Tyler stayed pressed against the wall, he quieted his breathing but it did nothing to soothe his stuttering heart. What had he just heard? Why had Mr. Mikaelson commanded his father to kill his mother?

He shook his head. He must have misheard. But then he went over the memory again. No, there was no mistaking that that was what Mr. Mikaelson said when he spoke to his father. What was that? The thought of his father hurting his mother made his stomach clench. He would never let his father hurt his mother. He loved his mother.

Mr. Mikaelson was crazy, but then why had his father done nothing? Why had his father not said a thing about what Mr. Mikaelson said? The thoughts and the sticky feeling of fear hammered away at his heart. He had to make sure. He had to know whether or not he was imagining things.

Tyler peeled himself off the wall and made his way to his father's office. Every step he took felt hard, like he was tryin g to walk through molasses. When he got to the window paned doors of his father's office. He sighed and pounded on the door.

"Yes?" His father called out from inside the office.

"Dad? Can I ask you something?" Tyler asked his voice wavering slighting. He slammed his hands against his cheeks. He needed to pull himself together. His father would never speak to him until he had full control of himself.

"Come on in," his father answered. Tyler let out a breath and then made his way inside. His father was sitting behind his desk, fussing with some papers. They looked to be bills from the numbers that Tyler could make out on the page. "Well, what is it?"

Tyler gave his father a long look. He looked like his regular self. Not some man that was tasked to commit a crime. Tyler shook his head. Maybe he was just hearing things. Maybe he had heard wrong.

"Why did Mr. Mikaelson say that?" Tyler pointed over his shoulder to the door. Richard peered over the rim of his glasses at Tyler. Tyler felt a bit discomfited with the look.

"Tyler, what have I told you about listening in on my conversations?" His father went back to looking at his papers. Tyler sighed and rubbing his hands against his pants.

"I didn't mean to you guys were just talking by the door-"

"We were not talking by the door. We were talking in my office."

What?

"No, when you were done talking in the office you went to the front door," Tyler said with his brow furrowed. He looked back to the door to make sure it was still there. How did his father not remember making his way to the front door? Richard shook his head.

"Tyler I have no time for your games. I am very busy."

"I'm sorry. But Dad how do you to remember Mr. Mikaelson talking to you at the door. He told you to kill Mom."

"What?" Richard sent his son a penetrating look.

"Yeah. Mr. Mikaelson told you to kill Mom and then to forget the whole conversation." His father's brow furrowed and he gripped the papers in his hands tighter. Tyler knew the signs of his father's temper and stopped talking.

"No such thing will happen because there was never any conversation like that—"

"But it did! He told you to kill Mom and then made you forget the whole conversation—"

"I will not have anymore of your lies Tyler!" Richard stood up from his chair, making it slide back and hit the wall. Tyler shrieked away from his father. Though he was physically bigger than his father there was something inside that was still the small little boy that feared his father. "Now if you will excuse me I would like to get back to work."

Tyler watched as his father settled back into his seat as if he didn't just blow up at his son. Tyler sighed and walked out of the office. He rubbed his face as he grabbed his keys from the bowl next to the front door and made his way to his car.

He peeled out of his driveways with a screech of the tires and made his way towards the Grill. Matt would understand him. Matt had always been the understanding guy. He parked his car next to some beat up station wagon and made his way inside.

The Grill was packed with teens and young adults. Tyler raised his hand in hello to some of the people who he had classes with and denied them when they offered him a pool cue. As much as he wanted to he just wanted to talk to his friend.

Tyler slumped down into a seat at the bar and Matt appeared in front of him without so much as a sound. Matt was always there with his golden hair and welcoming eyes. He was always a good friend to Tyler, even when Tyler was a not so good friend to him. Honestly, Tyler thought to himself, I should treat the guy better.

"What can I get for ya?" Matt asked as he wiped down a cup. Tyler sighed and sagged into his chair.

"A whiskey neat," Tyler replied. Matt when whirring around the bar fixing him his whiskey and then sliding it down the bar to him. There was no one else at the bar save for one other person so, Matt idled by Tyler.

"Man I think I must be going crazy," Tyler muttered over the music.

Matt raised his eyebrows. "What makes you say that?"

"I know I heard that new guy Mikaelson tell my dad to kill my mom."

"Yeah you sound crazy."

"That's not the weirdest part. I hear him say that to my dad by the door. I asked my dad why he didn't say anything and then he said that he never spoke to Mikaelson by the door. Only in his office."

"Well maybe he did?"

"Yeah, but I saw my dad talking to Mikaelson by the door! I saw them talking at the door. So I can't have heard them wrong when even my dad doesn't even remember talking to Mikaelson at the door!" Tyler threw his hands up in frustration. Why didn't his father believe him. It was like he had his memory wiped. Like when Mikaelson said forget this conversation he literally did!

"Maybe you heard them wrong?"

"That's what I think but there is no way that I could have heard them wrong. I wasn't playing loud music and there was nothing to distract me."

Matt hummed and Tyler downed his whiskey. "Let's say that I believe you, why would that new family in town have it out for your mom?"

"I don't know maybe they didn't like the welcome basket that she sent them? Or they missed out on a position and think that my mom had something to do with it? I don't know. But why would they rope my dad into this?"

"Yeah but you did say that your parents have been fighting a lot."

"About stupid shit! Like what party they have to attend and who's baby shower to go to. Nothing serious enough to justify murder!" Tyler sunk his hand into his hands. "I don't know what to do man."

"Hey Matt," someone said as he sunk into the chair next to Tyler.

Tyler raised his head to look in to Stefan's face and he just sighed before putting his head on the bar top.

"Whoa what's the matter with him?" Stefan asked. Matt shrugged his shoulders.

"He heard some weird stuff at his house today. He thinks the new guy Klaus Mikaelson told his dad to kill his mom." Tyler rose his head from the table and grabbed his empty glass.

"You think you heard what?"

Tyler frowned into his empty cup. "I know it sounds crazy but I heard him tell my dad to kill my mom and—"

"Tyler you need to keep your mom away from your dad," Stefan said.

"Wha—"

Stefan turned Tyler to look at him and Tyler finally got a good look at Elena's boyfriend. His eyes were dark and intense, piercing Tyler with an amount of clarity that he had rarely seen before on a person let alone Stefan. Tyler nodded his head.

"You believe me?" Tyler asked as he fished in his pocket for his phone. Stefan nodded his hand and then rubbed his jaw, his eyes straying towards the door.

"I believe you," Stefan said.

"Oh thank God," Tyler said as he finally pulled his phone from his pocket. "I thought I was going crazy. I wonder how he made my dad forget the conversation."

"Listen, Tyler don't go to your house for a little bit. I'm going to try and undo what Klaus did to your dad." Stefan rose from the seat and started making his way towards the door. Tyler reached out and grabbed him by his jacket.

"What? How are you going to do that? How did Mikaelson even do that to begin with? You can't leave me in the dark here man." Tyler looked at Elena's boyfriend and nodded his head.

"I'll explain everything later. Come by the house later. Right now we need to make sure that your mom and your dad don't meet up. Call her. Now."

With that Stefan shrugged off his touch and made his way to the door. Tyler looked back at Matt who shrugged his shoulders and Tyler dialed his mom's number.

"Mom? Yeah, I need you to come by the Grill."

Richmond was more fun than Mystic Falls.

There were store to shop at, men who wanted her, people who envied her. Katherine sat at a swanky downtown bar curled up in a booth with some rich alcohol with a foreign name.

"You always have that look on your face."

"What?" Katherine turned her head to face the man that she ensnared. He was good looking; strong cheekbones, an aquiline nose, and a jawline that could cut glass, but he dressed like the nutty professor with clothes that sagged off his a little bit. Katherine's smiled curled at her lips and she looked at him. "What look?"

"That look on your face. You look like someone who has a plot in mind."

"Me?" Katherine said placing a hand on her breast. "Plot something? Never." She took another sip off her alcohol. And the man chuckled lowly in his throat.

"You seem like the type to have plots, plans, and dasteredly deeds under her belt," he said winding a curl around his finger.

Katherine's smile only grew bigger and she took another sip of her drink. "I was a Girl Scout. The only plot that I could attest to was plotting to sell the most cookies."

They both laughed and she let her mind be carried away by the sound of this man's heart beat. It was beating a little fast in his chest and Katherine knew that the sanguine taste of his blood on her tongue would be fantastic. She leaned back in the booth and stretched out her arms and legs.

He watched the way that her breasts rose in her top and Katherine knew that she had him. She crossed her legs daintly and smiled at him. "Do you want to get out of this place?" She asked. He nodded his head and they both exited the both hand in hand.

They made it out on to the street and they made their way to Katherine's rented car. Katherine drove them both to her place which was a top tier penthouse at the most expensive hotel. In a matter of moments they were at her door and locking lips. Katherine slid her tongue into his mouth and she opened the door with her keycard.

She sighed into the kiss as she slammed the door behind them. The man was quick to slam her against the door and Katherine was surprised at how rough he was being. She debated if she was going to allow him into her bed but then she decided against it when she felt her fangs come out. She was hungry.

She kissed down his throat and when she reached the base of his neck, she struck. Her fangs were in his jugular without a second thought and she sucked the rich blood that came out. The man groaned and then let out a small scream as she bit down harder.

"Nuh uh—" Katherine pulled away to look into his eyes "—no screaming."

The compulsion took hold in a matter of moments and Katherine went back to her meal. When she was done the man was still alive and panting against the floor. Katherine walked away from him and turned on the TV in the living room leaving him in the foyer.

"Oh I almost forgot," Katherine said as she turned around. She raced over to the man with her vampire speed, gripping the hand that was around the doorknob. "No running away. You stay right here with me."

"Okay," the man mutter and his hand slid away from the door. Katherine smiled down at him and then returned to then TV. The TV did not hold her attention for long as it was overshadowed by the crying from the man. She sighed and then she went to the door where the man lay holding his wound with tears streaming down his face.

"What? Why are you crying?" Katherine asked.

"P-Please don't hurt me," the man whimpered as he got to his knees still clutching his wound. Katherine rolled her eyes.

"I already got what I wanted from you. I'm not going to hurt you anymore. Unless you make me." She strode back into the living room and sat down on the couch.

"Why can't I reach for the door?"

"Because I compelled you not to."

The man rose from the ground and walked into the living room. He was still shaking and he still held at the bite mark that Katherine left on his body, but he wasn't crying or whimpering like he was before. A vast improvement. Katherine flicked through the TV settling on reruns of "I Love Lucy".

Katherine settled back into her seat and watched then black and white show on the screen. The man stood tentatively in the archway of the living room. His eyes skittered back and forth between Katherine and the television. After a few minutes Katherine grew tired of him just standing there and sighed.

"What? What do you want?" Katherine asked exasperated.

"This is how you spend your time? You just lure men to feed on them and then you just… watch TV?" The man asked as he looked at her.

"Yes. When you live forever bungee jumping and mountain climbing lose their luster after the first six million times." Katherine settled back into her seat and changed the channel. The man said nothing, wiped his face, and entered into the room.

"That seems like an awful waste of an eternity. I mean your a vampire!"

"Yes, I am a vampire. Congrats to you for putting that together." Katherine clapped her hands. "I mean even Einstein would be put to shame by your intellect."

"No, I meant to say that this seems to be a waste of your time and efforts. I mean you could be anywhere in the world. Talking to great minds and doing something for the world, but instead your here in Richmond, feeding on PhD students."

"Is that what you are? I thought you would've had tenure by the way that you dress."

"You probably have amazing stories. And you must have met some of the change makers of history! Why are you here?"

Katherine shook her head, her curls cascading down around her. "Hard to meet people when you are on the run."

"On the run from what?"

"Listen Tweed, if there is one thing that you have to learn about the world is that there is always a bigger fish than you. For humans there are vampires and for vampires there is something much worse."

Tweed sat down on an armchair that was to the right of the TV, hidden by a plant. His face was an open book of awe and wonder. His would had stopped bleeding and he ceased clutching at as if his life depended on it.

"What's out there that is bigger than vampires?"

"You don't need to know." Katherine turned back to the TV and watched the infomercial about the Shirley Temple DVD box set. Tweed looked from her to the TV and then fiddled with his hands in his lap, looking curious.

"So do you have any friends."

Katherine groaned. "Come on Tweed. I was just starting to like you."

"But do you have any friends. I mean for someone who has lived as long as you have you must have at least from friends."

She rolled her neck. "Yes. I have friends. I am trying to get back into the good graces of one of my friends."

"Really? What did you do to fall out?"

"I decided I wanted to live."

Tweed was silent, but the words burst forth without Katherine even thinking about it.

"A long time ago, my friend and I were forced to pick sides. I wanted to live my life so I become a vampire. My friend chose to become the lover of the thing that wanted to kill me. I have been on the run ever since."

"Why doesn't your friend just tell her boyfriend that hunting you is a bad idea."

"Because that thing has a mean streak the size of Texas."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

Silence reigned down on the both of them. Shirley Temple started singing about animal crackers in her soup. Katherine picked up the remote and changed the channel, but it seemed like every channel was prattling on about how Shirley Temple was finally restored in amazing color. Katherine turned off the TV.

"You know we met up every one in a while," Katherine offered. "Every time that she could get away and tell me about the movements of the monster she was with. It felt sort of fun sneaking around with her. Like we were friends again."

"Well if everything goes well will you both be friends again. You know, after all this?"

"Yeah. Maybe. Probably."

Katherine rose from the couch and clapped her hands. "It's been fun Tweed, but it is time for you to go now." Tweed began shaking anew like he just remembered that he was stuck in a penthouse with an apex predator.

"W-What are you going to do to me?" He asked.

Katherine smiled. "Nothing that is going to hurt."

She descended on him.

Stefan was at the Lockwood house in a matter of moments from when he left the Grill. He smiled when he saw that his car was the only one in the driveway. Good. Tyler must have his mom with him or she still must be out. Anyway the fact was that she was not at the house.

As he strode up the driveway he sent a frantic message to Shiela that just read: Meet at Lockwood house. Now. Secure in the knowledge that Shiela would be at the house the moment that she saw the message. Stefan jogged up the steps and pounded on the door.

"Mayor Lockwood!" Stefan called. "Mayor Lockwood! I need you to open up! This is important!"

Stefan could hear the blood rushing through Mayor Lockwood's veins. Good he was still alive and it seemed that he had his wits about him. Just as Mayor Lockwood was opening the door, Stefan realized that he needed an invitation to enter the house. He cursed under his breath.

"What? What is it? Stefan?" Mayor looked down at Stefan with a furrowed brow. "Tyler isn't here. He just left. He maybe at the Grill or at the gym if you are looking for him."

"No, Mayor Lockwood this is important. Can I come inside and speak to you?" Stefan asked.

"Of course. I always have time for my constituents. Come on in," he said opening the door wider. Stefan let out a sigh of relief and walked inside. That was one hurdle cleared. "What can I help you with?"

"Mayor, I know that this is going to sound crazy, but I think that you have been compelled."

The mayor looked at him and then he laughed. He patted Stefan on the shoulder. "Boy, I don't know what you think you're talking about but—"

Stefan shrugged his hand off his shoulder and looked into the Mayor's eyes. "I know what I am talking about. I'm a Salvatore. I know about how vampires are actually the ones behind the animal attacks." Stefan stood up straighter and then looked into the eyes of the mayor. "I know about vampires and what they can do and you have been compelled."

"Looks like someone has been telling their brother about the council meetings. I don't know how you found out about vampires, but rest assured we have everything under control. No need to fear the animal attacks."

"You aren't listening to me! You have been compelled! They compelled you to kill your wife!"

The mayor crossed his arms. "If you are so sure that I have been compelled then why would the vampire want me to kill my wife?"

"I don't know! That is what I have to found out!"

"Look Stefan while I appreciate the concern I have not been compelled."

"Wait until Sheila comes here. She can prove that you have been compelled."

"Shiela Bennett? Why would Shiela Bennett coming here prove anything to me?"

"Because the Bennetts are witches."

The mayor looked at Stefan's face a little slack jawed and then he started to laugh. Mayor Lockwood gripped his chin and then started to laugh. Stefan sighed, his shoulders deflating. Why was it taking so much to convince the mayor that he had been compelled. He wasn't wearing vervain or drinking it. He knew that there were vampires running around and they never took any precautions.

"Witches? First you expect me to believe that I am compelled and now you want me to believe in witches?" Mayor Lockwood wheezed out after most of his laughter had subsided. Stefan ran a hand through his hair. "Son, are you sure you haven't been drinking?"

"Just please listen to me—"

The front door swung open.

"Tyler, I just don't understand why I can't come home—"

It was like a switch finally flipped in his head. With a blank stare, Mayor Lockwood charged to his wife. His hands wrapped around her throat and whatever she was saying was cut off with a "urk". Mayor Lockwood's hands were turning red with. How tight he was holding her throat.

Stefan lunged into action. He pulled Mayor Lockwood off his wife and lifted the passed out Mrs. Lockwood into his arms. But Mayor Lockwood didn't stop there. He went into his office and pulled out the gun he kept hidden in his desk. Without thought he started shooting.

A bullet hit Stefan in the shoulder making him drop Mrs. Lockwood. The rest happened like it was in slow motion. Stefan lay back on the ground clutching at his wound, trying to dig the bullet out of the hole. Then he saw Mayor Lockwood march up to his wife. It was with one precise shot.

Bang.

Blood pooled on the ground as Mrs. Lockwood bled out. Mayor Lockwood dropped the gun and the vacant look from his eyes left him. His hands went up to his face and his jaw fell open.

"Carole. Oh my God, Carole. What have I done?" Stefan watched as he dropped to his knees in front of his dead wife. His agonized moaning turned into a short growl.

Stefan watched as his eyes turned golden and something surged through him. HIs teeth elongated slightly so that he had a set of canines. And as quick as it arrive it was gone. Mayor Lockwood went back to bemoaning his dead wife.

Shiela walked into the house and saw everything and she sighed. With one hand she picked up her phone and called the Sheriff.

"Hello? There's been a murder."

The sheriff was there in a matter of moments and Stefan made himself scarce. He raced back to his home, leaning his car behind hoping that it would nit implicate him in anything. When Damon saw him walking into the house with a hole in his shirt, he frowned.

"What happened to you?" Damon asked.

"I tried to play hero and failed." Stefan replied.

Author's Note: Hello everyone I am back! And with it comes the return of the monthly updates! I am so excited to be back writing this. I also have some stellar news. In the time that I have been gone I was able to publish my book! Yup! I published a whole book!