Yes, I should be revising for an exam, or sleeping... But I got bored :)

This story is going to take some chapters to get into the full swing of it, but I want to do this right and properly, not just rush into it. So...just be patient with me :p

Please review :)

Crescendo

This didn't begin as a reality check, nor did it begin as a fairy tale. For Calix, this wasn't the beginning. He knew it was the beginning of an end. Returning here to Mystic Falls was a bad idea. For him and For her.

The last time he had seen Charlotte was a few days ago with their coincidental meeting in the restaurant. A part of him knew that it was anything but coincidental, but for now? He would keep that silent. His discussion with Klaus hadn't exactly gone down as intended, and yet, why would it? Klaus and Calix never got on, and he knew better than anyone, that from Klaus, he deserved it.

Calix had been keeping his distance lately as he watched the events unfold. The time Charlotte and Mark spent together, the time Charlotte spent with Klaus as his hybrids hoarded around him and the time that all of them were alone.

It was late on that evening that he decided to go to the well known Grill of this town. He stepped inside, his dark brown eyes scanning the place as he always did. He liked to know who was around him, who he could hear and who could hear him, his eyes focused as he spotted Charlotte. For a moment he didn't move, before slowly he walked over and sat beside her.

"Great" Charlotte snapped, a small smirk on her lips though "And I didn't think my night could get better" It was hard to figure though whether she was merely teasing, or being serious.

Calix shrugged his left shoulder as he ordered himself a brandy, he didn't need to reply to that.

"You know...whatever game you're playing with Klaus? You're dumb to do so" She continued.

This, however, made him grin and smirk and he shook his head. This was no bundle of laughs for him either. "This isn't a game, Granger" he replied, using her last name as a formality. "It is anything but" His voice held this calmness to it, this seriousness that seemed cold and hard and yet, honest in a sense.

"Then why won't Klaus tell me – the man who tells me everything – what you said to him that night?" She looked at him, clearly expecting an answer. She seemed pissed off more than anything and so downed her glass of red wine.

"There's some things you don't need to know" Calix replied simply, almost sharply. "Some things Klaus doesn't need to share with you for the betterment of everyone else, including your life" he paused "And besides... Now you have something to live for..." A small smirk tugged on the corners of his lips "A certain Mark?" he explained.

Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly, a darkness filling her eyes that came naturally and yet wouldn't ever let Mark see "What Mark and I do is none of your business" She said sharply at him. "Besides... at least he knows how to smile, unlike you and your stupid face" She said simply, she had almost felt herself say sexy face. No. She wasn't even going to allow herself to think like that!

"Of course it's not my business" He said "But it is Klaus', considering you two are so close..." Calix gave her a look before he stood up and nodded slightly and went to walk away

Charlotte sat there for a moment before she shook her head, walking to stand in front of him "No, you don't get to just walk over, be a massive asshole and leave again..." She crossed her arms stubbornly over her chest.

"Yes... I do..." Calix replied, his body and mind staying calm, even those hers had risen in intensity. But with that, he slipped into the crowd of the Grill and away.

Charlotte frowned deeper, pushing some of her red hair off of her face, she was annoyed, he was purely infuriating and made her wish to constantly rip something or someone apart. He seemed to highlight everything in her that made her who she was, and she hated that.

She went and sat back down again at the bar, but it wasn't long until a figure once again sat by her side "If you fucked off the first time...don't come back a second time Calix" She said, without turning to look.

"Huh?"

As soon as Charlotte heard the voice of Mark she felt her heart rise but also cringe as she had commented about Calix, she turned to look to him and smiled this gentle smile "Sorry... i... I thought you were someone else..." she touched his hand lightly

Mark shrugged, he frowned slightly to the mention of the guy he had heard Charlotte talking to at the restaurant but he wouldn't let it bother him "I came here actually to ask if you wanted to come somewhere with me..."

"Where?"

Mark ran a hand through his blonde hair and he frowned before he said hopefully "New York City..." he grinned slightly before he said "It'll be fun... a getaway" He added on the end.

...

"No way in hell" Klaus snapped at Charlotte as she stood there with Mark in front of Klaus, telling him of their trip. He scoffed and he said "Mark is needed here...and if he bites you or whatever, I'm not travelling to New York just to heal you" of course he would, he would save his friend, but he was angry right now and wouldn't admit it.

"I don't care Klaus, this is my life!" Charlotte replied sharply to him, her eyes narrowing slightly, sometime's Klaus could be an ass. A controlling one at that.

"Perhaps, but Mark is needed here Charlotte. As a Hybrid it's his duty"

"I don't give a flying fuck about what kind of stupid hybrid thing you want" Charlotte sighed, her voice softening "Klaus... I want this...to go with him" She said, more gently this time.

Mark had remained silent during this before he spoke up "I'm not going to hurt her Klaus..." He said seriously, he would never hurt Charlotte.

Klaus vamp sped to stand directly in front of Mark, his eyes narrowed, searching through Mark's and a low growl escaped his lips "I don't expect to get a call from you Mark requesting me" He snapped before he turned back to Charlotte, a part of him knew that it was better if she was out of town. He sighed "Fine"

Charlotte grinned widely and without another word, disappeared with Mark to go and pack.

...

Charlotte sat in the hotel room with Mark, he had gone to pour them both a drink. He returned and sat on the sofa beside her, a small smile on his lips in which Charlotte returned.

"Let's play a game..." he offered, and to Charlotte's surprise, she found herself nodding in agreement. Charlotte didn't play games, and yet, she was finding herself accepting the offer.

Mark turned to face her probably and a grin rose on his lips "Truth or Dare..." He said eventually, holding the glass in his hand.

Charlotte bit her lip slightly before she said, with a smile on her face "Can I choose both?" She grinned before she said "Truth first" She knew that wasn't the point of the game but, she wanted both.

"Fine...ermm... Did enjoy becoming a vampire?" He asked seriously, as a Hybrid it was something he wanted to know.

Charlotte glanced down for a moment before she said eventually "I was a witch... before I was a vampire. Turning meant that I had to lose that. Lose a huge part of who I was..." She frowned, this clearly a touchy subject. Usually she would get angry at people for even asking but with Mark, she couldn't "Becoming a vampire changed everything. Some good... some bad..." She glanced up to him, running a hand through her hair. In losing that part of her... it had helped to create the monster she was. And yet, she would suppress it for Mark. "Now the dare..."

Mark had been watched Charlotte the whole time that she had been speaking. Her words were honest and he felt like he was falling for her harder. A small daring grin rose on his lips "I dare you to kiss me..." He said suddenly.

Charlotte just stared at him, before slowly; she moved closer to him, she had to admit she felt a little bit nervous. She had never had this gentleness before. She placed a hand on his cheek and pressed her lips against his, feeling her lips melt against his. She smiled as she felt him smile, a genuine notion of happiness. They moved closer to each other and for the first time, Charlotte felt, like everything was going to be ok.

But in her mind? In her mind she could feel that she was opening her heart, allowing it to be broken.