Thank you to PsychVamp, shadowfaxangel, Delena and Klaroline Forever, xx-MissM-xx, StefanxKlaus14, Sci-fi Christian, chillwithJyl, BlueJean452, ILoveYou1978, and Element Siren for reviewing!

Ok, so this particular shot is more based around Rebekah and Richard, so there will be only a little klaroline… just to forewarn you…

Disclaimer: TVD does not belong to me.

Part III

Richard

London, England 1551

"Uncle, I do not really wish to leave this place…" The blonde vampire next to him stated, looking wistfully at their home for the past year. The London estate may not have been a usual house, or even really theirs, but it had been home, even if only for a short time.

"I know, sunshine." Richard replied, laying a strong hand upon one narrow shoulder, causing his niece to look at him with wide, sad eyes. The next thing he knew, she had practically used her superior speed and jumped to embrace him. Once over the shock, Richard wrapped his own arms around the girl, knowing she needed just a little comfort. Caroline may have been an oddly strong and fierce female, but every person sometimes needed a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on. This role often fell to the twenty-nine-year-old Richard Forbes. Ever since he was young, Richard had an almost preternatural ability of knowing people and what they needed. It was something that had come to him as a sort of blessing, one he frequently used.

"I will miss you, Uncle." Caroline whispered. Richard rubbed a soothing hand in circles on her back.

"I will see you soon, in the meantime, the Lord Niklaus will care for you; not that you are in need of it, of course." He pulled back, placing both of his hands on her shoulders, giving her a rare smile. He knew he'd miss his niece, just as she would him. Sometimes he felt like a father to her, or a brother, and, indeed, a friend. So, yes, he tried his best to comfort her, knowing she had been more of a family to him than his own siblings, her and her brother both.

But this would be the last time in a while that they would see each other. The Mikaelson siblings had decided to sell the London estate, knowing that Mikael was aware of its whereabouts. It was no longer safe in that old, beautiful mansion. And so he and his family were parting ways, at least for a while. Robb, following Lord Kol, had already departed with a firm handshake from his uncle and a long embrace from his sister, and now it would be Caroline's turn to go.

"Take care of yourself, sunshine. It matters not that you are a vampire; you are still yourself. Remember that." Richard said, hoping that his words would come of some help to her. Caroline nodded, before quickly pecking his cheek and stepping back further into the courtyard.

"Goodbye, Uncle." She said, before nodding at Lady Rebekah, who was standing on the porch, waiting after she had said her farewells to her own kin.

"I will you soon enough, sweet one." Richard said, watching as she ran to Lord Klaus. Klaus smiled down at her, wrapping a secure arm around her waist, causing Caroline to lean into his embrace, looking relieved. It was in that moment when Richard saw Caroline with Klaus that he knew she would be alright; she was not alone, after all. The lord helped his niece into the horse-drawn carriage, even grander than the one she had arrived in. As they pulled out, heading towards the black gate at the end of the pebbled road, Caroline turned and waved at him. Richard smiled slightly and raised a hand in return.

Only when they were finally out of sight did he turn around and head back to the mansion, sighing; it was his last night here. He noticed that Lady Rebekah had already seemingly entered the house and though part of him was glad that he need not face her now, when he could not offer anything but sadness, a part of him was also disappointed…

He stepped in the near empty mansion with trepidation, glancing around the echoing rooms. It had only taken a few days for the servants to pack everything away that could be packed or to throw white sheets on what could not be moved. Richard had seen it happen before; it was not the first time he and Lady Rebekah had relocated. However, this time was different. So much had changed, he no longer knew of his role in life.

When the sight of the white sheets began to depress him, Richard headed for the one place he knew would be unchanged; the grounds. As he stepped out into the cold air, Richard noticed the pink sky as it began to darken. Glancing out at the grounds, something immediately caught his eye; a halo of blonde hair. Without his permission, his feet began to carry him to her.

When he stood by her side, he used his special gift to know that right now she only needed silent company. So that is what he became for her, his Lady Rebekah. Richard was unsure how long they stood on that spot, out in the meadow. He was vaguely aware of the moon bathing them in an unearthly white light. The sky was clear, a rare happening here, and the stars twinkled down at them.

Then Rebekah turned to him, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. Immediately, Richard met her gaze, a silent prompt.

"How could he have been so cruel?" Without speaking his name, Richard knew to him his Lady was referring to; Mikael, her father.

"I am afraid I have naught an answer for that, m'lady." Richard said in all honesty. He knew Rebekah rarely got the truth from the people around her, so the Forbes man had made it his goal to never lie to her. Of couse, he still felt as if he lied to her, hiding away his innermost feelings. Sometimes though, sometimes they came out, in little fragments.

They both turned away from each other, instead looking to the sky once more. Richard was surprised when a hand suddenly slipped into his own. Said hand gently squeezed, for they both knew if she gripped it any harder it would snap. He replied with his own squeeze, enclosing his fingers around hers.

Richard glanced back down to Rebekah, finding her staring back at him with those old and yet young eyes of hers.

Richard knew what people needed. Always had and always will. Only, this time, he found himself mildly surprised when what she needed was what he needed as well.

So, he could not be blamed for what he did next.

Raising his other hand, he trailed his fingertips down her cheek, admiring the softness that was Lady Rebekah. Still holding her gaze, giving her a chance to protest or pull away, if she so wished, he leaned in. When she didn't move away, Richard felt a sudden surge of happiness.

And then their lips met for the first time. It was a gentle kiss, sweet, for Richard knew that that was she needed. Rebekah was to used to the harshness of life, so he tried his best wipe a little of her worry away. When he finally pulled back, her hands had worked his way around his neck. They were still pressed close together.

And then their lips pressed together for the second and what seemed like final time. This kiss was one of desperation, of the need to feel something other than pain. The kiss deepened, and Richard wrapped his arm tightly around his waist, somehow knowing this would not last.

Later, Richard and Rebekah would pretend this evening had never happened. They would go back to their tentative friendship, taking the safe route, for Richard knew that that was what Rebekah needed. She was not ready to let go of her armor and he would not make her.

He only wished that that was what he needed as well.

Well, I hope you liked it! Next up: Rebekah ;)

In regards to last chapter, a few noticed the fact that Klaus did not come to Caroline's rescue; this is simply because upon her turning, the bond between them broke as that spell only works between a vampire and a human, which is mentioned in TLTLB.

Anyways, thanks for reading and let me know what you think!

RW