[*Chapter Twenty-Three*]

A bit of Darcy, Bonnie, and Caroline. Enjoy! 💜🖤

*Some strong language*

"Stefan, who was that man in the road?" Elena asked while Darcy was perched on Stefan's bed, rifling through a box full of vervain.

"I don't know. Do you remember anything else about him?"

"Nope, I was too busy ramming him with my car," Darcy piped up sarcastically, earning a tilt of Stefan's mouth.

"I wish. I never really saw his face. He was wearing a hoodie." Elena said while staring off into the distance, trying to piece the memories.

Darcy paused, her hands playing with a beaded bracelet, "Oh, yeah! He was wearing these black boots. That's all I remember before he went poof, then Dickmon ripped off my car door. Ass."

"I heard that!" Damon's voice called out.

"You was meant to!"

Stefan sighed, not knowing much than the sisters, except another vampire is roaming around. He rubbed his face and sat beside Darcy, showing them the vervain and bracelets. "I brought some vervain for, um...for you both, Jenna and Jeremy." He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at Darcy, "uh...Damon told me about the vervain incident, and I made you and Jeremy these bracelets."

Darcy peered at him curiously before shaking her head with a small smile, "No need, Stef. I got that covered."

"But you don't wear anything with vervain, and what if you forget to ingest again?"

She chuckled, glancing at him in amusement. She peeked at Elena, who remained quiet with a troubled frown, before resting her left foot on her right leg and pulled up the hem of her ripped skinny jeans, revealing a gold anklet with a small dark blue crystal pendant. "See? No need to worry, Steffy! I won't make that mistake again."

Stefan chuckled, shaking his head, "You never fail to surprise me." His long fingers trailed the smooth russet beads in his palm.

Darcy snatched it out of his hands with a teasing smirk, "I didn't say I didn't want it... I'll have it for Jenna. Thanks!"

Elena peered into the box, wrinkling her nose at the aroma the purple plants produced, "So, this is going to protect us?"

Stefan nodded in agreement, "You can put it in jewelry, or like Darcy...You can put it in your food or drink, but as long as it's in you or on you, a vampire can't control you."

Elena hummed before pinning her sister with a curious stare, "If that's so... why didn't you have all of us on vervain?"

Darcy jerked her raven head, narrowing her gaze on her sister before huffing and standing up from the bed. "Really? This again? We've talked about this, Elena. Dad didn't feel the need, and there were no vampires around."

"Still. You could have prepared yourself for this to come. I thought you were a hunter?" Elena rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, a hunter...I never wanted to be." Darcy spun on her heels and marched out of the room, "I'm out! I don't have to listen to you ramble about shit you don't know." She skipped downstairs, ignoring Damon's penetrating stare, and slammed the front door before walking to school. Yes, walk, since a leeching bloodsucker wrecked her baby.

How dare she? Why can't she give me a break? God! She's so infuriating. Darcy thought as she kicked the gravel. It wasn't like she asked to be apart of their family's hunting shenanigans, quite the opposite. Darcy just wanted a normal childhood, have fun, make friends get high on sugar and candy. She got away from her abusive biological family then become the Gilberts puppet, having to submit to their every whim. But she never fought. No, it was the least she could do...they did give her a home, a brother and a sister.

She made them a promise; protect Jeremy and Elena until her last breath. And she will try her damn hardest to achieve that even if it means losing herself in the process.

💜🖤💜

Elena and Caroline made their way over to their at lunchtime. Darcy trailed behind with a frown plastered on her face. Once sitting, the bubbly blonde looked down at the necklace that the sisters had given her.

"It's so pretty." She gushed with admiration.

"Thank you," Elena replied as she looked around absently.

"God, it will go with, like everything. What's the occasion?" Caroline asked while glancing beside her. Darcy rested her arms on the table, hands cupping her chin, watching her friend with a fond smile.

"We've wanted to give it to you for a while. We know you have a special love for fashion and accessories. Call it a little gift from your best friends."

"Lesbian friend necklace? Cause we're freaky like that?"

Darcy wiggled her eyebrows teasingly, "Darling, If you want a tumble in the sheets, you could have asked."

Caroline gasped and shoved her while laughing in disbelief, "Darcy!"

Elena choked on her drink, "Darce! You can't say stuff like that."

"Ahh, stop acting like a prude!"

"What she should have said was your friendship is important to us," Elena said as she pulled her lunch out of her bag. "Aren't you eating?" She asked her sister, seeing her not eating her lunch and without her backpack.

Darcy shook her head in dismissal. "Not hungry." Earning her an unpleased look.

"Why are you so mushy?" Caroline cut in curiously; she couldn't hide the grin on her face.

"She saw you getting cozy with Matty! Oh, and don't think you can't get out of dishing the tea!" Darcy sang, her eyes glittering with delight.

Caroline cringed, a red hue blossoming her cheeks, "I was gonna talk to you about that." Darcy hummed. "I was! But there's just not much to say...We've hung out a couple of times. That's it but, I feel we have peeked as friends...This is weird. I shouldn't be talking to you about this." She said, shaking her blonde locks. "It's weird, right?"

"It's a little weird, but. If it's what you and Matt want, then it's not about me." Elena said while shrugging her shoulders.

"And this is why I stay clear of boys. All they do is screw with your lives." Darcy chimed in, rolling her eyes.

Elena paused her eating, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. It was now Caroline's turn to shine her beaming smile at her raven best friend, "You just wait. You prince charming will show up and sweep you off your feet! I bet he's already here, waiting and watching."

The huntress snorted. "Yeah, I'd like to see him come and try...He'll receive my foot up his ass and a punch in his jaw." She paused and trailed her hands over her form. "Besides, no one can handle this Goddess."

Caroline and Elena burst out into uncontrollable laughter, clutching their stomachs, tears streaming down their rosy cheeks. Caroline got a handle on herself, wiping her eyes. "You never fail to amuse me. But I don't get it...You've never had a boyfriend or shown any interest in any boys. I mean, you're hot and a little intimidating, but guys like that."

Darcy looked at her emotionless. "Okay, a lot intimidating! But still, guys dig it. They find it a hugeee turn on!"

"And that right there is why I don't dig boys. I don't need a man to have a good time. Why? All they do is change who you are. Plus, you know with my history, I'm damaged baggage. No one wants that. Besides, I have hands...I can easily please myself." She said with full confidence.

Elena choked again, this time on her food. She coughed heavily, pounding on her chest. "DARCY!" She wheezed, "Please, not when I'm eating!"

Caroline had thrown her head backward, her hair flying around like a halo as she laughed wholeheartedly. "Ooh...my...god!" She gasped.

"What?" Darcy asked, "What's the saying?... Honesty is the best...policy. Shit, I'm not ashamed. I'll gladly own myself when I say pleasuring yourself is good...If you do it correctly."

Caroline went off into her third round of laughter; her shoulders shook as loud gasps breaking free from her wide stretched mouth. "I...f-freaking... love you!"

"Aww, I love you too, Care! Anyway, if you like Matt, that's all that matters. It's time to put yourself first. Okay?"

Caroline nodded, beaming with happiness for having an understanding friend like Darcy, "Okay."

💜🖤💜

Later on, Bonnie, Darcy, and Elena were gathered at the Grill as she told the Bennet witch she's adopted.

"Wow. I never saw that coming." Bonnie said, her eyes wide as she looked over the table at Elena. Her gaze flickered to Darcy, sitting next to her, blowing bubbles in her glass of Pepsi.

"And it gets weirder. I looked at my birth certificate; it lists Miranda and Grayson Gilbert as my birth parents. None of it makes sense." Elena exclaimed in frustration.

Darcy paused, blowing bubbles. She pushed the glass aside with her right hand, fixing her fiery gaze on her so-called selfish sister. "It doesn't have to, Elena. You should just be grateful you have a loving family. I don't get what's so wrong with you being adopted when you're surrounded by people who love you. Why waste time and energy on someone who's obviously not worth those?"

Elena shook her head while Bonnie sent her friend a sympathetic smile. She knows why Darcy finds this subject touchy; after all, she is adopted, but Elena doesn't see it that way. No, Elena wants answers, and she wants them now.

"You don't get it, Darce." Elena protested.

Darcy's left outstretched hand smacked the table's surface with an echoing bang. Elena recoiled back into her seat, eyes diverted to her wriggling hands, avoiding Darcy's burning glare. "What did you just say?... I don't think I heard you right." She cups her right ear, "I don't get it?... Get over yourself! God, you're so self-centered. Not everything is about you. All I hear is blah, blah, blah, I'm adopted. No one told me. Blah, blah, blah!"

"How can I not get it? I'm in the same position as you! Look around you, Elena. Do you see my parents? No, they're locked in a cell. Where are yours? And I swear to God if you say dead and buried, I will bitch slap you-"

Bonnie rests a hand on Darcy's forearm, snapping her out of her anger-fueled rant. Darcy exhaled a heavy breath pushing a few loose strands of raven hair behind her ears. Once she got a hold of herself, she peered into her sister's watery doe eyes. "Look, all I'm saying is you have everything you need here, with us. I just don't want you to get hurt when you dig too deep and come out burnt. Because you will, I know it, and you know it, too."

Elena remained frozen; only a lone tear trailing down her cheek was movable. She then inhaled, wiping her eyes while nodding in understanding. She knows Darcy is only trying to help and look out for her. And yes, In a way, her sister can relate, but at the same time, she knew who her biological parents were all her life. She's not been living in the dark, and regardless of what Darcy has said, she still needs to know the truth. Gathering her bag, she slipped out of the booth, passing them a timid smile. "I'm just gonna go. I'll see you at home, Darce." She trailed off after hugging Bonnie.

They both watched as Elena exited the Grill; Bonnie switched her attention to Darcy, "That was a bit harsh."

"No, that was a reality check she needed. Fair enough, she's hurt and curious, but digging where she's not supposed to will only land her hurt. And who will be the one to pick up the pieces when everything falls apart?." Darcy said, pointing to herself. "Me, As always."

"Maybe it's time she learns from her own mistakes?" Bonnie asked, pulling her purse out of her bag.

"Again, I'll still be the one to pick up the pieces." She sighed, sliding out of the booth. Just as she was about to let Bonnie out, she slapped her hand, "Put your money away. I'll pay."

"I can.."

"Nope, my treat. You can pay next time."

"You know, you sound like a boyfriend right now?" Bonnie laughed, causing Darcy to chuckle, recalling her earlier conversation with Caroline.

"Wrong sex, darling. I'm all female." She teased with a playful wink.

Bonnie looked her over with a playful appraisal, "Yeah, I can see that. I mean, have you seen your..."

"You too? You want to get frisky and have threesomes, also?" Darcy cut her off with a dramatic flair, hands planted on her full hips. "We'd have to extend the party to a four-way, though." She tried hard to contain her laughter, but upon seeing Bonnie's freaked out expression, she lost her cool, bursting out with hysterical, uncontrollable laugher. Folding her arms across her stomach, the Protectress panted with breathless laughter, tears streaming down her face. "Oh...my...god...your...face...so priceless."

"What the? I'm honestly confused right now. Where the hell did that even come from?" Bonnie asked, baffled, eyes practically bugging out of her sockets.

"Oh, BonBon, I love you, girl!" She said once she recovered and brushed the tears off her cheeks.

"But?... What...how? Uhh, You know what? I'm not even gonna bother. I know you lost your mind a while ago."

"That is something we can agree on, little witch." The hunter said while navigating through the table and chairs. After paying for their bill, they turned only to bump into Damon.

Darcy groaned, "Not you again."

"Hey! I thought we were friends?" Damon said dramatically, placing his hand on his chest, acting offended.

"That was before you nearly got us killed." She deadpanned.

"Really, we're still on this?"

"Yep." She said, popping the 'P' while rocking on her boot heels.

Damon rolled his eyes, turning to Bonnie, who cast him a nasty glare.

"I think we need a fresh start."

She scoffed, shaking her head incredulously, "You tried to kill me, only you failed and bit Darcy instead."

"Exactly, but I didn't. If I wanted to kill you, I would have. Does that not count for anything? Damon asked as he tempted to sweeten her over with a flashy grin.

Darcy laid her hand on Bonnie's shoulder, calming her slightly when she saw the anger growing under the surface, "What she's trying to say is... to keep away from her, but in a more nicer-Bonnie way."

The vampire narrowed his gaze at the ebony-head and was about to step forward when Bonnie pushed Darcy's arm off of her and stepped in between them. "You know? I could set you on fire. One wrong move, and you'll turn to ashes."

There's one thing Darcy loves most about Bonnie, and that's her protective instincts over those she loves; her friends and family. She's loyal to the fault, always got your back when you need it. And when those closest are wronged, they will know about it.

Damon's icy eyes flitted between the pair, nodding in understanding. He backed away, resting his sights longer on Darcy when a voice sounded behind them.

"Everything okay over here?" The trio directed their views behind them, seeing a dark-haired teenager wearing a Grill uniform.

"Yeah, we're fine," Damon answered, his stare fixed on an oblivious Darcy as she looked on amused, watching as Bonnie made googly eyes at the boy.

"I wasn't talking to you." He said.

That got Damon's attention; his lips twitched as he suppressed a smile while shaking his head as he turned around and exiting the Grill.

"Thank you," Bonnie said when it was just the three of them.

"Anytime, Bonnie." He replied while he looked over at her.

Darcy covered her mouth to hide her grin as Bonnie's eyes bugged out, shocked, "Wait...You remember me?"

"I didn't graduate that long ago. You're making me feel old." He laughed while glancing at Darcy. His eyes widened a little before directing them back to the witch.

"Sorry...I didn't mean...I didn't mean that. I, uhh didn't know you knew me." She replied, flustered while elbowing Darcy to shut up her not so discrete chuckles. The Huntress retaliated, nudging her in the ribs, causing Bonnie to wince.

The boy's next reply froze them from their pinching and poking, "I always know a pretty face."

Darcy gaped at his words; looking between the two, she cringed uncomfortably, practically watching them having sex with their eyes. Her phone rang; she sighed with relief, backing away while removing the circular device from her back pocket. "I, uhh gotta answer this, Bon," She said, waving her phone and motioning to outside.

"Hello?" She answered then frowned, hearing sniffles sound down the phone. Darcy pulled the device away, reading 'Elena' on the screen. "Elena? What's wrong?"

"The...There..w..was a man. He called me asking if my car was new after you hit him with yours. H...he, then appeared from the stairs under the Grill, coming after me." Elena cried down the phone.

"Hey! It's okay. Where are you?" Darcy demanded, rushing outside, looking around for her sister.

"In my car. I pulled over."

"Okay, come back, get me, and we'll sort it out." She soothed while running her hand through her long tresses.

"Okay." Came Elena's sniffled whisper.

💜🖤💜

"Why me? What does he want with me? A-and if he's trying to kill me, why call first?" Elena trembled uneasily as she sat in the parlor at the Salvatore boarding house.

"It's a game, a thrill if you say. He wants you scared so he can lure you into his trap." Darcy said, rubbing small smoothing circles onto her sister's clasped hands.

"That's because we're predators, Elena. We hunt, stalk. It's exciting as the kill." Stefan explained as he walked into the lounge. He stopped in front of the girls, "Here, I want you both to have this." He said, placing the Gilbert watch in Darcy's hand.

Flashbacks of Logan filtered through the protectress's mind, recalling the multiple times he shot at her and Damon. Dick, she thought bitterly, clenching her nimble hands around the mechanism.

"That's Jeremy's pocket watch. How did you get it?" Elena asked, peering up at the Salvatore vampire.

"I took it from Damon; he took it from..."

"Logan," Darcy mumbled, "Scumbag Fell took it from us. That's why he was creeping around Jenna." She seethed, her irises dilating until only a shimmering ring prevailed. Grabbing hold of herself, she inhaled deeply, flipping open the watch, fingering the dial.

"What happened to it?" Elena asked while peering inside of it.

"Well, it's not a watch. It's a sort of compass, but..." Stefan trailed off, looking at Darcy for guidance, even though he knew he was finding it hard to express his inner self, and Darcy helps massively with that.

Darcy smiled and nodded in understanding, shifting to face Elena, bringing the watch closer between them. "It's a compass that hunts vampires. Though I never knew that until that day, Damon and I were hunting for that vampire, who turned out to be scum-- uh," Cough..."Logan."

The brunette shook her head, finding it hard to comprehend what she thought was a simple ancient watch was, in fact, a hunting device. But what baffled her the most was, why was it in her family's possession? Most of all, why did Darcy have it to begin with?

"But...Why did you have it?" She asked, scrunching her face up.

Darcy shook her head, "Grey--Dad gave me this along with a few other possessions. He told me when the time was right, that things would slot into place."

"Still, why you? Why not me, or Jer?" Elena bit her lip from spewing out what she really wanted to say, 'When you're not even a Gilbert.'

Darcy shrugged, looking at Stefan, begging him with her eyes for help.

"Gilberts was one of the founding families, and back in 1964, they were among those who sought to eradicate the vampires. The compass was used to find us." Stefan supplied.

"Did you know them?" Elena asked, bringing her gaze back to him.

"Yes. I want you to keep that. That way, you both will know if you are ever in danger." He said, looking between them with his most serious face, showing he wasn't messing around. Vampires are roaming around. Nowhere and anywhere was safe.

💜🖤💜

As Darcy and Elena arrived home, the youngest of the two settled her car keys on the table in the hallway, while the oldest walked into the kitchen fetching a bottled water from the fridge. As she closed the door, she found Jenna folding away the laundry in the living room and Elena glaring daggers across the room. Ooh, drama! She moved herself to the dining table, took a seat, and then glanced behind her at the cupboards, wondering if they had some popcorn.

Jenna broke the staredown first, looking over at Darcy, sending her a sympathetic smile. "I spoke to the insurance company. Your car is totaled. You can use mine for now." She paused peering down and the pile of clothes, before peeking through her lashes sheepishly, with a bit of hope her niece won't fly off the roof, "Or, you could start riding your bi-"

Darcy shot up, the chair flew back, legs scraping across the floor, creating a loud screech. "Absolutely no! How can you ask that?... I can't not after...not after." She bit her trembling lip.

"Yes, you can. You're stronger than this, don't let that be the reason you stop doing the things you love the most." Jenna said, coming over and pulling the girl into her arms.

"I...I can't, J. You know me and d..dad built it together. It's the one thing we got to do together before they..d.died." She rubbed her watery eyes, refusing to let her tears fall. She's come this far. She won't break, not this soon. No.

"Exactly, Darce. That's one reason why you should do this. Cherish those moments, and let go. He may be gone, but he'll be damn proud. I know it, and you know it. Just let go." The strawberry blonde said while brushing away the stray inky strands from the girl's face, looking deep into her beautiful eyes. She smiled encouragingly. "You can do this."

Darcy stared back, a smile breaking out on her face. Feeling thankful for Jenna's constant support. Her aunt may not have a choice or had much time to prepare when she got landed three teenagers to look after, even so, and no matter how much Jenna would deny, she's what makes them all a package. They would be seriously lost without her. So for her, Darcy will do this. It was time to pull up her big girl panties and take life back into her hands. For Jenna, she'll repay her anyway, even if it means riding her motorbike again. So she nodded and hugged the woman into a tight hug.

"I can do this."

~

Hey, guys! Sorry for such the long wait. I'm writing out the whole of season why. However, I got stuck with the biggest writer's block (still am).  But seeing as you were all so patient and I've decided to post an update. I will try to get the second half up soon 💜🖤