Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: If any of you are saying to yourself "Nik and Caroline seem a little out of character" don't worry it's intentional. I promise if you hang with me, all will be right in the world again. And I know the chapters are really short. I will make them longer as the story picks up. For now I am just pushing them out as the inspiration comes to me. Thanks for all the follows and reviews. With that being said…on to chapter 4.

Chapter 4

When I initially pushed the door open, dust had floated everywhere. Seeming to come alive just at the mere presence of us. I covered my face as I waited for it to finally settle. When it did, I moved further into the large attic. Wardrobes, trunks, and other forgotten knick knacks were scattered throughout.

"I'm surprised grandmother didn't lock us up in here," I grumbled. Nik, who was now somewhere off to my left snapped at me.

"Can you at least try to make the most of this experience?!"

My eyes narrowed as I turned to look at him. His own blue eyes filled with irritation.

"Make the most of this experience?! Nik this is not some trip to a summer camp or an after school special. Our grandmother and mother locked us in an attic!" I replied back in a hushed voice.

"You know what you are?" Nik said, taking a step towards me.

"Enlighten me, I'm sure you were planning to anyway?" I rebutted, taking a step of my own in his direction.

"You are," step. "A spoiled," step. "brat!"

My eyes narrowed into tiny slits. Our faces were nearly touching at this point as we stared into each others eyes. Something tingled at the back of my consciousness due to his closeness, but I shook it off.

"Go to hell Nik," I spat. His eyes grew into a stormy blue.

"I'm already there," he spat before turning and storming back down stairs. In turn I plopped down on the nearest trunk with a huff. How dare he call me a brat. I had given up so much to help keep this family from falling apart. I didn't need him. He could never speak to me again for all I cared.

Three weeks. Three long painful weeks and we were still in this damn attic. Sure mother had come by and brought the twins gifts but she always seemed to dodge my questions when I asked about when we would be leaving. She would turn the conversation to one of her and her new suitor, Damon Gilbert's latest adventures.

Time seemed to crawl by painfully slow. Even more so with Nik and I still not speaking. The only times we ever said two words to each other were matters concerning the twins. Elena and Kol noticed right away that something was wrong between Nik and I. They weren't the only ones. Our mother and grandmother noticed as well. Our grandmother seemed almost pleased that we weren't getting along. I really didn't want to think about what scenarios she could possibly formulate within her twisted mind.

I was shaken from my thoughts at the feel of Kol's tiny hand shaking my arm. I looked at my younger brother in question.

"Care, I'm hungry."

"Me too!" Elena added, rubbing her tiny belly for emphasis. I couldn't help but giggle at their cuteness. Rising up from the table where we had been doing their daily lessons, I held out a hand for each of them and led them downstairs for dinner. We walked right by Nik, who had set up the easel mother had brought him on one of her visits. He seemed forced intently on whatever he was painting.

I didn't bother asking him if he wanted dinner. If he was hungry, he could come down and make his own.

In the span of two hours I fed the twins their dinner( today grandmother had left us roasted chicken, greens, and dinner rolls), finished their lessons, and given them their baths. With them both dressed in their pj's and in their respective beds, I moved to retrieve the story book from upstairs. They always had a story before bed. Usually Nik would read to them but with his mood I didn't dare depend on him to follow through.

Arriving upstairs, I walked over to the table and picked up the book. Turning to head back downstairs, I bumped right into a hard chest. Two strong arms gripped me, saving me from falling.

"What do you think you're doing?" his baritone voice asked. I looked up into my brother's face.

"Going to read the kids their bedtime story. Now if you will excuse me," I replied, biting back the comments and nasty remarks I wanted to throw his way. I moved to go around him when he suddenly snatched the book from me.

"What the hell Nik?" my voice filled with annoyance.

His own features were stern and almost angry.

"You know I read to the twins at night. I got it."

I couldn't stop the snort of disbelief that escaped. "Yeah, but you don't seem to be the most reliable now a days. After all your role model is mother."

I took a step back as Nik moved to tower over me.

"Stay in your place and stop trying to do everything. You can't control everything Caroline!"

With those parting words, he spun around and left in a huff. I stared after him with narrowed eyes before letting out a tiny growl.

"Seriously?!"

I waited a full half hour in the attic before going downstairs. Just as I suspected, the twins were fast asleep- Nik wasn't however. If only I could be so lucky.

I made a point to ignore his eyes on me from over the rim of the book he was reading as I moved about gathering my things in order to take a nice long bubble bath. The day had really worn on me: between another day of disappointment from mother, taking care of the twins and disagreeing with Nik, I was exhausted.

Entering the bathroom, I closed it behind me. Effectively shutting out all my troubles for the time being.

Running the water into the large tub, I added some of the vanilla scented bubble bath that mother had brought me. I then lit the various large candles that were placed strategically around the bathroom. Once the water was done running, I turned the light off before moving over to the tub. Shedding myself of all my clothes, I slid slowly into the bubble filled water. I couldn't stop the sigh that escaped past my lips.

"This is heaven."

Reclining back against the tub, I closed my eyes as the seductive flames of the candles and warm water pulled me in to a state of ease. I always loved taking baths. Something about them gave me time to think and just be.

Just as I was sure I would fall asleep, the door knob turned and the bathroom door opened. I all but groaned as I opened my eyes just in time to see Nik come walking in, closing the door behind him.

"What do you want? I can't have not even a moment of peace?" I growled, sinking lower into the water so that nothing was exposed from the neck down.

My brother looked at me for a moment, silently accessing me before he finally seemed to find his voice.

"Look Care, I don't want to fight with you anymore sweetheart."

"Things don't just go back to being ok because the all and mighty Nik has decided them to be," I replied.

My anger seemed to do nothing to deter him. He simply rolled his eyes and smirked at me from where he leaned against the wall near the door.

"Oh come now, we had a spat. I'm over it."

"Well I'm not."

He finally seemed to realize I wasn't letting him off the hook so easily. Pushing himself off the wall, he moved closer until her was right next to the tub kneeling next to me. With him so close and eye to eye I turned away from him. My movement cause some of the water to splash.

For a moment neither of us moved or said anything. I was almost sure he was going to leave so I nearly jumped out of my skin when his warm fingers grazed my exposed shoulder.

Jerking around I turned to face him.

"Fine! I forgive you. Now get out."

A small smirk appeared on his lips. He knew he had won. Damn him.

"Don't be that way. You know we are in this together," he replied. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah now leave before grandmother comes in and sees you."

"Oh that would be a scandal. Probably what her wet dreams are made of. Her walking in you me in here while you're bathing," he chuckled as I scrunched my face up.

"That is a horrible image. And not to mention ewww." I replied as I watched his back retreat out of the room. He stopped right before he left the room to look back at me with a smile.

"Good night Caroline."

"Good night Niklaus," I returned his smile.

As the door clicked back behind him, I relaxed once more in the water with a sigh.

It was nice to have my brother back.

A/N: I'd say that this is turning out to be a lot more popular than I thought it would be. Don't forget to review. Favorites and Follows are great but Reviews are my motivation. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.