Chapter 4

"You met WHO?" Emma had never seen Jake this angry before. Angry, sure, but this was pure fury. It scared her. She glanced over at Elena, unsure of what to say. It surprised her to see that Elena wasn't shocked by Jake's outburst. Her expression looked...worried.

Jake turned to Elena. "What were you thinking, taking her to them? That's the last place either of you should be. They're DANGEROUS."

"You know." Elena breathed. Emma thought that was a weird response.

"Know what?" She asked them both. They ignored her.

"Yes I know. And I know that you do, too. I don't want my sister anywhere near them, do you understand?" Jake growled. Emma was seriously confused at this exchange and tired of being ignored. She stepped between the two of them, putting her hands up to each of their chests to separate them.

"What are you two talking about? I feel like the child in the room that's deliberately being left out of the conversation. Please clue me in."

Elena looked at her but didn't speak. She turned back to Jake, as did Emma. "Jake?" Emma asked expectantly.

Jake took a deep breath, obviously trying to relax. He looked down at his sister, pausing before speaking, seeming to try and decide what exactly to say. Finally, he ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and just said it. "Damon and Stefan are vampires."

Elena's jaw dropped. Emma frowned. "What?"

"You heard me." Jake started pacing. "Vampires. Blood sucking monsters."

"That's just a myth, a story. Vampires aren't real." Emma started laughing but stopped when she realized they weren't joking. "They're stories, Jake. They aren't real." She insisted, suddenly wondering if her brother had lost his mind.

"Tell her, Elena." Jake muttered quietly.

Emma looked to Elena who nodded. "It's true."

"What? You're both insane. There is no such thing. Why are you trying to upset me?" Emma was getting angry now. This wasn't a funny joke and she wanted it to stop.

"We're not, Em. Those two are dangerous and you can't be around them. They'll kill you as soon as look at you." Jake stopped pacing and tried to convince her with a look. Emma still wasn't buying it.

Elena glared at Jake. "They aren't like that." She said. "They are vampires but they aren't evil."

"Off your rockers." Emma shook her head, backing away slowly from the two of them. She sat on the closest dining room chair. "You have lost your minds." She looked at the two of them. "Vampires exist on TV being killed by Buffy or in bad teen romance movies, but not in reality. You can't expect me to believe this."

Jake sat in the chair across from her. "First of all, I can't believe you left her with Damon, of all people." This he directed toward Elena. "Secondly," he turned back toward his sister, "these vampires are sly. They befriend you, then they tear your heart out with their bare hands. Don't trust them." He directed the last toward both girls.

"I know Stefan." Elena insisted. "He isn't bad. There's nothing evil about him. And we're working on Damon. He's trying to come around. He spent hours with Emma and didn't touch her."

At Jake's glare Emma decided now would be a good time to chime in. "Vampire or not, he was a perfect gentleman. He kept me company and I felt safe the whole time."

"Did he ever say anything funny to you?" Jake asked. It was a weird question but it brought to mind the moment Damon had told her to be scared of him and hide. She nodded slowly.

"He said it had been a bad joke so I dismissed it, but he told me I was afraid of him and I should hide."

Jake closed his eyes and sat back in the chair. "Thank goodness you wear that necklace all the time." He muttered.

Emma looked down at the necklace as Elena whispered, "vervain." When Emma looked at her she explained. "It keeps you from being compelled. Vampires can tell you what to do, control your actions, unless you have vervain to protect you."

"It's also been in your tea every night I make you." Jake added. "It's tasteless so you'd never know but it keeps you safe. It's like poison to vampires."

Though Emma still wasn't buying the whole vampire thing, she decided to let it slide for the moment. "So you knew that Stefan and Damon were in town?" She asked him.

"No." Jake replied, finally opening his eyes to look at her. "But you never know when one will show up. I always try to be prepared. They are evil bastards."

"Not all of them." Elena said through grit teeth.

"Believe what you want, El. I know them." Jake replied. He stood, making a pointed look at his younger sister. "Whether you believe me or not, those two are NOT allowed in the house. Ever. Do not invite them in. They can only be invited by you or I, otherwise they are locked out. I don't care if you believe me but I don't want them invited in under any circumstances. Understand?"

Emma nodded, promising when Jake made her. The house belonged to both of them so she could respect that wish. It would probably be true if Damon was a vampire or not; her brother was way overprotective.

"I should go." Elena murmured, heading toward the door. Emma moved to walk her out; Jake did not.

"Thanks for everything. I appreciate it, even if Jake doesn't." Emma hugged Elena before she stepped out of the house. "And I still don't believe in vampires."

Elena smiled wistfully. "I know it's crazy sounding, but two of us wouldn't be pulling your chain, Em. It's true, but what your brother says about them being evil isn't. I know them. Damon's got a way to go to change but Stefan is good and we're both trying to help him."

"Well, I believe you about all of it. Except the vampire thing." Emma smiled. "I'm not sure what the joke is, but I just can't believe it."

Elena smiled but didn't say anything. She walked to her car and left with a small wave. Emma shut the door and leaned against it, wondering if the world had gone crazy. Or maybe just she had.