Chapter Twelve-

I had been grateful for Grandma's absence the past week. It gave me a chance to be close to Damon, settling into a routine for my new home.

I woke up to Grandma's voice. "Dear, you need to wear that necklace, where is it? Did you lose it already? Was someone in here lately?" I groaned and slipped my head under my pillow. What would I say?

"It hurt my neck, I yanked it off, and I don't know or care where it went." Shit. I had said that out loud and stunned my grandmother into silence.

"C'mon! We have to go see Carol!" She pushed me into my bathroom and commanded me to get ready and I dialed Damon.

"Damon?" I whispered quietly into the phone.

"What?" He questioned."Right here,"

I turned to see him the bathroom door and enveloped me in a tight hug. "What am I going to tell them? I'm just like you are, but worse. I mean- I felt on fire when it was on my neck; I hadn't even drank it. The council could..." He turned on the shower for me, if Grandma was listening for the shower.

"Tell them you're allergic, that Charlie gave it to you when you were little and it sent you to the hospital." Damon ran his fingers along my cheek and I shivered. Whether it was from the bathroom humidity or the butterflies in my stomach; I'd never know.

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him slowly. I parted my lips, to give Damon's tongue entry. His tongue slid into my mouth and ran along my teeth. I gasped and he pulled me closer. My fingers gripped at his hips, wanting to be closer. Our bodies touching would never be enough for me. I could feel Damon's love radiate throughout the kisses, and I loved it. I loved him. I giggled breathlessly and pulled away. "I have to shower, wait for me in my room?"

I knew we had gotten together quickly, but it felt as we had been together for years. I supposed we had. It felt like we had never been separated.

I closed the door and bawled up my dirty clothes. I spread my wings so they could soak, they immediately grew heavy with water, but I didn't mind. I began to wash my body and think. What could I possibly say to the council, without revealing my true self? I believe that I had to play them; like Damon. Lie through my teeth about who I was, even though I wanted Gran to know.

X...X...X...X...X...X

I dressed in a pale pink strapless baby doll dress that was to mid- thigh. There were roses on the bust and was the fabric below tiered. I wore gray trench coat with black trimming. I felt it was fitting for the chilly May morning. I wore simple black pumps and a silver moonstone necklace in a Celtic design.

"Do I look okay?" I asked Damon nervously. I ran my left hand through my mahogany curls and took deep breaths. I was nervous. I peered at him from under my eyelashes and he just looked at me. "What?" I blushed at his face, did I really look horrible?

"I'll go-"

"No!" Damon reached for my wrist and spun me around. Damon's hair was a little wild, more than usual. His blue orbs gazed at me which were slightly narrowed. "You look beautiful, Bella. You have every time I've seen you." He ran his fingers across my cheek and I stared up at him. I could lose myself in his eyes forever. I'd like to think it was the same for him too.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked him gently. I took his hand in mine and led him down the stairs. I stopped as Grandma's voice carried up to us.

"Something's wrong with her Charlie, she's never been this distant to me, or Edward. Why, I thought they were already married when they came to visit... He what? Let me call you back Charlie, Isabella did not tell me of any of this." She hung up the receiver and turned around. She was furious, I knew, but I wasn't sure if all the anger was directed at me.

"You didn't tell me that Edward abused you." It wasn't a question, but an accusation. "Mr. Salvatore?" She questioned. If she noticed out hands intertwined, she chose to ignore it.

"Yes Grandma, Damon is my... boyfriend." I wrinkled my nose for the overused word. He was more, but he wasn't my husband yet. "I know it's all of a sudden, but we really can't help how we feel," I smiled up at Damon.

She bobbed her head and he spoke. "Outside of council meetings; you can call me Damon. Please," He added as an afterthought.

I looked at Damon. I want to tell her. She, of all people, deserves to know about our real relationship. But I refuse to tell her everything before 1912. He nodded as if he read my thoughts, and I suppose he did. I didn't really mind as long as he used it as an invasion of my privacy. "Sit down Grandma. This is a story you should sit down for." She was confused, but obliged.

"First off, Edward and I will never be in the same room again, let alone the same city, if I can help it. He hurt me more than I would have thought he could not do that to someone, but I was terribly wrong. I was strong enough to end it before he killed me. I was creating a false wedding for Edward, because he believed I still loved him. He's delusional.

"When the time was right, Jasper would take me away and drive me here to you. But Alice, because she's psychic... She told me that I would have a dream that would alter my life completely. I didn't really believe her. Until I began to 'dream' as she put it."

"What do you mean she's psychic... like palm reading and tarot cards?"

I shook my head. "Even though she can do those things; that's not her primary focus. She just... gets feelings and knows thing other people would never know beforehand." I stretched the truth, I know. I felt incredibly guilty and selfish. I wanted her to know everything, but I wanted her to continue living her long life.

"Oh," Grandma said. I squeezed her hand and whispered. "You do believe in the otherworldly, right? Otherwise, I can stop right here."

"I do... I have something to tell you too." She looked at Damon and he shook his head. She smiled shyly and nodded for me to continue.

"I was on the Titanic, Grandma. I woke up to find myself engaged to a married man I didn't love, for money no less. It reminded me all too well of Edward, so I rebelled. I had a mental breakdown of sorts, and decided to jump off the back of the ship," I paused at her sharp intake of breath but quickly resumed. "Damon talked me out of it, but I slipped. As he pulled me over staff from the ship arrived and we knew how it looked... I lied about what happened saying I wanted to look at the propellers. They believed me. As thanks we invited Damon to dinner." I frowned as I continued. "Renee and David treated Damon like trash. I hated it.Damon took it all in stride, though.

"I think I realized that I was in love with him then. He was a total stranger who cared enough to save me from falling. We then danced and just... hung out in third class. It was the most fun I've had in a long while.

"The next night Titanic was hit and sinking. It was... it was the most horrific experience of my life. Ever. I was so cold... and David." I stopped, hating myself for crying. No it was not the most horrific moment of my past lives, but the tragedy made it in my top five.

"He shot me, and I died. At least I thought I did." Her tears willed me to stop and I got up out of Damon's embrace and hugged Grandma.

"I woke up and dressed in my costume. Jasper drove me out her and when I was walking around, I met Damon's brother and wife. Which lead to Damon." I smiled sadly. I wanted to tell her everything, but how would I know if she wanted to tell the council. Surely they just didn't deal with vampires.

She turned her head to me and wiped her eyes with a Kleenex. "Isabella, I had no idea you were so strong." My mouth dropped open in shock. No one had ever said something like that to me, it was a wonder I even heard her right.

"Alright," She stood up and grasped my hand. "We all need to get to Carol's house. You don't need to tell her anything besides the two of you are together. I'll see the two of you there soon."

I looked at Damon, baffled. "I cannot believe she just left like that... she's amazing at hiding her feelings." He nodded and lifted me up; crushing me to his chest.

"She needed to... she is only human and didn't want you to see her cry. I do recommend keeping you wonderful wings to yourself, though."

I mock pouted and he kissed me fully on the lips. His hands traveled down my neck and back, finally resting on my slender hips. "You are the absolute perfect woman, ever. Isabella, you're a perfect woman and an angel." As Damon spoke, his left index finger traced the lace of my dress and I shivered. "You are amazing."

I placed my hands on his chest firmly and pulled myself up. I hated being short, but I realized it had its perks. I kissed his forehead, nose, chin and jawline before tracing his lips with my fingers. His lips parted and I ran my tongue across them and placed my lips on his very delicately, before he deepened the kiss. "You are such a tease," He muttered.

After several stolen kisses later, we arrived at the mayor's mansion. "Lockwood's..." Damon muttered. I elbowed him squarely in the chest and I knew it hurt. I stuck my tongue out and ran, laughing all the way, to the front door. I spun around with my hands high and someone lifted me up.

I gasped in surprise. "Think you could get away with that, did you?" He teased.

I nodded and reached for the door handle. "Oh no you don't." He spun me backwards and reached to open the door.

"Hey!"I shouted. Noticing Mrs. Lockwood was looking at us. I blushed immediately, and walked forcefully in front of Damon. "I'm sorry Mrs. Lockwood; Damon wouldn't let me open the door for myself."

His laughter boomed around us as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "A woman shouldn't have to." I slapped his head.

"Don't get all possessive on me." Damon pretended hurt and Carol rolled her eyes, hiding the surprise. No doubt we'd be the latest gossip in town.

"Come this way, Damon and Isabella." Carol led us to what I assumed was a large dining room, reserved only for council meetings. Maybe the dinnerware said, "Mystic Falls Council Meetings." I giggled and intertwined my fingers with Damon's.

"I love you," I mumbled into his hair and he responded with a soft kiss below my ear.

"I love you too."

"Why, Damon, who is this?" Sheriff Forbes asked. I frowned but brushed it off.

"This is Isabella Swan." I held my hand and we shook hands.

"Liz Forbes, Sheriff." She smiled and I knew it was slightly forced. She wouldn't know if she could trust me.

"I'm with Damon; my grandma told me I was to appear here today?" I questioned, feigning innocent.

"Oh. Well, this way." I was pointed to a chair next to Damon and sat down. My palms were sweaty and my gut clenched in terror. Something was going to happen; but what?

"My darling lost her necklace; I was wondering if we could give her another. A ring perhaps?" Grandma asked Carol. Carol nodded and they disappeared up a flight of stairs.

I whipped my head to Damon. "What am I going to do? They are going to make me put it on!" I clenched my fists. What on Earth was I going to do?

I blushed when my phone rang and excused myself to the hall. "Bonnie?"

"Asked to be excused to the bathroom and wash the vervain out. They will never know. Soap and water." I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Bonnie."

"You're welcome. Tell me everything, later!" She hung up and I dashed back to the dining room. No one but Liz and Damon noticed.

Carol and Gran came in with a navy velvet box and presented it to me. It was a thick gold band with a medieval them to it. In the center was a large jade stone which look like it may be the locket as well. "It's so pretty," I whispered.

I slipped it on, and my finger began to burn. I placed my hand in my lap, and Damon's eyes watched. "Mrs. Lockwood?"

"Yes Isabella?"

"May I be excused to the restroom?" She nodded and I calmly vacated my seat. I immediately took the ring off and ran it under hot, soapy water as Bonnie instructed. The latch came open and the vervain slipped down the drain. I toweled the ring off and flushed the toilet. I ran my hand through cold water and left the bathroom.

I placed my hand in Damon's and whispered so he could only hear. "Bonnie had said to wash it out, and then put the ring back on. It works and they wouldn't ever know."

"I'd never think of that. It's smart,"

"Yeah," I mumbled back. I grabbed his hand. I felt isolated in the room, but I couldn't pinpoint the reason. Damon squeezed my hand; in attempts to calm my nerves.

"So...Isabella, tell us, why are you here in Mystic Falls?" Liz asked, no, interrogated me.

I gulped. What was I supposed to say? The truth? "I... I broke off my engagement and needed a fresh start. I decided to move in with my grandma and attend college in the city." Liz narrowed her eyes and continued on.

"Has your father mentioned anything irregular at all to you?"

I shook my head. "No. Nothing except about these cases were there were several teens that had disappeared in Seattle a few months back." I slid my chair closer to Damon, knowing that I might lose it.

Liz was silent for a minute before asking another question. "How has your time been here so far?"

"It's been really great. I've spent time with my grandma and with Damon and a few people I'd like to consider my friends."

"Who do you get along with here, Isabella?" Carol asked me, politely.

"Damon and his brother Stefan. Stefan's wife Elena and their friends: Bonnie, Caroline, Matt, Jeremy. I don't know Tyler very well but I'm sure we'd be good friends soon." I rambled away, hoping they'd stop asking questions. The feeling in my gut increased with every passing second, I knew I was sure to throw up soon.

The two of them nodded and whispered a conversation to my grandmother. I didn't listen but Damon did. "What'd-?"

"Isabella!"

I turned to see a bloody Matt and I rushed over. "What's wrong?" I whispered as Liz came over with a first aid kit.

"Some guy i-is outside to see you." I shared a look with Damon and ran out the door.

I looked around the porch, seeing nothing unusual. I stepped on the lawn and shoved to the ground. "Ow! Dammit, you made-"

"Shut up, Izabella." My insides felt as if they froze at the sound of Katerina's voice. She rolled her eyes and yanked me up. "Or should I say Bella. I haven't seen you in a long while."

"You-you and Elena..." I stuttered.

"Why yes, she is my doppelganger. I'm surprise you didn't figure it out yet, honey. You were always the detective. I go by Katherine, gotta keep up with the times you know."

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