Hey y'all! This is my first fan fiction.

I think it's going to take me a while to get back in the swing of writing, so please forgive any pacing issues.

This story is set after the events in 4X15. Some topics have been set aside for this storyline.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or its characters.

"Caroline, he's on the run. What did you think would happen? Did you think he would go on the lam and you two could still continue on with an exciting, secret romance? Every now and then you would sneak off for little trysts, and it would be all cupcakes and unicorns?"

"No, Stefan, I didn't think that. But just because he's gone to run for his life from Klaus doesn't mean we're over. It's not like I magically stopped loving him the moment he left," Caroline huffed throwing her hands out in an emphatic gesture. "It's not like I magically stopped caring."

Stefan, surprisingly, was her closest friend right now, so when she had another disappointing conversation with Tyler's voicemail that afternoon, she had no one else to turn to. Sure, she had her best friends Bonnie and Elena, but lately it felt like they were BFF's in name only. Bonnie had been nothing but bitter apples lately and Elena . . . well Elena wasn't exactly in a fit state for girl's night and shopping excursions.

Caroline had already taken a moment to giggle at the idea of Stefan as her new BFF. Visions of him in a matching rubber ducky pajama set enjoying a rom/com with her on a Saturday night fighting the urge to talk about boys while he tried out a new vintage hairstyle was a hard image to not chuckle over. Alas, she had to settle for the brooding forehead and the sensitive yet tough love he had to offer.

"Well, maybe there's the rub. You left things open, Caroline. You can't blame him for not adhering to the rules. Because-"

"-we didn't make any," she said to herself. Caroline let out a frustrated groan and swept her curls back, running both hands through her hair. "I know what you want to say, Stefan, so, please, just say it." Her shoulders sagged as she exhaled readying herself.

Looking at Stefan she could tell that he wanted to say something to her, but he questioned whether it was something she wanted to hear. His eyebrows pulled together as he leaned forward on the sofa with a comforting look. "It's been weeks, Caroline. How long will you wait for him? How long will you keep hope that the next time your phone rings, it's him? Even before when he left to break the sire bond he called to check in. What's different? I know I'm not exactly the poster boy for knowing when to call it quits, but have you considered the possibility that he isn't contacting you for a reason? Maybe he's making a clean break."

"I refuse to believe that. If he could contact me, he would. Seriously, he's on the run for his life-I'm not here asking for you to fix this-I'm merely pointing out that this is a shitty situation- and I need you to just sit here and listen and tell me that he's a dick for not calling and that I shouldn't worry-That it will all work out in the end." Caroline took a deep breath having said her piece in one long, drawn out stream of words.

Stefan gave a little smile and looked down to shake his head at his friend. She had understood his point. "He's a dick for not calling. Don't worry, it'll all work out in the end."

"Well that just sounded forced," she pouted putting her face in her hands.

Stefan laughed. "Maybe he's just waiting for Klaus to leave Mystic Falls before he attempts to contact you."

"Yeah, what's with that? Klaus vows to chase him to the ends of the earth, but then decides to take his sweet time packing? Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that wherever Tyler is, he is far from Klaus. Believe me, I'm glad. But still. The whole point of Tyler leaving was that Klaus was on the warpath to kill him. Klaus doesn't seem to be too warpath-y to me."

"I've been wondering that myself. Klaus never does anything without a reason."

"Really, Nik, it's as if you don't even care that our brother is dead. Do you truly care about any of us?" Rebekah lashed at her brother, feeling her eyes begin to water.

"Careful, Sister. You forget that I have taken great pains to protect you all over these many years. And while Kol was an egotistical prat, he was my brother. I'll have you remember that you are not the only one to have lost family. I kept him safe all his life. I feel his loss just as you do." Klaus stood deliberately from his chair and walked to the dry bar to pour himself a drink.

"Safe in a box, you mean."

Klaus let his head fall back in exasperation. "Go ahead. Dig in. Have at it," Klaus spat pointedly as he strode to his sister. "Kol's death is my fault. I didn't get there in time. It was my doppelganger. Do it, Rebekah. Tell me I don't feel what has happened." His voice then altered to the smooth, calculated tone he wore when he was warning someone of dangerous water, "I dare you."

Rebekah back pedaled in her approach. Her anger was reaching for an excuse, any excuse. "You aren't even chasing the Lockwood boy. After the insult he-"

"-Hardly. I have Tyler exactly where I want him. Out of Mystic Falls."

"This doesn't come down to that flitwit Caroline?! Our brother is dead, and you won't avenge him because of some shallow crush," Rebekah shouted, her voice becoming more shrill.

"Mind your tongue," the Hybrid said, venom dripping from his words. "Tyler did not kill Kol, Rebekah. That would be Elena and her belated brother, and I'm working on that. So, don't pretend that I'm sitting idly by. Lockwood is gone." He meandered back to the armchair and settled down with his newly refilled drink. "Chasing him would simply be a waste of my time."

Rebekah squared her shoulders. Her brother was dead. Klaus may be able to calmly manage his need for vengeance, but she was struggling. What with Silas' whereabouts unknown, she needed a cause to rally behind. "You say you have plans. Tell me."

Her brother smirked and swirled his glass a bit looking at her only from the corner of his eye. "Wouldn't you like to know."

She huffed out a breath. "You're cutting me out. Again." It wasn't a question.

Klaus laughed quietly at his youngest sibling. "Hardly. Pack a bag. We're on a plane tomorrow."

Taken aback, Rebekah's brows knitted in confusion. "Where to?"

"London, Baby Sister. It's time we fetch Elijah."

Walking to her car Caroline felt the first few drops of rain fall. Mystic Falls was expecting one hell of a rainstorm. She just hoped her mother wouldn't be working during the worst of it tonight. Caroline wasn't scared of storms but preferred to not think about the horror movie possibilities of a young girl alone in a big house while thunder boomed and lightening flashed in the windows. It was creepy. She briefly wondered if Stefan was busy that night, but when her mind flashed once again to him in rubber ducky pajamas, she breathed out a laugh of defeat.

Like that's gonna happen. He'll probably be busy reigning in Elena with Damon.

The rain picked up considerably as Caroline unlocked her car practically leaping in in an attempt to save her hair from potential disaster. Though it was still the early evening and the sky was white with clouds, the inside of the car was dim and the water blocked windows brought a feeling of isolation. Caroline sat there a moment thinking of how different her life had become. Not long ago she was the epitome of a social butterfly in Mystic Falls. Now, with her friends missing in action and Tyler gone, she couldn't help but feel as if the loneliness of the car was oddly suited.

Just then she felt as if the walls of the car were a jail cell. No, not the car. Mystic Falls. She was stuck in a place, that had nothing to offer her, by her loyalty to people who didn't even really care about her anymore. She was second priority to everything else that was going on. Big surprise.

"What the hell?!" She jumped as her passenger door opened and someone climbed into her car dripping with rainwater.

"Hello, Caroline."

Caroline could scream. Out of fear or anger, she wasn't sure. "Get out of my car, Klaus!"