Aaaand another chapter. I can't really decide if I like it or not, so I'll leave that to you.

Again, a big thanks to Avecia, for she, again, did an amazing job as a beta.

Also, I don't own any of the characters, and I don't get anything for writing this.

Oh, before I forget: Spoilers for "Founders Day". Yeah, were still in this episode^^.

So, on with it^^.

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Life sucks either way

Not even a pun intended. There is still no real reason to be here, in this room.

And no sarcasm, no cocky smirk or carefree attitude in sight. Just words, and explaining, and trying to make things right again (And hoping, praying, to anybody who might hear, that they believe it's the fault of the vervain still in his blood, because, really? Him, trying to make things better instead of worse? Yeah, right.)

It's still a task to walk around, not letting anyone see that he's not at his best at the moment.

But what else to do? Every plan he made has been beaten up and thrown in front of his feet.

So he had to pick up the mangled pieces and make the best out of it.

And at the moment, it is best to try and mend the only familial relationship he is able to mend. Saint Stefan might have saved him tonight – he might have accepted him back into his life, but before the two of them will have something even close to an understanding… yeah, well, it's a long way to go.

A way, he's not even sure he wants to travel. Because, come on, he survived without him for a long time, not really caring what he was up to.

He only started to see him as a brother again because of Elena.

Too bad he wants her for himself. And he wouldn't hesitate to try and make her his, if it were only Stefans feelings at risk. He's learned to not care about them. But he can clearly see – hell, anybody could see – that she is in love with him. And to come between the two of them, would not only hurt his brother, but Elena as well.

And as loud as his mind is screaming at him to want, take, have – those good-for-nothing feelings try to tell him to let them have their happily ever after, even if it meant a bleak future for himself.

It's like in one of those really old cartoons, were there is a devil on one shoulder, and an angel on the other.

The last one hundred plus years, the angel was happily occupied with a steady income of Whiskey, Tequila and the like. But recently, it sobered up, and was trying to make up for the lost time.

With really bad timing, too. For the first time in forever he really cared for someone.

And not even the kind of 'I'll kill for you' caring. No, it was the stuff that made him think really stupid things like 'I'd die for you.' 'I'd take off my ring and take a bath in the sun' kind of caring.

And how… out of character was that. If he were to say things like that out loud… no, better not to think about it, because he wouldn't here the end of it. Stefan would have a damn field day.

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Closing the door of the Gilbert house behind him, he's prepared to just walk home and sleep the last effects of the vervain away but, as usual, fate wouldn't have it.

Elena's coming up the front steps of the porch, looking as beautiful as ever, not even a hair out of order.

And while he's baring his soul (and damn the thing for even existing… really, who needs a soul these days anyway?) he can't shake the feelings of 'run' and 'hide.

First he ignores them… he hasn't been honest about what's going on inside of his heart for decades – no wonder he's not thrilled about it now.

But the longer he stands there, the more this scene is feeling just wrong.

She has the looks, the voice, even the way she tilts her head is all too familiar.

But there's something in her eyes that rubs him up just the wrong way.

So he kisses her cheek, feeling how cold it was. And then, his lips are on hers, and there are shivers running down his spine.

But not because he finally, finally is kissing Elena, but because, of course… he's actually not.

Katherine

He's not arrogant enough (ha, who would have thought that that was going to happen, like…ever?) to think it's because of him, or even his brother.

Maybe they were an afterthought. Maybe enough time has gone by and she wanted to play with them again. But now, as he finally realised who is standing in front of him, he can see it in her eyes. She's back, and she's here to stay.

Stay, and leave destruction, and mayhem, and chaos in her wake.

Before he knows it, Jenna is inviting her in and from there everything only can go downhill.

The bitch is back…

Let the games begin.

-end-

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I hope you liked it. If so, PLEASE let me know^^.

So long,

Zora