Chapter 25:

Dear Goose,

As you know, the world works in mysterious ways…you have had a thousand years to realize that death is ultimately part of life. I had so many things I wanted to tell you but there wasn't enough hours in the day to describe how much I love you- even now, it's a struggle to even find the words necessary to convey such a strong emotion. Klaus, you must know that our love is deathless and can survive anything. I know you think you're the devil, your fangs are your horns and so on and so forth but I have never believed in a God more than in the moments I am with you. It's so hard to think about not making love to you every single night- I know that's something strange to say when I'm writing a goodbye letter but it's how I feel. When we're connected in those sensual moments…we're one. God, this is so unreal…

From the first moment I met you, I knew that you would bring me heartache although I never knew to what extent. I thought you were a monster but even then I knew what I had to do to protect my family and friends. I'm not the type of person to run away in the middle of the night when my loved ones are being threatened- even though running away with you would be a pleasure and the most exciting things I've ever done in my life. For a second, I wished I'd never met you- wished I'd never kissed you the night of the dance because then I wouldn't feel like I had other options. But I am willing – perfectly willing – to lay down all my joys in this life, for the life of my loved ones.

You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. You have changed my life, changed the way I breathe- the way my heart beats- the way I think. I will miss your devilish smirk, and your sweet smile. I will miss the way you wrap your arms around me to comfort me, I will miss the way you laugh at me when I make those ridiculous jokes that I'm sure you don't understand because you don't watch Jersey Shore or read People magazine. I will miss the way you close your eyes because you're taking in the moment and I will miss the way you always want to break the rules. If I could change anything, it would be the fact I didn't break more rules with you…but the memories we have together will last forever.

I don't want you to be sad because I'm gone- you know I'll be by your side for the rest of your life. You may not be able to hear me or see me but I'm there. I'll kiss your lips and touch your face but I won't apologize for leaving you behind.

I love you with everything I have,

Your Angel.

XXXX

"Dear Diary,

It's been the best of times. Your pages hold my teardrops- joyful and full of misery. Your pages hold my inner thoughts, my guilt and my secrets. I look back and remember how I was devastated that my parents were dead and I didn't think I could ever move on- I look back and remember how happy I was to meet Stefan- I look back a remember the times I had with Damon but most of all I look back and remember how I have found myself when I never thought I could move on from that night on the bridge. I have died, and returned twice already. One time, I was human the other time I wasn't. I don't plan on coming back a third time so I believe these are my final words. I'm no longer afraid of death- in fact, I welcome it. Why? Because even though it has been 18 short years, it has been 18 full years. I have fallen in love multiple times, I've made friends- lost friends-made friends again, I've had parties, I've had fights, I've done things I never thought I would and I have done things I always wanted to do. I found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with- even if that's only for a few more minutes, hours, days. I've lived a good life and that won't change because time has been cut short. I won't be sad that this is goodbye. I can't be. If I let myself be sad than I'll think of Klaus and possibly betray my friends in the process. My best friend, really. I knew I was going to die but now that I'm dying for a reason- Bonnie's life- it's different. I'm not just going to die because some crazy person has a vendetta against me. So, sue me for not being sad that I am laying down my life for someone who can get older and have children- sue me for not being upset that Bonnie can walk away from this and Jeremy and she can get married. I won't be sad that my life can be traded for someone who can actually live. It's better off this way." Carol Lockwood recited her words from the green journal as she looked at the girl. "You're quite a hero, Elena." She commented as she set it down. "You know you have to die."

"I know."

"You know this is what your parents would have wanted me to do." Carol nodded, "They probably would have done it themselves a lot sooner than I am because they valued the wellbeing of this town." Elena didn't like to think of her parents in that way. She didn't want to imagine what they would do if they had to live with the heartbreak of their daughter becoming a vampire. Her mother would have cried, her father would have cried and in the end of the day they probably would have killed her- most likely without the dramatics Carol was adding to the show.

"I know." Elena repeated.

Carol paused before she opened her mouth again, "Bonnie will be taken home as soon as we finish this little exchange." She promised, "No one will hurt her or Tyler or Caroline…no one will hurt your boyfriend's family either. You have to know this is the right decision." She repeated their agreement from earlier.

Elena thought of how she got in this situation. Caroline and Tyler took off when things got too heated and Bonnie got kidnaped. It all happened in an instant as if the council was prepared for Tyler to leave. They busted into the house once more, they grabbed Bonnie and then they were gone. Elena slightly wondered if Tyler had ever truly been on their side or if he was just trying to get Caroline to leave before things became hectic. She supposed it didn't really matter now. Either way, Bonnie was kidnaped and Elena made an exchange without consulting anyone. She didn't even know if Klaus knew she was missing from the mansion yet. Kol, Rebekah and he were taking out the council members one by one- getting rid of their supplies when she ran away into the pitch black night.

She imagined he knew by now though. He made a habit of calling her every 20 minutes to make sure she was okay and it had been three hours since they last spoke. Part of her wanted him to burst into the room and save her like the prince did the princess in all those movies- but she knew there was no way he could find her without Bonnie. It wasn't like Carol was going to kill her in her living room. "I know that you want me dead and there is nothing I can do about it, Carol. I know that you have resources that could wipe out the people I love that can't fight back."

They were in the most ironic location in town- the city morgue. She was going to kill her, put her on one of the tables- identify her and then hand her over to get buried as if she got into a car accident or something. There wouldn't be any mention of her trying to kill Bonnie by catching her on fire, there wouldn't be a peep about the council members that had died, and there sure as hell wouldn't be any speculation on how poor Elena Gilbert died.

"Because I knew your mother, I'm going to make this quick." She said as she pulled out a needle from her dress pocket. "Enough vervain to make you sleep and then it'll be over. You'll be dead and the pain and suffering will end in this town." Yeah because Klaus isn't vengeful or anything… "You're doing this for Bonnie." She reminded her as the sharp tip of the needle touched her arm.

And just like Carol said- it was over.