I felt something in my hair, close to my ear. I groaned and slapped it away. It came back, gently tracing a path from my earlobe down my neck.

"Wake up"

I sighed and buried my face deeper into the warmth.

"Rise and shine sleepy heads"

"Damon!" I heard Elena snap. "What are you doing, get out!"

I opened on eye and saw Elena had fallen off bed and Damon was comfortably lying between her pillow and I. I almost went back to sleep, snuggling deeper into his chest but then reality struck me. I groaned and sat up.

"What are you doing?" I asked rubbing my eyes.

"Ain't I invited to this little party?" he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Get out!" Elena said throwing the pillow at him and looking for her shoes.

"You know you were dreaming about me, again, explains the drool" he teased.

"It's 6 AM, Damon, what the hell do you want?" I said tossing my phone back in the nightstand.

"He has nothing better to do" Elena said with a smirk.

"It came to me in a dream, I was naked, you would have loved it" he grinned.

"I'm tired, Damon, so say whatever you want to say or get out" I said lying back on bed, turning away from him.

"I got a lead on Stefan and Klaus. They are in Chicago" Damon said nonchalantly and stood up. "Just saying in case it's still of your interest"

"How do you know?" Elena asked.

"I have my sources"

"Bonnie?" I grumbled in the pillow.

"No. Is it so hard to believe that I have friends who would call me in case my brother showed up?" he said.

"Yes" Elena and I said in unison.

"Whatever. Get ready, we're leaving in an hour" he said.

Almost an hour later I was in the backseat of Damon's car, trying to get some rest as he drove to Elena's house to pick her up.

"Are you sure you want to come?" he asked for the millionth time.

"Yes, Damon"

"You seem tired. Much more than the other day"

"I brought the medicine, don't worry, I won't die on you" I rolled my eyes.

"Why are you treating this so lightly? It's serious, it's your life!" he frowned at me.

"Because I can't take everything seriously, Damon. I have my health to worry, Klaus, Stefan, Elena, Bonnie, Jeremy, Edward, Jake, Elijah and you. It's too much, if I take everything seriously, I would have a mental breakdown. I'll deal with stuff as it comes"

He sighed and parked in front of the house. He turned on his seat.

"Promise me…"

"Damon, I know. I will back off when I think it's too much" I said.

"I've missed you, so… Don't die on me" I smiled at him and he smirked. "Sabrina #1 is away and a witch comes in handy sometimes"

"Thanks" I chuckled rolling my eyes. "Glad to know I'm not all that irreplaceable"

"You are…"

He was interrupted as my phone rang. I frowned at the screen and accepted the call.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Isabella, love!" Klaus said in mocking happiness. "As much as I adore you, I hate when I need you, you know that"

Damon scowled at me and I sighed.

"What do you need now?"

"Easy with that tone, sweetheart, you might hurt my feelings"

"Klaus, cut to the chase"

"Alright. Always so bossy, I like it" he chuckled. "Come to Chicago, I am consulting with someone and I might need your services"

"Chicago?" I asked as if I was surprised. "But…"

"I reserved tickets for you already. Make sure no one will tag along, don't want anyone bitten or dead, do we?"

"I know the rules, Klaus" I snapped. "I'll be there soon"

"I'll send someone to pick you up, love" he said. "Bye" he sang.

I ended the call just as Elena entered the car. She looked at our frowns and arched an eyebrow.

"Something wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"Take me to the airport, I'll meet you there" I said to Damon.

He grumbled all the way to the airport and I explained to Elena what was going on. We re-planned everything. I would see what were Klaus plans, try to meet them as soon as I could, and if I didn't, the plan was to distract Klaus while Elena talked to Stefan and Damon made sure I continued alive. Damon had taken Stefan's diaries of when he lived in Chicago, and it seemed it please him to see Elena reading about Stefan's ripper days. Elena seemed a bit sick with a few entries, but I could see that none of it changed what she felt for Stefan.

"First class? As if it would compensate for all the shit he put you through" Damon grumbled seeing my ticket.

"I don't think Klaus even knows it exists economic class" I chuckled.

"Maybe you should just go with us, and…"

"Damon, if I don't catch this flight and be in Chicago when it lands to take the car he has waiting for me there, he'll know something is up"

"Let him know. You shouldn't even be going in your condition" Damon said.

"What condition?" Elena asked worriedly.

"Of back from the dead" I smoothly lied. "Damon seems to think I'm made of glass, about to shatter any moment"

Damon rolled his eyes and adjusted the messenger bag on his shoulder I had brought with two grimoires. He insisted on carrying it, what pissed me off, since he didn't carry anything for anyone unless the person was incapable of doing it.

"Well, you shouldn't" Damon insisted throwing me a pointed look.

"I gave him my word I would help him"

"That's just something else you shouldn't have done and you did"

"Well, I didn't have other option" I snapped.

"You did" he rolled his eyes again.

"I did not! Ugh, you're so…"

"What?" he snapped.

"Infuriating!"

"You love it" he smirked.

"Shut fuck up" I said turning away from him.

Elena tried to hide her amused smile but I caught it.

"Go" I sighed. "I'll wait for the flight and if you leave now, maybe we'll be there at the same time"

"Fine, but you will be careful" Damon said giving me my bag.

"Damon, if you tell me to be careful again, I swear to god…"

"Fine!" he raised his hands in surrender.

Elena gave me a quick hug and left with him. Damon looked once over his shoulder and gave me a tiny nod before disappearing into the airport crowd.

I entered the bar and found Stefan and Klaus by the counter, talking to what seemed like an employee. Klaus turned and gave me a bright smile like the situation was reencounter of friends.

"Bella! You arrived a bit earlier than expected, but that's alright" he said.

"Hey, Stefan" I greeted ignoring the hybrid.

"Hey" he murmured.

"Gloria, this is Bella Swan" Klaus said proudly. "Bella, this is Gloria, an old friend"

"How did you get a Swan witch to help you?" she asked him narrowing her eyes.

"You might not believe it, but she's willingly helping me for the rest of her life"

"Because we needed the werewolf bite cure" I said gesturing to Stefan.

"But you willingly pledged loyalty to me" Klaus shrugged. "Now, Stefan, mate, give us some privacy so we can talk witchery"

Stefan hesitated but nodded to me and left. I sat in a stool and accepted with a smile the drink Gloria prepared for me.

"So, you've broken the curse" Gloria said.

"Yes, finally" Klaus said downing a shot. "But, I have a small problem"

"You found a living doppelganger, the moonstone, a powerful witch to do the spell and you're having a small problem?" she said teasingly. "I hope I have that bad luck"

"Well, I cannot create other hybrids, so, it is a bit of bad luck" he said.

"Maybe it's just nature rejecting your existence" I said.

"Are you going to help me or not?" he snapped.

"Ain't I here?"

"You did everything you had to?" the witch asked.

"Yes!" he said exasperated.

"Than I don't know, Klaus" she shrugged. "Maybe it's part of the curse"

"And what should we do?"

"I would have to contact the Original witch" she said and I frowned. "And I can't"

"Bella will help you" he said.

"I will?" I asked shakily. I did not want him to find out what was wrong and fix it.

"Yes!" he glared at me.

"She can't help me. I need something, you know what… Bring me Rebekah"

"It's not that easy" I said rolling my eyes. "He daggers and hides them away, so… We need a more immediate solution"

"I like your spirit, Bella" Klaus chuckled. "But, lucky me, I have my sister close by"

I frowned and he stood up, telling Gloria he would be back soon. I ran to follow him and grabbed his arm.

"Where is Elijah then?" I asked.

"Do not forget you're working for me, not the other way around, Isabella. Do not demand things" he said warningly.

"Alright, I'll ask nicely" I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Where is Elijah, Klaus? Please do tell me"

"None of your business, darling" he smirked.

I frowned at him and he arched an eyebrow, eyeing me.

"You seem tired, Isabella. Something bothering you?"

"No" I lied.

He nodded although it didn't look like he believed.

"Come on, let's wake my sister. And then visit a bit of the city"

"You've dated an Original vampire and lived here?" I asked Stefan as we entered his old apartment. "You had bad taste"

Stefan gave me a small smile while Klaus rolled his eyes.

"Your loyalty to Elena's memory is respectable… although stupid. Rebekah has quite a bad temper, be careful" Klaus said.

I looked around and my relief of not finding Elena and Damon there soon died. I saw a jounal and a small purple sweater on top of an old loveseat. I had seen that journal in Elena's hands while she wore that sweater. I looked around but didn't see anything else that proved they were there. There weren't places to hide.

"You've asked that man's name, Liam Grant, and then told me your secret" Klaus said. "You were my biggest fan back then, Stefan"

"I wrote the names" Stefan mumbled looking at a door.

I walked to the closed door and opened it. I saw Elena there, hiding in the dark corner. All the walls of the dark closet had inscriptions, names.

"I wrote the names to relive the kill" Stefan said.

I looked at him, panicked and Klaus chuckled.

"Didn't you know the story of your friend's ripper days?" Klaus taunted.

I continued to stare at Stefan who shot me a worried frown as he approached.

"I'm not like that anymore, Bella" he said soothingly and then scowled ay himself. "Well, I am now"

I glanced back inside the closet and he stepped inside. I knew the moment when he found Elena. His eyes filled with surprise and then he masked it quickly. I started to spell the closet silently and almost stopped as Stefan smiled.

"Look at what I found" Stefan announced.

My heart froze.

Klaus stepped closer arching an eyebrow but then Stefan turned holding a bottle of malt that had dust. Klaus smiled as Stefan suggested a drink and my heart restarted as I continued the spell. Once Stefan closed the closet's door, I knew that even if Klaus looked inside he wouldn't see Elena. Klaus opened the bottle and he and Stefan drank from it, commenting on the aged malt. I turned back to the closet.

"Bella?" Klaus asked.

"I'm gonna get another bottle. The way you two are going at it, it will end before I find a decently clean glass" I said rolling my eyes at him. "And I'm gonna need something strong to endure you, Klaus"

"You hurt my feelings, love" he chuckled.

I entered the closet and looked at Elena.

"You're safe" I mouthed. "Be quiet, I've spelled the closet so he can't see you"

She nodded and I walked out of the closet quickly. Klaus decided we should go back to Gloria's bar and off we went. When Klaus was distracted, telling Stefan the fun they had decades ago, I texted Damon.

r u insane? We almost met Elena! B more careful.

Gloria asked if we got 'it', and Klaus answered Rebekah was on her way. I didn't know what was 'it' they needed, but I had a feeling they wouldn't get it. We drank at the bar, waiting for the Original sister to show up, while they reminisced on Stefan's days as Klaus' wingman. At least it was explained why Klaus wanted him as slave. Apparently, Klaus and his sister were running from someone but Klaus wouldn't tell who, and Gloria was complaining about how that bust killed the business for a long time. My phone vibrated and I discreetly checked the new message.

What errand were u running w/ hybrid and ripper?

I didn't answer, what was probably a bad idea.

An hour later, Damon walked in the bar and signaled Stefan. He looked at me with a frown and Klaus just to piss him off put his arm on the back on my chair.

"What do we owe the visit?" Klaus asked.

"I'll see what he wants" Stefan said standing up.

"Get rid of him" Klaus said pouring me a drink with a smirk. "Tell him you and Bella found better company"

I scoffed and Stefan nodded before walking out with Damon. Gloria went to attend other costumers.

"You know, you are a terrible actress, Bella" Klaus commented.

"Really?"

"You are supposed to play hard. Not get hyperaware of his presence"

"I didn't know my deal with you included ignoring my friends" I snapped.

"It doesn't" he smirked. "But men like a girl hard to get… That's why he was so obsessed with the doppelganger"

"I didn't ask you for advice" I huffed.

Damon came back in, alone and sat at the table.

"So nice to see you again" he said to Klaus, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Where is Stefan?" Klaus asked calmly.

"I had to put him off so I could talk to you" Damon said shrugging.

"What did you do?" I snapped.

"He'll be back soon, relax" he said reaching for Stefan's abandoned drink. "I wanted to talk to you"

"The only thing keeping me from killing you is a deal I've made with Stefan. I wonder how long I'll have to honor that" Klaus said.

"You promised me…"

"I promised you nothing" Klaus snapped at me. "You promised loyalty in exchange of a cure, you didn't ask for anyone's protection"

A glass shattered and my nose began to bleed. Damon jerked forward on his chair. Klaus looked at the glass, around us and focused on the blood dripping down my nose. My chest ached and I knew they could hear my heart beginning to slow down.

"A simple trick?" Klaus asked frowning.

"I'm fine" I snapped wiping away the blood.

"Maybe you should go rest" Damon said worriedly.

"Your opinion doesn't mean anything to me and she is my witch" Klaus said.

I reached for my bag with a shaky hand and Damon snapped up to help me up. Klaus stood up and got in Damon's way, narrowing his eyes.

"I am kind enough to give her freedom. It doesn't mean you can come and do whatever you like to her" Klaus growled grabbing him by the throat.

"Take it outside!" Gloria snapped rushing to our table and looked at me with a frown. "And you, go and get some rest. You are of no use like this"

I looked between Damon and Klaus, glaring at each other and walked as fast as I could out of the bar. I found Elena and Stefan talking close to Damon's car and she was crying. He saw me and stormed in my direction.

"Enough, Bella" he snapped. "I want them gone. Tell them to stop following me"

"I did, but…"

"Don't you see?" he snapped. "Klaus problem is that the doppelgangers are alive. You are a witch, too valuable for him to consider it, but if he knows she's alive he'll kill her. So get her home, and keep her away"

"She loves you, it's not that simple" I said frowning.

"If I have to, I'll rip that necklace off and compel her to leave me alone. Choose it" he said seriously.

I stared at him in shock and then just shook my head, not believing his words. He would never do that to her. He just wanted her safe. I walked to her and held her as she cried. Stefan entered the bar and a minute later, Damon walked out looking at us with a deep frown. I gave her to him and he helped her into the car. He turned to me and I shook my head with a sigh.

"I'll have to stay here"

"No, you don't. Klaus seen how weak you are. Tell him you need to rest and leave, he has Gloria" he said desperately.

"Damon…"

"I can't leave you here. I can't"

I looked back at the bar and felt something tugging on my hand. I looked at Damon and he pulled on my hand once again, pleading with his eyes. I nodded with a sigh and entered the car.

To: Klaus
I'm too weak to help u & u have Gloria.
Call me only if u truly need me.
I'll make sure Damon doesn't bother u.

From: Klaus
Foolish Bella. You should play hard to get, not babysit.
But alright. My sister must be awake and I do not need you for now.
Have a good rest :)

I scoffed at the answer and tossed my phone into my bag, relaxing against the leather seat. I looked at Elena, in the backseat, her eyes red and swollen and tear tracks on her cheeks. Damon rubbed my thigh and I smiled at him. He gave me a questioning look and I nodded to tell him I would be alright.

And I would.