Disclaimer: I do not own the vampire diaries.

12

Hello, brother II.

Stefan was the one driving them to the party, insisting that Alex needed more time to catch her breath. On the outside, he appeared to be calm, unaffected by his brother's actions as he drove without hurry, tapping his finger on his thigh at the rhythm of the upbeat music coming from the radio. But the stiffness on his posture was a dead give away of his real emotions. He knew he shouldn't have let Damon alone with Alex. It was a recipe for disaster. Every single person his brother interacted with always ended up dragged along into his messes, turned into a vampire or dead.

Alex was exhausted, slumped on her seat, trying to fix her smudged makeup and messy hair. She couldn't show up looking a mess lest she want people to think they were late because they were, err, busy.

Her sore muscles had been alleviated by a simple incantation to reduce the pain in her calves from running around.

Thankfully, her clothes weren't dirty nor sweaty. She could only hope she didn't smell. She couldn't ask Stefan to smell her, that'd be too embarrassing for her to bear. 'I'll have to take a page out of Caroline's book and prepare a bag with toiletries for emergencies like this. I have a feeling this won't be the last time I'll end up worse for wear thanks to a vampire.'

She wasn't looking forward to Caroline's imminent interrogation when she arrived with Stefan. Thinking about her friend made her think about her sister, who no doubt will join forces with Caroline to get her to confess something. Her sad love life has always been a topic of interest amongst their group of friends and more than once Alex was tempted to accept a date with Devon or made up a fake boyfriend so they would leave her alone. In the end, she didn't dare to step so low. She had some dignity.

'Speaking about non-existent love life...' Alex peered at Stefan as she fixed her mascara. He hasn't made any move to woo her sister, matter of fact, they didn't even know each other in person. Elena only knew of Stefan's existence because she mentioned him here and there during summer break and that was all, she didn't even know what he looked like. 'Whatever. Is not like they were going to end up together anyways.' She comforted herself, pressing her lips together to even out her lipstick.

Stefan parked near a row of cars before he stepped out, opening Alex's door for her.

She smiled as she stepped out, "Thank you."

He smiled back, though Alex could see how stressed he was about the whole thing.

If they failed, someone was going to get hurt and eventually die because of his brother so he felt responsible for it. After all, it was his fault that Damon was like this.

They followed the sound of music and laughter, the orange glow of the fire illuminated the place just enough so they could see where they were going without tripping. Shadows moved around them, some dancing and others simply walked or stayed still and others swayed around, unable to walk straight. They were their only company until they reached the hot spot in the middle of the woods.

A big fire stood in the middle where a group of boys were adding more chopped wood and fuel liquid to keep it going for the rest of the night. Groups of people spread around the place, clearly enjoying the party as their laughter ringed around the area. Red cups and beers cluttered the ground and Alex made a face, pushing a beer can out her way with her foot, 'I'd hate to be part of the cleaning committee.' One short glace at Stefan's face confirmed he thought the same as her.

Alex spotted her sister along with Caroline and Bonnie near a table, refilling their red cups with cheap beer when Elena felt her stare and waved them over, raising a thin brow at Stefan.

'Ah, so she's not mad anymore?' Alex mused, hopeful.

"Just be your usual charming self and don't mind Caroline. She's a sweetheart, I promise." She advised Stefan as she made her way towards them. Smiling, Alex gestured at him, "Ladies, this is Stefan Salvatore. Also known as the mysterious new resident of Mystics Falls." She pointed at her sister, "This is my baby sister Elena, and our lovely friends Caroline and Bonnie." She told him.

He smiled softly, nodding at the beaming girls, "Hello, it's nice to meet you all."

Caroline took the lead to openly gush at him, clapping her hands together, "You're far more handsome than I thought." She complimented, being nudged by Bonnie for her forwardness as Elena shook her head, grinning apologetically at him.

"Please forgive her, she's been drinking more than usual." Bonnie said, "Welcome to Mystics Falls by the way. We might be a small town but we sure know how to party." She gestured around them.

Stefan looked around, "I can tell." He agreed with a small smile.

Elena spoke then, interested, she leaned closer, "How are you liking our town? Is it too different from where you used to live?" She inquired politely, taking a short sip from her cup.

'Ohh, They're talking!'

"Not really. I was actually born here but had to move out a lot as a child." He said and added, "I was born into a military family." He lied smoothly.

"I already knew that," Caroline gloated proudly and at the sharp looks her friends gave her she sputtered out, "I mean that in a totally not creepy way. People at school gossip a lot." She explained, a faint blush on her cheeks.

"So I heard," he looked at Alex, smiling, "I don't know why they're so interested in my life. I'm not that great."

"Certainly that's not true," Bonnie quipped, "Since you managed to catch Alex's attention." She teased, handing them each a cup with beer.

Caroline nodded eagerly in agreement, "We were starting to get worried, honestly, that our poor Alex was going to die single and a virgin with lots of cats." She said.

Alex glared at her, taking a sip from her cup.

Elena chuckled, "Alex, your face is red!" She pointed out, reaching to pinch her cheeks. She was having lots of fun being the teasing sister for once. Usually it was Alex embarrassing both of her siblings so this was well deserved.

Also, Elena wanted to let her sister know she wasn't mad at her about last night's incident. After meditating about the whole thing, she came to realise her elder sister was just looking out for her. An apology was in order once they were alone.

"For your information, Stefan is just my bestie." She said, and they grinned, obviously not believing a single word. Alex was about to say something else when she saw a familiar figure stumbling into the woods, "Excuse me." she said, squeezing Stefan's bicep before she left, hurrying to the girl's side.

"Hey! It's you!" A very tipsy Madeleine cheerfully said, cupping Alex's face, "You came!"

"Yes, Maddie. It's me," she said, slipping Madeleine's left arm over her own shoulders for support, "Looks like you're having lots of fun." She said as she noticed the stench of alcohol in her breath.

"I am." The redhead grinned, then deflated, "But Parker says I need to go home."

"Parker?" Alex looked around, trying to spot the girl's boyfriend, "Where is he?"

Madeline shrugged, head rolling to the side, "Getting the car... but he's taking too long." She whined, pouting.

'Could it be?...' Alex tensed, senses on high alert, "Let's check the parking and see if we can find him?" She suggested finding Stefan's eyes on them. She nodded at him, letting him know to be prepared as she started to walk, tugging Madeleine along.

"Alex?" She heard Parker call her as he jumped out of his truck, "What- ah, thank you for getting Maddie." He said, spotting the barely conscious girl leaning on her, reaching to take her.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled at him, glad to see he was okay and wasn't hammered like his girlfriend was, "What took you so long? Maddie was about to go searching for you."

He scoffed, glaring at the running car behind him, "This piece of junk died on me. Had to ask someone to let me charge the battery." He explained, helping Madeleine climb in the back where she promptly collapsed. He sighed, "I told her to take it easy." He said mostly to himself and remembering he wasn't alone, he turned to her, "Thanks again, Alex."

"No worries. That's what friends are for. Take care, both of you and make sure she drinks plenty of water."

He smirked, "Will do. Enjoy the party." He called, climbing into the driver's seat as Madeleine moaned, rolling around. He winced, "But not too much."

Alex waved them goodbye, watching the car disappear in the distance. A flurry of footsteps made her turn, finding Bonnie speed walking towards her own car with Elena following after her.

"Everything okay?" Alex asked as soon as Bonnie passed by her.

"Ah?" Bonnie blurted, "Yes, yes. I'm fine. I just started to feel a little dizzy. Too much alcohol. That's all, nothing to be concerned about." She yanked her car's door open and dropped onto the seat, forehead wrinkled and gaze lost.

"Alright," Alex said, unconvinced, facing her sister and muttering so Bonnie wouldn't hear, "What happened?"

"I don't know." Elena whispered back, "She was okay one moment and then she got this weird look in her face and-" she stopped, gulping, "It happened after she touched Stefan... What's going on?"

'Shot. I forgot about that.'

"I'm here looking for a vampire," Alex confessed, careful with her word choice as to not reveal Stefan's secret, "He's supposed to attack any moment now."

Shocked, Elena nodded slowly, looking around, now wary of their surroundings, "Then I'll go with you." She spoke with determination, only to be shut down by her sister.

"No," Alex shook her head. What's Elena going to do? Talk him out of attacking Vicky? Yeah, right. "Absolutely not. You'd be dead weight-" she winced as Elena worked her jaw, taking a step away from Alex, "Sorry, I-"

"It's okay." Elena cut her off, clearly hurt, "I get it."

"Elena..." Alex pleaded.

"I said it's okay." She insisted, pressing her eyes shut, "Go before something bad happens. I'll keep Bonnie company."

Dejected and knowing she fucked up, Alex agreed with a nod, "It would be best if you three went home."

Elena breathed out, opening her eyes, "Very well." She said, getting in the driver's seat, "Send Caroline here when you're back," she told her, biting her lip, "Take care, Alex. I don't want you arriving home with a single millimetre of blood missing, okay?"

"I'll try my best." She promised, turning to leave, hearing Bonnie ask about what the heck they were talking about and Elena dismissing her concerns by telling her it was an inner joke between them.

Alex found Caroline and Stefan right where she last saw them, they were still talking and to her relief, Stefan didn't seem to be uncomfortable with the conversation, Alex felt bad for interrupting them but she couldn't risk letting her friend stay. It wasn't hard to get her to leave, all she had to do was mention Bonnie wasn't feeling okay for the blonde to leave as well. She was a good friend like that.

"You okay?" Stefan asked, bumping her shoulder lightly to get her attention, "You'd been glaring at the ground for a solid minute now."

"Ah, yes- well, no." She admitted, "Elena wanted to join us in our vampire hunting quest and I didn't let her."

Confused, Stefan scrunched up his face, "And?" He prompted kindly.

"I didn't use the kindest words to dismiss her. I called her a dead weight." she grimaced, rubbing the back of her neck.

He nodded in understanding, "Ah, I see. You meant well. I'm sure your sister will understand."

"Maybe," she said, seeing Vicky walk into the woods and Tyler going after her shortly after. Sobering up, Alex tilted her chin to point at them, her despair now forgotten, "Let's go."

Whistles and cheers followed after them as they made their way into the woods. School was bound to be interesting tomorrow once the gossip spread out that she was seen going into the woods with a handsome guy for some privacy.

Alex scoffed inwardly, 'Who the fucks gets horny in the forest anyway?'

Stefan's hand was in her back, guiding her in the darkness as he used his super hearing to pinpoint Tyler's and Vicky's whereabouts.

Alex's glowered when she heard Vicky's voice, pleading Tyler to stop. Stefan shared a look with her and they hurried to the girl's rescue.

"Everything okay here?" Stefan asked, making Tyler flinch and jump off Vicky.

Tyler looked at Alex's hard expression and avoided her gaze, opting to address Stefan, "Yes, man. Peachy." He said fidgeting.

"I wasn't talking to you," Stefan said coolly, turning to Vicky, "Are you okay?"

Vicky nodded, hugging herself and staring at the ground, "Yes, I'm fine."

Feeling trapped, Tyler decided to play victim and act offended by their unspoken accusations.

"Whatever," he spat, walking away from them.

"Wait- Tyler," Vicky called, when Alex grabbed her arm to keep her still, "Let me go-" her eyes went wide with fear as Stefan's intense stare bore into hers.

"Go home." He commanded, hoping it would work. He had feed hours ago but he hoped he had enough energy to compel the girl.

Vicky nodded numbly, complying quietly she walked away, leaving them alone.

"I won't be too mad if Damon gets his hands on him." Alex said, staring at the direction Tyler had gone off to.

"I thought he was your friend?"

"Nope. Never was." Alex said.

Ever since he hit puberty, Tyler's temper got worse and worse. Any little provocation sent him into a scary blind rage that kept most people away from him. Matt and the football team were probably the only ones that still put off with him. Alex felt sorry for him, it wasn't his fault he was born cursed and had a hard time controlling his nature. Alex didn't know how to help him (seeing as she wasn't a werewolf and couldn't relate to his struggles) and she didn't want to get involved with him or any werewolf for that matter. Jules and her little boyfriend were people she rather not met. She wasn't afraid of them. They just weren't worth the trouble. All they have to do is stay put and they'll get to live a long, painful life. But if they dared to show up and hurt her loved ones she might tell the big bad hybrid about their little wolf pack in Florida. Even if it means Tyler will be on his own if he triggered his curse.

They patrolled the woods for a little longer until Alex decided to save them time and just do a quick sweep of the area in her spiritual form much to Stefan's surprise since this was the first time he saw her do her little party trick. She double checked, and then did it a third time before she confirmed her suspicions. Damon wasn't even in the area. That revelation did nothing to make her feel better.

She might've not found Damon but she did find a bunch of horny teens getting at it that left her mentally scarred. She wouldn't be able to see Juno and Blake the same after tonight. She didn't even know they were a thing. 'Good for them though!'

"All clear. Damon's probably terrorising some other place." Alex said, returning to her body and wiping the blood running down her nose and glad to notice she didn't feel as drained as she used to. 'I'm getting better at it. I wonder how long I can stay away from my physical body before I die like the last time?... Maybe I should experiment a little more?' She waved off Stefan's concern as he helped her up her feet and guided her back to her car, "Any idea where he might be?"

"No. But it's getting late. He usually doesn't stay up all night when he's, um, doing what he does best."

"Then we should head home. My mom is probably worried. I should've told Elena to cover me..." Having no phone sucked.

The party was mostly over by now, just a few stragglers wandered by, here and there picking up the mess or finishing the remaining beer before calling it a night. Though she could still hear some laughter coming from the falls.

"Sorry for making you come and waste your time." Alex said as she climbed into her car.

"What? No." Stefan shook his head, smiling slightly, "I had fun. Your friends are good people," he said before grimacing, recalling the incident with the Bennett witch, "Is Bonnie okay?"

"Yes, I guess so. I think she just got a vision when she touched you."

"Ah, I see. Nothing bad I hope." He said, starting the car.

"I think she's suspecting you're not human." Alex said, staring out of the window, "Don't worry too much about it. I'll talk to her when it comes to it."

(...)

"Run him over." Alex smirked, staring at the immobile lump spread on the asphalt.

The corners of his mouth tilted up, a hint of an amused grin made itself known as Stefan slowed down to avoid running over his brother.

They came to a stop right in front of Damon, who remained unbothered by the whole thing.

Alex jumped out, going to the side of the road to find a long stick she used to poke Damon's belly.

He groaned, grabbing the stick, "Don't." He grunted, opening his bloodshot eyes to glare at her.

It was obvious he had been crying.

'We should wait for him to calm down... then I snap his neck and lock him in a cell at the boarding house... Or not, I know how well that turned out on the show.'

Alex ignored the dried blood around his lips for now. No point in yelling at him and having him run off again now that they were face to face. An angry Damon was a dangerous one for any poor townies that crossed his path. They didn't want him running around wrecking havoc and exposing the fact that vampires were back in Mystics Falls.

"Just making sure you're still alive." Alex said, letting go of the stick to grab his wrist and help him up.

He would've dragged her down along with him if Stefan hadn't step in, grabbing his other wrist and pulling him up in a swift motion. He helped his brother into the passenger seat and Alex pointed at the almost empty bottle in his grasp.

"Are you done with that?" She asked, fearing he might spill it on the light coloured seat.

"Nope." He said, smirking before taking a long swing from it. Amber mixed in with the red crust on his lips creating a coppery colour that spilled from his mouth and down his face and onto his pants. At least he didn't stain her leather seats.

Alex fixed his seat-belt, ignoring the amused look he gave her as she did so before she went into the back. She didn't trust Damon to sit behind her and not try anything to annoy her. She rather have a peaceful drive back home. 'Or should I snap his neck instead... no, no, no neck snapping. Be nice.'

"Where are we going?" Damon asked as soon as Stefan shut the door behind him.

"Home." Came Stefan's curt reply, "Sit still." He warned as Damon tried to remove the seat-belt.

"Home?" He repeated with disgust, pausing, "I don't want to go there."

"Just start driving," Alex said to Stefan, and glared at Damon, "Unlike you, some of us do want to get home."

"Why don't you take me home with you instead?" He suggested, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Nice try but we're going to the boarding house and I'm dragging you into bed myself-"

"Kinky."

Alex playfully poked his side, knowing better than to take his banter seriously, "You know what I mean."

Damon ignored her, turning to Stefan, "Where'd you find this one? Is not common for witches to hang around vampires," He directed the last part at her, "Your ancestors are probably pretty pissed at you." He commented lightly, lips curling up in amusement.

Alex shrugged, recalling the hateful voices she heard just this morning. They we're more than pissed. She had no doubt that given the chance, the witches wouldn't miss the opportunity to set her straight and remind Alex of her place as a balance keeper. She scoffed inwardly. 'Freaking witches and their annoying rules.' Alex thought bitterly, 'I should ask Stefan to give me Esther's necklace. Cut off the bitch once for all.' Alex decided, 'Maybe I should take it to the jeweller first and get another one made for Rebekah?...'

Stefan's voice brought her out of her musings, "Actually, she was the one who found me."

Damon's eyes sparkled with an unknown emotion that made her roll her eyes, "Don't be getting any ideas." She warned, "I like my vampires harmless and family friendly."

"Then why do you hang around Stefan?" He said, grinning at his brother, "He's far from being PG-13."

Stefan ignored the jab at his past and focused on driving, gripping the wheel tighter, knuckles white.

Wanting to change the topic, Alex extended her hand towards him, earning a curious look before he gave her a firm high five.

"No!" Alex said, retracting her tingling hand, "I want my phone back."

Damon paused, frowning deep in thought before he dug into his back pocket, handing her the device with new cracks all over the screen.

"Aww man, it was brand new." She whined, turning it around to check it. She'll charge him for it. "You promised you'll take care of it!"

"I lied."

"Good to know Scout's honour means nothing to you."

"I was never a scout." He smiled at her, taking a long gulp from the bottle.

"And where's the grimoire?"

"Pearl has it."

Stefan's brows creased, "You went to see Pearl? Why?"

"You know, just catching up with an old friend. Recalling the old times. Talking about long lost loves, you know, the usual." He said before frowning as he noticed their surroundings, "...I told you I didn't want to go home." He said before opening the door and throwing himself out, rolling down the road.

Stefan slammed the brakes, checking the rear-view mirror to see where he had landed, spotting him a few meters away, sprawled on the road, struggling to get up.

"I'll go get him." Alex said tiredly exiting the vehicle before Stefan could, "...Damon?" She asked as she drew closer, seeing the pieces of broken glass spread around him. He looked pathetic and she wasn't one to kick someone who was already down, "Are you okay, buddy?"

He looked a mess, covered in cuts and scratches, thin lines of blood covered his body and stained his clothes.

He said nothing, keeping his gaze upward, looking at the stars above with a lost look in his face. Alex let him be, grateful that Stefan was waiting for them in the car so they could talk alone.

After several seconds of silence, Damon spoke, "She never loved me." He said, watery eyes filled with pain turning to her for an answer, "I... I've waited all of this time for her and she didn't-"

"Fuck her." Alex interrupted his pity party before she could stop herself. He blinked at her, "I mean it. Fuck her. Stop waiting for her to love you back like some lovesick puppy. She's not worth your time nor does she deserve your love." 'My sister does, though. Hit her up once you're not so psycho and get yourself together.' She offered her hand with a gentle smile, "You wasted enough of your time on her as if it. So fuck that cold-hearted bitch." Alex finished her super inspiring speech.

He didn't take her hand and sat upright, "I thought you hated me." He didn't address her previous acclamation.

"I don't like you. It's different." Alex said, "But don't get on my bad side and we might work from there and see if you can join my vampire besties club."

He snorted, nostril flaring up, standing up with no problem, "Do I have to submit an application?"

Alex laughed, shaking her head, "Let's get your ass home."

'Then Stefan and I can deal with whatever mess you made while you were on your own... Tomorrow. I'm too tired now. Then I'll think about a way to keep you from killing... Tomorrow. Need sleep now.' If that didn't work, he always had a cell reserved just for him back at the boarding house... They wouldn't dare, of course. Doing that would do more harm than good, of that she was sure thanks to the show. But that didn't mean they couldn't threaten him with it.

They made it to the Boarding house without further ado after Damon got into the car himself and Alex insisted on taking a lot at his newly acquired wounds before they closed up themselves. There were still pieces of glass embedded on his flesh that needed to be removed.

The house was silent when they entered, grateful that Zach wasn't around or awake to question them, the trio made their way towards the kitchen as the lighting there was better instead of the yellowish one at the living room.

Alex motioned Damon to sit on a stool so she could check him over, "Take off your shirt." She commanded.

He smirked, leaning back, "At least buy me dinner first."

"Dinner? That's all it takes? You're so cheap." She shot back with a smirk of her own as he complied, throwing Stefan a look she didn't quite catch as she was busy commanding her magic to remove the glass at once. It wasn't so bad, just some pieces scattered around his abdomen and left side where he landed on the bottle. 'Definitely less bloody than I expected.'

Damon grimaced but otherwise made no other side of being in pain before she healed him with a flick of her finger and floated the glass onto the trash can.

"Damn, I'm getting better at this!" She said proudly, gaze flickered up to meet Damon's as she patted his arm, "Now, it's time for bed time." She dismissed him.

"Read me a story?" He pouted slightly, making her laugh.

"Ask Stefan to tell you one. I need to get going now." She said and Stefan nodded at her, escorting her to the door with Damon trailing behind before he stopped by the kitchen entrance, "Damon?" Alex called.

He raised a brow at her.

"Thank you for showing me your shiny pecs."

He rolled his eyes, smirk softening, "Go home, Hermione."

Alex nodded, hand resting on the door, "Damon?" She called again and he stood straighter, "I'll be sending you the bill for a new phone. So get your wallet ready because I'm upgrading at your expense."

(...)

Alex smiled when she pulled over at the driveway, glad to be finally home, safe and sound and in one piece. The lights were off, meaning everyone was already asleep and she was on the clear to use the front door instead of climbing her way in like she often did when she arrived at this ungodly hour.

'Unless Mom is waiting for me in the darkness...' Alex shuddered at the image that flashed in her mind.

After Miranda was rushed to the hospital one night after experiencing some abdominal pain and light bleeding, the doctor had put her in strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy and advised her to take it easy with work. Having to cater to their mother's needs, they had to move her things downstairs, into one of their storage rooms, which after moving the many boxes filled with useless stuff and deep cleaning the place, looked half decent.

They bought and built new furniture, 'they' as in Jeremy did all the work while they, (being Alex and Elena) cheered him on, 'supervising' and keeping his morale up. After he was done, the room still looked a tad depressing with its lack of windows and the murky brown walls, but seeing as Miranda needed to be moved asap, (she almost tripped going down the stairs, twice, that very same day thanks to her growing belly that covered her feet,) they tried to make it more lively by adding some family photos and a plant that quickly died by lack of sunlight. 'Not depressing at all.'

Being confined to those four walls almost 24/7 and aided by the pregnancy hormones, their mom was the definition of evil, 'Okay, maybe not that bad.' But she got irritated by the smallest of things and topped with the fact she could barely stomach any food or liquid, Miranda wasn't looking or feeling like the glowing goddess her family and friends insisted she was. It was awful dealing with her and the constant mood swings. She couldn't wait for baby Gilbert to be here and for them to get their loving mother back in exchange of ear-ringing wails that would keep them up at night.

Alex stepped out of her car, shutting the door quietly behind her and took three steps before she stopped, body tensing. A chill crawled up her spine and she narrowed her eyes, observing her surroundings with care, finding nothing out of place-

A gush of wind blew past her and she prepared for the worse.

A pair of fangs tried to sink into the tender flesh of her neck, Alex barely felt the tips caress the surface of her skin when she snapped their neck using her magic.

Annoyed, Alex huffed a breath, turning around to see who the fuck dared to attack her-

Her arms shot up, grabbing the girl by the armpits to keep her in place, pressing her back against her car for support. Caroline's head lolled to the side, the bones in her spine cracking as she did so. Alex cringed at the sound, knowing that she would never forget it as one hand brushed the hairs out of her friend's face.

Caroline's face was pale, fine, black lines covered the area around her eyes but they were slowly retracting, fading into her translucent skin. The rest of her face was a bloody mess that trailed all the way down to her neck and soaked her shirt. Alex was partly relieved to notice that, as it meant that Caroline had completed her transition. 'But it also means she's been feeding around town.' Alex realised grimly, remembering Caroline's lack of self control when she transformed in the show.

'How?' Alex wondered over and over again as she held her up. 'Katherine' didn't do this.' She concluded, swallowing harshly, 'Then who did it?'

A door opened in the next house over, Mr. Richards was probably on his way to his night shift at the most inopportune moment. If he had stepped out a second too late he would be accusing her of murder right about now. Alex moved fast, opening the back door and stuffing Caroline inside, staining the seats with her blood, 'That's going to be a pain to clean,' she tried to joke to ease herself, before a sudden thought struck her like lighting, her blood chilled as she wondered about her sister's and Bonnie's well-being.

Alex sprung into action, placing a cloaking spell on the blonde, "Nullum visa laris." She said under her breath, hiding Caroline's body from view before she ran inside her home, waving at Mr. Richards as she passed by his side.

She got up the stairs in record time, jumping two steps at the time to reach Elena's room, turning on the light to find her sister sleeping soundly, Alex let out a shuddering breath as she hurried to her side, caressing Elena's cheek to wake her up.

Her sister scrunched up her face before waking, rubbing her eyes and yawning, "Alex? Wh-" eyes widening, she pointed Alex's neck, "What happened? Are you okay?" She asked worriedly, "Did a vampire do that?"

"I'm fine. Just a little scratch," She said quickly, wasting no time, she asked, "What happened after I told you to go home?"

Elena's brows creased as she sat upright, her sleepiness now gone, she shook her head, "Bonnie wanted to go to The Grill and sober up there before heading home." She explained.

Alex pinched the bridge of her nose. She had been very clear with her sister before they left- but then again, this would've happened sooner or later. At this point, Alex was convinced she was speed running the plot. "...And? What else happened?" She insisted, putting aside her frustrations.

Elena shrugged slightly, "There was some weird guy staring at me, but Caroline called him out and got him kicked out of The Grill for being a creep. Then we left because Bonnie wasn't feeling okay..."

'Caroline?... of course she would do something like that. Always looking out for her friends.' Alex thought fondly.

Alex frowned, scared for their safety. If Caroline got turned then what happened to Bonnie? "What guy? What did he look like?"

Elena's frown deepened, confused as to why she was asking this, "He was tall, and had brown hair and brown eyes and- he wouldn't stop staring at me... It was creepy." She got up from bed, handing Alex a tissue to wipe her neck, "What happened? Why are you asking me this?"

"Caroline's a vampire. Call Bonnie to check on her. I need to go." She tried to unlock her phone, cursing when she realised it was dead.

"What?! But- Caroline... she-"

"I know. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it." She said, discarding the bloodied tissue on the white bin next to Elena's desk, placing two fingers around her neck to heal Caroline's damage, "My phone's dead. I need you to call Anna and tell her to meet me at Stefan's."

She left before Elena could question her friend's involvement in all of this. Alex was pissed and heads were about to roll.

She had a name in mind of who was the culprit of Caroline's early transformation and she was ready to make him pay.

(...)

I'm very excited to have made it this far! Now I can finally cross 'Vampy Caroline' from my draft page lol I have been planning this for a while now so it feels good to finally be here.

As for the pairings, it is still undecided, but from what I saw on the reviews, most people (and myself included,) are leaning more towards Alex x Mikaelsonbowl. Elijah, Klaus and Kol are on top of the unofficial poll. Poor Alex...

Also, some of you guys pointed out the fact that Alex doesn't use her magic often or to get out of sticky situations and that's my fault! I quickly swept over the Witches wiki page and didn't finish reading it so I had no idea of all of the things that could be done with magic. But fear not! I went back and filled two pages with spells and incantations for Alex to use in the future.

Thank you for the constructive criticism and thank you to every single person that left a review. They truly do inspire me to keep writing 3

Take care, see ya all soon!