A/N ::: Hi guys I am back with an update. The next update would take sometime I am busy with studies so sorry…. Anyway the next update is the last one probably with an epilogue.

This goes out to all my readers who stuck with this story. THANKS A LOT YOU GUYS.

Also please pardon the mistakes this unbeta'd.

CHAPTER 18

Past Threatens the Future

"What are you thinking?" Klaus asked when he saw her get up from the bed they had shared last night.

She grabbed her shirt and her trousers and silently put them on. Last night had been filled with passionate murmured sighs, whispered promises and kisses and them turning to each other again and again as if wanting to forgive and forget.

When she didn't answer. He got up and put on his own clothes too. He sat beside her and took her hand in his, interlacing her fingers with his. Needing the contact, making sure if she was still here with him. She didn't pull away, stared at joined their hands for a few seconds and then rested her head on his shoulder.

"I keep wondering if there was something else that could have been done. I mean I don't know your father enough to know if it was just a bluff or his threats weren't empty but us. Could we have done things differently? Was there any other option? Perhaps you could have told me or…"

"I couldn't. I was a scared selfish fool. I was afraid of him and his capabilities. He had money and influence. I had nothing to defend myself or protect you. And letting you hate me seemed a small price to pay for your safety. He used my own fears and doubts against me."

"Just because you reminded him of your mother's infidelity?"

"That's the only explanation I can come up with."

"I'm glad you fought back."

"It took me a long time though. I was afraid of trusting my siblings, resented them for not having to endure the same fate that I was dealt. I always thought Rebekah and Kol were too self-involved to understand and Elijah knew what Mikael was doing. But I was wrong. I went to him tried to bribe him with half of my inheritance. He just nodded and asked me why I hated him."

"Then you told him and he helped you."

"Not before yelling at me."

"Elijah yelled?" Caroline's eyes huge with surprise.

He laughed and kissed her, a small peck on her half open mouth. "Yes. For not telling him. The rest you know."

"What about Tatia?"

"What about her?"

"You said he thought you hated him because of Tatia."

"She was a girl who lived across the road from us. I had a crush on her but she was smitten with Elijah. We ...ahh….sort of ...fought over her." Klaus answered, his expression sheepish.

"Nice. What was she like?" Caroline knew she was a grown woman and being jealous over his childhood crush was ridiculous but she felt very much ridiculous right now.

"I don't remember." Klaus played with her hair with his free hand. "Are you jealous?"

"No. Absolutely not." she got up and was about to head over to the bathroom but he pulled her hand and she fell in his lap facing him. He grabbed her hips and gazing in her eyes he confessed, "You're the only one for me."

She coiled her arms around his neck and kissed him. Then resting her forehead against his she remarked, "I know. Can I say something?"

"Sure."

"I think we should take this slow. It's been five years and both of us have changed. I've grown up and you've sort of grown up.." she added the last part with a teasing light in her eyes then continued, " so we should see if this is just a remnant of what we had before or if it can be more."

He nodded acknowledging what she was saying. Although he wished she didn't doubt what they had was love and passion, but he understood her inhibitions.

"How slow are you talking about?"

"Slow as in we don't make any solemn promises we can't keep and think about forevers. Let's take it one day at a time and see how it goes."

He kissed her this time, held her lips captured by his for a few minutes.

"I want this with you and I want forever with you. And I know I made promises I didn't keep before but..."

"It's not about that Klaus." she got up now. "It's just I realize what we had back then was true and potent and passionate but forever is a long time. We were barely adults and we had these juvenile fantasy notions about love. And look how it all turned out. I don't begrudge you now for wanting to move on back then, I know you didn't want to and you thought you didn't have a choice but even if things weren't like that people break up and move on all the time. Some relationships work and some don't. I understand that. I've learnt that. These past five years I have been able to better comprehend how and what relationships are. You were cruel about our break up and that hurt me. I detested you for that for a few years but maybe I would have resented you regardless of how you handled our break up. I need to know I'm mature enough to deal with this," she gestured her hands between them, "With us. I don't want to hate you if it won't work this time. To take it all in stride because you can't guarantee that someone would love you forever."

Caroline had moved more than a few steps away from him. Her words told him she was holding part of herself back this time and it hurt him. The fact that she thought that there was no guarantee told him she wasn't ready to trust him yet.

"So you'll hold yourself back. You still don't trust me." he asked past a lump that felt stuck in his throat.

"It's not…"

"Caroline. I love you. I have loved you perhaps since the day we met. I need you." he said advancing towards her.

"Klaus please just understand…... Just give me some time. Give us time. I don't want to rush into this and lose you again." she cupped his face.

He wanted to put up a fight tell her he had always loved her and make her believe but he couldn't resent her for being cautious. So he acquiesced. Then he kissed her again and pulling back he grumbled, "Fine. But we're exclusive. And you are going to let me take you on an official date."

"Am I now?" she asked smiling.

"Yes. And you are not leaving yet. You are going to let me make love to you again, actually twice again." he lifted her in his arms and kissed her deep.

She moaned an "Oh" against his mouth and happily let him carry her back to bed.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"So what do you think?" Elijah asked standing beside the love of his life. Together they had been house hunting for more than a few weeks but nothing had felt right until this one. He had been driving past this two story house with a front garden and something had just clicked.

So he had called Katherine and asked her to come immediately.

Katherine moved around the living room space then turned around and remarked, "This is it. I love it."

Elijah saw emotions race over her wondrous face and went to her. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. I am. Can we afford it?" she turned away pretending to survey the chandelier, wanting to hide the tears that threatened. She felt choked up because she was too happy and perhaps she was a little frightened too.

"It's furnished so it must be more expensive. So.."

"Don't worry about the money." Elijah turned her around so she faced him. "What's wrong?" he cradled her face.

"This seems so final. I… I'm just scared. Are you sure?"

He kissed her, "I have never been more sure."

"Good then I'm worrying for nothing."

"Absolutely. My worry-guts."

She gave a teary laugh. "I don't want to spoil this"

"You're not." he kissed her, "I love you. Let's make a home. Starting with you and me christening the master bed upstairs."

Katherine feigned surprise, "Did you suggest we do something dirty? Oh Mr Mikaelson."

Elijah laughed and lifted her over his shoulder.

"I totally did. Future Mrs Mikaelson."

Katherine's laugh echoed as he carried her upstairs.

;;;,,,,,,,,&&&&&&

"Hey." Tristan called out as he approached Ophelia. She bent once to zip her bag and looping it around her body obliquely from one shoulder faced him.

"Hi."

"So my mom is here."

"Oookaay?" her forehead curved into frown lines.

"I actually thought about what you said a week ago. So my mom is here and she's standing near the door with Rach…" Ophelia turned to look but he halted her, "No don't turn back now. So she is here and I'm gonna..."

"Why do you keep saying she's he.."

"Do this." then he held her face and kissed her. At first the heat from his mouth stunned her, but as he continued to move his lips, coaxing a sweet kiss from her lips, warmth spread through her. She kissed him and he groaned. Her hands found his neck and she held him closer. It felt soothing and discombobulating at once to have him touch her like this. His tongue ran over hers and his arms cuffed around her waist.

She was so soft, her lips and her waist. His hands explored her back and he wondered if she was soft all over. Ophelia he muttered her name and pulled her even closer, losing himself forgetting that they were standing in the main auditorium.

A distinct Ahem sounded and Ophelia tore out of his arms.

"Tristan."

Tristan struggled to catch his breath and stole a glance at Ophelia who was now standing more than two feet away. He felt an unidentified pang at her distancing herself from him after their mind-numbingly hot kiss.

"Mother." he moved forward and greeted his mother. Ophelia saw that Tristan had gotten his eyes and arresting features from his mother."This is Ophelia. We were…"

"Engaging in a rather distasteful public display of affection would be putting it mildly." Virginia Crawford Tristan's mother, the wife of the town's Mayor and one of the most esteemed lawyers of the country chastised her son like a six year old belligerent kid. Ophelia fought against the confusing panic that was wrought by Tristan's kiss and her insecurities which rose to the forefront in Virginia's presence.

"Mother. Please.." Tristan tried to appease his mother but she carried on, "Please what son? I hope I don't have to remind you of your responsibilities. Rachel and you.."

"Mother. Stop. I don't like Rachel and …"

"Ahhh. Tristan. I have to go." Ophelia turned towards Tristan when Virginia continued to ignore her existence. God she hated rich people, they were such snobs. And they never failed to make Ophelia feel low and worthless. But it was not just Virginia's pretension it was also Tristan's proximity that was unsettling her.

"No wait Ophelia." he grabbed her elbow and threaded his fingers through hers. Surprised she looked at him and then he managed to shock the hell out of her when he said, "Mother. This is Ophelia Wilson my girlfriend."

Virginia Crawford was a shrewd and intuitive woman especially when it came to her son. Realizing the futility of the situation and not wanting to cause a scene in front of strangers she gave his son a tight smile and added, "Very well. We will talk about this when you get home."

Then she turned and left them standing.

"I have to go."

"Ophelia please let me…"

"No I have to go." Ophelia remarked feeling overwhelmed by the entire scenario and then she too left.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"So … um… is he a good kisser?" Tascha asked crossing her legs under her sitting with Ophelia on her bed.

"Unbelievable. I'm yammering about how awkward the whole thing was and how much of an arrogant ass Tristan's mom was and you're asking me about the kiss. Tascha can we focus on the real problem here."

"Which is?"

"His mom being a rich tool and things getting weird with Tristan."

"Why is it weird?" Tascha asked aware that Ophelia's situation somewhat resembled her own. Ever since her kiss with Jake, Tascha had begun avoiding him because she knew the kiss had meant so much to her but it had been a mistake for him.

"It just is okay. Me and Tristan we were sort of friends and now it's too much confusion. And you know confusion…..confuses me. God I feel so unhinged."

"Hey. Relax okay. But answer this very you have feelings for him?" Tascha titled her head.

Ophelia let out a long sigh and got off the bed to pace away the excess energy, "Maybe. It was a teeny tiny crush okay. But then he kissed me and it was…."

"Different yet beautiful in a serene kind of way." Tascha supplied.

Ophelia stared at her friend for a few minutes and then sat again, "Yes. I can not fall for him and you know why. I'll never be able to get over my prejudice."

Tascha hugged her, "It's going to be fine." then pulled away, "Has he talked to you about this?"

"No. I avoid him everytime he tries to talk to me. It's better this way. Once I get over these queasy feelings for him, which by the way make my palms sweat when I'm close to him, then maybe we can be friends or something." she lightly chuckled once then added, "How are the dance classes with Jake going?"

Tacha muttered something under breath and went to sit on her own bed.

"What I didn't catch that?" Ophelia asked.

"Okay."

"Just okay?"

"He … ah kissed me."

"What? And why am I hearing about this just now? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I like him. But…"

"But what?" Ophelia now moved to sit close to her friend, "Did the asshole hurt you?"

"No. And he is not an asshole. He is very sweet to me…." Tasch nervously began fidgeting with her sleeves.

"But?"

"But he doesn't feel the same way about me. You know how hard it is for me to let someone get close but Jake." she smiled, "He … I never felt panicky around him. And the kiss, it was something wonderful ...for me. However after we kissed he apologized. He regretted kissing me. I know I'm not good at …" a tear fell and Ophelia hugged her, "Oh Tasch…."

"I know I'm not good at these things. I also wonder if we can be friends after this or if I am strong enough to be his friend. So I haven't been practicing with him." Tascha wiped away her tears.

"He didn't say anything hurtful to you did he?" Ophelia asked feeling angry at the jerkwad for hurting her sweet friend.

"No. He didn't. He just apologized."

"He is an asshole. But Tasch if not being able to talk to him is making you unhappy then you need to talk to him."

"I don't know. What will I say?"

"The truth."

"I can't. I don't want him to feel sorry for me."

"So you'd sit here and mope about."

"I'm not moping." Tascha denied and Ophelia lifted her brow. "Fine. You are right. I'll talk to him but then you will also talk to Tristan."

"Mmm hmm. Tristan and me is different. I just have this schoolgirl crush. I'm not in deep shit like you are."

"Thank you for telling me I'm screwed." Tascha teased and Ophelia laughed then placed a hand over hers, "Tasch just talk to him and you'll feel better."

Tascha placed her other hand over hers, "Thanks. I think I will."

::::::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Jake was in a pisser off a mood. It had been a week since he had kissed Tascha and jacked up his friendship with her. She had begun to ignore him and had stopped coming for their dance practices. He kept telling himself it wasn't a big deal sooner or later she would have figured that he was not even worth talking to much less being friends with. But it wasn't helping.

Whenever he thought about how innocently she had trusted him and how he had acted like a dick and taken advantage of that by kissing her, his heart twisted painfully. He had apologized for kissing her even though he did not feel an ounce of guilt but he had hoped she would not take offense and still be his friend however it hadn't worked. He remembered her eyes which had been shadowed with hurt. Of course he had hurt her that's what he did like his father used to say he was a worthless piece of shit.

He had half a mind to skip this damned class but he didn't because it was the only way to remain close to her. At least he would be able to see her even if from afar.

It was still a little early and he was alone in the hall. He was standing at the window watching other kids frolicking about in the main garden.

"Jake?" surprised he turned when Tascha called out his name.

She was so damn lovely with her long hair tied up in a ponytail and in her light purple top and blue jeans.

"Yeah."

"The class is gonna start in a bit I was wondering if …. Maybe we could talk after." He was so beautiful. If he knew she thought of him as beautiful he would probably snort and scowl, a stray thought entered her mind and she smiled.

"Uh. Yeah. Sure." she was about to turn away when he added, "Tascha?"

"Yeah?"

Unable to tell her what he really felt and worried if he said something wrong he might her and botch up the chance given to him again he added, "I missed you." then wondered if he had said something extra sappy. But her smile told him that his roommate Travis was right, girls loved it when you told them about feelings and such.

"I missed you too." she mumbled fiddling with the hem of her top which he had now begun to recognize as a sign of nervousness. He wished he could tell her that she didn't have to be careful around him but wasn't sure if it was okay to tell her that.

Other students began rushing in and then both of them went to take their seats.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;,;;;;;;;;;;

"Hey. You said you wanted to talk." Jake walked approached Tascha and began walking by her side.

"Uh yes. I wanted to ask if it was okay if you could help me with dance again. I mean I stopped coming for our practices and…"

"It's totally okay." he interrupted her eagerly.

"Are you sure? I thought you would be mad."

"I'm not mad. I thought you were mad at me. I would say sorry again Tascha…"

"No please you don't have to." she said feeling the same inadequacy she had felt when he had apologized for their kiss.

"So we practice in the main hall starting today at five right?" Jake asked feeling relieved and delighted that they were talking again.

"Yeah.I guess." Tascha had wanted to broach the subject of their kiss but couldn't find the courage to discuss it.

Unaware of Tascha's turmoil Jake asked, "You still thinking about participating in the event next week?"

"Yes. I am." she gave a small smile.

"Can I say something?"

"Sure."

"Would you want to register as a duo with me? I mean we already have a routine prepared and it could be fun. And maybe… we could go to the event together… i mean just as friends. I won't do something to make you feel uncomfortable like last time."

She stopped. They were now standing at the end of the corridor that led to their dorms. "What did you say?"

He scratched the back of his head and repeated, "I mean it's sort of like those high school events. They say it's a like a prom thing. They are calling it the Annual Dance Event. And you're supposed to bring someone with you. So I wanted…," he cleared his throat, " To go with you but just as friends. I also heard that that fancy rich boy wanted to ask you and it kind of made me mad. I mean…" Jake knew he was rambling and saying stuff that would make her nervous but at the moment he didn't care.

"Jake!" Tascha called out a little loudly.

"Yes?"

"What did you mean when you said you made me uncomfortable?"

"I mean I shouldn't have kissed you even though I wanted to. I am a douche like that sometimes I mess up but I didn't want to hurt you. That is why I said sorry." Jake's throat all of a sudden felt scratchy.

"You were sorry because you thought you had hurt me and not because we kissed?" she asked unmindful that she was standing a bit closer to him now.

"No. Fu… no. I was sorry because I know about you and I….."

Tascha didn't know where she got the confidence but she leaned forward and kissed him. In the next instant he had his arms around her and was kissing her back with the gentleness one might show while cradling something precious. Her hand caressed his cheek and he brought her closer hugging her to his frame.

Jake's initial surprise died down under the onslaught of the want he experienced the moment Tachsa's lips touched his. He wanted nothing more than for this moment to grow longer, so he could savor her taste as he might not get another chance. She touched his face and it took all of his power not to ravish her like an animal.

Her other hand fisted in his jacket and he murmured her name against her sweet mouth.

Tascha felt heady and happy. The kiss ended slowly as if both were reluctant to pull away.

He gazed at her nervously waiting for her to say something, his arms still around hers.

She cleared her throat and muttered, "I thought you regretted kissing me that's ….. that's….."

Before she could finish he kissed her again.

"No. I never regretted that. How can I regret the best kiss of my life." His words seemed to surprise him as much as they did her. He blushed after the confession which Tascha found extremely adorable.

She smiled and he asked with a smile of his own.

"So will you go with me to the annual dance as my date?"

She laughed, "I thought you wanted to go as friends."

"I thought I would never get to kiss you again. I was wrong and I was also wrong to say that because it was lie and I wanted you to be my date."

She blushed and he kissed her forehead. Her phone rang and he let her get out of his arms to check it. She pulled the phone out of her jeans pocket, "It's Ophelia's text. I have to go." she turned to leave. Jake nodded feeling a pang of hurt and disappointment that she hadn't said yes to going as his date. She walked away and Jake turned around and began walking to his own room.

She was halfway through her corridor when she turned back and called out, "Jake!"

He twisted back and saw her rushing to him.

"Yes. I would go with you as your date." she said and kissed him on the cheek. "I should…. go now."

He nodded smiling from ear to ear. Then she rushed away and Jake was still smiling many minutes after she had left.

::::::::::;;;;;;;;

Klaus was walking Caroline to her Office even when she had told him she was a big girl and she knew the way to her own Office but he had still insisted. She knew he wanted to show off they were together and it wasn't because he was insecure or didn't trust her it was because he was chivalrous that way. Guess he had picked up a few annoyingly gentleman-ly things from his brother. And to be true Caroline didn't mind, in fact she liked it.

He suddenly stopped her in the corridor and said, "Caroline Forbes will you go to the Annual Dance with me?"

She laughed. When he didn't return her laugh but gave her a serious frown she remarked, "Oh you're serious."

"Dead serious. I know I've never been to a prom sort of event and neither have you so what do you think?"

"But it's for the kids."

"We can pretend we are just going as chaperones but actually you'd be helping me fulfill my lifelong dream of going to a prom." Klaus teased and she laughed.

"Fine. But I'm only going because it's your lifelong dream." she teased back and he kissed her laughing mouth.

When he pulled back she stayed in his arms and looked up at him. "I like this. I like us."

"I love us. I know I butchered the grammar but I do really love us." he brought her hand close to his mouth and kissed it.

She laughed again and he then walked her rest of the way to her Office.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"Why are you avoiding me?" Tristan questioned after finally catching Ophelia alone.

She hastily looked away and began gathering her stuff.

"I'm not avoiding you."

"Looking away while I'm trying to talk would actually be the definition of it."

She faced him then, "Look Tristan you got what you wanted. You kissed me to put on a show for your mother and your non-girlfriend but you don't have to pretend that you are interested in me."

He sighed out loud, "I wasn't pretending Ophelia and I really do like you. I didn't lie."

When she appeared doubtful he added, "I like you and I would like to take you out to the Dance Event."

The sincerity with which he confessed that he liked her touched her more than it should have. But she knew there was a world of difference between him and her and it was better to nip this infatuation thing before she fell for him so she refused,"No."

"No what?"

"I am not going to the dance with you."

It lanced him.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to. Isn't that reason enough?" she knew she was being a bitch. But she knew Tristan was a sweet and determined person and hurting his ego was the only way to end this effectively.

Rejection really brought you a world of pain when it came from the person whom you have feelings for Tristan now knew it.

"Okay." he muttered and left her.

Ophelia hadn't thought that hurting someone else would pain her this much. She saw him walking away. Even though it was what she had wanted, for him to leave her alone but a major part of her wanted him to come back and persuade her. Wanted him to turn back and look at her, but he didn't. She wiped the single tear that fell and took her bag and left.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"Hey." Tascha sat beside Jake on the rear stairs of the building.

"Hey. Where were you?"

"I was with Miss Forbes. She called me and a bunch of other students in her office." Tascha tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Is everything okay?" Jake held her hand and threaded his fingers through hers knowing she was nervous about something.

She gave him a big excited smile, "Miss Forbes is collaborating with a French Dance Academy in the coming months and she wants me and Ophelia to go. Also you if you want."

"I know about that." Jake looked away. He wasn't much exuberant at the so called opportunity. It wasn't that he was against it, it was just that after finally being free from his abusive parents clutches who had been pulling his strings all his life he wasn't about to let anyone else make his decisions for him or decide what path he wanted to go on. "She called me and a few other people yesterday."

Tascha noticed the sudden change in his demeanor. She tilted her head and prompted him to look at her, "Jake."

When he glanced at her she asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I am not going. And I don't think you should either."

"What? Why are you saying this?" Tascha stood up.

Jake stood up too. "Ever since Forbes and Pierce came to the Care Home and asked us to join the Academy, everyone is just doing what they want us to do. I mean was this what you wanted from your life? Or are you just blindly doing what she wants you to do because you feel obligated?"

"What is happening Jake? Why would you say these things about them? They gave us a chance at a better life and…."

"And we owe them to do what they want us to do? What do we even know about these people? And France? Its halfway around the world."

"Jake. It's going to be fine. I understand you are a bit fearful but…" she put a hand over his arm and tried to appease him.

"I'm not afraid Tascha. I'm not letting someone else control my life again. I didn't escape that abusive cage which my parents called a home to let someone else rule me. I just can not. I am finally free with no one to treat me like I'm trash. And I know these people treat us better but I can not let them make decisions about my life. I want to be free for once. I'm leaving this place. Come with me." he cupped her face and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

Tascha pulled away, her enthusiasm waned and despair creeped in. "I can't. You say you want to be free and yet you want me to come with you. Me going with you won't give you the freedom you want, Jake."

"Hey. It's not like that with you. You're different. I love you." the words came out in a whisper. They struck them both.

"I feel free with you." he confessed with hope.

"I can't go." Tascha's voice a low murmur.

"Tascha?"

"I have a chance to finally live a life. Be proud of what I am doing. I won't go with you." she grasped his arm, "If you feel trapped here then it's your right to leave. I won't trap you to me." the earnest emotion in her eyes undid him. It was so tempting to hold her, do what anyone would say was the right thing which was to stay but that doing the right thing and what he was free to do felt different to him.

Tascha could feel his vacillation hence she pulled her hand back needing the distance, to stay strong.

When he said nothing, offered no consolation she kissed his cheek, a slow soaking caress, and then rushed away without looking back.

::::::::::::::::::;;;;;;;;;;;

He followed her discreetly. He knew most of the towns people were busy with the first ever Dance Event at Caroline's Academy. He approached her car and broke into the hood. Looking around he made sure no one knew what he was doing. Once he had access to the engine he nicked the fuel pipe. He knew her car would break down a few miles from her house. Then he closed the hood and tagged her car with a small signal jammer.

Mikael's men were spying on him but so far they were staying away which was good for him.

He needed to catch Caroline alone. He had waited too long to exact his revenge. When satisfied with his work, John Gilbert sauntered away ready to feast on his prey once it got caught in the trap.

::::;::;;;;;;;;;;;

"Hi." she said into the phone as she fastened her gold earrings.

"Hello, love." Klaus answered, "So I'm supposed to pick you up in an hour from your house?"

"Actually I called to let you know that I'll meet you at the Academy." she walked over to her closet and took out a wrap.

"Is everything okay?"

"Kind of. I just got a call from Tony he said there was some problem with the music and the seating arrangement so I am leaving earlier. Kat is there but she is busy with the contestants."

"Hmm. Okay. You call me as soon as you reach the Academy." Klaus advised. Something prickled between his shoulder blades, making him uneasy.

"Paranoid much." she said with laughter in her voice, he could imagine her rolling her big blue-green eyes at him, " The building is just at a drive of fifteen minutes. Don't worry I'll see you soon." she grabbed her bag and keys and locked her apartment.

"Caroline?"

"Yeah."

"You know I love you that's why I worry."

"I know. I feel the same way. But don't fret. I'll be fine."

"Okay. Do call me just to ease my paranoid mind will you?"

She chuckled, the sound vibrated through him.

"Fineeee. I will." Then she hung up the phone.

She got in her car and began driving towards the Academy. She thought about Klaus and his concern for herself. She felt awash with warmth and love. She wanted for things to work out this time and desperately hoped that they would. Her car jerked a few times and came to an abrupt stop. "Ughh. What now?" she sighed and saw she was on the bridge. She gathered her emerald silk dress and got out. "Shit no signals." she cursed as she saw her phone had no coverage.

She was still debating what she should do, whether try and find a payphone or wait for someone to give her a ride when someone struck the back of her head.

Pain ricochetted through her head, making her vision cloudy. As she fell she saw a familiar figure chuckle noisily with an animalistic grin on his face. She moaned his name, "John." and passed out.

:::::::::::::;;:::::::::::;:::

Klaus's cellphone rang and he was instantly alarmed when he saw the caller's number.

"Marcel?"

"Klaus. Mikael is back in the states. The contact is asking for money for his information."

"You give him whatever he needs. I won't let him get away this time. Thank man. I'll meet you soon. I just need to tie a few loose ends here." Klaus replied pacing anxiously. Caroline still hadn't called. She was supposed to call ten minutes ago.

"That's not all. John got out of prison a week ago. We have info he is headed for Mystic Falls."

"What? Dammit." Klaus needed to make sure Caroline was safe now more than ever. "You keep an eye on Mikael I got to go."

He hung up the phone and rushed out.

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