Disclaimer: …Only six chapters in and I'm already sick of writing disclaimers. I own nothing. Well, except for Beth. Kind of.

A/N: You know that weird feeling you get when you look at a simple word, like 'road' for an hour, thinking that you spelled it wrong? I got that feeling a lot during this chapter. I had to have my ten year old sister spell check it because I was convinced that the computer was wrong…

Previously on The Vampire Diaries:

I smirked, "Finally; someone that can compete with me in the 'Enigmatic One-Liners' category." There was another awkward moment of silence before I said, "So, good talk boys." I winked at Damon and Stefan as I rose to leave, anxious to get out of the boarding house, "I've got some work to do…" I exited the room, calling out as I left, "Curiosity killed the Kat and all…"

Two minutes. That was as long as I lasted before I fell apart. I barely managed to pull off to the shoulder of the road before the unshed tears blurred my vision so badly that I couldn't see. The pain in my chest was real. I screamed, not from the pain, but from anger. I was furious with myself. I was so cold to them. It made me sick to remember how just moments ago, I treated Damon and Stefan, my family, like they were nothing.

My 'explanation' made me feel even worse. Lies. I knew that somewhere deep down, I really did blame Damon and Stefan for my death. It wasn't their fault that they were chosen, but because they were chosen, I died. I spent 150 years harboring my hatred, not of the brothers, but of Katherine, letting it simmer, biding my time until I tracked her down. The only truth that I told Damon and Stefan was that I did not know that they were alive. Technically, I did have a choice about whether or not to leave, but it didn't feel like a choice. It was pretty much 'stay and die' or 'leave and live.'

As much as I love using sarcasm, I know that it's just a mask. A mask to keep me from feeling anything; or rather to keep anyone from knowing that I feel anything. I've known for a long time that there isn't a magical off switch that I can just flip when I want to feel numb… Maybe when I was first turned, but even then, I could still feel. I've been lying to myself for the last century and a half to keep myself from getting hurt. I always told myself that it was better this way; getting close to people gets them killed.

After I calmed myself down, I continued on to where I'd originally been headed; the hospital. I needed to have a chat with John Gilbert about a certain doppelganger…

In the parking lot of the hospital, I wiped the stray bits of mascara that were left over from my earlier breakdown off of my cheeks and made myself as presentable as possible. I took a deep breath, replaced my 'mask,' and walked through the automatic doors.

"May I help you?" A cheerful looking nurse in blue scrubs asked almost as soon as I crossed the inner-threshold. She scribbled one last thing on her clip board before giving me her complete attention.

"Oh," I smiled sweetly, "I'm visiting someone— "

That was as far as the nurse allowed me to get before she held up her hand and said sternly, "Visiting hours are from nine a.m. to seven p.m. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to come back tomorrow." She flashed me a quick smile, glancing back down at her clipboard. "If you'll excuse me—"

The nurse tried to brush past me, but I caught her shoulder, and before she could protest, I looked deep into her eyes, summoning up my true aspect, "Are you sure you couldn't bend the rules for me, just this once?" I asked softly.

"Oh." The nurse smiled, "Yes, anything you like."

"What room is John Gilbert in?"

Her empty gaze flickered down to her clipboard before her eyes found mine again, "Room 106."

"Thank you," I glanced at her name tag, "Millie." I smiled again, "Now, remember, I was never here…"

"You were never here." She repeated.

"Very good." I patted her shoulder before blurring over to room 106.

The man that I assumed was John Gilbert was hooked up to a volley of machines. His right hand was heavily bandaged and some of his fingers seemed to be missing. Well, this was definitely Katherine's work, unless this man had gotten into a fight with a lawnmower. His eyes flickered open when I stepped into the room.

"Ouch." I continued forward, "Looks like Katherine had some fun with you…" I smiled wickedly.

"Who're you?" He asked, completely unafraid.

"My name is Beth." I stepped closer; John's heart rate rose significantly. I snorted, "I'm not here to kill you, John. I'm looking for Katherine Pierce."

John's eyes widened, "What do you want with Katherine?"

"Same thing as you, I suspect, seeing as she carved you up like a Christmas turkey." I gestured to his wounds, "I want to know everything that you know about Katherine, and I want to know it now." I grabbed the only chair, an ugly green recliner that had seen better days, and dragged it over to John's bedside one-handed.

"You're a vampire." John frowned, "I'll call for help." He reached for the remote that was connected to his bed.

"Oh! Scary!" I plucked the remote from his hand, "The big bad doctor is going to come to your rescue and get his throat ripped out." I rolled my eyes, "I already told you that I'm not here to kill you. Though, if you don't start cooperating, I may start maiming." I smiled a bit, "Any objections?" No response. I rose to my feet, "Alrighty then…" I reached for his uninjured hand, taking one of his fingers firmly in my grip. I slowly bent it backward.

"Don't! I'll tell you anything you want to know!" Damn. A splash of violence would've made me feel better... So much for that.

"That wasn't so difficult, now was it?" I sat down again, lounging back in the chair, "Start at the beginning; tell me everything."

If anyone is confused at why Beth is constantly contradicting herself, I've placed an explanation near the top of my profile page.

R&R please.