Chapter 9

"Woah...hold on, what? No one told me this. Stefan how did you not tell me this?" Damon was actually pissed and almost flying off the handle.

"Because we thought the less people knew about it the better. But at this point Elena and I have been tracking these guys and listening to them. They're going to make their move soon."

"So...now what?" I finally asked. "What happens? Do we just sit and wait for them to come? What am I supposed to do?"

Everyone was trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation. Finally after about 20 minutes of arguing and yelling from just about everyone, there was an agreement made.

Damon, Stefan, Elena, and Jeremy would take turns watching the house at night when I was alone. Tyler, Matt, and Caroline all agreed to do patrol around the neighborhood to keep an eye out for anyone that looked suspicious. Bonnie had asked if I let anyone in the house recently and I told her the security guys and the cable guy a few weeks ago. She agreed to put a spell on the house that wouldn't allow any vampires into the house even if they had been invited in already.

"Wait...won't that kind of negate the fact that we're supposed to be keeping an eye on her?" Damon asked.

"All she has to do is invite us in again, that's not a problem." Stefan responded.

They had been tipped off that these vampires were going to be trying within the next few days so they all discussed who was going to be doing what, and when. I felt so defenseless. Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Hunters...and then me. The boring human. At least Matt knew how I felt but even he was more equipped to situations like these.

"Don't worry, they won't get anywhere near you." Jeremy must have seen the look on my face.

"Thanks. I know. Just scary thinking these guys already killed my parents and want me dead now, too. It's so weird...my blood. Who would have thought?"

"I'm betting that whole 'can't be compelled' thing has something to do with it." Damon replied.

"When did you try and compel me!?" I exclaimed.

"The first night we met at the party. I figured you'd give me a hard time taking you home so I tried it. Didn't work. Sorta makes sense now." he responded.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"I've never met anyone who I couldn't compel. Even people with a strong will I can usually break down at some point. You're the only one I can't do it to."

"Well...I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or not." I murmured.

I agreed that I could skip the last few days of classes for the week in order to be around everyone else. During the day I'd be with someone and at night someone would be with me. Seemed easy enough. Now to just wait for the bad guys.

That first night Jeremy wanted to stay. I almost wish he hadn't. I still didn't know where we stood. And being around him wasn't easy. It took every fiber of my being not to kiss him or go over the events that happened at that party months ago.

We spent most of the night playing cards and watching tv. He asked if I wanted anything to drink and I declined. I didn't want to do anything stupid. He got himself a beer and we just sat and hung out. It was nice, I just wished it could have been more. And then I felt guilty thinking that because Bonnie was being so great to me. I had to stop trying to think about Jeremy the way I had been. We're just friends, nothing more.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"Hmm? Oh...uh, not much. I'm getting kind of tired. I want to head to bed."

"Well let me know when you're ready. I'll be right up."

"What?" I asked. Jeremy? In my bedroom? BAD IDEA!

"Well you don't think i'm going to leave you alone, do you? I'm supposed to be here keeping an eye on you." he smiled. Was he flirting? Ehh...i was just probably doing some wishful thinking. No need to dwell on it, I decided to just go get ready for bed.

After I was finished and called him upstairs things got awkward. If they could even get any more awkward. Jeremy laid down on the floor with a pillow which looked absolutely uncomfortable, and I laid in my bed completely silent.

"Well...this is fun." I said.

"Just try and get some rest." he tried reassuring me.

"Jer...I just found out today that my blood may be some sort of component for a vampire cure and that there are vampires who are hunting after me because of it. Do you honestly think i'm going to be able to sleep tonight?" I sat up and looked down at him.

"Vi seriously, no one is going to let anything happen to you. Especially with me here!" he sat up as well.

"Ugh this is just all so absurd. You know what? Get up here. This bed is huge and I want to at least feel somewhat safe knowing you're next to me and not rolling around on the floor." I told him.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea?" he looked a little uneasy.

"I promise I'll try and contain myself." I said it in a joking manner but in reality I meant every word.

After another minute of him thinking about it he finally climbed into the bed. I knew it would be really awkward and I couldn't help but feel like I just wanted to reach over and kiss him and have him hold me and repeat that night that happened a few months ago, all over again. The best and worst night of my life all at once.

But I kept my distance and we made small talk back and forth for another hour or so until we both drifted off to sleep.

I woke up the next morning feeling safe and secure. Was this a dream? I was wrapped up tight in Jeremy's arms, and I hadn't felt this at peace in a very long time. I wanted to stay here forever and never get up.

Unfortunately we were both startled by someone who decided to clear their throat in the room behind us.

We both jumped, fearing that someone had gotten in, but took a sigh of relief when we noticed it was just Bonnie.

Just...Bonnie. Who JUST saw us in bed together with Jeremy holding me. Holy shit!

"Uh...sorry Bonnie, I swear it wasn't what it looked like! We just fell asleep and..." I was trying to save face but I knew I was losing it.

"Really...it's fine. I know Jeremy thinks of you as a little sister. I'm just here to tell you guys you made it. The first night is over. No one saw anything suspicious either."

A sister? A SISTER? Is that what he's telling her?

I looked directly over at Jeremy who was very much avoiding any eye contact with me at this point.

"Thanks babe." he walked over to Bonnie and gave her a kiss "Couldn't have done it without you. Let's get going!"

And that was that. He walked out the door with her and didn't say anything else to me.

WHAT THE HELL?

I decided that I didn't feel like hanging out at my house or at the boarding house until my next babysitter arrived so I headed out to the Grill. I knew Jeremy wasn't working so I would at least be able to avoid him and most of the others for a while.

I didn't plan on Matt being there, but he wasn't on my shit list at the moment and was giving me free food so I didn't really mind his company. It was nice being able to talk with someone else who was just, well, HUMAN. Sometimes it's hard to remember we're still out there when you're friends that are surrounding you are all witches and vampires and werewolves.

I confided in Matt that I felt awful for putting all of these people in danger. They didn't really know me that well, at least not anymore. And yet they're all willing to put their lives in danger for me.

"That's sort of what they do." he replied. "Look, some of them can be real dicks at times, but they usually mean well. Well...except for Damon. He's just a dick. Don't ever trust him. But the rest of them are decent and they really try and do what's best for their friends. It's more like a family, since most of us don't have any left."

"Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it. You mind if I hang out here and bug you for a little while longer? I just want to lay low for a bit."

"Sure, no problem." he smiled.

I stayed for a while and then got pretty bored with small talk with Matt. Great guy, REALLY cute, but not exactly the best when you've run out of things to talk about. I knew they were all trying to keep a close eye on me but I just needed to get away, so I snuck away when he wasn't looking.

I took a long drive through the city and wound up by the lake. It was really peaceful and quiet and just what I needed. My phone kept ringing, I guess Matt finally realized I wasn't in the bathroom and tipped them all off. I knew they meant well,but I just needed time to myself. I sent a text to Elena telling her I was fine, and that I was heading back to my house.

Of all nights, tonight was Damon's night to babysit me. The LAST person I really wanted to be around after last night's fiasco. Granted, it's not like I could really talk to ANYONE about Jeremy and I, but Damon had a way of prodding things out of you even without you saying anything. I just wasn't in the mood.

I picked up some takeout on my way home and by the time I got back it was already dark. Damon was sitting on my porch looking like an angry parent whose daughter was out too late on a date.

"Where the hell have you been? You don't answer any calls? You remember that the bad vampires are looking for you and want to kill you, right? Do you have a death wish, or something?" he was pissed.

"I just needed some time to myself." I sat on the porch and opened up my food and began to eat.

"Wouldn't you rather eat inside?" he asked.

"No, I'm good here." I replied. I didn't say much to him while I finished eating and he didn't continue to berate me any more. Although he still looked pretty angry.

"Well," I said packing up the food "I've had a long day, I'm ready for a shower and my bed." I got up and opened the door.

"Uhhh...aren't you forgetting something?" I heard Damon behind me. "Can't get in unless you invite me, remember?"

"Yeah I remember. And I really don't trust you, so you won't be invited in." I turned around to face him and smiled.

"Are you kidding me?" he tried shoving his way in but he couldn't move. "Damn it this is no time to be funny, invite me in!"

"Look, you can hang out and keep an eye on the house. If anything happens I'll yell or something." I told him.

"And what if you can't yell?" he was really pissed now.

"Well I'm sure I'll figure something out."

I shut the door in his face and walked up the stairs. I could hear him banging on the door and swearing but I didn't care. I wondered if he'd call Elena and the crew to let them know. I really didn't care. I was right, he could watch the house and there were people patrolling the neighborhood so I would be fine. Plus with the protection spell Bonnie put on the house no one was getting in.

I went straight to my shower when I got in my room and took a nice long, hot shower while I cleared my mind of everything that was going on. I just needed some peace and quiet, I don't know why everyone didn't understand that. I get that they want to help, but it was all starting to get to me. I had to just let it all go for a little bit and try and focus on myself. I was beginning to feel like I was losing myself and I needed to rope everything back in.

I got dressed and headed into my room, my bed looked so inviting. I took off my robe and began to hop in while glancing out the window and I screamed at what I saw.

"GODDAMN IT DAMON ARE YOU SERIOUSLY HANGING OUT IN THE FUCKING TREE OUTSIDE OF MY ROOM!?"

"Hey, you wouldn't let me in, I need to keep an eye on you! This way we both win!" he smirked at me.

"No. Absolutely not! Get out of that goddamn tree now or so help me I'll..."

"You'll what? Come over here and pull me out of the tree? I'd love to see you try! Seriously, stop acting like such a brat. Everyone is trying to help you. I know your life has been shit these past few months, and I know you're freaked out about these asshole vampires who are on the loose. WE ARE TRYING TO HELP YOU. So let us help, will you?"

Ugh, he was right. I was acting like a brat. Well I was acting like a bitch, I think he was just trying to be nice.

"Fine. You can stay in the tree. But I'm still not inviting you in. I don't trust you." I finally got into my bed.

"I don't get why you don't trust me. I've been the honest one with you all along. Or maybe it's yourself you don't trust? You afraid that maybe you'll wake up in MY arms tomorrow morning instead of Jeremy's?" he smirked.

"Wha-How? How did you know about that?" I gasped.

"Lovers quarrel between Bonnie and Jeremy. Wasn't pretty, I can tell you that." he leaned back onto the branch he was sitting on. I had to admit...Damon was pretty damn sexy. And now I want to punch myself in the face for even thinking that. Great.

"But I thought...Bonnie said that..."

"Oh the brother-sister thing? What a load of crap." he replied.

"Why is it a load of crap? It could be true." I was a bit defensive.

"Yeah because a lot of guys sleep in a bed and wake up holding onto their hot, redhead sisters. Happened to me at least three times!" he retorted.

"Well I mean I think of Jeremy the same way and...wait...did you just call me hot?" seriously...did he?

"Let's not change the subject now...you were talking about how you think of Jeremy as a brother..." he replied.

"You know what? I'm done with this conversation. I'm tired, I want to go to bed. You can creep out there if you want to all night, it's fine. But please just let me sleep, ok?"

"Yeah alright. If you need me just yell." for once he didn't make a smart remark.

It took me a little while to fall asleep. I tossed and turned for a good hour or so. It was definitely a different situation than last night. Rather than sleeping in bed with someone who I cared for, I had someone outside my window in the tree watching me sleep. In any other circumstance it would be kind of creepy.

I woke up in the middle of the night startled. I couldn't breathe and thought for a minute that I was dreaming but I realized I was awake...and in my room...and surrounded by 4 guys, one of whom was pinning me down to the bed and choking me.

I tried calling for Damon but nothing would come out. I managed to glance over and he was fast asleep on that damn branch. I started trying to kick and flail as best as I could but he was so strong!

"It's no use, sweetheart. Four against one!" he was inches from my face and all I could see was pure evil in his eyes.

I was beginning to panic because I hadn't been able to breathe in so long. I kicked and kicked and finally I heard Damon stir.

"What the fuck!? Get out! Violet, invite me in!"

"Ahhh yes, your little sleeping friend. Wouldn't invite him in? How telling. See if he would have a little witch friend of his own like me, he'd know that there are ways around those silly spells of theirs."

My vision was going dark and everything was starting to sound far away. With one last effort I kicked him right in the balls and he finally let go.

I gasped for breath a few times and finally yelled "DAMON GET IN HERE NOW!"

He sped into the room and as I was trying to catch my breath he managed to actually rip the hearts out of two of them. Normally I would have been freaked out but I was just so happy he finally made it there.

He made it to the third one and as he was ripping into him, the fourth guy grabbed my arm. Pain shot through my arm as he sliced my arm open with a knife.

"This is what we've been looking for! Your stupid father and his friends thought it was the cure. It's not the cure...but it's the best damn blood we've ever had. That's why we've come looking for you!" finally Damon got around and ripped the guy's head clean off. All four of them were dead on my bedroom floor.

Damon helped me up. I looked around for a minute before I turned to him. I was about to thank him and then I saw the look in his eyes.

"You need to go." he told me.

"What? Damon...are you ok? What's wrong?"

"GET OUT RIGHT NOW!" he yelled, his eyes turning black and his fangs coming out. I froze for a second before my instincts kicked in and I ran out of the house.

Apparently it was Matt's night for patrol and he came rushing up to the house.

"Are you alright? What happened? Did they show up?" he was frantic.

"Yeah, I think I'm okay. Damon took care of them. I need to sit down."

"You're bleeding...pretty bad. Let's get you to the hospital." he helped me over to his car.

"Where is Damon?" he asked as we got into the car and pulled into the street.

"I don't know. He took one look at me, vamped out, and then told me to get the hell out of the house."

"He just left you there? I'll kill him!"

The rest of the drive was uneventful and we got to the hospital fairly quickly. The doctor's took me back and told me how lucky I was, had they gotten a seventh of an inch over to the left they would have nicked a vein. I had a feeling that's what they intended to do.