Part 10

Veronica was pretty happy. It was like her time in Neptune had been a bad dream that she was slowly forgetting, or would be able to forget completely if she hadn't stayed in touch with Weevil who kept her entertained with the latest happenings of the town she had gladly left behind.

Keeping the supernatural side of everything out of it, she kept him informed of her life and he amused her with the latest idiocy the Neptune Sheriff's department had come up with.

Apparently, Don Lamb had been found dead, his pants down to his ankles and slutty red lipstick around his dick the day after she left town. Veronica had no doubts that it had been the work of her aunt to avenge her about the 'rape thing' so she hadn't mentioned it to anyone, hoping that the lipstick had been drawn on to humiliate him and not left after... Well, she hoped her aunt had better taste than that.

Weevil also told her that Don Lamb had been replaced by his older brother, Dan Lamb. Obviously their mother hadn't been one for imagination or originality in names for her boys. Veronica wondered briefly if someone name Den lamb or Din Lamb appear to take over if Dan died as well. Just how many brothers did Don Lamb have?

She shook her thoughts out of her head and concentrated on her present life in Mystic Fall's. What happened in Neptune didn't concern her anymore. She had a new life now and it was a much happier one. The only reason she'd have to get involved in Neptune once more would be if something bad happened to her last friend there: Weevil.

Back-up was in the yard, playing ball with Kol before night fell completely. Her Aunt was out with Matt Donovan, trying to have some kind of normal human date with him, Elijah was writing in his journal and her father was putting the final touches on her portrait in his study before he hung it somewhere embarrassingly visible to everyone.

Veronica was exploring her new house, thinking of her father and the way she felt connected to him, the way she could trust him completely when she had had a hard time trusting even Keith Mars, the man who had raised her so far. Maybe blood was thicker than anything after all. According to her aunt, her father was different now that she was in his life. More human, easier to live with. She felt important, like she mattered and she loved it.

"Veronica, what are you doing Sweetheart?" Her father said from behind her.

"I was exploring… sorry." She apologized.

She was now in the basement, in front of several doors, some with bars, some wooden, others looking made of a very strong steel. She had been wondering around the house, especially in rooms she hadn't been in yet and was afraid she had angered her father.

"Don't be sorry Love, it's your house too, you can do as you please. I just got worried when I didn't hear you anymore. The basement is soundproof so I couldn't hear your heart." He explained.

"Can I ask what the cells are for?" She asked him.

"Of course. As you know, I've lived for over a thousand years and made some enemies along the way. I've learned that being prepared for anything is always good. I always make sure to have cells ready to lock up those who go against me." He replied.

"Don't you just kill them or compel them?" She asked innocently as he showed her how to open the doors and showed her what was inside.

"Sometimes, it's better to keep people alive. Sometimes, killing the enemy has terrible circumstances." He said, thinking of the hunter's curse.

"Right, like the Hunter and his stupid curse..." She nodded.

"Have you ever locked someone in here since moving in?" she asked him.

"No, not yet. I'm tempted to lock Damon Salvatore in though."

"Why? What has he done?" She asked, surprised.

Her instinct told her that Damon Salvatore wasn't one of the "good guys" a father would want for his daughter, but she couldn't help but find him attractive and interesting. With the detective work she had done, she had managed to get to know people pretty quickly and she could feel that Damon Salvatore had secrets that explained his behavior toward people.

"Because of the way he looks at you. I can't help it. I don't want you to get hurt and he's known to be quite the lady killer. I don't want him to hurt you." Klaus explained.

"Don't worry, he won't. I won't let him. After everything I've been through, anyone who wants to have a chance with me will have to be completely honest, to earn my trust. If it makes you feel better, I can promise you that I won't date anyone you don't approve of." She suggested.

"Even if I end up approving of no-one?" He smiled as they headed back upstairs.

"Well, I'll be praying that you'll show yourself to be reasonable. If not, there's always the power of the head tilt." She smiled back and he hugged her to his side.

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On Veronica's second day at school, she managed to 'accidentally' bump into Caroline Forbes while Tyler was away. The vampire looked upset and it was easy for Veronica to make her talk. Apparently, she had been right about Tyler and Caroline was getting tired of it all.

"Why don't you take a small break, have a girls night or something?" Veronica suggested.

"Bonnie is avoiding us all for some reason and Elena is too busy trying to decide between keeping Stefan or going for Damon to care about me or my problems." Caroline explained.

"Well, I know that we just met but I haven't had a decent girl's night since before Lilly died. Maybe we could get to know each other tonight. What do you say? Want to have a sleep over at my place?" Veronica suggested.

"That's nice of you, especially with the way Elena is treating you." Caroline smiled.

"I'm used to people not liking me. I'm not fazed by it anymore. You don't mind if my aunt Rebekah joins us do you?"

"Of course not. I don't think I've been very fair with her so far." Caroline replied honestly.

"Great then. Why don't you come around 6? It'll give me enough time to organize everything at home and try to get my uncle Kol out of the way. I know he's over a thousand years old but he behaves like a real teenager sometimes. I mean, I'm only 16 and I'm more mature than he is." Veronica joked.

"You… Are you happy with you father?" Caroline asked as they walked toward the cafeteria.

"Yes, he's great with me. I don't know how he was before me or how he usually is with everybody else but he's great with me. I always had problem with trusting people but I had no problem trusting him." Veronica confessed.

"Has he… Has he told you anything about me?" Caroline asked her new friend shyly.

"You mean other than his huge crush on you?" Veronica smiled.

"He told you?" She asked.

"Oh yes he did. I've seen hi drawings of you as well. I know that you're taken and I don't know if you want to hear this but… What he feels for you, he hasn't felt for anyone before. I've gotten pretty good at telling when people are lying to me and I can tell you that he wasn't lying when he said that he loved you. This stays between us but he told me that he felt so strongly for you that he'd be ready to wait as long as necessary for you to be ready for him." Veronica explained in a whispered voice.

"It's hard to believe… he's done so much evil…" Caroline sighted.

"Everyone does evil things, most of them have their reasons for it and I can assure you that he has his. Maybe you should try by becoming his friend, getting to know him." She suggested.

"Maybe you're right. Do you want to eat lunch with me or do you have plans already?"

"I'd love to have lunch with you. I think Aunt Rebekah wanted to spend more time with Matt anyway. He makes her feel human." Veronica nodded and the two girls settled at the same table with their lunch as they kept on talking and getting to know each other.

They were joined after a while by Rebekah and Matt. The 4 of them were laughing at a joke Caroline did when Jeremy Gilbert approached them:

"Is this a blond only table or can I join you?" He joked.

"Very funny Gilbert." Caroline rolled her eyes.

"You can seat." Veronica nodded after her aunt nodded her approval of the guy. He wasn't one of the people she needed to worry about.

They had lots of fun and Veronica texted her father to inform him of her plans for the evening. She actually liked Caroline Forbes and could picture her happy with her father.

So, this is another chapter. What did you think?

If you have any idea or suggestions as to what could happen next, ideas are welcome. I've got something for two chapters, a vague idea for another one but that's it.

Don't forget to leave me a review please!

Lorelei Candice Black

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