A/N: so, I've been extremely busy lately. between family events/issues, getting a new job and looking for a second job, and writer's block (finally fixed that!), the Family Ties episode just wouldn't work for me. I was just trying too hard. once I broke the episode down into separate chapters, it all just came to me :D

Shoutouts:

Blehlove - I know, I know. it's been WAY too long since my last update. as I said in our PMs, I've been SOOOOOO busy. things should start slowing down for now, though :) as for your wanting of a Dani/Damon moment: stay tuned. next chapter ;)

bbymojo - isn't that how it usually goes? ;) we've got some one-on-one time between Jeremy and Dani in this chapter. just one of many to come :)

thank you to Mizuhashii and iamastory for adding this to your favorites and for following!

all of my readers are amazing, and I love reading your reviews and those emails updating me on favorites and followers :D

ENJOY!

The next week and a half passed by quickly. I'd moved out of the Mystic Falls motel and into 2102 Maple Street. With the help of Elena, Bonnie, Matt, and Stefan, all of my furniture had been moved in and set up. I'd even swallowed my pride and asked Tyler to help out, and to my surprise, he did.

There'd been no more late-night visits from Damon. Or any at all, for that matter. I was extremely pissed off at him, but that didn't stop me from secretly hoping to see him.

Shaking the elder Salvatore brother from my mind, I pulled into a parking spot at the local grocery store. The school day ended not that long ago, and I needed to get some things for the weekend. I was having everyone over for a big thank-you dinner on Saturday night.

I was just putting the last thing away when I heard a knock on my front door. A smile found its way on to my face when I opened it. Jeremy was standing on the porch holding a bag. My stomach grumbled.

"Hungry? I got us some food. Figured we could hang out for a bit, if you're not busy."

"I am starving! Come on in." I stepped aside to let him in.

"Is Chinese okay?"

"It's perfect. Thank you."

I grabbed a couple of Cokes and led the way into the living room, plopping down on my sectional sofa. Jeremy sat down next to me.

"Lo Mein, no vegetables or meat. One order of chicken-on-a-stick. One order of crab rangoons." He listed off, reaching in the bag and pulling out the white carry-out boxes. "I don't know anyone who can eat as much as you do. You should weigh a thousand pounds by now!" He joked. His laughter died out at my stunned expression. "What? Did I get something wrong?"

"No, you got it all right. I'm just shocked that you remembered."

"I pay attention, just not usually in school."

At this, I did laugh. He set a few more boxes of food on the table in front of us and tried to hand me a set of chopsticks.

"What do you expect me to do with those?"

"Eat with them?" His eyebrows scrunched up.

"I have absolutely no idea how to use these things. My dad spent an hour trying to teach me every time we ordered Chinese. I never could get the hang of it. I'll just stick to using a fork."

"In that case, why don't you start opening up the containers while I grab us a couple of plates?"

"I can get them. I know where they are. Plus, you're the guest."

"Please. We're friends, not neighbors. Well, we are neighbors, but you know what I mean. And I think I know how to look through cupboards." He said, rolling his eyes before standing up.

It didn't take long for the food to disappear. We stretched out on the couch to watch The Big Bang Theory. Jeremy was sitting with his legs stretched out in front of him on the side of the sectional with the chaise. I was laying down, using his lap for a pillow.

"Dani?"

"Hmm?"

"You're starting to snore." He chuckled, poking my side.

"Sorry. I get sleepy when I eat a lot." I explained, forcing my eyes to stay open.

At the end of the second episode, Jeremy yawned.

"This couch is way too comfortable. If I stay here, I'm going to fall asleep. Let's go to the Grill."

"Okay. Let me just clean up quick."

I stuffed the empty Chinese boxes back in the paper bag next to the table, grabbed our empty pop cans, and went to the kitchen to throw them out. Jeremy soon joined me with the plates, going straight to the sink and starting to wash them.

"You don't have to do my dishes, you know. That's my job. Or the dishwasher's." I joked while grabbing a towel to dry them.

"Yeah, well, next time you eat over, you can do my dishes."

"Deal."

We finished in companionable silence, and then I drove us to the restaurant. All of the tables and booths were filled, so we sat down at the bar. I suppressed the urge to groan when I saw that Vicki was working.

"So what's on your agenda for the rest of the night?" Jeremy asked once we'd gotten our drinks.

"Uh, not sure. Don't really have any plans. I do, however, have a couple of routines I should go through if I don't want to deal with the wrath of Caroline." I responded with a laugh, stirring the cherry grenadine around in my Coke.

"Oh."

"Why? What'd you have in mind?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing, huh? Then what's with the frown?"

"Jenna was hoping you could join us for dinner tonight."

After a moment, I smiled at the realization that by 'Jenna', he meant himself.

"Tell Jenna that I would love to. What time should I be there?"

The next day

Jeremy and I decided to go to Mystic Grill after a long uneventful school day. We were deep in conversation about how awesome the new Sherlock Holmes movie was going to be, when we were interrupted by a royally pissed off Bonnie.

"I can't believe this! Elena's going to the party with Stefan, and Caroline is taking Damon. I'm going to end up going alone. Ugh!"

"What party?" I asked, slightly amused by Bonnie's outburst as she sat down at my other side.

"The Founder's party. It's tonight and I don't have a date!"

"Founder's party?"

"Yeah, it's just another excuse for the adults to celebrate the local history. It's put together by the members of the council." Jeremy explained.

My confusion must have shown on my face, because he continued a few seconds later.

"The council is made up of the founding families. The Gilberts, the Fells, the Forbes, the Lockwoods, and the Salvatores."

"Wow. Why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Because I'm not going."

"Don't have a date?" I joked.

"It's just going to be a display of stuff from generations of the families. I'll pass."

"This may be because I'm new here, but it sounds pretty cool. You should go. And if you need someone to take with you, I'm free."

"Not really my thing. Why don't you go with Bonnie?" Jeremy suggested. Bonnie perked up.

"Oh! Would you? Please, please, please, please go with me to the party?"

I was a little stung by Jeremy's not-so-subtle rejection, not to mention the fact that he turned around to pay attention to Vicki and Tyler. However, going with Bonnie sounded a lot better than spending the night alone.

"Bonnie Bennett, I would love to be your date." I answered with a smile. "Just tell me one thing: what does one wear to an event like this?"

Bonnie's answering smile and enthusiastic hug made me laugh again.

"I have to get back to Caroline, but I'll come over in an hour to help you pick out an outfit! Thank you so, so, so, so much!"

She hugged me again before taking her food and walking away. I turned back to Jeremy just in time to catch the end of his conversation with Vicki.

"You know you're making the wrong choice, yet you make it anyway. It's sad."

Vicki rolled her eyes, scoffed, and walked away.

'Says the pot to the kettle...'