It feels like an eternity since I've last spoken to Caroline. I hate to admit it, but I miss her presence. She is the sunshine in my cloudy, dark world. A shot of espresso that you need to feel alive in the mornings. It feels foreign to feel this about someone else, but this is the truth. Caroline Forbes makes me feel alive.

The glow of the lamp cast Damon in golden light as he thumbed through Emily's grimoire, his expression unreadable. Felix stood by the window, looking out and admiring the scenery in front of him. Stefan entered the room, his anxiety palpable.

"Anna took Elena." Stefan announced, his voice tight with urgency.

Damon, not bothering to look up, replied. "Yeah, I got that from your six hundred voicemails."

Stefan's frustration boiled over as he closed the distance between them. "Damon, all night long, I've searched every street in this town. What if your blood hasn't passed out of her system?"

Damon's smirk was as infuriating. "Well, then at least you'll know you'll see her again."

Felix was aware of what had happened between the two brothers. He might not have been there, but Stefan had filled him in. Damon had found out Stefan and Elena were not really going to help him and in retaliation, he fed Elena some of his blood. It was a low and cruel move, but it got him what he wanted which was Emily's grimoire.

Just Damon, doing typical Damon things. Getting what he wanted without a care in the world for the consequences of his actions.

"Please," Stefan said, his tone begging. "You were with Anna. You must know where she's hiding. Just tell me where to find her."

Damon finally set the grimoire aside, his eyes locking on Stefan. "Nope. You can go. Really."

Felix's voice cut through the tension. "Damon, this isn't a game. If Anna has Elena, you know how serious this is."

He knew where they were and he could easily tell Stefan, but he wanted to at least give Damon the chance to do something good.

Damon leaned back, his tone flippant. "I don't owe you answers, Felix. Or you, Stefan."

Stefan's voice dropped, heavy with regret. "All I can remember is hating you. Maybe there was a time when it was different, but your choices erased anything good about you." Damon's smirk wavered as Stefan pressed on. "But I also know you have every reason to hate me. Katherine was taken because of me, and for that, I'm sorry."

Damon's expression hardened. "Apology accepted."

"So please," Stefan pleaded, standing to face his brother, "it's Elena. If you know something, tell me."

Damon's gaze burned cold as he stood. "I mean this sincerely: I hope Elena dies." He brushed past Stefan, his dismissal absolute.

As Damon walked off, Felix stepped closer to Stefan, ready to tell the truth. "I know where Anna is, I know where you can find them."

Stefan whipped around, stunned. "What? How?"

Felix hesitated, his jaw tightening. "She's working with Alexander, he is an old friend of mine. We met in London a few years after I turned. They're together, the two of them. Even since 1864, I just don't think he was in Mystic Falls at the time."

Stefan's shock quickly turned to anger. "You knew? All this time, you've been sitting on this while Elena's life was in danger?"

"I didn't think he'd go this far." Felix shot back. "Alexander doesn't usually take things to this level, well I thought he wouldn't. But it seems his love for Anna is making him resort to extremes, he really wants to open the tomb. Not for the other vampires, but for Anna's mother."

Stefan clenched his fists, his fury barely contained. "We don't have time for this. Take me to her. Now."

Obeying Stefan's request, the pair immediately made their way to where Felix knew Alexander was staying. The motel was eerily quiet as Stefan and Felix approached the room. Felix gestured for silence as they crept closer. With one swift motion, Stefan kicked the door open, the sound reverberating through their nearby surroundings.

Inside, Alexander sat in a chair, his eyes fixed on Elena and Bonnie, who were huddled together. The two gasped at the sudden intrusion, seizing the opportunity to dart past Stefan and Felix.

"Go!" Stefan called, his focus locked on Alexander.

Alexander stood, his composure unbroken. "Well, this is awkward. Would you believe me if I said this isn't what it looks like?"

Stefan stepped forward, his voice icy. "You're holding them hostage. What else could it be?"

Felix placed a hand on Stefan's arm, his tone warning. "Let me handle this."

Turning to Alexander, Felix's disappointment was evident. "You've crossed a line, Alexander. I covered for you, I didn't tell Stefan of your arrival and your involvement, and this is how you repay me?"

Alexander's expression flickered with guilt but quickly hardened. "I never asked you to do any of those things. You knew I wanted to open the tomb. Let's just say we needed some leverage."

Stefan cut in, his patience gone. "Leave town. Now. The only reason I'm not ending this here is out of respect for Felix. But if I see you again-"

Alexander raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. You see, I'll be here as long as Anna is here. So you better get used to seeing my face, mate."

Stefan's eyes burned with anger. Felix stepped in front of him, his voice low. "What you did was wrong, Alexander. You put innocent lives at risk. Next time, our friendship won't save you."

And with that, both Felix and Stefan turned and left Alexander on his own in the motel room.

-

There was a change of plans as Elena had convinced Bonnie to open the tomb, it was the only way for Damon to stop causing all this havoc. They knew that whatever they did, it wouldn't deter Damon from his goal.

They made their way through the cold night air to the Fell Church only to be greeted by laughter and music. Stefan and Bonnie were already there, waiting by the sealed tomb.

"Oh no," Elena realised, "the party..."

Before they could proceed, Caroline and Matt appeared from the darkness. Caroline's face lit up with surprise. "Elena! Felix! What are you doing here? There's a party tonight!"

She had completely ignored Damon which Felix found humorous but he kept it to himself.

Damon groaned, visibly irritated. "This is a waste of time. Felix, why don't you keep Blondie entertained here. That shouldn't be too much to ask."

Without another word, he stalked off toward the tomb, Elena following close behind.

Caroline tilted her head at Felix, eyebrows raised. "What's going on?"

Felix forced a tight smile. "Nothing to worry about. Let's check out this party you're so excited about."

He walked with Caroline and Matt, with Matt leaving shortly after to find Tyler. The noise was so loud he could barely hear Caroline talking on about whatever was going on in her life. He was glad she was back to her usual self, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, part of him did miss her presence.

He enjoyed her company. She was a reminder of the humanity he felt he had lost, her optimism and warmth chipping away at his hard exterior. He even laughed at her jokes, a rare sound that surprised them both.

"You know," she said, nudging him playfully, "you're not as broody as you let on. Almost fun, even."

Felix smiled. "Don't get used to it."

"So," she said, twirling a strand of her golden hair, "how is it you're always so mysterious? It's like you show up, say something broody, and then vanish."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think you noticed."

Caroline smirked. "Oh, I notice. You're like the Batman of Mystic Falls. Always lurking. Sometimes saving the day."

Felix chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rare, genuine smile. "Maybe I like lurking. It's peaceful."

"Or maybe you're hiding." Caroline said, her tone lighter than her words. Felix's smile faded slightly, and she backpedalled. "I mean, not that it's bad! Everyone needs their space."

"Now I hate to fit the stereotype you've got for me," Felix said, turning to Caroline, "but I have to excuse myself."

Caroline laughed although a part of her was hurt, she enjoyed his company. "Saving the day again?"

Felix chuckled. "You could say that. Someone has to keep an eye out on the Salvatore brothers. I'll see you around Caroline."

He made his way to the tomb. The tension was thick when he arrived. Stefan had just rushed inside after hearing Elena scream, and Bonnie was frantically searching through the grimoire. Upon seeing Stefan rush in, Felix's instinct was to follow.

"Felix!" Bonnie snapped. "You can't go in there. Vampires can't get out."

Bonnie's grandmother spoke. "Even if we could weaken the seal, it would be temporary. We might not be able to put it back up."

"We have to try," Bonnie insisted. "Help me, or I'll do it myself."

Elena arrived at the entrance. "Stefan...he's right behind me."

Her heart dropped when she saw him standing in the doorway, his expression sad.

"Stefan, what are you doing?" she demanded.

"We're working on it." Bonnie told Elena frantically. Elena was then filled in on what spell was on the tomb.

"I heard you scream." Stefan said simply, his eyes locked on Elena's.

Elena grabbed his arm. "You can't stay in there. We promised Damon."

Felix looked at the dark entrance where Stefan currently was. He also knew there was something he could do, he knew he could help. Yet, his self-preservation outweighed his guilt. He couldn't reveal his secret, not after close to a century and a half of living like this. It was too risky, he couldn't do it.

Bonnie and her grandmother began to work together, chanting and soon it seemed the spell was working. Felix could feel the magic.

As the spell lifted, Anna and Pearl emerged first, their faces pale. Alex trailed behind, his face unreadable as he exchanged a glance with Felix, who stood rigid near the entrance.

Finally, Stefan reappeared with Damon, his steps heavy with defeat. His voice was low and bitter when he saw Felix. "She wasn't there. Katherine wasn't there."

Felix was shocked. What did he mean? Why wasn't Katherine in the tomb she was meant to be in?

-

The Salvatore mansion was eerily silent as Felix lounged in the dimly lit study. He swirled the liquid in his glass absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting back to the party and Caroline's unrelenting optimism. For a moment, she had pulled him away from the gnawing emptiness he often felt - but the night had taken a darker turn.

"She wasn't there." Damon repeated, tossing his jacket onto a chair. He had just come back from talking to Anna and Pearl.

Felix sat up straighter, his dark eyes narrowing. He hadn't had a chance to properly talk to Damon about the realisation. "What do you mean she wasn't there? The entire point was to find her."

Damon met his gaze. "She's alive. She's been alive this whole time."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Stefan crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.

Damon continued. "She escaped the tomb years ago, Felix. She knew where we were. She just didn't care enough to come back."

For a moment, Felix didn't respond. His grip on the glass tightened, and his expression hardened into something feral. Then, with a roar of rage, he hurled the glass across the room. It shattered against the wall, sending shards and bourbon spraying onto the floor.

Stefan and Damon exchanged wary looks as Felix surged to his feet, his chest heaving. "She was never in there?" he spat, his voice trembling with anger. "She's been out there all this time, playing her twisted games and living her life? Like nothing ever happened?"

"Seems so." Damon said dryly, though there was a hint of unease in his voice.

Felix turned on him, his fury unabated. "Don't you dare take this lightly. She's a parasite - a bloody manipulative coward who always gets her way. She's not meant to be alive!"

Stefan stepped forward cautiously. "Felix, calm down. What do you mean she's not meant to be alive?"

Felix realised he had said too much, but quickly came up with a lie. "How can she cheat death? She was shot and taken away. Fine, Damon brokered a deal with Emily to save her but at least she was locked up. Now all this time you're telling me neither has happened to her and she's just been living her life?"

Silence.

Stefan approached his friend. "Felix you should calm-"

Felix laughed bitterly. "Calm? You want me to calm down? After everything she did - everything we lost because of her - you want me to calm down?"

He slammed his fist onto the desk, splintering the wood.

"Look at what she did to you. Your brotherhood was ruined because of her. I remember how we used to be, how close all of us were before she entered our lives! I told both of you what would happen - both of you were too blinded by your love for her to see her for what she really was! Stefan, she bloody compelled you to drink her blood, she's the reason you're a vampire. And Damon, you didn't even want to turn once you realised she wasn't here. This whole eternity of misery bullshit you've got between the two of you. Who caused that? Katherine!"

There was no woman he loathed more than Katherine. How she ruined the two brothers just for her own personal gain.

She just had to have them both.

Stefan and Damon didn't know how to respond. It had been a long time since they saw Felix as enraged as he was now. It was unusual.

"Stopping her isn't enough." Felix spat, turning to the shattered glass on the floor.

"For her, there's only one end."