Epilogue to Part IV – Deals with Demons

Elena arrived home relaxed and happy for the first time in it seemed like forever. It had been days, not weeks - but more than a week, since she had to worry about something trying to kill or use her. No deaths from "animal attacks", no visits from Katherine, no sightings of her "protectors". Nothing.

She had been dancing with Damon. That went well, she thought. He was giving her time, which was one thing she never seemed to have in any aspect of her life. And she was enjoying it.

Stefan was still around. She still did casual things with him. She thought she had to. Decisions required alternatives. And she was apparently able to show Damon that she was keeping her promise.

She greeted Jenna with a hug. They had been talking more lately. Without the vampire stuff to hide, there wasn't even a reason to be evasive. Not that she let Jenna dig too deep. But it seemed to keep Jenna satisfied.

As Elena climbed the stairs, she noted that the only thing she wished she could change right now was her relationship with Jeremy. She tried and he cut her off. She had only done what she thought was right. She was only protecting him – something she had to do. Surely he would understand that – eventually.

She passed his door. Closed. Not a surprise. She didn't knock, she just went to her room and changed into her nightwear. She was tired after dancing – she expected to sleep well.

After changing she was on her bed, brushing her hair, reliving the day's events in her mind when a knock came at her door.

She cringed, just a little. Jeremy was ignoring her, Jenna generally gave her space at this time of night. Was her vacation from Katherine over?

"Come in," she said.

Jeremy entered.

"Jer!" She sat up immediately and moved over to give him room to sit on the bed. "What can I do for you?"

"You keep saying you want to talk. And as much as I hate saying it, I want to talk to you."

"Of course. Whatever you want. I just need to say…"

"No Elena," he interrupted. "Do not say you're sorry again. I've heard. I need to tell you something you may not know."

He hesitated. She tried to give him a look of encouragement.

"When I overdosed on your pills, I had drunk some of Anna's blood."

Jeremy was silent as Elena processed the information. It took a few seconds to sink in.

"Jeremy, no," Elena said. "No. You weren't trying to…"

"I was trying to turn."

Elena's shock was visible. "I can't believe this. You have no idea what you were trying to do."

"No, Elena, I don't now and I didn't then. I only knew that the only people I've cared about for a long time have done it. I knew they were gone, that I could never have them back. But I could follow them, I could go where they went. I could turn."

"Jer, think about your family. What would happen to us?"

He scowled. "Do you mean my uncle who killed Anna or the sister who lied to me?"

"I'm sorry! You know I was trying to protect you."

"But all you did was hurt me. Everyone I loved died. You kept me from protecting them."

Elena closed her eyes and tried to come up with a response. Jeremy spoke first.

"I want you to take me there – to where the vampires are. I want to see for myself where Anna and Vicki were. What it was like, what they saw. I want to go where you go."

Elena stared at him desperately as she shook her head. "You don't know what you're asking. I told you, I would talk to you about it. I will tell you anything you want. I promise."

"Your talk is full of lies Elena. Take me there. Let me see for myself."

"Jeremy, please..."

He interrupted her. "You want to help me? Take me there, or I'll find it myself."

Jeremy left. Elena threw her brush at the closing door in frustration, thinking what she had not spoken.

"I made a deal with a demon to keep you out of there, and now you want me to take you in?"