I’m running through the woods not looking behind me as I hear there moans coming closer. Tree branches are scratching my legs, arms, and face but I can’t slow my pace. They’ll get me. 

“Aria! Stop!” his familiar voice yells out causing me to stop dead in my tracks. I slowly turn around and see one of them with there bloody hands around my brothers throat. 

“JER!” I scream as I see his fear filled eyes. “Let him go! You monsters!” I take a few steps towards him but before I can reach him the man snaps his neck. I watch in horror as Jeremy falls to the ground, dead. 

“No.” I whisper falling to my knees. Tears are coming to my eyes and I make no move to stop them from falling. 

“Why are you crying Ari? You knew it would happen some time.” he smirks emerging from the crowd. I look up at him through my tears. 

“Damon?” I croak out. “What are you doing with them?” 

“What are you talking about Aria? There my kind, they are monsters. As am I.” he grins showing me his bloody fangs. 

“I thought- I thought you were my friend.” I whisper. 

“Oh please, you were in love with me. News flash Aria, I’m evil.” he flashes in front of me and sinks his fangs into my neck.

I bolt up in bed, gasping and covered in sweat. What the hell kind of dream was that? I sigh and look around the room but am surprised to see I’m not in my own. Ah…what the hell? 

“Good, you’re awake finally.” Damon smirks walking into the room. I take one look at him before my dream comes back and I look down at the ground. 

“Why am I in your room?” I ask forcing myself to look into those amazing blue eyes. Oh shut up, Aria. 

“You fell asleep in the basement last night, Elena asked me to bring you up here.” he shrugs. 

“Really? Elena asked you to bring me up to your room?” I smirk knowing Elena would never want that. 

“Well…she asked me to bring you up to like the sofa or something. I thought my bed would be more comfortable.” Damon says. 

I sigh, “Alright fine, I guess your bed is pretty comfortable.” Damon smirks while I just roll my eyes. “Did Elena go home?” 

“Do you really think she left lover boy down there. She’s been up all night, I don’t think she’s even tired.” Damon frowns. 

“Wonderful.” I mutter getting up out of his nice comfy bed. “I think I should go see how she is doing.” I walk out of the room before he can reply. That dream is still bothering me a little. It can’t be true though, Damon is not a monster. I know that. But…he has done some pretty evil things. But…I’m in love with him. Yup, that is the biggest problem. 

Before I know it I’m down in the basement standing behind Elena. “Morning.” I say causing her to spin around, she smiles when she sees me. 

“Hey, did you get some sleep?” she asks. 

“Ya, but I know you didn’t. Stefan would want you to sleep.” I point out trying to get her to rest a little. 

She sighs, “I can’t leave him Aria. He needs me right now, I can’t just abandon him.”

“Elena he’s not even conscious right now, you could leave for a few minutes.” I argue and for some reason that seems to anger her. 

“If it was Damon you wouldn’t leave!” she yells causing me to blink a few times in response. “Don’t deny it Aria, I know you’re in love with him. You don’t listen to me so why should I listen to you?” 

I glare at her, “Fine. Have a nice day with your ripper boyfriend.” I storm out of the basement and up the stairs till I can breathe again. I slam the basement door shut and lean against it. 

I didn’t think Elena knew about my feelings for Damon. I was hoping she would accept them… maybe she’s just grouchy because she got no sleep. 

I walk into the living room and find Damon messing with the thing Pearl gave him. Apparently last night Anna and Pearl stopped by giving him some weapon my ancestor John Gilbert made.

“Have you figured out what that is yet?” I ask. 

“Nope, whatever it is, it doesn’t work.” Damon says looking at the weird contraption thing in his hands. 

“Pearl didn’t say anything else about it?” I question.

“She thought she was stealing his vampire compass, thought it was a pocket watch. That Jonathan Gilbert was a crazy scientist.” I laugh a little and sit down on the couch. “Have you spoken to your uncle lately?” Damon asks turning around. 

“Ugh, no. I never speak to him, if you haven’t realized he’s a total ass. Plus I’ve been here most nights.” I tell him. 

“So you’ll be here tonight again?” Damon almost groans. 

“Yup, hope it’s not a problem.” I smirk. 

“It is, you’re a complete nuisance.” Damon teases turning around. 

“Whatever.” I smile, “I’ll see you later, I need to go back to my house and grab a few things.” Damon distractedly nods still looking at the device. I laugh and shake my head heading out the door. 

————————————

“Ugh, where are you?!” I yell to myself trying to fine my headphones. I have been looking for them for the past hour. If Jeremy or Elena took them I will kill them. Slowly. 

I jump about 10 feet in the air when my phone starts ringing. I run over to my dresser and look at the caller ID. Damon. 

“What.” I snap into the phone. 

“Do you want to make a trip to Grove-hill with me and Ric?” Damon asks. 

“Why?” I question slowly. 

“Do you want to or not?” he repeats himself not giving me any details. 

“Fine, might as well.” I sigh hoping I’m not going to get killed on this little road trip. You never know with Damon. 

“Good, we’ll be there soon. Be ready.” he says before hanging up the phone. I sigh and set the phone down. I look up and gasp when I see John standing in front of me. 

“Why are you in my room stalker?! You scared the crap out of me.” I glare. 

“I thought we could talk, we haven’t had a chance to catch up.” he says walking into my room. 

“I’m leaving so…no.” I smirk and start to walk out the door but he catches me. I try to pull away from him but he has a tight grip on my arm. It kind of hurts. 

“It won’t take long, Aria.” he glares releasing my arm. 

“What is it that you want to talk about?” I ask glaring right back at him. 

“I know you know.” he picks up the photo of my parents. I want to snatch it out of his hands. I can’t believe this man is my Dad’s brother. They are nothing alike.  

“That you’re an ass, of course I know.” I roll my eyes. 

“Stop pretending.” he sighs, “What do you think your Mother would say if she knew her daughters were in love with vampires?” 

“Which mother.” I seethe before turning around and heading downstairs. I storm down the stairs and out the door. How does John know? I knew that he thought Damon and Stefan were vampires but how did he know I was in love with Damon? 

It seems like the whole damn Mystic Falls knows I am in love with Damon. Except Damon of course. I hope. I really, really hope. 

I lift up the sleeve of my shirt and look at the bruise John left. I poke it and wince at the slight pain. John has always been an ass but he has never hurt me. 

“Who did that?” a voice growls causing me to gasp in surprise. I look at Damon and see his fists clenched. 

“John.” I sigh, no point in lying. 

“I’m going to beat the shit out of him then.” Damon smiles darkly and starts to head inside but I grab his hand. 

“Damon, don’t. He’s not worth it. Plus Ric is waiting for us out in the car.” I say and hold tightly on to his hand. He looks at me for a few moments before sighing. 

“He’s lucky but if he touches you again, I will kill him.” Damon growls causing me to smile. I like this protective side. It’s quite sexy. I laugh and we head over to the car. Ric frowns at our joined hands but doesn’t make any comment. 

I try to hop in the front seat but Damon closes the door when I open it. I turn around with my hands on my hip. “Excuse me? That is quite rude Salvatore.” 

“Deal with it, I’m older, I sit up front.” Damon smirks and with his vampire speed, hops in the front seat. 

“Asshole.” I glare at him but get in the back seat anyways. I cross my arms and glare at the back of his head. Damon turns around and pats my head. 

“Don’t pout child.” he teases. I slap his hand away and try to flick his head but he dodges. 

“You’re both acting like children.” Ric laughs causing us both to glare at him. 

“Are not.” we say at the same time before looking at each other, “Shut up!” we both yell at each other. Ric continues on laughing while we both just pout. 

——————————————

I look up at the normal house in front of me, why did Damon and Alaric want to come here? They still haven’t told me what this is about. It’s starting to irritate me. 

“This is the one here, records show it was paid three months in advance.” Ric says as we walk up the driveway to the front door. 

“This is where it gets tricky, I may or may not be able to get in.” Damon sighs, knocking on the door. 

“How does that work?” Ric asks. “You always have to be invited in?” 

“By the owner or person of entitlement. Short term rentals and hotels are a bit of a gray area, you have to play it by ear.” Damon explains, knocking once again on the door. When no one comes Damon puts his hand on the doorknob ready to brake it. 

“Can we not kill anyone tonight.” Ric sighs causing me to laugh. Whenever you go out with Damon someplace, someone ends up dead. 

“What? You just invited me for my company?” Damon smirks breaking the doorknob and opening the door for us. He gestures for us to go in, and I step in cautiously. I’m afraid there’s going to be some creepy old guy with a shot gun. 

“It doesn’t seem like anyone is home.” I say looking around the living room. I turn and look at Damon, hoping he can get in. He sticks one foot cautiously out and when it doesn’t get stopped by some invisible barrier he smirks. 

“Yup, I’m good. No permanent resident apparently.” he states quietly closing the door behind him.  We walk further into the house, there’s only some furniture no personal stuff. Guess that proves Damon’s theory. “Ah, guys we have company.” Damon says cautiously right as I hear a whoosh. 

Suddenly I am thrown against the wall with some vampire dude snarling in my face. I scream not liking how close he is getting to me. Ric comes up from behind him stabbing him. 

He backs away from us for a second, letting his wound heal. Once it does he starts to come right back at us but Damon throws him to the ground. “Boys, Aria, that’s enough.” Damon sighs walking over to the vampire. “I know you.” Damon states frowning at the guy. 

The guy stands up with a grin on his face, “Damon?”

“Your name’s Henry, you were in the tomb?” Damon says but it’s more like a question. 

“Yes, sir. What are you doing here?” Henry asks looking between all of us. 

“That a good question Damon. What are we doing here?” I glare, time for some answers. 

———————————————

I am do damn pissed of right now. We’re here following a lead on Isobel! My stupid birthmother Damon turned. They should have told me right away, I wouldn’t have came. 

“So how do you know John Gilbert?” Henry asks pouring some blood into a cup. Turns out this is a John lead also…if you want to call it that. 

“He’s my Uncle and Damon’s best friend, they’ve known each other for years. But how do you know him?” I smile, this kid is actually kind of cute. Plus he’s really sweet. 

“I met him, right after I got out of the tomb. He’s been helping me out.” Henry explains setting the blood down in front of Damon. 

“Helping you out how?” Damon asks. 

“Adapting, it’s a whole new world. Cars, computers, phones.” Henry grins. “He helped me get this place.” 

“So, do you live here alone? Or is there someone else here?” Ric questions harshly.

“That’s my friends very passive aggressive way of asking, do you know a women named Isobel?” Damon asks in a much more friendlier tone. 

“Ah, no, I don’t know an Isobel. I know John, he’s my only real friend. He really showed me the ropes, how to use a microwave, separate my whites.” Henry says smiling. 

“What else do you do for him?” Ric tries to conceal his glare. 

“I help keep an eye on things, you know with the others.” Henry shrugs. 

“The others?” I frown. 

“From the tomb, there still pissed at the Founding Families for trying to burn them alive. I mean I’m cool but those tomb boys want revenge.” Henry takes a sip of his blood. Okay, that’s weird to say. 

“What does my Uncle want with them?” I press for more information. 

“He’s just keeping an eye on them, you know? Making sure they stay out of trouble.” Henry explains. 

“Well that’s John, such a do-gooder.” Damon laughs very sarcastically, hopefully Henry doesn’t pick up on that. Henry’s phone rings and he takes it out looking at the caller ID. 

“Hey, that’s John now.” Henry smiles causing Damon to get up quickly. 

“Here let me answer that.” Damon smirks taking the phone from him but he doesn’t answer it. 

“Are you gonna answer that?” Henry frowns. 

“Am I going to answer that?” Damon asks looking at Ric and I who both shake our head. Henry looks in-between us, knowing something is wrong. 

“What’s going on?” he questions but Damon just stares at him. Henry’s fangs come out and he turns around ready to attack Ric but Damon pulls him back. Ric is quick to stab the stake into his heart and we all watch as he goes grey and veiny. Eew, I really hate that. 

“Let’s not kill anybody tonight, your words not mine.” Damon points out patting Ric’s back. I roll my eyes but I can’t help, but feel bad for Henry. 

——————————————-

“Did you find anything?” I ask as Ric walks into the kitchen. He has been searching the whole house trying to find something regarding Isobel. 

“No, I looked everywhere. The place is clean.” Ric sighs sitting down on the sofa. 

“Well, we found this behind the blood in the fridge.” Damon shrugs tossing Ric a beer. I begged Damon for one but he said no. I know, it sucks. 

“Oh man this a real dead end.” Ric groans opening up the beer. 

“Wouldn’t beat myself up over it man. What did you think you were going to find? Isobel with a cigar and slippers?” Damon teases causing Ric to laugh and run his hand over his face. His laugh is more of a desperate one though. 

“I-I got to stop this, I can’t keep searching for her.” Ric sighs. 

“What? After two years, that’s actually moderately healthy.” Damon jokes, causing Ric and I to laugh. He searched for Katherine for 100 and some years. 

“What are you going on, 146?” I tease. 

“I figure 200 is a good stopping point.” Damon smirks at me. My heart brakes at hearing him say that. So he still does love Katherine. 

“I mean no answer is not enough, I keep thinking I want to know why, when. The precise moment when my wife decided life with me wasn’t enough.” Ric sounds miserable and I feel so bad for him. He didn’t deserve what Isobel did to him. 

“Tell me about it, I ask myself the same questions. I mean she never even looked back, she just left her daughters. I don’t even know if she ever even saw our faces.” I sigh. 

“Isobel charmed me, she talked a good game. She was smart, she had this excitement in her eyes.” Damon lets out a little laugh, “I probably should have known there was something different about her. Tied to Katherine, there had to be some reason I didn’t kill her.”

“That’s enough Damon, I don’t want to hear anymore. I just don’t want to waste anymore of my life searching for answers, I really don’t want.” Ric says. “I’m through with Isobel, I’m done. With all this. Ya.” Ric nods and leaves the room. I look over at Damon and see he actually has a sympathetic look on his face. I think Damon likes having Alaric has a crime buddy. It’s quite sweet. I just made up a new ship name!

Delaric! 

—————————————

I walk into the living room of the Salvatore boarding house and see Elena sitting on the sofa writing in her diary. 

“Ugh, God. You’re still here?” I question, groaning slightly. 

“What did you expect.” Elena snaps closing her diary. 

“Look Elena, I don’t want to fight. Honestly with the life we’re living, you never know when it’s going to be the last time you see someone. I’m scared that every time I walk out the door I may never come back. Today I had a freaking vampire attack me, what if he killed me? The last conversation we would have had would be in your memory. Our fight.” I stop taking a deep breath, “You’re my best friend Lena, I don’t want us to fight.”

I finish and look up at her, hoping she will forgive me. I sigh in relief when I see her smile. “I don’t want to fight either Aria.” she gets and hugs me tightly. I eagerly hug her back, happy to have made peace with her. 

“Sorry to interrupt this sisterly moment but…ya I’m not sorry.” Damon smirks walking into the room. Elena pulls away from me and glares at him while I just roll my eyes. 

“Do you always have to be so rude?” Elena sighs, her anger deflating. 

“I’m not rude, Elena. It’s called straightforward.” Damon smirks, walking over to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. 

I’m surprised when Elena lets out a little laugh. “So how was your guys trip? I heard Aria got attacked by some vampire.” 

“Not really attacked, just thrown against a wall. Other than that it was really boring and nothing happened. Except Ric was having an essential crises over Isobel.” I shrug. 

“Has Stefan eaten?” Damon asks changing the subject. 

“I though you didn’t care.” I smirk. 

“Morbid curiosity.” Damon smirks back causing me to laugh. 

“I think he’s getting there but he’s got a lot of guilt he has to deal with. And it doesn’t help that you spent the last 145 years punishing him for Katherine getting caught.” Elena glares, I guess her not hating Damon lasted 2 minutes. New record. 

“So this is my fault now?” Damon asks, his eyes flare in anger. 

“No, it’s no ones fault Damon. I’m just saying you’re not exactly innocent.” Elena shrugs but it’s more like and angry spasm. “You’ve made it your life’s mission to make him miserable.” 

Damon takes a few steps forward, a look of shock and anger on his face. “Let me ask you a question, in all this soul searching and cleansing Stefan’s demons from the past. Did you ever get the rest of the story?” 

“He said there was more.” Elena frowns. 

“Ya, that’s an understatement.” Damon growls and starts to walk away. Elena looks over at me pleading, wanting me to stop Damon. 

“Damon!” I yell hoping he will turn around but he keeps going, “Damon! Tell me.” I plead jogging over to him and spinning him around. Damon looks at me for a few moments before sighing and walking over to the liquor table. 

“I was ready to die, I didn’t want to live. Katherine was dead, there was no point in living forever without her. I thought both Stefan and I decided not to turn but apparently Stefan had other plans. I was sitting by the lake, I only had a few hours left. But Stefan couldn’t let me die, he came back telling me he had fed. He brought some girl with him so I could feed. I said no right away, I didn’t want to become a vampire.

He begged me telling me how good you feel after and your senses are heightened. He made it sound amazing. Even