Jessa was waiting in the library as the hunting party came in the house. She couldn't think of them as anything other than that as the worry sat heavy in her stomach. She wasn't listening in on their thoughts or emotions. She only knew that they had another supernatural person, someone who must be the guinea pig. Someone who she'd have to practice on. And she had such guilt weighing on her now, because this was her idea and now she'd have to deal with the consequences.
Damon was here, and he'd come to her soon. He'd come thinking about how happy she'd be that he'd been successful so quickly. And she'd be this morose mess. She needed to get herself together. She took a deep breath and tried to center herself. After all, this was the plan. And it was a damn good plan. It was the one that they'd all agreed on. And it would work.
A few moments after she'd gotten her thoughts gathered, Damon walked into the library. Bonnie and Jeremy had met the four of them at the door, but not Jessa. He'd known, from that moment, that something wasn't right. Her face was the first he always saw. He knew something was wrong and he needed to make it better.
"Jessa," he said, rushing to her. He gathered her into his arms. "What's wrong?"
She pressed her face into his chest and inhaled his scent. Letting it fill her senses. "Nothing." She said, not really believing it or convincing him. "I just really missed you."
"I missed you too, baby." He said, kissing her hair. "I don't believe that's what's wrong, but nice try." He chuckled. "Seriously, Jessa. What's wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?"
She shook her head. "It's just," she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against his chest. "You found the test subject, didn't you?"
Damon groaned, understanding. She was nervous. It felt like it was too soon. Of course it did. Jessa, for all intents and purposes, was NEW to all this. "Aww, baby, we don't have to do anything with the person we brought back today."
Jessa gave a little sob she didn't know she was holding. She didn't want to not do anything, she didn't want to disappoint anyone. She wanted to be a badass. She wanted to fix everything. She wanted Elena to have Stefan back and she wanted Klaus and the Originals to be no threat. She wanted Mystic Falls to be safe. And most of all she wanted Damon and herself to just be allowed to have time to be a couple and enjoy themselves without having to be freaking superheroes.
She was falling apart. Slowly and surely, or maybe fast and furious, she was falling apart.
Suddenly the tears wouldn't stop. Damon pulled her to him and held her as she sobbed and the sobbing kept going. She felt like it would never end. She cried for the years she lost because her parents kept from her what or who she was. She cried because of what Katherine did to her and for what the doppelganger curse did to her and Damon. She cried because of the time she spent not getting close to other people. She cried because of the years she spent staying away from the only home she'd ever known. She cried because of the promises she made to bring back Stefan and the people who've died so far because it's taken this long. She cried because of the idea she had for this plan and now what it means. And she cried because she was crying in front of a bunch of meddling kids and a guinea pig she'd never met while her boyfriend/fiance held her and she couldn't stop.
"OK, so meddling kids, Ric, OUT!" Damon demanded. Pulling Jessa into his arms, and carrying her up the stairs. "Or sit down here, I don't care. All I know is this. Stay quiet, no judgement. And know this: if you make this harder on her, I'll make you wish you were never born. And yes, she can pretty much read your minds."
HOURS LATER
Jessa woke up in Damon's bed, cradled against his chest. He was sitting up against the headboard, holding her. She tried sneaking a look up at him, but he was smirking down at her.
"Hey, sleepy head." He whispered.
"Ugh." She said, her voice hoarse from crying. "Not my best day."
"I think you were due." Damon answered fairly. "It's been piling on for awhile, Jessa. I'm surprised this hasn't happened sooner."
"I love you." She said, smiling. "You took care of me and the threat was very sweet."
He chuckled. "That threat wasn't even all that creative. I just wanted them all out. Or quiet. Mostly I wanted you to have peace." He kissed her hair. "I cannot tell you enough, you are my priority. I don't give a shit about the rest of this town or world, but your well-being, that matters."
Jessa shifted a little, "Why is it that I only get to be in your bed when I'm sick or having a bad day?"
Damon laughed again. "Well, if you want to change that…"
She reached up and pulled him down to her and they decided to fan the flames of that thirst that was always burning just below the surface.