Disclaimer: I'm trying to come up with a creative disclaimer for the last chapter, but I can't think of one. Oh well, you know the drill! I don't own TVD or any of its characters.

A/N: I'll save it till the end.

-xxx-

*2 years later*

Caroline slowly opened one eye, then the other. The sun was streaming through the window, warming her skin and making her blonde curls shine. She was in a hotel room in Paris with Nik's arms wrapped tightly around her as she rested her head on his bare chest.

For the past two years, they'd been traveling around the world, never staying in one place for too long. After being cooped up in that house for several decades, Nik wanted more than anything to escape Mystic Falls and visit all his favorite places to see how they've changed. Caroline was glad to come along and experience the world, especially if it was with him.

Careful not to disturb him in case he was sleeping, Caroline peeked up at him.

"Morning, love," Nik greeted her.

"I thought you were asleep," Caroline said, tracing light patterns on his chest with her fingertips.

"I've been awake for a while," he admitted.

"And you didn't get me up?"

"Why would I? We don't have to be anywhere for a while and you looked so peaceful..."

Caroline sighed and slipped out of his arms, slinging her feet over the side of the bed and hopping down. "You should get dressed. We're meeting them at noon."

Nik groaned and dragged a hand across his face. "Knowing Kol, that probably means one o'clock. We have plenty of time."

Caroline laughed at him. "Come on, we haven't seen them in months. And I promised Rebekah I would wait to shop at Céline until she was with me."

Nik rolled his eyes. "Of course you did."

He got out of bed and sauntered over to her. Caroline's breath caught. No matter how many years had passed, she would never get over the sight of him without a shirt. He smirked, knowing the effect he had on her.

Tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear, he said, his voice low and husky, "We still have a few minutes."

Caroline shook her head and smiled. "Not now, I have to get ready."

Nik leaned in, his lips barely brushing hers. "Are you sure?"

She paused. "Yes," she answered uncertainly.

He hesitated. The slightest movement would bring their lips together. Caroline tensed, waiting, but at the last minute he pulled away with a satisfied smirk.

"Okay. Go on, get dressed,"

"Seriously?" Caroline exclaimed.

Nik shrugged. "We're meeting them at noon, right? Well, we have exactly..." he checked the clock on the hotel nightstand, "30 minutes."

Caroline smacked his shoulder lightly. "You're such a tease." She backed away and headed for the bathroom to fetch her curling iron and get ready to see the others.

-xxx-

When Caroline and Nik reached the small cafe they planned to meet at, Rebekah, Kol, and Elijah were already seated outside. They all turned their heads in Nik and Caroline's direction, and Rebekah stood up to embrace her best friend.

"I missed you!"

Caroline hugged her back for a minute before pulling away. "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever!" she said as they took a seat.

"Where's my hello?" Kol asked, pretending to be offended.

Caroline chuckled. "I missed you too, Kol. And Elijah, of course."

Elijah gave her a small smile and took a sip of his coffee.

"How do you like Paris?" Rebekah asked. She knew it was Caroline's first time in the city, and that was always exciting and overwhelming. Rebekah remembered her own first trip to France like it was only yesterday. She and her brothers had just turned, and Kol and Elijah had been off doing their own things while she followed along with Nik as he traveled across the world. It looked much different back then, but it was still beautiful.

Caroline's blue eyes brightened as she answered. "It's amazing! Nik already showed me the famous attractions and gave me a lengthy history lesson on all of them. If I knew everything I know now about the French Renaissance, maybe I wouldn't have failed World History three years ago."

She gave Nik an amused look, to which he just shrugged and said, "At least you know everything I told you was accurate, seeing as I was around when it happened."

Kol leaned over and mumbled to Caroline, "If you haven't noticed already, Nik's a bit of a show off."

Caroline smiled. "Oh, I've noticed."

Before Nik could give his irritated reply, Rebekah cut in.

"So, where all have you shopped?" she asked.

"If you're asking if I've been to Céline yet, the answer is no," Caroline told her with a smirk. "But I thought we could go later today."

"Ooh, perfect! I was looking at their winter collection online—which, by the way, is a fabulous tool for shopping. It's been two years and I still haven't gotten over the beauty of the internet." Rebekah launched into a detailed description of everything she wanted to purchase. Caroline dived into the conversation enthusiastically, ignoring Nik, Kol, and Elijah's attempts at shifting the topic to something less tedious.

-xxx-

The rest of the day went by quickly, for Caroline and Rebekah, at least. They barely even noticed when Nik slipped away to head back to the hotel. Kol and Elijah had already left after lunch, not wanting to stick around while Rebekah and Caroline went on their shopping spree. Nik hadn't really wanted to either, so he decided to leave and get a drink at the bar in the hotel lobby.

When Caroline finally reappeared with shopping bags covering every inch of her arms, she spotted him immediately and made her way over with a disapproving expression.

"You didn't say goodbye to your sister," she accused.

Nik waved it off and set down his scotch. "She'll get over it."

Caroline opened her mouth to say something else, but he grasped her chin in his hand and pulled her lips to his, effectively cutting her off. She melted into his kiss, seeming to forget whatever it was she was going to say.

Caroline would never get used to him. He was always catching her by surprise, not only in moments like these, but ever since she first met him. She used to think first impressions were everything, but Nik showed her that wasn't necessarily true. He wasn't always the bad guy. He was far from good, but every now and then she caught glimpses of a side of him that only she got to see. With her, he was truly a sheep in wolf's clothing.

The cruel, ill-tempered man she met two years ago turned out to be the most wonderful person she had ever met. And despite all the false impressions and misunderstandings along the way, she was glad he never compelled her when she asked him to. Because looking back, she wouldn't trade her memories with him for the world.

Nik leaned back with a smirk. "Why don't you set your things down in the room and I can show you the Versailles Palace?"

Caroline smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

And after a quick stop in their hotel room, Nik grabbed Caroline's hand and led her headlong into their next adventure.

-xxx-

A/N: The epilogue was super short, but at least we got a visit from our favorite Originals ;)

I'm not good with goodbyes, and I know that sounds dramatic because this isn't technically "goodbye," but it feels that way to me every time I end a story. It feels like a season finale because I've been so invested in this story for so long that after it ends, I don't know what to do with myself! But I'll be back soon with a brand new Klaroline fic :D Speaking of which, here's the summary:

After vowing to herself that she wouldn't let boys become a distraction in her senior year, Caroline meets someone who changes her mind. And he happens to be her teacher. AU/AH.

It'll be my first AH fic, and I'm so excited!

Thank you so much for reading this story! All of your reviews and alerts made me so happy and I can't thank you enough for your encouragement and support! I love you all, you wonderful people :D *hugs*

One last review, for old time's sake? The box is down below... ;)

Until next time,

Morgan

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