A Quiet Life in Mystic Falls

Strategy

"I didn't want to give you an audience," Rose walked in once she had stopped crying, offering her some tissues.

"Thanks," she said gratefully as Damon wiped her cheek. "Now, we know why I was plan A," she said to him. He nodded grimly. Katherine and Isobel's warning becoming clearer.

There was a knock on the door.

"Elena," Damon said heading into the hall.

"Stand next to me," Azalea said, wiping her eyes again, making sure no evidence remained of her tears.

"Go to the bathroom," Stefan said gently. She stared him for a moment, before she sighed and did as he suggested, as soon as she looked in the mirror she realised why. Her eyes were still watery and swollen. There was no way Elena wouldn't notice and potentially freak out about what was happening. Right, now she wasn't sure she wanted anyone else to know what they had discovered.

When she came back down, using various glamours on her face to hide the earlier breakdown. She saw the group had made their way to the sitting room. Elena was sat on the sofa, the brothers sitting on arms of the chairs to the side as Rose paced a little.

"Ok you have to understand I only know what I've picked up over the years. And I don't know what's true and what's not true," she said, looking at the redhead when she walked in.

"I can help a little there," Azalea said. "I am meeting Kingsley this week to see what the ministry has on them. Draco is already researching his family's collection, but I don't think we will find much more than what we already have."

Stefan moved next to Elena his arms near her in comfort. A lot of what Rose was saying was things the group already knew. They filled Rose in on what the group knew. Elena left as they began to get into it, she claimed that she was going to go to school. However, Azalea wasn't sure she believed her.

"You going?" Stefan said.
"No, I have to tell Draco what we have learnt, try and convince him not to reveal where I am to Kingsley or anyone else."
"I'll go with you," Damon said gesturing for her to go.

After a lot of arguing, Draco agreed to the terms that she would keep him in the loop – which he confirmed with Damon – and in return, he would stun her and lock her away in the Malfoy manor if they failed to do so.

Once Damon, and Draco left. Azalea was left in her silent home, every small sound magnified, she desperately wanted to talk to Hermione, a part of her reminded herself that technically she could...

That only made it worse...

Every sound louder and louder...

She apparated over to the Salvatore house, surprising both resident vampires, and their guest.

"I need to stay here," she said seriously.

"Why?"

"I need to – I don't think I will – I mean. I can't – shouldn't open that door, I –"

"Breathe, and once more." Stefan's hands were hovering in concern, his face worried and gentle.

"In English," Damon said flatly, though his eyes were concerned.

"I wanted to talk to Hermione about the Klaus thing, so I thought about talking to her,"

"You mean..." Damon's head tilting, probing her to finish what she was saying. Hoping he had jumped to the wrong conclusion.

"Yeah, I reckon a night of supervision maybe is a good shout, I am fine! It just technically I... could, pretty sure that doesn't mean I should."

Damon pinched his nose, as Stefan hugged her close.