A/N: Hello and good evening, afternoon or morning! Welcome back to Mirror's Reflection. This is the start of the new arc and I'm very curious what all of you will think about it. I will keep it short today, because, well, it's late where I am right now, and I really need some sleep.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me all these kind messages over the past week (and the past year, really) and know that it's your words that keep me inspired and motivated working on this story. I hope you'll all enjoy^^

o.O.o

Chapter Twenty-Five, Into the Woods

The weather was not warm, but at least the rain had stopped even if it was dewy. The floodwaters had receded and the roads were semi-passable. Large tree branches and even whole trees that had fallen across the asphalt roads kept Mystic Falls secluded from the rest of Virginia and the remnants of puddles oiled the streets. The wind whipped up and down most violently and I held on to my hair with white fingers. Caroline stalked out in front of me, eyes thin slits and mouth a tight, pale line.

"Come on, Elena," she snapped, "we don't want to be late."

"It's only a party."

"Well," she sniffed, "since you decided to try on living a bit again, I don't see why we should wait."

"Caroline—"

"You tried making a deal with Klaus. Who knows what you'll do next."

"Well, it's a good thing I did too. If I hadn't managed that, I would be very much dead by now."

She sniffed but didn't say anything.

Another gust of wind stirred my hair and my lips puckered with frustration as we stepped inside the Grill, nodding at a foul looking doorman. It was, unsurprisingly, packed inside. Hired for the birthday of one of the Seniors, alcohol was freely poured and attracted almost every high school student that could manage to dodge the doorman. Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, I hung my jacket on the back of one of the chairs. Several teenagers excitedly made their way over and Caroline latched onto the attention like an attention-starved cockatoo, flaunting its feathers. It was somewhat amusing.

I ignored the proffered red plastic cup sloshing lukewarm beer around and tucked a long lock of straight hair behind my ear. Distant laughter floated through the air like a soft breeze and I migrated slowly towards the bar. At least this scenery seemed more familiar and for once I didn't feel like a fish out of the water. Several girls, already quite drunk, were all crowded around the bar and a small smile tugged at my lips. For the first time in the past few days since I'd resumed Elena's normal rhythm, I felt my shoulders relax. This was much like a student party and I leaned my elbows heavily on the sticky bar top, waving at a very red-faced waiter whose name I probably should have known, but didn't.

Ordering myself a Tequila — it would be the only drink I was having tonight — I settled at the back corner of the Grill, propping my feet up on the free chair adjacent to me and sighed. I was perfectly content watching the teenagers move around me.

I had no idea which Senior I should have to congratulate, but she or he sure was popular and had a lot of friends. A lot of bizarre and unexpected friends, to be honest. Many of whom were already roaring drunk when I finally finished my Tequila and switched to Pepsi.

"Elena," Matt Donovan greeted and settled in front of me.

I managed to move my feet away just in time before he flopped into the booth. "Hello, Matt."

"Enjoying the party?"

"It's fine, I guess," I said. "Glad my parents aren't here."

"Yeah, remember when you got so drunk?"

I frowned. I thought I vaguely did from the show and wetted my lips. "I slipped and needed stitches before my dad grounded me?" I said and tapped my fingers nervously against the table. "Wasn't allowed to see you for a week?"

"Exactly," he laughed, "how unbelievable that your parents had to sit in the booth right behind us."

"How unbelievable that I thought faking a choking fit was a good way to keep my father away."

"Good point," he agreed and his smile broadened. "Does Caroline stay over with you?"

I nodded. I was quite sure she was supposed to be my guard this upcoming weekend and followed his gaze. Caroline was at the bar, already increasingly tipsy, borderline indecent and swaying before the barman. I recognized the twirl of her hair, the flirty smile on her lips, she was trying to get him to give her more alcohol and I snorted. "Wonderful, she's already drunk."

"I'm surprised you're not." He told me seriously. "You always said you liked a good time."

"Yeah," I shrugged, "someone needs to make sure we get home save."

Matt sniggered, leaning his elbows on the tabletop. "I could get you a beer?"

I smiled, about to decline before, nodding gratefully. This was my day off, wasn't it? I was allowed to enjoy myself once in a while. "Perhaps a beer would be nice."

He grinned again and I smiled back. Talking to Matt, who still had no idea about the Supernatural world, was like a breath of fresh air and made me feel more alive than I had in a long while. My smile felt much more genuine when Matt returned with a red plastic cup and a beer. I accepted both gratefully and poured some in the cup. "So— you and Caroline?"

"Ugh, not you too!" He huffed, cheeks flushing.

I laughed boisterously. "What? You two are cute together."

"Elena— please don't make this weird."

"But Matt, we're friends. It is my duty to make things weird."

That got a laugh out of him and he shook his head. "We're just taking it slow, all right?"

"Sure," I shrugged and brought my beer up for a small sip.

It was sudden. The beer sloshed out of the red plastic cup and pain prickled through my skull. I bumped against the table and one hand went to my temple. One moment, I was sitting in a booth of the Grill, the next, I stood in my parents' entrance hall. It was sunny and a damp mid-afternoon breeze ruffled my hair. There was someone at the door, I could make out his shape, his shadow, through the stained glass that sat in the cater of the front door. I recognized my previous boyfriend. I recognized Adam and I was already reaching out to grab the doorknob. My movements were sluggish, slow but I recognized my hand. MY HAND.

With the cluster of freckles to one side and the bracelet, I'd gotten for my tenth birthday and refused to part with. The door clicked open and I catalogued his broad shoulders, his easy smile and his dirty blond hair and I grinned. And then I realized I had opened my mouth and was speaking.

"Adam, I didn't know you would stop by—"

And I knew I wasn't in charge. Now that I thought about it, I could feel something, someone, pressing against me. This might have been my body. It was not under my control. Adam stepped forward, unaware of me being locked up in my body like Melanie had been in the Host, and he kissed me. Passionately, if I may add.

My body responded — or Elena responded — and my hands curled around the neckline of his shirt. When he pulled back his expression was smug. I couldn't understand. We had decided we were better off as friends. He even had started dating this new girl and I had been okay with it. What the fuck?

"I just wanted to see my girlfriend." He said and I seethed.

"Well, your girlfriend is delighted to see you," Elena grinned, I felt the bubbly happiness cramp my stomach muscles. "Come in—"

She stepped aside and I realized something. While I might have been keeping to a rather celibate life, Elena hadn't. Had even started dating my ex-boyfriend and— How fucked up was that? Did she know we couldn't switch back? Did she know I was there right now? Perhaps I could—

Adam moved further inside and his eyes were drawn to the large family portrait on the wall. It had been taken during my senior year in high school and I was smiling. My mom was beside me and we both looked happy. I remembered I had been happy that day. Adam's expression darkened a bit. "You know, I really can't get over the fact that you look like her but— aren't."

"I'm sorry," she said. She didn't sound sorry.

"No, it's— you, I get it. And although you have her face, you're just nothing like her, but—" Adam said, shrugging his jacket off and hung it on the clothes rack by the door.

"It's weird." She finished.

"Yeah."

Elena's lips twisted into a sour smile. "Do you miss her?"

"Yes," he admitted and my struggle to gain the upper hand ceased, "but I love you and she's happy right?"

"I love you too," she whispered and I felt as if I'd been slapped. "And she is adapting. I mean I know she is. It's been so long—"

So long? It hadn't been long. It had been a few months. Fucking months, and Elena Fucking Gilbert dared to pretend this whole ordeal was somewhat normal and had happened a long time ago? I wanted to throttle her— I wanted to—

And then the sunny afternoon light was gone and I was in the bar again, head cradled in my hands. A police officer was standing next to me, syringe held between trembling fingers. My lips were dry and my hands were shaking, but— as I held out Elena's arms— I was fine. Back in Elena's body and probably crying but fine. It took a moment for me to compose myself and I met the man's eyes warily.

"What are you doing?"

"The Vervain didn't work," He mumbled and I watched as his left hand twitched over the handle of his gun. It didn't click immediately. Why the fuck would he think I was a vampire? But then Matt had clambered over the table, the menu holder and card clattering on the floor. His hands fisted around the man's collar, shaking him and I was forcefully reminded that this goofy, blond boy was still an athlete at heart.

"What the hell, man, what was that?"

"It's okay Matt," I mumbled and scrambled to my feet. "I'm fine."

"Yeah, miraculously, you are," he snapped and gave the police officer a shake, "not thanks to him."

"What happened?" I asked dumbly.

"Oh my God you're Grayson Gilbert's daughter," he stammered and I wondered if hitting him would be acceptable. If that would be something Grayson Gilbert's daughter would do. My chin quivered from the strain and I swallowed.

"Yes, I am. Why is that important? What's going on?"

"They're rounding up people," Matt supplied softly, letting go of the man and stepped closer to me.

"Rounding up people," I echoed and suddenly it hit me. It hit me so hard, my breath was knocked out of my lungs and my blood froze in my veins. Of course, I realized. The device. The Gilbert device, wielded by people who wanted to avenge the deaths of all of those towns' people.

Grayson Gilbert who talked about killing vampires out of some twisted idea of justice in mind would definitely use a device like that. My mouth went dry and my eyes went wide, flitting around the room. That same device could take down Caroline.

I pushed past the police officer and pushed my way past the horrified looking students. How did they ever convince people rounding seemingly normal humans up and injecting them with some kind of poison, was a normal thing to do? Elena's betrayal, although still a fresh welcome pain in the back of my mind, had taken a backseat for the moment and I bit down on the inside of my mouth.

"Caroline!" I yelled, my voice barely even audible above the thumping bass. "Care!?"

A hand shot out and curled around my arm, yanking me back. The police officer from before stared back at me. Greenish eyes wide and face a waxy white.

"What do you want now?" I snapped annoyed. "I am not a vampire."

"No, but Gilbert, is Caroline a—"

I cut him off again. "No, we came together. I want to know where she is." And managed to wrench my arm out of his grip. He yelled after me, but I wasn't listening anymore. I was already hurrying away. I almost screamed in happiness when I recognized Dana pressed against the wall.

"Dana!"

"Elena— Hi!" She gasped, sounding quite winded. "Have you heard? A nearby prison break—"

My mouth opened in understanding. So that was the story they were going with. I straightened my spine and somehow Dana stopped talking. Perhaps it was the authoritative expression I'd morphed my face into. It was a look people I'd previously associated with knew well. It was the expression I used whenever I lectured my best friend and now, it was the expression that made Dana clap her mouth shut.

"Dana, have you seen Caroline?"

"Yes," she mumbled, "yes, she went into the bathroom, I, is something—"

"No, no, everything is fine, I just want to check up on her," I whispered and moved towards the bathroom. I brushed past some boy I didn't bother to recognize on my way through the door and quickly crossed the hallway, stumbling into the dim-lit toilet. And then I faltered. What if I was too late? What if Caroline had already left and fainted in the middle of the dance floor? Dana did not necessarily have to see it with all those people and—

The stall door creaked open and a peep-toe heel peeked out from within. I recognized it immediately and I stumbled forward. The relief I felt was so abrupt. So strong, it almost made my knees buckle and I plonked down before her. The stall door clattered noisily against the tiled wall and I gripped her shoulders fiercely. Caroline Forbes peered up at me from her coiled position, cheeks wet and pale. I gasped. "Caroline?"

"It hurts," she whimpered, blonde locks of hair curled around shaking fingers. "It hurts so bad!"

"You have to try and pretend it doesn't," I whispered urgently.

"I can't!" She whined and her guttural gasps became louder.

A glacier chill travelled down my spine. I remembered Anna Zhu to be in quite the same position when the Gilberts' device was used. At some point, an officer would stalk inside and I tried to think of what to do. Caroline was still gasping, biting her lip so hard she drew blood and I wrung the straps of my handbag between my fingers. The handbag with the anti-anxiety medication and the pain killers medication— and, fuck I'd also bought my sleep medication for the off chance we would be staying over at Caroline's house and dug through the bag so haphazardly half of its contents rolled onto the ground.

"What the—"

I turned quickly towards the door, staring up at Matt Donovan's shocked, chalk-white face. He was holding on to the door jamb, fingers going white and I shook my head.

"I can't— not now!" I whispered urgently.

"What is wrong with her?" Matt demanded taking a step closer to his shaking girlfriend.

I shook my head. "I'll tell you. Just not now. Listen, we need to get her out of here."

"What are those?" He asked with an edge of uncertainty to his voice as I popped the pills.

"Sleep medication," I muttered and turned to Caroline. She was looking at me again. "Three of those make you high— amongst other things. It won't stop the pain, but I think it will make you woozy enough to get you out of here." I explained and with her teeth clenched she snatched them out of my hands, swallowing them all in one.

"I don't get—"

"Matt, get her to my car. Pretend she's drunk." I ordered.

Matt was leaning against the open bathroom door with wide eyes and his arms hanging uselessly to his sides. "What's going on with her?" He asked and I bit my lip.

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course, I do."

"Than trust me to do what's best for her," I said just as Caroline flopped forward. God, shit worked fast on vampires. Matt moved closer, scooping Caroline up in one go and she blubbered incoherently. I realized she was moaning almost inaudible. I hoped it sounded like drunken babbling instead and we moved out of the bathroom. Thankfully, there was no one in the hallway, the wooden floor creaking beneath our feet. The central part, however, was still crowded, although less crowded than before.

"I don't see officer Dewy anywhere," I remarked dryly and Matt gave me a non-plussed expression.

"You knew the guy that tried to inject you?"

"No, it's a reference to— never mind, come on, hurry up." I started leading him to the exit.

We had almost made it when the officer from before appeared, backing me into the door. I hit it with a jarring thud, eyes wide and Matt froze. He was breathing heavily and I wondered, almost absentmindedly, if he'd called me in through his portable phone.

"Elena Gilbert—"

"I'm not a vampire," I snapped, "I didn't go down because of some mystical device— yeah I'm a Gilbert, I know about it."

"Vampires—" Matt echoed and Caroline smacked her lips, pupils blown. God the stuff was strong.

The officer, looking incredibly horrified and out of his depth, let his eyes flit between me and then to Caroline. "What's wrong with her?"

"Drunk— as I told you before, we came here together and I am getting her home."

"No, I—"

"You could call Sheriff Forbes? This is her daughter." I snapped and slapped at his hand. "Get off!"

"I,"

"By all means, shove that syringe in my arm," I hissed, deciding to take a gamble. Deciding to call the man bluff. "It's not like I can't prove I'm not a vampire. Well, go on."

"Elena," Matt started, hoisting Caroline up in his arms, her head lolled on his shoulder, "What—"

"Not now, Matt," I snapped, not breaking eye contact with the officer in front of me and finally he stepped back, letting go of my shoulder. "Right, go."

I fumbled for the doorknob, throwing the door open. Matt moved through it first and it wasn't until he'd taken several steps out of the door, that I followed after him. I knew it was an enormous leap of fate, letting Matt in on the vampire secret, but right now he had not lost anyone he cared for to them either. A rash decision, but I hoped he would love Caroline enough to help. Would care for Elena Gilbert enough to want to help her.

I struggled to find my car keys, almost crying out in relief when my fingers curled around the familiar monkey keychain and I quickly unlocked the door. Matt settled Caroline in the backseat of the car, closing the door with a thud. His eyes were troubled when he met my gaze.

"I don't understand, Elena," he explained, wringing his hands together.

"I'll tell you," I promised, "just, please not now. Just go straight home, fuck your shift. Go home."

"I— Elena, vampires, what the fuck is going on?"

"I'll tell you, I will, tomorrow, but please Matt! I have to get her out of here."

Matt's expression looked lost for one more moment and then he seemed to steel himself, nodding. "Okay."

I flashed him a smile, swiftly getting behind the wheel and I started the engine. It roared to life and I quickly steered the car out of the parking lot.

When we pulled into Maple Street ten minutes later, the sight of the Gilbert house made my breath escape me in a long hushed exhale. Thank God, we'd made it. Caroline lay bonelessly in the back seat, beads of sweat rolling down her forehead and I changed gears, turning the car onto the driveway. Miranda and Grayson must have been out, their usual parking space empty of the silver Volvo and I blew a lock of hair out of my face.

"Care, do you think you can walk?"

"It burns," she whispered.

"I know," I admitted, "but we're here."

"Thank God," she gasped and then blacked out.

I wasn't sure how exactly I'd managed to get Caroline inside the house, much less up the stairs, but I was seriously thankful it was deadly silent. When we reached my bedroom, I tucked her in as if she were a child, and gently brushed her curly hair out of her face. She looked peaceful now.

"You keep me on my toes," I mumbled and Caroline's eyes shot open, they weren't bleary anymore.

"I'm okay now, though." She whispered.

"They turned off the device?"

"Yeah," she agreed. "They did a little while ago. The sleep meds though? They're really good."

I smiled half-heartily. "I know. I'm glad you're okay."

"What happened with you?" Caroline forced out, blinking against the drowsiness. "I saw you go all rigid and staring unseeingly. It was almost like—" she tried, swallowing, eyes tearing up, "—almost like you had a vision like Bonnie."

I wetted my lips. I hadn't thought about Bonnie for a while and felt a stab of guilt tear through my stomach. I averted my eyes, frowning. "I don't know. It was a lot like a different future." I met her gaze again. "It doesn't matter anymore. The things I saw, they're no longer available to me anyway."

"Oh—" Caroline's eyes shut closed and her mouth went slack, "—that sucks."

"Yeah," I agreed, although Caroline seemed already asleep, "that it does. But, it's also a closure."

My timeline was gone, but I had a new one to contend with. It was time for me to accept that.

To be continued…

A/N: And the next arc is truly on its way. To everyone wondering about the romance in this story, we will get there (probably), but don't expect it anytime soon. I suppose when it comes to slow burns (and uncertainity about pairings), I will take the meaning to a new level. To be honest, I feel like Non-Elena is far from ready to start a relationship and I want to keep this story relatable. I want to keep her relatable and whenever I think about it, or even pen something romatic down, it just- feels forced.

There will be romance! Absolutely, but for now, it will be gentle nudges. And I do love the suspense^.^

On another note, the out of body experience, it won't be a regular thing. I feel like I should explain it just a little bit. Non-Elena glimpses one scene of Elena's life as her. Whatever conclusions she draws on that, might not be entirely fair. Either way, the Gilbert device affects those who are supernatural (or at least it affects vampires and werewolves). In a way, Non-Elena is supernatural, but she is still quite human. For a moment, it affected her, it pulled at the bond Non-Elena still shares with Elena/her orginal body, and then, she fought to gain control over her own body and it was shattered.

If it was a bit unclear, well, in a way, it was supposed to. I needed Non-Elena to have some sort of closure of her past life. And in a way, this will be part of it.

As for 'Officer Dewy' kudos to who understood the reference^^

Like always reviews are much appreciated.

Love to hear from you all!

Anna