MYSTIC FALLS

Escaping to the Mystic Falls cemetery where she knew none of her supernaturally inclined friends would be able to follow Elena had just finished putting together the ingredients together that Luke had kindly supplied for her. Downing the disgusting liquid in one gulp the banshee smiles as she feels the wind pick up in the seat next to her.
Turning to the figure who had now appeared in the seat next to her she smiles brightly "So where did we leave off?"

Xander chuckles in amusement as he turns to the beautiful brunette "I think it was about Alaric coming back from the dead only to become a college professor. Talk about lame and a sucky eternity. I'd have like 10 mansions by now if I was an all-powerful vampire. Plus Ric has great hair, I'd be using it, there is power in great hair."
Elena lets out a loud giggle as she moves to allow Xander to wrap an arm over her shoulder so she could rest her head on his shoulder. Leaning her head on his shoulder she couldn't help but grin as she takes in his scent. He smelled like cheap beer and cheap burgers.

And it was perfect.

Everything was perfect.

NEW ORLEANS

In the Mikealson compound, Freya smiles as she watches Joy bouncing up and down happily as she dances to the music softly playing out in the streets. Freya couldn't help but admire the little girl as she watches her dance, now that Buffy and Klaus no longer lived under the same roof it was rare that she got to spend time with her niece as when she was here Niklaus was always spending as much time with her as possible.

Spotting Elijah walk into the room she smiles over at him "She's getting bigger by the second."
Elijah smiles looking over at the little girl who jumps up and down mumbling in her own little language, with every passing day the little girl looked more like a mini version of Buffy. "That she is."

Freya chuckles as she twirls a golden lock of Joy's curly hair before glancing back up at Elijah as he moves around the room "Tomorrow's the full moon. Do you think Buffy would let me watch her while you two go to speak to Hayley?" She asks curiously knowing that while Buffy and her had managed to start getting along really well now and were in the early stages of what could be called friendship, it didn't stop the Slayer from being hesitant about either Elijah or Freya spending one on one time with Joy.

"I wouldn't count on it." Klaus chimes in as he walks into the room quickly ruining the nice atmosphere that had just moments ago filled the room. As soon as he had entered the room became cold and filled with awkward tension.

"Though I'm surprised Buffy's even going tomorrow. Given her heavy workload. I'd offer to go in her place but fear my fragile ego could not endure the litany of insults Hayley has no doubt prepared. Although it must be fun hearing her beg for her Queen's forgiveness on repeat."

Elijah clenches his jaw in anger and stands from his place crouched down beside his niece, turning to face his smug younger brother "Yes, I doubt that your presence is particularly welcome anywhere, especially when it comes to the innermost workings of a treaty. Given you don't understand the meaning of the term."
The hybrid merely smirks brightly at his brother's clear disdain for him "My own brother greeting me with such disdain." Pausing he glances over at his sister curiously "What do you think, Freya? Is he still angry for my part in Hayley's curse?" Moving over to his brother his smirk merely grows as he continues to taunt his elder brother "Need I remind you it was my ploy that kept her alive. Even after her betrayal of her Queen and trying to take my child."

Elijah tenses up at his brother's words knowing that Klaus was purposely pushing his buttons to try and gain a reaction, for attention as he had always done "But of course. Forgive me. So you would call this an act of heroism? Tell me brother does ripping the heart from the woman you claimed to love, was that also an act of heroism. Or does it effectively send her into the arms of a better man?"

The hybrid clenches his jaw at Elijah's words his fists tightening at the reminder of Buffy living happily with the Salvatore which could have been avoided had certain acts never occurred. As his brother turns his back on him and goes to leave he speaks up "Shall I remind you brother, I may have hurt Hayley but I wasn't the only guilty party in harming Buffy. Or do I have to remind you of the poison you happily forced down her veins before you and Hayley stole her and Joy from me intent on running off with them both?"
Elijah's eyes glaze over and he quickly turns back to the hybrid glaring heavily at him "Unlike you brother, I have spent my time trying to make amends for my actions against Buffy. Perhaps you should do the same instead of acting as though nothing has changed."

Freya noticing the way the tension was quickly rising in the room between the two brothers stands playing her part of the buffer which made her wish Buffy still lived at the compound. The Slayer was normally the buffer or even Rebekah or Mary. But now it seemed it was the eldest Mikealsons job to keep her brothers from killing each other.
"Oh, if you two must poke at one another, may I suggest doing it elsewhere?" She tells them gesturing to the little girl who was now staring at an axe on the wall in fascination. The sight making the witch smile slightly "Like mother like daughter." She mutters under her breath before turning back to her brothers just in time to watch Elijah exit the room.

Sighing the witch turns to Klaus with a disappointed glare "Nicely done. At this rate, you'll drive the entire family away."

WHITMORE

Elena was sat outside of Whitmore college waiting for the 21-year-old witch to finally walk out of his building. Tapping her leg nervously her eyes widen as she spots Luke moving across the campus, moving quickly she calls out to him "Luke hey!"
The witch frowns and glances back at her as she steps up to him "Elena hey, look I gotta run actually."

"Oh, no. I'll be quick. Really quick" She assures him looking around to make sure she didn't spot anyone she knew. After a beat, she smiles as he stops walking to face her "I just...um...the voices I hear in my head...they've been extra loud lately. Like not letting me sleep." She mumbles lowering her voice "Do you think it's because of the...you know."

Luke's eyes widen in disbelief and he couldn't help but groan "Are you asking me if there are side effects to the ancient psychotropic herbs I've been giving you because there haven't exactly been clinical trials."

Elena lets out a nervous laugh, the desperation so clear as she speaks "Well, obviously. I don't...I was just wondering if maybe you could, like, I don't know...add something to the next batch?"

Luke sighs as he watches Elena, she looked like a full-on junkie right now she was pale and shaking plus she was stuttering her words "Yeah, or maybe there shouldn't be a next batch."

Elena's nice facade falls as she stares at him with wide eyes "What do you mean? Luke, it was your idea that I see him again, remember? You were all, hey Elena I'm sorry that I wronged you. I'm sorry that I'm the reason your boyfriend is dead, remember?"

"And I am. I'm sorry. Something I made clear when I made Alaric's daytime bracelet because you asked."

NEW ORLEANS

As he watches the humans move around the exhibit examining his different works of art the immortal hybrid glances at the door quickly sighing as he doesn't spot a certain blonde who still had yet to show up.
However, his attention was quickly captured as he hears a voice he hadn't heard in almost 1000 years.
"I wouldn't expect you to host an art show without compelling the critic to speak to your praise."

A small smile brushes the hybrid's lips as he turns his gaze to look to where the art critic was currently looking at one of his paintings "And I wouldn't expect an uncultured savage to crash such a formal affair." He snarks as he finally turns to look over at the first man he had ever turned. Lucian. The former stable boy.
Lucian chuckles in amusement "Ah, not my usual scene, but that mouthy blood bag does have a point. Your work is derivative. Of Degas, I'd say. Although I happen to know you compelled Degas to mentor you. I always thought his work improved after your influence."
With that, the hybrid turns to look at his old friend with an amused smile grazing his lips "Finally, someone with an eye for art."

Lucian smiles right back before shrugging bashfully "Well, live long enough, you develop a taste for it. Must say I do love that one..." He says with a smirk gesturing to the very painting Buffy had threatened to burn to a crisp "...I am to believe that's the famous Buffy Summers?"
The hybrid chuckles in amusement "It would be. Though she's not as fond of that."
Lucian shakes his head before gesturing over to the bar "Can we please have a drink. I am quite parched."

Buffy sighs as she places the last of the food on the table by Mary's cabin as they prep for the wolves who would be by later in wolf form for the night. Grabbing a burger off the table she takes a big bite before turning to Elijah as she leans against a nearby tree "If people ever complain about how much I eat again I'm sending them wolf way." She mumbles through her full mouth before moaning in slight pleasure "How come this tastes so good? Food at Slayer central sucks!"

"To be fair it's one pack of wolves, your Cleveland office has over 200 Slayers." The vampire points out as he organizes the food on the table neatly making the blonde roll her eyes with how anal he was about it. Given the wolves got to eat real food once a month she doubted they would care much for the décor.

"Food tends to disappear at a much faster pace." He continues "I doubt Rupert is willing to spend outrageous amounts for food that likely is gone within the hour."
"Yeah, hungry Slayers are monsters." The blonde mumbles as she finishes her burger before picking up the grapes on the table and moving over to Joy who was happily playing with her blanket as she sat in her stroller.
Taking the blanket off the 1-year-old she hands the little girl the grapes before frowning as she hears the screech of tires approaching them.

Standing up straight she turns to Elijah "Someone's coming."

Elijah stands upright and turns just in time to spot a large hunting truck pull over beside the two powerful beings.
Buffy moves Joy's stroller so the little girl wasn't in view and wouldn't witness what was probably about to become a very violent situation.
Moving to stand beside Elijah Buffy arches a brow as she spots a bald man climb out of the car and glance over at the pair "Hell of a spot for a picnic." He says as he circles around the car allowing Buffy to quickly spot the hunting rifle in his arms.

"Yes." Elijah chimes "If you can tolerate the mosquitoes it's actually rather serene."

"Don't forget that Bayou smell." Buffy argues "Makes the food smell so much better. Cause everything else...not so pretty."
The man chuckles as he leers at the blonde only earning a slight glare from Elijah who moves in front of the blonde drawing the hunter's attention "How can we help you?"

"You're trespassing." The hunter informs the pair. "This whole area is now the property of Kingmaker Land Development. In two years, it's gonna be golf courses and condos."
Buffy clenches her jaw as she spots two more gun-wielding hunters climb out of the vehicle, sighing she turns back to the bald guy "Never heard of them. But clearly, they're gun-happy. Let me guess big guys big with the paranoia?"
"Something like that." The hunter tells her "But my team and I are animal control. There's been an influx of wild predators. My boss pays top dollar to, uh, wipe them out."

At his words, Buffy's jaw tenses and she glances at Elijah both of them tense. They were being called in to handle the wolves. Aka Jackson Hayley and the rest of the pack.
Crossing her arms the blonde turns back to the hunter "Let me guess...wolves."

"Big time." The hunter confirms "Believe it or not killed a half-dozen last night. This baby can take a head clean off."
At his words, Buffy's eyes widen realizing that these men had killed some of her wolves. Clenching her jaw she steps forward throwing a flirty smile on her face as she looks at the gun "Can I see? It looks so cool."
The hunter chuckles before lifting his weapon smirking at the blonde with a look that made Buffy want to remove his head herself. Buffy tilts her head in interest as she lifts the weapon before shocking all three men as she begins bending the weapon in half.

As he panics Elijah speeds over knocking his other two men down while Buffy tosses the now ruined gun into the lake before grabbing the hunter by the throat and lifting him up as she looks into his eyes compelling him "The wolves you killed are mine. They are off-limits. Comprede? So why don't you take your ass the hell out of New Orleans with your friends and all the hunters...and try your hand at something else. Here's an idea you three go work as Parking attendants or Mall Santa's."

"I'm an independent contractor." The human gasps "There are other teams out there. I don't have authority..." Buffy groans before promptly shoving the man to Elijah who snaps his neck dropping his useless body to the ground.
The blonde sighs before turning to face Elijah "This is bad." Running a hand through her hair she pauses as she spots the time on her phone as she pulls it out of her pocket "I'll call Giles, see if he has heard of any more hunters moving in. But I gotta go make sure Klaus hasn't killed the art critic yet."
Elijah nods thankful that despite her feelings towards him she was putting that aside so they could work together to help the wolves "Thank—"

"Don't." The blonde orders as she moves to grab the stroller "I told you I'm doing this to honor my promise to the wolves, not you. I'll be back by the full moon call me if more hunters show up."
The original sighs guilt digging at him before frowning as he watches her move with Joy, one of the worst things about the fallout had been The Slayer's reluctance to leave her daughter with either himself or Freya. All though he couldn't blame her for her worries.
"I can watch her while you go speak to my brother."
Buffy hesitates before glancing down at the bodies of the hunters shaking her head quickly "Um...leaving my werewolf infant in a Bayou filled with werewolf hunters. Big with the no. I'll be back soon."

Just outside of New Orleans, Stefan was at work staring into the hood of a car that had been brought in when he spots one of the guys toss him over his paycheck. Grabbing the envelope the vampire opens it only to frown as he spots the very clearly wrong number written at the bottom.

Wiping the grease from his hands onto the towel beside him he quickly makes his way inside and over to his boss who was bent down looking into the hood of another car "Hey Dean, I think a zero might've fallen off my paycheck."

Dean doesn't even look away from the engine he was staring at as Stefan walks over "Oh yeah, I had to dock you 200 bucks."
Stefan couldn't help but groan in annoyance at his boss, this guy was a cheap asshole "For what?"
"Dan Zimmer said you put a ding on the hood of his Shelby."

Stefan couldn't help but groan remembering back to the day that crap car had been brought in by Dan's hysterical wife "Dan's wife put a ding on the hood of his Shelby."

Dean finally glances over at the annoyed vampire with a scoff "That's funny. Sounds like you're calling my best customer a liar."
Stefan inhales tightly clenching his jaw trying to bury the urge to snap the guy's neck, the whole point of having this job was to act and feel like he was a normal human guy, which meant no killing his pain in the ass boss "You're ripping me off, Dean."

Dean smirks as he stands finally turning to face the vampire "What are you gonna do about it, kid? Huh? You gonna quit?"

"Jeez." A voice says from behind the pair causing both of them to turn only to spot Buffy stood with Joy beside her as they stood in the doorway of the garage. The blonde smirks looking over at Dean "Hi Dean. See you're still a ray of sunshine."
The mechanic groans at the sight of the woman "Don't let her break anything you hear." He warns Stefan before walking off.
Stefan couldn't help but chuckle slightly as he tucks his paycheck into his back pocket before walking over to the blonde "You terrify him."

"I rip one car door off and everyone makes a big deal." She mutters in annoyance before turning to Stefan giving him a quick kiss before throwing her best-begging eyes his way.
Stefan shakes his head in amusement "Let me guess...you're not bringing me lunch."
"I need a favor." She admits throwing her more adorable pout onto her face "Please...Wolves are being killed. Klaus may be killing art critics and you know...we need those so someone other than me can make fun of him."
Pausing she picks Joy up both of them throwing the exact same pout in the Salvatore's direction "Please, please watch Joy. Look how cute she is. Plus she's a wolf, maybe she can play fetch."

The vampire couldn't help but laugh as The Slayer pretty much pitches him on the idea of watching Joy. Reaching over he takes Joy into his arms before smiling at Buffy "It's fine." He assures her ruffling the little girl's hair making her smile "Buffy, I love spending time with Joy. So go away do Queen stuff. I'm gonna make sure at least one other person knows how to keep a car running." He teases with a smirk making Buffy roll her eyes, so she was a little anti-knowledge on cars, big deal.
"Leave us to our bonding."

As Joy giggles and points at one of the cars Stefan was working Buffy smiles before grinning at Stefan "You know you wanting to spend time with my daughter and teach her stuff...you're just getting sexier."
The vampire couldn't help but smirk down at the blonde "Oh yeah?" He teases making her roll her eyes before kissing him once more "Oh yeah." She confirms before turning around and heading back to her jeep.

As Joy waves goodbye the Salvatore vampire moves to sit her on a small bench as he grabs his jacket prepared to leave. Pulling it on he hauls her back up "Come on Joy...you can help me work on the special car at home."

"Blue!" She yells with a giggle making him smile however that smile quickly fades as he hears his phone ringing.
Turning to Joy he presses a finger to his lips "Shh." He tells her making her nod as she merely focuses on the stuffed animal in her hand.
Stefan smiles at the smart kid before moving towards his car as he answers "Hello?"

"Hey." Alaric's voice pipes through the phone making the vampire tense ever so slightly "Just checking in to see if your contact panned out yet."
Stefan sighs as he glances over at Joy who smiles at him as she points at the dog running across the street "Still working on it."

"Good. Keep me posted. Let me know how it goes."

With that the vampire hangs up and moves to his car sighing slightly, a part of him felt guilty for lying to everyone back in Virginia, but he had a life to live and he didn't want them disturbing it. Things were finally good and he wanted it to stay that way.

"Let's get home JJ"

WHITMORE

As he hangs up his phone Alaric quickly spots Caroline move to take her seat opposite him in the diner resting 3 large books on the table as she does.
As she sits opposite him Alaric stares at the books that he had given her in shock, this girl was determined, crazy but determined "You already read all that?"

"Cover to cover." She informs him with a sigh as she leans back in her chair "With no mention on how to undo an anti-magic force-field. And if I'm going to single-handedly take back our town, I'm gonna need a little bit more to go on."

Alaric sighs as he watches the frustrated blonde before reaching into his bag pulling out two large volumes "Got it. All right, well, Tara sent Ancient Witchcraft, volume two."
"I read it."

The still adjusting vampire nods before grabbing another book "How about the art of hexing and elements of magic?"

Caroline quickly grabs the book from his hands examining it closely as she allows a smart ember of hope to fill her. Maybe this one would have something or anything that could help her "Fine. Thank you."
Placing the book down in front of her the blonde who was slightly disheveled looks at her old teacher with an awkward smile "So, how's Stefan?"

"He's ok."

Caroline nods as she thinks about her missing friend, with Jessie still in Europe traveling and figuring out his own vampire life that left the blonde feeling very much alone lately. Elena was busy at med-school, Tyler was busy partying as he re-did his final year of college and Buffy was now harder to get ahold of than anyone. Given she was either traveling for Slayer stuff or in New Orleans dealing with Mikealson stuff. And Stefan who was supposed to be one of her closest friends...he had pretty much gone no contact since Damon had died.

"How often do you talk to him?"

Alaric watches her for a long moment before shrugging "I don't know. Couple times a week."

"Oh. Huh." She laughs as she stares at him stunned to disbelief, clearly Stefan's phone was working where she had thought it wasn't given he never answered her calls.
Alaric sighs as he leans forward watching the blonde who was clearly upset by this information "I'm gonna go out on a limb here, Caroline. Is something bothering you?"

Caroline takes a shaky breath before a hurt expression covers her face "He didn't say goodbye. Damon, Bonnie, and Xander died and he and Buffy left. Buffy never calls and when I can get ahold of her something always comes up and Stefan...nothing. No phone calls, no emails, just disappeared into thin air. And I haven't heard from him in months, and when I bring it up to Buffy she changes the subject."

Elena stands outside of Luke's door-room pacing back and forth for the witch to answer the door. She was panicking, she needed to see Xander, and when Luke hadn't shown up to bring her the ingredients like agreed she had freaked.

As the door finally opens she sighs in relief "Hey. You're home. I thought you were coming over at 5."
Luke takes a deep breath as he avoids eye contact with the Banshee who was clearly getting more desperate by the second "I know you did. Look, Elena, I can't help you anymore."

At his words, Elena's expression falls as panic begins to fill her, she couldn't let him stop it "Is it because I told you about the voices? It's fine, it happens from time to time. It's a Banshee issue."

"Elena, you're going through this stuff like crazy." He argues "I'm not a drug pusher."

At that Elena feels herself snap slightly "No, you're my friend. My friend in spite of the fact that my boyfriend got stuck on the other side." She hisses as she walks straight into his room heading to where she hoped the herbs would be.

Ignoring his protests she continues going through his things "Because you decided to stop the spell that could bring him back. My friend that owes me."
As her mental state clearly continues to worsen as she riffled through his stuff Luke sighs "No. A friend who cares about you and thinks you're living in denial."

Elena ignores his worries as she continues her search; the need to see her boyfriend growing by the second "I know you have more."

"Elena, stop! Look at yourself!"
Without another word, Elena spins around and grabs Luke shoving him up against the wall as she glares threateningly at him "I need to see Xander, Luke, and I'm not asking."

NEW ORLEANS

Sat at the bar at his exhibition surrounded by empty drinks Klaus was actually enjoying himself as he and Lucian continued to exchange tales of their time over the centuries.
"Oh, Kol..." Lucian laughs remembering back to the youngest of the Mikealson men "Kol was a bloody loon. Loved it. And Finn—oh, Finn. Finn—Finn was fine as long as you didn't actually have to speak to him."

Klaus chuckles in amusement at the very accurate portrayals of his deceased brothers, Kol was insane and Finn was a complete dullard.
As he smiles a thought occurs to him, a woman, one he hadn't thought of in over 900 years, she had pretty much vanished from his mind completely after Marianna had revealed the prophecy during their time in Spain in the 13th century. But now seeing Lucian it was just a reminder of so many old faces "Have you spoken to her?"

"Who?" Lucian asks as he downs his drink before he frowns as he spots the look on the hybrid's face "Oh, you mean her. As you well know, Aurora and I parted ways centuries ago." He tells the hybrid before the old vampire's eyes land on a certain blonde all-powerful immortal as she enters the exhibition. He had to admit he could certainly understand why Klaus had been so obsessed with locating her after hearing of the Prophecy. Power radiated off of her, it was like pheromones drawing you in.

"Now she..." he says making Klaus turn his head to look at the blonde who was currently on the phone and hadn't noticed both men watching her "...is more exquisite than the painting. You didn't do her justice Nik..." Lucian chimes looking the beautiful blonde up and down "I've heard the tales...she definitely more beautiful than her predecessor." He argues before turning to Klaus with a grin "Tell me how is it? To have a Slayer, is she a wild—"

"She can hear you." The familiar voice of Buffy Anne Summers chimes in as she walks over to the pair ordering herself a glass of bourbon before turning to look at Klaus "And if you answer that question I will shove something somewhere unpleasant."

The hybrid chuckles in amusement as he watches the blonde take a sip of the amber liquid "My lips are sealed Luv." He tells her playfully making Buffy sigh before she gestures to Lucian who was eyeing her like a glass of water as though he was parched.

"Whose the Slayer curious questioner?"

Before Klaus could answer Lucian stands moving in front of the blonde and takes her hand kissing the palm of it softly before throwing her a dashing smile which only made her roll her eyes "Lucien Castle."
Forcing a smile on her face she pulls her hand free trying so hard not to wipe her hand on her clothes "I'm—"

"The famous Buffy Anne Summers." He cuts in with a smirk as he throws a flirty grin her way, he could practically feel Klaus' eyes glaring into his head only making his grin widen "I must say you're more ravishing than the stories."
Buffy groans as she downs her drink tapping the glass for the bartender to fill it back up, if she was going to deal with bad flirting by one of Klaus' old buddies she would need hard liqueur "Great fan club." She mumbles before glancing at Klaus "You need to answer your damn phone. Cami keeps calling me for you. I'm not Buffy the detective! I'm Buffy the annoyed right now."

The blonde grumbles slightly before ignoring yet another incoming call from Cami before her eyes widen as she spots someone looking at the painting of her "If someone buys that painting for me I'm going to kill you." The blonde hisses turning to look at Klaus.
"Bit late for that." Lucian pipes up as he grabs his drink before smirking devilishly at the blonde "Guilty as charged."
While Klaus spins around to look at his friend slightly shocked Buffy merely groans in disgust, this officially sucked "Ew."

Hearing her phone buzz yet again Buffy sighs and moves to check it only to sigh as she spots the time and message from Elijah "I gotta go." She tells the boys honestly happy to get away from Lucian, he was beginning to creep her out "Duty calls. Slayer's to run, wolves to catch bla bla. Try not to remove all the bourbon in New Orleans." She says as she moves to grab her bag.
Moving to the exit she halts as Klaus grabs her wrist, instantly the blonde yanks her arm out of his hold before running a nervous hand through her hair as the Hybrid watches her carefully.
"Come on Luv, have one more before you go. I didn't get to have a drink with you on your birthday."

Buffy sighs "Birthday fun will have to wait. Goodbye Nik." Without another word to blonde turns on her heels quickly exiting the exhibition.

WHITMORE

Moving towards the lake where she knew the party would be happening a reluctant Caroline sighs as she pushes her way through the woods only to halt as she hears yelling. Listening carefully her eyes widen as she hears Elena sounding paranoid and terrified as she yelled and screamed.
Speeding closer to the direction she could hear Elena's voice coming, from her eyes widen as she spots Elena stood in the middle of a field, fallen trees surrounding her as the brunette continues to mutter to herself.

"Shut up!" Elena hisses grabbing her head as the voices continue to grow clearly not happy with her "I said shut up! Leave me alone!"
"Elena!" Caroline yells speeding over to her and grabbing the brunette's shoulder forcing the freaked out Elena to react on instinct and send a punch at Caroline's nose. As the vampire stumbles it clearly woke up Elena enough from her break down to finally realize what she had done "Oh my god! Caroline! I am so sorry!" She mumbles before groaning as her head begins pounding again.
Caroline sighs as she stares at Elena "What's wrong with you?"
Elena groans as she rubs her head leaning against a tree as she tries to make it stop "The voices they're extra judgy today. It's a side effect from the herbs Luke's been giving me."

At Elena's words Caroline stands up a bit straight not liking the sound of this at all, something was very wrong with her "Whoa. What herbs?"

Pausing Elena looks up through her dark locks a small smile cursing her lips "They make me see Xander. I can talk to him and...and I can be with him and..."

"God..." Caroline breaths as she stares at her best friend in shock "Is this what you've been doing this whole time? Hallucinating your dead boyfriend?"
"I tried to grieve him, Caroline." The banshee argues through a desperate voice "Trust me. I know grief. I've got grieving down to a science at this point and I tried. But every time...I let it sink in that, I'm never gonna see him again, that I'm never gonna be able to move into the house he built for us with him, never have a family with him...I feel like I'm gonna die. He gave up his entire life in California for me and I got him killed."