Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

THE ULTIMATE CAPTIVATION

HOME SWEET HOME

'Kaari…' the voice whispered through her mind, '…Kaari…wake up…'

Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked through the blur that clouded her vision, focusing on the silhouetted shape above her. Light shone at the figure's back, keeping their features hidden as a hand took her shoulder, shaking gently as she became aware of the lush grass at beneath her.

'You fell asleep again, Kaari,' the voice said, a hint of laughter in the musical tone. 'Are you sure you've been getting enough sleep lately?'

Kaari sat up, stretching a little as she rolled her head on her neck. Alex, her best friend of so many years reached out, laughing as she pulled a page of drawings from Kaari's cheek. She rubbed her eyes. 'I don't know. I've been having these weird dreams,' she said, careful to continue before Alex could ask about them, saying, 'how'd you find me up here?'

'Simple,' Alex said as she straightened, holding her hand out, 'I asked your mother.'

Kaari stood, a little unsteady on her feet for a moment before she cracked her back and bent to collect her sketch book and bag. 'I didn't tell her I was coming up here.'

'Mothers intuition my dear,' Alex said, tapping her pale temple, a smile over her lips. 'It gets us every time.'

Kaari nodded, smiling as Alex waited patiently for her to gather her things, tapping a Converse covered foot to the beat of one of the many songs that were always running through her mind. Alex took half the load of books from Kaari's arms, ignoring her protests as they began their trek down the hill, the decline comfortable. They chatted but needed little to say everything. They'd grown up together, had played with their mothers' clothes and heels when they were little and later sat up all night talking about boys.

'You know,' Kaari said, staring out over the town that had been her home since birth, 'Mum's cooking her famous pasta for dinner.'

'Really now?' Alex said and Kaari knew that in her mind friend's mind an invisible beard was being deviously stroked. 'Think she would have made enough for little old me?'

'I'm sure she can spare some.'

She nearly drooled. 'Seriously. Your mum makes the best pasta in all of Mystic Falls.'

'And one day maybe she'll share the secrets of her recipe,' Kaari laughed, seeing the hopeful gleam in Alex's eyes brighten to a blinding degree.

A few lights were winking on in the town, the street lights coming to life as the sky darkened. They quickened their steps, tummies rumbling at the promise of a good meal.

But that wasn't the only reason.

They had seen the reports on the news. The animal attacks were becoming more and more frequent, more violent. What sort of animal could cause the damage Kaari had seen, she didn't know, but whenever she heard a report she felt a chill roll down my spine, as if a part of her thought that something was unusual, as if the attacks were not really made by animals.

Silly, but every single time…

She shook the thoughts off, listening to Alex as she whined about the job interviews they had tomorrow, and the very thought that they had come so far was frightening when she could still remember their very first day of school when they had hardly let go of the other's hand for fear of being left alone. To look at them now, grown up and searching for work seemed wrong, but they had always been looking for exciting adventures.

Now it was time for a new one.

'You know what,' Kaari said, taking a breath of the beautiful air around them, the crispness of the summer breeze, 'I think the rest of this year is going to be good.' She reached out, taking the hand that Alex offered, a smile stretching her lips as they hit the bottom of the hill and walked the pavement they had walked a thousand times. 'As long as we can get jobs.'

'Well, if going to college and our life experiences don't help us, we're sort of screwed then, aren't we?'

They laughed the rest of the way home.

The interview was basic, a few references to the applications that Kaari and Alex had submitted as well as questions about their qualifications. Each had experience in either waitressing and bar tending now that they were over twenty-one, though the experience was not always professional… Still, they were accepted on the spot and even asked to start that Friday night, giving them a couple of free days now that they had secured work.

They spent the days in the sun, enjoying the heat of the summer and the cool waters of Mystic Falls. It was quiet in the town for the most part; the new school year had started and all the students were in full study mode for the most part, though there was always fun to be had with the annual party held by the seniors. They avoided it, knowing that they were long past that time, knowing that after college there was no way they could be satisfied with the high school party scene.

Kaari couldn't help worrying about Vicki Donovan though. She'd been attacked by an animal, but every time Kaari heard the story she felt that shiver roll down her spine and knew that not all was right in Mystic Falls, but still it all just felt like paranoia.

But your intuition has never been wrong…

She ignored her thoughts, focusing on the wicked tan she hoped she was getting, though she knew that it would take hours to even make the slightest dent in her current moon-tan, especially before Friday night which came around far faster than she and Alex expected.

Kaari pulled up just down the road and they climbed out of her little car, the doors of the old school blue Mini creaking a little when they closed them, laughing as they strolled to the Grill for their first of many nights. In only a few minutes, they were aproned-up and ready to go, Alex cleaning some of the tables while she waited for the first customers who would be looking for an early meal and Kaari giving the bar a quick polish before she threw the tea towel over her shoulder and got the lay of the land. She had the positions of most of the bottles memorized before the door opened with the first customers; the Lockwoods.

It wasn't until seven that the bar got some decent attention, with people coming for drinks after knocking off work and students coming to hang out with friends and play pool as they celebrated their success of making it through the first week of school. She laughed with them as they startled when she said their names before checking their ID's or just in greeting, laughing even more when they recognized her.

'Can't believe you came back,' a senior from the high school said.

'Oh my god, you used to baby sit me!' one of the younger ones said as he collected a coke to go back to his parents.

'How was Georgia?'

'Still drawing?'

'You returned to this little town?'

She laughed with everyone and saw Alex doing the same, tips going through the roof. As she poured Mayor Lockwood a drink, she was glad that both she and Alex had been able to get work at the Grill. Yes, it seemed like a definite step down after college and they knew that a few people would be wondering why the hell they had come back, but Kaari didn't care. She belonged with these people, in Mystic Falls where she had grown up. This was her home, and it always would be no matter how far she travelled. Her mum was here as well as her friends. Her little brother was here.

She stopped, throwing the tea towel over her shoulder as she leaned on the bar, watching the game of pool. The girl was familiar, and as she flicked back her long brown hair Kaari felt a smile pull at her lips. The girl broke the triangle like a pro, making her moves before she stepped aside for the boy that stood near by, watching with a smile over his lips that seemed new somehow, a strange emotion to him. When the girl looked up, Kaari smiled, winking at her before she walked back down the bar to serve a patron, knowing it wouldn't be too long before Elena Gilbert came over to talk.

She handed a man his beer and waited, cleaning a few of the glasses so that she could see who approached in the reflection of the polished glass.

'You didn't say you were coming back into town.'

Kaari turned, giving a nonchalant shrug, though she couldn't hide the smirk that came over her lips. 'It would have spoiled the surprise.'

Elena settled into the chair. 'When did you get back?'

'Sunday.'

'And Alex, she's–'

Kaari nodded her head toward her best friend and Elena's gaze followed, her eyes widening as she spotted Alex taking orders at one of the tables. 'I can't believe you're back here.'

'We can,' Kaari said, throwing the tea towel over her shoulder before she leant her elbows on the bar, her head resting on her hand. 'We missed this place. I mean, it was good to go study somewhere else and get a degree and what not, but this is where we belong.'

Elena smiled, but Kaari saw the sadness within it. She reached out, taking Elena's hand and seeing the surprise in her eyes. 'I know,' she said, and though she saw the denial in the girl's eyes, Elena knew that Kaari had felt pain, that there was at least one person who understood. 'I'm sorry I wasn't here, but you can trust that I am now. Alex is too.'

'Thank you,' Elena said, squeezing Kaari's hand to reassure her. 'We have to have a catch up. Properly.'

Kaari smiled. 'Sounds good.' Her gaze flickered to the pool table where the boy stood, that smile still on his lips though there was a sharp curiosity in his gaze, an intensity that she had never seen before as his eyes moved over Elena and then glanced to Kaari. There was an edge to him, one that sent only the faintest chill down her spine that she couldn't place, and between the unpractised smile and the brooding brow she wasn't sure it she ever would figure him out, but there was no harm in asking. 'Who's the eye-candy?'

A blush instantly flared over Elena's cheeks, and Kaari caught on instantly, 'Oh, you noticed him too then?' she laughed, giving Elena's arm a playful pinch. 'I'm guessing he's new.'

'Yeah,' Elena said, glancing to him before she tucked her hair behind her ear, 'he is.'

'And…?'

Elena sat a little straighter. 'And what?'

'Name, age, criminal record, interest level,' Kaari summarised quickly before adding, 'spill.'

'Stefan Salvatore, seventeen, none that I know of and moderate to high,' she said, another blush colouring her cheeks.

'You like him.' It wasn't a question.

'Yeah,' she said, glancing back to him over her shoulder, a genuine smile lighting her lips, 'I think I do.'

Kaari gave her a knowing look before she decided to get the serious stuff out of the way. 'Keep and eye on him, okay? He may be cute…well, gorgeous more like, even if he is a little young for me, but good looks don't equate to a good personality.'

'I'll be careful,' Elena said, squeezing Kaari's hand again before she stood up. 'We will catch up, okay?'

Kaari nodded before she turned towarsd another customer. The night continued on, though Elena and Stefan came to say goodnight before they left. Stefan was charming, though Kaari couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about him, something wrong that she couldn't place. He seemed like a good guy though, one that she wouldn't have to keep a constant eye on, though she knew it would take time for her to trust him with Elena. She was careful of men, knew that they weren't always the people they seemed to be, but she couldn't let her mistrust keep Elena from a man who could take care of her after all that had happened.

Kaari only knew Elena because their father's had been friends. Not as close as some, but close enough that the two girls had formed a bond despite their differences in age. Kaari had grown up keeping an eye on Elena, watching as she went into middle school and beyond. She was the tough older girl, not a sister but caring as if they were related. Alex was the same, though she'd always been closer to Caroline. Together, Kaari and Alex had watched out for Elena, Bonnie and Caroline. It was not something that she would be able to stop doing, not when she felt so bad for being away for so long, for not being there for Elena and Jeremy when their parents died after Elena had been there for her so many years ago when Kaari had lost her father.

There were still a lot of people in the Grill and Alex was busy taking late night orders before the kitchen closed. More people were simply in for the drinks and there were few seats left at the bar, but Kaari had served them. She stopped in front of a new customer, her tea towel throw over her shoulder for the hundredth time as she stared at the man who sat away from the others, his elbows on the bar and his shoulder slumped. He certainly looked like he needed a drink.

'What can I get for you?' she asked, pulling a smile over her lips though she was beginning to feel a little weary.

'Scotch,' he said, his linked fists obscuring his face a little.

'Neat?'

He looked up and Kaari felt a chill sprint down her spine at the smile that came over his lips – one so fake it made icy fingers clutch at her heart – but his voice was rich, almost soothing as he said, 'of course.'

She gulped, unable to stop her gaze from moving over his pale features, the strong, lightly stubbled jaw, straight nose, wicked lips curved in that faux smirk and the most killer, piercing blue gaze she'd ever seen. A sharp curiosity flickered in his gaze, as intense as the one she had seen in Stefan's eyes earlier.

Could he be…?

She shook off the thought, reaching for the scotch and a glass, pouring it quickly before she placed it on the bar, watching as the man unfolded his fingers and reached for it. He only savoured it for a moment before he tossed back the glass, his eyes closed. He pushed the glass towards Kaari, still leaning on his elbow. 'Another.'

She poured it, glad she'd kept the bottle out as he tossed back the refill and pushed the glass towards her again. 'Bad day,' she said as she refilled the glass again, making a note that it was the third as he tossed it back like the first two. He did not push the glass towards her again though. He sat, fingers absently holding the rim of it as he stared at the pattern in the glass.

'I don't have bad days,' he said, that too practiced smile over his lips again as he continued to stare straight ahead.

'Sure,' Kaari said, tentatively putting the scotch away before she glanced around the Grill, spotting Alex. With Mr Fun Time occupied with his stare fest, she caught Alex's gaze, mouthing. 'Seen this guy?'

Alex glanced to the man as Kaari inclined her head subtly, a little smile lifting Alex's lips as she shot her a look that said: cute?

Kaari shrugged and Alex's eyebrows shot up: you're kidding, right?

Kaari arched a brow: you can't even see him.

Alex waggled her eyebrows: From where I'm standing… Her head tilted, a smile lifting her lips: I see enough.

Kaari's hand shot up to cover her mouth in an attempt to keep herself from laughing, but a few giggles escaped, drawing the attention of the patrons at the bar while she tried to pull on a straight face. She tidied up busily, glancing at Alex before nodding: fine, he's cute.

Alex flicked her hair, a hand on her hip: I know.

Kaari glanced to him in his near frozen state, his fingers still resting on the rim of the glass as he stared ahead. If not for the fact that she'd spoken to him – if only briefly – she would have believed him to be a life-like statue, he was so still. She nearly startled when he glanced to her, those piercing eyes connecting with hers instantly, sending her gaze swivelling away, though there was no denying the intensity of the moment that he'd held her focus.

This man sent her intuition off the scale, little tingles of cold dancing on her spine in a way she had not felt for a very long time, not since the day her father had died…

She shivered, slamming the door closed on the memory and keeping her mind focused on the task at hand. She could feel his eyes on her, feel the piercing blue as though it could look right to her very soul with just a fleeting glance, but his gaze was anything but fleeting. She shifted uneasily, glancing to Alex as she moved around the table. Her best friend looked up, a little smirk lifting her lips: he's staring at you.

Kaari nodded subtly: no kidding.

Alex tilted her head towards him, clearing her throat before her shoulders lifted in a shrug: maybe you should see if–

Kaari pursed her lips, giving her head a sharp shake that left no room for argument. She was not about to dig into this man's life, not matter how much his fake smile intrigued her, no matter how much his gaze heated her blood as much as it chilled her spine. Something about him screamed danger, menace, almost as much as he oozed a masculine strength and wickedness that drew her to him.

This man, whoever he was, was not a man she wanted to know.

At least find out his name.

Her eyes widened at her own thoughts. Surely she'd just resolved – in the same mind that was suddenly curious – that she didn't want anything to do with the stranger?

Come on. I mean, he is cute…

Oh great, she thought, good time to show up, hormones.

She tightened her jaw, cleaning the bar as a few people vacated their chairs and walked – or staggered – towards the exit. She would not ask his name. She didn't want to know who he was or why he'd come to the Grill or–

'You're new here, aren't you?'

Well shit.

She turned to him, leaning her hip against the counter behind the bar, knowing there was no way to take back words already spoken. She put on a strong look as if she hadn't just lost an argument with herself as he turned to look at her, sitting back a little as that fake smile lifted his lips. 'I could ask the same thing of you.'

'I grew up here. I just got back from college and a bit of travelling.'

'Funny,' he said, though there was no true amusement in his gaze, 'I just came back here as well, though I admit I wasn't at college, just travelling.'

She crossed her arms over her chest loosely, going for nonchalance even as she cursed herself mentally. She glanced to his hand, gaze caught by the ring on his finger, one that she thought matched the interesting one that Stefan wore, though she could have been wrong. She hadn't really been paying attention to the boy's ring despite its size; she'd been too focused on making an early assessment as to whether he was good enough to even consider dating Elena.

'You wouldn't be related to Stefan Salvatore, would you?'

His jaw tightened a degree. 'Actually, I'm his older brother, Damon.'

Apparently good looks run in the family.

Shush, hormones, Kaari chided, pulling a smile over her lips. 'When did you get into town?'

'Oh, just before the start of the week,' he said. 'Stefan was keen to get here in time for school.'

'He's in his senior year?'

Damon nodded and for a moment, a pout came over his lips that nearly sent Kaari's knees knocking. 'They grow up so fast.'

'Yeah,' Kaari said, thinking of Elena, her thoughts straying to her brother as she realised that before she could fathom it he'd be sneaking out to parties and doing exactly as boys do, 'they do.'

That fake smile again, and he straightened from his seat, tossing a note onto the table. 'Nice to meet you,' he said, though Kaari didn't feel any sincerity in his words. 'Don't walk home alone. You never know what's out at this time of night.' He glanced up as he straightened his jacket, that piercing gaze searing her. 'Or who.'

The chills rocketed over her spine as she watched him walk for the exit, a certain ease in his steps that surprised her. He seemed dangerous, untamed, yet he walked with a smooth grace that Kaari imagined could only be seen in fiction depicting men of class in days gone by.

She tore her gaze from the door as he disappeared into the night, busying herself with tidying up the bar ready for closing. It was nearing midnight, and she felt a weariness take her as the rush of the night finally hit full force. As soon as the boss gave them the okay, she and Alex were out the door, breathing the cool night air. They climbed into her Mini.

'Well,' Kaari said, 'we made it through the first night.'

'Before we know it we'll get our first pay check,' Alex said.

'I guess the tips will have to do for now.'

Alex laughed. 'It's not like that's a bad thing. I got some pretty good ones tonight from all the people who I took a little trip down memory lane with.'

'Me too,' Kaari said as she remembered just how many people she'd been glad to see, and even people she'd wanted to growl at as she remembered just how rude they'd been in high school. 'The tips aren't going to be like that forever though.'

'Oh, I think they will. I mean, just think about how hot we looked. Me waiting tables while you poured drinks like a pro,' Alex said, elbowing Kaari playfully. 'We are so set.'

Kaari laughed as they approached Alex's house. The lights were still on, meaning that her parents were still awake, likely waiting for their daughter to return safe.

'So,' Alex said and Kaari knew exactly what was about to be said, though Alex continued anyway, 'I bet Mr Mysterious tipped well.'

'Actually, he didn't tip at all,' Kaari admitted, though with his fake smile and general back-off-I'm-a-dick vibe despite the seemingly kind 'feelings' towards his brother, she wasn't surprised.

Alex frowned. 'Not so hot now.'

I don't know about that...

Kaari commanded her hormones to be quiet before she shrugged. 'No big deal,' she said, 'it's not like there aren't other hot guys around.'

'Still, he had a really nice ass.'

Kaari embraced Alex before Alex climbed out of the car. 'I have to agree with you there,' she laughed, watching as her best friend walked up the path to the house before she pulled away from the curb. She couldn't fight a smile as she remembered the night, all of the people she'd reconnected with and even the new ones who'd recognised her simply because others had known her.

But her smile was hindered. She couldn't shake the strange vibes that surrounded Stefan, despite how nice he was. More than that, she couldn't keep Damon from her mind, not just because of the chills that crept down her spine at the very thought of him as though her intuition was having a full blown freak out, but because of the look in his eyes. She'd never seen such…emptiness.

It seemed her resolve was crumbling over the weight of her curiosity, but still she fought the desire to learn more about him. He was a dangerous man, frightening, and knowing one man like that in a lifetime was enough.

Hi all,

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of

The Ultimate Captivation

If you have a moment, I would really appreciate some feedback on this first installment, especially considering the fact that the next chapter will be up tomorrow, the third the day after, the fourth the day after and so on.

I hope you'll keep reading in the coming days.

~ Ryuk In Person ~