"Wakey, wakey" a voice purred into Artemis's ear, she huffed and pulled the cover her head

"Go away" she whined and rolled over. But there was a firm grip around her waist and flipped her over. Artemis landed on something hard, she groaned and blinked away her hazy vision, she jumped coming face to face with Damon

"Damon" she groaned sitting up so that she was straddling his hips, he shifted slightly so that his back was resting against the headboard. "What's going on?" she yawned wiping the sleep away from her eyes. Damon lightly pushed away her fallen curls gently caressing her face.

"You know you can pull off any look, and still look sexy. I mean your hair is a freaking mess and you got a bit of drool right-" she whacked his hand away and ran her fingers through her hair "Ok I can tell you're not in the mood-"

"You got that damn right" she mumbled and nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck "but you know what would cheer me up?" she murmured kissing his neck; she smirked feeling his whole body shudder. Artemis nipped and licked his skin, she let out a quiet moan when his hands dropped onto her bottom and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"What?" his voice was low and husky "what would cheer you up?" he sighed when she kissed the corner of his lips. Her lips met his in a slow and sensual kiss.

"If I could go back to sleep" she grinned and rolled off of him and snuggled back into her blankets. Damon's eyes widened and he stared up at the ceiling it took him a minute to realise what just happened

"You're a tease" he frowned

"Don't worry dear" Artemis sighed patting his cheek "you'll get over it"

Damon rolled his eyes and rolled over so that now she was pinned beneath him, Artemis sighed and opened her eyes

"Can I-"she gasped when he dragged his hand up her bare thigh "Damon what are you doing?" she squeaked when he pulled the covers off of her. And shifted himself so that he was kneeling in between her legs

"Waking you up" he smirked; there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Her breath hitched when he kissed her thigh she fisted her hands into the covers of her pillows as she felt his tongue slide up her inner thigh.

"Damon" her back arched off of the bed when he gently bit down on her skin. He used one hand and placed it on her thigh whilst the over caressed her lower stomach. Artemis bit down on her lower lip to stop herself from crying out in pleasure. Damon pulled back and much to her amazement he licked the blood off.

He crawled over her so that his lips were hovering above hers, before she could blink he kissed her hard on the lips she could taste her own blood but she didn't find it at all repulsive, in fact she found it a huge turn on.

The battle for dominance didn't at all last long, the vampire had easily won. He ran his fingers through her thick hair whilst Artemis's hands roamed his back and slid beneath his top.

"Ok, so now do I have your full attention?" he asked pulling back, he braced his weight on his arms but other than that he didn't move.

"You're a prick" she muttered she was wide awake and was now tingling everywhere

"Not something I usually hear after giving a girl a good time" he muttered and kissed the tip of her nose.

Artemis got her breathing back to normal and placed her arms around his neck. He felt her tugging his hair "So what is it that you wanted to tell me?"

"Well I was meant to tell you last night but you fell asleep on me" he smirked seeing her blushing

"Yeah sorry about that" she muttered sheepishly.

Damon shook his head "I didn't mind. Anyway we've got Mikael"

Artemis eyes widened at that she immediately sat up but yelped when she banged her forehead against her boyfriend's one.

"Sore?" Damon asked in amusement, sitting up he pulled her up as well

"Understatement what the hell? Is your head made of bloody brick?" she muttered rubbing the sore spot.

"No" Damon massaged her temple soothing the sore skin "but Stefan said he's able to lure Klaus back to Mystic Falls."

"Well that's something. Everything can go back to normal then" a real smile spread across her face.

"Yep. So come on, we've got a meeting at the Boarding House" Damon said he kissed her cheek "be there in ten minutes. Oh by the way Elena knows already she's waiting for ya"

With that he was gone. Artemis shook her head and swung her legs out of bed she hurriedly got dressed and pulled her hair into a messy bun.

"ART" Elena yelled

"Coming" she slipped on a pair of converses and grabbed her bag and leather jacket. She headed downstairs and saw Elena waiting by the front door

"Ready?"

"Yep let's move" Artemis smiled slamming the front door behind her. She wasn't too surprise seeing how eager the younger girl was, since she knew like her Elena also wanted this all to be over and didn't want to be a blood bag for the rest of her life.


"Glad you're here." Stefan smirked "Oh Art, is that a bite? What have you-"Damon slapped him on the back of his head

"Grow up Stefan" Damon snapped and pulled Artemis into the house

"Rich coming from you" Stefan uttered

"Really?" Elena asked "can we get on with this"

"Sure" Stefan said, Artemis, Elena and Damon followed the ripper down the corridor and they entered the den

"Alright we say Mikael followed Art and Elena in here" he started "he tried to grab you both so he could use you two as bait-"

"And what?" Elena and Artemis both came to a stop, the elder Gilbert teen felt Damon's chest brush against her back, "You vervained him?"

"No we vervained him" Damon said resting his chin atop Artemis's head; he wrapped his arms around her waist. She smothered down a smile knowing now was definitely not an appropriate time. She felt incredibly safe in his arms at the moment. "The guy is an Original we have to at least make it realistic"

"That makes sense" Artemis muttered

"Ok fine, we vervained him. In the process we discovered he had the dagger-"

"Which he planned to use on Rebekah-"Elena started

"But we drove it through his heart" Stefan finished off. "But which one of you should we say did the deed-"

"Arty" Damon said "after all we do want to make it realistic. Plus she's got previous on daggering an Original"

"You make it sound like I got a record" Artemis elbowed him "another problem though, what would we do if he wants to see Mikael's body?"

"Oh good point, you my brother had been compelled to do what Klaus said. So the idea to lure him back here and kill him. Last thing we need is for you to get tripped up and tongue tied."

Artemis looked at Stefan he saw the expression on both hers and Elena's faces "Don't look at me, I'm just in charge of getting back here"

Artemis le out a sigh leaning back slightly against Damon's chest "Klaus is smart, he's been on the run for a thousand years. If we tell him that Mikael is dead then he will want proof" she could see the large hole in their plan.

"Then I shall be dead" Mikael entered the room, Artemis eyebrows shot to her hairline so this is the Original children father. She walked down the steps and felt Elena next to her

"And how are you going to do that?" Artemis asked looking at him, her eyes landed on the dagger and the pot of white oak ash "ok that answers my question but what if he wants to see you in person?"

Mikael smirked at her "It means our plan is working. Klaus would absolutely want to see my body. You lure him here and I would kill him"

"Just like that?" Artemis asked this was very déjà vu like, it reminded her of the conversation she had with Elijah. Damn she thought that seemed like eons ago,

"Just like that" he nodded

"With what though?" Stefan asked coming to stand on the other side of Elena "those daggers won't work on him"

"Well" Mikael uttered unfolding the napkin "I'm in possession of a stake fashioned from the wood of the ancient white oak tree. The one that left these ashes when it burnt" he unscrewed the cap of the small jar.

"Where is it?" Damon asked

"Not here" the Original answered sticking the dagger into the small jar "Its location is my insurance policy."

"Against what?" Stefan crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"You leaving this in my heart" he held up the dagger "you see a vampire can't dagger an Original unless dying. So it falls-"his eyes darted between the female brunettes and they settled on Artemis "to you"

"You actually want me to dagger you?" Artemis asked in disbelief taking the dagger off of him.

"Klaus will leave nothing chance." Mikael explained looking at her "especially when it comes to trust. So do it"

Artemis gulped and looked down at the dagger twirling it in her hands. She finally nodded "Let's do it then"

She took in a deep breath as Stefan took a seat in the armchair "Ready?" she asked softly

"Yes" Mikael nodded. Artemis exhaled quietly and plunged the dagger into the Original's heart, he dropped to the ground. His peachy skin colored transformed into an ashen grey colour.

"Now brother" Damon drawled "I think you've got a phone call to make"

Stefan nodded as Elena handed him his phone. They all watched from the side lines as Stefan called the hybrid "Your father is dead"

"Way to be blunt Stefan" Artemis muttered and was about to add something else when Damon placed his hand over her mouth silencing her. She glared at him be he merely cocked an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes and looked back over to Stefan "Oh my mistake not your actual father. Mikael is dead." Damon removed his hand but remained close to her. "Daggered" Stefan added on "what do you want me to do with the body?"

They then listened to the story that they had concocted moments before. Artemis silently prayed that Klaus was buying it. "Well he's here. Come by whenever" he said casually standing over Mikael's body "It's true."

Artemis chewed on her bottom lip anxiously whilst listening to the conversation at hand. "I saw it with my own eyes" there was another moment of silence "well that's not a problem she's right here"

Leaning against the doorway was Rebekah, her expression was blank. Stefan held out the cell phone to her, after a moment she took it

"Hello Nik" Rebekah said calmly Artemis nodded encouragingly at her "it's true. He's finally out of our lives for good. I miss you, I'm miserable here."

Artemis felt sorry for the vampire she looked over to Damon who smiled at her easing some of her nerves

"Good I'll see you then brother" Rebekah hanged up and looked over to the group "he bought it, now he's coming home" without another word she hanged up on him. Artemis stared after her; she was in two minds about the blond Original.

"Well that was easy" Damon smirked.

Artemis sighed "Yeah…let's get this over with" she bent down beside Mikael and pulled the dagger out of his heart. She stood back up and looked down at the Original "Now all we have to do is wait." She looked down at the dagger and decided to take it with her. Stefan and Elena weren't paying much attention. Her boyfriend however didn't bat an eyelid seeing her do this he didn't expect anything less.

"You staying for the night?" Damon asked

"No. I've got to be up early tomorrow" Artemis replied as he walked her to the door, Elena was having a few words with Stefan

"Are you chaperoning?"

"Have to" Artemis uttered and kissed him on the lips, she could hear Elena walking down the corridor "I'll swing by tomorrow" she said he nodded and made sure she got to her car. Just as she buckled up Elena climbed in beside her.

"The dagger is gone" she said as Artemis pulled out of the driveway

"Hmm. Rebekah is flaky I wouldn't put it pass her to switch sides at the last minute."

"So what you're going to dagger her?" Elena asked surprised "I thought you liked her or trust-"

Artemis snorted "Remember the last time we trusted an Original?" the younger teen knew she was referring to Elijah "we got screwed over. I'm not going to risk that happening again"

Elena nodded "That's a good idea, we need-"

"To come up with another plan" Artemis said they were close to home "Mikael's an Original who's been hunting Klaus for over a thousand years. So I wouldn't put it pass him to use anything or anyone to get what he wanted" She pulled up to the house

"Does this plan have anything to do with Stefan?" Elena asked as they climbed out of the car

"No. he's been compelled to tell Klaus the truth and he can't know" Artemis replied as they entered the house. "I need a shower and some food hopefully Damon would come up with something." she muttered.


It was the next morning and Artemis was currently rummaging through her closer she grabbed various dresses and padded barefooted down the hall and walked into Elena's room, where her sister was also going through her closet and spotted Bonnie on the bed.

"Art-"

"I need help" Artemis declared "which dress?" she asked she was holding up two dresses one was purple the other a champagne colored one.

"The champagne one" Bonnie said "makes your skin look more brighter"

Artemis grinned at her "Thanks" she said dropping the dresses on to the wooden chair in Elena's room. She plopped down beside Bonnie and picked up one of the pictures she had taken. She glanced over to her sister. The witch laughed seeing the look on Artemis's face

"What?" Elena asked confused

"Ergh please tell me you're not wearing that. It's ugly" Artemis said bluntly. Elena huffed and stomped her foot down like a little child

"It's official I have nothing to wear to homecoming" Elena said putting the dress back

"So don't go all of us-"

Artemis shook her head "I'm a chaperone so I have to go-"

"Alright, Elena why don't we stay in and study these hieroglyphic thingies with Alaric"

"We have to go as well. Otherwise Caroline will kill us" Elena laughed holding up another dress but put it back when Artemis shook her head.

"Yeah Caroline actually has a date" Bonnie rolled her eyes. Making both Gilbert teens exchange knowing looks

"You take this one" Artemis muttered picking up another picture.

"You know you can talk to me Bonnie-"

"Me as well" the eldest teen uttered

"About Jeremy right?" Elena clarified

"I don't need to talk about it"

Artemis scoffed "Yeah right, everyone needs to let off some steam-"

"What? I don't he fell in love with his ghost girlfriend and lied about it" Bonnie stated "what's done is done"

"You have to talk about it" Elena stated.

"It's unhealthy to keep things bottled up Bonnie, otherwise you would literally explode from all the emotions you're experiencing" Artemis leant forward

"He hurt you Bonnie. I'm mad at him too" Elena said

"You're both just mad your little brother. Knowing Art she'll give him a good telling off and teach him a life lesson. So you can't be really mad at him like I can-"

"I can kick his ass for you?" Artemis offered, this got a smile out of the witch

"No I wouldn't put it pass you to do that" Bonnie chuckled "you both shouldn't be mad at him or if you are it won't last he is your brother-"this got Artemis thinking about Rebekah, it further instilled the thought that none of them could definitely trust the Original about turning on her brother "I can't talk to either of you about it"

"Ok" Artemis smiled gently brushing aside some of Bonnie's hair "but if you ever actually want to talk about anything than our door for you is always open"

Bonnie smiled and hugged the older girl, times like these she was reminded how close she was to Artemis.

"Thank you" Bonnie whispered

"Elena ya know you can join in" Artemis drawled and laughed when Elena launched herself at the pair.

After a couple of seconds they pulled back, Artemis's ears perked up hearing her cell ringing "Be right back" she told the younger girls. True to her word Artemis returned to Elena's room

"Come on Lena we got weapons to prepare. For tonight"

Elena nodded as Artemis went to get her things, since she'll be getting at the Boarding House.


Artemis dumped her bag in Damon's room. She, Elena was checking the empty grenades to see if they actually worked whilst the vampire was making the Wolfsbane.

"You know we can't trust Rebekah not to turn on us" Artemis said quietly

"Oh really because those Original vampires are so reliable-"

"No need to be an ass Damon" she snapped as Elena handed her another grenade "Bonnie was right. Klaus is her brother and she's mad at him, but it won't last. And she wouldn't want him dead."

"How comes your so sure of that?" Elena asked

Artemis smiled wryly at her "Honey the amount of times you and Jeremy pissed me off, you two would already be in the coffins before you hit puberty." Damon chuckled

"True that"

Artemis sighed "You can't stay mad at family Elena. It's the strongest bond of all"

Elena nodded knowing that she was right; she followed the elder teen's lead and picked up the empty grenades. Artemis dropped it down on the counter

"There are so many things that can go wrong with this plan" Elena said as Artemis picked up one of the empty grenades "too many people that can make it go wrong"

"That's why I'm forming a secret contingency plan" Damon smirked

"What?" Artemis eyes widened "go on then spill-"

"If I tell you it wouldn't be a secret" he uttered. Elena huffed at that.

"Damon-"

"No" his eyes met Artemis's grey orbs "just trust me ok?"

Artemis nodded she did trust him, but she didn't like the feeling of being kept out of the loop.

"I need to borrow a tie" Stefan barged in.

"You have your own ties" Damon said going back to stirring the Wolfsbane

"I'm a hundred and sixty two year old, and I'm going to a homecoming dance." Stefan said "I need better ties"

"Or you cannot go" Elena suggested.

Artemis snorted "She's got a point and now that you've mentioned it you're dangerously over-aged to be going to a high school dance"

Stefan smirked at her "I'm compelled to protect you two, and if I look at your track records of high school dances it's pretty tragic. With my luck Artemis could annoy the wrong person and get herself killed by the homecoming queen-"he walked off.

Artemis went to follow after him but Elena grabbed the back of her top stopping her

"You may be compelled to protect us Stefan. But you're not compelled to be a DICK" she shouted "man that guy is annoying…with his funny hair" Elena smothered down a laughter as Artemis went back to opening the grenade, she was about to twist it but Damon slapped her hands

"Oww what the hell?" she whined

"Art-"

"Damon-"

"Could you not have a comeback for everything-"

"Could you try and not be such an ass-"

"A sexy ass you're in love with-"

"True enough" Artemis muttered Elena shook her head at their bantering she walked over to her bag to get something "Damon I can do this. Alaric taught me-"

"Artemis let me" Damon said seriously "if this blows up just remember only one of us will heal quickly" Artemis reluctantly let got "That's my girl" he ruffled her hair

Artemis swatted his hand "Damon I'm not a dog" he winked at her. She sent him an amused look and groaned when Stefan returned, from the corner of her eye she could see Elena was by her bag looking through it.

"Oh Art, at least try and pretend you're happy-"

"Get real Stefan. I'm not your number one fan" Artemis scoffed, making Damon smirk he loved it when his girl was feisty.

"Whatever please tell me that you have a better plan than Wolfsbane grenade" Stefan held his tie up to his neck

"Never you mind brother, the less you know the better" Damon screwed the top part of the grenade on.

Stefan chuckled "My freedom from Klaus" Damon handed Artemis the grenade "rest entirely on you three doing your plan perfectly. So excuse me if I'm a bit cynical"

Artemis cocked an eyebrow she smiled sweetly at Stefan "That's right Stefan your freedom relies on us so you better not piss us off"

"Oh feisty" Stefan smirked

"Dick-"

"If we should be worried about anyone Stefan it's you" Elena said not wanting Artemis to get into a fight with him. "If Klaus ask you one wrong question everything falls apart"

"You do have reason to worry" Elena leant against the counter on Artemis's other side "but if I look back on our history of epic plan failures it's usually one of us who lets there humanity get in the way" Stefan told them "so if I'm taken odds of this getting screwed up it won't be because of me"

Artemis wanted to punch him in the face after seeing the look on Elena's face "You know Stefan in case you forgot we're both humans hence we've got humanity unlike you. So why don't you get lost?"

"See you at the dance. Maybe you can save me one Elena" Stefan smirked

"Calm down" Damon whispered into Artemis's ear running a cool hand down her back gently massaging her back, he felt her muscles relaxing.


Artemis and Elena were currently lying on Damon's bed staring up at the ceiling the vampire was checking the weapons last time.

"You don't trust Rebekah do you?" Elena asked quietly. Artemis turned her head to the side so she could see her face

"No" Artemis replied "I don't. I won't put it pass her to switch sides. He is her brother Elena she will always love him. Look what happened with Elijah, he said he was on our side and then bam…he stab us in the back"

"Then maybe you should use this" Elena pulled out the dagger from Artemis's small duffle bag.

"What?"

"You and I both know we can't trust her"

Artemis nodded and sat up "You're right. I'll do it" her eyes landed on the necklace that was around the younger girl's neck "we should give this back as well. It is hers after all"

Elena nodded and took the necklace off "You want me to do it?"

"No I can." Artemis said she swung her legs out of the bed and with one last glance she exited the bedroom made her way down to the guest room. It was true she couldn't leave anything to chance and if that meant doing what she was about to do then so be it.

She didn't want Klaus in hers or Elena's life anymore. Artemis slid the dagger up the sleeve of her top and stopped at the bedroom doors. She saw Rebekah standing in front of the mirror she, she cleared her throat.

"Getting ready kind of early aren't you?" Artemis asked leaning against the door

"The embarrassing truth this is my first high school dance." Rebekah smiled at her causing Artemis to feel even guiltier but she pushed it down.

"Well if we're doing this, this is the first homecoming dance I've been to" Artemis walked in to the room so that she was standing only a couple of feet away from the blond.

"You've never been to your own homecoming? How did that work out?"

Artemis lips twitched into a smile "Elena had the chicken pops so infected the rest of the house, except me and my dad because we've already had it. Dad had to work that night so I had to take care of the rest of the house"

"So you missed out? Sometimes don't you resent your siblings?" Rebekah asked making Artemis's brows furrowed in confusion

"Why would I resent them?"

"Because they stop you from living" she turned to face the brunette and much to her surprised Artemis chuckled

"No I don't resent them. They don't stop me from living they make me live. I will do anything for them" Artemis said sincerely "but back to you. You haven't ever been to a high school dance?"

She turned back to face the mirror, "I've never had the time for high school before. Nik and I were always running around. Running, anyway I don't want to leave anything to chance." Artemis walked further into the room; she pulled the necklace out of her pocket

"Have you heard anything more from him?" Rebekah questioned, Artemis knew she was referring to Klaus.

"No" she replied "but from what I know of Klaus when he does return I'm sure he'll do it with flair"

"And Damon and my father are all set with their plan?" Rebekah asked, Artemis swallowed and tucked her curl behind her ear.

"Yes" Artemis answered.

"Don't tell me" Rebekah said "I don't want to know" she picked up her bracelet "I just want to go to the dance and leave the rest to Mikael"

Artemis walked up to her "I know you didn't have to do this, and I know it's hard. So I want to thank you for luring Klaus back into town"

Rebekah stared at her, Artemis could see that her eyes were watery "Just be careful. I've been running for a thousand years for a reason. Mikael is not a good person and he definitely can't be trusted" Artemis blinked and nodded "no-one in my family can"

"Are you ok?"

"I've spent my whole life loving and hating my brother. I've never thought I'd be the one to help drive a stake through his heart" Rebekah blinked back her tears "no tears" she turned back to face the mirror "I don't want to ruin my makeup. How do I look?"

"Like a true homecoming queen" Artemis smiled "but you're missing one thing" she held up the necklace

"My mother's necklace" Rebekah said

Artemis nodded "You should wear it tonight, can I?"

Rebekah nodded, the shorter female placed the necklace around the vampire's throat and clasped it on.

"Thank you" Rebekah smiled at her.

Artemis sighed and bit her lip "You know I trusted your brother once, Elijah I trusted him not to turn on us. To protect us. You was right about one thing Rebekah we would do anything for our family, you can never hate Klaus, and I am never willing to risk putting my own brother and sister in danger-" she saw the confused look on her face "I'm sorry" with that Artemis shoved the dagger into the Original's back causing her to gasp. "I am so sorry Rebekah, but I can't risk it. I can't leave anything to chance" she said as the Rebekah dropped onto the ground.

Artemis's heart was pounding a mile a minute god she felt awful completely awful

"Don't blame yourself Artemis. It had to be done" Elena said from the doorway. The elder teen nodded and dropped down onto the bed.

"In the back" Damon threw a sheet over Rebekah's corpse "Harsh"

"I know alright" Artemis snapped pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes she dropped back down onto the bed "I…she would've turned on us. She couldn't be trusted"

"Hey I'm not judging you" Damon said

Artemis sighed and rolled over so that her back was to the scene. Elena ran her hand down the elder teen's back

"Stefan was right, one of us would let their humanity get in the way." Artemis mumbled "and it was me-"

"Art" Damon laid down on her other side so that he was face to face with her "you daggered someone you're going to be fine-"

"I feel bad about it Damon. She just wanted ot go to homecoming and be a teenager. I took that away from her."

"You did it to protect your family Artemis." Damon said sternly grasping her chin. "Do you think she would've gone through it?"

"No" Elena replied "Rebekah loves her family. She has no love for Mikael"

"Do you think we can trust Mikael?" Artemis asked softly

"No" Damon said lightly grasping her hand intertwining their hands. Elena rested her chin on Artemis's shoulder

"What about Stefan?" this time it was Elena who asked

"No"

"Then we need a better plan" Artemis frowned

"I know but you're not going to like it"

"Why not?" Elena frowned

"Because Elena you're not going to be around anywhere."

"What-"

"Elena just trust me. Art you do right?" Damon looked at her

"Yeah I do. So Elena-"

"If you trust him then so do I" Elena nodded

"Great let me fill you in" the vampire grabbed his cell and typed out the message. He showed it to the Gilbert girls

A smile crossed Artemis's face "It sounds like a good plan"

"That's because it is" Damon smirked. Elena chuckled and nodded maybe things will turn out alright tonight.

Artemis glanced at the time "I have to get ready" she said sitting up and climbed over Damon

"Need some help getting undressed"? Damon called out and laughed when she gave him the one finger salute.


Artemis stripped out of her clothes; she had done her hair and makeup. She decided to leave her hair out and pinned one side of it up the rest of her curls cascaded down her back, she slipped on her dress and tied the halter dress around her neck, and she struggled with the zipper and jumped when she felt fingers glide up her bare spine.

"Jesus Damon" Artemis looked over her shoulder "give me a-"

She was cut off when he pushed her against the counter kissing her fiercely

"Damon-"

"Art" he groaned and lifted her up by the backs of her thighs, he dropped her down on the counter and pulled back knowing she needed to breath. She felt her stomach clench when he kissed her throat and rubbed her inner thigh. Artemis gasped and dug her nails into his shoulders when he sucked her skin.

"What are you doing?" she asked breathlessly she had struggled to get the words out. The vampire pulled back and licked his lips he could never get enough of her. Her whole being to him was intoxicating and addictive. Damon could see that her eyes had darkened in lust and were slightly glazed over.

"Just stay out of trouble. I don't want you to end up hurt" Damon said seriously. Artemis could tell that he wasn't messing around and that he was completely sincere. She dumbly nodded

"You're coming right?" she asked as he leant against her knees, his hand came around and zipped up the back of her dress

"Never thought I'd be the one helping you get your clothes on, I'm more for-"

"Stripping me naked? Yeah I got that" Artemis scoffed

"And putting some chocolate sauce on you so I can lick-"she slapped her hand over his mouth

"Bad Damon" she said and gave him a patronising pat on the head. He easily dodged out of the way and caught her wrist she gasped when he nipped the palm of her hand. "Ow-"

"Don't be such a baby" Damon scoffed as she clutched her hand "let me see-"

"Oh you want to see?" she smothered down her giggles and held her palm up right to his face, he studied it and then out of nowhere she slapped her hand against his temple "Art-"

"Love you too Damon" she attempted to jump off the counter but he grabbed her by her waist "I have to leave"

"Well let me give you one last thing" before Artemis could finish her sentence he kissed her again on the lips. Damon smirked seeing the daze look on her face

"Wow you-"it was her this time that interrupted him, she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him down smashing her own lips against his. Damon's eyes widened briefly knowing Artemis wasn't one to be so bold.

She smirked when she saw his face "And that's my cue to go" Damon nodded

"Art-"

"I'll promise I'll keep safe. You're going to show up soon anyway-"

"Stay away from Klaus" Damon instructed. Artemis nodded and headed back to the room, where she slipped on her heels. Once she grabbed her clutch she was gone.

"Artemis" Elena called hurrying after her as she walked towards the front door. Artemis paused just as she grab the doorknob and turned around

"Really Katherine-"

"I'm Elena"

Artemis snorted "Yeah right and I'm a giant panda. Katherine don't know whether to be pleased to see your or not" the smiled that was on the vampire's face had changed into a wide smirk.

"You should be glad I'm here after all-"

"Don't finish that sentence if you think I should be grateful. We all know you're only here to save your own skin" Artemis uttered smoothing down her dress.

"Too true, sometimes I think you know me more than anyone" Katherine twirled one of her curls

"Oh don't say that. I rather not know the twisted Petrova vampire" Artemis stated

Katherine grinned "So little Art, how's it going with Damon-"

"We're happy-"

"And we'll still be happy if you do your part of the plan." Damon stormed down the corridor glaring at the vampire, Katherine rolled her eyes

"Relax Damon I'm not going to kill her."

"And I'm meant to believe you because?" Damon cocked an eyebrow and wrapped an arm around her waist

"Because I'm sticking my neck on the line for all of you" Katherine snapped "and contrary to popular belief I don't want to kill everyone. Especially not Artemis-"Artemis brows furrowed at that "She keeps things interesting, unlike my boring dishwater of a doppelganger-"

"Really?" Artemis rolled her eyes "I have to go-"

"Art" Elena hurried down the corridor.

"And that's how I knew you was Katherine. Elena never calls me Artemis" she murmured "what's up?"

"The homecoming dance has been moved to the Lockwood's place-"

"So what? Do I go-"

"No" Damon immediately said he was getting iffy about sending her there.

"She'll still needs to go Damon" Katherine drawled looking down at her nails "otherwise Klaus will be suspicious"

"As much as I hate to say this but she's right" Artemis uttered "I should go"

"Fine" Damon huffed "take my car though" he handed the keys and couldn't help but smile seeing the expression on her face

"You're letting me-"

"Yes now go before I change my mind and decide to lock you in my bedroom preferably-"he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Artemis practically fled out of the door. "What?" Damon asked seeing the look on both Katherine's and Elena's faces.

"You would never have let me taken your car" Elena muttered

"Or even let me touch it" Katherine added on.

"Yeah well you're not my girl are you" Damon smirked "So the plan is in motion"


Artemis pulled up to the large manor and she could see that the party was already fully underway, people were spilling out of the manor and she could feel the air thumping with music.

"Wow" she muttered

"Art" Caroline shouted making her way towards the brunette "so glad you've shown up. Looking great by the way,"

"Thanks" Artemis smiled and looked around in confusion

"Come on" Bonnie grabbed her hand and they pushed themselves through the crowd they entered the foyer. Artemis didn't recognise any of the people here only a few she did know.

"Oh my god" Caroline breathed

"What?" Artemis asked worried

"How did Tyler organise a better party than me?" the blond huffed causing both her friends to roll their eyes,

"Yeah they even got a band outside" Artemis said seeing the flashing lights coming from the back. "Do any of you know any of these people though?"

"No" Bonnie frowned

"I'm going to talk to Tyler" Caroline stalked off,

"Art-"

"I'm going to get a drink" Artemis muttered shaking her head and weaved through the crowd.

She managed to get in the back of the gardens and helped herself to a bottle of beer

"Now should you really be drinking?"

"Damn Stefan. You're doing that creepy very well" Artemis sipped her beer and rolled her eyes when he snatched the beer from her hands

"Come on"

"What are you doing?" he grabbed her around her wrist

"I'm in charge of protecting you. Hence you'll be stocking close to me, now where's Elena?" he asked Artemis followed him through the crowd

"Hopefully having more fun than me" Artemis said glaring at him, "you can let go. I am not a child Stefan-"

"Yeah sometimes the way you act makes me wonder-"she had enough of his snarky and rude attitude

"Piss off Stefan" she shouted "I get it you're got no humanity at least have the common courtesy not to constantly act like a dick"

"Careful Art, you might make me mad enough to go snack on-"

"Someone else?" she cut his off, they were only a couple of inches away from each other he could see her eyes hardening "Go on then, it's obvious that you're not the same person. Be careful Stefan, or you may lose everyone who cares about you"

"Where is Elena?" Stefan asked after a moment of silence, Artemis narrowed her eyes on him, she wondered if her words had any effect on him.

"She's around. And you're going to stay away from her-"

Stefan smirked and shook his head "In case you forgot Art, I'm compelled to protect her and you-"

"Yes but unlike you I obviously care about her. leave her alone tonight Stefan she deserves the chance to be an actual teenager" Artemis hissed and snatched the drink off of him, she turned back to the band and watched as the lead guitarist pumped the crowd, if it weren't for the plan that was about to go down, Artemis would actually be enjoying herself.

"Hey Arty, Stefan what's up?" Tyler smiled at the pair

"Hey Tyler, nice party you got going on here" Stefan said.

"Thanks but I'm not the one throwing it" Tyler stood in front of them

"That's a given" Artemis muttered knowing that the teen didn't since he would have needed much more time. "Is this Klaus's party?"

"I'm just doing what he wants" the hybrid shrugged his shoulders

"What do you mean?" Stefan asked looking at him

"It's not a party" Tyler said "it's a wake"

Artemis's eyes bugged out "You've got to be kidding me, this is a wake" she shook her head and followed his gaze which was on the stage.

"Good evening everyone" a loud British voice shouted into the microphone "I wanted to thank you all of being here with me to celebrate"

Artemis downed the rest of the beer feeling she would definitely need that, she was unnerved when Klaus's eyes landed on her "It's been a long time coming" with that the crowd cheered loudly.

"I'm going to check on Elena" Artemis muttered and fled from the scene.


She helped herself to another drink and scoured the area for her 'sister' she spotted the thin brunette up on the stone stairs holding a plastic red cup.

"There you are" Artemis smiled playing her part

"Art-"

"No drinking" the seer snatched the cup out of her hand

"What the hell?" Katherine snarled

"Shove off, I can't be seen letting you drink yourself into oblivion, otherwise we'll gather unwanted attention" Artemis muttered sipping the drink. "Have you seen him?" the vampire knew who she was referring to

"Yeah kind of hard to miss" Katherine smirked "look" Artemis followed her gaze and saw Klaus and Stefan walking through the crowd.

"They look chummy" she murmured seeing the Original and the vampire coming to a stop she turned back to the vampire "don't stare you look creepy-"

"Are you always this mouthy-"

"Are you always a selfish bitch-"

"Careful sister" Katherine smirked stepping closer to her "don't want to attract attention now do we?"

Artemis's lips twitched in amusement "Whatever you say dear sister of mine" she raised her cup and downed the contents "now I told Stefan you're having fun. So it'll be more convincing if you look like you're enjoying yourself"

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"Aren't I always?" Artemis countered she was miffed when Katherine chuckled

"Ya know you're not that bad Arty"

"Same goes for you…you know if you look pass all the shit you've done" Artemis smirked "have fun" she lightly pushed her into the crowd and leant back against the stone boulder.

"Josie" Artemis smiled at the barwoman "what are you doing here?"

"Had the night off and I heard that there was a party. A party where I won't be serving drinks" Josie laughed, "here" she handed her a drink. "I know, I know contradictory-"

"Ya think?" she quirked an eyebrow "not even a second ago you said you wouldn't be serving drinks but yet you handed me one-"

"I know, I know" Josie smiled but it faltered slightly "you look like you need one."

"How'd you mean?" Artemis sipped the fruity drink.

"It's obvious Art, you don't look like you're having any fun at all" Josie said, she had been keeping an eye on the brunette and didn't miss the expression on the teen's face

"Keeping an eye on drunken teens isn't my idea of fun" Artemis said "but I'm getting the feeling that you're not here to give me a drink. What's up Josie?"

A bright smile appeared on the other teen's face "I got accepted."

"Huh?"

"Seriously do you ever listen to what I say?" Josie rolled her eyes "I got accepted in to Harvard. It's finally happened Art. I'm out of this place"

Artemis paled slightly but forced a smile on her face "That's….that's great"

"Art you ok?" Josie frowned. The other female shook her head

"I'm more than ok. You deserve this Josie, good luck" she hugged the barmaid "so when do you leave?"

"Tonight I just had to come and tell you"

"So are you going on your own?"

"No Chris is coming with me." She said pointing to her boyfriend "thanks for being therefore me Art; I doubt I would've even sent the application off if you hadn't push me to." Josie hugged Artemis again "thank you"

"You're welcome. I think Chris wants you though" Artemis spotted the blond haired man waving Josie over,

"See ya later" Josie skipped away.

As soon as she left the smile on Artemis's face slid off, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous at that. There was another person in her life that was going off to go and get her dreams.

"Why the long face love?" she was brought out of her musings when Klaus appeared in front of her face

"Because I saw your face" Artemis scowled at him

Klaus smirked "Still as feisty as ever sweetheart. Now where's your date?"

"I haven't got one" she replied she went to walk off but he blocked her path.

"I've just arrived and you're going off already" Klaus placed his hand on her shoulder

"I need a drink"

The hybrid held out his bottle of beer and she reluctantly took it, Artemis sighed she wanted nothing more than to get away from him,

"So I guess I have you to thank for Mikael's demise?"

"He was willing to put me and my sister in danger. I had no choice" Artemis said her eyes focused elsewhere

"Has anyone ever told you it's rude to not look the person who you're talking to in the face" she stiffened when he grasped her chin forcing her to look at him.

"It's pretty rich that you're the one teaching me mannners" Artemis hissed digging her nails into the back of his hand, she groaned when his grip on her tightened

"Still though" he stepped even closer to her so that his chest brushed against hers "I am impressed it's not easy for a human to dagger an original"

"As many people like to point out, I have experience" Artemis whispered licking her lips.

"Right" he chuckled "Elijah, must point out I wasn't expecting that"

"He put my family in danger" Artemis swallowed she was getting anxious. Klaus canted his head to the side

"You seem nervous"

"There are a number of reasons. One is that I don't like you and the other thing is you're way too close" she uttered.

"Well I should get straight to the point then love. People have been after me for a thousand years. And I'm always one step ahead so whatever you're thinking of planning go for it. Give it your best shot" Artemis eyes drifted over his shoulder and saw that Katherine was listening to the whole thing. She gave Artemis a reassuring nod.

"Now enough with this threatening talk. This is a party after all. How about a dance-"

"I rather walk on hot coal then dance with you" Artemis snarled. Klaus laughed and turned away she let out a relieved sigh but it was short lived when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her with enough force so that she crashed into his chest

"Let me ask again. Would you dance with me? Otherwise a barmaid's head will be ripped off" Klaus threatened

Artemis's jaw clench "Fine"

"Sound happier about-"

"Go to hell" Artemis hissed as they found a spot on the dance floor. She cringed when he placed his hands on her hips she gingerly put his hands on his shoulders; he found it amusing when she refused to look at him.

"So what's with you and that Salvatore?" Klaus asked

"None of your business"

"Ya know you deserve-"

"Someone not like you, somewhere in Damon there's a moral compass. Your heart though is just black. Nothing in there-"she hissed when his fingers dug painfully into her side. He pressed his lips against the shell of her ear

"You don't know anything about me. So do not make assumptions" he growled.

"I know a lonely person when I see one. The only reason you've got hybrids is because you don't want to be alone-"the music had come to a stop. "Sometimes Niklaus I pity you" he was left stunned at that. She felt his grip slacken and without another word she disappeared into the crowd.


Artemis leant against the wall, it had gotten chilly outside so she had decided to come into the manor, and she kept an eye on Klaus wondering when the plan would come into action. Artemis could see Josie through the window looking like she was truly enjoying herself for a brief moment she yearned for what the barmaid had.

To follow her dreams, to travel around the world to be free of responsibilities, but she knew that would never happen. Artemis was brought crashing back to reality when she felt someone pushing pass her, it took a moment to realise that everyone was being ushered to the back; she made out Klaus going to the front of the house.

She knew Mikael must've made his movement so she slipped through the crowd. Artemis hid around the corner and saw Klaus and Mikael by the front door, the Original wasn't able to step over the threshold.

"Hello Niklaus" Mikael smirked, for the first time Artemis saw true hate written all over the hybrid's face.

"Hello Mikael why don't you come in. that's right I forgot you can't" Klaus smirked

"Or you can come outside if you want" he suggested

"Or I could watch my hybrids tear you limb from limb."

"Oh they can't kill me" Artemis pressed herself further against the wall

"True but it'll make a hell of a party game" Klaus uttered. "All I have to do is rub these two fingers together and they would pounce"

"The big bad wolf" Mikael goaded "You haven't changed still hiding behind your playthings. Like a coward"

Artemis thought she'd never see the day when Klaus was being spoken to like that, "Oh and you forget they may have been sired by you but they're still half vampires and they can still be compelled" Artemis saw one of the hybrids coming to stand next to the Original.

She saw her grabbing Katherine well in Klaus's case he didn't know that was her, he thought it was Elena. Now was time to make her entrance since she had to make it more realistic, with that thought she ran out from her spot

"Elena" Artemis shouted playing her part convincingly, before she could even get near the threshold. Klaus grabbed her by the back of her dress and threw her back. Artemis groaned landing on her bum

"Come out and face me Niklaus" Mikael said holding onto the 'Elena' who appeared to be frightened "Or she dies"

"No" Artemis shouted getting onto her knees "Klaus please don't let this happen"

"Go ahead kill her" Klaus hissed

Artemis scrambled on to her feet and ran over to him. But the hybrid grabbed her by the back of her throat and shoved her behind her. He gripped her wrist "Move and I will crush your arm"

"Klaus please don'- he'll do it" Artemis had to hand it to the other female she definitely could act.

"If she dies, this lot will the last of your abomination. The seer blood can't work on its own" Mikael said.

Artemis dug her fingers into Klaus's hand but it had little effect. "I don't need them I just need to be rid of you" he snarled

"To what ends Niklaus? So you can live forever? Nobody cares about you anymore BOY" Mikael declared "Who's lyaly do you have? Other than those who you forced? No-one, no-one"

Artemis heart was pounding a mile a minute she felt his hold on her tightened she feared he would actually crush her bones. "I'm calling your bluff father kill her-"

"No. let go of me" Artemis wriggled in his hold

"Come outside and face me you little coward" Mikael hissed "and I won't have to"

"My whole life you've underestimated me" Artemis was shocked to see actual tears running down Klaus's face, for some reason it made him look more human "kill her, if you kill her you lose your leverage so go ahead. KILL HER" Klaus roared, causing Artemis to jump, she swallowed down the lump in her throat when Mikael merely laughed

"You're impulsive Niklaus, it has been the one thing that will truly keep you from being great" Mikael shook his head Artemis gasped when the Original vampire stabbed his leverage in the back. Damon was right they couldn't trust Mikael as well.

Artemis felt herself being ripped away from the hybrid. Damon blurred behind them and made sure she was out of the way before he plunged the dagger into Klaus. She scuttled backwards and watched wide eye

"Katherine" she heard Mikael hissed as the vampire stood up with a large grin,

"Ba-boom" with that Katherine threw the grenades at the hybrids causing them to screech in pain. Artemis felt a pulse of air over her and was mortified when Stefan tackled Damon away from Klaus

"What are you doing Stefan?" Artemis shouted this wasn't part of the plan. In a blur of movements Klaus snatched up the stake and threw himself at Mikael and killed him. Artemis stumbled on to her feet and saw Mikael's body set aflame, her resolve crumble there goes there only chance of killing the hybrid.

"What the hell did you do?" Damon snarled glaring at his brother

"His earned his freedom" Klaus said. Artemis backed away from him and looked over Damon, before she could blink she felt an arm around her waist and they were gone.


Artemis unclipped her hair dropping the clips onto the mantelpiece, she and Damon had told Elena what had went down at the party

"How did this happen?" Elena demanded

"We thought of everything" Damon snapped it was obvious that he was beyond angry "Klaus having hybrids, Mikael turning on us. We've brought in Katherine so you weren't in danger. Everything that could've gone wrong we were prepared for" Damon shouted the last part downing the rest of his drink.

"I don't understand Stefan wanted Klaus dead, more than anything." Elena said her eyes welling up "that's what we were counting on"

Artemis placed her hand on the younger girl's shoulder giving it a brief squeeze

"We blew it" Damon muttered

"Where's Katherine?" Artemis asked

"She ran for the heels" Damon snapped "like usual the minute things got bad she and who blames her? Klaus would've crushed her. I had him Art, I had him this could of all been over" he threw the liquor into the fire.

"Damon" Artemis grabbed his arm but he snatched it away from her. she didn't have none of this so cupped his cheek turning him so that she could look at his face "Listen to me both of you" she looked over to Elena who stepped closer so she was standing beside the couple "We'll get through this. We will, we can survive this" she reassured both of them "trust me." She licked her lips not really wanting to tell Elena this but there was nothing else she can do.

"I'm sorry Elena but we're not getting Stefan back"

Elena pushed down the lump in her throat as Artemis took a step back "Then we'll let him go" the doppelganger declared "we'll let him go-"

"You sure?" Artemis murmured and felt her heart ache for her sister seeing the tears welling up in her eyes

"Yeah" Elena said quietly, Artemis wrapped her arms around the younger girl pulling her into a hug. She looked over the younger teen's shoulder and saw Damon's face. He nodded and wrapped both of his arms around the Gilbert teens.

"We'll get through this together" he murmured kissing the crown of Artemis's head. Their moment was broken when Damon's cell rang,

Artemis turned and paid attention to Elena "You ok?" she asked quietly

Elena smiled and nodded "Yeah I'm fine just…" she struggled to get the words out of her mouth. But Artemis knew what she was saying

"It's ok, none of us were expecting that" Artemis uttered her attention shifted hearing Damon saying Katherine.

"Good luck Katherine" Damon said, Artemis felt that this would be the last time in a long time that they would see Katherine.

"Damon-"

"You two should get home, it's been a long day" Damon left the room leaving a worried Artemis to stare after him. She knew he was hurting on the inside.

"Come on Elena" she uttered.


Artemis sighed having peeked into Elena's room, she saw that her sister was fast asleep as were the rest of the house occupants. She had changed out of her dress and was now wearing a pair of jeans and a random top, her mind kept wondering back to Damon.

"You should go and see him you know" Alaric commented from the entrance of his bedroom

"Huh?"

"Damon" he clarified "go see him. You look lost and I think he is lost"

"You sure I-"

"Go Art" Alaric smiled at her, she nodded and grabbed her car keys.

Artemis pulled up to the eerily quiet Boarding House and waltzed in, as usual the front door was unlocked she made a beeline straight to Damon's bedroom and saw the vampire hunched over on the edge of his bed.

"I thought I told you to leave-"Damon looked at her. Artemis crouched down in front of him

"You did and-"

"I should know that you wouldn't listen" he muttered, she pried away the glass of bourbon from him and set it down on the nightstand

"Art-"

"Remember that one night when you told me you wouldn't leave me?" Artemis said causing him to look at her, she held his face in her hands "and that I could tell you anything?"

"Art I'm not in the mood for mushy-"

"Listen to me. It works both ways. You can come and talk to me" her voice was sincere "You have me Damon and Stefan may have left. But you've got me" Artemis was on her knees so she was eye-level with him.

"I do?" he asked quietly

"Always" Artemis smiled and leant forward kissing him softly on the lips; he landed in his back pulling her with him.

"So how about-"

"No Damon-"

"I was just going to stay sleep" he defended himself. Artemis shook her head

"Sure you were" she rested her head on his chest "You know you got me to."

"I know." Artemis smiled as he wrapped his arms around her hugging her close to his chest. He kissed her temple and exhaled, Damon's heart felt lighter and he knew it was because of her. He wouldn't be letting go of Artemis anytime soon, she was the best thing that ever happened to him.


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

So in this chap-Darty moments throughout, from playful flirty banter to real moments. Art daggers Mikael as part of the plan. She helps Bonnie and her and Elena with Damon prepare the grenades. where Arty ends up wanting to punch Stefan in the face. Arty daggers Rebekah she cant's trust her not to switch sides, since Elijah had betrayed them beforehand. But she feels awful. Some Katherine and Arty moments. Klaus forces Art to dance with him, and she plays her part in the plan. Finally Stefan betrays them and Art comforts Damon in the end.

Next chap. Arty goes head to head with a hybrid, and realises how much danger Jeremy is in, so has to make a hard decision.

Please REVIEW