Grey Areas {TVD}

Chapter 7

Nik POV

"When did they start getting worse?" Toby demanded as soon as I had recovered enough to converse,

Sighing I took another swig of medication from the bourbon decanter, "About 17 years ago" I admitted,

Immediately it clicked in his head, "The Doppelganger"

"Yep" I agreed popping the P, "Her presence must be drawing out my other side"

"You need to keep that with you" He ordered pointing at the hip flask that was ordained with Keltic design, "Otherwise It'll just get worse"

Reluctantly, I placed the flask in my pocket, "I hate this thing" I groaned, already feeling the side effects starting,

"I know Nick" Toby sighed placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, "But you need to take it or you know what will happen"

With one final nod in his direction, and after quickly finishing off the glass of bourbon I held, I sped up to my room, to get some sleep before school in the morning.

-- Line Break --

For the rest of that week I got myself integrated into Mystic Falls life. Seeing as I was a centuries old vampire, I was already acing all my classes in school. Throughout the week, I spent more and more time with Caroline. Getting to know her more and more, whilst letting her know bits about me. Since that night I hadn't had another account, but I'd been taking medication more often so that's to be expected.

Eventually the night of the party came around, Toby was unsure about me going, but when I reminded him who was in charge he stepped back and allowed it.

I'd gone with my usual casual wear. Or my usual casual at the moment. You see if I was out in the world, being my usual self, I would more often than not be found wearing an expensive two piece suit, sometimes three piece, suit. A habit I picked up from an old friend.

But today, I was wearing a navy blue leather jacket with dark blue jeans, black combat boots and a black t-shirt with a blue bird logo on it. I think it was from some comic book, I can't remember when I bought it.

But anyways, along with the outfit, I had my daylight ring as always, and my hip flask was hidden away in my inside pocket.

Satisfied, I sped into the kitchen and pulled out a blood bag before Toby had even noticed me. I was casually sipping on it while checking the headlines on the newspaper when one in particular stood out to me, "Turner Industries acquires New Orleans land" I read aloud,

Toby turned to me with a sheepish smile, "Err, yeah I decided that it would be a good place to build some new houses"

"What land did you buy Tobias" I demanded. He could tell I was annoyed by the use of his full name, so instead of cracking a joke he just looked at the ground in shame,

"The Bayou" He admitted,

Instantly I had him pinned against the wall, my hand was around his throat and squeezed ever so slightly, "You're going to destroy the Bayou?" I growled, my eyes turning dark along with my veins,

"No- not any- more" He stammered out. But he couldn't,

I released him and let him fall to the floor, gasping for breath, "Shit Toby I'm so sorry" I told him pulling him upwards,

He waved me off, rubbing his throat slightly, "Relax Nick, I understand"

"Thank you old friend" I told him before turning around and speeding off into my car, heading for the Lockwood estate,

-- Line Break --

"Nick!" I immediately heard the voice of Caroline Forbes call out to me,

Turning around I let out a soft smile at the sight of the blonde running towards me. She leapt at me, straight into my arms thankfully so I could catch her, "Hello Love" I greeted smirking at her,

"Hi" She greeted with a similar smirk. I was holding her bridal style. Her arms around my neck as I did,

"Can I put you down now?" I asked her, "I've not had anything to drink yet"

She shook her head and then lay it on my shoulder, "Your warm" She mumbled into my shoulder,

"And you're already drunk Miss Forbes" I laughed, heading towards the house, "Let's find you somewhere quiet hey love" I whispered placing a kiss on her forehead as she nuzzled into my shoulder. As I approached the front door, I was met by Tyler,

"Nick!" He exclaimed before noticing the blonde I was carrying, "Ah. I see she found you"

Chuckling nervously I nodded, "That she did. You got somewhere quiet I could take her mate?"

"Yeah sure" He agreed gesturing for me to follow him. I went to do just that when I realised I couldn't cross the threshold. The lockwood turned around and gave me a funny look, "What are you doing? Come in"

Letting loose a soft breath I walked in, still carrying Caroline with me as Tyler lead me through the house. When he took me inside a bedroom, I lay Care onto the bed gently, "Thanks Tyler" I acknowledged the boy, "I'll look after her"

"You sure? I can ring her mom if you thi-" He started suggesting but I waved him off,

"Don't worry about it mate, she's the only reason I'm actually here" I admitted to him.

A smirk wormed its way onto his face, "Take care of her Nick. Don't hurt her"

"I would never do anything to her while she's like this" I started to deny his concerns when I saw his look and knew he didn't mean right now. I nodded seriously, which was clearly good enough for him because he walked off.

Turning back to the half conscious blonde I sighed, "You probably won't remember any of this tomorrow morning" I told her, "So I suppose it doesn't matter what I say"

She mumbled something under her breath, normally I wouldn't catch it but with advance hearing I heard her perfectly. She'd mumbled my name,

I moved some hair out of her face and smiled at her softly, "I'm here love" I reassured her, "God I don't know how you've done this to me" I told her, "I swore I'd never feel anything serious for anyone ever again. Sure I've had the occasional fling, you don't live as long as I do without flings" I chuckled softly, "But you Forbsey. In just a week you've managed to make me doubt that promise. For the first time in 300 years I'm starting to feel something for you"

As sighed and ran a hand through my hair, I felt a hand on my knee. Looking down I saw that Caroline was reaching out for me. So I took her hand in my own and kissed he knuckles, "I hope you don't remember this because otherwise it would be very difficult to explain tomorrow" I laughed, "But you are special Caroline Forbes" I cupped her cheek with my hand, "So special"

She stirred when I cupped her cheek and she slowly opened her eyes, "Nik?" She asked when she caught sight of me,

"Hiya love" I greeted squeezing her hand softly, "You alright"

Sleepily she nodded, "Now that you're here" She told me,

Butterflies. I somehow felt butterflies after all these years. What was this girl doing to me.

"I'm glad Care" I replied,

"Stay with me" She asked, giving me those puppy dog eyes I would ever be able to resist,

I nodded, "Of course love" I agreed and lay down next to her. Immediately she cuddled up to my side and wrapped her arms around my torso,

"Promise you won't leave me Nick" She mumbled into my shoulder, "I don't want anyone else to leave"

I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, "I will never leave you Caroline"

"You're perfect" She giggled, still into my shoulder,

I leant my head against hers, closed my eyes and sighed, "No I'm not Care. I'm anything but. I've done things, bad bad things. Some I'll never admit to you or anyone else"

"I don't care" She admitted, "You are perfect to me"

I looked at her in surprise. Only to find her finally asleep on my shoulder,

"Sleep Well Caroline"

~ 1390 ~