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"I came back to you broken and I've been away too long. I hear the words I've spoken and everything comes out wrong."

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AFTER I let the truth sink in about who really turned me and I explained in gruesome detail what happened, the mood seemed to die out, diminishing like a lantern running out of oil. We sat there, staring at the moon reflecting on the small pond not really knowing what to say. Frankly we don't have to say anything. I'm quite comfortable sitting beside James, thinking about the memories Klaus gave me, specifically the one about James and I.

For once I feel different, a good kind of different too. Not the kind of different I felt after walking out of the tomb, seeing my brothers for the first time after 145 years, or seeing Elijah and James- two unfamiliar faces from my past- for the first time. This time I feel like I gained back part of myself. When I killed Mikael instead of Klaus, I thought everything was over. Now I realize it's only the beginning. It'll take time and be filled with more pain and surprises, but I know I can do it.

With James by my side, his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulder and my head leaning against his chest, we both fall asleep, forgetting about all the problems that linger in the back of our minds.

∆  ∆  ∆

The next morning I'm confused to say the least to see I'm back in my room, the blankets draped over me, my clothes from yesterday still on and covered with leaves. I smile to myself remembering the peaceful time James and I had last night, but I know as soon as I walk downstairs, reality will be waiting to punch me right in the face.

Prepared to take a hit, I change and have a shower before heading downstairs where James, Damon and Joel are sitting on stools in the kitchen.

"What did I walk in on?" I ask.

"Oh good, now that we're all here let's start. Now who's going to tell me where Rebekah went?" Damon questions, his gaze landing directly on me.

"What the hell? Why do you think it's me?" I argue with a shake of my head.

"You seem to be so keen on saving Mikaelsons rather than killing them, so I thought it was a fair guess." Damon shrugs.

"I just want to point out that Mikael was technically a Mikaelson," Joel interrupts.

Damon turns to Joel with his arms crossed. "Thank you Joel, for that useless piece of information," he sneers before turning back to me. "Lets not ignore the elephant in the room. The real reason Klaus is not dead is standing right in front of me," Damon says.

"You know what?" I say, lunging to Damon as James holds me back.

"Let's stop throwing accusations, please," James warns as he pushes me behind him, stepping in the middle of Damon and I. When we were little Damon and I use to wrestle for fun, and soon enough I would use the moves that he taught me against him when we argued. Seeing as I was younger and smaller, he would never actually fight me but instead let me win. Now that we're both vampires we have the chance to actually fight without worrying about the consequences.

Before Damon can argue, Elena bursts through the front door, practically stomping her way into the kitchen with an exasperated look on her face.

"Are you guys talking about Klaus? Yeah? Okay I want in. I've had enough of him," Elena spits out, a very distinct smell radiating off of her.

"Jesus," I mutter.

"What's got you so moody?" Damon asks.

"Really Damon, like you have to ask?" I chuckle.

"What?" he questions obliviously.

"Oh don't all pretend you can't smell it. Is it that time of the month for you Elena?" I laugh.

Joel lets out a snort beside me and I send him a smile, but James nudges Joel's shoulder harshly making him stop. Instead Joel stands there with his shoulders moving up and down as he attempts to hold in his laugh. A glare from James forces me to hold in my laughter as well. However, behind James's glare I can see a small smile forming.

I don't feel bad, as I'm only stating the obvious. Everybody else is just too kind to admit it.

"Are you sure your humanity is back on Blair, because you sure seem extremely heartless," Damon growls.

"No, Damon. She just turned it back on and her emotions are everywhere at the moment. Maybe it wouldn't kill to show a little support for your sister," James suggests in a civilized way.

"You want me to support someone who took away our only chance at killing Klaus?" Damon exclaims with immense anger.

"When are you going to let it go Damon? I didn't have a choice!" I suddenly yell.

"Yes you did! You chose to kill Mikael because he reminded you of our idiot father!" Damon argues.

"Yeah, and also because Stefan told me not to. Little did you and I know that Klaus had all his hybrids compelled to rip out your heart the moment he died!" I bellow, casuing the room to go silent. I take in a deep breath to calm myself down. "Stefan did it to save you," I say before I storm out of the house.

I walk out and slam the door only to realize I have no car. Finding a replacement hasn't really been a top priority, rather than just something else needing to be added to my list of problems.

Elena walks out a moment later, and to my surprise she comes up to me despite the comment I made about her moments ago. "Do you wanna come and help us surprise Caroline for her birthday today?" she asks me.

I furrow my brows in confusion. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because I know you and Caroline are pretty close, closer than you are with Bonnie and I, and I think she would like to see you there," Elena says sincerely.

I sigh as I weigh my options. "Sure, I'll go," I agree as we walk to her car.

∆ ∆ ∆

"Why the hell are we going to surprise Caroline in a tomb thing in a cemetery? I don't know if you guys know this, but birthdays are usually celebrated with tequila, not tears. Not to mention I practically died in one of these things," I remark as Matt, Bonnie, Elena and I all wait for Tyler to bring Caroline on this chilly night.

"Oh my god Blair, I'm so sorry I totally forgot. We can move the party somewhere else if this makes you uncomfortable," Elena says, remembering where I spent 145 years of my life.

"I'll be good thanks as long as someone brought alcohol," I assure her.

"I brought Tequila," Matt says, holding up a bottle.

"Oh good!" I cheer.

Just then I can hear footsteps right outside the tomb as Tyler and Caroline make their way inside. As soon as they enter Bonnie lights up all the candles with her magic earning a gasp of surprise from Caroline as she sees us all here.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" we all chant.

Caroline cracks a huge smile and makes her gaze around the group, landing on me. "Thank you guys, really," she says before turning to look at everyone else. "Why are we celebrating my birthday in a cemetery?" .

"My exact thoughts," I mutter.

"Because Care, you were right earlier. Technically, you're dead so I thought we should have a funeral. Today we say goodbye to the old Caroline, and hello to the new," Elena says.

"Here lies Caroline Forbes; cheerleader, Miss Mystic Falls, third grade hop scotch champion," Elena begins.

"Friend, daughter, over achiever," Bonnie continues.

"Girlfriend and optimist," Tyler adds.

"Mean girl- sometimes no offence-," Matt says with a laugh.

"But most importantly, she was a lifesaver even if she didn't know it herself," I say with a small smile.

"She was 17 and had a great life. Here may she rest in peace so she can move forwards," Elena concludes, raising her glass.

As everyone passes out glasses we all cheer and indulge in slices of cake. Although I never liked the idea of celebrating Caroline's birthday in a tomb, I understand now why Elena did it, and the smile on Caroline's face is the only satisfaction I need. Seeing Caroline move forwards with her life is exactly what I need to do, and I know if she can do it, I can do it.

∆ ∆ ∆

The next two hours or so are spent finishing the bottle of tequila while we all share stories of Caroline while she was young. Although I can't really say much seeing I've only known Caroline since she was a vampire, I enjoy listening and frankly I'm surprised I'm even bonding with people who hate me.

"Hey, where did Caroline go anyways?" I ask while chugging down a shot.

"She left a while ago with Tyler," Elena says with a wink.

They all exchange glances and giggle, but I can't help but be suspicious. I don't trust Tyler Lockwood one bit, especially since he's sired to Klaus.

"I'll be back," I say as I put down my drink.

I walk out into the crisp cold air of the dark forest, listening for sounds and following footsteps while using my phone as a flashlight. In the distance I hear a faint whimper, a cry even sounding like a female.

"Caroline?" I call out.

"Blair?" I hear her croak from a distance.

I sprint over to her voice finding her leaning against a tree for support with a single bite mark on her collarbone. It's not just any bite mark- it's a hybrid bite. My stomach drops and my hands clench into fists as I bend down to her.

"Did Tyler do this?" I gasp.

She nods. "Go g-get the o-others," she whimpers.

I nod and sprint back to the tomb but no one is there. Everything from the party is there, but no one is in sight. With no time to solve this mystery I sprint back to Caroline and pick her up using all of my vampire strength to hull her back to the car. To my surprise Elena's car is still there with the key inside, so I use it to drive Caroline out of here.

"Take me to my mom," Caroline demands, groaning in agony from the back seat.

"Okay, almost there Care," I assure her as I press all the way down on the gas.

I call out to James, not really sure whaat to do. "James, Caroline's been bit by Tyler. She wants me to take her to her mom's house but I don't know what to do. It looks bad, just as bad as Damon's when he was bit...," I say, starting to panic.

"You're going to have to call Klaus," he says.

I stay silent for a minute, fear racing through me as I realize that he's right. I don't want anything to do with Klaus, but I have to in order to save Caroline.

"Blair?" James calls out again.

"Still here," I say.

"I'm on my way over now," he says.

I take in a deep breath as I pull out my phone, texting Klaus. Minutes later we arrive at the doorstep of the Forbes home and I don't even bother knocking. I go to walk inside but I'm pushed backwards, not invited in.

"Oh my god, Caroline?" Sheriff Forbes gapes, coming to the door. "You can come in, Blair."

"Tyler Lockwood bit her," I explain while carrying Caroline to her bed.

"What do we do?" the Sheriff asks desperately.

"I've already alerted Klaus," I say. "Now we just hope he answers in time."

I stay seated on the side of Caroline's bed, holding her hand as her mom grabs a cool cloth to place over her forehead. She's sweaty and pale, all the symptoms of a wolf bite seeming to be appearing faster. It's most likely due to the hybrid bite- it must be a stronger concentration of wolf toxin.

Moments later, James knocks on the door and Sheriff Forbes goes to answer it.

"Ms. Forbes," I hear James greet. "May I come in?"

"Yes, you can come in," she agrees, letting him pass her. He meets me in Caroline's room where she's struggling to maintain steady breaths, the wound growing larger and larger by the minute.

"Hey, did you call him?" James asks. I nod just as there's another knock on the door.

Sheriff Forbes invites Klaus in without even thinking, letting him join us in Caroline's room. As soon as he enters I stand up and raise my hand, slapping it hard across his face.

"You basterd." I growl. "You made Tyler do this. She's not part of this revenge you and Stefan have," I say.

Klaus turns back to face me, a grin on his face as his eyes go wide. "I think we all know Stefan's not the only one part of this plan," Klaus says, turning to James.

James stands at my side, his hands in clenched in fists tightly. With my emotions bouncing off the walls, I find one particular one to grab onto and focus on it.

"Just do what you need to do, and leave," I snap, leaving Caroline's room with James behind me.

We stand outside the room in the kitchen with our backs against the wall. I fold my arms across my chest as my feet taps on the floor, anxiety consuming me.

I suddenly turn to the sink, turning both hot and cold taps on so water forcefully flows out.

"Whatever we're planning on doing with these coffins, we need to do it soon. I don't want anyone else to get hurt," I whisper.

"I know," he agrees. I look up and see a small smile formed on his lips.

"What?" I question.

"You know only you would get away with slapping Klaus without your heart getting ripped out of your chest," James says.

I cock my head to the side. "Why?" I ask.

Before he can answer Klaus steps out from Caroline's room sending James and I standing straight, my hands reaching to turn off the sink.

"I'll have you know that whatever game you two and your siblings are playing, I can play along too. Stefan may have won today, but there's always another round," Klaus says deviously.

"Very true, but you see the only advantage we have is sibling power, which is something you my friend are lacking," I smirk, patting him on the shoulder.

"Not for long," Klaus scowls before walking away, no doubt planning on how he wants to execute his next plan.

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[completed & edited: 08/19/2021]