Car is parked. Bags are packed.
But what kind of heart doesn't look back?
At the comfortable glow from the porch.
The one I will still call yours.
All those words came undone.
And now, I'm not the only one.
Facing the ghosts that decide if the fire inside still burns.
All I have. All I need.
He's the air I would kill to breathe.
Holds my love in his hands.
Still, I'm searching for something.
Out of breath, I am left hoping someday I'll breathe again.
Breathe again – Sara Bareilles
"Dean," Elena whispered, gazing up at him. "Don't you miss it?" Dean scoffed, rolling his eyes, "Of course I do, 'Lena." They were back at the Masque. Dean, handsome in his tux. Elena, sparkling in her dress.
Her hands clasped in his, behind her back as they swayed. Flowing forward. Her back pressed to his front. Her doe eyes gazing into his soft emeralds. "But, there's not much we can do about it now, is there?" Dean murmured. "No," She whispered, "I guess not."
Elena opened her eyes wearily, anger and hurt still radiating through her as she remembered Dean's reluctance. They kissed. Dean kissed her back. Not for the first time, either. But still. The way he held her. Like she was precious to him.
It counted for something, right? "What's going on?" A drowsy, disembodied voice said, snapping Elena from her thoughts. She glanced over at her best friend. Caroline yawned, emitting a sound, not unlike a baby-kitten-like mewl.
She stretched, blinking around the room with dazed sapphires. Elena smiled softly, "Hey, Care." A small smile alit Caroline's delicate features. "Hey," She replied.
Dean paced the floor of the waiting room anxiously. "I'm telling you, man. We should've gone in there with her." He said uneasily. Sam sighed patiently, raising his eyes from the floor, fatigue etched into his features, "Dean," He began, "I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Why wouldn't she be?" An arctic disembodied voice said from the doorway. Damon assessed the brothers coolly before striding towards a chair, sitting down. Sam and Dean stiffened, bristling at the presence of the vampire.
"Gee, I don't know." Dean said abrasively, "Maybe because you and your blood-sucking pals put Caroline in the hospital?" His voice rose marginally as he glowered at Damon. The vampire's expression of mild amusement never wavered as he stood lithely.
He sauntered across the room to face the hunter. "I had nothing to do with what happened to Caroline," He said evenly, "What happened was tragic, yes. But, if it weren't for me, she'd be dead right now." Dean snorted before stepping towards Damon, standing toe-to-toe with him as Sam rose from his seat warily.
"You listen to me," Dean said, a sharp edge slicing through his words, "You selfish, spineless, blood-sucking dick. If you had anything to do with the screwed up crap that's happening – anything at all – I will hunt you down and when I find you, and I will, I'll cut your head off. Understand?"
Damon blinked, gazing at the hunter in utter amusement, "Yeah. Okay," He nodded slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lip. A knock at the door drew Dean's attention. A nurse poked her head into the room, "She's ready for more visitors now."
Dean shook his head, nonplussed, before saying, "But… where's Elena?" "Oh, she left already." The nurse said, retreating from the room. The hunter turned to the vampire, "If anything happens or happened to Elena, I'll kill you." His voice was pitched low so the vampire was the only one who heard it.
"Boys, play nice," A chilling voice said from the doorway. DeSangue stood in the doorway, mirth glittering in his leaf-green eyes. Stefan stood behind him, confusion flickering across his features.
Dean's jaw locked in place, a muscle throbbing beneath his flesh as he gritted out, "What're you doing here?" "Business," DeSangue said lightly, straightening the jacket of his three-piece suit. "Where's 'Lena?" The hunter snarled.
DeSangue blinked at him, seemingly startled. "Goodness, I don't know. Why? Is she in danger?" Dean's eyes narrowed as he shoved the vampire before stalking out of the room, forcing the Salvatores aside. Sam bolted after his older brother.
Dean fished his cellphone from his pocket and dialed Elena's number. It rang for a few moments before it went to her voicemail with a click. "Hey, this is Elena. I can't come to the phone right now. But if you leave your digits and a short message, I'll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks. 'Bye."
"Lena," Dean said with a sigh, "It's Dean. Where are you? Look, just call me back when you get this message. Okay?" He hung up, frustration emanating off his frame as he strode to the Impala, resting his elbows on the roof, a frown making its way across his lips.
"I'm sure she's fine, Dean." Sam said finally. "Yeah, I hope so." Dean replied softly. He lowered his malachite orbs, remembering the time he and Elena had slow-danced in the living room of the Gilbert Residence.
"Dean," Elena stood, extending her hand to him, "Dance with me." The words were barely a whisper. And, despite his fury, he couldn't deny her. Dean took her hand and guided her close. His hand was at the small of her back, while his other clasped hers.
They swayed and moved together gracefully. Elena laid her head on his shoulder. A small smile playing on her lips. Dean rested his chin on top of her head, a faint smile forming on his lips.
Shaking himself, Dean drew himself out of the daze. He glanced at Sam before opening the driver's door of the Impala, sliding into the driver's seat.
Elena hugged herself, shivering as she paced the floor of the Boardinghouse, glancing at the message she'd received from Stefan. Meet me at the Boardinghouse. Please? It's important. She'd rushed to the Boardinghouse as soon as possible.
Despite what happened with Dean, she still cared for Stefan deeply. Elena bit down on her lower lip lightly, a frown forming on her lips. The floor creaked behind her, causing her heart to thud painfully against her ribcage. Elena spun, her amber optics springing open wide.
She seemed to be staring into a mirror. Her own eyes stared back at her coolly. Elena's rosy lips parted in surprise as she took a step backward. The girl in front of her took a step towards her. "We haven't met," The girl said, her words a seductive purr. "I'm Katherine."
Elena gaped at Katherine, her hand moving to her cellphone in her pocket as she stammered out, "How do we look exactly alike?" Elena slipped her phone behind her back, tapping the speed dial. She called Dean.
Dean sighed, relieved as he glanced at the screen, seeing Elena's name and a picture of her pop up. He answered the call, opening his mouth to greet her, and then yell at her. "You're asking all the wrong questions," a voice, shockingly similar to Elena's purred.
Dean's eyes widened as he shot a look at Sam. "Then which questions should I be asking, Katherine?" Dean heard Elena reply. The hunter blinked. Who the hell is Katherine? The name stirred something in his memory. He remembered something…. "That would be telling…" the other female voice said, chidingly.
Elena yelped softly as Katherine blurred out. She stood, shivering from the cold wind that seemed to follow Katherine in the room then stayed. After a moment, Elena raised her phone to her ear, "Dean?" She whispered; tears stinging at her eyes.
"I'm here, 'Lena," the familiar voice said. "I need you. Come get me, please?" Elena said as the tears began to fall. "I'm on my way, 'Lena." Was the response. Elena slid to the floor, tears streaming down her face.
A/N: Alright, so another chapter.. Please review! :)