CHAPTER 2: THE NIGHT OF THE COMET.

I woke up this morning to the sun shining on my face through the heavy damask curtains by the balcony doors. I pushed the covers aside and let my bare feet brush against the cold floorboards. I stepped out onto the balcony and took in a breath of the fresh morning air before moving into the bathroom to get ready for the day. I had a feeling it was going to be a good one. I showered using orchid sented bodywash and lemon shampoo before toweling off. Choosing to be a more upbeat person today meant choosing brighter clothes. I pulled out a pair of tight blue skinny jeans and a pearly grey tank top. Add grey strappy high heals and a dark grey leather jacket. My hair was blow dried to it a perfect straight waterfall down my back and my light make up accented my features. I made my way downstairs. Inhaled a breakfast that consisted soley of coffee and blood before leaving the house. I had a busy day ahead of myself.

I walked into Mytic Falls Hospital just as the clock struck 9. Quietly I made my way over to the nurse's station where I compelled her to give me all the information she had on Vicki Donovan. It looked like she was going to make a full recovery. I walked to her room and watched the girl sleeping in her bed. Slowly I pushed her hair aside to see the wound, all bandaged up. She began to rouse and I moved away a little. I didn't want to scare her.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Her voice was raspy and broken from sleep.

"My name is Alessa. I was at the party last night. I just came to see if you were ok." I sat on the edge of the bed. Her eyes began to focus and I smiled. Before she could utter another word I began compelling her. "An animal attacked you. It came out of no where and bit you. You think it looked a little like a wolf but you're not sure." She repeated this back to me. "Good. Now you're going to forget we had our little chat." I got up and left the room just before the nurse walked in to check on her.

On my way out I crossed paths with Stefan. "Alessa. Should I assume that Vicki Donovan is dead now? That is what you do isn't it?" Urgh judgy Stefan was starting to annoy me. I rolled my eyes.

"Really Stef, is that what you think I am? The freaking angel of death. I went in there to compell druggy Barbie into forgeting all about the vampire that attacked her. And before you ask, I spoke to Damon. He said that the girl saw him."

"Why in the world would you try and protect our secret? Doesn't it serve your masterplan, having the town know about vampires?"

"Wouldn't you just love to know what I'm up to. Don't worry Stef no one has to know that we're what goes bump in the night." I walked away only to stop and turn back. "Oh, and Stefan. I may be a raving murderous psycopath, but you had quite the helping hand in creating me." With that I left my mood souring. God why did Saint Stefan always have to ruin my buzz. Oh well. I took a deep breath and resolved to forget Stefan and continue with my day.

I was walking along the pathway when I saw the unmistakable face of Elena Gilbert. She was chatting with her friends at the local cafe, The Mystic Grill. How original. Regardless I took the opportunity to move some more chess pieces. I waved to her as I passed, seeming as if I didn't want to disturb her and her friends. She, however, beckoned me over.

"Guys this is Alessa, Stefan's older sister. Alessa these are Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennett." Elena made all the neccessary introductions.

"It's nice to meet you."

"We were just discussing Elena and Stefan's night." Caroline spoke up and I noticed Elena go a frightening shade of red. God this girl had no filter, did she. I laughed anyway.

"Yeah, there are some things that a sister doesn't need to know. No offense Elena." She mumbled something unintelligible, looking at the table. My attention came back to the other girls. It seems the Bennet witches were still here in Mystic Falls. Good to know.

"Look it's easy Elena, girl likes boy, boy likes girl. Sex." Caroline continued. Elena looked like she was going to turn purple. Suddenly Caroline's attention turned to me. "You look like you've had a lot of sex. Tell her to take a leap of faith." My eyebrows took a leap straight into my hairline. It seemed to dawn on the blonde eventually that what she had said had been inappropriate.

"To answer your question, yes I've had my fair share of sex and in my experience is you want something you should go after it. With that said, Elena, we'll pretend this conversation never happened. It was lovely to meet you all." She looked so thankful to me and I found myself sympathising with her a little. As I strolled away I just couldn't resist. "Oh Elena, the condoms are in the top drawer of the liquoir cabinet." At my statement the girls all laughed good naturedly and I continued on my way. Noticing that Elena left soon after I did.

After running a few more errands I decided to return home for a well deserved drink. I opened the door to see Elena standing with Damon. "Less. You're back." Damon drawled.

"I am, and that is a chair, and your drinking bourbon. Are we done listing the obvious?" He chuckled alongside me.

"My sister, the queen of sarcasm." We all moved further into the parlour.

"Wow. This is your living room?" Elena was clearly impressed.

"Living room. Parlour. Sotheby's auction." And Damon says I'm sarcastic. I flopped onto an armchair gracefully, leaving my feet dangling over an arm. "It's a little gitchy for my taste. I see why my brother's so smitten. It's about time. For a while there I never thought he'd get over the last one. Nearly destroyed him."

"Probably because the last one was a total bitch who loved mind games."

"The last one?" Oh Damon now you've done it. The doubht in Elena's voice was unmistakable.

"Yeah, Katherine. His girlfriend. Ohhh. You two haven't had the awkward exes conversation yet. Well I'm sure it'll come up now."

"Don't listen to Damon, Elena. Katherine was completely awful. It's wonderful that Stefan's moving on with someone as sweet and kind as you." Someone had to play good cop. Besides I'd like Elena on my side.

"Or maybe he didn't want her to think he was on the rebound. We all know how those relationships end."

"Implying of course that you've had relationships that lasted longer than a weekend." It was getting more and more difficult to derail Damon. He was on a role and it seemed that no matter what came out of my mouth Elena was focusing in on the bad points Damon had to list. Urgh I was always awful at playing good cop. I was a much better bad cop.

"You say it like every relationship is doomed to end." Elena had finally found her voice again.

"I'm a fateist." A moment passed befor Damon broke the silence. "Hello Stefan." We all looked towards the doorway and low and behold there was Stefan looking as if he was constipated. I let my fangs flash and veins creep under my eyes scaring him even more.

"Elena I didn't know you were coming over." Well doesn't he sound like Darth Vader when he's mad.

"I know I should have called it's just..."

"Stefan!" I admonished. "Don't be so rude. Elena's always welcome here." I straightened up on the chair and walked to stand beside her.

"You know I should break out the family photo albums, or some home movies. Sis you get the popcorn." Damon cheerily exclaimed. "But I have to warn you. He wasn't always such a looker." Damon joked with Elena, making Stefan seem like the bad guy.

"Thank you for stopping by Elena. It was nice to see you." Well if that wasn't a rebuffing I don't know what is.

"Yeah I should probably go. It was nice to meet you Damon. And to see you again Alessa."

"Great meeting you too Elena." Damon kissed her hand and I smiled in response. She moved to look at Stefan.

"Elena you can call me Less." She smiled at me clearly happy that two Salvatores seemed to be nice to her today.

"Stefan?" He moved out of her way and she exited the house.

Damon whistled. "Great gal. She's got spunk. You on the other hand look pooped." I watched them chat away and delighted myself with the thought of Stefan's head exploding.

"How long was Elena here?"

"Oh don't be jealous Stef. It's an ugly trait. No wonder she seemed to enjoy Damon's company more than yours today."

"Scared we may be doomed to repeat the past." Damon teased. "Isn't that why you play your little game 'I'm a highschool human'?"

"I'm not playing Damon."

"Don't worry Stefan I don't think I could take another Katherine situation. I'll make sure that history stays put where it belongs." I poured myself some bourbon and began sipping.

"What kind of game are you two playing?"

"Guess you'll just have to wait and see. I mean speaking for myself. But from what I remember about Less she never really liked to give away the game either." With that Damon left the room and I continued to sip my drink innocently.

The next day I found myself walking through the town square where I bumped into Elena and her friend Bonnie Bennett. They were handing out programs for tonight's event. I walked over to them tapping Elena on the shoulder.

"Hi. Listen I just wanted to apologize about yesterday. Family issues are definitely present in our house."

"It's no big deal really."

"No it is. I just hope you won't let this stop you from dating my brother." At this Bonnie smirked in a triumphant, I told you so way. I briefly wondered if she knew I was a vampire but judging by how relaxed she was I was vearing towards a strong nope. Then I spotted Tyler across the park and made my excuses with Elena before leaving to cross his path. It was just when I reached the flower shop that I felt a tug on my elbow, and there he was. Tyler Lockwood in all his Lockwood glory.

"Hey, girl who's name I don't know."

"Hey guy who only thinks with one head, and it's the wrong one." I smirked at him. He looked at his feet before meeting my eyes again.

"Are you really not gonna tell me your name? I mean, how am I supposed to earn it?"

"The fact that I have to tell you that just proves my point even further. You're a child and I'm bored so bye." I moved to walk away befor he stopped me.

"What if I guess it?"

"No."

"Flowers?"

"No."

"Chocolate?"

"No." Wow sooooo original. (Note the sarcasm.)

"How about an entirely unique and memorable night?"

"Wow you sure you don't want a dictionary to impress me with more vocabulary?"

"Seriously it's just a name."

"Then why does it bother you so much?" I was pressed up against his chest again. And just like I expected he thought with the wrong head again. He leaned his head down to kiss me but I pulled away at the last moment. Supressing a giggle, I observed him. He looked at me pleadingly before finding his eurika moments.

"What about a phone number?" Oh you have got to be kidding.

"Goodbye Tyler." I moved out of his grasp.

"Wait, how do you know my name?"

"Your friend is calling you. He's shouting it across the street." The guy with the blonde hair and blue eyes waved frantically. When Tyler turned back I was gone, silently laughing to myself about how easy this was. But quickly sobered up when I realised it wasn't enough. It was one thing to infiltrate the children. I needed to infiltrate the coucil. But with Uncle Zach on it there was no way in hell that was going to happen.

I stood atop the post office watching the night sky for the comet. Normally I would have been on the ground putting plans into place or goading my brother but not tonight. The last time the comet had passed it had been 1864 and I felt a sort of comradery with the ball of fire. Like we were intertwined. I stood tall again watching Mystic Falls town square alight with candles and people. I made my way down from the building my thoughts sobering. I saw Elena and her friends move to the Mystic Grill and I too followed. Seating myself at the bar I ordered a double vodka. I liked my bourbon but vodka was my preffered drink of choice. Elena and her friends were jabbering away, not really holding my interest until I heard Tyler speak.

"So Elena, you know that girl at the bar?" He pointed to me as I casually sipped my drink.

"Yeah that's Stefan's sister Alessa."

"Alessa?"

"Yeah why?"

"No reason." I smirked into my empty glass calling over the bartender to give me another drink. Hook, line and sinker. Still, my moment of triumph was short lived because as I celebrated victory I hadn't noticed Elena come up to me.

"Hey Lessa." I jumped when she tapped my shoulder.

"Yeah what's up?" I tried to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

"Have you seen Vicki Donovan anywhere? She's the girl that got attacked by the animal."

"No sorry. Why is everything alright?" Please no, please no, please no.

"She's missing." I focused my hearing as I heard distinct sobs coming from the roof. Damn you Damon.

"I'll come help you look." I left my seat and walked outside with the others. My gaze drifted to the roof and I saw Damon and Stefan talking with Vicki standing on the edge. I kept my voice low so that only vampires could hear. "Get down now! I'm coming up with her friends." I saw Damon flash from the building before I made my gaze obvious and gasped. "Oh my God! Is that her?" I pointed up getting everyone's attention. Her brother Matt ran up the fire escape to his sister bringing her down. She was bundled up and brought into the bar. I left soon after going straight home to wash the stench of druggie off.

Once I was home I showered and dressed in a cream chifon dressing gown, leaving my hair wet and wavy. I heard the doorbell ring and Stefan went to answer it. Honestly I was so exhausted that I didn't even bother with what was happening out there. I vaguely heard Elena's voice before drifting off into a black sleep.