A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

AN #1: Well, someone is in over their head again (it's me!). I've had this idea for a while for a story and wanted to try it out! It is based off the gameEndless Ocean 2: Blue Worldfor Wii. Hope you all enjoy it :D

Beta: PrincessOfSilence

Disclaimer: I own nothing of TVD's or Endless Ocean, only my characters and my story.

NYC

"I really wish I would have started packing earlier." Cassandra mused over the phone as she tossed her empty suitcase on her bed. She unzipped it and threw open the lid, sighing dramatically and tapping her chin with her index finger in an effort to try and organize her thoughts.

"I could say "I told you so," but I'll save you the lecture." A bubbly voice laughed. "What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"Ugh, too early for me to even think about, Vanessa." The brunette groaned as she looked through her walk-in closet. Her eyes scanned over the various items to find that her wardrobe didn't really match where she was going. "You'd think that I'd have some summer clothes." She sifted through the hangers.

"And how long is the flight?" Vanessa asked.

"Couldn't tell you. I have nothing in my closet that would be fitting for this trip." Cassandra huffed and started taking each hanger by hanger and examined each piece.

"Well you're going to the South Pacific so I can imagine that it's hot." Her friend said in a matter of fact tone.

"Any place is hotter than here right now." Cassandra peered over her shoulder and out her apartment window. A light dusting of snow covered the ground and the weatherman said that more snow was on its way. She sure was happy that she was leaving tomorrow.

"I have to say, I'm a little jealous that you're going to be soaking up the sun while I'll be freezing my ass off." Vanessa chuckled.

"Well, if I don't find some clothes I might not be going." The brunette took some summery clothes and placed them neatly in the suitcase.

"Oh, stop complaining. I'll bring some stuff over later tonight. You and I are about the same size. I'll bring over a bottle of red wine and we'll celebrate your new job position."

"Sounds good! Just be careful because it's icy out."

"So, what exactly will you be doing at this new job of yours?" The blonde asked while pouring some more red wine in their glasses. Cassandra and Vanessa had met in college and they've been best friends ever since then. It was hectic for them to find time for one another, but they would always make sure to meet up every so often even if it was for a quick drink.

"I'll be assisting with an underwater excavation in the Pelago Commonwealth," Cassandra explained in a sophisticated tone.

"How many people will be in the crew?"

"I only spoke to the head honcho earlier today. His name's Alaric Saltzman. Apparently he and his daughter, Elena, own this diving company and they excavate small shipwrecks around the area, but they think they found something that might connect them to a real find. In each location they've searched, they heard a humming noise in the middle of the ocean. The locals call it the Song of Dragons."

Vanessa wrinkled her nose and tousled her blonde hair. "Hmm, it sounds like the locals are a little loco."

Her friend giggled but composed herself to finish. "Alaric's son, Jeremy, was working on finding more information about the Song of Dragons, but his submarine lost power in a cavern and he died there."

"Wow! That's really intense."

"Tell me about it. Hopefully this will all go well." She said optimistically.

"This is something you've always wanted to do and here is the opportunity staring you in the face." Vanessa said excitedly.

"But I'm leaving my friends and family—"

"But look at what you're going for, Cass." Vanessa interjected. "You've always wanted to do something like this and now you have the chance. So, just go and work and have fun! And get tan because you're looking awfully pasty."

Cassandra playfully smacked her friend's shoulder. "Hey! It's not my fault that I've been stuck here. You should come with me for a weekend."

"Cass, I'm the assistant to the hottest, most in demand fashion magazine editor in the world. I can't just take off." The girl shook her head.

"You need a vacation." She told her friend.

"Yeah, I've been working like a dog, but I feel a promotion coming my way."

"Oh?"

Vanessa nodded eagerly and took a sip of her wine. "I think Caroline is going to consider me to be her full-time assistant."

"Oh my gosh! That's great! Well, when you get the promotion you can come down with me and we'll celebrate." Cassandra beamed.

"I'll drink to that." The blonde girl lifted her glass and they clinked them together. Cassandra's cell phone rang on the coffee table and she clicked open a message.

Will be working late tonight. Don't wait up for me - Klaus

The woman frowned and typed back a quick reply, tossing the iPhone aside. Vanessa watched the entire thing and frowned too.

"Klaus?" The blonde raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah; he's working late tonight." She told her. "Now, who's going to drive me to the airport?"

"I'll drive you before I go to work," Vanessa said. "It's not a problem."

"I know it's not, but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to him." She murmured and Vanessa let out a sigh.

"I promised I wouldn't say anything..."

"Vanessa,"

"No, Cass. I just don't see how you two keep up a relationship." She said.

"You're just saying that because you don't like him." Cassandra took a large sip from her glass.

"Because I feel like you deserve better. Look, Cass, he's a nice guy, but he's always putting his work before you." She said.

"He's just really busy. What am I supposed to do?" The brunette shrugged. "Whine and tell him that he should be spending time with me?"

"He should be spending more time with you." She corrected. "Cass, you know I'm telling you this because you're my best friend and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Cassandra smiled and tapped her nails against her glass. She knew that Vanessa was just looking out for her, and she had to thank whatever force in the universe that brought them together. "I know, Vanessa. I just feel like...something between us is missing. I mean, I love Klaus. I really do, but...sometimes I just feel a piece missing."

The blonde nodded, she knew where her friend was coming from. After all, that was the beauty of friendship. But, deep down, Vanessa hoped that someone would come and sweep Cassandra off her feet. She and Klaus had a mutual feeling towards one another, but she tried her hardest to remain civil towards him because she didn't want to cause tension between her and Cassandra.

"I guess Klaus isn't all bad." She shrugged. "He kind of charming."

"And handsome." Cassandra smirked. "And that accent. Oh god, it makes me melt."

"Gah! Stop right there!" Vanessa waved her hands in front of her. "I know we would swap sex stories in college, but I don't need to hear the details about what you and your boyfriend do behind closed doors."

Cassandra giggled and glanced towards a suitcase that Vanessa had wheeled in. "So, are you going to show me those clothes or what?"

The blonde beamed from ear to ear, exposing her pearly white teeth. She brought the suitcase over and opened it, knowing that her friend would go crazy over the clothes she'd brought. "Have a look. You can take whatever you want."

Her eyes all but fell out of her head as she dug through the assortment of colors and fabrics. This was just the kind of wardrobe she needed. Naturally since she'd be diving most of the time, she'd be living in a wetsuit, but she imagined that she needed comfortable clothes if she was to roam around on land.

"How much do you love me?" Vanessa chortled and Cassandra threw her arms around the girl's neck.

"Oh! I love them! Vanessa, they're beautiful!" She squealed and took out a long turquoise maxi-dress, holding it against her.

"I'm glad you love them!" She clapped her hands excitedly.

It was a soft kiss to Cassandra's temple which made her peek her eyes open and squint in the darkness. Cassandra leaned up in bed, the sheets falling from around her body, exposing her oversized t-shirt which fell off her shoulder. Her wild curls were tousled around her head, mussed from sleep.

"Why do you wear such rags to bed?" a masculine purr made her giggle. "A beautiful woman like you should be wrapped in the finest silk."

"Klaus," she smiled at her boyfriend and cupped his cheeks, kissing him soundly. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, love." He scooted into bed with her, rolling on top of her.

"I thought you would have been home much later. Now you can take me to the airport tomorrow." She danced her hands down his neck and the man above her shifted.

"Well, sweetheart, I have to be in early tomorrow. We're having a big business meeting." He told her and she frowned. "I'm sorry, darling, but I can't miss it."

"No, no. It's fine." She waved it off and pulled him closer. "I'm just happy you're here now."

Klaus grinned wolfishly and picked at her nightwear with a scowl. "Why do you wear this when I buy you all of those nice nightgowns from Milan?"

"I like this one," she told him. "I don't need material things, Klaus."

"And I don't understand why you took this job in the South Pacific when you can stay here and not work at all. You know that I can support us both," he said.

"But this is something I've always wanted to do. I want to do it while I'm young." Cassandra brushed the back of her hand down his cheek. "I promise that I'll be home soon."

"Okay." He gave her a chaste kiss on the lips and she pulled away to roll onto her side. Klaus undressed himself down to his underwear and settled down behind Cassandra, hugging her to him. As his body pressed snuggly against hers, she let out a gasp, feeling his hard length along the curve of her behind.

"Nik," she bit her bottom lip and squirmed wantonly.

"You were all I could think about today." He whispered hotly in her ear. "All I wanted was to bend you over my desk and slide my cock inside you."

Cassandra teasingly rocked her hips back and forth, cradling his length between his muscular body and her soft behind. His arms snuck around her, one hand slipping just beneath the lace waistband of her panties. His fingers passed back and forth over her wet folds, making her shiver against him.

"Well, then Mr. Mikaelson. What are you waiting for?" She moaned and the next thing she heard was the tearing of her panties. She managed to catch sight of the shred of lace flying across the room, but she was more concerned about Klaus's finger which had sunk inside her wet walls. She whimpered as he buried his teeth in her neck and pumped his finger in and out of her.

"Klaus," her back arched and his thumb brushed over her clit.

"Hmm?" He swirled his tongue up the shell of her ear.

"Fuck me." She begged and in moments she was beneath him, pinned to the mattress. Without warning, he slid into her roughly and Cassandra let out a scream. She knew that her neighbors would be complaining yet again about the noise, but she was guessing they'd be happy that she'd be gone tomorrow. Sex with Klaus was incredible. He was rough and hard and she loved every second of it. They'd fuck for hours, screaming and writhing in absolute ecstasy. He drove into her quickly, his hips snapping against hers hard enough to bruise. Cassandra looped her arms around his body, but he gripped her wrists, slamming them down to the mattress. He always had to be the one in control whenever they had sex. Cassandra would try to protest, but the sensation of his cock stroking her inner most walls and bringing her to incredible heights.

"Let me touch you," she panted.

Klaus smirked before crushing his lips onto hers. He sucked her bottom lip, gnashing it with his teeth and she whimpered, turning her head away so she could breathe and so he could worship her neck. Klaus took the hint and sucked at her pulse point. He felt her pulse beating against his tongue as he spurred his thrusts faster.

"Oh god!" Her walls clenched around as he brushed up against her G-spot.

"Scream for me, love." His lips were at her ear. "Milk my cock. Feel me come deep inside you."

"Klaus! Oh! Fuck me harder! I'm so close!" Cassandra threw her head back and she thrashed around.

"And here I thought I was fucking you hard," he murmured against the swell of her breasts.

Cassandra smirked, bucking her hips and tightening her walls around him and he roared, arching his body. "Just don't stop!"

"You're a naughty thing," Klaus buried himself inside her to the hilt and stopped, making her whine out and wiggle her hips. She was just on the edge, teetering between falling and being dragged away from her orgasm."Maybe I should leave you like this." He teased with a grin and kept his hips still. "Wanting and writhing."

"N-no, please I'm so close!" She whined and pressed the heels of her feet into his firm behind, but he didn't move at all. He hovered over her, his hot breath hitting her face.

"Tell me you're mine," he whispered and tightened his grip on her wrists.

Cassandra craned her head up, caressing her lips against his in a sweet kiss. "I'm yours," she told him softly and Klaus pulled out of her at an agonizing pace before slamming back into her again. They fucked until flickers of sunlight could be seen streaming through the curtains over the windows as the sun rose. Exhausted and spent, they collapsed in a pile of limbs, falling over one another and panting wildly. Klaus was asleep in seconds, leaving Cassandra to hug her pillow and replay Vanessa's words over and over again in her head. Squeezing her eyes shut, she blocked them out and tried to get some sleep before having to wake up in a few hours. Perhaps this trip would be exactly what she needed; some time away to relax.

Yeah, some time away from everything.

Pelago Commonwealth, South Pacific

"Wait! No, come back!"

Cassandra's high heels pounded the wood of the eroding dock beneath her as she ran to hopefully catch up with the boat that was pulling away. She pushed herself to run faster, but the boat was already long gone. As she reached the end, she threw her hands up in the air, jumping around and hoping for the boat to notice that it left a passenger and that it would come back for her. Exhausted and panting, Cassandra bellyached and dropped her heavy bags on the wooden dock. Sweat trickled down the small of her back and she yanked off her blazer, cursing herself for dressing like a business woman when it had to be about at least 90˚ Fahrenheit. Normally when she met with clients, she would dress impeccably with a pencil skirt, blouse and blazer, but she was sincerely regretting wearing it now. With a frustrated sigh, she kicked off her black pumps and sat just on the edge of the dock. She dangled her feet over and wished she had longer legs, so she could dip her toes into the cool, clear water.

Her flight this morning had gone surprisingly well; Klaus even drove her to the airport to bid her goodbye. She fished her cell phone from her pocket and tried to text her mother, father, and Vanessa to let them know that she arrived safely but there was no signal. She clicked around on it for a while, trying to pass the time when she heard another set of footsteps running down the dock. The brunette looked over her shoulder to see a young man with raven hair approaching her. He had bags on his shoulders and a pair of sunglasses was perched over his eyes.

"Don't tell me that boat just left for Nineball Island." He said exasperatedly.

"Yep." Cassandra said popping her 'p.'

"Shit!" He cursed and looked around. "I've gotta find some way to get there now."

"I've tried; no one else will take us there. Unless you wanna rent a jet ski." She answered and the guy breathed out before setting his things down beside her.

"I guess we gotta wait." He mused.

"Guess so..." She trailed off and kicked her feet off the edge. "You wouldn't be doing any business with Alaric Saltzman would you?" She asked curiously.

The man smiled and Cassandra felt herself smiling too. "Yeah, actually he called me a couple weeks ago for an excavation on..."

"The Song of Dragons." Cassandra finished for him and he nodded. "I'm here for the same thing."

"Well in that case, I'm Damon. Damon Salvatore." He shook her hand and she thanked the heavens that he was dressed nicely like she was.

"Cassandra Emerson." She smiled, immediately blushing with the thought that this devilishly handsome young man would be working with her.

"I've heard of you." He said and wagged a finger at her. "You're that diver who did work in the Arctic." He recognized her name and picture from a diving magazine, but had no idea that she'd be so breathtaking in person. Black and white photography certainly did not do her justice.

"That's me. I'm happier to be diving in a much warmer climate." She laughed. "So, what will your position be in all of this?"

"A marine animal doctor and an archaeologist." He answered and Cassandra nodded.

"Pretty impressive."

"Nah, it's what I love so technically it's never really work."

"Same here. Aren't people supposed to do what they love?" She asked.

"Exactly!" He smiled. The two of them just sat on the dock and talked for what seemed like forever. The boat hadn't come back yet and the sun was starting to set.

"So, what exactly do you think this Song of Dragons could be?" Cassandra asked him and leaned back on her palms.

"I was thinking it could be a whale call but it's been heard all around the world."

"That's what I thought, but I can't imagine that one whale could possible migrate over all of those places." Cassandra added.

"There is none. It could be something with the magnetic fields underneath the Earth's crust, but how could it create a noise?"

"I couldn't tell you, but I guess we'll get more answers when and if this boat ever comes for us." She mused.

Damon twiddled his thumbs and let out a sigh. "We gotta find that Gilbert sunken sub. Maybe Jeremy had the answers to all of our questions."

"Maybe..." She trailed off when suddenly she saw a boat coming up on the horizon. "I think that's our ride." She smiled and grabbed her bags. The boat was a nice size and they both recognized the captain as Alaric.

"Sorry about that! Had to take some passengers to the island just off the coast of Nineball. Come on aboard." He greeted them and Damon helped Cassandra to carry her things.

"Hello, Mr. Saltzman. I'm Cassandra Emerson." The girl shook his hand firmly.

"And I'm Damon Salvatore," Damon stepped forward, greeting the captain.

"Welcome, and please, call me Ric." The older man smiled. "Find everything alright?" They both nodded and Cassandra walked over to the edge of the boat, bracing her hands on the railing.

"It's beautiful here." She beamed and looked out onto the clear turquoise water.

"Yeah, it sure is." Alaric pulled the boat away from the dock and they started their journey to Nineball Island. "So, before we get to the island, let me fill you two in. Am I correct in saying that you've both studied folklore at your universities?" The both of them turned towards him and nodded eagerly. "There is certain mention of the legend of the Song of Dragons here in Pelago. It is said that the Song of Dragons brings misfortune, but that is just a superstition around here with the locals. This work will take you to oceans all around the world, but don't think it'll be glamorous. You'll be spending a lot of your time doing photography and guiding. You've done all of that, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Saltzman," Cassandra said.

"Every time I hear Mr. Saltzman, I look over my shoulder for my father." He joked with her. "But I'm really glad to have you both aboard." Nineball Island was approaching quickly and Cassandra could feel herself become anxious. She just couldn't wait to slip on a diving suit and jump right in.

"Will you be diving with us, Ric?" Damon asked him.

"Oh, no." The captain shook his head and tapped on the steering wheel. "I'll be guiding you from here. I, uh, dove deeper than was safe back then and I suffered badly from decompression sickness, the bends. It left me with a medical condition which means that I can never dive again." He explained and Cassandra felt her heart drop into her stomach. She couldn't ever imagine herself not being able to dive for the rest of her life. During a dive, the body tissues absorb nitrogen from the breathing gas in proportion to the surrounding pressure. As long as the diver remains at pressure, the gas presents no problem. If the pressure is reduced too quickly, however, the nitrogen comes out of solution and forms bubbles in the tissues and bloodstream. Bubbles form in or near joints and are the presumed cause of the joint pain of a classical "bend." When high levels of bubbles occur, complex reactions can take place in the body, usually in the spinal cord or brain. Numbness, paralysis and disorders of higher cerebral function may result. If great amounts of decompression are missed and large numbers of bubbles enter the venous bloodstream, congestive symptoms in the lung and circulatory shock can then occur.

"I'm sorry," Cassandra frowned as the boat docked.

"Nah," Ric waved his hand. "I'm an old man."

"Please, Ric. If you're old, than I'm old." Damon chuckled and hoisted his bags up onto his shoulders. Cassandra did the same, but Damon took them from her.

"I've got them," he flashed her a charming smile and she took her shoes and blazer in her hands. The trio hopped off the boat traipsed on the dock that led to Nineball Island. It was a quite island with a house nestled among some palm trees. The revving of a jet ski made them all turn to see a small brunette girl pulling up to the dock. She killed the engine and darted down the dock, greeting her father with a smile.

"Hey, Dad."

"Just in time, Elena. These are the two newest members of our team." Ric told her and they all introduced one another. He slung an arm around her and gave her a noogie. "She's the apple of my eye. She'll be eighteen in a couple of months."

"Dad," the teenage girl whined playfully.

"I remember when I was eighteen." Cassandra spoke. "We'll have to celebrate when you do turn eighteen. I'm sure we'll all be here."

"That sounds like fun!" Elena beamed brightly.

Later on that night, Cassandra huddled herself around the landline phone inside the house. She felt much better that she was showered and changed into more comfortable clothing for bed. The house on the island was actually pretty big, so that each person had their own room. She was all unpacked and settled in her room. She was down the hall from Damon and right near Elena's. Cassandra had dialed her mother, father, and Vanessa and they were relieved that she'd made it there safely. Naturally her mother and father asked her to update them as often as she could and send pictures. Typical parents. Cassandra couldn't blame them for being proud of her. Vanessa grilled her if there were any good looking men on the excavation crew and she did tell her about Damon. Little did she know that Vanessa was secretly hoping that Cassandra and Damon would hit it off. Sighing, Cassandra dialed Klaus's number and it went to his voicemail. She figured that he was sleeping or working late, but she left a message when she was prompted.

"Hi babe! It's me! I just wanted to let you know that I got here safe and sound. Uhm, you're probably working now, but I love you so much and I miss you. I'll call you tomorrow." She hung up just as Damon came into the room nursing a mug. "Oh, Damon. I'm done with the phone, so you can use it if you need to call your family."

He shook his head, his black hair falling over his stunning blue eyes. She hadn't noticed them when he had his sunglasses on. "No, I'm good. I don't have any calls to make."

"Oh...you don't?" She raised an eyebrow and he pulled out a chair to sit beside her.

"My father doesn't exactly agree with what I'm doing with my life." He told her and she frowned visibly. "He wants me to take over the family business, but I never wanted it."

"Well, you said so yourself that people have to do what they love." She gave him a small smile. "What about your mom? What does she think?" Damon's face went somber and Cassandra already knew that she'd said too much. "Wow, tactless." She buried her face in her hands.

"No, it's alright. Mom died when I was a teenager." He said. "And she always told me to do what I love."

Cassandra smiled at that. "Then her memory lives on." Her eyes then trailed down to the phone, wishing it would ring.

"Waiting for a call?"

"Yeah, from my boyfriend."

"Oh, yeah I heard you leaving him a message." He took a sip from his mug and watched Cassandra carefully. Her shoulders were hunched over and her nails were digging into her cuticles. The muscles in her face were tense as well. Her jaw was locked, her eyes were squinted, and she had worry lines on her forehead. "You okay?"

That seemed to break her concentration and she looked back at him, her chocolate brown eyes meeting his crystal blue gaze. "He doesn't really understand why I'm doing this..." She trailed off, now eyeing her chipping manicure. So much for having nice nails when she came here. "I mean, he's the head of some huge company and he takes care of me, but he just can't wrap his head around the idea that I want to continue working." As she was spilling her feelings to Damon, she found herself asking why she was subjecting him to the very torture of listening to her problems, but he held onto her every word.

"Hmm," he mused after giving it all some thought. "I'm sure his intentions are good."

"He's a good man, but I sometimes feel like I'm second best." She leaned back in her creaking chair, the old wood groaning at her to get up. Just as she shifted she thought, wouldn't it be a bitch if—

The wood snapped, collapsing from under her and she plummeted to the floor. Damon jumped up, trying to catch her, but he was too late. It wasn't even a far distance for her to fall, but Damon made an admirable effort to help her.

"My God! Cassandra, are you alright?" He bent down to see her giggling profusely.

"I...I'm fine, Damon." She could barely get out words, her giggles were making her stomach hurt. "Really, I'm okay."

Damon's whole demeanor relaxed and he found himself laughing with her, quite loudly, but he shushed her to make sure they wouldn't wake Ric and Elena. She covered her mouth, still giggling, but at least the sound was muffled.

Cassandra checked herself over for any injuries and pouted when she saw a little cut on her leg. The wood probably caught the skin, however it wasn't deep. "Oh, would you look at that."

"I've got a first aid kit." Damon said and looped his arms underneath her. "Upsy-daisy." He picked her up and she squeaked out, clinging to him. She'd never had a guy pick her up before; not even Klaus would do that. Damon sat her down in his chair and went to get the kit, leaving her to her own mind for a few moments.

Cassandra scolded herself for blushing, smiling, and giggling around him like a little girl. She was in a committed relationship with Klaus and she knew that he would remain true to her and that he would do the same. She shouldn't be fawning over another man, especially since she'd be working with Damon for who knew how long. She calmed herself down, squelching her giggle fit and toning down the blush on her cheeks just as Damon returned. He took a look at the cut which was located on the side of her calf. It wasn't deep at all, she wasn't even bleeding and he couldn't find any splinters in the cut.

"So, Dr. Salvatore," she drawled.

"You just split the skin. A very minor injury." He said in a sophisticated tone. Opening up the kit, he produced a band aid and some ointment, so the cut wouldn't get infected. He gently took her calf in his warm hand and Cassandra was thankful that her legs were shaved and smooth. After slathering some cream on the pad of the band-aid, he placed it on the cut, securing it tightly.

"Thank you, doctor." Cassandra smiled. "So, do I get a lollipop for being a good patient?" As the words left her lips, she could already see the erotic fantasy playing in her head.

Damon chuckled, snapping his kit closed. "Well, I don't have any lollipops, but how about I take you out for a drink? Just as friends." He made sure to add on the "friends" part. The last thing he needed was to be the one to break up her relationship with her boyfriend.

"I'd like that." Cassandra nodded and Damon held out his hand, helping her up from the chair. She grabbed a garbage bag from one of the cabinets and proceeded to pick up the broken pieces of wood on the floor.

"Here, let me help you." They were both on their hands and knees, clearing the floor when both of their hands reached for the same piece. They brushed together and Cassandra recoiled her hand back as if she touched a hot stove. When she touched him, she felt a spark that jolted her and she could still feel her hand tingling. In an effort to hide her blush, she dusted her curls over her shoulders, so they were guarding her cheeks. Chuckling to himself, Damon took the piece and disposed of it in the plastic bag.

"It's, uhm, it's getting late," Cassandra stated as she stood up. "We should get some rest."

Damon tied up the bag and ran a hand through his mused hair. "Yeah, we should. Busy day tomorrow." They both walked down the hallway and went to their respective rooms, but Cassandra peeked out of her doorway.

"Oh, Damon!" She hushed in a whisper, so she wouldn't wake up Elena or Ric.

"Yeah?" He looked back at her.

"Thanks for listening." She smiled warmly and he returned it.

"Anytime." Damon nodded and waved, bidding her goodnight before closing his door. Once Cassandra was in her room, she flopped down on her bed and she felt her eyes slowly inching closed. She hadn't even realized how tired she was, but after traveling the entire day, it had really taken a toll on her. As she drifted off to sleep, her dreams were filled of the endless ocean that she'd explore in the days to follow.

Hmm, so Cass and Klaus are in a delicate situation. Perhaps Damon will sweep her off her feet like Vanessa is sincerely wishing. Please review and tell me what you think! If I get enough, I'll keep it going :D