PART 1

CHAPTER 18

Jenna and Elena had left the house when a familiar dodge pulled into the driveway. "Two for one today. Jeremy's drawing again, and the prodigal daughter returns." Jenna trailed off. The guardian's heart ached as she took in Rose's face. The girl had moved out of the house without so much as a goodbye, and even though she was the adult in their lives Jenna had found it hard to parent Rose. Harder even when compared with Jeremy.

Rose had always been mature for her age, and now that she was just months shy of being an adult, Jenna couldn't step into the authority figure role with her. Especially since Rose had seen most of the fun Aunt Jenna out of all the siblings.

When Elena met Rose's eyes she was hit with many different emotions, but the most overpowering was the feeling of longing. Longing to hug her sister who had died and become a vampire. Her sister had opened herself up to her for a short time before leaving the house. She hadn't seen much of her sister recently, not at all in the last few days. There was a part of Elena that knew Rose must have known about Damon's plans, but the other wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

All in all, Elena just wanted her big sister again.

That's why when she saw the warm smile on Rose's face, Elena's body moved on its own. She had never seen Rose like that before, it was enough to make her want to cry. The slightly taller girl wrapped her arms around Elena in response to the sudden hug.

When they broke apart Rose placed a kiss on Elena's head. "You want a ride to school?" She asked. Elena didn't know whether to be more shocked by the offer of transportation or the fact that Rose planned to attend school for once. Elena quickly shook her head, running to the passenger side with a bewildered goodbye to their aunt.

Elena saw Jenna and Rose exchange a simple greeting before her eldest sibling stepped into the driver's seat.

Elena opened and closed her mouth, hesitating to speak. She didn't know where to start. They hadn't had the opportunity to talk about her vampirism in detail, the brunette had doubted Rose would tell her anyway. But with her sudden behavior, she felt like taking a chance.

"I heard about you, and Stefan," Rose spoke suddenly, causing Elena to hop in her seat. "I'm sorry." Mind sifting through her words, Elena finally spoke. "He told you… I didn't know you guys were that close. I thought with the whole Damon thing, you hated each other or something." Elena's voice was somewhat soft and small. While usually headstrong and confident, Elena had always been demure in her sister's presence. Now more than ever with her knowledge of vampires and how dangerous they were. Elena didn't know if she was afraid of Rose, she'd like to think that she wasn't but deep down, she might have been.

"Hate's a strong word," Rose said, clutching the steering wheel tighter. "Stefan and I…" She trailed off, a far away look in her eyes. Elena thought Rose would never answer with how long she remained silent. Elena took in Roses feature's which seemed sharper than the last time she saw her. Elena took note of Rose's presence. Rose had felt outright dangerous to her when she had attacked Vicki, both times. But now, it was as if she was normal, or rather subdued. Elena wondered what had happened.

Rose glanced at Elena, a small and sad smile taking over her face. "It's complicated."

Elena froze. It sounded as if they were in a relationship. She shook the thought as soon as it entered her mind. She couldn't put her trust in Rose, but Stefan loved her, and he would not cheat on her. Elena forced herself to repeat in her head to stop the panic. Most likely it had something to do with vampires that she wouldn't understand, and Rose and Damon looked more than cosey enough all the times she had caught them together. Not to mention Rose moving in with him.

"I heard about Bonnie too. Is she okay?" Again, this surprised her. Even before becoming a vampire, Bonnie and Caroline had never mattered much to Rose, Elena had always thought that the girls irritated Rose somewhat. "She's okay, Stefan healed her with his blood… I told her, about vampires."

Elena had expected Rose to be angry, but her sister just nodded. "She's a witch, even without Damon's involvement in her life she would have found out about the supernatural anyway."

Elena couldn't take it anymore; the whole situation was weird. "What the hell is wrong with you!" She burst out suddenly. The car came to a stop, and she noticed only then that they were at school.

Rose sighed, turning slightly to face her younger sister. "I had… the vampire equivalent to a near-death experience. Something happened to me, it's why I've been gone these last few days. It made me re-evaluate some things in my life. Or something like that."

Elena couldn't say anything in response. So, she got out of the car. Rose followed her. Elena was on route to Bonnie, whose car had just pulled into the lot. She stopped suddenly whipping around, a fierce expression lighting up her face. "Okay! So, you nearly died and now you're different. What exactly am I supposed to do with that? You're like a rollercoaster. You're never stable! One day you're cold and unfeeling and then you're the best big sister anyone could ask for. And don't blame being a vampire!"

Rose couldn't help the smile that pulled on her mouth. Elena looked like a toddler throwing a fit. She even let out a muffled chuckle. Elena blushed at that. Rose placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm complicated I get that. But I should be… stable soon. There was something strange about me before I became a vampire, and that messed with my vampirism. I'm looking into it. From now on, I'll only be the best big sister ever." Rose laughed aloud this time, at the red blush that engulfed Elena's face.

Rose turned her sister around and pushed her in the young witch's direction. With a wave to Bonnie, Rose headed in the school's direction, there was something else she needed to do.

"What was that?" The Bennett witch asked her best friend. The girl shook her head, blush still on her face. "I don't know! Everyone's losing it, I swear!"

Bonnie gave Elena a funny look before the tanned girl started up a conversation about the previous night.

Rose found Tyler in the halls, talking with someone she didn't recognize. When she approached them, Rose compelled the boy to go away. Tyler watched his friend walk away without another word.

Rose took Tyler by arm and dragged him into one of the still empty classrooms. When the door shut, Tyler was suddenly there kissing her. Rose allowed him to but pulled back once he became too eager. "Tyler, this needs to end." She figured the quicker and more to the point it was, the less it would hurt for him. Rose didn't expect to see the blatant hurt in his eyes. Rose sighed softly, Tyler had developed feelings for her, feelings she couldn't reciprocate.

"What the hell Rose!? I don't see you for what weeks. And then you break up with me!?" Tyler's grip on her arms was bruising and most likely would have hurt if she was human. Rose closed off her face, staring blankly at Tyler, her eyes iced over. "Tyler we were barely together and were not in a relationship. I was using you, to get back at Vicki." Again, the pain and hurt in his eyes made Rose flinch.

This was her responsibility; she had caused this by playing games with him.

Since turning her humanity back on Rose had been feeling the emotions, she should have been all her life. She hardly recognized who she was now compared to a few days ago. Damon and Stefan had been equally as shocked by the changes in her this morning when she had interrupted their going-away plan discussions.

"I don't care, Rose! I used Vicki to get to you! I always wanted you. I…" Before he could say the next words, Rose kissed him. Tyler sunk into their exchange, holding her even tighter to himself. He could taste the goodbye on her lips. When she pulled away again, Tyler chased after her but Rose held his face gently in her hands, her eyes dilating strangely.

"We had a few nights together, but nothing more. It was good sex, nothing more. You don't love me Tyler, and our breakup is mutual. We're still friends after all." The compulsion set in, and a smile pulled on his handsome features. "You call me anytime; I'll help you out." The smirk and tone of his voice conveyed the hidden meaning of his words. Rose just nodded, as Tyler turned to leave.

The bell rang as the door slammed shut. Rose sighed, a frown on her face. "Might as well stay." She muttered and left the classroom to fetch her books. She had history first.

Rose walked beside Elena as they left the school. Rose spotted him first and made Elena aware. Rose pulled on Elena's elbow turning her in Stefan's direction. She stopped walking, allowing Elena to talk to Stefan privately even though she could hear everything. Stefan gave her a grateful smile as Elena took a seat next to him.

Rose already knew about the vampire in town, she had listened in with Stefan this morning when Sheriff Forbes had spoken to Damon outside. Rose focused on Tyler and Matt playing basketball. Tyler was bringing up Matt and Caroline's relationship which was a thing now. She smiled softly to herself when she the look on Matt's face. When the blonde boy brought her up, Rose focused. The compulsion made itself known when Tyler repeated what she had said. It was just sex, they agreed to end it and they were still friends. Matt frowned but said nothing. Rose no doubt knew that Matt was somewhat aware of Tyler and his feelings, they were best friends after all.

She sighed, again this time, turning back to Elena and Stefan. At the mention of Damon, she approached them. "Did he go alone?" Stefan nodded; Rose clicked her tongue in response. The raven-haired girl pulled out her keys from her pocket. She dropped them in Stefan's lap.

"You get a ride with Bonnie." Rose motioned to Elena, "You take my car back home. I'm going after Damon." Stefan clutched the keys in his hands standing up and running after Rose who had begun walking away. Forgetting that Elena was there, Stefan reached out and pulled Rose back. "Rose, it's dangerous. We know nothing about this vampire. Damon can handle himself, and how are you going to find him anyway." Stefan spoke, keeping his voice low.

Rose pulled her arm gently out of Stefan's grip. "That's exactly why I'm not letting him go after them on his own. Besides, it seems age doesn't much matter to me, does it? I can put Damon on his ass when I'm serious. I might have turned over some kind of leaf, but don't mistake this new me for weakness. Now more than ever I'll protect Damon with my life." The sheer conviction in her voice stumped Stefan. This new Rose was even more fierce and protective than she had been before. Stefan had noticed Rose drinking from blood bags, which meant that she wasn't even compelling people for blood anymore. She felt more bright and vibrant than she had before, more alive than she had been before.

He knew there was no stopping her. He reached out for her again, this time grabbing her hand gently. Rose looked down at their hands as Stefan grabbed hers, interlocking their fingers in the process. "Just be careful." She nodded, before checking her surroundings and then using her vampire speed to disappear.

Elena watched as Stefan remained where he stood, looking in the direction Rose had run off to. Again, she kept repeating in her head, that Stefan loved her; he wouldn't cheat.

The worried and heartbroken expression on his face when he turned to her caused her features to pinch in a frown, and worry set in her bones.

Was it possible… that Stefan and Rose were…?

No. Stefan loved her and no one else.