Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Replies are at the end of the chapter :)

DISCLAIMER:

I don't own The Vampire Diaries or its characters, only my OC Celina.

At school the next day everyone was helping set up and prepare for the Booster Club Barbecue. I loved any excuse for an event, and was helping spread cliché red and white checker cloths over the tables, placing the occasional stack of paper plates here and there.

I saw Caroline and Tyler talking, thankful that they were both fine. I was clued in about Care helping with Tyler's first change, and knew about the legend stating that one bite from a wolf would kill a vampire. But they were both alive, and that's all that mattered.

I went back to helping set up, chatting with the cheerleader Dana as I did.

Later that evening the barbeque was in full swing, with the school band playing upbeat music and people chatting excitedly amongst each other. I was in all white – white 'Baby Cake' dress by For Love and Lemons (of course), white stockings, white boots, and a white knit cardigan. I had my trademark dark eye makeup, and with frosty pink lipstick, I was truly a sight to behold.

I enjoyed the free atmosphere that hung heavy in the air, but it all turned sour when I spotted a few cops inspecting something near the dumpsters. I noticed Damon talking to Sheriff Forbes, which usually meant vampire business.

Ugh, what now?

I saw Damon leave the Sheriff's side and make his way to Elena, who leaned against a car and was talking on her phone. I trotted over to them.

"My brother's not exactly my priority right now." I heard Damon say. He reached into his pocket and handed my twin a stake. "Here, take this."

"What the hell has happened now?" I asked, frowning at the exchange.

Elena looked upset. "Rose was bitten by a werewolf last night, and the venom is making her hallucinate. She attacked me at the boarding house, then came here and killed a maintenance man."

Rose was bitten? But it couldn't have been Tyler, because he was with Care the whole night. "So there's another wolf in town."

"Yeah, Jules. She's here looking for Mason, and I may have pissed her off." Damon shrugged and I rolled my eyes. Can't he go one day without aggravating someone supernatural and powerful? He grabbed Elena's arm in one hand and mine in another, dragging us with him to who knows where. "Come on. Let's go."

The nervousness rolling off the two of them was rubbing off on me, and in turn it made me cranky. Great, an insane vampire who once kidnapped me is on the loose and out for blood. Fun times. We continued down the parking lot and saw Rose attacking a blonde girl. There was already a body lying on the hood of the car next to them, the front windscreen smashed into a web of glittery cracks.

Damon rushed over. "Rose, stop!" She immediately dropped the girl and tackled him instead, but when they landed on the road, Damon was on top. "Rose. Rose. It's me. It's Damon." She struggled beneath him. "It's Damon. It's Damon."

I was close enough to see the veins under her eyes disappear and her fangs recede back into their normal size. As Rose came back to her senses, she looked so utterly confused and scared.

"Did I do this?" She asked, distressed and on the verge of hysteria. Elena and I looked on worriedly. Rose began to sob. "Oh, my God. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. I never wanted to hurt anybody."

"I know. I know. I know." Damon reassured her.

She looked over to Elena. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Come on, let's get you home."

Damon helped her up but she sobbed even harder. "No, I don't have a home. I haven't had a home in so long." She fell back down to the road pathetically. "Oh, make it stop. Please, make it stop. I hate it. Make it stop."

For the first time, I began to feel an emotion for the vampire girl other than hate: pity. I knew she was going to die, and I could only wish it were soon. For both her sake, and everyone else's.

"Come on." Damon picked Rose up this time, carrying her bridal-style passed us.

I didn't want to deal with vampires for the rest of the night, so I drove home instead, knowing I wouldn't run into any if I stayed in my room.

But when I got home, there was a surprise waiting for me. Stefan was there, which annoyed me, but also John. I gave a happy squeal and practically leaped into my dad's arms for a giant hug.

"Well hello to you too, Cell-Belle." He ruffled my hair and I pushed him away playfully. I never did know why Elena hated John so much. Even when he was being a dick, I had always gotten along with him far more than I had with my adoptive parents, which finally made sense when I found out he was my biological father.

John placed an arm over my shoulders protectively as Stefan watched us in confusion. He knew I loved John, and didn't understand it. I just scowled at him and faced my father. "So to what do I owe the pleasure, dad?"

"You should ask him," John stated, looking towards Stefan. But he was grinning from ear to ear, and I knew he loved it when I called him dad. I turned to the vampire and gave him a questioning glance.

"I called Isobel," I shrugged and waited for him to continue. Isobel was a bitch, but she was my real mom, and her emotions were off. I had no right to judge him for calling her. "But instead I got him."

I pulled a face at Stefan and gave John another hug. "Still wearing your crystals and amulets I see."

"Well of course, all this town's bullshit isn't going to change me." Grinning, I slapped his hand away from the chunky rose quartz crystal that hung around my neck, next to the Tree of Life and pentacle pendants. "Well, I've had enough vampires for one night. I'm gonna go up to get changed and read a book about innocent faeries or something. Oh, and have fun with Elena."

Both Stefan and John grimaced at the thought of breaking the news to her, so I giggled and ran upstairs.

The next morning as I finished getting dressed for the day, I heard Elena and John arguing, so I joined them in the kitchen to make myself a coffee. "Be nice to dad, dear twin. If he's here, then it's to help. Probably." I smirked as she glared intensely at me and gave John a quick morning hug.

Before she could reply, Jenna came rushing in. "Oh, God, I'm late."

"That's what you get for hitting snooze." Alaric came strolling in after her. They looked in shock when they noticed my father standing with Elena and I.

Stifling a giggle, I sipped at my coffee instead.

"What the hell?" Jenna asked with uncertainty.

John smiled pleasantly. "Good morning to you, Jenna. Alaric."

Aunt Jenna was still wide-eyed. "It's okay I'm confused, right? Because we were not expecting you, like, ever."

I shrugged. "I think it's a pleasant surprise. We need somebody fun around here." Everyone stared at me in shock, so I just smirked and shrugged again, going back to my coffee.

"Well, I got in late last night." John explained, and pet my arm. "Celina let me in."

Ric looked like he was feeling increasingly awkward. "You know, I'm, uh, probably just gonna take off." He looked to each of us nervously then left.

Jenna gave John a weird look. "I'm still confused here."

"I decided to come back and stay a while."

"Not here you're not." She was stubborn.

"Actually, you can't stop me from living here." John's tone went low, serious.

And now Jenna was more than pissed off. "Actually, I can. As legal guardian."

"Yeah, about that." Oh, shit. I guess she was going to find out the truth about John eventually. "Um," he turned to Elena and I. "Want me to explain the situation... or would one of you like to do the honors?"

"Okay." My aunt crossed her arms defiantly. "What's going on?"

"I'm sorry Jenna," Elena began, pushing a hand through her hair like I did in frustration. "We should have told you earlier but..."

"John is our biological father." I finished for her, smiling lightly.

"There." John said, not unkindly. "Now you know." He walked off, and I felt really bad for Jenna.

She scoffed. "What?"

Elena was silent, so I spoke for her. "I'm sorry, aunt Jenna, we just didn't know how to tell you." She bit her lip and nodded, clearly upset. "Look, can I join in with whatever you're late for, and make it up to you? You can use me as a late excuse."

"No, I'd rather be away from family for the day." She sighed. "Sorry Celina, but there is way too much drama and I'd like to keep my mind off it."

"That's okay," I said, finishing my coffee. "Try to have some fun!"

Aunt Jenna nodded and smiled weakly as she left. I didn't feel like talking to Elena, knowing she'd just rant on and on about how horrible a person John is. I knew he could be a giant dickhead, but he meant well. And though he might not show it sometimes, I knew he loved us unconditionally.

I rinsed my mug in the sink and headed back upstairs. I didn't want to stay inside today, so I grabbed a book and a coat, then headed out for some solitude by the falls. It was my favorite place to go when I truly wanted an escape without being interrupted.

It was late when I finally returned home, and I saw Elena talking with John in the kitchen. I decided to join them and hopefully prevent an argument.

Elena was pouring herself a glass of water from a jug. "I don't want you here and I can't make that any more clear."

"I didn't come here to fight with you, Elena." John replied, and I felt a pang in my heart at the hurt in his words. Why couldn't my twin ever see how much he cared for us?

"Yeah, I know." Elena said curtly. "You're here to protect me and Cell. Got it, get in line."

I made myself known then, strolling into the room with a glower. "Stop being a bitch to our dad."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "He is not our dad."

I glared at her from where I stood, not wanting to create more tension by replying. John still looked at Elena earnestly.

"I thought you might want this." He said, walking over to my twin. She sighed as he pulled out a silver charm bracelet. "It was your mother's."

"Isobel?" Elena asked bitterly.

"No. Your mother, Miranda." John stated simply, and I realized what he was trying to do. "I remember her wearing it when she was young. I found it in a box with some things your dad left me. Here. It's yours now. Miranda and Grayson were more your parents than they were Celina's. And I know I'm nothing to you. You have no reason to believe me or trust me. I've done so many horrible things. But when you lost your parents, I lost my brother. My family. I lost my way. I'm never going to make things right with you, I know that... But I'm gonna do everything I can to protect you and Celina, and to protect this family."

Elena and I were both crying a little, but for totally different reasons. John sighed, and left the room. I hesitated for a moment before turning to follow him.

"Dad!" I called out. John turned and looked at me uncertainly. I wiped a tear away and walked towards him slowly. "I'm not like Elena. I have always loved you, before and after Miranda and Grayson's death. You were always like a father to us, but I think I'm the only one who noticed that. Everyone is against you right now, but please just know that I'm always here for you. You may not have raised me, but you're my father, and I'm your daughter. I love you."

John enveloped me in a tight hug, and I squeezed him just as hard back. What I told him wasn't a lie, and I hoped Elena had been listening. She was always so stubborn about protecting her family and loved ones, but she couldn't care less about what happened to John, our own flesh and blood.

She needed to know that if I – the girl who purposely never had a boyfriend because I thought no guys were good enough – could love and accept John, then maybe she could too.

Jenna felt bad for not accepting my offer to spend time with her, so she insisted that I go to the tea party Mayor Lockwood was holding at her house. I was a little disinclined to go, until she explained that it was all for Elijah. I'd heard he was in town posing as an author interested in Mystic Fall's history.

So I agreed to go, happy that I'd have yet another excuse to dress up cute. My bonding moment with John last night had left me in high spirits, and the fact that Elijah was gorgeous just added to my good mood.

I wore the 'Dolly' knit dress by For Love and Lemons, a white felt trench coat, and finished with the Jeffrey Campbell 'Celebrity' platform heels that were the same shade of pale orange as the dress. I toned down on my eye makeup just for the day, and wore a peach-coloured lipstick. I'd stopped taking vervain, and instead carried some in a vintage gold ring that had a secret compartment for poison. In my case, this poison was for vampires.

Jenna had commented on how good I looked, and it added to my ever growing joy. No Elena for the day meant that everything would be hopefully drama-free. I wasn't handling her presence well lately, and I could feel us drifting apart more and more. In truth, it'd been that way since our adoptive parents' death, so I didn't dwell on it too much.

Once we got to the Lockwood mansion, my aunt and I immediately began our mingling. I wanted to speak with Elijah about his plans, but he was conversing with the mayor and I didn't want to interrupt.

Jenna spotted someone and she grimaced, before plastering on a fake smile. I followed her gaze to see Damon, and walked over to him with her.

"Damon?" She asked, not nicely either. "What are you doing here?"

A girl I recognized as a news reporter and Jenna's friend, Andie Starr, appeared at that moment and gave Damon a goofy smile. "Hi. You came"

"Hi." Damon smiled back at her before leaning in to kiss her. Elena told me about Rose's death, and damn did he move on quick. I had thought he was getting over his manwhore status, but apparently not.

I glanced at Jenna and giggled at how taken aback she was.

"Thanks for introducing us, Jenna." Damon smirked.

"Heh." My aunt replied, her signature 'what the hell' response if I was correct. She looked concerned as Andie sighed happily, then grinned broadly at me.

"Celina, hey!" She gushed, pulling me in for a quick hug. I'd met her a couple of times before because of Jenna, but it was still weird. "You are so lucky you can pull of the color orange, not many people can. But I've always loved your style. Have you ever thought of making a fashion blog?"

"Uh, not really." I shrugged, and smiled back. Compliments for me were few and far between, so I didn't know how to react to them. "But, thank you, I guess."

Andie giggled at how taken aback I was. "But I need to know, how do you afford all these clothes? Every time I see you in town, you're wearing something new."

"Oh, I had a summer job at Mainline Coffee," I smiled politely, feeling a little wary as Damon slowly backed away from our conversation. "I needed a distraction from my parents' deaths, and a job was perfect. I saved most of my paycheques and still have a fair amount left."

"The money you've earned and saved yourself always feels better to spend, don't you agree?" Jenna added, proud of me for not blowing my pay straight away like most teens would.

"Definitely," Andie said at the same time I said, "For sure." We all giggled like the girls we are.

I was a little distressed as Damon approached Mayor Lockwood and Elijah. The Original noticed me looking and raked his gaze down my body slowly, before turning to greet the older Salvatore. Did he just check me out?

Jenna glanced at me with wide eyes, before grabbing my arm and pulling me into another room. "Did he just check you out?" She demanded.

"Who?" I asked innocently, a small smile playing on my lips.

"Oh, you know who!" She pointed an accusing finger at me. "You were staring right at Elijah as he totally checked you out!"

I held out my hands in mock surrender. "Well, can you blame him? He must've liked what he saw. And I gotta say, he isn't so bad on the eyes either."

Jenna smacked my hand lightly. "Oh, my God, Celina. Don't you think he's a little old?"

"Yeah, he's like ten years older than me. But it's all good, I like older men." I laughed when my aunt's jaw dropped. If only she knew how old he really was. If only I knew how old he really was. "Don't worry Jenna, I'm joking. Now close your mouth before a bug flies in."

I winked at her and strutted away, going to find myself a cup of herbal tea and someone interesting to talk to. I saw Damon and Elijah discreetly enter a room, but decided to let them have their privacy. Turning, I saw John arrive and headed over to greet him just as he stood next to Alaric.

"What's Damon doing with Elijah?" He asked Ric, quickly hugging my side as a hello.

"That's what I wanna know..." I said, watching the door the two vampires just entered.

Ric looked exasperated. "How would I know?"

"Because you're his little helper." I gave the two men a warning look.

"If you say so, John."

"Does Jenna know about your extracurricular activities?" John asked.

"Ugh," I pulled a face and left before things got ugly. Against my better judgment, I slipped into the room with Damon and Elijah.

The Salvatore frowned and hit me with his cold gaze. I smiled politely and turned to Elijah, motioning for them to continue.

"I see Celina isn't afraid to make an appearance," the Original said, smiling back at me. "But where is Elena?"

"Safe with Stefan," Damon said, like it were obvious. "They're laying low. You know, bit of a werewolf problem."

Elijah looked cheerful as he ran his fingers along a desk. "Oh, yeah. I heard about that."

"I'm sure, since it was your witch that saved the day."

"Warlock." I corrected him, remembering what Bonnie had told me male witches liked to be called.

"You are welcome." Elijah smiled tightly.

"Which adds to my confusion..." Damon continued, his jeering tone obviously trying to get a rise out of the older vampire. "Of why exactly you're here."

It worked. "Why don't you just stay focused on keeping Elena safe and leave the rest to me." He smiled tightly again.

"I noticed you only mentioned keeping Elena safe, but why not Snowy over there, too?" Damon grinned.

I sneered at him. "Because I don't need protecting and Elijah knows that. I'm not my sister, running off on a suicide mission every day."

Elijah turned to leave and I stood up straight, about to follow him out. But Damon, being the nuisance he was, flitted to stand in front of the Original.

"Not good enough." He stated with a cold smile.

Elijah narrowed his eyes before grabbing Damon's neck and shoving him against a wall. Damon grunted and grabbed at Elijah's throat as well, but the older vampire didn't even flinch, and instead removed the hand with ease.

"You young vampires, you're so arrogant." He said darkly, and I couldn't help but agree. "How dare you come in here and challenge me?"

Damon stared him down. "You can't kill me, man. It's not part of the deal."

"Silence." The command was softly spoken, a far cry from how someone else would demand it. Elijah grabbed a pencil from the desk next to him and stabbed it in Damon's neck. I flinched as he cried out in pain, but Damon deserved it for being such an ass. "I'm an Original. Show a little respect."

Said Original wiped the blood off his hands with a handkerchief he'd pulled from his jacket. He handed it to Damon to wipe away the blood at his neck.

"The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead." I narrowed my eyes at Elijah's words. Yeah, Damon was a douche, but he didn't deserve to die. "So you should do what I say. Keep Elena safe."

He turned to me and nodded to the door, letting me know he wanted to talk. I followed him out while Damon continued groaning on the floor and wiping his blood away. I refilled my cup of tea, then continued on with him to the garden outside.

Elijah and I stopped when we were out of earshot from the nearest people.

"So, you're a fan of Iggy Pop?" I asked to break the silence.

He seemed baffled by my random question. "Yes, I am. But why do you ask?"

"I saw you staring at either my shirt or my breasts the other night, so I gave you the benefit of the doubt." I laughed. "Though I have to say, I picked you as more of a classical or jazz kind of guy."

He grinned at me. "Well, I'm not too fond of modern music, though I have found some musicians in the past sixty or so years that interested me. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Well, go on then."

"I'm still confused as to why you're on my side, unlike the others who rightfully don't trust me." I frowned at his choice of words, but said nothing. "I know you said you'd tell me your reasons when you felt like it, so I thought I would tell you something important in the mean time. To build trust between us."

He hesitated.

"Even if it's bad, just spit it out." I urged him, placing a reassuring hand on his arm, dropping it when he smiled.

"You know I want to kill Klaus. But it'll be hard, so I'll have to catch him at his weakest... which will be after he completes the ritual."

I nodded and smiled reassuringly. "I figured the ritual would happen anyway. That's why I plan to sacrifice myself when the time comes." He looked like he was about to say something, so I held up a finger to stop him. "I'm not like Elena, letting the world know I want to die for my loved ones. I'm doing it a bit more tactfully. So while everyone tries to hide Elena from Klaus, I'll be giving myself over to him. I'm the one who should be sacrificed."

Elijah was silent for a few moments. "That's very honorable of you." He said at last. "But why do you believe you should die instead of your sister?"

"Because I'm the weird twin, while Elena has always been popular." I shrugged. "I know I'll be missed when I die, but Elena has always been loved more, and therefore will be missed more. If they had to let one of us die, the obvious choice would be me."

The Original smiled sadly, and I wondered why. "If that's what you believe, then I won't tell the others to stop you."

"Thank you, Elijah." I was grateful that he'd keep my secret, and felt the need to share more with him. "Look, the reason why I'm on your side is because I'd be an idiot not to. You're an Original, and obviously know what you're doing. I'll die in the end, but it's for a good cause. From what I've heard, Klaus is plain evil. You killing him would do the world a favor. I'd gladly die for that."

"There's definitely more to you than meets the eye..." Elijah whispered, studying me intently. "You're a very noble woman, Celina. There needs to be more like you in this world."

I grinned and rolled my eyes, not knowing how I should react to such a deep and personal compliment. Without realizing it, I had thrown my arms around Elijah's neck and buried my face in his shoulder. He was tense for a moment, before his arms wrapped around my torso and hugged me back. The feeling was like nothing I'd ever experienced.

"Thank you again." I whispered as I pulled away, suddenly feeling sheepish. "And sorry about that, if it caught you off guard. It was kinda like a reflex reaction."

"Oh, don't worry about it." Elijah waved it off with a smile. "I don't get embraced by beautiful girls often. It was a refreshing change."

I giggled nervously like a stupid schoolgirl. Too many compliments for one day. "Well, Aunt Jenna is probably wondering where I am. I guess I'll see you later."

"I'm sure you will."

I waved goodbye to Elijah and hurried away, only now letting my cheeks burn. What had come over me? Ugh, I was such an idiot. I can't even control myself. Thankfully, Jenna caught sight of me.

"Hey, there you are. I'm gonna head off now, so are you ready to go?" I nodded and she looked at me closer. "Are you okay? You look a bit flustered."

"I'm fine, just too much tea." I grabbed Jenna's arm and dragged her to the front door. "I just want to get home and relax with a movie."

Jenna nodded and drove us home, babbling on about all the new gossip she'd heard in the short hour we were there. I listened absently, my mind elsewhere.

It wasn't dreaming. Elijah actually said I was beautiful.

Chapter 3 has come and gone!

Lots of bonding in this chapter as well. I hope you like how I made her relationship with John, and how she reacts to everyone else when he's around. They're so protective of each other.

I also hope you enjoyed her interaction and little moment with Elijah too. I pray it didn't seem out of character for him, but I did enjoy writing it. And don't worry, there will be more Elijah and Celina bonding to come! But for the record, this fic won't just jump into a relationship straight away. They'll recognize their feelings for each other early on, but it'll be a while before they're actually together, and a while before they love each other.

That being said, does anyone have a good ship name for them? I came up with Celijah, but I'm not sure if I like it. But if any of you lovelies have an idea, throw them at me!

Review Replies:

Guest: I'm really glad you think so! Thank you so much :)

emmabou: And I love you for loving it! Thank you :)

ChristinaAguileraFan: I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter, and thank you for taking your time to review!

nluvwithemmettcullen: I'm so overjoyed that you do. Celina's personality is a mix of mine and my friend's, but kinda intensified, and I was a little worried that people wouldn't like how weird she is. But she doesn't particularly act weird, so I guess that helps balance her out. And thank you! I have so many ideas for this story and I hope you'll like them as well.

Thank you again to everyone who reviewed, and also to those who've followed and favourite. You all mean the world to me!

The next chapter shall be out very soon :)