A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's….though I wished I owned the rest…*sighs*


Andie hurried down the steps with Damon bringing up the rear.

"I'm late," she flung the jacket on and checked her hair and makeup in the mirror. "I'm covering the story about the Historical Society's high tea."

"Woo hoo," Damon flung his hands up in sarcasm. The scarf in his hands fluttered about him as Andie rolled her eyes. The bandage on her neck contrasted against her subtle yet graceful attire.

"Yeah it's for a visiting writer who's writing a book on small town Virginia," she wrapped her hands around Damon's arm as they walked towards the door.

"A writer eh? What's his name?"

"Elijah Smith," Andie shifted her hair around as Damon carefully concealed the bandage.

"His last name's not Smith!" Damon huffed.

"Well if anyone asks about us I'll say we hit it off," Andie smiled sweetly. "You're charming, sweet and funny."

Damon held her face in his hands and let his hypnotic stare compel her, "And falling hard."

"You could be the one," she responded. Damon smiled and opened the door and kissed her chastely.

"Have a good day honey," he waved her off just as Alaric came up the steps. His face fell at the sight that was Andie Star leaving the house. What the Hell was going on?

"Oh, hey Alaric," she greeted the hunter.

"Hi," he battled to keep his rising emotions in check. Alaric read her posture and body language, confirming his initial suspicions.

"Rick….uh hi," the vampire smiled coyly. He felt a dead weight in the pit of his stomach as the pained expression slowly came over the human's face.

Damn it!

"Care to explain what's going on?" He hitched a thumb over his shoulder. "I came over to see what happened after you brought Brooklyn home because we were concerned about you but I guess you're coping just fine!"

"Rick wait," Damon blocked his path.

"Wait for what Damon? For you to stand here and lie to me! In case you forgot I can tell when you're lying. Do you realize what this will do to Brooklyn! She's back home resting, worried sick about you!"

"It's not what you think," Damon hissed.

"Really now! For some reason I don't think I'll believe anything you say."

Damon knew Alaric would tell Brooklyn everything he saw. He had to act fast!

The vampire rushed the human, slamming him against the wall. Alaric felt the air rushing from his lungs as Damon pinned his forearm to his throat. With one sharp motion he ripped the ring from Alaric's hand, leaving the human vulnerable to Damon's will.

"Now you listen to me," he locked eyes with his lover. "Andie is my spy and nothing more."

"Right," Alaric whispered.

"I am not sleeping with Andie," that part was true as Damon couldn't bring himself to do it. Though he and Andie had come close the previous night, the vampire had instead let Andie fall asleep in the bed as he retreated to the safety of amber gold.

Damon released Alaric and took a step back to allow for him to regain his composure. Guilt burdened his mind as he looked hard into Alaric's eyes. They were empty pools, void of any emotion, emotion that been raging bright moments before. His ring was back on his finger like nothing had happened.

"Anyways, I'm glad you're here. I have something to show you."

Alaric followed Damon into the study where the dagger and ash were kept.

"John Gilbert says this how we kill an Original," he presented the dagger for Alaric to look at. "You have to stab him with ash from a white oak that dates back to the Originals."

"Do you think it's a set up?" Alaric examined the dagger closely.

"Probably, because he's a weasel," Damon sneered. "I wouldn't put it past him."

It pained Damon to see Alaric so oblivious but it was for the best. He watched Alaric continue to look over the blade, noting how careful and gentle his hands were across the hilt and edges of the weapon. For a moment he thought of when those hands caressed and stroked him as they did the dagger that juggled between his fingers.

"So what are your plans for the day?" He suppressed the thoughts to recesses of his mind, keeping his back turned to Alaric as to not show his pain.

"Well Brooklyn and I got wrangled into helping with the Historical Society thing," he sighed.

"Well Elijah is the guest of honor," Damon grinned wickedly.

"You're not gonna kill him are you!" Alaric ran his hand down his face.

"No of course not! I want to know his endgame before I kill him," Damon tapped the top of the blade against Alaric's jacket. Alaric's brow was furrowed with deep disapproval as Damon continued to downplay his antics. "Besides it's about time he and I officially met."

"Don't do anything stupid," Alaric cautioned. "Brook made the deal with him."

"I have nothing but her best interests in mind Rick," he grinned and patted the side of Alaric's cheek before leaving to get ready.


Tyler trotted out the door to his car but came to a dead halt as Brooklyn stood leaning against the driver's side.

"What do you want?" He was cordial though Brooklyn wouldn't be.

"We need to have a talk," she pushed off the door with one boot. Her arms were crossed over her chest as the wind lightly whipped through her hair.

"About what?" Tyler demanded impatiently.

"Let's get a few things straight," she rushed the teen shoving him against the massive oak. "Damon didn't kill Mason! I did! I killed Mason!"

"What!"

"Yeah Jules lied to you," Brooklyn shoved off and away. "Mason begged me to do it."

"No," Tyler shook his head in disbelief.

"Afraid so," Brooklyn nodded sadly. "I'm sorry it had to end the way it did Tyler."

"You're lying to cover for Damon," he rattled a finger in anger towards her.

"No he was covering for me," Brooklyn corrected him.

"Why? Why are you on their side!"

"It's complicated," Brooklyn didn't want to divulge her conflicted relationship with the vampire. "But then again what are you doing hanging around with Jules? I mean she lied to you and was ready to kill Caroline when you should've stood up for her! But no you just stood there and watched!"

"You don't understand," Tyler spat.

"Don't I now? Did Jules tell you that it was Mason who passed the curse to me? That he was going to rip me away from the people I love?"

"No…."

"Well now you do," Brooklyn got within inches of the teen's face then did an abrupt about face and headed towards the main doors of the house leaving Tyler to his thoughts.

Brooklyn felt her phone vibrate and saw the text from Bonnie.

Going to find out what Luka knows about curse….

She quickly punched a short response.

Be careful ok?

Brooklyn shoved her phone in her pocket and took the steps two by two.


Elijah took a sip of tea, savoring the delicate Earl Grey blend. It had been too long since he had been privy to a fine exquisite brew. His sharp hearing had honed in on the tense and heated exchange between Brooklyn and Tyler. The Original had to admit the hunter wasn't afraid to set the record straight, even if it meant doing it on Tyler's territory.

His eyes wandered through the crowd and noticed Jenna talking to Carol Lockwood about society business as a few of the local media personalities had arrived including Andie Star. But it was the striking red head his sights were set on.

"Brooklyn," he waved at the hunter. Brooklyn nodded and made a straight line towards the vampire. "So good to see your radiant presence."

"Save the flattery for some poor human," she took the cup and saucer Elijah extended out towards her. "I know you're working with Luka and Jonas. You should've told me."

"I apologize my dear but I felt it was wise to withhold that," his voice was calm and level.

"Well Jonas paid a visit to Rick's and let's say I had to pull a Ragan on him."

"Ah so your abilities are awakening."

"Yep," Brooklyn took a drink. "If Damon shows up, and he will, please don't do anything to hurt him."

"Well that shall depend on Damon."

"Elijah there you are!" Carol Lockwood strolled up. She was dressed in a sharp black and white dress with matching blazer. It was Prada no doubt as the woman refused to wear anything less. She noticed Brooklyn and greeted the hunter with a genuine smile.

"Brooklyn, I am so glad you and Alaric could help me out. Jenna couldn't have wrangled all of this alone."

"Oh no problem," Brooklyn smiled. "Jenna was thrilled to get the extra hands."

She spotted Alaric entering the doorway and quickly excused herself leaving Elijah alone with the mayor.

"Glad you made it," she lightly kissed his lips. "Damon's gonna be here I know it."

"Yeah well Damon has a new recruit in his campaign against Elijah," Alaric wished there was whiskey in the tea. He felt Brooklyn turn apprehensive then anxious as her eyes scanned the crowd of faces.

"Really who is it?" Brooklyn bit her lip so hard and nearly drew blood in the process.

"Andie Star," he raced through her name in one breath.

"Wait the news reporter? What the Hell is he thinking?"

"He's not," Alaric muttered beneath his breath.


"You came," Andie said wistfully and greeted Damon with a kiss in front of Jenna.

"Damon hi," Jenna was pleasantly surprised to see him cozy with Andie. "I see you two are rather friendly all of a sudden."

"Yes, thank you for introducing us," Damon flashed his best smile before leaving Andie with Jenna.

"Wow…." Andie glowed like a star struck teenager as she watched him schmooze with the mayor.

"Damon," Carol took his hand and exchanged short pecks on the cheek.

"Carol, so good to see you!"

"Damon I would like to introduce you to Elijah Smith," instantly the vampire's features darkened as his eyes rested upon the Original. Elijah felt no love lost between them as he too hardened his stare. "Elijah, this is Damon Salvatore. Damon's family was one of the original Founding Families of Mystic Falls."

"Elijah, it's a pleasure to meet you," Damon feigned enthusiasm as he extended his hand. Elijah accepted the offer as a gesture of civility and casually replied, "The pleasure's all mine."


John Gilbert watched as Damon and Elijah slipped into a side room as Alaric and Brooklyn watched. He sensed an opportunity to wreak trouble for the couple and started towards them.

Brooklyn caught John's scent and instantly groaned and cringed.

"What is Damon doing with Elijah?" He demanded.

"How would we know?" Alaric gritted his teeth and held his tongue.

"Because you're his little helper among other things," John didn't attempt to disguise his disgust.

"Whatever you wanna believe John," Alaric smirked and rolled his eyes.

"What do you want John? Don't have you have someone else to go terrorize this week?"

Alaric shielded her from John as the elder Gilbert carried on with his threats.

"Does Liz know about your extracurricular activities with Damon? About how you're sleeping with a vampire right under the Council's nose?"

"You must have a death wish."

"Is that a threat Brooklyn? I believe you just threatened me."

"You're a dick," Alaric had enough of John's little twisted game.

"That ring Isobel gave you? That's mine and I want it back," John eyed the blue and silver shining on Alaric's finger.

"Fat chance Johnny Boy," Brooklyn shook her head. "Guess you'll just have to look both ways when crossing the street."

John knew Brooklyn could and would make good on her threat but if she dared to try and do it, hers and Alaric's little secret would be thrown in the open. The couple watched as John sauntered away leaving them both guessing as to what he would do next.


"Damon what can I do for you?" Elijah stood in the center of the room. "Where is Elena?"

"Safe with Stefan; although you already know where Brooklyn is. You see we've had a bit of a werewolf problem as of late. But then again you already were aware of that since it was your witch that saved the day."

"And by the way you're welcome," Elijah didn't expect a reciprocating response.

"Which leaves Alaric and I confused as to exactly why you're here," Damon leaned comfortably against a desk.

"Why don't you stay focused on keeping Brooklyn safe and leave the rest to me," the Original gave a shielded smile. It was almost as if he was recalling an obscure inside joke. Elijah started for the door but Damon swiftly blocked his path.

"Not good enough."

Elijah didn't answer and grappled Damon by the throat, hurling the vampire against the opposite wall but never relenting his hold on the younger vampire. Damon struck out and wrapped his fingers around the ancient cool throat and hoped for leverage against Elijah.

"Young vampires," he lightly choked and peeled Damon's fingers off with ease. Damon's eyes went wide in surprise as he winced in discomfort. "So arrogant; you dare to come here and challenge me."
"You can't kill me," Damon struggled to speak. "It's not part of the deal."

"Silence," Elijah lightly smiled. His fingers reached around and behind his back, landing over a pencil. In a sharp violent stroke, the wooden pencil was lodged deep into Damon's throat. Damon tumbled to the floor as he tugged and jerked at the makeshift weapon. Elijah calmly watched and pulled out a handkerchief. The smell of iron and copper twisted in the air as ribbons of crimson streaked the vampire's hand and fingers. His ring was coated with a sticky film of red as he dislodged the pencil.

"I'm an Original," Elijah passed the clean pressed linen over, "Show some respect."

Damon's contorted and twisted expressions of pain provided some gratification for the Original as he hovered over Damon.

"When you no longer prove to be of use to me, you're dead. Keep Brooklyn safe."

Elijah patted the side of the vampire's cheek before crossing the room and casually stepping out.

Seconds later Brooklyn burst in with Alaric lured by the scent of blood. She spotted Damon on his hands and knees as he continued to slowly writhe in agony.

"Damon," they dropped to the floor and tended to his needs. Alaric pressed the cloth against his throat, careful not to inflict any further pain. Brooklyn saw the blood upon his fingers, finding herself drawing in the crimson digits. Damon watched as she slowly closed her eyes and enveloped each finger with delicate precision. The vampire's pain faded away as the tender warmth chased it away.

"What the Hell is going on?"

Brooklyn's eyes flashed open and she dropped Damon's hand before spinning around coming face to face with Andie.

Uh oh...What is Damon to do?