She looked into the bathroom mirror once before leaving, suddenly abnormally self-conscious. She shrugged, she had nothing better anyway so this would have to do. She swung the door open and walked straight into a rock hard body.
"Elena." he said in a tone she couldn't place. Somewhere between sarcasm and patronization.
"Damon." she mocked, smirking up at him causing him to roll his eyes.
"Where are you planning on going today?" he asked curiously, obviously one for getting straight to the point.
She shrugged and winked at him. "Just take me somewhere interesting."
He rolled his eyes again, smirking at her personality. He jerked his head in the direction of the study his father kept most of his records in. That was where Giuseppe and Grayson would be. "Come on." he said without any further explanation.
She rose an eyebrow but followed him anyway rather hesitantly with her arms folded across her chest. He was probably taking her to see Grayson she realised almost immediately. She was shocked to say the least. Damon Salvatore was so different than what she'd heard from the various bikers she'd known in her late teens.
This time, when he reached a door hid away from the rest of the club house, he didn't knock. He walked straight in and motioned for her to follow.
She edged gingerly into the room, slightly suspicious. She glanced around when she caught a glimpse of the two men talking on the porch. A wave of relief she didn't know would exist washed over her. He was okay, he was alive and he was here. She breathed out shallowly and steadied herself, looking at Damon with silent thanks.
He smiled at her gently before taking the lead and making his way to the french door separating the two sets of people.
Grayson turned around and the look on his face shocked her. His eyes were hard and stony, his mouth set in a grim line. He saw her and some of the visible tension left his body. In moments he was through the doors and hugging her so tightly she thought she might suffocate. She wound her arms around him anyway and pressed her face against the leather of his shoulder, seeking comfort in the familiarity of it.
"Thank god you're okay." he murmured into her hair. "I couldn't lose you both."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Giuseppe motion to Damon to join him outside. Obviously, he had some tact and wanted to leave his best friend with his daughter in peace.
Grayson pulled back, but kept his rough hand pressed against her cheek, his chocolate eyes flickering.
He breathed out and ran a hand through his hair, sitting heavily on the corner of the desk.
She shrugged and sat beside him, leaning a head on his shoulder. "No need to get maternal, Dad." she said, weakly attempting to lighten the situation.
"You're so like me, Elena. Cracking awful jokes to lighten situations." he chuckled forcefully beside her.
"I must get a lot from you. I wasn't like Mom at all." A sliver of ice seemed to be stuck in her throat as she spoke about her mom, she swallowed roughly.
"I'm sure you are." he said smiling. "But from what I hear you have a bit of a bark, missy." he said, pretending to scold her.
She chuckled and nudged her father playfully. "Definitely" she said smirking slightly "you gotta be able to hold you own, right?"
Grayson darkened slightly, his fists clenching over the wood of the desk. "Did anything like that ever happen before?" he asked after a while of silence.
She shook her head "Never" she said softly, her voice quiet and rough "Who was it?" she asked in a hard tone.
Her dad sighed, "I don't know. Everything is more complicated than it seems." he turned to face her, his eyes sad. "People are after you. They have been without them even knowing it."
He groaned and held his head in his hands. "You know how many enemies I have but it is deeper than that. There are enemies, rivals, people who just genuinely don't like the Vagrants as a whole. People I pissed off a long time ago and even people who had a vendetta against Miranda. I thought you would be safe. Somewhere far away from me and from this club but of course, someone kept looking."
She looked at her father sadly, he was tearing himself up inside. He was like her. He didn't do confrontations or even many emotions, but he blamed himself.
"I get you're blaming yourself. Don't. Do you know anything about the fire?"
Grayson shook his head curtly. "See?" she said gently "it could have been an accident, a freak of nature or a coincidence."
He smiled at her, stoking her hair back from her face and keeping his hand on her cheek. "She would have said that too. She would have made me feel better. You're better at it than she was. But, Elena, you know as well as I do there was gasoline last night. It was so strong that's the first lead the police looked in to."
"Promise me you won't blame yourself." she persisted stubbornly.
He smirked. "You inherited all my bad parts. You got the stubbornness, the attitude and I'm sure a lot more." His smile died form his lips. "If Miranda hadn't left she might be alive."
Elena glared at her father angrily. "Stop it!" She stood up, "Don't blame yourself. If I don't blame you, you can't either. I don't blame you for leaving me and Mom. I don't blame you for abandoning your own child to keep her safe. I don't blame that you have enemies and that may be the cause of the fire. I don't blame you for anything."
Grayson looked at her, a distinct pride burning in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair.
"You're special 'Lena." she smiled. A few hours into permanent parenthood and he already had a nickname. "I don't do all the mushy stuff but I gotta say, I love you, kid. And I'm sorry I wasn't there for you much."
Elena scoffed. "I don't do that either" she said smiling "But I love you too. And don't be sorry for keeping me safe."
Grayson dropped a kiss to her forehead and stroked her hair. "Stay safe if you go out."
She nodded and rolled her eyes. "Course, daddy!" she chimed innocently making Grayson's eyes sparkle.
"It's good to hear you say that." he grinned squeezing her shoulder lightly as he past, making his way past her and out onto the porch.
Damon nodded to each and clapped Grayson on the shoulder as he past, stopping in front of her and bouncing on the balls of his feet with his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Everything good with Grace?" he asked lightly. She cocked her head to the side. There was something about him. He could ask questions like that in a way that made everything seem almost normal.
"Sure" she nodded "what do I tell people?" she asked suddenly.
"Huh?" he asked, the look on his face pretty amusing. The great, ever sarcastic, all knowing Damon Salvatore looking like a ten year old being taught algebra for the first time.
She rolled her eyes and laughed softly, "Idiot. What do I tell people? Am I Grayson's daughter or some random chick you're hooking up with for the week?"
He rose his eyebrows, his eyes wide. "You think I just hook up with random girls?"
She rose her eyebrows too "Do you?"
He shook his head in disbelief. "Well yes. But I wouldn't treat you like that. I actually like you, Gilbert."
She smirked. "Well, I am irresistible."
He shook his head and stuck his head out the door. "Gray, what do you want her to tell people? How you gonna explain her to the rest of the guys?"
Grayson furrowed his eyebrows and exchanged a look with Giuseppe. "It wouldn't do any harm telling people she's your daughter would it?" Giuseppe asked calmly.
Grayson's eyebrows mashed together. "No" he trailed off slightly "You taking her her out?" he asked in all his fatherly protection making Elena chuckle.
"Dad. Chill. He's the only person I know. I need to buy some stuff anyway."
Grayson's eye widened in realization. Everything she had owned bar the clothes she was wearing, her leathers and her bike had been burnt to a crisp.
"Chill, Elena." he mocked, reminding her of herself. He dug in his pocket for his wallet and bringing out a wad of cash and handing it to her. "Don't be the girl I know you are and go crazy, okay?" he warned. "Then get Damon to take you back to his and I'll meet you there later."
She laughed softly. "Thanks Dad. Bye." she giggled as she walked out the door, followed quickly by Damon who nudged her gently in the ribs before walking off, presumably to collect his bike.
"You're a great dad you know, Grace." she heard Giuseppe say lightly "She's just like you."
"That's a good thing?" Grayson replied jokingly, "I try, but I've never had practise y'know. She probably thinks I'm some deadbeat who's gonna fuck this up at the first possible opportunity."
Her heart clenched. Yes, Grayson hadn't been around much but he was all she had now. She had her dad, her bike and her clothes. That was it. She could count everything she had on one hand.
Giuseppe breathed out, obviously unsure of what to say. "You're her dad Grace. She just lost her Mom and everything she owned in a fire. She has you, the clothes on her back, a bike and Damon-"
Grayson cut him off. "Damon? They barely know each other." he said laughing slightly.
Giuseppe scoffed. "Who knows? Didn't you see him? But he did apologise to her- I know, I didn't believe it either, but out of us all, he's been with her the whole time. He hasn't left her side for a moment."
Elena realised it was true. Ever since she'd arrived he'd been there, either being an ass, a cocky ass or a relatively nice guy. She'd woken up and he'd still been in the room.
She shrugged the thought away and retraced her steps back to the courtyard, breathing in relief in the morning air.
She glanced around, it was busier now she realised. More movement even by a slight measure. There were a few guys in the background staring at her with curiosity. She groaned inwardly. Now she was definitely gonna get questions. She shrugged, adopting her 'what the hell' attitude and strutted over to the outbuilding where her bike was. She slipped on her leggings and jacket and walked the bike into the courtyard and leaving her helmet draped over the handle bars.
She leant casually against her bike, well aware of the stares she was getting. She was a new face in a place where strangers weren't common. Added to the fact she was a girl, clad in leather and leaning against a Harley people were bound to stare. She tilted her head back like she had done earlier that morning and let her face soak up the rays.
"Hey. Haven't seen you around before." said a male voice beside her. She let her head fall forward and her gaze fell on the a young man, around her age, maybe older with blonde hair and baby blue eyes. Not exactly biker material.
"Yeah. I got in this morning." she said reluctantly, pissed at the way the guy was making eyes at her.
"So, where you in from?" he asked curiously, his hands stuck in his back pockets.
"L.A." she said, cutting him short again.
The man nodded slightly, his eyes still unable to remain focussed on her face.
"My eyes are up here." she snapped irritated at him. He jumped at met her gaze sheepishly, starting to apologise.
"So you have a bark, huh?" came another voice beside her. Another male, this one with dark hair and eyes. "I like it." he said, winking.
She smirked at him. It was easier to deal with guys like the brunette who just wanted you for your body than guys like the blonde who would actually have a conversation with you.
"Tyler Lockwood." the brunette said smoothly, winking at her again.
"Matt Donovan." the other one put in, obviously glaring at Tyler.
"Hey-" Tyler said suddenly, "you're the biker Damon went out to get rid of earlier, right?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm still here, obviously."
Matt chuckled and playfully punched Tyler's shoulder. "So what's your name, gorgeous?" Tyler asked, staring at her legs. What was it with guys and leather? She thought furiously to herself.
"Elena Gilbert." she said casually, as if it was normal to have that name.
Both sets of eyes widened only slightly. "You related to Grayson or something?" Tyler asked in a shocked voice. For some reason that pissed her off. She glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Or something." she said shortly, relieved to see Damon emerging from what she guessed was a garage. Then they could leave and this conversation could end.
"So where you from, Elena?" Tyler asked in what he must have thought was a flirtatious voice.
"L.A." she said, refusing to elaborate any further.
"Nice." he drawled, making Matt shake his head slightly.
"What you guys doing up this early?" she asked, figuring conversation would make time go quicker.
"Bike needs work" Matt said shrugging. "easier to get it done now."
"I'm only up 'cause I couldn't get back to sleep after I woke up this morning. Although, I'm glad I'm up now." Tyler said, waggling his eyebrows.
"So, what you doing today Elena?" Matt said, obviously determined to shut Tyler up.
"Going into Phoenix, I've never been around here before, thought I'd take a look."
"I could show you around if you like" Matt scoffed at Tyler's persistent efforts "wouldn't want you getting lost."
Elena chuckled softly, rolling her eyes, ready to shoot him down in the nicest way possible.
"Like she'd get lost." came a soft voice from behind her. She turned slowly to see Damon, standing a few feet behind her, walking his bike towards her. He winked at her as she looked at him, thanks clear in her eyes.
"You never know Damon, it's a big city." Tyler glared at Damon, unhappy for the interruption.
Damon rested an arm casually around her shoulder as he circled to stand next to her looking smug.
"Nah, I won't let her get lost."
Elena smirked and winked at Matt playfully who winked back, raised a hand and walked back to his bike.
"See, I told you it's just solid black." Damon nudged his bike with his foot.
She smiled as she looked at Damon's bike. His was also black but even without the blue tints to it it was still a gorgeous colour.
"Nah, I like it." she said appreciatively. "We going any time soon?"
Damon smirked and winked at Tyler the way she'd winked at Matt moments ago. "Love to." he drawled out, gesturing at her bike. "After you." he leaned in closer so his lips were right by her ear, "He's still staring at your ass."
She swung her leg over the seat, well aware of both men now staring at her very obviously. "Don't pretend you're a gentleman." she smirked as she kicked off a roared out of the courtyard, aware of the looks she was getting as eyes followed her and the blue eyed man who was close behind her.
It wasn't long until Elena swerved into a lay by, pulling of her helmet so she could talk to Damon.
"You do realise I have no idea where I'm going, right?" she pointed out smiling.
Damon chuckled and pulled his helmet back on. "I know." he said as he kicked off.
She shook her head and tailed him quickly, following him into the city.
She smirked as she collapsed onto a bench with a very disgruntled Damon beside her.
"Did you do quite enough shopping? You sure you don't want to go back for several more hours?" he moaned as he laid on the bench closing his eyes.
She giggled, prodding his shin sharply. "I might take you up on that."
"Did you kill him?" came a hopeful voice to her right. She looked over to see a blonde girl with gorgeous green eyes bouncing on the balls of her feet while the man next to her elbowed her and told her to shut up.
"Nah" she smiled at the couple "I just made him go shopping with me."
"It was hell." he mumbled from his position next to her. "Go away Caroline."
Caroline rolled her eyes and sat next to Elena, smiling brightly. "I'm Caroline Forbes." she said obviously.
Elena laughed, the blonde had so much energy. "Elena Gilbert." she smiled back. Caroline's eyes widened only slightly before she composed herself. So she was a biker, or was connected.
"Gilbert as in Grayson?" the man said in shock, causing Damon to sit up and roll his eyes.
"No Klaus, she's a biker named Gilbert. Pure coincidence." he said in a warm voice as some sort of greeting.
Elena snorted and elbowed Damon in the ribs and nodded. "Yeah."
Klaus whistled lowly. "Niece?" he asked, purely out of curiosity.
She sighed and shook her head. "He's my dad."
Caroline gaped at her like she's just killed a puppy and Klaus' eyes widened in shock.
"Close your mouth Caroline." Damon said wearily, his voice snapping them both into action.
"Wow. He kept that quiet." Caroline said, making Elena smile. Obviously she was one of those people who said what they thought.
"Come on Care, you know why he would keep that quiet." Klaus said gently.
Caroline shrugged. "You're Grayson's daughter?" she said, needing clarification.
Elena chuckled and leant back on the bench, "Yep. Are you..." she glanced at Damon then at Klaus and Caroline, not quite sure where they would stand with everything.
"Klaus is one of us, so is his brother but Caroline" he winked at her "Caroline's the chief of police's daughter."
Elena laughed as did Caroline. "Yeah, we don't talk much anymore." she said smirking.
"Only cause she didn't like me. Then you got all offended." Klaus pointed out, standing behind her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"She didn't like me either." Damon mused to himself.
"Can't think why." she said playfully, earning a sharp prod in the ribs.
"Oh my god" Caroline said in disgust, "There's two of you now."
All three of them stared at her, wondering if she'd lost her mind.
She rolled her eyes exasperated. "You" she said pointing to Elena "are like him" she said pointing to Damon "so now there is two of you." she glared at Damon.
Klaus rolled his eyes at Elena and winked at her. "They used to sleep together." he said in a stage whisper casing Caroline to smack him and Damon to flip him off.
"Ah" she said lightly. "that explains it."
Damon rose an eyebrow and gave her that half smile that made her insides flutter. "We were gonna go eat or something. I'd ask if you wanted to tag along but then Caroline would come..." he trailed off, smiling innocently.
"You should come." she said warmly to the blonde. "I don't really know anyone apart from him" he prodded Damon's chest "So you should save me from that at least."
Caroline laughed musically and stood up, pulling her up with her. "Klaus could drive your bike back then you could ride with me. No way can you ride with those bags."
Elena rose an eyebrow. Sure, Klaus seemed like an alright guy but that bike was her baby. She'd had it less than a day.
Luckily, Klaus and Damon's laughter saved her from having to explain why not.
"Come on Care, she's not letting him drive her bike. Even you might understand if you saw it."
Klaus' ears seemed to perk up at the word 'bike' "What bike is it?" he asked curiously.
Damon glared at Elena, but his eyes were dancing. "It's that new Harley we looked at, remember?. That's right. Hate her. It's an amazing paint job too." he said miserably.
"Aw you bitch!" Klaus moaned. "That's such a fucking awesome bike."
Damon sidled up to her and looked her her with plotting eyes. "You should let me ride it back."
Elena burst out laughing. "No way."
"Please." he begged. "I am in love with your bike, Elena."
Klaus continued to moan to Caroline who was nodding while studying her nails.
Elena rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I just met you, you idiot." she said, the laughter dying from her lips as the words sank in. It seemed longer than only a few hours since they'd met.
"Oh yeah. Seems longer." he shrugged. "come on, 'Lena" she smiled, apparently it wasn't that creative a nickname. "it's your bike or your shopping."
Elena groaned, it probably was the only options. "I should have just ridden with you here and gotten a cab back."
Damon pouted and fluttered his eyelashes. "Really?" she said amused. "Caroline?" she called over to the blonde.
"Mmhm?" she said, still studying her nails and tuning Klaus' ranting out.
"Could you drive my stuff back to Damon's?" she winked slyly "I mean, you'll know where it is."
Caroline laughed and nodded. "I think we'll be friends, Gilbert."
"Glad to hear it." she said as she gathered up her many bags. "Please say your car is within a two minute walk."
Caroline nodded and pointed to a Range Rover across the street. "Thank god." she muttered as she made her way towards it, arms full of bags. She flipped the trunk open and piled everything inside.
"You're a life saver honestly." she said gratefully to Caroline who smiled and leant against the car.
"What's the deal with you and Damon?" she asked slyly making her stop dead in her tracks.
"Deal? She scoffed "I barely know him."
Caroline rolled her eyes and looked at her knowingly. "Damon doesn't do shopping. He doesn't do nice with girls, but he's actually treating you differently."
Elena shrugged "I don't know. Maybe it's cause I ride." she pointed out, trying to ignore the fact that now two people close to Damon had brought them up.
Caroline shook her head. "You don't see the way he looks at you, but it's strange, I don't think he even notices it. He looks at you like you're different."
She shrugged again and leant against the car parked behind Caroline's. "I don't know. Out of all the people here he's the one I've spent the longest with at once, including my dad. He's the once I first met right when I got here."
"How long have you been here?" Caroline asked with raised eyebrows.
"I got in around dawn, I was riding through the night." she explained.
Caroline groaned. "You haven't slept since yesterday morning and you look that good?" she complained.
Elena laughed, "You kidding me? Don't worry, I caught an hour or so after I spoke to Giuseppe."
Caroline snorted. "An hour's sleep and you look that good?" Caroline's eyes sparkled. "Wait did he stay while you were asleep?"
"Yeah... so what?" she said defensively, smiling at Caroline's excited face.
"He doesn't do caring, Elena. You are important to him." she explained, excitement bubbling over.
She didn't reply, she leant back more firmly against the car behind Caroline's and crossed her arms, thinking.
They were both too lost in thought to hear the squeal of the tyres or the shouts of warning. Neither of them noticed the car speeding towards them. Klaus and Damon didn't realise what had happened until it slammed full force into the car she was leaning against.