Artemis groaned feeling a flutter against her neck, it took her a moment to realise that someone was in bed with her; she abruptly shot up and grabbed the nearest thing to her which was the alarm clock. Not caring really who it was Artemis smashed the alarm clock down on the unknown person and tumbled out of bed. She ran to the door and yelped when a hand grasped her wrist

"No let go. Don't hurt me-"

"Artemis" Damon grabbed the frantic brunette around the waist "what the hell…-"she relaxed realising who it was.

Alaric burst into the bedroom with his crossbow "Arty you-Damon? What are you doing here?" the hunter flicked the lights on and took in the scene

"Just came to check on Art." Damon looked over to his girlfriend and frowned at the clothes she was wearing

"Oh…ok, Art you ok?" Alaric asked

"Yeah" Artemis hastily wiped her eyes "fine"

Damon shot the hunter a look clearly telling him that he'll handle it. The history teacher gave the brunette a concerned look but left.

"Art, you ok?"

"Yes" she replied curtly and jumped when he appeared in front of her

"Bullshit" he spat "I know when you're lying to tell me" he demanded. He didn't miss the fact that Artemis pulse and sped up

"Nothing….it's-"he shook his head and dropped her down onto the bed. Where he pulled her onto his lap

"I know you and you never wear full length pants or tops when you sleep-"

"It's cold" was her meek counter

"You're lying" he growled getting more frustrated, he was even more unnerved when she didn't meet his gaze and used her bangs to cover her face. Damon frowned spotting something on her temple

"Damon don't" Artemis tried to get out of his hold but the vampire wrapped his arm around her waist preventing her from leaving. She closed her eyes feeling him brushing aside her curls

"What the fuck happened?" he snarled seeing the gash across her temple which she had successfully hidden from her siblings and Alaric.

"Not-"

"DON'T LIE TO ME" he roared gripping her chin, causing her to wince "Art-"

"Please just drop it" she whispered her eyes were wide and glassy. "Damon-"

"There you go again Artemis, closing me off. I love you I do but you make it hard when you don't tell me things." Damon said his grip on her easing up "just tell me who hurt you"

Artemis swallowed the lump in her throat "It doesn't matter who they're gone with-"

Damon gently cupped her cheek and buried his fingers in her thick curls, it was the complete .opposite of how Max had treated her.

"Art"

Artemis licked her lips nervous as he hand roamed her back she winced when it brushed against her bruise skin. Damon didn't miss this and before she could blink he flipped her over so that her face was on the pillow "Damon what are you-"she started to grow panic.

"Art relax" he was mystified by her reaction to this. He took a deep breath and lifted the back of her top up and made out hand shaped bruises. His blood boiled when he saw some of the marks going beneath the waist band of her pants. Artemis's fists clenched in her sheets when he lightly pulled down her flannel pants, she heard him inhale sharply. "What the hell happened?" he snarled seeing the bruises across her pantie line.

"Damon-"her voice was quiet and it shook "I'm sorry"

This stunned him even more he scooped her up and pressed his back against her headboard whilst positioning her in a way so that she was lying in between his long legs.

"Art tell me who it was" he said softly, she pressed her face against the crook of his neck he could feel her lips brushing against his skin.

There was a moment of silence, where he just held her, he knew something must've happened to completely throw her and made her react the way it did to him.

"It was Max" Artemis finally revealed his brows furrowed in confusion

"Who?"

"Remember the guy who was attacked me at the first football game Stefan played for the school-"it took him a moment to realise who she was talking about,

"That dick" he spat "where is he? I'll kill him the son of a bit-"

"He's already dead" Artemis said softly looking up at him "you compelled him to confess and he did." She paused Damon didn't interrupt knowing that she needed some time to get her words together "He-he ended up getting murdered in his sleep and he came and found me" she stammered, he rubbed her back soothingly urging her to continue with the story "he tried to…well he-he-"

"Did he touch you Art?" Damon asked forcing himself to be calm or at least not to completely lose his temper she needed him so she could talk to him. Plus she was opening up and he didn't want her to go back into her shell.

"He hit me-"he bit back his growl, his grip on her tightened "he tried…he tried to-" she trailed off

"Did he?" Damon uttered

"No" Artemis said feeling his muscles had tensed "he didn't get a chance to. I cried out for you and-"

"I'm sorry"

"What?" she asked looking up at him; he ran his thumb across her cheek wiping away her rear

"I said I wouldn't leave you and this-"

"No" she said fiercely "I don't blame you" she shook her head gripping his chin, she was on her knees sitting in front of him, and Damon sat up so that their chests brushed against each other.

"I blame me-"

"You shouldn't" Artemis uttered and cupped his face, her thumb brushing against his jawline "I don't blame you." She kissed him on the lips pouring all her emotion into that single action. Damon kissed her back just as passionately. He pulled back Artemis was breathing heavily he saw the look in her eyes "There's more isn't there?"

Artemis nodded slowly as he wrapped his arms around her tugging her close "You…he didn't do anything because-"

"Art who came?" Damon asked

"Jenna, my mom and dad" she said quietly, tears welled up in her eyes "they told me that I had to let them go. That I should move" a sob tore from her throat

Damon hugged her to his chest and held her. She wrapped her arms tightly around him he could feel her whole body shaking "I let them go Damon" she cried "I let them go and now…I feel so alone"

Damon pulled back and peppered her face with kisses he could taste her salty tears.

"You're not alone Art" he said sincerely "you have a family and you have me"

Artemis sniffed and nodded "I..I know but-"

"Look at me" he commanded his large strong hands cupping her face "I'm around Artemis and you will never feel alone again got it?"

Artemis lips widened into a smile and she nodded "Ok" she breathed and leant down kissing him fully on the lips, her tongue dove into his mouth, he groaned feeling the tips of her fingers under his shirt, Artemis pulled back and boldly kissed his neck and jaw, she wasn't one to initiate things Damon knew that but he was literally purring from her soft and gentle ministrations. When he felt her bite down on his earlobe, he gripped her hips and rolled them over. Artemis gasped in pain when he did that

"Ar-"

"No swear I'm fine"

"Liar. Here" he bit down on his wrist and pressed it against Artemis lips, she shot him a look that made him roll his eyes "you can keep sending me death glares honey you're still going to drink"

When he had deemed she had enough he pulled his wrist back. She gasped and rested her temple against his shoulder. He wiped away the blood from her lips, Damon laid down and tugged Artemis with him she snuggled into his arms, he rested his chin on the top of her head

"You know Art, I'm not one for showing emotion-"

She snorted "Are you just pointing at the obvious?" she giggled when he nipped ear "ok, ok I'm listening"

"As I was saying I may not show a lot emotions, but for you Art I can. So if you ever need someone to talk to come to me. I'll be here for you" Damon said sincerely

Artemis could see that he was being honest "I will, and the same goes for you Damon" she murmured idly running her finger down his chest.

Damon held her to him and stroked her back and pressed his lips against her temple "Be up and ready tomorrow morning"

Artemis brows furrowed "Why?" she asked

"Because me and Ric found something, that you and Elena might be interested in" when he saw the questioning look on her face he tapped her nose "before you do the whole twenty questions thing…let me tell you don't bother because you'll find out tomorrow"

"Damon-"

"Hush" he kissed her on the lips "go to sleep Art, I know you're tired" that was an understatement she was exhausted, she attempted to stifle her yawn but it didn't work.

"Night Damon" she mumbled already drifting off.

He smiled at her and lightly brushed aside Artemis's fallen curls, "Night Art. No one will hurt you again otherwise they would be wishing for death" he promised and he meant it. He wouldn't care who it was but if they so much as to lay a finger on her or to harm her he would rip that person apart.


Artemis woke up to loud knocking on her bedroom door; she groaned and pulled her covers over her head.

"ART" Alaric called "come on, we're meant to be leaving in half an hour"

"Fine" she huffed and reluctantly sat up, she glanced over to the left side of the bed and saw that Damon had vanished probably after he was sure that she had gone off to sleep. Artemis swung her legs out of her bed and padded barefooted down to the bathroom. Where she had a quick shower once she was done she hurried back to her room

"Art ready?" Elena asked peeking out of her room

"Yeah ten minutes" she called over her shoulder and slammed her door shut. Artemis quickly rummaged through her dresser and slipped on a maroon coloured lacy bra and a pair of matching panties. When she done that, she looked through her closet and opted to wear a coral pink coloured skirt and a cream coloured blouse.

Once she was dressed Artemis brushed her thick and pulled it into a messy bun, where a few curls came loose to frame her face. Artemis slipped on her shoes and walked down the hallway, she paused as she passed Jeremy's room. Biting her lower lip Artemis gently opened the youngest teen's door, she looked around and spotted a note pad on his desk. She wrote him a quick note telling him to go and talk to Bonnie and with one last glance she left.

Artemis trudged down the stairs and entered the kitchen she saw Alaric and Elena were already there munching on some cereal.

"So no one cooked breakfast?" Artemis asked as she poured herself some coffee

"Well you weren't awake and-"

"We're all useless in the kitchen" Elena finished off causing Artemis to laugh

"Damn right you two are" she muttered under her breath "so is Damon-"

"Should be meeting us there" Alaric said downing the rest of his coffee "Art Elena mentioned that you have a camera-"

"I do have one" she said "let me get it then we can leave" Artemis jogged upstairs her camera was on the pile of books she had on her desk. She used her camera mainly for work though. She climbed down the stairs and saw that Elena and Alaric were waiting by the front door.

"Ready?" she asked placing the strap of her camera around her neck "you got keys because?" she saw the keys dangling in Elena's hand.

"Because Alaric doesn't want to be caught dead in that thing you call a car" Elena teased playfully, Artemis rolled her eyes and poked Alaric as they exited the house

"Seriously Ric stop with the car bashing" Artemis uttered

"Oh come have you seen it?" he laughed pointing to the yellow rusty looking bug. She elbowed him in the ribs.


They arrived at the Lockwood property, Artemis leant against the trunk of the car as Alaric rummaged through his duffle bag, he handed the pair of teens a flashlight.

"Ready?" Alaric asked as they walked over to the Lockwood properties heading towards the cave

"Lead the way all mighty Alaric" Artemis said causing Elena to snort

"I got a feeling this is going to be a long day" Alaric muttered under his breath

"You say anything Ric?"

"Nope" he replied hitching his backpack up higher on his shoulders. As soon as they stepped into the caves Artemis felt a shudder run down her spine it was dank and slightly cold, she was bringing up the rear making sure Elena stayed in front of her. She flicked on her torch light and followed them

"The Lockwoods really had no idea that these tunnels are underneath their property?" Elena asked

"Something that you can't really miss" Artemis drawled shining the light around

"Careful where you shine that thing" Alaric warned unknown to the pair of teens the hunter had a teasing smile on his face "bat's hate the light"

Artemis bumped into Elena as she came to a stop "Wait what?" the younger girl asked

"Did you say bats I hate bats-"

"Arty" a voice whispered behind her

"Oh my god it's a bat" Artemis shrieked and smashed her torch down on the figure cladded in all black.

"Oww" Damon yelped.

"You" Artemis glared at him, and then repeatedly hit him with the torch "dick. You gave me a heart attack. You piece of shit"

He grabbed her wrist stopping her assault on him "Scaredy cat" Damon smirked and pulled her closer

"You're such an ass" Elena snapped her breathing rate going back to normal. The vampire grinned showing his white teeth

"I know-"

"Just ignored him" Alaric stepped in "That's what I do"

"Oh shove off Ric" Damon snorted "you were laughing as well"

"Well Art thought a bat was whispering her name" Alaric defended himself. Artemis shot him a glare; Damon kissed the side of her cheek.

"Shut up" much to their amusement she pouted, she rolled her eyes and looked over to Damon "so Ric mentioned you can't get in"

"He's right. Seems the ancient Lockwoods were anti-vampires as well"

Artemis frowned hearing that.

"Ancient Lockwoods?" Elena questioned she like Artemis was also curious about that, the raven head vampire grabbed her hand and pulled her forward "What do you mean?"

"See for yourself" he replied leading them over to an entrance off another part of the cave, he came to a stop; Artemis saw Alaric walking over the threshold "this is as far as I can go" Damon told her.

Artemis hummed and followed Elena into the cavern; she shined her light on the walls and canted her head to the side seeing the carvings in the stone wall.

The antiques dealer stepped forward and ran her slim digits over the carvings, she gasped as she was pulled into a vision, images flew through her mind but it was going too fast for her to comprehend anything.

"Art?" Damon called leaning against the threshold "are you-"

"Fine, I'm fine" her grey orbs remained on the carvings

"What is all this?" Elena asked.

Artemis eyes drank in the sight "It's a story" she said quietly her voice echoing throughout the cavern.

"In archaeological terms it's a really old story" Alaric clarified he shined his torch on a part of the wall "that part there is the moon cycle"

"And that's a man and a wolf" Artemis murmured

"That's a werewolf" Elena said, as the elder leaned more forward

"It's the Lockwood diaries. Pictionary style" Damon commented from the entrance

"I don't understand I thought that the Lockwoods came over here in the 1860's" Elena frowned

"Yeah well maybe the Lockwoods did but according to this wall they must've been here a long longer than that" Alaric exclaimed.

Artemis nodded "Well history isn't always accurate, how long ago then?"

"Long" Damon answered crossing his arms in front of his chest "it gets better, show her Ric"

Artemis watched as Alaric crossed over to the cavern and shined his light on a list of names but they weren't written in English. "They're not native they written in runic"

Artemis approached him studying the names, she knew the language she had studied it.

"It's Viking script" Alaric revealed.

"Oh my god, this is amazing" Artemis breathed her eyes were scanning

"So my girl gets turned on by dead language-"

"Shut up Damon" Artemis cut him on, she ran her fingers over the first "it's easy enough to translate-"

"You can read Viking script-"

"Sort of had to learn" Artemis uttered studying the names carefully "this one reads Niklaus" she pointed to the top name.

"Klaus" Elena nodded.

"Yep and if this one I think is Elijah" she pointed to the name beneath Klaus's

"Yeah your right. So this one is Rebekah" Alaric uttered.

Artemis nodded and bit down on her bottom lip trying to decipher the names,

"You know Art you look very sexy when your concentraring" Damon drawled with a smirk on his lips.

"You know what? I'm kind of glad you're out there. I'll think you'll molester me if you're in here" Artemis commented

"So these are the names of the Original family?" Elena questioned bringing the topic back on hand.

"Carved into the cave that's been here way before the Founding families or even before the new world for that matter" Alaric exclaimed looking over to them.

"No wait this got to be one of Klaus's fakes" Elena shook her head; Artemis however didn't agree this one for some reason seems more personal since Klaus had included his family members' names.

"Could be true" Alaric responded to Elena's assumption. "Except the last name up here made us thinks otherwise"

Artemis narrowed her eyes reading the carving "Mikael?"

"Mikael?" Elena repeated "as in the vampire hunter who knows how to kill Klaus"

"Yeah but I like to call him Papa Original" Damon smirked

Artemis's eyes widened "He's own father wants to kill him?" she said quietly, she looked over to Elena "and I thought we sometimes were a messed up family"

"So Art, ready to get to work?" Alaric asked

Artemis grinned and nodded holding up the camera to her face.


Artemis hummed leaning forward against the desk, she was going through the pictures she and Alaric had taken.

Elena and Damon were behind the pair of historians sparring, Elena swung her leg out hoping to take the vampire by surprise since he was too busy staring at Artemis's behind. But Damon grabbed her foot and threw it away.

"So these are the names" Artemis murmured under her breath placing them together

"And this is the moon-cycle" Alaric placed another picture down; Artemis dropped the picture of the wolf next to it. "These images tell us a story, and we got to sort through this to get the story" he said frustrated.

Artemis looked over her shoulder and wasn't too surprise to see her sister glaring at him

"Ghost of Christmas past Mason Lockwood said it could lead us to a weapon that could help up kill Klaus" Damon said easily dodging Elena's swipe "are you serious? Arty puts up a much better fight"

"Shut up I'm new at this" Elena snapped "Yeah but doesn't Mikael have a weapon?"

"Yes" Damon replied boredly "which means the wall lead us to Mikael who we already found. And lost-serious Art, want to give me a run for my money. Your sister is so not getting this"

"Wearing a skirt Damon-"

"And, I can work with that. Come on Art" he grinned he knew what would get her to spar with him "unless you're scared"

Artemis scowled "Fine I'll-"

"Oh maybe not. After all I don't want to hurt you-"

"Shut your face Salvatore. I can kick your ass" Artemis snapped, causing Alaric to shake his head the vampire certainly knew how to push her buttons.

"Alright ready?"

"Bring it on old man"

"I'm your old man technically since-"he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence since Artemis punched him swift and hard in the face. Damon rubbed his jaw "Oh I'm bringing it. You won't-"she kicked him in the stomach

"Lesson here Elena, hope that your opponent is so egotistical that they just keep talking" Artemis smirked and dodged out of Damon's way.

"Here" Elena chucked her the stake which she caught and swung her leg out to kick him but he gripped her leg causing her to stumble

"Oh soft" he wagged his eyebrows up and down "I can imagine how the rest of you will feel"

Artemis rolled her eyes wiggled out his old and raised the stake. Artemis went to stab him but he lightly grasped her wrist and twisted her around so that her back was pressed against his chest.

"And you're dead" he whispered into her ear, she laughed when pretended to bite her. Damon smirked and peppered her neck with kisses

"You're not helping me with my fighting skill" she muttered as his fingers glided up her top.

"I can help you with another skill" he whispered huskily gently biting down on her earlobe.

"Damon" she pushed him away and walked back over to Alaric and Elena "at least I lasted longer than you"

Elena rolled her eyes and lightly elbowed her.

Artemis leant forward and felt Damon sliding up next to her, he bumped his hip with hers

"Are you purposefully being a-"

"Complete horn dog? Yes" Damon uttered.

"So these pictures" Artemis said attempting to get back on to the subject

"These images might tell us at least what the weapon is" Alaric commented his gaze focus on the images that were spread out on the table.

"Yeah and we can just find out what they mean, I got a book in the store that has ancient descriptions and their translation" Artemis said softly picking up the image that read 'Elijah'

"Fine, fine if I'm being irritatingly optimistic like you two are. But how do you suppose we do that?" Damon asked running his finger up her bare arm.

"Easy enough" Artemis uttered, Elena shot her a questioning look "if this is the story of the Original family then we go straight to the source. Rebekah"

"Oh that's an idea so should I-"

"You won't be doing anything Elena, I get the feeling she's not your biggest fan. I'll ask-"

"But-"

"No you've got more important things to do. Like going to school, come on I'll drop you off at school" Artemis picked up her bag

"Art, remember to pick up the book" Alaric called after them.

"Maybe I should go-"Damon grasped her hand pulling her towards him so that their bodies were flushed against each other's

"Damon" Artemis rolled her eyes "she's hardly going to talk if-"

"Her stalker type boyfriend is hanging around" Alaric scoffed causing Elena to snort she picked up her bag as well.

"Fine. Don't get killed, I do sort of love you" his hands were on her hips

"Sort of love me ey?" she smirked resting her forearms on his shoulders

"Ok maybe I love you loads-"

"Can we get a move on, I do have to get to school you know. So you can do all you lovey dovey stuff later" Elena said from the doorway.

Artemis laughed "Right let's go" she gave Damon a quick chaste kiss. Before she let she grabbed one of the images off of the table.

Alaric rolled his eyes seeing the grin on Damon's face; yeah he thought the vampire was definitely in love with her.


Artemis pulled up to the school and saw teens hanging around; she climbed out of the car and spotted Rebekah in the courtyard

"Art you-"

"You can get to class" Artemis said cutting her off "go and talk to Bonnie, I'll think she needs you"

Elena sighed and nodded once Artemis saw her younger sister entering the school. Artemis reached over and grabbed her bag and started to walk over to Rebekah who was literally doing cartwheels.

The vampire came to a stop and saw Artemis standing there "You"

Artemis smiled "Me, it's Art by the way-"

"I know your name" Rebekah drawled

Artemis hastily nodded "Well that's good since…anyway I need to talk to you"

"What about?" the Original vampire asked.

"Well…." Artemis rummaged through her bag trying to find the image, she swore when she couldn't find it. She started pull items out of her bag "here hold this" she uttered handing Rebekah over a bunch of stuff which included her purse, a packet of tissues and her glasses as well as a packet of sherbet lemon drops

"I didn't know women store that many things in their purse-"Rebekah drawled

"I know. But honey there's so much more you don't know what women store in their purse" Artemis muttered finally pulling out of the image from her bag, she took back the items from her bag and shoved it back in there. "Here have one" she handed the vampire a sherbet lemon drop, "they're delicious. Sweet and has a tangy taste-"

"Artemis. Cut to the chase" Rebekah said pocketing the sweet "for someone smart you don't have a long attention span-"

"Is that meant to be an insult?"

"An observation" Rebekah stated "so you want to take to me because?"

"Of this" Artemis held up the image of the carvings in the cave wall specifically one that read the female Original's name. She didn't miss the look of disbelief on Rebekah's face "You and Klaus have been on the run for a thousand years from your father"

"I should get back to the girls-"

"You're running away now" Artemis called out "I live with a pair of teenager so I know they've honed in on the skill of deflection. And you're doing it right now" Rebekah walked off Artemis sighed "Fine if you don't want to tell me, I'll just ask Mikael when we wake him" it had the desired effect on the vampire since she halted, Rebekah turned around and smiled at her

"You're bluffing, you don't know where he is, no-one does"

"So who's rotting in that old casket?" Artemis said her fingers were tapping against the picture she stiffened when Rebekah stormed towards her

"If you wake Mikael then we are all doomed" Rebekah hissed at her.

"Tell me why then?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Why shouldn't we wake Mikael Rebekah?" Artemis resolved hardened, Rebekah inwardly groaned knowing that the eldest Gilbert teen was stubborn as hell.

"I need to get back to the girls"

Artemis's shoulders slumped "Fine you don't have to tell me. But when you decided you want to talk call me" the only indication that Rebekah had heard her was that she had stopped. Without another word Artemis turned on her heel and headed back to her car, she unlocked it and climbed in. Artemis sighed thinking getting the story off Rebekah may be harder than she had thought.


Artemis arrived at the store and quickly unlocked it and groaned realising how much of a mess her store was, she didn't have the time to deal with it now so she decided to deal with it late. She made her way into the back office and rummaged through her desk drawers pulling out the large book of translations, she jumped when her cell rang. She pulled it out of her bag

"Art when are you?" Alaric asked

"In the store give me fifteen minutes" was her curt reply she hanged up and swore when she couldn't find the large thick book "come on it's here" she knelt down in front of the drawer and pulled out wads of papers and files she sighed when she found it. Artemis grabbed her bag and picked up the dusty book and quickly headed out of the store and locked it up

"Not opening today Art?" Betty asked hobbling down the street

"No, family thing" Artemis smiled "I'll talk to you later Bet. Bye and say hi to Johnny for me"

"Will do, but don't drop by the shop later me and Johnny will-"

"Ok Bet" Artemis yelled "I don't need to know all the dirty details" she left and couldn't help but smile when she heard her loud cackle of laughter.

She drove towards Alaric's apartment complex just as she entered it she felt her cell buzz "Damon?"

"Hey sexy" she could already tell by the tone that he was smirking "so how'd did it go with Rebekah?"

"She's going to tell me" Artemis was climbing up the staircase "She's scared of her dad Damon-"

"Wait are you warming up to her?"

"No" Artemis said immediately "fine I feel sorry for her is that such a bad thing-"

"No because if you didn't you wouldn't be the person I fell in love with-"

"So you do have your cheesy moments" she smiled entered the hunter's apartment. Alaric waved her over she held her finger up in the one minute gesture "this is going to be a power struggle-"

"Make sure she doesn't power struggle you into a will chair-"

"Hey I can handle Elena's and Jeremy's drama I think I can handle hers" Artemis said dropping her bag onto the table by the front door, she pulled out the book.

"So what you up to tonight?"

"Hmm, I have to clean up the store, it's in a mess" Artemis said and saw Alaric staring at her, she could see that he was getting impatience so hurried the conversation up "How's Stefan?"

"Pale, pasty and pouty" Damon replied as she walked over to Alaric and dropped the book down in front of the history teacher. "So Art fancy-"

"Goodbye Damon" Artemis chuckled and hanged up, she glanced over the image of the carvings and saw that he had labelled some of them already "You started?"

"Yep, so I take it that it didn't go well with Rebekah?"

"She'll come around" Artemis sighed "I offered her a sherbet lemon-"

Alaric snorted "Art I don't think that's going to work, she' a thousand year old vampire I'm sure she learnt the art of patience"

Just then her cell buzz she looked down and saw that she had a text from Rebekah 'Come around for a chat'

She held the phone up to Alaric "You were saying? She's a thousand year old vamp who's joined the cheerleading squad. There's a whole set of different rules" she grinned "here you carry on labelling I'll go see her" she went to leave but Alaric called her name

"Art be careful" he instructed

She smiled "I will. You know what brought her around?"

"What?"

"The sherbet lemons" Alaric laughed and shook his head as she exited the apartment.


Artemis walked into the Boarding House and could hear music playing from the parlour she left her bag by the front door and kicked it shut behind her. she walked down the hallway her heels clicked against the floor. She quirked an eyebrow seeing Rebekah there smiling at her

"Hey you made it" she handed the other teen a glass of champaign, Artemis took and was utterly confused she stepped further into the room

"You called me remember?"

"Alright girls" Rebekah called out "have at it"

Artemis eyes widened when a line of girls emerged into the parlour all wearing various cocktail dresses

"Ok now twirl please" the vampire intrustucted

"Oh god I need this" Artemis muttered and downed the whole glass of champaign, her eye followed the obviously compelled group of girls

"So let me get this right" Artemis placed the empty flute down on the side table "you compelled your own private runway show?"

"I need a homecoming dress." Rebekah said like it was the most obvious thing in the world "You are going right-"

"Have to, I'm chaperoning" Artemis said folding her arms across her chest.

"What do you think?" Rebekah pointed to the dresses "pick one" she demanded.

Artemis scoffed "I'm not here to play games Rebekah, the whole reason I came was to find out why you didn't want us to wake Mikael up?"

Rebekah smirked and before Artemis could blink the vampire blurred behind a blond girl and wretched her head aside showing the pale column of the girl' throat, "Pick one" Rebekah said her fang showing.

Artemis's jaw clench "Fine the red one. Happy you psycho?"

"There that wasn't so hard was it? Now go away" she compelled the group of girls and turned to face Artemis "You have no people skills, calling someone a psycho who you want to talk to?"

"As if you can talk" she spat "look I got a tons of things to do, so if you're going to be like this then I guess I can go-"

"You do not threaten me" Rebekah hissed walking over to her, Artemis swallowed trying to get rid of her dry throat "you will learn what I want you to learn. Is that clear?"

"Crystal" without another word Rebekah brushed pass her, Artemis shook her head and followed after the vampire.

"How fun is this?" Rebekah said opening Stefan' bedroom door and waltzed in, Artemis leant against the door frame

"Really? Rebekah snooping through his drawers?" Artemis drawled "how human of you"

Rebekah chuckled "I know right-"

"We shouldn't be here" the brunette said "Stefan's a private guy"

"Hmm but snooping is fun. Looking through his thing ah-"she held up a pair of boxers "boxer briefs, now that is a change from twenties-"

"No offence but this is creepy, looking at my boyfriend's younger brother's underwear?" Artemis tucked in a stray curl her eyes were following the Original vampire's movements "Ok; now this is boring. I don't want to spend my day watching you go through all his things so are you going to tell me your story?" she asked, Rebekah turned to face her leaning her back against the dresser.

"You really are no fun—"

"Hey I'm tons of fun." Artemis defended herself "I gave you a bloody sherbet lemon" she muttered the last part underneath her breath.

Rebekah sighed "What do you want to know?"

"Well I know part of your story; Elijah told me your father was a land owner in Europe, so how did you guys end up here?" Artemis asked hopping on to Stefan' desk, she swung her legs back and forth

"My parents decided to start a family when the plague struck their homeland" Rebekah revealed.

Thank god Artemis thought they were finally beginning to get somewhere. She listened intently

"They lost a child to it" Artemis frowned at that "they wanted to escape and protect their future family from the same fate" she nodded that made sense.

"So how did you end up here?" Artemis repeated her question. "If my history is right this part of the world hasn't been discovered yet."

Rebekah glanced over to her "there's another similarity between you and my brother Elijah, you both enjoy history"

"Well it's my life's work" Artemis shrugged her shoulders "so?"

Rebekah smirked "Not by anyone in your history books. My mother knew the witch Ayanna who heard from the spirits of a mystical land where everyone was healthy. Bless by the gifts of speed and strength. That led my family here, where we lived amongst those people"

Artemis canted her head to the side interested in the story "Werewolves?"

"To us they were just our neighbours, my family lived in peace with them for over twenty years during in which time my family had multiple of children. Including me." She paused

"You make it sound so normal" Artemis commented playing with the hem of her skirt.

"It was" Rebekah uttered gazing out of the window "once a month our family would retreat to the caves the wolves would howl throughout the night. And by morning we would return home." She paused and turned back to face the intrigued brunette "one night my brother Klaus and my youngest brother had snuck out during the night to watch the men turn into beasts. That was forbidden. Henrik paid the price" she then told her what happened "and that was the beginning of the end of the peace between our neighbours" Artemis swallowed stunned at this revelation "and one of the last moments my family had together as humans"

Artemis opened her mouth about to say something but her cell rang

"You better get that. It could be Elena or Damon" Rebekah cleared her throat; the brunette could see that Rebekah was completely lost in her own tale.

"Elena what's up?"

"You wouldn't believe what Damon has done" Elena said frantically. Artemis frowned

"Calm down honey what did the ass do?" she asked

"He freed Stefan and they're in a bar somewhere what should we do?"

Artemis sighed and ran a hand down her face "We can't do anything. Just let them have some time perhaps that's what Stefan needs some time with his brother"

"Art-"

"No Elena. Stay out of it. I'll talk to Damon ok, but for now leave them be. Got it?" Artemis said sternly. Elena sighed "Ok" she said quietly

"It'll be ok Elena trust me" without another word she hanged up.

"Family issues or relationship issues?" Rebekah drawled.

Artemis rolled her eyes and dialled Damon's number "Both" she muttered

"Art, how you're doing she hasn't torn your throat out yet then?" Damon asked picking up straight away

"Unlike you dear I don't happen to piss everyone off straight away." He laughed

"You got me there so-"

"Ah uh. You hush, I got a call from Elena she said you freed Stefan why-"

"I had to" Damon told her "it's something I needed to do"

Artemis paused and licked her lips "Ok, I trust you. So good luck"

"Good luck you to you to, sexy" she couldn't help but smile and hanged up.


Artemis huffed she had now moved over the Stefan's armchair and rested her feet on his desk whilst watching Rebekah was laying down on his bed looking through his journal.

"Seriously have you had your fill of snooping yet? My ass is starting to fall asleep" Artemis rolled her eyes twirling one of her curls "can we get on with the story?"

Rebekah sat up throwing the journal down, Artemis leant back in her seat as the blond waltzed over to the desk picking up a picture of Stefan and Elena. The couple looked truly happy there.

"Honestly I don't get them as a couple. You and Damon for some reason I do get, you match each other. Keep each other on your toes. But her and Stefan?"

"She and Stefan have that epic romance thing going on, or they use to till your brother came in to the picture. But why would you get them, you don't really know anything about Stefan or who he is now do you?" Artemis commented, picking up another frame. It was a group picture of the Gilbert teens and the pair of Salvatore brothers.

Rebekah dropped the picture back onto the desk and leant forward so that they were eye level "I know exactly who he is. He is a vampire and we are a predatory species and we don't have time to care about humans or their silly little lives"

"I beg to differ" Artemis mumbled she cocked an eyebrow "but you obviously do care about humans silly little lives since you did that runway show. So it shows you care about a homecoming dance" she countered Rebekah straightened up. Artemis sighed and got onto her feet

"I'm going to get back to my silly little life, see ya around-"

"You haven't heard half the story" Rebekah commented as Artemis walked towards the door

"And you're not going to tell me it" Artemis uttered "Your bored, I'm bored and you want someone to push around. Goodbye Rebekah"

She turned around but paused hearing Rebekah "The necklace wasn't Stefan's to give; it belonged to the Original witch." Artemis faced her and folded her arms across her chest

"The witch that put the hybrid curse on Klaus?"

"Not just the hybrid curse" Artemis brows furrowed "she's the one who turned us into vampires"

Artemis hopped back on to the desk as Rebekah carried on with the story. She stopped "I'm thirty do you want a drink" she walked

"Oh you've got to be kidding me" Artemis muttered under her breath running after her "and I thought Damon was annoying"

They walked down the stairs Rebekah had explained a little more to the story.

"So vampirism is a form of protection?" Artemis asked falling into step beside her

"What else would it be?"

"Anything else but that, maybe a curse?"

"My parents saw it as a way to keep their children alive" Rebekah replied they had gotten to the bottom of the staircase.

"Why didn't you just leave?" Artemis asked "if they were afraid of the wolves"

"Pride" Rebekah said taking the lead now "my father didn't want to run anymore. He wanted to fight and be superior to the wolves. Where they could bite we had to bite harder. Where they had speed we had to be faster, agility and strength"

Artemis was miffed at that, she had never looking at being a vampire like that, and she always felt they were condemned to spend the rest of their eternity in a constant state.

"So Ayanna refused and now it was in her hands?" they were walking into the parlour "how could she do anything?"

"Because my mother was also a witch" Rebekah said Artemis eyes widened she was putting the pieces together "I can see the cogs in your head turning spit it out dear"

"You're the Original family and she was a witch. She's the Original witch?"

"Ta da. And you've got it; I always knew you was smart" Rebekah smirked walking pass her "so where's their vintage stuff?"

"If you're mother was the Original witch are you-"

"Am I one? No. a witch is nature's servant a vampire is an abomination of nature." Rebekah said as she rummaged through Damon's liquor drawer. Artemis rolled her eyes and pulled out a bottle

"Here. This is the best one" she handed it over to the blond.

"You can either be one or the other. Never both, my mother did us first she did not turn" Artemis watched as the vampire walked around the couch.

"How did you turn then?" she asked

"She called upon the sun for life, and the ancient white oak tree. One of nature's eternal objects for immortality. That night my father offered us wine laced with blood and then he drove his sword through our hearts"

Artemis's eyes widened at that "Your own father killed you?"

"He wasn't delicate about it either" Rebekah ripped the top off the bottle off and threw it in the fire. She then told Artemis the rest of the story, they had both relocated over to the couch, and Artemis took the offered drink and listened. Today was turning out not the way she had expected truth be told.

"We had to drink more blood to complete the ritual. It was euphoric the feeling of power was indescribable. But the witch Ayanna was right about the consequences." She then went on to explain how the sun burnt them. How they were shut out of their neighbours home. And how the flowers around the white oak tree would burn them and prevent them from compelling anyone.

Rebekah stood up moving over to the fireplace. Artemis also got onto her feet "And the spelled decreed that the tree that gave us life can also take us away. So we burnt it to the ground" she paused finishing off her drink "but the darkest consequence was something my parents never anticipated. The hunger"

Artemis nodded watching her. it was as if the vampire was lost in her past memories as she told her the story.

"Blood had made us reborn, and it was blood that we craved above all else. We could not control it." Rebekah said "And with that the predatory spices were born"

"Ok I get that. But why did Mikael start hunting Klaus?" Artemis asked that was the biggest question hanging in the air.

"When Nik made he's first human kill it triggered his werewolf gene." Rebekah poured herself another drink "with that he became my father's greatest shame."

"Elijah said that part your mother had affair with one of the werewolves. Klaus wasn't his son"

"She tried to make it right. She put the hybrid curse on Nik to supress his werewolf side. She turned her back on him"

Whoa thought Artemis, turned out the Original witch was a cold hearted bitch.

"And Mikael's greatest weakest was his pride. And as a vampire that was magnified" Rebekah stoked the vampire "he went on a rampage and killed half the village. And then he came and killed her"

"Your mother?" Artemis voice shook; it was getting too much to comprehend

"He said she broke his heart so he would break hers" Rebekah stood up and turned to face her "he tore it from her chest as Nik watched. That's when my father took off and the rest of us scattered. Nik stayed so he could help me bury her" this was the first time Artemis realised how much Rebekah cared for her brother. "He knew I had to say goodbye to her"

Artemis felt pity for the vampire; she could see the lost look in her blue eyes. She saw that Rebekah was truly a lost little girl. She told the next part of the story.

"So you made a pact. Always and forever, but he locked you in a coffin for ninety years" Artemis said

"We're vampires our emotions are heightened, I'm stubborn Elijah moral and Nik…Nik has no tolerance for those who disappoint him" Rebekah said "over a thousand years as a family we all had made that mistake at least once. I've made it several times"

"So after all he's done you still love him?" Artemis frowned.

"He's my brother Artemis. You of all people should know we will forgive our siblings no matter what" Rebekah walked over to her "you heard the story and now it's time to go" she was closing herself off. The vampire grew annoyed when the seer didn't budge "I said leave Artemis. I don't know what you're up to but I want no part in this-"

"Hey I was just looking for a reason not to wake Mikael." Artemis held up her hands in surrender sign

"I gave you a thousand, I'm not stupid you want to find a way to kill Klaus –"

"Can you blame me?" Artemis snapped "He killed the people I cared about; he's got a hold on Stefan's life mine and my sister"

Rebekah scowled "Do what you need. Wake Mikael at your own peril. But if you come after my brother I will rip you apart.-"

"Well then we have one thing in common don't we? come near my family and I will hunt you down-"

"You know if you could match me you would make a worthy oppnonet, now leave"

Artemis walked passed her "Thanks for story time" she called over her shoulder


Artemis entered the caves and saw Elena, Bonnie and Alaric standing there

"So this is where everyone is?" she commnented startling the pair

"Geeze why does everyone have a thing for sneaking around" Elena muttered "Have you spoken to Damon?"

"Yep, him and Stefan are bonding" she gave them the short story of what Rebekah had told her

"Wow, serious?" Elena breathed after hearing the part where Mikael killed the original witch

"Yeah" Artemis nodded and looked over to the cave walls. "So what you've got?"

"We filled in as much as we could" Alaric replied "Vampires, werewolves. Etc, etc.-"Artemis nodded and took Elena's flash light so she can get a better look.

"That's the white oak tree, and this must be the part where they burned it down to the ground" Artemis said

"Ok so tree equals weapon" Bonnie nodded "but we already knew that. What we're not sure about is this" Alaric shined the light on to the dank stone walls. Artemis narrowed her eyes trying to decipher the image. "We've got the wood symbol and what we assume a bleeding heart. Upside down figures usually signify death so-"

"Yeah Mikael killed the witch by ripping out her heart" she frowned spotting something "then why is that one connected to the witch's death?"

"I don't know we haven't gotten that far yet" Elena said frowning.

"Holy shit, that's the sign of the hybrid. Rebekah doesn't know the whole story" Artemis muttered and without another word she ran out of the caves.


Artemis had a quick pit stop at Alaric's place and picked up all the pictures she had taken. When she had grabbed them she drove to the Boarding House and marched in.

"I thought I told you to leave" Rebekah said.

"Well for one thing this isn't your house. And I have to tell you something" Rebekah looked at her "how did you know Mikael killed your mother?"

"Nik was there-"

Artemis scoffed "Yeah and he's always truthful. He lied to you Rebekah and I'm sorry" her toned had softened

"How do you know that?"

Artemis walked towards her coming to a stop so that there were couple of inches away from each other

"Those caves drawings your family names is covered in symbols. It's the story of how your parents arrived" Artemis laid down the pictures "how they made peace. The spell that turned them into vampires and this" she placed the last picture down. She pointed at it "This is the symbol for hybrid. Combination of both werewolf and vampire. And this is the one for your mother.

"Her necklace" Rebekah said looking at her

Artemis nodded "And this is the story of her death. The hybrid killed the Original witch; your father didn't kill her it was Klaus"

Rebekah shook her head "No, no he wouldn't"

"She put the curse on him so that he would be the only one of his kind. And then she rejected him. You know as well as I do with the werewolf gene comes aggression and violence. And when he turned it was all heightened. He lied Rebekah he made up this entire story. So he wouldn't lose" Rebekah snarled and picked up the pictures

"These mean nothing they're just stupid drawing which were done by stupid people who didn't know anything about my family" she threw them into the fire

"Rebekah you know it's true" Artemis said softly "otherwise you wouldn't be so upset."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Rebekah shouted

"Because you deserve the truth" she yelled back "your whole life you've been lied to, he killed her Rebekah. He doesn't view you as his equal you're like us. He has a hold on you. But you can help stop-"she was cut off when Rebekah slammed her against the wall and was cutting off Artemis's air supply.

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP. STOP TALKING DON'T SAY ANYTHING" she screeched. "JUST LEAVE" Rebekah abruptly let her go and took a step back Artemis swallowed and turned her back and was about to leave but heard sobbing. She looked over her shoulder and saw Rebekah on her knees crying.

Without thinking Artemis dropped down beside her and surprised the vampire by pulling her into a hug

"I thought I told you to leave" Rebekah's voice shook

"You did, but I didn't listen. Everyone needs someone Rebekah" she muttered and was stunned when Rebekah returned the embrace. The blond sobbed into her shoulder, Artemis ran her hand up and down her back holding her in a way that she usually held her own siblings when they were upset.


Artemis arrived home and headed straight for her room

"Did you tell her?" Elena asked from her bedroom

"Yeah. I think she's going to switch sides. But you can never be too careful" Artemis uttered

"Ar-"

"Goodnight Elena. Go to sleep. I'm not in the mood"

Elena could see that the elder teen was exhausted so nodded and quietly shut her bedroom door.

Artemis flicked the lights on in her own room and quickly changed out of her clothes and into a pair of shorts and a camisole. She crawled into bed and rolled over, she felt a pulse of air and opened her eyes

"Damon-"

"How was your day?" he asked whilst taking off his clothes so that he was only dressed in a pair of boxers. He climbed in beside Artemis and pulled her towards him. She rested her head on his chest.

"Exhausting, yours?"

"I've got a breakthrough from Stefan" Damon said. Stroking her back "What?" he asked seeing the look on her face.

Artemis shifted so she was looking down at him her thick hair created a curtain around them it tickled his skin "I find it curious that you spent one day with him and you're got a breakthrough from him. But Elena she's been trying and got nothing"

"So?" he murmured sliding his hand up the nape of her neck

"So I think you're going to save him. Not Elena and for some odd reason I think she knows as well. Because she would've been ranting at me about you"

He smiled at her and tugged her down and kissed her on the lips, Artemis pulled back resting her temple in the crook of his neck.

"And what did you learn today about Barbie Klaus?"

Her lips twitched in amusement at hearing Damon's nick-name for her. She sighed quietly shifting ever so slightly so that she was draped across him

"I learned that she's no different from me, Elena or any other teenage girl. And that she's got the rug pulled from beneath her feet." Artemis uttered and yawned "Can I tell you the rest tomorrow?" she muttered her voice was slurred slightly from exhaustion

"Sure" Damon grip on her tightened as she snuggled against him "One more thing though, you don't need to clean up the store though I've done it for you" when he didn't get a reply he looked down and saw that she was fast asleep. "Damn do something nice and she's not even awake to thank me."


AN: Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Thanks to those who reviewed. Outfit link on profile.

So in this very long Chap. at the beginning we see Damon confronting Arty about what happened. A Darty moment happened. Alaric led her and Elena in to the caves. where Arty beats Damon with her torch. she discovers the carvings in the wall. Art and Damon spar later since Elena's not challenging him enough. Arty talks to Rebekah and ends up at the Boarding House where she tells her the story. In the end Art finds out the truth and tells Rebekah about what Klaus has done. she comforts the vampire, but doesn't fully trust her. Damon and Art have another moment.

Next chap- Homecoming.

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