Part 7

I tried in vain to steady my shaking hands. I knew if they were unsteady my voice would be too and I couldn't let him see me shaken.

"What's the matter, darling?" he asked with faked concern, "you look a bit sick."

I didn't know how to react. I was mortified, and upset, but most of all violated. I still didn't feel ready to speak but I had to wipe the smirk off his face.

"How long have you been in my head?" I asked slowly, unsure if the rage or humiliation would devour me first.

"I don't kiss and tell, love. But I saw enough to make me blush. I don't think I've ever done anything like that in my entire existence," he chuckled.

I was suddenly very nauseas.

"...well, there was that one time in Prague.."

On impulse I launched myself at him, throwing poorly made fists at his head.

"You know, what gives you the right? Why are you even here? Who asked you here!?" I shrieked, continuing my assault.

He grabbed my wrists, easily restraining me and laughing wickedly.

"Oh Caroline," he began softly as he pulled me close to his chest. "I'm here because you want me here."

We stood there again, staring at each other with unreadable expressions. My mind was starting to relive the events of my dreams when I heard a loud banging on my front door.

My mind raced. Mom was at work today and would have no need to bang on her own front door. Besides after everything that had happened anyone could be at my door. The police, an enemy vampire, some random other supernatural trying to take me out.

"Caroline!" a voice called. It was a very upset sounding Jeremy, I breathed a sigh of relief before focusing my attention on my captor.

"Let. Me. Go." I hissed between gritted teeth. He released me with little hesitation before taking his seat at the foot of my bed.

I didn't wait for any further reactions, I belted downstairs to answer the door before Jeremy tore it off the hinges.

"Caroline open up!" Jeremy yelled again just as I opened the door.

"Hey Jer, um what's going on?" I asked reluctantly. I'd never seen him act so erratic before.

"Caroline what the hell? You don't answer your phone, I haven't seen you in days. Where have you been?" His hair was mussed like he hadn't slept in awhile and his eyes looked bloodshot. I hoped I wasn't the reason for that.

"I'm sorry Jer, I've just been busy," I said guiltily.

"So you keep saying," he quipped, pushing past me and into my living room, "but you won't say with what."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I lied "I'm thirsty, are you thirsty? Because I'm going to get juice."

He rubbed his eyes roughly with his palms, "Uh yeah. Sure."

I smiled at him as I made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass from the cabinet.

"I just want to know what's going on Caroline," Jeremy called from around the corner. I couldn't blame him. If he was doing to me what I was doing to him I'd be concerned to.

As I was deciding what to say I suddenly felt like I wasn't alone.

"Yes Caroline," Klaus whispered with his lips at my ear, "what is going on?" I nearly dropped my juice.

"Caroline?" Jeremy called.

"I don't like sharing, Caroline," he whispered, the intensity of his words glittering in his eyes, "And this little boy has been spending quite a bit of time with you."

I ignored him.

"Coming, Jer." I called back, turning to return to the living room, but Jeremy had already joined me in the kitchen.

"Oh, hey," I said startled, "didn't hear you sneak up on me." I glanced around nervously looking for Klaus, but he had vanished. I was relieved to not have to have that conversation just yet.

"Well, you were taking a while. Thought I'd see what was up," he replied, taking the glass from my hand and taking healthy gulps. Boys.

"Right," I laughed lightly. My relief was cut short when I noticed Klaus had reappeared on the couch directly behind Jeremy, leaning on it with a rather irritated expression. I tried not to make eye contact.

"So what's going on, Caroline?"

I looked up at my friend's kid brother and I saw the weight I'd been carrying on my shoulders reflected in his face. He'd been through so much with Elena, and here I was walking down the same path, making the same mistakes.

"Caroline, please. I need to know," his voice was full of a weary sadness. He didn't expect me to tell him, he was just hoping against the odds I would.

Behind him I could see Klaus' disapproving form. His head shaking back and forth, his crossed arms enhancing the negative motion.

My gaze returned to Jeremy and I knew I couldn't hide this from him anymore.

"Okay Jer, I'll tell you," I said finally.

"Really?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, but meet me at the grill in twenty. I have some business to take care of first."

I cautioned a glance in Klaus' direction but he had once again vanished.

"What? In twenty minutes? No way. A lot can happen in twenty minutes." He had a point, but there was no getting around this.

"I know, but I'll be there. I promise." For a moment his resolve faltered, a look of serious thought crossed his face before he agree.

"Fine. But you had better be there."

"I will."

After Jeremy was safely away I took the stairs slowly to my room. If Klaus was even still here he would probably be in a bad mood.

I was not disappointed.

There still sitting on my bed with the door ajar was Klaus, a vicious look plastered on his chiseled features. He was pretending not to notice me.

I knew he had heard me enter, but the look on his face made me wish he hadn't. His nostrils were flared and the skin between his eyes were pinched. I'd never seen someone so angry.

I stood there in the doorway, waiting for a response, any response.

"Who. is. that," he seethed without warning.

"Who was who?" His ferocity had caught me off guard.

He was at my side in a flash, "Do not play games with me Caroline. Who is that? Every time I've seen you he's been there," he growled.

"Are you...jealous?" I asked in a teasing note.

"Incredibly," he replied flatly.

The serious tone halted any laugh I may have had. His eyes had begun turning an amber hue and his face appeared strained.

"I don't like to share, Caroline," he breathed. I didn't dare reply. I didn't even know what to say.

After a moment he looked away and regained his composure, but he was still visibly upset.

"Who is he to you, Caroline?" He finally asked.

"He's my best friend's little brother."

"And where is she now?"

"Dead," I said bluntly, "vampires."

"I'm sorry," he replied with begrudging sympathy.

"It's fine. I told her I'd look after him. That's why he's always here."

He nodded in understanding.

After a moment he added, "Fine. But if he gets in my way there will be consequences."

"No. You won't hurt him!"

"On the contrary Caroline. I can and I will, unless perhaps you prefer I bring him into our little club, maybe give him all those answers he's been wanting?" He said conspiratorially.

"No!" I shrieked again.

"Good. Then you'll have no problem coming with me right now."

"What? Why?"

"We have to identify a body."

Part 8

I felt a twinge of anger rise into my consciousness. He had clearly heard me trying to leave him to talk to Jeremy. He didn't like it.

"I can't go right now. I have to talk to Jeremy first. Then I'll go," I whispered, fearing any volume louder would result in yelling my head off.

"And what is it you plan to tell young Jeremy, Mm?"

"I'm going to tell him the truth. He deserves it!" I answered adamantly.

"Are you sure, Caroline? I don't think you've thought this quite through." His voice was full of mock sympathy. As handsome as he was he could be just as mean.

"What are you talking about?" I hissed.

He started towards me. "Well, think about it, love. Are you going to tell Jeremy, whose only sister was killed by vampires that you've been bouncing around with one? That you've been doing him favors. Betrayed your family? Killed in his name?"

"I didn't kill him! That was Rebekah!" I interjected. It hadn't been me. In the office I had nearly called the police myself. I never wanted anyone to die, man or not.

"Yes, but do you deny the others?" We were inches apart now, this time our stances were free of sexual tension. He was staring beyond my eyes, like he was searching for answers in my soul.

"I was forced," I added finally.

"Yes, you were, but your dreams tell me you enjoy a bit of that," he said darkly. My memories were flooded with visions of he and I, naked and intertwined, in one compromising situation after another. The scenes in question replayed over and over as if to prove a point.

I suppressed a blush.

He gave one of his famous smirks before continuing the tirade. "Yes, despite these actions against your will and general debauchery, I dare say you like it. Perhaps that's why we get on so well."

"And why is that?" I sneered defiantly.

"Because you like the dark side and I like to take you there."

I had no smart remark for that. It made too much sense. And I was afraid if I thought enough about it to dispute it I'd end up agreeing.

"And she is stunned to silence," he said triumphantly. Throwing his arms in the air victoriously before reclining in my chair, his hands clasped behind his head.

"And what do you suppose I do with the people in my life now? Ignore them while you drag me on these wild schemes you won't explain? Avoid them when they ask for the answers they so desperately deserve?"

"That's really not for me to decide, Caroline," he replied dismissively.

At that moment I hated him again, for what felt like the millionth time in a very short period.

He was in my room, in my favorite chair, relaxing without a care in the world while he gave me so many of them.

More disgusting than that was my reaction to the exposed flesh his lifted shirt gave me. Never had a guy given me such mixed emotions before.

I wanted him as much as I wanted him to leave me the hell alone.

"So what am I going to do about Jeremy? You obviously don't want me to explain anything to him."

"On the contrary. I think you should. It would certainly make my life easier to have an extra hand with things. No more sneaking around the human boy that seems to follow you around like a lost dog. Maybe another man to talk to. Ugh, the way you and my sister engage leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly silence. I desire a lot of silence where you two are concerned," he rambled.

"He is not going to be involved in any of this," I ordered.

"Now why is that, love?" he chuckled.

"Because if he gets hurt, I will blame you, and I will spend the rest of my life dedicating to hating you." I meant this with every fiber of my being. Jeremy was the last key to my old life. The one where things were easy and fun. All those memories would die with him if he left me and along with him the last ounce of my compassion.

"And what makes you think I'll care?" he challenged.

"We both know you'll care."

His face was stern, but he made no motion to argue with me. He knew as well as I that he couldn't. Whatever messed up force that made me want him around, he answered to for wanting to be around.

I walked slowly to my closet to grab a light jacket and a comfy pair of shoes. More resigned than ever about the turn my life had taken recently.

"While I'm getting dressed I want you to make up a story for Jeremy. I won't be the one to lie to him again, so you'd better make it good," my voice sounded as flat as I felt.

Again he said nothing. By the time I was ready I noticed my cell phone had moved from my desk to my dresser, and there were several missed calls and texts from Jeremy. None I dared look at for fear I would change my mind about leaving so willingly with Klaus.

Our car ride was a quiet and lonely one.