Disclaimer: TVD is not mine, as much as I wish it. A/N: For the amusement of myself and my readers. This one shot is based on a dream I had a few days ago which was set out like the Season 4 intro. My mind works in mysterious ways.

Changes

I rolled to my side in the incredibly comfy bed, eyes closed, taking in the incredible senses that surround me. Everything has changed since the day I died.

I was a dead. It seemed strange to admit it, but like everything in Mystic Falls, nothing stayed the same. I used to think my home was uneventful - until I met the Salvatore Brothers.

In the last year of my life every week was a constant struggle but I never worried about what might happen to me: my sole worry was what if I can't save them - my brother, Jeremy, my best friends, Caroline and Bonnie; my ex-boyfriend Matt, even Tyler Lockwood, the mayor's son.

Ever since they walked into my life, I couldn't shake them, the Salvatores - Stefan and Damon: vampire brothers.

Everything changed because of me. I was the one Klaus was after; the Doppelganger. The one who would create his hybrid army. I already defied him with Bonnie's witchcraft and my Father sacrificed himself to make it happen. My biological Father was my Uncle, John. I used to know who I was. I used to think I had it all - cheerleading, a boyfriend on the football team... I was a Gilbert: the daughter of a founder.

How wrong I was.

After my parents died, life changed and I survived while others perished. I learnt that our worst nightmares exist - vampires, werewolves, witches, Originals, Hybrids - creatures of the supernatural. And some of them are my friends. And now, I am one of them.

A Vampire.

No longer the personal blood bag of Klaus Mikaelson, the Original who took my boyfriend Stefan Salvatore from me and manipulated him into becoming the Ripper he most hated.

Stefan came to save me that day I died.

I told him to take Matt first. Like my adopted Father - I put his needs before my own, like I had always done. Then the water pounded my ears; oxygen became sparse and darkness would have me - I was ready to die, I was ready because my life would have meant something and I would be with my parents soon.

And then, darkness came... but it did not last. I woke on the table in the morgue, alone and afraid. A new energy pumped within me, my emotions controlled by the need for blood. I was hungry, I was confused. Memories flooded my active brain and as everything became more intense, I could hear the tapping sound of heels on the floor coming for me.

Instinct flared. Her blood thumped in her veins and she smelled divine. Taken by surprise. Dr Fell's eyes glazed over as I drank - starved. My human thoughts were screaming but I took no notice. Her heart was weak and then it stopped. My first victim.

I dropped her to the floor, remorseful. Skittering away from the dead body that lay before me. The shadows taunted me. I froze, for the first time scared for myself. Scared of what I could do.

"Elena?"

I looked up at the tall male, standing only a metre in front of me. He was careful not to make any sudden movements. I was fighting against my vampire self. I had just killed somebody. I was the monster now.

"I never wanted this." I choked. Everything hurt.

Damon's arms engulfed me. My face pressed against his leather jacket. As I relaxed, I could hear the muffled voices of the hospital staff upstairs. I thought of holding Damon and being in the moment so I could forget about tearing out the throats of the humans above. I never wanted this.

"I'm sorry." I could hear his voice break. I knew how much he cared. I felt safe.

Every memory we shared flooded my mind and I remembered what I had said to him before the crash - Maybe if we had met first. I cared about Damon, but I had chosen Stefan. Everything counted towards that, until that moment. Memories I had never known erupted in my mind. Damon standing in my bedroom holding my talisman - I love you Elena. I don't deserve you. But my brother does.

We were standing in the middle of the street, after I'd had a fight with Matt, the night my parents died - So Damon, tell me what is it that I want? I was curious, impressed even and perhaps flirting a little. You want a love that consumes you. You want passion and adventure, and even a little danger. Damon wore that incredibly enticing smirk that challenged me and everything I knew.

My parents were coming - I want you to get everything you ever wished for. But right now I want you to forget this ever happened. I pulled away from Damon suddenly, crying. He watched me cautiously. I could see the pain in his eyes. I could see blood dampened his shirt; I could see scars healing but I did not ask what happened.

"You compelled me?"

He looked confused, trying to reel me back. I didn't know why, but all the memories affected me powerfully. I wasn't mad. I was surprised. I was surprised by how much I wanted him. Maybe it was my hormones taking over - Stefan always said as Vampire's your instincts were heightened. Stefan. I had said I loved him. I had chosen him. But what if I was wrong?

Damon brushed the tears from my cold cheeks. He took my hand, "You know everything I ever did was because I love you. I was selfish and I used my compulsion on you because I knew you weren't ready to hear it." The sensation of our hands together felt different to when I was alive.

"That doesn't give you the right to meddle with my mind." I pushed him away. Damon seemed confused and I wiped Meredith's blood from my face. "I need a drink. Caroline said alcohol helps calm the nerves." Damon seemed impressed and yet cautious. He brought his phone to his ear mumbling he'd call Stefan. I slammed my fist against his hand and the phone went flying.

"What the hell was that?" He whined, shaking his hand - I heard the bones crack back into place.

"I need to think." Truth was, I couldn't handle the both of them in the same room together. I wasn't ready to choose again. I needed something to steady my nerves. My transformation was sealed. I had killed. I was a vampire. I would feed on blood from now on. Burgers, chips and milkshakes would never be the same. Everything would be new.

I was freaking out.

"Elena, you need to take some deep breaths. I'm going to take you to the Salvatore Boarding House. I know you might feel like seeing Jeremy, but trust me, you need to control your urges first."

Urges. I wanted to lick the blood from his shirt. Intense feelings of lust swarmed among my confused feelings and I clenched my fists in a panic. How the hell did Caroline manage this on her own?

"Damon - is anyone dead?"

"Apart from you. Klaus and possibly Tyler. Alaric staked him in front of Rebekah and I."

At this news, I was unsure of how I felt at knowing the sociopath was dead, and unable to ever hurt me again. After a year of running I was relieved and yet there was a part of me that felt sad to know he was gone.

"I want to see everyone."

I knew his answer. He wasn't as trusting as Stefan. Perhaps I was lucky it was Damon who had found me. Perhaps I was lucky to know, that however reckless I might be, Damon would stop me.

That's how I came to be here. In his bed. Waiting for my friends to arrive. I was to stay put. As much as part of me wanted to run and explore the magnificent qualities I had acclaimed - the other part of me was content in resting. I deserved it. Even if sleep would never be the same.

I don't know at what point Damon came to be where he was.

I just happened to roll onto my side and take in his incredibly comfortable leather jacket that was soft against my ear. I don't remember the entirety of our conversation because he had at least obliged me of my wish to use alcohol to steady my vampire instincts. I must have smelt wonderful.

I merely remember placing my lips against his in an attempt to remember what it would be like to kiss him as a vampire. He was cautious at first, then almost at once everything we had shared suddenly came crashing down. I finally realised what Caroline had been harping about - everything was a hundred times more exciting.

There was a cough from the door and I looked up to see my friends and Stefan looking surprised. Damon touched his lips, and turned to his little brother, aware of how much more complicated things would get. I knew it was time to tell Stefan the truth. I hugged each of them and pulled Stefan aside, even though the entire household would hear what I said.

I told Stefan I would always love him, that I was thankful for what he did that night, and I wouldn't forget it. I considered him one of my best friends and I would always love him, but it was unfair after everything to put him through what I had.

He looked devastated but it was the truth. I told him I had always cared for Damon and if I was being honest, I would love him too. I just couldn't live without either of them, and as a new vampire I was going to need them both in my life in order to learn how to feed and use my new abilities.

I told him I didn't know what my future held, but I needed to explore what I felt with Damon and I was sorry for hurting him by doing that. Stefan seemed to understand and kissed my forehead. I said I didn't want to kill humans and I would be grateful if he could teach me how to live on the bunny diet. He seemed relieved at the idea.

Jeremy was waiting for me. He would never admit that his face was like ash. I pulled him into a tight hug, breathing carefully into his neck and focussing on my human instincts and not vampire. I had died, but I had been given another chance and I was going to use it to protect them. Bonnie and Caroline were looking at me with funny expressions, like how could I be taking this so well?

I let go of Jeremy and saw that Matt was ok. I hugged him, and caught Stefan's eye, thanking him a hundred times over. Then I saw Damon, wearing that smirk that challenged me.

"What?" I demanded.

"I was just thinking about Katherine's reaction to finding out you followed in her footsteps."

"Death jokes? Seriously?" Caroline said, disapprovingly.

"I think we all know Elena is not Katherine, Damon." Stefan murmured.

Damon agreed, "She sure isn't."

I stood there, enjoying the look he was giving me. The others slowly disappeared downstairs to talk. I joined Damon at the door. His mischievous blue eyes danced in front of me. "So, why me?" He waited for me to admit the reason, mainly for the benefit of his own ears, but also for Stefan's.

For Damon I repeated the line that had instantly won me over, the first time we had met. I knew it would be enough for him. "Because I want a love that consumes me."

His lips came crashing down to meet mine and I grinned against his long ecstatic kisses. Everything I ever wanted had come true and now, so had his.

A/N: My dream was slightly less exciting as this, I will say Delena snuggling and getting interrupted by Stefan did happen, the rest is creative licence. I've rather enjoyed this little one shot and hope you have too - please leave constructive feedback below. Only 39 stories to go!