"Are you sure you'd rather baby sit than go to the ball?" Claire asked Sarah. Claire felt like she had practically taken over Sarah's life but the middle aged nanny didn't seem to mind. In fact, Sarah absolutely adored Madelyn and had come to love Claire. Sarah only ever really had her brother, her brother and Liz. Now, she had Madelyn, Claire and Caroline.

"Trust me, I've had my fill on the partying life. Go have fun with your friends, make good choices" Sarah said pointing at her teasingly. Claire smiled as she put her earrings in. "And can I just say, you look gorgeous"

"Thanks." Claire said and gave a twirl. It was a red dress, same shade as Caroline's. However, Clare's is floor length with lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline.

"Claire, you ready?" Caroline asked walking into her sisters room. Claire smiled at her sister. "We look good" Caroline said and Claire nodded in agreement.

"I won't be gone long, I'll just say my hi's and goodbyes and I'll be back." Claire promised Sarah.

"None sense. Go have fun. Don't worry about Madelyn, I've got her. We're going to be just fine" Sarah reassured. Claire smiled and nodded. She hugged and cuddled Madelyn for a few moments before Caroline took her out of Claire's arms, placing her in Sarah's and then dragged her sister out to the car.

"So, are you going to tell me what you've been hiding from me or are you going to keep playing stupid?" Claire asked as they drove to Tyler's house. Caroline went to dismiss her but from the look on her sisters face, she knew she had been caught. "What's going on Caroline?"

"We're killing Katherine tonight" Caroline confessed. "We have this whole plan."

"And that is?" Claire questioned slowly.

"I'm not telling you" Caroline said strongly.

"Why not?" Claire asked slightly offended.

"Because you're not needed" Caroline said shrugging. Claire pouted. "We've got it handled. Besides, I don't want to involve you. Katherine is very dangerous. She can get to anyone. I want you as far away from this as possible but seeing as I wouldn't have been able to stop you from going to the ball, then I'm keeping you out of the plan."

"Caroline-" Claire whined.

"No" Caroline shook her head. "You're not changing my mind. If you got hurt, I wouldn't forgive myself. Besides, you have Madelyn to think about. Do you really want to put yourself in danger and risk making her motherless?"

"Caroline, don't make me choose between your safety and being in Madelyn's life" Claire told her.

"I'm not making you make that decision, I'm making it. I'm a vampire, I can handle myself a lot easier than you can." Caroline reminded her. Claire went to respond but Caroline stopped her again. "And yes, I know you're technically a witch but what if you run out of magic when you need it?" Caroline asked. "It's too big of a risk and it's unnecessary. We have everything covered."

"I don't like not being involved... Especially when you're involved and you could get hurt. Caroline, we've always had each others backs."

"And this is me having yours" Caroline said smiling at her. "Besides, if you were involved it could distract me" She said shrugging. "Just, stay out of it. Please. My part isn't even that big and it'll be done within minutes. When I'm done I'll meet back up with you and we'll have some fun." Claire sighed.

"I still don't like it" The younger twin grumbled. "But I won't get involved." Caroline smiled happily.

"Thank you" She said sincerely. Claire sighed nodding but couldn't help but to feel nervous. It was obvious that Caroline didn't need her in this plan and that was fine. But how much longer until Caroline didn't need her at all? Claire knew she depended on Caroline a lot more than Caroline depended on her. It scared her when she thinks about the chance that Caroline might get tired of looking after her and just stop. That Caroline might realize that she isn't worth the trouble.

Soon, they make it to the party. Everyone is completely dressed up and looking their best. Claire smiles at everyone feeling more confident behind her mask. Caroline decided to have a hand held one while Claire had one strapped around her head.

"I have to go" Caroline said a little bit after they arrived.

"Please be careful" Claire whispers. Caroline smiles and grabs Claire's hand. Caroline gives her a pointed look and Claire shakes her head.

"Please" Caroline whispers. "Just take some, just in case something happens you'll have some magic."

"It won't last, my magic will probably just bring Henrik back. I won't have enough to do anything else." Claire whispers back and Caroline smiled.

"Then bring him back and be with him. It'll take your mind off of everything until I come back." Caroline said. "You won't hurt me, you could never hurt me" Claire sighed and slowly began to siphon magic from her.

"Thank you" Claire whispers instantly pulling away when Caroline winced. Caroline smiled before walking away. Claire isn't alone for even a second before she feels someone's hand grabbing hers, their fingers intertwining together.

"Why don't we go somewhere a little more private, Angel" Henrik whispers in her ear. Claire smiles and grips his hand tightly, allowing him to lead her up the steps and into a private room not being used.

Claire just barely closes the door before Henrik presses her up against it. Claire gasps at the sudden closeness, her hands gripping his raggedy shirt.

"You look absolutely stunning, my darling Angel" He whispers to her. She smiles brightly at him. "My apologies for not dressing appropriately." He mutters pressing his forehead against hers.

"Just kiss me... please" She whispers. He smirks and lowers his head even more to press their lips together. His hands grip her hips tightly. Her arms travel up his chest and wrap around his neck.

Her heart hammered in her chest as he presses her more firmly into the door. It's passionate, it's desperate. It's full of desire and need. Claire wanted more, she wanted all of him but she knew she couldn't have him. Not yet.

"I love you so much" He whispers. She smiles and returns her affection for him in another kiss. He instantly kisses back savoring the taste of their lips together and her scent flowing through his nose.

"How much time do we have?" She asked fearing the answer.

"Not nearly enough, my darling Angel." He caresses her face.

"I'm so close to bringing you back... I think I have the spell but I just need the power." She told him. He smiles at her gently.

"As much as I would love to be with you this instant, I won't mind waiting as long as you need." He told her. "I'd rather you wait until you are physically able to do the spell safely than bring me back and risk you life." He explained to her. She smiles at him.

"Don't worry, it won't be too much longer now. I just have to talk to Bonnie and hopefully she'll help me." Claire whispered more to herself. He smiles and kisses her forehead. She sighs and leans more into him.

"It is a ball" He mutters against her skin. "May I have the first dance?" He whispers, the two of them able to hear the music from down stairs.

"I'd be honored" She replied.

"No, the honor is mine" He countered pulling her from the wall. She grins as he twirls her and brings her into his arms. She smiles as they sway. "Red certainly is your color, my Angel" He complements.

"Why do you call me that?" She asked curiously.

"What? Angel?" He asked tilting his head. She nods searching his eyes for the truth. "Because before you I was withering in the darkness and when you were born I was finally able to see the light. You, my dear, are and always have been and always will be, my beautiful angel. My light in the dark. My moon in the night, the sun in the day. My everything" He woos. She blushes and rests her head on his shoulder. He smirks proudly. "I don't have much more time" He muttered. She simply holds him tightly. "Please, let me see that gorgeous face one last time." He pleads. "Even if it is still red from my complements" He teases. She blushes again but can't deny his request.

"Flirt" She calls him. He smirks.

"I'm nothing compared to some of my brothers, though we all, from time to time, have our flirtatious moments. I am positive, that that side of us will come out around you." He tells her. She smiles at him. "I love you" He whispers pressing his lips on her forehead.

"I love you too" She couldn't help but to whimper as she could feel him slipping away from her. He grips her tighter hating the sound of her voice but having no choice but to disappear. Claire closes her eyes and simply imagines him still being there but it's not the same. She releases a shaky breath.

Reluctantly, Claire returned to the party. She couldn't find any of her friends, which annoyed her. She realized how boring it was not being involved in the supernatural. Mingling with the normal people, she didn't like it.

"Claire!" She turned around and relaxed seeing Caroline. "Come with me" She said grabbing her hand. "Look, I know you and Tyler are on the offs as of late, for whatever reason" Claire felt a pang of guilt as Caroline still didn't know about Tyler being Madelyn's father. "But he triggered the curse."

"He what?" Claire asked shocked.

"Katherine compelled Matt to fight him to try and get Tyler to kill Matt to trigger the curse but I knocked Matt out and some girl comes and attacks Tyler and Tyler was defending himself and killed her." Caroline explained in a rush.

"Well... shit" Claire whispered. Caroline nods.

"He's always listened to you better than others, he's kind of freaking out." Claire nodded in understanding as they make it to the room. Caroline goes to talk to Carol, Tyler's mom.

"Hey" Claire said walking up to Tyler. He looks up scared out of his mind but hiding it well. Claire sighs and sits next to him.

"I didn't meant to do it" Tyler muttered. "She just... she came at me"

"I know" Claire whispered. She wraps her arm around him and he lays his head on her shoulder. She gives him a squeeze. "It's going to be ok, Tyler" She whispers to him.

"I triggered it" He whispers in shock still trying to get his mind wrapped around it.

"I know" She mutters. "Just remember, you are not alone" She tells him sternly trying to get through his state of shock. "You will not deal with this alone."

"I think I'm just... gonna go.. get some sleep" Tyler said standing up. Claire nods letting him go. He goes to leave but stops and looks at her. "Thank you" He said letting her know he heard everything she said. She smiles at him. "The world doesn't deserve you Claire Forbes." 

He remembers, painfully, the moment she told him she was pregnant. When she told him she needed him.  He yelled at her, he called her names and he abandoned her. Now here he is, needing someone and she's not turning her back on him. He knew he could only wish to be as good of a person as she is.

"Get some sleep Tyler." She whispers. He sends her an exhausted smile before walking away. Claire sighs and stands up going over to Caroline.

"So, how did everything with Katherine go?" Claire asked.

"Apparently she linked herself to Elena and everything that happened to Katherine happened to Elena" Caroline said rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Is Elena ok?" She asked instantly.

"I think so, Bonnie said she was going to be fine." Caroline said. "Damon's dealing with Katherine, I think they're putting her in the tomb."

"Right where she belongs" Claire mumbled. Caroline nodded in agreement.

"Well, I'm going to go get something to drink and head home, I'm exhausted." She muttered.

"Well, I'm going to stay a little longer, just in case Tyler needs someone." Claire said. Caroline smiled.

"Be careful, Claire. I know you still care about him but..."

"I'm not falling for him, Care." Claire reassured. "I'm just being a good friend." Claire told her honestly. She knew she was telling the truth. She knew she wasn't going to fall for Tyler again, not with her soulmates out there.

"I'm just worried about you." Caroline said and Claire smiled at her giving her a hug.

"I'll be fine, I'll see you later" Caroline nodded and walked away. Claire glanced down the hallway towards Tyler's room. She sighed and walked down the the main floor. She looked out the window and saw Elena in the parking lot on the phone.

Wanting to check up on her friend, she left the house and went towards Elena. She could see the blood on her shirt and couldn't help but to get nervous. She walked closer and her eyes widened when she saw someone grab her.

"Elena" She whispered and quickly picked up the pace. She hoped it was a vampire taking her because if it was then Claire could siphon from him. "Hey! Let her go!" Claire snapped as the man put an unconscious Elena in the car. He spun around and pulled his mask off.

"Leave and forget you saw this" He tried to compel after speeding in front of her.

"Yeah, I don't think so." She snapped. He glared but smirked as he sped even closer and sank his teeth in her neck. She cried out in pain but managed to get her hands on him. He cried out in pain as she began to siphon from him. However, he had dealt with her kind before and was able to snap out of it. He grabbed her wrists and pulled them off of him. She curses knowing she didn't have enough to escape.

"You're lucky you taste good, sweetheart" He smirked before reattaching his fangs on her neck, feeding from her until she passed out.