"I can't believe we're doing this," Colby muttered.

I popped out of the dumpster and glared. "I can't believe I'm doing this while you're out there complaining about keeping watch. Now shut it and, you know, keep watch."

It was shocking how much trash had accumulated in a matter of hours. I was digging through bags and bags of trash of all types, for once wishing I didn't have a sensitive sense of smell. How the hell was I supposed to find one box out of all this?

It was close to one in the morning and we were trying to be stealthy, using pen flashlights. Colby was standing outside, not doing a very good job of being quiet, and I was the one getting my jeans filthy. Friggin' gender equality.

"I just don't understand why we need to find it, Terra. You said yourself it was bad news."

"Well, I have a feeling that if we don't find out the nature of the beast, we're going to regret it later." I shifted a few bags, thoroughly disgusted at the waste.

"What are you two doing?"

The both of us whipped around to see a figure standing just a few yards away. Colby turned his flashlight. The guy blinked, but my eyesight caught the wolfy glint in his lenses. He was wearing a preppy jacket and he had an undercut hairdo.

Great. A hipster werewolf. Just what I needed at the end of this kind of day. "Can I help you?"

Mr. NatGeo looked at me with amusement. "Actually, I'm here to help you. I'm one of Klaus' detail."

Not a werewolf. A hybrid.

Wait. "Are you..."

He shrugged. "I guess you could call me your new bodyguard. I'm Artie."

This had to be a joke.

He walked closer. I could see the fake prep school patch in the stitching of his breast pocket. Thick glasses flashed in the lights again. "I have to say, it's nice to actually talk to the person I'm protecting."

I closed my eyes and prayed for patience. "I don't believe this."

"Given what I know about you," Artie remarked, "I'd think you'd be expecting it."

The hell of it was that he was right. I opened my mouth to say so, but then I caught the long once over Artie gave Colby, his lips pursed in appreciation.

And Colby was eating it up.

"Hey!" I snapped my fingers. "Paws off."

He lifted a sandy blond brow, but didn't talk back. Colby, on the other hand, turned and gave me a look that clearly read, Cockblock.

"What?" I shot back. "We've got other things to take care of, Colby, and so far you suck as a lookout."

"I survived my entire high school education with a squeaky clean record. I'm new to digging through dumpsters, thanks."

Artie ambled closer. Oh yeah, he was checking out Colby hardcore. He barely glanced my way when he asked, "Anything I can assist with?"

Assist. Right. Of the naked roommate variety.

Under normal circumstances I'd be pushing Colby towards Artie with confetti and a heart shaped cake. But Artie was not your run of the mill hipster. He had teeth. Big ones. I didn't think Colby was weak, but I didn't think he was ready to handle the truth either. I squinted at him, suspicion rearing its ugly head. "When exactly did Klaus assign you to me?"

He smiled benignly. "Come on, princess. How about a little trust?"

Colby, bless him, piped up at that. "I think the better question is why he assigned you to her. I know he's rich, but enough to throw that kind of cash around? Without provocation? I don't buy it."

Freakin' love this guy, I thought, not for the first time.

Artie's smile grew sexual. Like, I was afraid Colby's boxers were going to combust right then and there. "I love an intelligent man who's not afraid to use big words."

My protective instincts roared to life. "Seriously? Don't make me climb out of this dumpster, Preppy." I glared. If he laid one finger—or tooth—on my roommate, the fur was going to fly. I didn't trust Colby's life to anybody, especially not some hybrid that showed up out of the shadows in the middle of the night.

"Jealous? Klaus isn't going to be happy about that."

"Sweetheart, of the two of us, I'm the one you've got to worry about," I assured him. "Now go away. Tell Klaus we stayed in the apartment all night and nothing happened."

"As I found you in a dumpster, that would imply lying. I think we both know how well that works with Klaus."

Too true. But if he discovered that someone was leaving possibly threatening messages and boxes of questionable origin, we'd all be under lockdown before someone could say, "Prison Break." Never mind that it would be extreme. I knew Klaus. "Listen," I said seriously. "We lost something. We're looking for it. No big deal."

"Then why did you call it bad news?"

I shifted. "I didn't-" I stopped. Over the smell of the garbage, I scented it. That sickening odor of death.

I looked down, pointed the pen light. There it was. The box. It was stained with heaven knew what. "Oh," I said, trying to sound casual. "I found it. How lucky."

Colby turned and hooked an arm on the metal lip, leaning over. "Hand it up."

I really, really wished we'd thought to buy rubber gloves, but hindsight and all that. I bent and picked up by the edges. The smell was stronger than ever, but if we stayed just the right distance from Artie we might be able to cover ourselves. He'd only smell garbage. Hopefully.

There was that sliding sound again. I passed it over to Colby, who was able to hold it in one hand. I climbed out as quick as I could, shivering at the untold amount of yuckiness covering my body.

Artie reared back. "What the hell is that smell?"

Dammit. "Nothing." Lame answer.

He was on us in seconds, taking the box without so much as a by-your-leave. He ignored Colby's protest and whipped out something from his back pocket. There was a flick of his wrist and suddenly Artie was holding a wicked-sharp switchblade.

We backed off, my arm covering Colby's stomach automatically.

Artie knelt on the ground and went to work, cutting like a surgeon. Part of me wondered at his bravery. The other part of me thought he was a freakin' idiot for digging into something like that without asking questions first.

He handled that knife like a pro—bringing out a side of hipster scary I've never seen before—and had that box open in less than seconds.

All of us recoiled.

It was a rat. A huge, dead rat, already in a state of decomposition that I won't go into detail with. It was mutilated, sliced in a way that made bile rise in my throat.

And there wasn't a drop of blood to be had.

Artie turned, shivering all over for a second, his face twisted in disgust. "Hate rats." Then he sucked in a deep breath and turned back. "It's drained," he said. He flicked his wrist around and sheathed the blade again. "No puncture wounds though. Whoever did this was human."

Colby stared at him. "What the hell else would it be?"

Artie was a quick one, I'd give him that. "Cat. Animal. Whatever. Nobody picked this up and sent it; it was deliberate. Sending a message." He looked at me. "Want to tell me what's going on, princess?"

Colby stepped forward. "It's me," he said grimly. "I have a crazy ass ex who's just nuts enough to do this." His mouth was a thin hyphen, but I could see how bad this hurt him. The nightmares would be back.

Fury hit me like a ball of fire. I closed my hands into fists, bringing them up and imagining Dan's neck in them. "He's dead. When I get my hands on him, he's going to hurt so bad he'll wish he'd never been born."

He smiled weakly. "Come on, Terra, that's sweet but we both know we don't have any proof it was him. He'll just have you arrested for trespassing or assault or something else equally fucked up."

Now it was Artie and I exchanging looks. Artie, at least, knew that things would go a lot worse for Dan than for me if we were left alone for just five minutes. "You can't tell Klaus," I said. Demanded, really.

His face screwed up. For a second he looked torn. "I want to agree, but..." He shrugged. "You don't lie to that guy."

"I don't want you to lie," I retorted. "But leave out a detail or two. Say you found us digging through the dumpster for something we lost and then we found it. That's the truth."

"And when he wants to know what you lost?"

"Why can't you tell him?" Colby interjected. "Terra, don't lie to the guy. You just started dating."

"Klaus is paranoid and overprotective. Come on, he assigned a guard to me without having a real reason!" That I knew of, but seriously, you just couldn't guess with Klaus. "Trust me. It will be a lot easier on us all if we just don't mention this."

"She's got a point," Artie reluctantly admitted. "Like a cat in a rainstorm, that guy."

I had to think quickly. The plan that formed wasn't brilliant, but it was all I had. I started pulling the ring on my finger off. I loved it. I didn't want to do what I was going to do, but Colby was worth it.

He watched me in concern. "Terra, what are you—no!" He made this sort of half-dive to catch the ring as I pitched it into the dumpster. "Are you crazy? That was your grandmother's!"

"I know," I said grimly. "Let's go in and get it back."

He stared, the enormity of the plan blooming in his head. His jaw worked. Next thing I knew, Colby looped an arm around my shoulders and dragged me into his chest, hugging me like his life depended on it. "You're nuts," he said hoarsely, "but I love you so it's okay."

I wanted to cry at the tears I heard in his voice. A guy like this didn't deserve to be alone in the world, but his parents and family had made a decision he couldn't undo. I wasn't being fake with Klaus; Colby and I were closer than friends and roommates. But I wasn't going to give into the urge, so I sniffed and pushed at him. "Don't get mushy on me, okay? It's late and I want my ring back."

He nodded, eyes a teeny bit glassy in the strange light. "Yeah." Then he sighed. "These are new shoes."

"Tough. I told you what we were up to."

"The love," Artie stated drily, "is thick in the air right now. I may have to watch a chick flick after this. I mean it. Really."

Colby cocked his head. "You're one of those sarcastic dickheads, aren't you."

Artie's answer was a slow, sexy smile. "I'm worth every second, handsome."

"Oh vey," I muttered under my breath. Then, "Make yourself useful, Artie. Give me a boost."

It took ages to find that ring, but in the end we got it and trudged our way back to the apartment. Artie didn't help much beyond practically throwing me into the garbage pile. I could already feel a mild feud building between us. He claimed it was due to his "bodyguard duties" but I knew better. He didn't want to get those pretty duds of his dirty. He even went so far as to order Chinese food while Colby and I were digging.

My only consolation was that he ordered enough for all of us. I didn't think I could eat anything after shifting through that mess, but my growling stomach said otherwise.

We schleped back into the apartment and into our designated bathrooms. I gave Artie the death glare and a pointed finger across the throat behind Colby's back. He was going to stay in that living room or he was mincemeat. No way was I letting him take advantage of my roommate's fragile emotional state.

He arched that sandy brow again. I knew he thought about sticking his tongue out at me, but in the end he stayed where he was. Twenty minutes later we were all at the kitchen table, showered and dressed in clothes that didn't have to be thrown out.

"So," Artie said, clicking his chopsticks in thought. "Ex boyfriend, huh?"

Colby paused. "Yeah."

I chewed my lo mien.

"How long ago did you and this guy break up?"

He was trying to sound professional, but to be honest, I think we all knew he was just fishing for information because he was interested.

I looked at Colby, who was carefully choosing his words. You know, the way people do when they don't want you to think badly about them. "It's been a while. There were some issues after."

I'll say. I glanced at Artie, trying to judge his reaction.

He had a poker face that just couldn't be beat. He'd taken off his jacket and draped it over the back of the chair, revealing a pressed button up with a red bow tie. He'd rolled up his sleeves. He was covered in tattoos. I knew that was somewhat in keeping with the hipster style, but these tattoos were not the artsy kind. They were...how to put it? The kind of stuff that bikers wore. That and the switchblade made for an interesting combination in my hipster/hybrid/definitely gay/possibly bi bodyguard.

I can't say this was how I anticipated my life going this time last week. Klaus swept in and changed everything.

"Left you a lot of dead rats on your doorstep in the past?"

Both Colby and I stiffened. "I don't think I like your tone,"I said. We'd gotten some of that before; people who either thought Colby was making things up or that he'd somehow done something to deserve Dan's wrath.

Artie put down his chopsticks. "Here's the thing, princess. I've been watching you for a few nights now. I trade off with a guy from an evening shift, who trades with a morning shift. Neither of them saw mentioned anything suspicious. I haven't seen anybody carrying a brown package or something big enough to hide it in. Unless this guy had a history of this sort of thing or he lives in the building, the ex story doesn't wash."

We stared at him. "What are you saying? That we're lying?"

He cast me a look. "Princess, please. The rat was real. I'm just telling you that it didn't come from an outside source. It came from inside."

"A neighbor?" Colby didn't sound convinced.

I, on the other hand, was aware that stranger things had happened. Had Colby picked up a stalker? It was a possibility. Unfortunately, so was compulsion.

Once the suspicion took hold it wouldn't let up. People could be compelled to do all sorts of things; had someone been told to leave the package? Why? By whom?

I could see that that's what Artie was trying to say to me.

My appetite disappeared.

"You need to tell Klaus," he concluded, not unkindly.

"I can't,"I protested. "He'll freak."

"He's strong," Artie threw back, "and you and I both know there's stuff up his sleeve no one's ever seen before. He can protect both of you." He jerked his head toward Colby. "Isn't his safety worth a little discomfort?"

Oh, using my roommate against me? That was playing dirty. Suddenly it was me putting the chopsticks down. I scooted back in my chair and left the kitchen, barricading myself in my room. I didn't even worry about leaving Artie and Colby alone. I had a decision to make.

I picked up my phone and hugged it to my chest, pacing back and forth. To tell or not to tell? I wanted open communication between us, but Klaus could go to extreme's at a second's notice. What if he tried to separate me and Colby? What if he tried to put us in a castle somewhere remote?

Well, that last part wouldn't be so bad. I just didn't want to be put in a room that I couldn't get out of again. I'd had enough of being imprisoned for one lifetime, thanks.

It was just one human. Maybe. I could handle that myself. I didn't have to run to Klaus for everything little thing. It's not like I couldn't open a pickle jar alone. I could figure out what to do with a troublesome ex boyfriend without Klaus going postal.

But that wasn't exactly fair, was it? If it was such a tiny problem, why couldn't I just tell him about it?

I let my head fall back and groaned. The truth was that I was afraid it wasn't just some easy to solve problem. I didn't have any enemies, but Klaus did. Lots of them, and most with a supernatural ability of one kind or another. Did I really want to let myself get tangled back up in all that again?

Did I have a choice? Supernatural mumbo jumbo just got worse the longer you ignored it. I didn't want to get caught with my pants down.

There was no avoiding it.

I had to tell him.

I unlocked the phone and dialed his number like the condemned calling the executioner. He picked up on the second ring. "What's wrong?"

"What makes you think something is wrong?" Smooth, Caroline. "Okay, scratch that, I know. It's, uh, 1:45 in the morning and I'm calling you. Of course something is wrong. Look, don't freak, okay?"

"Caroline."

One word. That's all it took. "Okay, you know earlier when you came and saw Colby? I was throwing a package away that someone left on our doorstep. While we were gone there was a note pinned to our door, so we went to find the package and there was a dead rat in it." I paused.

Silence. Total, utter, absolute silence.

Not good.

"So Artie said that it probably isn't Colby's ex boyfriend but someone in the building, and now I'm calling you to tell you because you need to know."

The silence continued.

xxxxx

My grip threatened to crush the mobile.

I blinked and inhaled a sharp breath into starving lungs, scraping together my composure with every precise ounce of my will. "Pack your bags. I am coming."

"And Colby?"

I did not give one flying fuck about the ginger roommate. "Bring him. He has half an hour to pack, or he will be left behind."

There was plain relief in her voice. "Okay. Thanks."

I moved to cut off the call.

"Klaus?"

I returned the telephone to my ear.

"I mean it," she said softly. "Thank you."

I nodded, though she had no way of seeing it. "Half an hour, Caroline." With that I disconnected, carefully lowering my arm to rest at my side as I stared unseeing at the lamp. I thought of the high spirits with which I left Caroline's company a few hours earlier. I thought of the muted promises in the museum and the soul baring she treated me to over dinner. My determination to win her. The kisses. The tremulous possibility of a trusting relationship developing between us.

All of that was being threatened.

Caroline was being threatened.

I swiped out a hand with a roar of rage, the lamp shattering against the opposite wall. Not nearly satisfied with the carnage I picked up the sturdy table beneath with one hand and tossed it after. Wood cracked and split. Plaster feel. A hole appeared in the wall. I was left with a heaving chest and so much pent up violence I shook with it. I wanted destruction. I wanted desecration. I wanted blood and justice. No one harmed Caroline. The mere thought filled me with an unholy fear and fury. There was no time to waste. I had to get to her. I had to see her safe and in my arms.

I yanked my jacket from a chair and strode out of the room, already connecting another call and ordering the car about. It was there in minutes. I bit out instructions and sat back. They knew better than to engage me. They pushed every speed limit to the max and then proceeded to break one law after the other, my glower spurring them on. We arrived much sooner than expected in Caroline's complex, but much too late for my taste. I was out of the car nearly before it stopped, striding up the path and taking the stairs two at a time to reach her floor.

I had called Artie from the car to apprise him of our arrival. He oh-so-efficiently opened the door an instant before I reached it. Instead of entering, I yanked him out by the collar and quickly pressed him to the doorjamb. I pitched my voice too low for humans or Caroline to hear, speaking quickly so as not to keep long from what I really wanted.

"Allow me to make something clear to you, Artie. If harm should come to her, your life will be worthless. If you need proof, I suggest you permit an errant bruise to show up on her skin. See how I react. And just to drive the point home—you know how dangerous I am under normal circumstances. Imagine what losing something precious to me would do."

He listened, his arms out in surrender. "I convinced her to call you. Don't I get a little credit for that?"

"Marginally. It is only because of your loyalty and various skills that I am not taking my rage out on you. You've served me well. I only wish to impart to you the seriousness of your charge. Have I made my point?"

The former street urchin had always shown significantly less fear than the other hybrids. Significantly less gratitude as well. He was smarter than the average, more prepossessed, and yet he didn't have an ounce of ambition to go along with his leadership skills. He would make a superior second in command one day.

If he lived that long.

"I get it, alright? Caroline must be protected. I was on it. She got herself slimed, not shot. I even fed her. I think the brownie points are piling up here, personally."

I glared at my cheeky little apprentice, not at all amused by his flippant attitude.

"Klaus." Suddenly he was earnest. "I get it."

That remained to be seen, but I heard Caroline in the distance and had no choice but to release him. I went in without another glance. She and the redhead were pulling their cases into the living room. I paused. "What's all this?"

The roommate had one large suitcase and a backpack. Caroline had too large suitcases and a duffel. She looked a little embarrassed but relieved at my presence, a combination that soothed my male pride somewhat. I drank her in, looking for any sign that not all was as it should be.

"We don't know how long we'll be gone. I have to work." She patted the top of one suitcase. "It's got everything I need in there to keep my projects going."

And the others? I was hesitant to ask. According to rumor, Caroline skipped Mystic Falls with barely the clothes on her back. Clearly she was not aiming for the nomadic style again. This appeared to be the sort of packing one did when switching residences. That pleased me, taming a bit of the anger that roiled in my chest.

The roommate, on the other hand...

He shifted from foot to foot beneath my regard. "School books," he said, lifting the strap of the backpack from his shoulder for emphasis. He tapped his suitcase with a foot. "Clothes. If it's a big deal, I'll find a hotel or a friend to crash with."

"Don't," Caroline suddenly barked, surprising me. Yet it wasn't myself she was glaring at, it was...Artie?

He had his mouth open, as if to say something, but slowly closed it and favored my lady with a mischievous smirk. "You can't be in the room forever, princess."

"But I can invest in a good shock collar."

"Terra," Colby half-groaned, half-moaned.

"As fascinating as all this is," I interrupted coldly, "I suggest we repair to the car and discuss the situation in better surroundings. Help with the bags," I added to Artie.

The grin that split his face was blinding. "My pleasure." He had Colby's suitcase in hand before anyone could blink, making a show of flexing his muscles. "This way, handsome."

Even I, as old as I am, had no words for the puppy dog devotion that eclipsed Colby's surprise in short order. "I can do it," he protested feebly.

"And shortchange myself of the chance to impress you? No way."

Caroline growled. It was a very sexy, illuminating sound. The moment the two boys left the room she turned on me. "Did you pick Artie on purpose?"

I frowned. "When I received your call, I confess I did not envision this to be our conversation."

"Seriously, are you trying to set Colby up with Tall, Blond, and Hipster?"

"Caroline, my love, do I look like the sort that would take on a Lonely Hearts escapade as a side hobby?"

She eyed me, hands on her hips. "Did you know he was gay?"

"Darling, I would have to be blind to miss it. One cannot paint Artie as the shy type." It was my turn to be suspicious. "Why does it bother you so?" I did not bother to hide my jealousy. She was aware of it; attempting to minimize it would be fruitless.

"Because he is a hybrid, Klaus! I don't want Colby to get any deeper into our world than he already is. He deserves to live a normal life."

I tilted my head. Our world. More and more Caroline included us together, as if we were a unit.

Exactly what I wanted.

For that reason I chose to let my jealousy fizzle out, stepping closer to put my hands on her forearms. "Like it or not, Colby is already involved. If you want me to protect him, we have to keep him close. He might see things we cannot hide. You can either trust him to handle it, or we have take different measures." I leaned in, rubbing her flesh lazily, absorbing the feel of her. She was safe. She was with me. That had to be enough for the moment.

She was mutinous. "I don't like it when you're right."

That coaxed a smile from me, despite myself. "Love, no one likes it when I'm right." I became solemn. "How are you?"

She relaxed. "I'm fine," she admitted. "Worried, slightly freaked, but fine. Thanks for coming."

I searched her face. "Was it ever in doubt?"

The corners of her lips lifted. "You know, it never once occurred to me that you wouldn't be here. The question as always how quick you would be." She arched a brow. "And how massively out of control. But you're doing good. I'm surprised."

If she only knew. "We are going home," I told her quietly, firmly. "You will unpack your things, and that is where you will stay. I will get to the bottom of the situation, and all will be well. I promise." I let her go with great difficulty and reached for her bags.

"Hey Klaus?"

I paused.

She had her thinking expression on. "Come here." She opened her arms.

I straightened slowly, frowning. "What are you doing?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's called offering a hug. Now come here."

"Caroline-"

"This is a limited time offer."

"I am not-"

"Three." She stepped closer.

"If you are suggesting-"

"TWOone!" She threw herself at me. I caught her automatically, and she wrapped her arms around my torso and squeezed with a significant amount of vampire force, her head tucked beneath my chin. I held her, bewildered by her behavior, yet gradually my heartbeat slowed and I relaxed in her embrace.

"There," she said after a minute. "I think that's good. We both needed that." She tried to step back, but I resisted. "Or maybe you more than me."

There were a thousand things I needed more than she. "Do you know why love is a vampire's greatest weakness, Caroline?" I asked as I stroked her hair.

"Why?"

"Because it can be lost, and that possibility is a stark reminder of how truly bleak an existence can be. It drives us to depths we never imagined before." I felt as though I were confessing my soul to her, allowing her to see how frightening I found the situation.

And how frightening I could be.

She reached up and patted my cheek. "I'm here, Klaus. Now let's go home."

There was a level of hesitation in her voice that I was not immune to. She found the thought of my home intimidating. Perhaps even my level of devotion, in some degree, equally so.

No matter. We would move forward.

Always forward.

I could not allow anything else.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note:

The insomnia has worn off, thank goodness. Thanks for everyone's concern and suggestions, as well as all the reviews!

What do you think of Artie? I kinda dig him. I don't plan my stories ahead of time. I just sit down and write one day, whatever comes into my head, and when he showed up I was pleasantly surprised.