Chapter 18

It's empty in the valley of your heart

The sun, it rises slowly as you walk

Away from all the fears and all the faults

You've left behind.

The harvest left no fruit for you to eat

You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see

But I have seen the same

I know the shame in your defeat.

The Cave- Mumford and Sons

"You believe me now, don't you?" Katherine pleaded, ignoring the pain of the vervain-soaked bonds binding her wrists.

Pathetic.

She ignored me as well. Her eyes were glued to Caroline and Stefan, observing her from the door into the bedroom. Their prison.

"Yes." Stefan replied. Caroline glanced up at him with a worried expression.

"Maybe." She said instead. "This might still be part of your plan."

"Even if it is, she can't do anything." Stefan pointed out. "Elena wouldn't let herself be captured."

"Unless she knows someone will rescue her. Someone like Damon."

"He doesn't know where we are. Besides, he'll change his mind when he sees this is for the best."

Just wait, Stefan. When Damon comes, I'll tear you limb from limb. Just for you, Katherine.

Even if you take control, we'll still be tied up.

These pieces of string? Please.

"Stefan," Katherine said. "You can't let me out under any circumstances. Elena will kill you to get back at me."

"Kill me? Elena?"

"Don't underestimate her. She'll use that against you."

"But...would she go that far? Just for revenge."

"It's safer to assume yes."

"Can you hear me in there, Elena?" Caroline suddenly piped up angrily.

Tell Barbie she'll be right after Stefan.

"She...can hear you." Katherine replied.

"Well listen here, Ms Gilbert. I'm sick and tired of your little outburst. Not even all your grief and pain justifies what you're doing. Flip the switch and let's get on with our damn lives!"

That would ruin the fun. My fun.

"Um...she says no." Katherine said uneasily.

"Hmph." Caroline crossed her arms and assumed a disdainful expression before turning to Stefan. "What do we do with her now?"

"Starve her until she turns her humanity back on." His expression was hard.

"Elena?" Damon called as he walked back into the Boarding House.

"She's not here." Stefan said, appearing at the other end of the room.

"Where is she?" Damon narrowed his eyes, but Stefan only shrugged.

"I haven't seen Elena since early this morning."

"I thought you were with Caroline." Again he shrugged.

"When I came home and didn't find her here, I decided to stay."

"Ah. And when she comes back?"

"If she does, I'll leave."

"Still having girlfriend troubles?" Damon smirked.

"It's hard when she's a psychopath." Stefan's face was grim. Damon gave him a thoughtful stare and walked up the stairs towards his room.

"Oi! Caroline, Stefan!" I shouted. It felt good to be back in control, despite the bonds.

"Oh...you're back." Caroline groaned and opened the door slightly.

"Where's Stefan?"

"Out."

"Busy keeping Damon off the scent?"

"What do you want, Elena?"

"Some blood, please." I put on my most innocent expression.

"No."

"How about you untie me and we talk about this. There's no need to be barbaric."

"No."

"Can we at least talk? Come sit. I'm lonely." Caroline sighed and sat on the bed, looking down at me sitting against the wall.

"Fine. Talk away."

"What will it take for you to untie me?"

"Emotions, but I want proof. That's why you aren't leaving until Stefan gets back."

"Looks like you're caught between a rock and a hard place."

"What do you mean?" Her gaze was sharp. I smiled back cheerily.

"You're going to lose out no matter what happens."

"Oh really? I hesitate to ask why you think that."

"Let's look at the possibilities, she we, Care? Best case scenario; I turn it back on, and Stefan falls back in love with me. You don't get Stefan."

"What makes you think I want to get Stefan?" I ignored her, carrying on as if she hadn't spoken.

"Worst case scenario; I don't turn my emotions on, and instead Stefan falls in love with Katherine. Once again, you don't get Stefan."

"You honestly think he'll fall madly in love with Katherine?"

"He did once. How are you going to compete with a centuries old vampire like Katherine?"

"I don't have to, Elena, because Katherine is dead, and as long as she's in your body, Stefan won't go near her."

"Why? Because he can't stand the sight of me? Get over yourself Caroline, everyone knows I've always had more going for me than you. You've tagged along and picked up the scraps, even if I was always too nice to point it out."

"Not any more. Now when people look at you they see a monster."

"Don't be naïve. I only have to pretend to love him again and kiss my feet."

"You're underestimating him. You think you'll always have him wrapped around your little finger, but there's a limit. And you crossed it when you flipped the switch."

"Are you willing to take that risk? I remember when we first met Stefan, and you almost fell over your own feet to get at him. But he brushed you off like a mosquito and has followed me around ever since. This is the first time since meeting him that we're not together, and you've hardly let him out of your sight."

"That's not true."

"Stefan may be slow, but even he's going to catch on soon enough, and realise you have ulterior motives in helping him."

"I'm helping you!"

"It's not help when I don't want it. Especially when you have to start tying people up."

"I'm done trying to convince you that you're insane."

"There's a third option, of course. One which might let you and Stefan be together."

"Oh? And what's that, Elena?"

"Untie me, I'll go about my business, and I'll keep Katherine away from Stefan."

"I knew this would eventually come."

"Am I lying?"

"No, but that doesn't mean I trust you. Why stay away from Stefan when he provides you with just so much fun?"

"Fun is hard to come by when you're tied up."

"Good. Let me know when you'll reconsider flipping the switch. Until then, enjoy starvation." Caroline stood and strode out the room, closing the door very loudly. I smiled.

"I thought you and Stefan were together now." Damon said nonchalantly, walking into Caroline's house. "But now you two seem to be avoiding each other."

Caroline looked up from the kitchen counter. She was busy filling a rucksack with blood bags.

"What do you mean?"

"Where is Stefan?"

"I don't know."

"He was sitting around in the Boarding House all morning, and now he's vanished. The obvious assumption is that he's here. But he's not, so where is he?" Damon said tersely.

"I already said I don't know, Damon."

"Cut the crap, Caroline. Stefan's a useless actor; something's up."

"You'll have to speak to Stefan."

"Have you seen Elena?"

"No, and I don't want to."

"She warned me that you and Stefan would try something."

"When did she tell you that?"

"Last night, right before she promised to meet me back at the Boarding House, but never showed up."

"What's wrong with you? Are you trying to help Elena?"

"Of course I'm helping her. We should all be helping her! Not scheming and acting as though she's our enemy!"

"She's the one scheming Damon!" Caroline almost shouted. "We should be trying to get her emotions back, not eating people with her!"

"Don't tell me what to do, Caroline. I'll do as I see fit. So far I've been her only friend who hasn't turned against her."

"That's because when she turned against everyone, you took her side."

"This isn't a war! There aren't two sides, but you're treating her like the new Klaus!"

"We can't just pretend she's perfectly fine, because she isn't." Caroline's face was as hard as stone. Damon had fire in his eyes. Turning to one of the cupboards, he slammed his fist into it with all his might. The wood exploded into splinters. Turning on his heel, Damon stalked out.

"Ooh, it's your shift now, is it?" I said to Stefan with a coy smile.

"Yes." He sighed dejectedly. "This would be easier if Katherine were in control."

Hear that? He misses you.

That, plus he just doesn't like you.

"Don't you like me, Stefan?"

"You make it difficult, you know that?"

"Yes. What else can I do though?" The smile slipped from my face, and a sad, distant expression took its place.

"What do you mean?" He asked, closing the door and sitting on the bed.

"Can't anyone see that I'm trapped? You all want me to turn my humanity back on, but if I do, all the pain and guilt will crush me all over again."

"No one can dodge guilt forever, Elena. The longer you wait, the worse it will be."

"Are you sure?" I looked into his eyes, looking for the truth in his words.

What are you doing?

"I promise."

"It's too late already though," My gaze dropped to the floor again. "Even if I do, everyone already hates me. How can Bonnie, Jeremy and Caroline forgive me? How can you forgive me?"

"I already have, Elena." He smiled, and I returned my own.

"R-really?"

"Yes."

"But...all the people I've hurt. Matt..."

"It's not your fault. It isn't anyone's. It's the price we all pay when we become vampires."

"I-I'm scared Stefan. I...I did bad things before I flipped the switch. What if turning it back on doesn't change me?"

"I'll help you, Elena. We all will."

"I...don't know what to say. I don't deserve all of you. Not after what I've done."

Stefan stood and walked towards me, before crouching and laying a hand against me cheek. "Yes you do."

I grinned at the softness of his voice, and saw happiness blossom in his eyes.

Elena no!

The vervain in the rope binding my hands had dried up long ago. With an effortless tug, the bonds snapped, and I leapt forward, smashing into Stefan before he even had time to see my grin become malicious. He flew backwards and hit the door, which buckled on its hinges. An instant later, I had him by the throat, spinning him around and pinning him to another wall. His eyes were bulging with disbelief and horror.

"Ah oh, Stefan." I said mockingly, flexing the fingers I had on his neck. "Looks like you weren't a very good prison guard.

"E-Elena.." He gasped. "Wh-what...are y-you?"

"I always keep my promises Stefan, and I already promised Katherine I'd kill you."