There was something about the rain that always calmed Elena. When she was little, she'd rest her head against the window and watch as the droplets raced down the glass. Her brown hair would sway as the wind blew through and her eyes would close as she inhaled the clean scent. Every memory she had of rain was comforting, calming and safe that there was no a reason to ever dislike it.

But thunder cracked above her head now, making every bone in her body rattle. Fear had been ensued in her mind that even the smallest noises made her jump. There was nothing calming about this, nothing soothing or comforting as the rain beat down hard above her head. She shivered and coughed, sneezed and wheezed as the last bit of light from the room was sucked away. It's been like this for days now. Cold weather, limited light, a constant chilling breeze that had her wishing for it to end.

And to think, just a week ago, she was home. Safe.

But they came out of nowhere. It was that time in the morning where Damon's guards rotated shifts, the little five minute window where she was completely defenseless. Her fingers were curling around the coffee mug just as the door burst open. And all she remembers after that is the sound of the shattering ceramic mug her mother had given her as boiling hot coffee splattered on her clothes.

Since then she hasn't met her captor. There's been whispers around the room, hushed voices from the hallway that he's coming. He's coming for her, he's coming to start this war. And with everyday that his arrival comes near she feels her stomach drop a little more. There's no doubt in her mind as to who it is. This couldn't be more perfect. They have Caroline and just to throw the Salvatores over the edge a little more, why not take away the love of Damon's life?

The door opened then, revealing a sliver of light from the hallway. She held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut as she turned away. Not yet. It was too soon.

She tried thinking of Damon. They've come so far. They've battled through the worst and for it to end like this...it didn't seem fair. She loved him, God, did she love him. Sure he had this bad times and he wasn't always the man she wanted him to be but he was there. Even when they broke apart he never strayed far. His love for her was endless, something that wouldn't die out or blow away because of petty problems. They survived, they pushed through. It's what made the days bearable.

She would make it because of him.

Because she loved him.

"Elena Gilbert." the voice echoed.

Her head lazily looked up, eyes going wide as the man came closer.

"Don't talk." he chuckled as he kneeled down before her. Slowly his hand came up and caressed her cheek, a smile going wide across his face. "There's no use in it."

She tried fighting against him but he effortlessly restrained her. Just hours ago she had been moved out of her cell and here, completely free. There was nothing holding her back from running except fear and his arms.

"Don't worry," he whispered, lips brushing her ear. "This will all be over soon."

The soft cushions enveloped her body as a breeze blew in through the window. She brought the sheets up to cover herself and rolled over to face the ceiling. A fan was blowing above her and she watched as the blades spun wildly. Just as she was about to turn over a strong arm came around her waist. He propped himself quickly above her, hands going on either side as he smiled.

"You look lovely in the morning." he whispered.

Her heart swelled. "You don't look so bad yourself."

His hand came up and trailed slowly down her cheek. "I could get used to this."

She watched as he leaned down and brushed his lips against her collarbone. They were light and soft, trailing over her skin gently. She felt the goosebumps pop up and she arched her back as he continued up her neck and let out a low moan.

"Shh," she pulled his face up to meet hers. "Someone's going to hear us."

"And so what if they do? Don't you want the world to know you're mine?"

Caroline studied his blue eyes as her fingers brushed the scruff along his jaw. Of course she wanted everyone to know. She wanted to shout and scream to the world that finally, finally someone had claimed her. She was wanted, she was loved, someone other than her mother wanted her around until the end of time.

So why couldn't she say it?

But before she could answer the door flew open. Klaus dropped down beside her, bringing the sheet up to cover themselves. His face was bewildered, all the words getting caught in his throat as he stared at the man in the doorway.

Giuseppe.

"What is the meaning of this?" he roared, the door slamming against the wall. "Caroline Elizabeth Salvatore!"

Tears were already welling up in her eyes and she looked to Klaus for something but he was gone. The space beside her was empty, as if he vanished into thin air. Panic set in her then as her father advanced, his voice growing louder and louder-

"How could you do this to us?" he shouted. "You're a disgrace! A shame to us! Loving a Mikaelson-" he spat.

"Daddy!" she was shaking her head, gripping onto the sheet for dear life. "Daddy, it's not what you think!"

"Then what was it, sweetheart?"

Caroline whipped her head around, seeing her mother in the doorway. She was wearing one of her business suits, the blue one. It was her favorite.

"Mommy?" Caroline sat up straighter in the bed, tears pooling from her eyes.

Liz stepped deeper into the room, stepping past her husband and towards her daughter. "Caroline…."

"I'm so sorry!" Caroline sobbed as Liz brought her in close. "Mommy, I didn't mean it. Don't be angry with me, please."

"But you did, Caroline. You wanted him and somewhere deep inside, you want this life."

"No, I don't! I want you, I want Daddy! I want our family back!" she was shaking her head, gripping onto her mother like a small child would. "I miss you, I miss you so much."

"Don't cry." Liz pulled away, wiping the tears from her daughter's eyes. "You have your family."

"But I don't have you."

"We're always here, sweetie. Always."

And then she faded away, slipping from her arms and into oblivion.

"Caroline."

She looked up to the ceiling, tears uncontrollable now.

"Caroline."

"Caroline!"

It was Katherine. She stood over the bed, concern streaked across her face as she hovered. Her hands rested on the blankets as she lowered herself on the bed, looking over Caroline tentatively.

"Caroline...it's okay. It was just a dream."

Caroline's eyes moved frantically around the room, her chest moving up and down rapidly. She tried to focus on the door, it's steadiness bringing her back. There was sweat collected on the back of her neck and her clothes were drenched with it. Katherine was rubbing soothing circles on her back, biting her lip slightly as she watched her.

"I'm just-" Caroline shrugged her away and stood up quickly. "I'm going to take a shower."

In the matter of seconds she was slamming the bathroom door behind her, sinking slowly to the floor as the tears came. It's been about a week since...well since everything. The torture, the interrogation...the...Klaus. And Lord, has it eaten her up inside. Every day she's consumed with guilt and fear, nightmares plaguing her dreams and an anxiety that has enabled her stomach to hold little to nothing anymore. She's been a wreck. And it seems to be getting worse which scares her, every part of her. There's no one who can help, no one who can pull her from this misery but herself. And she's wavering, tilting so close to the edge that soon she'll fall right over into the depths of hell that she wouldn't give a care in the world anymore.

It'd be that easy.

After she's showered, dressed and was presentable she makes her way out. Her stomach isn't craving anything, feels more sick than hungry so she decides to completely skip breakfast. Caroline knew well that she couldn't hide out in her room forever. This has been one of the first day's she's actually ventured fully out besides meals and gatherings. But all she wants is to be alone.

And then a thought crosses her mind. She remembers Katherine saying something about a reading room down the hall. She showed it to her the first week they were here.

"Rarely anyone goes in it." she had said, "Mostly Elijah when he needs an escape. But if you keep the doors closed no one should bother you."

Caroline headed straight down the hall, picturing the wooden doors in her mind. Once she reached them she pushed with full force, feeling more than eager for a little escape. Perhaps Austen or Dickens could offer that.

But he was standing there, back to her as he faced the window. There was a glass of bourbon on the coffee table and a smell of nicotine in the air. She wrinkled her nose but was too frozen in her spot to do anything else. She's avoided him perfectly the past few days, knowing exactly where he was and ensuring that she wouldn't run into him accidentally. It was one of the reasons she remained so confined to her room. She didn't want to face him. She wasn't ready yet.

He must have noticed her and turned around, his face going from serene to bewildered in the matter of seconds. There was a pencil in his hand and she noticed a sketchbook open on the desk. The pages were white with eraser shavings scattered all around it. Pieces of crumbled up paper lay scattered on the desk, the garbage can basically overflowing with them.

She wondered what they were of.

"Caroine-"

"I'm sorry," her voice sounded rough and unnatural. "I didn't know-"

He shook his head. "It's fine."

They stared at each other for another moment, the silence in the room creeping up on both of them. He was watching her, something sad on his features that she couldn't quite pick up on. They haven't seen each other in days much to Caroline's thanks but who would have thought the sight of him would make her feel better? There was a certain calmness that came with him, a safe feeling that she couldn't get with anyone else.

But it was wrong! So wrong that she's suppressed it enough to haunt her dreams. What they did was a mistake, it couldn't happen again. It didn't matter what she wanted, it wasn't right. No one would forgive her.

Though, looking at him now, those thoughts slipped. She averted her gaze to her feet as she brushed a piece of fallen hair away from her. He was still staring, she could feel it, and she hated herself for not caring.

"I haven't seen you in a while." he murmured, reaching down to pick up his drink.

Caroline sighed. "I haven't been feeling well."

He broke his gaze with her. "Katherine was telling me."

Her slow intake of breath made him look back up. She was still in the doorway, hands clenched together and a pale complexion. It took everything in Klaus not to rush to her side and take away everything that was troubling her. But just by the stance she had he knew it wasn't possible. She regretted their kiss, wanted to erase it from her lips and a part of him wanted to as well. Just so he could forget the taste...forget how perfectly she fit against him...to make the wanting go away. Because he wanted her now, wanted every part of her. Yet it was the look in her eyes that made him hesitate, that made him want to recoil at the sight of her.

Because she didn't want him.

"Katherine should worry about herself." Caroline whispered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"You can't blame her for being concerned...we all are."

Her eyes shot up to his. "I don't want to talk about this-" she turned to leave but he caught up to her, taking her wrist in his hand.

"Don't."

A word. A single word that made her want to fall apart. The pleading in his eyes made her crumble. Why was she feeling like this? It was just a kiss, a simple, small, kiss. Why did it turn everything into so much more than it was?

But it was more. More than she could imagine.

"Stay." he whispered, pulling her closer. "Caroline."

"You don't understand." she looked away from him. "What I said the other night...this can't happen."

Hurt spilled from his face. "Because you don't want it."

Caroline laughed, something bitter and lacking of humor. Her eyes were glistened and she looked away from him. His hold on her only grew stronger then as he pulled her back.

"I wish I didn't want it." she whispered after a moment.

Only then did he let her go.

"I wish I hated you."

His eyes widened.

Caroline bit her lip and that's when he stepped closer. The soft warmth of his hands enveloped her waist and her breath hitched. His gaze went down to her lips as they parted, only slightly when her last few words escaped.

"But I don't."

And he leaned in only to let her go as the door flung open.

Caroline ripped herself away as Klaus growled in protest, his eyes blazing as he turned to the door. She watched as his hands clenched into fists and she sighed, running her own hand through her hair.

That was close.

Elijah stood in the doorway, cheeks flushed as he realized what he stepped into. It took him a second to regain his thoughts and words.

"Brother, there's something we need to discuss." he looked to Caroline then. "I suggest you go downstairs, be with the girls. I need everyone rounded up."

Klaus took a step, blocking Caroline from view. "What's going on?"

"Meet me in the study, Kol is there. I'm sure Father will be making his way in soon as well." Elijah rolled his eyes, running a hand down his face. "Let's just go." he muttered.

In the matter of seconds he was out the door, stomping down the hallway like a five year old. That's when Klaus turned back to her, sighing as he motioned to where Elijah was standing moments ago.

"Do what he says. I'm sure it's nothing but I'm not big on taking chances."

She raised an eyebrow.

His smirk came back as he leaned down to her ear. "Well, not when it concerns beautiful, priceless things like yourself."

Caroline scoffed lightly but followed his orders, quickly making an exit from the room. She only took one look behind her before disappearing.

Klaus stood in his spot for a few moments, reflecting briefly on the events that happened. To say he was confused would be an understatement.

He was completely and utterly dumbfounded.

He's locked himself in his study for days now. Four bottles of bourbon and five packs of cigarettes later did Stefan finally decide to intrude. But no one understood Damon's grief.

It started with rage. He broke three chairs and a window and only when the smell of his own blood poisoned the air did he stop.

Then there was a phase of denial as he tried calling her phone twenty-three times.

But now it was only sadness as realization dawned on him.

That family...that family if that's what they choose to refer to themselves as...have taken everything from him.

First his parents.

Then his sister.

And now...now….

He couldn't even think it, couldn't allow himself to fully accept what they've done. What they may be doing to her now.

Why must he fail everyone? Why does he constantly disappoint the people who he holds dearest? He tried so hard, took every precaution necessary, followed every order his father had left for him only to end up here. With half his family missing and a chunk of them dead. And his name is signed in his own blood all over it. Who else is there to blame but himself? Stefan follows orders, only does what Damon tells him to do. He is far from the problem.

"Brother…." Stefan slowly approached Damon, taking in his surroundings carefully. The place was an absolute mess. Broken glass littered the floor and there was a stench in the air that made his nose wrinkle. He's never seen his brother so broken.

"Leave me alone." Damon hissed, turning his back as he took another swig from the bottle.

"This has gone on long enough. We need to make our move now."

He laughed bitterly. "What's the point? We're already losing."

Stefan stormed to the desk, slamming both his fists on the wood in a blinded rage. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" he shouted. "We're so high in this game right now, Damon! They only took Elena because they think we stole their money! So let's show them. Let's show them who's really in charge. We'll take back Elena, we'll take back our sister and end this! It can all be over with one last blow."

Damon looked up from his drink, a skeptical glint in his eyes. "One last blow? How would we get them back? It's impossible. For all we know they could be packing up to leave right now."

Stefan shook his head. "But they're not. I've kept tabs on them ever since the incident. Mikael is back in town and they're scrambling to fix everything. Right now is there weakest point, Damon. If we hit them just right they'll fall."

Something flashed across Damon's face. It looked a little bit like hope. "What do you suggest?"

"Let's just invade. We raid the house, take back what's ours and have them surrender. It's risky, I know, probably super reckless, yes, but it's going to work. We have the power, we have the people and they'll never see it coming. Hell, we wouldn't either. This plan is a suicide mission but it might be crazy enough to work."

Damon rested his hands under his chin, lips pursing out as he contemplated the idea. Could this work? As crazy and completely messed up as it sounds this might actually work. It would end everything and to be taken completely by surprise? Nothing gets better than that.

But could he take the risk? What if it fails? What if it all blows up in his face? What on earth would they do then?

"It's worth it, Damon," Stefan said, as if he could read his thoughts. "At least we tried, at least we did something instead of sitting on our asses as time flies by. Please."

Damon pressed his lips together as his head spun. The bourbon combined with the massive amount of smoke circling in the air made his thinking process slower. He wasn't in the right state of mind to answer, couldn't think it through clearly enough to make a rational decision. But when he finally did answer, the rage, the guilt, the sorrow fueled it. When he finally nodded his head, in the distance he saw the sweet light of redemption. Not only for himself but for his family. To finally bring them back to where they were always meant to be. Taking down the Mikealsons once and for all has been a dream in the Salvatore family for generations. And to be the one to finally accomplish it...well...that was a thrilling thought.

"You won't regret this." Stefan said, the confidence shining from him.

Damon nodded. "We leave tonight."

But only if they knew that tonight would be too late.

"What's the meaning of this?" Kol yawned, leaning back into the chair. "I was sleeping, you know."

Elijah was rested up against the wall, sighing as his head shook. Sometimes he questioned his relation to his brother since they were so drastically different from one another. Kol could let the world pass him by without a care, just relishing in his liquor and women. When would be the time where he finally grew up and became the man they all desperately needed him to be?

"Forgive us, Kol, for disturbing you beauty sleep. But there's more important matters at hand." Klaus said, rolling his eyes as he turned his attention back to Elijah. He still wasn't happy about that fact that it was indeed Elijah instead of himself who had called this meeting, who now possessed information that neither he nor Kol knew about. But for a second he let it go seeing as his brother looked as if he would throw up. The stress has nearly eaten away at him, made him into someone no one even recognized. It was a frightful sight.

Elijah nodded his head as he began to pace. "Just recently we've discovered that on the night of Miss. Salvatore's interrogation, the night our money was taken...the Salvatore family attempted to make contact."

Klaus' eyebrows rose. "And we didn't notice? How is that possible?"

Kol's face changed, ears perking up and eyes hardening. Finally something caught his attention.

"I don't know." Elijah sighed. "I. Don't. Know. But they did and now they're ignoring our contact. They are not informed of that fact that Marcel was indeed the one to steal from us. It seems that each of our families have been wronged by that man. And I discovered recently that the Gilbert girl...one of Miss. Salvatore's friends...well she's been missing for several days now."

Something within Kol retracted, his face twisted and there was a moment where his heart stopped beating. Elena Gilbert was gone. Elena Gilbert friend of Caroline. Elena Gilbert friend of Caroline but also friend of Bonnie.

Bonnie.

"Bloody hell," he whispered as his head dropped into his hands.

Klaus swallowed hard. "But we-"

"I know." Elijah said. "Which means we have to make contact with them immediately. If they think we're under the assumption that they have our money...God only knows what they're planning to do."

"I have to go." Kol jumped up from his spot, nearly darting to the door.

'But Kol-" Klaus said, his voice stern and hard.

Elijah sighed, waving his hand to let him free. "I don't care, there isn't time for him." he then looked to his brother, eyes lost. "Niklaus, what should we do?"

Klaus took a deep, ragged breath. He ran a hand through his hair and blinked his eyes a few times. His brother, the one who claimed his rightful throne, was asking him, Klaus, for advice. Klaus wasn't sure if he should laugh or not answer at all. Even he didn't have anything to say. If they're not responding then what more can they do?

"'Lijah, I'm not sure…." Klaus responded, shaking his head cluelessly.

"Well we have to think of something because Father is coming!" Elijah nearly yelled, his voice quivering as it slipped from his lips. It seemed to be nerves that were eating him up, that caused the trembling in his body as he stood before his brother. The mistakes were adding up as everything toppled onto his shoulders, weighing him down until soon he couldn't move. This wasn't the life he thought he would have after taking this job. Mikael was never like this, he was always so calm and serene. Then again, Mikael never made mistakes.

Well he isn't human either so-

"Brother." Klaus said. "It's fine. Mikael will understand-"

"You know that's not the case! If he finds out he'll be livid."

"Then correct the situation." Klaus offered. "It's a minor fix."

Elijah nodded blindly. "A minor fix."

"I'll secure the house and rounds everyone up." he said, slower now. "Don't fret."

Elijah wasn't even paying attention anymore. His eyes were focused on the monitor in front of him as he spoke to a guard at the desk. They were all working frantically to reach Damon Salvatore, to clear up the mess that has been created.

With that Klaus left, his legs working too quickly as he made his way into the living room. But the sight he walked into nearly crushed him.

Caroline was sitting on the couch, head in her hands as her soft sobs filled the room. Rebekah stood over her, hands placed lightly on her shoulders as she looked up to Klaus. Katherine was by the window, holding herself tightly as she turned to him.

"What happened?"

"Kol said Elena-" Caroline wasn't able to finish. Just as the words escaped her lips a guard came rushing into the room, winded and nearly collapsing as he held himself against a wall.

"Sir!" he called, barely able to form words. "Sir, something's happened on the east end of the lot. The guards are down and no one's responding to the calls."

Klaus spun around, fear flashing in his eyes. "What?"

The guard was speechless now, cringing to the sound of yelling coming from behind him.

Klaus turned back around, looking to Katherine, Rebekah and finally Caroline. She was sitting up straighter now, wiping tears away as their eyes connected. He tried to push away the sinking feeling within his stomach, the fear that was slowly taking over his body.

Remain calm, he told himself, You don't even know what happened yet.

"Katherine," Klaus said, "Go find Elijah and tell him what's happened. Everyone else stay put and wait for orders. And you," he turned to the winded guard. "Tell me everything."

Kol was pacing anxiously around his room, his phone held securely by his ear. He's called her three times already and there's been no answer. If she hadn't picked up on the fourth ring he surely would have collapsed.

"Kol!" she said, exasperated on the other line. "Kol, what do you want? I was taking a run."

The amount of relief that flooded him could have filled oceans. "I just...I just haven't heard from you in a while, that's all, darling."

He could hear the smile in her voice. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy."

"Don't fret. All is forgiven."

"So how are you?" she said now.

"I'm fine." he said, falling back onto the bed. "I'm just fine."

Elena leaned back against the wall, gasping for air as her captor finally released her. They've been running through the house for what seemed like hours until he finally shoved her into a room.

As she finally got back her breath she took in her surroundings. The room was white with a simple table and chair in the back of it. In the corner she saw a video camera perched on standing facing her. It was then when the man grabbed her, pointing to the chair that awaited her. For some reason he was too happy, the smile on his face widening with each step she took.

"Just sit there for a second while I set this up." he said. "And don't move either."

Elena clasped her hands together, breathing in deeply as she stared down at the table. She hoped he would stay quiet but his voice continued to fill the air.

"Your precious Salvatores really are gullible. They know exactly how to fall into a trap."

She swallowed back the bile that rose up in her throat. Even the thought of Damon was too much. She missed him with every ounce of herself, with every cell in her body did she ache for him. And she tried holding out for him, tried hanging on to whatever was left in herself. Because Damon always comes back, he never leaves you. Once you're in his life, you're in it forever. He was going to save her.

She knew it.

"I mean, at this very moment, they're making a move on the Mikaelsons. The Mikaelsons!" the man laughed, shaking his head profusely as he adjusted the camera. "I really played my cards well. I'm impressed."

Elena still said nothing and directed her attention elsewhere.

"But don't worry, everything will be cleared up soon." It was then when he pulled out the gun from his belt. Slowly he set it on the table in front of her and it was only then when she looked up, pure disgust written all over her face.

"Who are you?" she spat.

The smile that crept on his lips was the last thing she saw before her eyes closed.

"I'm Marcel."

"Elijah!" Katherine nearly slammed into him, arms going tightly around his torso as she held onto him. "Thank God I found you!"

Elijah looked down to the brunette holding him, worry soon consuming his face as his arms wrapped around her. "Katerina, what's wrong?"

She pulled away slightly. "I don't know. One of the guards came and told Klaus that there was a disturbance. Something's happened and Klaus sent me to find you."

His entire mouth went dry. "I need you to go." he pulled away from her and motioned a guard to come near. "I need you to be safe."

"But what's going on? Do you know-"

He sighed, swallowing the lump rising in his throat. "I know exactly what's happened."

Damon took a deep breath as he waved more of his men forward. Stefan was right behind him, eyes scanning the area around them. He gave a single nod and Damon stepped closer, holding the gun tightly to his chest. The air was cold around them as clouds from the distance began to move in.

They were in the east lot while others resided on the west. The stations the Mikaelsons had in place were taken down and all that was left to do were the doors. Once excess was created there was nothing stopping them from moving in.

But there was a moment of doubt that flickered through Damon's mind. He looked back to his brother who was focused solely on the manor, eyes fixated on something Damon couldn't pinpoint. He knew this wasn't the time for second thoughts, they were in too deep. There was no turning back now. But that didn't stop his thoughts.

What if this was a mistake?

And then the blow sounded from the manor doors. Glass shattered as pieces of wood flew up in the air.

"We're in!" Stefan called, the biggest smile gracing his lips. He turned to Damon. "You focus on Elena and I'll get Caroline. C'mon, we can do this."

Damon nodded, following Stefan in suit.

No, he thought then, this isn't a mistake at all.

Don't kill me! Lots of good stuff happened and I would love to hear your thoughts! Next chapter will be great...promise (;

I hope you guys are having a great week and just one quick thing...I would love it if you could check out my new fic, "Over the Love". It involves an emotionless Klaus and a needed friendship we all wanted between Kol and Caroline! It won't disappoint! Thanks (: