Summary: All Celia Saltzman wanted was her mother back in her life. Moving to Mystic Falls and making new friends had never been part of the plan. Neither was finding new family. After finding out the truth about what happened to her mother, Celia soon discovers that it wasn't the only secret that lies within her family.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize here. TVD belongs to L.J. Smith and the CW.

Setting: TVD AU

Notes:

Ten

Katherine looked surprised when Damon returned to the apartment with Celia. "Hi. What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Where is Klaus holding Caroline and Tyler?" The elder Salvatore brother narrowed his eyes at her.

She sighed rolling her eyes at him as she sat down. "He has them stashed in a cave in the woods. The one that is to the East of the old church."

"Alright. I'm going to go get them. Stay safe." Damon pressed a kiss to Celia's head then vampire sped out of the apartment.

Katherine frowned giving the girl a hug. "I heard about Isobel. I'm so sorry."

She returned the hug sighing softly. "Thank you. I'll be okay, I hope."

The curly haired doppelganger pulled away frowning slightly. "There's something I should tell you. We got the moonstone, but Isobel got this bright idea that she could use it to protect you guys. I tried to stop her, but you know how stubborn the women in our family can be. She made a deal with Klaus. He got the moonstone while Isobel got him to promise not to harm you or your father. There was no way she could protect Elena so she did what she could to protect the rest of your family."

Her blueish green eyes widened in shock. "Mom did what? I don't understand. She did that and he compelled her anyway."

Katherine nodded her head. "He had already took me captive. I tried to get him to just let her go back to you. I think he was just so focused on Elena."

Celia shook her head. "I'm ready for all of this to be over. I just want my life back, you know?"

She scoffed then gave her a sympathetic look. "Honey, two of your best friends are vampires, you're dating a vampire, and one of your other friends is a witch. Not to mention, your half sister is a doppelganger. Craziness is bound to keep following you, but I get it. Hopefully things will calm down for you after Klaus leaves town."

Of course there were vampires guarding the area where Caroline and Tyler were being kept. It didn't take Damon too long to get rid of the guards. Caroline looked surprised yet also relieved to see the elder Salvatore brother. She still hated what he did to her when she was human, but they had thankfully moved on past the him wanting to kill vampire her stage. Damon freed her from her restraints then turned to leave. She smacked his arm and gestured toward Tyler. He rolled his eyes knowing she was right and freed him as well. Damon led the two of them out into the woods. They made it halfway and then Tyler started to wolf out. Caroline tried to calm him down, but he lunged at her anyway. The elder Salvatore brother vampire sped between them only to feel Tyler's sharp fangs sink down into his forearm.

"Go!" Damon yelled at the blonde vampire who hesitated a moment before she vampire sped off through the woods.

Once she was far enough away, Damon pushed Tyler off of him. He ran off in a different direction leaving Damon alone. Damon glanced down at the bite on his arm then sighed tugging his sleeve down. Shaking his head, he vampire sped off in the same direction as Caroline. He slowed down once he left the woods and pulled out his phone sending a text to Celia. Once it was sent, he made his way back to the boarding house. Damon gestured to Stefan after walking inside and the two brothers went into the elder Salvatore's bedroom.

Stefan's eyebrows furrowed at his brother curiously. "What's going on?"

"Blondie and Tyler are safe. He left his mark though." Damon sighed pulling his shirt sleeve back up revealing the wolf bite.

He frowning growing concerned when he saw it. "There's no cure."

"I know. You can't tell Celia or Elena." He pulled the sleeve back down.

His green eyes widened at him. "You're crazy right? Celia's your girlfriend. She has every right to know."

"She also lost her mother recently and might be about to lose her sister. I just don't want to add onto it, okay?" Damon rolled his eyes at his brother.

Stefan sighed relenting a bit. "Fine I won't tell either of them for now. Going by what happened to Rose, it won't be long before they realize something is wrong with you."

"Yeah I know. I'll figure something out. The important thing is saving Elena and getting Klaus out of town for good." He moved to pour himself a drink.

"Hello love. You know it's funny, a little birdie told me that I'm now down a vampire and a werewolf." Klaus greeted her as he entered the apartment.

Celia shrugged her shoulders at him. "Well that sucks for you then."

"Yes it does, but I already have another wolf lined up. Now I just need a vampire." He smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes as she stood at the counter. "Is this the part where you turn me?"

"As poetic as that would be, no it is not. Katerina, I want you to call Aunt Jenna." Klaus smirked as he approached the counter.

Without thinking, Celia angrily shoved the knife that she was holding into Klaus' abdomen making him gasp. "Leave Jenna alone. Haven't you taken enough from me?"

"You know, normally you would probably be dead by now, but I'll give you that one. I'm impressed." He pulled the knife out setting it down on the counter.

Katherine watched them curiously. "So am I still calling Jenna or what?"

"No. Change of plans. I'll leave Aunt Jenna alone." Klaus vampire sped away to change his shirt.

Celia calmed down a bit. "I'm going to get going. Stay safe, Kat."

She nodded her head smiling softly at her. "You too, Celia."

"I'll walk you out, love." He returned in a new shirt and walked her out of the apartment.

Celia bit her lip staying quiet until they were outside the building. "Why do you want to do this ritual so bad? You'd think that you would hate the wolves after what happened to your brother."

"You've been talking with Elijah. My mother hid my true identity from both myself and my biological father. I think I was so drawn to the wolves because of my inner wolf. I didn't hate the wolves because I was too busy blaming myself. When it comes down to it, I want my wolf side back because it's who I've always been. I just never knew until it was too late. I assure you that I have plans to leave town after the ritual is complete." Klaus explained.

Her eyebrows raised curiously. "Why are you being nice to me?"

"Any other girl would be terrified of me yet here you are asking me questions and a few minutes ago you stabbed me with a knife. I suppose you fascinate me." He teased her.

Celia rolled her eyes at him as she got into her car. "You think I'm not scared of you? Of course I'm scared of you. I'm angry not stupid."

She was confused when she walked into the boarding house only to find Damon with a bloody shirt. "What happened?"

"Elijah had this elixir... potion.. whatever. He believes it could save Elena. That it would bring her back after Klaus kills her. There's no knowing for sure though so I forced my blood down her throat. I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to have to lose anyone else." Damon explained to her.

Celia froze then frowned at him. "Seriously Damon? She doesn't want to be a vampire. Neither of us do. At least not right now anyway."

"I really am sorry. I didn't know what else to do. Who knows what that elixir would have done?" He pointed out.

She shook her head and sighed. "Yeah I know. I want to be mad, but after Mom... I'd do anything to save what's left of my family. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Stefan staked me, but not with the intent to kill me. I got all the wood out. It's pretty much healed." Damon assured her tossing his now ruined shirt aside.

Celia sighed in relief then took his hand moving to lay down in their bed. "Good. Look, I want you to promise me something. Whatever happens tomorrow night, just don't interfere with the ritual. I can't lose you too."

"Cece... alright I promise. I won't interfere with the ritual .. more than I already have." He promised her then pressed a kiss to her head.

She relaxed smiling softly at him. "Thank you. I'm worried about Stefan. I don't want him getting hurt trying to save her."

"I know. He'll be okay. I'll make sure of it." Damon assured her.

Celia nodded her head and relaxed. "Alright. Uh, honey, you're vamping out a little bit there."

"Oh. Sorry. I should go get a blood bag." He shook his head moving to get up.

Pressing her hand against his cheek, she pulled him into a kiss. "Or you could just drink from me."

"Cece..."

Celia gazed into his piercing blue eyes and smiled softly. "It's okay. I trust you, Damon. I know you won't hurt me."

He hesitated then pressed a kiss to her neck before letting his fangs sink into her skin slowly. She winced then relaxed as he held her close to him. Damon savored the taste of her blood, but was careful not to drink too much of it. He pulled back licking the wound on her neck clean then bit into his wrist offering it to her. She hesitated for a moment then leaned in drinking from his wrist. Celia pulled back after a few moments and wiped her mouth. Damon laid back letting her snuggle up against him. He sighed contently trying to enjoy their last few moments of peace before all hell broke loose.