It's always darkest before the dawn

Nik woke up just before the dawn was about to set in. He woke up in his apartment, in the wrong part of town, as he liked to joke around. Yes, until she came into his life he didn't mind throwing a joke or two at his own dispense. He didn't mind being the bad boy, the Mikaelson recast, and all the other things they liked to call him. He didn't care because up until Caroline Forbes waltzed into his life he wasn't capable of caring anymore, or so he thought, or so he repeatedly told himself in nights like these. They say it's always darkest before the dawn, but every part of Nik's nights was dark when he was tortured by his usual nightmares. And although this was one of the most beautiful nights in his life, all he had to remember was how it felt to hold her in his arms, the nightmares still came. The nightmare came … He stood up to walk to the bathroom to splash some water onto his face … He heard the neighbours fighting again, and smashing things around, and he heard police sirens somewhere in the distance. And he heard the uncontroable beating of his heart … He splashed some water onto his face and took one long and hard look at himself in the mirror. He closed his eyes and remembered the nightmare. It was that bastard's face that was still haunting him, still wouldn't let go … Always saying the exact same thing: "You are not good enough." Mikael was dead and buried, but for some reason Nik still couldn't let go. He still couldn't let go and just … I don't know, be happy? "You are not good enough" was still lingering in his mind as he was getting ready to go to work. Was Mikael right? Maybe he was right all along, maybe he was a good for nothing brat, a worthless piece of shit. Maybe … Maybe he wasn't good enough for Caroline … Maybe she would be better of with Tyler … No, he mustn't think like that. He was no prince charming but he knew how much he cared about her … How much he desperately wanted her in his life … She was the first light in his life after years of horrible darkens … He wouldn't let her go … She wanted to be with him, and he would fight for her … It's always darkest before the dawn, but the beauty and the innocence of the new dawn waking up is always worth it … So was she … And so were they …

" I presume Tyler hasn't arrived yet?" Nik asked Victor although he already knew the answer to that. Mr. Tyler Lockwood never came before noon, and even when he came it was only to pick up last nights earnings.

"Of course not boss. The master of the universe needs his beauty sleep."

" Victor." Nik reprimanded him. "Don't talk like that. You know these walls have ears. You're too valuable for me to lose. But don't worry; we won't be here much longer."

"Anything to share boss?" Victor asked curiously although he knew what Nik was aiming at. I guess everybody sort of knew, except poor, ever so clueless Tyler Lockwood.

"All in good time, all in good time." Nik just whispered and winked at him.

Yes, he was definitely feeling much better this morning. The nightmare was behind him, and he had a future to look foreword to. With a beautiful, stunning, and amazing woman by his side. Oh sweet Caroline, what you do to me, he thought when a knocking on the door interrupted him from his sweet thoughts.

"Boss, there's a girl to see you, again."

Oh no, Klaus thought. Not that bitch again, he immediately figured out it was Tatia. That bitch just wouldn't give up.

"Tell her I'm not here."

"Now, now Nik … Is that any way to talk to your oldest friend?"

"Bonnie!" he screamed with joy and went to hug her right away.

"Easy there cowboy. What's with the explosion of love over here? Have you been drinking?"

"Always a tease Bon. I'm just genuinely happy to see. It's been so long."

" I know … Almost a year …" she said while glancing around his office.

" Not much is changed here I see. Or am I wrong?"

"You better come in and sit down. We have a lot of catching up to do. Still a vodka girl?"

"Always Nik. I girl's taste in men changes, but when she finds a drink to her taste it's a long lasting love."

"Still haven't found that one that would make you want to stay?"

" I'm a singer Nik, my life is on the road. And I enjoy it. Men come and go. You're actually the only one that sticks around, in a weird way."

" Well, I'll definitely drink to that dear friend."

" How about you Nik old boy. The last time I saw you … If I recall …"

"Oh, don't even go there Bonnie …"

" You were laying on my couch moping about that dreadful … What was her name? Tatia? Dead drunk … Not a sight for sore eyes …"

" And I do apologise for that …"

" No, no needs for apologising. I mean that's what friends are for. I just hope you're over that phase. She was never worth it."

" I know that Bonnie … Now I know that more than ever … "

"Really? Anything you like to share?"

" Well actually love …" and so Nik told Bonnie, everything. Nik wasn't much about friendships, but Bonnie and he had a lot in common. Fucked up family relationships, and a drive to survive. They liked each from the first moment she stepped into this club two years ago asking them if they needed a singer and not taking a no for an answer before they heard her sing. The old Lockwood would throw her out on her ass but she was in luck, it was Nik's good morning and he decided to hear her out. He never regretted it; she was a great singer and even a better friend. He knew that tough outside guard hid a heart of gold, another thing they had in common, I guess. Nik actually asked her once, from boredom, how come they never hooked up and she told him: "Because we're too similar. We would burn each other out. You need someone that will help you see how amazing you are, but when the time is right and when you're ready for it." And once more the wisdom that is Bonnie was right.

"So? You're not going to say anything?" Nik stared at Bonnie as she was observing him carefully.

" Oh Nik … As usual, you left me speechless. I don't know if I should jump from joy you have finally found someone you're ready to let in, or start crying it's once again so messed up. Tyler Lockwood's fiancée? Really Nik?"

" I can't help who you …" Nik stopped right there.

" Love?" she finished for him.

" I mean it's only been what? Three days? I don't know …" he started to rationalize it.

" Oh shut up Nik. You love her. Love is stupid and idiotic. And yes, a second is enough. Sometimes it is. "

"So you do think I should fight for her? Not let her go?"

"I can't tell you what to do Nik but … We're the creatures of the night, our hearts aren't sweet and pure. We don't fall in love just like that. If she's your dawn, then yes … Don't let her go … You may not get another Sunrise. Sometimes you have to risk everything if you want the grand, epic romance. And Nik …" she turned around and looked him in the eyes before walking out. "Whatever you may think about yourself you are worth it, and you are capable of being that epic romance hero. She's lucky to have you Nik, don't forget that."

Over the day Nik buried himself in work but he couldn't stop thinking about Bonnie's words. He wasn't completely sure what exactly he would say to Tyler but he knew he needed to speak to him. But where the hell was he, it was almost 3 p.m. and Tyler still hasn't been around. This was strange even for him. And Nik heard some noises and his heart stopped. It was her voice. It was Caroline. And she was with Tyler. What the hell was going on? He heard them walking up the stairs and before he knew it they were both in his office. The mere sight of her made him tremble, she looked as beautiful as ever, but something … Something about her was just off.

" Hey man, just wanted to see if everything is in order. I'm a bit late, but what the hell I'm the boss, I can afford it, right?" Tyler said and winked at Caroline who smiled at his pathetic attempt of humour and brag.

" Tyler all that walking has made me a bit thirsty. Could you bring me a soda? Please?"

" Hm, sure, I'll just call Victor to get it …"

" No you bring it. You said you'd do anything for me, remember?" Caroline said flirtatiously and Nik was completely awestruck. He could only hope this was Caroline's strange attempt to stay alone with him.

"Alright, I'll be right back then." Tyler was pouting but he left the room to get her the soda, thus leaving them alone.

The moment they were left alone it felt like someone has sucked all the air out of the room. They were so close but so far … He wanted to touch her, no, he needed to touch her … She was the aching emotion in his stomach, it's been only a few hours but a few hours too long for him. He closed the gap between them and hugged her tightly, smelling her hair, touching her skin, it felt divine. But it lasted only a few seconds before she pushed him away.

" Stop. We can't do this." she said moving a step backward and creating a distance between them.

" Yes, you're right. I need to speak to Tyler. I'll speak to him right away. And then everything would be alright. We'll be together. "

"No!" she screamed and put her hand to her lips.

" I don't want you to tell him anything."

" But Caroline … I now you're scared sweetheart but …" he tried to get closer but yet again she pulled away.

" I know your scared but I promise I would never let anything happen to you. I know it won't be easy but we'll figure it out together. I'm going to take care of you."

She just started at him with a tear starting to form in her eye.

" I'm so sorry Nik. But that is not what I want. I want to marry Tyler."

What? What did she just say? Nik started feeling a bit woozy, maybe he heard her wrong.

" Caroline, what are you talking about? What is wrong? Tell me."

" I am telling you Nik." she said, wiping of her tear, and speaking in a very determined fashion.

"Last night was great, it really was. It was a really fun fling. Just what I needed before marriage to loosen me up a bit. But then you started taking this so seriously …"

"Caroline, what's wrong? You can't mean that…"

" Oh Nik, we had fun. But this is real life; Tyler is everything I dreamed of. I want to marry him. Please don't bother me anymore."

She was about to step outside, when he just couldn't help himself. He didn't understand anything. So he grabbed her and pulled her onto his chest.

"Let go off me." She started fighting him off "Or I'll start to scream."

"You can't possibly tell me you don't feel this. That we mean nothing to you?"

"We? There is no we or us Nik."

"Look me in the eye and say that. Look me in the eye and tell me you don't care."

He felt her shiver beneath him as he was still holding her close. Hoping, praying this was yet another one of his nightmare and that he will wake soon. Wake before the dawn … Finally she looked up and he found himself once more lost in her eyes.

"You mean nothing to me. Now leave me alone" she said calmly and ran from his office in not so calm of a fashion.

Nik was left there standing. Numb. Broken. Dead. Apparently he was once more played for a fool. It was all a charade, a game. She didn't care about him. How could he be so foolish to actually believe she would want him? "You are not good enough. You are not good enough. You are not good enough." He took a chair and threw it at a window in his office. The sound of glass breaking was nothing, the sound of his heart breaking was much louder and it was filling his ears and breaking every inch of his body. Tyler rushed into the office.

"What the hell man?"

" I need a drink." he said and left the office, left the club, left her there with his fiancée.

"You mean nothing to me." she said to him. "Fine then, you'll mean nothing to me as well." he said and once more let the darkness consume him. It wasn't darkest before the dawn anymore. It was dark all over.


I'm so sorry guys it took so long to update. I was just not sure if to continue this or not because I was so heartbroken after Klaus has died last week. I miss him already, and this Tyler/Klaus thing just sucks for me :( ... So today I felt like writing again and I have no idea if this is total crap so ... If there's anyone still reading this story, I would be so happy to get a REVIEW, maybe it will cheer me up and keep me going ;) ...