This is the second to last chapter. Thank you to everyone who reviewed.

Damon answered the door with a bag of frozen peas pressed on his neck. He was so surprised at hearing the doorbell ring for the first time in three decades he didn't stop to look and see who was ringing.

Klaus leaned on the other side of the door, sunglasses resting dangerously close to the tip of his narrow nose, "Ah yes, The dim-witted Salvatore. The exact person I'm calling for."

Damon clutched the bag of his peas to his side, squared his shoulders and prepared to fight.

Klaus removed his sunglasses, "Do you really believe that I would ambush you after ringing your doorbell?"

Damon's guard raised even higher, "Sorry not sorry, but I don't keep tabs on the social norms of sociopaths."

Klaus rolled his eyes, already regretting the decision he was about to make, "Rumour has it that you have yet another big bad out for your fair princess. Sociopath or not, you need my help."

"Oh yeah? What's the catch?"

"Let's call this a favor."

"For who?"

Klaus pinched the bridge of his nose and whispered, "How in all gods name does she put up with you."

Damon's thick eyebrow shot up. Confused as to who the "she" Klaus was referring to.

"I'm doing this with or without you and I have a flight to catch so let's shake a leg shall we?" Klaus said, pushing past Damon into the house.

Bonnie woke to an empty bed but a side table with the most ornate tea box she'd ever seen. Le Salon Afternoon Tea, New Orleans was etched on the teak box. She pulled the plush covers closer to her chest and poured a mug of hot water from a forest green thermos. She dipped a tiny strainer of loose hibiscus and ginger tea in her cup and looked outside at the rain and imagined of a sunny luscious balcony.

A bloody fingerprint soaked the butt of Klaus' cigarette. He took a long drag only to roll down the windows of Damon's Camaro and discard the cigarette butt. He grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and slowly wiped the blood from his face.

The blood on Damon's forehead was slowly making its way into his eyes. He stole a look at Klaus and was immediately grateful that the blood he was blinking away was not his own.

Damon had participated in more than his fair share of violent occurrences. But he had never seen anything like this. What he had just witnessed was older than the old testament. The distilled wrath of forgotten gods.

He stole another glance at Klaus who was dabbing blood off his face with the primness of someone who had just finished a hearty meal. If not for being drenched in blood, no one would know that 13 minutes prior, Klaus had split a magic-juiced Vampire straight down the middle - crown to crotch.

"W-who," Damon cleared his throat and upped the vibrato, "Who exactly is this favor for again?"

Klaus kept his eyes peeled on the windshield wipers' busy task. The rain was coming down fast. "Let's call it a favor for you. Now you know how to handle a situation like this. Teaching a man to fish and all."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You lot are far too reliant on magic. I've just taught you to be self-sufficient. You should be grateful."

Damon blinked furiously; too reliant on magic? Green eyes and a soft cheek cupped in his hand came to mind instantly.

"What do you want with her?" Damon asked quietly.

Klaus scoffed and continued to wipe his face, only smearing the blood further, "Why should it matter to you?"

Damon hit the breaks impulsively. The car skidded several yards before coming to a screeching halt.

"Don't you-"

"What? Give her options apart from being your sacrificial lamb?" Klaus scoffed for a second time.

"Leave her alone,'' Damon said, desperation coating each word.

Klaus simply smirked.

"I'm serious-"

"Oh you're serious are you?" Klaus turned to face Damon, "And what are you serious about?"

"She'll never leave with you. You know that right? She's too good for you. You can't corrupt her."

Specks of gold flashed in Klaus' eyes; the look he gave Damon could level a small city.

"Do not mistake our little adventure as an invitation for you to lose the little sense you have left. I could scatter each of your useless limbs to the four corners of the world without blinking and no one would be the wiser."

"Bore someone else with your threats Klaus."

Klaus smiled wickedly; Damon immediately missed the murderous glare, "The only reason you and your friends even came close to defeating me was because of her. You'd do best to remember that."

"Is that what this is about? You're trying to take away our upper hand?"

"And I'm meant to be the callous villain. It's really never occurred to you that she's more than just a chess piece. That someone would want her as more than just a utility?"

Damon blinked, then blinked again, the realization of Klaus' words suddenly clicked, "What? Do you like her."

Klaus opened the car door, adjusting his coat as he stood up. Damon scrambled after him, glaring at him from across the hood of the car.

"You're not good enough for her," Damon said again gritted teeth.

"And that is just about the only thing you and I have in common," Klaus said flatly, "Now if you don't mind. We have a flight to catch."

Klaus sped away before seeing Damon's frustrated face.

Apologies for the short chapter. The Last chapter coming up soon. Reviews are appreciated. Cheers x