Caroline woke early that morning, just staring at the ceiling, eyes tracing the patterns as a heavy sigh escaped her-

Today should have been a happy day, one full of rejoice and celebration.

But instead it made tears spring to her eyes-

Elenas eighteenth birthday.

And for months, there had been nothing. No sign, no phone call…

Nothing that indicated where she was, or if she was ok.

Well, they knew where she was, indefinitely…

With Klaus.

Caroline picked up her mobile, nails scratching against the tables wooden surface as she pressed Unlock, staring at the screen.

Nothing.

No call.

No message.

Again.

Everyday.

She looked back at the ceiling, muttering to herself more than anything.

"Happy Birthday Elena. Wherever you are."

~ACrownOfThorns~

Elena stared out the car window as the sped along, resting her forehead on the cool glass, closing her eyes, thinking-

It had been so many months since she'd left town with the monster. She felt homesick, missing her brother. Her friends and family she had left.

But then again… just who did she have left?

"You look tired love."

The voice made Elenas eyes snap open, and she turned her head to the left, looking at the hybrid who was driving, his eyes flickering back to his doppelganger.

Elena shrugged, looking away, not answering. There was no point in answering, he knew she was.

They'd been driving since 5am when Klaus had woken her up, telling her with a growl to get in the car.

He hadn't been subtle about it either.

His patience had been wearing thin lately, and from what she had gathered, he was hunting down a werewolf named Ray Sutton. The leads had been dead, from one side of the country to the other.

And now they were in Tennessee, the weather hot and humid as Elena dozed again, but was soon awakened by Klaus turning the car sharply, a hand grabbing the dashboard roughly as she scowled at him.

The hybrid flashed her a smirk, glancing over, going. "Awake now love?"

She ignored him once more.

She'd grown tougher these months too. It was a must, to be able to even try to stand the sight of the bastard that had killed her aunt, destroyed her family and killed herself.

He frustrated her more than anything now.

And she still had no idea just why he wanted her to come of all people.

Oh she'd asked. Next to pestered him on why he wanted her as his "prisoner" but he never spilled.

He just ignored her.

~ACrownOfThorns~

Elena was silent when they arrived at the bar called Southern Comfort, sighing as she slammed the door shut. "We better be here for a drink."

"Ah Elena, you can sit and drink, I'll take care of business."

"Business?"

Klaus said nothing, just pushing the door open and stepping inside after him, heading over to the bar and ordering a Bourbon and Coke.

She sat back, closing her eyes gently, but the soon snapped open as there was a scuffle, and she finally looked around, looking to Klaus as he slammed the man down onto the side, smirking down at him.

"Now Ray, we're going to have a little chat."

Elena didn't move or react. It wouldn't help.

She couldn't do anything.

And these days, more than ever.

So she was forced to sit there as the hybrid dragged the werewolf outside from prying eyes, closing her eyes as she heard a blow land.

God this life…

It wasn't… she…

She couldn't even think of anything.

But as she heard a snarl and looked around, she spied that Klaus had left his mobile on the side.

God this was a risk… but she had to do it.

Elena snagged the phone and ran into the bathroom, slamming the cubical shut and scrolling through the numbers, seeing that name.

Stefan.

How much it hurt to look at. It killed her inside.

She pressed call, swallowing back a tear as she held it to her ear, hoping… praying.

"Hello?"

A silence.

"Uh, hello?"

"…Stefan?"

"Elena? Elena! Where are you? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine Stefan. Really."

"Where are you… is Klaus listening?"

"He's outside. I'm taking a risk calling…but I had to call. I miss you."

"Is he treating you well?"

"Stefan. Don't. Just… I love you. Don't-"

She never got to say the rest as the door was smashed open, making her tumble back against the wall as the phone was snatched from her, turning away and snarling into the receiver.

"Right then."

Elena listened as Klaus hissed to Stefan. "You come after her, things will happen. Goodbye."

She felt tears running down her face now, and Elena snarled, slapping him before she could control her anger.

Klaus allowed a feral snarl escape him at that, slapping her back across the right cheek and into the floor, yelling down at her with almost golden eyes. "How dare you-!"

Elena sat there, a hand on her cheek with widening eyes. The hybrid calmed down now, sighing. "Elena."

She just got to her feet, going to run out the door, but he grabbed her arm, yanking her back and hissing. "I didn't mean to hit you."

"Fuck off." Elena muttered, pulling her arm away and stalking outside, leaning against the wall as the tears rolled down her face, sliding down it to the floor, brushing the hair from her face as she shook her head, looking up at the darkening sky.

Why her?

There was footsteps, and she didn't even look up as the figure came out, sitting down next to her with a sigh, glancing to her, then up at the sky too.

"Look, Elena-"

"Why haven't you just killed me already? Just… tell me."

"Do you want to die?"

Elena scowled and looked to the hybrid, snapping. "Never. Just let me go home."

"Ah, that's a No love."

"Why."

"Because-" Klaus told her, raising a hand and placing a finger under her chin, lifting it to make her meet her eyes with his own, cocking his head a little. "-you're important. Always will be. You're my doppelganger."

Elena gazed into his eyes, then pulled back, shaking her head as she got to her feet, telling him. "I don't care. I want to go home."

"And you will, love. I promise you."

"When I'm a mess and you done want me anymore."

"Oh Elena, you underestimate just how important you are." Klaus chuckled, watching her stalk back inside, putting his hands on his knees as he got up too-

She had that Petrova fire.

And it burned.

So very much.

He went after her now, turning her around and yanking her vervain necklace off, looking into her eyes and saying-

"If I let you talk to your dear lover Steffy, you can't tell him anything that could lead him or anyone to finding you, or me. Nothing at all. They can't come after us, or I kill someone."

He gave her the necklace back, placing the phone in her hands. "Ten minuets. That's it."

Elena watched him walk off, no doubt to interrogate that werewolf again.

What the hell was he up to-?

But for now, she called Stefan again, walking outside to block out the screams, shutting the door and walking forwards, knowing she could run…

But she couldn't.

The risks were too high.

She pressed call now, and it was answered instantly, and Elena sighed. "Hey Stefan."

"Nope. Not Stefan."

"…Damon."

"Elena. Where are you. Tell me. Now."

"I can't. Literally."

"Compulsion."

"Yes."

"… are you ok? Is that asshole hurting you?"

"He's not… that bad Damon."

"Huh. Did you forget that he killed you? And your lovable aunt?"

"Damon. Don't bring that up."

"Or are you Team Klaus now? The Elena I knew would have tried anything!"

"Damon…"

"No Elena! We're out of our head worrying, and you! And you don't seem that flustered!"

Elena fell silent at that, shaking her head as she asked. "Do you think… I don't care?"

"…you've changed, Elena."

"You don't know that!"

"From that reply, I can tell you have. Happy Birthday. Have fun."

He hung up, and Elena just stood there with the phone at her ear, eyes brimming with tears once more.

She just… how could he say that? Did he think she wanted to be here?

Elena felt so… lost.

For the rest of the evening, she spent it in the car, sat in total darkness with tears burning on her cheeks.

But now the drivers door opened and Elena didn't look as the hybrid grabbed something, then was back out. Shoving something heavy, Ray no doubt, into the back.

He climbed into the seat now, slamming the door shut as he sighed, looking to Elena. "Happy Birthday."

Elena was taken aback at that, and she flinched, going in shock. "What-?"

Klaus chuckled, leaning behind him and grabbed a bag, handing it to her.

She was just…

Taken aback. Again.

Elena took it, the bag rustling as she shoved it back at him. "I don't want it."

"Open it."

It was a demand, and she sighed, eyes looking down at the bag as Klaus turned the internal light on overhead, pulling something out.

The think was chunky, weighty and a deep dark red leather with almost like a Celtic design on the front. And her name embossed in black scripture at the bottom.

A diary.

"I figured you'd need somewhere to rant. So…" Klaus shrugged, and before she could stop herself, the two words slipped from her lips-

"Thank you."

Klaus felt a genuine smile appear on his face and he nodded. "My pleasure love."

She had no idea how to respond to that, so she asked. "Where are we going?"

The hybrid glanced to his doppelganger, a wide grin appearing on his face-

"Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. I have an appointment with a pack."

He started the engine now, and Elena felt a shiver shoot through her.

With Klaus…

Kill or be killed.


Been soooooooo long! But VIOLA! Here is the next chapter at last! Picking up the pace and a massive twist next chapter! Hope you like and continue to leave the fannnnnnnnntastic reviews! Thanks x