#ramble:pilot

The group of four had broken up; Matt to go find Elena after she’d left the bridge, Bonnie and Caroline going to do their own thing, and Lee to get another drink. She knew Stefan was off hunting whatever small game he could find. It drove her crazy but she also knew his fear of changing back into a Ripper. That Stefan had been fun, but horrible. Lee just hoped nothing would ever push her over that line. It was always a possibility, even with everything she’d done. Especially because of everything she’d done. 

She leaned against one of the tables, beer in one hand while she pulled her phone from her back pocket. Still nothing. Lee groaned, “So petty…”

“Who?” Bonnie questioned as she leaned against the table beside her, “That look screams trouble in paradise.” 

“Trouble for the relationship? No. This is nothing new. Trouble for me? Yeah, definitely.” Lee shows Bonnie her phone. Her message left on read from the night before.

“June wedding?” Bonnie smirked, looking back up at the Salvatore.

“Caroline wasn’t exactly quiet last night when she said it.” Lee doesn’t even deny overhearing the conversation. She pockets her phone, “It was supposed to be a joke.” 

“Jerk move.” Bonnie challenges.

Lee holds her hands up in mock surrender, “Not denying I’m an ass. But it really was supposed to be a joke. We rile each other up all the time.”

“I take it, she’s possessive.” Bonnie glances down to the ring on her finger. “Not exactly the family ring your brother has.”

“Not even a fraction of how she is.” Lee doesn’t usually talk about Katherine when her brother or possibly brothers are in hearing distance. “But I wouldn’t change her.”

“You know they say possessiveness and jealousy walk hand in hand,” Bonnie reaches for another glass to drink.

“I live it,” Lee takes another drink.

“Then...jerk move.” Bonnie says proud of herself.

Lee laughs, “Jerk move. See, I’m not so perfect.” 

When Bonnie doesn’t answer, Lee notices her eyes are going past her. She turns her head to see Stefan talking to what would appear to be an almost desperate Caroline. Shameless. “You might not be perfect, but I have a feeling you let her down a lot gentler than he just did.”

Stefan throws Lee a small look, not ashamed of himself in the least, as he walks toward Elena. The look on Elena’s face almost makes Lee have to do a double take. That smile that’s almost a smirk, the bird that caught the worm while still trying to look innocent. Not so innocent then. “I think you’re right.” Lee looks away to a crestfallen Caroline. “He’s always had a way with words,” Lee rolls her eyes, tone dripping with sarcasm. 

----

Lee and Bonnie had found Caroline after she’d wandered through the crowd. The witch had been trying to calm her down.

“Somebody help!” Elena’s panicked yell had Lee moving before she could think about it. There was the younger Gilbert struggling to carry another teen who’d been hurt. Lee could smell the blood. She took off her flannel as she reached them, her eyes zeroing in on the vicious bite on the teen’s neck. This wasn’t just to feed, it was a message. One that left the teen hanging in the balance of life and death.

“Press this to her neck, be ready to move with me not against me.” Lee hands Elena her discarded flannel. “Let me have her, I’m stronger than I look.” Lee told the boy, already reaching for the limp girl. Her voice is firm toward both Gilbert’s leaving no room for argument. 

“Vicki? Vicki, what the hell?!” She hears Matt yell. A crowd is circling around them as Matt rushes to be closer.

“Move!” Lee growls, the sea of people parting, “Clean off the table.” She looks over the crowd to find Bonnie, “Call an ambulance, tell them a girl’s been hurt and her carotid has possibly been nicked but not severed.” After the witch's acknowledgment Lee looks away, setting Vicki down on the now clear table. 

Tyler is right there, “What happened to her?” He asks but Lee ignores him. 

“It’s her neck, something bit her. She’s losing a lot of blood.” Elena tries to explain, worry and panic covering her face and painting her voice.

She places a hand on Elena’s white knuckle grip,” I need to see how deep. Just for a second, okay?” Lee’s voice is calmer than it was. Elena numbly nods, letting Lee lift their hands.

“You heard her, somebody call an ambulance!” Matt orders, but Bonnie is right beside him on the phone. The crowd seems to get thicker around them.

“Everybody back up!” Tyler demands spinning to push people back, “Give her some space.”

Lee lowers their hands back to Vicki’s neck, “You’re doing great.” She tells Elena, eyes searching for the teens. “The pressure is helping. She’s losing less blood. Just help me keep the pressure alright?” Lee isn’t pushing much, just a presence on Elena’s hand. 

“Vicki, Vicki, come on. Open your eyes, look at me.” Matt begs.

The vampire feels Stefan’s eyes on her; either because of the scene or because of her touch with Elena is anyone’s guess. She looks up at her brother just as Matt does. “Go…” Lee mouths. Stefan only hesitates for a moment before he’s backing out of the crowd to leave. Lee goes to look back down at Vicki but something catches her attention in the corner of her eye. One of the rafters sits a crow. Damon… Lee snarls some, she wants to go after her brother. But can’t. The siren’s are getting closer.

“They’re almost here,” Lee looks over to Matt, “She should be alright.” The fluttering of wings lets her know the crow is gone, which means so is Damon. Her eyes travel to Elena’s, “Can you keep pressure like this without me?”

“What? No!” Matt argues. “You're the one who knows what you're doing.” Lee doesn’t break eye contact.

“Elena knows. She’s been doing great. Pressure just like this. Alright?” When Elena swallows but nods again, Lee takes her hand off. 

“Lee! Where are you going?” Matt grips her arm.

“My brother is squeamish when it comes to blood. You saw him leave,” Lee locks eyes with him, “I’m going to go check on him. You’re going to be okay, stay with Vicki, and make sure they take her to the hospital.” Her eyes darken, compelling him.

“Go check on Stefan,” Matt let’s go of her arm. “I’m going to stay with Vicki.”

“She’ll be okay,” Lee looks back at Elena, “Just like that.” Then she’s moving through the crowd to head back to the boarding house.

----

Lee’s feet hit the grounds of the estate, eyes searching for where her brothers might be. After a message like that, Damon had to show himself. “She’s not Katherine,” Stefan’s voice hit her. Lee closed her eyes, bracing herself for what she was about to walk into. This was one of the many downsides to the game Katherine had played. 

“Well, let’s hope not. We both know how that ended.” Damon’s cocky, self assured voice. Not hearing it in over fifteen years had been a blessing for sure. She continued to walk up the long drive. “Tell me something, when’s the last time you had something stronger than a squirrel?”

“Fuck…” Lee started to run, at a human pace. The only reason Damon would ask that would be to weigh out his ability to take Stefan in a fight and knowing Damon it wasn’t going to be pretty. She might loathe her brothers, might be able to kill them if the need arises or they rubbed her the wrong way, but she’d be damned if either screwed this. All because Damon couldn’t get over the fact Katherine changed them both and Stefan was the reason Katherine was taken away that night. The latter Lee might secretly agree with. 

Stefan scoffed, “I know what you’re doing Damon. It’s not going to work.” Do you really, Stef? Most of the time the siblings thought they knew what the other was thinking or doing---most of the time, none of them had a damn clue. Too many secrets, too many lies, too many years of hating each other. 

“Yeah?” Lee heard Damon smack Stefan, “Come on. Don’t you crave a little?” 

“Stop it.” Stefan’s voice breaks. Lee scoffs, how easy would it be to break him?

“Let’s do it.” Damon shoves Stefan. “Together. I saw a couple girls out there.” Another hit. “Or just, let’s just cut to the chase,” And another, “ let’s just go straight for Elena!” Lee growls. Not out of protectiveness for the girl but due to the fact Damon is actually planning to fuck up Katherine’s one chance of freedom. 

“Not happening,” She grits out just as there’s the sound of one of her brother’s pushing the other. 

“Stop it!” Stefan yells out. She’s at the main roundabout. 

“Imagine what her blood tastes like,” Damon yells back. “I can.” 

“I said stop!” Right as she’s about to open the front door, her brothers come flying out the window of Stefan’s room. But Stefan lands alone. 

“So dramatic…” Lee moves to help her groaning brother up, “You just had to give into him.”

“He wouldn’t stop,” Stefan weakly argues.

“He never does,” Lee sighs.

“He is right here.” Both turn to find Damon leaning on the hedges, “Hello, little sister. I wondered when you’d join the party. Though I did think you’d still be playing medic for a little longer.” He takes her in, “Ohhh, new tattoo.” He motions to the tiger half sleeve. “Fitting, if not a little overly feminine for you.” 

“Brother,” Lee looks him up and down, “You seem to be just as psychotic as ever.”

“Thank you, I do try.” Damon plays along. He looks over at Stefan once more, “I was impressed. I give it a six.” He pretends to debate that rating, “Missing style, but I was pleasantly surprised. Very good with the whole face--” And Damon’s childish antics begin as he does an over the top reenactment of Stefan. Lee groans and rolls her neck back to not attack him. “--thing. It was good.” Damon laughs, eyeing their sister. “Want to see what you get? I’m sure this might be one of the few things you can do better than Stefan.” 

Lee’s lips curl, her veins rising under her eyes, and fangs descending, “Why n--” Stefan grabs her as she goes to take a step toward the eldest Salvatore.

“Now who’s giving in?” Damon takes a step forward, ready for her.

Stefan tightens his grip on Lee’s arm, “You know, it’s all fun and games, Damon, huh?” This time Stefan steps closer to him, “But wherever you go, people die.” 

Damon doesn’t see his point, a shrug of his shoulders, “That’s a given.” He peers over at Lee, “He knows we’re vampires right?”

“Not here.” Stefan makes sure Damon’s attention goes back to him. He knows if Damon and Lee start fighting, one will die. “I won’t allow it.”

Lee does facepalm at that, “Saint Stefan…” She mutters. Right now she needs some extremely strong alcohol.

“I take that as an invitation,” Of course, he does. You never tell Damon what to do. You either make something seem like his own idea or you tell him to do the opposite of what you want, just so he does what you want. 

“Damon, please!” Lee looks up at the stars before moving to the hedges herself to lean against them, arms crossed over her chest. How many times does this conversation have to happen? “After all these years, can’t we just give it a rest?”

“Nope,” Lee comments more to herself, the p popping. 

Damon points toward Lee, “She’s right.” The words are almost like he has no choice but to agree, faux sympathy on his face. “I promised you an eternity of misery, so I’m just keeping my word. Because that’s what Salvatore’s do right?” Damon takes a few steps toward Stefan. “I wouldn’t be much of a big brother if I didn’t.” 

“Just stay away from Elena!” Stefan demands. Lee laughs humorlessly. There’s no chance in hell of Damon doing that.

“But Lee can?” Damon asks. “How unfair.” There’s a pout on his lips that turns to mock concern, “Where’s your ring?” Both Lee and Stefan look down to his hand where the ring should be. “Oh,” He fakes being so troubled by this, “Yeah. Sun’s coming up in a couple of hours, and, poof, ashes to ashes.”

“Smooth, Damon.” She’s actually impressed and it shows in her tone.

“Thank you, give me at least an eight?” Damon gives her a Cheshire grin.

“Mmm...seven and a half.” Lee shrugs. “Perfect execution but giving yourself away? I would have let him realize it on his own. But you always did love the attention.”

“What can I say? I’m a little attention w-”

“Where is it?” Stefan breaks up their antics.

“Relax! So up tight,” Damon steps forward, “It’s right here,” The ring sits in the palm of his hand. It’s a trap bigger than anything else. Lee stands up straighter, Stefan hesitantly takes the ring while his eyes study Damon’s. He slips it back on.

Just like that Damon’s hand is on Stefan’s neck, face contorted to their true selves. “Damon!” Lee warns just as said brother throws the middle one over the drive to hit above the garage. 

“Stay out of this or you’ll be next,” Damon threatens, already moving to be above Stefan, “You should know better than to think you’re stronger than me. You lost that fight when you stopped feeding on people,” Damon doesn’t touch Stefan, his words enough to remind their middle brother of his place. “I wouldn’t try it again.” 

Watching them, all Lee can see is the older brother who tormented her when they were human. Silently, she moves up behind him. She grips Damon by his own neck, turning him and pinning him against the garage. The rage inside her making her stronger, “And you, dear brother, would do well to remember I am not that young girl afraid to speak or act out against you. Those days ended long ago. You can put Stefan in his place,” Damon tries to break her grip, Lee holds him steady, lifting him up more. “But you would be wise not to try me. Unlike Stefan, I really don’t care if you live or die. Are we clear?”

She can see the gears in his head turning, to fight or agree. Damon studies her eyes before tapping her hand twice, Lee only releases him when she’s sure he knows she’s being serious. She takes a step back and offers Stefan her hand to pull him up. Damon rubs at his neck. All three look toward the house as they hear movement inside before the front door unlocks. “I think we woke Zach up.” Damon mutters, the smirk back on his lips. He walks past them toward the door, “Sorry, Zach.”

Lee helps steady Stefan, “The difference between me giving into his taunts and you? I can handle him. You can’t Stefan. No matter how much you wish you could.”

“I know,” Stefan groans, accepting the help. “About earlier---”

“Which part?” They slowly make their way toward the door.

“You being like Damon, I’m sorry.” Stefan stops them so he can make sure their eyes are connected. “I am glad you’re here.”

-----

Lee toweled off her hair walking out of the attached bathroom into her room. She’d gotten Vicki’s blood off of herself and her tank while in the shower. The vampire was now in comfortable clothes for the evening; a pair of black and maroon sweatpants with a matching sports bra and socks.  Her attention is on the phone in her free hand as she tosses the towel onto the back of her desk chair, finger hovering over the call button. Katherine’s information on her screen. She’s going to have to hide this phone soon in fear of Damon getting his hands onto it. 

She knows both brother’s have left the house once again, it’d be the perfect time to call her. Lee looks up to make sure her bedroom door is shut and hit’s call. 

Lee was leaning against the lockers, her back and the sole of one converse touching the metal,  when the bell finally rang to dismiss the current class period. There wasn’t any reason to scurry off knowing if a teacher saw her she’d just get into more trouble. The brunette could have just left the building, gone back to the boarding house, but she actually wanted to see what Stefan was going to say. Of course, she didn’t want a lecture but to see him riled up somewhat gave her a thrill. She was bolder than she’d been when they were younger. Seventeen or even eighteen year old Lee wouldn’t have questioned authority like she just had. Seemed dear Stefan was the same. 

She’d seen the beginning fires of jealousy spark in his eyes due to the look Elena was giving her. The regret that it hadn’t been him to step up. Little did her brother know he didn’t need to worry. Lee had no interest in the young doppelganger, she was a knock off of the original. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t try to befriend her; out of necessity for what was to come and out of boredom. Besides, the toad needed to be put in his place. 

Stefan was one of the first out of the room, his features a mixture of sulking and pure anger. Lee didn’t fear the anger as she might have when she was still human. Her brother gripped her arm above her elbow, his enhanced strength stinging as his fingers dug into her skin. He might be weaker than she was because of his source of blood but that didn’t mean when he was angry his touch wasn’t enough to make her want to hiss. Lee didn’t though, refusing to give him that much satisfaction. 

He drug her away from the other prying eye, especially of two specific people, toward their own lockers. “What the hell was that?” Stefan snapped out, not so nicely pushing Lee against the metal. 

“Careful,” Lee warned, her own lips starting to curl into a snarl. “Your precious Elena is watching and you wouldn’t want her to start to think you’re violent on top of being a coward would you?” She taunts. Stefan looked from the corner of his eye to see Lee was in fact right. Bonnie and Elena had followed them but stood a few feet away both watching. The older sibling let go of her arm and opened his locker. “All I did was put that ass in his place. He was baiting people, just to belittle them when they failed. You know I can’t stand men like that.”

“You should have just left it. You’re lucky he didn’t do more than kick you out into the hall.” Stefan sighed, trying to pull his temper in.

“Lucky?” Lee asked more than amused. “Why? Because I was stirring things up? Please, Stefan. Me acting like a rebellious, disrespectful sixteen year old is not what Zach was talking about last night.” She rolls her eyes, “Don’t hide behind excuses like you always do.” 

Stefan slammed his locker closed, eyes narrowed at Lee who didn’t back down. “I don’t hide behind excuses.” The vampire ground out between clenched teeth.

“You do and you always have,” She took a small step closer, “Just as you’ve let the words of others guide your actions.” Excluding when you were a ripper, Lee thinks. 

“You’re just as bad as Damon.” Stefan looks her up and down, “Why did I think asking you for help was a wise decision?”

She’s about to tell him she’s more than likely worse than their elder brother when a throat clears behind them. Lee looks past Stefan’s shoulder to see Elena standing there with Bonnie. The young witch is giving Stefan a distrustful look while Elena seems almost hesitant to interrupt, books tucked tightly against her chest. “Hey,” Lee exhales, moving from the lockers to stand closer to the two girls. 

“Hey,” Elena says tucking some hair behind her ear. “I just--well, we really--wanted to say thank you.”

“What you did was pretty badass. I don’t think anyone has ever tried to take Mr.Tanner down a few pegs like that.” Bonnie gives Lee her attention.

Lee knows Stefan is hating the attention she’s getting, to be honest, she’s not enjoying it either. “You don’t have to thank me. He was pushing my buttons. His last gibe was just too much of a low blow to ignore. People like him piss me off.” Lee explains, “I would have done it even if his words hadn’t been directed at either of you.” She shrugs trying to brush the compliments off.

“Right,” Bonnie gives her a smile that is supposed to be knowing but couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

“You’re still coming to the falls tonight, right?” Elena asks almost hopefully.

“We are,” Stefan finally cuts in. Both girls look at him before waiting on Lee to answer.

“I told Caroline I’d be there, I try to always keep my word.” Lee adjusts the satchel over her shoulder.

“And Caroline is the only reason you’re going?” Bonnie asks. She’s as much trouble as Emily was, Lee can just feel it.

“More like for a beer and some music,” Lee counters. The brunette purposely grabs the strap of her satchel that’s across her chest with her left hand, hoping the two will see her daylight ring and take a damn hint. If they see it, they don’t say anything. The warning bell for next period rings out. “And with that, I’m off to art. I’ll see you all later.” 

-----

Lee can’t remember the last time she’d been to the falls and she didn’t think it had ever been for a party. With her cell phone in hand, the vampire looked through her closet once more. She wasn’t exactly wanting to draw attention to herself, more because yet again another day had gone by without Katherine replying. Lee knew it wasn’t because she was in danger. Niklaus was far enough from New York that it wasn’t a worry. No, her lover’s silence was likely due to the joke of a June wedding. It was only a seven hour drive from their loft in New York to Mystic Falls, Lee could only hope Katherine wasn’t planning on showing up this early.

But if she did, Lee didn’t want the attention of three teenage girls or more on her. “Presentable but understated,” She mutters, free hand reaching for a pair of darker gray skinny jeans tossing them on the bed behind her. “Not Daddy but not a slob.” Her eyes scanned her tops, grabbing a lighter grey tank top paired with a black and grey flannel. “Maybe a little daddy…” Lee can’t help the snort of laughter that follows. Katherine knew who she’d chosen to spend eternity with. She tosses the shirts back onto the bed also. “Shoes…” Lee wasn’t going to ruin a pair of converse just to get to the falls, “Maybe something a little less teenager….” She grabs a slimmer pair of black suede Timberland boots. “Perfect.”

-----

The music hit her ears before they could truly see the group of teenagers, “Aren’t they worried they’re going to get caught?” She questioned but didn’t expect an answer from Stefan. He’d been broody the rest of the day since their scene in the hallway. “Oh come on, you can’t ignore me forever.” Still nothing. “Just tell her, I’m not who she thinks I am. Not a lie,” Lee moves to walk backward so she can look at her brother. “Tell her, I’m an ass.” She holds up one finger, “That I’m...arrogant.” Another finger. “That I have too many walls to break down, that I’m already in a committed relationship.” Two more fingers. “Oh! If you really want to stop her, tell her that I still suck my thumb.” That caused a smile to start at the corners of his lips, “Still suck your thumb?”

“I don’t but she doesn’t need to know that.” Lee shrugs, she paused for him to catch up and linked their arms together. “I’m not Damon, Stef. I don’t want your girl. I have my own and I’d die before I ever thought of cheating on her.” Either by her own hand or Katherine’s.

“When am I going to meet this woman that’s stolen your heart?” Stefan asks, “It’s been how many decades now?”

“You might sometime soon. But for now, she stays a mystery.” Lee tells him. “Our family and loved ones don’t mix.”

----

They finally made it toward the picnic area, students everywhere. Lee un-linked her arm from Stefan’s to avoid being hit by an over enthusiastic jock who clearly was already three sheets to the wind. She looks around, taking it all in, briefly wondering what it would have been like to grow up like this. Her aunt used to say Lee  was a soul gifted long before her correct time. The brunette could see herself here, with these teens-- not worrying about running, family feuds that lasted over a century. This could have been her time. But it just hadn’t been. She swallows roughly, she’d been born when she had been so she could be on that train in 1862. She had to believe that. The alternative was depressing. 

Stefan came to a stop, Lee knew what he was doing and used her own hearing to try and find someone they’d know. “Just admit it, Elena.” Bonnie’s playful tone fills her ears, Lee taps Stefan’s arm.

“Oh, okay, so he’s a little pretty.” Elena seems to hesitantly admit. Lee turns to her brother with a smirk and an entertained glint in her eyes.

“Seems you’re perfectly fine in her eyes,” Lee teases, they both look until they find the girls by a bonfire.

“He has that romance novel stare.” Bonnie argues. Stefan starts to let a smile cross his lips and Lee laughs.

“That’s a new one,” She mutters.

“Stefan looked--” Lee stopped listening with a groan as Stefan’s smile grew. 

“And now I need something stronger than beer.” Stefan pushed her side lightly. “Come on lover boy, stop listening and start living.” He starts to follow after her when Caroline jumps in front of them.

“Hey, you made it!” Lee can see the joy in her eyes, over which one of them she isn’t sure yet. But the blonde is happy to see them.

Lee gives her a friendly smile, small nod of her head, her hands moving to tuck into her back pockets. “Yeah.”

“I did.” Stefan tells her, his own small smile on his lips, hands moving into his front pockets. They aren’t siblings at all.

“Well, let’s get you a drink.” Her attention solely on Stefan. Lee knows a train wreck is about to happen. Can see the gears turning in Stefan’s head about how to get out of this. Lee only prays he uses a little tact for this. 

“Well, I’m---” He tries to start.

“Oh, come on.” She grabs his hand from his pocket to tug him off. Stefan looks at her almost helpless.

“Rather you than me,” Lee mouths she can’t hide her mirth at the situation, but follows after them. Really just to find the drinks. 

She’s only a few steps behind them when she feels the air change, almost as if it’s electrically charged. Lee knows that feeling all too well, magic; uncontrolled, strong magic. The vampire stops, head snapping back to find Bonnie again. The scent feeling her nostrils telling her that it’s from the Bennett line. That kind of magic loose in a crowd of unsuspecting teenagers spells bad. Lee just starts to walk toward them when Bonnie jerks her hand away from the beer bottle where her hand had been resting on Elena’s.

“What?” Elena asks not knowing how to take the small moment they just had.

“That was weird,” Bonnie is overwhelmed. Her voice unsteady. “When I touched you, I saw a crow.” Those words stop Lee once more in her tracks. Damon…

“What?” Now Elena is the one starting to become overwhelmed. Lee can only imagine why, she’s been right all along.

“A crow.” Bonnie repeats as she tries to recall what she’d seen, “There was fog, a man.” Elena’s heartbeat skyrockets. She’s slightly panicking now. “I’m drunk. It’s the drinking,” Bonnie is trying to calm her friend down. “There’s nothing psychic about it.” She takes the bottle away from Elena. “Yeah? Okay. I’m gonna get a refill.” 

“Okay?” Elena isn’t sure what just happened. “Bonnie!” 

Lee cuts through the crowd, weaving until she’s at the young witch’s side. Bonnie jumps slightly. “Don’t do that,” She chuckles still unsteady, she goes to bump Lee but the vampire avoids it. She can’t let Bonnie accidentally pick up on something.

“Didn’t mean to scare you. You alright?” Lee asks genuinely concerned.

“What? Yeah!” Bonnie brushes her off. “Just getting a refill. Did you just get here?”

“Mm-hmm, Stefan got dragged away by Caroline. I was just on the hunt for a drink when I saw you. Care to show me where I can find that beer I mentioned earlier today?” She gives her a charming smile. 

Bonnie laughs with a nod, “Yeah, come on.” 

----

Stefan and Elena had disappeared off together, not something Lee hadn’t expected. But that did leave her alone with Caroline and Bonnie. They’d found themselves on one of the lower bridges talking. They didn’t seem like bad people. Bonnie was someone who truly cared about Elena, was a real best friend. The parallels between Katherine/Emily and Elena/Bonnie kept growing, but each set was vastly different. It almost sucked that when this was all over whatever friendship she built with the youngest Bennett would be ruined. 

Caroline though, Lee just hoped the teen made it out of this alive. The more time she spent with the blonde the more of a tortured soul Lee saw. To most the blonde would see selfish, conceded, overly flirty. But like the night before Lee saw something more. She was lost, no clue of where she belonged or if she did. She didn’t seem like anyone’s first pick, brushed aside for someone-- Elena-- else. She needed a friend that wouldn’t judge or use her for her social rank within the halls of Mystic Falls High.  “So is Elena really your brother’s type?”

Lee takes a long drag from her beer bottle, “I’m not really sure.” Partly true. The two hadn’t really been around each other long enough in decades for her to really answer that. But she did know Elena had his attention--if that was because she looked like Katherine or something more, Lee wasn’t sure. 

“How do you not know?” Bonnie asked outwardly doubting her.

“We don’t really do the whole deep talking thing,” Lee set her bottle down on the ledge behind her. “We don’t bond over girls. He does his thing and I do mine.”

“So you are…” Caroline starts but can’t seem to bring herself to finish what she’s assuming.

“Gay...lesbian?” Lee chuckles, “Yes, I am. If my clothes at times aren't enough of a giveaway.” Not that Lee dressed how she did to fit a stereotype. These clothes were just more comfortable; less suffocating and more her. She studies Caroline’s face, “Does that make you uncomfortable?”

“No!” Caroline jumps to reassure her, taking a step closer. “No, not at all.” She rests a hand on Lee’s arm.

“We’re open-minded,” Bonnie adds in. “We live in the year 2009. We might be in a small town, but that doesn’t mean we’ll judge you. Other people, can’t really say anything about them.”

Lee uses the arm Caroline is holding to grab her beer again, a sly way to get out of the grip, “That’s good to know.” 

“Do you have a type?” The blonde ventures, that flirtatious glint back.

“Caroline!” Bonnie chides.

Lee laughs again, “It’s alright Bonnie.” She takes a breath, “I’m already in a relationship.”

“Oh, I sense an epic love story,” Bonnie wiggles her eyebrows.

“Is she here in Mystic Falls?” Caroline doesn’t seem defeated yet, she’s going to see what her options are.

“Maybe,” Lee acknowledges Bonnie first. “And no,” Her eyes travel back to Caroline. “She’s not. We’re doing long distance at the moment.”

“That can’t be easy. Don’t you think you deserve someone who's right in front of you?” Caroline bites her lower lip.

The blonde is almost as bad as the Sommers’ girl back in 1864. God, Lee hopes Katherine isn’t anywhere near the falls. Lee raises a brow, “You’re shameless aren’t you?”

“Does that bother you?” Caroline takes a step closer and Lee can hear Bonnie mumbling something under her breath.

“No, it doesn’t.” Lee takes a step back, “But I love her.” Lee’s got to find a way to shut this down.

“Mysterious, badass, a charmer, and loyal even when there’s a chance she would never find out? She’s a lucky girl.” Bonnie cuts in and Lee is so thankful.

“I’m just me,” Lee mutters before taking another drink.

At that moment, Matt joins them. “I found them.”

“Hm?” Caroline hum slowly, turning her eyes away from Lee. “Who?”

“Stefan and Elena,” He nods to a bridge further up and all four turn to look.

“Cozy,” Lee comments.

“Romantic,” Bonnie throws out.

“Predictable.” Caroline grumbles.

Bonnie looks at Caroline as if she had two heads, “You were just all--”

“I know,” Caroline cuts her off. “Still, predictable.”

Lee turns away, she goes to say something when she hears Elena ask Stefan if he’s okay. Her head snaps back, trying to figure out what’s going on. Stefan moves away from the doppelganger.

“Oh, um…” He starts rubbing his eyes, face. “Yeah, no. It’s, um, it’s nothing.” He tries to explain away what Lee can only guess is his eyes changing. 

“Excuse me,” Lee sets her bottle down, starting to move away from the small group.

“Where are you going?” Caroline asks.

Lee points up to the two on the bridge, “Stef doesn’t seem the best.” She catches Bonnie’s eyes, “What’s the fastest way up there?” She could use her abilities but with how many people that are here someone would surely see.

“I’ll take you,” Bonnie reassures her.

“He seems fine now.” Matt breaks in. “He’s leaving her.”

A/N: I know in the history class scene Stefan saves Elena from Will ‘Jackass’ Tanner but for the purpose of where this verse is going and how Lee’s character is it needed to be Lee. 

Lee was laid back against the headboard of her bed, school books spread out in front of her with a pen between her teeth. She had changed out of her clothes once they’d gotten home from the Grill. She was lounging in a pair black sweatpants, a black tank top putting her tiger half sleeve tattoo on display, and socks. Her hair up in as much of a bun as she could get it. The vampire flipped through a few pages of a textbook that was in her lap. She had not missed high school. Not even a little bit. Lee glanced at her cell phone that laid silent beside her; she wasn’t sure if Katherine’s radio silence was a good or bad omen. 

“You promised.” Lee looked up as her hearing picked up Zach’s not so happy voice. She took the book off her lap, tossed the pen, down and made her way toward Stefan’s room. Curiosity gets the better of her. The brunette leaned in his doorway, eyes landing on the newspaper in their distant nephew’s hand. He didn’t know she was there but Stefan did. 

Stefan took the paper from his hands, reading over it quickly. “This was an animal attack,” Stefan shakes his head looking back at Zach. 

“Don’t give me that. I know the game.” Zach stands his ground, defensive. “You tear them up enough, they always suspect an animal attack.” He’s not wrong. “You said she had it under control.” Stefan’s eyes meet her’s briefly over the man’s shoulder. Lee pushed off the door-frame and entered the room more, tongue brushing over her bottom teeth. Stupid, stupid human. “You said, you drink animal blood.”

“He does.” Lee comments, leaning in toward Zach, the words ghosting over his ear. He only jumps slightly but his heart pounds roughly against his ribs. Good. She doesn’t stop, coming to stand beside Stefan.

“And she does,” Stefan defends her. She had more control than one would ever suspect, it something done out of necessity. Lee couldn’t make a damn mess on the run or leave a trail. Neither bring up the fact it could be Damon. That’d just cause more panic from the man.

“If it’d been me, there wouldn’t have been a body to find. I can promise you that.” She dares their nephew to argue with her. Zach swallows roughly, looking away from her to Stefan--the safer of the two in his mind. Stefan turns away from him, doing what he had been doing before Zach charged into his room.

“Please, Uncle Stefan. Mystic Falls is a different place now.” He nearly begs, it’s pathetic to her. Stefan glances at Lee before turning his head to look at Zach once more, “It’s been quiet for years, but there are people who still remember.” Those words sound like a threat to Lee, but she knows what he’s talking about. Those people are the reason Lee was worried about Damon leaving the trail of bodies. But what does Zach know about all this? She’s going to have to do some digging later. “And you being here, both of you, it’s just going to stir things up.”

Lee gives Stefan a meaningful look that screams I told you so. Stefan shakes his head, at both of them. “It’s not my intention.”

Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions, is the first thing to come to Lee’s mind. The second, The road to hell is paved with good intentions. She doesn’t voice either of these quotes.

“Then what is?” Zach asks. “Why did you come back? After all this time, why now?” How is Stefan going to explain this one? Oh I just want to get to know the girl who looks identical to the vampire psychopath I fell in love with in 1864. Lee snickers but swallows it down as much as she can. That’d go over well.

“I don’t have to explain myself.” Stefan contends. 

Zach glances at Lee, “Then what about you?”

“I’m here because Stefan asked me to be.” Lee shrugs. That’s all their nephew is getting out of her. Then again that’s not even the true reason she’s here. 

Zach sighs and looks between the two, “I know you can’t change what you are. But neither of you belong here anymore.” That Lee can agree on. This isn’t her home, isn’t where her heart lies. She has avoided Mystic Falls as much as she could for the last century and a half. She’d been given the world and hadn’t looked back. 

Stefan actually looked hurt by the man’s words, “Then where do I belong?” For a nanosecond, Lee remembers Stefan hadn’t had the guidance she had when she’d woken up in transition...hadn’t had a partner to go through their new extended life with who already had so much experience. For an instant, Lee feels like a child again and feels for her lost older brother. But then it’s over. Lee remembers every cruel word or look, every time he brushed her aside or pretended she didn’t exist. Being alone had been part of the punishment for his treatment of her, a promise her lover had made good on.

“I can’t tell you what to do. But coming back here, was a mistake.” Zach turns to leave, tossing the paper down on the small ottoman of Stefan’s chair. 

“Stef…” Lee starts, willing to play the feeling sister.

“Don’t. Just don’t, okay?” Stefan doesn’t look at her, instead looking where Zach had just been.

“Okay,” She says softly, she squeezes his shoulder before following Zach’s lead and leaving him alone. If only she’d stayed or hidden in the shadows instead of going to her room, she’d have seen Stefan go to the cabinet that held all his old journals to pull the one from 1864 out. She would have seen him open it to a picture of Katherine.

-----

Text [To My Heart:] What do you know about Zach’s connections to the counsel? He just made a veiled threat that Stefan didn’t catch.

----- 

Lee’s pen moved across the notebook paper in front of her, she wasn’t usually one to doodle. But she figured a normal none attention seeking teenager shouldn’t be able to sketch/draw as well as she could. So here she was, ignoring the infuriating man who was her history teacher as she doodled. The Battle of Willow Creek, easy enough.

She could pass this class with her eyes closed. Her eyes did snap up as Mr.Tanner made a comment that got under skin. “Cute becomes dumb in an instant, Ms.Bennett.” She could see the embarrassment on Bonnie’s face. Lee felt her eyes narrow, a snarl tug at the corner of her lips. Wouldn’t be making comments like that if you didn’t have your tongue or if I ripped your throat out, would you Mr.Tanner?

“Mr.Donovan. Would you like to take this opportunity to overcome your embedded jock stereotype?” He gibed. What was this guy’s problem? Maybe Stefan would put aside his saintly act and help her hide the body.

“It’s okay, Mr.Tanner, I’m cool with it.” Matt didn’t even let the man’s words phase him. Good for him. A few students chuckled and a forced hmph left the teachers lips.

“Hmm. Elena?” Lee waited for it. What gibe would he send the brunette’s way. She glanced over at her brother. “Surely you can enlighten us about one of the town’s most significant historical events?” Lee bit the inside of her lower lip. His tone was demeaning, like he knew she would fail.

She tried to think of the answer, the vampire could see the wheels turning. Elena shook her head, “I’m sorry, I--I don’t know.”

“I was willing to be lenient last year for obvious reasons, Elena,” The pen in Lee’s hand snaps. Thankfully it was so low on ink it didn’t get all over her or her desk. Oh, I’m snapping this guy’s neck. Fuck whether or not Stefan helps me hide the body. “But the personal excuses ended with the summer break.” The hurt on her face, the waves of it were rolling off of her. 

“There were 346 casualties, unless you’re counting local civilians.” Lee states, a smug smirk on her lips as she leans back into the chair. Eyes daring him to question her. She feels the eyes of her brother and Elena on her, but doesn’t look away from the poor excuse of a man in front of her.

“That’s correct,” His eyes travel between Lee and Elena before settling on Lee. The vampire can see he isn’t pleased. If it’s because someone actually knew the answer or if it’s because she answered out of turn, Lee didn’t know or rightfully give a damn. “Miss…”

“Salvatore. Lee Salvatore.” Lee tilts her head a little. There’s a modest smile tugging at the corners of Elena’s lips, almost as a thank you. 

“Salvatore.” Elena’s eyes go back to the asshole in front of the room. “Any relation to the original settlers here at Mystic Falls?” Lee really should have seen that one coming.

“Possibly. If they are, it's very distant.” She answers vaguely. Last thing they need is someone to find pictures from 1864.

“Well, very good. Except, of course, there were no civilian casualties in this battle.” Is he really trying to save face? A low dangerous laugh brushes past her lips softly.

“Lee,” Stefan warns, his eyes begging her not to do what he knows is coming.

Lee raises the hand from her side slightly to stop her brother. If Stefan is going to just sit there, that’s on him. Way to protect your girl, big brother. “Seriously?” She looks at the man in front of her in disbelief. “Where exactly did you get your degree?”

“Excuse me?” Mr.Tanner asks, his voice laced with anger.

“Lee!” Stefan says louder this time.

“Hush, Stefan.” Lee grounds out, her eyes never leaving their teacher. “Actually, there were. Twenty-seven to be exact. Confederate soldiers fired on the church, Fell’s church. They believed it was housing weapons. They were wrong.” Lee shuts her notebook that’s on her desk, knowing after this she’s either going to be thrown out into the hall until the period ends or she’s going to be sitting in the principal's office. This man is too petty to let this go. “It was a night of great loss. The founder’s archives are stored in civil hall if you’d like to brush up on your facts, Mr.Tanner.” The look on Elena’s face is priceless--it’s almost one she recognizes. Bonnie is trying her best to hide her amusement but failing. Stefan looks like he could throttle her. There are a few students chuckling. “I’ll just see myself out.”

“Mm-hmm.”