I was halfway through Oklahoma when I decided to stop at one of the more upscale type motels for the night, unable to continue with the pain that was burgeoning in my chest. It started just after I left Chicago and as I got further from Nik, the longer I was away from him, the more it hurt.

And I couldn't stop thinking about him. The way he laughed, that smirk he always wore when he knew something I didn't, or was planning something. How good he looked in a leather jacket.

How sometimes, when he did something particularly weird or ridiculous, I just wanted to kiss him.

I was well aware of the feelings I had for Nik. I had somewhat hoped that they would go away, but the more I got to know him, the stronger the feelings grew. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of hiding it behind the guise of a close friendship. Due to Nik's past, I didn't want to give him any reason to think I was using him because I wanted something.

So every time those thoughts, thoughts of more, surfaced, I quickly shoved them to the back down as far as I could.

So now, I was sitting in a motel room feeling completely out of place, like I wasn't supposed to be here. Or maybe I had it wrong. Maybe I was in the right place, but there was something missing. A vital something.

I decided to stay here for a few days, scout out the territories and numbers and then move in, starting in the morning. As far as I could tell already there were about five major territories in this constant war. I was okay with that, I could handle that.

My problem, was how to take out even one section without the other four noticing immediately and running away. If that happened with even one territory, with all the newborns it contained, it would be a bloodbath. So many lives could be lost.

Not to mention that the Volturi would definitely take notice and try to contain the situation before the humans noticed. If they hadn't already. I wasn't quite ready for them to discover me as a new player. If that happened all the Cold Ones would try to go into hiding. Making my job that much harder.

I toyed around with that idea, it could actually be entertaining to watch them try to hide from me. Huh, the longer I'm a vampire the more my personality changes, and the more ruthless I get, maybe I should ask Mother about it.

So I did.

Reaching out with my mind, I got her attention.

"Mother, ever since I became your daughter I have been acting and thinking differently, why is that?"

I felt more than saw her small smile directed at me. "These changes are to help you, another gift I suppose. Before them you would hesitate, and be afraid when you needn't be. These new emotions and thought processes will help you find your place in the world and to cope with your new status in life and your abilities. That is why you feel such pleasure when ending the lives of Cold Ones."

Thinking over her words, I realized that she was right. Before, I would overthink and cringe away from anything to do with killing or what I would have considered stealing, like with the Cold Ones money.

"Will I become completely different?" I asked. That was what really concerned me.

"No, my child, you will be completely yourself, just more... how do you say….badass. Does that make sense? I am trying to explain in ways that you will grasp quickly and I am somewhat unfamiliar with how people your age speak."

I giggled a bit. She sounded so frustrated and confused it was hard not to think about how...cute… it was. Nevertheless, I did understand what she was trying to say so I quickly rushed to reassure her.

"It's okay Mother I understand what you're trying to say. I'm badass and extremely awesome. Thank you." I was smiling, I usually was when I spoke with her. I loved her very much.

I said goodnight and was going to sleep for the night when she spoke again.

"Isabella, I can tell you miss your friend. Why did you separate from him if it causes you pain?"

He got a chance to break the curse that causes him pain. And I wanted that for him. But I also wanted to put a stop to these territory wars, they case so much needless pain, destruction and death. Hopefully, this won't take long and I can go help him break his curse."

Mother seemed to be thinking hard about something so I waited, unfortunately I fell asleep before she could tell me what it was.

KLAUSPOV

It had only been a few hours and I already missed her like crazy, not that I would let anyone know. No, to the people who worked for me I was still as hard and cold as ever. A mask to keep people far away.

I had made sure that none of them had met Isa or even known she existed. That way my enemies wouldn't find out about her. God forbid Elijah learn of her existence. He wanted to hurt me in anyway he could, thinking I had killed our siblings. I would never do such a thing.

Pulling from my thoughts, I began clearing away my art supplies. And started violently at the voice in my head.

"Niklaus, can you hear me?" the female voice asked. It sounded powerful, like a thunderstorm echoing off the mountains. It also sounded vaguely familiar, like the memory of a dream.

Deciding it was safe enough I warily responded. "Yes I can hear you. Who are you?"

"I am Royja, you are good friends with Isabella, my firstborn, are you not?"

Now I knew who she was. The one who made Isa what she was, the one she always fondly referred to as Mother.

"Yes, why do you speak to me now?" I was curious. This was the first time I had ever spoken directly to her.

"You say you are friends, but maybe you feel more, no?" she was trying to lead me in a direction of thought I wasn't yet ready to consider.

I thought Isa was incredible. Beautiful, smart, funny, and she put up with my level of crap.

She also understood and cared in away no one else ever had. Was it any reason I may be developing feelings for her?

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"Nothing you aren't already thinking, sweetie." She replied. "You miss her."

She was right. I was leaving in the morning for Mystic Falls and I was hesitating because she wasn't there.

"So what should I do…...?" I wasn't sure what to call her.

She sighed. As if I wasn't understanding something important. "Go to her, I will guide you."

BELLAPOV

I woke to a pounding on the door to my motel room. At first I had an irrational flare of hope that it was Nik, but it was just the owner telling me it was time to check out.

After I checked out, I drove the few hours down to the middle of Texas, where the first territory was located. Scouting the area, I learned there were currently two leaders, a mated pair, about forty newborns and and ten more in the middle of the change.

I still wasn't sure how I would take them out without the others noticing, so I would have to make that plan before I did anything.

I was returning to my new hotel when I felt a presence, it was familiar so I didn't raise my guard, but it was masking itself so I wouldn't be able to tell the identity until I set my eyes on them.

When I turned the corner, I stopped hardly daring to hope that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

Because Nik was in front of me.

"Barbie?" I whispered.

When he smiled at me in greeting, I unfroze. Without thinking about it, I ran forward and flung myself in his arms.

And kissed him.

He kissed me back.

An: I may not be able to update for a bit but I'll do my best. Please give reviews I love them very much. So I think I decided how this is going to progress, and it requires acting. So stay tuned.