A/N : I'm so so so sorry for the wait. But longest chapter so far😁. I promise next update will be a lot quicker. I've already got most of it written so hopefully before next week.

I got a review last chapter regarding the timeline of the flashbacks. Honestly they are kinda all over the place. I try to connect them to the present based on an emotion or line, but i'm not sure if that always comes across. I guess you can read them as the memories going through Stefan's head seeing as the story's in his pov. (Sorry if they don't make sense). As they are, Stefan and Caroline hooked up on the night of the flashback in chapter 1 (ie he just broke up with Ivy). Him and Elena broke up in highschool, and all the friendly moments between S and C happened in the years prior to their hook up. (Spoiler: there wasn't many fluffy moments between them after their night together).

Hopefully they will start to make more sense as the story goes, if you can puzzle them together, but please let me know if they don't make sense. I could make up a timeline if you get completely confused, or I could just get rid of the flashbacks if you want? Sorry for rambling. You're reading an essay before you get to the story. I'll stop now. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.💜

"He's an idiot"

"You have to say that you're my best friend" Caroline sobbed. Her cries muffled through the duvet she covered her whole body with. Hiding away in a shell.

"I say that cause it's true. Letting you go... pfftt ...He's moron is what he is. And a dick"

An involuntary snigger escaped her lips. Finally unveiling herself so he could now see her face.

Her mascara was running down her cheeks. Eyes blotchy and bloodshot. Hair was disheveled all over the place due to her crying under the covers on her dorm room bed for 2 hours. She was still beautiful though. Only Caroline could pull off the broken hearted look.

The sight of her in heart break was like a punch to the gut for Stefan. He felt like some one had stab him in the chest. Seeing her in pain caused him pain. Plain and simple. Without hesitation he jumped up from his position on the foot of the bed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her face to his chest, as she drenched his t-shirt with her tears.

The warmth radiating off her burned into his skin. An all too similar tingling sensation fluttered in the pit of his stomach. Side by side they sat at the head of the bed as she cried over the broken relationship of a man who never deserved her anyway.

Eventually her tears began to run dry. She vigorously wiped away under her eyes finally pulling herself to sit up straight. His arms suddenly felt empty and cold without her in them.

"God, I'm a mess, and I should of seen it coming. Of course he was cheating on me"

Stefan's nostrils flared as he ran his tongue over his teeth. Anger was burning under the surface again. How could he do that to her? What was he even thinking? Caroline was perfect. Who would ever want anyone else? He couldn't understand it.

If it was Stefan who was lucky enough to have her he would worship the ground she walked on. He would never look for another. And he sure as he'll wouldn't ever be stupid enough to let her go.

"I'm such an idiot"

"You're not an idiot"

"I mean camping with his 'family'? His mom hates the outdoors"

"Hey, mayor Lockwood throws a wonderful garden party every year" he joked trying to lighten the mood. Anything to see that radiant smile of hers. Ease the pain she was going through even just a little bit.

"Hayley is such a mistress name as well" Caroline continued, ignoring his passing comments.

"The mistress-est" his eyebrows bowed together at the word he made up trying and failing to be funny.

"He said I was crazy"

"Well you can't fault him for that " she gave him side eye for that comment but ranted on anyway.

"And saying they were just friends" she carried on ignoring his running commentary to everything she was saying.

"The best lovers are" his eyes widened at that comment he let slip and he cautiously looked to see the reaction she had to it, but she seemed oblivious to any meaning his words might of held.

"I can't believe he would do this to me"

"I already told you he's an idiot"

"You never liked him"

"I never like anyone " that forced an unwanted chuckle out of her and it brought a smile to his face to hear the sound he didn't realise he so desperately needed to hear.

"Can you just be serious for a minute" she whined. The irony not lost on him.

"You're right. I'm sorry..." His thumbs moved to swipe a few remnants of tears off her cheeks.

".. but that dick doesn't deserve these tears."

"I mean I knew we were growing apart. And the whole going to different colleges thing was gonna be hard. But I really thought we were gonna make it you know.."

He did know. He's been in the exact same position Caroline's sitting in right now. To think your life was destined one way. To have the person you expect to spend forever with leave you for another and just not see it coming. When Elena left him, he didn't think he would ever be able to move on. In all honesty he's never let himself be so open to love since. He was always closed off before, but now he was on a whole new level. The only person to even come close to bashing down those walls was sitting in front of him. Bawling her eyes out for another.

He felt so bad. Knowing there was nothing he could do to fix this for her. For her to not go through this heartbreak. Cause he would if he could. He'd do anything for her. And seeing her in pain was killing him. All he could do was be there for her. And he would do that. No matter what, he would help her through this, like she helped him through his own heartbreak.

"And now what am I suppose to do? Just move on without him. How do I do that when all I have is this sadness, and anger and-"

"-Me." he interrupted reaching out and covering his hand with hers "... you have me" she lifted her gaze to his eyes and he saw the tears glistening ocean blue. His sight drifted down to her lips when she gave a small smile in recognition of his words. He forced his eyes to lock deep into hers again, boring straight into her soul.

"... And I will never leave you"

"Do you really mean that?" Her voice wavered, vulnerable in tone.

Her heart was in tatters. She was probably at the lowest point he's ever seen her, and yet here she was letting him in.

Did he mean it? The corners of his mouth twitched upwards, as his head gently nodded his head.

He admired her so much in this moment. The strength she held to let another man into her heart after what she just went through. To not push him away the way he tried to push her away when he broke up with Elena. He was scared back then to show vunerability to her, but she was so much stronger than him. Here she was letting her walls down for him to see and it made his heart leap.

His mind reflected on memories of his own heartbreak. When Caroline was there for him in ways he could never truly thank her enough for. Back then they were friends. Not as close as they are now, but a defining moment their relationship. He knew back then how lucky he was to have her in his life, and now he can't imagine his life without her.

Looking into her hypnotic eyes, the bouncing halo of curls falling delicately across her shoulders, the rose plump of her lips. And it wasn't just her physical beauty that hit him. He always knew how beautiful she was, but admiring her inner strength. How kind and strong she grew to be. And how happy she made him, whenever he was with her. His breath hitched. The beginnings of his mind reeling to catch up to the emotions his body has been trying to tell him for some time now.

Because he was starting to accept it. The want he has to be close to her all times of the day. The need to reach out and touch her growing more with each passing second. The jealousy at any man that as much as looks in her direction and how even the thought of Tyler Lockwood made his blood boil. He doesn't really know when he started feeling this way.

Has he always felt this way? He always thought Tyler was a jerk to Caroline throughout their relationship and she deserved better. Could he do better? She deserved someone who would love her unconditionally. There's no question he would always do that. The emotions that have slowly been swirling into his consciousness where building to this pivotal moment. The awakening in his thoughts that she was finally single again shook his mind into possibilities their relationship could take.

"So, I guess that makes us BFF's right?"

"BFF's?" He mumbles in a daze of thoughts.

"Best Friends Forever Stefan". She laughed cheekily at his ignorance, leaning her head on his shoulder as they sat side by side at the head of the bed.

Friends Forever? His heart sank. That was the opposite direction his mind was taking him.

What was he doing? He almost made a complete fool of himself. Here was Caroline, completely vulnerable and unguarded and he tried to take advantage.

What was he thinking? This was the first time since they became friends that they were both single. That unchatered territory for their relationship was just messing with his head he reasoned with his thoughts for even going there. Seeing Caroline hurting just made him reach for anything he could do to fix it, including all preposterous thoughts of relationships. Caroline had moved from stranger to friend to best friend and his mind jumped to the next inconceivable thought. Their relationship has evolved into the most important thing in his life. She was the most important person in his life. He wasn't going to risk loosing her. He couldn't.

So he forgave himself for his momentary slip in judgement. Pushed all thoughts of Caroline ever being anything more then the best friend she was to the back of his mind. Locked it in a cage never to be opened. And Caroline would never learn of the disturbing trip his mind took moments ago.

Caroline seeing him as only a friend might of stung a little in the moment, but in the long run it probably saved him a heap load of misery for the future. So they would remain BFF's as she put it. Cause having Caroline in his life forever, now that is something he's on board with.

It was the morning after his argument with Caroline, and he felt terrible. After she left him standing there on the sidewalk he eventually moved his feet from the glued position they found themselves in and walked himself straight to the nearest bar. Of course that led to a foggy night of drink after drink. Now he woke to a throbbing headache and throat that felt like nails scrapping down the insides.

As if that wasn't bad enough none of it blocked out the memory of Caroline walking away from him running through his mind. With an loud groan, he pulled himself up to get some aspirin from the bathroom. As he shut the medicine cabinet he glimpsed his first look at his reflection that morning. Eyes were red and puffy. Hair was disordered. He looked rough. There was no way he would make it into work today. He decided to call in sick, and went back to bed trying to escape the nightmare his life had turned into.

"I hate you. I hate you. I hate you" rang round in Stefan's mind. He moved to chase after her. Force her to see sense, but she was already seeing sense. Everything he touched he destroyed. He pushed her away. He left her. These were the consequences he was forced to face. She moved on. He was no longer part of her life.

His mind reeled from the days events. Flashed back to seeing her unconscious on that kitchen floor. His life could of ended right there. He's never known fear quite like it. That fear began to creep back into his mind and was enough to unstick his feet from the floor. In fact it did more than that. He was running. Chasing after her. Her beautiful voice echoing crippling declarations of hate through his mind causing his vision to cloud. His throat tightened. He struggled to breathe and began panting in breath, but he couldn't stop running.

His chest tightened. He felt his heart was tightening in a cage. It carried on beating erratically and was crippling him in pain, but he couldn't stop running.

Suddenly his movements came to a complete halt. He saw blonde halo curls in the distance. He couldn't move again. She continued walking away, not looking back.

He tried to speak out. Yell, call for her. Anything to gain her attention, but no words escaped his lips. Instead he felt the cage tighten further on his chest and his throat closing so he could barely breathe. He heard the echoes of an angelic laugh surround his ears. Caroline. His feet were able to move again and he was sprinting this time. Faster then before. Head whipping from side to side. On an endless loop of searching.

The phone ringing in the distance woke him from his nightmare. He calmed his breathing down taking a deep breathe. He could still feel the hangover banging through his head like a thumping drum. The ringing once again screeched through his ears. He groaned reaching his hand out to it blindly.

"Hello?" He irritatedly answered.

"Stefan my boy, good news! I talked to a few old colleagues of mine in LA and there is a job waiting for you as head of department"

"What? Dad we've talked about this" Stefan rubbing a hand over his face.

"Look son. I know I wasn't happy about you leaving New York, but I'm willing to compromise"

"Dad, it wasn't about New York. I wanted to come home. Besides, I have a job"

"This will be much better for you Stefan. I'm telling you. It's a much greater position and the money is extremely attractive"

"I don't care about the money. I got this job on my own"

"uhhh!... why are you so determined to do things on your own"

"Dad... I don't want to have this argument again" a beat of silence passed between them as Stefan rubbed his eyes standing up from the bed letting out a silent yawn.

"What I don't understand is why you can't get a job here in New York or anywhere else for that matter. I mean you barely even applied. And they were more than happy to keep you on where you were doing your residency."

"I don't see what this big deal is you use to like Mystic Falls. You said you wanted me to run this hospital one day"

"That place is a death trap Stefan." He suddenly burst in a stern voice. "It will eat you up and spit you out."

Stefan took a deep breath. Clearly his father would never be happy with what he was doing, no matter how hard he tried. He learned to accept that and finally broke free from his puppet strings when he decided to leave New York. His father still hadn't adjusted to this new found independence.

"I saw Damon yesterday" he casually mentioned trying to change the conversation.

"What?"

"Yeah he was at Caroline's house and he-"

"Caroline?"

"Yeah I ran into her too. She was-"

"- anyone else?"

"What? No just them.. I guess you don't expect to-"

"Stefan, I really must insist that you leave that place now before you get in too deep"

"Dad. I'm not gonna leave right now ok. I just started working at the hospital here and I really like it there. Speaking of which actually, I was having some trouble getting into some files the other day"

"Files?"

"Yeah I was looking into Caroline's records and I couldn't get into them. Something about needing your password or something? I don't know how you managed that. You and computers huh?... I was just wondering if I'm gonna have a billion patient files I'm gonna be locked out of that will give me a headache later..." There was silence on the other end of the line.

"...Anyway I was gonna get IT department to sort it out but seeing as you're calling, do you think you remember what the password was?"

"It was such a long time ago Stefan why on earth would I remember such a thing?" His father got agressively defensive.

"Ok. Calm down I was just asking in case you remembered. It's fine I already got the receptionist working on it. We'll sort it. Must of been some computer fault. It doesn't really matter anyway. She's gonna be fine. Like I said it was just in case we have any problems with anyone else later."

There was an awkward pause in conversation where neither party spoke. A sudden thought he had yesterday popped into his mind again regarding Caroline.

"Why didn't you tell me about Liz?"

"What?!" His father asked stern shocked voice. Clearly he hadn't expected that question.

"Caroline's mom? I asked you to keep an eye on her before I left. Why didn't you say she died?"

"Oh. That. There was nothing you could do for her Stefan. You had just started in New York, you didn't need anything else to worry about."

"I asked you to tell me if she got any worse" Stefan stated slightly irritated. He gave clear instructions to his father when he left. He might of made his mind up on leaving Caroline behind five years ago, but hearing about the sheriff's cancer shook him to his core. He only left on the grounds that his father would tell him if she got any worse.

"And I knew exactly what you would do if I did..." his father retorted in an equally irritated manner. "... We all know you would of been on the first plane back to that trollop-"

"- Hey!.." Stefan yelled in interuption coming to her defense.

"..Don't talk about her like that" he warned aggresively.

"I call them how I see em Stefan. We all know what she is. Your weakness. You never could see past that pretty face. Even when she pretended to be your friend, earnt your trust, made you think she really could love you til someone better came along. She broke your heart Stefan. It would do you well to not be so naive and remember that"

Stefan was seething with anger at his fathers words. He didn't like anyone talking about Caroline like that. His fists clenched at his sides. He forcibly needed to stop himself from throwing something, anything across the room. Preferably this phone so he wouldn't have to continue this conversation.

But it was true. She did break his heart. His thoughts had been so caught up in the fact that he abandoned her five years ago, part of him forgot the reason he left. Or may be it was him not wanting to remember. Pushing away the pain. Cause that's what he did back then. Until he couldn't hide from his feelings anymore, so he just hid from her.

Thinking back to it now just brought back more pain. More jealousy. More anger. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He needed another drink.

"Anyway, dad i got a splitting headache so i'll call you back later-"

"-Wait!" His father interrupted in a panicked voice.

"What? What's wrong?" Stefan asked concerned.

"Stefan you must come gome at once" Stefan let out an exhaustive sigh.

"Dad. I'm hanging up now-"

"-You're mother!" His father called out before could hang up the call.

"What about her?"

"You need to come home for her Stefan."

"I am home dad. Besides mom probably hasn't even noticed I'm gone"

"That's not what I meant"

"Then what did you mean?" Hequestioned tiredly

"She's... she's.. sick! Yes. Your mother's sick Stefan."

"What do you mean sick?"

"I didn't want to tell you this over the phone, but she might not make it past the week"

Stefan's legs caved out in shock. Luckily he was standing just in front of his couch and fell into the seat. He ran a hand visciously through his hair.

"What's.. what's wrong with her?" Stefan stammered out, his voice slighly cracking.

"I'll give you the details when you get here. But get here soon Stefan"

"Yeah.. yeah of course" he agreed as if in a daze. His mother was sick. Dying. She seemed completely healthy a few weeks ago when he saw her. But she has been having trouble with her heart over the past few years. And his father was a doctor. One of the best there is. If he says it's bad, then it's bad.

Of course he needed to be there. This was a time for the family to pull together. He needed to see if there was anything he could do. Say goodbye. But it wasn't only him that needed to say goodbye.

"I'll uhhh.. I'll tell Damon. Book a flight straight out there"

"Don't bother with Damon. Just come straight home"

"I have to tell Damon. He has to know dad. He's her son too."

"He made his choice a long time ago Stefan. He's no longer part of this family. Leave him. I'll send the private jet for you" and with that his father abruptly hung up.

Stefan sat overwhelmed as his phone fell to the floor. He lost all control over his hands movements as they vigourously shook in front of his eyes. His mother was sick. Dying. His mind couldn't accept it. A world without his mother? What person could accept that. He knows his father just told him no but he needs to tell Damon. He may of cut ties with the family but it could be his final chance to get closure. He can't imagine how he would feel if he wasn't told.

He sprung to his feet in action. Picked up his phone, before realisation hit that he didn't actually have his number. He thought of how he could get in touch with him. He shut his eyes, taking a deep breathe when his mind pointed out the only logical way he could he could think of. Caroline.

"Mom. Stop!" Stefan whinned.

"Graduating from high school is such a special time Stefan. And I need photo's to send your grandparents" his mother demanded, positioning the camera in front of her face again in preparation to snap a photo of him.

"You know i'm not technically graduating til this afternoon"

"I know. And I could not be more proud of my little boy" she gushed pinching his chin between her fingers.

"And what about your other little boy?" Damon questioned as he sauntered into the room.

"Of course i'm proud of you too Damon"

"Well. That makes one for two on the parent front. Look at us" he hooked his arm around Stefan's neck, ruffling his hair.

"You're father is proud Damon. He just struggles to show it"

"Yeah. That and a modicum of any other human emotion"

"Ease off him Damon. He's trying" Stefan intterupted in his fathers defense.

"Yeah trying for you. Otherwise he's a complete dick to everyone else"

"Ok. That's enough. Me and your father are both so proud of you boys. Stefan's graduating, soon to start college. And Damon, you're starting your police training... my boys are all grown up" his mother started to tear up.

"Heyyy"

"Mom"

The brothers begged.

"I'm sorry. I just love you both so much.." her head shook, wiping away all signs of her sudden overemotional gooeyness before turning back to her sons, demanding they pose together for a photo.

"...Now both of you smile. I need your grandparents to see those beautiful happy faces of yours"

"You know if we were actually happy grandchildren, we wouldn't have to pretend smile on every picture you take" Damon grumbled causing Stefan to snigger, earning them both a disaprroving look from their mother.

Damon rolled his eyes before wrapping his arm around Stefan's neck again.

"Say cheese" he sarcastically cheered.

With a flash their mother snapped the picture, victorous smile on her face.

"Why are you doing that now anyway? I thought you'd take them later at the ceremony?" Damon questioned.

"Well I need to make a photo log of the whole day Damon. Now have you got your suit ready for this afternoon?" She murmured while distractedly inspecting the photo on her camera.

"You know I was thinking of just going in my birthday suit" he joked.

"Whatever you want as long as it's ironed"

Stefan chuckled at his mother's obliviousness to the double meaning behind those words.

"Oh. I'll definitely iron it out" he sneered.

"Good. Stefan do you need yours ironed too?" His mother questioned, ignorant to Damon's dirty humour. Stefan's eyes widened.

"Nope. I'm fine"

"Are you sure Stef? You know you have plenty of time to get a good ironing in." Damon goaded with his trademark smirk. Stefan narrowed his eyes to Damon.

"I'm good. Thanks.." he turned his attention back to his mother "..Actually I was just gonna head out so"

"Where are you going?" She questioned.

"I was just gonna meet up with some friends before the ceremony this afternoon"

"He says friends as if he has more than one" Damon piped in.

"You know your father wants us all to go together"

"Yeah, I know. I'll be back with plenty of time"

"Can't it wait to later?"

"It'll be quick. I promise"

"What's the big deal? You two are going to the same college anyway. It's not like you're moving very far away from eachother.." Damon taunted while stretching out his legs, falling to the sofa "..In fact if you two could just elope far away from me that would be great"

"Shut up" stefan exasperated mildly annoyed with Damon's constant teasing.

"Go on then. What prezzie did you get Blondie for graduation? Barbie dream house maybe? Or Malibu Stacie pink converible? Oh please tell me it was-"

"-Damon stop teasing your brother. And you can take Stefan to Caroline's"

"Me?! Why can't he drive himself?"

"I left my car at Caroline's last night."

"Well he can walk. I'm not taking him" Damon stated.

"Yes you are." His mother comanded.

"Why?"

"Well, remember last week when you broke my grandmother's vase?"

"How many times? IT WASN'T ME!"

His mother raised an eyebrow to him in a challenging manner.

"Fine.." he exhaustively sighed ".. I'll take him. But ONLY because I need to see the sheriff. NOT because I broke any stupid vases" Damon stood up to leave.

"Hurry up before I change my mind..." he muttered angrily to Stefan ".. or get blamed for something else I didn't do" he yelled before slamming the front door shut behind him. His mother blinked at his dramatic exit before turning to Stefan.

"And that's why you're my favourite son" she joked. Stefan gave a sympathetic look and open his mouth to speak before she raised a hand to signal him to stop.

"Don't worry. I know he loves me really" he gave her a gentle smile at that, before they could hear sounds of Damon beeping the car horn outside.

"I better get going"

"Make sure you're back here and dressed before 3. You know your father hates to be late"

"Ok, 3. I'll see you both later." Stefan gave his mom a kiss on the cheek as he passed her moving to the front door to leave.

"Don't be late"

"I won't"

"Love you"

"Love you too mom"

He opened the front door to Damon yelling out his car window.

"GET YOUR ASS IN THE DAMN CAR BEFORE I TIE YOU TO THE HOOD OF IT!"

Butterflies were fluttering out of control in his stomach at the thought of seeing her again as he sat in the car driving to Caroline's apartment. He was a mixed bag of emotions, cause he was both really excited to be seeing her, but equally if not more so terrified.

He didn't really want to have to face her today. Besides the fact that he probably looked a complete mess in his still hungover state, she didn't want to see him. She wanted space and he respected that.

He knew he had no right turning up back into her life after 5 years and expecting things to go right back to normal. He was being selfish thinking that they could. He didn't want to be selfish with her. He wanted to respect her wishes. To give her the space she so clearly wanted.

That didn't mean he was giving up on winning her back. It just meant that he understood if there was any chance for their relationship to repair and heal from old wounds, he needed to give her space. Let her wrap her head round the fact that he was back. Show her he was serious about sticking around this time. Then she could make her decision from there. Hopefully accept him back in her life. But may be that was just wishful-thinking.

As well as that, his phone call with his father had brought up some buried feelings of resentment as the reminder of why he left continued to flash through his mind. Painful images ran on a loop in his mind, which further added to his confused state of emotions. He felt as if he was drowning. He wanted nothing more than to push these thoughts out of his mind but he couldn't. Just like five years ago he couldn't erase the images out of his mind. Running did nothing to rid this burning sensation in the pit of his stomach. His head was a mess. He couldn't get a grip over it.

He didn't think that it could be possible. To want someone in your life so badly, knowing they hurt you, and had the powers to break your heart again in a seconds notice. He struggled on a normal day to understand the inner workings of his feelings, but today was a whirlwind. He was all over the place and seeing Caroline would definitely mess with his head even more so, which he didn't really need to deal with right now. But he didn't exactly have a choice. He needed to go for his family. For his mother.

Pulling up outside her apartment, his hands began to mildly shake. His mind still hadn't registered that his mother was serriously sick. Possibly dying. It was as if he was a zombie getting here. He doesn't even remember the car journey here. As if his body was going through the motions but now started to wake. Looking out of his window he galced up at up at her building. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breathe he opened the car door and made his trek to her front door.

It was taking every bit of strength he had in him to keep himself together in this moment. Emotions threatened to overwhelmed him. Images of his mother, sick and dying conjured up his mind. He didn't know if he was panting in breath from his climb of the stairs or a panic attack was starting to creep in.

He just had to keep reminding himself to stay strong for his mother. She would want both her sons to be with her at a time like this, no matter where her relationship with Damon currently stands. She would want to see him and he would have to bring him to her. He had to do that for her. He would do anything for his mother, and this was the only way he knew to get in contact with Damon. He could already imagine the hateful look on Caroline's face when he turns up at her door. Damon probably won't be happy to see him either.

But fractured relationship or not, Stefan knew his brother loved their mom. If she was dying he would need to see her. He had a right to say goodbye. So Stefan plucked up every ounce of courage within him to stand here, in front of Caroline's appartment door for the second time in two days. Poised to enter the lions den for his brother. He took a deep breathe.

His hands clenched in a fist as it rose positioned to knock on the door. His mind flashed images of last time he was here and how shocked he was to see the last person he expected to see. This time ironnically he wished Damon would answer so he wouldn't have to face Caroline again today.

She's going to be so mad at him for doing the exact opposite of what she asked of him yesterday. Showing up just one day later at her door wasn't exactly staying out of her life. He would worry him poping up when not wanted could damage their relationship even more, but he doesn't think it's possible for them to get any worse. He knew they were on a fine line right now. If he pushed too hard, he could loose her for good. And once he told her he was leaving for New York again, he couldn't predict her reaction. But once he explained she would hopefully understand. It wasn't like he wouldn't be comming back. He hoped she would understand that. But what if she didn't?

That paused his movements. His fist mid-air poised to knock.

This wasn't about him, or Caroline. This was about his dying mother.

Just as he was about to knock, he was stunned further. The door flung open to someone entirely different. He knows he was praying it wouldn't be Caroline at the door, but God was surely testing him here. He felt the anger building to his core. He was seeing red. The man he hated more than anything. The man who Caroline choose over him five years ago.

Klaus Mikaelson.