"It was their mother Esther who was sealed in that coffin."
"As in the Original Witch?" Stefan asked.
"What? How is she even alive? Thought her hybrid freak show of a son ripped her heart out a thousand years ago." Damon commented.
It was amazing why anybody asked how things happened anymore.
"I don't know. I'm guessing she has a couple connections in the witching community. Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus."
"Doubtful. Forgiveness isn't that easy, Elena." Charlotte remarked in disbelief. "Call it my jaded perception of the world, but if my son killed me forgiveness would be the last thing on my mind."
"She was supposed to be the weapon to help us kill Klaus," Stefan sighed melodramatically.
"Well, not anymore... at least not according to Elijah."
"That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds." Stefan insisted.
"Anyone else feeling a little used right now?" Damon asked.
The two kept complaining like teenagers.
"Look, Elijah said his family meant no harm to us."
The doorbell rang.
"And I believe him."
Elena returned with two crisp white envelopes, one adressed to her and one to Charlotte. The twins looked at each other and opened them at the same time.
"Please join the Mikaelson Family, this evening at seven o'clock. For dancing, cocktails and celebration." Charlotte read from the invite.
"Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?"
"Sons of Mikael. That's how it worked back then, stupid." Charlotte told Stefan. "The Original family."
"It's not bad enough they're moving into town, now they want a housewarming gift?" Damon complained once more.
"Wait, there's a note on the back!" Elena interrupted Damon's complaining. "Elena, I think it's time that we finally meet, Esther. If Esther wants to talk to me, maybe I should find out why."
"Well that's a dumb idea, she already tried to kill you once." Damon replied.
"No, Elena is right. Bonnie was led to open that coffin for a reason. I think there is more to this than just some family reunion." Stefan had listened to Charlotte before.
"Can we go back in time where the old Stefan cared if Elena lived or died?"
"That's your job now."
"Charlotte? Back me up here!" Damon insisted.
SHe smiled. "No. I'm going to let you two work it out. I'm going to the ball, meaning Elena's attendance will not put her at risk. Not if I'm there. I've got a dress to find."
And she waltzed out of the room with a grin and hit the dress shop.
"It's all so weird. The Originals are throwing a ball. Like an actual ball."
"It's some twisted Cinderella fetish is what it is. And why does the Evil Witch want an audience with you?" Caroline replied.
"I have no idea. There's only one way to find out."
"Little sis, I thought you told your boyfriends you weren't going?" Charlotte smiled at her sister.
"I did, which is all the more reason why I need a drama free bodyguard."
"Elena, are you finally realizing that you don't answer to either of them? Seriously, Elena. I've got your back. YOu don't have to let them control you."
"I don't know. I think a Salvatore would look a lot better in a tux. And by that I mean Stefan." Caroline pondered the thought.
"Uhh, I can't deal with either of the Salvatores right now. Whatever Stefan is feeling, he is channeling it all against Klaus. And Damon...it's just not a good idea." Elena shook her head.
"Why, cause you two made out? Bonnie spilled the beans."
"Gross." Charlotte commented to herself.
"I was gonna tell you. Just, after everything happened with your dad..."
"Elena, when you and Matt kissed for the first time freshman year, you called me the second it happened. And now I don't hear about this til now, and from somebody else."
A world of death and despair, and these two only care about boy drama.
"I'm sorry. It's just I, I don't even know how I feel about it yet. All I do know is that it just used to be so much easier."
Rebekah walked up, then.
"Careful, Caroline. It's all well and good until she stabs you in the back." She grinned.
"What are you doing here? I know your mom's rules. No hurting the locals."
"Get over yourself Elena. It's not all about you."
She walked away and handed Matt and invitation.
"Oh my god. She's inviting him to the ball. Why is she inviting him?" Caroline's voice was dripping with disbelief.
"Probably to get a rise out of us." Elena responded. Charlotte shook her head.
"You're both so immature. God forbid anybody just like Matt for Matt, ya know?"
Lottie got up and walked over to Matt, who was staring at his invitation.
"Rebekah, eh?" She grinned at him.
"Yeah. It was nice of her to invite me."
"Yeah. It was." Charlotte nodded. "She's got good taste. Just be careful tonight, yeah? I don't think Rebekah will do anything, but that's not to say her brother's won't. I'll see you tonight?"
"Seeya, Charlotte."
The music played at Charlotte stood, chatting with Mrs. Lockwood, whom she hadn't talked to in ages. She knew of Charlotte's condition. Charlotte might have hated Tyler, but Carol was still a role model.
"Hello Carol. Charlotte." Damon walked over to them.
"Hello." Carol replied.
"Hanging out with your new besties?" He was referring to the Originals.
"I'm the mayor, Damon. When the oldest, deadliest family of vampires moves into your town, you welcome them with a smile."
Her point was smart, yet Damon refused to accept it.
"Hmm, Well at least you know who you're borrowing that cup of sugar from."
"I'm trying to protect this town. They've assured me they want peace, and I've assured them that I'd enforce it."
One of the Mikaelsons, Kol, approached the group, going to Mrs. Lockwood.
"Mayor Lockwood. We haven't formally met. Kol Mikaelson. I hope your lovely town embraces us just as much as we plan to embrace it."
He then looked to Charlotte with a grin. "We haven't formally met either. Charlotte Gilbert, is it?"
He outstretched his hand. Charlotte took it, expecting a handshake, but his kissed it instead.
Right. He was locked in a box for years. Not exactly aware of the customs.
"You are correct. Lovely ball you're having." She grinned at him. He was incredibly attractive.
Then Damon had to ruin it, interrupting. "Damon Salvatore. Have we met?"
"I've met a lot of people. And you don't particularly stand out."
And Kol left.
Damon's spirits were crushed, until he spotted Elena.
"Excuse me, Carol."
Charlotte watched. "Damon and Stefan still think that Elena answers to them. It's time for them to wake up from the eighteen hundreds, isn't it?"
And she left, mingling amongst the crowd.
She loved a good party, but hated the feeling of being alone in a room of strangers.
"Uh, if everyone could gather, please." Elijah's voice beckoned throughout the room. Everyone gathered towards the stairs.
"Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."
Dancing. Perfect. Now she would have to find a partner. God knows she would just be with whatever Salvatore was leftover.
The night held a different twist, however, when somebody actually asked her to dance.
"Charlotte, would you give me the honor?"
"Very well, Kol."
Charlotte knew how to waltz, thank God, from when her parents signed her and Elena up for classes.
"I must say you look rather beautiful tonight, Miss Gilbert."
Charlotte couldn't disagree. She wore a long black dress that flowed out at her lower waist.
"You look quite dapper yourself, Mr. Mikaelson."
This brought her back to her dance with Collin, before all of the vampire business began.
She shook the feeling off, looking at Kol. He may have the charming persona now, but he was a devil, she could tell.
"I've heard my fair share about you and your friends from my siblings, but none of them included how beautiful you were."
"Flattery will get you everywhere." Charlotte grinned at him, accepting the attention of which she had long been deprived. "How are your enjoying the twenty first century?"
"I must say, after giving it a try, I find it much more enjoyable."
They made quiet small talk until partners switched, landing her in the arms of Klaus Mikaelson.
"Eyes on my brother, have you?"
"Don't pretend he doesn't have his eyes on me." She smiled, continuing her dance. "Am in not allowed to appreciate some of the finer things in life?"
"I'm sure that comment will give him quite a boost of ego."
"As I'm sure his compliments later will give me mine. I have quite the charming effect on people." She grinned. Klaus rolled his eyes.
"I didn't expect you to know how to waltz."
"Nobody in this town would be able to function without knowing eighteen different forms of formal dance." Charlotte poked her fair share of fun at her small town that seemed to care more about history and vampires than actual law enforcement and education.
When their dance ended, Charlotte wandered amongst the crowd, chatting with founding families and all of the higher ups who attended these sorts of events. She was technically eighteen, in their eyes, old enough to be a founder, if it weren't for the whole vampirism issue. Charlotte spotted Matt with Caroline, and Rebekah alone. She picked up her dress and walked over to Rebekah.
"You look lovely tonight, Rebekah."
Rebekah looked Charlotte over with disbelief. "Oh, you don't have to pretend to be nice to me. What do you want? Are you going to tell me to stay away from Matt, or bring up some secret plot that'll only end with my getting stabbed in the back again?"
"I took a back seat to that agenda. You don't actually expect me to vehemently go against it, do you?" Charlotte crossed her arms.
"What do you want, Charlotte?" She sighed with exhaustion.
"You looked lonely, and I'm always lonely. I figured if we were standing next to each other we wouldn't look as sad." Charlotte followed Rebekah's gaze over to Matt. "He doesn't have feelings for Caroline, you know. Matt is honestly just the best guy ever, and Caroline is his friend."
"Well they sure do seem friendly," she remarked sarcastically.
Charlotte smiled softly at Rebekah. "You're the only one in this god forsaken town who appreciates Matt Donovan. Don't ruin it."
She lifted her skirt and walked away.
Charlotte walked the room in wonder. She saw the Harpers at the edge of the room, and while she expected just to see Mara's parents, she was astounded by the fact that she saw Mara and Collin as well. Collin must be on a school break.
Unfortunately, she was beckoned over to the founding family. With a smile, she reluctantly went to talk to the family, knowing she couldn't compel her problems away this time.
"Charlie Gilbert!" Collin attacked Charlotte in a hug. She smelled his familiar scent of cologne, now mixed with the scent of his blood. She held her breathe for fear of not being in control. "How are ya, kid?"
"Not a kid, that's for sure." Charlotte commented back lazily.
"Lottie, we haven't seen you around the house in ages," Lucy complained.
"You know, school has been really busy, and my family has been going through a lot of stuff."
"You know you're always welcome," Ben said.
Charlotte and Mara exchanged awkward glances before Charlotte exited.
The night passed with more dull conversations until Charlotte found herself in the midst of the only excitement, at at Matt Donovan's expense. Long story short, Kol decided to break Matt's hand and Damon decided to attack Kol because of it. And while Damon dealt with Kol, Charlotte was the only one who dealt with Matt.
"Okay. It hurts, I'm sure. You good?" She asked, looking his hand over. "I failed anatomy, but even I can tell you that your hand is completely shattered."
"Damon! Are you crazy?" Stefan shouted. Everybody was watching the spectacle in front of them, but Matt was going ignored.
"I'll take you to the hospital, all right? I'm sure someone will be able to get you taken care of."
And then Damon stormed off and Charlotte took Matt to the hospital.
"Hi, my friend broke his hand." And Charlotte filled out Matt's paperwork, and apparently he didn't have health insurance. Luckily, Charlotte was able to do him a favor in finding a receptionist who wasn't on vervain and compelling her to drop all charges. Matt got his hand put back together, and the two were one their way.
"Thanks, Charlotte. I owe you one." Matt told her as she drummed along to the beat of the music on her steering wheel.
"No you don't. I can't believe Kol. He was so charming with me."
"Well, those Originals can get you. Let me make you some coffee at the Grille or something."
"Fine."
And so they went to the Grille and Matt made her coffee. And Rebekah interrupted apologizing, and Matt told her to leave. And she overheard her saying that she should have killed Matt.
And to think, Charlotte trusted her for a second.
And if Charlotte's theories were correct, Rebekah and Damon left to have sex.
What a way to spend the night. Charlotte thought that she would be the one banging a Mikaelson that night.
After she left Matt she went to her apartment. Yes, you heard correctly. She didn't go to her house, but to the apartment she had gotten when she first returned to Mystic Falls. She never took the time to uncompel the owner of the complex, so she still had a key and she still held residence there. She did not feel like going home.
It seemed that the events of the past few weeks had been taking their toll on her, and she was barely able to function without falling into complete apathy and exhaustion. The temptation to turn it all of grew stronger every day, and she was running out of things to hold on to. She already alienated Mara, Jeremy was gone, and it seemed as though not even her friends cared about her anymore.
She sat in her apartment and screamed at the top of her lungs in frustration before crashing into her bed.
She needed a drink.
A real one.
She changed from her gown into a new dress, one that started low and ended high with a metallic shimmer. The best bar, not a joke of a bar like the Mystic Grille, was about twenty minutes outside of Mystic Falls. Ten minutes if you drove like she did.
And she drove.
When she arrived, she strutted into the bar like she owned the place, sat at the bar and put her head in her hand, smiling.
"Can I get a whiskey, darling?" She asked the bartender. If he asked for an ID, which was doubtful, she would simply compel him. Luckily, this guy seemed charmed enough by Charlotte's looks.
"Sure thing, sweet heart." He gave her a wink and poured her a drink. She downed it and was soon brought another drink, this one she hadn't order. "This one is courtesy of the gentleman over there."
He seemed to be in his late twenties, dressed in a nice suit, drinking what appeared to be bourbon. He winked over at her. She picked her glass up and went to sit next to him.
"I'm Lottie." She put her hand out. He shook it.
"Will." He smiled at her. She looked at him right in the eyes, compelling him.
"I'm going to go outside and get some air. You're going to come with me, got it?"
She stood up and walked out of the bar to the back alley. He followed. She pinned him up against the wall. "You're not going to make any noise unless I allow it, pal. Now, tell me something horrible that's bound to make me hate you."
"I put something in your drink before sending it over to you. And that's not the first time."
"Perfect, Will. Now I don't have to feel bad about this."
She bit into his neck; he made no noise. She loved the feed, loved the flavor, loved the pumping of his heart.
"Hello, Darling, do you mind sharing?'
Charlotte pulled away, wiping the blood from her face. She swung around to see Kol.
"And you can't get your own, because?"
"I thought we could use the bonding. . ."
Charlotte stepped away. "This asshole likes drugging young ladies. Have at him."
Kol grinned with menace and stepped over. "Did he try to drug you?"
"Tried."
He compelled him. "You are going to feel every ounce of excruciating pain from this, mate."
When Kol finished drinking, he went to just let Will go, live in the fear. Charlotte caught him instead. "You're going to forget what happened here, but something is going to bother you for the next few weeks. You'll have a sense of horror and anxiety with every step you take. Within a while, you'll realize that it's your nagging sense of guilt for all of the scum bag things you've done and you'll turn yourself in, forever flooded by the guilt of your actions. Now get."
She pushed him away and turned back to Kol.
"Buy me a drink?"
She led him back into the bar and sat down at a table at the edge of the room. He sat down, calling for a waitress to bring them drinks.
"You've got quite the twisted mind, don't you?"
"He got what he deserved."
"I thought I was the only one who compelled that creatively."
"What are you doing here, Kol?" She asked with exhaustion.
"Mom's keeping everyone on a short leash. I got a stern talking to after breaking that quarterback's hand. I needed a drink, and God forbid I drink from anyone in Mystic Falls." He took a drink, looking Charlotte up and down. "Nice outfit."
She rolled her eyes. "Why the hell did you hurt Matt, anyway? He's the one person in this town that doesn't hate your sister. And he's the only one in this town who isn't secretly a terrible person."
"What can I say, I'm full of surprises. It was just his hand, wasn't it? What are you doing here, Charlotte Gilbert?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I needed a real drink. Pre-Packaged bags of blood can only go so far. Feeding right from the source is just such a release. Suffice to say I'm a little exhausted by my family, too."
He looked at Charlotte's empty, exhausted eyes. "No one around here understands how truly beautiful you are, do they?"
"As much as I love the compliments, your appreciation of my appearance isn't doing much for me anymore. It's a very weak form of flirtation, with me. Try your hand at something more complex."
He shook his head and smiled at her. "No. I mean it. Genuinely, and I don't mean beautiful in the fact that you're good looking, which you are. I mean it in the fact that every move you make and everything you do is simply extraordinary and yet you're alone at a bar in a sleazy dress, and your only company is the rebellious Orginal brother who attacked one of your friends."
She smiled back at him. This was the kind of seduction she was looking for.
Next thing she knew, they were back at her apartment making out against the wall.
"You're a virgin, aren't you?"
"You wish." She scoffed, pushing him off of her and across the room onto the bed.
And Charlotte got her wish. She slept with Kol Mikaelson, although sleeping sure wasn't involved too much. They were both incredibly experienced, and vampires with rushing hormones that hadn't been active in far too long. Charlotte because she was stuck in this dumb town, and Kol because he had been locked in a box for years.
They finished like a scene in a chick flick, facing up and breathing heavily.
"You are incredibly generous," Kol commented.
"And you were more gentle than I expected. I could have sworn you were going to be the overbearing type. I like the way you do it much better." She sat up and went to her closet, pulling out underwear.
"Is it morning already?"
"We were at it for quite a while there, Kol. Vampires have a lot of stamina, don't we?" Charlotte laughed and pulled on her clothes before walking over to her bathroom to wash away the sex. In a flash, Kol was behind her, clothes already back on.
"We do. Anyway, I'm afraid I have to be going before my family gets suspicious."
"Oh yes, your family where several grown adults are all living together with their mother and said grown adults have to sneak around so that nobody knows that the said grown adult is having sex." Charlotte rolled her eyes as she put on her foundation. Kol laughed.
"I don't make the rules. I just abide by them."
"Hardly. Whatever. Do what you please, but let's not make a big deal about it, all right?"
"It's not every day that the woman is telling me that," he joked. Charlotte smiled.
"If you ever get tired of acting like you and your siblings are ten year olds trying to please your mommy, feel free to give me a call. I'm sure you can compel my number off of someone."
"I'll keep that in mind." And he was gone.
Charlotte's phone rang, then. It was Elena. "Hey, little sis."
"Hey, I just went to wake you up. You weren't there, where are you?"
"Oh, you know. Just living the good life. No, I stayed at my own apartment last night after taking care of Matt."
"Why?"
"Just needed some alone time, is all." Charlotte lies smoothly. No, the last thing she needed was alone time.
"Okay, well, um, that's fine."
"What's up?" Charlotte asked, sensing her sister's dismay.
"Damon slept with Rebekah last night."
And Elena was not happy about it.
"And are you and Damon in a relationship?"
"No, but. . ."
"Then it doesn't matter. Sex doesn't mean anything unless it's backed by love, and Damon sure as hell doesn't love Rebekah. He's a grown man." Charlotte shook her head. While she and Elena were technically the same age, it seemed that Charlotte was much more mature than she was. "I'm gonna go check and see how Matt is doing. I'll chat with you later."
Charlotte continued to get ready for the day before she left to go to the Grille for drinks and whatever social drama was happening. When she arrived she happened upon Caroline, who looked at her questioningly.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I came to check on Matt, you know, since I'm the only one around here who cares about his wellbeing more than the petty vampire drama going on." Caroline looked guilty. "Oh, god. I totally didn't mean to sound superior about that. I've just been grumpy lately."
Caroline nodded. "Yeah. So have I." She nodded over towards two Mikaelsons, who were talking. Charlotte listened in, as did Caroline. Kol pointed over to Caroline.
"I remember her from last night. She looks like a tasty little thing."
"Say another word and I'll tear out your liver. Or I'll just begin speaking to you about Charlotte. Caroline! Charlotte!" Klaus called them over. Caroline gave Charlotte a look and then walked over to the two vampires. "Oh. It's you."
"Join us for a drink?" He asked Caroline.
She grinned. "Mmm, I'd rather die of thirst. But thanks." And then she walked away.
Charlotte looked back at Klaus, holding back a smile. Klaus looked over to Kol. "Isn't she stunning?"
"She certainly looks good walking away from you."
"I'll take that as a challenge!" Klaus left to go catch Caroline.
"Go get her, tiger!" Charlotte called back sarcastically. Charlotte laughed and looked at Kol. "She's too smart to be seduced by your brother."
"You weren't to smart to be seduced by me." Kol retorted quickly.
"You seem confused, Kol. It wasn't you who seduced me. Quite the contrary." Charlotte grinned back and glanced around the bar. "So this is how you spend your days, stirring up trouble in a small town?"
"It seems as though that's what you do."
"That's because my family wouldn't be able to function without me." Charlotte remarked. "I'm not just telling you this because no one wants you here, which is the truest thing I've ever said, but you all should get out of town. You just woke up from how many years in a box, go live a little. There's not much to do in this town, you know."
Kol smirked back. "Your concern for me is heartwarming, darling, but there are some things in Mystic Falls that I still need to finish. He looked over to Meredith Fell. "Watch this."
Kol walked over to Meredith, who was playing pool. "A woman of your caliber ought to choose more suitable company. What's your name, love?"
Oh, look, he was treating women as objects for his amusement. "None of your business."
"Let's try that again. I'll start. I'm Kol."
"Why don't you get lost, Kol?"
Charlotte was growing bored with watching Kol flirt with Meredith, so she walked towards the bar to get a drink. When she returned, she saw Kol with a dagger in his chest. She ran over to Alaric and Meredith.
"What the hell did you do?" She hissed. "Are you idiotic? Do you want ever Original to come and kick your ass? Klaus is right outside!"
"Charlotte, we kept you out of the plan for a reason. Let it go." Alaric said patronizingly.
"What plan?" Alaric began dragging Kol outside, but Charlotte followed. "What's happening, Ric? Tell me what's going on right now!"
"It's none of your business, Charlotte. Stay out of it." Damon interrupted, grabbing Kol. "Tell your sexy doctor good work."
"Damon Salvatore tell me what you're up to immediately. God knows that if you're involved it's putting not only me at risk, but Elena as well."
"Trust me when I say that you do not want to know. Especially after how cozy you've gotten with this Original."
"I'll pull the dagger out, Damon." Charlotte threatened.
"And have him retaliate and kill all of us. Great plan, Lot."
In a moment Klaus appeared and ripped the dagger from Kol, knocking out Alaric and Stefan and throwing Damon against a wall. He looked over at Charlotte.
"I don't supposeyou have anything to do with this?" He growled.
"I had no idea. I promise." Charlotte put her hands up in surrender. Klaus whipped back to Damon.
"I should have killed you months ago." At this point, Lottie didn't care if Damon was dead or not.
"Do it. It's not going to stop Esther from killing you."
"Damon, what haven't you told me?" Charlotte asked with anxiety.
"What did you say about my mother?" Klaus growled.
"You didn't know I was friends with your mummy? Yeah, we have a lot in common. She hates you as much as I do." Damon was pushing his luck.
Klaus was about to attack Damon, and before Charlotte could do anything to ease the situation, Elijah appeared, stopping Klaus.
"Leave him! We still need them, Niklaus." Elijah warned.
"What did mother do? What did she do, Elijah?"
Elijah walked past Charlotte and to Damon, phone in hand. "You tell me where the witches are or I'll have my sister kill Elena right now."
"Elena? What's going on, Damon. What did you do?" Charlotte pleaded desperately. Damon ignored her at responded to Elijah.
"You told me we had until after nine."
"I'm sure Rebekah will be more than happy to start her work early." Charlotte was in a panic. Her friends had been plotting something, something that had put Elena in danger. Could it have anything to do with Esther's invitation?
"Damon," Charlotte said with exhaustion, confusion, desperation. Elijah turned back to Charlotte, the first person to acknowledge her presence. "Charlotte, you're the only one around here with a sane mind. You must realize that if you and your friends don't give me what I want not only will your sister die, but all of you." He threatened. klaus put his hand on Elijah's shoulder.
"Give it up. She doesn't know anything."
"Even so, maybe she can talk some sense into her friends."
And they were gone, and Charlotte was against Damon in an instant.
"Tell me what the hell you did."
"So how do we know they're going to be at the old witch house?"
"We don't. But if they're not, then we have about ten minutes until Rebekah tears Elena apart." Stefan answered.
"You know, if we sit this out, Esther completes her spell, Klaus dies, you get your revenge. It's what you wanted the whole time. The only collateral damage is…."
"Elena. And that isn't an option." Charlotte replied ruthlessly. "Elena is never an option."
"You know what she'd choose." Damon replied.
"She'd let herself be killed to save her friend." Stefan said.
"Yep."
"Hm. If we do this, it'll wreck her."
"Well, she'll hate us. Thing is, she only has to hate one of us. Only one of us has to do the actual deed."
"So, who's it gonna be, brother?" Damon pulled out a coin, which Charlotte promptly snatched.
"It'll be me. I'll be the one to save my sister's life, and you two will be in the clear. Everybody wins, except for Bonnie. Let's go." Charlotte said emotionlessly.
The three went into the house, where Bonnie and Abby were channeling. Stefan stepped out first. Bonnie and he exchanged words before Stefan let out the truth. We could only save Elena if someone wasn't a witch anymore.
Then Charlotte, with eyes heavy with sadness, flashed out and fed Abby her blood, snapping her neck, making sure that she didn't fall to the ground.
"I'm so sorry, Bonnie."
Charlotte entered her room with exhaustion, despising everything she had to do to save Elena. I mean, it's not like Bonnie's mom was actually dead, right?
There was no excuse, no matter how hard she searched for one.
She lay on her bed, thinking.
She was broken, desperate, on the verge of self loathing and collapse. If she continued in this self destructive behavior for any longer, she would flip her humanity off. She knew it. And she could not let that happen.
So where did it leave her? She couldn't just stop caring, she couldn't just leave, could she?
God knows Damon wouldn't mind. He'd probably be happy if she left. And Elena would understand, I mean, she's the one who sent Jeremy away in the first place. And maybe they could use some time apart, after everything.
But she couldn't leave Elena. She couldn't just leave her there, Charlotte was the only one protecting her.
Well, that wasn't quite true, either. Charlotte, since her return, really hadn't done much but become furious after someone touched Elena. But could she really just leave Mystic Falls, take a vacation?
Yes.
Yes, she decided. She could. And it would probably be best for everyone if she did.
So she talked to Damon, and then to Elena. Elena agreed, saying it was probably for the best. Damon agreed as well, after Charlotte gave him the longest warning to take care of her sister. But secretly she knew that Elena was safe in Stefan's and Damon's hands.
And she decided where she'd go. She knew she wanted to stop in Denver, hang out with her little brother, but she needed a little bit of a mental health cleansing before she hopped from one sibling to another.
New Orleans seemed appealing. She had visited on her victory tour. The place gave her a home when nobody else would. The faction of vampires there taught her not to hate herself. They were the ones that prevented her from flipping the switch in the first place.
After New Orleans, then she would visit her brother.
So it was decided. Charlotte would be going away for a little while, leaving the stress, and her responsibilities, behind.