Audrey laid in bed staring blankly at her bedroom wall. She had no energy to move, it was as if everything had been drained from her. She had spent the night before crying but now she was sick of it. She wanted to shut it all off and feel nothing. There was movement beside her before a hand appeared on her shoulder. "Aud," Caroline sighed. Audrey didn't say anything or move, she just continued staring at wall. "Come on, you're stronger than this,"

"Am I?" She whispered out, still staring at the wall.

"Yes! You're Audrey Elizabeth Gilbert! We share the same middle name because we're named after my mom for a reason! We're all strong amazing women!" Caroline insisted rather loudly.

"Caroline, I love you but please be quiet," Audrey groaned shoving her face into her pillow.

"I'm sorry, but it's true. You have survived too much to give up over some stupid guy!" Caroline encouraged. Audrey chuckled and rolled over to look at Caroline. "Now stop being dramatic and get ready. I'm taking you out," The blonde winked playfully. Audrey giggled and sat up slowly.

"Alright fine. I need to get out of the house for a little bit anyways," Audrey sighed. Caroline smiled and brushed back her friend's hair.

"Alright go shower and meet me downstairs in a half hour," Caroline instructed before standing up and leaving the room. Audrey stretched out her arms and yawned loudly before getting up to shower. She basked in the warm water of her shower feeling relaxed for the first time in a long time. Once she was done she quickly put on some sweats and walked out of her room.

"I said I was taking you out. Why are you wearing sweats?" Caroline questioned once she saw her friend.

"Because I want to," Audrey answered blankly.

"Fine whatever it's your choice to look like a bum," Caroline said playfully causing Audrey to smile. She liked how Caroline wasn't treating her any different than before. She wasn't pitying her she was putting her in her place something she did well.

"So where are we going?" Audrey asked following the blonde out the front door.

"We're driving to Northbrooke and going out to lunch at Allure and after that we are going to see that new sappy romance movie that just came out. The one with Shailene Woodley and Finnick from the Hunger Games. I think they get stuck on a boat or something," Caroline listed off as they got into her car.

"No romance movies! Let's watch an action one or do something else," Audrey insisted. If she watched a movie about love it would only make her crave it. She wanted to draw out her anger for her soulmate. Caroline chuckled and shook her head.

"Fine, after lunch we can go shopping," Caroline said as she started her car and pulled out of the driveway. Northbrooke was only the next town over so it didn't take long to get there. The car ride was filled with old songs the two would listen to as kids, they belted out every lyric wildly and mostly off key. Once they got to the restaurant Caroline made sure they were seated in the most secluded corner. She wanted them to feel as if they were famous or royalty. Audrey cocked an eyebrow at her friend once they sat down. "What?" Caroline asked innocently.

"A little over the top don't you think?" Audrey chuckled.

"There's no such thing as over the top," Caroline smirked.

"Thank you Care, for everything," Audrey said with a small smile. "You've helped take my mind off everything and I really appreciate it,"

"It's no problem Audrey, you're my best friend. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you," Caroline said reaching over to grab her friend's hand. Audrey squeezed it softly before letting it go to grab the menu and decide what she wanted to order. The waitress came to bring them drinks and take their food order once she left Audrey looked at Caroline and sighed.

"Can I ask you something?" Audrey asked.

"Of course!" Caroline answered happily.

"What do you think I should do, because I have absolutely no idea?" Audrey questioned.

"You don't want my answer, Audrey. Only because it's biased considering all that Klaus has done lately," Caroline answered honestly. "The choice is yours to make alone, but I want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I'll always be by your side. I know that the situation you're in is difficult because Klaus is your soulmate and there's nothing you can do about that. I know that eventually you're going to have to forgive him because he's who you're meant to end up with. I'm not going to blame you or hold it against you. You're my best friend and I love you. Just make him work for it," Audrey stared at her friend and felt relief wash over her. She was thankful that Caroline was so understanding about everything.

"I love you too Caroline," Audrey smiled genuinely.

"I know, now lets change the subject. Guess who Stefan hooked up with?" Caroline gossiped causing Audrey to laugh.

-

After lunch and shopping the friends returned home, their day of fun had come to a screeching halt the moment they stepped back into Mystic Falls. Audrey's phone began to ring and when she saw it was Elena calling she immediately answered. "Hello?"

"Where are you!? I've been calling you the past hour! Kol attacked Jeremy and Damon. Jeremy got away and is home but I had to beg Klaus to call off Kol!" Elena shouted into the phone. Audrey's heart immediately dropped.

"What?! Oh my god!" Audrey gasped. "Is Damon okay?"

"Yeah, he just got back. Him and I are going to The Grill to see Jeremy. Meet us there," Elena said before hanging up. Audrey looked at Caroline who just rolled her eyes at Elena's attitude.

"Mind dropping me off at The Grill?" Audrey asked.

"Of course not. I was going to go check on Tyler anyways," Caroline said as she pulled onto a street. Once she reached The Grill she pulled over in the front.

"Thank you so much for today Care. I love you so much," Audrey sighed leaning across the seats to hug her friend. "Give Tyler my love okay?"

"You're welcome Aud, I love you too," Caroline giggled. "And I will. It's just been hard for him," Audrey knew what he was going through, losing your parents was awful. Once they said their goodbyes Audrey got out of her car and headed into The Grill. Just as she walked in she saw Elena step in front of Damon to stop him. Audrey rushed over to the couple once she saw the scared look on Elena's face.

"Damon? Elena? What's going on?" Audrey questioned with slight panic.

"Kol must've compelled me to kill Jeremy," Damon answered. He walked past Elena and headed into the back. The girls followed him and saw that a passage way into tunnels was open. Damon looked back at the girls before speeding into the tunnels. Audrey looked at Elena with worry as adrenaline began to take over. The two ran into the tunnels searching desperately. Elena tried using her hearing but nothing would work.

"We have to do something! Damon is going to kill him Elena!" Audrey shouted at her sister.

"I know! I'll call Stefan okay, he can help. Maybe try calling....," Elena cut herself off not wanting to bring the hybrid up, but it was too late.

"No. I refuse to talk to him," Audrey snapped.

"He could stop Damon-," Elena began.

"No! I'm not talking to him, Elena. If I talk to him than he wins," Audrey argued crossing her arms over her chest.

"Fine," Elena sighed giving up. She grabbed out her phone and called Stefan. Instead of the other Salvatore answering though, Rebekah did.

"Hello, Elena," Rebekah answered.

"What did you do to Stefan?" Elena questioned.

"Rescued him from his old, dull life, but it keeps calling. Stefan's not in the mood to talk right now," Rebekah taunted.

"Then he can listen. I know you might not care about me right now Stefan, but Kol compelled Damon to kill Jeremy. They're somewhere in the tunnels and I...it's one giant maze down here and Audrey and I can't find them. So if you still care about the cure or about Jeremy, then maybe you can come help," Elena suggested. When no one answered her she shook her head with disbelief. "Okay," She hung up and clenched her jaw furiously.

"Come on, I still have faith we'll find them," Audrey said grabbing her sister's hand to pull her through the tunnels. Elena sighed but followed Audrey. After about a hour of searching they gave up and left the tunnels. They had found an exit that led them to the woods by the Lockwood's Cellar. Elena was on the verge of giving up when she smelled blood. Her head whipped in the direction of it and she took off. Audrey sprinted after her but couldn't keep up. By the time she reached the scene Elena was standing behind Damon while he faced Jeremy. She was trying to talk him out of hurting her little brother. "Damon!"

"Audrey get out of here!" Damon shouted once he saw her. "Jeremy you need to shoot me, now!" Jeremy raised his gun but before he could shoot Stefan arrived.

"Hello brother, long time no see," He greeted before snapping Damon's neck. He looked at Elena with a blank stare. "You're welcome," He hauled Damon's body onto his shoulder and sped away with him. The moment they were gone Audrey and Elena ran to Jeremy. His arm was bleeding a lot from Damon biting him.

"Let me give you my blood to heal you, Jer," Elena insisted but he looked at her with disgust. His hunter nature coming forward.

"Let's just get him home first," Audrey suggested. "I'll help you clean this out and bandage you up," Jeremy nodded and smiled at her. Audrey cupped his cheek and smiled back. "I'm so glad you're okay. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, either of you," Audrey looked at Elena now and gave her a smile. "I love you two,"

"We love you too, Aud," Jeremy chuckled. "But please, lets go home. My arm is still bleeding a lot," Elena and Audrey laughed and nodded with agreement. They helped their brother up and together, the trio walked out of the woods together.

-

The next day Audrey and Elena went to the Salvatore house to see Damon. Stefan had locked him up in one of the cells and bled him to weaken him. Stefan must've heard them arrive because as soon as they stepped inside the house he appeared. "And what are you two doing here? Going to see Damon?"

"I need to talk to him," Elena insisted trying to step past him but he blocked her.

"Well, you can't. He'll just ask you to let him out," Stefan said.

"I won't let him out," Elena huffed with an eye roll.

"You won't have a choice. You're sired. Is that all?" Stefan questioned clearly getting annoyed.

"Well, I'm not sired to him and I won't be stupid enough to let him out, so I'm going to see Damon," Audrey chimed in moving to walk past Stefan. He blocked her at first but looked at her cautiously. He knew he could trust her, especially since Jeremy's life was on the line. Audrey would do whatever it took to ensure her brother's safety. He stepped aside and let her through. Elena looked at them with an open mouth of hurt and betrayal. Audrey just shrugged at her before heading to the basement. When she got in front of Damon's door she looked through the bars and saw him miserably sprawled out on the bed.

"If you came back to taunt me just save it, Stefan. I'm not in the mood," Damon groaned without looking to see who was there.

"Good thing it's not Stefan coming to taunt you then," Audrey answered causing Damon to shoot up. He looked at the door and saw his best friend on the other side.

"Little bird!" He exclaimed happily. He slowly stood up and stumbled to the door. "I'm sorry for trying to kill Jeremy, I promise I-,"

"I know Damon. I know that Kol compelled you and I want you to know that it's okay. I'm not mad at you," Audrey reassured causing him to exhale with relief.

"What about Elena? Does she hate me?" He questioned worriedly.

"No. In fact she came with me to see you but Stefan stopped her," Audrey answered. Damon rolled his eyes once he heard Stefan's name. "Hey! Stefan saved your ass from killing my brother so be nice,"

"Yes, Stefan the hero saves the day yet again," Damon replied sarcastically. "Can we please talk about something else,"

"Fine, what would you like to talk about?" Audrey laughed softly.

"Have you forgave a certain immortal hybrid yet?" Damon questioned mischievously. Audrey smiled dropped, now it was her turn to roll her eyes.

"No," She huffed out.

"Good. Although I must say, pretty bad ass you're going against your soulmate bond just to make him pay," Damon encouraged. "You're not even doing anything besides not talking to him but that alone is completely wrecking him. I don't think he expected you to draw this out,"

"Thanks," Audrey snickered. "It is hard not talking to him. The other night when he got on the phone everything in my body screamed at me to find him and be close to him. I can't just forgive him yet. He needs to know that he can't just go around killing people I care about,"

"Keep it up and I'm sure he'll cave. When he came out to the lake house the other day he looked like a mess. He was more irritable than usual too, which reminds me. If you think I'm bad with lashing out you should see your boyfriend," Damon scoffed.

"Trust me, I know. He's the king of lashing out when he's hurt. He has no impulse control, he simply does whatever he deems right and as you can see his judgement is way off," Audrey explained knowing exactly how he can be. "Enough about him though. I just came to see how you were doing and to tell you that we're going to come up with a way to break Kol's compulsion,"

"Oh yeah, how?" Damon asked knowing whatever plan her and her siblings come up with will be a bust.

"Just trust me," Audrey sighed. "I promise I'll do whatever it takes to help you,"

"Thanks little bird, I love you," Damon smiled softly.

"I love you too," Audrey smiled back. "Now, I need to go before Elena has a fit," Damon nodded and watched as she left. He knew she was going to try to help him, but in the back of his head he knew it was hopeless. When Audrey was back upstairs she saw Stefan pouring himself a drink but Elena was nowhere in sight. "I'm guessing I'm finding a ride back home?"

"Yeah, I sort of pissed her off," Stefan admitted. "Sorry,"

"Don't apologize, it's fine," Audrey said walking over to him. "I get it. I don't know what it must be like for you right now, Stefan,"

"It's all fine and dandy, can't you tell?" He questioned out sarcastically before chugging down his drink. He quickly poured himself another one.

"Yeah clearly," Audrey mumbled under her breath. Of course Stefan heard her, he shot her a glare. "Thank you for saving Jeremy by the way. I know we ask a lot from you and I'm sorry," Stefan looked down and swirled the alcohol in his glass. "I'm also sorry my sister broke your heart,"

"Don't apologize for her, in fact don't apologize at all," Stefan insisted. "Thank you, Audrey," Audrey nodded and grinned at him. "Come on, I'll give you a ride back home," He finished his second drink before heading towards the door.

"Thank you! I was just about to ask you if you would," Audrey said following him outside. After he dropped her off at home she was immediately greeted by her siblings.

"Did you see Damon? How was he? Is he doing okay?" Elena questioned the minute Audrey stepped inside.

"Damon's fine, Stefan is just bleeding him out to keep him weak so he can't escape," Audrey answered shutting the door behind her. "He wanted me to let you know that he's sorry for trying to kill Jeremy,"

"I know he is," Elena sighed with relief. "I feel like I'm the reason he's in this mess,"

"Don't feel that way, it's not like you told Kol to compel him," Audrey said hoping to comfort her sister. She walked to the kitchen to search for some food with Elena following her closely.

"I know but I'm the one who begged him to help Jeremy," Elena said trying to take the blame off Damon.

"You didn't beg him, he was going to do it anyways," Audrey chuckled looking through their cabinets for food. "We need to go grocery shopping soon," There was a loud knock at the door and Audrey immediately felt goosebumps erupt all over her. She was frozen in place, her breathing had turned erratic.

"Audrey are you okay?" Elena asked her sister worriedly. She heard Jeremy answer the door and knew why Audrey was being so weird.

"Good evening, Gilbert clan," Klaus greeted with a sarcastic smirk. Elena gave Audrey a sympathetic look before going to the front door.

"What do you want, Klaus?" Elena questioned annoyed with hybrid.

"I've come to fetch my hunter. Seeing as how my brother's become a liability, Jeremy will be safer with me," Klaus answered with fake sincere. He smelled Audrey and knew she was close. He just needed to see her, catch a glimpse of her beauty. Not talking to or seeing her was driving him insane.

"I think I'll pass. I've killed enough people for you today," Jeremy grumbled trying to shut the door on him, but Klaus stopped it.

"You think you're safer here? Hmm, clearly you don't know Kol. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, as strange as it may seem, I'm your best bet," Klaus was growing frustrated now. Audrey had quietly moved from the kitchen to the living room. She hid behind a wall to keep him from seeing her but she could still hear his voice.

"Sorry, but I think we'd rather take our chances," Elena sneered.

"Fine, but when Kol does come and he will come, be sure to let me know, preferably before he burns your nice little home to the ground. And as for you hunter, there's no shortage of people to turn and loved ones to threaten, so sleep well. We'll plan on finishing our work tomorrow," Klaus taunted menacingly. Audrey stepped out from behind the wall now and made her presence known to her soulmate. She walked forward slowly, Klaus's eyes never left her. It was as if the air had been sucked from his lungs, she looked stunning as usual. Audrey was struggling to hold onto her anger, just looking at Klaus made her want to jump into his arms. She kept coming closer until she stood just a breath away. He wasn't invited into their house so he couldn't reach out to touch her, but just having her close was enough. He closed his eyes and let her sweet scent engulf him.