Chapter 6:
Secrets

"What is Alaric doing here," Taylor questioned as the group pulled to a stop in front of the history teacher's car. The young girl raised a hand and ran it through her messy hair, attempting to flatten it down to resemble normalcy.

"We were gone an hour, tops, and brother has already called in the cavalry," Damon's sarcastic comment echoed in the car, earning a few rolls of their eyes. He pushed open the door, fully getting out before turning to help Taylor out, though she didn't need it. She grabbed his hand, happy that it was there to grab. An hour ago she thought he was dead – permanently, this time.

"Is that all, Katherine," the woman asked, hopping from the passenger seat to the driver's seat.

"For now, Lucy."

"Katherine," the woman – Lucy – almost whined, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. It was times like this that she wished she didn't know Katherine. Almost every situation she was brought into could only get worse.

"I will call on you when I need you," Katherine insisted. "Now go."

Without another word Lucy sped off in the direction she had just come from. Brave, Taylor thought, considering that Klaus was in that direction. Although, Lucy had managed to force him to his knees in pain, she could probably handle Klaus and his witch again. Just the thought forced a shiver through Taylor's body. Damon, noticing her movements, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, offering her a smile. She offered a smile.

In an awkward silence the three headed in, walking through the slightly opened door. Surprisingly, the first person they were greeted by was the history teacher.

"Alaric?"

"Taylor," he sighed, relieved to see the young girl. "I'm glad you're okay."

"It's not like I was in any danger, Ric. No need to be glad to see me," Damon commented, a smirk clear on his features.

Alaric rolled his eyes, choosing to ignore his statement. He called out to Stefan, who entered moments later with a relieved Elena. Spotting Taylor near the door she rushed forward, her arms circling around her sister.

"I thought you were in trouble!"

With her arms still wrapped around Elena, Taylor let out a soft laugh. "I was. A lot of trouble, actually."

Elena puled away. "How did you get away?"

"That would be me," Katherine finally spoke, raising her hand with a smirk similar to Damon's on her face.

"What is she doing here? I don't want her here!"

"Elena," Taylor admonished.

"No, I don't trust her, Taylor. I don't want her here."

Taylor raised her hand to pinch the bridge of her nose. She loved her sister, really, but she was starting to get on her last nerve. How many times did Katherine have to do something nice before everyone realized they could trust her – that they didn't have to hate her for the past?

"I would be dead, Elena, if she hadn't saved me."

"The good doesn't outweigh the bad. What was she even doing there, Taylor? Aren't you curious about that?"

Actually, she was, it just hadn't come to her realization with all the excitement. She turned to face Katherine. "Why were you there?"

"I was keeping an eye on you," she shrugged. "I knew it was dangerous with you running back to Klaus to save Damon."

"How do you know about Klaus," Stefan questioned.

"I'll tell you, if you let me help."

An immediate, "No," came from Damon. Elena followed it and, surprisingly, even Alaric piped in with his opinion. Taylor remained quiet, contemplating the situation.

"I'm not going to tell you if I'm not included," she argued. Clearly it would be in her best interest to be on their side, Taylor thought, as whoever Klaus was – was someone of great power. And she had a feeling there was something Katherine was hiding.

"You're not helping," Elena replied, upset.

"Then I'm sorry, Taylor," Katherine spoke, turning to her friend. She opened the door and said, "You'll need my help," before disappearing, the door slamming shut after her.

"Ric," Damon said, a contemplative look on his face. Taylor raised an eyebrow, knowing that something was going on that she didn't understand.

"Yeah?"

"Isobel, she did research."

"I know that," he answered, unsure of where the vampire was headed with his obvious statements.

"Maybe we could find some information on our furry little problem," he suggested.

Taylor, completely in the woods about what they were talking of, interrupted. "What are you guys talking about?"

It seemed to dawn on everyone in the room that the entire time they'd encountered a problem, Taylor had been locked away with Klaus. Stefan was the first to try and explain what had happened.

"While you where trapped with Klaus, we were attacked, along with the tomb vampires."

"And?"

"And I almost burned alive; Caroline got turned, by Katherine, of course, mayor Lockwood was burned by a device that should only have affected vampires. Oh, and some guy named Mason showed up," Damon added, making it seem simpler than it actually was.

Taylor's eyes widened and she was happy there was too much in what he had just said to pinpoint what she was surprised about.

"Mason," she questioned, hoping they would elaborate.

"He's not human," Stefan answered her.

"Oh? And this is a problem because?"

"We think he might be a werewolf."

"A werewolf," she asked, surprised. There was no doubt in her mind now that this Mason was the one she knew – the one that Katherine had introduced her to in Chicago. The very one she had grown close to, like a brother. Taylor knew about werewolves. Oh, they existed, and there weren't as large in numbers as the vampires, but there were quite a few of them. "This Mason guy?"

"Mason Lockwood," Elena elaborated.

If possible, Taylor's eyes widened even more. "Lockwood? As in Tyler Lockwood?"

Her sister nodded. "His uncle."

Now that was news to her. She hadn't known Mason's last name, let alone that he was Tyler Lockwood's uncle. Things just go a whole lot more complicated, she thought. The one thing that irritated her the most was her inability to connect the dots. What was Mason doing in Mystic Falls? Nothing seemed to make sense to her.

"And you want to see if Isobel," Taylor snarled at her name, earning a warning glance from Alaric. "Had anything on werewolves?"

"Yup," Damon replied, popping the 'p'.

"I'll pass," Taylor replied, earning curious glances from the others. She explained further. "I've been through enough with supernatural beings, I don't need anymore. Besides, since I've been in town I haven't gone to see Tyler and his dad just passed away. I need to go and see him."

"Didn't know you and Lockwood were so close," Damon pressed, obviously jealous.

"Stop it Damon," she sighed, running a hand through her curls. "I'm not in the mood for that."

And he did just that – he dropped it – though it left him in a rather unpleasant mood.

"I'm staying behind too," Stefan added. "To help Caroline adjust."

The topic of Caroline clicked a few gears in Taylor's head and she disappeared, running upstairs to Damon's room where she had begun to keep a duffle bag of her things. Inside a jewelry case at the bottom of the bag laid a delicate ring, dating back centuries. After putting the case away, she rushed downstairs, handing the ring to Stefan.

"What is this?"

"It's a ring, Stefan," she smiled, before rolling her eyes. "It's an old ring I bought in an antique shop. It's one of the many that I have. I want you to give it to Caroline. It's a daylight ring."

"One of the many," Alaric questioned, curious.

"I found a witch and had him make me a whole jewelry case full of them; rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings. You can't be safe enough."

"And it works?"

"Yes, Stefan, it works. Tell Caroline I'll find her when I'm done with Tyler. I'll help her with whatever I can."

Stefan nodded his head and watched as the vampire, who amazed him, walked to the front door. She turned to face the group. "Let me know what you find. I'll be back in an hour or so." Without another word, she disappeared.

Elena spoke up as her sister disappeared, "What's wrong, Damon?"

Damon who had an unsure look plastered on his face, turned to face the others. "I feel like she's hiding something."

"That's just your inability to trust anyone," Elena replied.

The Lockwood manner seemed large and imposing as Taylor stood on the front porch, raising her hand to knock on the door. A few seconds after her knock rang through the lower portion of the house, the door opened, revealing Mrs. Lockwood, looking distraught.

"Elena?"

Taylor smiled. She didn't blame her for not recognizing her – she hadn't gone to visit her after all. "Actually, it's Taylor, Mrs. Lockwood. I'm sorry about your husband. He was a nice man." That was a lie. Taylor hadn't thought he was nice in any way, but that's not exactly the type of thing you tell a grieving wife.

"Taylor," she exclaimed, pausing before wrapping her arms around the girl. "Thank you. It was so unexpected."

Taylor nodded her head, still standing in the doorway. "I was wondering, Mrs. Lockwood, if Tyler was home?"

"I'm sorry, Taylor, he just let not too long ago. I can tell him to give you a call when I see him. Why don't you come in? Have something to drink?"

"Oh, no thank you," she declined, a smile on her face. "That's be great if you could tell Tyler to give me a call."

"I will," she insisted.

Taylor nodded her head and said her goodbye's before turning and walking off the porch, taking her phone out. She dialed Tyler's number, waiting for him to pick up. After the final ring, she heard the familiar sound of his voice.

"Hey Tyler, it's me: Taylor," she started, leaving a message on his voice-mail. "I've been back for a while, but I've been incredibly busy. I stopped by your house just now but you weren't home. Give me a call? I'll be free to hang whenever you are," her voice lowered, taking on a tone of sympathy, "I'm really sorry about your dad, Tyler. I'm here if you ever need anything."

Feeling that she had said enough, she pressed the 'end' button on her phone and shoved it in her pocket. She turned to leave when footsteps caught her attention.

"Taylor," a low voice questioned, unsure.

The vampire turned around; sure she knew who it was. A huge grin quickly spread across her features, matching those of the man who'd said her name. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around him, relieved in his presence. He wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a quick squeeze before they broke apart.

"I missed you," he said, smiling.

"I missed you, too," she replied, hitting his arm playfully. "What are you doing here, Mason?"

Hey guys!

I hope you liked this chapter! Taylor knows Mason! And they're pretty close. What do you think this will do to the story? Let me know in your reviews! They're what make me want to write more.