"Carly…what are you doing?!" She jolted at the sound of her father's voice. The flower petals that had been slowly spinning in front of her had dropped onto her mattress.

"Daddy- I…I wasn't doing anything wrong" Her green eyes were filled with frustration, fear and sadness. All she wanted was to be herself. All she wanted was to be accepted by her parents.

"We have talked about this many many times. You could hurt someone. Or what if your sister walked in on you?" Always such concern over Elena. She was the golden child. She was everything Miranda and Grayson had always wanted. Carly never felt like she was enough. She was such a stand out. Her lighter hair, her green eyes. Her over the top personality. Elena was demure. Perfect in every way. Carly could never measure up.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to gain her composure. When she got emotional, her abilities could tend to get out of control. Sheila Bennett had secretly been helping her learn control. Carly just had to get better at hiding her practice.

"No more Carly. I mean it." Grayson's voice was stern and he closed the door harshly.

Carly jolted awake. Memories were pouring back to her. It had to be sleeping in this house. Her room was the same as when she moved out so many years ago. She knew her mother kept it clean while she was gone. She assumed Elena or Jenna continued the tradition.

She hadn't seen her siblings yet. Jenna had picked her up from the airport late last night. She wanted to fill her in on her younger siblings. Jeremy's drug use and school skipping. Elena was coming out of her surliness since she started seeing a new boy. But from what Jenna had said, so far it had been and up and down relationship.

Carly pressed her on the animal attacks that had been happening. Carly knew what that really meant. Jenna knew nothing, which was a relief. She didn't want her family members involved. She remembered how messy it could be. She was young when she first found out about Vampires. But being a witch herself, it wasn't that shocking.

Elena and Jeremy would be at school now, so their reunion would have to wait. Carly had some stops that she needed to make.

"Sherriff Forbes" Carly smiled as the woman looked up from her desk.

"Carly, I think you're old enough to call me Liz." The blonde woman beamed at the young woman standing in front of her. She stood and gave her a tight hug. "How are you?"

"I'm dealing. Thank you again for your help with Elena and Jeremy after we lost my parents. I wanted to be here. But I had to go back and square things away in New York before I could move back home"

"Carly, you packed your life up and moved back home at 21 to help your Aunt take care of your siblings. Don't feel guilty for taking time to get yourself together before you came back." Carly always appreciated how kind Liz Forbes was.

"So I'm going to cut to the chase- all of the animal attacks? Missing people? Vampires are back in Mystic Falls. Which I'm sure means the Founders Council is back together. I'm taking the Gilbert spot." Liz Forbes took a moment to gain her composure. "Before you say anything Liz, please don't insult me by pretending none of this is real. I know what my father was up to. I've known for a long time."

"I wasn't going to lie. But I'm certain your parents would want you far away from this world."

"Actually they would want me involved. Keeping my siblings safe. As the eldest of a Founding Family, it's my duty and quite frankly my right to be involved." Liz sighed and smiled.

"I suppose you're right. Well we aren't sure how many vampires we're dealing with. Logan Fell got his hands on the Gilbert device. He didn't let anyone in your family know. He thought that somehow they've evolved and can walk during the day. But he was bested and we found him dead and the device missing- along with a pile of dead campers."

"Nice of Logan to use my Aunt for his own gain" Carly rolled her eyes. "You have my number. Call me for the next council meeting and any updates".

"I will. I'm so glad that you're back home Carly. I think it's really going to be good for your family. Especially Jeremy. He seems to still be struggling."

Carly said her goodbyes. She didn't know what else to say to the Forbes Matriarch. Mystic Falls hadn't been her home for a very long time.

Damon was walking down the stairs as the doorbell rang. He was growing bored of Stefan and his self-righteousness. He opened the door to find Elena.

"Is Stefan here?" Damon smirked.

"Yep!"

"Where is he?" She demanded. Elena was in no mood for Damon's antics.

"And good morning to you, little miss " I'm on a mission".

"How can you be so arrogant and glib after everything that you've done?" Damon felt his irritation growing.

"And how can you be so brave and stupid to call a vampire arrogant and glib?"

"If you wanted me dead, I'd be dead." She challenged.

"Yes, you would."

"But I'm not." Elena stared down the Vampire showing no fear.

"Yet." Damon couldn't help but love bickering with her and getting under her skin.

"Where is Stefan?"

"He's upstairs singing "The rain in Spain". Knock yourself out." Damon quipped as he headed out the door.

Elena continued into the house to find Stefan. "Stefan? Stefan?"

"Yes." He couldn't help but to long for Elena. He knew she was here about Vicky but all he wanted to do was kiss her.

"Where is Vicki?"

"She's upstairs."

"What happens now? Because my brother is out there searching for her with the rest of the town. What do I tell him?" Elena felt frantic.

"I'm working with her, but it's gonna take time. She's a very volatile and impulsive personality. She's a drug user. I mean, all that's gonna play a part in how she responds to this."

"So, she's a vampire with issues? What am I supposed to do? Because I'm lying to everyone that I care about. What's gonna happen to her?"

"I'm gonna keep her here with me until I know that she's safe."

"How long is that?" Stefan and Elena looked towards the direction of Vicky's voice.

"We can talk about that later." "Hey, Vicki, How are you?" Elena tentatively asked the newbie vampire.

"How am I? You're kidding, right?" Stefan could see the irritation and anger all over Vicky's face. It was going to be a long day. The idea of ripping Damon's heart out was considerably more appealing.

"Carly Gilbert! As I live and breathe!" Carly was warmed by Sheila Bennet's smile.

She pulled the eldest Gilbert into a tight hug. Carly affectionately hugged her back. "It's so good to see you Sheila." Carly felt the tears building. Sheila felt the young girl's body shake.

"Oh child why are you crying? Come in, I'll make some coffee and we'll catch up." She hustled Carly into the house as she wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm just really overwhelmed I guess." Carly sat down on the couch.

"Now don't apologize. I'll be right out with that coffee." Carly looked around the room in the only place she ever felt like she belonged when she lived in Mystic Falls. Sheila understood her. Nurtured her and her talent. If it wasn't for the Bennet Witch Carly would still be ashamed about what she was. She never understood how she was the only one in her family to have magic until recently.

Sheila walked back into the room and yanked Carly from her thoughts. "I wanted to thank you for giving me the name of your friend that was in the City. She trained me well." Sheila had an older Witch friend that she knew would bring Carly to her potential. The girl had a great deal of power. Stella did as well. She knew she would help Carly get her emotions and magic under control. Grayson sending his eldest daughter away had broken her spirit. From what Sheila could tell, Stella had put her back together.

"So what are your plans now that you're back here?" Carly sighed.

"I'm going to teach some dance classes to start and then once the Spring Semester rolls around I'm going to resume classes at Whitmore. I decided to go for English and Communications as a major instead of continuing Dance. I wanted something tangible. I'll have the option to teach, go into Journalism or write. I hadn't told my parents yet. They were gone before I could. I know my mom would be disappointed but I couldn't do the competition anymore. I stopped loving Dance. I didn't want to lose my love for it. I think my father wouldn't of cared as long as I wasn't in Mystic Falls." The bitterness was still there. It was palpable.

"Darling he just didn't understand. He loved you. But often times we fear what our mind cannot accept." Carly didn't say anymore regarding her father so Sheila let the subject drop.

"How is Bonnie?" Carly was so fond of her. She had never cared for Caroline much but she adored Bonnie. She often wondered if it was the Witch connection. But Bonnie was strong, loyal, selfless and brave. Carly loved her like a sister.

"She's well. Finally accepting that she is a Witch. I've started working with her. I'm sure she'd love some help from you too." Carly smiled.

"I would love that too."

After she left Sheila, Carly decided to stop at the Grill to get something to eat and try to find some freelance writing gigs. She took a seat in a booth. After she ordered she pulled her laptop out. Damon was at the bar sipping on a bourbon. The light haired green eyed beauty peaked his interest. He stood and headed over to her table. The curl of he hair reminded him of Katherine. She was simply dressed in a pair of skinny jeans. Black knee high boots and a black off the shoulder shirt. Her body was fuller than Katherine's and her skin tone was much lighter. But her presence, her attitude reminded him of his Katherine.

"You know. They say people bring laptops and books when eating alone because they aren't comfortable with themselves." Carly looked up and was greeted with a pair of chilling blue eyes.

"Or- women do this so douche bag locals get the hint and don't bother them. Damon smirked and sat down. He was bored. She could be the distraction he needed until he could go that damn tomb open. She clearly would provide him some entertainment. "Obviously it went right over your head."

"Trust me- if I'm hitting on you, you'll know it. And you definitely won't be able to resist."

"I see you get by on your looks because you have absolutely zero charm. But to be clear, I'm not interested." She returned her attention to her laptop.

"Well 'Not Interested' I'm Damon Salvatore" Carly's head snapped up. Stella had told her about the ruthless vampire. He was as treacherous as he was good looking. She tried to stay calm trying to figure out how to play this."

"I'm Carly." He studied her face. Her full lips, light green eyes and dark lashes were intoxicatingly beautiful. Her heart was beating faster. If it was possible she was more guarded than before. He was about to say more but her food arrived.

"I'll leave you alone to eat. But I'm sure I'll see you again Doll." He gave her his signature smirk and headed towards Carol Lockwood's table.

Carly looked up at the waitress. "Actually can you wrap this up for me? I just realized I need to be home." The waitress nodded. Carly threw some money on the table and packed her things and left as soon as the waitress came back. Her quick exit wasn't unnoticed by the devious vampire.

Carly ransacked the suitcase with books, grimoires and articles she brought with her. She knew she had something in here on Damon Salvatore. "Carly?" She spun around and was face to face with her younger brother. She forgot what she was doing and ran to embrace him. Jeremy smiled and wrapped his sister in a hug. She squeezed him tightly. "I'm so glad you're back for good."

"Me too Jer." She never could forgive her father for separating her from her siblings- especially Jeremy. She loved both her siblings with equal measure but she and her brother had a deeper connection. Carly pulled away and sat down on her bed as Jeremy took a seat at her desk. "Jeremy- we need to have a serious conversation".

"I know Carls. I promise I'm trying to be better. I hope this isn't your only reason for being home."

"Of course not. We need to stick together. But I won't lie and say it wasn't a huge factor. But I'm here for you. No matter what."

"I know. My girlfriend Vicky is coming down from a huge bender. It opened my eyes."

"I heard about you and Vicky Donovan. I'm sure Elena just looooves that." Carly rolled her eyes. While she loved Elena, she tended to be judgmental and self-righteous"

"Elena thinks it's her job to mother me now" Carly could see his irritation.

"Jer- Elena carries a lot of guilt. She feels like if she hadn't left that party early they would be alive. She's trying to protect you. I mean, Vicky wouldn't be my first choice for you but as long as you're happy and she's good to you, I'm behind you. And you know I have no problem putting Elena in her place." Jeremy smiled at his eldest sister again.

"One of the many reasons I'm so happy to have you home."

Carly was sitting on the couch an hour later thinking about the haunting blue eyes she came into contact earlier. As hard as she tried she couldn't remember more about the Salvatore family. She was waiting for Elena to get home. She had found the journal she was looking for, she just didn't want to be interrupted. She looked up when she heard the door open and Elena walk in. "And where have you been young lady?" She had a huge grin on her face.

"Carly." Elena smiled back and her eyes briefly filled with tears. Carly ran to her and hugged her.

"No crying. I'm home, this is a good thing." She pulled away to look at Elena's face. She wiped away the few tears she saw. "No more sadness. No more grieving. We need to heal and move on." Elena nodded and hugged her sister again. They both heard Jeremy on the phone.

"You gotta call me, Vic. I don't get it. What's going on with you? Just...just call me please." Elena looked at Jeremy with concern. Carly stood back to watch her siblings.

"Hey. So, um, do you wanna hang out tonight? We could go to the, uh, Halloween thing at school. Could be fun! "

"Cool. Sure. Sounds uh...sounds fun. Can't wait." Carly held back a laugh at his response. Poor Elena was trying.

"I know you're upset about Vicki. I heard she called Matt. But you can't be with her. She needs to get better. The best thing you can do for her is let her go." Carly looked up at the ceiling. This wasn't going to go well.

"What does that even mean, "let her go"? Oh, okay, sure. Since we're such experts on letting people go, right?"

"Jer-" Carly started but Elena interrupted.

"I know you may not see it, but trust me Jer. It's for the best."

"Look, for months after mom and dad died, I felt like crap, like "nothing really even mattered" crap. Now all of a sudden, I get these moments and things started to feel just a little bit better, and Vicki was in every single of 'em. So you may not see it, but trust me. Keeping me away from her is not for the best." Jeremy walked away curiously texting in his phone.

"Carly- talk some sense into him. He listens to you."

"Elena, I'm sorry but no. I get it. Vicky isn't a model citizen and I'm not totally crazy about her and Jeremy. But- for one thing, the more you go at him the more you push him towards her. And most importantly he made a connection with her. He has been in such a dark place. He's focused on more than just loosing his parents now. You have to back off" Elena sighed. She wanted to tell Carly everything but she remembered Stefan's warning about how knowing put you in danger.

"Will you come with us?" Carly snorted.

"Hell no. I have zero desire to be back at that school and I'm still tired from traveling. But- when you get home I want to hear more about this boy."

"I'm pretty sure that things with Stefan are done."

"Well, then we'll trash talk him." Carly squeezed Elena's arm and headed into the kitchen.

A little while later, Carly was home alone and going through Stella's information on the Salvatore family. Damon turned in 1864. He was shot while trying to save Katherine Pierce, another vampire. She was put into a church with other vampires and burn. Damon and his brother both died that day and turned. They were both in love with the girl. The color drained from Carly's face when she turned the page and there was the name of Damon's brother- Stefan. She pulled her phone out to text Elena to come home when she first heard Jeremy crying. She then hears Elena telling him Vicky was going to kill her. Her heart broke for Jeremy. Vicky was dead. Vicky was dead? Carly felt the anger building inside of her. She looked out the window and saw a young guy. It was Stefan Salvatore. Carly almost flew down the stairs and out the door. She stopped when she saw him. Before he opened his mouth to speak he was screaming in pain. He didn't know what was happening to him. He couldn't think straight. Damon was approaching the Gilbert house when he heard Stefan screaming in pain. He vamped to him but fell to his knees screaming in pain as well. Before him was the girl from the grill arm extended towards him. She was a witch.

"CARLY! Carly stop! Please!" Elena was crying out to her sister.

"Elena go inside! You have no idea what they are.

They're-" "Vampires." Carly stared at her sister in disbelief.

"You know?! And you still invited them into your life? Info Jeremy's?"

"Please. Please just stop." Carly dropped her hands. Damon rushed at her but she stopped him

"Come near me and I will rip your heart out and feed it to your brother." She was seething. She dropped her hands and stared Damon down.

"Carly- Stefan is good. He doesn't hurt people." Elena tried to explain all while her mind was reeling at what her sister clearly was.

"I feel a Village in Monterey would disagree."

"How did you?" Carly's glare stopped Damon from continuing.

"Know? You would be shocked at what I know." She looked at Stefan. She swore she saw guilt in his eyes.

"It was a lifetime ago. I'm not that person anymore." Carly didn't respond.

"What happened tonight?" Damon looked around as the wind picked up. He stared at the Witch in front of him. She was powerful. She could help him get Katherine back. Especially if it meant he would leave. It would be motivation for her to help him.

"Elena- you can't compel him!" He heard Carly say. The two sisters argued. He watched as Carly stomped inside slamming the door. He sighed.

"I can do it..." he said.

Carly sat on her bed door locked. Hands shaking. She heard Jeremy's door open and Damon's muffled voice. Shortly after his door closed. It was wrong to compel him. Jeremy didn't deserve it. A little while later she heard a knock at her door. "Carly- we need to talk." Elena's voice rang through the dark.

"Tomorrow Elena. I- I just can't right now"

"Ok." Elena paused. "Carly- I love you. No matter what." Carly's heart swelled. Elena was not her father's daughter.

"Me too." She responded. She heard Elena's door shut. She rolled over on her side. She felt a few tears fall. She shouldn't have come back to Mystic Falls.

Sorry it took so long to post this! I hopefully will have the next chapter up sooner!