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Carol Lockwood stood above everyone for her speech, "This is all part of the historical society, continuing efforts back to the community. Thanks to the generous donation of the Fell family. We are now standing on the sight of our newest public park. Thank you to everyone who has shown up today to lend a helping hand. Thanks." She moved to get to work alongside the other members of their community. Mason was removing boxes from the trunk of his car as Stefan approached him. "Stefan, right? The other Salvatore," Mason spoke up, he had heard about Stefan from Tyler's comments about Cordelia; Mason didn't like how Stefan was treating the younger Forbes.

"The nice one. The one offering an apology," Stefan replied to Mason. "Not interested," Mason snapped out. "Look, my brother acted impulsively," Stefan expressed. "You think?" Mason responded with a sneer. "If you and Damon keep at each other throats, somebody innocent is going to get hurt and I don't want that. You have family here so I can imagine you don't want that either. So what do you say we just quit the whole Alpha male fighting thing and call a truce?" Stefan asked Mason hoping he would agree. After the conversation between himself and Damon, he knew they had more mending to do but it was a step in the right direction.

"I made that same offer to your brother. He turned it down with a knife," Mason replied to Stefan, his ego hurt by the action. "He made a mistake. I'm here to make sure that neither one of you make another one," Stefan explained trying his best to keep the peace. "Tell your brother to watch his back," Mason warned before he moved to turn away, Stefan caught his arm. "Well, I'm guessing that he only has to worry about that during a full moon. Otherwise you're not as strong, am I right?" Stefan asked noticing the hesitation in Mason's eyes, "Or you would have killed Damon by now. There's one of you. There's two of us. I think you're the one that needs to watch his back."

They were silent for a moment as Mason accepted Stefan's words. "If he comes at me..." Mason trailed off. "He won't," Stefan promised before they shook hands. "I'm sure that Cordelia wouldn't let any harm come to either of you anyway," Stefan told Mason who huffed. "She's got a good heart," Mason replied before frowning, "Don't break it." Stefan was silent as he nodded, he watched as Mason left. "What are you doing?" Damon asked as he approached Stefan, the younger Salvatore turned to look at his older brother. "Negotiating peace on your behalf," Stefan answered him. "I don't want peace," Damon told him. "Consider it opposite day," Stefan taunted.

"Stefan, please tell me you don't seriously think a hand shake just solved our problems," Damon questioned his younger brother. "No, actually, I think the first chance Mason Lockwood gets, he's gonna drive a stake through your heart and then through mine, all because you took it upon yourself to try and kill him. So thank you... because we don't have enough problems," Stefan snarked back before he walked away from his brother. Damon watched Stefan walk away before sighing, he knew that something bad was bound to happen and he didn't want Stefan to be involved. It was easier being the bad guy than it was living up to expectations.

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Mason was helping Liz when he made his final decision on what needed to be done. "Hey Sheriff, you've got a second?" Mason asked her. "I'm out of uniform. Let's go with Liz," Liz replied to him with a smile. "Alright, Liz. I was hoping to talk to you about the council," Mason asked her. "I don't know what you're talking about," Liz lied to him. "I know you and the others founding families have a secret council," Mason told her firmly. "If that were true then you'd know it's a secret and isn't discussed with non-council members," Liz expressed to him with a stern look. "I know I rejected all that but it's only because I wanted a life outside of this town, not because I was a non-believer," Mason explained to her.

"Look, I know vampires exist and you have two of them living right under your nose," Mason added after a beat of silence, he knew this would ultimately upset Cordelia but he couldn't risk it. "Really?" Liz asked him, she wasn't certain, "Who would they be?" Mason sighed, "Damon and Stefan Salvatore." Liz shook her head at that, the two males that had become important in her and her daughters' lives couldn't be the very monsters she was taught to kill. "That's impossible. I know Damon Salvatore. Do you know what he's done for this town? What he's done for Cordelia?" Liz questioned Mason with accusatory eyes.

"I know it's a lot to digest," Mason tried to soften the blow. "No. I watched him kill vampires. He's an ally; he's a part of the council. He's one of Cordelia's best friends," Liz tried to reason on her end, she refused to believe the one person in this town who had become a good friend to her was one of the things she was trained to kill. "Think about it. When did the vampire attacks begin? When Damon and Stefan Salvatore moved to town?" Mason asked her before frowning, "Don't you want to make sure that Caroline and Cordelia are safe from them?" Liz looked down at those words but shook her head, "They walk in the sun, Mason."

"They've evolved. It's not 1864. They figured it out, Liz," Mason explained to her. "No. Damon Salvatore is my friend," Liz denied Mason's accusation. "What if I can prove it?" Mason asked her, the two look over at the Salvatore brothers. Liz didn't like it but she needed to be certain, she couldn't risk her daughters safety. Speaking of daughters, she spotted Cordelia walking towards the people wearing grey sweatpants and a large jumper that definitely belonged to Jeremy Gilbert. "Cordelia?" Liz questioned as she walked away from Mason who left to prove his words. "Hey mom. I know I should be resting in bed but I can't... I'm bored, restless and I feel better than earlier," Cordelia replied to her mother with a sweet smile.

"The moment you don't feel well, find me and I'll take you home, understood?" Liz asked in a stern tone. "Yes, Mom," Cordelia agreed, she hugged the older woman before she made her way over to Caroline and Elena who were painting. "So suddenly, she's in the running for Mother of the Year just when I'm trying to avoid her the most," Caroline expressed to a clearly distracted Elena, "I'm babbling, you don't want to hear all of this." Elena shook her head and looked back at Caroline, "Oh, no, sorry. Then what happpened?" Cordelia rolled her eyes, she knew that Elena was distracted due to her break up with Stefan but sometimes, it was like all she focused on was her relationship problems ─ putting it first above everything.

"Well, I was a bitch which is par for the course with us," Caroline answered before spotting Cordelia, "Cordelia!? You should be at home in bed!" She put her paint brush down and approached her younger twin who laughed softly. "Already spoke to mom and promised that if I feel unwell, I will let her know and she'll take me home. I couldn't lay in bed any longer, I was bored," Cordelia explained to Caroline ignoring Elena's scowl, clearly the brunette was upset with Cordelia about something. "Okay, but seriously, tell me if you aren't feeling well," Caroline told Cordelia sternly. "I will, promise," Cordelia responded before looking at Elena, "Hey Elena. How are you?" Elena ignored Cordelia making the blonde sigh with a shrug before moving to help others.

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"Shouldn't you be resting?" Stefan asked as he knelt down beside Cordelia, the two painting a sign. "I was getting restless," Cordelia vaguely replied, she wasn't sure where she really stood with Stefan. She was hurt by his actions but she didn't have the energy to be angry about it anymore but that didn't mean he was forgiven; he had a lot to make up for. "I was hoping we could talk, Cordelia," Stefan said softly, he hated what he did to their bond and he wanted to make up for it. His conversation with Damon laid it all out for him, he knew that his heart wasn't with Elena Gilbert; he was chasing ghosts from his past but it wasn't love, it was trauma ─ he was finding comfort in the pain he was used to but he couldn't do that anymore.

"Not a lot to talk about, Stefan," Cordelia replied harshly, she wouldn't let him use her. "I disagree but I won't push, Cordelia. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be waiting. And just know... I am so, so sorry. I will spend eternity making up for how I hurt you, however you wish," Stefan expressed as he looked at her, he admired her and fought the urge to kiss her temple before he was distracted. "Stefan, can we talk?" Elena asked as she stood behind him, her arms crossed and a slight glare on her face directed at Cordelia. "You should talk," Cordelia said before she got up and walked away from them, she didn't want to be involved and Stefan's words were echoing through her head. He wanted to make up for it but she didn't know where to stand with that.

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Cordelia and Caroline noticed their mother on the phone, she looked upset and it left the two of them concerned. "What's wrong?" Caroline asked as they stopped in front of Liz, the woman hung up and turned to her daughters. "Nothing. I just have something..." Liz trailed off as Caroline scoffed, "You mean work? You've surprised me. You lasted longer than five minutes." Cordelia frowned watching the two argue, obviously, Caroline was keeping Liz at an arms length due to being a vampire but the fights used to happen all the time and it would make Cordelia freeze up and become anxious listening to it. "It's important," Liz replied sternly. "It always is," Caroline stated.

"Care, that's not fair," Liz replied to her as she fought the tears. "Work comes before us always. Ever since dad left, I had to raise Cordelia because you were never there and someone had to parent her," Caroline snapped while Cordelia looked down, she couldn't find the words because it was the truth. Though they were twins, Caroline had stepped up and played parent to Cordelia, that was why their bond was so strong. "I'm sorry," Liz told them with teary eyes before she walked away leaving the twins standing there as Elena approached them. "What's going on?" Elena asked Caroline. "I don't know. Something's up," Caroline replied while Cordelia closed her eyes.

The younger Forbes felt a pit form in her stomach, she chewed her bottom lip before looking up to see Mason in the distance disappearing with the Salvatore brothers following behind him. "Oh no," Cordelia whispered before she began walking after them, Caroline and Elena followed behind her quickly. "Where are you going? What's going on?" Elena asked noticing the worried expression on Cordelia's face. "Mason told Mom about Damon and Stefan... It's a feeling and I'm sure its right," Cordelia told her without hesitation, she wouldn't let her mom kill the Salvatore's. She wouldn't lose Damon, the one who has been by her side everyday despite his clear love for Elena; he hadn't abandoned her so she won't abandon him.

And she couldn't leave Stefan to die. If he died, she'd never forgive herself for giving him that chance to prove himself or to earn at least her friendship back. It wasn't long until they ran into Mason who stood in their way, his eyes were soft when they connected with Cordelia's but then they hardened seeing Caroline and Elena behind the younger Forbes. "What are you three doing out here?" Mason asked them. "Have you seen Stefan?" Elena questioned him before the twins could speak. "Yeah Elena, I've seen him. Seen Damon too," Mason taunted. "Where are they?" Cordelia asked firmly. "You don't need me for that. I'll let your sister here sniff them out," Mason replied to her telling them he knew about Caroline.

"Does your mother know what you are? I'm happy to tell her," Mason expressed with a smirk on his face. "One chance, Mason," Cordelia seethed out after holding her arm out to stop Caroline from rushing him, her eyes were white as she stared at Mason; though the colour reminded him of the same moon that he was cursed under ─ except it was more comforting. "Don't be stupid, Cordelia. They aren't worth it," Mason told her as he stepped forward but Cordelia raised her hand, muttered a spell and sent Mason into a tree knocking him out. "They are worth it," Cordelia growled before storming towards the Lockwood ruins, she would stop this no matter what.

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In the cellar ruins, Damon wakes from unconsciousness spotting Stefan unconscious near him as Liz shoots him in the leg. "Liz, please," Damon pleaded, she was his only genuine friend other than Cordelia and he couldn't lose her but she shoots again causing him to yell out. "How did you fool us? How do you walk in the sun?" Liz asked him but he doesn't answer. Liz shoots Stefan who doesn't react in his unconscious state. "I will drag this out painfully," Liz warned him. "But you're my friend," Damon whimpered. "Our friendship was a lie. Answer me and I'll kill you fast," Liz told him though the words did hurt, she genuinely enjoyed their friendship and losing it was more painful than she thought that it would be.

Outside, Cordelia didn't hesitate like her sister and Elena did. "Stay here," Cordelia called back before heading down the stairs listening in to her mother's words. "He's not gonna tell us anything. Kill them both," Liz ordered the deputies, "Let's do this. Each with a stake in the heart, then burn them both." The door that Cordelia pushed creaked catching their attention, one of the deputies moved to check on the sound allowing Cordelia to muttered a small spell and knock the man out; he wouldn't remember the truth about the Salvatore's when he woke up. She then walked into the room gaining her mother's attention, "Cori, what are you doing here?"

"You can't kill them, Mom. I won't let you," Cordelia told her sternly, she moved to stand protectively in front of Damon and Stefan. "Cordelia, you don't know what─" Liz was cut off by Cordelia, "About vampires? Werewolves? Witches? I know it all, Mom. I know that Damon and Stefan are Vampires but I care about them and I won't let you kill them. Screw your bullshit ancestors, Mom." Liz was quiet as her youngest spoke, she couldn't believe that her daughter knew this whole time. A sudden noise was heard startling them, "Who else is with you?" Cordelia sent her mother a sad look as the remaining deputy was knocked out by Caroline who had torn into his neck.

"Hi, Mom," Caroline greeted as she stepped into the light, blood dripping down her chin revealing her new identity. Liz gasped at the sight, she looked between her daughters before stumbling back and sitting on the edge of a step. Elena had come down and rushed over to Stefan while Cordelia knelt down to Damon and pulled the body of the deputy close enough so he could fed. "You need to drink some deputy blood," Damon told Stefan as he began to wake up. "C..." Stefan breathed. "What, Stefan?" Elena questioned as Stefan tried to speak. "C... ori..." Stefan blinked his eyes open, "Cori..." Elena moved away from Stefan as Cordelia moved over to him and rested his head on her lap.

"I'm right here, Stefan," Cordelia whispered as she ran her fingers down the side of his face, Elena was clearly unhappy but Damon didn't have it in him to care in the moment seeing that Cordelia had a sweet smile on her face. "You need to feed, Stefan," Cordelia encouraged him. "No. I'm gonna be fine. It's just gonna take a little bit longer," Stefan assured her as he grabbed her hand in his and interlocked their fingers, the tingles that formed from the touch made him feel good. "They're right, you know. If there's ever a time to break your diet..." Caroline added. "He said he didn't want it, okay?" Elena snapped out. "Here," Cordelia held out her wrist, "No addiction with my blood."

Stefan looked up at her, the reassuring eyes told him it was okay. They all watched as Stefan's vampire eyes appeared before he sunk his teeth delicately into Cordelia's wrist. She let out a small gasp at the initial pain before closing her eyes, she didn't know why the feeling was euphoric for her as much as it was for Stefan but she let it happen. Liz saw the way her daughter interacted with Stefan, she had never seen her daughter so happy; even with Penelope. Elena however, she was angry and hurt by what she was witnessing and that was proven when she walked out of the ruins. Stefan made Cordelia have some blood to heal her wrist, she accepted before allowing him to hug her; something changed in that moment.

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Rosemary Speaks. . .

Finally, another chapter has shown up!

It was a long wait and my very fuzzled/lost brain tried its best with this one, I may need to read through everything again to find my path lol

Anywho, what did y'all think of this chapter?

Thoughts, Suggestions or Questions?

P.S: I know stories villainise Elena, there is a reason for it in my book. She isn't whiny here but she is angry for now. She won't be like this forever. And for those comments asking about not putting Elena and Damon together, I'm sorry but they will be together. You'll like Elena by then, I promise!

Trust the process!

See you in the next chapter!