Elena slowing comes to with a groan as she blinks the sleep out of her eyes and looks around, causing confusion to overtake her features.
"What the hell did I do last night?" She mutters as she stands and looks around, finding herself in the middle of a deserted road.
When lying back down, closing her eyes and trying to go back to sleep, while hoping things would resolve themselves was a bust, Elena stands back up and decides to explore a little.
Walking further down the road, Elena comes across what looks to be an abandoned warehouse surrounded by fog.
"Come on, Ellie. Turn around. You are not final girl materiel. You've had far too many sexual partners. If you go in there, you will 100 percent be serial killed." Elena tries to talk herself out of it as she continues to walk in the direction of what is sure to be some bad rip off of a 80's torture porn antagonist.
As she walks closer, Elena notices a translucent barrier in front of the warehouse's entrance.
"That's not ominous." Elena mutters sarcastically bringing her hand up to the distorted veil before quickly retracting it and turning around.
"Nope. No thank you." She says while shaking her head before a curious expression takes over her face and she peaks behind her.
"Ah, screw it." She exclaims before thrusting her body through the veil.
"Oh." She says with disappointment when she just comes out the other side of the barrier in the warehouse and not dramatically transported anywhere.
Walking deeper into the building Elena starts to feel a strong pull to the farthest corner.
When she no longer feels it, she assumes she's reached her destination. Looking around, Elena tries to find something to break to lock on the door of the office that the pull lead her to.
After finding a gold vase, that's probably more expensive then her house, she uses it to break the handle off the door.
After dropping the vase, that's she now knows was clay and just painted gold, it shatters on the concrete ground as Elena grimaces with slight remorse, before kicking the door open.
As she walks into the room she notices a large rectangular crate sitting in the middle of the room.
As Elena groans loudly, right before giving up and giving that 'going back to sleep' plan another shot, the crate magically falls apart and reveals a concrete box.
Letting her curiosity outweigh her inherent indifference, Elena makes her way back over to the box and begins prying it open. After using all her strength and most of her mental energy, she finally moves the door and lets it crash to the ground.
This time, Elena does not grimace with slight remorse, too distracted by her desiccated mirror image to care.
"Crazy pants?" She asks out loud with bewilderment lacing her tone and wide doe eyes.
Elena shoots up with a loud gasp as she frantically looks around her room as her heart pounds in her chest.
"The fuck?" She asks out loud to no one in particular with furrowed brows.
"Alrighty, folks. All those for Rob Zombie's Firefly Trilogy consisting of, House of 1000 corpses, The Devil's rejects and 3 from Hell, say aye." Elena declares to the room filled with her closest friends for their annual Post-Halloween Horror Movie Marathon.
"Aye." Tyler, Vicki, Stefan, and Jeremy shout their reply confidently.
"All those for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Trilogy, say aye."
"Aye." Damon, Bonnie, Matt, and Caroline answer less loudly making Elena nods and look back to the movies they picked.
"No one wants to watch the Halloween series? Shocker." She comments sarcastically.
"Ok, you're the tie breaker. What'll it be?" Tyler asks Elena with his fingers crossed and trying to imitate her puppy eyes.
Elena looks around the room at her friends hopeful faces and feels a flash of guilt causing Jeremy to send her a sympathetic smile.
Ever since Elena told him about her deal with Klaus, he has been strangely supportive, even going as far as helping her pack her bags and organize this get together to tell their friends.
"You know what? Let's just turn this into an all nighter. We'll watch them all." She says not being able to disappoint any of her friends, knowing how sad they'll be about her leaving.
As they cheer Damon finally voices the question that's been on his mind since Elena announced his home would be hosting this little get together.
"Where the hell does 'Post-Halloween Horror Movie Marathon' come from?" He asks making the rest smile or laugh.
"Once upon a moon," Elena starts dramatically, "seven small children pulled all their Halloween candy together and during the sugar rush of a lifetime, created what would soon become the 'Post-Halloween Horror Movie Marathon', the greatest movie viewing experience this world has ever seen." She finishes with a faraway look as the others laugh.
"It's not Halloween anymore." Damon reminds her as she looks to him with pity.
"Aw, ocean eyes. You poor, little dumb dumb. It's called 'Post-Halloween' for a reason. Meaning after Halloween. Eventually our parents caught on, then we were too old to trick or treat, but too young to go to the store for candy." Elena says before Tyler cuts in,
"Then we had the candy flavored booze faze." He says as Elena nods and everyone except Jeremy and the Salvatores grimace with disgust.
"Not our finest years." Caroline says with a shake of her head as the others nod in agreement.
"But then our dark days were over. Now we pick a day that's good for us all, buy the leftover Halloween candy from the grocery store, and pick a movie series." Elena informs as Vicki smirks.
"Except, Chucky." She says making the group laugh as Tyler turns red and rolls his eyes.
"Of course, never Chucky." Elena sends a mock sympathetic look to Tyler as the brothers look to them confused.
"We watched all the Chucky movies on the first movie night. Ty had nighttime so bad he had to stay at our house for a week because he didn't want to leave my side." Elena tells them with a smile at the memory of little Tyler clinging to her like a life raft.
"You're leaving out the best part." Jeremy says with devious smirk as the others try and fail to contain their laughter.
"He was fine after the second night, but the next morning Jeremy placed all of my dolls around the room and and one next to his head, so when he woke up he was staring directly in it's eyes." Elena says as the others laugh and pat Tyler on the back.
"Yeah, he didn't get much sleep for the rest of the week. In hindsight, 8 is probably a little too young for killer dolls." She says with a thoughtful expression.
"But enough about the amazing adventures of the Baby Scooby Gang, would you Mr. Salvatores, like to officially join this post holiday tradition and gorge on candy not technically expired, but should have been eaten a month ago and watch horror movies that range from torture porn, to foreign flicks, to low budget indie films with the most amazing group of people to ever coexist?" Elena asks while on her knee in front of the brothers as they try to keep a straight face.
"You bet you're perfect ass, we do!" Damon exclaims enthusiastically as she jumps up and down will cheering.
"Then let the festivities commence!" She says as they all make themselves comfortable on the couch or floor.
"What's different about you?" Bonnie asks when her arm brushes Elena's as they sit next to each other on the couch.
"I don't know. You tell me, you're the witch." Elena says with amusement as Bonnie shakes her head.
"I don't know, you feel... different." She tries to find the right words to describe Elena's new aura.
"Like?"
"Like you're not here, but also are here?" Bonnie explains confusing Elena and the rest of the group.
"Really?" Elena asks with furrowed brows.
"Yeah, it's weird. Maybe a side effect of the resurrection?" Bonnie offers as Elena's eyes widen, remembering the voice's warning.
"Damn, I knew I was forgetting something important." She mutters as Damon and Stefan's eyes snap to her.
"What do you mean 'you forgot something important?" Damon asks sternly as she bits her lip, nervously.
"Well, when is was... not alive, I may have had a rather important conversation with some kind of deity." She says as they all look to her with shocked expressions.
"And what exactly did you forget?" Jeremy asks warily.
"Umm... just that there was a slight possibility, I would be haunted but the other side, driving me insane, ultimately leading to my suicide." She says quietly without making eye contact.
"But, before I woke up, they said they had a solution and that all would be well. So, whatever Cinnabon's spidey sences are tingling about, must be the result." Elena informs with a definitive nod.
"And when say you 'forgot', do you mean like it was literally wiped from your memory until this very moment? Or 'forgot' like you forget to do the dishes?" Damon asks, confident in the answer.
"I never 'forget' to do the dishes, Ocean Eyes. I just don't do them." She tells him as he shuts his eyes with a sigh and rubs his temples.
"That's not-" Elena interrupts him.
"This really explains my dream from last night." She says with realization as they all look to her with apprehension.
"And what did you dream about?" Stefan asks.
"This super hot chick." She shrugs with a smirk and somehow literally everyone knew exactly who she was talking about.
"So, to recap, a god told you that you would be haunted by the other side, and now you're having dreams about the anchor to said other side?" Caroline asks as Elena nods in conformation.
"What does this mean?" Caroline asks turning to Bonnie who only shrugs with a worried expression mirroring her's.
"Hey, everything's fine. And, I was gonna wait till we were all sugar high, but seeing as how the moods already ruined, I need to tell you all something important." Elena states as the all nod.
"Okay, you know how I think Katherine got dealt some really shit cards and that her life story is one of the most tragic things I've ever heard?" She starts with a pleading tone.
"Oh no, what did you do?" Damon asks with concern.
"Nothing crazy, I just have to leave with Klaus in a few day to make hybrids." She shrugs nonchalantly as all but the Gilbert's jaws drop.
"How long?" Tyler asks as he tries to mask the anger he feels.
"I don't know, maybe a couple months, maybe longer." She tells him as he sketches his jaw and stands.
"Absolutely not."
"Ty's right. You're not leaving." Vicki says sternly as she smiles sadly at them.
"Guys, deal's made. But look, Kat's free and all I have to do is hang out with Klaus for a little while. And he's not a complete monster, I'm sure if you need me, he wouldn't stop me from coming home."
"I think you guys are being dicks." Caroline says surprising everyone as Elena smiles.
"You know how hard it is for her here, she's always bored and making plans to get away. I'm pretty sure the only reason she has stayed in this town as long as she has is for all of us. Ellie loves to travel, see new things, and she's got that weird respect thing for Klaus. She'll have fun. So, stop being selfish and congratulate her on accomplishing another one of her goals." Caroline finishes her rant by bring Elena into a hug and whispering her goodbyes.
"Care's right. This is the kind of thing she loves." Matt tells his sister and best friend before bringing Elena into a hug.
Everyone congratulates her and makes her promise to call daily, Elena notices the silent looks the vampire brothers are sending each other.
"Hey, you good?" She asks them both as they nod and smile.
"Yep, just fine. Let's get this movie marathon started." Damon says with and obviously fake smile while patting his brothers shoulder.
"Who's go the licorice?" He asks the room as Matt tosses him the bag.
"Just so we're clear, nobody here is gross enough to like those, we only have them because Ellie requested them for you." Bonnie says as Damon looks to Elena with a smile that's much more real this time.
As Elena sits back down on the couch she lets out a relieved breath, happy she has such amazing friends.
"When are gonna tell Jenna?" Bonnie asks making Elena groan and lay her head back.
"Dammit, why'd you have to remind me?" She whines making them all laugh.
"Okay be respectful, make eye contact, but not too much, and don't do that really intense staring thing you do, and for the love of god, do not smirk at her." Elena instructs as she meets Klaus on her front porch before he knocks.
"I can handle your guardian, Ellie. You're being dramatic." He responds with an eye roll.
"First, hello pot, it's nice to meet you, I'm kettle. Second, I'm not being dramatic, you didn't see her face when I told her about this trip. She went all blank and said to invite you for dinner. If you were human, I have no doubt she would be putting rat poison in your pad thai." Elena whispers back while looking behind her.
"Okay, Ellie. Any more advice you'd like to share?" He panders.
"This is not advice, these are rules. And lastly and most importantly, you are in no way, shape, or form allowed to hurt her. Even if she slaps you, just apologize for your face being in the way and move on." Elena demands as he looks at her like she's completely lost it.
"You can't be serious."
"Deadly." She responds as he sighs.
"Fine, but you need to relax. I'm very old, and I have lots of experience meeting the parents." He smirks before turning towards the the door and gesturing for her to walk ahead.
"She's gonna eat him alive." She mutters while shaking her head and invites him inside.
"Hello, Jenna. It's good see you again. Thank you for having me over for dinner." Klaus immediately turns on the charm as he takes her hand and kisses the back of it.
"Hmm hm." She says unimpressed while staring blankly at him.
"Sit." She demands as she pulls out a chair and points tot he seat while Elena giggles and whispers to Jeremy,
"Good boy." While Jeremy smiles at her and Klaus sends her a look.
"First thing's first, I don't like you." Jenna states surprising Klaus.
"Ooh, coming in hot, Jen." Elena comments.
"I think that you're immature, especially for someone you're age. I think you use fear to control those around you and I think you have a complex that could rival Zeus himself." Jenna says before Klaus tries to defend himself.
"I don't-" Jenna cuts him off.
"That being said, Ellie really cares for you. She thinks that you only do the things you do, to get power so you can protect yourfamily. She says that you weren't always like this, that years of betrayal and heartbreak have made you a cold and callous person, who only sees others as pawns. From a future therapist's point of view, I can understand this. But from a current guardian's, you can probably see why I might have some concerns about my 17 year old niece going away with you, alone and unprotected, for an indefinite amount of time." Jenna finishes with as deep breath as she leans back in her seat and raises a brow at him.
"Yes, I can. I doubt anything I say will put you at ease, but I should tell you, I have had every opportunity to kill, not only everyone in this house, but every single one of her friends. There was no one to stop me. I could have killed you all, brought her back, and kept her as a walking, talking, blood blood for the rest of her life." Jenna interrupts with a deadly glare.
"You're right, that doesn't put me at ease."
"But I didn't. I could have and I didn't. I wasn't even tempted. I don't want to hurt Ellie, and by extension, the people she loves. Your niece has given me a chance to have everything I have ever wanted for the last thousand years. There is a very short list of people I hold in high regard, and Ellie made the top of it the moment she showed me her storage. And ending the life of a girl who spent a very large amount of time uncomfortable, all for the sake of someone she's never met, not even I would be that cruel. As for unprotected, let me assure you that there has never been and never will be another person more guarded than your niece." Klaus tells her honestly as her glare subsides but her eyes stay narrowed.
"Fine. But that doesn't change the fact that you're making her leave with you. I understand that she's paying a price and I wont be able to talk you out of it. But I can sure as hell lay some ground rules. One, I do not have control over my niece's body and she has every right to do with it whatever pleases, but if you touch in her anyway she is not comfortable with, I will destroy you. I'm a psychology major, I will get to the root of of your deepest insecurities , and use them against you." Jenna promises him.
"Mommy issues." Elena says through a cough as Jeremy laughs beside her and Klaus glares.
"Two, you will feed her three times a day, everyday. You will have to remind her, she gets distracted and forgets. Three, this is for you Ellie, you will call every single day and give me your exact location and the name of the hotel you're staying in. And if you don't, I will call the police and have you reported missing." Jenna says turning to Elena as she smile and nods.
"Of course. Anything else?" Elena asks teasingly as Jenna brings a finger to her chin.
"Yes. Number four, have fun and take lots of pictures." She tells her with a smile as Elena jumps up and down cheering.
"Yes! You know, I was kinda excepting Ms. Bennett to jump out and try to kill him." Elena admits as she hugs her aunt.
"I tried, she wouldn't take my call." Jenna jokes making Elena giggle.
"Thank you, Jen. You're the best! I promise to call." Elena says before turning to Klaus.
"You good with all that?" She asks him a he nods with a small smile.
"Cool. Sooo... wanna help me pack?"
"Alright. That's the last bag." Elena says as she slams the trunk shut and turns to her brother.
"You've been so cool about this, Rem. Thank you. I'm really gonna miss you." She tells him as she brings him into a hug.
When she goes to pull away, he won't let her go.
"Uh, Rem? You know, I can't leave if you don't let go." She says with amusement as he tightens his grip.
"You're not leaving." He says in an emotionless voice as she pries herself out of his arms.
"What?" She asks confused as he stares at her with determination.
"You can't leave me." He says simply before grabbing her hand and trying to pull her back to the house.
"Rem? Remy, let go. What is going on with you? You were totally fine 10 minutes ago." She tells him.
"I changed my mind. Go inside, I'll get your bags." He says with a smile as he walks back towards Klaus's truck.
"Problem, mate?" Klaus asks the teen with concern as Jeremy smiles and pats his shoulder.
"Nope. Everything's cool. But, slight change of plans. She won't be leaving with you." He replies as Elena stands there, shocked.
"Rem, I have to go with him. Remember? I made a deal. Are you okay?"
"Perfectly fine, Ellie. But I think I finally processed the fact that you're leaving and I can't have that. So I'm gonna get your bags and we are gonna go back inside and eat lunch like every other day." He says with a nod as Klaus looks to Elena with a look that reads 'what the fuck do we do?'
"Hey, buddy. I'm really sorry you just realized it, but I have to leave with him. Why don't you go in and talk to Jenna, then you can call me, okay?" She says in a soft tone as he drops the bags he got from the trunk.
"Nope. You're not leaving." He says before walking towards her and throwing her over his shoulder.
"Sorry, Klaus. Find someone else's sister to kidnap." He says as Elena dangles from his shoulder and sends Klaus an apologetic looks.
"Hey, maybe put me down so we can talk about this."
"No thank you."
"Now, Remy." She demands making him stop and set her back down as she looks at him sympathetically.
"You know I have to go." She says softly.
"I promised Jen to call everyday and you can call me whenever you want." She tells him as he shakes his head.
"You won't pick up, you barely remember to charge your phone now." He says as Elena smiles.
"Fine. Klaus let me have your phone." She says making him raise his brow before tossing it to her before she drop calls Jeremy.
"There. Now you have his number and if I don't answer, you can call him. And he doesn't answer then just assume I'm dead." She says as his eyes widen.
"Kidding. But seriously, you can call me anytime and I will pick up immediately. Klaus could be about to make a move and I would stop him just answer you." She mock whisper the last part.
"Really?" He asks shocked making her hug him.
"Really." She whispers.
"I'm gonna miss you." He tells her sadly making her heart clench.
"I'm gonna miss you too. But, I'll be back before you know it. In the mean time, I'll send tons of pictures and have Caroline throw lots of 'we miss Ellie' parties." She says making him laugh and pull her tighter.
"Okay. And Klaus, if anything happens to her, no one will ever find your body." He says serious as Elena smiles proudly and Klaus nods with an amused expression.
"Bye, Remy. And just a little parting advice, don't threaten vampires while I'm gone." She tells him patting his cheek and getting in the car.
"You okay?" Klaus asks her softly as she wipes a tear off her cheek while watching her brother wave through the rear veiw mirror.
"Yeah, let's just hope Damon doesn't get that emotional." She jokes as he grabs her hand, offering her silent comfort.
"What's all this?" Elena asks with confusion as she notices the packed bags sitting next to the Salvatores.
"We're coming with you." Stefan says with a smile as Damon nods and Elena's jaw drops.
"What are you talking about? You can't- you guys have lives here." Elena stutters out as the brother smile at each other.
"El, we have no reason to stay here without you. I only stayed in town to get to know, and now that I have, I'm not letting you go." Stefan tells her with a shrug.
"And we're a package deal nowadays. Plus, I love you, so let hit the road." Damon says nonchalantly making Elena laugh and shake her head.
"You guys know this isn't a road trip right? I'm going to pay a price. I doubt he'll let me bring along friends." Elena says as Damon smirks.
"Really? Because I believe his exact words when we asked were 'whatever makes her happy." He mimics Klaus's accent as she giggles.
"Oh my god, seriously? You guys are coming?" She asks with excitement as they nod making her start bouncing on her heels.
"Holy shit! We are gonna have so much fun!" She says as she tackles them into a group hug.
"Hey, pull over here." Elena says to Klaus, jumping out of the truck when he stops at Wickery bridge.
"Where did you get those" Klaus asks as he follows Elena to the cab of the truck and sees her trying to pick up two gas cans.
"I took them from the Salvatores garage." She says turning to him.
"Why? What are you doing?" He asks.
"Premeditated arson. You know, a little sacrificer/sacrifice-e bonding. Whaddya say?" Elena asks with a crazy look in her eye as Klaus smiles fondly at her.
"Absolutely not!" Stefan shouts from the truck making Elena roll her eyes and Klaus nod.
"I agree with the former ripper. Back in the car." He says gesturing to with his head to the truck.
"Well that's a shame. I was really hoping to get rid of all this white oak, but you know what? You're right. Let's just go." Elena says with a smirk as she walks past him making him grab her arm to stop her.
"What did you just say?" He asks with shock written across his face.
"To make a long story short, there was a white oak sapling, this bridge is made out of it. So, I propose we burn it to a crisp, after you take some to end Mikael, of course." Elena says as Klaus looks to her with frustration.
"What else are you keeping in that pretty little head of yours?" He whispers.
"Mostly inappropriate jokes." She whispers back before turning around and trying to pick up the gas cans.
"No, it's okay, I got it. Gotta love doppelganger strength." She says sarcastically as she glares playfully at Klaus, snapping him out of his daze
After Klaus and the Salvatores pour the gasoline all over the bridge, they step back and Elena pulls out her zippo and throws it on the bridge.
As they all watch it go up in flames, Elena pouts.
"I really liked that lighter." She says as Klaus turns to her with amusement.
"Then why did you throw it?"
"I thought it would be cool." She admits with a shrug as they laugh.
"It was." Damon assures making her smile brightly.
"Awesome. Will you get me a new one?" She asks Klaus who nods with a smile.
"Of course."
"But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find
That what your looking for has been here the whole." Elena, Damon, and Stefan sing/scream along to the radio as Klaus clenches his jaw and tightens his hands around the steering wheel.
"If you could see that I'm the one who understands you
Been here all along, so why can't you see?
You belong with me-" Klaus hits a button, turning off the radio.
"I changed my mind, they can't come." He says with irritation while glaring at Elena.
"No take backs, puppy chow. Boop." Elena says bopping his nose before turning the radio back on.
"You belong with me-" They are interrupted again as Elena's phone rings making her smile and turn off the music.
"Miss me already, baby brother?" She asks teasingly as she answers.
"Of course. Hey, I know this is crazy, but you didn't set Wickery bridge on fire before you left town right?" He asks with a laugh.
"Ellie?" He asks with disbelief as she remains silent.
"Wow, I'm not even gone an hour and the town's already on fire? What will you do with out me?" She asks rhetorically before hanging up the phone and turning around to face the brothers.
The three of them bust out laughing as Klaus's lips twitch at the sight of them through the rear view mirror.
