Chapter 22

After much debate, Lexi had agreed to call Stefan but she wasn't sure if she wanted to stay with him. Or even see him. Bella made her promise not to eat her dog and then invited her to stay with them at her place.

"I have 0 interest in eating an animal. I prefer my blood coming from humans."
"Preferably alive ones?"
"Ideally, but I've gotten myself used to blood bags. People already donate them so it's a win-win really. You may want to keep that doggie of yours away from Stefan though. He doesn't handle human blood well so he's on an animal diet"

Lexi mumbled remembering all the times she had found Stefan in a ripper state and had to bully, push and nurse him back into a less dangerous diet. She hated that animal blood kept him weaker than most vampires, but he just couldn't handle human blood. Eating animals was his idea, but she still felt like a bitch for forcing him to go back to it each time he strayed.

Funny thing was that she had come up with an idea to mix both human and animal blood for a while and ease him into the rush of human blood. It was going to be her gift to his birthday.

Bella filed that bit of information away for future use. She supposed she should be more surprised that Jenna's niece was sleeping with a vampire while her nephew was dating a witch, but at this point, the entire town seemed like a supernatural central. She wondered if mermaids and fairies were also around, hiding in plain sight.

Jenna wasn't all that surprised either. She did tell the vampiress not to eat any of her friends but when Lexi assured her she was going to keep her fangs to herself, the three women became quite friendly.

"What's this?"

Lexi asked seeing the curling iron and makeup bag inside the large shopping bag of clothes Jenna brought.

"You may be supernaturally gorgeous already, but you're going to see the guy who just about blew his "I'm human" cover to not let sheriff clueless take you away and whom your abductor impersonated after days of you being dead without your game face on? Vampires must have a lot more self confidence than I do!"

Jenna responded with a wicked smile. Lexi grinned back at her, snatching the bag.

"There is a shower head attached at the tables downstairs. It's meant for dead people but you're not exactly alive either."

Bella winked, getting in the mood. Lexi rolled her eyes at them

"Vampires aren't entirely dead you know. We have a seriously slow heartbeat, otherwise digesting and/or expelling all the food and drinks we consume would be disgusting"

Bella agreed silently. She had caught the Cullens 'expel' human food once. Mass vomiting wasn't pretty. It was amusing though! Unfortunately any attempt she made to watch the exorcist after that, turned the movie from a horror one to comedy.

"I should feel bad about Elena, shouldn't I?"

Jenna asked quietly after Lexi disappeared. Bella considered it. Technically Jenna should feel bad about her heartbroken niece. Especially since Lexi's return ensured Stefan would calm his tits about her death, but Bella highly doubted he and Elena would get back together.

Looking at Jenna, she shrugged one shoulder. She didn't know what to say. Jenna frowned, having reached the same conclusion, sighed and changed the subject.

"What do you think about ordering in tonight? Might be nice to keep an eye on the newly dead chick and the less newly dead dude under your roof."

"You matchmaker, you"

By the time Bella's first client of the day showed up, an elderly lady wanting to decide her last lodgings, Lexi had been washed and cleaned, primed and clothed in Jenna's clothing and looked ready to tackle the day.

Minus the bright sun shining outside. Jenna however came equipped with

"A beach umbrella?"

Bella asked astonished.

"Yes, large enough to cover about 3 people at the beach, should do wonders for just the one"

Lexi looked gobsmacked but was willing to try it out. With the lace of the top Jenna gave her and the light fabric of her pants, there wasn't much of her to be in danger of the sun. Bella tossed her the keys

"Have fun you two"

- - - Memories of a Past and a Future - - -

After the sun went down, Jenna and Lexi were strolling along the town. Lexi found herself liking the human woman, enough to share about her life. Jenna had been fascinated to hear about the woes of women in the 1680s and the events that led to Lexi's turn.

"Let's just say that life as a vampire isn't the best thing ever but it is what you make it"

Lexi finished with an enigmatic smile. Jenna returned it, thinking of Mason. His outlook on his werewolf existence after he accidentally killed someone was very similar.

"You know, once we get this mess with Stefan settled, I'd like you to meet my b... friend. My friend. If you look past the whole vampires vs werewolves thing, I think you two could end up being good friends"

Lexi was about to reply, when her nostrils flared. A familiar, very familiar, scent enveloped her senses. Her body stiffened, torn between staying and running. Jenna put a hand on her new friend's arm and smiled.

"Lemme guess. It's show time?"

Lexi stammered something but then two figures emerged from the other side of the park. The Salvatore brothers. Damon looked exasperated as he all but pushed the moving wreck known as Stefan, forward. Stefan for his part walked numbed, his eyes not focusing, and his lips stained with his last meal.

"What happened to him?"

Lexi asked, her voice shaking.

"He saw you get killed. Why are you alive again?"

Damon semi-drawled, semi-sneered, semi-legitimately questioned. Lexi was about to give him the condensed version of events before she remembered she didn't like Damon. She threw him a shrewd look instead. Jenna looked from vampire to vampire, thinking for the first time that hanging out in a dark-ish part with three vampires may not be the best thing for her overall health.

"Lex?"

Stefan's eyes focused on the blond in the vicinity. Before Lexi could nod, the loud barking of a tiny dog alerted everyone to the new arrival.

"So this is where vampires anonymous meet. And here I thought it was down the Grill"

Jenna grinned at Bella. Damon's lips curled to a smirk. Stefan and Lexi kept on looking at each other. Stefan looked as if someone had given him a new leash on life. Lexi was blushing.

"Oh just kiss already!"

Damon gave his brother a shove. Jenna pulled the howling dog back towards her but the barking soundtrack didn't stop the vampires from hugging.

"You might wanna stay at my place tonight"

Jenna grinned, foreseeing exactly where the kiss they were witnessing would end.