OMG I ALMOST BROKE MY LAPTOP WHILST WRITING THIS! Well actually it's my sisters laptop cause mine croaked a long time ago, but still!

Hello again! New chapter. Would hve been sooner but

a) sucky internet

b) almost dead laptop

But here it is! Also REQUESTS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ONE SHOTS AND STUFF! HAVE A FEW LINED UP BUT I NEED MORE SO GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING AND SEND THEM IN!

Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN SHIT

Never Let Me Go

7. Guilt

"So full of artless jealousy is guilt,

It spills itself in fearing to be spilt."

― William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Caroline could tell something was up. Stefan had been jittery as soon as they started driving again, after they stopped at the gas station. His usual cool, calm and collected temperament was replaced with worry and in Caroline's opinion, terrible acting. There was line etched across his forehead since he got off the phone, and he was trying, and failing, to discretely look in the rear-view mirror every two minutes. Caroline could tell Damon had noticed too. They exchanged several glances, as if silently asking each other what the hell was wrong with him. Stefan didn't seem to notice. He continued to pretend to look calm, whilst keeping such a tight grip on the steering wheel his knuckles had turned white. Caroline knew it had something to do with that phone call, but she didn't pry. No matter how much she wanted to. She had enough problems of her own. Like why Matthew wanted her so badly. And what they hell happened in the alley. She was hoping and praying that this woman that Stefan knew would have some answers, or at least point them in the right direction where they could find some. Caroline sighed heavily. The car had been silent since the gas station, what with Stefan brooding, Caroline overthinking and Damon thinking god knows what. It had gotten dark, the once blue sky turning a dark navy, the moon and stars the only light source. Even though they could easily keep going, Stefan knew that Caroline needed rest. It had been a stressful couple of days and frankly, they were all wiped. So, when they spotted a rickety old sign advertising a motel, Stefan reluctantly took the next exit. They were all glad to get out of the stuffy, awkward silence filled car.

Once inside the motel, they hauled their bags out of the trunk, including a cool box filled with blood bags and the snacks they bought at the gas station. Checking in, Stefan thought it was a good idea if they share the one room, wanting to keep an eye on Caroline. Nobody objected and they couldn't help the relief wash over them when the mousy girl behind the desk told them there was a room available with three single beds. Given the key to room 26, they brought their bags up, nobody uttering a word, each lost in their own thoughts.

The only sound that could be heard was the rustling of the wind through the tall trees. No one had said anything for what felt like an eternity, they both just stared at each other, their arms folded. Bonnie sighed.

"Look Klaus, I get that you're worried about Caroline, but she's probably fine. Damon and Stefan are with her."

Bonnie was desperately trying to get the original off of her door step, but to no such avail. He wasn't leaving. Klaus laughed, or more barked, at her attempt to reassure him.

"Do you honestly believe that, dear Mrs Bennett? Tell me Bonnie, when was the last time the Salvatore Brothers executed a plan of theirs without casualties?"

Bonnie shuffled on the spot nervously, failing to think of a situation that met that certain criterion. Klaus continued.

"Also, didn't you say that little Elena wasn't on this trip? Do you really think the Salvatores are going to be able to function without worrying about whatever mess she might get herself into? Face it Bonnie. You and I both know everybody comes second to Elena Gilbert in the Salvatore Brothers minds. They won't be able to keep a stake entering Caroline's heart because their minds are always drifting to the antics of Elena."

Bonnie knew this wasn't completely true. Stefan and Damon knew how to defend themselves and others. And they both care about Caroline, well Stefan does, and they have saved her before, but Bonnie wasn't in the mood to argue with him. It was past midnight and the air was extremely cold. Bonnie could feel the hairs on her arms rising in an attempt to trap some heat, and her skimpy shorts weren't helping the situation.

"Fine, I'll help you." Bonnie grumbled, admitting defeat.

Klaus' face lit up at the prospect of an ally, even a slightly unwilling one.

"But I'm not inviting you in." Bonnie continued sternly and stalked off to her bedroom to get the things she needed and change into something warmer. Klaus huffed. She was a piece of work.

The air was hot and sticky as Sophie continued to chop furiously. She reached up to her forehead, wiping the sweat off with the back of her hand. She was making a desperate attempt to distract herself, making enough Gumbo to feed several armies. Sophie knew how important the plan was and that her and Sabine needed to execute their part perfectly, no mistakes. But she couldn't help the nervous feeling she got in the pit of her stomach. This plan went against a lot of her morals and she honestly didn't know if she could go through with it. She was shaking so much she had almost cut off her fingers multiple times. She set down her knife, leaned against the counter and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"It needs to be done. It needs to be done." Sophie whispered to herself over and over again, trying to convince herself.

She quickly straightened herself up, hearing a familiar voice coming her way. Sabine skipped into the kitchen, jumping onto the stool across from Sophie, a wide grin spread across her face.

"What are you so happy about?" Sophie grumbled as she tossed the vegetables into a pot. Sabine looked at her in disbelief.

"Are you kidding? Why are you so grumpy? We are being trusted to execute something insanely huge! This stuff is going to make history!" Sabine told her excitedly.

Sophie sighed as she brought the pot over to the stove.

"Yeah, but doesn't this feel kinda wrong? I mean, I know what this could mean for us, but I feel kind of guilty."

Sabine shrugged. "Everyone has to make sacrifices."

Even though she was completely exhausted, she couldn't seem to lull herself to sleep. She quietly pulled off the covers and made her way to the door, careful to tread softly, not wanting to wake the boys. She turned the door knob and slipped outside, being hit with a blast of cool air. She sighed happily. She didn't notice how stuffy that room was. She made a left from their room, hoping a walk would help clear her head. She didn't get very far when she saw a dark figure sitting on the steps. As she got closer she realised who it was. Damon. How did she notice he was gone? Or that he had left? She was awake the whole time. She almost felt bad for being so oblivious, too wrapped up in her own thoughts. She walked towards him, only a few steps behind him.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

His head whipped around, his eyes following her as she sat down on the step beside him. Caroline noticed a set of keys in his hands. They were being passed around his fingers and he would switch between the three keys on the key ring, running his fingers over them and moving them in different directions. He was fidgeting. Caroline had never seen him fidget, ever. He was always so calm and acted like he what he was doing all the time. He didn't fidget.

"Are you worried about Elena?" Caroline asked curiously. That was the only explanation she could come up with for his behaviour.

Damon winced internally. He had only thought about Elena once the whole trip and that was after she had texted him telling him how much she had missed him, not three hours after he left. He hadn't replied. He did feel kind of guilty. Shouldn't he be thinking about his girlfriend all the time, worrying about what she's getting up to, missing her constantly? Not being slightly relieved that he doesn't have to deal with her. That's not how relationships should be.

"Actually, I was worrying about you and all the shit that's happening."

Caroline cocked her head to the side.

"I mean, all this that's happened is really weird and mysterious and I have literally no idea what's going to happen and I don't like uncertainty. Especially about tomorrow. Things could go really wrong and I don't want any of us, especially you, to get hurt Blondie."

Caroline smiled. "Thanks Damon. And I'm sure everything will be fine tomorrow. Nothing we can't handle."

Damon nodded and smiled at her attempt to reassure him. He then felt her rest her head on his shoulder. She was nice when she wasn't being a raging lunatic with a smart mouth that hated his guts. And she seemed to handle these situations better than Elena. He winced at the thought.

The light coming from the lamp on Bonnie's porch was helping with the darkness of the night. They had a large map spread across the porch floor as they were in the middle of doing a locator spell. Klaus alternated between looking at Bonnie with her eyes closed, chanting the spell and the map as the blood moved across the states. Since Bonnie had basically barricaded herself inside, desperate to have a night of normalcy without disruptions, she had no idea where Caroline was. She didn't even know she left until Klaus informed her. And Klaus was against the idea of Bonnie just ringing Caroline, asking where she was. So they were performing a locator spell. The blood suddenly stopped one state over from where they currently were.

"South Carolina. A motel called 'Bluebell Motel'." Bonnie stated as she blew out the candles and picked herself off the floor.

He was just about to thank her before she waltzed back inside and slammed the door. Klaus smiled to himself. However annoying she can be, she was useful. He would have to get someone to stay and keep an eye on her.

A/N: And there you have it! Review Request and NEXT CHAPTER IS GOING BE BADASS! Until next time...