A/N: Thanks to the reviewers: DamonSalvatorelover, I'mOverTheMoon, himedesu, and royalrabbit.

Bound in Blood: Order of the Hunters - Chapter II

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Dear Uncle Makon,

Let me begin with apologizing for the delay of this letter. I've not been busy, since I've not found a shred of evidence that vampires live here, but it's from a lack of something to write. Nothing's happened. School's boring since I know everything. I'm allowed to make friends, so I've avoided that. There's nothing I can say about Mystic Falls, other than I don't like it. I don't know the reason for my dislike. Maybe it is that it pulled me away from New Orleans? I just want to return there so badly, Uncle. I miss it. Write me back soon.

As always,
Josephine

I sat at my desk, staring out the window at the long driveway which lead to my house. My father had made sure to buy a house a while away from civilization that was actually big enough for ten people. He used the extra rooms as training rooms, except for one room which was used as his office. I wasn't allowed to go in there.

I sealed the envelope and headed out of my room to go put it in the mailbox.

My first week in Mystic Falls had gone by almost too slowly. Jeremy seemed to feel obligated to befriend me and help me ease into this life. I did appreciate him, though, and made it known constantly to him. Though, it was kind of difficult when his sister, Elena, obviously did not like me. She did everything in her power to make sure I wasn't alone with Jeremy and she tried to discover every aspect of my life since I could remember. Of course, I gave no information. It wasn't hers to inquire about.

I got downstairs and saw my father rummaging through some mail at the door.

He glanced up at me. "Josephine, you are not ready yet?"

"Ready for what?" I asked, stopping as I got in front of him.

"The mayor is holding a welcome party for us, we are supposed to be there in two hours. Usually you are prepped three hours prior," He pointed out, looking down at my jogging pants, tennis shoes, and tee shirt. My brown hair was pulled back into a sweaty ponytail and my bangs held back by bobby pins.

I bit my bottom lip sheepishly. "I was training and lost track of time. I'm going to go drop this at the mailbox and then I'm going to get ready," I held up the letter before opening the door.

"No, allow me," He begun to move towards me. This man didn't even like me going down to the mailbox alone, how was I ever going to be able to discover these vampires?

"No, it's okay, really," I said. "I'm just going to run down there and run right back. Two minutes, tops."

He looked reluctant, but agreed, so I set off running, just as I promised. When I returned, two minutes later just as I promised, he looked like he was fixing to come after me. I assured him I was fine before hurrying to go get ready.

I took a shower then dried myself and my hair off. I brushed through it very carefully before straightening it. I didn't apply any makeup, because I didn't need it and my father never bought me any. I wore a white dress that showed nothing. All of my wardrobe was like this; no body part was to be showed except for part of my legs and arms. The dress went down to my knees and the sleeves covered my shoulders before cutting off. It dipped a little at the neck, but showed no cleavage. A baby blue ribbon was tied just under my breasts, and my shoes were white and baby blue to match. The dress was made of silk and satin, and was very soft to the touch.

I looked at myself in the mirror, studying my features. I had my mother's hazel eyes and her nose and soft facial structure, but my eye shape and dimples came from my father. My tan skin came from my father as well.

"Josephine?" My father's voice came from the other side of the door.

I hurried over to the door and opened it. "I'm ready," I said and gestured to my outfit. "It's good, right?"

"Yes," He looked my outfit over. "It's good enough. Come, we'll be late."

* ° • ° * ° • ° * ° • ° *

I nervously walked up beside my father to a tan woman with a huge smile on her face.

"Mr. Cacciatore," She instantly said. "We're so glad you could come tonight."

"It is a pleasure," My father said.

She looked to me. "And you must be Josephine."

"Y-yes," I nodded reluctantly and forced a smile.

"Excuse my daughter, she never likes to speak a lot," My father intervened.

"My son, Tyler, mentioned you were very quiet," She laughed, and I realized this was Mayor Lockwood.

My father looked over at me with curiousity. I had told him I hadn't met anyone of interest, and he apparently thought Tyler Lockwood was of interest.

"Well," Mayor Lockwood broke me from my thoughts. "We have refreshments over there and my son is around here somewhere." She looked around the room.

"I think I'll grab a water," I said, making my father look slightly alarmed. He wanted me to stay by his side all night, and I would, but I needed a drink right now.

"Of course," Mayor Lockwood nodded frantically and I excused myself. I went over to the bar and asked for a water.

"What are you from, the 1800s?"

I looked over at the voice coming from my right to see a dark haired guy with stunning blue eyes staring at my dress and a glass in his hand.

"N-no," I shook my head after a moment, realizing he was speaking to me. "It . . . It w-would have to be floor length to be c-considered reasonable b-back then."

"Hmph," He looked away and drank some more of his drink. I stood there awkwardly and looked back at my father to see him watching me from the corner of my eye. On accident, I sighed aloud, then quickly covered my mouth and turned toward the bar. Where were my manners?

"What are you sighing about?" The man asked.

I, in response, shook my head and then was handed the glass of water.

"Thank you, sir," I said to the bartender and got a low, "Your welcome, miss," from him before he moved onto the next person.

"Joey!"

I turned to the voice to see Tyler Lockwood had come to my side.

"Oh . . . H-hi, Tyler," I said, putting a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"My mom mentioned you were over here and I just thought I'd come tell we are upstairs. Wanna come?" He asked.

"Uh," I bit my lip. "I don't know, my father—"

"Josephine,"

Tyler and I looked to see my father standing there with Mayor Lockwood.

"You must be Tyler," My father said.

"Yeah, I am. You are . . . ?"

"Josephine's father, Mads Cacciatore," He introduced himself.

Right then, the guy who had been sitting beside me at the bar came over.

"You're Mads Cacciatore," He asked and my father nodded. "Damon Salvatore, head of the council." This Damon Salvatore held out his hand and my father reluctantly shook his hand. I realized Damon Salvatore was Stefan Salvatore's relative. Maybe a brother?

"Pleasure," my father said.

"Pleasure's all mine,"

"Doubtful,"

They stared at each other a moment before my father looked at me.

"Whatever were Tyler and you discussing?" He asked.

"Oh, well, I . . . " I rubbed my palms together.

"All us teens are upstairs, just hanging out. No worries, there isn't any alcohol. I was wondering if Joey wanted to join us up there instead of down here?" Tyler looked over at me.

"I see nothing wrong with it," My father said, surprising me completely. He then, glancing at me, added, "Unless Josephine prefers to stay down here."

"No, I-I . . . I'll go upstairs, if that's fine, of course," I looked at Tyler.

"Of course," Tyler said.

"Well, then," Mayor Lockwood said. "Mr. Cacciatore, about those pictures I was telling you, would you like to see them?"

"Yes," Father nodded and looked back to me. "Call me if you need me, Josephine."

"Of course," I nodded frantically to assure him and sat my drink down. Tyler gestured for me to follow so I did. We headed up the stairs.

"So, the gang's all here, plus a few extra. I know Jeremy will be glad to see you. He got dressed up and looking nice because he was going to see you," Tyler chuckled. "It's hilarious, actually."

"What is?"

"Seriously?" He paused at the top of the stairs. "You don't suspect a thing?"

I looked at him with confusion. "What should I suspect?"

He laughed and continued on. We came to a closed door, and he opened it to reveal a room about a quarter full. Instantly, I saw Jeremy stand from his spot on the couch beside Matt and Elena.

"Joey!" He said, and I noticed he was in a very fancy suit and had his hair styled sideways.

I waved to him. "Hey, Jeremy,"

He got over to me. "Wow, you look beautiful,"

This compliment took me by surprise. Since my only company ever had consisted of three people and one of them was a woman, I had only ever been called beautiful when my mother was around. After she left when I was nine, the minor compliments I got was when I passed a test. Other than that, the term was very forgein to me.

"Thank you. You look handsome," I complimented him back.

"Thanks. Wanna take a seat?"

"Uh, s-sure,"

Of course, the only seat left was a loveseat since Tyler stole Jeremy's old spot, so Jeremy and I sat side-by-side on the couch.

"Those are some muscles for a girl," Tyler commented. I looked down at my arms. They weren't that muscular. Yes, you could tell I worked out, but it wasn't no where near to a body builder's body. "What do you lift? 25 lbs.?"

"My highest is 120 lbs.," I said as a matter of factly.

"No way," Tyler shook his head. "No way I believe that."

"I kid you not," I said. "If I was in better attire right now, I'd show you."

"Are you serious?" Jeremy looked at me.

"Completely," I said.

We talked a little more about weight lifting until our conversations seperated, and Jeremy begun asking personal questions about me.

"So is your mom here tonight?" He asked.

"Er-" I shifted uncomfortably in the chair and looked down. "-my mother didn't move here with us."

"Why not?"

"Well, I-I've not s-seen her in eight y-years, so . . . " I stared at my knuckles for a long moment before looking up at him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized.

"Don't, it's not your fault," I shook my head.

"So, Joey," I looked to the voice to see Caroline addressing me. "Since you appear to be athletic, why don't you join the cheer squad? We certainly could use you."

"Uh, w-well . . . I've never really been into cheering," I admitted sheepishly. "I've always liked soccer."

She looked at me like I was a Cyclops. "Soccer?"

"Y-yeah . . . " I looked down and bit my lip. I couldn't even converse with people right.

"Of every sport, soccer?" Caroline questioned with a disgusted face. I looked down, what was I supposed to say that?

"I love soccer," Jeremy said, and I caught him shooting a dirty look to Caroline. "One of favorites, definitely."

But that didn't comfort me, and I felt out of place with these purple. So, looking for a quick escape, I looked to Tyler. "May I use your restroom?"

"Yeah, it's down the hall, last door on the right," He answered, giving Caroline a look similar to Jeremy's.

"Thank you," I murmured before quickly standing and leaving the room. I went down the hall and got to the restroom. I went in and splashed my face with cold water and headed back to the room.

I overhead their voices as I got closer.

" . . . You were the one who invited her up here to hang around with us!" I heard Caroline say.

"Because she's not harmful, Care! Plus, Jeremy has a crush on her," Tyler responded.

"Jeremy, you said yourself that no one knows a thing about her!" Elena's voice pierced the air. Did they ever speak in low voices? "And you have a crush on her?!"

"What's so wrong with it?" Jeremy questioned her.

"We know nothing about her! We're trying to protect you, and you're not listening to us," Caroline interjected. "You shouldn't even speak to her."

I took a few steps back and then walked with noise to show them I was returning. I opened the door and Jeremy stood up.

"Hey, I-I'm . . . I'm n-not feeling well s-so . . . " I kept my eyes down. "I'm just going to g-go downstairs with my f-father. Thanks for asking m-me to come up here, b-but I probably should have s-stayed down there. S-see all of you around." I turned and softly closed the door before Jeremy could argue.

Jeremy? A crush? On me? And none of his friends liked me? This was too much at once, so I headed downstairs to find my father, and stick by his side for the remaining time. I'm sure they were kidding about him having a crush on me. I just have to ignore what they said as if it never was said.

* ° • ° * ° • ° * ° • ° *

I did stick by my father's side, and talked to countless people. Well, my father spoke. I was quite quiet. My mind was still stuck on what they had said about me. I had never interacted with anyone else until now, and they didn't even like me. How was I supposed to get along? Jeremy was the only one I'd really connected with. I wasn't good enough good anyone, evidently.

While my father and I stood at a member of the Fell member, Jeremy walked up.

"Joey, can we talk?" He asked me immediately.

"Not now, Jeremy," I whispered to him, looking at my father to see him noticing Jeremy.

"Please, Joey,"

"Who is this young man?" My father turned to him.

"Jeremy Gilbert, a friend of Joey's," Jeremy said before I could.

My father seemed surprised. "Josephine never mentioned a friend,"

"It never came up," I quickly said, looking in between the two.

Jeremy looked at me. "Can we please speak? In private?"

I looked to my father and he studied Jeremy for a long moment before nodding slowly. I could see another message in his eyes, it was, "Don't go too far. Stay in sight."

I walked up the stairs and stopped at the top. It was far away so no one could hear, but my father could see me.

"Yes?" I asked.

"You heard them, didn't you? You heard them coming back from the bathroom?" He asked.

I looked down the stairs, my eyes drifting to see Elena, Stefan, and Damon all watching us. I looked away and tensed up. "No, I didn't hear a word," I could feel their scrutiny, and felt my hands shaking.

"Joey, I know you did. I'm sorry about that. They're all as—"

"Please don't apologize, Jeremy," I interrupted, and forced a small smile. "And don't call your sister that. They mean well, and my opinion of them isn't wavered . . . " I looked down then back up. "I think their right, though. Maybe you shouldn't be around me. Besides, I'm not exactly allowed to have friends, so . . . "

"You're kidding me, right?"

I shook my head. "We barely know each other, Jeremy. I don't want to go against what my father says, anyways."

"Joey—!"

"Jeremy, could you please stop?" I questioned, hugging myself. "I'm sorry, just—please, let it be."

"This isn't fair," He said before going off down the stairs. I rubbed my face before noticing a balcony. Needing some fresh air, I headed over there. I walked to the edge and closed my eyes as the cool breeze hit me.

"You know-" Stefan said, making his presence known from standing in the doorway. He stood with his arms crossed and leaned against the doorframe. "-that was the most I've ever heard you speak. When fitness is involved in the conversation."

I bit my lip, and looked down sheepishly. "It's s-something I've always t-taken s-seriously,"

"Right," He walked up beside me and we stared in silence at the view. "Listen, I should apologize—"

"'Tratta gli altri come vuoi essere trattato,'" I quoted, then looked over at him with a ghost of a smile. "My mother used to say that. It means—"

"'Treat others as you want to be treated,'" He said knowingly.

"You know Italian?"

"Yes. And you?"

"Correntemente," I smiled widely now. "Così come il francese e danese." I had told him I spoke Italian fluently, and I also spoke French and Danish.

"È incredibile," He shook his head with a smile. He had just said it was incredible.

"A proposito, una molto. . . Affascinante fratello che hai," I had mentioned his brother being "charming."

He chucked and responded with, "Sì, beh, lui è quando lui vuole essere," Meaning: Yes, well, he is when he wants to be.

I laughed. "I can actually believe that,"

"I've not spoke with someone who knows the language in so long," He admitted with a laugh. "I'm a little rusty on it all."

I shrugged. "It was most fun language to learn. Then again, I learned the languages I know all the same way . . . " I trailed off, everything seemed to grow distant as I recalled the moments in my childhood. They were such carefree days that I dearly missed. "Anyways-" I cleared my throat. "-my mother also used to say, 'Perdona e dimentica.'" Which meant: forgive and forget. I smiled small at him before walking away.

"Maybe it's the European in me, but I do love soccer," He called.

As I stepped into the house, I looked back at him. "Alla prossima, Stefan Salvatore." I had said: 'Until next time, Stefan Salvatore.'

When I got back down to the party, my father was obviously ready to leave, so we did. We rode in silence and he didn't speak until I was going up the huge staircase.

"No friends, remember?" His voice rang out, hitting me like a knife. It stopped me on the stairs.

"Of course," I managed finally before rushing upstairs.

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The End of Chapter II

Please review! And, if you feel like it, check out my other story, Poison & Wine, a Klaus/OC/Elijah story!

~ The Onceler's Unless