Nik's POV****

Maggie jerked away from me as if I'd electrocuted her. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and her heart rate was accelerated. I felt a bit guilty. Here we had been having an argument, and then I just kissed her right out of the blue.

"Maggie-"

She licked her lips nervously.

"Just shut up for a second, Nik, ok?" she refused to meet my eyes. With my thumb and forefinger, I lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at me. Through almost all of my trials, she had stood by me. When Mikael had come, she was there, when Caroline had betrayed me, she had accepted me back with open arms. I kissed her again, gently this time. Maggie didn't pull away as I guided her down the hall to my bedroom.

The curtains were flung open. I felt Maggie cringe into my side. Rebekah stared down at us exasperatedly.

"Well, it took you two long enough!"

Maggie's POV****

I blushed deeply at Rebekah's curious stare.

"Was there something you needed, Rebekah?" Nik asked, wrapping his arm protectively around me.

"I'm off to school to decorate for the Decade Dance. I didn't think you would want to stay abed all day, Nik, but I'm rethinking that. Goodbye!" she left the room. I buried my face into Nik's chest, blush still present on my cheeks.

"Don't go getting shy on me now, love," Nik teased. I elbowed him roughly as I sat up, scanning the room for my clothes.

"Shut up, Nik," I grumbled, scooping up my bra and swiftly putting it on. He rolled out of bed, fully nude. I averted my eyes. My cheeks had to be purple by now. He cupped my chin.

"What's the matter, Maggie?" he asked, staring me down.

"We slept together, Nik. This changes things," I looked away from him. He grinned devilishly.

"You are so adorable, love," he nuzzled my neck. I shifted away from him, pulling my jeans on. "Where are you going?"

"I've got work today."

Nik took my arms, forcing me to stop the search for my clothes.

"I love you, Maggie. This doesn't change anything."

I frowned.

"Nik, you said it yourself. You're leaving as soon as Stefan gives you the stakes. What am I supposed to do about that?"

"Do you really want to remain here for the rest of your life? We could go anywhere, Maggie. I would take you anywhere you wanted to go," he promised, his blue-gray eyes glistening with sincerity.

"And what about Elena and your hybrids? Tyler? Rebekah?"

"I care about having a family. You have been my family for much longer than the hybrids have. Rebekah may do as she pleases."

I sighed and leaned into him. He kissed my hair. "Shall I come over tonight?" he asked.

"You will anyways, why bother asking?" I quirked a brow. He grinned and kissed me again.

"I'll see you tonight, then."

I didn't get much work done that day. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts. My phone rang about lunch time.

"O'Sullivan," I answered.

"Um, Maggie, hi," I didn't recognize the voice, "It's Bonnie Bennett."

Had it really been just last night that I held her while she cried?

"Oh, hi, Bonnie. How are you doing?"

"Can we meet up for lunch?"

That was a deflection if I ever saw one.

"Sure, hon," I allowed.

"Great, I'll be over in ten,"

True to her word, she knocked on my office door ten minutes later with two ham and cheese sandwiches and two bottles of pop.

"What's on your mind?" I asked after we sat down.

"I can't talk to anybody else. Elena and Caroline are both siding with Stefan and Damon. I hate them both. I hate Klaus for what he's done to my friends, but I can't stand to be around my friends because they've taken everything from me," her words were rushed as they escaped her mouth. We were nearly in the same boat. Bonnie wasn't siding with either because she hated them. I wasn't siding with them because I loved them.

"Are you looking for your ma at all?" I asked pensively. Her eyes got shiny. She shook her head, tilting it down so I wouldn't see her tears. "Bonnie, I can't fix anything. You've lost your family to keep Elena safe. That's some friendship," I remarked.

Bonnie looked up, her face flushing a bit.

"Elena doesn't care! All she wants is Damon and Stefan trailing after her like puppies...She doesn't even realize what we've all done for her!" Tears spilled down Bonnie's pretty face. I reached over my desk and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Things will look up, Bonnie. I promise."

She sniffled.

Nik didn't show up until late. He looked weary.

"What's wrong, Nik?" I asked gently as I turned back my bed. He exhaled slowly.

"I don't want to tell you about it before you go to bed...It'll keep you up," he kissed my brow.

"By the looks of it, it'll be keeping you up," I informed him as I crawled under the covers. He slid in next to me, pulling me to him. I rested my head on his chest.

"Sleep doesn't affect me like it does you, love. Get some rest."