Story Title: When darkness falls the danger follows
Full Summary: Mystic Falls attracts the supernatural; it's something a girl like Vera quickly realizes after being away for a while; however, when it has something to do with her friend Elena Gilbert, it will be a hard thing to come to terms with. Can she help protect the doppelganger or perish doing so?
Rating: MA+
Genres: Horror, Action, Adventure, Romance, and Drama.
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or its characters they are the created works of L. , not me; I am just a lowly fan who adores these characters.
Author's Note: Hello! What is this? A prompt update? I believe that is a good thing... trust me. Anyway read on, thanks.
Chapter 11: A Few Good Men
O-O-O-O-O_O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Dear Diary,
It's been a week since I broke some ribs, and since my baby during that week (my car) was finally returned to me in wonderful condition; Bonnie's grandmother's funeral and a week since we found out that Katherine was never in the tomb, and much to Damon's heartbreak he realised he wasted 145 years searching for the bitch; and yes, I feel that strongly to say that because I spent the night holding him as he sat unmoving like a statue. He slept over too. Thankfully Jenna didn't walk in because that would have been hard to explain why he was in my room and bed. It sounds bad, but it really isn't, he slept on one side and I slept on the other, on my stomach like always.
Ugh! Not to mention it has been a week since I have heard anything from him! No call, text, anything. I've even rang him, and texted him a few times…. I was worried okay! Still am, in fact I am going over there today because I want to know if he is alive, even if he is sitting like a damn statue, least I know he is sort of okay – and then slap him… or not. There's that and also Lexi kind of texted me last night saying he has gone off the rails and if I can come by and talk some sense into him because he isn't listening to either her or Stefan; and she has a feeling he'll listen to me. I guess we'll find out, will we?
Until next time.
Closing my book and shoving it under the mattress, and then rolling off the bed and onto my booted feet, rather gracefully this time.
I checked myself over in my full length mirror. White long sleeved shirt, multiple silver bangles on my right wrist, jeans, and boots; I even straightened my curly locks. Not bad, guess the running is paying off, it's that or the fact I haven't had chocolate in a while? Can't be too sure which one it is.
Grabbing my leather jacket with fur around the collar and shrugging it on, as I left the room I grabbed both my brown back pack and red scarf and down the hall I went when I heard Jenna call out from the kitchen.
I casually walk into the kitchen despite the fact I was shitting myself – wondering what I did? Looking at the scene before me, there were books and boxes about. "What's going on here?" I ask as I pick up an album to see Elena's adoptive parents. Oh. I mentally thought, I already knew, she was finding out more about herself.
"We're looking into more about my real birth mother." Elena said, well, more like containing her excitement but I could see it in her eyes.
Jenna smiled softly at her, and then turned her eyes on me. They were hard. "Where is Fiona?" She questioned. "She was here when I left earlier this morning."
I cringed. "Oh uh…. Alice took her for the day because she wanted to get to know her more." I said calmly. And on a further note I kind of need to get my ass into gear with the big art project and find out what's up with Damon. I thought immediately afterwards. "So, I let her."
"You let her?"
"She's my older sister."
"She's a bitch."
The past week Alice has been over, she and Jenna clashed the whole time and I couldn't agree with her more there about my sister being a bitch, but fact is Alice genuinely wanted to get to know her niece Fiona. "I know, but, she really loves Fiona and vise versa Jenna." I replied. "Um, are we done here? I kind of need to head into town for art supplies for that project so...-"
Jenna gave me the look. "Next time warn me before she takes bubbles." She warns menacingly, but I couldn't take her seriously with the nickname she uses for Fiona. "I'm serious."
"I know." I smirked before turning on my heel. "Later guys, good luck with the search!" I called over my shoulder as I leave the kitchen.
"Bye Vera!" Elena calls out happily after me. Another thing that's changed in a week, me and Elena had a talk about telling each other more things because we both feel like we're growing distant and we both don't like that that was happening. Since then, we've been closer.
I stood out the front door of the Salvatore boarding home about to knock when I heard loud music blaring from inside, and my annoyance from earlier came back. "Screw this." I muttered and reached for the handle and let myself in. "They really should lock this place up."
Striding into the threshold to find women and Damon drinking from a woman, I narrowed my eyes. "You've got to be shitting me." I growl, really angry now, I was worried about him and he was fine all along. That, Asshole!
Going over to the stereo to shut off the music, and switch on the light because it was dreary and dim. Damon groaned aloud, probably due to drinking so much. I went where he could see me clearly. "Hey, can we talk?" I say firmly, keeping a lid on my anger.
"Yeah." Damon breathes out happily.
"Without the women."
"Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of them." He slurs, and then gives me a secretive look before speaking in a low, deep voice. 'They're really good at keeping secrets" His eyebrows raised quickly in a 'you know what I mean' suggestion. Yep, unfortunately I do – compulsion.
I shook my head at him, and stepped off the stairs and marched over to him and roughly grabbed his elbow and dragged him over to the pool table to talk privately. "Oh hey, hey! Easy on the goods honey!" He says as he yanks himself free from my clutches.
I snapped, and before I knew it my right hand had raised and it slapped him across the face, hard. "You fucking asshole! I was worried about you, I sent you messages and I rang you all of last week, and this, this is how you were spending your time!" I shouted furiously at him.
"You were worried… about me?" He questioned doubtfully, a very confused look on his drunk, handsome features.
"Yes! Why else would I text or ring you?"
"Oh…"
"Oh?" I repeated angrily. "That's it? Oh?"
He nods lamely and I growl in frustration and was about to stomp off when he caught my wrist, and gently pulled me back. "Hey, hey, don't go." He says softly. "Please, Vera."
I wretch my hand from his, and folded my arms across my chest. "Why? You clearly don't need me, your friend, when you have these… what are they?" I nod my head in their direction.
"College students," He responds. "Well, I do need you."
"Really?" I sarcastically shot back, in serious doubt from the scene I witnessed before.
He sighs, knowing he is fighting a losing battle here. "Despite what you witness just now, I do need you My Vera...-"
Even though the fact he called me his would have made most girls weak, it had no effect on me, other than make my stomach flutter, but that could be the granola and yogurt I had for breakfast not agreeing with me. "I'm not yours." I grumble.
This made him smirk. "You're here aren't you?' He said cockily.
I look away from him.
"Not because of what you're thinking. I was genuinely worried about you, I thought you…- I thought you would have done something stupid." I stammered out, my anger leaving me, replacing it with slight panic at the thought of losing my friend. "It's only been a short time but I consider you a friend Damon, and you're drunk, so you won't remember this… but I do care. Even if you don't."
He was silent for awhile, but when I dared to look at his face, he was staring at me with such a strange but serious face, his baby blues revealed that the last few words had stung, or maybe I'd imagined them to look that way.
Damon opened his mouth to speak when we were interrupted by Stefan. "Greetings."
This was my cue to leave. "I'll be back later to check on you, see you Damon." I said in a strained voice, avoiding his gaze.
I passed him and went over to where Stefan stood. "Make sure he is okay, till I get back." I whispered before leaving the room. I felt something warm slide down my cheek, reaching up to my cheek to wipe away the tear that had escaped. "Damn ass." I muttered as I opened the front door and exited the home.
I dashed over to my car, flinging the door open and jumping in; a few more tears had escaped by then, and I began to angrily swipe them away.
My phone began to ring in my back pocket and I dug it out, clearing my throat before I answered. "Yes?" I replied in an annoyed tone.
"You okay?" Elena responded worriedly.
I wipe another escapee from my cheek. "Fine." I lied.
"You don't sound it, Vee." She urged.
"Drop it, and tell me what you really called me for, please?"
There was a rustle on her line before she answered. "Can you please accompany me to question Trudy, about my birth Mother Isobel? Explain when you get home." She blurts out hurriedly.
I smirk as I said the next line from my lips. "You just want me for my body, because I can kick ass." Well, Sort of.
Elena laughed. "How'd you know?"
"I see the way you look at me." I joked, feeling a bit better from the dirty banter between me and my old friend. "I'll be back in an hour."
"An hour? Oh you're with Damon… Right. That explains before."
Jesus, she's good. Then again, I did give away I'd take an hour to get back. "Okay bye." I sigh, hanging up and pocketing my phone.
We found the place, or well, I drove and Elena guided me the way there; driving a stick was killing my ribs.
It was a two storey home with painted white wood, dark grey tiled roof slabs and a blue door, it was cute if you lived alone, I guess. Elena stared at the little yellow post it note with worded details of the woman we had come to see, with her name and address on it. She was looking at it to reconfirm we were at the right place, it was that or a little distraction from the thing she was seeking, either all, she was stalling and it must be down to nerves of what she may or may not find.
She then pocketed the little note and marched up to the door, I trailed along behind her, you know, for moral support and all – the real reason I'm here.
Elena stood before the door, staring at it before turning away and chickening out.
"Dude, no." I whisper to her, grabbing her by the shoulders. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Leaving?"
"Uh, I don't think so sweetheart if you don't knock I wi-" Before I could finish my line, the door opened, revealing a blonde haired woman with hazel eyes, who smiled warmly at us.
"Trudy? Trudy Peterson?" Elena confirmed just to make sure, giving her a shy smile back.
She nodded unsure, with that same smile. "Yes?" She said, clearly confused.
"My Name is Elena Gilbert. I wanted to talk to you about Isobel Flemming." Elena cut straight to the chase, not wasting time at all, as if her trying to get off the porch and far away from here never happened.
"Well, I haven't heard that name in years." She said with a big grin.
I looked at her from behind Elena. Her eyes gave off a weird vibe, it was nothing like compulsion, however the more I stared the more I saw it, it was fear. She was scared; of us two young girls inquiring about a woman? No. It must be something else, or someone else but who and what?
"How do you know her?" There is was the suspicion.
"I think that um…," Elena fumbled nervously before looking down while absently scratching lightly at her forehead, as she answered the question. "Well um… Do you know if she had a baby that she gave up for adoption?"
Realisation was clear in the Trudy's eyes of who this is she was talking to, not only her eyes but her facial features too. "My god."There was like a few second pause, it seemed like a long one before she responded. "You're her daughter."
Elena let out a little subtle sigh of relief then.
Then Trudy broke out into a big grin. "I was just about to make some tea, would you like some?" She offered fakely.
No. I mentally said to myself. It's vervain tea, I hate vervain tea.
"Sure." Elena agreed with a relieved smile, then looking my way; I didn't smile, I was uncomfortable already and I could feel eyes on the back of my head, making me obviously turn around and eye the street for anyone suspiciously looking at me. I saw no one… except a little old lady from across the street, peeping from her window – possible, but unlikely.
"The Kitchen's this way." Trudy said softly, allowing us entrance to her home.
"Okay…" I reluctantly agreed, taking a last sweeping glance before following Elena in. I locked eyes with the woman as I passed, my face was neutral, but my eyes were intimidating, she meekly looked away, and I followed Elena closely, in my own way I was protecting her.
Trudy managed to get to the front and lead us to the kitchen.
She brought us into the kitchen and began working on making the tea; I immediately sat at the head table chair, shrugging my jacket off, and unraveling my scarf from around my neck and placing them over my lap, just as Elena was slowly taking hers off.
"I wasn't going to come. I didn't think I was… but- we were driving and we hit the stop light and then it made me think about when I was learning how to drive, my mum would always warn me about this blind turn on the left hand side and then I was thinking about my mum." Elena nervously babbled on. "I had your address, I'm sorry for our intrusion."
I rolled my eyes at the last part, because technically we're not if she invited us in, if we were she would have said so. Ugh. Elena logic. I mentally slapped myself.
"It's no problem." She said genuinely, and then motioned for Elena to sit; seeing as I rudely just sat down without being offered. "It's just a surprise though. I haven't thought about Isobelle in years."
"When was the last time you saw her?" I questioned curiously, feigning my interest.
She hesitated for about two seconds before her green eyes looked to the left, a clear indicator of one thing. "Uh about seventeen years ago, when she left to go have you. We kept in touch for awhile but… well, you know people drift apart." She lied, shrugging to make it seem casual as if it didn't bother her.
I knew it. This woman is acting weird out of fear or because she was told or compelled. I knew to trust my gut instinct the moment I lay eyes on her, something was definitely off, and I think Elena knows it now too from the lie she fed her; she's got that fake face on that I know too well.
"And you don't know where she ended up?" Elena asked, her tone changing from sweet and innocent, to serious and down to business.
"She was in Florida for awhile, she was on her own, you know it wasn't easy. " She answered quickly.
Elena studied her for a moment before asking her next question. "Do you have any idea who my real father is?"
Trudy's face gave her away. She knows, just from that slight hesitation and falter of her mask. "I could never get her to fess up." She lied.
My eyes flitted to Elena's face, and I could tell she was thinking what I was thinking right now.
"Anyway, she finally pulled it together, got into college on a scholarship."
"Where did she go?" Elena half smiled.
Trudy returned the smile. "Somewhere in North Carolina - Duke, I think. Smart girl, smart school." She said with a compliment towards Elena's birth mother, making Elena smile proudly at this knowledge.
This whole scene would be cute and touching if it wasn't for the lying, fear and fakeness, at the moment it's making me want to gag.
The kettle started to whistle. "Let me just grab that." Trudy said as she got out of her chair and left to go and fetch the tea.
Elena brushed her hair out of her face and gave me a look. My eyes flitted to where Trudy had entered into and back at Elena and mouthed the words: 'Scared' and 'Lying'.
Elena nodded to me and mouthed back: 'I know.'
A few minutes later tea had been brought out and an album. I thanked Trudy for the tea and went to blow on it when a familiar smell hit my nose, normal tea mixed with an often used herb… Vervain. This woman knows. I look over at Trudy who was watching me like a hawk as Elena was looking at the album.
I feigned a smile. "It's hot." I lied, and set it down in front of me and rubbed my fingertips against my palms, a move that indicated they were hot from the cup. "Really hot."
Trudy nervously smiled and nodded, turning her attention back to Elena. She was explaining about the cheerleader photo Elena had stopped on – the same one she has tucked away somewhere.
"This is great, thank you." Elena gushed happily, a big grin on her face. I smiled a little too; glad to see my friend happy.
"You're welcome," Then her expression grew somewhat serious. "You haven't touched your tea."
Elena being polite took a sip of it and I just dipped my finger in it to see if it was still hot; it wasn't, so I pretended to drink it. Just the smell of it makes me gag. I. Hate. Vervain. Tea.
I saw from the corner of my eye that Elena too has picked up on it being Vervain as she gave Trudy a strange look when she was preoccupying herself with the album. Elena gave me a look to confirm if it was and I nodded.
"What is this?" Elena asked.
"Oh it's just some herbal mixture."
"Vervain." I stated. My face had turned dark and serious now as Trudy revealed through her facial expression that it was. "You know." It wasn't a question either.
"Know what?" Trudy replied, pretending not to know.
"You didn't invite us in," I pointed out. "And you're serving vervain tea. You know."
Trudy avoided our eyes. She slowly rose from her chair. "I think you should probably leave." She softly ordered.
"Wait, what are you not telling us." Elena asked softly as she set her tea aside.
"Please. Leave. Now." Trudy urged.
I reached for Elena's arm as I pulled my jacket off of my lap, just as she was gathering her things. Elena looked at Trudy who looked quite frazzled and panicky and turned away from her and left the room, with me at her heels. I didn't bother to look back.
As we exited that home, Elena began wrapping her scarf around her neck and zipping up her jacket. I badassly jumped off the porch and managed not to break something, amazing. Ignoring the pain in my sides, I followed Elena, hurrying to keep pace as I shrug on my jacket, and quickly wrapping my scarf around my neck.
Just as I was digging my keys out of my back pocket, I noticed Elena look over and saw the look on her face, which in turn made me look over to see a man standing atop the hill. "Shit." I mutter. "Get in the car."
I press the unlock button and we both jump in, I roughly shove the key into the ignition and heard the engine roar to life, I slammed my foot on the clutch and quickly changed to first, accelerated for a bit before changing to second then third and then racing off to get to the boarding house.
We both flew out of my car and over to the door, we didn't bother about knocking – no one answers, even if the residents are vampires.
"I'm going to find Stefan." Elena said.
"And I'm going to find Damon and check up on him to see if he has sobered up yet." I say with a crooked smile, not looking forward to a hung-over Damon – that is if he stopped drinking.
We both stared at each other for a moment before we went our separate ways. I started in the living area, that's where I found him before.
No Damon.
"Looking for that bad Salvatore friend of yours?" Lexi's sarcastic comment came from behind me.
I whipped around to face her. She was leaning against the door frame of the room. She was dressed in a white tee, black leather pants and black biker chick boots with heels, silver hoops dangled from her dainty ears. If I was completely lesbian right now, I'd totally do her… because she looked amazing.
"Where is he?"
"Upstairs, turn right, go down the hall and the fifth room turn left… that's his room." She instructed, and then gave me an odd look. "Oh, and be careful… he has a habit of walking out of the bathroom naked."
I had to refrain from raising an eyebrow, not from the thought of him being naked but… how alike we are, I too like to do that. "Thanks for that warning." I replied, suddenly uncomfortable about heading up to his room now in case he happened to be naked as I enter.
I left the room Lexi was in and made my way over and up those stairs and followed Lexi's instructions to his room, turn right, go down hall and walk down about 1, 2, 3, 4, this must be his room, the door was slightly ajar so I pushed it open.
"Damon?" I called out, scanning the room. It was quite tidy and had a gothic feel – didn't peg him as the type, but, then again all that black he wears.
"You called, Vera?" He said huskily as he walked out of his bathroom in black dress pants that were hanging low around his waist, and he was shirtless, thus revealing his six pack which was perfectly toned, his arms were very muscly, it was pretty clear he took care of himself.
"Uh…" I trailed off quickly looking at his face. "You look um –"
He approached me drunkenly, his feet shuffling over to me and still looking like he was sober – how is that possible?
"Dashing? Gorgeous?" He gets close to my face, looking down at me with flirty eyes as he draws close, his nose touching mine. I didn't budge. "Irresistible?" He said in a low, deep voice his warm bourbon breath hitting my face.
I sigh and take a step back. "No, wrecked." I look up into his baby blues and could see his eyes were still glassy.
He is swaying side to side, as he mumbles something I couldn't quite hear. "Do you know that I am one of Mystic Fall's most eligible bachelors?" He points out cockily, giving me a pouty look as he raised his eyebrows at me as if to say: "It's true."
I nodded my head slowly, not sure where he was going with this.
"Yuuuup." He says and turns away from me to go over to his mirror.
"How are you doing?" I asked in concern, referring to the whole Katherine ordeal where we did not find her; I watch him put on a shirt, with some struggle.
"Never better." He replies sarcastically as he slips his arms into his shirt, and begins buttoning his shirt until I hear him groan lowly and then turning around to face me. "Help… Can't… Get this…"
I go over and help him and he turns around to face the mirror as I stand in front of him and begin buttoning him up, starting from the top. I smile as I had got the first button through.
"Why are you smiling?" He softly asks me, when I look up I see him staring at me with curious eyes.
I bite my lip to refrain from laughing. "You're hopeless like this, you know?" I say teasingly as I finish buttoning up the third button. "It's cute."
"I know I am, thank you." He replies jokingly, giving me that playful smirk of his which made me smile at him. His face turns serious and his face comes down to mine so that our eyes are level with one another. "Hey… About earlier… I'm sorry. You were right; I should have let you know instead of doing the latter. That's not how a good friend is treated -"
I place a hand on the side of his cheek to stop him from continuing further, I was just too happy to be called a good friend to hear the rest. "You're forgiven," I gave him a smile as I petted the side of his face. "By the way you suck at apologies while drunk too, anything else you suck at whilst drunk?"
He gave me a lazy smile. "Thank you, Vera." He said sincerely, and I knew he meant about me forgiving him and helping him.
I grinned. "You are quite welcome." I reply cheerfully as I grab his coat for him and hold it out for him to shrug into.
He groans as he struggles to get into it. "Ugh. I need a bigger jacket."
"Or lay off the fries at The Grill, perhaps?" I joke, trying to stifle a giggle.
He looks over his shoulder. "Are you trying to say I'm fat?" He said in astonishment, turning to face me now.
I laugh at him, not able to respond as he yanks it off and puts it back on the chair, and then re-buttons his shirt. "You, girl, are mean." He says in a mock sad tone as he gently poked my nose. "I am not fat, thank you."
I snap my teeth at his finger, purposely missing them. "Sure Damon, whatever you say." I say teasingly. "Besides you –" I was cut off as he steps forward, towering over me, his arm reaches behind me and gently rests on the back of my head, then Damon leans over and places a soft kiss on my forehead.
And then he was gone, leaving me standing there blinking stupidly at what just happened.
Earlier that day when we had gone home so Elena could take Jenna to the Bachelor thing, Jenna was carrying Fiona while feeding her a bottle. "How long does it take to get art supplies?" She asked incredulous.
I was about to answer and tell her the truth when Elena jumped in first. "Sorry Jenna that was my bad. I asked Vera to come along with me to talk to that woman." Elena covered for me. "Oh and here's your art supplies by the way just in case I forget, you asked me to put them in my bag for you."
I played along. "Oh yeah, thanks Elena, I completely forgot they were in your bag." I laughed it off as I received the plastic bag.
Jenna looked at the bag. "Jeez Vera, how much did you buy?" She commented in surprise before walking off with Fiona in hand.
I look over at Elena with questions. She smiled at me. "Consider that a thank you for coming along with me today," She added the last bit in a whisper. "That and I knew the whole art supply ruse was an excuse to see if Damon was okay, so I went out and got these for you to cover for now."
"Thank you." I gushed as I opened the bag to peer in. Shit. There were new brushes and water paints and even normal paint and a few other things. "This must have cost a lot."
Elena hugged me, which made me tense up with the whole: 'no touchy' thing I have going with everyone. "You can pay me back in coffee and those nice baked macadamia cookies you make."
"Done." Elena walked off to go and prepare Jenna's outfit and I went into the living room and set my things down on the couch and went over to Jenna and held out my hands to take my daughter. "I'll feed her the rest, you go and get ready for tonight." I said softly.
"Yeah okay," She replied as she stood up and carefully transferred her over into my arms. "Better look all hot for that History teacher."
"Ew." I joked and made a fake gag face, she poked out her tongue and rushed out of the room, and a few moments later I heard her feet pound down on those stairs and I placed myself where she had sat on the couch.
"Hey baby, did you have fun today with Auntie Alice?" I spoke softly to Fiona, looking down at her as she looks at me while she gulped down her milk. I leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good girl."
Elena came in as quiet as a mouse, sensing her I look up. "What's up? Jenna can't decide on something?" I ask.
"No, she found something. She just kicked me out." Elena sighed, sitting beside me. She looks down at Fiona, and reaches up and strokes her cheek lightly and motherly like. "She's getting big."
"Yeah, she's five months now, almost six." I reply proudly, whilst smiling down at her fondly.
Elena's eyes widened a little. "Wow, it seems so long ago that she was four months old and now she's almost six months…. And before we know it, she'll be one." She says quietly.
"Time flies quickly, it may not seem like it does, but it truly does… in a blink of an eye it goes." I reply softly and sadly.
A quiet silence passed between us as we watched Fiona drink, her soft gulps and sucking on the bottle filled the quiet.
High heels could be heard coming down the stairs, drawing nearer to the living room until the clacking had stopped at the entrance revealing a different woman, not the t-shirt and jeans loving woman we know, but this gorgeous goddess wearing a lovely dress that suited her perfectly.
"Wow, you look great Aunt Jenna!" Elena complimented with a big grin on her angelic features.
I winked at Jenna. "Now I see what he sees in you. You better get laid tonight." I say dirtily with a smirk.
"Vera!" Elena and Jenna exclaim in horror.
I shrug in defense. "What! I'm being honest, she looks good. Jeez!" I say as if there was nothing wrong with what I said.
"Could you be anymore crude though?" Jenna says with disapproval.
"Yes, what I was actually going to say was worse than what I just said. So be thankful." I say honestly with a smile. Elena shook her head at me. "This is the real me, get used to it ladies."
"Tone it down sometimes." Jenna says as she goes over to the kitchen to grab her bag.
"Never." I exclaim dramatically looking over at her.
"You're weird." Jenna kisses the top of my head. "But I like you and thank you for the compliment. Let's go Elena." Jenna struts out of the room and I heard those killer heels stop somewhere in the foyer.
"Bye Vee," Elena says before kissing Fiona's little head. "Bye bubby." She jumps off the couch and then jogs out of the room, a few seconds later and the front door opens and closes and it was just us two and maybe Jeremy.
I sigh tiredly and sat quietly with my daughter and fed her the last bits of milk, I smile down at her cute little cherub face – its moments like these are what I enjoy with her, the snuggling, and looking at each other. They're the moments that make me wake up in the morning smiling that and food, but mostly our small time together, it's worth it.
After I had put Fiona down for sleep, Lexi had come over hours earlier because she was lonely at home and also she needed to talk to me about something and to get some advice – so naturally I told her to get over here.
After setting Fiona down, I made my way to my room; walking in to find a tarp already down and my easel out and a blank canvas ready as well as a stool, and my art supplies nearby. "Woah, Lex…. Thanks." I breathe out.
Lexi looked pretty pleased with herself, hands on her hips as she looked about the room. "No worries. The tarp was trickier than I thought but I got it down eventually." Lexi said.
Going over to the canvas, I sat on the stool and leant over to where the paints were and began preparing them. "So what did you want to talk about? You said you needed my advice on something." I started.
Lexi crosses the room and sighs and plops down on my bed. "My boyfriend."
"What about him?"
"I want to dump him."
I look over. "Why?" I asked, curious of where this was coming from.
She sighs, looking down at the ground. "He is way too possessive and protective… it's too much." She blurts out.
"Has he always been like this?"
"Yes."
"Then you have your answer." I say softly as I dip my brush into the brown paint. I could see her from the corner of my eye, she was staring at the ground, and her baby faced features were deep in thought. "You okay, Lex?"
"I'm fine. Just thinking about how mature you are for your age… it's like you have an old soul in you." She replies softly, pointing out a known fact to me.
I smile. "So I've been told." I say kindly, my hand making the brush easily glide over the canvas as if it hadn't touched it, but it did. It left a mark.
"I'll do it tomorrow. Dump him." Lexi mused aloud to herself.
I heard her but was too engrossed in my painting; I had already started on an eye.
"So, Damon huh?" Lexi casually asked.
Momentarily stopping to look over at her, my face clearly showing the anticipation of the question I knew was waiting on her lips. "What of him?" I said devoid of emotion with a hint of a dangerous edge.
"He likes you."
My eyes narrowed. "What makes you say that?"
Lexi gave me a smirk. "Oh come on, he acts differently around you for one, and I've noticed he is less of an ass towards you than he is to me and everyone else, need I go on?" She pointed out, listing off the things on her hand.
"We are friends, of course he likes me, and we wouldn't be friends if he didn't." I pointed out the obvious to her, I turned away to work on my painting, focused on creating the head of an animal, I've decided as I was talking to Lexi that it will be a wolf howling at the snow.
"That's obvious." Lexi scoffed. "You'd be dead if he didn't."
"No shit." I muttered.
I heard the bed groan, a tell tale sign that she has lain down on my bed. "I still think you should be careful of him, just a friend's advice." She warned.
Flick.
Swish.
Splat.
Stroke.
"Yes, you and everyone else have said that. Anything else you want me to know?" I huff in annoyance.
The blankets rustle. "Nope," She pops the 'p'."So what are your reasons for being his friend?"
Half the head was done. "I saw something in his eyes that made me befriend him." I reply distractedly.
"Something, like?"
I stop briefly to look over at Lexi, my pale blue eyes meeting her chocolate brown eyes. "That we are alike." I say evenly.
Lexi's expression was unreadable as I had said that to her, and it was at that exact moment that I realised that she was the first person I had revealed that to. Not even to Elena or Damon; it was the truth and it had been finally said.
A silence had passed between us from that brief conversation and I decided to turn back to my painting, and Lexi just sat there on my bed.
We sat like this for a good twenty minutes, me painting and Lexi just watching and occasionally making comments on my artwork, all positive of course.
"I should get this over with and not delay it." She sighed, dreading having to do it.
I look over my shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile. "If you need me, you know where I am." I say calmly.
She smiles. "Thanks Vee, I appreciate it." Lexi waves and takes leave from my room, it was a couple of minutes later I heard the front door open and then shut.
Putting down my easel I decided to get into my pj's, I stand up and stretch my limbs being careful how I stretch in case I aggravated my broken ribs further.
Going over to my bed and grabbing my black trackies and green racer back singlet. I go into the bathroom and slipped into my clothes, and putting my dirty ones in the hamper in my bathroom. I checked myself over for any paint and had found none; I then quickly brushed my teeth.
Damon's POV:
After finding out that I had killed Elena's birth mother and then killing Alaric for attacking me; it just seemed that this night got worse as it goes on, so I went to Vera's house – because I wanted to end it on a good note and she gives off happy vibes which makes me happy. Don't ask me to explain it; I really couldn't if I tried, all I know is I just feel better when she's around.
I'm really stupid. I should have called her and texted her, instead of reverting to old ways. I would have felt better quicker with this whole Katherine business and it would have been somewhat behind me and forgotten.
I shake my head to clear myself of those thoughts when I stopped outside her window. "Please be open." I mumble as I jumped up, I effortlessly caught the edge with ease and pulled myself up onto the ledge, gently pushing the glass window to test if it gave way and it did; her windows are weird, they open both inwards and outwards. I pushed it far enough to allow myself to slip through.
I carefully and quietly touched down on the wooden floors and closed the window behind me; I made my way over to her bed, walking around to sit on the side facing the door to the bathroom.
A few seconds later, she came out and gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in reflex. ""Shit. Damon."She murmured into her hands.
I grinned at her. Her reaction was priceless and unplanned. She came over and stood in front of me, and punched me hard on the shoulder and then winced in pain. "Are you okay?" I ask in concern.
I watch as her arm snakes around her ribs. "Fine." She says through gritted teeth as she distracted herself by pulling back her blankets and crawled under the covers, dragged the covers up over her legs and sat up right. "Time for you to go, I'm going to bed now." She ordered.
"It's Midnight and how's your ribs? I've been meaning to ask you about them." I ask completely ignoring her order, pointing a finger lazily at her.
"They're okay, just hurts every now and again but not as bad as last week. I want to sleep, so you have to leave." She says haughtily.
I gave her a mock sad face.
She glares at me.
Sad face.
Glare.
Sad face.
Eye roll and a heavy sigh. "Fine, you win."
I position myself so that I was directly facing her, one leg curled under myself and the other hanging over the edge. "Oh Vera, this is going to be so fun! You can do my hair, and I can do yours, and oh my god we can paint each other's nails!" I mimicked a young pre teen girl's voice, pretending to be overly excited and hyper.
"Oh my god, don't ever do that again." She laughs, bowing her head and covering her mouth so that her laugh isn't so loud that it woke Fiona.
At least it made her laugh. I wink at her and give her a playful smirk. "You're just jealous of my acting skills." I say cockily.
"Yeah that must be it." She scoffs and rolls her eyes.
"Do I really have to go, I just got here."
"Fine, you have twenty minutes of my time." She gave in. "Fair?"
I flash a winning smile. "Sounds fair." I agreed
She grabbed a pillow and pulled it over to herself and began hugging it, her attention completely on me that it made me squirm uncomfortably because I wasn't used to it. "What brings your annoying self here?" She casually asks.
"What do you think of me? What comes to mind? Be honest." I say with an even tone, all serious.
She furrows her brow at me, it was clear that she was wondering where this was coming from. I could see her give it some thought before answering straight away. "I believe you're making yourself into the monster that everyone perceives you to be and so you become exactly that." She says vaguely.
I understood what she meant, but wanted her to elaborate and extend further on her answer. "And why do you think that?" I ask.
"When someone reacts or says something negatively to you; you see and hear this and take it on board and start to doubt yourself and believe what they are telling you is the truth and that that is who you really are, a monster because of your actions. But it's because of others that you are like this. Instead of accepting you, they reject you or they do not like how you act because it's not what they want – it's similar to societies view on how people should think and act, the same can be said for you," She explains softly, continuing. "But it doesn't necessarily mean that they or society is correct, it just means that everything about them is different, just like you, from their views, opinions, values and beliefs are what they hold to be true. There is no right or wrong answer in these things; it's what makes a person."
I sat there for a moment, taking in what she has just said to me; looking up into her eyes as she studied me. "You believe I'm good?" I say doubtfully.
She smiles at me. "You haven't tried to kill me yet, have you?" She jokes lightly.
I feel my lips tug into a half smile. "You have a lot of faith in me, just in your thought alone that I'm good." I say cynically.
She reaches for my hand, a move that made her grimace slightly from the pain in her ribs; ignoring it as she spoke to me. "If I don't, who else will, Damon?" Vera says softly, giving my hand a squeeze. "I've read Olivia's journals, if she believed you were good, and I too believe you are good Damon, than that means something. Two people think good of you. Fuck what the rest thinks, it doesn't matter what they think; what matters most is that you are a good man Damon, whether you believe it or not; I do and I can see you slowly changing."
I close my eyes, taking in more of her words and how that made me think and feel at the moment. Vera really believes I'm good, is she blind? I ruin everything I touch. Opening them to see her carefully watching me with those kind eyes – I really don't deserve a friend like her, and neither did I when Olivia was alive; both women and their faith and trust in me makes me wary of how I won't be able to meet that expectation. When they see good, they expect it all the time and… I am unable to do that for them; because in the end I will say or do something that shatters that.
But Vera is right. Olivia never gave up on me. She was always there, supportive, loyal and caring; a damn good woman and a true friend even if I was bad; she accepted me as I was and was always by my side when I needed her.
Snapping out of my thoughts and fond memories of my old, dear, dead friend; my eyes look upon Vera and it was there that I realised she already has my friendship and respect, and now she earnt my complete trust in her… so why was I trying to ruin this sub-consciously? Doubting it? I damn well deserve it, this and her friendship. Why should I be alone, everyone has someone whether it's a lover or a friend and I am without someone.
"Damon?" Vera's voice broke through my thoughts and I blink at her for a moment. ''Did I say something wrong?"
I only smiled at her. "No, you didn't." I respond gently.
She squinted her eyes at me. "Hmm… you're acting weird," She muses out loud. "What happened tonight?"
Should I tell her about tonight? I should. "I was a total dick –"
"When are you not?" Vera interjected.
"Really?"
"Sorry." She apologised awkwardly. "Continue, Damon."
"Thank you," I paused for a moment waiting for her to interrupt, when she didn't I continued. "I was a dick to Alaric admitting I slept with and killed and turned his ex-wife-"
Vera sucked in some air. "Not to mention Elena's biological mum, not cool Damon." She chastised.
"Yeah, Elena said the same thing just a little different."
Vera's face changed, it was playful. "Was she at least hot?" She asked curiously.
I chuckled. "What has that got to do with it?"
"Everything."
"Yeah, she was."
"That explains it then, if she is hot I guess that's okay… I mean she's not technically dead; she's a vampire and she's still alive and the sleeping with her while she was married still is not okay, that's bad." She reasons with a nonchalant shrug. "So is that why you came? You feel bad about that, I'm sure you've done worse than that; sure it's shitty but it's not as horrible as what could have happened – she could have been permanently dead."
I stare at her taking that in before replying. "So what you're saying is, you're okay with what I have done?"
She softly sighs. "I'm not going to demonize you for something you've done in the past Damon if you want that there is Elena, Lexi, Stefan and whoever else that dislikes you. I'm remaining neutral on the information you've told me, it wouldn't be helpful if I gave you crap for the past, that's not fair and a shitty friend thing to do." She says calmly.
I smile softly at her. "Thanks for that." I say genuinely.
"You're welcome, now get out so I can sleep." She laughs lightly shoving my chest.
"My twenty minutes isn't up!" I protest.
She scoffs. "It has been cut short because I need to sleep and you've ended your session, so that'll be fifty for this session and the next session I want you to write out that 'I'm being a Louis de Pointe du Lac and that I won't bother Vera at midnight again' is that clear mister?" Vera wags a finger at me.
I put up a hand. "Excuse me, I'm more a Lestat de Lioncourt thank you very much and your littlest Romanoff is awake by the way." I say sassily.
Vera kicks off the covers and throws her legs over the bed, till she was standing.
I reach out and my hand curled around her wrist and I gently pulled her back down on the bed and stood up myself. "I'll go; after all you've been saying you need to sleep all this time." I offered.
"No it's fine, I'll go she's my responsibility." She softly argued, but her yawn gave her up, revealing how tired she was.
I smirk at her, knowing full well I've won. "Uh huh I know, but I'll take this shift and you can take over in the morning." I said.
"Damon it's fine re-"
I silenced her with a finger to her lips. "Will you just stop arguing woman and let me look after Fiona, I'm not the one with school tomorrow; if you argue one more time I swear I will tie you to the bed." I threatened. Her eyes grew wide at that threat. "Yeah, I mean tied to the bed and not a sexual way either… unfortunately."
That last bit earnt me a slap. I guess I deserved that.
"Ow."
"You deserved that."
I rolled my eyes. "I know, I'll try not to say anything inappropriate involving you," I mumble. "Killjoy."
"Goodnight, Damon," She got back into bed, throwing the covers over her and lying on her side. "Thank you."
Already at the door, I look over my shoulder at her. "Night Vera." I whisper softly.
Leaving her room and closing her door behind me as I left her bedroom, and then quietly went to Fiona's room, opening the door to her room.
She was awake.
I got to Fiona's crib in two long strides, I look down into her crib to see she had kicked her way out of her blanket that her mother had wrapped her in. She wasn't crying or fussy, she was quietly entertaining herself by making soft cooing sounds.
I leant down and scooped her up into my arms. "Why are you awake Littlest Romanoff?" I asked, fully knowing she was unable to respond. "Hungry?"
Happy kicking from her was received. For a five month old baby she sure is energetic and strong, if I didn't have a good grip on her she'd have bounced right out of my arms.
A thought crossed my mind, I remembered something about testing a baby if they're hungry using your finger, if they sucked on it, it meant they're hungry. I tried it and she did it.
With Fiona in my arms I blurred out of her room and into the kitchen in a second, the perks of having vampiric speed.
I went to the fridge cause that's where Vera usually keeps the formula milk pre-made for the night for when Fiona wakes during the night; opening it and seeing one on the top shelf all ready to go, I grab it and closed the fridge to see Vera standing there.
She reached for the light and switched it on.
"Aren't you meant to be sleeping?"
"I felt bad letting you do my job." She replies softly, taking the bottle from my hand. "I'll heat it up while you two get to know each other more."
I stare down at Fiona who was reaching up at me trying to get at my face again like the first time we met.
"Besides, I think you two will get along nicely in the future."I look up at her as she fills the kettle up with water, a smile on her lips as she said this. "Call it a feeling if you will."
"More like a vision." I respond, catching onto her cryptic words.
Vera didn't respond but instead placed the kettle back on its stand and flicked it on, placing the bottle beside it, she then turns around and leans on the counter; watching us both, her facial expression was impassive. "No, not a vision Damon, more like a feeling from how she responded to you. When you left the car she was sad, and when Jenna let you hold her for a few minutes she told me how she reacted to you… she likes you and babies like animals have a good judge of character." She explains evenly. "That is how I know."
I didn't say anything to that, not sure how I would respond to that really. Instead I lifted my free hand and gave Fiona my pinkie to play with while we waited for the bottle, I gently moved it up and down, teasing her and smirking as she grunts in frustration.
Vera snorts in amusement as she watched us both.
"You have a lot of trust in me to let me hold her." I say softly, looking up at her.
She grins at me. "And you have a lot of trust in me to show me your human side, I guess we are even." Vera says letting the words sink in as she turns away from me to reach for a glass bowl.
I smile. 'I guess we are'. I thought to myself as I watched her pour the hot water into the bowl and then set it back on the stand; the bottle went in next.
She moves away from the bottle and over to us. "Give it a couple minutes to heat up and then she can have it." She instructs as her hand lightly touches Fiona's face, stunning the infant who turned to see who did that. "You're good with her."
"I'm a natural just like everything." I joke, giving her a smirk.
Her lips curled into a half smirk. "There is that Damon arrogance gracing its ugly head again." She comments, looking up at me, her eyes locking on mine.
My smirk grew wider. "Oh honey, you love it." I teased.
Vera rolls her eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever you say Damon." She replies.
"Don't deny it, your life would be boring without my lively self." I cockily say to her.
"Jeez, now who thinks highly of himself?" She laughs.
"I'm just being honest; I'm fun to be around."
"There is never a dull moment with you." She admits with a smirk, her pale blue eyes holding my gaze awhile before turning away to go over to the bottle to check its temperature.
Droplets of milk hit her wrist and she wipes it on her side, she tips the water out of the bowl and places it in the sink and brings it over to us. "Come." She commands softly, leading me out of the kitchen and then turning left and down the hall into her room.
I gave her a strange look as I follow her in, she closes the door behind us and motions to the bean bag; I go over and sit down.
Vera grabs her beige throw over blanket and a few tissues from her night stand, bringing them over; she covers my legs with the blanket and places the tissues in my chest pocket. She kneels beside me and places a hand on my arm, gently lifting it a bit. "You have this arm where her head is held a little bit high because it needs to be so she can digest the milk easily, and this one here is to hold the bottle." She explains, placing the bottle in my hand and then puts two tissues from my pocket under Fiona's chin. "Give her the bottle, now."
I do as I was told, putting it to Fiona's lips who instantly took to it easily and greedily. Vera smiles as she watches on. "Will you be right with her?" She whispers.
"Yeah." I breathe.
"Wake me if you have any problems." She strokes Fiona's head softly and gets up and goes over to her bed and climbs under the covers, smiling at us both before lying down. "Goodnight you two, play nicely." She lightly jokes before closing her eyes. Within minutes Vera had drifted off to sleep.
I look down at Fiona who was looking up at me and holding my hand that held on to the bottle. "It's just you and me Littlest Romanoff." I whisper.
Author's Note: Wow, that was certainly an intense but interesting chapter, don't you think? Poor Damon, he's all over the place isn't he? Kinda makes you want to hug the hell out of him.
Anyway, review me, I love that, it lets me know what you think of the story - kind of like coffee; wow, sidetrack much. Yes, so the next chapter will be up soonish... hopefully.
Later.
