MYSTIC FALLS – MYSTIC HIGH CARNIVAL – Given Carolines condition at the hospital Elena, as Vice President of the Committee, was forced to take over as Carnival Supervison. After the talk with Jenna and Stefan at the hospital Bonnie had to talk to her friend about the danger. "Katherine looked just like you, it was freakish."

"She is my ancestor." said Elena counting the cotton candy display and taking notes. "Hey I moved the student booth into the cafeteria."

"Your vampire ancestor." added Bonnie. "And she didn't just resemble you like a family ancestor, she was you. Like you identical, literally, twin sister."

"I don't know what to say." said Elena. "It's creepy. That's all I've got. Plus. It's not like I don't have vampires in my family now."

"I know." said Bonnie. By now she was up to date with Harry and Caleb's vampire/wizard status. "But at least they're good guys, heroes. They weren't bitten they were turned. They're powerful and they're on our side." She sighed. "But lets get back to Katherine…How do you know she's not out there still pretending to be you?"

"I don't." said Elena. She pointed out the stuffed animals. "This go behind there on the wall please." She walked off. "I can sit here and be tortured by the not knowing or…" she grabbed large bag of toys. "…or I can get these prizes to the ring toss."

"Well have you talked to Damon since he came back?" asked Bonnie. "About where he was, how he was healed and by who?"

"No Bonnie I haven't." said Elena. "and I don't want to talk about Damon or about anything that is vampire related. I'm a squib, a non magical human born to two magical parents, and I have to do human stuff or I'll go crazy."

"Ok…" smiled Bonnie. "I get it. I'll focus. We have to make Caroline proud or she will kill us." she joked.


MYSTIC FALLS HIGH – Ever since Caleb walked in wearing a black leather jacket, a dark green turtleneck and tight denim jeans with his long smooth raven black hair tied in ponytail draping down to his mid back, he turned heads. He was a beauty that no one had spotted before. His height, manly physique, glacial blue eyes and handsome face was a thing to be envied. His red diamond ring let everyone know he was powerful indeed, that and his panther de Vil which people talked about since he pulled into the parking lot. Ever since Katherine got into town he was worried about his families safety. He spotted Jeremy at his locker and walked over. "Hi Jeremy."

Jeremy dropped his books and turned. "Caleb. Hi." He hugged his cousin. "What are you doing here? Do you go here?"

"To school? No please." said Caleb. "I took muggle studies at Hogwarts. They taught us everything you guys are learning…and once was quite enough."

Jeremy chuckled as he changed his books. "You may not be muggle but you sure sound like one."

"How are you?" asked Jeremy.

"After what we learned about Katherine…" said Jeremy. "Pretty spooked."

"Which is why I'm here." said Caleb. He gave Jeremy a small bag. Jeremy opened it and took out a small vial with clear liquid. "It's the same as the bracelet your sister gave you."

"So it protects me from compulsion?" asked Jeremy

"Vervain is toxic to vampires." said Caleb.

"You mean like poison? asked Jeremy.

"Yes." said Caleb. "It's very poisonous. It'll keep them out of your head. Complements of a dear friend, from Italy, who specializes in poisonous herbs flowers and mushrooms back home."

"But why Vervain?"asked Jeremy.

"There's a certain balance to it Jeremy." said Caleb. "According to my friend Blaise, it's balanced mixture of herbs roots and spices, which are also used in cooking, that when combined together and diluted creates the perfect potion." He pointed to the bag.

Jeremy looked inside was a book. "HERBOLOGY 101 by Florence Nightingale…?"

"I talked to Aunt Jenna, told her everything that's happening and convinced her to start your training."

"My training?" asked Jeremy

"Well. If you like you can come over to my house this weekend and I can test you to see if you have magic." said Caleb. "If you do have magic, which I think you do, you must start reading and studying. Herbology is a very good step to start." said Caleb. "This is one of my textbooks from my first year. If you turn out positive I can give you the rest od the books."

Jeremy smiled. "You're…you're really gonna teach me?"

Caleb smiled. "Yes."

"Thanks." said Jeremy. "What about stakes thought the heart?"

"It has to be wood." said Caleb. "At least for muggle vampires which is what we're dealing with. Muggle vampires aren't subjected to the raw energy of the wizarding world so their systems are less strong. I'll have to reread my vampire texts from DADA."

"DADA?" asked Jeremy.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts." Said Caleb.

Jeremys eyes lit up. "Will I learn that?"

"Eventually." said Caleb. "But you're a beginner. Students at Hogwarts don't begin to take DADA till their second years. Though you're sixteen you're sort of a first year."

"But you promise you'll teach me?" asked Jeremy.

"Yes. I have a degree in magical education." said Caleb. "But for now you need to focus on the thrills of teen student…stuff. Like this carnival…I came to help your sister." Elena walked over to them. "Hello Elena."

"Hi honey." Elena kissed him on the cheek. She looked at her notes. "Hey Jeremy do you mind…?"

"Yeah yeah. I set up the goldfish toss. All 300 goldfish…" said Jeremy. "It's gonna be epic." He said sarcastically, baniging his locker closed and walking off.

Caleb cleared his throat. "I'm sure he's going to be alright. He's just been through so much from what Aunt Jenna told us. Plus having a demented psychotic vampire who looks exactly like your sister walking about can't be good on the nerves."

"I was just hoping this carnival would reel him back into the land of high school teenager." sighed Elena.

"Oh is that what we're doing?" asked Caleb. "In my day that was solved by a good game of Quidditch."

"I wish!" Elena chuckled. "But yes, we all are. We're going to be boring high school students, who live boring high school lives where the V word is not uttered."

"Sounds wonderful." said Caleb.

Elena looked at him, feeling his words were sincere. "Really?"

"That would mean we have peace." said Caleb. "Who doesn't want that."

"True." said Elena.

Stefan walked over. "And then later I'm gonna take you to the Ferris wheel, ride it up the very very top and kiss you…"

"…and my heart is gonna flutter like a regular high school girl." smiled Elena giving Stefan a peck on the lips.

"Urgh… muggles." said Caleb as he walked away he got a text on his cel.


MYSTIC FALLS – THE GRILL – An hour later Caleb walked into the Mystic Grill. He spotted Matt sitting at a table and walked over. "Thank you for meeting me."

"Sure." said Caleb, he sat down. "What can I do for you?" The waitress walked by with some scotch.

"I'm not one of those muggles who likes to beat around the bush." said Matt.

"Thank God for that!" said Caleb. They clinked their glasses on that. "You cool Matt. You and your brother Damon, you're all right."

"I know you and Harry are close to Damon." said Matt.

"Very, especially Harry." said Damon. "I think Harry feels a little something more for Damon than friends."

"You think?" asked Matt. 'Could Harry be Damons true love?' he smiled. 'Could it finally be Damons turn to be happy?'

"But I've heard about his reputation around town." said Caleb.

"What have you heard?" asked Matt.

"A vain narcissistic sex crazy bisexual maniac. A cold cruel cocky vampire who would gladly bite the neck of any one of his conquests." said Caleb.

"All true." said Matt. "But I swear to you Caleb, if Harry does feel something for Damon and he feels something for Harry, and they form the vampire bond, woe to the one who tries to take Harry away from him. Damon will love him for eternity."

"Lets hope so." said Caleb. "But yeah, he does feel something for Damon alright."

"He's…not the only one who feels something for someone." said Matt.

Caleb looked at Matt and Matt confirmed it with his eyes. "You?" Matt nodded. "For…me?"

"Ever since I met you at the hospital." said Matt. "I didn't just like you, I fell for you bad. I haven't had any luck with women or men, but I've never felt this before, something this strong and…"

"And?" asked Caleb.

"I'd like to ask you out." Said Matt.

Caleb grinned. "Like on a date?"

Matt smiled. "Yeah. To the Carnival."

Caleb laughed. "That's the most unusual and original invitation I've ever gotten." He saw Matts scared face. "It's a complement." Matt sighed. "I'd be lying if I said I haven't noticed you too."

"Really?" asked Matt.

"Come on love, you're tall built like a tank, with flawless skin, a killer smile, eyes to die for." said Caleb. "And… you have amazing pecs and a high tight ass." Matt was happy he couldn't blush. "I confess I have a thing for those parts of the human anatomy as well as others…" He winked. "What's not to like love?"

Matt chuckled. "Thanks."

"So yes." said Caleb. "I'd be honored to go with you." His cel phone buzzed, text message, he read it. "I have to go help Elena set up some tedious booths at the school for the carnival, but how about I pick you up at eight and we can drive to the Carnival then?"

"Sure." said Matt. "If you allow me to pay for food, drinks and attractions."

"Why not." Caleb smiled. They clinked glasses, Caleb gulped it down. He was about to pay but Matt stopped him.

"My treat." said Matt.

"Thank you." said Caleb. "See you tonight love."

As Caleb walked off Matt smiled, he was on cloud nine, with butterflies in his stomach and he relished every moment of it. He go the hottest guy in Mystic Falls and he was not letting go.


MYSTIC FALLS – LOCKWOOD HOUSE – LOCKWOOD STUDY – Damon met with Carol to discuss Council affairs. "So I understand John Gilbert has left town." She served Damon some tea. "Have they found the vampire that attacked him?"

"Well the sheriff asked me to take the lead on that." Damon informed. "And I promise you I will get to the bottom of it."

"Which brings me to the next subject…" said Carol. "…with Richard gone, I'll be acting as interim mayor until the elections and I'm going to need someone to spearhead the Council…I'd like that person to be you."

"Whatever you need Carol." said Damon. "As a founding family member, it's something that's close to me so I would be honored to help keep this town safe from vampires."

They both hear the front door open and in walk Tyler and Mason back form their jog. Carol walked over and closed the doors. They hear laugher from outside.

"Is it safe to talk?" asked Damon.

Carol walked back to the sofa, closed and locked the study doors and chanting. They hear more laughter. "It's my brother in law Mason. He's still visiting. I just don't want him to hear us. He didn't any part of the Council when he lived here and I see no reason to bring him into it now."

Damon listened in on the conversation outside in the foyer.


MYSTIC FALLS – LOCKWOOD HOUSE – LOCKWOOD FOYER – "I think grandma Lockwood actually passed you in her walker." Joked Mason.

"Yeah. Okay. Shoes off. Mud. My mom…" said Tyler. "Not good."

"Cool." said Mason. He sat down and started untying his shoes. "So all this anger and aggression you were talking about. Do you notice a difference when you exercise?"

Tyler scoffed. "Dude I play three varsity sports. I work out four times a week and run three. I'm gonna say no."

"Do you have episodes?" asked Mason. Tyler nodded. "I mean what happens exactly?"

"It starts off normal." said Tyler. "I mean I get angry. Typically over nothing. I'm an angry guy. You know, it jut amplifies and then I go off."

"Black out?" asked Mason.

"Yeah." said Tyler. "It's like I go blind with rage."

"Is there a pattern?" asked Mason. "Like, once a month? Only a night?

"All I know is I lose myself." said Tyler. "For that time I become something else. And I hate it."

"What's the story with that kid?" asked Mason.

"What kid?" asked Tyler.

"The one who I saw leave the study during your dads wake." said Mason.

Tyler looked at him. "You mean Jeremy Gilbert?" Mason nodded. "What about him?"

"He seems a little weird? "asked Mason.

"Weird? Have you looked a mirror lately uncle?" asked Tyler. "You disappear for years and spend your life on top of a surf board or out in the woods like a long lost hippie. I don't mind a little weird." Mason stared him down. "He's my friend."

"Just a friend?" asked Mason.

"Yeah." said Tyler. "What? Why?"

"I've seen how he looks at you." Said Mason. "Like piece of meat."

Tyler tried to hold back his lust and keep his heartbeat steady. "Everyone looks at me that way."

"Are you gay?" asked Mason. "Not that I mind man."

"Ok, first off I hate labels." said Tyler. "I've only dated women, sixteen to be exact and slept with twenty five."

"And now?" asked Mason.

"He's a good looking guy. I don't know." said Tyler. "We haven't really talked. I find him attractive, who knows. I don't know…If something happens then it does. If it doesn't then it doesn't."

"Good for you." said Mason. "If your dad heard this he'd skin you alive."

"Then it's a good thing he's dead." said Tyler. Mason scoffed as he threw a towel at his head and made his way upstairs. "Come on, we have to jump in the shower, change and get back to help the Carnival set up."


MYSTIC FALLS – LOCKWOOD HOUSE – LOCKWOOD STUDY – "More tea?" asked Carol. "Damon?"

Damon, who was listening in, returned his attention to Carol. "Oh Yes." Carol poured more tea. "Thank you Carol…"


MYSTIC FALLS – MYSTIC HIGH CARNIVAL – Two hours later Stefan found Damon and Caleb standing by the WRESTLING CLUB CORNER. "One dollar for arm wrestling?" asked Caleb.

"Apparently they're making a bucket load of money." said Damon. "They're up to $130 since this afternoon."

"So now there are two are lurking." said Stefan.

"We're observing." said Damon and Caleb unanimously.

"More like obsessing." added Stefan.

"Damon called me." said Caleb.

"You actually believe his theories about the Lockwoods?" asked Stefan.

"Not yet. I'd like to see some physical evidence of something not muggle." said Caleb. "But I think Jeremy has the hots for young Tyler…"

"Jeremy?" asked Damon.

"Yes." said Caleb. "He's my cousin so if something is up with Tyler or the Lockwood family I want to know before he gets hurt."

Jeremy walked over. "What's up guys?" The three vampires gestured, with their heads to the wrestling section. He turned as crowd cheering and looked on at Tyler arm wrestling a guy from the football team. His heart beat faster as he stared at Tylers biceps and strong arms.

Tyler was so into it, then his eyes caught Jeremy on the sidlines with his cousin Caleb. His eyes focused on Jeremy, how the young man looked at him, and how Jeremy licked his lips staring at him. His heart beat fast and intentionally flexed his biceps and arms to put on a show for young Gilbert… After two minutes…BAM…

"Tyler Lockwood wiiiins!" called the announcer.

"He's got strength…" said Damon.

"Yeah…" muttered Jeremy.

"He's a triple letter varsity athlete, track runner and is on the junior wrestling team." said Stefan. "Of course he has strength. You're reaching."

"Look." Said Caleb. They saw Mason arrive to challenge his nephew.

"Enter the uncle…" said Damon. They all listen in.

"Bring it on surfer boy." said Tyler. He was going to put another show on for Jeremy. They lock hands and prepare for the arm wrestle.

"This is ridiculous." said Stefan. The bell DINGS and the wrestle is on. All four look on to see the fight. It was intense, then…BAM…Tyler lost.

"Damn…" said Tyler.

Mason laughed all in good fun. "Is that it?"

Tyler looked around. "All right…He's a champ." He sighed. "Who wants to go next? Just one buck!"

"Hey." called Caleb. He pats Stefan on the back. "Stefan wants a go." Both Salvatores see the wicked grin on his face.

"Yeah." said Stefan. "Sure. I'll, uh, give it a shot."

Damon started laughing at Calebs sneaky prank. "You're my new best friend Cabe." said Damon put an arm around Caleb. "You're evil."

"Not evil just…" said Caleb with a chuckle. He turned to Damon. "Wicked." Jeremey chuckled.

Damon laughed. "Definitely my new best friend." They both turned to back to Stefan and Mason. "Get him, Stef!"

Stefan and Mason locked hands. "My brother and my friend over there thinks I can beat you." Tyler laughed, until he then noticed Damon together with Caleb. 'Since when are those two besties?' he thought.

"Your bother is wrong." said Mason.

The bell DINGS and the wrestle is on. Damon Jeremy and Caleb look on as the match gets intense, small tugs from side to side…it went on for like two minutes. Two intense minutes…BAM…Stefan lost.

"Yeah!" cheered Tyler. "Go Mason!"

Stefan shook Masons hand and walked off as five bodybuilder students from the school wrestling team got in line for a match. He walked back to Jeremy Damon and Caleb.

"You didn't put in any effort at all." argued Damon.

"Yeah…" said Stefan. "…actually, I did."

Damon looks at Caleb, then all four look at the Lockwoods. "Come with me." Caleb and Stefan followed him out and away to the lockeroom hallway.

"Is he a vampire?" asked Jeremy.

"No." said Stefan. "It wasn't that kind of strength. But it was more than human, if that makes any sense?"

"What is up with that family?" asked Damon.

"If they're not vampires when what the hell are they?" asked Caleb.

"Oooh! Maybe they're ninja turtles." joked Stefan.

Jeremy looked at Stefan. "Seriously?"

"You think this is a joke?" asked Caleb.

"You're not funny." added Damon.

"Or…no. Zombies. Werewolves." said Stefan.

"Speaking as someone who knows for a face those creatures do exist." said Caleb. "I wouldn't be laughing."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Stefan.

"I'm not an honorary Slytherin for nothing." Caleb grinned. Stefans smile faded and Damons smile came on immediately, anxious wanting to see what the wicked little wizard would do. He looked around and spotted a student by the lockers, he walked over with Damon and Stefan behind him. "Excuse me."

The student, Carter, a football jock scoffed. "I have a name."

"Yeah, I don't care." said Caleb. He took Carter by shoulders. Carter looked into his eyes which glowed blue. "I need you to pick a fight with Tyler Lockwood." His voice echoed like a song around them.

"Caleb…" said Stefan. "Don't do this."

"Shut up." grinned Damon. "It's just an experiment." He and Stefan saw the dark strength in Calebs eyes, the ice cold wickedness, the same dark strength that has helped him survive the horror he lived as a child. When his sleeve slipped down they saw the horrible dark mark, it made Damons skin crawl with fear, which confirmed his evil side was real.

"Get him mad." commanded Caleb. "Don't back down no matter what."

Carter was helpless to the spell. "I won't back down."

"I know you won't." smiled Caleb. His eyes faded to normal, his hands let go of Carter and sent him on his way.

"My new bestie!" cheered Damon hugging Caleb.

"You do realize someone is gonna get hurt? "asked Stefan.

"No, someone is going to get mad. As in rage." said Caleb. "I'm looking out for Jeremy Stefan and if Tyler is dangerous or a supernatural creature I need to know. From what I've heard, that Tyler kid is incapable of walking away from a fight. Lets see who intervenes…"

"…maybe it's the ambiguously supernatural mystery uncle." added Damon. He put an arm around Caleb and they walked off together.

"What do we do?" asked Jeremy.

"We wait." said Stefan. "All we can do is wait."

***This is one of the chapters I mentioned was similar to the Carnival chapter of SHADOWS, but… 1) I loooved the romantic scene between Caleb and Matt at the Grill. Finally Matt is getting some love, he's been denied it so much on the show. + he's sooo cute! 2) I also added the Mason/Tyler talk about Jeremy in the Lockwood foyer. I didn't' much like how Tyler referred to his father in the end there but I have to remember Tyler is sort of an asshole. I'm hoping Jeremy can soften him and help him grow as a person. 3) The Daleb pal relationship keeps on growing. I love it. 4) I loved how Tyler was trying to show off to Jeremy during the wrestling match with his uncle at school. That was cute. Maybe Jeremy can flirt back soon? Hmmm… I like that. What do you think. Please review!***