The Vampire Diaries (Season 1)

Under Control

     I hurry down the stairs, trying not to use my vampire speed to get out of the house with Elena.
     "Come on Jeremy, going to school!" Elena calls to him "Walking out the door now!"
     "Forgot this," Aunt Jenna says as she gives Elena a thermos.
     "Thank you," Elena says with a smile. 
     I open the door just about as Uncle John is about to knock.
     He smiles at us. "Adrian, Elena!"
     "Uncle John! Hi," I say flatly.
     John looks at Jenna. "Jenna."
     "John, you made it."
     I give Elena a look and we smile. How she said that, I could tell she is not thrilled to have him here.
     "I said I'll be here before noon."
     Elena and I step aside as John  comes into the house.
    "Oh what you say and what you do are typically two very different things," Jenna replies.
     Jeremy comes down the stairs moments later, somewhat surprised to see Uncle John here.
     "Uncle John, what's up?" Jeremy asks.
     "Hey!"
     "Jeremy slaps him on the shoulder and leaves.
"I had some business in town; I thought that a visit was in order," John says.
"How long are you staying?" I ask.
I don't know yet."
"Okay, well, we're gonna go to school, I'll see you later," Elena replies.
As Elena and I leave, Aunt Jenna gives us a look that screamed "HELP ME" all in caps.
"Please tell me I am not the only one who think that it is weird that he's here," I say to Elena.
"If I didn't know about the supernatural, I would say no, but..."
She gives me another look. When I got to school, I see Matt at his locker and he waves me over.
"Hey, how is ... everything going?" I ask as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I really don't know. I mean ... Kelly's Kelly and she hasn't said a word," he replies and gives me a small smile. "How is everything for you?"
"Well, my Uncle John just showed up." I made a face when I said his name.
"Really?" Matt asks surprised. "How long is he here for?"
"He said his trip is open ended."
"Uncle John, I never really liked that guy."
I laugh. "Does anyone?"
"I'm here for moral support if you need me."
"Thanks, I think I'll suffer this one alone; you've been through enough," I say with a small smile.
"Thank you by the way, for just ... for everything you did at Vicki's funeral and the memorial. I couldn't have done it without you," he says and hugs me.
"Of course Matt."
There was a long pause after we pulled away and we look at each other.
"So, was Caroline still baking for you guys, around the clock?" I ask.
"She finally went to her dad, which is a good thing because my mom was going to strangle her if she dropped off one more lasagna," Matt says with a small chuckle.
He closes his locker and we make our way to first hour.
*******************
Damon's P.O.V
When I arrived at the meeting, a police officer leads me to meet the rest of the council.
"The coroner's office has officially ruled Vicki Donovan's death a drug overdose," Liz says. "Her family has been notified, the truth will stay in this room and we can put this behind us."
"Thank you Sheriff. And on to a more pressing issue, John Gilbert has asked to say a few words," mayor Lockwood says.
My eyes go wide and my eyebrows rose surprised.
"Welcome back John, it's good to see you," Mayor Lockwood says with a smile.
A man that resembled Elena and Adrian in a certain way steps up to talk.
"Hello everyone, it's wonderful to see you, I wish it were under better circumstances," he began. "As a founding family member I find it's my duty to report some very distressing news."
I lean over to Liz to whisper in her ear.
"He's a Gilbert?" I ask.
"Elena and Adrian's uncle. His name is John but I call him Jackass," she mumbles.
"A hospital blood bank in the neighboring county of Amherst has reported several break ins over the past two weeks," John continued. "Seven hunters, four campers and two states employees have been reported missing as well. All of this within a 75-mile radius of Mystic Falls."
Whispering worries erupted among the council members and Mayor Lockwood steps up to interrupt him.
"Okay okay, no need to get alarmed right at this moment."
Liz turns to me. "Meaning he doesn't want to cancel the Founders' Day Kick-off Party."
"You think all of your problems are over but I'm here to tell you, nothing's been solved," John says.
I shift uncomfortable and started to text Adrain.
*******************
Adrian's P.O.V
"Come on, Alaric. It was one time," I plead.
"Actually, it was the third time since I started working here," he retorts. "Detention tomorrow after school."
I roll my eyes and Elena came into the classroom with a worried expression.
"What's wrong?" She asks.
"I made a copy of a paper Jeremy wrote for me. I think you should take a look at it," he says.
He gives the paper to Elena and I peered over her shoulder to read the title. "Fact or Fiction: The Truth About Vampires in Mystic Falls".
"Jeremy wrote this?" Elena asks with surprise.
"He's very clear that he didn't think it was real," Alaric responds.
"I really hope you're right because I've done so much to protect him from all of this," Elena says as she gives him back the paper.
"Me, too," I add.
"So, how do you deal with it?" Alaric asks us.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"With all the lies and the secrets. You have to lie to everyone who's important to you."
"It's not safe for them to know the truth," I explain. "So, yes I keep it from them, but it's only because I love them."
There is a long pause before Alaric turned to Elena.
"I think Stefan is a good guy. But at the end of the day he's still a vampire."
"And the same goes for me, right?" I ask as I cross my arms.
Alaric gave me a look and sighed.
"I know it's hard to understand but Stefan and Adrian is different. They would never do anything to hurt me," Elena says.
********************
When I came home from school, I walk into the kitchen to see John and Jeremy are eating at the table and Jenna is making her a sandwich.
"I've no interest in the Founders' Day Kick-off Party," Jeremy was saying.
"Sure you do. It's tradition," Uncle John reply.
"It will be our role to break the tradition," Jenna added.
"Agreed," I mumble, getting an apple from the fridge.
"The Gilberts have been a part of this town for a hundred and fifty years," Uncle John interjects. "We're one of the founding families and with that distinction comes certain obligations including going to the party.
"One day, when you can appreciate the significance, I'll tell you all about your heritage."
"Hmm, the Gilbert family legacy. I forgot how sacred it was. I'm not a Gilbert so I was never cool enough to hear it."
"Why does she hate you?" Jeremy asks uncle John.
"We used to sleep together."
As I turn around, Jenna throws a bag at him.
"I'm standing right here," replies Jenna.
I laugh and hurry up the stairs towards my room. As I passed Elena's room, I hear heavy breathing and Stefan and Elena kissing.
I shudder as I enter my room and placed my earbuds in and started to do my homework. As I was changing the song, I hear a knock on my door and I answer it, pulling my earbuds out.
Elena stood there, holding a broken lamp and a concerned look on her face.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Do you got a minuet? I really need to talk to you," she says.
I look at the broken lamp again. "Sure...?"
I move to the side to let Elena in.
"When Stefan was here, we were just kissing and he freaked out and my lamp got broke," she explains.
"Okay, um..." I trail off as I take the lamp and sat in on a chair. I unplug my lamp and gave it to her. "Is there anything you want me to do?"
"Call Damon, maybe. I don't know. I gave Stefan my blood the night we saved you two and he's been ... different since."
"I will call Damon. Don't worry," I reassured her.
She gives me a Smile. "Thank you, Adds."
When Elena leaves, I sat back in on my bed, one leg folded underneath and scrolled through my contacts until I found Damon's number.
I click his name and placed the phone to my ear and waited. On the fourth ring, he answers.
"Well, hello, pretty one."
I roll my eyes. "Damon, I kinda need you to come over."
"Alright. I'll be there in a few seconds. "
I head down stairs after Damon and I need our phone call. There is a knocks on the door and I open it to see Damon. For once he is true to his word.
"Oh, good you're here."
"You ask I come. I'm easy like that."
I point upstairs and started my way up them.
"No Adrian," Damon says loudly. "I will not go to your bedroom with you."
I catch his arm. He laughs and follows me upstairs. As I look back, Jeremy looks at us. Damon and I walk into my bedroom.
"Ah, just like I remember," he mumbles.
"Stop messing around," I snap.
He goes to my bed, takes the teddy bear off the pillow, lies down and holds the teddy bear on his chest.
"Did you know that your uncle has been kicking it with the Founders' Council?"
"What?" I ask surprised.
"Yep."
"Perfect, we'll just add it to the growing list of how everything is falling apart," I mumble.
Damon notices the broken lamp sitting in my chair and points an arm of the teddy bear towards it.
"What happened right there?" He ask.
"Uh...nothing," I reply.
I shifted uncomfortable and he gives me a look.
"Look Damon, I'm worried about Stefan. Elena's been telling me about how he's been dealing," I say. "He says that everything's okay but he's clearly struggling. How long is it gonna take before he goes back to normal?"
"A few days, give or take," he shrugs.
"It's been a few days."
"Give then, I don't know. What's the big deal?" He asks.
He gets up and gives me the teddy bear.
"He's not himself, Damon," I say.
Damon goes toward the dresser, opens the drawer and looks in it.
"Well, maybe his problem is that he has spent too long not being himself."
"He takes a bra from the drawer and smiles at me through the mirror. I  take it from him and put it back in the drawer.
"Please don't make me sorry for asking you," I say.
He takes a picture from the mirror; I  try to take it back but I am too slow.
"It is what it is Adrian. The Stefan you know was 'good behavior Stefan', 'reign it in Stefan', 'fight against his nature into an annoying excessive level Stefan' but if you think there isn't another part to this then you have not been paying attention."
He pouts at me as if ready to kiss but instead, I take back the picture.
"He's not you, not even close," I retort.
"Well, he doesn't want to be me," he corrects. "That doesn't mean that deep down though he's not."
He gets closer to me, gave me a look and left. I let out a shaky breath and made my  way Elena's room. Elena looks at me as I enter.
"Damon said he's willing to help," I say.
She sighs with relief. "Good. So, um, I think it's time to tell Jeremy. "
"Tell Jeremy that you and I are...?" I trail off and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, because of the while Stefan thing. Maybe it's not the right time. "
"It might never bee the right time. He needs to know now," Elena says.
     Elena stands to my side and I knock on Jeremy's door and he answers it moments later.
     "Hey," I say.
     "What's up?" He asks.
     "Do you have some time to talk?"
     "Uh, yeah, sure."
     "Not here. Come on. Let's get out of the house," I say. 
********************
      "I just can't believe mom and dad never told you that you two were adopted," Jeremy finally says.
     "I'm sure they would have eventually.," I sat with a shrug.
     "Why were you two worried about what I thought? He asks as he turns to us.
     "Because..." Elena sighs as she tries to find the right words. "I don't know. It's weird. Going your whole life thinking you're related by blood to someone."
     "Does it bug you that we're not?"
     "No, Jer...you're our brother, that's all that matters," she replies firmly.
     "So, Mr. Saltzman said you've been doing great in history now," I say, changing the subject.
     "Yeah, yeah. He's really been helping me out. He gave me some extra credit and stuff," he replies with a small smile.
     "He loved your vampire paper," Elena adds.
     "He thought I had a clever angle."
     "What drew you to that subject matter?" I ask.
     "I don't know, boredom or maybe I'm just as nuts as the long line of Gilbert crazies."
     I roll my eyes. "Gilberts aren't crazy."
     "Easy for you to say, neither of you are not one," Jeremy responds.
     Elena and I both stop and we look at each other with gaped mouths. 
     "Ouch," we say in unison.
     I run after him and hits him with my  shoulder.
     "Come one," I say with a laugh. "We have to get ready for the Founders' Day Kick-off Party."
********************
Damon's P.O.V
     "Oh god! I shouldn't be here," Stefan says as we walk in.
     "Come on, don't be a downer, it's a party for the founding families! That would be us," I say with a smile. "That would be rude to skip it."
     "I really liked you a whole lot better when you hated everybody."
     "Oh I still do. I just love that they love me."
     I let out a laugh and turned my attention to Stefan.
     "How are you feeling?" I whisper.
     "I'm good, I'm fine," he replies.
     "No cravings? No urges? Is that whiskey you've been drinking all day doing its job?"
     Stefan laughs.
     "We are who we are Stefan," I point out. "Nothing's gonna change that."
     "Ah! Nothing will make you happier to just see me given up then Damon?"
     "Whatever, it's inevitable," I say and roll my eyes.
     "Well, I'm gonna find Elena." We walks off leaving me standing alone.
     "Don't embarrass me young man!" I call after him. "And tell Adrian to come meet me."
********************
Adrian's P.O.V
     Elena and I see Stefan is at the bar drinking when we arrived. He sees us, puts the glass on the bar and waved to us.
     "Hey!" Elena says with a smile.
     "Hey. How are you?" Stefan asks.
     He kisses her on the cheek and I raise an eyebrow.
     "Are you drunk?" Elena asks him.
     "Okay, I know it's a little weird but it's really helping me. The alcohol takes the edge off."
     "You're totally that drunk high school guy at parties sneaking booze."
     "I totally am, yeah," he jokes.
     I lean over to Elena. "How worried do we need to be?"
     "Oh no! You don't need to be worried. It's just until the cravings go away. Listen, I think we should enjoy it while it lasts," Stefan suggests. "Oh, Adrian, Damon wants to chat with you." I roll my eyes and he turns to Elena. "Would you like to dance with me?"
     "You hate dancing. I usually have to beg you."
     "No, no, no you have to beg the sober me. The drunk me there is no begging necessary.
     Rena and I look at the dance floor. Not even the old couples are dancing. Everyone is just talking and walking around.
     "There's really no one dancing," Elena points out.
    "That's because they need something better to dance to. I'll be right back."
     When Stefan leaves, Kelly walks up to us.
     "Yeah...That's not gonna work," she says and sips her drink. She already knows what Stefan is doing. "I already tried to bribe the guy with 20 bucks and a date," she continues. "He said Carol Lockwood has complete control over the music choices."
     Elena and I watches Stefan. I can tell the he is compelling the DJ.
     "You'd be surprised what Stefan can accomplish when he puts his mind to it," I mumble.
     The music changes to something more up upbeat and fun.
     "Thank God!" Kelly rejoices.
     Kelly is dancing with Stefan as Damon rejoins Elena and I at the bar. Damon look at us then looks at Stefan.
     "Have I entered an alternate universe where Stefan is fun?" Damon asks.
     "Is he gonna be okay?" Elena asks him.
     "Eventually. One way or another," he replies then looks at me. "You look really beautiful, Adrian."
     "Oh! A compliment. I might fall over," I reply dramatically.
     We look at each other, and then turned to watch Stefan. Form the corner of my eyes, I see Damon smiling.
     I then wonder off to check in with Jenna and she makes a comment about the poor music choices originally planned for us. I look over and I see Alaric heading our way.
     "History teacher three o'clock," I whisper.
     "How do I look?" She asks.
     I smile. "Beautiful."
     Alaric teaches us and gives me a smile.
     "I was looking for you," he says to Jenna
     "Here I am," she says. "I haven't seen you in a while."
     "Well uh..." he trails off as he looks at me. "Things have been a little crazy but I'm here now. Do you want to get a drink?"
     "Sure."
     "Okay," Alaric says and leads her away.
     As they retreated, Jenna looks back and gives me a smile. Elena rejoins me as Matt fallows behind.
     "When did this happen?" Matt asks, referring to the changed music.
     I look at Elena with a smile. "DJ had a change of heart."
     "Do you want to dance?" Matt asks me.
     "Oh, no," I reply as I back away.
     Matt looks at Elena. "Do you want to dance?"
     "I don't know. "
     "Yes." Matt takes Elena's hands and pulled her towards the floor.
     "Matt!" She protests.
     He catches her waist and makes her dance.
     I spot Damon while he watches me and I made my way to him.
     "What's up, stalker?" I joke.
     He rolls his eyes and we see Liz standing alone. Damon and I make our way to her to keep her company.
     "You know I love a woman in uniform but I have to side with this one. You look...you look smashing," Damon says to her.
     She laughs. Thank you Damon. Cheers!"
     They clink glasses and proceeded to sip it. When I go to sip mine, Liz gives me a look and I smile then pass mine on to Damon.
     "I needed that. You know I had my doubts about you at first but like everyone else on the council you've won me over."
     "Thanks Liz. It's really nice how welcoming the council has been. I like my life here in Mystic Falls. Starting to feel like home again," Damon replies.
     "Well, you're not gonna like what I have to tell you." Liz says and glances at me.
     Damon touches my lower back, telling Liz I am okay to hear this and his hand lingers there.
     "Jonathan Gilbert's claims check out. Blood bank, the missing people, all of it's true. We might have a problem," she said, her face and voice full of concern.
     Before I could say anything, Jeremy arrives and interrupts us.
     "Excuse me Sheriff. I was curious if there's been any more information about what happened to Vicki Donovan?" He asks.
     "It was an overdose, Jeremy."
     "Yeah, but her body was buried. Somebody must have done that," he pressed on.
     Damon is really uncomfortable and I noticed it by the way he gripped my waist tighter and tighter.
     "We're aware of that. The investigation is ongoing but there's nothing more I can tell you at this time. I'm sorry," Liz apologizes
     "It's okay." Jeremy lowers his head and leaves.
     Damon nods to Liz with a smile and we turn and leave. Damon's hand still remained on my waist, giving me chills.
********************
No one's P.O.V
     Elena and Matt are still dancing. Their dance ends and he leaves after a few minuets.  Stefan walks up behind Elena, and she falls into him.
     "Please dance with your alcoholic vampire boyfriend," he says.
     As they danced, Stefan twirls her and She accidentally bumps into a man.
     "Wow! Watch it!" The guy yells out.
     "I'm sorry, my fault. I'm clumsy," she replies quickly.
     "Then get off the dance floor," he replies.
     "Excuse me?"
     The guy turns around but Stefan grabs his shoulder.
     "That no way to talk to a lady," he says to the man.
     The man rolls his eyes. "Whatever."
     He turns to leave again but Stefan catches his arm and compels him.
     "I think you need to apologize."
     "I'm sorry," he says blankly.
     He starts to leave, but Stefan grabs him yet again.
     "Now say it like you mean it."
     The man looks at Elena. "I'm really, really sorry."
     "Stefan, it's fine," Elena mutters.
     "Now walk away," he says to the man.
     Stefan pushes him and the man leaves. Elena touches Stefan's arm and he touches Elena's face.
     "You alright?" He asks her.
     Elena nods.
     Damon is at the bar with Adrian and Elena joins them.
     "Have you noticed what your brother has been up to?" She asks him.
     "No, I have been too preoccupied with yours," he replies to her.
     Elena gives Damon a look.
    "Jeremy has been asking questions about Vicki's death," Adrian clarifies.
     "He knows that her death was ruled an overdose," Elena says.
     "Really?" Damon asks then began to imitate Jeremy. "'Oh but sheriff, someone buried her. Who would do that?'I know I know! Me! I mean I could compel him but he's wearing vervain."
     "No, I don't want you to compel him," Adrian pretests.
     "If he keeps asking questions..."
     "Damon, no I'm serious," Adrian interjects again. "I'm not going to do that to him again."
      "I'll handle it," Elena says quickly.
      Damon takes a rose, smells it, and gives it to Adrian.
    "Okay. Don't say I didn't warn you."
     She takes the rose, they look at each other and he leaves.
********************
     Damon is on the balcony and John joins him moments later.
     "Damon, right?" John asks.
     "John."
     "We didn't get the chance to meet at the council meeting," John days.
     "Yeah. It's a pleasure," Damon says flatly. "Are you enjoying the kick-off?"
     "Oh yeah. I forgot how much fun these small town celebrations can be," John replies, putting his hands in his pockets.
     "Yeah. When was the last time you were here?" Damon asks, fishing around.
     "Hasn't been that long, my brother's funeral. How long have you been in town?"
     "Oh, not long at all."
     "So what do you think Damon?" John proceeds, fighting in Damon's mind. "You know this vampire problem is real, right? It's a potential blood bath."
     John knows about Damon and Damon can sense that.
     "I wouldn't overreact, John," Damon replies.
     "Oh, I think it's like 1864 all over again, vampires running amok. I guess we're just gonna have to hunt them down, throw them in a church and burn them to ash."
     "That's the story, huh?"
     "Part of the story, yeah."
     "Oh, there's more?" Damon asks playing dumb.
     "Oh, there's a lot more. See, it seems there was a tomb under the church, where vampires were hidden, waiting for someone to come along and set them free. But then you already knew that didn't you?"
     Damon doesn't look at him; he's uncomfortable.
     "I mean, you're the one that did it."
     "And you're telling me this why?" Damon asks, bored of the conversation.
     "I just thought we get the introductions out of the way," was John's reply.
     "You know that I could rip your throat out before anyone would notice?"
     "Yeah."
     "Yeah, okay. But you probably ingest vervain so..." Damon trails off.
     "Why don't you take a bite to find out?" John challenges him.
     Damon just a smiles at him. "It's not worth my time."
     They look at each other and smile. Damon starts to leave but he rushes towards John, breaks his neck, and throws him off the balcony before nonchalantly walking back into the party.
********************
     Jeremy is sitting on a couch in a quiet, dimly-lit room and Elena joins him.
     "Jer? I heard about your conversation with Sheriff Forbes," she says to him.
     "No one is trying to figure out what happened to her. They all want to believe that she OD'd," he replies.
     "The coroner's office confirmed it," she reminds him. "If that's what they said happened then..."
     "Is that what you believe?"
     "What do you think happened?" She fishes.
     "I think somebody killed her and buried her body and I don't think we should write it off just 'cause it's easy."
     "They're just doing what they can to move on."
     "The truth is the only thing that's gonna help people to move on," Jeremy states.
     "Jer, just let it go, okay?" Elena pleads. "Whatever it was she's gone now."
     "Whatever it was? So you don't think it was an overdose?"
     "Yes...I do."
     "Is there something you're not telling me?"
     Elena is really uncomfortable and Jeremy notices.
     "Why aren't you looking at me?" He demands.
      "Stop it, that doesn't mean anything."
     "If there was something else you would tell me, right?" He asks.
     There was a long pause before Elena could find the right words to answer her brothers question.
     "Of course I would," she sighs.
     Jeremy looks at her, suspicious and Adrian comes in, breaking the tension.
     "What's going on here?" Adrian asks.
     "Nothing," Elena mumbles.
     "Okay. Um... " Adrian trails off, uncomfortable as well now. "I'm going to go find Matt."
     Adrian turns around and leaves, walking through the hallway and Matt comes up to her.
     "Matt, I was just looking for y--"
    "Who knew I've been missing all the fun at the Founders' parties?" Matt says to her with a smile.
     "This is rare, believe me," she says and smiles back.
     "Is it bad that I'm enjoying myself?"
     "No, it's great that you are enjoying yourself," I reply. "Thanks for making Elena dance."
     "Hey, it's normal," he smiles.
     They embrace each other for a few moments then they pulled away from each other.
     "Air, I need some air. Come with me?"
     Stefan drinking catches Adrian's eye and she sighs with worry.
     "Sure."
     "You haven't seen my mom have you?" He asks.
     "No, not in a while," she replies.
     Adrian looks at Stefan again before her and Matt go out. She looks over and sees Kelly and Tyler making out with each other.
     "Oh my god." Adrian's eyes go wide with shock.
     Matt looks at at was Adrian is witnessing and rushes over to them and catches Tyler.
     "What the hell are you doing man?" Matt asks Tyler.
     "Matt?!" Kelly asks.
     "Mom!!!!" Matt screams at her.
     "Whoa dude calm down," Tyler says.
     Matt punches Tyler in the face and they begin to fight. In the fight Kelly gets pushed to the floor. Tyler hits Matt again and again and again.
      "Matt! Stop it! Tyler! Stop it, you're hurting him!" Adrian screams.
     She wanted to use her vampire abilities but  everyone was watching.
     "Somebody help us," she calls.
     Alaric arrives, pulls Tyler off Matt and pushes him against a wall.
     "What the hell is that?" Alaric asks.
     Adrian is going towards Matt when the Mayor arrives.
     "I'll take it from here; I'll take it from here," he says to Alaric then turned to Tyler. "Are you hurt? Go get cleaned up. It's okay. Go get cleaned up."
     Tyler bows his head to keep his face hidden and leaves.
     "Thank you for your help," the Mayor says to Alaric.
     Adrian kneels down to help helps Matt as everyone watches.
     "Everything's fine. Everything is fine. Come on, everybody, back to the party," the Mayor says to the guests. "Let's go. Come on, have a good time!"
     Adrian is attempting not vamp out as Matt bleeds a lot while she helps him.
     "Are you okay?" She asks him.
     "Where is she?" He asks, referring to his mom.
     Adrian has been holding her breath but she can no longer take it any more.
     "I don't know. Put your head up. I'm gonna call Elena to take care of you," she breaths.
     She looks at his face before she stands and calls Elena.
     "Elena, I need you to meet me but the bar," she says. "Matt and Tyler got into it, he's bleeding and I can't..."
     Adrian's eyes began to change and she shuts them tight.
     "I'll be there soon," she replies and hangs up.
     With a sigh, Adrian walks up to Stefan, who is still drinking and Damon arrives.
     "You wanna hear the bad news or the really bad news?" Damon asks them.
     "Actually, I don't want any news Damon," Stefan replies.
     "Alright, let me rephrase. Do you want to hear how the council is back in vampire mode or how I just killed Uncle John Gilbert?"
     Adrian looks at him with shock, panic rising and so is her heart rate.
     "You ... what?"
     "What?" Stefan replies, somewhat sober.
     "Great party by the way, huh?"
     He smiles and leaves as Stefan and Adrian goes after him.
     "Damon."
     "Damon, wait," she calls and finally catches up to him.
     "Damon, we are talking about this," Adrian states.
     "No, actually, we are not. It's not like he--"
     Damon suddenly stopped talking when he sees John Gilbert entering the party again, a nonchalant smile in his face.
     "You got to be kidding me," he groans.
     Adrian looks and sees her Uncle alive and well and walking around.
     "But you said ... "
     "I know that! Something's up. Let me go find Alaric," Damon says quickly as he takes her hand.
     "Do you think he's a vampire?" She whispers.
     "No."
     They stop at the door way of the room with the people crowding in. Adrian and Damon found Alaric in a crowd as the guests waited for the countdown to begin.
     "Thank you all, thank you very much, thank you. Thank you all for joining us tonight," Mayor Lockwood says. "In just a few moments we will officially begin the countdown to our upcoming Founders' Day celebration and it's a very special one this year. The one hundred and fiftieth birthday of our town."
     They all watch as a bell on a table is wheeled out next to him.
     "And... and I would like to welcome back one of our town favorite's sons to do the honors of ringing our official charter bell," the mayor continues. "John Gilbert, would you please join me up here?"
     Adrian watches with narrowed eyes as John Gilbert applause and joins the mayor. Adrian glances at Damon and he is looking at John.
     "One hundred and fifty years of community, prosperity, family. We take care of each other, we look after each other," John was saying and then looked at Damon as he continued with his speech, "protect each other. It's good to be home."
     Everyone applauds at the end of his speech. Damon and Adrian joins Alaric in the crowd, Damon tapping Alaric and Adrian when he noticed something on John.
      "Look at his right hand," he whispered to them.
     "Whose?" Alaric whispers back.
     "Towns favorite's son. Look at his ring."
     John rings the bell and it can be seen that he wears the same ring that Alaric wears.
     "Well, it looks like mine," Alaric says.
     "Yeah, and that would be a big coincidence if he didn't just came back from the dead five minutes ago," Damon growled. "Where the hell did you get that ring?"
     "Isobel, my wife."
     Who gave birth to her and Elena," Damon says, tilting his head to Adrian, who then looks at him, "under the medical care of the esteemed Dr. Grayson Gilbert, John's brother!"
     "What do you mean, Damon?" Adrian asks. "Do you think John knew Isobel?"
     "I think John knows a lot of things."
********************
Elena's P.O.V
     I looked around outside as I wondered through the parking lot.
     "Stefan? Stefan?" I call out.
     I stop when I see a man on the ground and ran over to him.
     "Hey! Are you okay? What happened?" I asked.
     I recognized him as man that was rude to me because I accidentally numbed into him. The man then gets up, a dazed look over him.
     "My arm. I lost my balance and fell. I'm clumsy," the man says, repeating what I had said to him.
     Stefan.
********************
Adrian's P.O.V
     A Uncle John is leaving, Damon, Alaric, and I follow him out.
     "Going somewhere, hm?" Damon calls to him.
     "I've never liked to be the last one to leave a party. It's too desperate," John replies as he turns to look at us. "You're going to kill me again or you're gonna let Mr. Saltzman do your dirty work?"
     "Okay, you obviously know who I am," Alaric mumbles.
     "I do. Alaric Saltzman, a high school history teacher with a secret."
     "Sure know a lot for someone who just got to town," Damon points out.
     "More than you can imagine, Damon," John replies.
     I cross my arms. "You sure?"
     Uncle John gave me a look before continuing. "My knowledge of this town goes beyond anything that you..." He looks at Damon and then at Alaric, "...or you, or the council knows.
     "So, if you're planning on some clever high speed snatch ring vamp kill move, know that if I die, everything I know goes to the council including the fascinating little tale of the originals Salvatore brothers and their present day return to Mystic Falls."
     I look at Damon and I see he is surprised by this revelation, doesn't know what to say.
     "How did you get that ring?" Alaric finally asks.
     "I had inherited one, my brother Grayson had the other. This was his," John replies as he shows us the ring on his finger, "and I wouldn't have given mine to Isobel if I had known she'd hand it over to another guy."
     "So you did know her?" Damon gasps.
     "Who do you think send her your way when she wanted to become a vampire?"
     "You sent her?" Damon asks.
     "Guilty. Why, did you think someone else send her? Maybe Katherine Pierce? Or do you want Elisabeth?" John taunts.
     Damon's eyes grow wide. "How do you know about Katherine and Elizabeth?""
     "How do I know anything Damon?"
     "What do you want?" I ask.
     "So many questions," John laughs. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Ric. I've heard so much about you."
     As John leaves, Damon, Alaric, and I look at each other with an uneasy feeling and watched him.
********************
     When we got home Jenna, Elena, and I are walking up the stairs to go to bed.
     "Not so excited that we have another month of these Founders' Day events," Jenna mumbles.
     "Tell me about it. Okay, I'm going to bed," I say as I head towards my room.
     I made a pit stop and go into Jeremy's room to check on him.
     "Are you okay?" I ask.
     "Fine."
     "Are you sure?" I press.
     "I'm fine, Adrian," he snaps.
     I am taken back at first. He was never this cold to me. He always talked to me. I leave and go into my bedroom, jumping when I see Damon on my bed.
     "Oh, my god,you scared me!" I say and laughed.
     "I just wanted you to know that John does not know you are a vampire," Damon said. "You should rest easy with that."
     I nod my head. "Thank you. Why do you care?"
     "Well, if you're exposed, so is Stefan and I," he responds.
     "That's not what I mean. I mean, why care about me at all?" I clarified.
     "Because I hope that you are my friend," he says.
     I smile and hug him and I could tell he was shocked.
     "You are my friend, Damon," I say as I pull away from the hug and then kissed his cheek.
     Damon smiles and ducked out of my open window. When I look out it, he is gone.
********************
Salvatore Boarding House
Damon's P.O.V
     I am on the couch, in front of the fire, a glass of blood in my hand. I couldn't help but battle with my demons there. I really do love Adrian, but what if there's a chance that I get Elizabeth back and we are together.
     I snap out of my thoughts when I hear  Stefan arrive.
     "We have a problem Stefan and when I say problem I mean global crisis," I mumble. "It seems Uncle John has..."
     When I look up, Stefan is standing in front of me; he's not okay looking.
     "You don't look so good. Its different this time, isn't it? The need is too strong," I say. "Of course it would be after all these years."
     I put the glass of blood on the table, looked at Stefan and got  up. I touch his shoulder and looked at him.
     "Have a good night brother," I whisper.
     As I leave, I hear Stefan pick the glass up and drink it. I smile when there is a satisfying sigh.