Epilogue to Part 1 - Dreaded Meeting
"I want if off Elena. I can't stand it." Bonnie said again.
Bonnie was recovering. She looked much better and was starting to act like her old self again. But she would be in the hospital for a few more days. Elena and Stefan visited every day, with Elena spending as much of the day as possible there. And everyday was the same since Bonnie had noticed that the bracelet was still on her wrist.
"I'll tell her when I see her. I'm sure she didn't mean for it to stay on you forever." Elena replied.
"She knows it'd be better for her kind if it did. You can't get in touch with her?"
Elena shook her head and touched the bracelet on Bonnie's wrist. She would never tell Bonnie, but it fascinated her. She ran her fingers over the surface feeling for a latch or clip or anything that would be a clue as to how to remove it. Nothing.
"Have you tried any magic?" Elena asked.
Bonnie shook her head. "It takes concentration. I haven't been able to do that here. You haven't seen Katherine at all?"
"No." Elena replied. "And the more time goes by, the more nervous I get about what it will be like when I do. I really have no idea what I've gotten myself into."
"Elena, I'm sorry…" the witch began before being cut off by her best friend.
"No Bonnie. I've told you before, it was my choice. I was doing everything she wanted me to anyway because of her threats. This just made it official and hopefully the threats will stop. Besides, seeing you like this - getting better. It was worth the price I paid."
"You don't know the price you paid and it was still my fault."
"Fine. We'll work out your punishment later. I have to get home before Jenna starts calling. I think I'm on thin ice with her." Elena gave Bonnie a hug before turning to leave.
"Punishment?" Bonnie asked as Elena left the room. Elena did not turn back.
Elena had spent the first few days after she had saved Bonnie from Katherine walking in dread if not fear. She was afraid that Katherine was going to show up and ask her to kill someone.
But as time passed, Elena thought about it less and less. Things were improving with Stefan, though Damon barely talked to her. She wasn't sure what to do about that. She had almost stopped thinking about Katherine and was worried about other things. She was seeing Bonnie every day so she never forgot what had happened, but each time she arrived home and everything was normal, each time she entered her room and no one was there, Katherine became a more distant memory.
So at least she was not nervous when she was sitting in front of her mirror, brushing her hair and heard the knock on the door.
"Come in." Elena called back. She was decent – no problem whether it was Jeremy or Jenna.
"Thank you Elena," came the soft reply. Elena could not see the door from where she sat, but she knew who it was. The dreaded time had finally arrived. She was up in an instant.