Water gliding down my body, I raise my hands to the sky, twirling in circles, as if I was a young child, giggles escaping my lips. I felt happy, I felt whole. This was who I was; joyous, playful maybe even a little spunky, yet I was so much more. Waking up is disorientating enough; to wake up different, feeling different… I wanted to be indulgent, and revel in the feeling, to hide a little bit longer. I never did like to rush anyway, living longer than a millennium, I have learned, one day, out of many, would not be missed.

To be surrounded by the light of nature. Wanting to be taken over by the water, I dove to the bottom, staying there in its protective silence. Joy illuminating from my every pore, like a mermaid, twirling in circles below the water, letting my full power escape me.

Reality always a downer, always interrupting, emerging from the water behind the fall, to only stay here for another hundred year, 'Well, only stay if I was awake.' I thought with a smile. I felt good, no longer weak from my hundred plus years of sleep. Feeling, pouty with disappointment, I walked from behind the fall, entering into the world; one that as far as I could see, was shattered beyond repair. I was only one Guardian after all. I was the last.

Determined to not let the outside world dampen my joy, I allowed myself to be taken over, one more time, letting the water gift me with life. It was intoxicating, the way a drunken man feels when he takes a sip of his whiskey.

Shaking myself a little, 'Come on Chloe, let's get moving!', even my thoughts were train to convince me to join the world around me. So be it then, let's go check out how true messed up everything had become.

I was almost to the edge of the water, I heard him. Stefan's voice, so clear, as if he was standing next to me; words that I only dreamed to hear again. Like a whisper against my skin, his voice stopping my heart.

"I am yours." Stefan? Here? Was it really his voice I was hearing, or was I daydreaming. Guardians were a fanciful lot, known to daydream often.

Suddenly realizing I was not alone, I jerk my head up, looking at who had entered my sanctuary. Vampires!

"Well, aren't you two brave!" the thought struck me kind of funny; I was really forgotten. There was, once; a time that vampires would run from me, not seek me out! These two, followed the feeling of my power, like a sirens call, unable to turn away. Vampires, always wanting more, more than they deserved, such spoiled righteous creatures.

The dark hair one was rather handsome, handsome enough that I would play with him for a while. He was cautious this one, not afraid, just cautious, not bright of him, he should be afraid. Turning to the other brave soul, I felt stuck in place. Stefan. I could only stare. It couldn't be, but it was. They were his words, it was his voice. I had not been daydreaming. I kept still, not speaking, not moving allowing him to take me in; he was confused, yet compelled at the same time, needing, wanting to see every inch of me. There was not a trace of fear in him; I did not expect there to be any. I could only feel love, even through the maze of his confusion. Stefan…. I wanted to touch him, to feel that this was real, know that this was real. Alive? My Stefan was live, although a vampire, he was here.

The minute I moved, Stefan was thrown in the opposite direction, away from me, by the vampire that was with him. Something he would answer for later. Shear anger exploded inside me! How dare he take him from me! Advancing toward them, someone touch my arm, making me jump to the other side of the pool. I was never caught by surprise, but I jumped as if scared.

I never allowed others to touch me, I was far too sensitive, to not only others emotion's, but their souls. With the slightest tough of my fingertips, all was known to me, every inch of who they were. Focusing on the hand on my arm I relaxed. This was a soul I knew very well. Elijah.

"Chleo, you are safe, old friend." He always did have a regal sounding voice, I wasn't sure he could help it. It did, however, fit him like a glove, and oh how I missed its sound.

"Elijah." My tone reflected the love I felt for him, my only friend, well the only one I allowed, one that I had come to value during our 800 year long friendship. A Guardian rarely had friends, we rarely showed ourselves to others to even have them.

"Come," patting the rock I was now sitting on, "Sit with me, I have missed you." The anger inside was diminishing, but it was not forgotten.

Shaking his head no, he extended his hand to me, "Come, we must talk." It was a request; Elijah was always the gentleman, always proper in his requests.

I was next to him in a blink, knowing I could trust him, I took him into my arms.

"I have missed you!" A smile slowly coming to my face, "You have been well?" Then I felt it, something was wrong, very wrong.

"No, my friend, unfortunately, I am not." He was in hurry, that much I can tell from his rushed words, "Come, they are returning." Pulling me along with him, I pulled away, he would dare force me?

"Elijah, it was Stefan?" Asking Elijah for the truth of what I saw.

"Yes. Chleo, We must, go." He was no longer going to wait for me to follow, I allowed him to take me away.

Elegance graced every corner of Elijah's home. Chuckling, as if Elijah would allow otherwise; it would be beneath him. He had laid a dress out on the bed for me. It was calling to me, while I preferred to not wear clothing; it was something that I could not escape conforming to. This dress, with its creamy white sheer flowing silk, I would make an exception for. He had taken great care in selecting it for me, knowing this made me smile. He always knew what suited me, that I would wear what I wished, never making be something other than what I was. Laughing to myself, he wanted me to stand out more than I already did, interesting. What game was he playing? I wasn't sure why the thought stuck me funny? Maybe, it was because, I had been a sleep so long and the thrill of being in someone's company excited me. I would let him have his fun, for now.

As I reached for the dress, it almost melted to my touch. This was not a dress for just anyone, this was a dress for me. Like most girls, I love beautiful things, this dress was no exception. As I started to step into the dress with the excitement of a little girl, I felt someone enter the room. Turning to face my intruder, a little embraced, I could only soften. She was soft, beautiful really, yet so plan looking, going unnoticed to those around her, I was sure. What a shame really, she a strength, she was someone I instantly felt protective of.

"May I help you miss?" It had been a very long time sense someone catered to my needs, I would not say no to her.

Standing a little taller I extended the dress to her. I could tell she wanted to say something, so I just looked at her, waiting for what seemed like forever for her to spit it out. She was a shy little thing.

"Speak." I know I sounded annoyed, my tone a little painful, it was hard for me to watch her struggle with herself.

"It's... It's…" it hurt to watch her as she came closer, trying to speak, "You are stunning. Just took me by surprise, miss."

"Thank you." Softly spoke so she would feel the sincerity in my words. I did not want her to be afraid me.

"I would be very grateful for your help." Smiling down at her, I gave her a big smile, hoping to make her feel more comfortable. "Things are, well a little confusing, to me right now."

"It will all work out, miss." I wish she would stop calling me miss. It was getting annoying.

"Please, call me Chleo. There is no need to be so formal."

"Chleo, beautiful name. My name is Sybelle." Shy, poor thing even compelled, she could not hide it.

"Well, Sybelle, let's get this stunning thing on. I think Elijah may have some plans for me this evening. Let's not keep him waiting, shall we." I felt a little excitement again, but I would not show it to her. The poor thing would faith if she felt half my power.

After she was gone I stood in front of the mirror admiring how the dress fit me. It was like it had been sewn to my very skin, it was perfection. My shoulders were bare, with several soft folds of silk hugging on my arm just below them; my breasts lifted just enough to enhance the silk that fell to the floor below them. On anyone one other than me, no one would look at anything but the dress. The feeling of the room changed, I felt Elijah's staring at me.

"Elijah; you know, it isn't very impolite to stare." Smiling, I turned to him and walked into his arms.

"It feels good to hold you in my arms Elijah." I always felt comfort there; I always felt safe.

"For me as well," breaking our embrace, looking at me, "I only was staring, my friend, for I had forgotten how it felt to be close to you. You are rather intoxicating."

Giggling, "You never fail to make my heart smile my friend. It is good to be in your company again." Twirling in a circle, with a twinkle in my eye, I asked, "What do you think?"

"As I expected, you look, exquisite." As he spoke he gave me a smile, one that was so rarely seem by others, but always, given so freely to me.

I was again looking at my reflection in the mirror as I spoke, "You always did know what I liked Elijah, however, my love, I will not be fooled." In just a blink, I was standing nose to nose with him, raising my brow to him in, challenging him in a way, "We have been friends, you and I, for over 800 years, I have grown to love you, as if you were part of me. I will not be used, Elijah. Not by you, not by the powers that control me, not by anyone. While, I love your gift, the dress is rather lovely, but I will know what game you are playing at?" The force of my words made him step back from me, a step that I would allow.

"There is no need to question our friendship, Chloe. My intentions are honorable, I assure you." It was almost laughable to me, he was finding it hard to continue, we had be separated far too long, I could feel his fear of me, almost smell it, just as surely as I felt others coming into his home. More vampires, and strong ones at that. There will be time to look at them later. I just wanted to enjoy a moment with Elijah.

"Dinner party is it. Wanting to show me off, are you?" It was a teasing question, but a serious one all the same.

"No, I was not expecting company, tonight was for us to talk. It would seem, we will not be giving the luxury." Moving toward the lounge chair next to the mirror, he sat as if defeated, taking in a deep breath and continued with his head bowed, "I am so tired, Chloe, so tired."

I immediately felt protective, Elijah never acted defeated. As a sign of my trust in him, I went to him; kneeling at his feet, I place my head on his lap, "All will be well, Elijah." I meant what I said, I would do as he asked; I would do this for my friend. Whatever his game was, I would help him.

He began to genteelly stroke my hair, a feeling I had long missed, to just be touched without fear. Aside from Elijah, Stefan, was the only one that I allowed such liberties, such closeness.

"I was devastated, almost beyond repair, when I learned you slept. Klaus," Collecting his thoughts, I knew not to speak; he never let others know his feelings, no one, but me. He always told me, it was a weakness he could not afford to show others. He continued, "Klaus, he was the reason for your silence, why you slept."

I stood to stand in front of the window, taking my compassion away from Elijah, "You risk a great deal, in telling me that he is responsible." Taking a deep breath, remembering, he would not be telling me this unless it was important.

"Continue." I commanded him to go on.

"He found out about you, about our friendship; he only meant to torment me, make me suffer, to use Stefan as a weapon. I am not sure he knows what you truly are, even now." My laugh interrupted him, but it did not stop him from continuing. "He manipulated the Salvatore family, compelled them, along with the council they had formed, to believe," taking a deep breath he continued reluctantly, "To believe, you were the only one, if killed that would remove all Vampires from existence. He compelled them to kill you. To fear you." He looked at me desperately, "He did not know, Chleo, he did not know you had chosen to live out a human life with Stefan, to live as a human, until Stefan took his last breath." The minute this came out of Elijah's mouth, I knew he was begging me, begging me to spare his brother life.

"I have yet to pass judgment, Elijah." I said this softly.

"Finish, please, the activity below is making me restless, calling for judgment." I did not want to talk about Stefan, to even think about him, just yet. I would do this in private, alone. It made churn inside me, things that even I feared, things that I did not understand.

"He liked the darkness he saw in Stefan, he meant to use it. For what? I am still trying to figure that out. You were just simply, in the way. You frighten him; I had never seen him so scared of something before. Knowing he couldn't kill you himself, not without judgment, he had someone else do his dirty work." Elijah was looking at me as he finished this statement, waiting for me to say something.

I only had one question, "Elijah, answer me true, is Klaus the one that made Stefan a vampire?"

"Yes and no."

"Do not dare, be vague with me!" I was becoming angry; Elijah's fear was suddenly sickening to me. All for the love of his brother, a brother who was cruel by nature and acted like a spoiler child wanting his way.

"He made Katherine seduce him once you were gone, compelled her to do his bidding." He continued quickly knowing I was losing my patients. "He was ripe for the picking once you disconnected yourself from him. Klaus thought, if he controlled Stefan, he controlled you. He thought if you ever returned and learned the truth, he would have a weapon against you."

Turning, stepping closer to Elijah, I flexed my power, wanting him to feel the pureness of my anger, wanting it to caress his skin like knives.

"He was mistaken." I said this almost like a hiss, I didn't even sound like myself.

I was using too much power on my friend, but I was only slightly ashamed of it, lowering to kneel before me; he said so quietly, "I spent years trying to find you. Once I did, I spent years trying to wake you, I tried everything and nothing worked. You were lost; every bit of life was gone from you. You were lost even from yourself. All I could do was to protect you from being found by anyone else. You looked so fragile, so destructible; I could not leave you unprotected."

I pulled back my power, "You protected me?" It was simple question, one I knew the answer to.

"Yes, you saved once. I owed it to you, and you were my friend, my only friend." Elijah felt broken kneeling at my felt, it radiated off him, making me queasy.

"Stand tall Elijah, never bow at my feet again." Helping him stand, I heard things breaking below. "Who is here Elijah?"

"Your power is blocking me for knowing, so I cannot tell you. Tonight was only meant for you and I." He was shaking his head trying to clear me from it, trying to hear what was going on below.

"Well, why don't we go see, shall we?" Extending my arm out to him, requesting his escort below, and knowing he would not deny me. My shift in mood threw him off balance a little. Emotions, it would seem, I know longer had control over.

As we descended the stairs I felt calmness wash over me. It all changed when I looked up and my eyes took in what was going on below. I was taken over by pure fury, a place that not even anger stood a chance to survive. Surrounded by hybrids, keeping a snip of a girl and the vampire I had seen with Stefan earlier, was Klaus, holding Stefan in the air by his throat.

"NO!" I heard Elijah scream as I slammed Klaus against the wall, holding his throat, holding him prisoner, just as he holding Stefan's.

I turned away from Klaus, with all the fury I felt; I forced Elijah to his knees.

"DO NOT INTERFERE!" I knew he would not argue, just as surely as he knew, he could not stop me if I wished to kill Klaus, if I wished to kill all of them.

As I looked back to Klaus, I noticed his hybrids advancing toward me. "Stay!" I commanded Klaus, like a dog, I dropped him to the floor. Turning my attention to the four hybrids who thought they could take me. Arrogant, and a little dumber, it would seem, than a vampire. Must be the werewolf blood, nothing more than animal instinct, running amuck in them.

"Fearless little things aren't you?" I was mocking them, provoking their anger, it had been a long time sense I had a physical fight, it could be fun, so why not.

"Well, this really isn't a fair fight, now is it, boys?" I was just putting it out there, letting them have the chance to change their minds, while I watched Elijah's family enter the room.

"Oh look, it's a happy family reunion. Elijah, you should tell a girl when she is going to meet your whole family. I am afraid, my friend, I may not give the best first impression."

Before the words were finished leaving my mouth, each of the hybrids laid at my feet, headless. All without a single drop of blood hitting the beautiful dress Elijah had given me. Turning to everyone in the room, I looked at each of them straight in the eye, daring them to challenge me, all but one. Stefan, I knew I would be lost if I did, that the not so subtle point I was trying to make, forgotten. Somewhere deep inside myself, I could not look at him; I was ashamed that Stefan was seeing me like this.

As I fully expected, each and every one of them backed away from me. Even Stefan took a small step back. That was when I notice Elijah, hiding someone behind, protecting someone. Curious, Klaus forgotten for moment, in a blink I pulled her to stand in front of me.

"Why are you protecting her from me Elijah?" I would not look at him; I felt the desperation and fear going from him at my question.

Walking around her now, trying to figure out what was so special about her. Circling, her as if hunting her. Everyone was holding their breath, each wanting to protect her, even Klaus. Wasn't this interesting indeed. Grabbing her by the neck, I took her to stand in front of Klaus.

"You would protect her? Do you feel for her?" he only looked at me with a blank fearful stare as I asked him these questions.

"Chleo, I beg of you think about what you are doing! This is not who you are!"

"Elijah! So outspoken of you! If I was going to kill her, she would be dead already." Turning my attention back to her, I surprised with a feeling of pressure in my chest.

"Oh the night is just full of surprises, isn't Elijah?" Not looking away from her I pulled a stake out of my chest, throwing it to the ground, as if it was nothing, but a splinter.

"What is your name?" Against my my better judgment, I kind of like this girl, knowing her name seemed to be important.

"Elena." She took a deep breath, trying to hide her fear of me. She was doing a rather good job of it actually.

"Well, Elena, here's the thing," adding a pause to my sarcastic words, "I can't die. It was, however, rather surprising though, good for you." The minute the words were out of my mouth, everything went dark, all I saw was red.

As if I was watching someone else, I suddenly saw myself drinking from her neck, taking every drop of life within her. To only be quickly knocked to the floor. I did not move, not wanting to get up, not wanting to see the horror around me. What had I just done? I was disgusted with myself! I did not kill and I sure as hell didn't drink blood! I wasn't a vampire! I felt sick to my stomach as I curled myself up into a ball on the floor.

"Elijah," all I could do was whisper, "Elijah, help me." I was instantly lifted off the floor, and the next thing I knew, I was being set down softly on the grass by Elijah.

"What is wrong with me, Oh god Elijah, I killed them!" As I was saying this he reached out to touch me.

"DON'T!" I screamed this so load it hurt even my ears.

"I am not worth your touch. I fear…" Before I could finish, I began throwing up all the blood I had drank from that girl.

I couldn't control it; it was as if I was expelling all the fury from my body, from my very soul, with every stream of blood that left me, fear took its place. I was miserable; I wanted to run away from all of this, I just wanted to sleep. I was not who I once was, I was not who I was meant to be, and it scared me.

"What is wrong with me?" I didn't ask anyone in particular. I didn't expect anyone to know any more than I did.

Shaking, I laid my head against the grass, being close to it; its life, its light, made me feel better, made me feel comforted, while its coolness soothed me. I could hear everyone talking as if all at once around me. I wanted to escape it; I wanted to escape them, all of them.

"Let me go Damon, she needs me!" Stefan sounded frantic; it made me feel scared for him, scared for me.

"Stefan, she tried to kill Elena!" Damon responded to him.

Elena, this Damon felt love for her; I could feel it in his words. I had almost killed the girl he loved. I didn't want to hear anymore, I didn't have the strength to even listen anymore, to figure out what they were all saying. I wasn't sure when I started crying, only becoming aware I was as I felt a hand, ever so softly separate my cheek from the grass, lifting me, placing within the protection of an embrace, holding me as if I would break.

"You should not touch me." Not opening my eyes, not caring, who held me, only wanting to be left alone, not wanting to hurt anyone again.

"Let me go, I just want to sleep, please let me sleep. Let me die." I wanted to be done with this world. After over a thousand years, I truly had no more hope left inside me.

"Stay with me." As soft as a feather Stefan's whispered in my ear.

Without opening my eyes, hoping he would have the answer, to what I so desperately needed to know, "What is wrong with me Stefan? I am not as I once was?"

He didn't reply right away, pulling me closer to him, as if to protect me from the others. Then he very gently began to stroke my hair, like he remembered that this would soothed me, calmed me. Impossible of course, my request, my power had and would ensure that he never remembered. This thought only made the tears heavier, only made me feel more miserable. I needed to look at him, no matter how much more pain it caused me, I needed to see him. I knew, he also needed me to see him, and for him to truly see me. With everything I had left in me, I willed my eyes to open, to only see the deep green of his eyes.

"Stefan…" It was spoken with a longing that I forget I had. As if, it was willing me to stay, willing me to live.

"Chleo…" he responded with the same longing.

Reaching my hand up to touch his face, I suddenly felt the wind pick up around us, and a heat that dintoxicated to my senses. The minute I touch his cheek everything from our past came flashing back so strongly, pain riddled through my body, making me scream so load, I could hear glass shattering somewhere close to me. I could still feel Stefan, holding me as if he had no choice, forced to witness my pain. Pain, I suddenly realized I had brought onto myself.

I was being punished, punished for not only all I did tonight, but for all that I had done to Stefan, for making him forget me, for making him vulnerable, for not protecting him. I hear him saying my name over and over. Suddenly, I was no longer being held by him, I was being shaken by him, to only be dropped to the ground as he fell, lying next to me. Watching him, as my own pain filled him.

"Chleo, stop! You must stop! You are killing yourself! You are killing Stefan." It was Elijah voice, strong and commanding I heard. I couldn't obey; I didn't know how to make it stop? I was not doing this! I didn't know why he was in pain?

Reaching for Stefan hand, hoping that I could give him a little comfort, as our fingers threaded together, everything stopped as quickly as it started. Looking at Stefan, I could see the recognition on his face; he knew me, he knew us, he knew everything I knew, he remembered. We laid there for what seemed like forever, just looking at each other while he processed everything.

"Is this real?" it was an honest question, I would give him that.

"Yes." I was so weak; I could barely get the word out.

Reaching for the necklets around my neck, he looked at me, at the me he once knew, "I made this for you, for us?"

"Yes." Reaching up, I undid another chain that was hanging around my neck. "This I made for you, for us. I was never able to give it to you." I place the matching ring to the necklace into the palm of his hand.

"It will protect now, keep you safe. It will do what I could not." I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open, "I need to rest, Stefan. Please, just lay me against the grass."

I could see the confusion on his face at my request; we were all ready lying on the grass, yet I couldn't feel it against my skin any more. I couldn't feel it's life soothing me.

I smiled at him weakly, "I am tired." I could see fear in his eyes and he pulled me into his embrace.

"You will stay with me?" I asked this for purely selfish reason; I knew that he was having a hard time processing everything, the great thinker that he was, trying to solve everything at once. Fearing that I was dying, a fear I shared with him.

"Yes." The sureness of his tone relaxed me further. He would not leave me, he would protect me, I knew this, as surely as I knew I would protect him, if I could. I felt the light smile cross my lips, I would not die alone; I would not die without him again.

Looking at him with all the love I felt in my soul, "I am yours, Stefan."

As I let myself go into the healing darkness, he whispered softly in my ear, "I am yours, Chleo."

A light, pure in the darkness began to fill me, a light that began to heal me.