Meant to post this yesterday but my computer had to update, sorry! It might not be the best but I hope you all enjoy. Now everyone get ready for this chapter! Also have tissues prepared!

Note: Just a heads up, Damon never pursued Caroline in this story. In the first flashback, you'll understand why.

At the Forbes House in Caroline's room, the sisters lie next to each other in her bed.

"Are you still fighting with Klaus?"

"...No, I... After hearing his side of it, I understand. But I was just angry he kept that from me. Me and others don't ever know what sireline we come from and had he offed himself, there's a chance we go with him."

"Which is why he hasn't done it. But there's another reason why he chose to keep living a little while longer."

"And that would be?"

"Isn't it obvious? That other reason would be you my loving sister."

"I'm lucky to have you... Ariel?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you too. But don't ever scare me like that again... I don't want to lose you."

Ariel looks confused but remembers when Alaric was holding them hostage at the school. She sighs and the sisters hug each other tightly. Their moment is interrupted when they hear knocking on the front door. They both hurry downstairs and open the front door, getting a surprise causing Ariel to squeal. "Eli! Finnie!" She hugs Elijah and he reciprocates the gesture.

"Nice to see you again, Ariel."

"Why do you call me Finnie?"

"I'm a very special person to your family and you should honored that I give you a nickname."

"Oh, I feel very honored." He says sarcastically.

After inviting them in, they all sit in the living room. "When did you guys get back?"

"About an hour ago. Niklaus called and let us know what was going on. We are glad to see you both are safe."

"I'm only alive because of Ariel. And her magic managed to immobilized Alaric."

"How are you feeling?" Finn asked Ariel, concern in his voice.

"Fine. The same as usual... But I am a little worried, all this power that I have and I "

"You will learn. Have you asked Ms. Bennett to perform a cloaking spell?"

"...Why?"

"There had been a seal on your powers for years and you lost your memories as a child, Ariel. The most likely reason is that you were being protected. The memory you have of your father? He must have had your powers sealed, erased your memories and had you sent away from your home... It maybe because he was trying to protect you from someone or something."

"...Okay. I'll ask her."

Elijah takes Ariel's hand in his. "And thank you both."

"For what?"

"Ariel, you have remained by my family's side and supported us despite the awful deeds we have committed, even when you didn't have to. And you also have saved us time and time again, whether it was from your friends or my mother. For that I am truly grateful. On behalf of my family... Thank you, Ri."

Ariel and Caroline look astonished while Finn is just amused by the situation.

"Did you just give her a nickname? ...The Elijah Mikaelson just gave someone, my sister, a nickname. Wow... Ariel finally rubbed off on you, huh?"

"...Eli..." Ariel takes both his hands in hers. "You finally gave me a nickname... Do you know what this means?"

"No. But will you please tell me?"

"Once someone gives me a nickname, we're bonded for life. No take-backsies!"

Finn chuckles. "I haven't given you a nickname."

"Oh but you will. Elijah has finally given me one, so will you. I can wait."

As brothers at Ariel's antics, Caroline looks confused. "I understand Ariel but why are you thanking me?"

"Because of you, Niklaus has finally learned some manners." Elijah grins, answering her question.

"So has Kol because of Ariel."

"Just one more thing... I want to thank you again for saving my life from your friends. The both of you... But why did you?"

"...You didn't deserve it. You didn't do anything to Elena, her business was with Klaus not the rest of you. She knew better... Besides what kind of mother tries manipulate her child into helping her kill their own family? You all didn't ask to become vampires, that was her and Mikael's doing. Also, you were in a coffin for nine-hundred years and hadn't truly gotten to live your life. It's time you live it."

Before Finn can reply, Ariel's phone starts to ring. She sees that it's Damon and answers. "Yes, Dee Dee?"

"Little mermaid, please talk some sense into this brat!"

"Shut up, dick!" Ariel hears Jeremy yelling at Damon.

"Please come over."

Ariel sighs and hangs up. "We gotta go."

"We can take you."

"Thanks."

"Hope you stay in town a little longer, Finnie. We need to hang out."

The brothers wait a bit after watching the sisters head out. "I've never met anyone like her."

"She is truly one of a kind."

The brothers drop the sisters off at the Salvatore Boarding House. Everyone sitting in the parlor. Ariel sits next to Damon on one couch while Jeremy and Caroline sit on the other couch across from them. Ariel is trying to distract herself by drawing in her sketchpad.

"Are we really going through this again?!"

"Baby Gilbert, you know that's the only option."

"Anything but that!"

"We would be putting him out of his misery."

"Ariel, will you please say something?"

"...Jer, I'm sorry. But I agree with Damon."

"What?! I lost him once, now I have to lose him all over again?!"

"It's not Alaric anymore. I could see it when he kidnapped Caroline and me. Any trace of the old Ric is gone. We've already said goodbye to the old Ric. This Alaric is just dark and has no remorse for his actions. He'll get rid of anyone that gets in his way."

"...But..." Frustrated with the situation, gets up from the couch and heads upstairs.

Caroline sighs. "I'll go talk to him."

After Caroline leaves, Damon takes Ariel's sketch pad to see her work. It is a drawing of the two of them sitting on the couch.

"...Do you think I'm wrong for wanting him dead? I'm not talking about Ric because he already died that night. I mean the one we have right now... He killed my dad, tried to force me to kill my sister and almost killed Kol and Klaus... Does that make me a horrible person?"

"Do you remember the first road trip we went on?"

"You mean the one where you kidnapped Elena and me?"

"I did not kidnap you two. I saved your lives, remember? Besides we had fun!"

"Yeah, good times... It's a shame too. That was a time when Elena wasn't making the stupidest decisions, she was so much smarter."

"Enough of the shade. Now, let me see your next masterpiece."

Damon takes Ariel's sketch pad to see her work. It is a drawing of the two of them sitting on the couch.

"Nice work."

"Thanks, stud."

He chuckles and wraps his arm around her shoulders. "Do you remember when we first met?"

"Why are you bringing that- Oh because I called you stud."

Flashback

At the Mystic Grill, Ariel, Caroline and Bonnie are seated at a table. Ariel and Bonnie work together to get Caroline sober.

"Are you sober yet?"

"She's obviously not when she keeps pulling my hair! Caroline, stop it!"

Bonnie amused by Ariel's predicament, gives Caroline more water. "Keep drinking. We gotta get home." 

"No!"

"Sis, you must have a death wish if you don't stop pulling my hair!"

"Why didn't he choose me?! Why is it always Elena?!"

"Care-"

"Everyone always picks her, I'm so sick of it! It's never me!"

"It's not a competition, Care."

"Yeah, it is!"

"Sis, someday there will be a guy that chooses you, he won't even look at Elena. Your guy will be ten times hotter than hers, I guarantee it."

"Angelfish...you're the best sister ever!

"I'm your only sister... Now can you please stop pulling my hair?"

Bonnie chuckles. "I never understood why she does that to you every time she's drunk."

"You and me both, help me out here." The two girls struggle for a bit getting Caroline to let go of Ariel's hair but manage to succeed. "I'll go get some more water. Sis, stay here. I'll be right back."

"Okay."

After Ariel gets up and heads to the bar, someone on a stool next to her greets her. An entrancing man with raven hair and blue eyes smiles at her. "Is your hair okay?"

"Huh?"

"I noticed your sister was pulling your hair."

"Oh. Yeah, it's fine. She's lucky I love her so much."

"That was a very nice thing to say to her about love."

"How did you know what I said to her?"

"I was walking past you guys when I arrived here."

"Oh...Well, it's true. She just has to wait for the day for the guy to look at her, only her and not someone else. The right guy will come along, I just know it. Same goes for me. If we don't believe in love, what's the point?"

"You two are very beautiful, I'm sure some guys will fall for you in no time."

"Thanks, stud."

"And you're pretty wise for someone your age."

"That's one of the things my mom loves most about me. So what about you? Any siblings?"

"...Younger brother. We're pretty distant though."

"So whose at fault?"

"Let's say that we fought over a girl."

"Damn. I hate when a good bromance fights over a girl. Bros before girls."

"Sometimes that's the case but we both loved her too much."

"So what happened?"

"Well, I came here to Mystic Falls to get her back... I waited a long time for her. Meanwhile, my brother has already moved on. Don't understand how he could."

"Was it worth it? Your relationship with your brother over her?"

"To be honest? ...I don't know. I just wanted her. I wanted her to choose me."

"Well... I hope you get her then. But is there no hope between you and your brother?"

"None. He ruined my life and it just wasn't about the girl."

"Ouch, what did he do?"

"There was something that I didn't want to do. Something I didn't want to live with and he took that choice from me. So ever since then, I chose to make his life miserable."

"Damn... That bad? I kinda don't even want to know what he did... You guys didn't kill anyone, did you?"

Damon looks at Ariel amused. "No, nothing like that. Let me put it this way. He wanted to live that life and I wanted to live another one. But he took that from me..."

"Thank god... I kinda know a bit about that. One trying to control their siblings' life. My best friend's older sister? Yeah, she's my best friend too but they've both are going through something. She's been kinda getting on my nerves lately. It's like she's forgetting she is his sister not his mom."

"The controlling type?"

"Yep. So, I'll give you the same offer I give to him which involves kicking his sister's butt so... Need me to kick your brother's butt?"

Damon chuckles. "I'll consider your offer... You remind me of someone."

"Who?"

"A childhood friend. She passed away a long time ago though."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I didn't get your name, I'm Damon Salvatore.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Salvatore. I'm Ariel Forbes."

"...Like the Little Mermaid?"

"Yeah, it's kinda funny being named after her when my favorite Disney movie is Mulan."

"Your secret's safe with me."

"I have to get back to my sister now. It was nice meeting you."

"You too. Hope we meet again."

"Hmm... If we're meant to meet again, it'll happen."

He gives her a small smile before she picks up the glass of water to bring to Caroline.

"Just one more thing. Even though I'm wishing you luck on the girl, try working things out with your brother if you can. I don't know exactly how bad things are between the two of you but family still matters. If there's a chance to work things out, take it. If it's not worth it, then don't bother."

He watches her walk away, intrigued by the young woman. Also considering a change in his plans.

End of Flashback

"What was the deal with her pulling your hair?"

"I honestly have no idea. It happens every time she's drunk and I unfortunately am the only victim to it whenever I'm near my drunk sister. But I secretly think she's jealous of this beautiful hair. Perfection."

"Right, isn't that the reason she's forcing you to enter the next Miss Mystic Falls?"

"Yes and I hope you haven't forgotten your promise to whisk me away from that-"

Before Ariel can finish, Caroline suddenly appears in front of them. "First, I heard all of that. Second, I'm not jealous of your hair and that is not the reason. Third, the reason is that it is tradition that our family enters and we will keep that tradition going. Fourth, you are entering even if I have to drag you by your hair. And lastly, you will win. Do you hear me?"

During Caroline's heated rant, Ariel began cowering behind Damon. "...Yes... Yes, sister! Don't forget I love you!"

"Good."

Damon begins whispering to Ariel, despite knowing Caroline can still hear him. "Little mermaid, go get in my car. Hurry, I'll hold her off."

Ariel quickly runs out of the house as Caroline rolls her eyes. "You continue to remind me of how scary you are."

"Hmm, it's one of my charms. Klaus is picking me up, look after my sister."

"Do you know who you're talking to?"

Later on, Damon is driving to the storage unit. Ariel and Jeremy are with him, despite Damon's protest about the latter joining them. Upon their arrival, they see Kol leaning on his car, waiting for them. Ariel rushes over to him, enveloping him in a hug. "Hello, darling."

"Hi, foxy."

"Foxy? No mini Elijah?"

"For now no. In the future, who knows? Elijah finally gave me a nickname for all I've done for your family. Mission accomplished. Now Finn is the only one left."

"Good luck with that." Kol notices Jeremy approach them. "Hey, mate."

"Have you...decided anything?"

"...We have no way to kill him right now... So the best option for now is to throw him in the depths in the ocean. We chained him up and locked him a coffin."

Jeremy sighs sadly. "This is so messed up."

"I know, mate... Come on, let's get inside."

The group enters the building, Damon and Kol walk side by side as Ariel and Jeremy are behind walking at a slower pace. She eventually stops him for a moment.

"Jer?"

"Hmm?"

"He cares."

"Huh?"

"Damon didn't want you to come because he cares... I know you two haven't always gotten along but he's always looking out for you."

He processes her words for a moment and nods. When the two go to catch up with Damon and Kol, before they turn the corner, they overhear them talking.

"Why her?"

"Because it had to be. What about Elena?"

"I've already made my decision... Do you love her?"

"...Yes."

"Good. If you hurt her, I'll kill you."

Jeremy looks at Ariel, seeing her stunned expression. He goes on ahead to join the two.

"Do you need to say goodbye, mate?"

"...I already did, back at the decade dance... He's not the Ric I know anymore."

"Let's go then."

Damon and Jeremy go on ahead. Kol knowing Ariel is around the corner, goes to her. "I know that you heard that."

"Since when?"

He nods. "Do you remember when I told you about my first love?"

"...The same one who made you saved Katherine?"

"Yes... It was you." He places his hand on her cheek, caressing it. "Ariel Forbes, you are my first love."

"Wh- How-"

"The first time I saw you was a thousand years ago. But the only times I've seen you were in my dreams. I didn't see you often, just a few times every hundred years. I didn't know who you were, I didn't know why I kept seeing you... But I had found out the reason. A witch explained to me that you were my soulmate. That's the reason why I saved Katerina, she was with you in one of my dreams. Whenever I saw you, I was happy, you made me feel whole again. There were times you would bring me back when I had lost my humanity. But it never lasted long... And when we met that day when I was undaggered, finally. I found you... As I got to know you, the real you... I fell hard. You the first and only person in all the years that I've lived, to not judge me. That wanted to know me. To give a damn about me... I love you, Ariel."

Tears run down her face as she listened to his heartfelt confession. "Kol..."

He wipes away her tears, placing both his hands on her cheeks and leans in...

(WE GOT OUR FIRST KISS SCENE!!!)

After their passionate kiss is over, she begins to feel a bit dizzy... "Darling?"

A memory comes back to her. As a young child, she once dreamt of Kol. "I remembered something."

"What?"

"I saw you once before. In my dreams, just like it was with you."

"...Even a memory of me was wiped."

She wraps her arms around his neck. "I love you too." Unable to keep wipe the smiles off their face, he brings her into a hug. "But you haven't asked me to be your girlfriend, yet."

"I thought we were already in the boyfriend-girlfriend stage?"

"Nope. We were in the getting-to-know-each-other stage. Want to get to the next stage? Ask me to be your girlfriend."

"Okay then. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"I thought you never ask."

He kisses her forehead before taking her hand. "Let's go catch up with the knuckleheads before they kill each other."

The couple eventually arrive at Unit 1020, only to find Jeremy unconscious and Damon with his neck broken. Even an open coffin and chains on the ground... "What-"

Before she can even finish talking, a gunshot is heard. Next to her, she sees Kol fall to the ground, a bullet wound in his shoulder. Another shot is heard, another bullet now in his leg. "Oh my god! Kol!" She quickly crouches down next to him to observe the wounds.

"Ahh, how sweet."

Looking to see how their shooter is, it is none other that Alaric.

"How...?"

"Had some help. I'm not the only hunter out there wants you all dead. First, let's play a game. Can you guess what kind of bullets are in this gun?"

"No..."

"It's funny how I keep being one step ahead of you. As a backup, I had taken a few shards of the white oak stake and made them into bullets. I have enough for you and your family."

Placing her hands out in front of her. "Don't do make me do this to you!"

"Please, you don't even know how to control it. But I can tell you about your mother, your real one I mean."

"What...?"

"Ariana Williams. She and you both come from a powerful line of witches. If you don't believe me, you can ask Liz, if you make it out of here alive. But you probably won't."

Alaric then shoots Ariel in the abdomen, she falls to the ground next to Kol...

"NO!"

Kol attempts to get up but is unable to do so from his injuries.

"K-Kol..."

"Why did you shoot her?!"

"I rather have her dead! Continuing having her be with a vampire?! Until she ends up like you someday?! Liz, would be heartbroken. And when I'm done with your family, I'll go after Elena next. It's best for Jeremy." He points the gun back at Kol. "Now..."

Ariel begins to cry. "Don't...do...this..."

"Time to die."

Alaric is stopped by Damon who knocks the gun out of his hand and starts throwing punches. During this, Kol goes to feed Ariel his blood. "Stay with me. You're going to be okay."

Jeremy awakens and seeing the couple, quickly rushes to them. "No..."

"Mate, get the bullet out of my leg! Hurry!"

"What about your shoulder?!"

"I can get that one, just focus on my leg!"

As Jeremy rushes to get the bullet out, Damon is being brutally beaten by Alaric. "Ric."

"Don't call me that. We're not friends."

"We were."

"Well, our friendship was part of the problem. It's what kept me weak. It's why it took so long for the real me to break through and now I'm gonna break you."

Meanwhile at the Gilbert House...

Elena is in her room and turns around when she hears a familiar voice. "Hey."

"You-"

Back at the storage unit...

Kol pushes Alaric off of Damon as Jeremy searches for the gun. 

"Where did the gun go?!"

Unfortunately with Kol's back turned, Damon sees Alaric reaching for the gun to where it fell. With Kol helping Damon up, he doesn't notice. As Alaric aims it at Kol and fires, Damon pushes Kol out of the way... The bullet going directly into Damon's heart...

Nothing is heard but silence until Ariel begins screaming out for her best friend. "NO! DAMON!! DAMON!!!"

As Damon slowly dying, he turns his head to see his best friend crawling towards him. "...Little mermaid..."

When she finally reaches him, she places her hands on her cheeks as she cries. "You're okay! You're going to be okay!"

Damon smiles, slowly bringing his hand up to Ariel's cheek.

Flashback

On the road in Damon's car, Ariel, Damon and Elena are heading back to Mystic Falls from Georgia. Damon is driving with Elena in the front with him and Ariel is asleep in the backseat.

"You care about her."

"What?"

"I saw how mad you were when Lee kidnapped Ariel just to get to you."

"...Because she is the first person in a long time to give a damn about me and not judge me for who I am."

Elena looks surprised but quickly covers it up with curiosity.

"So why did you bring us?"

"Well, you two aren't the worst company in the world. To be honest, my little mermaid is more fun than you."

"Seriously? Okay, well that is true about Ariel being more fun than me... She's always been that way. And I used to be more fun."

"You did okay."

"We saved your life."

"I know."

"And don't you forget it."

In the backseat, Ariel has a small smile on her face having heard the whole conversation. She continues pretending to be asleep.

End of Flashback

"...Thank you..."

Damon continues smiling even as he slowly desiccates. Ariel begins shaking him. "Damon?" She continues shaking him. "Damon? ...Dee Dee?" Realizing what has happened, she sobs convulsively. "DAMON! No, wake up! Please! Please!"

Kol and Jeremy are shocked by Damon's death, too shocked to notice that once again that Alaric is aiming for Kol. However, he starts to feel weak causing the gun falls out of his hand. "What's happening?" He falls to ground.

When Jeremy finally notice Alaric's condition, he runs to him and cradles him in his arms. "Ric! Ric?! No, no, no, no! No, Ric!"

Alaric slowly desiccate and dies. Ariel is shaking her head, refusing to accept Damon's death still not even noticing Alaric has died as well.

"Damon! DAMON, PLEASE! Don't do this! Don't leave! What about me?! What about Stefan?!"

As Ariel and Jeremy grieve the loss of the fallen friends, Kol hears heels clicking. He notices the figure approaching them.

"Did you miss me?"

Katherine Pierce returns.

End of Act I

Published: December 8th, 2019

Completed: February 22, 2020

We're at 3K reads? AMAZING.

Sorry about Damon's death but it is necessary for Ariel's character development, especially involving her powers. But this won't be the last you see of Damon of course!