My eyes snapped open. I was having a nightmare. That was just it.

I took a deep breath, inhaling Damon's scent. I traced circles on his chest and abs, but he was deep asleep. I looked at the clock and groaned realizing I had to get up and go home to get ready for school. I moved away from Damon's body, his hand wrapped tighter around me for a moment and then he just rolled over with a groan and continued to sleep. My bloody dress was all torn apart in the floor. I grabbed Damon's shirt put it on, and decided it would be enough to just sneak in my house. I slipped out of Damon's room, tiptoeing around the house while carrying my heels and clutch. I was reaching the staircase when Stefan got out of his room, ready to start the day. He arched an eyebrow at me with an amused smirk.

"The walk of shame, I know" I said with a frown and he chuckled. "Elena will be doing in a couple minutes, I'm sure"

"I doubt it" he said. "She isn't here"

"Oh, I thought you would be… ahn, celebrating?"

"No" he said letting out a mirthless chuckle. "We're still off, and only you and Damon celebrated"

We went downstairs and he offered me breakfast. I would have accepted, after all I wouldn't have time to stop for breakfast at my place. But I was wearing only underwear and Damon's shirt and I didn't feel comfortable to have breakfast like that.

But to my surprise Quil was already eating in Stefan's kitchen.

"Well, finally, sleeping beauty" Quil said to me. "Or should I say, not so much sleeping?" he smirked.

"Quil what are you doing here?" I asked frowning as I tugged on the shirt's hem.

"Well, someone needed to run patrols, make sure you were safe. Embry had drunk quite a lot with Matt and Tyler, and Jake won on rock-paper-scissors. Besides, it would be torture to let him run around the house while you were inside… with Damon" he shrugged.

Stefan seemed already used to the wolves company. He hadn't even paused at seeing Quil inside his house. He went to the coffee pot and poured two mugs, offering one to me. I took it and was taking a sip when the front door opened and closed.

"Well, well… walk of shame, Bella?" Caroline said teasingly.

"Oh, god" I groaned. I would never live this down.

"I'm gonna get a blood bag" Caroline said and headed to the basement after Stefan waved her on.

It seemed strange how this house seemed public to all supernatural beings.

"There are a couple clothes Elena left here if you want, Bella" Stefan said awkwardly.

"Oh, no, thanks. I don't think they would fit…" I mumbled.

"Speaking of her, where is she?" Caroline said coming back.

"Home" Stefan said.

"Oh, she isn't here? I thought…" she shrugged.

"Good morning, high school students" Damon greeted happily entering the kitchen. He smirked at me and pulled me closer by the hips. "And good morning to you"

"Good morning" I said smiling and he gave me a soft kiss.

"You look delightful in my shirt"

"Glad you think so, since I feel embarrassed. Did you really have to rip my dress apart?" I asked.

"You liked it" he smirked.

"Well…" I blushed. "It cost thousands of dollars and you left me without anything to wear"

"Just how I like it"

"Well, I'm leaving before you two give us a porn show" Caroline said.

I blushed tomato red and Damon groaned before turning to her.

"What are we going to do with Tyler? Full moon is coming" he said.

"I don't think he knows much about what's happening" she said.

"Well, he must know something" Quil said.

"I'll ask him about it then" she said turning to leave.

I blinked and everyone tensed as Damon grabbed her by the throat.

"Damon!" I screeched.

"No you won't, Caroline. He can't know about us. A bite from a werewolf can kill a vampire, so don't be his friend" he said.

"Let go of her, Damon, right now" I ordered.

He rolled his eyes but did as I asked, took the mug of coffee from me and sipped it as if nothing had happened.

"Damon is right on a point" Stefan said with a sigh. "Tyler is dangerous now, Caroline"

"So we'll just stay away and not help him when he needs?" I asked scowling. "He needs our help…"

"He is dangerous, Isabella" Damon said.

"Well, if you don't help him, I will" I said.

"I'm in on that. And Jake and Embry probably are too" Quil said. "We were confused as hell when we first phased, we can only imagine what will be like for Tyler"

"Just be careful" Stefan said. "That's all I am saying"

"Alright, I'm off" Caroline said.

I just got in a stare contest with Damon, daring him to tell me not to help Tyler. He rolled his eyes and I said goodbye, and left with Quil. While I drove home, Quil explained they needed more information on Tyler's kind so they could help him. Once Tyler transformed they would be able to control him if they phased, making sure no one got hurt. My dad was already gone to work, so I had no problems sneaking in. I took a quick shower, and put on a grey denim skirt, a pearl grey tank top, a bright red blazer and red ankle booties. I grabbed my bag and ran downstairs, the boys were waiting for me and eyed me with surprise.

"What?" I asked.

"Going to school like that?" Jake asked.

"Oh. Ahn, I have something to do after school" I said blushing as I tugged on my skirt.

"Really?" Quil asked.

"Yeah, eh, Damon asked me if I wanted to go out…" I shrugged.

"Oh, that explains it" Jake grumbled.

I had promised myself that I would ignore Jake's crush's existence, and hoped as time passed it would pass too. I put my hair in a side braid, and ran to the car. When I got to school, almost late, Caroline immediately left Tyler's side and ran to me gushing over my outfit. At lunch, Jeremy and Bonnie walked in the cafeteria together, talking. Caroline wanted to invite Tyler to sit with us, but Matt didn't seen keen on that idea and then we would have to watch out for what we said. The mood was awkward, there was missing posters of Aimee and Sarah all over school. Stefan joined us at the table, but he was quiet. I felt bad for him. He had such high hopes Elena would take him back after they dealt with Katherine. I honestly didn't understand why she continued to ignore reality and try to blame Stefan for all the danger people were in. People were in danger because of her and her connection with Katherine. But Katherine had been dealt with. And Elena continued to keep Stefan away.

"Hey, man" Jeremy greeted Stefan. "When Elena stays over with you, give me a heads up so I can cover up for her. Jenna got a little suspicious this morning"

Quil, Caroline, Stefan and I frowned at Jeremy.

"She wasn't with me. She went home after the party" Stefan said.

"No… Her bed hadn't been touched, she wasn't home" Jeremy said frowning.

"Her car was still at the Lockwoods'" Caroline said.

"Then where the hell is she?" I asked.

"She wasn't in class earlier" Bonnie said worriedly.

The bell rang and we agreed we would text the others in case Elena showed up. But when the last bell rang, I hadn't got any texts. As we walked out, I asked Bonnie if she had heard from Elena. She said no one had. I walked out and found Damon waiting for me, leaned against an expensive looking bike. I arched an eyebrow as I approached him.

"You want to make quite the scene, don't you?" I asked smiling.

"Well, if we are going to be the next it couple Caroline will gossip about, then I had to" he smirked.

He kissed me, and I blushed as I could feel eyes on the back of my head. I pulled back and saw Jake and the boys passing by. I threw them the keys and told them I would meet them home for dinner. Damon gave me a helmet and helped me climb behind him.

"What about you?" I asked adjusting the helmet.

"I don't think I'll be in much danger of cracking my skull" he said.

I rolled my eyes at him and wrapped my arms around his waist tightly as the engine roared under us. People watched as he sped away from school, and I felt like flying, like I had when Jake and I rode the bikes, months before. I quite enjoyed it, and considered getting a bike sometime. Damon took me to the Grill and we sat in a secluded booth.

"So, I'm glad you decided to spend time with me, because I need to ask you something and I forgot yesterday" I said after the waitress left with our orders.

"Yes?" he asked leaning back by my side and dropping an arm around my shoulders.

"When were you going to tell me that you were so interested on my grandma's stuff because they look quite a lot with Bonnie's grimoire?"

He tensed and sighed. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You weren't going to tell me" I accused.

"What did you want me to say? 'Hey, Bella, I have suspicions your grandma was a witch and she thought you would be one'?" he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I could see how that would go. So I didn't tell"

"My great-grandma wasn't a witch" I said frowning.

"Are you sure?" he asked arching an eyebrow. "She tried to tell your mother about witches and vampires. Your family lived here centuries ago. Charlie knew about vampires and now is a part of the council, like your grandparents were. She left you old strange stuff…"

"That doesn't prove anything, Damon"

"A box full of vervain between that stuff, and a book that looks a lot like a grimoire" he continued. "There's wolf's bane, and other stuff"

"So, my family knew about vampires and werewolves"

"And this isn't exactly something that proves your family is innocent from witchcraft"

He pulled out a necklace from his pocket. It was familiar. It was between the stuff grandma left for me. It was quite simple, just a long silver chain, with a pendant. The pendant was a intricate Celtic knot.

"I've done some research this week" Damon said and paused as the waitress came with our food. Once she was gone, he continued. My eyes were still locked on the pendant. "This is a Celtic knot that symbolizes peace. It is said that Irish witches used this symbol, especially in jewelry. While Bonnie's lineage works mostly with earth, the Irish witches worked with fire"

"Damon" I said shakily and turned to the food. "Celtic knots are quite common. The fact that I inherited a necklace with it doesn't mean…"

"Your great-great-great-grandmother came from Ireland after marrying an Englishman"

"Damon… ugh" I groaned. "How do you…"

"Researching the archives of Mystic Falls and Richmond" I just stared at him. "What if I said I've met a Swan before?"

"What?" I breathed.

"A girl, named Mary lived here in 1864. She was a few years younger than Stefan and I, but her aunt worked at the boarding house and she spent a lot of time there. I didn't give her any attention, the only time she called my attention was when she started to follow Emily Bennett around, and so, Katherine"

"So… If my ancestors are witches..." I mumbled.

"You're a witch, Bella" Damon said dropping the necklace in my hand.

An hour later I was still in shock and couldn't talk about it. Damon seemed a bit irritated by my silence, but didn't complain. We left the Grill, my food almost untouched, and taking my hand, Damon led me to the park, where we walked around.

"Bella, please, say something. This silence is becoming annoying" he finally said.

I took a deep breath and let it out. We stopped walking and Damon turned to face me, eyeing me with worry.

"I'm just… shocked, confused" I said frowning.

"That's quite understandable"

"All the time I thought I was a supernatural magnet, or something… but I am supernatural" I said scowling at nothing. "Do you know how that feels? Think all your life you're nothing but an ordinary human girl and then suddenly someone tells you you're a witch? That you are not ordinary… But in a way I am, because I'm not a witch. I never had powers, suddenly lit candles or made spells…"

"Maybe that's why Bonnie was so attached to you from the beginning" he said.

"So, none of my relationships… Not with Edward, the Cullens, you, Bonnie, Jake… none were natural? It happened because of something I was supposed to be?"

"I don't know" he said and gave me a smile. "But I would think someone like you would be shocked but curious to find out more. Aren't you excited that you aren't an ordinary human?"

"In a way… But, Damon, that's the thing. I am a useless witch. The powers must have skipped generations then, my grandma never told me anything and dad was kind of surprised about Bonnie… The witchcraft died with my great-grandma"

"Damn, you would be useful to me" he smirked. I rolled my eyes at him and he pulled me closer to him. "In more than the way you already are" he whispered and kissed me.

"Damon"

We pulled apart and Damon scowled at Stefan who approached us. He gave an apologizing smile.

"I need your help" he said to Damon.

"What now?" Damon asked.

"Elena is missing"

"What?"

"Oh, sorry, I… forgot to tell you" I frowned. "With everything…"

"What do you mean she's missing?" Damon asked, ignoring what I was saying, and turned to face his brother.

"She never went home last night, and no one has heard from her" Stefan said.

"Dammit" Damon scowled. "Katherine said they would be in danger"

"They who?" I asked worriedly.

"You and Elena" he said distractedly. "I thought she was lying, trying to get under my skin before I closed the tomb"

"I need to talk to Katherine" Stefan said.

"Wait, no" I said. "It's dangerous"

"And she probably won't tell you anything" Damon said. "It's a bad idea"

"It's Elena, I have to try" Stefan said and left us.

"Let's go" Damon said pulling me to where the bike was parked.

We went to Damon's house and I sat in the couch trying to think of something we could do. Damon was pacing in the living room and I didn't dare trying to speak with him. He was too tense. Jake and Embry entered the house half an hour later and they seemed relieved to see me.

"What?" I asked.

"Victoria was at the house, we followed her scent… She went into the tomb" Jake said.

"She's with Katherine, the stone had been moved, we didn't enter, Katherine taunted us, and we closed it" Embry said.

"Fucking bitch" Damon grumbled. "We'll have to talk to her"

"She won't say a word if we don't release her" Jake said.

"Call your witchy BFF" Damon told me.

I called Bonnie and it took her awhile to answer. I told her what was going on, and she said she was with Stefan, that he had asked her to lift the spell from the tomb, but she couldn't.

"It took me and my grandma to open last time and close it and she died. I can't do it alone" Bonnie said.

"Lucy…"

"Left and didn't leave a clue of where she was going" she sighed. "But I'll do a tracking spell to find Elena, using Jeremy's blood. I'm going to Elena's right now"

"Okay, hm, we'll meet you there" I said.

Damon ran to the basement and came back with a leather bag, while checking a stake. We silently followed him out of the house, and the boys took my car while I went with Damon in his car. We parked in front of Elena's house, and I saw Stefan's car there. We walked in, and found Jeremy, Bonnie and Stefan on the living room.

"Where's Ric?" Damon asked.

"Distracting Jenna so she won't notice Elena is missing" Jeremy said.

Bonnie cut his hand over a map she spread on the floor, and started to enchant the spell. I watched with fascination as the blood that dripped on the map, formed a line, a path, indicating where Elena would be. Could I do something like that? A spell? Or was my theory correct? Had the magic died with great-grandma?

When Bonnie was finished, Jeremy went into the bathroom to clean his wound, and Bonnie wiped her nose, checking for any nosebleed.

"I'm going" Stefan said.

It was pretty clear he was taking the opportunity to plan things while Jeremy couldn't volunteer.

"I'm going with you" Damon said immediately.

"No, you're not" Stefan said frowning.

"As you said… It's Elena. Are you going to risk going alone?"

"Victoria is around. You should stay with Bella" Stefan said.

Damon looked at me for a long moment. Everyone had fallen silent.

"She has the wolves. I'm going to get Elena with you" Damon said turning away from me.

While it was a surprise to everyone, it wasn't for me. Yes, Damon and I had gotten close the past weeks, but that didn't mean his feelings for Elena had changed. And as I had expected, he chose her over me when he had to. But the fact he was overlooking my security still pissed me off. Stefan offered the boarding house for us to stay, where the wolves could patrol around freely. But I decided to stay at Elena's house, with Bonnie and Jeremy, and wait for Elena. Damon left without looking back.

First he drops a bomb on me earlier, I'm descendent of witches. The he leaves me while I'm in danger.

Quil and Embry stayed outside, in the porch, trying to see if they would catch a sniff of Victoria. Bonnie, sensing my sour mood, suggested a movie. Jeremy was unhappy with the fact he was left behind on his sister's rescue. As Jeremy went to make popcorn and Bonnie to chose a movie.

"I can't believe the guy. He promises to look out for you, fools everyone into thinking he actually cares and then he just leaves when you are in danger" Jake grumbled. "You sure know how to choose your bloodsuckers, Bells"

"Jake, just don't, okay? I'm tired, my head feels like exploding. This day is turning awful" I said.

"Sorry"

We watched the movie, although no one was paying much attention to it. Jake's mind was on the boys outside and Victoria, Jeremy was worried about Elena, and Bonnie was worried about me and Elena.

While I wanted to tell her about what Damon told me, I couldn't. She would have hope that I could answer some of her questions, or that I would help her on stuff no one else could. And I couldn't do any of that. I didn't want to be pressured into stuff I didn't know if I could do.

Caroline showed up by the end of the movie and seemed frustrated with something.

"Sorry, Jeremy, Jake, but I am in desperate need of girl time. We all are. We need to vent and forget all about the problems… " she trailed off and looked around with a frown. "Where is Elena?"

"Apparently she was taken. Damon and Stefan went to get her" I said.

"Oh" she said. "Well, when will they be back?"

"I'll call them" Jeremy said standing up and walked out of the room while calling Stefan.

"So… Where have you been?" Bonnie asked Caroline.

"Trying to help out Tyler. I give up" Caroline said and sat down beside me, shooting Jake a look. "Why don't you try out? After all, you have much more in common than Tyler and I and he can't hurt you"

"Scared of the big bad wolf, Barbie?" Jake teased."I can't help Tyler because he doesn't trust me, and I don't want anyone else to know our secret"

"Oh, so it's alright to risk my secret but yours isn't?" Caroline said scowling.

Jake opened his mouth to answer but we heard Embry calling out Jake's name and then a howl. Jake shot up and ran out of the door. We all stood up and Caroline got tense, looking around, searching for the threat. Bonnie pulled on my arm until I was against a wall, with her in front of me, guarded. Jeremy came running in, and asked what was going on.

"Victoria" I said.

He ran to his bag and gets a stake.

"Jeremy, it won't work" I said.

He frowned and stood close to us, waiting for something. I could only hear my heartbeat. Minutes passed and I started to get anxious. What if she hurt Jake? Or Embry and Quil? What if she got past them and hurt Bonnie, Caroline and Jeremy? Bonnie never faced a vampire of her kind and I didn't know if her magic would work on her. Or if Jeremy's ring protected him from that kind of vampire. Victoria had almost killed Damon who was a century older and stronger than Caroline. She would probably kill Caroline with no problems. How many more people would get hurt because of Victoria? Because of me?

"I should go" I said.

"What?" Caroline snapped.

"She can hurt all of you. I should just surrender"

"No!" Bonnie said scowling at me. "What? No, you're my friend, I'm not letting you die"

"Don't you understand?" Jeremy said. "You are not just our friend. You are the reason why Bonnie and Caroline are friends again, you are the reason why we are less unprotected and unaware of other kinds. You are the reason we still endure Damon, why we still have some faith he hasn't shut out his humanity completely. You can't die"

I wiped my tears and nodded to them. We stayed in silence staring at each other for what felt like an eternity but was just fifteen minutes. We heard a door opening and slamming closed, and we waited.

"It's safe" Jake called out from the kitchen.

"Jake!" I sighed relieved and ran to him. "Oh!"

I covered my eyes with my hands and heard Caroline screeching as she followed me.

"Yeah… Ahn, Jeremy, can you get me something to wear?" Jake asked awkwardly.

Jeremy ran upstairs and I kept my eyes closed as I went back to the living room. I sat with Caroline and Bonnie waiting for the guys, dressed. Jake entered with Quil and Embry. Embry had a healing scratch on the cheek, and Jake a deep cut on his arm that he wrapped up with a towel. Quil's arm was tucked on his chest as if he had broken his arm.

"Oh, God, what happened?" I asked jumping to help them.

"We'll be fine in less than an hour, Bella, relax" Jake said smiling.

"Did she do this?"

"Yeah, but we got revenge" Quil grinned. "The bitch is dead"

"What?" I asked shocked as Caroline and Bonnie squealed happily.

"She's gone, Bella" Embry laughed.

"Victoria… is gone? Dead?"

"Yes" Jake laughed.

I hugged him tightly and Embry announced it deserved to be celebrated.

"Oh… Ahn, really, I just want to rest" I frowned. "But go ahead"

"No, no. We'll celebrate with a sleepover, just girls" Caroline said. "Jeremy, what about Elena?"

"Oh, they said they are on their way back, Elena is fine" he said smiling.

"Great" she said happily. "Now, boys, shoo. Go out, celebrate, miss school tomorrow if you want. Bonnie, you start on the chocolate cake, and I'll go get ice cream"

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Jake asked as I walked with them to the door.

"I think I'll survive a girls' night" I smiled.

"I'm just so fucking happy you are safe now" he chuckled. "Okay, anything…"

"I'll call you. I know. Thanks"

He gave me a kiss on the cheek and left with Jeremy, Embry and Quil to go meet Tyler and Matt at the Grill to celebrate, although Tyler and Matt wouldn't know it was a celebration. I joined Bonnie on the kitchen and while she worked on the chocolate cake, I made all kinds of junk food. Caroline arrived with pints of Ben & Jerry, and she sneaked in vodka and tequila. We were laughing as Caroline told me about their last sleepover, when the front door opened. We stopped everything and ran to Elena when she entered the living room with Damon and Stefan following. After Caroline and Bonnie let go of Elena, ending their bone crushing hug, I hugged her. She seemed a bit surprised but returned the gesture. I was surprised at myself. Shouldn't I be mad at her for being the reason Damon left me technically unprotected? I was just so happy she was alright and safe at home that I couldn't care less about Damon and all the trouble we had.

"Thanks, Stefan, Damon" I heard Bonnie saying.

"It was our pleasure" Stefan said.

I pulled back from Elena and she gave me a hesitant smile. She probably already knew about Damon leaving me with Victoria around to rescue her.

"We're having a sleepover" Caroline informed her.

"Yes, we need some time to be girls and forget all trouble around us" I said smiling.

"That sounds perfect" Elena said grinning.

"Okay, we're leaving then" Stefan said chuckling.

"The boys all went to the Grill, why don't you join them?" Bonnie suggested.

"All?" Damon asked frowning. "Who stayed to protect you?"

"Victoria is dead" I deadpanned looking at him. "She came, the boys killed her. They are celebrating"

"Oh" he said.

"Ahn, have fun?" Elena said awkwardly to Stefan.

He smiled at her and gave her a sweet kiss before leaving. Damon stayed, and the girls stepped back as we stared at each other.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

"I don't want to talk to you right now" I said angrily.

"Bella…"

"No, leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you! Go away!" I snapped.

He stared at me for a moment, and nodded before following Stefan out. I took a deep breath after the door closed and turned to the girls smiling.

"So, where do we start?" I asked.

We all ate, and Elena told us what happened. We told her what had happened while she was away, and she tried to apologize for Damon leaving me. I explained I wasn't mad at her. It wasn't her fault Damon liked her more. I told them I was mad at Damon for all the shit he did thinking I would take it without complaining. I even told them about what he had told me, and showed them the necklace. Bonnie was shocked about my witchery origins, and offered help if I needed. Caroline than decided to lighten up, saying all supernatural crap had to be put aside. Elena borrowed us pajamas, and after we changed, I went in the bathroom. I needed a break, and regain what I had normal inside of me. I needed a moment to remember how to be normal. Wasn't that just… wrong?

I was about to walk out of the bathroom when I heard his voice.

"Bella doesn't want to talk to you, Damon" Elena said.

I leaned against the door and listened to the conversation.

"I know" he said.

"Then why are you here?" there was a moment of silence. "My necklace. How did you…?"

"I came to give it back to you" he said.

"Thank you, Damon"

"But first… I just need to say this, I just need you to hear me out" he said.

"What do you need to say with my necklace, Damon?" she asked shakily. "Give it to me"

"I love you, Elena. I love you too fucking much, and most of the time that's why I screw up. And it's because I love you that I can't be selfish with you. I don't deserve you… But my brother does. I wish you didn't have to forget this... but you do. Goodbye"

There was just silence and I slid to the floor.

Why did I always end up like the fucking idiot in my love life?