A/N: Well, it's been a while. Hopefully, y'all enjoy it!

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "In the Air Tonight" – Phil Collins

~*.*~
'I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord.
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord?
Oh, Lord.

Well, if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand.
I've seen your face before, my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am.

Well, I was there and I saw what you did – I saw it with my own two eyes.
So, you can wipe off that grin.
I know where you've been.
It's all just a pack of lies!'
~*.*~

Chapter Four:

I took my time getting dressed. It's been nice to get out of the house and not have to look over my shoulder. I've been living in fear for so long. It's almost like I've forgotten what freedom feels like.

I landed a part-time job in a little coffee house, bookstore. It has a wonderful vibe. I love it. It gets me out of the house and it gives me something to do.

But, all week, I've felt like I have a pair of eyes on me. It's different than while I was on the run. I didn't feel like someone was watching me, stalking me. I've tried to shake the feeling, but it doesn't go away. If it's one thing that I've learned from this whole debacle, it's that I have to trust my instincts to survive. I've been hesitating to tell Klaus – he's already done so much for me… but I really don't see any other option. I want to be alive later.

"Knock, knock," Klaus said as he poked his head into my room. I looked over at him and smiled.

"Speak of the devil; I was just thinking about you." I told him.

"I hope I'm not interrupting." His eyes twinkled as his words left his lips. I shook my head.

"There was actually something that I wanted to talk to you about." I told him.

"I always have time for you, love." He assured me, as he sat on my bed. I slipped on my shoes and sat next to him.

"It's probably nothing, but I think someone has been following me." I told him. He went from calm to furious in an instant.

"How long has this been going on?" He growled. I flinched at his hostility. He seemed to notice, because he dialed it down.

"The past week," I whispered. He nodded.

"I'll look into it and get it taken care of, sweetheart. I don't want you leaving the house alone." He told me. I choked out a laugh.

"I never do." I reminded him. I've gotten acquainted with a few of Klaus' handymen. They've become my bodyguards, for lack of a better word. We both expected Damon to make a move sometime, the only question was when. A big part of me hopes that I've just been imagining this, but I doubt that's the case.

"Let me make a phone call and then I'll be right back to take you to work." He placed a chaste kiss on my forehead before leaving my room. I sat on the bed for a minute, playing with my hands before I got up.

It's strange how different the Salvatores and the Mikaelsons are. They're both close-knit, but so different. Damon ran things back in Mystic Falls. Ester is clearly the head of the Mikaelsons, but Klaus shares her reign.

I've never felt so accepted by people I wasn't related to, before now. It's crazy. I don't know what I would have done or where I would have ended up if it weren't for Klaus. For that, I'll be eternally grateful to him.

We didn't say much during the car ride to work. Normally, it's not Klaus that escorts me, though all of the Mikaelsons have taken turns visiting me. Despite feeling like I'm being followed, I've fallen into a comfortable rhythm with things. It's insane how comfortable I've become in New Orleans.

Things were pretty slow at the coffee shop – no one but regulars really came in. I'm not complaining. There's an older man that comes in every day for breakfast and lunch and he's the sweetest soul I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He comes in and talks to everyone.

I went behind the coffee counter to grab a fresh pot of coffee and someone put a hand on my shoulder. I jumped and dropped the pot. It shattered and sent scorching liquid all over my body. I shrieked and grabbed a towel, trying to mop myself off. After getting what I could, I turned around to see who it was. My mouth went dry as I locked eyes with Stefan.

"Y-You can't be here!" I told him. He just sighed and kept a straight face.

"You look better." He said as he sat down.

"You need to leave." I told him.

"Would you rather Damon show up? Because this is the only way I could get him to stay out of it." He tried to reason with me. I didn't realize I was trembling until I put my hand on the counter to steady myself.

"I have a protective order, Stefan. You cannot be here." I pressed.

"I won't stay long." He assured me.

"I'm still reporting it." I warned him.

"Do what you have to do." He gave in. Steven, the older gentleman, sauntered up to the counter.

"Is everything okay, chère?" Steven asked me, looking concerned.

"I'm alright, Steven." I whispered. He didn't look convinced.

"Alright, chère. I'm goin' to talk to Miss Darla, anyhow. Can I get that coffee?" He asked me. Darla is the owner of the shop. She should be floating around here, somewhere. "I'll have her come over and look at the spilled coffee." He added as I filled his cup.

"I'm fine." I tried to tell him. I don't know if Stefan came alone or not. I'm scared shitless.

"You need to check your burns, chère." He pressed.

"I will." I promised. He nodded and took his coffee and walked away.

"Bonnie, look, I know I don't have much time, but I'm sorry about how things went down. You didn't deserve how he treated you." Stefan apologized.

"I didn't deserve a lot of things. I don't know why you care. You didn't do anything to help. You just ignored what he did to me." I told him, my voice cracking.

"There are a lot of things you don't know."

"I-I know enough. I know that you need to stay out of my life. I know that you're not welcome here. I'm not your concern. Please, tell Damon to stay out of my life."

"Because the Mikaelsons are looking out for you now?"

"Because it's over between us – it's been over between us." I clarified.

"You know that he's not going to stop." Stefan told me.

"I'm not his, Stefan!" I told him, my voice becoming increasingly shrill.

"He doesn't see it that way."

"Why are you feeding his delusions?" I asked him.

"You wouldn't understand." Stefan told me. With a shaky hand, I pulled out my phone and dialed Klaus.

"Calling your knight in shining armor?" Stefan asked me.

"Leave." I told Stefan.

"I can't leave, Bonnie."

"Why?"

"Because we both know it isn't over." He taunted me. I shivered and took a step back. I slipped on a puddle of coffee and landed on my back. I winced as I felt glass slide through my skin.

"Bonnie, you okay darlin'?" Darla came rushing over with Steven. I groaned and nodded.

"Make him leave. Please, make him leave." I whimpered. Her eyes grew big and she looked at Stefan.

"What's your name, son?" She asked him.

"Stefan Salvatore," he supplied.

"I'm sorry, son, but you're not welcome here."

"Because the Mikaelsons have you on their payroll?" He jibed.

"Watch your tone, boy." Steven told him.

"She's right Stefan. You aren't welcome here." Klaus' voice made its way into my ears. I grimaced as I pushed myself off of the floor.

"It's been a long time, Klaus."

"Not long enough, I'm afraid." He gave Stefan a tense smile.

"Leave, before you're made to leave forcefully." Klaus growled. Elijah came walking through the door to the shop with a few of their handymen behind him.

"I'd do as my brother says if I were you." Elijah threatened him. Stefan nodded.

"I can see where I'm not wanted." Stefan smiled before nodded to me. "I'll see you, soon."

"I'd advise against that." Elijah spoke again. "You've overstayed your welcome. Get out!" He yelled. Stefan actually flinched. I've never seen Elijah lose his cool. He's always so calm and collected. He oozes poise. It was Klaus that walked Stefan to the door and Elijah that rushed behind the counter to help me up. "Are you alright?" He whispered. I nodded, still in shock. "Let's get you cleaned up. Do you have a first aid kit?" He asked Darla.

"Of course, sugar. It's in my office – follow me." She led us past the lounge area and the bookshelves. The opened the door to her office and ushered us inside.

"Would you mind giving us a moment?" Elijah asked, cordially. Darla shook her head.

"Not at all, darlin'." She patted my shoulder and shut the door behind her.

"On a scale of one to ten, how painful are your injuries?" He asked me.

"I can't feel anything." I whispered. He frowned.

"Would you mind taking off your shirt? I have to pull the glass out." He asked me. I shook my head and pulled off my shirt. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on anything else. I'm not comfortable with this, but it needs to be done.

"Do you know what you're doing?" I asked him, instead.

"I went to medical school." He told me.

"Why don't you work at a hospital?"

"I did, for awhile. It's difficult to only be a doctor when you're a Mikaelson." He admitted. I nodded.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"How are you still single?" I asked him. He chuckled.

"I suppose I haven't found the right woman." He sighed.

"That doesn't sound very convincing." I told him.

"There was someone a very long time ago, but the timing wasn't right. I suppose you could say that she was the one that got away."

After our heart to heart and my injuries cleaned, I went home with the guys. I didn't say much. I knew it was coming, but it still hit me by surprise. I know there are worse things coming and I hate waiting. I can't take the suspense.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Klaus asked me. I looked up at him and didn't say anything.

"You haven't said a word all night."

"I'm just… processing." I told him.

"They won't touch you. I promise you that." He whispered. I nodded. "Will you be okay sleeping alone tonight?" He asked me. I shook my head. I don't know what triggered it, but the tears started falling. Once that started, it wouldn't stop. "I have you, love. You're not alone in this." He held me close to him. "Let's get you in bed." He suggested.

"Alright." I agreed, softly. I went to stand, but he shook his head and picked me up in his arms. I mopped up my face as he carried me upstairs. He started walking towards my room and I shook my head. "Your room," I told him.

"Of course, sweetheart," he agreed. Once we were settled in, I laid with my head on his chest, just listening to his heartbeat. It's nice. I feel safe. He makes me feel safe.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of this." I whispered.

"I'll be here as long as you'll have me, love." He promised.

"I'll hold you to that." I told him. I sat up and stretched. I groaned as I felt my cuts reopening. Klaus shot me a worried look, but didn't ask me anything. "I know I say it all the time, but I really appreciate everything that you and your family have done for me." I confessed. He smiled and leaned forward. He cupped my cheek and placed a soft, cautious kiss on my lips. I gasped and I swear I felt my heart flutter. I barely kissed him back, before pulling away. I placed a hand over my mouth.

"Too soon?" He asked me. "I don't want to rush things."

"I think… we're moving comfortably. I want to keep taking things slowly, though." I told him, smiling.

"I wouldn't dream of rushing you, sweetheart."

"Thank you." I settled back next to him and thought about Klaus. I tried not to think of Damon and what he was planning next.

"Relax, love. I'm not going to let him hurt you."

"I'm just scared."

"Don't be."

~*.*~
'Well, I remember – I remember; don't worry.
How could I ever forget?
It was the first time, the last time, we ever met.

But, I know the reason why you keep your silence.
No – you don't fool me.
Well, the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows.
It's no stranger to you and me.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord.
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.
Oh, Lord…
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord.'
~*.*~

A/N: Reviews please!
I love you guys,
Anneryn