Blood's Thicker Than Water

by citigirl13

When Tari's mother dies, she has to live with her father - Damon Salvatore. How will the two of them cope, considering she is exactly like him? Was her mother's death really an accident? And why does it feel Damon is keeping a secret?

12. Body Count

OMG! Even I'm surprised at how much I've written in this chapter! It was like I couldn't stop. I knew this chapter was going to be a long one even before I began writing. Originally it was going to be even longer, but some parts weren't really necessary so I cut them out.

I hope you like this chapter. It took me a while to write this, but I really enjoyed it, so hopefully you'll enjoy reading it too.

DISCLAIMER: I do own Vampire Diaries or One Tree Hill, or any of their characters. I only own Tari, Allen, Liam, Rebecca and Caleb

xXx

Chapter Eleven

Body Count

He had been attacked at the neck, left side. Once the vampire had satisfied his craving, he had attempted to tear the body up. Something must have spooked him though, because he hadn't completed the job – that or he'd just been lazy. Or she – Damon supposed it could have been a she.

"When was he found?" Damon asked. He was surrounded underneath the beech trees, just a little distance away from the graveyard.

"About midday," Liz answered. They had cornered off the area, but thankfully not a lot of people had come to the cemetery today. "The caretaker found him."

"Did he see anything?"

"You'd have to see a psychic for that; before the police arrived he had a heart attack and died before he got the hospital."

"He worked in a cemetery, didn't he?" Damon's voice was slightly sceptical.

Liz rolled her eyes. "A cemetery, not a morgue."

"Actually this is a good thing," Damon mused. "This man was clearly homeless. If we can make sure no one else knows, why do we need to let the public in on this animal attack? Who would miss him?"

"That is possibly the most heartless thing you've said. And I've been your friend for a long time."

"I am you-know-what," Damon said, lowering his voice slightly. "And now I'm heartless?"

It had taken a while for Liz to get used to Damon being a vampire. But Caroline had helped ease the transition. Slowly Liz had started getting used to them. She was pleased to find that Caroline was the same person that she had been before – better in fact. She was confident, more assured of herself; no longer did she have hysterical panics about being the best in other people's eyes. Liz also found that Damon could still be the same person, if a little dark at times. For some reason their friendship worked, though neither of them could really define it.

"Fine, I won't release a statement," Liz said. She didn't like talking about Damon being a vampire, not in front of other officers who could possibly hear them. Sometimes she felt a little guilty about knowing. Thankfully there hadn't been any vampire attacks in a long time – this was the first one in about fifteen years, since Tari had been born. "But if it comes out it's on your head." She turned her head to him, her light eyes deep in thought. "Do you think we have a problem?"

Damon pursed his lips. He looked at the body of the old man. It had been a while since he'd seen a body torn up like this – he only used blood bags now. That person who had torn those bodies like that – it was like another man from another life. He couldn't imagine doing it now. For God's sake, he had Tari – what would she think of him?

"I don't know," he finally answered. "Maybe he's just a vampire passing through? We should probably see if there's another attack before panicking."

"I'll keep an eye out," said Liz. The two of them had turned away, beginning to walk back to their cars. "I'll alert to deputies. Make sure they're drinking vervain. By the way, are you coming to the Thanksgiving Public Dinner?"

Damon pulled a face. The Thanksgiving Public Dinner was always the day before a Thanksgiving, though many of the people didn't have a full dinner the next day. The meal was so filling no one could really face another one the next day. People paid for tickets, and the money went to feed the homeless. It was usually very popular, though Damon always dreaded it. The Salvatore family had to attend though, since they were a founding family. They tried to keep it as short as possible.

"I know," Liz said, a smile on her face. "Hell, do you think I would be going if I didn't have to?" Her eyes lit up a little out of curiosity. "You can bring your daughter."

Damon groaned. "You heard about her?"

"Damon, the whole town's been buzzing about her."

"They have?"

"Carol Lockwood is personally affronted that she hasn't been introduced to her yet."

"Joy," Damon snorted.

"Do you want to explain this?"

Damon shook his head. "It's a long story."

"She's not adopted is she?"

"No, she's actually mine. She lived with her mother before she died." Damon's tone was clipped, not wanting any questions.

Liz shook her head. "Good luck," she told him, grinning. "You remember what it was like between me and Caroline. I can't count the number of fights and harsh conversations we had. It's probably a good thing that she lives in LA."

"I don't know." Damon smiled a little softly. "It's funny, but every now and then I miss her."

At that Liz smiled. "Me too."

xXx

Despite his cool attitude towards the attack, Damon didn't like it. Or, to be more precise, he didn't like the fact Tari was walking around unprotected. His instincts were to immediately grab Tari and take her home – the only truly safe place for her. It was nearly the end of the school day though, so he simply decided to pick her up.

He called her, but at that exact moment she was in history class. Usually she could concentrate in this lesson, but today a new development had occurred. Or rather a new student.

Everyone had seen him – he was impossible not to miss. For the girls anyway: he was wearing a black leather jacket with a white top and blue jeans. He had dark brown hair which spiked at the top and clear blue eyes that were like a river.

"This is what I've found out about him," Sawyer hissed at her locker. "He was born in January; he moved from California but he's been all over really; his favourite colour is indigo; and he's seventeen."

Even Tari had to admit, she found him cute. "He's way too old though," she informed her friend. "Besides, I thought you were into..." She raised her eyebrows, not daring to mention his name.

"I have eyes," Sawyer reminded her. "And I am a girl."

"How's it going anyway?"

The blonde raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't want information?"

"I have to make sure you're being smart. Have you...?" Tari gestured in the air.

Sawyer smirked. "What, you can't say it?"

"Not here!" hissed Tari. "I thought you wanted to keep a low profile-" Suddenly she spotted Allen and Liam wandering down the hall went into evasive action. "He reminds me of someone, but I just can't think who?"

Sawyer quickly caught on. "Probably a film star."

Liam rolled his eyes, leaning against the lockers. "You're only crazy about him because he's new. Give it a few weeks and then no one will care."

"Jealous much?" Sawyer asked, smirking.

"I am not-"

"Leave it," Allen said quickly. He had known the Scotts long enough to know that if they started a fight it wouldn't end for at least another fifteen minutes – and with a class in between that, it would only manifest. "Let's just get to history."

Nonetheless the class had been buzzing about him. It didn't help that it was the last day before Thanksgiving break, and the last lesson. Alaric was trying to keep the children interested about Reconstruction, but you could have heard a pin drop.

Or a cell phone.

It echoed through the silent classroom, stirring the students awake. Tari instantly froze, silently thanking God that she hadn't used the The Matrix music for her father's ringtone. That would have been much worse. Thank God.

"Whose phone is that?" Alaric called out.

Tari winced. "Sorry sir," she muttered, lifting it out of her pocket. Damon's name flashed on the screen. Tari instantly flipped it open and closed it again before switching it off.

"You know the rules," Alaric said, holding his hand out. Reluctantly Tari gave him the phone, cursing Damon for his stupid timing. He couldn't have rung when school ended? Would she have to wait get her phone back after the holiday?

Sawyer sent her a sympathetic look, and Tari smiled gratefully back at her. She really couldn't concentrate now. At least Mr Saltzman was nice about it – Mr Von Trapp (ironically the French teacher) would have lectured her for half the class about it. With any luck he would take pity on her and give her it back at the end of the day.

"Now for your next essay you have to answer the question 'Was the process of Reconstruction successful?'. Now I'm giving you an extra week to write this essay, and because you also have Thanksgiving break to work on it I expect no late submissions. It's in-"

The phone rang again. Tari winced again and the class let out titters. "Didn't you turn it off Tari?"

"It comes on if someone rings," Tari said helplessly.

Alaric picked up the phone, glancing at it. He inwardly groaned when he saw Damon's name on the screen. "He's not going to stop calling is he?"

Mutely Tari shook her head.

Alaric answered the phone. "Damon this isn't really a good time."

Over the phone Damon frowned. "Sorry Alaric, I didn't mean to call you. But I do need to talk to you – I'll call you back in a minute."

"Wait Da-"

Before he could continue Damon had hung up. Tari pulled an apologetic face at Alaric. "Sorry Mr Saltzman," she apologised.

"It's okay – it isn't your fault that-"

The phone rang again, and the class laughed – this time louder. "I'll be back in a moment," Alaric announced, leaving the classroom. Even before the door closed he could hear the class talking.

"Damon," he said, "you really need to stop doing this."

"Why do you have my daughter's phone?" Damon said, his tone slightly demanding.

"Because it rang in the middle of the class," Alaric replied. "When a student's phone rings I have to take it off them."

"But this is important!" Alaric could almost see Damon pouting like a child. "I need to tell her that I'm picking her up today."

"I thought you let her walk home? Y'know, allowed her to have a bit of freedom?"

"That was before there was an 'animal attack' today."

He had to work at it, but Alaric managed to keep the gasp out of his voice. "A vampire attacked?" He hadn't realised how much he'd gotten used to not having to worry about vampires or werewolves. It had been what, fifteen or sixteen years since Klaus? He almost felt on vacation.

And yet, he'd always kept his stakes and vervain grenades, hadn't thought about getting rid of them for a second, just in case.

"Looks like it," answered Damon grimly. "Keep an eye out. I'm hoping that's it's just a one off."

"In Mystic Falls?" Alaric snorted. "Good luck with that."

"Now do you understand why I'm being a little possessive?"

"Alright, I admit it – I would be a little worried too."

"Oh, and give her back her phone," Damon said, this time demanding. "I need to be able to contact her wherever she is, especially with this vampire that could be lurking around."

"Fine." Alaric got up to go back into the classroom before pausing. "Oh, and are you going to the Thanksgiving Public Dinner tomorrow?"

"Don't remind me," Damon grumbled. "Apparently everyone has been dying to meet Tari."

Alaric frowned. "Who?"

"Carol Lockwood for one," Damon said, growling. "God I can just imagine it. She's going to kill me."

"Well I'd rather die than go to that thing."

"We're both going whether we like it or not."

"Well, I'd better get back in there," said Alaric. "See you tomorrow."

"Before you go, could you maybe let Tari out early?"

"Don't push your luck Salvatore. I've wasted about five or ten minutes talking to you – if anything I should be holding them back."

"Aww c'mon Alaric. Be the fun teacher and let them out early."

"Bye Damon."

"See ya."

Alaric switched off the phone and re-entered the classroom. They immediately quietened, staring at him. Alaric leant back against the desk, thinking. Oh what the hell, he thought. "Since you lot were paying such constant attention to my lecture, I guess I can let go." The students let out cheers and laughs. "Remember what I said about your essays!" he called out. "And have a great holiday!"

He paused for a moment as the students gathered their things. "Tari, can I see you for a moment?"

She waited. Liam gave her a quick wink before he left, Allen and Sawyer sending her sympathetic smiles. Tari leant back against her desk, watching until the door was closed.

As soon as it was shut, Tari said quickly, "I'm sorry Mr Saltzman."

He held up his hand. "It's okay Tari. You couldn't help someone calling you." He handed Tari the cell phone. The girl smiled gratefully.

"Thanks Mr Saltzman."

"Don't mention it." He watched her as she packed her bag away. "So how you doing?"

"Okay," she answered. She glanced at Alaric and saw his sympathetic eyes. She whirled round, hands on her hips. "Does everyone know my business?"

"This is a small town; of course everyone does."

Tari sighed, leaning back against the desk. "It's just such a change. In New York no one cared about your business – everyone was going too fast to care."

"Well in Mystic Falls, that's all everyone cares about."

"I'm starting to learn that."

"Want some advice?"

Tari tilted her head. "You can give it to me; I may not take it."

Alaric smiled, biting his lip to stop himself from laughing. She sounds so much like Damon. Jesus, they'll be two of them. He stood up straighter, walk behind his desk. "Do what you want. Let people think what they want to think. If you always base your happiness on their opinions then you'll never be happy."

Tari grinned, hoisting her bag on her shoulder. "I'm starting learn that too. Thanks Mr Saltzman."

xXx

"Wait a minute!" Sawyer gripped Tari's arm, cutting off circulation. "That's your dad? Wow. He's-"

"Sawyer," Tari said, turning her to face her. "On no level is it okay for you to say that."

Sawyer focussed on him: sitting at the front of the school, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "Just so you know, he's hot." Tari rolled her eyes; there was no point telling Sawyer to do anything.

"Jeez S," said Liam. "You have a thing for older guys?"

It was so close to the truth that Sawyer blushed slightly, and Tari quickly began to speak to cover it. "So I'll see you guys tomorrow then?"

"Like I'd miss it," Sawyer said sarcastically. "It's the height of the social season."

"Which is Sawyer speak for of course," answered Allen, grinning. "See you tomorrow."

Tari walked away, waving as she headed towards Damon. The vampire smirked as she opened the car door. "How was your day?"

She sent him a look. "You're so embarrassing, you know that?"

Damon pulled away from the front of the school. "I aim to please."

"And you couldn't have waited until after class was over?"

"Nope," Damon answered, eyes on the road.

Tari watched him. "Something's going on, isn't it?" she asked softly. She'd begun to notice when something was wrong, just based on Damon's reactions. Yes, he was usually protective – but when he thought Tari could be in immediate danger he became practically possessive.

He sighed. "A body was found today. It was mauled, and it looked like it had been an animal attack."

Tari's blue eyes rounded. "Is it-? Are you saying it's a vampire?"

"We think so."

"We?"

"Me, Liz, her deputies. You can tell – there are certain signs that show it's a vampire attack, such as the size of the bite." He saw Tari wince out the corner of his eye, reminding himself that this was all fairly new to her. Somehow it felt as if she'd been with him for a lot longer than that, but at the same time it all felt new to him. It didn't get easier, parenting. He'd assumed once Tari settled in she would be easier to cope with. But every day there was some challenge he had to rise to.

The problem was Tari was stubborn. He couldn't really tell who she got it from, because Rebecca had been as stubborn as hell too. It was probably a good thing that they had never actually lived together for longer than a week – he could just picture the fights they would have had.

"Hey!" Tari's voice woke him up from his thoughts in time to see he was about to run a red light. He pressed on the brakes sharply, causing them both to leap forward in their seats.

Tari gripped the side of the car door. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Are you trying to kill me?"

"I'm a perfectly good driver," I answer. "I'm very experienced. Now, I want my ice cream."

Rebecca rolls her eyes, but nonetheless moves the ice cream in my reach. I stick my tongue out and lick the chocolate sauce. "Whose stupid idea was it to drive while eating ice cream?"

"Yours."

"Did I say stupid? I meant brilliant."

"So full of yourself."

"Like you're not?"

To get me back for that, she shoves the ice cream in my nose. I snort, laughing as I shove it out the way. "You asked for it!" I sharply turn the car further near the edge of the road, her side. She squeals and laughs, clutching the seat.

It's been a week since we've been "hanging out". It's been a good week, maybe even a great one. Somehow Rebecca makes me forget about Elena and Stefan, makes me forget about not being human and my past of being a bloodthirsty killer. When we're together it's just us, and the feeling is so amazing that sometimes I panic that this is a dream, and I'll wake up and none of it has happened yet, I have the rest of it to go through.

But it's not a dream, thank God. What I have with Rebecca – whatever it is – is real. At least I know that for certain. It's not as if I've compelled her to be here; she's with me of her own free will. Someone actually wants to be with me. If I'm honest, I haven't known what that feels like in a long time – to be chosen by someone.

The days of this week have been so long. Like today: we met up for an early lunch and had a walk around, watched a film, and then decided to get dinner and walked around a little more, then decided to get dessert. Amazing: I spent almost all day with her and didn't get sick of her.

"So..." My tone is wheedling, and almost instantly she narrows her eyes at me. "You're coming tomorrow, right?"

"To the engagement party of the girl that you love? No thanks."

"I don't love her," I say. I say it with such certainty that I almost believe it. Maybe it is true. Maybe I'm no longer in love with Elena any more. This week I've barely thought about Elena, let alone seen her. Strange though – I haven't wanted to. Why would I when I have so much pain when I look at her?

Rebecca glances at me questioningly. "Really?" She says it as if she doesn't believe it.

"Yeah."

"Forgive me if I don't believe it."

"Well why don't you come and find out?" I challenge. "Or are you just too scared?"

"I'm not a fan of commitment."

"This isn't commitment – this is party. And I would really like it if you could be there."

"But I don't know them."

"You're with me. It doesn't matter."

"I'm with you and that suddenly makes me invincible?"

"Completely." I wink at her. She doesn't know how much that's true; I'm already beginning to feel slightly protective of her. She almost reminds me a little of myself: the way she doesn't trust people. She doesn't ask anything of me, doesn't expect it of me. I understand that feeling – not asking because you don't think another person will help you. I'm not going to be one of those people for her.

"Well, how can I deny the chance to be invincible?" she says, grinning. I grin back, dancing triumphantly on the inside. Yes! I would have spent an entire day without her, but now she'll be with me – and so will that feeling that I have when I'm around her. Without thinking I take my eyes off the road and kiss her.

I haven't kissed anyone since Andi, and everyone knows that relationship didn't have any feeling in it. Look for a kiss that had feelings, and that had to be Katherine (bitch). It feels...strange. But good strange. Like I'm flying.

My eyes have closed, and when I open I see for a moment that her eyes are too. But then they fly open, and I'm a little surprised to see that she looks...terrified. I know the look of fear; I must have seen it in a million eyes before.

"Damon!" she suddenly screams. "The car!"

And that's when I remember that I'm driving. Oops.

xXx

Tari massaged her head, glowering at the chessboard. Biting her lip, she raised her blue eyes to Damon. He wasn't even concentrating on the game; his eyes were following the words of a book. How the hell is he beating me four nil?

Tari moved her castle forward three places. "You're move," she reminded Damon.

Her father glanced over, saw the move she made, and then moved the bishop. "Checkmate."

"What? How – oh." By moving her castle she had enabled him to checkmate her, and the only move she could make would be to move the king towards the bishop. Scowling, she muttered, "Chess is a stupid game."

Damon chuckled, slapping the book shut. "Chess is not stupid. It was used for people to plan strategies for war."

"All the strategies have been used," argued Tari.

"Maybe. But it's also used to determine what the best move is at the right time."

"You sound as if you've done this," she commented wryly.

Damon smirked. "More times than you can count," he said, moving back in his seat.

Shivers sprang up Tari's back, like jumping deer. She didn't believe that Damon had killed her mother anymore. In honesty she didn't think she ever really had. Yet there was something going on, she knew that. Sometimes she thought that she was crazy; other times she was certain there was some secret right under her nose.

If she was perfectly honest, she didn't know what she thought anymore.

Before she could question him, Stefan appeared. "Hey, give you a game," the youngest Salvatore offered.

"You're on," Damon said. "God knows I need some good competition."

"Cheers," said Tari, standing up.

"Just honest," Damon called as Tari walked away.

Elena entered the room, carrying a tray of brownish muffins. The colour didn't look quite right, not in Tari's mind. "Hey," she said. "I've just made these – want to try one?"

"Sorry," Tari said quickly, picking up speed. "I'm going to bed, and you know what they say – don't eat before you sleep." Face away from Elena, she grimaced at how cheesy that sounded. But hell, she didn't care, as long as she didn't have to eat anything that Elena made. The one and only time she had tried something that Elena had baked she had nearly thrown up after one bite.

Frowning, Elena turned to where the guys had been to find their chairs empty. With the whisky glass half empty and two chess pieces moved, it looked like a horror film; like they'd moved it a hurry.

"Oh c'mon guys! It can't be that bad!"

Listening from the top of the stairs, Damon and Stefan shared a knowing look. Oh yes it is.

xXx

I see him, someone I know but can't place. He lunges at me, and my heart feels as if it's about to give in. But I surprise myself with my own bravery and launch my hand into his chest. The movement is so intense and strong I fall backwards, and I'm falling through the air.

Falling, falling, falling...

Falling.

Before she hit the ground Tari had woken up. Instantly she had sat up in bed, her breathing rapid, like she had seen in films when characters had nightmares. She swore she could still feel the cold air against her skin, the fear running through her blood. Her arms had goosebumps on them.

She ran her hands through her long brown hair (which seriously needed cutting). I thought my nightmares had gone! Why had they come back? Why?

Yet this dream had been different. She didn't have this strange urge inside her, making her want to leave the house. No, this one was like another dream – except... It felt as if it meant something. After all, it hadn't been about her mother or vampires. There had been someone else in the dream, but now all Tari could see was a blurred expression. It could have been anyone or no one.

But it wasn't that: it was the falling. She had felt so helpless, so out of control. It hadn't felt good. Her stomach was still queasy.

It was utterly stupid, but Tari instantly wanted to go to Damon. She squished that thought in her mind. You're not a baby.

The floor creaked.

Damon had been in such a deep sleep that he didn't hear Tari come in. He felt his bed move and stirred, realising that Tari was in his bed, snuggling into his stomach. Surprise flittered across his face, but he was really too tired to act on it. Instead he wrapped an arm round her back, taking a deep breath. "What's up?"

"Nightmare," muttered Tari, her face in his stomach.

He couldn't help but recoil slightly at that notion. That's impossible, he thought. Bonnie made that dream catcher. That bitch, he thought suddenly, tightening his grip round Tari. She didn't fix it, she just fooled me, just like she did with that watch. Damn her!

He was going to get revenge. No one hurt his daughter and got away with it. He rolled on his side, pulling her closer to him. She buried her head into his shoulder, sighing, already falling asleep again. It was just a dream, she told herself, calm this time. Just a dream.

xXx

That being said, the first thing that she thought of when she woke up was the dream. Her stomach felt as if there was a hole inside it. She stretched out, realising for the first time that Damon had disappeared. She could hear the shower, and remembered that it was that stupid thanksgiving dinner today. She groaned, pulling the covers over her head. This town was insane with all the town events they had: so far she'd had to attend an Apple Bobbing festival, the Recycle 'n' Save event, the End of Summer Carnival and The Charity House Building session. So far Tari had managed to keep to herself, enduring them until she could escape. But at least Sawyer, Liam and Allen would be at this one, so she could escape with them.

Damon appeared in the bedroom. "Time to get up," he informed her.

"Would you believe me if I said I was sick?" asked Tari, not moving from her comfortable position.

"No," answered Damon, going to the bed. He pulled the covers off her feet, and with the stealth of a vampire, he grabbed her foot with one hand and began to tickle her. Tari squealed, trying in vain to pull her foot away and kicking Damon. Damon grabbed her other leg, securing it under his arm before going back to her other foot again.

"Stop it!" Tari cried, struggling to breathe while laughing. "Stop! Let go!"

"Make me," Damon said playfully. In response Tari sat up and wrapped her arms round his neck, trying to choke him. The vampire swiftly pushed himself down on the bed, trapping Tari under his body. Before they knew it they were wrestling like cats and dogs, Damon's strength clearly overpowering Tari's.

"Are you two done?" Stefan came through the door, causing Damon and Tari to pause, breathless and smiling. "Only I need that white shirt you stole."

"Borrowed."

"I don't recall lending you it."

"While you two have your girl fight, I'm going back to bed." Tari made a move to crawl under the covers again, but Damon kept tight hold of her.

"No way," he said. "You need to shower and get ready."

"My hair looks fine, right Stefan?"

Stefan pulled a face. "Mmm," he said.

Tari snapped her chin up to him. "'Mmm'?" she questioned.

"It could do with a cut."

"I can't help that it's too long!"

"And it needs tidying a bit."

"Have you looked in the mirror?" Tari shot back. "It's not as if your hair is runway material."

"Ladies please," Damon said, as Stefan patted his hair down. "This dinner is the third most important event of the year, and like it or not, we are a founding family and this event needs to go perfectly. Vampires haven't been around for a long time but people still remember them. The Council has been notified of the vampire attack, so the Fells, Forbes, Lockwoods etc will be on edge. Let's just be on our best behaviour, okay?"

"Good luck with that," Tari muttered, knowing both Salvatore brothers heard her.

"She's right," Stefan added once she was a safe distance away.

"Not this time," Damon answered, glowering at his brother. "We have a bad history of getting into problems in these events when the threat of vampires is around." He stood up. "Things are going to go smoothly."

Stefan leant forward, gripping his brother's shoulders. "Everything is going to be fine," he said. "Don't stress. You know the more you plan the more the plan goes wrong."

"Oh yeah?" Damon turned his head, shooting his brother a smirk. "How's this for planning? The food that we're taking for the dinner is the muffins that Elena made last night."

Stefan slowly smiled. "Okay, that is good."

"I'm just killing two birds with one stone: we bring food to the dinner and don't eat it ourselves, therefore causing us to have painful stomach cramps and/or throwing up." He smiled at himself in the mirror. "It's a win win."

xXx

"This is where the Lockwoods live?" Tari gazed at it in awe. It looked as if it was a state building, one that should have been put on display. It looked so pristine that Tari instantly felt scruffy. Damn it. This is why I should never have left New York – there are so many people no one cares if you look awful; you're not alone.

"I know," Elena said sympathetically. "Imagine having to walk up these steps asking if your friend could come out to play."

"Sounds daunting." She fell into step with Elena. "So are they high maintenance, the Lockwoods?"

"It's just Cara Lockwood – her son Tyler is in LA with our other friend Caroline." She glanced sideways at Tari as they climbed the steps. "Has Damon told you about them?"

"No," Tari said, looking at Elena in surprise. "Why?"

She shook her head. "Not here," she murmured, her voice low. "I'll explain it later."

Here we go, thought Tari. Another big secret that I don't know about. They're probably fairies that sprout wings in the moonlight.

"You ready for this?" Stefan asked. He paused them briefly; behind him Tari could see Damon embracing an older woman. Despite her hair dye job and thin body, her face was wrinkled and she looked at least fifty – a graceful fifty Tari would allow, but still fifty.

"No," she muttered. She was dressed in a new blue dress with black trimming at the bottom. She loved it, but she felt as if she was a princess – the spoilt kind. She'd had to comb her hair thoroughly, and look smart, look like the Perfect Daughter. She doubted she would be able to pull it off very well – for God's sake, she had driven in a car back to New York. Didn't Damon realise that she could pretend, but she couldn't change her DNA. After all, she was just like him.

She saw him peer at her out the corner of his eye, and knew he wanted her. Bracing herself inwardly, she moved forward, fixing a smile on her face.

"This is my daughter," he said once Tari had gotten closer. He placed his hand behind her back, securing her as if she would attempt to run. "Tari, this is Miss Carol Lockwood."

Before Tari could get in a hello, Carol had bent down (of course she had to, in those heels) and kissed her on both cheeks. Tari was a little surprised – in New York only people from high society kissed you on the cheeks, and Tari and her mother had never ever been in high society.

"Tari, it's so nice to meet you," she said, her eyes glittering. Tari pictured her as a fly, greedily gazing at her. What did she want from her? Gossip about her mother, who the famous bachelor Damon Salvatore had had a child with? She remembered what Alaric had said to her. He was right; gossip was like oxygen to these people.

She felt Damon pinch her slightly, and she realised that Carol had asked her a question. "Yes," she said, taking a shot. "Of course."

"Of course," Carol said, smiling. "Who wouldn't enjoy living with a man like Damon?" She grinned at Damon – no, beamed at him. Tari felt a fist twist in her stomach, suddenly hating this woman. She realised she was being possessive of Damon. The thought of him being with her... No, Damon would never be with someone like her – and yet the way they smiled at each other...

Tari suddenly realised why she was possessive: it was because he was casually flirting with another woman who wasn't her mother.

It was insane. After all, they had split up by the time she was born, and though they were friendly, they never had anything more than a quick kiss while saying goodbye. She had never been one of those children who had spent their birthday wishes praying their parents would get back together. For some reason it didn't seem possible: Tari and her mother lived their lives in New York, Damon had his life in Mystic Falls. She had never pictured them living any other way.

And yet... Sometimes Damon had smiled at her mother, and she would smile back, and for that brief moment Tari knew that she would never be able to get their attention. It was a smile that lit them both up from inside out, as if they shared some big secret. Was it love? The look between them was so rare and short that Tari never had time to analyse it. But it had always felt like something.

"Oh I don't know," Tari said. Her father glanced down at her and saw a cool smile placed on her face. He didn't like that smile – it reminded him of the smile Rebecca used to do before she unleashed words that had the ability to make grown men cry. "I could tell you some things about Damon."

"Really?" Carol asked, leaning closer. Those eyes of hers were sparkling with intrigued. "This I have to hear." Though she sounded like she was joking, there was a certain sense of curiosity, a desperate need to know what she was talking about. Tari supposed that if all you had were events like these than you would take more interest in the gossip.

Honestly, Tari didn't know what she was going to say. Something definitely would have entered her mind, something that could have possibly – okay, very likely – caused chaos if Elena hadn't swooped in at that moment. "Hi Mrs Lockwood!" she chirped brightly, her face beaming, and Tari could suddenly see her as a young innocent teenager – because that was what she was showing Carol.

Damon gripped her by the arm and hauled her away. "What was that?" he hissed, swinging her round to face her.

"I didn't say anything!" Tari protested.

"I saw that smile on your face," Damon argued. "And I've seen it before. I know what comes after that smile."

Tari lifted her chin squarely, facing him. "I didn't know what I was going to say."

"I'm sure you would figure out something," Damon said, his eyes rolling.

Tari rolled her in response. "Can I go now?" She made a move to leave, but Damon grabbed her and pulled her back.

"Hold on," he said. Tari saw that stern look in her father's eye, and knew what was coming. "Ground rules: don't leave the Lockwood property, and if you do I want to know exactly where you're going and how long you'll be; absolutely no drinking; and be careful what you eat, because I can bet some other family has unloaded some awful food for other people to eat."

"Got it," Tari replied. "Anything else?"

Damon lowered his voice. "Be careful what you say." His eyes flickered round him, as if vampire hunters were waiting in the wings. "You don't know whose listening."

Fear gripped Tari by the throat, as tight as a hand. It was only there for a moment, but Tari still didn't like the feeling that it left her with.

"It'll be fine," Damon said quickly, seeing the look in his eyes. This was why he didn't tell her about the threat; he didn't want her to feel scared whenever she stepped outside the front door. Yet what am I doing now if not scaring her? "I'm just being stupid, that's all."

"What else is new?" Tari asked, the corner of her mouth lifting up in a grin.

Damon laughed, feeling the tension drift away. "Get out of here," he said, giving her a shove. She grinned back at him before disappearing in the crowd.

He watched her go, surprised to feel the worry returning. He wished she was a baby again; he was able to protect her so easily back then. He could secure her safely in her crib, and even then if he didn't feel comfortable he could always watch over her through the night. He knew this wasn't just him; every father must feel this way, watching their daughter turn into a teenager and take their first steps out into the world themselves. It wasn't just vampires that scared him, or werewolves or witches; she could go outside and get knocked down by a car, stabbed by a mugger, burnt by a blaze of fire. People who don't have children, they can't understand it. When they're born, you expect to feel the love, warm and rushing like a ray of sunlight; but you're surprised by that feeling of protectiveness. In that moment you know that you would take a bullet for your child. No question.

xXx

Predictably Tari found Sawyer near the bar. The blonde was in an olive green dress, one that matched her eyes perfectly. "Boy am I glad to see you," Tari said.

The relief was obvious on her face. Sawyer blinked in surprise. "What's up?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"Oh nothing. This." Tari gestured round the room, to the huge crowd of people. She wished she, Sawyer, Liam and Allen could go somewhere just to themselves like they did in school when they ate lunch. These people, they were all so fake and preppy. She would rather be in their spot by the lagoon, or sitting at her desk in history, having Sawyer on one side and Liam and Allen on the other. They could be themselves there.

"Can I have a drink?"

"Sure." Sawyer passed Tari her drink and the girl tipped it down her throat. The fiery taste of alcohol burnt her throat, and Tari choked on it in surprise. "What is this?" she asked in a strangled voice.

"Vodka and coke," she answered. As usual her face betrayed no shame, but she did lower her voice. It wasn't smart to yell that out for the entire party to hear. After all, the Sheriff was here. "Look, I can get it so why not?"

"Because you're fifteen years old when the legal drinking age is twenty one."

"If the barman is in fact a man, it doesn't matter. Besides, alcoholic drinks cost more than the sodas you lot have."

"Are Liam and Allen drinking too?"

Sawyer rolled her emerald eyes. "Not those two. Allen won't dare, especially when his mother's around. And Liam doesn't drink."

"He doesn't?" This surprised her. She knew she shouldn't listen to stereotypes, but Liam was on the football team and a fun-loving, care-free teenager. Most of them usually drank buckets, even if they weren't juniors or seniors. It wasn't as common to find fifteen year olds drinking than eighteen year olds, but it still happened. At a social affair such as this, Tari wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the teenagers didn't have some alcohol hidden in their soda.

Sawyer shook her head. "Never."

"Why?"

"You'll have to ask him that."

Tari stared at her in surprise. "Is it a big secret?"

"No," Sawyer answered with a sigh. She turned her head to Tari, her expression serious. "It's just personal to him. If you ask him he'd probably tell you."

"My God," Tari murmured, leaning against the wall. "There's so much drama round here."

"The cities have concerts and celebrity parties; small towns have fairs and gossip." She shrugged. "We all have things to entertain us."

"You sound like a prophet."

"I would make a good one, right?" She grinned at her friend, but her eyes wandered past Tari. "Hey, that cute guy's here – don't look!"

Tari caught a glimpse of him anyway. It was the new kid, the one that was seventeen and wore a leather jacket – who was in fact still wearing it. "Poor guy," Tari murmured, turning back to Sawyer. "After this he'll be running back to California."

"No kidding," Sawyer said with a laugh. "Want to go outside? I think Al and Lee are there."

"Okay, let me just get a drink and I'll join you." Tari fought her way to the bar. By the amount of people surrounding it she knew that this party must be bad, even for Mystic Falls' standards. In fact she was certain that a lot of people would go through alcohol withdrawal symptoms if these events didn't happen.

Even when she got to the front of the bar, she couldn't get his attention. He was busy serving other people, and she figured she was too small to be noticed. She was starting to think that she wouldn't bother with the drink and just have some of Sawyer's (what were the chances that her father would smell it on her breath? He had super scent, didn't he?). She looked up hopefully when he came by, but instead he turned to the boy next to him.

"What can I get you?"

"A scotch on the rocks," he answered and, to Tari's surprise, he turned her, "and for you?"

She hadn't expected that, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse on the mouth. "A coke please – and thank you," she added to the guy next to her. The guy, as it turned out, that was new and came from California and was wearing that gorgeous leather jacket.

"Not a problem. You've been standing here for the past twenty minutes – I had to give you a break."

Tari took the drink and sipped it, enjoying the cool feeling against her throat. "I definitely needed that." She took a proper look at him: his blue eyes were as deep and dark as the ocean, and his hair had golden flecks in it. Wow, he's even cuter up close. She forced herself not to blush when she realised that she had thought that when he was staring right at her. "So...you're new?"

He gave a little chuckle at her attempt of conversation. "Yeah, I am. From California."

"Don't worry, I know what you're going through," she confided. "I came over from New York a little while ago. Well, this summer actually." Summer seemed like a long time ago. Had she really been here for three months? It felt like she'd stayed in Mystic Falls for at least six. Then again, she'd had a lot to take in: vampires, witches, the whole supernatural world etc.

"New York – God, love it there."

"Really?" Tari brightened considerably. She hadn't met many people that had been to New York. Damon openly hated the place, but it was Tari's home. Or had been.

"Yeah. I went there a year or two ago. I loved it," he said enthusiastically. "There's no other place like it. The people are – well," he stammered, remembering that she was from there.

"Insane." She laughed. "It's okay, you can say it. We're proud of our craziness, actually."

"You miss it?"

"Yeah." She didn't allow her mind to go there. Sometimes thinking about the things you love – like the smell of autumn in Central Park, or the sight of university students in cafes, leaning over their laptops and ordering a extra large coffee, how if both her mom and her were up at three in the morning – a rarity, but it happened – they would take advantage of it and order Chinese food. But she couldn't think about it. Homesickness hit as randomly as the summer flu, and now would be a really crap time to get it. "Do you miss California?"

He shrugged. "Not really. It was nice, but I've moved around an awful lot. At the end of the day, all the places are the same."

Tari wouldn't know if she agreed with that. Compare New York and Mystic Falls? "You thinking you're going to make Mystic Falls home?"

He pulled a face. "We'll see. I'll probably just move on."

"Why do you wander round so much?" She wondered if it was too personal a question, but what the hell?

"Army brat. Though I barely see my parents, they move up and down all the time. So basically I have our apartment all to myself."

"Lucky you," Tari said, envious. With Damon, Elena and Stefan, it was like she had three parents. At least with her Mom if she got something past her, she had succeeded. If she, by chance, got anything past Damon, she had to get it by Elena and Stefan too. Always three people to check to make sure she was home, to make sure she had finished all her homework, to make sure she was in bed. She loved them all, she did, but sometimes she felt a little suffocated.

She realised, abruptly, that she had been gone about half an hour. Surely Sawyer Liam and Allen would be wondering where she was? "I'm sorry," she apologised. "I've got to go. It was nice to meet you..." Stupid – you don't even know his name.

"Caleb," he corrected her. "And you are...?"

"Tari," she said.

"Tari," he repeated. The way he said her name, it sounded beautiful. At that moment her stomach dropped, as if she was on a rollercoaster. For a second it made her feel queasy.

She smiled uncertainly. "I'll see you later," she said, and turned away quickly.

Once Tari got outside she leant against the wall. For some reason she felt unsure, as if she had been walking down the stairs but missed a step. Caleb was...charming, in a way. Then again, he was seventeen – any boy of seventeen would seem charming to her, not to mention mature. And it sounded as if he'd been all over the place! She imagined what it would be like to see all those amazing places: Paris, Lake Garda, and she always wanted to see India...

"Hey." All of a sudden Allen appeared. "Where've you been?"

She breathed a sigh of relief. It was so good to see him – he was so uncomplicated, so easy to talk to. All of her friends calmed her, but Allen had the most soothing effect. She felt so peaceful when he was around, as if she was lying by the beach. "Getting a drink."

"That's where Lee and Sawyer have gone."

She smirked. "They're going to be at least another hour." She walked towards the rail of the porch, leaning against that. "What do you think of Caleb?"

"Who?"

"The new guy," she informed him.

Allen leant beside her. "I don't like him."

This made Tari stand straighter. "You don't?" Allen was usually agreeable with everyone. Though he wasn't firm friends with anyone beside their little group, it was clear that people liked him. "Why not?"

He looked away. "There's just something that doesn't quite add up. I don't know. Like a feeling."

Tari smirked, leaning closer to him. "You're not upset because you're worried how he'll affect your dating life," she teased, remembering why Liam had been so annoyed.

"I'm serious." Those brown eyes of his were darker than usually, and instantly Tari wiped the smile off her face. "Whenever I look at him I get a weird feeling... I don't know what it means, but it's not a good one."

"Maybe it's just a coincidence," Tari said. She didn't want to think anything bad about Caleb. He had been so nice to her, and his smile... Tari stopped herself before her imagination got the better of her.

"I guess," he said with a sigh. "Just be careful with him, okay?" He focussed his gaze on her. "I don't understand what's going on with him, but I don't like it."

xXx

"I wouldn't eat that." Damon slid into step beside Bonnie. The witch shot him a dark look and lifted the muffin to her mouth.

"Elena made it."

She quickly put it back down on her plate, and Damon couldn't hide the smirk on his face. "What do you want, Damon?"

"Oh I don't want anything from you." He picked a single grape of the fruit plate and popped it into his mouth. "Whenever you give me something it never works."

Bonnie narrowed her eyes at him. "If you want to say something to me Damon, spit it out."

"That dream catcher you gave me doesn't work," Damon snarled. "As you well know."

"The dream catcher stops any witches sending her nightmares to wake her up – what it was meant to do. How can it not work?"

"She had a nightmare last night," Damon hissed. He leant closer to her, whispering his words right in her ear. Bonnie stiffened at the proximity of their bodies. She didn't want to be in the same country of Damon, let alone have him right up against her. "You were supposed to stop them."

Oh how she longed to use her powers and shove him to the other side of the room! Instead she settled for pressing a hand against his chest and pushing him away. "I stopped other witches from putting nightmares in her head," she retorted. "Did you ever think that maybe it was an ordinary nightmare?"

That made him paused. He was so used to spotting plots – was he seeing schemes that weren't there? Maybe it was just a nightmare. After all, she didn't try to leave the house did she? She came to him.

She came to me.

"Alright," he said a little grudgingly; he didn't like admitting he was wrong, especially to the witch. "You may be right."

"Of course I am," she said smugly. "Now can you please leave me to enjoy my dinner?" She turned away only to see both Tari and Allen through the glass. She had not seen Tari before, but she instantly she knew. That was Damon's spawn.

Damon smirked, knowing what she was thinking. "Yes," he said, answering her unasked question. "It appears that your daughter and my son are friends."

It was Bonnie's worst nightmare. She loved her son more than anything else in the world, despite the fact his father was a bloody bastard. She knew that she had raised him right. To think that he had befriend Damon's daughter! It was her worst nightmare. If she was anything like her father, than Allen was not safe.

She made a move to go to Allen, but a hand on her arm pulled her back. She whirled her head round to glower at Damon. "I could take you down in a split second. You might want to take your hand off me."

"But you wouldn't. Not right here right now, and certainly not in front of your child." He pulled her closer to him. "And if you do anything to hurt my daughter, I swear, you will not live the rest of the day."

Bonnie had seen Damon be scary before – but never like this. He stated it perfectly calmly, as if he was having a normal conversation with her, but his eyes were flickering furiously, as if there was an inner fire inside of him, and the grip on her arm increased.

"You really think you could kill me?" she hissed.

"Maybe not," he said, shrugging. "But I could definitely kill your son."

Time froze; Damon felt it in the air. But he kept his eyes squarely on Bonnie, not wanting to take them off her.

"You wouldn't." If not for his vampire hearing, he wouldn't have caught her words.

"If you hurt my daughter? Of course I would." Assured that she wasn't going near Tari, he finally let go of her and put another grape in his mouth. "If you hurt my daughter, I'll hurt your son. Mutually assured destruction."

"I wasn't going to harm her!" Bonnie argued. "I just don't want my son hanging out with her."

If anything that made Damon even more furious. Okay, he was willing to put up with insults when she talked about him – after all, most of Bonnie's jabs were true. But not with Tari. What the hell had she done that was so bad? She was a good kid, and Damon hated the fact that Bonnie just assumed that she wasn't a good friend for her son.

He managed to keep calm though; after all, it would do no good for him to lose his temper, not in front of everyone. "That would hurt her feelings though, wouldn't it?"

He could tell Bonnie was struggling to compose herself. "You can't tell me how to raise my child!"

"You don't even know my daughter. They're doing nothing wrong." He couldn't help the smirk forming on his face. "C'mon Bonnie: a warlock and a vampire hybrid? Of course they were going to become friends."

xXx

"This party is terrible," Liam muttered.

"What did you expect?" Sawyer asked. "We come every year and it never changes." Sighing she turned her head to the house, a drink in her hand. "I wish my parents would just give money to a charity and let us stay home."

"What, and become outcasts?" Tari scoffed. "If you don't join in, you're not part of the town."

"There's a word for that, isn't there?" Liam mused. "Like blackmail."

"Like in the Amish society," Sawyer offered. "How you're shunned if you don't follow the rules? That's right, isn't it Al?"

Allen didn't answer. The other three instantly turned to him, but he didn't even notice. He was staring at the Lockwood house, a frown on his face.

"Allen," Sawyer insisted. She nudged him. "What's up with you?"

He didn't take his eyes off the house. "It's that new kid," he finally answered.

"Caleb," Tari added.

Sawyer's head snapped towards her. "Did you talk to him?"

"He bought me a drink."

"No way! That's – wow, that's a really good sign," she began enthusiastically. "He must like you. I mean, he's hot and he could have all the girls in the school-"

"He's a dick," Liam said bluntly. Sawyer shot him a look that expressed how unhelpful his comment was, but he continued. "What do you girls see in him? He's cute yeah, but do you know anything else about him?"

"He doesn't see much of his parents."

"He has his own place?"

"Down Sawyer. Alright, I'll admit he's got a sweet deal there, but still..."

"He's been all over the world," Tari said, though she wasn't sure whether that was true.

"He's cultured!"

"You don't know that," Liam argued. "For all you know he could be a racist terrorist."

"He's not!"

"And how do you know?"

"You guys aren't listening!" Allen snapped. Tari, Liam and Sawyer all jumped in surprised, looking to Allen, almost stunned. Allen never lost it. Liam and Sawyer had the infamous Scott temper which could flare up at any particular time, especially with each other, and Tari admitted she could lose it at times – but Allen was the serene one, the practical problem solver, the mediator. Tari couldn't remember the last time he'd snapped at any of them.

"Calm down," Liam said, looking at his friend a little warily.

"You don't get it," Allen pressed. He looked back to the house, his eyes searching the building. "Damn, I can't see him anymore."

"Allen, what is it?"

"Is this about you not liking him?" Tari questioned. She was already dreading the answer.

"You don't like him?" Liam ogled at Allen; Tari could see he was as bemused as she had been. "Why?"

"It's a feeling."

Sawyer rolled her eyes. "Don't be vague about it Al."

"Don't patronise me S. I mean it, there is something really wrong with him!" Allen twitched irritably; he looked as if he was going to punch at the next guy that looked at him funny. The other three all noticed then how serious this was.

"What do you mean?" Sawyer asked. "You say you have a feeling – tell us about it."

He bit his lip, not looking at any of them. "It's bad," he finally uttered.

"Bad in what way?" Liam asked, his voice quiet.

Allen took a deep breath, finally turning his head in their direction, but he was looking straight at Tari. "Dangerous."

There was a weighted pause.

Tari let out a nervous giggle. "C'mon Al. I mean, he's seventeen. How dangerous could he be?"

"I don't know Tari. I don't understand it and it's driving me up the wall." He pressed his fingers against his temple. "It's giving me a headache. All I know is that we should stay the hell away from him."

His tone was so stern that none of them could voice any protest. Tari remembered the feeling she had with him: she had thought he was amazing, a guy that she would be lucky to get, but at the same time he had left her uncertain. She hadn't liked that feeling.

Stop it! Allen's just making you paranoid.

Sawyer lightly touched his arm. "C'mon Allen, let's go inside and get you some water." The laughter that usually encompassed those green eyes had disappeared; now they were filled with worry. Tari knew this because she had seen that look in her eyes when Sawyer thought she would tell Liam about her and Mr Herman.

Once Sawyer and Allen were out of earshot, Liam turned to Tari. "What was that all about?" he hissed, his voice low.

She shook her head. "Beats me." She felt nervous suddenly, and she could tell by Liam's expression that Allen's words had affected him too. "Maybe he's not feeling well. Or he's jealous."

"Al? Jealous?" Liam snorted. "He's not the type. I always say that he was a Buddhist in a former life; he so peaceful, so in his own head he doesn't notice other people and what they think about him."

"Then why's he acting so...weird?"

"Maybe-" Liam was about to speak, but then pressed his lips together quickly.

Tari instantly pounced on him. "What? C'mon Lee, say it."

"Nothing. It's nothing Tari, really."

"But-"

"I was just going to say that maybe he's ill, but you already said it."

She blinked at him. "It's probably-"

Behind them they heard a rustling sound. It was loud enough to stop them both talking and instantly turn their heads. But the bushes behind them were still. Both teenagers listened, but all they could hear were people chatting further away.

Tari turned her head back to Liam, but at that moment heard a small sound – what sounded like a gasp. It didn't sound right though, like...like someone was struggling to breathe.

"What was that?" Liam whispered. He moved closer to Tari, ironically towards the noise.

Tari shook her head, almost too scared to speak.

The noise came again.

The two of them stood, froze by fear despite the fact they were surrounded by people in broad daylight.

"Oh for fuck sake!" snarled Liam. Before Tari could stop him, he began marching into the bush towards the noise.

"Liam no!" Tari wanted to yell after him, but she was too scared, so her voice became a whisper that she doubted Liam could hear. Not thinking, she raced after him.

"I'm sick of this!" He shoved a branch so violently he almost broke it off the tree. "This is so stupid! I mean I know there are – well, you know, weird things in this world, but we're not in a horror film! First Al acts all weird and now this! I'm not going to stand around acting scared! It's probably an injured animal-"

He stopped so hastily that Tari careened into him. He almost knocked her down, especially since she was in heels (which weren't doing well in the dirt). "Lee, for God's sake, what-"

And then she saw it.

The girl was lying on the ground, her arms splayed above her head. Her dress, a light pink, had flakes of mud over the fine material. Her blue eyes stared glassily at the sky, unblinking, unmoving.

Her neck was as red as poppies, covered in blood.