Years later, I still can't wrap my mind around why Julie Plec never took the opportunity to unravel the Forbes family. There's something to be said about their history, and Bill, Caroline's dad, was a thick-skinned man who could be so callous. Sometimes, I can't help thinking TVD's head writer was too big a shipper herself to appreciate what each of her characters could offer. In fact, Elena meant the least to me and I watched season after season losing interest in Stefan and Damon because they were too tangled up in promoting her development. Ahem… Elena's development… That's another can of worms I'm not inclined to open, but as for Caroline Forbes, she's as thought-provoking as it gets for me. Her potentials, grit, and sass… what a compelling appeal. I'm not surprised it didn't take Plec's writing team long to picture Klaus intrigued with this baby vampire. Perhaps, if Ms. Julie had a different vision, her spin-off, The Originals, could have been a prequel. Imagine, the hunt for a doppelganger and everything that happened in between during the centuries! Plus, validating a Klaroline endgame (even if we never actually see it). Win-Win, right? Now, back to the Forbes family and my rambling.

I, for one, would have been pleasantly surprised to hear from Steven, Bill's partner. He must have some light to shed on William Forbes' practices and conventions. This would have been interesting to explore. Bill could have progressed into one of many villains for the show. Why did the pair move so far away from his "little girl" and what exactly were Bill and Steven up to while Liz raised Caroline in Mystic Falls? My story stems from wanting more air time for Candice King and a deafening curiosity about Bill. I mean, the guy could resist compulsion! Now, I won't lie. Klaus is embroiled in my story, averting danger from coming Caroline's way that's brought on by none other than her own father. So, are KCers open to more fanfiction or are we finally moving on? Well, here's the first chapter nonetheless. If you decide to give my story a chance, I hope you're entertained. Thanks very much for the opportunity.

Friday

LIZ

It's not the sheriff's deeply ingrained habit or skill for attention to detail that tells her something's up with Caroline. Her daughter's rubbing the back of her neck with a hand and moving her fingers smoothly along a necklace with the other. There's a cup of something in front of her, and Liz Forbes contemplates which method of interrogation she should likely undertake. She reminds herself that her job comes with occupational hazards that are detrimental to relationships, and that she and her daughter have had enough glitches and misunderstandings.

"Honey," Liz starts, before entering her kitchen. "What's wrong?"

Caroline swivels to face her. "Hey, Mom."

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"Well, it's so quiet in here."

Caroline's head cocks to the side, offering a bemused smile. "I can see why you look so confused there, Mom."

Liz walks around the island to challenge her daughter, shaking her head empathetically. "Don't mock me, funny girl."

Caroline grins. "I tried. So, how was your day?"

"More of the same. Yours?" Liz says, filling a kettle. She spies tea in Caroline's mug, relieved her vampire daughter keeps the realities of her lifestyle out of sight in their home. "Why aren't you out with the rest of the riffraff saving Mystic Falls or Elena Gilbert? Don't tell me there's no vampire business going on?"

"Look who's mocking now," Caroline says, drolly. "And there's always vampire business going on, but I'm just not in the mood."

Liz frowns. "What's up with you? Why are you home?"

"Because I live here."

"Don't be fresh. Now, tell me, Caroline."

"Tell you what? There's nothing to tell."

"Maybe if I had walked in here and you were stress cleaning, then it would make more sense, but this… you're just sitting here quietly… I'm not used to this."

Caroline's taken aback. "But I'm not doing anything."

"Exactly! I come home and find you so relaxed and deep in thought."

"So why is that a bad thing?"

"It's not bad, Caroline. It's scary!"

"Scary?"

"Yes, because Caroline Forbes does not sit quietly."

"Sure, I do, sometimes. Tonight happens to be one of those times."

"Why?"

"Why what? Why am I sitting here quietly?"

"Yes, why?"

"I don't know. I just feel like it."

"I don't believe you."

"Seriously? Of all the things I can be in trouble for, this is when you snap?"

"What did I say about mocking me, Forbes? This is highly irregular, and you know it. I feel like the house is suddenly lop-sided!"

Caroline curbs a smile, poking her tongue into a cheek. "Wow, Mom," she says. "Okay, I promise to never come in here and sit quietly again. Pinky swear," she declares, reaching out for Liz's hand.

"Go away with that," Liz says, slapping her daughter's arm away. "So, you're sure you're alright?"

"Yes, but…"

"I knew it!"

"It's not bad, Mom, but…"

"Yes?"

"I'm... off."

"Off?"

"Yeah, I'm off. I feel kind of numb."

"Numb? Are you hurt?"

"No, no. Maybe in my human days this was my time of month or something, I don't know, but I'm fed up."

"With what?"

"Honestly, with a little bit of everything and everyone—my friends, the drama around me and my friends; thinking about how my future will pan out, and Tyler, Klaus..."

"Klaus?" Liz hisses.

Caroline shrugs. "Yes, Klaus. There are a few things I can't wrap my head around and not to mention how fast everything changed from the time I had the accident and ended up in the hospital to today."

Liz nods, agreeing.

"Mom, we've endured rituals and sacrifices. There are all of these friendships to mend because the truth is, they'll never be the same again and we're still clashing all the time! There were super naturals to get rid of and there are more we've yet to know. I've been tortured and basically escaped persecution from the town counsel. The list goes on and on and all of this without a single minute to mull any of it over. We haven't had a second to grasp what our new realities are and there's just so much stuff to sort. I guess what I'm saying is I'm tired of not allowing myself time to reboot."

Liz feels a pang, which she attempts to ignore. She's owned up to distancing herself from Caroline's experiences. She's only been fractionally there for her because there was so much to resolve and understand. Yes, her daughter was in an accident and then, yes, her daughter was murdered. But, to turn… something she did on her own accord turned her and it's something that goes against everything Liz stands for. She never wants to know about that part, but the certainty of it drives a distance Liz can't seem to close.

"You're right," Liz says. "You're only eighteen but your life can fill a history book. Then there's the drama your dad and I contributed to while you were growing up. Caroline," Liz says earnestly. Caroline stares back. "You are by far the most impressive person I know, and I'm not saying that because you're my daughter. I can only imagine what you've had to balance, and here you are still poised as ever." Liz smiles. There's a warm burst of emotion in the sheriff.

Since Caroline turned, Liz marvels how her only child's hair is now an icier blonde and her eyes even more dazzling. When anyone met Caroline as a child, they pinpointed to exactly how sparkling she was with blue eyes and gleaming hair. She was quintessentially a true, southern belle and now, her daughter is simply divine.

Liz loves her in the very tones she's wearing tonight; a white, cropped, fuzzy sweater over light denim. There's a glimpse of Caroline's waistline when she moves, and the jeans are skinny and torn, but Caroline looks alluring adorned in simplicity. Her long waves are crimped and loose, and with so much on the girl's mind, she looks unfussy and modest.

"Honey, I think what you need is some you time."

"Ha!" Caroline snorts.

"I'm serious. Look, when you were away at your dad's, I had me time—no offense."

"None taken."

"And when your dad moved out, he had his own time. And look at Elena… Paris, Denver, New York… Even the Salvatores went around the world before they came back here."

"You think I should go around the world?"

"No, I think you should graduate first, but I also think you need a break. Sometimes, a break from everyone and everything is reenergizing."

Caroline takes a breath. "What, like a spa?"

"Sure!" Liz answers, sounding breezy. "And if a day won't cut it, then take a weekend but please don't miss too many days of school," she says, forming a steeple with her hands, pressing them to her lips.

"Maybe I can go for a long drive and see where the road takes me," says Caroline. "As a matter of fact, I do my best thinking when I'm driving or in the shower."

"Okay. So, what about this?" says Liz. "You drive to a spa with those aromatic showers."

Both women laugh as the kettle switches off, and Liz prepares a tea. "Another?" she offers Caroline.

"Nope, I'm good. And I just decided that I will sneak away for a couple of days."

"I'm there for you if you need me, honey. You know that, right?"

Caroline takes a last sip from her cup, grinning sweetly at her. "Yeah, Mom. I know."

CAROLINE

It is completely dark when Caroline retreats to her bedroom. The curtains are drawn, and she yanks them apart letting the night sky and street lights stream in. As she pops into her closet, its light goes on. Caroline pulls her sweater off and unclips her bra, tossing them to the floor. She starts to peel her jeans down when she hears the doorbell. Unceremoniously, she grabs her sweater for hasty coverage, fastening her pants.

"Caroline!" She hears her mother holler from the bath.

"I got it!" she replies, dashing to the window. "Hello?" Caroline calls out.

She hears movement on the porch and a shadowy figure materializes on the steps.

"Hello, love."

She grimaces. Oy vey.

It never fails. Seeing Klaus Mikaelson is like seeing a ghost every time. Caroline needs a moment to register he's right there in front of her, and while she feels like she's slowly suffocating, she recognizes that she's reeling, too, like trapped inside an enchanted whirl wind.

"What is it, Klaus?"

"Will you join me down here for a moment or shall I climb up to you, Juliet?" he says, moving towards the imposing pine in her front lawn.

She pokes her torso further out the window, evaluating the sky. "It's not a full moon, but if you need a fire hydrant, Klaus, then by all means, there's one up the street. Go bother someone there," she taunts. It's always easier to shoot jeers when there's a distance to play with.

"Where have you been, love?"

"What's the matter, Klaus? You usually know where everyone is at all times, not that finding them in their own home is remarkable. Are you losing your touch, Alpha?"

He smirks. "Why don't you come down here and say that."

Caroline stands tall, folding her arms across her chest. "Why are you here?"

"I heard rumblings that you were not in school and…"

"Shh!" Shut up!" she shrills, looking behind to ensure her door is closed.

"Ah, yes. The sheriff's home," he says, looking over to Liz's car.

Caroline huffs. "I'll be right down."

She sprints to the front door barefoot, realizing her breasts are free under the sweater. Oh, well. At least the top isn't transparent, she thinks. She appears at the threshold.

"There she is," Klaus utters. His words are wrapped in a heavy breath.

Caroline steps outside, rigid.

"Okay, I'm here."

"Yes, you are."

"What do you want Klaus?"

"I want to talk to you. You see, it appears you were truant today and your friends filed into the Grill this evening, but you remained AWOL. Naturally, I became concerned."

"Naturally," she says, sardonically.

"You're a vampire, so you're not ill," he assesses as Caroline moves to sit on the top step.

"You don't say," she mocks. "Isaac Newton's got nothing on you, has he, Klaus?"

Klaus pays no heed, choosing to sit next to her instead. "And there's nothing immediately pending or at stake seeing as your sophisticated posse is over at the illustrious Mystic Grill right now, and the witch and doppelganger haven't spoken to you all day."

"How do you know that?"

"I make it my business to know everything, Caroline."

"Seriously, Klaus. How?"

"I overheard the witch…"

"Bonnie," she rebukes.

"Fine, Bonnie. I heard Bonnie the Witch ask the doppelganger…"

"Elena."

"Yes, Elena, the Doppelganger, if she heard from you today and she hadn't, but they've assumed your precious mutt…"

"Tyler!"

"Indeed, Tyler," he snarls. "They've assumed he's made contact and that you've been drooling into a phone the entire day."

"First of all," she says, stabbing him in a leather shoulder, "stop eavesdropping."

"I assure you, love, that I wasn't! But, I pick up on all sorts of things which you would, too, if you ever tweaked those vampire abilities of yours. You take them for granted."

"Mind your business, Klaus."

"At any rate, I'm not here for a spat."

"So, why are you here?"

"I told you. I'm concerned."

"Why?"

"Well, for one, my sister returned home yapping about you missing an after-school meeting. Bekah was beyond provoked that someone named Melody Diaz thinks you're incredibly considerate and a true model and leader for the school. Apparently, you have her vote for Prom Queen."

A boisterous laugh rolls out from Caroline. "Melody Diaz hates my guts! She has a thing for Tyler. They had a string of encounters prior to us going out."

"Well, Melody told the entire committee how thoughtful it was that you advised them of your absence, and of course, my sister wouldn't hear it. She thinks you should have been there."

"I missed one meeting! And it should count for something that I notified the committee of my absence."

"I agree."

"So, your sister should shut her trap. No matter what's going on, Klaus, I respect my commitments. I can prove it. The very week I turned, I made it to a meeting even if I had no idea how I'd react with all those pumping veins around."

"Exactly! So, you can understand why I grew concerned. Look, Rebekah said you missed the meeting and later I hear your friends saying you weren't in school and as of tonight, no one's heard from you. That rattled me, truth be told."

Caroline bites down on her lip. "For someone who makes fun of the Grill, you sure do find yourself there quite a bit. I think you secretly love Mystic Falls."

"Take that back," Klaus says. His wide-eyed look has Caroline dissolving in laughter.

"Well, it's true that the supernatural world seems to gravitate here," he says. "So, I'm stuck until further notice, but I suppose at one point I should procure that forsaken watering hole and stock it with inebriants that are at least satisfactory."

"What's the point?" she says, now up on her feet. "We all have to get out of town sooner than later."

A considerable silence crops up, one Caroline expects Klaus will fill in.

He pushes up, taking a mighty stand with lips pressed together. Caroline's flustered under his glare. "What's happening in that pretty little head of yours, love?"

"I have to get back, Klaus. I have things to do before I go."

"You're going out?"

"I'm going away for a few days."

"Days! Where?" he demands.

"Away."

"Enough with the mysterious act, Caroline."

Anger flushes through her body. "What act!" she bellows. "You have a lot of nerve coming here, hounding me for details, Klaus, and then I divulge something to you and I'm accused of being some drama queen. Why don't you get out of my face, once and for all," she says, fleeing his vicinity.

His hand clasps her arm and she hears him take in a deeply frustrated breath. His desperation is palpable. She's certain Klaus is rummaging his mind for a truce.

"Caroline," he pleads. "Caroline, I'm a flaming imbecile. I didn't mean that. Please," he implores. "You're being so vague for someone who usually wears her heart on her sleeve. I don't want to fight, sweetheart."

His frantic grip is a touch she doesn't pull away from, and she's dizzy from the few forbidden seconds. Caroline's not brave enough to look at Klaus now, so she stares down at her feet, hiding under her hair, scanning the white polish on her toes.

"It's fine," she says. "But I have to go."

"Where?" he asks. "Or at least tell me when I can expect you back?"

"Sunday," she answers. "I have school remember. And Klaus?"

"Yes?" His eyes are beseeching.

"Please try to respect my privacy, okay?"