A/N: A sequel? Okay!

For any new readers: I don't think it is completely necessary to read "Jagged Pieces" before reading this one; just know that this story centers on and is mostly from the perspective of my original character Riley, who is Caroline's cousin and was turned into a vampire at roughly the same time as Elena.

We stayed in Mystic Falls just long enough to see C and Bekah don the stupid burgundy cap and gown to graduate, alongside Matt, Bonnie, Elena, Stefan (amusingly), and Tyler. Everyone was actually happy — for once — but no one was happier than C. She was fulfilling her dream; she was doing something completely human and 'normal' and she was positively glowing that entire day. She had actually completed one of her goals: graduating from high school. Of course, her control-freak-ness was in overdrive that whole week, preparing for that day.

But it came and everything was perfect. No supernatural happenings interfered with it or prevented its occurrence.

I had to stay in Mystic Falls for another whole day after C's graduation, trying to convince Aunt Liz that I wanted to leave and no, I wasn't being compelled into it and yes, I would be okay. She was hesitant about me leaving in general; she was definitely hesitant about me going anywhere with Klaus.

I finally wore her down; or maybe I just annoyed her enough that she finally agreed.

And then we were off.

We started out in New York City; Nik suggested we go there first, to 'ease' me into this travel thing. Staying states-side would be a good getting-my-feet-wet travel destination. I was thrilled: I had always, always wanted to see New York. After New York, Nik said we could conquer the world. (Metaphorically, of course — though he definitely probably could conquer the globe.)

Unfortunately, we'll never get to the 'world' part; at least not for a while.

New York City was more than I could have imagined. We spent six days there, but I seriously doubt I could ever get my fill of that city. We saw a play and two musicals on Broadway; we went to Staten Island and Ellis Island; we aimlessly walked the streets; and we visited Brooklyn. Nik knew so much of New York's history, and I could listen to him tell it all day.

I loved the way his eyes would light up a bit as we saw each landmark. He obviously enjoyed this city as well — I'm sure he wouldn't have brought me here if he did not.

Regardless of how old he may be, or how many times he had visited, this city still held some wonder and amazement for him.

We ate in cleared-out restaurants and we had private tours of popular locations. But my favourite — the best time I had in New York — was when we spent the entire day in Central Park. It was so simple and peaceful. The posh and classy stuff was nice and fun, but just strolling through the park, at our own leisure, was utterly wonderful and completely perfect.

We went to the chesshouse and he tried to teach me how to play — it was a disaster.
We walked through the zoo.
I rode on the carousel.
And we spent a couple of hours just sitting in the mall.

I was mesmerized by it all.

And I was equally fascinated with the trees.

"Is that camouflage?" I pointed to the bark of a nearby tree.

He nodded. "That's where the military got its inspiration, love."

"Seriously?"

"Yes." He had a chuckle in his voice as he spoke.

I had to walk over and touch the bark. "So cool."

He put his hands on my hips and guided me back and around the tree's trunk until I was leaning against the side of the trunk that was furthest from the walkway.

I laughed. "What are you doing?"

He stepped closer to me. I could feel the heat from his body, despite the layers of clothing between us. He tucked some of my hair behind my ear and placed a kiss on my temple. "Making use of the camouflage." His lips moved down and landed just below my ear.

Despite myself, and despite the public-ness of our location, I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access to my neck. "That's not how it works. We're supposed to wear the camo, not hide behind something that's wearing it."

He moved my hair behind my shoulder. "Oh," he mumbled against my neck. "I prefer this."

I opened my eyes and stared at the leaves of the tree, trying to concentrate while he continued his ministrations. "I'm sure you do."

I let him continue for only another moment or two because I pushed him away. "Not here. It's too public."

He drew back, raising his eyebrows in surprise. Then he smirked. "Not an exhibitionist, then, love?"

"Ha! No."

"Why not?" His smirk grew but his eyes darkened. "We won't see anyone we know here, love."

I laughed. "Hmmm. That's true."

He smirked and leaned in again, cupping my face with one hand, and kissed me. I opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to enter and he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer. I sighed, leaning into his touch. His kiss was firm, yet gentle. Comforting.

His hands moved to my hips again, pulling me closer to him. Then his mouth left mine and he started trailing kisses down the line of my jaw and my neck. His fingers played with my hair as I put my hands on his chest.

I laughed again. "But no, not here." I pushed him away again. "Later."

After an outrageously lavish dinner, we returned to our hotel room. I immediately made my way into the bedroom and flopped down on the bed, feeling wonderfully content.

Moments later, I felt Nik sit down next to me. "I have something for you."

I sat up and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah?"

He placed a square, black box into my hands. (Not that kind of square, black box! This one was larger and not velvety.)

I gave him the same look I always give him when he gets me something for no apparent reason: the this-is-highly-unnecessary look. But I was curious, too; he had great taste, and anything he's given me before has been amazing: my ring, my bracelet, and his artwork.

I kept my eyebrow quirked at him as I opened the top of the box. I knew what it was from the first glimpse: a snow globe.

My favourite.

I've always loved snow globes, but I don't own any; I've never been anywhere snow-globe-worthy and the non-location ones I used to have were sold with everything else from my old life in Williamsburg, Virginia — snow globes don't travel well.

I sat there, just staring at the now-opened box in my hand, a little stunned at how amazing this would be, and I hadn't even seen the thing out of its box yet.

Nik reached inside and pulled it out. With an easy flick of his wrist, he turned it upside down and then right-side-up again. It was a New York City snow globe: it contained the most-recognizable city landmarks encased in a glass globe, which was seated upon a black, square base. The bits inside the globe looked more like glitter than snow, shimmering down on the city.

"Wow," I whispered as I felt my eyes widen.

"You like it, then?"

I smiled, but I couldn't stop watching the glitter fall onto the tiny city inside the globe. "It's beautiful." I looked up at him, still smiling. "Thank you."

He smirked too, quickly, before moving in to kiss me.

I pulled away after only a second or two. "This is all unnecessary, you know."

"What is?"

"The lavishness of everything: the fancy hotel room, the private tours, the dinners at expensive restaurants, the private box seats at the theatres." I gestured to the snow globe that was still in his hand. "The gifts."

He sighed and looked down at it.

"They're lovely and incredible, but I don't need them. I'm here with you; I'm good."

He brought his eyes back to mine. "You call it lavish and unnecessary; I call it being accustomed to a certain type of lifestyle. And now I get to share that with you, Riley." He lifted the snow globe slightly. "But if you don't want this…" He trailed off, but the suggestion was self-evident.

I quickly reached out and snatched the snow globe from him. "I didn't say that I didn't want it. I merely said that I did not need it. But now that I have it, I'm going to keep it. I will enjoy having it as a reminder of my first time in New York City."

"That's what I thought."

I rolled my eyes at the confidence he expressed in his ability to read my intentions.

I stood and moved across the room, setting the snow globe down at the centre of the closest table. I smiled at it before turning to face him. And then I said the words I never should have uttered: "I'm not sure that I ever want to go home. Not if we can always have days like today."

He was in front of my before I had registered that he had even moved. "Of course we can." He trailed his thumb along my cheek.

I reached up and pulled his head down to mine, pressing our lips together as my hands fisted in his curls. He responded immediately, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me closer. It started slowly and passionately, but grew more frenzied. The kiss ignited a fire that now blazed throughout my body. His lips quickly moved to my neck. I tilted my head to one side, allowing him better access.

I felt his hands on my body and I gasped, but I really wanted to feel his hands on my bare skin. But then he hesitated and I felt his doubt; he was questioning this and I wanted to yell at him.

Instead, I took his face into my hands and smiled at him as I looked into his eyes. They were hungry — and not for blood; for me, I assumed. I nodded at him slightly and moved my hands over his chest, feeling his firm, defined chest under the grey cotton shirt. I could feel it rise and fall a lot quicker than it usually did and I enjoyed knowing that it was because of me.

"Remove your shirt."

He chuckled at my directness; it wasn't often that he let me have control — and it never last too long — but I know we both enjoyed it when it did happen.

I'm not careful and polite all the time…

"Ladies first." He smirked.

I raised my eyebrows. "We seem to be at an impasse."

"No worries, love." He leaned forward and removed my shirt.

I retaliated instantly and soon we were both shirtless and staring at each other. I could never get over how amazing he looked without clothes on. He looked amazing with clothes, but this was better.

He smirked and moved forward; I stepped back at the same time he stepped forward, and we continued these movements until the backs of my knees touched the edge of the bed. I smiled as I placed my hands against his chest and stood on my tiptoes, removing the distance between us and pressing my lips to his. His tongue traced over my bottom lip as his hands found my lower back, and he gently lowered me back against the bed. I pulled on his necklaces, keeping us close.

I sighed and laid back. My hands roamed his torso — I ran my nails all the way up his now-naked chest and delighted in the fact that I could pull a shudder from him — while he placed his hands on my breasts. I closed my eyes, enjoying the tingling sensation in my chest. Butterflies. Every time felt like the first, in some ways.

I felt his hands move around me as his fingers unclasped my bra. I smiled up at him as he removed my bra; he returned the smile before dipping down to kiss and touch my breasts. I moaned at the wonderful sensation of his lips, his tongue, and his stubble.

His hand moved down to cup me between my legs and I sucked in a sharp breath. He smirked down at me and kissed me again as he pulled down the zipper to my jeans. He then pulled them down, along with my panties.

He kissed me again.

I broke away with a smile. "There seems to me an imbalance here."

He chuckled, but his hand began its slow descent to the juncture between my legs and our conversation was effectively ended as I parted my thighs for him. I bit back a whimper as his fingers brushed over the smoothness of the damp skin there. I let out a choked cry when he eased a single finger inside me.

Oh yes!

I leaned back and sighed; being with Nik always felt like the one time that I could completely let go.

I chewed on my lip as he leisurely moved around. He was playing and teasing and tempting: altering his angle, his depth, and his speed at whim and making me impossibly wetter than I already was. He added a second finger. He quickened his movements and my breath hitched in pleasure. He licked his lips as he stared down at me, and I found myself mesmerized by that one small action of his. His eyes were full of lust. And maybe adoration, too. I have never had someone look at me like that before him.

My thoughts unravelled as his thumb joined in, finding its way to that centre of pleasure at my apex. He began to tease it with slow, deliberate strokes. I jerked back against the bed and arched my back, grinding against his hand in an effort to ride the surge of lust that he was sending through my core. I closed my eyes, becoming increasingly aware of the tension that was coiling up in my stomach. I came undone quickly after that; it was freeing — just letting go: no holding back.

When I could breathe properly again, I opened my eyes, only to find his roaming my body. I found it wonderfully impossible to feel inadequate in any way when he was looking at me like that.

"So beautiful."

Though it did help ease my self-consciousness, I laughed slightly at his comment before I turned us around, pinning him beneath me.

"And you're overdressed."

I locked my lips with his and my hands hovered over the waist of his jeans. Before I could do any more, his arms slid around me. Then I was pinned beneath him again.

He kissed me deeply but quickly as he removed his own pants.

He pulled away slightly from the kiss and he hesitated again; and again I felt his doubt. Every time.

Instead of scoffing, or telling him to continue, I rolled my hips up to meet his. The friction and the close proximity were enough to convince him to continue.

I felt him preparing himself, but still he paused long enough to ask, "Is this okay?"

I always found that endearing. When he asks, it makes me feel respected and safe and even more comfortable with him than I already am.

I nodded and stilled in anticipation. Then, suddenly, in one swift motion, we were joined. We both moaned.

He started moving and I felt the pleasure growing again. A knot of tension coiled tightly in my stomach again, the sense of need building further and further. His thrusts were like his kisses: firm but gentle. I wondered if his skill had to do with his age. A thousand years of experience.

After that thought, all coherent sense flew from my mind as we moved against each other and I felt the bliss threatening to overcome me again. It was slowly building, climbing higher.

I moaned and panted, lost in everything he was pulling out of me: every feeling and every restrained scream.

He increased his pace and I looked up at him. His eyes had the hint of a soft, golden glow to them; it was thrilling and arousing to see that, to catch a glimpse of his wolf side.

He moved like he knew my body by heart, knowing exactly how to move. And my body responded to him in ways I didn't even know I could react.

He quickened his pace and, at the sounds he let out, I felt myself climbing towards another high again. I answered every push, melting against him. He kissed me again, passionately, and then lowered his lips to my ear, kissing me once, just beneath it.

I felt my face transforming, the veins popping out under my eyes and my fangs extending. I was shocked — this had never happened to me before. Not in this … context.

Nik noticed it; he couldn't not notice — his eyes were locked on mine. The golden glow in his eyes grew stronger and his own teeth dropped, too. He gripped my hips tighter. Was my vamped-out face only adding to his arousal?

He shifted and his hands moved. He pulled us up into a sitting position, never breaking contact. His hands on my hips controlled our movement.

"Have at it, love," he murmured as he slowly tilted his head to his right, exposing his neck to me. I was surprised at the offer — I understood that blood sharing was an intimate act between vampires, and could heighten certain moments, but we have never done that. I'd tasted his blood once, but I had been nearly unconscious (or dead) from a werewolf bite.

He gave a nod, as encouragement, and that, combined with his movements inside me, was all I needed.

I sunk my teeth into his flesh, getting lost in the feeling of his blood rushing down my throat. My moan was muffled as I drank his blood. Nik groaned loudly and his steady pace faltered slightly. My name escaped his lips as he started moving fast, pumping in and out of me harder. My grip on him tightened.

I could almost see stars; the combination of him moving inside me and me drinking his blood was simply overwhelming.

When I had had my fill for that moment — for now; always only for now — I pulled back and licked my lips: an action that caught his immediate attention.

"Your turn," I purred, still in a high from his blood, as I exposed my neck to him.

He slid his tongue down my neck, causing goose bumps to form all over my body, before he bit me. His teeth gently penetrated my skin and he started sucking. I gripped into him even tighter and he slowed down his skillful thrusts. My eyes rolled back from the glorious pleasure of feeling him drinking from me as I moved my hips with his in long, slow movements.

When he pulled back, he kissed me eagerly and started to increase the pace again. Then I felt the blankets beneath my back again as he moved us. The new angle was incredible! He was hitting all the right places and I could have passed out from the pleasure he was giving me.

He started moving a bit faster, causing me to dig my nails into his shoulders and back. I couldn't help it. The smell of blood quickly mixed in with the sweat and arousal in the room.

He grabbed the sheets next to my face as I lowered my hands down his back. His other hand slid under me, pressing my lower back against him, somehow bringing us closer.

He grunted, eyes fixed on mine, and although I wanted to close mine, I found that I couldn't.

I felt my whole body go numb with the intensity of the sensation and I came again. I arched my back as he rolled his hips, hitting every right place. He joined me and a complete feeling of bliss filled me.

His head rested against my shoulder as I tried to gather myself. I stroked his hair and felt him place a soft kiss on my shoulder.

He moved to lie on his back, pulling me in to lie beside him. I snuggled up against him as he rested his hand around my waist; I enjoyed the fact that he was smiling — not smirking; that was a genuine smile. I returned it. He leaned over and kissed me softly.

The kiss grew more passionate and more intense. I started to move my hips against his when I felt him getting hard once again. He rolled us over and buried his head into my neck, kissing it fervently while cupping my breast, as we lost ourselves in each other again.

I fell asleep in his arms that night, feeling completely at ease and as if everything was in its correct place.

Stupid thinking, I know.

I had even started thinking that maybe, just maybe, I didn't need to finish high school — maybe I could take Nik up on his offer to show me the world.

I had felt that pulling sensation for a while now — the desperate need to get out of that town. I hadn't realized what it was until I was out. And now that I was out, I didn't want to go back to Mystic Falls.

He was exactly right: I wanted nothing more than to see the world, to explore what it had to offer — all that it had to offer. New York was just the beginning for me. LA, Paris, London, Sydney, Rome, Vienna. Anywhere and everywhere. I wanted it all, now that I had been given a taste.

Mystic Falls was definitely not boring, but I wanted something new. There were too many bad memories in that town. And if I stayed there, I would always have to be afraid for someone's life, or I would have to deal with some kind of a loss.

It was exhausting.

It was time for a change. I wanted to talk to all kinds of people; I wanted to try the various foods; I wanted to watch television shows I'd never seen and listen to music from artists or even genres that I had never heard of before; I wanted to see the architecture, the beautiful landscapes, and the art — all kinds of art. I even wanted to visit the clichéd tourist attractions.

I wanted to get out of the usual and see the new: new sights, new people, new world; new chances.

I wanted to live.

But that 'maybe' — that 'maybe' of not finishing school right now and of just going off and traveling with Nik — turned into something not even remotely possible very, very quickly.

Six days. That's how long we spent in New York. It was also the exact length of time we spent travelling, in total, before we were called home.

Disaster struck, and destruction was headed towards Mystic Falls.

We only had six days of peace.

I woke up the next morning — the morning of our sixth and final day in New York (though the 'final' part was unknown to me at the time) — just as the sun was beginning to rise. I opened my eyes and found that Nik was still asleep next to me. He never seemed to sleep as much as I did; it was nice to watch him for once. He was so peaceful and relaxed while he slept.

After a few minutes, I rose from the bed as quietly as I could, hoping not to wake him. I quickly got dressed. It was strange how the slightest creak from anywhere and from anyone else could wake him, but me rummaging around the room didn't disturb him at all.

I took one last look at him before going out onto the balcony. I leaned against the side of the building, just next to the balcony's doors, to watch the sun light up the city below.

He gave no warning or sound of his approach. One moment I'm enjoying the view; the next, I heard his voice come from the balcony doorway, just to my right. "I thought you had left."

I smirked. "This city is amazing," I responded with a shrug. I kept staring out at the city, not looking over at him.

"Even more amazing than a thousand-year-old hybrid lying naked in your bed?"

I chuckled as he approached me. "Definitely more amazing."

I slowly turned around and couldn't stop smiling as I leaned in once he was close enough and kissed him.

"You'd leave me for a city?"

I shook my head. "Sneaking out would cheapen the experience."

"Best not do that, then."

I managed just to smile at that before he captured my lips with his own again. My heart jumped into my throat and I felt dizzy as I melted into his kiss. His lips moved softly on mine and I could feel his stubble grazing over my skin, sending tingles throughout my body.

One of my hands went to the back of his head, while the other went to his upper arm, and I pulled him even closer to me. I opened my mouth, desperate for more and he responded in kind. He kissed me back passionately, brining one arm around my waist as the other one wound itself into my hair.

But way too soon, we were interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing.

I think we both groaned at the sound as we pulled slightly apart, but he rested his forehead against mine.

I sighed. "You should get that."

He shook his head and pivoted us so my back was against the wall and he was pressing me into it. "I believe that is the purpose of voicemail."

"But it hasn't rang the entire time we've been here."

"Exactly." He dropped his head and skimmed his nose along the side of my neck.

I could barely remember what we were talking about. Or why we were chatting when our mouths could be used for such better pastimes. Then the ringtone sounded again. "It could be important."

"Not in this moment." His human teeth grazed my neck, right at the pulse point, and I gasped at the sensation and the accompanying dizziness, pulling him closer to me. I could ignore the phone ringing; I could. I could enjoy this moment and the fact that we were alone and happy and completely wonderful.

But somewhere deep, deep, in my gut — some instinct, or some worst-case thought in my brain — made me believe that his phone wouldn't be ringing if it wasn't incredibly important. And the fact that it was his phone ringing and not mine — because mine could simply be C or Bekah phoning for a chat or a catch-up or something— meant that it was probably a dire situation.

With great reluctance, I laid my hands against his chest and pressed. He obliged my movements and allowed me to hold him at arm's length. "Just answer the stupid thing."

He rolled his eyes and let out a soft groan before complying.

I stayed were I was, standing —leaning — against the wall on the balcony while he answered his phone inside the bedroom of our hotel room.

I could hear every word of the phone conversation; it was Damon. Something was happening in Mystic Falls — a hunter had arrived, but he didn't appear to be just a regular hunter; he was stronger, smarter, and way more organized than the last one. He was bold, too. They hadn't yet been able to kill him, or even outsmart him. They needed Klaus's help. They had no idea what they were even dealing with.

I had heard enough; I pushed myself away from the wall and walked to the edge of the balcony. I crossed my arms as I leaned against the railing, taking in the view.

I heard Nik growl out a "Fine" before ending the call. He sighed before I heard his steps approaching me. He came closer and wrapped his arms around me; I leaned back against his chest. He leaned in and kissed my cheek.

I didn't let him speak first; his lips had barely left my skin when I spoke quietly. "We have to go home." I had gleamed more than enough of the conversation to know that much.

He stared off in the same direction I was looking in. "We don't have to do anything, love," he whispered.

"But they need us." He opened his mouth to respond, but I spoke again first. "No," I corrected myself as I shook my head. "They need you."

"It will be quick. We'll go home, figure out what's going on, do for those idiots what they cannot manage or figure out for themselves, and then we'll come right back here. Or we'll move on to our next destination."

I tried to smile at that, but they were only words. Nothing was ever that simple or easy in Mystic Falls, right?

"We'll leave tomorrow morning; we still have today."

I shook my head. "No." I turned in his arms to face him. "Let's leave now."

He gave me a quizzical look.

"If we stay, anything we do today will be marred by the fact that we have to leave. And I don't want that."

He reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. "But there is still so much I want you to experience in this city."

I nodded. "And I will see it. The next time we're here."

I tried to put on a fake smile, but judging by his expression and the sigh he let out as he pulled me closer and let me rest my head against his chest, I don't think he bought it.