Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries and never will, but I do own Charlene Davis and Megan Swann and any other characters I come up with.

Author's Note: Hope you love the updated version! :D

Charlene tossed and turned in her bed frantically, lost in an intense nightmare. Suddenly, her eyes popped open as she shot up out of her bed, her sister's name leaving her lips in a scream that probably echoed through the entire house. Sweat covered her face and her hair matted against her skin. Her hand went to her beating chest as she managed to calm herself down. The nightmare felt too real for words. Like her dreams though, she couldn't remember what her nightmare was about. All she knew was that it involved Elena getting killed.

Speaking of Elena…

Her sister burst through her bedroom door, looking worried. "Charlie?" she asked, using the special nickname that only certain people could use, Elena being one of them. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"I'm…I'm fine." Charlene managed to answer, running her fingers through her sweaty hair. "Just a nightmare."

Her response didn't stop Elena's worry as she stepped further into the room. "Are you sure?"

Charlene nodded quickly. "Yeah, I'm sure. It was just a nightmare." From the look on her face, Elena didn't believe her, and she sighed. "Elena. Seriously, I'm fine. Just go back to bed."

Elena pursed her lips before she sighed as well and nodded. "Okay fine…I'll see you in the morning…" Before she went to leave, she added, "Oh, and remember we're going through mom and dad's stuff for Carole Lockwood."

This made Charlene remember that the Founder's party was tomorrow night. These words thus began another nightmare for her…

Finding a date for one of the biggest parties in Mystic Falls.

The next morning, Charlene was on her knees next to Elena, searching through their parents stuff. It was tough looking through it. Charlene couldn't help but be surprised that Elena wasn't having a harder time with doing this. Then again, their mother, Miranda, promised Mrs. Lockwood before she died that she would loan their stuff to the founder's council for their heritage display for the Founder's party. So, her sister was probably just focusing on that.

"It's strange looking through this stuff." Charlene mumbled to Elena as she twirled their great-great-grandmother Mary's wedding ring between her fingers. "Especially looking through it to give it away…" Elena opened her mouth to say something but she got to it first. "I know, I know, we're just loaning the stuff and we're getting it back, but still…it's hard."

"I know, but mom promised Mrs. Lockwood." Elena reminded her, even though she already knew that. "There's really nothing I can do."

Charlene sighed and nodded. "I know…"

She looked up at the news. Logan Fell was on the screen, talking about the recent animal attacks.

"To repeat, the animal terrorizing Mystic Falls has been caught."

Charlene tried and failed not to make a face at the screen. She never cared for Logan Fell, especially after hearing how awful he was to Aunt Jenna. No one as kind and great as Jenna was deserved to be treated that way. Aunt Jenna scowled at the screen.

"Scum ball." She grumbled, a little too loudly, catching Elena and Charlene's attention. "Scum bucket."

Elena's eyebrows furrowed at their aunt. "Who are you talking to?"

"Him."

"The news guy?"

Jenna's scowl deepened. "Also known as Logan "Scum" Fell."

"Yep." Charlene said. "Did mom never tell you why Jenna moved away from Mystic Falls?"

"Um no?" Elena responded confused, and Jenna was confused too.

"How do you know about it?"

Charlene shrugged. "I asked mom and she told me about it."

It took Elena a moment to realize what had happened. "Oh, no way. You and him?" She eyed Logan. "He's cute."

Charlene made a face. "Cute?" She shook her head. "Now I'm rethinking that you have good taste in guys." In response, Elena shoved her playfully and she shoved her back.

"He is not cute." Jenna disagreed as well. "There's nothing cute about him." She turned away from the television and took notice to what they were doing, causing her to go over. "What are you doing with that?"

"I went yesterday and got it from the safety deposit box. Mom told Mrs. Lockwood she would loan it to the founder's council for their heritage display." Elena explained as Jenna took the ring from Charlene to examine it.

"Is that Grandma Beth's wedding ring?" she asked, recognizing it.

"Well, if you want to get technical, it's great-great-grandma Mary's wedding ring." Charlene corrected with a grin. "If not, then yeah."

Jenna smiled down at her amused as she ruffled her niece's blonde hair before running her fingers through her tresses to fix it. "Funny."

Charlene smiled at the feeling of her fingers in her hair. It reminded her of Miranda. Whenever she couldn't go to sleep, or had a nightmare, her mother would run her fingers through her hair until she would calm down and go back to sleep. She missed that.

"I heard you screaming last night." Jenna said worriedly, still combing her fingers through Charlene's hair. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yeah, but it was no big deal. Nothing to worry about."

Jenna nodded, deciding to believe her. She took her fingers out of Charlene's hair to brush it down as Jeremy came into the kitchen, overhearing their conversation.

"It sounded like a big deal. You woke up the entire house." Jeremy commented, but didn't seem worried, only annoyed. Charlene rolled her eyes while Jenna shook her. "How much do you think this stuff is worth?" He asked Elena, swiping this pocket watch from the stuff. "You know, like on eBay?"

Elena scowled, plucking the watch out of Jeremy's hand as she put it back in the box and she stood up with it. "You're not gonna find out."

Jeremy scowled right back. Charlene sighed inwardly. Here it goes.

"That stuff is mom and dad's." he snapped. "You can't just give it away."

"I'm not giving it away." Elena said calmly. "It's called a loan, Jeremy." With that, she left the room. Jeremy looked over at Charlene, who looked back at him, shrugging weakly.

Her brother huffed in annoyance and left in a huff. The blonde sighed heavily. She didn't know what Jeremy expected her to do. There wasn't anything she could, even if she wanted to.

At their house, Megan patiently waited for Stefan to arrive. To say that was hard would be an understatement. Though she believed in Bonnie's feelings, Megan still didn't want to give up on what she had with him so far because maybe her sister's feeling was wrong. With the founder's party tonight, she needed a date and she was nervous about asking Stefan. What if he said no? They may have kissed and made things official but he could still say no. though it was unlikely, it was still possible.

Bonnie came into the room. "Still waiting for Stefan?"

"Yep." Megan chirped. "Where are you going?"

"Meeting Caroline at the Grill for lunch." Bonnie fixed her bag over her shoulder.

"Ah okay, well tell Charlene I said hi." Her best friend was working the afternoon shift, but Megan was gonna see her later.

Her sister nodded. "I will."

Finally Megan's wait was over. The doorbell rang and she jumped up from the couch, practically bouncing over to the front door. She swung open the door, revealing Stefan on the other side. Grinning, Megan pulled him inside of the house.

"Finally! You're here!" she exclaimed excitedly and Stefan chuckled at her excitement. Without saying anything else, she pulled him down for a passionate kiss. He kissed her back. The kiss broke when Bonnie's voice sounded.

"Oh, get a room." She teased. "Hi Stefan." He nodded in acknowledgement. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Bonnie smirked in Megan's direction.

The black haired teen grinned good-naturedly, blushing slightly. One last smirk, Bonnie left the house, leaving them alone.

Bonnie had a good idea about getting a room. Megan brought him up to her bedroom. It wasn't long until they were making out on her bed.

Megan moaned into Stefan's mouth as his hands explored her body. His fingers felt so good against her skin and she didn't want him to stop touching her. Their tongues tangled together passionately, making her moan again. Her own hands slid up the back of his shirt since she was below him and her body arched against his own. One of Stefan's hands left her body to tangle his fingers into her hair. She groaned at the feeling. Megan loved the feeling of someone's fingers there.

Stefan broke the kiss, panting for a moment, before he leaned back down to leave kisses down her neck.

Megan's heart beat against her chest quickly as she got more turned on. Not even Josh had made her feel this way…but she absolutely loved it.

Suddenly, Stefan broke away and sat up, moving his body off of hers. Panting as she sat up as well, Megan stared at Stefan's back, concerned. She placed a hand on his back and he seemed to flinch.

"Hey, you okay?" Megan asked worriedly, her hand now stroking him.

He nodded quickly. "I'm good. Sorry."

"No, it's okay." She reassured him. "I get it. We're going too fast. So, maybe we should take a break."

Stefan nodded again and turned towards her. "Yeah, you're probably right." He agreed. "That was getting a bit…"

"Yeah, a little." Megan chuckled, brushing her hair out of her face. "But it was nice."

He smiled. "Yeah?"

She smiled back. "Yeah." She reached forward and fixed Stefan's shirt. "So…I have a question…when was the last time you wore a suit?"

"Mm…it's been awhile."

"Well, what would you think about wearing one? To the Founder's Party…with me?"

Stefan looked surprised. "They still do that?"

"Yeah." Megan eyed him curiously. "Did you ever go to one?"

He shook his head. "No, the Salvatores' don't get invited."

"Why not?"

"Doesn't matter." Stefan brushed it off. Before she could ask again, he spoke, smiling at her. "But to answer your question, I would be honored to accompany you, Miss Bennett."

Megan grinned, scooting closer to him again as she put her arms around his neck. "The pleasure is mine, Mr. Salvatore."

Damon Salvatore was lying down on his hot little cheerleader's bed with a book in his hand. He rolled his eyes. This whole Twilight junk was stupid…they weren't even real vampire like he was. Besides this Edward character was so whipped. Looking up at Blondie, who was trying on dresses for the founder's ball, Damon made a disgusted look at the yellow dress that she had on.

"No yellow, Jaundice, go for the blue," he told her.

Blondie pouted in the mirror. "But I don't like the blue," she whined.

Damon forced himself not to rolling his eyes at as he flipped to the next page of 'Breaking Dawn.'

"Well I do," he said. "And if you're going to be my date…"

"You cannot be my date," Blondie interrupted, glancing over at him for a moment before looking back at the mirror. "My mom is going to be there and she's a very proud gun owner."

Damon continued to read the book, not looking at her, "I went through a lot of trouble to make sure this party wasn't cancelled. It's very important that I be there."

Caroline turned to face him with an amused smile on her face. Damon looked over her as his eyes dilated and her face became blank.

"Please take me."

It took her a couple moments before Blondie finally said, "You should come to the founder's party with me."

Damon smirked. "Not if you're wearing that dress." He informed her.

Blondie turned to face the mirror again as she took off the dress while Damon continued to read the book. She headed over to her closet and began looking for another dress to wear.

"What's so special about this Bella girl?" Damon asked eyes still trained on the book. He voiced his thought that he had before then, "This Edward guy is so whipped."

"You have to read the first book first," Blondie said with a roll of her eyes as she found something to try on, but it wasn't the blue one like Damon had suggested, but it was better than the yellow one she had on. She slipped her feet in the white dress and started to pull it up as she said, "It won't make sense if you don't." She walked back to the mirror and pulled the dress the rest of way up.

"I miss Ann Rice. She was so on it."

"How come you don't sparkle?" Blondie asked curiously.

"Because I live in the real world, where vampire burn in the sun," Damon said, rolling his eyes but they stayed trained on the book.

"But you go in the sun." Blondie retorted.

Damon flashed the large ring on his finger without even looking at her. "That's because I have a ring. It protects me…long story."

Blondie started to touch the bite marks on her shoulders as she traced one of them with a distant look in her eyes. "Will these bites turn me into a vampire?" she asked, tracing the bite mark on the top of her shoulder.

Damon looked at her as she glanced at him. "No it's more complicated than that," he said as Blondie turned to face him and started to walk towards him. "You'd have to feed on my blood, then die, and then feed on a human's, it's a whole ordeal." Once she got closer enough to him, he smirked. "This book by the way has it all wrong."

He sat up in the bed, grabbed her by the waist, and flipped her on the bed with him over her. She giggled when he did this. Damon began kissing up and down her neck.

"You can be very sweet when you want to be." Blondie mumbled, tilting her head back to give him more access to her neck.

After kissing all the way up her neck, Damon planted a couple of soft kisses on her cheek. "Yes I can be sweet," he murmured. He kissed her on the lips once and started to caress her face and he couldn't help but think about how soft Charlene's cheek felt when he did the same thing to her.

Blondie looked at him as he continued to carless her. A thought popped in her head.

"Are you going to kill me?" she asked, sounding a bit frightened for his answer.

"Mm-hmm, but not yet."

"Why not?" Blondie questioned.

"Because there's something I need you to do for me," Damon said, touching her nose with his finger.

"Anything," Blondie said softly.

Damon smirked once again. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. "How good are you at getting this little nose…where it doesn't belong?"

Blondie smiled smugly. "Oh, I'm excellent."

"Mmm…" Damon hummed and he kissed her once more. Again, his mind went back to his kiss with Charlene. He surprisingly felt bad for calling her Abigail. He knew she wasn't, but he couldn't help it…her kiss reminded him so much of Abigail's kisses.

Well, he would make sure he ran into Charlene at the Founder's Party to apologize for his behavior.

Working at the Mystic Grill, so far, Charlene enjoyed it there. She liked most of her co-workers and they seemed to like her as well. The only co-worker Charlene had a problem with was Vicki. The youngest Donavan obviously despised her. She honestly had no idea why.

If anything, she should be the one who hated Vicki, but Charlene could never hate anyone, though she had good reasons to hate the young Donavan. Vicki was also Matt's sister, and Charlene loved Matt, still did even if he and Elena broke up. They were friend's way before he dated her sister. So, that wasn't going to change. Thus, Charlene couldn't hate Vicki. It wasn't her fault that she was so messed up.

Charlene saw Tyler and his parents enter the Grill and she tried to avoid them, but Carole saw her before she could.

"Charlene!" she greeted cheerfully.

She winced and moved over towards them, forcing a smile on her face. "Hi, Mrs. Lockwood." She nodded towards Tyler's father. "Hi, Mr. Lockwood."

He nodded at her as Carole pulled her into a hug. "It's been too long, Charlene. You never hang around anymore." She pulled back from the hug, smiling. "When did you start working here?"

"Oh, just for a couple weeks." Charlene answered, ignoring Tyler, who was staring at her.

"Well, that's great." Carole smiled again. "Please, don't be a stranger. You can come over anytime, you know that?"

Charlene smiled, but it was a fake one again. "Yeah, I know. It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Lockwood. Um…see you at the Founder's Party." She quickly left before they, especially Tyler, could say anything else.

At least she didn't have to take care of their table. They sat on Vicki's section. Charlene took care of a few customers, then saw Caroline and Bonnie sitting down. Maddie had already taken care of them, but she went over there to say hi.

"Hey guys." Charlene greeted.

Caroline beamed at her. "Hey, Char!"

"Hi." Bonnie smiled. "Oh, and Megan says hi."

Charlene smiled back and nodded. "Where is she anyway?"

"Hanging out with Stefan." Bonnie answered.

Charlene smirked, amused. "Why am I not surprised?"

Bonnie changed the subject. "By the way, Char, are you going with anyone to the Founder's Party?"

"No."

"Would you care to go with me?" Bonnie asked, hopefully. Charlene was definitely surprised by this. "I would go with Elena, but she's taking Matt."

Again, Charlene was taken aback. "What? Really?"

"Yeah, but just as friends, and Caroline…" Bonnie tossed a frown in the other's blonde direction. "Is going with Damon."

The mention of Damon made Charlene's body stiffen as she bit her bottom lip nervously. "Oh…"

"So, what do you say?"

Charlene shook it off and nodded with a smile. "Sure, that sounds good to me." It would definitely be better to go with a friend than a stupid guy.

Bonnie smiled in relief. "Good." Then she turned to Caroline. "Back to Damon though, is your mom okay with you bringing him?"

"And I'm supposed to care why?" Caroline retorted.

"He's older sexy danger guy." Bonnie responded, as if this was an answer enough.

Charlene stifled a laugh at Bonnie's description of Damon.

"Older sexy danger guy?" Caroline repeated, amused. "Is that an official witch twitter tweet?"

Bonnie didn't laugh. "No more witch jokes, okay?" she pleaded. "That whole Mr. Tanner prediction thing has me freaked."

Charlene looked at friend sympathetically, placing a hand on her best friend's sister's shoulder. Bonnie smiled up at her thankfully. Charlene had heard from Megan about what happened. After something like that, she would be freaked out too.

"Okay." Caroline went back to the subject of Damon, and Charlene wished it hadn't went back to that. "And Damon's not dangerous. You know, he just has a lot of issues with his brother." This part perked Charlene's interest. "You know, like major, deep-rooted issues."

"What do you mean?" Charlene asked her, sitting down in one of the free seats. She wasn't allowed to do this, but she needed to know what about whatever Caroline knew.

The question made her uncomfortable. "I'm not really supposed to say anything."

"Caroline Forbes, when have you ever kept a secret in your life?" Bonnie asked her.

"Okay." Caroline relented. "But you can't tell Megan."

"No." Bonnie agreed.

She shared a look with Charlene, which went unnoticed by Caroline. Charlene knew what the look was for. Whatever they learned from Caroline was going to go straight to Megan.

TBC...

In...

Family Ties, Part 2