Welcome to Mystic Falls, Virginia. The rider barely read the sign as it blurred by. It was a disappointment actually, the place. So far the scenery was the same as Forks, Washington. Trees, Trees, and more trees. There was green everywhere! The only difference, that it was bright and sunny here. The rider crossed the old white oak bridge and on the other side, stopped the bike; a Harley Davidson Light Wire; its pride and joy. It got off the motorcycle and walked to the edge of the bridge, to look down at the water that was beneath it.
As soon as the rider had crossed the border, entering Mystic Falls it had felt a pull that came from deep inside its soul that connected it forever to the small town. Home. The rider took of its helmet and a wave of dark brown hair fell down her shoulders. Blue eyes stared into the water full of worry. This place felt like home, it called to her welcoming her back though she had never set foot here before. The young woman took in the scenery around her, green forest, running water, birds flying in the sky and the calling of a crow far off in the distance. She had decided to come here to start anew, a clean slate after all that had happen back in Forks. It was the first time she had set off on her own and being the lucky person that she was, after her dad died she had inherit a boarding house in Mystic Falls. If things didn't go well, she could just sell it and move to New York or New Orleans. Her stomach rumbled and she placed her helmet back on. For now, she had to find a place to eat. She was starving.
The Mystic Grill was crowded, a rare thing on a Monday night. Matt was being worked to the ground as more clients walked in. Ever since, the other bar across town shut down, The Grill has been the go to place every night. They would need another waiter or Matt would be exhausted before the week finished.
Damon asked for a bottle of bourbon and with a bit of compulsion managed that the bartender give it to him along with six cups. He took it and went to the table where his brother and his girlfriend was sitting with all their friends. He was about to sit down, when he felt a sudden shift in power all around him. Damon stood straight and quickly expanded his sense to try and feel where the threat was coming from. Bonnie placed herself next to him;
"Did you feel it?" Bonnie asked him breathlessly. Damon nodded;
"Yeah, but I can't feel where it's coming from." His black eyes searched the room relentless and he flared out his Power searching for the source but found nothing.
"What did you feel?" Stefan asked, shifting closer to Elena for protection. Damon snorted and mockingly told him;
"Get off the bunny diet, little brother; you're getting weaker by the minute. Something has happened that has shifted the power here in town. It was strange though, almost as if the town was welcoming someone back." Damon looked at Bonnie for confirmation.
"Someone has arrived;" Bonnie said with her eyes closed in concentration. "She has finally come home after so many years. Unbeknown the power she holds within she is surrounded by the cold, wolves and the moon. She will either join us or tear us apart." Bonnie sighed, opened her eyes to the sight of her gaping friends. "I'm sorry that was all I could get." Damon shrugged and sat down, fingering his glass of bourbon.
"When she gets here, we'll deal with her then. For now, we have other things to worry about; like why we can't get in the boarding house." Stefan sighed and leaned forward so he was eye to eye with his brother.
"About that, I called Zach's lawyer and asked about the house. Since he was declared dead, the house would fall to his next of kin; who supposedly would be you or me. Turns out we were wrong; Zach had a half-sister that we didn't know about. His father had an affair with his secretary and a child was born out of it. She is a Salvatore so Zach signed over the house to her if anything ever happened to him." Stefan informed them.
Two weeks ago Damon and Stefan stumbled across the fact that neither of them were owners of the boarding house. They had been inside the house when suddenly they were both suffocating and suffering aneurisms. Elena and Bonnie had to drag them out of the house for them to start breathing again. Entrance was impossible after that and to say they were pissed was putting it lightly. Stefan was staying with Elena and Damon with a different girl every night.
"How did the lawyer know that Zach is dead?" Damon asked.
"They don't," Stefan said; "Zach was supposed to check in very two weeks and when he didn't, the house passed to the other owner."
"So, we find this sister and compel her to sign the house over to us. Where is she?"
"She died twenty years ago, a robbery gone wrong."
"So why can't you get in? This woman died while Zach was still alive so the house should have gone to you." Elena asked quickly as Damon's eye was practically twitching.
"Well, both Zach and his sister weren't stupid. They left written that if anything should happen to either of them, the house would go to Zach's niece, her daughter when she turned twenty-five."
"Let me guess, she turned twenty-five two weeks ago." Damon said sarcastically.
"Exactly. Zach's niece is the proud owner of the Salvatore Boarding House," Stefan finished.
"Do you know where she is?" Bonnie asked him. Stefan shook his head;
"The lawyer wouldn't give out that info by phone. He did mention that the girl was coming here with the idea of selling the house and going to New York. So maybe we could offer to buy it from her."
"We can't compel her to give us the house because…" Damon asked mockingly
"Because she is family and she might need the money for college or something. We have more than enough that it won't even hurt us." Damon just glared at his little brother; Saint Stefan always doing the right thing. Elena was clinging to his arm with that sick lovey-dovey look in her eyes that made him want to vomit.
Tyler Lockwood approached them with a cat-ate-the-canary grin on his face. He plopped down next to Bonnie, looking excited.
"You won't believe the killer bike that just parked outside; a not-on-the market-yet Harley Davidson Live-Wire and totally reformed. The thing was going over a hundred when it entered the town and its rider is the hottest piece of ass that I have ever seen." Bonnie smacked him on the arm;
"Do you have to talk about a woman like that?"
"If she is worth talking about, yeah."
"Asshole," Bonnie muttered under her breath.
The door to the Grill opened and a medium height woman walked with a helmet under her arm. Her curly coffee brown hair was thrown over one shoulder, her hazel-green eyes observed the room as she made her way to the bar. She placed her helmet and black leather jacket on the stool next to her and when she leaned forward to grab a menu, her tattoo of the wolf howling at the moon that she had on her olive-colored back was visible.
"That's the rider. I told you she was hot!" Tyler told them smugly. The girls rolled their eyes as the boys chuckled.
"She's definitely new. Think she is just passing through?" Caroline asked.
"Must be, she had two bags tied to the back of her bike. Why would she want to stay here with money raining down on her?" Tyler answered.
"What makes you think that she has money?" Caroline asked again.
"Did you not hear how I described her bike? The Live-Wire is not yet on the market for another six months and it has been reformed to surpass the speed limit. Her helmet has an incorporated Bluetooth and microphone. You need money for all that." Caroline shrugged and rose from her seat.
"Passing through or not, I'm going to welcome her to our town and ask her for her name."
"You should stop being so nosy before you come across something you can't handle," Damon told her but Caroline ignored him and she started walking over to the girl. Mid-way she stopped and headed to the bathroom.
"I forgot that I have to go to the bathroom." Damon stopped her by grabbing her wrist.
"Barbie we don't have to use the bathroom because we don't need it."
"Do you feel alright?" Bonnie asked her. Caroline looked confused and her eyes were in a daze.
"Yeah, I'm fine…why did I get up?" she asked looking around her. Her eyes landed on the new girl that was at the bar.
"Who's that?"
"You were going to go over there and ask her," Elena informed Caroline nervously. What was wrong her?
"I was?" Stefan stood up and walked towards Caroline.
"What was the last thing you remember?" Stefan asked.
"Tyler was telling us about a new bike that rode into town…why?" Stefan grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze;
"He also mentioned the rider and how it was that woman at the bar." Caroline looked surprise and was about to answer when the door to the Grill opened again and an awful wet dog smell wafted in. Damon, Stefan and Caroline automatically turned towards the entrance as a tall Native-American walked through the door. His skin was the color of bronze with black hair and eyes. He wore black jeans and a tight navy blue t-shirt with a blue jacket on top. Half-way towards the bar, the man stopped and slowly turned towards them. He inhaled deeply and growled under his breath. Damon and Stefan automatically placed themselves in front of Caroline and growled right back. Elena stood up and before anyone could grab her she made her way towards the bar;
"I'll find out what her name is and what is going on." She was about to approach the girl when she stopped and turned around heading to the bathroom. She took a few steps when she got a determined look on her face and turned back towards the woman. Elena forced her steps before she suddenly stumbled back and into the arms of the Native-American.
"Careful there doll face; try not to hurt yourself." He smiled down at her before approaching the woman. He placed a kiss on the top of her head and sat down on the stool that was on the other side of her. Elena made her way back to the group and Stefan quickly grabbed her placing her behind him. Just what in the world was going on?
"Babe, you're doing it again." Paul Lahote said to Ava as he sat down next to her. She shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly as she studied the menu.
"I don't want to be bothered right now, I'm hungry and I'm tired. We both know that small town people are as nosy as can be." Paul snorted as he pointed out the hamburgers, fries and milkshake that he wanted;
"Seems small town also are a magnet for leeches it would seem." Ava swiveled in her seat and stared into the crowd her eyes lingering in a group of teenagers that were staring right back at her. The blonde and the brunette were the two that had tried to approach her. She winked playfully in that directions making the blue eyed male smirk back at her.
"Don't worry about it Paul, it's not like the ones back home." Her eyes filled with worry though and she contemplated calling her family and asking about them. Before she could decide what to do, the food she had ordered was placed in front of them and all sane thought flew from her mind. The smell had her practically drooling and she groaned in happiness at the burger, fries and chocolate milkshake that was in front of her. After so many years on the bunny diet she was finally off it and she couldn't be happier. Ava took a bite of her burger and sighed in happiness. Paul took one look at her face and started laughing hysterically. His booming laughter caught the attention of those around them, but neither of them paid any attention to them. Ava flipped him off but continued to eat heartily as Paul joined her. Ava drank a bit of her milkshake and said;
"Laugh all you want but I am finally giving those poor woodland creatures a chance at survival! No more eating their food…no more of depriving them of their natural food source! The law of survival went right out the window with us around; but no more! I am finally giving them a chance at running from them." Paul stared at her for a second before laughing again.
"Why didn't you ever tell them that you didn't like vegetarian food?" He asked her curiously. Ava shrugged and continued eating;
"They can't stand the smell of cooked meat, so I never bothered to tell them." Paul started howling in laughter again making Ava roll her eyes and smack him upon the head.
"Cut it out will you?"
"It's just weird, babe."
"Yeah well, you are bringing too much attention to us." Paul looked around him and noticed how everyone was looking at them. He glared at them rather harshly and said;
"Do you all need something?" Everyone quickly went back to whatever they were doing and Paul turned back to his seat.
They both finished eating in comfortable silence, enjoying their last moment together. This would be the first time they would be apart since they had decided to become best friends when they were six and eight years old.
"How long do you plan on staying here?" Paul asked Ava softly while looking at the menu again. He had finished eating and was ready for dessert. Ava thought for a moment before answering him;
"I'm not sure yet. I'll take a look at the place first and then decide. I'll most likely sell it to the town council and with that money head to New Orleans. I've always wanted to see the French Quarter and Mardi gras."
"Town Council? Why would you sell it to them?"
"From what the lawyer could tell me, this town is really hyped up about their history, historical points and monuments. Seems that this place belonged to one of the founding families and they would like to keep it local; if you get what I mean."
"They don't want anyone from outside living in it or managing it."
"Exactly; and although I carry the name, I am as outside as I can get. I have never lived here and honestly if hadn't been orphaned I probably would have never heard of this place. So my best shot is just selling it to the town council. They would take better care of it and would appreciate it more."
"All I can think about is how weird it sounds every time you say Town Council. It gives me the heebe jeebies every time you say it." Paul said strangely.
"Seriously, Paul? Heebe Jeebies? Have we gone back to the eighties?" Paul smirked at her before ordering four slices of warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream.
"What do you want for dessert, babe?" The blonde male waiter eye's nearly bugged out when he realized that the four slices was for Paul. Ava smiled at him apologetically and added two more slices to the order. The waiter cleared his throat nervously and said;
"I think it would be better if you just ordered the whole pie. It would be a lot cheaper also. You could take the two extra slices with you when you leave." Ava smiled brightly and glanced at his name tag.
"Thanks for the advice Matt, just bring us the pie than." He left with a smile on his face; the two newcomers were kind of strange but at the same time he could tell that they were decent people.
Paul's phone started ringing and he fished it out of his pocket, groaning at the name of that appeared on his caller ID;
"Sam, what's up?" A few seconds later;
"Now? We just got here! I told you I would be gone for a few days." Mumbling could be heard from the other line. At the obvious distress Ava turned to face Paul;
"Embry and Quil are close? What does have to do with me? Deal with them with Jared." Angrier mumbling and then;
"I didn't ask for this Sam and you know it. I am asking for a few days to help Ava settle in and then I'll go back. This place is filled with leeches also…I have to make sure it's safe for her." Yelling could be heard through the phone and Paul started shaking violently. Ava shot up from her chair and bounded into Paul's arms; his arms automatically wrapped around her and his shaking ceased;
"It wasn't her choice to be with them and you know it. She has never been treated wrongly by them and it's not her fault that we are like this. I am not leaving her here alone until I know it's safe!" A deep timbre could be heard through the phone and Ava could feel how Paul was trying to fighting the order given, he was shaking harder than before and sweating bullets. Ava grabbed the phone and placed it to her ear;
"Sam, he will finish his pie and he'll be there. Now back the fuck up and deal with your shit until he gets there. Tell Jared to stop fucking Kim and to get his ass to wherever the fuck you are. Imprinted or no, he is your beta not Paul. So, man the fuck up and order him to be by your side." She hanged up on him and hugged Paul tightly until he stopped shaking completely. He buried his head in the crook of her neck and pulled her tighter against him;
"I hate my life right now." Ava sighed and rubbed circles against his back.
"I'll try to convince them to leave but I doubt they will listen to me right now. Edward is so obsessed with Bella Swan that I doubt that he will even think about leaving her; and what Edward wants…Edward gets."
"Don't worry about it babe; just have a room ready for me when you decide to settle down somewhere. Once all this shit is done, I'm hightailing it out of there and never looking back." Ava chuckled and saw the pie that Matt had silently placed on the table. She stepped out of his embrace and sat on the stool again. Paul grabbed his fork and dug into the pie without even placing the slice on his plate. Ava grabbed the other fork and started eating the same way. After a moment of silence, Ava asked;
"What if you imprint? Will you still go to wherever I am?" Paul stopped the fork midway from his mouth and looked at her incredulously;
"Whoever turns out to be my imprint will have to understand that you and I are a package deal. Besides I hope the gods have pity on me and give me a girl that also wants to leave the reservation as badly as I do." Ava laughed and gave him a one arm hug.
"I'm sure that you'll get the perfect girl. And if not…leave her with me for five minutes and the girl will be perfect." Paul chuckled at that his mouth full of pie. Ava grabbed the keys to her bike from her jacket and placed it in front of him.
"Take the bike. It will give you a few days extra to get back to La Push and if you ever do find your girl, you can sell the bike and use the money to plan your future." Paul stared at her, his mouth wide open in disbelief;
"You are giving me your bike, your most treasure possession…just like that?"
"It's not just like that. The bike is already in your name. I won't be able to use it much here and if I decide to go to New Orleans I won't be able to take it with me. Just don't break it or destroy it." Paul couldn't think of anything else to say so he hugged her tightly again and kissed the top of her head. They finished eating, paid the bill and left a generous tip. Ava placed her jacket back on and handed the helmet to Paul. They walked towards the door and before leaving Ava turned around and stared at the group that was still watching their every move. She had the feeling that several of them had heard the conversations that she and Paul had and that it raised more questions than answers. Her eyes caught the eyes of the blue eyed male and for a moment she felt warm all over and she gave an internal groan. She was royally fucked now. He winked at her before taking a sip for his glass. Ava rolled her eyes and headed outside. Paul was already on the bike and in his hand was the keys to the black Audi R8 which he had drove from Forks so Ava could have her two vehicles with her. Or rather, that was she had told him but now he knew the truth. Ava grabbed her two bags from the bike and settled them on the ground.
"Do you want me to accompany you the house first?" Ava shook her head;
"Don't worry about it. I'm going to cruise around the town first to get a feel for it. I'll be careful Paul. I am not exactly defenseless." Paul sighed before placing the helmet on;
"I know you're not, but you're my only family beside the pack and I worry about you."
"I'll take care of myself, any trouble I can't handle and I'll call you. Be careful on the road and back home. I love you Paul, always and forever." Paul gave her a cheeky grin and slid the visor down.
"Love you too, baby girl. Always and Forever." The bike roared to life and with a squeal of the tires he rode out of the Grill and out of her life.
Ava sighed, grabbed her bags from the ground and walked to her car. She flung the bag inside and drove out of the Grill also. This was a new chapter in her life and she was ready to start it.
Ava never noticed the man standing in the shadows watching her every move. The young woman was familiar to him but in what way he did not know. This was another thing he would have to find out while he was in this town.