Not so Easily

Elena knocked at Bonnie's door and was greeted with a hug.

"I'm ready." Bonnie said. "When do we leave?"

"A little before sundown," Elena replied, sitting where Bonnie indicated.

"Vampires should learn to tell time with a watch or clock."

"Mr. Saltzman will pick me up and then come here."

Bonnie nodded. "You don't know the name or location of these witches?"

"No, sorry."

"I just wish I knew what to expect," Bonnie said, sighing. "Witches want such different things, sometimes. Some of us fight vampires, and some of us spell rings for vampires."

"These wouldn't do that," Elena said. "They aren't getting along with the vampires."

"Not with these vampires," Bonnie corrected. "Not with the vampires we're going to help."

That made Elena pause. "Katherine said the witches didn't like any vampires. But some of these vampires were with us on the hill, surrounded by fire, Bonnie. They risked their lives to help us, to help me. They kept their promise to Katherine. Now it's our turn to keep a promise. Well, my turn really. I'm sorry to ask you to do this. You really can back out if you want."

"No, Elena, I can't. You didn't leave me to face Katherine alone when she was out to kill me, I won't leave you to face these vampires and witches alone – whatever their intentions. I'm glad you asked me to go. I'd be really upset if you didn't."

"Thank you, Bonnie. That means a lot to me. I'd have died more than once if you hadn't been with me, helping me."

"Right back at ya," Bonnie replied.

Elena nodded and took a deep breath, trying to build courage for what she had to say next.

"Bonnie, I talked to Stefan about watching over Jenna and Jeremy while we're gone. He was so different."

"Different?"

"Yeah," Elena said. "Ever since Founder's Day and the stuff that happened after, he's been kind of weak, timid or what ever. A wimp, really. I knew he wasn't really being himself – that he was better than that. And I knew it was probably my fault."

"You do seem to have a knack for making guys the opposite of what they start out being."

"Bad to good or good to bad. Yeah. But he was the old Stefan. No sign of the weakness. And it made me wonder if I did right by him."

"Did right by…Elena, what are you saying?"

"He was strong, Bonnie, confident. He hasn't given up on me. Maybe if he'd been more like that recently, maybe…" She didn't finish.

"Elena, how long has it been since you sat over there," Bonnie began, pointing, "and chose Damon?"

Elena looked where Bonnie pointed and then at Bonnie again before lowering her eyes. "I know, Bonnie. But things were different then."

"Different? Damon's different so soon?"

Elena shook her head and looked back into Bonnie's eyes. "No, no. He's still the same. He's still wonderful."

"So just Stefan. One conversation and he's back?"

Elena let a small breath out. "I thought you liked him better than Damon."

"No, Elena," Bonnie corrected. "I can tolerate Stefan, but I despise Damon. He's tried to kill me and he's hurt you. Stefan has not done either, not really anyway. But this is about my best friend and what she wants. Yet it seems what she wants keeps changing. And every time it changes, someone she supposedly loves gets hurt."

Elena felt the sting of her words and had to close her eyes. "OK, OK, I get it. I'm a mess."

"Your words. But if you're a mess, be a stable mess – at least for awhile."

"I can be stable," Elena said resolutely. "I can and I will. When I chose Damon, I took my time. I made a good choice."

"Well, that's debatable."

"Bonnie! You remember me sitting over there making a choice, did you forget that you came over and congratulated us?"

"I was being polite. I'm just reminding you of what you decided. Please stick with it for at least a little while before you go all disrupto-girl again."

"You're right. I can't let him get to me that easily. Maybe he can earn his way back, but it will take time."

"I hope you stick to that, Elena. Your life has way too much drama."

"And you only see it from the outside," Elena said, sort of agreeing.

"Oh, I see plenty from the inside. More than enough."

Being a Good Example

Elena was outside, on the porch of her home, waiting for Alaric. She was next to Damon, Jenna, Jeremy and Stefan.

"Well this is better than it used to be," Elena told Damon as Alaric's car arrived. "At least I get to say a proper good-bye not just sneak out and hope I make it back. That was harder."

She hugged Jenna. "I'll be home in a couple of days."

"I wish I knew where you were going and what you'll be doing," Jenna said. "This isn't easy for me."

"If I knew I would tell you. But I don't."

"How can you do it, Elena?" Jenna asked, her face showing that she did not understand. "Just go where she asks? Never knowing for sure what you'll face."

"I have to. And I know I'm safe."

"Safe? How can you be so sure?"

"You saw what Bonnie can do," Elena replied. "And Mr. Saltzman is pretty good too. Plus Damon won't let anything dangerous near me. You don't need to worry about me – or at least not about my safety."

"But I will. You're still my responsibility."

"I know. And I promise I'll be back," Elena said as she nodded and turned to move to Jeremy

She gave him a hug as well.

"If anything happens…" she began.

"I know," Jeremy interrupted. "whatever it is gets through to me, not Jenna."

"Sorry," Elena said. "But yes. But Stefan won't let anything happen."

"You still trust him, even after what you did to him."

Elena grimaced a little as she met Jeremy's eyes. "Yeah. He'll keep his promise. I don't think he has any of the flaws you see in me."

Elena moved to Stefan and gave him a hug.

"I don't care what you say," Elena whispered into his ear as she hugged him. "I will find a way to repay you for this."

"I don't want that Elena," Stefan said. "It's a favor for a friend and an attempt to help you with the havoc I created when I came into your life."

"It wasn't havoc, Stefan. I've never regretted it."

"You've said differently in the past."

"I know. But that's the past. Here and now, I can't imagine what my life would be like if you hadn't come into it. I really am grateful for what you're doing, staying here while I'm gone."

"Anything you ask, Elena. But you know that."

"I do. Thank you," she said as she kissed him on the cheek and returned to Damon.

"See you guys soon." Elena said as they turned towards the car.

Elena only saw the woman in the front passenger side as she reached the car. She glanced back at Jenna as she entered the car to see if Jenna had noticed.

Jenna's expression told Elena that she had seen Isobel sitting next to Alaric. Elena decided she would talk to Jenna about it – there were things she could tell Jenna that might help her to feel better or at least understand better.

"I knew you were coming," Elena told Isobel. "I didn't know it would be so soon."

"And 'Hello' to you too, Elena," Isobel replied. "Not one of your warmer greetings."

"You're enjoying being seen by Jenna a little too much," Elena said.

"I'm here to lead you to the airfield," Isobel said icily. "None of you know where it is."

"Not just an airport, of course."

"Of course. And who are you to lecture me on love and triangles?"

"You could at least be a good example for me," Elena retorted.

"I am," Isobel replied. "I loved him, and I left him. But just because I left the one I love behind doesn't mean I won't be with him every chance I get. Because, I will."

The Plane (or Whatever)

Bonnie was with them now. Isobel was directing Alaric to the airfield, out of town, somewhere in the woods.

Elena didn't know what to expect. It could be a jet, a propeller-driven plane, or, for all she knew, a hot air balloon.

It was a small jet. Katherine and three others were waiting outside.

"Still not telling me where?" Elena asked Katherine as they boarded.

Katherine gave a slight smile in return. "Do you know where you are now?"

"No," Elena said truthfully. She really hadn't tried to follow where Isobel was leading them.

"Good. We'll be there in about three hours."

"Can I ask something?" Elena asked.

Katherine turned towards her expectantly.

"Stefan said you might let one of your vampires watch over my house while we're gone."

"Stefan?" Katherine asked.

"Yes. I asked him to stay there with Jenna and Jeremy and he said he would. I would feel even better if one of yours was outside as well."

"Do you have a reason to be concerned, Elena?"

"No, but I never have. If I've learned anything it's that two vampire protectors are better than one."

Katherine nodded. "I have someone I can send, and I will let Stefan know that he'll be outside your home. It'll be a long night. You might try to get some sleep."

"Oh yeah. Heading into the unknown with witches and vampires. That's what puts me to sleep."

Peachie X was beta on this chapter and it shows...