[*Chapter Sixteen*]

Enjoy! 🖤

Darcy had just slipped on her jacket when her phone rang. She sighed, ruffling her locks and picked it up off her bed then grinned seeing the caller's name flashing on the screen.

"Darcy's answerphone...Please leave a message after the beep......beeeeep."

"Really? You're an answerphone now?" Stefan's voice filtered through the speakerphone.

"Darcy said leave message after the beep." She covered her mouth so Stefan couldn't hear her chuckling.

Stefan huffed amused. "You know I can still hear you, right?"

Darcy stamped her foot like a child having a tantrum. "Dammit, Stefan! Why you gotta ruin my fun? Actually, why am I even talking to you? Best friends are meant to share important details like you know BIRTHDAY'S!"

"I've had enough birthday's they lose the appeal after a while."

"But this is a special day...It's not every day you turn 162!"

Stefan groaned. "Please, don't remind me. I've got plentiful with Damon and Lexi chewing off my ear off about a party."

"But it'll be fun..." Darcy pouted at herself in her mirror, the paused. "Hold on...who the hell is Lexi?"

Stefan coughed. "She may or may not be my other best friend...."

Darcy's eyes widened with disbelief. "Best friend? When did I get replaced? Who Is she? Is she better than me? Is she hot? Stefan...Stefan?" She pulled her phone away and scoffed. The leech had hung up.

'Yeah, you best hide. You will after I've finished with you.'

Elena knocked on the door and stuck her head around the door, seeing her sister rant to herself in the mirror. "Are you talking to yourself again?"

Darcy spun around on her boot heels, puckering her red lips. "Elena! Your boyfriend has replaced me!"

Elena stepped in the room, confused. "Replaced you?"

The raven-head bobbed her head up and down. "Yep. He has another best friend."

"I didn't know Stefan had friends."

"Hmm. Exactly, and that's why we are going to find out." Darcy said, grabbing Elena's arm and dragged her down the stairs, then shoved her into the passenger side of her car.

"Wait! Where are we going?" Elena protests, catching her jacket that was tossed in her face.

"We are going to the traitor's house," Darcy replied, shutting the door. She rounded the car and slipped behind the wheel.

"But I don't want to go," Elena whined, as the huntress kick-started the engine and sped down the street. The middle Gilbert is still upset about her and Stefan's on and off relationship.

Onyx locks flew back and forth in faux hurt. "That's not all, did you know it was Stefan's Bday today?"

Elena gasped. "You're lying."

"Nu-uh. A little birdy told me."

"Well, we're just gonna have to find out for ourselves, huh?"

Darcy high fived her sister, "Glad to have you, onboard partner.

(Third POV)

The black Range Rover drifted down the driveway and screeched to a stop. Darcy being her dramatic self, kicked open the door and slammed it shut. She sped-walked to the door and rang the bell just as Elena jogged up, out of breath. They heard an unfamiliar voice telling them to come in, glancing at each other confused, the protectress pushed open the door. In Darcy's opinion, they met a blonde bombshell. She had long blonde hair, ended at her waist, and was walking towards them in nothing but a towel, showcasing long tanned legs.

"Oh, my God! How...How...who?" The girl said, halting in astonishment.

"I'm Elena," Elena said, then pointed to her sister. "This is my sister Darcy."

The female vampire snapped her gaze over to the short girl; her eyes raked her 5 ft 4 curvaceous figure. She has luscious black hair; the light reflecting outside behind them made the strand appear cosmic blue. Cerulean eyes that shimmered with an intensity that made Lexi want to look away, but was too fixated on getting a look at the girl who made Stefan's life tumble upside down—decked in all black, from skin-tight ripped black jeans, black tee and a black leather jacket. The only other colour was her blood-red coated lips.

Glancing back at Katherine 2.0. "I'm Lexi...A friend of Stefan's." She said, pointing up the stairs, where Stefan was in the shower.

"Oh, is he here?" Elena asked, unable to remove her gaze away from the stunning woman.

"Yeah, he's in the shower..."

Darcy stepped forward appraising the girl in approval. "Damn your hot. Sorry, can't stop I got a bloodsucker to kick up the arse." She said rounding Lexi and dashing up the stairs, her heels thumping with each step.

Lexi and Elena watched with curiosity as flew away with a determined speed.

The blonde vampire heard Darcy burst through Stefan's bedroom door. She laughed loudly, hearing a slapping sound followed by a not so manly screech.

"Ahhh, Darcy, oww! What the hell, stop hitting me. I'm in the shower!"

Whack.

"Yeah, that's what you get for not telling me it's your birthday."

Whack.

"AHHH, NO NOT THERE, DON'T TOUCH THERE...DARCY!"

Whack.

"That's for not telling me you have another best friend, who happens to be very hot. I approve."

"Okay, stop, stop!"

Whack, whack, whack!

"That's for being an annoying blood-sucking leech."

"Ahh, stop! I'm sorry! There okay? I won't keep anything away from you again."

Lexi was laughing uncontrollably tears were pouring down her face. "Oh, god. Your sister is amazing."

Elena looked up at her, confused. "Why? what's she doing?"

The fair-haired girl shook her head in amusement, eyes sparkling with delight. "She just beat his ass." She wanted to test the Katherine lookalike, see if they were similar. "While he was in the shower. Sounded like she whooped his ass."

Elena looked uncomfortable with the information and shuffled awkwardly. "Oh...Um, I'm just gonna go. Tell Darcy I'll get our aunt to pick me up." She said, turning away and stalking out of the door.

Lexi hummed, watching her retreating form before shrugging and speeding up the stairs, gripping the encircled towel so it would not fall. She entered the room seeing Darcy now laying down on his bed looking at something in her hands. Stefan crept hesitantly out of the bathroom, avoiding Lexi's penetrating stare, knowing he will soon receive another beating for hiding the truth about Elena.

But Lexi wasn't having it, forgetting about the girl on the bed. "Are you out of your freaking mind?" She asked furiously.

Darcy peeked up, wanting to see where this goes. Her mind is whirling 60mph.

"What are you talking about?" Stefan asked, taking a seat on his bed, refusing to look at his other friend's piercing gaze.

"I've just met Elena..." Lexi said.

"And you better explain why my sister looks like Katherine Pierce." Darcy jumped in, unable to shut her mouth and shoved the picture in his face of Katherine from 1864.

"Shit...Darcy, it isn't what it looks like, I swear." Stefan promised, reaching out to grab her hands, but she slapped them away, leaping off the bed.

"Bullshit. Explain Now," Darcy said, crossing her arms, barricading the door, so he did not have the option of escaping. She knows he's a vampire, but she would like to give him the benefit of the doubt and hope he will speak the truth. "Was it all a lie?"

Stefan shook his head, protesting as he stood up approaching his best friend, he stopped when she held up a hand, warning him not to come any closer. He glanced at Lexi seeing her nod. His shoulders sagged with defeat.

She needs to know the truth.

💜🖤💜

Darcy, Stefan and Lexi were in his bedroom, taking residence on his bed. All three were in lost in their own thoughts, stumped on Stefan's confession.

"You have some serious emotional damage," Lexi said, breaking the tense silence.

"No. It's not what you think, she's not Katherine," Stefan repeated his defence.

"Well, then they are related, cause the could be twins." She said, glancing at the silent hunter.

"I don't know..."

"You don't know, or you did not find out?" Darcy said exasperated.

"No. Maybe, I don't know. I have no desire to tie Elena to Katherine." He looked over at his friend, begging her to believe him. She gave him a look, not to bullshit her. "Ok, yes, yes the resemblance is what drew me in. But that's it. Katherine and Elena may look the same on the outside, but on the inside, they are completely different."

"Is that what made you save her? When the accident happened?" Darcy questioned, still in shock, finding out Stefan had been there the day her parents died, pulling Elena out to safety.

Stefan shook his head, grabbing her wrenching hands. "No, never. At first, I did not know she even looked like Katherine. I was more concerned about trying to save everyone in the car. Then you jumped in trying to get your dad... The thought didn't enter my mind until after I compelled you to forget about me."

"I just don't get why they look alike. Could there be a long family lineage?"

"I don't know. I would have to dig deep. For them to be connected, Katherine would have given birth to a child before she became a vampire."

"I know this sounds rude. But are you related to Elena? There's no resemblance there..." Lexi asked sheepishly in case she offends her newfound friend.

Darcy chuckled faintly. "No, it's okay. I'm adopted."

Stefan looked shocked. "Why didn't I know this? And you talk about me keeping secrets."

The Protectress laughed, eyes glittering. "I've never said anything because to me, no matter the different blood flowing through our veins; they'll always be my baby brother and sister. I'll still die protecting them."

That's Darcy's vow, and she will never break that oath.

Stefan glances at Lexi silently asking if she now knows why this girl continues surprising him. His oldest friend nods, smiling back. She's glad he's discovered this gem.

They need more Darcy's in this world.

Within an hour, the girl has managed to capture her heart. She doesn't know how but now understands Stefan and Damon; there's something about Darcy that draws you in. Maybe it's the inner lightness that pours off her in waves, despite the all-black clothing. Humanity, protectiveness, loyalty and compassion surround her. It makes Lexi want to burrow into the girl and breath in the nobility.

Darcy's head swam with a thousand thoughts, not sure what to think. What she does know is, since Stefan came along he's never given a reason to lie unless it was to protect them. She wants to believe his words that he's genuinely not smitten because her sister happens to look like his past lover—the very one who happened to tear apart a close brotherhood.

"So she's not a raging bitch then, huh?" Lexi asked, shocking Darcy from her thoughts. She barked out a wild laugh at her lack of filter. The vampire winked at the girl getting off the bed to get ready for the party they all they decided to go together.

"You'd be surprised. Elena can be the biggest bitch going." Darcy glanced at Stefan, copying the blonde's actions. "Watch out Stef. If you stick around you will see my sister is not so innocent as you think."

"No, I don't see that. Elena is...Elena's warm and she's...she's kind and caring, and she's selfless, and it's real, and honestly when I'm around her...I completely forget what I am." Stefan said gazing at Darcy.

"Oh, my God! You're in love with her." Lexi exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah, I am..."

Darcy's phoned beeped, she glanced down at the message from Bonnie asking her to come to the party with her and Caroline. She sighed, "Sorry, guys, I gotta bail. Bonnie wants me to go to the party with her. Anyways, you two should use this time to catch up." She said, turning around and leaving the two in silence.

💜🖤💜

Bonnie and Darcy arrived at the party that was being hosted at the Mystic Grill.

"Incoming," Darcy said, spotting Caroline walking over to them.

"Bonnie, I've been looking for you. I'm totally sorry to do this, I know it's so Indian giver, and I know we're not supposed to say this anymore, but I need my crystal back," Caroline said stopping in front of the duo.

"Why? You said you hated it." Bonnie said, holding the orange necklace around her neck in a protective gesture.

"Then I saw it on you, and I realised how great it is, and I've got like three outfits I can coordinate it with so..."

"So you're saying she looks ugly with it?" Darcy asked with disbelief, yet appalled one of her friends could be so rude.

Caroline paused, lost for words. "N-no, of course not."

"Hmm, that's what you just indicated." She peers closer taking in Caroline's dilated eyes and flustered appearance, and concluded, a cocky vampire has been playing games again. Dickmon.

"I can't give it back to you." Bonnie voiced breaking their staredown.

"Well, I didn't want to tell you this, but I'm your friend. I think it makes you look fat. There I said it, but it's because I'm your friend so..."

"Care! Stop being rude. Bonnie is not fat." Darcy exclaimed. "Whatever the real reason you want this necklace so bad, you are not getting with that attitude."

Bonnie touched her arm, "It's okay Darce. I got this." Turning to Caroline. "I'm sorry, Caroline, I can't give it to you."

"What do you mean you can't? Bonnie, it is mine."

"I thought you said it was Damon's."

"It is."

Darcy cursed too lowly to be heard. Of course, all this would involve the dark-head vampire, and trust him to be playing games between the two girls. She bet he's hiding in the shadows laughing his ass off at the argument he's causing. She looked at the necklace. In her impression, it was not even pretty to fight over.

"So he's the one who really wants it back," Darcy announced.

"No. Maybe, just.." Caroline reached out and grabbed the necklace, only for her to get shocked. "Ow! Are you wearing polyester?"

Bonnie looked at her in shock. "You were really gonna pull it from my neck? What the hell is wrong with you?" She said, turning around and walking away. Leaving Darcy staring at the bubbly blonde with a displeased look, but knows deep down she can't be mad at her, not when she's being controlled, yet again.

Stepping forward, she held onto Caroline's shoulders, staring deep into her blues. "Care. I want you to stay away from Damon, okay?" The blonde stared at her, confused, not sure why her friend was saying this but nodded anyway. "Good. Now go and enjoy this awesome party you created, you deserve some fun."

Caroline pulled, smiling, "It's good, right?"

"Yeah, amazeballs." Darcy grinned, making her giggle and skin away. She watched as she approached the bar, where Damon just happened to slither his way over at the same time. She let them finish their talk before walking over and sliding into the high chair next to him.

Damon looked over at the dark-haired beauty. "Darcella." He said, tipping his glass of Borbon.

"Cut the shit, Damon. Why are you messing with Caroline's head, again? I thought you were passed this."

Damon sighed and rolled his eyes, throwing back the drink. "I want my necklace, and she's the only one who can get it back."

"Why is it so important? I mean it's not exactly your style, and it's honestly ugly."

He peered into his empty glass. "It belonged to an old friend. I need it to help me get something back."

"Get something back?" Darcy questioned.

"Yep. That's all you're getting from me." He said, getting up from his seat. Darcy latched onto his leather-clad arm, stopping him from going. "What's the real reason for this party? What are you up to?"

Damon peered into her cobalt eyes. There's something about this girl that makes him want to spill all his dirty secrets but he won't because that's not Damon Salvatore, he doesn't do nicey-nicey. He dismisses her question removing her hand. "You should go home, take your sister and go home." He said, spinning on his feet and stalking further into the grill.

Elena is here? She looked around for her sister and found her spying on Stefan and Lexi while they were dancing, well Lexi was, she wasn't sure what Stefan was doing, just bobbing his head and swaying to the music. She beamed, hopping off the chair and strolled over to the two vampires.

"Is that what you call dancing." Darcy teased twirling Lexi around.

"I can dance!" Stefan complained.

"If that's what you call whatever you're doing." She snickered as Lexi attempted to grind up against her; it was more like humping her leg.

"Okay, we're gonna need some more foot movement," Lexi said, swivelling Stefan away from making googly eyes at Elena.

"Yeah, not really interested in making a fool out of myself." He said as the girls swung their hips to the beat.

"Aww, come on, don't be a party pooper," Darcy said, clasping his hands and prancing them in a circle. "See? This isn't bad."

"Swing those hips. Steffy!" Lexi yelled as she let herself free.

"Alright, you got it," Stefan said twirling Darcy outwards and spinning her back into his chest, then dipping her backwards, long locks kissing the ground.

"Woooop!" Lexi cheered loudly, grabbing each of their hands and dancing with them. The three swayed, twirled, swivelled, laughed, smiled so much tears burned their eyes.

"Let's go and get a drink," Lexi said, dragging the girl over to the bar. She ordered four shots and then made their way towards mopey Elena who watched as Stefan went back shooting pool.

"Oh! The famous Elena." Lexi said, startling the brunette.

"Towel girl," Elena said bluntly.

Lexi shrugged. "I've been called worse. Here." She said, handing the sisters a shot.

"Yeah, I didn't know that you guys could drink."

"Oh, yeah it helps curb the cravings but makes for a lot of slushy vamps." She said as she winked at Elena.

"Hey, guys I'm gonna leave you to it," Darcy announced, knowing she could do with a good talk from another girl.

"You've got yourself your own wingwoman, right there Stef." Darcy whistled leaning against the pool table.

Stefan laughed. "Yeah, Lexi is great." He paused his laughter. "Are we good now, after earlier?"

Darcy stared down at her boots; she peered up at him. "We're good, but you need to tell her the truth, Stefan. I can't keep hiding things from my family."

"No. I will, I promise. I'll tell her, just give me some time to back everything up, yeah? I want all the facts and proof."

Darcy nodded wordlessly accepting his plea as Lexi came over.

"Yep, I drank yours, sorry." She said, smiling.

"Thank you." He said, resting on the pool stick.

"You weren't supposed to be listening. I was feeling epic, whatever." Lexi said, blushing when Darcy cooed and pinched her flushed cheeks.

After another game of pool Lexi and Darcy walked back up to the bar ordering another round of drinks. They met with Damon. Darcy set down the glasses when Lexi held her hand up for her to stop.

"Alright, the shots are bribe. I need you to answer a question. What are you doing in Mystic Falls?" Lexi implied.

"Have you tried the Brittle? It wins awards." He said, ignoring her question and turned back to the bar, evading Darcy's mesmerising blue eyes.

"Stop with the shit Damon," Darcy spoke up, knowing he was up to something.

"Okay. I have a diabolical master plan." He said as he leant forward and whispered in her ear.

"What is it?" Lexi asked, eavesdropping with her advanced hearing.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be very diabolical, would it?" He stood subtly placing himself before Darcy when he saw sheriff Forbes enter the building, alongside a young couple.

"Look around let me know if you see him," Liz said to the girl as she looked around.

The girl pointed over to bar where Darcy, Damon and Lexi were talking. "Crap we need to move Darcella Gilbert before she gets hurt." She ordered.

Immediately she rushed forward with her two officers, one grabbed Darcy and yanked her away from the vampires, the other stabbed Lexi with a syringe filled with vervain.

"No! What the fuck, let me go. I said, let me go!" Darcy shouted, seeing Lexi get dragged away outside the grill. The officer ignored her and shoved her forward towards the exit. "I swear if you don't stop manhandling me my boot is going so far up your ass, it'll come out your mouth."

"Stefan! Stefan!" She yelled, knowing he would hear her. Within seconds he was by her side with Elena.

"They took Lexi." She said, struggling in the man grip.

"Hey, let her go. I got her." Stefan said, pulling her out of his restrictive hold and running the three out the outside.

They raced through the doors watching as Lexi fought off the officers, she was pissed, hissing with her full vamp face out. She threw them off and marched towards Liz as she fired shots. Lexi was about to attack when Damon appeared in front of her and staked her in the chest.

"Oh, my God!" Stefan cried.

"No, Lexi!" Darcy yelled, running over only to get pulled away by Stefan and dragged down the street, kicking and screaming with Elena running in tow. "Stefan, we can't leave her. We have to go back. Maybe they missed. Stefan let me go! Stefan!" She pounded on his back, begging him to let her go.

He set her down, holding her arms pleading her to meet his broken gaze. "She's gone. It's too late."

"Darcy! Stefan!" Elena yelled as she grabbed on to her sister, squeezing her tight.

"B-but she can't... she can't be gone. I've only just met her." Darcy said as tears blurred her vision.

"He killed her, he killed Zach, he killed Tanner, he turned Vicki," Stefan said as his own tears arose. He began walking backwards. "I have to kill him." He turned around stalking back up the street.

Elena let go of Darcy, they both raced after him. "No, you can't do that." She said frantically.

"Why are you trying to save him? Elena, he's never gonna change. Don't you see that? He's not gonna change." He said as he battled with himself.

"I'm not trying to save him. I'm trying to save you. You have no idea what this will do to you. Please, Stefan." Elena begged.

"Everywhere I've been pain and death follow, Damon follows me. No more." He said, trying to turn away. Darcy jumped in front of him, pushing him back.

"Stefan, please listen. You don't want to do this. Deep down in Damon's crazy own way, he did this for you, to protect you. He was doing what he thought was best. You don't want to kill him, you'll regret it, you don't want his death on your hands. You'll live in an eternity of regret."

Stefan shook his head perplexed. "I thought you would want him gone too."

"I do, but I won't for you for your sake. He's your brother, you guys have just got back to each other after many years. You can do the other alternative and send him away for a bit. Let things cool down. But please don't kill him." Darcy said as a tear trailed down her cheek, not for her pain but for her best friend having to watch him try to hold back his misery.

"Come here." She wrapped her arms around him, not giving a crap that she only comes up to his chest. He needed her. Her best friend needed her and she will, she'll be there for him every step of the way. "Shhh, It's gonna be okay. You've got us."

She was felt Elena's hand on her back, giving her silent support. She broke apart clutching onto Stefan, her shoulders vibrating with sorrow, for a girl, a girl who was a vampire, a girl who was someone's best friend, life partner, and her newfound friend. Only for her to be taken away after hours of meeting her.

~

Phew! I did it. I got it up. Now I can go to bed...it's like 5 am 🥺💜

~