Chapter Twenty

Old Wickers Road

Stefan

"I suppose she wanted what she couldn't have, to hell with people," — The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway.

It was a pity vampires couldn't really sleep. They were phenomenal at keeping up the illusion; a standard designation instilled in them from the point of their turn: like breathing, eating and earning an education. Not necessary, but eerily familiar.

Leaning against the wall, one foot propped behind him, arms crossed over his chest. He seemed to mimic the overt breathing pattern of his ex-lover.

She looked lovely, at peace and he loathed it entirely. Her bone straight hair in adverse to Katherine's curls, spread against the pillow in a waterfall affect. He watched the soft dart of her eyes behind her shut eyelids — half wondering what either plagued or entertained her in the trap set up for her.

The other half of his attention was diverted to his brother and his ... lover. Bonnie's fingers ghosted over sheets of paper, harried in her exploration of a novel or her grimoire. It was often hard to guess with the Bennett witch, since she was a dedicated bookworm in itself — something his brother shared with her.

It wasn't too impossible to see and appreciate their compatibly — the word inevitable was something Caroline, no doubt would use— but for him, it was the correct progression of growth at least when observing his brother. The Hybrid had a way of reigning and affecting him to a point no words needed to be really exchanged. She'd gained something, Damon had never given to his other lovers: his respect.

His brother too at the moment, was doing what he did best— annoying Bonnie.

And Caroline — there was a faint knock on the door and his head jerked to attention.

He saw the top of her blonde hair first, faintly tussled by the wind, she must have gone haunting earlier with tired pretty eyes; and absent her usual shadow: he was half inclined to ask where Tyler was. But then again, held little interest and need in the subject matter.

She came to curl next to him, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed too. And though her gaze became unseeing as she followed Elena's form, all her attention was fixed on him, he felt.

'So, are you looking forward to it? Ah, wait probably not the greatest set up of words: I mean, are you ... well, is there really a sentence to ask a friend about pilfering through their ex human lovers mind to find out why she was so controversial?'

She peaked up at him with curious eyes, as his quivering lips slid into a smile. God you could never call her politically correct — it was something Bonnie had noted once. And never judged her friend for. In fact, she'd often used the word set as an endearment.

With big blue eyes, she turned from him exploring the sparse decoration of the room.

'You should eat you know, build all that vampire energy for when we go in.' She spoke like she'd done this before. And it made him wonder even more, what Bonnie had showed her.

He shrugged: 'I will,' he said softly, 'but if you're worried about um… the terrain in there, Aramanda seems positive we— or at least you won't die ... why are you laughing?'

Her giggling set a performance of runs down his body, vivacious and seductive to the ear.

She bumped his shoulder, something she was fond of doing — 'Come on she's Bonnie's mom. Even though you've said some questionable things to an all-powerful creature, you have a protected lifeline, that essentially keeps you out of her bad books.'

'And that would be?'

'Damon and Bonnie. Despite what you think, you were her favourite brother— 'her voice dropped to a mock stage whisper, as they listened to the fault in movement next to them. The call of indignation didn't sound however from Damon, like he'd expected. 'but even with those faults of yours, your love and loyalty could only be wished to be bottled up, so please don't look so dejected — we'll wake her up.'

Stefan offered her a startled expression — it would seem almost heartless to point out his love (that being Eros) for Elena, had dwindled out. An instant snap of thread Clotho and Alecto weaved through their skeletal fingers preparing to snip.

But he also knew he loved her— Elena — that was, turning quickly away from Caroline, back to their shared subject. That the ebb and flow of his devotion for her shouldn't have just been snuffed out... and yet, he was sure he held onto Katherine a lot longer than he did, for Elena.

Disappointment and disgust curdled in his stomach when he felt a small hand wrap around his own. Warm to the touch— by vampire standards anyway— he looked into blue generous eyes.

'I know that face ... it's your I'm overthinking face ... maybe this trip will be good for you. Maybe you've been just as trapped by her as she is in there.'

'Her mind?' He said ponderous.

Caroline offered him a non-committed noise.

'I'm not the goddess of time and memories, you're going to have to go to—'

'Either of us? Sorry, to but in,' said Zar with his wife close beside him. And for the life of Stefan, he couldn't really figure out why Zar gave him such a sympathetic look or why, when Tyler skulled in after them, he pinned Stefan in particular with a look born to shred.

Stefan could easily taste the awkward in the air and half wanted to address it and ignore it. Aramanda chose the latter— she rested a slender on his upper bicep. Only to exchange her husband's arm for his own, yanking him to attention. He noticed Elena's diary in her other hand.

Her voice bounced off the small walls of the bedroom as she called for: 'Caroline.'

Only to blink when she found Caroline had already fallen in step with her. 'I knew there was a reason I liked you.'

All three of them hovered over the bed staring it seemed for hours at Elena, when something bright caught their attention, and a smell slammed into the vampire's nostrils. All three heads jerked to attention as Bonnie ran a blade down her palm.

'Bonnie,' hissed her mother, concern dripping from her tone.

Bonnie stared at Elena, and then he saw them: the flecks. They had changed colour, no longer the garish shade of yellowing gold, the clandestine curl of white gold shone through. In the blink of an eye they'd multiplied, in a heartbeat they clouded the room—. 'Bonnie, what the hell is going on? Caroline? Are you hurt? Don't those things bite—' but Tyler was cut off by pure surprise as Elena's diary flew across the room, clouded and concealed by a shower of white gold flecks into Bonnie's uninjured hand.

Bonnie cut a look over her shoulder, where Jenna stood close enough but far away from the supernatural to be enamoured and frightened in the same breath. Bonnie placed the diary on the desk, she'd laid waste to with clusters of papers.

'I trust them implicitly. They'll bring back Elena for you.'

'But her body is here, I don't really see why we can't just wake her up,' whispered Jenna. Caedmon offered her a supporting hand of encouragement. Her big hazel eyes stared at him with ill-disguised wonder: 'A few days ago, I was certain about a few things— Elena was my niece and a doppelgänger — yeah I could rationalise that,' she jerked her head to Katherine. 'that she once had a vampire boyfriend and his brother was in love with her—'

'Unhealthy obsession,' corrected Damon.

'And her best girl-friends happened to be a witch and vampire— but now look at you.' And it wasn't hatred to seep past her tongue. It was amazement. 'But you're more Bonnie, and you always have been. In theory, you're the only one who has never been fully human from birth, everyone went through a transformation and you... you've always been special. And look at you now, always hurting yourself to save my niece. What I'm saying is... does it? Does it have to be your blood— can't I offer mine?'

'Jenna, baby,' said Alaric seemingly lost for words, holding his girlfriend.

Bonnie cut away from Jenna to blink rapidly and he saw a silver gaze flicker back at him, a warm smile filled her face. She gently placed the blade on top of the side table. The ongoing onslaught of her dribbling blood was intoxicating, but Stefan found himself absorbed by what she'd do next.

'Elena really is loved. That's a good thing to hear. It'll make what I'm about to do a lot easier,' she said pulling out another silver object from her back pocket.

Stefan had seen it a few times on occasions he'd been around Elena's and Bonnie had been crossed legged on the bed too.

She opened it to showcase a compass. However, it wasn't a normal compass instead of indicating North, east, west and south. Another script was written instead.

Stefan was going to comment and state how beautiful the article looked. When the whirling flecks descended on Bonnie's hand.

Jenna screamed and Stefan's gaze flew to his brother. He stood a healthy distance away from Bonnie and at first Stefan wondered what the hell was holding him up— that happened to be Zar.

It seemed like they'd all need to be held back as Bonnie's encased hand plunged towards Elena's chest.

Caedmon flew to hold back Tyler and Matt. While Grams held back Alaric and Jenna. Stefan offered a look to Aramanda who calmly smiled back at him.

The silver fisted Bonnie continued to clench. The flecks continued their raid of her body as the caramel complexion of Bonnie Bennett the witch was replaced by the Aurelian whose golden skin offset her haunting gaze.

'February 14th 1998, right?' Bonnie said, and though she framed it around a question, Stefan was very sure she knew the date and was just fact checking.

'February ...' he began weakly looking at Caroline, whose sharp intake of breath brought his attention to her. 'What's so ...'

Amaranda smirked and nodded as Bonnie tore her hand out the Elena's chest, unlike the shower of blood spraying across the room. An iridescent spray of silver sprang — no tore from Bonnies chest.

'The things I do for love—' slurred Bonnie, wobbling on uncertain legs. She swayed in the direction of Damon, artic gaze unloading a chill in the room, her limp hand ran down his chest. 'you have ten minutes, until I repair my wound ... good...'

Bonnie fell into Damon's strong arms, the curl of his lips unveiling a pair of retracted fangs.

'Someone better explain this trans- Bonniephobia, right now. All you motherfukers better start counting to five real quick.' He said rather coolly for a vampire about to commit some kind of insert—side.

'Unfortunately, my daughter is still willingly linked to Elena Gilbert — who seems to usually require a lot of sacrifice. But in all honesty, Bonnie is an Aurella, a creature of time and memory in its most homogeneous form — she weaves it in her DNA, the ability to travel through timelines, dimension and realities. And what more being a hybrid: her ability to do what mentioned before is far more visceral. Hence the silver shower of light spiking from her chest.'

Aramanda sighed running a hand through her thick locks. 'Why do you think she was kept hidden, she is a lucrative commodity. She is and will be the most mind-boggling hybrid to be born...'

Aramanda continued to stare and answer her daughter's lover.

'Well hurry then, she'll start healing up pretty quickly won't she. If she's all Uber to be your sacrificial lamb,' joked Katherine, her eyes telling a very different story.

Stefan locked eyes with his brother. It was the most imperceptible of movements: but Damon was shaking. She was for a lack of a better term— his human. The woman collapsed in his strong arms. He was distracted a moment more, as his cool, brother brushed the hair covering her face out of the way.

He guessed that meal suggestion was out the window then.

'Do we hold hands of something?' He asked so softly. He wasn't sure if the faint question travelled, until a warm hand slipped into his own. The owner's long slender finger curled effortlessly around his. And something like a chill travelled down his spin. His head whipped to the direction of Caroline: lovely smile in place, eyes locked on his.

'Things are going to get pretty fuzzy. Caroline sweetie, maintain his gaze. He may be older than yourself. But your soul is easier to lock onto as the shift—' Aramanda voiced bounced in her eardrums, recognisable and almost a distant memory.

'Just focus on me, okay Stefan,' said Caroline, sweet as sugar.

Stefan craned his head back, staring porously at the star dotted sky. A scowl marred his features as the night skies continued its assault. His gate was languid and measured: a complete contrast to the situation inside his mind.

One question took precedence over all others in his mind — Where was Caroline. Aramanda too?

He stopped at an all too familiar house.

He climbed the trellises, clambering up with ease that felt very different from that of being a vampire. He stopped at the top floor ledge, a thought poking at his mind. He was a vampire, right? Because even though he easily eased the bedroom window open. This strength felt tenfold and far more malevolent than his undead state.

He lightly stepped on the floor, scanning the pink wallpaper darkened by the range of the night sky. He inspected the splatter of blood curled on the wooden floor board with a small tut. Aramanda formally known as Abby Bennett Wilson had been meticulous clean. Even after checking on her once her transition from human to Aurelian had taken place, Bonnie's childhood room clean and untouched by the horror that had taken place.

It wasn't like his body was giving him much of a choice concerning his actions. But seriously where were Armanda and Caroline? Was this where he was meant to be?

A thought tore into his mind, he wanted to clutch his head as it felt someone else's concerns invaded him: So Aramanda had finally done it. Desiccated Mikel. Good, that was good. The Original patriarch was like unsettled grass. He was solely responsible for himself and his family alone. Whatever alliances were only forged for the immortality of his children. He snorted — how juvenile. There were powerful, wonderful things to think about than immortality.

The seeds of thought he'd laid out for Abby, had been like a game, set and match. And confirmed his theory, the witch was an Aurella now.

When he'd met her, and that had been the first time. Killing her, feeling the viscosity of her blood between his fingers. It was a necessity, he wouldn't say for the greater good. But it was an advantage he'd been counting on.

He waved his hand over the stain and it seemed to evaporate. He stopped at the side of the young girl's bed. A copy of a copy, a poor rendition of the woman he'd loved. It was a pity her doe eyes were closed to him. How he loved those eyes.

Stefan started internally. His body would not move on command. Wasn't he meant to be an observer. Why did he feel like a participant?

Something like a grey wisp travelled past his lips into Elena. Entering through her parted lips.

'Now you'll be able to tell them my story, won't you little doppelgänger. Mikel is desiccated. The Aurelian's and witches will not suspect my input in your life Ms. Gilbert. I'll be able to see and feel through your eyes. We will be one, and you will serve as a fine substitute until I can be reunited with Amara again.'

He turned expectantly. An utter contrast to what he witnessed.

'Why hello beautiful, I do have to say, it took you long enough to get my message.'

The words tore from his mouth, still cocked in that arsine measure. He'd turned to the two slender women staring at him. 'She's performed well then huh? The little Petrova doppelgänger? Just as sweet and lovely as all others. Tell me did she keep you entertained?'

One of the women were glaring at him with the most beautiful expression to cross a face — hatred. The other a darling looking blonde, who had legs like a barstool and cause his fangs to descend — frowned at him. Her mouth was working over words she repeated, again and again.

'Stefan! Where have you — '

His prey seemed to teleport in front of him, equal in height to his blonde distraction. Her arm shot out and circled around his throat. And still, like some fucking psychopath his smile remained intact.

His monstrous mind found a deep pleasure as Aramanda slammed him to the floor and straddled him. It seemed generational then, for Bennett woman to be shaped for desire. Her spare hand shot to his spare arm, dangerously towards her warm flesh.

'You foul, evil bastard….' She growled. His body began to wiggle.

'I love it when a Bennett witch talks dirty to me .'

She raised her hand as if to slap him.

'Stefan!' Moaned Caroline in horror.

'That's not Stefan,' growled Aramanda.

What was she talking about, sure the words coming out of his mouth weren't his own. But he felt like Stefan.

'Aramanda, it's him. I don't know what happened? Maybe some psychic wave left him off kilter...'

'It's not him. Damn it ... I should have known! It makes so much sense. Why Elena was so willingly giving herself to Stefan...'

'What are you talking about?! You're going to kill him!'

'Exactly! Because that's not Stefan, Caroline….'

Stefan continued to find him in a rather dangerous position when they landed back in the present. He could imagine being killed on thee-folds: by Bonnie's father finding his wife straddling him, by Tyler witnessing his girlfriend's desperate to yank Aramanda's throttling attempts and finally, of course, the fact that Aramanda was still trying to murder him was an issue.

'Aramanda, please stop! You're going to kill him! You're killing Stefan! He's Stefan Salvatore!' declared Caroline.

Stefan wanted to focus on the sound of her voice, only her voice. But an image of a beautiful woman dressed in flowing robes came to mind. The measure of her steps, her full lips meeting his … the pull of his attention to a pair of too familiar doe brown eyes repeated across decades, centuries and timelines by a cruel universe.

The cacophony of memories parading through him mind, caused an ache almost as bad as the tightening around his throat. What the hell was happening? These thoughts were not his own and never had he felt less in control. Was this what it felt like being compelled. His limbs seemed more or less his own at the moment. But, a sense of guilt wrapped around him as Caroline continued the brunt work of freeing him.

His brother's voice cut through the growing throng of chaos: 'Stefan, little brother! Jesus Caroline, how safe exactly is he again.'

He made movements to pry Aramanda off him, when his footsteps seemed to falter—

'Fucking doppelganger's,' said Bonnie's intonation cutting through the air.

Aramanda was suddenly flung from his body, pinned to the wall. A hunger associated with fury clouded her. Warm hands inspected his frame, and he shot his attention back to her: Caroline. Worry encased the vampire as she threw at his saviour: 'What the fuck was that? Bonnie? Non- human god's and goddess of time and memory, what ….'

The all-powerful Aurelian cast his blank gaze down at Stefan. Finding it appropriate to crouch down in front of the two vampires.

Caroline continued inspecting his frame, frowning in confusion as marks on his body begin to knit together. She'd nestled him is head in her lap. 'Where on earth did all these cuts come from … you didn't have them before….' She commented.

'Zar,' growled his wife from the wall. So, it was him holding her back.

'Be at peace,' he replied to two of the most important women in his life, ' what is it Bellamy?'

Bonnie had been quiet throughout this transition of chaos before looking between himself, Elena and Katherine.

She answered the room with a defined question: 'If doppelgänger's have a habit of finding each other. Then how more screwed are the Salvatore bloodline?'

'Bonnie, 'he croaked.

Aramanda snarled at him. 'Don't you dare address my daughter, you vile piece of —'

'It's Stefan, maman! He's Stefan Salvatore! '

Zar ran a tired hand down his face. 'It's just a pity he has to share such pretty features with a sociopath like Silas.' Moving to support his wife once releasing her from the wall. 'A fucking pity.'

Author's Note:

All I can do I apologise it took me another fifty years to deliver a chapter, but hello!

About time we find the mastermind of all this mess. Say hi to the Doopleganger Dilemma.

Please understand I will finish this story... I am almost done :).

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