AN: So the season 2 starts from this chapter. Lots of exciting events are coming up. As most of you asked I am not separating the story and will keep continuing it. Thanks a lot for the review guys and thanks for adding my story to your favorite alerts as well. I hope you enjoy this season more...
Chapter 19: Return of Katherine
Finally the beginning of season two has started and it was currently the timeline of the episode 'The Return'. In my world there was a huge time gap between the end of season one and the beginning of season two however in this world the start of another season happened immediately. It seemed quite weird to me that I knew that a deadly vampire named Katherine was in the house this very moment but still I didn't feel any fear. Actually I wasn't feeling anything at all. Jenna went out and Jeremy was in his room. He was perhaps talking to Anna as usual. As for Katherine, I knew she was going to stay here until Elena gets back home. I should have been paranoid knowing Katherina was in the room right across from mine. And it won't take her a second to come over in my room and kill me. I should get out of the house immediately but instead I took a long shower. And tried to wash away all the pain that I was feeling in my heart. The image of Damon willingly kissing Elena or Katherine whatever, was haunting me more than I thought it would. When I got out of shower I found my cell phone ringing. Some one was calling me and when I checked the caller ID I found that it was Tyler. I quickly received the call.
"Hey Tyler." I tried to sound normal as if I didn't know anything that had happened.
"Jacq, something happened" came from Tyler. He spoke in a very light tone of voice. It was barely audible. I could tell that he was forcing himself to talk.
"What happened Tyler?" I asked worriedly. Sometimes I really hate to act but at that time I had to act oblivion when I knew everything because I had no other choice.
"Sheriff Forbes just told me that dad died in the fire" said Tyler as I expected. I already started to take out clothes from my closet. Didn't I promise myself that I would be there for him at this crucial time? It was not the time to mourn over my heart break. Tyler needs me right now and I will be with him, comfort him as much as possible.
"Where are you Tyler?" I asked anxiously. My voice turned worried on it's own this time. It was no act.
"I am at the hospital with Matt." He said with shaken tone of voice this time. My heart cringed in my chest as I heard that tone.
"I am on my way." I dressed up fast and got out of my room. I drove our car to the hospital. Who cares if I don't have a license yet? In the hospital I bumped into Matt first who was worried as hell for Caroline.
"Matt what is going on? Tyler just called me and told me his father-" I couldn't say the rest but Matt understood anyway and nodded his head.
"I don't know what's going on either. Jacq. Everything got messed up so fast. Caroline is in surgery right now and Tyler lost his dad. Everything is just so messed up right now." Matt was rambling by then. I put my hand on his shoulder as a comforting gesture.
"Where is Tyler?" I asked him when he calmed down enough. Matt pointed me towards the way where Tyler was. I started walking towards that way. I saw Liz pacing restlessly and looking worried as hell. I should go check up on Caroline too but I knew Bonnie was there for her already so I decided to go to them later. At that time, Tyler was my main concern. I found him sitting alone with a lost expression on his face. I pulled him in a much needed hug. He wasn't crying, of course he wasn't but he was in pain. It was clearly visible in his eyes.
"Everything is going to be okay Tyler." He just nodded his head. We sat there in complete silence just holding each other. Neither of us kept track of the time. Then Carol Lockwood came and took Tyler home. I had offered to stay with him at night but Tyler said that he will be okay and asked me to meet him tomorrow. I didn't want to let go of him but his mother needed to spend some time with her son as well. After Tyler left with his mother I thought about going to Caroline and see how everything was going on over there. While making my way to Caroline's room I bumped into Jenna.
"Jenna what are you doing here?" I had to ask even though I knew that Uncle John was attacked by Katherine and he is at the ICU right now and that's why Jenna is here at the hospital. But I couldn't really let Jenna know that, could I? As I am not supposed to know about the attack yet.
"John had an kitchen accident." Jenna informed me. I had asked her for details for the sake of pretending not to know anything like I always do.
"Did you meet Elena already?" I asked Jenna and she nodded.
"But Elena is being weird. I told her that I was going to the fire department before leaving the house but now she is saying that I didn't tell her anything" said Jenna worriedly and I pretended to frown in confusion as well.
"Maybe she is just shocked for the sudden accident with Uncle John. Don't worry" I said to Jenna with assuring tone of voice. She nodded and left to go back to John. I also handed her the car keys so that she would have a ride home later. Though she wasn't happy about that, that I drove the car to the hospital. But considering the circumstance she forgave me. I found Elena in no time. She was looking puzzled as ever.
"Where is Stefan?" I asked her because I knew Katherine would want to meet the younger Salvatore brother as well.
"Stefan is back at the house. He is trying to figure out who attacked John because all the tomb vampires were already dead when the attack happened. Besides, Jeremy is still in the house and needs protection" replied Elena and I nodded in relief that Jeremy was safe at the moment. Then she spoke up again.
"Do you know what is wrong with Damon?" She asked with concern in her voice. I shook my head carelessly.
"How would I know what is wrong with Damon?" I said that almost bitterly. I really wasn't in the mood to hear about their love issues. Elena opened her mouth to say something but Damon appeared there right that moment and she had to shut her mouth. Damon's gaze lingered on me for a while. However I was looking everywhere but him.
"I will come back to give Caroline some blood later. Right now we need to go" said Damon and Elena nodded but I stayed still on my spot.
"Jacq, you coming?" She asked and I shook my head.
"You guys go ahead. Bonnie will drop me off later. I want to stay here for a while." I told her. Elena didn't complain but Damon did.
"No, you have to come with us too. It's really important." I sighed out heavily.
The last thing I wanted to do at that time was argue with Damon. I didn't even want to talk to him. So, just to avoid talking to him further I nodded and started walking with them. When we reached his car I opened the back door and got in, leaving no choice for Elena but to sit with Damon in the front. Damon rolled his eyes to himself which didn't escape my eyes. What did he expect? That he is going to smooch with Elena, even though it wasn't her but for him she was and still get to have me around. Not gonna happen. I am going to avoid him as if he's plague. So, during the whole ride back home, I stayed silent, lost in my own thoughts most of the time. I didn't even let myself get bothered with the glances Damon was throwing at my way through his rear view mirrors.
However Elena kept asking Damon questions about what was going on. Most of the time he avoided answering her much to Elena's disliking or whenever he did answer a question it came with a cocky remark. I decided then that I will play cool as well and won't let Damon hurt me emotionally the way he did earlier. I won't let him get me jealous or frustrated. I simply won't allow him to divert my attention from my real goals. I won't let him get to me either like he almost did right after I saved him. We reached our house and got out of the car. Right then I got a call from Tyler.
"I have to take this call, you guys go ahead." Damon narrowed his eyes at me. I didn't want to talk to Tyler while Damon would be glaring at me like a jealous lover. So, I stood outside of the door and thankfully Elena dragged Damon inside. Even though he would be able to hear me if he wanted to but at least I wouldn't have to look at his face while I will probably be comforting Tyler.
"Tyler, is everything alright?" I asked, my voice full of genuine concern and worry for him.
"Yeah, everything is okay. I know I told you to meet me tomorrow but I was wondering if you could really come over to my house tonight. Mom just left. She is making arrangements for the funeral and I am all alone right now." I felt angry that Carol just left him alone like that. No wonder he isn't close with his mother.
"Yeah sure Tyler. I told you I will be there with you whenever you need me." I was really glad that he was letting me help him like I wanted to.
"You don't need to arrange for a ride. I will pick you up myself. I will be at your house within half an hour" said Tyler.
"I will be ready and waiting" saying that I ended the call and opened the door to enter the house. Stefan, Damon and Elena were talking in the living room. I really didn't want to hear their conversation but I couldn't really shut my ears off, could I?
"How could you think that I kissed you?" came Elena's accusing voice. So they were talking about the kiss. I really should have just stayed outside the house until their conversation ended. But I needed to pack a few things for the sleepover tonight before Tyler comes to pick me up. Besides didn't I just tell myself that I won't let Damon get to me.
"Well I thought you were feeling hormonal after all the havoc with the tomb vampires" said Damon defending himself. "By the way it was a pretty heated kiss."
I just knew that Damon said that on purpose. Just for me to hear. He knew that I was near the living room and could hear them perfectly. I looked inside the room to take a glance at them out of curiosity and saw Stefan rolling his eyes at Damon. He probably knew too what Damon was trying to do. However, Elena was completely unaware of my presence nearby and she was glaring at Damon heatedly. Also feeling embarrassed as well. I made my way up to my room letting them discuss things further without any interruption from me. I stuffed a few things in my duffel bag and came downstairs again. I was feeling very thirsty so I went to get a soft drinks cane from the fridge. I thought they were still discussing things in the living room and I would be able to avoid them but I was wrong. The three of them were at the kitchen as well when I got downstairs. I sighed inwardly and got a Pepsi cane from the fridge.
"Jacq, are you going somewhere?" asked Elena noticing me ready and packed up.
I just nodded to her while stuffing the cane in the bag as well thinking about drinking it later in the car. I felt Damon's eyes on me as he followed my every movement. He must have already known that I am going over to Tyler's if he had paid attention to my conversation with Tyler earlier. However by the looks on his face I didn't think he knows about it. Maybe he was too caught up with their Katherine conversation to eavesdrop on mine. I was glad nonetheless that he doesn't know. I didn't want him to cause any problem for me for the time being.
"Where are you going?" asked Elena. Does she ever stop asking questions? I really hate her nosy attitude. She is worse than Caroline sometimes in my opinion.
"I will be back tomorrow morning" saying that as my answer to her question, I was making my way out but Elena stopped me.
"Jacq, something happened tonight and you should know about this. I already told Jeremy everything" started Elena. I wanted to tell her that I knew already what the hell she wants to tell me but I couldn't really do that, could I? As always. I have to play along. So, I looked at my wrist watch and said-
"Fine, ten minutes." Tyler would be here in ten minutes and that's how long she will get to talk to me. I felt Damon's eyes boring into me. Even Stefan was looking at me curiously. Elena took a deep breath and prepared to talk.
"Jacq, I know you already know about Katherine. Well it seems that she is back in Mystic Falls. She was invited in our house by Jenna as she thought it was me and she also attacked John tonight. Right now we have no idea where she is or why she is really here?" Elena sounded so serious that I really wanted to smirk at that but held it back.
"Well, congratulations. You've got yourself a new problem." I said carelessly with a little humor mixed in my voice. The three of them scowled at me at the same time.
"You don't seem surprised at all" said Stefan curiously and suspiciously. I could only smirk at him. What was he thinking that I work for Katherine or something like that?
"It's not enough to surprise me." I said and saw Damon rolling his eyes at that. "Besides, it's not that surprising at all." Stefan was downright brooding now with worry as he heard me saying that.
"And why is that?" He asked. Elena was curious too. I sighed out boringly at this.
"Well. Isobel was helping John to kill the tomb vampires because Katherine wanted her to. Now why would Katherine want the tomb vampires dead? Obviously because she was planning to return to Mystic Falls and didn't want a bunch of vengeful vampires on her back. Is it that hard to figure it out?" I asked like the smart ass I was. Both Damon and Stefan were looking at me with amused expression where Elena got into deep thinking.
"Of course the tomb vampires would want to kill her the first chance they get. It was her fault that they got stuck in the tomb in the first place." Well she got most of it right I thought to myself.
"It wasn't her fault sis, it was her plan. Wasn't she very mean and manipulative Damon?" I asked him with a smirk.
"Stefan could answer you that too." Damon said with an angry tone which made me smirk more.
"Well yeah he can but he was under compulsion but you weren't. So, that makes you the superior one when it comes to who knows Katherine better." Stefan couldn't help but smirk hearing that. It was the first time I saw Stefan smirk while Damon just glared at me. Elena sighed out, not really enjoying the moment as Stefan and I were.
"Okay guys listen, Katherine was invited in. We have to do something about that. She can come here whenever she wants now. She already attacked John and she can hurt us as well" said Elena. I got a text from Tyler at that moment, saying that he is right outside the house waiting in his car. I text him back that I am getting out in a moment.
"Hey, I have to leave now. Whatever solution you come up about that problem, let me know later. I will be-" However I was cut off by Damon's voice.
"What is that Lockwood kid doing outside?" asked Damon but I didn't bother to reply him and made my way towards the door but Damon was in front of me in a blink of an eye and blocked my way.
"You are not going anywhere." He said trying to intimidate me. I first thought about making him understand the situation.
"Look you know Mayor Lockwood died today. Tyler just lost his father. He is lonely right now and needs someone. As a friend, I have to be there for him." I said but it didn't get through Damon's head. Why did I even bother with making him try to understand? I knew it wouldn't work.
"Whatever, you are not going." Damon ordered me again and I lost control on my temper as well.
"Who are you? My father? Move out of the way Damon." I snapped at him and tried to pass by him but he grabbed my arm and brought me back in front of him again. His grip was rather firm on my arm and it was really hurting me. But I didn't flinch or hissed in pain. Because I had to convince myself that I am strong enough to handle this on my own. That I can bare any kind of pain that he could inflect upon me. His face was dangerously close to mine and his eyes were extremely dominating at that time as if he was trying hard to compel me. I was getting more impatient with every passing moment.
"Let go of my hand Damon." I used my own commanding voice while glaring back hard at his stares. I was sure that I would get a bruise from his hold as his grip tightened more. Accidentally a small whimper escaped my throat. Stefan decided to finally step in.
"Let go of her Damon. You are hurting her." Stefan put a hand on Damon's shoulder ready to push him away if necessary. But Damon let go of my arm on his own and stepped away from me. I looked at Stefan and thanked him with a grateful nod at his away. Then got out of the house and walked up to Tyler's car. I got in the passenger seat beside Tyler.
"I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't come." He said and started driving.
"Sorry, it's just that Uncle John had an accident so everyone is a bit messed up right now." I replied him smoothly.
"No problem, is he okay now?" asked Tyler.
"Yeah he will be okay. How are you holding up?" I asked with concern while looking at Tyler carefully.
"I am good." He replied. However I knew that he wasn't exactly good at that time. He just lost his father.
I tried to comfort him. For a moment I looked out of the car window and found a familiar black crow following the car from distance. I shook my head to myself. I didn't know what is happening between me and Damon anymore. We were being good friends. How did our relation get so messed up so fast? Damn, this romantic feelings. It can always complicate the simplest thing. When once upon a time Damon and I used to have fun together while hanging out. Now all we do is fight and argue with each other. I didn't know who's fault is that either. I used to hang out with Tyler long before Damon and I became close. If my friendship with Tyler didn't affect Damon then then why is it affecting him so much now? And how come it is fair that he can still kiss anyone he wants and I can't even have a male friend. The whole situation was mind bugging for me.
Even if I get over the fact that Damon has kissed Katherine. Even if I still give him a second chance to repair our relation. I have a feeling it won't help much. He won't be co-operative or understanding at all. He just wants to dominate me and control me. And I can't let him do that. Not only because I have high self-esteem but also because I am a person above all. The way Damon has been treating me the whole day it made me feel like I am just a piece of property that he thinks he owns. And he won't let anyone trespass on it. It also makes me wonder, it is really Damon that's really doing all this or is it the monstrous vampire in him. I didn't know what that even means. I think staying away from Damon would be the best thing to do until I could figure out what is really wrong with him. There has to be a logical explanation behind his sudden change of behavior. He was supposed to feel love for me like Isobel claimed. But this, this is far from love. It feels like an insanely dangerous obsession. And it has to stop before it gets more deadlier than it already is.
AN: I am just trying to add more complications in Damon and Jacq's relation before getting them together. Pairing them up so easily didn't feel right to me. Hope you will like it. Reviews please. 'love you all'.