A.N.) Hey everybody! Thank you so much to everyone for being so patient with me! No joke, by October I was holding down 2 jobs (now three on Tuesday) and taking about 14 credit hours in college. Yeah, it was a bit difficult, but with the upcoming break, I'm just going to be working and visiting family, so I should have some time to write! Hopefully it explains the long delay in updating this story and my little drabbles! I really wanted to update, but I couldn't get the time to write. And also why I am delaying posting a Caroline/Bella/Klaus family story, I don't want to have you guys wait so long between chapters.

So thank you again everyone for being patient with me!

Also, I would like to take the time to thank helimoen, aesir21 (who knows, maybe he will be ;)), JustSearching, S. (I think your English was excellent and I definitely agree with you), kaiana, Daddys little crazy bitch, Jojo657, 01katie, love angel moonlight, twilightlovengirl, lis3011, twilightfanjm, shadowhunterherondale, Original Sister, RHatch89, winxgirl1997, Vivi H88, litanolastar, and steph A15 who were so kind as to leave a review for the last chapter. Thank you so much for the feedback! It really makes my day seeing them! I want to thank any and everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, or followed this story, I truly appreciate all of your support! J

Enough of my blabbing! You all came here to read the story, not for me to ramble! J

Enjoy!

~UnicornNinja12

Chapter 15

BPOV

"That person's a no," I say to myself, casually walking away from another possible friend for my Dad. Another No-Chance-Lance (which is the way Dr. Cox would say "another dud") and I was getting nowhere finding a friend for my father. "Leaf collecting is not something Dad would value in a friendship."

I sigh and shake my head. Couldn't I find a friend for my dad?

Maybe I was being impatient, after all, I had begun my search only a few minutes ago. The Leaf Collector was only the third person I came across.

Is there anyone in Mystic Falls who is not a leaf collector or self-absorbed? I sigh. Probably, but this was going to be harder than I expected.

"Uh oh," I turn slightly to see a man in his thirties stop beside me. He ran his hand through his sandy brown hair before smirking. I furrowed my brows I wondered what that was about when he said, "And you thought you could hide from me."

I jumped back as he suddenly reached toward me. Who the heck was this guy? "I found you," his hand reached past me, "Captain Morgan!"

Huh? I know that Dad loves to drink, so maybe this guy could be a friend candidate for him. Sure I totally thought he was going to kill me, but hey, Dad doesn't need to know that!

Raising the bottle, he looked at the bottle in his hand and frowned. "My dear friend, you've fooled me. Destroy the imposter!" he said lifting the bottle and smashing it upon his head.

I stared wide eyed at him, not entirely sure if I had actually seen what I think I just saw.

Noticing my stare, the man smirked and his golden brown eyes twinkled with mischief. "Later," he said before walking away.

What the heck just happened? I simply stared, completely perplexed. That guy is off the list. What just happened?

The faint sound of a gunshot broke me out of my confused state. It was so faint I wasn't sure if I was hearing things properly. Glancing toward the area I heard the gunshot, I slowly make my way towards the area all the while searching for my father and panicking when I couldn't find him nor my Uncle Stefan. Where were they?

Apparently, I wasn't the only one to hear the gunshot because Elena and Caroline appear to be extremely anxious. I quickly make my way toward them. When I get close enough to them, I ask worriedly, "Hey, did you guys hear the gunshot? And have you seen my father and uncle?"

"Yeah, we did," Caroline said nervously before staying quiet.

"And?" I prompted, noticing her hesitation.

"I think they may be in trouble," she says slowly while taking a quick glance around.

"And you didn't think to tell me this sooner?" I ask, my eyes widening as I feel myself begin to get both panicked and angered. Who the heck want's to kill my dad? "Excuse me, I've got my Father and Uncle to save," I say before breaking off into a run into the woods in the general direction I heard the gun shots, not caring whether or not they were following.

Seldom do I ever attempt to use my heightened abilities, but this was an exception. Using my slightly heightened sense, I began searching for signs of where my father and Uncle Stefan could have been.

Nothing had stood out to me until the familiar salt and rust smell invaded my sense of smell, bringing more dread than it usually did. Briefly pausing, I look down at the blood and confirm that it is indeed fresh blood.

The sound of footsteps made me freeze.

"Bella?"

I slowly turned my attention to Mason standing not too far from me. "Mason," I say before asking, "Have you seen Damon and Stefan? I can't find them."

"Yeah, Sheriff Forbes grabbed them earlier," Mason says, slightly upset.

I furrow my brows. "Are they cleaning the woods for her then?" I asked confused. If they were cleaning out here, the blood and gunshots wouldn't make any sense, unless… "Unless she is a hunter," I say to myself before turning my attention toward Mason, "Do you know where they went?"

"Yeah, but I'm sure your friend can sniff them out," Mason said making me turn around. Sure enough, there Caroline and Elena were, standing tensely behind me. I won't lie, I felt grateful for them being there for me. From the sounds of it, they didn't like my father, but I appreciate the effort.

"But I know you know where they are," I say ignoring his comment before asking imploringly, "Please, can you tell me where they are? I know they are in danger."

"Yeah and your cousin tried to kill me yesterday. He has what is coming for him," Mason says, looking like he was trying to convince himself to believe what he was saying.

"Damon's not my cousin, he's my father," I say, shocked that he let my father get captured. Mason's eyes widen and looks slightly ashamed. "And while you may think my father deserves it, I know he and Uncle Stefan don't. I beg of you, please, please tell me where they are. I need to help them."

"Lockwood Cellar," he says, pointing in the direction the cellar is located. "It's not too far from here. Hurry."

"Thank you so much Mason," I say beginning to run that way, but his arm quickly catches mine.

"I swear, I didn't mean to help them. Sherriff Forbes saw him expose himself in front of you and I was with her at the time. I was too shocked to do anything and I couldn't through my cover and expose myself. I'm sorry Bella," he said sincerely.

I nod and say, "As long as my family makes it out of this, its fine. Thank you for telling us where my father is."

Mason offers a sad smile before nodding and saying, "Hurry."

Without further ado, I ran faster than I have run before, not bothering to check if Elena and Caroline were following. All that was making it in time to save my family.

I had been running a few minutes when Caroline appeared slightly ahead of me. "You'll want to start heading in this direction and it'll be on the right," she says pointing in the new direction while keeping pace with me.

"Thanks Caroline," I say pushing myself to go faster.

"No problem," she says slowing down slightly to keep pace with Elena.

Not much later, we arrived at the Lockwood Cellar and I could hear the gunshots coming from within. Knowing I needed to know how closely the Sheriff was guarding the cellar, I began to slow down and walk slowly toward the entrance. I pause outside, willing my senses to pick up something. Being tired was not helping, but I tried to focus in on what was going on in there.

I could faintly hear my father's voice and a woman's voice, but I couldn't discern what was being said.

"Caroline. Caroline, what is it?" Elena asks concerned. I look slightly worried at Caroline before trying to refocus in on the conversation.

"My mom. She's killing them." And instantly the red flags are up and I'm no longer tired.

"Ok, I'm heading into stop her. See you guys later," I say making my way down the cellar, letting the two other girls bicker. I wasn't afraid of a fight and I could thank my fighting abilities to good old Spike.

A little way from the main section of the cellar, I pick a rock and throw it to the ground, hoping to lure some people out.

I wait a few seconds in silence before I notice someone open the door. I instantly attack them by punching them in the face followed by a swift punch in the gut.

I quickly grab the gun off of the police officer and charge into the threshold of the cellar, carefully holding the gun and dodging the bullet the sheriff sent straight for my heart. If the deputy wanted to shoot me, I was a close enough distance to take a step back and press against the wall and avoid his shots and I could focus on the sheriff. Already, I could tell that the sheriff and the deputy were trigger happy.

I brace my body for a fight. It's the second time today that I was thankful for Spike teaching me how to fight… and win.

"Freeze vampire," the sheriff demands, holding her ground and aiming the gun at me.

"Bella?" I hear my father croak out.

I freeze and say, "I didn't come here for trouble, I just want my family back." I turn my attention slightly toward my father. "Are you okay Dad?" I ask, keeping my eyes on the sheriff and deputy, keeping my hands prepared. I really didn't feel the need to shoot the people, but just in case.

"Bella, leave," Dad groans out, but I ignore his request and continue my stare down with the sheriff.

She narrows her eyes at me. "Vampires can't procreate," she says before placing her hand on the trigger, "What is your name?"

I could hear the other officer attempting to sneak up behind me with a stake. "Bella," I say simply before quickly grabbing the officer's arm and twisting it behind his back with his body shielding most of my body and the gun on his back. "And your name?"

They remain silent a moment before the sheriff says, "Let go of my officer Bella."

"Without a problem, but first I'll need you to let my father and uncle go. They are good people and don't deserve such a punishment." The sheriff hesitated and my grip on the officer tightened. "You can make this as difficult as you want, but in the end my father and uncle will be walking out of here alive."

Not long after saying this, the officer attempts to knock the gun from my hand and I quickly strike him in the gut followed by a blow to the jaw that rendered him unconscious. I quickly turn my attention toward the sheriff who had taken a shot at me. Setting the gun in my hands on safety, I dodge away from the bullet and make my way to the deputy, dodging a bullet or two more. My goal wasn't to kill these people and I wanted to let them know.

I had just set down the gun when the deputy aimed a shot at me. I moved out of the way just in time for the bullet to scrape past my left shoulder. Easily ignoring the wound it left in its path, I swiftly approached him and took the gun from him. He goes to punch me in the face, but I quickly duck down before punching him in the stomach. He doubled over as a result and I took the opportunity to send a punch to the jaw, effectively sending him to the floor. The force was enough to leave him knocked, so I wouldn't have to worry too much about him getting up.

Knowing that the sheriff wouldn't mind shooting me in the back if she had a chance, I quickly turn around with the gun pointing toward her. "Drop your weapon," I command, holding the gun with a steady hand. When she didn't do as I said a bit louder, "Drop your weapon now."

She narrowed her eyes, trying to look tough, but I could tell she was getting nervous. "I have to protect Mystic Falls," she says refocusing and tightening her grip on the gun. "Why are you slower than the rest? How can you walk in the sun?" she began questioning, standing firm.

"I don't think you're protecting anyone here seeing as we are harmless. Heck, I'm not even a vampire," I say with a small smile. Relaxing my shoulders a fraction, I continue, "The guns aren't necessary. I mean no harm, so let's just set them down and talk it out like adults."

For a moment, it looked like she was going to do as I suggested. I mirrored her movements as she slowly lowered her weapons when she suddenly said, "No, I can't," and raised her gun.

"Mom! No!" I heard the yell before the shot.

A.N. Here is where I would have left off if I were a jerk.

But fortunately, I'm not. Thank you again my wonderful readers!

I quickly drop to the ground and watch as the bullet flies over where my heart had been. Dodged that bullet.

It is at that point Caroline runs in. "Caroline?" she asks, briefly looking towards Caroline. Huh, the sheriff is Caroline's mom? Elena comes running in shortly after. "Elena? What are you guys doing here?" she asks warily, focusing on Caroline.

Seizing the opportunity, I let go of the gun in my hand (after putting on the safety of course) and lunge for the gun. Grabbing the gun with both hands, I push my weight onto her arms, forcing her to release her hold on the gun, but not before she points the barrel at me and shoots me in the abdomen. I hiss in pain temporarily, but ignore it otherwise. I still had to get my father and uncle out of here and I couldn't afford to focus on the smell of blood and pass out.

Putting the gun onto safety, I quickly remove the bullets from the gun. "As I told you before, my family will be walking out of here alive," I say, placing the gun on the floor. I took a brief look around the room at the two unconscious officers. "What a mess," I say after looking around. I unconsciously cover the bullet wound that had that familiar burning sensation that usually followed getting shot. I should probably take care of that soon…

"Caroline?" Sheriff Forbes asked shocked.

I barely had time to look up to see what was so shocking before Caroline slammed me into a wall with her vampire face on display. If Caroline's mom didn't know Caroline was a vampire, she did now. Her hands held my shoulders to the wall as she looked down at my wound then to my neck.

"Caroline, now isn't the time," I say, attempting to release my shoulders from her grasp.

Caroline merely growled at me and bit into my neck harshly.

"Caroline," Elena calls out. "Stop!"

I groan in pain briefly, before saying, "Please forgive me Caroline." At that, I sent a side kick into the back of her knees and punch to her throat. She stumbled back just enough for me to break out of her grip and puts some distance between us.

I was beginning to feel slightly dizzy from the blood loss and the smell, but prepared myself for another attack. Now was not the time to pass out.

"Caroline," Sheriff Forbes says once more, this time with more sadness.

Caroline turns her attention toward her mother before saying, "Hi Mom."

With her attention turned toward her mother, I make my way toward my father. "Are you okay?" I ask trying not to get sick at the sight of the bullet wounds, "Do I need to remove any bullets for you?"

"Nah, I've got it," he says, reaching into his chest, pulling out the bullets. "I should be asking you that." He quickly noticed bullet wound on me and looks up at me with wide, slightly panicked eyes. "Shit, you really did get shot!" he exclaims, hastily trying to sit up, nearly falling again because he was weak from blood loss.

Caroline's mom, still in shock, quickly took a seat on a nearby stool, while Caroline sat on a step not too far from her mom, watching her warily. I am hopeful that Sheriff Forbes will accept her daughter for what she is. I feel badly for Caroline for the strain being a vampire put on their relationship. Focus Bella, you don't have much time!

"Relax Dad, I'll take care of it in a minute, but now you need to eat to get better," I say, pushing him down slightly. I reach for the nearest deputy and drag him toward my father. "Try not to kill him," say looking away. I didn't push for too much help right away because I knew there was a strong chance that if I did die, I would just come back. Life was funny that way for me.

Speaking of which, I looked down to assess the wound on my abdomen. (A.N. Please forgive me if this is not what you would do medically. No joke, I Googled it. Though if anyone does know, I wouldn't mind knowing what to actually do in that kind of a situation) It looks like the bullet had not exited me, which I chalked up to being as incredibly buff as I am. Ha, yeah right, but still, the bullet hadn't passed through.

Patting around my pockets, I prayed that I kept that handkerchief from a while ago. Luck was on my side and I found the handkerchief. After folding it, I placed it on my wound and put some pressure on it. I know that should get to a hospital soon, but I wasn't going to leave until I knew everyone was fine.

I sit on the ground beside my father, applying pressure to abdomen wound and my neck wound, taking steady breathes through my nose. Now was not the ideal time to pass out.

A groan was heard as Uncle Stefan slowly became conscious. Elena immediately ran to his side. "You need to drink some deputy blood," Dad says crawling over to Uncle Stefan, dragging one of the deputies toward Uncle Stefan.

Aww… that was sweet of my dad. Sharing with his brother.

Uncle Stefan slowly sits up, curling slightly around himself. "No. I'm gonna be fine. It's just gonna take a bit longer," he says, pain evident in his voice.

Geesh, reject my dad's gift.

"Damon's right you know. If there's ever time to break your diet…" Caroline says watching everybody carefully and though she was clearly concerned for my Uncle Stefan.

I furrow my brows. He was trying to lose weight? I didn't think vampires could get fat, though I am only half vampire with my human side dominant. Could vampires even get fat?

"He said he didn't want it, okay?" Elena said harshly, cutting off my inner monologue.

"Okay, so either Uncle Stefan is trying to lose weight or he doesn't eat people?" I ask, hoping for someone to clarify.

Elena quickly shot a look at me. "He only drinks animal blood."

"That makes sense," I say shaking my head in understanding, "Thank you for the clarification. Should I send out for an animal then?" I ask getting up and heading toward the exit on somewhat wobbly legs.

My father quickly ran in front of me. "Are you mental? No, you're not going out there to catch bunnies when you have a bullet wound that has yet to be tended to!" Gently grabbing my arm, he guided me back in. "You can sit by Caroline-" he cut himself off as he looked at Caroline's bloodstained lips. "Yeah, no, you're not sitting by Caroline," he said pulling me away from Caroline, "She's had enough of your blood today."

I came to a halt, swaying slightly. "It wasn't her fault Dad. She is fairly new, so she is bound to slip up sometime. So it was my blood on her lips, I know she didn't mean to. And besides, it would be more productive for me to grab something for Uncle Stefan so he can heal faster."

"And so you can die faster? I don't think so Bella. Don't think I don't see the stumbling." I went to protest, but he quickly cut me off. "Ah, ah, ah. Sit and relax, I'll quickly wrap things up here and we'll take you to the hospital."

"But I don't like the hospital," I say, already tired. I've been to the hospital enough to realize I preferred dying than getting shots and stitches.

"Less pouting, more sitting," he says firmly.

I bite my lip, but comply taking a seat beside Caroline as my father made his way toward the sheriff. It wasn't my fault that I just so happened to sit beside Caroline. Nope. Just a coincidence.

Sitting down, I begin to realize how tired I really am. I close my eyes and release a breath through my nose. Now that I had nothing to keep my mind off the wounds left by the bullet and the bite, I couldn't help but smell the vile smell of blood. I shake my head in hopes of getting rid of the smell and dizziness, not matter how futile the attempt maybe.

"Bella," I hear Caroline say. I look up at her and she says, "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to bite you." The regret on her face made it impossible to consider being upset with her.

"I kicked you shortly after you bit me, consider us even," I say smiling.

Caroline smiles in return, but says nothing.

"This is a most unfortunate situation," says Dad looking around the cellar. "Two deputies down and you," he says looking back up at the sheriff. "What am I going to do with you?" He takes another step towards her. "After all, you tried to kill us today. Nearly killed my daughter." Dad's expression darkens at the last statement. "So I ask again, what am I going to do with you?"

A.N.) So what do you guys think Damon is going to do with Sheriff Forbes?

And who was that seemingly random guy? (And it may or may not be from another show)

Is he really a random guy?

As an update on the Bella matches, Kol is currently tied with Klaus. Voting will end at the end of the Masquerade chapter, so in about 2 chapters, just as a heads up.Elijah and Edward follow closely after.

Feel free to let me know what you think in a comment or if you want, you can PM me what you think!

Also, if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know! I love the input!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

Until next time!

~UnicornNinja12