A/N: think of these final four chapters as sort of a season finale ;) all the unanswered questions and mysteries from previous chapters are going to start coming together. enjoy.

Elena felt her heart skip a beat, "The library?"

"Yeah, you and Jeremy were there..." Caroline frowned and waved a hand in front of Elena's face. "Um, like what's wrong with you?"

"I drove her back," Damon said, suddenly appearing at Elena's side.

"Elena?" Caroline demanded. "What's Damon doing here? Where's Stefan?"

Damon shifted so neither of them could see past him into the living room. "Stefan's not here," Damon replied, his eyes dilating. "Maybe you should go now..."

"Man, what is up with your eyes?" Matt asked suspiciously. "Are you high?"

"No," Elena said loudly. "Damon's just...um, we're just waiting for Stefan to get here."

"But you told us to come to your house because Jenna had something to give us," Caroline protested, looking confused.

Stefan stood behind the door and subtly handed the plate of strawberries to Damon. Elena saw and grabbed them, handing them to Caroline. "Here! Freshly picked! Jenna wanted you to have some."

"Oh," Caroline took the plate with an uncertain smile. "Thanks." She hesitated, "I guess we'll go now..." As she turned to leave, she glanced at Damon and froze. Her hand slowly rose to her neck, and she frowned. Damon stiffened, looking nervous.

"What's wrong?" Elena asked, looking between Caroline and Damon.

"My neck hurts," Caroline said, rubbing it. "Is there anything there?"

"Let me check," Matt said, looking concerned.

Stefan tilted his head, listening. He remembered the conversation he'd had with Damon in the hospital, the last time they had run into Caroline:

"I'm just wondering if it's wearing off…"
"You mean the Compulsion you used on her?"

"You should go and rest," Elena said quickly, "Maybe your neck still hasn't healed from when you got hurt last week."

"Maybe," Caroline didn't look convinced. "We'll see you guys later."

The minute Elena shut the door, she rounded on Damon. "What was she talking about? Have you been feeding off her again?"

"No!" Damon snapped, looking angry that she had suggested it. "I don't know what happened…It's like my Compulsion is wearing off…"

"Only on Caroline," Stefan said thoughtfully.

"What about that scent you guys smelled?" Tyler asked, "Was it Caroline?"

"No, it was—"

"Bonnie," Stefan said suddenly. He leaned towards her, breathing in deeply. "It smelled like Bonnie…except not."

"Power," Damon agreed, tilting his head.

"So it was a witch?" Elena asked, looking between them.

"But there was a trace of vampire…" Stefan looked frustrated. "It doesn't make any sense."

Elena tapped her foot impatiently, "We don't have time for this. Katherine is at the library with Jeremy!" She grabbed her jacket and headed to the door.

Damon appeared in front of her in an instant. "I don't think so," he said firmly, trying to push her back. "I'll go and get him. You stay here!"

"He's my brother—!" Elena protested, struggling against Damon's grip.

Stefan touched her arm, "Me and Damon will go, you just stay here."

"Actually," Bonnie interrupted, "You might need this." She pulled out a camera from her bag and waved it. "We need a new picture of Katherine for the uninvitation spell, remember?"

Alaric stood up abruptly, giving Bonnie a strange look. Damon looked between them, "What's wrong?"

"When you waved the camera to them…" Alaric muttered, narrowing his eyes. "I had the strangest feeling of déjà vu."

"You're old, it happens," Damon said dismissively. "Anyway—"

"No," Alaric interrupted, his brow furrowing as he concentrated. "That hand gesture…the movement…it was so familiar…"

"I don't have time for this," Elena said, pushing Damon aside and pulling on the door.

It didn't open.

She frowned, checking that everything was unlocked before pulling again. "I think it's stuck…"

Stefan gently brushed her aside before pulling on the door himself. It didn't budge.

"This is what you get for drinking squirrel blood," Damon chastised, pushing Stefan out of the way. "Vampire strength stems from human blood," he slammed his shoulder against the door, but nothing happened.

"Are you guys serious?" Tyler said, getting up with a frown. "What's wrong with the door?"

"I'm afraid no one is getting out," a cold voice answered. Elena spun around to see Katherine standing on the stairs, fangs out in a twisted smile.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"So you locked us in here?" Tyler demanded, watching as Katherine shut all the curtains and turned off all the lights so they were sitting in semi-darkness.

"Not me," Katherine answered, seating herself delicately in the armchair. "My witch performed a little lockdown spell on the house. No one gets in, and no one gets out."

"Jeremy—" Elena began.

"Is tied up at the library," Katherine replied dismissively. "Don't worry, I'm not interested in him."

"You kidnapped him before," Elena reminded her with a glare.

"That was simply to get your attention," Katherine replied with a smile. "And it worked, did it not?"

Elena crossed her arms and didn't reply. "Damon, did you enjoy the spell I put on your little human treat?" Katherine asked, licking her lips. "What was her name? Caroline?"

Damon frowned and Katherine raised her eyebrows, "Surely you must have figured out that it takes a powerful spell to override the Compulsion you placed on the girl?"

"You wanted her to remember I was a vampire?" Damon demanded angrily. "Why?"

"So you would be forced to kill her, of course." Katherine cocked her head, "I was hoping Stefan would help…maybe drink some of her blood…"

"It's not going to work," Elena said firmly, "You can't corrupt them…they're not like you, they're different now…"

Katherine laughed, "Is that what you believe, sweetheart?"

Elena watched as Katherine began walking over to her. She was wearing a long, formal black gown. It was clearly expensive, and made out of some velvet material. Her hair hung around her shoulders in elaborate curls, and a small chain decorated her neck. "Nice necklace," Elena commented coldly.

Katherine paused, fingering the necklace with a smile. "Do you like it? It's enchanted, you know…I'm told it masks my scent?"

"Damn," Stefan muttered, glancing at Damon. "That's why we didn't sense her."

"Did you sense anyone else?" Katherine asked, looking curious.

"Your witch, I presume," Damon answered. "Powerful scent."

"Yes," Katherine agreed, "She is quite powerful. Anything unusual?"

"I thought I could smell some vampire mixed in," Stefan said, frowning. "Why?"

"Cassandra, would you like to join us?" Katherine called, a smile playing at her lips.

Everyone turned towards the door, expecting the witch to walk in. However, a second later, a bright light appeared in their midst.

Slowly, a woman's figure began to take shape. Her arms were held out, and her head was thrown back.

Then, just as suddenly, the light disappeared and the woman straightened, radiating power.

Bonnie gasped, "Grams?"

"Sheila?" Stefan said in disbelief, standing up. "It can't be…"

The witch smiled, shimmering. Her face changed, became younger. Damon stepped forward, his expression disbelieving. "Emily Bennett?"

"Damon Salvatore," Emily greeted, her voice echoing. "Have you been protecting the Bennett descendants, as per our agreement?"

Damon looked speechless, and Emily laughed. "Show them who else you can be," Katherine urged, her eyes glistening with anticipation.

Emily shimmered again, and this time her hair lengthened, and her features changed slightly.

And Bonnie was staring at herself.

*depending on how much you like Stefan, you'll either realllyy like OR realllyy hate the next chapter ;) it'll be posted same time tomorrow! be sure to leave a review & let me know what you think :)