Complete, well, almost complete re-write to this story. Like I said in my Activity posts, I completely messed up the timeline and the character after noticing a MAJOR flaw with the story line. I hope you all continue to love, comment and follow this story as we continue. That's the reason I haven't updated as of yet. I was re-writing and changing a lot of things.

Stick with it...It gets a whole lot better as we continue.

Also, I know it's going to come up, so I'm going to address it once and that's it. Jessica and Caroline were born 11 months apart. Jessica was born in November 1991 and Caroline was born in October 1992. Making them the same age. Yes, it's possible. My sister and I were born 11 months apart also. It fits my vision much better and I hope it makes more sense to you, the reader.

Jess will be in the same class year as Caroline as she was held back a year in school. Hope this makes sense.

Enjoy!

'Hey mom, I'm on my way home. I can't wait to see you and Care. I've missed yous so much. See you soon. X'

A grin grew across my face as I hit send on my phone. I was finally returning home. I finally got to see my mom and sister again.

I sighed as I waited for my cab to pull up. My bags were all packed and waiting by the door.

"Are you sure you're ready to go?"

I turned around and smiled. My dad grinned and crossed the room towards me. As he approached, he raised his arms and wrapped my scarf loosely around my neck.

"I'm so ready." I laughed.

"You know, you don't have to leave yet. You can still stay here, with me."

I pulled the scarf tighter around my neck before replying. "Dad, I can't stay here with you forever." I walked closer to him and placed my hands on his shoulders. "But I have to go home tonight, or mom's just going to keep calling." I laughed. "I've missed a lot of school, by this rate, I don't even know if they'll let me back into the semester."

He nodded, "Of course they will let you back, sweetie. I'm just worried about you."

"I'll be fine. Promise."

The beeping from the street caught my ears, halting our conversation. I walked over to the window, peering outside to see my cab waiting patiently below.

I gripped the plane tickets tightly in my hand. It was all becoming so real, so fast. Taking a few deep breaths, I managed to get my racing heart under control.

"Call me when you get to the airport. When you land, and when you're home." My dad rambled on as I opened the door and shrugged on my coat.

"Dad!" I began to chuckle at his level of over protectiveness. It was adorable, but overbearing at times. "I'll be fine!"

I gripped my suitcase and threw my bag over my shoulder. Opening the door further, I stood in the entrance for a brief moment. All kinds of thoughts were going through my mind. 'Was I doing the right thing?' 'Is now a good time to go home?'

"I'll message you when I land?" I whispered before placing a shaky kiss on his cheek

The nerves were taking over once more.

"You better!" He laughed and followed behind me with another suitcase.

Once we were outside in the cool air. I breathed a deep sigh of relief as the cab driver and my dad loaded the luggage into the trunk. I looked back at the building that had been my home for the past few months. The home where I had my 18th birthday and the home where I learned things I never thought I'd ever learn.

"Ready to go?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to face my dad as he held the cab door open, waiting for me to enter.

"Sorry...I was in a world of my own there." I smiled sheepishly at him as I climbed in the back of the cab.

"Remember," My dad said as he kneeled down into the cab, "Remember to keep doing the breathing techniques I gave you. It'll keep that temper under control."

I nodded my head and reached into my pocket, pulling out a folded sheet of paper, "I have them all right here."

"Good girl." He placed one final kiss on the top of my head before backing off and closing the door, locking me in place.

As the cab pulled off, I swivelled in the seat and peered out of the back window, giving my father one final wave as we headed for the airport.

The journey on the plane was fast, too fast for my liking. I still wasn't sure if what I was doing was the right thing, for myself or my family, but the only way to find out was to go home. I'll just have to see what happens. The plane came to a halt at my destination; the nerves were flowing once more.

"Come on, Jessica. Get your shit together!"

I tried to give myself a pep talk to get my ass off this plane. Surprisingly, it worked. I was now walking through the airport, two suitcases and a bag strapped on my back, steadily taking each step as I could smell the fresh air coming through the doors. I approached the large glass doors as the automatically opened. It was just like I remembered, nothing had changed, and everything looked the exact same. The air smelled the same, although, it smelled a lot stronger.

"Hey, where are you off to, miss…?" The cab driver said as he took my suitcases and wheeled them to the back. He stared at me blankly once the cases were in the trunk.

"Oh," I smiled and chuckled lightly, "Miss Forbes. I'm going home."

"So, Miss Forbes. What brings you to Mystic falls?" The driver asked and we departed on our route home. I could see him looking at me in his rear-view mirror, awaiting my reply.

"I umm, I have family here." I nodded. He smirked in response.

"Ohh, Sherriff Forbes? Relation to you I presume?"

He was pressing a little too much for my liking.

"You presume correct. She is my mother." I replied, annoyance evident in my tone.

He nodded once more and then dropped the conversation. I had a short temper at the best of times, but being back here for the first time in months had me on edge.

That's why I went to stay with my father for a while. I couldn't really control my temper. The slightest spanner-in-the-works and I popped off. Like it was another person, living inside of me that I had no control over whatsoever.

The cab stopped outside my house a while later. I paid the man as he placed my items on the sidewalk before driving off. As I turned around to face my home, my heart began to race once more. Taking a deep breath, I walked up the three steps to the front door.

My hand hovered in the air, too scared to knock the door to my own home.

"Fuck! Come on."

My knuckles connected with the solid wood of the door. Two knocks was all it took before it opened

"Hi…" I smiled shyly.

"You're home!"

My mom answered the door, the tears brimming in the corner of her eyes.

I had missed her far too much. Don't get me wrong, we had our differences. Mostly because of me and my temper, but these months have helped me more than I thought they could. I felt in a better mindset. More confident over my own mind.

She stepped outside onto the porch, beaming as she encased me into a death tightening hug.

"Mom... mom, you're crushing the life out of me!" I gasped.

She stepped back, still keeping a tight grip on my arms.

"How are you, sweetheart? She paused for a quick moment.

I laughed, as she took one of my cases from the porch and wheeled it inside. I hovered at the entrance, lost as to what to do. Although everything was the same. Everything was different.

I grabbed my bag from my feet and the case from my side and walked inside, closing the door quietly behind me.

"So… where is Care?" I asked. "I've missed her so much."

"Where do you think?" she muttered.

I rolled my eyes, "The grill, by any chance?"

That all-knowing look she always gave us was plastered on her face as I laughed.

"Is my room still the same?" I wondered.

"Of course." She opened the door and entered my room. "Although, your sister did try to nab it on a few occasions."

"Of course she did."

I flopped my case onto my bed and began to unpack everything from inside. It felt surreal to be back in my own home, in my own room and my own comfort, but I had never felt more out of place than I had right this moment. My mom stood hovering in the doorway, a worried look on her face.

I threw a top onto the bed, "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Why don't you go out? Catch up with your friends, huh? How does that sound?" She smiled. "I have to go into the office the now anyway."

"Of course you do." I whispered under my breath.

"What was that, honey?"

"Nothing, I just...I just got home and you're already leaving." I smiled weakly, trying to hide my disappointment and hurt that she was leaving so soon after I got back.

"Sorry, sweetie, but some things need to be finished in the office right away, or I'd have left it till tomorrow." She patted down her trousers as she huffed, "But tomorrow when we all wake up, we'll all have breakfast, like the old days?"

I laughed, "The 'old days'? Mom, I've been gone for a few months, not years." I began to remove clothes from my case as I caught the slightly saddened look on her face. "But... that would be great. I've missed your blueberry pancakes."

She almost beamed with joy. "Great, that's what we'll all do then. I'll let your sister know, or if you see her first, you can tell her."

My stomach began to rumble, causing me to place my hand over it to silence the calling from within.

"Are you okay, sweetie?"

"Yeah, I'm just going to go out for some food I think." I closed the top of my case and pushed it backwards up the bed.

"There is plenty in the kitchen."

I shook my head, "It's alright. Like you said, I can catch up with my friends."

She smiled and patted me on the shoulder, "Right, I best be getting on." she kissed me on the cheek and smiled, "I'm so happy you're home."

I smiled.

After my mom left to go back to work, I changed my mind about going out for food and opted for a quick snack from the kitchen. I filled in the rest of the night listening to music and unpacking the rest of my cases before I settled in for the night. I locked my bedroom door before I climbed into my bed and shut my eyes tightly. I remembered back to the news that I had found out a few weeks ago from Caroline. I still couldn't quite believe it. I didn't want to believe it. However, some late night snooping around my fathers study one night answered all my questions. It actually raised more questions than it answered, to be honest. Before I knew it, the continuous thoughts and questions that clouded my mind slowly floated away as I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up the next day, it was the afternoon. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I sat up in bed and released a big yawn. I hadn't realised just how much I needed that sleep. It relaxed every muscle of my being. The tension and jet-leg was slowly fading away as I stretched and swung my legs off the edge of the bed.

My head snapped to the left as the sound of the front food being closed caught my attention. I frowned and climbed off the bed and headed towards the door, turning the lock to open it before I peered outside of my room. I could lightly make out a shadow-figure standing on the other side of the door. As I began to walk down the hall quietly, I tried to see if I could figure out who was at the door. I didn't want to make myself known as no one knew I was back yet. Although, if mom spoke to Caroline already, she probably told the full school already.

I smirked and shook my head. I really did miss school and my friends.

"Hey, where have you been?"

I recognised the voice, I think, but I could have been wrong.

"At school. What's up?" It was Caroline.

"We need to talk."

"Why? What's wrong with you?" She replied to him.

I edged closer, still staying out of sight and listened from behind the door.

"I just don't understand one thing."

"What?"

"Why would you risk it? If a werewolf bite kills a vampire… why would you risk it?"

My blood ran cold and my skin froze over. Nothing could have prepared me for what I just heard.

"It's true..." I whispered under my breath.

Everything Care had told me weeks ago was true. My dad's files only clarified it further and my own ears heard it for themselves. She was a vampire. She was a vampire and I have no idea what to do now.

"Because you needed help."

"I could have killed you." The guy replied, harsher in tone.

I couldn't listen anymore. I've been home less than 24 hours and I already want to return to my fathers. Run away from all of this.

I jumped back as the front door swung open and Caroline entered inside, slamming the door behind her.

"Jess!?" Her mouth was agape. Clearly mom didn't tell her I was back yet, and by the look of it, neither was she.

As my sister made a move towards me, she grinned and opened her arms, ready to give me a hug.

I took a large step back. "Don't..."

She furrowed her brows, "What?" She choked a little as her arms fell flat by her side. "Jess...please don't be scared of me." Her voice was low and shaky as her eyes began to gather tears in the corners, "I'd never hurt you."

"I uhh...I didn't want to believe a word you said when you texted me a while back." I crossed my arms across my chest, comforting myself as I continued. "I thought to myself, 'Vampires, how hilarious. What else is she going to come out with.'" I walked across the room and took a seat on the sofa. "Then I couldn't let what you told me go. Something kept nagging at the back of my head. It reminded me of something that I came across in daddies office one night. So when he slept, I went into his study one night and found a whole load of files on supernatural beings."

Caroline's eyes widened as I spoke about our dad. "You didn't tell him anything right?!" Her voice was laced with fear.

"No. Of course I didn't." I shook my head, "I didn't want to sound insane, Care! Do you know how insane all of this is!"

"Yes, It's all insane, but it's true!" She groaned and took a seat on the coffee table in front of me. "Everything I told you is true, Jess. Everything from what happened to me, to what has been happening to everyone else."

"I-I don't know how to process this Care." I placed my hands on my knees and hung my head. The slight brush of her fingertips on the back of my palms caused me to pull back. The instant disappointment and sadness in my sisters eyes broke my heart. "I'm sorry, I just..."

"No, It's okay." Caroline whispered quietly. "I'd never hurt you. You have to believe me."

Her head hung low as tears began to roll down her cheek, she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. I closed my eyes tightly and took a deep breath before I reached my hands out and clasped them over the top of hers. A simple olive-branch on my part to help ease her sadness. She looked up from her lashes and smiled at me. I returned her smile promptly and gave her hands a gently squeeze.

"You have to tell me everything."

She quickly nodded her head and began to fill me in on everything Mystic Falls related.

After a whole lot of tears and a whole lot of 'fucks', I was now up to speed with the currencies that I had missed out on over the months.

"I don't even know what to say." I sighed and took a sip of water from a bottle.

Care shrugged, "You don't have to say anything. I know it's a lot to take in." She walked across the room and slumped down on the sofa beside me, "I didn't want to believe it either. Everything was a mess after I transitioned. I had no idea how to cope with what was happening. But Stefan helped me through it." She smiled, "I no longer feed from humans, only blood bags. I have complete control over my hunger."

I turned my head in her direction, "Everything you're saying sounds crazy. You know that, right?"

"You believe me though, don't you?"

I sighed, "If I hadn't found those files in daddy's study...I don't think I would have believed a word that came out of your mouth. It all just sounds like something you made up. But-"

"But?" Caroline said, cutting me off promptly.

I took a sharp inhale and thought it over. The evidence far outweighed the scepticism I had. There was no other explanation for what she had told me, or what I had found in those files. "I...believe you." I whispered.

"Thank you." She smiled and held my hand. "I'll be back in a minute. I need to make a phone call." She smiled before pushing herself off of the sofa and walked towards the kitchen.

My head was a jumble of thoughts and questions as I sat on the sofa alone.

Maybe I was the crazy one. Crazy for believing in something so ridiculous. Something so...unnatural.

Twenty minutes or so had passed before my sister came back into the room and joined me on the sofa. We continued to chat as I had a lot of questions that needed answered. Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door. Caroline got to her feet and walked towards the door. I rose from the sofa, brushed down my trousers and placed my hands into the back pockets of my jeans as a dirty-blonde haired man entered into the room.

"Jess," Caroline said as she entered the room, "This is Stefan."

The younger Salvatore entered further into the room. His lips pressed into a fine line as he approached me. I couldn't help but feel slightly on edge. A complete stranger, a vampire, was now making his way towards me in my own home. "Stefan, this is Jess. My sister." Caroline said.

"It's nice to meet you, Jessica." Stefan smiled and held out his hand, "Caroline has told us a lot about you."

His hand hung limply in the air. I hesitated before I took a deep breath and placed my hand in his. "It's nice to meet you."

I noticed that his hands were warm and soft as he shook my hand gently. I gave him a small smile before pulling my hand back and placing it back into my pocket.

He turned and faced Care, "So, what's wrong?"

Caroline hesitated before replying, "Tyler knows about you and Damon. He knows that Damon killed Mason. I didn't say a word." Stefan's eyes widened slightly as he eyed me. Caroline took note of the subtle change in his body language and smiled, "Don't worry. She knows everything."

"Everything?" Stefan said.

"Everything." I smiled and folded my arms. "I know everything."

His head bobbed slightly, "Okay then." Caroline gave me a reassuring smile as Stefan cleared his throat. "Back to the Tyler situation. It's that woman, Jules. She had a run-in with Damon."

"Tyler was so upset. The look on his face, he was so betrayed."

"Wow," Stefan sighed, "This is bad."

"You're not gonna tell Damon, are you?" The panic was evident in her tone as her eyes widened.

"No!" Stefan quickly replied, "He already wants to kill him. He thinks all werewolves should die, and he's not wrong to think that, Caroline. I mean, what if Tyler tries to retaliate? He has every right to. He could get himself killed."

"Bit harsh," I said from the left. Both Caroline and Stefan turned to face me. I swallowed hard, knowing full well that this wasn't my place, but my big mouth couldn't help but intervene. "I mean, you said your brother, Damon, wasn't wrong to think that werewolves should die. Maybe Tyler thinks the same about vampires." I paused and looked between my sister and Stefan, only just realising how stupid what I said really was. "I can't believe I just said that like it's a normal, everyday occurrence."

Stefan smiled. "You'll get used to it." Caroline said from his side with a small smile before facing Stefan head-on, "We have to get to him and reason with him before he does something stupid. You have to talk to him. Just try to explain, you know? You always know the right things to say, okay? He and I...we're friends."

Once Stefan had left earlier and Caroline went about her own things. I retired to my room and took a long awaited bath. The cherry scrub that I used intoxicated my senses as I lay back and soaked in the warm water. A pinging noise that came from my phone caused me to look towards the stool at the side of the tub. A message from Caroline flashed on the screen, 'Meet me at the Grill?'.

I sighed before replying that I'd meet her there in 20 minutes.

Maybe I'll see the others there as well.

I was out of the tub and standing in my room, my body wrapped in a towel as I dried my hair. I pinned back my blonde locks with a few pins to keep it from my face and changed into some clothes. Once I applied a light mist of perfume and applied a small amount of make-up, I was ready to hit-the-road.

It didn't take me long to arrive at The Grill. As I pulled up into a free space in the parking lot, I gathered my jacket and bag from the passenger side chair before climbing out. The street lights illuminated the way for me as I walked towards the entrance and pulled the door open in one quick movement. As I entered into The Grill, I caught the back of my sister leaving out the opposite door.

"Care!" I called through the crowd.

She must not have heard me calling as she vanished from my sight. I sighed and clutched onto the strap of my bag as I scanned the area. I couldn't make out anyone that I knew.

"Fuck it." I groaned, and headed towards the bar to order something to drink.

As I pulled out a seat, a dark haired man watched me from across the bar.

My patience was wearing thinner by the moment as he continued to keep me within his heated gaze.

"Can I help you with something?" I snapped.

The corner of his lips tugged up at the sides, "Forgive me," He grinned and took a sip from his glass. "You look oddly familiar. Do I know you?"

"Highly doubt it." I snapped once more and took a seat, resting my elbows on the bar. "I'd appreciate it if you'd stop staring at me though. Just a thought." I said as he continued to look in my direction.

He chuckled lightly, "Feisty, aren't you." He leaned his arm on the bar and slouched forwards slightly, "I'm Damon."

I shivered instantly once he said his name. "Damon Salvatore." I gasped.

"Ahh," He grinned, "So you have heard of me."

"Something like that." I rolled my eyes as I thought back to everything Care had told me earlier. "My sister told me all about you."

He frowned, "Sister?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Caroline?"

"So, you're Jessie," He smiled once more, "Can I call you Jessie?"

"No." I replied sharply, "It's Jessica."

Damon eyed me, sceptically, as he tapped the top of his finger against the rim of his glass. "You don't like me, do you."

I sniggered, "Understatement of the year."

He rolled his eyes and tutted, "You don't even know me."

"My sister told me everything," I spat, bitterly. "She told me everything that you did to her. So no, I don't like you."

As he opened his mouth to reply, he was instantly silenced as a familiar voice joined the heated conversation.

"Jessie?"

I turned my head to the right to see Elena standing a few feet away, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.

"Elena!" I smiled and stepped down from the bar stool. I opened my arms as we embraced one another for a brief moment. "It's so good to see you!"

"It's good to see you as well." Elena's smile quickly fell from her face as she stared at me.

"Everything alright?" I asked worriedly.

"Uhh," She hesitated momentarily before she motioned towards the bathroom with her head. "Damon. We need to talk. Right now." Elena clutched my hand and guided me towards the bathroom as Damon followed closely behind. Once we entered the bathroom, Elena made sure that the coast was clear before she spoke. "Did...Caroline tell you?"

I knew what she was referring to as she eyed Damon.

I nodded, "You mean that Vampires, Witches and Werewolves exist, and they aren't just stories our mom and dad used to tell us?" I shifted my gaze between the eldest Salvatore and Elena. "Yeah, she's told me everything."

"What?!" Damon snapped.

"Damon, not now." Elena scalded him. "We have a problem."

Damon's mouth quickly snapped shut at the seriousness and urgency in Elena's tone. Once Elena had filled Damon and I in on the situation at hand, I felt the blood slow in my veins.

"Why am I just finding out about this now?" Damon snapped towards Elena.

She sighed, "Stefan was worried that you-"

"That I'll what?" Damon said as he cut over her, "That I'd kill him? Of course, It's what needs to happen."

"You're not killing Tyler!" I said assertively.

He sniggered, "This has nothing to do with you, blondie."

"It has everything to do with me." I snapped back, "It's about my sister, who's been kidnapped by someone that you pissed off. You're not hurting Tyler."

"Do whatever you need to do to get Caroline back but just leave Tyler out of it, Okay?" Elena said.

"Why? He's a werewolf, he needs to die. I'm willing to kill him, it's a win-win."

"Elena..." I gasped in sheer panic.

I couldn't stand the thought of Tyler being killed. He was like a brother to me. Ever since I was little, he was always there for me. There was always an unspoken bond that we shared.

Elena reached out and grabbed Damon by the arm. "Damon please, okay? Too many people are dead."

His eyes narrowed, "You need to stop doing that."

"Doing what?" She said as she pulled her hand back.

"Assuming that I'll play the good guy because it's you who's asking."

Elena fell silent for a moment before taking an inhale of air, "Be the better man, Damon."

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, the last person I expected to see walked through the door.

"John?" I said in confusion as he entered the bathroom behind Damon.

"Do you mind?" Damon sighed as he turned to face him.

"Jessica?" He frowned, almost shocked to see me. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing." Elena replied, bitterly.

Care had told me briefly about what had transcended between the Gilberts. John was in fact Elena's biological dad, and some woman called Isobel was her mother. I still couldn't wrap my head around that mouth-dropper. I couldn't quite wrap my head around any of this to be honest.

"It doesn't look like 'nothing'." John said, snapping me from my thoughts.

"Well guess what John, trust works both ways." Damon smirked, "Get out."

"Look," Elena sighed, breaking up the tension in the room, "We don't have time for this. We need to get Caroline back."

"We don't need to do anything. I'll take care of it." Damon said before facing John. "First dad duty; ground your daughter. Keep her here."

I frowned, "What about me?"

Damon took a quick glance at me before he headed for the door, "Go home." he said and walked out of the bathroom.

I scoffed, "Is he seriously this much of a dick?" I made sure to say it loud enough for him to hear as he walked away.

"Unfortunately." John said and quickly grabbed a hold of Elena as she barged towards the door.

"I'm coming with you!" She called after Damon as the door slowly closed.

"No, no, no, no, no. I'm with Damon on this one." Elena pushed against his grip once more, but John remained firmly in place. "No, stop, stop. You're not going anywhere. Just tell me what's going on."

John had left the bathroom as Elena and I remained inside.

"This is insane." I sighed as I paced back and forth. "What if something happens to Care. Something bad?"

"Jess," Elena said, "Jessica." I continued pacing until she grabbed my arms and held me still.

"I promise you, she'll be okay." Elena said, trying her hardest to reassure me, but all I could think of was the worst outcome.

"How are you okay with all of this?" I asked and wiped away a fallen tear.

She smiled weakly and rubbed my arms, "I wasn't in the beginning. As a matter of fact, I freaked out completely." Elena laughed a little causing me to smile. "We're all here for you, Jess." She said in a serious tone. "I'll tell you everything."

"I think Care already told me everything, Elena. I just don't know how to wrap my head around it all."

"You will." She smiled, "If anyone can, it's you."

A few moments had passed by before Elena and I emerged from the bathroom. As we walked out and turned left, John was standing at the side waiting for us.

"You're not leaving this restaurant." He said quickly.

"You can't tell me what to do." Elena scoffed.

"Yes, I can. You want to know why? Because I'm here to make sure you're safe."

"You might be her father, John, but you're not mine." I said. He turned to face me and frowned, "Yes, I know everything." I clarified. John looked suddenly saddened by my words, but quickly composed himself as Elena spoke.

"I've got that covered."

He sniggered, "Are you talking about the deal that you made with Elijah? Do you really think he's gonna keep his promise to you?" Putting your faith in him was dumb."

Caroline touched briefly on Elijah, but she didn't delve into it too much.

"Are you saying I should put my faith in you?" Elena hissed, "After everything that you did to Stefan and Damon?"

"We've had our differences, and I've made mistakes, but you and I, we're family."

Elena tensed, "You don't get to use that word. That word is off-limits to you!"

John sighed, "Fine, but it doesn't change the facts."

"You're right," She nodded, "Facts are facts, so listen up; you may be my father, but I'm never going to be your daughter, you got that?" John closed his mouth, his lips pressed into a fine line as he stared blankly at Elena. "We're leaving." Elena reached out and grabbed a hold of my arm, guiding me away from the awkward silence that had befallen us. I collected my coat and bag from the stool and we left The Grill quickly.

I dropped Elena off at her house before I made my way home. I was flooded with worry the whole drive back. My mind was in overdrive, worrying about what was happening to my sister. God-knows what she might be going through at this very moment. I continually paced in the living room, nibbling at the corner of my nail. Waiting. Hoping.

As I passed by the window, the sound of a door closing caught my attention. I rushed over to the window and moved the curtains to the side.

"Caroline..." I gasped as I saw her making her way up the path with Stefan.

The door slowly opened as I rounded the corner and Care took a step inside.

I swing my arms around her and she shuddered in pain.

"Care, are you alright!?" I asked frantically.

She nodded her head. I could see that she was fighting back the tears as her face paled and her body quivered.

"So is your mom home?" Stefan asked from behind Care.

I shook my head, "No, she's at work."

"I can come in, if you want me to." He said.

Caroline's shoulders relaxed as I rested my hand on her arm. "I'm fine, Stefan." She said lowly.

"You don't have to pretend with me. Anybody would be upset after what you went through tonight."

"I'm okay," She said, reassuring him once more. "I'm not 'girly little Caroline' anymore. I can handle myself."

I sighed.

No, you sure aren't the same Caroline anymore. The Caroline I knew before I left was gone. Usually she'd cry over chipping her nail, or missing out on the latest piece of gossip, but not anymore. She had definitely changed. Care and I used to be so close, but now? Now we feel worlds apart. Like we're completely different people.

"Sure you can." Stefan said, drawing my attention back to the present.

"I just really want to go shower so..."

"Okay,"

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Stefan replied with a small smile.

I knew Caroline was lying. She was broken, deeply but I didn't feel like it was my place anymore to question her.

I gave Stefan a smile and was about to follow after Caroline, but he stopped me by taking a hold of my wrist.

He spoke in a hushed tone so Caroline wouldn't hear, "Hey… can I speak to you for a second?"

I looked back inside the house to see Caroline heading straight for her room. I nodded and followed Stefan down the path, out of prying ears.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

I frowned, "Why wouldn't I be alright?" I was genuinely confused as to why he was asking if I was alright. Nothing had happened to me, and yet, he was asking if i was alright.

"It's just, I know all of this can be overwhelming," He said with a long sigh, "I just want you to know that, If you ever want to talk, about anything, I'm here."

"That's an understatement," I said with a small laugh, "I think I'll be alright though. I mean, It's not something you come across everyday, but It's also not completely unrealistic."

He smiled, "Take care of yourself, Jessica."

"You too," I replied as he turned and headed towards his car.

I sat with Caroline on her bed as she filled me in on what happened. She pulled out some of the darts that those bastards shot into her, gently wincing with each tug. Suddenly, she stopped when her phone began ringing. It was Matt. She answered, but just as fast as she answered, the call was over and done within minutes.

"Are you okay?" I asked her. She never replied, she just nodded slightly. We were both startled as the front door got knocked. I stood from the bed and looked out into the hallway to see Tyler standing at the door.

"It's Tyler…" I spoke up from the hallway.

Caroline shook her head, "Get rid of him, please. I don't want to talk to anyone." I nodded and made my way down to the door. He was a little startled to see that it was me who opened the door. I stepped outside, closing the door behind me.

"Jess?" He gasped in shock.

Clearly he wasn't expecting me to be the one to open the door.

"What do you want, Tyler?" I hissed.

"Wha-What are you doing here?" He stuttered.

I folded my arms, "Last time I checked, this is my house."

"I uh- Is Caroline here?"

"She doesn't want to see you, Tyler. You or any of your kind."

His eyes widened, "You-you know?"

"If another person asks me that, I swear..." I rolled my eyes and ran my hands over my face. My temper fraying, "Yes, I know. I know everything. I know that you're a werewolf and that your friends kidnapped and tortured my sister!"

"Jess, I-"

I waved my hand in the air, cutting him off instantly. "No. No! You don't get to speak." I snapped, "How could you do this to her? To Caroline. We grew up together, Tyler. You're like a brother to me!"

"I'm sorry, but it's crazy now, okay? I don't know who to trust. Caroline lied to me."

"You-You trust your friends, Tyler! Ever thought that she lied to protect you? To keep you safe."

I still didn't know the full story of what happened between Tyler and my sister, but I knew she wouldn't do something unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Jess…"

I cut him off immediately, "Don't fucking call me that. You just stood there when your friends were about to slaughter everyone! You just stood there! You did nothing!"

He stuttered, "I-I didn't know what to do."

I smirked, "Let me make a suggestion." I looked him in the eye, "You help your friends, Tyler, that's what you do."

He nodded and hung his head, "I'm sorry."

"It's too late for that, Tyler. You and I, I don't know if we can be friends, not anymore. I've only been gone for a few months and I come back to this!" I raised my arms in frustration, "My sister and friends, fighting and almost killing one another." I took a sharp inhale, trying my best to control my rising anger, "I didn't want to believe a word of what Care told me. It was insane, but after tonight, everything makes sense. Everyone's different. Everyone's changed." I sniggered, "You know, you were one of the people that I was most looking forward to seeing when I got back. I know you're different, and that you have new friends, but my loyalties remain the same, yours should too. I don't know if Caroline will want to remain friends with you, but I highly doubt it."

I walked back towards the door to my house, "Ohh, and what happened to her tonight, that will never happen again. I walked inside and slammed the door in his face, leaving no room for him to reply.

My heart was racing. Tyler... he was one of my best friends. So after hearing what went down tonight, I don't think we can be anymore.

"Fuck..." I whispered under my breath as I leaned against the door.

I had ran Caroline a bath, and made her something to eat. Her wounds were all healed from the events that took place this evening. We talked for a while, telling each other everything that had been happening to us over the last few months since my absence. It was a lot of each of us to take in. I told her that I made a new friend whilst I was back staying with our dad. Her name was Roslyn. She was really nice, strange at times, but nice. I felt overwhelmed with guilt that my little sister had been going through all of this on her own, but it gave me a slight comfort that she had all of our friends around her for support.

As we sat on her bed talking about everything, there was a knock at the door once again.

"I swear, if that's Tyler!." I rose to my feet, but Caroline stopped me and pulled me back down.

"It's okay, I'll get it."

Before I could stop her, she was already at the door. I followed her, keeping my distance behind her.

It was Stefan.

"Hey." Caroline greeted.

"Hey!" Stefan smiled.

His smile was… warm, gentile and captivating.

"What's going on?" Caroline enquired.

He sighed, "I was a bit worried about you, after everything you went through tonight."

Caroline shrugged, "I'm fine."

"Good," Stefan paused for a moment, "But, just in case, I brought some back up."

Stepping aside, Elena and Bonnie appeared from behind Stefan.

"We're gonna slumber it!"

"We haven't done it in ages."

Caroline stepped aside, revealing me standing behind her. Elena and Bonnie smiled gleefully.

"All of us!." Elena clarified.

I smiled and a single tear slid down my cheek. I walked up to Caroline, Bonnie and Elena, we all hugged each other tightly in a circle. I had no idea that I would have missed this as much as I did.

We stayed up into the late hours, sharing everything that happened since my absence. I couldn't believe that I missed this much. It was crazy. All the shit that had been happening here, and I was in Georgia with not a care in the world. However, even if I had stayed here, the same events would have carried out regardless. There was no changing it.

It is what it is...

Hope you enjoyed the new, updated chapter! Let me know with some feedback in the comments.