Caroline couldn't believe it. Tyler was coming home. As excited as she was, she couldn't help but feel that is imepending returning was eclipsed by how unbelievably romantic Klaus had just been. Truth be told, if Tyler were to materialise right then and there, she probably wouldn't even notice. She held her breath as he leaned in close to her, his welcoming, familiar scent filling her head, as he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"He makes it so hard to resist him when hes being this sweet and genuine" She thought.

"Congratulations, Caroline. Let's get out of here before twelve angry hybrids decide to start a fight".

Caroline took his profferred arm as he led them to her car. Upon reaching it, he went to the driver's side, opening the door for her. She smiled, always delighted at his gentlemanly behaviour, as she stepped into the car. As she reversed, she noted that they hadn't said anything on the short trip to the parking lot. She didn't even know what to say now.

"You could start with thank you" she thought.

Caroline felt like she was wasting a vital oppurtunity to speak with him. He'd soon be heading back to New Orleans and she'd be here with Tyler. She seriously doubted he would be open to the idea of visiting Klaus. She'd never tell him but she knew that she'd miss him. Despite this, she was glad Tyler would soon be returning. Sure, she'd seen him a few weeks ago at prom (yeah, for like two seconds) but it had felt like much longer than that.

Klaus kept shooting her sideways glances; he only hoped that one day he'd make her smile like that, for real. Someday, she'd give him that chance. As Caroline pulled up in her driveway he noted briefly that her mother wasn't there. Klaus flashed to her side of the car, to open her door once more. They may say that chivalry was dead but his definitely resurfaced around her. She truly made him a better person. He extended his hand to her as she climbed out. He knew she was not made of glass, capable of exiting a car by her own volition, but like he said; chivalry. She briefly squeezed his hand before, letting it go. She turned to face him.

Before Caroline could lose her nerve, she quickly wrapped her arms around Klaus, hugging him close, relishing in his smell and his hybrid warmth. After a beat, he reciprocated, enveloping her,one hand in the small of her back as the other settled on her neck. It was surprsing how great it felt to be held by him. How her body so readily accepted his embrace; how not so long ago she would never have spared a moment to consider being this open with him.

Klaus couldn't believe she has hugging him. Voluntarily. It felt unbelievable to finally have her in his arms; he knew it was a moment to be cherished. The feel of her body against his, even if it was only platonically. He was right when he said he would wait for her. The only way it would work between them was if she came to him on her own, in her own time. It may even take years, decades, centuries even but she was worth the wait. Beautiful, compassionate Caroline.

Caroline slowly untangled herself from him, albeit a little unwillingly, missing his warmth and the way he had held her. She missed his proximity just as she knew she would miss the man himself when he left. It was so confusing. She shouldn't be thinking about missing him. She knew she felt something for him beyond friendship but she loved Tyler. However, how could she be with Tyler when she felt for Klaus?

"What a mess" she thought.

But she knew that if in the end, her heart really belonged to Klaus, then he would be waiting for her.

"However long it takes".

She took another step back, needing to create a space between their bodies to think clearly. Klaus got the message, losing the gentle grip he had on her shoulders when they had broken their hug.

"Thank you Klaus. For Tyler."

"Anything to see you happy Caroline. You deserve it".

A pair of headlights illuminated them as a car pulled into Caroline's driveway. Their vampire hearing had detected the car earlier but Caroline had hoped that whomever it was would keep driving. No such luck. She cast a glance at it, slightly annoyed at the intrusion. She expected to see her Mum. Instead she saw Tyler climb out of the car and make his way toward her. She was thrilled to see him. Although, she was hardly done talking to Klaus. She looked back to him, to say one last thanks and goodbye, only to find that he had already left. The disappointment she felt was more than acute.

"Care!" Tyler said, finally reaching her. He wrapped her in a tight embrace. The reality that he was back finally hit her as she hugged him back. she had missed him terribly.

"Tyler. I missed you".

Thanks for reading. I'm thinking I might continue it. Mostly because I hate that I accidentally wrote Forwood. THoughts?