A/N: Now, I know this chapter's one big mess of flashbacks. And I'm sorry. But, I haven't really thought of much else to write. I'll add more present day Dean and Elena to the story. I promise.

Well, maybe we got lost in translation. Maybe I asked for too much.

But maybe this thing was a masterpiece, 'til you tore it all up.

Running scared. I was there. I remember it all too well.

And you call me up again. Just to break me like a promise.

So casually cruel in the name of being honest.

I'm a crumpled up piece of paper, lying here.

'Cause I remember it all too well.

All Too Well – Taylor Swift

10/23/12

Dear Diary,

He's here. Dean's actually here. And I should feel safe and secure. But, I don't. Why is that? Is it because of… that-which-I-will-not-speak-of-here? Or is it something else altogether? Dean used to make me feel so safe. But, also, like I was standing at the precipice of this steep cliff. And if I stepped over the edge, I'd be entering uncharted territory. A place I shouldn't be. Dangerous. Wild. And a lot like Dean. I don't know. I just don't know what to think. I should be happy. But, I have this feeling – this sinking feeling – that things may just snowball from here… And if it does, God help us all.

A hot tear trickled down Elena's cheek as her eyes fluttered open. A familiar handsome face swam into view. "Hi." Dean said, peering down at her. Elena felt a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

A faint blush swept her cheeks as she propped herself up on her elbow, looking over at him. She and Dean had stayed up all night, talking. Part of her couldn't believe he was here.

And he was. In all his Blue-Collar, unshaven, gorgeous, hunter glory. Dean rolled onto his back, gazing up at the ceiling. Elena watched him, her amber orbs shining with admiration.

"What are you thinking about?" Dean asked, his emerald globes flickering towards her. Her blush deepened as she lowered her gaze. "Just about… Mom… and Dad." A low sigh fell from Dean's lips as he shook his head, "I'm sorry." He said. "It's not your fault." She replied.

"I can't understand what could've been so important that you had to sneak out." Miranda Gilbert said to her defiant daughter. Elena sat in the backseat, facing the window, biting her lip.

"Mir." Grayson said, sighing. "It's done. Let's just be glad she called us and that she's okay." Elena looked up and met her father's eye in the rearview mirror. She smiled faintly at her dad, mouthing "Thank you".

Grayson turned to face his daughter and opened his mouth to speak. "Dad, look out!" Elena cried. But it was too late. The flash of light from the headlights reflected two discs that she assumed were eyes.

Her father jerked the steering wheel. The car's tires skidded on a patch of ice. The front fender met the railing of Wickery Bridge with a sickening crunch. And the car plunged into the icy water below. "Come on, Elena. You're a fighter. Stay with me…" Her father's last words to her echoed through her mind as the world faded out.

"Now, stay here." Dean commanded. Elena rolled her eyes, her arms crossed over her chest. "Or, what?" "Or, I handcuff you to that light pole –" Dean pointed to the pole across the street, "- And just leave you there."

Elena huffed, looking away. "Fine. I'll stay here with the car." She grumbled. He and Sam vanished into the club. Elena tapped her foot on the sidewalk impatiently. After a moment, she glanced at her watch and pushed away from the car.

She walked over to the trunk, opening it, muttering to herself, "Stay here. Or I'll handcuff you to a pole. It's for your own safety. Men." She snarled, picking up one of Dean's pistols. She turned it over in her hands, remembering.

"Clip, chamber, safety." She recited like song verse, demonstrating. Dean's watchful eyes took in her actions disbelieving. "Okay, now. Do it again. Just to make sure you have it." He said.

She shot him a look, echoing her previous actions. "Okay, now do it with your eyes closed." Dean said; his lip quirking in a teasing smile. Elena rolled her eyes at him, "No."

She slid the clip into the gun, chambering a single silver round before sliding the safety on and putting it into her pocket. She picked up what appeared to be a hunting blade with unusual script etched into the blade.

Eyeing it, Elena shrugged, slipping it into the waistband of her jeans before closing the trunk, muttering under her breath as she walked towards the club after Sam and Dean, "Sexist, chauvinistic son of a –"

Elena's mouth fell open in sheer surprise as she gazed around. A girl looked over at the brunette disdainfully. And under the flashing club lights, her eyes reflected light like an animal's.

Elena felt her breath catch in her throat as she watched another girl's eyes change to black. As though someone poured black ink into them. Horror-stricken, the young woman could only stare at the spectral beings before her.

"Hello," A voice above her ear trilled happily before what she hoped was just a tongue slathered over the curve of her neck. Elena shuddered in disgust before pulling away from the grotesque creature.

A gust of wind zipped by her, causing her to gasp as a voice drawled, "Fresh meat!" A feminine voice whispered voraciously, "I wonder if your flesh tastes as tender as it looks." Elena grasped the gun in her pocket tightly, before a small hand clamped on her wrist like a vise.

"Where do you think you're going?" She turned, seeing a girl that appeared to be younger than her. "Let me go." Elena demanded tightly. The girl only smiled, replying, "Or you'll do what?"

Elena swallowed thickly, grasping the knife in her waistband, pulling it free. It glinted in the blinking light. "Ooh. Big knife." The girl chortled. "All the better to cut your head off with, Carmilla." Elena gritted out.

The vampire blinked, her eyes widening. Elena felt a rush of pride before a familiar, husky, said above her shoulder, "I'd let her go now. Unless you want your pals to be scrubbing you off the floor later."

Dean flashed the vampire an acrimonious smile. "Well, it does appear to be unfair." The vampire said, tossing her brilliant red hair over her shoulder with a simple shake of her head.

Elena watched the girl, entranced by this graceful movement. She watched the girl's hair cascade over her shoulder, not unlike a waterfall. Or a shower of blood. "Two of you and one of me?"

The girl turned her luminescent green eyes to Elena, holding the young brunette's gaze. "Actually, make that three." Sam said, pressing the tip of his machete to the vampire's throat.

The girl released Elena's wrist and stalked away moodily. "What are you doing here?" The hunter roared. Elena flashed him her best haughty look before tossing her head, sending a ripple of auburn hair over her shoulder.

"You told me to stay outside." "Yeah, where it's safe." "And I decided I'd be safer with you." "You'd be safer in a padded room. That's it. I'm calling the men in the white coats when we get out of here." "Not funny, Dean." "This whole damn situation isn't funny. I told you –""And I told you –"

"Guys!" Sam called, interrupting their argument. Elena and Dean turned towards him, shouting in unison, "What?!" "Maybe it's best not to have the argument here?" Dean and Elena lowered their eyes before nodding.

"Alright," Elena said finally, crossing her arms. She shoved past Dean angrily. "Where are you going?" Dean asked, a touch of mirth tainting his voice. "To find the lead." Elena said, incensed. "You're going the wrong way."

Elena whirled, her eyes narrowing as Dean nodded his head towards the backdoor of the club. She followed them out into the alleyway. A girl was sprawled, spread-eagle, on the concrete.

Her grey, cloudy, lifeless, eyes gazed up at the sky. Her mouth open in a silent scream. Elena's wide russet optics widened as she gazed at the wound at the girl's throat. She felt bile rising in her throat as she turned away. "Way to candy-coat it, Dean." "What, do I look like Willy Wonka?" "You could've told her."

"And I really wish that I could say something hurtful and throw every curse word I'm thinking of at you. But I can't!" Elena shrieked at Dean, her eyes brimming with tears that soon spilled over.

"Now, why is that?" She asked him bitterly. Dean shook his head and for the first time in the few short months that they knew each other, he didn't speak. In fact, he didn't fight back or say anything the whole time she shouted at him.

Elena looked down, swallowing thickly. "Please, 'Lena. You can hate me. But, I just want your forgiveness. You won't hear from me, ever again. All I ask is your forgiveness."

Elena raised her ochre spheres, looking at his blood splattered face. "You want my forgiveness?" She said softly, "Then, please, just go. You got it. Now, leave." She said in a trembling voice before spinning on her heel and walking upstairs. "Okay. I'll go." Dean said, watching her turn the corner to her room, vanishing from his sight.

"So, another Hunter," Dean said suspiciously, leaning against the desk. Alaric's hunting kit open and laid out on the desktop. "Well, I don't do it professionally like you and your brother, but…" Alaric said humbly.

Elena watched them both carefully, wondering if introducing Ric to Dean was a good idea. She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Dean, who said, "So, Alaric, how many bloodsuckers would you say you've killed?"

"In the past year?" Ric said, thinking, "Umm…" "He's killed plenty, Dean." Elena interjected, stepping forward, "Now, put away the rulers, okay?" Alaric shot her a surprised look. "Elena." He said reprovingly.

She paused, surprised at what had left her mouth. Dean's brows were raised as a look of amusement passed over his face. "Uhh…" Elena paused, shaking her head before taking a step back. "Carry on."

Dean chuckled lowly, glancing at her. "I'm guessing that was my fault, yeah? I'm a bad influence." He said proudly. "Don't be so pleased with yourself, Dean." She replied, crossing her arms as she looked away. "So, Alaric –""You can call me Ric –" "Okay, Ric, what do you know about vampires, demons, 'Shifters…"