Her I go again^^.

Hope the waiting wasn't too long for you guys!

I just have a lot to do at the moment, so SORRY.

Now, as always a HUGE thanks to AVECIA for her great beta work.

Thank you to my dear readers and reviewers (I've over 100 reviews people! You are SO great!).

So: I don't own anything 'bout the VD, I just mess a little with them.

On with it!

xoxoxoxoxoxxo

"So… how was Milan?"

And just like that, he rang the starting bell to the inquisition from hell…

xoxoxo

The eyes that were glued on him up to that point, took on a strange play of ping-pong as they wandered from Elena to him and back again.

Elena just ignored it and flashed him a bright grin, before she blurred forward and came to a stop right in front of him.

"Actually, it was quite boring. Beautiful city, nice nightlife and sights and all that, but nothing to do but play tourist."

His question answered – even though they both knew it was just asked to shock everyone else in the room – she lifted her right hand to his cheek, and looked deep into his eyes.

"You look good, Damon. Not a day older than the last time I saw you. The tan fits you, though – way better than the ghastly pale that comes without a beating heart."

It was strange, hearing her voice again. So long all he had were letters. True, the words were just for him, and he was grateful beyond imagination for this, but still – there was no comparison for hearing and seeing…for feeling her.

He covered the hand on his cheek with one of his own, and just reveled in her caress.

"Well, you have changed. A bit older – no more child in your features. And I like the hair – very mature. Sexy."

They really had two different conversations going on at the same time.

The light banter that could be heard by everyone else, and the one they held just with their eyes.

It was like all those years apart just never happened. They could read each other without the slightest problem, making sure that they were okay, telling the other how glad they were to be in each others presence.

They got interrupted by Caroline, who got bored with being ignored and cleared her throat.

"Right. Nice to know that you still only think of one thing Salvatore. But when you're done making bedroom eyes at her, would you care to explain what the hell just happened?

Because last time I checked, Elena was dead. Lying in her grave, with a tombstone on top."

He could see that Caroline was on a warpath now – the crude words she used were enough proof of that. She would never speak of Elena like that, otherwise.

She was an eerie mix of cold hearted bitch, loyal best friend, her mother and a tyrant.

Well, that's what she was to her friends.

He usually just got the cold hearted bitch directed at him.

"Well, excuse me Blondie, if the whole world doesn't revolve around you. Too bad."

"Says the man who pouts like a little child when all attention isn't directed at him. It's so typical for you to…"

In the middle of her rant he stepped back from Elena, made his way around her and got right into Caroline's face.

It seemed he had forgotten that he hadn't seen her for years, his entire attention consumed in a shouting match with the blonde woman.

Elena turned around and cocked her head to the side, watching the two of them getting red faced as they got worked up and shouted louder with each word, trying to dominate the other.

Then she heard footsteps coming to a stop beside her, and saw Bonnie out of her peripheral vision.

She turned fully around to the witch, looking her right into the eyes and smiled.

"Hey there. What's with the two of them?"

Bonnie just grinned and shrugged her shoulders before she answered.

"To be honest, I have not the slightest idea. They just hate each other. Every time they're in the same room, they shout and swear at each other. It gets boring after a while, believe me.

Just ignore them, that's the best you can do about it.

By the way, Damon was right. You do look good. If a little too much like a female version of him."

Elena had to laugh silently at the last statement of her friend.

"Don't worry Bonnie – I still have other colors in my wardrobe. But it's easier to go undetected if you blend in. So for night trips in a supernatural-phobic town, it's black for me."

Bonnie just shook her head and then looked seriously at her best friend, before she crushed her in a hug.

"Damn Elena, it's so good to see you. I've missed you."

The expression on Elenas face turned from smug and a little indifferent to a tender one in an instant.

"I've missed you, too. Katherine is good company most of the time, but I'm glad when I can flee from her temper tantrums every once in a while. And there is nobody who could replace you."

As they finally let go of each other, they saw that Matt was trying his best at reigning his wife in. He succeeded only partway – but at least she was no longer trying to strangle Damon.

God only knew what stopped him from just throwing the blonde woman through the nearest wall every time they were at each others throats.

"So… how about you try to calm him down? I hazard a guess you'll be of more help with that than anyone else."

Elena looked at Bonnie, shrugged, and made her way over to were Damon stood, still swearing and threatening.

She laid a hand on his shoulder. When that wouldn't help, she called him by his name. That got him to look at her, and she could see how he instantly calmed down.

And a moment later, he stepped away from Caroline, bringing enough distance between the two of them, so that he won't be tempted to start anew.

"So… now that those two are done with their shouting match, how about we all sit down, so I can explain why I'm here?"

It sounded like a question, but there was a sudden hard edge to her face and tone, that it was clear that she wasn't really asking.

And as they all wanted to know what was going on anyway, there were few protests, and soon everyone was sitting on a couch or armchair – or leaning against a wall, in Damon's case.

Elena took the last free armchair and waited till the others were silent enough for her to begin.

"So… I guess you want to know why I'm not six feet under and rotting, but we have to postpone that particular conversation. Let's just say that Bonnie is… more advanced in her magic than any of us thought.

Now we need to discuss more important stuff, though. You all must've noticed by now that there are… strange things happening around here. Stranger than usual, that is."

She waited until she got confirmative nods and a few mumbled yes' from around the room until she continued.

"Yeah. So, that's why I'm here. I don't know what exactly is happening, but it's something big.

All around the world vampires, werewolf and other not human beings vanish – and they're heading right here, to Mystic Falls. Or at least near enough.

I've noticed for some time that something isn't quite right here – strange, dark vibes reaching me even on other continents.

Isobel is sneaking around town, trying to find out what it is, but so far, she hasn't gotten any valuable answers. And yes, , I'm in contact with her." The last comment was thrown in because she saw the man gathering his courage to ask her something – and she was sure that it was about his ex-wife. And by the way he clamped his mouth shut immediately, she was right, too.

"And to make it clear from the beginning: I'm not here to play happy-family-reunion or something like that. I'm here to try to prevent something horrible from happening – and spending time with people I can trust."

Jeremy tried to make himself as small as possible as he heard her words – sure that he was not on his sisters 'can trust' list.

But she would be sorely mistaken if she thought that he wouldn't at least try to get on her good side again.

Six years he had lived with the feeling of being partially at fault for her death. And now she was here, and she was okay – beyond okay, if her performance in the woods was anything to go by – and he could try to be a better brother now.

He had no clue what happened – only that Bonnie obviously had something to do with it – but he couldn't care less, either.

All that mattered was that she was alive.

And by the looks of it, most people in this room thought along the same lines anyway.

He could see that Jenna was only halfway paying attention to what her niece had to say; she was too busy with holding herself back from jumping up off the couch, to gather Elena in a hug, and never let her go again.

And Caroline might put on a tough font, but she couldn't sit still either – same with Matt by her side.

The longing in Stefan's eyes was unmistakable, too.

It seemed that only Alaric and Tyler were able to fully listen to what she had to say.

And Damon and Bonnie, but those two were out of count. They already knew that Elena was still out and kicking (and beheading and staking…), so their brains weren't still reeling with shock.

"Okay so… some evil mastermind is running around Mystic Falls summoning an army? Is that what you're trying to tell us?"

Leave it to Tyler to simplify things, and make them sound like a worst-case scenario at the same time.

"Could be. I just know that there is this power that is like a damn sirens song, and its coming form Mystic falls. I don't know if somebody is trying to build an army, or if it's just a side effect from the power gathering here."

"Hm… and how is it possible that I don't feel anything? I'm a werewolf, too, but I can't feel some dark mumbo jumbo flying around."

Elena sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose with two fingers.

"Tyler, really. I just said that I don't know what's happening. I'm here to find out – to try to stop it.

I have no idea why you – or anyone else in this town – can't feel anything. Maybe it's done on purpose. Or maybe it got stronger with time, and you just grew accustomed to it."

The werewolf grunted something unintelligible, but leaned back then, satisfied for the moment.

"Good, now that we have this out of the way how…."

Elena couldn't finish her sentence, for suddenly all windows and doors sprung open and a cold wind blew over them, carrying a loud, bodiless voice with it.

"So, she came back home, the little girl. And all grown up, she is. But let me tell you – you come in my way and I will crushyou and your friends. Go, leave now, and never return. Otherwise you'll be back in your cold grave faster than you can call your witches name. And this time, there will be no coming back for you. I want this town to suffer; I'll pay them back for everything they've done. I'll get my revenge, and if I have to run you over on my way, then so be it."

With that, the wind died down, leaving the room in utter silence.

"I guess this means 'game on' then? Although those special effects really weren't necessary."

Damon made his way over to his liquor cabinet as he said this, throwing a wicked grin over his shoulder.

Elena grinned right back, leaning back in the armchair to get comfortable.

"Yeah, game on."

Xoxoxoxox

So, I know that there was no tearjerking reunion scene, but I can't just let her be all happy-go-lucky. And I'm sorry about Caroline and Damon, but not EVERYbody can like him.

And I figured Caroline has more reason to hate him than Bonnie. So^^.

Now, please click on the little button below and tell me what you think.

Reviews are love, people!

So long,

Zora