A/N: One more chapter of 2x04, then on to 2x05! You know what that means, Elijah doth approach very soon. I'm willing myself to write faster so I can start writing him. I have so many...wonderful ideas.

Also, Caroline is going to act differently than in the canon in this chapter. Katherine wasn't able to compel her. But remember, this is an AU.

Songs for this chapter:

"Working for the Knife" by Mitski

"We Radiate" by Goldfrapp

"Freak Like Me" by Caroline Rose

Chapter Eighteen: I Hate Pictionary

-O-

Sabrina held a chilled aluminum dish of homemade deviled eggs against her stomach, letting the cold ground her. She flexed her toes against her sandals. She wondered how long she could last before the others realized she really, really didn't want to be there.

Caroline rang the doorbell again before fidgeting with the short yellow dress she wore. Sabrina sighed. "Stop. You look fine Caroline."

Caroline snapped. "Easy for you to say." Her face dropped. "You look great." "Probably because you were buzzing around me like Paolo in the first Princess Diaries movie. It's not a competition. No one wins or loses."

They both heard footsteps approach the door and straightened.

Caroline said quietly. "Yes, it is,"

Sabrina forced a bright beaming smile onto her face when Jenna swung the door open. "Hi, oh my god! It's been forever!"

She pressed herself against Sabrina in a tight hug, almost mashing the deviled eggs. Caroline grabbed the tray from between them, "I'll take these," weaving around the two of them.

Sabrina heard Caroline greet Elena, who responded with more excitement than necessary. When Jenna pulled back, the woman hooked her arm through Sabrinas, tugging her inside. Sabrina barely had time to kick off her shoes under the barrage of Jenna's questions. She answered as best she could, even feeling a pang of regret when Jenna scolded her for skipping her own graduation. She never got the chance to befriend Jenna as a kid since she was in seventh grade and Jenna a senior. She always thought if they had been closer in age, Jenna would have fit perfectly between herself and Reyna.

"Thanks for having us over, Jenna. It's been so long since I've seen you,"

"You ever get that feeling we're the two wine moms arranging for the playdate?"

That elicited a surprised guffaw of laughter from her. "I have never thought about it like this. But yes, absolutely." She considered. "Maybe, with something stronger though,"

Jenna pulled her into the kitchen, both finding a solemn Elena and a pissy-looking Caroline. Sabrina quirked a brow.

"You read my mind," Jenna said, taking out a bottle of Fireball from the cabinet. Elena's eyes widened, and she pulled Caroline out of the kitchen.

"And on that note, we'll finish up with the table,"

Alaric joined them, brushing past the girls. The two made wary eye contact behind Jenna's back as she reached into a tall cabinet for glasses. Alaric made the first move. He offered a smile genuine smile, extending his hand. Sabrina breathed deeply, suspicions easing. She took his hand.

"Alaric Saltzman," he said.

She shared his wry grin. "Sabrina Forbes. I'm Caroline's cousin,"

Jenna whirled around with three-shot glasses in hand. "Oh, sorry! Ric is Caroline's history teacher, right?"

He nodded, "When she pays attention,"

Sabrina chuckled, "Sounds about right,"

"But she somehow always manages an A," his eyes softened when he looked at Jenna, which Sabrina noticed with great interest. He glanced at the shot glasses Jenna plopped onto the counter. "Isn't it a little early?"

"Not when you're bringing your other friend over." She groaned. "As if having Mason Lockwood in my house wasn't bad enough,"

Sabrina's heart dropped. She swallowed, watching Jenna pour three glasses. "What friend?"

Jenna answered before Alaric could, "He's trying to win me over to the charms of Damon Salvatore," she shot a teasing glare at Alaric. "It's not going to work,"

"Play nice, Jenna,"

She broke the seal on the alcohol bottle. "I'll learn to play nice when he keeps his paws off Elena,"

Sabrina's heart thundered in her ears. It was her own temper that flared, not the being curled inside her chest, wanting not only his blood, but his pain.

Jenna repeated her name. "Sabrina? Hello?"

The ringing in her ears stopped. Jenna offered a shot glass.

Alaric's brow bunched. "You OK?"

Jenna grinned, "Yeah, we were drinking to Damon Salvatore's misfortunes,"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She took the glass, knocking it back. She coughed, the sharpness burning down her throat. "Didn't have to say anything more,"

Jenna clapped with a delighted laugh. "Awesome,"

She didn't miss how closely Alaric's eyes followed her when she refilled the glass.

-O-

Alaric sputtered after his second shot, leaving him at the non-existent mercy of Sabrina and Jenna. A knock at the door gave him the exit he needed. Sabrina found she couldn't feel the alcohol like she once did, but she hoped by shot nine or ten she would be able to feel a pleasant buzz. He returned with Mason Lockwood, who held up an unopened bottle of liquor in greeting.

Sabrina tilted her head as she regarded the newcomer carefully. Her eyes sharpened, and a tug in her mind beckoned her to look more closely. Golden filaments chained themselves around him, clinging to his back and shoulders. Scars invisible to the physical eye lined the back of his neck, descending past his burgundy Henley shirt.

"Mason! Hey. You're here." Jenna said, wiping the corners of her mouth.

Alaric took the bottle he offered. "Oh, the expensive stuff. I knew I'd like you,"

"You're here for less than two minutes and I'm already back under the bleachers at the pep rally."

Mason grinned. "Like old times, huh? Only I didn't swipe this bottle from my old man."

Chained power settled against this man's bones. Sabrina found she didn't mind the curse holding him in confines, but there was something…something deeper like brittle thorns wrapped around his heart that discomfited Sabrina.

"Fireball? Really, Jenna?" He laughed.

"Well, at least, I'm not drinking alone," she motioned over his shoulder, and he finally noticed Sabrina. "Mason, this is Sabrina Forbes. The sheriff's niece,"

The smile he gave was self-assured, friendly, one that had the potential to buckle the knees of any girl. She shook his hand as he said.

"I hope you're not going to be feeding any stories back to our local law enforcement,"

Sabrina smiled, a light flush she blamed on the alcohol growing on her cheeks. "That feels like it could be detrimental to me too. I think we're safe,"

His smile grew. "Good to know,"

Sabrina looked away from his dark eyes. "Pretty expensive bottle you brought," she said, moving back toward the countertop, watching as Elena and Caroline went out the front door, sitting on the white porch swing. Her head turned back as Mason replied,

"Just showing gratitude for being invited,"

Jenna put a hand on Rick's forearm. "Thank Rick, it was his idea."

Surprised, Mason asked, "Really?"

Alaric turned, putting an arm around Jenna's shoulders. "Yeah, you know, I thought it would be nice to meet some of Jenna's high school friends." He looked down at Jenna before offering Mason a tight smile. "Dig up a little dirt."

"I've got dirt. I've got dirt."

Sabrina leaned against the counter. "Now, this. This, I might be interested in,"

Jenna pointed an accusatory finger at Sabrina. "I have no secrets. Only dirty shame,"

Mason opened the bottle he brought, pouring each of them another shot. Each raised a glass, clinking them together.

"To dirty shame,"

-O-

Unfortunately, Jenna found she couldn't remain in the same room once Damon arrived. Sabrina stayed even when Alaric followed his girlfriend from the kitchen.

Brazen and cutting, Damon remarked, "She doesn't like me very much."

Sabrina's face hardened into stone while Mason squared his shoulders, looking down at Damon. He offered his hand, and Sabrina took great pleasure in listening to Damon's bones snap under Lockwood's pressure.

"We haven't met. Mason Lockwood."

Damon managed a smile and nod. "Oh sure. Damon Salvatore."

"I know. I've heard great things about you."

"That's weird." Sabrina said, pouring herself another drink. "He's kind of a dick,"

Blue eyes cut across her before he regained himself. He shrugged. "She's not wrong,"

"I'll go see if Jenna needs help," Mason said, tapping the doorframe as he walked past.

"You're getting in my way," Damon hissed, standing uncomfortably close to Sabrina.

Still leaned against the corner, Sabrina turned her head, replying stoically. "No, you're getting in mine. Get used to it. Because I'm not the little girl you're used to pushing around,"

Sabrina tossed back another shot.

"I didn't realize you could take that kind of burn, girly,"

She grumbled, "Piss off, Salvatore,"

He smirked, "You first,"

Alaric called to the girls on the porch. "Food's ready! Come and get it!"

She heard Caroline, "Finally, I'm starving!"

Caroline walked in, her hand deep inside a bag of Doritos, shoving handfuls into her mouth. She made eye contact with Sabrina, giving a look that read 'Don't Judge Me.' Sabrina held her hands up before Caroline flipped Damon off, continuing on to the table.

He turned a mirthless smile to Sabrina. "Family of charmers,"

-O-

Sabrina found the potential werewolf more companionable than Damon Salvatore, especially after taking her ninth shot of the day. Comfortably buzzed, Sabrina leaned back against the Gilbert's couch, propping her head against her head. Caroline sat beside her, still munching on her sweet chili Doritos, watching unimpressed as Damon drew a horrible figure of a deformed dog in a tutu.

Jenna leaned forward against her knees, wine glass in hand. She nearly shouted, "Dress! Ballerina!"

He smiled a bit, shaking his head, adding more details with different colored markers.

Elena elbowed Caroline in the side, hinting for her to take a guess. Caroline grimaced before she forced a bit of competitive cheer into her voice.

"I don't know." She shifted in her seat, studying the picture in earnest now. "Puppy! Puppy with a tutu!"

Damon had the nerve to appear revolted. "What? No, no! How does that even—?"

Jenna said, patting Caroline on the shoulder overtop Elena, "A dog! Hound-dog!"

The nonchalant tone of Mason Lockwood rumbled from beside Sabrina. "Dances With Wolves?"

Damon rolled his eyes. "And Mason wins again,"

Jenna cried, "How is that a wolf?"

Elena rose from the couch while Damon watched her carefully. Elena whispered to Caroline she was going to get the pie. Damon followed her into the kitchen with the offer of help.

Sabrina patted Caroline's leg. "Doing ok?"

"Yeah. I'm ok. Just trying to drown my sorrows in Doritos." She met Sabrina's eyes, whispering while Jenna and Alaric teased one another. "I'm so hungry, Sabrina,"

Panic edged toward Sabrina, "Do we need to go?"

Caroline shook her head. "No, Stefan told me that eating curbs the worst of it,"

"So you're going to continue drowning your sorrows in Doritos?" Sabrina shot back.

Mason shifted in his chair, chiming in, "Better than booze,"

Caroline humphed. "Speak for yourself,"

Mason turned to Sabrina, "Speaking of which, I'm surprised you're not on the floor with how many drinks I poured you in the kitchen." He gave her a knowing smile. "Almost like you're trying to make certain company bearable,"

Caroline glanced between Mason and Sabrina blankly.

A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth. "So you've caught me. Sue me if it makes time go by faster,"

"You're the one who came,"

"So did you,"

He leaned forward, bracing his forearms against his knees. "Touche,"

Caroline was forced to look away when Jenna pecked her shoulder, asking her to settle an argument.

Sabrina asked, "So why did you come tonight?" Her voice changed, a gentle lulling tone coming over the dullness of the alcohol. A vampire's compulsion wouldn't work on him, or else the Salvatores would have already tried. Not quite a lure, she thought. She didn't want his bones or his heart, only what he knew. Her magic wrapped around his golden chains, loosening them briefly.

"Lookin' for something,"

"Like what? What do you need from here?"

"It's not for me. It's for her,"

"Who's her, Mason? Do you mean Kath—?"

Elena asked from the kitchen doorway, "Who wants some pie?"

She wanted to bare sharp teeth at the interruption. Mason shook his head, flashing a confused smile toward Sabrina before getting up with everyone else to join Elena and Damon at the table.

She hissed. "Dammit,"

She forced herself up from the couch with more force than necessary. Caroline slowed her gait, matching Sabrina's. "What are you doing?"

"Fishing,"

"You're not funny,"

The bracelet on her wrist burned, constricting her more tightly. She moved the band slightly, finding her skin raw and blistered. The gem's color shifted from its deep blue to a more concerning teal. She would have to charge soon.

Caroline didn't miss the change in her demeanor. "What's wrong?"

Sabrina let her arm drop to her side. "Nothing,"

Caroline grabbed her wrist, and Sabrina winced when dry skin twisted too far. "Oh, god. Sabrina," she whispered.

Sabrina saw Damon's head twist, leveraging his ear toward her while still staring at Elena. Sabrina shook her head at Caroline, eyes darting in Damon's direction. Caroline's eyes glanced over Sabrina's shoulder. She nodded once derisively, face hardening.

"Seriously. You don't need the gluten in the pie. You're going to be a giant hive,"

Damon turned away losing interest. Sabrina nodded, impressed. Nice work, the head tilt said. Caroline flipped her hair over her shoulder, pleased.

When Elena offered, Caroline answered for Sabrina, "No, she doesn't need any. She'll be up all night if she does,"

Sabrina groaned, siding in between Mason and Jenna. "That is too much information. Thank you, Caroline,"

Elena took a case of antique silverware from the china cabinet. She opened the box, taking an ornate silver knife out.

Damon hung over Elena's shoulder, and she glared in annoyance. He said, "These are fancy,"

Jenna uncovered the pie and another cobbler from the kitchen. "Thanks, they were my mom's,"

Elena glanced at Damon, who took the silver pie server and knife from the case. She hooked her arm through Caroline's tugging her back in the living room. Sabrina filtered out Damon's voice to a tolerable grating annoyance. She heard Elena,

"Would I be the worst friend in the world if I abandoned you and went to Stefan's?"

A sharp intake of breath, then Caroline said. "Um, yeah. Kinda." Sabrina pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. She tilted her head toward the living room. "You want to leave?"

Elena said, bordering defensiveness. "It's just that he hasn't gotten back to me, and I'm starting to get this bad feeling,"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Elena." Caroline forced biting patience into her tone. "Maybe, he just needs a break. Everyone needs one once in a while,"

Elena tried placating. "Damon's got it under control here,"

"So you're going to leave me here…without you as a buffer?"

Sabrina jumped when Jenna bumped her shoulder playfully, "So what do you think?"

Sabrina smiled after a quick hesitation, noticing the three men staring at her. "About what?"

Jenna laughed, wine and whiskey shots warming her cheeks. "I knew you completely zoned out. At this point, I don't know how you're standing with all that…stuff…you drank earlier. Was talking about how men would have never gotten further than the knife if women hadn't gotten involved with the silverware progression,"

Sabrina quirked a brow before she noticed a piece of pie in Mason's hand. He held it far too casually.

"Who has time for knives?" Mason asked before taking a bite.

Jenna handed him a paper plate. "You're a neanderthal," she deadpanned. She looked up at Rick, who shared a quick look with Damon. "I'm ready for a new game. Come help,"

Rick caught her when she stumbled slightly. "I'm fine." She brushed her hair from her face. "I'm fine,"

Sabrina turned when she heard Caroline approach. "Are we still eating pie?" She asked. Sabrina handed her her own plate. "Awesome," she said sullenly. Sabrina's head twisted when the front door closed behind her.

"Where'd Elena go?" Sabrina asked, ignoring how Damon's head turned slightly.

"Where else? Stefan's,"

"Aww. And you decided to stay with your lame cousin?" Sabrina wrapped an arm around her shoulders as Caroline shoveled pie into her mouth. "That's sweet,"

"Don't get used to it,"

"Caroline!" Jenna called from the living room. "Where's the wire that connects the thing to the thing?"

Caroline groaned, looking between her pie and the living room. "Coming!" She tossed her plate onto the table, stomped into the living room, huffing, "Why do you even have Guitar Hero?"

"Don't ask me, it's Jere's,"

Sabrina picked up the plate Caroline tossed, picking around the pastry to just eat the apple filling.

"Well, Jenna just brought out "Guitar Hero". Might be time to mutiny!" Mason laughed.

Damon swirled his whiskey in his glass. "Well, I just happen to like "Guitar Hero". So you, my friend, are barking up the wrong tree."

Sabrina saw the moment Mason let his charming facade drop along with that oh-so-charming smile. "Okay. Enough with the innuendos, you win, you're hilarious,"

Damon downed the rest of his drink. "Thank you,"

Mason turned to Sabrina, "But I didn't think you would have anything to do with this,"

Sabrina quirked a brow, "Oh I don't have anything to do with him. I'm here for me, thanks,"

"So what are you? I can smell the dead—," he jerked his head toward Damon, "from miles away, but you. You're something different,"

"I think your appearance correlates with more deaths than mine does,"

"Fine." He said shortly. "Come on, man. You don't think I know what this barbecue is about?"

Damon's temper flared. He sat on the edge of the table. "How do you know about me? Your brother was completely clueless."

"It doesn't matter; I'm not your enemy, Damon.

Sabrina gave a hum. "You tried to kill his brother." She said, crossing her arms. "That doesn't really allude to the olive branch of friendship,"

Mason bit out, "That was a mistake. There was confusion; I couldn't chain myself up in time. I have no control once I shift,"

Damon snorted, "What, no obedience school?"

Sabrina's eyes flashed. "Don't start, Salvatore,"

"I'm serious. Let's not spark some age-old feud that doesn't apply to us," Mason interrupted.

"You expect me to believe that you are in Mystic Falls planting peach trees?"

"The whole inter-species feud thing just goes right over your head, doesn't it?" Mason shook his head. "Must be boring with a head so empty,"

"See, the good thing about me is that doesn't mean a damn thing to me." Sabrina leaned with her hands planted firmly on the table. "I want to know why you're here,"

Mason snapped at her, "I lost my brother, my nephew lost his father. I'm here for my family. You understand that, don't you? Jenna said you came back for Caroline. Its the only reason any of us would come back to this damn town. Family." He said, regarding her carefully, and Sabrina straightened. He turned to Damon. "Let's be above this," holding out his hand.

Reluctantly, he took Mason's hand. "Sure. Sure,"

Mason left the dining room when Jenna called him for the game. Out of the corner of her eye, Sabrina saw Damon swipe a pure silver knife from the case. She saw his intentions swirling around his chest.

Damon was going to kill him. And she was going to let him.

Caroline came back alongside her, looking disinterested and nauseous.

"Can we go?"

"Yeah, sure. We have what we need,"

-O-

Sabrina poured an entire container of Morton's sea salt into the steaming bathtub filled with water. She had poured some rose oil for relaxation, but she ached for the salt she held in her hand. Sliding her clothes off, she kicked them into the corner, listening for Caroline to settle into her bed upstairs. Sabrina would be intolerable now, even though she knew the wards would keep out the supernatural boogeyman. Caroline didn't have a heartbeat anymore, but she listened for the rhythmic breaths she took in habit. She wondered if as she got older, would she stop? She hoped not. She stopped herself before she wondered if she would even be there to hear them.

She thought about when Liz would wonder where Caroline was spending her nights, or if she would ever figure it out. She loved her aunt, but Liz made it easy to dislike her most days. Too many missed dance recitals and Caroline making excuses until even Caroline floundered for reasons.

The founder's picnic for the historical society would be this weekend, Sabrina recalled. The library would have a booth she needed to manage. Maybe Caroline could help with the decorations? She would for the right amount of kettle corn and cotton candy. Sabrina was never above bribery. She hated decorating. Sensitive documents? Absolutely. Balloons and crepe paper? She would rather die.

She hissed as she lowered herself into the bath, the salt burning for a short moment before settling into her skin. She waited for the sharp pain, controlling her breathing in case Caroline was feeling nosy. Instead, the water enveloped her so gently she could have cried, slipping down her arms, over her abdomen as scales broke across her skin in gentle foam. Her monster proved just as happy for the water. Her gills opened, and the fullest breath she had ever taken filled her lungs. Blue scales flickered gold by the candle she placed on her countertop. Her tail flipped over the top of the bathtub, and she couldn't even smile about how ridiculous she looked. Instead, she thought about what would happen if she heard back about the online master's degree in library archival work. She wished student loans were still the only factor in her situation.

The floor creaked above her in Caroline's pacing. She caught glimpse of herself in the mirror, flashing black eyes, sharp teeth, claws tracing the edge of the bath. Her head settled against the tub.

But she could ensure at least one of them slept. She looked up, letting a dulled hum reverberate from the center of her chest. The light of the candle flickered. A bed creaked, and the pacing stopped.