Author's Note: Hi everyone, wow I would just like to thank everyone for their reviews on the last chapter they mean a lot. So, I would like to dedicate this chapter to my wife who turns twenty-nine today, she is the reason this story even exists and without her support I wouldn't have gotten this far. Anyway, on with the show and as always, I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 22: Decisions

Mystic Grill, Mystic Falls, Virginia

Thursday, Early Evening, 2011

Five months after Homecoming

Elena Point of View

Dear Damon

I've started to write more in this diary than my own, I've only had it for four months, but it feels like a lifetime has passed. I guess I should tell the most important things that are happening; I graduate next month but not only that Klaus came back to town and so did Katherine as well about two months ago. When Klaus find out what happened he was furious, I know you wouldn't like what I did but I told him I would make a deal with him until you came back; I would give him blood donations and in exchange he would leave my family and friends alone.

But that wasn't necessary…you probably already know this, but a werewolf named Hayley came to town and I'm not sure exactly what happened but somehow, she wound up pregnant. I guess you probably already knew that was going to happen, but it was still a shock and Klaus reaction to the situation is most surprising. He is devoted to Hayley; I don't think he is in love with her, but he loves her as the mother to his child.

Katherine reaction was surprising but also infuriating to me, she had the audacity to look upset and I lost control Damon. Before I realised what, I was doing I had stabbed Katherine with a stake and had started to scream at her that she had not right to miss you or be upset. I wanted to claw her eyes out or stake her heart and it scared me Damon; I'm so angry all the time at the whole world. I've been snapping at Bonnie who has been nothing but helpful, I've pushed Jeremy away and I lashed out Alaric last month saying that since Damon wasn't here it was Ric's job to help me with Jeremy. I slapped him that day and as much as it embarrassed me it snapped Ric out of his depression and finally, he started to help.

Alaric has joined Bonnie, Enzo and I on our nightly readings; I still haven't given up and even Klaus was able to get his hands on some spell books. I asked him why he was doing that, I mean you're not his favourite person in the world and I had to know if he had an ulterior motive. He said that you had been a man of your word and that you had never gone back on a promise you made him and he also grudgingly admitted that wanted to thank you for helping get rid of Mikael.

I think the combination of having a baby on the way and having the ability to undaggering his family has made him much calmer.

We have a couple more students in Mystic Falls; Kol another sibling of Klaus has started at school and so has Rebecca. I must admit I was doubtful, but I had to admit I laugh more than I should at her and Caroline's interaction. Both have been trying to be the Queen Been of Mystic Falls High and sometimes it sends me back to when there were no vampires in Mystic Falls. But then I remember your eyes and your smile and any positive thoughts I had disappear like dust in the wind.

Stefan was probably the most surprising most of all; a month ago he turned up at our and said he was leaving. He couldn't stay here and be reminded of the ghosts of the past so he intended to set out and find any and every witch and warlock he can. He called yesterday and said that he was in Seattle chasing down a possible coven that could help. Caroline's reaction to Stefan disappearing was perhaps the most surprising; she seemed heartbroken at his decision. I don't know what's going between them, but I can see Caroline's feeling for Stefan has changed. I asked her about it once and she looked like a dear caught in headlights; she asked me to let it go and we went back to looking back through the spell books.

Bonnie hasn't given up and neither has Enzo but that just fills me up with even more guilt; Jeremy and Bonnie are in a bad place worse than when he could his ex-girlfriends. Without you here Bonnie isn't as forgiving as was the last time; I knew she is feeling guilty but about a month ago I overheard a yelling match between them.

Bonnie had screamed at him finally losing control of all her negative emotions she felt at Jeremy and told him that if he kept telling her to give up on Damon that he could leave and not come back. I'd never seen Bonnie that angry before other than the night of Homecoming and I think Jeremy finally realised he had pushed her too far and how much Damon meant to Bonnie. Jeremy asked me how I could be ok with their relationship the way it is, and I simply shook my head in disbelief at him. I didn't bother with an explanation; I didn't tell him I could feel how you felt about me, the waves of love and devotion you would send me never left a doubt. Bonnie is like your little sister and I felt how you felt about her; it reminded me the feelings I would sense from you when you would think of Stefan. I guess that's everything now Damon, I miss you so much and I love you.

Elena

Elena sat in the back of the grill with her diary in front of her and a hamburger with a drink sitting to the left of her. As she closed the diary and pulled her meal closer to her she pulled the top bun off and placed the tickles on the plate. As she did Damon's voice rang through her head, you don't like pickles, what's wrong with you? The words made Elena think back to that night in Georgia her heart constricting painfully as memories flashed before her eyes, it had been the night she had become friends with Damon and realised he was more than a monster that he pretended to be.

"Hey Elena" Caroline voice broke her out of her thoughts causing her to look up and smile at her blonde friend.

"Hey Care, how are you?" Elena asked as she ate half the burger before she felt full causing Caroline to sigh at her friend.

"How much weight have lost Elena?" Caroline questioned concern colouring her voice making her sigh.

"Care please not tonight and anyway don't think I see what you are doing, you ok?" Elena asked starting to eat what was left of the burger if only to shut Caroline up.

"Yeah fine perfectly fine, I mean other than wanting to rip Rebecca's head off I'm good" Caroline answered not looking at Elena who instantly recognised the signs that her blonde friend was trying to hide something.

"Care, come on we've been friends since we were kids you really think I can't tell when something is bothering…come on what is it?" Elena asked softly concerned for her friend.

"Ok…ok but just remember you asked" Caroline responded sighing and twisting her hands together before she continued.

"It's about…it's about Stefan" Caroline murmured not being able to look at Elena in the eye.

"You miss him, don't you?" Elena asked reaching out and grabbing her friends' hand.

"I do, I mean I thought it would be fine. I survived Tyler leaving and when Stefan told what he was going to do I couldn't stop him from going but when he said he was it felt…it felt like someone had sat on my chest and I couldn't breathe which is weird seeing as I'm a vampire and technically don't need to breathe" Caroline babbled out at her friend causing Elena to smile at friend.

"Caroline, do you have feelings for Stefan?" Elena asked Caroline gently who twist her hands together.

"No…maybe…yes, Gah what is it about the Salvatore's that makes you lose your mind" Caroline murmured to herself causing Elena to smile at her.

"They are pretty special" Elena murmured smiling at her friend who smiled tentatively back.

"You're not angry that I have feelings for Stefan?" Caroline asked Elena who simply shook her head at her friend.

"Caroline, I fell in-love with Damon while I was still technically with Stefan. Stefan came into my life when I needed someone…but Damon he's my soul mate" Elena murmured Caroline who smiled at friend.

"How can you be so sure?" Caroline asked the question that had been burning in her since her discovery of her feeling for Stefan.

"I just know Caroline and if you want some advice…be with the person who makes you feel most alive" Elena said reaching out and grabbing her blonde friends hand grabbing it tightly causing Caroline to smile at her friend.

"So, what are you going to be done about it?" Elena asked curious as to where Caroline would go with her feelings.

"Well Stefan is coming back for graduation next month…I guess I have until then to think of something" Caroline replied causing Elena to smile at friend.

"Don't wait too long Care…trust me don't wait long" Elena murmured regret and guilt colouring her voice causing Caroline to rub Elena's hand gently.

Bennet House, Mystic Falls, Virginia

Monday, Late Evening, 2011

Five months and one week after Homecoming

Bonnie Point of View

Bonnie sighed and sipped from her tea trying to calm her nerves from what was about to take place. Jeremy was on his way over and he wanted to talk about the college that Bonnie would be attending in order decide if there was a program for Jeremy as well. Bonnie knew he was going to be angry with her decision; she hadn't even applied for a single college and she had no intention of attending one…not until Damon was back. She didn't see the point in attending college when what she really wanted to learn was magic, she wanted to bring Damon back and make her grams proud and she realised she couldn't do that while in a classroom. A knock on the door broke Bonnie out of her thoughts, she got up and moved to the front door opening the door revealing Jeremy on the other side.

"Hey Jer" Bonnie murmured to him pulling him into a kiss which he happily returned.

"Hey Bon, I missed you" Jeremy murmured after breaking the kiss and walking in the house.

"So, what college did you decide on?" Jeremy asked moving into the loungeroom which had gotten steadily worse over the months.

Spell books littered everywhere, there was a white board in the corner with information Stefan had collected and passed on. Enzo had cleaned up the dirty dishes, but Bonnie had snapped at him when he tried to touch the books.

"Yeah…about that Jeremy…I don't think I am going to college" Bonnie murmured to him causing him to freeze and look at her in disbelief.

"What…you're not going to go to college. Bonnie you need to go to college" Jeremy replied in concern causing Bonnie to shake her head at him.

"No Jeremy what I need to do is get more powerful. Cade is out there somewhere plotting ways to open the gates of hell and the one man who knows how to stop him is currently under a sleeping spell. I can't just sit in a classroom I need to prepare" Bonnie replied trying to calm Jeremy down in disbelief.

"You're doing this for Damon?" Jeremy asked a tinge of anger colouring his voice "You're giving up your future for Damon, Bonnie he's not your responsibility."

"Yes, he is Jer, I don't know how many times I have to tell you this but I need to wake Damon up and we need to stop Cade" Bonnie retorted standing up and moving away from Jeremy.

"He killed me once…he killed Vicki…why do you care so much about him?" Jeremy angrily retorted to the young witch who shook her in disbelief.

"He's also the reason I gave you a chance after you lied to me about seeing your dead ex-girlfriends, he has protected your sister from vampires and hybrids. I am sick and tired of hearing about all the bad things Damon has done and not hearing about all good he's done as well" Bonnie yelled at Jeremy who had a look of pain of his face.

"Do you see how your sister is…she looks like the walking dead Jeremy and I feel like my brother has died. If you can't accept what Damon means to me…then I can't be with you Jeremy" Bonnie replied tears gathering in her eyes.

"Are you…are you breaking up with me?" Jeremy asked in disbelief, not actually believing what was happening.

"I can't do this anymore Jeremy…I can't pretend to be happy when he's not here and no matter what I've done or said you don't understand. I'm sorry" Bonnie replied brokenly to Jeremy who just looked at her for a moment before he turned and disappeared from the room the front door slamming behind him.

Bonnie sat down on the couch not quite believing what had just happened…she knew they had been in a bad place, but she had no idea it had been this bad. And now she had just broken up with him and Bonnie had no idea whether she had just made the right or wrong decision. The front door opening again made Bonnie's heart skip with the hope that Jeremy had come back but then Enzo walked into the room bursting her bubble.

"Love you ok?" Enzo asked concern dripping from his voice as he took a seat beside Bonnie not sure what to do.

"Jeremy and I…we just broke up" Bonnie murmured still in shock over the events that just transpired.

"I'd say I'm sorry…but I'm not. The kid has been pissing me off to no end with how he's been treating you" Enzo murmured reaching out with his hand for a moment before stopping short of touching her. Bonnie moved her hand and slowly moved a little closer taking comfort in Enzo's strong form laying her head on his shoulder.

"I haven't been the best girlfriend" Bonnie murmured the tears she had been holding started to fall and stain Enzo shoulder. He simply let go of her hand before he wrapped his arm around her and pulling her closer.

"Hey…it's not your fault. You care about Damon a lot…he's like family and just to you. Damon is all I have…if we can't wake him up, I have nothing left" Enzo brokenly said finally admitting why he had been helping Bonnie and Elena these last few months.

"Hey…we'll get him back. We will" Bonnie murmured wrapping an arm around his waist and taking comfort in his strong presence.

He was a vampire, simply touching him should have sent her magic into overload but all she felt was a peace…and warmth that she was afraid to name. After a few moments Enzo broke the moment by looking at her for a moment and then around the room.

"Come on we're going out" Enzo said standing up and pulling Bonnie with him who started to protest.

"The spell books will be there in the morning, and I know Damon he would be quite disappointed in me that I haven't gotten you drunk yet" Enzo spoke causing Bonnie to laugh at him and finally start following him.

"I will have one drink and something to eat" Bonnie replied to him causing him to smile at her and a heat to start travelling through Bonnie's body in response to it.

"Come on, we're going" Enzo replied dragging Bonnie out of the house and own to his car.

Bonnie simply shook her head and realised that she was smiling and tried to stop herself…she had just broken up with Jeremy and she was smiling and she had a strong feeling it something to do with the vampire who was currently dragging her out of the house.

Gilbert Residence, Mystic Falls, Virginia

Friday, Afternoon, 2011

Six months after Homecoming

One Day before graduation

Elena Point of View

"What do you mean there are no more spell books to look through?" Elena asked in disbelief her heart constricting painfully at Bonnies words. The two girls sat in Elena's room on her bed with Bonnie reaching out and gently holding her hand.

"I'm sorry Elena but we have went through all the spell books I have access to and even the one Klaus gave me didn't help…I need to find the coven that created the spell and all I have is Kai to go on and its not a lot" Bonnie murmured her voice cracking at the end.

"So, there's no way to break the spell without either Kai or the person who created the spell?" Elena whispered brokenly drawing her knees and laying her down on them.

"No…I mean now the only way I know to break the spell would be if you…died. And that's not an option…I can't do that to Damon" Bonnie murmured reaching out to her friend not realising Elena suddenly had raising thoughts…why hadn't she thought of this sooner.

Elena got up and started to pace the room in front of confused Bonnie, it was an insane idea and she can't even believe she was even considering. But it was the only way they had now. Damon would be furious at her for even considering it but if it would bring him back, she was willing to do whatever it. Stopping in front of Bonnie she collected her thoughts as Bonnie still sat there with a look of confusion on her face.

"You've got that look that makes me want to spell you into your house again…Elena what are you thinking?" Bonnie asked concern dripping from her voice.

"Bonnie, just hear me out ok…if I turned into a vampire would that break the spell?" Elena asked causing a shocked look to come over Bonnies face.

"What…Elena think about what you said, you never wanted to become a vampire and Damon wouldn't want you to give your humanity for him and you know it" Bonnie replied trying to shoot down her friends question but Elena simply shook her head in response.

"Bonnie…please answer the question if I turned into a vampire would it break the spell?" Elena pleaded to her friend taking sitting beside and taking both of Bonnie's in hers.

"Yes…to my knowledge if you become a vampire you it should break the spell. It's tied to your heartbeat and as you know vampires' hearts don't beat so theoretically…yes it will" Bonnie reluctantly answered her friend whose face lit up into and mouth broke into a wide grin.

Elena leaped up to grab her phone quickly dialling Caroline's number and calling her friend.

"Caroline, I need you to come over now its an emergency" Elena spoke as Bonnie got up from the bed and grabbed her friend's shoulders.

"Elena what the hell are you doing?" Bonnie asked angrily as she turned Elena to face her.

"We're doing this now Bonnie, I can't wait" Elena replied as she sat on the bed, a contemplative look entered her eyes before she shot Bonnie a piercing stare.

"How long have you known that if I turned into a vampire it would break the spell?" Elena asked her friend whose face filled with guilt before a determined look entered her eyes.

"A couple of months and before you start screaming at me, I didn't tell you because I know Damon wouldn't want this for you?" Bonnie replied to her friend who had started pacing and listening out for their blond vampire friend.

"How you do know what Damon wants…oh you spoke to him recently and he told you did he?" Elena sarcastically said causing a look of pain to enter her friend's eyes.

"You know I haven't…Elena please think about what your giving up?" Bonnie pleaded her friend, her questioned stopped Elena's pacing and she slowly turned to her friend.

"Bonnie…I'll get Damon back and there is a cure as well it won't be permanent ok?" Elena told her friend taking a seat besides, Bonnie contemplated her friend for a moment before she wrapped an arm around her.

"I just want you to be sure Elena this is a big decision" Bonnie murmured rubbing a hand up and down her arm.

"I'm sure Bonnie" Elena replied smiling at friend.

"Sure, about what?" Caroline's voice sounded from behind them causing Bonnie and Elena to jump into the air.

"Caroline, what the hell? Are you trying to scare the hell out of us?" Elena said to her friend who was smiling over her friend's reaction

"What there are certain perks to becoming a vampire, one of them is being sneaky so what's the emergency?" Caroline asked plopping down on the bed and looking at her friends.

"Well since you mentioned the perks to be a vampire-" Bonnie started before Elena shot her a lock to be quiet while she took a seat on the bed near Caroline.

"Caroline…I want you to turn me into a vampire now" Elena spoke not bothering to be subtle causing a shocked look to come over her face.

"What, Elena why do you want to be a vampire?" Caroline asked as Bonnie gave a pointed look to Elena.

"It…will break the spell. If I become a vampire, Damon will wake up" Elena spoke to her friend causing a look of anger to come across her face.

"This is for Damon?" Caroline asked slightly angrily before Elena placated her.

"No Caroline this is for me. I need him, it's been six months and every day without him…I told you I feel like I'm going to die, Caroline please do this for me I'm begging you please" Elena spoke breaking down and sobbing.

After a moment Caroline and Bonnie wrapped in a group hug, Caroline thoughts were racing. If she did this then Elena would become a vampire, something Caroline knew whole heartedly she didn't want and for Damon. But then Caroline remembered all the good he had done for her, he saved her life and took a lethal werewolf bite for her, he protected her best friend against all dangers that had come their way and finally she remembered what he had done for mother and Caroline's resolve broke.

"Ok, if you want me to turn you will Elena, but you have to promise me Damon won't kill me" Caroline joked to her friend making Elena laugh through her and Bonnie to smile.

"Thanks Caroline let's do this" Elena spoke excitement in her voice causing another shocked look to come over her face.

"What right now, you want me to turn you now?" Caroline cried to her friend.

"You can feed me your blood and break me neck…you can break my neck, right?" Elena asked moving closer to her friend.

"Yeah Stefan has been teaching me to fight, but really now?" Caroline asked again as Elena nodded a look of fierce determination entering her eyes.

Caroline looked at for her for a moment a before she sighed and nodded her nodded. Caroline quickly bit into her wrist and held it up for her friend who looked at its moment before she reached out and ducked her head down to the wound. She attached her lips and started to gulp down the blood taking as much as she could. This went on for a few moments before Caroline withdraw her wrist a look of lust in her eyes.

"Ok, that was a bit of a lesbo moment" Caroline joked causing Elena and Bonnie to laugh at her. Elena wiped her lips and turned her back on her friend as Caroline got behind her and grabbed her head in a headlock.

"Last chance Elena?" Caroline asked hoping her friend would say no but already knowing the answer.

"I'm sure Caroline…please just do it" Elena breathed causing Bonnie to look away. A tear entered Caroline's eye as she prepared herself mentally for what she was about to do.

"See you on the other side Elena" Caroline murmured before she sharply twisted her hands around her friends causing a crack to sound through the room.

Caroline heard the moment her heart stopped, and Bonnie let out a sob at the sound. Caroline caught Elena and slowly lowered her friend down to the bed, gently arranging her so she would be comfortable. Bonnie came down and sat beside Elena picking up her hand as Caroline did the same on the other side.

Salvatore Crypt, Mystic Falls, Virginia

Same time as Elena's room

Damon Point of View

Damon had floating for what seemed like an eternity, he had long ago lost the feeling of his body…he simply seemed to exist in nothing blackness. The hardest loss was Elena; he could no longer feel her, couldn't drink in the love she had for him. Suddenly Damon felt something pulling him down and before realised what had happened, he could finally feel his body. After floating for so long his body felt like lead, after a few moments of effort Damon was able to open his eyes to see…the lid of a coffin. A panic overtook him, feeling a surge of energy go through him he shoved the coffin lid open and sat up taking in his surroundings.

He closed his eyes and slowly got out of the coffin standing unsteadily on his feet as he racked his mind for what had happened. The memories of Homecoming shot through his mind and he remembered…Kai that son of a bitch. As he remembered what had happened an icy grip took a hold of his heart. The only way he would be able to be awake would if Elena had died. He closed his eyes and searched out through the bond and felt…nothing. Damon snapped his eyes open despair filling his soul he stumbled towards the entrance of the crypt knocking over a steel candle holder and out into the graveyard. Before Damon knew what, he was doing he was speeding through the forest a single thought on his mind, he stumbled and fell into trees but then simply picked himself up and continued undeterred.

Before he knew it, he had arrived at the Gilbert residence, the sobs of Bonnie ringing out through the night. Damon tried to scale the tree and jump through the window, but the strength wasn't in him in fell into the dirt. A growl erupted from his throat as he heard Caroline's breath catch and her start to talk to Bonnie as Damon turned towards the front the door barrelling through it not bothering to open the door. Alaric was in the kitchen a look of shock on his face Damon blew through the door and started up the stair, the glass he was holding shattering to the ground.

Damon made it Elena's door before ripping it open, the scene that met him caused him to freeze in place. Caroline and Bonnie were sitting on either side of the bed a look of shock coming over their faces as Damon Salvatore; dishevelled, blooded, dirtied and still wearing the clothes from the night of homecoming.

"No…Elena, no baby" Damon spoke as he stumbled into the room and dropping by the bedside as Bonnie started to speak.

"Damon no, its ok she's not gone she's in transition" Bonnie murmured a smile breaking over her face as she raced over and grabbed him in a tight hug. Shock went through Damon at her words, he mustn't have heard her right.

"She's what?" Damon asked hope entering his face he hugged Bonnie back before he released her and turned back to Elena sitting on her beside and taking her hand in his.

"She wanted this Damon, it was the only way to break to spell…she asked us to, practically begged us" Caroline murmured a tear entering her eye and a smile blooming on her face.

"Can you…can you give us some time?" Damon asked the two as Alaric appeared in the doorway, the sight of his best friend causing a smile to break over his face before he saw Elena and it swiftly disappeared.

"Yeah…sure, come on Bonnie let's give them some time" Caroline murmured shooting Alaric a look while grabbing Bonnie and leading her out the room, the sound of the door clicking shut made Damon lower his head down.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Damon moaned as tears entering his eyes at the realization, he had failed her again.

Damon simply sat there with his head lowered and hoped she would come to him. Suddenly he felt a warmth start to spread and he backed away from the bed slightly. After a few moments Damon saw Elena's hand twitch before she arched up off the bed gasping for breath that she would no longer need. Damon stood there silently for a few moments before she suddenly turned to him, finally seeing Damon standing there.

"Damon…is that really you?" Elena spoke not daring to look away from him in case in vanished into the night.

"Yeah, it's me Elena…I'm back" Damon said taking a seat beside her.

Elena simply stared at him for a few moments before she raised her hand to his arm and softly gripping it. The feel of him made her shoot off the bed and crash into him sending them crashing off the bed and to the floor. Damon laughed as he thudded sending feelings of love through the bond causing Elena to gasp and grab his face with her hands. She looked into his eyes for a few moments before her lips attacked his, greedily drinking him in and sending feelings of love back as their mouths assaulted each other.

End of Chapter Note: Wow a lot has happened this chapter, it exploded into over 5000 words. I hope everyone doesn't hate me regarding Jeremy and Bonnie, but it was necessary part of the story. But now at least Damon is awake, but it came at a great loss, now we see vamp Elena come back. At this time, I'm trying to decide the direction of where I will go at endgame whether they will stay vampires or become human but there will be complications to Elena's turning. I hope everyone enjoyed the story and as always please leave me a review to let me know what you thought of the chapter.