His posture was rigid as he studied us with guarded eyes. Akua had shrunk by the window, face cast down in palpable fear. I felt a pang of guilt – she would most likely get her ass chewed because of me – but I pushed it away. She had done nothing wrong, so I would make sure that any and all repercussions came back to me, not her.

Elijah still stood in the doorway, that same impassive expression on his face as his brother's, though I could tell by the thin hard line on his mouth that he was none too pleased with me. I didn't understand why they were so angry; they had no idea what I was doing in here, and they had no proof that I wasn't reading a book or shopping online or doing anything else.

I returned my eyes to Klaus and crossed my arms. "Nothing."

He raised a brow, perplexed. "What?"

"Nothing is going on," I said with an innocence I sure as hell didn't possess.

"Then what are you doing in my study?"

"I'm always in your study." It was the truth. Anytime Klaus was in here, chances were that I was too. We had done some very…naughty things in this room – mainly each other, on his desk. On the floor.

I shivered.

"Not alone. I'm always with you." His eyes darkened. He was probably thinking the same thing I was, reminiscing in our sexcapades. A second later, he shook his head as if shaking away the distraction and focused on me once more.

"There's a first for everything," I muttered. "I came in here to look up an article I saw in the newspaper."

He snorted. "Since when do you read the newspaper?"

"Since you got too busy to spend any time with me."

The muscle in his jaw twitched. "I'm sorry that I've had so much to take care of. But you didn't seem to upset when you were screaming my name."

Vampire or not, my cheeks must've been flaming. My eyes darted to Akua, and then to Elijah. They got the hint and blurred out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Klaus didn't seem to notice that they were gone. His full attention was on me.

"Did you have to say that in front of them?" I hissed.

"Does it really matter? The whole bloody house can hear us. And even if they couldn't, I wouldn't give a damn – not when the love of my existence is bold face lying."

My mouth dropped. "You really think I would lie to you."

"Honestly, love, you're a terrible liar. That can't be a shock to you."

"It's not about my abilities to hide the truth. It's about you trusting me."

"How can I trust you when you lie to me like this?" Pain flashed in his eyes, and my heart lurched. I was hurting him.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat, debating just how I should handle this situation. On one hand, he would be hurt; on the other, he would be livid. It was a war within myself – between the love of my life, and the love of my brother.

I took a deep breath and braced myself. "Well then, I guess you can't."

His eyes widened and his lips parted. I felt a sharp stab in my stomach at the betrayal on his face, but I couldn't take back my words, as much as I wanted to. He closed his eyes a moment, and when they reopened minutes later, they were cold and distant.

They were the way they were before I fell in love with him.

"I guess you're right." His voice was hoarse, so he cleared his throat. "I can't trust you."

I bit my lip until I tasted blood. It was either hurt myself, or break down and cry at what I had done. And not those decorative tears that tumble down rosy cheeks – the wailing moans that make Marilyn Monroe look hideous.

He looked at me a moment longer, as if willing me to take it back or tell him it's a big joke. I looked away, out at the night sky through the window, at the books lined along the shelves. Anywhere but him. He sighed, a heartbroken rush of air, and then he was gone.

And so was my heart.

"Master Elena, you have to come out at some time."

I grabbed the pillow beside me and shoved it over my head. It did nothing to drown out the noises, but then again, I didn't expect it to. I could still hear Akua, pounding on my door to try and lure me out of my old room. I had locked myself in since my fight with Klaus. Granted, it had only been two hours since, but I hadn't fed in a few days and newborns needed a lot more than other vampires.

"C'mon, you need to feed."

"I'm not hungry. Now go away," I groaned, and flipped over onto my belly. It was times like these that made me miss Chuchi. He had to go live with Damon since I probably would've drained him dry. I smiled at the memory of a very pissed Damon Salvatore, complaining that "the little shit" had pissed on his Persian rug. He was way too attached that thing.

I heard Akua sigh behind the door. "Fine." She stomped her way through the hall and down the steps, and once I was sure she wasn't going to come back, I relaxed and stopped straining my ears. I flung the pillow onto the floor – well, I meant to, but I still wasn't used to my strength, so it flew through the open window – and made my way to my closet. It was getting a lot colder, so I pulled on a pair of hot pink sweatpants and a black jacket over my gray camisole. Dragging my fingers through my hair, I used the hair tie around my wrist to pile my curls into a messy bun on top of my head.

I flopped onto the sofa and surfed channels until I found reruns of The King of Queens. It usually takes my mind off of depressing thoughts, but I just wasn't into it. I tried watching funny cat videos on YouTube, but that didn't work either. I slung my forearm over my eyes, defeated. There was no way I was going to get my mind off of this unbearable ache in my chest.

I realized a little too late that it was extremely quiet in the house. I lifted my arm and stared at the door, trying my hardest to listen for anything. When I still didn't hear anything, I got up and silently made my way to the door. Something was…off.

A hand clamped down on my mouth, and another covered my eyes. I squirmed, kicking against the tall, hard body restraining me, reaching my hands out to claw at whatever I could. I tried to bite him, but he made sure that I couldn't so much as part my lips. When he removed his hand, I started scream at the top of my lungs, only to be cut off.

Liquid filled my mouth, and I began to panic. It didn't burn like vervain, but I didn't know exactly what it was. I tried my best to let it pool in my mouth, but when it started dribbling out, he worked his hand on my throat until I swallowed.

Blood.

The beast in me drank greedily, gulp after gulp. I was aware of nothing but the bittersweet taste, the feel of it sliding down, smooth and rich. My canines elongated painfully, and I sunk them into whatever was holding the sustenance. Some of it ran down my chin, and my tongue lashed out to collect the droplets before they got too far.

When there was nothing left, it was pulled away from me. I moaned in protest, a guttural sound from deep within me, and the man hushed me. I froze, eyes closed – I knew that voice. That low, rumbling, English-lilted voice.

"Klaus?" I whispered, slowly opening my eyes.

He wouldn't look me in the eye, instead choosing to stare at some fascinating aspect of his knotted fingers. He looked contrite, but I couldn't be so sure. I said his name again, and he finally had the decency to acknowledge me.

"Lena."

I shook my head and stomped on the flutter of hope caused by the sound of my pet name. "What are you doing here?"

"Akua told me you were refusing to feed."

"You forced me again?" I said, shocked and a little angry.

His mouth set in a stubborn line. "I told you that if you refused to feed, I would make you. You gave me no choice."

"I wasn't refusing. I just wasn't hungry," I pointed out.

"You seemed pretty bloody hungry when you were sucking it down like air a minute ago."

My eyes narrowed, but I couldn't help the smile that formed on my face. "Wipe that smug smile off of your face."

He chuckled, and I marveled at just how beautiful he was. It was hard to believe he was mine. I had to bite my lip at the pain "was" caused me.

The grin adorning his face faded, and the seriousness that replaced it floored me. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"What do you have to be sorry for?"

He took a deep breath. "For not trusting you."

My brows shot to my hairline as my stomach dropped. Oh God, he's apologizing for that?

"It's just…so hard. When I saw you and Akua in my study, alone, I immediately assumed the worst. You walked into a death trap that night, and I felt like you were repeating history. Like you were getting yourself into more trouble. You have a knack for doing that-"

"If you compare me to Bella Swan, I'm ripping your nuts off."

"-and it makes me feel helpless."

The guilt he was making me feel surpassed the guilt I felt at Akua's probable punishment. It was like he knew just what to say to make me out to be a horrible, lying girlfriend. I was a horrible, lying girlfriend, but I didn't need a reminder.

"Why do you feel helpless?" My voice was choked with emotion.

"Because I used to be on the evil side. I can't count on my fingers how many times I remember you running to the bad guys thinking you were protecting loved ones, and how many times the Salvatore's had to drag you back to safety. Add that to the fact that the first time you get into trouble on my watch, you die and come back as a vampire. That makes me feel…uneasy. Inadequate."

He blurred in front of me and grasped my chin with two fingers. "I don't know what I'd do without you, angel. I adore you," he breathed.

The reverence and awe etched onto his face ignited a fire within me that sent heat straight down south. Melted brown eyes met intense blue, and my mouth watered. He bent his head to press his lips to mine in a swift, molten kiss, and then rested his forehead against mine.

"I love you, Lena."

I smiled up at him and when he smiled back, I knew all was forgiven. "I love you, too."

He brushed his thumb along my jaw. "As much as I'm dying to know, I'm not going to push you or trick you into telling me what you were doing in my study unless you want to."

"Thank you," I whispered. "And if you must know, I was setting up a lunch date with Caroline."

Why do speak without thinking?

"Is that all? Well, maybe she can bring Kol and we can all-"

"No!" I squealed. So much for being inconspicuous. "I thought it would be nice to have a girl's day, just me and her."

He gave me an odd look. "Okay. Do you need a ride?"

I shook my head. "She'll pick me up. Now, enough about tomorrow," I said grabbing his hand and leading him out of the room. "Let's think about tonight."