A/N: This has been a work in progress for a very long time. In fact it is about 3 different Caroline/Klaus fics that I started, got stuck on and have now taped together. Hopefully is works! As usual, I own nothing.

Give Me Back The World I Threw Away

"Perhaps one day, in a year, or even in a century."

Near on three quarters of a century had passed since he had said the words that echoed in her head. They had for years now. Every time something seemed to go wrong, they'd replay over and over. But each time she resisted the urge to follow through on them. Until now.

She thought she saw him once in Paris. She had been stood at the check in desk at a hotel she now can't remember the name of. 'He' walked straight past her; trailed by what she assumed would be two of his hybrids. She would have sworn on her father's grave it had been him. Following him would have been a mistake, she wasn't ready to see him; she didn't know she needed to be ready.

It wasn't until later when she counted the days. Twenty two thousand, nine hundred and ninety five to be exact. She hadn't intended on letting so much time pass. But life, in the loosest sense of the word, got in the way. She went to college, a few times. The first time with Matt. She worked, never for more than a few years at a time. She travelled. Visiting all the places he said he would take her. Looking back she wasn't sure if this was a conscious decision or not.

She travelled first with Tyler. It didn't last, maybe five years at most. Each place they visited, there was another hybrid to unsire. Hayley was never too far behind them. At first it didn't bother her. Having female company was nice occasionally. But soon it became tiresome. She wanted to help but she often felt in the way. Hayley was there, doing everything right and it led to fights. Part of her still thought Tyler resented her for Chris' death. And eventually they parted way. She hasn't seen him in twenty years now.

Later she met with Elena in Europe. They travelled around Spain before spending a couple of years living in Barcelona. Soon Damon joined them and it became clear she was the third wheel. So parted way. She still sees them as regularly as an immortal can when time isn't an issue. Last she heard they were in Rome.

Her path crossed with Stefan in New Orleans as she travelled across the States. She hadn't seen him in almost fifteen years, not since he left after the cure turned out to be a hoax. Rumours suggested it had destoryed him and he reverted back to his ripper ways. Rumours also said it had been Damon to bring him back from the edge once more. They ended up spending five years together in that city.

After forty five she slipped quietly into Mystic Falls. Her mother had found a partner so had been unable to visit her old family home. Not enough time had passed for her to become unrecognisable. So she wandered around what had once been her home town. Everything was the same and different all at the same time.

After a couple more years she got word from Matt that her mother had passed. The last time she had seen her had been in Mystic Fall's cemetery; the only secluded spot her then elderly mother could meet her. She attended the funeral, keeping her distance. Only Matt saw her. Now an older man, he couldn't risk speaking to her, not in front of his wife and children who had no doubt seen her in old photographs. They shaded a knowing looking, returned by a tight, sympathetic smile from him. That night she visited the Grill for the first time in almost forty years. She compelled the bar tend to give her a bottle of scotch and then nursed it in the darkest corner of the bar. She came close to looking for him that night.

Another twenty years passed before she heard anything from home town again. This time it was the death of the boy she once loved, the only man left in Mystic Falls who knew her. Matt's funeral was filled with friends and family. He had often mentioned in passing the loneliness he felt at still being the only human. But he had truly built a life for himself. Every last one of the people by his grave that day had been human, and everyone had loved him. Including the blonde and brunette vampires hidden in the shadows. The werewolf was nowhere to be seen.

Near on three quarters of a century had passed since he had said the words that echoed in her head. They had for years now. Every time something seemed to go wrong, they'd replay over and over. But each time she resisted the urge to follow through on them. Until now. Two marble pillars towered beside her, framing the intricately carved door.

It opened easily, gently swinging open without a sound. What's a little intruding between former enemies? Was that even the right word? She wasn't sure what they were. He had most definitely played the role of villain in more than one of their dramas but enemy? Is that a little too far?

The hall was eloquently decorated in the style he was accustomed. Drawings hung on the wall that looked overly familiar. She could hear a fire roaring elsewhere in the house. She followed the sounds of the dancing flames, hoping it would lead her to him. Sure enough, sat before the extravagant fireplace was the Orignal. Unchanged.