13. Daddy Issues

After Brayden had left to check up on Damon, Caroline hadn't heard from him all night, so the first thing Caroline wanted to after waking up, was check up on the twins, not only to make sure that Damon was okay, but also to make sure the brothers hadn't done something stupid.

As Caroline stepped out her house, she saw Tyler standing outside.

"Hey" Caroline greeted, confused seeing Tyler, "How's it going?".

"We need to talk" Tyler stated.

"About what?" Caroline asked confused.

"What happened to my Uncle Mason?" Tyler asked, shocking Caroline.

"What?" Caroline asked, not sure if she heard Tyler correctly.

"He's dead" Tyler replied, "And I want you to tell me what happened".

"Uh, Tyler, I don't--".

"Then let me tell you" Tyler interrupted, "Stefan, Damon and your boyfriend Brayden killed him, because Stefan, Damon and Brayden are vampires, just like you and Fae".

"Who told you that?" A shocked Caroline asked.

"Is it true?" Tyler asked.

"Let me explain" Caroline replied.

"Did you know he was dead this whole time, did Fae?" Tyler asked.

"Please" Caroline pleaded.

"Did you know?!" Tyler yelled.

After a moment of hesitation, Caroline nodded, causing Tyler to shove her into her car.

Before Tyler could do anything, Fae, who heard everything, speeded over to the duo and pushed Tyler on to the ground and away from Caroline.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Fae yelled, "You can't just put your hands on her!".

Tyler stood up and glared at Fae and Caroline, "I trusted you two!" he yelled, his eyes flashing yellow.

Fae sighed, "Tyler, listen--".

"Save it" Tyler snapped, "I don't want to hear anything".

Before Caroline or Fae could stop him, Tyler walked away from the duo.

***

Brayden laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling with a blank expression on his face, what he and Damon did to the two girls last night replying in his head over and over again, he would never admit it out loud to anyone, but last night, he enjoyed giving into his bloodlust, it actually scared him how much he liked it.

Brayden looked to his side table, where his phone was ringing, Brayden stared at the phone when he realised it was Caroline calling him, Brayden's thumb hovered over the accept call option, but then at the last second, Brayden pressed decline and switched his phone off, he couldn't talk to Caroline right now, if he heard her voice, or saw her face, Brayden knows that all the guilt he's trying to keep out of his heart and mind, will come right back as soon as he talks to Caroline, something he didn't have the energy to deal with.

"You two idiots brought back John Gilbert?" Damon asked, barging into Brayden's room, with Stefan right behind him.

Brayden groaned and pulled his duvet over his face, "Get lost".

Damon pulled the duvet off of his twin, "That was yours and Stefan's big save Caroline and Elena move?" he asked.

"We went to look for Isobel and we got John instead" Stefan defended, while Brayden placed a pillow over his face, "He said he could help us and we're desperate".

"We're not that desperate Stefan, the guy tried to barbecue me and Brayden" Damon reminded.

"I haven't forgotten that Damon" Brayden said, finally sitting up, "But John knows a lot more then he's letting on".

"Plus, Bonnie's new witch friend, is working with Elijah" Stefan reminded, "So we have to assume that the moonstone was never destroyed, Elena and Caroline are putting all of their faith into some deal, that they made with Elijah to keep everyone safe, I mean do any of you trust Elijah? I don't trust him, he's an Original, he can't be trusted".

"I definitely don't trust him, I have a feeling he or another original compelled me to forget something important" Brayden said, getting out of his bed and grabbing his shirt.

"What?" Stefan asked shocked.

"Did I forget to mention that?" Brayden asked sarcastically, wearing his shirt, "That will be my bad".

"Elaborate" Damon demanded.

"I can't elaborate, because I don't even know what I'm missing" Brayden snapped.

"Fine, then let's move back to the topic of interest" Damon said, "The part in which you two tell me how John is the answer to our problem".

"He knew about the sacrifice, Isobel told him" Stefan informed, "He said he knew of a way to keep Elena and Caroline safe".

"And how do we do that?" Damon asked.

"That's the catch, brother" Brayden replied, "The asshole won't open his bloody mouth".

"Great work you two, topnotch, as if I didn't have enough problems" Damon snapped.

"Relax" Brayden said, "Today's number one agenda is to get John to talk".

"Great, I'm coming with you" Damon said.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Rose" Stefan said, before the twins could walk out the room.

"Whatever, I knew the women for five minutes" Damon said, but both his brothers knew he was lying.

"And you cared about her after five minutes" Stefan said, "Oh, I wonder what that means".

"It means I care, Stefan" Damon said sarcastically, "It means I'm changing and evolving into a man capable of greatness, better watch your back, because I may have to go get a hero hairdo of my own, and steal your thunder, maybe Brayden will join me".

"Pass" Brayden said, "I like my hairstyle, it suits me, now excuse me, I have some work to do".

Both Damon and Brayden walked out the room, just as Stefan's phone beeped.

Taking his phone out, Stefan saw Fae's text, 911 NOW, we are so screwed Salvatore!

***

"What's wrong?" Stefan asked, entering Caroline's house.

"Tyler Lockwood knows about you guys" Kaitlynn informed, Fae having called her as well.

"He knows that Damon killed Mason, actually he thinks all three of you killed Mason, I didn't say a word though" Caroline said.

"Neither did I" Fae added.

"It's that Jules, she had a run-in with Damon, and I think Brayden also threatened her" Stefan said.

"Speaking of Brayden, where is he?" Caroline asked, "I kept calling him but he ignored all my calls, and then even switched his phone, is he okay?".

"Brayden's fine" Stefan assured the worried Forbes, "Him and Damon are busy with getting John Gilbert to open his mouth".

"Stefan, Tyler was really angry" Fae said, "He looked so betrayed".

"Wow, this is bad" Stefan realised.

"You think?" Kaitlynn asked.

"You can't tell Damon or Brayden" Fae told Stefan.

"Obviously not, they will kill Tyler" Stefan said, "They think all werewolves should die".

"I don't know about all werewolves, but I'm down for Jules dying" Kaitlynn said, "And what if Tyler tries to get even with us? I don't know about you guys, but if he comes at me, I'm killing him".

"No ones killing anyone Kaitlynn" Fae said, "Damon killing Mason is what landed us in this mess in the first place", Fae turned to Stefan, "You and I need to meet Tyler and try to reason with him before he tells everyone the truth".

"Fae's right, you always know the right things to say" Caroline told Stefan.

Stefan sighed, "Fine, let's go Fae".

"If you two are not back in an hour, I'm killing Jules" Kaitlynn said.

"Caroline, keep an eye on her" Fae said.

Caroline nodded, "I will, you two be careful".

***

Elena opened her front door to see both Damon and Brayden standing there.

"Where's John?" Damon asked, as he and Brayden walked into the Gilbert house.

"He's not here" Elena replied, "He left, I don't know where he went, he just blew in, announced to Jenna that he's my dad and then took off".

"That's public knowledge now?" Damon asked.

"Apparently" Elena replied, "Jenna's head is spinning but I'm okay".

"I don't remember asking if you were okay or not" Brayden said, causing Elena to frown, "Now, did your asshole of a father, say anything regarding the sacrifice?".

"No" Elena replied, "Do you and Stefan actually think he's telling the truth about wanting to help me?".

"That's why we're here" Brayden replied, "To find out exactly what John knows and wants".

"I don't believe John is here to help me, Brayden" Elena said.

"Luckily for you, I don't care if John is here to help you, I want to know if he can help Caroline" Brayden said.

"What are we gonna do?" Elena asked.

"We, are not going to do anything" Brayden replied, "Me and Damon are".

"Which is, kill him" Damon said.

"Only if he's useless" Brayden added.

"Guys" Elena warned.

"We're joking" Damon assured.

"I'm not" Brayden said.

"Brayden" Elena said.

"Don't Brayden me" Brayden snapped, "If I find out that I went through all that effort to bring John back for no absolute reason, your father is dying".

Without hearing anything else, Brayden walked out the door, followed by Damon, and Elena decided to follow them, knowing Brayden actually would kill John if he stayed quiet.

***

Damon, Brayden and Elena entered the Grill, and immediately their eyes fell on John, who was standing by Alaric and Jenna's table.

Before the twins could walk over to John, Elena grabbed Brayden's wrist, "We just need answers, please don't do anything stupid" Elena said.

"First of all, don't touch me" Brayden said, removing his wrist from Elena's grip, "And second of all, don't ever tell me what to do".

"Brayden, I mean it, all I'm asking is you try to keep it together" Elena said, "Be the better man".

"Are you honestly that stupid?" Brayden snapped, "Get a hint Elena, I don't like you, and I'm not going to get manipulated by you".

Without hearing anything else from Elena, both Brayden and Damon walked over to John.

"John, buddy" Damon greeted, "How have you been?".

"I've been all right, Damon" John replied, "It's good to see you and your brother".

"Wish I could say the same" Brayden said, giving John a sarcastic smile.

***

"So, John, rumor has it you know a lot and won't say anything" Damon said, as him and Brayden walked over to John.

"How do I know you can be trusted, Damon?" John asked.

"How do we know you can be trusted, John?" Brayden retorted.

"Originals can compel vampires" John reminded, "And according to you and Stefan, that's why Katherine's still in the tomb, cause an Original has compelled her to stay there".

"Only because all the vervain had left her system" Damon informed, "Stefan, Brayden and I, on the other hand, are chock-full".

"You guys are drinking vervain?" John asked, shocked.

"Yes we are" Brayden replied, "So don't even try to vervain us, cause I will rip your heart out and shove it up your ass, specially since I don't see that stupid little magical ring on your cut off fingers, so if you know anything about Klaus, start talking John, or say goodbye to your pathetic little life".

"Now, is that any way to convince me that you and I are on the same side?" John asked, "First, I need to know that I can trust you and Damon, that I can count on you, then we'll talk".

"I hate him" Brayden said, as John walked away from the twins.

***

Caroline walked over to her car, after Fae and Stefan left to talk to Tyler, Kaitlynn also left, despite Caroline's protest, but after Kaitlynn assured her multiple times that she wasn't going to kill anyone, Caroline let her go, and decided to go to the Grill, where Damon told her Brayden was, for some reason Brayden was ignoring her and Caroline wanted to know why.

As Caroline walked over to her car, she felt an presence behind her.

"Excuse me", Caroline turned around to see Jules standing behind her, "Caroline, right?".

"Yeah" Caroline replied.

"I'm looking for Tyler, you haven't see him, have you?" Jules asked.

"No, not since earlier, sorry" Caroline replied, turning around and opening her car front door.

"I know you're lying" Jules said, stopping Caroline from getting into her car.

Caroline faced Jules, "Really? How?" she asked, "Is that one of your little wolf tricks?".

"Actually, it is" Jules replied.

Caroline nodded, she turned back and closed her car door, "Well, I have a trick too" she said, vamping out and trying to attack Jules, but she failed as Jules sprayed her with vervain, causing for her to yell in pain, when she finally got over the pain, she looked up to see a guy she has never seen before, the guy ended up shooting a wooden bullet into Caroline's head, knocking her unconscious.

***

Caroline gasped and sat up in shock, immediately she started crying in pain after feeling the wooden bullet still in her head, and after much difficulty, Caroline had finally managed to take the bullet out of her head.

Caroline tried to get to the lock of the cage she was trapped in, but failed as she couldn't reach it, suddenly, Caroline saw the guy who shot her, sitting in the corner, observing her every move, causing a frightened Caroline to move to the back of the cage.

"I see you got the bullet out, that was, nasty, I got lots of wooden bullets, other toys, it's gonna be a long night, sweet pea".

Caroline screamed in pain when the werewolf shot a wooden bullet into her chest.

***

"You wanna be friends, great, we're friends" Tyler snapped, "Will you two go now?".

"Tyler, we're trying to be civil here, work with us, please" Fae pleaded.

"I don't know what else to say to you" Stefan told Tyler, "I came back to this town because I wanted a life, I wanted to exist where I could have friends and where me and my brothers could be a family, I have that here, all of us can have that".

Before Tyler could say anything, Stefan's phone started ringing, taking his phone out of his pocket, he realised it was Caroline.

"Hey, everything okay?" Stefan asked.

"That depends" Jules said, "How badly do you wanna keep her alive?".

Stefan and Fae exchanged a confused look, "Who is this?" Stefan asked.

"Ask your brothers" Jules replied, "Where is Tyler?".

"Jules" Stefan realised, "Where's Caroline?".

"You and your girlfriend made a mistake, Stefan" Jules said, "I'm gonna give you a chance to fix it".

"Where is she?" Stefan repeated.

"Right here, want proof?" Jules asked, entering her RV, "He needs proof" she told her partner, who once again shot Caroline, causing her cry out in pain.

"What's happening?" Tyler asked confused.

Fae snatched Stefan's phone from him, "Hurt her again you little bitch and I will rip you limb from limb".

"I hurt her again and she's dead, bring Tyler to me" Jules said, "The clearing by Wickery Falls, you have twenty minutes until she dies".

After Jules hanged up, Fae looked at Stefan in worry.

"I'm going to take Tyler, you go to the Grill and inform Brayden and Damon" Stefan ordered.

"You can't go there alone" Fae objected.

"Then you better bring Damon and Brayden there quickly" Stefan said.

"You--".

"Fae, we don't have time to argue about this" Stefan interrupted.

Fae groaned in annoyance, "Fine!".

***

Brayden and Damon sat on the bar, with Damon drinking bourbon, and Brayden downing shots.

"Since when do you do tequila shots?" Damon asked.

"Since now" Brayden replied.

"Damon" Jenna greeted, walking over to the twins, "So my friend wants to meet you, Damon Salvatore, this is--".

"I know you" Damon interrupted.

"Yeah, you're the women on TV who tells us about all the animal attacks" Brayden realised, taking another shot.

"Yeah, Andie Starr, nice to meet you two" Andie greeted, "Damon, can I buy you a drink?".

"My glass is all full, Andie, thank you" Damon replied, walking away from Andie and Jenna, leaving behind his amused twin brother.

"Damon Salvatore, rejecting a girl, that's a first" Kaitlynn said, walking over to the older Salvatore.

"I'm steering clear of all women at the moment" Damon said.

"That's a first" Kaitlynn teased.

"Trust me, it's in the best interest of women everywhere" Damon said.

Kaitlynn looked at Damon in confusion, "Did something happen?".

"Nothing that concerns you" Damon replied.

Before Kaitlynn could say anything else, a panicked Fae ran over to them.

"Where's Brayden?!" Fae asked.

"What's wrong?" Kaitlynn asked confused.

"It's Caroline" Fae replied.

"What happened to Caroline?" A worried Brayden asked, walking over to the trio.

***

"So how many vampires are there in this town anyway?" The werewolf asked a sobbing Caroline, when Caroline stayed quiet, the werewolf sprayed Caroline with vervain water.

"Why are you doing this to me?!" Caroline cried, kicking the cage bars, "Why?".

"You're a vampire, why not", the werewolf blew wooden splinters into Caroline's neck, causing her to scream, "Sorry, what was that?".

"He's going to kill you" Caroline whispered, glaring at the werewolf, "Brayden's going to kill you!".

***

Jules was pacing back and forth near her RV, when suddenly she felt something, causing her to look towards the woods.

"I know you're out there!" Jules called out, just as both Tyler and Stefan walked over to her.

"Where's Caroline?" Stefan asked.

"Locked up tight" Jules replied.

"You don't realise what you've done, my brother won't spare you, Jules" Stefan said, "So let Caroline go and I'll release Tyler, doesn't have to get any messier than it already has, I'm not your enemy, Jules".

"It's a little late to be waving a white flag, don't you think?" Jules asked.

"You need to leave town" Stefan said, "No one else has to get hurt".

"I'm not leaving without Tyler" Jules stated.

"Tyler's free to make his own decisions, as soon as you release Caroline" Stefan said.

"My brother the peacemaker" Damon said, as he and Brayden walked over to Stefan and Tyler, "Since Stefan got here before us, I'm going to let him try his way before I resort to my way, which is a little bloodier".

"Screw that" Brayden snapped, "Where the hell is Caroline, Jules?".

"Give us Caroline" Damon said.

"Let go of Tyler" Jules demanded.

"Ten seconds" Brayden threatened, "If in ten seconds I don't see Caroline, I'm going to make you watch while I rip Tyler's heart out".

"Without a full moon, it's not even fight and you know it" Damon said, "We will take you".

"I'm not so sure about that, tough guy" Jules said, she whistled, and the brothers watched as werewolves surrounded them, "Let's try this again, give us Tyler".

"You think you guys are the only ones with back up?" Kaitlynn asked, as her and Fae walked over to the brothers.

"Which one of you killed Mason?".

"Uh, that'd be me" Damon replied, raising his hand.

"Boys, make sure that one suffers".

"Which one of you dickheads hurt Caroline?" Brayden asked.

"That would be me", the same werewolf said, a smirk on his face.

"Well, congratulations, you just signed your death certificate" Fae said.

Damon looked at his brothers, "We can take them".

"I don't know about that" Stefan said.

"You guys fight the mutts, I'm going to focus on getting to Caroline" Brayden said.

"Sounds like a plan" Kaitlynn said.

And with that Damon charged at Jules, while Stefan, Kaitlynn and Fae started taking on the other werewolves, while Brayden tried getting into the RV, but a werewolf shoved him to the ground.

While everyone else was busy fighting, Tyler ran into the RV, where he saw an injured Caroline trapped in a cage.

"Tyler, there's a latch, there's a latch on the door and I can't get to it" Caroline said, but Tyler made no effort in helping her, "Tyler? Tyler, please".

Before Tyler could decide, Brayden entered the RV after killing most of the wolves, he quickly shoved Tyler to the side and ran to Caroline, he broke the lock and lifted the gate up, allowing Caroline to crawl out.

"Brayden" Caroline cried, hugging her boyfriend.

"It's okay baby, I'm here" Brayden whispered, hugging Caroline back, "Come on, let's get you out of here".

"Not so fast" Jules said, entering the RV and pointing her gun at the two vampires, Caroline looked at Tyler, hoping he would do something, but he simply stood behind Jules, avoiding looking at Caroline.

Jules shot at Caroline, but Brayden quickly speeded infront of Caroline, causing the bullet to hit him instead, ignoring the pain, Brayden speeded over to Jules and twisted her hand, and took the gun from her and shot her multiple times in the stomach.

"Leave town, Jules, or god so help me, I'm going to make you regret you even stepped a foot in this town" Brayden threatened, he then turned to Tyler, and shot him twice, "That's for being a shitty friend".

Brayden threw the gun on the floor, and turned to a hysterical Caroline, picking her up in his arms, he walked outside to see all of the werewolves either dead or unconscious, turns out it really helps having a heretic on your side.

"Finally" Damon said, seeing his brother with Caroline, "Now let's get out of here".

Brayden nodded and speeded towards Caroline's house, with Caroline still in his arms.

***

Brayden very carefully placed Caroline on her bed.

"It seems like your mom's not here" Brayden said.

"Yeah, she's at work" Caroline whispered, looking down at the floor.

"Princess--".

"I'm fine, Brayden" Caroline assured.

Brayden kneeled infront of Caroline, "You don't have to lie to me, Caroline, it's okay to be upset, to be scared, specially after everything you've been through tonight"

"I'm not girly little Caroline anymore" Caroline whispered, trying not to burst into tears, "I can handle myself".

Brayden placed his finger under Caroline's chin and forced her to look at him, "Sometimes, it's okay to let other people handle you, even if it's only for one night".

Caroline looked at Brayden for a moment, and then bursted into tears, Brayden sat on the bed and hugged Caroline, letting her cry it out.

***

Damon opened the front door of the boarding house to see John on the other side.

"What do you want?" Damon asked, really not wanting to deal with John.

"I've been trying to get your brother on the phone, but he's not answering" John said, entering the boarding house.

"Brayden's occupied" Damon said, "Now, I won't ask again John, what the hell do you want?".

"We didn't finish our conversation" John replied.

"I'll bite" Damon said.

"I've been thinking, personal feelings aside, Damon, I know you and your brother won't do anything for my daughter, but all three of you will do all you can to protect Caroline Forbes, which means indirectly helping my daughter".

"I agree with that statement" Damon said simply.

"So I come bearing gifts" John said, showing Damon a dagger and some ash.

"What the hell is that?" Damon asked, slightly confused.

"This is how you kill an Original" John replied, "In this vial is ash from a white oak tree, that dates back to the genesis of the Originals, the dagger must be dipped into the ash and then plunged into their heart".

Damon snatched the dagger from John, "How do you know all this, John?" he asked, not convinced at all.

"Isobel" John replied, "She's very good at finding out things, but, of course, you know that".

"Where is Isobel?" Damon asked.

"Let's just say if she accomplishes what she's attempting, Klaus will never set foot in Mystic Falls" John replied, walking away from Damon.

After John left, Damon stared at the dagger, wondering if he should trust John or not?

"Damon!" Kaitlynn yelled.

Hearing Kaitlynn, Damon quickly hid the dagger and white ash, not wanting her to know about it.

"Hey" Damon greeted, as Kaitlynn entered the living room.

"Brayden called" Kaitlynn informed.

"Is Caroline okay?" Damon asked.

"Brayden has a plan that he needs us to execute" Kaitlynn replied.

"What kind of plan?" Damon asked confused.

"A plan to make Caroline smile again" Kaitlynn replied.

***

After speaking with Kaitlynn, Brayden entered Caroline's room, with a cup of blood in his hand, entering the room, he saw Caroline sitting infront of the mirror, taking out the splinters from her neck, without saying anything, Brayden walked over to his girlfriend and handed her the cup.

"Thank you" Caroline whispered.

"Anytime, Princess" Brayden said, "Here, let me help".

"Brayden, I can do it" Caroline assured.

"I know you can, but I still want to help" Brayden said, slowing taking the splinters out of her neck, Caroline flinched in pain, "Nearly done" Brayden assured, taking the last splinter out, just as there was a knock on the front door, "I'll go see who that is, you should get in the shower".

Caroline nodded and after giving Brayden a small smile, went into the bathroom, while Brayden went to answer the front door, opening the door Brayden was met with a guilt ridden Tyler.

"Leave" Brayden said simply.

Tyler quickly stopped Brayden from shutting the door, "I just wanna know if she's okay".

"Are you sure bloody care?" Brayden snapped.

"I had no idea they would come for her" Tyler defended.

"Do you have any idea what your friends did to her?" Brayden asked, "Do you realise the amount of trauma she's feeling right now? She asked for your help Tyler, but you stood there, behind your stupid mutt friends, doing nothing!".

"I'm sorry, but it's crazy now" Tyler said.

"You wanted to get even for Mason's death, I get that, but you should have attacked me, not her!" Brayden said, "Caroline only lied to you to protect me and my brothers, she tried to protect you Tyler, but you stood there doing nothing, like a coward".

"I didn't know what to do" Tyler defended.

"You help the girl you've know your entire life, Tyler" Brayden snapped, "You are so lucky I haven't killed you, just go from here, and make sure to tell your remaining wolf friends that this is the first and last time they come after Caroline, what happened to Caroline tonight, will never happen to her again, because I'm not going to let it happen", and with that Brayden slammed the door shut.

***

"How was the shower?" Brayden asked, entering Caroline's room and seeing her in her pajamas.

"Much needed" Caroline replied, "I was shocked you didn't join".

Brayden chuckled, "I was tempted, but I had something I had to take care".

"Which is what exactly?" Caroline asked confused.

Brayden held his hand out, "Come see for yourself".

Caroline looked at Brayden in confusion, but nonetheless, held Brayden's hand and let him lead her towards the Forbes living room.

"I called your mom and she said she's doing overnight at the precinct, so I organised this for you" Brayden said, as him and Caroline entered the living room.

Caroline was shocked seeing Damon, Stefan, Fae and Kaitlynn in her living room, the brothers had moved the furniture to the side and Fae and Kaitlynn placed pillows and blankets all over the ground, with a bunch of snacks scattered around the place.

"We never had a slumber party, so figured this was the perfect time" Fae said.

"We decided to join, because we have nothing better to do" Stefan said.

"I brought all the horror movies I could find" Damon added.

Caroline looked at the group with tears in her eyes, Fae and Kaitlynn stepped forward and hugged the emotional vampire, while hugging the girls, Caroline looked at Brayden, a grateful expression on her face.

"Thank you" Caroline mouthed.

"No problem" Brayden mouthed back.

***

Presenting 2x13 of The Vampire Diaries . . .

How was the chapter?

Thoughts on Tyler confronting Caroline about Mason's death?

Thoughts on Jules capturing Caroline?

Thoughts on the group verses the werewolves? I didn't make Dr. Martin help them, as they already have Fae, they don't need anyone else to save them 🙈😂

Thoughts on the core six's slumber party?