The Chosen One

Two: A Common Enemy

Damon

                   I sat at my usual place at the bar with a glass of Scotch before me. Thoughts and emotions tried to throw me into a contemplative mood but of course per habit I pushed them back and walled them off not allowing myself to think on anything other than the basic facts. The fourth coffin needed to be opened. Klaus needed to die. And sitting here drinking alone made me desire some companionship.

                    I glanced down the bar toward the other end where two women were chatting but neither of them really caught my interest. What did catch my interest was a shift in the atmosphere that occurred right after I heard the door to the Grill open then close. Even before I finished turning on my bar stool to see who had entered, I caught her scent.

                    It was a clean, crisp, flowery kind of scent that was enticing. Even more enticing was the woman. She was tall and slender with long shapely legs. Her skin held a warm glow that hinted that she spent time out in the sun. She wore a pair of cowgirl boots, short blue jean cutoff shorts and a bright yellow lacy halter top with a white outline of a couple of flowers along the bottom. The ensemble was an admirable one that accented her form well and succeeded in not only catching my interest but several other men's interest. Long, slightly wavy brunette hair hung loose past her bare shoulders and her facial features were pretty. She had long dark eyelashes. And even from this distance I could see that her eyes were an intriguing emerald green. To say she was beautiful was an understatement.

                  The woman scanned the interior of the Grill, giving me insight that she had never been in here before. I was positive that she had never been to Mystic Falls before because if she had, I would have known and definitely remembered her. She was an unforgettable kind of woman. So when her gaze reached the bar then landed on me, I saw one of her eyebrows rise in amusement and she smiled when she caught me staring at her. With a smile she headed towards the bar and I didn't bother looking away from her. No I was too interested in her now to do that. She was the kind of companionship that I was looking for. I might have just found my newest distraction.

                 I studied her and the way she sauntered my direction. As she got closer I could see a sparkle in her emerald eyes that had me smirking. She was bold, beautiful and obviously into me. I was expecting her to walk up and flirt with me but instead she went to a bar stool further down the bar, about five seats away. At first I was disappointed but then again, this was a game I liked. To me, women who played hard to get were intriguing and fun.

             "I would like a Jolly Rancher. Make it a double shot please." Her voice sounded sweet but strong and full of confidence at the same time. It was a pleasing voice.

             The bartender acknowledged her with a nod and friendly smile then turned away and began the process of making her drink. Though I knew that she was still aware of the fact that I was openly staring at her, she didn't look my way which irked me. She wasn't trying to flirt with me and she didn't act as taken with me as most women did. It pricked at my pride like a thorn.

             Standing from my seat I moved down the bar towards her and took the seat right next to her. I flashed her one of my charming smiles when she looked over at me. "That drink will be on me. Think of it as a 'welcome to town' gesture."

            "Here you go." The bartender set her drink down on the bar and slid it towards her.

             She took it, smiling at me. Her emerald eyes were full of life, spark and energy. "How are you so sure that I'm new to town?" She asked taking a few swallows from her beverage.

            I leaned in towards her with a half-smile. "I know everyone in this town." I told her emphasizing 'everyone'. "Except you."

           She nodded. "Ah I see. And you are?"

         "Damon Salvatore." I smirked at her and gave her one of my smoldering looks.

         Her grin grew. She gave a small amused laugh and nodded her head. "I figured you were but just wanted to make sure." Her eyes still sparkled with mirth. "I'm Jessica Hayes."

          I grew a little wary and suspicious as I held her gaze. "I don't believe we've ever met before. I definitely would have remembered if we had."

          "No we haven't officially met but I practically know you already. I've heard a lot about you. And I mean a lot." Jessica replied. She raised her glass and downed the rest before lowering it again. Jessica leaned in closer to me, holding and meeting my gaze. "I'm fully aware of who you are, your past history and yes I know what you are." She paused before whispering, "Vampire."

            I narrowed my eyes dangerously, resisting the urge to grab her, pin her to the bar and make her reveal who she was. She might very well be a liability that Stefan and I couldn't afford. No matter how much I was interested in her, she was treading dangerous ground. "You better explain yourself before I do something rather... unpleasant." I stated warningly, my tone ominous.

           Jessica shook her head, her smile gone but she didn't really seem afraid. "Relax Damon. I'm not a threat to you or anyone else here. I actually could use your help and I believe that you could use mine."

            My edginess eased. Calmed by her soft voice and the way she seemed sort of at ease herself. There was a confidence and serenity about her that abated my often times violent temper. Staring into those emerald eyes of hers, I searched for any sign that she was lying. I didn't sense that she was but I wasn't going to trust her just yet. I held her gaze, meaningfully boring my eyes into hers trying to intimidate her into revealing the truth, if there was any. "Help with what?"

           She lowered her voice, not looking away from me. "Let's just say that we have the same enemy."

          Jessica pulled back after she said it. She pulled out a couple of bills from her pocket, laying them on the bar counter to pay for her drink, before she slid off the bar stool and turned to face me. "We should continue this conversation outside. Coming?"

           I narrowed my eyes at her in suspicion but stood and followed her through the Grill to the door.