So sorry it's taken me so long to update! I can't apologise enough I've just been so busy with life and school work it's been hectic. I know this isn't a full chapter but it's just taking me too long to write so much and I feel really bad so I'd rather you have something to tide you over.

Thank you to all those who reviewed and please keep them coming.


It was just before dawn when Tyler escorted me back to the boarding house. I'd told him everything about Rick killing me to Bonnie bringing me back to Dee appearing (which is what I'd taken to calling my double – it seemed fitting: double, Danielle, dickhead etc.). He'd taken it surprisingly well, promised he'd tell no one, helped me clean up the bodies and promised to help me. Help being a strong word. I didn't need to see my dead-self to know there was no coming back from this. I'd either learn to live with it, or die. Again. Forever this time.

"Are you going to be okay?" Tyler asked twisting me around to face him in the parlour.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." I smiled reassuringly.

"Liar, liar pants on fire." Dee mocked causing me to wince, which unfortunately Ty caught.

His eyes drifted around the room waiting for something to jump out at him but he'd already looked past her – leaning against the wall checking her finger nails, smirking. "We'll get through this, Dani. We always do. I promise you I'll find a way to fix this."

Dee laughed. "Now you're both liars. No one can help you. You're stuck with me."

"I know, Ty." I smiled as he pulled me in to a strong hug. "Thank you."

He pulled back slightly and kissed my forehead softly. "You have nothing to thank me for. You know I'd do anything for you. All you have to do is ask. Any time. Any place."

"You know I'd do the same." I replied.

"I know." He smiled. "But at the moment I think one of us being screwed up is enough, don't you?"

"Hey!" I protested as I slapped his arm. He had the decency to pretend I'd hurt him but we both knew I hadn't.

He pulled me in for one last hug and rubbed soothing circles in my back. "See you in the morning."

"Ahem!" We both pulled back in surprise and looked up at Damon who was glaring from the top of the stairs.

"Not at all." I responded. "Night Ty."

"Goodnight. Get cleaned up and then get some sleep, okay?" I nodded before leading him to the door and shutting it softly behind him before turning around.

I stared at Damon for a moment neither one of us saying anything. "I changed my mind, don't kill him just yet. Sleep with him instead, he's just too hot." Dee grinned as she waggled her eyebrows.

That snapped me out of the staring contest and gritting my teeth I made my way up the stairs. But as I made a move to sweep past Damon he grabbed my arm stopping me. He held up my hand and stared at the dried blood on it, illuminated by the moonlight. Then he glanced down at my blood stained clothes before taking a step back and crossing his arms over his chest. "You going to explain?" He questioned.

"No." I stated clearly before walking in to my room and shutting the door behind me.


"Name anyone who didn't go on a bunny diet and didn't' end up killing dozens." Hearing Damon's voice I let out an annoyed sigh before steering around and heading towards Stefan's room.

"If she kills someone she'll crumble. How much pain do you think she can take before she shuts of her humanity?" Stefan retorted just as I stepped in to the room.

"A lot." I answered for him, causing both to turns towards me. "After all, she is a Gilbert."

"Exactly." Damon smirked turning back to Stefan. "And besides, it's something we all experience at least once. "She'll get over it, in a hundred years or so."

"I think I'd rather her skip that part." Stefan replied.

"She's never going to learn to control the bloodlust if she's never experienced the bloodlust."

"He's right." I agreed. "Take me for example, I control it impeccably."

"Right." Stefan responded sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. "Up until you kill people randomly."

"That's a choice." I shrugged leaning against the wall. "But take Caroline then."

"What are you doing? Knock it off." Stefan spat as Damon started removing clothes from the duffel bag.

"It's a cheat." Damon said ignoring Stefan. "It's like giving a kid a calculator before they've learnt math."

"I said stop." Stefan snapped as he grabbed Damon's arm leading to a stare off.

"You should turn this conversation around and get them arguing about you." Dee stated. "It's degrading that we're the one in the room and they only seem to care about Elena."

"Whoa, what's going on?" Elena questioned as she stepped in to the room.

"There having a pissing contest." I remarked.

Stefan glanced over at me with a small smile before turning to Elena. "We're just having a small disagreement, that's all."

"You're still not on board with the animal plan." She sighed.

"Who is?" I asked.

Elena turned to me and tilted her head to the side with curiosity. "You're not either?"

"No." I said with a shake of my head. "You need human blood to survive Elena. No matter what line Stefan's fed you. Animal blood is useless."

"You're a vampire Elena, be a vampire." Damon added.

"I have a council to kill." I grinned. "You're more than welcome to tag along and I'll teach you everything you need to know."

"Dani stay away from the council." Stefan ordered. You'll get yourself killed."

"Wrong." I sung. "I can't die."

"Then be careful." He warned.

"I'll go with her, she'll be fine." Damon butted in.

Turning to Damon, I narrowed my eyes slightly. "No you won't, because you can actually die."

"I can look after myself." Damon protested.

"Yeah and I'm Mary Shelley." I retorted. "You're not going."

Stefan chuckled as Damon sent daggers my way. "You ready to go?" He inquired. Elena nodded as she slowly turned to follow him.

"Vampires eat people. It's the natural order of things. Trust me, you're going to be miserable." Damon spat out to Elena.

Elena glanced at Damon before looking back at me, when I made no move to dispute Damon she lowered her head to the ground before following dutifully after Stefan.


Fury. That was the only emotion that I felt at this precise moment. I stood in the middle of the room that had clearly been blown up. There were still police markers around but no deputies so it must have happened a few hours ago.

"Well, this puts our plan at a bit of a standstill." Dee sighed. "And now I'm angry because I really wanted to kill them."

"Tell me about it." I growled out as I wandered around the room checking it all out.

"The windows were blown outwards." I observed.

"So?" Dee shrugged. "They're dead, we didn't kill them, I'm bored now. All that's left to do is high five the prick that did it and then kill them for beating us to it."

"The windows being blown out means that it was an inside job." I explained moving over to the cooker to see the gas pipe disconnected.

"So what, a vampire decided to become a terrorist?" Dee remarked sarcastically.

With a roll of my eyes I corrected "Or a pastor young decided to pull the gas pipe from the cooker and light a match."

"Shut up!" She hissed. "Someone's coming."

I whirled around to the door just as some guy slowly entered shining a touch around. As soon as he spotted me he pulled out a gun from behind him and pointed it straight at me.

"Don't kill him." Dee ordered as she looked him over curiously. I raised an eyebrow in question so she slowly shook her head. "I don't know why." She admitted begrudging. "But just don't."

"Whoa!" I said as I raised my hands in surrender. "The customary greeting is hello."

"Who are you?" He questioned.

"Danielle Gilbert." I answered. "Who the hell are you?"

He ignored my question and asked "Did you do this?"

"It was an inside job, so if i'd have done this then I wouldn't be here. In fact I'd be plastered all over the walls." I snarked. "Now stop pointing that damn gun at me."

When he didn't lower the gun I stepped forward and grabbed a hold of his wrist and quickly twisted it around and ripped the gun from his grip. Taking the clip out I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Wooden bullets – you're a vampire hunter."

"Get him on side, don't let him know what we are." Dee said.

"What do you know about vampires?" He demanded.

"Well, considering the vampire hunters of mystic falls was blown up last night, I'm about the only vampire hunter left in mystic falls."

He tilted his head to the side and observed me curiously. "You're a vampire hunter?"

Placing the clip back into the gun I handed it back to him. "Guess we're on the same side."

"Connor Jordan." He introduced holding out his hand.

"Don't shake his hand." Dee warned. "His glove is laced with vervain."

I gave him an awkward smile. "Sorry, I've been rooting around here so my hands are all dirty. So why don't we settle for it's nice to meet you." He nodded slowly as he looked at me suspiciously. "Anyway, I've collected all the information I need so I'm going to get out of here."


The mystic grill seemed more packed than usual, which was probably due to the memorial service that was later today. But despite that, I could easily spot Damon sat alone at the bar nursing a glass of bourbon. Making my way to the bar, I froze momentarily as I looked at the empty stool where Rick used to always sit. But I snapped out of it quickly and sat on the stool next to it, one over from Damon. "I don't know whether it's sad or tragic that neither of us can sit in that chair." Damon mused as he signalled the bartender for two more drinks.

"I'm leaning more towards downright pathetic." I responded.

"Amen to that." Damon chuckled as we clinked glasses. We were silent for a moment before Damon finally spoke again. "Are you going to tell me about this morning?"

"We didn't sleep together." I replied.

"I never implied you did." He said with his brows furrowed.

"No, but you were thinking it." I smirked.

"Did you actually do it?" Elena questioned as she came barrelling over towards me and Damon.

"That seats taken." Damon stated without even turning to look at her.

Elena looked between us in obvious confusion. "But there's no one sat there."

"We know." I sighed.

"But we're going to pretend like there's someone sat there because the alternative is too damn depressing." Damon snapped.

Elena huffed as she moved over to my other side before starting with her Spanish inquisition. "Did you set off the explosion that killed the town council?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." I admitted the slow burn of anger returning.

"Oh my god!" Elena shrieked. "I can't believe you actually went through with it. We grew up with those people Dani!"

"No!" I hissed as I clutched my glass tighter, surprised that it didn't break. "I didn't kill them."

"Wait? What?" Elena inquired as Damon raised his eyebrow.

"I went to kill them. I wanted to kill them. Which is why I'm so pissed off, because when I got there they were already dead." I explained before looking at Damon and grinning. "So congrats, you win, I lose."

"Wait? You did it?" Elena asked confused.

"Am I wearing my 'I blew up the council t-shirt'." Damon exclaimed. "Why does everyone think it was me?"

"Did you?" Elena probed.

"No." He stated.

"Now that that's out of the way, is there anything else we can help you with?" I smiled.

Elena rang her hands in front of her nervously as she lowered her head and nodded slowly. "Yes actually, there is something." She says lowering her voice considerably. "Something's wrong,"

"Danielle!" Someone yelled putting the brakes on our conversation. Looking over my shoulder, I spotted Connor looking my way as he stood near Sheriff Forbes. He gestured for me to come to him so I quickly held up a finger to signal that I'd be there in a minute.

"Who's that?" Damon questioned, a jealous edge to his tone.

Ignoring Damon, I locked eyes with Elena. "I'm really sorry, but I need to go deal with this."

"But I need to speak to you." She pleaded. "I need your help."

Taking her hands in mine I said soothingly. "Hey, it's okay. Whatever you need help with, whatever you want to talk about, Damon will always help you." I glanced over my shoulder to see Damon nod in agreement. "He'll always be there for you and I promise we can speak later."

Then quickly I stood up and made my way over to Connor and Liz. "Liz, good morning." I greeted. "And I must say Connor I didn't think I'd run in to you quite so soon."

"You two know each other?" Liz asked in shock.

"We were both investigating the young farm this morning." Connor explained.

"We got chatting." I added.

Liz's face scrunched up in turmoil. "Why exactly were you investigating it? That's a police matter."

"As I was telling Connor, as one of the last remaining members of Mystic Falls elite vampire hunting assembly, I felt it was my duty to uncover what I could." At Liz's look of shock, I was quick to add. "He's one of Liz. He's a vampire hunter."

"And I believe that it has to do with vampires as to why those people are dead." Conner clarified. Liz glanced at me with suspicion in her eyes before giving her full attention to Connor again. "I'd like to speak to the Mayor if that's okay."

"With all due respect Mr Jordan, we have our own enquiry going on. I appreciate you coming down here but I'm going to have to ask you to stay out of this." She responded stonily.

"If vampires are involved in this town then so am i." Connor deadpanned.

"And we appreciate it." I butted in before Liz could say anything else. "Why don't you give us a few minutes to talk?"

As soon as Connor was out of hearing distance Liz whirled around to me. "You can't seriously trust him Dani!" She said.

"Of course I don't!" I blurted. "But us hiding stuff from him is just going to make him even more suspicious. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

"You think he's an enemy?"

"Without a doubt, which is why we need him on side."

"Okay." She agreed then asked. "Did you do it?"

It didn't take a genius to work out that she was on about the young farm explosion, so I shook my head. "But I'll find out who did."

Once I'd finished speaking to Liz I made my way back over to the bar to where Connor was sat. I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Elena and Damon had disappeared from the bar but it barely even registered. "Lockwood Manor." I stated as I plopped down on the stool beside him. "That's where Carol Lockwood lives, she's the mayor."

"Thank you, I look forward to working with you Danielle."

"Ditto." I smiled.

"Here, it's on me." He said as he handed me a glass of bourbon. "It's what the bartender said you were drinking earlier."

"Well, thank you."

"Don't drink it." I nearly jumped out of my seat as Dee appeared beside me. "He's laced it with vervain. He's testing us."

I sat there for a moment with the glass in my hand unmoving before Connor finally got up, said goodbye and started to leave.

"Damn it!" Dee hissed. "He's waiting for you to drink it."

"What the hell am I supposed to do?!" I whispered-yelled hoping no one would hear.

"You're just going to have to drink it and hope he leaves quickly before you choke on it."

I swivelled around on my stool and locked eyes with Connor who was watching and waiting by the door. Slowly, I raised my glass to him and downed it swiftly. Straight away a red hot fire spread down my oesophagus and settled in my stomach.

As soon as he exited through the doors, my hand was covering my mouth so I wouldn't cough up a lung and surged toward the toilets.

I zoomed down the corridor but when I reached the women's toilet the door wouldn't open. With one hand still covering my mouth I knocked relentlessly. Just as I was about to break the door down a voice panted out. "Someone's in here."

"Elena?" I croaked out as the burning intensified.

"Just break the damn door!" Dee snarled.

Just as I was about to take her advice, the door swung open and Damon stood in front of me with confusion and slight guilt attached to his face. But not having the time or energy to dwell on it I pushed him aside and started coughing up blood into the sink.

"What happened?!" Elena screeched.

They each tried to grab one of my arms but I elbowed them aside before sliding down the cabinet until my back was too the sink. "Vervain." I croaked out, panting heavily as I used one of my hands to clutch at my stomach.

"Damon, go get someone!" Elena screamed.

"Shhh!" I hissed through a pained breath as my eyes flickered to the door. "I'm fine."

"Go home Elena." Damon ordered as he knelt down in front of me.

"Are you kidding me?! We need to get her out of here!" Elena argued.

"Go. Elena." I whispered locking eyes with her. "Just go, I'll be fine. I just need a minute."

She looked conflicted for half a second before she retreated through the door. Damon quickly got up and locked it behind her before coming back to me.

"Just suck it up already!" Dee snapped. "Get up. Brush yourself off. Then go out there and rip his head off!"

I sent a murderous glare in her direction but luckily Damon didn't see. "Are you okay?" Damon questioned softly as he gently picked me up and deposited me on my feet, still keeping his hands on my hips even when I was steady.

"Yeah, it just… burns." I admitted through a smile.

"You need blood." He stated as he cupped my chin, tilting my head so we were eye to eye.

"I know." I nodded.

We were silent for a moment before Damon pulled back briefly. His face changed, his fangs descended and he quickly bit in to his wrist. My face scrunched up in confusion so Damon quickly spoke. "Like it or not, it's all you've got right now.

Nodding slowly, I gently closed my lips over the wound and began sucking down the red nectar. Our grips tightened simultaneously and Damon let out a guttural groan as I let out a slight moan.

When I pulled back, my amber eyes met his red ones as we both breathed heavily. Then like twin snakes we struck, my fangs descended in to his neck and his in to mine as we clung to each other tightly. An electrical jolt passed through us but Damon was too far gone to notice…


"Tyler." I greeted cheerfully as I answered the phone.

"Hey, Dan." He replied in rather a tense voice. "Where are you?"

"Just walking through the woods, I'm on my way back to the boarding house. I haven't killed anyone, I promise." I smiled.

"Yet." Dee laughed causing me to clench my fists, nearly breaking my phone in the process.

"Glad to hear it." He responded and it didn't take a genius to figure out he had a slight smile in his voice but that changed just as quickly. "But that's not why I'm calling."

"Then what can I help you with?"

"You can help him with anything." Dee whispered with a wink.

"Look behind you." Ty stated before I could snap at Dee.

Turning around, the smile was wiped from my face as Tyler stood there with his chest covered in blood. Not dry blood thought, no it was still oozing, fresh blood. Hanging up the phone, I stuffed it in my pocket while he did the same, before rushing to his side. "Were you shot?" I questioned as his face scrunched up in pain.

"Uh huh." He mumbled. "Five times."

Just as his legs were about to give out, I wrapped my arm around his waist, supporting his weight. "We're not far from the boarding house." I stated as we slowly started to move in that direction.

Once we got inside I helped Tyler lie on the sofa just as Stefan walked in. "What happened?" He questioned.

"Some hunter came to the house." Tyler bit out. Stefan moved around the room and grabbed a pair of pliers as I kneeled beside Tyler and took his hand.

"Connor Jordan." I elaborated. "He showed up when I went to the young farm this morning. I'm so sorry Tyler." Regret filled my eyes as I lowered them to the ground. "He was asking about the mayor and Liz was making him suspicious so I just told him your address. I'm so sorry."

He let out a groin of pain as Stefan started his task of removing the bullets but he still twisted on his side slightly so he could tilt my chin up to look at him. "Don't worry about it. I'm fine. It's not your fault Dani."

Letting out a smile I replied. "Well, if it makes you feel any better he spiked my drink with vervain and wouldn't leave till I drank it."

He chuckled which turned in to a moan. "Surprisingly that does make me feel a little better."

Glancing up, to see how many more Stefan had to pull out I was shocked to see he was staring at me, his face expressionless. Holding my gaze for a few more seconds he slowly dropped it and went back to work.

"I'll kill him for this Ty, I promise you." I said squeezing his hand.

"We'll rip him apart." Dee vowed from the corner of the room.

Tyler looked almost sad as he slowly nodded his head and whispered. "I know you will."

"Tyler! Thank G-" Caroline screeched as she bounded in to the room but broke off halfway through. Her eyes widened and pain flashed across her features.

"I don't even need to wreck anything half the time, you do it all yourself." Dee laughed and that's when I realised that subconsciously my other arm and slipped behind Ty's head and was soothingly stroking his hair.

As Caroline's face hardened and she opened her mouth to snap, Stefan jumped in. "All done." He said as he stood up giving him my cue to follow him. As soon as I'd stepped away Caroline rushed forward and took my place, cuddling close to Tyler.

Stefan moved beside me and held up one of the bullets. "These were specially carved." He explained as we both admired the weird swords crossing symbol. "The width, the length. If you were a normal vampire you'd be dead."

"The guy knew what he was doing that's for sure. His gloves must have been steeped in vervain. He was looking for a vampire and he didn't hesitate for a second when he found one."

"The sketching." Stefan murmured as he touched the bullet but flinched back when he got stung.

"Is it spelled?" Caroline asked as she helped Tyler stand.

"I don't know but it's something." Stefan responded before placing the bullet down.

"Just lay low for a bit Ty until I get him, okay?" I smiled.

"Will do, Dan and thanks for helping me."

"You never have to thank me Ty, you know that. I'd do anything for you."

"Same as I would for you." He grinned and winked.

"Exactly." I laughed.

Caroline cleared her throat loudly and narrowed her eyes at me. "We need to go, thank you Stefan." She said before leading Tyler from the house.

"Look at Caroline acting all high and mighty." Dee snarled. "Thinking she's better than us. You should rip all that pretty blond hair from her head and show her who holds all the power!"

"Stop!" I growled.

"Stop what?" Stefan inquired with a puzzled expression.

"Sorry, nothing. It doesn't matter." I backtracked shaking my head.

Pain shot through my head and I visibly winced. Stefan was suddenly in front of me holding onto my upper arms. "Hey, you okay?" When I just squinted my eyes to the torment he gently shook me. "Dani, hey. Dani, look at me."

Blocking everything out, the silence was my only refuge… But even that couldn't save me…

Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump. Thump.

Stefan's heartbeat was a hypnotising melody that called to the monster within. The blood rushing through his veins was so loud it was almost deafening; it didn't help that when I opened my eyes Stefan's arms were wrapped snuggly around me and his neck was right in front of his face. His collateral artery was pulsing steadily just waiting for me to strike. So I did.

My vampire mask took over. Wrapping my arms tightly around him I struck and sunk my fangs deep into his neck. Stefan jerked and struggled desperately in my grip for about 30 seconds before he started tugging me closer instead. His arms enveloped around me and crushed me to his chest as I low groan slid from his throat.

Pulling back abruptly, I shoved Stefan down so he fell on to the sofa. His red eyes grazed up at me in question but before he could speak I moved so I was straddling him. But this time, when I struck so did Stefan. I moaned as I could feel him sucking my blood down greedily as I lapped up his. Just as the jolt of electricity shot through us, strong arms gripped my shoulders and hauled me backwards sending me flying into the wall.

Crumbling to the ground a snarl ripped through me as my nail grew and hardened into claws as I scrambled back to my feet. The sight before was enough to sober me up and my mind came rushing back. Dee was doubled over laughing as Damon straddled Stefan and repeatedly punched him.

Cold shock washed through me as realisation poured in. "It seems to just get easier to control you." Dee chuckled.

"STOP!" I yelled as I grabbed Damon and pushed him back gently giving Stefan time to gain his footing.

"Is this why you broke of the engagement?!" Damon hissed his voice filled with venom. "You wanted saint Stefan instead!"

"No! That's not wh-" I cried out but I didn't have a chance as Stefan whirled on me his eyes cold.

"You compelled me!" He bit out.

"NO!" I shouted.

"You've gone too far this time Stefan!" Damon growled.

"Damon, I swear to you-" Stefan tried to sooth but Damon was having none of it.

"If my life's going to crumble around me you can be damn well sure yours is to!" Damon roared. "Let's see what precious little Elena thinks about this shall we?"

"NO!" Stefan and I bellowed in unison but it was too late Damon was already running out the door and the only thing we could do was follow.


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Sophie