Myself and Rebekah were sitting on the sofa in the living room, the fire crackling behind us. It was several hours since dinner and we had come in here for after dinner drinks. However, it had taken Rebekah and me only five minutes to get into girly gossip mode. We didn't even notice Nik leaving the room to give us time alone.

We talked about clothes and boys and makeup. But after an hour, and a bottle of vodka, we had moved onto more serious topics. I told her all about my family, about my parents and about how I lost them. She told me about hers.

Her face was a mixture of sadness and fondness as she talked about their human lives and their little brother Henrik. She told me of Finn, Kol and Elijah and of how Finn and Kol had died.

Before we knew it the sun was coming up and we had talked all night. I came to realise that Rebekah was an awful lot like Caroline. Of course I kept that to myself. Somehow I didn't think Rebekah would take it as the compliment I meant it as.

We both fought a yawn then laughed.

"I think we should head to bed for a few hours. Big shopping day ahead of us." I suggested.

We both stood up and stretched. "Good nig..."

I was cut off when Rebekah threw her arms around me. It had to be the most awkward hug I had ever received but that didn't matter. I hugged her back and when we parted she wouldn't look me directly in the eye.

"I just wanted to say thank you," she said in a small voice, "if it wasn't for you I would still be in my coffin. You alone have brought my brother back to me."

And with that she sped off leaving me standing there staring after her.

Smiling I made my way up the stairs to Nik's room. I opened the door and peeked in. He was asleep... good. I had promised him some thing in return for going shopping with us but I was far too tired now.

As quietly as I could I closed the bedroom door behind me... and being a vampire I could be pretty damn quiet. I stripped down and climbed into the big bed. I scooted closer to Nik and let out a little sigh on content. It was without a doubt one of the most comfortable beds I had ever been in.

I had always been too angry, depressed or... otherwise engaged... to notice before. I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes.

"I thought you were going to thank me for going shopping with you."

I lifted my head and looked up at him, his eyes were still closed but he was smiling. I reached up and kissed him lightly on his smile. "I know, but I'm really tired." I murmured against his lips.

I let out a squeal as suddenly I was flat on my back with Nik about me, his eyes clouded with lust.

"I bet I can wake you up!" he whispered as his right hand moved between our bodies and down. I couldn't help the moan that fell from my lips.

"Not fair..." I gasped, my skin flushing.

All of a sudden I felt a blast of cold air and I was no longer looking up into Nik's face. I was now looking up at the ceiling. Nik was lying beside me, on his side facing me. I could feel the shock cover my face. "What the hell?"

His eyes were closed again, he reached out and pulled me against him. "You're tired. I should let you sleep, big day ahead of us."

You have got to be kidding me. I tried to move away but he had a tight grip. Then it hit me.

This was revenge for emotionally blackmailing him to go shopping.

Now I wide awake. The bastard, he didn't play fair. Well... if he wanted to play games, then fine. But I'll be the one who ends up on top...

Figuratively speaking of course.

It was almost noon when Rebekah came into the kitchen.

"Good morning..." her cheerful voice trailed off when she saw the scowl on my face and the smirk on her brothers. "Ok, what did you do Nik?" she demanded.

"Who, me?" he asked, "I did nothing. Did I sweetheart?" He directed the last part at me.

"No, you didn't. And that's the freaking problem. You did nothing."

Rebekah looked from her brother to me, "I don't want to know, do I?"

I stuck a big smile on my face and stood up. "It doesn't matter. We have a big day." I said, turning my gaze to my stupid hybrid. "We have lots and lots of shopping to do." I finished, putting my coffee mug in the dishwasher. The grin quickly fell from Nik's face.

Half an hour later we were pulling into the Mystic Falls Mall car park. We climbed out of the car and started in. I watched Rebekah practically salivate at the mouth at the thought of what she was going to buy.

"Hold on!" I stopped them for a moment and took out my purse. I pulled out a credit card and handed it to Rebekah. "In case we split up take this. There's no limit on it."

Her eyes lit up as she took it from me. "My two favourite words," she gushed, "No Limit! Thank you. I'll pay you back... or Nik will... at some stage."

I started to tell her not to worry about it but she had already turned away and headed in. I looked over at Nik, "OK, I guess we're splitting up now." I took his hand, "guess it's just us two then."

That seemed to lighten his mood and we followed Rebekah in.

It was several hours later and we had been to every shoe store, book store and almost every clothing store. Nik's hands were full of my bags as I carried none. He had that hybrid strength after all.

We passed a computer store and my eyes lit up. How Rebekah felt about clothes is the way I felt about technology. I heard Nik groan beside me, "You have a laptop."

"Please," I scoffed, not even looking back at him, "it's almost two years old."

Forty five minutes later we left the shop. I had spent more than some people earn in six months so I agreed to have it delivered.

As we walked I wondered aloud as to how Rebekah was getting on. We had met up a few times but I hadn't seen her in over an hour.

"She's probably off with some high school jock." Nik joked.

I gave him a disapproving look and was about to scold him for mocking his sister when my phone beeped. Speak of the devil, it was a text from Rebekah. Turns out she had met some guy and would meet us later. I was about to phone her when I saw a shop we hadn't yet been to. I quickly made a mental note to call her later. Now was payback time.

I gave Nik my most loving smile, "Right, one more shop and I'm done. I promise"

Nik breathed a sigh of relief as he followed me, not even noticing the items I gathered in my arms. He stood outside the changing room when I went in. There was a store clerk, a girl in her twenties, picking up clothes left scattered by other shoppers in the room. I quickly grabbed her and before she could say I anything I compelled her.

"You will stay by the counter and you will not let anyone in here."

She stared at me blankly and nodded, dropping the clothes she had been holding, then hurrying out. I could hear Nik muttering to himself and fought the urge to laugh. I quickly changed into the items I had brought in with me. I checked my reflection in the full length mirror and took a deep breath.

"Hey Nik..." I called, "What do you think of this outfit?"

I heard him put down the bags he was carrying and make his way into me. "Like I said to the thousand other outfits you tried on, it's..."

As he rounded the corner and saw me he stopped dead in his tracks, his mouth hung open and his eyes were as wide as saucers.

I stood before him wearing a matching black lace underwear set, sheer black stockings and black heels. Any nervousness I had vanished at the look on his face.

"Well?" I asked slowly, doing a turn. "What do you think?"

Nik just stood staring. His eyes slowly moving down my body then back up. When his eyes met mine I bit my lip. The look on his face almost undid me there and then. When he spoke his voice came out hoarse.

"Yes... that outfit is good... that's the best outfit..."

Before I had a chance to laugh at his ramblings he had me pinned against the wall, his mouth pressed hard against mine. His hands were all over my body but before it could get too heated I pulled away. In the time it took him to blink I was re-dressed.

He did not look impressed. I picked up the tags I had ripped off the items and started to walk out of the changing room. Nik stood in front of me, blocking the exit.

"Well, I know you're tired of shopping so I figured we should head home." I explained reasonably.

His eyes narrowed but I continued to smile sweetly.

"Is this payback?" he asked.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." I replied, walking past him and out to the register. I handed the girl the tags and she rang up the sale. Nik gathered up all my bags and followed me out of the store.

As he walked beside me I realised I had gotten myself as riled up as I had gotten him. Not that I would let him know that. Although when he turned to me and smiled I think he knew.

The bastard.

I once again showed my maturity by sticking out my tongue at him, he returned the actions and we both started laughing.

"Jennifer?"

We turned at the voice. Caroline and Elena were standing there. Caroline was smiling but Elena's eyes were glued to Nik.

"I'll go put the bags in the car love." Nik excused himself, leaving me alone with two of my oldest friends. Caroline threw her arms around me.

"It's so good to see you. Also, it's great to hear you laugh." She gushed.

I returned the hug and felt a tear fall from my eye. "Thank you so much Care."

We pulled back and I turned to Elena. Moment of truth. Elena stepped forward and put her arms around me. This wasn't like Caroline's hug, which had been full of warmth. This hug felt forced and awkward. But I suppose that was to be expected. The important thing was that it was a start. Maybe I wouldn't lose my friends... maybe I could keep my friends and Nik.

God... I can be so naive.