Disclaimer: I only own my OCs

Chapter 4: Blood

Nicolette limped through the door with her ankle encased in its bulky walking cast. She wasn't in the best of moods, considering her medical suspension from her volleyball team and the over-dramatics over her stupid injury.

Jenna looked up from her conversation with Elena. "I'm not even going to ask," the young aunt stated as she saw the annoyed look on Nicolette's face. Elena gave the other brunette a pointed look. "Shouldn't you be using crutches? The doctor said-" "-Don't start Laney," the green eyed brunette warned as she took the coffee offered by a knowing Jenna. "What has you in such a bad mood?" The blonde asked with an inquisitive look.

Nicolette took a breath before preparing to answer. "Coach suspended me from the team. I can't play volleyball till my ankle heals and I won't be able to play in the semifinals." Her voice was laced with defeated frustration. Jenna and Elena gave her sympathetic looks. "Maybe it's for the best. This way you can spend some time with Jeremy," Elena put in diplomatically only to receive an eye roll. The teen in question snatched the coffee out of Nikki's hand and took a drink. "What are we talking about?" He asked as he drank the stolen coffee.

"Sure Jere, just help yourself to my coffee." The green-eyed brunette stated sarcastically. He gave her a bright smile, "Don't mind if I do." She smiled back with blatant sarcasm. "Is there any more?" Jenna gave her an apologetic look before cursing, "I have to go!" She exclaimed as she frantically packed her stuff and ran out the door.

Jeremy finished Nikki's coffee and set the mug on the counter. "You really should get some coffee, you look terrible," He teased before holding his side where he received a not so subtle elbow to the liver. "Thanks for that Captain obvious. Get your stuff," she replied with a partial smile.


"Oh my god Nikki! How are you? I saw what happened and was really worried. Are you okay?" Caroline asked frantically as she embraced the pretty brunette. "Care. Breathe. I'm fine, just suspended till further notice," Nicolette replied whimsically as she detached herself from the Cheerleader. "I'm so sorry! This is why you should be a cheerleader. Less physically demanding and dangerous!" The peppy blonde rebutted with a smile before laughing at the look on her friend's face.

"So I heard you're living with the Gilberts. Does this mean you are moving back for good?" Matt asked as he slid in across from Nicolette in the booth. The girl in question looked up from her half-finished homework and fries, meeting his pretty blue eyes. "As far as I'm concerned, yes. My uncle has already shipped over my things," she replied in a uncommitted tone.

"Why did you even leave in the first place?" Tyler asked bitterly as he helped himself to some of the french fries in front of her. Foresty eyes narrowed on the football player as she smacked his hands away from her fries, "To be closer to my family."

"Why didn't you ever tell us about your cousins?" Caroline asked quizzically. Nicolette sighed and made to reply before her phone started ringing. She glanced at the caller id before hitting ignore. "Because it never crossed my mind. We lost contact with each other... Speak of the devil," she sighed as Damon joined them.

"You three don't mind too much if I borrow Nikki, right? Thanks," He stated and without waiting for their response, pulled his cousin out of the Grill. Damon shook his head as Nicolette refused to let him drive her car..


"No Damon! That's completely out of the question!" Nicolette stated as she hobbled through the Boarding House and into the living room, with an annoyed Damon stomping after her. Stefan looked up from his conversation on the phone with Elena as his family stomped through the house.

"I'll call you later, Elena," he stated before hanging up as the two entered the living room. His green eyes flitted between his brother and cousin in interest as he watched them argue. Exasperated, Damon stormed over to his alcohol cabinet and poured himself a glass of bourbon, while Nicolette turned to meet Stefan's inquisitive eyes. "What's going on Nikki?"

"It's nothing Stefan."

"Doesn't sound like nothing."

"Wrong choice of words on my part."

Stefan watched his cousin closely as she shifted her booted foot in discomfort. His foresty eyes didn't miss anything as he studied Nicolette's expression before switching his attention to his older brother, who was glaring at their cousin. He slowly stood to place himself between his two family members as an extra precaution. "Care to share?"

Damon replied instantly without taking his eyes off of Nicolette, "Collie is being a spoiled little brat!" Her eyes snapped up to his as she quickly fired back her response of, "Because you're being an inconsiderate ass and how is standing up for myself being a spoiled brat?" The two of them glared at each other heatedly before Stefan put himself in front of her in defense.

"Alright enough! Damon lay off," Stefan ordered before turning back to face Nicolette and continuing, "Tell me what this is all about."

The petite brunette sighed before recounting the reason for their argument. "So now Demon thinks that I should take some Vampire blood so I can heal faster and not be so pitiful," Nicolette explained with obvious disgust in her voice as she mentioned the blood part. The blue-eyed Salvatore in question was quick to add, "So little puritan over here would rather make everything twice as difficult by healing the 'natural' way."

"Maybe I'm just trying to prevent something bad from happening."

"Or you're just being an ungrateful brat."

"Speak for yourself, jackass."

"Alright, enough!" Stefan exclaimed with an annoyed glare directed at the two of them. "Nikki, I know you're not a fan of taking blood, but Damon does have a point. With your ankle the way that it is, you're gonna be out of commission for a good 6 weeks. However, that doesn't give Damon the right to antagonize you, especially given your previous experiences." He explained diplomatically while giving his brother a pointed look at the last part.

Nicolette wrapped her arms around her waist as she took in his words, "I'm aware of the healing process Stefan, and I am prepared to endure it like any other high school student would." Green eyes met those of her cousins as she added, "Without unnecessary blood donations."

Stefan and Damon shared a quick glance before nodding in understanding to their younger family member.


"What are-No-" Nicolette was cut off as she was crushed into Damon's chest and his bloody wrist was forced into her mouth. Stefan watched as she struggled violently against his brother, but he knew that she knew that her struggles were futile. Foresty-green eyes bored into his pair of equally hued eyes with betrayal as she succumbed under Damon's strength.

"Sorry Nikki," Stefan muttered halfheartedly as he watched her body fall slack in Damon's arms, allowing easier access for the blood to run down her throat.

So this is the new and improved version of 'Blood'.
It's kinda darker than the other one, but I figured that it would make more sense if it was strictly the family that witnessed what went down.
Anyways, please let me know what you thought of this in a review.
Thanks!

~ShadowStalker182