A/N: Helloooooo all! God, so much time has passed since I last updated. I am genuinely sorry. But I won't bother with excuses cause the world has been shitty for everyone these past couple of years, hasn't it? With that said, it will be a miracle if anyone's still reading this. I want to thank all the attention this story got. I intend to keep writing it, even if slowly. Thanks for your opinions! I will be addressing reviews in the end.

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, or their original characters, plot, and general content. I am not making any profit out of this story, I write purely for entertainment. No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the cover image. I do own my OCs and plot.

For faceclaims, check the previous chapter 7 (henceforth, it will only be added when there is a new character).

Time for some apologies and tiny adventures. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 8: Apologies, apologies

November 30th, 2009

The ringing bell signalled the end of last period and a horde of students filed out of the classroom into the empty corridors. Staci followed amidst them and rushed towards the school exit. She had swimming practice next and Jude had football practice as well, but he usually hung around the parking lot a few minutes before.

Her eyes roamed the vicinity yet spotted no chocolate tresses and a well-built frame. He'd spent the whole lunch ogling her and now that she intended to talk to him he was in the wind?

"Hello, Staci," the sweet tune of Holly's voice broke through her thoughts, uninvited.

Staci rounded on her with her lip turned down in distaste at the scarce smell of her perfume.

"Holly," was all she said, her voice clipped.

"Are you looking for Jude? He'll be here shortly; he had to drop by the counsellor's office. We're seniors, so we'll be leaving for college, soon."

"Have you come to bother me? 'Cause I'm not in the mood," Staci snapped in a scathing tone, really not caring that she was being utterly rude. Politeness be damned.

"No, not at all. Hear me out, please?" Despite pleading, her mint green eyes seemed to bear a perpetual frostiness.

Staci mulled for a minute and huffed. "You've five minutes."

"I wanted to apologise."

"Sure, and I'm the Easter Bunny. Last time you-"

"I know what happened last time," Holly interrupted with force and Staci braced herself for an ensuing argument. "But I was wrong."

Staci scoffed and rolled her eyes, shooting her a bitter smile. "If you're trying to get on Jude's good side by apologising to me, you needn't bother."

Holly's gaze hardened to stone and she stepped toward Staci, who stood her ground. "I don't want to be friends with you. While I don't admittedly know you well, you've always been polite and nice to me. However, there's something I dislike about you that I can't quite put my finger on."

"Yes, the feeling is very much mutual," Staci fisted her hands.

"And yet," Holly continued as though Staci hadn't said a word. "While I'm doing this for Jude's benefit, I regret how I behaved. It was shameful and my parents' taught me better than that."

It doesn't seem to have stuck on you.

Staci narrowed her glare and opened her mouth, itching to give Holly a piece of her colourful vocabulary and tell her where she could shove her words. However, she clammed it shut. She took a deep, calming breath to muster every ounce of self-control. Mouthing off to Holly would be no better than her pettiness and immaturity.

"I've liked Jude as more than a friend, for years," the blonde continued, unaffected by Staci's sour expressions. "We've been friends for so long, but for almost as long I've wished for something else," Holly's eyes softened, reflecting a vulnerability Staci had never seen before. "And despite knowing deep down he saw me as a friend, I never abandoned hope. Until you arrived," her last words leaked from her lips in a resentful mutter. She seemed to recover and held her head high. "He likes you; he'd talk about you often. I was jealous, so I took advantage of your allergy to monopolise Jude's time and attention. It was a selfish and petty thing to do, nothing excuses it but… I am truly sorry for my awful behaviour," Holly exhaled and searched Staci's eyes with an expectant look.

Staci frowned, folding her arms over her chest. At first, she hadn't known what Holly's problem was – it was hard to know what she was thinking. Now, it all made sense.

A resilient glint sparked in the blonde's mint-green eyes. "Jude likes you and, while I may not, what kind of friend am I if I keep creating rifts between you? It will make Jude miserable and it will destroy my friendship with him. I will not lose my best friend. If that entails being on polite terms with you, I'm more than willing."

Oh, I'll believe it when I see it.

"Make no mistake, though – I resent you for everything."

That she believed.

A hopeful, dim smile twitched on Holly's lips. "So, what do you say?"

Staci gazed over the girl's shoulder, unfocused. There was no telling whether Holly was sincere or playing games. Her voice sounded genuine; no double edge to every word and action and look. Nevertheless, Holly had come to her, not the other way around. Staci had the upper hand and the outcome rested on her hands alone. She could use this to set some boundaries. And she understood where Holly was coming from. Albeit selfish, she was not forced to like Staci, thus her initiative was all the more commendable – Staci respected that. Jude's friendship with the girl was important to him and she was no one to stand in the way of it, either.

"I'll give you another chance," Staci attempted a polite smile that she was sure turned out a grimace. She was glad Holly had finally been more mature about the whole situation and at least decided to respect and be civil with her.

"It will be better from now on," Holly asserted, offering a nod of her head and turning to leave. "Thank you, Anastacia."

Staci scratched her nose observing Holly's retreat but halted her hand. She hadn't been nauseous while interacting with Holly... not even once. The Lobelia scent had been so faint it hadn't affected her.

Has she finally showered in water instead of perfume?

She spotted Jude exiting the school building and waved her arm in the air to get his attention. His grin dimmed but he kept smiling as he walked over to her.

"Hey, Staci," he greeted in a small voice.

"Hey…" she said, an awkward strain twisting the air.

"I was looking for you-" They spoke at the same time, and chuckled. Their laugh visibly relaxed Jude, and Staci's tense shoulders sagged.

"You first, Stace."

"This has gone on long enough," courage spurred her heart and inflated her chest like a bold flame. "I wanted to settle things with you. I-" Staci hesitated. "I miss you." A warmth coiled in her cheeks, but she didn't mind how transparent her feelings were at the moment.

Jude's brown eyes swam with hope and joy, his smile enlarging again. "I've missed you, too. And- Staci, I handled everything wrong. Everything was such a mess," he gulped a lungful of air between his word-vomit. "I didn't know how to let Holly down. She's my best friend and I love her, I never wanted to be the cause of her pain. Instead, I ended up hurting you both." He then explained how on Halloween he'd planned to change things, after realising Holly was distancing him from Staci and he had allowed it because of who Holly was to him. Then he got drunk and didn't do it the best way.

"I should never have kissed you."

"I don't regret it," Staci blurted and her eyes widened, astounded at her own certainty.

Jude sighed and admired her feet. "I don't either. I just wish I'd done it the right way. The sober way."

Staci understood and she agreed with a wholehearted headshake.

"After I made up with Holly, I was determined to clear things with you but… I wasn't sure if you were still mad at me and-"

"Can I get a word in?" Staci cut him off with a playful smile. Jude blushed and stammered his consent. "I'm sorry, as well." At his puzzled frown, she added, "It wasn't nice of me to have lashed out like that. Despite really not wanting to be involved in drama, turning my back on you when you were going through hardship was a… how'd you say it," she lowered the pitch of her voice, "'dick move'."

Jude's smile radiated off his face. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me. Although, from where I stand, there's nothing to forgive."

Staci returned his smile, and suddenly the sun was brighter than before. "I'd have to agree."

He grew a little more serious, but his features were soft. "I like you, Staci."

She was a little embarrassed that he could see through her unspoken insecurity yet glad he felt that way. "I like you, too. And… we're both sober now, so perhaps I could do this-" She closed the distance between them and touched her lips to his. He was quick to respond and squeezed her arms as he pecked her again.

Staci pulled away, biting her lip to contain a goofy smile.

Jude seemed pleasantly surprised. "I was going to ask you on a date but it seems you've taken it a step forward. Buy me a coffee first!"

Staci spewed a mix between a giggle and a snort and rolled her eyes. "Actually, I have no idea what I'm doing." If he were any other boy, she might have been ashamed of her lack of experience in the dating field. However, Jude had never been one to judge, and that was a great feeling.

December 2nd, 2009

"Harvelle, it's me again," Staci grumbled onto her mobile phone. "There's been a new 'animal attack' and a few locals have been going missing for almost two months. Heaven knows how many more are missing that the police consider unworthy of reporting. The Council is a bunch of incompetent ninnies, they can't be relied upon. So, whenever you dignify yourself to answering me, you need to send somebody. I know you're searching for your uncle. But for heaven's sake, spare a body or two. Bye."

Staci huffed and padded down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Elliott and Peter were making dinner. She slammed her phone on the counter and slumped on a stool.

"Break that phone and I won't buy you a new one. I'd love to see you survive without it," Peter winked and turned to his macaroni and cheese.

Staci was expecting her uncles to ask about the situation in Mystic Falls but, ever since the Vicki debacle, they had never uttered another word about supernatural issues, which she was immensely thankful for. Besides, they didn't seem keen on being in the loop about things. Elliott trusted her – she knew he did – and Peter opted for pretending he wasn't aware of any of it rather than riling himself up.

"Are you sure you do not want to drop by Career Night, Stace?" Elliott insisted, chopping lettuce for the salad.

"What for?" Staci propped her head on her fist. "I know what I want to do, I'm on top of that process and before coming to the States I did my homework on the best programmes. In January I'll start seeing the school's counsellor about college applications. Plus, my ACT is in two weeks and I'll have my driver's exam in a couple of months. I want to focus on that."

Elliott examined her over his shoulder for a possible change of heart but then conceded. "Fair enough."

Staci's heart tugged in a surge of melancholy and sadness. She had decided to follow Marine Biology and honour her love for water as well as her mother's love for it. She loved photography with all her heart and soul, but she craved to keep the memory of the most important woman in her life, alive.

Peter whipped around and wiggled his brows with a sly smile. "So… how was your date? Gonna go on a second?"

Staci cocked her head pointedly at Elliott and shook her head. But her uncle was silent, pretending not to hear them.

So, she caved in and sighed, content, a wistful grin on her lips. "It was so nice. Just what I needed. We ordered pizza and had a night picnic at the town square. It was a tad frosty but I took some blankets, counting on it. We talked, watched the stars, and then played cards. Jude's way too competitive! I bet he's a sore loser, too."

She'd had a great time, no drama. A simple, mundane date. Her first date.

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Pete!" Elliott cried while Staci withered in her seat.

"Are you serious, Uncle Peter?"

"Damn right. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal is-" Elliott reproached but Staci tuned him out.

She had, of course, thought about their kisses and occasional snog. They had been so caring, so sweet; may she even label them passionate? Yet, what did she know; she had nothing to compare them to. It shouldn't matter, if she liked Jude and his lips, it did not matter if there was better or worse. It mattered only the way she felt.

"Fine!" Peter's voice breaks through her thoughts and he offered her a merge between a smile and a cheeky smirk. "I'm happy for you, kiddo. He seems like a nice fella."

"Yes," Elliott hummed. "When are you inviting over for dinner? I'm eager to know him better."

Staci ignored his sarcastic tone and stood, grabbing three bowls and cutlery to set the table.

"Not in the nearby future. I, for one, am not jumping to introduce my..." Staci blinked at the spoon between her fingers. "To introduce Jude to my vampire uncles."

"He's totally your boyfriend," Peter snickered and rested the serving bowl in the middle of the isle. A piece of lettuce hit Peter on the side of his forehead and Staci cackled, grinning at Elliott.

"Thanks, I wanted to do that!"

"Don't call him her boyfriend," Elliott said, aggravated.

"What's the problem now, we won't bite! Unless he asks- Hey! Did no one ever teach you not to play with food? Oh, deal with it, Eli," Peter rolled his eyes. "She's sixteen, you'd better get used to it," he warned, flourishing his wooden spoon over Elliott's face.

Staci plucked the two pieces of lettuce that had fallen on the counter and munched on them, enjoying her uncles' bickering.

Elliott curled his lip in disapproval and glared at Peter. "Exactly, she's sixteen, she shouldn't be dating. He's leaving for college soon. The last thing she needs is heartbreak at a young age."

Staci threw him an annoyed side-glance. "I don't really want to worry about Jude leaving for college before I can call him my boyfriend."

"Which he is," Peter sing-sang, puckering his lips and smooching the air at Lucifer who lay in a corner of the kitchen, quiet as a ghost. At a sign of love from his human, Lucifer sprang up and traipsed over to Peter, waggling his short tail. "But you're right, Stace, carpe diam or, whatever," he rounded on Elliott. "This is exactly the time for her to date and explore – with protection-"

"Oh, no!" Staci covered her ears. The conversation was taking a dive into hell.

"Do we need to have the talk, Anastacia?" Peter mocked, his lopsided grin betraying his sadistic amusement.

Staci shook her head vehemently. "I'm duly informed and if I have any doubts I will not be coming to you."

The playful demeanour vanished and both her uncles grew a serious, parental expression.

Staci shifted in her seat, unprepared for their reaction.

They traded looks and Peter approached her.

"Anastacia, all playfulness aside, we're your family and we care about your well-being and safety. We want you to always be comfortable with us for whatever you need. In fact, you should. We're glad you're in the loop, and that you have your friends to help. Nevertheless, we're here, too, we are adults. You never have to feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk to us. 'Kay?"

A small, affectionate smile bloomed on Staci's lips at her uncle's words, at how available they were presenting themselves. As true parents would do.

"That being said," Elliott interjected and looked like he wanted to gag. "I am not on board with this 'exploring business' but if you do so, be responsible. Accidents happen and you are too young."

"Aaand we're done," Peter ended the subject, and Staci muttered a 'good while it lasted' which coerced her uncle into a few chuckles.

Once the food was all set, they served their plates and dug in, the conversation dying over the sound of the television reporting the night's news.

Staci savoured her dinner and her mind drifted to the previous topic. The news of her date with Jude had spread like wildfire; Caroline had claimed all the credit in setting them up while Macy had gossiped – with a sneaky smirk – how Jude was a great catch and a Fell, despite not carrying the surname. Betty had made fun of Holly's misery much to Staci's torn amusement and displeasure and Lynn had berated their tactless attitude. Staci had had the decency to be ashamed while Betty had rolled her eyes and shrugged, unfazed.

Her peers' opinions aside, dating Jude had her feeling more stable and normal than ever since she had been dumped in Mystic Falls. Regardless of the future, this was the perfect way to veer through the two years left of high school before she finally left this town behind.

Her phone dings from her pocket and she fished it, sneaking a peek at the text message. A lousy, half-arsed reply from Harvelle delivering a 'Noted, we shall take action'.

"Hi! How's Career Night?"

"A bore," Jude whined on the other end of the call. "I can't believe I let Holly rope me into volunteering for this – what's up Ty? – but anyway, I'll be done in half an hour."

Staci sighed in relief. Tyler Lockwood wasn't a triggered werewolf or he'd otherwise be howling at the moon tonight instead of attending a school event.

"You've gotta be kidding me! Logan?"

Staci perked up. "Your cousin Logan? He's back?"

"Yeah, and he's here at the fair."

"Well, good! That's great, no more worrying. I'm happy for you."

"I'm not, first I got a bone to pick with him. Then I can be happy. I'll text you later? See you tomorrow."

"'Night."

A knock sounded as Staci hung up the call.

"Come in!"

The door opened and Elliott walked inside. He smiled, tranquil, and came to sit at the edge of her bed.

Staci sat up and crossed her legs. Her uncle was quiet, his vibrant eyes boring into hers and a soft, caring smile on his lips.

"I am sorry if I don't act the way you would wish in regards to your teenagehood," he uttered, a hint of regret in his voice. "You see, I'm neither your mother nor your father but it is my duty to protect you from the big, bad world. Peter too, don't get me wrong. However, I have a different sense of it because of my blood ties to your father and my promise to my brother."

Staci's nose itched and she was unsure of what to say. Instead, she scooted closer to her uncle and rested her temple on his shoulder.

He patted her ginger hair with tenderness. "I don't ever want you to feel like you cannot open up to me, all right? I will never judge you. About anything," Elliott feigned a face. "Even boys. I'll get used to it. I might not be cool uncle Pete but I'm wise uncle Elliott. Whilst no one will ever be good enough for my little girl, if you're happy, so am I. Unless he hurts you; then I hurt him."

Staci giggled at the menacing eyes Elliott locked on her yet there was a grim sincerity in them. It warmed her to the core hearing Elliott speak this way as her father would. Made her feel safe and somewhat complete despite the absence of her parents.

A smirk grew on her red lips. "I'm your little girl, huh? Shall I remind you that I'm almost seventeen?"

"You'll always be our little Anastacia."

December 8th, 2009

"Jude, what are we doing here, where are we?" Staci hissed, restless from all the mystery. Her hand was laced in Jude's as they ascended a set of stairs in the building they had entered, the only light was coming from his mobile's flashlight.

"We're almost there, just a minute," he whispered back not looking her away.

Staci threw a pitiful grimace at her heel-clad feet and prayed for a miracle that might spare them from stinging blisters. She heaved a deep sigh and pulled her half-sleeved, cropped leather jacket tighter to her body, shielding her little from the frosty December temperature.

Staci and Jude had been enjoying the fifty's decade-dance before he had dragged her into this pseudo-adventure (if one could call it so since she had no idea what they were up to).

Jude had picked her up after Staci had dressed up with Betty, Macy, and Lynn at her house. Then her uncles had showered them all in compliments, photographs, and proud, parental gazes before they were out the door, hand-in-hand with their dates.

The gym had been swarmed by teenagers dancing to a fifty's American hit that had blasted from the speakers, and chaperones meandered by the refreshment table assorted with a punch bowl and snacks. The decorations had flowed from pink banners, yellow-golden balloons, and hanging stars, adorning the place with a sweet and colourful sparkle.

Jude had acted like his usual self almost all evening in spite of seeming like something was on the forefront of his mind and barely contained. They had eaten, danced, chatted, and even spent some not-so-awful time with Holly. They'd been in the middle of a steamy snog when Jude had jerked away from her, taken her by the hand, and led her to his truck.

He hadn't uttered a word the whole ride – and had neglected to disclose to Staci their destination – sporting a deep frown of concentration. Had it been any other person, it would have frightened her, but he seemed… torn, confused, and concerned. Thus, she had contained her impatience (at no small amount of effort) and waited until they had reached a building of flats downtown. They had climbed out of the car and Jude had nearly hauled her inside, plunging the both of them into stale darkness.

And now she'd had about enough of secrecy.

They paused in front of a dark wooden door and Jude rounded on her. "It's Logan's apartment."

Staci frowned. "And we're here because…"

Jude rested his hand on her arm and leaned closer. "I'm not buying this 'he bailed without a word' crap again, Stace." His eyes were alight with determination and his voice was like steel. "Logan was acting odd; he was tense and cryptic on Career Night. I saw him talking to Sheriff Forbes; he was not happy. Then he told me there was something I needed to know. And now he takes off? My mom said she had spoken to Logan. But why wouldn't Logan speak to me? We've always been close."

Dread coiled in the pit of her stomach, freezing her blood and thinning her breath. Staci added the pieces and gulped down the knot in her throat. Whatever Logan wanted to tell Jude, it had to be about vampires and the Council. Had Logan even left? What if the Council wasn't completely useless and had been hunting Damon? What if he was dead? Was Jude's mother aware and in on a cover-up of her nephew's ill fate?

Bloody freaking hell.

"M-maybe it's nothing important since he left without saying it."

Jude's face hardened and his voice was stone cold. "I don't think he left town, Staci. Not this time." He reached the upper door-frame and snatched a key, then unlocked the door. "I'm gonna figure this whole thing out Staci. Will you help me?"

No. Heavens, she really did not want to. On the other hand, perhaps the only way to ensure Jude uncovered nothing was to stay by his side.

"Sure," Staci summoned some conviction and breathed deeply.

Jude pulled her into the flat and turned on the light.

There were clothes strewn everywhere and shards of a broken lamp littered the carpet next to a flipped sofa.

"Logan?!" Jude rushed around, peeping into the bedroom and bathroom with a deep frown marring his usual soft expression.

Staci paced the house, canvassing its details, surprised. For a Fell and vampire hunter, Logan had a modest, safe-looking home – minus the disarray, of course.

Jude sauntered back into the living room. "Do you think someone hurt him?"

"The door was locked," Staci glanced over her shoulder. "No forced entry so, only if it was somebody he knew. Though, do we know of anyone who would've wanted to mess with him?"

Not including Damon Salvatore.

"No. He's so chill…" Jude pulled a thoughtful face and added, "maybe too chill for his own good."

"Perhaps he just threw a fit?"

"It's possible, yeah, but turning over a couch?" Jude didn't look convinced.

Staci sighed and nodded. "All right, what are we looking for?"

"Anything that seems out of place or could shed some light on the situation."

They split up and Staci volunteered to comb the bedroom; she guessed if there was anything to find, it was there.

At once, her eyes were drawn to the only photograph in the room sitting on a dresser. She neared it and lifted up the mahogany frame with a gentle grip. Logan smiled that smug grin of his, flanked by a laughing Jude and a serene-looking girl who, by resemblance, had to be Jude's older sister.

Her chest writhed with sorrow. Despite Logan's hobby, he was Jude's family and it was clearer than ever how much Jude loved his cousin. If Logan was dead, it meant the Council was covering it up by fabricating his leave. And his mother was probably in on it. It also indicated that he had, most likely, been murdered — either by Damon or Stefan Salvatore. The thought steered a small flame in the pit of her core. She hadn't like Logan, not one bit, but there was next to nothing (if, in fact, nothing at all) that justified killing him. And Staci would attain the truth of it.

It had become obvious that Jude was ignorant of the supernatural world. Now, either he would find out about it and by consequence about his cousin's unknown (but predictable) fate, or vice-versa.

Neither was appealing to Staci.

Urgh, he was her first boyfriend, a very short-term one at that, and already she was being a horrible girlfriend by lying and misleading him.

Staci set the frame back and rummaged through the drawers and desk, leafing through his stack of papers. Most were expired bills or printed articles related to journalism. She tilted her chin, leaned closer to the centre of the table, and swiped her index on it.

"It's clean…" Staci muttered under her breath, rubbing her fingers together.

Judging from the position it had to be where Logan'd had his laptop.

So, where the hell is it?

Staci rearranged the papers in order to occupy the empty space and erase the clue about a missing computer. She advanced towards the wardrobe, opening both doors. She leafed through his hangers and a flash of colour caught her attention. Staci narrowed her eyes and split two thick jackets-

"Bloody hell," she breathed.

"You found something?"

Staci jumped, startled, and swivelled around. "I-, uh-"

Jude moved her aside with a gentle yet firm hand and tore the clothes apart.

"What the…"

Jude's eyes were a battlefield for confusion as they darted over a map of Mystic Falls with a dozen pinned newspaper clips of 'animal attacks', then his emotions turned into disappointment and anger at the post-it notes with 'vampire' written on them.

He unpinned one post-it, waved it at Staci, and scoffed. "Is this for real? I knew Logan was wild, but what kind of crazy bullshit is this?"

Staci glued her lips shut, supplying a 'haven't the foggiest' expression.

"Unbelievable! While I've been pulling my hair out about this, already theorising that something had happened to him, he's been off Van Helsing on non-existing creatures. Is this what he wanted to tell me?"

Staci was so relieved at his sceptic and incredulous demeanour that she blurted an awkward laugh. "Well… mystery solved…?"

Jude pinned the note back and turned his back on her. "If I ever get a hold of him," he threatened, pulling on his hair, "Logan's never going to hear the end of it, I swear."

She offered what could pass as a sympathetic grimace and Jude requested that she keep it between them. "I'm kind of embarrassed to call him family, right now. Vampires…" he muttered, going over to the frame and picking it up. He eyed it with a wave of disappointment. "Can't believe this, dude's supposed to be an adult focusing on his career and responsibilities. Instead, he's off role-playing."

"Yeah…" Staci agreed half-heartedly, a form of guilt scratching her core. "Sorry, Jude."

He shrugged. "It's not your fault, Stace. Just hope he's fine, wherever he is, and that he gains some sense of reality soon enough. Let's get out of here." He shot another look at the frame, took Staci's hand, and left, in her company and that of a cherished memory.

A/N: Soooooo. Yeah. Before anything, I have a bone to pick with TVD. I mean, they claim that when the owner of a house dies, vampires can enter just fine. So why wasn't Logan able to enter his apartment? Like... makes no sense to me. He owned it, he died, and now he's a vampire, but the owner of his house, him, is dead, for all intended purposes. So... yeah, I kind of made it clear that it was not the case in this story.

I'll be answering you now. First, huge thanks for your support all of you! Thank you, Goodboii, for your encouraging words! And thank you, DaphneSlytherinWinchester, truly, for giving your honest opinion. I respect it, but I wasn't always very glad of how witches were downplayed regarding their power on the show. Yes, as humans, they do have a million weaknesses and I began to dislike a lot the way that a witch's power was so easily discarded, giving the possibility of surviving as a witch in a vampire world only to those selected few main characters. As though all others are twigs. I understand the part of 'unnecessary', but actually, to me, it makes sense that if other supernatural beings have a herbal vulnerability, as nature's way of fighting them "directly", I believe witches should, too. And I made sure it is consistent: it cannot kill them just as vervain does not kill vampires or wolfsbane werewolves. Besides, according to what I wrote, I think it was obvious that it was Staci's first contact and that Holly was wearing a strong amount of lobelia perfume. I made sure to explain it all. So, it's not actually how you say that all they have to do is breathe it. Also, I kind of kept TO's original aim of Lobelia but gave it a twist. However, I took your advice to heart, did some research and I altered a bit of the part regarding Lobelia, making it so only a specific species of the plant (and not all of them) is toxic to witches. I also chose a species that is endemic to a particular geographic area and that is threatened, to address that matter of surviving with such an easy weakness (even if I don't agree with you on that). Plus, I made sure to add a line on how first contacts with the plant tend to be the harshest (but still depends on the person and dosage/concentration of the extract). Regarding the possible relationship with Kol or Klaus due to her being 'weak', I am very aware of that. But I actually do not think she is weak (or well, maybe a little), but this is the beginning of the story, there's plenty of room for growth and change, good and bad. And besides, it would actually be a good point to explore (Klaus/Kol) wanting to turn her. Any of those things you mentioned could kill any witch, even Freya, Bonnie, or Davina. I hope this won't deter you from reading and enjoying it. I loved your feedback!

June, honey, to be honest, I doubt she will permit that. It pretty much goes against staying out of it... but worry not, I had already found a way she could still help guide Bonnie. But I think you'll find Bonnie and Staci won't always see eye to eye... Thanks for your input, I'll take it into consideration! Also, she's cloaked, not in the sense of not being able to be tracked, but in the sense of concealing her identity as a witch.

On another note, to everyone, I have had enough time to think and I have opted to make this a Klaus/OC instead of Kol. For one main reason: I feel that if I paired her with Kol I would have to drop Staci out of nowhere in season 3 and that would not work for all I have planned regarding her role (or lack thereof) in everything. It would feel too sudden for me to introduce and develop everything. Sure, I could continue as I am doing and make it Kol OC, but it would take a loooong while until Kol could be introduced, so... I don't know, I guess it just kind of happened. I apologise to everyone who was rooting for Kol/OC. I know there are many Klaus/OC out there, but in my line of thought, Kol likes witches, and Staci is a witch. Klaus practically hates them. I find it more challenging for a relationship to bloom between them than between Kol and Staci. Besides... I absolutely love Kol and Davina and I could never disrupt that. :P But I'll make sure to give you all some Staci/Kol action (not in a romantic way. No love triangles. Hate those).

Until next time,

Hallee.