(Un)holy night - part 1 (Helen)
Some kind of hate, by Blood for Blood
"I got some kind of hate,
I got some kind of hate, some hate
I got some kind of hate and I hate the whole human race."
Wrapped up in my thick jacket I sat in the car next to Damon. He was right – if Caroline had a problem with us, we could have fun elsewhere. The air was chillingly cold and the windshield steamed up despite of the heating. Damon cheerfully hummed along the Christmas tunes they were playing on the radio. "Is it possible that Christmas is your favorite time of the year?" I teased him. He shook his head. "Usually I hate Christmas, but this year it's different somehow," he replied with a wink. "How was your phone call?" he changed topics. I winced inwardly. Mom had not been amused. "ARE YOU COMPLETELY NUTS?" was the friendliest comment I had gotten. "That bad?" Damon asked softly and looked at me. I made a face. "At least she didn't disown me," I joked sarcastically. "Ouch, that doesn't sound nice," he murmured and took my hand. I laced my fingers with his and the touch soothed me a little. "It's okay," I replied quietly and took a deep breath. I would've loved to push away all those dark thoughts. Maybe a hot chocolate and some pool would help. "Say, does this Grill also have pool tables?" I asked. "Yep. Wanna play?" he replied. "I'd love to," I answered and my mood improved significantly.
When we arrived, downtown was still pretty crowded and Damon had to park a little further away from the center. We walked the remaining distance and watched with great amusement how people headed hastily from shop to shop in search of last minute presents. „I don't have any present for you," I mentioned after a while. He stopped walking abruptly and turned to me. Cupping my face with his hands, he locked eyes with me. „You already have it on you," he said softly. I realized what he was talking about and blushed. „Alright, but delivery will take another two months," I replied. He laughed and let go of me. „That's okay, I can wait." We continued passing by the shops, but something in the last shop window before the Grill caught my attention and I stopped. It was a small antiques shop. My gaze fell on an extraordinary piece of jewelry they had on display. On a small pillow made of white velvet, a middle-sized pendant rested. It was a beautifully crafted silver raven sitting on a window sill, holding a red gem with sparkling facets in his claws. „Wonderful," I whispered in awe. The bird was an exquisite piece of handcraft and the feathering of the bird was almost sculptural. „Found something you like?" Damon asked and placed his chin on my shoulder, following my gaze. I pointed towards the pendant. „Wow! This really is beautiful," he agreed. „Yes, it is," I stated and tore my eyes away because in the meantime I had started freezing and shivered.
All I desired now was a warm place. „Let's get inside, Damon," I pleaded and pulled at his hand. „You're cold?" he asked and laughed. I just nodded and let my teeth chatter to prove it. „Alright, let's warm you up," he said and directed me through the Grill's door. Inside, it was warm and cozy. Christmas decorations blinked everywhere and cheerful music played softly in the background. Damon took my jacket and we walked to a small table right next to the pool tables. It was the only free table in the room. „If this isn't the infamous Damon Salvatore," a voice behind us suddenly called. Damon rolled his eyes and turned around. A friendly-looking young man with a tray stood next to the bar. Short blonde locks curled on his head and the body looked muscular, like a football player's. „Matt Donovan!" Damon groaned. „I thought you'd gone places?" he asked a little exasperated. So that was the boy Stefan had saved instead of Elena, I thought and scrutinized him. The young man just grinned widely. „Maybe I have," he replied and got interrupted by another man behind the counter. „Boss! You've got a sec?" Matt just nodded into his direction. „Coming," he answered. „Excuse me, folks," he addressed us and walked over to the bartender. Damon's eyes nearly bulged and he blinked quizzically. „What?" I asked.
„Did I just hear Matt Donovan being called ‚boss'?" he asked incredulously. The same moment, Matt returned. „Yep, the Grill is mine," Matt said and plopped down on a free chair at our table. „Couldn't miss the chance – Mike had to sell one year ago and I had enough reserves so I plunged in." Damon's faces looked grim and Matt realized the connotation. „Oh man, I'm sorry, Damon, that… that was stupid of me," he stammered. „It's okay," I interjected before Damon could snap. „We haven't been introduced yet. I'm Helen, Damon's girlfriend," I explained and held my hand out. Now Matt's eyes nearly bulged and he sized me up. „Wow! You mean… seriously his girlfriend?" he marveled. I had to chuckle. He was really cute. „Yeah, seriously, but don't you dare call me Ma'am," I replied. „Donovan, why don't you just get us something to drink instead of rehearsing small-talk," Damon chimed in and put his jacket on the back of his chair. „Sure, bourbon, like always?" he asked. Damon just nodded. „And the lady?" he addressed me. „Hot chocolate, please," I said. „Coming right up," Matt replied and vanished into the kitchen.
„Matt Donovan, Grill-owner – I can't believe it," Damon grumbled and shook his head. „Well, kids grow, Damon," I said casually and looked around. The furniture was old style, all dark wood, but the rest o the interior was bright and friendly. I recognized that Damon also scanned the room. „Looks like he's renovated. He seems to be good with his hands, I couldn't have done the wiring up there any better," he said and pointed to the ceiling. „Looks like quite a few things have changed since you've left, huh?" I asked. „Yeah, looks like it," he replied absently and let his gaze roam further. Matt arrived with our drinks. „If you need anything else, don't hesitate, okay?" He put them on the table. „Sure, we will, thanks," I returned and put my hands around the mug with the piping hot chocolate to warm them. Damon sipped on his bourbon. „Feeling better?" he asked softly. I nodded and carefully sipped at it. „Mmh, that's good!" I sighed and closed my eyes while I licked the rest of the cocolate off my lips. „Um, hm," Damon cleared his throat audibly and I opened my eyes. His hand gripped the glass and his eyes hung on my lips. I chuckled softly and averted my eyes, feeling a little embarassed. „I'll have my revenge for that," he drawled lewdly. „And how do you intend to collect?" I fluted and took another sip. He just grinned at me and got up.
„You wanted to play pool, right?" he said and pulled me up. Behind us, a pool table just got free and he seized it. „Cool, who's first?" I asked excitedly. He shrugged and dug in his pocket. „Let's toss a coin," he suggested and showed me a quarter. „Your choice?" he asked. „Head," I decided. „Okay." He tossed the coin and caught it, smacking it on the back of his hand. When he uncovered it, I saw Washington blinking. „Ha! The break is mine," I jubilated. „Rack on the table," I demanded and chalked the cue. „Wow, you sound unstoppable," Damon joked amused and placed the balls on the table for me. I just laughed and aimed. He removed the rack and I concentrated. Like in archery, I exhaled controlled during the shot. The balls got hit with a loud bang and scattered across the table. Most of them rolled to a good position. „Wow! What was it you had for breakfast?" Damon asked impressed. I just laughed. „Just wait and see," I replied and focused on the next shots. I potted one ball after the other until only three remained. Taking another sip of chocolate I contemplated how to hit them most effectively.
Damon grinned. „I'd like to see you try this," he teased me. I inhaled deeply and walked around the table. Meanwhile, a few other players from the tables around us had started watching. I stretched across the table, but because of my belly's circumference, I couldn't reach far enough for an easy solution. „Dammit," I mumbled under my breath and walked to the other side. „I don't think she'll make it," I heard a whispered comment from somewhere. Up to now, I had been lucky, but now I had to put some English on the cue ball. My last competition had been in high school and my skills were a bit rusty. I paced on the spot while Damon scrutinized me. „Dammit," I murmured a second time and leaned over the edge of the table, lifting the butt end of the cue and hit the cue ball on the top so that it potted the right ball, made a return and separated the two remaining balls. The audience applauded while I potted the last two balls effortlessly. Looking up, I saw Damon leaning against another table, hands folded around his cue stick with one raised eyebrow. „And when did you intend to tell me I have no chance?" he asked drily. I put my cue stick away and kissed him. „Sorry," I whispered. „Rematch?" His eyes flashed. „You bet." Needless to say, he won the next match.
We continued playing, I won again and Damon wanted another rematch, so we tried once more. I observed how he proceeded methodically and with great focus. From the corner of my eye, I saw a movement on the edge of the platform where the billiard tables stood. A man stood there, watching us and somehow I thought I had seen his face before, but I couldn't place it. He scrutinized me intensely and somehow all warning bells in my head rang. „Dammit!" Damon's curse distracted me for a moment and when I looked into the same direction again, he was gone. „I'm never gonna get this one," Damon grumbled and paced around the table like a tiger in a cage. Up to now, he'd been lucky, but now the next ball was nearly safe. „Hm, you could play foul intentionally and leave me safe," I mentioned. „Or I could try this," he replied and hit the cue ball from above, making a jump shot which potted the next ball. I applauded him. „Very good," I said. The remaining balls were a piece of cake for him and he won this match. „Shall we take a break?" he asked. I nodded and signaled him that I needed to visit the ladies' room. „Alright, take your time. I have a short errand to run," he replied.
When I resurfaced after a while, I saw that man again. He stood near the entrance to the restrooms, again watching me with an unsettling intensity. I contemplated talking to him, but somehow he scared me. I sped up my steps and almost ran past him – right into Damon's arms. „Hey, watch out," he said and caught me. „What's wrong?" he asked when he saw my concerned expression. „There's a man watching me, Damon. Earlier while we played pool and now he stood right there…," I turned and pointed to the spot, but it was empty. „He's gone!" I exclaimed. Damon put me behind him. „Stay here," he murmured and went into the hallway to the restrooms. After a short while, he returned. „There's no man in the restrooms," he reported. „But that's impossible. I went past him and he's not here anymore. He can't have vanished into thin air!" I was stunned. „Did you know him?" Damon asked. „I'm not sure. His face reminded me of someone, but I can't remember," I replied. He frowned with concern. „Okay, how about we go back home?" he suggested. „I thought we wanted to eat here?" I reminded him. „We'll order take-away. It's safer at the boarding house," he replied and went to the bar counter.
About fifteen minutes later, Matt brought us the bill and a large bag. „You're leaving?" he asked. „Yes, unfortunately," I replied. „Matt, have you noticed any stranger tonight who behaved unusual?" Damon asked him while he paid the bill. Matt scratched his head. „Uh, the town's crawling with strangers visiting their family over the holidays. I really can't tell… what does he look like?" he wanted to know. „Short blonde hair, Damon's size, slender, with a piercing gaze. He wore a red shirt and didn't talk. He just watched me," I explained. „If you see him, call me?" Damon asked. „Sure, still got the same number?" Damon nodded. „Still the same." He went to fetch my jacket. „You are safe with Damon, Helen, stick with him," he said. „I know, thank you," I replied softly and smiled. „See you at the boarding house tomorrow?" Damon asked. Matt nodded. „Of course, I wouldn't want to miss it," he replied with a grin. „What do you mean?" Damon pressed. „Well, when you meet Caroline and Bonnie again." My face fell instantly. „Oops, already met them, didn't you?" he returned being embarassed. „Yep, you missed the great opening: Supergirls versus the bad, bad Damon!" Damon replied. „Don't miss the showdown tomorrow, Matt," he said while we left and waved at Matt.
The cold air outside was very refreshing. „Ah, I love oxygen," I sighed and inhaled deeply. Damon nervously scanned the surroundings. „You see him? I asked quietly. He shook his head. „We should go," he murmured and put his arm around me. Hand in hand, we walked back to his car. I bent down to put the food on the backseat. When straightened again, I saw him. He was standing on the far edge of the town place. I searched for Damon's gaze, but I didn't want him to turn around. Pulling my mobile phone out, I sent him a text. ~Don't turn around. He's here.~ Damon looked at his phone with surprise, and then at me. I just smiled at him. He came over to me and cupped my face. „Kiss me," he breathed. I followed his request quizzically. He turned us around, pushing my back to the car. Then he let go of me and held his mobile phone up. „You know, I still don't have any picture of you on my phone. Say cheese!" he said and took a picture of me. Only the flash revealed what he was doing. Afterwards, he opened the passenger door for me. „And now, let's go home," he said with a smile. I got into the car and we drove away. Damon turned the radio on and turned up the volume. „Damon, what…?" He just placed a finger to his lips. Only when we had reached the small forest around the Salvatore mansion, he turned it down again.
„What did you just do?" I asked. He handed me his phone. „See if I got him," he suggested. I browsed through his pictures and really, there he was in the background of the picture. However, it was pretty small, Damon would probably have to adjust the size with some computer program in order to recognize the face. „Really, there he is. I wonder who the hell this is?" I muttered, wrecking my brains. „More important, what does he want?" Damon wondered. I shook my head. „We should ask the others tomorrow. Bonnie and Jeremy, or Matt," I suggested. I was a little worried now. Was he really stalking me? But why here, why not in Baton Rouge? And more important, why at all? „I don't get it. What does he want from me?" I asked myself while looking at the picture. Damon retrieved his phone. „I wish I knew," he said, frowning with concern. When we reached the driveway of the boarding house, we saw a patrol car in front of the entrance. „What the hell is going on here?" Damon wondered.
We got out of the car and stepped inside. „Here she comes," Elena called. The officer turned around and her eyes widened. „You are Helen Corey?" Startled I put my hand on my chest. „Aunt Liz?" I breathed. It couldn't be anyone else. I hadn't counted on seeing her here and obviously she was also surprised and not really sure how to react. „Um, it's about the rental car," she finally replied a little reserved. Just like Dad, I thought, the same guarded austerity. „Yeah, I know, it's still in the ditch, but I thought I'd let it being towed away after the holidays," I replied. „Well, it's gone. The rental company reported a theft," she returned. „What?" I was taken aback and looked at Damon. „How's that possible?" His eyes widened and then he slapped his forehead. „I'm such an idiot!" he groaned. And then I remembered. „Damon! Don't tell me you've left the key inside?" I exclaimed. He just nodded. „Liz, this is all my fault," he admitted. „Yeah, but Helen will get the bill, Damon, and it's not going to be peanuts for her!" Sheriff Forbes snapped. „Then fix your damn report saying that it was me. She was unconscious, I had to get her to the hospital, for Christ's sake!" Damon snapped back. I had enough. „It's okay, now stop it! Liz, write down what's necessary. I accept full liability," I replied. She looked at me with a stern expression, but a small smile played around her mouth. „Just like Rafael, she whispered. I inhaled deeply.
I had never seen her before, but still she reminded me of my father. The same eyes, the same self-controlled expression and the same urge to defend family members. „I'm sorry that we haven't met earlier, Liz," I said softly. Now she smiled openly. „We can still catch up. Are you staying for a while?" she asked. „Yes, I'm with Damon." She just raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at him, but he just shrugged, seemingly a feeling little embarassed. „Then I know where to find you. Merry Christmas, Helen," she replied and turned to leave. „Merry Christmas," I answered. Damon just stirred when she was almost outside. „Oh, Liz? wait a sec," he called and went after her. I turned around and faced Caroline. The surprise was written all over her face. „You are my cousin?" she asked. I just nodded. „But how…?" she started. „Long story, Caroline," I replied and walked into the parlor. „Get the e-book, Blondie, we have more serious matters at hand," Damon interjected when he returned. „Helen was stalked tonight."
A hubbub broke out. „QUIET!" Damon thundered. „I've got pictures of him and just told Liz. I'll send them to her and she will spread them. Look at this," he said and showed them his phone. „I could enlarge it but it should be enough for our vampire senses," he added. „You'll definitely have to enlarge it for Sheriff Forbes," Tyler mentioned. „I haven't seen him before," Stefan said. „Where did he appear first?" he asked. „At the Grill. While we played pool he stood in the crowd and watched me. Later he appeared in the hallway to the restrooms and then he was gone, vanished into thin air," I explained. „He didn't get out again?" Stefan insisted. I shook my head. „Show me again," Caroline suddenly said and took the phone. She enlarged the picture and scrutinized it for some time. „Caroline?" Damon inquired. She raised her eyebrows. „I'm not sure, but it's possible that I've seen him quite some time ago," she explained. „When?" Elena asked. „Around two years ago, someone was sitting in my Mom's office when I stopped by in the evening. It was right after the explosion on the Young farm," she elaborated. „I noticed him because he was wearing an Armani suit. I mean, honestly, someone that posh in our hicktown? But I've never seen him again afterwards."
Suddenly I felt queasy and took a deep breath. Damon put his hands on my shoulders. „You okay?" he asked softly. I nodded, but he pulled me into his embrace nonetheless and just held me tight. „I'll talk to my mother, maybe she remembers him too," Caroline said and pulled out her phone. „I'll send her the picture right away," Damon added and let me go. A thought crossed my mind. „Send it also to John. Maybe he's been in Baton Rouge too," I told him. „This may cause a ruckus there," Damon reminded me. I nodded. „I know, but I want to know who the hell he is and what he wants," I stated. He looked at me and nodded. „Okay." And up he rushed. „Hi Mom, listen. That guy who followed Helen tonight, I think I've seen him before…" I heard Caroline talking to her mother. „…two years ago… yes, after the explosion… okay…" She listened closely. Sheriff Forbes obviously had something interesting to tell. „Oh really? And what did you tell him?" she suddenly raised her voice excitedly. Then she frowned. Now I perked my ears up. „That's him? you sure?" she pressed. „Okay, Mom, thanks!" Caroline turned to face me. „And?" I inquired. „It's the same person. She just saw the enlarged picture," she replied. I exhaled the breath I'd held loudly and sat on the couch. „And there's more," she said softly and gave me a concerned glance.
„Damon should come down," Stefan stopped her. „I'm here, and I've eavesdropped," he admitted when he suddenly appeared next to me. „Spill it, Blondie," he invited and put an arm around my shoulders for support. „Back then, that guy presented himself as an insurance clerk and inquired about the victims of the explosion. According to his business card, his name was Corey," she said. „What? Impossible!" I exclaimed. „My mother asked of course if he was related to the Corey family of this town and he replied that he had two sisters which whom he'd lost contact. Mom told him about her brother and your mother," Caroline explained. I shook my head aghast. „I don't have any uncle, unless my family would've hidden this from me," I replied. „They've done it before," Damon interjected. Now I got upset. „But they only did it to protect me," I protested. „And look where it got you," he retorted agitatedly. I held his gaze. „To you," I answered softly. Now he smiled and caressed my hair. „That's one way to put it," he whispered. Caroline rolled her eyes dramatically. „Could you two lovebirds please enlighten me?" she huffed. „I know it doesn't show, but my hair color does not resemble my brain capacity!" I gave her a baffled look and then I had to laugh heartily. Damon just grinned pointedly and all the others giggled. My sides hurt from laughing and I had to stop. „Sorry, Caroline," I gasped, „but you've really got comical talent!" I held my stomach.
When I finally recovered, I looked at Damon. „What do you think? Should we tell them?" I asked quietly. He shrugged. „Bonnie knows it anyway, and if they want to help, they need to know the ramifications," he answered cryptically. „Could you please stop talking like oracles?" Caroline hissed, but we ignored her. „Agreed, but I'll secure the room like I did yesterday," I replied with an ambiguous smile and got up. The day before, while I had rested in the bathtub, I had soundproofed his room with a spell and that's what I wanted to do right now. „What are you going to do?" Elena asked. „What you hear now, has to remain a secret, understood?" he asked them gravely and nodded at me. I closed my eyes and inhaled while I raised my arms above my head. „No sound shall leave this room," I said while I lowered my arms. The air around us vibrated and I opened my eyes again. Pure amazement could be seen on Caroline's and Tyler's faces. „You are a witch?" my cousin asked pretty aghast.
I nodded and sat down again, to tell my story. „The Bennetts weren't the only witch clan in Mystic Falls. My ancestors, the Coreys, passed the witch gene through the female lineage and they had a less hostile attitude towards vampires. From time to time, one of them would fall in love with a vampire, but it wasn't until around 300 years ago, that one of my ancestors applied a very powerful spell on herself to conceive a child from her vampire lover. She changed our genetic structure with that. You could say I'm a vampire/witch hybrid," I explained. Surprised gasps were the answer and Tyler grinned pointedly. „Welcome to the hybrid club," he declared. „But if you knew that, why did you… well, sleep with Damon?" Caroline interrogated curiously. „On the contrary, I didn't know a thing when I met him. This was just dumped on my doorstep after he had run away," I defended myself. „You ran away?" she asked Damon. He nodded and took over talking. „I had almost lost control after some incident and nearly attacked her," he explained with a neutral expression. „What kind of incident?" Stefan jumped in. Damon looked grim, but I replied. „My father was Liz' older brother and sheriff of this town before her. After he'd taken us to Baton Rouge twenty years ago, he founded an anti-vampire unit together with a few colleagues after a few „animal" attacks down there." I took a deep breath. „When I was 16, he was killed by a vampire in our house while I hid in a closet. The vampire found me and I shot him with a special gun." I closed my eyes briefly before I continued. „I was traumatized. My mother decided to block my powers and asked one of her vampire friends to manipulate my memories – Lexi Branston."
„Lexi knew your parents?" Stefan asked surprised. He obviously couldn't forget her. „It looks like they've been friends, yes. Anyway, there was a cop from Dad's former special unit who tried to kill Damon. He would've managed if John, also a former colleague and friend of my father, hadn't saved us." Damon shook his head. „You tricked him and knocked him out," he intervened. „Yeah, but not permanently and without John shooting him, we would both be dead by now," I countered. „And you only lost control with me because of the large amount of blood the damned vervain projectile cost you!" He crossed his arms. „That's no excuse," he grumbled. I rolled my eyes. „It's over and done with, Damon!" Caroline grinned at Elena and giggled. „You two sound like an old couple. How have you been together?" Her question disconcerted me, but Damon wrapped me in his arms. „Long enough to fall head over heels in love with you," he whispered into my ear and I blushed thoroughly. Stefan put his arm around Elena and grinned at her. „I still don't get it," Caroline grumble pensively. „Do you really need the birds and bees talk again, Blondie?" Damon growled. I couldn't suppress a giggle, just like Elena and even Tyler seemed quite amused.
I resumed my story. „Anyway, two months after Damon had run, my body started to change and my mother had a lot of explaining to do. It was way too late to do anything about it. And, it was pure coincidence that I was able to meet Elena in October. If she hadn't helped me to find him…," My voice trailed off and I snuggled closer into Damon's embrace. Caroline still shook her head with disbelief. „Damon will be a father! I can't believe it," she said doubtfully. „Well, in two months time, you'll have to believe it," Damon replied. „And you'll be the aunt, Care," Tyler said affectionately. Slowly, a broad smile spread across her face. „Aunt…," she breathed pensively. „I'll be the aunt!" She clapped her hands excitedly. „Oh, that's wonderful!" she exclaimed and almost jumped up and down on the couch. It was like someone had flipped a switch. „Let me arrange the nursery, Helen, please!" she asked enthusiastically. „I know we didn't have a good start, but I would love to be the perfect aunt," she explained with a bright glow on her face. Doubtfully I searched Damon's gaze. He just shrugged. „Caroline Forbes may be judgy and annoying, but you won't find a more loyal friend than her," he declared with a completely honest glance at her. Caroline got a strangely embarassed expression on her face before she recovered again. „Fine, Aunt Caroline, welcome to the family," I joked which made her squeal with joy.