Thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, read or reviewed this story. You guys rock! Let me know how you like this chapter. I have hinted at some things from Claire's past.
1x4 Family Ties
Turn the lights down low
Walk these halls alone
We can feel so far from so close
Like ships in the night
You keep passing me by
We're just wasting time
Trying to prove who's right
And if it all goes crashing into the sea
If it's just you and me trying to find the light
Like ships in the night
You're passing me by
You're passing me by
Like ships in the night
Ships in the Night- Mat Kearney
[Elena's house.]
Elena wakes up. She hears a noise. And she heads down the stairs. Elena calls out, "Hello? Jeremy? Hello?"
"This is Logan Fell coming to you live from the streets of Mystic Falls with breaking news of another deadly animal attack. The wild animal terrorizing the citizens of Mystic Falls has claimed another victim, local high school student Elena Gilbert. Police are certain that forensic evidence will confirm that this is the same animal responsible for recent attacks." The man on the TV rambles off.
Damon whispers, "You know what's coming next." She runs. Damon beats her.
[Stefan's bedroom.]
Stefan wakes up, and screams "Ah!" Claire hears the noise and rushes in. They both hear a chuckling, its Damon lurking in Stefan's rooming
"Bad dream?" He asks.
Claire rolls her eyes at his antics questioning why the hell she got up to mediate her brothers problems when sleep was glorious and her bed was calling her back. "What the hell Damon? Can't torture us enough during the day, so you have to manufacture a dream version?" Truth be told, Claire's human blood intake had been much less frequent then normal. Feeding in town due to Damon's insufferable antics and attacks had become a flashing red bull's eye to those who opposed the existence of vampires. Claire was many things, but she could never be labeled stupid. She knew intimately that just as Mystic Falls was a beacon for the supernatural, that there was those dedicated to the extermination of such supernatural species, her human life had taught her that much.
Damon scoffs at his sister knowing that she is simple pissed that she was woken up. "Do you know how easy it was to get into your head just now? You really need some human blood. It might even the playing field. Football reference. Too soon. "
Claire launches a knife on Damon, and says "Why don't you try that with me? "She was confident that despite her lack of fresh blood, her marksmanship skills wouldn't fail her yet. It was one of the few things she was thankful for her father. Giuseppe Salvatore had insisted that Claire be able to wield basic weapons and had even had her instructed with in archery. Claire had later expanded her skill set as a vampire, for being a relatively young vampire among her circle, she was fierce and deadly when necessary.
Damon pulls the knife out of his body. Damn Claire and her freakish devotion to sports making her a good shot. "All right, I deserved that. But I just wanted to let you know, they caught the culprit. The animal responsible for killing Coach Tanner and all those people."
Stefan looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
Claire was confused. Damon had gone to obnoxious lengths to draw attention to himself, make trouble for his siblings yet again in their young life times, and possibly get them all killed by Mystic Falls secret society of vampire hunters, why would Damon just appear to give that up? What kind of play is this? She thought suspiciously. "I don't believe you". She managed to say as she brought her temper back in control. "You always have some sort of angle. "
Damon chuckled. Claire really did have him down to a tee. "Check the news baby sis, read it and weep. It was a mountain lion. Really big one. It attacked a hunter this morning. It's all over the news. "Deadly beast captured. All's well in Mystic Falls."
Claire smirked, "Aww, so you didn't want me and Stefan to end up with matching stakes. It so cute of you to be concerned about us." Tanner's death had taught Claire as much as it had taught Stefan, but it seemed they had reached differing conclusions. While Stefan saw no humanity in their brother, Claire saw the humanity that Damon despised in himself and sought to deny.
Damon rolled his eyes at his sister's words, "Sure whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night. You know to avoid hearing the screams of Stefan's victims and seeing their faces flash over you."
Stefan grimaced at the mention of his past. As much as he would like to ignore the facts and believe that Claire was in Mystic Falls with him to protect Elena and pursue a semblance of a normal existence, the fact still remained that Claire was there as his sober companion and occasional damage control expert. Deep down Stefan suspected that Claire still didn't trust him to be on his own especially around Elena. "Why would you cover your tracks? He said bringing the focus of the conversation back to the more pressing issue at hand.
"I've decided to stay a while. I'm just having way too much fun here with you and Elena." Damon replied smugly before clutching his head in pain. He turned to his sister who simply smirked back at him "Again with the vervain to blood spell, really?"
Claire nodded, "Be civil D, and stop threatening our friends and family". She said calming. There was no doubt she had a wicked temper, and her control of it was shaky at best, but she thought if she had learned anything from her best friend it was that family was the most important thing, and that level headed rationality could often give you the advantage in a fight.
Stefan however was less than calm after such a threat toward his new girlfriend. He truly cared for Elena, and knew that Damon was unpredictable in his tantrums at best. "Can't touch her now."
"Well, the vervain keeps me out of her head. Maybe that's not my target. Believe it or not, Stefan, some girls don't need my persuasion. Some girls just can't resist my good looks, my style and my charm and my unflinching ability to listen to Taylor Swift." Damon smirked back.
"I think we can rule out charm." Claire retorted back as Damon flashed at Stefan and planted the knife in Stefan's belly. He then threw Claire's direction, it connected with her leg.
"This is John Varvatos, dude. Dick move Claire Bear." Damon said before flashing away.
[Stefan's house.]
Stefan is writing is diary. Claire in in her room at her desk, her journal is laid out before her, but she is just staring at it thoughtfully.
"I can confirm that a 12-Foot puma mountain lion attacked a hunter and was subsequently shot and killed. The hunter is in stable condition." The Sheriff on TV reports.
Stefan writes, "The real animal is still out there, waiting for me, challenging me to fight back, to stop him. But how do I stop a monster without becoming one myself? "
Claire says to herself, "Standing in between two monsters, Good job Salvatore. Those two need to figure things out because this war they are waging against each other isn't the real fight." To the right of her journal, lays Claire's phone that flashes with an alert saying: two new messages.
The first is cheery and encouraging, "Claire, thank you for helping Stefan. I am so thankful for that my best friends are back together. PS. I will so be there for the birthday so give me event ideas."
The second simply read, "Clarissa, I hope this finds you well. Your presence has been much missed. Please do not hesitate to inform me if you require any assistance. Always and Forever."
[Elena's house.]
In the background the man on the television says, "To repeat, the animal terrorizing Mystic Falls has been caught. "
Jenna looks angry and mutters, "Scum ball. Scum bucket."
"Who are you talking to?" Elena asks
Jenna points towards the TV, "Him. The news guy, also known as Logan "Scum" Fell. Did your mom ever tell you why I moved away from Mystic Falls?"
Elena shakes her head, "Oh, no way. You and him? He's cute."
"He is not cute. There's nothing cute about him. What are you doing with that?" Jenna asked still frowning over Logan Fell. She pointed to the box that Elena was carrying with her.
Elena leaned the box over so that Jenna could inspect the contents. "I went yesterday and got it from the safe deposit box. Mom had told Mrs. Lockwood she would loan it to the founder's council for their heritage display."
Jenna picked up a ring and stared at it, "Is that Grandma Beth's wedding ring?"
Elena nodded, "Originally it was great-Great-Grandma Mary's wedding ring." She spotted her brother walking into the room, and smiled at him.
Jeremy walked up to Elena and looked in the box, asking "How much do you think this stuff is worth? You know, like on Ebay?"
Elena groaned shaking her head, "You're not gonna find out."
"That stuff is mom and dad's. You can't just give it away." Jeremy protested.
"I'm not giving it away. It's called a loan, Jeremy." She says trying to reassure her brother. She could tell that this book of family heirlooms had brought up memories for Jeremy. Then the Doorbell rings, and Elena rushes to answer it. She knew that Stefan was coming over, and she didn't want him to have to wait
Stefan stands on the porch with collected face. He was trying to keep Elena from picking up on all of the turmoil in his life. She was too good to be ruined by the decades worth of dysfunction his family grappled with. "Hi." He said simply
Elena smiled brightly before greeting him with a sweet kiss. "Hi." She said back before dragging him up to her room and away from her prying relatives.
[Elena's bedroom.]
Stefan is kissing Elena passionately. But he sees in the mirror he begins to transform. He pulls away from Elena and looks away trying to push his vampire side back under control. Claire would kill him if he suffered a relapse, and he wasn't sure if he could ever forgive himself for hurting Elena.
Elena looked concerned, "Are you ok?" She didn't understand why Stefan could be so hot and then suddenly so cold toward her. His behavior and secrecy was starting to confuse her.
Stefan tries to throw her a reassuring smile, "I'm good. Sorry." Controlling his instincts around Elena is harder than he thought it would be. But he supposed that this was the first time, he was around humans so much since he had turned without indulging his darker tendencies.
"Maybe we should press pause." Elena said moving back just a little bit. She started to remember what Claire had said about Stefan and her needing to take things slow.
Stefan pulled away allowing for more space between him and Elena, "Yeah, you're probably right. That was getting a bit... "
"Yeah." Elena replied
Stefan did the same, "Yeah."
"How do you look in a suit?" Elena asked.
Stefan gave her a curious look, "I can pull one off."
"How about tomorrow night? Will you be my date to the founder's party?" Elena asked.
"They still do that?" Stefan asked before cursing under his breath. He had slipped up, hopefully Elena thought nothing of it.
Elena gave him puzzled look, and asked "Have you been before?"
Stefan shook his head, "No, the Salvatores don't get invited anymore, but it's in our family history." He hoped his words were smooth enough allay any suspicion his mistake had caused.
"Well, this year, there's this heritage project that meant a lot to my mom. She was really involved in the founder's council, and it was her favorite party. I know it sounds really boring, but—"Elena said before being interrupted by her boyfriend.
Stefan smiled, "I would be honored to accompany you, Miss Gilbert."
"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Salvatore." Elena replied. She had to call Claire and make sure she was coming as well. The Salvatore twins needed an introduction to Mystic Falls society.
[Caroline's bedroom.]
Caroline is trying on dresses. She has narrowed it down to two options, a blue and a yellow. Damon is observing as he snoops around in her bedroom.
"No yellow. Jaundice. Go for the blue." Damon prompts.
Caroline shakes her head, "I don't like the blue."
Damon looked unphased, "Well, I do. And if I'm gonna be your date—"
Caroline stopped him. She couldn't have a date, it wouldn't work out well. "You cannot be my date. My mother is going to be there, and she is a very proud gun owner."
Damon walked closer to her, "I went through a lot of trouble to make sure this party wasn't cancelled. It's very important I be there. Please take me." This party was a key step in his master plan, and he had to go. He looked at her in the eyes compelling her.
"You should come to the Founder's party with me." She said almost monotonously forgetting her earlier concerns about her mother.
"Not if you're wearing that dress. And what's so special about this Bella girl? Edward's so whipped." He asked as he thumbed through Caroline's copy of Breaking Dawn that sat on her bedside table.
Caroline shook her head, "You gotta read the first book first. It won't make sense if you don't."
Damon scoffed, "Ah, I miss Anne Rice. She was so on it." He liked Anne's more gothic portrayal of vampires, and it was indeed a more accurate view.
"How come you don't sparkle?" Caroline asked confused.
Damon chuckled, "Because I live in the real world, where vampires burn in the sun."
"Yeah, but you go in the sun?" Caroline continued.
Damon waved her away, "I have a ring. It protects me. Long story."
Caroline looked down at her neck and her shoulder, that was covered in bite marks, "These bites turn me into a vampire?"
Damon disagreed, "It's more complicated than that. You'd have to feed on my blood, then die, then feed on a human's, whole ordeal. This book, by the way has it all wrong."
Caroline smiled, "You can be very sweet when you want to be."
"Yes, I can be sweet." He replied, he then kissed her and pulled her close.
"Are you going to kill me?" she asked confused by Damon's mood change.
"Mm-Hmm. But not yet." Damon told her gently. His harsh words contrasting with his sweet tone.
"Why not?" Caroline asked in a moment of pure bravery.
"Because there's something I need you to do for me." He said.
"Anything." Caroline was desperate to stay alive to placate this monster she had unwittingly invited into her life.
"How good are you at getting this little nose where it doesn't belong?" Damon asked.
"Oh, I'm excellent." She replied
"Mmm." He said.
[Mystic Grill.]
Tyler is eating with his parents. Caroline arrives with Bonnie and Claire Salvatore. Miss Lockwood waves at the group of girls.
"So what happens with the season? One big forfeit? Are they looking for a new coach?" Mr. Lockwood asks his son intensely.
Tyler shook his head frustrated. "I don't know, dad. I doubt anybody's thinking about that right now."
Mrs. Lockwood spotting Claire Salvatore turned to her son. Tyler had mentioned that Claire was new to the school, and she was from an approved founding family. "Charles, founder's party, focus. Tyler, who are you thinking of taking?"
Tyler takes a glance between Vicki Donovan who is rapidly coming toward them, and the green eyed brunette sitting with his childhood friends. It was clear that he had a choice to make.
Vicki walked up to the Lockwoods dressed in her Mystic Grill uniform. "How are y'all doing over here?" she asked politely. She hoped if Tyler's parents were on board that Tyler would see her as more than just a hook up.
Mr. Lockwood smiled at her, "Ah, we're doing great, sweetheart."
"Is there anything else I can get you?" Vicki asked kindly.
Tyler waved her off, saying "We're fine, thanks."
Mr. Lockwood looked at his son and then at the Donovan girl, "Just the check, honey."
Vicki grabbed their billed and handed it to the mayor saying, "Here you go, Mayor Lockwood."
He replied gruffly, "Thanks."
Mrs. Lockwood as Vicki walks away says, "I think you should take Claire Salvatore. She's new in town, and could always use a proper introduction to Mystic Falls' society."
Vicki is crestfallen when she hears Tyler says, "Yeah, that's a great idea mom." She hated that Jeremy was right about Tyler, and she was wrong.
"You're taking Damon to the founder's party? What about me?" Bonnie asked irritated that Caroline was ditching her for bad news Damon.
"Go with Elena." Caroline replied. It wasn't that she wanted to take Damon, but something within her kept telling herself that she had to bring Damon with her.
'She's asking Stefan." Claire said knowing that Elena was one of the few people in town that she could definitely say had a date.
"Ok, go by yourself." Caroline replied.
"Gee thanks Caroline." Bonnie said flatly
"Why don't you go with me Bonnie?" Claire asked sweetly.
Bonnie smiled, "Thanks for the offer Claire, but have you see the way the guys around here have been looking at you ten bucks says you have a date for the Founder's Party before the end of the night."
Claire laughed, "Well I would rather go have a ball with a friend than get felt up by some jock."
"You scared Salvatore?" Bonnie teased much to Caroline's enjoyment and Claire's discomfort.
"Alright, I'm in. Terms?" Claire asked looking at Bonnie and Caroline who were both having too much fun with this for Claire's comfort. "If I get stuck with some self-centered douche who is only concerned with getting into my pants, I am going to break my no snacking on the locals streak." She thought to herself.
"You can't say no if anyone asks you." Caroline told her.
"But if you are still dateless, I would love to accompany you Miss Salvatore, and you will be ten bucks richer." Replied Bonnie.
"Deal." Claire said. This wasn't like her. While Claire could be reckless and impulsive, her time in the 20's had certainly proved the enjoyableness of that, Claire since then wasn't known for cutting loose.
Bonnie and Claire turned to Caroline, both ready for interrogation mode.
"What about your mom, member of Mystic Falls finest and proud gun owner?" Claire asked concerned. It wasn't that she was just infuriated by her brother's exploitation of Caroline, but she was worried, Caroline was the daughter of the sheriff who was most likely a council member. One false move, and they would be exposed. Claire liked living too much to risk this kind of wanton exposure.
Bonnie asked quickly after Claire, "Is she ok with you bringing Damon?"
Caroline scoffed, "And I'm supposed to care why?" Her mother wasn't known for being super involved in her life. She couldn't remember the last time her mother had asked her about something that actually mattered.
"He's older sexy danger guy." Bonnie replied
"Older sexy danger guy? Is that an official witch twitter tweet?" Caroline asked.
Claire looked uncomfortable at the labeling of one of her brothers as sexy, please she thought, he is my brother. "Care, she isn't joking. Damon's an ass with issues that you are way better off not dealing with." Claire said trying to warn off her new friend.
"No more witch jokes, ok? At whole Mr. Tanner prediction thing has me freaked." Bonnie said still spooked by the last time she had witchy vibes. Claire gave the brunette a supportive look. It was understandable witchy instincts were freaky at first.
"Ok. And Damon's not dangerous." Caroline replied.
Claire snorted at this. Damon not being dangerous was like saying that pigs could fly or hell had frozen over.
"You know, he just has a lot of issues with his brother and Claire. You know, like major, deep-Rooted drama." Caroline ignored the Salvatore sister and continued.
"Like...?" Bonnie turned to Claire "Is this for real?"
Claire wasn't sure quite how to reply. While it was true that Damon had deep rooted issues with them, she suspected that was the only true part of Damon's little tale to Caroline. "Probably, What did he say Care?" she asked warily.
Caroline looked at the both of them hesitantly, "I'm not really supposed to say anything."
Bonnie turned to her friend, "Caroline Forbes, when have you ever kept a secret in your life?"
"Ok. But you can't tell Elena." Caroline looked at the both of them.
"Promise" Claire replied.
"I won't tell Elena." Bonnie promised.
With that Tyler Lockwood strolled up to their table, and said "Hey ladies, would you mind if I borrowed Claire."
Bonnie laughed, "How about I take the ten bucks now Claire?"
Claire chucked and mouthed "later" before walking away with Tyler. She was hesitant to leave the girls especially when she knew Caroline was about to reveal Damon's point of view on the schism with in their family. She knew that Damon would do anything to poison people against the twins. He had indeed promised them both an eternity of misery after all.
"So what's up Lockwood?" the brunette asked him slightly confused as to why he needed to talk to her. They hadn't exactly hit it off like she had with the rest of the Mystic Falls locals.
Tyler looked sheepish, "Look, I wanted to apologize. I've come off like a jerk, and I am sorry."
Claire smiled back "Duly noted, and consider yourself forgiven, but that's not the only thing you want to talk about isn't it?"
"I want get to know you, plus you should totally meet someone of the town's people. Want to come to the Founder's Party with me?" Tyler asked.
"Sure." Claire said. She was endeavoring to be optimistic, and it seemed like his words were at least halfway genuine. "Look I have to head home for some family stuff. Come get me later?"
"Absolutely." Tyler said.
They then went towards her car. Bonnie and Caroline had driven separately so she didn't feel bad for leaving them. Maybe Bonnie could get through to Caroline how much Damon was bad news. Besides she had an eerie feeling that she was needed back at the Boarding House.
Tyler after saying goodbye to Claire, and walking her to her car went back inside the Mystic Grill. He told his parents as they were on their way out that he had asked Claire, and she had agreed. To say they were happy was the understatement of the decade, they were not fans of their son hanging around Vicki Donovan.
"So what you gonna buy me?" Tyler said walking over to Vicki Donovan, just because he had chosen Claire to take to the Founder's Party didn't mean he wanted his hook up with Vicki to end.
Vicki scoffed, "Ugh, some class. Oh, your parents are gone. I guess we can close now."
"What the hell does that mean?' Tyler asked confused.
Vicki had had enough, "You treat me like trash. I'm sick of it."
"I don't think you're trash." Tyler replied.
Vicki threw up her hands, "Really? Then who are you taking to the founder's party?"
Tyler knew his words were going to hurt the red head, "Claire Salvatore."
"Seriously Ty, her?" Vicki said wanting to throw something, anything at Tyler.
"Look, my parents wanted me to help her around because she's new in town, that's all." Tyler said back trying to find a good way out of this mess.
"Yeah and the comments earlier about her were what just for kicks? You know what stay the hell away from me. Claire Salvatore can have you." Vicki yelled.
Tyler walked away this hadn't quite gone as he had hoped. He did care for Vicki deep down, but he also knew that it couldn't last forever. They were two different people.
Jeremy said walking towards the irate red head, "Is this the part where I say I told you so?"
Vicki was having none of it, "Screw you, Jeremy."
Jeremy shook his head as much as he was incredibly proud of Vicki having some self-respect, he knew that she wasn't ready for them to be together. "Look, I'm sorry."
[Salvatore's House.]
"I didn't know you were here." Zach said irritated to find Damon in his house again getting ready to cause trouble like Damon did best.
"Just going through Claire and Stefan's homework. Boy, this country sure has dumbed down in the last hundred years. Why they wants to go to high school is beyond me. I mean, in the seventies, he went Ivy League. Harvard, she went to Oxford in the sixties. I understood. Actually, no. I didn't get that either. Go ahead, purge. Get it out. What's on your mind?" Damon said annoyed to be interrupted in his snooping binge.
"Why are you here, Damon?" he asked
"To spend time with you, Zach. Family's important." Damon said sarcastically
Zach got a little in his face, "I know you. You always have a motive. So tell me, what is it this time?" he asked not buying for a second that Damon gave a crap about family. He knew the family history too well to ever fall for that pitiful excuse.
"You are in no position to question me." Damon replied furious at the human audacity to challenge him.
Zach put his hands up as if to say it wasn't me, "I didn't mean to upset you."
"This is not upset, Zach." Damon threatened.
"What's going on?" Claire says walking in. "Damon are you threatening our relatives again?" Zach was their last living relative, her brothers may not care about that, but she sure did.
Damon chuckled, "We are just having a family moment, right Stefan?" Claire hadn't noticed Stefan come in and watch their chatter. Normally this would worry her, but Stefan's broody nature was often a great avenue for sneakiness. With those words, Damon flashed away as suddenly as he had appeared.
Stefan looked at his sister and then at his sort of nephew, "Hey, are you ok?" Claire nodded, but Zach looked troubled.
"No, I'm not." He said shaking his head, "And neither are you. How many more people have to die before you see that?"
Stefan nodded in frustration, "I see it. All right, Zach, I see it."
"Then why aren't you doing anything about it?" Zach asked annoyed that the only people who could stop Damon were choosing not to intervene.
Stefan shook his head, "I can't, Zach. I can't. It would take human blood. It's the only way that I could stop him, and I can't do that."
Zach looked at Claire who said, "My powers could do more than weaken him, but I would need some help, and Stefan isn't a feasible option. He's more like a nuclear option."
Zach's eyes lit up, "The vervain could weaken him if he ingested it. It would help get you the upper hand."
Stefan looked at him in disbelief, "Vervain hasn't grown here since 1865. Damon and Claire saw to that." Claire looked down ashamed at the time she just was trying to protect her and her brothers from the only thing they knew could weaken them. Stefan continued, "The little I had, I gave to Elena. What?"
Claire could tell that Zach had been hiding something from them, Zach motioned for the twins to follow him, and the trio headed down to the cellar. "You've been growing it." Claire said astonished at Zach audacity. "Hmm…" she thought, "Household full of vampires and our nephew has the balls to grow vervain right under it." She had her own personal stash of vervain that she had been drinking every day since the 1930's. Compulsion didn't completely work on her, she could retain fragments. As she was best friend with the only person who could compel her, but chose not to, she still chose to take that off of the table.
"It's just something that's been passed down through the generations. Blood only runs so deep when you're related to vampires. Damon would kill me if he knew that I had it." Zach said glancing back and forth between the twins hoping that they could be trusted with this secret.
Stefan did a double take looking for some sort of catch, "But you're telling us. Why?"
Zach looked at them, "Because I trust you. And you're gonna need it if you want to get rid of him."
"Damn straight." Claire replied.
With that Zach walked away to leave the twins to plot out their strategy. This was only space in the house that Damon wouldn't come looking, and Claire took the precaution to spell the cellar so that only those she personally invited could come in. After the pair figured out their plan to neutralize Damon, Claire went to her room to get ready for the Founder's Party. She then left the house after getting a text from Bonnie to come to Elena's
[Elena's house.]
Elena opened the door to find Tyler on her stoop, "I'm here for my mom. I was supposed to pick up a box of stuff."
Elena handed him the box, "Right here. I hear you are taking Claire tonight." She teased.
Tyler laughed, "Yeah, I am."
"Good, Please be careful with our family heirlooms, that's years of history right there." Elena replied
Jeremy hearing Tyler's voice walked up to the pair and said, "Yeah, careful with it, dick."
Elena swatted at her brother annoyed, "Hey! Not now, ok, guys? Please?"
Tyler waved her off, "I'm fine. He's just being a punk."
"I got your punk." Jeremy challenged.
Elena looked frustrated, "Look, Tyler, maybe you should go. Tell your mom that I'll see her tonight, and have fun with Claire." She then walked away leaving the two boys to sort out their issues
"Hey. Would it make a difference if I told you I actually like Vicki?" Tyler asked trying to make peace with the younger Gilbert.
"Not even if you meant it. And you don't because you are wooing Claire." With that Jeremy slammed the door shut on Tyler.
Claire sat down with her friends in Elena's room as Bonnie and Elena were getting ready. Claire had been dubbed their hair and makeup guru. She was dismayed and worried to not see Caroline among their ranks. "Hey, I think this belongs to you." She said pulling out a crisp ten dollar bill from her purse.
Bonnie smiled, "Yes!" She said jubilantly, "Called it with Tyler Lockwood."
Elena laughed, "I think we all saw that coming a mile away, Bon."
Bonnie nodded, "True," "Okay Claire Delicate flower vs. Naughty vixen."
The brunette's face scrunched out. She took a look at both of the nail polish bottles and said, "Tough call, let's mix them."
Bonnie took the bottles back from Claire and started to paint, "Thanks Claire, you are looking good for your date tonight."
"Pretty sure it's not a date, but thanks." Claire smiled back
Elena and Bonnie shared a look, and then said simultaneously, "Denial."
Claire rolled her eyes, and wanting to change the subject, "Look at you, getting all pretty for your date."
"You seem happy-Ish." Bonnie chimed in
"I am...ish. Tonight's going to be a good night. But don't let that stop you from telling me whatever it is you wanted to tell me as soon as you walked in the door. "Elena said smiling.
Bonnie looked at her two friends, knowing Claire wouldn't like what she was about to say. "What if I tell you in the morning? I don't want to ruin the night.
"Bonnie, out with it." Claire said wanting to know what exact lies Damon had feed her via Caroline. She was the best person to tell the truth due to the fact that she had actually been present for the Katherine affair.
"Ok, but it has to go in the vault, because Caroline will kill me if it gets back to Damon that she squealed. Apparently Stefan has a very interesting back story." Bonnie said
"Uh-Huh." Elena replied as Claire motioned for the Bennet girl to continue.
"Do you know what happened with his ex-girlfriend Katherine?" Bonnie asked. Claire nodded agreeing that she was familiar with the story Bonnie was going to tell.
"I know that they both dated her and that's why they have issues." Elena said.
"To say that they have issues is an understatement." Claire added.
Bonnie continued, "Yeah, they both dated her, only she chose Damon. And that drove Stefan mad, he did horrible things to try and break them up. He manipulated Katherine. He filled her head with all these lies until finally it worked, and she turned against Damon."
Claire scoffs that was hardly the full story, but she expected no less from Damon. He was bound and determined to manipulate any person his siblings grew to like.
"That sounds like one person's side of the story, meaning Damon's." Elena said not being able to picture Stefan as the villain in Damon's story.
Bonnie shook her head, "I just wanted you to know."
"Anyway, his past relationships are none of my business." Elena replied. Claire didn't buy her words for a second. Elena could be a nosy little thing maybe that sprung from being a small town girl.
Unless he's a calculating, manipulative liar. That is your business.
"Stefan is none of those things." Claire said defending her brother. Stefan was many things, but calculating and manipulative weren't it.
"Easy Claire." Elena said placing her hand on Claire's shoulder trying to calm her down.
"Yeah? How do we know?" Bonnie asked.
"I know," Claire said looking at her two friends, "And that is not the whole story."
"Will you tell me?" Elena asked.
Claire nodded, but then looked up at the clock on Elena's wall, "Of course El, but Tyler is going to pick me up soon, and I need to make sure my brother's got ready appropriately and didn't burn down our house doing so. Rain check?"
The pair nodded back at her understanding that she couldn't tell the story not because she had something to hide, but simply because she didn't have time then.
[Stefan's House.]
Claire walked into the study. Zach had texted her that things were about to go down. She knew that they would need the backup, besides both of her brothers after all these years still hadn't managed to learn how to properly tie their tie.
Damon fumbled with his tie, "Do they still wear ties at this thing?"
Claire rolled her eyes, "Yes, they do. Come here." She said gesturing for Damon to move closer to her. She then went to work on his tie. She had glanced at Stefan, and it appeared that he had finally listened the last time she had explained how to properly knot the tie. "Miracles do exist" she thought.
Stefan looked irked, "Why are you even going?"
Damon chuckled, "It's only fitting. We were at the very first one, remember?"
"I would like to forget." Claire said finishing up Damon's tie, and then giving it a once over.
Stefan shook his head, "I think it's better if we don't draw attention to ourselves."
"So you should stay here. I'll see to it Elena has a good time." Damon said.
"And me?" Claire asked
"Heard you were going with the Lockwood boy, maybe he can make you less uptight." Damon teased. His sister was much more fun after falling in love and getting her heart broken.
"Given that I was engaged to this ancestor at one point, maybe not." Claire retorted. George Lockwood was her father's dream son in law, and coincidentally Damon's childhood best friend, not a ringing endorsement for the guy. She was going to need strong alcohol to deal with her siblings insanity, and Stefan had vervained the best scotch in the house. "Damn Damon." She thought to herself.
Stefan scoffed at his sibling's antics, "My goodness, we've driven you to drink. Can't seem to rid myself of you. What else are we supposed to do, besides go about living our lives?"
Damon waved them off, "Go about living your lives. See, therein lies your eternal struggle. You're dead, dude. Get over it."
Claire glared at Damon, "What do you think?"
[Elena's house.]
Elena answered the ringing phone, "Hello? Hi, Mrs. Lockwood. What do you mean? It is? Are you sure? 'Cause I saw it. Let me check. Mm-Hmm. I will find it and bring it. Ok. Bye."
Bonnie looked at her friend's worried face, "What's wrong?", as Elena stomped towards Jeremy's room, yanking the door open.
"Ahh! God, what now?" He said irritated at his sister and her audacity to barge into his room.
"The pocket watch. Where is it?" Elena asked.
Jeremy looked confused, "What watch?"
"The one you stole from mom's box. Look, Mrs Lockwood just called me, freaking out. It was on the list, Jeremy. And she can't find it, and she thinks she's the one who lost it." Elena replied.
"Maybe she did. Maybe Tyler took it." Jeremy fired back.
Elena threw up her hands in irritation. "Don't even play that card. Jeremy, you took it. If I go online, am I going to find it on Ebay? Is that how you pay for your pot?"
Jeremy grimaced, "Screw you. I would never sell this, ok?"
"Then why did you take it?" Elena asked.
Jeremy looked down and then back at his sister, "Because it's supposed to be mine. Dad said it goes to the firstborn son. His father gave it to him, and now what?"
"And he was going to give it to you." Elena replied gently.
"Yeah." Jeremy said softly.
"Look, Jeremy, it's still yours, ok? Mom promised Mrs. Lockwood. What do you want me to do?" Elena asked gently.
"Just take it and get out." Jeremy replied turning away from his sister.
[Salvatore's house.]
"It's cool not growing old. I like being the eternal stud." Damon said.
Claire rolled her eyes as much as she has grown to like immortality, it wouldn't have been her first choice.
Stefan scoffed, "If that's what you call yourself."
Claire laughed, "Yes, being a 150-Year-Old teenager has been the height of my happiness." She wouldn't lie being eternal did have its perks, but often it seemed the negative outweighed the good, at least around Stefan and Damon.
Damon chuckled, "You cracked a funny. I should have a drink to celebrate. 1864. Stefan and Katherine were the perfect couple. It was hell watching you dance with her, brother."
"My happiness was short-Lived, as you well know." Stefan replied.
"I remember. I left the party early, I was waiting for her. The night you dropped her off, I was waiting just inside. You were such a gentleman, gave her a kiss on the cheek. And what she really wanted was... Oh, well. Here's to history repeating itself, huh?" Damon said going to take a sip, but then he drops the glass.
"I admire your effort, Stefan, Claire. Pouring yourself a drink then spiking the bottle with vervain. I'm not some drunk sorority chick. You can't roofie me. But I can't help but feel a little used. I thought we were having a moment. I have to go to the party angry. Who knows what I'll do." Damon then flashed away leaving the twins looking extremely frustrated.
[Salvatore's House.]
"That was his favorite scotch. I'm sorry, I thought it would work." Zach told Claire and Stefan.
Stefan shook his head as if to tell Zach not to worry about it, "I wasn't counting on it."
Zach looked puzzled, "You knew it would fail?" he asked confused.
Claire smirked, "Did what we wanted. It lowered his guard. You won't expect us to try again so soon." She was very proud of her plan, where as her brothers plans were always hair brained and doomed to inevitable failure, Claire had been schooled in the art of war by a master strategist.
"I doubled what I put in the scotch." Zach said handing Claire a small vial filled with liquid. She gives him a bright grin.
Tyler knocked on the Boarding House door, and seemed surprised at the person who opened it, Zach Salvatore. "Hey, Zach." Tyler said awkwardly
"Come in Tyler." Zach replied ushering in the young Lockwood boy. It seemed that Damon wasn't the only one taking chances in their company. He yelled up the stairs. "Claire, your date is here."
Tyler turned to Zach, and asked, "What's its like having them live with you?"
Zach knowing that Tyler wouldn't pick up on the sarcasm said, "A blessing more, and more every day."
With those words, the pair heard somebody walking down the stairs. It was Clarissa Guiliana Salvatore, classy, elegant and drop dead beautiful. She wore a simple dress in a royal blue with a pair of strappy shoes and some earrings.
"Claire, are you ready?" Tyler asked trying to form coherent words right now was near impossible.
"Absolutely." She replied in her best Southern belle voice. She had been the original Miss Mystic, and after all these years still could turn on that part of her brain.
Tyler and Claire walked out to the car chatting on a variety of subjects such as football, literature, and family. By the time they arrived at the Lockwood mansion, Tyler had a new found respect for the brunette, she was more than a pretty face. She was breathtakingly intelligent and strong as well. She was unlike anyone he had ever known.
For her part, Claire was relieved to have been wrong about Tyler. Sure, he was kind of a bully and a royal pain in the ass at times, but there was more to him. He reminded her of the man she had lost in the 20's she couldn't remember his name or his face, only bits and pieces about him and how much she had loved him.
[At the founder's party.]
Mrs. Lockwood embraced Caroline, "Caroline! You look smashing."
Caroline shot her a grateful smile, and then motioned to the tall raven haired man beside her, "Thank you, Mrs. Lockwood. This is my boyfriend Damon."
"Oh, well, come on in." Carol said waving the pair in the house.
Damon grinned, "Lovely to meet you. I've been looking forward to this party for quite a while."
"Well, enjoy." Carol replied
Caroline spotted her mother across the room, "Wait here." She told Damon before walking over to speak to her mother. "Really, you couldn't even change out of the badge for this?"
The sheriff gave her a concerned look, "I'm working, honey. Who's the date you just tried to sneak past me?"
"Just some guy." Caroline muttered in response.
She took a closer look at the man accompanying her daughter, "He's a little old for you, don't you think?"
Caroline groaned, "Oh, 'cause otherwise you'd approve. Yeah, I doubt that."
Elena and Stefan walk into the party, "Hi, mayor Lockwood." Elena says politely
Mr. Lockwood smiles at the couple, "Hey. Hey, guys, come on in."
"Thank you." Stefan replies.
"Where's your dad?' Elizabeth Forbes asked her daughter.
Caroline glare at her mother, "Memphis."
"Good." She replies
"With Stephen." Caroline adds sharply before storming away from her mother.
Elena is looking at the display case. She spots her parents' wedding ring, and it tugs sharply at her heart. She wishes more than anything that they could be there today with them.
Stefan walks alongside of her and points to the ring, saying "Your parents?"
Elena nods, "There's a lot of history here."
Over at the bar, Jenna is drinking. Logan Fell walks up to the Gilbert guardian and his ex, saying "Jenna."
Jenna grimaces, "Hello Logan." Just the person she dreaded seeing most, awesome.
"It's good to see you." He says sitting beside her
"I thought I might see you here." Jenna replies trying to exude confidence and grace towards her piggish ex-boyfriend.
"You knew it." He said
Jenna snorted, "I dreaded.'
"But were secretly hoping." Logan trailed.
Jenna got up to leave saying, "now that I have..."
Logan caught her arm, "Whoa, hey, not so fast. I know you. You have a lot more insults in you, I can tell."
"Your hairline's receding." She retorted
Logan smirked, "No, it's not. You want to have lunch?"
Jenna shook her head, "Nope."
Logan smiled, "You haven't changed a bit."
"Oh, yes, I have. I'm meaner now." She fired back.
Elena is reading the first registry alongside Damon, Caroline, Stefan, Claire and Tyler.
""The founding families in Mystic Falls welcomes you to the inaugural founder's council celebration." Wow, look, it's the original guest registry. Look at all these familiar names- Sheriff William Forbes, Mayor Benjamin Lockwood. Is that Damon Salvatore? And, look, Stefan Salvatore and Clarissa Giuliana Salvatore." Elena said pointing to the lines in the books were the siblings had signed so long ago.
"The original Salvatore siblings." Claire said almost wistfully.
"Our ancestors. Tragic story, actually." Damon added.
Stefan gave them both a glare for dredging up the past, "We don't need to bore them with stories of the past."
"It's not boring, Stefan. I'd love to hear more about your family." Elena said. You could cut the tension between the two of them with a knife.
"Claire, why don't we go for a walk? I would love to show you more of the house." Tyler asked the brunette sensing her discomfort around her brothers.
Claire shot Damon a scolding look, and muttered "behave or I'll make you." Just loud enough that her brothers vampire hearing would catch it.
"Well, I'm bored. I want to dance. And Damon won't dance with me." Caroline said to Stefan and Elena because she knew that Damon was using what Claire had dubbed, "selective hearing".
"Mm-Mmm." Damon says nodding
Caroline turns to Elena, "Could I just borrow your date?"
Elena stutters unsure of what to say, "Oh, uh..."
"I don't really dance. " Stefan protested.
Damon shook his head, "Oh, sure he does. You should see him. Waltz, the jitterbug, the moonwalk. He does it all."
"You wouldn't mind, would you, Elena?" She asked her friend.
"It's up to Stefan." Elena replied. Caroline and Stefan then separated from their dates and went off to dance.
Damon turned to Elena, "I want to apologize to you for being such a world-Class jerk the other night when I tried to kiss you. There's no excuse. My therapist says I'm... Acting out, trying to punish Stefan and Claire."
"For what?" Elena asked sensing that Damon might reveal more than Stefan ever would.
Damon tried to wave her off, "It's all in the past. I don't even want to bring it up. Let's just say that the men in the Salvatore family have been cursed with sibling rivalry. And it all started with the original Salvatore brothers."
"Damon told you to ask me to dance. Didn't he?" Stefan asked his blonde dance partner.
Caroline threw a coy smile, "Now why would he do that?"
Pointing to the refreshments, Stefan asked, "Would you like one?"
Caroline smiled, "Ok, just tell me if you see my mom."
Damon continued, "The Salvatore name was practically royalty in this town. Until the war. There was a battle here—"
"The battle of willow creek." Elena chimed in.
"Right." He replied.
"I know, we talked about it in class. Confederate soldiers fired on a church with civilians inside." Said Elena confused as to where Damon's story time was going.
"What the history books left out was the people that were killed. They weren't there by accident. They were believed to be union sympathizers. So some of the founders on the confederacy side back then wanted them rounded up and burned alive. Stefan, Clarissa, and Damon had someone they loved very much in that church. And when they went to rescue them, they were shot. Murdered in cold blood. " Damon recounted as if it had happened yesterday.
"Who was in the church that they wanted to save?" Elena asked.
"A woman, I guess. Doesn't it always come down to the love of a woman? In Clarissa's case, the woman in the church was practically her sister. Clarissa Salvatore, much like Claire was defined by her love of those she deemed family." Damon reminisced.
"Look, I'm sorry that you and Stefan have this thing between you, but I can't get in the middle of it. I've seen what it's doing to Claire. Damon. I just... I hope you two can work it out." Elena said before walking away from the eldest Salvatore.
Damon flashed an insincere smile, "I hope so, too."
Claire and Tyler on a bench, away from the party are sitting and lively talking. The pair both have bright smiles on their faces. Mrs. Lockwood spots the couple and heads over disappointed over the lack of introduction to the female Salvatore.
"Tyler... We didn't get a chance to say hello earlier. It's Claire, right? Stefan's sister." Mrs. Lockwood says extending her hand out to the brunette.
Claire accepts shaking firmly," Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Lockwood returned the smile kindly, leaning in to hug Claire. Claire could smell the alcohol on Carol's breath. "You'll have to forgive my son's rudeness. He gets it from his father." Carol said kindly
Claire smiled politely, "All is forgiven, what a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Lockwood, and thank you for welcoming my brothers and me into your town and into your home."
Mrs. Lockwood's smile grew brighter. "Well I have always wanted Tyler to be acquainted with a higher caliber of woman, and not the riff raff he has been hanging around. And you do look spectacular." She gushed.
Claire rarely felt embarrassment. Maybe it came from her many years as a vampire, but right now she could tell without a shadow of a doubt that Mrs. Lockwood was drunk as a skunk. "Mrs. Lockwood, thank you again. Tyler why don't we go dance."
Tyler shot her a grateful smile, and once they were out of the earshot of his mother and back on the dance floor said, "Thank you Claire, and for what it's worth I am sorry for how my mom acted."
Claire laughed, "Finally some else having to apologize for their family, it's usually me." She said her eyes dancing and filled with mirth. If nothing else, she could tell that they both had complicated families in common.
Across the room, Vicki Donovan gazed on the dancing pair. She stared enviously as a grinning Tyler spun Claire around the room. So it really was over. Carol Lockwood noticed the younger girl's longing looks towards her son and his beautiful date, and she walked over to Vicki.
"Vicki, right?" she asked.
Vicki looked embarrassed to have been caught checking out the couple. "Yup, that's me."
"It's time for you to be going with the rest of the trash out." Carol replied sharply.
Vicki took one last look at the dancing pair and left in tears.
A candle shuts. Bonnie lights it just by looking. Damon and Elena return with Stefan and Caroline. Tyler and Claire have joined them.
Claire smiled at her friends, "What'd we miss?" She had been a little distracted this evening, and it surprised her.
Caroline returned her smile gently, "We were just chatting."
"Drink, Damon?" Stefan offered.
Damon waved him off, "No, thanks, I'll pass."
Elena turned to Stefan, "do you have another dance in you?"
Stefan smiled, "Absolutely."
Tyler did the same to Claire, "What do you say Salvatore, another dance?"
Claire's eyes sparkled, "Absolutely."
Caroline and Damon overlooked the two couples, "They both look so cute together."
Damon shook his head irritated, "Don't talk, please."
"Don't shoot! I'm going to need a refill." Logan said throwing his hands up.
Jenna rolled her eyes, "Shooting implies caring."
"Feigned indifference. I like it." He replied.
"I'm over the banter, Logan. I'd really rather you just left me alone." Jenna said.
"I'm sorry, Jenna. About your sister.' Logan said
Jenna offered him a momentary truce, "Thank you." She replied.
"Came to the funeral." He told her.
Jenna nodded, "I know. I saw you."
Logan thought back to that day, "Yeah, I didn't want to push my way in, but I wanted to be there for you. And when I heard you were staying in Mystic Falls, I thought maybe... Well, maybe I could have a second chance to make things right."
"Her name was Monica, wasn't it?" Jenna scoffed.
Stefan as the pair danced kept glancing over at his sister and the young Lockwood boy. He didn't like Claire was getting involved with someone so high profile in the town. "I hope Damon didn't drive you too crazy."
"No, actually, he was on good behavior. He even apologized and explained why he is the way he is. And it all goes back to Katherine." Elena replied
Stefan looked annoyed. He was tired of everything coming back to Katherine Pierce. She may have been dead since 1865, but his ex still found a way to screw with him.
Claire though dancing and talking to Tyler, listened to the other couple's conversation. She knew that sooner or later, Elena needed answers to the whole Katherine situation. It was looking like their secrets were going to come out sooner rather than later. "That's the thing about the past", she supposed "It always has a way of catching up to you, no matter how much you try to run from it."
"Hmm." Stefan muttered
"So tell me about her. What happened?" Elena asked curiously.
Stefan shook his head, "It's not something I like to talk about."
Elena frowned. She didn't understand what had happened. What could possibly be so bad that neither of the twins cared to ever bring it up. "I get that. I do. I just want you to know that you can. I mean, I burden you with all of my drama, and I want you to do the same. "
Stefan flashed a wry smile, "I know. Thank you."
Elena looked down ashamed, "The truth is, Stefan... I don't really know that much about you, and I'd really love it if you would open up to me." She wanted this thing with Stefan to last, but he would have to open up a little. Surely his past wasn't state secrets level right?
"Damon said something, didn't he? He likes to play games and cause trouble for me and Claire, Elena." He didn't appreciate Elena's prying. His closet had literal skeletons and asking too many questions in his world would get you killed.
"This isn't about Damon, it's about me trying to get to know you. Look, you're the mystery guy, and I like that. But with mystery comes secrets, and this thing with Katherine. "Elena replied frustrated.
Stefan shook his head, "Let it go. I don't want to talk about it."
"Well, then, say something about yourself. Anything. Otherwise, I'm left with nothing but what other people tell me." Elena replied
Stefan looked frustrated, "Don't you see what Damon has done here? He's trying to get you to turn against me. Next he'll try to turn you against Claire."
Elena looked down, "Well, then I guess it's working." She then walked away hurt that Stefan continued to keep himself so distant from her. She managed to find Bonnie. Maybe she could offer some much needed advice.
Bonnie saw the glum look on Elena's face and could tell that the brunette and Stefan had quite the falling out. "This is my fault. I planted doubt. I'm a doubt planter."
Elena shook her head, starting to feel bad about giving Stefan the fifth degree instead of just trusting him. "It's not your fault. I just- I feel terrible because I said that I wouldn't get in the middle of it, and that's exactly what I did. I got all snotty."
Mrs. Lockwood noticed the duo and walked up, "Elena, honey, there you are. I notice the watch still isn't in the collection."
"Oh, um, I'm sorry, Mrs. Lockwood. I, um, I couldn't find it. I guess it's still packed up in my parents' stuff somewhere." Elena replied feeling bad for lying to Carol, but it was more important that Jeremy hang on to this piece of their parent's legacy.
"I see. Well, please let me know if you do find it." She replied disappointed.
"Ok." Elena replied
"Where have you been?" Caroline said. Her words tinged with annoyance. Damon had been MIA for quite some time, and people were going to ask questions.
Damon smiled, "Ah. Looking for you"
"Your brother barely danced with me for five minutes—"Caroline fired back still not fully satisfied by Damon's excuses.
"Ok, just a minute. Stand right...there." he said motioning the blonde to move so his actions would be hidden.
"Um, you're not supposed to touch. What is that?" Caroline inquired.
Damon gestured towards the necklace, "It's a very important crystal."
"Well, how did you know that it was there?" Caroline asked.
Damon rolled his eyes, "Because I put it there."
"When?' Caroline asked curiously.
"A long time ago. Tonight, I'm taking it back, thanks to you." Damon said cockily. His plan was coming together in a spectacular way. He had already foiled his siblings measly attempt at sabotage, and now it would be too easy to accomplish his ends.
"Well, what's it for?" Caroline asked confused as to why Damon would be so interested in a clunky old piece of jewelry.
"Never you mind." Damon said trying to dissuade her questions. He knew that Caroline couldn't keep secrets, and the last thing he wanted was his sister figuring out his plan. She would recognize the necklace in an instant due to her relationship with the Bennet bloodline.
Caroline shook her head, "You can't just steal it."
Damon replied, "It's not stealing if it's mine. Come on. Well... At the bar."
Logan walked up to Jenna offering her a drink, "Vodka tonic. Ok, I know that this is probably going to be strike 3, but I hope you can see it for what it is."
"And what is it?" Jenna answered.
"Persistence. Groveling, commitment. Take your pick." He said trying to persuade her with some of his old tricks.
"I fled town because of you. Fled." Jenna replied irked.
Logan shook his head, "I was young and stupid, and then things changed. Life got...real. You'd know that better than anyone."
Jenna did know how life could change in an instant. She felt that way when she had got the call about her sister, Miranda. "Hypothetically speaking, if allowed, how would you make things right?"
"Well, more groveling, of course. A recap of the past few years spent soul searching. Cheese fries." Logan said trying to appeal to Jenna's soft spot for him as well as her love for cheese fries.
"Obvious." Jenna retorted back
Logan smiled at her trying to charm her, "I know my audience."
Jenna flashed him a light smile, "Yes to lunch. Call me. In the living room."
Mrs. Lockwood came up to Bonnie and said, "Look around. What's missing? The flames, the candles. Why aren't they lit? There's matches in the kitchen. "
Bonnie was irritated at being treated like the help. "Bitch." She muttered under her breath as she headed toward the kitchen.
Claire said goodbye to Tyler, and promised they would hangout again so, hopefully with less formal attire. The brunette saw Elena heading towards Caroline and joined her. Elena smiled at her friend.
"Hey." Claire said greeting Caroline.
Caroline smiled back at her. "Hey. You and Tyler looked pretty friendly."
At this Claire looked down, knowing Caroline's reputation for interrogating all of the juicy details. She wasn't quite prepared to talk about what had happened that night. She wasn't sure how she felt about the Lockwood boy, and was definitely not prepared to handle it in the midst of all of the Damon and Stefan drama.
"Elena, so how are things with Stefan?" Caroline asks
Elena answers shortly and quickly, "Great. Just great."
From the bite of Elena's tone, Claire could tell that things were far from great. Claire hoped that Damon had nothing to do with Elena's sour mood, not that it would matter in a little bit anyway. "Sure about that El?" Claire asked sweetly.
Elena nodded not wanting to talk about it.
Caroline was having none of that, "Really? Well, my radar must be off, 'cause I was getting all sorts of other vibes... "Claire smiled for once Caroline's lack of tact came in handy. Claire loved directness and brutal honesty.
"What is that?" Elena asked shortly, spotting marks on Caroline's neck and shoulder. Claire pulled the blonde closer.
"Hmm? Don't!" Caroline yelled pulling away from the duo.
Claire didn't let go though. "What the hell is this Caroline?" she asked knowing full well what exactly had happened to Caroline. It filled her with a great deal of shame. Unlike herself and her eat, feed vampire blood and erase strategy, Damon's methods were excruciatingly cruel and painful.
Elena moved closer to the pair checking out the marks for herself, "Oh god, Caroline, what happened?" Elena was more than slightly freaked out. What kind of sicko would leave these kid of chomp marks and bruises in his path?
Caroline shook her head, "Nothing, ok?! That is nothing."
Claire looked unfazed, "This doesn't look like nothing Caroline."
"Did somebody hurt you?" Elena asked
"No, ok, nothing. It just... My mom would kill me." Caroline said pleading with Elena and Claire to keep this on the down low. She knew what Damon would do if he found out that his secret had been exposed.
"Did Damon hurt you?" Elena questioned trying to comfort the blonde.
"No! Of course not! Just leave me alone, ok, Elena?!" Caroline yelled before storming off.
She and Claire go out, and sees Damon.
Elena walks right up to the elder Salvatore and slaps him across the face, "God! There is something seriously wrong with you. You stay away from Caroline or I will go straight to her mother, the sheriff. You got it? Stay away from her." Elena then stomps away leaving Claire alone with Damon.
"You just had to do it after I specifically told you not to. Forget the fact that she is a human being and not a Marinette for you to exploit for a hot minute, she is the sheriff's daughter. Have you lost your damn mind?" Claire asked kicking him swiftly in the groin. Damon fell down from the force of the impact. Claire took her right heel and placed it on Damon's chest holding him temporarily immobile.
Damon looked up at her, "Better question is what you are going to do about it, Clary Fairy? Are you going to hit me with another one of you spells?" He then grabbed her leg, and threw her across the room.
Claire flashed up as her broken bones shifted back into place. "Incindio." She chanted.
Damon began to feel very hot like his body was burning from the inside out. He pushed through the pain and put Claire in a lock. "Reverse the spell." He grunted.
"Fine." She spat out. Damon let up his hold on his sister as she chanted out the counter spell. As soon as the pain let up, Damon flashed away. He wouldn't forget again that Claire's power exceeded his own.
Elena caught up to Stefan ashamed that she had believed what Damon said. "I'm sorry. I take it all back. You're completely right about Damon." She should have headed Claire's comments warning against her brother, and now Caroline was paying the price.
Stefan looked concerned, "What did he do?"
"There are bruises all over Caroline's body. Bite marks, and he has her all confused and messed up in the head. You don't look surprised." Elena said distrustfully.
Stefan guiltily looked down. "Um... I'm handling it."
"Handling it? Stefan, you should be having him arrested." Elena yelled back. Stefan's reaction seemed to enrage her more.
"Elena, please. I... I don't expect you to understand." He replied.
"I don't understand anything, Stefan. So why don't you just clear it up for me?" Elena asked.
Stefan said, "Look, there are things that you don't know, ok? Things that I want to tell you, but I can't. And I may never be able to. And I just need you to trust me."
"Trust is earned. I can't just magically hand it over." Elena said disappointed. She was growing tired of the continual secrecy that Stefan maintained like breathing.
Stefan frowned, "I'm so sorry. I have to go." He couldn't explain what was going on. Not without Elena knowing about the supernatural and her trust in him to keep it secret.
[Elena's House.]
Doorbell rings. It's Vicki. She is still dressed in her Founders Party clothes.
Jeremy brightly at her, "You look amazing. What are you doing here?"
Vicki smiles back at him, "I was thinking maybe I could make one more wrong choice today. I still have 17 minutes. "Vicki kisses him.
[At the Founder's Party.]
Caroline and Damon are talking. Caroline can tell that Damon is pissed that Elena found the bite marks that Damon left on her, "Don't! She took it off and I got flustered, ok?! I didn't know what to say. But I swear, ok, I did not tell her. I just told her that you didn't mean to hurt me. "She pleads knowing that Damon's temper is scary dangerous.
Damon flashes her a false smile, "You make me crazy, and you know that?"
"It's ok. I forgive you. I swear I didn't say—"she says before feeling Damon bite her again, blood rapidly leaving her body.
"Shh, shh, shh. Unfortunately... I am so over you now." He says before He beats her. But he falls on the floor weakened. "What the hell?" he asks confused.
Claire steps out of the shadows. She suspected that after everything had went down at the party, Damon would try to eliminate her blonde friend. Claire smiles, "You know, Stefan couldn't spike your drink... So I spiked hers." She motions to Stefan to take Damon out of the rooms. Claire then bites her wrist, and feeds her blood to an unconscious Caroline, saying "Not today or ever, Care." Knowing Caroline will then wake up on her own, Claire then leaves to head home. Her bruises and bite marks are gone along with any physical evidence of Damon's brutality.
Later Caroline wakes up She founds Damon's crystal, and Elena walks over to her concerned. "Caroline? There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. Are you ok?"
Caroline nods, "Yeah. I'm fine."
"Caroline, what happened?" she asks wrapping her arm around the blonde who was clearly still spooked by the events of the evening.
"I'm fine." Caroline replies brushing away Elena's arm.
Elena shakes her head, "No. You're shaking. Caroline-What—"
"I'm fine!" Caroline says before walking away trying to avoid the fifth degree from her friend.
Elena follows her saying, "Caroline, come here, come here. " But Caroline has gone too far away to hear her. "Maybe I should call Claire," she thinks to herself. "She did promise me a full back story."
[Stefan's house.]
"I did what I had to do... To protect Elena, to protect everyone. Yes, Damon, the headline reads "Deadly beast captured. All is well in Mystic Falls." Stefan to a looked up Damon.
Claire looks to her older brother, and says "I never wanted this. This is your choice," She then walks out of the cellar and back to her room. She looks down to see her phone ringing flashing Elena Gilbert's name, but she ignores it.
[At the Founder's Party. Counsel Room]
Mr. Lockwood addresses the group, "Thank you for staying so late."
Sheriff Forbes turns to Mrs. Lockwood, "Did you get the Gilbert watch?"
She shook her head, "She claims it's packed away in her parents' things."
Logan smiles, "I can get it."
"Good. We're going to need it." Sheriff Forbes replies.
"Are you sure?" Mr Lockwood asks.
Sheriff Forbes nods, "5 bodies all drained of blood? I'm certain."
"They've come back." Logan says ominously.
[Hotel room, London, England]
Halfway across the world, a blonde haired man in a hotel hears his phone ring, and answers it. "Are you giving up on our little chase." He says into the phone.
"Hardly." A woman on the other end reveals.
"Get to the point then love." The man says back in irritation.
"I hear you are looking for Claire Salvatore. She can be found in Mystic Falls, Virginia." With that the woman hangs up the phone.
Focus flashes back to the man in the hotel, "Soon, Claire, very soon." He says to himself gazing a photo of Claire dressed as a flapper girl.