Stefan Salvatore's daughter ~ Miracle

61. A lot happened in 1912

Zachariah Salvatore's P.O.V.

Flashback in 1912

- Will you get home all right, Mr. Salvatore? I can send for one of the police vehicles, tells and offers me, my friend, Gerard Forbes. The clock tower just rang in the Town Square and it is night time. The two of us are walking out of a Council Meeting, entering the cold of the night outside.

- Oh, a winter chill never hurt anyone, Sheriff Forbes, I answer to the man, looking at him trying to warm himself up by rubbing his hands together.

- I'm less concerned about the cold front, more for your safety, replies, the Sheriff, looking around the streets.

- One council men's murder doesn't make an epidemic, Gerald, I remind him, smiling before patting his shoulder. Good night.

- Good night, responds, the man, nodding at the same time.

I walk passed the man and begin to walk across the Town Square, alone. It is indeed freezing outside but that won't be the cause of my death, will it? I look carefully around the Town Square, staying on my guards. People are disappearing... Founders are disappearing lately. Better be carefully than not be it. I keep walking in the Town Square when a sudden noise is heard behind me. What was it? I immediately stop walking and turn around. However, nothing or nobody is there. It is only me in the cold and dark streets of Mystic Falls. I turn back around when I feel a sharp pain in my back. Stabbed... I fall on the cold ground before letting my last breath out.

End of the flashback

Sheriff Forbes's P.O.V.

- The mystery is not going to get solved any faster with you yelling at me, Carol, I tell to the Mayor while the two of us are walking across the road, going toward the police station.

- We have two council murders and an attempted murder on our hands. If you have a suspect, it is your duty to keep me in the loop, reminds me and tells me, Carol Lockwood, using a firm and stern tone while sounding upset and worried.

- No, it's my duty to make sure I don't accuse an innocent person of being a serial killer, I reply seriously and as firm as she talked to me. The two of us walk up the front stairs of the building.

- Just, tell me who it is, Liz, insists, Carol, looking at me as we arrive in front of the front door. I stare at the woman while opening the door. I use and insisting glance, telling her that I cannot talk about it here, but I can show it to her. She won't believe her eyes, just like I did...

Damon's P.O.V.

- I didn't do it, repeats, Alaric with a serious and a firm tone to Sheriff Forbes. I look at the teacher standing behind the bars of a cell. I can't believe Liz locked him up in here. I mean, Ric, really? He would never kill anyone in the Council.

- You're arresting him for what this nut job Dr. Fell says? I ask to the Sheriff, frowning and sounding confused.

- No, I'm detaining him. The cell is for his own good, answers, Liz, looking at me before turning back to look at Alaric. You were shot; Dr. Fell used vampire blood to heal you, she explains to the teacher.

- Dr. Fell is the one who shot me, reminds, Alaric to the Sheriff, raising slightly is voice with annoyment and madness.

- Because you came at her with a knife! replies, Caroline's mother.

- Yeah, with a knife I had found hidden in her things! tells, Ric, defending and justifying himself.

- Are we gonna ignore the part where he is one of the killer's victims? I mean, the guy was practically stabbed to death, I question and say to Liz, taking my friend's side and defend him.

- Well, Dr. Fell suggested his wounds could have been self-inflicting, responds, Caroline's mother, looking at me seriously as she puts her hands on her sheriff's belt.

- Wait, you think I stabbed myself? questions, Alaric, arcing his eyebrows with surprise and talking with a disbeliving tone.

- Look, I think I don't know what to think, replies, Liz, shaking her head as she stares at the teacher. I've got nothing, except murder weapons from your stash and a respected member of a founding family pointing a very long finger.

- She is setting me up. I'm being framed here! tells, Ric, with an upset tone.

- Well, that may be so, but I don't have any proof of that, replies, the Sheriff, shaking her head.

- Well, then, we'll find some, I say, cutting the two of them in their... small argument.

- No, just stay out of this, Damon, she tells me, sternly. I look at Liz, frowning confused. You getting involved is only going to make matters worse.

- Listen, Liz...

- Don't make me put you in that cell with him! she threats and warns me with a mad tone, cutting me mid-sentence. She exchanges a glance from the teacher and then I, looking alternately between the both of us. 

Elena's P.O.V.

- What are we running, a marathon? asks me, Matt as the two of us are running through the neighborhood. I need it... That's all I have to make myself feel better for at least an hour or two.

- If you can't keep up, I respond to my friend who sounds breathless.

- Elena, you can't outrun your problems, replies, Matt, but I ignore him. Though it looks like you're gonna try, I hear him saying, more to himself as he broke in to walk. I talked to Bonnie! he says loudly which caused me to abruptly stop running. I turn around and look at him, walking toward me, the both of us being breathless.

- What did she say? I ask, concern for my friend and her mother.

- They're at her mom's house. Abby is gonna complete the transition, answers and informs me, the blonde boy as he is now standing in front of me. What?

- She decided to become a vampire? I question, sounding and looking surprised. With everything Bonnie's Grams and even Bonnie have been saying about vampires... about never getting in their stuffs... It's just weird to think about it, to think that a witch will become a vampire, the thing that they hate the most.

- Yeah. Caroline's gonna help her through it. Teach her to control it and stuff, answers, Matt, still trying to regain his breathing. I nod, quickly looking down as I cross my arms over my chest.

- Did Bonnie say... I sigh, not finishing my sentence. It's hard to say it and it's even harder that my friend didn't want my help. Her mother is in that state because of me... Is there anything I can do?

- She knows it's not your fault, Elena, she's just upset, responds, Matt, shaking lightly his head as the boy is trying to reassure me.

- Damon turned her mom into a vampire to save Gillian's life and mine. It's absolutely my fault, I reply, nodding and looking at him like it was obvious. However, my tone sounded with an extreme guilt and sadness. I turn around ready to run again.

- You're gonna make me run more, aren't you? asks, Matt, trying to joke and make me feel better. I quietly sigh when I hear my cellphone beeping in my pocket. Who is it? questions, the boy as I take my phone out. Why is she calling me?

- Sheriff Forbes, is everything okay? I ask her, hoping there is no problem. What? He what?

Damon's P.O.V.

- Were you just with...? asks me, Elena after entering the police station. The brunette is in her jogging clothes, looking breathless and worried. However, when she saw me, she looked more... annoyed.

- Ric's fine, I answer, approaching her. Sheriff wants me to stay out of it, I tell her.

- But you're not going to. Are you? tells and asks, Elena, frowning confused. She knows me too well...

- Seems just as good a plan as any, I reply.

- Your friend's in jail for murder. You have to do something, she says, looking at me like I have to resolve that problem quickly and by my own.

- Well, I guess I could rip out Dr. False Accusation's throat, I tell to Jeremy's sister with madness. Maybe her tongue. You know, I could chew it up into little tiny pieces and feed it to the squirrels, I suggest before miming chewing like a squirrel.

- Stop it, Damon! tells me sternly, Elena, crossing her arms over her chest and looking mad.

- Guess me staying out of it suddenly sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? I saved your life last night, I say while smirking. You're welcome, I whisper before turning around to leave the police station.

- You know, you could show a little compassion about Bonnie, responds, Elena, obviously upset about me and what I did to Abby to save my niece's and her lives.

- I know, you're right, I answer, sighing, her and her mom must be really hurting right now. Should I send lasagna? I ask, lightly joking.

- Okay, now you're just being mean, replies, Elena, frowning madly before turning around to leave the station.

- I'm mean, you hate me. The Earth is back on its axis, I tell her which caused the girl to stop, turn back around and to look at me.

- You know if you keep pushing people away, you're gonna end up alone, she responds seriously before sighing annoyed and extremely upset. The girl turns back around and finally leaves the station.

Gillian's P.O.V.

I walk out of my bathroom, brushing my hair after taking my shower and puting my clothes on. Seriously? He is still doing it? I woke up this morning by my father tapping his ring on his desk. I know that sound perfectly. He is struggling and in need of blood. But knowing him he won't break. I sigh, annoyed while throwing my brush on my bed before turning around and exiting my bedroom. I rapidly walk through the corridors until entering my dad's bedroom. My father is sitting at his desk, holding and swirling a pen in one hand, using his other hand to make that unbearable noise and having a journal open in front of him. Dad looks up at me after hearing me coming, not moving but still tapping his ring on the desk. I walk up to him before grabbing his hand with the ring to make the noise stop. That's better...

- Dearest daddy of mine, you know I love you very, very, very, very much and that I would never disrespect you or anything like that but if you keep tapping your ring on that desk, I'm going to go crazy. And I'm going to get mad. And someone will die. And I don't want that, I tell him as calmly as I can while forcing a smile as I am still holding his hand down. Dad stares up at me as he stops swirling the pen.

- Then, don't kill, he says seriously. It makes me feel better when I do it so let me be, Gillian, his tone sounded upset and annoyed. I frown before releasing his hand. But dad doesn't tap his ring on the desk again.

- Someone fell off the bed this morning. What wrong? I tell and ask him, even though I have my idea on what is going on with him.

- Why don't you go do something and leave me alone? I'm fine, he answers almost with a harsh tone. I keep frowning, but surprised this time. I'm not habituated for him to talk to me that way. I put both my hands on the desk and lean in while frowning seriously.

- I'll leave you alone when I'll see you being really fine again. To my eyes, you're not fine, dad, I respond seriously.

- And why do you care, Gillian? he asks, scoffing and shaking his head. I shake my head as well, frowning upset this time. I don't need your help.

- Well, I don't care. You'll get my help whether you want it or not because we are family. And that is what family does in those moments like this one. When someone is in need of help... I begin to say but dad suddenly stands up from his desk chair, hands on his desk just like mines and facing me.

- I don't need your help! he insists, almost screaming while frowning madly.

- Fine! You don't need it! But stop screaming at me because I didn't do anything, dad, we stare at each other for a moment, the both of us frowning madly. However, dad closes his eyes after a moment and sighs while sitting back in the chair. I sigh as well, thinking the "fight" was stupid. I look down at his journal when I remark a slight part of a black and white picture under it. I frown confused while slowly grabbing it.

- Be careful with it, tells me, dad, even though he has his eyes closed. How did he know I was taking the picture and not a paper? I hold the picture and look at it. It's me, sitting on the floor, smiling with food all around my mouth. I am holding my stuff animal and am wearing my baby pajama.

- How old was I on this picture? I ask, turning the picture over but there is no date on it. Just my name.

- A year and seven months, he answers calmly, opening his eyes to look up at me. Dad is swirling the pen again. I put the picture down again, still frowning confused.

- How can you remember all this about me? I mean, how can you remember almost everyday since my birth?

- I don't, Gillian. But those moments of joy, of pride, like on this picture, it's all I ever want to remember. I can't forget those moments, even if I wanted to, because that's what makes me realize how far the two of us have gone, I stare at him, slowly nodding before looking at the picture again. I see him puting it back under the journal, touching it like it is something fragile.

- Do you always have it on you? I ask him, smiling. 

My father smiles back, closing his eyes again before lightly and slowly moving left to right on his chair. That smile said it all. I shake my head, still smiling before laying on dad's bed. I stare at the ceiling, getting lost into my thoughts as I think of the woman I ripped last night. I feel bad because I know that the girl was scared... even terrified and she still had a long life before her. And I took that away. But I couldn't control myself. It just... It's like stuff slipped out of my hands and... I am frowning madly to myself when dad, suddenly, restarts tapping his ring on the desk. I turn my head to glare annoyed at him and see that he still has his eyes closed. He is really struggling... He is fighting it actually... I sigh and roll my eyes when, suddenly, I hear my uncle talking.

- Dear diary, a chipmunk asked me my name today. I told him it was Joe. That lie will haunt me forever, jokes, my uncle which only makes him smile. Dad stopped tapping his ring on the desk when he heard his brother speaking. I sit up and look at Damon, shaking my head, not amused. My uncle smirks, his arms crossed over his chest as he is leaning against the door frame. Dad gets up from his desk chair and walks toward a shelf.

- What do you want? questions, my father to my uncle, sounding annoyed.

- I was hoping we could hang. You know a little brother bonding accompanied by my favorite niece, I roll my eyes. Do I have to remind him that I am his only niece? I know we don't actually "hang out", says, Damon, doing the quote sign with his fingers while stepping towards my father. We team up, we join forces, we activate our wonder twin powers, says, Uncle Damon as dad turns around walking back toward his desk. I see Damon holding up his hand, showing his ring to my father, in reference to the wonder twin comment. He's such a kid... I look at my uncle beginning to look through my father's bookshelf as I see dad stopping mid-way to his desk, turning around to look at his brother.

- What are you doing? asks, dad, shaking his head annoyed.

- Digging up clues. Most of the Originals are gone, I look down, frowning as I think of Kol. Actually, I'm surprised that they haven't talked to me about it since they saw us outside, but now we have a whodunnit in town. Hey, do you remember when we came back for Zachariah's funeral?

- Vaguely. Why? answers, dad, looking around the room before landing his eyes on me. Of course, he remembers... I don't think either one of us can forget that year. I frown, looking at my uncle.

- If memory serves, he wasn't the first Founders' Council member killed that year or even that month, replies, Damon. What is he talking about? I stand up from the bed, crossing my arms over my chest.

- Your point being, Damon? I ask, lightly sighing.

- I'm trying to remember what year it was, he whispers, still searching through the bookshelf.

- 1912, answers, my father.

- So much for vaguely, replies, Damon before grabbing one of the diaries on the shelf. I see him looking at me before throwing the diary to me. I catch it in time, looking confused at him. I open the journal while walking slowly up to Damon. 1912. Or as I like to call it : last time Mystic Fall's had a serial killer on its hands, I look up at him, frowning before slapping him in the stomach with the journal. Damon acts like I hurt him before smirking. I roll my eyes, annoyed and turn around as I open the journal to read it.

- "It feels strange to be home again after so long away. I thought I would never return. Certainly not for a funeral." I look up at my father, the both of us exchanging a glance as I remember that day at Zachariah Salvatore's funeral in the woods.

Flashback Cemetery 1912

- I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. and Miss Salvatore. I'm told you're distant cousins of Zachariah, tells us a woman who is approaching us with one of her friend. Father and I are both wearing black clothes, just like the rest of the people present here on this sad day.

- His nephew and niece, actually, nods, my father, smiling at them. I look down, hiding my uneasiness. They smell so good... Miss..?

- Lockwood. Marianna Lockwood. And this is my friend, Samantha Gilbert, she presents us herself and her friend.

- As in Johnathan Gilbert, replies, dad, looking at the Gilbert woman.

- My late grandfather. Did you know him? answers and asks Miss Gilbert, frowning confused.

- Crossed paths. I'm sorry, I don't mean to be inappropriate, but, my father clear his throat, looking around the funeral as he seems to make sure that nobody is listening to him, no one seems to be willing to discuss the details of Zachariah's death.

- He was murdered and he wasn't the first, responds, Samantha Gilbert with seriousness and while looking down. She seems pretty shook by his death but at the same time not really...

- Samantha, don't be a gossip, whispers and warns her friend.

- Why not? They should know. They're a founding family like us, she whispers back to Miss Lockwood before looking alternately between father and I. Be careful Mr. and Miss Salvatore. It's not a good time to be a Founder in this town, I look at her, frowning lightly confused, just like father before the two women walk away to leave the funeral. 

- Father? my dad turns around to face and look down at me. Who is Johnathan Gilbert?

- A bad man, Sweetie. But do not worry about him, we won't cross path we him, answers, my father while smiling. I know that smile. Dad uses it all the time when he knows that I am worried. I nod before looking around, still smelling the few people here.

- Father, I'm bored and I'm hungry. I shouldn't be here, I tell him in a whisper while looking around nervously. I can smell everyone and hearing their heart pomping blood. It echoes so loudly in my ears...

- Gillian, you're doing great, tells me, my father, standing next to me. I know father knows that I am still struggling.

- I am struggling, I say between my teeth as I nervously play with my fingers...

- And still, you're doing great, repeats, my father. I look up at him and see him smiling at me again. I quietly sigh before faintly nodding.

- Why did we come here? We didn't know the man, father. He just had our last name, I ask and tell him, confused.

- He is from our family, Sweetie.

- You are my only family, father, I tell him, looking back up at him. My dad looks down at me before smiling again. He passes his hand in my back as to slightly embrace me when I see him staring at something. I turn my head and remark a crow, standing at the top of a tombstone. It flies away. Creepy...

- Have you been eating the relatives again? I hear a man asking us. I frown and turn around, seeing a man with icy blue eyes and raven hair walking towards us. Who is he? He looks so familiar...

- Damon, replies, father, calling the man while faintly smiling. Why does he look so happy to see him? Who is that man?

- It's been a long time, brother, answers, the man, looking around with annoyment. Brother?

- It's been almost fifty years. I'm surprised you came, tells, father.

- And miss the funeral of, what do you call him? Uncle Zachariah? I look up at my father and see him nodding lightly. I can sense some tentions between the two men here. I look back at the man as I see him staring at me. Look at you. The last time I saw you, he says while pointing at me, you were still a little baby. You have grown so much since the last time I saw you, Gillian, I frown confused and surprised at the man before turning to father next to me.

- Father?

- Gillian, this is Damon Salvatore, my big brother. You know, I talked a lot to you about him, responds, dad, looking down at me before looking at his brother with a faint smile.

- Oh, the man in your stories? The one who went to war and fought bravely? I ask, smiling as well while turning to the man.

- At least you remember I was a soldier before being what I am today, replies, Damon while sounding annoyed and upset as he looks away. I slowly lose my smile, replacing it with a light frown. I wonder what happened between them...

- I see you're still mad at me, says, father, staring at his brother.

- Why would I be mad at you, Stefan? questions, Damon with sarcasm. You made me become a vampire and now I walk the world alone, drinking other people's blood, Oh I see what happened now... I mean, I understand the basic reasons, but I don't know what happened exactly between them.

- Any chance you took it all out on our nephew Zachariah? questions, father, looking down as he tries not to show his disappointment and upset.

- If I'm not mistaken, you were the one who killed our family, remember? May father rest in peace, responds, Damon, looking at the sky. I am not sure of what is happening here but I think I should let them deal with it.

- I'm not like that anymore, Damon, answers, father seriously.

- Well congratulations, Stefan. But can you say the same about this new vampi? he questions while looking at me up and down. How does he know about me? I frown before looking up at father. Dad stays quiet for a moment as he looks at me and nods to tell me that everything is fine.

- Damon, he looks back at his brother, It's been more than thirty years. Gillian isn't like this. I taught her the good way.

- Hope you did it mess a part, he replies while staring at me with a slight frown. He doesn't seem to like me much. I look down, feeling uncomfortable. I can hear my father sighing, annoyed. But if you'll excuse me, I'd like to live out my eternal existence as far away from you two as possible, tells the man, before turning around to start leaving. Away from us? He doesn't even know me... well, not really.

- Damon, wait, quickly says, father which got Damon to stop walking. Lets grab a drink, catch up, offers, my father to his brother. Damon turns around and looks at his brother with surprised. I've missed you brother, smiles, father.

- Sure. Why not? responds, Damon before turning back around to leave.

End of the flashback

- What do you say, brother? You wanna go get drunk? questions, Uncle Damon, his hands in his pockets as he is walking toward my father. I close the journal and walk toward him as well before giving the journal to dad.

- Ahhh, I get it, I get it. You're bored! answers, dad, patting Damon on the chest with the journal while smirking. Your best friend's in jail and you don't have anything better to do with yourself.

- Well, there's that and I was hoping you two could help me solve a murder, I look at Damon taking the journal from his brother's hands before walking out of the bedroom. Dad looks at me, sighing before turning around to go back at his desk. However, before he could reach it, I vamp-speed to it and sit on the chair, crossing my legs and smiling.

- Come on, dad. We're going, I tell him, smirking.

- I'm not, replies, my father while gesturing me to stand up.

- Yes, you are, I answer and not getting up. Dad is now standing in front of me. Because A : your brother just took a journal from your room. B : we both want to know what happened with that murder. C : You need to losen up a bit and, I lift my finger up to stop him from talking, as I saw him opening his mouth. D : I'd really love hanging out with the two of you for once despite everything going on, I tell him sincerely while getting up. My father stares down at me for a moment before sighing and turning around walking toward the bedroom door.

- I hate when you do this, says, dad with annoyment as I follow him.

- What? I ask frowning confused.

- That daughter thing that you do so well. I can't say "no" when you do it and I hate it, responds, dad, shaking his head lightly.

- I think it's because you love me, dad, I say while laughing.

- You think? questions, dad, chuckling as well.

- Oh I'm sure.

Rebekah's P.O.V.

- Thank you for meeting with me, Mayor, I thank the Mayor with a smile as she is sitting in front of me at a table at the Grill. Mayor Lockwood smiles back at me. I figured as head of the Preservation Society, you'd be a good person to ask about the oldest trees in this community.

- A long line of Lockwood women use to keep those records, back before any of them had actual jobs, replies, the woman, sounding and looking proud of her family. I smile and nod politely before looking seriously again.

- I've been to the Founders' archive, but I can't seem to find any record of the tree I'm looking for, I say, lightly frowning confused.

- It probably got cut down. Big old trees built half of this town in the 1900s, responds, Mrs. Lockwood, lightly shrugging before taking a sip of her coffee. Suddenly, I remark Stefan, Gillian and Damon entering the Grill and heading toward the bar. It's funny how the Salvatore brothers always put the girl between them. They look more like her bodyguards.

- Oh, She-Devil at nine o'clock, I hear, Damon whispring to his sibling and niece. The three of them look at me while the Mayor has her back turn to them. I stare at Damon, lightly smirking as I see him smirking back. Dick...

- Do you happen to know who kept the milling ledgers during that period? I ask to Mayor Lockwood, smiling.

- Back then all the logging mills were owned by the Salvatores, answers, the Mayor. Of course, it had to be them... I nod before turning my head, looking at where the Salvatore family went to.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- So what does a medical examiner, Bill Forbes, and Alaric Saltzman have in common? questions, my uncle as dad, him and I sit at the bar at the Grill. I am sitting between them, frowning lightly as I think. Suddenly, my father begins to tap his ring against the counter. I roll my eyes annoyed as I let a groan out. Come on, knock it off, tells, Damon before I could say something. Dad looks at us both before clearing his throat and pouring himself a drink. I sigh, hating to see him like this before emptying my glass.

- You know, dad, I say not too loudly so people around won't hear me, I know that it is not up to me to say this but, quitting blood cold turkey after a ripper binge might not be the best approach. You've done it before and it never really worked, I say while shaking my head and looking at him.

- She's right, Stefan. Every time you play that all-or-nothing game, you eventually leave a trail of bodies. So, I'm thinking, now is a good time to pay our old friend moderation a visit, replies and suggests, Uncle Damon, smiling at his brother. However, he quickly stops and looks at me. You too young lady.

- What? Why? I ask, frowning confused at him. I drink blood Damon I'm not starving myself.

- That's the problem, Boo. You drink too much, corrects me, my uncle, staring at me with seriousness. I turn my head and look at my father for a little help. However, I see him staring at me before shaking his head, telling me he is with his brother. I scoff and pour myself another drink.

- You want an answer to your question. Fine, I say with an upset tone to Damon before taking a sip of my drink. They were all on the Founders' Council, Damon. That's what they all have in common.

- Oh, come on, Boo, don't be upset.

- I'm not, I answer with an upset tone before finishing my glass in one swallow. I look at Damon who gives me "yeah, right" look. I roll my eyes again and sigh.

- But why them? Huh? Brian Walters and Alaric weren't from founding families. I mean, hey, if you're gonna slaughter council members, go A-list. At least in 1912 they killed a Salvatore, tells and reminds, Damon, pouring himself a drink. 

- Which Salvatore would that be? I hear someone asking behind me. I turn around just like the brothers to see Rebekah standing there, smiling at us three.

Alaric's P.O.V.

- You have to agree, Sheriff, there is no motive here, I tell to Sheriff Forbes as she comes back to see me. I am still standing in that cell for no reasons and it is so upsetting and annoying. I keep pacing around, trying to know what happened.

- Look, both the medical examiner and my ex-husband got into altercations with Meredith Fell before their deaths. Now, she said you were a witness to her fight with Brian Walters, replies, Sheriff Forbes looking at me and sounding serious.

- So, what are you saying, I was defending her honor? I barely knew her then, I answer, defending myself in something I am pretty sure I am innocent.

- She said she also told you that Bill threatened to report her to the medical board for giving him vampire blood, adds, Caroline's mother.

- No, she didn't, I respond with disbelief while shaking my head.

- A two a.m. call the night he was killed? I look down, frowning and thinking. I pulled your records, you spoke with her for over an hour, What? I sigh and slowly sit down on the bed in the cell behind me before passing my hand over my face. This isn't happening...

- Okay, I, uh, yes I... I remember calling her, but I was drinking and I... I don't remember the conversation, I admit, talking with a serious and sincere tone.

- Well, do you have an alibi for the night Brian Walters was killed? questions, Sheriff Forbes, her hands on her hips.

- I was there the night of the bridge fundraiser, okay? Until midnight. You saw me there! I respond with an upset tone as I remind her.

- Time of death was between one and three am, replies, Caroline's mother, nodding at the same time.

- Well, then, I... I must have been home, sleeping. I'm sure of it, I say and finish by a whisper, almost sounding not sure of myself.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- So, Zachariah Salvatore was your nephew? questions, Rebekah as I take a sip from my glass.

- Well, our father knocked up one of the maids during the Civil War, she had a son. But as far as everyone else knew, Stefan and I were dead. Baby of Stefan here by my side was supposed to be dead too and she was a girl anyway, tells, Damon while looking at me. I roll my eyes to the name he gave me. Family name had to go somewhere, finishes to explain, Damon before taking a sip of his drink.

- And, uh, your family owned the logging mills back then? asks, Rebekah which got my father and uncle to look at her with surprise and confusion.

- You're full of a lot of questions, says, Damon with sarcasm.

- I'm just researching the town history. I grew up here after all, replies, Rebekah, smiling fakely to my uncle.

- You know you don't have to disguise your true motives Blondie-Bex, I bring my glass back to my lips to drink more, if you want more sex, just ask for it, I put the glass down, almost spitting everything on the counter as I choke a laugh. I hear my father quietly chuckling next to me as well. I don't know if it is because of Damon's comment or because of me. I feel Damon slapping my arm. I look up at him, still smiling as I see him frowning at me.

- Not enough liquor in the world, replies, Rebekah before grabbing the bottle and pourring herself a drink.

- Oh, come on, it was too good for you to be this hostile, I clear my throat before getting up at the same time as dad did. I walk around Damon to sit on the chair next to him while dad sits on my other side. I grab my glass under my uncle's stare before giving it to my father who pours himself a drink before filling my glass.

- You'll have to excuse my little brother, he's jonesing for some O positive while my niece is being a greedy blood-sucker, I hear Damon apologizing to Rebekah while dad and I both clink our glass together.

- I'm not jonesing, responds, my father, looking at Rebekah before taking a sip of his drink.

- And I'm not a greedy blood-sucker, Damon, I reply, looking not amused at my uncle. Damon smirks before looking back at the Original.

- So, did they ever catch the killer? questions, Rebekah moving from her sit to be on the one next to Damon. Why is she asking all those questions about our ancestors?

- Nope. Wrote it all off on vampires, answers, Damon.

- Maybe it was a vampire, whispers, Rebekah before finishing her glass of Bourbon.

- Yeah, yeah, maybe it was a vampire, Damon, says, my father to his brother, smiling humorlessly.

- Don't think for a second you didn't cross my mind too, brother, responds, Damon before turning back to Rebekah. But these murders weren't your style, were they? Plus there were no other vampires circulating then.

- Well, there was one other vampire. Remember Sage? tells and asks, my father, looking at Damon. Sage...? Oh yeah, that female vampire boxer.

- Ohh, right, Sage, tells, Damon with realization. Speaking of great sex. Ooh! I roll my eyes as Damon takes a sip from the bottle instead of pouring the liquid in a glass.

Damon's P.O.V.

Flashabck Mystic Falls 1912

- Damon, you've had enough, tells me, my brother before taking the bottle from my hand. The night has fallen and Stefan, Gillian and I spend the night together, catching time up.

- Hit a man when he's down, I reply before glancing at my little brother. 

- Father, let's go hom, please. I am hungry and tired, complains, Gillian while looking around the place with a frown. The girl is craving, I can tell. She is lightly shaking and seems worried when she looks at those people walking around happily and drunkly.

- Soon, Gillian, replies, Stefan before I begin to venture myself toward a tent where people are shouting. I hear my little brother and niece following me behind. We enter the tent and discover a woman beating a man in a boxing match. What a fearless beist... Looking sexy as well. The woman knocks the man out with an upper cut, smiling proud of herself under the round of applause given by people surrounding the boxing match.

- Who's next? One hundred dollars to any man who can beat me, suggests and proposes, the woman walking around the boxing match before she lays her eyes on me. Wow... I stare at her, faintly smiling when I see her winking at me. Suddenly, I feel, Gillian and Stefan walking over to me. I lightly turn my head to look at them, but at the same time, don't leave my stare from that woman.

- I can teach you how to survive without human blood, you know, proposes, Stefan to me in a whisper as he is holding his daughter's shoulders. The girl is standing before him, taking deep breaths in and out while her eyes are closed.

- Father... I hear Gillian calling Stefan but I cut her mid-sentence to answer my brother as I am still staring at that woman.

- You do not get to lecture me on how to live my life. Not any more, I reply to my baby brother with madness before turning my head to look at him with a serious frown. I see him lightly nodding before looking down. I glance at Gillian who frowns lightly at me while still taking deep breaths. She looks like Katherine with only few differencies... I turn around and walk away from them when the woman from the boxing match comes up to me.

- What's your name? she questions, smiling seductively.

- Not interested, I answer, looking away while trying to walk passed her.

- Well, Mr. Not-Interested, you seem to me like a gambling man, replies, the woman.

- Afraid you have me all wrong, I tell her when she suddenly pulls out a 100 dollar bill from her shirt. What is she doing with this? She shows it to me, smirking before placing it discretely and seductively in my pants.

- Hm, well that's too bad, whispers the woman with seduction before walking away. I turn around to look at her leaving. What a woman...

End of the flashback

- I knew a Sage once. Trashy little thing, tells, Rebekah with disgust.

- You really think it was Sage who was killing all those Founders back then? I ask to my brother, frowning confused as I try to think for a reason.

- Town questioned every grown man in Mystic Falls. Probably never occurred to them that a woman could have done it, responds, Stefan before taking a sip from his drink. I keep frowning while lightly nodding before glancing at my niece. She nods at me while frowning as well, looking like she is thinking as well.

Elena's P.O.V.

I am waiting by my car, outside the hospital, leaning against the engine with my arms crossed over my chest. I can't believe this is happening to Ric. He hasn't done anything. I am sure that he is for nothing and that, that Dr. Fell set him up. It has to be like this... I sigh, annoyed and nervous when I hear a car door getting closed. I look behind my car and see Meredith exiting her car. I walk around my car to join her sides but the woman rolls her eyes as she keeps walking toward the hospital.

- I'm due in surgery. Whatever case you're gonna make against Alaric, make it quick, tells me, the doctor with a frown and sounding annoyed and upset while she continues walking.

- I don't have to make a case, he didn't do anything, I respond to her, shaking my head while following the doctor.

- How do you know? Sure you live with him, he takes care of you, but do you really know anything about him? questions, Dr. Fell, frowning with disbelief.

- I know enough, I answer, scoffing which makes the woman to stop walking and turn around to face me. 

- Let me tell you what I know. He was arrested for fighting four times before the age of 21. When he was at Duke, his future wife, Isobel, filed a restraining order against him. Twice. Although, then she married him, so I guess that says more about her, explains me, Meredith Fell. No... I don't want to believe it. Alaric isn't like that. I mean, yes, he has his flaw but still. I know he isn't a murderer.

- Okay, you're making all of this up, I tell her, shaking my head while still frowning, not wanting to believe her.

- Am I? How would you know? asks, Meredith, shaking her head upset. You took pity on a borderline alcoholic vampire hunter and you never even thought to look any deeper.

- How could you do this to him? I ask her with disbelief and sorriness for the teacher. He didn't kill anyone and you know it.

- You date vampires, Elena. It shouldn't come as a shock to learn that your guardian is a murderer, replies, Meredith before turning around and walking away, heading toward the hospital.

Damon's P.O.V.

- So, uh, tell me more about your old relatives. I heard they tore down half the woods to build this town, tells us, Rebekah while a bartender gives us a new bottle of whiskey. I see the Original vampire about to grab it, but I go for it before she gets it.

- Easy there, lushy pants, I tell to the blonde, standing up at the same time. It's been a hoot and a half but it's boy's night and you weren't invited.

- Thanks, Damon, tells me, Gillian while nodding and glaring at me not amused. I roll my eyes to my niece before turning back to Rebekah.

- And niece's night as well, I add, smiling humorlessly to the Original.

- Right, anyway, I need to go to the bathroom, says, Gillian while standing up. However, before she walks to the lady's room, she turns around and looks at her father. Dad, can we play some darts together?

- Not today, Gillian, answers, Stefan while shaking his head. My niece looks down while lightly frowning, disappointed.

- I'll play with you, Boo. Go and I'll prepare the game, Gillian looks up at me, nodding but not smiling. She goes to the bathroom, Rebekah following her behind. I see Stefan grabbing our glasses before the both of us walk to where the darts game is. My baby brother sits at a table as he looks around with hunger but still resist to eat. I grab the darts before walking toward him and sitting on the chair next to him. You know, she might be careless and all but she really wants to spend time with you, Stefan, I tell to my little brother seriously while this one is pouring himself another drink.

- I'm not in my best today, Damon, answers, Stefan, smiling humorlessly at me.

- Of course you're not, but you could at least try a bit, I tell him with an upset frown. She cried for weeks, even months, because you were gone, Stefan. I had to erase all those tears and make sure she was still fine at the end of the day. You were all she had for years and years and from a day to another, you disappear with that crazy-ass Hybrid traveling around the country, I remind him frowning madly.

- Damon, I am very grateful for what you did for Gillian, okay? I truly am. You did what I asked you to do and I can't thank you enough for that... But I hate myself so much for what I did to her. I'm ready to do anything for her to make sure she forgets that dark period, whispers back, Stefan, shaking his head and sounding surprisingly calm. Stefan sighs which sounded like a tired one.

- Then, start by playing darts with your daughter when she asks you to. It's not everyday that the two of you play darts. And even if it's something else. Just spend time with her, Stefan looks down at his glass, playing with it like he seems to feel guilty. I sigh and grab my glass before taking a sip from it. You know, I used to be so jealous of you, Stefan looks back up, frowning confused. When Katherine told me she was pregnant, I... I just wanted it to be mine. I thought it was going to be mine. But when she told me it was yours... I was so mad against you... against that baby. Gillian wasn't even born and I hated her already, I stare into my baby brother's eyes with seriousness as I admit him my past feelings. It was supposed to be Katherine and I and it ended up being Katherine, you and a baby. When Gillian was born, I envied you so much, I tell him while shaking my head. You had what I wanted... one more time. To me, it was like you just kept stealing things from me. When I would see you carrying her around the house, playing with her small new born's hands, smiling whenever you heard her laughing, worrying whenever you heard her crying... I was even more angry after that. Because everything you were living should have been mine, Stefan, I tell him seriously, frowning lightly upset. Stefan nods, looking like he just realized all this. Of course, he didn't know any of it... How could he know before today? I never told him and he had other things to worry about all those years.

- What change your mind? questions, Stefan. I take a new sip from my glass, emptying it in one swallow.

- I had time to think and accept it. And I also learned to know my niece, I learned about how lovable and understandingly she is and about how big her heart is. And she also knows how to calm me down whenever I go to far, I answer him, faintly nodding. Stefan nods back while faintly smiling.

- Yeah, she has that power on a lot of people, smiles, Stefan before emptying his glass as well.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- The brothers seem to be extra protective with you, tells me, Rebekah as I was washing my hands in the bathroom sink. The Original blonde vampire is leaning against the wall next to the door with her arms crossed over her chest.

- Well, I'm Stefan Salvatore's daughter and Damon Salvatore's niece which kinda makes me part of their family, I answer her with an obvious tone while looking at her in the mirror. Rebekah lightly rolls her eyes before walking up to me.

- You were always his little treasure, I turn to face Rebekah, frowning confused at her. Stefan, he doesn't love anything more than you in this world, I slowly anf faintly nod.

- How was he in the 20's? I ask her, wanting to know more about how my father was back then. I mean, you two knew each other. You were always at that bar Gloria was holding. Everytime nights, my father would go there, spending time and having fun with you and Klaus while letting me alone in our apartment, I tell her, lightly frowning as I remember that dark time. It was hell for me, but my father was having fun... Too much maybe. Rebekah smiles at me before nodding.

- He was charming, funny, good dancer and he indeed knew how to have "fun", she answers, smiling to the memory while quoting the word "fun", mentioning about drinking blood.

- Did you love him? I ask her while staring at her intensely.

- Who didn't love your father? Anyone would fell for that smile which is annoying, replies, Rebekah which got me to chuckle and shake my head. But you know what was more annoying? She asks me, arcing her eyebrows while faintly smiling. It was always sickening to hear him talking about you. Every night, you could be sure he would at least mention you in a conversation. Stefan was emotionless in the 20's, he didn't care about anything around him except having fun, drinking and you, she says while pointing at me and sounding serious. I can't tell if there is a point of jealousy in her voice... Though if it is, it isn't that she is jealous of Stefan loving me more than anything... Or maybe a bit? I think it is more because her family, her father isn't acting or doing like mine is being with me. Even when he doesn't care, you are still his priority.

- Well, I'm his only child, that's kind of normal, I answer lightly shrugging.

- In your family maybe, replies, Rebekah, looking down. I frown, staring at her.

- I'm sorry about your mother, Rebekah, I apologize sincerely and with a gentle voice while grabbing her arm and squeezing it.

- Don't, she tells me, shaking her head. She tried to kill you anyway, right? And I don't want your pity, she says this with a shameful tone that it made me frown lightly.

- If that can make you feel better, you won't have it. I don't feel so you won't have any pity from me right now, sorry to disappoint you, Rebekah rolls her eyes but laughs as she weakly shakes her head. I smile back at the Original in front of me. But you keep losing your family over and over again either by them being staked by Klaus, them going away, or them being killed definitely, I whisper to her which makes Rebekah lowering her head, looking hurt. You shouldn't be going through all that. Original Vampire or not, nobody should or deserve to live what you are living, I see her faintly nodding before looking back up at me, her eyes full of tears. However, they don't seem to want to fall down, yet.

- You know, I didn't understand what Klaus saw in you. I mean, my brother kills everyone that crosses his path or at least gets in his way when he wants to do something, but you... She begins to say while staring at my eyes. You are just special. He sees something in you... Something he obviously knows and is familiar with.

- Niklaus is... I start to tell her before trying to find my words. I saw Rebekah's eyes lightly widening when I said her brother's full name. He is himself. He did do bad things... Horrible things. But I don't judge him for them because we all did some in our life.

- I think he sees more in you than that. He is the one who turned off your emotions, right? I nod but while looking confused at her. Where is she going with that conversation? You two do have things in commun, I frown even more confused while lightly titling my head on the side. The pain, the loneliness, the guilt...

- We all have it, Rebekah, I respond to the Original vampire while sighing and looking away.

- But you two have more. You know, I know my brother by heart. He admires you, doesn't he? He thinks you are courageous, a fighter and all? I lightly nod while shrugging. Well, if I can be truthful, he's right. Trust me, if Niklaus sees it, you won everything.

- And you? Why do you not hate me like you hate Elena? I ask her, frowning confused.

- I don't hate you because you didn't stab my back. In fact, you were there for me when I needed someone. When I was supposed to attend that high schools dance, my first one, you spoke freely and truly to me. And I appreciate that. I needed a friend and you were there, not like her, answers, Rebekah looking serious as she speaks with a sincere tone. I stare at the girl not nodding, not talking, nothing. Just a small silence taking place between us. I smile at her after a small moment which got the girl to chuckle and face the mirror as she erases her tears in her eyes. I grab a tissue and offer it to her. Rebekah takes it, thanking me.

- I should go back, I whisper while puting my hand in her back to help her ease a bit. Rebekah nods before opening the tap making the water flowing in the sink. I turn around and walk toward the door before turning back to the girl. Oh, hum... One last thing Bekah, I can call you Bekah? The girl smiles and nods while looking at me in the mirror. Do you happen to know where Kol went at? I ask her, frowning confused. The Original vampire stops smiling and closes the tap before turning around to look at me.

- Kol? As my brother, Kol? I nod, looking at her like it was obvious I was talking about him. Why do you ask for him?

- Just like that, I answer, lying while shrugging.

- Oh no. No, no, no, repeats, Rebekah, walking toward me and shaking her head. She looks serious and concern for me. Don't tell me you love my brother.

- Fine, I won't.

- Couldn't you love someone else? She asks me, sighing annoyed.

- Bekah, I don't feel. I can't love him, I respond, weakly smiling and lying.

- Gillian, tells me the girl while grabbing both my hands in hers, my brother will break you. You have to be careful. As much as I love Kol, despite his upsetting and annoying behavior, I can't let him break you. You're my friend, she tells me with a warning tone.

- Bekah, I don't love him. I don't feel, I repeat to her but I can tell that Rebekah doesn't believe me. The Original vampire releases my hands while still staring at me. Anyway, my uncle is waiting for me to play some darts, I tell her before turning around to finally leave the bathroom.

Elena's P.O.V.

- Wow, nice job, I tell to my friend after he picked the door of Dr.Fell's apartment before opening it.

- All that breaking and entering adds to the list of life favors you owe me, I whispers back as I close the door behind me.

- Okay, look, I don't know how much longer Meredith is gonna be in surgery, so let's see what we can find, I tell him while looking around the apartment. Matt begins to search through the doctor's place.

- Don't you think the police already combed through this place? he questions me while moving to the kitchen. She handed over everything she had.

- Yeah, I'm looking for the evidence that she didn't hand over, I answer while sighing and begin to look through some papers as well.

- And you're sure it's her we should be investigating? he asks, sounding like what we are doing is wrong and useless.

- I know him, Matt. He's innocent. And I know that Meredith's a Fell, founding family, I reply seriously and sure of myself while staring at the boy. I sigh, exhausted of what is happening while thinking. She is from a founding family, so, technically... Which means... I say while turning to a closet and walking over to it. I open the door and turn on the light. There's a lot of stuff in here... I enter it and kneel down to look through her stuff. I don't like doing this, but I don't have another choice... I can't let Ric in that shit, because I know he didn't do anything. Matt walks over to me as I run my hands on the back wall of the closet. Skeletons in the closet. Just like a true founder, I announce to Matt, turning around to look at him and knocking on the panel. Matt enters the closet and pulls out the panel with ease. I frown confused as I see a cardboard box. He takes it out before the two of us start rifling through the folders inside. Brian Walters. Bill Forbes, Matt takes out one of the folders and shows it to me while sighing.

- Alaric Saltzman.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- I'm winning, Uncle Damon, I say while smirking after throwing the dart on the target. I glance at my uncle who stares at me not so happy.

- That's because I am letting you win, Boo, replies, my uncle while standing up from his chair and walking over to play. I grab my darts from the target while laughing as I walk toward my father who is sitting at a table, still drinking.

- Yeah, right. You're just a bad loser, I reply laughing as I sit next to my dad. I look at him and lose my smile for a small moment, hating to see him like this. I know he is craving right now. My father is lightly shaking. Hey, dad, you heard, I'm winning, I whisper while weakly smiling, hoping it will make him change his thoughts.

- That's good, Gillian, he answers, emptying his glass and sounding absolutely not caring about it. I lose my weak smile and quietly sigh while pourring myself another glass of Bourbon. I look at Damon with my lack of happiness which caused my uncle to smile at me with sympathy.

- Yo, brother, come throw a dart to play with Gillian a bit, suggests, Damon while holding a dart up. I faintly smile again while looking at dad waiting for his answer.

- I say I didn't want to play, responds, my father with annoyment and a stern voice before pourring himself another drink and swallow it in one gulp. I look down sighing again before getting up from the table, grabbing the darts in my way before throwing them all on the target one by one. I'm not mad... I'm not sad either because I can't technically speaking... but it does annoy me that he doesn't even try.

- Well done, brother! Keep going and those darts won't end up on a target but somebody because she won't control it, I hear Damon whispering with a slight upset tone and some sarcasm. Dad sighs loudly as I hear him pouring himself another drink, again. I grab all of my darts, frowning before turning around looking at the brothers. I see Damon nudging his brother. Dad looks at him frowning lightly before Damon gestures him while faintly pointing at me, looking seriously at my father. Dad nods when I see him gesturing me to come over. I walk toward them, Uncle Damon letting me his sit to go play some darts. I sit on the chair while dad pours two glass of Bourbon. He hands me one and holds up his.

- I'm sorry. I'm just... edgy. You know I don't mean to be like this with you, he tells me waiting for me to grab my glass. I stare at him for a slight moment before nodding and sighing.

- I think there are a lot of things you never meant to say nor do those passed months, I whisper while taking my glass and holding it up before clinking it with his. I drink the whole glass in one swallow as I feel dad's burning stare on me. He takes a sip of his drink while glancing at Damon. My uncle lightly shrugs before turning around to throw at dart, doing a bullseye.

- So, let's just say Sage was killing everyone in 1912. Who the hell is doing it now? tells and questions, my uncle when I remark dad, suddenly, puting his elbow on the table and puting his forehead in his hand, looking like someone who has a headache. I pass my hand over his back and rub it up and down gently while listening to my uncle and thinking of a potential murderer. It's not that psycho, Dr. Fell. She's a woman, I title my head on the side while rolling my eyes to his remark. There's no way she could stab three grown men, I watch him throwing a second dart, but before it reaches the target, Rebekah catches it.

- That's a bit sexist. A woman could easily kill a man, with the right motivation, she says while walking over to my uncle to hand him back the dart.

- I agree, Damon. Women are way stronger and smarter than you think, I say while pouring myself another drink. I am still rubbing my father's back when I feel him puting his hand on my right knee like he sometimes do. His thumb lightly rubs it. I know that when he does it, it's because he needs help... any kind of help and support.

- You just, uh, don't give up, do you? questions, my father to Rebekah while smiling humorlessly and taking a sip of his drink.

- Why are you so grumpy? she asks him, frowning confused.

- He's on a master cleanse. Trying to be a better man and all, answers, Damon, smirking to my father. I remark dad tapping on his glass with annoyment.

- You know, you were a lot more fun in the 20's, remarks, Rebekah when Damon nudges the Original vampire with his elbow.

- Don't rile him up, warns, Damn which got me to roll my eyes. He's testy when he's being self-righteous, says, my uncle while taking the bottle of whiskey.

- I'm not being self-righteous, Damon. I'm just not interested in slaughtering innocent human beings anymore, answers, my father as I feel him tensing up lightly. I can feel his thumb rubbing my knee a bit more rougher. I squeeze my dad's shoulder telling him that it is fine.

- Oh, okay, fair enough. My mistake, I look at Damon taking one of my father's journal out from a bag. You used to be self-righteous, tells, my uncle before clearing his throat and begins to read from the journal. Dear diary, Damon has lost his way, though I have pulled my own life together he continues to waste his... my father's brother didn't have time to finish reading that Rebekah grabs the journal from his hands.

- His bitterness consumes him. He is nothing but blackness and vile, finishes reading, Rebekah before closing the journal. Oh, judgy, jokes, the Original vampire while walking over to us.

- You guys are dicks for reading his journal, I say, not amused at all. Dad is playing with his glass of Bourbon, losing patience and shaking more and more of hungryness.

- You know, if I'm being honest, you didn't seem like much fun either, Damon, replies, Rebekah while turning around to look at my uncle and handing him back the journal.

- I wasn't. The woman I was in love with was stuck in a tomb and she wasn't getting out for a hundred years. I wasn't having any fun at all, he says, mentioning my mother as he talks with a upset tone. Mom... It's been a while since we both talked.

Damon's P.O.V.

Flashback Mystic Falls 1912

- How sad, I turn around after hearing a woman talking to me. I have just drop a body on the ground after feeding on her, draining all her blood out. You're doing it all wrong. Bad vampire, says, the woman I saw on the boxing match before. I pull out a handkerchief and wipe his chin with it.

- I was hungry. Now I am not hungry, I say as I wipe my chin. My quality of form is purely subjective.

- A woman isn't just for food, corrects me, the woman. She's for pleasure.

- I do not need a woman for pleasure. I am spoken for, I reply with an annoyed voice before trying to walk passed her. However, before I could walk away, the woman stops me by grabbing my arm.

- We are all spoken for, in some way. But what is being a vampire if not relishing in the pleasure of it? tells and asks me in a whisper, the woman while smirking. My eyes are going from her eyes to her lips quickly. I don't know what makes me want to know about her. She's intriguing... different from the other women... Like Katherine was. Katherine... She'll always be the one I fall in love for. The woman starts to walk back toward the tent, but after only few steps, she turns around and looks at me with a smirk. Come along, she says while gesturing me to follow her. Let me show you, she walks back to the tent with me following behind her. We enter the tent again where men and women are shouting. Two men are boxing each other on the boxing match. Look at the women, they're beautiful, aren't they? I hear the woman asking me while looking at some women across the tent. I look at where she is looking and discover a group of women, smiling and enjoying the match. Not them. They're too hungry for attention, warns me, the woman. She passes behind me and comes closer to my ear, whispering. You want the ones who button themselves up. Watch them, I look at a woman across the tent, who seems to hate what is happening to those men on the boxing match. They can't tear their eyes away, she traces her finger along my jaw making me turn my head to look at her. Those are the women who secretly crave seduction. They'll put up a good fight, but the game isn't winning them over, making them beg for it.

- What if they don't? I ask with a confused frown.

- You're a vampire, you take it, answers, the woman, smirking. The both of us turn our head and look at a young woman on the other side of the tent. She looks lonely and bored. Her, whispers, the woman. I move toward the woman but quickly stop to look back at her, not sure of doing this. The woman smiles and nods her head at me before looking away.

End of the flashback

- That sounds like Sage all right, tells, Rebekah.

- How did you know her? questions, my niece as her arm is still around her brother's back.

- She was obsessed with my brother Finn, over 900 years ago, explains, Rebekah as she sits on a chair.

- What? Creepy suicidal guy? I ask her, frowning lightly as Stefan is tapping his ring again.

- Wait, the man who send me to my death? questions, my niece, frowning upset.

- You're doing it again, I tell to my brother, looking at him with seriousness and annoyment. Suddenly, Stefan stands up which caused Gillian to look up at him with surprised. However, her eyes go quickly from surprised to sympathy.

- Alright, you know what, I need to, uh, I gotta get out of here, tells, my brother while taking his jacket and puting it on.

- Sure. First, admit you're jonesing, I say smirking.

- Damon, I'm not... begins to say to Stefan when I rush over and grab him by his collar.

- Admit it, I insist with a mad tone.

- Damon, back off! warns me, Gillian with an upset tone while getting between us and pushing me away from her father. However, Stefan and I are both still staring at each other.

- Okay, fine, I'm freaking out. I'm ready to eat the entire wait staff, why do you need to hear me say it? responds and asks, Stefan in a whisper and with a struggling and upset tone.

- Because I'm feeling a little self-righteous too, I admit him. I see Stefan turning around and walking rapidly toward the exit of the Grill. Gillian is staring at me with madness for few more seconds before shaking her head and scoffing. 

- You're a dick, Damon. Why don't you let him do what he wants to do? questions, Gillian while facing me.

- Because it's not the right way to do it and you know it, Boo, I answer, frowning at her too.

- Oh, do not "Boo" me, Damon, she says while pointing at me with her finger. My father wants to do it this way, then let him even if it isn't the right one. 

- You're the first one to tell him that it isn't right for him but you're also the first one to tell me to stop whatever I am doing?! What are you trying to do? I ask her, annoyed and upset at my niece.

- I'm respecting his choice and I'm also still trying to bring back is emotions. The weaker he is, the best it is for me to bring them back, she says before turning around and running after her father. 

Elena's P.O.V.

- She's got everything on him : medical records, old court documents, I say with disbelief as I keep looking intside the box. Matt pulls out a journal from the box, frowning confused. 

- What's this? questions, my friend. I look up before taking it from his hands. I open the journal and begin to flip pages. Wait...

- It's an old Gilbert journal, I tell him, looking confused at the journal in my hands.

- Why is one of your old family journals in her closet? asks, Matt, lightly shaking his head with confusion. I frown confused as well, shaking my head negatively. I keep flipping the pages, briefly reading few words on those pages. I don't recognize the hand writting... Didn't you say the medical examiners time of death was between one and three a.m.? demands me, Matt.

- Yeah, why? I answer him, still concentrating on the journal.

- Because the county coroner's office says that's wrong, responds, my friend. What? I continue frowning confused as I look up at the paper. Matt hands it to me so I can look at it. However, before I could even read a word, footsteps are heard in the corridor and it's quickly approaching the apartment. Already? Oh my God, whispers nervously, Matt while we put back all the stuff in the box. 

The two of us enter the closet to hide. I close the door of the closet as Matt turns off the light before we both hear the front door getting opened and closed. She's here... I look up at Matt, still able to see him a bit despite the darkness. My friend was about to whisper something to me, but I stopped him, putting my finger to his mouth. Suddenly, the front door is being opened and closed again. I let a quiet and long breath out, before turning the light on again in the closet. I re-open the door of the closet but gasp as I see Meredith standing right in front of us, frowning madly with her arms crossed over her chest. How did she know?

Twenty minutes later, Matt and I are both sitting in Sheriff Forbes's office. Meredith called the police and they came to get us. I guess it could have been worst than that? Caroline's mother enters her office with papers in her hands, frowning madly at us.

- What were you thinking? questions, the sheriff with an upset tone.

- I know that we had no right... I begin to say with an apologizing tone but she cuts me.

- No right? You broke the law, tells and reminds us, Care's mother, shaking her head with disappointment.

- But, we found something that clears Alaric. It gives him an alibi in the Brian Walters murder, I explain her seriously.

- You mean this? asks, Sheriff Forbes, holding up a paper that she took from her desk.

- What is that? I question confused.

- A letter from the county coroner's office correcting the error in the time of death of Brian Walters, I frown confused before looking at Matt next to me. The boy exchanges a glance with me, looking as confused as I am. Meredith Fell received it today. She brought it to me several hours ago, full of apologies for accusing an innocent man, explains, Care's mother, throwing the paper on her desk and shaking her head again.

- Why would she have a copy hidden in her closet? asks, my blonde human friend.

- I can't ask those questions, Matt, because the very fact that you broke into her home to find it, answers, Sheriff Frobes with a mad tone. Do you know how much I'm already protecting both of you?

- I'm sorry, I apologize sincerely.

- Just... get out of my office and go home. Please. Alaric will be released as soon as the letter is authenticated, I look at Matt, just like him looks at me. It almost sounds too easy... Go.

Damonn's P.O.V.

Stefan is the first one to walk out of the Grill before Gillian follows his steps. Rebekah and I walk out of the Grill as well. The night has fallen and the streets are deserted. It's so calm. Stefan walks rapidly in the street while Gillian is trying to reach to him. I don't get it why she acts like this. I just don't get why... Why would she not try to stop him from doing his? It hurts him. It's not the right way and she knows it. She saw him like this before and it never ended well. Maybe she is right when she said that now the blood is slowly disappearing, he is weaker... And maybe she might going to be able to bring his emotions back that way...

- So he doesn't want to drink human blood? asks me, Rebekah as the two of us are walking aside.

- Ah, he's an eternally guilty conscious, I answer while watching the father and daughter walking rapidly in front of us.

- Funny. When I knew him in the 20's, he didn't have any conscious at all. One of the things I liked most about it, she admits, smirking which got me to grimace lightly. Can't possibly think he can survive without feeding.

- Oh, on the contrary, he's determined to live his life pursuing one extreme or the other. He's a stubborn one, my brother, I respond to her before seeing Stefan turning on the right to enter another street. Gillian goes after him. I stop walking with Rebekah while the both of us are watching them walking away. Uh, think I'm gonna need some help with this one.

- What can I do? demands, the Original vampire. I sigh, not knowing what to answer her when I remark a delicious woman getting out of her car. Couldn't ask for more... I glance a Rebekah before rushing to the woman, getting in her way.

- Hello, I greet her, smiling.

- Hi, replies back, the blonde human, smiling as well.

- This may seem very forward but you're just so pretty, I compliment her, using my charm. I see Rebekah walking toward us while I hear either Gillian or Stefan stopping walking.

- Thank you, she thanks me, smiling happily. I lightly nod before losing my smile and staring into her eyes.

- And please don't scream. You're about to have a very, very bad night, I say while compelling the woman. She loses her smile, looking scared but not saying a word.

- Damon, I hear my niece calling me with a warning tone. So she was the one who stopped walking... I vamp-out quickly and bite down into the woman's neck, drinking some of her blood. It should only be a matter of seconds before he comes stopping me...

Stefan's P.O.V.

I stop walking when I heard my brother bitting someone, drinking from the person. No... I turn around and rapidly rush to him, pushing him away from the woman he was feeding on. That smell...

- Damon, stop! I tell to my brother looking at him even though the smell is calling for me. I look at the woman laying in Rebekah's arm. Her neck is covered of her own blood.

- Sorry brother. It's dinner time. Have a bite, responds, Damon, wiping his mouth and his face going back to normal.

- What are you doing? I ask him, lightly groaning as I try to resist to the tentation. I see, in the corner of my eyes, my daughter who is breathing heavily, trying to stop the struggle from the smell and the sight.

- Tough love, Stefan. You're not gonna survive this cold turkey thing, you never do, tells me, Damon while stepping forward to the woman. I see him looking at Gillian, smiling. However, my daughter frowns at him with disbelief and madness. It's time to get that monkey off your back.

- No. No, I whisper while staring at the bite on the woman's neck.

- Damon..., calls my daughter to her uncle with a warning and upset tone.

- Shut up, Gillian, he responds her. I'm not listening to you. We'll do it my way, he says with a slight upset tone. I see Gillian shaking her head, furious. Feed or I'll let Rebekah have her way with her. You know she'll kill her, tells me, my brother, standing behind the Original vampire while this one is holding the unconscious woman.

- You know I will, repeats, Rebekah with a provocating voice. I am still staring at the bite on her neck, smelling the delicious sent of the blood dripping on the human's warm skin.

- Then her blood will be on your hands. Or you could just have a little drink, save her life, suggests, Damon, lightly moving her hair out of her neck. Come on, Stefan. You were the one that said you didn't want any more innocent lives slaughtered. Save her. Go on, have a bite. I snatched, you eat, I'll erase. Hell, I'll even heal her for you, proposes, my brother, going to my side and puting his hand on my shoulder. However, I push him away from me, my eyes never living the woman's neck.

- Why are you doing this? You know what blood does to me, I ask and say to him, groaning while trying to resist it.

- Dad, you can resist it. I know you can, tells me, my daughter with a serious, firm and almost convincing tone.

- Gillian, if you don't want to help than shut the hell up and get out of here, warns, my brother to my daughter with madness this time. I finally take my stare away from the bite and look at him, frowning angrily. 

- Do not talk to my daughter that way, Damon. Ever, I say with a warning and threatening tone while getting in front of his face. However, my angriness doesn't stay long as the blood is quickly controlling me again. That smell... It just won't disappear! I groan and shake my head as I look back at the bite. 

- Oh, brother, you let it control you. You always have. I'm just here to help you learn how to fight it, tells me, Damon.

- This is rubbish, says, Rebekah while sighing. Suddenly, the Original vampire turns the woman around and vamps-out, letting her fangs out and the veins popping under her eyes. She gets ready to bite the woman's neck, but before she could do it, I rush over and push her out of the way. I grab the woman when, suddenly, the smell of the blood is getting stronger. I stare at the blood running down her neck, breathing heavily.

- Daddy, please, I hear Gillian calling me with a pleading tone. I can't... I can't. I feel my fangs coming out and the veins popping under my eyes. Dad? I hear Gillian calling me but before she could say something else, I bite the woman's neck and feed on her. Dad... whispers, Gillian almost sounding sad.

- I got it from here. Go ahead, tells, Damon to Rebekah as I keep feeding on the woman. It is so good...

- The night's just getting started, replies, Rebekah.

- Scram. No one likes a lurker, answers, Damon. I can feel the warm liquid running down my throat. It feels so good...

- You're a real arse, you know? insults, the Original.

- So I'm told, I hear Rebekah walking away while I am still feeding on the woman. I can't stop... I can't control it. Alright, that's enough. Come on. You're gonna bleed her dry. You're gonna drain her. Come on, I feel Damon pushing me off of the woman. Blood is dripping down my chin. I groan while trying to go back and feed some more, but Gillian suddenly gets in my way and pushes me away.

- No, dad, stop! That's enough! She tells me seriously and quiet loudly. I try to push her away to go back to the woman but Gillian pushes me back looking upset while still breathing heavily. Hey, you wanna fight hunger or do you wanna fight me, your own daughter? I stare at her, beginning to realize what I am doing and what I did. I see Damon bitting down his wrist before puting it to the woman's mouth, forcing her to drink his blood to heal her.

- I got you. That's a good girl, whispers, Damon. I stare at them, wanting more blood. I'm thirsty! I breath heavily, trying to resist to the smell again. Gillian walks up to me and puts her left hand on my chest while the other one goes on my cheek.

- Daddy, look at me, I look down, looking at her eyes while groaning. Imagine it isn't here. Do what you taught me, she whispers. However, her face is half vamping-out. 

She's resisting as well... Trying at least. The veins keeps popping up and disappearing as she tries to fight it back. I see her closing her eyes as breathing heavily to fight the urge. My breath slowly calms down as I remark what the both of us have become. Monsters... I look one more time at the woman on the ground before puting my hand on Gillian's cheek. I look back at my daughter, feeling the blood still dripping down my chin. Gillian nods to me, telling me everything is going to be okay, even though she looks nervous. I can tell that she is trying her hardest to not go rushing to the woman and ripping her apart.

- What are you doing? I hear a familiar voice behind me. No...

- No, dad, do not turn around! warns me, Gillian, but I don't listen to her. My daughter sighs. I turn around and see Elena standing across the alleyway with Matt next to her. They both see me, the blood dripping on my chin. I look at her nervously, not wanting her to see me like this. But it's too late...

- Stefan? I hear her whispering my name with disbelief and sadness. I wipe some blood off of my mouth, staying speechless as I begin to hate myself for Elena to see me like this. What are you three doing?

- Relax, Elena. Just a little experiment. There's no need to make this more dramatic than it needs to be, explains, Damon, using an annoyed tone.

- Elena, let's just go, tells, Matt, looking at the brunette. However, Elena continues to stare at me, looking sad and disappointed. Elena! insists, Matt, before forcing the brunette to move. She eventually moves, but not before giving me a last glance. I watch them leave before turning back to Damon and my daughter. Gillian looks at me with sorriness.

- So... that's gonna take a little time, replies, Damon as l ightly frown. I look at my daughter one last time, seeing her frowning madly at her uncle. I walk into Damon, bumping his shoulder intentionally and then walking away. Stefan, hey wait, Stefan. Wait!

Gillian's P.O.V.

I look at my father walking away upset. I feel sorry for him. What happened tonight... It's exactly what he always... feared? He never wanted this to happen. And it happened because Damon wanted to do it his way. I sigh heavily as I stare at Damon with the darkness stare I can give him. My uncle is watching my father leaving before turning to me, sighing.

- Oh come on, give me a break, he tells me, shaking his head. Damon was about to walk away but before he could do it, I grab his jacket and turn him around. I kick him in the knee, breaking it which cause my uncle to fall on his unbroken knee before punching him the hardest I can in the nose. Damon groans, chocking a scream as his nose is bleeding. What was all that for?

- Can't you guess? I think there are so many reasons that I can't even tell them all to you, I answer with madness. You know Damon, you can be an amazing brother/uncle but you can be the worst as well, he looks up at me, almost looking hurt despite his madness. You want to help, do something else! I tell him before turning around and walking away, taking the path my father took.

- At least, I'm doing something, screams, Damon. I stop and turn back around.

- I was too, but you ruined everything, Damon. You always ruin everything! Even the last time, back in 1912, you made him becoming what he hated the most. Again! And you keep doing it. You hated us so much that I am sure you were proud of you for what you did back then. And now, do you feel that feeling again? Do you feel proud of yourself that Elena saw him like this? I scoff and shake my head. What kind of brother are you? I sigh while throwing my hands in the air and shaking my head again. Now, it's going to be harder to bring his emotions back! I groan and kick into a trash angrily before starting to walk away again. Oh, and do not talk to me that way again, Damon, because I won't react like I did tonight, I warn him, frowning angrily. 

Elena's P.O.V.

- Just say it, I say to Matt after scoffing lightly and shaking my head. The boy has just put a cup of tea in front of me before sitting on the chair next to me and staring at me. I still can't believe what Stefan was doing tonight. I mean... I never really saw him like this. I heard about him being like this in the past, but not... I guess I was just not ready to see this.

- I just don't get it. Your thing with them, tells me, Matt, shaking his head and looking confused at me.

- I know it doesn't make sense, but at the beginning, after my parents died, there was something about being with Stefan that just felt safe, I admit him, frowning lightly as I realize how it sounds while saying it out loud.

- Safe? asks me, Matt, with a tone that tells me that I am crazy. Elena, he's a vampire.

- I know, believe me, just saying it out loud it sounds crazy, but it's like I knew that he would never stop loving me. Like he would never...

- What? questions, Matt, waiting for me to finish my sentence.

- Die. Like he would never die, I respond, nodding. Even I think it is crazy, but I like this feeling, this thought. It made me feel special and it's like someone would forever love me.

- Like your parents did, I nod while looking away, knowing it is dumb. Matt smiles as he looks at me like he can't understand what I'm feeling. And Damon?

- Damon just sort of snuck up on me. He got under my skin and no matter what I do I just... I can't shake him, I admit him, lightly shaking my head.

- Once you fall in love with someone, I don't know if... I don't know if you can ever shake them, replies, Matt, staring at me for a long moment. I stare at him as well, exchanging a glance together before I look away. It almost feels awkward... We were together before and talking about this with him... It just doesn't feel very right.

- I'm sorry. This... this is weird. Talking about them with you, I apologize sincerely.

- No. Not really, answers, Matt, smiling. I got you something, tells me, my friend before getting something out of his jacket pocket. I frown confused after realizing that it is the journal that we found in Meredith's apartment. Matt hands it to me.

- The journal? I ask him surprised as I take it.

- It's your family's, you should have it. Meredith and that idiot deputy were too busy questioning you to give a damn about me. Sometimes it pays to be the only normal one in a town of vampires, I chuckle. I'm practically invisible, I stare at him while smiling when the two of us, suddenly, hear the front door being opened. I look at the entrance and see Alaric entering the house. He got released!

- Are you okay? I ask to the teacher as I get up from the table and walk over to him.

- Yeah, yeah, I'm alright, I nod before embracing tightly Alaric. He envelopes me back in a hug, the both of us needing it right now. We are each other's family in a way.

Gillian's P.O.V.

I enter boarding house and immediately see my father sitting in front of the fireplace, on the small table. I quietly sigh while closing the front door before walking slowly up to him. Damon messed up tonight, even if he thought he was doing right, he just messed up. I could have tried to bring dad's emotions back. I could have try something! But now it's going to be harder. I walk around the table and sit next to my father. He doesn't talk, nor move, nor even look at me. His eyes are just staring at the flames dancing together. I pass my arm in his back, rubbing it gently before slowly resting my head on his shoulder, staring at the flames as well.

- I think you did great tonight, dad, I whisper as I continue rubbing his back. I know he needs me tonight. More than I need him right now. I look up at him after not hearing him replying and see that he is still staring at the fire, looking upset. Dad, I'm serious. I'm proud of you.

- You proud of me for drinking on someone, he says after a moment and scoffing. He shakes his head. I almost killed her, Gillian. I almost killed an innocent. How can you be proud of me? He tells and asks me, sounding upset at his own self.

- Because when I stopped you, you didn't fight back. You controlled it despite the smell of the blood, the sight of the woman's bleeding neck, her heart beating and pomping blood was loud and still, you didn't rush to finish her, I respond seriously, lightly frowning. However, it isn't a mad frown, nor an upset one. It is a serious frown. My father turns his head and looks at me, not showing any emotions. None of us say a word for a long moment. Dad sighs before looking back at the fire, drowning in his thoughts. I title my head, staring at him. I hate seeing my father like this. I sigh before kneeing on the floor, in front of dad. My father looks down at me, slightly frowning confused. I take his hands in mines, squeeze them while looking up at him. Dad, do you remember my first years as a vampire? I ask him, whispering. I was... kind of your teen vampi-delinquent, wasn't I? I tell him, faintly chuckling which caused him to weakly curved his lips into a small smile. I mean, you were still struggling with your new way of life... drinking from bunnies and here I came, crashing everything in your life... again, my father frowns, looking confused at me. Well... we've already been there, dad. I wasn't supposed to be born which makes the first time I crashed your life. The second was when I became a vampire. I was... I let a breath out, trying to find my words. I thought it was going to be easy, you know. I thought that I would be able to handle being a vampire, just like you. I saw what you were capable to do, dad, and... to say the truth, I thought I knew what it meant to be a vampire, I whisper and admit him while shaking my head. But I truly didn't, I say while shaking my head. I didn't know how strong the struggle would be, I didn't know how hard it would be to resist to the blood, or not being able to walk under the sun without a ring or that Vervain is kind of poisoning us for only few hours and the werewolves... I stare at him, lightly titling my head on the side while trying to smile. But when I was young, to my eyes, you just made every single thing being and looking so easy, so smooth, like any problems didn't exist in this world, I squeeze my father's hands again, smiling. You are my only parent, well... I don't see mom a lot and I didn't meet nor talk to her before this year so it does technically make you my only parent. You were all I had and I loved you so much... and I admired you so much... So much that I wanted to be and do stuff like you. Even though you were a man and I was a little girl and I didn't know anything about supernatural. But I learned, dad, I say nodding and forcing a smile. It's not that I don't want to smile, it's just, at this moment, it is hard. You made me learn. You taught me how to be a good vampire which makes you even stronger than you think.

- I'm not strong, Gillian, he whispers, lowering his head and shaking it at the same time.

- Well, maybe that is what you think, but...

- I'm not, he repeats, still shaking his head while looking back up at me. Dad takes his hands off mines before staring at the fire behind me again. I stare into his eyes, almost like I am begging him to look down at me again.

- Dad? My father doesn't look at me. Dad? Please, look at me... Daddy? he slowly looks down at me, sighing quietly. It wasn't an annoyed sigh though, it was more an exhausted one. If you think you're not strong, I can't change that idea from your mind, I whisper, shaking my head. But you can't change either the way I see you. To my eyes, you'll always, without exception, be that strong man who could do anything and never be defeated, he shakes his head while looking back at the fire. No, dad, look at me. I'm talking to you so please look at me, he looks back down at me. You were that Hero, that Prince, that King or even that Superhero in all of my story books. And I never stopped seeing you like this. Even when you're off the line, you're still that good man because I remember what you taught me, because I know what you are going through and because I know you always manage to come back to your true self. So you might not believe me, you might take me for this dumb little girl who admires her father too much and you might even take me for that kid who takes Princes and Kings as a reference to her father, and that's fine. I don't care what you think of my point of view about you. It won't change no matter what you say or do. But do not tell me you are not strong because it isn't true. You might not have the strength in you right now, but you'll have it. One day... I say while nodding and pointing at him. You came back before, you'll come back again, I stare at him few seconds, waiting for him to react but nothing. He doesn't move nor even talk. His eyes are just locked in mines. Did I just talk in the air for nothing? Why is he not reacting? I look at my father, smiling awkwardly as I am still waiting for him to talk. But nothing. I nod while looking away. I sigh as I get up, but before I could walk away, my father grabs my hand, causing me to look down at him.

- I tried... I really tried to come back to my old self, he looks up at me, lightly frowning. His eyes are full of sincerity. I tried, not only because you asked me to do it but because I want you to be happy again and because I want you to be... I guess I want my little girl to be proud of me. It is also my job to show you what to do. Even now, after 155 years. I saw it and heard it in your voice the last time we talked at that creek, I kneel back down, frowning lightly.

- I'll always be proud of you, daddy. No matter what you do or not, no matter what you say or not, you will always be my father. And if I have to repeat it a thousand more times, I will.

- But you'll be even more proud if I turn back on my emotions, wouldn't you?

- Well... I don't think it is a question of proudness, is it? Dad lightly frowns before shaking his head. Dad, I want you to turn back on your emotions because I see that you need it. It isn't for me or Damon or Elena but for yourself.

- But you need me, Gillian, whispers, my father, taking one of my hand in his.

- Yes, I do, I whisper back, nodding. I'll always need you, daddy. But for now, I just need you to turn back your emotions on. For yourself and only yourself. No one else, I say while pointing at him with my free hand. Because when I will turn mine back on, I am hoping you'll be the one there for me. I am hoping you will hold me like you used to, that you will whisper some cute things in my ears to shush me like you always do and...

- I will, cuts me, dad, nodding before puting his other hand on my cheek and caresses it with his thumb. I will be there for you when it happens, baby, I faintly smile at him. However, I can't promise you that my emotions will be back on when this moment happens, I replace my weak smile against a frown. I take his hand off of my cheek but keep it in my hand.

- Dad, what is it that you fear the most about it? I question him gently, shaking my head. The pain that you will feel again? Elena rejecting you after tonight? Damon hating you like when you turned him into a vampire? Or because of me, hating you because of everything you've said to me, you've done to me for the passed months? My father stares at me for a moment, looking ashamed of himself suddenly. He looks down, slightly nodding as I feel his thumb caressing my hands. I know my father isn't perfect, nobody is, but I love him and I need to help him. He has done so much in my life to help me, to save me, and a lot more.

- You know that I am truly and sincerely sorry about everything, right? whispers, dad with sincerity. You know that I... Those words... They have no meaning, they are not real, they don't mean anything to me, right?

- Of course, I do, I nod. But you'll tell me that when our emotions to the both of us will be back on, I whisper and he nods. The two of us smile to each other, staring at our eyes when I hear the front door being opened. I look behind my father before rolling my eyes and shaking my head. I sigh and look away as I get up. We don't need you, Damon, I say as I cross my arms and look at my uncle with a mad frown. Dad doesn't move from the table.

- Give me a break, Gillian, tells me with annoyment, Damon, before looking at his brother. They let Ric go. Sheriff Forbes says she's out of suspects again, but Ric is in the clear, announces, my uncle as he enters the living-room. I keep frowning madly at my uncle. Damon looks at me and I shake my head at him. He faintly nods before looking at dad who hasn't move nor say a word. I know it may not seem like it, but you did really well tonight. And before you know it you're gonna be the king of moderation, compliments and jokes, Damon, weakly smiling. However, he quickly loses his smile. Elena will understand.

- Doesn't really matter what Elena thinks, responds, dad, with madness.

- Uh-uh, none of that. No more no-humanity Stefan. There's a road called recovery and we are on it, warns and explains, my uncle while walking to a small table to go pour himself a drink. Dad suddenly stands up which got me to uncross my arms as he walks over to his brother.

- Why do you even care, huh? The whole brother bonding thing, getting Elena to hate you. What? Do you feel guilty because you kissed her, is that it, Damon? Because you can stop, go back to hating me. It was a lot easier, questions and tells, my father as he is now standing right in front of his brother.

- Can you for one minute actually believe that I'm trying to help you? asks, Damon, frowning confused.

- I don't need your help, replies, my father with madness before walking passed Damon, bumping in his shoulder.

- You don't need my... Are you kidding me? dad stops and turns around to look at Damon with a confused and mad frown. Do you remember what happened last time you said that?

- What are you talking about? questions, dad. I frown, staring at Damon as I think of the moment he might be talking about.

- 1912, Stefan. The last time I convinced you to drink human blood, answers, Uncle Damon.  And so had I, but Sage, she reminded me. It's worth it, it's all worth it.

Stefan's P.O.V.

Flashback Mystic Falls 1912

- Go ahead, Stefan, pick one, I hear Damon whispering in my ear as the two of us are looking at that woman beating the man on the boxing match. Gillian is standing next to me, looking like she is less struggling with having humans around her.

- They're people, Damon, I whisper back, frowning.

- Yes, they are people, Stefan. People with blood pumping through their veins, waiting to be opened up and sucked dry. You've just forgotten how good it feels, responds, Damon. I sense Gillian looking up at me with a confused frown.

- Father? she whispers with confusion and nervousness. I look down at her. Don't, is all she tells me while shaking her head. I look back up to the boxing match and see the woman knocking the man out. He is bleeding, I can smell it.

- Not him, Stefan, not him, warns me, Damon as I was stepping forward. Her. She's the one, he tells me as I look up and remark a woman across the ring. She seems scared for the unconscious man on the boxing match.

- Father, please! I hear, my daughter, whispering with a warning tone. I take a deep breath in and out.

- I don't do that anymore, I tell to Damon as I listen to my daughter's warning.

- But you can, Stefan, we can. Let the past be the past, I feel my brother puting his hand on my shoulder. Have a drink with me, brother, proposes, Damon. I keep staring at the woman, thinking for a moment.

Ten minutes later, Damon, Gillian, the woman and I are outside the tent, hiding so people won't see us. Damon fed on the woman we spotted in the tent before letting me some blood. Gillian is standing behind, her arms crossed over her chest and frowning. I am drinking from the woman, feeling that delicious liquid running down my throat.

- I knew you still had it in you, tells me, Damon while walking around to be sure that people aren't coming. I continue to feed, draining the blood out. It feels so good... I almost forget it. See, your father can do it. I'm sure you can too, I hear him saying to my daughter.

- It's going to turn wrong... Father? I hear my daughter, calling me with nervousness.

- Don't be greedy, I hear my brother telling me as he approaches me. However, I push Damon away and feed some more on the woman. I can't stop... Stefan... Stefan.

- Father, please, stop. You know what is going to happen, I hear Gillian telling me while stepping forward. I keep feeding on the woman, sucking the blood so hard that I accidentally rip her head off. I hear Gillian gasping in my back. I drop the body, staring at it with nervousness, hatred towards myself and sadness.

- Oh my God... Oh my God, I whisper as I fall on my knees. I'm sorry, I apologize to the dead woman as I try to put her head back on.

- Stefan, stop. Stefan, stop, repeats, Damon as I hear him approaching me.

- I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry, I keep repeating while still trying to put the head back on the body. I feel Damon grabbing my shoulder but I rapidly push him away, frowning madly. What did you do to me?! I scream as him with hatred.

- Shh, Stefan, shushes me, my brother before someone hears us. I look at my daughter, seeing her looking almost horrified by me.

- What did you do to me? I question in a whisper, turning back to the dead woman.

- You just need to learn how to stop, I stand up from the ground, looking horrified by what I did. I was doing well until now... I can help you, I walk backwards before pushing Damon who tried to grab my arm.

- I don't need your help, I whisper to him before running off in the woods. 

Gillian's P.O.V.

- No, Stefan, I can help you, repeats, my uncle as the both of us look at my father running away. I look up at Damon, shaking my head and frowning angrily. Damon looks down at me as he tries to take my arm. However, I back off.

- Stop. Stop it! You've done enough for tonight, I tell him, shaking my head and using a mad tone.

- I didn't mean for this to happen, replies, Damon.

- Didn't you? You hate him! You hate me! You hate us! All you wanted was taking you're revenge, wasn't it? I ask him, shaking my head and backing a bit more away as he steps forward. However, Damon stopped when he saw me backing away.

- No...

- He was doing fine before you crossed your path with ours! I tell him, almost screaming, but Damon gestures me to keep it down, looking around nervously.

- I'm sorry...

- Don't, I cut him again, shaking my head as I keep staring at him with angriness. I don't know what happened between the both of you. I don't know why you hate us so much. I mean, I don't even know you! But I do know that my father and I don't need you in our lives!

- No, Gillian, please...

- Do not say my name! You are not an uncle to me and you are less a brother to your own brother. If you were really apart of our family, you wouldn't have done what you did tonight, I tell him with angriness. Damon stares at me speechless as he slowly backs away of a single step. I turn around and rush in the woods to find my father.

End of the flashback

- The Founders' Council killer had nothing on you. By the decade's end, they were calling you the Ripper of Monterrey, tells, Damon, staring at my father with an apologize and sad frown. I let you walk away... before arguing with your daughter, Damon turns his head to look at me. Even back in 1912, she was already that smart young lady, who almost understand everything despite that fact that she didnt know the consequences or reasons, I lightly nod before looking at my father. The both of us exchange a glance before looking back at Damon. I watched you go over the edge, I didn't do anything to stop you.

- You couldn't have, replies, my father.

- Sure I could've, answers, Damon, looking down sadly. But I just didn't want to. But I want to now, I look at Damon walking up to my father to stand right in front of him again. And whenever you go too far, I will be there to pull you back. Every second, every day, till you don't need me.

- Why?

- 'Cause right now, you're all I got with Gillian, responds, Damon sincerely. The brothers exchange a glance together for a moment before my father looks at me and turns around to leave the room. I sigh and turn to face the fireplace as I sit on the table where dad was sitting. I hear Damon slowly walking up to me before kneeing in front of me. I look away, sighing annoyed. You were right, I look at him, lightly frowning. You were right back in 1912. What I did to your father was on purpose. I wanted him to suffer for what he made me become, for stealing the woman I loved in 1864 and for having a daughter with her, whispers, Damon before I look away. I hated you even when Katherine was pregnant of you, Gillian. I was so jealous... a small pause takes place in the room. But I changed for so many reasons. I want to do good by the both of you now. Not only because you guys need me but because I am the older brother and your uncle, I look back at him, sighing. It's my duty to watch over the two of you, especially when you both are taking the wrong way like now, I stare at him, not saying a word for a moment.

- You needed 154 years to understand that, I whisper while shaking my head. Damon weakly smiles while nodding.

- I have a slow brain, jokes Damon while chuckling which caused me to faintly smile. You know, what I said to your father, goes as well for you. I'll always help you coming back or I'll put you back in the right way if you need me to. I know your father will be there for you no matter what happens. But I will as well, I nod, staring at him before taking the glass in his hands and emptying it. I hand it back to him.

- Thanks, Damon. But it isn't about me today, I say while shaking my head. It's about dad. I don't care about me or my feelings. I just want him to come back to his true self and be happy, I tell him. Damon nods before getting back up. I hear him quietly sigh before he passes a hand behind my head and pulls me in as he leans forward. He kisses my forehead before walking around the table to exit the living-room. I stay in front of the fireplace, watching the flames dancing together as I drown myself in my thoughts.

Elena's P.O.V.

- Hey, I was gonna make some coffee, tells me Ric as he just walked down the stairs. I am sitting on the couch, reading the Gilbert journal that I found in Meredith apartment with Matt. I still wonder why she had it? And how she got it? I look up at the teacher.

- I'm good. Gonna head to bed in a few, I answer him before going back to the journal.

- Hey, listen, Elena, the uh... the Sheriff told me about everything you did today, I look up at him, lightly frowning confused. Alaric comes next to the couch, and while I appreciate it, I don't want you getting in trouble because of me. Okay?

- If not for you, for who? I ask him him, lightly shaking my head.

- Well, still, I'm the one who's supposed to look after you, even if I suck at it, responds, Alaric.

- Okay, well, how about we just agree to take care of each other then? I ask him, trying to make a deal. I faintly smile at the teacher.

- Deal, answers, Ric while chuckling. What are you reading there? he questions as he saw the journal in my hands.

- Old family journal, I answer while sighing tiredly.

- Any juicy family secrets? questions, Alaric.

- It's hard to tell. I mean, at first I thought it was Johnathan Gilbert's journal, but it ended up being his granddaughter's, who apparently went just as crazy as he did. So, great genes, huh? I explain and ask him while standing up from the couch.

- Well, at least you have something to look forward to, answers, the teacher as I walk around the sofa.

- Good night, Ric, I say smiling while walking passed him.

- Good night, replies, Ric. I walk up the stairs to go to my bedroom.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- Are you still upset at me? I hear Damon asking me as I was playing few music notes on the piano. I don't answer him. I just glance at my uncle, seeing him holding two glasses of blood. I sigh and keep playing a bit. Can you play? I stop playing as I hear him joining my sides. He sits on my left before handing me a glass. Peace offering, I stare at him few seconds before rolling my eyes and grabbing the glass. I can't stay upset very long anyway. There's too much going on lately to be mad. So, you didn't answer my question, replies, my uncle while taking a sip of his drink.

- Of course I can, but I won't do it, I answer drinking as well.

- Why not? Asks, Damon, frowning confused.

- It's been a long time since I played, I respond, shrugging at the same time.

- Maybe you should give a try, I stare at him before shaking my head and chuckling. Come on, Boo, I never heard you play.

- Fine, just a small part of a song then. But I'll need to sing along.

- It's fine with me, I put the glass of blood on top of the piano as I look at Damon. My uncle takes a sip of his drink again while smirking. I sigh lightly before placing my hands on the keys to begin to play.

- " I held some bodies tried to crush the cold
But I'm not sorry for the hearts I stole
I wish I could give you tears from my eyes
But it seems that I forgotten how to cry

I just wanna feel something
I just wanna feel something "

I turn my uncle, seeing him burning me with his stare. His eyes are full or sorriness and sadness. I look away, kind of annoyed that he is staring at me like this. I grab my glass as I was ready to stand up but Uncle Damon stops me.

- Did you mean it? I frown confused. What you sang, did you mean it? It's my turn to stare at him. I bite my lower lip before looking down. I can't admit it... Because I have to bring dad first. Hey, hey, look at me, Damon puts his finger under my chin and makes me look back up at him. Gillian, it's okay if you meant it because you have the strength to bring your emotions back, I shake my head. Yes, you do, you just think you don't have it.

- I just don't want to live what I've been through while dad was gone, Damon, I whisper while shaking my head.

- You won't, he answers with seriousness and a firm and sure tone.

- How do you know that? Dad still doesn't feel.

- But he is with us, he whispers back puting his hand on my hair to caress them. He is back here with us, I nod, biting my lower lip again as I look down. I am playing with the red liquid in the glass.

- You know, I really try to make him come back. I put all my needs aside for him because I owe him. I owe him my whole life. I am what I am today because of him, I am alive because of him and I can't never thank him enough for what he did for me since the day I was born. I just want it so bad, not for me but for him. Every days, I feel like I did this to him. Like it is my fault that he became like this, I look at Damon who shakes his head while groaning sadly. However, I do not show much emotions compare to him. I only frown. It kills him to be like this. And to see him like this kills me as well, Damon.

- I know, Boo. I know, he whispers, nodding. Damon, suddenly, takes my glass and put his and mine on the piano before embracing me. I don't react at first but hug him back.

- What is that for? I whisper confused.

- I think I just need it... You need it. I can sense it.

- Damon, I told you. Forget me and my problems, it's not important. Stay concentrate on my father, I repeat and insist.

- I won't put you aside, Gillian. I can take care of you two at the same time, I sigh before he pulls away. My uncle smiles at me but I can't smile back. I just don't find the strength to do it. Suddenly, I hear someone clearing his throat as he enters the living room. I turn around and my father. I hope he didn't hear anything...

- So I dug into the old family archives from the 1900's, he informs us while joining us. I see him looking at me for few seconds, lightly frowning before showing us a book. He knows... I look at Damon and shot him a glare. My uncle lightly shrugs as he looks at me with a sorry look. He knew my father was there when I played and when we talked... I roll my eyes and weakly shake my head as I look away.

- So now you want to be helpful? asks, my uncle while finishing his glass of blood.

- Want me to go back to being mad at you? questions, my father. I look at my uncle, lightly frowning before seeing him smiling to his brother.

- What'd you find? asks, Damon.

- Well, nothing from 1912, they never did arrest anyone for the Founders' murders, informs, dad as he opens the book and places it on the piano to show us what he found. But, they did get a confession ten years later.

- They did? Who? questions, Damon as he gets up.

- Johnathan Gilbert's granddaughter, Samantha. They assumed she was crazy. Locked her up in an insane asylum, explains, dad, crossing his arms over his chest.

- Then what? I ask while reading the book.

- Trail ends there, I look up at my father, frowning confused. I mean, she was a Founder, you know how they like to look out for their own.

- Samantha Gilbert. That is very weird, whispers, my uncle, flipping some pages. I turn to look at him, frowning even more confused.

- Why? I ask him, weakly shaking my head.

- Because I'm pretty sure I had already killed her, I widen my eyes, surprised before looking at my father with a confused frown. Dad glances at me, looking as surprised and confused as I am before the both of us look back at Damon.

Alaric's P.O.V.

I was making some coffee for myself after Elena went upstairs when I hear knocking on the front door. Who could it be at this time? Especially today... Don't tell me Sheriff Forbes is coming back to get me because they found something else. I open the front door... I can't believe it!

- I know what this looks like, tells me immediately , Meredith, looking guilty.

- Yeah, well, I sure as hell don't. You shoot me, you have me thrown in jail, and then you have me freed? I tell and remind her with a mad tone, trying not to scream to not alarmed Elena upstairs.

- I did it for you, Ric. I forged the coroner's note to clear your name, she answers.

- Oh, you know what, people are right. You are psycho, I say before trying to close the front door. However, Meredith stops me, pushing the door back.

- No! Now that you've been cleared, they'll look somewhere else, they won't look your way again. Please. You have no reason, but I need you to trust me anyway. If you let me in I can explain, pleads, the doctor, looking and sounding serious. I can't believe this... I shake my head before letting her in and closing the door behind her.

Elena's P.O.V.

I am sitting on my bed, in my bedroom, flipping pages through pages and discovering more and more about Samantha Gilbert. There are so much that we still don't know...

- I don't feel like myself. I'm losing time. As though I'm going mad, I read in the journal.

Gillian's P.O.V.

- So you think Samantha Gilbert is still alive, running around Mystic Falls, killing Founders? asks, my father, looking surprised and confused at Damon and I.

- It's not possible, if she became a vampire, we'd know about it, right? replies, Damon, looking at the both of us alternately as well.

- Then she must have had a ring that brought her back to life, both brothers look at me, frowning confused, I mean she was a Gilbert, right? Those rings were passed on for generations.

- Yeah, but even if she had a ring, Boo, she wouldn't be alive today. Doesn't protect her from old age, responds, Damon while walking toward the small table to pour himself a drink. I nod, knowing he is right.

- Johnathan Gilbert only made two of those rings. Jeremy has one of them and the other's... tells, my father which made me realize something. Alaric has a Gilbert ring...

- Uncle Ric's, I state as I look at Damon who seems to realize what is happening as well. I turn back to my father and see him frowning confused by the name I used to talk about the teacher. Yeah... He kinda missed that part I guess.

Alaric's P.O.V.

- Like the Sheriff said, the victims were killed with your weapons, tells me, Meredith as I am looking through a folder with crime scene evidence. I am looking at some pictures. Meredith is standing next to me.

- Yeah, but I was attacked, I remind her, closing the folder.

- With your own knife. A wound that could have been self-inflicted, replies, Meredith, shaking her head as she is trying to make me understand that I could have done it to myself.

- It's impossible! I would know if I were killing people, I tell her, frowning upset and confused.

- Would you? Have you had any blackouts, instances of lost time? she questions, frowning lightly. I stare at her, not saying a word for a moment. I shake my head and chuckle nervously.

- You're insane.

- No, but I think you might be. You wear a ring that lets you cheat death, Ric. How many times can you die before it changes you? says and asks, Meredith. She got a point... I look at the ring around my finger as I slowly sit on the chair next to me. Meredith sits down with me. This isn't possible... It never happened before. Could it? I think you're sick and I want to help you. This has happened before, almost 100 years ago, explains me, the doctor before I see her looking behind me. I turn around and see Elena, standing at the entrance of the kitchen.

- Elena, I whisper sadly, nervously and confusedly.

- Ric, I think she's right, tells me, Elena, holding up the journal she was reading. No...

Samantha Gilbert's P.O.V.

Flashback Mystic Falls 1912

I watch Zachariah Salvatore walking through the Town Square in the night, his hands in his coat pockets after exiting the Council meeting. I have to do it! I walk up to him discretely and quietly before stabbing the man in the back. He groans in pain but quickly falls on the cold ground, dead. The knife, my hand and my Gilbert ring are covered of his blood while I stare at the man with hatred. It had to be done...

Heyy guys!! How are you?? 😁 New chapter here! 😁 The music Gillian sang is a small part of the song "Something" by Marina Kaye. This was the last chapter before Gillian recovers her emotions!! 😱 What did you think of it?

- What did you think of Gillian being there for her father and forgetting about herself?
- What do you think will Stefan say to or do with Gillian after hearing her conversation with Damon (after she sang)? Will Stefan understand her? Will he help her?
- HOW and WHEN do you think the brothers will find out that Gillian ripped a woman while feeding on her?
- Do you like Rebekah and Gillian's friendship?
- How will Gillian recover her emotions? Any ideas?
- Did you like Gillian in 1912?

Thank you guys for reading this new chapter!! 😁 I apologize for the mistakes!! 😏 Please, feel free to vote and/or comment!! 😘😘