The Imaginary Friend

Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries or its characters. I only own my OCs and my plot.

Sorry for errors. I'll go back for the ones I missed.

Damon zipped around the dungeon. He got my daylight ring, put it on me, and then ripped apart the binds pinning me to the chair.

"Your father should consider himself lucky he's not here right now." He glowered as he lifted me bridal style. I wrapped my arms around his neck and relaxed in the protective hold.

"Thank you." I choked out emotionally.

Damon let out a grunt of acknowledgment. My eyes grew heavy when he took off at full speed. Just when I thought I was going to fall asleep, sunlight hit my body. Even though it's not possible, I swear the warmth of it nearly made me physically ill. It felt threatening. Like at the slightest provocation, it would start burning away my flesh again.

Terror ran down my spine, causing me to curl into a tighter ball in the older vampire's arms. Fear and disgust rolled in my stomach. Daylight ring protecting me be damned.

After a while, I felt Damon jump and one of his arms release me. By the time I lift my head to see why, he was laying me in my bed.

"I would've taken you to the mansion, but you won't be able to enter until Angelo rests up." He informed me. "I'm not positive about the specifics on how it works. I don't speak witchy-woo."

While I appreciated his thoughtfulness, I didn't really care at the moment. My bed was just fine. Anything was better than the dungeon.

"Okay."

I lock my gaze on the open window. There was a hint of orange dancing along the edges of the blue sky. Everything was still bathed in sunlight. It was revolting to look at.

"Can you please close the window?" I asked Damon, not wanting to go anywhere near the sun's rays.

In a split second the window was shut and thick curtains were closed. Letting out a relieved sigh, I kick off my heels and crawl under the covers. I had no desire to shower or change. My stomach and fangs ached in hunger, but an odd numbness spread through my body. It kept me from wanting to check under the bed to see if my cooler was still there.

"How did you do it?" I wondered, eyeing the raven haired man who sat himself on the edge of my bed. "All those years being experimented on in that place. How did you not go completely insane?"

I couldn't stand a single day being starved and tormented by the sun. The thought that Damon survived so much, for so long, with his sanity intact, baffled me. It really made me realize how strong he was. I saw his situation from a completely different perspective. My respect for him and his level of endurance grew.

His jaw ticked and icy-blue eyes were hard as stone. I could see the tension in his body. "I learned to adapt."

"How?"

"That's something you'll never have to find out." He promised darkly. "Even if I have to burn the whole world down to make sure of it."

The sheer degree of his protectiveness took me off guard.

I didn't get a chance to respond. He was reaching for his phone and calling Elijah before the last word left his mouth. What would I have said to that declaration? Thank you would've been kind of… anticlimactic.

"What do you have to report?" Elijah demanded.

"I found her."

There was a slight pause. "I'm on my way."

"She needs blood." Damon informed sternly. "Lots of it."

The Original hung up without replying. A silence settled over the room. I burrowed in my blankets, Henrik sat on the end of the bed, and Damon was beside me.

My thoughts turned to my father.

The man I loved, who put me on his shoulders when there was a parade, so I'd have the perfect view. The person who flung me around by my arms in the back yard while I laughed so hard it hurt my stomach. Or would take me out for ice-cream if I got an A on a test.

He turned every moment we spent together into painful memories. What used to be the most beautiful are now the worst, cutting my insides like they're shards of glass.

I recall how he drugged me with vervain and locked me in a dungeon. Then the pain of the sun and how it seared my skin, taking away every feeling of safety and trust I ever had for him. How can the man who treated me like a princess my whole life, be the same one who tortured me all day long?

One part of me desired to rip him apart, make him suffer like I did. The other wanted him to hug me, apologize, and make everything like it was before he broke my heart. I hated him yet I loved him. I want him to pay for what he did, but the thought of hurting him was inconceivable.

I was conflicted.

"Elijah's here." Damon muttered, pulling me from my thoughts.

The overwhelming desire to see the Original slammed into me. Before I could even think about stifling it, I was out of the bed and running at full speed. As soon as he stepped into the house and closed the door, I was flinging my arms around his middle.

Elijah put a book bag down and wrapped his own arms around me, making me feel like nothing could possibly hurt me now. Not while he's here. I let my body sag, my muscles become loose.

"I am truly and deeply sorry, Caroline. I knew something would go awry, I felt it in my bones. Yet, despite my better judgement, I let you be alone with him unprotected for prolonged periods of time. Can you ever forgive me?"

"It's not your fault, Elijah." My voice came out muffled against the material of his suit. "You and Henrik both need to stop feeling so guilty."

My own stubbornness is at fault. Elijah warned me to be careful. Henrik tried to get me to leave. I wanted to prove them both wrong and it bit me in the ass.

Elijah drew back to brush a stray hair out of my face, before placing a kiss on top of my head. The fatherly feel of the moment made me choke on a sob. "I won't fail you a second time, Caroline. This I promise you."

"You completely ignored what I said." I responded, a disapproving frown tugged on my mouth.

"And you were supposed to call me if anything at all was amiss." Elijah reprimanded. "I suppose we both ignored each other."

I averted my eyes guiltily and studied the design on his tie.

A single finger lifted my chin, soft brown eyes gazed down at me. "I promise not to hold it against you, if you do the same for me."

"Deal." I smiled weakly.

"Good." Elijah nodded. He bent down to grab the backpack, then twisted me around. A hand pressed gently on the small of my back to guide me. "Then let us get you some blood. After you drink the bags I brought, we'll go out so you can feed from the source."

I went stiff. "Not until the sun sets."

That was nonnegotiable.

"If that makes you more comfortable." He reassured calmly.

The tension in my body melted. "Thank you."

When we got to the kitchen, Elijah unzipped the backpack. I snatched a blood bag out of his hand the moment it was in sight. My sharp incisors sliced through plastic and thick blood poured into my mouth. It was cold, but I couldn't bring myself to give a crap. A rush of endorphin enduing energy coursed through my weary body. The flavor was tangy and sweet. It ran dry far too quickly for my liking.

As soon as it did I was horrified. My stomach dropped. I snapped my head up and look at Elijah with panicked blue eyes.

"I'm sorry." I blurt reflexively, unable to help the feeling that I just did something very wrong.

Elijah frowned at my guilty reaction. "You're not in trouble, Caroline. There is nothing nefarious about getting your body the nutrients it needs to heal."

A humiliated blush warmed my cheeks. "Right." I mumbled.

Of course he's not going to punish you for drinking blood, Caroline. I scolded myself. It's Elijah.

"Do not let whatever lies or manipulations he attempted to force upon you take root." He told me softly. "Pay them no heed."

"I'll try." My eyes dart to Henrik so he'll know the promise is for him as well.

My older brother smiled encouragingly. "Drink, Caroline. You need it."

I drank another blood bag cold, the rest I warmed up. We found Damon in the living room when we exited the kitchen.

"Ask Elijah where Nik is." Henrik said after a pregnant pause of silence. "He wasn't there when I left while you were… resting before."

"Where's Nik?"

"He departed early this afternoon with his hybrids." Elijah replied. We sat on the sofa together, his arm was around my shoulders. I felt safe tucked into his side. "An opportunity presented itself."

The topic change was a welcomed one. I didn't want to talk about what happened with my dad.

"I guess he didn't tell you what that opportunity was, did he?"

A little annoyance seeped into his tone. "Naturally he had no qualms going off on his own with barely a word. Niklaus doesn't seem to grasp the concept that we must all work together."

There was another pause.

"Is Angelo okay?" I inquired next.

"He will be." Elijah nodded his head once. "Angelo overexerted himself, but by tomorrow afternoon he should be rested enough to allow you through the barriers he put in place."

"Good."

The next silence that settled over us was only broken when the sun set. Elijah rose to his feet and held out a hand for me. I took it without hesitation.

"You needn't stay." He told Damon. "I have everything under control now."

Damon ignored him, instead he turned his attention to me. "Do you want me to stay?"

I was flattered and it showed on my face. "Thank you, Damon. But you don't have to. I'll be alright with Elijah here."

"See you tomorrow." He vowed. Then sped away into the night.

"Are you ready?" Elijah questioned.

"Can we share again?" I asked in place of answering.

He opened his mouth to say no, it was written all over his face. So I could get as much blood as possible no doubt. Something in my expression must have changed his mind.

"We can." Elijah allowed.

It was our turn to depart. I noted that Elijah didn't bring his car. A starry night loomed above us while we ran. We were cloaked in the protective folds of nightfall, unseen in the darkness. It wasn't at all quiet outside. Cars drove on the streets. Houses still buzzed with varying degrees of activity. Noises rustled in the woods.

Elijah chose our meal when a woman walked outside to smoke. Before she could light the cigarette, he was compelling her. She was led from her yard and into the woods. I got drunk off the sound of her heartbeat and smell of her blood. The feel of a hand guiding me forward was all the encouragement I needed.

My fangs slid into her neck easier than a knife through butter. A steady pulse throbbed against them. It was better than any massage in the world. Her thick blood was smooth and rich with a hint of spice. I gulped it down greedily.

I felt when Elijah joined in. Unlike me, he sipped at her blood like one would fine wine. The moment was intimate, but not in any sexual or romantic way. Feeding with him then brought a sense of belonging and closeness. It had all the comfort of a hug and more. Which made me extra annoyed when her heart slowed and Elijah forced me back.

"How do you feel?" His hold on the woman was the only thing keeping her upright.

It took me a moment to gather my wits and form rational thought. Like it always did when I fed from a human. I was relieved when there wasn't a feeling of guilt twisting my insides.

I licked blood from around my mouth. "Better."

At least I was physically. Multiple blood bags and an actually living person re-energized me. My body was back in tip-top shape.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" I didn't let myself be embarrassed for needing this. "I don't want to be alone if Dad comes and tries to get me while I'm sleeping."

"If watching over you tonight makes you feel safer, then that's what I shall do." He agreed, handing the limp woman to me. "Compel her. Then we'll go and you can get some much needed rest."

I gave the woman my blood and massaged her throat so she'd swallow. Then I compelled her. We didn't leave until she was safely in her home. Elijah retrieved a pair of pajamas and ushered me into the bathroom when we returned; promising me he'd still be here when I was done as he did so.

I strip down and step slowly into the shower, turning it on medium and letting it beat over my head in a lukewarm stream. Memories of today played on repeat in my mind. Closing my eyes, I lean against the cool tiled walls as my weak legs threaten to buckle.

For a long time, I just stood there, fighting the waves of heartbeat that crashed over me. Eventually, I forced myself upright and scrubbed clean so I could get back to Elijah. He was already under the blankets when I returned. Polished shoes were placed on a neatly folded shirt, tie, pants, and jacket. That must mean he's only in boxers.

Using vampiric speed, I zipped to the bed. The blanket settled over me and I latch onto Elijah. My face pressed against his broad chest. He wrapped his arms around me once more. I bit my tongue, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to escape.

First, a single tear leaks out. I felt the warmth of it travel down my cheek. Then another. And another. Until my eyes flood with them, coming down like rain. Elijah's chest is undoubtedly getting soaked. Every ten seconds or so I sniffled. My tears continued to fall and I let them.

Tomorrow I'll tell myself to buck up and move on. Tomorrow I'll be strong and brush myself off. Tonight I'll let myself cry and wallow.

Feminine fingers running through my hair startled me the next morning. The face that swam into focus made me relax again.

"Mom?"

"I didn't mean to scare you." She smiled, already dressed in her sheriff's uniform. "I just wanted to have a talk before I head to work."

A talk… Those words are never a good thing.

"Am I trouble?"

"No." She shook her head. There was a stern set to her mouth now. "You will be if you don't answer my calls again. I know you and your father have fun when he visits, but I get worried when I can't get ahold of you. Answer next time. Even if it's just to say, 'I'm busy, can I call you back?'"

My father.

"Alright." I managed to say through pain she unwittingly evoked.

"Be home for dinner tonight and we can make up for yesterday." Mom continued on to say. "Does that sound good to you?"

I blinked. "Yesterday?"

"We were supposed to go out to eat together, remember?" She reminded me. "I got off early but couldn't get in contact with you. Your father met up with me and explained what you two were doing. Since you were busy I went back to work."

I'm sure he did. I couldn't help but think bitterly.

"You got off work early for me?" I repeated, touched at those words.

I just knew my workaholic mother was going to cancel on me… but she didn't.

"I promised we'd get dinner didn't I?"

At least one parent still loves me. I'll do everything in my power to make sure it stays that way. Mom will never find out about me being a vampire. Never.

"You did. I'd love to get dinner with you. What time?"

"4:40?"

"I'll be here." I threw my arms around her, taking her off guard. "I love you."

"I love you too." She replied automatically. I could hear she was bemused at how emotionally I said the words. "Are you okay? Did you and your father get into a fight?"

Pain stabbed at my heart. I fought down the memories.

"Something like that."

Mom drew back and eyed me closely. "If I don't leave now, I'm going to be late. But we'll talk about this at dinner, okay?"

I'd really rather we didn't.

"Okay." I replied with a head spinning with ideas on what lie I'm going to tell her.

She kissed my forehead. "See you later."

"See you later." I parrot back, watching her go.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Elijah stepped out of my bathroom. His suit was perfectly pressed and not a hair was out of place. My face lit up.

"Good morning, lovely Caroline." He greeted me. "Did you sleep well?"

"Surprisingly, yes." I smiled back. Elijah had everything to do with that. "Thank you for staying."

"No thanks are necessary." His hands smoothed out invisible wrinkles in his clothes. "Will you be going to school?"

The tone he used made me believe he wanted the answer to be no. Well, he's about to be sorely disappointed.

I nodded with a stubborn set to my jaw. "Yes."

"Are you sure that's wise?" He frowned. "You just suffered a terrible ordeal, nobody will blame you if-"

"I need the normalcy." I cut him off. "More than anything."

"If you're sure." Elijah uttered reluctantly.

A determined gleam appeared in my eyes. "I'm sure."

"You need to start getting ready then."

I started my morning routine without further ado. My outfit consisted of jean shorts and a dark silver blouse. The heels I wore are blue, sliver, and grey. I had a purse that matched I put my stuff in before coming in the bathroom. Chunky bracelets adorned my right wrist. Ringlets piled on my head with a few soft spirals framing my face.

"You look beautiful, Blossom." Henrik complemented.

I gave him a mock curtsy. "Thank you."

"You're a vision, Caroline." Elijah held out an elbow when I walked out of the bathroom. "Shall we?"

My small hand slipped into the crook of it. "We shall."

We made our way downstairs together. The sunlight nearly blinded me when Elijah opened the front door. I cringed back, the grip on my purse tightened.

"Caroline?" Henrik and Elijah inquired in concern.

Think about Damon. I told myself. He went through a lot worse for a century and a half. Do you see him hiding like a coward? No. He had to be strong. So do you.

I straightened my spine and walked outside. "I'm fine."

I pushed down all the painful memories and fear. Even though the sunlight bathing everything was a hideous and intimidating sight, I ignored it. Last night Elijah told me to pay my father's lies and manipulation no heed.

So I'll pretend to be over it until I really am. You know the saying, 'fake it until you make it'? Well, that's exactly what I plan to do.

"May I have the keys?" Elijah requested. I reached in my purse and wordlessly handed them over. "Thank you."

He opened the passenger door for me, before getting into the driver's seat of my mom's car. Both of our book bags - his was obviously empty now, since I drank all the blood - are placed in the backseat. At my request, we shared the man Elijah lured deep into an alley. In no time at all, we were on the road again and pulling into the school parking lot.

"I'll be here when you get out." Elijah promised as he got my backpack for me.

I slung it over one shoulder. "See you then."

In the middle of my second class a voice announced over the intercom, "Caroline Forbes, you're needed in the front office."

Henrik gave me a perplexed look before disappearing. I reached my hearing out to find a slow heartbeat waiting. Who the hell is that? Damon? I couldn't sense vampiric age from this distance. Henrik reappeared when I was making my way down the hallway.

"Don't worry." He reassured, an amused glint in his dark eyes. "It's just Kol."

Interest sparked in my belly, making me pick up the pace. Upon arrival, I see Kol Mikaelson standing outside the front office in dark jeans and red t-shirt.

He shook his head at me in fond exasperation. "Only you would go to school the day after getting tortured by your father. I think not, darling, you're coming with me."

I bristled at the reminder of yesterday. "I already missed Friday. I can't get behind, Kol."

The left half of his mouth lifted into a smirk. "I'm not asking, love. You're coming with me even if I have to throw you over my shoulder."

"Don't you dare." I warned, jabbing a finger in his direction.

His smirk grew triumphantly and he gestured for me to walk ahead of him. "Then ladies first."

"You need to have some fun after a day like yesterday, Caroline." Henrik encouraged with a firm undertone, letting me know he wasn't asking either. "School will still be here tomorrow."

I huffed at them ganging up on me. Utterly unfair. "Fine, where are we going?"

"You'll see." Kol winked.

My eyes rolled at the response, but excitement started to build in my stomach despite myself. Of course we had to take his motorcycle, which completely ruined my hair that I worked so hard on. Also, have you ever ridden a motorcycle in shorts? I wouldn't recommend it. Not only did the occasional bug or debris hit my bare leg, but the engine warmed up considerably. I was almost burned.

The feeling of being pressed against him almost made up for all that. Almost, but not quite. Next time I'll demand to change first.

"What are we doing?" I wondered when he hid the motorcycle behind a tree.

He gave me a grin over his shoulder, brown eyes glinted with mischief. "Do you really think I'm going to answer that? Don't you know the meaning of the word surprise? The whole point of one is that it's unexpected."

"Don't be a smartass." I gave him a playful shove as I got off.

"Don't be impatient." He retorted, swinging me into his arms bridal style when he stood. I let out a started yelp. "Close your eyes."

My lips twitched in amusement and I listened. If my hairdo wasn't ruined beyond repair before, it sure as hell was now. I breathe in Kol's scent as he ran. Bugs buzzed their annoying song. Animals rustled in the trees. Birds chirped.

"Alright, you can open them." He told me a few minutes later, sitting me on my feet.

I walked forward, where trees gave way to a beautiful clearing. Spread out on the ground was a large, thick, rubber mat. "What's this?"

"Take off your shoes and those bracelets." He got on the mat, kicking off his own shoes. "I'm going to teach you how to fight. You need to learn how to protect yourself. You can't rely purely on instinct, you need to have skill as well."

This didn't even make the list of possibilities of where I thought he was taking me. He blew my expectations out of the water. I obey eagerly and put my mused hair in a French braid. I wanted to have kickass fighting skills, so if anything happens again, I can protect myself instead of being a damsel in distress.

My blue eyes locked on his handsome face. "How are we going to start?"

"Punch me." Kol answered. A single brow rose when I hesitated, he spread his arms out wide. "Well? What are you waiting for?"

My right hand curled into a fist. I swung as hard as I could. Kol caught my wrist and spun me around. The angle he had my arm pinned to my back made it difficult to move without causing pain.

"What were you aiming for?" He questioned evenly.

"Your face."

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Is that all the forethought you gave? Randomly throwing a punch at my face and hoping for the best?"

He clucked his tongue in disapproval and let me go. I turned to face him as he continued his lecture.

"A punch square to the nose is disorienting, thanks to the excruciating pain of the broken cartilage and all the blood that goes with it. The nose is also connected to your eyes via tear ducts, meaning damage to the nose often results in tears—and, thus, temporary loss of vision. The chin and/or jaw are great places to really knock someone out, and luckily, it doesn't need to be terrifically accurate to have the desired effect."

I made mental notes and stored the information in my brain for later use.

"Now behind the ear." Kol continued, reaching up to caress the skin there. It sent a shiver down my spine that I stifled. "There's a big bundle of nerves in this area, you can actually feel the spot with your hand. You see how I'm applying pressure to the area about an inch and a half behind the bottom of your ear, farther toward the back of your head? Do you feel how sensitive it is?"

My thoughts scattered. I barely managed to nod. It was hard to focus on the lesson instead of the butterflies going wild in my stomach. Kol's fingers made jolts of arousal travel through me.

"Now imagine getting punched there. Aside from throwing off your equilibrium, a direct tap on these nerves can—and frequently does—yield a knockout." Kol informed, like he was completely unware of his effect on my body. A pang of loss hit me when he withdrew his hand. "The throat is a sensitive area as well. So it doesn't take a lot of force to really hurt or potentially kill someone with a good shot. A direct punch to the sweet spot located just under the sternum, but not quite the stomach, is an effect way to shut somebody up. Make sure to deliver it at a slightly upward angle."

Kol backing away ended up helping me bring my attention back to the point.

"Those are the punches we'll be focused on today. Show me your fist."

I obey. Apparently it was good enough, because he gave a hum of approval in the back of his throat.

"Land the punch with your inner two knuckles, with your fist rotated so that your thumb points downward on impact. Power is transferred better there, and you're less likely to break your hand." He informed.

I nodded to show I was paying attention and understood.

"Rotate your body. Use the torque of your body and core to efficiently propel your fist and arm instead of using your upper body muscles. Be sure not to lean forward to generate speed and power, as this throws your body out of balance and brings your face closer to your opponent's fist." He continued on. "Don't forget to pull your fist back to your face. If you leave your punch hanging, you'll be more exposed to your opponent's counter attacks. Pulling the punch back after it lands also gives it more snap and knockout power."

We practiced what he told me until he was satisfied. Over an hour passed. Then he showed me different pressure points on the body briefly before moving on. Kol now shifted into a deliberate fighting stance. I mimicked him.

We spread our legs about shoulder's width apart and bend our knees slightly so we weren't standing completely upright. He said to stay loose and bounce slightly as I adjusted my position by taking small steps.

"Adapt to your strengths." Kol told me. "If you're faster, get in fast, strike fast, and get out. Do your fighting in effective bursts. If you're slower, keep it simple. Make the opponent come to you, as opposed to chasing them. Knowing your strengths and use them at the right time is essential in a fight. One calculated move far outweighs a dozen uncalculated ones. Yes?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Good." Kol smirked and shifted his weight slightly. I eyed him closely and did the same. "Are you ready, darling?"

My jaw tightened in determination. "I'm ready."

Practicing one of the punches he showed me, I made the first move. He dodge it swiftly and came back with one of his own. Our mock fight continued until Kol knocked me off my feet and pinned me.

"I win." He grinned down at me.

The reply on my tongue was forgotten as our current position registered. The length of him covered me. I can feel his lean, strong body pressed against my softer one. His unique earthy-citrus scent filled my nostrils. My gaze dropped to admire the shape of his full mouth.

Those lips looked so soft and inviting. I dreamt and fantasized about kissing them multiple times. Now that they were so close, the temptation was incredibly hard to ignore.

"Kol." I breathe lowly before I can stop myself.

I wanted him make the distance between our mouths disappear more than anything. The air was charged with electricity. He felt the shift in the atmosphere as easily as I did.

"Caroline." He whispered seductively, prolonging each letter as if to savor them.

A shiver traveled down my spine. Unlike all the times before, this time I wasn't able to stifle it. My tongue licked my lower lip. Dark eyes followed the movement above me.

After another painfully long second, his lips finally brush mine. Not innocently, like a tease, but hot, fiery, passionate and demanding. My senses are seduced and I can no longer think straight. I couldn't make myself pull away. I didn't want to. On the contrary, I wanted more. More of his body. More of his touch.

I tangled my fingers into thick, silky hair. Kol's hands ventured over my curves, exploring my body like I longed to do his. He pressed his tongue to the seam of my lips and, when I granted him access, delved inside my mouth. I arched up into his chest with a moan.

Their first kiss! I'm nervous about how it turned out. I hope you enjoyed it!