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So… New Vampire Diaries episode tonight, finally! But god, with every preview and every interview I come across I'm starting to believe more and more that Klaus won't live to see season four. xD Which sucks, of course. Quite frankly, it reminds me of when I was younger… Back then I was a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (don't even ask), but when Angel left, I never watched the freaking show again. T_T

Granted, I've grown up, and so I'm not saying that I will abandon this show just because the writers kill off one of my favorite characters. All I'm saying is; It has happened before, it might happen again. xD

Anyway, I made time to write a new chapter for you guys! Have fun reading. :)

So many people are looking to me
To be strong and to fight
But I'm just surviving
And I may be weak but I'm never defeated
And I'll keep believing
In clouds with that sweet silver lining…

Kate Voegele - Sweet Silver Lining - From the album 'A Fine Mess'

Torn

At his announcement, I uncomfortably shifted in his lap. The feeling of uneasiness nestled itself in the pit of my stomach.

"What news, Nik?" I prompted.

He bemusedly glimpsed down at my arm, which was now completely healed, but still covered in dried blood. "We're not entirely sure yet if there's a reason for concern, but it came to Rebekah's attention that the white oak tree that we burned down centuries ago, may have sprouted an unwelcome descendant."

I directly understood the problem that he was sketching, and a shiver ran down my spine. "And a piece of wood from the white oak tree is lethal to an Original." I whispered, astounded by how much that thought terrified me.

"Yes." Klaus affirmed unnecessarily. "Needless to say, I'm not an easy target… But with my idiot of a brother still out there, who is more than willing to die for the greater good, I can't take any risks. Let's not forget that the five of us are still linked together."

"But, assuming that there really was another white oak… The remains of that tree could be anywhere…" I muttered slowly.

His arms were gently tightening around me as he responded. "Precisely. Therefore this is a matter of great importance. I need to find whatever is left of that tree before the Salvatores find out about it and start digging."

"And you have no clue where to start?" I surmised.

He cleared his throat, his blue eyes finally meeting mine. "Well, Rebekah discovered that there probably are some useful records at the Salvatore house… Lately she's been hanging out with Damon Salvatore in order to do some silent research, and I have good hope that she will soon come upon something helpful. My sister is nothing if not thorough."

I pulled a face. "That, she is." I had to admit, even if I wasn't very fond of Rebekah.

Klaus fleetingly smirked at my unhidden loathing of his sister, but he was soon back to solemn. "Yes well, until then, I infer that all there's left to do is hope that the wrong people won't find out."

"Who else knows?" I checked.

"No one, love. One would think that by now you know me well enough to grasp that I wouldn't be as foolish as to willingly put my fate in someone else's hands." He mocked me, some humor in his eyes as he lightly tugged at one of my blonde curls.

"You told me." I contradicted.

He pulled me even closer to his chest, even if that seemed impossible with him already crushing me to him, and he rested his chin on top of my head. "Then consider this me giving you proof that I truly trust you."

I closed my eyes in contentment, hugging my body against him. He sincerely trusted that I wouldn't run to my friends to sell him out, and I sure as hell wasn't going to give him a reason to accuse me of taking part in his demise. This time, I was going to be selfish. I so badly needed him to be a part of my life, and him dying would seriously mess up that plan. The situation that I was in was a shrill contrast to the way things used be…

About a month ago, this would've been spectacular news. I would've passed it on to my friends, and Damon would've come up with some sort of reckless plan, causing all of us to blindly go on a mission to slay some Originals. And possibly get killed in the process. In any case, everything was different now… If this ended in war, I would do my best to make sure that none of my friends were going to get hurt; Nothing had changed there. Nonetheless, at the same time, I also didn't want him to get hurt. And I was done giving myself a hard time about it. I was through feeling guilty about having feelings for Klaus.

Besides, Elena -for one- had no right to speak. She would give her life to protect Stefan and Damon; The men that she loved. And crazy as it seemed, I would rather stake myself than to betray the man that I loved.

He kissed the top of my head, and I buried my face in the crook of his neck, placing a small kiss there. Our intimate moment was cut short when my phone started ringing. He released me from his firm embrace, offering me the opportunity to search my pocket and answer the call.

"Oh, wonderful!" I growled sarcastically when I saw that it was Elena's name on the screen. Speak of the devil…

The phone never stopped going off, because I was in no mood to talk to her.

"You don't want to speak to her." Klaus' comment was a conclusion, not a question.

"No… She's most likely calling because she wants to lecture me." I replied wearily.

"You think she already knows? About us, I mean?" Klaus asked, frowning.

"Yep." I said, popping the P.

"Figures… I was aware that news travels fast in this dreary little town, but this has to be a new record, even for Mystic Falls."

"Yeah… I assume that Tyler told Matt, who told Elena, who is now going to stalk me because she's determined to convince me that I'm better off without you." I summarized, tone detached.

"Do you agree with her?" He asked, leaning back slightly so he could use his captivating eyes to put me under his spell.

I intently stared back at him. "Would I be here if I did?"

"You tell me. All I know is that you care a great deal about your friends. I'm not blind, Caroline. It's not hard to see that you're torn between me and them. And as much as I hate to put you in a position where you have to take a side, I think you should give it some thought, because I'm afraid that it will unequivocally come down to that…" He was simply stating the facts; It didn't sound like he was reproaching me, or even trying to get me on his team.

"Well… You should know that, if it ever comes down to that, I will do whatever it takes to protect my friends… But I will also do everything within my power to protect you." I specified resolutely.

His riveting smile reminded me of why I had bothered to connect with him in the first place. "How difficult it is for me to comprehend that you care that much about me." He murmured, genuinely amazed.

I laughed quietly. "Back at you."

"But Caroline?" He said, voice earnest.

"Yes?"

"I know how stubborn you can be at times, and I'm well aware that I can't stop you once your mind is made up… But for the love of all that's holy, don't put your own safety at risk while throwing yourself in the middle of all this." His warning was grave.

"I'll try..." I mumbled.

I didn't speak in guarantees, because honestly, I couldn't. Less than an hour ago I had unthinkingly attempted to keep two angry hybrids from attacking each other. With my exasperating emotions always getting the best of me, there was no way that I could swear to Klaus that I wouldn't do anything reckless.

My phone beeped. Again. Elena. Again. She was sending a text now.

'Stop ignoring me. We need to talk. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. I don't want you to get hurt… Please.'

I groaned, reluctantly detaching myself from him and getting up from his lap. I felt as good as normal; His blood was really something.

"You're leaving?" He asked, following my example and getting up as well.

"Yes. I've known Elena my entire life. She won't stop bothering me unless I talk to her. I'd rather do this in person than over the phone." I explained. "Besides, I need a shower and some clean clothes." I added, holding up my bloody arm.

"I see… Do look after yourself, love. I take it your friends are not going to be very understanding about the recent developments between the two of us." He warned.

"I know… I will watch my back." I promised. "And I want you to do the same."

He rolled his eyes, playing the indifferent-card to put my mind at ease. "You mustn't waste your time worrying about me. In fact, I recall someone telling me earlier today that I'm 'freaking indestructible'." He grinned mischievously as he replicated my words.

I smiled back halfheartedly, not entirely comforted. "Right... So, you keep that in mind. I'm counting on your everlastingness, Nik. Don't disappoint me."

He incredulously shook his head, his smirk still in place. "As you wish."

"Good. I'll be going then."

"Yes…" He stepped closer to me, planting a kiss on my lips that was loving yet solid.

It was such a normal gesture. He was kissing me the way an average boyfriend would kiss his girlfriend when saying goodbye to her. And I loved every second of it. He pulled back, tenderly caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. "Goodbye, love."

"Goodbye." I responded, dazed.

I flashed him a last smile before heading for the door. I was already halfway when I changed my mind, turning on my heels. He was eying me questioningly.

"Visit me tonight?" I blurted out boldly.

He arched his eyebrows. "That's temping. Although I must say that I highly doubt if your mother would approve."

"Okay… Let me translate that for you; Use the window, buddy." I hinted, taking several steps towards him.

He cringed visibly at the word 'buddy', and his facial expression caused me to snicker.

"Anyway, it's up to you. See you when I see you." I said, swiftly leaning in and nonchalantly kissing the corner of his mouth.

As I turned around for the second time and darted out of the room, I heard him call after me...

"Don't lock your window, sweetheart."

-xxx-

"Caroline, thank god!" Elena's face radiated relief as she opened her door to let me in.

I smiled mechanically as I went inside the Gilbert house. After I'd gone home to put on a decent shirt, I had gone straight to Elena's place, planning to get this out of the way as quickly as possible. Postponing this talk was not going to make it any less dreadful.

I followed her into the kitchen, where she'd been busy doing the dishes. We were both silent as we sat down at the breakfast bar, but Elena opened the conversation soon enough.

"So… Is it true?" She asked, altogether neglecting the art of subtlety.

"I you're referring to me being in love with Klaus… Then yes." I confessed without putting up a struggle, knowing that denying was useless.

Her mouth fell open, and her brown eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets.

"I'm sorry, Elena. It just happened… That's the thing with love, it just happens. I didn't ask for any of this…" I rambled defensively while she was gawking at me.

"Oh my god… Caroline, that's crazy! He's cruel! He's a cold-blooded murderer! He's… Klaus…" She listed when she was able to speak again, sounding hysterical.

I exhaled deeply, shoulders slumping. "Listen, I'm not asking for your support, and I hardly expect you to understand it... To be honest, I'm still trying to get used to it, myself." I muttered truthfully.

"How did this even happen?" She asked, staggered.

I shrugged, folding my hands together in my lap. "That's a very good question..."

"Really, Care… Why did you even give him an opening to get under your skin?" She insisted, still on the verge of hysteria.

"I'm not sure… It's just, he kept coming on to me, begging me to give him a chance… And then I did, because I was so certain that he would never manage to make me fall for him. But after spending some time with him… He turned out to be so much more than the vile monster that I believed him to be." At the end of my revelation, my voice was down to a whisper.

"And you're absolutely sure that you're not… Compelled?" Elena verified cautiously.

I groaned exhaustively. "Not you, too! Seriously, it's lovely to know that everyone thinks so much of me! I would've known, Elena… The feelings I have for him are all mine."

"I'm sorry." She apologized quietly, toning down. "I was only checking… Klaus is the master of manipulation. But never mind, if you say that you're acting on your own free will, I trust your judgment."

"Thank you." I responded coolly. "So, what's up next? Are you going to give me a speech? Hand me a list of fifty reasons why I should end things with him?" I continued, sounding more bitter than I'd originally intended.

She sighed worriedly. "Would it make a difference?"

"No…" I admitted instantaneously so that she could save her energy. "You can't simply change how you feel about someone. You of all people should know, right? I mean with Stefan… And Damon."

A weak smile touched her eyes. "I wish I had a brilliant comeback to that. But I don't. I can relate…"

I cracked a tiny smile as well. We regarded each other in silence, not sure what else there was to say about this unsolvable dilemma.

"So… Where are the two of you currently standing?" Elena asked after a long moment had passed, for the most part curious now.

I let out a hollow laugh. "I very much doubt if Nik would ever use the words 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend', but I suppose that's the way things are right now."

One of Elena's eyebrows lifted critically. "Nik?"

An unwished-for blush crept up my cheeks. "Yeah, please don't even ask."

She held up her hands, dropping the subject. "Fine. All I'm saying is that this whole you-dating-Klaus thing is a bit surreal to me."

"Join the club. We've got t-shirts." I joked, figuring that a small dose of self-mockery had never killed anyone.

Elena snorted briefly, but she was rather serious when she spoke again. "All I hope is that he genuinly cares for you. I wouldn't want to see you get hurt… You don't deserve it, Care..."

"Oh, come here, you." I said, sponteanously pulling my best friend in for a hug.

No matter what, she meant well. Also, her concern wasn't exactly misplaced…

A sharp knock against the door startled us, and we both sat straight.

"Great." Elena said grouchily as she got up to answer the door. "I could do without visitors for one day."

She skipped out of the kitchen, and I heard how she yanked the door open. The next thing that my ears were registering was Damon's voice, and I froze on the spot. If the news had reached Damon Salvatore, he was going to be so pissed off.

I got my answer when he barged into the kitchen, his piercing eyes reprimandingly glaring at me.

"Well, well… If it isn't little-miss-sleeping-with-the-enemy'." He lilted coldly. "Just the person I wanted to talk to…"

Thanks for reading, see you soon! :)