Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries nor am I making any profit from this. Characters, etc. all belong to their respective owners.

A/N: Thanks so much to anyone who read and/or reviewed the last chapter! I really appreciate it!

Just one thing I'd like to clarify for anyone who was confused: In this fic, when the Other Side collapsed, Bonnie and Damon were sent to the alternate universe that we saw in 5x18 where Stefan and Elena had a normal, happy relationship. Bonnie and Damon have no memories of who they were, except in Bonnie's case where she has a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right, which we will see.

This particular chapter, however, focuses on what's happening with everyone back in non-AU Mystic Falls.

Enjoy!


The bittersweetness of uncertainty: To win or lose

- Markus Zusak, The Book Thief


"Elena," Caroline's tired voice called out, "It's three in the morning; what are you doing?"

"Working," Elena replied. "There has to be something." She was on the floor of the Salvatore's living room, surrounded by massive stacks of books. In the past three days, Elena had obsessively been looking for ways to bring Bonnie and Damon back.

"Elena, we've been over this," Caroline said with a sigh. "You need to take care of yourself."

"How can I?" the doe-eyed brunette asked tearfully. "Damon's dead and so is Bonnie and we have no idea what happened to them!"

"I know," Caroline said, sitting down next to Elena, "But—"

"I've been thinking," Elena interjected, "Maybe if we could find a witch, she could summon them here."

"Summon them? Summon them from where? There's nowhere to summon them from! And where would we even find a witch who would be willing to work with us?"

What Caroline didn't tell Elena was that Stefan had already tried finding some witches who would maybe be willing to help them. As it turns out, word had gotten around and they had all but officially become pariahs in the supernatural world.

No one wanted to help them because, more likely than not, they would end up dead.

"Bonnie and Damon have to be somewhere, Caroline! They just have to be! And at least I've been doing something! What have you been doing?" Elena snapped.

Caroline felt herself bristle. She had done her best to be understanding because she knew Elena was taking the loss exceptionally hard, but enough was enough; she didn't deserve to be her verbal punching bag.

"You are not the only one who's lost someone, Elena," Caroline bit out, standing up. "I lost one of my best friends and so did Matt, Jeremy lost the girl he loves, and Stefan lost his brother."

"I know that!"

"Do you?" Caroline retorted. "Because you've kinda been walking around like your pain is the only pain that matters."

And you've been doing that for years, were the words that Caroline didn't dare speak aloud.

"Well, I'm sorry that I can't be there to comfort everyone!" Elena threw a book that she had been holding in her hands off to the side and stood up, too.

"That's not the point! That point is that you're not alone. We're feeling this loss just as much as you and we want to help get them back, but running yourself down doesn't do anyone any good!"

"But I have to do something," Elena tearfully insisted.

"We will, but we are also going to take care of ourselves," Caroline replied firmly.

Elena looked at the blonde and then at the books that surrounded her, clearly debating whether to put up a fight or not. Deep down, though, she knew that Caroline was right. With a sigh, she nodded.

"Okay," Elena said. "Okay."

Caroline gave a small smile and reached out a hand to give the brunette's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

She watched Elena head up the stairs and she ran her fingers through her blonde curls with a sigh before going to pour herself a drink.

Every time she thought things couldn't be messier in life, they somehow were.

She honestly didn't miss Damon so much, but she'd give anything to see Bonnie again. Losing her was hard enough the first time, but losing her a second time and having no idea what really happened…

And things with Tyler were just so awkward. He was human now and there was so much left unspoken between them, but, despite the intense, relief-filled hug that they had shared, after all that was actually said and done between them, she didn't think he really cared to see her again and she wasn't sure if she could blame him. But she didn't particularly want to make the drive to the Lockwood mansion to find out for fear that she was right.

She was worried about Jeremy, too. He was still staying in the Lockwood mansion with Tyler and Matt against Elena's wishes and Caroline hasn't seen him at all since that fateful night. Matt, who came by regularly, though, assured Caroline and Elena that while things were obviously rough for Jeremy right now, he was dealing.

The only truly bright spot was that her mother was doing much better. They had managed to get to her in time and with a little vampire blood, she was as good as new and Caroline now was splitting her time between being at her own home and trying to help her mother with the fallout left by the Travelers and at the Salvatore boardinghouse to do what little she could there.

"That sounded like it went well," said Stefan a few minutes later when Caroline was sitting on the couch, nursing her drink.

"I'm going to assume that's sarcasm because I'm too tired to decide any different," Caroline replied dryly.

She watched Stefan pour himself a drink before looking at the bottom of her own glass before sighing.

"Look," she began as Stefan sat down next to her on the couch, "I know we're going to do everything we can for Bonnie and Damon and I want Bonnie back more than everything and I know how much you want Damon back, but…" she paused and wetted her lips. "Like I told Elena, there's nothing left to bring them back from."

Stefan silently nodded, taking a large gulp from his drink.

"I feel horrible for even asking, but do you think it's even possible to save them?"

Stefan was silent for what Caroline was sure was only a few minutes even if it felt like hours.

"Honestly?" We have done a lot of things that shouldn't have been possible, so…I don't know."

Caroline nodded and she found herself curling into Stefan's side, desperately seeking some comfort.


A/N: Sorry for the lack of Bamon in this chapter, but I feel it's important to establish what's going on in non-AU Mystic Falls as well.

I might go down a Steroline road in this fanfic as well (I haven't entirely decided yet). But don't worry; if I do they will stay a side pairing since this is a Bamon fic at heart.

Also, I know the chapters have been short so far. I promise they'll get longer, but it's important to establish certain things and a certain feeling before we can really start digging into the meat of this story.

Thanks for reading and, as always, reviews are very much appreciated!