A bit of bonding followed by a lot of embarrassment. And, just so you can all laugh at me, yes, the scene with Elena was actually based on something I did... yeah... And yes, I have the same tolerance for alcohol. None. lol, a few sips and I'm almost instantly loopy!

Frightening Misunderstanding

A finger of light burned through my eyelids. Groggily, I opened my eyes. Instantly, my heart raced, flooding my veins with adrenaline. No trees. I was inside. A bed. Scarlet sheets. Trapped. Without thinking, my body shot up; but immediate double over as knives dug into my stomach and back.

"Well I bet that felt good." Someone commented. With I gasp, I jumped to face them, but that redoubled the agony surging from my bruised torso. "Alright, here we go." He said almost more to himself than to me. Gently, he guided a big pillow against my stomach as he sat down behind me. Holding my hands in his, he hugged the pillow against me, offering just enough support to my screaming ribs to ease the pain. In seconds, my body relaxed.

"Better?" he asked, almost haughtily. I swallowed hard and nodded, all-too-aware of his lean body pressed carefully against my back. "Good." He said quickly and got to his feet. "After you pasted out last night, I fixed your ribs. I'd suggest taking a trip to the hospital, but something tells me that might cause a whole new string of problems." I automatically tightened my wings.

"Thank you." I said, letting my gaze drop to the scarlet bed. "Sorry for the trouble; I'll"

"Answer my question now? Good, 'cause I'm sitting on the edge of my seat here." He interrupted. I swallowed hard, but said nothing. "Hey, come on now; I answered your question. It's only fair." He pressed.

"Right; vampire." I played along, "Which is why you're walking in the sun right now." He held up his hand and wiggled a silver ring.

"Wiccan specialty." Footsteps sounded from outside, "but it was buy one get one free." The door opened. "Stephen!" He said overzealously. "Great to see you. Oh, leaving so soon? Too bad, ba-bye now." He added with a wave of his hand. The other man, Stephen, glared at him before turning his attention to me. Something about him reminded me of an abused puppy.

"You'll have to excuse my brother; he can get so caught up with his own aims, he tends to forget about things like manners." He said as he handed me an apple. Damon's lips twitched in an annoyed smirk. I thanked him and took it. "Just let me know if you need anything." I nodded and bit into the sweet fruit. A few long seconds passed in a deafening silence and they just watched me. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I carefully studied the comforter again.

Finally I sighed in defeat and gave them a pouting glare before stretching out my wings. Stephen's brows pulled together as though troubled, but Damon seemed to soften.

"I don't understand." Stephen murmured, "You're human." I stretched them a bit before pulling them back loosely behind me, so they were still in sight. "How?"

"Yes, how? Go on, Thea; can't you see us dying in anticipation?" Damon added. I couldn't help but chuckle at the pun. Then the silence cascaded down again.

"I don't know." I finally whispered. "I've had them since birth. My mother too."

"What about your father?" Stephen asked. I shrugged.

"I never met my father." And I took another bite of the apple.

"Aren't you going to be late for school, or something?" Damon said, annoyed. Stephen glared at him before glancing back at me and leaving.

"He goes to school?" I asked. I was beginning to get use to Damon's extravagant use of expressions.

"It's a long story. About a girl." He added, like that explained it all. I chuckled and pushed myself up with just a tiny grunt of discomfort. "Hey, what are you doing?" He asked, suddenly at my side as I swung my legs out of the bed.

"Throwing this away." I explained motioning to the apple core. He immediately took it from me and chucked it out the window. By the time he'd turned back to me I was on my feet, wings flared slightly for balance.

"Now what are you doing?" He asked, suddenly right beside me making my heart flutter painfully.

"If it's alright with you," I drawled, "I'd like to use your restroom."

"I guess that's alright." He shot back playfully. Still, he hovered protectively over me as I tried to take the first step and I was glad for it, because my leg caved. Instantly, his hands grabbed me so I fell gently against him. "Can't say I didn't see that one coming." He muttered with a loaded smile. My hands clutched his shirt as I struggled to regain control of my traitorous legs. My shirt slid a few inches down my arm, reminding me of the new tear in the back.

"Ready?" He asked once my shaking legs were beneath me. Blood rushed to my cheeks and I nodded. He slowly led me across the room to the bathroom. I placed a steadying hand on the counter and thanked him as I closed the door and relieved myself. As I'd hoped, he was waiting for me when I was done and immediately helped me back to the bed.

"So; where're you from?" he asked once I was safely sitting down. I absently stretched a wing in front of me and began toying the feathers.

"My mother and I moved around a lot. I think I was in Illinois a few days ago." My fingers systematically moved over the delicate fibers as I spoke.

"Do you know where you are now?" he asked, stretching out beside me on the bed to watch.

"Ohio?" I guessed.

"Nope. Virginia." I couldn't help but smile proudly.

"I made better time than I thought." I gloated, smoothing out another feather.

"You had a storm on your side." He dismissed; ego still bruised from earlier, earning a quiet laugh from me.

"What are you doing?" he asked after a moment's silence.

"Preening." I replied as I pulled a loose feather out and set it on the bed. "Last's night's soaking did a number on my wings. If I don't take care of them, the feathers will get all raggedy and I won't be able to fly." He picked up the feather and spun it between his fingers before playing with the soft fibers. "Don't you preen as a raven?" I asked, remembering the glossy black bird. He gave a half shrug and shook his head.

"I generally only take that form for a few minutes." He put the feather on the end table and sat up. After a few more minutes of watching me, he carefully reached out and toyed with a feather at the base of my wings. His touch was hesitant at first, but his fingers quickly fell into a soothing rhythm.

"Oh my god, do I feel a bonding moment coming on?" He joked.

"Oh my god, could you have ruined it any quicker?" I shot back with a smile. Still, I couldn't help but lean into the touch.

"Did your mom ever mention anything about Native Americans?" he pressed after a few moments, "Mayans, in particular." I thought hard for a moment before answering.

"She taught me some basic history, but nothing that offered any answers. She vaguely mentioned a few times that Native Americans were suppose to have some supernatural power, though. That's it; sorry." His fingers never stopped working, but I could feel his mind spinning.

"Where is she?" Instantly, my body deflated. He hesitated just a moment before breathing an apologetic, "Oh." He finished one of the secondary feathers and go to his feet. "Well, only one thing for that, then." He leaned over, opened the night stand, and pulled out a glass bottle.

"Classy." I said, smiling. He smirked, took a swig, and passed it to me. I drew it to my lips and hesitated a moment. "I have absolutely no tolerance. You are warned." And I drank.

"Alright; a drunk bird girl is a happy bird girl." He took it back for another sip.

"Tell me; is it true what they say?" I asked, taking the glass back.

"Yes." He said seriously, "Once you go vamp, you never go back." Already my stomach felt warm and I giggled.

"No; all the lore!" I specified. "Like crosses and garlic and, well, obviously not coffins."

"ugh!" He fell back heavily on the bed. "No; we don't sparkle!" Laughter filled my ears before I realized I was laughing. The tremendous ache from my bruised muscles was easily ignored. "And, unlike you, we have a huge tolerance, sadly." He added, taking the glass from my hand.

"Ah!" I interjected, "I warned you."

"Yes you did. I'll have to take you more seriously next time. You've had, what, three drinks?" I bit back the giggle.

"It's got something to do with the" I flapped my wings slightly, "thing. I'm built really light and my metabolism is supercharged." I gestured to my stomach, emphasizing some epic strength. He chuckled. "So I absorb everything thoroughly, and, because of my size, a little goes a long way." Again he laughed.

"You realize you're already slurring your words." He said; downing what was left of the alcohol.

"Am not." I pouted. With a hard flap, I got to my feet.

"Woah, there." He exclaimed, suddenly at my side. I stumbled back in surprise and his arms immediately wrapped around me. "You may be feeling a bit better, but you still shouldn't be moving around too much."

"But you're out." I said innocently, motioning to the now empty glass. "And I want to see the rest of your house. Besides, I'm fine; fast healer." I gloated with a smile.

"Which is why you managed to walk all of half a step ten minutes ago." Halfway through his sentence, I was giggling madly. "Jesus, you're really already drunk."

"Ah," I held up a correcting finger, "Tipsy. This isn't me drunk yet." I wagged my finger and giggled again; thoroughly enjoying the floating sensation from the alcohol. "Come on!" I shouted, playing tugging him toward the door; but even intoxicated, that was too much for my back and stomach, and my body tensed as the daggers resurfaced.

"Thea?" Damon called. I swallowed hard and gave him a hard smile.

"Fine, just pulled the wrong way." I assured him. He gave me a 'yeah; sure' smile and gently guided me back to the bed.

"But, I want to explore." I pouted, still looking at the door.

"You can explore all you want when you're better. Right now, it's time to rest, alright?" He said slowly. "I'll get a refill and be right back." I nodded and laid against the soft pillows, suddenly feeling very heavy. My eyes began to slide shut almost instantly. He chuckled and started for the door. Just as he reached it, though, I suddenly felt like there was something deathly important I needed to tell him.

"Damon!" I called, almost frantically. He threw himself back mid-step and met my gaze. What was I going to say? It was important. I was sure it was important; but it was gone. I finally just smiled and shook my head with a dismissive, "nothing."

"You sure?" he asked, seemingly trying to dissect me with his eyes. I nodded.

"Thank you." I whispered and settled back against the soft pillows. He drew his brows together, but nodded.

"You're welcome." And he left. I sighed and looked at the window. I should leave. And my escape was a mere twenty feet from me. Just leave, without a second thought. But it really was a comfortable bed…


Footsteps. My eyes slid open. A dream? Again I heard them. No, they were real. A glass of water and a white pill had been placed on the night stand beside a note.

Ran out for a bite. Don't get out of bed.

Damon

At first I chuckled at the pun; then realized he may not have been joking. If he was gone, then it must have been Stephen rummaging about downstairs. I should thank him for earlier, and apologize for how rude I was.

Carefully, I slid out from under the heavy comforter, and got to my feet. While definitely noticeable, the pain radiating from my stomach and back wasn't as bad as before, and my muscles proved reliable. Wings flared for balance, I started toward the door. The longer I stood, the steadier I became, and I confidently made my way down the hall to the top of the staircase. Movement caught my eye, and my lips started to form a greeting, but it wasn't Stephen. Immediately, my defenses flared as I studied her. Adrenaline instantly flooded through me.

Petite with long brown hair and a pretty face. She seemed harmless, but she was an intruder. What if she was a vampire hunter? Or a vampire herself? I wasn't going to wait to find out. With a silent flap, I soared over the railing and glided to the living room where she nonchalantly grabbed a book.

"What are you doing here?" I shouted once my wings were safely tucked behind me. The girl gasped and spun around, dropping the book. Her eyes widened and she took a step back.

"Who are you?" she asked, reaching for a silver pendant that hung delicately around her slender neck. Thief. Everything about her screamed that she knew she'd been caught and wasn't supposed to be there.

"Get out of here." I ordered. "Now!" She scrambled back until she hit a desk.

"What are you doing here?" she asked; trying to sound strong, but her voice trembled slightly. I watched her silently; waiting for any show of aggression. "What do you want with Stephen?" I didn't try to hide the confusion her words created.

"Stephen? What are you talking about? You're the intruder." I accused with less certainty than I'd hoped.

"Me? You're the one that came out of nowhere yelling." She shot back. My cheeks flushed brightly. Understanding dawned on me and I nearly drowned in embarrassment.

"You're Stephen's girl." I said. She nodded; her hand tightening around the hilt of a letter opener. "I'm sorry," I exclaimed, "I thought you were a thief or hunter or something. Damon didn't mention anyone but he and Stephen would be here."

"Hunter?" alarm shown in her eyes. "Who are you?"

"Sorry, um, my name is Athena. Thea for short." I answered quickly. "I met Damon last night in the woods. The stormed banged me up a bit, so he took me here."

"Damon… found you in the woods… and brought you here." She restated doubtfully. I nodded. "I think you should leave." She said sternly, eyes darting to the door. She didn't believe me.

"I'm sorry I attacked you. It was just a misunderstanding." I took a submissive step towards her, but she immediately lashed out; slashing with the letter opener. I tried to step back and avoid it, but it nicked my arm. My wings instantly lashed out and threw myself back as a bright red drop fell to the floor. A scream filled the room. I looked at her with wide eyes as she clutched the small knife and stared at me, terrified. "Wait, I can explain!" I shouted, pressing my arm against my chest.

The door was suddenly thrown open. Followed by simultaneous shouts.

"Thea!"

"Elena!" Instantly, warmth engulfed me.

"Damon!" I cried, "I'm sorry, I didn't know who she was!" My hand shot to his sleeve.

"Are you alright?" Stephen asked the girl.

"I'm fine. But she's…"

"I told you to stay in bed." Damon whispered, holding me protectively against him.

"I know; it's a long story." Stephen explained.

"You're cut." Damon stated.

"I'm sorry; I didn't know she… so I attacked her." I said guiltily.

"You attacked her, and you got hurt?" He asked skeptically.

"I thought she was one of Catherine's." Elena explained, putting the knife back on the desk. The adrenaline was fading and weariness was beginning to pull on me.

"Catherine?" I asked. Damon shook his head.

"Long story. Really long." He said dismissively.

"What is she?" Elena asked Stephen.

"That is the mystery." Damon interrupted, "we're now sure yet." I pulled my wings tight against my back, breathing hard. My leg faltered, but Damon easily caught me. "Alright, I think that's enough excitement for one day." He said, effortlessly sweeping me up in his arms. My wings shot out in an attempt to steady myself, and my arms wrapped around his broad shoulders.

"I'm sorry." I whispered into his neck. I could hear Stephen and Elena talking behind us.

"For what?" He asked happily. I couldn't answer. With the adrenaline gone, exhaustion again overwhelmed me. I was asleep before he'd reached the top of the stairs.