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chapter four - "Please, I just think it's time I played Cupid."

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"You mean, I can do more than just wreak vampire havoc?"

"Go figure." Bonnie remarked smiling widely but it quickly dropped seeing a pissed off Clementine shoveling pieces of funnel cake into her mouth. "She isn't doing well is she?"

Elena's eyes trailed over to see the Lightwood, "Well it's Clementine, she'll tell you she's fine and even act fine."

Bonnie sighed, "Come on, we gotta get our Clementine back." She said walking down towards her with Elena right by her side.

"Clem!" She yelled over the carnival going on, not getting any attention from her. "Clementine!" She waved her hand over face making her pull out both her ear bubs. As it was hidden by her long hair. "Sorry I had my headphones in."

"It's fine. We just wanted to come and see how-"

"If you are about to ask how I am or doing? I'll punch something," She threatened before shoving a piece of funnel cake into her mouth. Both girls looked at each before joining either side of her on the wall. "What's up Clem, besides the given?"

She sighed, whipping the white powdered off her thumb and pointer finger. "Melissa texted me on my way here, she says she is going back to college and to give her time and space." Bonnie gave her shoulder a small squeez, "It's like the moment we left the Lockwoods everything just started going to shit. My parents decided know would be the perfect time to explain something huge, Damon snaps my sister's neck. She comes back and runs off. And now I am shoving gaint bits of junk food into my mouth to make me feel better."

"Has it?" Elena asked after letting the girl vent. "No," She said quitely. Then the Gilbert's face scrunched up in a confused expression. "What did your parents explain?"

"Hey Carter, right?" Clem called changing the topic as quick as possible.

The guy glanced over his shoulder, he was fixing the oning on the funnel cake stand they where standing at. "That'll be me,"

"Great, Bonnie here need your help with something." She said glancing over at her kiddy friend. "Right, B?"

"Wow. What you need, beautiful?" He asked making her laugh, "Um, what do yoy know about karaoke speakers?" She asked pulling herself together. "Heh. Why don't you show me the problem."

"Yeah, Bonnie. Show him the problem." The hunter egged on as she caved and the two were off.

Elena looked over towards the Lightwood with norrow eyes, "What?"

"Don't think I know what you were just doing." She shrugged acting like she didn't know what she was talking about. "Changing the subject off yourself."

"Please, I just think it's time I played Cupid."

🍊

"Oh, you're pretty funny cracking jokes when I could - I don't know - blow the whole lid off this thing by telling someone what you really are." She heard Jermey say over her music. Slipping her hand into her pocket and turning it down as she heard footsteps coming her way.

That's when she saw two people walk her way with their backs turned. And then she heard his voice, "So please tell me that, that is not a threat."

"Maybe it is." He said as she saw his shoulder move presuming it was the mystery un-dead ring. She saw him turn and he smirked, that dumb stupid smirk made her stomach turn. That was until she saw him put Jermey in a head lock. "This is what we're not gonna do. We're not gonna walk around like we're invincible when it's this easy for me to end you."

"You won't kill him." She announced.

Damon's face fell hearing her voice, his body unconsciously relaxed at the missing sound. He quickly snapped back to reality, harshly shoving Jeremy away from him. "I won't?" He challenged in a cocky tone.

She nodded slightly shoving her earbuds into her pockets while swiftly pushing off the wall. "Mhmm, you would have already done it."

He shook his head with a light scoff, seeing Jermey was already back to his feet. "If you wanna tell people what I really am, go ahead and try. I will shove this ring so far up your ass, you'll really have something to choke on." He threatened throwing the ring at Jeremy as Clem grabbed his wrist not knowing if he was gunna do something.

"Jeremy get out of here I need to talk to Spike."

"But -"

"Get the hell out of here," She demanded not taking her eyes off the Salvatore eyeing her up and down. Watching out of the corner of her eyes he walked past the two.

"You see, Stefan told me he thinks you saw the ring, both of them." She declared breaking the silent staring contest.

She watched his eyebrow raise, "Of course he does,"

"I don't think you cared, nor did you even bother to look," She said in a hush tone while slowly reaching for the knife in her back waist band. He nodded humming slightly waiting for her to continue. "But I don't think you're smart enough to pay attention to which ring was which. No, what I know is that you were drunk and pissed off that your un-dead manipulative girlfriend broke your heart and you need to take it out on the first person you saw." She pulled the knife out.

He quickly grabbed her wrist and twist it making her drop the knife. While the other hand wrapped and grabbed her waist and pinned her against the wall pinning both arms above her head. "You forget I know all your tricks Clementine,"

"You ruined me," She spat struggling against his resistances.

This caught him, not letting it show on the outside but it hurt on the inside. Knowing it was probably for the best to make her hate him. Better for her. Safer for the both of them. "It's your fault for getting involved with a vampire, Buffy."

It wasn't the tone that had normally used for their oh so perfect pet name. It was more of a spiteful place and place only Clementine was at. But now was different that they were now both doing it. So, she did the only thing she could think of grabbing his hands and jumping up and kicking him in the stomach. Damon didn't let go of her hands making them both fall to the ground. He quickly got on top of her holding her down once again. "Like I said I know everyone of you moves Buffy,"

She swallowed harshly looking up at him looking for her knife as her eyes fell on yet another mushy, gushy, lovey couple. It hurt, her heart hurt see them happy. Cause there she was with the man, the vampire she had to face and realize she had feelings for, he broke the one rule he told her he would never do. As well as him breaking the one thing he told himself he wouldn't do, hurt her.

He thought for a moment her eyes were red, ending up just blaming it on the carnival lights around them. She watched as the same thing happened; they started fighting and the girl hit his shoulder and stormed off. She was done, tiered, had enough of the constant acurency looking back with red eyes and grabbing his wrists. Snaking her legs up to his stomach and kicking him once more only this time tumbling them backwards. Throwing him off her as she feel on her knees flipping her down hair from covering her face.

"You won't kill me."

"I won't?" She asked in a confused tone.

"No," He breathed out, "They exacted reason why I'll never hurt you."

Biting her tongue she stood up, grabbing the knife and walking off. Looking for the nearest drink stand, or anything cold to calm the small girl who's body felt like it was on fire. Stripping her jacket off and tieing it around her waist as the crisp air made small goosebumps appear. Not noticing the lack of phone in her pocket.

🍊

"Sissy! Sissy!" Millie yelled tugging on Clem's hand. Who bent down towards her to hear her better over all the yelling. "I want that big teddy bear!"

She nodded before standing up and glancing over her shoulder to Mack. "Hey! Millis wants me to win that teddy bear, you in?!" She yelled pointing with her free hand towards the strong man game.

Mack shrugged before her eyes lit up at the orange Michaelangelo stuffed animal. "I need him!" And from that tone she knew she was gunna have to win both of them. Smiling as the two walked over to it. Mack in front holding Millie's hand as the other held all the prizes they had won. And Millie stuck between the two being repeatedly told to never let go of either one's hand.

"Two tickets please," Clem said leaving Mack and Millie a few inched behind her.

The man looked her up and down scoffing, "Are you sure this game is pretty hard sweetheart?"

She clenched her jaw, hating the word 'sweetheart' with a burning passion. "Two tickets please," She repeated holding the two tickets out as he took them handing her the large hammer.

She smiled sarcastically before grabbing it in her right hand, swinging it lightly trying to figure out the weight.

Elena and Damon started looking around for the second oldest Lightwood. "Do you see her?"

"No," He replied before closing his eyes and trying to find it. Draining out all the yelling, light creaking of rides, ballon popping, popcorn popping, every noise. And he found it the sound of her heartbeat slowly getting faster and faster making him start to panic. Making his way towards the sound as Elena followed behind him. Walking up as the loud ding brought him back to reality.

Seeing her smiling towards her sister's before asking for the giant black teddy bear. "Have to admit I wasn't expecting that from such a small girl." The man said handing her the bear which was handed to the youngest Lightwood.

"You might wanna get the orange ninja turtle ready." She remarked in a cocky tone.

He nodded before getting it down as she set up once more. Finding the weight, and re finding the sweet spot on the base of the scale.

Taking the hammer behind her and quickly and forcefully slamming it forward and slinging the metal upwards hitting the bell. "I don't know how you do that," He trailed off in slightly amazement handing her the turtle. She handed the turtle to Mack who quickly hugged it smile.

"Clementine!" Elena called as her smile fell when seeing the Salvatore next to her.

"Mack, why don't you and Millie go get something to eat I need to help Elena deal with a carnival promblem." She told as she nodded taking Millie's hand.

"What do you want?" She askedd crossing her arm's glancing the Salvatore up and down.

"Clem, it's a private matter that we need to take care of in a, uh, a private place?" She said raising her eyebrows slightly as she sighed knowing what she meant.

🍊

"How did this happen? Hmmm?" Stefan questioned pacing lightly in the darken classroom only light by a single lamp.

"Well, I fed her blood, and Katherine obviously killed her, and 'A' plus 'B' equals..." Damon trailed off making Clem roll her eyes. "Pointing out the obvious to class?" She remarked.

"But why?" Elena asked ignoring the hunters remarke.

"Because Katherine is a manipulative, nasty little slut." She scoffed cracking her nuckles trying to calm herself down. "Right, a manipulative nasty slut that struck you so deeply to your core that you snapped my sister's neck." She said in a monotone. "You are still on about that?" He asked in annoyance slouching down slightly. She raised her eyebrows while tilting her head to the side. "Stefan you're about to have to hold me back because I'm going to strangle him."

"Kinky,"

"Not in the way you want it to be,"

"She said, 'Game on'? I mean, what does that even mean?" The younger Salvatore asked changing back to the subject at hand.

"It means she's playing dirty. She wants us to know."

"But out of all people why Caroline?" She asked letting her legs dangle off the desk as Elena nodded. "Ah, I don't know." He muttered looking down.

"Caroline must be completely out of her mind. She has no idea what's happening to her." Stefan rambled quickly getting answered by Damon once again, "Oh, I think she does."

"What did you do?" Clem asked as those words made her face fall.

"All of my compulsion from the past started wearing off the minute she was in transition." He answered after a slight hesitation.

"We have to find her."

"Yep, and kill her."

"You're not gonna kill Caroline." Both girls demanded at once, "Killing people causes more problems dumbass."

"She knows who we are. She's officially a liability. We gotta get rid of her."

"Damon, absolutely not." Stefan said agreeing with the two.

"Need I remind you of a tragic little story of a girl named Vicki Donovan? Yeah. Caroline, of all people, will not make it as a vampire. Her mother's a vampire hunter. Her best friend is basically Buffy. Guys, come on. We all know how this story ends, so let's just flip to the last chapter and --" He started to ramble off before getting cut off by Elena, "It's not an option, Damon."

"No?" He questioned slightly taken back, "Your silence is deafening, Stefan. Wait? Wasn't there a school carnival the night you staked Vicki, Buffy?" He asked sarcastically looking at Clementine who wasn't paying any attention to the conversation. "Talk about a town where history repeats itself. You know I'm right."

Stefan biting his lower lips before getting up and walking over to Damon, "We're not gonna kill her."

"He's right," The Lightwood declared jumping off the desk. "I knew my sister's were coming and packed a few toys in my trunk in case shit hit the fan."

"Get them," Elena ordered as Stefan looked between her and Damon, "And take him with you."

"What?"

"Why do I have to babysit?" She asked crossing her arms.

"Because I'm giving you permission to tackle him if he tries anything."

🍊

Clementine popped her trunk as Damon leaned on the car next to her's. Taking off the jacket from her waist and throwing in the back. Pulling the hair tie from her wrist and pulling her hair up.

All the while Damon was nervously glancing between the ground and her. "I'm sorry," He mutter not loud enough for her to hear.

"Huh?" She asked not looking at him as she shoved two stakes into her belt loop.

"I am sorry,"

She glanced at him before pulling out the crossbow and starting to loading it. "Clementine, I mean it. I'm actually sorry that I hurt Melissa. I never meant to hurt her and promise to never do it again." He said in a meaningful, raw voice. Everything in her body wanting to hug and kiss him. While the other half wanting to cruss him out and just stake him to get over this feeling. But the love feeling was stronger which made it harder for her to be around him.

Pulling the string back and locking it into place. Putting the safety on before slinging the strip across her chest. Grabbing her keys and slamming her trunk shut. "Let's go," She sighed out finally speaking after what felt like hours but only a couple of minutes.

The two walked throw the crowd carnival, knowing people weren't paying any attention to her or the crossbow on her back.

Damom then stop smiling slightly as he walked over and pulled a wodden stake out of the ground. "Damon,"

"Don't Damon me, you didn't see the strength she had." He protested.

She grabbed the stake as he grabbed her wrist. "I was actually gunna let you have it," She said looking up at him as the height differences became noticeable.

He let go over her wrist, letting her take the stake from him. Snaking her arm around his waist and tucking it in the back on her waist band. He let a small little smirk appear as she smiled slightly. It was like everything was back to normal, until she realized why her body was so hot.

Pulling back from him, looking down. Knowing if she had stayed there wouldn't be able to stop herself from what was to came. And when she looked up he was gone.

"Damn it," She cursed looking around for him before seeing Elena and quickly running after her and Stefan.

Running up just in time for Stefan to push Damon away from a bloody mouth Caroline who he was about to stake. "Get away from me! You killed me." The blonde vampier yelled pushing Elena away from her.

"No, no, no, no, Caroline. That wasn't me. You know that. That was Katherine."

"Care, you have to listen to me. This is Elena. The person that killed you wasn't Elena," Clementine said calmly slowly walking up to her.

"She didn't?"

"No, She only looks like her. But her-" She said gesturing to the Gilbert behide her, "-this is our Elena."

"No! Then why dose she look like you? Why -- why did she do this to me?" She cried as her voice creaked. Clementine finally reached her and wrapped her arms around her.

"Stefan, we gotta get her inside."

"It's all right Caroline. Come with me," Stefan said walking towards them.

"Care, Care listen to me," She started, cupping her face. "You are going to go with them. And they are going to help you, okay?" She nodded sniffling her tears back. "But why can't -- why can't you come?"

"Because Care, I have to babysit. But I promise you I will come and see as soon as possible."

"You promise?"

"I promise, Elena is gunna call me when it's okay, okay?"

"She will die. It's only a matter of time." Damon said as she turned away from the blonde vampire. "Maybe so, maybe not, but it's not gonna happen tonight." She declared knowing what was gunna happen next. "Oh, yeah, it is." He grabbed the stake and ran up to them. Elena and Stefan sandwhiching Caroline between them as Clementine stood there. Pointing the bow at his chest while the stake was inches away from her's.

The two just stared at each other waiting for the other to do something. Waiting to see which side of Clem would win. The side that wanted him dead and for her heartache to end. Or the side that just want him to stop and back off. And that side ended up winning.

"Whatever happens, it's on you." He said walking away.

"We gotta clean her up." Elena muttered turning around as Clementine was trying to remember how to breathe.

"Caroline?" She heard Bonnie ask in disbelief. "Oh, you're not. You can -- you can't be."

"Bonnie we can explain everything later, but right now we need to get her out of here." Clem tried to explain but she was already next to her grabbing Caroline's arm and being disappointed with the results. "Bonnie?"

She shook her head in almost a dazzed state. "Oh, god. Bonnie." She said with a shakey voice as she held onto Clem's arm.

Watching as she went up to the side of the truck and gasped at the body. Elena and Clem started push the new vampire away from the scene.

Clem pushed the door open leading a sobbing Caroling to the sinks. Placing the bow down as Stefan was on the other side handing her paper towels. She wet them and started to whipe the blood mixed tears from her face. "It's okay, it's okay," She tried to sooth but it didn't work.

"She hates me. Bonnie hates me."

"No, no, no. She's just in shock. We all are, ok?" Stefan added pulling her hair back trying to help.

"And what about Matt? What -- what am I gonna do about Ma --" She whimpered cutting herself off by crying.

"Hey, hey, one thing at a time." Clem said in a soothing voice calming her down. "Let's get this blood cleaned off and then we will figure this out, ok?"

This somehow worked and Caroline stood back up and started whipping her hands off as the two got more paper towels. "I'm a murder. I'm a monster."

"Listen to me," He said pulling her attention away from her bloody hands. "Your emotions are heightened right now. It's part of the transformation. It's completely normal, I promise you. All right?"

She started panting and quickly threw her hands onto the sink. "Why does this kedp happening to my face? I'm -- I'm hideous."

Stefan nodded towards Clem to step back not knowing what was about to happen and didn't want to get her hurt.

She stepped back and let Stefan take control. Watching as he slowly got her to calm dowm. Explaing what was happening and why they have to help show her how to maintain it. She took a deep breath in and out, making the black veins beneath her eyes disappear. "Why did Katherine do this to me?"

"That's what we are going to find out, Care." She said slowly walking up to them.

She looked down starting to softly cry again. "Hey, I l promise you I will not let anything happen to you." She promised quickly wrapping her arms around her.

Once she calmed down she turnex back to mirror and started to clean herself up again. "I'm gunna make sure Bonnie's okay, okay?" Clem asked as he nodded. She grabbed the bow and walked out seeing Damon on the ground clenching his head in pain while Bonnie stood in front of him. "I told you want would happen if anyone else got hurt."

"I didn't do this!"

"Bonnie, it wasn't his fault."

"Everything that happens is his fault, Elena."

"Bonnie the hell are you doing?" Clem asked getting both their attentions. Her anser was a now lit line of water going right for the Salvatore. "Bonnie stop it!"

"Bonnie, stop it! You're gonna kill him!" Elena yelled as Damon struggled to put himself out.

The small brunette only knew one way this would end. Pointing the bow at the witch, "Bonnie, please don't make me do this,"

Next thing either knew Elena had jumped over the flames and grabbed her arm, snapping her from the trans. "Bonnie,"

"What--why did you stop me?"

Clem's ears started ring as her head started to hurt more and more. Not being able to hear and barely being about to see anything. Dropping her hands to her knees as she started breathing heavy like she couldn't catch her breath.

Her knees gave out and she feel to ground. The effects of not sleeping for almost two days were hitting her, along with all the stress of everything. Her body was shutting down.

"Clementine!"

She looked up from her bawled up knees seeing Elena crouching down in front of her. "Clementine are you okay?"

She opened her mouth to say something to say anything but nothing came out. "Let's get you inside, I'll get Stefan find your sister's." She pulled the small girl up wrapping an arm around her waist to help lead her to the others.

🍊

Stefan had brought her two sisters to her, telling Millie that Clem was waiting with snowcones. And Mack that she wasn't feeling well and ask him to find the two. She was confused at first than remembered how werid she had been acting and went with.

But was considered once more when her sister was on the floor against some wall of lockers. Making an excuse of a hard hitting migraine that came from the carnival.

She started asking if she okay, okay to drive, or needed to go to hospital. Telling her she was find as Millie slowly started to fall asleep. Telling Stefan thank you and quickly leaving. Mack stayed in the back seat as Millie fell asleep in her lap. While Clem drove home in silence.

Mack brought Millie upstairs and decided to turn in for the night as well. Prue and Michael walking to the kitchen seeing her take her medicine. "Is everything okay honey?"

"Yeah I just, I had another migraine." She said simply before taking the three small pills.

She turned around holding the coffee cup in hand only seeing her parents and smirk slightly. "What? No Uncle Ash to help corner me til I talk to you?"

Prue looked down as Michael started, "Honey, he left."

"It's only temporary," She added trying to help the situation.

"First it was Melissa and now Uncle Ash.." She trailed off knowing if she continued she would spill to much. "I just am gunna try and get some sleep." She said quickly snaking past them both and running upsides.

Getting up to her room, her safe heaven, locking the door. Placing the coffee cup on her desk while quickly taking her clothes off. Trying to keep together whatever form of calm she had left together.

🍊

She laid on her side her eyes shut, and her back faced the rest of the darkened room. Hearing the slow creaking sound of the window being open. Quickly turning to see Damon half way in and half way out of said window. "Hi,"

"D, it's late what are you doing here?" She asked smiling lightly.

He smirked shutting the window and walking over towards the bed. "I want to come and apologize for everything."

"What type of apologize did you have in mind?"

"Whatever way you want," He smirked pulling her arms as she quickly jumped and wrapped her legs around his waist as they fell to the floor. Her sweater raided up as she straddled his lap revealing her black lace underwear. His big hands held her thighs in place as his cold rings made small goosebumps appear.

She pulled back from him with now pink and swollen lips, flipping her hair out of her face. "We have to be quiet if you want to apologize in the right way." All he did was do his infusion grin then quickly flipped them over so he was on top. Reaching down and started to kiss her neck. Her eyes closed as her neck started moving back as he continued to kiss the exposed skin.

Her shot back open reveling it was just a dream..or maybe not fully. Feeling a fimilar presents behind her. Suddenly looking over seeing nothing.

Her room dark, everything still in place. All but her now open window that made the thin curtains slightly blow in the night breeze, and her candle that was lit before she fell asleep was now out. Her tired heavy eyes craved to be shut back closed. That she just turned back to her side laying by the wall. Wrapping the blanket around her as she tried to go back to sleep.

Until the thought came back to her. The one reason her father was so uptight about vampires being able to control you dreams and thoughts. Being as she hadn't re-invited in Caroline, and Stefan and Elena were probably with her to make sure she was well. Which left one person she had invited in and that was actually capable of doing something like this. Damon Salvatore.

The thought alone made her get up out of her bed. Not caring about the cold floor or how cold she would be if she got out from under the blanket.

Shutting the window and locking it pulling the curtains over to cover it. Before pulling her sweater over head and putting a sports bar on, throwing a hoodie over her exposed body and some shorts. Quickly grabbing her scoffed, dirty running shoes and her phone and head phones. Jogging downstairs to see her parents still awake in the living room.

Sitting on the last step and putting her shoes on. "I'm going for a run," She called not waiting for a response. Grabbing her keychain and was already out the door. Putting the keychain with masse and vervain in the front pocket. Placing her headphones in and turning the volume all the way up. Drowning out the world. Drowning out her thoughts. Drowning out everything she could.

Not knowing where she was going, not caring about it really either. Just letting her feet take her anywhere.

Soon reaching the main cross walk she took, turning left and she would be on her way to the Salvatore house. Turn right and make her way to one of her friends house. So she went straight. Not wanting to be with anyone, not wanting to deal with anyone. Just wanting to be alone. So she kept straight all the way till she hit the back roads knowing the trail that goes to the forest.

Running and running, jumping over rotten, slipper logs. Small twigs and brush snapping underneath her feet with every step she took. Her small pants along with the sounds of crickets where the only thing you could hear.

Her hot hand holding her phone slipped into her pocket as she dropped her phone in it. Reaching out and placing it onto the tree trunk. Finally taking a breath, finally resting, realizing she was finally alone.

Panting heavily before closing her eyes. They stayed shut as she spun on her heel placing her hot shut fist onto her forehead.

Her lips quicker as she violently threw her hands down screaming. Letting everything out. Screaming and screaming till it became nothing but a high pitch screech. Sinking to her knees as hot tears ran down her face. Sobbing into her hands letting everything out. Not letting anything stay in.

The bottle she had been stuffing everything into finally broke. Not being able to hold anything in anymore. That bottle was officially broken and shattered into a million pieces, not able to hold anything for a while.