Chapter Seven - Homecoming

Um. Hi there. I haven't updated since August.
In my defence, we have had some SERIOUS computer troubles. But now we've got this dinky little laptop, so I'm taking full advantage of my being ill to try and get something written. As I put my other multi-chapter story on hold, I can now fully focus on this one...who knows, maybe we'll have hit 10 chapters by Christmas :)

Please review, and please forgive me for not updating sooner. Oh, and by the way...this story is as non-cannon as ever, so there's none of that (strangely good looking) wampire stuff going around.

Saskia (xsaskialouise) xxxx

~Rhia POV~

I pulled up in front of the house and killed the engine. I sat there, staring at the steering wheel. I was ready for this. I angled the rearview mirror towards me, and fluffed up my short black hair. My eyes gazed at me steadily through the mirror...eyes that were too tight, eyes that had been through too much. I blinked, and shook myself. I'm ready for this. I can do this. I exhaled and stepped from the car. I started walking up the steps that lead to the awning of the house, noticing how the weeds had crept up on the flower beds, and how the painted wood of the house was looking faded and cracked. I exhaled again, and raised my hand to knock on the door. Jenna's car was sticking out of the garage, so I knew that at least she would be home. I wondered idly what had happened in my absence. I suddenly remembered that Stefan and Elena were getting married. Crap! I hadn't missed the wedding had I...no. They'd set the date for some time next year. I hope.

The door swung open, and a young man stood there. His dark hair flopped into his eyes, and his muscular frame filled out his t-shirt perfectly. His face was tight, and there was a large, gaudy ring on his finger. He narrowed his eyes, trying to place why the small, dark haired girl in front of him was familiar.

"Hey, Jeremy." I said softly. Comprehension dawned on his face.

"Ree?" I grinned at the transparent happiness on his face. "Oh my God, you're back!" I nodded, and squealed in surprise as he picked me up and swung me around. His muscles felt as good as they looked. RHIANNON. YOU SHOULDN'T BE THINKING LIKE THAT ABOUT YOUR COUSIN! Oh well. It's true. I heard calls from in the house. "Don't worry Jenna, it's fine. Someone just came along to say hello..." Jeremy shouted back, smirking at me. I giggled as he spread his arm out, inviting me in. I'm glad that I'm still welcome. I stepped over the threshold, taking in the familiar hall in front of me. Shoes lined up against the wall, coats on the hooks next to the door, kitchen counter visible at the end of it...it's home. I dropped my shoulder bag and toed off my shoes, leaving them next to the frame of the door. I walked slowly through to the living room, smiling as I saw the top of Jenna's head, her face angled away from me towards the TV. I sneaked up behind her and rested my chin on the sofa next to her cheek.

"Miss me?" I asked quietly. She screamed and turned around.

"Oh my...Rhiannon!" She jumped out of her seat and ran round the back of the sofa to where I was standing, looking very smug for surprising her. She hit me running, locking her arms around my neck. "You're back!" She cried. I laughed, wrapping my arms around her warm waist.

"Yeah, I am Jenna, but not for long if you're gonna strangle me..." Jenna loosened her hold, but didn't let me go. "So what have I missed?"

...

Three hours later, I finished my fifth cup of tea. We'd spent the hours talking about everything...Jenna and Ric's engagement, Jeremy hooking up with Bonnie, Stefan and Elena still going strong. I was told all about how Caroline had abandoned Matt for Tyler, and I learned with shock that Jenna was...remarkably more informed than she was when I left her.

"It took a while for it to sink in...all those things that I thought were legends and myths...to find out that vampires and werewolves and witches exist...I kinda lost it for a few weeks. That was a bit of a rough patch between Ric and I. But we got through it, and well...we're getting married!" Jenna grinned hugely at me and I smiled back.

"So let me get this straight. John was being a dick, you asked him to leave, and Stefan vamped out on him? That must have scared you crapless!" I exclaimed.

"It did...I was hysterical. Elena didn't know what to do with me...so now I know. The Lockwoods are werewolves, the Bennets are witches and the Sheriff's daughter is a vampire, along with the Salvatores. Yeah, that was quite a wake up call." I laughed. Clearly, Jenna had adapted a lot better than she believed.

We'd avoided all talk of the older Salvatore brother, but I couldn't prolong it anymore.

"So how are the Salvatores? I take it Elena's with hers now?" I asked, trying to be subtle.

"Well, yeah. We hardly see Elena anymore, although her and Stefan are coming over tonight for dinner. Quite lucky you showed up when you did really, we don't need to disrupt any plans..." Jenna trailed off as she saw the hard look in my eyes. I tilted my head to the side, and she sighed. "Damon took off out of town about six months after you did. We've hardly heard from him since. I think him and Stefan have spoken a couple of times, but nothing for the past few months. He took it badly, Ree. I'd say he was like you were when he left you, but you didn't drown all your sorrows in alcohol. I think the idea of turning his emotions off hurt too much, so he just numbed them instead. But in the end, staying here proved too much for him to bear." I dropped my head, guiltily studying my chipped nails.

"Don't feel bad about it, Rhia. You did what was right for you." Jeremy leaned over and covered my hands with his. I smiled up at him hesitantly, still feeling awful. I mean, I knew he wouldn't take it well, but...and I knew he'd blew out of town because I'd seen him, hadn't I? Three months ago, when I'd rushed out on Amy and Sarah. I sighed, and stood up.

"Who wants another cup of tea then?" I asked brightly. Jenna groaned.

"Definitely not, five is my limit...besides, I need to go start cooking. Your room is exactly how you left it...I think Elena stayed in there a couple of times, but it's otherwise undisturbed." I pulled a face at Jenna.

"When you say Elena, do you mean Elena or Elena and Stefan? I will really not be pleased it I go in there and find evidence of dirty monkey sex or something." Jenna snorted. I rolled my eyes before turning to Jeremy. "Jeremy, I see you've been working out!" I exclaim.

"Um, I'm not sure if I should answer that." He evaded.

"That means yes. Will you be a wonderful cousin and help me bring my bags in?" I smiled sweetly and batted my eyelashes at him. His hand flies out and cuffs the side of my head, but he stands up and leads the way to the door. I followed, rubbing my ear. Ow.

...

"Thank you Jeremy!" I sing as he dumps my heavy suitcase and my big backpack outside the door. I was carrying my guitar and amp, along with my shoulder bag, and I dimpled at Jeremy.

"You'd better be staying, cos there is no way I'm carrying them back downstairs for you." He panted. I laughed, but replied seriously.

"Don't worry. I have no plans of leaving anytime soon." I said quietly. He smiled as he went back downstairs. I turned the handle on my door and pushed it open, avoiding looking around until I'd pulled all my bags through to the middle of the room. I straightened and surveyed the bedroom. Exactly how I'd left it, apart from there being no sleeping Damon sprawled across the bed. I flopped out across it, feeling something digging into my ribcage. I reached for the sharp thing and brought it in front of my vision.

EW! Condom wrapper alert!

"That it just too much information..." I murmured as I studied the foil out of curiosity. Ribbed, flavoured, with extra lu...okay, I'm just going to pretend I haven't a clue what all that means. I held it between my finger and thumb as I carried it over to the bin, before thoroughly shaking out the duvet. No more evidence of my cousin and her boyfriend, but I decided to change the bedsheets just to be on the safe side.

After an hour, my room looked lived in again. I'd put away all my clothes and was just arranging some photos on the windowsill – photos I'd taken during my travels up and down the country. I didn't want to forget them, especially not the people I met. Something crunched under my foot and I jumped away from the wall, clutching my stabbed toe.

"Owwwwwwww!" I wailed. It was like stepping on Lego! I added a few choice cuss words to my wails before pulling myself together to study the mess of glass and plastic on the floor. I crouched down, cautiously poking the scattered shards. The biggest piece of plastic with a small silver logo on it jumped out at me, and I had a vision of it being held by long pale fingers against dark hair. I connected the dots.

"Oh, Damon..." I whispered softly, looking at the remains of his phone. I gathered up the pieces and dropped them in the bin, all the time battling with my conscience. Small things like that made me feel more guiltier than anything else.

...

I took the stairs two at a time on my way back down, the smell of tomato and cheese luring me from my room. I bounded through to the kitchen to see Jenna struggling with a huge pan of boiling water and pasta. I took it from her and deftly drained it, seeing the vast amounts of penne sliding round the colander. "Jees, Jenna, how many are coming tonight? This looks like you're trying to feed the five thousand!" I put the pan down on the stove and covered it with a plate to keep it warm.

"Well, Ric, Bonnie, Elena, Stefan...then there's you, me and Jeremy...and you know me, I always cook too much!" She threw her hands in the air and I laughed at her. I heard the doorbell ring.

"Can I get it?" I asked. She nodded distractedly, flitting over to the fridge to retrieve a bowl of grated cheese. I danced along the hall and squinted through the peephole.

"Hello, Ric." I said as I opened the door, my voice heavy with implications.

"Rhiannon? When did you get back?" He asked, bewildered but happy. I stepped aside to allow him in.

"This afternoon, but that is not important." I said dismissively. He frowned. "You...are...marrying my aunt?" I finished quizzically. He laughed.

"Yes, I suppose I am. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to go greet my fiancée..." He sidestepped around me and walked back through to the kitchen. I grinned. Headlights swept across the hall and I turned to see Elena, Bonnie and Stefan climbing out of a car. I stood in the doorway, waiting for them to notice me. Elena turned. I smiled and waggled my fingers at her. She gave a small scream and ran at me, throwing herself over me. I staggered back into the wall, smirking. Bonnie joined in the scrum and we all ended up in a heap on the floor. There was a blur of greetings and hugs and kisses and questions that faded into each other, and I loved every minute.

...

We were all sat around the table, leaning back in our chairs. We'd all had seconds of the pasta Jenna had cooked, and Jeremy and Stefan were on thirds. I laughed at them wolfing down the food like someone was about to take it away from them, exchanging a look with Elena. She smiled, adoration clear on her face. I did stick out a bit here. Jenna and Ric, Elena and Stefan, Bonnie and Jeremy...they were all so in love! It would have been sickening if it wasn't so sweet. And it's not like it was awkward...all three couples had obvious practised restraining themselves, and the conversation flowed even easier than the wine. By the time we'd decamped to the living room, everyone was in high spirits. The TV was on, but Jenna was so drunk she was threatening getting out Band Hero. Everyone was protesting, but we all knew we'd be singing within the hour. The party was disturbed slightly when the doorbell rang. I hauled myself up, waving away their protests.

"Yes, I may be just as drunk as you are, but I've been drinking nearly none stop for a year, I'm way steadier on my feet than any of you!" They conceded, and I walked in an (almost) straight line across to the hall, and then the door. I didn't bother with the peephole, expecting one of the many pizza guys who seem to bring their orders here. I unlatched the door and pulled it open.

I inhaled sharply. I was not prepared for this, and I could see that he wasn't either. We looked at each other for a long moment, ignoring the calls inquiring who it was at the door. Neither of us spoke, too busy taking the other in to contemplate it. Finally, I looked away from his eyes for a moment.

"Hello Damon." I said in a small voice.

"Rhiannon." He acknowledged in a polite, but detached voice. He smiled tightly at me, before brushing past me and walking towards the hub of people. I leant against the wall, telling my heart that his obvious brush off meant nothing.

I was lying to myself.

I'm coming home, I'm coming home, did you take off while I was gone? I messed it up, I messed you up, I missed you...I'm coming home, I wanna know when all the leaves begin to fall, if I'm falling, falling apart for you.

Review?

Song credit - Homecoming by Hey Monday