AN: Hey everyone! So I've decided to update sooner than expected. Sorry, it's not the best DE one, but it's a good one (I hope!) Things are getting bigger! Thanks for your support! xoxo

CHAPTER 13:

April 2006 - Mystic Falls, VA

As Elena and Katherine ran inside to the house, the first thing that Elena took note of was that Jeremy was there as well. And that wasn't the most shocking part.

It was the fact that Jeremy's eyes were bloodshot, tears running down his face, that was what shocked Elena the most.

Something was wrong.

She knew it.

Something was very wrong.

"What's going on?" Elena asked softly, her stomach blooming with anxiety. Dozens of scenarios ran through her head.

"Something's happened," Jenna said, her voice cracked, and Elena looked up at her aunt through watery eyes, which had suddenly decided to make an appearance.

"What?" Elena gasped, her hand clamped to her mouth.

"Damn it, what the hell is with all the secrecy?"Katherine spat, and if Elena hadn't been so overwhelmed with fear of the unknown, she would've scolded her sister.

Instead of answering, Jenna waved them over toward the couch that she and Jeremy rested on, and pointed to the television.

Slowly, Elena moved toward the spot near Jeremy, Katherine behind her. As she caught the screen in her sight, an image of an airplane torn to bits on the ground filled the screen. And when Elena saw the headline on the news channel, her heart dropped.

FLIGHT 492 CRASHES: MECHANICAL FAILURE TO BLAME

No.

No.

This wasn't happening.

This wasn't happening.

But as much as Elena knew that it was happening, she willed herself to believe otherwise.

Because it wasn't just the tragic accident that had her bawling.

It was the fact that her parents were on that flight.

"Oh, my god," Katherine's voice hardly registered beside Elena, and when she glanced over at her sister, for the first time, she had seen absolute and definite devastation in her eyes.

And that had been one of the rare moments that Katherine and Elena embraced in a genuine hug.

Because their entire world had been destroyed.

It's been about a half-hour since I've been released from the hospital, and I'm sitting in the lobby of the Police Station, twiddling my thumbs. I had the choice of being questioned about Trudy while I was at the hospital, or when I got out.

I chose the latter.

Bonnie knows the truth, but the police don't. Honestly, I'm not so sure why they would even question anyone on Trudy's death, seeing as the police themselves ruled the cause of her death a heart attack.

"Elena Gilbert?"

As the sound of my name flows into my thoughts, I look up at the face of a young man, dressed in navy pants, a glittering gold badge attached to his matching jacket. He's standing outside of a small office which I assume belongs to his.

"Yes," I clear my throat as I stand up out of my seat. I'm not nervous at all, but I am still curious why they would want to question anyone if they seem certain about what happened.

"Right this way," the officer gestures into the office, and I nod in understanding. As I spot the chair at the desk, I hear the sound of the door clicking, and suddenly, I jump.

"Don't worry," He says, and I snap my head back to him, not expecting him to say anything yet.. "Privacy regulation,"

"It's fine," I say as I sit down, and he does the same.

"So," He says, and I watch him file through a stack of papers about the size of a dictionary. I would never survive in this field. I tip my hat off to Bonnie every time she tells me of another case that she's assisting with. As I continue watching him, my eyes suddenly drift around the room, my curiosity ignited. When I see the golden name plate resting atop his desk, I freeze.

B. McKittrick.

Wait.

I know that name.

"Am I right to assume that you are curious as to why we are questioning you?" He wonders, and my attention is forced bak upward.

"Well, I was witness," I shrug.

"That's exactly why," He smiles, and for some odd reason, it's not comforting. And I don't know whether it's because I feel as if I know him, or because it's just the vibe he's giving off.

"So, what exactly were you doing at Mrs. Peterson's?" He asks with a tint of mysticism in his voice. If I wasn't so focused on where I'd seen him before, I'd say it sounded suspicious.

"I went to visit her," I say honestly. "She was a friend of my parents,"

"John and Miranda." He says.

Wait...

I'm suddenly sitting straight at the edge of the seat. "How did you know-?"

"The downing of Flight 492 is a terrible and tragic event. Your parents were two of the most well-known passengers on the flight." He explains.

I nod. I'm not sure what to say. If I talk about my parents, I might say something that I will regret.

"So, please do tell of the events that happened from the time you arrived to the time you fell and was knocked unconscious."

I clear my throat. "I knocked on her door. She answered, and she invited me in. We sat down, talked for a while, and she went down. I was so scared. I'd never seen this happen before, and when I went to go get my phone, I slipped on a rug and tripped. And that's all I remember." I say in the most convincing way.

"Alright." He says, smiling, and when he stands out of his seat, I frown.

"Thank you for your time, Ms. Gilbert." He stretches his hand outward toward me, and I look down at it, shocked.

"You know, the thing to do is to take it and say 'you're welcome'", he smiles, and I feel my cheeks warm from embarrassment.

I then take his hand and shake it firmly, and suddenly, my curiosity gets the best of me.

"Did you go to high school in here?" I blurt.

His face falls in confusion, and I swallow.

"I'm so sorry," I laugh nervously, hoping to mask my inappropriate question. "It's just that your last name seems so familiar-"

"It's alright," He holds his hand up. "I did. I'm Ben.. We had a few classes together..And I remember you. You're sister's Katherine, right?"

I nod. "The one and only."

Ben nods. "I remember you. You were apart of her little possé. You, Forbes, and Bennett,"

"Bonnie and Caroline," I nod in confirmation.

"Elena,"

Immediately, Bonnie's voice echoes from down the hall, and I turn. She's running toward me, and as she takes in Ben beside me, her eyes widen and she slows down.

"Ben McKittrick?" she gasps, and she looks as if Leonardo DiCaprio were standing in front of her.

"Bonnie Bennett," he smiles, and Bonnie's face turns beet red.

"You remember me?" she asks shyly.

"You're a hard face to forget," He admits, and Bonnie's face turns even redder, if possible.

"I didn't know you worked here," she says.

"I've just been transferred." he tells her.

"Huh," Bonnie says. "I've never pictured you in this field."

"I have an undying love for justice," he says as his palm touches his chest.

"So does Bonnie," I say, and I feel her tense beside me. "She's a P.I."

"Wow," Ben whistles, impressed. "Well, you did always have the brains for the job,"

"Thanks," Bonnie giggles. Suddenly, Ben clears his throat.

"I should get going," he says, motioning to the entrance. "Duty calls,"

Bonnie nods, but I can read her disappointment. "It was noce to see you, again,"

"You, too," He says. "Both of you,"

"Bye," I wave in acknowledgement, and Bonnie and I watch him walk down the hall.

Just as I'm about to ask her about Ben, I hear his voice call my name.

"I almost forgot," he says, jogging back toward us. "If you need someone to talk to about the recent events, feel free to give me a call. I can set you up with somone."

I look down, and in his outstretched hand is a small, white card. As I take it, I flip it over, and his information is printed on the card.

"Thanks," I say, "But I'm alright for now."

"Alright," He says. "Take care, you two."

"Bye," Bonnie and I say in harmony, and once he disappears down the hall, I turn to Bonnie.

"I'd say that I'd be jealous of you, but I know that you won't go for him as long as you're with Damon," she says.

"That information isn't for you to casually mention, Bonnie," I hiss at her. "Besides, even if I wasn't with Damon, I'm not interested in him. He's all yours,"

"Maybe I will," I say.

"What about Jamie?" I ask, arching an eyebrow at her.

"Nothing," She sighs. "He's going through something, and it wouldn't work, anyway,"

"Oh," I say, suddenly feeling guilty for calling her out. "I'm sorry,"

Bonnie's green eyes meet mine, and she smiles warmly. "I know."

"So, what did you even want?" I say suddenly, remembering that she was running toward me in what seemed like something important.

"Oh," she jumps into her offical mode. "I found that Nadia's adress for you," she says as she digs out a piece of paper and hands it to me. I examine the words carefully.

Nadia Grey 1345 Oak Ridge Ln

Mystic Falls

444-3333

"That's not far at all," I say.

"And I'm coming with you," she says.

I shake my head. "No, I don't need you involved in this again. Besides, it's not even ten minutes from here." I tell her. "And as much as I appreciate the offer, I can't have you risk your job again."

"I didn't-"

My voice lowers as I lean in "You know the truth about what happened with trudy," I whisper. "Which makes you an acessory. You work for the law, Bonnie. And if they find out about you withholding evidence., you'll lose your job."

Bonnie's eyes suddenly frown, and I know that she knows I'm right. I can't let her lose her job because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"I'll call Matt," I tell her. "He can go with me."

"You promise?" she asks, and I nod.

"I'll call him right after I call her." I swear.

"Wait, you're calling her? Why?" Bonnie gasps.

"After what happened at Trudy's, meeting in public will be safer." I point out.

"How do you know she'll even want to meet you?" Bonnie questions.

"The same reason I want to."

"Alright," she sighs. "Be careful,"

I nod. "I will."

Matt and I are driving through town toward the Grill, which os on the opposite side of town. One of my favorite songs, "Headlights" by Morning Parade blasts from the radio in Matt's baby blue pickup truck. I'm not too worried about this meeting with Nadia. After calling Nadia and explaining everything, she couldn't have been more than happy to meet.

"So, Bonnie didn't want you going alone," Matt sighs as he drives down the street. The police station slowly dissolves from view.

I nod, my attention returning to Matt. "Even though it's five minutes away."

"Well, to be honest, I kind of agree with her. You were knocked unconscious by God-Knows-Who the other night, and you have no idea who this Nadia person is."

"Well, that's what I'm here for." I remind him.

Just as Matt is about to talk, I spot the Grill in sight, and a parking space just near the door.

"There," I tell him, and Matt pulls into the space.

Once the car is turned off, I hop out of the car, and Matt follows me in. Suddenly, some soothing song copes from the speakers above. I think I've heard it before but can't be sure.

"Elena," he says, grabbing my arm. I turn to face him.

"Remember that she's just like you." He says, and I don't have tome to register what his hidden meaning is as a tap touches my shoulder.

I whip around immediately, and I'm face to face with a brunette who's a few inches taller than me. Her sharp features scrunch in confusion.

"Excuse me," she says softly in a mild Russian accent. "Are you Elena Gilbert?"

"Nadia?" I ask, and my guess is confirmed with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," She says, and I nod.

"You, too," I say. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. This is my friend Matt." I gesture to Matt beside me, and Nadia's expression suddenly darkens.

"Please ask your friend to leave," she says, and I frown in misunderstanding. That wasn't rude or anything with Matt right here.

"Wait, what?" I ask. "Why?"

"Because I only expected to meet with you today." she says sternly. "And I would prefer to discuss my life story wirh just you."

"Alright," I sigh, turning to Matt.

"Elena-"

"Please," I tell him, and after a moment of what looked like conflict, Matt nods, and suddenly, Nadia and I are alone.

"Come," she waves me toward her. "I have a table saved."

As I follow Nadia through the sea of tables and customers, I wonder what I'm going to say. Suddenly, the letter I found at Trudy's burns a hole in my mind, as well as in my purse.

"So, you lost your parents on flight 492 as well," Nadia says, and I nod.

"That is too bad," she says sadly. "So, why did you want to meet me?"

I frown. "To get to know each other. We both lost our parents in the same crash. I thought that it might be therapeutic to discuss it." I tell her.

"Well, so sorry to disappoint, but I do not believe in therapy," she says bitterly.

"Alright," I say. "I just want to get to know you." I say. "I've been having a rough time coming to terms with it, and I was wondering how you felt. I've been speaking to the other children who lost their parents on flight 492."

"And what did they all say about this great effort?" she wonders.

"That their lives changed forever that they felt as if thier worlds had been stripped away,"

Nadia's face suddenly softens, and I know that I'm slowly winning her over.

"Yes, that is a very good way to, how do you say," she trails off, "sum it up."

"Before I forget," I reach into my purse and pull out the envelope that was at Trudy's. "I also wanted to meet with you to give you this" I hand the envelope to Nadia.

"Where did you get this?" she wonders, and I sigh.

"A woman named Trudy Peterson had it in her house, and she had passed away recently. She gave this to me to give to you if she ever passed away before me," I tell her convincingly.

As I watch Nadia open it, I feel inclined to dismiss her suspicions.

"I haven't read anything," I say. "I promise."

"Promises made by strangers might as well not be made," she says as she unfolds the letter. "There is no trust or experience to build off of."

"I guess you're right," I nod. When Nadia says nothing, I glance up, and she's wide-eyed, her mouth hanging open.

"What's wrong?" I ask, and suddenly, a tear slips from her eyes.

"I do not believe it," she breathes. "My parents,"

"Wait, what do you mean?" I frown.

"Look, the ones on the left." she sniffles as she stretches the picture toward me.

And when I take in the picture, I gasp.

"Oh, my god," I breathe.

"What?" she asks.

"I've seen this picture before." I tell her.

I know I have.

"Where?" she asks, her eyebrows frowning.

"In a box locked away with my parent's things," I breathe.

Nadia's forehead creases. "Why would a picture of my parents be in a box belonging to your parents?"

"Because those are my parents," I say, pointing to the second couple in the shot. It's the same picture. My parents at the lake house with another couple.

Nadia's parents.

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PS: Please check out my other TVD/DE stories Bitten: The Marked,it's sequels Bitten: The Hunted & Bitten: The Saved, Mirrors, The Other Side of Me, Star Crossed and Shelter.I'd REALLY appreciate it :)

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Soundtrack that inspired/were mentioned in this chapter:

THEME SONG: Bad Things ~ Meiko

Headlights ~ Morning Parade

All Good Things ~ The Weepies (Grill Song #1

Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) ~ Gotye (Grill Song #2)

Bones ~ MS MR