A/N: So sorry about this ridiculous delay. I know this really doesn't make up for it since it's a relatively short chapter but it is necessary. This chapter wraps up some things and then opens some doors for others. I didn't have it betaed since I felt I should get it out to you guys ASAP.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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We pulled up to Bonnie's grandmother's house and waited for her to wake up. Elena had grown quiet since he had agreed to open the tomb. She fingered her promise ring lightly and stared out the windshield. I could feel her anxiety through our bond and I reached out to grab her hands. I pulled her closer to me and snuggled her close. Bonnie was still sleeping and he hoped she woke up soon.

"I don't want her Elena. We're going to open the tomb and leave her to rot." She sighed before leaning back against the seat. Soon enough Bonnie was stirring from under the blanket. He turned to check on her as she sat up suddenly, bumping her head on the roof of the car. I bit back a smile as she dropped down and rubbed her head.

"What happened?" Elena turned to face her and reached out to check Bonnie's head for blood. Silly girls thought I wouldn't be able to smell it.

"Damon saved us. He killed Ben," she paused in her explanation as she struggled to tell Bonnie what they had planned. "We're going to open the tomb Bonnie."

"No! You can't!" Her powers were flaring and that was a dangerous combination from a newly discovered witch. Her powers were too new and her control would easily fail.

"Calm down witch. We're going to do this in a controlled fashion. Your grandmother agreed to help in exchange for me saving you." I handed her a bottle of water from the front of the car before opening my car door. I was around the side and helping the ladies out before they could blink.

Bonnie shrugged off my help and staggered towards her grandmother's. Elena took my arm gratefully and I escorted her up the walkway. Bonnie had the door open and Elena stepped over the threshold. I, however, was left on the stoop.

"Damon?" Elena turned to me and looked questioningly at me. I was lagging and her hand had slipped off my arm.

"No invitation." She nodded before stepping out onto the porch. She tugged on my hand until I followed her to the porch swing. We sat down and the silence prevailed.

"What are you doing out here Elena?" Bonnie asked as she stuck her head out the doorway. "We're meeting in here."

"I'm staying with Damon and since he was not invited, I'm out here too." Bonnie shook her head before disappearing inside.

"You don't have to stay out here with me. I can hear them talking in there." She shook her head before resting it on my shoulder.

"I go where you go Baby. If they can't trust you enough to let you inside then they don't trust me. I'm saying you're safe and if they won't listen then I'm not welcome either." I smiled at her words. She was staying with me regardless of others' thoughts and she just kept showing me how much she loved me.

"Damon would you get in here. Stefan refuses to start until Elena is in here," Sheila called from inside the house. I stood pulling Elena with me before kissing her fingers. We stepped over the threshold and settled on the couch. I tucked Elena close to me, not willing to let her too far from me after her kidnapping.

"We located the spell in Emily's Grimoire and I think we can open the tomb," Bonnie explained as she flipped through the spellbook.

"We can't hold it long but it should be long enough to allow that girl in." Sheila spoke up as she stirred her tea. Stefan stood nearby and watched the scene unfold.

"How do we know we can trust Anna?" He piped up finally. Stefan moved closer and sat next to Elena on the couch. I nearly growled at his closeness to my mate.

"We do not have time for vampire squables right now. I suggest you two work out your claims later," Sheila reprimanded as she stood quickly. "Your arguments over Elena can wait as our window to open the tomb is closing. Bonnie, get my bag so we can go." Bonnie quickly mumbled an okay and scampered off to find the bag.

I turned and glared at Stefan for a moment before standing. "You'll drive the witches. Elena stays with me."

"Do you think that's a good idea? If Anna turns on us it might be better if you two are separated."

"Yes well not happening little brother. Elena stays with me." I pulled Elena up after me and stalked out to the car.

"You didn't have to be so rude Damon." Her voice was soft but reprimanding. She wasn't pleased apparently.

"Yes I did. Stefan is a vampire who covets you Elena. Even if he seems civilized, he could decide to try to take you from me. He loves you even if he is quiet about his feelings," I explained. I leaned down and kissed her softly. "I won't risk you."

She smiled against me before reaching behind me to open the car door. "Well then let's get this show on the road." She slid around me and got herself situated in my car. It took me a second to realize she was still only wearing that bandanna for a shirt. I sped into the house and sought out Bonnie.

"Do you have anything Elena could wear?" Bonnie dropped the herbs she was holding and turned to face me. She nearly jumped a foot in the air at my words.

"Um I might have something. Why?"

"If you haven't noticed, Elena is wearing a bandanna for a shirt and it's kind of cold out there."

"I'll go get her a shirt. I don't know if I have a jacket." She moved towards the dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. "Here."

"She can have my jacket if she needs it." Bonnie rolled her eyes and resumed her searching and gathering. I was by the car door before Bonnie could pick up the herbs that had tumbled to the floor. Elena jumped when I appeared beside her.

"Here Sweetheart. Bonnie gave me this shirt. You have to be cold," I offered the t-shirt to Elena and she took it, slipping it over her head. The shirt looked wrong on her and I realized I didn't quite like the smell either.

"You look like someone just rubbed manure on me or something." She giggled at me and I smiled back.

"I don't like it when you smell strange. The animal in me likes your natural scent. It's intoxicating," I whispered as I leaned forward to kiss her. "Let's head out then."

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We arrived in two cars and I watched as Sheila and Bonnie began to get things in order. Herbs were mixed together and chants were said. Elena sat near me and watched it all unfold. I had been able to contact Anna and she was on her way. I was concerned about the entire plan. Anna wanted leverage to guarantee we wouldn't lock her in.

It was smart of course but at the same time there was only one option. Stefan and I were out of the equation since we wouldn't motivate the witches. Bonnie and Sheila were off the table since they were keeping the door open in the first place. That meant Elena. It scared me how easily she agreed to the plan. My girl, fearless to a fault.

She squeezed my hand lightly as I stiffened at the sound of an approaching car. Anna was out of the car quickly with her own version of leverage. Elena gasped and stood when Anna drug Jeremy into view.

"You need to understand, I need my own leverage for you," she spoke to Elena before turning to Jeremy. "You will stab yourself with this knife if Elena doesn't come inside the tomb. If the knife is taken from you then you will do everything in your power to end your life." She waited as he repeated the information mindlessly. Elena's grip was powerful on my arm as I tried to figure a way out of this. Only Anna could lift the compulsion.

We waited as she approached the group, a blood bag held tightly in one hand. She offered her hand to Elena and waited. Elena turned to me and looked up at me, her eyes glowing in the darkness. She kissed my cheek before turning to follow Anna. The chanting began quickly.

Long moments passed until Anna was able to slip into the tomb. Elena followed her and watched us until we passed from view. I comforted myself with the fact I could feel her. I leaned against the entrance and waited.

I heard her scream and I felt her fear. Pain rippled across my arm as I felt fangs penetrate Elena's skin. I went to move but Sheila yelled out.

"NO! If you go in there then you don't come out. Only humans can pass through." I stared at her realizing what they had done. They hadn't lifted the spell; they'd only opened the door.

"I don't care! Elena will die." I tore through the doorway and followed the smell of her blood. Anna was feeding her to Pearl, the bitch. I ripped Anna from her and punched the weakened Pearl before pulling Elena to me. She hadn't lost a lot of blood at this point but her arm was a mess. I was running through the passages until we neared the doorway. I put her down and pushed her through the doorway.

Before I could begin to even test the doorway, I was ripped backwards. A volley of punches hit me as I felt two sets of hands descend. I heard Elena's scream as my vision blurred. I tried to fight them off but I was weakening quickly. Suddenly the stronger of the two was thrown from me while I batted away the weaker one.

Stefan was standing beside me and he was heaving. He took off then down the hall and I stood there watching the unconscious bodies of Anna and Pearl. I moved to the doorway and watched as Elena bandaged her arm with the bandanna from earlier. She motioned me over but I hit the forcefield.

"Damon? Come on!" I shook my head at her words. I couldn't cross the threshold. I was trapped. "Why can't he come out Bonnie?"

"The force field still exists. He can't...ugghhh." Bonnie fell slightly but Sheila steadied her.

"You have to get them out! You have to lift the force field!" Elena ran to me and grabbed on.

"Get Stefan! We'll try to open the tomb again!" Sheila called and suddenly we were running down the passages for Stefan. Her hand was tightly in mine as we ran, her optimism keeping us both afloat. We found him quickly, standing at a dead end. I reached out to touch his shoulder and he snarled.

"Stefan what's wrong?" Elena was instantly worried but I had pushed her behind me in case Stefan attacked.

"She's not here. She's not here." I knew who he meant instantly. Katherine was not even in this godforsaken tomb.

"That bitch!" Elena slipped around me and grabbed Stefan's hand.

"Come on Stefan. We don't have a lot of time." He turned and punched the wall.

"How can she not be here? How?" I shook my head while I reached out for both of them. I pulled Elena with me and hauled Stefan as well. This was not the first time I had dragged him after me and I'm sure it wouldn't be my last.

We tumbled out of the tomb and Stefan fell to his knees. Elena turned to make sure I was alright before moving towards Stefan. She leaned down and hugged him, whispering to him her apologies. Even though Stefan had made no indication towards wanting Katherine, I knew it was a blow.

We had been abandoned by her and she could have found us. She could have helped us transition and been with us. She hadn't wanted to though. The bitch only thought of herself.

Sheila dropped to the ground and Bonnie cried out. I moved quickly to check on the elder witch. A few seconds passed as I quickly realized she was gone. The magic had overwhelmed her.

"She's dead Bonnie. I'm sorry." Elena moved to embrace Bonnie and I could hear the tears falling as Elena tried to quiet her.

"Get off me!" Bonnie shoved Elena away from her and I watched as Elena hit the ground. Bonnie exploded in a blinding light as Sheila disappeared from his grip. He shielded his eyes as he listened to Bonnie's words. "You did this! If it wasn't for these creatures then she'd be fine! I'll never forgive you! NEVER!"

The light disappeared and I saw the two witches were gone. Sabrina had clearly picked up a few tricks. I turned to Stefan and Elena and grew cold. Elena wasn't there. Stefan was staring up out of the tomb at something. I turned to see what had Stefan looking so horrified.

"Hello boys."

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A/N: What did you think? I know, I know it was a slow chapter but necessary in the scheme of things. I'm seeing 3-4 chapters left. I'm going to try really hard to get another (probably longer) chapter out by Sunday. I also am going to get out a new "What's Wrong With Us?" chapter.

Thank you so much for all the feedback on What's Wrong With Us? And Better Than Anything!

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