Hello! This is the first chapter of this story! Here's a playlist- I know people are really into these.
Hey Brother-Avicci (For the beginning to the ball)
Ships in the Night- Matt Kearney (From the Ball to the Kidnapping)
Keep Breathing - Ingrid Michaelson (From when Lottie wakes up til Elijah Compels Lottie the first time)
You'll Be Okay - A Great Big World
Holland Road - Mumford and Sons
"Charlotte, are you with me?"
"Yes, m'am. Can I help you?" Charlotte snapped back into reality, snappy comment full force. A bit of the normall nonexistent southern twang slipped out of the mouth the the Virginia girl.
Charlotte's fraternal twin rolled her eyes, flipping her hair back. "Masquerade ball. Are you going?"
"Obviously," Charlotte replied, leaning back in her seat and kicking up her feet. "I'm spending the night at Mara's tonight. She's driving me."
"What are you wearing?"
"A mask," Charlotte smirked. She watched the brunette across from her sigh in annoyance. "Um. I got this dress with Mara. Long, black. Lacy. The mask's the real winner. Think Mardis Gras, but less tacky. Are you being escorted by Stefan?"
"No, we're on a break," Elena sighed.
"Because of Damon?"
"What? Why would you-"
"Elena, I'm not as idiotic as you believe me to be. Don't look all offended at the thought that you and Damon have something. Christ, it would take a moron to not realize. Have you ever seen the way he looks at you? And you look at him? Boy, it sure is-"
"Charlotte. You wouldn't get it. It isn't like that," She spoke flatly.
"Sure," Charlotte replied, shrugging apathetically. "Whatever. Your love life, or new found lack there of, is none of my damn business. That's for sure."
They might be twins, but Charlotte and Elena lived very separate lives.
In fact, the two were hardly twins at all. Charlotte's hair was much lighter, looking much more like he Aunt Jenna than she did to Elena. And on the plane of personality, the two could not differ more. Elena much more resembled their mother: kind, compassionate, prepared to be a social butterfly in any situation, or engage in small talk just to engage another socially. Charlotte, however, was much more like their father, Greyson. Brilliant. Ambitious. Impatient, with all of the vices that come with brilliance. Charlotte had felt the pressure, now that her parents were gone, to become her father, but she had no desire. Medecine was not her field of choice, as demonstrated by her failed Anatomy class.
"Anyway, we should head out. We're supposed to be at the Lockwood's. . .now. Let's go before we have to face Carol's wrath." She rolled her eyes.
"I'll drive."
"Look Elena, I was out of line before. It was insensitive and presumptuous and rude."
"Yeah, it's whatever," she told her. "Really, Lottie. It's fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"So what actually did happen, if you don't mind my asking."
"It's complicated," She sighed. "He's got a lot of baggage."
"Well, so do you," Charlotte offered, shrugging her shoulders.
"It's just not allowing us to mature as a couple. It's just so heavy it put our entire relationship at a standstill."
"Well, that blows." Charlotte was never the best with sympathy or empathy. "Are you two at least on good terms?"
"We're trying, sort of."
"Yeah. I get it. Mara's brother told me once that guys absolutely loathe the idea of remaining friendly, since it never works. But I don't know: maybe this time off will give him the time to mature and work through his past."
"Yeah." Elena released a sigh as she turned into the Lockwood's drive. "Me too."
Charlotte struggled to lift the large box to begin with. How she thought she could manage to carry it throughout the entire mansion to its destination was a mystery. About halfway down on of the long corridors, the heavy box slipped from her small hands, only to fall into the life saving hands of a mundane hero.
"Watch it there, Charlotte. You would not want these to break." He offered he a solemn smile.
"Stefan Salvatore, you are a life saver." Charlotte's hand went to her heart as Stefan picked up the box.
"Where's this going? Maybe it would be better if I delivered it."
"Yeah, it's going to the dining hall. Those are the table centerpieces. I'll, uh, walk with you. Mrs. Lockwood wants me to set them up."
"Sure."
The two walked in silence amidst the awkwardness of 'oh, I just talked about you with my sister with whom you are taking a break.' When the two finally reached the dining hall, the awkwardness only multiplied when Jenna walked into the room.
"Stefan! Hey!"
"Sure, don't say hi to your favorite niece." Charlotte mumbled, mostly sarcastically. Jenna just rolled her eyes.
"Hi, Jenna," He replied as Charlotte began to set up the center pieces.
"I'm making dinner tonight. Ric's gonna be there. You should come."
"Jenna," Charlotte interrupted, "He and Elena aren't-"
"Elena and I are taking a break."
"Really?"
"Yeah,"
"Because that's not what it sound like this morning."
Stefan tried to muster a look of confusion.
"I'm a light sleeper. You know what? Forget I said anything," she ordered as she stepped out of the room.
"This is awkward," Charlotte expressed.
"It's not what-it's not a big deal. We just needed-"
"Stefan, it's none of my business. Just don't hurt my little sister, okay?"
"Never."
Swish. Sway. Dip.
Collin was an excellent dancer.
Mara's elder brother of a single year had graciously taken Charlotte as a dance partner after Mara had been asked to dance by Chase Fell.
"You are a very good dancer, Mr. Harper."
"And you are an exceptional partner, Miss Gilbert."
"I'm swooning," Charlotte replied sarcastically. In response, Collin dipped her, earning a shriek of surprise and a smile from Lottie.
"Not the first time a lady has told me that."
"Watch it, Harper." Lottie gave him a pointed glare, then began to glance around the illuminated garden. She was glowing until she saw something incredibly shocking and confusing.
There stood, in the grass, her two younger siblings. If that wasn't strange enough, Elena was in jeans and a tee, sitting on the ground with a pained look on her face. Jeremy was hunched over her.
"Collin, I need to take care of something." She picked up her dress and marched over to the two.
"Elena. Jeremy. What's up?"
"Charlotte, it's fine...go back." She let out a pained moan.
"Elena, honey. What's wrong? Talk to me. What happened?" Charlotte bent over to rub her back, but instead found it sticky with blood. "Elena, what happened?" Charlotte wiped the blood on her dress and gripped Elena's hand. "Jeremy?"
"Charlotte, Bonnie is taking care of it. Please go find her." Jeremy begged.
"Okay. Okay. Take off your jacket, and put pressure on her to stop the bleeding, but not too much. I'll go find someone, okay?"
Little did Lottie know that Bonnie had already done all she could do, taking away most of the pain, and that Charlotte's siblings had sent her on a chase for nothing. Jeremy only needed a distraction in order to keep his eldest sibling in the dark of which he was deprived.
Scurrying through the crows, Lottie looked left and right for her sister's best friend, Bonnie Bennet. But, after a significant amount of time searching and finding nothing, she settled for Damon, who was the first face she could trust.
"Damon, Damon!" Lottie called, almost tripping on her way over to him.
"Lottie, I'm a little busy-"
"Damon, it's Elena. It's Elena. She's hurt."
This Damon new, but in the time that Jeremy sent her away and her finding Damon, Katherine's little witch had stopped Elena's injury, and most of the conflict. Now Damon was just waiting for the coast to be clear so he could take care of Katherine.
Damon looked over at Charlotte, grabbing her shoulder and staring her in the eyes. "No, she isn't. She never was. All you know was that Elena was upset about Stefan."
"Elena's upset about Stefan?"
"Well, you know how my brother can be. . ."
"I should talk to her. I knew this would happen. Do you know where she is?"
"I just saw her leaving."
Lottie thanked him and waltzed away, walking as rapidly as possible. She looked through all the parked cars, shouting for Elena, hoping she could still catch her.
Then she saw what was happening to Elena, a man in a mask drugging Elena and putting her into the trunk of his Sudan. Her adrenaline picked up and allowed her to move incredibly fast, shouting at him. She even put up quite a fight, until she fell into the darkness of a cloth to her mouth and nose.
Charlotte is still comatose as she's carried into the run down house by a woman, walking behind the man carrying Elena, who is waking up. The man puts the awake Elena on the couch and unties her ropes.
"What do you want?" Elena asked.
"Shh."
"Please, I'm hurt."
"I know. Just a taste." His eyes change as he gets closer to Elena.
"Trevor!" Elena heard a woman's voice. "Control yourself!" She walked over to the couch and set Charlotte down gently.
"What about the other one?" He asked.
"She's an added bonus. Not for you. Don't touch her."
"Buzz kill." Trevor left the room, leaving just Elena, Rose, and the unconscious Charlotte.
"Oh my God." Elena gasped. "Oh my God. Charlotte. Lottie? What do you want with us?"
"Oh my God, you look just like her," Rose replied, astounded.
"But I'm not. Please, whatever, you-"
"Be quiet," She commanded.
"But I'm not Katherine. My name is Elena Gilbert; you don't have to do this."
"I know who you are, and I said be quiet." She was growing more irritated.
"What do you want?"
Rose slapped her hard, causing her to pass out.
"I want you to be quiet."
Charlotte's head was pounding. She opened her foggy eyes to see a plain white ceiling. She sat up, looking around the room. The windows were boarded, the walls dilapidated. Next to her, Elena slouched on the couch, obviously unconscious.
Charlotte gently nudges Elena's shoulder. "Elena." She whispered, coming to revelation with the reality of what happend. "Elena!"
Elena's eyes gently open as she sits up.
"Lottie, please stay here. I'll be right back."
"I'm not letting you go anywhere alone."
"Please." Elena asked.
"Go." Lottie lied. Elena walked up the stairs Shortly, Lottie followed her.
Elena was leaning against a door frame when Lottie arrived. Elena mouthed something to Charlotte, but she only shrugged in response.
"So that's it, Trevor. He either got it or he didn't. We just have to wait," A woman said.
"Look, it's not too late. We can leave here. We don't have to go through with this," The man talking was terrified.
"I'm sick of running!"
"Yeah? Well, running keeps us from dying!"
"Elijah's old school. If he accepts our deal, we're free."
Elena shuffles a bit, making a floorboard screech. Charlotte's heart skipped a beat as Rose whipped around to see the two girls eavesdropping.
"You two! There's nothing around here for miles. If either of you think you're getting out of this house, you're tragically wrong. Understand?" She threatened.
"Who's Elijah?" Charlotte and Elena asked simultaneously.
"Your worst nightmare."
Charlotte, refusing to just leave Elena alone, follows her into a room containing the woman, Rose."
"Why are we here?"
"You keep asking questions as if I'm going to answer them."
"Why won't you?"
"There's another one."
"What about Charlotte? She has nothing to do with any of this. Just let her go." Elena told Rose.
"Elena." Charlotte stepped in front of Elena. "I am not just going to leave you here." She gave her a stern look.
"You're right, you're not." Rose replied. "Listen, I don't want anything with either of you. I'm just a delivery service."
"To Elijah?" Charlotte suggested, still standing protectively in front of Elena.
"Is he, a, you know-" Elena suggests.
"A Vampire? Yes. One of the originals." Rose answered.
"Vampires?" Charlotte asked, "Is that a gang? Or a cult?"
Rose's eyes widened. "You really don't know anything, do you?"
"Charlotte, don't listen to her." Elena said, sounding desperate.
Rose smiled as Charlotte began to get dizzy. "Well, Charlotte," Rose rushed her, pinning her to a wall, revealing herself. "As you can see, Vampires are very real. And we are very frightening."
Charlotte's vision began to blur as her heart beat rose. As Rose walked away, she found it hard to stand.
"Was that necessary?" Elena asked, rushing over to Charlotte. "Charlotte, are you okay? You're fine: alright?"
"You knew? You've known about vampires? They're real?"
"Charlotte, sit down."
"No. I'm fine. I'm fine."
"Charlotte, you can go sit down. It's fine."
"No. No. I don't want to be alone. I mean- I don't want you to be alone." Charlotte stuttered as she took the deepest breathe she could, looking over to Rose. "Are you going to hurt me?"
"Not if you behave." She replied, rolling her eyes.
"And Elena?"
"I won't be doing anything with Elena." Charlotte nodded, oblivious to the emphasis she put on 'I'. She took another breathe and regained her posture.
"Okay. I'm okay, Elena." Charlotte assured her. She then put on a face of fake confidence, adjusting her body position to a more open posture, knowing from the Ted Talk she watched last year that this would make her feel confident, something she desperately needed. "So what are the Originals?"
"Trevor and I have been running for 500 years. We're tired, we want it over. We're using you to negotiate ourselves out of an old mess." Rose told her as if it had been obvious, but there was an air of fear in her eyes.
"But why me?" Elena could be a journalist, Charlotte thought. "And why my sister? What does she have to do with this?"
"She doesn't. She was in the way and our idiotic human helper decided to bring her along. Now she's whatever Elijah wants her to be. He might want to feed from her, use her for bargaining, or let her go. It could be anything." Rose shrugged. "You, on the other hand. You're a Petrova Doppelgänger. You're the key to breaking the curse."
Lottie was tempted to ask questions, but she figured that it wouldn't do her any good. Whatever the details were, they didn't matter.
"The curse? The sun and the moon curse?"
"Oh, you do know your history."
There conversation continued, Charlotte listening intently, saying nothing, until there was one realization she couldn't ignore.
"You're the Doppelgänger. Which means, in order to break the curse you're the one who has to die."
"Elena isn't dying." Charlotte proclaimed. It came out of her mouth before she even had the chance to assess the words. It was loud, clear, strong, and full of authority.
Rose looked over to her. "If you think you can stop the most powerful vampires in all of history, be my guest. But I wouldn't recommend it. Trevor and I did that once."
"Tell me more." Elena demanded.
Then Trevor walked in and casually, in the most intimidating way, put his arm around Charlotte. As he was doing so, he mocked, "Captivity has made her pushy, eh? What do you want to know doppelicious?"
"Who were you running from?" Charlotte asked.
Trevor looked over at her and removed his arm, walking across the room.
"The originals."
"Yeah, we get that. A definition would be useful." Apparently, in dire situations, Charlotte became a snippy little shit.
"The first family, the old world. Rose and I pissed them off." Trevor explained.
Rose looked at him, "Mm-hmm."
"Correction, I pissed them off, Rose had my back and for over half a millennium; they wanted us dead." He corrected.
"How?" Charlotte asked.
"He made the same mistake countless others did: he trusted Katerina Petrova."
"Katherine." Elena replied, seething.
"Elena, Katherine is Stefan's ex, right?" Charlotte asked. "She's a vampire?"
"Yeah. The one and only Katerina, the first Petrova Doppelgänger."
"Which means she looks exactly like you." Charlotte tried to connect the dots.
"She catches on faster than most."
"Have I met her?"
"Maybe, but that doesn't really matter. What happened?" Elena dodged the question back to the point.
"I helped her escape her fate and now I've-sorry," He looked over to Rose, "We've been marked ever since."
"Which is why we're not gonna make the same mistake again." Rose proclaimed.
"Rose, could I at least use the bathroom? It's not like I'm going anywhere." Charlotte asked.
Rose sighed in frustration. "Fine. I'll take you. Just don't try anything idiotic, or else."
"Literally all I need is the rest room." Charlotte promised. She wasn't lying, or being manipulative, either."
When Lottie, well, finished, she exited the room and Rose walked her back downstairs to find Trevor in a panic with Elena full of confusion.
"He's here."
And in that moment Lottie snapped out of her dream like, shocked state, and into one of panic and fear. This was the most dangerous of a creature she didn't know existed. If she was terrified of Rose, of Trevor, then what of this Elijah? And not only was Charlotte terrified for herself, but for Elena as well. Chances were Charlotte's death would be quick, painless. But Elena, she couldn't die. But Charlotte could even face the fact that her death was inevitable, in this hopeless stupor, and Elena's death would not be painless. It would not be quick. And Jeremy, oh God. Jeremy couldn't be left without two sisters. And Jenna, she was responsible. Elena needed to return.
And then there was a knock on the door.
"You're scared." Elena accused.
"Hush, Elena." Charlotte scolded.
Rose looked to Trevor. "Stay here with them and don't make a sound."
A few moments pass with Trevor pacing. Charlotte marches to Elena and put her arms on her shoulders. "I will not let you go down without a fight, Elena Gilbert." She mouthed. Elena understood perfectly, but she refused to accept it.
They all began to here voices approaching and Charlotte's heart sped up. It was time for you to be brave, Charlotte. The worst that will happen to you is that you die in the name of protecting your younger sister. And that isn't a bad way to go. In fact, that is the best way to go.
Charlotte felt peace as she made her vow to protect Elena, her family, and to face no fear. Although, there wasn't much she could do about the latter.
Charlotte stands closer to Elena, who turns her head as the pair entered. Charlotte squeezed Elena's hand and pursed her own lips. The man, Elijah, rushed towards Elena, ignoring Charlotte, and smelled her neck. Charlotte's grip tightened on Elena's hand.
"Human. It's impossible. Hello there." He then glanced over to Charlotte. "And whoever could you be?"
"Charlotte Gilbert." She mumbled with the greatest force she could muster. "I'm-I'm Elena's sister."
"How peculiar," He replied. "And what is she doing here?" He asked Rose and Trevor.
"She got in the way. Now she's whatever you want her to be."
Elijah rolled his eyes. "What she is is a waste of time."
Her heart rate increased in fear.
"Oh, don't be so scared. I'm not going to kill you. If you behave." He threatened. That had been the second time she was threatened that way, and she now had the most important decision to make. Life or death.
"I-I'm afraid-" She stuttered, "That you'll have to kill me then. Because I refuse to stand by and let my sister be taken for slaughter." She stepped slightly in front of Elena, sheltering her.
"Lottie, please. Please stop." Elena begged.
Lottie ignored Elena, only giving her hand a quick squeeze before letting go, putting her arms on her hips. "From what I've heard, around here, you're an original," She mustered, "As defined, of the first family. Which leads me to believe you must have siblings, and therefore understand the vow of extreme loyalty, forever. So I will always protect Elena, and my family, Forever. And if I must be killed for such a thing, then I accept it as the very best way to die." Her once broken speak transformed into the most eloquent declaration of loyalty.
Elijah smiled. "And however do you expect to defend your sister? You both are nothing but human, and as you have learned I am the most dangerous creature you could ever meet." His head tilted as he challenged her.
"Charlotte."
"There's nothing I can do." Charlotte stated, and then it became a realization. "There isn't a thing I can do to prevent you from killing my sister." Her once strong voice was now quiet, full of premature mourning.
Elijah nodded. "Charlotte Gilbert, I truly admire your loyalty, which is why I will spare you. But your sister is needed." He approached Charlotte and looked her directly in the eyes, his pupils growing larger. "So I need you to do exactly as I say."
Charlotte nodded.
"Now, say goodbye to Elena and stand over there. And don't move from that spot until I allow it."
Charlotte, tears rolling down her eyes, had no choice but to turn around and grace her sister with one last goodbye.
"Take care of Jeremy, Charlotte. Please."
Charlotte stood in her place, unmoving.
"We have a long journey head of us. We should be going."
Elena looked at Rose desperately. "Please, don't let him take me."
"One last piece of business and we're done," Elijah stalked toward Trevor.
"I've waited so long for this day, Elijah. I'm truly, very sorry."
"Oh no, your apology's not necessary."
Charlotte did not feel good about what was to come. Why would he call it his 'last piece of business' if the outcome were not horrid?
"Yes, yes it is. You trusted me with Katerina and I failed you."
"Oh yes, you are the guilty one," he agreed, "and Rose aided you because she was loyal to you. Now, that, I honor. Hell, even a mere human maintained loyalty," he laughed darkly, "Where was your loyalty?"
"Please. Please, I beg your forgiveness."
"So granted." Elijah agreed. Trevor smiled, but his life in freedom was cut short by the swinging of Elijah's hand, wiping Trevor's head clear off of his body.
Rose cried out a harsh "you!" at Elijah, to which he only returned a warning. Elena was full of shock. And Charlotte full of fear.
"No. You can't take her. You can't take her." She was flooded with tears. "She has a family. She-we have this little brother. And he's already-he can't lose someone else. He just lost his parents. And I-I don't want to lose her. Please. Please don't take her."
Elijah let a small piece of pure sympathy show. But not for long. "Stop crying." He commanded. He looked to Elena. "Come."
"No, what about the moonstone?" Elena blurted in a last attempt for her life.
He stopped, turning to her harshly. "What do you know about the moonstone?"
"I know that you need it and I know where it is," She offered.
"Yes. . .?"
"I can help you get it."
"Tell me where it is."
"It doesn't work that way," She declared.
"You two sure are the bargaining bunch, aren't you? Are you negotiating, with me?" He looked to Rose for answers.
"It's the first I've heard of it."
After a few more moments of negotiations, and Elena finally teling Elijah the location of the moonstone, true chaos begins, almost at the most convenient timing. It started with the shattering of glass, coming from upstairs.
Few words are exchanged before Elena disappears in a flash, Charlotte still unable to move.
Chaos continues until Elijah unleashes his most powerful threat. He twirled the stake, which earlier had been thrown at, as well as caught by, Elijah.
"Excuse me. To whom it may concern, you're making a great mistake if you think that you can beat me. You can't! Do you hear that?" He called. He sauntered over to Charlotte. "I'm sorry that I must do this, but whoever your friend are have left me without choice," he warned. "Mysterious attackers! It seems as though you've left me with nothing but a little bit of leverage. Dear Charlotte here is following my every beck and command. Charlotte, I want you to take this stake, so graciously offered my your friends, and plunge it as deep into your stomach as your force will allow. Don't you worry about your productivity level, I assure that I'll assist you along the way in due time." Charlotte then began, without choice, to plunge the stake into her stomach. She was in extreme agony, so much she didn't realize Elijah going and breaking a coat hanger in half. "I repeat, you cannot beat me. So I want the girl, I'm gonna count to 3 or heads will roll. Do we understand each other?"
Elena then appeared at the top of the stairs. "I'll come with you, just please stop hurting my sister. Please. And please don't my friends; they just wanted to help me out."
"Elena, don't!" Charlotte called weakly. "Stop. . ."
Elijah flashed up the stairs, only a mere inch away from Elena, coat rack still in hand. "What game are you playing with me?"
Then, in a matter of mere seconds, something exploded in Elijah's face, burning him profusely, but it healed within seconds.
"Harder, Charlotte!" He called as Stefan launched something, which did little damage. Stefan then rushed towards him, knocking them both down the stairs.
"Someone help Charlotte!" Elena called, yet nothing arrived.
"A bit more, Charlotte." Elijah commanded as he stood up. As he approached Stefan, Damon came and shoved the coat rack into his heart, pinning him against the shabby walls. Then Stefan immediately rushed over to Charlotte, who was still putting the stake into her. She was losing blood fast, and consciousness was soon to follow.
Rose saw this all happen and tried to flee, and Damon began to go after her. But then Elena yelled at him, telling him to help Charlotte instead. Then she swiftly sprinted down the steps.
"Charlotte, Charlotte, listen to me." Stefan coaxed, rubbing her back. "You don't need to keep doing that. He's dead."
"Why is she still doing it?" Elena asked. "If he's dead, the compulsion is gone."
"I can't stop." Charlotte said. "I can't-please help me. I can't stop."
Damon rushes over to her. "He's a big deal. The compulsion must not have worn off yet."
"He's an Original, does that mean it'll take longer?" Elena asked.
"Maybe." Stefan said.
"Charlotte, please stop." Elena begged.
"Charlotte, I will break your hands if I have to!" Damon threatened.
"Just do it!" Charlotte cried.
Damon looked to stefan and nodded. In a flash, Stefan pinned Charlotte's arms behind her, and Damon gently pulled the stake from her stomach. "Look, he said to put this stake into your stomach. Now this stake is gone." Charlotte nodded, but continued to hyperventilate. "I can't move. I-I can't move."
"I've got her." Damon sighed and scooped her up. "I'll heal her in the car. Let's go. Lottie, don't fall asleep on me yet."
Damon carried Lottie to the car as Stefan and Elena followed behind them. "Thank you, Stefan. For saving me. And Lottie."
"Are you hurt, Elena?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm just sorry it had to be her."
"Come on, lovebirds! We've got a long way home!" Damon called as he got into the backseat with Lottie.
"We better go."
The couple got into the front seats of the car. "You better not wreck my car, Stefan! I'm doing this for Lottie."
"Oh, Damon. You do care." She whimpered sarcastically.
"Okay, Charlotte. I need you to do something really, really weird, alright?"
"That's not the first time a boy's told me that." She smiled through the pain.
Damon went and bit his wrist. "I'm a vampire. You need to drink my blood so that it can heal you before you die, forever."
"Wha-" Damon cut her off by shoving the blood into her mouth, then looking her directly in the eyes. "Now, go to sleep."
Bonnie was sleeping on Jeremy's bed after the spell she had preformed to find Elena and Lottie. Jeremy was watching her.
And the door opened, waking Bonnie up.
Both teenagers rushed down the stairs. "Elena!" The called joyously, until they saw Charlotte in Damon's arms.
"Oh my Gosh, Charlotte." Bonnie stated as Jeremy walked over to Damon. "Here, I've got her. What happened?" He accused.
"Easy, boy wonder. She, Stefan, and I need to have a little chat. I'll take her upstairs."
"I'm coming too." Elena stated, more than asked.
"Well then I-" Jeremy began to say, but Elena stopped him.
"I've got this Jer."
Damon carried Charlotte up the stairs and placed her in her bed. "Time to wake up, Charlotte," he declared, starting to wake her up. She stirred awake and sat up in her bed, hyperventilating. "What-what happened. I was dying!"
"Easy, there." Damon told her, crossing his arms. "You all right, sport? We have a long talk to have."
"That-was that a dream? It couldn't have been, it was- Oh my Gosh, that means you're vampires, too. It only makes sense-" She rambled.
"Get it all out."
"But you saved Elena. And me. You-you healed me. I don't know how that makes sense but-you're not like Rose or Trevor or Elijah. You're good aren't you?"
"Yes, Charlotte. They're good. And they won't hurt you or me or anyone." Elena assured her.
"Well, I don't know if good is the word-"
"Damon!" Stefan interrupted.
"So what now?"
"Now we take your memories." Damon shrugged.
"No!" Charlotte insisted. "Please. Don't. I don't want to forget."
"Why wouldn't you? You were kidnapped and forced to stab yourself with a wooden stake. Why wouldn't you want to go back to your life of happiness and rainbows?" Damon persuaded.
"Because it wouldn't be real. Because my sister would still be fighting for her life- this can't be an isolated incident if she's the doppelgänger or whatever. My sister would still be in trouble. She'd be living in the real world. That's selfish of me. I don't want to forget."
Silence.
"I don't think that there's a reason she needs to forget." Stefan insisted. "She's handling it better than anyone we've ever told."
"I'm exhausted, I'll probably be handling it worse tomorrow morning." Charlotte joked.
"I don't want her to have to remember that." Elena said.
"You shouldn't be able to decide what I should and shouldn't remember. Plus, why would I want to forget how much of a badass I actually am?" Charlotte laughed. "Please. Please don't make me forget."
The three looked at each other. "Okay. For now." Damon said. "But if you get annoying or stupid, I'm taking your memories myself."
Charlotte smiled, then turned to Stefan. "Stefan, I expect you give me a crash course tomorrow."
"I think I can do that." He agreed.
"Perfect. Now get out of my room."