This is just a one shot that had been running through my head since the last episode, so I decided to write it to get it out my system!

Updates on my other stories shall be very very soon.

Caroline wrapped her arms around herself and dug her back further into the Salvatore's antique couch. It was quiet, for the first time in hours. The day have been too horrifying to think over. Jeremy, little Jer, her friend's younger brother, and the closest she'd had to one as well... was gone, forever. The loss was immeasurable. It seemed to signify so much, the loss of everything, the complete transformation of their lives, which had begun when Stefan had saved Elena from her parents' fate. She felt guilty to be indulging in her own grief, when others around her needed support so much more... Elena, Matt, Bonnie.

In front of them, she could be strong and capable, shouldering the responsibility of organising things which never should have needed organised... little Jeremy Gilbert's memorial service. She fought down a sob at the thought.

And now... now, their lives were changed and the people she loved along with it. Elena, who was Elena now? What had they done to her? Could they ever get her back? The questions haunted her that night, as she sat in the dark, watching the fire crackle. Would she ever want to come back? It felt wrong to Caroline... wrong to take away her emotions. Jeremy deserved to be mourned by his sister, not to be forgotten by the blank, empty person who had stolen her face. Yet she had watched Damon do it, saying nothing.

And Bonnie... what to do about Bonnie worried Caroline the most. She was at the edge, on the precipitate of losing all control, and it was hardly difficult to understand why. She had lost too much... they all had. When you lose everything tying you to your humanity, what is left to pull you back from the brink?

Caroline closed her eyes, and her thoughts went to Tyler. She as well, had lost too much. Where was he now? Was he safe? The thoughts tortured her. She pulled her phone out her pocket and stared at the blank screen. Still nothing. She had called him three times since they had returned from the island with Jeremy. She needed to speak to him, needed to speak to someone. Someone she did not have to be strong for.

Sighing, her fingers tapped the familiar pattern of his number and she put the phone to her ear.

It rang, and rang, as always. He must have gotten rid of it. Still she would prefer to listen to that ringing, that sound connecting her to him, in some small way, than sit here alone, completely alone, surrounded by the memories of everything that had been lost.

Suddenly, the ringing stopped, and Caroline sat up in fright. There was a fumbling sound as he brought the phone to his ear. Caroline's heartbeat picked up in anticipation.

"Tyler?" she breathed, feeling relief crash down on her.

"Sorry to disappoint, love." Klaus's wry voice came across the line. The shock sent waves of panic through Caroline, she shot to her feet, suddenly defensive. Shaking her head, she felt tremors go through her entire being. She bit her tongue, and felt blood slid down the back of her throat. Collecting herself, snapping her mouth shut, she whispered,

"What have you done?"

"What do you think?"he asked, his tone perversely friendly, and it sent shivers through her. She started to cry, ugly, wretched sobs, uncontrollable. The salt tears burned her cheeks, and she felt as though she was hyperventilating, though it was impossible.

"No, no... this cannot happen. You can't kill Tyler, put him on the phone" she demanded through her sobs, her denial kicking in.

"That would be a little difficult just now" he said darkly. At his words, she felt something break inside her, and she screamed, frustration overwhelming her. It was harsh and brutal and almost inhuman. She threw her phone on the couch, and picked up random objects laying beside her, sending them flying, her pain too strong to bear. She stormed and raged against the hand that they had all been dealt, the horrifying twists of fate that had brought them all here, so far from where their lives should have taken them.

In the debris of broken glass and splinters of wood, she sank to her knees, and felt a numbness settle over her. She wondered if she looked like Elena at that moment. When all hope had gone.

"Caroline?" Tyler's voice came from her phone, face down on the couch cushions.

"Tyler?" she asked, confused, crawling over to the couch.

"Caroline" Tyler said again, and Caroline sobbed into the phone. The sounds of movement came again, and suddenly Klaus's voice filled Caroline's ear.

"Happy, love?"

"You haven't killed him"

"Yet, I haven't killed him yet." Caroline felt her heartbeat faster as she realised all hope was not gone.

"Klaus... don't do this, I'm begging you. If you have ever felt anything real for me... you wouldn't do this"

"Caroline, what I feel is immaterial. Tyler refuses to learn from his mistakes, and I am sure it is only a matter of time until he tries to kill me again. As for you and I, you have made it perfectly clear those feelings will never be reciprocated."

"You don't know that for sure. We are immortal.. give me enough time." she whispered. Silence greeted her, and she waited, her desperation to save Tyler, overriding the horror of knowing he could hear every word.

"I'm afraid you will not be enough of a distraction this time, sweetheart. I must have my vengeance, in one way or another. It is already done." he said, in a cold voice, and she heard Tyler shout in the distance, howling in pain.

Wild with fear, Caroline then spoke without thinking, the words already out of her mouth before she could second guess them.

"Take me instead. Take me in his place." silence followed, and she could hear Tyler whimpering. He was still alive.

"What exactly are you proposing, sweetheart?" Klaus asked, deadly calm.

"My life for his. A trade." she said, hearing Tyler protesting in the background. It was quiet, and she agonised over what might be running through Klaus's head at that moment.

"You said we are the same, so show me. Please... I'll do whatever you want. Just, don't hurt him anymore." she whispered.

"You would give your life for him? Die for him?" Klaus asked cruelly. Caroline stilled at the question, her heart beating hard, in fear.

"I can't lose anyone else." she said. Again, silence fell, and only her heartbeat counted the seconds of her agony. The silence stretched out, and she imagined herself in that room with them, where ever they were... Klaus assessing, Tyler hurt, on the brink of death. When his answer came, her heart resumed it's beat.

"Very well. I accept your offer. Your life for Tyler's. I hope you are prepared for what that truly means." he said. Caroline nodded, the relief overwhelming. She had saved Tyler's life. He was still breathing.

"I understand" she muttered.

"And if you should have any second thoughts about our arrangement, I will be only too happy to rectify our broken contract" he threatened.

"I understand!" she growled back.

"As long as he lives... you are mine, Caroline."