It's been a while, again. But thank you for your comments and support! It really means a lot.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries

The week after returning to Mystic Falls I was in agony. I spent as much time as I could away from the house. It didn't help much, but for getting fresh air. The town was still a stark reminder of what had happened. Of everything that I was, and everything that I had lost.

Everyone was really nice after I got back, and after the funeral. But I had taken a step back from them, mostly because of what was surfacing. Something was clearly going on, because if I let it, I could feel the heavy weight of worry surrounding each of my friends, and it wasn't all concern for me. They told me about the murders, but I didn't pry into it, no matter how bad I felt. Normally, maybe I would have. But I knew that this would happen. Mystic Falls would never be quiet.

And even though quiet was my biggest fear, that wasn't the kind of noise I was looking for. Instead, I managed to convince Roberta to get back to working at The Grill. She was hesitant at first, much like everyone else in town, treating me like something delicate. But, she was short-staffed, and after a minute of silent pondering she eventually agreed. It would help, it would. I had to get busy, somehow. And I had to keep up with paying for everything; even with the inheritance-

No. I pushed those thoughts aside as soon as they surfaced, every time. Maybe it wasn't the best way to deal, but I didn't know any better. It was that or curl up in a hole and wither away. I just couldn't seem to stop crying. I kept it together while serving, but as soon as I stepped through to storage or the locker room tears trailed down my cheeks in steady streams.

Sarah knew, Pete did too. Sarah was the only one who said anything about it. Sometimes she would walk in on me crying and sit with me for a while.

Every time I had to step inside the house, every night I had to spend there; the silence was screaming at me and I had to muffle my cries in the pillow.

One day, it seemed I had run out of tears. There were none at work. None at night. Somehow that felt worse. I felt like a living corpse. Funny, what with all the real ones walking around.

Elijah hadn't stopped by unexpectedly in the last few days. I thought of calling him, more than once. But it never happened, because I didn't know why I would call him. Well, of course I knew. And that's what made it all the more scarier.

In fact, I saw Klaus before I saw Elijah. I was leading my bike along the street after a shift at The Grill when he showed. Out of the blue, much like both of them would. It didn't scare me as much anymore.

''Hello love,'' he said, and his smile actually seemed genuine.

Grabbing onto the handlebars a little tighter I came to a halt. ''Hi.''

Klaus came closer. ''I am truly sorry about your mother.'' He really seemed to mean it, and even though I wasn't overly fond of him I guess I was glad we could be civil. ''How are you?'' he then asked, changing the tone of his voice; his words dripping with unspoken meaning.

''I haven't gone off the rails yet, if that's what you're asking.''

''Good,'' he said. ''Good.''

''So I guess we're right were we left off?'' I asked. ''You with your cryptic comments and me without a clue.''

''It seems we are.''

''Then, can we maybe agree to just... I don't know. Not pop up everywhere.''

''Why, you're practically family now,'' he said. ''I'm not the only one interested in your well being.''

I ignored his innuendo and started walking. ''Are the rest of your siblings still here?''

''They are. But you'd best stay out of it.''

''I was planning to.''

''You can't forever though,'' he said. ''My brother takes everything extremely seriously.''

I couldn't help the look on my face when he kept on pushing the subject.

''Oh, don't look so surprised,'' he smirked. ''It's more obvious than both the Salvatore brothers' pining for Elena, and her predecessor. Combined.'' He gave a little shrug. ''As a matter of fact, I'm glad for it.''

Perhaps not so strangely, his words were true. That Klaus wanted me close, for some reason, either in spirit or person, I already knew. But I didn't want to discuss this with him. If I could have a hold on him, for everyone's sake, then good. But we weren't friends.

''I'll see you around,'' I said, a meek attempt at getting rid of him.

''Eager to get rid of me, I see,'' Klaus smiled. ''I will abide by your wishes.''

I stared firmly at my hands holding the handlebars, with a thousand words flooding my head. I went to say something before he left, but when I looked up he was gone. That was for the best, probably. I didn't need any more confirmation that he was probably playing me right into his hands.

By the time the clock struck eight the following morning, I had made it all the way around town on an impromptu bike ride. All night I had been twisting and turning, filled with a potentially explosive energy that I only could get rid of by moving.

There wasn't much colour left in the world now. The trees had lost their red, and every patch of grass was yellowed and gloomy. But the air was fresh as always, and taking it in in deep breaths felt good. Then a chill that had nothing to do with the weather ran down my spine, and I was overcome by the feeling that I wasn't alone.

I wasn't.

''Hello there,'' he said, and I knew I didn't get scared from them popping up like that – but that was when I knew them. This one in particular, I was very unsure of.

I dropped my feet and pressed my heels forward against the ground, pulling to a stop. ''Kol.''

''You remember,'' he said, smiling. His resemblance to Klaus was undeniable; in the way that it was one of those smiles I wouldn't trust for the life of me. ''We need your help.''

I eyed him with caution, because something didn't feel right. ''With what?''

''There's only a slight problem,'' he continued, acting like he hadn't heard my question. ''You're not going to say yes.''

''How do you-'' I began, but wasn't able to finish the sentence. Kol put his hand over my mouth and then the world flashed by me in blurry lines. I screamed against his hand and tried to fight off his grip, but it was pointless. Closing my eyes to keep from going dizzy, I only opened them when the ground felt solid beneath my feet again.

''What the hell?'' I snapped, when his hand left my face. ''Let me go,'' I wheezed and struggled against his tight grip. When he pushed me down in a chair I tried reaching for his skin but he kept my hands far away from him.

''Don't bother, darling.''

I knew exactly where we were. The Mikaelson mansion looked just as it had when I left it. I even recognised the room. The hallway outside led down to one of the larger living rooms, and if I went through that I'd be right by the entrance.

''Why are you doing this?'' I asked; angry for being pulled away, that he hadn't even bothered to ask. How could he know if I would agree or not? He didn't know me. The we in what he'd said clearly meant it involved his family. And I happened to care, at least partially, about what happened to it.

''Calm down, would you?''

I didn't know what he meant by that. I hadn't moved an inch from the chair he pushed me into, and wasn't planning on getting up and leaving until I knew what this was all about. Maybe it was my infuriated stare.

Leaning back and crossing my arms expectantly, I waited for Kol to say something. He was just about to when the familiar whooshing sound reached my ears.

My body tensed when I saw Elijah in the door. His eyes moved back and forth between me and Kol, and I saw right away that this random kidnapping wasn't something he had been in on.

''Hello brother!'' Kol exclaimed chipperly and I glared at him from my place in the chair. Elijah didn't move a muscle but he grew more intimidating, somehow.

''What?'' Kol asked in feign surprise at the sight of his brother's face.

''This is beneath even you.'' Elijah started walking towards us, towards me.

''Don't push your luck,'' Kol said. ''We are to break the linking spell. This is in all our favour.''

Elijah looked torn, but he didn't stop until he stood next to me. ''You don't need her.''

''Perhaps not,'' Kol agreed. ''But it helps letting the message sink in with the witch. If she doesn't do it this one will fill her up with all the fear we need. And I wanted to get a closer look at what all that fussing of yours is about. Two birds, one stone. One very pretty bird, I must say.''

''You're still linked?'' I asked, still angry and struggling to keep my voice even.

''Not for long,'' Kol replied.

''And what witch..?'' I asked, but stopped immediately when it dawned on me. Bonnie. ''She can't be doing this voluntarily. What have you done?''

''Nothing short of giving her incentive,'' Kol said.

A myriad of scenarios played in my head, and I hoped that the reality wasn't nearly as horrible as they were. But with the little I knew of Kol, it was unlikely.

''KOL!'' Klaus' voice suddenly raged though a hallway, and I tried to cover up my flinching. A fleeting look of dismay crossed Kol's face, but as soon as it was there it was gone again. Seconds later, Klaus appeared in the doorway, fuming.

''I thought I had made myself clear.''

''Well, you know brother,'' Kol smiled, ''when you ask someone not to think of a pink elephant...''

''Come with me,'' Klaus ordered, his mouth in a thin line. ''Now.''

I blinked and then they were both gone. Looking to the left of me, Elijah's hand was holding the back of my chair.

''I didn't know,'' I said.

''I cannot forgive his actions.''

''Where is she?'' I asked. ''Is she here?''

He didn't answer, and I was struck by the thought that maybe he was ashamed. And as much as I respected him for it, there was an angry part of me that I thought had been all because of Kol; but seeing his tentative way around his family irked me.

Klaus came back inside the room without his brother, and Elijah went to him. They spoke in hushed tones, quickly and urgently.

''Where's Bonnie?'' I asked, and barely caught the words exchanged between them.

''Did you set Kol on her?'' Elijah asked, his voice raised above a murmur.

''Of course not,'' Klaus said. ''Perhaps I hadn't made myself clear enough.''

''Perhaps,'' Elijah replied sharply.

The thought of Bonnie tied up somewhere, bleeding, or worse, got me out of the chair, her wellbeing more important than their quibbling.

''Do not disturb her,'' Klaus called after me when I set off through the doors to search the house.

Turned out, I couldn't disturb her if I wanted to, because what I saw when I passed one of the rooms was enough to divert my immediate attention elsewhere. At first, I almost didn't recognise him; head hanging and bare chest striped with blood. But then his eyes fluttered up towards me and I rushed over to him at once.

''What the-'' I choked when I saw him up close. The blood, the chains- I tried to release the cuffs around his wrists but it was no use. My foot touched something at his feet. I looked down and found a knife. There were remnants of blood on the blade.

I wanted to patch him up, but I didn't have anything to work with. He would heal on his own eventually, if I remembered correctly. But did he need something? I gulped at the thought of getting blood for him. It made me feel queasy – but if it had to be done...

''Hey Moreau,'' Damon said suddenly, his voice strained and groaning. He lifted his head, looking exhausted.

''Hey,'' I replied, frowning. ''How are you doing?''

He grimaced when I tugged at the metal a little too hard with the knife. ''Been better.''

There had to be a key somewhere. I looked down by our feet and the floor around us, but I couldn't find one. ''Who did this?'' I asked him. I didn't think about anyone else being in the house. Either they heard and didn't care, or they weren't there.

''Ev,'' he said, avoiding answering my question, ''don't waste your time with me.''

I didn't stop trying to find a way to get him out of the chains, but for a moment my urgency faltered. ''What are you talking about?''

''They're linked.''

I frowned, and tried to get more out of him but he was adamant not so say anything else. His eyes travelled past my shoulder and suddenly I knew.

''Damon...''

It hadn't even crossed my mind. Was I that gullible? How could I not have realised that it was an opportunity for some? For those who didn't know what I did, or didn't care-

''I'm sorry,'' Damon said, and I was brought back to what was right in front of me. I fought the sinking feeling in my chest and bit down on my lip as I continued to look for a way out for him.

''Don't be stupid,'' he continued.

I felt his eyes on me, but I had to get him out of here.

''And just what do you think you're doing?''

My heartbeat was in my ears at the sound of Rebekah's voice, both in anger and weariness. They were all here, of course they were. Klaus I could deal with, even if I didn't particularly like him we could discuss things. Dealing with Kol and Rebekah was beginning to feel like trying to make way across a mine field.

''I'm helping my friend,'' I said through gritted teeth, ignoring Rebekah even if the hairs on my arms stood up in fear of what she might do. The anger in me was stronger.

''Klaus let you do this?'' I asked her, and almost wished I hadn't asked that question, knowing it would aggravate her, but then I decided not to care. Let it make her lash out.

''My brother doesn't let me,'' Rebekah sneered. ''This is between me and him,'' she continued, looking at Damon. ''Stay out of it.''

''I've gotten out of worse, Moreau,'' Damon said, mustering up a weak shadow of a smirk aimed at Rebekah.

''I'm not leaving you like this.''

He shook his head. ''Go.''

''I don't-''

Rebekah was watching us impatiently, but she didn't do anything. Her face darkened, maybe because I had a glare etched on my face when I glanced at her. Did they know? Were they just in the process of breaking the linking spell or did they know that there was a plan? That they were going to-

''I'll be here,'' he said. ''Go.''

My heart was tearing itself apart. Damon pushed me with his gaze, and before I knew it I had left the room, gasping for breath. I should go find him. Maybe just the whisper of his name would be enough, if he was still somewhere near.

But I didn't try to find him. I found a seat in another room, and sank down, burying my face in my hands.

Was this how it was going to be? Either one side or the other? I didn't have the heart to be mad at Damon, not when he was clearly sorry. Even if I knew he wanted them all dead. But if what I thought he meant was true, then... Why would they do such a thing? Why? I knew about everything that went down with Klaus. Even Rebekah had her share, but- It wasn't right. It wasn't right, and I didn't want him to die. The thought of it alone tore at my insides and made me want to do whatever it took to make Bonnie break the spell.

My fingers were wet when I moved my hands and looked at them. Annoyed at myself for crying without realising, I wiped the tears away quickly and squeezed my shaking hands into fists.

It only took a minute and someone was at the risk of dying. I thought of my mother. Her smile, her hugs. I thought of my dad, who I never got to know but in the sadness in my mother's eyes I saw him. And then I thought of Elijah and my heart clenched.

I saw his face in my mind, and then I saw him before me. He was standing in the doorway.

A million things went through my head. Things I wanted to say, things I wished I could do-

But nothing came out – and instead of staring at him blankly I focused my gaze on the carpet on the floor.

''It is done,'' he said, his voice low and careful.

I closed my eyes and held back the flood of feelings within me. ''Good,'' I finally managed to say, nodding slightly. ''Good.''

They weren't linked anymore. I didn't have to worry about his life being the price of someone else's. And that alone would be enough for me to feel joy again, but I didn't. Relief, I was relieved. But something held me back from saying all those things I wanted, and my body was firmly placed on the recliner I'd sat down in until I thought of Damon again; hanging by the wrists, blood pouring down his body. I had to get out of this stuffy room and find him. I had to get away.

''Damon,'' I said. ''I have to see Damon.''

''My sister let him go,'' Elijah said.

Again, relief. I hoped he was safe, that he was healing.

''My sister has a temper,'' Elijah began, ''she-''

''A temper?'' I cut him off. ''She went medieval on Damon. He looked barely alive.''

Immediately I felt a sting for snapping at him like that. Even if this had everything to do with him, even if he could have stopped it.

I stared blankly at the wall. ''You know, it's funny. When you do things to save your family, it hurts them. And when they do the same, it hurts yours.'' I sighed. ''And I'm right here in the middle.''

''I'm sorry.''

''What for?'' I asked tiredly. ''It's not your fault.''

Finally I dared to look at him, and I almost wished that I hadn't. When I looked at him, my heart hurt.

''I have, and I will, do what it takes to protect my family,'' he said. ''Our relationship is not conventional,'' he admitted and looked down at his clutched hands. ''But we are family.''

''Did she had to bleed him dry?'' I asked, because even if I understood him by only a fragment, ''I don't think she did.''

''You don't understand,'' he stated, though he didn't sound like he liked using those words when trying to explain himself to me.

''You're right, I don't,'' I retorted angrily. ''I don't understand. My mother died. My mother, Elijah. My family.'' I felt my eyes filling up with tears from the anger and frustration boiling under my skin. ''And Damon is my friend. Just... seeing him like that, in this house-''

''I haven't lived as long as you have,'' I said. ''I know that. And I can't even begin to comprehend what you have been through, I won't ever, but...'' I stopped, sighing. ''People aren't born cruel, Elijah. They become it.''

His eyes spoke more than anything he could ever say and I knew he had taken my words in a way I hadn't meant them. And I wanted to rectify that, but words gushed out my mouth without me really controlling them.

''And I'm not saying that what anyone did was right,'' I said. ''But I'm being torn apart in two different directions and I don't know which way to go. And I can't help but think that I have to choose.''

It terrified me, because I couldn't see a middle ground. And even if I wanted to, I couldn't make one. Maybe I could work for it, but at the moment I couldn't see how it could ever be possible. ''And she would know what to do, but she's not here.'' And I'm alone, I thought, leaving it unsaid.

''I keep hoping for the best,'' I continued. ''Hoping that everyone will just find a way to get along, but I don't know that that'll ever happen.''

God, it was quiet. I brushed my hair from my face and squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them again I dared to find Elijah's face from where I was sitting, and as soon as I saw him it was like it didn't matter how angry I was with him, his family, or myself. My chest ached at the thought of not seeing him again. The split second when I had realised I might have been minutes from losing him had been horrible in every sense.

''It's pathetic,'' I mumbled, and averted my gaze. ''I'm pathetic.''

''You're perfect,'' he said, the words spoken so quietly that I almost didn't hear them.

I looked up at him, bewildered. There was the hint of a smile on his lips, his brow – furrowed as though he had trouble realising what he had said, or worried that he had – and his eyes. His eyes had never been so expressive.

My legs brought me standing on their own, I couldn't help it, and I never broke eye contact when I took a few slow steps towards him. One deep breath, and then I reached for his hands. They were just as warm as before. For some reason, I didn't think they would be. Touching him like this, there was no indication that he was any less human than I was.

''I made you a promise, didn't I?'' he mumbled.

I drew a breath and looked down at our joined hands. I was afraid to look at him, standing this close. Keeping my eyes down, I followed the outlines of his hands were they crossed over to mine; the lines on his skin, the gentleness of his grasp.

There was no denying that the time I spent with Elijah on the trip to Lafayette had changed everything. We were in sync, on some level. But on every other level... The fear holding me back was so heavy; wrapping around me and pressing me down; stopping me from moving my lips and speaking; stopping me from moving my hands, my feet.

I was scared to meet his eyes, but eventually I looked up at him. I wished that I could hear his heart as he probably could hear mine. I wished I knew what he was thinking.

My voice was a whisper. ''I... I don't...''

We were so close to each other, and I barely realised until I felt his breath fan my face. My pulse was racing, and I fought strongly to keep my emotions from slipping into him, but it was difficult when all I could think of was his eyes and his warm skin against my fingertips.

All of a sudden he was a step further away from me. He let go of my hands slowly, and I couldn't figure out why; until I saw a shadow in the corner of my eye.

''Well, we've had quite a day, wouldn't you say?'' Klaus said, and watched us with a knowing smile from the doorway. I stepped away from Elijah instinctively, and was struck by an iciness running through my body at the sight of Rebekah by his side. The image of Damon was still fresh in my mind. Kol stepped up behind them and leaned against the door frame. He winked at me, and I shot him a glare.

''All will be well,'' Klaus said to me. ''Do not worry. Now that we are no longer linked, there is no need for any of the things that transpired today.''

''Really?'' I asked, not sure if I believed it, feeling warm and flushed. For another reason, clearly, but it made way for a flare of anger. ''What about Elena?''

''They keep to their business and I have no quarrel with them,'' Klaus said, and looked unimpressed with me suddenly half-way to infuriated. ''I am in need of her.''

''It's sick,'' I said, feeling all over the place and all but ready to explode. ''Why do you need to make hybrids? Why?'' I threw my arms out, wildly gesticulating, fighting to keep my emotions in check.

I met Klaus' eyes, and maybe it was the time I'd spent with him, or he was more open than usual; but it was right there in his eyes. All of a sudden I didn't see him as an ageless, manipulating vampire – but a lonely soul that had lost direction.

''It's because they are like you, isn't it?'' I asked, and the sad thought calmed my temper a little. ''Aren't your siblings enough?''

''Mind your tongue,'' Rebekah sneered.

Maybe that realisation made me see everything more clearly. ''Don't get me started on you,'' I said, a little more harshly. ''I saw you in school. I saw how much you enjoyed it. I don't know what Damon did to you-''

''Exactly,'' Rebekah said. ''You don't. So shut up.''

There was only so much I could take. Being dragged here, having to see one of my best friends half-dead, and being torn in two every time I looked at Elijah. I had to get out of here, right now.

''Don't worry about it,'' I snapped. ''I'm leaving. And I'd like my bike back, thank you.''

I turned my back on them and marched out the room without a second thought; tingling with red hot anger, and haunted by lonely blue eyes, never once losing the feeling of being pulled back by an invisible string towards Elijah, who hadn't said a word.