07|HAUNTED

Gemma sulks in the corner near Damon, her arms folded over her chest as she eyes Vicki. "This is a bad idea," she mutters under her breath, her eyes flicking to Damon when he glances at her. "Let's just finish the job, rid ourselves of this problem."

"That's very cynical of you," Damon says.

"Your stupidity brings out the worst in me," she bites back.

"I don't understand why I have to stay cooped up here," Vicki says aloud. "Why can't I just go home?"

Gemma straightens up, "you can." Her lips quirk into a sadistic smile. "Just...don't call us when you slaughter everyone you love."

"Gemma," Stefan reprimands. The female Salvatore backs off with a pout and he returns his attention to Vicki. "Because you're changing, Vicki, and it's not something you wanna do alone."

"There's nothin' about that Logan guy I killed in here," Damon informs his siblings, closing the news paper. "Not a word. Someone's covering it up."

"Maybe the same bloodline that's been covering up supernatural murders for, I don't know, centuries." Gemma suggests, her tone dry.

Damon hums in agreement, flipping the compass around in his hand.

"What is that?" Vicki asks.

"This is a very special, very old compass,"

"If you didn't notice," Gemma adds.

"What was Logan Fell doing with it?" Damon glances between Stefan and Gemma. "Aren't you two curious?"

"Well, if you're so worried that somebody's onto you, why don't you just leave town, Damon?" Stefan sasses.

"That's a good idea," Gemma nods. "Let's all pack our things, stop playing The Brady Bunch with humans, and leave."

"We should all be worried," Damon tells them.

"Hey, um, I'm hungry," Vicki interrupts. "Do you have anything to eat?"

"Your brother," Gemma grins. "Tyler, maybe. Or even Jeremy. Let's go—"

"Gemma," Stefan snaps, standing from his seated position in front of the Donovan. "What is with you today?" He lowers his voice even though it's a pathetic attempt, knowing Vicki can listen in. "Goading a baby vampire, acting so cold. Acting like—"

"Me," Damon chirps.

Stefan rolls his eyes, picking up a cup of animal blood from the desk and giving it to Vicki with a tight smile. "Here,"

"What is it?"

"It's what you're craving," he tells her.

Damon laughs, "Don't lie to the girl. It's so not what you're craving, but it'll do in a pinch, right, Stef?"

"What is it?" Vicki brings the cup closer to her lips, cringing at the smell.

"Yeah, what is it?" Damon goads, "Is it a skunk? Saint Bernard? Bambi?"

Gemma contorts her expression into faux horror, "Thumper?"

Stefan ignores his siblings antics, "Go on. Give it a try."

"She's new," Damon says without looking. "She needs people blood. She can't sustain on that stuff."

"Yeah, why can't I have people blood?" The new vampire questions after taking a sip of what Stefan gave her.

"Yeah," Damon urges with a smile.

"Because it's wrong to pray on innocent people, Vicki." The youngest Salvatore tells her.

"No one's innocent," Gemma scoffs. "They're just good at pretending."

"Speaking from experience, Gem?" Stefan snaps.

"Mm," she hums with a smirk.

"You don't have to kill to feed," Damon argues with Stefan's earlier statement. "Just find someone really tasty and then erase their memory afterwards. It's so easy."

"No, no, no," Stefan shakes his head. "There's no guarantee that you can control yourself, okay? It takes years to learn that. You could easily kill somebody, and then you have to carry that with you for the rest of your life, which, if I haven't made clear, is eternity." He tells the Donovan girl.

"Don't listen to him," the oldest sibling says. "He walks on a moral plane way out of our eye line. I say snatch, eat, erase."

"Simple as that," Gemma pipes up.

"Hey, look at me." Stefan makes Vicki meet his eyes, "We choose our own path. Our values and our actions, they define who we are."

"We choose our own path," Gemma repeats what her brother says. "So feel free to choose ours," she sits on the arm of the chair Damon's seated in.

Damon snickers, nudging his sister in the ribs before standing. "Okay, count deepak," he addresses Stefan. "I am outta here." He trudges out of the room.

Gemma takes his seat, slumping into the chair with a tired sigh.

"Can I have some more?" Vicki asks.

"This is—" Gemma laughs sarcastically. "This is classic."

"What's your problem with me?" Vicki glares are the older girl.

Gemma opens her mouth to answer but quickly cuts herself off, her eyes narrowing as the doorbell rings. Vicki tries to ask again and she waves a hand at the girl, her eyes slipping closed as she listen to Damon open the door.

"Is Stefan here?" Elena's voice rings out.

Gemma straightens up, opening her eyes and glancing at the said boy to see if he's heard. It's obvious he hasn't, in the way he's pouring more blood for Vicki.

"Yep," Damon chirps.

"Where is he?"

"And good morning to you, little miss I'm on a mission."

"How can you be so arrogant and glib after everything that you've done?" Elena asks, her tone laced with irritation.

Gemma grins at the girl's comment.

"And how can you be so brave and stupid to call a vampire arrogant and glib?"

"If you wanted me dead, I'd be dead," the Gilbert counters.

"Yes, you would."

"But I'm not,"

"Yet," Damon adds.

Elena falls silent, a hitch heard in her breath. "Where is Stefan? Is Gemma here?"

"Stefan's upstairs singing The Rain in Spain," Damon mocks his brother. "You can take it upon yourself to find Gemma, I'm sure. Knock yourself out."

Gemma stands from her chair when she hears the door close, Elena's footsteps shuffling down the hall.

"Stefan?" Elena calls.

The said boy perks up, giving Gemma a helpless look. "I can't trust you with Vicki, can I?"

The female Salvatore cocks her head, "you can test that theory if you want."

Stefan shakes his head, "can you go see what Elena needs?"

Gemma pauses before nodding, exiting the room and sauntering down the stairs to greet the girl.

"Elena," she calls quietly.

"Where is Vicki?" The girl asks straightaway.

Gemma trails her fingers down the railing as she makes her way down the rest of the staircase, her expression void of emotion. "It's nice to see you too, Elena," she taunts. "I've been anticipating the next time I'd see you after our last conversation."

Elena swallows dryly, "I didn't—"

"Vicki's upstairs," Gemma voices.

"What happens now? Because my brother is out there searching for her with the rest of the town. What do I tell him?"

"You've lied to him before," the Salvatore muses. "I'm sure you can figure it out."

"Gemma," Elena pleads. "I need a real answer, please."

Gemma stares at the girl for a few seconds, her fingers twitching. "Stefan's working with her, but it's gonna take time."

"How much time?" Elena wonders.

"I don't know," Gemma makes a face. "She's impulsive and a drug user, Elena. I was stable as can be and it took me years to master control."

"So, she's a vampire with issues?" Elena scoffs. "What am I supposed to do? Because I'm lying to everyone that I care about."

Gemma moves forward, towering over the girl and peering down at her. "You're gonna do what needs to be done," her voice is firm, basically a demand. "You're not the only one keeping lies, so don't get too full of yourself."

Elena hesitates before inching back, putting space between the two of them. "What's gonna happen to her?"

"We're gonna keep her here, unfortunately." Gemma glowers. "Until we know she's safe."

Elena squints, her lips quirking up. "You don't like her, do you?"

Gemma arches an eyebrow, "jealous?"

Elena scoffs, shaking her head. "In your dreams, Salvatore."

"All the time," Gemma deadpans.

"Now that you two are done flirting," Vicki's voice rings out from the top of the staircase. "How long is that? Until we know I'm safe," she mocks the older vampire.

"You can talk to Stefan about that later," Gemma tells her.

"Hey, Vicki," Elena greets nervously. "How are you?"

"How am I?" The vampire rolls her eyes, "You're kidding, right?"

"Go upstairs," Gemma snaps. "Your attitude is tempting me to finish what Damon couldn't."

Vicki sneers at the Salvatore before trudging upstairs, disappearing from view.

•••

"Coffee is our friend," Stefan tells Vicki. "It's the caffeine. It circulate through our veins, and it warms our body so we're not so cold to the touch."

Gemma lets out a breathy laugh.

"Unless you're like Gemma," Stefan snarks. "And you like the appeal of being cold in every sense."

The female Salvatore makes a surprised sound, "you really went all out with that one, huh? How long did it take to come up with that?"

"Well, what if I wanna drink human blood?" Vicki ignores their banter.

"You're gonna have to learn to live with that urge and fight it on a daily basis one day at time," Stefan advises.

"Oh God," the Donovan groans. "Don't start with that whole 12 steps thing. School counselor has been down that road, and it doesn't work for me."

"It only works if you try," Gemma grumbles from next to Elena, glancing at the human when she cracks an amused smile.

"It can work," Stefan reassures the new vampire. "It's your choice, Vicki."

"So you've never tasted human blood?" Vicki gives the boy a sarcastic smile, her eyes condescending.

Gemma grits her teeth, boring holes into the girls head.

"Not in a long time," Stefan's words hold the weight of his shame.

"How long?"

"Years and years," he replies. "I'm not proud of my past behavior."

"Does this sketchy feeling ever go away?" Vicki whines, cradling her head. "It's like I have a massive hangover."

"Wouldn't be surprised," Gemma mutters.

"This daylight thing is a bitch," Vicki stands abruptly. "I need more blood. Where's your bathroom? I have to pee." Her expression changes. "Why do I have to pee? I thought I was dead."

"For God's sake," Gemma slams her hand onto the table with a harsh bang. "The bathroom is back there—" she motions behind her to the hallway. "Knock yourself out, please."

Vicki leaves the room and Stefan takes that as his cue to escape the tension radiating from Gemma, "I'm going to, uh...I'm gonna get her some more. All right. I'll be quick."

Elena gets up, her arms wrapped around herself and a look of anxiety gracing her features.

"What's wrong with you?" Gemma asks bluntly.

"I—"

"False alarm," Vicki re-enters. "My body's feeling really funky. It's a good funk, but it's weird."

"Who are you calling?" Elena jumps to ask whenever Vicki picks up her phone.

"Jeremy," the girl responds.

Gemma looks at Elena, studying the girls behavior.

The Gilbert shifts nervously before clearing her throat, moving closer to the Donovan. "Vicki, you can't see Jeremy anymore,"

"Oh come on, don't you start." Vicki scoffs, "I'm gonna see whoever I wanna see."

"Even though you could hurt him?"

"I would never hurt Jeremy," Vicki gets defensive.

"I know you think that but I can't take that risk," Elena tells the girl. "You're gonna have to let Jeremy go now."

"Oh, really?" Vicki puts her phone down, meeting Elena's eyes with a fierceness. "And how long have you been preparing the you're not good enough speech? I'm assuming it predates the whole vampire thing."

Gemma scoots her chair back, gripping the arms of the chair tightly.

"All I am saying is Jeremy is not getting involved in any of this. I mean it, Vicki."

"Or what?" Vicki gets in the human's face.

Gemma lunges when Vicki does, the Salvatore grabbing the new vampire by a handful of her hair and slamming her face-first against the wall. "Are you stupid?" She spits, pressing Vicki further into the wooden panelling. "Or just brave?"

"Let me go!" The Donovan struggles.

Gemma flips her around and wraps her hand around Vicki's throat, her eyes challenging. "Or maybe you have a death wish. I'd be more than happy—"

"Gemma," Elena puts her hand on the Salvatore's shoulder. "Gem, it's okay."

Gemma doesn't look at her, keeping her eyes on the gasping vampire.

"Gemma," Elena urges.

The Salvatore lets go abruptly, her eyes showing nothing as she watches Vicki hunch over and cough on her own breath. "Go upstairs," she demands. "Now,"

Vicki scurries out of room, leaving Gemma and Elena to bask in silence.

"Gemma—"

Stefan comes rushing back, a panicked look on his face. "What's going on? What was all the noise?"

"Weren't you supposed to be quick?" Gemma snarls. "Vicki could've killed your girlfriend, and you're what? Taking care of a problem that's not yours?"

"Gemma, I—"

"Do us all a favor and just kill her," Gemma grabs her jacket from the chair she was sitting in, her hands shaking as she shrugs it on to leave the house. "Before I do it myself."

•••

Gemma stands off to the side while Stefan tries to convince Vicki to leave the Halloween party, a distressed look gracing his features.

"Hurry up," Gemma urges him.

"I'm doing the best I can," he snaps. "Do you wanna try?"

Gemma looks at him, "my way involves a wooden stake." A huff of frustration leaves her when she sees Elena and Matt approaching, the Donovan boy visibly worried for his sister. "Time's up," she mumbles.

"Thank God," Elena sighs in relief.

"What's the matter?" Stefan's eyebrows draw together.

"I lost track of Jeremy," the human glances at Vicki warily. "I was worried."

"What's going on?" Matt asks.

"Hey," Stefan greets stiffly. "Everything's fine."

A quick smile spreads across Vicki's face before she morphs her expression into faux fear, shuffling away from Stefan and Gemma. "I told you guys to quit bothering me,"

"No," Elena's eyes widen. "Vicki, don't do this."

"Matt, they won't leave me alone." Vicki complains.

Matt sizes up Stefan, "You need to back off, man."

"Matt, it's...it's okay." Elena tries to calm him.

"No, it's not okay." He argues, getting into Stefan's face. "What the hell is your problem?"

Gemma shoves him, his back slamming into the lockers with thump. Although the Salvatore is smaller than him, her stature is intimidating. "Your sister is our problem, Matt. We barely know her and we're doing a better job at helping than you ever did. What's that say about you, hm?" Her lips hold a malicious smile, her eyes empty as they bore into his.

"Gemma," Elena grabs the girl. "She's gone."

Gemma and Stefan try to leave, but Matt makes one last attempt at stopping them by grabbing Stefan's arm.

"We're trying to help her," Stefan yanks his arm out of the human's hold. He sends a fleeting look to Gemma— a short take care of Elena, before he rushes off by himself.

Gemma levels Matt with a look, his eyes dilating as she stares at him. "Stay here, have fun. Be a teenager. Don't worry about your sister tonight."

"Gemma!" Elena clasps her hand with the vampire's, lacing their fingers as she tugs the vampire away with haste. "Did you compel him?"

Gemma moves ahead of Elena, her arm at an uncomfortable angle when the Gilbert refuses to let go of her hand. "Do you want the truth, or do you want me to lie?"

"The truth," Elena stops her at the exit sign, looking at the girl firmly. "I want the truth, Gemma."

"Yes, Elena," Gemma replies. "I compelled him."

"Why would—"

Gemma hushes the girl, her ears ringing with the sounds of Jeremy's muffled cries. Her hand slips from Elena's and she bursts through the exit door, her hands fisted at her sides when she sees the scene before her.

"Vicki, no!" Before Gemma can even act, Elena picks up a wooden plank and hits the new vampire with it. Vicki turns and shoves the human, her newfound strength sending Elena tumbling into a pile of wood.

Stefan comes out through the door, taking care of Vicki while Gemma rushes to Elena, bending down beside the girl to help her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Elena presses her hand against the wound, swallowing thickly as she stares at Gemma. "Are you?"

"I'm fine, Elena," the Salvatore says calmly. She forcibly removes Elena's hand, not flinching at the blood now covering her own palm. "You'll be fine, it's just a—"

"Vicki!" Jeremy cries out.

In his moment of distraction, Vicki's able to slip out of Stefan's hold and she disappears from sight.

"Okay," Gemma hauls Elena up, her hand lingering on the girl's side. "Go, get inside."

Elena hesitates, and Gemma pushes her toward Jeremy. "Go!"

Gemma turns from Elena, her focus on her brother before the Gilbert's terrified scream pierces the air. Without abandon, Gemma grabs a wooden stake and launches herself toward Vicki, the weapon sinking deep into the vampire's heart.

"Vicki!" Jeremy screams, "Vicki!"

Gemma lets the dying girl slump back into her arms, her choked gasps echoing into the Salvatore's ears.

"Vicki!"

Stefan holds Jeremy back, his face solemn.

When her skin turns an ashy gray, Gemma lets Vicki fall to the ground, the stake slipping from her grasp with a clatter.

"Get him out of here," Elena tells Stefan, her voice thick.

Stefan sends a cautious look toward Gemma before nodding, dragging Jeremy back inside while pulling out his cellphone to call Damon.

Elena moves forward, her face pinching into a grimace. "Gemma," she whispers.

The girl looks up from Vicki's body, her eyes glazed over. "What?"

"Are you okay?"

Gemma laughs, the sound shaky. "Am I okay? You were the one who was just attacked."

Elena presses herself against Gemma, wrapping the taller girl into a tight hug. "You did what you had to do," she pulls back but keeps the vampire close.

Gemma searches Elena's face, her lips parting. "Yeah," she murmurs. "I— I know."

"Well, doesn't this look cozy?" Damon's taunting drawl fills the air.

Rage fills Elena's features when she hears his voice, her body turning away from Gemma in an attempt to confront the oldest Salvatore. "You did this to Vicki, to Gemma," she accuses. "This is your fault."

"You confuse me for someone with remorse," he says blankly.

Elena tries to slap Damon but he grabs her wrist, squeezing tightly as he forces her away from him. "None of this matters to me. None of it."

"People die around you," she cries. "How could it not matter? It matters, and you know it." Her palm against his cheek makes a sharp sound, Gemma's quick intake of breath almost heard above it.

"You need to leave," Damon forces out. "Your wounds are bleeding and you need to leave." He pauses, looking between his sister and the crying human. "Go with her Gemma."

"What?" The Salvatore furrows her eyebrows. "But you—"

"Go," he requests softly. "Just...go."

Understanding dawns on Gemma and she nods slowly, following Elena out of the parking lot.

•••

Gemma and Elena stand on the Gilbert's front porch, the two basking in the sorrowful silence. Elena shifts uncomfortably, drawing the Salvatore's attention.

"Are you okay?" Her voice is raspy, a mere croak.

"Did you enjoy it?" Elena asks.

Gemma blinks, turning fully toward the human girl. "Did I enjoy—"

"Killing Vicki," Elena cringes at her own words. "Did you enjoy it?"

The Salvatore hesitates, "she was a threat to the people I care about."

"Stefan could've had her under control," Elena argues. "He and Damon could've taught her, she wouldn't have exposed you guys."

Gemma bites the inside of her cheek, the I wasn't talking about them going unsaid. "I guess you're right," she shrugs.

Elena shakes her head, a frown pulling at her lips. "Gemma, I—"

"I'll call Stefan for you," the female Salvatore turns away. "I'll— I'll call Damon too, so he can help do whatever you want done with Jeremy."

Elena reaches out for Gemma but the dark headed girl moves away, a sad smile gracing her lips.

"Gemma, please—"

"I, um," the Salvatore's voice wavers. "I'm gonna go home and— and sleep this off, okay?"

Elena falls silent.

"I'll see you around, Elena."

•••

not edited.