Chapter Seventeen

I focused on the anger and the betrayal that I had felt yesterday when Klaus had given his word that he wouldn't harm anymore of my family… only for his hybrid to come and reveal that he had done just that not five minutes later. I raised my right fist, punching with all my strength, then rebounding with my left. The punching bag swung away and I kicked it as it returned to my direction. I readied myself to punch it again when someone caught it from behind and kept it away from me.

'What the hell?' I said, raising my arms in frustration as I moved to the side to see who was holding it, 'Elena, get off!'

'No, you've been on it for an hour. I have some frustration to channel myself.' She muttered.

I blinked and looked at the clock; sure enough it had been an hour. Huh; I was no less angry and annoyed than I had been when I started, but I moved over to Ric's kitchen counter and poured myself another cup of coffee. I knew Elena was struggling with her feelings for Damon, so I didn't push her. I tuned out the smacking from behind me as her arms and legs connected with the punching bag over and over again. I could sense Ric's worry as he glanced in between Elena and me, wondering what had gotten us both so worked up; we didn't say anything, leaving him to his imagination, knowing he'd probably assume we were upset about Jeremy leaving. Which in all honesty we were, I felt bad that we had asked Rebekah to compel him, but I just needed him to be safe and honestly I didn't trust Klaus' word as much as I had yesterday when he'd promised me that no one else would get hurt. Maybe I still would if I hadn't found out about Ric getting his neck snapped by Tony.

'So, what's the plan today? You got anything planned for Care's birthday?' I asked Elena when she joined me at the counter, taking a cup of coffee for herself after I had glared at her warningly when she tried to take mine.

'Yeah, we're all meeting up early to decorate her locker and gather her presents and stuff.' Elena murmured after she had taken a gulp of her drink before she looked over to Ric, 'have you spoken to Damon today?'

'No, why?' He was clearly confused, and I avoided his eyes, worried about giving anything away.

'No reason,' Elena replied casually as she looked away from Ric; I felt his confusion grow and I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

'What's got you two so worked up this morning anyway?' Ric asked, his eyes flickering in between the two of us, worried.

I shrugged and answered honestly, 'Klaus gave me his word that he wouldn't hurt anymore of my family, not ten minutes later one of his hybrids ran in to tell him that he had killed you. I'm pissed at him and myself for believing him.' I said, gulping down the remaining coffee.

'In all fairness he probably forgot that he had ordered someone to do that… you two get pretty distracted around each other.' Elena commented, rolling her eyes when I glared at her.

'What about you, Lena? Why are you so worked up?' I asked her, fluttering my lashes innocently when she scowled at me.

'I didn't really sleep.'

'Yeah me neither… I think it had something to do with dying.' Ric said, sounding concerned about the reliability of his ring.

'Yeah, that's another reason why Jeremy has to get out of town. If those rings have a shelf life, he is not protected, neither are you.' Elena replied, grabbing her keys from the table before she gave Ric a small smile and left. Looked like I was walking home then. I wasn't too angry though; I knew her head was all over the place at the moment. I went back to the punching bag, I didn't stop until I noticed Ric pulling on his jacket and heading towards the door. I wiped my forehead, though it didn't really make much difference seeing as I was sweating through every orifice; all I did was smear more sweat on my face. I looked over to the clock and gaped when I saw the time; I'd been at this for hours.

'Where are you going?' I asked Ric, walking over to the sink and filling a glass from the tap.

'Founders meeting, Damon's picking me up. You want a lift, or are you gonna keep going?' He asked, jutting his chin in the direction of the punching bag.

I gulped down the whole glass of water before I answered, making my way in his direction, 'nah. I'm exhausted.'

Ric laughed and opened the door, gesturing for me to go out first, I thanked him and made my way down the stairs, cringing at how much my muscles were already aching. I got into the back seat of Damon's car without hesitation, desperate to sit down, as soon as my ass connected with the seat I slumped and released a heavy sigh.

'What's on your mind, princess?' Damon asked, seeming amused.

'Tired.' I replied, Damon and Ric laughed at my lack of an answer and laughed harder when they looked back to see my eyes closed as I leaned back into my seat. I knew I wouldn't fall asleep, but it was nice to rest my eyes and do nothing for a little while. I was enjoying the serenity so much, in fact that I didn't realize that the drive to my house took a little longer than it usually did. If I had actually paid any attention, I would have seen us turn in the opposite direction as Damon drove to the Lockwood mansion. The car came to a stop and I kept my eyes closed as I savored my last few moments of peace, until my door opened and I was forced to open them. I got out of the car moving to close the door behind me when I heard it slam shut as Damon did it for me. I was about to thank him for the ride when I looked up and saw where we were.

'What the hell?' I looked over to him, confused, 'I don't live here.' I said, as if he didn't already know that.

'Well, I didn't have time to drop you off at home so I figured you could join in on the festivities.' Damon smirked, enjoying my discomfort.

'Damon! Do I look dressed for a founders party?' I shouted, but apparently I wasn't intimidating enough because he just carried on walking, 'Damon! I probably stink of sweat!'

'You're fine, trust me I would know,' He muttered, waving his hand dismissively as he carried on walking. Ric walked beside him, his head down indicating that he didn't want any part of the conversation. Seeing as I was already out of the car and it was locked behind me, I had no choice but to follow them. I refused to be embarrassed by the fact that I was wearing a black and white Nike sports bra and black spandex shorts with my black Nike foot wear. I mean I was sure I'd fit right in, with everyone else wearing shirts and dresses.

'Do they have food?' I asked as soon as we had walked through the door, ignoring the glares and lingering stares I was getting from varying individuals. Damon looked at me like I had grown a second head at how drastically my mood had changed, but he did point me to another room where the food was. I went in that direction eagerly; I hadn't eaten all day and I was starving, when I spotted the table I was briefly excited, only to be immediately disappointed at the lack of variance. There were crackers, small blocks of cheese and some grapes. For a buffet it was pathetic, but seeing as I was desperate I grabbed a plate, putting a handful of everything on my plate. Once I was satisfied with my amount I turned, carefully navigating in between people as I tried not to drop anything.

I walked over to sit at the table where Damon and Alaric were as they talked about a model of something in the middle of the room; in all honesty I wasn't really paying any attention, I was too focused on my food. I saw a pale hand try and take something from my plate and I slapped it, glaring at Damon in warning, making him retreat.

'Easy, princess.' Damon held his hands up defensively, though he was biting his lip to stop himself from laughing.

'I had no idea you were so protective of your food,' Ric commented, also trying to smother his amusement.

'I'm hungry, and all I have are some crackers, grapes and tiny blocks of cheese to satisfy myself so if you want to lose a hand, by all means go for it.' I said gesturing to my plate with a warning glare on my face.

'Someone's hangry,' Damon smirked, I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me, so I just rolled my eyes and continued eating my food; I placed a block of cheese onto the cracker and then bit into it, annoyed with the lack of flavor.

'So, what are we doing here anyway?' I asked once I had finished my last grape; I was still a little hungry, but for the most part I was satisfied.

'Something's up with her. Elena. More than usual; do you know what it is?' Ric asked, not answering my question, but I didn't mind because Ric's inquiry made Damon squirm a little.

'Yeah, Damon, do you know what it is?' I asked, blinking innocently as he glared at me.

'I'm sure it starts with a Stef ends with a an.' Damon dismissed, looking anywhere but me, which made me laugh.

Ric looked to me with a look of realization on his face, 'you know?'

'Yeah, but I'm sworn to secrecy, sorry Ric,' I said patting his shoulder, grinning when he comprehended I wasn't going to give him an answer to Elena's odd behaviour either.

'Anyway… I'm going to get a drink, write a check and then we're out?' Damon said, looking in between the two of us as he waited for us to agree, when we both nodded he moved over to the bar, leaving us sat at the table.

'So…' I trailed off, trying to think of something to talk about, but I stopped when a slender brunette came and took Damon's vacated seat next to Ric. I raised my brows at her forwardness, but when I felt the attraction coming from them both I suddenly became uncomfortable. I decided to wander around while I waited for Damon to finish up before we could leave. I was thinking about how Jenna and Ric breaking up had been a shock to us all when I had returned from my unplanned road trip, as I was walking out of the main room, planning to go to the room containing the disappointing buffet, but I walked into someone in the hallway. I immediately put my hands out to steady whoever it was, when I saw it was Carol Lockwood I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing at the irony; of course it was The Mayor.

'I'm so sorry, Mayor Lockwood. I wasn't looking where I was going.' I explained.

'That's okay, no damage done.' She forced a smile before she looked over my shoulder and I could feel the hairs on my neck stand up almost as if my body recognized who it was immediately. My head whipped around and my eyes met his; his blue orbs were sparkling with amusement.

'Hello, love. Fancy meeting you here.' He murmured, his eyes looking me up and down as he took in my outfit; his eyes darkened as he basically undressed me with his eyes and I had to force my body to not respond to that look. Though my heartbeat did betray me and pick up a little, enough for him to notice if his smirk was anything to go by.

'Did you really just use that line on me?' I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest, 'you may have been around since before that line was invented but that doesn't mean it'll work.'

'Oh, really?' He grinned at me, his amusement growing as I glared back.

'Really,' I snapped, I turned to where Carol was standing, only to notice that she had disappeared, I frowned in confusion, 'where the heck did she go?' I murmured under my breath, trying to remember but I came up blank.

'You were a little distracted, love.' Klaus smirked smugly.

'My god you're annoying. Is Rebekah with you?' I asked.

'No, funnily enough I couldn't convince her to come to a founders meeting. Why are you here by the way? Don't take me wrong, I'm not complaining, you look especially ravishing tonight.' His voice turned husky as his eyes trailed over my body again; I could feel my skin burn pleasantly where his gaze roamed.

'I was forced. I'm not here willingly.' I replied, looking around the room for some form of escape.

'By who?'

'Damon and Ric,' I raised my brows when I felt the jealously coming from him when I mentioned Damon's name, 'what the hell is that?'

'I don't share what is mine.' He said as if it was obvious but it definitely wasn't.

'I'm sorry, did I black out the part where I agreed to being yours?'

'You declared that you were mine when you offered yourself to me for the first time, love.' Klaus smirked.

'I know that you're older than everyone I know combined, but this is the twenty first century, Klaus. Women have their own rights now and they can do what they damn well please. Meaning I can sleep with as many men as I want without ever belonging to them, just like I don't belong to you.' My voice was dripping with anger and as soon as I finished speaking I made a move to walk away but Klaus caught me by my arm and pulled me flush against him.

'I don't think I like your answer, love.' Klaus' eyes glittered dangerously and the anger radiating from him seemed to make him look even more pissed.

'Well I didn't like you lying to my face yesterday, Klaus, but what are you gonna do?' I asked, my tone sarcastic.

Klaus was about to reply, his hand gripping my forearm unconsciously tighter, but Damon and Carol's appearance interrupted him. He may have stopped talking, but he didn't release me, instead he moved me to his side and placed his arm around my waist, his fingers playing with the exposed skin. I felt his touch on every nerve ending in my body and I hated myself for wanting more. I tried to move away but he squeezed my waist gently in warning.

'Look what the cat dragged in. Nice vest.' Damon said, his tone nonchalant but I could feel his worry and it only grew when his eyes lingered on Klaus' hand on my waist.

'Don't mind him, he's having a pissing contest.' I muttered, pointing my thumb in Klaus' direction, he squeezed my waist again making me roll my eyes, 'get off me, Klaus.' My tone booked no argument, but he didn't take any notice of me. I shook my head as if I was disappointed, annoyed that I had to stoop to these measures; I channeled the pain I had taken from the hybrid yesterday and amplified it in Klaus' direction as I took his hand on my waist and moved it away. Because of the pain, I was able to catch him off guard, though I practically stumbled in Damon's direction once I was free of Klaus' grip, because I couldn't cause him pain without feeling it myself.

'Ouch, that looks nasty,' Damon taunted, I sent him a warning look and thankfully he listened and shut up. I could feel Carol's confusion and I sent her a wave of reassurance without looking at her, not wanting to give any more away.

'You shouldn't have done that, love,' Klaus was seething.

'You shouldn't treat me like a piece of property, asshole.' I replied, not flinching away from his glare. I felt Damon pull me back and place me behind him, which wasn't helping Klaus' jealousy; I didn't even understand why he was jealous of Damon; he was my friend. I sent a wave of reassurance to him, annoyed that he was feeling that way and I was glad when it simmered into nothing and he seemed to calm down a bit.

'Klaus and I were discussing about whether you would be the other big benefactor, Damon, what do you say? Klaus has made a very generous pledge.' Carol said, forcing a smile on her face as she looked between Klaus and me nervously; I took her anxiety and sent her a wave of calm, glad when her forced smile became more relaxed and genuine.

'Carol, don't take this the wrong way, but do you realize that you've been kissing the ass of an immortal hybrid who ruined your son's life?' Damon asked, looking to Carol with an ironic smile on his face.

'Oh, come now. Some would say that I saved him from all that nasty full moon business. I've never had to go through it myself more than twice, to be honest, but still; I'm very sympathetic.' Klaus countered, his voice almost mocking.

'You wouldn't know the definition of sympathetic if it bit you in the ass.' I said, unable to bite my tongue, Klaus just quirked his brow in amusement, and it annoyed me that he felt humored when I was trying to annoy him.

'Klaus promised to protect Tyler, Damon. And our town.' Carol said, ignoring the fact that I had spoken completely.

'From who? His hybrids are the one the town needs protection from.' Damon muttered, his hands waving around frantically as he became more and more annoyed, it was actually pretty amusing to watch.

'Well, I'd have no use for them if your brother would kindly return my family,' Klaus said, sipping from the glass he's grabbed from a passing waiter, his eyes glittering in annoyance.

'Not gonna happen.' Damon said confidently.

'That's what I thought, which is why I've come to an agreement with the Mayor. You and the Council stay out of my hair, I stay out of yours. Your town gets protected, my hybrids get left alone and everybody will be happy. All you have to do is to get Stefan to stop decapitating my friends.' Klaus said, his anger evident as he smiled dangerously at Damon.

'Please Damon, just get your brother under control or the council will be forced to take action against him.' Carol said, her tone unwavering.

I looked at her for a moment, processing her words and the fact she was siding with Klaus, and then I glanced over to Damon and I couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his face. He was completely dumfounded; he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

'You've got to be kidding me!' He yelled, but not loud enough to draw attention to us.

Carol shook her head and left, leaving us with an amused Klaus, though I suspected he found my reaction funny more than anything else.

'Oh come on, mate. Give peace a chance.' Klaus smirked before he swallowed what remained of his drink and turned to leave as well. Damon stared at his retreating figure with a mixture of annoyance and amusement on his face before he looked at me and rolled his eyes at the fact I was grinning at him.

'That was hilarious. I wish I'd recorded it,' I shook my head, disappointed at the wasted opportunity, 'you've got to be kidding me!' I mimicked, laughing again when he glared at me.

'We're out of here.' He said, moving to walk to the door.

'Wait, I just need to use the bathroom first.' I said, gesturing up the staircase, 'if I'm longer than ten minutes then I've been kidnapped.' I joked as I made my way up the grand staircase, ignoring the comments I heard middle-aged men making about my ass. I finished up in the bathroom quickly, washing and drying my hands before I made my way back out into the hall, about to go down stairs when I heard a bang. Frowning I turned down the corridor it was coming from, starting to worry when I could feel that someone was in pain. I saw Stefan with a knife to a hybrids neck and without even thinking I channeled pain and sent it towards both of them. The hybrid passed out pretty quickly, not old enough or strong enough to cope with the pain I had been inflicting on him, and once I realized this I dropped my hand, glad it hadn't taken much; if I went far enough I wouldn't be able to pull myself back.

'What the hell are you doing you psycho?!' I demanded, looking at Stefan as if he had lost his mind, which at this point I was pretty sure he had.

'I told Klaus to get his hybrids out of town and he didn't listen. So now I'm going to say it louder.' Stefan said, his voice sounding slightly unhinged as he went to reach for the knife he had dropped.

I raised my hand in his direction in warning, 'do it and I will cause you pain you couldn't possibly imagine. This is a stupid move, Stefan. You don't think there are ten more where that came from? And if you kill them, Klaus won't make twenty more? Have you forgotten about Elena's part in all of this? Or do you not care if she is a human blood bag for the rest of her life?' I rambled, keeping my hand out in front of me incase he decided to move for the knife after all, thankfully he didn't; he walked away from the body, stopping a meter away from me.

'I don't care about Elena anymore, that's yours and Damon's job now,' Stefan smirked, but I could feel the contempt and guilt coming off him.

'Are you seriously trying to lie to me right now? The girl who can literally sense how people feel, you're gonna try and tell that girl that you don't feel anything?' I said, my voice sarcastic.

'You're right, Kim I can't lie to you; you feel how everyone feels even when they don't want you to know. And you know what else? You can see the future; your instincts and visions are the most reliable ones in the supernatural community.' Stefan said, his expression turned dark and calculating and I knew where he was going with his little speech before he finished speaking, 'and you're Klaus' mate. I think he'd give or do just about anything to keep you alive.'

'I highly doubt that, you know that witch was talking a bunch of nonsense, Stefan.' I said, keeping my voice clam and collected, but I did step back when Stefan took a step closer to me.

'I wasn't talking about what the witch said, Kim.' He said as my back met the wall, he leaned close and whispered in my ear, 'I was talking about what I heard Mikael say.'

I forced myself not to react, but I knew that if he had heard everything he had said than I was screwed. He would know that he can literally hurt Klaus by hurting me and he would know the dangers of one of us living without the other. With how unstable he was in that moment I had no idea if he would go as far as to kill me, which wasn't very comforting. Stefan roughly grabbed my face and smashed the back of my head against the wall, making me fade into the darkness, but before I was completely gone I registered that Klaus had felt it too and I knew he was worried.

'Son of a bitch,' I muttered, my hand immediately going to the back of my head, I flinched when I encountered a bump the size of a large egg at the base of my skull. I blinked, and when I looked around I realized that I was in Stefan's car. Stefan's moving car.

'Where the hell are we going?' I said, my tone demanding as I turned to Stefan in the drivers seat. I could feel the remorse and guilt coming from him over what he had done, but I refused to feel any sympathy for him in that moment; I knew that he was going to see whatever his plan was through no matter how bad he felt about it.

Before he could answer, my phone started to ring; I reached into my sports bra and pulled it out. I went to answer it but it was pulled out of my grasp before I could.

'Sorry, Damon she's a little busy right now.' Stefan said, the crazy edge still in his voice.

'Klaus knows you have her and he is seething. I suggest you pack in whatever stupid idea you're planning right now.' Damon whispered which made me wonder if Klaus was close by.

'No, Damon. You said I needed to be smarter right? Well, this is me being smart. He won't let her die.' Stefan sounded confident but I could feel his uncertainty.

'And if he doesn't care? Are you willing to follow through and kill her?' Damon asked, waiting for his answer, and so was I; his instability was making him unpredictable to even me right now.

'Goodbye, Damon.' Stefan said hanging up the phone before he scrolled through my contacts and found Klaus' name. He tapped the phone icon and it dialed; he picked up after the first ring.

'Love? Are you all right?' Klaus asked, he sounded worried and I wished I could take it away.

I went to answer him but Stefan spoke up before I could even open my mouth, 'tell your hybrids to get out of town, Klaus.'

'That's not going to happen until I get my coffins back,' I could practically see the dangerous smile that was most likely on Klaus' face in that moment.

'Okay, well then, I'm gonna drive your mate off Wickery Bridge.' Stefan said simply, and I felt my gut clench in fear when I realized where we were.

'I don't believe you, Stefan. You won't kill her.' Klaus said, his voice sounded sure but I could feel how worried he actually was; he couldn't tell how far Stefan was going to go either.

'Won't I?' Stefan asked, speeding up the car.

'Slow down, Stefan.' I said, my voice low as I tried to control the fear in my voice. I hadn't been over this bridge since they died, and now I might actually be meeting the same fate. Stefan didn't listen to me, instead he sped up and I felt my heart beat faster inside of my chest in fear.

'Stop the car Stefan! Now! Let me out!' I shouted, not caring how terrified I sounded, not caring that tears were streaming down my cheeks; I just wanted out of the car.

'Stop the car, Stefan!' Klaus shouted.

'Send away your hybrids.' Stefan countered, his voice completely calm.

Klaus apparently took too long to answer because Stefan pressed his foot down on the accelerator harder.

'Stefan, stop it. Please, stop!' I begged, virtually hysterical.

'Okay, I'll do it. I'll send them away, you win.' Klaus said, his voice defeated and concerned.

Stefan responded by going even faster, making my heart jump into my mouth.

'Stop the car, Stefan, stop the fucking car!' I screamed, my throat feeling raw.

'STOP THE CAR STEFAN!' Klaus shouted, so loud it was almost as if he was in the car as well, Stefan abruptly slammed the breaks on, forcing the car to skid to a stop. I grabbed my phone off him and got out of the car immediately, slamming the door behind me as I tried to get oxygen into my lungs. I walked over to the side of the bridge, sitting down with my back against the railing as I moved my head between my knees, trying to control my breathing.

I felt someone touch my hands and when I looked up into Stefan's concerned gaze I pushed him away, 'get away from me. You can go now. Sure you nearly gave me a panic attack but what does it matter as long as you got one up over on Klaus?' My tone was toxic, absolutely furious that someone I had considered a friend had been willing to let me die as long as he could win a pissing contest.

'Kim, I needed to get him to blink-,' He tried to explain but I cut him off.

'My parents died on this bridge, Stefan, but then again you already knew that.' I stood poking at his chest, still holding my phone in the other hand; I could feel the tears still streaming down my face, refusing to stop.

'Your fear sold it, Kim.' Stefan said, his voice laced with regret.

'What if it hadn't?' I said.

'But it did!'

'What if it hadn't?' I shouted, demanding an answer.

'But it did, Kim, now I know his weakness and I can destroy him!'

'You mean me? You're going to use me to destroy him?' I scoffed, completely pissed.

'No, his family.' Stefan said, and I was relieved to feel he was telling the truth.

'That's all that matters to you? Destroying Klaus?' I said, shaking my head in disbelief, 'what about Elena?'

'I lost her the minute I left town with him, she just hasn't let herself admit that yet.'

'That may be so, but you can still make the effort and try and fix it, rather than fixating on taking down the only supernatural being on earth that literally cannot be killed, you idiot!' I shouted, getting more and more pissed off with his actions; it was as if he had a death wish.

He didn't have an answer to that, instead he just got in his car and drove away, but I could feel his realization when he recognized that I actually had a point. It didn't hit me that I was basically stranded until I couldn't hear the roar of Stefan's engine anymore. I swore under my breath and unlocked my phone, moving to my favorites list. I was about to dial Elena when I remembered that she had texted me that she and her friends were getting drunk in a cemetery for Care's birthday- no, I didn't ask. My eyes unwillingly flickered to the name that had been put at the top, against my knowledge, before I could lose my nerve I pressed call and brought the phone to my ear.

'Stefan, I swear to god-,' Klaus started to threaten but I cut him off.

'Stefan's gone. Thank you for doing that by the way.' I said, awkwardly looking down to my feet as I kicked an imaginary stone on the floor.

'Of course, love.' Klaus replied, his voice much softer now that he knew I was okay.

'Would you mind coming to pick me up?' I asked, my voice tentative.

'Where are you?' He asked, his willingness making me smile.

'On Wickery Bridge.' I answered, swallowing the lump in my throat as I tried not to look over my shoulder, where my parents had died.

'I'll be there in a minute, love.' Klaus promised before he hung up the phone. I sighed, relieved that he was on his way. I turned around and faced the water, placing my shaking hands onto the railing as I carefully looked over. I felt tears streaming down my cheeks once more as I pictured exactly what had happened here. My parents went off this bridge and didn't come back alive; I couldn't stop the sob that crawled its way up my throat and I didn't want to. I had held back so many tears when my parents had died because I wanted to be strong for Jeremy and Elena, but my parents deserved to be grieved; they were incredible and they were loved. I just wish I could tell them that one last time. I felt the exact moment that Klaus arrived; I could feel his concern as well as his relief that I was in fact okay, well physically anyway. As soon as I met his gaze, I didn't hesitate; I threw my arms around his waist, hugging him hard. I closed my eyes and nuzzled into his chest, inhaling his scent; I felt his hands wrap around my waist, his palms flattening against my back, his thumbs moving back and forth comfortingly. I felt my breathing slow down to normal, and I was grateful for the calmness and security that washed over my body, feelings that only his touch could offer me. Klaus didn't say a word, he just let me hold him for as long as I needed and I honestly couldn't put into words how grateful I was for that.

'I haven't been on this bridge since that day.' I whispered, my face still buried in his chest, but I knew he would be able to hear me, 'after they died I had to be strong for Elena and Jeremy, and the only way I could do that was by pretending it didn't happen. When Elena and Jeremy started to cope with it, I lost that distraction and I started to fall apart and that's when I-,' I broke off with a sob; Klaus hugged me tighter.

'That's when you left,' Klaus finished for me, his voice soft. I nodded against his chest but otherwise remained quiet, 'it's okay to miss them, love. You just have to remember that they would want you to keep living.'

I sniffed as I considered his words; I had accepted that my Mom and Dad were gone at some point in the past few months, but I had also felt guilty over abandoning Elena and Jeremy. Klaus was right; I had every right to miss them and grieve- they were my parents. I had to stop punishing myself for how I had reacted when they had died; I had to let them go but remember that they would be with me if I ever needed them. I pulled back slightly to meet his eyes, though the rest of my body was still aligned with his.

'Thank you.' I whispered.

'Of course, love.' He smiled softly, one of his hands gently caressing the side of my face, his thumb moving back and forth affectionately; he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering on my skin for a moment and I knew that we both needed the contact. When he pulled back he rested his forehead against mine, 'let's get you home, shall we love?'

My eyes had closed at some point, but at his words they snapped open; I didn't want to be alone right now. His presence bought me tranquility and I wasn't ready to let go of that yet. He seemed to notice this and he smiled softly as he leaned down and picked me up, carrying me bridal style; I happily rested my face into the crook of his neck, enjoying the feeling of his skin on mine. I closed my eyes for a moment, knowing what he was going to do, when I opened them literally thirty seconds later, we were at his mansion. I expected him to put my down, but he didn't; instead he carried me up the stairs, along a long hallway until he stopped at a specific door, he pushed it open with his foot and then kicked it shut once he had stepped inside. I couldn't make out the details of the room because it was pitch black, but I squealed a little when the cold sheets he gently placed me down on made contact with my exposed skin. I kicked my shoes off and moved over patting the bed as I hoped he would get in too. A moment later he did and I almost moaned when my hand made contact with his bare chest. As if he sensed my excitement he chuckled a little before he moved his arm to my waist, pulling me against his chest. I happily snuggled into him, holding him close as my legs became tangled in his; my eyelids started to droop pretty quickly and the last thing I registered before I was out was the feel of Klaus kissing my hair.

There's chapter seventeen! I hope you liked it, I really enjoyed writing this one; it's fun to see Kim and Klaus' bond growing stronger and when they complete the ritual their connection will be unbreakable. Let me know what you think!

Would like to say a huge thank you to EmpressZee for giving my story a follow and a favorite, it means a lot! :)

XxSunnaxX: Your story is sooo realistic! I mean the reactions, actions and everything, like this could have really happened. LOVE IT! Thank you so much, that means a lot; it takes me a while sometimes to actually sit and consider how each character would react to a certain situation, because I don't want their reaction to be something I couldn't imagine them doing, so I'm glad you find it realistic :)