Peachie X acted as Beta on this chapter. She made it much better than it was (but you'll never be able to tell ... I'll never share what she originally saw...)

Flying with Vampires and Witches

"Well this seating arrangement sucks." Damon said. "There is not two seats together anywhere." There were five rows of two seats in the cabin, with an aisle between.

"In the cockpit there is." Katherine said. "But neither of you is going in there."

"It's OK Damon," Elena said, grabbing his hand and pulling him. "we'll sit in the back. There's not much space in the aisle so we can reach across or even share a seat when we are in the air without being in anyone's way."

"Do they need a chaperone?" Alaric asked Bonnie as he and Isobel took the seats in front of Damon and Elena. Bonnie sat in the seat in front of Alaric.

"Yes - always," Bonnie said. "But it'll have to be you. I'm just not up to it this time."

Alaric turned back and gave Elena a stern look. "Don't make me come back there."

"Better use a vervain dart on him now then." Elena replied defiantly as they heard the engines and felt the takeoff.

"We don't need vervain." Isobel said coolly, looking at Damon. "Threats will work just fine."

"Threats?" Damon asked, smirking. "Didn't I teach you anything when I turned you? Vampires don't need threats – we have fangs."

When in the air and stable, Katherine moved to the back and spoke to Elena.

"I've sent one of mine to your house and told Stefan. Are you comfortable back here?"

"I'm fine. I'm just really nervous about this."

"We have sedatives, if you would like."

"No!" Elena said forcefully, shaking her head. "No drugs. I need my mind sharp for this."

Katherine nodded. "Very well, but try to rest. You need that as well."

Elena nodded. Katherine had started to move back to her seat when Bonnie spoke.

"Why didn't you send your other witch with Elena?"

Katherine turned back and looked at Bonnie. "My other witch? Do you think of yourself as mine?"

"No!" Bonnie replied quickly. "But you have a witch that works with you – that put the spell in the bracelet that blocked my power while I wore it."

"I do." Katherine said, nodding. "She can be relied upon for spells on rings and necklaces and so on. But she is not really that stable otherwise. I would never let her near Elena."

Katherine hesitated as Bonnie nodded, and spoke again. "And she's getting old. I could really use the help of a reliable witch. It would be nice to have another Bennett witch, but I suppose with what has happened between us, there's no chance of that."

"No chance. Zero, zip, nada." Bonnie confirmed.

"But I think," Katherine said, "I would rather have your loyalty to Elena. Since it is there, I suppose I have what I want. But perhaps Elena could broach the subject with the witches she'll be meeting with, should she find them reliable."

"Of course," Elena said from a couple of rows back, sounding exasperated. "I'll add it to the agenda. After convincing them to not hate vampires and getting them to live in peace together. If nobody dies, I'll hire a witch. I'm on it."

As Katherine returned to her seat, Elena looked at Damon and motioned for him to join her. Isobel turned back and glared.

"Oh, turn around," Elena said crankily. "We won't do anything, just talk. Or whisper. It would be really nice if you wouldn't eavesdrop."

"Of course, Elena," Isobel said coolly. "I'll just concentrate on Rick."

"And I'll follow your example." Elena blurted before Damon touched his finger to her lips.

"Let it go," he whispered. "mother-daughter drama on the return flight. You're really upset about this. Katherine's right, you need to rest, or at least relax."

Elena nodded and whispered "I know - you're right. I just don't know what to expect. I'm learning how to handle vampires, but this? This is when I want you with me, but you can't come."

"I'll be as close as I can, Elena. I'll find a way into their house if it turns out that you're in danger."

"How will you know, Damon? You won't be close enough to hear."

Damon hated seeing her worried expression. "I'll talk to Katherine. I would guess that between her and Nathaniel, they can find a way to bug you or wire you or something so we can listen."

"Do you think the witches would allow that?" Elena asked hopefully.

"I don't know. But unless it's forbidden, I think Katherine would allow it – maybe demand it."

"OK, Damon. We'll ask. I'll feel better if you can at least hear me."

Damon found himself in an awkward position, hugging Elena. But he stayed there because of what she said next.

"Don't move." she said, closing her eyes to try to rest.

Nobody Special

They were driven to a large house – about the size of the Salvatore Boarding House. It looked like it was in an open area – not much in the way of trees or buildings nearby – but it was hard to tell in the dark.

Elena held only the small bag containing the overnight necessities and the few articles of clothing she had been permitted to bring. She lined up with the others as Katherine instructed – Katherine and an idiot in front, Elena next between Damon and the other idiot, Alaric and Bonnie behind them with Isobel at the back.

Elena had a firm grip on Damon's hand as they entered the house and were led to a large, well lit room which held more people, probably vampires, than she cared to look at or count.

Katherine stopped and turned back to Elena. "Wait here." She went forward and talked to a tall, bearded man. Elena thought he must be Nathaniel. She had almost expected him to be on a throne, but he was just standing.

Elena turned towards Damon and whispered to him "Nathaniel?"

"Probably," Damon said. She hoped he would say more, but he didn't. She was unnerved by the silence in the room and by the fact the she couldn't hear Katherine or Nathaniel speak at all.

The vampire in front of her turned around. "It's Nathaniel," he said softly, in at tone that made her almost felt guilty about the nickname she used for him and those like him. "They will both speak to you in a minute. You should probably not speak until they are near us – he might consider it rude."

Elena nodded as the vampire turned around. Katherine had said she would bring vampires that had spent time with her, but she did not recognize him. She decided she would pay more attention to those that protected her.

She continued to watch Katherine, wondering how any vampire in the room could hear anything except her loud, fast heartbeat.

She was glad when Katherine returned and formed the group into a line. Nathaniel stood a few feet in front of Elena, but his eyes followed Katherine's introductions.

"You know the vampires except for Damon and Isobel," Katherine said, pointing. Each responded with a head nod when their name was mentioned. The face of both was blank – no expression.

"The gentleman with us is Alaric Saltzman. And the witch is Bonnie Bennett."

Nathaniel spoke to Alaric. "Why are you here?"

"I came because Elena asked me to, because I don't want her to face whatever is waiting for her here alone." Elena couldn't believe that his voice was calm.

"Why are you loyal to her? What has she done for you?" Nathaniel asked. His face showed no emotion.

"For me? She has done for me what she has done for everyone else. She helps people and protects our town. I help her do that when I can, and I will do my best to make sure she can continue to do it."

"I've heard about your darts," Nathaniel said. "Are they in your bag?"

"Yes. I'm surprised you let me bring them here." Alaric said. He still did not flinch.

"Keep them in your bag and you won't be separated from them."

"Don't threaten Elena, and they'll stay in the bag."

"Rick! Enough." Isobel said, but Elena could not discern any emotion in her voice. It was as bland as Nathaniel's.

Nathaniel turned to face Bonnie. His expression remained blank. "Why are you here?"

"Because Elena asked me to come," Bonnie said. "and because I made a promise to protect her."

Elena thought she did hear at least discomfort in Bonnie's voice, maybe more.

"A promise to her?"

"A promise to Katherine."

"You promised Katherine that you would protect Elena Gilbert?" Nathaniel asked with the slightest hint of surprise.

"I did." Bonnie said, nodding.

"So you work with Katherine? A witch with a vampire?"

"Only to protect Elena," Bonnie said. "nothing else."

"Bonnie…" Elena said, but stopped speaking when she saw Nathaniel turn towards her.

"Elena Gilbert I presume. Who are you that you have such loyalty from vampires, witches and humans?"

"I'm nobody special." Elena said trying to keep her voice steady.

"Nobody special," Nathaniel repeated. He was looking into her eyes, his face pretty much blank again. "Nobody special, though pursued by vampires and protected by vampires. My own have told me that a lot of vampires die around you."

"Not if they don't threaten her." Katherine interjected.

Nathaniel did not break eye contact with Elena. "Nobody special, though I see that what Katherine told me is true – you are surrounded by people of all sorts would die before they let anything hurt you. In return you pledge your loyalty to Katherine," he said. It was a statement rather than a question.

"Not in return," Elena contradicted. "she has already given me what I asked of her. My pledge is to serve and protect Katherine regardless of what she does for me. She and the others protect me for their own reasons. I don't really understand it all."

"And you will perform this task for me with the same dedication as you would if Katherine asked it of you?"

"Katherine has asked me to do it. I will do it as well as I can."

The Only Way She Plays

Elena was alone with Katherine in the room she had been assigned to share with Bonnie. There were only the most basic necessities there – a couple of beds, a dresser with a mirror, and a bathroom. She and Katherine sat on the bed Elena had claimed.

"We will need to leave in just a few hours." Katherine said. "Rest as best you can."

"You're coming?" Elena was surprised. She had expected Katherine to stay with Nathaniel.

"My entire group will be with you and wait as close as we can, along with a few of Nathaniel's who are protected in daylight. Also, you will wear these." Katherine said, holding up a small earpiece and microphone on a clip.

"Damon must have asked," Elena said, taking the items and examining them. "I forgot."

"Yes. Nathaniel agrees - it was not forbidden and we would like to hear what is said."

"They'll be able to see the microphone at least." Elena pointed out.

"We want them to know that we can hear them. If you wear the earpiece, we will be able to answer any questions you may have. We will not speak to you unless you ask – you don't need any other distractions. Do you understand what Nathaniel wants?"

"Yes," Elena said with a slight nod. "I just don't know what to expect from the witches. You can't tell me anything about them?"

"No. Nathaniel spoke with one to make the arrangements for this. He thinks that she, at least, wants to work out this problem. But they haven't met, and two others live with her."

Elena nodded. "OK, I'll try to get some sleep."

"Then I will see you in a few hours." Katherine said as she left. Bonnie had been waiting outside the door and entered immediately.

"Did she share anything with us minions?" Bonnie asked as she fluffed her pillow.

Elena glared. "Don't call me that. She said three witches, spoke with one by phone to set up the meeting and they think that one is willing to work with us." The glare was gone, replaced by an uncomfortable expression. "That's it. I wish there was more. We'll just have to play it by ear from there."

Bonnie laughed as she climbed into her bed. "Like you've ever played it any other way."