Caroline walked down the hallways of her school.
Ever since they opened The Salvatore School For The Gifted, it thrived.
Turns there were many children out there, needing help because they had differences. Powers. Abilities like no other. This would help them feel safe.

The light shined in through the dusted windows, glowing on her skin. It reminded her of Stefen. They modedled the school after the Salvatores home. Stefen's home. Damon's home. Elena's home. Her home.

It was mostly silent. Still. The wooden floors creaked as she walked. She was the only one here, a day before opening day. Liz and Jo were with Ric, getting lunch while she organized what was there to be organized. Her favorite hobby.

She entered a bare room with a pile of boxes. She picked a larger one up and set it on a table, revealing a smaller box. It was labeled 'Unknown'. She set it aside and opened it. One thing seemed to contain it.

Caroline lightly gasped as she saw the familiar blue fabric and diamond lacing around the middle. She stepped back immediately, shock filling her.

It was the dress Klaus had given her all those years ago.

She stepped forward, running a hand through the fabric. It was still the same bright sky blue, the color of her eyes. She pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

Dancing. Smiles. Yelling. Drawings of horses.
All of it flashed through her mind at once, gripping her like a vice.

"You can't just, BUY people! You have to ACTUALLY be a decent person!" Echoed through her mind. She wished...what did she want? She still didn't know.

"I SHOULD HAVE TURNED MY BACK ON YOU AGES AGO!"

"He's your first love. I intend to be your last...However long it takes."

A million more things bounced around her head until she was overwhelmed with memories. She closed the box, and walked out the hallway with it, carrying a marker.

Caroline headed up the hallway, speed walking the whole way up to the attic. She opened the door and climbed up the dusty stairs, ignoring the creeks and groans they made at her feet.

She gently, carefully set the box by a small window, gently touching the white cover one more time, before turning away and heading back towards the stairs.

Locking the door behind her.

Time skip to later that night

"Mommy! Mommy! Tell us a story!" Jo and Liz said and flopped onto there bed. Caroline smiled and sat by them.

"Just one." She said and went to get a book...but stopped herself. Tonight would be a new one.

"Once upon a time, there was a king." She began softly.

"He was a powerful and dangerous man. He charmed his way into ruling his kingdom and used fear and manipulation. He even tricked his family, and eventually no one liked him." Caroline said, looking at her hands.

"He doesn't sound very nice, mommy." Jo said, playing with her stuffed animal.

Caroline nodded, still smiling.
"But one day, he met a very beautiful girl in a village. She was as gorgeous as the sun, blonde hair and sky eyes. She was kind, but firm. She was a light in the darkness. The king instantly fell in love."

"The king decided to be on his best behavior for her. Kindness was often showed from the king, and the girl admired that....but by the time the king did this, the girl had fallen in love with a village boy." She said, stroking there hair.

"Oh no. The king must have been heart broken!!" Liz gasped, and Caroline bit her lip. "He was." She whispered, before continuing.

"The king was furious. He began going back to his ways, and the girl begged him not too. The king stared at her for a while."

"I don't take orders from you, or anyone else!' The king told her. But the girl shook her head."

"I am reaching out to you, after everything you have done, and you still cannot get past yourself!"

Caroline pushed tears back. "The king then understood the error of his ways....and- and......and they all lived happily ever after." She mumbled quickly before standing up and leaving.

She walked to her room, and sat in the rocking chair beside the window. She curled her fists and pressed them against her eyes. So, so many mistakes...and words. How could they possibly fix them all?

"Mommy?"

Caroline lifted her head to see Liz by the doorway. "Go back to sleep sweetie." She said and wiped her eyes.

Liz ignored her and sat by the side of the rocking chair, looking out the window.

"Mommy, I think you are the girl." Liz whispered, eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

"And why would you say that?" Caroline asked, picking Liz up and holding her tightly.

"Because, you look like her...and you seem sad about the story." Liz whispered. "But...who's the king? Not daddy. And not uncle Stefen." Liz asked.

"The king?" Caroline whispered, raising an eyebrow. Liz nodded. Caroline looked back out the window, staring at the full, shining moon in the vast sea of darkness we call night.

"Well, maybe one day I can tell you. Maybe one day you'll know him." She said, frowning.

"One day. When I can explain your world to you. When I can tell you the demons." Liz felt the breeze touch her cheeks.

"One day."