Whaaaat?! 200 reviews! You guys are awesome!

Anyway, this chapter is longer, yay, but I was still kinda bleh while writing it, so sorry if it seems choppy or off.

See ya at the bottom :)

Present Day

Elena fought her way through the throngs of teens scattered along the hallway.

It was way too early, she was way too tired, and there wasn't enough coffee in the world to help her shake off this dire need to sleep.

She reached her locker, finally, and took her time grabbing her books.

She still had ten minutes until the bell rang anyway.

She had arrived at school uncharacteristically early today, simply to avoid spending any more time in her room.

It did nothing but plague her with thoughts of all that was revealed to her the night before, and when the idea of being a murdering witch didn't keep her awake, the memory of Damon touching her did.

Whatever cloud had hazed her mind yesterday was cleared now, and she knew it was the necklace.

Removing it had rid her of her past self's emotions.

She reminded herself that this was a good thing, but couldn't shake the slight empty feeling that it's absence was causing.

She shut her locker, forcing her mind to clear.

Right now, that necklace was the last thing she had to worry about.

She scanned the hall for Stefan, but was spotted by a different blonde.

"Elena!"

She forced a smile for Caroline, "Hey, what's up?"

"Just making sure you weren't going to blow off Friday's practice like Bonnie."

Elena paused, "Bonnie's not going?"

"No," Caroline droned, "She was supposed to give me a ride this morning, but she was running late, and now, all of a sudden, she has to go to her grandmother's and won't be back until game time."

Elena rolled her eyes at her friend.

Bonnie was probably hiding there to avoid another practice.

Even listening to Sheila Bennett's wacky woo was better than...

Elena blinked.

Things that Bonnie's grandmother had told the girls over the years came rushing back.

Stories of magic and witches and craft.

Stories that, quite recently, had stopped sounding like wacky woo, and more like actual possibilities.

"Sorry, Care," Elena forced, as a thought crossed her mind, "Catch you in History."

If her friend was affronted at being suddenly abandoned, Elena wouldn't know, but Caroline would have to wait.

Right now, she needed to see Bonnie.

She hurried down the hall, turning to the English Lit room, where the students awaited the teacher, Bonnie among them.

Elena waved, catching her attention.

Bonnie's brows furrowed, but she grabbed her purse and stood, leaving the room.

"Elena, hey."

"Hey," Elena rushed, "Can we talk?"

Bonnie nodded, and Elena grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the girl's bathroom as the bell rang.

"What's going on?" Bonnie asked hesitantly.

Elena decided to bluntly jump to the point.

"Your Grams...she says she's a witch, right? That's what we were talking about a few days ago, how she was being all pushy about your family heritage stuff, insisting that the Bennett's were a line of witches or something."

"Yeah," Bonnie allowed, "She believes in all that stuff, and I think she even tried practicing before, at some point. I don't really know...why, what's this about?"

Elena swallowed, "Have you ever wondered if any of it was real? Magic, I mean, and the witch stuff?"

"I may have humored it occasionally, but come on, Elena, you were the one saying it was all coincidence, right?"

"Well you'd be surprised how quickly a person can change their mind after...events."

"Events?" Bonnie questioned, confusedly, as the bathroom door opened and another girl came in, moving past them.

Elena swallowed, "Look, not here, okay...after school. Let's skip study hall and go to your grandmother's. I really need to talk to someone that won't look at me like I'm crazy."

Bonnie still seemed confused, but nodded, "Uh, yeah, okay."

"Okay," Elena pursed, "I'll find you."

They said goodbye then, each slipping into their first period with excuses ready.

Stefan sat in his usual desk, diagonal from hers, and she hesitated, as he smiled over at her.

She had just seen him yesterday, but after witnessing him in those visions, and hearing Damon's stories, he looked different somehow.

She hurried to take her seat.

Throughout the lesson, she could feel Stefan's eyes on her, and more than once she considered looking back at him.

But she couldn't. Not right now.

She needed to wait until she could talk to him, and get answers.

When the bell finally rang, excusing them to their next class, gym, Elena breathed a sigh of relief.

Stefan was waiting by the door for her.

"Hey, Princess," he teased with a playful smile, and she couldn't help but relax a little.

This was Stefan. She knew him.

She was right to give him the chance to explain himself.

"Hey," she smiled back, letting him take her hand as they entered the hall.

"You okay? You seemed a little distracted during class."

She nodded, "I'm fine, but I was kind of hoping that we could talk."

"Sure," he agreed easily, "What about?"

She shook her head, "Not right now. Let's wait until gym so we have more privacy."

He nodded, "Alright."

It didn't take long for the halls to clear and for them, along with a handful of others, to cross the yard to the gym's entrance.

They hit the dressing rooms and changed quickly.

Luckily it was Thursday, which meant the coaches would take them to the track, where Elena would have plenty of privacy.

As she predicted, that's exactly where the group was told to go.

A chorus of complaints sounded, but she was beyond paying attention.

Stefan was beside her again, as they walked behind everyone else.

"This private enough for you?" He teased.

She smiled carefully, her mind reeling, "Yeah, I guess it is."

She shot a quick look around, but no one was within earshot.

"What's wrong, Elena," he asked more sincerely.

She swallowed, deciding to bite the bullet.

Keeping her eyes in front of her, she exhaled, "I uh, I have some questions."

"Okay...," he allowed.

"About you, us," she corrected, "And your brother."

She didn't miss the way Stefan's step faltered, and she glanced over at him.

His eyes had widened slightly, but was quickly masked over.

"Brother? Elena, what are you-"

"I know, Stefan," she stated forcefully, coming to a stop, "I know everything."

His jaw flexed, "I highly doubt that."

She crossed her arms, "I know you're last name is Salvatore, not Cooper. I know that you were apparently still alive five hundred years ago. That you...that we, were royalty, and engaged. That you had me burned at the stake for killing witches."

All facades dropped from Stefan's face, and Elena took a step back at how different it made him look.

For the first time, it truly hit her.

Something about his expression was so...ancient.

Old.

As if he'd lived a thousand years.

Or at least half of it.

"It's true then," she swallowed.

Stefan's hand enclosed around her arm, and before she knew it, he was dragging her away from the field, away from the others, toward the back of the gym, where no one ever went.

Where no one could see them.

Nerves pitted in her stomach as he released her.

Stefan's back remained to her for a moment longer than she liked.

"You talked to him, didn't you?" He finally asked, "You talked to Damon?"

Her breath hitched as she thought of the previous night, "Yes."

Stefan's shoulders stiffened, but he turned.

"What did he tell you?"

Flashes filled her mind at his words.

Damon's mouth on her skin, his teeth grazing, his hand bringing her more pleasure from a touch than she'd ever brought herself.

"Say my name."

"You're mine."

Elena's mouth went dry.

"When you're with him tomorrow, I want you to remember this."

A blush heated her cheeks.

"Remember the way I just touched you, and how wet your body became for me."

She grit her teeth, trying to push away the memory of his voice, rough in her ear.

"Remember that it was my name you screamed in pleasure, and know that this is only the start."

"God," Stefan's voice cut through, harsher now, "I can smell how much you want him."

Elena blinked, her cheeks on fire, "Wh-what?"

"Your...arousal," Stefan spat, "At just the mention of his name."

She flinched, lowering her eyes, "I'm sorry."

Stefan took a deep breath. Then another.

"Did he...did you sleep with him?"

"No," her eyes shot up, "No I didn't."

Stefan seemed relieved, but she had to be honest.

"But...I wanted to. I don't know why...or maybe I do, but it was just...it wasn't me, Stefan. At least, not now me. But whatever I used to feel...it's trying to come back, and it scares me."

The anger slipped from his face, and the Stefan she recognized was back, his hands pulling her close, "Hey, it's okay. I'm sorry...I know this must be confusing."

She leaned into him, feeling safe, yet couldn't shake the feeling that this was wrong.

It all was.

She pulled away.

"There's more..."

Stefan nodded, "Of course there is."

"I've been having these dreams...or visions, I don't know exactly, but Damon told me they were memories. From my...past. Apparently whatever we did, it's tied to the comet, and the closer it gets, the more I remember...but if I don't do some kind of blood sacrifice thing-"

"No," Stefan cut her off, "No blood sacrifices. That's how it starts. How he got you last time. What Damon does, what you did, it's a blood magic, which I'm sure you know, but it starts with the first sacrifice of your own blood. Whatever he wants you to do, don't."

"I'll die," she breathed, and he doubled.

"What?"

"The memories I've had come back alone are too much for my body. Damon's going to do something to bring them all back...but if I don't do a blood sacrifice, it'll kill me."

"Because your body is no longer apt to hold such power," Stefan realized, "Damn it!"

"He's not going to stop trying either," Elena assured him, "If you'd felt even half...," she trailed off, "Well, let's just say he won't be giving up easily."

Stefan sighed, "Damon does have an annoying way of getting exactly what he wants."

"Well, he wants me," Elena noted, "And it scares the hell out of me, because-"

She stopped.

"Because what?" He fished.

Elena sighed, "It scares me, because I don't know if I can refuse him."

"You're going to have to try," Stefan told her, "Your necklace should help protect you. It's-"

His eyes fell to her bare neck, "Where is it?"

"I, uh, I took it off. Last night. Turns out "past me" put a spell on it."

"A spell?"

"My blood. Something to carry my essence or whatever. I think it's what was making me feel whatever I was feeling around Damon."

Stefan ran a hand down his face, "It may have, but if the spell is playing out as you've said, you won't need to necklace to resurrect your past emotions. But it can keep you safe. It's very powerful, and as long as it's on your neck, Damon can't use it. And trust me, it would benefit him more than you can imagine."

Elena shook her head, "Then why didn't he take it last night?"

"I don't know," Stefan admitted, "But you need to get it, and put it back on. Don't ever take it off. Damon has powers of manipulation. I've seen them. But as long as the necklace is protecting you, he shouldn't be able to mess with your head."

Elena placed her back against the side of the building and sank down.

"I feel dizzy."

Stefan crouched next to her, "Let's go. I'll tell the coach you weren't feeling well. We'll ditch, and see what else we can dig up."

Elena nodded, "Okay. But we have to start with Bonnie's grandmother. I think she might be-"

"A witch?" Stefan finished.

"Yeah," Elena eyed him, "How did you-"

"Bonnie," Stefan explained, "She isn't a true believer, so she isn't as secretive as she should be. And her last name is Bennett."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Stefan sighed, "In 1567, you had a handmaiden. Emily Bennett. She was a witch, and she disappeared. I'm pretty sure you, or Damon, killed her for her magic, just before you performed the time spell. She was powerful, after all."

Elena considered this, "So Bonnie's...what? Her descendant or something?"

"Exactly," Stefan nodded, "The youngest Bennett witch in a long line of magic. Generations of powerful witches have come from the Bennett bloodline. Emily's bloodline."

Elena was beyond being surprised by this point, but another thought caught her attention, "Do you think Bonnie's grandmother knows? Could she help us?"

"We can ask," he reasoned, and Elena nodded, picking herself up.

"Well then, let's go."

Stefan nodded, "Okay. But first...the necklace."

"It's in my room," Elena told him.

"Then let's go get it."

Damon watched the house curiously, leaning against the car he'd found stashed in the she'd, behind the cabin.

The woman that lived here had left earlier that morning.

From what he'd gathered, her job teaching occult studies at the local college had her gone for the day.

But he knew this was the right place.

He could feel the magic oozing out of each crack and crevice, as he walked up toward the porch.

This woman may be older, but she practiced. He reached the front door.

Just a wave of his hand proved what he'd already predicted.

The door was sealed.

Magically sealed.

Oh yes, Sheila Bennett was a strong witch.

But he was strong too.

And much older.

With a little effort, he was able to break the spell she had placed upon her door, using his mind to remove the hindrance as he walked over the now cleared threshold.

Another wave of his hand and the door stood erect yet again.

He took a deep breath, walking through the small space.

The inside reeked of witch magic, and he smiled.

How lucky he was to stumble upon a Bennett.

He would have never guessed that after five hundred years, Emily's family would still be settled in the place of her death.

Let alone still practice the craft.

But luck seemed to be favoring him much lately, and he wouldn't look down on a gift of fate.

He had entered the living room, where evidence of the craft was scattered about.

From books to candles.

He couldn't help but smirk.

This woman didn't even try to hide it.

How he loved this century.

He made his way to the nearest bookshelf, fingering the binds of the old volumes, until his eyes came across a picture frame.

He did a double take.

Sheila Bennett smiled up at him, her arms around a young girl.

An extremely familiar young girl.

So his darling Elena had once again found herself in friendship with a Bennett witch.

Or at least the granddaughter of one.

Well.

This could complicate things.

And Damon didn't like complications.

Woo, finished.

I feel like the ending was better than the start of the chapter, but whatever, it is finished and posted!

Hope ya'll enjoyed it!