Author's Note: I am going to try and incorporate some of the others characters in this chapter just so it feels a little more real and explanatory.
Elena shouldn't have said anything. Really really shouldn't have said anything. But it just came out. It wasn't intentional, but she supposed she really did care if Damon lived or died. That didn't make her love him, but it also didn't make her hate him. At the same time she really didn't want to give him false hope of any kind.
After the boys left Elena and Bonnie had several hours to spare so after they finished looking for spells they decided to make a trip to the hospital to see Jeremy. He was feeling better but he had a lot of anger toward Elena.
"You know," Jeremy said as their pleasantries conversation was winding down, "I still have her blood in my system. If I died I would still turn."
Elena didn't know what to say. She would never want to see her brother become a vampire, but would it be better than the alternative? If the blood is out of his system and he tries to do the same thing again he would die for real and never see him again.
"Jeremy, I would really hope you see everything that your future has in store. You will make it through this. You will be able to go to college, get married, have babies, all things that you can't do once you become a vampire." Elena said. She decided to try logic instead of pleading and begging.
"I don't care about those things," Jeremy stated.
"You might, though. Just give it some time. We can all help you; Jenna, Matt, Bonnie, and me."
"I don't want your help!" Jeremy screamed. A nurse came rushing in to see what was ailing him.
"You'll have to leave now. We would prefer that Jeremy stays calm. Your presence is upsetting him." The nurse said.
"Right, well I'm sorry," Elena said ashamed and hurt, "I'll see you soon Jeremy, I love you."
Elena and Bonnie went to go and check on Caroline. Matt and her mom were by her beside but Caroline was heavily sedated and sleeping. Sherriff Forbes said she was doing good and would only have to stay for a few more days. Elena briefly filled Matt in on what was going on with her side of the family.
"Have you heard from Tyler?" Bonnie asked.
"Yeah, he has been really temperamental lately. I guess it's everything that happened with his dad, but I don't know, something is just off about him." Matt said.
"What do you mean?" Elena pressed.
"He's always figeting or moving around. I have never seen him so on edge." Matt finished.
"Interesting, well let us know if there is anything we can do to help." Bonnie concluded.
Elena and Bonnie left the hospital. It was still early and they decided to go and see Jenna, who was only a mile or two from Stephan's place. When they got there Jenna greeted them. Elena filled her in on her most recent visit with Jeremy. Jenna also told Elena about her daily visits with her nephew.
Bonnie went to the bathroom, and Jenna took that opportunity to ambush Elena.
"Elena! What were you doing with Damon? I mean, I understand he is very good-looking but he is too old for you. Not to mention Stephan's brother!" Elena screamed in whispered tones.
"I know, I know," Elena lied, "I don't know what I was thinking. He helped save my life the night of Founder's Day. In all the hysteria someone tried to grab me. I don't know if they wanted to rob me or something worse. Damon punched them and threatened them. I don't know what would have happened if he wouldn't have been there. I got carried away in the moment." Elena shrugged.
"Just be careful," Jenna pleaded as Bonnie came back into the room.
Bonnie and Elena excused themselves from Alaric's to go back to the boardinghouse. They still had an hour before the guys were expected to come back. Both girls decided to lay down on the couch and distress for a bit. Not long after they drifted off to sleep.
Damon was not finding anything useful. Some houses, but no one was there. He has been searching for hours now and was becoming quite bored. If Katherine was in Mystic Falls she certainly wasn't in these parts.
He decided to head back to the boardinghouse. Maybe he would even get some extra alone time to spend with Elena before Stephan got back. He wanted to ask her about what she said before he left anyway.
"Ah leaving so soon," a voice identical but entirely different than Elena's spoke up behind a tree, "but the games haven't even started yet." She pouted.
"Hello Katherine." Damon said emotionless.
"Well, at least you know it's me this time." Katherine giggled. "Though I rather did like your whipped dog speech. When did you become such a do-gooder Damon?"
"When did you become such a bitch?" Damon spat back.
"Now, it's not nice to talk to women like that…or your elders." Katherine said.
"What do you want?" Damon asked.
"You don't sound excited to see me, Damon." She continued to pout and get upset just like a small child might.
"Why would I? I searched for you for decades, only to find that the very spot you were supposed to be in was void of your presense! I have dreamed of the day when I had finally had you back Katherine, but I don't anymore, I am free of you."
"For that little bitch, Elena? That is what you have given yourself up for? A human?" Katherine exclaimed.
"Guess so," Damon muttered, "but she is everything that you'll never be. Least of all, a bitch." Damon began to walk in the other direction, back to the boardinghouse.
Katherine began to giggle hysterically. Damon turned around to inquisitively stare at her. After a few moments of laughter Katherine spoke.
"You stupid silly boys. How dare you choose her over me. I made you a vampire and this is how you repay me. So stupid. Then to leave the girl you love in the home of a vampire guarded and unprotected, where anyone can find her? That's positively brainless." Katherine smiled when she was finished and disappeared into the forest skipping and humming a tune.
Damon needed to move. And fast.
Authors Note: Ok I need some suggestions. How can I turn Stephan's character evil? I want Elena to have a reason to dislike him because I don't think that she would turn to him otherwise Stephan gave her a reason to do so. Let me know what you guys think!