Damon watched on as Stefan made his way through the forest alone. He knew Abby had to wait until Elena was distracted to put the barrier up. If by some misfortune Elena couldn't die, she'd be trapped here left to desiccate.
When Stefan reached the point, they agreed upon, Elena appeared. "What is it that you're so eager to talk about?" Elena asked.
"Damon told me what you two did to me and Bonnie. I just wanted to know why? You seemed happy with Matt. So why me?"
Elena laughed and stepped closer to Stefan. On cue Abby, Qetsiyah, Sheila, and Lucy moved in chanting low. They were putting up the barrier. Then they'd slow her healing ability. And Damon would be able to go in for the kill.
Damon looked at his brother and he knew their plan was foolproof. There was no way Elena would get the best of them. She couldn't get the best of them. His children's future rested on his ability to make Abby's plan work.
"Stefan, you know the answer to that question. I wanted you. I still want you and only you. Unlike a green-eyed witch we all know."
Stefan took her hand and looked deep into her eyes. "You had Matt. Why did you want me? You could have inserted any name into that picture why did you choose mine?"
~Afterlife Mystic Falls 7 years ago~
It was an eerie night to have a bond fire. To make matters worse Matt was so absorbed in the night, and "enjoying" the moment, that he barely noticed the effort Elena put into getting ready, and looking nice for him.
As if that wasn't bad enough, her phone wasn't working, no matter how close to the main road she got. She tripped on an up root and almost fell and hit her head on a huge rock. But a pair of strong arms saved her. She hung in the air a moment looking down at the jagged rock. Soon the strong arms pulled her up and held her close, as her heart raced in her chest.
She looked up to see Stefan's panicked and looking down at her. He helped her regain her footing and assisted in placing her hair gently back as it was. "You feeling, okay? Can I give you a ride?"
Tears started to pull in her eyes as she spoke. "Matt and I got into a fight. I'm fine I promise." She was lying and it was clear to see.
"How about you join me for a late night pick-me-up? " Stefan's smile was always captivating, but the way he was looking at Elena made her cheeks heat.
"That sounds good. I'd like to see what your pick-me-up, is." Stefan was usually with Bonnie, but partying wasn't usually Bonnie's thing… correction partying in the woods wasn't Bonnie's thing. Though there were many times Caroline was able to drag her here. She had been spending more time with Sheila Bennett lately. Elena was often jealous of Bonnie and Caroline. They were always the main focus of their parents' affections.
To impress her parents Elena tried to be the exemplary student. She was a cheerleader, creative writing club president, in year book, and class treasurer. The youngest class treasurer in Mystic Falls High history. Yet, at home Jeremy was always the topic of discussion.
That's why Elena's world was center in school and with her friends. It seemed like even there no one saw her or understood her.
"To be honest I saw you walk off and wanted to make sure you got home safe. I know everyone is pretty fried, but you don't usually separate yourself from the crowd. I always admired how you thrive in the spotlight. Yet you are down to earth and easy going."
"I didn't think you noticed that much about others. You and Bonnie are often in your own world. She always says you're kindred spirits. I wish I had that."
"If we're being honest. Bonnie is often telling me and Lexi about you and Care. She has so many stories about you guys and your childhood miss adventures. Lexi and I didn't have much fun in Maine."
Stefan opened the door to the Mystic Grille for Elena. The soft smile he gave her lite her body on fire. Stefan was off limits. He was Bonnie's, but they both always insisted to be only friends. They were oblivious to how in love they were with each other.
Elena warred with herself trying to reassure herself that Stefan's kindness was only linked to friendship. But the buzzing of chemistry between them and how he looked up at her from his milkshake. It felt like they were on a date.
And in that moment Elena got to really know Stefan. He wanted to join the medical field. Though he had his father's knack for design and art he wanted to break away from the family business.
Elena on the other hand wanted to join the medical field because she admired how her father helped so many people in town. They also both enjoyed writing. Elena already knew about Stefan's journal collection courtesy of Bonnie's big mouth, though Elena pretended to be shocked when Stefan talked about it.
"I know it's lame but, I read about Anne Frank and I always wanted my thoughts to hold some space in history. Maybe a future anthropologist will use my words to see the world in this moment through my eyes."
"That's so beautiful… I mean…"
Elena blushed as Stefan laughed. "I think it's beautiful too," Stefan said with a wink. He sealed his fate and tattooed his name on Elena's heart. He saw her.
-end flashback-
Abbey sealed Elena into place as she continued to share her story with Stefan. And on cue Damon prepared to attack. He was going to kill Elena. There would be no out for any of them if he failed.
Once the circle beneath Elena's feet started to shimmer Damon drove the dagger in his hand through Elena's back. She had moved slightly enough that Damon missed her heart by an inch. Elena turned her fury on Damon.
Bonnie road in the front seat. She led her head on her father's shoulder. She was blissfully unaware of the confrontation in the woods, or her car being followed by Lexi and Caroline.
Bonnie smiled up at her dad. He quickly returned the smile and kissed the top of her head, before returning his attention to the road. Bonnie briefly looked back at Sarah; who had been sleeping peacefully since the start of their smooth drive.
Bonnie felt a sense of inner peace as she warmly smiled and placed her hand on her lower stomach. Then she let out a curdling scream.
Rudy jerked the car wheel as he jumped, startled by the sound. Then panic filled him when he looked at Bonnie and the blood spilling out of her. Rudy quickly pulled to the emergency lane.
Bonnie was screaming and holding her bleeding shoulder. She didn't know what was happening, but she knew Damon needed her. She had to be with him.
Once Caroline saw Rudy pull over, she got her cell out and called Bonnie. Rudy answered. "Bonnie's bleeding, we need blood now," Rudy yelled as he walked around the car to Bonnie's side.
It didn't take long for Caroline and Lexi to pull in behind them. Caroline gave Bonnie her blood while Lexi called Stefan to no avail as he was focused on the fight. Rudy was already on the phone with Abby.
Abby's heart raced when her phone rang. "Bonnie," she thought to herself in a panic. "What's wrong?" Abby, greeted Rudy over the phone.
"Bonnie just started bleeding out of her shoulder. She's in a lot of pain," Rudy said in a rush.
Abby could hear her daughter's screams of pain, and her granddaughter's cries of concern for her mother. Abby looked on at the healing wound on Elena's shoulder. Damon and Stefan were strategizing how to take Elena down. "They're linked," Abby whispered when the realization hit her.
Elena laughed when Damon punched her in the face. She knew miles away Bonnie would be experiencing the pain of these brutal attacks. Though Elena's body was experiencing damage her healing mixed with Bonnie receiving vampire blood was too much for the brothers, and would ensure she could out last them in battle.
Abby quickly directed the others to seal the vampires in place immediately. She had to figure out a way to unlink Bonnie and Elena. Stefan and Damon were blinded by hate. They'd do more damage to Bonnie if they weren't frozen in time. Abby sent the brothers back to Giuseppe. "Talk to Giuseppe. Make sure he keeps the boys away. You bring Bonnie home to me," Abby directed Rudy.
Rudy ended his call with Abby and told Caroline to drive his car. She was to take Bonnie to Sheila Bennett's home.
Rudy road with Lexi to the Salvatore boarding house. He quickly called Giuseppe to explain the hardship they've found themselves in.
Damon was annoyed when he felt Stefan's arm land on his face. The boys got up to see they were in the cellar with Zach. They could hear Giuseppe out in the hall talking through the half-closed door.
Damon came to a startling realization that if he was here. Where was Bonnie and Sarah. He immediately B-lined for the door. "Sorry little cuz, but you two are to stay down here."
"What happened?" Damon demanded. Zach looked at Damon with sorrow in his eyes. Damon's mind went to a million different dark places in the 12 seconds it took Giuseppe to enter the room.
"Bonnie's healing OK, Caroline Forbes is taking her to Sheila's. You two wait down here for me and Rudy to get back."
"Where's Sarah?" Damon demanded.
"She's safe," Giuseppe said attempting to reassure his son.
"Where?"
Giuseppe walked over to his son and place a kind hand on his shoulder. "No one is going to let that psychopath near Sarah. No one," Giuseppe finished and he and Zach left the two in the room.
Stefan looked over at Damon sure he was beating himself up. "Let's break out of here and save your girls," Stefan said as he studied the old hinges on the cellar door.
"No Stefan."
