Darkest Temptations

Chapter Fourteen: Losing Control

Stefan Salvatore

I thought that all hope was lost after Elena was forced to give up her humanity and become a vampire. But she once again proved to me and to all of us who believe in her that she could tackle anything that life threw in her direction. From the moment I first met her I knew there was a fire within her, an undeniable flame that even in the darkest of nights could bring forth the light, that the power of her warmth could heal any lost soul she came into contact with. And that was Elena Gilbert, she was the light in all of our lives, she had lost so much, she'd fallen, she'd mourned and yet everyday she showed each of us the power of her soul. That's what assured me that she was alive, that same connection we had shared was still burning as bright since the day we first met. I knew the road ahead would be difficult for all of us, and I wasn't pretending to be coping better than the others. But I knew finding her wasn't going to be the only issue we would face.

No one wanted to accept the reality that we would have to help her and Caroline heal the wounds that their kidnapper had inflicted upon them. I'm not talking about the physical pain but rather the emotional pain of being separated from your friends, family and your home. We knew wherever he or she was keeping them was far from Mystic Falls, and something primal inside told me they have been moved them both out of the state by now too. Taking Elena away from those she loved was beyond torture for her. She took strength in those she loved, she got out of bed each morning to be strong for those around her. Her willpower was beyond measure and I hoped that wherever she was that she knew we were working night and day to find her and bring her home. I had to remind those around me of the struggles of being a new vampire and the hardships Elena was already suffering before she was taken. I remember how crushed I was, how betrayed I felt when I found out she'd been keeping her struggles a secret from me. That she had sought Damon's help in order to properly fed and maintain her blood lust. Then I remember the feeling of her in my arms in the church that day. The weight of her body against my chest was crushing, she didn't even have the strength to hold herself up. Her body felt cold to the touch, lacking the necessary blood and nutrients to keep her warm.

Twelve hours Caroline and Elena's homes were broken into. We knew whoever came for them had done more than take Caroline and Elena from us. They'd shamefully murdered Jeremy and Caroline's mom Liz. None of us could even move when we heard the news that their blood residue had been found in the houses. When we got our hands on the ballistic reports, and we saw what the houses looked like under the power of lights, we knew they'd been hurt and left to bleed to death. Although he didn't say anything I knew my brother, Damon felt the loss of Sheriff Forbes. After everyone left the house that night, I'd found him outside in the courtyard, he'd lost a lot of sleep before that night, but I knew what kept him awake that night.

We were all physically exhausted, we had used every spell we could think to try. Bonnie had passed off twice in the past week and refused to slow down, to rest or to even eat. There were so many times she'd enter a room and we could all tell she had been crying. She refused to break down in front of us, she was the most powerful witch we knew that could help us now. I believe she was trying to remain strong for us, when in reality she didn't have to, she had to allow us to do our job as her friends and take care of her. That's what Elena would want us to do for her now, to help her get some much needed rest and to allow us to pick up the slack. But no matter what we attempted it held no weight with her, Bonnie was so determined to find them, I thought it might just break her.

I'd felt so lost without Elena, so far from myself and from those around me. If Damon weren't here I don't know what I would have done by now to myself. The ripper within me that I had kept caged for so long was rattling at the cages. But I would never feed it what it needed to consume me. The only thing I needed was to be told Elena was alive, everything else I knew I could deal with. Elena had pulled me from the brink so many times that I'd lost count. I knew I would be there for her, no matter what the kidnappers had done to her these past ten days. I would bring her back home where she belonged and I would keep her safe for the rest of my life.

What I couldn't do was sleep, so often I'd dream of her being taken from her home, I'd imagine her waking up in a trunk and screaming out my name, pleading for my help. At times I'd even have nightmares of her being tortured. Sometimes the person hurting her was a woman, but most of the time they were a man. And the way they tortured her, used her body for their own sick enjoyment. I've been alive for almost two hundred years and seen the worst of humanity, but those were nightmares that had me shaking in my bed like a small child, clutching at the covers and desperate for light.

I knew that if our places were switched, if I was the one out there, she'd be here doing everything she could. Only she'd be doing it better than all of us combined, because she would refuse to let the power of hope die. Elena had an energy that seemed to light something in those around her. And we needed that now, especially after returning from Mexico and following another dead end lead. We'd all gone of course, we thought if they were out there then they'd need all of us in their rescue. But they weren't there, no one was there, there was nothing but the dark sky and the unforgiving sand.

When we returned and found Klaus had once again skipped town, that's when Tyler finally lost it. So many pieces of art and family photographs were gone from his house this time. It took Matt and me to stop him from burning the house to the ground. He smashed everything in every room before got to him on time, there was furniture turned over and he'd burned every sketch he came across, even those he believed were of Caroline. Bonnie had no choice but to put Tyler under a spell to rest his body and mind. She performed at our house so we could all take shifts checking in on him. This was just one of many things Elena would have stopped before it happened, she would have seen he was about to break and she would have been there to stop it from turning into the disaster it was.

Klaus hadn't come back and I was starting to suspect he might not again. Elena's blood was no longer of any use to him and although he'd never admit, the only thing keeping him here beyond his hatred for Tyler was Caroline. Klaus had fooled a lot of people in his time, but I saw the look in his eyes that night we confronted him at The Grill, he wasn't interested in anything we had to say until he was told about Caroline's involvement. I blamed myself for not following him more closely as the days progressed, I'd seen him around town, always in the same clothes and starting to appear as exhausted as Damon and I.

Downstairs Bonnie, Matt, Tyler and Damon were asleep by the fire in the parlor room. The hunter remained caged in the basement, we had refused to accept his help in locating Caroline and Elena. We knew he had something to do with it. He knew who had taken them and he wasn't going anywhere until we found out exactly who.

Tonight had ended in another screaming match after Tyler arrived at the house claiming to have a new lead. A car had been stolen on Caroline's street, possibly on the night that they had gone missing. Tyler seemed to believe that the kidnapper had broke into a garage to steal a station wagon parked inside of it and had used this car to keep Elena and Caroline in as he escaped town. Tyler said the guy who reported the car stolen also said that there were gas canisters missing from his garage too. Tyler's theory was that we had to use the Sheriff's station to find reports of a burnt up station wagon to give us a lead on the direction the kidnapper had taken them.

But sadly he didn't seem to grasp the reality of the holes within that theory. Bonnie was the first to point out that the kidnapper would have had a car already, he wouldn't have Elena and Jeremy from their homes without a car to assist. Matt then reminded him that Caroline's car was still missing, and our theory that the kidnapper used her car made a lot more sense. Damon then pointed out the amount of cars and other garages around Caroline's house and how much more easier it would have been for them to take one of those instead. Before I put the final nail in the coffin and reminded him we didn't have the luxury of the Sheriff's department anymore, the new Sheriff was an original founding families member and every one in their employee was on vervain now.

I wish there was a sign that we were at least heading in the right direction. I just wanted Elena back in my arms again, because I knew once she was there again. I would never lose her again.

Klaus Mikaelson

After they arrived back from dress shopping I had all of my telephone calls taken care of. I had gone down to the lobby to meet them after Caroline had text to tell me they were less than five minutes from the hotel. Each of them had taken their heels off by the time they crossed the lobby towards me. It was around eight in the evening but each of them were completely exhausted and barely able to keep their eyes open. Thankfully the lobby empty enough by this time, so when a tired Caroline supporting a practically sleeping April passed me I kissed both of them on the cheek without a word passing between us. I turned back around to find Elena giving instructions to the bell boy following behind her with heavy look white garment bags as to which bag went to which room. Elena hadn't spotted me at first, not until she came face to face with me suddenly and I found her once again in my arms, with both her warm hands against my chest.

"I'm sorry..." Elena said and slipped away from my hold before I could come up with a response to keep her with me.

She looked over my shoulder and I followed her gaze finding Caroline and April waiting in the elevator for her to join them. I turned back around just as her looked up to meet mine. She was still wearing her new earrings she hadn't taken them off.

"April's exhausted" She explained.

"I see."

"Makes me wonder what you two did all day to make her that tired."

No taking it back you said it.

Elena gazed at me with pure terror, and for a very good cause. It was unclear whether she had intended to say it and understood the impact, or if it the look in my eye was causing her to panic.

I moved closer to her and as she tried to retreat, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards me swiftly, causing her to gasp as my lips met her ear. She was completely taken by surprise, holding her breath and frozen in fear as my tense jaw grazed her cheek.

"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that."

"I didn't mean-"

"No." I hissed into her ear silencing her efforts.

As I leaned in closer to her ear, I spoke through clenched teeth, "I'll just remind you, that girl over there has done nothing to deserve such poison."

Before Elena could make any more attempts to apologize, I left her side and walked towards the front doors of the hotel. In the past I'd made a bad habit of sticking around and making the worst decisions, some that robbed people of their lives. My short temper was given down to me from my father and was not something that I planned to give to any of my future sons. Elena wasn't naïve she knew I could have made that situation back there ten times, if not a hundred times worse. I had shown her great restrain considering what she had said. I could see she deeply regretted it, but there was a big difference between thinking something and say it out loud.

I went directly from the hotel to the car I had scheduled to pick me up. I reached out to the top jewelers in town and requested them to have their engagement rings and wedding bands ready for me to look over. Because I was attempting to be more man than hybrid going forward, my story behind buying three engagement rings and wedding bands was I was trying to find replicas for rings lost in a terrible fire at home. Rings that had been with the family for generations.

Despite having more urgent matters to attend to, my thoughts kept returning to Elena. Her expression of shock and shame stayed with me throughout the entire car ride. Upon my arrival at the jewelers, I discovered it to be a meticulously maintained establishment. The cheapest set of earrings they had in here ran at around five thousand. Knowing that I was buying more than just one mere item I had been greeted by the store manager who brought me to a private viewing room in the back where they had everything prepared for my arrival. I was offered a drink that would have been enjoyable, but I politely declined. Settling into my seat, ready to tackle some important choices.

I had intended to spend time with each of the girls individually tomorrow to help them choose their rings. However, with a day to myself, I found myself reflecting on April's thoughts about tradition. By carefully choosing each ring, I was able to demonstrate my understanding of their preferences and select a ring that would represent our future together.

For my beloved Caroline, I chose a stunning gold wedding band and matching gold engagement ring featuring a dazzling two-carat diamond at its center. Caroline desired our marriage to embody respect and love, and this ring symbolized both. She preferred a low-key lifestyle, focusing on mundane tasks like picking up dry cleaning and clipping coupons, rather than indulging in the extravagant wealth associated with the Mikaelson family. The ring box I chose for her was black, exuding elegance and timelessness.

For my adventurous Elena, I chose a one-half carat halo diamond ring paired with a gold wedding band. Elena valued her roots as she reflected on her journey. This ring implied her halo never disappeared, indicating she was the same soul eternally. She had just opened her eyes, and it was my responsibility to ensure she didn't lose sight of the bigger picture. I had plans in store for her. The ring box I chose for her was a vibrant shade of red.

For my sweet April, I chose a two and a half carat three stone engagement ring with a gold wedding band to complement Caroline and Elena's. April valued family above all else. Each stone held a special significance for her - one for herself and the other two for who she fondly referred to as her new sister wives. Today April and I went further than I expected on this trip together, so it was important for us to have our ceremony. I needed to prove to her that I truly wanted to be her husband in every sense, but only after she had this ring on her finger. The ring box I selected for April was white.

I was surprised by my own choices, if it were up to me the girls wouldn't have seen their finger for the shine off the diamonds I could provide. But this wasn't about me, this was about all of us moving forward. I understood I wasn't the most tender of men, if anything I was the furthest thing from tender, but there was just something about being around the three of them. Each of them were so different, so unique and so brave for coming this far and leaving everything they'd ever known behind. Sometimes I had to remind myself that Caroline was living without her mom for the first time, that Elena was missing her brother every single day and that April had just lost her father. Despite all the baggage they had they kept moving forward, they were already making homes in Utah and they didn't even seem to grasp the reality of their own strength. But I noticed, I noticed more than any of them thought I could ever and that's because they had my full attention. For the first time in centuries, I wasn't checking over my shoulder for my father or the next enemy at my gate, I didn't have the hardship of my siblings demanding my attention or needing my help with someone who annoyed them.

There were exciting prospects on the horizon, ready to unfold once we returned to Utah. Plans that would mean me going away during the day and coming back each night and into the house I was scheduled to be in. A schedule that I doubt I will ever see, but one that I would definitely acknowledge as being legitimate. I assured each of them that I would look after us and strive to be the best man and husband I could be in the future. Returning to Utah would require a significant adjustment on my part, but it was a decision I made on my own terms. Everything would fall into place because I would be the one in charge from beginning to end. However, there is still a lot ahead of me to do before we can get there. And it wasn't only Vegas that I was referring to. There were important discussions to be had and issues to be tackled as we moved ahead. Because when we returned to Utah our lives would begin there and although we would be a family, there would be more private time between us also. And ready or not I had to prepare for the reality that not every day would be smooth sailing.

I returned to the hotel with three wedding rings in my pocket and ready to share my first night with April. It was after eleven by the time I got back, the lobby was empty and the night shift cleaning staff had already began the necessary work ahead. Each of them determined to shine the lobby back to it's brilliance, with their vacuums on at full speed with it's night light working away to display the smaller crumbs. I was making my way to the elevator when a voice called out stopping me in my tracks.

"Mr Mikaelson?"

I turned to find the manager of the hotel approaching me whose name had already escaped me.

"What is it?"

"I do apologies for stopping you Sir, only your wife wanted me to make sure you received this."

I watched him as he reached into the breast pocket of his tailored suit with one thought on my mind.

Which wife? I can't ask which!

It was evident when he handed me a black velvet box. As soon as I saw it, I grabbed it from his hand and quickly entered the elevator as it opened behind me. Pressing the button to go to the required floor.

Damn it….April. I remembered then.

I let out a heavy sigh before dragging my hand down my face as the floors continued to ascend.

I wasn't sure if April would be asleep by now only that she certainly would be by the time I finished what needed to be done now. I stepped off the elevator and onto the tenth floor.

Elena's floor.

There was a critical problem that required immediate attention.

I had access to her room, but out of courtesy, I chose to knock on the door. Leaning against the door frame, I waited patiently.

Elena cranked the door just enough to find it was indeed me on the other side, I watched her expression soften immediately, even out here she still feared we'd be discovered. Her relief quickly turned to concern when I remained silent, prompting her to open the door wider to explain her actions. As she moved forward, I glanced at her clothes. She wasn't wearing the same dress as before that had caught my attention. Instead, she had changed into a pair of light pink cotton shorts that seemed more like underwear than shorts to me. Her top was a simple white tank with no embellishments. She was dressed casually for bed, and despite her comfortable pajamas, her exposed legs and visible bra straps were having an effect on me that I preferred not to share at that particular moment in time.

"It's April's night." She was quick to remind me.

"I'm aware."

She nervously tucked her hair behind her eye avoiding eye contact with me as she asked "What do you want?"

"For you to explain yourself." I confidently stated with a hint of anger and a touch of fawning in my voice.

I leaned in toward Elena and tried desperately not to focus on the pull of her perfume as I locked eyes with her fully.

"What game are you playing with me?"

"…what?"

Elena couldn't hold my gaze for more than five seconds, she looked away under the intensity of my gaze and I couldn't blame her, that look would have made coffee nervous.

"You shouldn't be here."

"No I shouldn't. I should be my bed with my wife. The question is to you have a problem with which one?"

"Excuse me?" Elena asked and reached for the handle of the door at the same time.

"You heard me."

"I tried to say I was sorry for that. You're the one who wouldn't listen."

"Am I not giving you the attention you deserve love?"

"Who said I wanted anything from you?"

"I don't recall being on that dance floor alone last night."

"Don't worry I didn't tell them if that's your concern."

"I have no concerns love I do have one problem however."

"I think you've got a lot more than one to deal with."

"I deal with them as they arise." I held up the box with the earrings inside.

Elena studied it for a moment trying to keep her expression hardened but the sight of this little box did something to her. There was a flicker behind her eyes I immediately noted.

"Do you have a habit of returning gifts? If so I'll be more determined in my efforts to maintain future receipts."

"I didn't ask for them."

"You didn't have to but I don't think it's a question of ask. I think it's a matter of deserving."

Elena glanced up from the hallway floor back to me, revealing the weariness in her eyes and subtle gestures.

"You don't think you deserve to be happy." I told her.

For once her eyes never left mine but they did threaten tears.

I reached out and gently held her wrist before giving her the box back and wrapping her fingers around it to maintain her grip upon it.

"I didn't give you these earrings because you did something to deserve them."

It was then two tears escaped her eyes which she immediately wiped away as quickly as they fell.

"I bought those earrings in Seattle." I admitted.

And I doubt you'll believe me but it's true.

"I'd gone into town, came across a jewelers, with cherry blossoms right outside their store. I saw the earrings in the window, and the second I did, one of the petals landed right on my shoulder."

A few tears fell from her eyes but she made no effort to hide them this time.

"Never been one for signs love. But that one, it hit me harder than that shield ever did."

As I reached up, I gently wiped the tears from beneath her eyes and delicate cheeks, while Elena kept her gaze fixed on mine.

"There's no right or wrong path to this one sweetheart. It's a gift to do with as you please." I told her.

"But after what I said-"

"You have to stop waiting for the bad, Elena."

She didn't say anything she just stared back at me.

"You have to stop thinking anything you do is going to cause problems." I said before reaching up and brushing my fingers beneath his chin "You said the wrong thing and you regretted it."

Elena sniffled as my hand dropped back down to my side.

"Stop worrying that only the bad can come from being honest. And for once, just once…just live."

She didn't have the strength anymore to speak let alone defend her actions anymore that night. She didn't try and move away from me as I leaned in towards her, surprising her with a gentle kiss to her forehead before turning back in the direction I had came, certain that her eyes remained fixed upon me until I got onto the elevator and disappeared from her sight.

April Mikaelson

I had fallen asleep when we got back from shopping, but I set a timer on my phone to wake me up in time to get ready for my evening with Klaus. I believed I was being clever, following in the footsteps of Caroline and Elena by emotionally preparing to share their bed with him. Klaus and I had done things today that I wasn't proud of, things that I knew would upset my father and cause him to disown me if he were still alive. We had both become quite reckless, which was almost overwhelming for us. I was the only virgin between us, so perhaps it affected me more than it did him. The reality was that when we were in that hot tub together, we were still strangers, we didn't know anything about the other, not the real stuff, not the important stuff anyway. My body reacted to Klaus's touch in a manner I had never experienced. Every time I found myself around guys my age, I would become tense, convinced that their friendly smiles held ulterior motives, prompting me to keep my distance. I was brought up to be a proper young lady and to save myself for marriage, but the reality was I am married now. My mind was still processing, but my body was reacting in ways that seemed inappropriate, all towards him. Klaus was extremely experienced, as Caroline had ended things with Tyler Lockwood just a week ago and they had already been intimate. I wasn't in a position to judge them, not only because it wasn't my place, but also because I couldn't fault them for wanting to pursue something that had consumed my thoughts ever since Klaus and I shared our first kiss.

For the first time ever, I decided to order room service. I tried a double espresso shot, which tasted terrible but did the job. It was past midnight, yet I was wide awake. I walked around my suite numerous times, even strolled up and down the hallway outside to pass the time while waiting for him. Not until ten had passed did the thought of going downstairs to check if he was with Caroline or Elena cross my mind. I reminded myself not to dwell on this being the second occasion he had missed our night together, fearing I might begin to pity myself. As the night grew darker, I wrapped the duvet cover around myself and kept a single light on in the bedroom. It cast a soft glow into the sitting room where I patiently waited for him. Feeling uncertain about what to think or say to him at this moment. This week, I found myself surprised by my own actions, not necessarily angry or upset. I allowed a stranger to remove my bra, which was completely out of character for me.

I started to wonder about Klaus's opinion of me. I worried he thought I was deliberately teasing him, telling him I was a virgin and then acted like I was…horny all the time. I simply couldn't manage to control myself or my thoughts. I just wanted to make sure he understood that I needed more. However, I wasn't entirely certain about what I needed more of.

When I heard the sound of the keycard entering the door I leaned up off the floor keeping the duvet wrapped around me as he opened the door and found me there sitting on the floor waiting for him like I was a puppy.

"It's not the way it looks."

Klaus stared at me as he used his foot to close the door behind him. He slipped his hands into his coat pockets as he slowly approached me, a smile forming on his lips as he stood above me, literally towering over me.

"I just, I thought you'd forget and then I-"

Klaus slowly knelt down in front of me keeping the weight on feet as he locked eyes with me, he then reached out and pinched the material of the duvet to pull me towards him where he placed the softest kiss upon my button nose making me pause all efforts to explain myself. He leaned back and titled his head to one side making me smile at his curiosity about how I landed up on the floor.

I finally let out a sigh that relaxed my aching shoulders.

"I married you knowing only the bad." I explained keeping my gaze fixed on his "You gotta give me the more than those eyes." I told him.

"And what crime have my eyes committed?"

"You'll make me blush. Don't." I groaned and sank my head down to the floor, my forehead brushing the delicate carpet below.

"What would you like to know?"

I shot my head up immediately not in the slightest bit bothered by what this did to my bangs.

I probably look like a dulux dog right now…

Klaus leaned backwards and slipped off his suit jacket before reaching out to remove the blanket from around me, choosing not to note that I was wearing my more comfiest so therefore my ugliest set of pajamas. Instead Klaus brought the blanket out flat on the floor and lay down on it next to me before using his arm for a pillow.

"You'll answer anything?" I asked looking down at him then.

"Within reason."

"What's within reason?"

"I'll let you know."

"So…questions like that's not your real hair won't fly huh?"

Klaus laughed so hard he almost cradled his stomach. He settled him as my mind literally raced with questions, all of them competing for the number one spot. Klaus let out a tired sigh and closed his eyes in surrender.

"Fire away."

"Well…now there's too much pressure."

"I'm not even looking at you." Klaus groaned

"But still…you're like a thousand years old. If I ask something stupid like did you have a pet when you were little instead of asking something like where were you when Kennedy was shot, you're gonna think you married an idiot."

"I don't think that."

"No?"

"A beautiful idiot maybe."

"Oh forget it." I refused to play and attempted to drag myself up to my feet when I was brought back down.

Klaus had captured me in his arms and gently brought me down to the floor with him, my head against his chest as he held me close.

"If you don't ask me something I'll take that as my que to ask you something."

"I'm an open book I already told you. Plus you know my biggest secret anyway."

"Then ask me something."

"Fine." I agreed and brought myself back upright and fixed my hair.

I stared at out at the door to my room and asked the question I wanted the answer to.

"How can this work?"

There was no response. I'd hurt his feelings and I knew it. I quickly turned around determined to apologize before I went on to say the next wrong thing when the sight before me stopped me.

Klaus hadn't replied because the question was too intense.

…he was sleeping.

Tyler Lockwood

I'd woken up to the sound of Matt's snoring and not for the first time this week either. I was rattled by the sound and even two cushions against my ears couldn't drown him out. He was exhausted, while the rest of us had missed classes Matt couldn't afford to miss a single one not with his current grades. On top of that he never missed a shift, never called in sick to help us out either, he'd finish up at work and then head over to join us. He'd gotten maybe four hours a sleep each night since they'd gone missing. He was going to crash just as hard as I did if he didn't look after himself. I headed down to the kitchen to get a glass of water or something stronger I didn't know yet. All I could think about was finding Caroline, I knew she was still alive, she was too stubborn to die. And when we did find her, I would never let anything happen to her again. This time without her, I found I could barely breath without her. I just hoped that where ever she was she knew that I loved her. That what we shared went beyond what we had together in bed.

Caroline and I expressed our love physically and that worked for us. We were the happiest couple we knew because we told each other everything, we didn't keep the truth from one another. We were honest, almost brutally honest. We talked hard and we loved hard. Caroline accepted me for who and what I was and I did the same for her. There wasn't a single thing about her that I wasn't completely in love with. I loved the fire inside her, how she could plan a party and put down anyone who threatened to crash it and ruin her hard work. What Caroline and I loved about each other was knowing we weren't destined to be together, neither one of us believed in fate, we believed in attraction and the power of our connection from it. There weren't many girls like Caroline, but what made her so great was she had no idea how amazing she was. She had her faults like everyone did I guess, she didn't like when I asked her to make my bed when we were running late for class in the morning and I knew our cleaner Helen would tell my mom I had someone over when she saw the ruffled sheets. And I guess she was right to be angry when she heard me talking to the guys about other girls, even though I made it clear to them I might rate them but there was only one queen in my heart. But all guys check out other girls we're only human.

Well some of us are close to human anyway.

I knew we would find our way back to each other. And the second after I killed the person who took her away from me we could start our lives together. I didn't know if she'd given college any thought yet but I really hoped she'd come with me to California when I moved there after high school. With my abilities I could get a sports scholarship to any college of my choosing but I wanted to be in California, out near the water with my trust fund finally in hand. I imagined Caroline and I renting a place off campus, maybe near the beach where I could surf and she could look into doing some night classes. I didn't want to sound like a jerk about it, I just figured if we were both in college together we might not see each other as much with different class schedules.

Besides after what she's been through she might not even want to think about college anymore. The truth is if she wanted to leave Mystic Falls for a while I wouldn't object, we could take a few weeks away together, somewhere with some sun and plenty of drink. We could party all night and lay in bed together all day if we wanted too. I just wanted to hold her again, I wanted to touch her, to smell that lotion she always used on her skin, the one that smelt like peppermint.

I missed her and I just hoped she knew it.

I'd kill the person who took her from me. And I'm bring her back to where she belonged, right here in my arms.

Caroline Mikaelson

"Ohhhhh my godddd Klaus!" I moaned as he tucked his hand between my legs and teased my clit as he gave it to me from behind in the shower.

Klaus pulled me close, kissing and gently nibbling on my neck as he moved inside me. His hands moved from my hips to my breasts, squeezing them firmly as the hot water cascaded over us. He'd snuck in on me on the shower and after giving me a heart attack he gave me an orgasm. We had been in the bathroom for more than an hour together, unable to see each other through the thickening steam. His movements intensified, pushing me more vigorously than our previous encounter in Utah, surprising me slightly but eager to match his pace. Klaus let out a groan and kissed me deeply as he finished inside the condom.

After we finished he left me alone to gather myself and get dressed for our flight. I opened all the windows in the bathroom and let out the steam so I could begin the necessary routine now I was now a complete hot mess. I didn't want to go down to breakfast looking the way I did right now, this face screamed one thing only and I didn't want that to be clear to them. Klaus and I had to have boundaries going forward and our sex life was now official and no longer a single time that got away from us. Klaus hadn't been with me since then, he'd respected the days he shared with Elena and April and I thought more of him for his restraint.

I'd seen him every single day since we got here and yet he seemed a little further away now. Which when I thought about it was a good thing. My nightmare was that this wouldn't work and we'd all go our separate ways breaking the spell. But instead we were all here together and choosing to be grownups about our way of life. This was everything I wanted it to be, no it was everything I dreamed it would be. But this was only the start, I knew it wouldn't remain this easy going, we weren't always going to be on vacation. The real work was in Utah where we now all called home. I actually missed my house to be honest, a house full of unopened boxes and paint samples. But I loved it none the less.

Klaus had surprised us all yesterday at breakfast he'd gone out and bought us our rings. What made us mad was that we weren't going to see them until Vegas. He assured us that we would like the designs and the sizes would fine too. He'd needed two coffees at breakfast that morning, he was tired, looked rather stiff while April was her usual cheery self with no ideas why Klaus was moving like he'd spent all night on the floor or something. Elena had been a good mood too, she'd been the first to wake up that morning and confessed later in the day that she had finally chosen a venue where she wanted her ceremony to be. We had finally agreed that avoid any mishaps Klaus would compel the owner/managers of each venue we had chosen when we arrived in Vegas and he would write them a generous check after we were done.

Our flights were already booked back to Utah as well. We would be flying out of Vegas just four hours after Klaus and April's ceremony was over. We took the flight as Klaus said he needed to get back to Utah to get something organized. What that was remained a mystery.

Yesterday we spent the entire day at the beach, it was my double day with Klaus and we had been enjoying every second of it. Although there were some new developments I nodded while we were at the beach. Klaus and April in particular were becoming closer, at one point I thought I even saw him putting his tongue in her mouth but was sure I was mistaken. They wouldn't move that fast. April was so sweet I knew they'd take things slow. Not that it was my business anyway.

At then there was another moment when April asked if Klaus could go and get us all some fruity drinks at the beach bar area. Klaus agreed and immediately reached out his hand to a sunbathing Elena. She had been minding her own business and seemed as surprised as we were when the unspoken invitation was accepted. She reached up and took his hand and he pulled her to her feet like a feather. I was jealous then, but not of Klaus holding Elena's hand all the way to the bar but it was Elena's bikini. It looked more like a push up bra with bikini bottoms. It was red, and there were a few guys checking her out, that was until they locked eyes with Klaus. I suppose it was right that he be protective of her. But I'd never seen them hold hands and especially for that length of time before. It was a bit out of nowhere and April too seemed equally as stunned by it. But when she made an attempt to discuss it, I quickly distracted myself with a magazine.

Gossip wouldn't do anything for us. We knew that.

I got dressed into a simple white blouse and black skinny jeans for the flight, clipping my hair back and adding a soft curl to my bangs which I let frame my face. I walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom to find our luggage had already been taken away. My handbag and passport were resting on the bed and all I had to do was pick up my phone in the sitting room and I was good to go. I really hoped the others weren't running late as we couldn't miss our flight.

I entered the sitting room and my eyes immediately widened to the sight in front of me. Across the room Elena was staring out the window with her back to me and Klaus was whispering in her ear with his chest against her forearm and his has hand against the small of her back edging very close to her ass. Elena slowly turned her head and lifted her eyes to look at him before he leaned in towards her lips and placed a kiss upon them that lingered.

The knock at the door than alerted them to be presents as they both looked over their shoulders in direction of the sound and found me across the room from them completely at a loss for words.