Alaric doesn't want to turn into a vampire. He spent so much of his life hating them. He even hated them long before Isobel left him to become one. And it was all because of one girl. Vera Salvatore, younger sister of Damon and Stefan. Now that Ric's on his death bed he wants Damon to know the truth of his and Vera's reverse Romeo and Juliet story.

Prologue

"Vera, you should go." Alaric Saltzman turned his face to the girl sitting beside him. Her brown hair was pulled up into a long ponytail and her blue eyes were filled with hurt. Filled with pain Alaric knew he was causing. "I don't want you to be here when…" He trailed off.

Vera stiffened. "What? You would rather die holding Damon's hand than mine? And why do you even have to go? Just complete the damn transition! All you need is a little blood and we're good to go."

Alaric laughed. "How typical of you."

"I know you aren't saying I'm becoming predictable."

"Never."

Vera sighed. Tears fell from her eyes like rain as she took Alaric's hand. "Don't leave Ric… please. Jeremy and Elena need you. Damon and Stefan need you." She looked down. "I need you Ric. I need you so much."

The two of them sat in silence except for the occasional gasp of pain from the man leaning against the wall. He pulled her closer, resting his cheek on her head. She smelled like cherries. Exactly like the day they met. He shut his eyes. If he was going to die there would be no better way than to go with the one he loved. When he found out Isobel was a vampire Vera was there for him. After Jenna's death it was Vera who helped him. It was Vera who never let his murderous alter ego get in the way of being with him despite the danger it constantly put her in.

He sighed. "You know what I regret the most?"

Vera sniffled. "What?"

Alaric wrapped his arms around her waist. Her body fit perfectly with his. "That I spent so long with Jenna and ignored you."

"Don't you ever say that! Ric, you and Jenna were perfect together. Never regret your time with her. Okay?"

"Okay, okay. Vera?"

"What?" She twisted around so her face was inches from his. He couldn't take his eyes from her full, pink mouth.

"I love you." He pressed his lips to hers gently. Their tongues explored each other's mouths slowly. Both of them knew that this could be their last kiss. Vera wanted to make the most of it. She straddled his waist, burying her fingers in his soft hair. They broke away gasping for air.

Vera moved one hand from Alaric's hair to his chest. "Still want to go?"

Alaric groaned. "Vera, you make a man want to give up and give in."

"That's generally the idea with you, love." Her French accent came out a little as she spoke. She kissed him again, balling his shirt up in her fist. There was the loud noise of a man clearing his throat. Vera looked up to see Damon. "Go away."

"Maybe you should." Damon held up a bottle of alcohol. "It's boys night tonight. Besides, Alaric is probably sick of your whining. Go. I don't want to see your face get all red and gross when you start crying because Romeo's dead."

Vera growled, but got up. "Shut the hell up Damon." The two men watched as she stalked out of the tomb.

Damon took Vera's previous place beside Alaric. "Really doing this then. I've never seen Vera so upset."

Alaric didn't say anything. "I'll really miss her."

"She'll get over you. Give it a couple days. Five at most." Damon took a swig of the alcohol. "Vera's good at entertaining herself."

"Take care of her Damon. She'll need it for the rest of eternity." Alaric took the bottle and drank some of it.

"Live and do it yourself. I'm not a baby sitter."

He chuckled. "Was it ever weird?"

"What?"

"Your best friend dating your little sister."

"Does it really matter anymore? You'll die and she'll go back to being the heartless bitch she was when she first got here."

Alaric put the bottle down. "This stuff is going to kill me."

Damon turned to his friend. "Don't even think about changing the subject on me now. But, yeah, I use to figure drinking or Vera would be the death of you. Not some psychotic original witch bitch."

Alaric forced a chuckle. "Want to humor me Damon?"

"No, Ric, I'm sorry. But no matter how sexy you find me I won't sleep with you. Not even on your death bed." Damon smirked. "Well, maybe if you ask nicely."

"Shut up bastard." He sighed. "Just let me tell you about me and Vera. I'll feel better knowing someone knows the truth."

"What truth?"

"About us. About everything. When she came to Mystic Falls it wasn't the first time we met."

Damon's eyes went wide. His baby sister would never cease to amaze him. Neither would Ric. "What the hell do you mean?"

Alaric picked up the bottle of alcohol again. This time he took a huge drink as if trying to drown himself to speed up the death process. "It started with a bang Damon. A huge fucking bang…"