Author's Note: Alright guys, I don't wanna pull that card, but getting your feedback would be fantastic. I know where I want this to go, but there's so much going on here lately, I don't want it to turn into confusing writing. Anywho, here's a new chapter for you. Enjoy.

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.
Music Credit: "Fix Me" – 10 Years

Chapter Fourteen:

~*.*~
'It's taken a lifetime to lose my way –
A lifetime of yesterdays.
All the wasted time on my hands,
Turns to sand
And fades in the wind.

Crossing lines,
Small crimes,
Taking back what is mine

I'm fine in the fire.
I feed on the friction.
I'm right where I should be.
Don't try and fix me.'
~*.*~

"I see Stefan and Damon found themselves a new toy." Katherine smirked. She tried to come inside but couldn't. "Why don't you let me inside, Witch?" She taunted. She looks so much like Elena. How is that even possible?

"I think I'll pass on that, thanks." I told her, staring her down. Why is she here?

"I need to talk to my men about something." She stepped closer to me. I glared at her.

"You mean your exes?" I corrected.

"Katherine, why are you here? I told you I never wanted to see you around Mystic Falls again – do I need to remind you?" Damon sneered from behind me. For a second she actually looked scared.

"I need to know why Klaus is here. I need to know if he's still looking for me." She said, crossing her arms. I can see why she and Damon got along. She's kind of like a bitchy, female version of him. I'm not so sure about Stefan.

"Why would I help you?" I asked her. She pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

"I wasn't asking you. I was asking Damon." She clarified. I smirked.

"I'm the only one who's spoken to Klaus. He hasn't." I told her. She didn't say anything.

"You're still running from him Katherine?" Stefan asked, walking up to the front door.

"What can I say? The man holds a grudge." She told me.

"He hasn't mentioned you. But I'd leave town. He'll be back soon and his brother should be here later today. I'm not asking him about you. I have enough on my plate." I told her.

"It would take all of five seconds. Why can't you just ask?" She growled.

"Because I don't like you," I shut the door. She started banging on the door. I sighed and went back upstairs. "I'm so fucking tired of people telling me what to do. She's not my problem. Don't even start." I told Stefan. I don't have to look to know that he followed me.

"I never said that she was. I wouldn't ask you to do anything that put you in a harder position than you already are. She's probably back in town to stir up trouble. That's what she does. That's all she does." Stefan started rubbing my back.

"You still feel something for her, though." I whispered. He doesn't have to say anything. I know it's true. I saw the picture of her in his room.

"And you have feelings for my brother," he told me, evenly. I didn't say anything just closed my mouth. I went into the bathroom and got into the shower. You know, life keeps throwing me curve-balls that just makes me hate life even more. Today is just the topper of the growing shit-pile that is my life.

I know I started that with Stefan but that was still a low blow. He didn't even try to deny it. I'm glad that he didn't try and lie to me. This is such a mess.

"I didn't mean that, Bonnie." Stefan said from outside of the shower. I didn't say anything. "Seeing her here just rehashed some unresolved feelings. I haven't seen her in decades."

"You don't have to explain anything to me. Okay?" I told him. I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. I got out of the shower and put on my robe. "I'm going to go find Damon. Maybe you should talk to Katherine." I told him. I grabbed some clothes and went downstairs.

"Bonnie, Stefan isn't himself when Katherine's around. He never has been." Damon tried to apologize his brother. I shook my head.

"Don't make excuses for him. Okay? I'm not a child. I can handle men being jackasses. I have a whole lifetime of experience." I told him. He chuckled.

"I love your sass, Witchy. It's sexy." He told me. He crept closer to me a lowered his lips onto mine. I closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss. Sometimes, he just takes my breath away.

"Looks like you've got yourself a new squeeze, Damon." Katherine taunted from the front door. We were in the living room. I pulled away from him and rolled my eyes.

"What can I say? Past experiences showed me everything that I didn't want in a woman." He smirked at her. Katherine didn't say anything. She focused back on Stefan. He hasn't said much; he's just been listening to her talk. It's so strange. I didn't think I'd see him act like this. I guess life is full of the unexpected.

The rest of the day passed by slowly. I spent most of it with Damon and Lexi. Stefan went to bed early but didn't say anything else to me. I followed suit and tried to get some sleep. I spent a few hours staring at the ceiling and just thinking about things. I waited until everyone else had retired and I decided to go for a walk to clear my head.

After walking around town for a while I ended up on the porch of the Salvatore boarding house. It's crazy. I haven't been living here for long, but I've never felt more at home.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the youngest Bennett." Katherine smirked as she sat down next to me. "I'm impressed. I never thought I'd see them so wrapped around one girl after me." She said. I didn't say anything.

"Why are you really back?" I asked her.

"I told you."

"You didn't tell me everything, though." I pressed. Something about her just rubs me the wrong way. I started playing with my fingers. Tiny flames danced on my fingertips. I was careful not to touch her with them. She needs to remember that I can handle myself.

"I told you that I needed to know what Klaus was looking for." She repeated, moving closer to me.

"He's not looking for you. He's never mentioned you. You don't need to know anything besides that. I don't trust you." I told her.

"If you play your cards right, we could help each other out." She tried again.

"You only care about yourself, Katherine. I've heard all about you. You can't fool me." I told her. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"I need someone to throw the Originals off my tracks. If you won't help me, I'll make you help me." Katherine threatened.

"I'm not scared of you."

"Not yet, but you will be."

"Your threats mean nothing." I told her.

"Why is that? Is that because your big, bad father liked to touch you? Is it because Mommy left you and Daddy died? Did your adoptive parents push you around too much? I know all about you. I've been around, watching. It's not hard into compelling people to tell you what you want to know." She snarled. I feel like someone just stabbed me in my gut. I've been trying so hard to get passed all of it. "Is that the reason why you won't let the boys touch you? Do you think of David every time they kiss you? Do you have nightmares about him stealing your precious virginity? I bet on some level you liked it. You're a witch. You could have stopped him if you really wanted to. I bet you like it rough. Did you like it when ripped through you with his cock? Are you scarred for life or is that an act? I bet the guys eat that shit up. Everyone wants to help save the damaged princess, even if she won't put out. You know, sooner or later they're going to get tired of you. They'll want to be with someone who can give them everything that they need. You can't even pleasure them. What good are you? They can never love you – not the way that they love me. On some level, you know all of that. Don't you?" She taunted.

"Go to hell."

"Been there, don't that, got bored. Now, you can help me or you can live to regret it. What is it going to be?" She asked. I stood up. I've had enough. I channeled all of my rage and threw it at her. She fell to the ground in pain. I was giving her an aneurysm.

"You need to leave Katherine, now." Stefan came outside. I released her. She stood up with a huff. She didn't say anything, just sped away. "She had no right to say that to you, Bonnie. You know it's not true." He tried to put an arm around me but I shrugged it off.

"It is? You've been acting strange since she got here." I told him. He frowned. I knew that he was at a loss for words.

"I love you, Bonnie. She brought out some things that I'm not very proud of. I was different when I was with her. Before I turned Damon into a vampire, he was a lot like I am. Let me make it up to you." He tried. I let him lead me inside. This time, I couldn't fight the tears that burned their way down my cheeks.

The morning came far too soon. A loud knocking woke me up. Goddess… not again. If it's Katherine, I'm lighting her ass on fire. I stripped out of my pajamas and put on clean clothes in record timing. I brushed my teeth and ran a brush through my hair before hurrying downstairs. I opened the front door. There's a tall, gorgeous, brunette man standing there.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"I believe you're the person I'm looking for. Niklaus has told me so much about you. My name is Elijah. I am Niklaus' older brother." He extended his hand. Whoa. I shook his hand, gently, observing him. He's different that Klaus, more refined. "Would you take a walk with me Miss Bennett?" He asked. I nodded and followed him outside. "I know my brother isn't the easiest to get along with, but when he gives you his word, he means it. Of course, you'd be provided with our resources. It could be a learning experience for you, as well. You could become a wiser witch." He was easy to listen to. He makes me feel completely at ease.

"Elijah, can I ask you something?" I asked. He nodded, looking surprised.

"What do you know about Katherine Pierce?" I asked. He stopped walking and looked at me for a moment.

"She is someone I have not seen in ages. Why do you ask Miss Bennett?"

"She came up in conversation. I was just wondering." I deflected. He told me a little, nothing important. I'm getting the feeling that she didn't just piss off Klaus, but Elijah as well. What is it with her and brothers?

Caroline's POV

"The decorations can't go there!" Jeez. Why can't anyone get things right. It's just a dance. "Concentrate people. We have two days until the dance. We can't afford mistakes here." I clapped my hands together.

"Maybe I can help," someone said from behind me. I turned around.

"Who are you?" I asked. Why does she look familiar? "You look like someone I used to know." I told her. She smirked.

"I'm Katherine. I need you to deliver a message for me." She told me, stepping closer. I nodded.

"Okay, what is it?" I asked. She snarled and lunged for me. My neck feels like it's being ripped open.

I opened my eyes. My mouth feels like it's full of cotton. Why am I in the hospital?

Bonnie's POV

"Bonnie, you can't avoid me forever." Stefan stopped me in the hallway.

"I can try."

"Why won't you talk to me about this? Let me help you. What Katherine told you isn't true."

"Isn't it? There are some things that I can't give you. What happens when you don't want to wait anymore? What if you get cozy with Katherine while I'm gone? Or if you turn into an even bigger jackass? I don't need you to fix me, Stefan! I don't need to be fixed! I can heal just fine on my own! I don't need you to fix me!" I screamed. He clenched his jaw.

"I didn't say you did." He whispered.

"No, but it's what you've been trying to do ever since I moved in. Yeah, I appreciate what you're trying to do. Yes, I like kissing you. But, I don't need someone to coach me into being physical before I'm ready. I was raped Stefan. You can't just put a Band-Aid on me or give me stitches. It takes time. I can't be healed for you, right now." I walked away from him. He's been pushing too hard. It didn't start this way. He's been patient, but he keeps pushing and pushing. I never thought that Damon would be the gentle one. I didn't mean to snap at him but maybe it's a good thing it happened.

I jumped when my phone rang.

"Hello," I asked my cell. Why is Tyler calling me?

"Bonnie, it's Caroline. She's in the hospital. There's been an accident."

"Oh my God, I'm on my way."

~*.*~
'So lost for so long
To find my way.
I failed to follow.
I'm out of place.

Crossing lines,
Small crimes,
Taking back what is mine.

I'm fine in the fire.
I feed in the friction.
I'm right where I should be.
Don't try and fix me.'
~*.*~

Author's Note: Alright, SO, cliff-hanger this episode. There will be more of Lexi next chapter. AND you'll find out exactly what Katherine did to Caroline. Stay tuned to find out if Stefan decides to quit his ass-like behavior. Stay excellent!

Xo Xo
Anneryn