I sit in the small pink chair, watching as the small dark haired beauty fastens the buckle on her yellow shoes, her curly locks falling down her back, secured with a yellow ribbon, the yellow sundress making her shine out, despite the oddness of her green butterfly necklace. I myself am wearing a baggy band shirt, jeans, sneakers and have my hair in a messy bun. I just cant see the point in trying today.

After we feed, we head for the Grill, wanting some people food, but as I see Caroline dash out and run to her car I decide to follow, discreetly of course, but how discreet can you be in a black MXT pick up.

As we reach the boarding house we round the back, standing next to the large window. We listen to the conversation carefully. That Katherine keeps coming and that their going to kill her. I wait for the troops to assemble, when Bonnie finally arrives I walk into the house, Beth at my side. They turn at hearing my footsteps and instantly the air goes thick "hey guys" my only reply is a snarl from Jeremy "you!" I look at each face as Caroline questions "what do you want Raina?" I look at her, at their angered expressions "you want to kill Katherine, I want in." Damon takes a step forward "and why would you want that?" I look at him sadly "because I wasn't lying Damon, I never have, not to you. I just didn't tell you about our history. I'm tired of suffering because of her, because she wont let me go. This is the only way." he looks slightly taken back so I say "witch, come have a feel, see what you get!" she comes over hesitantly and grabs my shoulder, she looks at me in wonder, she knows. Her eyes search mine for a moment as I silently beg for her silence "she's telling the truth" Damon looks at her in uproar "and you couldn't have known that yesterday!" she looks back at him "I was only looking for her feelings for Katherine then." she looked back at me her eyes full of sorrow "this time I looked deeper" I look down to the carpet not wanting her pity.

As I walk to examine the weapons Stefan steps forward "I went to your house last night." suddenly all eyes are on us "I heard what you said to Katherine. I'm sorry about what we did to you, all you've ever wanted is to help us, even before. We know that now." I give a small nod and carry on walking, but keeping my distance from Damon. I just cant deal with that right now.

Alaric packs up, but as Stefan asks if anyone wants to back out I say "Beth, I want you to go with Ric." she looks upset, she puts on her sad eyes "mommy…" but I stay stern and bend down to her eye level "No! Bethany Annabelle Dimitrov you are going to do what your told!…I cant have you involved, not where Katarina's concerned. You're my little girl and I need you safe… Its what mothers do." she nod solemnly, giving me her tightest hug. Bonnie looks at me with sorrow as I hug my surrogate daughter.

I drive back home to get ready, Beth's at Elena's. I walk into my room and rummage through three box's before I find what I'm looking for, a cocktail dress I got during the 50's. The fabric is an amazing deep royal blue with intricate beads & rhinestones sewn on the front. The shape is pure bombshell with a fitted waist, full skirt & shelf bust. It has a metal zipper on one side, boning in the cups, and is fully lined. I haven't worn this dress in decades. I continue to rifle for the matching mask and shoes, I smile at finding the navy blue, two inch heel, slip-ons with silver and blue flower beads, but curse as I cant seem to find the mask.

I give a huff at hearing the echoing couth behind me. I turn and see Damon, smiling triumphantly as he holds my mask with one finger. The fabulous Venetian mask has a delicate elfin shaped design, With a beautiful silhouette, the mask has been lavishly decorated with glittering blue and silver stardust and edged in braid. Complete with coordinated satin ribbons to secure it. I stand and take it from his long finger, but cant look him in the eyes "thanks." I say turning on my heal, but he grabs my arm, to turn me back. I cant control the flinch as he touch's me, he seems to notice "Raina…about last night." I close my eyes at the fresh memories, the vervain still burning my soul "Stefan told me what he heard, between you and Katherine. I'm so sorry. I should have believed you" I take a step back "but you didn't…besides, what's done is done!" I go to fixing my dress on the bed, the satin soft against my skin.

As I turn with it in my hands he's inches from me and I have no choice but to look into his intense, grief stricken blue eyes "I never should have doubted you. What I did…I'm so sorry." I can feel the twinge of a sad smile on my lips and the tears in my eyes "well you can make it up to me. Starting by being my date for tonight." he smiles back, seeming more like the man I remember than the monster that tortured me.

I step out of the bathroom, my bangs swept to the side and my waved hair gathered into a bundle in the back, not too high up, but it's not super low either. Fitting into my dress and shoes perfectly with my pearl while skin. My eyes coated in a pail blue, fading into a navy, circling my eyes. Pail pink lip-gloss and light pink blusher, my mask securely in place. I smile at Damon, who looks shocked and amazed, wearing a black tie suit and a black, almost butterfly style, mask, like he'd wear anything else. I giggle lightly "I'll take your silence as a complement." he straightens himself "you look beautiful. Shall we?" his cocky smirk back in its rightful place, his elbow extended. I take it gently as we head for the car. It's a shame we wont get to enjoy the party.

When we get there, everyone else has arrived, everyone we need anyway. Damon practically dances down to a masked Stefan, who smiles at me "Raina, you look… amazing." Damon puts his arm around my waist and says, seemingly half joking "get your own date." I cant help the smile on my lips. As Stefan wonders off into the crowd Damon asks me to dance. I smile as we sway to the music "so, how did you meet her? Katherine." I feel my heart twinge at the question "she knocked on our door one night. Told us who she was and that she needed sanctuary, we didn't hesitate to invite her in." he nods and continues "and she turned you?" I nod "kind of. A few months after she arrived she come to me, told me she had to leave. She looked so scared, I wanted to help her, but she said there was nothing I could do, that she loved me and we'd find each other one day. Then she compelled me to drink her blood." he nods as I stare, remembering times long gone "that night vampires came to our door, one snapped my neck. When I woke up everyone was dead, except Filip and our son Luben, we hid him under the bed. Filip was dying and had me drink his blood. I gave our son to old friends, people I knew would love him like he deserved. I never saw him again." I fight back the tears, he cups my face in his hands "I'm so sorry" I give a weak smile.

Suddenly Jeremy's at our side "Katherine's here, she killed Amy!" he whispers. Damon grabs my hand and head inside, where we find a panicked Stefan. Damon reassures him "she ruined our lives, all our lives. She destroyed us! Tonight it ends. We can do it together. I got your back Brother." Stefan looks at me and I nod "me to." he nods his head in encouragement.

The three of us head to the room to get ready. Stefan lingers in the bathroom, Damon and I in the walk in cupboard. We stand a few feet from each other, his weapon in hand as he looks on quizzically "what up?" I cant help but question "Katherine, she fed from and compelled Stefan, but not me. I jus don't get it." I sigh and fold my arms "she tried, trust me." he looks at me his brow frowned, eyes full of questions "I stated slipping you vervain when she started showing an interest. I compelled the servants to put it in your food, your clothes…" his eyes soften "you really have been trying to protect me call this time." I smile at his realization, that I truly care for him, if only he knew. We grow silent as footsteps get closer, Caroline reciting her lines perfectly.

As the fighting starts I stay hidden, not intervening until needed, it's about to happen, their about to kill her, but Jeremy stops them, telling us of the link between her and Elena. I continue to hide, I don't want to face her but then she starts mocking them "here we are, the three of us. Just like old times. The brother that loved me to much and the one that didn't love me enough." I hear as Damon says "and the slut vampire who only loved herself" that when I step out "no, she loves me. don't you Katarina?" she looks at me shocked and seemingly hurt "Raina? You…your involved in this? In killing me?" I fold my arms and stand next to Damon "you took everything I ever loved away from me, destroyed me, my humanity. I just start getting it all back, then you turn up again and I have to fix your mess, again." she stands her face filled with heartache "I never, never, meant for you to get hurt." I laugh in response "you've been saying that for five hundred years and each time, it still doesn't matter, still makes everything you've done that much worse!" she bows her head in shame, Stefan starting to question her about the moonstone.

I look at her, the questions continuing, and I realize as he asks "what were you doing with it in the first place?" I cant stop my voice "your going to trade them! that's why you need it back, Elena, Mason, Caroline, the moonstone. Your going to trade them, for your freedom." they look at me in shock "what are you talking about?" Damon asks curiously "the curse, the people after her, she's going to give them the ingredients, Moonstone, doppelganger, vampire and werewolf, for the curse so they let her go." she steps to me "for our freedom. They'd kill you if they knew about you. I'm doing this for us Raina." I shake my head in disbelief and turn away.

A uncomfortable silence creeps over the room as Damon pours a scotch, Katherine says that she'll have one and he obeys in a high pitched squeaky voice "right away Miss Katherine" only to pin her to the wall, stake in hand. Stefan holds him back as I stand in front of her "Damon don't!" I beg, he looks into my eyes as she says "I knew you still loved me Rainy" I sigh as he threatens her. When she touches his chest I shove her off "don't touch him!" she smiles softly to me then walks to Stefan. Just then her witch, Lucy?, comes in, moonstone in hand. We beg her not to do give it to her, just as she goes to take it she turns to me "don't worry baby, soon we'll be free." as she grasps the stone she falls to her knees, Lucy revealing her treachery and apologizes for her involvement and leaves.

As we look upon her uncurious form Damon picks up a stake and walks forward "time to end this!" but my heart pulls me "don't! you cant!" they look at me confused as I bend and take her body in my arms "this is it! This is what you wanted!" I cant fight my tears "I know, I'm sorry. I thought I could do this, but I cant. I'm sorry." Stefan bends down to my side while I hold her in my arms "Raina, if we do this, your free, she cant hurt you anymore!" I shake my head "killing her will kill me. I cant, I just cant." Damon's stern and angered voice asks "why?" I look into his eyes and confess "because she's my mother! She's my mother Damon!" they look at me in astonishment.

I stand outside the tomb with Damon, we decided this was best, I cant kill her but I can lock her up forever. As she wakes and finds she cant escape Damon appears before her, when she says "you should have killed me" he snarls "death would've been to kind! Besides, this wasn't my first choice." he looks at me and I step before her "Raina, Sweetie, please! Help me!" I shake my head "you were right, I do love you, I always will. You're my mother, how could I not? But I cant let this go on. I cant have you hurting the people I care about." she looks at me with tears mirroring mine "I'm not sorry" she smiles lightly "that's why I love you and what make you my daughter." as Damon closes the door she begs, when the door closes I sigh with a sob "goodbye mom." Damon turns and looks at me "it's ok" he takes me in his arms "we're free" I cling to him and repeat "we're free!" finally able to breathe.