A/N: Sorry for the extremely long break, but I've definitely got my stuff back for this story. Don't own anything as usual. Enjoy!

"You're going on a date with him, Aryca? Seriously?" Aryn asked as she sat on her sister's bed, watching Aryca go through her closet to find something to wear.

"Why is this such a big deal, Aryn? He seems like a nice guy! Plus, he ruined my dress. Free dinner is always a good way to repay someone." Aryca replied as she came out of the closet with a blue silk top and black jeans. She threw them next to Aryn and returned to the closet in search of shoes.

Aryn eyed the outfit distastefully before rising to go stand in the doorway of the closet. "I don't trust him." Aryca stood up, holding black heels in her hands, and left the closet for the bathroom. "Why? You don't even know the guy!"

She wondered then if she should tell her sister what Klaus really was. It wasn't like Aryca didn't know what a vampire was. Their mother had raised them to know about supernatural creatures because, as witches, it was virtually inevitable that they would run into one eventually. Yes, she wanted her sister to be happy, but she didn't want her sister in any danger. Either way, Aryca was also perfectly capable of taking care of herself if it came down to it. Aryca had her powers just like Aryn did. So, she decided not to tell her.

Aryn sighed and closed her eyes. "You're right. I don't know him," She took the clothes into the bathroom and sat Aryca down on the toilet. "Now, let me fix your hair."

Aryca arrived at the Mystic Grill at 8:05 and saw Klaus sitting in a corner both facing the door. He smiled upon seeing her and stood to greet her. "Aryca, you look lovely." he said by way of greeting.

She blushed slightly and sat down. "I'm sure I look a sight better than I did earlier today." She held her arms out and smiled. "No coffee."

Klaus let out a booming laugh before flagging down a waiter. "What shall you have to drink tonight, Aryca?" The waiter, a tall boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, waited expectantly with a small notebook in his hands. Aryca smiled at him and replied, "Water." Aryca and Klaus talked about menial things while they ate and finally they'd both finished their meals.

"So," he asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Can I ask what brings you here to Mystic Falls? It is a dreadfully boring place." Aryca wiped her mouth and sat her hands in her lap before answering. "Family."

Aryn was heating up leftovers in the microwave when she heard a knock at the door. Frowning, she immediately prepared herself for the possibility of an unwelcome intruder. She peered through the peephole and saw that it was Damon Salvatore standing on her front porch.

She opened the door and glared at him. "What do you want?"

He frowned slightly at her. "It's Sunday. I'm bored. Can I come in?" he asked, stepping forward. Of course, Aryn knew better.

Vampires had to be invited into a home, and she wasn't quite certain if she wanted Damon in her home. "How did you even find out where I lived?" Aryn asked, stepping outside on the porch and closing the door behind her. She sat down on the bench and Damon joined her.

"It's a small town. It's not difficult to figure out when a house that's been for sale for a couple years suddenly gets bought."

Aryn sighed and tapped her feet against the porch, playing with her hands. "Is Klaus still living with you and Stefan?"

"Unfortunately,"Damon replied. "Stefan didn't take it very well but when you're dealing with a thousand year old vampire, what can you do?"

Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened. "He's that old? Seriously?"

Damon nodded with a comical look on his face. "Stefan wasn't happy about him staying with us, but he used to be Klaus's lackey once upon a time so he kind of doesn't have a choice. Besides the incident in the woods and the creepy coffins that contain his siblings in our basement, everything is going swimmingly." A moment of silence passed between them before Aryn spoke again.

"My sister is out on a date with him at the Grill. We were at the library earlier and she literally ran into him. He spilled coffee all over her and asked her out to dinner to make it up to her."

"Does she know-"

"No, Damon. I decided not to tell her. She can take care of herself if he tries anything. She's-nevermind. I shouldn't even be talking to you." Aryn said.

That same wave of nausea was coming upon her again. She felt a bit sick whenever she was in the presence of a vampire. She'd been doing her best to quell that feeling to the point that it could just become a nervousness. But when she wasn't concentrating on making it go away, it returned and it felt awful. Damon, for his part, looked slightly hurt, but the look passed before she could really be sure.

"I understand. You haven't known me long. So I guess it's normal that you don't trust me. But let's be honest here. I saw you compel a girl with whatever powers you have. You caught Klaus feeding on some girl and you figured out we're vampires. So, quite honestly, I think we're a bit beyond normal now, don't you think?"

He hadn't sounded mad exactly when he said this, but Aryn couldn't help feeling guilty anyway. It wasn't that she didn't actually trust Damon. It was that she felt like she ought not to. After all, he was a vampire. Her mother had always told her that supernatural creatures couldn't be trusted unless they were your own kind. But then, her mother had abandoned her and Aryca, so Aryn was having some trouble heeding her words.

"I guess so."

Again, they were silent for a time. Eventually, Aryn stood up to head inside. "You can come in."

Damon followed her inside and observed the house while she ate the leftovers from the microwave. When she was done she walked to her room and turned on the tv, Damon close behind. He sat on her bed while she went to the bathroom.

"So. Game of Thrones, huh?" Damon asked when she was out of the bathroom. She'd showered and was currently wearing a tank top and shorts.

"Yes. It's a personal favorite of mine." She got under the blankets, pulling them up to her chest. Damon decided to lie down next to her, but on top of the blankets. Aryn pressed play and all was quiet between the two.

She fell asleep watching her show and Damon took this time to observe her. Aryn Headey looked very peaceful as she slept. She wasn't combative and guarded in her sleep. She wasn't mistrustful. Indeed, she was extremely beautiful. Her curly dark hair was spread across her pillow. Her hazel eyes behind her eyelids. Her skin was of a medium complexion, and most of it was obscured by the blanket that was covering her.

Damon was distracted, however, from his observations when he smelled an unfamiliar scent. He'd been able to acquaint himself with Aryn's scent, as well as the scent of her sister but this scent was new, foreign. In fact, it wasn't anything he'd smelled in the town. That could only mean one thing: an outsider.

A/N: It's been ages, I know, but I think I've got my mojo back for this story. Hope you guys liked it :)