Hey guys! Here's the next installment. I'd love to hear what you guys are thinking is going to happen. It's always fun to hear your theories! Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own TVD only Alba and Danny.

Chapter 17

"Sometimes, it is better to be alone. Nobody can hurt you." –Hercules

"Alba, I thought you said the rules were going to change?" Danny asks rather annoyed as we lay in her bed watching movies. She's been pouting about Kol leaving for two days now and like the good sister I am, I've been stuffing her with chocolate and shitty romance films.

"Danny!" I huff flipping over and wrapping her into my side so she can't get away. "They had to leave. I couldn't really keep three original men in Mystic Falls," I defend as Danny gives me an incredulous look.

"Yes you could have Alba! You were more than capable enough to keep them here!" She sniffles wiping her nose.

"That is very true." I agree while she just shakes her head. "But there are some things they had to do that we will not go into detail about." I mumble just as her body tenses up.

"Alba…" Danny gags in warning as I quickly scoop her up and get her to the bathroom. I wrap an arm around her waist to keep her steady. The last chemo session took the rest of her hair leaving smooth skin behind. I remember that night; oh that was a bad night. I held Danny while she cried until she inevitably fell asleep. She hasn't left the house since.

"Knock, Knock!" I roll my eyes when Damon Salvatore's voice floats up through the open window.

"Come in!" I yell not really caring that both Danny and I are still in our jammies. It's only Damon.

"Well if it isn't my two beautiful…" Damon's smirk falters as he rounds the corner to find us, "ladies." His face instantly becomes a stone mask as he watches Danny.

"What can I do for you, Damon?" I ask gently picking Danny back up as she slumps against me. She's weak as I silently carry her to the bed and lay her down.

"Thank you," she whispers while I tuck her in. Damon has yet to speak, but I can feel his eyes burning a hole in between my shoulder blades.

"Always Dan Dan," I smile bending down to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Why don't you try to sleep for a little bit while I talk to Damon, alright?" She nods finally sparing Salvatore a glance.

"Hi Damon," she squeaks in greeting her eyelids already closing.

"It's good to see you mini Martinez," he give her a charming smile, but she's asleep before she can see it. I silently motion Damon to follow me as we exit the room.

"How's life with the Scooby gang?" I ask descending the stairs. I peek behind me to find him frowning just the slightest bit, but he recovers quickly.

"Oh you know Elena/Stefan drama," he takes a seat at the counter waving it off. "Just another day in paradise," he smirks causing me to do the same.

"Sounds like it," I sigh scrubbing a hand down my face. "So I know you didn't come here for my amazing company, what's going on?" I cross my arms giving him my full attention. The air between us is different. There's less need for sarcastic dominance as we fight to decide who can be a bigger pain in the ass.

"It's Alaric," Damon finally breathes out leaning back in his chair. "It seems the Gilbert ring not only saves your life from supernatural death, but it chips away bits and pieces of your sanity as well."

"You mean like Samantha Gilbert?" I ask curiously now intrigued with what Damon has to say.

"How do you know about Samantha Gilbert?" Damon questions suspiciously shock registering in his eyes. I shrug resting my elbows on the counter in front of him.

"My family knew a lot of things," I smirk. "Anyways, so Alaric is pulling a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on you?"

"It seems so. Council members have been dropping like flies for the past few weeks and we think Alaric's alter ego is behind it. They are sending him into a cat scan this morning." Damon reveals surprising me with how much he's talking. Usually with this Salvatore you can't get more than a few words before he's saying something highly inappropriate and making his exit.

"Have you talked to the Bennett Bitch about it? Maybe she has some witchy powers up her sleeves." I ponder rubbing my chin. Damon just snorts clasping his hands together.

"She hasn't been any help since her mother died." He responds casually making me stand up straight.

"When did her mom die?"

"She's not dead, she's a vampire. So technically she's undead and the same night I found you almost completely dead dead in a field." He smiles humorless up at me. I can see a spark of sadness in his eyes as he remembers what happened.

"Ah we both know I would have come back to make your life a living hell," I chuckle lightly wanting to change the subject. "Are you heading to the hospital now?"

"Yeah, I figured he'll need a handsome face to greet him." Damon smirks cocky standing from his chair.

"Oh so Stefan's coming with you then?" I snicker when his smirk hardens.

"Funny." He deadpans walking towards the door. However, before he walks out he whips around to face me at the last second. "When does Danny go to the hospital next?" He asks completely serious.

"We meet with her doctor today," I sigh looking up towards her room. "Why do you ask?" He shrugs sliding on his ray bans.

"Curiosity," he smirks waggling his fingers at me. "Later." I watch him walk to his car through narrowed eyes. Damon doesn't do house calls…so he must want something.

"Alba!" Danny yells for me as I shut the door. Damon will have to wait.

Danny's POV

I stare up at the ceiling, my insides aching. I don't want to move in fear of falling apart. I can barely keep anything down and there's a breeze where my hair should be. If that's any indication of what the doctor's visit will be like then it's looking grim. I know I've been whining about Kol leaving, but it keeps my mind off the elephant in the room. My impending death.

"Alba!" I yell waiting until she pads in the room. Damon's not with her so he must have left.

"What's wrong?" She instantly asks moving forward to inspect my measly body. I half-heartedly swat her away.

"Nothing's wrong. I want to call Kol." I say using my puppy dog eyes to win her over. She sighs sitting down on the bed with me.

"No." It's a simple word that packs a lot of punch.

"Why not?" I whine, for the first time sounding like my age. I watch a small smile curl Alba's lips as she notices it too.

"Alright Danny, I am going to give you your first lesson in roping a man." She smiles folding her legs underneath her as she turns towards me. "First off, what does Kol thrive on from women?" She asks looking at me expectantly. I think about Kol and his reaction when I said I didn't care if he left.

"Attention, he likes attention." I say making Alba snap her fingers.

"That is right! Kol is a selfish asshat that loves every female eye to be on him. Kol is a good-looking man and he knows that, but you want to make him come to you. With his many years of chasing women, it's gotten too easy for him. You, my little Danny, need to challenge him."

"Challenge him?" I ask scrunching my eyebrows together.

"That's right. Kol, will no doubt, expect you to call him first, but you aren't going to call him at all. This will inevitably drive the original nuts because after all he's Kol Mikaelson and every woman should be lucky to have his attention." We both simultaneously roll our eyes at this.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask not completely sure Kol will give two thoughts about me while he's away.

"I'm sure," Alba smiles patting my knee. "You just wait." She rubs her eyes looking at the clock. "Hey I have to go run a few errands, do you want to come along?" I instantly shake my head no.

"No I'm good. I think I'm just going to sleep for a while." I yawn sinking deeper under the covers. I vaguely hear Alba mention something about a babysitter, but I'm too tired to question her. I simply slip into a restless sleep.

I pull up to the Wickery Bridge and cut the engine. There are already a ton of people here, but I'm looking for one in particular. I spot Rebekah talking to Mrs. Lockwood as I hang back and wait for her to finish.

"Well look who finally decided to join the good guys?" Damon quips coming to stand beside me. I smirk glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Let me know when you find them." I fire back making his grin widen.

"Hello Alba," Meredith greets me as I side step Damon to get closer to her.

"Hey Mere, who did you have to sweet talk to get a day off?" I ask teasingly as she laughs.

"Everyone unfortunately," she smiles.

"Hey I did offer to compel the entire hospital," I point out causing her to shake her head.

"If only," she sighs turning her eyes to the man standing next to her. I notice it's Alaric who hasn't said a word since he came up.

"Hey teach," I nod finally grabbing his attention.

"Good to see you Alba." He smiles so genuinely that no one would ever suspect him to be a raging psychotic killer. "Tell me again, why we are here?" He asks to no one in particular. I couldn't agree more, but I have some original business to attend to.

"Ric, the world can't stop just because you're an accidental psycho killer." Damon states rather bluntly making me bite my lip to keep from laughing.

"Do you have any tact whatsoever?" Meredith glares scolding Damon. Alaric and I share matching looks of amusement as we look between the two.

"Well it's been fun, but I should be going." I excuse myself just in time to dodge Carol Lockwood. I easily find Rebekah as I pull her off to the side.

"Have you found anything?" I ask looking around us to make sure Damon isn't listening. He's busy talking to Carol so we have time.

"Not much," Rebekah huffs in frustration. "That wench isn't giving me much information." I watch Mrs. Lockwood as she moves onto the stage.

"Hmm," I hum in thoughtful silence as I make eye contact with Damon. He's watching Rebekah and me suspiciously as he moves around the crowd. "Has Damon tried to talk to you?" I ask focusing my attention back on Rebekah. She shakes her head no before turning to follow my gaze.

"He hasn't said a word to me since he used me to get Stefan to drink fresh blood," she bites rather scornfully.

"Good. Don't trust him." I mumble just as he stops in front of an unknown redhead.

"What is that bitch doing here?" Rebekah snarls not wasting time in walking over to the pair. I honestly debate not following, but I don't trust Damon around Rebekah.

"Easy there, Rebekah. You know she used to beat men for sport." Damon finishes just as I join the group.

"She always was quite common." Rebekah smirks not making this woman bat an eyelash.

"Rebekah, what a happy surprise," the woman smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"What are you doing here, Sage?" Rebekah asks not bothering with formalities. I raise an eyebrow as that name strikes a chord of familiarity.

"Well, I heard Finn was finally freed from that casket your rageaholic brother Klaus carted him around in." Sage retorts making me narrow my eyes.

"Mmm, Finn, you just missed him. He left town and didn't tell a soul where he was going." Rebekah smiles getting pleasure out of messing with Sage.

"Wise choice," I mutter already thinking of all the different ways I would torture and possibly kill the backstabbing original.

"Who are you?" Sage asks finally noticing me.

"Alba Martinez," I introduce myself standing a little straighter. Sage notices as she trails her eyes from my head to my toes. I could be wrong, but from the look dancing in her eyes I think she swings for both teams.

"Martinez? I've met a few of your ancestors," she smirks crossing her arms. "I've killed a few too." I catch Damon tense as I let out a dry chuckle.

"You know Sage, that's your name right?" I ask casually taking a step forward. She doesn't know who I am so she underestimates me when she stands her ground.

"That's right," she purrs looking me straight in the eyes.

"Sage you see I happen to know for a fact that Finn will never find you. And do you want to know why?" I ask stopping in front of her. "Because when Finn steps one foot in Mystic Falls, I'm going to reach my hand into his chest and pull out his cold dead heart. And if that doesn't work I'm just going to torture him while I make you watch." I smirk satisfied when her jaw clenches and her eyes flash.

"Okay as much as I like a good old girl fight, we can't do it here." Damon remarks stepping in between us pushing me back gently with his arm.

"You don't know who your messing with little girl. I'm by far stronger than you." Sage grits making me smirk and flash my fangs.

"You would figure after all your years as a vampire you'd learn to never underestimate someone." I grin taunting the woman in front of me. She's a liability, one that I will eliminate if it comes to that. "But hey I'm always in the mood to whoop a vampire's ass." I say taking a step forward as Sage does the same.

"No one is whooping anyone's ass." Damon rolls his eyes looking at me. "Go. Now." He commands gesturing to my car.

"Fine." I smirk winking at Sage. "See you around."

"Yes you will." She growls trying to sound intimidating. I just shake my head in amusement and walk to my car. Rebekah disappeared sometime during our quarrel so I didn't figure I'd see her for the rest of the day.

Boy, you know
You're beautiful
I know you heard it before
Boy, you know
You broke the mold
Nobody even comes close
Nobody even comes close
You're some kind of fine

"What is with your family changing my ringtones?" I ask exasperated as I get into my car.

"Well I just wanted something that would remind you of me." Kol's smooth voice assaults my ear. I smile because that's just so Kol.

"Hey do me a favor Kol, when we get off the phone look up the song you're so Vain. You'll understand without me having to explain."

"I'll make sure to do that love." He says sounding bored. "Now where is that sister of yours?"

"Kol did you just call me to talk about Danny?" I groan starting my car and pulling away from the bridge.

"Alba, don't be rude, answer my question." I hear Kol snap his fingers on the other end of the line.

"She's at home with Matt." I sigh taking a sharp left. I wait for his response, but I'm met with crickets. "Kol?"

"What in the bloody hell is Matt doing there?" Kol's voice has managed to lower several notches and I can just picture the anger in his eyes.

"I needed someone to watch her while I was out. Matt was free so I asked him to come over. Relax rocky, I doubt they are making sweet love on the couch." I snicker when he lets out an audible growl.

"Go home and get her right now."

"No. She's fine with Matt. Honestly, she's more than likely sleeping." I say which just makes him even more frustrated.

"I am going to break the quarterback's neck like I broke his hand."

"I'm hanging up now."

"Go get Danny!"

"Bye Kol!" I yell back hanging up mid rant. This was turning into a long day.

Danny's POV

I wake up to the sound of laughter. Not the light tinkling laughter of my sister, but a deep sound that shakes the bed. I pop open one eye first registering the television playing in the background and second is Matt Donovan. He's sitting next to my bed in an uncomfortable looking chair with his feet propped up next to mine. I think I might be dreaming until his baby blues connect with my brown ones.

"You're awake!" He grins grabbing the remote to mute the T.V. "How'd you sleep?" I rub my forehead as I try to sit up in bed. It becomes painfully obvious after a minute that I can't do it by myself. "Here let me help you," Matt murmurs jumping to his feet as he guides me up into a sitting position.

"Thank you," I sigh a little embarrassed that the cute busboy is helping me with such a simple task. "I slept alright, what are you doing here?" I ask hoping I don't come off as rude. I don't mean to be, I'm just confused.

"Alba called me and asked if I could watch over you for a little bit." He rushes on when he sees me frown. "She just didn't want you to be alone." I sigh knowing Alba means well.

"I know I'm really sorry you got roped into being baby-sitter." I shake my head looking down at my frail hands. "You should be out having fun with your friends."

"Actually all my friends are busy these days with the supernatural." He says a little dejectedly. "Besides I'd rather be here than work," he smiles kindly sending butterflies through my stomach. There's just something about them All-American boys I decide.

"Well since you're here you can fill me in on all the gossip." I grin happily scooting over and patting the spot beside me. Matt laughs and moves over to sit beside me.

"Well Bonnie has been gone for a while and-"I quickly cut him off with a shake of my head.

"I meant tell me about you Matt." I say watching him draw back in surprise. "It seems like you kind of get the short end of the stick among your group of friends and I know they aren't the only one with problems. So spill! I am your best friend for the day." I giggle nudging his shoulder. He looks down at his hands a grin turning up his lips as he nods.

"Oh so you're saying after today you don't want to be my best friend? I see how it is." He teases me making me blush.

"I would say yes, but that wouldn't be fair to you." I reason looking out towards the window.

"What do you mean?" Matt asks his voice turning serious as I avoid his questioning gaze. It's not fair because I'm dying and I don't want to do that to you.

"Well I mean I am the darling of Mystic Falls." I flutter my eyelids pulling the sock cap farther down over my head. "I don't want you to get jelly." I giggle when he full out laughs.

"Wow, you just used the word jelly." He shakes his head turning amused baby blues on me. "If we are going to be best friends you can never use that word again." He smirks as I nod in agreement.

"Done, but only if I can call you Matty even in public," I try to sweeten the deal as he thinks it over.

"Fine, deal." He consents holding out his hand as I take it.

"Deal." I smile giving it a shake. "Pleasure doing business with you Matty."

"Likewise Dano," he smirks as I raise an eyebrow.

"Could be worse," I reason leaning back against the pillows. "Now spill about your life all details should be included." I sigh in content as Matt talks about himself. I listen silently ignoring the churning in my gut.

I walk into the Salvatore boarding house expecting to find Stefan sitting by the fire and writing sweet poems about his lost lady love, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The parlor is empty when I walk inside, no sign of Stefan's gloomy disposition. However, that instantly changes when I catch the scent of blood.

"Of course," I mumble heading towards the basement where I find the youngest Salvatore with four empty blood bags at his feet. He has just popped open a fifth one when I quickly snatch it from his hands. "Oh for me, thank you." I smirk taking a sip of O neg.

"What a pleasant surprise." Stefan smiles clearly not happy with my arrival, yet there's a grateful gleam in his eye that I don't miss.

"What are you doing Stefan?" I ask innocently kicking an empty bag with my foot. He remains quiet no doubt shame coursing through his veins. I shake my head before flashing over to him and shoving him against the wall. "Stefan. What. Are. You. Doing?" I enunciate each word clearly so he knows I mean business.

"I'm trying Alba, okay?" He clenches his jaw looking me straight in the eye. "I'm trying." I narrow my eyes, but release him.

"So a little birdy told me you were drinking from a pretty little blond last night." I step back crossing my arms. "Now considering you are fiercely against fresh produce with your switch flipped, I'm going to take a wild guess that Damon had something to do with it." I smirk when I hear the light footsteps of the Salvatore in question flying down the stairs.

"That would be right," Damon purrs coming to stand beside the freezer. "And if you're here to scold me and Stefan about drinking from humans, you can get out." He smirks without humor. Hmm it seems someone is a little pissed at me.

"Fine, but Stefan is coming with me." I smile right back not backing down from Damon's challenge.

"What do you need with me?" Stefan asks taking a step forward so he's in my line of vision and not Damon.

"You're amazing self-control," I retort sarcasm dripping from every word. A frown instantly turns down his lips as the wrinkles in his forehead deepen. "Okay, wow." I sigh wondering again why in the hell I'm doing this. "That Doppelganger really ruined you two, didn't she? I need to talk to you and if you play nice I'll help you with your hunger problems. Now I'll be in the car, come out when you put your big boy pants on." I smirk looking around Stefan to wink at a furious Damon. "Later Salvatore."

Stefan POV

I walk slowly out to the black mustang idling in the driveway. Alba couldn't look more bored behind the wheel as she watches something in the distance. I don't know what it is, but something is different about her. There's an air of mystery surrounding her that was never there before. It's unnerving.

"Stefan," I barely have time to shut the door before Alba is talking. Her attention is now focused on my red vintage Porsche that I've had since the fifties. "Why is there a who car in your driveway?" She asks only a slight twitch of her lips as an indicator that she's joking.

"A what?" I ask confused. What in the hell is a who car?

"You know the Grinch," she says eyeing me expectantly. She sighs and mutters never mind when she sees that I'm not getting it. For some odd reason, I feel like I've let her down by not getting the joke. We sit in silence for a long time as she drives down a deserted road. It isn't until we park in a field that I speak up.

"So…you brought me out here to kill me?" I tease only half-joking as we peer at each other over her car. She chuckles looking down for a moment.

"No Stefan as crazy as it sounds I actually care about what happens to you." Ouch. I have no response to that as I hang my head in shame. "Come on, let's go, we don't have much time." She says motioning for me to follow her. So I do. We walk through the large open field that's covered in wild flowers before disappearing into the woods.

"Where are we going?" I ask as we start to climb a steep hill. Despite, all my years in Mystic Falls I've never found this place before.

"We're almost there." She mutters distractively as she jumps from one rock to the next. I don't speak again until we are standing on a bluff overlooking the field.

"Wow," I mumble noticing not just the wildflowers blowing in the breeze, but from here I can see the town of Mystic Falls. "Why did I never know about this place?" I ask wondering what it would look like at night.

"It's a secret." Alba shrugs a smile on her face. We stand in silence for a while neither of us finding the need to talk. It's almost like how it used to be. "Do you remember the day you found me in the forest?" She asks surprising me with her question.

"Of course I do. You had run away from your mom and gotten lost." I say remembering it like it was yesterday. That was the day Alba had unknowingly saved me from myself. A new wave of guilt crashes into me at how I treated her. "Listen, Alba…"

"I wasn't lost Stefan. I knew exactly where I was and where my mom was." Alba interrupts me putting me at a loss for words.

"I don't understand." I shake my head in confusion as she sighs and turns to face me. Her eyes are filled with sadness and it tears me apart.

"I wasn't lost Stefan, you were. You didn't find me, I found you. You didn't help me when no one could; I helped you when no one else would." She pauses smiling grimly up at me nothing like the little girl I knew. "You didn't stumble into my life; I let you in because I knew I could love you even when you couldn't love yourself." She finishes as I feel the undeniable golf size lump in my throat. The last time I even thought about crying was with Elena.

"Why?" I whisper looking her in the eyes. "Why would you save me when I hadn't done anything to deserve it?"

"Because in my eyes you are always worth saving, you're my Steffy, my family for goodness sake." She laughs taking my hand, "which is why I'm forgiving you."

"No," I shake my head in denial and yank my hand from hers. "I don't deserve your forgiveness." How could she just be so willing to forget everything I did to her? All the torture and pain I put her through?

"Will you stop being such a self-hating ass for one minute?" Alba yells throwing up her hands. I smile despite the situation because that's exactly something she would say. "I didn't bring you up here so you could deny my forgiveness and add more to your guilty conscience. I get it you were revenge driven, but I've realized that grudges are for the weak. Being angry at someone takes too much energy out of a person and I'm not doing it anymore. Stefan, just quit being so damn stubborn and see yourself like everyone else does. As the freaking kind hearted, selfless and broody vampire we all know and love." She rushes out taking a breather after her speech. I don't say anything as I wrap her in a hug that she quickly returns. "Does this mean you're my Steffy again?" I laugh tugging her closer.

"Only if you never call me that in public," I tease which earns me a giggle.

"Whatever you say Steffy Weffy Woo," she laughs playfully pushing me away from her. "But that's not the only reason I brought you up here."

"What is it?" I ask as her face suddenly becomes serious.

"Do you see where I'm standing?" She asks me backing up so her body is a few feet away from the cliff's edge as she faces town. "I want you to bury me here." She must see the fear and worry that consumes my face because she quickly continues. "Don't freak out Stefan. I'm just telling you this for future reference. You're the only one I trust to actually do it for me."

"Why do I feel like you aren't telling me something?" I ask narrowing my eyes at her in suspicion.

"Probably because your overly paranoid about everything except Elena; the only person that you should be worried about." She holds up her hands shrugging her shoulders. "Now let's get out of here I have prior engagements." She smirks nudging me with her hip. "Race you, last one to the car has to drive!" She grins mischievously moments before shoving me off the cliff.

I take Danny's hand in mine as I lead her through the hospital. For some reason, it feels ominous tonight. The halls are lacking the usual hustle and bustle that accompanies the day. We stop at the desk to find Emily's shift has ended and a new nurse is in her place.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" She asks never looking up from her cheap magazine.

"Yes we're here to see Meredith, is she back yet?" I ask fully aware it is her day off, but she scheduled the appointment for tonight so I figured she is working the graveyard shift.

"Ms. Fell," the nurse begins almost scolding me for using Meredith's first name, "is not back yet. If you'll have a seat I'll call her immediately." The woman smirks going back to her magazine. I narrow my eyes and laugh humorlessly to myself.

"Actually," I answer my voice lowering as I lean forward hanging on to Danny so she doesn't fall over. "You are going to call Meredith right now and tell her we are here." I compel the woman once I get her attention. "Then you're going to put down that magazine and start doing your job…with a smile." I add-on out of pure spite as I watch her pupils dilate.

"You know what! I think I'll call Dr. Fell right now!" The nurse grins pulling out her phone as she starts to dial her number.

"Fantastic!" I snicker grabbing Danny and leading us to a couple empty chairs.

"That… wasn't….very…nice." Danny reprimands me in between breaths. I put my arm around her as she slouches into me; her head landing on my shoulder. Despite the warm weather Danny is shivering just the slightest bit as I try to warm her up.

"Well she wasn't a very nice person," I mumble defending myself. Danny just sighs in response not even bothering to argue with me about it. It isn't long before Danny is snoring softly in my ear. She can fall asleep about anywhere these days. I don't mind because it gives me time to think things over.

When I came home today Danny and Matt were passed out on the bed. She was curled up into his side as Matt held a protective arm around her. There was nothing romantic about it as I snapped a picture of them together. I thought Matt might like it for the future. A part of me thinks Matt considers Danny to be like his little sister and I couldn't be happier about it. Danny never had the luxury of having a big family growing up. We did the best we could and now I wish I had done more for her. I wish we had settled down someplace where she could have made more friends and had a real family. But looking at it now, I realize she made herself a family here with Caroline and Matt, hell even Bonnie. Not to mention the originals. She's done something in two months I have never been able to do my whole life. She's made herself a home.

"Alba!" I lift my gaze just in time to find Meredith running towards me. She looks like hell and I know instantly that something has happened. "I'm so sorry I'm late! I got caught up, but follow me." She smiles wearily as I pick a sleeping Danny up and trail her to her office. Once we are inside and the door is shut I start my interrogation.

"What happened?" I ask eyeing her torn blood stained shirt as she quickly covers it with her lab coat.

"Alaric." She states sadly.

"I'm sorry to hear that." I nod glumly because I know how much she likes him. Yes I'm a raging bitch to most, but Meredith has been a great doctor to Danny so I can give her a break.

"It's okay. Bonnie gave him some roots to drink that should keep his other personality dormant for now." She shrugs sitting down in her chair as I manage to take a seat without waking Danny up. I'm cradling her to my chest like a baby and it reminds me of when she was little and I would have to rock her to sleep.

"So…" I drawl, "What's the news doc?" I ask wondering if I should wake Danny up, but one look at Meredith's somber face tells me I shouldn't.

"Alba, we found that while the cancer has shrunk its spread to her stomach, liver, and ovaries." Meredith fills me in her face twisting into a new kind of grief.

"What about chemo? What about surgeries or the experimental drugs they're always trying on patients? What are my options Meredith? I'll do them all." I say my head spinning with this new information. The cancer has spread.

"Alba…"Meredith hangs her head, but not before I see the unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

"Meredith." I growl lowly so I don't wake Danny. "Tell me what. Are. My. Options?" I watch her back rise as she inhales a breath before promptly releasing it and lifting her head. There are no longer tears dancing in her eyes, but I can tell it's taking a lot for her to remain professional.

"I'm sorry Alba. Danny is out of options. Even with months of chemo and back to back surgeries, it wouldn't matter. The cancer has spread throughout her body. There's nothing…" Meredith pauses taking a deep breath as she starts to get choked up. "There's nothing we can do for her." I stare at Meredith my gaze hardening with everything she is telling me. "The best thing you can do for her is-"

"How long?" I interrupt her not in the mood to hear anymore.

"With how aggressive the cancer is, she has a month, maybe less." Meredith answers me her voice quivering with each word. I nod my head standing without a word and exiting her office. I don't miss the light sob that escapes Meredith's lips before I close the door.

I lay Danny down on the couch as gently as possible so not to wake her. I slip a blanket over her small body before I take a seat on the coffee table right in front of her. I let my eyes trail from the white knit beanie covering her bald head down to her pale sunken cheeks. Danny's always had doe eyes, but now her eyes dominate her face as they've gotten bigger and rounder. Her clothes hang off of her as she's lost too much weight; I could feel her ribs as I carried her tonight.

I tear my gaze from Danny when it becomes too much for me. I can't seem to get Meredith's words out of my head. There's nothing we can do. She has a month, maybe less. There are no more options. I stand swiftly from the table running a restless hand through my hair. I decide pacing in the kitchen will be better than Danny waking up and finding me wearing a hole in the living room carpet. However, I've barely made it to the kitchen counter before my phone starts vibrating. I peer down at the screen to find I have two missed calls from Elijah, four from Kol, six from Rebekah, and Klaus has left me eleven. I shake my head hitting the dial back button as I walk back and forth from the refrigerator to the back door. I listen as it rings once before his voice floats through the phone.

"I've been worried sick, love. What's wrong?" Klaus asks immediately not joking about being worried. I can hear the restlessness in his voice.

"What? Can you feel me everywhere now?" I joke trying to stay strong, but I can hear my voice choke at the end.

"Love, tell me." He demands softly his voice just above a whisper. I stop in my pacing to scrub a shaky hand down my face.

"Danny's cancer has spread. There's nothing more the doctors can do. They said…" I bite my lip to keep the sob from tumbling out of my lips as I take a deep breath. "They said she has less than a month." I get out with a surprising amount of strength in my voice. This is no time to feel sorry for myself. Klaus is silent on the other end for a long time. I'm about to hang up when he finally speaks.

"You know out of my thousand years this is the first time I've ever been left without words." He says not surprising me.

"I don't need you to say anything Klaus; I just need a way to save Danny." I mutter suddenly angry. "It seems everyone else in this godforsaken town can cheat death except Da…." I trail off my mind running faster than my mouth is.

"Alba, what is it?" Klaus asks his voice suddenly worried again. I can't seem to answer him as an idea hits me. Who do I know that should be dead, but isn't? Who out of the Scooby gang has become a master at cheating death? "So help me Alba if you don't answer me!"

"I have to go." I say distractedly already running out of the kitchen.

"Don't you dare hang u-"I quickly hit the decline button as I end the call. I take one look at Danny still fast asleep on the couch to know she'll still be out by the time I get back. I don't bother with my car as I take off at a dead run for the Gilbert house.

I make it to the Gilbert home in record time as I knock rapidly on the door. I hear shuffling inside as I wait impatiently on the porch for someone to open the door. I'm about to knock again when the door swings open to reveal the exact person I need to talk to.

"Alba?" Elena asks completely caught off guard by my arrival. She isn't angry to see me, but she doesn't look happy about it either.

"Elena! I need to talk to you. Can I please come inside?" I ask deciding being polite would get my answers quicker than barging straight into her house. She must hear the urgency in my voice because she doesn't hesitate to open the door wider.

"Yeah come in." She offers stepping aside as I walk right in. "Is everything alright?" She asks concern lacing her voice. Damn even after I've threatened to kill her on multiple occasions she still has it in her to be concerned about me. I don't know whether I find that incredibly admirable or downright stupid.

"You were meant to die in Klaus's ritual and if I have my facts right you did." I begin watching her face twist up in confusion. "I need to know how you survived."

"What is this about Alba? Is something happening?" She asks stepping forward to crowd my space. I shake my head stubbornly as I refrain from snapping at the doppelgänger.

"Listen Elena, I really don't have time to explain, not that I particularly want to. But right now, I just need you to answer me…please." I plead feeling the hope rising in my chest when she sighs, but nods her head.

"Bonnie did a spell that tied John, my biological father's, life force to mine. So when I died I essentially drained his life force which allowed me to live." Elena admits with a small amount of guilt hidden in her eyes.

"That's fantastic!" I yell receiving a wounded look from Elena. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it's great that your father died. I'm sorry about that." I backtrack already feeling an immense weight lift off my chest. And to make things even better Bonnie Bennett chooses that moment to walk through the door.

"What's going on here?" She asks suspiciously eyeing me up and down. She has a jar of something in her hands, no doubt the roots Meredith mentioned.

"I don't really know," Elena looks to me confused. I ignore her as I focus my attention on Bonnie.

"I need your help." I say as she glares at me holding her head high.

"I'm not helping you." She answers defiantly making me clench my jaw.

"It's not for me," I grit trying to keep my temper in check. "It's for Danny. I found out today she has less than a month left to live." I spill the beans hoping Danny will be the key to unlocking the Bennett's heart. It seems to work as her eyes instantly soften.

"Oh my god, Alba, I am so sorry." Elena speaks up laying what she thinks is a comforting hand on my shoulder. I give her a small smile since she is the one that gave me the answer to all my problems.

"What can I do?" Bonnie finally asks her stubborn attitude gone. I look her straight in her eyes as I answer.

"You can tie my life to Danny's like you tied John's life to Elena's." I tell her confidently sure of what I'm about to do.

"Alba you don't understand what that will do." Elena says looking at me in shock. "It will kill you Alba." She looks me in the eyes trying to convey her message more intensely. I smile sadly turning my gaze back to Bonnie's.

"I can't think of a better reason to die."

Thank you all for reading! Review and let me know what you think!