Hey guys! I'm glad you are liking the story, and I hope you enjoy this chapter too. So for anyone who doesn't watch the show, Elijah is not fully dead, if that makes any sense. The dagger used to kill him does make him immobile, and essentially dead, however, if the dagger is removed he is revived. If that made no sense I am very sorry. Don't forget to review!

Season 2 Episode 16 The House Guest

"So wait…" Jace said when he picked me up for school. "Damon staked him?"

"No. Elena did." I replied, still angry about this whole situation. "A vampire can't do it or they will die or something. Apparently, my dad knew that, which means he tried to kill Damon...again."

Jace furrowed his brows as we hopped out of the cab of his truck. To say I didn't sleep well was an understatement. I was tossing and turning all night, not able to get a wink of sleep because I was so mad. After Damon explained what had happened, I kicked him out. He tried to reason with me, but I was much too upset. Elena tried to call me, sending numerous texts but they went unanswered. Damon wasn't the only guilty party here.

"Now what are you going to do?" Jace asked curiously. We were walking through the halls together, heading toward my locker. I put in the combination as he leaned against the locker next to mine, waiting for my answer.

"I don't know." I said with a shrug. "Elijah was my only chance of finding out who I am… what I am… and now he's gone."

"I'm sorry." Jace said, sympathetically. I shrugged. "This is so messed up."

"Tell me about it." I replied, grabbing my books. I closed my locker then, turning back to Jace. However, he was looking off in the other direction. I followed his gaze and saw Elena and Stefan approaching, Elena looking very determined. I grabbed Jace's arm and tugged him away. I didn't have any desire to talk to either of them at that moment.

"Alex!" Elena called after me, but I kept moving. She called again. Again I ignored her and quickened my pace, pulling Jace along with me. However, I had to stop when Stefan sped in front of me and blocked my path. I tried to move around him, but a few failed attempts and I realized I wasn't going anywhere. I huffed, releasing my hold on Jace's arm.

"What do you want?" I asked both Elena and Stefan. I wasn't happy with either of them to be honest. Both were involved in Damon's little plot, so both were on my list of people to be mad at.

"We have to talk to you." Stefan said calmly. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. Elena seemed to be giving me a sympathetic look, but I knew that she didn't understand. No one would ever understand why I needed Elijah alive, not truly.

"Make it quick." I spat. "I'm going to be late."

Jace chuckled earning a narrowed eyed glance from Stefan. Jace awkwardly coughed and looked away. Elena rolled her eyes and stepped forward.

"Katherine is out of the tomb." Elena said. I felt my stomach drop and I stared at her for a long time. I felt Jace tense next to me. It occurred to me then that he said he never went home last night. He slept in his truck under the stars. He wouldn't know anything about Katherine being out. It was just as much of a shock to me as it was to him.

"That's impossible." Jace said, sounding more fearful than angry. "Elijah-"

"Is dead." Stefan finished, making me bristle. "His compulsion on Katherine wore off the minute he died."

I was still processing the situation at hand. Katherine, the vampire who threatened me and the people I loved, was out of her imprisonment and running amok. Not only that, but the last time we talked I staked her and told her to get out of town. I didn't see her heeding my warning anytime soon. Good thing I had those lessons with Jace. We were going to need them.

"Just be careful." Stefan advised. "She's getting very good at pretending to be Elena."

Jace nodded but I couldn't bring myself to do anything. I felt that same fear rise up in my chest after she got into my house, threatened my mom, and proceeded to break my arm. I pushed the fear down. I couldn't fear her. I had trained for this very reason, so I wouldn't have to be afraid. But Katherine could show up at my home at any moment and kill me. I was of no use to her, at least not that I knew of. But if Katherine wanted me dead I would be right? I remembered shooting the stake into her back, how good it felt to have the upper hand. I was regretting my actions at that point. I guessed I felt strong because I knew she couldn't get out. Now, she was out and she could get into my house whenever she wanted.

"Alex…" Elena said quietly, grasping my attention. "Can I talk to you?"

I stared at her a long time, her brown eyes hopeful. I wanted to say no, to tell her to go screw herself. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. Jace looked at me, gauging whether or not he should leave. I nodded, waving him off. He and Stefan then walked away, toward Mr. Saltzman's class. I turned back to Elena, who's hopeful gaze turned to one of shame.

"Well, you got me." I said, throwing my arms out to the side. "What do you need?"

"I want to apologize." She said honestly. I didn't think she was lying, but I didn't believe she fully knew what she had done. "I understand why you are upset."

I scoffed.

"Really?" I asked, almost laughing. "Because I don't think you do."

"Why do you say that?" She asked, not sounding offended, more curious. The halls were starting to empty, and I figured we would be late to history. I knew Alaric wouldn't mind, though considering our circumstances.

"Because if you really understood then you wouldn't have done it." I replied. Elena opened her mouth but I cut her off. "You do realize that Elijah was my only chance at answers right?"

"I understand." Elena repeated. "But he was a danger to us."

"Really?" I asked again. "Because all I saw him doing was saving our asses over and over again."

Elena made a face and looked down at the floor. I didn't feel bad that Elijah was dead, I didn't know him well enough to say that I was sad about it. No, my reasons were selfish and I understood that in a way I was wrong. However, the uncertainty of who I was and what I was had me thinking a bit more for myself instead of everyone else. I asked Damon one thing, one: not to kill Elijah until I talked to him. And what did Damon do? He killed him. He got Elena and Stefan on his side and they killed him before I ever got a chance.

"Elijah couldn't be trusted." Elena said, sounding more and more like Damon and Stefan. "I'm sorry that you are confused-"

"Confused?" I barked with a laugh. "I have gone way past confused. I'm fucking terrified!"

Elena winced at my tone and use of language. The shrill of the bell rang through my ears, and my first instinct was to go to class. However, I stayed put, in the empty hallway, my hands on my hips, and a narrow eyed glare set on Elena.

"Do you understand what kind of thing this is doing to my mind?" I asked her. Elena said nothing. "I have no idea what I am or what I'm capable of."

"We know what you are." Elena said. "You're a guardian."

"Which we still know barely anything about." I added. "Did you forget that I'm supposed to die for you?"

"Katherine could have just been lying." Elena assured, still trying to reason with me. "She might have been trying to scare you."

"Key word is might." I said, putting emphasis on the word. "Don't you tell me that you wouldn't be doing the same if it was you."

"You're right." Elena said after a beat of silence. "But right now I have to think about my family."

"What about me?" I asked, sounding a bit outraged. "It's not always about you Elena!"

"Alex-"

"I know that you're scared." I said, a few tears pricking my eyes. I wasn't sad. These tears were from the anxiety building up inside. "But I needed answers and you guys took that from me."

Elena visibly swallowed before she looked away. I bit my bottom lip, forcing myself to calm down. We were silent for several minutes before she met my gaze again.

"I never wanted to hurt you." Elena admitted, a few of her own tears falling. I felt my heart clench at the sight of her. I never wanted to hurt her either.

"I know." I breathed. "I'm scared too."

Elena nodded. She then boldly stepped forward and hugged me tight. I stood there for a moment, debating on pushing her off of me. I was still pretty upset, but I knew that Elena had done what she thought would keep Jeremy and Jenna safe along with her friends. I wound my arms around her waist and hugged her. I didn't know how much I needed one until that moment. It was strange, how much had changed.

The two Gilbert girls, hugging in the school hallway… it just wasn't us. At least it didn't used to be. This whole guardian thing made sense. The protectiveness I felt around Elena had at first been bizarre, and now I understood that it was just part of me. We were bonded, by blood and by this supernatural connection. I guess I wasn't getting rid of her that easily.

"Come on little sis." I said, pulling back. She smiled at me. "We're late to class."

Then the two Gilbert girls walked down the hall together.

I looked down at my phone again. The screen was still dark. I hadn't gotten a phone call or text at all this morning and it was starting to bother me. Usually, when Damon and I had a fight he would constantly be bothering me, telling me to pick up the phone or answer his text. This time he kept quiet and honestly it was starting to bug me.

"But I thought you said you wanted space?" Bonnie asked me, looking down at her sandwich. I shrugged. I was used to possessive, chatty Damon, not this quiet and listening to what I say Damon.

"Here's an idea…" Caroline said looking up from her own phone. "Call him."

"I can't." I replied. Both girls gave me a look. "I'm a chicken."

"Alex he's your boyfriend." Caroline reminded me. "Not an axe murderer."

I huffed and looked at my phone again. Still blank. I was beginning to think they were right. Maybe I should call him. Maybe it should be me who takes the first step this time. I couldn't constantly rely on Damon to do it, even if most of the time these fights were his fault.

"Call him." Bonnie urged me. I looked between the witch and the vampire before I huffed again. I then searched through my contacts for Damon, finding it quickly. I took a deep breath before hitting send and holding it to my ear. Both Caroline and Bonnie stared at me the whole time it rang. On about the third ring, I figured he wasn't going to answer either because he couldn't or he didn't want to. I was hoping it was the former.

"Hello?" The voice said finally. However, it wasn't Damon's voice. No this was female and sounded an awful lot like Elena; A lot like Katherine.

"I-Is Damon there?" I asked, cursing at myself for stammering. Caroline's eyes were wide and her jaw was dropped. I forgot she could hear everything that was happening in this phone call. Bonnie looked between us, looking utterly confused.

"Sorry sweetie." Katherine mused. "He's in the shower."

I swallowed hard. The idea of Damon being naked anywhere near Katherine made my stomach churn and my blood boil. However, if she was answering his phone that meant she wasn't with him. I reminded myself not to put the idea in her head.

"Could you tell him I called?" I asked through gritted teeth. I sent Caroline a look and she pushed her lips into a straight line. Bonnie still looked confused.

"Of course." Katherine said with a sickening sweet voice. "So, Alex… how's your mother?"

There was a pause.

"She's fine." I replied in an emotionless voice. I didn't want to give her any kind of satisfaction. I just hoped she couldn't hear how quick my pulse was moving through the phone.

"Good." Katherine said. I could imagine the evil smirk on her face. "I may just have to pop on over and see her."

"I wouldn't." I replied. "She's full of vervain."

"I don't doubt it." Katherine said. "And I know John's been sneaking around the house too."

I swallowed hard.

"But you know I don't need to feed from her to kill her or good old dad."

I said nothing and shot another anxious look to Caroline. She looked as if she was texting someone, probably Stefan to keep an eye out for my mom. She then started whispering to Bonnie.

"Relax." Katherine said finally. "If I wanted you, your mother, or John dead you would be. Contrary to popular belief, but I am here to help."

"Forgive me if I can't bring myself to believe that." I said with a laugh. I heard Katherine chuckle herself.

"Trust me. If I didn't want to I would be gone." Katherine said. It made sense. She wanted Klaus dead, just like the rest of us did. She was tired of running from him and I could understand that. I had never met the guy and I was terrified.

"Tell Damon I called." I told her. I then hung up, not giving her a chance to pester me anymore. I slammed my phone down on the table and held my head in my hands. Having a conversation with Katherine was exhausting and she did bad things to my nerves.

"She's such a bitch." Caroline said. I grunted in agreement, not looking up at either of them. I thought that talking to Damon was bad, but no that was worse. "And why is John hanging around your house?"

"Long story." I groaned, thinking about how he hadn't left my mother's side in days. We were starting to look like a family… it was a bit unnerving.

"You need to relax." Bonnie said to me. "Let off steam."

"Well, considering I am connected to the oldest vampire ever, I have no answers as to what I am, and my boyfriend is hanging out with his ex…" I named off a few things. "Yeah, you're right."

"We're having a girls night at Elena's." Caroline said. "Come over."

I nodded, not even having a voice to protest. I then laid my head on the table, voting against banging it against it. The rest of the school day went by pretty quickly. Jace had his first day, which he was happy about because he had no desire to see Katherine at that moment. I needed to get some vervain on that kid pronto.

The four of us girls were gathered round Elena's island in the kitchen, laughing and complaining about our problems. I had to admit that it was good to talk about it, and it was good to talk to them. It felt really human, even with a witch, a vampire, a doppelgänger, and a guardian all in the same room. It felt normal.

"Do you believe that Jonas is being sincere?" Elena asked, talking about Dr. Martin. He apparently had stripped Bonnie of her powers and now that Elijah was dead, she was trying to get them on our side.

"I don't know what to believe. I think he's at a loss." Bonnie explained. "He's not sure who to trust."

"Join the club." Elena muttered. The air was tense, and Elena continued to give me apologetic glances. It was starting to get on my nerves.

"Well, what are we going to do about this movie situation?" Caroline asked, trying to get our minds off of everything. "What about "The Notebook"?"

"Caroline, how many times have you seen that movie?" Elena asked. Caroline made a face.

"That is so not the point." She mumbled. We all started to laugh.

"I've never actually seen it." I said. Three sets of eyes floated to me.

"You've never seen it!" Caroline practically yelled. "Are you even human?"

"Apparently not." Bonnie said. I saw Elena nudge her playfully. I shrugged.

"I'm not into romance." I said. Elena scoffed. "What?"

"And yet you are in a relationship with a murderous vampire who has no humanity except for you." Elena said, looking at me. "Sounds pretty romantic to me."

"Shut up." I replied, earning a laugh from the other girls. "I'm not in the mood for romance anyway."

"He still hasn't called?" Bonnie asked. I shook my head. "What a jerk."

"Well he is Damon." Caroline quipped. I rolled my eyes. I never thought that Damon would ignore me, especially after a fight like that. Unless Katherine didn't tell him, which was very likely. She wasn't one for honesty. But still, it bothered me that I hadn't heard from him. Just then, Jenna walked in. All of us looked at her and she smiled.

"Hey." Elena said carefully. We all knew that her and Alaric had a falling out. Apparently, she was figuring out that Rick wasn't being so truthful about Isobel. What Jenna didn't know was that Isobel was a vampire and Rick was only trying to protect her. I felt a bit sorry for her.

"What's going on?" Jenna asked. I knew what she was feeling, the fact that she wanted answers and no one seemed willing to give them. It sucked being in the dark.

"Girls' night." Elena mused. "How are you doing?"

"You heard about my fight with Rick." Jenna concluded. Elena nodded.

"He feels terrible." Elena said. Jenna didn't seem to believe so. I knew where she was coming from. If she knew the truth she would understand why Alaric had kept it a secret.

"Is this some kind of disguised attempt to cheer me up?" Jenna asked. Elena shook her head.

"No. No, this is about us girls hanging out and you know, we'll be here if you happen to want to talk, or..." Elena said.

All four of us smiled at her and eventually she smiled back. She set down her stuff and took a seat.

"It's this whole Isobel thing." Jenna explained. "He's hiding something from me."

"To play devil's advocate, maybe there is a great reason why he's not telling you." Caroline said. "Maybe he is just trying to protect you."

"Well, that's not his call to make." Jenna said. "I mean, I deserve the truth. Everybody does."

I shifted awkwardly in my seat. Elena and I shared a glance before she looked away quickly. I felt a sudden understanding with Jenna. She wanted to know the truth and so did I. It didn't look like either one of us were going to get the answers we were looking for.

"You know what we need? Dancing." Caroline said. "There is a band at the grill."

"I'm in." Bonnie said first.

"In." Jenna said with a smile.

"Me too." Elena said. They then all looked to me. I wasn't much for dancing although I liked music. However, I figured that going would keep my mind off of all of this along with Damon ignoring me.

"I'm in."

The Grill was already packed full and the music was already started. I saw so many sweaty bodies pushed together, moving around trying to dance in their own space. I followed the girls inside and we found a spot that all of us could fit in. While only being there a few minutes I knew that the band was good. It was a bit of rock and a bit of alternative. It was my kind of music.

I didn't really dance, but I was moving around a little bit. It was kind of dancing, more like swaying to the beat. Elena, Bonnie and Caroline danced right next to me, much more confident with movement than I was.

"Hey you."

I turned and saw Jace walking toward me. I smiled, noticing the Mystic Grill shirt he was sporting. He looked good in blue.

"Hey." I replied, loudly over the music. "How's your first day?"

"Not too terrible." He shrugged. "Wish you were here for it though."

"Sorry." I replied with a smile. "Cool band huh?"

He shrugged.

"I'm more into country." He replied, his southern accent more exaggerated when he spoke about it.

"I should have known." I said with a laugh. He laughed along with me as the song ended. The band then stopped and the lead singer started talking to his band mates. I turned back to Jace.

"Are you going to the boarding house tonight?" I asked. He shrugged. "You can't keep sleeping in your truck."

"It's not so bad." Jace shrugged. "Besides it's better than being under the same roof as my ex."

I nodded. I couldn't force Jace to stay at the boarding house, but I didn't want him sleeping in his truck. I understood his reservations about being anywhere near Katherine, I was pretty scared myself. But Stefan wouldn't let anything happen to him. I made no promises about Damon though.

"I have to get back to work." Jace said. I grabbed his arm. He looked down at my hand and then back up to me.

"If you want me to go to the boarding house with you I will." I said. He smiled.

"What about Damon?" He asked. I shrugged.

"What about him?" I asked. Jace then got a wicked grin. He patted me on the shoulder before he went back over to the bar. I sighed and looked back to the stage.

"What are you doing?" Elena said, catching my attention. "Where are you going?"

I then saw Caroline boldly walk up to the stage and took the mic. I shared a look with Elena before looking back at the blonde.

"Hey, everybody. Let's hear it for the band! Weren't they awesome?" She said. I stared at her for a long time, surprised by her boldness. I would never be able to just jump up there and start talking. What she did next was so amazing, I can's even put it into words.

"So there's this guy. And, uh, he told me to tell him how I feel about him. Like it's so easy. Um, you know, just 'cause I talk a lot doesn't mean I always know what I'm actually talking about. Ah, like now, I'm feeling loopy and I don't really know how to express myself. I can sing. Yeah! Yeah. You know what, I'm going to sing."

She then spoke to the lead singer and the music started. I didn't recognize it at first, but once I did a big grin broke out on my face. Not only that, but Caroline was good. She was really good. If Matt didn't appreciate this, I was going to kick his balls into his throat.

Close your eyes

Give me your hand

Darling, do you feel

My heart beating?

Do you understand?

I felt his hands before I heard his voice. That strong grip that was yet so gentle squeezed at my waist and I felt his chest push into my back. I didn't pull away or say anything. I just closed my eyes and breathed in deep.

Do you feel the same

Or am I only dreaming?

Is this burning?

An eternal flame

"I'm sorry." He whispered in my ear. I found myself smirking. I then turned around and gazed into his eyes. After a day of no sight of him and no contact, I was happy to see him. However, I was still upset considering what he had done. I pushed against him, giving myself some room.

"You have been saying that a lot lately." I said. He didn't reply, he just took my hand and drug me across the floor. It wasn't until we were in the bathroom did he stop. He then locked the door and turned to me.

"You know I only do this because I care." He said, stepping forward. "I want to protect you."

"I know." I replied. "But you couldn't have killed him after I talked to him?"

"I didn't think I would get another chance." He said. "Elijah can't be trusted."

"Yeah, yeah." I said, turning away from him. "I just wish I had some answers."

"I know baby." Damon said, grabbing me into a hug. "But listen… I'm going to do things that you don't like and I'm probably going to make you mad… a lot… but the only reason I do this stuff is because I want to make sure you are safe."

I stared up into his blue eyes and felt all my anger melt away. I wanted to be mad at him, but I knew that he was only looking out for me. In Damon's own way, everything he did was his way of protecting me. It may not have been what I wanted, but in the end that was his only goal.

"I love you." I said to him, looking up into his eyes. I waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn't instead he just kissed me. I tried not to let it bother me that he had never said it before. He would say it when he was ready, and I didn't want to rush him. Then again, the way he was kissing me then I didn't think I even needed to hear it.

The kiss started out slow and tender. It was sweet, but then as always it turned into something more. This time, I didn't push him away. This time I let him further the kiss, pushing me up against the sink. I didn't even feel him pick me up and set me on top of the sink, but he did. His one hand enveloped itself in my hair, while the other kept its place on my thigh.

I moaned a bit when he moved from kissing my lips down my jaw and to my neck. I felt him smile against my skin. I was in pure bliss, and I never wanted this to stop. He kissed down my neck and to my exposed collar bone. He pushed my shirt over my shoulder, out of his way as he nipped and sucked at my skin. I bit my lip to fight back another moan.

A knock on the door alerted me of where we were. My eyes shot open and I looked to the door. Damon however, continued to work his magic on my sensitive skin.

"Damon." I hissed, trying to get him to stop. "We can't do this here."

"Why not?" He asked against my neck. "The danger makes it all the more fun."

"I'm serious." I said, pushing him back. He groaned in irritation before he grabbed me and hoisted me off the sink. He then sped over to the door, unlocking it and pulled me out of the restroom. I tried not to blush as the guy who was knocking gawked at us. Instead of stopping and listening to the band like I thought we would, Damon instead led me outside.

"Where are we going?" I asked. He didn't answer, he just took me to his car and nudged me inside. I didn't question anything else. All I knew was Damon's hand was on my knee and he was racing down the street. We arrived at the boarding house in record time, and with vampire speed Damon was at my door, opening it for me.

"What are you doing?" I asked. He smirked at me, taking my hand and leading me inside. He closed the door behind him before turning to me like a predator and his prey.

"Where were we?" He asked. I never got a chance to answer, because his lips were on mine in a second. I understood now that Damon was picking up where we left off in the bathroom. I didn't protest to his kisses or when he hoisted me up. My legs wrapped around his torso, so I didn't fall and his arms were curled around my waist. I didn't know when we had gotten to his bedroom, but I realized we were there when my back hit his mattress.

I pulled back then, allowing myself to breathe. My chest was rising and falling at such a rapid rate, I thought that I might hyperventilate. He kissed down my neck again, going further down into the crease between my small breasts. I was really glad I wore a v neck that day. I felt his hands push up my shirt, exposing my belly.

I knew I was thin, straight as a pole really with barely any curves. Even so, I was still self-conscious when it came to my body. No one had really seen it before, and as Damon started pulling it up I felt my anxiety peak. I didn't stop him though, I let him pull the shirt up over my head and let him toss it to the floor. I did however blush when he looked down at me, wearing only a bra. It wasn't even a nice one, it was an old stained white one I had had for years.

Still, as Damon's eyes trailed over my shapeless body, he made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He had this look on his face, as if he was mesmerized by the sight of me. I felt my blush grow hotter when he met my gaze.

"You're so beautiful." He said to me, his hand cupping my cheek. I felt myself smile at his comment and he leaned down to kiss me ever so tenderly. This was no longer about sex or desire. That's what it started out as, but as soon as Damon said that it turned into something much more meaningful. This was about feelings and emotions… love. I could feel myself falling deeper and deeper in love with him the longer he kissed me, touched me, just looked at me. I was head over heels in love with Damon Salvatore.

"Oh look. The happy couple made up."

Both Damon and I jumped and I immediately threw my arms over my chest. The two of us looked to the door, where a smiling Katherine stood in the door way looking very much like Elena. She looked very amused at our current position, although I felt completely uncomfortable.

"What do you want?" Damon barked. I could hear the irritation in his voice as he stood up and grabbed my shirt. He tossed it to me, his glare never leaving Katherine.

"We have a problem." Katherine said. "Jonas is going after Elena."

I pulled my shirt over my head and stood up. I guessed it was my guardian senses tingling, but I felt the need to go and resolve this situation.

"I have a plan." Katherine explained. Damon and I shared a look. "Come on, we don't have a lot of time."

To Katherine's credit, her plan wasn't bad. She posed as Elena, luring in Dr. Martin and in turn she killed him. I couldn't blame the man. He was desperate to find his daughter and he had just watched his son die in front of him. That had to mess him up a little.

"You sure you don't want to stay?" Damon asked me. I was tempted, but with Katherine still in the house I didn't want to be around. On top of that, I didn't want to leave my mom in the house alone just in case Katherine got any ideas.

"I wish I could." I said, leaning over and placing a kiss to his lips. "But I am frequenting your bed more than my own."

"I don't see a problem with that." Damon said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and pulled back before he could push me on the bed and continue what we were very rudely interrupted fro earlier.

"I have to go." I said to which he groaned loudly. "Find out about this witch burial site. That should keep you busy."

"You are such a tease." He said playfully. I rolled my eyes and kissed him once more before I went out the door. I turned back once and smiled at him. Damon winked at me and I was gone.

Jace returned to the boarding house after his shift. He knew that it was probably stupid, but he promised Alex that he would at least think about it. Things with he had been good lately, and he noticed that she was using him to comfort her. No one else seemed to understand the gravity of this situation but Alex and Jace. Not Damon, or Stefan, definitely not Elena. They knew the basics, but what they didn't know was what was going on with Alex. If this Klaus guy was coming he may need Alex for something. But it seemed to Jace that no one really cared about that.

He knew that Damon did. He could see it in the way he looked at her and was always rushing in to help her. However, he was all about the kill and he wanted to kill Elijah. He wasn't going to let Alex tell him he couldn't.

"Hello Jace." A voice said. He turned to where it was coming from and saw that it was only Stefan. He smiled when he noticed Jace jump.

"Hey Stefan." Jace replied. He then nodded upstairs. "She still here?"

Stefan nodded grimly. Jace knew he couldn't get so lucky that she would leave. Whether it was true that she wanted to help or not, that didn't mean that she would spare his life. Jace was no longer of use to her.

"She's promised not to hurt you." Stefan said, but it didn't really calm Jace down. "Damon and I will not let it happen."

"I don't know if you have noticed…" Jace said. "But Damon doesn't like me."

Stefan chuckled.

"Damon doesn't like anyone." He replied. "But you are Alex's friend… and he likes Alex."

Jace put the two pieces together and nodded. He guessed that if Damon deliberately had Jace killed or kill him himself, Alex would never forgive him. So, Jace relaxed a bit.

"I'm going to head to bed." Jace said. Stefan nodded and the two departed. Jace went up to his room, finding the light off. He switched it on, and to his surprise he was alone. He stepped into the room and turned to close the door.

"Miss me?"

It was Katherine, standing in the doorway. Jace tried to close the door on her, but she threw it back, knocking him to the ground. She tsk tsk'ed and wagged her finger.

"That wasn't very nice." She said.

"Neither was threatening everyone in town." He spat back. Katherine rolled her eyes but smirked. She then ventured into his room, while Jace stood up. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was just trying to seduce Damon…" She said. He noticed her skimpy lingerie. "But he's a lot tougher than I remember."

"Well he does have a girlfriend." Jace pointed out. Katherine threw her head back and laughed. She then turned to Jace with a lustful look.

"But you don't." Katherine said, taking a few dangerous steps forward. Jace felt his throat tighten and his heart beat pick up speed the closer she got. She was then close enough to place her hand on his chest. "Unless you have someone in mind."

"Like who?" Jace asked, swallowing hard. Katherine chuckled, leaning forward to press a kiss to his jaw, then his neck. Jace forced himself to stay focused. Katherine was a bitch, a cold hearted bitch who had used him for her own personal gain. He hated her.

"Like Damon's girlfriend." Katherine said, looking up into his eyes with a coy smile. Jace furrowed his brow. "Come on it's obvious."

"We're friends." Jace said. "Nothing more."

"But you want it to be." Katherine said. "I noticed it the first time you talked to her. You like her."

"You're crazy." Jace said, pushing away from her and walking across the room. Katherine shrugged from where she stood.

"I may be crazy but I'm not blind." She said. "What do you think Damon will say when he finds out?"

"First of all there is nothing to find out." Jace told her. "Second, I'm not afraid of him."

"You should be." Katherine replied. "Damon doesn't take too lightly when people take what he wants."

Jace rolled his eyes. Alex was his friend that was it. She was pretty, she was funny, she was amazing… but that didn't mean he liked her more than a friend. Besides, she was in love with Damon. Anyone who came between the epic couple never stood a chance.

"I'll see you later Jace." Katherine said, her had ghosting along his chest. "And if you ever need anything just stop by my bedroom."

She then swayed her hips as she left the room. He offer was tempting. Sex with Katherine was unlike any other, not that Jace had a lot of sex. But Jace wouldn't let himself be vulnerable with Katherine again. He wanted nothing to do with her, even if the events caused pleasure.

Jace got ready for bed then, thinking about what Katherine said. Even without the compulsion, she had this way about her that made him question everything. Alex was just beginning to trust him again, and now that everything was out on the open their friendship had never been better. She was a cool girl, very sweet and kind. She was a good friend. But Jace couldn't deny the spark that shot through him when Alex touched him. He had flirted with her before, more for a chance to get into her head as Katherine instructed. Those were fake, but that… that was different.

He shook his head. There was nothing between them, nothing romantic. There couldn't be. He couldn't mess up their friendship again. Not this time.