SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

Dark-Supernatural-Angel: Well, what can I say? I liked her. Well, I have a small little subplot for them that I hope you like. Oh, I know, right? Well, just keep reading and see. Yeah, sorry this was kinda long, but hopefully, it's worth the wait.

Dean Winchesters Baby Girl: Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Well, keep reading and see. Sorry this isn't soon enough.

Hana: Glad you like it. Here's more.

Xtooxcoolxmazzx: Sorry this isn't soon enough.

Lanakila91: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. I'm glad the incorporation of Elijah fit. Yeah, like I told you, I had forgotten about that, so I worked in an explanation.

DISCLAIMER

Life With Derek belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. Vampire Diaries belongs to L.J. Smith and the CW. I only own the plot.

The students of Sir John Sparrow Thompson High gasped when they heard Casey scream the man's name and then lunge at him. Elijah grunted as Casey put out the remnants of fire on his body. What is going on? The sun's never affected him before, she wondered.

"Elijah, Elijah, talk to me," Casey murmured in Italian, helping him sit up.

"I'm all right, I'm all right," he assured in the same language.

"What happened? Why are you being affected by the sun?"

"Marcus. Once he broke away from the Order, Klaus fixed it so that he could no longer walk around in the sun. And then Marcus copied the spell and placed it on me." Sam watched as Casey gently checked their substitute teacher before helping him to his feet. What is going on? Why does she sound so frightened? Why is she being so familiar with him? And what language is that? he wondered. Did it have anything to do with her being a vampire? Casey stared up at Elijah and she felt herself stiffen at his worried countenance.

"What are we going to do?" she asked in Italian.

"I don't know, Cassandra," he replied.

"We should go."

"Yeah." To their surprise, the two headed out.

"Hey, whoa. Where do you think you're going?" Sam asked, getting in front of them.

"You, Kendra, and Emily-" Casey began in Italian. Then, she closed her eyes. They won't know what you're saying, she reminded herself and she reopened her eyes. "You and Emily need to come with us," she continued, switching back to English.

"What?" Sam, Emily, Ralph, Kendra, Derek, and Ralph chorused.

"It's gonna involve you three too. You need to be with us," Casey stated.

"Okay," they agreed. Derek looked at them in surprise. Okay? They were agreeing to this? And since when did his stepsister condone ditching school? As they headed out, Sam silently watched as Casey put a worried hand on the teacher's arm. It's so weird. It's almost like they were a couple or something, he thought to himself. Wow. I thought she hated him and yet she's acting all worried about this guy, Emily thought. As they walked out, Derek narrowed his eyes as Casey supported the substitute teacher. What is up with that? She's acting awful chummy with this substitute, he thought to himself.

"Do you have a way to make it?" Casey softly asked Elijah.

"I have a jacket in the teacher's lounge," Elijah answered.

"We better get it," Casey said and they changed directions. Once they were at the lounge, Elijah went in and got the jacket. Then, they headed back out. Elijah put the jacket over his head as Casey opened the door. Then, they hurried out. Elijah pointed to a van and they all went in that direction. Elijah then opened the door and he, Casey, Sam, Emily, and Kendra piled in. Then, Derek also started to get in.

"What are you doing?" Casey asked, blocking his path.

"I'm coming with," Derek answered.

"This doesn't concern you," Casey responded. I'm sorry, Derek. But this is too dangerous and I'm not going to risk you getting killed when you don't even know what I am, she thought to herself.

"But it concerns my best friend?" Derek asked in hurt and confused surprise. What is she hiding and why doesn't she trust me? he wondered.

"I'm sorry, Derek," Casey said and then shoved him back gently and closed the door. Derek watched as they drove off. What's going on? Why would Casey ditch? This doesn't make sense, he thought to himself.

"Where to, Cassandra?" Elijah asked.

"My house. We can use my bedroom," Casey responded. Elijah nodded and then headed in the direction that would lead to where she lived. When they finally got there, Elijah pulled into the driveway and then stopped the car. Casey got out and opened the door, then hurried to help Elijah into the house, making sure to cover the older vampire with the jacket.

"Come on in, Elijah," she invited, and then, she led them all down to her room.

"So what's going on?" Sam asked.

"We have to move fast. There's a vampire on the loose. He's extremely old and very dangerous," Casey told them.

"What does that have to do with us?" Kendra wondered.

"He's one of the Originals…and unfortunately…he's broken away from the Order," Elijah said.

"Huh?" Sam, Emily, and Kendra asked.

"He's gone rogue," Casey explained.

"Oh. That can't be good," Kendra commented.

"No, it's not," Casey said. And we still don't know what exactly he wants, she thought to herself. "That's why we're all here…to make a plan and to stop him before anyone else gets hurt," she continued.

"Okay then," the others said.

"So, what can we do?" Emily questioned.

"Honestly, I don't know," Casey admitted. "I mean, if this guy can make it so that Elijah can't even walk around during the day like he normally can, he's gotta be pretty powerful." Man, I wish Rose was here. She'd be excellent in coming up with a plan, she thought to herself. However, they wouldn't be able to meet up with her until that night. And she didn't even know where she was staying or how to get in contact with her.

"Yes, he was a brujo before he was turned. That's why Klaus was attracted to him," Elijah said.

"Someone turned a sorcerer? Oh, terrific," Casey said sarcastically. "Do you know what spell he used to make you prey to the sun?"

"No, I don't," he responded. That's just lovely. We're up against a sorcerer vampire and I have practically no back up! I don't have that kind of power, she thought to herself. How was she supposed to protect the others now?

"Okay, new plan. Elijah and I will deal with him, you guys stay home and don't invite anybody in," she said out loud.

"No way!" Sam, Emily, and Kendra protested.

"We're in this together," Sam added, putting a hand on Casey's cheek.

"Sam, I love your willingness to fight, but this guy could probably kill you before you could even lift a hand to stop him," Casey stated, reaching up to hold his hand. He, Kendra, and Emily are so young and have everything to live for. Elijah and I have lived wonderful lives and if we die, the only ones hurting would be other vampires, she thought to herself.

"I told you, I'm not going to let anyone or anything hurt you," Sam responded. I don't care how much she pushes me away. I'm not running, he thought to himself. Casey's expression became resigned.

"All right," she agreed. This is not going to end well, she thought to herself. But she recognized Sam's visage as his "stubborn face" as she privately called it. Elijah glanced at Sam with raised eyebrows. He could smell the fear coming from him. He's afraid but still willing to protect Cassandra, he thought. He had to admit, he was impressed. Not many humans would be this determined to protect another person, much less a vampire. He then mentally shook his head and forced himself to refocus on the task at hand.

"If only there was a way we could like lure him out or-" Kendra's voice trailed off as Casey's eyes suddenly lit up. Ooh! I know that look. She has an idea, Emily thought.

"What's going on inside of that head of yours, Cassandra?" Elijah queried, realizing the same thing.

"Well, I was thinking that we could-" Casey broke off and she turned towards the door. "We've got company," she announced.

"Who?" Elijah asked.

"Nora and George," Casey answered. They must've been called when we left suddenly, she realized. They tensed and watched as the door opened. Seeing the group with Casey, Nora looked to the girl in confusion and she made her fingers into subtle claws. Nora nodded. She'd have to make this look good if she was going to give Casey a way to leave so that they could take care of whatever it was that she needed to take care of.

"Cassandra Angelina MacDonald, you have some explaining to do," the woman snapped.

"Mom, I'm sorry I didn't call you, but-" Casey began to apologize.

"You're grounded. Go to your room," Nora interrupted. "The rest of you-go home," she continued.

"No, I'm not going to my room," Casey responded.

"I'll-uh-just be going," Elijah said seemingly uncomfortably.

"Yeah. See ya Mrs. V," Sam stated and they all walked out.

"What did you just say?" Nora demanded.

"I said 'I'm not going to my room! You're being completely unfair!" Casey exclaimed.

"Casey, don't you dare talk to your mother that way!" George chided.

"Oh, butt out, George!" Casey snapped, turning to him. Sorry George, but I have to make this look real, she thought. "You know what? I am so sick of you guys always smothering me!" With that, she headed for the door.

"Don't you dare walk out that door!" Nora shouted, grabbing Casey's arm. Casey merely flicked the woman's hand away and then continued out the door, where she met the others and then quickly hurried to where she smelled Elijah's scent. Then, she quickly hurried to him, took off his coat, placing it over him, and they blurred to the Steiner residence.

"Casey, kids, come in," the man said in surprise. Then, "What are you all doing here?"

"The danger to her has intensified and she and her friends will be safer with me," came Elijah's response.

"All right," the man agreed almost demurely. Kendra, Sam, and Emily stared at each other in confusion. Why was Mr. Steiner acting so weird? However, Casey had realized what had happened. Compulsion. Elijah's had him compelled this whole time, she thought. Though, with the situation, it was probably the safest thing for him. Elijah grabbed the man by the arm and turned him so that the two men were facing each other.

"Ray, go into your guestroom and shut the door. I need to talk to Miss MacDonald," Elijah instructed. Immediately, the teacher did as he was told.

"We can't just stand around twiddling our thumbs. We need to take the fight to Marcus," Elijah announced.

"But how? We don't even know where he is and we need a plan," Emily reminded them.

"Oh, we've got a plan. We draw him out," Casey stated.

"How?" the others asked.

"Give him a human and a lone vampire to take on," Casey replied.

"Wha-" Almost immediately, Elijah's question died off as he realized what she was proposing. "No," he snapped.

"Going soft, Elijah?"

"I've never known you to be one for suicide, Cassandra."

"It's not suicide when you have another Original and a friend at your back."

"This is a bad idea."

"Look, he has to hunt."

"What about us? Where do we come in?" Kendra wondered.

"Emily, you'll draw him out. Then, I'll come to your rescue, and then Sam and Kendra will get you out of there while Elijah and I deal with him," Casey answered.

"That's flimsy at best, Cassandra."

"Do you have a better idea?"

"Sadly…no."

"Okay then." Casey motioned for Sam, Emily, and Kendra to follow her.

"We'll meet up later," she said. Elijah nodded. Then, they all headed out.

"Man, my mom's gonna kill me," Sam sighed.

"Yeah, so's mine," Emily and Kendra agreed.

"You guys don't have to help. I mean, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with your parents," Casey told them.

"No, it's okay. This is important," Kendra replied. Sam and Emily nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," Casey said. Then, "But you guys should go home to avoid raising suspicion." The three nodded and did as they were instructed. As she headed home, Casey pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?" she heard Rose ask almost immediately.

"Oh, good. The number's still the same," Casey sighed.

"Cassandra, what is it? Is everything all right?" Rose queried in concern.

"Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine. We've got a plan," Casey answered and then proceeded to fill her in.

"You're working with Elijah? Are you bonkers?"

"It's the only plan we've got!"

"This better work." She hung up. Later that night, they all met up at Elijah's.

"For the record, I don't trust you at all," Rose told Elijah.

"Duly noted," Elijah said.

"I'm not really trusting him either, Rose. He's just useful for this mission," Casey stated. With that, Casey, Rose, and Elijah equipped Sam, Emily, and Kendra with stakes and guns loaded with wooden bullets as well as similarly equipping themselves and then the group went out. Meanwhile, Marcus had tracked Elijah's scent from their previous encounter to the neighborhood. Ah. Here he is, he thought to himself. Then, another scent hit his nostrils: lilac and roses with a tinge of pepper. Now that's a rather intoxicating smell, he thought to himself and then almost unable to help himself, followed it. Presently, he came upon an African-American girl with hazel eyes and black hair. With a growl, he let his true features overcome him and he lunged at her! Emily screamed. Before she knew what was happening, Casey and Rose had appeared from their hiding place, Casey grabbed her, and threw her back, all the while glaring at Marcus as their vampiric features came forth.

"You," Marcus sneered. Too fast for Emily to see, Casey and Rose lunged at him and the three were soon a snarling blur. Emily watched with some fright. What if he kills her? she wondered. How would they explain her death to everyone else? Then, something whizzed past her and by the time it registered that it was Elijah, he was already in the fray. There was a shot and then a scream of pain. Elijah and Casey stood up, guns pointed at the vampire.

"You think you can stop me?" he asked.

"We're doing a good job so far," Casey smirked. Marcus forced himself to his feet and then lunged at them. Well, tried to lunge. The wooden bullets seemed to slow him down. Since when do wooden bullets affect an Original? Casey wondered. Then, she had no more time for thoughts as she found herself underneath the vampire's weight.

"CASEY!" Elijah began to rush at him, but Marcus turned around knocked him back. Unnoticed, Sam and Kendra came out, pulled their guns and fired on Marcus, who howled in pain and rage. He then turned to face them.

"You would dare to shoot me?" he asked condescendingly. "You pitiful humans. You have no idea just how in over your heads you actually are," he continued in the same tone. Kendra stared at him through narrowed eyes. Who did this guy think he was? Just because he was some high class form of vampire, didn't mean he was better than everyone else! Marcus stared at them with a smirk. Really? This was their defense? Two vampires and a group of humans? Without warning, a line of fire raced down the street and jumped on Marcus! The vampire screamed as Elijah quickly pushed Casey, Sam, and Emily away. A witch? How did Marcus not sense her power? the male vampire wondered. Unseeingly, Kendra raised her hand and the fire continued to grow. The group watched as Marcus screamed as the fire engulfed him. Whoa. That's useful, Casey thought to herself. Then, she glanced at Kendra who was just staring blankly. Immediately, she blurred over to the girl and began shaking her.

"Kendra! Kendra!" she exclaimed. There was no answer, and the fire continued to rage.

"Casey, what's going on?" Sam wondered.

"KENDRA!" Casey shouted. The girl gasped and the instantly, the fire died, revealing a pile of ashes where Marcus had previously stood. Elijah gasped as he felt a strange sensation come over his body. It's gone. Whatever Marcus did to me-it's gone, he realized.

"Elijah, are you all right?" Casey asked in concern.

"Yeah. I-I feel like myself again," Elijah answered.

"Oh, that's good," Casey said. One less thing we have to worry about, she thought to herself.

"Wha-wha-what happened?" Kendra wondered.

"I presume that this is the witch you were telling me about," Rose commented.

"Yes," Casey answered.

"Guys, what happened?" Kendra questioned sharply.

"You basically went Charlie McGee on Marcus," Casey replied.

"Wha-I-I-I didn't mean-" Kendra began to stammer. Oh, no. what if I hurt someone other than that guy? she wondered.

"It's all right. No one else got hurt," Rose interrupted. "Listen, I think you and I need to have a bit of a talk," she stated. Kendra nodded and let the woman lead her to a car. They got in and then drove off.

"Come. I'll give you all a ride back," Elijah said. Casey, Sam, Emily, and Kendra followed him, got into his car, and then he drove them back to their parents' houses. Then, finally, Elijah drove Casey to her place.

"So, it felt good working together again," Elijah commented, as he stopped the car in front of the house. Yes, it did. But he hurt you. You can't forgive that, Casey reminded herself.

"Goodbye, Elijah," she said, unbuckling herself. She put her hand on the door and opened it. Swiftly, Elijah leaned over and drew her into a kiss. Immediately, Casey growled and pushed him back.

"Don't you ever do that to me again!" she snarled, placing her fingers around his throat. Stupid! Stupid! You know her past! Why would you do that? Elijah berated himself. "I worked with you because I had to. You and me-we're over-forever," she told him. Then, she got out of the car and walked into the house. Elijah sighed and drove away.

"Where have you been?" Nora demanded as the girl came into the living room.

"Taking care of something. It's all fine now," Casey replied, ignoring the looks of interest that were coming from Derek, Edwin, and Marti.

"I am very disappointed in you," George told her.

"You're grounded," Nora stated. Derek watched with mild concern as his stepsister just rolled her eyes. What was wrong with her? What could cause her to blow off school and then treat their parents this way?

"Fine. Whatever," Casey huffed. Then, she went down into her bedroom. Derek sat in seat, confused, but vowing to figure out what had caused his stepsister to act out.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Charlie McGee is the main character in the Stephen King novel "Firestarter". This concludes my version of "Middle Manic".