Welcome to the sequel to A True Best Friend; Not the Destination.

I've posted a little bit here as a teaser, and so you all know that it is now available. Enjoy!

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"Nik, these boots are going to be spectacularly ruined."

Caroline pouted as they may their way through the mud. The rain wasn't standard weather for this time of year; and she hadn't exactly had time to pack for all outcomes. Even so, Nik could have listened to her on the drive and stopped by the mall.

He never listened anymore. None of her boys did.

They'd been up and down the country for the past 2 months. Well, down to Florida and back up again, but it was still further than she'd travelled before.

Now they were in the Blue Ridge mountains, tantalisingly close to home. Part way through the hike she'd found her mind wandering, considering if in her new body she could run the entire way back to Mystic Falls. She wanted to; so badly that she'd stopped in her tracks in contemplation.

She missed her mom. That was something she'd never thought would happen; her mom wasn't exactly the world's most devoted parent. Nevertheless, Caroline missed her. When they'd been down in Pensacola beach, she'd been able to get a message through at least.

Running wasn't an option though; she'd promised to help Nik. He needed to protect his family, his siblings all stuck in boxes whilst they were hunted by the original vampire hunter. Mikael. The way Nik had said his name had scared her; his face had been filled with revulsion, but his voice had wavered. Mikael must be truly a terrible monster for Nik to fear him.

Klaus. She'd sworn to call him Klaus ever since he killed Elena, killed Mason.

She kept slipping. Tyler and Stefan rolled their eyes every time she did. Tyler was at least justified; he was along for this ride because he'd offered anything to save her life. As far as she was aware, nothing was forcing Stefan to stay. Nothing but the knowledge that Katherine was dead, Elena was a vampire and in love with his brother, and Klaus apparently knew him long ago.

As such, they'd followed the maniac around for months.

They'd not actually really done anything. Stefan had been sent into a few houses to question people after Nik had secured an invite. Tyler had been asked to speak to the local werewolf population, figure out where Mason's pack had disappeared to. Caroline? Well, she'd been asked to dress up and look pretty for a business dinner. The rest of the time she had no idea why she was there, not a single one of her actions (and there had been many hated herself for) couldn't have been done my Klaus or Stefan.

Unless she was simply there for him to torment? To force to do her bidding.

Nik barely let up his barrage of flirtation, growing more and more fond of winding Tyler up through his remarks. On the second night that the hotel they were staying in had magically only had 2 double rooms, she had put her foot down and refused to stay with anyone but Tyler. Nik had chuckled, opening his palm for a twenty dollar note from Stefan before handing the keys over to a third room. The absolute dick.

Klaus. Klaus was a dick.

"I'll buy you a hundred more pairs, Caroline." The offending vampire purred moments later, pulling her back out of her thoughts. "Though I suspect I might need to build you a larger closet first."

She folded her arms, stopping dead in her tracks, "I've told you before Klaus, I will not be living with you. I agreed to help with the hybrids. That's all."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart." He practically sang, not stopping his pace for a moment.

"Don't bother Car, you know he's just trying to get a reaction out of you." Tyler whispered as he overtook her on the trail.

She sighed, her eyes meeting Stefan's as her only hope for someone on her side. He simply shrugged, pursing his lips as he made space for her to walk beside him.

"So," she started, "How are you feeling about walking into a forest full of werewolves on a full moon?"

He sighed, "Honestly? I'm more worried that this close to home my idiot brother might turn up."

"Why?" She questioned, furrowing her brow, "We told them to stay away?"

"Have you ever heard Damon Salvatore follow an instruction?"

She chuckled, adding, "He would for Elena."

Stefan nodded solemnly, "Therein lies our problem. Elena wanted to chase after you that night you went on a date with Niklaus. We've been gone months Caroline, there's no way she hasn't got him searching for you."

"And you, Stefan."

He shook his head, "My brother will probably be wringing his hands with glee that I'm stuck here."

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That's all for here, folks. The rest of story is called 'Not the Destination' and you can find it on my profile.

Of course, whilst you're there you may wish to check out 'Drowning in Light' or search the works of CosmicAdventurer or Scarlett2112.