Katherine finished off her meal, which was actually an attractive young man and his date, and decided that it was time to finish what she had started only a few days ago. The man and his date were both English, so she took it as an indication that she was in England. First thing she'd have to do is to get some better clothes. The dress was, for some reason, driving her more insane than she already was. She pushed open the door to a small clothing shop. She grabbed the smallest pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. The jeans were still too big and the shirt hung a little too loose. A pair of black boots finished off the ensemble and a quick swish of her hand had her hair up in a rubber band. She figured that she looked...well, ok. She looked at the way the jeans hung on her. "Uhg...why do they think these things are flattering?" she muttered with disgust. They did make it easier to move that's for sure. She left the shop, gently shutting the door behind her without a trace of sound. There was an airport in the next town, and the fresh blood was giving her tons of energy. She closed her eyes and turned into the gleaming white tiger. The town was only about 10 miles away. She could run it in no time at all.

*~*15 minutes later*~*

Katherine was walking down the streets of this slightly larger town in her human form, walking towards the airport. Inside, she found the next flight leaving for America, and lucky her, this one was heading for Richmond Virginia. Only about 4 hours from Fell's Church. The plane left in 1 hour; about 5 am. "Well, this is my day, isn't it!" she thought as she left the ticket counter, sat down, and waited for the flight to be called. She had taken the young man's wallet off of him, and purchased a first class ticket on his credit card. His signature was on the back of the card, and it wasn't hard to forge. The woman at the ticket counter wasn't even going to remember the beautiful young blonde girl that bought a one-way ticket to Richmond Virginia.

Caroline inched her car up to the curb in front of Stefan's house. She stopped the engine and just sat there. Gnawing at her lower lip, she pondered the idea of just not even going in. she knew they were all suspicious and perhaps they had real reason too. Caroline didn't even know what the heck she was doing. Thinking they'd actually accept her back with open arms. She'd tried to run Stefan out of town and take her place in Elena's old throne before her body was even cold. And ugh! With Tyler Smallwood on top of it. She shuddered at the thought that she had actually done stuff with that animal. Caroline had been desperate then and Tyler intimidating, powerful, and rich. If he had been human, heck, better looking, she might have honestly gone for it. In reality, they were both cut from the same stone. But deep down Caroline still had her eyes on bigger fish. No!! She shook the thought from her head. Mustn't go down that path again. Riiiigghhtt!! Caroline Forbes, the wicked witch of Fell's church, backing down for once?

She stepped from her car and ran her hands through her glossy hair and smoothed them over her outstanding sweater/skirt combo. She took a deep breath and walked up to the porch and knocked on the door.

Bonnie smiled as she saw Caroline pull up. She turned to tell Meredith something but something off in the distance caught her eye. "Hey there's Elena. I wonder where Stefan is?" She made her way over to Elena. "Hey Elena we just got here. I think Meredith brought you some cloths to change into and Caroline's here to." she stopped at looked up at her, "Are you ok?" she asked and studied the other girl curiously.

Elena was snapped out of her thoughtful reverie when she heard cars pulling up to the boarding house and her attention was further taken by the sound of Bonnie's voice. Turning slowly, she did a double take of Bonnie's new hair and clothing. She fought a wry smile, noticing that Bonnie seemed exceptionally dressed up for such an informal gathering of 'friends'.

*I wonder who she's trying to impress. *

The thought was quickly replaced by a glance at Caroline who, as always, looked as though she was dressed to impress. Elena fought the urge to distrust the redhead. After all, they had all changed for the better from this ordeal; hadn't they?

And, finally, her eyes were brought to Meredith, who carried a bag of what looked like clothes. *Because I don't even own my own clothes anymore, * Elena thought, her brow furrowing in somber contemplation at that.

She forced a smile, still feeling out of sorts, as though she didn't quite belong in this world with its loud sounds and bright colors and harsh lights. The exuberance of her 'rebirth' had begun to wear off and she was left trying to reconcile her life with her death with her new lease on life. And it wasn't easy.

Elena took a step closer to her friends, her smile wavering slightly. "Hey," she said, in a voice that, while holding traces of the old, confident Elena Gilbert, still had an edge of disuse to it.

Bonnie smiled and grabbed Elena. "Let's get you change into something more you." she said, gestured to the cloths Stefan had given Elena and pulled her toward Meredith. "You like my hair? I was just tired of curls, slap me if I ever talk about getting a perm again ok?" They stopped in front of Meredith and Bonnie looked from one girl to the next. She released Elena's hand and turned toward Caroline. "Nice outfit Caroline. I wonder if they have that in blue." she smiled good naturally and throwing all caution to the wind she hugged the well-dressed girl. 'Some one has to brake the ice. She looks as if she'll take off any minute. Poor Caroline.'

Bonnie stepped away from Caroline and looked at Elena again. "So where's Stefan?" 'I wonder if Damon's made an appearance yet. He said he'd be here. He'll probably make a fabulous entrance knowing him.'

Elena tugged at the too long sleeve of the dark sweater Stefan had lent her. "I wouldn't mind wearing something in my size," she admitted, smiling faintly at Bonnie. She followed her friend's eyes and attention to Caroline who did, in fact, look like she was about to bolt.

But, even struggling, it was going to take a little more to make her feel completely sorry for the girl. A lot had happened, and a lot of it was difficult to forgive and forget.

"Stefan's around," Elena said finally, her eyes shifting to the woods. "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Bonnie followed Elena's gaze and nodded in understanding. "Well if nobody minds I'm going inside. Mrs. Flowers around?" she asked as she opened the door and walked in. The place was just as it was the last time she'd been here. She looked around for that kooky old lady and when she didn't see her anywhere in sight she continued into the house.

Bonnie ducked her head out the door and smiled at Caroline. "Come on in we're not going to bite really." Her statement struck her as being funny and she giggled. It was an awkward moment and the stress in the air was getting to her. "Has anyone heard from Matt this morning?" she asked as she moved to sit on the stairs leading up to the second floor.

Caroline smiled weakly and attempted to relax but her stomach kept reeling. Why are they staring at her with so much pity? Caroline felt like the girl waiting to be sacrificed on the alter. Although she was sure Damon, Stefan, and Elena would do it in heartbeat. She walked over to Elena looked down and but then looked up into Elena's eyes deeply. Suddenly she felt that primal competition rise up in her again. Not only, was Elena back but also she was immortal on top of it. The ultimate humiliation in life was that while Caroline grew older and lost her beauty. Elena would always remain...annoyingly perfect. But she could sense Elena's distrust and when Damon finally arrived he'd be able to see right into Caroline's heart and ruin her for it.

She had had it...she couldn't take it one minute longer among THEM in THAT house. She knew she was forever on the outside looking in. she looked at Elena and swung her eyes at Meredith and bonnie.

"I'm sorry." was all she said before bolting from the house. She got into her car and cried as she keyed the ignition. The car screeched as it fled the scene.

She sat on the edge of her bed brushing her long wavy dark auburn hair. She felt this overwhelming sadness burning in her. She was alone. Her friends couldn't trust her and her parents were soo not understanding. She got up and put on a creamy yellow cotton nightgown and slipped under her comforter. Caroline just lay there staring at the ceiling. She heard a soft knock on the door. Her mother peeked in.

"Caroline...Tyler called again earlier. I told him you weren't feeling well." Caroline sighed." thanks mom."

"He seemed angry...are two arguing?"

"Mom we're not a couple. We hung out a bit that's all."

Her mom didn't like that answer." well maybe you should give him more attention. He'd make a good match for you. And his family has a lot going for them. Money, reputation."

Caroline rolled her eyes...if only her mother knew the half of it. All her parents cared about was that she marries and marries well even if it was to a Neanderthal like Tyler and snotty family. "Good night mom." she rolled over with her back towards her mom.

"Good night dear." the door softly closed behind her. Caroline tried to fall asleep but she kept feeling as though she was being watched from afar and it was distracting.

She was walking on a beach. The moonlight shimmered off the water as the waves tossed their sea foam onto the sand. She heard an ethereal voice in the distance. Her eyes transfixed on the ocean where the voice came from. It was like a siren's voice. Alluring and seductive as it called her. She slowly walked into the ocean. Caroline waded in until she could barely touch floor and started to tread. The voice still calling her. Suddenly she became aloof and aware that she was not alone. She treaded nervously in the dark water and was uneasy about the stillness. She then saw a snow-white fin rise out of the water and then disappear under the surface. She spun around wildly looking for any sign of the shark. It was then, she was tugged underwater...choking and gasping for breath, she clawed for the surface. The dark swirling about her...

Caroline shot up in her bed, completely drenched in sweat. Breathing heavily she lay back down on her pillow and tucked her blanket under her chin. The dreams were getting worse. Everynight they were more vivid. She tossed all night before sleeping peacefully at last.

Bonnie watched as Caroline ran from the house to her car and sped away into the night. "Uh... what was that all about?" she asked and walked to the doorway. Caroline had been so composed then all of a sudden it was like a totally different totally freaked Caroline. Bonnie chewed on her lower lip in a thoughtful gesture and narrowed her eyes. "Something's defiantly wrong with that girl. She's been really different since that night of your party Meredith but I thought she was ready to turn over a new leaf and start again." She leaned against the doorway and looked up at the sky. 'At least with Caroline here I didn't feel completely stupid all dress up.'

Bonnie began to nervously play with her necklace. She cursed herself for not just wearing a pair jeans and a t-shirt. The night air was a little chilly and she shivered as it went right through the silk material. "I'm going to grab my coat from the car." she said and headed in the direction of the Cherokee.

When she got to the jeep, she saw Damon leaning against the driver side door. "Miss me?" He asked coyly. He handed her the jacket he held in his hand, her jacket. You couldn't keep anything from Damon, not even words spoken in a house, several feet from where he stood.

He had watched as Caroline sped off himself, chuckling. Caroline seemed a little nervous. Perhaps Klaus had taken a bit too much of her blood. He shrugged it off. Who cares, certainly not him. If head had her, he wouldn't have been as gentle as Klaus.

Klaus. Damon dismissed the thought of him. He was nothing. Damon could have handled him easily from the start. Stefan could have too if he would just get off of his silly, drink from animals only, kick. Hell, even Katherine, one of Klaus own 'children' had posed more of a threat than Klaus himself.

Ah, but now they were both gone, and there was nothing exciting to do. Figuring out how to introduce a dead homecoming queen back to the world of the living didn't interest him too much. What would be more fun was- well, best not to think about that right now, not with Elena standing so close.

Damon couldn't bring himself to look at her, not just yet, so he kept his eyes trained on Bonnie. She didn't look half bad, he thought, the corner of his mouth turning up in his trademark seductive half smile. "Cold?" He asked.

A small gasp escaped her lips. 'Damn vampires and their sneaky selves.' " Now why would I miss you?" she said with a grin. She looked him up and down, liking what she saw. 'Stylish as ever I see.' "How did you know I was coming for my... never mind. I was wondering when you would show up. Stefan's out hunting though and Caroline decided that we weren't worthy of her company I guess." She shrugged into her jacket and raised a curious brow. "So what did you do all day, stalk poor innocent virgins?" She glanced in the direction of the house. "You coming?" she asked and started away. She could feel his gaze on her back and she shivered slightly.

She wondered how Elena would feel about Damon being there. She would soon find out she supposed. She quickened he step and laughed at herself. Having Damon behind her was like having the boogey man under your bed when you're nine. You don't know when either of them is going to make their move.

Elena turned slightly to the woods, where Bonnie was emerging with a darkly clad figure in tow. Her eyebrows raised the slightly bit, recognizing the elder of the two Salvatore brothers as her follower.

She really hadn't expected Damon to make an appearance, not so soon anyway. And as Elena did another once over of Bonnie's outfit and new hairstyle, she felt irritation bubbling up. It was tolerable when Caroline made a fool of herself, chasing after danger, but when Bonnie so blatantly did it, Elena wanted to grab her by the shoulders and *shake* her.

*Hasn't she learned her lesson yet?* Elena thought, biting her tongue on vocalizing her opinion. She would just have to pull Bonnie aside later before the girl did something stupid; stupid like she herself had done.

She swallowed a string of reprimands and forced all of that out of her mind for the time being, giving Damon a brief, if slightly detached smile. It wasn't that she wasn't happy to see the dark eyed vampire -- as a matter of fact Elena hoped that maybe they would be able to restore a little of Damon's humanity -- but she knew that trouble followed the rainbow reflections his eyes gave off wherever he went.

"It seems as though everyone is slowly making their way here," Elena pointed out, giving off the air of control that she had worked so hard to project all through high school.

Bonnie nodded and taking the bag of cloths from Meredith she smiled at Elena, "Let's get you changed before everyone else is here. You don't want you Aunt Judith seeing you in Stefan's cloths do you. Nice as they may be they're a bit big." She made her way up stairs and into the room that contained the stairway to Stefan's room. She tossed Elena the cloths, sat on the bed and started pulling stuff out or her bag. A hairbrush, a toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste and one of the little ribbons Elena had left at Bonnie's house a while back, this one was white. "Here I didn't know what all he had here for you to use so I brought this stuff with me." She said and handed them to her.

Meredith remained standing just inside the doorway, her arms folded across her chest. She didn't feel like talking about clothes and hair ribbons just then. Not with Damon Salvatore lounging by the wall just a few feet away. Not with everyone else behaving like there was nothing at all wrong with having a cold-blooded killer right there in the room with them. Well except for Caroline, she'd sure gotten out of there fast. Maybe the girl had more sense than Meredith had ever given her credit for. Sure, Damon had helped them in the end last night. Some of his actions had been extraordinarily brave. Heroic even. They couldn't have withstood an Old One like Klaus without him. And Meredith didn't trust him a bit not to drain one of them for dinner so he didn't have to hunt for it.

This little meeting was not going the way she'd envisioned it. Not at all. Elena looked frail. That was to be expected but she also seemed worried about something. Hopefully they'd get a chance to talk later. Meredith had been startled to say the least by Bonnie's new look. With her hair short and sleek like that, framing her face and somehow emphasizing her large dark eyes, and those... clothes... she looked like a different person. A beautiful, seductive kind of person. And Meredith had a terrible, sinking feeling she knew who the target of the new seductive look was.

Unable to bite her tongue any longer, she turned suddenly on Damon and said bluntly 'Why are you still here?'

Damon grinned at Meredith. He leaned against the far wall, one foot on the ground, the other against the wall, watching Elena, but when Meredith spoke, he turned his stare on her. "Do I make you nervous, Meredith? With Alaric not here to protect you from the big bad vampire?"

Just then, Stefan entered the room, looking a bit tired, but with the ordeal everyone had been through last night, even with the celestial Elena's life giving powers, it was natural that he not be up to his natural vampiric self. "I thought you were gone." He said to Damon, stopping when he saw his brother standing there.

He knew Damon wasn't the as much as a threat as he claimed to be, not since he saved his life from Klaus, but seeing his brother in the same room as Elena made even him nervous.

Damon just glanced at Stefan out of the corner of his eye. "I thought I'd stick around here for awhile. Have a little more fun before I leave."

"The Hell you will." Stefan retorted, the anger rising inside him. He knew he was no match or his brother, especially since he could tell that his brother had fed not too long ago, and on a human. "We can't send the people of this town on the defense again. They'll try to kill us for sure. Please tell me that you weren't stupid enough to leave some defenseless girl laying in the middle of nowhere with two puncture wounds on her neck."

Damon used his foot to push off of the wall and came face to face with his brother. He grabbed Stefan by the collar, almost lifting him off of the ground. "Don't you ever call me stupid." He growled, his voice barely audible. "And I advise you to keep close tabs on your girlfriend over there."

He said, with a nod towards Elena. "I've had her before, and trust me little brother, I can have her again." Damon let go of Stefan, who stumbled back slightly to regain his balance. He glanced at Elena, yet he didn't say anything. He then turned his glance to Meredith. She better not try and cause him a problem, he can get rid of her easily. Lastly he looked at Bonnie. He nodded his head at her. "I'll see you soon." And with that, he quickly almost unseen, changed into a sleek black wolf. With a final growl at Stefan, Damon the wolf jumped out the open window of the second story boarding house.

Stefan knew his brother would make the jump easily, so he didn't even bother to look at the window and check. He thought his brother had changed. Deep inside Stefan believed he did, Damon just wasn't one to let it show. "Are you alright?" He asked, coming to Elena's side. He took her in his arms, and gently kissed her forehead.

He let go of her after a few seconds, and looked towards Bonnie and Meredith. He said nothing to her, but when his eyes fell on Bonnie, one eyebrow raised in question at her new look. "I know Matt had an appointment with a college recruiter today, but what about Caroline? Why didn't she come?"

Bonnie began to feel a little uncomfortable with the looks that everyone gave her. So she felt like she needed a change, so what? It was her right to be glamorous for a night, why should the vampires and Caroline be the only ones with style? She watched the exchange between the brothers in silence. The two would never change; there would always be this rivalry. The argument ended with Damon saying his peace and leaving.

She watched Damon transform and jump out the window, walked to the window and looked down in time to see him disappear into the night. 'Could he make an exit or what?' Bonnie turned to the group as Stefan mentioned Matt's name. 'College huh? I still have to think about that myself.' She shrugged as he questioned them about Caroline. "She bolted out of here like the place was on fire. Hey Meredith why don't you try calling her on your cell? It might not be to late." She left the window and sat back on the bed. "So Stefan, where's Mrs. Flower's? Does she have anymore of that juice, I'm parched."

Elena took a step forward when Stefan arrived at last and the tension between the two Salvatore brothers began to thicken. She opened her mouth to cut into their conversation, holding her words back at the last minute again for reasons she wasn't entirely sure of.

Internally, she wanted to shake them both and ask them what was *wrong* with them. After everything that had happened...

Her silent paralysis lasted long enough for the argument to end and for Damon to exit through the window, in the most dramatic way possible, of course. Elena had to catch herself not to take a step after him and make sure he had reached the ground all right. Because, of course he had.

Elena smiled up at Stefan when he approached her, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Someone really needs to get through to him," she said, half under her breath, referring to Damon.

When Stefan stepped away, his eyes swinging to her two best friends, Elena was once again reminded that she was still wearing Stefan's too big clothing. "Maybe I should change," she said, gathering the array of items that Meredith and Bonnie had brought for her, disappearing into the bathroom.

Stefan nodded watching the door shut behind Elena. There time together had been quiet to say the least. He didn't really understand what had happened. Sure he knew what it felt like to 'die' and return to life's a vampire, but what had happened to Elena, was beyond even Stefan's reign of comprehension.

He was elated; there was no other way to explain it. He had been able to hold his true love in his arms for a brief moment in Bonnie's psychic trance, but even that hadn't prepared him for the return of Elena.

She seemed to be back to the way she was before Stefan ever came to Fell's Church. And although Stefan didn't think he could go on without her, deep inside he felt that Elena would be better off if he and Damon would just disappear and leave her alone.

They hadn't talked at all since she had come back. By the time they had gotten to the boarding house and Elena had dried off and changed and they bid their farewell to the others, Stefan had to go to the woods to feed himself.

There was no way he would allow himself to be even partially 'hungry' around Elena. He wouldn't allow himself to even think about her blood. And he would make damn sure Damon didn't either.

"Be right back." Stefan said to the girls, and walked back down the stairs. He hadn't seen Mrs. Flowers either since they had arrived. Who knew, maybe she had seen him and Elena arrive and kept her distance to give them their privacy. He entered the kitchen, and upon opening the fridge, found a decanter of some dark liquid. A quick sniff confirmed it was grape juice. He set the juice on a tray, and grabbed three glasses.

He returned upstairs and set the tray on top of the smallest dresser. He poured a glass and handed it to Bonnie. He gestured to the juice, holding up one of the empty glasses. "Juice?" He asked Meredith.

Elena quickly changed into a pair of her own jeans and a lightweight white sweater, studying her reflection in the mirror thoughtfully. The clothing rubbed against her skin almost uncomfortably, not yet used to the concept of being so covered. At least in Stefan's clothes, she had had a lot of room so that the cloth didn't seem so binding.

Her lapis colored eyes narrowed as she studied her reflection for a moment longer. Something was missing, but she was so far removed from this entire concept that it took her a few moments to realize that her face was completely makeup free. Not that she needed much anyway, but some lip-gloss would have been nice.

Elena picked up Stefan's heavy bone toothed comb and ran it through her hair, tugging on the knots and wincing at the tug on her scalp, her skin apparently super sensitive. She pulled it back into a ponytail, securing it with the white ribbon Bonnie had brought for her. Then, pulling out the toothbrush and toothpaste that Bonnie had also given her, Elena set to completing a task that seemed so mundane yet exotic to her newly alive self that it made her wince as she brushed her teeth.

She smoothed her hair back before exiting the bathroom, giving the occupants of the room her best attempt at a familiar Elena smile.