Chapter Thirty-Five

Ella was awoken the next morning, earlier than she would have liked, by her cellphone buzzing insistently somewhere near her head. Groaning, she reached over and picked up the annoyance, fighting the urge to throw it through the open window. With bleary eyes she checked the display and was shocked awake because it was her father calling.

"Hello?" she answered, dragging herself into sitting position.

"Good morning sweetheart," her father answered cheerfully. "Did I wake you?"

"Yes, but it's fine Dad," Ella responded. The events of the previous night had come rushing back, including the insinuation that her father was involved. "What's up? Where are you?"

"Not far," he explained. "I thought you might like to have lunch with your old Dad."

Ella smiled, she couldn't believe that this warm and caring man had anything to do with two murderous vampires. "That sounds great Dad."

"Good. I should be home in about half an hour, so get your lazy teenage butt out of bed."

"I will," Ella laughed. "See you soon."

"You too kiddo."

Ella was feeling a lot better as she got up out of bed to get ready. She bounded into her bathroom, feeling in high spirits, but her appearance stopped her cold. Her hair was a tangled mess, sticking out at all angles, her face was pale, drained of colour and dark circles marred her skin under her eyes. Her physical appearance wasn't what shocked her, she'd had a long night and little sleep it wasn't surprising that she looked exhausted.

It was the look in her eyes, even though she felt better, almost happy after making plans with her father, she still looked…haunted. It was there, burning just below her happiness an almost empty quality to her gaze. A conversation she'd had with her friends replayed in her head. Bonnie had told them that as a Fae she was essentially a pure creature who couldn't take an innocent life, but the vampire hadn't been innocent. Maybe taking any life had an effect on her. There was also the possibility that it was a residual effect of believing she'd lost Jeremy.

The thought brought tears to Ella's eyes, she knew it was silly and irrational. Jeremy was alive she'd seen that, but it was still painful to remember. Hopefully when she saw him again she would feel better, although she wasn't sure he'd want to see her after last night.

Heat flooded Ella's cheeks as she remembered their argument and then her own declaration. She'd sounded like some crazed obsessed stalker or some needy and co dependent girlfriend who was way too clingy. Neither option was very good. Ella dreaded the talk they'd have when they did finally see each other.

Now was not the time to dwell on her embarrassment, she'd wasted too much time and she'd need a shower to be presentable for lunch. With a shake of her head, Ella pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and got ready for her shower.

It didn't take long for Ella to get ready and she was sitting on the front porch when her father arrived. He smiled and waved from the car and Ella smiled back as warmly as she could muster. She was looking forward to spending time with her Dad, she felt as thought she'd barely seen him since their move to Mystic Falls.

"Hey Dad," she greeted him, climbing into the passenger seat.

"Hello sweetheart," he responded, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "Are you all right? You look a little tired."

"I'm fine," Ella lied. "Just a little tired, I couldn't sleep last night."

"Anything on your mind?"

"Nope." Another lie.

"Are you sure honey? You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"I know," she lied again. "I' really fine, just tired."

"If you're sure."

"I'm sure."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence then. Being around her father was always easy, they were both always happy to sit quietly and Marcus' emotions were usually calm which made it easy to be around him. It wasn't until they were seated in a booth at the Grill that he spoke again.

"Anything of interest happen while I was gone?" he asked as he perused his menu.

Ella's eyes narrowed suspiciously behind her own menu and she wondered why he wanted to know. "Nope," she responded as casually as she could manage. "Same old same old. Went to school, hung out with my friends. Absolutely nothing to report."

"Are you still dating this Jeremy person?"

Ella flushed. "Yes Dad, I am." At least she thought she was.

"Good. I'd hate for this to be awkward," he said. Then before Ella could register what was happening, Marcus raised his hand and beckoned someone to the table. "Mr Gilbert, would you care to join us for lunch?"

"Dad!" Ella exclaimed, her face burning brighter still. It was too late though, Jeremy had appeared beside their table.

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Jeremy said carefully, sounding more formal than usual. He shot a glance at Ella and she could sense he was no longer angry with her, but his emotions betrayed little else.

"Don't be ridiculous," Marcus laughed, gesturing to the booth beside Ella. "Take a seat, I haven't really had a chance to get to know the boy my daughter's dating."

Jeremy slid into the booth beside Ella before she could protest, he shot her a glance and Ella realised he was worried. He felt insecure as if he wasn't sure she wanted him there.

Subtly Ella closed the small gap between them so that their arms were touching. She felt him relax beside her and Ella smiled. Their argument wasn't forgotten, Ella knew they'd still need to talk, but now she wasn't as nervous.

"So Jeremy," Marcus started when they were settled and the waitress had taken their orders. "Ella tells me you're quite the artist."

"Dad!" Ella groaned under her breath. She knew her face must be scarlet.

"Oh calm down Ella, I'm just taking an interest. Isn't that what father's are supposed to do?"

"How should I know? I'm not a father." It was beginning to make her suspicious, her father's sudden interest in her life.

She sat back in her booth, only vaguely listening as Marcus asked Jeremy about his art, school and what his plans were when he graduated. Ella didn't need to listen; she'd already had this discussion with Jeremy. They were going to college together; when Ella graduated she was going to get a job for a year to save up some money. Then when Jeremy graduated they'd go to college together.

Of course she hadn't told her father this, but she knew Jeremy wouldn't mention it. Ella felt comfortable enough to let their conversation become a gentle background hum. Her gaze wandered around the room taking in the variety of different people hanging around the grill. She saw Matt clearing a table nearby and smiled when he looked up and caught her eye. Matt smiled back then inclined his head to the right.

Ella looked around and spotted Damon sitting at the bar with Alaric. He was positioned so that it would seem he was talking to Ric, but he was watching Ella, Jeremy and Marcus. Ella's eyes narrowed into a glare.

"Excuse me," she said to Jeremy, smoothing out her expression so that her father wouldn't ask questions.

"Everything ok?" Jeremy asked, sliding out of the booth. He wasn't fooled by calm demeanor.

"Yep," Ella smiled, getting out after him. "Bathroom."

Jeremy had now spotted Damon at the bar and didn't look happy. Ella squeezed his hand reassuringly as she passed.

"I'll be right back," she promised.

Ella glared pointedly at Damon as she walked toward the bathroom and she knew he'd follow. As soon as she was out of her father's line of sight Ella stopped and leaned against the wall, waiting.

A few seconds later Damon rounded the corner and stopped in front of her. Ella was speechless, too furious to form the words she wanted to throw at him. Damon didn't speak, he just waited patiently for her fury to ebb. They'd been glaring at each other for a minute when Alaric joined them.

"What's going on?" he asked, looking at each of them.

"You've gone too far," Ella finally managed to speak in a heated whisper. "Spying on my father Damon? Really?"

"I'm trying to keep you safe," Damon responded, his tone calm which infuriated Ella even more.

"From my own father?" Ella laughed before rounding on Alaric. "And you! You should know better! Why are you enabling him?"

"Because I agree with him Ella," Ric explained.

"This is ridiculous Ric! You're talking about protecting me from my own father! My Dad loves me, he'd never hurt me Ric, not intentionally anyway."

"Loves you so much he'd rather spend most of his time at work than at home with you," Damon pointed out. Ella felt as if he'd just sucker punched her.

"My relationship with my Dad is none of your business Damon," she said, but all the anger had gone.

"If I was him I'd want to be with my daughter as much as possible. There's no way I'd leave you alone for weeks on end."

"Well you're not my father Damon!" Ella spat causing Damon to cringe. She had been on the verge of walking away, but his reaction made her pause. "What is wrong with you Damon? What are you hiding?"

"Nothing, I just care about you, I don't want you to get hurt."

"Leave my father alone," Ella growled. "Or the only person to get hurt here is you."

"Ella," Alaric started.

"Don't Ric," Ella snapped, cutting him off. "I expected more from you."

Ella stormed off then and back to her table. She did her best to relax before she reached her father and Jeremy, but still felt a little tightly wound when she took her seat.

"Everything all right?" Jeremy asked, searching her expression.

"Yeah, I bumped into a friend," she responded, forcing a smile. "Sorry. What did I miss?"

"Nothing much," Marcus answered. "Although I'm glad you're back, there is something I need to tell you."

Ella's heart sank. "What is it Dad?"

"Well my work in the area is almost finished," he explained. "I should be done by the end of the week."

"We're moving," Ella guessed, her voice sounded like the inside of a tomb.

"To Detroit as of next week."

TBC…

A/N: So we are now reaching the final story arc of Mystic Stranger. Don't worry there's plenty more surprises left to go.