A/N; At the moment this is a huge work in progress. This chapter has taken me forever to write and if I'm honest, I'm still not happy with it. Chapter 2 is being worked, it's just not happening quickly. This isn't writing it's self in any logical order, just random bits of conversations. Then I have to go stitch it together.

Please review, I'd love people ideas and thoughts. They really help me write.

And lastly thanks to Klovec who kindly acted as my beta on this chapter.


To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

Chapter 1

She woke with a start as if she had just experienced a terrible nightmare. The sheets were twisted around her and she could feel her pajamas clinging to her in a cold sweat. She wrestled herself free of the bedding and padded barefoot across the landing to the bathroom. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that the dream had left her with. Even after showering and getting dressed for the day, the dream still lingered. Soon the smell of freshly cooked pancakes wafted upstairs finally bringing her back to reality. A small smile spread across her face as she happily skipped down the stairs and to the kitchen. Sure enough, a stack of hot blueberry pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice sat on the table waiting for her. Beside the breakfast was a quickly scrawled note.

Didn't want to wake you. I'll be home late this evening, don't wait up x

Regardless of what the note said, she would of course be still up when he got home, and he knew it. It was one of their 'things'.

They had developed many 'things' over time. None of them were particularly unique, a million other couples probably had the same but they still felt special to them. Their first had been drinks. They had met through mutual friends at college. Often left as third wheels at parties, their nights would often start with the simple question "drink?" Over time, they had learnt more about each other, slowly becoming friends then more. They outlived the other college romances and even some friendships. Three years later, they were still going strong.

The rest of her day was pretty normal. It was her day off from her job at a local newspaper and she liked to use this time to catch up on everyday little things. She did some chores and read a little before meeting her friends for a quick coffee. They had been friends since high school and tried to get to together at least once a week for some 'girl' time. They were close and nothing could break their friendship. Before she knew it, the sun was starting to set and it was getting late; time with the girls always had that effect.

The house was in darkness when she returned; he wasn't home yet. She quickly went through her nightly routine of cleansing and moisturizing before slipping into fresh pajamas and retreating to the sofa to wait for his return. It wasn't long. No sooner had she poured herself a glass of wine, setting an empty glass for him, he walked through the door. For the briefest of moments he just stared, before dropping his bag and descending upon the sofa to join her.

"I missed you." He whispered, stealing her glass and taking a sip.

She smiled in return, "Long day?"

"No more so than usual. I'm sure you could make me forget all about it," he practically purred in her ear.

He never failed to make her go weak at the knees, even after all this time. It didn't take much to convince her to move things upstairs, it was, after all, in part why she had stayed up.

She mentally counted to three; a goofy smiled spreading across his face. She knew that he too was counting and that it would end in a chase. She launched herself off the sofa and scrambled for the stairs as fast as she could. It was all part of the game. She would reach the stairs; make it within a few steps of their bedroom before he would grab her by the waist before sending them both crashing into the bed.

xxxx

She woke up smiling; she couldn't remember the dream but it felt like it was best she had for a while. After everything that had happened, she needed some happiness even if it was just in her subconscious. She grabbed her dressing gown from the end of the bed and headed for the bathroom. One quick shower and a sweep of mascara later, she was ready for the day.

Downstairs in the kitchen was a pot of freshly brewed coffee and a note waiting beside it.

Early start at work. Be home for supper x

In other words, it was her turn to cook. Not that she minded too much, it was a welcome distraction. A distraction from nothingness that now filled her days.

Ever since he left, things in Mystic Falls had become a lot simpler. Almost normal. Elena and Damon were acting like teenagers in love. They seemed happier now that they didn't have to tiptoe around Stefan, who had took off; no one had heard from him for weeks. Bonnie was spending time with her mom and Matt was seeing the world. She had stayed home with the hope Tyler would return. He never did. All she got was a text message apologizing. There were too many bad memories in Mystic Falls and it was time to move on, for both of them. She didn't know why she didn't do something then. Anything. Just drive out of town one day, see a little bit more of what the world had to offer. She just didn't. She stayed home with her mom. College would start in a few weeks but until then, she was alone. She was happy for the most part.

Grocery shopping was a quick errand, even though she managed to drag it out by idling around the aisles, reading the labels on food like it made a difference. Life being this peaceful wasn't something she was used to. For too long there had been so much drama, now there was nothing. Everything was normal.

She ended up cooking and eating alone; her mother had to work late, something she was informed of via a quick text message an hour before she was due home. She could only assume there was actual crime to solve now the vampire drama was over. She washed and dried the dishes after she had eaten before slumping down on to the sofa. TV couldn't hold her attention, fictional drama just didn't have the same appeal after what she had lived through. Or maybe it was just boredom, watching the same thing every night. Should life as a vampire be this mundane? She tried reading the first page of the first book due several times before throwing it down in frustration. Not that it mattered; she had read all the books required for her course already. In the end, she just stayed up staring at the ceiling until she drifted off to sleep.

Her eyes fluttered opened, a gentle rocking had brought her out of her sleep. Had she been dreaming of the ocean? She couldn't remember but there was something unsettling about it. When had she even fallen asleep? As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she focused on his face smiling down at her.

xxxx

"Wakey, wakey, Love. How about we get you to bed?" He was whispering, despite there being no need.

"What time is it?" She rubbed her eyes, it must be late.

"Just past 11."

She didn't question it any either, just simply let him, sleepily, lead her upstairs to their bedroom.

xxxx

She could have sworn she had only shut her eyes for a second, but when she opens them she was lying across the sofa with the DVD menu playing; the film had played in its entirety. What was that dream? It felt so familiar. So real. And normal. But she couldn't pin what had happened.