[*Chapter Fifty-One*]

 3rd POV

The following day, after spending the night pouring over the photocopied journal pages, Alaric had finally gotten Darcy to release him from her iron cast chains, only if he promised to return later, whilst they knew Isobel was on the prowl.

His eyes passed over the sea of students of his History class as he handed out papers. He hands a sheet to Tyler Lockwood. "So, these are the specs for the History department. For the Founders' Day float, we'll be recreating the battle of Willow Creek. Tyler has been nominated at the head of production design."

"By whom?" Tyler asked, peering down at the paper.

"By me. I've seen your sketches, and they're good," Alaric praised.

"I'm not really into the...," Tyler halted as Mr Saltzman cut him off.

Alaric saw the boy was struggling with the idea of being good at something other than football and sniffing after girls. He pitched an idea that may work and prayed a particular young lady would not castrate him when she found out.

"Well, you just pick your team, be creative," he looked around to see if anyone was near to overhear and dropped his voice to a low murmurer. "Listen...I heard Jeremy and Darcy are good at art, and I think you all together could make a good team."

Tyler permitted a snort of disbelief.

Alaric raised a single eyebrow. "Yeah, I know. I was surprised, too. Don't tell her I said this," he paused, spotting a familiar brown-haired girl in the Cafeteria. "Try it out and see how it goes. Oh, and don't screw up."

"Uh, okay? Thanks, I guess," Tyler muttered, watching Mr Saltzman stalk after Elena Gilbert.

Within a few lengthy strides, Alaric appeared at Elena's side.

"Hey, Mr Saltzman," she greeted, shuffling her bag strap onto her shoulder.

"Come with me. We need to talk," he announced and led her to his classroom. He glanced around the swarming corridor before entering and closing the door behind him, then sat down at his desk.

"You might want to sit down for this," Alaric gestured to a desk at the front of the classroom, middle row, positioned before his.

Elena frowned but complied, nevertheless. "What's going on? Am I in trouble?" she chuckled nervously, tucking in a strand of hair behind her ear, sitting her bag at her feet.

"I'll let Darcy be the judge of that," Alaric winced and eyed the door.

"Oh... Her," Elena frowned, knowing she messed up.

"Yeah... Darcy. You know she cares about you a lot, right? You're lucky to have someone with compassion such as hers," Alaric mirrored her frown.

The door clicked open, and Damon stepped inside. "I honestly don't know why when you continue to blow off her noble allegiance."

Elena ignored him and focused her attention on Alaric. "Why am I here? If you don't really need me, I'm just gonna go. I promised I would help Caroline to prepare for Founders Day."

"About that... I'm afraid you're gonna have to press pause on those plans," Alaric grimaced, scratching his neck.

"I can't, I promised," Elena denied, shaking her head.

"Don't care. Change them," Damon ordered, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Why?" she asked in a rude tone.

"Darcy will explain when she arrives," Alaric said.

"And when will that be?" Elena inquired impatiently. She tapped her foot, glancing at the clock on the wall behind the History teacher.

Alaric imitated her actions before peering at the door. "She should be here–" he trailed off when the door opened again, and Darcy walked in, Stefan trailing behind her. The latter closed the door and sat on the desk next to it as if he was barring it. "Now."

Darcy swept her gaze over Elena as she swept by and sat on the edge of Alaric's desk. The ebony-head crossed her arms and ankles, staring down at her emotionlessly, causing Elena to shift nervously and divert her gaze to the floor.

No one spoke for a few tense soundless minutes, the three other individuals in the room beside Elena and Darcy exchanged agitated looks whilst the huntress continued to analyse the brunettes form.

From Elena's view fastened on the floor, she saw when the black combat boots before her began to move, the heels clicking as they glided past her seated form. Elena felt compelled to sweep her gaze up the lace fasteners and silver buckles to the tops, pausing where they met with skin-tight black leather calf's. She swore the right boot seemed bulkier than the left. Her eyesight continued upwards, catching the long baggy navy-blue hoodie Elena recognised as Jeremy's worn under her usual leather jacket. She found that a little strange since it was sunny and warm outside.

She continued upwards, snagging sight of the pulled-back black straightened strands, the tips, caressing the middle of her waist as she strode by, revealing her sharp jaw and plump crimson lips. Just before Darcy changed course and paused behind Elena, she glimpsed the dark predatory glint shining in her eyes.

Elena shivered, feeling the gaze penetrating her skull and rake down her spine. The ambience in the room darkened, turning the warmth that seeped in from the windows to a cold chill. The switched-on lights in the room flickered, mocking the Gilbert girl as they turned off completely, dousing them in the gloom before wavering on again a moment later.

Damon frowned, staring at the light affixed on the ceiling and back to his brother and the teacher at his flanks, earning baffled looks as he currently felt.

They, too, had felt the atmosphere in the room drop to a suffocating degree to the point Alaric touched his neck, feeling the airways in the back of his throat constrict. He gasped and coughed, gaping at Darcy standing behind Elena. He slapped his hand on the table; the smacking sound caused Elena to jump in her seat.

Damon and Stefan followed his line of sight; the latter swallowed thickly, watching as Darcy hovered, appearing composed and silent.

Deathly silent.

She stood tall and erect. Her hands rested at the base of her posterior, feet pointing outwards, ready to pounce at the slightest movement. It was her eyes that rendered the three males to hold their breath and brace themselves. Her irises were almost fully dilated, the ring of blue almost unseen. Something prowled behind the lenses. Something dark and eerie that held cadaverous oaths.

The three males swapped unnerved glances, each sharing a similar thought process; if this was the cause of last night's events and Elena's failing to return their calls this morning, they dread the moment something alights Darcy's tangible wrath.

Although unknown to them, the cause for her anger was far worse than a simple phone call.

A moment later, a smile appeared, and Darcy pivoted on her heels, slightly twirling and planting herself on the chair next to Elena.

From where Stefan was seated, a few rows on their right, next to the door, he could see the expression curve into a tantalising smirk.

"A dirty little stop out, are we? I'm sure you had a blast," her voice dripping sugary-sweet. Darcy gesticulated her hand in the direction of the males. "The boys and I had a fabulous grand time. We had the most wonderful sleepover. It was such a shame you had missed out."

"Why am I here, Darcy? I've got things to do with Caroline," Elena asserted, frowning over at Mr Saltzman. Thinking on the lines of it was illegal to have a teacher sleepover at a student's house, but she brushed the thought away.

"No need. I caught up with Care on my way here. She's aware you're with me and that you would be missing out on today's activities," Darcy announced, waving her off.

"What a pity," she pouted, holding her chin in her palm, her elbow planted on the desk.

"You can't just cancel my plans behind my back!" Elena exclaimed, jerking the chair back and standing to her feet.

"Sit your arse back down, Elena. We're not done here," Darcy commanded, eyes hard as she pointed to the vacated chair, the previous torment wiped away in an instance.

"No," defiance shone in her doe eyes as Elena stood rigidly.

"Just kill us all. She's done it now," Damon groaned aloud, palming his face and turning around to stare at the chip-painted wall.

"Don't test me, Elena. I'm done playing your games," the chair legs scraped along the floor as Darcy rose to her feet, stature erect. "You can either comply, or I can apply force. What's it gonna be?"

"All this interrogation because I ignored your phone calls. How immature can you get?" Elena scoffed and bent down to pick up her bag lying next to her feet. She yelped when the bag was ripped from her grasp and tossed to the other end of the classroom, and Darcy was suddenly in her face.

A gasp tore from Elena when a hand pushed at her chest; her legs flailed when she was knocked off balance and sent sprawling in a chair on the next row, closest to the window.

"I said sit your fucking arse down," Darcy uttered, crouching, so she was eye-level with the Gilbert girl.

"Darcy," Stefan warned, stepping forward to intervene.

"Stay out of this, Stefan!" she snapped, eyeing him out of the corner of her eye as he shut his mouth with raised hands and reclaimed his seated position. She fixed her attention back on the brunette, head tilted as she analysed her silently.

"What is wrong with you?" Elena asked breathlessly.

"Me? I'm fan-fucking-tastic," Darcy chuckled darkly, brushing her thumb along her bottom lip and eyes cast to the floor. A moment later, her cold eyes peered under her eyelashes, her top lip jutting up into a sneer.

"However, you're my issue here. You can hate me for whatever your immature reasons are. But when your selfish, negligent acts are subjected to others, that's when you cross the line."

"What are you on about?" Elena frowned, confused.

"Pull out your phone and switch it on. We know it's still switched off," Stefan instructed.

Elena glanced at Stefan before pulling her phone out of her jeans pocket. She pressed the power button and then placed the device on the desk. A few minutes later, the phone began to dance across the fragmented wood as it buzzed continuously. Once it stopped, Elena continued to stare at the screen until it turned black and sucked in a shaky breath at the number of missed calls and texts displayed prior.

Missed Calls

Jenna (10)

Jeremy (5)

Stefan (4)

Darcy (3)

Unknown Number (1)

Voicemails (5)

Darcy stood up and paced around the classroom, hands clasped behind her back, diverting Elena's eyes to another bulge in the hoodies front pouch.

"Because while you stayed out, something happened. Something that concerns you and everyone's safety in this town. And when we try to contact you, you reject people's calls and then you had the fucking nerve to switch off your phone."

"Why?... What happened?" Elena gulped.

"Darcy and I saw Isobel last night," Alaric declared abruptly.

Elena's mouth dropped open. She shook her head as she staggered to her feet. "What? Isobel is here? No... That can't be true."

"It's true, Elena. Isobel approached them in the Grill last night and asked Alaric to give you a message," Stefan said.

"What did she want?" Elena implored, bracing herself on the desk as a wave of dizziness struck her. She swallowed, watching the two males exchange grave looks.

"She wants to meet you," Darcy answered.

"And if we don't comply, Isobel will start killing the town's inhabitants, one by one. Starting with Teaches History students," Damon muttered, turning away from the wall and pointing his thumb in the direction of an offended Mr Saltzman. "Not that I oppose to the human's dying, but I kind of need them if I want to live. Blood bags just don't cut the quench sometimes. Do you see the dilemma here?"

He paused and glanced between Alaric and Darcy.

"Quick question... Whilst you two had your play date. Did you perhaps get the chance to ask her about Uncle John? Are they working together?"

"No," Alaric replied.

"No, they're not?"

"No, we didn't ask."

"Did she know about the tomb vampires?" Damon asked, frowning.

"I don't know," Alaric shrugged.

"Did words completely escape you?" Damon asked incredulously. He pointed at Darcy. "Both of you."

"No, we were a little too preoccupied trying to stay alive, you know, after Darcy threw the vervain in her face. And you know, let's not forget the many near-death attempts getting out of dodge–" Alaric yelped as a book was thrown at his head.

"Did you just throw a book at me?" he gaped at Darcy.

"I can't believe you just sold me out," Darcy stomped over to him and picked up the history textbook off his desk and then turned to Damon. "And you, you're next if you don't stop with your annoying questions, we don't have answers to."

"You threw vervain at Isobel?!" Elena yelled at Darcy. "Are you dumb or just plain stupid?"

Damon jerked his head up and glared at her. "You don't get to speak to her like that, not when she's trying to help you out."

"Isobel left me no choice. She had Alaric by the throat and pinned against my car. What did you expect me to do?" Darcy interceded.

"Give her what she wants?" Elena inhaled a deep breath. "Me."

"Well, why didn't you just say?" Darcy replied sarcastically and stomped back over to Elena, grabbing her arm and hauling her over to the classroom exit. "Come on, chop-chop. We have an egg donor to meet."

"No. Wait... Stop!" Elena panicked, dragging her feet and attempting to dig them into the floor, but she was powerless against the dark-heads unrelenting grip. "Please, Darcy. I'm sorry!"

Stefan stood up and obstructed Darcy's path, forcing her to halt in her tracks and glare into his cautious eyes. "Move, Stefan."

Stefan shook his head and raised his hands to show he meant no harm. He glanced at Alaric and Damon, pleading with his eyes for them to step in and help diffuse the situation. Alaric stood up and approached warily whilst Damon persisted in staring out the window with rapt attention, admiring the gardens as if it was a grand painting at an art exhibition.

Stefan rolled his eyes. "Darcy... Stop and think for a moment. This isn't you," he urged, glancing at a crying Elena. "That's your sister. You don't want to hurt her, do you?"

'No, she's not,' a voice whispered into the back of her mind.

"Shut up!" Darcy thought.

'Then what am I? Chopped liver?'

"I'll cut you into chopped liver if you don't shut up!" Darcy thought, hissing.

'Still hotheaded as ever,' they laughed tauntingly before disappearing into the background, watching, listening, biding their time.

Upon Stefan getting no response, Damon turned away from his grand display, his eyes resting on Darcy. He stepped forward, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Darcy?" he whispered, moving his hands to cup her face when he got no response.

Darcy shrugged him off, lowering her arms and sidestepping away from the older Salvatore. "I'm fine," she declared, her features and tone of voice avoid of emotion.

"Darcy," Elena attempted tearfully. "If it's me who Isobel wants to meet, then I'll go. Besides...I want to."

Darcy wiped a hand down her face, sighing. She peered into Elena's timid eyes. "Are you absolutely sure?"

Elena nodded. "Yeah...I want to do it. I want to meet her. If I don't, I know I'll regret it."

"Well, I hope you're prepared for the disappointment," Darcy sneered and stomped over to the classroom's exit, gripping the handle and about to wrench the door open when Elena followed.

"Darcy, wait! I'm sorry... I didn't know this would happen. I-I just needed space to get my head together. I know I probably don't deserve the right to ask of you... anything of you. But will you come with me? I don't think I can meet her without you. Please."

"Absolutely not!" Damon exclaimed. "Are you trying to get her killed? Darcy already has Isobel on her back. Are you lacking brain cells, or were you just born an imbecile?"

Elena ignored his harsh jabs and shook her head. "No... If it's me who Isobel wants, then I don't see why not."

"It's not a good idea, Elena," Stefan protested. "Things could turn real ugly fast."

Darcy had paused, her hand touching the door handle. She dropped her hand and spun on her heels, steel eyes affixed on the brunette.

"I don't care about me, Elena. But when your actions hurt others I care about, or when your supposed Mother starts threatening them, then it becomes my problem. You don't get to do that. She doesn't get to do that. And you're correct, you have no right to ask me of anything right now, and you certainly don't deserve it! Not when you continue to push people away and throw away their acts of kindness. And then, when times turn difficult for you, or something goes wrong, you run back with your tail between your legs.

"You're a selfish girl, Elena. When everyone who loves and cares for you would do virtually anything to make sure you're happy and safe! That's all we want. So, when Isobel appears out of the blue, after Seventeen years and demands to arrange a meeting with her daughter, you bet we're going to be worried for you. Hell, she threatened to go on a killing escapade if we didn't comply with her demands! I could have collected you from Caroline's as Jenna wanted, but I thought with you being under the Sherif's roof, you would be safer there. 

"So, carry on, you can meet with your egg donor as you desire. I won't stop you. But know this, Elena, you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. She has another agenda here, and that's not sparking up a relationship with you. And if she hurts anyone, the boys, Jenna, and Jeremy. Don't come crying to me when her heart is in my hands."

The door slammed, and then she was gone, leaving the four standing in her suffering lull.

"Never mind about Isobel being dead. If she harms a hair on Darcy's head, I'll rip out her heart myself," Damon vowed to Elena. "Remember when I said your actions have consequences?"

Elena nodded, tears sliding down her face.

"This is one of them. Darcy gets hurt. It's on your hands."

"Er, guys...about Darcy," Alaric called out sheepishly, shifting around to dig a piece of paper out of his back pocket. "Last night, whilst Isobel had me pinned. She slipped the note in my jacket pocket... She wants Darcy there, too."

Stefan frowned, taking the note off Alaric and reading aloud.

Meet at the Mystic Grill at 12 pm

Bring the guard dog, too.

Blood count starts with J

Isobel

XX

"Who's J?"

Alaric sucked in a breath. "We think it could be either of the three.... Jenna, Jeremy, or John."

"We?" Damon questioned, looking up from the note.

"Darcy and I," Alaric winced when Damon let out a growl and stalked out of the classroom, the door banging off the wall from the force of his aggression.

*•*•*•*

Several hours later, once the clock struck noon, Elena and Darcy sat in a booth in the Grill, the latter with a plate of steak and chips positioned in front of her. Stefan was situated on the other side of the room, playing a game of pool as he kept a watchful eye.

"How can you eat right now?" Elena asked, hugging her jittery stomach. "I'm nervous."

Darcy shrugged and ignored her, chewing on a piece of steak after she cut it.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to...," Elena trailed off, seeing the dark-haired lady standing before them.

"Hello Elena," Isobel said as she took a seat opposite them. "You look just like her, that's eerie."

Isobel turned her gaze onto the inky-haired young woman sitting beside her daughter, "Guard dog. I see you chose well and decided to join us."

Darcy raised her eyes from her plate and fought back a sneer as she made eye contact with the woman.

'The superior person is calm and composed; the lesser person is continuously worried and distressed,' the voice whispered.

"Egg Donor. I see your face is no longer blistered and raw. How did that bode well for you?"

Isobel smiled and crossed her arms, leaning on the table. "Just lovely, a nice little trick you have there. Where did you learn it?"

"I believe I came upon it in a book once, "How to kill a vampire 101." I can show you another demonstration if you would like?"

"You've met Katherine?" Elena cut in, reluctantly bringing Isobel's attention back to her.

"She found me after I turned. Genetic curiosity, I suppose. She would be fascinated by you," Isobel said. She glanced at Darcy. "Just like I am with you. However, I'm still stumped on who you are. It seems the residents of this town are fond of you and are little reluctant of disclosing such information."

"Ahh. That would be a shame....," Darcy grinned and popped a chip into her mouth. "For you."

Isobel raised her eyebrows at the plate of food with a look of disgust on her face as Darcy obnoxiously ate.

Darcy didn't miss the flicker of irritation upon her face as she did this and gnawed raucously.

"Don't mind me. You may proceed as if I'm not here," she said when Isobel continued to stare, twirling the fork and knife in her hands and then began cutting the steak into small portions. Her lips quirked up, seeing Isobel grit her teeth as the utensils scraped across the plate.

"Can you behave for once?" Elena rolled her eyes.

"Don't know? Can I?" Darcy shrugged, wiggling her brows at the brunette.

Elena let out a sigh and peeked at the necklace attached around Isobel's neck, "Is that how you can walk in the day?"

"Katherine helped me obtain it," Isobel peeked down and clasped the necklace in her hand.

"Who's my father?"

"Not important. He was a teenage waste of space."

"A name would be nice," Elena insisted.

"It would, wouldn't it? You ask a lot of questions."

A fart noise sounded to Elena's left, and both females turned their attention to Darcy, raising identical eyebrows watching as she proceeded to let out a belly laugh as she squeezed a glob of Ketchup onto her plate. "What a priceless accurate timing," Darcy cackled, banging the table with her palm.

"Are you done?" Elena questioned, staring at the giggling girl. Giggling.

"Yeah... No, hold on...," Darcy sniggered. Her shoulders shook as she wiped her eyes on her jacket sleeve and settled the bottle of sauce on the table. She took in a breathy exhale. "Ooh, okay! You may continue."

Elena rolled her eyes and turned back to Isobel. "Why did you compel that man to kill himself? Right after he told me to stop looking for you."

"Dramatic impact. I wish it would have been more effective," Isobel pouted.

"What an unfortunate death," Darcy shoved another piece of steak into her mouth and gnawed, rolling her eyes in ecstasy. "Oh my god... This is so good."

She opened her eyes to meet a pair of green glaring at her. "You'll have to excuse me. It seems my manners have escaped me today." Upon still receiving a glare, she pointed down at the last portion of brown meat and stabbed it with the fork with a dramatic sigh, "Oh, sorry, would you like some?" she shoved the utensil in Isobel's face, under her nose. "Here...you can have the last bite. I don't mind."

"No, thanks," Isobel cringed and pushed her hand away.

"Suit yourself," Darcy shrugged and heaved it in her mouth, chewing spitefully. "And they say sharing is caring," she muttered, pushing the plate and fork aside.

"Does human life mean that little to you?" Elena asked, frowning.

"Means nothing to me. It's just part of being what I am," Isobel replied, eyeing the steak knife still in Darcy's grasp.

Darcy caught her stare and admired the knife. "Nice little thing, isn't it? Quite sharp, too. Not enough to dismember any limbs, of course, but still enough to cause some damage. Maybe carving out a heart or two."

"Stop it," an elbow knocked into her ribs. "No, it's not. I know other vampires. That's not true," Elena denied.

"You mean the one over there by the pool table? Stefan Salvatore," Isobel glanced between the two dark heads, trailing longer on Darcy. "Here's where things get interesting and quite amusing, really. Word has it Stefan was your boyfriend, Elena, yet is no longer anymore."

Isobel turned back to Elena and smirked before shifting in her seat, so she sat sideways and had a perfect view of Stefan. "The amusing part... Confirmation of sorts. From the moment I sat down and our meeting began, Stefan focused solely on the guard dog. Not once did he give you a passing glance," she paused and laughed.

"Also, let's not forget the other idiotic brother outside with my husband. I got to watch that one. He's been threatening to tear my throat out if I so much as sniff her. Two brother's besotted? Katherine would be impressed."

Elena sat shocked, her mouth unhinged. She peeked at Darcy's calm face before following Isobel's line of sight over to Stefan and saw what Isobel had identified within ten minutes of her arrival; Stefan's eyes were affixed on her sister, refusing to spare the brunette a glance. Elena's jaw clenched shut and diverted her stare.

"Oh. You don't like that, do you?" Isobel snickered and then twisted around to meet a pair of dark eyes. "I don't blame them. You're rather... different. Something's off. If it weren't for the heartbeat, I would think you were one of us. There's an allure of seduction and darkness surrounding you, yet a light that attracts a moth to a flame. Even I find myself attracted. So, what are you, or should I ask who are you?"

"Permission not granted. Now it's my turn for questions," Darcy smirked, leaning forward. "Why are you here? We both know you have no real interest in Elena."

"Because I'm curious about Elena. But the real reason is I want what John Gilbert wants... Johnathan Gilbert's invention," Isobel admitted.

"Hmm. You really want it, don't you? You would go to such lengths?" Isobel nodded. Darcy's eyes glinted with emotion, only they both knew. "So, tell me, why you are doing John's dirty work for him?"

Isobel's mouth opened to retort immediately, only to get cut off by Elena. "How do you know my uncle?"

"I used to spend a lot of time here when I was younger. John had a crush on me for years. He was the first one that told me about vampires," Isobel replied.

"I bet you used his "crush" to your advantage, didn't you?" Darcy interceded. Her eyes tracked from Elena to Isobel with a taunting smirk.

"I know your secret," she mouthed to Isobel.

Isobel's jaw ticked, and her back straightened. Darcy laughed gleefully.

"So, what made you want to be one?" Elena questioned.

"It's a very long list of reasons, Elena. All of which I'm sure you've thought about," Isobel stated. "Well, you once did when you had Stefan. Maybe that's changed now."

"No," Elena said in rejection.

"That was your first lie. A life with a vampire is not forever, while you're human. You'll age and die of old age whilst we forever remain on this world. Quite sad, really."

"I'm sorry, but we don't have what you're looking for," Elena said. She gathers her bag and gets up, but Isobel catches her arm and forces her to sit down.

The sound of metal striking wood sounded before Isobel let out a pained groan, and a burning sensation erupted in her arm, pinned to the table. Isobel glanced down at her covered arm, marred underneath by the dried vervain dagger, following it up to the leather-clad arm and up to meet a pair of gleaming icy eyes.

Over Isobel's shoulder, Darcy saw Stefan set down the pool stick and begin to make his way over. Darcy shook her head, telling him to stay put. He hesitated, pausing a few booths down.

"Let her go, now," Darcy hissed, applying more pressure until Isobel relented with a hiss, releasing Elena's arm. Darcy pushed Elena out of her seat with her free arm. "Leave Elena."

"What? No! I'm not leaving you, D-," Elena cried, stumbling to her feet, staring between the two women having an intense staredown.

"-I wasn't asking. Go, Elena. Now!"

"Fine!" Elena exclaimed, yanking her jacket off the seat and stomping away, tears streaking down her cheeks.

Darcy eyed Bonnie coming into the Grill just as Elena approached the doors. Catching Bonnie's eyes, she nodded at Elena.

The Bennett witch paused, observing the situation. Her eyes trailed to the back of a woman seated before Darcy and then to Elena standing in front of her with wetness staining her face. She frowned and blew out a breath, pushing aside their differences and placed an arm around her and led them outside. Bonnie glanced over her shoulder before the door shut behind them, meeting the brief gratitude shining in Darcy's eye before the expression turned to stone.

Seeing the door close, Darcy returned her sharp gaze to Isobel, ignoring the snarl gracing the woman's face. She followed her eyes, trailing back down to the dagger still sticking out of her arm.

"I'm sure we don't want to cause more of a scene and attract unwanted attention. So, I'll bargain with you, and I'll remove the knife if you co-operate with me."

Luckily, they were in a secluded corner, the backs of the booth high enough, so people could not witness their altercation.

Isobel nodded. "I just want the invention," she admitted.

Darcy pulled out the knife and raised an eyebrow at the blood staining the steel blade. She glanced at Isobel's black coat and wiped it on her sleeve, meeting her gaze with a grin and stuffed it back in its previous place, her boot. "No hard feelings, yeah?"

Isobel narrowed her eyes with disgust. "I want the invention."

"No, you don't need to repeat yourself. I heard you the first time," Darcy rolled her eyes. "What makes you think we have the invention?"

"You don't. But Damon does, and you or Elena are going to get it for me," Isobel ordered.

Darcy leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, hands cupping her chin. Her eyes twinkled. "Tell me why you want it? Maybe I could be in the know of its whereabouts."

Isobel mimicked her actions. "Tell me who you are, and you've got yourself a deal."

"Nice try, I'll give you that," Darcy grinned and rested back into her seat, arms and eggs crossed calmly. "And what makes you think Damon's going to give the invention to you, or that he has it for that matter?"

"Then the blood will be on your hands," Isobel shrugged smugly. "John also told me someone gave it to Damon, so I know it's in his possession."

Stabilise the threat. Plant the seed of doubt," the voice whispered.

"And you believe his every word, do you? You would believe a man's word who hates your mere existence?"

Isobel's smugness fades into an emotionless mask. Darcy smiles, a sharp bite to the curves of her lips. She then sighed and slid out of the booth, peering down at the dark-haired woman with a pitying leer. "A word of advice?"

She didn't wait for Isobel's reply.

"I'd be careful with that trusty source of yours; they might not be so trustful after all. Oh, and touch Elena again; I'll be sure it's wood that stabs you next time. It's been a pleasure, Isobel." she patted her shoulder with a grin and then sauntered over to Stefan, linking their arms together. Darcy steered them out of the Grill, leaving behind an angry and disordered Isobel.

Isobel glared down at the table before her eyes lifted and drifted over to the bar, zooming in on a blonde-haired boy wiping down the counter. She got up and wandered over, her sight catching the name tag attached to his blue uniform shirt, "Matt". However, as she approached and stood before the boy, something fastened around his wrist caught her attention; an amber beaded bracelet.

A smirk appeared, seeing the boy slide it off and settle it down behind the bar before he turned around and lifted a tray of dirty dishes, taking them into the kitchen through an open doorway off to the side of the bar area.

*•*•*•*

Outside stood a raging raven-haired vampire, Stefan and Alaric. "Are you absolutely out of your damned mind?" Damon asked through gritted teeth, eyes blazing a storm as he stared at the woman in front of him. "What the hell was that?!"

Darcy glared, snatching his arm, and pulled him away from the Grill, leaving Alaric and Stefan to exchange tentative looks and follow them. She paused at the side of the road, looking both ways for oncoming traffic before dragging the cursing vampire across the street. Reaching her car, she released him, unlocked the vehicle, and settled behind the wheel. Once inside, she buckled up and shut the door, starting the engine.

"Hello?" Damon said, knocking on the window. Darcy lowered the glass. "I'll ask again... Are you out of your damned mind? You're playing with fire here, Darcy."

"I happen to agree with Damon, here, Darcy. What was that in there? You stabbed her. She could have killed you!" Stefan exclaimed, glaring.

Darcy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. That may be so, but she's hardly going to make a move in a room full of customers."

"Like you?" Stefan countered.

Darcy's face turned to stone as she stared dead into Stefan's stern eyes. "She threatened my family. No one does that. Human, vampire or whatever, only I can. There's no way I'm going to sit there and let Isobel manipulate Elena and bend to her bidding when I can be the master who controls the strings, and she be my puppet."

"Then you're more stupid than I thought," Damon spat, clenching his hands on the roof of the car, the muscles in his back stretching taut as he bent over and stuck his head in the window. He groaned and slapped her hand when Darcy pushed his face away. He hissed when she pulled on his hair in retaliation.

"You need to be wise and keep an open mind here, Darcy," Alaric piped up, halting their bickering before it had a chance to start. "Isobel's already going to want payback for throwing the vervain in her face. And now you stab her and humiliate her? She's going to come after you, and if she can't get to you, she's going after someone else."

"Why did you think I put the attention on myself? Do you think I did it all for fun and games, willingly put myself in the limelight on purpose? No, I did not. I don't like it any more than you all do!" Darcy exclaimed, smacking the steering wheel.

"Then why are you doing it? Why are you putting yourself in danger? I don't get it." Damon said, shaking his head with a grimace.

Darcy closed her eyes and exhaled heavily before opening them and peering into Damon's anxious eyes. She smiled softly and lifted her hand, stroking the side of his face, watching as her fingertips trace down his cheekbones and across his jaw. "I have to. It's the moral code. It's family above all. You protect them at all costs, no matter the aftermath. You would do the same for Stefan, right? He's your brother. He's your family, and you'll do anything in your power to protect him, wouldn't you?"

Damon closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. He nodded. "Anything."

"Then you understand why I am doing this, don't you? I'll do anything in my power to protect them."

Them. Him. You. Stefan.

Stefan squeezed his eyes shut and ran his hands through his hair in a stressed manner. "You need to be careful, Darcy. You're going to get yourself hurt."

"Stefan?" Darcy called. Stefan paused his movements and gazed at her with attentive eyes. Darcy looked between the three men. "Do you trust me?"

Damon and Stefan glanced at each other, eyes communicating in a silent conversation. After a moment, they nodded and turned back to Darcy. "More than anything," Stefan answered.

Darcy's eyes flickered to Alaric, watching as he shuffled on his feet under her intense gaze. "I don't know what I did to gain your loyalty, yet you put me under your protection the moment Isobel came into town when you could have handed me over without hesitation. But you didn't. For that, you have my complete trust and loyalty."

I didn't do it for you. I did it for her.

"Thank you," Darcy smiled and nodded. She peered into the rear-view mirror and unlocked the passenger door. It clicked open, and Jeremy shuffled into the car, placing his bag pack between his legs. She turned to the confused trio, her smile turning into a mischievous grin. "If that's all, I'll see you later."

The gear knocked into reverse, and the car backed out of its space. Turning the wheel right, Darcy beeped her horn and drove off, leaving the two vampires and hunter standing, stumped.

"Where did Jeremy come from?" Alaric questioned. His phone beeped. Pulling it out of his pocket, he frowned at the message displayed on the screen before quickly stowing it away.

"Never mind where he came from, I want to know what she's up to. I don't like that grin. She's planning something," Damon said, eyes fixed on the brake lights turning the corner up ahead and away from their view. "And I'm going to find out," he sighed and glanced at Alaric. He's going to hell for this, curse his Darcy and his cold un-beating heart.

"Stefan, stay with Ric."

Stefan frowned, placing his hand on Damon's shoulder. "What are you planning, Damon?"

Damon roamed his eyes over Stefan's face; a smile twitched at his lips. Darcy's right. He would do anything to protect his brother. Just like she would for hers. "Making sure Darcy doesn't get herself killed," he looked around before he vamps speeds away.

Stefan sighed and turned around to Alaric. He opened his mouth to say something but shut it upon noticing Alaric was no longer there.

Where'd he go?

*•*•*•*

Further down the road and a few turns, Jeremy fiddled with the phone in his hands as he eyed the side of Darcy's face, noting the clenched jaw while her vision was glued to the road. "Do you think they know?"

Darcy sighed, breaking at a set of red traffic lights. Her fingers drummed on the steering wheel. "No. But they will soon enough; Damon's smart. Sometimes. If anything, they won't find out until later, and that gives us some time."

"They'll kill you when they find out," Jeremy chuckled.

"What they don't know won't kill them...," Darcy allowed a smirk to grace her lips. The expression quickly faded out into a frown. "I'm sorry, Jer. I know you would rather be out looking for Anna. I know she means a lot to you, but please understand, you mean so much more to me. I can't let Isobel hurt you. I need you safe. It'll kill me if anything happens to you."

"It's okay, Darce. I would do the same for you. Blood or not, we protect each other," Jeremy paused; a thoughtful look washed upon his face. "But how did you know it was me she will come after?"

Darcy pressed the gas as the lights turned green, the engine revving as they commenced their journey. "J could only be three individuals. You, Jenna, or John. From the brief meeting, I discovered three things."

"Which is?" Jeremy questioned.

"One. John and Isobel are working together. That takes John out of the equation. They have a common goal; both want the invention. She won't cross him off her list until after she's got what she wants."

"Two. Isobel is aware your parents are dead, and Jenna is yours and Elena's legal guardian. Isobel knows if she takes out this option and number three, Elena will be left with no family."

"Three. You. You're the weak link and the most manipulative tactic she'll use. You're a kid, and she'll use that to her advantage, knowing Elena will bend to her will. She will come for you first."

"What about you and Elena?" Jeremy queried with a frown.

"Isobel may be a bitch, but at the end of the day, she's still Elena's birth mother. There will be some humanity there for her daughter. Isobel won't go after her until all the obstacles are obliterated. She'll be her very last, unlikely option," Darcy paused to take in a breath. "As for me, she doesn't know who I am. She knows I'm somehow involved, but she doesn't know the role I play. John kept that information out for some reason. It needs to stay that way. I need to tease her out more, distract her off the course."

Jeremy laughed with disbelief. "Wait... Isobel doesn't know who you are? Not even your name?"

Darcy joined him in his laughter. "No. She keeps asking, and I keep stalling. She's going to get frustrated, and eventually, she'll find some leeway. By then, the plan will be finalised."

Parking up into the driveway of their home, she turned off the engine and then pulled out the keys. She shifted around in her seat, her back facing the driver's door, her gaze settled on Jeremy's solemn face. She leaned forward and cupped his face in her hands.

"Hey, don't worry. I'm not going to let Isobel hurt you. If she proceeds with her plans and does find a way to get to you, just know I'll be right behind you. I'll always find a way to get to you. No matter what obstacles I face, I'll be there."

Jeremy shook his and lowered her hands and squeezed them between his palms. "You're going to get hurt Darcy, I can't allow that, not for me."

"I don't care about me, Jeremy. You're all that matters. I can't stand the thought of you hurt, or worse, dead. I'll drive myself to insanity. I must do this. You won't ever change my mind. It's final," Darcy removed her hands and exited the vehicle and then rounded the car and opened the passenger door. "Come on. It's gonna be a long day."

Jeremy sighed and jumped out, pausing behind her. He watched as she lifted the passenger seat, revealing the hidden compartment. Darcy stuffed the bag pack inside, closed it once it was secure, and then shut and locked the door. She then pulled the car key off the multiple sets and shoved it into the front pocket of her leather-clad pants, the tight material making it difficult for it to fall out if that was ever the case.

Pausing outside the front door, Jeremy threw his arms around Darcy and hugged her tight. "I love you, Darcy."

Darcy wound her arms around his shoulders, her hands clutching onto his head as his forehead bowed on her shoulder. "I love you, too, Jer. When this is over, we'll look for Anna. Together."

*•*•*•*

Damon's POV

One of the first things Damon taught Isobel, after turning into a vampire, was seeking a Foreclosed House. He advised her to choose the most expensive bank-owned foreclosed property in the neighbourhood because it's unlikely anyone will visit, and vampires can go in and out freely. That and there's no hassle with house owners – a loaned house will be the perfect avoidance.

It was no brainer for the Salvatore vampire, a simple search through the neighbourhoods most expensive loan houses, and here he was sat in the living room, playing a game with Cherie, one of Isobel's minions. His phone sat in his pocket on speakerphone.

Whilst Darcy is hellbent on saving everyone, albeit he and Stefan, they fail to realise she's left open the door to the lion's den, leaving her taking the brunt of the looming oncoming collisions. As long everyone is safe, that's all that matters to Darcy.

The mind games, taunting, and humiliation cast upon Isobel was all a part of Darcy's game plan. Darcy is the hook in this particular game, and Isobel is the bait. In this sense, the hook already has the lure to seek its prey, dangling it right under its nose. Whilst the bait thinks it's in another's possession.

Smart, Damon will give her that. Yet, also deadly. She may be their protector, but he and Stefan will always be hers.

Damon slaps the card down on the table, letting out a faux groan. "Oh, oh, Chérié, you won again!" he gets up just as Isobel arrives.

"And it's just one blast from the past after another. No, no, no," Isobel groans. She looks at her minion. "Dégagé, Chérié."

Chérié places down the cards and leaves the room.

"It's good to see you, Isobel. I was just having fun with your little minion," Damon said as he began roaming around the room.

"How did you find me?" Isobel follows his movements with a cautious eye.

"Searched all the neighbourhood bank-owned foreclosures and found the most expensive one," Damon analyses an antique painting on the wall.

"Oh, I should have known. You're the one who taught me that. What are you really doing here?" Isobel crosses her arms across her chest and leans against the doorway to the lounge.

"Well, you caused quite a stir, blew into town. Saw everyone except for the man who made you. I'm a little hurt," Damon pauses with his back facing her. He swipes his hand against the ornaments displayed on a wooden chest unit. His fingers skim over a set of keys sitting in a brass fruit bowl, and he hooks them on his pinkie finger, discreetly pocketing them.

He vamp-speeds over to Isobel and grips her by the neck, and slams her cranium into the wall. "That and you messed with the wrong girl."

"Ah. Your girl," Isobel smirks, attempting to get out of his hold. "The pretty one with no name and a smart mouth. The one I'm going drain every ounce of blood from once I'm done here."

Damon mimics her, tightens his grip, and throws her across the room. He snarls as her back collides with the opposite wall, her frame crashing to the floor. "Touch a hair on her head. So much as breathe near her, and I'll rip your heart out myself."

Isobel's eyes widen before she vamp-speeds over to him and tosses him over the dining table, sending the displayed cutlery and plates smashing along the wooden floor. "Tell me who she is and why she's so special, and her blood shall not be spilt."

Damon groans and grabs onto the table, hoisting himself to his feet. "Why do you want to know about her so bad? I thought you want the invention?"

"I do," Isobel shrugged. "Curiosity, I guess. You can't blame me when no one breathes a word, not even John. The busboy, however, is a different story," she preened smugly. "You can't tell me you're not curious yourself?"

"You know what they say? Curiosity killed the cat. I'd be careful where you pry," Damon narrowed his gaze and brushed off her inquisitiveness. "Now, back to John and the invention, what are you doing with him, and why do you want it?"

"We dated a few times when we were young. He was a little in love with me. The invention? I personally don't want anything with it. I'm just doing what I'm told. You know Damon, we're on the same side."

Damon walks around the dining table. "Oh yeah? What side is that?"

"Katherine's. She wants John Gilbert to have the device, and I think that you know that she's not happy when she doesn't get what she wants," Isobel said.

Damon laughed.

Isobel growled. "What's so funny? We both know that you can't control Katherine. She does what she wants."

Damon continued to laugh and slapped his thighs for extra measure.

"It's funny because what you seek, I no longer have."

"You don't have the invention?!" Isobel demanded incredulously.

"Nope," Damon shrugged, a smug grin gracing his pink lips. "Have fun finding that."

"What?! John said you did. Pearl gave it to you herself!" Isobel insisted, outraged, veins began to surface under her skin. She picks up a vase made of fine China off a display cabinet and launches it at the wall, the pieces raining in a thousand pieces.

The smug expression stayed in place as he began to make his way towards the front door. "Oh, I did. But it seems to have sprouted legs and gone walkies."

God, I love that woman.

Before he reached the door, Damon changed course and vamp-sped over towards Isobel during her moment of outrage. He grips her neck, squeezing in a tight vice until she gasped and spluttered, nails clawing at his hands. "Take this as a warning. Go near her again. I will tear you to pieces. Limb by limb, and then I will go after your precious daughter."

His hands travel up to the back of her skull, and with a swift crack to the right, he snaps her neck and drops Isobel's prone body to the floor.

Just before he leaves the house, a voice crackles from his pocket. "Thank you, Damon."

Damon smirks and surfs out his phone from his pocket. "My pleasure. You know you're in trouble, don't you?"

- 

I know I'm meant to be on a little break, but I felt horrible leaving you stranded and waiting for new updates. And whilst, I have some chapters written out, I decided to publish them. I have another coming shortly, once I've finished editing. This episode "Isobel" is particularly long, except a few more chapters whilst I finish wrapping up the book.