Perfectly Imperfect

Chapter 2: Revelations Over Grilled Cheese

Arabelle had just put a plate down of some good old comfort food. Caroline stared at the food in disbelief and almost amusement. "Grilled cheese and tomato soup? When you offered to cook I thought you would be making something a bit more… um… not childish."

"Shut up. I'm not a cook. Besides the grilled cheese doesn't have Velveeta, it has like five different cheeses. So that makes it non kid food. Now eat up. I can always make some more." Belle happily bit into her grilled sandwich. It had been a while since she made her special grilled cheese.

Caroline picked up hers and looked at it a bit sadly. "I haven't had grilled cheese since I was a kid. Mom always made it and Dad would complain about eating something so simple."

Belle reached over and gripped Caroline's hand. "Hey I know it's hard. When my mom died I… was bad. I was depressed all the time and angry at everything. I didn't like to talk about her because it hurt to remember, but that's what helped me heal. Eventually I would just sit around and talk about her to anybody who would listen. I would laugh at some of the stories and eventually everything was alright."

Tears were spilling down Caroline's face and sobs wracked her body. "Does it ever stop hurting?"

"No, but it gets easier. You will always have that hole because there is no one in the world who can fill the spot a parent leaves behind, but… it gets easier to remember them, to talk about them." Belle moved her chair over by Caroline's and pulled her into a big hug.

Caroline pulled back and gave her a watery smile. "Thanks."

Belle smiled at her. "When you're ready, you can chat my ear off. I will happily hand it over to you."

Caroline chuckled a bit and her smile grew wider. "Okay." Caroline took her first bite into the sandwich. "You know this isn't that bad for something you feed a five year old."

Belle laughed. "That's me master of the comfort food." Belle blinked when she noticed the strange ring on Caroline's hand. She sensed something strange about that ring. Also it was an unusual ring for Caroline, it completely clashed with her outfit, plus it was kind of clunky. Definitely not Caroline's style. "That's a nice ring."

Caroline froze and touched the ring lightly. "Um… yeah it was a gift."

Arabelle smiled slightly. "Can I see it for a sec. It looks pretty neat."

Caroline looked out the window at the dark sky before hesitantly giving Belle the ring. "I need it back right after. It has a lot of sentimental value. I don't like to be without it."

Belle took the ring and focused on it. Using her psychic ability of psychometry she saw images from the ring's past. Belle gasped a bit, keeping her head down and focused on the ring. She schooled her features before looking back up at a confused Caroline and handing her ring back. "It really is a very pretty ring. Which I had one like it."

Caroline noticed how strained Belle's face was after looking at the ring. "Sorry I'm not giving it up."

"I know. It doesn't matter; I don't wear jewelry that much anyway. It's just my inner girl screaming for a breath of air. I never have time to dress up and act like a girl anymore so she's drowning under all my college textbooks." They both laugh at that and finish their dinner.

Belle sighed a little. Caroline was a vampire. She looked up at the girl seeing her bite into her food with gusto, the sadness from her father's death just under the surface.

Magic always helped strengthen psychic abilities. It was what drew her attention to the ring in the first place. Those with a sixth sense could sense magic. It also made her get a much clearer reading on the ring than she normally would have gotten from touching the ring so briefly.

A daylight ring given, or should she say made, by her witchy friend Bonnie. A vampire and a witch, next thing you know a werewolf was going to come strolling into the picture too.

Coming to Mystic Falls has turned out to be a good decision. Things here were so complicated it wasn't funny. Belle would bet her car that Uncle Bill's death wasn't a normal death too.

She may not have been here to stop Caroline from becoming a vampire, or Uncle Bill's death, but she could protect what's left.

Should she tell Caroline that she knows…? Belle contemplated that all through dinner before deciding that no, she would not. She would be better served with everyone thinking she was some weird human who couldn't be compelled, a curiosity, yes, someone dangerous, no. That underestimation would be in her favor.

The Next Day…

Caroline was in school and Belle had the entire day to play detective. She needed facts, so she knew what she was up against and what to look for. Ideally she would be snooping around the witch's house getting readings from everything there.

But since Belle had never broken into somebodies house before she doubted she would succeed, she would be arrested, by her Aunt no less, and an interrogation later would see all her plans so far down the drain with Aunt Liz being aware of her daughter being undead, if she wasn't already, and Belle's secrets being revealed in the process.

Nope, better to stick with what she knew.

The Mystic Grill was a popular hangout and where the prey gather is where you'll find the predators. Belle was at least going to at least get a few identities of people of the supernatural variety, preferably of the blood sucking kind.

Belle absentmindedly ran her hand over the bar and tables, supernatural creatures were always easier to get a reading from than humans. They give off more energy. Belle stopped at a place on the bar. Well, she knew this vamp. Damon Salvatore frequented this place and this was his favorite spot.

Belle sat down in that spot and pretended to look at a menu. He liked to spend his time here with a friend, a human friend. Belle focused harder on the human, trying to read something, his residual energy far weaker than Damon's. He was in his thirties, lonely, and…

"Well, well, well. We meet again." Belle jumped as Damon Salvatore occupied the seat next to her, where his friend usually sat. Damn no name and practically nothing to go by. She would have to wait to see who Damon hangs out with.

Belle rolled her eyes. "I'm leaving." Damon grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving.

"Now hold on. I think we started off on the wrong foot. I'm sorry about telling you to leave; I was out of my mind that day. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm honestly not that bad of a guy." Damon said, his voice sounding sincere but his eyes showed no remorse. "I'll even buy you lunch." He said in a sing song voice.

Belle settled back down in her seat. Damon is an ass, she can already tell, but since Caroline let him in the house he is probably one of the good guys. It wouldn't hurt to get cozy with a couple of them. Supernatural creatures tend to flock together. She will get more information this way anyway. It's just too bad they know she can't be compelled; she might have gotten some good information that way.

"Fine, one chance. Blow it and I'm out of here." She huffed, can't act too nice and cuddly even though she has every intention to befriend him. That would be suspicious.

"Feisty, I like." He smirked and she rolls her eyes. Can she even pretend to be friends with this moron? She's tempted to stake him right here.

End Chapter 2: Revelations Over Grilled Cheese

I know, no Klaus. He's going to show up soon I promise. I'm just doing some set up. So thank you to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate it. It really inspires me to write more for the story. As for those who favorite and/or followed, I thank you also. Until the next chapter.