Circumstances

Pairing: OC/Rebekah

Summary: As much as everyone thought they knew, Jacqueline always managed to prove them wrong. People claim to know who she is, what she's done, what's she's been through - and yet none of them can see all of it. What happens when she meets a certain Original Vampire who sees every little thing about her. From the way she walks to the way she acts... but will Jacqueline allow her supernatural mate to see her past as if they experienced it themselves. Elena bashing.

...

"Don't underestimate the allure of darkness. Even the purest hearts are drawn to it"

Klaus Mikaelson, Vampire Diaries

SEI

Jacqueline = 17 yrs old
Elena = 14 yrs old
Jeremy = 12 yrs old

Turning 17 Jacqueline was a little defeated in the task of finding a witch willing to help. It had been a year already and the feeling of magic under her skin was worsening. She had managed to find a few witches but had been turned away each time. They act like she'd infect them with something if they looked in her direction for too long.

She was burning every end of the candle.

...or whatever the fuck that metaphors was!

Point is that Jacqueline was constantly dealing with problems and they were getting to be too much. She wasn't sure for how much longer she could keep this up. It was starting to take its toll on Jacqueline already.

There was just too much!

For one, Miranda was now no longer staying in Mystic Falls. Out on a bender with her new drug dealer boyfriend, Miranda's absence was hardly noticed if not a little easier on Jacqueline's part.

Greyson ventured home from his apartment on Whitmore Campus more frequently in Miranda's absence. Making it home three times a week instead of once a week. He would say hi to Elena and Jeremy while dropping off a wad of cash in Jacqueline's hands. It was rather unnerving how quickly her relationship with her father had become transactional.

It was disgusting actually.

Greyson's experiments had gotten increasingly more violent though. Jacqueline was seriously worried he might kill Enzo. She knew Enzo felt a change too and as much as he denied it, he was worried and scared.

Tyler had become a permanent fixture in the Gilbert house now. Tyler's uncle Mason - who's only 19 - took off for Florida to surf or some shit. The kids anger had gotten worse because of it. So, Jacqueline suggested that Tyler enrolled in more sports at school which seemed to be helping. As it turns out Tyler did have some shit to deal with at home. Carol loves Tyler no doubt, but hearing his mom cry after fights with his cheating and verbally abusive father had been hard on the kid. It made the home a bad place to be for Tyler and he sought refuge in the Gilbert house...

Though that also meant Jacqueline had another teen to hide Miranda from. It had worked for months but Jacqueline suspected that Tyler was well aware of Miranda's substance abuse and Greyson proving Miranda with drugs and alcohol.

Tyler hadn't said anything though... Of that, Jacqueline was relieved but she refused to burden Tyler with the secret any further.

Which was just another reason Miranda being out on a bender was great!

Especially considering that a 14 year old Elena Gilbert was dating Matt Donovan now. The pair could be a poster couple for the American dream life; white picket fence and 2.5 kids included.

Matt was super respectful of Jacqueline but Elena had been lashing out lately. From what Jacqueline gathered, Elena's apparent hatred for her is because of Miranda's absence. Apparently Elena was starting to realise Miranda had never truly been the mom of the house.

...at least that was what Matt had said anyway.

Jacqueline had given Matt a glare so fierce that boy had spilled his guts. Turns out that Matt might be good for Elena. After all, Matt's own mom was pretty much gone half the time. Jacqueline had faith Matt would do just fine in supporting Elena through her hard realisation. Though Elena was doing everything possible to show Jacqueline how much she was hated. Jacqueline knew that if Elena truly hated her, she wouldn't be going out her way to show it. Elena was looking for a reaction, a button that she could push to make Jacqueline suffer the way Elena thought she, herself was suffering.

Jacqueline hadn't reacted with anything other than amusement and Indifference though.

...but if Elena had been trying to find Jeremy and Tyler's buttons; it was the continuous berating and rudeness towards Jacqueline.

Tyler's anger had taken Jacqueline by surprise but also warmed her heart to see. The kid was one of the few who hung around Elena that didn't hang on Elena's every word. Tyler certainly hadn't appreciated Elena's bratty attitude any more than Jeremy had.

Jacqueline refused to let it bother her though.

Cause at the end of the day she knew it was coming from a place of pain and confusion. Something Jacqueline could sympathise with because she knew how highly Elena regarded Miranda. Instead, Jacqueline had only made sure to be clear with Elena that there she wasn't going anywhere.

It didn't matter if Elena hated her this week or not.

Meanwhile Jacqueline had been earning plenty of money at work. The tattoo shop had gotten more customers over the school holidays and they all paid well. On top of the money Greyson was forking over, should anything happen, Jacqueline had savings she could use.

However what was the most concerning thing out of everything happening... was Jacqueline's magical problem.

She had yet to find a witch who entertained the idea of helping her find answers, and Jacqueline had gone to every witch she could find. Jacqueline could feel her magic bubbling under her skin. She wasn't sure what to do about it though. Other than wait for it to explode and get her caught. At this point she had confirmed that it was dark magic but aside from that she had nothing.

...it was getting worse though.

Even getting to the point of it becoming painful instead of just odd. Which was why Jacqueline had blown off school in favour of searching for more witches.

Again.

Shit was truly testing her patience lately!

Jacqueline had once again come up empty in regards to finding witches willing to help or giver her answers. However as she dejectedly walked out of the lasted dead end, someone followed. "Wait!" A woman called to her

Jacqueline turned around and stared at the redheaded woman with surprise and suspicion. After the hateful, 'you're an abomination to nature. A disgusting part of magic that shouldn't exist and shames all witches' spiel Jacqueline couldn't imagine what this woman wanted. "What?" She snapped defensively, preparing herself for a fight.

The woman blinked, "You really don't know anything do you?"

Jacqueline sighed but shook her head not being able to help a slight bit of hope creeping out. She was desperate at this point - but Jacqueline would never admit that to those witches.

"I was adopted. So when my magic first started showing, I'd been confused. Which is why I'm going to explain this to you" the woman winced almost like she didn't want to say what she needed to say. "Dark magic is evil. There's quite a few types of magic out there and yours is the darkest magic in existence"

"I might be a bitch but I'm not evil" Jacqueline stated dryly

"I can tell that your not evil" the witch assured. "But magic like yours is impossible to control. Dark magic is evil and if you unleash it on the world then people will suffer because of it"

Jacqueline sucked in a breath and watched the witch turn on her heels and leave.

She wasn't really sure what to make of that yet...

For the time she had been seeking out witches, they'd all been spouting the same bullshit about her magic being against nature. One older witch had even suggested that another had locked Jacqueline's magic up already. They acted like Jacqueline was going to start slaughtering new-borns if they helped her get control of her magic that was painful in it's attempts to surface.

It was burning hot agony under her skin!

Jacqueline thought that the witches were a little naïve in their views on nature though. If nature was this all seeing entity that all magic was created from, then why had it created witches with dark magic?

Why did 'nature' allow dark magic to exist if it was so wrong?

Jacqueline didn't know much about the witches or magic and its origins. What she did know though, was that she wasn't buying into this senseless hate. In fact, she was starting to think that witches truly did believe they're the superior beings.

All this abomination bullshit was really pissing Jacqueline off!

Once again questions in her mind were raised about how vampires could exist if they were against nature. Hadn't nature adapted and evolved to create a balance that included vampires by now?

If not, then what was with the whole burning in the sun and vervain shit?

If nature wasn't balancing itself out then why can't vampires be truly immortal?

Jacqueline knew that people were scared of what they couldn't control or understand but didn't they realise she was scared too? After all, Jacqueline was the one living with the pain. She was also living with the fear that her magic would burst out and hurt someone cause she can't control it.

...she was worried that Augustine would try and kill her!

Or worse.

Experiment on her and her magic.

It was what led Jacqueline to the school early to pick up Tyler and Jeremy. Jacqueline waited patiently by the car as both boys walked through the parking lot looking equally confused.

"Hey" Jeremy greeted as he opened the backseat and climbed in.

Tyler having called shot gun already, got in the front seat. "What's up?" Tyler asked with raised brows.

Jacqueline forced a mischievous smirk onto her face as she looked between the two younger teens. She wasn't going to let onto her internal worries, but she did need a way to ease them. And making sure neither could be compelled was a fun and easy start to accomplishing that. "I have a surprise for you two" she told them allowing more genuine excitement to fill her chest.

Jeremy chuckled, "Why do I get a feeling this could potentially get us all into trouble?"

Jacqueline shrugged, "Probably cause almost everything I do can get me into trouble" She lifted a shoulder in a 'what can you do' manner as she pulled the car out of the parking lot.

"Well I'm in" Tyler chuckled

"Good" Jacqueline smirked, "Cause you're mom is gonna want to kill me after this" she muttered before cranking the music. Not allowing either teen to start with their questioning.

'Cause if there's a Hell
I'll meet you there
And if there's a Heaven
They're serving beer
And if you're an angel
Then I must be high

Oh, if there's a church
It's rock 'n roll
If there's a devil
I sold my soul

And it's alright whatever we do tonight

'Cause if there's a God
Dammit she won't mind
If there's a God
Baby, she won't mind

Jacqueline hummed along to the song as she drove and pulled them into the parking lot of her work. The tattoo shops sign glowed neon green and made a smile twist across her lips.

"What are doing here?" Tyler asked

"Getting tattoos" Jacqueline supplied as she climbed out of the car nonchalantly. Chuckling to herself when Tyler and Jeremy scrambled to follow excitedly.

"You're gonna let us get a tattoo?" Jeremy questioned as if he wasn't particularly sure she'd say yes.

Jacqueline tutted at him before rolling her eyes. "Of course I am. I'm the bad Gilbert - remember?" She said mockingly as her eyes twinkled with mischief

Tyler chuckled as he followed her into the shop. Tyler had become like a little brother to Jacqueline in the past years. He was as important to her as Jeremy. While Tyler was older than Jeremy the two were a lot alike and got along great.

"Hey Raack!" Jacqueline kissed the mans cheek as she greeted him. "I'm gonna do a vervain tattoo for them" she whispered in his ear

Raack, as she had learnt was a hunter of all supernatural's causing too much destruction. He didn't hate anyone and recognised not all vampires were bad, just as he recognised not all witches were good. However, the man believed that since most humans were kept out of the loop then someone had to be ther to look out for them. Raack was willing to be one of those people and also happened to be willing to bend the rules to allow her to ink Jeremy and Tyler.

In fact, it had been his idea in the first place...

Suddenly it seemed to be an important step to take if she wanted to continue talking to witches that hate her. A little protection was good to have even if she had yet to tell them about the supernatural. What proof did she have anyway?

Raack nodded and smiled at the boys, "Hey guys. C'mon in. Are we doing tattoos or piercings?"

"Really?" Tyler's eyebrows rose as if waiting for her to put an end to it all.

Jacqueline huffed in slight offence, "I don't say anything I don't mean. I'm not Elena or Carol" she reminded them

"Tattoos" Jeremy nodded happily and Tyler readily agreed.

Raack and Jacqueline led the two over to the drawing table and began planning their designs. Jacqueline had showed them various designs she had begun with them in mind. Even letting them take a look at previous designs she or Raack had done.

"Did you figure out what your getting done?" Raack asked

Tyler nodded to the wolf Jacqueline had drawn. It was stunningly detailed but the wolf managed to look mighty and ferocious at the same time. It hadn't escaped her notice how drawn to wolves that Tyler is and she wondered if there was something more to that. But then she had to remind herself that she didn't need to be so paranoid all the time.

"Good choice" Jacqueline nodded before she looked at Jeremy expectantly

"I think I like the dragon" Jeremy commented starting at the dragon she had designed with him in mind.

Jacqueline smiled, "If It's what you want. We could make changes to the design if you want.. keep the main idea of a dragon but change something?"

"Can I do it?" Jeremy asked taking the special stencil and moving to make the changes himself.

Jacqueline shrugged uncaring who made the changes. Jeremy and Tyler were both great artists and she had often seen them just sat together sketching away. As teen boys they're drawing usually focused around some cool dragon or a hot chicks tits - though she didn't really comment on that.

"Oh and Jackie!" Raack paused what he was doing suddenly. "The lip piercing arrived today"

Jacqueline perked up at that - she really did love getting piercings done. She had a few already and this was about to be her newest addition. Her first was when she got her tongue pierced, and then her nipples. Her favourite were the 5 diamond studs in each ear. The first being the biggest stud and the rest decreasing in size as they went up her earlobe. Jacqueline had gotten her bellybutton done last year but she didn't often leave the dangly gem in place.

It wasn't her favourite.

"What did you get?" Tyler asked confused and curious. Tyler was the one who liked her piercings the most. Neither Jeremy nor Elena were that interested in piercings.

Jacqueline smirked, "I'm getting a proper hoop for my septum and then I want to pierce my lip... right above the Cupid's bow of my lip" she explained not entirely sure of the technical words.

Raack rolled his eyes, "Wanna do it today then? If we weren't in such a sleepy town I'd say you take up too much of my time"

"Yeah well I'm your best customer" Jacqueline chuckled. "And you know you love me" She taunted hearing him scoff as a way to deny it.

Jacqueline only grinned smugly in response.

Jacqueline was in the middle of cooking dinner when the doorbell rang. She furrowed her brows wondering who they knew that actually rang the door bell anymore?

Tyler just lets himself in.

Jeremy and Elena's friends called first and usually were met at the door by either Elena or Jeremy.

Jacqueline didn't hang out with her own friends at her house. She didn't need her siblings seeing the shit she got up to!

Confused, she went to answer the door and resisted the urge to grimace when she realised it was Carol Lockwood. A fuming Carol Lockwood to be more specific... "Carol-" Jacqueline began but was instantly cut off by Carols screeching.

Apparently it's not just 14 year old girls who screech like that!

"What have you done! You tattooed my son?! Permanently!" Carol yelled frantically. "Who gave you the right! I didn't give permission to do that!"

Jacqueline let her face show exactly how unimpressed she was about Carols tantrum. The woman barely paid any attention to Tyler... the only reason she cared now was cause it didn't 'look good' for the Mayors son to be anything but picture perfect.

Her eyes shifted to where Tyler was awkwardly standing behind Carol. Tyler grimaced, "I'm sorry, Jacq-"

"It's all good, Ty" Jacqueline waved him off and nodded her head inside the house. "Why don't you go make sure Jeremy and Elena haven't burnt the Pizza in the oven already"

Tyler nodded and refused to look at Carol as he brushed past his mother. Jacqueline offered Tyler an understanding smirk and an eye roll before he past her and she shut the front door. Stepping out into the porch, Jacqueline took a step towards Carol and lowered her voice.

"Listen Carol. That tattoo is full of vervain" Jacqueline stated lowly

Carol spluttered for a second before frowning. "You know? You know about the council?"

Jacqueline nodded though she wasn't sure what council Carol was talking about. She just wasn't going to let Carol know that.

"Oh" Carol muttered dumbly, "I guess it makes sense since your almost 18. Are you planning on joining the council in your parents place?"

Jacqueline nodded, "I guess" she answered vaguely

Carole still didn't look pleased though. "You shouldn't have gone and tattooed my son without asking me!"

Jacqueline scoffed, "He's about to turn 16. He doesn't need your permission, Carol. I didn't tell him about the vervain as a favour to you but I won't allow people I care about to go unprotected"

Carol shown her head, "That's not your decision to make! How do you think this looks for the Mayors son? Tattoos are for - for delinquents!" Carol spluttered

Jacqueline chuckled and nodded her head as she watched Carols eyes widened with the realisation that she just called Jacqueline a delinquent. "Right. Cause your so prefect?" She mocked in return

Carol jutted her chin up as if to say that she was, Indeed perfect.

Opening the front door again Jacqueline turned back to Carol, "You need to get off that high horse Carol" She sneered. "Cause while you might think you look great from up there - it makes you look like self-absorbed bitch to everyone else"

With that Jacqueline shut the door and rolled her eyes.

She was not surprised to see Tyler, Jeremy and Elena quickly start acting like they hadn't been spying - Jacqueline smirked but chose not to say anything. She knew they had only heard the last part of the conversation and from Tyler and Jeremys grins; they agreed. Elena simply looked like she was resisting the urge to cast Jacqueline a disapproving look, knowing it would get her caught.

"The pizza done yet?" Jacqueline asked

"The pizza?" Tyler frowned before his eyes widened. "Oh! The pizza! Yeah"

Shaking her head she watched the three of them attempt to pull the pizza out of the oven before it burns.

.

.