AN: Sorry for the late update everyone... My laptop took a crap and I had to re-write this... Enjoy!

Chapter 23: Drunk

Alexis laid back on the bed and cried. She'd tried to keep it together while Damon was telling her how he'd killed her parents, but now that he was gone, she let it all out. She couldn't believe that Damon, the man, no the vampire, who'd saved her life, had killed her parents.

She felt as if her world was falling apart around her.. Her best friend was a doppelganger, who's boyfriend was a vampire, along with his brother whom she liked, was a vampire as well. Another one of her best friends was a vampire, who's mother was a vampire hunter. And the fact that all of her friends were either vampires, werewolves, or witches… It was all just to much for her to handle… She looked up as she heard a knock at the door.

"Lexi?" Elena asked, not opening the door. "Can I come in?"

"I-I just want to be alone right now Elena… I'll come down later and talk okay?" She answered, she didn't feel like talking right now.

"Okay. I'll be downstairs when you're ready." She heard Elena reply, and then heard her footsteps walking away. Alexis let out a shuddering breath. She needed to get out of there, to get away from everyone. She knew they'd be mad, but she really didn't care right now.

She got off the bed, and walked over to the door, grabbing her purse. She silently opened the door and closed it behind her. She glanced around, not seeing anyone. She quietly tiptoed down the stairs, remembering where the squeaky parts of the stairs were from when she was a kid playing tag with Elena and Jeremy. She got to the bottom and looked around, she heard Elena talking to someone in the kitchen. She assumed it was Stefan. She tiptoed to the door and slowly opened it. As soon as the door clicked behind her, she walked to her car, realizing that it would be loud. She knew that it wasn't too long of a walk to the Grill, so she began walking.

Elena walked downstairs, heading into the kitchen where Stefan was waiting for her. She tightly smiled at him.

"She just needs some time." He said. Elena nodded. He could see the un-shed tears in her eyes. He walked over and grabbed ahold of her, wrapping her in his arms.

"This is not how I wanted this day to go at all." She said, Stefan nodded against her head. "I hope she doesn't stay mad at me forever."

"Why would she be mad at you?" Stefan asked her confused. He didn't think Alexis was mad at her, just overwhelmed.

"Because I didn't tell her before." Elena let out a breath.

"I'm sure she'll forgive you." Damon said, walking in the kitchen. Elena nodded.

"You too." Damon shook his head.

"I doubt that. I killed her parents Elena. I'm surprised your even still talking to me." He said.

"Damon, it was in the past. You're not like that anymore." Damon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't feel like arguing with her about this, again.

Damon looked away, glancing upwards. He went towards the stairs. Elena and Stefan followed him, wondering what the hell he was doing. He ran up the stairs and Stefan followed, immediately thinking there was danger. When they got to Alexis' door, Damon opened it and went inside looking for her. Elena came running in.

"Where's Lexi?" She asked, glancing around the room.

"She's gone." Damon growled.

"How'd you know she wasn't here?" Elena asked him.

"I've been…" He began.

"He's been listening in on her, to see if she's okay." Stefan finished. Damon glared at him.

"The question now is, where is she?" He asked.

"Do you think Katherine took her?" Stefan shook his head.

"I don't think so, we would've heard something." Stefan looked at Damon. "I think she snuck out." Elena sighed.

"Her car is still here, we would've heard if she took it."

"So wherever she went was in walking distance." Stefan said. Elena nodded. "She couldn't have gotten too far then."

Alexis walked into the Grill and went straight up to the bar. She sat down and looked at the bartender. He smiled and came over to her.

"What can I get you?" He asked.

"Something strong enough to make me forget my day." She replied. He smiled at her.

"I think I can manage that." He said and went to get her a drink. He came back and sat the drink down in front of her.

"Thanks." She said and took a drink, and smiled. "Tastes good." He nodded.

"How'd you get that?" He asked, pointing to her sling.

"Got attacked in the woods." She replied, downing her drink.

"Oh." He replied, the awkwardness oblivious to her. "Would you like another?" She nodded. He grabbed her glass and went to get her another. He brought it back full, and she downed the whole thing. "It's not a shot you know?" She shrugged. "It's gonna hit you hard sweetheart."

"It's okay. Keep 'em coming." She replied, sliding her glass back to him.

"You sure you should be drinking so much?" He asked, she nodded. He sighed and went to get her another drink.

Alexis glanced down at her pocket, feeling it vibrate. She pulled her cell out of her pocket, seeing Elena calling. She sent it to voicemail. She knew Elena had probably found out she was gone by now, but she really didn't want to deal with her right now. She sent a quick text to her, saying that she was okay and that she'd be home later. She smiled at the bartender as he brought her another drink.

"Thank you." She said, grabbing the glass from him. She took a drink. The bartender shook his head at her and went over to another customer. She was about to take another drink when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, turning around.

"Jeesh, a little jumpy there Lexi?" Jeremy asked her.

"Jer, you scared the hell out of me! I didn't hear you come up." She replied, downing the rest of her drink. She eyed the bartender and held her glass up.

"How many of those have you had?" Jeremy asked her. She turned back around to face him.

" Three I think." She slurred. The alcohol finally taking effect. Jeremy shook his head.

"Elena's worried sick about you. She said you just left without telling anyone." She shrugged with her good shoulder.

"I just had to get out of there Jer, you just don't understand." She said, watching as the bartender sat another drink in front of her. She smiled, grabbing her glass.

"Oh I understand plenty Lexi. You found out about Stefan and Damon." She turned to look at him. "And you found out about Damon killing your parents."

"You know?" She asked him, surprised. He nodded. "Then you know why I needed to get away." He shook his head.

"Do you not understand how much danger you're in?" Alexis rolled her eyes, drinking her drink. "You have vampire blood in your system. If you die, you become a vampire." He whispered.

"I'll be fine Jer."

"Oh, so if Katherine walked in here, looking like Elena, you could tell the difference and get away from her right?" He asked.

"You know what Jer, you're not helping my mood any, go away." She said, finishing her drink. She set it on the bar, a little hard, getting the bartender's attention. She heard Jeremy scoff and walk away.

Jeremy walked over by the pool table and pulled his cell out, calling Elena. She answered after two rings.

"Did you find her?" She asked.

"Yeah, she's at the Grill."

"Good. Can you get her to come home?"

"No. She told me she doesn't want to be there right now." He listened as Elena let out a breath.

"Ok. Can you at least keep her there until I find out a way to get her home?"

"Yeah, that won't be a problem. She's drinking… a lot."

"Damnit Lexi… She can't drink that much, it will react with her meds." "Katherine's blood probably cancelled her pills out." He heard Stefan say. "Just keep her there Jer. Try to get her to stop drinking if you can."

"I'll try."

"Thank Jer."

"Bye." He replied and hung up. He took a deep breath and walked back over to the bar. His heart sped up a little when he didn't see Alexis at the bar. He walked up to the bartender. "Did you see where the woman I was talking to went?"

"Bathroom I think." Jeremy nodded.

"Thanks." Jeremy walked over towards the bathrooms, watching as Alexis stumbled out of one. He walked over to her, helping her steady herself.

"Thought you left." She slurred. Jeremy could tell that she was drunk now.

"Can't get rid of me that easily." He replied, helping her over to a table. He sat her down as the bartender came over.

"Forgot this at the bar." He said, handing her purse over to Jeremy.

"Thanks." Jeremy replied.

"Where's my drink?" Alexis asked him.

"I think you've had enough Miss. I told you it was gonna hit you hard." He said.

"I want my drink." She said. The bartender looked at Jeremy, who shook his head. He nodded and turned, but looked back when she said "Please, I need my drink."

"I think he said you've had enough." Came Damon's voice from behind the bartender. Alexis glared at him as he came into view. "She won't be needing that drink." He pulled some money out of his pocket and gave it to the bartender. "I hope she wasn't too much trouble." The bartender shook his head and went back to the bar.

"What are you doing here?" She slurred.

"Taking you back home." He replied.

"How did you even know where I was?"

"Jeremy called Elena." Alexis glared at Jeremy. He looked at her.

"Sorry Lexi, but you need to be at home." She shook her head, but immediately stopped when it made her dizzy.

"I don' wanna go back there." She replied, tears filling her eyes. Damon could tell she was drunk… and hurting and being drunk wasn't a good combo, he knew from experience. She looked at Damon. "Why did you come? Why didn't Lena?"

"They figured that you wouldn't want to come back, and sent me to persuade you." He said, his eyes widening as he said 'persuade'.

"So if I don't go home, you're going to compel me to, right?" She asked.

"If I have to." She looked at Jeremy.

"You're gonna let him do that to me?" Jeremy looked away. "Fine. I'll go." She stood up, swaying as dizziness hit her. Jeremy reached over and steadied her. She shrugged his arm off. "I'm fine." She slurred. She took a weary step forward, swaying. She tried to take another step and almost collapsed. Damon grabbed ahold of her, picking her up in his arms. "Put m-me down."

"Not a chance." He replied. He looked back at Jeremy. "Let's get her home." Jeremy nodded. He opened the door as Damon carried her over to Elena's jeep. He placed her in the backseat, locking her seatbelt in. He got in the drivers seat and waited for Jeremy to get in, before he drove back to the Gilbert household.