Queenie: Hello, my dearies, I know I said I'd be rewriting my Marvel/PJO Crossover, and I am working on it. But I decided to rewrite this story as well. I think I've finally got it where I want it, and I'm going to roll with it. I'm getting rid of some characters, and adding in new ones like Aleksander Salvatore the defendant of the Salvatore bloodline and Missa a daughter of Hecate. And since I'm adding in these new characters, I am going to do a poll on who they should end up paired with, and I hope you all give your opinions. I'm still using my brother's computer. Once he goes back to school, it's going to be scarce updates again until I can get myself a new one, which could be near the end of February. I hope you call can be patient with me. Anyway, here is the rewritten chapter 2 of The Curse of Love, and I hope you all like it. Goodbye, dearies!

A few days has passed since my arrival in Mystic Falls, and I have yet to really see beyond Alaric's little apartment. He's tried to get me to leave on multiple occasions. He's wanted me to meet the students he teaches since I'm close their age. Obviously a way to try and help me make friends. He wanted to take me out to dinner for a welcome home party. I just wasn't ready to step outside yet. I wasn't ready to leave the safety I convinced myself that these walls gave me.

I felt like the moment I stepped outside is the moment Nik would find me. That the second I left this loft he'd be there waiting. Though I knew in the back of my mind that I wasn't safe here. Not really. With all the power and resources that Nik has that he probably already knew where I was. He was probably already closing in, and the thought made my entire body feel cold as if I was already dead.

It isn't a nice feeling to have, so I've kept myself busy as possible. I've cleaned the loft a thousand times over. I even find new places to clean each time though my options are running slim. I did all of Alaric's laundry since my dearest uncle has seemed to have forgotten what a washer machine was. Doing his laundry led me to fixing any clothes that were ripped or torn. Like now, I'm sewing one of his shirts. The tenth one in fact since he seems to like to be rough with his clothes.

I hummed to myself as I worked while wondering just how much longer I can keep myself distracted. And what I'd do once there were no more distractions to be found. I came out of my thoughts, however, when the lock to the door clicked. My heart raced for a moment as it started to creak open, but once I saw Alaric walk in, my heart calmed. Alaric tossed his keys to the side on the dish near the doorway before pausing as he looked at me.

"Kal, please, don't tell me you've been doing my laundry all day." He said as he looked at the shirt in my hands and the folded clothes next to me in their basket.

I could tell he really wanted me to tell him that I haven't been working on clothes all day, but considering he kind of caught me red handed there was no point in lying.

"Does sewing up old torn shirts count as doing laundry?" I asked trying to make a joke out of it.

Alaric gave a sigh as he set his bag to the side. He came to sit in front of me on the coffee table while looking me dead in the eye.

"We need to talk Kalista." Alaric said.

I inwardly frowned while already having a feeling what this conversation was going to be about, and it wasn't going to be a pleasant one.

"I've tried to be patient," Alaric said gently. "But you've been here nearly a week and you haven't even attempted to set foot outside of this apartment. This isolation isn't healthy, Kal. You need to go out, socialize, make friends."

I bit my lip not meaning to cause him worry. I hate to worry Alaric because he's been worrying about me my whole life. And all I seem to do his cause him more. I owed him more than that.

"I know, Uncle Ric." I said sincerely though was already shaking my head. "I'm...I'm just not ready yet."

Just the thought of stepping outside these doors and leaving my safe place had my hands shaking because my paranoid mind was convinced Nik was waiting just beyond the door. Alaric, who noticed my hands were shaking, reached out to grasp my hands. His touch was warm...it was familiar. And with it came a small wave of comfort. It was a feeling I've gone without for a long time. A feeling from my childhood caused just by Alaric being near, which gave me a sense of safety.

"I don't know what all happened while you were away, Kal." Alaric said. "Whatever happened has you scared that much I know. But it's all okay now. You're home where I can keep you safe. And I'll always keep you safe because my little girl."

He reached back to brush some hair out of my face causing me to give him a small smile. He smiled at me in return before pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back tightly while finally feeling like things might be alright. Maybe this town would be my fresh start. Maybe I could finally be happy again.

"Ric, I'm not sure this is a good idea." I said as he lead me through what looked a small little carnival.

Well, it wasn't really set up yet, and a bunch of people were walking around trying to put it into place. I wasn't sure why I was here. When I got up this morning, he had breakfast ready and told me to get dressed. And nothing too fancy since I'd be doing manual labor-ominous words for a daughter of Aphrodite to hear. But I decided to role with it and dressed in something I wouldn't be too upset with it getting dirty.

Dark washed skinny jeans, red halter top with a black tank under it, and boots. With a heel of course, but nothing too high since I wasn't sure what Alaric was having me do. I didn't even bother to accessorize. Only the locket that Alaric gave me that had a picture of us in it. He got it for me when I went to camp for the first time.

So I'd always remember that no matter how much crazy happened in my life that he was with me and I always had a home to return to. Though I did bring my purse-or rather bag with me that had my emergency make-up kit and a few odds and ends I might end in case my clothes are ruined or smudged in general.

"You don't even know what I brought you here for." Alaric said looking back at me.

"If it's for manual labor, it has to be bad." I said. "I could like break a nail."

He came to a stop while turning to look at me as I looked at my precious, perfectly manicured nails.

"Seriously?" He asked though looked like he was fighting off a smile.

"Well, duh." I said. "I worked hard to make them perfect."

He chuckled before putting his arm around my shoulder to lead me along.

"Please tell me, worrying about your nails will not get you killed one of these days." He said keeping a joking tone.

I know he was worried though even if for nothing. I might like keeping my nails nice and neat, but that wouldn't stop me from defending myself. I wasn't an idiot.

"Haha, very funny." I said nudging him. "Now, why did you bring me here?"

I knew I wanted to try and get out of the apartment before I drove myself crazy. My mere paranoia was sending me up the wall. But all these people...all this noise, it had me...twitchy. And twitchy wasn't a good trait. And things like social events were supposed to be up my alley. I was just out of practice, I guess.

"You are here to interact with people your own age." Alaric said. "Or at least near your age. A few of my students are working on this carnival. I told them I'd bring them some help."

I gave him a you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me look in which he just grinned in return. My first day out of that apartment and he volunteers me to put together a high school carnival with strangers. And I highly doubt he'd stay around to help.

"There is nothing to be worried about." Alaric assured me as we kept walking. "Elena and Bonnie are good kids. And just be lucky Caroline isn't here. If you think your control freak are band, you'll meet you match in Caroline."

He shook his head as I tilted mine. Caroline? I was intrigued. Especially considering Alaric compared one of my more unwelcomed habits with her.

"But I'm sure she'll be back soon." Alaric said. "Until then you can help Elena and Bonnie. They are in need of a expert organizer like yourself."

"Why do I feel like I was more insulted than complimented?" I asked frowning.

He ignored my comment while turning me around a corner towards a side entrance into the high school. I saw two girls standing there as if waiting for someone. One was tanned skinned girl with dark brown hair and matching brown eyes. The other had a light mocha skin tone, which I was kind of jealous of since I was so pale. Though it did work for me and went well with my pair fair and pale eyes. Her hair was an even darker brown than her companions and her eyes a greenish color. Both girls were pretty. Though at the risk of sounding vain, they weren't the kinds of girls you'd find in the cabin of Aphrodite.

"Elena, Bonnie." Alaric called as he walked out in front of me to reach the girls.

They looked up as he called with both of them smiling when they saw him.

"Hey, Ric." The first girl said as the latter nodded and greeted, "Hi, My. Saltzman."

It seemed as if the first girl was closer to my uncle than the other. This had my brow quirking. Alaric hasn't really told me about these people in this town. Not much anyway, so I didn't know exactly who he was close to or what connections he had to the people here.

"Sorry we're a little late." Alaric said. "Kal was having trouble picking out an outfit she wasn't afraid to get dirty."

He turned to give me a look and I stuck my tongue out in return. He snorted at me then beckoned me forward. I had my tongue retreat back into my mouth before I came to stand next to him.

"It's alright." The first girl said. "We took a break anyway."

She then turned to look at me while giving me a welcoming smile as she stepped up.

"Hey, I'm Elena." She said then nodded to her friend. "And this is Bonnie. Welcome to Mystic Falls."

She held out her hand to me, so I reached out to shake hands with her. Alaric brought me here to make friends. I had to try even if I am wary of people. Yes, Nik has made me paranoid of more than just him. Well, not just him. My entire life has, but no time to get into that.

"I'm Kalista." I said. "It's a bit of an odd name, but that's me."

"It's not odd." Alaric said.

"Yes, of course, the man with an odd name, who named me, sees nothing wrong with my name." I said with a playful roll of my eyes.

Alaric nudged me in retaliation, which had a smile breaking across of my face. Honestly, I saw nothing wrong with my name. Amongst half-bloods my name was rather normal. Though many people outside of camp have always commented on the uniqueness of my name.

"I think it's a pretty name." Bonnie said sincerely.

"Thank-you." I said giving her a friendly smile.

I had a feeling I'd like Bonnie. She was sweet from what I can tell. Much different than my sisters. Though they had their moments. And not all of them were that bad.

"Well, since you see well off, I'm going to go." Alaric said. "I have work to catch up on."

"More like you're shying from physical labor while you throw your niece into it." I said.

Alaric just grinned silently then kissed the top of my head before leaving me with the girls. I turned back to them once he disappeared into the crowd.

"So where can I help?" I asked. "I've never been to a school carnival before, so I'm a bit out of my element."

I've helped put together parties at camp, and I've been to parties. However, I feel like school carnival is completely different than anything I've ever put together.

"You've never been to a school carnival before?" Elena asked being shocked.

I shook my head as a bit my lip slightly. My school record has never been that great. My grades were decent considering I couldn't read the work material very well. But even I got into fights or caused some kind of trouble that had me kicked out of school after school. Not to mention Alaric was always so protective. He didn't like taking me out to school events if they were at night.

"I guess I never had the opportunities to go." I said. "Ric was always protective of me as a child, and didn't take me out past five if he could help it. And then my high school years were mostly done online."

I hadn't really wanted to return to high school anyway. Once you go through the things my friend and I had, things like getting an the entire high school experience didn't seem all that important. Seemed so insignificant. Especially since we learned more outside of school than in. Chiron always did think educating us was important.

"Well, we're going to have to change that." Bonnie said. "After we work hard to get this things up and running, we are going to make sure you have fun tonight."

"Yeah, we are." Elena said nodding. "Now let's get started."

I followed the girls into the mess that was carnival preparations as I bit my lip. I better not really break a nail doing all this.

I hummed to myself as I worked on getting some prizes hung up at one of the game booths. It had something to do with shooting down moving targets, which I'm sure Corissa would make short work of if she were here. All these games weren't that much exciting. I didn't see how humans would find them interesting. But I guess I'll find out tonight. I hung up another oversized teddy bear wondering what one would do with such a thing.

"Pointless." I murmured under my breath.

I started down the ladder to grab another stuffed animal since my help has left me. Apparently there was some kind of emergency at one of the food vendors that Elena had to see to then Bonnie had to help some poor kid that broke a lot of the fishbowls some poor goldfish had been calling home. I grabbed a large stuffed dog this time as I continued to hum. I went to go up the ladder, but was hinder by the bag that the animals came in as it hooked around my ankle. I tilted backwards about to fall off the platform I was on to hit the ground. And what I was more worried about was looking like a fool rather than my butt connecting to the earth.

"Whoa!" A voice called out before two arms managed to catch me.

I felt my entire body freeze up as my instincts told me I was in danger despite being saved by the fall. I jerked my head up seeing a pair of very green eyes looking down at me. They belonged to a handsome young looking man, but his youthful looks could be deceiving. Alaric did tell me there were vampires in this town, and since my instincts told me something was wrong, I'd bet this guy wasn't human. Most likely one of the vampires.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he set me on my two feet.

My body relaxed slightly when his kind demeanor stood out to me. He wasn't a threat. Not at the moment at least.

"Um, yes, thank-you." I said. "That's more embarrassing than anything. I should have better balance."

He chuckled with a grin on his face as he folded his arms across his chest.

"That's good." He said. "I don't think I've seen you around school before. Are you new?"

"Well, sort of." I said. "New to the town, but not the school. My uncle just roped me into helping. He's a history teacher here. Alaric Saltzman."

Recognition appeared in the guy's eyes as he nodded his head slightly.

"You're Kalista." He said. "Ric said you'd be around. Also told me to watch out for you."

I sighed though wasn't surprised that Alaric asked people to look out for me. I'm sure he asked Elena and Bonnie too. But I'm a bit surprised he asked a vampire. I really need to know what my uncle has been up to these last few months without me.

"I'm Stefan." The guy continued. "Stefan Salvatore."

I tilted my head because the name Salvatore was familiar to me. I knew a Salvatore actually.

"Salvatore?" I asked. "Any relation to Aleksander Salvatore?"

Stefan tilted his head curiously meaning he obviously knew who I was speaking about.

"You know Alek?" Stefan asked me.

"Yes, we went to summer camp together for a while." I said.

Slightly an understatement since Alek and I both started going to Camp Half-Blood at the same time and we became all-year-rounders together too. He was another one of Gleeson's half-bloods.

"His father Zach mentioned something about a camp." Stefan said. "Alek is my cousin. He came home a few months go."

I smiled at the prospect of actually being around someone familiar. Alek was my friend. He and Clarisse were some of my closest friends outside of my siblings. At Camp Half-Blood those you came to camp with, or those brought in by the same satyr sometimes form a bond. It's almost like having another family. Even if he, Clarisse and I were all from different cabins.

"Even after all the time we spent together, I never once asked him the name of his hometown." I said chuckling. "Of course, I never told him mine either. I never thought I'd see him again. Or at least not so soon after leaving."

"I'm a bit surprised to be meeting one of his friends." Stefan said. "He doesn't talk much about his time away from home."

I wasn't surprised to hear that. It's kind of hard to tell your family and friends about the kind of life we lived at Camp Half-Blood.

"For good reason." A familiar voice said from behind me.

I whirled around seeing Alek standing there in the flesh. His familiar green eyes met mine, but no smile came to his face.

"Little Kali Saltzman." Alek said. "I see you haven't grown any since I last saw you."

"Alek Salvatore." I greeted in return. "I see your jokes haven't gotten any funnier either since we parted ways."

It was silent before us for a moment before a grin creped onto his face. He chuckled while holding open his arms. I let out a small laugh while practically jumping into his arms. He held me tightly with his chin resting on top of my head.

"When you're uncle said you were finally joining us, I wasn't sure how to react." He said as I pulled back. "But I sure have missed my partner in crime."

"You mean the person you bring unwillingly into your trouble since you don't like getting in trouble alone?" I questioned.

"Same difference." He said shrugging his shoulders.

I resisted the urge to snort since it'd be unladylike as he gave a cocky smirk as if he knew what action I was resisting. I then shook my head.

"It's good to see you, Alek." I said. "I could really use a familiar face to help me put my life back together."

Alek's expression turned serious as he looked down into my eyes, which were probably reflecting my troubles.

"Let's talk about it as I walk you to where sweet Elena and dear Bonnie are waiting." Alek said as he put his arms over my shoulders. "They said something about going home to get ready together to have a fabulous time at your first ever school carnival."

He turned to give Stefan a somewhat stiff smile, which had me curious at the tension that seemed to be between the two.

"Stefan." He said nodding. "Shouldn't you be checking in on Damon? You never know what he might do alone."

Stefan's jaw tensed though I could see guilt in his eyes as he nodded his head.

"I was heading that way now." Stefan said.

Alek didn't reply as he guided me along. I turned to Stefan to call a goodbye, and he lost some of the tension in his expression as he gave me a parting smile. I looked to Alek once we were away.

"What was that about?" I asked.

"One drama at a time, Kal-pal." Alek said. "Let's start with yours. I'm going to assume it has something to do with that vampire you were dating in Chicago. Wasn't his name Nik or something?"

I frowned at the mention of Nik though I guess talking it out with someone I knew who wouldn't judge me would help-hopefully.

"It's a very long story." I warned him.

"We have time." Alek said. "Well, maybe not before I hand you over to the girls, but once you realize how pointless these school get-togethers are, we can fill in the boredom with conversation. That's how you multitask, little Kali."

"I'm starting not to miss you." I said. "I forgot how annoying you are."

Alek chuckled giving me a friendly squeeze as my smile returned to my face. Mystic Falls is seeming better already.

After night fell, I walked around the carnival with Bonnie and Elena. They were both trying to show me the fun of a school carnival while also keeping an eye on things since they were in charge of this thing. Sure I helped, but I didn't feel like channeling my organization skills this time around. Mostly since I didn't understand the point in all this. Alek was running around here somewhere as well, but he said he'd meet up with us later after he ate carnival food that was sure to ruin him.

"I can't believe you know Alek." Elena said. "We didn't even know he had any friends. Not trying to sound mean or anything. Alek's just always been so mysterious."

"Tell me about it." Bonnie said. "All through our childhood he mostly kept to himself. And when he started going away for the summer the more mysterious and drawn in he got."

Elena nodded in agreement as I continued to walk in between them as the carnival happened around us.

"The only time you could get him to talk or interact was in a game." Bonnie said. "And then he started picking up sports as we got older. One of the best football, basketball, baseball, and soccer player we've got. But once practice and the games are over he doesn't even interact much with this teammates."

I chuckled while not surprised that Alek was playing that many sports at once. He is a child of Nike after all. He can't resist his urge to play sports and come out the victor. Though when he does lose, he pouts like a child. Something Kaira Cortez likes to tease him about. Especially since she's the only one who has never lost to him even once.

"His teammates love him though." Elena said. "Our boys' soccer, basketball ,and baseball teams haven't lost a game since he started here. Football hasn't been so lucky since he quit this year after he and Tyler got into a fist fight on the football field."

Alek does have a temper-Well, sort of since it takes quiet a bit to upset him. You shouldn't make him angry. Sometimes I think his temper is worse than Clarisse's or her brothers'. Their older sister Filomena could control herself better when it came to her emotions. I'm sure that's why she made such a great leader. Alek didn't have that control though. Once you upset him, it's hard to get back on his good side. He said it was almost like a family trait.

"It must have been one heck of a fight to get him to quit." I said.

"I think Mr. Tanner was ready to kick him off the team anyway." Elena explained. "He really did a number on Tyler after all. He's been going through a lot though lately. His dad passed away not long after he came home."

I frowned when hearing that. Alek had told me in a Iris Message that returning home didn't seem like such a good thing as he thought it would. He told me about his father's death, but hadn't told me the cause for it. I hadn't pried either. It wouldn't have been right to.

"I remember him messaging me about that." I said. "I offered to come and see him, but he told me it was best I stay away. Something about his hometown not being safe."

I noticed how Elena and Bonnie froze when I said that, which had me looking back at them curiously. I noticed their exchanged glance that held worry and how they seemed on edge. I obviously said something wrong. And they are obviously in the know about the supernatural problem Alaric told me about. This town keeps getting more and more interesting. Before any of the three of us could talk, the subject of our conversation walked up.

"Elena, there is a small malfunction with one of the karaoke speakers and something about one of the booths needing more Homer Simpson dolls and something else." Alek said as he joined us with a large pretzel in one hand. "Whatever it is, it has the girls freaking out."

He then took a bite out of his pretzel as Bonnie and Elena came out of their stupor.

"Oh, thanks, Alek." Elena said. "I guess I kind of did get sidetracked. If Caroline was here, she'd kill me."

"Well, she isn't here, so no worries." Alek said then put his arm around my shoulders. "While Elena and Bonnie are busy let's go play some carnival games. Let's see if you can beat me in anything."

"You know I can't." I said as he lead me away.

"You could try at least." He retorted.

We left the girls behind though I glanced back to give them a wave. Bonnie waved back though Elena still seemed troubled.

"So what's up with this town?" I asked once we were out of earshot.

"It's a long story." Alek said.

I gave him a look that said he better spill in which he sighed in return. He should know I wasn't going to let this go.

"Fine." He said. "Let's start with the fact that Stefan and his brother Damon aren't my cousins, which I'm sure you could already guess. They're my uncles. My many great uncles turned vampire over a 160 years ago. They came back to town and Damon in all his douchebag glory killed my dad after Stefan thought it was okay to lock Damon up and try to starve him in our basement. Obviously, his plan didn't work. Now, I'm living with both of them under my roof."

I looked at him with wide eyes while wondering how he could even be near these two if one of them killed his father.

"Yeah, welcome to Mystic Falls." Alek said.