The Complication

When Elena and Damon arrived at her house, they entered slowly. Jenna came out of a room surprising them. They had not seen her coming.

"Elena, you're back. You left to get him? Is that why you wouldn't talk to me before?"

"Not talk to you?" Elena knew that had not happened and she knew what it meant.

"Yes Elena. And it's getting annoying."

Elena looked at Damon. He followed her eyes to the stairs and nodded.

"I'm sorry, there's just a lot going on. I'll fill you in soon, promise," she said as she started upstairs, Damon following until Jenna grabbed his arm and held him back.

"Where do you think you're going?"

It was Elena who answered. "Jenna, I need to talk to him for a minute. He'll be right down. I promise."

Jenna looked at her dubiously.

"Two minutes. Tops." Elena offered.

"OK. Two minutes or I'm in there."

"Tops," Elena said grabbing Damon's other arm and pulling him up behind her.

They were careful again. She was grateful that Jeremy's door was open and she could see him laying on his bed listening to music. She had to be sure, so she stood in his door and waved at him. He glanced up and made "go away" motion with one of his hands. "He's fine" she thought. She was breathing a little easier.

Her door was closed. She opened carefully, Damon at her side, and flipped on the light. It was empty.

"OK, she's not here. But she was."

"I'll take a quick look around outside" Damon said.

"Be sure Jenna sees you leave? Thanks."

Damon nodded. She watched him leave.

She turned around and Katherine was there. Right in front of her. Closer than she had ever been.

"D..Da..Damon's fine." Elena managed to stutter out.

"Fine? We'll do to you what the witch did to him and see if you're fine."

Katherine's expression was hard. It made Elena nervous. "H..he had blood. He's OK now."

"He has his color back, but not his strength. You could give him a good fight. Get rid of him Elena, we need to talk."

"He won't leave, not while he thinks you're here."

"I am not talking to you with him here. Send him away."

"And if I don't?" Elena managed to challenge. "You won't hurt him."

"You're right, but he's not the only one in this house."

She was gone. Damon came back through the window. Elena tried to control her voice and movements. She sat on her bed, he sat in a nearby chair.

"I didn't see any sign of her."

"Thank you Damon." She took in a few calming breaths. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Favor?"

Elena nodded. "I need you to check on Stefan and Bonnie."

Damon was stunned. "You want me to go to the witch after what she did? I don't believe it."

"Damon…" she started.

"You told me to stay away from her house. That it wasn't safe. You were right."

"No Damon, not go in, not see her. Just see that they are there and everything is OK."

"Call her…or him." Damon's face had turned hard as well.

"He won't be able to see everything. You will from the outside."

Damon was suspicious. "Call him. Katherine was here – twice. At least. Maybe more?"

"Damon…"

Damon softened slightly. "You need to tell me what is going on. I can smell your fear."

Elena studied him for a second before saying, "She won't hurt me Damon."

"Of course not. No one would hurt you. Little Miss Elena Gilbert, loved by all, protected by all. No danger to her. It's time to open your eyes Elena. She and who knows who or what else is out there right now. I'm not leaving you alone."

Elena closed her eyes, though mind was racing. She knew Katherine wouldn't wait long. She had to come up with a way.

"You're afraid of something Elena." Damon said as she hesitated. "You won't tell me – OK. That's fine. But I'm not going to let you face it alone."

She looked at him again and made the decision. She didn't have to do this alone - it was time to tell someone. It could be Damon. He would help her. He, if anyone, would understand Katherine.

"Katherine was just here. She wants to talk to me, but not with you here."

"Not going to happen."

"Damon, I want to talk to her. I need to." Elena was pleading now.

"Not alone. I am not leaving you alone."

"You have to. Damon, she could hurt Jeremy or Jenna. You're not strong enough to stop her. And I am absolutely sure I am safe with her."

"And just how sure is that?"

"As sure as I am that you will never let anyone or anything hurt me. That sure."

Damon stared at her briefly, and finally nodded slightly.

"You don't need to go to Bonnie's. Just go out of Katherine's hearing range – just for 20 minutes?"

"OK" he said shortly as he left.

Elena's fear slackened just a bit. She had done what Katherine wanted. She arose, went to the door, leaned against it with her back, and stared at the window, waiting.

She was startled by a soft knock at the door.

"Not now. I need a few minutes"

"But you said family knocks" her own voice replied.

Elena moved and opened the door. "Sorry, I mean thanks."

"You're welcome," Katherine said as she entered. She moved towards the end of Elena's bed.

"You two are polar opposites, you know." Katherine said as she motioned for Elena to sit on the bed. "You care about everyone else, almost nothing for yourself. Damon is only about Damon."

"He cared about you."

"He did. Then it was all about him. Now that may be changing again."

Elena couldn't respond. She was still scared, and still not used to seeing herself in front of her, talking to her.

"You and I really are from different eras. In my day, we socialized a little before speaking of unpleasant things."

"You weren't too social before."

"We needed our privacy, and we needed some time." Katherine said. "Bravo that you were able to get us both. So effective. Odd that the witch didn't get the message."

Elena was desperate again. "You have to let me try again. I can get through to her."

"Do you really believe that Elena?"

"I do."

"Good. Because I don't want to hurt anyone." The vampire paused, putting her hand to her chin like she was thinking. "Oh wait. Now we're both lying." Her face turned hard. "A terrible habit – spreads like wildfire. You told me you would warn her."

"I tried," Elena said a little frantically. "But Damon did so much, he's hurt so many. But after what happened today, I think I can get through to her."

"I could take her out now."

Elena tensed. "Her house is protected."

"Against me, yes. But do you know what they have nowadays? Tanks. How do you think she would fare? Or missiles. I imagine I could get one sent in her direction if I tried. The army of vampires might be more fun to watch, but they would take time to raise. I can be more efficient."

Elena took in a quick breath. "Stefan is there. You said you wouldn't hurt him"

"Yes he is. Quite a move on your part. Bravo again. I usually deal with such idiots. I'll have to remember who I'm dealing with when I talk with you in the future. But I can find a way to separate them."

"I know I messed up. But you have to let me try again."

Katherine was not moved. "This is not acceptable Elena. He almost died. She set terms and ignored them. She cannot go unpunished."

"No! Please. I'll convince her. It won't happen again. I'll get her to agree and find a way to make it up to you."

"Yes you will, Elena. I keep my promises. I will never let anyone or anything hurt you - physically, but if she hurts him again, she dies. And it won't be just her."

"She won't."

Katherine stared at the human briefly before speaking again. "You're family. You even have me knocking – well once anyway. You have me giving you a second chance. That has never happened before. There will not be a third."

And she was gone.

Elena laid on the bed, eyes filling with tears, no idea what she was going to do. She did not hear Damon's return. There was still some time until sunset. Damon did not interrupt her when he arrived, just sat near the bed and waited. She was on her side, she looked like she was sleeping.

Finally she looked up and noticed him. She couldn't speak.

"What did that bitch do to you?"

"Damon, it's my fault. She told me to warn Bonnie to leave you alone, and I wasn't able to get through to her."

Damon scowled. "I don't need your protection Elena."

"You need somebody's. You almost died. And it's my fault. I was supposed to keep it from happening."

Damon stared at her. He was starting to piece together the story, but her state of mind and fear were making it difficult.

"Did she threaten you?"

"No. I told you she's protecting me and she is – I don't care what you guys think. She is. But she doesn't want Bonnie to hurt you. And Bonnie did. She's threatening Bonnie and everyone else I care about."

Katherine had been specific. She was not to mention anything about Katherine still caring for Damon or Stefan. Elena was going to obey. She was realizing that she was going to end up doing anything Katherine asked her to do.

"So that's why you're protecting the witch."

Elena nodded. Thinking about it brought tears again. "I don't know what to do."

Damon moved to sit next to her and spoke softly. "First call them. Make sure they're OK and let them know you'll be awhile longer. Then we'll figure it out."

Elena nodded. "OK. I can do that."

She called Stefan's cell phone. He answered immediately.

"Elena. You have some explaining to do."

"I do, Stefan, and I will. Is Bonnie OK?"

"She's not happy. But she is here."

Elena was relieved. "OK. Stefan, I'm sorry I kept it from you, but there is a reason. I will explain as soon as I can, but I have to figure some things out. Katherine might hurt Bonnie, but she will leave her alone while you're with her."

Stefan was skeptical. "Why would that be. That is not who she is."

"Stefan, I said I would explain, and I will. Please stay there with her and keep her inside."

"She's already doing spells trying to find Katherine. I don't know if I can."

Elena exhaled and shook her head. "Whatever she does, don't leave her Stefan. Please."

"I'm taking a lot on faith here Elena. But I will – for now."

"Thank you. I will keep my promise."

Stefan hesitated before asking, "Damon?"

"I'm with him. He's getting stronger. I think it will take some time."

A brief silence followed, Elena was getting a little concerned when Stefan asked, "When will I see you again?"

"Tonight or tomorrow. I just have to figure some things out."

"OK," Stefan said, and abruptly hung up.

"Figure things out?" Damon said. "You're going to make him worry that there is something going on between us."

"Yeah," Elena confirmed, then added "and maybe he'd be right." under her breath.

She could tell that Damon heard and that it caught his attention.

"Oh get that smirk off your face. I'm not happy about it. For now, just help me figure out what to do."