The next week passed awkwardly for the three of them, well for Charlotte and Stefan, Klaus wasn't bothered by any of it only mildly amused. Stefan was worried about the relationship between Klaus and Charlotte, worried Klaus was weaselling his way in and that Charlotte was going to get taken advantage of. He could see the way Klaus would watch Charlotte, eyes flitting to the bruise on her neck, he didn't trust Klaus and didn't want him any closer to her than Stefan could help.

The bruise on her neck was almost faded but she'd taken to gathering her hair on the side so that it was hidden. She didn't like the way she would catch Klaus looking at it, brows furrowed and lips pursed. Then when she turned to Stefan, she'd catch him glaring through the mirror at Klaus.

Covering it up was just easier for everyone.

Charlotte was doing what she could to keep her distance from Klaus, trying to keep the peace between Stefan and Klaus. Secretly, she was a little sick of Stefans brooding, his watchful eyes over every interaction with Klaus. She was sick of the way Klaus would taunt Stefan, making jokes about his gloomy mood and tension.

He'd given Charlotte a little space, letting her tug her hand from his and walk beside Stefan at least, a vague improvement. They were back to sleeping in the car again, driving through the night in silence or with the radio on low. Klaus and Stefan had phones to fiddle on at least while they relaxed but Charlotte had nothing so when the silence rang out and no one wanted the radio on she was struck with frustration and boredom.

Charlotte was over it.

She was bored, she felt gross, and her body was sore from constantly being so cramped. She didn't like the guilt she felt every time she saw Stefans face watching her and she didn't like Klaus' each time he managed to rile Stefan up. She was over being in a car for days straight with nothing to do. She missed her relationship with Stefan and she missed Damon immensely. She wanted to ask Klaus to let her call him again but she didn't trust him not to use it as an opportunity to taunt Stefan in some way.

Klaus was being generous. Allowing Charlotte a chance to repair her relationship with her brother by stepping back from her a little.

Who was he to care what she did or how she felt, she was here with them because Klaus wanted her here. He wanted her here to punish her brother Damon for his indiscretions and to remind Stefan to follow his orders. The only reason he didn't like seeing her with that man on her because it was him who decided what she could and couldn't do. He only helped her because he didn't exactly want to deal with Stefans whinging if she was hurt, that was all. He was in charge, not them.

He didn't care how she felt. He didn't like the bruise on her neck, but it wasn't because he cared about her.

Klaus didn't care about her in the slightest, he preferred when she was happy only because she became broody like her brother when she was miserable. He did miss the lightness in her voice chattering away with Stefan as he drove, or the teasing lilt in her voice as she and Klaus ate while they waited on Stefan.

They weren't waiting on Stefan so much anymore. Charlotte was back to standing in an alleyway whilst Klaus and Stefan drained college girls with an eye watching her so she didn't run. She was eating mostly take away now, eating in the car as Klaus or her brother drove.

The car felt colder with Charlotte silent.

Klaus was driving, Charlotte had her knees to her chest and the sweater pulled across her while the radio blared out softly. An exit appeared on the left, they were near a city now and Klaus made a choice, pulling the car across he turned off the highway.

Stefan was confused, there wasn't any lead here for them to talk to. In fact, he was pretty sure they'd now have to go back a little to find the next lead. Regardless, he wasn't going to complain. A city meant more variety in who to feed from and he was happy to take any opportunity to get away from Klaus for a moment.

As it happened, when they settled into the hotel Klaus went out alone leaving the Salvatores to spend the day without him.

"Hey Ugly," Charlotte called out to Stefan, they were in a novelty store and she held a Dracula mask over her face, "I'm you."

"Wow Charlie," his voice was light, excited before deadpanning, "You look pretty for a change."

She tossed the mask down, running to punch him but he slid away, always a step ahead he laughed at her efforts. It really was what the two needed, a day where they could pretend they were just normal siblings again. He caught her wrists as she punched his chest, they both knew it didn't hurt, it was nice to tease each other again.

They got dinner too, Thai food which she'd never eaten before. He ordered and he gave her his phone so she could talk to Damon. It was a dicey thing to do, he was trying to pretend to Klaus that he didn't care about anything, but he knew he couldn't hide his emotions for Charlotte and he knew how happy it would make her.

"Damon, hi, I miss you."

She really needed to talk to Damon, happy tears slipped down her cheeks into the Pad Thai.

"Charlie-girl," she could hear the smile on his face, "did you change your mind? Let me know where you guys are and I'll come get you."

She was silent, she couldn't tell him much, she and Stefan both knew it wouldn't be good if Damon was involved or following them.

"We can figure out college for you, do whatever you want," Damon tried again, she could hear the desperation in his voice.

"Damon thats not possible right now," Charlottes voice shook and she took a deep breath steadying herself, pushing a lightness into her voice. "I love you, I'll see you soon. Don't worry about me, the worst that'll happen will be me dying from boredom stuck with Stef."

Stefan laughed softly, knowing she was only trying to stop him worrying. He could see how it hurt her knowing he was hurting and left behind.

She couldn't stay on the call any longer, knowing the sobs would break through and so she hung up, passing the phone back and brushing away the tears that sat on her face. Stefan pretended to be busy with his phone giving her a moment to collect herself, looking up to see the paper napkin being thrown at his face. Faking mock horror, he launched into a memory of a trick they had teamed up to pull on Damon as kids.

Stefans phone beeped as he was paying the bill, pulling it out to look he saw a text from Klaus inviting them to a bar for drinks. An invitation from Klaus was less of a request when it was sent to Stefan and so the siblings made their way, reluctant to end their good day.

Charlotte felt nervous when Stefan ordered the first round of shots. She knew what'd happened wasn't just because she'd been drunk, but she did feel uncertain. That being said, she sat between two vampires and so pushing her worries to the side she knocked it back with a grin.

The day alone in the city had made Stefan and Charlotte feel close again, the tension was lifted and even Klaus joined in on the teasing, their mood more like the weeks prior.

"Okay, okay," Stefan laughed, Charlotte had just recounted the story of the time Stefan had inadvertently helped her burn a portion of her eyebrow off at fourteen, "But what about the time you pushed me down the stairs after I–"

"Pardon me?" Charlotte had a look of outrage on her face, Klaus looked on, lips pursed in amusement at her injustice, "You pulled me down with you! I had a bruise on my face for a week and father wouldn't let me leave the house."

Stefan and Klaus both burst out laughing at this, Stefan could remember the bruise, it covered her eye and went through all the colours of the rainbow. Stefan pulled Charlotte to her feet and to the bar with him, Klaus followed and all three did another round of shots.

Her head was beginning to feel light again, fuzzy, her worries easier to ignore. There were girls dancing in a big space over by the other end of the bar. Watching them move, she was jealous of the laughter on their faces, lights flashing from blue to pink to green, their skin changing as the lights above them did.

"Do you want to dance, love?" Klaus leaned over her shoulder from behind, his head beside hers as he followed her line of sight.

Charlotte fidgeted, she was torn. She did want to dance, but even with the alcohol dulling her senses she still felt wary. Klaus could see the cogs turning in her head and he made her decision, gripping her hand he stilled her fingers and allowed their fingers to interlock.

"I won't let anything happen," Klaus promised and she nodded. He pulled her towards the dance floor, their fingers intertwined together, Stefan following closely.

It took Charlotte longer to figure out the rhythm this time. She wasn't as drunk and so she was more aware of her movements now, she could feel the jerky nature of her hips swinging. She couldn't seem to move as smoothly as the girls surrounding her with laughter on their faces. She shut her eyes, remembering how that had helped last time and she felt her body begin to move more in beat.

She was still holding Klaus' hand, he hadn't made a move to drop it when they entered the crowd and she felt safer holding it. She knew she should hate him, she knew her brother wanted her to hate him. She remembered what he'd done but she didn't hate him right now. She wanted to be near him and she liked having him by her as they all danced.

Her hair was loose around her, laying warm on her shoulders so at last she tugged her hand from Klaus'. Her eyes flickered open as she did, smiling up at him watching her, she pulled her hair from her face, fanning her neck gently to cool herself.

She looked so beautiful to Klaus in that moment, her face was flushed from the alcohol and the dancing and her joy. She still wore the funny clothes, her brothers large trousers held up by the belt and a large shirt loose on her shoulders.

His shirt.

Pieces of her hair stuck to her forehead, small strands that were wet with sweat. It was now that he realised he wanted to kiss her.

Not like this though, not here, no, he would let her make the choice. She would come to him when she was ready, until then though he would keep her close. There was no chance of her leaving him, not to go to Damon or with Stefan, not for any reason.

Her hand let go of her hair, shaking her head so it fell down her back. "Nik," she laughed as she reached for his hand again, holding it tightly as they danced out of sync. She wasn't the best dancer and he certainly wasn't, but she looked so beautiful to him and he could feel her joy as they moved.

He liked that she held on to him, not him holding onto her. He liked that she wanted to be near him as much as he did her, he could feel her happiness bubble over into him as they danced together.

Stefan stayed close, he didn't want a repeat of last time, he didn't want Charlotte getting hurt again. He watched Klaus and Charlotte with a wary look on his face, smiling when she looked over to him.

Klaus squeezed Charlottes hand tightly and she looked up to him, he held his ringing phone up for her to see. He motioned to Stefan and she nodded, neither wanting her left alone in the crowd. Charlotte reached her hand out to Stefan, he grabbed it and pulled her closer through the crowd as Klaus moved to the door. Charlotte looked up a little nervously at her brother, waiting to see if he'd say anything about Klaus. She didn't want another argument after the happy day they'd had.

Stefan met his sisters eyes leaning down to her ear, "Charlie, I love you," he yelled over the music to her, "whatever happens I'm never going to judge you."

A grin broke out across her cheeks. "Lets drink more," she yelled back, tugging him to the bar.

Three rounds of shots and Stefan was worried Charlotte was going to be a better drinker than him, they were back on the dance floor again, moving to the music. Stefan was starting to get tired, it was fun and all, but it wasn't like he hadn't had a century of nights out before. And although he wasn't with Elena at the moment, he still didn't feel right about dancing with a stranger so he stayed with Charlotte and Klaus.

Charlotte didn't ever seem to lose energy, Klaus had returned and they had another round of shots, it was late but neither Klaus nor Stefan wanted to be the one to make Charlotte leave.

Finally her energy began to lull, she left to use the bathroom, and by the time she returned the thought of dancing again made her legs feel like they might give out. Walking out of the club, Stefan rolled his eyes at Charlotte stumbling along, motioning her over he crouched a little and she climbed on his back, giving her a piggy back ride as the three of them walked to their home for the night.

Charlotte was in her room, she'd showered quickly, getting the sweat off her body and was now clad in Klaus' pyjamas with her hair tied back. She went to put her clothes away but when she'd pulled her bag open there were new things sitting inside.

There were three books, all hard cover with cloth bindings, and a pair of trousers. The trousers were navy not black like Damons, but they were soft and billowy and loose, unlike the tight jeans she'd first been given but was still yet to wear. She knew it wasn't Stefan who gave them to her, he was with her all day. She knew it was Klaus who'd gotten her the books and trousers, tired of her complaining of boredom she was sure.

Laying underneath the sheets Charlotte was really very cold, the duvet wasn't really helping and the air conditioning unit blew too loudly. She debated for a moment before tugging her boots on and going out to the corridor. Her hand was raised to knock when Klaus pulled the door open, leaning against the frame with a smirk on his face.

"You know darling, it's going to get expensive paying for these hotel rooms if you're not going to sleep in them."

Klaus had heard door open and close, her heart racing outside the door and knew she was coming to knock, he was amused to see her before him. Pleasantly surprised. He opened the door a little wider in invitation.

"Shut up," she pushed past him, secretly relieved he'd known what she wanted so she didn't need to ask, "we both know you're not paying for shit."

Sliding her shoes off she climbed into his bed curled up close to the warm patch where he'd clearly been laying.

Klaus laughed loudly, switching the lights off he climbed into his bed, wrapping his arms around her, her cold hands beneath her chin against his chest. She was drunk, very drunk, and it didn't take her long to fall asleep, safe and warm. He ran his fingers through her braided hair, he liked the way her hair tickled him as she took deep steadying breaths.