Havana arrived at the address that her savior Hailey gave her. She stared up at the brick townhouse that was located a couple of streets near the main road of Chaseington. She examined the exterior appreciating its classic style and the many large windows that allowed a lot of natural lighting to flow in. Looking closely, she could recognize some of Klaus's paintings hanging on the walls thus confirming that the house was indeed his. However, it seemed like there was no one home. There was no movement inside or even a light turned on. A loud voice in her head started screaming to turn back and go home before anyone caught her. That it was useless to try to get Klaus back and coming all the way here was a mistake. Truthfully, Havana did want to leave at this very moment. Unlike her, Klaus was not an indecisive person. When he makes a decision, he is the type that would stick with it and no one else can convince him otherwise. He set out on a large-scale search for her, bent over backward for months trying to win her back, and confessed his undying love numerously only for Havana to keep rejecting him. It was also no help that her association with Elena and the other Scooby Doo gang were factors in her dismissal of Klaus's affections. As much as it broke his heart, Klaus accepted the belief that these actions were further proof that she no longer loved him the way she once did. It was not worth it chasing someone who did not even want to be caught. He had to let her go. No one else was going to convince him otherwise. Havana took deep breaths calming her mind. With the little hope she had left, she pushed the gate open and walked towards the steps further into the property. 

After walking up the steps to get to the main door, Havana wasted no time knocking loudly for anyone inside to hear. This was because she was certain she would have chickened out and left the more she wasted time standing there just drowning in her thoughts. When no one answered, she knocked again and this time asked out loud, "Is anyone home? Hello-" 

The door opened before she could finish her sentence. She could feel her heart beat out of her chest the moment she saw the wooden door start to swing. Her breath hitched in her throat when her vision was of a buff chest staring back at her. Slowly turning her head up to see the man who opened the door, her anxious look turned into a surprised one.

"Tyler Lockwood?" She wondered out loud with her eyes wide. 

"Havana, what are you doing here?" His tone is more cold. He puffed out his chest even more to try to look intimidating which made Havana want to laugh. Tyler might be bigger and taller than her, but she can say with the utmost confidence that her sassiness and temper can make him feel significantly less. 

"I can ask you the same...but I think I already know the answer with your weird sire bond connection with Klaus." Tyler looked away. His silence was confirmation that he was one of Klaus's little goons whether it was against his will or not. "So where is he?" She continued.

"Where's who?" Tyler said his hardened expression never changing. Havana narrowed her eyes at him.

"Wow! I knew that you are an athlete but I never thought you were another dumb jock." Tyler sent visual daggers her way. "Who else would I be referring to? You? Yeah, you wish dog breath. Now where is Klaus?" 

There are three reasons why Tyler did not snap Havana Sommers' neck then and there. First: She is a close friend of Tyler's girlfriend Caroline who would most likely kill him if he ever laid a hand on her. Second: Klaus would kill him too. Though he would most definitely suffer a far worse fate with the Original than Barbie vampire. Third: after a year of enduring her presence in his friend group, Tyler got used to how she would speak. Havana had no hesitation when it came to speaking her mind. Her mouth only got worse after getting close to Damon. Tyler thought the two could start a whole angry riot towards them because they had no filter in anything and everything they said. He did admit though that Havana was the go-to person to put someone in their place without lifting a finger. He also tried flirting with her several times only to get violently shot down. It would turn him on even more. But that feeling was long gone. 

"He's not here. And even if he was, he wouldn't want to see you anyway. He is done with you, Havana. Just accept it and go back home to Mystic Falls."

Havana faltered a bit at Tyler's bluntness. Although she regained composure almost as quickly, her face had not recovered from the possibility of her fears coming true. Havana never had the peace she thought she would have now that Klaus was out of her life for good. The guilt of loving someone who has hurt the other people she loved ate her soul every day he was in her presence. Her head and her heart were at war with each other battling who will she pick. Will she just abandon her family and side with the man who has hurt them? Or will she abandon the man she loves and side with her family who are getting ready to kill him? She thought that if he just left, her dilemma would cease to exist as well. The war between her heart and head had faded away since Klaus decided for her. But then came the after-effects of the war. She had lost him and now she is grieving. Havana did significantly better though than all those other depressing times wherein alcoholic recklessness was a constant theme. She stayed tame. Still drunk but tame enough not to drag anyone into her depressed state and not make any foolish decisions. She mostly kept her thoughts to herself and did not have her infamous drunken slurs to anyone within her reach. It made her wonder though why Tyler seemed to know about her fears of actually losing Klaus for good and about his irreversible decision to be "done" with her. 

Small droplets of red liquid coming from a portion of her hairline dropped down into the ground and into Havana's shoe. It was only when she looked down to see what had landed that she realized that it was blood. Tyler had seen it too. He leaned in close to see that Havana's hair had hidden an injury. She had just gotten from fighting the two hybrids in one of Chaseington's alleyways only a couple of moments ago. A long dark wound ran along her hairline and was dripping blood to the side. The adrenaline from the fight had faded away and Havana started to feel the pain. Tyler's emotionless demeanor faded away as he asked if she was alright.

Havana fainted before she could ever reply. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Havana's eyes fluttered open to see one of Klaus's paintings staring back at her. Despite it being upside down due to her position on the couch, she knew the painting well. They decided to go to Northern Italy in one of their many summers. However, instead of spending their days by the beach surrounded by crystal blue waters and dive-worthy cliffs, they opted for a more rural and countryside type of place on the outskirts of Crema. 

Havana had just finished taking a dip from the pool to cool down from the summer heat. Her silk dress was slightly damp sticking onto her like a second skin thanks to her soaking wet bathing suit underneath. Havana placed her hair in a bun still feeling the heat. Her feet tiptoed on the ladder as she extended one of her arms. Finally, she managed to pick a few oranges from the tree before stepping onto the ground. She was barefoot so she could feel the soft green grass as she proceeded to drop the oranges to the picnic blanket on the floor. There was also cheese, salami, red wine, and a book for Havana to read. However, instead of lying down and basking in the sun with a book and red wine in two of her hands, Havana made her way to Nik who was busy painting the view before them.

"That's beautiful, my love." She whispered kissing the crook of his neck before wrapping her arms around his waist. She laid her head on his shoulder watching every stroke of the brush. Even though Nik's back was facing her, he still acknowledged Havana's presence by placing a gentle kiss on her head. "I wish I knew how to paint. I've been burying my head in books since I met you."

"There's nothing wrong with reading little dove. In fact, I love it when you read and that little squinting of your eyes whenever you find something interesting." He chuckled continuing to paint the red roses on the canvas. He remembered his brother Elijah who was also quite a bookworm.

"I know, I love reading." Havana hummed. "But I would love to try something new like painting or pottery maybe."

"Pottery?" Nik mused. "Maybe we could recreate that pottery scene in Ghost. You know, when Patrick Swayze's character did this-" He transferred Havana's hands on his "-to his love as she was working on art." Havana giggled onto his neck. Nik kept on painting, however, he held onto her hand making her hold the brush instead. Soon, the painting was finished. Havana had painted the rest of it with Nik's guiding hand of course.

"Magnifico!" Havana praised clapping her hand. "You're a great artist Nik."

"Oh please don't humble yourself, little dove, you finished it!"

"But you were the brain and the helping hand." They looked at each other with pure joy and affection for each other. Nik held out his hand and cradled her cheek leaving a smudge of paint on her cheekbone. "I love you little dove."

"I love you too Nik."

Seeing that painting made Havana reminisce about the good old days. Back to a simple time when there was no sign of drama, loss, pain, or deaths happening around them (or at least in her sights). Havana truly felt like she was on Cloud 9 being with her Nik and letting him show the world to her and how beautiful it was. She found it amazing how a man so young (or so she thought at that time) was so well-versed in the world and wholeheartedly wanted to share that knowledge with her. She was treated as a princess with every touch from him being as gentle as a feather tickling her skin and was continuously gifted many fine things a girl can dream of; yet he did not shelter her from the world but made her experience and feel the things she had never thought to experience before. She was unaware of the supernatural world she was forcefully thrust into. A part of her wished that Gloria never gave her that vervain. That she was truly compelled by Klaus to forget that he was a vampire. That she had not made that unfortunate decision to walk into the room where Klaus was mercilessly feeding on the night of their engagement and-

"About time that you woke up. You should have told me that you were hurt. If Klaus found out that you were here and I let you die, my head would be put on a stake. Literally." Tyler stood in front of her with his hands crossed. His tough guy exterior was back as well. "What happened to you anyway? Who did that to you?"

"It's nothing. It's fine. They're not a problem anymore." Havana explained vaguely.

Tyler waited for her to continue but she just stayed silent not wanting to mention that another werewolf was the one who helped her and was now skipping town in fear that Klaus would find her and turn her too. She lifted her hand to feel her found only to feel bandaids near her hairline instead. They were small pinky-finger-sized bandaids placed on the side of her head. Havana can feel the lumps of some indicating that Tyler did not put them on properly. She imagined the teenage boy struggling to stick them onto her passed-out self while grumbling about how he got stuck with babysitting his boss's ex.

"Well, I could have healed you since I can do that now with my blood but I wasn't sure if you would want that since Elena's not comfortable being healed with vampire blood." He brought her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm fine with healing naturally since there are a bunch of newly turned hybrids around. Wouldn't want them to kill me and have me turned in the process right?" Her tone was playful yet Havana did fear what would might happen if Tyler used his blood to heal her. She had thought that if Klaus took her back and they continued with their plans of being together forever she would eventually have to be turned into a vampire. It was a reality that she had to accept sooner or later. But it was a distant one nowhere near to where she is right now. "Anyways, I'm looking for Klaus and you know where he is. So tell me his exact location and I'll be on my way."

Tyler scoffed, "This again? I told you Havana I was given clear instructions to keep you away from him. Plus, I wouldn't want to piss him especially since he has turned more moody and violent ever since he walked away from you."

"Fine. Follow his orders then to save your head. Just hope that you still get to keep it after he finds out you let me go into town and start a bar fight with a room full of hybrids ready to rip a defenseless little human to shreds."

"You insufferable witch!" Tyler's eyes widened at the proposed blackmail. Havana smirked knowing she got to him and that he did not see through her bluff. The two had a tens eye staring contest as there was a thick tension filling the air. Finally, the newly turned hybrid blinked. "Fine. Whatever. I'll take you to him." Tyler agreed making the woman on the couch in front of him sequel in delight. "Just don't do anything stupid and get into trouble again" He pointed at her poorly placed bandages. 

"You got it dog breath!" Havana gleefully saluted at the grumpy teenager.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

They had been on the road for about thirty minutes now with Tyler behind the wheel and Havana as the passenger beside him. There was a quiet silence between them with only the wind and the faint sound of music coming from the radio making a sound. Tyler leaned back comfortably in the driver's seat with one hand on the steering wheel while the other rested on the door. His eyes were concentrated on the road in front of him despite the car being the only car on the road.  All the physical tension of being blackmailed and bullied by the woman next to him was gone within minutes of getting into the car. Havana also displayed a calm exterior by leaning toward the car door and feeling the wind hit her arm that was extended outside of the car. It seemed as if her anxiety about being rejected by Klaus stayed in Chaseington. However, it still loomed deep within her thus forcing her to focus on the scenery surrounding them instead as an effort to distract herself from the possibilities of coming back to Mystic Falls with a forever broken heart. 

They were on the outskirts of the town on a road that had no other car on it except for the one they were in. Vast fields surrounded the area giving it a peaceful and idyllic aura. It was also a perfect living space for the supernatural to not get bothered given that they were given much more privacy in a rural area. 

Suddenly, the car stopped moving forward for the first time since they left the town limits and turned to the right entering the forest. They were on a dirt path full of small rocks and branches making the car shake a little as it continued moving. Havana had to bring her arm back in and reach the grab handle to sturdy herself. They went deeper into the forest until there were no more fields in sight but only endless rows of trees. It went on like that for nearly ten minutes until suddenly a bright light shined onto Havana's face giving it a natural angelic glow. She squinted her eyes and raised her hand to cover herself from the sun's blaring rays unlike Tyler who seemed to not have minded it and continued driving straight. When the sun stopped shining on Havana's face, she lowered her hand but dropped it in shock at the view in front of her. 

Before them was a vast clearing with dancing lush green grass which had a golden hue to them due to the sun's kisses. The area was untouched and completely isolated from the world since it was surrounded by the forest that they had just passed through. No one can see beyond the trees from this clearing. Havana understood better why Klaus decided to disconnect himself in such a peaceful-looking environment like this one. Tyler did not gauk as much as the view compared to Havana probably because he had been here more than a few times from what Havana assumed. However, his eyes did turn softer upon entering this clearing. 

A silhouette of a house from a distance entered Havana's vision. It seemed to be the only man-made structure in this little Eden. As they got closer and closer, she got a better view of the house that was not too small nor too big and had neither a modern nor an American influence to it. It looked as if it stood there for centuries with the color of the exterior no longer recognizable as it had faded throughout time and was instead replaced by green vines that enveloped most of the house. Havana felt like she was brought to the English countryside with the house having British aspects in its architecture.

As they pulled up in front of the house, Havana started to take notice of all the other people there as well. There was a variety of men and women from the ages of sixteen to forty-five doing different tasks. Some were gathering fruits from the trees with baskets and ladders as their accessories, some younger ones were gathered in a circle while an older person stood in the middle showing them fighting stances, and the others who did take notice of Tyler's car stopped in their tracks and stared directly at the mystery woman in the front seat. Havana swallowed her saliva feeling the threatening stares of a few hybrids who did not welcome her presence. 

"Klaus wanted them to be in total seclusion while they train. That means that for six days a week, they're here learning to how be stronger and faster as both vampire and werewolf hybrids. Everything that you see here is sustainable as well. This particular pack strongly believed in that and had been practicing it way before Klaus came along so the food that they eat comes directly from their own farming and the area allows them to easily hunt as well." Tyler explained the setup. 

"What a cute little cult, I mean, community you have here dog breath. You should totally put that into an ad so that you can attract more wolf packs to join." Havana snickered earning a lighthearted eye-roll from Tyler. "So why are you based in Mystic Falls and not joining them?"

"You already know the answer to this Havana. I'm Klaus's eyes and ears back home but that's just been a bust since everyone knows it and is hiding whatever plan they have to stop Klaus from me. Including my own girlfriend who I barely get to see anymore." He sighed.

Havana gave his shoulder a light squeeze, "I'm sure she misses you too and I bet she also understands that being on different sides is a very difficult position to be in, especially since the one you love is on the opposing one. Trust me, I know a lot on that topic but you just have to keep hanging there and never give up on each other. Also, remember that you have no choice in this. You're sired to him naturally making you loyal to Klaus despite your feelings for Caroline. I hope things get better for the both of you." Havana may be on not the greatest terms with Vampire Barbie, but she was genuine in everything that she said. 

"Thanks, Havana. I-uh didn't expect you to be that nice about it. But thank you." Tyler was surprised that she showed empathy for what he was feeling about his relationship. He wouldn't admit it, especially towards the woman who had spent the last few hours bullying him, but he appreciated her kindness. "Also-" he cleared his throat "-don't forget that Klaus purposely put them on this property so that they can be away from humans like you. They still haven't mastered controlling their urges to rip people's throats out and feed on them without any hesitation." He reminded her to watch her words in the presence of them. And in perfect timing, by the time he stopped the car, everyone had stopped what they were doing and stared. 

Havana got out of the car with her eyes landing anywhere except for the intimidating wolf pack standing before her. As much as she loved being unapologetically blunt, she took Tyler's words to heart. Especially since they had no clue who she was therefore making their perception of her as nothing but a worthless human meal. She was more susceptible to an attack. She flattened her brand-new dress feeling self-conscious about all the attention. She was able to shower and scrub all the dirt off of her body back at the townhouse in Chaseington before they left for this place. Her outfit had been ruined by the fight between the two hybrids who attacked her with tatters and dirt covering some parts of her attire. She had no other choice though but put them back on after a refreshing shower since she brought no other clothes with her. However, when she got out of the bathroom, her clothes were no longer on the floor where she had left them as a brand new dress with a tag still attached to it was laid out on the guest bed. Tyler had bought that dress for Caroline which he was about to gift her but lent it to Havana instead who needed it more. 

"Hey, Tyler! I thought you were supposed to be back on Thursday. Not today." Said one of the buffer guys. 

Before Tyler could reply another one-this time a woman spoke up, "I thought the rule was no outsiders allowed. I'm only able to see my girlfriend once a week and she couldn't come here or she would lose her limbs but this human can?" She said the word "human" with evident disgust. 

At that point, everyone came closer surrounding them. Tyler protectively put Havana behind himself not entertaining anyone's questions until one man spoke up. 

"Don't you see guys? Little Tyler here brought us a pretty meal. Maybe we should let her run loose in the forest so we can enjoy a hunt." His mouth practically watered upon saying that. The others seemed to nod in agreement which Havana visibly uneasy. 

"HEY!" Tyler yelled out loud suddenly making Havana flinch a little. "No one touches her or else they will have to suffer very deadly consequences. She's of importance to Klaus and I will personally see to it that he knows which one of you touched a single hair on her head. Remember what happened the last time some of you fell out of line?" His voice boomed with authority for everyone to take a step back.

The pack all had the same look of terror in their eyes making it known how scared they were of Klaus. Havana let a little breath in relief that they knew not to kill her. It is during a few moments like these that she is thankful to have the big bad Original Hybrid as her significant other. But she was still on high alert for anyone tempted enough to turn her into a happy meal. 

"Now, where is he? She has some urgent matters to talk to him about." Tyler continued.

"He's out there by the flower fields painting as usual. But you can't bother him as long as he is there. The last time someone tried to disrupt his painting session, their body was found days after and was missing a heart." Another person explained confirming what Tyler had said about Klaus's worsened violent moods. 

"Okay now back to your responsibilities. You heard me, time to continue to get back working  again." Tyler had dismissed them all after until it was just him and Havana left. "I better get back to Mystic Falls now before anyone notices how long I've been gone. Are you sure you're up to do this?" He asked Havana.

All the thoughts of him rejecting and staying out of her life for good started creeping back to her. She stared at the flower field that could be seen in the distance and took a deep breath. She had come all this way so there was no backing out now despite her mind screaming at her to do otherwise. She loved him and she did not want to lose him ever again.

"Yes, I'm ready to do this."

"Okay, so you see that pathway there?" He pointed at the first road at the back of the house leading towards a hill full of colorful flowers "Just go straight and continue following it until there is nothing around you but colorful flowers. He's usually there at this time of day to paint. Nobody knows what he is painting or why he is painting there every single day but it's best not to question someone who can easily rip out your head."

"Yup, that does sound like my NIk." Havana laughed. "Please wish me luck. I'm afraid this is my one and only chance to get him back. And I thank you a lot Tyler for helping me out today."

"I didn't have a choice. You blackmailed me, remember?" He half-joked.

"I meant protecting me from all the hybrids who were about to force me to run for my life in the woods while they hunted me for sport. You didn't have to but I'm glad you did. Thanks again Tyler." She smiled at him.

He returned the smile and wished her luck. "I can't believe I'm saying this but he is lucky to have someone like you who is willing to fight for your relationship. I hope that is also true for me and Care."

"I believe you both will work it out. Just remember to not give up on each other especially when life gets hard." 

The two said their final goodbyes and officially parted ways with Tyler heading back to his car in front of the old house and Havana going to the back of the house where the pathway to the flower fields started. They both turned back simultaneously and waved at each other. It was a sign that their ad today was now over and that they would be going back to living their own separate lives.

Havana started her own journey walking towards the flower field. Nothing but the soothing sounds of nature occupied her hearing from the rustling of leaves to the birds chirping above her. The hill at the start of the flower field was getting closer and closer. She continued walking towards it until she stopped in her tracks upon seeing a familiar dirty blonde-haired man in the middle of a field of flowers.