Chapter 18

January 16th 2010

Evie growled in frustration as her fingers barely grazed the cereal box. A hand brushed against hers and tugged the box forward with ease. She knew who it was because of his obnoxious chuckling that vibrated against her back as he purposely leaned against her and Stefan would never get in her personal space nor come into her house uninvited. That and his cologne was so familiar that she could smell him before he even reached her.

"You're so short." Damon said, still chuckling, and handed her the box. Evie snatched it out of his hand with a scowl.

"Oh, shut up."

"Why didn't you just pluck it out magically?"

"You want cereal all over the floor, doofus? I'm not Matilda." She rolled her eyes and he snorted at her choice of words. "I'm still shaky." After a few days of recuperating from her injuries and practicing her magic, she was feeling the magic flow easier, though she was still not entirely confident.

"Stop thinking so hard about it." He commented, shrugging at her like it was most obvious thing in the world. "Get out of your head."

"You're out of your head." She muttered and poured milk into her bowl of fruity, sugary cereal.

She didn't ask why he was in her house so early in the morning and uninvited, but she knew he wouldn't answer. He had been trying to get things back to the way they were before Alaric's "death", but she couldn't figure out why he was trying so hard. It confused her. Although a part of her, a very strong part, appreciated the effort and it wasn't hard to fall back into the same banter. As long as they didn't mention Alaric or even Katherine...things were looking semi-normal.

"Your Gran and Dad not home?" He asked, sitting across from her at the table.

Evie chewed her food and swallowed. "Gran's at work."

"Your dad has been gone a lot."

She shrugged. "He claims he's busy job hunting, but I think he's hiding his drinking again. I smelt booze on him last night and he was very incoherent, ranting about something or another." She sighed and stirred her cereal. "He was doing better. At least I thought he was."

Damon shrugged. "You never know, my Eves. Someone could have spilt it on him. Don't go judging the guy just yet. I personally haven't seen him touch a drink in a while."

"Yeah, I guess so." She glanced back at him.

"So what are we doing today?"

"We?" She snorted at him. "I'm going to school. Why?"

He just grinned, like he had a big secret. "I've got a town meeting to attend."

"Ah, the only vampire in the room full of vampire haters." She smirked and he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, funny. But I am part of the secret group."

"You're the reason there is a secret group." She retorted and he snorted.

"True. What about after school?"

She shrugged, wondering what exactly he was planning. It was suspicious. "Might have a gig at the Grill tonight." She grimaced at her half-eaten cereal and shoved the bowl away. Damon frowned lightly. She still wasn't eating as well as she should.

"Might?" He inquired.

She shrugged again. "Probably won't go."

Damon leaned forward. "Are you not wanting to go alone?"

"No, just might not go." She said and he tilted his head at her. "How's Stefan?"

Damon shrugged. "Same old, same old."

She arched an eyebrow.

"That's not what Elena says. He's not been back at school. He's been weird, she says. Weirder than you as a matter of fact." Evie smirked at him as she dumped her half-eaten cereal out. She put the bowl in the sink and grabbed a cup to get coffee in.

Damon rolled his eyes. "Stefan is getting used to no "human" blood again. And you need to eat."

"Wasn't that hungry." She retorted and sipped her coffee. "You're not worried about him?"

"Stefan is fine. And we're talking about you now."

"I don't want to talk about me." She grumbled and grabbed her backpack from the corner of the kitchen. "And I have to go to school."

"See you later, babe."

"Okay, no." Evie said, pointing a finger at him. "Never say that again."

"Goodbye, my Eves." He purred, trapping her against the wall with his arms on either side of her head and leaning close to her, so that their noses brushed. Her eyes widened at the action, and he smirked, eyes flickering down to her lips and back up. Heat flared in Evie's face from his darkening and hungry gaze and she felt her stomach flip flop.

"Is that better?"

"N-No, and you're in my personal space." She said quickly and ducked under his arm, fleeing for the door as her heart thudded wildly in her chest. Opening the door, she turned her head to see him watching her from the doorway to the kitchen, arms folded across his chest.

"See you later." He promised, his eyes glittering with amusement.

"Ass." She scowled and slammed the door shut on his laughter. She still felt heat in her face and scowled at herself. "Get a grip, Evie!"

"Ugh, Uncle John? Yuck." Evie wrinkled her nose. "Guy gets on my nerves more than corny dad jokes." Matt laughed and Elena shook her head with a grin.

"Well, I'm here for moral support." He told Elena who smiled.

"Thanks, but I think I'll suffer this one alone. You've been through enough."

He smiled bitterly. "Thank you, by the way, for just-everything you did at Vicki's funeral and her memorial." He looked at Evie. "You too Evie, you and your grandma did a great job with the flowers and the table display."

The blonde girl hugged his side. "It's the least I could do, Matt."

"Is Caroline still baking for you guys around the clock?" Elena asked and Evie snickered.

Matt smiled. "She finally went to her dad's, which is a good thing because my mom was gonna strangle her if she dropped off more lasagna."

"If you gotta any left I want it." Evie told him and he laughed.

"You got it." He smirked and then sighed. "Um, actually I've been wanting to talk to you about your dad. He's been over a lot...like all night."

"Oh, no." She groaned, slapping her hands over her ears, and squeezing her eyes shut. Matt and Elena looked on with amusement. "Don't tell me details please." She blew out a breath and lowered her hands. "Seriously?"

"Yeah. Almost every night for the past week. And this morning he was fixing us breakfast."

"Oh, god. I'm sorry. Matt." She grimaced. "Although, now I know why he smelt like booze the other night."

"Not your fault. You know how they were before she went off with the trucker."

"Yeah, I know. Thanks for telling me. He's been secretive."

Matt nodded. "I gotta get to class. See you, Evie, Elena." He nodded at them and walked off.

Evie turned to Elena.

"So, Stefan still not feeling well enough for school?"

"No, and I'm worried." Elena sighed. "Did you talk to Damon?"

"Yeah, but he's his usual self." She rolled her eyes. "He's an ass, so you won't get answers out of him. You can try though."

"He's a Gilbert?" Damon whispered, leaning towards Liz.

She nodded. "Elena's uncle. His name's John, but I call him Jackass."

"Better than what I'd call him." A voice said on Liz's other side. Damon blinked in shock. It was Evie's dad.

"Michael Harper, Evelyn's dad." He held his hand out to the stunned vampire who shook it. "And you must be Damon Salvatore."

"Right."

Liz smirked. "I'm glad you sobered up for all the excitement, Mike."

"Hell, Liz, you know I couldn't miss this."

Her smirk faded into a genuine smile. "I am proud of you. What is this 3rd month of sobriety?"

"Yeah. Evie's the most important person in my life." He made eye contact with Damon. "And I need to know what's going on in this town and who is going to protect her."

"Sweet Caroline...

Evie sang and smiled when the crowd all went "Bom bom om"

Good times never seemed so good

Sweet Caroline

(Bom bomb om)

I've believe they never could

Sweet Caroline

(Bom bomb om)

Good times never seemed so good..."

The crowd clapped and Evie set her guitar down, hopping off the stool to get some needed water from the bar.

"Didn't take you for a Neil Diamond fan." A voice said from by her ear and she rolled her eyes.

"It was a request." She replied, and drained the last of her water, sliding the glass back over to the bartender and shaking her head when he gestured for a refill.

"Really? Well, I've got a request." Damon beamed at her and she snorted, sliding past him to get her guitar and pack up.

"Sorry, I'm done for the night."

"I didn't say it was a song request." He said slyly and smirked when she stopped walking.

She turned back around, arching an eyebrow. "What exactly are you requesting?"

"This is stupid." She muttered, but even as she pouted, she was taking in the restaurant's interior. It was nice little Mexican restaurant outside of Mystic Falls.

"You haven't eaten yet." Damon replied, relaxing in the booth.

"I'm not hungry." She frowned.

"Humor me." He said dryly and slid the basket of chips toward her and the bowl of cheese dip. "I'll get you tequila if you finish off your food."

She scowled. "You can't reward me for eating."

"I was joking. Not about the tequila, but you seriously need to eat."

Evie opened her mouth.

"I know you haven't so don't even try it." He added before she could speak and she huffed.

She started to respond when the waitress came over and took their order. Evie's jaw dropped as Damon ordered for both in perfect Spanish. Even the waitress looked impressed.

"You know Spanish?" She asked when the woman went to put their orders in.

"Si." He teased and she rolled her eyes. "I also know Italian and a tiny bit of Japanese."

"Hm..." She hummed and then ate some of the chips and cheese dip. Her eyes widened. "Hey, it's not bad."

Damon hid his smirk. He had known her weakness for cheese dip and salsa and knew she'd eat tonight for sure.

"So...what do you want?"

"What?" He responded coming out of his thoughts. She was watching him warily.

"What do you want? You brought me here. What are you wanting?"

"Nothing." He said simply. "Just thought you'd enjoy eating out."

"Really?" She asked, frowning suspiciously. "No ulterior motives?"

"Hey, I wouldn't mind a little company later." He smirked and she scowled. "But no, there's not a hidden agenda, my Eves. So, stop giving me the death glare."

"Is this about the other night?" She asked quietly. "When I showed up at your house?"

Damon opened the door with confusion.

"May I help-" He stopped, really looking at the girl in front of him. She was dressed in her usual pajamas, a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt. Not dressed for the cold January weather for she had no coat on and wore flip flops... "Eves?"

"Can I come in?" She asked, staring at her cherry red painted toes.

He stepped aside and she came in, dragging a bag behind her. He frowned and poked his head, looking for her new truck and realized she had walked all the way from her house.

"Did you walk?" He asked, shutting the door back. She looked asleep on her feet, her hair mussed from rolling in the bed. "Without a coat or proper shoes?"

"Mmhm." She replied, still looking at her feet.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can't sleep."

It was all she said, but he sensed there was more to the story.

He shook his head and grabbed her bag. "C'mon then before you catch a cold and I'll have to take care of you." He paused for a moment, a grin spreading across his face. "Although, playing doctor might not be so bad."

Evie snorted. "No, thanks dorkula."

He smirked in satisfaction at her half-smile and led her up the stairs.

Damon shook his head, rolling his eyes. "No. Hasn't anyone ever taken you out to dinner before?"

"Well...no." She scowled at him. "As matter-of-fact they haven't!"

He watched her face redden and shook his head. Again, he had forgotten her lack of social norms. She didn't go on dates and the only place other than her own home she went to eat at was the Mystic Grill with friends. It was obvious she'd never been inside another restaurant before and probably never been outside Mystic Falls.

"No, it's not about the other night." He commented lightly. "You had a nightmare. Understandable." He offered her a glass when the waitress brought out a bottle. "Tequila?"

Evie rolled her eyes, but took the glass.

It didn't take much convincing to get her to stay over. She was full of food and tequila, both of which made her sleepy and a little cranky. So, she brooked no argument about sleeping over with him rather than explain to her Gran why she was giggling sleepily at everything in sight.

Evelyn kicked Damon's shin and he opened an eye.

"What is it, huh?" He asked groggily and she rolled in the bed, her head butting against his shoulder, whimpering. "Eves?" She was clearly still asleep, and he touched her arm, making her sit straight up and start swinging her fists like a boxer. "Hey, easy Muhammed Ali!" She frowned in her sleep, kicking out again and he sighed.

"C'mere before you hurt yourself or me." He muttered and pulled her against him, her head landing on his chest.

Evie grumbled at the movement and he rolled his eyes, his arms keeping her against his side. She let out another whimper.

"No..." She whispered, wiggling against him. She sounded panicked. He understood then what she was dreaming about and murmured soothingly in her ear.

"Shh, it's all right. You're safe. No one's going to hurt you."

He stroked her hair and down her back, running his fingers over her soothingly.

"I've got you. You're safe."

Listening to his words, she slowly stopped fighting and fell into a calmer sleep, her head tucking under his chin.

"Damon." She sighed in her sleep.

"That's my girl." He said softly, staring up the ceiling. "Turned me into a cuddler, my Eves, but only for you." He murmured against her ear and she shifted closer.

She was warming his side and the heat from her body was comforting. Holding her close, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

January 17th, 2010

"Wakey, wakey." Damon said, pulling the blanket from Evie's body.

"No." She protested and rolled to her stomach, going to hide under a pillow.

He shamelessly admired her ass hugging shorts, before grabbing the pillow and yanking it from her.

"Come on, partner. Elena needs us."

"For what? You go." She grouched, glaring at him. "And turn off that light." The light switch flicked back off, plunging them into semi-darkness.

"I don't know what she wants. So, lets go. Breakfast is downstairs. You can grab it to-go." He said and grinned at her. "Want help getting dressed?"

"No! Get out, you giant pain in the ass vampire. I'm getting up."

"Did you eat all of it?" Damon asked as they went up the steps of the Gilbert's porch.

"Yes, Grandma." She snarked.

He smirked and knocked on the door.

Elena opened it, blinking at Damon and a yawning Evie. She hadn't expected the girl to be anywhere near Damon, but there she was.

"Oh, good...You're here." She said, still looking at Evie.

"You ask, I come." Damon smirked. "I'm easy like that. Right, Eves?"

Evelyn snorted and shoved the vampire into the house. "Shut up."

The other teen just shook her head and shut the door. She pressed a finger to her lips, so they, more like Damon, wouldn't say anything in front of Jeremy.

"No, Elena, Evie and I will not go to your bedroom with you." He said loudly and dramatically, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Get upstairs." The blonde rolled her eyes. "You're such a toddler." She waved at Jeremy. "Hey." The teenage boy raised a hand at her and went back to eating.

"Ah, just like I remembered." The vampire said as he followed Elena into her room.

"Stop messing around."

"It's what he's good at." Evie drawled and rolled her eyes when Damon made kissy faces at her as he plopped down on Elena's bed. Evie ignored his beckoning finger to join him and sat on the window seat. She unzipped her backpack, opting to do her schoolwork that she hadn't finished.

"Did you know that your uncle's been kicking it with the Founder's Council?" He asked, Elena who frowned.

"What?"

"Yep." He replied and smirked at Evie. "And so has your dad, I think he likes me."

"Wonderful." The girl drawled sarcastically while Elena said "Perfect" in the same tone.

"We'll just add that to the growing list of how everything's falling apart." The brunette continued.

Damon tilted his head and pointed at the corner of the room with the arm of the teddy bear. "What happened right there?"

Evie looked too, arching an eyebrow at the mess.

"Uh, nothing." Elena said quickly. "Look, Damon I'm worried about Stefan. He says that everything is okay, but he's clearly struggling. How long is going to take until he's back to normal?"

"He won't answer." Evie spoke up. "I tried to tell him yesterday."

"Hush, Eves." Damon said and looked at Elena. "Few days give or take."

"It's been a few days."

"Well, give then." He rolled his eyes. "I don't know. What's the big deal?"

"I told you." Evie snorted, erasing something on her paper.

"Don't make me spank you, my Eves." He warned, grinning at her disgusted expression and the flush in her cheeks as she steadily tried not to look at him.

Elena shook her head at the pair and decided she didn't want to get involved.

"He's not himself, Damon."

"Well, maybe his problem is that he's spent too much time not being himself." He responded, getting up from the bed.

Elena sighed. "Don't make me sorry for asking you."

"It is what it is, Elena." He stood near the window.

"What does that even mean?" Evie asked, giving him a frown when he snatched her math homework from her lap.

"The Stefan you know was the "Good behavior" Stefan, the "Reign it in" Stefan, the "Fight against his nature to an annoying obsessive level" Stefan."

Evie reached up for her paper, but he held it out of reach, and she rolled her eyes at his childish behavior.

"But if you don't think there's not another part to this, then you haven't been paying close attention. Tsk, tsk, tsk." He clicked his tongue, poking Evie's nose as he did so and making her cross her eyes briefly. She scowled, slapping his hand away and then flicked her fingers, causing him fall back onto the bed with a thump and her homework fluttered to the floor.

Damon smirked at her from the bed.

"He's not you." Elena frowned. "Not even close."

"He doesn't wanna be me, but that doesn't mean that deep down he's not."

"He's crazy? I knew it." Evie replied, smirking, and yelped when Damon tugged her onto the bed, her book falling to the floor. "Knock it off, you asshat!"

Elena sighed.

January 18th, 2010

"You know, that Damon Salvatore seems like a nice young man."

Evie fixed her braid and turned around to see her dad in the doorway.

"Dad, he's a vampire." Evie rolled her eyes. "Nor is he "nice" or a "young" man."

"I know that." The man rolled his eyes. "I'm just saying, he's...different."

"Like he has a preference for men?" Evie smirked, secretly pleased to spring that one on Damon the next time he was being himself.

Michael snorted. "No, Evelyn. He seems to care for you. Of course, he's not anyone I would have ever chosen for you, but your grandmother seemed to imply-"

"Okay, whoa!" She shrieked, whipping around to face him. "Let me stop you there, dad. There is nothing between Damon and I. We've helped each other every once in a while, but that's all. That is all."

"All right, all right, don't be so defensive." He said, smirking and Evie rolled her eyes.

"I thought you hated vampires."

"Most of them, but I'll support any of them that hate John Gilbert as much as I do." Michael scowled. "Besides, I know he'll protect you."

"I don't need his protection." She muttered. "Do I have to go tonight? I don't really want too."

"Well, as you're Grandmother put it, it's respectable." He grinned and she snorted. "Besides, now that I'm back in the center of things, like the Council for instance, I'd like to have a word with Damon. Having a vampire in the Council might put me in a better position."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm sure he'll be there. As if he needs another reason to get a bigger ego."

Evie weaved through the partygoers going far away from her father and her grandmother. Both were stifling her at the moment and she, though proud of her dad, didn't want to hear any more about how sober he was and everyone's compliments. Mayor parties sucked.

She bumped into Tyler and Matt who was hiding away, drinking heavily from a bottle.

"Oh, thank god." She said and took the bottle from Tyler, downing some of the liquor. "Finally."

Matt snorted. "Who are you hiding from?"

"I'm dodging," She corrected. "-my suddenly on the straight-and-narrow path father and my nagging grandma."

Tyler laughed at her words and slung an arm around her. "To frustrating adults." He raised the bottle and then took a drink handing it to Matt next.

"Hear, hear." The jock said and took a swig before handing it to Evie. "You get the rest."

She saluted them with the bottle, and they laughed as she drained the rest of it. The alcohol left her pleasantly buzzed and her cheeks a little pink.

"Evelyn."

Her grandma's voice was calling from the hallway making them all jump.

"Oh, shit." Evie cursed and threw the bottle into a nearby plant, making the boys laugh loudly. She started shushing them as the woman approached.

"Oh, I didn't know you were with friends." Othella smiled at Matt and Tyler who were still snickering. She then turned back to Evie. "You disappeared."

"Sorry."

"That's all right, dear. I just got worried. Don't leave the house."

"I won't."

"Good. Now, I better go check on your father, but I have a feeling he's occupied." She left and Evie blew out a breath.

"Damn. Can't do anything."

Matt patted her arm. "That was great."

"Oh, shut up, Donovan."

Damon spotted Evie stepping clumsily into the room and standing awkwardly near the back of the dancing crowd. He made his way over to her instantly.

Evie felt a presence behind her. "Someone's been drinking." He said in her ear and she turned abruptly.

"No, I haven't."

He sniffed near her and smirked. "Yes, you have and the cheap stuff."

"Stop smelling of me, weirdo." She said with a grimace. She saw her father heading towards them and scowled. "By the way, my dad wants to talk to you."

Damon sent her a puzzled look as she wandered back into the crowd.

"Damon. There you are. Got a minute?"

"That wasn't nice."

Evie turned from the balcony to see Damon and smirked.

"What?" She asked innocently. "My Dad was looking for you."

He rolled his eyes and joined her at the balcony railing.

"Yeah. And apparently someone thinks I have a preference for men."

Evie burst into laughter and Damon smirked, grabbing her and jerking her flush against him, pressing her back to the balcony. The humor faded from her face and he grinned wickedly. "And I can show you that I don't."

"Get off." She shoved him and took another sip from her drink. "So what did he want?"

"Wants to make an alliance with me."

She raised an eyebrow. "An alliance?"

"Mmhm...he'll keep my secret and help out." He grinned at her. "As long as I protect his precious wittle girl." He teased, pinching her cheek lightly. She swatted his hand away with a scowl.

"Hilarious."

He held his hands up. "No, really. That's the deal." He frowned a little. "In fact, he seemed rather earnest...Something up? Any weird notes or flowers lately?"

Evie shifted. "Well...there was a weird symbol outside my window one night, but nobody knows about it." Damon's eyes narrowed. "Well, I can take care of myself thanks."

"Oh, yeah. Definitely."

She scowled at his sarcasm and started to say something.

Footsteps had Evie turning to see Elena's uncle coming out of the house.

"Damon, right?" John said and the vampire turned too.

"John."

"We didn't get a chance to meet at the Council meeting."

"Yeah, it's a-it's a pleasure."

Evie snorted at his forced words and Damon sent her an amused smirk.

John's eyes landed on her. "Oh, Evelyn. I almost didn't recognize you." He smiled. "You look so much like your mother."

"Thanks." The girl said, shifting awkwardly and glanced at Damon. "I'll, uh, see you later."

"No, stay." John insisted. "I just wanted to chat with your...company about something. I think you'll be interested too." Puzzled, she glanced at Damon whose brow furrowed.

"Are you enjoying the kick-off?" The vampire inquired, not liking that he seemed to know something and wanted Evie in on it.

"Oh yeah." John nodded. "Forgot how much fun these small-town celebrations can be."

"Yeah, yeah. When's the last time you were here?"

Evie shot him a look, finding the question odd. Then she saw the look in his eyes. Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. He was plotting John's death; the man better be careful.

"Hasn't been that long. My brother's funeral. How long have you been in town?" There was a strange look on the man's face, a look that told he was up to something. Evie didn't like it and neither did Damon.

"Oh, not long." The vampire shrugged.

John stepped closer. "So, what do you think Damon? You know this vampire problem is real, right? It's a potential blood bathe."

"I wouldn't overreact, John."

"Oh, I think it's like 1864 all over again, vampires running amok."

Evie frowned at John. What was the man playing at? She glanced at Damon who was watching the man calculatingly now.

"Guess we're just going to hunt them down, throw them in a church, and burn them to ash."

"That is the story, huh?"

"Part of the story, yeah."

"Oh, there's more?" He asked mockingly, rolling his eyes at Evie who shook her head at him.

"Oh, there's a lot more."

"You sure you need to be talking about this in front of her?" Damon asked, nodding at Evie who scowled at him. John smiled.

"It's perfectly all right. You see, seems that there was a tomb under the church where the vampires were hidden away waiting for someone to come along and set them free." John looked from Damon to Evie.

"But you both already knew about that. Seeing as you opened it, Damon, with Evie's magical help."

"And you're telling me this why?" Damon demanded, getting annoyed with the man and moving so that he was more between John and Evie. He felt her bump him in irritation, but didn't budge.

"Just wanted to get the introductions out of the way."

"You know I could rip your throat out before anyone would notice." He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

"Yeah, okay. And you probably ingest vervain so..."

"Why don't you take a bite and find out?" John mocked.

"Its not worth my time." Damon grabbed Evie's arm and started towards the door. He stopped just inside the balcony doors, thrusting her further inside. Sending her a warning look to be quiet and not move, he turned back to John. In seconds, he blurred the small distance, snapped the man's neck, and tossed him over the side of the balcony before Evie made a small squeak.

"Don't freak out." He said to her, sliding past her, but she was still staring in shock at the now empty balcony.

"What the hell?!" She spun around. "He was creepy as all get out, but there was no reason to snap the dude's neck!" She hissed at him, chasing him down the hallway. He continued to ignore her and she hit him in the arm when he turned to face her.

"I said, don't freak out." He rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrists. "And don't hit me. I was protecting you."

"From John?" She snorted, tugging to free her wrists, but he didn't let go. "His dad jokes are old and he has the creepo factor of Bond villain, but that was no reason to do that. And by the way Mr. Macho, just who do you think you're kidding-"

Before she could stop him, he used her trapped wrists to jerk her forward and kissed her hard on the mouth. She was stiff beneath his fingers before a small sigh escaped her mouth. Damn, what a sound. He groaned and deepened the kiss with a sweep of his tongue, letting go of her wrists and backing her against the nearest wall. His body molded to hers as he held her hips tightly against him and she gasped sharply.

God, he had missed her. Everything about her, the sassy mouth he was currently plundering, down to the way she smelt. Coconuts and a light vanilla. He wanted nothing more than to throw her onto the sofa behind them and have his way with her.

Evie stared at him in stunned disbelief as he pulled away from her, leaving her embarrassedly flushed and wanting. He ignored her stunned expression, though he did thoroughly enjoy her confused expression.

"What the hell was that?!" She screeched like an angry cat. Despite her anger, he had felt her giving into him. His eyes darkened at her appearance. Her lips were slightly parted and pouty from kissing, hair coming down from her bun, and her eyes were a dark green.

He fixed the collar of his jacket, winked at her, and walked past her and down the stairs.

Evie stood there for a moment in utter shock, touching her lips briefly, before sputtering and barging down the stairs after him. He fucking winked at her!

"Salvatore!" She hissed, but he was nowhere in sight. What the hell just happened? "Salvatore!"

He killed someone and then kissed her, like it was no big deal. What. The. Hell. And stupidly she hadn't launched him across the room or anything. So what was wrong with her?

Evie stomped down the front steps of the mansion, muttering to herself as she got outside for air.

"Stupid egotistical jerk. What was I doing? How could I let him do that?" And why had it felt so nice?

Hearing someone laughing, she turned her head to see Matt's mother, Kelly, sitting on a chair, cradling her hand. Stefan was in front of her, kneeling and examining her hand. Evie moved closer. Stefan had a look of concentration on his face, so intense that it frightened her and she never got chills from Stefan.

"Uh, Ms. Donovan?"

Stefan turned toward Evie quickly, a look of nervousness and guilt on his face. She pretended not to notice.

"You're bleeding. Here." The human girl pressed a cloth to the woman's hand, hiding the blood from view. Stefan watched the movement and she turned to him.

"Thanks for checking on her, Stefan." She said simply. "I'll take care of her now."

He nodded at the blonde and disappeared rather quickly. Evie watched him go and Kelly snorted.

"Oh, stop that Ms. Donovan crap. I've known you since you were in diapers." The woman teased.

"Well, here then, Kelly. Hold this to your hand." Evie smirked and the woman laughed. "How'd you get hurt?"

"Oh, I broke a wine glass. Your father went to get me a towel for my dress. He's such a gentleman."

"Right." The girl muttered.

At that moment, her father stumbled out the door with a glass of water and a towel.

"Here, Kelly, I brought water and...oh, Evie...uh..." He stammered and she snorted.

"Matt already told me about you two." She rolled her eyes. "Just please don't do anything out in the open, okay?" She scoffed and let her dad take her spot in the chair.

Evie looked for Stefan as she entered the house, but someone else got her attention. John Gilbert was walking in from the veranda doors, not dead.

"What?" She said to herself and finally spotted Damon who had noticed John's presence as well. She waved furiously at him and he looked at her and made her way over to him.

Evie grabbed Damon's arm and yanked him toward the back of the house. Amused, he let her tug him into an empty room.

"Good idea. Party was getting dull." He joked and then backed her against the door she had just shut. Eve's eyes narrowed as he got in her personal space, his lips ghosting up her cheek to her ear and sending shivers along her spine. "We can finish what we started."

"Would you stop that?" She scowled and shoved at his chest, pushing and dodging as he lowered his face toward hers again. She would not let him kiss her again.

"Why are you blocking me?" He whined, before smirking wickedly, eyes flashing with lust. "Not still pissed about John Gilbert are you?" He leaned closer to her again. "Or are you still mad I left you hanging earlier?"

She rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing despite how much she was trying to ignore him. "Focus, dumbass. Stefan is losing it."

"What are you talking about?"

"I just caught him about to rip into Kelly Donovan."

"Your dad just had his tongue down her throat not an hour ago."

"Shut up!" Evie hissed at him. "He was touching her bloody hand and looked ready to pounce at any moment."

Damon sighed. "Eves, relax. Stef's fine."

"No, Salvatore. He's not. Tell me you haven't noticed."

The vampire scoffed and tried to go around her, but she placed her hands on his chest, stopping him.

"D, I'm serious." She said rapidly and he stopped, looking at her intently. She called him by the nickname she had given him. The name he thought he would never hear uttered from her lips again.

She looked genuinely worried about Stefan and as much as he hated to admit it, she was right.

The hands on his chest made him warm inside and he looked back at her, meeting her eyes.

"All right, my Eves, all right. I know. I'll handle it." He promised and reached out to stroke her cheek, fingers tracing her down her jaw and down her braid where he tugged it lightly. She stared at him.

"Fine." She pushed his hand away. "Now what about John? He's up walking about. How do you explain that one?"

Damon's eyes narrowed. "That's what I'm about to figure out." He left the room and she followed after him.

They reentered the parlor where Mayor Lockwood was now addressing a crowd.

"Thank you all for joining us tonight." He was saying. "In just a few minutes we will officially begin the countdown to our upcoming Founder's Day Celebration, and it's a very special one this year, the 150th birthday of our town."

People applauded and he smiled. "And I would also like to welcome back one of our town's favorite sons to do the honors of ringing our official charter bell. John Gilbert, would you please join us up here?"

The man started a speech that Evie was half-listening too and Damon spotted something on the man's hand.

"Look at his ring." He muttered to her and she glanced at the man, frowning.

"...We take care of each other. Protect each other." John's eyes were on Damon. "It's good to be home."

The crowd clapped again after John's speech and Damon was moving. Evie followed after him, bumping into him when he suddenly stopped. She peered around him and smiled.

"Hey, Alaric." She whispered, waving at him and the man smiled warmly at her before looking at Damon with a raised eyebrow.

"Look at his right hand."

"Whose?"

"Town's favorite son. Look at his ring."

Alaric looked at John and frowned. "Oh. Looks like mine."

"Yeah, and that would be a big coincidence if he didn't just come back from the dead five minutes ago." Damon hissed and the man frowned. Evie was curiously looking at Alaric's ring, turning his hand in hers.

Damon smacked her hand away and she scowled at him.

"Where the hell did you get that ring?" He asked.

"Isobel, my wife."

"Who gave birth to Elena, under the medical care of the esteemed Dr. Grayson Gilbert, John's brother."

Alaric's eyes narrowed. "You think John knew Isobel?"

"I think John knows a lot of things."

"He knows about me too." Evie spoke up and Alaric frowned again.

"So what's the plan fellas?" She looked from one to the other. "Oh, come on. I know you are going to interrogate John. I'm going too."

"Oh, no you are not." Damon said mockingly. "You're going to go find your grandma and go home."

"Oh, no I am not." She mocked back, scowling at him. "I happen to know that if you are attempting to snatch the guy's ring and make him permanently dead, we won't get any answers. Besides I can stop him from running without using caveman/vampire methods."

"You are just now getting used to your powers again. So no."

"So, yes. It's practice."

Alaric sighed. "Let her come, Damon. She'll just follow or try to talk to John on her own."

The vampire rolled his eyes and spun around. "Fine, but we do the talking. You're the backup."

"Fine." She groused and followed them as they found John leaving the party.

"Goin, somewhere? Hm?"

"Never like to be the last one to leave a party. It's too desperate." He glanced over his shoulder to see Evie and Alaric trailing him too. "You here to kill me again? Or you gonna let Mr. Saltzman do your dirty work?"

"Okay, you obviously know who I am." The History teacher frowned.

"I do." John nodded. "Alaric Saltzman, the high school history teacher with a secret."

"You sure know a lot for someone who just came into town." Damon pointed out.

"More than you know, Damon. My knowledge of this town goes beyond anything that you," He glanced at Alaric. "Or you and even the Council knows." He turned to Evie. "That's a pretty bracelet, Evelyn. Your mother's. She used to wear it all the time...until she couldn't."

She glanced at it and back up at him in confusion.

"So if you were planning on some clever high-speed, snatch ring, vamp kill move, know that if I die everything I know goes to the Council including the fascinating little tale about the original Salvatore brothers and their present day return to Mystic Falls."

"How'd you get that ring?" Alaric asked.

"I inherited one," John said snidely and raised his hand. "My brother Gray, the other. This was his. And I wouldn't have given mine to Isobel if I had known she'd give it to another guy."

"So, you did know her."

"Of course. Who do you think sent her your way when she wanted to become a vampire?"

"You sent her?"

"Guilty. Why, do you think someone else sent her?" He smirked. "Like Katherine Pierce?"

Evie's eyes widened and she glanced at Damon.

"How do you know about Katherine?" He raised an interested eyebrow.

"How do I know about anything, Damon?" John countered.

"What do you want?" Damon snapped.

"So many questions." He glanced at Alaric. "Pleasure meeting you, Rick. I've heard so much about you." With that he turned and walked off, giving them another glance over his shoulder. Damon scowled after him and Alaric turned away from him when he was out of sight.

"Evie, you okay?" He asked the girl gently, she was frowning at the ground.

"Why was he talking about my mom?"

"I don't know, but he's got a lot to answer for."

Damon heard Alaric and Evie talking and turned his head. The girl looked confused and it made him more determined to figure out what exactly John wanted here.

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