Note: If you feel like it, listen to Skyscraper by Demi Lovato. It's what I listened to while writing this!

Chapter 3:
Skyscraper

They say that after trauma, a person's body can go into shock to protect it from the world. That's what Taylor felt like – like her body had gone into shock. Did the same principle of shock apply to vampires? Their bodies weren't exactly the same. It must have been a possibility as the minute the young vampire opened her eyes after she'd passed out, finding herself in a room that wasn't hers, she froze.

Her breathing was normal, slow and even, though her eyes in wide saucers searched the room. Almost to quickly to comprehend her mind played back the past couple of days, cringing every time Klaus' face came into view. Of all the things that confused her, it was Klaus and his motives. Whoever he was, he wasn't good, but that left the lingering question of what did he want? He'd made it pretty clear he wanted her.

"Hey… how are you doing?"

Taylor's head snapped up. Elena was at the door, peaking her head in, a reluctant look on her face. She hesitated before walking fully in, taking a seat next to her sister on the bed.

"This isn't a dream, is it?" Taylor asked, a silly hopefulness filling her.

Her twin shook her head, a frown on her face. "No… what happened to you?"

"Honestly? I don't even know where to start."

"Was it Jace?"

His name brought a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. "No… no. It wasn't Jace. It was someone else."

"Who?"

"Some vampire named Klaus."

Elena's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Klaus?"

"I don't know who he is either."

"I think I know someone who would." Elena stood, reaching out and gently grabbing Taylor's hand. "I know you're exhausted, but we all need to talk."

Although it felt like an entirely bad idea, Taylor nodded her head and followed her sister out of the room. The young vampire wasn't sure where the next few minutes would go. There were a few things she felt like avoiding, actually. Like explaining how she'd managed to do magic and why she kissed Damon.

Unfortunately, the reached the others in a few minutes. Stefan, Damon and Bonnie were standing close together in the living room, serious looks plastered on their faces.

"Taylor," Bonnie exclaimed the moment she saw Taylor, running forward and embracing her in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

Taylor forced a laugh, hugging her friend back. "Me too."

The two released each other as a silence fell upon the group. No one knew how to attack the situation. Taylor, though scared of going through everything once more, spoke up.

"We need to find Katherine."

"How did you know she was alive?"

"Honestly?" Taylor asked, folding her arms across her chest hesitantly. "I don't know. She came to me that night I left to go find Jace and confront him. And no one believed me, but I knew. Katherine's not one to die easily."

"Okay," Bonnie said.

The way she spoke told Taylor to be worried, because the way she spoke made it seem like there was something on her mind. The group exchanged looks, though Taylor's eyes were tightly held on Bonnie.

"But we need to talk about what happened… and how you got out of there."

The topic was one that the young vampire did not want to talk or even think about. She turned her back to the group and crossed the room, her shoulders shaking just the slightest at the memories. Taylor was, it seemed to most people, a strong and independent girl. But things aren't always what they seem. Though it shouldn't have fazed her to go through an ordeal like that, it did. And it was that fact that scared her – to think that Klaus had any power over her.

Elena's voice crossed the room in a worried whisper, speaking her name.

None of it reached her ears.

The young vampire remained still, unable to shake the fear that crept upon her. Damon's footsteps toward her fell unnoticed until his hand landed softly on her shoulder. She jumped, surprised by the sudden contact. The vampire turned her around, his eyes staring into hers with a love that seemed shocking coming from the vampire who always seemed so arrogant.

He didn't speak. Instead, in a surprising action to the group behind him, he pulled the girl into a gentle hug.

Taylor buried her head in his chest, amazed at how much Damon had changed since she'd met him. He was kinder now, gentler – with her, at least – and she needed the comfort that it brought.

"Taylor," his voice cooed, very unlike himself. His voice hummed in his chest, vibrating and sending a chill down Taylor's spine.

"He wants me."

"What?"

"Klaus? The vampire who had me. He said he wants me."

The comment made Damon stiff, his eyes hard in a glare. No one was going to take Taylor, especially some psychotic vampire.

"Who is Klaus?"

Taylor pulled away from Damon's chest slightly, leaving her arms wrapped around him. "I don't know. All I know is he's really strong. And he can compel other vampires."

"How did you get out, Taylor? I couldn't break the spell, but after you held your hands up and you glowed you came out?"

"… Jace."

"Jace?"

"He's dead."

Elena gasped.

While the others looked relieved at the news, she knew how her sister felt for the boy. And she knew that once you feel that way, it always hurts.

"What does that have to do with you getting out," Damon questioned, impatient.

"He died because he gave something to me."

"His magic?"

"His magic."

"Is that even possible?"

Taylor shook her head, frustrated tears forming. "I don't know! All I know is that for some reason, he wants me. And if he didn't want me before, he sure as hell does now that I have this damn magic."

Damon decided to step in. Without so much as a word, he reached forward and grabbed Taylor's hand. With a determined pace, he gently pulled her out the door, ignoring the questions the other's shouted after the two. The vampire's pace slowed the second they were out of earshot, standing in the clearing in the forest.

"Damon?" Taylor asked as she stopped walking.

The vampire turned to face her, looking down at the frightened face of the girl who he had just risked his life for.

"Yes?"

"I'm supposed to be strong now. Katherine made me strong. I'm not supposed to let something like this get to me, but I'm scared. I'm really scared."

The fear in her voice brought an unfamiliar feeling out in Damon. A need to be the hero – to be the protector.

Damon put his hands gently on either side of her face. "I'm not letting anyone near you."

Taylor smiled through the fear, just as his lips crashed down on hers. Her eyes fluttered shut, her arms wrapping around his neck as his hands slid down to her waist, bringing as close to him as he could.

That was what she needed.

She didn't need reassuring words that meant nothing. She didn't need magic – suddenly thrust upon her, putting her in more danger than she was before. What she needed was Damon. The one person who was secure in who he was and would do anything for her, even if it meant risking his life to save her.

She needed to guy she loved.

Hi readers!

It's been a while, hasn't it? Life has definitely made it difficult for me to have time to write, but I FINALLY got this chapter out. I do hope it at least works in holding you off until the next chapter comes out. I have an idea in mind, but nothing is written yet. Bear with me, please. I will try my best!

I hope you liked this chapter, even though it is short. Let me know what you thought.