[*Chapter Twelve*]

Shortly after leaving Damon, Darcy headed home for a seriously needed hot shower and clean clothes. She texted Stefan to let him know she was fine and now at home. Just as she was slipping on her leather jacket, the front door slammed open, followed by pounding feet on the stairs, and then her bedroom thrown open.

Love you too, Steffy. She whispered, knowing he can hear. He could have bought her another ten minutes, but nope, she's Darcy, and this is how things role, on Darcy's show.

Pissy, Elena stood in the doorway glaring the evilest look she could conjure. "Out now. You're coming with us, and then you can explain how you know Stefan and Damon are vampires." She commanded in a sharp voice.

Oops, someone's pissed.

Darcy stood up straight, eyebrows lifted at her tone. "I don't know whom you think you are talking to like that, but I suggest you fix your attitude before I do it for you." She snatched her phone off the bed, jostling past Elena and clobbered down the stairs, grabbing her keys off the side table by the door. "If I'm being forced to tag along then we're taking my car." She stated not giving a crap of the daggers her sister shot at her back and got into her Range Rover.

"You can also explain the whole hunter thing." Elena began again in her annoying voice.

"You ain't getting jack shit with that approach," Darcy asserted, sending Stefan an apologetic peek, before asking where they were going and backing out of the driveway. "I'll tell you later, along with Jeremy. He deserves to know too."

After ten minutes of sitting in the stifling car, Stefan spoke up. "Stop here." The hunter fulfilled as told, parking and killing the engine. Darcy stepped out of the vehicle looking around at the scenery in awe, while Elena climbed out with a look of distaste. She wasn't sure where they were...but looked to be some kind of ruins with a dilapidated house.

"What are we doing here?" Elena questioned, confused.

"A house?" Darcy looked at Stefan questionably.

Stefan glanced between the girls. "I wanted to show you both something."

The began to walk away from the car. "In the middle of nowhere?" Elena asked cynically.

Stefan stopped next to a brick column that was decaying from old age and gazed around sadness. "This didn't use to be nowhere. It used to be my home."

The hunter concluded she was right in assuming this was or used to be a house. She couldn't imagine what was going through Stefan's mind, having to watch his home change throughout the years to the point it was no longer a home, just fractured stone.

Elena looked back at what used to be a house, her face scrunching with displeasure. "It looks so..."

"Old?" Stefan finished. "It's because they are."

Darcy walked over, sensing his grief and sat down next him, flashing him a smile. "Tell us about your home Stef. There must have been tons of stories."

But then Elena cut in earning a glare for her lack of manners. "Wait...How long have you...?" Elena interrogated.

Stefan squeezed Darcy's hand silently telling her the interruption was okay.

"I've been seventeen years old since 1864."

Darcy looked him up and down, nodding in approval. "Damn no wonder why sexy-ass-back suits you well. So old, yet so fine."

Stefan shakes his head at her bold confidence.

"Oh, my God." Elena gasped, stepping back in shock.

The older Gilbert cast her a look, what, does she think he's going to age? Does she not know vampires stop ageing? Hence why they are dead, frozen at the age, they died.

"You said you wanted to know," Stefan remarked. "I'm not gonna hold anything back, "He looked away from Elena to her sister who shot him an encouraging look. He ruffled his golden locks, taking in a deep breath, getting prepared to tell the story that ravaged his and Damon's lives.

"Half a century before the Boarding House was even built, this was my family's home. Damon and I were born here. The Salvatore brothers, best of friends."

Stefan led Darcy and Elena past the brick columns, deeper into his old home. He explained how Katherine entered their lives during the summer of 1864.

"Wait...You knew Katherine in 1864?" Elena asked. "Damon made it seem like..."

That's why you shouldn't listen to a word that spews out of the leeches mouth.

"Yes, that's what he just said, Elena" The protectress voiced sarcastically. "Pay attention to the story."

Elena ignored her, waiting for Stefan to elaborate.

Stefan hid his amused smile with a hand, "Damon was trying to make you think that I was still heartbroken," He focused his gaze on the girls. "He saw that I was happy and he wanted to ruin it."

"All because you loved the same woman one hundred and forty-five years ago?" Elena asked in disbelief.

Stefan smiled bleakly. "She wasn't just any girl."

"Kind of gathered that... I mean she had you two hooked around her finger." Darcy supplied unaffected of the incredulity stares she earned.

Stefan had a faraway look as if he was reminiscing the past of when he and Damon had first met Katherine, greeting her out of the carriage with her handmaiden Emily Bennet. Damon returned from the Confederacy, and both brothers offered to escort her to the first Founders Ball.

"She chose me," Stefan said as they began walking through the ruins. "I escorted her to the ball at the original Lockwood Mansion."

"Ahh, I was wondering why your names were on the registry," Darcy said, kicking her boots through the grass, she peered through her long inky tresses, meeting Stefan's forest-green eyes as he turned around. "I just didn't want to stick my nose in where it's not meant to be, ya know?"

He nodded gratefully. That's another thing he likes about the girl; she knows how to mind her own business unless it involved her family.

Elena sat down on a stone bench, observing their easy-going actions. She doesn't know how her sister can still be relaxed around Stefan, not after learning he's a vampire. Especially as Darcella is a hunter, who's supposed to kill them, but seeing as they laugh and smile, maybe she could learn too?

Stefan's voice brought her back as they sat either side of her, "I didn't care that I had gotten something that my brother wanted. I didn't even care if it hurt him," He appeared remorseful of his actions. "I only knew that I wanted her."

"So he was mad?" Elena assumed.

"That's the thing about Damon," Stefan shook his head, frustrated with his brother. "He doesn't get mad. He just gets even. What Damon wants, Damon usually gets. I didn't even know it at the time, but, it turns out that night...Katherine was with him, too."

And that's how the bitch tore apart two brothers, Darcy concluded to herself.

She got up from the bench walking a few steps away so that they couldn't see the angered expression on her face. Not only with Katherine's scheming ways but herself too. She doesn't know how but since the brothers have arrived she's found herself growing protective of them, funny right? Especially when she's been trained to kill and dispose of their species. Yet, here she is fraternising with the enemy, even with Damon and incapability to keep his teeth away from human's veins.

Sorrow punches her in the gut and tears threaten to pour thinking of father, her promise, her vow to put a stake through a vampire's heart if they came anywhere near her family. And as she turns back around, meeting Stefan's forlorn probing gaze, she finds she wouldn't be able to commit to her oath. How could she? They didn't ask to become bloodsuckers they were cursed with eternity. The protector's glad the devious vampire is dead because if she had the chance, nothing would stop her from driving a stake through the bitch's heart.

Shortly after, Darcy was leaning against the car waiting for her sister and Stefan to finish their talk, she didn't wish to listen further about this woman who caused the brothers nothing but pain. The not-so couple eventually made their way over, pausing beside Darcy.

"Do you have Damon's ring with you? Stefan asked.

Rather than give Zach the daylight ring, he gave it to Darcy to look after, knowing Damon wouldn't think Stefan had so much trust in the girl.

Darcy opened her car door, pulling out a bound material from the glove compartment. "Damon's gonna be one happy vampy," She said chuckling and placing it in Stefan's outstretched hand. He nodded, unwrapping the cloth, revealing a piece of jewellery encrusted with a blue lapis lazuli gemstone. Also known as a daylight amulet.

Elena's widespread eyes eyed the band. "Is that Damon's ring?"

"I took it from him, but I have to give it back," Stefan said, turning the ring around his fingers.

"No, don't Stefan." Elena objected, shaking her head in refusal.

Stefan and Darcy glanced at each, silently conversing they both knew what would happen if he didn't return the ring. Damon would go on a rampage, causing more bloodshed, and that couldn't continue, not if Stefan wanted to stay in Mystic Falls.

"Elena, if I don't give it back to him, he'll retaliate in the only way he knows he can hurt me."

Elena huffed, irked. "And how is that?"

Stefan glanced between the girls, "By hurting you or Darcy." Although he doesn't think Damon would hurt Darcy, he had the opportunity earlier, and she returned unharmed. He can only hope.

Darcy glanced at her sister, silently hoping she doesn't become her typical jealous self. At times, Elena can be possessive, territorial. It happened with Matt, even though she's only seen the blonde and blue-eyed boy as a friend. The same with Jeremy, even though they are family, she doesn't like how close they are, the ability to confide in each other when things get too much. Or how Darcy will always be Jeremy's rock.

As if proving Darcy's thoughts, Elena sent her an evil glare. Darcy didn't back down. Why should she? She hasn't done anything wrong.

Darcy's stomach spoke up, demanding to be fed. Stefan looked at her, amused, "Hungry?"

"Yep, that would happen when you haven't been consumed food in 24 hours," She quipped back, "Can we go before my stomach decides to eat itself?"

Stefan agreed, telling Elena they could discuss more back at their house. Elena grudgingly agreed; she needed to know more; she still wasn't sure if she would keep Stefan's secret.

Elena paused as she was about to get into the car, turning to face Stefan. "The mind control you said Katherine used...Do you ever do that to me?" She peered at her sister, "Or Darcy."

"No," Stefan answered truthfully. "That necklace," He pointed to the chain around Elena's neck. "It contains a herb called vervain. It protects you from being compelled. I wanted to protect you from Damon's influence, but I also wanted to protect you from me." His eyes flitted to Darcy sitting behind the wheel. "And Darcy was already protected. She had a supply. I didn't know until she spiked Damon's drink that night we all had dinner at your house. I figured she'd be okay."

Elena scowled towards the back of the hunter's head as they drove off."If so, why didn't you protect us all sooner? Have us all on vervain the minute you found out there were vampires in town."

"Seriously, you want to do this now? Oh, wait I know why, what Elena wants, Elena has to have, right?" Darcy shook her head, fed up with her antics. "You know what? I'm not giving you what you want; it's not fair on Stefan having to deal with us fighting. Let's just go home so I can eat and check on Jer. And then...maybe I'll answer your questions when you're done being a bitch."

Stefan snapped Elena out of her bitterness. "Hey, don't blame Darcy she was just doing what she was told to do. Your sister cares very much about you Elena, be grateful you have someone who loves so much."

Elena grimaced she got caught out and whispered a sorry to her sister. She's just feeling confused about everything. But also feels she has the right to be mad, she only just recently found out her boyfriend and his brother are vampires, ones that are supposed to only exist in fiction, alongside that she finds out her sister is a hunter, who hunts the supernatural race.

"Elena, you should also know, never take that necklace off," Stefan added thoughtfully, gaining the brunettes attention. "Because no matter what happens after today, no matter how you feel about me...You'll know that you were free to make your own choice."

The protectress couldn't help, but like Stefan more for how selfless he was, going out of his way to protect them from any possible compulsion, not only from any other likely lurking vampires but also himself. Simply for that, the younger Salvatore brother has her respect.

🖤💜🖤

When Darcy stepped over the threshold of her house, she cursed out loud, gaining the attention of Stefan and Elena. Vicki and Matt were there, and then she saw her brother was on the floor in the lounge, gaping at Vicki with a stunned expression. Then cursed again about how she was going to castrate Damon when she gets her hands on him.

"Jer, are you okay?" Matt asked, staring at him with large wide-open eyes.

"I'm fine." Jeremy brushed off his concerns, getting back to his feet.

Matt glanced at his sister with a narrowed gaze. "Damn Vick."

That was all Darcy needed to know Vicky had shoved Jeremy and stamping over to Vicky, "Oh hell no, you did not put your dirty hands on my brother." She was about to get in her face, all but neglecting to notify Stefan they had a new bloodsucker on their hands, but she believes he figured that out as he removed Darcy and placed her behind him.

"Back up, Darce," Stefan turned to the transitioning vampire. "Vicki, look at me," He said delicately, taking hold of her face so she could focus. "That's it. You're gonna be fine. Everything's gonna be fine." He soothes.

Once Vicki was able to calm down, Stefan examined her over. He knew with absolute confidence that Vicki she was in transition. He turned to Matt and Jeremy. "Guys, take her up to bed." He instructed. "Shut the blinds. She's going to be okay. Come on, come on." He shepherded them up the stairs.

Once the trio was upstairs, he turned to Darcy and nodded confirming her not so theory. She was about to open her mouth and say how she was in the know, but a blubber mouth interrupted.

"You know what's wrong with her, don't you?" She accused.

While they were talking Darcy ran up to her room pulling out her crossbow from her closet, the device was already strapped up with a vervain-arrow. She then pulled out a harness, equipped with arrows, strapped it around her jean covered thigh and jogged back to down the steps, hearing the tail end of the distant couple's conversation.

"She has to feed on human blood," Stefan said, barely containing his anger towards his brother and his foolishness.

"And what if she doesn't?" Elena implored.

Stefans voice was grim as he replied. "She'll die."

Darcy froze in her tracks, glaring at her feet. She may not like Vicki much, but for some insane reason, her little brother does. And then there's Matty, he would be broke and alone if his sister did not complete the transition, yes he would be better off without her and her issues, but that still doesn't warrant a death sentence. They would both be devasted if they were to lose her forever. And for that, she'll try her utmost hardest to keep the girl alive.

"How long does she have?" Darcy asked as she stepped beside Stefan, crossbow under her arm.

"She may only have a few hours," Stefan murmured sadly as his watery green eyes met determined swirling blue. He glanced down at the device.

"Why do you have that?" He asked curiously stepping away when he smelt the scent of vervain coated on the arrows.

"If Vicky is here... then how far behind will Damon be?" She voiced glancing through the front window seeing dusk would soon be approaching.

"Can you guys just shut up for a minute...While your talking Vicki is upstairs with Jeremy right now." Elena demanded, pointing her finger towards the ceiling.

"It's okay," Stefan ensured. "She doesn't know what's happening to her yet."

"So when is she going to know?" Elena asked, rolling her eyes impatiently.

"Right now, she doesn't remember anything. A part of her is human, but slowly, the deeper she gets into the transition, the memories will start to come back and then she'll know she has to make a choice." Stefan explained with certitude.

Elena's frame stiffened, and she turned, glaring at Stefan. "The same choice you made."

Stefan froze hearing a sharp whistle then a bang. Elena jumped, screaming as an arrow shot in the wall of the staircase above her head. "Ahh, what the hell?" Elena cried, hands covering her head, scared if the sharp metal would fall and embed itself in her skull.

"What have I told you about your mouth, Elena? I said to fix it before I do it for you. This is your last warning; next shot is your ass." Darcy said calmly, pulling out a new arrow from her harness. "You have no right to pass judgment on Stefan; he had no choice in his vampirism, and you defiantly have no right to judge something that has nothing to do with you."

Elena looked thoroughly ashamed of her actions and glanced at Stefan to offer an apology only for him to gape at Darcy with amazement shining his green eyes. He doesn't know how or why, but this girl keeps on getting better and better.

"Stefan..." Elena trailed off, gaining his attention. "I...I'm uh-," Her apology never got to finish as Matt plodded down the stairs walking over to Darcy and helped her tidy up Vicky's earlier mess.

"Here let me help," Matt proposed remorsefully. He picked up some plates, eyeing the metal contraption on the counter, close to the ebony-heads side as he started to fill the sink, only to stop suddenly as Vicki flew down the stairs and out the front door. "Vicki! Vicki!"

Matt set down the plates, duplicating Darcy's actions as she ran out of the house, trying to find Vicki. Elena, Stefan and Jeremy followed behind them. There was no sign of the girl anywhere in sight.

"She was fine," Jeremy panicked, trying to explain what had happened, "And then s-she just freaked out."

"I'm gonna go look for her," Matt told them, returning with Darcy. "Call me if you hear anything." He called over his shoulder, jogging over to his truck.

"I can track her," Stefan spoke up, grabbing Elena's attention, while Darcy comforted their distraught brother.

Elena looked at him with steel in her eyes. "Go."

Stefan didn't waste any time to leave. He needed to find Vicki before she made a mistake.

~1.3 coming soon!

Also, I'm judging a few contests on my other account in the next 2-3 weeks so I may be a bit slow with updating but will stick with the new schedule of twice a week updates—no set days at the moment.

Comment and vote let me know your thoughts 💜