Disclaimer: I don't own any of TVD, I just own Cara.

As I opened the front door, I was bombarded with the sound of hard rock music coming from upstairs.

"Stupid Stefan detox," I muttered. I walked into the kitchen and set down the few bags of groceries, then bumped into Damon on my way out.

"Why do we buy groceries again?" he asked.

I walked back out to the car and grabbed another load of bags, "Because, Mr. Vampire, I still like to cook and eat regular food."

"Does that mean you're going to cook me a romantic dinner this evening?" he said as he grabbed the rest of the groceries and shut the trunk of my car.

"Possibly...If you behave," I teased. We started to unload the groceries into our five-star kitchen.

"Oh, I'll be on my best behavior! As soon as I take care of this whole Stefan issue."

"What are you gonna do about that, anyways? He's been off human blood since the Ripper days, and now...?" I said, closing the fridge. Stefan's blood habits are...complicated.

"He thinks he'll go off the wheel again, but I say that all he needs to do is let us teach him. You're doing just fine on human blood since then, aren't you baby?" Damon came over and put his hands each side of the counter I'm leaning on, trapping me in.

"Of course, I'm fine. The 15th century is wayyy behind me, babe," I confirmed. I noticed his silk shirt was buttoned up all the way to the collar, and I undid the top two with a smile.

"Good. Now let's get this over with," he kissed my forehead and we started to leave.

I stopped at the stairs and turned to Damon, "Wait! Go pour a glass of O+, will ya?"

He gave me a funny look, "Why O+?"

"Because. That's his favorite." I smirked, and Damon got a the glass of blood in a matter of seconds. We continued up the stairs, and walked into Stefan working out furiously in his room. The music deafened me.

"COULD YOU TURN IT UP A LITTLE BIT? IT'S NOT ANNOYING YET!" I yelled. Stefan hopped down from doing pull-ups of the ceiling beam and turned down his boombox.

"Sorry," he said, then quickly went into a set of pushups.

"When are ya goin back to school?" I asked, leaning over one of his chairs.

"Soon."

"Just drink already!" Damon interrupted, walking over and squatting next to Stefan on the floor with the blood in hand, "Oh come on, self detox just isn't natural."

"Could you get that away from me please?" he moved over to do push ups from the couch.

"Stefan, how long did it take you to ween yourself off of it since the last time you indulged?" I asked. He didnt reply.

"Not good..." Damon muttered.

"I'll be fine, it just takes a little time," he grunted.

I walked around the couch and sat down criss-cross-applesauce in front of my little brother.

"You don't have to kill to survive, Stef. That's what blood banks are for! Look at me: I haven't hunted a human in..."

"Way too long," Damon finished.

"I'm impressed," Stefan said.

He didn't mean it, though. He's just brushing me off.

"It's totally self serving," I drawled. I got up and stood next to Damon, who started to walk me over to the door.

"Plus, we're trying to get the town of the trail of vampires which is not easy considering there's and entire tomb of them running around," he said.

"What are we planning on doing about that?" Stefan asked, getting up.

"Oh, you won't be much help with anything if you don't have your strength," Damon pointed out. Stefan rolled his eyes and turned away, but I put my hand on his arm and looked up at him.

"There's nothing wrong with partaking in a healthy diet of human blood, from a blood bank. You're not actually killing anyone, Stefan," I said.

I know, I know. I'm totally mommying him- but sometimes he needs to be mommied.

"I have my reasons," he replied.

"Well, what are those sacred reasons? Because, I know what it's like. I'm not sure if you remember all of the stories I used to tell you, but you weren't the first Ripper, Stefan- I was. And I tore up multiple villages, killed hundreds and thousands of innocent people. But I've moved past it, and I even tried to do the animal blood diet for the first few years. I know what you've been through, and I can help you learn to control your inner Ripper while still being able to drink human blood. Just let me in."

Stefan stood there, looking down at me with those hazel-green eyes with traces of sadness, guilt, empathy, and over all understanding. But he brushes me off, yet again.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you? Just watching me struggle?"

Damon scoffed, "Very much so, dear Stephanie. She enjoys it just enough to where she's offering her help."

"Well, let me break it to you- I have this under complete control."

My eyes widened in fake surprise, "Oh! Well then carry on, making the rest of us vampires look bad."

"Have a great day, Stef."

And with that, Damon and I left...

The glass of blood on the table.

I ran back inside to see Stefan approaching the cup.

"Oops! Almost forgot my lunch," I grabbed the cup and took a big gulp, "Yumm!"

XxXxxXXxxXXxxXxx

Damon and I drove out to City Hall for a Founder's Council Meeting, and walked in to hear that Vicki Donovan was found burried in the woods.

Another mistake of mine, turning that girl...

But the town covered up the truth with a drug overdose. When Liz was finished she came and stood next to Damon and I.

"You look cute, as always," Liz whispered to me. I looked down to remind myself what I was wearing. Oh yeah! Some bootcut jeans, a light pink spaghetti strap ruffled blouse, nude heels and some accessories and a gold watch to match. I also had half of my hair up, and pinned with a light pink bow.

"Thanks, Liz. New top," I replied with a smile.

Mayor Lockwood took place at the front of the group to introduce someone.

"Thank you, Sheriff. Now onto a more pressing issue- Johnathan Gilbert would like to say a few words." A man in his mid forties walked over to the Mayor.

"Nice to see you, John! Welcome back," they shook hands.

"Thank you, Mayor. Hello, everyone, it's wonderful to see you- I wish it was under better circumstances. As a founding family member I find it's my duty to report some very distressing.."

"He's a Gilbert?" I whispered to Liz.

"Elena's uncle. His name's John but I call him Jackass.."

John continued, "A hospital blood bank in the neighboring country of Amherst has reported several break-ins in the last two weeks. Seven hunters, four campers, and two state employees has been reported missing as well. All of this within a seventy-five mile radius of Mystic Falls,"

"Okay, okay," Mayor Lockwood interrupted, "No need to get alarmed, right at this moment.."

Liz turned to Damon and I, "Meaning he doesn't want to cancel the Founder's Day Kick-Off Party."

"You think all of your problems are over," John said, "But I'm here to tell you that nothing's been solved-"

Oh, how could you be so heartless? Ehhhhhh, Ehhhh

How could you be so, cold as the winter wind when it breeze, yo

Just remember that you talkin to me, yo

You need to watch the way you talkin to me, yo

"SORRY! That's me," I said, pulling my Blackberry out of my pocket. Elena's name was flashing on the screen.

Yes, Elena's ringtone is Heartless by Kanye West.

I'm just awesome like that.

"Whataya need?" I said as I walked out of the building.

"Can you and Damon come over? We need to talk, and I prefer it in person."

"Okay, we'll be there in 10." I hung up and walked back inside.

"Elena?" Damon asked.

"Yeah, she wants us to come over. Let's go." We walked out of the building with a wave and a smile and drove over to Elena's.

She opened the door and we stepped in, but the she shushed up and pointed to Jeremy eating at the kitchen table.

"No, Elena! I don't want to experiement with you sexualy! I love Damon!" I yelled. Jeremy looked at me, laughing, and gave me a thumbs up and I winked back as Elena dragged me upstairs.

We walked in her room and Damon jumped onto her bed, laying down, with his arms open and a sexual look on his face. I walked over and straddled him, and he sat up and kissed me.

"This is one place where we haven't had sex yet," he stated. Elena didn't seem to notice, so I went on with it.

"Exactly...Yet," I threw off Damon's leather jacket as we started to make out.

"EW OKAY! GUYS I GET THE POINT, YOU'RE HORNDOGS, NOW STOP FOOLING AROUND!" Elena yelled. I giggled and flopped down onto the bed.

"Did you know, that your Uncle's been kickin it with the Founder's council?" Damon asked.

"What?"

"Yup."

"Perfect. We'll just add it to the growing list of things that keep falling apart," she whined.

"What happened there?" Damon asked. I trailed his eyes to see a broken lamp and a hole in the wall.

"Uh, nothing.."

I stared at her intensely.

"Okay, okay. I'm worried about Stefan. He says that everything's okay, but he's clearly struggling. How long is it gonna take before he's back to normal?"

"A few days,"

"Give or take," I finished.

"It's been a few days..?"

"Give, then. I don't know. What's the big deal?" I asked, getting up and going over to her vanity.

"He's not himself, Cara!"

"Well, maybe the problem is he's spent too long not being himself." I pulled out a colorful striped bra and held it up to my chest.

"This is cute! Can I borrow it?" She yanked it away and put it back in her drawer.

"Whatever. I'm like, a whole cup size bigger anyway," I shrugged.

"Yes you are," Damon said with a smirk.

"Please don't make me sorry for asking you."

"It is what it is, Elena," I stated, "The Stefan you know, is the 'good behavior Stefan.'"

Damon got up and walked over near Elena and I and elaborated, "The 'raigne it in, Stefan.' 'To fight against his nature to an annoyingly obsessive level...Stefan.' But if you think there's not another part to this, then you- have not been paying attention."

"Stefan is not either of you. Not even close," she buffed.

"Well he doesn't wanna be me. I'm banging his brother," I said. She rolled her eyes.

"He doesn't wanna be me, either. But that doesn't mean that deep down...he's not."

She went silent.

"Mhmm," I said, then we walked out.

Damon and I made nice car conversation, and headed home.

I mean, if you consider plans of fucking on every surface available in the Gilbert house (for kinks) nice...

Anyways, we drove home and get ready for the Founder's Day Kick-Off Party. I didn't want to change my hair or accessories, so I picked out a dress and heels that match. The heels were strappy with gold/nude sparkle, and the dress has a light pink chiffon skirt and a white lace top that ties in a knot at the front.

Damon put on a silk black blazer and dark grey trousers, and then went to help Stefan as I applied a sheer coat of lip gloss. We drove to the party, and as we walked in Stefan started to get second thoughts.

"Oh god...I shouldn't be here."

"Come on! Don't be such a downer. It's a party for the founding families...That's us! It's be rude to skip it," Damon said.

"I... really liked you a whole lot better when you hated everybody."

"OH, I still do! I just loove that they loooves me," he said with a smirk. Stefan chuckled, which slowly faded out.

"Stefan, how ya feelin?" I asked.

"Fine, fine.."

"The cravings, no urges? That whiskey all day has been doing its job?" I asked.

I saw him sneak one of Damon's old bottles into his room last night..

I know this can't be good.

Stefan turned to me and smiled, with a bit of a chuckle, then looked away harshly.

"We are who we are, Stefan. Nothing can change that.."

Stefan looked back at me with the same look, "Oh, nothing would make you happier just to see me give in, huh Cara?"

"Whatever. It's inevitable," I shrugged, then smiled at a passer by. He touched my arm and walked away.

"Don't embarrass me, young man!" I said after him. Turning back to Damon, I grabbed two glasses of champagne off of a waiter's tray, and handed one to Damon.

"Why don't you go socialize with the Lockwoods while I keep an eye out for Stefan?" Damon suggested. I looked at him questionably, "I'm sure Carol's going to scope you out of the crow to ask about the fundraiser, might as well get it over with now, babe."

"Yeah, good idea, Damon. Plus, I don't want to say anything after alcohol in my system.." saying this, Damon took the glass out of my hand. I smiled and kissed his cheek, walking through the crowd in search of the Mayor's wife. I saw her standing by the DJ, so I walked up and touched her shoulder.

I put on my kiss-ass smiled, "Mrs. Lockwood, this is a wonderful party. How are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm very well, thank you. I was just setting up your song!" she smiled.

Uhm... I'm pretty sure she isn't talking about Damon and I's song. Our first kiss was in 1860 in the woods by Mystic Falls...

"My song?"

"Yes, the one Damon requested for you? He'd mentioned what a great singer you were, and I thought having live music might amp up the feel a bit."

Fucking Damon. He's so gonna get it after this.

"So, you're wanting me to sing? For the crowd?"

"Yes, if you're comfortable. Damon told me you like the band, um, Marigold 9?"

I chuckled a bit and corrected her, "Maroon 5."

"Oh, yes. Well, I went through their music to find an appropriate song, and I chose the one called, 'Sad.' It was one of the slow songs that I found enjoyable. Will you be up for the performance?"

What could go wrong? What the heck-

"I'll do it."

"Great, that's just great! You can go familiarize yourself with the stage area, and I'll give you a cue!" she turned back to the DJ and I walked over to the empty part of the room where there was a lone standing microphone. I cleared my throat, and went through the lyrics in my head a few times since it's a rather new song. I adjusted the microphone, just as Carol came trotting over. I stepped back, and let her give her little speech.

"Hello, everybody! I hope you're having a good time, so far. The dance floor has been looking quite empty, and I thought a lovely ballad from Ms. Cara Ann Salvatore might spice things up a bit. So please, grab the one you love and enjoy her wonderful voice!"

Everyone clapped, and I caught eyes with Damon. I scowled at him, but he just kept clapping with that little smirk on his face.

I stepped back up to the microphone, and waved a bit, awkwardly. The DJ started to play the music, and hearing the piano intro, I instantly fell into the familiar trance of singing.

Man, it's been a long day
Stuck thinking 'bout it, driving on the freeway
Wondering if I really tried everything I could
Not knowing if I should try a little harder

Oh, but I'm scared to death
That there may not be another one like this
And I confess that I'm only holding on by a thin thin thread

I closed my eyes, starting to get into the story of the song.

I'm kicking the curb cause you never heard
The words that you needed so bad
And I'm kicking the dirt cause I never gave you
The things that you needed to have
I'm so sad, saaad

More and more people gathered around me, not bothering to dance.

Man, it's been a long night
Just sitting here, trying not to look back
Still looking at the road we never drove on
And wondering if the one I chose was the right one

Oh, but I'm scared to death
That there may not be another one like this
And I confess that I'm only holding on by a thin thin thread

I'm kicking the curb cause you never heard
The words that you needed so bad
And I'm kicking the dirt cause I never gave you
The things that you needed to have
I'm so sad, saaad-

The music was suddenly cut off at the long note I held, and I opened my eyes coming back to reality. I saw Stefan standing in front of the dozed DJ, grabbing Elena and pulling her onto the dance floor. Then, a rock guitar started playing and I instantly knew the song.

Stefan's favorite band, Blondie, was rocking One Way Or Another.

So I smiled at the audience, and decided to just go along with it.

One way or another, I'm gonna find ya'
I'm gonna get ya', get ya', get ya', get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna win ya'
I'm gonna get ya', get ya' ,get ya', get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna see ya'
I'm gonna meet ya', meet ya', meet ya', meet ya'
One day maybe next week, I'm gonna meet ya'
I'm gonna meet ya', I'll meet ya'

Everyone stared dancing, and I grabbed the microphone and danced along in the crowd as I sang.

I will drive past your house and if the lights are all down
I'll see who's around

One way or another, I'm gonna find ya'
I'm gonna get ya', get ya', get ya', get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna win ya'
I'll get ya', I'll get ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna see ya'
I'm gonna meet ya', meet ya', meet ya', meet ya'
One day maybe next week ,I'm gonna meet ya'
I'll meet ya' ah

And if the lights are all out I'll follow your bus downtown
See who's hangin' out

I grabbed Damon and we started dancing together, having a blast as I was singing my heart out.

One way or another, I'm gonna lose ya'
I'm gonna give you the slip
A slip of the lip or another I'm gonna lose ya'
I'm gonna trick ya', I'll trick ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna lose ya'
I'm gonna trick ya', trick ya', trick ya', trick ya'
One way or another, I'm gonna lose ya'

I'm gonna give you the slip
I'll walk down the mall, stand over by the wall
Where I can see it all, find out who ya' call
Lead you to the supermarket checkout, some specials and rat food
Get lost in the crowd
One way or another I'm gonna get ya'
I'll get ya'
I'll get ya', get ya', get ya', get ya'

Where I can see it all, find out who ya' call

The music faded out, and all of the people dancing clapped and hooted loudly.

"Thank you, so much! Thank you," I laughed. Performing just now was the first time I'd done it in so long, I forgot what a rush it is!

All was happy and fun, till Elena walks over. Blech.

"Should I be worried about Stefan? He compelled that DJ to change the song, and he's drunk! Is he gonna be okay?" she whisper-yelled to Damon and I.

"Eventually," I replied. Damon took my hand and laced out fingers, then led me over to Liz.

"Elizabeth Forbes... I do like my fellow women in uniform, but damn! You look HOT!" I exclaimed.

"Well, thank you," she blushed, then sighed, "You know, I had my doubts about you two- but I find myself coming to think of you Salvatores just like the rest of the council does; heroes."

"Aww, thank you! I'm just glad that the council has been so welcoming towards us."

"We're really enjoying our life here, in Mystic Falls. It's starting to feel like home again," Damon gushed, wrapping his arm around me tightly. I smiled at him when Liz cleared her throat.

"Well then you're not going to like what I've got to say. Jonathan Gilbert's claims check out. The missing people, the empty bloodbanks... All of it is true. We might have a problem," she warned. I scrunched my eyebrows, looking up at Damon. He was ready to elaborate on the issue when Jeremy walke up.

"Excuse me, Sheriff. I was curious to know if there's any new information on what happened to Vicki Donovan?"

"It was an overdose," she stated.

Jeremy was quick to respond, "Yeah, but her body was buried. Somebody must've done that!"

"We are aware of that, Jeremy, and we're looking into it. But there is no more I can tell you at this time," she replied, flustered. Jeremy shook his head, and walked away. Damon and I shot Liz a look, and she was wide-eyed. Damon and I postponed our conversation with Liz for a more appropriate time and place, and headed over to the bar. We shared a glass of bourbon, and as I sipped it Elena walked up.

"Have you been paying attention to what's up with your brother?" she asked.

"Nope, we've been too busy with yours. Did you know Jeremy's asking about Vicki Donovan?" I replied.

She scoffed, "He know's her death was ruled an overdose."

"'Oh, but Sheriff! Her body was buried, I wonder who would do that?'" Damon quoted.

I raised my hand, "Ooh! I know, I know! Meee!" Elena just rolled her eyes.

Damon suggested, "You know, I could compel him. But he's wearing vervain..."

"No. I'm not doing that to him again, he can handle it."

"And if he keeps asking questions?"

"I said no," she insisted.

"Okay. Don't say we didn't warn ya," Damon said, and ushered me toward the balcony. We looked out over the town, the cool winter breeze creating a chill. Damon took removed his blazer and placed it around my shoulders, lifting my hair from under it and draping it over the back of the silk jacket.

"Damon, you do realize I'm not affected by the cold?"

He chuckled, "Well that doesn't mean you look any less beautiful in my clothes."

Aww :) my little sexual gentleman.

I kissed him tenderly on the lips with ease.

Man, how I love high heels. No tippy-toes for me!

Before anything went further, John Gilbert stepped out onto the deck and greeted us.

"Damon and Cara Salvatore, right?" We turned from the view to face him.

"Yes, John," Damon replied.

"We didn't get a chance to properly meet at the Council Meeting," he reached out his hand and Damon shook it. Then he lifted mine and place a light (and very chapped lipped) kiss on my knuckles. I looked at him just as funny as Damon.

"So, you enjoying the Kick-Off?" I asked awkwardly.

"Yes, I am. I forgot how much fun these little town get-togethers can be."

Damon placed his arm around me, draping his hand over my right hip, "So how long has it been since you've been in town, exactly?"

"Oh, not long. Since my brother's funeral," he stated.

Wow. No emotional connection whatsoever to his own brother's death... cold, much?

"So, how long have you two been in in Mystic Falls?" John asked.

"Pshh, not very long at all," I replied. He paused, taking in my sly answer, and stepped a bit closer to Damon.

"So, you know this vampire problem could be a real threat. Bloodbath, even."

"I wouldn't exaggerate, John."

"Oh, I'd say it's like 1864 all over again. Vampires running amok.. Maybe we'll have to throw them all in a church and burn it to the ground," he spat.

I took the drink from Damon's hand and sipped it as he replied, "That's the story, isn't it."

"Oh, part of it."

I choked slightly on the bourbon, "There's more?" Damon moved his hand to my lower back comfortingly.

"Oh yes. You see, some say there was a tomb under the church where all the vampire were locked away, waiting for someone to come along and set them free. But you knew this already, considering you two were the ones who did it," he stated.

"And you're telling me this, why?" Damon asked.

"Well, I thought we'd get the introductions out of the way." I stepped forward a bit with a smile,

"Than that means you know I could rip your throat out before anyone notices?"

"Yeah."

"Yep, yep... But you probably ingest vervain, so..." I tousled.

"Well why don't you take a bite and find out?" he teased. Damon and I walked to the door back inside,

"Not worth my time, John. Not worth it," I replied. He shot me a look.

Fucking ass.

I sped up behind him and snapped his neck, throwing him off the balcony.

Damon stepped over and looked down, seeing his crumpled body on the ground. He smiled, offered his arm, and we walked back inside like nothing ever happened.

"I should check up on Stefan," I suggested.

Damon sighed, "Okay.. But then we get to dance, right? Promise?"

"I promise. Ooh! There he is," I left Damon in the hall as I approached Stefan.

"So, baby brother. Do you want to hear the bad news, or the really bad news?"

"I prefer not to hear any news," he drawled.

"Okay, let me rephrase that; do you want to hear how the council's back in vampire mode, or how I just killed Uncle John Gilbert?" I asked with a smile.

"What?!"

"Hey, time for that dance I promised Damon! Buh Bye!" I walked back over to Damon and dragged him onto the dance floor starting to sway my hips to the beat of the music.

Damon reacted perfectly, taking my hands in his lightly while coming closer to me, matching the rhythm with his hips against mine. We danced and danced, grinding against one another, a few spins here and there to keep it appropriate...

Even though it wasn't...

We stepped off the dance floor, all smiled and heavy breaths, when a person who we least expected to see walks through the front door.

Uncle John Gilbert.

Who's supposed to be dead.

"You've got to be kidding me," I sighed.

XXxXxxXxXXxx

Mayor Lockwood hushed down the crowd and began his little speech.

"Thank you, thank you all. Thank you so much, everyone, for joining us tonight for a very special celebration. The 150th birthday of Mystic Falls!" everyone sheered, and two people rolled in a large brass bell.

"Now, in just a minute we will ring our official charter bell, but I to do so I'd like to invite up one of the Town's Favorite Son to do the honors; John Gilbert!" another applause as the Jackass walked in front of the bell.

"150 years of community, prosperity. We look after each other, we take care of each other..." he looked Damon straight in the eye as he finished his intro, "...we protect each other. It's good to be home."

I rushed over to Alaric, Damon hot o my trail, and as John Gilbert rang the charity bell I whispered to Ric,

"Look at his ring!"

'Who? Whose ring?"

"The Town's Favorite son! On his right hand," I finished. Ric glanced over at John, then back to Damon and I.

"It looks like mine," he stated.

"Yeah and it would be a big coincidence... if he didn't just come back from the dead FIVE MINUTES AGO!" I whisper yelled. Alaric looked at me wide eyed.

"Where in the hell did you get that ring?" Damon asked.

"My wife, Isobel,"' he stated. I rubbed my temples and let out a sigh as Damon chuckled and elaborated,

"You mean the one who gave birth to Elena? Under the care of the esteemed Dr. Grayson Gilbert, John's BROTHER?"

Ric looked at us wide-eyed, "You think John knows Isobel?"

I downed the last of our bourbon, "I think John knows a lot of things. Let's follow him out," I lead the way to the door, where John was already walking down the front steps.

"Going somewhere?"

"I never like to be the last one to leave a party, it's too desperate," he replied. Damon and Alaric came next to me to back me up as he continued,

"You here to kill me again, Ms. Salvatore? Or is your fiance here to do your dirty work for ya? And Mr. Saltzman to clean up the mess," he teased.

"Okay, well you obviously know who I am," Ric stated.

"Yes. Alaric Saltzman, history teacher at Mystic Falls High- with a secret," replied John.

Damon stepped in front of me, "You sure know a lot for someone who just got into town."

"Oh, I know much more about this town than you, you and you," he pointed to us, "or the council knows. So, if you were planning on some high-speed-snatch-ring-vamp-kill move, know that everything I know goes to the council. Including the tale of the Original Salvatore Brothers and their Redheaded Lady Interest, and their Present Day Return to Mystic Falls."

Oh shit.

Alaric interrupted, "How'd you get that ring?"

"I inherited one, and my brother Gray the other. This one's his," he lifted his hand, "Now I wouldn't have given that ring to Isobel I I'd known she'd just give it up to some other guy," he drawled.

"So you did know Isobel?" I asked.

"Who do you think sent her your way when she wanted to become vampire?"

I blinked rapidly, "YOU sent her!"

"Guilty!" he sang. "What, did you think someone else did? Like, I don't know... Katherine Pierce?"

Whoa... What the fuck?!

Damon jumped forward, "How do you know Katherine?"

"How do I know anything, Damon?"

We all stood there, completely shocked at the turnout of this conversation.

"Nice meeting you Alaric, good day." He leaves.

XXxxXxXxxxXx

I'm laying on the floor in front of the fireplace in my boyshort underwear and Damon's old Ramones T-shirt, all ready for bed. Damon's sat on the couch shirtless with some PJ bottoms, sipping a glass of blood. We've been discussing all of the new problems to deal with in the morning, and just as we come to a conclusion, I hear Stefan walk in. Damon is the first to speak,

"Stefan, we a have a huge problem. And by problem, I mean global crisis."

"Seems Uncle John has..." I sat up from my spot on the floor and walked over to Damon. I sipped the blood, ready to explain, when I caught a glimpse of Stefan staring at Damon's cup,

"Hey, you don't look so good. It's different this time, isn't it?" I asked him, concerned. I walked over to him and cupped his cheek, then set down the blood on the side table with a sigh, "Of course, after all these years." Then I did something I haven't done in over a century.

I wrapped my arms around his torso, and hugged him.

"Have a good night, Steffy."