Sorry it's short, but I'll make up for it :) Review please!

Jenna was on her way to the bathroom when she heard the sobs. She stopped to listen, surprised to hear them coming from Elena's room.

The older Petrova had been here over a week now, and this was the first time Jenna had heard her let go like this. Part of her wanted to ignore it, and not intrude, but the motherly side of her won out. She walked over and gently tapped the door.

There was no answer, but she heard the girl get quieter. Sighing, she opened the door anyway.

Elena looked up at her from the bed, the lamp on the nightstand still on. Jenna could see the tears pouring down the girls face, and a look so sad, it broke her heart.

"Are you okay, hun?" She asked, moving to sit on the bed.

Elena stared at her blankly for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

"What's wrong?" Jenna asked.

"What isn't?" Elena retaliated, she clenched the phone in her hand and Jenna noticed a picture of the man with the black hair on the screen.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Elena shrugged, so Jenna moved a little closer.

"You should be happy, Elena. Whatever is bothering you, is it worth holding on to?"

The younger girl lifted her face, her eyes steady. "Yes...it its."

"How can you be sure?" Jenna inquired.

"Because he's worth everything..." Elena murmured, seeming rather distant, "But I made my choice, and I have to stick to it."

"What do you mean?"

Elena sighed and moved to sit cross-legged. "It's a long story."

Jenna nodded, "I have time."

Elena considered this, then started on her story.

She told Jenna everything. Every single detail of her life. The decent into this world that she'd loved so much, the way she and Damon would have stood atop it as it burned without a care in the world. Then about Katherine's visit. Getting to know the younger girl, getting to love her. Then Katherine being claimed by the mess of it all. The way she watched Stefan fall in love with her, and the way Damon made it all sound okay.

She told Jenna of all the fights she had with Damon, how they got under each others skins and screamed until it turned into hate sex.

She mentioned her fear of Silas, and his rivalry with Damon. She spoke of Giuseppe and the horrible things he'd done to his sons, and all the scars Damon had because of it.

She told her of Caroline and the rest of her family, how they all looked out for each other, loved each other, with Damon spearing it all, and how she'd left them.

She told Jenna about Giuseppe's return, his threats and Damon's reaction. She explained why she had to leave. And by the end of it all, both women were in tears.

"I had no idea," Jenna mumbled, shaking her head, "You've gone through so much, for such a young age...I'm sorry, Elena...truly."

Elena laughed a little. "No need, Jenna. Everything that's happened is because of me. Because I chose to love Damon Salvatore. But no matter how easy it would be to completely cut it all loose, I can't give up on him. I love him, Jenna, more than anything, and that's never going to change. We've been through too much, he's it for me."

Jenna nodded. "But I do need to apologize, Elena. I judged you, all of you, because of what happened to Katherine. And it scared me. Because while I hated that Kat had to go through that, it also the most alive I'd seen her since her mom left. She found that fire, Elena, and I couldn't explain it, so instead I attacked it."

She took a breath, "And these past few days with you, she's getting back to normal, and I can't thank you enough. She loves you Elena, and I'll admit, you're good for her."

"Thanks," Elena smiled a little, "I'm trying, Jenna. It just seems like I have a lot to make up for, after everything. And I know where she's coming from, because I felt it. Hell, it was my life for years. I just recently started doubting everything. I think that's why it shook Damon up so much, but I had to leave, Jenna. I had to try and do something else. Because the drugs and all that...i know it's wrong, but the others, they're fine with it, and I can't ask all of them to change, it isn't right, or fair."

Jenna looked at her a little sad. "You mean Damon, don't you. You can't ask Damon to change."

Elena was quiet for a moment, then nodded and Jenna sighed.

"Look, Elena, it's obvious that you love him, I get that, and I'm guessing he loves you just as much, and believe me, when you find that, it does change you. It took you into that life, and so maybe, it can bring him from it. He'll change to be with you, Elena. Because when it's real, you can't walk away, and trying will only bring you heartache."

Jenna patted her knee then stood. "Just trust me, Elena. If it's meant to be, then it will work out. Just stay strong, and do what you have to. But you're right, you deserve better than an illegal life, and if Damon makes you happy, don't settle for losing him with it."

Elena pondered this. "Thanks Jenna, really. I needed that."

Jenna leaned and kissed her forehead, "Anytime Sweetheart...I've been off the rail a time or two, and I've dated more people than I care to count, but if you find the one that you're suppose to be with, you just know." She smiled, and Elena wondered if she was thinking of Ric.

They said goodnight, and once Jenna left, Elena found herself more relaxed. She thought over Jenna's words as sleep started to cover her.

When it's real, you can't walk away. She liked that, but then, that's what she was doing, wasn't it, walking away? She nestled into a pillow. No, she was getting some space to figure things out, allowing him to do the same. She could never fully walk away from Damon. And someday, they would find their way again, and they would be together, she was sure of it, because Jenna was right, when it's the person you're suppose to be with, you just know.

"Damon, are you sure you should have done that?" Stefan asked, bringing up the matter for the second day in a roll.

"It's fine, Stefan. There hasn't been any drugs come in for days. I haven't ordered anymore, and all the alcohol is hidden in my room, and I'm over 21, so if the police want to come search for anything, let them. That's even if father sends them. His threat was empty and he knew it."

Damon shrugged, taking another bite of the supper Tyler and Mason had picked up.

"Are you not afraid of what else he might do? I mean, why would he bring up Elena?"

Damon looked over at his brother, "He's bluffing, Stefan. He doesn't know anything. Hell, none of us do, regarding Elena. I doesn't matter. If he does something else, or sends some cop with a bullshit excuse about something, I'll deal with it, okay?"

Stefan hesitated, then nodded, "Fine, I just hope you're right."

Damon rolled his eyes, then continued eating. If his father had another card up his sleeve, he'd be playing it soon, no need to freak out until then.

"I so beat you!" Elena bragged as she and Katherine rounded back to the house.

"Doesn't count, you learned to walk before me, unfair advantage," Kat giggled as she and Elena slowed their pace, breathing hard.

"Ugh, I'm all sweaty now," she complained.

Elena laughed, "Running's good for you...but some ice water would be amazing right now."

"I second that!" Kat agreed, as they came down the street to her house.

"So school starts next week?" Elena asked and Kat nodded.

"That's what they tell me."

"Well we'll have to go shopping. I still have some extra cash."

Kat grinned, "Okay, cool!"

"But it comes with a condition," Elena added and Kat groaned, making her sister smile.

"Alright, what is it?" She caved.

Elena sighed, "You have to apologize to Jenna about you're behavior before. I know you had your reasons Kat, but that wasn't you. And Jenna has been good to you, to both of us."

Kat nodded, "Yeah, I know. I was just so pissed...but you're right."

Elena nodded, then looked up toward the house.

"Jenna home yet?" Elena asked, and Kat shook her head.

"No, she was suppose to go to dinner with Ric tonight, that's why she's took Jeremy to the neighbors."

"Um, then whose car is that?" Elena asked as a black SUV was parked in the drive.

"Not sure," Kat narrowed her eyes, trying to get a better view.

Elena did the same, then gasped. "Kat, you need to go."

"What?" her sister looked at her defiantly.

"Katherine, listen to me. I need you to go, run, go to Bonnie's, or Ric's or anywhere, call Damon."

"Elena, why? What's going on, who is that?"

Elena's thoughts where confirmed when a man stepped out of the vehicle.

"Go now, Kat...it's Silas."

Be kind and rewind, or review, which ever comes first ;)