A/N: Sorry, I wrote 20 pages and just had to redo it-nothing worked. You will really want to read the following chapter, (ch 14 hint)- which finishes right after their last scene here. It's done, and I am proof reading it now. Tossed in filler plot that took place in the background so we can kind of just move passed the 'story' and get right into the action. Also it's all DE, and is 'mature'. They will still have some problems as they find their way back, solve the mystery, but this thing has connected them. About time they got a little closer anyway, right? It's not all soft, but more…hungry? Enjoy, please review me as I love hearing your opinions! Where am I doing well? Do you need other characters more? And share *coming up also: Klaus and Caroline, Stefan being the way he COULD be, a SHIFT in loyalties, the why, Damon tossing around his thoughts on Elena and what took place between them, 'Eyes' and Bonnie good bad to play out, Matt and Jeremy, April, Connor. And a nice ending by ch 25ish with everything resolved. Hope you caught a hint of what's secretly happening.

S4: TVD: Elena dies

Ch. 13

The door busted open, wind following in its movements.

Damon grabbed Elena turning them both in one swift gesture, together as one creature they moved, until she was safely hidden behind him. An angry snarl ripped through the air mid twirl. Her short scream, that escaped when the door had suddenly flown open, followed their movement arriving a second later. The movement must have been nothing but a blur. Before she knew it, he was standing in defense stance.

Her heart jumped into her chest jacking up its rate tenfold.

He breathed in like some rabid animal-waiting. When no one moved inside the doorway, they hesitated. Damon's head jerked in what seemed like robotic sharp movements as he listened, smelled, and took everything in.

"There is no one." He stood taller, still holding her back with his left arm along her left side. "Stay here," Damon said shortly moving towards the door. He poked his head out, searched, and then blurred out of her line of vision.

Seconds passed and she began to worry.

"Damon?!" Elena called apprehensive when the silence stretched too long.

Another second passed and there he was, before her, brilliant blue eyes gazing into hers. His chest heaved in hefty breaths, which only told Elena one thing. He was still pretty weak. Unconsciously, she rubbed where she'd bitten her own wrist.

His eyes dropped though and he remained focused there like some bronze statue. When he starred, she asked him. "Say something." Her words were soft and gentle, caring. She stopped rubbing the wrist and reached for his face.

His eyes followed.

Damon looked into her eyes then, grabbed her wrist and bit-hard. Elena found herself crying out abruptly, cautiously stepping backward at the unexpected pain. He only grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his body. Damon seemed to growl, bite harder, his eyes growing more intense. She paused allowing him his due, eyes never leaving his.

She felt the changes within her own face, her reflection prominent in the shine of his.

Caroline noticed it first above all normal things she did each morning…the silence. Brows drawing down, she tossed the bread spread aside and stood shaking herself to awareness. When she made it around the door rubbing her face, she immediately saw Stefan sitting on the back of the couch, a small note in his hands.

"She left."

All Caroline could do was gape at him.

It had been a long month for Jeremy while he waited for Elena's return. He wasn't happy about living here alone, but in contrast, he wasn't 'alone'. Alaric seemed to be silent for a while, and only the arrival of his old friend April helped fill in the empty hours. Her father had just died, but Jeremy felt same relief on that end. He was sure he would be feeling mixed relief in the coming years when it came to anyone who threatened Elena.

He guessed either Klaus or Damon had killed her father, and he wasn't looking forward to that confrontation.

Then there was Tyler…or Tyler-Klaus.

It hadn't taken long for him to figure what was up with Bonnie and her secrecy. The first few weeks he'd been hounding her to talk since sharing that moment in the grass. Coming back to life, seeing her happy about that, it had meant something. But whatever it was, it hadn't lasted for long. All she cared about was dark magic.

Her touch had sizzled against his skin, and worry had consumed his thoughts on the young woman. He had no idea what secrets lie behind those eyes. Yet another example of her complexity. Rather than fight it, Jeremy found himself…drifting. Once he learned of her secret, he'd felt lost and confused, angered, thankful…unsure.

He understood why, but it didn't make things better.

Only April had brightened his days, as they'd found some common round with death. Even that was wearing thing though. She kept asking "where is Elena," and he was running out of excuses. They'd found an instant connection concerning the death of their parents, which had blossomed into something entirely unexpected. And like most things, with time came interest. The lack of Bonnie's forthcoming truth only solidified his choice to let her go. Everything was the blame game…a game he worried she'd play one too many times.

Matt had been rather moody lately too, probably feeling the guilt that came with Elena's death. The self-hatred factor was yet another reason to want and return to getting high. But now wasn't the time. O he decided to go back to work and keep an eye on Matt, the only guy who felt just as shitty as he did.

Precariously, he'd started working at the grill again to drown out time. One night in particular, Bonnie had shown up, they'd had a fight when he confronted her, and since they'd been estranged. When he thought he could trust her, she pulled some random shit like that. What an interesting fight:

You saved that asshole, Bonnie! Why didn't you say something? What about Caroline-she has no idea.

We aren't sure if he made their line. What was I supposed to do?! My mom, Caroline, ELENA…they are all from him. Nothing I do makes any of you happy.

He killed her, him and that sister of his. Look, I care about you…and you're getting into some dark shit.

And where is she? Huh? Or I suppose you just forgot about that. Don't forget what you and Matt pulled, Jeremy. Oh wait, it's his entire fault .All I want to do is get my Mom back. You made your choice, don't question mine.

Oh, just great-thanks.

Plus a line of choice words. Matt had brushed her off too, Bonnie saying those words so loud he heard and stormed off. Who would blame him? She was indignant because of her losses. None of which she'd caused herself while her friends seemed to be doing that for her. And after all the morality, she goes and turns her back.

No, I won't, Jeremy had told himself for days. I'll never forget that my sister was made OK with vampire blood, and my choices killed her. Rebecca had been all 'no one likes me anymore', and trying to get in Matt's good graces. She even tried to tell him some story about 900 years ago, and a hunter from that time. Look, we got it, your life on the run. Stop shitting on ours, self righteous bitch. Rather than let that bitch live on making trouble, Jeremy had snapped. It was just like the time he'd killed the hybrid on his door step.

quick, simple, and unexpected.

I killed the fucking bitch, he thought with conviction. It had been easy really, he kept thinking to himself. If only her death made it better. She hadn't even seen him coming, and Jeremy smiled at this. He was many things, vengeful was one of them. Rather than wait for those brothers to down her, he'd simply acted, alone, careful. She would see them coming-but not him.

Dumping the body on the outskirts of town seemed fitting. He'd found some old place no one ever went and dumped her body. Let Klaus be happy knowing it was sister for sister. Fuck Bonnie and herself righteous comments. He loved the girl, but she had a serious dark streak. Elena had told him about what Klaus did to Katherine's family last time he'd gotten pissed. Well, let the asshole come, let him try to kill me. At least there is one less original, Jeremy thought.

His mind replayed the image in his head though the rage he felt didn't simmer. Stefan had had a turn trying to kill the bastard; it was only a matter of time before Damon did. Jeremy knew that Damon would succeed, because it was for Elena.

God, please come home. He only hoped Stefan made progress with her. Then again, he wasn't very fond of Stefan either anymore.

"Love, don't let the boy bother you." Klaus looked board sitting there with Haley over his lap.

She eyed him, "Enough. We had a deal. I want to get my mother back as a human. Did you contact your witches?"

"Yes, yes," he muttered tiredly tossing the girl to the ground. Bonnie watched her rough breathing and sighed a bit. That was Tyler's friend who'd mouthed off a bit too loudly and caught Klaus's eye. He'd been playing game all over town-even going as far as to kill the Pastor who threatened him. These hunters were fearless. She wasn't sure if April, his daughter, was one of them. But she had noticed Jeremy hanging out with her.

Her last words to him stung. Didn't he understand-didn't any of them? No, they didn't, and that is why you're here Bonnie. You are going to get your mom back whatever way you can. I'm tired of worrying and saving everyone else, this is my mom. Bonnie buried her guilt and the inner voice in her head warning to her. It's just this one time. That's why she needed Klaus's witches…to aid her. Something inside wouldn't let this go.

She'd attempted many spells, all which failed unless she used dark magic. If this worked for her mother, it would work for Elena. Bonnie had good intentions, but Klaus was their sire. That information had stung, yet reassured her choice in saving him. She only asked that he give her help-and he owed her that. But to do this meant sacrifice of others if it came down to it. Was she ready for that?

Granted he wanted Elena back as a human to make his hybrids, but she was done taking orders from anyone. It was her mother first. She loved Elena, hated to see her this way, but everything she lost was because of her. If she became human, Bonnie feared she lose her edge. Once her mom was safe, she'd try to save her friend-then leave the rest to die if she had to.

"Can you try to be a little less…" her face made a small disgusted frown when she indicated the girl, "shitty? The town is after Tyler. If you die they die. I need you alive."

"How touching." Klaus rolled his eyes and stood next to the window. "Where is Rebekah, she hasn't called."

"Maybe she left this time?" Bonnie offered as she went through her grimoire.

Klaus looked back at her skeptically. "You ready to put me back in my body yet little witch?" He gave her his most dashing smile.

Bonnie patted the casket that lay next to her without looking up. "Yes, you sure you want your body back first? The best surprise is…surprise."

"Yes, this doesn't feel…respectable. Age has its benefits. I do this for you; you will turn my doppelganger back as well. Too bad I missed Caroline. Could have had a little fun with that. Driving wedges between people is so fun, don't you agree?"

"whatever. Yes, I don't want another one of my friends to be a vampire. And uh- you just tried to kill Elena again…why do you think Caroline will have any interest?" Was he that mad?

"You see, a woman is a complex creature. Take your friend Elena, for example. Has dear old Stefan at her feet, yet she turns her head towards his impulsive and annoying brother. I have experience with things never change."

"She won't even give you the time of day." I just don't want you alive-ish anymore, damn bastard. We had had him, for the love of god. He just wouldn't go away!

That is why I am really digging through this book ignoring your sorry ass as much as I can. Her thoughts rung over Caroline and Tyler who she didn't think she could save. And she wasn't going to just let Klaus walk the earth if she could help it. Pulling the same trick twice was highly unlikely. I he knew she was doing this, he'd kill her.

Thinking, I don't know if I can bring her back if she killed someone already. It's been a year, goddess help me, I don't know if this will save them all. Elena was safe since she certainly hadn't killed.

It reminded her of the time Elena said that Esther knew Jenna had crossed over. What happened when they killed? Did they remain around like Anna? Did they garner any forgiveness to go on?

"There is always something that breaks ones ties to home. It could be time, your deaths from old age, too much fluff." He looked her up and down with a secret smile. "You do well to remembah that. Like they did you. I believe she will come around-eventually. Elena did with Damon."

Was he trying to keep her on the darker side? Did he think I am that stupid? Bonnie wondered.

She looked away. Damon was an area of confusion for her. Always quick to act. For Elena, not the town, not your mother. "I doubt that." He'd done some good things, but that didn't make up for the bad. Stefan to her Damon had killed her mother for him. Thankfully, on one hand, but it didn't really matter on the other. These were murderers-vampires…it was a little different than helping an alcoholic or jailed moron. Elena didn't see that, Caroline had had to make a sort of peace with it when she became one. Bonnie was on the sidelines understanding, but her values stood.

Elena's perception was way off…you can't have compassion for the Bogey man. It doesn't work like that.

What you are doing is not very moral here…she thought to herself. Even nature is trying to tell you that, Bon. Shaking herself, she watched Klaus eye himself in a mirror in Tyler's body. He gave her a wicked smile in the mirror. Moral or not, I'm surrounded by the amoral. I just hope I don't give up too much of myself in the process, she worried often enough.

"No you haven't seen a man with that devotion, Bonnie. While you're busy saving everyone, the love affairs are abounding." He turned toward her satisfied with his ensemble. "There are many layers to what is and what should be. I understand you-but your friends won't."

A knock sounded on the door, and Klaus brightened. "Ah, lovely. Looks like help has arrived."

Bonnie sat back horrified at what he was stating. Once they learned she had put them aside…she'd lose them forever. A tight knot formed in the center of her gut. Her mother hadn't had a choice. To her, this didn't seem like much of one either.

DE TIME next chapter! Finally, I decided to was to write this chapter, still long, and just start them. Already written and going up in the morning 8/9/12