[*Chapter Twenty-Five*]

Lots and lots of Darcy and the boys. Enjoy! 💜🖤

~

"See, wasn't too bad," Damon said as he leads Darcy over to the drinks table.

Darcy chugged back the punch. "Not bad, Salvatore. Next time try not to kill me." She chuckled, still breathless from their dancing.

"Next time?" Damon flashed a smirk earning a slap on his chest.

"Don't push it."

"Does this mean we're friends again?"

"Hmm... Hey, Mr. Saltzman," Darcy said, seeing Alaric stop beside them.

"Hello, Darcy," Alaric said, looking between the two, not recognizing the raven-haired male. "Who's this?

"Oh, right." She waved her hand at Damon. "This is Damon Salvatore, Stefan's guardian."

Alaric nodded. "How'd you get roped into chaperoning?" He shook Damon's hand. "Alaric Saltzman. I'm the new History teacher."

"Ah, the uh, cursed faculty position." Damon hummed.

"So I've been told. Stefan's brother, huh? I hear he's very bright, not that I've had a chance to see for myself."

Darcy squinted her eyes at the side of Alaric's face. Her breath hitched when her gaze dropped down to the black ring on his hand. She gulped, diverting her sight to look around the gym while they had their little chat.

'That ring...Dad.'

"What about your parents?" Alaric questioned, his squinted eyes running up and down Damon's face.

"Mm, it's just the two of us now," Damon said while observing the crowd.

Darcy shuffled on her feet, uncomfortably rocking on her heels; she sighed, silently urging them to hurry up.

"You, uh...lived here your whole life?" Alaric asked while rubbing the stubble on his chin.

Damon shook his head side to side, "On and off. Travel a bit."

"Really? Where? Around the States?"

'What the hell?' Darcy inwardly questions, shooting Damon a look as to say, What's with the interrogation?

He replied with narrowed eyes and a shrug, 'How the hell am I meant to know?'

"Uh. I'm sorry. I'm nosy. I...I don't mean to pry. Look, it was nice meeting you." The teacher continued, backing away with an awkward flair; his eyes met Darcy's before he spun on his heels and parted through the heavy crowd.

"I don't trust him," she murmured under her breath, her mind flashing back to the ring on his hand. 'Why does he have Grayson's ring... Only him and John and...M- Is there another? No, there can't be, they would have said. Wouldn't they?

"Ahh, like he said. He's nosy." Damon said halfheartedly, tossing the last of his punch back.

"There's nosy, and then there's that... I don't know Damon. I think we should keep a watch on him."

"You're just paranoid, Princess."

'For good reason,' she thought, beginning to walking over to her to Elena and Stefan, but then paused, seeing Jeremy talking to a dark-haired girl. Her curiosity told her to see what they were discussing, and her stomach stirred with unease. With each step closer, the feeling became more vigorous.

"You said I could read it." The girl said as Darcy came to a stop behind her. She furrowed her brow, wondering who she was; her gaze flickered to her brother over the girl's shoulder.

"Uh, I don't have it," Jeremy said sheepishly, avoiding his sister's sharp look.

"Have what?" Darcy spoke up, causing the girl to fake jump. She turned around to meet Darcy's confused manner.

Their gazes didn't falter until Jeremy blurted, "Our family journal."

'Say what now?' Her head snapped over to him, silently demanding with her cold blue eyes what the hell is he playing at?

"Since you didn't bring it here, I can walk you home," Anna said, bringing the conversation back to her pressing matters.

"Dream on, love," Darcy muttered, not knowing a vampire is next to her and can hear what she's saying.

"No, I mean, I gave it to my history teacher," Jeremy said, shuffling on his feet.

"Wait. Why did you give it to him?" Anna demanded, eyebrow raised in surprise.

'I've only been here five minutes, and this bitch is already making me want to punch her in the face.'

"Because he wanted to read it, " he shrugged.

"You know, you shouldn't be giving that to just anybody."

"But it's okay to give it to you. Why are you so interested in the journal? What's it to you?" Darcy shot back.

"U-uh, loan. Loan it to me." Anna said, looking between the siblings.

Jeremy shrugged, "Well, I loaned it to Mr. Saltzman," he said while unpacking the plastic cups.

'Mr. Saltzman...' Darcy's stomach knotted uncomfortably. There's something not right here. But what?

"Maybe it's in his classroom. We can get it back." Anna rebutted.

"You're a persistent little thing, aren't you?" Darcy said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She walked around Ana's lithe frame and stood next to Jeremy, not liking her presence near her brother. Her gut tells her not to trust this girl, and she always listens to what it tells her.

"Why are you even here? This has nothing to do with you. Just stay out of it!"

Darcy took in a deep breath and straightened her back, ready to advance, and put the girl in her place, "Look here, little girl. You don't get to tell me what to do when you are a bitch and quite frankly acting suspiciously. Why are you so desperate to get the journal when it's not yours, or shall I repeat your words, 'nothing to do with you.'"

She opened her mouth to continue but halted when Jeremy placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and saw him shake his head and sighed. "If this is the girl you was on about earlier, then you're better off without her, Jer." Then walked off over to Elena and Stefan.

"You okay?" Elena asked when Darcy appeared beside her and seen her irritated face.

"Yeah, just girls being bitches, nothing new."

"Okay..." Elena said while nodding and patting her head.

"Uh, what are you doing?" Darcy looked at her as if she was stupid, "In case you're wondering...I'm not a dog."

Stefan snorted, gaining both of their attention. "What?" They chorused.

He covered himself and shook his head innocently, "I never said anything."

"You didn't have to. The snort said it all." Darcy said, playfully wagging her finger at his face.

Stefan raised his hands in surrender, already knowing there's no winning with Darcy. "Okay, fine, you got me."

"Stefan!" Elena called out in alarm.

Stefan and Darcy stopped their banter and moved closer to Elena. "What is it? Are you okay?" They fretted, trying to get her attention, but to no avail, she was staring over at the other side of the gym.

"Back corner!" That was all she said before they both snapped to attention, their sharp eyes fixing on Jeremy, who was still at the drinks table, the dark-haired, no longer next to him. Where she go?

Darcy then cursed loudly, seeing the man in the black hoodie standing behind her brother. All of her instincts were shouting at her to run over and get him but hesitated at Stefan's words as he began to rush over.

"Get Damon!"

Darcy and Elena ran through the heaving crowd, but they couldn't catch sight of Damon. They came to a stop at a less crowded corner yet were still unable to spot him. The hunter's protective instincts were on high alert, and the need to protect the people she cares for the most was bubbling inside, begging to let go and do what she's been trained to do. Protect and Kill.

Elena's phone ringing brought her back to the present; she held her sister's free hand as she saw her frightened face and moved closer to hear the caller.

"Hello, Elena and Darcy. Here's what you're both are going to do. There's an exit door behind you. You have five seconds." The man said as they looked around frantically.

"No, not happening," Darcy said, her tone of voice resembling cold steel.

The man tutted and chuckled with mirth, "Or your brother dies."

Darcy shut her mouth, immediately looked at Jeremy, and felt her breath hitch as the man moved closer behind him. "I can snap his neck so fast I bet there's not even a witness. Start walking."

"Touch him, and I swear I'll stake you and rip out your intestines."

Elena tugged her towards the door.

"Keep walking. Through the door."

They pushed through the door, and Elena cut the call. Darcy pushed her and urged her to run. "Run!" And so they did.

As they approached the end of the hallway, Elena ran up to a door and tried to pull it open while Darcy guarded her back, "It's locked!" Elena cried.

Darcy kicked the door out of anger and pulled her sister into the cafeteria. They ran across the room and attempted to pry open another door, again with no success. They turn around in a sweated panic, just as the door crashes open and the hoodied vampire starts towards them.

Darcy leaped in front of her sister, her arms outstretched, feet planted apart, eyes cold and fierce as she fixated her gaze on the vampire. "Come for round two, big guy?" She taunted, her ruby lips gleaming under the dim lights.

Noah grinned maliciously and inhaled, the aroma of vervain attacking his senses. He snarled and sped forward, grabbing her around the neck, and launched her into the locked doors.

Darcy screwed up her face and breathed heavily through the pain; she won't let one beating keep her down, no chance in hell.

"There will be no round two, with you dead." He chuckled down at her sprawled form the darted for Elena.

"No!" Darcy yelled and jumped up off the floor and ran, leaped on a nearby table, and vaulted herself onto Noah's back, just as Elena stabbed his hand with some pencils. She wrapped her forearm around his throat and clenched her legs around his waist. "You don't touch her, got it!"

"Ahh!" Noah wheezed through her tight hold.

"No, Darcy!" Elena cried out in alarm, scared for her sister as the vampire attempts to throw her off. He wrestled his body aggressively, jostling the huntress, and snapped his sharp teeth at her arm. Fortunately for her, she moved in time but wasn't safe. He grabbed onto her thighs and mid-back and hauled her over his shoulder, sending her crashing onto the table.

"Shit..." She cursed lowly at the stinging pain in her side and pulled herself back to her feet. She staggered and balanced her shaky frame on the table for support.

Noah watched standing a few feet away and wrenched the pencil out of his palm, his gaze roaming over the ebony head. He nodded, almost impressed at her determination. A nasty smirk pulled at his lips as he flew over to Elena; after all, she's what he wants.

"Elena, the mop! Use the mop!" Darcy shouted, seeing him advance onto her sister.

Elena looked around frantically until she sighted the mop and yanked it out of its bucket. "What do I do!" She cried in a panic.

"Snap it and stab him. It's wood. Stab him in the heart."

"But...but that will kill him!" Elena screamed as Noah appeared in front of her and flashed his vampire's teeth.

"Not the time, Elena. Just kill him!" She yelled back and limp-ran over to them.

Elena brought the stick and snapped it in half over her leg. Noah laughed and snatched it from her grasp and chucked it aside, causing her to squeal and back away, scared. Darcy backtracked and picked it back up, and ran back. She swung her arm around and smashed the mop over his head.

The vampire snarled and snapped his head at her, his veiny eyes red and angry. "You need to go!" He growled through his sharp teeth and launched himself at her.

But she was poised and ready, holding the broken wood with both hands. She beckoned him forward with a smirk, "Come on then, big guy, come and get me!"

"Darcy, stop provoking him. If you have forgotten... he's a vampire." Elena's whiny voice clipped in, and Darcy rolled her eyes at her naivety.

"Yeah, well, one of us has to do it!" she panted through the burning pain in her ribs, stupid ass.

Just as he reached her, she stabbed the pointed end through his stomach. Noah yelled in pain, gripping the wood, and struggled to pull it out. Darcy tutted and used her pointy boot heel to push it in further, making him yell out and fall to his knees. "You know, for a vampire, you're doing a shit job. I thought you were meant to be big and strong, yet you can't take out a measly human girl? Pathetic."

Hand clapping sounded behind them, followed by Damon's cheerful voice, "Good show, Princess. Good show. Yeah!"

Darcy whirled around angry, "Oh, now you show up, huh? What the hell took you so long?" She demanded, hands resting on her hips.

Damon ignored, appraising her for any visible injuries, aside from her disheveled hair, she saw none, silently thinking thank God, he doesn't think if he or Stefan could handle Darcy hurt, she's become an important figure in their lives, he thought as he and Stefan paused in front of the groaning vampire.

"Hey, dickhead. Nobody wants to kill you. We just want to talk."

"I do!" Darcy spoke up, sticking her arm up in the air, the other resting on her pained side, which Stefan caught her wincing and narrowed his eyes at the staked vampire resting at his feet.

"Shut up, Darcy." Damon quipped, diverting Stefan's racing thoughts.

"Hey, that's rude. I mean, this guy did try to kill us. It's only rightful I do the same." She pouted at Damon, who kept his attention solely on Noah, knowing he can't resist that face. He pulled out the stick and watched as Noah got up off the floor and backed up when he sped towards him.

Stefan shook his head and snatched the stick from Damon, and stabbed Noah in the stomach again.

"Now you feel like talking?" He asked as he looked down at the vampire.

"Screw you." Noah spitted.

"Wrong answer," Stefan said as he twisted the stick. Noah grunted in pain.

Darcy cheered, "Woop! Go, Steffy!"

"Why are you doing this?" He asked calmly.

"Cause it's fun."

"What do you want with Elena?"

"She looks like Katherine, but her sister's hot. Maybe I'll have a piece of her, too." Noah taunted.

Damon and Elena exchanged looks as Stefan growled, ripped out the wood, and stabbed him with more force. "Try again." He spoke through clenched teeth.

"You knew Katherine?" Damon asked, bringing them back to the task.

"Oh, you thought you were the only ones. You don't even remember me." Noah said, looking between the brothers.

"Oh, boo hoo, such a sad story. Everyone forgot about poor Noah. Blah, blah, blah." Darcy sang with faux pitty as she approached the trio. Elena trailed behind, her hand clasped around her sister's wrist as if anchoring for support.

Damon narrowed his eyes in annoyance, "Tell me how to get into the tomb, Hmm?"

"No," Noah said. Stefan grew fed up with his crap and thrust the stick upwards, just missing his heart. "The Grimoire!" He shouted.

"Damn, Stef. That's hot." Darcy whistled, earning a jab in her side from Elena, "Calm down, Elena, no one's stealing your boyfriend."

"Where is it?" Damon asked.

"Check the journal. The journal. Jonathan Gilbert."

"Who else is working with you?" Stefan asked.

"No. You're going to have to kill me."

Darcy froze and connected the dots. "You and..." She clamped her mouth shut, avoiding the looks they gave her. That's why she wanted the journal- That slimy little bitch.

Stefan squinted his eyes a little longer. Darcy brought her gaze to his and shook her head. She'll tell them later. He nodded in understanding and turned his attention back to the groaning vampire at his feet.

"Last chance. Whom are you working with?" Noah remained silent. Stefan nodded, glancing at Damon and Darcy, earning a nod. Wasting no time, he thrust the stick upwards and punctured the vampire's heart. Darcy wiggled her nose in distaste as his skin turned grey and veiny, bringing back flashbacks of Vicki and Lexi. She pushed them away and looked at Elena when she began to speak.

"What do we do? How are we going to find the others now?"

"He had to die," Damon said point blankly.

"But..."

"There are no buts, Elena. He was going to kill you. It's either you, us, or him. I choose to kill them. Always." Darcy said, holding Elena's face in her hands and staring into her watery doe eyes.

"Darcy..." Elena trailed off in shock and gratitude.

"Shh. It's going to be okay. I'll always protect you. Forever." Darcy soothed and pulled Elena into her chest, kissing her head.

Stefan moved closer, "Elena, he was invited in." He said, briefly resting his hand on Darcy's shoulder before laying it on Elena's. She exhaled with relief and calmed down, knowing that she would be safe with her sister and the Salvatore brothers around.

A sudden sound coming from outside the door snared their attention; looking over, they caught a glimpse of someone running away.

Stefan glanced at Damon, "Go. I got this." He said.

That was all Damon needed before he sped away.

💜🖤💜

Later that night, at the Gilberts residence, Alaric was just dropping Jenna back at home; they paused outside on the porch. "I think I'll keep the Isabelle talk to a minimum, " he said, running his hands through his hair in an awkward manner.

"Your wife's name was Isabelle?" Jenna's asked, her mind flashing to the conversation she had with Elena.

Rick hummed, "Yeah, that was her name." he confirmed.

Jenna shook her head at the unlikely coincidence, or is it? "Where was Isabelle from?" she wondered.

"From Virginia, I...I mean, not too far from here, actually."

Inside, Stefan was fixing Elena's sandwich; he turned to Darcy as she nursed her hot coffee, "Sure you don't want one?" he asked, gesturing to the food.

Darcy shook her head, "I'm fine. Thanks for the offer, though." She gave him an appreciative look before returning her gaze down at her coffee, her mind running a hundred miles per hour; Anna, Alaric, and Noah. All highly invested in Jonathan Gilbert's journal. But why? Why did they want it so much? What's so important?

Stefan and Elena glanced at each other, wondering why Darcy was...so quiet. It wasn't like her, especially when she was such a loudmouth. "Darcy?" Elena spoke softly, concerned for her sister.

"Hmm," she replied, distracted.

"Are you okay? You're really quiet that's not like you..." Elena trailed off, chuckling to herself.

Darcy snapped herself out of the cloudy funk, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine, just thinking. Are you doing okay?" she returned the question, knowing tonight was a bit too much.

"Is it weird if I said yes?" Elena replied, glancing between the two.

Stefan slid the sandwich on a plate across the island to her, "Is it true?"

"I should feel more upset or scared or something, but I feel kind of...exhilarated," she said before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Wait until you feel excited or turn—"

"Darcy! Not when I'm eating, please." The brunette whined while Stefan let out a loud laugh. Elena shot her boyfriend a look not to encourage her sister further; he coughed and sobered up.

"It's adrenaline rush. You will crash soon."

"Yeah, I guess. I fought back tonight-" Darcy cut her off with a snort, she shot her an offended look, "Okay, Darcy did, but still I feel good."

"I wish you both didn't have to fight at all." Stefan sighed.

"We're big girls; we can handle ourselves." Darcy asserted.

"Yeah, I know, but still, you shouldn't have to get involved in this mess."

"When someone threatens my family or tries to kill my sister, there's no doubt I'm getting my ass involved. Think what you think, Stefan; my answer will be the same." Darcy said with utmost confidence, but to her, you mess with her family, you mess with her too.

Stefan nodded in understanding, sending her an unsure smile, which she immediately caught and straightened her spine; she knew whatever he was going to say, she wouldn't like. "What, what is it?"

Stefan flickered his unsure gaze between the sisters and exhaled, not sure how they will react. "I need to tell you something, and I don't know how you'll feel about it."

"What?" Elena asked, taking his hand in hers.

"I told Damon I'd help him get into the tomb–"

"You did what?!" Darcy shouted, pushing her chair back, and stood up. "Please repeat that. I think I heard you say you're going to help Damon get into the tomb." Spinning on her heels, she faced her sister, "Do I hear things or?"

Stefan moved closer to Darcy, causing her to back away, "It was a lie. I let him believe that he could trust me."

"You know Stefan. You're such an ass. Why would you deceive him like that, your brother? Does family not mean anything to you?" Darcy shook her head, feeling sad for how far the two have broken apart, all over a girl.

"I don't get it; why would you be worried about telling us?" Elena broke in, confused while looking at her angry sister, who has steam practically bursting out of her ears and an I'm pleased scowl plastered upon her face.

"Because he can be very persuasive and not much you, but Darcy has bonded with him, with us. It's only right I tell you both the truth."

Darcy blew out a pent-up breath and scrubbed her face, feeling irritated. "I don't know, Stef, this feels wrong on all levels."

Saying you will help is one thing but then actually fabricate the truth is just wrong. I don't feel right about this. It will all backfire, and we'll get caught in the crossfire.

"That doesn't mean I trust him. It's going to take a lot more than just a road trip and a rescue for me to forget who Damon is and everything he's done."

"I don't want to be his enemy, Elena, but I can't let him do it.

"Then don't. I'll help you, whatever it takes. Okay?"

"Okay. Come here." Stefan said as Elena leaning into him.

Darcy drilled her sharp glare into the side of her sister's head, wondering when did she become so...cold? The Elena she knew wasn't like this. So who's this person? Maybe Stefan and Elena are perfect for each other if they feel they can trick and deceive someone whose family. She sighed, looking down at her clasped hands, and shook her head. She promised Damon she'll help and stick by his side, no matter if it does, all backfire because it will, and she will be here for the downfall, whether he wants her there or not. That's what real friends, or in the case of Stefan, what family do.

💜🖤💜

Hey, guy! So sorry for the wait, life has been pretty hectic, but no worries I'm slowly coming back with this awesome chapter! I hope you enjoyed 🖤