Ava frowned in confusion; she felt the grass between her bare toes. She sighed when she felt the warmth of the sun against her skin, and the cool breeze.

"This is nice" she hummed under her breath, she felt free and so at ease. The petite teen moved her hands down her form, and felt the tale tell dress signifying where she exactly was. From what she could tell the dress was of lace material and the skirt swished around her legs.

"Back again I see?" Claudine's voice rang over the clearing. Ava smiled hearing her voice and could hear the birds seeing.

"Looks like it doesn't it?" she quipped.

"Don't be an ass" Claudine rolled her eyes, she linked her arms with her granddaughter's one. "Let's cross the bridge, better shade there"

"Am I dead?" Ava asked, wondering why she was here in the first place.

"No, if you were I would be able to kick your ass" her grandmother drawled "Now hitch up the skirt of your dress-"

"But-"

"They may be pretty, but honey there not really practical"

Ava scoffed and did as she was instructed "What would you be doing here that needs practicality?" she asked tucking in a loose curl behind her ear.

"Erm what did I do when I was in the human world?" Ava could feel the different texture beneath her slipper clad feet, indicating that she was no longer walking on the forest floor; instead she was on polished wood.

"Are you getting laid in the fairy world?" Ava balked "Are you even allowed to do that?"

"What having sex?" Claudine pulled her to a stop so they were leaning against the railing of the bridge, a river ran beneath them. Ava could hear the water hitting the rocks. She could just picture this place in her mind "Yes we can have sex here. We're living beings here dear, anyway no I haven't been getting it on with every guy…I want to though"

Ava rolled her milky green orbs, dying hadn't changed her grandmother at all which she was grateful for that. It made her realise how everything else had changed. "They got bars here Ava, proper nice ones, no urine covered nuts in bowls…and fairy wine" she exclaimed "delicious, take a glassful and you'd be on the floor if you're a beginner"

"Am I here to talk about wine?" the petite blond asked in confusion.

"No you're here to get a lecture-"Claudine wasn't disappointed by her granddaughter's reaction. Ava whined and flopped down on to the ground "Seriously? You're acting like a five year old-"

"But I don't want to get a lecture" the petite teen huffed.

"Well tough luck now stand up-"when Ava didn't move, Claudine used a different technique "If you don't get up right this instant I will tell you how Gareth likes nipples-"

"Ok" Ava scrambled onto her feet "ok, so go on then lecture me-"

Claudine rolled her eyes "Honey I may be brilliant, I may be sexy and-"

"Steady on Gran" the younger girl giggled and could picture the look on her grandmother's face.

"Anyway I don't like doing interventions, but you need one" Ava frowned noticing the serious tone that the silver haired woman had taken "You my dear…need your eyes opened hypothetically so to say. What the hell Ava? What happened? The girl I knew wouldn't have lay down and let her friends walk over her-"

"Gran what are you on about?" Ava's brows knitted together in confusion.

"What am I on about?" Claudine asked incredulously, she whistled "my dear girl you have certainly lost your way have you not?"

Ava sighed "Seriously Gran you're talking in riddles now do you mind zapping me so I can go wake up-"

"Shut up Ava" Claudine cut her off "Listen to me. I've been keeping watch over you-"

"Ok that's creepy-"the fairy mumbled.

"No I keep watch because something calls to me. I saw the homecoming fiasco-"

Ava groaned and played with the end of her curls, "Please I know, I've been told. About letting Klaus go…I had no choice-"she stopped talking when her grandmother let out a bark of laughter "Gran?"

"You think I'm talking about you letting that sexy hybrid stay alive-oh don't look at me like that. I may be dead but hell I'm still a woman. Klaus is…"she let out a wolf whistle

Ava cleared her throat, she knew that the hybrid was handsome…but he was also a complete psycho who ruined her life. "Gran…am I here to listen to your fantasies about what you would do to Klaus?" she questioned her, resting her elbows on the railing of the bridge. Feeling the breeze against her skin, the wind caused blew her hair away from her face.

"No, you ass. I meant the aftermath" Claudine turned so that she was facing her, she gently grasped Ava's hand and pulled her close "I saw the way Damon kicked you out. I saw you at my grave…he broke your heart Ava"

Ava swallowed and licked her lips, "Gran he as angry and-"

"Right, he was angry…but the way he treated you afterwards Ava? At the Grill? What he called you-honey you forgave him to easily…-"

Ava frowned and snatched her hand away from the elderly woman. "You have no right to interfere in my relationship-"

"When it concerns your happiness I do. When it concerns your heart I do" Claudine snapped "Ava-"

"I love him Gran. He made a mistake he rectified it-"

"What does it say about your relationship huh? When he blindly shuts you out. He didn't listen to you Ava. He didn't think that for one moment you had a good reason for betraying him?" Claudine grasped her by her shoulders "You claimed to be independent…strong willed…you was once all those things Ava. But now? Now you're not…you just let Damon walk all over you. Your friends were harsh, none of them saw the pain you was in Ava"

Ava's emotions were in a muddle, was she right? Was Claudine right? Was there any trust between her and Damon? "But I'm living at home-"

"Where Damon is staying as well. For someone who said he would let you heal and take a step back. He's not helping" Claudine said wisely, "Honey you can't be stuck under him like this. It's not who you are."

"How would you know who I am?" Ava sniped "You left me-"

"I know you Ava. Bowing down to someone like that?" Claudine scoffed "that isn't you…honey you're so scared of being alone, that you would let anyone in. even if they wronged you. Get to know yourself again…don't be trapped" her voice faded.

"Gran what do I do?" Ava shouted, as she felt herself being lifted away "GRAN?"


Ava gasped and abruptly sat up. Her breathing as ragged and her mind was spinning from Claudine's words. Was Claudine right? Was there something wrong in hers and Damon's relationship? Was it even a relationship? She was so confused and slumped down in her pillows. Running her fingers through her messy hair,

"Gosh what am I going to do?" the fairy muttered under her breath, she felt ha cold snout nudge her hand, she grinned when Coco licked her face. She pulled the fuzzy creature towards her, and held him against her chest. Damon had dropped off the puppy late last night, along with more than a few bags of groceries. "So Coco…was Gran right?" she scrunched up her nose when the dog licked her face. "Ok eww-little shit…but you're so cute" Ava cooed and peppered the puppy with kisses.

She froze hearing the floorboards creaking, someone was here. The fairy swung her legs out of the bed and grabbed her bedside lamp. "Who's there?" she called and slowly padded barefooted out of the room, clutching onto Coco and the lamp.

She entered the hallway and pulled up the barriers in her mind. She frowned in confusion when there was no source of thoughts. "What the-"she trailed off, and her milky green orbs widened when she felt a pulse of air behind her

"Ava-"

"Die son of a bitch" Ava shouted and spun around wildly swinging the lamp. It smashed against the intruder.

"Oww STOP" the man yelled

"Ass-Coco attack" Ava held up the dog, and cursed under her breath when she heard the distinct sound of the little puppy licking the person's face

"Eww stop-stop-"

"Oh ya don't like that do ya?" the fairy had an idea in her mind. "Keep licking him Coco…keep licking-"

"Ava it's me"

"Damon?" she frowned recognising his voice, "What the hell-"

"Yeah me. Make the dog stop licking me it's disgusting" Damon balked when the puppy's tongue rolled out of its mouth again

"Says the dude who drinks blood" Ava said dryly and placed the puppy on the floor "anyway what are you doing here?" she asked, once again the raven head vampire had somehow managed to wriggle into her house.

"Well duh I came to make you breakfast-"

"You were meant to let me be myself. And do my own things" Ava sighed.

"Ah…but then you won't get my famous waffles" Damon grinned, and gave her a chaste kiss. He frowned feeling something was off about her. But he brushed it off, "Go get ready you've got school"

Ava nodded and left. She shut the bathroom door behind her and frowned leaning against it. Her mind was once again ringing with her gran's words; Damon was here again…was she trapped? Because of Damon? She sighed and shook her head; she needed to get ready for school. Now was not the time to get into this. So with that thought in mind, she stripped out of her clothes, and turned the shower faucet on.

When she was showered and dried herself, she headed back to her room. Ava could hear Damon meandering around downstairs, damn ok perhaps Gran did have a point, and she wasn't as strong willed as she thought she was. The petite blond rummaged through her closet, once she was dressed, she left her hair loose, so that her golden curls were passed her shoulders.

Ava hurried down the stairs and could smell the delicious aroma of food coming into the air. It felt like years since smelt something tasty coming from her kitchen.

Damon looked up seeing Ava hovering at the doorway, "Hey Ava, come on" he called. Ava plastered a smile onto her face and dropped down in the old creaky wooden chair. "You ok?" he asked setting a plate of waffle down in front of her. Her nose flared smelling the enticing aroma.

"Yeah I had a dream that's all" Ava muttered and got stuck into breakfast, she kept her head down

"Ava I thought you'd be more excited about it beings Barbie's birthday?" Damon asked.

"Oh right Care's birthday…she's eighteen today…still older than me" Ava mumbled, she had just turned seventeen.

"Well think about it like this. She's dead" Damon commented "so technically-"

"Ok you're not helping." Ava uttered and swallowed a mouthful of syrupy waffle. "Plus…I was meant to do something for this…balloons-"she mentally slapped herself. Of course she would forget that, it was tradition between the four girls, to arrive early at the birthday girl's locker, and decorate with streamers or whatever.

"Well than you're lucky that you've got me. I got you some…Elena reminded me" Damon added taking a mouthful of coffee. Ava shifted and bit down on her bottom lip "they know why you did it…they're not mad"

"Yeah but they didn't think I had a good reason. Sort of like you right" Ava bit out and pushed herself away from the table, she was reminded of how they treated her beforehand, and now that she spoke to her Gran, she realised how much it bothered her.

"Ava-"Damon started "I thought this was sorted-"

"Yeah whatever" she brushed him off. "I just need to get to school ok?"

Damon followed after the fairy as she left the kitchen and headed towards the front door "Ava-"

"Damon I don't want to get into it please" Ava slipped on her sweater and grabbed her bag,

"Fine" the vampire said, "here…want me to drive-"

"No I can take the bus" Ava uttered and rushed out of the house, she just needed a moment to think somewhere away from Damon. He pressed the strings of balloons into her hand, and watched as she hurried down the steps.

"Ava are you forgetting something?" he called "Your favourite guy didn't get a kiss goodbye"

"Right" Ava shook her head and ran back up the creaky porch steps. She came to a stop in front of Damon and he closed his eyes thinking she was going to kiss him, but instead the petite blond whistled loudly causing the vampire to back up and clutch his ear.

"Oww what the-"

"Come on Coco" Ava yelled Damon looked over his shoulder and saw the pudgy looking puppy scampering towards the front door, it pounced on the fairy, and she scooped it up. "Who's a good boy?" she cooed and peppered the puppy's face with kisses. "Yes you are-"she cooed.

"Ok just go to school" the vampire blinked when the dog seem to glare at him.

"Fine" Ava huffed and walked off, Damon shook his head and went to usher the dog back into the house. But it growled at him and seem to shoot him a dirty look before trotting off back into the house.

"Ok…dog is such a bitch" the vampire muttered. "And yep Ava is rubbing off of me"


Ava arrived at school and languidly made her way towards Caroline's locker, she nervously licked her lips hearing Elena's thoughts.

"Hey" Elena spotted the fairy

"Hi" Ava muttered, there was an awkward silence in the air, she swallowed and placed the balloons down beside the locker. "So erm…"

"You're living at your old place?" Elena asked quietly

"Yep" Ava replied popping the 'p', she cleared her throat "Damon offered me to go back to the Boarding House…but I missed being at my old home-and-"she was cut off when Elena launched herself at the smaller teen.

"Ava I am so sorry" Elena gushed "So sorry…I was awful to you. I am so sorry…all the things I've said I didn't mean. Can you forgive me?" she asked earnestly.

Ava smiled "Sure…I can start. Just don't do anything to piss me off" she added as an afterthought. Elena laughed; the fairy couldn't help but feel it was slightly off.

"Fine I'll try hard not to anger you" the doppelganger nodded, she made sure to keep the information about Jeremy locked up tight in her mind. She just hoped Bonnie wouldn't tell her, Elena had felt immensely guilty about what she had said to the blond, since there friendship was in a fragile place she feared that Ava would implode on her if she found out.

"Great so balloons…I got them" the petite teen uttered, since it was Caroline's birthday she didn't want to cause a drama.

"Great" Elena exclaimed, the halls were busy with students making their way to class and whatnot. "And I've done the streamers" she stuck the last piece onto the locker,

"Now we've got Bonnie to wait for-"just as those words left her mouth, the witch came striding towards them.

"Hey" Bonnie smiled "sorry I'm late I got erm…held up." She spotted the fairy and the petite teen found herself in another tight hug. Ava stumbled

"Damn I've never been so popular" the fairy laughed hugging her back

"I am so sorry Ava. It was stupid of me. I should have known you had a reason. Forgive me?" the witch called out into the younger girl's mind. Bonnie relaxed when she saw Ava nodding.

"So you're late huh?" Ava rocked on the balls of her feet. Her hands were clasped behind her back "Seems like I was here earlier-"

"Ava I got here first" Elena quirked an eyebrow

"Shush. I was being high and mighty" she pouty "and you ruined it."

Bonnie smiled and shook her head, Ava lightly tapped the balloon causing it to bob in the air.

"I was running late as well" the brunette murmured, "Ava passed me the balloons please?" the fairy did as she was instructed and hitched her bag over her shoulder.

"So what got you both running late?" the fairy questioned leaning against the locker beside Caroline's.

"I was working on some new spells" Bonnie informed her. "You?"

"I was working out with Alaric" Elena replied.

Ava hummed "Ok this conversation is fading fast…I'm going to out the janitor to his wife see ya" she sauntered off

"No Ava-"

"Relax I was kidding" the petite teen yelled back. Elena was grateful that she didn't have to send her best friend away now she could speak to Bonnie about Jeremy.


Ava stepped out into the front entrance of the school. It was still early for class to start and the blond just wanted to get out of the stuffy building, she could hear voices coming from the parking area and recognising them as Caroline and Tyler.

The fairy plopped down on the wooden picnic table; she dug through her bag and pulled out her book, idly trailing the pads of her fingers over the brail text. She was soon distracted by the conversation that was only happening a couple of feet away from her. Tyler and Caroline were close enough so she could hear; she held her book up to shield her face.

"I can't talk to you" she heard the female vampire exclaimed

"I know you're upset about what-"

"Upset?" Caroline cut her boyfriend off "you almost got Jeremy killed. And before you ask me to understand or to support you, can you at least tell me what you're going to do with your sire bond to Klaus?"

Ava frowned, she sort of understood what the newly turned hybrid had done what he did. He had no control over it. Her ears perked up listening to the conversation

"There's nothing I can do about it" Tyler answered "I just wanted you to know that I understand why you can't be with me. Even though I want to put you first I can't, I'll never be able to and I'm sorry. I'm sorry…I'm so sorry. I just wanted you to know that" she could hear his voice wavering from emotion. He handed her a gift, and watched Caroline leave.

"Happy birthday Care" Ava called out but quickly hid behind her book, she couldn't help but blurt that out. She froze for a second feeling a body brushing against her side.

"Really Ava eavesdropping?" Tyler asked placing his back beside him,

The blond blushed and sheepishly shrugged her shoulders "It isn't my fault that your conversations are easy to follow and what-"

"Ava" he said interrupting her, knowing that the teen could go on a never ending rant.

"Ok…I was eavesdropping. It's in my nature to be nosey" she muttered. "So you and Care huh?"

"I know we've broken up" Tyler murmured, and his lips twitched into a smile when she leant her head against his shoulder, in her own way she was comforting him.

"It'll be ok…just give her time. You two are like Romeo and Juliet…instead of two warring families, you guys are like two warring species…just don't make a dick move and kill yourself" Ava uttered.

Tyler chuckled "Right. So you really think she'll come round?"

Ava licked her lips and felt Tyler's arm coming around her shoulders "Yep, she doesn't understand. I doubt anyone understands. Not unless they've gone through it"

Tyler looked down her "But you did didn't you? Klaus sired you to him right?"

Ava nodded "Yep" she moved her head and was now placing her chin in the palm of her hand so that she was holding it up. "I was sired to him. You feel a pull towards him don't you? Something inside you just wiling you not to disappoint him…"she trailed off.

"Yeah…"Tyler nodded that was exactly how he felt at the moment "How did you break your bond with him?" he asked curiously

"Fairy magic…and a lot of pain" Ava answered. "So I'm guessing that's not at your disposal."

"No it isn't" Tyler answered, the students were beginning to trickle in more. Indicating that classes were about to start soon.

"And I'm guessing you're feeling all alone…since no one gets it" Ava cleared her throat, it wasn't too chilly now since it was still early, but she knew that the nights would be cold.

"No they don't-"

"Tyler I know you'll find a way to get out of this. But if you ever wanted to talk to someone I'm here-"

Tyler snorted "What? Can you be serious?"

Ava's jaw dropped "Of course I can be bitch. I have serious moments. Dick-"she swung her legs over the bench "Just so you know I am a wise, wise per—"she yelped when her dramatic exit failed spectacularly, as she didn't clear her leg over the bench properly, causing her to do a face plan. "Ow-"

"You ok?" Tyler rushed to her side "You're not hurt are you?"

"Only my pride" Ava groaned and sat up so she was on her knees, he snorted seeing the smudge of dirt across her chin.

"Surprise you have any" a voice cackled

"Shut up Tiki" Ava shouted back "You'll never be the man your mother was" there was a moment of silence before the students who had heard the fairy's insult all burst out with laughter.

Tiki swore and stalked off into the school

"Damn Ava you're funny. If I wasn't so loved up with Caroline, I would so be on your ass" Tyler exclaimed helping her onto her feet.

"Ok…creeped out…or should I be flattered?" Ava asked

"Flattered definitely flattered. I am a catch after all. Here feel my bicep" Tyler held out his arm, the fairy swatted him away.

"Ok, ok" Ava giggled "creep but no thanks"

"Yeah right. Damon would probably kick my ass for even looking at his girl like that" Tyler chuckled; he stopped when he saw that smile on the blond teen's face waver. "You are still his girl right?"

Ava hastily nodded "Yeah, yeah-"

Tyler didn't buy Ava's act for a second "Hey you know that offer you gave me? The one about needing to talk?" Ava nodded showing that she understood "well it works both ways. You can come and talk to me any time…but don't make it about periods or girly shit-"the fairy snorted

"Right I get that"

"Well catch ya later Ava, I've got practise" the hybrid kissed her cheek and walked off.

Ava sighed; she was so tempted to spill her guts. Tell him her little insecurities. Truth be told Ava needed advice about her relationship with Damon, she knew she love him that was for sure. He was the best thing that ever happened to her but…he was just so quick to judge her. So quick to throw her aside. What if she did something else? Something that he totally went again…would he throw her aside again?

Her mind was a mess, plus it didn't help but feel like Elena was hiding something…something was going on, and it felt like everyone else knew except her. The fairy jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder bringing her out of her torrent of thoughts.

"Ava?" Elena's voice brought her crashing back to reality

"Ava you ok?" Matt frowned seeing the dazed look on her face

The blond plastered a smile onto her face "Yeah I am…so why are you all lingering around me? Huh?"


Ava sighed "Fairy wings seriously?" she asked, she, Elena, Bonnie and Matt had all ditched school to surprise Caroline, since the vampire had ditched as well.

"Really? You're a fairy-"Matt snorted. They were hiding in the other room, waiting for the taller blond to arrive home

"Yeah but I don't have wings…yet I am wearing sparkly ones right now" she huffed. "And Elena gets a tiara and Bonnie? She gets a feather boa…I wanted a feather boa" Ava pouted, causing the others to laugh

"Ok-"

"And wings? Pfft stereotyping much? It's like me saying all witches have a bent nose. And Bonnie hasn't got one right? Right-"

"Oww-"

"What?" Ava asked "I was checking-"

"You poked my eye" Elena shook her head.

"Oops" the petite teen blushed "So-"

"Oh my god" Matt groaned "Is there any way to shut you up?" he asked.

"Hmm…"Ava hummed, fiddling with the hem of her top "Well I want a million dollars-"

"No" Matt scoffed lightly swatting the back of her head. The fairy sighed dramatically

"Ok since you're being a whore-"

"Why do you call me a whore?" Matt grunted clutching onto the tequila bottle he was holding on to.

"Well….you are one. I want a wand-"

"Do fairies even have wands?" Elena asked aloud, Bonnie shook her head she couldn't quite believe they were having this conversation.

"No they don't. I read about them" the witch answered

"Well this fairy does. Give me a wand" Ava demanded

"No-"

"Yes-"

"No they don't have one-"

"Well we don't have bloody wings" the fairy retorted, both Elena and Matt watched on, their eyes darting between the two supernatural creatures, it was as if a tennis match was going on right before their eyes.

"Ava-"

"Here take this. Now shut up. She's here" Elena shoved something into the smaller teen's hands. Ava frowned and rolled her eyes

"I'm not a douche, a candlestick isn't a-"she was cut off when Matt slammed the palm of his hand over Ava's mouth. They heard the sound of the lock clicking open and then the front door slamming shut.

"Ok go-"Matt whispered as Caroline dropped her keys in the dish bowl.

"SURPRISE-"they all par Ava yelled in unison.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS-"

"Wrong day-"Matt elbowed her

"I mean SURPRISE" Ava shrieked holding onto the balloons. "Look I got wings-"she spun around causing Caroline to giggle

"Right…what are you guys doing here? And how did you get in?" the vampire asked, knowing that she didn't give any of them her house keys and all the doors were locked before she left.

"Ava broke in-"

"Shut up that was meant to be a secret" Ava whispered to Matt. Caroline rolled her eyes and set her hands on her hips.

"So what are you doing here?" she repeated the latter question

"Well you missed school, and missed our work of birthday art" Elena replied with a wide smile on her face, as the vampire approached them. "So-"

"We came here. Now give her the tiara" Ava grinned, Elena nodded and placed it on Caroline's head.

"Change into warmer clothes, we're going to the Falls" Bonnie said. "Smores, camp fires-"

"Cake" Elena added on.

"And we're playing hide and seek. And blind man's bluff…oh and twister definitely a game of twister" the fairy nodded solemnly.

"Right, just like when we were little" Bonnie chuckled

"Except with tequila" Matt said in a sing song voice.

"Thanks guys really, for coming here. I'm just really not feeling my birthday this year" Caroline shrugged her shoulders. Ava's brows knitted in confusion, the taller girl would usually be hyped up over her birthday.

Bonnie was obviously having the same thoughts as her since she said "I'm sorry, you've already claimed your birthday as everyone's favourite day of the year"

"Really?" Ava asked "I prefer Christmas…more presents and food" she mumbled under her breath

Caroline let out a loud sigh "Yeah now it's just a reminder that I'm dead"

"Wait…you didn't know that before-oww. Stop elbowing me Matt. Gosh rude much-"

"Shut up" Matt shook his head.

"Look" Caroline uttered looking at her group of friends "I didn't even like being seventeen, the whole point of being seventeen was to get to eighteen. And now? Now I'm stuck in a filler year" she exclaimed.

"You're not stuck in a filler year Care" Elena shook her head

"Yeah I am" Caroline murmured "but its ok, it's all good. I just need some time to wallow in it"

Ava bit her bottom lip thoughtfully,

"Ok I think I had another idea" Elena nodded, she then told them what her idea was, and the quartet rushed out of the house.

"Question" Ava commented as she slid into Matt's truck, the other three females would be taking Bonnie's car. So Matt had drawn the short straw and had to ride with Ava, but truth be told, he was glad for that. The blond fairy brought light into his world. "Is the rest of my year going to suck because I'm seventeen?" she asked

"You're unbelievable" Matt pulled out of the driveway and followed after Bonnie's car.

"Thank you" Ava exclaimed, making him laugh.


"Ok we're here" Matt announced pulling the car to a stop, it was after dark and they arrived at the cemetery. Ava clamoured out of the car as the jock came around grabbing her hand to guide her forward.

"Oh man" Bonnie muttered

"What?" Elena asked, as they all came to a stop,

"I think the gate is locked" the witch replied, wondering what they were going to do. To prove her point Bonnie pushed the gates, but they didn't budge.

"Fear not ladies…and Matt I got this just watch and learn" Ava declared and rolled her shoulders loosening her muscles, they all took a step back when the blond took several steps back, the girls gasped when Ava took a running leap at the iron gates and jumped at them in an attempt to open them. Ava yelped and fell the to floor and grasped her arm

"Son, of a mother fucking whore-bitch" the fairy cursed "I think I'm dying" she exclaimed as Matt, Caroline and Elena rushed towards their fallen friend.

"Well that was dumb-"

"Fuck off" the fairy grunted, Elena rolled her dark brown eyes and shoved Ava's sweater down so she could see the damage, Matt held the torch up allowing them to see.

"Ohh" Caroline winced "that's going to bruise." She would have offered the fairy blood, but knew she couldn't since Ava was allergic to it.

"You ok?" Matt asked brushing aside some of Ava's fallen curls,

"Yeah-"he helped her onto her feet, along with Elena.

"Oops…"Bonnie uttered attracting their attention "the gate was a pull one"

"Oh come on" Ava kicked a rock and stalked ahead, she could hear her friends tittering with laughter. Matt easily caught up with her and led her towards the mausoleum.

"This is creepy" Bonnie declared as they entered the cold building "even for us"

Matt ushered Ava onto the stone bench, as Elena strolled ahead setting the cake box down. "No Caroline is right, Bonnie placed the lamp beside Ava "technically she's dead, sorry-"she added seeing the look on the vampire's face "you don't need a birthday…you need a funeral-"

"Oh hold the phone. We're not burying her are we? Because that is really fucked up" Ava shook her head, Matt snorted

"No we're not burying her…Caroline you need to say goodbye to your own life, so you can move on with your new one" Elena said busying herself with the cake

"Sounds like a plan" Ava nodded and pulled off the fairy wings, the elastic was digging into her skin. She placed her palms behind her back and leant backwards.

"Ok" Caroline nodded taking off the tiara. "Here lies Caroline Forbes-"

"Cheerleader-"Elena piped up, placing the candles in the cake "Miss Mystic Falls, third grade hop scotch champion" Ava laughed as did the vampire

"Friend, daughter-"Bonnie moved forward "over achiever-"she finished off, she pulled Ava onto her feet so she was standing beside her.

"Mean girl" it was Matt's turn "sometimes no offence" he added

Caroline laughed "None taken."

"Well occasionally a self-righteous bitch, the amount of times I wanted to slap her was too many to count. She talks too much…her voice gets pitchy when she's mad…and she has dreadful taste in movies-"Ava grinned

"Hey" Caroline crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"But…one of the best people I know. I wouldn't be able to imagine a life without her" Ava finished off, and heard the vampire coo.

"She was seventeen" Elena uttered picking up the cake bock "she lead a really good life, so rest in peace, so she can move forward" she said walking towards them, "It's what you really need, it's what we all really need. Amen-or cheers-"

Ava snorted as Elena looked at Bonnie, gesturing towards the candles. Bonnie took her cue and closed her eyes. Ava felt the heat against her skin alerting her that the candles were lit.

"Nice" Elena exclaimed "ok make a wish"

Caroline nodded and closed her eyes and made her wish.

Ava whistled "Damn, best funeral I've ever been to. Cake and alcohol. The best kind of funeral. Now I want this" she snatched the bottle out of Matt's hand and coughed hard feeling the fiery liquid sliding down her throat.

"Ava my al-"

"No this is mine" Ava declared, and downed another mouthful of the liquid. She shook her head and grinned "its party time…or funeral-ah whatever" she declared causing the others to laugh.


"Ok and from the top" Ava sang "99 bottles of beers on the wall you take one down-"

"No stop singing" Caroline laughed handing a piece of cake over to Matt.

"Fine…Oh god I think I'm going to puke" Ava groaned clutching her stomach.

"Yea well you hate half the cake" Matt said plopping down beside Bonnie, since the fairy was sitting next to Elena.

"It was tasty. I'm a sucker for frosting" Ava exclaimed and much to Elena's and Bonnie's amusement, they watched as the petite teen snatched Matt's plate away from him, and started to munch on it.

"For someone who is claiming to feel ill, she sure can put that cake away" Bonnie shook her head.

"Yeah…well she's going to regret it in the morning" Elena laughed, Matt grabbed the bottle of tequila out of the witch's hands. But that was also snatched away from him this time by Elena.

"I need it more than you. Trust me" Elena took a swing

"I think we all need alcohol-"

"You're drunk already. Damn you really are a lightweight" Matt laughed and poked the blond. She yelped and fell off of the stone bench.

"Whoa-"Ava exclaimed wide eye "Did…did the floor move…are you ok?"

"Ok she is hammered" Bonnie giggled as Ava attempted to get up back onto the bench. But she couldn't quiet stand so she instead crawled onto the bench.

"Is the floor going to be a whore again? Making me fall- ass of a floor" Ava muttered, her speech was slightly slurred. She heard a beeping sound, alerting her that a cell went off.

"Caroline what are you doing?" Elena asked pulling her gaze away from Ava, who was once again being poked by Matt. She winced when Ava punched him.

"Hmm?" the blond vampire played dumb. "Nothing…nothing-"

Ava shook her head to clear her mind it was still slightly hazy. "Ok you're a bad sober liar…and you're an even worse when you're drunk"

"I might have texted Tyler" Caroline admitted

"Aww…make it up with him. Then you two can get married and have cute puppies…name one Ava…and the other Claudine…yeah that'd work"

"Am I that drunk?" the vampire pointed at the fairy.

"No and don't change the topic" Elena scolded

"What? I'm vulnerable" Caroline exclaimed, "I'm delicate"

Ava nodded, huh that was true. Plus she was rooting for Caroline and Tyler to get back together. It was weird to think of them not together anymore.

"Oh give her a break, you can't control what everyone does" Bonnie sniped, Ava's eyes widened wondering what she mean. The witch's comment immediately sobered the room.

"Ouch Bon" Matt muttered standing up.

"Wow" Elena looked at her friend. Silently pleading not to say anything in front of Ava…she didn't want to hurt the fairy's feelings.

"I'm sorry I know it's Caroline's birthday, or funeral or whatever" Bonnie explained "but I just feel-"

"Don't Bon" Elena nodded towards the fairy, but the witch carried on.

"No Ava deserves to know." This got Ava's attention, what were they hiding from her? "I just feel that it's really wrong that you compelled Jeremy to leave town" Ava's jaw dropped she thought of all people Elena would know how she felt about someone controlling someone else. It happened to her with Klaus…and now this?

She chose to remain silent wanting to hear the rest, "I did it to protect him Bonnie, I gave him a chance to live a halfway normal life" Elena exclaimed, almost pleaded wanting Ava to understand.

"He should be able to choose how he lives it. You're taking his choices away" Bonnie snapped glaring at the other girl.

"Bonnie you can't tell him" Elena uttered

"Why?" Bonnie asked "you're going to compel me not to?"

"You know you guys are ruining a completely good funeral" Matt cleared his throat wanting to break the tense mood.

"Right sorry" Bonnie stood up "I'm just going to sleep it off. Goodnight" she left.

Elena swallowed and looked over to Ava, the blond hadn't move "Ava-"she reached out to grab her shoulder but the fairy surprised her by shoving her away. "Ava-"

"You're a liar" Ava snapped jumping onto her feet shaking her head "Why would you compel him? Didn't you learn your lesson from last time? He hated you Elena. Hated you. When he finds out-"

"He won't" Elena said stubbornly "Not if you don't tell him-"

Ava scowled "Is that why you didn't tell me? Thought I would blabbed" she snapped her hands clenched into fists.

"No I just-"

"I might be blind Elena but I am not stupid" the fairy glowered both Caroline and Matt kept quiet not knowing what to say. "You thought I wouldn't notice Jeremy not here anymore?"

"No of course not. I just wanted to protect you. You would have got hurt-"

"PROTECT ME?" Ava shouted shutting her up "I am not a child. Don't treat me like one! Protection? You're good at a lot of things Elena but lying isn't one of the, you just didn't trust me enough to keep quiet. You lied to my face the whole day. I didn't even read your mind. I respected your privacy, I would have accepted something courteous in return" the fairy was breathing hard and fast. "All these years…and our friendship? What kind of friendship is this if there is no trust?" Ava licked her lips. She shook her head and wiped her tears away from her face, she was furious when her tears fell.

"No Ava it isn't like that" Elena swallowed, her voice wavered in emotion.

"It is though isn't it?" Ava shook her head

"Look I'm sorry-"

"You think saying sorry is going to make me forgive you?" the fairy scowled "I told you…I told you earlier don't piss me off. Yet you did. I am not a doormat; a sorry isn't going to make me roll-over"

"Ava-"

"Shut up" Ava snapped, Matt didn't blame her for being so mad, neither did Caroline. "Who compelled Jeremy?" she asked wondering who it was.

"Ava-"

"Don't lie to me again. Who compelled Jeremy?" Ava repeated her question

"Ava-"

"Damn it Elena. Just tell her" Caroline snapped "She deserves to know"

Elena swallowed and blinked "It was Damon. Last night Damon compelled Jeremy" she revealed.

Ava stumbled back…so he lied to her. Didn't tell her? And he was so hurt when she lied to him. She needed to go and see him. The fairy turned on her heel and ran out

"Ava-"Elena shouted

"Let her go Elena" Matt said quietly, the doppelganger sighed and dropped down onto the stone bench, she picked up the bottle of tequila and raised it to her lips. But before she could get a drop it was snatched out of her hands.

"I can't fight Jeremy about pop-tarts. So I guess alcohol it is" Ava sneered and ran off with the bottle.


Ava arrived at the fundraiser; she managed to navigate her way of the cemetery and arrived at the town hall. It was simple really. She wiped her eyes and staggered into the building, bumping into someone along the way.

"Whoa Ava careful-"Alaric looked down at the teen and frowned seeing the state she was in, "you're drunk?"

"No…ok a little bit" the fairy admitted. "Have you.-where's Damon?"

Alaric looked around and grabbed her hand half dragging and carrying into one of the many study rooms that was here, he closed the door behind him. "Ava what is going on?"

"I just found out how my friends are a bunch of liars." Ava smiled sloppily but it didn't reach her milky green orbs. "So is my boyfriend" she uttered. "They're all liars Ric" Ava's bottom lip trembled. Claudine's words were ringing in her ears as well.

"Ava stay here I'll get Damon" Alaric uttered and hurriedly left.

Ava didn't know show sign that she heard him, instead she took another swing of the tequila. She leant against the desk, and pressed her hands against her temple. The door opened and closed.

"Ava? What?" Damon had come rushing into the room, once Alaric had told him Ava was here and she was clearly upset but he couldn't understand what about. "Did someone hurt you?"

Ava stiffened when she felt his fingers against her skin, this made him frown, the fairy use to revel in his touch, now it was as if she couldn't stand him.

"Ava-"

"You compelled Jeremy" Ava uttered "And you didn't even tell me"

Damon cleared his throat "Ava listen I was-"

"Don't say protect" Ava scowled "I don't want yours. I am not a frail little girl" she sneered

"You are to me-"he growled

Ava pushed him away "You of all people should know what it's like when someone tries to control you. Katherine did it to you and…you're doing the same thing."

Damon sighed "Listen-"

"Why did you do it?" Ava snapped her eyes hardened "Go on tell me-"

"Elena asked me to" Damon replied.

Ava chuckled but there was no humour in it "If Elena asked you to jump off a bridge would you do it? Huh?" she sneered.

"Ava you don't understand. Just trust me on this-"Ava snorted

"Seriously? You're asking me to trust you?" the fairy questioned, "After what you did to me?"

"You started it" Damon snapped "You lied-"

"For a good reason. All you had to do was have some blind faith in me…no pun intended. But you didn't did you?" Ava snapped she was beginning to vent all of her emotions. From the morning "You threw me aside when you thought I betrayed you. You made me feel awful…and a couple of hours later you lie to me. You want me to trust you?" she scowled

Damon felt a wave of emotion overcoming him "Ava I do expect you to trust me" he admitted. Ava shook her head

"Then you really are stupid…I thought a relationship, the trust was supposed to work both ways" she swallowed

"Proves how inexperience you are then" he muttered but immediately regretted it. Seeing the look on her face "No Ava-"

Ava backed away and shook her head "I…you don't trust me do you? You don't trust me to take care of myself. All you see is a helpless little girl-"

"Now you're just putting words in my mouth princess. I do trust you-"

"NO YOU DON'T" Ava shouted back startling him "remember I told you I had a dream in the morning? Well it wasn't just a dream. I met my Gran…and she said a few home truths."

"Like what?"

"Like how I shouldn't be with someone who would break my heart" Ava said quietly, just then the tense silence was broken by the sound of his cell ringing.

"It's Elena-"

"Good for you. Pick it up…maybe she wants you to compel Bonnie like you did with Jeremy" Ava sneered.

Anger was raging in Damon…he just couldn't understand how complicated things seem to get between them. It all started since Klaus came back to town "Did Klaus get in your head now or something?"

Ava scowled "Oh my god! Klaus again?" she ran her hands down her face "what is with you? I am not into him? Why do you find it so hard to believe?" she asked.

"Because you spent two months with him." Damon snarled "two months. Anything could have happened-"

"Well I told you that it didn't." she snapped "You don't believe me…you don't trust my word…what-what kind of relationship is this?" she asked. "And what you did with Jere-"

"Why are you so bothered about Jeremy?" Damon burst out "You're not his family. He has Elena and you. You mean nothing to-"he abruptly stopped talking realising what he was about to say.

"I don't have no one. I mean nothing to them tight?" Ava finished off "that's what you was going to say" her voice wobbled.

"No-"

"And you're lying" Ava said softly tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall "You're right…there is no one is there?-"

"You've got me-"

"Not anymore" the fairy swallowed

"Ava-"

"No. you don't trust me…you think the first chance I get I'm going to run off with another guy. I've know you for over a year…and you still don't get me do you?" Ava licked her lips "You need to grow up Damon…I can't be with someone who-"

"I love you" Damon uttered and caressed her face; he wiped her tears away from her face. "I-"

"We need space Damon" Ava murmured taking a step back "this time away from each other. I don't want to ruin what we have…-"

"Ok so I'll make sure-"

"No Damon. Just leave me alone for now" Ava uttered, the vampire frowned

"Ava you walk out that door…there might not be an us left" Damon called after her. The fairy forced her to be strong and kept her feet walking. Gran was right…being with Damon…living with the Salvatores, she lost a bit of her identity. But before she left she called back "You should go to Elena"

Ava's heart ache and she weaved her way through the crowd heading outside, steady tears made her way down her face. She felt the cold air against her skin and walked further down the road. Before she could break down though her cell rang. She dug through her skirt pocket and pulled it out.

"Hello-whoa Tyler slow down" Ava uttered a deep frown set in her face "You did what to Caroline?" she asked surprised.


Ava knocked on the door and sighed when no one answered it, she knocked again.

"Really love knock harder that would work" Klaus commented, the fairy had found the Original and dragged him towards the Forbes place.

"Please shut up" Ava muttered, Klaus frowned he was discerned to see his little fairy in such a state. There was something off with her. A moment later the door was opened

"Ava?" Matt frowned "What-"

"Tyler called me" Ava cut him off, she just wanted to get the hybrid in there so he could heal Caroline

"Ava came to me, Caroline appears to have had an accident-"

"You made him do this" Matt glowered at him "He wouldn't have done this to her"

"I am here to help-"

"Shut up" Ava snapped "he can save her, that's all that matters" she uttered "Just get Liz here so he could be invited in"

The sheriff appeared at the doorway "I know how this game works…you want something in return"

Klaus shook his head "No…just your support" he was only here truth be told because of the distraught fairy. He didn't want to push her over the edge again.

"Come in" as soon as those words came out of her mouth, Ava shoved the Original in "go on…don't waste any time" she uttered. Liz, Matt and Klaus headed off into Caroline's bedroom, Ava sagged in relief that was one thing off of her shoulders.

She was about to leave but paused. She knew where Liz kept the alcohol and shrugged her shoulders, it wasn't as if the Sheriff would miss it.

Ava quietly made her way into the front room, and over to the cabinet, she grabbed the first bottle her hands landed on, and almost silently left the house.

Whenever things got rough for her, there was only one place Ava wished to be. And at the moment she was right there.

She shivered, the temperature had dropped but the blond didn't care at all. Perhaps it wasn't such a great idea to wander around with only a sweater on. She dropped to her knees and crawled forward, and positioned herself so that she was leaning her back against the gravestone.

"Hey Gran" Ava said quietly "second time today I've been here today and now I'm here" she unscrewed the cap of the bottle. "Well I told Damon…he said there isn't an us…if I didn't stay. You was right…that isn't a relationship…no trust between us. But I love him" she sniffled, here she felt like she could pour all her emotions out.

She knew that she wouldn't get a reply but she just needed a place to vent. "I love him…and…I got good taste in alcohol….bourbon-"she took another mouthful, in her mind it was beginning to get warm, and the cold numbed her skin.

"Oh god…did I ruin the best thing that ever happened to me?" Ava asked quietly, a lone tear made its way down her face. The fairy sat there for half an hour, taking small sips of the alcohol. She was freezing her ass of but she didn't care. She had no one to get home to anyway; it wasn't as if she was being missed.

Ava hugged herself and held the bottle to her chest. Her head rolled backwards leaning against the gravestone.

"You're going to catch your death if you stay here" a familiar voice rang out.

"So? I'll just end up dead" Ava muttered, and felt Klaus sit down beside her, his body radiated warmth, she was slightly startled when she felt a jacket being placed around her shoulders. She could feel the heat radiating off of him.

"And I could let you" Klaus murmured.

"But you won't" Ava said quietly as the Original pried the bottle away from her. "Because you need a fairy blood bag…that's all I am right? A tasty blood bag" she uttered.

"Cruel words have been said to you-"

"And they're true-"

"If you believe in them…but they're not…Ava I could let you die if that is what you want" Klaus admitted, he wouldn't want to let her go though, he could see how miserable she really was.

"Then you'd be giving up your hybrids" Ava murmured snuggling into his jacket, he resisted the urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders

"I would find a way round that" he simply replied "but Ava if you really believe that your existence has no meaning…I'd let you go. I had thought about it myself once or twice-"he admitted. This surprised the petite blond; she would have thought that the hybrid would want to live forever.

Ava shifted so that she was facing him, he gazed into her milky green orbs…during his many years on earth, Klaus has seen many beautiful women in his times…but Ava seems to have something extra special to surpass them all. He leant in close so that his breath washed over her face; she closed her eyes and let out a quiet sigh feeling his fingers gently weaving through her loose hair. He brushed aside her curls and cupped her cheek.

"But I'll let you in on a little secret, my sweet fae. There's a whole world out there waiting for you. Great cities, and art and music…of all the beings I have come across Ava…you are a rare gem…you can have the world at your feet" his soft words brought her the comfort she desperately needed. Klaus fingers stroked her cheek and felt her cool soft skin, "genuine beauty. Ava and you can, and I know you would have it all"

Ava leant into his touch and she hummed feeling his arm wrap around her "Would you really let me go to explore these great cities? Listen to great music? Be in touch with art?"

"I would let you have it all Ava" Klaus murmured sincerely, pressing his lips to her temple. "After all, I know that if you do depart from this town…our paths will cross again"

Ava licked her dry lips…and shivered violently "Would you let me take you home Ava?" Klaus asked after another moment of silence.

Ava swallowed and closed her eyes resting her head against his neck "Yes" she replied quietly. The Original picked up the fairy and walked out of the cemetery.


AN: Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Outfit link on profile. Thanks to those who reviewed.

So in this Chap-Ava meets Claudine, and her gran gives her some home truths. It turns out Damon spends the nights with Ava not really giving her any space. Elena and Bonnie apologise, but Elena is hiding something from her. Ava and Tyler talk she falls on the floor and insults Tiki. Ava and the others ambushed Caroline and drags her to the falls. Ava attempts to break into the cemetry but the gate was open. The party starts, Bonnie blurts out that Jeremy has been compelled. Ava is furious and walks out. She confronts Damon, and they both come to a realisation...no trust between them right now. Tyler calls her, and Klaus saves Caroline. Ava ends up at the Grave...where the most unlikeliest person comforts her. It's Klaus, and they talk.

Next Chap-Bonnie and Ava go on a trip, where Elena tags along.

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