A/N: Hi all! Sorry about the lateness of this update. Real life has been kicking my ass lately. Issues with our teens and boyfriend problems and friend problems and school and health and just everything all at once so I just have not gotten the time to write.
I wanted to clarify a couple things. The time line for the story started around midnight the first night when they were on the plane and they crashed in the daytime of the first day and then were looking for shelter and exploring the island a bit on Day 1. Damon and Elena fell asleep in the tree that second night and then Ric pulled them to go look for Caroline who had gotten lost and then Damon almost got caught getting chased by the cons. He led Elena to the cave and they slept there the rest of that night till past noon the next day. Then Day 3 they went on the hike to contact Stefan and afterward came back to the cave and made love that evening. That evening was when Caroline went to the river to wash up and ended up running into the guards and she ran and Klaus found her. So we are on the second night on the island now, third night in the story since the plane, with Damon and Elena in the cave and Enzo now just waking up. Some people thought it had only been one day total so far so I wanted to clear that up.
Also Caroline didn't just get lost again. Damon and Ric suggested she go to the river to wash up and then when she almost got grabbed by a guard she kicked him and ran and then she got lost not knowing where she was. She had even marked the trees before to find her way back from the river to the cave.
There is also more Caroline and Klaus but I am keeping it as friends at least for now and just in the last while that part of the story was needed to blend with Damon and Elena's and so the parts with them here won't be as often going forward, just now its needed and longer so I hope that you still enjoy it.
Anyway enough talking. Enjoy the super long chapter! Lots of you wanted more action so I added some Delena yum since its still only their first night being together but most of this chapter is action and suspense! Still rated M
Caroline's POV
The shaking would not stop as I lay in the man Nic's arms. I was barely aware he was holding me as I could not pull myself from the fear of what was happening. Nic had ripped apart my panties, his hand had been...down there...just like the man that night. At that second I froze, my brain on overdrive thinking the worst. Part of me knew that he didn't want to hurt me and that all he had been doing since he met me was protecting me, but the other part of me had been so afraid to relive that night I had almost been raped.
I lifted my head from his embrace and felt the tears still streaming from my eyes. Looking past his shoulder I could see the man Mason, the one who wanted to destroy me laying on the ground, his face covered in bruises and blood. Nic had saved me from him.
A hand trailed down my cheek and I sniffled, looking up to see Nic's eyes wide and sorrowful as he wiped my tears away. His brows were furrowed and he glanced at where I had been looking and nodded to me.
"S ssh. It's okay. It's okay. It's me. Its okay. You're safe," he breathed in my ear holding me close. I was still trying to control my breathing, my chest was heaving underneath the thin dress. I had been so scared when he ripped apart the shirt I had on, the shirt he had given me and held me by my neck as he undid his belt.
Nic was looking around more before focusing back on me. He let me go and I fell beside him on the ground as I watched him zip up his jeans and buckle up the belt like he could sense my fears. Then my blonde hero gently pulled the straps of my dress back up on my shoulders and I felt a shiver go through me at his touch.
"I'll take care of him. You go straight back that way, away from the beach. Stay safe in your cave. Do you understand?"
He knew where I had been hiding? Where the cave was? I was staring up in his eyes. They looked fearful, worried about me and I knew he was only trying to keep me safe. He grabbed me by my shoulders somewhat forcefully and I realized I hadn't said anything back to him. He was waiting, his eyes wide and locked on mine, anxious for an answer.
"Do you understand?" he hissed out from between tight lips.
I nodded slowly still hardly believing what had all happened between us. How close we had been. "Thank you," I whispered as I stared in his blue green eyes.
He reached out to me again and I surprised myself by not even flinching as he ran his thumb down my bare arm. I looked down, following his gaze to see that my dress had been torn at the side and my pink bra visible. Gasping I held my breath, wondering what he was doing. His hand ran down the torn fabric and when I looked back to his face, he wore a tortured expression.
"I'm sorry Caroline. I did not mean to hurt you." His eyes stayed down at the torn fabric that was slipping between his fingers.
"You didn't," I replied quickly, knowing it was the truth. "I'm okay...because of you." I grabbed his head and tilted his face up to me. "You saved me Nic."
The man, the near stranger looked deeply in my eyes. He looked upset that my dress was torn, like he was mad at himself. Before I said anything else he pulled back from my hands around his face and his arm went to the back of his neck in one smooth motion he grabbed his own shirt and pulled it over his head, leaving him in just a thin white tank top.
"No Nic, I'm fine," I started to say but he would have none of that and was shaking his head at me sternly. I relented and let him help me into his gray v neck shirt. The material was warm against my skin as he pulled it down. Nic lifted my hair ever so gently out from the collar of the shirt and let it fall down my back. My hair was still wet and strands were stubbornly sticking to my face till he smoothed them away. I had no idea how to feel about any of this. I was in awe of his kindness and tenderness towards me.
He drew in a deep breath, his lips in a thin line. "You need to go Caroline. Now. It's not safe for you here. Hurry!" He turned me around away from the beach. I could feel the warmth of his hands through the shirt he had given me.
This was likely the last time I would see him. Damon had hopefully reached someone for help and we would be rescued. I needed to get back to find out what had happened. I turned back once more to smile at him in thanks and nearly screamed as I took in a figure that had stepped into view behind us!
Nic saw the fear in my eyes instantly and whirled around.
"Klaus what are you doing?" a man said. He was slightly shorter than the other one yet still in an orange jumpsuit. He glared angrily at seeing Mason on the ground before lifting his eyes back up lock on us.
Nic or Klaus maybe was his full name backed up slightly, his arms moving like he was making sure I stayed behind him. I stepped closer, hiding my head near his shoulder as I felt his hand find mine and grip it tightly.
The man in front of us moved his own hand to run it over his shaved head as his eyes were still focused hard on us. I could see dried blood on his white t shirt by his shoulder. Had he been wounded in the crash? It looked nasty.
"What the hell are you doing with another woman here? Who the fuck is she? Wasn't one enough? I still haven't gotten my hands on the doc and you get two woman all to yourself!" the young man said almost snarling with rage.
Nic stiffened as his hand still clutched mine. "Kai. Just back off. She was the co pilot of the plane. She is alone and terrified. I was just trying to help." I saw Nic raise his one hand not tangled with mine to try to calm him down. Nic shifted back and forth on his feet and bent his head. "I will get you Elena, Parker. I will. I know our deal."
What the hell? I jerked my hand out of his in disbelief. Nic was going to hurt Elena? Damon, the con that was in love with her and they were engaged...that Elena?!
I felt him reaching for me almost instantly again and I backed up more.
The man ahead of us was glaring at Nic. "You better. Or your brother is dead. What the hell happened to Mason?"
Nic's hands fell to his sides likely seeing I was not coming closer to him again. "That ass tried to hurt her!" Nic bit out between clenched teeth. "She just wanted to get away from him."
Kai stepped forward much to quickly as he pulled a gun from where he must have been holding it behind his back. "I'll hurt her if you don't get me Elena, Mikaelson!" he snapped back, his voice cutting. But then I saw his eyes light up as he stepped closer and Nic raised his arms at his sides in surrender. Kai kept coming closer. "Get away? Do you mean you know where she was going? She could lead us to the doc?"
Oh God no! I felt sick at the iciness of his voice. Nic had told me he knew where the cave was that we were hiding in. And this monster had his brother?! I backed away even further not sure if anyone was safe here anymore.
The man Kai pushed Nic up against the tree behind him and held the gun under his chin, forcing his neck up. I stood behind the tree shaking, my fingers gripping the rough bark in my fear. The young man's eyes moved to me and roved down my body. "Don't you dare think of running sweetie. Or you will find a bullet in your skull." Nic fought his grip, growling at him and cursing. I shook my head rapidly back and forth and stayed put. Oh no what else could go wrong?
"Do you know where she is Klaus? Are you holding out on me?" Kai's voice was raised in menacing curiosity as I saw the wicked smirk on his face.
Nic was silent and I was holding my breath. He wouldn't tell him...would he?
"Or..." Kai turned back to me. "Maybe I should just ask you...You know where Elena is...don't you?"
"Leave her alone Kai!" Nic fought again, his voice raised and angry. He pushed him back and again stood in front of me his arms out to keep Kai from getting past him.
Kai laughed. "You are so brave Mikaelson. I could have shot you right now for that."
"But we both know you won't, don't we? You need me. You need my connections to get the hell off this rock!" Nic spit at him.
Kai nodded to him. "Fine. You get me Elena yourself and I will leave this one alone. But you better not screw me! I already gave you the pregnant stewardess and you just keep pushing things!" I let out the breath I was holding. He what? I was so happy Nic had managed to keep another creep from hurting me but he had taken another woman? I didn't know what to think.
I turned back around to leave. I would find my way back to Ric and Enzo. They were probably looking for me already.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" Kai yelled at me. I whirled back around feeling another chill up my spine. Nic strode forward quickly, closing the distance between us. He gripped my arms and bent his head right to my ear.
"He will find them if you leave now. Somehow I just know he will follow you. You need to stay with me!" His whispered voice was strained with more worry.
I jerked myself out of his grip on my arms. "Like hell I do. You don't need me. You are going to betray Elena all on your own!" I was furious as I glared at him.
Kai stepped closer. "So you do know where she is?" he mused thoughtfully.
I stuttered and closed my eyes. "I...uh...don't. I just..."
"Just leave her the hell alone Parker and I will get you everything you need. She stays with me. That's the deal." Nic was between us and had spun back around to Kai.
"I don't need a new deal. You got the stewardess and the other prisoners need to have some fun too. They are getting restless and need some way to unwind."
I gasped knowing with glaring clarity what he meant and found myself cowering against Nic's back no matter how scared and unsure of him I was. He reached for my hand again and I took it.
"I did not! If it wasn't for you and your goons going after Salvatore I would have had her! But damn you, when you made us all run after him and the bitch got away." He spun back my way and pulled me into his arms. "I just want some payment for all I'm doing for you!"
No! He could not mean that! I was freaking out and trying to get out of his arms. His mood swings were giving me whiplash.
Kai backed up and laughed again, tucking the gun back in his pocket. "Alright! You win Klaus. Keep her. But if your don't get me Elena and off this damn island then you will be watching while I have her myself while you bleed out!
I could not believe what I was hearing and was still trying to get out of his iron grip on my wrists. "Nic let go of me!" I tried but I knew if he wanted to hang onto me I had no hope in getting free.
Kai laughed again. "She doesn't want you buddy! Maybe you should just let me take her. I can show her a good time."
I froze and stopped fighting. If they were not going to let me go then I knew Nic was the safer of the two of them.
"Nope, you already said she was mine. So I will take her back to the beach and you will leave us the hell alone and make sure the other cons do the same. If you want my help you do things my way!" The next second I felt him lift me up over his shoulder and carry me back toward the beach. I didn't fight him. I was too scared of the other guy. He looked crazed, like really not all there and I wanted no part of that.
But now I knew Ric would be looking for me and I hated worrying him. He and Jenna had been my rock when I was so torn apart at losing Tyler. And now I would be scaring him again with not knowing where I was and I hated that.
The further we got away from Kai that I saw was still behind I felt Nic's grip loosen on me. "Caroline, just relax. I said it before...I am not going to hurt you. I didn't want to take you back to the beach but right now that is our best option."
I listened to his pleading voice as he carried me out into the clearing by the beach. I could see men almost right away and they started converging on us as we got closer. Nic put me down behind him and I grabbed for his arm as the other men got closer. I was terrified of the looks in their eyes. They were looking me up and down and seeing my long bare legs. I was so glad that Nic had given me his shirt. It was one more layer to hide from these creeps eyes.
"Get the fuck back!" he yelled out his eyes darting back and forth to all the cons around us. "She is not a toy and sure as hell not for you."
I heard mumbling from some of the men talking to each other in hushed tones as Nic backed us up more and away from them.
"Anyone have a problem with that then lets fight! But may I remind you that I snapped the spine of the last guy that dared to challenge me!" Nic gloated and I admit even I was scared of how angry he sounded. I kept my head down behind his shoulder but my eyes roamed the group and watched to see who would challenge him.
Kai stepped out of the trees too and nodded his confirmation of what Nic had just said as the men looked at him. "He's right. He is doing something for me. And unless you can get me a way off this island...he gets what he wants!" My head fell to Nic's shoulder in relief as one by one they slowly backed off and turned to leave.
He grabbed for my hand again and I took it without hesitation. Nic led me slowly past the men who did not stop ogling me and to the far side of the beach and into a larger cave just by the rocks. He let go of my hand and let me walk in ahead of him. "I'm sorry about all this. But you will be safe here Caroline." I nodded to him as I watched him settle down on the ground at the front of the cave. I slid down the wall myself and leaned my head in my hands.
There was nowhere to run. I was trapped here for who knows how long. I pulled Tyler's ring out from under my dress and let the chain run up and down through my fingers. I missed him. I was scared and wet and cold and shivering and I had no idea how the hell I was going to get safe again.
Damon's POV
My Beauty was sleeping so soundly in my arms and now it seemed like it was my turn for sleep to elude me. I was laying on my back staring up at the glittering ceiling of the cave. Elena was curled up on my bare chest and breathing deeply, her one arm draped over my stomach and holding tight to my side. I shifted my arm under her and pulled her body in closer and her leg over me curled in tighter around me. I loved how peaceful she looked in my arms. She was my peace through everything that we had been through.
Right now though I felt anything but peaceful. My mind would not stop going over and over how anyone had used the serum to slow down their heartbeat before. All that I had known about how it worked. Had I done it right? Had I gotten the correct time line for administering the antidote? It was my best friends life on the line and I could not stop analyzing everything about what had happened to him.
He had to wake up. I needed him. Bonnie needed him and he couldn't just be gone. He had so much to live for.
I shifted my position cradling Elena in my arms as I looked down at her. Her eyes were still closed, the peace of sleep still soothing her features. I sighed deeply. I would never get over how incredible she looked curled up against me. It felt like just yesterday that I was begging her to understand that I wasn't a terrorist. My hands clenched around the steel of the fence between us as I pleaded with her to believe me.
And now here she was, the woman that I had fallen in love with the first moment I saw her. I saw the pain and sadness in her eyes as she looked at me that first day in the infirmary. She was mine now, my fiance and my forever, laying in my arms naked and bare emotionally as well as physically. She had trusted me implicitly to love and protect her and I could not be more honored to be hers. She had felt safe to share with me about her past and didn't judge me about my life as an agent. She loved me, all of me.
I ran my thumb down her cheek, smoothing a stray hair from where it was tickling her nose and she was wrinkling it in the cutest way. She made a soft noise at my touch and I wondered if she was waking up. I watched enraptured, as her beautiful brown eyes opened just a bit and she nuzzled in closer to my side.
"M mm Damon," she mumbled against my skin. I gazed lovingly down at her and ran my fingers through her silky chocolate locks.
"Hmm?" I whispered. I shifted my body lower so I was laying on my one arm bent under my head and leaned my forehead to hers. "Are you awake baby?"
She yawned in reply and I smiled so wide at how damn cute that looked.
"Mmm hmm, but I feel SO relaxed in your arms Damon. I wish we could stay like this forever."
I laughed at that and my finger went to tug gently on her bottom lip. "I know Beauty. I wish that too. It feels surreal to be with you like this. Like I'm dreaming and I don't ever want to wake up."
Elena lifted her head and saw her half open eyes gazing on me with so much love. "I don't want this to be a dream though Damon. I want you to be real. I have been alone so long and I still can't believe you are real. Someone as amazing as you loves me."
I sat myself up more and pulled her onto my lap, keeping the blanket over us. "I'm the lucky one baby. You are amazing and a dream come true. I just wish there wasn't so much danger all around us."
She nodded at me and laid her head on my chest. "Is that why you can't sleep honey?"
Lifting my hand to run it through her hair more as I pressed a kiss to her head, I nodded to her. "Yeah, partly. I feel like I just can't relax till I get you out of here and safe behind doors we can bolt shut and seal out all the evil that's out there." I cradled her against me and spun her so she was trapped under my body. "I want to throw you into my bed and never let you leave. Is that wrong?" I gazed down in her intoxicating brown eyes. "Is it wrong to want you all to myself and hide us from the world?"
She beamed up at me and pulled my lips down on hers. I opened my mouth in automatic reaction to her probing tongue and delved in to taste her. Every kiss she gave me had me melting with need. Another part of me was very awake and just as hungry for her as my lips were. My hardened length was pressing against the inside of her thigh as she cradled my head in her hands. Her hips were thrusting up rubbing herself on my body, showing me how very much she wanted me too.
"No Damon, its not wrong to want to hide away, just us. I want that too. I want you to carry me into your apartment and barely get the door open before you slam me against it, holding me up in your arms as you kiss me so deeply."
I felt her wiggle her hips more. I could feel how wet and ready for me she was and I groaned into her mouth. She kissed me more before pulling back again. "I want you to strip me down before we even get to your room." She angled her hips more and I pushed into her in one smooth motion, with all the finesse of a practiced lover.
"Ahh, God Elena," I gritted through my teeth She felt like heaven in my arms. I could not get close enough to her, even being buried deep inside her.
She grinned up at me, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight shining down on us. "I want you to lay me down on your bed..."
I pulled back out and slammed my hips back into her as she pulled my lips back down to hers again, plundering my mouth again before pulling back to breath, "And look at me just like you are doing now..."
Another thrust and she met my hips with the crashing of her own as she kissed me again. "I want you to tangle our fingers together, and push into me, filling me up with all you have to give."
"Oh baby, I want that too," I gasped out pulling back and slamming back into her harder and faster, my hands snaking up her arms to tangle our fingers together, just like she wanted in her fantasy of us home and safe in my apartment.
Elena was smiling more, her lips swollen from our passionate kisses as she gazed up at me above her. "I want to grip your strong arms baby. Feeling your muscles clench as I feel your body over me, protecting me, caging me in under you as you rock into me over and over." She kissed me again and I felt the electricity of her touch racing through me.
Damn her words as we got closer and closer to the edge, were like honey and so sweet and tender. I loved hearing how she felt with me, what everything I was doing, how I was loving her meant so much to her.
"I love how safe I feel in your arms Damon. How perfect it feels to run my nails down the taunt muscles in your back, feeling every touch of mine have you tremble and shiver in my embrace." She lifted her hips up to crash into mine as I swallowed hard, a moan climbing up my throat as we kissed again, deeper, with wild unbridled passion.
"Damn baby, you feel SO fucking perfect," I choked out as I felt the sensations rising and falling, the crests building as I grabbed hard on her hips, my hands splayed out gripping her sweaty skin in my hands. I felt her fingers clenching tight on my shoulders before sliding down my back as she whimpered my name. I was so close but I fought the feelings trying to free fall me away from her and into the clouds.
Her nails dug deeper in the skin of my waist and my ass as I slammed into her again. "I love all the little noises, the moans, the way you whimper my name when you are so close Damon. Your voice is like a ribbon of velvety melted chocolate in my ear as you come."
God damn it, this woman had no fucking idea what she did to me. I was falling deeper in love with her just hearing all the things she loved about me.
Her thighs were tightly wrapped around me, cradling me in her warmth and I groaned against her shoulder, my head dropping to taste more of her skin. She was squeezing me so perfectly, her inner muscles quivering around me. I took a nipple in my mouth, suckling greedily and her hands flew to my hair, tugging on it as I pleasured first one breast and then the other.
"God Damon, ahh," she cried out as my thrusts were faster and harder, my hands pulling her body deeper and closer in every way. I swirled my tongue around her red bud, nipping gently and watching her eyes with rapt attention. She threw her head back, her chest pushing her breast deeper into my mouth as her fingers pulled harder on my dark hair. "So...close...baby."
Hell I knew she was, I could feel it in every way and I saw the exact moment she fell over in oblivion. She looked angelic with the stream of moonlight shining down on her naked body, with a light sheen of sweat on her glistening chest, her breasts full and flushed, the blood rushing so close beneath the surface of her skin. Her legs were tangled around mine, her hips pressed closer as her head thrashed back and forth on the soft blanket beneath us.
In amidst her own euphoria she lifted her head to lock her eyes with mine, her gaze unrelenting in its intensity. "Come for me Damon," she breathed out...and fucking hell I did. With raging gusto I emptied all I was into her as our eyes stayed locked on each other. I didn't want that moment to end.
My body finally betrayed me and I could not hold myself up over her any longer and fell to bury my head in the crook of her neck. I heard her rapid breathing start to slow down as we started coming down from our high. Damn I just couldn't get enough of her. Everything about her felt amazing and I craved it like a moth to the flame. I think that was like 3 or 4 times already tonight? We were insatiable.
"Well as incredible as that was," I finally breathed out. "I wasn't asking you for more sex baby. I really wasn't. I know this is all new to you and I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you for anything."
Elena smiled, and I tilted my head to study her expression. "I'm not Damon. Really. Feeling this close to you...when I had never done this with anyone...I don't know. I can't get enough of how incredible it feels to have you love me like this, wrapped around me, in me. Its unbelievable."
I felt her fingers up in my hair, curled among the dark strands as she looked at me. "Its never felt this way for me. Ever. I think its because I love you so much Elena. Everything is heightened because of how deeply I love you."
"I love you too. Its the most incredible feeling in the world to be loved and to love you." Her face grew more somber. "But I know you were worried before. You looked scared and troubled Damon and you know you can tell me anything right?"
There was my girl again, being amazing. "I do...I know I can trust you and tell you anything." I shifted my body where we were still joined and pulled out and laid more beside her, still giving her more kisses against her neck and jaw. "I'm just worried about Enzo. I know I did everything I could to make sure he would wake up but I'm still worried about him."
Elena tilted her head more and found my eyes. "Well we don't have to wait till morning to check on him if you want Damon. We are both awake here, obviously and it still the middle of the night. So if you want we can go now and see if there is any change." Her eyes were bright as she studied me.
"You would do that?" I smiled at her. I nuzzled closer to her and kissed her cheek.
"I would do anything you need baby. If you are worried I want to help you." Elena sat up pulling the blanket up over her chest. "Its not nearly daylight and I'm sure its probably more risky to walk around the island in the day time anyway. If you want to go, then lets go."
I sat up beside her and cupped her face in my hands. "Okay. Then lets go. Maybe then after I see him I will be able to sleep. There is just so much going and so much that has to work out and I just need to know he will be okay. According to the way the serum works he should be awake by now."
"Then lead the way. If it means so much to you I want to do that for you." I nodded back at her and we got up and started looking for our clothes.
I stood up and pulled on my boxers and my jeans that were a few feet away. I saw my love looking around the cave floor for her clothes and I found her red lace bra over where my jeans were. She had slipped on the lace panties by the time I had come back to her, holding out her bra. "Looking for this?" I whispered. She had wrapped the blanket around her as she looked around for her clothes.
My damn body thought she looked so hot like that and it could not get enough of everything about her. I tugged on the blanket and she let it fall to her feet as I pressed her against the cave wall behind her, her naked breasts against my bare chest. She lifted her eyes to find mine and I moved in caressing her lips with my own as I pressed my body against hers just gently against the rock wall.
"Fuck baby, you look so hot like that." I could feel her tight nipples brushing against my chest as she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling my lips down to her again.
She pulled back, tugging on my hair to pull my head down and her mouth was right by my ear. "We are never going to leave if we don't get dressed Damon. You need to let me get dressed."
I pouted when her eyes met mine again. My bottom lip was out in a full on award winning, panty dropping pout. I even added the puppy eyes. "Oh I know Beauty," I practically whimpered bending down more, my hands sliding down her sides to cradle her hips as I captured a nipple in my mouth, winding my tongue around it teasingly. She groaned and I saw her head fall back against the wall. "If it was up to me I would never let you get dressed again. It's a fucking sin to hide your delicious body from me."
I knew that line had affected her and I literally felt her tremble from head to toe in my arms. But I also knew we had agreed to go check on Enzo and more exploring her with my tongue and fingers could wait till we got back. I groaned suckling her nipple deep in my mouth before pulling back again and looking up between my dark lashes to see her eyes on mine.
"I know. I know. I was the one that said we should go check on my bestie." I whined and straightened back up. I kissed a path up the middle of her chest and her jaw till I pressed a chaste kiss on her lips. I backed up so none of her skin was in range of my exploring mouth and let out a deep breath. Bending down I picked up the bra where I had dropped it a few moments ago and helped her arm in and did up the clasp. She smiled at me and I wondered if she had any idea how hard backing away from her was.
"Oh I almost forgot. I tucked your pants in the bag before we left Ric before." I moved to dig in the bag and produced her pants she had changed into on the plane. "I figured you might not want to go running around the woods at night in that sexy lace dress." She moved forward from the wall still half naked and took them from my hands.
"Thank you Damon. You think of everything." She slipped them on and I held out the hoodie she had worn before and helped her into it.
"There you go baby. Will you be warm enough?" I found myself constantly making sure she was okay in any and every circumstance. She untucked her hair from under the hood and shook it out to let the silky strands fall all over her back. Nodding to me she stepped over to where she had taken off my shirt earlier that night and picked it up and helped my arms into the sleeves. I shivered at the feeling of her fingers on my naked skin as she buttoned it up.
Everything with us felt so charged with electricity and intense emotion. I could not wait to get her back here and naked again in my arms. I grabbed up Ric's jacket that I had adopted and determined I was not going to give back and put on my socks and boots. I lifted my hand to hers and smiled at her as she slipped on her sandals.
"All ready?" She nodded back at me, lacing her fingers with mine and I scooped up the gun and the mags of bullets to tuck in my pockets and led her to the rocks. Just a quick trip, a few miles or so in the dark and we could be back here easily before dawn. I helped her up the rocks smiling at her determination to climb by herself and gave her ass a squeeze as I lifted her up to the surface. She squealed and looked back at me with mock disapproval.
"Sorry baby. You just looked to damn cute wiggling that hot ass as you climbed." I smiled back at her licking my lips. "Lets just go before I take you back down here, strip you and never let you leave this cave till morning."
"Okay, okay Damon,"she giggled at me. "Lets go. We will be back in no time and I can lay in your arms all night long. I promise." I nodded back to her and as she made her way to the surface and I climbed out after her.
Caroline's POV
I didn't know how long I had sat there against the wall of the cave before I looked up. I didn't know how to feel at all. Nic was protecting me but he was going to somehow find Elena and hand her over to that monster Kai to save his brother? How could he do that? I glanced up to where he was still sitting. He looked like he hadn't moved either. I studied him from behind my eyelashes.
He looked tired and I knew it must be late. He looked like he was choosing to sleep in the doorway to the cave like he was the shepherd protecting his sheep from the wolfs at night. The cons out there sure felt like wolves.
I lifted my leg before I felt it go completely asleep under me and let out a small whimper. Turning my leg I saw a large gash likely from the branches that had brushed by me as I ran. I looked up to see Nic making his way over and bringing a flashlight with him.
"Are you alright Luv?" he asked me gently. I nodded that I was fine but he must have seen the blood on my leg and bent down more to examine it. I watched as his hand slowly gripped my leg tilting it to the light and I saw the gash was much worse that I had thought seeing it now in the bright light. It had seemed to stop bleeding but it was deep and jagged along my calf.
Nic was up and heading back to the entrance of the cave. "Stay there. I will be right back," he instructed firmly. I nodded without a word. I knew there were more cons past the safely of the cave and I was not wanting to run into any of them. He was back in a couple minutes and holding a some things in his hands. He dumped them down in front of me and then sat down in the dirt at my feet.
I gasped out as he lifted my leg onto his lap and examined the cut again more carefully. "I'm okay Nic really."
"No you are not," he retorted with a frown. "That cut is deep, it needs stitches."
"Well Elena is not here and from what I heard she is the only doctor." I frowned right back at him.
He smirked at me holding up a little case. "Well don't count me out that easily Caroline." My eyes widened as I saw him opening up a little sewing case.
"Wait. What? You are going to sew me up?" I knew my voice sounded slightly higher in pitch at the thought of that.
Nic looked up at me his blue green eyes a lite with something I couldn't place. His one hand was still on my leg and it seemed like he was massaged it between his fingers. "Do you trust me?"
I nearly laughed at that. How the hell could he even ask that? I knew him for like 5 minutes here in the grand scheme of things. It took my almost a year to trust Tyler after what I had been through. Every touch felt like it brought all the horrible memories back. It had been a long road for him to get me comfortable with any touch and trusting his intentions.
"Umm. No I don't trust you," I snapped at him maybe a little too harshly. "Sure you have been there for me and saved me from getting hurt but that doesn't mean I trust you or that you can stitch up my leg! Are you some kind of a doctor too?"
Nic smiled at that. Maybe he liked my bluntness. Most people didn't. "Fair enough. I get that. No I'm not a doctor but I have been around enough to know how to repair something like that. But it might hurt more." He moved back again and rummaged around on the ground and I saw him digging in a bag behind him.
"Here, this might help." He held up a little bottle and passed it to me. I studied it in my hand.
"Tequila? Really? Where did you get that?"
Chucking he grinned at me. "It was floating around in the plane after we crashed. I assumed they were from the beverage cart. Help yourself, it should numb the pain at least somewhat."
Now that I agreed with. I twisted the top off and guzzled down some of the warm liquid. I almost choked at how it burned going down my throat and I heard Nic laugh again.
"What!?" I snapped at him and watched him pull out another bottle.
"Nothing." His smile fell but I could still see the amusement in his eyes.
"So the pretty girl can't drink!" I spit out again. "I haven't had anything to drink in ages. Not since before the man that nearly raped me reeked of alcohol as he leaned over me to destroy me."
Nic looked back up at me, all traces of humor gone. "I'm so sorry Caroline. I had no idea. You don't have to drink anything." His face was drawn in another frown like it had really hurt him to hear that something as simple as tequila reminded me of my near rape. How would he have known? He was right about that.
"Why do you care so much anyway?" I snapped at him. I knew I could have been nicer but right now that wasn't what I was thinking about.
Nic smiled sadly. "Well maybe because you remind of someone. Someone I was close to and lost in a car accident. I know you lost your husband and I lost the woman I loved too." He looked up at me and I was staring at him silently. I had no idea what to say.
"I believe she could still wake up. She is on life support but the doctors told me she was brain dead from the crash. But I didn't know how to let go and so I have kept her on life support hoping for a miracle."
Wow that was deep. My heart hurt for him and I knew that pain. The pain that I felt every time I walked back into the hospital room seeing Tyler get weaker and thinner every day."I'm so sorry Nic," I mumbled with my head down.
His hand went out to and I realized he was going to take the bottle from me and I shook my head stubbornly. "No, I need to face fears eventually and with you not being a doctor I'm sure this will hurt like a bitch." I changed the subject not even sure how else to respond to his pain.
I smiled trying to lighten the mood and Nic smiled back and I was surprised at how easy going we had been talking even about deep things like losing the people we loved. He was an inmate at a prison being flown to Europe or the Middle East to rot in their prisons. Why was I even laughing and enjoying my time with him? Tyler's death was still way too fresh it had only been a couple months. I was not ready to jump into anything and sure as hell not with a wanted man! But I connected with him and understood his pain and his vulnerability was drawing me in.
"Suit yourself Luv," he shrugged and I watched him lean down ready to pour some of it on my wound. I cringed before he had even done it but nodded stiffly to him that I was ready. Hell yeah it burned and I cried out from between my closed lips.
"Sorry," he mumbled and I just turned my head. I felt tears slip from my eyes and I wiped them away quickly. I grabbed up the bottle of tequila and took another swallow. The tingly feeling felt great this time to combat the pain.
Nic stood up suddenly and I watched him reach for his belt and undo it. My eyes widened and I started backing away on the floor of the cave. What the hell was he doing?
Nic must have senses my fears right away and held up his hand. "Relax. I'm getting this for you to help you with the pain."
I watched him pull his belt from the loops and hand it to me. I looked up at him confused but when he sat back down with no other intentions I let out the breath stuck in my throat.
"Its for you to bite on to help with the pain Caroline." He frowned at me again and put and hand on my shoulder to turn me back toward him. "Why are you trembling Luv. I promised I wouldn't hurt you and I meant it. Are you that scared of me?" His voice was low, and I could hear the sadness in his tone, the pain that I didn't trust him that he wouldn't hurt me.
I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm sorry. You are right. I am scared. But I shouldn't have reacted like that. I didn't mean to, its just..." I struggled with the right thing to say. "Its just my body reacts faster than my head ever since I was attacked and it so hard to trust anyone anymore."
The hand that he had on my shoulder rubbed down my arm in a way he hoped soothed me I guessed. When I looked back in his eyes they were darker blue, dense like a forest at night and glassy like he was feeling the emotion of my fears. "I wish there was something I could do to help those fears darling. That is no way to live, scared of everyone and thinking everyone has ill intentions towards you."
I sniffled, nodding to him. "I know. But I don't know how else to feel. I want to live again, but I have no idea how to do that." I didn't know why I was sharing all this with this man. He seemed to know how to penetrate the walls I had built up around myself.
Nic backed up and pulled my leg on his lap again. "Well lets just get you sewn up and then we can face whatever comes after that. But please use my belt. It will help," he pleaded with me. I watched him get out the needle. "Any color preferences?" He held up the box of spools. "You seem like a purple girl. All bright and girlie."
I laughed at that and took another swallow of the tequila. "I used to be. But now girlie little Caroline is more of a dark, empty version of herself. So black is fine Nic."
I saw the frown on his face at that and I knew he was hurting for my pain. Why would a strange man be caring about my feelings? This was new and didn't know what to do with it. But despite his thinking I should choose a bright girlie color I watched him scoop up the black and thread it through the needle.
"This is the part that will hurt," he looked up at me nodding. I understood and took one more swallow finishing the tiny bottle of alcohol and folded up his belt and put it between my teeth. I passed him a nervous look and then closed my eyes.
A muffled cry came from my lips as I felt the needle digging under my skin and then again and again to stitch up the cut. I kept my eyes sealed shut and just waited for it to be over.
"Caroline," Nic's voice whispered into the damp air between us. "You can open your eyes now. All done." I slowly peeked out at him, pulling the belt from my lips and looked down to see the torn skin all neatly sewn back up on my calf. "Feel free to release your grip on my arm anytime," he mumbled in a low tone.
I swung my head fast toward his arm and sure enough the one he had not been using to sew with I had a clinging grip on, that I had not even realized. I unlatched my nails from his skin, seeing little crescent indents. "I'm sorry. I didn't even realize..."
"Its okay. I'll live and now by the looks of it you will too." He bent to examine more of my legs and the backs of each. "That looks to be the worst injury. The rest are not nearly as deep." He turned back around and lifted a wet cloth to my bare legs and began to wipe away the streaks of blood.
I just leaned back on my hands and watched him sooth every injury, wiping away all traces of the rough branches that hit me. Before I could refuse he looked up and studied my face and I felt his one hand curl behind my neck, gently holding my head still as he wiped away more blood on my face. I had tasted blood at my lips from a branch that whipped at me as I ran and now felt him dabbing the cloth to that spot as I winced.
"Sorry," he said again and I laughed that he seemed to constantly be apologizing and nothing was his fault.
"It's okay. Really," I tried again to get him to stop doting on me. It made me feel really off and I had no idea how to respond to any of it. Did he really care about me? I could still feel his fingers in my hair behind my head as he wiped the cloth along my lips and jaw before lifting it to a cut on my eyebrow and I winced again.
I stared at his face, watching him studying me and no doubt making sure every sign of my scratches was gone. He was so tender and I felt a strange stirring in my belly when our eyes met.
Nic looked deeply at me, his eyes darkening in the dim light of the discarded flashlight. I swallowed hard still feeling his hands in my hair. His gaze fell to my lips and I felt my heart pounding harder and faster. The fear of the unknown was back and I pulled away fast and turned my head.
He dropped his hand and his eyes fell away from me as the small space was plunged into silence. I had no idea what was going on. Was he going to kiss me? I curled back up against the wall, tucking my knees up to my chest before I dared look back at him still unmoving.
Nic lifted his head finally. "I...umm… I shouldn't have..." he stumbled over his words.
"Damn right you shouldn't have!" a voice carried from further away and I gasped when I saw the other man Kai just leaned casually against the wall of the cave. "You should be focusing on getting me the hell out of here not making goo goo eyes at the girl." He had his legs crossed at the ankles and clicked his tongue chidingly at us as he started walking into the cave.
Nic stood up fast and was in front of me in a second keeping himself between Kai and me, flipping his knife open. "Get out of here Parker. I told you she was none of your business!" His voice was like venom from a snake. Smooth and yet lethal in its delivery.
"Well um buddy, something has come up and you and I need to talk, like now. I gave you lots of time to deflower the hot girl but by the looks of it you just enjoyed playing doctor and she is still all dressed. Your loss."
I could hear Nic practically growl at him and clench his fists at his sides as I stood up but stayed behind him as I saw him close his knife.
"So your time is up for now," Kai continued. "And we need to talk."
"So talk," Nic spit out.
Kai's eyes widened and he leaned forward with his hand over his mouth. "In front of your girl? Okay um sure. Well your baby brother came back from us sending him and Brady and that other creep Fredrick up the mountain." Kai crossed his arms in front of him and I saw him wince just slightly. "But here's the kicker. He came back alone just a few minutes ago and as he was climbing down the cliffs he said Fredrick flew past him to the bottom. And when he checked on him at the base of the cliff the guy had a bullet hole through his fucking heart!"
I held my hand to my mouth at that. I knew Ric and Damon and Elena had headed up through the valley to to highest part of the island to get a signal on the satt phone. Did they run into those cons up there?
"But my brother is okay?" I heard Nic ask.
"Yes, he's fine...for now. But I don't like what happened and I don't trust anyone. So here is where you fit in. I found some pills for now, so I will be well enough to make the hike. You are going to take me up where we can get a signal and show me that you have someone coming."
He had needed pills for something? I studied him from behind Nic's shoulder. What was wrong with him? He looked tired and his skin slightly flushed and I could see a sheen of sweat on him but I could not tell what else was wrong.
"And if I don't?" I heard Nic snap at him. I didn't know why but I reached out and ran my hand down his arm and I felt him relax almost instantly and grip my fingers between his at his side.
Kai shrugged. "Well… then we revisit the safety of your beloved brother." He leaned back, turning back to the entrance of the cave. "Bring him!" And I saw a man get tossed to the ground in the cave and groan as another man held him down holding a gun to his head.
"Kai watch it. You piss me off and you won't get anything you want." Nic yelled at him. "Tell your pit bull guard to let go of my brother!"
Kai gave a quick nod to the man holding the Nic's brother down and let him up. Nic's brother looked much thinner and was definitely younger. His shorter dirty blond hair messy and he too wore an orange jumpsuit. Maybe most of the guys could not find other things to wear. I wondered how Nic had found jeans a t shirt. The shirt I had wrapped around me right now.
Kol stumbled back towards us and I watched as Nic pulled him into a hug, his hand on his head. They stood like that for a few moments before Nic turned and motioned Kol to stay behind him.
"Okay! So now family reunion is over. Julian will stay here and make sure that your precious brother and your girl stay put like the cute little collateral they are so easy to manipulate Mikaelson!"" Kai laughed and slapped a gun in my hand. "Take it, you promised me Salvatore and the Doc and you can't fight them with a damn pocket knife!"
Nic cursed at him tucking the gun in the back of his jeans. I felt him reach for my hand again and squeeze it before turning to me. "Just stay here Caroline. Kol will watch after you. Just stay with him and I will be right back." His eyes were squinting slightly at me waiting for an answer and I nodded to him.
He cupped my face and smiled at me. "I will be right back. I promise." Nodding to his brother who gave him a curt nod back he stepped forward away from us. "Let just get this over with." Nic stood right in front of Kai, and glared at him. "If anything happens to either of them. You are dead! You get that?" He walked right by Kai and out of the cave without waiting for an answer and I knew he was so angry to be leaving. Kai tossed a walkie it looked like to the guy that was supposed to be guarding us and then he was out of sight into the night.
I slid back down the wall and closed my eyes. I had no idea what all this meant but I wished I could contact Ric somehow. I knew he must be worried about me. I didn't even know when they got back. Maybe if I told them about the mysterious stranger before they left they might have some idea where to look for me. But I didn't even know why I didn't say anything. It felt so unreal to me as well and I knew they were upset that I had gotten lost and nearly gotten Damon killed because they were out looking for me. Ric has assured me things were okay but I still felt like an outsider in all that was going on. I had pulled away from people so much after I was attacked and even more so after I lost Tyler that I just didn't know how to be around people anymore. Nic was the first person besides Ric to even care and notice my feelings and I really wondered why.
But he was gone now and was practically a puppet for this Kai creep. He wanted to keep his brother and I safe so he would do whatever he wanted. And who knew what that all meant. I sighed and put my head in my hands again.
Everything was such a mess right now.
Damon's POV
"Elena, are you okay?" I turned back to her as I heard her whimper. Her hand was still tight in mine as we walked and I was keeping her as close to me as possible to avoid the branches of the trees. But apparently I couldn't keep every branch from hitting her.
"Yeah Damon I'm fine. The wind isn't helping that all. I just hope it doesn't rain again," she replied.
"Well you said you wanted to dance in the rain every chance you got. So if it rains again I say we enjoy it." I smiled down at her tilting her chin up for her eyes to meet mine. "You remember me saying you should imagine the rain as my love falling down on you."
My girl laughed and nuzzled her head closer. "I do remember that and how cheesy you thought that was when you said it!" I pulled her in and gave her a kiss on the forehead before we kept going in the dim light of the moon.
I had my gun up in the other hand very aware of our surroundings and any slight change in the sounds and wind around us. I was not taking any chances with my precious girls safety. I spun around keeping her behind me as I heard the crack of a branch nearby. We had both been standing still right then so I knew it was not us.
She was already looking up at me with worry on her beautiful face. I held my finger to my lips and she nodded. I leveled the gun under my other hand as I felt her fingers clinging to my side as she stayed behind me. I swung the gun back and forth in the darkness and could not see anyone.
We were not even very far from the underground cave at all yet and had been following the river back toward where Ric and Enzo were. I remembered that Caroline had not been there when we arrived before and I hoped she was okay too. But Ric had told me to focus on Elena and so that was what I had done. We were closer than ever and not just because we had made love more than once but because she felt safe to tell me about her past and her pain. Knowing more about her and how I could help her meant so much to me.
But now, now I was cursing that I thought taking her out into the forest with me was any kind of a good idea. I needed her to safe and protected and even with a gun up in front of us and my body shielding her, I had a bad feeling about this. After my nightmare it felt like everything made me jumpy. Hell I had watched my love die in my arms and the imagery of that scared me more than I had ever been.
I heard another crack of a stick nearby and I pushed Elena back more and leveled the gun at the sound. There was someone there I just knew it! Her hands around my sides tightened and I could hear her trying to control her breathing.
Damn why did we risk going out here!? I was furious with myself but I knew there was nothing we could do about it now. I turned back to her running my hand down her cheek. "Its okay baby. I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you." I saw her nod slightly as she looked up into my eyes. She was scared there was no doubt about that. But from where the sounds were coming from we couldn't go back toward the waterfall cave. Maybe we should just make a run for it toward Ric and Enz? I swung my head around looking for any more signs of someone as I pulled her into my arms. She buried her face in my chest where the jacket wasn't zipped up and it reminded me so much of the way she held me so tight on the plane as Donovan advanced on us.
This time I didn't even know who was out there. I couldn't see anything in the near darkness. And that felt worse. Unseen enemies were always much worse. You never truly knew what you were walking into.
Then another sound caused me to spin back the other way. I was just about to duck and run in that direction towards Ric and Enzo and now there was someone blocking that way too! I cursed under my breath, my mouth in her hair as I felt her trembling in my arms. I wasn't sure what else to do. We couldn't go back to the cave or forward to my buddy. My eyes narrowed and scanned the area for places to hide. There had to be something!
I saw a thick bush nestled in tight beside a large tree truck. Maybe we could tuck ourselves in there and out of sight. I bent down level with my fiances eyes. "Elena. Someone is out there. Maybe more than one. You need to follow me as quietly as you can." I stroked her cheek and gave a weak half smile. She smiled back, pulling me in for a quick kiss before nodding and taking my hand again.
"I'm scared Damon but I trust you. I do," Elena whimpered.
I kissed her again and smiled down at her. "Good girl. That's all I need."
My head swung back and forth for any more signs of danger as I led her quickly to the thick tall bush. I spread its branches as far as I could motioning her to slip in beside the tree. She bit back soft cries and I knew more branches were hurting her legs no matter how much I tried to help her. I stepped in and tucked myself right against her and she buried her head against my chest again. I held her head to me and kept the gun up with the other hand in front of us.
Closing my eyes I just leaned back against bush, trying to push it back enough to not hurt her but also stay as quiet as possible. There were more sounds, more cracking of sticks on the ground and then the low sound of voices getting closer. Shit! We did not need this. I just wanted to take her back to our cave and be back sleeping each others arms. Instead my Beauty was pressed against me trembling with her eyes closed as the dangers out there got closer and closer.
Suddenly a figure appeared in the distance and started walking closer. I lifted the gun back up but there were too many trees in the way that I didn't have a shot.
"Did you find them!" the voice said. "I was sure I heard her voice! You promised me you would find her!"
Holy shit! I was cringing as I listened knowing for damn sure that Kai was standing out there only a few feet away! No, no, no. Not now! We had done so well avoiding him. I had hoped that the snake up on the waterfall had eaten his ass and I would never have to see his sick face again. I squinted more turning my head enough to see him but he was still partially behind the tree and I could not put a bullet in his damn skull.
Another voice came from a different direction. "No I didn't. And stop threatening me with hurting my brother or you will not live to regret it!" The other man I knew was Klaus.
I saw Kai pull a gun and level it at Klaus. "I want Elena! Fuck I need her! And I need Pretty dead or at least circling the drain. And if you don't find them you might as well say goodbye to baby bro right now!"
I held my breath and I knew Elena could hear everything. Her fingers had found their way under my leather jacket and shirt somehow as I was scanning our surroundings and her fingers were clenched around my bare back.
I saw Klaus advance on Kai and he looked angry and had a gun of his own aimed at him. Hell, maybe they would just kill each other and be done with it? One could hope.
"Ah ah ah," Kai held up a walkie and turned it on. "Julian. Its Kai. Put the girl on."
"Sure boss," came the voice through the walkie as Kai tossed it to Klaus. I had been in the prison a month, well maybe not all that time but I knew voices and that did not sound like Julian.
Klaus cursed and my eyes went wide in confusion the gun in his hand shaking. What girl?
"Nic?!" Came a scared little voice. "Nic he found us! He's here! He's going to hurt me!"
Even Kai looked surprised at that. I was equally surprised. That was Caroline! What was she doing and where the hell was she?
"Caroline!" Klaus was practically yelling into the walkie. "Caroline! What's going on? Who's there?"
There was silence and then more whimpering. "The man you nearly killed...the one that...wanted me...Mmmason."
"Bloody hell!" Klaus looked like he could snap the phone in half.
Damn it so much was going wrong. I still couldn't get a shot off or move without them knowing where we were and now Caroline was in danger too!
Klaus snarled again and advanced on Kai but the bastard still stayed behind the tree where I couldn't shoot him. "He touches her and I will kill you right now!"
Kai actually looked serious for a moment and reached out for the walkie. "Mason. Mason answer me."
There was another long pause and a could hear more whimpers from Caroline. "Yeah, you tell that ass that nearly beat me to death that he is not getting his girl back in one piece. She and brother dearest are all mine to do with what I please now...And this is just my first move..." I heard the sound of a gunshot and a voice cry out.
"NO!" Klaus screamed and cursed again. "Stop him now, or this deal is done!" he hissed out.
Elena was shaking in my arms. I bent my head and kissed Elena on the top of her head. "Its going to be okay baby. We just need to have faith," I whispered right against her ear. "I believe this isn't the end for us or Caroline. I have to believe that." I did my best to comfort her when I was reeling myself. Who the hell got shot?
Kai voice rang out through the darkness. "You said you heard Elena right? Her voice? Out here?" I saw Klaus nod numbly. "You get her for me and I will make sure your brother and the girl are safe."
"You get him to back off right fucking now or there is no deal! Right now! Is my brother and Caroline okay?" Klaus sounded defeated. I had never heard him sound like that the whole time we were on the mission together.
Kai lifted the walkie up again. "They will live," Mason answered back and I knew he must have heard the whole thing.
"But you don't find out more till you get me Elena and proof that we are getting off this damn island." Kai snapped back at him and put the walkie back in his pocket. I watched him hold out the satt phone, the one I needed to get. "You get this working like yesterday. You get me Elena and I will make sure they are okay."
Klaus let out a deep breath and lowered the gun he had aimed at Kai's skull. "Fine! I'll do whatever you want. Then lets go. I can track them and see where they have been. They should not be far."
I shut my eyes and held her tighter. Klaus could track us? What else could he do? Who the hell was he? But Kai had Caroline who somehow he cared about and obviously Kol too to force him to do his bidding.
The men started moving away and their voices got further away. "Elena, baby. Are you okay? We need to move."
She nodded weakly to me and I could see so much fear in her eyes. "Maybe I should just go to him Damon. He will kill you if he finds us together. I can save you."
"No! No way! I am not letting him get his filthy hands on you. We just need to keep moving. If we hide in one place too long he sounds like he will be able to track us. Okay baby. You just need to trust me."
She looked up at me, her brown eyes so dark and I saw tears slipping down her cheeks. She nodded wordlessly and I pulled her lips to mine. I tilted her head and kissed her deeply and groaned as I felt her open to me and whimper into the kiss.
Pulling back and gazed at her, my thumb on her cheek. "We will be okay baby." I knew that I had no idea if that was true but I had to try to console her. I pulled myself as quietly as I could out of the bush and held it back for her to climb out. I grabbed her hand and we raced away the opposite way they had gone.
It felt like the sounds of them were all over and I had gotten turned around a couple times already not knowing where we were going. All I was trying to do was play hide and seek with a man that wanted my fiance as his own person plaything and he likely wanted my head on a plate for all I had done to keep her from him. Not to mention shooting him.
Elena followed behind me, her hand still tight in mine as we scrambled further away from any and all sounds. I had no idea where I was going but figured as long as we could avoid them till at least daylight then we would have more a chance to figure how where we were. The direction seemed to be leading me higher and higher again just like the first night we were here. The hills and dips in the rough ground were difficult to navigate in the near dark.
I finally saw a type of clearing in front of us as I helped pull her up and off the side of the hill we had climbed. There was a loud sound of water below us and leaning over I could see the surf crashing against the rocks. We were nowhere near the beach but had found our way right to the edge of the island somewhere else. I pulled her back and looked down at the wide expanse of emptiness that stretched out in front of us meeting the water below. There was more of a rocky area further to the side of the cliff and we made out way further along the edge of the cliff and I saw more trees just maybe a half a mile away. We were right out in the open now and we needed to get to those trees!
Elena saw me nod ahead of us and she squeezed my hand tighter and we ran towards them. I skidded to a stop as my eyes could hardly believe it as Kai stepped out from behind the closest tree!
I aimed my gun at him and pulled Elena behind me with my other hand. He laughed and moved closer still leveling his gun at me. I backed up more and more but the cliff face was right behind us barely a few feet away. Kai walked closer and closer his eyes sparkling with victory. "Looky, looky, Klaus telling me to come up from this side of the cliff paid off..."
I heard Elena cry out and then heard the sound of a gun on the other side of me and whirled around still trying to keep her away from both men pointing their guns at us. Klaus stepped forward and Kai was on our other side, his grin all the way across his face.
"Drop it Salvatore!" I heard Kai order me. Klaus had his gun pointed at Elena that I was still trying to hide behind me. He cocked it and I felt her bury her head against my side. Kai was still laughing and moving closer and closer to where were were standing trapped at the edge of the cliff. He was nearly jumping with glee at us being caught. "Drop it now Pretty! You are done!"
I cringed at that and heard her sob against me, her arms still tight around my waist. I released the trigger and dropped the gun to the ground and lifted up my hands.
"First things first..." Kai chucked. "You need to know what that felt like..." And the gun went off as I cried out and turned to see blood pouring from my shoulder just like I had shot him before.
God damn it! I fell to my knees reeling from the pain as Elena was crying for me and held her hand to my wound. "No, no Damon," she begged me and I could barely focus on her I was so dizzy from the pain.
Klaus had his gun up and level at us still as Kai moved forward again. I growled, glaring at him as he lifted his gun more, and pointed it to my heart. "My turn.." he hissed out.
I shut my eyes as the sound of another the gunshot echoed...
I nearly jumped up from my seat. My dirty blonde hair was a mess from me running my hands through it so much. My green eyes felt bloodshot from all the worry and lack of sleep. What had happened? What that just a bad dream?
I grabbed for the phone. "Pilot how much longer?" I waited and heard the monotone voice reply to the same question I had asked over a dozen times on the flight.
"We should be landing soon Agent Salvatore. About 30 minutes."
"Damn it Damon why haven't you called back! I need to know where you are." I shifted more in the seat tightening my belt. He had to call back. The island we had tracked them to was so covered with trees even satellites would not help us locate them and get them out of there safely. But I had woken up from a nightmare that my brother was shot! What the hell was that?
I scraped my hand over my rough stubbled chin and leaned back in the seat. I had dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, to hell with protocol for a Special Agent. But I could not shake the feeling that things were not right. I didn't know what it was but I needed to get down there and fast.
A/N: Sorry it was so long again but I needed to get it to that moment and it always seems to take longer to describe it than I thought. I know most of you said you loved longer chapters so this is for you!
What do you think happened? To Damon? Elena? Caroline? Stefan is so close and yet still not there… he needs to get there and help our heroes. Some things changed from what I originally thought would happen in this chapter but we will get to them yet…
UPDATE For those of you waiting for a new chapter I have been down with the worst flu ever the last few weeks and just when it seems to be getting better it started all over again. Fever chills, migraines, and throwing up and aches and cramps and so its been horrible to even try to concentrate on writing. Today the 14th is the first day I finally am able to focus again when some days I could barely open my eyes. So I am working on a new chapter now and about had about 5000 words done before I got sick and am doing my best to finish it up as soon as I can for you here. So sorry for the long time between updates. I will never give up on any of my stories. I Promise