Chapter Seven: The Grill

《 I'm so bad and I don't give a damn, I love it when you're mad
When you're mad, when you're mad. 》

Athena decided to ride with Stefan and Elena to the bar and grill. She was silent as they walked out and Damon had already taken off, his car's exhaust wafting over to her and making her wrinkle her nose. Caroline chose to ride by herself, but before parting her hand rested in a friendly way over Athena's shoulder, "Like I said, don't worry about him." Athena gave Caroline a small smile before getting into the car with Stefan and Elena and heading out.

Stefan filled her in on the ride over about the Mystic Grill and a few things in town that were worth mentioning. Athena found it odd that Elena and Stefan just stayed here in Mystic Falls together, besides the fact that she was in her senior year in high school, but still..they were vampires. They could go anywhere..do anything. Athena looked out the window as the quiet town passed her by. Once they got to the main street Stefan parked and everyone got out.

Caroline was already there and Athena followed, slightly awkwardly behind them all. She knew her place here. She was the new person that had to be kept in sight. Athena hated that part, but she also got the distinct feeling that these people weren't so bad. They had been nothing but kind to her, besides Damon. "Hurry up, before Damon drinks the whole bar." Caroline muttered insensitively before shoving open the door and revealing a quaint little bar and grill that made Athena smile.

The smell of booze, food and pool table chalk hit her nose and she paused for a moment behind the group as they surveyed the tables. Stefan stopped short and looked around tensely and Athena did the same. Her nose was working in over time, but other than the normal crowd of people and a group of high school boys, no one else was here. Her eyes settled upon a figure hunched over at the bar with a very familiar looking button down. Damon.

"All clear." Stefan whispered to her in confirmation. Besides the obvious, everyone else was human.

Athena averted her gaze from Damon's back and noticed there was a booth close to where the pool tables were located. Stefan ushered his hand out for the girls to walk ahead of him. Athena gave Stefan a polite nod before watching as some of the senior boys with their letterman jackets stared at her. A smug smile made its way to her lips as they ogled her.

Being new in town wasn't always a bad thing. The boys were fun to tease. Athena slid in a booth after Caroline as Stefan and Elena started to slide in across from them. Athena assessed her exits with keen eyes before returning her attention to the blue eyed boy that came to the table. He wore an outfit that no doubt meant he worked here, a busser's outfit it seemed, but his eyes were the kindest she'd ever seen. His blonde hair was just an added bonus to his hometown boyish looks. His eyes instantly landed upon Athena and she averted her eyes nervously.

"New friend?" The boy asked, now looking at Elena and Stefan. However, there was a slight accusation to his tone and Athena frowned as the boy awaited their answer. "She's a friend of Klaus'.." Elena started and the boy ground his teeth visibly. "Do I even want to know?" The boy asked, clearly annoyed, but at the same time a small ghost of a smile escaped his lips. Stefan grimaced playfully and shook his head, "Probably not.." Elena looked away awkwardly before Caroline piped up, "Athena, this is Matt. Matt, this is Athena." Caroline was eagerly awaiting their introductions to each.

Athena raised a hand up and while Matt balanced the tub of dishes on the table and his knee, he shook her hand. "Matt Donovan." Athena eyed him curiously before raising a brow, "Are all the bus boys here this cute, or would that just be you?" Elena smiled widely and Stefan pursed his lips in silent laughter. Matt's cheeks turned a shade of red and his dimples made Athena smile wider.

He started to walk backwards, clearly flattered, but embarrassed. Caroline snickered as Matt gave them all a nod, "Holler if you need me guys. Good meeting you Athena.." Matt gave her a pointed look with a smirk before walking off with the tub of dishes to the back.

"Oh my gosh, his face was so red." Caroline laughed, licking her lips and watching as a person with a guitar took up a tune near the other side of the room. "So, what do you think of our only hang out?" Stefan asked, leaning against the seat and draping an arm around Elena. She snuggled into him and Athena felt a pang of envy. Athena's life was too complicated for all of that..she'd never imagined bringing some poor soul down with her while she ran from the wolves. Athena shrugged, taking in the scene around her before eyeballing the pool table, "I like it..reminds me of a bar back in New Orleans."

Elena looked to Athena with curiosity, "Did you grow up in a small town like this, or was it a big city?" All eyes were on her and Athena parted her lips to speak, but the mere mention of where she grew up brought back memories of her human caretaker…of her parents.

She blinked for a moment, "Before my parents left me with my human..we lived in a quaint little town. Much like this, but not as pretty. When I was dropped with my human caretaker, she lived in a more rural area. We were very isolated. I didn't even go to school.." Her words drifted off and she looked down to her hands, "I was home schooled. Not really the same experience as you guys got."

Caroline furrowed her brow in sadness and she could sense Elena's empathy as Stefan ground his jaw, working through what she had said. "It was something you wanted..wasn't it?" Caroline prodded politely. Athena considered this for a moment before answering carefully, "If I had had that life..like school, normalcy, it would mean I wasn't what I am..who I am. I think the old me would have loved those things, but if it meant not being a Werecat..I'm not sure if I would want it."

Caroline spoke up, "Trust me, you're not missing out on much. Lots of drama.." She gave Athena a playful nudge and Athena smiled at her kindness of trying to downplay going to high school like a normal teenager. It was quiet for a moment and she could tell Elena and Stefan visibly shifted awkwardly as Athena had spoke. Something had resonated deep within them, but she didn't want to pry.

Athena knew being a vampire meant you were turned..it wasn't something you were born with or a heritage of some ancient beings like she or the wolves were. To a lot of vampires, it was a curse. She wondered if they were thinking about their own lives, their human ones.

Caroline cleared her throat and Athena followed suit before a waitress came to them to finally take their drink orders. Everyone ordered sodas, but Athena ordered water and eyed the bar. She knew her fellow vampire friends could compel the waitress for a drink if need be, but she was older than twenty one and didn't need the power to compel anyone.

"I'm going to the bar to grab a drink, want anything?" The three of them shook their head before getting back to small talk as Athena scooted out. "Game of pool later?" Stefan asked and she realized he had seen her eyeballing the pool table upon entering. He was very intuitive and noticed everything. Athena smiled and Elena and Caroline looked up at her with warm faces as she left.

Upon arriving at the bar, Damon gave her a side glance and rolled his eyes, "If you're looking for warm milk, they don't have it here." Athena furrowed her brows, but ignored his comment. A man came down from the register and over to her as she leaned against the bar, eyeing the alcohol they had. "Haven't seen you here before." The man's voice was low and Athena smiled politely before nodding towards the gin and tonic.

She didn't care to make small talk with the man and she didn't like talking about where she was from. That was giving too much information out. Athena shoved a stray strand of blonde hair out of the way her face before feeling Damon's eyes piercing her. She was to his right and had to fight every ounce of her being not to lunge for him and throttle his neck. "Ah, the 'ole silent treatment. Okay." He mused, sipping his bourbon before Athena slid her cash over to the bartender.

She grabbed her drink, hesitating a moment before turning towards Damon who had his drink pressed to his lips, "It's something to be said that you're all alone up here." Athena eyed him with distaste before shoving off the bar without another word.

As she sat back down with Caroline and the others, they talked amongst themselves about school, vampire life and Athena even told them more about being a Werecat. "Do you think Klaus is going to find out the information he's looking for?" Elena ventured after a little while of small talk.

"You of all people should know Klaus will find what he needs.." Athena gave them a rueful smile before Caroline spoke before thinking, "How is he?" She paused as Elena and Stefan both eyed her with surprise. "Klaus, I mean." Her voice took on an softer octave and Athena felt the emotion wash over Caroline and her eyes widened.

Athena shrugged, "Just being Klaus..doing evil hybrid stuff." Caroline pursed her lips, hiding a smirk before Athena averted her gaze. It was weird talking about Klaus with her. Athena herself didn't know what she felt for the infamous hybrid, but she did know she cared about him.

And clearly, so did Caroline. It made her happy to know that Klaus had others that didn't believe him to be a monster. "Anyone wanna order anything?" Elena offered, but Athena shook her head. She hadn't really been feeling the best today, but that might have been just nerves from being in a new place..with new people.

Matt walked by and she smiled at him while Caroline nudged her in the ribs, "He's totally smiling at you." Athena laughed, shaking her head, "I kind of have this rule. I don't really..date. Not until all of this is over." The group fell quiet and Stefan offered, "Too much risk?" Even though he already knew, he asked anyways.

Athena nodded and was surprised when Stefan continued, "You know, when I first met Elena I knew the risks of getting to know her. But, it was something I had to do. I know it's..scary, but don't let that fear consume you. You might miss out on something.." His voice trailed off, but she watched the way Elena's eyes lit up at the mention of their story.

They seemed to have risked a lot..just being together. But, here they were..together. And it was most definitely the kind of forever. "They are like, the epic couple of Mystic Falls." Caroline chimed out and everyone raised their glass to cheers to that. Elena's cheeks were pink and Stefan turned a shade she hadn't seen on him before.

"Where's Bonnie?" Caroline asked suddenly as she whipped her head around in a concerned way. "Shouldn't she be making her way over here by now?" Athena looked around too, not knowing who this Bonnie girl was, but curious all the same. Elena shook her head, "I don' think she's coming. She said something about not sleeping well last night and having some dreams.."

Her voice trailed off and Stefan frowned, "She okay?" Elena looked genuinely concerned, but shrugged, "I don't know. I hope so." Caroline looked to the two, clearly perplexed before raising a brow, "Uh, hello. It's Bonnie we're talking about. Of course she's going to be okay.."

They noticed Athena looking in between the three of them and Caroline realized she hadn't a clue what they were talking about, "Oh, witchy stuff." Bonnie was a Witch?

Elena answered her question on cue, "My best friend, Bonnie Bennett..she's a Witch." Athena felt a pull at her belly upon hearing her last name, but the moment it came it was gone. That feeling of familiarity came and went so fast, it was as if it hadn't been there. "We're pretty..diverse." Stefan offered lamely and they all laughed, including Athena.

They decided to play pool and Caroline and Athena teamed up while Elena and Stefan decided to be partners. "I'm going to run and grab one last drink." Athena mentioned before heading to the bar only to see Damon with a blonde haired chick that was basically in his lap. He looked up to Athena with a stupid smirk and she eyed them before ordering another drink.

When the bartender slid the drink over to her without her having to order it she was impressed. "It's nice when a man already knows what a girl wants." Her words carried and she knew Damon could hear them, though she didn't care.

The bartender smiled a toothy grin before shaking his head, "Sometimes we just know what you want..without even having to ask." Athena felt a hint of a blush creep to her cheeks and though she was focusing on the bartender, she could feel Damon eyeing her at the other end of the bar.

"I'll keep that in mind.." She mused back, taking her straw in between her lips and sipping flirtatiously. If he ventured into asking where she was from again, she'd have to shut him down though. Flirting never hurt anyone though.

Athena looked down at Damon and the blonde, who stared at him with wide drunken eyes. What a classy lady. She hadn't a clue where he pickeed these women, but she found herself smiling widely at an idea that came to her. She simmered down the bar to them and Damon looked at her wearily..as he should. His blue eyes narrowed and the blonde turned around to look at Athena. She wasn't trashy by any means, but she was a hot mess.

"He always did like the blondes." Athena mused at the girl, shaking her head sadly as if she were an old lover of Damon's. Oh, this was too much fun. "He tries so hard to find someone like me…" It made for a funny sight to watch the boozed up girl take in Athena's blonde hair, which mirrored her own. Damon looked livid from behind the girl, his face warping into a look of angry annoyance. She was ruining his meal ticket. "Trust me, honey. You don't want him. He is nothing but trouble." The girl blinked and clearly started to turn the gears in her head.

She turned back towards Damon, and then looked back at Athena before returning her gaze to Damon, scooting away from him and grabbing her black clutch off the bar. "You know what, I'm going to go..I, uh, have something else to do.." Damon stuttered smoothly, "Oh, c'mon now..hey.." However, she had already walked away and his meal ticket was gone. He hadn't even compelled her yet. Pity.

The awkward level in the air was stifling, but Athena did all she could to hold in her laugh as the girl dejectedly walked away. It was for her own good anyhow. Athena smirked at Damon, his eyes narrowed at her as if she were the cause of world hunger or something. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I scare her off?" Her eyes were wide with feign innocence before she headed to the pool table to play a round or two with the group.

The four of them played for about an hour before Athena decided to use the restroom. She knew they would be heading out soon and for a brief moment she wanted this to not end so soon. She loved being out..around people. It was so nice for Athena not to worry about looking over her shoulder. She was lost in her thoughts before the smell hit her nose and her body tensed with adrenaline spiking her veins.

A hand wrapped around her throat and shoved her into the supply room. Her body fell to the ground and she quickly got up only to see that Damon was standing before, cracking his neck and sneering at her with distaste. "Rule number one..don't go off on your own. Never know who could be lurking in the shadows." Athena glared at Damon, stepping forward and right up in his personal bubble, "Get out of my way, Damon." He shoved her back, "Nuh uh. Not so fast."

Her eyes started to glow, but he laughed sarcastically, "Oh, that's cute. The little eye glow-y thing." She growled at him, "The only thing I see lurking is you. What do you want?" She looked around nervously at the supply room they were in before assessing the objects she could use to defend herself if she had to.

Her mind always went to survival mode. A habit she didn't think she'd ever get out of. "Well, that can't be helped. My meal left and now I'm lurking for another." For a brief moment, his eyes flashed the darkest of blue and she wondered if he was considering her as his next meal.

"Don't flatter yourself, honey. I'd never dream of biting the likes of you." He looked her up and down with distaste before casually leaning against the exit door to the hallway near the bathrooms. "And rule number two.." His voice took on a menacing octave and this time he stepped into her personal bubble, "You think you're so clever.." Athena knew he was referring to the little stunt she pulled out there with his potential human blood bag.

Athena smiled tightly, but it was not the kind of smile that reached her eyes, "I have my moments." Damon eyed her like a petulant child. Athena felt her growl grow deep within her belly. But, she pushed it back down because at the end of the day this was Stefan's brother and she knew what Damon meant to Stefan. She could sense it without Stefan having to even elaborate it to her.

"You're lucky you're Stefan's brother.." Her words were an idle threat and her hands started to shake from her nerves being tested. His face twisted and he scoffed, "You honestly have no idea who you're dealing with. You're lucky my brother is in debt to Klaus..this conversation wouldn't even be happening right now if he wasn't."

"If you can't stand me so much then why do you continuously find ways to be around me?." Her lip curled in disgust, but he laughed. It wasn't a deep belly laugh..but it was a little chuckle and not the kind hearted one either, "I figure I bother you enough, maybe you'll leave town." Athena scoffed at his ridiculous notion, "Not happening." He frowned at this and attempted to speak, but she shut him down before he could start.

"I don't know what warped sense of self righteous notion you have of yourself, but you keep this up..you will be alone the rest of your miserable existence." Without another word, she shoved past Damon harshly and bypassed the ladies room altogether and came back out to the group.

Her face must have said what she chose to keep silent because Stefan looked to her and then immediately sought out Damon who was already making his way back from where Athena had been. "You alright?" He asked lowly and Athena nodded her head curtly, "Peachy." Elena groaned before looking at her cellphone and hesitating a moment, "Stefan, I think I want to go check on Bonnie. She hasn't texted me back.."

Stefan looked between Elena, Caroline and Athena before Caroline offered, "I can drop Athena off at your house when we're done here." Athena was relieved because she wasn't ready to leave just yet. Elena eyed Athena and she confidently spoke, "I'll be fine. Klaus doesn't have to know ya'll left me for a few minutes." Athena smirked and finally Elena relented.

"What about Damon?" Elena asked glancing at the bar. Stefan sighed, "I'll let him know we're stepping out and to be on his best behavior." Stefan knew she had been accosted by Damon on her bathroom trip, but he hadn't asked details. Athena was glad because she didn't want to explain. She just wanted Damon to leave her alone.

"Straight back home, alright?" Stefan said firmly to Caroline. "Alright, alright. We aren't twelve." Athena snickered as Caroline rolled her eyes playfully. She watched as Elena and Stefan took off out of the grill, but not before saying bye to Matt and making a pit stop by Damon. She wondered who this Bonnie girl was and why she felt a sudden need to go make sure she was okay too.

"Well, so much for that tie breaker game of pool." Caroline huffed, setting the pool stick down as Athena started to rack the balls the way they had been. "We would have won." Athena offered up with a smirk and Caroline nodded enthusiastically. She realized Damon wasn't at the bar anymore, but she decided not to try and locate him. She had Caroline here, which was all that mattered. "I'm going to go get the check, I'll be back." Caroline murmured before heading towards the bar, leaving Athena to twiddle her thumbs restlessly.

It was only when a smell so strong hit her nostrils that she froze and looked up around the bar. Two males entered and their skin was so marble smooth that she almost thought it was a joke. Young vampires. They were both medium height with sandy brown hair and round faces. Like..not similar, but identical. She realized they were twins.

Her eyes widened as they both started to scope out the bar and she knew they weren't looking for a place to sit. They were looking for her. Athena held her breath and without saying a word to Caroline or even signaling for her she decided to just exit the bar and grill. As she started walking, the two twins made their way towards the bar.

Her last glimpse at the bar gave her a good look at the boys profile from behind and she noticed Caroline got stopped by Matt at the far end of the bar. Caroline spoke enthusiastically to him and her attention was preoccupied. That was a good thing. She didn't need anyone else risking their lives for her.

She wanted to take care of this on her own. Athena watched as the two boys tensed and then turned around to see Athena at the doorway, her eyes baiting them to follow her. They saw their target and immediately pushed off the bar and followed Athena out the door. It was only a matter of seconds before Caroline would register the smell and come following after them once she realized Athena was gone.

No one has to get hurt. No one has to get hurt.

That was the mantra she chanted in her head before realizing her plan to lure them out had worked. They were following her outside and around the corner like the stupid newbies they were. The last thing Athena wanted was the grill to end up in chaos and mayhem on account of her. She was more than confident she could handle these blood suckers herself.

Okay, boys... Let's play.

Author's Note: In my story, Alaric is not back from the dead yet. And Jeremy..well he might be around..you will have to stick around to find out.