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Stranger than your sympathy
And this is my apology
I've killed myself from the inside out
And all my fears have pushed you out

And I wished for things that I don't need
And what I chase won't set me free
And I get scared but I'm not crawling on my knees

Stranger than your sympathy
I take these things so I don't feel
I've killed myself from the inside out
And how my head's been filled with doubt

And it's hard to lead the life you choose
When all your luck's run out on you
And you can't see when all your dreams are coming true…

The Goo Goo Dolls – Sympathy

Taking Sides

Nasty as ever, reality ruined the moment. This time, our wake-up call came in the form of Damon's lilting voice.

"Well, well, look at you lovebirds. This would've been so romantic, if it wasn't absolutely disgusting."

My head shot up, and I looked straight into Damon's appalled face. I was way past feeling guilty about what was going on between me and Klaus, and so I glowered right back at Damon.

Apparently Klaus was not in the fighting mood, for he sounded irritated but restrained when he addressed Damon. "What do you want, Damon?"

Damon shrugged, keeping up his usual nonchalant attitude. "Nothing much. Although now that you mention it… I did catch your little sister, snooping around our house. Seeing as I didn't let her in, and neither did Stefan, I'd say that's breaking and entering." His frosty blue eyes were wide and relentless.

"And you've come all the way here to tell me that?" Klaus growled, slowly detaching himself from me and sitting straighter. "Whatever Rebekah does, that's her business."

I shifted uncomfortably on the bench, because like Klaus, I knew perfectly well what Rebekah had been doing there. As I investigated the smug grin around Damon's lips, I realized that he also was not in the land of the unknowing anymore.

"Oh really? Because something tells me that it's your business as well. You see, when I busted her she was going through an old journal that was entirely devoted to trees." His mouth curled up into a smirk as he emphasized the word 'trees'. "Now correct me if I'm wrong, but Rebekah doesn't strike me as the tree-hugging type. So I was thinking, trees… Originals… Tell me, am I on to something here?" He added cockily.

"What if you are, mate?" Klaus said lowly, standing up to his full length. "What good would it be if I snapped your neck before you have a chance to act on it? Did you come here because you have a death wish?"

"No." Damon replied, averting his head and rudely staring over Klaus' shoulder to where I was sitting. "But with everything going on, I came to tell Barbie that it is about time for her to decide for which team she's rooting."

An irritable response was halfway out of my mouth, but it lost every meaning when Klaus launched himself at Damon. He was using one of his insanely fast movements, holding Damon up against the nearest tree.

"Don't speak to her like that, she doesn't have to decide anything." Klaus was hissing, not talking.

His hand tightened around Damon's neck, but Damon worked hard to make it seem that he wasn't affected by Klaus' suffocating grip.

"Yes, she does." Damon choked out. "Come on, Blondie, be a woman about it! You need to take your pick."

I groaned as I flew up from the bench, glaring at the hybrid and the vampire as they were baring their fangs at each other. I had been up all night, and I was so not in the mood for this. Besides, I was fairly sure that Klaus wasn't going to butcher Damon, since he took way too much pleasure in torturing him. Damon, on the other hand, was obviously on to something, but he wouldn't be able to end Klaus unless he could actually find a piece of that dreaded oak tree first. That was, of course, if we were going with the theory that there was anything left of said tree to begin with.

And so I chose to retreat; I had no interest whatsoever in witnessing the end of this macho-showdown.

"No, Damon. I don't need to take a side. All I truly need right now, is to catch up on some sleep." I announced exasperatedly.

"Yes, maybe that would be best, love." Klaus encouraged, glancing back at me and giving me a wicked smile that momentarily made me fear for Damon's life.

No. He wouldn't do it. By know I knew him well enough to know he wouldn't. I hesitantly took a few steps backwards, walking away from the scene that was unfolding in front of me.

"Don't you dare… leave! I'm not… finished… talking to you…" Damon whimpered, kicking his legs as Klaus choked him even further.

I shook my head. "You're on your own, Damon. And the same goes for you, Nik. I'm done playing referee. Best of luck to both of you, I'm out of here." I tiredly said, at the same time wondering why I was even bothering to excuse myself like a civil person, especially when my apology was aimed at two animals who were at the verge of ripping each other's throats out.

I turned away, opting for running instead of walking as I took off, making sure to drown out any sounds coming from the two bickering men that I'd just turned my back on.

My thoughts were on another continent altogether as I reached my house. However, I regained my focus when I spotted my mom's car in the driveway. I checked my watch. It was almost seven, so she hadn't left for work yet. She was probably having breakfast at this very moment, and the last thing I needed was my mother bestowing another you-need-to-break-up-with-Klaus speech on me.

I weighed the idea of sneaking into my room by climbing through the window... Then again, after I had already avoided her for days, I wouldn't put it past her to drag me out of bed and demand to have a serious talk with me. I bit my lip, deliberating. Like me, my mom could be extremely persistent... Perhaps it would be better to sneak into someone else's bedroom and crash on someone else's bed, just in case…

-xxx-

The Mikaelson mansion always made me feel so small, as well as ordinary. The sun was rising, giving the magnificent building a fairytale kind of glow, but I tried to ignore that as I searched the window to his room. I could've tried the door, but considering that he was out there kicking Damon's ass, it would just be me and the she-devil. Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll pass.

He had barged into my room without an invitation so many times I'd lost count, which was the reason I felt no shame at all as I gracefully landed on the expensive carpet that covered the floor of his bedroom. I got rid of my shoes and jacket, dropping them to the floor before diving into his large, comfy bed. I was going to stay here, and sleep all day long. And then sleep some more. Screw school. Screw Mondays. After all, I would have the rest of eternity to catch up on my schoolwork.

A satisfied sigh left my lips as I pulled the soft covers up to my chin, inhaling his calming scent as I made myself comfortable. I had been awake for a solid twenty-four hours now, and my eyelids were already beginning to droop. If my Original boyfriend, for lack of a better term, had any problems with my trespassing, he could tell me once I was conscious again…

-xxx-

He didn't mind. I came to that conclusion when I woke up and saw a tray filled with miscellaneous items that was placed on the bedside table. I propped myself up on my elbows to take a better look. There was a fresh made sandwich, a glass of orange juice, and last but not least, a bag of AB positive.

I snorted to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. "No need to woo me anymore, I'm already yours." I mumbled.

Nonetheless, I appreciated the gesture. Also, I was both hungry and thirsty, which made this breakfast in bed even more welcome.

When I was done with shamelessly stuffing my face, the alarm clock on the nightstand caught my eye. Nearly four in the afternoon. I decided to get up, sliding out of the bed, my toes sinking into the fluffy carpet. I assumed that he was home -I hardly expected Rebekah to make me breakfast- and so I went looking for him. I tentatively left his room, browsing the deserted hallway as I shuffled towards the stairs.

While descending the stairs, I heard voices coming from the living room. As I approached the room, I realized that Klaus and Rebekah were arguing, and that I was the topic of discussion.

"The girl is a liability, Nik! Surely you can see that, you can't possibly be that blind." I heard Rebekah say.

"Don't make me lose my temper, Bekah." He snapped. "I'm well aware that her friends are important to her, but I can assure you that she would never betray me."

Instead of entering the room, I halted, curious to find out where this chat was going.

"How can you be so sure? You've known her for, what? Two short months? Are you willing to put your life in her hands? To put my life in her hands?" Rebekah questioned harshly.

There was a brief silence, and I nervously held my breath as I awaited his answer.

"Yes… As a matter of fact, I am." He declared confidently. "She's been putting her life in my hands over and over again, it's only fair for me to return that loyalty."

Rebekah huffed, clearly annoyed. "You're putting an awful lot at stake here, Nik."

"Then so be it." He said in a final tone.

I figured that it was time that I made my presence known, and I pretended to noisily stumble into the room, giving them a fair warning to wrap up their conversation.

"Oh, look who it is. Our little intruder." Rebekah sneered when she laid eyes on me.

"Be nice, Bekah." Klaus cautioned, directing a glare at his sister before turning his attention to me.

"Am I interrupting something?" I asked, going for innocence. "I'm sorry…"

"No need to apologize, sweetheart." He cut me off while his sister made a face at the both of us. "Did you sleep well?" He continued, smirking knowingly at me.

"Yes… Thanks for letting me borrow your bed." I sheepishly answered, my cheeks warming up.

He walked up to me, giving me a soft peck on the lips.

"You're most welcome." He said, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Disgusting." Rebekah spat, heading for the exit, eager to make her escape.

Klaus stopped her, rolling his eyes. "Hold on, little sister. Remember what we talked about earlier… Call Kol and Elijah, we must inform them that we're all walking targets if the Salvatores get their hands on even the tiniest piece of white oak."

"Yes, I'm on it. Everything's better than being in one room with you two." She retorted as she stalked out of the room, her ridiculously high heels clicking against the marble floor.

I scrunched my eyebrows together as I watched her leave. "You're not telling Finn?"

"Telling Finn would be suicide, love. I have no doubts that he's still keeping in touch with my mother. We don't want to give them any ideas." He reminded me, his blue eyes earnest.

"Oh, right…" I muttered, randomly thinking that it had to be a horrible thing when even your own family was set on killing you. Regardless of everything that had happened in the past; At the present time, it just didn't seem right. "So what are you going to do now? Did Rebekah find anything useful before she got interrupted?"

He grimaced, taking my hand in his, pulling me along to the couch. "No, she didn't. Damon's timing was rather unfortunate."

Hearing Damon's name made me recall his existence, and I squinted my eyes at Klaus as we sat down. "How is Damon?"

"I wouldn't know, we're not that close. I reckon he is taking a shower, putting on some clean clothes…" Klaus responded airily. "Whatever he's doing, I can guarantee you that he won't be bothering anyone for the rest of the day…"

His words were indicating that Damon hadn't gone from undead to dead, and that was enough for me, so I held up my hand. "Alright, I don't need any more details."

His lopsided grin was void of any guilt. "As you wish."

"You're unbelievable, Nik." I accused tepidly.

"Might as well have a little fun with him before he tries to drive a stake through my chest." He joked dismissively.

Even with the whole indifferent-act, I didn't miss the real hint of concern in his eyes, and I tried to offer some comfort. "If there's anything I can do to help…"

"At the moment, there isn't much that we can do, love. Rebekah and I will have to watch our backs, and I trust that Elijah and Kol will do the same... I'm afraid that the rest is out of our hands for now. I guess we're simply waiting for all hell to break loose." He answered gloomily.

"Yes, let's all wait for the war to start." I groaned. "It's all we ever do... Fighting for ourselves, fighting for others… I'm so tired of it, Nik."

He gave me a thoughtful look, his jaw tensing. "What do you want me to say to that, Caroline? I want nothing more than for you to be happy, but rest assured, if the Salvatores and their little gang try to mess with me, things will get bloody."

"Then don't…" I whispered, pleadingly gazing into his ancient eyes. "Why does it always have to be war? Why is everyone so opposed to the possibility of a truce? I'm seeing it from both sides, and all I know is that we all have so much to lose…"

"You just want me to call it even and walk away from this?" He asked incredulously. "You think I'm going to make some sort of pact with the Salvatores, and then wait for them to stab me in the back?"

"Trust, Nik. We've been over this." I said stubbornly, not backing down right away. "I mean… Remember what you promised me, that night when we talked at the ball, when you showed me your drawings…"

"I'm sorry?" He probed, confused by the sudden change of subject.

"Paris, Rome, Tokyo… We could go there… We could go anywhere, leave this mess behind." I proposed desperately.

He sighed as he recalled our conversation about seeing the world, running a hand through his messy hair. "Even if I wanted to, this is not something I can run from, sweetheart. I can fend for myself, but I'm still linked to my siblings, and with my mother still out there... It would take a very powerful witch to undo what she did, and as it is I'm short on witches."

"But you would consider it?" I asked hopefully.

"That depends. Would you object to bringing along Elena Gilbert?" He mocked. There was the slightest flicker of humor in his eyes, but I could tell that he wasn't kidding.

I threw my hands up in the air. "You're never going to let that go, are you?" I stated rather than asked, narrowing my eyes.

"You know why I need her. I believe we've had this discussion before." He said curtly.

"Yes, we did… But you know, Damon was right about one thing…" I mused.

"And what would that be?" Klaus' voice was skeptical.

"It is time to make choices. You don't really need your hybrids, Nik. You don't have to be alone, you have me. And you have your family. Rebekah and I may not be best friends, but even I can see that she will always stick with you. No offence, but you've let her down so many times, and yet she's still here." I solemnly hoped that my words gave him something to think about.

He was quiet, his face impenetrable. I smiled wistfully as I got up from the couch, seeing as an idea had just hit me.

"You're leaving?" He asked.

"Yes… You need a witch, and I happen to know a witch. I'm going to talk to Bonnie." I clarified.

Klaus frowned, eyebrows arching. "The Bennett witch? Believe me, she has crossed my mind, but she would never help me... Not unless I used methods on her that you would most definitely not approve of."

"I know. But she's my best friend… I have to try something. Anything." I countered.

A cynical frown was still apparent on his handsome face. "What makes you think she would even consider undoing the spell that linked us together?"

"Because… She's also one of the ones who has already lost so much, Nik. One of the ones who still has so much left to lose." I offered my explanation. "Plus, if something happens to you I will never forgive myself if I didn't try everything within my power to stop it from happening." I added before I turned to leave the room.

"Caroline, wait..." His alluring voice was a siren call, and immediately my feet stopped moving.

I looked back at him over my shoulder. "Yes?"

"Nothing. Just be safe, please." He muttered, glancing up at me with those mind-blowing blue eyes.

At that, all I could do was move my ass right back to where he was standing, pressing my lips against his in a passionate kiss. One of his strong hands supported the back of my neck as he kissed me back with a certain urgency. His lips were soft and irresistible as ever, and I had a hard time breaking the kiss, but I did.

I had to go and see Bonnie to find out if there was any chance that she would support my idea to call a truce. Of course, Klaus would have to make some sacrifices of his own… He would have to give up on Elena's blood, otherwise Stefan and Damon were never going to agree to any kind of deal. Regardless, it wouldn't hurt to talk to Bonnie to see where she was standing, just in case I would ever be able to convince him that peace was not such a horrible option.

I dropped one last kiss on his cheek, smiling warily. "I'm off to Bonnie's. You be safe, too. I'll see you later..."

Thank you for reading! :) I'm going to go get drunk and sulk in a corner now. Lol, just kidding. Or maybe not. T_T