news of you. I don't know where you are! I've been to many places already but I didn't see even your shadow." Caroline began to rant in burbles. "I decided long ago that once I see you, I'll be ready to come with you. I may not be able to change your ways but I want to be beside you."

Klaus continued to caress her back while still holding her tightly. He pressed his cheek to her temple as he closed his eyes, feeling her presence in his arms. They are both breathing hard.

Caroline then spoke softly. "I'm sorry I didn't try harder in finding you, I was afraid. I could only hope for you to show up."

"It's okay now. I'm here sweetheart." Klaus whispered gently in her hears. What Caroline told him had made him very glad; more than glad in fact.

Klaus has watched over Caroline through the years and decades. With his hybrids and vampires that had scattered in many places in the world, getting information is never a problem. And he specifically did not take his attention away from knowing the whereabouts of Caroline and what she had been doing.

Klaus can't believe he's having this joyful emotion tugging in his chest right now. The feeling was kind of new to him. In the past years, though he has been patient, he was jealous of all the men who got close to Caroline. There are hundreds of times that he thought about making one of his witches perform a blood magic so he can use another body to get to Caroline, but he never did. He wants what he has with Caroline to be true and real.

And now Caroline had clearly told him that all she ever wants now is to be with him, finally.

He pulled her out of the hug and held her shoulders. "Are you really sure now?" He gazed deeply into her eyes once again. He wants to see what's in those eyes when she answers his questions. He asked her in his serious, rasping voice, "Are you now going with me? You'll be with me, always and forever. Are you agreeing to that?

Caroline smiled and nodded. Now she's laughing so merrily. And Klaus is smiling and laughing with her.

Caroline's heart is full of joy. Her happiness hasn't been like any joy she had felt before. All the loneliness that had weighed down in her chest last night just popped like a bubble.

She reached for Klaus's face and kissed him deeply in his mouth. They shared a hot and a very passionate kiss; a fervid kiss that's worth several decades of waiting. They are hungry for each other and they showed each other how they satiate the thirst that the two of them had painfully put up with throughout the decades.

Klaus carried Caroline and laid her down on the bed. He drifted close over her as his arms stood straight just above Caroline's shoulders. He leaned down for another kiss and as he does, Caroline started ripping his shirt off him. Klaus fumbled over Caroline's clothing but he ripped them apart as well.

Klaus's kisses traveled all over her face. He kissed every part of her face, her eyes, her nose, her cheeks, her forehead, her chin… He trailed kisses along her jaw. He nibbled her ears and then tasted the smoothness of her neck. He sucked at the collarbones above her chest.

Caroline moaned with pleasure at Klaus's every kiss. Before Klaus can get back to her mouth, both of them are already naked on the bed.

Caroline reached behind Klaus' head and clutched his hair. They shared another passionate, steaming, burning, kiss. She has her mouth open and Klaus is exploring all the sweetness and sexiness of her mouth.

Klaus's hands are traveling all over Caroline's body. Caroline's skin is smooth and perfect. She's sexy and beautiful and Klaus loved how his hands smoothly glided down her silky skin. His hand then reached for the small of her back and then downwards at her luscious bottom. He pulled it in closer and tighter towards his body, his center. Caroline arched her back and both of them groaned and moaned with intense pleasure as they both feel the growing, increasing, desire.

The rain continued to pour heavily. With every thunder, there came whimpers, groans, grunts and moans of pleasure from Klaus and Caroline. They covered each other with their own sweats as they continued to make love. When they finally became one, it wasn't just pleasure. It was ecstasy. It was bliss. A rapture. And then they did again, and again and again…


It's late in the morning. The rain has stopped.

Caroline was giggling as she tries to awaken Klaus with small kisses trailing from his chest, to his neck, to his lips. She's sitting over Klaus' strong thighs, their bodies covered by a thick warm blanket.

"Good morning" Caroline whispered.

Klaus groaned softly at her kisses. He smiled when he opened his eyes. He quickly grabbed Caroline's body and shifted his weight over her, bearing down his whole body on her. Caroline whimpered as she felt his manliness.

"Good morning" Klaus grunted with a gruff, sexy voice.

Caroline giggled. She really could not believe how perfect this morning is. She cupped Klaus's face and just stared at him. Klaus gazed back at her.

"You're beautiful" Klaus softly whispered to her.

Caroline smiled at him. She reached up to his face for a quick sweet kiss on his lips.

"Are you ready to go now love?" Klaus asked Caroline.

"And where will you be taking me?" Caroline teasingly asked him.

Klaus' grin widened.

"To paradise"


THE END

Thank you all for reading! Writing this fanfic has been a wonderful experience. It was really fun. And I want to thank all of you for joining me in this happy experience by reviewing and sharing to me what you think. Your reviews, alerts, follows, and favorites had never failed to make me happy.

I feel sad that I had to end the fic this way. I've been quite busy these past few weeks (hence the late updates) and I'm afraid my life will get busier and that's why I decided to complete the fic. I hope you all like the ending although I know most of you would love more klaroline scenes to happen. Trust me, I do too. But then again, thanks for sticking with the fic.

All of you, my dears, are wonderful! I'll still be lurking around ff . net to read your stories!

Again, thank you for reading!