"What do you want to know?"

A/N: THANK YOU all to my reviewers and those who passed on their condolences. I really appreciate the kind words. Hope you enjoy this longer chapter…

"A hunter?" both of them asked simultaneously. Both their eyes bugging out of their sockets, though Damon was struck between amusement and fear.

At least he had the sense to be somewhat scared…

Picking up my coffee cup, I took a sip and then replied, "Don't look so surprised" I scolded, "Witches, werewolves" a small smirk emerged with the thought that I voiced, "Don't be surprised if Santa comes down your chimney"

Damon gave a small but humorless laugh, "So what's your deal?"

"I bait vampires and kill them" I answered keeping our gazes locked so I could have the amusement of watching him try and hide his shock.

He rested his elbows onto the table and clasped his hands together and rested his chin onto them as he asked, "That thing you did – upstairs?" he wondered with buried trepidation.

"One of my many tricks" I beamed.

He blinked for a few seconds before focusing back onto me and then leaning in, "What else can you do?" he narrowed his eyes at me, foolishly waiting for me reveal all my secrets.

I knew my silence was only taunting him, "That's for me to know…"

"I – "he had the audacity to raise his voice but then stopped, catching his mistake as he ordered, "We want answers"

"I don't talk to vampires" I snarled.

He didn't take too kindly to this because his blazing blue eyes were now only inches away from me as he gripped my chin forcibly, "Well you're gonna hav-"

"Damon" Elena interrupted his threat and I tried not to care when he visibly calmed down. His fingers ripped away from me and I kept my glare onto him as we both registered Elena's calming assurance, "It's okay"

"If you think I'm going to put your life in danger…" he spun around with a dark warning storming his darkened eyes.

I shook my head at the thought, "Her life is not in danger" I waited for him to face me as I threatened, "…yours however, is simply handing by a thread" I cautioned, hoping he would read into risk of an inevitable danger lurking ahead. If I wanted to, I could easily snap his neck but why was I hesitating…?

Damon then took what was supposed to be an intimidating step towards me but was stopped by the young innocent doppelganger, "Damon, it's fine" she assured him in her gentle tone.

"Keep your phone next to you" he finally spoke after silent deliberation. He then whipped his head around to glower at me with the message – 'try anything and you're dead'.

I however, paid him no mind and patiently waited as he trailed out of the house before turning my attention back to the intriguing enigma that I now learnt was Elena Gilbert. "What do you want to know?"

"Give me a second" she tried to gather her thoughts silently and I could see the conflict playing in her eyes. Unlike Katerina, Elena seemed more vulnerable – worrisome too. She obviously had a lot on her mind and maybe me being here was just driving her more insane.

Still, I couldn't help but feel somewhat angered by her love for the fangs, and as I continued to watch her, I found myself questioning her sanity, "You got a family?"

"Yes, why?" she seemed genuinely bewildered by my question.

I knew that Damon was still hanging outside the house, his frantic pacing was easily heard. I could even hear how his fingertips whispered against his sleek black tendrils when running his fingers through then in frustration. Still…I couldn't focus on that, I had other intentions, "Dad? Mum?"

"Both dead" she answered.

I tried not to feel sympathy but it still panged in my chest as I gritted through clenched teeth, "You're in care?"

"No" she shook her head and sighed deeply, "I'm eighteen and live with my brother" there was a gentleness in her tone and a loving warmth in her eyes when she mentioned her brother, "His name is Jeremy" she offered.

"Human, right?" I guessed, crossing my arms and resting them onto the table.

She confirmed my assumptions with an agreed nod, "Yeah"

"You want to protect him, right?" I prodded, my voice raising an octave while anger seeped through and was then threaded through my gritted words.

She didn't hesitate in answering, "Of course"

I snapped my head up to growl, "Well, hanging around with vampires is not going to help you" slamming my palms onto the table, I angrily shot up from my seat, "Or him?"

"Actually, having these vampires have saved me – protected me" she pathetically argued her case.

I stared at her in bewilderment - couldn't she see how messed up this was? How idiotic she sounded at that moment, "You look exactly like their ex-girlfriend!" I exclaimed, hoping she would find reason in my words but still she remained clueless. "How is that not messed up?" I exasperated and sighed when she flinched at my raised voice.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, I tried a different approach. "Even if it is true that they protect you then you need to understand that they will only focus on keeping you safe. I doubt they care about those around you" I argued, "Sooner or later, your brother is going to pay the price for your mistake"

My words got to both of us.

I was reminded of my own mistakes whereas Elena now had crystal tears brimming as she bit down on her quivering lip, "You don't know tha-"

"How many people have you lost ever since those vampires walked into your life?" I snapped.

She shook her head emphatically, "You don't know what you're talking about"

Knowing fuily well that I couldn't get anything from her, I walk towards her and sat on the table as I pretended to be sympathetic when taking her hand in mine, "Elena…" I breathed and it wasn't long before the images flooded through;

A young fierce girl who I found was called Vicki … young woman who I learnt was named Jenna…a short olive skinned girl with curly hair before another image was connected to it – an older woman who shared similar looks to the girl…preppy blonde girl who then transformed into a vampire's image….Lastly was an image of a young muscled teenage guy who also grew fangs.

I tore my fingers away from her with rage-filled eyes, "You're lying to me and worse…" taking in a shallow breath, I growled at her, "You're lying to yourself"

A/N: Longer update which I hoped you enjoyed…