Gosh, Matt is such a sweet guy. I really don't want Blaze using him, so I think I'm going to try and speed things up. Oh Matt! *sigh* Thanks so much for reading!

Chapter 3: The One Who Wouldn't Go Away

Blaze beamed at Matt as she sunk another ball. "Good thing there's no money on this game, or you'd be broke."

"Yeah, I learned pretty young not to gamble, especially during pool," Matt laughed easily.

Blaze was having a genuinely good time, like she actually had a friend in this vampire-infested town. She rolled her eyes at the ridiculousness of it all and leaned forward to take another shot, but when she heard Caroline Forbes in her amplifier, she jumped, missing the shot completely.

"Finally." Matt pumped his fist.

Blaze smiled. She didn't mind, especially since she was able to hear Caroline and the Gilbert girl as they sat at a table.

"Hey Elena, who's that girl playing pool with Matt?"

"I'm not sure, I think she graduated last year though."

"Yeah… she does look familiar now that I think about it."

Matt missed his second shot and groaned, "Man, I suck at this, Bailey."

The sound of her real name caught her off guard. "Did I seriously not tell you my nickname?"

Matt frowned. "No. I hope I didn't upset you or anything."

"Not at all. Just… call me Blaze."

"Oh yeah," Recognition shone in his eyes. "'cause you set that dude on fire who tried to break into your house, right?"

"That's right," she raised an eyebrow, impressed at his memory.

Matt's phone rang suddenly, and he looked at it with concern. "Sorry, Blaze, I've got to take this. I'll be right back."

"It's okay," she sighed. "I'll just be right here." Now she could listen in on Caroline and Elena's conversation, uninterrupted.

"I just don't know what to do about Bonnie. She's not returning any of my calls."

"Don't worry about it, Elena. She just hasn't warmed up to the fact that you've been drinking Matt's blood."

Blaze's heart stopped. One more vampire to add to the tally.

"It's not like I didn't try Stefan's diet, or even the blood bags. I just couldn't…" Elena began to cry.

"I know, sweetie. I know. But eventually you'll be able to drink blood the way the rest of us do. I mean, Katherine was a doppelganger too and she can…"

"But Katherine's over five-hundred years old, Caroline. Is that how long it's going to take?"

"Hey, sorry about that." Matt shook Blaze from her revelatory eavesdropping. "I got a call from my mom. It's… been a while."

"Don't even worry about it," she strained to smile. Caroline Forbes and Elena Gilbert were vampires. And then there was Damon Salvatore, someone named Stefan, and five-hundred year old named Katherine? Blaze's mind spun.

"Hey are you all right? You don't look so good." Matt peered at her with genuine concern.

"Actually, do you think we could just go for a walk or something? I need some air." Blaze didn't have to pretend this time. She was legitimately anxious.

"Yeah, of course." Matt put his arm around Blaze, escorting her outside.

They hadn't walked far when a girl with light blond hair bounced hopefully over to Matt's side. "Hey Matt."

"I thought I told you to get lost, Rebekah."

Blaze raised her eyebrows in surprise at Matt's behavior, listening with keen interest.

"I'm really truly sorry, Matt."

Matt stopped in front the alley and turned to her, looking livid. "You know what? I'm sick of people apologizing to me, thinking that it'll just make everything right. It doesn't. So please, Rebekah, just leave me alone."

"You should be nicer to me," Rebekah grimaced. Then peering at Blaze, she added in a low threat, "especially in front of your new friend. We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt, now would we?"

"Leave her out of this, Rebekah." Matt stepped defensively in front of Blaze.

But Blaze had other plans. No one threatened her and got away with it. "It's okay, Matt." Then she stepped forward, offering her hand to the blond beauty. "I'm Blaze Harris."

Rebekah's lips curled into a menacing smile and stuck out her hand, but the moment her skin touched Blaze's her flesh began to hiss, and she drew it back in unexpected agony.

Vampire.

"What the…" Matt started, but Blaze was already in action.

Before Rebekah could recover, Blaze grabbed the blond's shirt with one hand and staked her in the heart with the other.

"Oh my gosh," Matt backed away, now comprehending what Blaze truly was. "You're a vampire hunter. You… you lied to me."

Blaze dragged Rebekah's body into the alley. "It wasn't all a lie, Matt." She peered into his eyes apologetically. "But I'm sorry you got in the middle of this."

Matt's face stung with betrayal. "You know what, Blaze? I always get stuck in the middle, but at least my friends… are honest with me about it." He shook his head and turned to leave.

"No Matt, wait." Blaze ran in front of him with fear in her eyes. "If Connor finds out that you know what I am, he'll come after you."

"Yeah, what do you care?"

"Matt," Blaze took his hands and stared straight into his eyes. "I understand if we can't be friends now, but I do care."

Matt deliberated for a moment, then exhaled in defeat. "Fine, I won't tell anyone about you… yet. But you can't be staking vampires in the middle of the street."

"Fine, deal," Blaze promised.

"Oh and Blaze?"

"Yes, Matt?"

He whispered something in Blaze's ear, causing her eyes to widen in horror. Then, edging away from the alley, Blaze sprinted across the street and out of sight.

Ooh, what did Matt whisper in Blaze's ear that frightened her so much? Lol, it's pretty obvious if you watch the show, but I do love suspense. Next chapter – Connor/Blaze interaction, and lots of it. ;) Please Review! -Viola