Chapter 20

I looked around at everyone enjoying a party in period clothes. Seriously they are remembering things again? I look at the particularly familiar couple. Stefan and of course Katherine.

"Everyone will you please join me in raising your glasses to my good friend George Lockwood. George, thank you for so bravely defending the south."

"My honor Mr. Salvatore. After all, someone had to do it."

"Can we have a word Miss Katherine?"

"Grab a glass, Henry. It's a celebration."

"Please, Miss Katherine." I follow the vampire her and her friend as they apart from the rest of the party.

"I looked into those attacks from the other night. It wasn't vampires."

"That's good news, Henry. That means we have nothing to worry about."

"I'm afraid you don't understand. Those folks were torn apart in ways I've never seen before."

"Then… it won't be long before the founders drop an investigation."

"We'll leave town immediately. I'll tell the others."

"Relax, Henry. This town is our home and the vampires are my family. I won't let anything happen to us."

"You're ok Sofia?"

"Bonnie do you mind if we finish our conversation another day. I wanted to talk to Stefan about something."

"Sure." The young witch says a little confuse as I walk out of her kitchen and into my bike.

"What is it about you that makes me still care?" I heard the tenderness in Stefan voice as I enter the boarding house and see Katherine kissing Stefan. Wait what? Suddenly I see her falling on the couch. Of course Stefan injected her with verbain.

"For a moment you had me fool."

"Sofia." Stefan says surprised to see me. "I didn't hear you coming."

"What can I say? I can be silent when I want." I tell him seen the girl who looked so much like my sister falling on the couch.

"What are you doing here?" He asks me as I gave him the look. "Ok fine, you had another flashback."

"Of course I did. Now shouldn't we put Katherine in the cell?"

"Now, where were we? That's right; you were going to tell me why you came back to Mystic Falls, weren't you?" Stefan asks after we made sure Katherine didn't let the chair as we comfortably lean or backs into the cell. This was going to be fun.

"You don't have to do this."

"Answer the question."

"I came back for you. Stefan." I look over at Stefan trying to show him I had a plan but not a nice one as I my eyes caught the verbain growing in the cell and we nod.

"You know Katheirne. We're gonna play by my rules now." I announce.

I take a little verbain and the small plantation and walk close to the vampire as I hold her neck and I could see she was scared and I try not to smile as I put the verbain on her cheek making her skin burn as she scream in pain as I get a knife from my jacket and pull into her neck.

"Answer the question."

"You're going to torture me?"

"I'll do whatever it takes to get you to tell us the truth." I say walking close to Stefan. I hated that he was seeing this side of me but I needed information and it was the only way of getting them.

"Later that night at the Founder's Ball…"

"I don't want to hear any more stories about the past."

"Yes you do, Stefan. That's exactly what you want to hear."

"She's all alone. Does this mean I can finally have you all to myself?" Good luck with that.

"Your father has outdone himself."

"Knowing father, he will want to throw a founder's party every year."

"I must admit, I'm rather surprised that you'd come looking for me."

"Because you are the rope in the Salvatore's brother's tug of war?"

"No, because I'm a vampire who could kill you in your sleep." Nice one. I sure could learn a few things from Katherine, to use on her actually.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Relax, George. I know you know my secret."

"This conversation is over."

"And I know your secret too and I know that you're extra strong, only not as strong."

"How do you know who I am?"

"You think that I would settle into a town without knowing my enemies?"

"What do you want?"

"What did he want?" Stefan asks getting a chair as I look at the clock. I promise Jenna I would be at the barbeque today. Or better yet, Damon's plan to get to Mason.

"You know Katherine, I don't have all day. So you can start speaking or I will get more verbain. I promise you this time I won't be so nice or better yet we can sit here as long as you want. And when you start to desiccate, there's a tomb with your name on it. isn't here Stefan?

"I've been doing all the talking, it's your turn. Do you pretend to be human when you're with Elena? Is that the appeal?"

"Actually, I don't pretend to be anything when I'm with her. That's the whole point. I get to just be myself."

"Does she know that you love me?"

"I don't."

"That's where you're wrong, Stefan. Don't you remember bringing me home that night? Your family had taken me in."

"I had a lovely time, Stefan."

"How long do you plan on staying in Mystic Falls?"

"As long as I'm wanted. Your father has been very kind to give me a shelter."

"How could he not? Losing your family in the fire, gratefully you made it to' Atlanta." Nice story. Did she actually burn a house or she didn't needed to?

"So, I gather I'm wanted?"

"Uh, very much so. I know… we've only known each other for a short while and I know I'm in competition for your affections but I've never met a woman quite like you. I look at you and I see an angel. I touch your skin and my entire body ignites. I kiss you and I know that I'm falling in love." He says as I see her kissing her. "I am in love with you." Damn Stefan, always the romantic one. See why don't I go for man like this?

"There's so much you don't know about me, Stefan." Listen to the girl Stefan.

"More to learn and love."

"I must say good night."

"I have upset you?"

"No, you haven't upset me, you've just surprised me. Until tomorrow." She says as I follow her into her bedroom where I see Damon kissing her against the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"I told you I would come."

"Well, I'm tired, you should go."

"Did my little brother's confession overwhelm you?" yes Damon it did. It was romantic and apparently was enough to make Katherine stunned.

"You shouldn't eavesdrop."

"Is my love not enough?"

"I told you, I'm tired. I wish to be alone tonight. Please, leave."

"Good night Katherine."

"Go ahead Stefan. Torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It'll never change the truth. I never compelled your love. It was real and so was mine." She tells him and I knew she meant at least part of what she was saying that she truly did loved Stefan but I also knew she was hiding something. I get my phone and I see the miss calls from Mason and Damon asking where I was as I looked at Stefan who left the cell as I followed him.

"I need to get to Jenna's."

"I know you promise your family you would be there."

"What about Katherine?"

"I will take care of her." Will he? After all she said today, even me it was affecting I am sure it is doing the same to me. "Sofia, what she said in there doesn't change anything. I don't love her."

"Be ok." I tell him with an encouraging smile.

"There are you. We already eat." Elena says I as enter the backdoor walking into the kitchen.

"Looks like I came in time for the cake."

"Aunt Jenna is getting tipsy."

"Will you stop plying her with alcohol?"

"I want her to like me. And Sofia finally graced us with her company. You know your boyfriend was getting worry."

"How is operation Lockwood?"

"He's my new BFF." He answers to me

"There you are. You have been losing all the fun."

"Sorry I am late Jenna."

"Thank you so much for inviting me." Damon says trying to act nice as I just roll my eyes.

"Did I have a choice?"

"I know what you must think about me."

"No, you don't. You've never dated you; I have dated many you's."

"I'm a work in progress."

"These are fancy." Damon says as I see Elena holding a knife

"Thanks. My mother's silver set." Jenna says as I saw the look on Damon's face, this is not going to end up well.

"You came." Mason says walking to me as I saw him putting his hands on my back. What was he doing?

"Of course I did. I was just a little late." I tell him as I saw him looking at Damon who was looking at us. What was this a dispute because I sure wasn't the price.

"Well, you came in time for the cake."

"Mason, why don't you start us off?" Damon says as I noticed the knife close to the cake.

"Sure." Taking it with his hands as we all looked at him. Mason 1. Damon 0.

"I apologize, I'm an animal." He says winking at me.

"So Mason, you and Jenna never dated?" Alaric asks trying to break the silence.

"She was always lost in Logan Fell land."

"My first mistake. Mason was a catch; he had girls lining up."

"Really? I always pegged you for a lone wolf."

"I'm sure I wasn't half the lady killer you were." He says to him as I try to hold my smile.

"How about a toast? To new friends" I add trying to control myself for laughing at this macho scene and because I needed alcohol to survive this day.

"What the hell are you doing Damon?" I ask once we were alone.

"Trying to get to know your new boyfriend."

"He is not my boyfriend and you know very what I meant." I tell him at the same time I hear step coming in our direction.

"Jenna just brought out "Guitar Hero"

"Well, I just happen to like "Guitar Hero". So you my friend, are barking up the wrong tree."

"Okay. Enough with the innuendos, you win, you're hilarious."

"Thank you."

"Come on, man. You don't think I know what this barbecue is about?" He says and I hold my lips together. Great, this day couldn't get any worst.

"How do you know about me? Your brother was completely clueless." He says as he looks at me with doubt. Was he seriously? Like I would say Mason I thing.

"It doesn't matter; I'm not your enemy, Damon."

"You tried to kill my brother."

"That was a mistake."

"Really?"

"There was confusion; I couldn't chain myself up in time. I have no control once I shift."

"What, no obedience school?"

"Damon be serious." I tell him trying to make some short of deal.

"Let's not spark some age old feud that doesn't apply to us."

"You expect me to believe that you are in Mystic Falls planting peach trees?"

"I lost my brother, my nephew lost his father. I'm here for my family. Let's be above this." He says offering Damon his hand as I looked at Mason. "I meant it Sofia." He says as I looked at Damon and nod seeing the two man shake hands.

"You believed in him?" He asked me as Mason left.

"Not 100 per cent." I tell him as I see him steeling a knife. "Damon."

"Do you want everyone save or not?"

"I don't more deaths." I warn him walking away.

"Wanna ride to the grill?" Mason asks me as I nod entering his car as he drove us.

"About Damon."

"Look I am not stupid there is obviously something between you two."

"There is nothing between Damon and I." I tell him as he looked at me not buying what I was saying.

"I saw the way he looked at us when we were in the kitchen, it was jealousy."

"I may have slept with Damon before. Just that."

"What about us?"

"Come on Mason. Let's be seriously. You knew about Damon and Stefan being vampires and you didn't tell me."

"And you also but didn't tell me." He says and we both knew there was nothing else to say about us anymore.

"Thank you for the ride." I tell him opening the car door.

"Damon?" I say as I see him approaching us.

"What? More dog jokes?"

"Nah, those got old" He says stabbing Mason with the silver knife.

"Are you insane." I scream at him but Mason removes the knife from his chest. Apparently it didn't affected them. Mason 2. Damon 0.

"You know, I think it was werewolves who started this whole silver myth. Probably for moments like this."

"Duly noted."

"I was really looking forward to last call. Now you made an enemy." He says living us as I put my hands on the air in desperation.

"You're an idiot you know that, you just kick the opportunity of peace with him you know that."

"I don't want peace with your little boyfriend."

"For the hundred time. He is not my boyfriend. Now I need a drink before I can deal with you again."

"Thank you." I say to the bartender as he served us with bourbon.

"Where were you this morning?"

Torturing your ex girlfriend. "I don't remember having to tell you what I was doing." I say as I drank the glass all what once putting it back on the table and walking out of the grill.

"Did you tell Mason about Stefan and I?" Damon asks me as I turn to him coughing in surprised holding us arms behind us back as I push him into the wall.

"You think I would tell him anything." I say holding his backs with my knee as I hear at list two being broken. "You really don't know me." I say letting him go as we walk a few more steps.

"Bad day?" The familiar voice asks us as she leans on the wall very amused.

"Bad century. I heard you were on the loose."

"What's the matter? Jealous I spent the day with Stefan?" She asks as I roll my eyes.

"I don't do jealous. Not with you, not anymore."

"Then why so pouty?"

"I just kicked us ass again." I murmur as he gave me a dirty look but I could see Katherine smirking at me.

"I tried to kill a werewolf, I failed and Buffy where broke two of my ribs. Now I feel like I'm not living up to my best self."

"Well, werewolves aren't easy prey."

"What do you know about werewolves?

Katherine: Why don't you ask your brother? Or Sofia." She says with a smirk as Damon looked at me with a blank expression. "Don't try to be the hero, Damon. You'll end up dead."

"Been there, done that. At least this time it'll worth it."

"You know Damon if weren't too distracted with my boring look alike you would see the weapon you have right beside you." She says as we both stop and turned to her. "Sorry, soft spot?"

"Oh Katherine, you give so nice complements. I can see me torturing you made you gain some respect of me."

"No but you and Erik sure did it when you escape captivate in Iraq or was it Israel did get some." How the hell did she know about that? "I did a little digging before I came to town. Have a nice night." She says flirtation as she left and Damon stared at me shocked.

"What the hell was that?"

"Did you hear that was your ex-girlfriend compliment my torture skills."

"You tortured Katherine."

"Don't sound so surprised. I told you more than once, you underestimate me."