The large clock on the wall made tiny ticks that sounded much louder in my mind than they probably should have. Each tick brought up images of the past that lead me to where I was.

My mom tied to a chair.

My dad lying in his own blood.

My brother being shoved in a closet.

Me on my knees, ready to blow Tyler for heroin.

Vicki's face on the picture in Damon's hand in that alley.

The pristine white walls as I woke in the rehab.

The knife cutting into my wrists.

Tyler standing at the window of my room at the facility.

His hands grabbing me.

The alarm clock crumbling against his face, mixed with splattered blood.

Meeting Stefan for the first time at the station.

Sleeping with Damon for the first time at the station.

Running away from the station to Ric.

Shooting up at the shotty hotel Matt worked at.

Realizing for the first time that I loved Damon.

Finally telling Bonnie my story and breaking down the wall that isolated me.

Finding my family heirloom at the gala and seeing Stefans' name below it.

Stefan pushing me from the window.

Waking up in the hospital with my lower half paralyzed.

Swallowing all the pills in the bathroom to get away from that reality.

Waking up at the facility again.

Being taken from the facility.

Ric untying Isobel from the chair.

Stefan coming up to me with the gun.

Damon bursting into the warehouse.

Stefan shooting Damon.

Me shooting Stefan.

Blood.

Blood.

And more blood.

"Elena." My name was suddenly spoken and I jumped as I was pulled from the images, my head turning to the now open door. It was my lawyer, Niklaus. "They're finished. It's time."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. They hadn't taken as long as I'd hoped they would. I couldn't decide yet if that was a good or bad thing.

Slowly, my lawyer, my police escort, and I reentered the courtroom. We stood as the jury filed back in, and I noticed with a sinking stomach that none of them even glanced to my side of the room. That couldn't be a good sign.

The judge made his way to his seat and let us all sit.

He looked toward the jury and a single man stood.

"Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?" the judge asked.

"Yes, your honor," was the mans reply.

"Please read the verdict before the court."

The man lifted a piece of paper and read, "We the jury, find the defendant, Elena Marie Gilbert, innocent of first degree murder."

The tension in the room completely fell apart with that one word.

Innocent.

I was innocent.

I was fucking innocent!

Warmth spread through my body as my shoulders sagged an inch. This was over. This was finally fucking over.

The smile that spread across my face was probably the largest smile I'd ever had. I turned and looked back at Damon. His eyes were full of complete glee and reverence.

"I love you," he mouthed and I nodded.

"However…" the foreman continued and I froze, turning quickly back to look at him. However, what? What else is there to say beyond I'm innocent? "…due to the traumatic nature of recent events and Ms. Gilberts' history of drug use, it is this jury's decision that Ms. Gilbert will return to the Mystic Falls Rehabilitation Clinic for an additional 90 days with release subject to the review of a licensed psychiatrist."

I closed my eyes and suppressed a groan.

You have got to be kidding me.


A/N: Very short chapter, but sooner rather than later, right?

I'm hoping to get another chapter out either tonight or tomorrow.

See you guys next chapter. :)