Chapter 1

December 2090 Mystic Falls

It had been decades since she last stepped foot into this little town, where the past was constantly relived in pageants and traditions were everything to the people of this town. The petite blonde parked her little white Honda, a car chosen for its simplicity and ability to blend in almost anywhere even a town made to stay in the past. She parked the car with steady hands before allowing herself to take a big breath leaning back into her leather seat.

Caroline Forbes looked out her window only to let out a small breathy laugh at seeing bits of snow falling around her. It almost never snowed in Mystic Falls, being located in the part of Virginia where snow typically stayed further on the north. Caroline could remember begging her mom to take them up further north into Roanoke or other nearby cities where it would snow. Liz Forbes would shake her head with a smile and told her to go invite her friends. Elena and Bonnie would eagerly agree and all three would be wrangled into a single car with either Liz Forbes or Miranda Grayson being selected as the trio wrangler. Those memories remain some of her most precious. Outside the birth of her girls and her wedding day.

Stepping out of the car the blonde-haired vampire tilted her head back to feel the cold flakes on her skin. She let herself enjoy the moment of quiet before entering the cemetery. Her light footsteps leaving barely a mark on the ground. She quickly made her way through the grounds where she found the newly finished grave of Bonnie Sheila Bennett.

Caroline let out a soft sigh at the fresh tomb stone her hands grazing over engraving.

Bonnie Sheila Bennett

February 5th, 1993- December 17th, 2090

Beloved Daughter and Friend

A sob made its way out of her lips. Caroline could not understand why Bonnie would allow herself to wither away so soon. Bonnie fell in love with magic, it was a part of her in a way her friends could never truly understand. They got that, as a witch Bonnie was more connected to nature and it's needs than they would be able to comprehend. As a witch her powers would have been enough to sustain her much longer than a typical human lifespan. Bonnie Bennett could easily have lived over a century at least, given the power of her lineage.

So why did she allow herself to wither when she had the power to stay? Why did she not come to Caroline? The blonde could not believe that their relationship had withered so much that the witch didn't reach out.

September 2018

"I can't stay here any longer, Care" Bonnie cried burying her head into the blonde's lap. Caroline's heart ached seeing the most powerful witch she knew melting down before her. Pale hands carefully ran themselves through Bonnie's dark strands.

"Bonnie," Caroline called her name softly, allowing the witch to cry.

"I had to make sure Elena was free, it took months ensuring there would be no more after math effects from raising hellfire on Mystic Falls. You and Alaric are finally on good terms, Elena is awake and making plans to go to med school. You're opening up a school" Bonnie explained taking in comfort from her friends welcoming arms even as the nasty voice hissed that she chose to marry Enzo's murderer.

"There's a whole world full of art, music, genuine beauty perhaps it's time you go in search of that" The blonde chose her words carefully, as her fingers ran through dark locks. The irony of her words was not lost on her.

Klaus would be ridiculously pleased at this knowledge. Caroline laughed at the thought, the man kept his promise. He has yet to return and she's heard nothing of him or the rest of his family since her visit to New Orleans.

"Enzo wanted to show me the world" Bonnie's gaze turned into a soft smile looking off into a corner. Caroline felt a pang, could Bonnie still see him?

"Then you should go. Travel the world."

"Thank you, Caroline. I think it would do me some good to get some space."

"What are you doing here vampire?" A voice ordered behind her. The ninety-eight-year-old vampire turned around at a human pace allowing a small smirk across her face.

"Can't a vamp mourn an old friend?"

"The Bennett witch was friends with a vampire?" The witch asked, brown eyes glancing at Caroline from head to toe.

"Once upon a time" The vampire replied, her gaze never leaving the head stone.

"She never mentioned a vampire friend" The witch carefully eyed the blonde vampire, clearly prepared for a fight.

"Do you remain in contact with all of your childhood friends?" The blonde snapped tired of the judgmental tone all witches seemed to have. They were not always the greatest of friends to the other, but one way or another they always came through when it mattered the most. It was a bond that legends were made of. At least that was what Caroline had thought.

"This is Bonnie, please leave a message" Then came the familiar beep.

Caroline let out a sigh as once again she went straight to voicemail. She had done exactly as Bonnie asked, allowing her space. She called maybe once every couple of weeks, at most a month would go by. Caroline tried desperately to give her friend space, but even Elena would hardly answer her calls.

"Bonnie, it's me Caroline."

"Care I love you, I just can't not right now with the kids" Elena said over the phone before yelling at her daughter to not hit her brother.

"Have you tried using that system I suggested?" Caroline rolled her eyes as a crash could be heard.

"Not now Caroline."

XXX

Shaking her head from the memories that have assaulted her since coming back. Caroline thought about the woman she was now. A woman who watched every single man she loved leave her for better or worse. Been used time and time again as a body warmer, bait and even a baby incubator. She never was the one, not really. Not that Caroline would blame anyone. The one who came the closest if she was honest…

Was Niklaus.

"Why are you here now vampire, your old friend is dead. Couldn't make time to see her on her death bed?"

Caroline shook her head, "Its complicated."

"Complicated enough to keep you away for decades?"

"It was her wish," Caroline whispered softly. Bonnie made it to her wedding, helped to save her girls. But Bonnie could not stay in Mystic Falls once Elena was awakened. The witch could hardly look at the blonde sometimes, Caroline respected the hurt she was going through. Bonnie had always tried to do the right thing. When the witch settled into Boston, she asked that Caroline give her space.

"I need to start over Care. I hope you can understand."

Try to understand she did. Be understanding was all Caroline ever died as her own husband did not find the time to tell her he was going to sacrifice himself for his brother and ex-girlfriend. Despite giving him a heavy bonus about time being limited not giving him enough time. Stefan had chosen his brother over her.

Honestly? Caroline knew it was not simply for Damon.

It was for Elena.

Stefan's entire existence since he stepped back into Mystic Falls was to ensure Elena could have her happily ever. Even with Stefan's own brother a man that raped Caroline when they first met. For what else could you call compelling her to stay and using her as a body warmer and blood bag? He made her want it. Yet Caroline remembers the fear, the dread of what this unknown man could do.

So, try to understand her friends she did. Caroline tried so hard, to understand why a vampire-turned human couple like Damon and Elena could stay in Mystic Falls, whose blood was full of the cure. Surely that would attract enemies? How Bonnie never seemed to be warned away, despite being supernatural herself. She created a whole school of supernaturals near Mystic Falls, just so they could learn control. She and Alaric ensured that both the towns people and the children were safe.

They had safety precautions, but it was Caroline that was singled out as the one people noticed.

July 2031

Bonnie Bennett was packing her bags in her childhood bedroom. A contented sigh escaped her as Matt and few of his former officer friends helped Bonnie with the extra heavy lifting.

"Promise, no magic Matt" Bonnie vowed as her old friend shook his head.

"It's not you I'm worried about Bonnie. Its just magic tends to attract things I wish would stay far away from Mystic Falls."

"I know, after everything that's happened it's been nice to see things go back to normal" Bonnie sighed.

"I'm worried about Caroline, Bon" Matt confessed as the two paused between moving boxes around. Bonnie looked over at her childhood friend and frowned, " We are only in our thirties, she can't possibly be at the point of notice yet."

"When standing next to her girls? People are oblivious to a lot Bonnie but when she is next to them. People tend to notice how much closer she looks to eighteen rather than thirty-nine. It's been so peaceful, how long until the next enemy comes with vampires around?"

Before she could respond, a flash of blonde hair stormed through the door.

"Bonnie!" Caroline cried bringing her childhood friend into a tight embrace. So happy to see her friend, the blonde did not notice the half-heartedness of Bonnie's returned affection. Nor did she noticed Matt's concerned look turn into a smile when she released one friend for another.

"Care" Bonnie offered a smile, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to stop by before I checked in on the boarding school. I sent you and Elena email reminders, but no one showed up at the airport. Did something happen?" Caroline's voice to the casual observer was her usual confident self. Bonnie was no casual observer; she could hear the pain behind the words. Bonnie's heart ached at seeing someone she loved in pain. Even if it was still painful to think about how her best friend's husband was the one to kill Enzo.

"I'm sorry Care, I've just been so busy getting the house ready to rent out. It slipped my mind that you were coming in. Why didn't you ask Alaric to pick you up?"

"I needed a girl's night. We have not done that in years, how is Boston?"

Bonnie smiled, "The opposite of Mystic Falls in all the right ways."

Matt coughed awkwardly really hating how he is going to have to talk to Caroline about her age, "Care? You know I'm glad to see you. But can you make sure to keep your outings in town to a minimum? I'm afraid people are starting to talk."

Caroline narrowed her eyes at Matt, "It's Mystic Falls people are always talking."

"They don't normally talk about Headmistress Caroline Forbes and how she seems to have not aged a day. Good genetics will only get you so far, Care. What happens if someone figures out what you are? You have a school full of magically enhanced children on the outskirts of town."

"I knew there would be a day I couldn't come back for a while, I just didn't think it be so soon. Is it really that noticeable?" Caroline whispered.

"Care, I'm just worried what could happen if you are found out. You have children in that school, and I have a town I need to make sure does not find out and get hurt if one of those students of yours feels endangered" Matt confessed as the blonde nodded silently understanding his reasoning and the reasons unsaid. The boy never truly gotten over the fact all his friends had become supernatural. Often putting their human friends at risk along with them. Matt was both worried for her and what her presence could do.

"The Salvatore students rarely pop into town. But you and Alaric do go into town the people are bound to notice something eventually. It doesn't help that Alaric and Damon have been talking" Bonnie sighed.

"What exactly has Damon been saying to the father of my children?" Caroline growled.

"He's worried that the longer supernatural creatures stick around the more likely we will have a new big bad to worry about. Damon is a known jackass you know this, he's worried about Elena and their kids" Bonnie said delicately.

"It has been rather quiet, especially after the girl's graduated. No more unexpected monsters at the school " Caroline admitted.

"Alaric's said that enrollment is steady, and they rarely go into town. With Elena being human again with kids of her own. We owe it to her to keep her kids safe don't we? Even if it means we stay away" Bonnie continued.

"I know" Caroline whispered, "I don't want to be the reason anyone gets hurt."

"I'm so sorry Caroline. I know this is your home."

"I better have a serious talk with Alaric" Caroline grimaced, this was one conversation she was not looking forward to having. The man struggled with projecting the young supernaturals and humans from each other. Alaric was more worried about the harm their students could do rather than the harm done to them.

The blonde was so deep into her memories it took the witch a small witchy headache to get her attention.

"OW! What was that for?"

The strange witch shrugged, "You seemed deep in thought. I did not want to risk you getting hungry when your mind was away."

"So, you gave me an aneurysm?" Caroline scowled. The vampire sighed softly turning towards the witch in question.

"We had a heavy past. I…. I brought painful memories looking the way I do. Bonnie couldn't look at me without reliving that pain" She whispered.

"Yet she came back here," The witch paused looking at the blonde, "and you left?"

Caroline laughed softly, "I had long been out of the picture by then."

First it was the phone calls that lessoned. Caroline kept herself busy helping the girls adjust to college. She even connected with Hope, the girl telling Caroline herself how awful it felt that Lizzie had given her Caroline's dress.

"My father picked that out for you!" Hope grimaced, "That is all kinds of gross."

It appears that the once almost all supernatural scooby doo gang turned into a human scooby doo gang. At first Caroline joined in on the small celebrations that Mystic Falls, staying out of sight as to not cause any confusion. Within the next year or two she noticed how rarely her friends had called. Alaric rolled his eyes when she discussed how the school was with him. He assured her that the school had survived her absence before and could do so again. Alaric also kindly reminded her that, her girls were grown, and her friends had kids of their own. Friendships grew apart.

She kept tabs on her friends, anyway, ensuring that if they needed her then Caroline would know. Caroline learned about the visits Elena made to Boston, and Bonnie to Mystic Falls. Neither made to visit her. On a rare occasion Caroline got Elena on the phone, she asked about the get togethers. Elena said they weren't not inviting her.

It was just hard for them to get out of town frequently, and how dangerous it could be if she was spotted in town to often. It was left unsaid how Elena was worried about being too close to supernatural beings. She feared that Damon would be attacked, and the cure sucked out of him, causing him to age rapidly. Elena however did admit that, they were trying to limit supernatural meetings.

"Care you have to understand. Damon and I no longer have protection. We just need to limit our interaction with that world you know? Now tell me more about your travels, we still have not gone to London."

Caroline thought she should have paid more attention to Katherine's decline before she begged Damon to take the cure. Elena did not take to kindly to that response.

"Care you know how much I want a family. Why can't you be happy for us? We finally have a chance at a normal life."

Did Elena just completely forget that anyone could drink from him and cause his rapid decline? She would never have a normal life constantly worried. Caroline simply smiled and ignored the stab that she would never be normal again. After all her friends were human, while she most decidedly was not. It was the start of a declining friendship. Friendships she had cherished but she tried to understand she did.

What hurt the most was Bonnie. Her sweet friend who had clearly given up her magic and moved back to Mystic Falls, without telling her. As the years passed, even when Bonnie answered her calls, the conversation stilted. Losing Enzo tore at Caroline. It hurt her that losing one friend cost her the other. Caroline didn't tell anyone, but she kept tabs on them, knew about the biggest celebrations even as they left her out of it.

"As much as that sucks for you, vamp or not. You can't stay here."

Caroline smiled, "Right… witchy burial traditions."

Before she left the witch called out, "Be careful out there. Full moon."

Caroline laughed thinking that all the Lockwood's were dead, and all the ones she knew were going to be on the lands of her school. The blonde leisurely made her way out of the cemetery, deciding that she did not want to return to the school just yet. Carefully she walked along the edges of the woods, still far away from the school but close enough she could get there if they needed anything.

Her mind drifted back to her past. How did her life end up like this? She worked so hard to be good. Yet her friends dropped her once their supernatural adventures were deemed over. The supposed loves of her life all leaving her. Well that was not necessarily true. So, lost in her thoughts she never noticed that the moon at risen and she should have been back to the campus by then.

Niklaus Mikaelson had consumed her thoughts. Niklaus the great evil, Caroline had laughed at that chapter. Ric had refused to take it out even when Hope had joined their school. Saying she needed to understand her father's darkness, and Caroline thought it was a load of bullshit. So, lost in her thoughts she never heard the growl until it was too late.

Caroline turned just in time to see golden eyes as it latched onto her neck biting her. She cried out feeling how quickly the bite took effect, closing her eyes she had one last thought.

"Deep down. I always knew that you were not the villain in my story."

A.N: I have been rewatching the vampire diaries, after finally getting myself to watch the final of the Originals. And of course, I have mixed feelings about it, ultimately, I understand the major concepts of the stories and why. But what the fuck? Elena gets her happy ending with a man who basically raped her friend. She gets to kick his ass and verbally spar with him. But no one else does shit about what he has done. What happens to her gets sidelined and he turns into a love interest and a hero…. That just does not sit so well with me anymore now that I'm no longer a teen or even in my early 20s anymore.

I always loved Caroline; I loved her journey. I was okay with her storylines but the twin baby drama…. At least the originals made sense to me. But then to get engaged to Ric for the baby's sake? And the whole Stefan drama…. It just seemed more out of character than in character to me. Anyway, this was just an idea I had I decided to see what others might think of it.