Nora arrived in Mystic Falls early in the morning. The sun was just starting to come up as she drove through the quiet little town. It had been a long time since she had been here, so much had changed, but she still felt that coming home feeling that relaxes you. She pulled into the long driveway of the Salvatore Boarding House and parked in front of the garage. She was in no particular hurry, she wanted to see them but they had no idea she was coming. She had spent the last sixty years hiding in the shadows, dodging them and ignoring them. They had a falling out, as friends do, but being a vampire changes the typical friend relationship.

Nora grew up with the Salvatore Brothers in Mystic Falls and was turned around the same time they were. When the truth finally came out about the details of the night she was turned back in the 40s, Nora fled and they hadn't seen her since.

She had heard about everything going on over the last few years and she tried to stay out of it, tried not to care, tried not to want to help. Tried and failed. They needed her help and she wanted to help. It was time she came home and it was time to stop running.

She opened the door and slipped into the house. It was dark and quiet but Nora could hear people upstairs in the shower. She climbed the stairs and walked to the end of the hall, opening the door slowly. Her eyes scanned the room and she wasn't surprised to see everything was exactly the same way she had left it. She wouldn't be surprised if either of them had even stepped into the room since she had left.

She turned, distracted by the sound of the shower turning off and two voices coming from within the bathroom. She was a little shocked to hear Stefan, she had expected Damon. Shower sex was his thing, but she was even more surprised to hear the second voice. She speed into Stefan's bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed to wait for them. They came out wearing nothing but smiles and towels wrapped around them. Stefan was ahead, holding her hand and pulling her behind him. He was looking behind him so he didn't see Nora at first, but Rebekah did. She stopped, the smile fading from her face and stared at Nora sitting on the bed. Stefan followed her gaze and Nora was now met with two equal looks of shock.

"Hi," She smiled at them, loving every minute. "Well this is new."

"Nora," Rebekah said, completely speechless.

"Glad to see the dagger was removed from you, you're way too much fun to keep locked up," She turned to Stefan. "I'm guessing he agrees."

"Why are you here?" Rebekah asked as Stefan seemed lost in a trance just staring at Nora. "Stefan said you took off in the 40s."

"I got tired of running, I felt like coming home and apparently from what I hear, there is quite a bit to come home to."

"So you're staying?" Stefan finally spoke up. "For how long?"

"Oh, I don't know, I guess I'll see how things go."

"Does Damon know you're here?"

"Not yet, where is he?"

"He's at Elena's," Rebekah rolled her eyes and stepped farther into the room. "The Petrova Doppleganger, dead ringer for Katherine. She was first with Stefan and is now with Damon. Sound familiar?"

"Very," Nora nodded, turning to Stefan. "Are you okay?"

"Am I okay?" He said harshly. "Are you kidding me? You vanish for sixty years without even a goodbye and then just show up expecting everything to be normal between us?"

"Well, we were never normal."

"Nora," Stefan exclaimed.

"Stefan, I needed some time but I told you I'd be back."

"Sixty years is some time? I didn't even know if you were alive!"

"Well I am." She said and then smiled at him. "Come on Stefan, you know you need my help."

Rebekah turned to Stefan. "We could really use her."

Stefan sighed. "Fine, but don't blame me when she takes off again."

He grabbed some clothes and left the room looking unhappy and hurt and maybe even a little angry. Rebekah watched him go for a few minutes before turning back to Nora. "He thought you were dead."

"He knew I wasn't dead," she shook her head. "Lexi used to come see me and I know she would report back to him."

"So what do you know?"

"Not enough I suppose," She sighed. "You better fill me in."

Rebekah explained the last few years to Nora in great detail. There was a lot she had missed and many details had been left out in the stories she had been told. It didn't take long for Nora to get on board with the plan and for once, she was someone that everyone could trust.

Stefan came back into the house and found them in the living room still talking. Nora assumed he went to hunt and blow off some steam as he now seemed more relaxed around her.

"I want to see Damon," Nora said. "Did you tell him I was here?"

Stefan shook his head. "No, you can do that yourself."

"I'll take you," Rebekah said as she grabbed her keys off the table. "Are you coming Stefan?"

"Yeah, I'll come." Nora smiled at him, a silent thank you. "Does she know Jeremy is a vampire hunter?"

"She knows everything, Stefan."

The car ride to the Gilbert house was rather silent. Stefan was being extra broody and was still trying to put up this act that he was angry. Nora knew he might still be a little upset with her but she didn't think he was really all that mad. She didn't stay mad when she left and she figured part of the reason he was giving her the cold shoulder was to show her how much she hurt him by leaving.

They pulled up to the house, climbed out of the car and walked up to the house. Stefan knocked once and then opened the door with Rebekah and Nora following. "Damon?"

"In here Stef," Damon called from the kitchen.

They walked down the hallway and into the kitchen to find Elena and Damon cooking. Thanks to Rebekah getting Stefan not to care, it no longer hurt him to see Elena so happy with Damon. Nora stood a few feet behind them so Damon hadn't seen her yet.

"Do you want breakfast?" Damon asked.

"No," Stefan said. "There's someone here to see you."

Stefan took a step into the kitchen so Nora could appear in the doorway. Damon was confused and was watching Stefan but his expression changed to shock when he saw her standing there. He was just as amazed as Stefan to see Nora, but without the anger. He didn't know if he would ever see her again but he was glad she was there.

"Nora," He said softly before crossing the room and wrapping her in his arms. She hugged him back, squeezing her arms tightly around his neck. He put her down and looked at her with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been hearing a lot of talk about a cure." She said. "Rebekah filled me in and I think I could help."

"Yeah of course, we could use the help." He smiled and hugged her again. "It's good to have you home."

"Damon," Elena interrupted. "What's going on?"

"Oh, this is Nora," Damon gestured. "Nora this is Elena."

"Nice to meet you," Nora nodded and turned to Rebekah. "That's freaky."

"What's freaky?" Elena asked.

"How much you look like Katherine." Nora stated simply.

"Elena's brother is a new vampire hunter," Damon said to Nora.

"I know, and I think I can help you with that."

"You can?" Stefan asked surprised, finally speaking up.

"Can we talk?" She looked at both brothers. "Just the three of us?"

Damon nodded and turned to Elena. "We'll be back."

They left the house and Elena tried to listen to their conversation but she sighed in frustration when she heard the car start. "Who is Nora?" She finally asked Rebekah, annoyed that no one was telling her anything.

"Nora is like Damon's Lexi."

"Oh," Elena relaxed. "So she's he's best friend."

Rebekah nodded and then smirked. "And she's also Stefan's wife."