Circumstances

Pairing: OC/Rebekah

Summary: As much as everyone thought they knew, Jacqueline always managed to prove them wrong. People claim to know who she is, what she's done, what's she's been through - and yet none of them can see all of it. What happens when she meets a certain Original Vampire who sees every little thing about her. From the way she walks to the way she acts... but will Jacqueline allow her supernatural mate to see her past as if they experienced it themselves. Elena bashing.

...

"The worst day of loving someone is the day that you lose them"

Elena Gilbert, Vampire Diaries

DIECI

Jaqueline = 18
Elena = 16
Jeremy=13

Jaqueline sighed in relief as she felt the burn of whiskey down her throat, taking another large sip from the expensive and stolen bottle she smiled. "I really need to get drunk" she muttered to Riley who scoffed and smiled widely.

"Aren't you supposed to be keeping an eye on your little brother?" Samantha hummed though she didn't seem particularly bothered by the change in plan.

Jacqueline nodded looked around the campfire party to celebrate the graduation of another year of students. Though the party wasn't limited to newly graduated, rather any teenager in Mystic Falls looking to party.

Though that wasn't surprising in the slightest.

She spotted Jeremy talking to a group of his friends which included Viki Donovan who she knew Jeremy had the hots for, still has the hots for, she corrected. Smirking she shrugged her shoulders, "He looks like he's plenty occupied. Not to mention that Elena and Tyler are here too - and Elena doesn't drink much anyway"

Riley smirked and leaned closer, "You wanna leave with me then?" he asked

Jacqueline tilted her head and then smirked, "Depends - you gonna party with me first?" she asked challengingly and watched as Riley smiled before he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the middle of the party.

Jacqueline laughed loudly as she followed and nodded her head to the music, they made their way into the middle of the party. The campfire that someone had built was roaring and preventing them all from freezing in the midnight air. The music, Jacqueline recognised as Halestom's jump the gun, was blasting simultaneously through about 20 speakers.

There was laughter and dancing and drinking and fun.

That was why Jaqueline liked to party so much, it made you feel this sense of freedom that utterly filled you to the core.

She wasn't one who got blackout drunk or high on drugs - but that didn't mean Jacqueline didn't like to have fun. Hell she could dance sober all night and still have a blast. That didn't mean she wasn't partial to some alcohol at parties though. Dancing with Riley was fun and Jacqueline remembered why she often ended the night in his bed. He was a lot like her in the way he liked to have fun not just drink for the sake of drinking. There was no rush in tumbling into bed when they knew it was inevitable between them tonight. So why not have a good time dancing first?

Not to mention that their dancing wasn't anything less than a chance to cop a feel.

Jacqueline chuckled as Riley's hand worked it's way under her shirt as they moved to the music. Her back pressed against his front, leaving no room in-between them. They moved together, grinding and dancing like many other people that surrounded them were doing. Her head lulled on his shoulder and she smiled widely up at one of her closest friends. "Wanna head out soon? I have to check in with my siblings and then we can go" she told him. Riley nodded and pressed a few kisses on her neck as they continued dancing, his hands moving to her ass as she let out a content sigh.

The moment was ruined by Elena running up to them in tears, "Jacq!"

Jacqueline pulled away from Riley as soon as she saw tears in her sister eyes, her main priority was the crying teen on front of her and not the arousal she had been feeling. "Elena? Elena what's wrong?" she asked but Elena only fell into Jacqueline's arms and cried.

"Ma-Matt and I - We broke up - I" Elena stuttered out, heartbroken tears running down Jacqueline's shoulder as she held her little sister.

Jacqueline winced, "It's alright, Lena. It's gonna be okay, remember? Do you need me to beat him up?" she offered completely serious in the offer of beating the shit out Matt for making her sister cry.

"No!" Elena shook her head, "I - I told him what we talked about"

Suddenly Jacqueline understood what had led up to the breakup and she wasn't surprised to hear of it. It needed to be done. Elena had already put off telling Matt how she felt about his plans for the future for weeks and she wasn't surprised that a little liquid courage had been what got the conversation done.

...The way Elena is blubbering, the girl had to be drunk.

Riley sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Look. I get the sibling thing - my little sister comes to me crying and no girl I'm with is gonna get priority over that" he said giving Elena a sympathetic pat on the back. "I'll see you later Jacq!"

"Thanks, Ry" Jacqueline called out giving him a nod of appreciation.

Elena's breaths had evened out some but she was still obviously upset and Jacqueline tried her best to calm the 16 year old down as she looked for Tyler and Jeremy. Jacqueline knew that Tyler was making his own way home - they were all supposed to make their own ways home tonight. Tyler was supposed to drop Jeremy off while Matt dropped Elena back home.

Though plans seemed to have changed now.

Especially since Jacqueline had gotten a ride from Samantha who already left the party since Jacqueline had been planning to go to Riley's place tonight. Sighing she led Elena to a rock where she could sit down, "C'mon, Lena" Jacqueline muttered and guided Elena to sit down. "Stay here. I don't have a car so I'll have to go find Jeremy and Tyler and figure something out"

Elena hiccupped and nodded her head in agreement.

Jacqueline nodded and then wandered off to locate Jeremy and or Tyler considering she suspected that Jeremy would be going home with Viki Donovan tonight. If the fact that she had seen Viki on Jeremy's arm tonight told her anything. Spotting Jeremy she made her way over to the teen currently lip locked with Viki. Unsurprised at the pair she cleared her throat watching Jeremy jump in surprise before he blushed at the shit-eating grin on Jacqueline's face. "Sorry to, uh, interrupt" Jacqueline smirked

"You didn't!" Jeremy was a little too quick to protest

"uh-huh" Jacqueline nodded knowingly and shrugged her shoulders indifferently to what she knew she was interrupting. "Anyway, Elena and Matt broke up... so I'm gonna have to take Elena home. Are you still planning on going home with Tyler?" she asked glancing directly at Viki to emphasis her point.

"Uh-" Jeremy looked nervous to answer

Viki snorted, "Dude" she punched Jeremy's shoulder and rolled her eyes. "Your sister is so much cooler than Matt. Jacq doesn't even care as long as you aren't doing anything bad. She used to say that to Matt and Elena all the time but they never did anything bad anyway"

Jeremy sighed, "Yeah. I mean, I think I'll stay with Vicki for a while and maybe Matt will give me a ride home with Viki if I need it"

Jacqueline nodded and smirked at Jeremy before walking away in search of Tyler who she knew was probably charming his way into some girls pants at the moment.

"Jacq!" Elena ran over to her and grabbed her arm, "I called Dad and Mom. Dad said he was out on a drive with Mom and they'll pick us up on the way home"

Jacqueline pursued her lips and begrudgingly followed after Elena as she walked to a secluded part of the woods that was visible along the main road. She knew that this was probably where Greyson has said he would pick them up from. Jacqueline had a bad feeling about this, hell she had a bad feeling about most things to do with her parents.

Elena just seemed to be determined to ignore every hint of comment that was thrown around by Greyson and Miranda.

It was like Elena didn't want to known... refused to know the truth.

Sighing she watched Elena march ahead to wait while she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Matt asking if he could make sure Jeremy gets home eventually. Shaking her head she also let Tyler know what was happening before starting to follow Elena again. Jaqueline looked up to see Greyson pull the car up in front of Elena and waited for them both to get in.

Greyson didn't look happy about it either, she noted instantly.

Then again Jacqueline wasn't sure what the last time she had seen her father look happy was? A shuddering thought of her father smiling while cutting into Enzo flashed through her mind and she squashed the urge to strange Greyson for it.

...Enzo wanted that revenge for himself, she was sure of it.

Rolling her eyes at the thought, Jacqueline spotted the yellow pill bottles sitting in her mothers lap and understood exactly why Miranda and Greyson had 'gone for a drive' together at this time of night. The reasoning wasn't as romantic as it sounded to Jenna.

It was essentially a drug deal.

Greyson was giving Miranda more hardcore drugs in order to keep her out of town so she couldn't embarrass him by letting people find out she's an addict.

"What's wrong, Jaqueline?" Miranda smirked knowing full well what was wrong and also knowing that Elena was oblivious to it.

Jacqueline scoffed, "The fuck do you think is wrong?"

Elena's head snapped to Jacqueline and Elena stared mouth open with wide surprised eyes. Probably wondering what would have Jaqueline speaking to their 'mother' like that all of a sudden. However, Elena's reaction went ignored by the three other people in the car at the moment.

"Jacqueline!" Greyson snapped in an angry snarl that made Elena squeak in surprised and horror at the contempt laced in her fathers voice. Not that it was new way for Greyson to speak to Jacqueline, Elena had just been oblivious to it before now.

"You're part of the problem, Greyson!" Jacqueline retorted, "You let this happen. This is on you just as much as it is Miranda. The fact that you allow it to continue is disgusting"

Miranda sighed, "We're still your parents-"

"Don't start with that bullshit" Jaqueline scoffed bitterly, "You know what? I fucking hope you OD from that shit!" she spat

Miranda turned in her seat, arm raised as if she were going to slap Jaqueline who just stared blankly at Miranda in challenge. "Hit me" Jaqueline grit out, "And i'll hit you back" she growled lowly

Miranda seemed to look at a horror stricken Elena before she smirked at Jacqueline and slapped Jaqueline soundly across the face.

Jacqueline felt it then, the buzzing of magic under her skin, she felt it explode. White, hot, agony erupted from her body and Jacqueline's mouth opened in a silent scream before the magic seemed to lash out at Miranda. Greyson screamed as he lost control of the car and sent them flying off of Wickery Bridge. Jacqueline watched silently as her parents and Elena screamed in fear as the car made impact with the lake beneath the bridge. The only reason she was completely at ease was the feeling of comfort that her magic enveloped around her. Jaqueline didn't trust much - not people, and she shouldn't have trusted magic she didn't understand - but as soon as it exploded she knew she could. The magic, was like an extra arm almost. She was aware of it as much as she was aware of her own hands or legs.

But it's not why she trusted the magic.

The magic called to her with a promise to protect and work her will.

It was possessive.

Strong.

Ruthless.

And it was completely hers in every sense of the word.

Jaqueline breathed in deeply and reached out for Elena, realising the situation she knew she had to get Elena to safety. Elena was banging on the windows trying to get out and pulling on the doors that seemed to be sealed shut by the heavy weight of the water. Jacqueline didn't know what to do but she had to do something.

If only she could get the window open then they'd be able to swim through to the surface, right?

But they were going to have to do it quickly or they'd run out of air!

"Elena!" Jacqueline yelled tying to be as calm as she could for Elena's sake.

Elena turned to her desperately clinging to Jaqueline's arms with tars streaming down her face. "Jacq! Jacq! Please - Please! I don't want to d-d-die! What - we need to - to get out" Elena was frantic and clearly scared out of her mind.

Jacqueline took a deep breath and moved to her window, attempting to get the window to open or break at the very least. Slamming her hand on the glass she knew it wasn't going to happen... they weren't going to be able to break the glass. Then... she felt it again. The magic stirring and waiting to be told what to do, to be able to help, and so she let it. Jacqueline wasn't sure what she was doing but this was her only chance. They were loosing air and the car was filling with water through the cracks in the front. Jaqueline continued banging on the window until it disappeared.

Water flooded into the car.

Jaqueline grabbed Elena and forced her out the small window, pushing her to swim to the top of the lake even though Elena tried to reach out for Greyson who was either unconscious or dead. Jaqueline swam after Elena, her magic giving her that extra boost of effort. When she got to the surface she dragged Elena out of the river and towards the mud where they caught their breaths.

"Oh, god!" She hugged Elena tightly, "We're okay, we're okay"

Elena seemed to be in shock and Jaqueline wasn't all that surprised when Elena fainted but she was relieved to hear the sirens. Everything would be okay... right?

Jesus fucking Christ she hoped everything would be okay!

Elizabeth Forbes, the new sheriff of Mystic Falls, shifted uncomfortably under Jacqueline's blank and unfocused stare. Jacqueline wasn't sure what to say to the sheriff... she wasn't sure what do to at the moment. Which in its self was an uncommon reaction from Jacqueline Gilbert, but it was the reaction she was having despite herself.

What the fuck was she supposed to do?

Jacqueline continued to stare blankly - almost not even registering the sheriff's presence in front of her - as she thought about the events of the past two hours. Miranda and Greyson are dead. Dead as in permanently gone and Jacqueline was pretty sure that it was her own fault. Cause as it turned out the concerns of her magic finally exploding had been warranted.

Now she couldn't really say that to the sheriff now, could she?

Uh, Yeah, Sheriff Forbes, I do know what happened. Miranda slapped me and so my magic slapped her back... slapped Miranda right off Wickery Bridge to drown beside their asshole, drug dealer father. How does she feel about it? Well, not very upset to be honest... a little relieved.

Yeah, Jacqueline almost scoffed, she couldn't very well say that to Sherriff Forbes without being considered a psychopath! Sucking in a deep breath Jacqueline blinked a few times to refocus on Sheriff Forbes concerned face. "What did you say again?" she asked not able to remember the question that sent her thoughts spiralling in the first place.

Sheriff Forbes gave a small, understanding smile, before repeating herself again, "I asked if you remembered what happened?"

"Oh" Jacqueline nodded her head, "Yeah, Yeah I remember what happened"

"Can you tell me?" The Sheriff was being patient and Jacqueline was thankful for that because she needed a minute to collect her thoughts. She was gonna have to say something to explain this and whatever it was couldn't include magic.

Nodding her head she sighed, "Elena and Matt broke up. She wanted to go home and she called Miranda and Greyson - we were arguing... in the car... Miranda and I were mad at each other, we were arguing again. Greyson yelled at us to stop, but Miranda was so mad that she turned around to slap me-"

The Sheriff sucked in a surprised gasp as if she hadn't expected to hear that her friend, Miranda Gilbert, had a violent bone in her body. Jacqueline could have laughed at that cause it wasn't the first time Miranda had put hands on her and it wasn't the first time that Jacqueline had reacted with just as much force.

...Which now that Jacqueline thought about it, was probably the reason why Miranda had slapped her in the first place. Because she knew that Jacqueline's temper would get the better of her in front of Elena.

Shaking her head she frowned at the Sheriff, "Miranda is my mom, and she might be your friend, but it doesn't mean that she looked after me. Miranda Gilbert spent more time travelling than she did in our own home"

Sheriff Forbes stared at her as if searching for a lie but when she found nothing but honesty in Jacqueline's eyes, the tears that the Sheriff had been struggling to hold back began to fall. Because as much as everyone in town was content to pretend like nothing was out of the normal - it wasn't hard to see the patterns. Miranda's absence from town hadn't gone unnoticed and even if they all thought it was for the stupid non-existent book... it didn't change the fact she wasn't there for her kids.

"So-" Sheriff Forbes sucked in a shuttering breath, "She hit you?"

Jacqueline nodded, "It's not the first time. I'm used to it though, it's not surprising... Miranda was always obsessed with her reputation in public rather than being a good mother"

Sheriff Forbes stared at her for a long pause of silence before she nodded numbly and closed her eyes. "Okay" the Sheriff regained her composure. "What happened after you got in the car? You were arguing and she hit you?"

"She must have distracted Greyson cause next thing I know the car swerved right off the bridge" Jacqueline shuddered at the memory of the bursting pain that had taken over her body when her magic finally surfaced. "My window was cracked open - Elena was banging on her own window and I managed to get mine open... it cracked on impact with the water, I think. I got Elena out first and then we tried to get to the surface before we needed air again"

Sheriff Forbes rested a hand on Jacqueline's shoulder as true panic contorted on Jacqueline's face at how close she had come to killing her sister tonight.

The very sister she had sworn to protect.

Her baby sister had almost died because she couldn't control herself...

And suddenly Jacqueline lurched forward towards a trash can emptying the contents of her stomach at the thought that maybe the witches were right? Maybe she and her magic truly were abominations if she almost killed one of the only people she loved. Getting control of her magic needed to happen quickly because she would never risk putting Elena, Jeremy or Tyler in that much danger ever again.

If she killed one of them...

That's something Jacqueline knew without a doubt she would never be able to come back from. Not if she as responsible for one of those three peoples deaths.

She was going to need help.

A lot of it.

Maybe she should ask Enzo?

Oh god, Enzo!

Standing up, Jacqueline looked at the Sheriff uncomfortable with the woman having witnessed her moment of vulnerability. "I just need... I just need some air" she told the woman before rushing out of the hospital hallway.

Jacqueline knew that Elena was safe for the moment and she also knew that she Sheriff was still trying to locate which teens house Jeremy had gone to - because Jacqueline had forgot to mention that Jeremy was with Viki Donovan - which was probably why he wasn't answering the phone. A Deputy had been sent to inform Jenna of what happened and to inform her that Elena was in hospital because she had hit her head on the window when they went over the safety railing and has a concussion.

Thankfully though, Elena was not awake yet.

Jacqueline needed to get herself under control before Elena wakes up because they were going to need a pillar of strength not a hot mess of a sister to help them. Practically running down main street, Jacqueline bolted into Greyson's doctors office and ran down the stairs to where she knew her father had kept Enzo locked up. Her heart was pounding in her chest so loud that she knew Enzo would hear her coming just from the sound of her heart alone. "Enzo!" she called out as she flew down the stairs towards the cell.

Enzo, noticing her panicked state, stuck his head near the cell bars immediately in worry. "What's wrong? Jacq!?"

She didn't answer him, instead she bolted into the 'surgery' room and searched for the keys to unlock the cell. Finding a draw of them she grunted in frustration but it was her volatile emotions reacting with her emotions that caused the cell doors to burst from the wall and clatter loudly to the ground. Jacqueline turned in surprise before she stared at Enzo and her panic resumed.

Rushing to his side she grabbed a pen and took his hand before he could comprehend the situation and what he had seen.

"Enzo!" She snapped at him, "You need to get out of town. Go and get as far away as you can.. then find a shop or a convenience store. Compel yourself a phone and then call this number" she implored showing him the phone number she'd written on his hand.

Enzo blinked in shock, "W-what are you doing?! Jacqueline? If Greyson-"

"He's dead!" She pretty much yelled at him, "I- I sent our car off the Wickery Bridge... Greyson and Miranda are both dead. You have to go before someone from the Augustine comes looking for you"

Enzo looked like he wanted to run and do exactly what she was telling him to but he hesitated, staring at her with knowing eyes. "Your magic" he mumbled

"I have to stay here" Jacqueline told him before pushing him up the stairs, "You need to go. Enzo this is it.. you have to go"

"I-" he looked back at her before smiling sadly, "Thankyou" and then as soon as she blinked he was gone. Jacqueline couldn't help the relieved breath that escaped her once he was gone.

He would be alright.

She knew he would.

From all he had told her about life before his capture, it would be easier for him to survive now than it ever had been before. So much had changed and she had taught him enough about society now for him to be able to navigate it relatively well. Plus, weird people don't stand out as much anymore cause people just assume your crazy and move on.

Their first thought isn't vampire or an anit-christ.

Shaking her head she sucked in a breath and headed for the Donovan house knowing that it was likely the Sheriff still hadn't located Jeremy. Not when most of the teenagers at the party they'd be asking were either drunk or busy trying to get it on like the horny little teens they are. It didn't take her long to get there, she had run the entire way and was out of breath but the adrenaline and shock kept her going. Climbing up the driveway she steeled herself before raising a hand to pound on the front door. Somewhere in the back of her mind she recognised it was probably unnecessarily loud but she couldn't find it in her to care at the moment.

Sluggishly, Matt opened the door and stared at her drenched clothing in confusion. "Jacqueline?" he blinked, "what-"

"Is Jeremy here?" she demanded not really registering anything but that she needed to find her little brother.

Matt nodded, "Yeah-"

Pushing past Matt, Jacqueline ran into Vicki's room and threw the door open watching the two teens jerk awake in Vicki's bed. Jeremy sat up and rubbed his eyes before frowning in confusion and spluttering in embarrassment when he realised who it was. Vicki frowned at Jacqueline and then at Matt who had followed and hovered in the doorway.

"Jeremy" Jacqueline whispered, words chocking in her throat as she stared at the fact of her little brother. She knew she had to say something but she couldn't help but wonder if he would hate her if she told him the truth.

"Jacq?" Jeremy sat up and scrambled to pull his shirt on

She wasn't bothered by his nakedness but she dropped her eyes to the floor waiting for him to get dressed anyway. Right now, she didn't think there was much that would bother her because in the face of losing her brother she didn't think anything compared.

...certainly not whatever state of undress he was in.

"Jacq? What's going on? Is everything okay?" Jeremy asked getting to his feat once he was dressed and taking in Jacqueline's appearance as her clothes continued to drip in Vicki's bedroom floor.

"Wikery Bridge" Jacqueline steeled herself visibly, her shoulders straightening and her face hardening as she regained composure. "The car went off Wickery Bridge, Jeremy, Elena's got a concussion - but, but I only got me and Elena out of the car... Miranda and Greyson - they didn't make it, Jeremy"

There was a beat of silence before Matt darted out of the room - probably to check on Elena or something like that.

Vicki got out of bed and put on clothes, as gasp falling from her lips when she realised that Jeremy's parents were dead.

Jeremy floundered before he gasped, "They're dead? Mom and Dad... a-a-are dead? Elena's in hospital?"

Jacqueline nodded her head and when she saw tears welling in Jeremy's eyes she opened her arms for him to collapse against her in. She held him tightly. The lingering fear of him finding out why they were dead still settled in her stomach but it only made her hold onto him tighter. He needed her right now and even if he wanted nothing to do with her tomorrow; she would be here for him now.

"I'm so sorry, Jeremy, I'm so sorry" she whispered as he cried

After calming down Jeremy, he needed to go see Elena and so Jacqueline allowed Matt to drive them back to the hospital. Jacqueline called Jenna who had just arrived at the hospital and let her aunt know that she had gone to find and tell Jeremy. When they got out of the Matt's truck Jacqueline held Jeremy's hand.

Jeremy had yet to let go of her since she had told him, but she didn't mind.

She led them up towards where they'd situated Elena for the night and found Jenna standing outside Elena's hospital door as if she was trying to force herself to go in, but couldn't. Jacqueline sighed and shook her head slightly, she might not feel bad for what happened to their parents but she did feel bad for how it was effecting the people around her.

Namely; Jeremy, Elena, Jenna.

Jacqueline wondered if that was wrong to feel this way but she never had believed much in right or wrong. Miranda had been a pitiful excuse for a mother and Greyson hadn't been much better.

They wouldn't have mourned her death and she knew it.

Nevertheless there was nothing she could do about what happened, so instead she focused on making sure that this didn't break the people important to her. She would help them put the pieced back together and make sure that they live a good life despite this.

And she would make sure she never hurt them; accident or not.

Jacqueline could forgive herself for what happened tonight but she could never forgive herself if she hurt Jeremy, Elena or even Tyler. They were her people. The ones she cared for the most in the entire world, the only people she would die and kill for.

"Jenna?" Jacqueline called out

Jenna turned to face them, tears streaking her face and relief took over the young woman as soon as she spotted them. "Jacq! Jeremy!" Jenna called out and rushed to hug them both. "Oh my god! I'm so glad you and Elena made it out!"

Jacqueline hugged Jenna tightly, her aunt wasn't much older than Jacqueline having only recently started collage at 23 years old. Miranda's mom had gotten pregnant at 18 and had Miranda - then 13 years later had a second child which was Jenna. It made for a rather large age gap between the two sisters but Jenna and Miranda had gotten along fairly well when they had seen each other regardless.

"Jeremy" Jacqueline broke away from Jenna momentarily, "Why don't you and Matt go in and check on Elena?" she suggested. Jeremy seemed to hesitate, not wanting to leave her side but she gave him a nod of encouragement. "I'll be there in a second. Alright?"

"Okay" Jeremy sighed and then followed Matt into Elena's hospital room

Jenna looked at Jacqueline then, "How did this happen, Jacq?" Jenna whispered shaking her head sadly. "God, what do we do?"

Jacqueline sighed, "Did you know about the drugs?" she whispered to Jenna unsure if Jenna was aware of not of Miranda's drug use.

Jenna looked to the floor in shame, a tell tail sign that she had known. Jenna sighed, "Yes" she whispered looking back up at Jacqueline. "It stared just before Elena was born"

That was news to Jacqueline and she frowned in confusion waiting for Jenna to continue to explain.

"Greyson sent her to rehab... he loved her back then. It had been pills after she got out of hospital for a broken leg" Jenna explained, "After that it was the medicine in the house, faking pain so she could get more medicine. Greyson realised and sent her to rehab. I - I thought that was it, I was about 14 years old... I was about Elena's age now"

Jacqueline nodded her head in understanding, she herself would have been only a small child and she couldn't of expected Jenna to do anything when Greyson was supposed to be taking care of it.

"I thought it stopped... until a few years ago she stopped in at my dorm room on campus. Stole from my roommates purse. I called Greyson and he said that he had it all under control" Jenna admitted shaking her head sadly, "I realised tonight that when they went out together - that it wasn't. They weren't just going to a nice drive where they?"

"No, they weren't" Jacqueline sighed and sank down into a chair before placing her head in her hands. Jenna followed the movement and sat in the chair beside her patiently waiting for an explanation.

Jacqueline looked up at Jenna and told her everything, from the moment she had been 10 years old and realised her mom was on drugs to when Miranda first hit her for saying anything about going to rehab. She told Jenna about when she would skip school to pick Miranda off the floor so Elena and Jeremy wouldn't find her like that. She told Jenna about how Greyson had started giving Miranda drugs and alcohol as long as she promised to stay in the house and not go out and people wouldn't fine out. She told Jenna about Greyson never coming home, to him moving out of the house, to him getting a new girlfriend.

...Of course she left out Enzo and witches.

But once Jacqueline started talking, she couldn't stop and she told Jenna everything.

Correction; almost everything.

"...and when Elena called Miranda for my graduation - Miranda knew she could score drugs and money. So she showed up. Of course that meant that Greyson would show up cause he didn't want Miranda to ruin his reputation - he needed to keep an eye on her" she spat out bitterly and rolled her eyes. "I got my shit together Jenna. I had a plan to get custody of Jeremy and Elena... I was gonna tell Jeremy and Elena everything right after my graduation. Greyson threatened me; he said that if I ever told he would have the council arrest me for something - I have a record Jenna, it wouldn't have been that hard to believe"

Jenna shook her head angrily, "These people that I used to love - I look at them, I think about them and I realise I haven't known them for a long time now. They aren't the same people I loved -"

"Yet you mourn them like they were" Jacqueline finished nodding her agreement and understanding.

Sometimes it was easy for Jacqueline to forget that not everyone saw her parents in the same light she did. She felt no remorse because she knew who they truly were, others didn't see that side to Greyson and Miranda.

And those people mourned what they thought was a great loss.

"Miranda knew what she was doing when she slapped me" Jacqueline stated, "She wanted me to react. She wanted Elena to see me in a bad light so she could manipulate her own goddamn daughter!"

Jenna sighed, "And Elena always did adore Miranda"

Jaqueline hummed thoughtfully, "I can do this, Jenna" she said seriously, "I can look after my siblings. I've been doing it on my own since I was 10 - I was preparing to do it anyway. I got a job at a bar, and I have the tattoo shop. I can work nights at the bar and during school hours at the tattoo shop"

"Are you sure?" Jenna questioned turning in her seat to look at Jaqueline seriously as Jenna added. "I don't doubt you can do it. You've practically been their mother and father for all their lives... It's just, your 18 and, and do you want to do this? Do you want to do this when you could be going to collage or travelling or doing what other 18, almost 19 year olds do?"

"I can do both, Jenna" Jaqueline smiled and squeezed Jenna's hand. "I'm not saying I don't want you around or anything, honestly it might be good for Elena and Jeremy if they had all the support they can get right now. All I'm saying is that I can and will do this - I never wanted to go back to school, I get to work at a bar and do tattoos... as simple as it sounds, I enjoy that"

"Okay" Jenna relented easily

"Okay" Jacqueline smiled and pulled her aunt in for a tight hug knowing that as much as Jenna wanted to hate both Miranda and Greyson - she couldn't help that small bit of sadness and grief that she felt.

And Jacqueline would be there to help Jenna through it as well.

They'd be there for each other!

Jenna smiled as she pulled away and wiped at the tears in her eyes before letting out a groan, "Ugh! I'm getting too emotional for my liking!"

"Tell me about it" Jaqueline allowed herself to laugh lightly, thankful for the change in topic from the depressing conversation they'd been having.

"I'm gonna stick around for the summer at least" Jenna announced, "I'll take the spare bedroom and I'll work on my thesis. I'll help as much as I can while Elena and Jeremy grieve - we'll get through this as a family"

"God I love you Jenna!" Jaqueline hugged Jenna again before standing up and stretching her sore muscles, realising she was still wearing her drenched and murkey clothing. Wrinkling her nose she shook her head at stink of the river water.

Jenna chuckled, "You should go home and change. Maybe bring back some clothes for Elena? Or take Jeremy home? I can stay here tonight"

Jaqueline nodded her head in agreement, "I'll check on Elena first and see what Matt and Jeremy wanna do"

"Ok" Jenna nodded standing as well and both women walked towards Elena's hospital room where they found Jeremy and Matt standing in the open doorway.

Quirking a brow at the two boys she searched their faces for any indication they might have heard something they shouldn't have heard. "You ready to leave Matt? Elena won't be awake until tomorrow morning at least"

Matt nodding quickly and cleared his throat before walking past them into the hallway, "I'll uh, meet you in the parking lot" he said before walking away

Jacqueline frowned and exchanged a confused look with Jenna before she turned her attention back to Jeremy who's eyes were red and puffy from crying. "Jer?" she said attentively and reached out her hand to rest on his arm, jerking him out of his thoughts. "Let's go home, okay? I'll get changed and bring you back if you want?"

"Uh" Jeremy shook his head, "It's alright. We should get some sleep tonight... and you should take a shower" he wrinkled his nose

"Thanks" Jacqueline scoffed but kissed Jeremy on the cheek before guiding him out of the hospital to the car. She easily noted that Jeremy seemed a little out of it but that wasn't surprising, a lot had happened tonight. She realised maybe her delivery of what happened hadn't been the best but at the time she hadn't thought it through fully.

Either way he would have found out and had to deal with the same emotions.

Nodding at Matt they all climbed into the truck and it wasn't long before Matt was pulling up in their driveway. A heavy silence settling over them.

"Thanks Matt" Jacqueline nodded to the boy, "You be careful driving home, alright? And don't worry about Elena - she'll be sad for a while but eventually, she'll be okay" Matt just nodded sadly as she and Jeremy climbed out of the truck and headed inside the house.

Jacqueline sighed as Jeremy stormed up the stairs and into his room, she decided to let him be on his own for a little bit while. Maybe a little space to let things sink in was what Jeremy needed. She doubted he would be awake for much longer - it had been an emotional night.

For everyone.

Even she needed a second alone to figure out her thoughts.

Heading up stairs to her bedroom, she pulled out some sleep clothes and got in the shower. She shed a few tears as she washed away the mud and murky lake water that clung to her skin for the past few hours. She didn't feel bad for what happened to Miranda and Greyson - their deaths didn't bring a sense of guilt or loss to Jacqueline. Instead she was scared of the trauma she had caused Elena tonight and the pain grief she had created for Jeremy and Elena.

Fear settled in her stomach that she didn't know how to shake... she needed to figure this magic situation out before someone she cares about gets hurt.

Shaking her head she made her way out of her room to get a glass of water and maybe a pain killer for the ache in her muscles. She was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she didn't notice a devastated and angry Jeremy slipping back out of their parents bedroom after discovering the evidence of what he had overheard at the hospital.

.

.