Author's note: Sorry the prior chapter was so short. I didn't want to go too long without an update, so I posted what I'd written before my health issue. All that's cleared up now, so I'll hopefully get back to every other day updates till we're finished.

Honestly, I know I'd said I thought this story would have twelve chapters, but it is looking like it is coming in shorter than that. I believe that after this chapter, there will a single additional chapter to finish it off.

Thanks so much for the amazing reviews and marking this as a favorite story. I don't think I've ever had a story be so well-received in such a short period of time.

Thanks a million!

-N.E.P. (Txvdfan)

As always, I don't own any of "The Vampire Diaries" characters. I'm just lucky enough that I have a chance to borrow them for a bit.

Silence fell. What did Katherine mean? A key slid into the doorknob, and Elena turned to face Jeremy as he walked in the door. He tossed his backpack on the floor as he walked toward the kitchen.

"If that's Jenna, tell her she forgot to pick me up after school. I had to get Matt to drive me home." He continued on into the kitchen and began to dig in the refrigerator.

"Any ideas?" Katherine prodded. "Come on Elena, its not that hard. Jeremy even gave you a hint."

Elena's breath caught in her chest. No. She looked through the dining room window. Jenna's car was parked in the driveway. "You didn't."

"Oh, I think you're getting warmer." Katherine laughed again. "I warned Stefan. He told you, didn't he? I told him what I'd do if he didn't remove you from his life." Katherine's voice turned cold. "I don't give idle threats Elena. I always follow through. Now, I know you're probably feeling some stress right now. Don't worry. I have it all planned out. Tell Jeremy that you're on the phone with Bonnie. She asked you to come to her house to get ready for the ball. You haven't seen nearly enough of her lately since you've been spending so much time with Caroline. Then, come meet me where everything started."

"Where what started?"

"You'll figure it out. And Elena?"

"Yes?"

"Don't try to let anyone know where you're going - not if you want to keep Jenna safe. Do you understand?"

Elena tried to keep her voice steady. "I understand."

"Now, tell your brother goodbye. You have 30 minutes." The phone call ended with a click.

Elena clutched the back of a dining room chair for support. As she leaned down, she saw Jenna's purse. What did Katherine do to lure her out of the house? She fought back tears as she blocked the thought from her mind. She had to do this, and she had to be convincing.

She walked toward the living room where Jeremy was sitting on the couch playing his favorite video game. She took a breath and held onto the door frame to hide her shaking hands. "Hey, Jer. Sorry, that wasn't Jenna on the phone."

"Oh, guess she just forgot then." He was only half-listening. That made it easier for Elena.

"That was Bonnie. She asked me to come over to her house to get ready for the party tonight. Things have been kind of tense lately, so I couldn't say no."

"No problem. I'll see you there."

"Bye Jeremy." She bit her lip as she fought the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She wasn't a fool. She knew she wouldn't be walking out of whatever Katherine had planned for her. But, it was her mistake that led her to this. She'd do whatever it took to protect Jeremy and Jenna. She wished he'd turn to look at her, but maybe it was better this way. She didn't have to look into his eyes as she told him goodbye for the last time.

She grabbed her purse and walked to the front door. Turning back for an instant, Elena took one last look at the back of her brother's shaggy head and whispered, "I love you."

She stepped through the doorway and shut the door behind her. Leaning against the closed door, she had to think. What did Katherine mean when she said she'd meet her back where everything began? She didn't need to be standing on this porch while she was trying to figure out the problem. Too many memories.

Memories...

Where would Katherine say everything began?

Of course! Elena realized where Katherine wanted her to go. It was the only place that made sense, really. Taking a look over her shoulder at her house, now framed in the pinkish light of the dwindling sun, Elena stepped into her car and began to drive to the ruins of the old Salvatore house.

Jeremy relaxed as Elena's car drove away. He thought she'd never leave. He couldn't tell her what he was about to do, not when she was so against the idea of him becoming involved in dealing with Mason and Tyler. She'd basically had him under house arrest - wanting to know where he was all the time. Bonnie's phone call couldn't have come at a better time.

Knock...knock...knock.

Jeremy walked to the door and opened it a crack. Alaric stood on the porch juggling a box from their favorite bakery and over a dozen balloons.

"Can you let me in?" Alaric appeared dangerously close to dropping the cake or setting the balloons free.

"Sure." Jeremy laughed under his breath. "What exactly are you doing here?"

Alaric walked to the dining room and placed the cake on the table. He seemed more than a bit confused. "Where's Jenna?"

"I don't know." Jeremy shook his head. "She wasn't here when I got home."

"She told me she wanted to surprise Elena with a party before the one at the Lockwoods' tonight. Maybe she meant after the party. She sounded a little distracted. Apparently, balloons are a requirement in your family."

"I can't believe she remembered." Jeremy said - a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Jenna hadn't been at a family party in years." He counted the balloons. "Eighteen." He smiled. "Mom always got us balloons on our birthday. Last year, Elena made this huge deal about it - saying she was too old for balloons - but you could tell she was faking it. Every year she keeps the balloons in her room until they're just shriveled up balls of rubber."

"Jenna was very specific. She'd already called the flower shop. All I had to do was pick them up." Alaric looked down at his watch. "She'd said her meeting with her thesis advisor was running long. I guess she meant it."

"If we have some time, could you drive me out to the Salvatores' house?"

Alaric gave him a suspicious look. "And why couldn't you get Elena to drive you? I passed her car as I was driving down your street."

"She was going to Bonnie's." Jeremy hesitated. He knew Alaric actually seemed to be on good terms with Damon, but he also knew Elena's stance on keeping Jeremy out of the line of fire. "I need to talk to Damon."

"And Elena wouldn't exactly be a fan of that."

"Not really."

Alaric studied Jeremy standing in front of him. No longer a boy, but definitely not a man. The ring on his finger put him in a dangerous situation much too soon. But Alaric understood Jeremy's need to feel involved. At least by working with Damon, Jeremy might have some element of protection - much more than if Jeremy tried to work alone. "Ok. Come on. We don't have long till Jenna gets home."

"So why did Mason Lockwood want us to come over to their house?" Damon followed Stefan in the front door and slammed it so hard the wall shook.

"That's the third time you've asked me that question, and my answer's still the same. I. Don't. Know."

"Has Elena fed you today? You seem a little tense." Damon looked up in surprise at Liz sitting on the couch watching the fire. "You're still up here? Not such a good idea." He looked at Caroline and frowned. "The fewer memories we have to replace, the better, Caroline." He walked to the couch and sat on the opposite end from his friend. "Liz, it would really be better if you stayed downstairs." He thought for a minute. "Or, you could wait it out in one of the guest rooms if you like. A few even have cable."

"No. I didn't think about that." She apologized. "I'll just go back downstairs. Really, its okay." She attempted to smile at Caroline. "I'll be fine."

"I'll come with you."

"Bonnie's right. Elena's not answering her phone." Stefan walked back to the room and stood next to the fireplace.

"She's probably just screening her calls. She thinks you missed her birthday." Damon tsked as he shook his head. "We've got company." Damon walked to the front window and peered out. "Just Alaric...and Jeremy?" He opened the front door and waited for them to approach the door. "Ric! Why'd you bring him?" He nodded in Jeremy's direction.

"I asked him to bring me. I have some information you need to know about Tyler and Mason."

"And how does Elena feel about you being involved in all this?" Damon looked at Jeremy skeptically while blocking his path into the house. He studied Jeremy's face. "She doesn't know...which is why you convinced your history teacher to bring you." He narrowed his eyes as he continued. "This better be worth it."

Jeremy walked into the house and stood in the foyer. Damon motioned for Stefan to join them. "Tyler isn't a werewolf - yet. His curse hasn't been activated."

"Not good enough. Goodbye!" Damon took hold of Jeremy's shoulders and spun him around.

Jeremy dug in his heels and spoke faster. "But Mason is. Last year, a guy attacked him outside a bar and wouldn't stop until Mason killed him. He's pretending like he came back to help take care of Tyler now that his brother's dead. Tyler doesn't think that's the truth. Mason wants something...a stone. He called it a moonstone."

"Moonstone?" Alaric echoed.

"Does that mean something to you?" Damon turned his attention to Alaric.

"It was in Isobel's research. She had a journal where she'd written notes about the werewolf curse. One of the notes said something about a moonstone."

"And where is this notebook now?" Stefan asked.

"In my office at home."

"Can you go get it?"

"I'm sorry you have to stay down here." Caroline stood in the doorway.

"No. Damon's right. It makes sense." Liz gave her daughter a tired smile. As Caroline turned to leave, Liz called out. "Stay. Please." She took a long look at her daughter. "I'm the one who's sorry."

"What?"

"That it has taken something like this for me to take the time to see just how wonderful you are." Liz patted the cot to invite Caroline to sit next to her. "When your dad left. I felt so betrayed...I couldn't stop thinking about it. The only time I could think of anything else was when I was working. So that's all I did." Tears began to fall down Liz's cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. "You've become this incredible young woman, and I'm just now letting myself see it."

"Mom." Caroline's voice trembled. "You don't have to say this."

"Yes I do. I have to say it. And I'm not going to remember it." Liz sniffed as she reached out and took Caroline's hand. "But you will." She squeezed Caroline's hand. "Don't ever forget this time we've had. I'm so proud of you. You kept going when I gave up."

The train crawled through the crossing. Elena nervously stared at the clock on her car's dashboard. Her thirty minutes were dangerously close to being up. "Come on!" She struck the steering wheel with her fist.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She didn't really need to look at it to know who it was, but she tugged it out anyway.

Stefan.

She couldn't handle talking with him now. She let the call go to voicemail.

Finally...the train cleared the crossing, and Elena sped down the narrow street. This section of Mystic Falls was old and overgrown. No street lamps lined the roads. She had to pay close attention, or she'd likely miss the dirt path that marked the entrance to the Salvatore property.

There it was.

She could see the remains of the brick fence that once lined the property. The overgrown path was too much for her car, so she abandoned it not far from the main road. Using her phone's light to guide her, she ran through the tangle of tree branches and vines.

Her foot caught on a rotting tree trunk she hadn't seen, sending her sprawling down the path.

"Careful. Don't want to hurt yourself."

"Katherine." Elena tried to sound braver than she felt. "Where's Jenna? You can let her go now."

"But Elena, I believe I told you to be here in thirty minutes."

"I couldn't help it." Elena's heart began to pound in her chest. "There was a train. You heard it."

"I did." Katherine stepped into the beam from Elena's phone. "But still, you were late." She shook her head. "I'm so sorry about your aunt."

"Bonnie! Thanks for coming." Stefan opened the front door. "And you brought the grimoire. This way. You can join the party." He led the way into the living room where Alaric, Damon, and Jeremy were looking through a box of old documents.

"Speaking of party, can you tell me why you needed it now? My dad finally let me leave the Lockwoods. You may be able to get ready in 10 minutes, but I'd like a little more time than that."

"Hey Bonnie!" Jeremy stepped into the room. "Where's Elena?"

"She's probably getting ready for tonight. Which is where I should be. Can we hurry this up?"

"I meant, why isn't she with you?" Jeremy persisted.

Bonnie looked stunned. "I haven't seen Elena all day."

"So you didn't call her to invite her to come over to your house to get ready for the party?" Jeremy sounded surprised, and he couldn't conceal the worry in his voice.

Damon and Alaric looked up from Isobel's notebook.

"No."

"What's wrong Jeremy?" Stefan watched as Jeremy shook his head.

"When I came home from school, Elena was on the phone with someone. When she hung up, she told me Bonnie wanted her to come over and get ready for the party. They used to do that all the time. I didn't think anything of it." Jeremy curled his hands into fists. "She sounded weird, but I didn't ask her what was wrong. I should have asked her."

Stefan pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Elena's number again.

The phone rang in Elena's outstretched hand. "That's the fifth time he's called. He's going to worry if I don't answer soon."

"Clingy much?" Katherine frowned. "Ok, answer it, but remember where you are and who you're with."

Elena didn't miss the double meaning to Katherine's comment. She took a deep breath and prayed that her voice held steady. "Hey, Stefan. Did I miss a call from you?"

"One call? Try five." Stefan was well aware of all the eyes on him while he spoke with Elena.

"I guess I'm having trouble with my phone, sorry. I'm at Bonnie's getting ready for the party. We must have been talking, and I didn't hear the phone."

"No problem." Stefan struggled to keep his voice light as he looked at Bonnie. He couldn't face Jeremy's fear right now. "So, do you want me to come pick you up?"

"Hold on a second." Elena covered the phone and attempted to clear the lump from her throat. "No," she bit her lip, "Bonnie says she'll drive me. I'll meet you there." She thought quickly. She knew she couldn't tell him goodbye, so she decided to steer the phone call in a different direction. " I haven't seen you today. You skipped school. You're still coming, right? Or did you decide to skip that too?"

"I'll be there. It took a little longer than I had planned to get your present. Sorry. I think you'll like it, though. I can't wait to see you tonight." He turned away from all the others in the room. "I love you, Elena." His voice was scarcely louder than a whisper.

Elena's hands were shaking so hard, she was afraid she was about to drop the phone. "Fine, Stefan, whatever." She pressed the end button before she had to say anything else.

Stefan dropped the phone. "Katherine has Elena." He turned and started for the door before Damon grabbed him.

"And how exactly do you know that? It sounded more like she was just pissed at you."

Stefan shook his head as he fought for control. "We'd come up with a code for when we were working at the park. If we had to fight, if she said 'Fine, Stefan, whatever!' that was her way of saying she loved me." He tried to pull out of his brother's grasp. "I'm going to kill Katherine." A shadow of his vampire face played around his eyes as Damon slammed him onto the couch.

"This is Katherine we're dealing with. Elena sounded fine, didn't she?" He waited for Stefan's answering nod. "Katherine had to be listening. She's expecting to see you at the party tonight." He struggled to keep Stefan pinned to the chair. "We will get Elena back. I promise you, Stefan. I won't let anything happen to Elena. For now, we have to play by Katherine's rules."

"But Katherine doesn't play by the rules."

A/N: Check back tomorrow for the big finish! As always, reviews are much appreciated!